tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57997181109145591042024-03-12T18:32:43.185-07:00The 4 EllisonsA story of our life; the joys and trials that we embrace along the way.Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-58938767308900477942012-04-15T17:09:00.008-07:002012-04-15T20:59:28.468-07:00Livi's BIG DAY!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2McwHQsPs2bpplBYFjOH4F2PK69d6g5bGfIpfEOnKficYZSD1a_Xymhcq5gdNbRSr3HKpJamLLXJwSlvfaqoiplnLWnKSogL_4DHmwGMLkLwf_YCiEGBr_QEX5zhClpA_5rByYPolMfa3/s1600/IMG_0462.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO6op20c_fb7N_-qrR0zbTUOCgFv5RDFL0MnfQ9szCGvWkbuDRlHuEthuOZtFRroDw7AUJpQQA-c5oCOAolNssnvgkpX-mMbtIo_TTVIUuW0BX1XPuUFxvAJtr9TpnSuQewQ2VQc7SxWB/s1600/IMG_0453.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNO6op20c_fb7N_-qrR0zbTUOCgFv5RDFL0MnfQ9szCGvWkbuDRlHuEthuOZtFRroDw7AUJpQQA-c5oCOAolNssnvgkpX-mMbtIo_TTVIUuW0BX1XPuUFxvAJtr9TpnSuQewQ2VQc7SxWB/s320/IMG_0453.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731837919510308498" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Uncle Matt, Randy Erikson (home teacher), Sean Williams, Dad, Papa, Uncle Garrett, Uncle Adam, Uncle Ryan, Great Uncle Randy, Bishop Mike Gardner</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">(Grandpa had left to change for the baseball game.) </span></div>The day that we had anticipated for the last 8 years had come. Olivia turned 8 and chose to be baptized by her father and become an official member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Tons of family came for the special day. All of the Claycamp side of the family drove down from California and Uncle Adam from Utah. Grandpa Bill drove down by himself from his home in Red Bluff, CA and ev<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbIH82Q8QUgjtHihZCMnCnRoEu3liWmwk5ilOPAlF819nqrVP8IoAkq5iaeE-_AOKaMTcb2J3k8Xvn-T94lGMRrdZjGOvtUl7ozZXZkPrf29uQm8wtQdaSMKxX-qc1BWeZbyJ2NxoEQN2/s200/IMG_0412.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731835927667077298" />en ALL of the Richins' family (Grandma Claycamp's sister) came down from Orem as well as our dear friends the Williams' from Pleasant Grove, UT. So much love and support for one very fun day.<div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJgUEGrEZSMNzkAvzNwkO0PG4CJkYF_U7_mzK8Js05kBdsyT3AxWj4_7FfT7gV8cd6TWfLhRWcUX03NkudixJvSMxwutjyqAx7qXFmNP2b-Q1pwvNcr5w3POZf37RWAqiNfhNyoCP6MWO/s200/IMG_0467.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731840487946906882" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>Grandpa Bill was first to arrive Friday morning, with the Richins' family arriving friday afternoon We spent the day playing games and catching up in true Richins fashion. Voni and I took Livi to</div><div>rehearse her violin song and Randy, along with Katie and</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0l8LDBSuK-hRUnIB-4EfNaVa30HrE-vgCsnN3gb9pmNWwjcnEj73XdGlWksY1fU8bnvw3y4Pb_uC8VsJmUk9DrKVfskxIpJfkhyphenhyphenBKH5xovsvuCtL7RCI-3rj59jg5PBVO4wR69gu1fhS/s200/427670_3221804980277_1121020738_55097320_1355092309_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731835932798324354" /><div> Stephanie took Aaron to his first baseball practice. That night we all feasted on pizza and salad and more games and delicious caramel popcorn (that was intended for the baptism, which didn't make it that far). Uncle Randy drove all </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BGw3bNelSgOpufJd5EY-VTlfhRiSxz7uhAiU7mQf4vg-8p3L9hsJfWfGTDsE6UiXHRt7qbhoZUOGf-5kljU4veUEgNlKWApToUbUCaTgdFSagSu_q8BYS52YQTmuJfaHqlGCSU6a7Ttj/s200/64728_2508430730698_1850974179_1540018_1619005569_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731835934264912690" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 172px; " /><div>the "kids" to frozen yogurt at U-swirl for MORE dessert! It was a late night with everyone else trickling in at different times in the evening. The Claycamps stayed with us while both Grandpas, VanDurens and Reasbecks all got rooms at the Santa Fe Station Casino.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aBW8tzf724emzn_yWguPkZLlNTY5PbbnUui-EVbI8d5ysi6MxtmYjXEJt2vKh_fdqd0yycsXggFUg5tgJzrhECs3wQkYdWYnBNMyZbeG6c_RPXt4zGGx0ZdPD9VsNtllJHDfNWzfNjkU/s200/IMG_0414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731837134030546242" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Saturday morning was kicked off with Olivia's opening ceremonies for girls fast pitch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfrSQ15pStMzf6KMqSZ0odGf8ac6qtTIFwOcelBYJkSl_xFUNQreH3YOixMo6eghswN1N_g2dzRhW23Iirx6-epsK7N9QtLORS6ldLLSdkiqNCnoSQDmwXuLCTL9OWU3FKA_1KlYLt1lM/s200/IMG_0420.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731837138115873394" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">softball. Cody, Logan and some of the Richins clan joined us for the event. They were impressed by the beautiful fields and family support that is so evident in all the team shirts being worn by parents. Off to home for lunch and then back to the field for the first of her two games for the day. We could not have asked for better weather. Everyone was able to be there, even the Williams had arrived at this point, and we all cheered on her team, "The Drama Queens"! (Coach, Jeremy Lucero former St. Louis Cardnials.)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsv6o0VEZap54hkqb98zmRGFdapV2eoYqpZfSPcSD8vwOQap1MnNJ5KGFPvTxwo0lodRdqJLdz1bXIAh1dsiCyfkVMFxaJcmVBZsOoWaKoHctJY4JKnULL3X_9h6TvpsNhQAxQFa8dapX/s320/IMG_0430.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731837906203749634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">Time was of the essence, so we grabbed Livi, just a little early and headed off to the church building.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4N4u1hnwXQMQ8PwEzhBhlK3MfnXkVBaDUqYXRZzCtGeiSZCkSkgvNPHphuXHSSIShRhrJi_fnWF4exGQVu5K_F6eV3EaDONNLpaOR9xSbSvZ3cXVlqu5P6Y8J2_jmU7NTaAyMnwuJPdZ/s320/IMG_0441.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731839739339561218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">I was amazed at how well the jumper fit Olivia. I guess I thought that she wasn't really "big" enough to be baptized. I told her I didn't know what was more strange, "She was 8, or I had a daughter who was 8 years old"?!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxd0R4egsskZMqFeyhVUmixqCkf3IfnwsXMxEz4-6c3J30ZnHXnIyq2wxJx_lvpTSLugLOIy8wCETZN72UlfEy2AuQHxSUUzSLGHPoWzvxKatXZf7Hb-uMPpCr34dhQAUB98XUOF9P5FN8/s320/IMG_0443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731837912094632498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">While Bill prepared, Sean got Aaron ready and I helped Olivia. We did her hair so that it could get wet and we wouldn't have to do anything to it after and then go to her 2nd game from there. Pictures were taken and the baptism got under way, running only a little bit behind. (Poor Reasbecks, even when it's not their fault...entirely.) The program was wonderful. Everyone who was asked to participate was able to do so. Cody even learned how to conduct a rather difficult song so that we could all sing it. A precious moment was when all the cousins stood to sing, by Livi's request, "I Like to look for Rainbows". 8 boys, and only 1 little girl, Emily (Abby was too little), made me smile to see how lucky our family is to have so much potential priesthood. I knew then, that Grandma C. was smiling on us, she was there. As Livi would say, "in true Ellison form" she was dunked twice, just like her dad was. Grandpa shared with her that at least Dad didn't make her hit her head like he had! The talks were wonderful and Angie's talk on the Spirit had me very emotional. I don't know if hers was more than extra pregnancy hormones but to me, she was very much a part of Livi's battle with cancer that I know she felt of the spirit that had so richly blessed our daily lives when we needed it most.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoaX1AHQ0Bf0dI0r6B3vysJqqWfJ0lW1OoOHXzk25fowFQ9_Y0CQAUWjZ2zHANRX-UxKUikFCVtOYuZJCzfXlvWwx4uZEWwXb-i8JC9cYJGFENa5RgBKxRJtje_3R-5S3FxXHTorSB4tx/s320/IMG_0448.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731839745230514658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>Livi played a beautiful song, (her favorite, I love to see the Temple) on her violin along with Sister Janet Chamberlain and her daughter, Ariel, with Sister Andrea Scholer accompanying on the piano.</div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards was photos and a change of clothes and it was back off to the ball fields. We met up with everyone at Livi's restaurant choice, Macayo's Mexican Cuisine. </div><div><br /></div><div>What a great DAY!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2McwHQsPs2bpplBYFjOH4F2PK69d6g5bGfIpfEOnKficYZSD1a_Xymhcq5gdNbRSr3HKpJamLLXJwSlvfaqoiplnLWnKSogL_4DHmwGMLkLwf_YCiEGBr_QEX5zhClpA_5rByYPolMfa3/s200/IMG_0462.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731840495076512082" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span><div>On Sunday, Bill and I prepared a wonderful brunch for everyone before 1:00 church and then yummy pulled pork sandwiches and homemade root beer for dinner, complete with root beer floats and a "Better than Robert Redford" cake for dessert. Our friends, the McMillans, Kristi's cousin, joined us at the baptism and for dinner on Sunday. Lawrence Chubbs, a friend of mine and one of Garrett's mission companions from Colorado was able to join us for the events from Livi's baptism on. (He lives in town with his family.)</div><div><br /></div><div>It was so wonderful to have the love of everyone who was able to come and participate. With Grandma not able to be there, the added love really means a lot.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Congratulations LIVI!</div></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-821037143991139432012-04-12T22:09:00.006-07:002012-04-12T22:41:40.454-07:00Romney comes to Town (2/4/12)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fH_j5fyLdVCprstwBwMM56otK_KAIjOHEAUzN2aOXLObvTBmKNYik-MOYQRkGSvV7q4AWU_PP_akdluezX5FYYtrX-Qk9TCr2_owc2i1nPNx0gcoNjZPtp1BSfwejbJEGbgpb8IpCUPl/s1600/IMG_0246.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;">It's that season again. Campaigning is in full swing, which in our world translates to "visits" from dad. Haha. This was a fun one though. Governor Mitt Romney, republican party presidential candidate came to Vegas and Bill was in charge of the hotel. So, the kids and I joined him. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs9dGylbJ54tylmrwSS7UklTqtj8cPY2g9oXw7efQWfq7I0EevJJk6AsAcc17qTpyUtE_-gRPVFh-_BK_hguDJh6_o0L_d_UyqD0TOPGKOKYtScP_3mtyFU7JmzkNtVBy6kr5vLiOdwpJ/s1600/IMG_0114.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs9dGylbJ54tylmrwSS7UklTqtj8cPY2g9oXw7efQWfq7I0EevJJk6AsAcc17qTpyUtE_-gRPVFh-_BK_hguDJh6_o0L_d_UyqD0TOPGKOKYtScP_3mtyFU7JmzkNtVBy6kr5vLiOdwpJ/s200/IMG_0114.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730752519713571186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WKyeNQjyibVhGrHYRUxQHIWR4Qn2STTfh9X7gO811F8WYYBeKa_QCX9uzIPHNgRgAaHlPxHtXFBA3h2Fop2T7t5L5BUVb9RtlQ7907tAFAhXYkjqYHRypSHVLSZq-U0s9bg8ZH9EUIsh/s200/IMG_0142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730752522212011250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " />Friends, that work with Bill, got us up close and personal at the public assembly Friday night. It's always fun to listen in on other people speculating who we are that we were able to get such VIP treatment. i.e. an entire "rope" section all to ourselves. Heehee. We all got to shake his hand and got in on the excitement! Afterwards, we enjoyed pizza at Metro Pizza in Henderson, where the rally was, YUM, and then stayed at the hotel. Saturday we went to donuts for breakfast before heading to vote in our caucus and then rushing home to get Aaron's party ready.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7Fy-XNjmeLJ4OOGIoWR3AuvAjUxpk-PhPFVBn37ls_ilSeiBuE929qQLewVM9WPBDekgFfbW9dhqXbcnud-MHo86YMWUbK5WqQFrV5WNoBzJ4j6owYLMb17E0wH2GfEep1bOMOAPYdjv/s320/IMG_0230.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730755036862074642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">That night, Saturday, I rejoined the cause with Katherine, another agent's wife. We were walked, by one of the agents through the crowd, it was a bit like what I imagine the parting of the Red </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fH_j5fyLdVCprstwBwMM56otK_KAIjOHEAUzN2aOXLObvTBmKNYik-MOYQRkGSvV7q4AWU_PP_akdluezX5FYYtrX-Qk9TCr2_owc2i1nPNx0gcoNjZPtp1BSfwejbJEGbgpb8IpCUPl/s1600/IMG_0246.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fH_j5fyLdVCprstwBwMM56otK_KAIjOHEAUzN2aOXLObvTBmKNYik-MOYQRkGSvV7q4AWU_PP_akdluezX5FYYtrX-Qk9TCr2_owc2i1nPNx0gcoNjZPtp1BSfwejbJEGbgpb8IpCUPl/s200/IMG_0246.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730755469294897298" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a>Sea<br /><span class="Apple-style-span">to be like, and given a place at the front of the rope line. After an exciting victory we were able to join our hubbies for dinner and a stay in the hotel.</span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtjE8l33OwYEdiGE9TH8u20KkHfEPoejhfgWnoxF1k1xbFDnElT3iCF5BdVGoW6VxmdoIu6kLSraUZx5_I1Ju-IeX11bDZCi8vaUoY6CyTqxL-wdc1cnmP3wEYMEUtPSso9H515GyE45E/s320/IMG_0239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730755010000014546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div>Definite perks! He was so close, he practically sweat on me! So exciting!!! Heehee.</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-31472296099463550202012-02-05T21:50:00.005-08:002012-04-12T22:09:21.184-07:00Aaron turns 6!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO0D8-LHzmPsaBipisZEhWyl7a41LFn_3UlWD0-NutGcm8lURSCHD-Vws0yZOsXDZ_73N8BtRrwLy7XwmtTFlig-8gLHvK4uv9sE9WebGEpHaZalsEw9SJ8W6ueFkoagXXknX6beWihR6/s1600/IMG_0109.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO0D8-LHzmPsaBipisZEhWyl7a41LFn_3UlWD0-NutGcm8lURSCHD-Vws0yZOsXDZ_73N8BtRrwLy7XwmtTFlig-8gLHvK4uv9sE9WebGEpHaZalsEw9SJ8W6ueFkoagXXknX6beWihR6/s320/IMG_0109.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730747312344215202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">He was very excited to wear his new shirt from Grandma. Aaron was sad when the 49ers lost in the NFC Championship game. Darn Giants!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zG1HgZ2CuKiFjx7viPDWwBXpJp6QusGR_OxTRgajn-oDwQBH-rZ6TKTqepBamGfnX0H35YLPZ_mtNnDGMjxb2D4cmI4dhzX_YW3j-TaRPVAHqWjJGNC-OW8yRUE1Bo0ZLuTgXVj6oAGr/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Aaron is officially more than one hand!!! Such a handsome kid. Huge, tender heart. Always must know what is going to happen next or, "What's for breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?" Anyone who has been loving and generous enough to watch him for more that 30 minutes knows this guy can and will eat non-stop if allowed to do so. Always has to be doing something. ALWAYS telling me, "Mom,... I love you." and then he's off to the next thing.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx0-KbXVMe_qwMh8R6auAKNUExxQNTu9rLahnwgxJNtG1UTnWTmW6ge1U-Aa0i3Tb4LhyphenhyphenBAhLXrFi_gfeC-EPjYcQI9guALvS9oNghyWbfoXMv4I2WOPxIQLLeGaQfL9v4pYWtfFM7ZvY/s320/IMG_0101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730744422630464690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>Monday: Family friends over for ice-cream cake on his official birthday. After our traditional birthday dinner at Red Robin, of course. (Thanks Aunt Gee!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday: Birthday party with classmates from school/church.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeT3ZnsrJaTB2j5KcxTTj5EiRULuSFMBKcnISXcC9sObpw8t6nBuPd_8scLN_IZgUKz7ogmy5VzEgQpENtZy79lxBH4EsVDV3K1FjmSP2EV8YOL4OmaZDmk2f1rbm15GUax2xPEbp5Gkn/s320/IMG_0153.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730744436740938594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>What kid wouldn't like to decorate their own birthday cake?!?! So they all got their own. (That really means, "mommy doesn't have to".)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LoqbLYtXmWmp0VeJdPPbafe0JdoRJKfdnmAauE9yI3Q3sSEjL93h3ka4uV_ECFchyphenhyphenOcIaCue-hYKz-00RZuP3sKlDLsVprnBLq1weexn_EBD1iICgBl2HgMaaUw998EzW6TSUBkTGRS5/s320/IMG_0164.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730745423146109330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>And... a piñata. Even though I'd say Dad did a pretty good job figuring out how to hang a piñata in mid air, Mom almost got whacked! But, then again, what else would one expect when holding the actual piñata in your hand! (Yeah, the rope had long been broken off!)</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SqupWI9mz0JVx8vktgDlXL6u1f3bWvnL3p3I8upzddNr4LfjlePEr8iBsNAcSV1FRqLEbG5TmRhZ66XHTIhZwTxqD7sFmBXi0X4XxPnM77IQsFDslzt0hBcurlwkTJ-pJY_EI_ssGsbI/s320/IMG_0206.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730744425022644882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>Livi has developed quite beautiful photography skills. Good job babe, I couldn't have done it without all your help.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkQae86WVthev9-zjnhKx1dLoEploCfpPe6XrPWQGxlsq4pLaklo57jEH9N-ZzPcGq92VugNmXFyDlSHAO9TGZH99E6NtxW59iENejoM1Q_TOzmIf3U4sVuwq-iU6M150yIX1muZXiwKl/s1600/IMG_0154.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkQae86WVthev9-zjnhKx1dLoEploCfpPe6XrPWQGxlsq4pLaklo57jEH9N-ZzPcGq92VugNmXFyDlSHAO9TGZH99E6NtxW59iENejoM1Q_TOzmIf3U4sVuwq-iU6M150yIX1muZXiwKl/s200/IMG_0154.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730746698691998658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ_9bwGukD_eB3kdNw4jigF9MTZzhBjDuoPs5aQn_cyy4VLWKz3uYmMOzbA1AdPMUuSbkIiY7SlJEWHJb22d0hDIzzmy-KnuQkt5qyud_4UFDkDG9DB5Gk30w_7lZeqNTLDFU_spSef_R/s200/IMG_0162.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730746689351978850" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWN5DyEvkgWDzvPyDqFX6URkJSpden_P65EO68F8O2wIFMvzj6jLoWIv9Fws7dsctS7owWOyiwpT475lOKUYpFFadr4d9yMJfr_4NX8NYJulovTomHGvRHPkhAHjQKnS49hnaikJepIRR7/s200/IMG_0200.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730746686932313538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><br /><br /><div>Aaron had a great time besides the excitement of the kids freaking him out a couple times...sometimes noise get to be a little too much, especially the annoying "cha cha cha" that someone thought had to be added to spice up the birthday song. That's pretty much a no go in our house anymore. :)</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zG1HgZ2CuKiFjx7viPDWwBXpJp6QusGR_OxTRgajn-oDwQBH-rZ6TKTqepBamGfnX0H35YLPZ_mtNnDGMjxb2D4cmI4dhzX_YW3j-TaRPVAHqWjJGNC-OW8yRUE1Bo0ZLuTgXVj6oAGr/s320/IMG_0227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730744443712597474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div><br /></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-38285349371285172542011-08-09T21:31:00.002-07:002012-04-12T21:32:01.215-07:00July 2011Five + days at Aunt Katherine's condo in Jackson Hole, WY with the entire Claycamp clan.<div>Alpine slides in Jackson.</div><div>Chuck wagon dinner with real Indians and cowboys. (Loved the rubber tires on the covered wagons, the all you can eat food [that was very good], the driver who let Aaron think he was driving, and the fiddler who rocked it and gave Livi his bow!)</div><div>So proud of our kids. The only kids to have done the hike to the falls and back. 5 miles! Lucky for them, we got to see a momma moose while doing it.</div><div>Yellowstone National Park and all it's splendor. Even a dead buffalo carcass.</div><div><br /></div><div>3 days camping in Bear Lake, UT with my mom's family. Wave runners, a boat, sand castles, games, campfires, good food, a wind storm that flipped tents upside down and broke lots of poles...what could be better! Tons of FUN!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>3 days with the Williams in Pleasant Grove, UT. </div><div><br /></div><div>More family bonding: 7 Peaks water park on Friday!!! SO COOL! Rodeo in Spanish Fork on Saturday. With the kids in their new western boots, Livi was sure the Rodeo queen was waving just to her. And so, she waved back. With a big hoop and a holler, she couldn't have had more fun. She now tells everyone she's going to be a cowgirl when she grows up. (A girl after my own heart.) Bill even got dressed up for the occasion and bought himself a really great western shirt.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Home for 3 days and then off to Big Sur, CA to camp with the Ellison's. Beautiful campground and a great place that we would like to go to every year except for the fact that we will NEVER go there again! How do you tell your kids to go run and play in the forest except don't touch anything green because it could be poison oak! Oops, didn't do our homework too well on that part. Luckily I was the only one who got it, and a very little bit at that. Tecnu is a great soap that they conveniently sell in the campground general store that gets rid of the oils from the poison oak. Even Annie got a bath in it. (That was before she decided to leap out of the back of the truck and run to be with her family in the car behind her. Luckily we were still in the campground.)</div><div><br /></div><div>The beach was breathtaking.</div><div><br /></div><div>And tons of fun.</div><div><br /></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-37306278273310813702011-06-14T22:05:00.000-07:002011-06-14T23:12:40.345-07:00Really?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEioqgfcB5w2izjvXYWq3UVEIKGJzJi2F2Cqu6zCyQb4r3mbLsEZ2_sL_vmZZOlKJB_dCoodaW2-8Kds6qK4ufdc8xRiPZF_PszAH_R3QDgxDwJQANepSi9xSl9GxvR9S8U0mDDDsCScL/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz-I9KfMFCYyRC-R46fhZt4HRwXNO-tFhx0tQw-PYAA_jTYpNYZVP7wEjF9exzzInt-crIpu1UQ_UgcOSQt2RTTwtmgtIBGCDGyybvar3MT3xgI5X3Dxo1eLD3TAkCbfMY5cQ-uN-Utu1/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s6YkKA3kJefg6UWrGM40MoaMD9FNO9WvMGxVr3BNyR1RzEQ6ytRPAI4O8JYUS8-7Q1n8QzkrrIve68avv8fhbhps3887oQ6SEao8zkob4_-MtUkbits3bbpdSVfRzwgaaq0G8ZHZR7ht/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>So, OCTOBER?!?!?! That is just pathetic. I read a quote by Gordon B. Hinkley that talked about writing down our life happenings. I have been living so much life that I have put aside preserving it. How bad of me. I need to simplify, by entries. I don't know if this is possible for me but I need to remember that this is to be a book of remembrances for my family. So, here I go.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMke0-dLR3gwKODArtNFFPMJOiSjHLCEqvRA9cKjgomLhc5R-H44wzw1pu04vdcKp7y1nRPeHmDKSIjX0B2bwelJahRMLwMcb5sbLFzjCA8a9hPZKNTL1kExnQGTPTcm06JPjms3GO0OK3/s320/IMG_0185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618321078355214178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">It is summer 2011. Aaron is now 5 and graduated preschool. He is so tender hearted. His teacher Mrs. Waker was always sharing with me how he would help the other kids in his class. One of his little friends is in a wheelchair and Aaron can't talk about him enough. When he is cheerleaded along the way his abilities are boundless. He is doing so well. He is a joy to be around and a true little spit fire. He loves walking the halls of church after the 3 hour block and saying hello to EVERYONE and asking how there day was or what they're doing that week. Bill laughs because he knows he doesn't get it from him. I'm convinced that through osmosis or something, he got Papa T.'s love & excitement for life and like Tiger, wants to share it with everyone.