tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88273975771544693872024-03-27T02:38:24.617-04:00Spark Doggy DogAmy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.comBlogger320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-23546173628888607672012-10-01T17:56:00.002-04:002012-10-01T17:56:40.033-04:00Summer Synopsis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First day of school!!<br />
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Before catching the bus!<br />
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We went to the Ada Farmer's Market almost every Tuesday!<br />
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Craig and I caught a concert at Frederik Meijer Gardens (thanks Hailey!!)!<br />
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We celebrated the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and watched it incessantly!<br />
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We discovered a fabulous new beach! Duck Lake!! Two lakes for the price of one with a shallow, warm channel between and minnows to catch!<br />
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We visited Yaya and Papa and saw the hot air balloons fly over their house!<br />
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We survived having our house on the market from July 21st-Sept 25th and had showings 4x's or more each week!!<br />
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We worked really hard as "Team Starkey" to keep the house perfectly clean at all times (and showered at the pool ALOT)!<br />
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We went to the beach without Daddy and everybody carried stuff!(and nobody got lost or drowned)!<br />
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We explored more of Michigan and loved everything we saw!<br />
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We had the most fun on the Alpine Slides! Well, Taylor and I did! Best memory ever, riding down the slides with Taylor and him yelling over and over "This is soo fun!!! This is fun!!" and laughing like a maniac and say "don't slow down!" (as if I'd slow down!).<br />
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We goofed off during dinner.<br />
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We played at the park (alot).<br />
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We discovered a new wonderful place to get frozen yogurt (Spoonlickers) and had so much fun licking the spoons clean!<br />
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Delish!<br />
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We went to the mudroom and painted some cool pottery!<br />
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Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-77701671727401329312012-08-19T17:08:00.001-04:002012-08-19T17:08:10.056-04:00Playing Catch up- Katie's Birthday (May 12th)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We threw a Luau birthday party for Katie in May and here are some pix from the festivities!<br />
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Don't the girls look soooo cute dressed up in their leis, grass skirts, sunglasses and flower for their hair?!! I picked those for their favors! <br />
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I made each of the girls their own little cakes to decorate and we let them each blow out their own candles.<br />
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Look how fun the the decorations were!! I had so much fun watching them decorate their little cakes. Katie (unbeknownst to me) had promised them a water balloon fight so some of them came in their swimsuits (and some did not, thankfully Katie has a bunch of swimsuits to loan out). Thankfully the weather was warm and I had water balloon so we scrapped the games I'd planned and had a water balloon fight!<br />
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Here's our impromtu water balloon fight. I used the prizes I'd bought for the games as a bribe for the girls to pick up all the water balloons from the grass and gather their stuff together to go home! Worked like a charm!<br />
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Here's Katie on her birthday, I have traditionally made her pink pancakes for her birthday breakfast! She won't let me forget it! 10 little pink pancakes! She's such a thoughtful, kind, helpful, hardworking girl!Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-72374288083814226872012-08-18T21:22:00.004-04:002012-08-18T21:27:12.478-04:00 Guess What!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We hiked to Big Sable Lighthouse in Ludington State Park and climbed to the top, great day and great hike and great view!<br />
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Here's the light house from the beach.<br />
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Instead of hiking back through the dunes on the way back we walked the beach! Nice and cool and a blow pop for Soph and Tootsie Pop for Taylor kept everybody running along without any encouragement!<br />
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Up at Crystal Mountain (the resort where we stayed the night, just South of Traverse City) they had these lines to walk on. Katie, Taylor and Soph were a bit obsessed, but they got pretty good.<br />
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The next morning we had breakfast at this restaurant (kids ate free) and Soph really savored every sip of her hot cocoa with whip cream and sprinkles!<br />
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Then we went geocaching to hike off breakfast! Man, give Taylor a gps and promise of treasure and he is a GREAT hiker!<br />
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Katie loved the cinnamon rolls with breakfast!<br />
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Sophie even caught a fish!<br />
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And we saw this frog doing "cobra"( or up-dog position for you yoga fans).<br />
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We also got to swim at the water park!<br />
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If you haven't heard by now, we are moving to the Portland, Oregon area (probably South Beaverton to be more specific). Unfortunately, I can't be more specific than that. Our house is currently on the market and while we have had a multitude of showings and tons of great feedback we have yet to find somebody committed enough to give us an offer. So our future plans remain on hold while we wait for an offer.... every text message has me wondering if it's the real estate agent with a showing time or an offer, every phone call has me wondering if it's the real estate agent with an offer...it's complete torture! Talk about your lack of progression situation! I feel like we're living day to day (which we are), putting off buying school supplies and planning soccer, swimming and gymnastics. It has yet to feel very exciting, but the move was inevitable. GE was moving Craig to Cincinnati so when a recruiter called with a possibility in Portland we jumped at the opportunity. Cincinnati would have been a much easier more predictable way to go, but this is the 3rd house in 6 years that we've (I've) needed to sell so we were ready to try a different employer. Craig is enjoying his new position with Maxim Integrated (no, not Maxim Magazine, although Craig is quite dashing, hee hee! Maxim Integrated is based out of San Jose, CA and manufactures circuits used in cell phones, computers and thermometers to mention a few). He is excited to make his mark and get things in order for the HR side of Maxim. Here are some pix of Craig's recent visit back to MI.Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-31910083744664695232012-03-14T09:09:00.004-04:002012-03-14T10:06:13.682-04:00Never a dull moment..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3oI-rY1o_G4LSRjc02GWYF4R5beo4hD8DUgR4Ta5qCoMVZxbslm-lou_O_NzZfD4mz7mGfgauPvHwaMWWMf3IDCFdx6-9qa5QoYUecmltAkSMq65UUnw8dBzaPqcAcN_Yd8OeTL_tFgc/s1600/sophfoot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3oI-rY1o_G4LSRjc02GWYF4R5beo4hD8DUgR4Ta5qCoMVZxbslm-lou_O_NzZfD4mz7mGfgauPvHwaMWWMf3IDCFdx6-9qa5QoYUecmltAkSMq65UUnw8dBzaPqcAcN_Yd8OeTL_tFgc/s400/sophfoot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719753805737881058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34v3dbYp7WHgdRoa7mi2ZW0caQJwzKsLEu6ZwVkAW_C5o6eKG1P6XJD7xaB85T8saJEjA9R5Pqx4hDAJVQGBeigVw4dQ4BZ4k9WLKrvtVVh834_BcCUB8fWjVTFHZEbuu206ERP47Jo4K/s1600/craigsophexamroom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34v3dbYp7WHgdRoa7mi2ZW0caQJwzKsLEu6ZwVkAW_C5o6eKG1P6XJD7xaB85T8saJEjA9R5Pqx4hDAJVQGBeigVw4dQ4BZ4k9WLKrvtVVh834_BcCUB8fWjVTFHZEbuu206ERP47Jo4K/s400/craigsophexamroom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719753802882307314" /></a><br />Last night I accompanied Craig to the church to do some set up for the Relief Society Birthday Luau on Thursday night. I wish now I hadn't but in any case I did. While there Sophie caught her ankle under the accordion door in the Primary room and cut it quite badly and we had to take her immediately to Urgent care where she received six stitches. Poor baby! It was quite traumatizing (probably mostly to the rest of us). I took Taylor out to the waiting room while she was getting her stitches and let Craig stay with her in the exam room. We could hear the screaming and crying while they were stitching her up! It was so horrible! I was in tears! (and I'm mostly dead inside!) Anyhow, it was a late miserable night for us and thankfully once we got her home and gave her some meds she was able to sleep well and wake up only once for more ibprophen. I'm so grateful that the cut wasn't worse and we weren't in surgery!!! It drives me nuts how kids can hurt themselves on things you wouldn't even imagine to warn them about!!Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-37605944021827891042012-03-11T18:26:00.005-04:002012-03-11T22:43:58.119-04:00and the winners are..... (drum roll)....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4i2f8-S3efTGN08fnuq29Ded9rr5k7O7jhinvJHpgm4RGwNxq0_DNSgG020pylmkI5fxekKwNLwZ_7p-92PA0B1nUjGqYTisRCy1U8TZrv3KewwKIs15fACTqsTAASOWOuiSg1k_Sm0S/s1600/metta+joy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4i2f8-S3efTGN08fnuq29Ded9rr5k7O7jhinvJHpgm4RGwNxq0_DNSgG020pylmkI5fxekKwNLwZ_7p-92PA0B1nUjGqYTisRCy1U8TZrv3KewwKIs15fACTqsTAASOWOuiSg1k_Sm0S/s400/metta+joy.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718835608442957218" /></a>LANEY OSWALD had the winning combination of a girl born on February 29th! Keep an eye out for your grand prize arriving in your mailbox soon!! Congrats to Leisy and Kent on having baby Metta Joy Miller! We're so thrilled for you! <div><br /></div><div>AND<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvCTWE7QBXWC45tvW5yRP5ppNMPKUFsw_ZsiEVNFj0VE0gve3G3n_KgaQSpZFVWXx_UdJ1rGq_I5fIAMTW5ydk1XVthFzcStOAkRuenqP0QA9R4swtK9O5Z4ukhzPBAL3zJx1SYXRGM6f/s1600/alexander.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvCTWE7QBXWC45tvW5yRP5ppNMPKUFsw_ZsiEVNFj0VE0gve3G3n_KgaQSpZFVWXx_UdJ1rGq_I5fIAMTW5ydk1XVthFzcStOAkRuenqP0QA9R4swtK9O5Z4ukhzPBAL3zJx1SYXRGM6f/s400/alexander.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718835604992385362" /></a><div><div><br /></div><div>Congrats to Megan and Kevin Hinman on the arrival of Alexander Dale Hinman born March 5th! They are the sole winners in this pool as nobody guessed that day, and their grand prize is a gorgeous baby boy! </div><div><br /></div></div></div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-48178591817564262232012-01-26T16:01:00.010-05:002012-01-26T19:35:01.606-05:00Baby Pool Time!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kEPiH-ifC0ZuAIvkXqe_96jJkdFJaOkYaS-Zk_N6S6rpG_yVf7oBFSuqCJJBxiOhRUFIC50lfR0XhPiDjIWbfeNCD7Yvr6FzoX3L1cBC1__Foi8-it_0IHZjPeuiMbkulzhCp01RHJmW/s1600/leisymarathon.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kEPiH-ifC0ZuAIvkXqe_96jJkdFJaOkYaS-Zk_N6S6rpG_yVf7oBFSuqCJJBxiOhRUFIC50lfR0XhPiDjIWbfeNCD7Yvr6FzoX3L1cBC1__Foi8-it_0IHZjPeuiMbkulzhCp01RHJmW/s400/leisymarathon.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702103479965484210" /></a><br />Hey Everybody! Time to play a Leisy Miller baby pool!!! You know the rules, pick a day and a gender and email or facebook me or comment on this blog (or text me) and I'll send a prize to the person who wins!!!! Her official due date is March 5th. I'm going to guess she's having a boy on February 29th (There can be multiple guesses for the same combination of gender and day). Happy guessing (and Happy laboring Leisy!!!). Hope you like the pic Leisy! Since there's never been a photo of you with your pregnant belly (and many of us doubt it even exists), I chose this one of you with the boys! I hope Kent doesn't feel left out!<br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6hoHMpgbxOb2TkLu3gRVrimlfoIXxBOnTju1AcLygsT7PY1nnn26sZrfT0EBt1qlKhh_ZqpRAhesbZSkBgzkNcad6wPxTYtKIDMSrNVtzkC7qv_7ytnH8OOYKJEymaSnKCRUkmG0IQdt/s1600/227488_718955896394_193307258_36276885_6004210_nmegpic.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/AVvXsEgE6hoHMpgbxOb2TkLu3gRVrimlfoIXxBOnTju1AcLygsT7PY1nnn26sZrfT0EBt1qlKhh_ZqpRAhesbZSkBgzkNcad6wPxTYtKIDMSrNVtzkC7qv_7ytnH8OOYKJEymaSnKCRUkmG0IQdt/s400/227488_718955896394_193307258_36276885_6004210_nmegpic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702058406687134258" /></a><br /><div>Hold on to your hats everybody!! Prepare yourselves for a baby boom of cheesy cousins!! My cousin Megan (and hubby Kevin Hinman) are also expecting a baby. They are due on March 10th, they already know they are having a boy, but send in your guesses for which day he'll make his big arrival! Congrats Megan and Kevin! (Same rules apply to this baby pool as the one for Leisy! Prizes!!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep an eye out for Metta and Clair's baby pool!!! They are due July 2nd but I'm going to wait until they find out the gender to start the pool!</div><div><br /></div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-36895298554553877922012-01-26T16:01:00.000-05:002012-01-26T16:02:08.228-05:00Baby Pool Time!!!Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-58826684725808503532012-01-22T16:53:00.006-05:002012-01-22T17:18:16.541-05:00Night at the Museum and Snow Days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTMxRAIYiE5A263Sd0jMjzIvvQ65Fl0EIbl79tzfjbn7cs-ft6eFMmc9CcJXmbXEZrn5AE7JSTphM0oI5iXCYNhgBZA5xyfuQJI998r2SVw_qipiWhbs2YYcweBkUxfckTzkN0e-lNYSN/s1600/049.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/AVvXsEiGTMxRAIYiE5A263Sd0jMjzIvvQ65Fl0EIbl79tzfjbn7cs-ft6eFMmc9CcJXmbXEZrn5AE7JSTphM0oI5iXCYNhgBZA5xyfuQJI998r2SVw_qipiWhbs2YYcweBkUxfckTzkN0e-lNYSN/s400/049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700582094877907490" /></a>Here's one of the knights from the sword fight. He looked really hot (as in too warm) after the fight. I don't think that armor and chain mail was very good at wicking away the sweat! Sorry for the blurry pic. Low lighting +mediocre camera..boo.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOzXXGxHmWfNmN_Ne3vLN8oWUWveLdsBDzSxTZ3ScW-UBE6sbAB1np9Qcsz-HtR4ZO75FHxB4wfLNmp3GeUZtMBSqrJ17FKbg9fs3Qs3On3FHhSJKeNFa20N8vhTf7PPeN9TAzkQo1JX0/s1600/053.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/AVvXsEgFOzXXGxHmWfNmN_Ne3vLN8oWUWveLdsBDzSxTZ3ScW-UBE6sbAB1np9Qcsz-HtR4ZO75FHxB4wfLNmp3GeUZtMBSqrJ17FKbg9fs3Qs3On3FHhSJKeNFa20N8vhTf7PPeN9TAzkQo1JX0/s400/053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700579873374641106" /></a>Here's a pic of Soph right was we were getting ready to leave. This whole area was packed full of people on our way in!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdxtYsgyM2I_d9gS6IW8LRPICXnLBUMbrLh9aFFU3irb6s2xj3Rn6H2XhrbbNrvzPsEmZZcylMfuGfV3QYbPNYBmnR48hd_ElNPKr7fZLCPCH8YR2IfC2IfhcVpBTQZSaLMf7n7ULsSVY/s1600/052.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/AVvXsEhfdxtYsgyM2I_d9gS6IW8LRPICXnLBUMbrLh9aFFU3irb6s2xj3Rn6H2XhrbbNrvzPsEmZZcylMfuGfV3QYbPNYBmnR48hd_ElNPKr7fZLCPCH8YR2IfC2IfhcVpBTQZSaLMf7n7ULsSVY/s400/052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700579870979134402" /></a>There were real dolls having a tea party!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgP01MckSPbQETd3ArFM2LlfGiOBXMJpUWQJOWrTIl3fhShyphenhyphenXcJQFkKQA97N9uiY4Yai6TY_5F266Sof0iyj0MedUU5cZbsqghRQRMbsnvozcLjalHkOcbhf4jaOINKOIWovPQQjT4Dkq/s1600/039.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/AVvXsEgxgP01MckSPbQETd3ArFM2LlfGiOBXMJpUWQJOWrTIl3fhShyphenhyphenXcJQFkKQA97N9uiY4Yai6TY_5F266Sof0iyj0MedUU5cZbsqghRQRMbsnvozcLjalHkOcbhf4jaOINKOIWovPQQjT4Dkq/s400/039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700579853054035266" /></a>Here's a pic of the fam on the porch of a house in the historic downtown Grand Rapids exhibit!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGv29C5As4MxqKsBGgj2PsNWAJHm_7E8eT6tXEHSkyyEZbajd_js9BgpSv_b-q3h_hoaQSum3nqZq1SgIoeu2dudOrQyRRa6Ij0WV8qiIB_5DpcrJHWzAksZ1InGsD-skpi9iwOh7jikW/s1600/044.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/AVvXsEjvGv29C5As4MxqKsBGgj2PsNWAJHm_7E8eT6tXEHSkyyEZbajd_js9BgpSv_b-q3h_hoaQSum3nqZq1SgIoeu2dudOrQyRRa6Ij0WV8qiIB_5DpcrJHWzAksZ1InGsD-skpi9iwOh7jikW/s400/044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700579849076347810" /></a>The kids all got a chance to try to ride this bike!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyenundyQ-KUWn1eUPEcwB05rczwH6n8t6N1ODrKBXkLAoGGv8hv5RkFbb5mntLVCmD7hJ9IQKN_W2qdCaVaLtxuLtsKwnGEZ_7JTsavQwcIKF2C9ULqCaDsQDfo5LFW8rTXl-qVldpgEe/s1600/037.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/AVvXsEgyenundyQ-KUWn1eUPEcwB05rczwH6n8t6N1ODrKBXkLAoGGv8hv5RkFbb5mntLVCmD7hJ9IQKN_W2qdCaVaLtxuLtsKwnGEZ_7JTsavQwcIKF2C9ULqCaDsQDfo5LFW8rTXl-qVldpgEe/s400/037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700579291992145810" /></a>We had fun riding the carousel!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoj39uMSN0KXa7SFuwwCJE2U9qBN49b6ZwMpwmKLwkiXP8CfSRxGldQyBZpJoAS0fXMjZa_mDWeh02ueeIYyubR0w0xlYu01unVrLqKSFuSNMGUgg8pUEANSdCIwL99_UIQ5BEHepRp0V/s1600/023.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/AVvXsEhpoj39uMSN0KXa7SFuwwCJE2U9qBN49b6ZwMpwmKLwkiXP8CfSRxGldQyBZpJoAS0fXMjZa_mDWeh02ueeIYyubR0w0xlYu01unVrLqKSFuSNMGUgg8pUEANSdCIwL99_UIQ5BEHepRp0V/s400/023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700579280367901810" /></a>Here's a pic of the planetarium. It was cool, the guy was dressed like an astronaut and had a blow up Alien as his assistant!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpl1GAiFEmfGaeJGUUlMe_fTj8b-CSz59IfiNbGWoxlhW2rvmfh47pPOq2RgGpg5n6jzaYdgGC137akTxibtsuSLWeP5AtxVB5N-PQGEfe1eXLTGyJ8B_B01laqvNVFNxKnFMTn5LaiDA/s1600/027.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/AVvXsEgBpl1GAiFEmfGaeJGUUlMe_fTj8b-CSz59IfiNbGWoxlhW2rvmfh47pPOq2RgGpg5n6jzaYdgGC137akTxibtsuSLWeP5AtxVB5N-PQGEfe1eXLTGyJ8B_B01laqvNVFNxKnFMTn5LaiDA/s400/027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700579279090199170" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I would have loved to have been wearing one of these costumes!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmV0OyXR-9Nl8KHeoDch-jvKDGNx0r0WV0XVYWJA8Z-LlGZ0BOpPQQpEoc4mVT-ez5I2RrZ_3IMrsFOtCE2eJgAPEGRYDdHwkaMkNCxuZWPMxmc2omgrM2Edd3Jrpz81j_9Ig6GuOBRiR/s1600/013.