</div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s6YkKA3kJefg6UWrGM40MoaMD9FNO9WvMGxVr3BNyR1RzEQ6ytRPAI4O8JYUS8-7Q1n8QzkrrIve68avv8fhbhps3887oQ6SEao8zkob4_-MtUkbits3bbpdSVfRzwgaaq0G8ZHZR7ht/s320/IMG_0120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618321090477252210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>Olivia. Wow. Where do I even start. She is now, finally, just a girl. Not the girl with cancer. Not the girl with limitations. Not the girl with the port. She is 7, she is smart, mature, good natured, a natural nurturer, and loving life! She finished 1st grade and is ready for... college! No, but truly, very bright. Thanks to a great teacher, Mrs. Smith her reading level soared this year from early 3rd grade to 6th grade along with comprehension. Her math skills leave a math lover mom proud as she is excelling there as well. Thanks to a new friend she met this year in her class she was pushed into her first sport experience. SOFTBALL! She loved it and so did <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz-I9KfMFCYyRC-R46fhZt4HRwXNO-tFhx0tQw-PYAA_jTYpNYZVP7wEjF9exzzInt-crIpu1UQ_UgcOSQt2RTTwtmgtIBGCDGyybvar3MT3xgI5X3Dxo1eLD3TAkCbfMY5cQ-uN-Utu1/s200/IMG_0069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618321553595158306" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span>Bill and I. We even got team shirts! After her first game she tried emailing Papa C. "Today was the best day of my life. I had my first softball game and I was 3 for 3!" (I cried when I read it. What a huge relief in my life, as a mother to know that your daughter finally can have all the life experiences "normal" kids have.) This picture on the left is after her first game. Pure joy! She even tried sliding into home. Softball is a big thing here and the fields are gorgeous. She had a fabulous coach and picked up the basics very nicely. She's excited to catch up with all that she's missed out on (her port was taken out the last week of January, which gave her the go ahead to PLAY!). She wants to continue softball in the spring but will take this fall to give soccer a try. She claims that she loves to run. A few times we have found her running laps in front of our house down the street. Her form leaves much to be desired but the desire in her heart is what matters. In early February she ran the 1mi fun run for Make a Wish. She had a blast and made her want to run even more.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEioqgfcB5w2izjvXYWq3UVEIKGJzJi2F2Cqu6zCyQb4r3mbLsEZ2_sL_vmZZOlKJB_dCoodaW2-8Kds6qK4ufdc8xRiPZF_PszAH_R3QDgxDwJQANepSi9xSl9GxvR9S8U0mDDDsCScL/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618325162869974146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been trying some new things of my own. In January I was given the opportunity to go with a girlfriend for a girls' weekend trip to St. George Utah. They were old friends who get together yearly and this year my friend graciously invited me to come along. I had a great time and even, at the last second, decided to run a 1/2 marathon. It was exhilarating to run past the 8mi marker. I have never run more that a 10k and the most I had run recently was 2 mi on Thanksgiving day! The rest of the mile markers were just as exciting as I kept telling myself, "I can't believe you're doing this!" I finished in 1:24, not fabulous but hey, I didn't even plan on running. My heart and lungs didn't have any problems, and besides my hips being sore the next day, I felt pretty proud. But in the pounding of the pavement, that I hadn't trained my body for, at some point I ended up tearing 2 tendons in my right foot. So a couple of months later after several relapses of pain I ended up in a walking boot for a few weeks and therapy for a month. BLAH! No fun.</div><div>I did finally certify to instruct group fitness classes at the YMCA. And due to some unfortunate circumstances of the bootcamp instructor I now have my own bootcamp class. It's a lot of fun but very challenging. I try to not repeat things which leads to long nights researching new/fun ideas. My class is growing in numbers and I'm starting to get the more fitness intense patrons which is a good boost for my confidence. I also have been subbing for spin classes and a body sculpt class. I really love the spin class but I'm finding my confidence in sculpt as well. Unfortunately I haven't been on my bike since last summer besides one 12 mi ride I did a few months ago. I still find it exhilarating to get on it and go, it's just another one of those things that I haven't made the time for.</div><div>I have also put my green thumb to the test. And while I am currently battling mushrooms, my garden is looking quite good. We planted, from seed: green beans, green onions, lettuce and carrots. All look like they're doing very well. We've harvested lettuce several times already and while the family doesn't care for the variety we planted, it is quite bitter, it still looks pretty. We even have beans! From starts we planted basil, cilantro, tomatoes and peppers. I killed 3 of 4 starts on the basil but was able to nurse the 4th back to health and it's doing well. The cilantro is a bit lack luster but we've been able to use it. The peppers and the tomatoes, well, there's always next year. We also got the back yard redone. Note to self: never again get a yard then a puppy. Always get the puppy first. It's looking good though. I was very proud of my "solo" successful plant of a honeysuckle to replace the semi-dead one. It is doing very well and starting to bloom. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1IfWdhd-RmO3LRs4plfF-vqfp646SzwL-NtBH8x9dsB3TaalKjMKbxvcSYA5BzvD-KO8lSoZTzMIXUbCDypM2rV_ZLwgkXX0fwMod0CXk0rrIkxJy5vavuMpsJcRRAO0CesiXp5agQxM/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618321081345587362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>Bill is doing great. He has been working out a ton and while he says he still doesn't like it I think secretly he does. I at least like seeing his confidence boosted. I'm not gonna lie, I also like his new physique! He had a long stint in Hawaii over Christmas. 2 weeks with Obama, and then 1 week in Rio de Janeiro in March, so needless to say, his tan is doing well. He's really enjoying his work and while he's not quite sure where he wants to go with it right now, he's doing well at keeping all options open. Hence, the working out several hours a day. He's made some great friends in the office and so for the past several months our date nights have been spent hanging out with work buddies and their wives. It's been a lot of fun getting to know such a great group of people.</div></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-79021999140525098892011-03-07T11:54:00.000-08:002011-03-07T21:53:00.349-08:00October<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdffmPSZO_RHf1tKsP1800ZEjPDerFH7vYiwCxacEHkVDZAri21ee9TnHEMChXNLPj62kf1aUObCIxDjgVgCqYn4p-yF1Pg4rJJS4Vhw3xqb_HGW1bJqvP_8isw5WNesReiBhrUZ-f_vxT/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdffmPSZO_RHf1tKsP1800ZEjPDerFH7vYiwCxacEHkVDZAri21ee9TnHEMChXNLPj62kf1aUObCIxDjgVgCqYn4p-yF1Pg4rJJS4Vhw3xqb_HGW1bJqvP_8isw5WNesReiBhrUZ-f_vxT/s320/IMG_0098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581581416687097458" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">October started off with a VERY quick trip to Redding on conference weekend. Up on Friday the 1st and back home on Sunday the 2nd. Our actual destination was Red Bluff but being that it was my dad's 66th birthday we stopped in to say hello. We got to see the Reasbecks and watch Chandler play flag football. The purpose for our trip was to witness Grandpa Bill's baptism. What a wonderful occasion it was. So very special to see Bill baptize his father, just as his grandfather had baptized him 13 years ago. The spirit was so strong. Such a testimony of the joy the fullness of the gospel can bring into someone's life. Olivia was even able to play "Come Follow Me" on her violin that she had been practicing for the primary program. After the baptism and confirmation we had dinner back at the house and were joined by Sam, Nikki and the boys. Even though it was a lot of driving for a short period, it was WELL worth it. We were very blessed to have been a part of it.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQNdJpkpc0ETREPq9wPp2VKUwbuc81IZIEANQjQHEbAXds5WEw-E3NTAPcHml9a_Tks9GRYx4Avo0Nv_MpZLFuULGEJkxZiQfjTJ_pGo_bozvlMbTJYA9X_BRTFKbfDRvI5L3hRPER7a_/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQNdJpkpc0ETREPq9wPp2VKUwbuc81IZIEANQjQHEbAXds5WEw-E3NTAPcHml9a_Tks9GRYx4Avo0Nv_MpZLFuULGEJkxZiQfjTJ_pGo_bozvlMbTJYA9X_BRTFKbfDRvI5L3hRPER7a_/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581430952532373570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQNdJpkpc0ETREPq9wPp2VKUwbuc81IZIEANQjQHEbAXds5WEw-E3NTAPcHml9a_Tks9GRYx4Avo0Nv_MpZLFuULGEJkxZiQfjTJ_pGo_bozvlMbTJYA9X_BRTFKbfDRvI5L3hRPER7a_/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIXTf8yipAdfZfZ3On5tyVYmazENciTsy5TMWs9lCEl9E74h8FXYVIQAuXCux_gak5jSoIqsz-YnvmCMvUoOtdmXvtn9bggRoNpj029ieomoqW2W052mIepwdGuVrcz8T36U3fYLQxUNU/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIXTf8yipAdfZfZ3On5tyVYmazENciTsy5TMWs9lCEl9E74h8FXYVIQAuXCux_gak5jSoIqsz-YnvmCMvUoOtdmXvtn9bggRoNpj029ieomoqW2W052mIepwdGuVrcz8T36U3fYLQxUNU/s200/IMG_0044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581576498036602818" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My girlfriend, Jennifer Dresser, came down with her oldest son<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWWncMGAxsTtS82ZtxiPle_eyEEN1Pv-_fFlJUY2UmEoHcbjHRe3NmEpo8ddqqtx2TFjxHaPnhfI7u2z4Yw02y63e-QNeit5-oLwE_oko9Y9H81KTX-fBo6BJIzOLYO3qXC-VWmHNgl6Z/s200/IMG_0046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581576499896629346" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>, Jeffrey for a soccer tournament. Her mom came with her to help with the drive and her little one, Jillian. It was so fun to spend some time with them AND to watch Jeffrey play. This is what happens when you give your camera to a 12 year old boy! Gotta love him. (Among other things, I think he's practicing the ASL alphabet that the kids taught to him.)</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMeD2bzZiVM8D1FeFzOu2cBu_htc10QSkOd3Szyerx6M5lC2AbQsA5HOtqHYsWYNvHJWwT9qP9rOGB7pGHWqWNoYzbjQKi9I2UOEVk75fRsazhGyyHwsCTyQx1WopqjgHaUoANPeCHFIE/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581430962507162178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>The kids decided to forego a traditional Halloween this year and save the money from costumes to put towads a trip to Disneyland. We did get Halloween shirts and orange spray paint for their hair. They had fun class parties on Thursday and then because of Nevada day on Friday we left right after school and headed down to San Diego.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15_XGIs91d97V_ODMcy18V7nO09MEl_vP3zYI9Ws-cj8GGwiTcfs0t0DVgMnq-hwTKc70WQGSxDEyIeZIwRBSwyLhYuekO1sluNYqvi3zz0KeA5mX4_ip1K-4kljBxV2fdbQvcwLiDlF2/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581430957021042946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>We stayed for a few nights at Bill's cousin's place. Wyatt and Brigid were fabulous hosts. Wyatt took us to a park next to the beach where we visited for a while before he headed off to work. <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPmq8uuOyJkraCHJK3guzfBegT5_gcV2EaXPsaetVAca84kzI_u4A1ZxV-AvnCmwYXcknkXBlicBd-wJkOCqcMu4T14_aDc0m_cmT45nu7HxTUElQk690Vra9YSLwJpaPIVhbhJMqmbHx/s200/IMG_0076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581574057585340962" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " />The kids and I had brought our bikes so we took a bike ride along a trail up to the back of Sea World, where Wyatt works, across the lake. From there the kids and I grabbed a picnic lunch and ate it up on the temple grounds. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JJyjQRW8zv_2JIBxkP4dC60cptbqNkBmmUkvZqAG65ZYsLW3lqT_q2oklCTSlylDteXP0QEVdPgkPzoogrYHnbWUVyop9GjzUCXjQ5KQCkvLbK2jFFR0a19W4VII3bByOEjypIhEBF3q/s320/IMG_0091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581575825791550642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2bjjC-LHr4O_shVuQHjYVQWSulSVQkH9NkSHmZPu07JM99KQIkkt4REQZH0KYPVvQsOcKUMzdPuw4fbahAQqA8vFW8tk6Rf4S83-eS79sxJI8gKNPkHlbfAougMHt-i4wBzP8mfqXeev/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581430971957885698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>We met up with Brigid and she took us to her school halloween carnival where the kids had a<br />blast playing all thegames. Afterwards we went to Chevy's for dinner and then prepared a magic</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCgoWmWyrOyV1dRfcpHRuzShRYzzNSidH9OFpPpk7YHM4nh3nrm4k1vYG5eTd1iooeBVPb6aQQpLffde-W_S7kqqnOoOQYVVUDi46c5oqUSLr2GhTa5bP1L6oiYtxAOv1bdymLn1YyMi1/s200/IMG_0092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581574066121522994" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Dpyfr8sp0xDxFDVkM_-lrFtwqrj3p77glvBqueZd6-5e8gpdRVOTruo76JFqWUur18njsLeqezog4heMsIbwiygsGiW0LH1veaoZyFvQsTG6nc_RqmheIrdbyiybnXd0wzJ1LFKD5xOm/s200/IMG_0104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581574061232213266" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div>show for Uncle Wyatt back at the condo. SO MUCH FUN!!! Aaron did the ball under the 3 cups and was very confused when he himself couldn't remember which cup it was under. Complete with costumes and all! Wyatt got his finger exercise with TONS of balloon animal/creations. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZec9qmWvQHde_V_HoHvlE2vfL_e9Ihc4pwbNaLd-hxfkTVFyu5hduHF-oi6tn9liNDaoP9B838_PFn1HpTRlK3rmfftYEvpJd1F44g-k0j49sRoOK-dUVOgCWvg70sS_HXAaRI1R6FmM/s320/IMG_0110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581430974445740962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>The next morning I awoke to this scene. The boys making delicious pancakes. I didn't know that 1 homemade pancake could taste so different from another. I now, after all my life, have a new pancake recipe. Good job boys! We even had fresh strawberries!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOlDcLaIritrqUBYw9YLkLJPwAN02Kxacjay3MC7MTaO9-YQbgwFrDbbPkRUrBk0XHhl_lMnUPF7g9iDDEJLiPrMG0nGvztF72h1rLZJMatk7AmDT6gpl274mqNU6c5fvml0qzjCQ7pwq/s320/IMG_0135.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581577724797800898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>Saturday we spent the day hanging out. We joined up with Uncle Matt and his girlfriend Kara and went to a park. Wyatt had to work, but Brigid and Matt played great with the kids despite his recent broken <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7je9FXGaE6YTECefM7scWFapDEhTk9fAEzDJwBfIUzF3upXiOwofoWyqZHx_c_9qqNmhzdUTPXAD4rEo6Ic3MuUxQw_MN3sqqhQ-rSOxKloPte1JY1GN4cguWnI0ROwQ7879ujPqLum4D/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7je9FXGaE6YTECefM7scWFapDEhTk9fAEzDJwBfIUzF3upXiOwofoWyqZHx_c_9qqNmhzdUTPXAD4rEo6Ic3MuUxQw_MN3sqqhQ-rSOxKloPte1JY1GN4cguWnI0ROwQ7879ujPqLum4D/s200/IMG_0120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581579409889933826" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></a>hip from a car accident over the summer. He<br />even got a feel of what dad's deal with when Aaron insisted he needed help in the restroom. Good job Matt, you pass the test. It was nice for me to chat with Kara, something I've never been able to do up until then. Lunch was at a chinese restaurant and then dinner back at the condo. Wyatt and Brigid skipped out of previous plans to stay with us which was such a blessing. The seven of us had a fabulous evening. The kids loved</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjHRJsRk4uenhiVERP-PYoYRqHe6Bj_Lp_KCjX6Sw-aR647KCGowicnN7Da4VRJqlHYqI12LDND-1dGppcytE3jLuZtpnkA92AYnnLGpCYVvteulRAMDXQR3srt3KbLqFjDtfv2mfMNEG/s200/IMG_0127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581579406757297922" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div>playing the Zingo Bingo game that Matt had brought as a present to Aaron. So much laughter. What a great night. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning the kids and I woke up, got ready for church, packed the car and attended a local sacrament meeting. It was good to be in church. Then off to Los Angeles to stay with Uncle Bob and Aunt Deann in preparation for our trip to DISNEYLAND!</div></div></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-83688312371640187132011-03-05T21:54:00.000-08:002011-03-07T22:07:02.677-08:00Peaches<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGvphz3FW73dKvU_-Khj0gSf6BtnDOu_PokfNo7yX8u-AINE6Uq4prZ6FsrzcBNPNN90on3PKfCvZZqQ4ySwlVhGLlIK_-SRGwYwZ4frhIDBDBG9HUI36YLoT_pVBpPZb2JLGH5kNMRCh/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPprD0h2SnIRx55PwBT9RDRO4FgcK25nMYUkcZrwkiRRCtebJPDEeTKeq0yI_WZ-u27JRxUlHUXoa0_k3XwjoD6QftE6mmzHAdmNTSd9a56pAOb5u3l25wywtfl4VY_U4zvYmlmJTL06Pp/s1600/IMG_0272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPprD0h2SnIRx55PwBT9RDRO4FgcK25nMYUkcZrwkiRRCtebJPDEeTKeq0yI_WZ-u27JRxUlHUXoa0_k3XwjoD6QftE6mmzHAdmNTSd9a56pAOb5u3l25wywtfl4VY_U4zvYmlmJTL06Pp/s400/IMG_0272.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581583920008598738" /></a>In September, a girlfriend of mine, Syrissa, and I ordered 150lbs of peaches from a peach truck delivering from Utah. Since I had grown up with canned peaches I wanted to give it a shot. And <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGvphz3FW73dKvU_-Khj0gSf6BtnDOu_PokfNo7yX8u-AINE6Uq4prZ6FsrzcBNPNN90on3PKfCvZZqQ4ySwlVhGLlIK_-SRGwYwZ4frhIDBDBG9HUI36YLoT_pVBpPZb2JLGH5kNMRCh/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGvphz3FW73dKvU_-Khj0gSf6BtnDOu_PokfNo7yX8u-AINE6Uq4prZ6FsrzcBNPNN90on3PKfCvZZqQ4ySwlVhGLlIK_-SRGwYwZ4frhIDBDBG9HUI36YLoT_pVBpPZb2JLGH5kNMRCh/s200/IMG_0274.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581584931055456194" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ww0I6Cx23vXtXYJnAM70SZLUnpOp3zULJPfFuQXv2OWsQcrC6fZB2kYHPjOhIDBzQPpvP8EBMLC-Q6As76i6Z73dOnd9WswmQK_CPPfhW7_Mxpm7xREQw-SO7Fvg4C5FyPsM_bE_FLNV/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ww0I6Cx23vXtXYJnAM70SZLUnpOp3zULJPfFuQXv2OWsQcrC6fZB2kYHPjOhIDBzQPpvP8EBMLC-Q6As76i6Z73dOnd9WswmQK_CPPfhW7_Mxpm7xREQw-SO7Fvg4C5FyPsM_bE_FLNV/s200/IMG_0273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581584928374802738" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a>since Syrissa never had them growing up she was up to the challenge. We did end up selling one of the 6 boxes so we canned, froze, made jam with, and ate 125 lbs of the most delicious fruit on this earth. I bought a great new canner that...well, everyone I talked to said it was great. And I'm sure it was, we just really didn't know what we were doing. Over a period of 3 days we sliced and diced and boiled and peeled and mixed and sealed and wha-la, BEAUTIFUL SWEETNESS! I think we ended up with 15 jars of canned peaches, 12 jelly jars of freezer jam (made by Bill), and 4 gallon size ziplocks of frozen peaches for smoothies and cereal, each. The best part of it all, when we opened the first jar, I took a bite and literally felt my mom give me a hug. They smelled and tasted like my childhood. I knew my mother was smiling at me and quite proud of her "Sunshine Rae Rae". I donated all of my bought canned peaches to the boy scouts. I just can't do them anymore.Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-34966924333725139052011-02-28T22:43:00.001-08:002011-02-28T23:05:20.350-08:00Air Force One<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QYN5SetcQkFrrrG00HnpRe-fp7AOhxbK5ygZcPMGmX6gS7z_AW38OTL5u3cTUvQou7WZ7CgkntqMcm0HyRUHgrHrlK0eMpEu7izMSTmqPSAPqnpUKCTcZ-eqxWQNCVt3Z2LtELAjrgu9/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Q7cXaeCjFNuIuGh_TkqJJ2SJ5V5XKyq4P9Tdt2yj8SioiJu2onH1ZIA0JAse34qWgHXuI6MDilpUEUKkVMO2Oc1kfPZEqJpq9euuWSEaylRzDL3Lk4uIXvSp12uG8l5YOJDmVz3ACYy/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Q7cXaeCjFNuIuGh_TkqJJ2SJ5V5XKyq4P9Tdt2yj8SioiJu2onH1ZIA0JAse34qWgHXuI6MDilpUEUKkVMO2Oc1kfPZEqJpq9euuWSEaylRzDL3Lk4uIXvSp12uG8l5YOJDmVz3ACYy/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578999322458660050" /></a>On the 22nd of October President Barack Obama flew into Las Vegas for a quick campaign boost for Senator Harry Ried. We may not agree with the man's politics or why he was in our town, but the special treatment we got in the end was, regardless a very memorable moment. While getting ready for the president's arrival, Bill's time with family was put on hold for a good 2 weeks. (Bill was the lead for this visit.) Because of this, the kids were very excited to see a part of what their daddy does for his job. To get to see the President's plane land and have the chance of "meeting" him was icing on the cake.<div>After a very busy sky and then silence for about 10 minutes, we finally saw the jet land. Obama's plane was behind schedule and so as the 17 select few of us waited off to the side of the tarmac there was a great sense of disappointment as he headed straight for "the beast" after de-boarding the plane. Katherine, another agent's wife, yelled his name and waved. He paused for only a moment and ran over to our small gathering, Secret Service in tow. He shook EVERYONE'S hand. It was funny, nobody knew if they should shake hands or take pictures. Because I had shaken his hand previously I was more interested in the picture but wasn't quite expecting the quickness. I did manage to get this FABULOUS picture of the President with Aaron. </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-DVXHmrXsmZ2rcQ56tTiKzbsPSArbDoH0TTulydQSGfjoCskxxM7HOyBjii6ycYsMl2ZgA4j61ZNKnP6WVi_N3se5CShvk3ymVQ8VWkBnw2Jo4LBfbZSZxzUYsHEjGzUz1hF86cCzmG5/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578999328980947634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px; " /><div>This is how it all went down. President shakes Aaron's hand and Aaron, without being prompted for a response says, "My Daddy protects you!" President Obama takes a step back, tousles Aaron's hair and says, "Oh, really?" leans back smiling at Aaron. Aaron, rightfully proud of the moment turns to me and "CLICK!"</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QYN5SetcQkFrrrG00HnpRe-fp7AOhxbK5ygZcPMGmX6gS7z_AW38OTL5u3cTUvQou7WZ7CgkntqMcm0HyRUHgrHrlK0eMpEu7izMSTmqPSAPqnpUKCTcZ-eqxWQNCVt3Z2LtELAjrgu9/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578999334271375250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Pretty darn cool.</span></span></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-66938230428262540252011-02-28T22:38:00.001-08:002011-02-28T22:42:58.186-08:00TNT!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66cxrY1d4gsHNMe3eK9DgqeN3Z5lUNgEtTYDf1HaaUlr3ccKVEY9zjZQLjl8UvI5RGK-YBx8asbB2jxEjRVxgWWDLvBk7UMYne36s3h-3oK18SB_HXTBT3_JeBZiQeEVS_x1poayQW2UA/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66cxrY1d4gsHNMe3eK9DgqeN3Z5lUNgEtTYDf1HaaUlr3ccKVEY9zjZQLjl8UvI5RGK-YBx8asbB2jxEjRVxgWWDLvBk7UMYne36s3h-3oK18SB_HXTBT3_JeBZiQeEVS_x1poayQW2UA/s320/IMG_0107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578997485687665554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Such a handsome boy. Aaron had a super soccer season. He had a great friend on his team, Ali Jolley who could really score. Aaron did his best to keep up and scored several goals a game. One game in particular he scored 7 goals! At the end of the season Grandma came to watch and all he could do was run up and down the field smiling and waving at the side lines. Through the frustration of confusion Bill and I laughed a lot. It was so fun to get so excited for these little guys. Grandpa came for the last game of the season but poor Aaron was sick and throwing up so we had to miss it. Grandpa made him feel good anyways. It was a great season and we all look forward to him playing in the spring.</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-89464557304703721552011-02-28T21:45:00.001-08:002011-02-28T22:35:28.629-08:00New York<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yIpCa-KqQ9SeYEniszd4NqTCP8hzjh9eBW4eoNB-UwelLtSnR54_IohXTHhPzjaEnlwn0waRMdNdROp6K0_vsWkP7hOhSLqVeYPwOajy9F2kNjRrWYPZyvODAKc2XbUHnLGrhtSnDHkz/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;">September, 2010: How lucky of a girl I am to have the opportunity to fly to New York with a fabulous friend, to stay with my best friend (my hubby, while working the UN summit) in a hotel paid for by all of you tax payers :) for a week! WOW! What a blast. A huge thanks to Natalie B. for watching Aaron and Livi, and all the others who helped out. We had a FANTASTIC time. We even had our cab fare from the airport to the hotel paid for by 2 business men who joined us to cut in the 20min long line curb side. What a cheap way to travel. That just meant more money to shop with. Which is what we did the most of. Me, not much of a shopper, but when you're with someone having fun, why not? We hit a lot of boutiques and discount stores. Got great jeans and cute tops. Even found clothes for our hubbies and kids. We told Bill, "Next year when we come, we're going to do more sight seeing and just a minimal amount of shopping." He sent me home a day early. He told me, "You've spent all my overtime, time to go home." He was a great host. Even shared his double size bed with me and let Syrissa have her own. (I thought Syrissa & I might've had to share.) </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pfUiillqB0CfR7J6f3qImR6hBxj6TiX1PvkdCxcV3sTZSRura2drAE7Elr6cPxNo0JpR7TFZoSYAyTa2vYAncJxS2_GuGbtwJHChWupZTCzQvNdupYr8IeTN4vE1Ynlqhll6sIo3Qm_t/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pfUiillqB0CfR7J6f3qImR6hBxj6TiX1PvkdCxcV3sTZSRura2drAE7Elr6cPxNo0JpR7TFZoSYAyTa2vYAncJxS2_GuGbtwJHChWupZTCzQvNdupYr8IeTN4vE1Ynlqhll6sIo3Qm_t/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578986248930982402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Syrissa Jolley accompanied me, and then technically Bill accompanied us. This is in front of a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yIpCa-KqQ9SeYEniszd4NqTCP8hzjh9eBW4eoNB-UwelLtSnR54_IohXTHhPzjaEnlwn0waRMdNdROp6K0_vsWkP7hOhSLqVeYPwOajy9F2kNjRrWYPZyvODAKc2XbUHnLGrhtSnDHkz/s200/IMG_0028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578994343921081138" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>great Mexican restaurant off the beaten path. A local from the plane tipped us off to some great local places to eat. And we did surely do A LOT of that! YUM! We did the famous Gray's Papaya <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzen8NLlVVIknDAGoxA51cxqt6uLemeJJeXhyjDif7hv4zHeuBkvbR0L9_a8W0-NHGFOdDHUDU8_tT1006gec08grG1Yg-seOaNXwAHVQaU4Ar1IXtGBYhfdIpBLXZryWJpsB8CMS9sFNH/s200/IMG_0055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578994329340455346" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>hot dogs. Black & White cookies, pastries, great pizza at a restaurant recommended by Natalie B. and dinner at Carmines family style Italian dining. Among many others we also went to Chelsea Market for a lunch of yummy soup. Thank YOU Charlie M. for that tip!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v7V6VGpLY10ERrowhJ0tNlEeN5x-es1qDBW-wEiVwbMK5prikpN88wxzhWvGTm6e99l_I996QopY6UTITwjRSmxuc2XxFc68BpHUbgNtJYSAovr9n9q3-vgU9Lg6lpW6utd6PO2qJCyk/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v7V6VGpLY10ERrowhJ0tNlEeN5x-es1qDBW-wEiVwbMK5prikpN88wxzhWvGTm6e99l_I996QopY6UTITwjRSmxuc2XxFc68BpHUbgNtJYSAovr9n9q3-vgU9Lg6lpW6utd6PO2qJCyk/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578986242932631442" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In front of Central Park. "Bill, we are at the 'corner' entrance to the park, by the horse statue!" I can admit when I'm wrong... but who knew how many horse statues could be at 1 park?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x_hrsuXI2_2QxORZjn2JOAzXxflDdeeLWmDN99Jgxt9cUAN76N_rYNpss35T4RI3_5fWluJbVW3gxmjkVfjb4kIrXStzV0CIXsksI5DdsEFiDkOvdEvw80ft7xxpaYlnZk0CSD_RBTOk/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3x_hrsuXI2_2QxORZjn2JOAzXxflDdeeLWmDN99Jgxt9cUAN76N_rYNpss35T4RI3_5fWluJbVW3gxmjkVfjb4kIrXStzV0CIXsksI5DdsEFiDkOvdEvw80ft7xxpaYlnZk0CSD_RBTOk/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578986252095617346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">"Wicked" on Broadway. So cool!!!</div></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEo5monCvfiUrABkJPuvFW05i1trZdnXjbo0i885o93o59ZKxB9IOOCUfOm9jvrlq6hJIwIZm8jqaK4n1759Rlooa5Vrny-mlQepFwq6KXGqvTkiGCgWoibOVB6XxOLbkQenSr8YNf-Er/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578988541928219762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">While Bill & I took advantage of great ticket prices for the play, Syrissa was a good girl and took advantage of going to the temple. She literally had to RUN to make it into the session. We found it later on our bike ride around Central Park.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVP-aRNi4AN8MSJV5bd20Sdg28fTx3VZf3YRWP3KpyKKCwAvgNpG1A_cIe6uX8U32vpbjk2qyUJHj5xLVuQYdesbEY0Ge97kLPy1G-eMVV3MpbUuhGzf5yBT0-GG7jjWwK_syW6oiOXX3/s320/IMG_0048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578988536820089474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">We met up afterwards for the most FABULOUSLY FANTASTIC cheesecake of all time! It was too heavenly to describe. I never knew food could make your body tingle! :) Juniors is now my destination for NY. We also ordered potato pancakes, Bill remembered a friend's mom making them in grade school. (I believe I had the strawberry swirl...ahhh divine!)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjWgqfB-LlrC8TcsvebCFMXTk7_lBdDWH9b5mc-h9_NGxHfETtrPsKT527VF8hkJxRpZ8QhaTUiYr9G8wDCYu5GyrLy_MTBWaMPXKrf-UpdNyZEZz_Zs8RxOtUXIOLMU9Vx0M_EiaFLgX/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjWgqfB-LlrC8TcsvebCFMXTk7_lBdDWH9b5mc-h9_NGxHfETtrPsKT527VF8hkJxRpZ8QhaTUiYr9G8wDCYu5GyrLy_MTBWaMPXKrf-UpdNyZEZz_Zs8RxOtUXIOLMU9Vx0M_EiaFLgX/s200/IMG_0011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578994337153923922" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JOo6i4Gqz4Yrb4KDtiSbKUUOGPaIwVkJI-MQ-RrNnqHf5JFDyoWn195XCOpnw8Ohk1r31WgJrm-rdBAE342RGr1_JP3G0crjUg4-fOMcHoBck7d7KWldUo6ecQBCScg6SCWU4ZKzt2Qp/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JOo6i4Gqz4Yrb4KDtiSbKUUOGPaIwVkJI-MQ-RrNnqHf5JFDyoWn195XCOpnw8Ohk1r31WgJrm-rdBAE342RGr1_JP3G0crjUg4-fOMcHoBck7d7KWldUo6ecQBCScg6SCWU4ZKzt2Qp/s200/IMG_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578994331770395186" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And what is a trip to New York without seeing Lady Liberty? We decided to go the quick route and take the Statton Island ferry for FREE. We got to see all the beautiful sights, and keep moving.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWL22bFbEBPNev_7XDHW3ty3BJg1wE5c9LmY4JUHWCBxBQLL1deESEWObngiKiKowQrtokSp7WPGUNIsHtIE4RvBB2A7WthYzpYNI6fuowWmuEnuSxAkYJDnDs6xYPhZI_bhzQwjw0e4J/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578988538347845906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Our last morning in the big city. We wanted to see Central Park, so, we rented some bikes and cruised in style. It had been a while since Syrissa had been on a bike, but she remembered just fine. The traffic made her nervous. Thank goodness I was used to it from riding at home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GXUUJF-KAU5YHy112mkwsnUC9KmqirDMp7OYKgbc6aMk4eri6EJqPxLarXmibmxT_c1142qRS06wiElxX3WkkJFCNSfV3_1XXd9tucvW15qNQDjjnoXC5A_2GE2t1cEYu3NRceBHzT6A/s320/IMG_0071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578988558266676050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Cathy, correct me on this one...St. Paul's? We passed it every day. We stayed at the Double Tree Metropolitan and to get to downtown, aka time square, we would go by this cathedral. One evening Bill and I did go inside of it. It's been under construction for a while, but what a beautiful piece of architecture.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">I am such a lucky girl!</span></div></span>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-86196708062419687172010-11-08T20:33:00.000-08:002010-11-08T21:32:50.054-08:00Aaron, present day.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHY5LqptxkPZbUFoA49XiHGtyvJZcyvq7Ii3QJUEJEj4H2IeIVwbZjLUc42p_l9GFOl6fGltORagfN5nlr9Bg6pAQLtm8gY5nPS4gkfhJTzjtojJVe8WKHsCeNPtjwYEqsEwXipyYS7dX/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHY5LqptxkPZbUFoA49XiHGtyvJZcyvq7Ii3QJUEJEj4H2IeIVwbZjLUc42p_l9GFOl6fGltORagfN5nlr9Bg6pAQLtm8gY5nPS4gkfhJTzjtojJVe8WKHsCeNPtjwYEqsEwXipyYS7dX/s320/IMG_0255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537414250653506626" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel the need to put a bit in this, our family journal, about how our kids are. Aaron started another year of Pre-School through the district this year to receive speech therapy and help with some fine motor delays. His teacher, Mrs. Waker, always tells me that "Aaron really is way too smart for this class." I just smile and nod.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY-qQvB5Pn0sHhd7AyLl01pSXakpz74JJvH4rsXmF8cXN2i3fB8GGjpvY2n7O99F6tq3BXusReS_EVeHCZr6sOiPtoXLfnpVNzMdLVA31AgTqj321upnNV-RWCkNirV8JcGeUj4p1VO21/s320/IMG_0238.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537404746178489714" /></div><div>Aaron has and continues to be our sweetheart. He is so full of love and compassion and he wants to give it to anyone who is around. He calls our 14 yr old neighbor, Jared, his "bff". And was in tears just the other day when Jared was out playing basketball with some of the bigger kids in the neighborhood. "Jared doesn't want to be my friend anymore. He only wants to be with the big kids. I'm not big, I'm only 4!" Bless Jared's heart. I told his mom about how sad Aaron was and the next day Jared invited Aaron over to play on his gaming console with him. Today I saw him bringing Aaron along while a few of the older boys were playing hide-n-seek in the neighborhood.<div>Along with Aaron's deep compassion comes immense emotions. He was absolutely FURIOUS yesterday when we went to church and he did not have scriptures! "Take me NOW to the bookstore and buy me SCRIPTURES!" All through sacrament meeting. Until of course he got up to bare his testimony. It was his second time, the first time being last month with Dad. This time he went up with Olivia. He says next time he's going on his own. In primary he's funny to watch. He'll raise his hand for any question and then lean forward to me and say, "What's the answer?" One time a guest speaker was talking about the mission call he had just received and asked the kids, "How old do you have to be to serve a mission?" Aaron blurted out, "19"! I was impressed. But I really shouldn't be amazed at what comes out of his mouth anymore. His teacher said that she was talking to his occupational therapist and had said, "In the beginning I just thought he was l-a-z-y, but..." Aaron quickly cut her off and said emphatically, "I'm not lazy!" In Bed Bath and Beyond the lady told me what I was looking for was in the "cleaning" aisle. Aaron pointed to each of 3 signs in a row and said, "There it is, cleaning". He was right on.</div><div>He rides the bus to and from school and actually enjoys it this go around. It's a short ride both ways. His pick up driver's name is Ms. Shiela and she mistakenly always calls Aaron, Lucca (the boy who is picked up after Aaron). One day she opened the bus door and said, "Goodmorning AARON!" and started laughing. I was confused. She told me that the previous day, as Aaron was getting buckled up with the help of the bus aid, Ms. Lily, when he said, "What if I called you Ms. Lily all the time?". Ms. Shiela thought that to be a good point and has never missed his name since.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aaron tells me he loves me out of the blue all of the time. He'll be washing his hands, eating lunch, watching tv or sitting on the toilet. "Mom, I love you."</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwBfpvLr8dC1wpZN_FcdXUBgEJwHGLwFLNN7CA_jVwZYlNVtwX8y6uUUkIdPjyUSYM8CU8B_Scd8_zG-yD3bhdXyC8AwGtmmGAxUveTngxiw2Idsz0aRvBv7gtXoQP5vNuhYcuCqZNXj0/s320/IMG_0243.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537414246437832226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>He is a BIG kid too, or so people tell me. At 44" he weighs 48lbs. People look at him compared to other 4 year olds and assuming the size they go to pick him up and, "Ugh!". Yeah, he's thick. When it turned cool the first time a few weeks back I told him to put some jeans on for school. He came in barely even able to pull up his size 5 Levi's. He's got his dad's "birthing hips", I call them, and those monstrous thighs. Dad tells him all the time he's going to be our middle line backer and we'll travel all across the country to watch him play for his university. (Nothing like setting high expectations.) Aaron's caught on. Yesterday when he just walked in the door from church, he hadn't even taken his shoes off yet, "Dad, Let's watch FOOTBALLLLL! Who's playing? Who do we want to win?" Would I love it if he was that excited about church? Of course. But you have to admit, it's pretty darn cute. He knows his strength and is very aware of his "size". Admittedly probably because he hears us talk about it frequently, other people comment on it often as well. But he will go up to a boy who is smaller than him and just stand there inches away from his face. Just staring. Once I even saw him push a boy in the chest with his finger and say, "I'm bigger than you." AAHHH! I couldn't believe it! I have a bully!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismfhRk8vLjMjJil7dPz2SLfdyUpEo60bB7ft0Jqto_LTyB3tgBI5uc-adEvYpO2bZevE5G8wMlIC7MRh0PCVnFTXN7vVngf-ABJbx4r6Q87u9V_kxOKd8z_2dRwbgy6DHLtXHb9pA5fWZ/s320/IMG_0242.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537414255353487746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>His favorite song to sing as of late is Nephi's Courage. He only knows one part and he sings/yells it with all his might. (He does it so vehemently he goes red in the face. "I WILL GO, I WILL DO THE THING THE LORD COMMANDS!" Over and over and over again. I guess it's better than what he used to sing/yell, "COME FOLLOW ME THE SAVIOR SAID!" (The drill sergeant voice matches Nephi's Courage a little better. Somehow I can't picture the Savior yelling "come follow me".</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all he is my sweetheart. My mom had told me, when we were thinking of the name Aaron, that it is a soft name and that it might "affect" him. I can't think of a more perfect name for him.</div></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-84128005932793877782010-11-07T23:27:00.000-08:002010-11-08T00:11:24.977-08:00For Time and All Eternity<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZGKbg5AM-C6i9jcIB9z6eqx7hIcooTyGKL5FX1y0h60lSwRhIfRWRXrIfsSLr9shSz93ozrkIQSCTeJ5U2NjoinFHNjxdBfGXhP8DOrWSxElZYQA5CZnmNS2Rg4ZkFb1nsNCG12i44ki/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZGKbg5AM-C6i9jcIB9z6eqx7hIcooTyGKL5FX1y0h60lSwRhIfRWRXrIfsSLr9shSz93ozrkIQSCTeJ5U2NjoinFHNjxdBfGXhP8DOrWSxElZYQA5CZnmNS2Rg4ZkFb1nsNCG12i44ki/s320/IMG_0177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537085799909601586" /></a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb30-5D5uI5h4ZxPcxR-xN1UlShGzHCIag5nno1S50QIABOole-ReUq205KlQT80Fl7rJrKOoqOObgz-yquLIPKGYB2Rktuu3hoGOzAbyjj_VOc2sRCPOFquUc1MaVBJ-hLI7TtvOoFMR/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb30-5D5uI5h4ZxPcxR-xN1UlShGzHCIag5nno1S50QIABOole-ReUq205KlQT80Fl7rJrKOoqOObgz-yquLIPKGYB2Rktuu3hoGOzAbyjj_VOc2sRCPOFquUc1MaVBJ-hLI7TtvOoFMR/s200/IMG_0176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537084223352482386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZDKhRNsQOp33j53iMdwCEDJia-yekS7T7_4xCKuPMJBKH9SpGA7cUzmigN6Sy2hIO9RlZ9mjvWLMT7pTPk3f5v2QchtAhwHX2HTFSSxFLQ-HOUg7eqyN55uYS4pQ2OBLg4rzznx4CbgV/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZDKhRNsQOp33j53iMdwCEDJia-yekS7T7_4xCKuPMJBKH9SpGA7cUzmigN6Sy2hIO9RlZ9mjvWLMT7pTPk3f5v2QchtAhwHX2HTFSSxFLQ-HOUg7eqyN55uYS4pQ2OBLg4rzznx4CbgV/s200/IMG_0175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537084217289283058" /></a><br />On Thursday, August 5, 2010 Angela Claycamp entered the Oakland temple along with Matthew Van Duren, and with loved ones watching, knelt across the alter to become married on earth and sealed in heaven. It was a wonderful ceremony and very touching. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIZeuYWPFWK6HPNikYhyxBigAkcWDMnNJTpiwFD3rTeebiK-lBLRX6Mxf63vVFxrTmo2jm1XwohcpjCyZUbOlUZIF1REp7Lw0_Gd-QP8DsuU95vwmSE0ZTIr9f4Zkv7QjgIW9vx4CCCUE/s200/IMG_0181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537084228207506002" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span><div>Tuesday, after Grandpa's house, the kids and I drove down to Sacramento to stay with the Dressers and picked Bill up the next day from the airport on the way to Oakland. We all stayed at the infamous Holiday Inn (where the rest of us Claycamps stayed the night before our weddings) and went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. (Once again, Krazy Glue to the rescue as Aaron tripped and fell into the back of a chair causing his lower right canine to go through his lip... hardly any </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqf7_cpkulnFI7xnw_k2YbyWgYVHsiOqFZu2DHIB5HMYXeAvAAN30GiNyNRsR81rT5qW5VqhQWB_YN0KZTwGXL9emz09IWLcumOMTo10S1-cmMaBodOYdZivgMNuoWF1Upg9JNL0K1M96/s200/IMG_0206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537086456509985314" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>scar!) The four of us all chose different cheesecakes, and I loved them ALL! The Richins were all there, sans Eric, finishing out the last few months of his mission in Baton Rouge, LA. Karen and Andrea and Kira made the trek out as well. It was great to see everyone, and meet Matt's family.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zC0APBFs7TonkkFg_Thd8l7NYNI-_HZZkV04mvhSOwl5fa5vZK4JvY4PGW2OqJbvtz0X91p3d4ey1NPDWVGjl_dx9_vFmicFn-JJ3j816JCB-1ZevOOev_LsYFVvb3f9XD4bVs1bsUET/s320/IMG_0190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537085803419980530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>I drove the bride, Gretchen and Kristi to the temple Thursday morning with great precision in only 20 minutes. We all three were given permission to be Angie's escorts. What a beautiful blushing bride. Mom was definitely missed but she was very much present.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHz-IpMC4KYPbR3VU-E0v-AN8ch1hr_pnWdrQQ5dAY98-lGMBd4IpTmWefPY2X27MzWfwHcc0lTKed-6XqGs057kTh8VcLJ-BTgbX_IubFtDjRq0dQqOFydH1Bkb4_7M3_3d6HHeIH70p/s320/IMG_0220.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537087585573759394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIOatjctM7q0GSHXVU5ODZIVhlu8H0jDHfbDQiFw6ZKUrFRqOvwxJ7UaokQr1wRbnNU26HDbnSS3OGQ7KtZzMrR1CS0rA68VgZ7RbQHXxvEKgHkH08Xb2tyMVJMfEStpJf06vwruTx-rm/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537085807854506882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3H3JEWXweeLTknO7RT8-YzXOoNqhxpvLM4ds5USlqfTd-uFP2gDbpU2L4PAPk9p2ixvg1cbrCdCnj5aWzed6SQn82bhpgTE9kY-A0jZVD-fyiHCglOWFZgSWhUCct9qhO7Td4_jaymrb/s200/IMG_0218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537086460609470306" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>It was cloudy outside which I felt bad about but it kept Angie cool and made for fabulous pictures that our Uncle Randy and his son-in-law Justin took. Then off to Jan and </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWiPw8YgzoWb-CV20v4e0PBaoz1LhLoSw7sYOqlgDEkd8PSoIsPLS0EoBD2UHi8N9LCnxH7ImVsjVyxFZqqTeRmG2wm6yGb1sJKGuQarfqxdXX6g51Gp8cj14Q9Q2i_4Xv7eTOQYdI0Tx/s200/IMG_0186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537084230469785826" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span>Don Preston's house for a luncheon and swimming in the pool. (Jan and Don and set my parents up on a blind date!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Matt and Angie took off for a night together in Napa Valley and the rest of us headed back up to Redding to finish getting ready for part II. The reception.</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday we took a bit of a breather and enjoyed some R & R at Whiskeytown Lake. I don't know why we don't go there more often when we visit Redding. It was so much fun. Ryan brought out his parents' patio boat and took us over to the rope swing. I couldn't believe my eyes and Aaron and Olivia (with a little more coaxing needed than Aaron) swung out over the lake and dropped into the cool water. I was peer pressured into it and will admit that it was a fun rush.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday was busy getting ready for the reception. I had to stop and get a shot at the med clinic. Apparently I had got poison oak when I fell into the bushes on my maiden voyage of mountain biking earlier in the week. Oh man, did it ever itch. Across my stomach on my arms and even on my face! I had forgotten how bad it gets.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClEEfAuxYGAl9Bt8Arst85QwHMwBV8JdhrqFJLTJsaEHRXZpezy3R1ZVbS3zsKsHrAUqxiZFonW2jq3eU9xt4vogWT0XT4JyZDDuF1WC-NUfhU5gbXsc_utxe5nENKKOnmtkZVD8kInYE/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537087589317349362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>The reception was very nice. Everyone stayed and enjoyed themselves. The kids loved running around and playing on the grass of of the country club while the adults visited. TONS of yummy desserts and fresh fruit for a chocolate fountain. The photographer got great photos of everything.(Hopefully I can get a few of them for myself.)</div><div><br /></div><div>CONGRATULATIONS ANGIE AND MATT!</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-20342368244408643342010-11-07T22:59:00.000-08:002010-11-07T23:27:36.620-08:00Summer in ReddingSunday, before Bill flew home from the Redding airport, we got to have breakfast at the soon to be VanDuran home and go to Matt and Angie's ward which happens to also be the Reasbecks' ward. <div><br /></div><div>We spent most nights out in Palo Cedro with Bill's Aunt Tenley and Uncle Jim. The kids loved "swimming" in their hot tub as we sat sweating in the Redding heat watching them play. On Tuesday, the 27th, Tenley took us to a wonderful waterfall right below Mt. Shasta along with a little hike from which we could see Mt. Shasta and the start of the Sacramento River. We had a great picnic lunch where the kids and I tried fresh mango for the first time. I am sad to report that none of us cared for it. We even stopped for some soft serve ice cream at a little roadside diner.