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/AVvXsEiQmV0OyXR-9Nl8KHeoDch-jvKDGNx0r0WV0XVYWJA8Z-LlGZ0BOpPQQpEoc4mVT-ez5I2RrZ_3IMrsFOtCE2eJgAPEGRYDdHwkaMkNCxuZWPMxmc2omgrM2Edd3Jrpz81j_9Ig6GuOBRiR/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578688810335906" /></a>Soph looked good dressed as a general in the Union Army.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV95sgPibJTPOS_NnRfcvQlDExYmXofgKgs7w-1jrr8-SUcUk_c8m9gUKbunh_0I-OA5WOHZ4Jrbou0ksLuOeSO7NKvS1t6N8EWtjdxAWUlxgvLrKCNPym8JoHvzuYhCMVuQjXcPGBcBPf/s1600/011.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/AVvXsEjV95sgPibJTPOS_NnRfcvQlDExYmXofgKgs7w-1jrr8-SUcUk_c8m9gUKbunh_0I-OA5WOHZ4Jrbou0ksLuOeSO7NKvS1t6N8EWtjdxAWUlxgvLrKCNPym8JoHvzuYhCMVuQjXcPGBcBPf/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578680015213314" /></a>Here's Taylor all dressed up!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJieroQrJ6wvtVvKkU593lv9C5BtMOKO5fpI5In1zDaRkP4nljBcCg99PSNS-QKbxm8YpXVT15gZF8Cnm_heVCQfsDgFEa4G7w5UFyEA7uPVlcvwvJooEPLvnfmZJmq9BIa0AnS6JmgDD/s1600/010.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/AVvXsEjiJieroQrJ6wvtVvKkU593lv9C5BtMOKO5fpI5In1zDaRkP4nljBcCg99PSNS-QKbxm8YpXVT15gZF8Cnm_heVCQfsDgFEa4G7w5UFyEA7uPVlcvwvJooEPLvnfmZJmq9BIa0AnS6JmgDD/s400/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578676420538434" /></a>Here's another knight! Below is a pic of Sophie and the snowman we made with the snow we got after Christmas. Here's proof for Hailey and Steve that we didn't steal the snow from the neighbors to make our snowman! The snow was heavy and wet and we just kept rolling the snow balls around the yard until they were big enough to stack! All the rest of the snow around the snowman melted so it looked like we'd imported snow to make our snowman by the time Hailey and Steve showed up! :><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizo40y8o-4OujW16Pu6EaoHiKwpvgkXasj88eiwD-phTYEsnrSwYaiRlyg7JDndnbqnmZvfihbOsEqdlg7gYBVChwhToZr8yr32KyciayHn3Wp3-figI1VA_zCQkoPLc_MHw8xKDCocfO/s1600/001.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/AVvXsEjizo40y8o-4OujW16Pu6EaoHiKwpvgkXasj88eiwD-phTYEsnrSwYaiRlyg7JDndnbqnmZvfihbOsEqdlg7gYBVChwhToZr8yr32KyciayHn3Wp3-figI1VA_zCQkoPLc_MHw8xKDCocfO/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700578669034131090" /></a>Here are some more pix of our Christmas vacation! We went to a special Night at the Museum event at our Grand Rapids Public Museum and it was pretty awesome! We got to go in to the dimly lit (but decorated for Christmas) museum and have dinner (pizza, lasagna, bread sticks, salad and pop, later followed by chocolate chip cookies and cocoa later in the evening). We also got to attend the Christmas lazer light show at the planetarium and listen to a concert on the big organ and go through all the exhibits and watch a real sword fight (real swords spark when they fight, did you know that? The armor weighs 75 lbs alone!). They had a really neat exhibit on the Civil War and it was so cool to see all the costumes. There were pharaoh costumes too! We also got to see a real print shop from the turn of the century and watch them printing some flyers and go for a ride on the carousel.Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-59535283402202767932011-12-26T10:47:00.005-05:002011-12-26T11:34:38.982-05:00Christmas at our house<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWs0W389mVU-5yuZK7s9GaUSUqG79osSr0NrNUers3mTtINRgv0qrbT4EJTbB_iN6ceEmD1Uvy8l5Sg_0yRJFYVFRkN_ZO6MJr_UOfFeqGBO1SSg1lr8rxV-Zw_80E5BDzf0irUqMlkega/s1600/101.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/AVvXsEjWs0W389mVU-5yuZK7s9GaUSUqG79osSr0NrNUers3mTtINRgv0qrbT4EJTbB_iN6ceEmD1Uvy8l5Sg_0yRJFYVFRkN_ZO6MJr_UOfFeqGBO1SSg1lr8rxV-Zw_80E5BDzf0irUqMlkega/s400/101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690471617031154482" /></a>The elves made some really cool rubberband guns and a target for Craig and Taylor to play with! Pretty neat-o! It's a like a rubberband machine gun! AWESOME! They can hold up to 200 rubberbands! WHOA!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97AJAtMj9mIYbnigNfMNbbqi8JcpKl5hZgVQK7ZkQ0NYnANVsJutmDGqPvTLsWpTv6fQ5gkGrm6WTfHVFrvUNywH1pCJblw9eg45g698EmfwIrx3mOCSKXVkrpX0MZ4-gGrY0176lnQkB/s1600/098.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/AVvXsEg97AJAtMj9mIYbnigNfMNbbqi8JcpKl5hZgVQK7ZkQ0NYnANVsJutmDGqPvTLsWpTv6fQ5gkGrm6WTfHVFrvUNywH1pCJblw9eg45g698EmfwIrx3mOCSKXVkrpX0MZ4-gGrY0176lnQkB/s400/098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690471613494495394" /></a>Here's our Christmas dinner. We had ham all last week so we decided to try out some of the steaks that Craig's parents gifted us for Christmas dinner this year! The twice baked potatoes were great too! It was so nice to not have a whole day of cooking to look forward to after Christmas morning! Thanks Mommo and Dad Starkey!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DrGJnCHrm-3f29fX7dM8GvOYQzJG9mqL7BFu05LjW35ooz5qqNKvc56T8dtzOJtNuDIxNePbjffUuXyZHk0xYNzs1i9YBhDm2lyexDlsMu7VWAgUCr3tNIXaQp-ltaMvA_uWCg6NqZmr/s1600/093.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/AVvXsEh3DrGJnCHrm-3f29fX7dM8GvOYQzJG9mqL7BFu05LjW35ooz5qqNKvc56T8dtzOJtNuDIxNePbjffUuXyZHk0xYNzs1i9YBhDm2lyexDlsMu7VWAgUCr3tNIXaQp-ltaMvA_uWCg6NqZmr/s400/093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690471305136525138" /></a>T-money also got some drums!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2CroIFxtXbkixfAHclYybqt5VX6ENNy8pS8JfcZV8trcOI7iNAxcd1orH8vGWl8mhx3zNnYstIE4WEqyomOR6b3-LOdyc1N5y9AqT92PHj3mu-PzdEDiSlMXJS0-NOLTbdoacHcGKBxK/s1600/091.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/AVvXsEgm2CroIFxtXbkixfAHclYybqt5VX6ENNy8pS8JfcZV8trcOI7iNAxcd1orH8vGWl8mhx3zNnYstIE4WEqyomOR6b3-LOdyc1N5y9AqT92PHj3mu-PzdEDiSlMXJS0-NOLTbdoacHcGKBxK/s400/091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690471292511698626" /></a>Katie had a surprise gift. My mom's gift had come at the all too cricital Bus stop time and had gotten hastily hidden in the front hall closet. Thankfully after all the other gifts were opened I remembered it! It was so fun for her to have the last gift of Christmas! It sure didn't hurt that it was a Rapunzel Barbie and a Flynn Rider and some changes of clothes for the barbie!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2-e5DGsHyDYsvkPcxcyYwfbUueA-tIW31UTql-8mTmGJ2FBJ7MmZKq7jUdLAt-NAtXqk4YXG6PqoEHzpz9lp1y9IAbjFbWRHI4MkykPSqNPmlkplOrus96umRlankLVplcsHZgVHYkry/s1600/086.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/AVvXsEhh2-e5DGsHyDYsvkPcxcyYwfbUueA-tIW31UTql-8mTmGJ2FBJ7MmZKq7jUdLAt-NAtXqk4YXG6PqoEHzpz9lp1y9IAbjFbWRHI4MkykPSqNPmlkplOrus96umRlankLVplcsHZgVHYkry/s400/086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690471285645649394" /></a>My mom sent a fun trunk of dress-ups to Sophie. They are really cute and fit her well! Doesn't she look great?!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjfd6anZW-albr4tIvUF-TpzA8uLG5fFnZWX6xCLNLrIeomAM4ovvpTT4rckHpCMPfh_zI97wFn-EYIq0z3RdrbYgyfDOHcDCc7s2OUoqR-khPX_QnCCXZgH3dB08OE-5oFe5t5POC4Dg/s1600/081.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/AVvXsEgOjfd6anZW-albr4tIvUF-TpzA8uLG5fFnZWX6xCLNLrIeomAM4ovvpTT4rckHpCMPfh_zI97wFn-EYIq0z3RdrbYgyfDOHcDCc7s2OUoqR-khPX_QnCCXZgH3dB08OE-5oFe5t5POC4Dg/s400/081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690471283150712018" /></a>Rachael and my mom sent Taylor all the Harry Potter costume stuff. He opened the wand on Christmas eve and even slept with it that night!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaEWzS5OL2wh9VrNRhSD1GB1C9r5Oc1-IpYrIU2gJS31pbtvamkqx1yECE5sh7buxGsW7T3gpMxWuezQPpMUIWbE-ybnzen4ZvdzpNHof-wPxpVbC3kE1nhQVJFvjiZvSk9_tDhHGlHP7/s1600/079.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/AVvXsEhTaEWzS5OL2wh9VrNRhSD1GB1C9r5Oc1-IpYrIU2gJS31pbtvamkqx1yECE5sh7buxGsW7T3gpMxWuezQPpMUIWbE-ybnzen4ZvdzpNHof-wPxpVbC3kE1nhQVJFvjiZvSk9_tDhHGlHP7/s400/079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690470555099924786" /></a>Here's us on Christmas morning! Pretty great haul Santa! Sophie is getting ready to put on her dress-ups, she didn't sleep naked! :><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U8aHy8TQfgoJCGsMok8yaGsUKmQxFqHKQqqRjVT_3M1brokkahzO0c6nKz5MxDlRWOhb_JeunEetp27cWUbn7fHNyuYyel2LMvR08ZWctR_W63NsAYQfZiMuxveriwIsMr_sVybbjMiS/s1600/073.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/AVvXsEj1U8aHy8TQfgoJCGsMok8yaGsUKmQxFqHKQqqRjVT_3M1brokkahzO0c6nKz5MxDlRWOhb_JeunEetp27cWUbn7fHNyuYyel2LMvR08ZWctR_W63NsAYQfZiMuxveriwIsMr_sVybbjMiS/s400/073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690470548987980274" /></a>We made cookie bars for Santa this year. He was grateful for the variety!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTbyQHqnYQsE06EglxFkmJMc5CsxTgni8tOEpW3RfC3K2isY8IrXUR19G6SI96emVzersxGAY48rbLncsEvcnPPFzpuky0HfoTebdeeWNMQ8j1ghU71Urdij3Uw39I4yCn7sEMDdFem1m/s1600/071.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/AVvXsEgXTbyQHqnYQsE06EglxFkmJMc5CsxTgni8tOEpW3RfC3K2isY8IrXUR19G6SI96emVzersxGAY48rbLncsEvcnPPFzpuky0HfoTebdeeWNMQ8j1ghU71Urdij3Uw39I4yCn7sEMDdFem1m/s400/071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690470542224765602" /></a>Instead of going out to breakfast (as we have done traditionally in my family) we went out to dinner. It was fabulous to me to have some time out of the kitchen! Katie is trying to cross her eyes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_T8CkuwULKXkLJWJkuXGn0hz0916D-JJfD5hHnHKUk-10o-mZwZBPCMY8z8fmH2ao-GV3zy2EhNeXfa6oMwMruWhIKetOzyKYeaxfRLG_P1hg8r43fmutPNUtN7K3eqzvVb0d6tAIJkq/s1600/070.