<div><br /></div><div>We spent the night at my brother, Garrett's house. I got to babysit their 4 kids while they spoke on being "Fun and flirty" at a church activity. We swam til it was too dark to see and then the 4 older kids rinsed off in the shower together while I got the 2 little girls in their pj's. I got a great video of the kids doing chants in the shower. We went to see The Wizard of Oz in the Anderson River Park with the Claycamps as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>We also visited with Grandpa Bill a few times. We learned that he had attended the LDS church the previous Sunday and had been meeting with the missionaries for a while now. They had simply knocked on his door and he invited them in, remembering how he would've wanted his</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhkeDMGgBDznLsjs7reG1GloAiNZaivAiB_DNHd_aFhteCMaexA9jrW6ebPMwnjOmyF7uQ0EwZz1mYe4HHbdCPRx8Wm7IZgJnZG9LO0jguGLNuJLtXIsWawRG3L_fr0iOgxQLQMIOzjk7/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537075711459983202" /><div> son treated on his mission. I rejoined him for church on Sunday the 1st where I was able to bare my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and the importance of the temple. It was very richly emotional and we were able to share a very special moment together. The following Tuesday the kids and I went back down so that they could do a woodworking project with Grandpa and also I was able to join in on a missionary discussion. We too had a wonderfully intimate discussion.</div><div><br /></div><div>We played at the Reasbeck's and spent the night there. I finished sewing my skirt, Livi's dress, Kristi's blouse, Chase and Aaron's pants, Gretchen's zipper on her skirt and a hem on her blouse... I even glued Chandler's eyelid back together. Krazy Glue is amazing, he doesn't even have a scar! </div></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-84780731837560857802010-11-07T22:26:00.000-08:002010-11-07T22:59:14.604-08:00Fishing with the Cabezuds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHbpOEXrLqIl_8AnYtTtqMNoO-vQ33djQSiNPcSMZxlGcxVO1K2KAYB5Kvgg66BoS2Aqcy0kexfzG5hrXGLEXfB6j0CGtwUTak4cT2h_rEv8NQHdV8kthdU-gyp76w3-ZsFessWt1DuE0/s1600/IMG_5223.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHbpOEXrLqIl_8AnYtTtqMNoO-vQ33djQSiNPcSMZxlGcxVO1K2KAYB5Kvgg66BoS2Aqcy0kexfzG5hrXGLEXfB6j0CGtwUTak4cT2h_rEv8NQHdV8kthdU-gyp76w3-ZsFessWt1DuE0/s320/IMG_5223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537069092325689746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbbj3oStprf_YXlQyy2vEl78bPChWqkhrHV_Ve4fbfy-QCeEfrD9M4_O02RGjS3pAzGWl4JP-cJ6FoaUW9NY_yeqbZhbVKsRFhbPMhtkPxkqP2OeojqqYOiShlFho5XlmN253QYoF4Dw8/s1600/IMG_5233.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbbj3oStprf_YXlQyy2vEl78bPChWqkhrHV_Ve4fbfy-QCeEfrD9M4_O02RGjS3pAzGWl4JP-cJ6FoaUW9NY_yeqbZhbVKsRFhbPMhtkPxkqP2OeojqqYOiShlFho5XlmN253QYoF4Dw8/s200/IMG_5233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537068172783503666" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWt0-oqwzFUsrwhJyF9i-JDZn5wSWB3XQ-4yPxZynVljVE2dulfbVs_KabP98n2v7tF8YeA39y782QO_Z9NT-HBRnyDryEgximSCxGiPB29LnNv6uCbxl14fg1qZRlW5RaXxoVheM8RNt/s1600/IMG_5212.JPG"></a>When we got back from camping, Bill flew home to work and the kids and I stayed in Redding to have fun and help get things ready for Angie's wedding. I really tried to take advantage of our time in Redding and spend some time with loved ones we don't see all that often. Monday, July 26th, we went with my dear friend Natalie Cabezud's parents, Frank and Pat, fishing in their boat on the beautiful Shasta Lake. I don't remember the last time I saw the lake so full. Frank admitted it was hard finding his way around without the usual landmarks (they were all underwater). Pat packed a fabulous picnic dinner complete wi<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNyA96CA2iVKiNrUp6bF8S3rRbIEo33ReGjiW9cpfY0X8halHNhBsDCWHHeJg7DmC7pdeOwDjlr57cYuwumL8ybpQSGNzltRox_5L9qPYLnl4k-n1s5mkqoXzgerSCKJU9tBewJiIcDii/s200/IMG_5206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537068185223558450" />th all her wonderful foods I remember as a child. Yummy sandwiches and delicious cookies... YUMMM! At first the kids weren't terribly interested in fishing. Frank set some lines and we swam. Livi couldn't get enough of the water and had a ball puttering around with Pat. Aaron couldn't decide if he <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWt0-oqwzFUsrwhJyF9i-JDZn5wSWB3XQ-4yPxZynVljVE2dulfbVs_KabP98n2v7tF8YeA39y782QO_Z9NT-HBRnyDryEgximSCxGiPB29LnNv6uCbxl14fg1qZRlW5RaXxoVheM8RNt/s200/IMG_5212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537063049835758210" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>wanted to fish or swim so he kept bouncing around, loving every minute of it. The life vests for the kids were a little on the big side, but... we made do.<div><br /></div><div>Once we decided to hunker down and really get to business Frank was ready for us. He had bought out Target of a fishing lure that he claimed was the best. Unfortunately he did lose one, but boy </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg1r5Z6to0x-swcLJDCmIzOUCbxQSav3ywWi46FFjOvDrXgw5wNoaow5RwiGtMlHXeguyF0_QNnXjNIdKMsQarR_2_0QxEn7qMhnMwa8UYfDW7GFhR0g4U4tLlOYvaiNJBowAnyfmHNlC/s200/IMG_5228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537063040995964258" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><div>was he right on its effectiveness. Out of maybe 30-45 minutes of total fishing time, Olivia caught 5 fish, all of which were "keepers". Pat said that Frank is not the average fisherman. He doesn't like to touch or eat them. He has developed quite the grab, twist, flick method for dehooking his fish and getting them back safely in the water. The kids were loving it. Every fish caught had to be touched by both of them and each time they would squeal. By the </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gdGRErMyRc3kD214wQk2TN98EH0LKCmoY4c2z0Jx-UJ5vAbG8bguBTQW7-xdjaziudo27r_0d5Xk6zMGYRIlNm2Q7TknTbavEH-RTQMUcywUggEJnsEXI9-KF9gb3oObUGkOEaXXI3AW/s200/IMG_5222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537068177450981346" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div>end Livi was staring soberly at them as she fingered their tiny metallic scales. Aaron did catch 2 fish and wouldn't dare tell a "fish" story of </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSYPVq3ZkXlG0g6YmQv9GmQswyeYJ6OTBH69SFTULTOERpqGnXwAKQjWMIbhf68OdBTZK2h4iBw2NedOWb-WUVlNq8gjJ47VzUlT24-kmj2857JsrFXFevKhXf9VmEsa1JDG-CABCaMPH/s200/IMG_5221.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537063044645136210" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>how big they were. He was proud of his 2. Or was it 10. Maybe 20. The number kept changing. Olivia was so funny though because as Frank drove, Pat and I caught up with one another and Livi would tell us she caught one. We wouldn't believe her but sure enough... there was a fish. After the 2nd time of us telling her it was probably just a weed and she and Frank pulling up a fish, she didn't even tell us any more. Our conversation paused as we looked over and saw Olivia reeling in a fish all by herself! It was an absolute blast to be with them. It was so fun to catch up with the going on's of the Grant community and hear how everyone is doing. I am so blessed to have people in my life who truly love me and my kids and whom we can love and be with in return.</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-43694573508392427922010-11-06T22:54:00.000-07:002010-11-07T00:18:19.918-07:00Camping 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hbcqF903Im8mrPj_DPoMDOLvwGMgIkILSQmfcDtTeVaCTp_vDecJzHCFHO94wh5u2XvghCz-KFDI9VjevptYqU65YtUwDXZ8o6bE2vcv9JdjVTcud9DLeeY3v3wrWlcX9wiFqQvN4SIb/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxlxn2orrMQzbaiE3Bd9iJTSzYnUPnGOtcH7DwyEkoU0AtSxHY3eniin6KzxvzibQ18vXlO4tD4KeNOpjc6XkJWRflVgeeL07UA4I51Em5edwnJobvG3abbs1148nJSNiO02HbU5sUupX/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxlxn2orrMQzbaiE3Bd9iJTSzYnUPnGOtcH7DwyEkoU0AtSxHY3eniin6KzxvzibQ18vXlO4tD4KeNOpjc6XkJWRflVgeeL07UA4I51Em5edwnJobvG3abbs1148nJSNiO02HbU5sUupX/s400/IMG_0045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536692978734907650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture. From left to right: Ellisons, Reasbecks, Dad, & Claycamps. This is our spot at the beach. We do the same thing every year. Suckers for tradition? Yes. But more than that, it's what we did with Mom.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY6DuiLcKo62jEsCoNBa9hHJu1BPX3tu9maAHb46KdKXgYCjgfUI1FluITdB7qJGf6y7ASIttjRVvct9WdyAwx28jEstlwI8Lncv8pkypYrA2xwtyF6cJXaQ9tejeZCJJ7QleFnL7A9Pf/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG"></a>How we manage to bring more stuff every year is beyond me but we did. This year we had the luxury of a fabulous new bike rack and a "coffin" as Grandma called it for on top of the car. With Annie in the middle seat and wedding gear on top of the camping gear we were packed to the brim. The trip up must've been just fine, I don't remember it one bit. As for the rest of the trip, I'll keep it simple... (lots of pictures, small amounts of text).<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uYELkzmiu5u8sRV2QSB_YG9a-GfkAZf9o4BZ9FI-zCGln-47d9_7Zy7eAVqUozfKFxkCK_weYNXwWtfxPD8xeEcFEhj1tu0AR3vg75OYkpJW-LJXal0OsTaDawsYGxO_3zNNFHsgk4A-/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536684674547187298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>Friday morning, I do remember, it was Olivia's LAST CHEMO APPOINTMENT!!! YAY!!! And then we hit the road...16-17 hrs later and 2 days we arrived at the coveted camp spot of #38 in Millcreek Campgroud in the Del Norte Costal Redwoods of Crescent City, California.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8RS1x45hMaMP6SWVCKpFRDHyw47_v8_4seNYXkOMNeUmQ_-GHq49d1apOGvYFlqKFAOTxbFe-f50fsrdspEfgh9h6eIOAzHk8bieuRTeqWDjJtXmDNCfkd740cDy4coT6fQ-WY7aKIvt/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536684175859249698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crabbing on the Pier (Emily is such a cutie)</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYlwLRu0r1Q15V25WLF4TeHfbFPOo9fK2h3G2-XqQjJC29wIPUL_W5mMe00hfjc-8r61NjpsHT6P-EplaXGkAWmXthjwu-shB6aoOfk3YgLi-CW-FwOWsPljXEQvMH_6xXFuZnH-Ytu0N/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536684178585727266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Kristi and baby Abby</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0dgAnlSrJxLgUS8SC3QQ__DkxUJdwHUo9xot3qewl9842PVqnjxhPvQEGvHxz39z4nk6uw_NebURWFNfpFtO-e6AxUk7MhJGeAK2gixrLWi-5JRyEsodTturStu4eV9nWmwxKCHvC5Wb/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536684183885001426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Playing games back at camp. I LOVE Livi's hair!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFbxPEA3Ij6kUPKRnK6wlgEqwcUOrD007VV78D7c_cC4TMpFmj1lbV678YlQUiGFbs_BB5Gk842AmnOiKdfBMRxtQil1tvBrHD_NhzLcyiTGafN0MDoV93M26-kzRapCEAytcY8WJyWqe/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536685686857923602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>Our little man LOVES and thrives on affection. So darn cute. I was pleased with myself this year and did not use a blow dryer or any make-up. One might think, "Who uses those things while your camping???" Oh, it's been bad. One year we actually brought a generator for the hair dryers! I think I pulled off the natural look pretty good.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXx8wv23ACHsjd53ZWC3okD7Jn_nze-1j16p2Ws4yiGih57ibuULQKfiqmBjL4MQQveVPVhSbhxW6-ZNf_4whqS-IWNbbjhQyArMRLUV-0jRcu2tfVRuGcY6MDLvTh_aQv0tYe7QSxqjt/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536685684647396178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Happy 10th Birthday Evan! Double digits...WOOHOO!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGnDvQo5csjWw9LPzWyo5rN_jNisWjujOJeDw0pArIKmjRyjFP-txDD3klUVeo1g5fAqVWkG6OFLk2GJWWIG7wxMJywZVRbddt80aXTZPiiCv30S0MR6IfosHnquLZeEHETrFDxAQX882/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536685681716649314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>The grandkids love their Uncle Adam and Aunt Gee. Of course cool gadgets always help.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ki48EvI2FvWc6NfsTNec07J2jDMQ2bq3RSlPVHVUwtWfsuRi03SC6gtiPN0TorjfSasaRKM5jKhcbbsw9BT60RB-vptc3e_t5lTzdTMOTxUM70uXxBOJAo_BXDiG6EabzEWgcJzIE0cd/s320/IMG_0052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536688753889389218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Both kids were successful with 2 wheels this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Pf2nFEZOKwx7NLJNFwCZBB1B2Rd2DDqJm_HQEziov1S4zBm-ujHgRsLvO9MxaOOHhzTMw8EHQhOQdWhT4tPLQw9JtoTAB1RlHVsO_9ng-XCxM5l3a1HaYor7CMh_SOSbtw7X45lynCmC/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536688747193055570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEPvFefh0qnx4r1W8r6FDgPKf_u1DqgMBR7e0SfITPv3Hu7cxgsTVIQtuCHNgtHhsEw2EQKXrZatMGzERxqb5a1eYeasp_pm8qcNY7aJXwebLVXLRsuZU_0dIHBBjH8fdApeIFT0kNs1X/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEPvFefh0qnx4r1W8r6FDgPKf_u1DqgMBR7e0SfITPv3Hu7cxgsTVIQtuCHNgtHhsEw2EQKXrZatMGzERxqb5a1eYeasp_pm8qcNY7aJXwebLVXLRsuZU_0dIHBBjH8fdApeIFT0kNs1X/s200/IMG_0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536690798059105202" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJelz9_3l-VewEsRb_fIIHzDfOLn_adKBxW6bwQfoOGgZwdUAj4fS3yimV0SJZsLOxddtEIWQ2XUffvuJZRyguk4xI1Ap5sJHgmsIuxIHdaOPvLfxN-_a01MrMOOx7ReK6BL96TYB54sq/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJelz9_3l-VewEsRb_fIIHzDfOLn_adKBxW6bwQfoOGgZwdUAj4fS3yimV0SJZsLOxddtEIWQ2XUffvuJZRyguk4xI1Ap5sJHgmsIuxIHdaOPvLfxN-_a01MrMOOx7ReK6BL96TYB54sq/s200/IMG_0042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536690794534474098" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFbxPEA3Ij6kUPKRnK6wlgEqwcUOrD007VV78D7c_cC4TMpFmj1lbV678YlQUiGFbs_BB5Gk842AmnOiKdfBMRxtQil1tvBrHD_NhzLcyiTGafN0MDoV93M26-kzRapCEAytcY8WJyWqe/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uYELkzmiu5u8sRV2QSB_YG9a-GfkAZf9o4BZ9FI-zCGln-47d9_7Zy7eAVqUozfKFxkCK_weYNXwWtfxPD8xeEcFEhj1tu0AR3vg75OYkpJW-LJXal0OsTaDawsYGxO_3zNNFHsgk4A-/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0dgAnlSrJxLgUS8SC3QQ__DkxUJdwHUo9xot3qewl9842PVqnjxhPvQEGvHxz39z4nk6uw_NebURWFNfpFtO-e6AxUk7MhJGeAK2gixrLWi-5JRyEsodTturStu4eV9nWmwxKCHvC5Wb/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG"></a><div>What's a trip to the beach without Aaron laying in the sand. I think this year was his cleanest to date. Playing at the beach always includes some digging/building of sorts. This year we added some new depth to the whole beach experience and incorporated some sports. Soccer was a huge hit and then some volley ball. Ryan thought he had purchased a volleyball net, not a badminton one. Ah well, ya can't win 'em all. It was a lot of fun regardless.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx2tZC_ZfWgR4PLL4K0swBHtddbGIqO6KtMKVXIliA0KjhQidcIJ0e2hl7KNDzYJgvFctKUju4qSRRuw2noDhWcsy2ZDcTe1a2RzPVDfsXiRLQCPB-1EpYk2L24T4FyHXxBqHXU-bkbuD/s320/IMG_0066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536688757159821890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Front: Chase, Emily, Logan. Back: Dax, Livi, Ethan, Aaron</div><div>The younger kids enjoyed playing down in the creek bed. (This is everyone, sans our youngest Abby, 6 yrs and younger. It was Daxton's first year camping with us, and actually first time camping. He looks a little overwhelmed here, but he had a good time.)They would throw rocks into what was left of the dried up pond. Apparently not all the campers were as fond of our kids playing on their own and letting us adults sleep in 'cause the ranger came down to our sites and told us to zip it! 9 o'clock is not that early! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYpOpzmX_IKUH_w8IhU7GAIICI4P7ykaDuTcvhcuviBbd0ZmV5TdHTdvAUuy1kHtWhacLYdaLMI_tYfWogD5V8uo5lw5rWDdYnlMAtbZk5W89LEWvyjeZPXsIRtVL9xmCpYtDrKzqknpg/s200/IMG_0067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536690805933210194" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>This was one of those precious moments that I know my mom was watching. I love seeing my brother being tender with his girls. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIhdmYmA2RaG6G-tnBBx7nhn-fp81lH4u8M_cyMhAPxxYuwZNRZ3yD1lcZ7IXqWVoG2GNTSpySsqSs4p84PRsw4b7Iq76q81Nd0cO792nhyphenhyphenLmFJzZxjVj5QUnVlRpO_zfWYfyOU6ce2sy/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536688742203073986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Hiking (Livi. I think I take these beautiful trees for granted.)</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY6DuiLcKo62jEsCoNBa9hHJu1BPX3tu9maAHb46KdKXgYCjgfUI1FluITdB7qJGf6y7ASIttjRVvct9WdyAwx28jEstlwI8Lncv8pkypYrA2xwtyF6cJXaQ9tejeZCJJ7QleFnL7A9Pf/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihY6DuiLcKo62jEsCoNBa9hHJu1BPX3tu9maAHb46KdKXgYCjgfUI1FluITdB7qJGf6y7ASIttjRVvct9WdyAwx28jEstlwI8Lncv8pkypYrA2xwtyF6cJXaQ9tejeZCJJ7QleFnL7A9Pf/s200/IMG_0046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536690804602964194" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><div>Livi being her hammy/sassy self while Adam ponders if the Chinese ever did use "chinese handcuffs".(Thanks to Dad's friend, Sue, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggntgPRqbTpYINgydVlQLyGZeKFj0_WyY9Ox-1UOrYZJl_Yc91ckmxWZi9mfsLsZg7q6LHHAEO5tV7loiboEPimb8catt3kteD5w7FVYK20MBFUBbh6LS-M6eFHLPLwOGLM-HM_s4YbUBf/s200/IMG_0069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536690812706486578" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span> who joined our group this year and brought along some fun things to try out.) And of course, Aaron enjoying his food. Another of Sue's fun things!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi040lzUv1QQFyPLE9rD0u9E8SM6DxJp1r_JN_JND9zLMuXowPbJVJ93_hG8Vh5Vf4ghdJcC3Js7cWZ-lBnU-ADuU0n4SZCaQHHeig7ZvcwJxqGJeOf6_O34SS06RY3Dg145iGbdXardFC4/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi040lzUv1QQFyPLE9rD0u9E8SM6DxJp1r_JN_JND9zLMuXowPbJVJ93_hG8Vh5Vf4ghdJcC3Js7cWZ-lBnU-ADuU0n4SZCaQHHeig7ZvcwJxqGJeOf6_O34SS06RY3Dg145iGbdXardFC4/s320/IMG_0084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536695007063049858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxWQcIbd8QUuVHBnxTHW6uQmiprNauss7DMuxYhFaOyCMpv_DDDMkp2AKxIAdsYx_EHCpCV0_6RfgqlC9-DACe-SYJSpSKmzUY8QE1OnnPOGSBbQaPs_nDOinU5F8eFdbbsznfa1hyphenhyphendVM/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxWQcIbd8QUuVHBnxTHW6uQmiprNauss7DMuxYhFaOyCMpv_DDDMkp2AKxIAdsYx_EHCpCV0_6RfgqlC9-DACe-SYJSpSKmzUY8QE1OnnPOGSBbQaPs_nDOinU5F8eFdbbsznfa1hyphenhyphendVM/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536695004179996354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div>The tide pools were really good this year. The best weather we've had at the pools for as long as we remember. Aaron and Livi with their finds.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6V9gsLseQg6c8mlE6Gydx2pmmy2j9ehSd2buCQkOz0qpR3oFbqgmBIQuhm5LUCtT-ibkznJU0IUO3oLPNMHQOWwClahln3BYRiYz2OLooZGJ2BUvG7CJ_4ccSd4tY9j0vrPPAyN1rd7T/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536695022346013554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Aaron and Ethan sunbathing</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1CL_wPm90rbwTpx0Gc8B8H5-DB87TZcT5DaStKs4HWofv3lnMHooFSKIgnZCpreCf43rJZozzB8ArmvqPEiAWngir7h3qF57-ZgRK0Akm-lXfET-iLLlHG1qwX7FUNV0S8uEdmthomMg/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536695011609512146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>Bill and that wretched Celtics sweatshirt. I threaten to burn it every year. This year I will admit, I reminded him to pack it. Yes, tradition. The green is actually growing on me. Much like kelp on the ocean rocks.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwrg-gre1NK_Ov5fUu8TBtJ7ItfV4vfkzZtu9k2i3AH181AFRM515BGAL2NXq3POBB_uGd1aRdejRBzybNK_py5xvQXn6XdCCT4LuUypip5fMw_JTvWnVcvOieQK93ZrKmoLeYd4r6zZh/s320/IMG_0083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536695016281767666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Mine and Gretchen's possibly first official camp picture. Chase is cute too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0979JLdFSbOYZmTbnAeCuPwfzkm2Y-K8D6keanM_L8ClsUxD5y5SIuluOfqq_xMPpyXuOM09XwU7M5nci7M8nCbEw-5EbFNvZuie3N64klIjCIc_KjHot_j8sEhgXgowdtU5PVawRwkD/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536696178211577730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Grandkids!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oldest to youngest, starting on Rt in back: Evan, Code, Chand Livi, Logan, E-Man, Aaron, Dax, Chasers, Emmy, and Abby(in Cody's arms). 11 great kids!</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoZOjQDuy9kYauPFV9Hq0YfmN33EMwLhrs7jMekzzMYj9hdd03COP3LsIJBizYRjlqNRdxOrIx_c4rUFmsDLcfW1HKlSTz-Yd32Hka5HmE6OiqTEm51NdjaSK4rl63kdNGLx5-W1s-HQX/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536696180297462226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Ellisons</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxlsAAG8qtEnKC24Ke4Acl6UXqJXeLSV0jwcMEMtupvDzqDj7t37Zoijpez_S6E3NZ4MBrodu_TrIBNClM4qWgOaB1y7ZsvKMcSxp1Xz4hKFL_YxcFGRelbAyUw-tJ2VUfa2JjiONdTA2/s320/IMG_0089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536696188693393170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>She wore her Cancer Shmancer shirt for this day. Back at camp we had a special celebration. This day, Thursday, July 22, 2010 was the last time Livi had to take chemo pills!!! We bought a cake at Safeway and had a bit of a ceremony. I helped Livi write down everything that she was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qt9PDl4DF5PoZWQ2Jw3iHb_L7R4lhcXStGgtEg-vaN9TdWpH7_eVMY3tbkx2VQIvnAgLn0DRMjfiyaiK6K_d5lL6Ecwj_Gkweo9jZOTa-qlO_Kpw9LMm7djj-jjLT7t9ePDEM2SzhPBS/s200/IMG_0091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536698163105743586" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>"throwing away" with her pills. Things like, limitations of cancer, loosing her hair, not being able to play sports, fasting for spinal taps, meds, surgeries...etc. We filmed it. She then threw the list in the fire and poured her remaining pills in a box and smashed them with a hammer. Some of the shot out of the box and we joked about coming next year and finding a giant hairless chipmunk who ate Livi's chemo pills and steroids. After a good beating she threw the box in the fire and we clapped as she watched the sparks. I'm not sure about everyone else, but for me, the tears were definitely rolling.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMnGIrmSz8jG-1gx68-ayTdm0Ct9ysrV8FuVXtHt_MKuSr2IjzGTd_ZxAmaB0p2jYng8gzRXfJZvnPc5vPnIQo_E6rBTzy7sHjD31-n4HwRczL6Jix3PV6WHKtRI5acceQqP1Ezrf_StH/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536699429359277474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAkjL1rhsl9imqLKawmRxrqWrSo02p4lm19rG5bvwwek5yNQ5qHP9XCTY3CkZC_B4yM4ZZem4fG5VZp5JL36fgjYqv-h4ZVU1YRvzs67l_Dk7JwVbAv1e5LXj1yZAYMBNbHrbHdppq8OG/s200/IMG_0105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536701089867522306" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>, Ryan, Bill, Cody, Chandler and I went on a bike ride along the original Hwy 1. It was a good ride and very difficult for the boys but they pushed through and made it, only walking up one fairly steep hill. I laughed when Bill asked if that's how hard my rides are. At parts of the road you could see, through the overgrowth, the old road. FUN.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xCsKpJChY8KoLMaFvHTaeuwh9jo9DApUIO4EF3fbKPTxfa5HRv437tbjcRZ2rW8ClWRMxFHGTK9BQ-qY4CyHAvin1EhXFpsw63NuD9c-H132VQxMoqNLHxgp_0HS8Cf3FnDbpVdT7vrI/s320/IMG_0118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536699430833869010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Packing up is always a chore, but we are getting better. The kids are helpful by playing with one another. Livi and Ethan kept Abby happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGviJIdddKrIr3f8R7rcvh-PD3DCSqX92NpwKNS9o919zFuwV_Ji04z4hH3JVTSAhWMbD_6vY9-S9livMlPmxLYSIc4TjP7CG157JKvJIwOCjNqqjsRyiqW6GdHvQoHchOMdKexCuA3YFe/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536699435413239922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Ethan, Aaron and Emily</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT7qJtWsrxhPc3XwZ6BGU5_2CBcmvJhppMS8gWK1Qn0BpZBDwB_6VghSRnBOkjFZPns0qqL8oNC4nVcynW9ZnanHH5OdZILkGhGSwN4Pr1SUjEAsK2eGPUEzuYWeoEwffGWsnA8S0D-_D/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536699439361492034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Every year we have taken a picture on our last day in front of this tree in front of campsite 38. I think next time the kids will be on the ground!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpXFmwIae9V1E7vcg4hyphenhyphenGuMp1WYW7UsgtKE-QB2VRnE6Grl3V9IeLMeFCkRqOlwwToJXV2hK9F1Jkvna7ZJVuXTr_yLWvogmVt8kuZUolc6EDFlEJo0_bYmqkNO_s_EWFAlvFAQf9ZqrW/s200/IMG_0126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536701093597659602" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">We've tried a new tradition the last couple of years. It's seeming to stick. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w_z0XmwgVLHB5kvSIss20uCl2vGrWc52EUUesFVdaGj3qkKsRXHcPu97oFaXCfNg3LYU97jjLNVQUP89-E8N9ecj0DiPV1oTt792nDFbK2fEXbUzmvU-76VoLIa25bWX_n4wHrO-0sWa/s200/IMG_0131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536701096858781922" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Lunch at Samoas Cookhouse just outside of Eureka. It's a bit out of the way but good family style food and we're not cooking it! Bill did some worthwhile life skill teaching. Chan caught </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZOtpMAIoeJJoXCJT2fyZQRvBV2tiiqnndsG1nG2lJ08VEotICKpKaiIXk70xrTfHaaB6ujk2Msy87Il_9HST-g6W5Cz_M6aayGxWo9gv9oBlUBnCIBk6e19nSDGf1NYKmkib5koLDp4o/s200/IMG_0130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536702128930843634" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">on rather nicely. Everyone had a great time. I lost a filling... and Livi was lovin' on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hbcqF903Im8mrPj_DPoMDOLvwGMgIkILSQmfcDtTeVaCTp_vDecJzHCFHO94wh5u2XvghCz-KFDI9VjevptYqU65YtUwDXZ8o6bE2vcv9JdjVTcud9DLeeY3v3wrWlcX9wiFqQvN4SIb/s200/IMG_0133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536702139460367874" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>Aaron!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Until next year...</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-183940894739299512010-11-06T22:45:00.000-07:002010-11-06T22:54:14.056-07:00Life with the Bonds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90hKLLbDIilLGHDDlezyG592_aX_4p1lI-MU0oyvqj4vHnuLbv-D4jXwHMCPw5m92Sr7XdxzbjmLQmju-ewKhCeqhVjEawj-nx_hAAlaglPMX5ZoZhVyBpsx0MvuZcj7X-F0a4VsLBsTY/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90hKLLbDIilLGHDDlezyG592_aX_4p1lI-MU0oyvqj4vHnuLbv-D4jXwHMCPw5m92Sr7XdxzbjmLQmju-ewKhCeqhVjEawj-nx_hAAlaglPMX5ZoZhVyBpsx0MvuZcj7X-F0a4VsLBsTY/s200/IMG_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536680932126982626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pQ5H7KgdZ_A9KrdY8MHBz5LA_JECWhTo_ouq8k-wRV0T6fAYuAL_tiVhs7irBiTYl_EK0N9i-7b3eWxYNMypyWAYQnicRffLGlJqv-E5_nybaHNtKj4mpZELaxgRHAjyEv7iRB9i6O1B/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pQ5H7KgdZ_A9KrdY8MHBz5LA_JECWhTo_ouq8k-wRV0T6fAYuAL_tiVhs7irBiTYl_EK0N9i-7b3eWxYNMypyWAYQnicRffLGlJqv-E5_nybaHNtKj4mpZELaxgRHAjyEv7iRB9i6O1B/s200/IMG_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536680927693320546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qaSvPKzHIqHQ2LMRndPTyj_DewM2hFkYrYtqxcjmarhUeN3TyVf5GfQ68K5cba0I5OIEQhXQPe6kpXo7fvDScUAKOMOImIC5QQg82KAtuVpP7ukVKn9-L1GJA9v0avC8IiRjuvZC4D0o/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qaSvPKzHIqHQ2LMRndPTyj_DewM2hFkYrYtqxcjmarhUeN3TyVf5GfQ68K5cba0I5OIEQhXQPe6kpXo7fvDScUAKOMOImIC5QQg82KAtuVpP7ukVKn9-L1GJA9v0avC8IiRjuvZC4D0o/s200/IMG_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536680923405076754" /></a><br />When we arrived home from Seattle, we had 3 days to prepare for a week at our friends, the Bonds' house. Mom and Dad were going on a getaway and asked if we could stay at their house and watch over their 5 kids, ranging in age from 15 down to Livi's best friend Zoey who is 6. We even took Annie who enjoyed playing with their dog Princess and learned to swim in the pool. When you throw a dog in water and watch them sink deeper and deeper it is a relieving experience to watch them resurface. I don't know about the Bonds, but my kids had a fabulous time. Bill was actually able to join us for 1 or 2 nights in which the girls LOVED him throwing them into flips. Being around the pool all week wasn't exactly a bad thing either. Aaron and Livi both became quite the little fishies. They even liked most of the meals I prepared, 3 out of 5 isn't too bad.Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-34708598683746785592010-10-14T19:32:00.000-07:002010-10-14T22:29:27.189-07:00Seattle<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgoOEEDiV_YXytrY-pRQMQTTTDgXGrblUGKDLQ8piaHG8X7xGFJ1vy9q453UI0dwIi33D8afF6gYpbmm2h0MOJDNm-5o9plRzfFnyYFtZaiB0QohJ76c7iij8z7Hm86YXqg_1a1n0vtKx/s1600/IMG_2307.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgoOEEDiV_YXytrY-pRQMQTTTDgXGrblUGKDLQ8piaHG8X7xGFJ1vy9q453UI0dwIi33D8afF6gYpbmm2h0MOJDNm-5o9plRzfFnyYFtZaiB0QohJ76c7iij8z7Hm86YXqg_1a1n0vtKx/s320/IMG_2307.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528114030486033730" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NXBFUhJkqL3CyBLde7t8SWb1VVGkfsArxb7UIh24TCuxeN2-IbuEvwLEFMqb0X8lSSJChyphenhyphen1wDAm3PGd1kzfjf0drg-mRN6Uslvbpi9yl8z_q-tLiOpt68dMeRgI_0lKslVZLD3sElegk/s1600/IMG_2270.JPG"></a>On July 1st the 4 of us boarded a plane and flew to Seattle, WA for a much anticipated vacation. Bill's mom and stepdad Tiger had planned this trip with Tiger's brother Frank and his wife, Terry. Frank and Terry live just outside of Seattle and have recently bought a house that sits on Lake Washington. Bill told Aaron about this trip on our way home from Redding over Christmas vacation. No joke, Aaron has been asking every single week since, "When are we going to Seattle?" Bill's brother Sam and his family were there, Tiger's boys Bob and Bryan and their families were there as well. It was such a great vacation. We flew in late Thursday night and came home Tuesday afternoon. The weather, even though July was cloudy and cool... perfect. I can't wait to do it again!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h8_MV7k-UkoVmGLdtWZzhVH2YjGUOGca8tL1GzTVyoFwW8RcT0A32NKYP4h_Y0-fDRay5PSI3hOIzcQSK0f2fqBIzQ5wwLdXA5XSWBx_P4PaKJNgazPDUnj8DfzoUAlodYn4oy0N8yYe/s320/IMG_2248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528099844845357522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>The kids were soooo excited to go on a trip with Dad. The airplane made it even better. FYI: Livi's hair for the most part fell out again. Instead of being baby smooth like before, it started growing back before she had completely lost it all. But there were just a few shaggy chunks, so... Wednesday evening, I sat her on a barstool in the driveway and used the clippers down to a six. Our goal was to leave it as long as possible but to even it all out. SHE LOVED IT! She kept moving her head back and forth in front of the mirror and rubbing it. We are so blessed. If we could all have a little bit of her attitude about all this cancer junk... (sigh).</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8PMcZpAspkThvs6LVEQwyuUcgBRQz_IvrnAXKxuR55x-rqeiaQQerjB7F4iKGTAe-DM6tNfHBJQIPa_UMsz0IbyMvV3RQzmr9-bYiOVO5EoNXva1H_zysNPgDhqmvlh18g-hjexEa9cs/s320/IMG_2252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528099849851782274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>It was fabulous to have everyone together. The kids love being together but then to have Grandma and Papa T and Uncle Frank and Aunt Terry and the aunts and uncles... WOW! At times all the excitement and bodies flying around the room was a little too much for Grandma, but she relished in seeing everyone together.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpBBw9QUkkEOpLco8ykRyqO1LIMt28Ql6guU51eWPDyEH0yJBoZpX1IyCNQBinrUC0EtggcnirTpGekQQIxbubfDnPgBU_pWDa-uqFZn7FDQm83PeKlMdmAQ0hYpRnISH7v4aU-KhS2DI/s320/IMG_2266.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528099854071332834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>Aunt Terry took us to Ivar's Seafood on the pier by Pike's Place Fish Market. It was quite the experience and we all got a crash course on how to YELL our order and how many to the cooks on the other side of the tall counter outside. We loved it. Terry made sure that Grandma made it through the experience.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzsOiqcOgw4RVBSa9096imSqExbCl97aRNiWTAfr6ibDHmCPF9Nn7uhyFPoLCGQ0YCaVnmBHU3G68hCO2SNvXcX6WFXSIfLZkzWEYwTfCILcWrs_6zKmB7FDlWLoDU0aC0IaY9_zVQ2TC/s320/IMG_2262.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528099862200191906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Aaron, Livi, Josh, Cody</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NXBFUhJkqL3CyBLde7t8SWb1VVGkfsArxb7UIh24TCuxeN2-IbuEvwLEFMqb0X8lSSJChyphenhyphen1wDAm3PGd1kzfjf0drg-mRN6Uslvbpi9yl8z_q-tLiOpt68dMeRgI_0lKslVZLD3sElegk/s320/IMG_2270.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528099868784586162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">We couldn't resist buying something at Pike's Market. The kids picked out a great sized crab. Aaron ended up eating most of it. Josh had wanted one too, so Sam and Nikki bought one for him to carry as well. Little did we know that he thought he was getting a pet. When it came time to eat it you could just tell on his little face that that was not OK!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrDUx2B9l0RSyVgmr8OpzZ1X51YSfiwL0TtJ-szEDrwESf9MiKSDWzR9NKlrBVK5ylHO0wS5Afda4FoOy8OeH6cGH3mo4fCUW3tqVkwFYQlJ_X59u3JRsE1KfsN0bRD4y5zClqLHnm0lF/s320/IMG_2278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528105103947627218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">I don't know if it's because we live in the desert, but I could not get over the vibrant color of ALL THE FLOWERS! And the amount of them!!! My goodness, and so CHEAP! I love Seattle.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo0_03Vu_FD20QHWvLRoM4CcCoWnOKI7CA-MwaIp8VB9v0F83SisReR_C9PKee2xk-4cuLKWEBRS4zqVdqSMkrJHF8_WoQ71EPWVVXDKrNOnw-lOU65uuWoJnxQnIB9KefKm27GKU2-sX/s320/IMG_2282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528105112336542594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">The honest to goodness original Starbucks.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8nEO4mdz-45cnIvRbXgC7DN4tOsFgPy-mEgsdYCPDao0uN3kbdO-7mLpS4JefVPxlGiHTzNs6Fa-j4cbUVvirJ0UupP8Dyo0KUIvz8ARShgxM32yVTOO4PDZYbNx1u9EOwdRzZj3oY-H/s320/IMG_2290.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528105118612001266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Aaron took a little ride on the golden hog for luck, while Livi slept in the baby stroller.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYCH0sbH290mhnBhPoFGISwFTyzOo06oe-fwKoQf47zneQotvIMAit7BdYB_OqmHf4ZTG-u53TeLM6WiSj3Ui2AxixYHKi32dMCWKzp79fUVOucgJRv2l0WEgDJ_Fn0hKU6bT-OPuTlNH/s320/IMG_2289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528105109694883474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't we cute?! This particular market is Pike's Place Fish Market became known for their "fish throwing". Unfortunately we didn't really see the long bombs we were hoping for, but I did like how they would shove the money in a tennis ball to chuck it to the cashier.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6ioOHg5lgHEDMm0yCeeEvUNiFKnzEYCMwhy-wxhLikArg3_TeHXoVr5vKCp3mBNLglYvw_x9YBoAIbFK8zeZIzG0ElefVC1K1udAw3b1huNOw5EwHFwRQH3IhWNtbkG_o4my3vcQ5G12/s320/IMG_2292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528105126457436194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Sam and Cody posing just in front of the Market with the bay behind them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG203nEcBUHusXqukPM11R80qSuCrcg47t6Dcni2Rce1EkuAya8_pgtUN3FR6yZGxRKc-ULqAyRCHVFUhee9cJlFURdUDNh6LPOweCQnJDksGRQeQbRmW6cwP4N_UR1V32PVWcUdWjuu1/s200/IMG_2296.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528107107818585186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-awbLnUHWhvqk8SRtwChnxMLLwKBVA_84yIEc7HscpwMeTdn45k48Wwh_28W4sBdvhYnKo4mPQpYUjLZDRsVuR6eKS3EfGXL5JuOegQFdFiBuxgXV-H67WDNzaPkl1LUcgFk6PdrmfYz/s200/IMG_2295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528107103229384450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " />A stop and tour of Uncle Franks retirement "hobby", Eight Bells Winery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5H-x-Jn6piwKv4KqdFOPDbaRDy_IkM7vP0-pOPP3HP-WcPmrlbPJO0AcNY33jqAePe-nx98D_TrhXPw1xfxi01_osGfbYmywXcQGYht54gqv-DCv7iVDYEXIZK74WDsv4droZUPKweQG/s200/IMG_2300.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528110053216880322" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8biL35tgMBXLr6-thMd5yCSvxwCrL1ZVWZQrUI3zwgTbRXQTE65fBHrd02a81TD0ZHNWxevIwz08yyqCDER5f6H95zkupcdjObzOLxt5H4u0ggxJ7PgRgqzCQYWz-cogMepJwyZDxtiE/s1600/IMG_2298.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8biL35tgMBXLr6-thMd5yCSvxwCrL1ZVWZQrUI3zwgTbRXQTE65fBHrd02a81TD0ZHNWxevIwz08yyqCDER5f6H95zkupcdjObzOLxt5H4u0ggxJ7PgRgqzCQYWz-cogMepJwyZDxtiE/s200/IMG_2298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528110043753256514" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What little boy could withstand the urge to jump off a dock into a lake? Who cares if the water is in the 60's. Aaron wanted to get in badly and even when we let him feel the water he said, "Oh, that's cold! Where's my swim suit?" Boys will be boys. Dad was a</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">great sport and jumped in first to catch him. His face when he came up out of the water was priceless. Aaron did not need any convincing. He couldn't get enough. After his first submersion he came up and was so shocked the poor kid couldn't even breathe. All he could do was grasp for Dad and </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPauXDk0SekXu7q135U8yaO8A5SHNDHL2LsKSHERyITCegj-zcQgWR8B2m053RpAgEPlgBgo1FU0eX30D2ZfwfW6Ic_GFX1zer6Sd4RL1uLs8X9YfAZ2Ml5hP3yRhsiaoovAOSu6VO5lg/s200/IMG_2302.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528110056244713682" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><div style="text-align: center;">say, through tightly gritted teeth, "COLD!" Yeah, you said it. Olivia does not like to be out done. But she is much more like me... cautious, we'll call it. Bill patiently waded in the water waiting for her to jump. The more people encouraged the more scared she became. "Oh dear" was muttered many times. In the meantime, Aaron jumped in a couple more times by himself. After a good 3-5 minutes she asked, "can I do it?" To which I replied, "Girl, you conquered cancer, you can do anything." She nervously rubbed her bald little head sighed and took the plunge. (I got video of both.) We did go kayaking the next day. I missed the blooper of the century while I was inside getting into my swimsuit. From what I heard Bill was in the kayak and Aaron was getting in or vice versa... anyways, their kayak tipped and they both went under. Classic. Livi paddled around with me while Bill took Aaron. Very relaxing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbTmXI66CVvt9Y44X3n9FARom-qzfCiMq-GIvhuWs8_0CiMU41nDqJj1D89zGEIfcwVyVV8Wiqmi9dyjZ8C-gykLeYKCaKJbzJyUOFArwLwsuYAXjCX8vxKLwMIVYMwCpPq4ncijJXL0H/s320/IMG_2310.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528114032783170114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUl8gHnMm8VZ2scBKRDePwSY4ol04BwF3KU4UF0NmBPd8WKBbgiJbUTFqBsgbmi4dne8Vucw6jN3Zamq5Wdz41Tq3RzfLTOZWnxJfKMOTjanIb9VbqW_gX-CNkLBJL4ts56_-f6xAIqW2/s200/IMG_2326.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528120946304499090" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Aaron could not get enough of Uncle Bob, and his food, or Great Uncle Frank and his boat. Or perhaps, just Uncle Frank himself. Frank had a little shadow all weekend that continually asked if </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvSwxClrv5xy6Bl-69wxDwgLbNL4jOAAxCKBIcf7idsZew4ex7g4k0upWmMaKmKcT4preJ1Q9hj72ql40GYkBX4h3ShAJqOx6ibJZOcCDXNP71BBnA1sM-tbFvsfD_TpSlITdlRcexpRE/s200/IMG_2318.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528120936085630482" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">they could go out on the boat or check on the boat. I don't know who had more fun with it, Aaron or Frank. No matter to Aaron if nobody else was going out on the lake, he wanted to go. Frank took us down to see Bill Gates' house and Aaron was so at peace that he fell asleep on the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4rwsrw79Rp3V0g9JRQNuoC-UFSG3NaECdC1l6x0koq39qJ0U1X15XoTflfEHAbcUe03h-zZeII1URTkzcxrqvOEP6J_oz4Mv0BFNkVn9DHXNFiCFIlmveuqfW_TV-Fv8b5ce94Y7vhoW/s200/IMG_2398.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528120939670669794" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>floorboard. It was a good 20min drive. He then went BACK when Frank took Sam to see the house. (That's how we got this picture.) At one point the boat had started acting up and so Frank docked it and would fiddle with the engine and constantly check the gas gage when out on the lake. Aaron took charge of this task very willingly. Frank even showed Aaron how to skip rocks. Little boys find heaven on Lake Washington. I told Terry that I'm going to have to send</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0dd42GjwXhyphenhyphenxMysiOveMXXQ8c3dtKbedcacXmDYBZGuVM7Q27xhH-1XZEBH26VBDXw4F-p0IVtVs3Kpag5dfHys3kIhTKQe3BH3THn4FZgS7NF0MTDo_3bldBMksPvR-12qyRvqEgBgK/s200/IMG_2319.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528123725113534274" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Aaron up to stay with them for the summer when he's old enough.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsvYh0H_SWorvifGL5sblaX8jEn5HxxKIy1XN1XbwB4EaN4xafos3Hllval5d3ZnfSVBDJpiIsgmpaCxkLb7fTDpV3wHTKJrGe-84dfSIfiCw_Ky9qh2wcetWfi4xQCSrgmkLI28g-zUC/s320/IMG_2328.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528114052220750242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3jCSb6qn-xyTKIAxooo8n4n6moNg8iRE-ey4Lm1ulAGiASngWzzgTNChxa3ZYvBoFZb2fU-o0T0PyhH36MFSbKAmhxyE22J8WBJ4i4hPJuJjEQuh-OGy__sm0BwNXlRANTnZMLw_N5xP/s320/IMG_2333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528126763008781826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Aaron's love for the boat does not discount Livi's excitement for the experience one bit. She loved helping Frank look after the engine and drive. Frank was so great. He would let Olivia sit with him and drive. Actually, really DRIVE! More than a few times I would start to worry </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWp9GbXo6Je9DYlSnM0JPpAntaXaYa8E045nNd97FcV3-dxi2GuSsYD-BqmgHTRB_980xWNtFQHqbCg3I0XYM251lBm2Ih_-sLo3pOUFy0nsGbECvyGqCheGNH5vxvquB3YHK6QOhmJWs/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWp9GbXo6Je9DYlSnM0JPpAntaXaYa8E045nNd97FcV3-dxi2GuSsYD-BqmgHTRB_980xWNtFQHqbCg3I0XYM251lBm2Ih_-sLo3pOUFy0nsGbECvyGqCheGNH5vxvquB3YHK6QOhmJWs/s200/IMG_2313.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528123733714272466" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></a>that<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-S8pNRaRIg6om8mYMz9dq2dJmLzaupJEkCI7kCHu_dRcPiqOnjHITyVEJyf3Ae1IJ3P1VR-aD345n1DyUY37d-TvNA1pQmzUDipel3C-wNh-rJFDtefOU1gvhUyw5NvrIHftSX08rKPD/s1600/IMG_2344.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-S8pNRaRIg6om8mYMz9dq2dJmLzaupJEkCI7kCHu_dRcPiqOnjHITyVEJyf3Ae1IJ3P1VR-aD345n1DyUY37d-TvNA1pQmzUDipel3C-wNh-rJFDtefOU1gvhUyw5NvrIHftSX08rKPD/s200/IMG_2344.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528123730322312098" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a>we were getting a little too close to shore and Frank would casually place his hands back on the wheel and guide her back on course. On the trip out to Gates' house Livi was literally falling asleep at the wheel. We motioned to Frank and he took over from there. Surprisingly enough it was Olivia who kept wanting to go faster on the float when it was being towed behind the boat. That too is like me. Don't try to get me to jump into the water if I'm high up or it's cold, but once I'm in I am very much in my element. Bill got in</span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lroBLnCMEYVYiIhtdmWQO88i6E1iU69XY0YQWkPzZS1QBGbyr90Qt1lVENW5KN33ypwx1euuJFRRd_TjXT62DcJrGYiw_oubPltquZtwDitvnZKaWOlBcrActKbvyX1R_AfRMTwqGyw6/s200/IMG_2341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528132310238059890" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> on the action and wowed us all with his wake boarding abilities even if he d</span></span>id it in furry black boots with hot pink piping!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08qaNU_m1HK4f6-mJfy6pZ-W0Sc-66xuS0Sqo7DLc_QEbEPAtZPDpDHCo35mFs6lsQcuE5ItnRXeo9B71FDUHUTUUrdfmMYBOA0yFWj2E6Skn1_MrD9lKecy0N0wUismNAMD_gl_5sneq/s320/IMG_2323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528126772185470882" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Fourth of July was done right, starting with a wonderfully patriotic breakfast. And ending with an incredible meal of fish tacos, a la Terry and fireworks out on the lawn, a la Uncle Bryan.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz02xct9GXgKBGHlx6ocvfBE75FSS6ndB5C6sf0A16rpsb6TuWAq5ibdGkyfJH8NH22gyu7zdhPZ4CE6S7yTsGOWEJoYXvh10V3m_uUEkfsnEqYfYl4Ef3uxTndimBxy8jY9HXJnyCphA_/s200/IMG_2351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528132315293593538" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5dSBLayd4TegBVnjIpK9Z__fHjOlefaRB_6CJ4iJZM1SaNpGVBEbqspYo0SneFSyxet2B5ChMRoC0SY0euDFHiHngplNmr6nK1wWwEs9DCnyRfxDjVW7_ocihlx0jVcnmOE-FYECE0wK/s320/IMG_2354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528126774262573250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Most nights were spent with the four brothers reliving their childhood days. I learned a very important lesson that weekend... my husband while he may be quite and seemingly well reserved is quite the instigator. Tall tales of shooting bulls in the balls with bb guns, "Code Reds", and stringing rope across the river to clothesline boaters... oh yes, my husband's ideas! Grandma could not believe all that went on. It was great!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRU9aWpHgq_wU-woKA2JN010H_Hh0gad8kP5s1TojLrzOLt4qV01VtfsnRxthgo7PNwKt5SpaRYr4aI3_w6Hrl3VybiD9J5fFy4Nr7LAm2Fy1eo3Lb9BUpNLYar2qqHyaBWWpkW_XpYso/s320/IMG_2360.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528128522029857522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Left to right; Bryan, Bob, Bill and Sam </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5Dz5rgKL9Oxg2j2oeoCmKN9YivUI4-E6Nd2j5VJy_UUwT_R3Pn5mg1b_hOnq2z7s_4ltKZpUXnXHSTARMHoUJEov8qDNEnY2UjpFLpuxEuELd08CZRDBU8XrXHD5ZuCAUigRJ-43Bpxm/s320/IMG_2382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528126768883404722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3WcqErEurwY0r4uLQelc1KubxrdmQCPMU33GGMnkATRz7i8jbF0J5r_JvTGalIVFpLdhzljoHGes_XVV1ynwEJ6SA8aJaK9xgENxXzAVrLDax5ANz5dml-_XBW-X169WfrkaW4MForxK/s200/IMG_2394.