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/AVvXsEhY_T8CkuwULKXkLJWJkuXGn0hz0916D-JJfD5hHnHKUk-10o-mZwZBPCMY8z8fmH2ao-GV3zy2EhNeXfa6oMwMruWhIKetOzyKYeaxfRLG_P1hg8r43fmutPNUtN7K3eqzvVb0d6tAIJkq/s400/070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690470539046804690" /></a>Check out Taylor's silly face! We went to a local place called "Bagger Daves". They have great sandwiches and burgers and really great french fries! After dinner we drove around and looked at Christmas lights then headed home to make cookies for Santa and read the scriptural accounts of Christ's birth and then "The Night Before Christmas". The kids got to each open one gift then. They were so excited! It was such a nice Christmas. I really enjoyed getting to go to Church Christmas morning and sit as a family. I had a hard time wanting to go to sleep last night because it had been such a wonderful day.Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-78729959400482634372011-12-26T10:03:00.006-05:002011-12-26T10:46:28.818-05:00Sophie's Birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7JHKNnBL-JrpLVnESbpJv48z2HC_vezjJvWSeqIF_8FTjZz50MpFyScfAD96hqU2LbJ-mlrIzqGU2yKSZSvbnBh9JCVNyFeb3u1oRqVueJcTp8yMSex7mGETRVREPuharlBkgeOzgrHu/s1600/068.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/AVvXsEi_7JHKNnBL-JrpLVnESbpJv48z2HC_vezjJvWSeqIF_8FTjZz50MpFyScfAD96hqU2LbJ-mlrIzqGU2yKSZSvbnBh9JCVNyFeb3u1oRqVueJcTp8yMSex7mGETRVREPuharlBkgeOzgrHu/s400/068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690462688314943218" /></a>At the Craig's family's Christmas party Yaya brought a Texas sheet cake and they sang Happy Birthday to Sophie!It was a great party and so thoughtful of them to add the birthday to the round of festivities!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMS17yjCkWJwq_XV2oGwbx-_1aJJK3phk_toxTcNzrMATWKbeQa_R6PV-1ecWcX9rfyepsuvOguv25l73Hmy0BXIib7h_V_juL5fUEnz9N9q4ZwtHmUpB6O8gdPZQp6iUvdX7eK56w6PT/s1600/064.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/AVvXsEhfMS17yjCkWJwq_XV2oGwbx-_1aJJK3phk_toxTcNzrMATWKbeQa_R6PV-1ecWcX9rfyepsuvOguv25l73Hmy0BXIib7h_V_juL5fUEnz9N9q4ZwtHmUpB6O8gdPZQp6iUvdX7eK56w6PT/s400/064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690462670689261106" /></a>The kids got to see Santa at the Christmas Party! He even brought them stockings with fun toys and coloring books! Taylor hauled off after Santa when he left because he really wanted to see Santa's sleigh! He was so excited and determined! He's trying to figure it all out this year.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxmISpja9Y9lKjUAN8DI6fNsRUO-_n_-zxCzBv0xZY2uh35YR_JwEz8JoCIdYfvze_Hoe4-ZwKCQIGbq5wd-k3TcJQPRy7b50V-kkSX8vxLLgA7gjoyfeZQQb5YgVE3IuPOUGYVq263IO/s1600/063.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/AVvXsEiXxmISpja9Y9lKjUAN8DI6fNsRUO-_n_-zxCzBv0xZY2uh35YR_JwEz8JoCIdYfvze_Hoe4-ZwKCQIGbq5wd-k3TcJQPRy7b50V-kkSX8vxLLgA7gjoyfeZQQb5YgVE3IuPOUGYVq263IO/s400/063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690462665961365538" /></a>Here's all the kiddos from the Starkey Christmas party (actually it's the Arends Christmas party)!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30kEDyP4Ov5GbIbq0y19Rr0jSSuE-2JXx07DY1DlTukVC5du9k6xBA55ZBgmBnOfP7KILkvO91e6MFBDvGOpZGpGgpdqcvHxyF0S1SSlopCIiAyW4w2-Nc3-d1tEzTGxc_Efp0u23ZCtI/s1600/045.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/AVvXsEh30kEDyP4Ov5GbIbq0y19Rr0jSSuE-2JXx07DY1DlTukVC5du9k6xBA55ZBgmBnOfP7KILkvO91e6MFBDvGOpZGpGgpdqcvHxyF0S1SSlopCIiAyW4w2-Nc3-d1tEzTGxc_Efp0u23ZCtI/s400/045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690459480933174850" /></a>We also did a Dora pinata that helped me get rid of the rest of the Halloween candy and Christmas parade candy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAClykoQbNjoQmz7ICUEsb9tZl067d_gzlgep7Ct640XClU1IxHapR5CstLb5uKqv3TviNVeavKq-PfC-LB3HTIzP45mJYZV5cEQ1epcrzaXcZXTSwF7Dq6sVMGh3vZqeZ-Tl2pSO3oj7/s1600/049.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/AVvXsEhGAClykoQbNjoQmz7ICUEsb9tZl067d_gzlgep7Ct640XClU1IxHapR5CstLb5uKqv3TviNVeavKq-PfC-LB3HTIzP45mJYZV5cEQ1epcrzaXcZXTSwF7Dq6sVMGh3vZqeZ-Tl2pSO3oj7/s400/049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690454373269576690" /></a>After the party games we had cake and ice cream and pizza and then we opened presents!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsToCuWnQB94FvxcnvzribP2xQLpfJGc4wUcjurcZtPLjYdK8-6pVIGhAUMxvwNhKmdroR5uQgPyehbiI9UjgvaHD5LbMmNktJtreKm4WPOw_4KFt8AB5skPY7gMubGqRTAzBy7lqMg4D/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsToCuWnQB94FvxcnvzribP2xQLpfJGc4wUcjurcZtPLjYdK8-6pVIGhAUMxvwNhKmdroR5uQgPyehbiI9UjgvaHD5LbMmNktJtreKm4WPOw_4KFt8AB5skPY7gMubGqRTAzBy7lqMg4D/s400/040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690454190272221090" /></a>The older kids had to use a blind fold to make it more challenging.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbUNXZ7P6OKa18l_9sXrhFaEI0vHP3OtpMv8I8KCAbD1UruR8UMlZ5JWxKNv_3FBzDXvdUd21owRZq3U6Id_1nz-y5Pgj2QlfZUU9AN77nNoDPjqQZ3gZmQkw8OXrtLqRSBpzlnwnaWF9/s1600/041.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/AVvXsEiHbUNXZ7P6OKa18l_9sXrhFaEI0vHP3OtpMv8I8KCAbD1UruR8UMlZ5JWxKNv_3FBzDXvdUd21owRZq3U6Id_1nz-y5Pgj2QlfZUU9AN77nNoDPjqQZ3gZmQkw8OXrtLqRSBpzlnwnaWF9/s400/041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690454181285270242" /></a>The little ones didn't have to use the blind fold because it was an educational experience for them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU-2bMSvdWo4Ze-Nr6kX-HrllGPtYLfZqycLL4zXdM5d0W_H9FPyAQ5OrHg52mPMvGLe5L1AAcAEnbkP0NmsZDuzlsqW0Ig0jCiROlJ9FiiVxbc6veAphd3upccKG_LRERNzU0_KeG9w2/s1600/022.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/AVvXsEgBU-2bMSvdWo4Ze-Nr6kX-HrllGPtYLfZqycLL4zXdM5d0W_H9FPyAQ5OrHg52mPMvGLe5L1AAcAEnbkP0NmsZDuzlsqW0Ig0jCiROlJ9FiiVxbc6veAphd3upccKG_LRERNzU0_KeG9w2/s400/022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690454167503570642" /></a>Steve had the best idea! Pin the poo on the potty! I ran with it! It's pretty much the only time you can rationalize doing something that gross (it's a potty training celebration party) and I knew the older boys attending would think that was pretty funny too! Here's the toilet I drew and the tootsie rolls I had leftover from Halloween and the Christmas parade, wrapped in tape so they'll stick! Ingenius! What a great party game!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__3llsdxsJ0kFzNL8L6OKy4aU9vEAM05KWzKrlmhFyFQKZcWq8P23y6Ez95fwWmgyv9jyOD34H2StvTwx2pZtrDwkEU2Wuz_HW839pshVX8DX9vcy5k6WLnXOCuyKWlw0S4bO0k-yJbdg/s1600/034.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/AVvXsEi__3llsdxsJ0kFzNL8L6OKy4aU9vEAM05KWzKrlmhFyFQKZcWq8P23y6Ez95fwWmgyv9jyOD34H2StvTwx2pZtrDwkEU2Wuz_HW839pshVX8DX9vcy5k6WLnXOCuyKWlw0S4bO0k-yJbdg/s400/034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690454163664573634" /></a>Sophie's 3rd birthday was December 18th and we were lucky enough to be in Chicago for Craig's family Christmas party that weekend, so we got to throw a birthday party with Sophie's cousins! It was so much fun and totally the perfect 3rd birthday bash! Thanks to Robert, Annie, Peter and Kate for coming over and thanks to Hailey and Steve for letting us have it at their house!Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-76566091805637852552011-12-26T09:42:00.003-05:002011-12-26T10:01:25.316-05:00All I want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOvJ41RE0axFZHkjJLJuDMrvL61cAWeHMBpty9AmZPIei5KAMo_up2bDdNu8x4OtwkWig0-zOTwqemFItgzLKa7B5G7hNN-efGFoiehCd9q2Q7X8PslMN7Nm5Q8kmoekE49DSHunZ_Psv/s1600/018.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/AVvXsEiOOvJ41RE0axFZHkjJLJuDMrvL61cAWeHMBpty9AmZPIei5KAMo_up2bDdNu8x4OtwkWig0-zOTwqemFItgzLKa7B5G7hNN-efGFoiehCd9q2Q7X8PslMN7Nm5Q8kmoekE49DSHunZ_Psv/s400/018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690452105290137970" /></a>Here's a pic of Katie and Sophie decorating cookies at Katie's class Christmas party at school.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nWxN9truqKATZPG0Nm8JuWLmBC94ORU-i1BdAJ1aKNb7k_E0Dg27p4EkWs5x5zacdJETeEkv88_MUIiOloLfxEFcOQjiLYspWlm6yVh5X-x99X4p30jZSF-Q6JBnzWPtF70azwPAfGG8/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nWxN9truqKATZPG0Nm8JuWLmBC94ORU-i1BdAJ1aKNb7k_E0Dg27p4EkWs5x5zacdJETeEkv88_MUIiOloLfxEFcOQjiLYspWlm6yVh5X-x99X4p30jZSF-Q6JBnzWPtF70azwPAfGG8/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690452101989641458" /></a>Look at our cute Little Man and the cute little snowman he made has his school Christmas party!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62JcOQukeL8Jp92FGsfmzySLeRXjo_JxcFxZPSgnZFTWlJDuCgRXluwqTQRv-Pbjhu5pi9RMjXXTPSVqO8CcvpM0ur0h6YiVtfs73U4g5LH8kfAivJqD7ilh733w2KI2K7KFG3gdJ40Q8/s1600/012.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/AVvXsEg62JcOQukeL8Jp92FGsfmzySLeRXjo_JxcFxZPSgnZFTWlJDuCgRXluwqTQRv-Pbjhu5pi9RMjXXTPSVqO8CcvpM0ur0h6YiVtfs73U4g5LH8kfAivJqD7ilh733w2KI2K7KFG3gdJ40Q8/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690448220225444178" /></a>I have wanted to get a garden gnome for quite a while but I refuse to pay more than $2 for it. This little guy I found on clearance at Meijer! Hurray!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7VgAPNg2E_MF55mQbxuxME9x0WF6zemlOqddw2nDNiUfJkXHrfwTnF5lksLqjOPb2L8EplMeLTrEwPJLj3jU6QHBc_kPWnYg3AzIRIe_vDMBRRAKleo-3o8cLRUVXzyNow1Bwzr0yzy8/s1600/011.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/AVvXsEiD7VgAPNg2E_MF55mQbxuxME9x0WF6zemlOqddw2nDNiUfJkXHrfwTnF5lksLqjOPb2L8EplMeLTrEwPJLj3jU6QHBc_kPWnYg3AzIRIe_vDMBRRAKleo-3o8cLRUVXzyNow1Bwzr0yzy8/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690448205901613154" /></a>Poor Soph was completely down and out with a fever that wouldn't quit. I finally put it together that she had roseolla when the rash broke out but had a Dr. appt already set, I'm glad I went because her double ear infection from right before Thanksgiving had come back. We had another round of antibiotics. On the bright side that was her only ear infection.