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528137606463903266" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span><div>On Monday, Bob and DeAnn flew home, and Bryan and Krista and their new little on Edyth drove back home. So with the rest of us it was off to see "the narrows". It was such a great</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcFXftpMuxcs7mWKyJde5_xykxRFmsR72m5MRGQ2Q_bNpJV8t2k_GQzCNG5mvdqNXgpfPZx-WJ9Oqs5OX9VBKi2p8uJHPIIgHbuxOcCsX7bS27_YR8Ft93xqUWMz17CbZlWS_vYSC8DB7/s200/IMG_2375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528132313710347890" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div>place. The boats came in from the ocean and the gates closed. The water lowered and then they were let out to Lake Washington. The boats coming in from the lake waited while the waters raised and then they were let out to the ocean. We saw a ginormous yacht complete with hot </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxlZUKcUsGIY0OTabts5nIba5eS88tMCrsk2v6rxyBGouADnkZ7tZXWGdxrWm8oCdzSyxo3DlPCpJwAbsp5aSMPUk0Nhu29XpBcHLQwMnQ_3JRLaxm7pnd-4nWinwDgnL1g2OGCoQO1Gh/s200/IMG_2372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528137599177472466" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>tub and all. Next to it was a tin fishing boat with a dad, mom, and two kids. It looked like it could sink at any moment. But, everyone was happy. Quite the dichotomy. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sc4OjrDlyfjs1B7_7rIhH6DTzX4Ktlt_wugmWftlxEJIj_gumIOsjGl5HflmdsLac34wpV0RIbOvquZ8ND5A_FK4SXm9d1emZTe7XqX09cBnRFWsvoOh2HdigGweNzJedMT0WZ0VaYFM/s320/IMG_2389.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528133995113275890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px; " /></span><div>We ate our picnic lunch, watched the fish at the ladders and saw a magnificent coast guard ship.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mKJYJLVYbWwL6uq0KUpPgntymn8pX5P8wBCWL-c043JdDi6RxOldVoUYi1DxahqBK69gHdSn1BChu5Dmjh3O9EUgCKZX5dsXshbIkKiEIEmBnPagPyGuKKk88rpUdi9dZaBbDfVAXoa_/s320/IMG_2390.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528133999355358850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>We were very lucky to attend a Seattle Mariners baseball game with Frank. Nikki, bless her heart, stayed with Mom and Terry to watch the kids while Bill, Sam and I went with Frank and planted ourselves in the seats he's had for over 20 yrs! Just past 1st base 3 or 4 rows back. SafeCo field was beautiful.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSvaw_zrNqsL_OWOpNSns3ShvpxfVAT16YfVye-2lr4SB0vnBE_Xl341UdKOA1rUFduQGzPIgF8C78qME0FOr6MRPXiJ63QcrYWjA7PvzvO_2QuNxjEECw-YKStvK667Nc58vyZk9FIXk/s320/IMG_2405.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528134004948677890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuesday, Sam and Nikki and the boys, as well as Grandma and Papa T. left early in the morning </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MgLLB_kf7QIwYA-ZbYoaMfWWCDUs8wq-Wj6rjiB5mU1tkIE3v5KEyLKtd9BkJYbU9GjcjL1rfAXQKTUIwvRxyB0fcV1-nocRXhdyORBfiaRiqrPZQoTmT1eO8FkT1UNHqeewn-ixvpCw/s200/IMG_2422.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528137616330535090" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>and our flight was later. Terry took us down to the beach to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvBGHzTPVDG4OjoyNsu5Gmvb9K_vgIMOFe3TwSP4sU_XA14U0Uy8Rih_HPOOX0-WtWu5Qw4O56HrySI4HTptOHFvZRLrR8bAa8KLz7ajHVfY4R5FWbXwll7NhXSHw7ZT6mUGb2IFv-tPW/s200/IMG_2421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528138602431598402" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span>see the ferry. We took her out to lunch in a little mexican restaurant, visited their house (the lake house is going to be torn down to build their "dream" home) and then took a quick stop at the space needle. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX2Oc1wdaPvC8LAywTqwH2joSQ5c9t4LHWGH7bn6PUJZJ3kAzyigSYCVxdtIPtaRT_EX6KT41W6weo5nKQo7blC9RU8F_w1XRVvkAcse89QNmCwJFUEb7U8zzoqw5wxvt8wXsfeioVW-P/s320/IMG_2425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528139468614692418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Bill got out of the car to take our picture and then back in the car to go to the airport.</div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs42NvH7tkrfPQ-Bm37s03mzcD54ro3J0PTyhqoBIMDN04sCZ72rihbP7hs89UZTILQnsb0qWullmDyfQAs4CeCjnyU4dyCWe07c0GgrTu3PGrUQuZyl4hAMMXHvoB1ETL7d8uCLpU5CQf/s320/IMG_2430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528139472438764658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Looking back on this last day, I think Aaron was a very sad little boy. He wouldn't smile for any pictures... he did NOT want to go home. We are so grateful to everyone who made this trip so fabulous. Even all those we didn't get pictures of. (I need to be better at that.) So to Whitney, Taylor (Frank & Terry's girls), Nikki, DeAnn, Krista, go figure all us women... we love you. Thank you!</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-5752139476572052912010-09-08T20:58:00.000-07:002010-09-08T23:28:57.718-07:00June<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc2cbIn57gE57u4Zf1YuqaSwE4k0pP2PgV3yH0X6h90KaIADTxBZI901GLFOGsZDETYAKHES4LAjlUhkucTl5-RAsICDE3uzQXebpxZ4AVSShcl0JzweiRJo-_84yneMnZPKLLPok6v9u/s1600/IMG_2165.JPG"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVlJtJ9YTu5KYZwj7jGdLyIodaGSv63i3NOb2TT0EByQedRcdF96-3wzfYC7JpYsbOdzEiGDHEDe_8_oinhZodmhoM6gJ5cWD3SDiLA0bgV6Q-wZCUB9aEfRTQBQXwqpjy0y6t3aw5C-h/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F-P9RrzWq6H-1U_mGIhu4JyqLEbqtjN8R1DhL4tt3vJ_9FYRUM-ZrVcQuD06NU2QgE8LKfponUfZQMRF1PyGznRQZfYqer3FgrIzkhqNKcgnsL5vrsx2OSMOTLXQPDhn0BOuJ4QzZO-n/s1600/IMG_2166.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F-P9RrzWq6H-1U_mGIhu4JyqLEbqtjN8R1DhL4tt3vJ_9FYRUM-ZrVcQuD06NU2QgE8LKfponUfZQMRF1PyGznRQZfYqer3FgrIzkhqNKcgnsL5vrsx2OSMOTLXQPDhn0BOuJ4QzZO-n/s200/IMG_2166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514760686993316194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_EsvgigjQ6ljAk5MbRXrr890PLm9m5YTECb3yJaOSQ1mS5UfIYHI2fwEZYWbhGmKV89O9MTkxdMAjdgj8jNmVEQO1YYPTAaXW_4MkD54-zaT2ypbGz61LIBf9zAAYmRA3lWWmTQilcGQ/s1600/IMG_2142.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_EsvgigjQ6ljAk5MbRXrr890PLm9m5YTECb3yJaOSQ1mS5UfIYHI2fwEZYWbhGmKV89O9MTkxdMAjdgj8jNmVEQO1YYPTAaXW_4MkD54-zaT2ypbGz61LIBf9zAAYmRA3lWWmTQilcGQ/s200/IMG_2142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514760681161909602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hHC7NZJbvzV1BeRUNNg5kyVHXgr_XK5uFt6COdNHnGLYLDeo9KTt0g65NHgoIJZAk62IrHlW8uLN6docw5m0IDxdG-O2Ejom0e4PZJM9LtjdEfeaGgm3uXhyphenhyphenKY1gOwp5ktfaXHpUFeW6/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hHC7NZJbvzV1BeRUNNg5kyVHXgr_XK5uFt6COdNHnGLYLDeo9KTt0g65NHgoIJZAk62IrHlW8uLN6docw5m0IDxdG-O2Ejom0e4PZJM9LtjdEfeaGgm3uXhyphenhyphenKY1gOwp5ktfaXHpUFeW6/s200/IMG_2139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514760671677454082" /></a><br />June started off in a good way with my sister Angie and her then fiance, Matt and his little boy, Daxton, visiting for the weekend. They went to one of Aaron's soccer games with us. We of course had Sno Cones, did slip-n-slide, street hockey, the park at night (the only time it cools down to 99 instead of triple digits) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc2cbIn57gE57u4Zf1YuqaSwE4k0pP2PgV3yH0X6h90KaIADTxBZI901GLFOGsZDETYAKHES4LAjlUhkucTl5-RAsICDE3uzQXebpxZ4AVSShcl0JzweiRJo-_84yneMnZPKLLPok6v9u/s200/IMG_2165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514796280548548610" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>and installed a basketball hoop. The four of us adults also got to take advantage of my Aunt Tammy coming to town and went out on a date on the strip. It was nice to be out with my sister and Matt.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVlJtJ9YTu5KYZwj7jGdLyIodaGSv63i3NOb2TT0EByQedRcdF96-3wzfYC7JpYsbOdzEiGDHEDe_8_oinhZodmhoM6gJ5cWD3SDiLA0bgV6Q-wZCUB9aEfRTQBQXwqpjy0y6t3aw5C-h/s320/IMG_2152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514763131531007938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /><div style="text-align: center;">Bill, Jared, Alex (Jared's dad)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The basketball hoop was purchased by us and two other neighbors. Jared, with limited help</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_rZzvAngwlbg5OgzbrhQh3qMgAhBGrbh5suHwRImijbpDAdd5oAdzSGwMOYxsZHj-2oGXx7YuWO4wjBcGCbJcVN47HYokRM2w-H7ET7Y-FIn187PX6xr-vLtK9FF5lwVZ8Kx0NtgkhgT/s200/IMG_2156.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514796271507517202" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">from the dad's, dug the hole, the guys all poured the cement and EVERYONE has been loving it. We only received one letter from the association but after writing back and explaining that it builds community and helps promote exercise the left us alone.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgcxVEn48sT49UeLb9y9In475yNWcFqLr_qgFWBkkq0lRK9hS3zU6XxqVPuBtr3MtPeSg6Dk3o9CGUl4HAo1pC35JkHU3lYOYx6EXJROAEROMpurcZ9b08dq-HrmByKV7Jil_iJNwiSfT/s320/IMG_2187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514763145303251522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>Aaron had his last soccer game on Saturday the 12th and enjoyed a cupcake cake that we had picked out for the team.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_IYE-tGeV8Wu-VOX2lF1T3YWAYvu_IjXHRbFq92NyAcPmsde35S2feff1ddCdlem2rF9xUXxDuW0-ij5wmRxamQzWq9uPMqz0CIj_rKNTnVIPSd97l9eoKx-Vje4lCyMzRIdkz_RtxMX/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_IYE-tGeV8Wu-VOX2lF1T3YWAYvu_IjXHRbFq92NyAcPmsde35S2feff1ddCdlem2rF9xUXxDuW0-ij5wmRxamQzWq9uPMqz0CIj_rKNTnVIPSd97l9eoKx-Vje4lCyMzRIdkz_RtxMX/s320/IMG_2203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514763161681283938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div>On Wednesday the 16th my dear friend Natalie Cabezud flew in to town. Funny story, for whatever reason I had it in my mind that she was coming Thursday so when she called Wednesday and said her flight was a little behind I thought, "What?! It's an entire day early!!" Luckily Natalie was coming to see us and not our house, because needless to say, it was NOT ready!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vstgLNtiE_BeqQjg4NTH19NuNwhVe_VgXj1-UtTcmJ4ocjMFu-M4LgcJ0R8-imwuDYI9tBO88fTd5QON57wDtiyZRbBHS0NvSibO5eB_OPxPvKtblHA5gxshr-gdZh7YhjZbCrIGqGWo/s320/IMG_2190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514780155845724498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Aaron with Calvin Powell</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZySNBiC0E-lqiUwXVuXweLAwI-kfQpGTZXar_ABa1eI8WBpxdpp68KDAsjrrdMU9sWiEQfgKydjESqOefsHdaAVEKGbwDOFlbcwdySkmxgeSmCvOCoCx_QoVtEUcZNdA-8WPjugqIBBu/s320/IMG_2194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514763152167143890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Livi with Lori Powell</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4yn1hI-yeEyvKbh-rFWOOfazRTTA1rtoJ1DcLVlRHk-YgNC71yp3OrkuSVoF9sWEHzShOkOJqgztyvNeg7ZF4Wq5qi35hZ9O1vQIuSNmDO7GD-k6KfM0uflxrIrDManCXDQu5kVf1tIL/s200/IMG_2202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514783143693742818" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span><div>Friday night we went camping with some friends that we met through school. Megan, Mike and Matt are triplets in Livi's class and belong to the Webb family. Jackson was also in their class and is a Powell. He brought his neighbor Gage along as well. (To the right is Misti Webb with Jackson, Livi, Mike, Gage, Megan, and Aaron.)</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMD6Bgrao_aQjjd4be72s7d1rJbenSeruesZonU5O8QDwIlx6XQrPtnVpv3gZSUYDesfMxiRtYmvF422SVVQ48N-v9OU6FX_4ZhoCtP8RgmVnb-3rCg2eohFed9Gcyhh9Cv2LF26IeGUz/s320/IMG_2196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514763176250972482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_IYE-tGeV8Wu-VOX2lF1T3YWAYvu_IjXHRbFq92NyAcPmsde35S2feff1ddCdlem2rF9xUXxDuW0-ij5wmRxamQzWq9uPMqz0CIj_rKNTnVIPSd97l9eoKx-Vje4lCyMzRIdkz_RtxMX/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_IYE-tGeV8Wu-VOX2lF1T3YWAYvu_IjXHRbFq92NyAcPmsde35S2feff1ddCdlem2rF9xUXxDuW0-ij5wmRxamQzWq9uPMqz0CIj_rKNTnVIPSd97l9eoKx-Vje4lCyMzRIdkz_RtxMX/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_IYE-tGeV8Wu-VOX2lF1T3YWAYvu_IjXHRbFq92NyAcPmsde35S2feff1ddCdlem2rF9xUXxDuW0-ij5wmRxamQzWq9uPMqz0CIj_rKNTnVIPSd97l9eoKx-Vje4lCyMzRIdkz_RtxMX/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG"></a><div>And of course we all brought our dogs who are as good of friends as our kids. Harley is a golden retriever like Annie, but red, and belongs to the Webbs. And Baxter is an English border <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23-EV449SDVW4UboKvcbH7NtpwCKSqg2TGCA8jok9ZREIq2rHyMha-2hADQLLhuXnz2WO33Rnbm6K5HjQSACZieHFsuf80A7oIC9iwAwWakgnTAbqm-N_EvsgQIeuyOEQWiYU07opVlxD/s200/IMG_2206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514783153010613986" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span>collie who thinks Annie is his girlfriend and... a sheep. It's so fun to watch all the kids and dogs play. Needless to say we were all very dirty and Annie was more brown than white. It was a great overnight camp trip up to Lee Canyon at Mt. Charleston with tons of good food (we made cobblers!) and lots of great company. Livi and Matt were content just being together and us adults couldn't be sure but sensed a possible first crush. TOO CUTE! (Ahhhh! Aren't they too young?!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Left: Livi, Matt, Jackson, Aaron, Mike(in back)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlC5k1ZfRa0rYG54OlAfH1RrdYhBSb2aoRcoro_6SXklBrCYkOFvSlVsrIVtOe31StEH91rGKhuO0lQatSdXRiSrIdPDZrbZc8c7WaXkfojY4G1XTsgDw23lP6wmt0HLyrxDnS64g-9-g8/s320/IMG_2214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514780163811116706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span> <div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">The next day, Sunday, was my birthday and Father's Day. I wanted to celebrate my birthday with the ones I love so on Saturday evening, Bill, Natalie, the kids and I went to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D. It was Aaron's first time in a movie theater. (Aaron kept his 3-D glasses and wore them to church the next day. He said they helped him see better.) It was a great movie. Beforehand we had enjoyed pork salads from Cafe Rio, YUM!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhhZ4l3siaRMTEHaXJnHJ59hI7t34dluLvYJtEKLI9tGuonIrajjwzZVsU08_wV2Er1Gh_d0JexKG6M4W4lQRfxulA3DhFl8I8FqyA2qR1shKkrE5RYmnqfTpjNAQEJkbT4UuPzV6fc7d/s320/IMG_2237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514792491695380482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday, I woke up to a wonderfully decorated house with birthday signs EVERYWHERE! (Thank you babe and Natalie!) Natalie came to church with us to church and then we opened presents.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqNRoQe4yXlOvvzInS2t4ZY7n6D5hff8uJ6soJKPZqBcrTvc27AbzwnQlGB2iWz5QKEbYT_H0JgfIltvYlHuhbqusVHhQhsbw0MzWP1hB8XWT33xNLncLroX7wTFYw9FB7ItuTXakjt1m/s1600/IMG_2226.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqNRoQe4yXlOvvzInS2t4ZY7n6D5hff8uJ6soJKPZqBcrTvc27AbzwnQlGB2iWz5QKEbYT_H0JgfIltvYlHuhbqusVHhQhsbw0MzWP1hB8XWT33xNLncLroX7wTFYw9FB7ItuTXakjt1m/s320/IMG_2226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514788080026338546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYrDyj9_ztIOnNADK2AgcE0eYewQtSYz2cEdt68jwCxaVPtmfdXEJX3tOgoMpJTltHywi7c1QJ6Y70bP3jPwDpSTa_4Qw8bz3O4af-yXect7SoulUaTv0QQXT0oVPksc8-7z2TWAXznVG/s1600/IMG_2227.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYrDyj9_ztIOnNADK2AgcE0eYewQtSYz2cEdt68jwCxaVPtmfdXEJX3tOgoMpJTltHywi7c1QJ6Y70bP3jPwDpSTa_4Qw8bz3O4af-yXect7SoulUaTv0QQXT0oVPksc8-7z2TWAXznVG/s320/IMG_2227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514788067470742594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">These were of me "opening" my gifts... most girls would be excited if it were a pink nightie or something fun. For me... anything exercise related is fabulous! Poor Bill. He even tried to make it a little more girly by getting pink, but these pale legs simply couldn't handle it. Black goes with more anyways.(The shorts were from Bill, the apron from Natalie, and the kids, with Natalie's help, made me a bracelet and necklace.)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk_f4vfWJJHFxacYO113TU0uaZeilIGiJzro91gA9_GPAJ1Xm3cM-ZOEhgNNtISvsf8Cr1InGghAzaU1YjNeudzS07vQe-AkpHotQgD5CZAWKuhkHFafc8SU0CQNfVS2Oov-6ltI99UyV/s320/IMG_2230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514788053983275794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">For Father's Day the kids and I picked out new swim trunks and shirt. SCORE! He actually liked it!!!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nghZS0qHM68edmiJ4y-ChfCp79IeM4XHhoj0KVEBmcjYuuwIjU-vdjd5yxPOze1ev8meo5d65_cDo_bwnhM91vdd2FQJ4WWooTLZL8YdxHPvwd-UVOoXfqzg0z22NL2pj7-FK4DXgfzp/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nghZS0qHM68edmiJ4y-ChfCp79IeM4XHhoj0KVEBmcjYuuwIjU-vdjd5yxPOze1ev8meo5d65_cDo_bwnhM91vdd2FQJ4WWooTLZL8YdxHPvwd-UVOoXfqzg0z22NL2pj7-FK4DXgfzp/s320/IMG_2232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514788038804020770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNfRhyphenhyphenPlNFYYg9qaEoqC3ruWmDPczd3S9-bzMBwMFN2WSGB809GT159a9PkNck0Q-0nkRfhdgKTnk3Iw7M76k7OQ6W7PCcw4Tv6PFXfj-aahB7NMms1VaqsXB2yQJlkxd6y1VW0yP1uxp/s1600/IMG_2236.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNfRhyphenhyphenPlNFYYg9qaEoqC3ruWmDPczd3S9-bzMBwMFN2WSGB809GT159a9PkNck0Q-0nkRfhdgKTnk3Iw7M76k7OQ6W7PCcw4Tv6PFXfj-aahB7NMms1VaqsXB2yQJlkxd6y1VW0yP1uxp/s320/IMG_2236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514788028647835618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Ice cream sundae's for dessert, with homemade brownie's... HEAVEN! and then an evening trying to figure out how to properly install/use my "real" birthday present: a fully swinging bike rack that goes on the hitch and holds 4 bikes! It took 3 of us with BA's, and a video from u-tube to figure the darn thing out. But we did and I LOVE IT!</div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha__GTddmcXsOpkZrKFeNHjoRwMNxWcCQaQMWGMnv31mQo8Y4riXZNu2AdjnVy-NMmgFlNs1XgffoPwVzlJqJw6UUtW3f2kUBsdYZPVbruBmlSeFXNJd1oCBcJ7qgzTOHkgmGg0S3dCB-g/s320/IMG_2239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514792501248738914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">The next day, Monday, Olivia had her very last spinal tap for chemo treatments!!! So great that Natalie could be there with us. Luckily Aaron was able to hang with some friends for the appointment. I was glad to be able to get these pictures as they are a good reminder of what I hope to never see again. I still remember when it was all so new. How my heart ached when I saw her drug induced tears. How I giggled when she would ask through almost impossible to understand slurred speech, "Mom, how'd'u do'at?"</div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: "How'd I do what honey?"</div><div style="text-align: left;">Livi: "How'd'u have chu (2) nozes?"</div><div style="text-align: left;">Me: "Does mommy look funny with 2 noses? That's funny. It's just your medicine."</div><div style="text-align: left;">But now we are done with the yucky sedations and have 1 more chemo treatment left in July. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately good things come to an end as well and Natalie flew home after lunch at Jason's Deli.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rest of the month was spent playing in the late evening 'til 9 or so at night outside with the neighborhood kids. We have come to accept our very small backyard and appreciate what it has given us, a large driveway at the end of the street where all the kids congregate. SO FUN! Poor</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicehMM8hMEihrND0Ps-Bc-KecbGWXyZ0StUunGzHajI5mtHB_bHkqE9QIOcRwo7s4DRMpXxT5gk-k_H5AIkFODLAtWqimjnbBnC8at-s5lCGARHgPbZHzwrBV_U_ISn1qLDwVYU_c1ycCS/s200/IMG_2243.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514795198079327170" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><div style="text-align: left;"> Aaron though, on the night of the 23rd, it was late in the evening and the kids were playing hide-n-seek, or something. It was dark. Aaron went running across the street and tripped. The only thing that caught him was his face! Poor guy. I don't remember the last time I saw/heard </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOP3W1TyWtCBnhg7N4GGxZPV2cx6ajJGeNZgAMpaaQdBeIRSRVoJp5_2V9aPJ34eppiAHQs9FVrdL3LeCres0wOUuvZO1x6dLZpnvYtQEiE-jutzXYeAUyJpC5NMlgw5lLfvWDYkQawt7Y/s200/IMG_2244.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514795204381148098" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div style="text-align: left;">him cry over an injury, and especially this much. As with all face injuries there was a TON of blood, but we were able to assess the damage and get him cleaned up. And only a week before we got to see Grandma... what was she to think?!</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-54788364262421910872010-07-07T23:04:00.000-07:002010-07-08T00:21:29.136-07:00May<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x1P4ZX0DkxHGKCZBinptzl_B2zI-fyNefC2m_P8PGjB1vhHEMekWeZKOZ3VMm5p1sQVPnHrk3uE8g_OwwvKHqQFRCO0qChhiCIXvxZXKvKUlZBXlbDfDlhW4Lhyphenhyphen4Cz6rfukCDnRLGej-/s1600/IMG_2170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x1P4ZX0DkxHGKCZBinptzl_B2zI-fyNefC2m_P8PGjB1vhHEMekWeZKOZ3VMm5p1sQVPnHrk3uE8g_OwwvKHqQFRCO0qChhiCIXvxZXKvKUlZBXlbDfDlhW4Lhyphenhyphen4Cz6rfukCDnRLGej-/s320/IMG_2170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491430265411866610" border="0" /></a>Mother's Day was sweet. It was the first time Aaron was able to sing in sacrament meeting. And both kids had made little art projects for me in school. Bill and the kids took care of me and let me relax. We even got a beautiful picture in front of the beautiful jasmine that everyone said wouldn't bloom because of the amount of sun. Well, it bloomed fully and was gorgeous and smelled so sweet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8gxyRTgzfAJgQLovjdg9R3q9flNtmI-NnVrDvX6Oh36zq4-5NMZk_E8q4SP4XlYFQrKzIYX6wANW7AqWUgcaqnFaQk1DbTyoKaacaIyMU9JCGRtIJ5KbF17rlfc2vDAsZLkieTmoHRAm/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8gxyRTgzfAJgQLovjdg9R3q9flNtmI-NnVrDvX6Oh36zq4-5NMZk_E8q4SP4XlYFQrKzIYX6wANW7AqWUgcaqnFaQk1DbTyoKaacaIyMU9JCGRtIJ5KbF17rlfc2vDAsZLkieTmoHRAm/s320/IMG_2176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491415059246414210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLPCbJMEdrjOTbW2MQ6d6YZd0htJVe5_hmzYnOrgyA4f686fcTMsP8iAe-mLhiVmFVEyVsQbOIIgB-bvOLagr33R4BytFDaf-Xtz82kB2ZHVjEHRumTNOAvuVyzg5Lt6OE3nKHLf88M93/s1600/IMG_2177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLPCbJMEdrjOTbW2MQ6d6YZd0htJVe5_hmzYnOrgyA4f686fcTMsP8iAe-mLhiVmFVEyVsQbOIIgB-bvOLagr33R4BytFDaf-Xtz82kB2ZHVjEHRumTNOAvuVyzg5Lt6OE3nKHLf88M93/s200/IMG_2177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491416028671254626" border="0" /></a>Livi was able to be part of a reading program at school called Accelerated Reader. She was the only student in Kinder, or first grade to participate. Her teacher, Ms. Lee set a goal for her on how many points to earn (depending on the difficulty of the book, a higher point value is assigned). She reached her goal of 7 points from January and got to join her teacher for lunch at school. It was a really big deal because she's in half day kindergarten. Ms. Lee even bought a cake for them to share.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyae0pg03vN-KLh3u8LD2dRnCJfk6yEp8MnPbtiK_Hc6jzkD2g-y4rcCSNDGQK1BZe90ltkROih3C62z4Bo9GHiv2zRlerBx_JWRULrczXSHxPvY2vTOy8fsRbUpvErgXQtXljeIjOZdH/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyae0pg03vN-KLh3u8LD2dRnCJfk6yEp8MnPbtiK_Hc6jzkD2g-y4rcCSNDGQK1BZe90ltkROih3C62z4Bo9GHiv2zRlerBx_JWRULrczXSHxPvY2vTOy8fsRbUpvErgXQtXljeIjOZdH/s320/IMG_2197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491415071050132066" border="0" /></a>We joined the YMCA and all became very active with our exercise. Bill has been sticking to a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx72gfm4BAEyzaFyRSfastbgB4K1VmUcpqleL2aGUpjeigOdscLbGM1XoVpfJ5cNWDyHGvjMJ0kBiIRquX0HLjX95M2taVaJjcg_mSzSgj0AEkE_AxCaQ5kjWa-kY-TIkP9a63tzunprz/s1600/IMG_2236.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx72gfm4BAEyzaFyRSfastbgB4K1VmUcpqleL2aGUpjeigOdscLbGM1XoVpfJ5cNWDyHGvjMJ0kBiIRquX0HLjX95M2taVaJjcg_mSzSgj0AEkE_AxCaQ5kjWa-kY-TIkP9a63tzunprz/s200/IMG_2236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491421496643376626" border="0" /></a> great work out regimen 5 days+ a week at 24 hr Fitness at his work. Since joining the Y I've been grateful to be back at a gym with good classes, good teachers and fun people, something I've missed ever since leaving Cal Fit in Sacramento. The kids have enjoyed, basketball and swimming after my classes. They also are able to participate in Kids Yoga, Cardio Blast and Kids Step. The classes are so much fun to watch, I never get my reading done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0jzebfpuzaNRKBP-IqZ2qlREdDt_N5rZ8vASWqSBpHoAMbGFGPtfDcxUdkBWhUG_ug_ZxUtEiXpsL_Lr2LCBW9hdYsS2FGVYGNQm25_V7ZXeTct9qmiCjPD2isay1wuSWfwSyDFgJSqA/s1600/IMG_2212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0jzebfpuzaNRKBP-IqZ2qlREdDt_N5rZ8vASWqSBpHoAMbGFGPtfDcxUdkBWhUG_ug_ZxUtEiXpsL_Lr2LCBW9hdYsS2FGVYGNQm25_V7ZXeTct9qmiCjPD2isay1wuSWfwSyDFgJSqA/s320/IMG_2212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491415079636332994" border="0" /></a>With the nicer weather finally here we attempted to get moving in the morning on time to ride/walk to school. This was our first attempt and last for a while. The kids wanted to do scooters. Livi hit a wet spot on the street from the water trucks constantly spraying to keep the dust down from the construction of the middle school further up. Well, water on the street just means oil slicks and Olivia hit it hard. Flat on her belly/face in the middle of the cross walk. Luckily we were just crossing the street from our house so we were able to get home, bathe, and get in the car in time for the bell. Even her arms and legs were black! (I never was able to get it out of the shirt completely.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAda4udpNFkO62Gk5lqhwkyCp1q0oxsXVHi_KCCXe_odqFiDL5xfFD9Q0u_1GBhIinkEMgm6A2AqAQVxx0yqdzwEDNAu9IPJroxVkUspasoNflqU_Um_QAxPPxquntRDk3RESKq2C31WVl/s1600/IMG_2210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAda4udpNFkO62Gk5lqhwkyCp1q0oxsXVHi_KCCXe_odqFiDL5xfFD9Q0u_1GBhIinkEMgm6A2AqAQVxx0yqdzwEDNAu9IPJroxVkUspasoNflqU_Um_QAxPPxquntRDk3RESKq2C31WVl/s200/IMG_2210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491416065390324658" border="0" /></a>Our "gardening" this year. It made the front look pretty. The <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kBhgTLbrWd4_V3kVjmqAhlXWxZ6mVVX_FIWP2dTx_aPbP1rox47VGhNOe8qGpWZG9-KAEkilsg0UGMSNkLuWVSj4p2V2GVmrbYhMlqvAAEROaic2RRk_FuE9ZccT_16sCElxtfkdpGy9/s1600/IMG_2209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kBhgTLbrWd4_V3kVjmqAhlXWxZ6mVVX_FIWP2dTx_aPbP1rox47VGhNOe8qGpWZG9-KAEkilsg0UGMSNkLuWVSj4p2V2GVmrbYhMlqvAAEROaic2RRk_FuE9ZccT_16sCElxtfkdpGy9/s200/IMG_2209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491421480822102802" border="0" /></a>kids love to pick out and plant the flowers and I love talking to them about Mom as we do it. The kids also wanted to plant seeds that they've acquired as of late. One Sunday afternoon, they were insistent and Bill and I wanted to nap. We woke up to the kids having planted our garden bed. They had dug holes, 1 for each pouch of seeds, and poured the entire contents into the hole. I explained why that wasn't the proper way to do it and we'll have to redo it if we want any growth.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLXXVO4CnzN0uUKIofw2sxVxSQUa3au4Of_djYpsG7IL0BXB_iCD9QuFSNrWpHitdPNxhalDzTuiLPV3TALxnBWlhj3RiRMtzKNnPAakzoritmtc-d9G7aiw0pvUPGiAY3IwMu8XLPbGf/s1600/IMG_2277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLXXVO4CnzN0uUKIofw2sxVxSQUa3au4Of_djYpsG7IL0BXB_iCD9QuFSNrWpHitdPNxhalDzTuiLPV3TALxnBWlhj3RiRMtzKNnPAakzoritmtc-d9G7aiw0pvUPGiAY3IwMu8XLPbGf/s320/IMG_2277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491424621558879602" border="0" /></a> Much to our surprise I found our garden be full of what I thought were weeds one morning. I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Up0DIkKBCi_Vc5_IORDlniAuIqsuGOuzo7UoPSWk0UkW2kCcoh1E4MDOVQffSluwDKw8_jaexwawsgo-VftZN5Eamz64cLhBLGOxX_i2YXLjl_3M97Y_bSOEOytTnTQCF1C9-5zhfOVa/s1600/IMG_2284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Up0DIkKBCi_Vc5_IORDlniAuIqsuGOuzo7UoPSWk0UkW2kCcoh1E4MDOVQffSluwDKw8_jaexwawsgo-VftZN5Eamz64cLhBLGOxX_i2YXLjl_3M97Y_bSOEOytTnTQCF1C9-5zhfOVa/s200/IMG_2284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491421486691640626" border="0" /></a> pulled out a handful and realized, these aren't weeds. Upon closer examination I saw this! We couldn't believe it. We hadn't even been watering them. Apparently there was just enough overspray from the sprinklers. I guess we did garden after all this year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vZRmOEgxBObzZ_SFMl1TlUp5VdwjuyKK-cMp-xdOT3pEpKkcK5R9IzL6W8giWdWGB08Db2ui1SI7EFVaDNPo3VdGEPk4PiGGK5zLk858AljfdAZNPOJsC_bi_2GwLrtp3I_ECkEOti3j/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vZRmOEgxBObzZ_SFMl1TlUp5VdwjuyKK-cMp-xdOT3pEpKkcK5R9IzL6W8giWdWGB08Db2ui1SI7EFVaDNPo3VdGEPk4PiGGK5zLk858AljfdAZNPOJsC_bi_2GwLrtp3I_ECkEOti3j/s320/IMG_2282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491424632256057746" border="0" /></a>Snow cones with the neighbors and movies projected on the neighbors' house have been a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGqvqcreVgj4mmP1RfF2z93-nm_F7MmWBy4VJandcwSFoDicaj2ZRQpjltwxayiEIAn8mNl7UGTbgR28xcpmewj4hXn-fEv4WtyvbT64jak6N9guDKhkZ24wrlIpcltJ7KSk6gLpymQOO/s1600/IMG_2254.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGqvqcreVgj4mmP1RfF2z93-nm_F7MmWBy4VJandcwSFoDicaj2ZRQpjltwxayiEIAn8mNl7UGTbgR28xcpmewj4hXn-fEv4WtyvbT64jak6N9guDKhkZ24wrlIpcltJ7KSk6gLpymQOO/s200/IMG_2254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491421507942523650" border="0" /></a> blast throughout the month. Our 1st annual Memorial Day neighborhood BBQ was a great success. With the learning curve thrown in, next year will be even better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9hOt5N2hGR4gLonVN1G_7gLFZnX-s0lVwiprX60jfm7_GBAlOiwOUJdZb9ah3TzCztdHSr_WDVMJfdGNGz73oSbd1bhil2UiU-Qb-iL3b-FZDbFINU9Rlp8FeQT0fsa-DdD1uX7YGNHo/s1600/IMG_2109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9hOt5N2hGR4gLonVN1G_7gLFZnX-s0lVwiprX60jfm7_GBAlOiwOUJdZb9ah3TzCztdHSr_WDVMJfdGNGz73oSbd1bhil2UiU-Qb-iL3b-FZDbFINU9Rlp8FeQT0fsa-DdD1uX7YGNHo/s320/IMG_2109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491430273864082242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqD56ul-5Rv0_72G8Hn12-lpodE_ekh_BuCE6krnnvTKBnkgaZ72gmLb8ptdhyphenhyphenYUQQGrREl7tMzir3VvQLtEb-6GzjhJ_ZCZwLz2QER70zHCRbSByvMIjA3SYoWaeBEWSrhhVbrGGcvPV3/s1600/IMG_2115.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqD56ul-5Rv0_72G8Hn12-lpodE_ekh_BuCE6krnnvTKBnkgaZ72gmLb8ptdhyphenhyphenYUQQGrREl7tMzir3VvQLtEb-6GzjhJ_ZCZwLz2QER70zHCRbSByvMIjA3SYoWaeBEWSrhhVbrGGcvPV3/s200/IMG_2115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491431310618228418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgUWRsNizVp1ShJBJFJl8N1_6U9gC5AUJr6B5LBH3LRVbZ95SYHqe0_7lbdDgTLGkAHuDMQT0upq7o0ekhK23f7OfVp9bDRDSemKe3x_C44zPAg9C0-sklfwHCJVh27cGXEknktI9CFci/s1600/IMG_2116.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgUWRsNizVp1ShJBJFJl8N1_6U9gC5AUJr6B5LBH3LRVbZ95SYHqe0_7lbdDgTLGkAHuDMQT0upq7o0ekhK23f7OfVp9bDRDSemKe3x_C44zPAg9C0-sklfwHCJVh27cGXEknktI9CFci/s200/IMG_2116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491431316669811794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhO6jMyGZvhBDYmHdY3dM-t3xO1EYH6A5jxxhl_AbFlrXoFx7z4w7Q6mh8DJh_75et5Zz57Kq3mB9Jmf7gkvT863beoL0OsEOIBcr0cK0hEIGK6YqQTH1cHX4ZIrOdDHJDANLgdTE9kpE/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhO6jMyGZvhBDYmHdY3dM-t3xO1EYH6A5jxxhl_AbFlrXoFx7z4w7Q6mh8DJh_75et5Zz57Kq3mB9Jmf7gkvT863beoL0OsEOIBcr0cK0hEIGK6YqQTH1cHX4ZIrOdDHJDANLgdTE9kpE/s200/IMG_2113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491431302553862946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD01oBVks6_Gx9CmG-wKp2rYiuzQX358Tb3Gh05VNEnwLdaeDTaqvPB5Fyxvr4kieKJh1-d5j2Ifp6jrTH8SyjFj7sXlccH5PalsIUtkyOhX_gBCPGueCTjwS6ZuGQMmkYpp54WnIF1jNz/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD01oBVks6_Gx9CmG-wKp2rYiuzQX358Tb3Gh05VNEnwLdaeDTaqvPB5Fyxvr4kieKJh1-d5j2Ifp6jrTH8SyjFj7sXlccH5PalsIUtkyOhX_gBCPGueCTjwS6ZuGQMmkYpp54WnIF1jNz/s200/IMG_2112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491431287665104226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2rN37ap7GNE2MdHJRmrPjxLRcDnbT9Y-AusNqP2lII78MM42AdppDnh6lF5quQkubAwRJ8sv3SjrFCWLbk-jzhlsJGoiHDb7w-8-7F13BrvY6gQx9XO7ZuuN5PfxLFVhdXBFw2QY97BL/s1600/IMG_2262.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2rN37ap7GNE2MdHJRmrPjxLRcDnbT9Y-AusNqP2lII78MM42AdppDnh6lF5quQkubAwRJ8sv3SjrFCWLbk-jzhlsJGoiHDb7w-8-7F13BrvY6gQx9XO7ZuuN5PfxLFVhdXBFw2QY97BL/s320/IMG_2262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491415091836573554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTY12nbV6EhzZ0LSRIHDNRJOghnQQF_aScyHuXZ71_j1v9If9y_k3Sdc6v3TstRfCKup2F8Bcs_arbNYjHFBF2gXnqxS1IZtqkq8-okKX7Aq43u9JCm7Rxtww-TKMb6Hdwuw-js0rU-wbF/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTY12nbV6EhzZ0LSRIHDNRJOghnQQF_aScyHuXZ71_j1v9If9y_k3Sdc6v3TstRfCKup2F8Bcs_arbNYjHFBF2gXnqxS1IZtqkq8-okKX7Aq43u9JCm7Rxtww-TKMb6Hdwuw-js0rU-wbF/s200/IMG_2247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491416051541471250" border="0" /></a>Playing basketball at the Y one day, with the kids, Aaron accidentally pulled Livi's hair. She hardly even noticed, but this was the result! We had suspected for a while that it was falling out again but this was proof. Every brush stroke would leave me cleaning out the brush. So, we called a girl from church and asked her for some help. Katie did a great job. And more importantly, Livi LOVED it! So sassy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPw3NdWjavBA9H-xkGtm6z7pjqbT2oylmGwjwdxyllyl1jQdlmAsI91dqFBVa_ZKnZtytgyov1-NUQKcKFOM_kPY8-P3kG7Kv54y5aGkbnqiH5wyfua9Av_kFxWOeLiYZKIYH2ZIuIqB_/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPw3NdWjavBA9H-xkGtm6z7pjqbT2oylmGwjwdxyllyl1jQdlmAsI91dqFBVa_ZKnZtytgyov1-NUQKcKFOM_kPY8-P3kG7Kv54y5aGkbnqiH5wyfua9Av_kFxWOeLiYZKIYH2ZIuIqB_/s320/IMG_2267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491415099944168818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUQoq1RX8Sow6zd6cdbrGK2VLkZz-LDIeciUljkU8DV-EOm5ut16IOrtw_BucJhcP7OmnisXOGpnZtQHjRTCAk8f72-TiHDUThr5W6Z8SXpDRWd2SfRIXI3Yb37DnKMPt1smy8h3vQGct/s1600/IMG_2295.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUQoq1RX8Sow6zd6cdbrGK2VLkZz-LDIeciUljkU8DV-EOm5ut16IOrtw_BucJhcP7OmnisXOGpnZtQHjRTCAk8f72-TiHDUThr5W6Z8SXpDRWd2SfRIXI3Yb37DnKMPt1smy8h3vQGct/s320/IMG_2295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491424638336254194" border="0" /></a>With great weather lots of fun is to be had outside. This leads to tired little boys who will steal a nap anywhere they dare. We are now very careful with him in the tub. Luckily I wasn't the one getting Aaron in the tub this night. I usually will let him turn it off when he's ready. Bill, thankfully, wasn't so generous. It was kinda creepy to watch his arms and legs floating.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JOlbnq4h_xuTRe1jolXLlKU84m5BzQYIIH1twlOKH9BnCUEdHWY3mQg1fxbHMaUZiGIBC7B4AIkqKVm5kjoYkCgNTgqbuej8LzwBST-EP2IbjtsKbxAOwC7i086cNv6xWb6a7cI9rSUl/s1600/IMG_2289.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JOlbnq4h_xuTRe1jolXLlKU84m5BzQYIIH1twlOKH9BnCUEdHWY3mQg1fxbHMaUZiGIBC7B4AIkqKVm5kjoYkCgNTgqbuej8LzwBST-EP2IbjtsKbxAOwC7i086cNv6xWb6a7cI9rSUl/s320/IMG_2289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491424650504030482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9L0yxmnKRpp-HbSbAhZY6l_h5znUV-61YYsAp8WsjWbtpEKd-OJJ-QDJ1vnlTv0Sore9HrJ7sU-ekjwbXtrI2NdWvs-qJR8qIBe3CYpr0AqNGQHKJrQRIeEPWjVAc_hwSHffBwptM0ES/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9L0yxmnKRpp-HbSbAhZY6l_h5znUV-61YYsAp8WsjWbtpEKd-OJJ-QDJ1vnlTv0Sore9HrJ7sU-ekjwbXtrI2NdWvs-qJR8qIBe3CYpr0AqNGQHKJrQRIeEPWjVAc_hwSHffBwptM0ES/s200/IMG_2288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491426878644667666" border="0" /></a>Soccer was a huge contributor to that fun outside. Aaron did really well. He was great with his teammates and helped encourage the more shy kids on the team. He scored two great goals in one game and 1 or two more in subsequent games. He surprised Bill and I with how well he followed the rules and understood the game. He never tried to kick the ball once out of bounds and always turned the ball towards the right goal before pursuing it. He was aggressive for the most part but what he did the best, and what the coach always wanted him to do, was to "get the ball down field!". What a GREAT first season. (Halfway into the season Bill started looking up pop warner info for football. Aaron can't wait 'til next year when he can play. Pads, helmet and all! BRING IT ON!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazlK1H0AysrLf1yEFq88P89fyBKMHjxiJ_7EknQiV4NHtLUalG_X3xJbOtIJ54z6_GoNognylv0hDZ8Jt_yVVWlYF6kO9P4HCznXIpVEB_1V7WL6u7c97Io6kWDGO33smSKwfhF3svug7/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazlK1H0AysrLf1yEFq88P89fyBKMHjxiJ_7EknQiV4NHtLUalG_X3xJbOtIJ54z6_GoNognylv0hDZ8Jt_yVVWlYF6kO9P4HCznXIpVEB_1V7WL6u7c97Io6kWDGO33smSKwfhF3svug7/s320/IMG_2287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491430255330638418" border="0" /></a>May was a very windy month, as usual. Unfortunately it only got stronger the night of the father <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbKgzMVm5Yo9o3Q_8rh-CUNA1c99dOrBI3uA85a89dm3TFkQwd6dP9aZu1ukXtku9Tkl1p-V-QHkHhIwLxk4LMSpS-174lbtttkMgxEACjZFrzM90rPVMwfYF5eXG_IMhJMR1m_7jp23Q/s1600/IMG_2286.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbKgzMVm5Yo9o3Q_8rh-CUNA1c99dOrBI3uA85a89dm3TFkQwd6dP9aZu1ukXtku9Tkl1p-V-QHkHhIwLxk4LMSpS-174lbtttkMgxEACjZFrzM90rPVMwfYF5eXG_IMhJMR1m_7jp23Q/s200/IMG_2286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491426896198877602" border="0" /></a>son campout for church. The boys went, took pictures of each other, ate some Dorritos, and came home. After stopping for some Slurpee's, of course. They were meant to camp out at Red Rock but Bill said it was nearly impossible to hear anyone talking and even he was having a hard time standing up. It turned out better that way because I was flat on my back with a double ear and throat infection and we had painters coming to complete the interior of our home the next day. (Still haven't taken pics of the finished product... need to do that. I'm thrilled with how it turned out.Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-86294673037136648932010-05-08T00:49:00.000-07:002010-06-02T01:01:18.208-07:00Wedding Bells<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdRucH29ueKZJDrVTVGwwYuUlwKoNiQ-6ynX_V8ICgX0exDo4JH-XXBBOwVdJbtLmk4c_ZRc4N03Xo_efCCVKaL0W-K1VjpWnxQbRoUP6-FRS-cq8gnT3TlTlbh5VYI10EFEXT_4BQM6r/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdRucH29ueKZJDrVTVGwwYuUlwKoNiQ-6ynX_V8ICgX0exDo4JH-XXBBOwVdJbtLmk4c_ZRc4N03Xo_efCCVKaL0W-K1VjpWnxQbRoUP6-FRS-cq8gnT3TlTlbh5VYI10EFEXT_4BQM6r/s320/IMG_2158.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478080856768094162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(left to right: Katie, Stephanie, Me, Andrea </div><div style="text-align: center;">Anna, Chloe, Voni, Angie, Lorraine, Karen, Kira)</div><div>I was fortunate enough to be able to rent a car and drive up to Provo, Utah (area) Thursday morning to attend a bridal shower that my Aunts were throwing for Angie and then help her look for wedding dresses on Friday. Yes, Matt VanDuren asked, and she said yes! She also said "yes" to the dress! (No peeking!)<div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nJ9HX20VekmyE_cT3EJ9pYa4OE5cJgRs7MmqgSPYm8cTcEyu3cYvtNaEUWe6oQuvC_NFhvMZEnOj3EaDTSFVNSdf_YAXdlzfzV7VcpinToaosg3jt_0zS7F-ybWptTHx0uG-HTKb4w28/s320/IMG_2161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478080865197721634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div>The shower was great. I got there at the exact time it was starting. I thought I would have an hour to spare... forgot about the time change. Boy did I get lucky. Fantastic food! It was great to see Angie and to listen as she shared her experiences with Matt to Mom's sisters and some of our cousins. We all got teary eyed when she shared about our conviction that Mom helped them find each other.</div><div>Friday, while we shopped, Liz Williams, my dear friend, joined us for the searching. It was fun to have a quick visit with her as well. Saturday, it was back in the car for the lonely 5 hour car ride home. Glad I went. Glad to have been there for my baby sister. SOOO HAPPY FOR HER!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-89994194987157152142010-05-05T00:30:00.000-07:002010-06-02T00:42:25.542-07:00Dinner Guests<div style="text-align: center;">My mom's sister, Yvonne and her husband, Randy, along with Katie and Alyssa stopped by our house on that very busy Saturday night. I was worried about all the events of the day but thrilled with the visit we were able to have. We had an awesome taco salad for dinner and great conversation. The kids LOVED being with Katie and Alyssa, as well as playing with my Aunt Voni and Uncle Randy. It was fun to have Bill around with our guests too. They got a kick out of the funny stories he's already piling up with his job experiences. We love having company. Friends and family visiting us reminds us of how blessed we are.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0hI0g2AG2iruSE4r453Mg0zETV5C9fNVk3qIqD1x6pGNLcIhw3bVQfctt3Cncs8mPUn_VkKf3L-lLuGrot5iyqUcyrmJ26kE8BntWAg8smM50ghd9GjzU6UpUG01VU7eOERH0zboz4jv/s1600/IMG_2137.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0hI0g2AG2iruSE4r453Mg0zETV5C9fNVk3qIqD1x6pGNLcIhw3bVQfctt3Cncs8mPUn_VkKf3L-lLuGrot5iyqUcyrmJ26kE8BntWAg8smM50ghd9GjzU6UpUG01VU7eOERH0zboz4jv/s320/IMG_2137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478077300170832322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Alyssa, Aaron, Aunt Voni</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alyssa was in a softball tournament for her college. The reason for their trip to Vegas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP79pLNpBqNetFz-mZT5iyD7W-nnA90SPA96-3Lgm_UmL65AMe56isUDK67_peuQTyAsFBDTHZkmVXXnEZrSNut8mslWXHgq1L78JmBF0o1mz3EB7vUlDP9xqIa-h-B3JLo3P7RtbCP2up/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP79pLNpBqNetFz-mZT5iyD7W-nnA90SPA96-3Lgm_UmL65AMe56isUDK67_peuQTyAsFBDTHZkmVXXnEZrSNut8mslWXHgq1L78JmBF0o1mz3EB7vUlDP9xqIa-h-B3JLo3P7RtbCP2up/s320/IMG_2138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478077290533786402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Katie and Livi. They could've crafted all night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7JtDSWmCkq35mf5NeQnKDXhKqc3ncX9tLibI5P_XiQKNAqPsl570C-wCHZpDdZ32t0MwY0CIIEzRVI9uF61sWbS_N3AntePTQHbrgs5bPTlE5LdZLKdXxrN6cb0xG5FjkKBpMAIac2FF/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7JtDSWmCkq35mf5NeQnKDXhKqc3ncX9tLibI5P_XiQKNAqPsl570C-wCHZpDdZ32t0MwY0CIIEzRVI9uF61sWbS_N3AntePTQHbrgs5bPTlE5LdZLKdXxrN6cb0xG5FjkKBpMAIac2FF/s320/IMG_2139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478077282466143458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Uncle Randy held Livi when she was only 1 month old. She slept on his chest for over an hour. Such a great big cuddly bear. LOVE HIM!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlh3AVtnqAm6Jsra82iUIkFeuOIGvHm2WRB-XiR9_hX8RQiyTzlQ1DDfuESnhxBjrVbIam4qD6UuhQOzPIoc_HSUhqzqbsla_elwdFS7h8Sh-uUupS7rYWMSrj9UO9NhAyFLCLFm1aRPL/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlh3AVtnqAm6Jsra82iUIkFeuOIGvHm2WRB-XiR9_hX8RQiyTzlQ1DDfuESnhxBjrVbIam4qD6UuhQOzPIoc_HSUhqzqbsla_elwdFS7h8Sh-uUupS7rYWMSrj9UO9NhAyFLCLFm1aRPL/s320/IMG_2140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478077269099401218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It's really fun to be around Mom's sisters. They all remind me of my mom in such different ways. The way my aunt Yvonne scrunches her nose and eyes when she laughs... ohh mom.</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-36404174545806561452010-05-04T23:58:00.000-07:002010-06-02T00:42:11.779-07:00GO SEA SIDERS!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDjZqEVdMkFyE1qvQRu6SDXC6p-HrgVC5MYg4eXS2gy5UKEmrCZ5a5NK5tDuxq5R2RGUb3uXd87QQMQdGqxqkV59JAICQigsK1cjODinvvbmb_qdDZ3CamP1Mvg_ljiJf_TFQytXYMzlR/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDjZqEVdMkFyE1qvQRu6SDXC6p-HrgVC5MYg4eXS2gy5UKEmrCZ5a5NK5tDuxq5R2RGUb3uXd87QQMQdGqxqkV59JAICQigsK1cjODinvvbmb_qdDZ3CamP1Mvg_ljiJf_TFQytXYMzlR/s320/IMG_2112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478069059996832530" /></a>Aaron was able to get on a great soccer league through parks and rec. It's 6 weeks with 1 game and 1 practice per week. The coaches are parent volunteers and also double as the ref during the game. I really like this aspect of it because the coaches take the time to teach during the play of the game. We really lucked out by getting the coach we did. Mike Tighe loves the game and his intensity shows. It's somewhat comical to watch as you can see him reminding himself that they are 3 and 4 yrs of age and not the star athletes he has envisioned. They chose the name Sea Siders for the team. It's a nick name of a team from Britain. (The coach's wife is from England.) The games consist of 4 quarters of 6 minutes each. Welcome to the world of little league sports. We are THRILLED to be here.<div>In the first game we learned several things about our son. 1.) He needs bigger shorts. 2.) He needs shin guards. I didn't think it would be an issue at this age but every time he got in a group I was cringing. 3.) He's pretty darn good.</div><div>He had several breakaways where he took the ball all the way down the field with the rest of the players behind him. Coach was very excited about this, as were we. Going into the game Bill was making me promise not to be too loud. I, several times, had to remind Bill to keep it down. It was SUCH A BLAST! The score ended up being 2-2 with the other team scoring all 4 points. The other team was all hispanic and looked as if they had been playing soccer since birth. They could dribble very well and kicked the ball HARD! It made us laugh. At one point there was a lot of excitement that Aaron had scored a goal. He had brought the ball down field and then it went in, but no one could see. It turned out to be the other team, but we were excited for a while. Funny things are bound to happen with this age. One of the boys on Aaron's team is on the younger side of 3 and very timid. He did not want to be on the field. When his dad started calling to him, "Mikey, get the ball!" Mikey ran to the sidelines and picked out a nice shiny blue one amidst all the practice balls.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8E4NzRRklQmUbdbuB5dL2-QPLV6HZu2IQfCHIDNJohqADH6SKWh-4Nq5DuZ0O2TfdAmWe1Prjtg7RAVjXXVoA0EVZrvhaDlp86jgaiiyd0sivUdJ-LKNuTy8DXxZR_dGtofLg6olfGUi/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8E4NzRRklQmUbdbuB5dL2-QPLV6HZu2IQfCHIDNJohqADH6SKWh-4Nq5DuZ0O2TfdAmWe1Prjtg7RAVjXXVoA0EVZrvhaDlp86jgaiiyd0sivUdJ-LKNuTy8DXxZR_dGtofLg6olfGUi/s320/IMG_2123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478069068980011394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Of course the best part is the snacks!