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipspHsQAN9-WkGQdzXF4bIR6i8V2Thff8DxXbbrw13GqEKjayntazH0QYoWTduOKhRM7RAanWQ9neK_YJguZ8hupmfjrkXBN0k250QuYkokjIVT23riqK3HU_Xw5CYTFUrbjgn6YRzMHAg/s1600/009.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/AVvXsEipspHsQAN9-WkGQdzXF4bIR6i8V2Thff8DxXbbrw13GqEKjayntazH0QYoWTduOKhRM7RAanWQ9neK_YJguZ8hupmfjrkXBN0k250QuYkokjIVT23riqK3HU_Xw5CYTFUrbjgn6YRzMHAg/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690448199491267714" /></a>It finally fell out while he was eating some chili (and I didn't even put rocks in the chili!). He looks so cute with his two front teeth missing!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE758QUXmqMl2CqkG-kg_iK7gHDnXXsDx1Xahbfr4ctDg_-NXggQsMXkJ4rzh6Gy1Y2tdc0lkot4ZasaTnvdGJvz9aN8LtBI7haOPuZanRChYTVnapdbP9MtViEXoEDPHOusJTcXONBdzu/s1600/007.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/AVvXsEhE758QUXmqMl2CqkG-kg_iK7gHDnXXsDx1Xahbfr4ctDg_-NXggQsMXkJ4rzh6Gy1Y2tdc0lkot4ZasaTnvdGJvz9aN8LtBI7haOPuZanRChYTVnapdbP9MtViEXoEDPHOusJTcXONBdzu/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690448193779048306" /></a><br />Taylor had this snaggle tooth that he wouldn't pull and wouldn't let Craig pull (Craig lives to pull teeth! Why didn't he become a dentist? I have not desire to make the kids scream or deal with their teeth-pulling issues so it works out quite well for me that he loves to pull their teeth).Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-79673580901343846742011-12-26T09:35:00.003-05:002011-12-26T09:42:36.986-05:00Ada's Christmas Parade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxKiLhHbPVBn5P6qd7L-dZTAfF-sg60HjgjhY6FHTQogkDEMtmuXYzFGusrMGBnFZZ0LOc2hfhGZlPBTnmmEZApIexPNM7j9XCLDxy5Mx1nC4GqqTUkRJUxgIcGE1ONlmsEJF1roYTxkD/s1600/003.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/AVvXsEjWxKiLhHbPVBn5P6qd7L-dZTAfF-sg60HjgjhY6FHTQogkDEMtmuXYzFGusrMGBnFZZ0LOc2hfhGZlPBTnmmEZApIexPNM7j9XCLDxy5Mx1nC4GqqTUkRJUxgIcGE1ONlmsEJF1roYTxkD/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690447039147099218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBJw2jLk6Ki6HTwlFvnsdh6iWB2KDG2dUxzQZ5gV7VVN8QJ2xg8Rc5QxbsC1plK-YxQJXwe1fPsBpAwBf7p1Hq3NWDBE5Ki1-CAC4fhYbFAqXhsUFoWEvRFGle_PQyo5voTbtqC3yxP15/s1600/001.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/AVvXsEiuBJw2jLk6Ki6HTwlFvnsdh6iWB2KDG2dUxzQZ5gV7VVN8QJ2xg8Rc5QxbsC1plK-YxQJXwe1fPsBpAwBf7p1Hq3NWDBE5Ki1-CAC4fhYbFAqXhsUFoWEvRFGle_PQyo5voTbtqC3yxP15/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690447033270246834" /></a><br />Katie and her Girl Scout Troop were in the Ada Village Christmas Parade earlier in December. They all looked so cute in their little Snowman ponchos and hats. They were all so excited to throw out candy to the crowd! I got to walk along with them and hold the candy bags (lucky me). It was cold and rainy but not as cold as it's been in past years! Craig, Taylor and Sophie watched from our usual spot by the Historical Society barn. After Katie and I walked in the parade we walked back along the route to meet up with Craig and the kids in the barn to make cookies and have hot cocoa. YUM! It was a great way to kick off the Christmas season. <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyGa0i4Vv5BhEQ0nW8IKB8Snu5a_t3gy0PvXG5qg9ynH006nEjoYMLZpoxw6RisNdawCIIZsywehmSx7MTl_A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-78202372265770323162011-12-02T15:24:00.006-05:002011-12-02T15:47:05.396-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhca4pc_7Qo-bkVuJVkY8SDJaz6N5vpTM3TwuBh1ckMTaIm4vhw-Cx_W4IdhQ9u2J1IvqWUqjAXAGIMXPxhE6OvUuVPfKq5rdOtiH62P0yBM3112pFVgUUC3Tdip3jQ1ZoN7E_HRTCgSs9A/s1600/087.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhca4pc_7Qo-bkVuJVkY8SDJaz6N5vpTM3TwuBh1ckMTaIm4vhw-Cx_W4IdhQ9u2J1IvqWUqjAXAGIMXPxhE6OvUuVPfKq5rdOtiH62P0yBM3112pFVgUUC3Tdip3jQ1ZoN7E_HRTCgSs9A/s400/087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681632090245984082" /></a>After we got back from Chicago we set up our Christmas decorations outside (it was almost 60 degrees) and inside! It's a great time of year!<br /><div>Before we headed back to MI Jack and Taylor got to do some smashing pumpkins. I love throwing food.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSS1qtOZiuGXvFiKHQukdbdrJBxya78mk4BiwqSj3ZNwxpqNHnaeUEnwKKYdmumtE6cfVAOQklSQ1jUjVbAbcY5NC9Dp8chf6TugNfj23cPZqEezPa6gh50V7VlCNJ0h6H8W9LULBws2pN/s1600/083.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgSS1qtOZiuGXvFiKHQukdbdrJBxya78mk4BiwqSj3ZNwxpqNHnaeUEnwKKYdmumtE6cfVAOQklSQ1jUjVbAbcY5NC9Dp8chf6TugNfj23cPZqEezPa6gh50V7VlCNJ0h6H8W9LULBws2pN/s400/083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681632079598485394" /></a>We went to Naperville's Christmas parade on Friday and brought along pizza to share (for the kiddos, Steve made us some amazing Thai food for the grown ups after the parade).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXmQV16up0C05WHleJMJlkuUaX6QLRKTykyxO_nZ1ZC7pBXWYyjgohWXBKO7R0O7hCmpbb9F0A_Vc6UcqYL0Yeio9mjwSuRu5VUBdb-59v4EkhJhoNUssPfooD6tWEjhO1MUo7IQ_Gz_y/s1600/075.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjtXmQV16up0C05WHleJMJlkuUaX6QLRKTykyxO_nZ1ZC7pBXWYyjgohWXBKO7R0O7hCmpbb9F0A_Vc6UcqYL0Yeio9mjwSuRu5VUBdb-59v4EkhJhoNUssPfooD6tWEjhO1MUo7IQ_Gz_y/s400/075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681632078542593458" /></a>Here is our dessert table. whoa. WHOA!!!! So good! 8 pies and 1 cake! Beautiful cake Justin! You're a lucky woman Zhenya!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiFpejrBg1r3aC9JuBf8JNzLoN8UTVh1I0tGp8BeH4trN9uzJEEvxxPyB07DMbms1AJtToAzVDkxMrdVHlPedo4OaS2xsSudnZVEUcYudqBz-MX9pohPws1Z4b-NqQ9M9AIquDqF70LR9/s1600/065.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiFpejrBg1r3aC9JuBf8JNzLoN8UTVh1I0tGp8BeH4trN9uzJEEvxxPyB07DMbms1AJtToAzVDkxMrdVHlPedo4OaS2xsSudnZVEUcYudqBz-MX9pohPws1Z4b-NqQ9M9AIquDqF70LR9/s400/065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681631617659524738" /></a>Jack and Peter also got some great prizes in the bingo game.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzq97VzNYP_OsBXEKkPwnN97g01K_5wzXqdM2a_695lIgtZxeyafxCkb-egEYUE4kJv-_tR4JHFK_ihr882F0p9PHa17OcDqV8Gg6CTh4JMRdw3oospKL3MhjxkunnqWvEHQkulLG-Pei/s1600/064.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgVzq97VzNYP_OsBXEKkPwnN97g01K_5wzXqdM2a_695lIgtZxeyafxCkb-egEYUE4kJv-_tR4JHFK_ihr882F0p9PHa17OcDqV8Gg6CTh4JMRdw3oospKL3MhjxkunnqWvEHQkulLG-Pei/s400/064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681631599869812018" /></a>Craig's mullet looks so natural. Maybe he'll wear it to work! Hailey should be glad that Steve won this wig so that he doesn't really have to grow out his mane!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUdjgmepcN5xPe2_D55oyUgxzMwGe5AEnVwtWPI2WCGIgSN38wG7j688Luq3ECZiES4ck66lx3NagdQ7AZ2JUxEZqCXHAuqlRad9nXVXXzhFGO7lKD7pvptsD63jnZp7s2It_RueiVmXy/s1600/061.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjRUdjgmepcN5xPe2_D55oyUgxzMwGe5AEnVwtWPI2WCGIgSN38wG7j688Luq3ECZiES4ck66lx3NagdQ7AZ2JUxEZqCXHAuqlRad9nXVXXzhFGO7lKD7pvptsD63jnZp7s2It_RueiVmXy/s400/061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681631591429590082" /></a>Steve won a great wig in the bingo game after the meal. It is such a great look for him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRJhw54HxYTJiBKVsrUpqofigrwkjQp_I0oi3y2wk4I3kjMT29wE1Df3W7o5AHNCg1cfua5wOeatpMHo4OQtBPuivI0rPv071amlKRybf_vjI6qH-mukXni9UMzUFvRgun9_ceOdzGEvk/s1600/051.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhZRJhw54HxYTJiBKVsrUpqofigrwkjQp_I0oi3y2wk4I3kjMT29wE1Df3W7o5AHNCg1cfua5wOeatpMHo4OQtBPuivI0rPv071amlKRybf_vjI6qH-mukXni9UMzUFvRgun9_ceOdzGEvk/s400/051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681631586641071730" /></a>Here is Justin and his wife Zhenya and Robert and Laura's baby Tyler.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKkcdig9DdlwvHJLgprNnpRrxhIfsTtxF_4S8vf4nZ9OifD_cbi_gop-5v2WmlhzkbOXxzQl9YmkrZCpT21thuOPPqji_tgUKGhPgCeFTu3HuH4U8HolQG2TXNzy7egctsptZv4x2AI5H/s1600/045.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhWKkcdig9DdlwvHJLgprNnpRrxhIfsTtxF_4S8vf4nZ9OifD_cbi_gop-5v2WmlhzkbOXxzQl9YmkrZCpT21thuOPPqji_tgUKGhPgCeFTu3HuH4U8HolQG2TXNzy7egctsptZv4x2AI5H/s400/045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681630910229591426" /></a>Katie wrote a great play about the First Thanksgiving which was rehearsed and put on for all of us. Good work guys!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LIFC1I_-Mbtwvpxyov7GJd5t7kJx6_BLFpRgb7bAI6EKKniI76agsBIVEZBfyJ_2NX0KlgAiww-6Cl-irbcEhX_wu0rlw9X0PpBiEFzrSgtkLzmG4IMWluCKRl22Ifn8QcvKUyXfN0e2/s1600/038.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEi3LIFC1I_-Mbtwvpxyov7GJd5t7kJx6_BLFpRgb7bAI6EKKniI76agsBIVEZBfyJ_2NX0KlgAiww-6Cl-irbcEhX_wu0rlw9X0PpBiEFzrSgtkLzmG4IMWluCKRl22Ifn8QcvKUyXfN0e2/s400/038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681630905330021922" /></a>Robert knows how the THROW DOWN!!! (we all put away ALOT of really great food!).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlTJxwXnB7IiW3tTq00A_a4aIsWx0ScwqLmg0CqRA7hXAarO0KVAYGzkTgkesqTONfxFQiLLCsumNHdRtwLmd6nv1YFlDRL-UZGjWnMVTTcmM3hyOeN7IRtIbz236bfUcxx3Cl8X-D5Vr/s1600/030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlTJxwXnB7IiW3tTq00A_a4aIsWx0ScwqLmg0CqRA7hXAarO0KVAYGzkTgkesqTONfxFQiLLCsumNHdRtwLmd6nv1YFlDRL-UZGjWnMVTTcmM3hyOeN7IRtIbz236bfUcxx3Cl8X-D5Vr/s400/030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681630897645641874" /></a>Check it out! What a spread! Big thanks to our hosts, Robert and Laura! We had sooooo much fun! It was heavenly to spend time all together, let the kids play and also split up the Thanksgiving menu!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZbf3RnAyGUk6wlbUyTziQ3ClrvxPw1auOCLT7AE2IgNIkV_aAyowk3SO_v7zYwvu5_25PIizGOSdanYZDrGWWYMvpokZp51heMH4ZFuPzoIgjAlTISiWF_kAzNGU6OGm3u9C3FepZV8z/s1600/027.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhdZbf3RnAyGUk6wlbUyTziQ3ClrvxPw1auOCLT7AE2IgNIkV_aAyowk3SO_v7zYwvu5_25PIizGOSdanYZDrGWWYMvpokZp51heMH4ZFuPzoIgjAlTISiWF_kAzNGU6OGm3u9C3FepZV8z/s400/027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681630892927582114" /></a>Ahhh....here's a great Thanksgiving, I get to play with Baby Tyler and Robert and Justin fuss with the 20lb bird and making gravy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAbUGNGowIjExmtcY-RHxqBJscj0prWJWdkuMS-O4rSVCkYmhU1_apYRmPDVkIZ4f147vPvLt1EZlz3Ii7W6wJWauRNluRSxfbAaTd6Y47vGiES2T7d5gV5vXW6l8CSeUtJKdIc4EhRLt/s1600/019.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjYAbUGNGowIjExmtcY-RHxqBJscj0prWJWdkuMS-O4rSVCkYmhU1_apYRmPDVkIZ4f147vPvLt1EZlz3Ii7W6wJWauRNluRSxfbAaTd6Y47vGiES2T7d5gV5vXW6l8CSeUtJKdIc4EhRLt/s400/019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681630201193809762" /></a>Here is the little kids table! They mostly wandered around and scavenged food from the adults plates.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjZcQuLqqsDrnyKyc_RN0xuIIjI4aCzDVIe_OSQeDvaLeLpqb_tWGZN57PJLog3ArrbxDrUfivdkozbOUf_dnCERLYtXTqJgbbxedpAR918j-bEX29vOwHhiBpYCtk6AanwHYvxtD-UmI/s1600/015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhRjZcQuLqqsDrnyKyc_RN0xuIIjI4aCzDVIe_OSQeDvaLeLpqb_tWGZN57PJLog3ArrbxDrUfivdkozbOUf_dnCERLYtXTqJgbbxedpAR918j-bEX29vOwHhiBpYCtk6AanwHYvxtD-UmI/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681630193903272546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKA2C6ZSa_cJZGvE-7a1yI16O3vSdDA8AeyBqYZ1W4irfFAjCBMNk_NBiMJDqfX6AegPyemqOaGl0G4-QH37dYcgQKfTiPuGTC_TW2wjcMPSn96tf26T-wcQX-iATCopLT8h6nWH0Yr99/s1600/007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjhKA2C6ZSa_cJZGvE-7a1yI16O3vSdDA8AeyBqYZ1W4irfFAjCBMNk_NBiMJDqfX6AegPyemqOaGl0G4-QH37dYcgQKfTiPuGTC_TW2wjcMPSn96tf26T-wcQX-iATCopLT8h6nWH0Yr99/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681630181191283154" /></a>We took a hike on a "mountain" that was once a landfill. It was chilly but so fun to get out and play before stuffing ourselves beyond belief.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_nu72J37su9akI7YfslA_Kme2AZxeviVCUWLFauTfwCm1OHLmwU1H78CsF1L_o4BUDV3qyBnZ2sp4wtxW_PaCxtjYD9Z4Otx6Ato4mSrL0HBLvXT0c-o30VC1XMZPBvUSQXDgaqMgmMT/s1600/005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjX_nu72J37su9akI7YfslA_Kme2AZxeviVCUWLFauTfwCm1OHLmwU1H78CsF1L_o4BUDV3qyBnZ2sp4wtxW_PaCxtjYD9Z4Otx6Ato4mSrL0HBLvXT0c-o30VC1XMZPBvUSQXDgaqMgmMT/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681630179797991186" /></a>We went to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with Hailey, Steve, Robert, Laura, Justin and (forgive me I know I'll spell your name wrong) Zhenya. We had such a great time. Here are some (alot) of pictures from our trip. </div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-9553934935205532712011-11-06T15:20:00.003-05:002011-11-06T16:09:10.750-05:00Crazy Hair day and Halloween day/night<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Y68ZoEFC9bd8F7VPM_05i5wlnJ07gw-wCpiEiTxhZ-JCyMCppEgcn3zyRrmcdWT5fPmXGMoZsBtcE6nkAE-7FiMePzy0k-VukB6LlkoS1J3SC0gW_uMgT6dKto39zU12tVA4D4P-dLXG/s1600/004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEj6Y68ZoEFC9bd8F7VPM_05i5wlnJ07gw-wCpiEiTxhZ-JCyMCppEgcn3zyRrmcdWT5fPmXGMoZsBtcE6nkAE-7FiMePzy0k-VukB6LlkoS1J3SC0gW_uMgT6dKto39zU12tVA4D4P-dLXG/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671990231134191442" /></a>Here are the crafts for our November craft night at church. I'm in charge of the ribbon and bead necklaces (of course, jewelry can inspire me to be crafty). Then we have the soup jars, the magnets with the glass tiles and craft paper, the photo frame with craft paper and most spiritual, the family pic mat to go with the Proclamation on the Family.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMhqYcWpZnHygHsDKAJ37KwF868bjXrmMEqPGuGn_tJxKTzAKU8cqUl2uFpLhyphenhyphenknfep2_ABKttukTlbIEZvEficqFyScfp9oSxRIaZ5el9KQ9VyhXnZT_7363XqWU_JldeN7XRexKsVG7/s1600/015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjsMhqYcWpZnHygHsDKAJ37KwF868bjXrmMEqPGuGn_tJxKTzAKU8cqUl2uFpLhyphenhyphenknfep2_ABKttukTlbIEZvEficqFyScfp9oSxRIaZ5el9KQ9VyhXnZT_7363XqWU_JldeN7XRexKsVG7/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671990224986523234" /></a>Here's the kids' haul from their hour and 1/2 trick or treating on Halloween night. Our neighbor hood is amazing to trick or treat! We were blessed with a brisk but not freezing night too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixypD5KSwUtGL7fZtssPDiLE8DSpPQyv-mcfH-fd5oQeciuWDrBZcFCkqnAms_-MXOKXS3eiPXAMMAx31rYt0Y8YbTiCEXwKIIXEV58uJj0h4_o7Zb74yJrP0J8mTkJx_UI3CSbE3wu0ab/s1600/010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEixypD5KSwUtGL7fZtssPDiLE8DSpPQyv-mcfH-fd5oQeciuWDrBZcFCkqnAms_-MXOKXS3eiPXAMMAx31rYt0Y8YbTiCEXwKIIXEV58uJj0h4_o7Zb74yJrP0J8mTkJx_UI3CSbE3wu0ab/s400/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671990217174043074" /></a>Here's the kiddos just getting ready to head out for Trick or treats. Taylor and Soph both found something to cry about while getting ready. It was a rough start but everybody came around and had fun!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pgY8YWuwKvMoDJYDK0FBWkPZ4-by7VNgKLLyULBzi68cm-rGY-JRSnXtGpszgkcZr6DPG9tYXPPW3WeFvtrf-PbMlOT388IRSA46ZSAXkjRP7r87TAynAKoXUXbLteruRcACFWw5Q2GN/s1600/008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEi4pgY8YWuwKvMoDJYDK0FBWkPZ4-by7VNgKLLyULBzi68cm-rGY-JRSnXtGpszgkcZr6DPG9tYXPPW3WeFvtrf-PbMlOT388IRSA46ZSAXkjRP7r87TAynAKoXUXbLteruRcACFWw5Q2GN/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671989884843891490" /></a>I signed up to help with the Halloween party in Katie's classroom. I chose to be in charge of the food, of course! Decorating cake donuts. They were GOOD! Thanks Forest Hills Foods!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavRGcVnpe0ru6h9vR4DIfTDosryGAjJJws2XbdY4SPDQ9HOrn3G5WELwTWFqtTjlEDG0F5DlQmr_x8Yj1ssoDl2XytE2jMxx3BFSgy4OUxeH4c-TXkFxQY-q2g6cRlrRjDd39heXQUToV/s1600/007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEiavRGcVnpe0ru6h9vR4DIfTDosryGAjJJws2XbdY4SPDQ9HOrn3G5WELwTWFqtTjlEDG0F5DlQmr_x8Yj1ssoDl2XytE2jMxx3BFSgy4OUxeH4c-TXkFxQY-q2g6cRlrRjDd39heXQUToV/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671989696180197058" /></a>Here's Katie in the Halloween Parade at school. The snake is just a toy she is in love with right now. Go figure. The Super Girl costume was a find I couldn't pass up at a recent consignment sale for MOPS. Not too shabby for $5!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCdkooiL_o-fwjYRjuXiU4FS1yWSRgom6ovBPmNfTM-V9wSng7ef-DLaqNtddnyHEyoDS412GSb0MlT9ISdaHmScCX4A0uiqTcegb8bMIZbWKSisst6A49f7HnYR9TkLff6fWiHaAqVtU/s1600/005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjNCdkooiL_o-fwjYRjuXiU4FS1yWSRgom6ovBPmNfTM-V9wSng7ef-DLaqNtddnyHEyoDS412GSb0MlT9ISdaHmScCX4A0uiqTcegb8bMIZbWKSisst6A49f7HnYR9TkLff6fWiHaAqVtU/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671989689357732770" /></a>Here's Taylor in his classroom party with his good friend Annie!(yes, Yoda).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMIUF5YWHSiqJTpvgg3NZhVu8YEzQAYSjXWUKkDQgBCKlu5crfJC1p9q07Pio5yrmjUdhyPrDmTxt8zUE6OR2RrtJxuvPl2gJn4iAdrvpAE3Sknoq8KafHMwke5IhnFoAfcdIMI_LpNxo/s1600/003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEidMIUF5YWHSiqJTpvgg3NZhVu8YEzQAYSjXWUKkDQgBCKlu5crfJC1p9q07Pio5yrmjUdhyPrDmTxt8zUE6OR2RrtJxuvPl2gJn4iAdrvpAE3Sknoq8KafHMwke5IhnFoAfcdIMI_LpNxo/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671989682365601746" /></a>Here's Sophie in her toddler bed(the crib converts). Sadly, she kept falling out of bed (like 3x's a night) so we put the side back on. Funny girl! Today at lunch while I was talking about how she looks like a sweet angel that fell straight out of heaven she announced to all of us "I tooted. That's gross!". I appearances can be deceiving!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJIEOFWBtYwjP6efySmnBQP8nRjQdihs35WBR1Llmb9da9sZkdXioD8OH6WHNksgBQB4oBKyZtYj7OCvbBTKk2aActndiLqdPUgFhO3yV97TLoGkOf9A8MPQTmEj1FJ3MgXma6YZ2dYmV/s1600/001.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjgJIEOFWBtYwjP6efySmnBQP8nRjQdihs35WBR1Llmb9da9sZkdXioD8OH6WHNksgBQB4oBKyZtYj7OCvbBTKk2aActndiLqdPUgFhO3yV97TLoGkOf9A8MPQTmEj1FJ3MgXma6YZ2dYmV/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671989677033780866" /></a>This is my favorite picture of the kids maybe EVER! It was Crazy Hair Day a couple weeks ago and this is the kids with their "crazy hair". I like that Sophie has a stuffed dog down her shirt. She wore it that way all the way to the gym!Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-65334276942513056392011-10-27T08:58:00.007-04:002011-10-27T09:24:01.714-04:00Happy Halloween!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUmk0B0ui8VrcZIIbFuO05cvznWFrUF3a2V8ISgfk18xlNXH6H6nenuw5ojwTW4Kke652HeaJmcyEadCeF6p5SHjFmvmf3MKQj5_zASPTs9EV34_zClgTX16GjhzMsQZbHV-P6siFUq_9/s1600/041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEiYUmk0B0ui8VrcZIIbFuO05cvznWFrUF3a2V8ISgfk18xlNXH6H6nenuw5ojwTW4Kke652HeaJmcyEadCeF6p5SHjFmvmf3MKQj5_zASPTs9EV34_zClgTX16GjhzMsQZbHV-P6siFUq_9/s400/041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668160178318065970" /></a>Craig and Taylor joined forces on this pumpkin! So spooky! (Craig got a pumpkin for himself to carve but Katie had picked a rotten pumpkin so we ended up sharing, works for me! Just one fewer pumpkin that i have to hollow out!).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mx9hN5JrjdX9-8ftWf3su8QWsjYFXZdRcSUoPXSbnQPHLaO1vSYGnUjBqUgAxjW8oGYW9jiQ037ieUw4_LtXCvyH1qQBVZ1vzpE-7Dc1PYUECW-cPu5sieWkOfcTSwjMtQ3DziQ4WmPM/s1600/040.