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course my camera skills need improvement. By the time I realized he was breaking away and got the camera filming things had changed. </div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdl_Axgx8TTzcc8YxHYFqw0eVb9ns2TME7TwPkAapbkb-xKo7ZoXd0CAE_xcO6D065w3LF2nY0Sn5qlcGiNA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-38632403939971900202010-05-04T23:05:00.000-07:002010-06-01T23:58:10.425-07:003 in 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSq_naLnrMDv0yOqoTDM5aAiALyx-zV3hROcr47yoS9ZxHXFNhlUXWdhi-6TuRQYBckTZA9KJTxTpWpAQyucN3DQerZO8hfqchDnm5bg8pQEuSN7ff0tDH3lfU-FVZpqCEJ2hXTDCLvcb/s1600/IMG_2141.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSq_naLnrMDv0yOqoTDM5aAiALyx-zV3hROcr47yoS9ZxHXFNhlUXWdhi-6TuRQYBckTZA9KJTxTpWpAQyucN3DQerZO8hfqchDnm5bg8pQEuSN7ff0tDH3lfU-FVZpqCEJ2hXTDCLvcb/s200/IMG_2141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478063622110752898" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FWyutQ8rYl-SSSFNzIC4T3B3BPvjMxw7s2CDfyhFGkYuiBVaqbhJok4XrUaWmHZeQn1-COgHlGCXhY9WolIg9cVwo6c-lf4E_Opu7tuWURihe4oxnaoeVlxNmCVBcH12DBureugfoPDu/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG"></a>I took Livi in for her regular chemo appointment on Monday, April 26th. It was her 4th from the last final chemo appt. and low and behold, her port was not working. The saline was ballooning in her armpit and making her cry out in pain. They sent us over to the hospital to do a line study and see if the line was broken or clogged. They say it happens quite regularly. So, off Livi and I walk to Sunrise Hospital, right across the street. Bill, of course had just flown out of town that morning to Iowa, and so Bill was set up to go to the Hulme's house after school. Michelle Hulme, and the whole family for that matter, SAINTS! The staff finally got Olivia back to x-ray and decided to bring in an "expert" to make sure the port was accessed correctly. This irritated me. I said, "You mean that you think the people who access these ports everyday all day don't know how to do it as good as your nurse?" "Well, blah blah blah blah blah..." The nurse comes in. I tell her that all the fluid is pooling in her armpit and it really hurts. She figures that since the saline is going in that it is accessed correctly and then proceeds to flush it again. She can't even figure out what to do. Remember, this is the "expert". I first have to show her how to take the red cap off the end of the line that is there to help keep the line clean, and then she can't get it to flush at all. The whole time I'm floored. I tell her, "You have to unclamp the line.!" ARGH! Then she starts to flush. I tell her to be careful, it's only going to pool and it hurts Livi when it does it. She pushes about 20cc's before I say, "Okay, that's enough. It's clearly not working and doing just what the doctor's office said. You're hurting my daughter. You need to stop!" UGH, I hate nurses and doctors who are too proud to admit they haven't done something before, or that they are still learning.<div>Enter in the x-ray tech and the doctor. Together they can not find the clot/bulge in the line. They are moving Livi all over the table and can't find it. I look at the screen and the big black spot and say, "Is that it right there?" "Oh yeah, there it is." UGH!!! To listen to him explain what happened with the line is somewhat comical. I know enough about her line by now to know what he is saying doesn't quite fly. We get back to the oncologists office and I share the wonderful experience... it makes for a good laugh. The real reason of why it wasn't working, and remember, ports stop working all the time, but of course, this is my daughter, and my daughter likes to be different. A sheath had formed over the end of Olivia's line. The sheath grew so large that it followed the line clear back to Livi's armpit. The fluid was being pushed through the line, out of it, into the sheath and following the line back to the end of the sheath(the armpit) and pooling. They had never seen this happen before. Of course, like I said, we like to be different. Surgery needed to happen. A new port needed to be placed for her 4 more rounds of treatment and the follow up checks that would happen til February 2011. </div><div>The surgery was supposed to be for Wednesday, so Bill, after going out for steak dinner Monday, flew home Tuesday before his first shift of work. (In essence, he flew to Iowa for a steak dinner all on the government's dime. Gotta love those tax payers!) The best part of all, Livi's surgery wasn't able to be scheduled 'til Friday.</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvEfPr1PptGQTcSjn5ueeUVkKN2q-7av2Si-JrO8C97saOJxPjsxN9yYd3gdRoAoiqT4Rd4q9qrsSt6lWlkaBtQfcMrZEC94HXPDlBUPU4YXn-wzb5U06wB0h3zbrI-bbUmU-ctvct_gf/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvEfPr1PptGQTcSjn5ueeUVkKN2q-7av2Si-JrO8C97saOJxPjsxN9yYd3gdRoAoiqT4Rd4q9qrsSt6lWlkaBtQfcMrZEC94HXPDlBUPU4YXn-wzb5U06wB0h3zbrI-bbUmU-ctvct_gf/s320/IMG_2089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478055389546734082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3 surgeries in 3 years</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMllV5caiB553HQfUAujGrm-Gv2oqh9wJjNN0hEUTClJDiP6NQPgqLtB7c8F8jyknrvJlQTMIYb8YX0H0pc23Qw4glrLRY7banDXy0pT98Axm0gveCdGuLHjNUSwYymWMX6wByk_lbxMM_/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMllV5caiB553HQfUAujGrm-Gv2oqh9wJjNN0hEUTClJDiP6NQPgqLtB7c8F8jyknrvJlQTMIYb8YX0H0pc23Qw4glrLRY7banDXy0pT98Axm0gveCdGuLHjNUSwYymWMX6wByk_lbxMM_/s320/IMG_2093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478055397920017138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Regardless of timing, it was a good thing Dad was there! Don't forget Misaroo II.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpWLNhyeCAwasIV2vlq0efO5e-gZtcL1Yq5rCaXXkG-D6MqPYfR-2RDem0wtvQyzyTdIZOfC5eucI7UDt604rwTMS1m3Okx8oYpkWqARSc3Q3_Xu37akwMYR3AOUv_lSALBDUxE3GMgwE/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpWLNhyeCAwasIV2vlq0efO5e-gZtcL1Yq5rCaXXkG-D6MqPYfR-2RDem0wtvQyzyTdIZOfC5eucI7UDt604rwTMS1m3Okx8oYpkWqARSc3Q3_Xu37akwMYR3AOUv_lSALBDUxE3GMgwE/s320/IMG_2094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478055408210114418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Waking up has never been easy for her.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS__kxnMo3LYXnOg5oQpJcCLMUYjqbLFwME-rOy5gORidWugK6a4FaYcdhOoMOFHnU31e4udIh9A1XwXhMjl7DIvr3IVu6ZrvYlx8-y_R8b2M57CQVxtHKJ41fEKnppC8H9ntTDFc8LTto/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS__kxnMo3LYXnOg5oQpJcCLMUYjqbLFwME-rOy5gORidWugK6a4FaYcdhOoMOFHnU31e4udIh9A1XwXhMjl7DIvr3IVu6ZrvYlx8-y_R8b2M57CQVxtHKJ41fEKnppC8H9ntTDFc8LTto/s320/IMG_2095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478055415053096706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Having the breathing tube really hurt this time. The popsicles offered some relief.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a great little brother. Bill had gone to pick him up at the house while Livi was in surgery.We had to leave the house at 5:45 so our angelic neighbor Becky, after sending her daughter to seminary, came down to be with Aaron. She bathed him and got him ready for Bill. The boys went shopping to get Liv and new DS as hers had been taken from the doctors office after an appointment. We warranted a surgery as a pretty good excuse to replace her beloved Christmas present. Bill said that the whole time shopping for the game system, Aaron never once asked for one for himself. Only wanted to know how Livi was doing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FWyutQ8rYl-SSSFNzIC4T3B3BPvjMxw7s2CDfyhFGkYuiBVaqbhJok4XrUaWmHZeQn1-COgHlGCXhY9WolIg9cVwo6c-lf4E_Opu7tuWURihe4oxnaoeVlxNmCVBcH12DBureugfoPDu/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478055424202100978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When they got to the hospital, Bill went back with Liv and I waited a short time with Aaron. He was so concerned for her. When they wheeled her out in the wheelchair he went running to her screaming her name.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bill got the car, I carried Livi, and Aaron rode in the wheelchair. A trip down to the oncologist's office for the chemo they forgot to order for the hospital on the other side of town and then home. We all slept for a couple of hours. My visiting teachers brought dinner and I took Aaron to his first soccer practice. Livi threw up a couple of times, once while Dad was outside, she was all alone, poor thing. But had no problem getting to the toilet either time. (Kinda sad when a 6 year old knows that feeling so well.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAYKOAG4OVxKMytF_TlNTMAuxs3CbK9WSRVmxhLfakSRP4JxBYEepWKjaAzIKh7pjBCJL2ed3elyfsO3yAs7ymCbzsS_AvcQsA76osugxIEPeYwGJgtv4Xv8tgPAp5cKuyTSaIjDdhjfa/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAYKOAG4OVxKMytF_TlNTMAuxs3CbK9WSRVmxhLfakSRP4JxBYEepWKjaAzIKh7pjBCJL2ed3elyfsO3yAs7ymCbzsS_AvcQsA76osugxIEPeYwGJgtv4Xv8tgPAp5cKuyTSaIjDdhjfa/s200/IMG_2101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478066657143512898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkufeDz8M-pV4RTMD6qFHqm7BzbiRsHHIpU0kPfeoVibGApc7r4qC-y3ADXlyitpNp7jhLPsd_qhsYTSsXv8Os4pIRbMXbRFx9nogCTT_pEn_hKoPtOLYbsyJMukpEd1aHxphZmK-nqvI/s200/IMG_2125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478066646343355522" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday we all went to Aaron's first soccer game. Livi looked great. After soccer we went to Color-me-mine for a Make-a-Wish pottery painting and then from there Livi went to her friend's birthday party at the park. (Writing this now I can't believe she did all that. I can't believe we let her. It's amazing how strong kids are. It's amazing the determination you gain as a parent with an ill child to not let them miss out on life.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you Grandma for the flowers. They really did put a smile on her face.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">GREAT JOB LIVI!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-23111210373818454822010-05-04T22:52:00.000-07:002010-06-01T23:05:13.687-07:00Stubby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurPBnjr-WmK8Kn9HhRhvSeskml8t6EoGnfUy-7-_2jUN3UJ3UK_1XK-stWVlNITTynVn26zyzGZ9oN9_DyQLKqvH6F2p18EyHydPPdR7gFooG6YQbDJX4BmJfaPL_sIOmb72oZb14PUiD/s1600/IMG_2087.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurPBnjr-WmK8Kn9HhRhvSeskml8t6EoGnfUy-7-_2jUN3UJ3UK_1XK-stWVlNITTynVn26zyzGZ9oN9_DyQLKqvH6F2p18EyHydPPdR7gFooG6YQbDJX4BmJfaPL_sIOmb72oZb14PUiD/s200/IMG_2087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478051028656723586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLUggaZG53isJNPImIPNKwrMokb2sjtMqCPlocm6x0POEZAfx92h-wA-RM3wVU8VLbf8MBz4BrsMAmZt7PLSnsclD8plCGgzPXy95WhqWidTRIbu01ohNe_x6HWTfHCMkrTmOSq7ZMVPM/s1600/IMG_2086.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLUggaZG53isJNPImIPNKwrMokb2sjtMqCPlocm6x0POEZAfx92h-wA-RM3wVU8VLbf8MBz4BrsMAmZt7PLSnsclD8plCGgzPXy95WhqWidTRIbu01ohNe_x6HWTfHCMkrTmOSq7ZMVPM/s200/IMG_2086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478051012319150802" /></a><br />As usual with things like this, the photos do not do it justice. And of course it happened when we were trying to get out the door. Sunday morning, crazy trying to get ready for 9am church, Bill's downstairs getting things in the car, I'm finishing up my makeup, kids are keeping themselves entertained... and that's when the problem starts. I hear Bill coming up the stairs and Livi harshly whispering, "Hurry, hurry, daddy's coming!" SLAM! "AAAHHHHHH!!!!!" (What the heck?) Bill pulls Aaron out of the dryer screaming in agony. Livi was coaxing him into a "cool" hiding place when things got rushed because "daddy was coming" and fingers didn't clear the door jam of the dryer when she decided to attempt to close the dryer door. His poor little finger got very large and purple and crooked. A couple nurses at church looked at it and thought it looked good. I splinted it for a couple hours after church and by the evening the swelling had gone down tremendously. Very tender though. <div> The following Saturday he had a soccer game in which he fell on it... that did NOT look good. I ended up going to an orthopedic for my knee the following Monday and they did an x-ray of his pinkie. They said you would really be able to know if it was broken or not because it was in the joint, but it seemed okay. He probably hurt the growth plate and so now will have a stubby pinkie. I guess there's worse things to have. Poor guy!</div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799718110914559104.post-3494464550265954092010-04-27T22:14:00.000-07:002010-05-19T23:11:02.858-07:00Tour de Summerlin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEcVk9Ib9RIZdy-xxFwO6Cc_60lZ8lbx-vsMNaon7_oPpLzfPUwk263qlmHrWDALTndoM5E7A7R4c29mFr5xSwTHX7GXWwtFSEofUP1Oy_D4hzfkVx4Kn8TiFxbdw0PXvD52CuWR8oaL7/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-yx8uPB0KLUKokzFerxgvJt921IQLCh1nAYnKFaMO_5qkkyr4eFrPIAb_IXQqUggm6nI2vciRvuhMQu5BcTLse-tyAh9MXnvtTKhDitZHs3UcXamDJ3SSefgwEYgBdHzFugCtNbQ1nGI/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-yx8uPB0KLUKokzFerxgvJt921IQLCh1nAYnKFaMO_5qkkyr4eFrPIAb_IXQqUggm6nI2vciRvuhMQu5BcTLse-tyAh9MXnvtTKhDitZHs3UcXamDJ3SSefgwEYgBdHzFugCtNbQ1nGI/s320/IMG_2073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473216567950873650" /></a>It came. My big 80 miler came and I did it! It was great. Friday night we went to a team dinner at Paymon's Mediterranean Cafe, one of our sponsors and filled up on carbs. Bill and the kids were all able to join me and Livi even prepared a little speech. Melissa, from Candlelighters, who we were riding for, had asked if Livi would stand up and say "Hi" to all the riders who were going to be at the dinner. Livi wanted to say a little more. She sat down at the computer and typed this out, with little help from me, and with that only on spelling. For future references I want to stress that the ideas were completely hers.<div><p class="MsoNormal">"My<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Name<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>LIVI<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>my<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>brothers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Name<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Aaron<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>he<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>very<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>try<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>teach<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>him<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>things<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>like<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>special thing is he helped me with my cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I appreciate all the things that Candlelighters does to help the cancer kids. I appreciate how you are helping Candlelighters raise money for the cancer kids. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The money that you raised helps families like mine. When I was sick, Candlelighters paid for my TPN. It was the food that went into my port. They also gave money to my family for gas and food while I was in the hospital for a long time. I’m so glad that you are all doing the race together. GOOD LUCK!!!!"</p><p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately she froze in front of the crown, about 40 people large, so I ended up reading it for her. I started to cry at one point and was reminded at how real the last 2 years have been. (Lately with things going just fine, the "craziness" of it all has been tempered.) Everyone was very gracious and thanked her for her words.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I was nervous getting to bed that night. I wanted to make sure everything was ready to go for the morning. I had gone shopping earlier that day with Aaron to get all my nutrition for the ride and Bill picked up some Gatorade, so I was set. Alarm was set for 5:30, a friend, Joel, from the team, got to the house at 10 til, we loaded up and drove out to the start in Summerlin. The two of us had decided to ride together as it seemed that our riding levels were closer to eachothers than the other team members. It was very cold to say the least, but with the forecast calling for mid 80's by noon we knew we wouldn't want any extra clothing so we dealt with the cool morning temps. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The ride started and we were able to make it to the middle of the pack. Neither of us had ever ridden with a group before. We couldn't figure out why everyone was going so slow. We were on the downhill part of the course and COASTING! Why are we coasting when this is where we can make up the time of the more strenuous climbs later on the route? I didn't think my odometer was working correctly because no way were we going 25 mph on a slight downhill grade COASTING! Well, come to find out, that drafting thing is quite amazing. I pulled out of the pack, alongside, and quickly lost my place. We met up with a gal that I had met through my riding buddy Rhonda Cook, and yes my computer was working properly. In a group of about 70 riders, there is a serious draft. We enjoyed it for the first 10 mi or so and then stop lights separated us out. The first 4-5 mi we had police helping us through the lights but after that we were on our own. It was a fun atmosphere, and I ended up riding more with Tammy than Joel due to miscommunication but I was more than happy with my performance. I hit my target time of 5 hours and kept my avg speed at 15.5.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Bill and the kids met us at the 35 mi mark to give Joel and I full drink bottles. It was fun to see</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7ntRJRN6JTnBFDWxNGKOTZNNTlxKX4P3YtzfUn0Ri_P5Pb8JTeq5gE6t7ok02uPZe9XtjYU_eFPO8z_gVTWVeDbL56RpfMS7Qdmddgodg5se4kYyX4Juhn9NsjwmesSTeqZ1S7QGyRky/s200/IMG_2076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473228335385320098" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><p class="MsoNormal">them and I was grateful that they put the effort into coming. They left from there to take Aaron to his opening day of soccer. They were to run drills and get the teams figured out. After his soccer they came back to the ride, I had just finished and was getting my lunch. They had Qdoba Mexican Grill cater for the riders and their families.</p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt3gWqDXhuyr4jiNOoYVS4xJYQyWbUstUk_UemUIdAf8xoIH5eezAvNkb5iulRdKK-Jqow8R9C22Q3R5hwAuqMkxiYVkCjf6x-ErvDYWmf6xlKccrdrDXdsSwIaVh2kIaDLm0IC5fqdZ8/s200/IMG_2082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473228357251211602" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><p class="MsoNormal">The kids ate ice cream. I enjoyed the tacos and started to relax.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">That night was the Elders Quorum BBQ at the park so not a lot of down time was acquired. It was a good turn out but I was more than happy to be home.</p><p class="MsoNormal">I felt really good about the ride and didn't have any problems except that my legs felt... tired. My muscles weren't sore or anything. My saddle was a little sore, to be expected I suppose, but my legs were soo tired. By Tuesday I felt fine.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition to meeting my physical goals, I exceeded my donation goals. I raised $1040.00 thanks to all my friends and family who gave and even pushed their friends and family to give. And yes, I am doing it again next year.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" background="http://www.kintera.org/faf/images/personalweb/marine/marinebg.gif"><tbody><tr><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="center"><tbody><tr><td width="99%" align="center" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><b><span style="font-size:+1;">Welcome to the Donation Page of<br />Rachel Ellison</span></b><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="40%" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><h3>Thank you for your involvement!</h3></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br /></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><b>Enter Donation Amount Here:</b><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*Currency shown: US Dollar</span><br />$<input type="text" name="addAmount" onblur="return selectLevel(this.value);" maxlength="9" size="20"><br /></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><input type="image" border="0" name="imageField" src="http://www.kintera.org/faf/images/buttons/continuesilver.gif" width="84" height="24" alt="Continue"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"><tbody><tr><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"><tbody><tr><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">My Fundraising Goal:<br /><b>$1,000.00</b></td></tr><tr><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Money Raised to Date:<br /><b>$1,040.00</b></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><img src="http://www.kintera.org/faf/images/barcharts/Therm100.gif" width="102" height="126" /></td></tr><tr><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "> </td><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br />If you are unable to donate online, please print out a <a href="http://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=340095&supId=286699938#" onclick="javascript:window.open('../tools/donationform.asp?ievent=340095&lis=1&kntae340095=AFF719ED099F405B9837A41EFD36E3CE&tmpid=286699938&tmpval=','reg','menubar=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes')">donation form</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td valign="top" width="60%" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="center"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><img name="levels" src="http://www.kintera.org/AccountTempFiles/account401290/images/340095_153101524281275.jpg" border="0" width="300" alt="" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td width="300" valign="top" align="center" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><b>... because Candlelighters helped us fight.</b><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td width="300" valign="top" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I have signed up for a challenging fundraising initiative, called "Riders for Candlelighters Kids". This is a team of beginning to intermediate cyclists who are training for 14 weeks for the Tour de Summerlin bike event on April 24th. This event is an 80 mile bike ride throughout the streets of Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada. This charity allows us all to give a little to make the suffering from childhood cancer less and living life a real goal.<br /><br />I wanted to take this opportunity to help an organization that helped us through Livi's battle with Cancer. Our whole family struggled with the effects of cancer and were given much support from Candlelighters. Many services, treatments and other expenses were covered thanks to all the hard work that this foundation does. Please help me give back!<br /><br />I will be counting on Mom to push me from behind on my 1st 80mi. ride.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Family of Strengthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17371838230907785655noreply@blogger.com3