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEj1mx9hN5JrjdX9-8ftWf3su8QWsjYFXZdRcSUoPXSbnQPHLaO1vSYGnUjBqUgAxjW8oGYW9jiQ037ieUw4_LtXCvyH1qQBVZ1vzpE-7Dc1PYUECW-cPu5sieWkOfcTSwjMtQ3DziQ4WmPM/s400/040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668160169748128802" /></a>Here's Katie's pumpkin! She did it ALL by herself! Looks great Peanut!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9It4lUU6BaPeGXoFDIE3GFU9sjtwtHZxWmKLHERsnXRWteP-KvtD3a7BO-cfy1ssE9hGBN4gNuh8SciopNbLWGLnUqyxcHxIbQWXdSEpKpdxfif2hwBH4U63hi81lZoRuQe8yvuVsdBP/s1600/039.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhM9It4lUU6BaPeGXoFDIE3GFU9sjtwtHZxWmKLHERsnXRWteP-KvtD3a7BO-cfy1ssE9hGBN4gNuh8SciopNbLWGLnUqyxcHxIbQWXdSEpKpdxfif2hwBH4U63hi81lZoRuQe8yvuVsdBP/s400/039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668160166068347442" /></a>Here's the back of my pumpkin, "SAD". When I saw this pumpkin in the field I couldn't turn it down! What great eyes! But they wouldn't show in the dark and I didn't want to cut them out so I had to do 2 faces!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6sn5xBhXd18sEuA8t3DhhYfHZp2dIPqLJc69_4IVNCe-m5f0A9PzKemH3d_DCJzYDUp9NTn4Gqi75LxdADahMJvWMv-lnYjJIl7qMEIdB9mioAxLUq-jRjjIns2PkR3xPV3EN9i_a56l/s1600/038.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgF6sn5xBhXd18sEuA8t3DhhYfHZp2dIPqLJc69_4IVNCe-m5f0A9PzKemH3d_DCJzYDUp9NTn4Gqi75LxdADahMJvWMv-lnYjJIl7qMEIdB9mioAxLUq-jRjjIns2PkR3xPV3EN9i_a56l/s400/038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668159873904778802" /></a>Here's the front of my pumpkin, HAPPY!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJE4jv0_rWeIZTEmAvaBh93wjcjezp9ulAdqmGwU2ALbCPFPPpXhSn-wXrkOBgsqaf-PJz9Es-O6ORFJO6ogFR5qxM03Wb7cAQWzG_CSReZ5bu9c3zcC7SD2pqdaTEHt80zwXmPisXGur/s1600/036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgYJE4jv0_rWeIZTEmAvaBh93wjcjezp9ulAdqmGwU2ALbCPFPPpXhSn-wXrkOBgsqaf-PJz9Es-O6ORFJO6ogFR5qxM03Wb7cAQWzG_CSReZ5bu9c3zcC7SD2pqdaTEHt80zwXmPisXGur/s400/036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668159862040817490" /></a>Soph wanted a "princess pumpkin", of course. This is as good as I could manage. I like the eyelashes and lips!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixetB6Q9xCN7bNuukyxohRJtWiGNBXbKLJ02WwaZY0s856Lm8glVQ4KyhaYwFny2yXXxH3mbVqdE9migc2Ivne8mUa58qBS9CHRZf1TRAWyoP4nj1eNJDcXkHt8VY8s1E4wWm76RsDXsIs/s1600/033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEixetB6Q9xCN7bNuukyxohRJtWiGNBXbKLJ02WwaZY0s856Lm8glVQ4KyhaYwFny2yXXxH3mbVqdE9migc2Ivne8mUa58qBS9CHRZf1TRAWyoP4nj1eNJDcXkHt8VY8s1E4wWm76RsDXsIs/s400/033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668159859547893378" /></a>They look pretty great all lit up!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu4_nMZ52ydGh05vlb7TuYqDpt69nmwqMo3YHFMjfuT8S3MWy7No_i7hKA30vBhS7ALlu0m-YOtZgXLW2ivYIPHR8qGUT-irpSJo94xQyD9EBjqJA_U6xtzxfmIocgZo6ETMqdSaGTub-/s1600/030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhLu4_nMZ52ydGh05vlb7TuYqDpt69nmwqMo3YHFMjfuT8S3MWy7No_i7hKA30vBhS7ALlu0m-YOtZgXLW2ivYIPHR8qGUT-irpSJo94xQyD9EBjqJA_U6xtzxfmIocgZo6ETMqdSaGTub-/s400/030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668159854088916834" /></a>Pretty great, huh? Why am I so crazy?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWELZmYAgtX5i12gkusEMfn5v5i7iEm8UwMGT0087ve9mgteljMGM567aR8efQHza-MetQXerDUyXtP3OCJkddrAtg_WqFX9FYMLCUuL6WZUBTeCixrEBt6BHZeAtoaG1WV4dMi33wede/s1600/028.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgfWELZmYAgtX5i12gkusEMfn5v5i7iEm8UwMGT0087ve9mgteljMGM567aR8efQHza-MetQXerDUyXtP3OCJkddrAtg_WqFX9FYMLCUuL6WZUBTeCixrEBt6BHZeAtoaG1WV4dMi33wede/s400/028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668159304064431826" /></a>I finished sewing Craig's costume at 9:30 on Monday night and we decided to wake Katie up to show her the great results! Think she was scared?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxzVi7-9FEUe7zgsYoeg8h8Md_rwo54OhX6lDo-BrJ2RRUe4E0XWURDxPwc1-wo_4C3EHv5CYW8aPYu6ef_Jh9V9Y7tTfq5kdTQ-kwOlv9Rzgq-4uPKPK9XndJZArpylPhW8qbQy7NQZJ/s1600/022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEimxzVi7-9FEUe7zgsYoeg8h8Md_rwo54OhX6lDo-BrJ2RRUe4E0XWURDxPwc1-wo_4C3EHv5CYW8aPYu6ef_Jh9V9Y7tTfq5kdTQ-kwOlv9Rzgq-4uPKPK9XndJZArpylPhW8qbQy7NQZJ/s400/022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668159296114618386" /></a>Katie was taking the pix for us! Those are REALLY small face holes! Must be for little kids! Hee hee!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M5plY3OPBk_HVpghn94eV6ENe6wvop9WffycSqzJ7-yKW-xCjNlXkip5OQHP6okNOGDveRekTUuilstfnXuIXEieIlQwKRAG4TOPkDbJvS097FAt9KJFzK9khRfCPIq3SG6B3LAupP8W/s1600/019.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEg8M5plY3OPBk_HVpghn94eV6ENe6wvop9WffycSqzJ7-yKW-xCjNlXkip5OQHP6okNOGDveRekTUuilstfnXuIXEieIlQwKRAG4TOPkDbJvS097FAt9KJFzK9khRfCPIq3SG6B3LAupP8W/s400/019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668159289793340866" /></a>I know Katie isn't wearing a coat, but it was pretty chilly! Soph was freezing! The wind was pretty chilly too! Probably in the 40's.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhRFk2jU6MeE3Rv1yLVuzjUoFWexk4hCqmnCCcLw9PoKC33L__boX9GpqwYMNQ2BdGCfeBUkpEqx4kfhgx12gtxNyeAtRx5HPSEYGW75VeJqfuX2nLG37KO-xTXFzKy-h5T5mwMFLPB-z/s1600/016.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhlhRFk2jU6MeE3Rv1yLVuzjUoFWexk4hCqmnCCcLw9PoKC33L__boX9GpqwYMNQ2BdGCfeBUkpEqx4kfhgx12gtxNyeAtRx5HPSEYGW75VeJqfuX2nLG37KO-xTXFzKy-h5T5mwMFLPB-z/s400/016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668159286259096370" /></a>Pretty night to be at the Pumpkin Patch! I think pumpkin patch/fall pix are my favorite out of the whole year!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe9i6mIjfowxPt-M3VXr75AFPR4JOHQPr8CCy-kpLX6zkMaDOPl5bxW2M46bvxzUiUnQIWDdchijWJvPdVK5I3pp03aJK3BjEeTw2cerFwiextsk_kmqlV9RvOSC4z2cZ0on_UDVyyMHd/s1600/012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgbe9i6mIjfowxPt-M3VXr75AFPR4JOHQPr8CCy-kpLX6zkMaDOPl5bxW2M46bvxzUiUnQIWDdchijWJvPdVK5I3pp03aJK3BjEeTw2cerFwiextsk_kmqlV9RvOSC4z2cZ0on_UDVyyMHd/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668157903195929666" /></a>This little pumpkin patch is just about 5 minutes from our house and it's got great apples and pumpkins and is cheap! They were doing great business on Monday night. I thought the sign was really funny! "pumpki", ha! That's funny!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeKcTcEN-qGJBCkzN0VtGzqym2f1ms2KxqPtPixBtkYfIT-cl0sawQgkL8OCdOWlDWxKQhA9arBlv0i_b3-V-XRRv2qpTL2RfFo7K41c4VBeQNHFH4CUEXGX57ksCvta9LM6HG5Wnlvkw/s1600/010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEizeKcTcEN-qGJBCkzN0VtGzqym2f1ms2KxqPtPixBtkYfIT-cl0sawQgkL8OCdOWlDWxKQhA9arBlv0i_b3-V-XRRv2qpTL2RfFo7K41c4VBeQNHFH4CUEXGX57ksCvta9LM6HG5Wnlvkw/s400/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668157893160190930" /></a>Here's some pix with Taylor and the mummy at the museum!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyyZjWuIDSQ4NOsUsGcw6Me3fDXZR1EFXczij_PVJ5YQRExTMh_vdGRsU0ZB314jCvWIpQqJL8_BF8cKEZ0S4oxEWHiTBicAUqAioc5D1JRdwmK26g_Z4sjdzqmAkjTBbe6LcxE55XKJV/s1600/006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyyZjWuIDSQ4NOsUsGcw6Me3fDXZR1EFXczij_PVJ5YQRExTMh_vdGRsU0ZB314jCvWIpQqJL8_BF8cKEZ0S4oxEWHiTBicAUqAioc5D1JRdwmK26g_Z4sjdzqmAkjTBbe6LcxE55XKJV/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668157886574075218" /></a>More mummy pix! He looks good, doesn't he?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7ucQrSfyvKMXNY4e5LjedG7hCI1N_DfEyXWAENkL-Y_5YXlOmyJjt3ZcWN5JqnTw0zy38TsieHPc6-aIHEbRYHQbe2b5lDvkGcyToMwM2ggvAIwygLNH67Zjku_NcYl67x_2tjTXPBSv/s1600/004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEif7ucQrSfyvKMXNY4e5LjedG7hCI1N_DfEyXWAENkL-Y_5YXlOmyJjt3ZcWN5JqnTw0zy38TsieHPc6-aIHEbRYHQbe2b5lDvkGcyToMwM2ggvAIwygLNH67Zjku_NcYl67x_2tjTXPBSv/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668157879970465602" /></a><br /><div>Last Saturday we went downtown to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. We got a family pass there this year and it's a really cool place to go. They even have a carousel and a planetarium! The planetarium was doing a "Spooky Tunes" laser light show. It was fun for Taylor Katie and I but Soph lost it at the first song! Too loud, too dark and too scary!</div><div>Monday night for Family night we went to the pumpkin patch and got our pumpkins, apples and the kiddos got donuts. Craig and I split a caramel apple, YUM!</div>We had the big Trunk or Treat ward party on Tuesday and Craig was mostly in charge of organizing it. I made him a fabulous mummy costume (much to his dismay). He looked great in it and Taylor was King Tut and I was Cleopatra. The girls didn't want to play along with our ancient Egyptian theme so Katie was a 50's girl with a poodle skirt and Soph was Alice the fairy (check the book by David Shannon, she really is Alice! I knew I liked that name!). <div>On Wednesday we carved our pumpkins! I just love the Fall. Every single second with the leaves so colorful and the air so brisk makes me want to make time stop so I can enjoy it longer. </div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-47934044267711215782011-10-17T11:39:00.007-04:002011-10-17T12:16:34.557-04:00I'm always up for a party!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nazXazyJa1VUVK3LRQlICOGdU5oLnEiyyJ80pb-KhpGMEQtgTSctOoxJ_Hv_8_p8wq0K6exaj9NkQDS1zThl47uLJbRX3ZF2vnlmeGnDxoBy8BYjqiCn3rnH60Frbnl93LL6AwNZL_z8/s1600/166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEg0nazXazyJa1VUVK3LRQlICOGdU5oLnEiyyJ80pb-KhpGMEQtgTSctOoxJ_Hv_8_p8wq0K6exaj9NkQDS1zThl47uLJbRX3ZF2vnlmeGnDxoBy8BYjqiCn3rnH60Frbnl93LL6AwNZL_z8/s400/166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664492339838529842" /></a>See how much we were able to get out of General Conference with 5 kids in the house??<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbacgKIXFGiaC5OpSgGpyVdSmhLVcNi9MYc1Matf0y09LigfVdf_JWeT4eWcNjHL67OeWhr_gTffHQ5C3P-v4xWheZ7Q10Cn8pWE2YdodXyqF7DVhIWCoJO3ji1Ma-T1RRYgC0A9m8n4k/s1600/146.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhrbacgKIXFGiaC5OpSgGpyVdSmhLVcNi9MYc1Matf0y09LigfVdf_JWeT4eWcNjHL67OeWhr_gTffHQ5C3P-v4xWheZ7Q10Cn8pWE2YdodXyqF7DVhIWCoJO3ji1Ma-T1RRYgC0A9m8n4k/s400/146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664492330787191234" /></a>PARTY!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnBZd8lM8ObcMWWnsviMe2l2FcMQHEFOBgRb2iTtCed3upteZgwGmp1L7kWQltVL4CaZ-7OIN5XQkqn7qnOcEsHwqCx4-kHiUj4DQlQsFLwV-c1Mwxko06C23EmWls5Wte2jc6AYmtBLR/s1600/137.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEiZnBZd8lM8ObcMWWnsviMe2l2FcMQHEFOBgRb2iTtCed3upteZgwGmp1L7kWQltVL4CaZ-7OIN5XQkqn7qnOcEsHwqCx4-kHiUj4DQlQsFLwV-c1Mwxko06C23EmWls5Wte2jc6AYmtBLR/s400/137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664492325747560178" /></a>Thanks for a great weekend everybody! (like the party hat Craig got for me?)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHmjeiLiRsN2o9SW5ZdBapkJrooyYq5b6L1xWMuccK0WbNWdRJw3Srkmek-EJ6UkCAMwm0JXP6fZnWd-ejvr72G-on7WllCmydyDXi3oq9yKkcCVScfeWjlKoBWV1EojvkrsRuBMlEnqw/s1600/109.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEibHmjeiLiRsN2o9SW5ZdBapkJrooyYq5b6L1xWMuccK0WbNWdRJw3Srkmek-EJ6UkCAMwm0JXP6fZnWd-ejvr72G-on7WllCmydyDXi3oq9yKkcCVScfeWjlKoBWV1EojvkrsRuBMlEnqw/s400/109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664490842418686274" /></a>Mom and Amy at the Grand Hotel.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2vmr39RU0BwRcX2x6vK91aaPRA0Q8QhK2jx0AgGtVvS9befVybkU53YwTOup1WEkrK_Mb5gsayw2IzHxFmEyfj4HmardpUQBkQGBczVSqr8JTftdXeiK8cdCJLoRS0FeUoJsSNGKPzvN/s1600/106.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgd2vmr39RU0BwRcX2x6vK91aaPRA0Q8QhK2jx0AgGtVvS9befVybkU53YwTOup1WEkrK_Mb5gsayw2IzHxFmEyfj4HmardpUQBkQGBczVSqr8JTftdXeiK8cdCJLoRS0FeUoJsSNGKPzvN/s400/106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664490834236515746" /></a>Lunch at the fort!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kas1_cnVZNZuTw2-Mig5JsncprgJkOWWfqvJEETlhln9fqTPWwbOqFyTGBGxYmE8whaQGNhb4ZCf1o2rVRXyZsKPo6zGz6U0VKJp1DSO28cYI1s-CV22DIQT3LQ-kGhLdgwJiBbWaCd1/s1600/103.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEi_kas1_cnVZNZuTw2-Mig5JsncprgJkOWWfqvJEETlhln9fqTPWwbOqFyTGBGxYmE8whaQGNhb4ZCf1o2rVRXyZsKPo6zGz6U0VKJp1DSO28cYI1s-CV22DIQT3LQ-kGhLdgwJiBbWaCd1/s400/103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664490825146153426" /></a>The children's area at the fort was as fun as last time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjVTJpHIHxpaJ4yvgcmxmSVhJjNGcM5NDzVOmZ-GZCaZvJ7gEY47DEAOY8SRHXiLMa5pb3GFTKq9m1XAT897JxQCNtm8n99oradFf6R6uDmBHPz6pV_8E29d11zsHALiUY3itXCU4d6rd/s1600/101.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjpjVTJpHIHxpaJ4yvgcmxmSVhJjNGcM5NDzVOmZ-GZCaZvJ7gEY47DEAOY8SRHXiLMa5pb3GFTKq9m1XAT897JxQCNtm8n99oradFf6R6uDmBHPz6pV_8E29d11zsHALiUY3itXCU4d6rd/s400/101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664490821734617618" /></a>Doesn't Soph make a great soldier with her "hah" in her mouth! OOOooooo SCARY Soldier! Don't SHOOT!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nxYE4OnQGqh0o1W_wPMISvAg5w4vIXo3vG0hYm3-0vfHDIbyXI5SUYIEyX6Ysjx6aKs8HHwt_aLdMOxhrchwYxibc_LZzy48LiD9we8BzOhsUzkJui8mE6yI2o1YEgKKuRdGZJXc1GP5/s1600/095.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEj5nxYE4OnQGqh0o1W_wPMISvAg5w4vIXo3vG0hYm3-0vfHDIbyXI5SUYIEyX6Ysjx6aKs8HHwt_aLdMOxhrchwYxibc_LZzy48LiD9we8BzOhsUzkJui8mE6yI2o1YEgKKuRdGZJXc1GP5/s400/095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664489497435714962" /></a>It's the whole fam! Why is Soph dressed like a boy?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuuhMZ7As-sTG7ZB8j4lf6johAosjAMy7dL31gGDfISO2ZbMS7b_bv2KvHPf_4pBcB5_-iO1gZI3GuhsmUiemr9UjL2icxnRcvUi4R1sUX1qJJ3kc1MGTjP7X0pKsrNCEhmPpE_BBTNT7/s1600/054.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhiuuhMZ7As-sTG7ZB8j4lf6johAosjAMy7dL31gGDfISO2ZbMS7b_bv2KvHPf_4pBcB5_-iO1gZI3GuhsmUiemr9UjL2icxnRcvUi4R1sUX1qJJ3kc1MGTjP7X0pKsrNCEhmPpE_BBTNT7/s400/054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664489488510460642" /></a>This pic is out of order. It's from the Dixie Saloon in Mackinaw City where we ate on Friday evening. It wasn't great food and the service was painfully slow but it helped the the kids could write all over the table, benches and walls! (kinda gross actually).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICBevviNBIW3vqxB3nWQImYQq2_8pVVNgRotF8bQJgl8hs9ZSrGOgkjF45wSDUkypTe4vRdbCq04_pqZco4BLO5n2xxgq5nCSaDECgGwdRo14t0Y3zRT6X93zHNPdFKOYheiUqmpVIUio/s1600/070.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgICBevviNBIW3vqxB3nWQImYQq2_8pVVNgRotF8bQJgl8hs9ZSrGOgkjF45wSDUkypTe4vRdbCq04_pqZco4BLO5n2xxgq5nCSaDECgGwdRo14t0Y3zRT6X93zHNPdFKOYheiUqmpVIUio/s400/070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664489478212673874" /></a>Here we are on the island in downtown Mackinac. I had forgotten how it smells like horse poo.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNdJdKDoQffbNI28am2b6h5rB1ttJMcJteJYxisaBiv0kRjCnZP7O6ct3aAyo4oY6baHeXA0FimKgL_W-t6XFSglB77w6AEt8uXA0_V_Pcr6Esr59M8nQjq_C11R3b4zzRcIvKkioxLsn/s1600/060.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjdNdJdKDoQffbNI28am2b6h5rB1ttJMcJteJYxisaBiv0kRjCnZP7O6ct3aAyo4oY6baHeXA0FimKgL_W-t6XFSglB77w6AEt8uXA0_V_Pcr6Esr59M8nQjq_C11R3b4zzRcIvKkioxLsn/s400/060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664489476553671986" /></a>Taylor is a man after my own heart, he wanted to sit on top of the boat! ME TOO! Man, it sure was cold! They say it's a 16 minute ride but I really think it had to have been atleast 30 mins. My face is still recovering, but I loved it!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaRpj_MX2-xJ5YP3-rC5CMLCPZAA0QpIHZ-xQG_M4wxkqNiYTKDWoHV8Or_uEfjMqPm0bNNLUJ-insYd4KWS3kv1aQ2wCtYwmueuzT7nuaf_Zc2W16OndZze9F_db1BKNnEnL8yGGjVHa/s1600/041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjCaRpj_MX2-xJ5YP3-rC5CMLCPZAA0QpIHZ-xQG_M4wxkqNiYTKDWoHV8Or_uEfjMqPm0bNNLUJ-insYd4KWS3kv1aQ2wCtYwmueuzT7nuaf_Zc2W16OndZze9F_db1BKNnEnL8yGGjVHa/s400/041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488745649021906" /></a>AHHHH!!! Don't feed the bear Peanut!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQilidDMG20lHnRzCeT9jxjUAVIK5oqmQyiJlZAXclEaZ4mSOeN2AgjqO7Y0fL_j_SJbGs8IntWxK4XUKOX5cDITGCDCRbjQ2TBlfkhRPg2IUOaZK7jDZIfQugwNd4uEyZG8rRYKHYcku/s1600/040.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjrQilidDMG20lHnRzCeT9jxjUAVIK5oqmQyiJlZAXclEaZ4mSOeN2AgjqO7Y0fL_j_SJbGs8IntWxK4XUKOX5cDITGCDCRbjQ2TBlfkhRPg2IUOaZK7jDZIfQugwNd4uEyZG8rRYKHYcku/s400/040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488735257295042" /></a>ATTACK BEAR!! AHHH!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0jBG9l_FCkZE7Ndp7uBoyuXYT74J_qgoo2igwcz6lbNtvdSPVDhCYFdkancUtgSEayEdPns3B1Bnb3IkHSK43OrJjJYiengE7QUxedghC0r83We4SIFcH1u5LduEVLT4Q4aG-tuYWiUR/s1600/034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjg0jBG9l_FCkZE7Ndp7uBoyuXYT74J_qgoo2igwcz6lbNtvdSPVDhCYFdkancUtgSEayEdPns3B1Bnb3IkHSK43OrJjJYiengE7QUxedghC0r83We4SIFcH1u5LduEVLT4Q4aG-tuYWiUR/s400/034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488731146499778" /></a>Cute little friends! I'm surprised we didn't meet up with this group when we were on Coeur d'Alene lake this summer canoeing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ22pVVhDIVyho-W-AKrmQBEmSV_Hji2mhozVE-ZOE7e7s7U47bcp92DFtX-OI2N6uDdxndi38mnLYJ2b4xJWgFLVPlNa-75ps0DuFuptB-42Aflk3Jk-HEJcnRaaxP3ry680w5ANhf-0K/s1600/031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjQ22pVVhDIVyho-W-AKrmQBEmSV_Hji2mhozVE-ZOE7e7s7U47bcp92DFtX-OI2N6uDdxndi38mnLYJ2b4xJWgFLVPlNa-75ps0DuFuptB-42Aflk3Jk-HEJcnRaaxP3ry680w5ANhf-0K/s400/031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664488727467148690" /></a>Look Soph! Bambie's Dad! (all you hunters are laughing at me now I bet).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhO2wWbSsoSIJCTiLIf3CRqmRM2dvCOYbM2E_M_khUknXUYQ_ey1_L8zYZSh9RyYMrg_n3mhfUjLgMofZTj9S5BClHn8eNf4Wfeal-focMGmnziX3ZeUrW_SJGRkieJlBuNVOj27R2m2p/s1600/030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhPhO2wWbSsoSIJCTiLIf3CRqmRM2dvCOYbM2E_M_khUknXUYQ_ey1_L8zYZSh9RyYMrg_n3mhfUjLgMofZTj9S5BClHn8eNf4Wfeal-focMGmnziX3ZeUrW_SJGRkieJlBuNVOj27R2m2p/s400/030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664486745527328786" /></a>Who doesn't want a pic with a stuffed animal (or lots of them).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tGkWRt41BFOAuNfOdhY7R1EwHazJZgyH1bfiXHoSzTVxmbtMIGCajOI8cLgRNPby7_wX7c96GJMRlfKZRWttlmUUAqavBmq8PqS8LPRWvDxRo9ggbHT3LlUodbn67wGLinuPSRBtyejL/s1600/011.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEj3tGkWRt41BFOAuNfOdhY7R1EwHazJZgyH1bfiXHoSzTVxmbtMIGCajOI8cLgRNPby7_wX7c96GJMRlfKZRWttlmUUAqavBmq8PqS8LPRWvDxRo9ggbHT3LlUodbn67wGLinuPSRBtyejL/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664486736327489682" /></a>These are the reverence children.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhRXSmRZq3MN1jZi9h4I6xdMDsPdMAr0gNChH1KCdUW5aoE8oHxo6SCBktZNpJeki-Bs1Ah77KUdnZSQTUV3ztTi8aDdfvMwTiRyBSphPSM3jFT5wagWGU3Tu02fQnPpHuVi7qegtbyGy/s1600/008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgQhRXSmRZq3MN1jZi9h4I6xdMDsPdMAr0gNChH1KCdUW5aoE8oHxo6SCBktZNpJeki-Bs1Ah77KUdnZSQTUV3ztTi8aDdfvMwTiRyBSphPSM3jFT5wagWGU3Tu02fQnPpHuVi7qegtbyGy/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664486732272240050" /></a>Bear attack!!! We saw lots of crazy stuff at the Legs Inn in Cross Village! The food was authentic polish and I thought it was fine, but Craig and mom were not fans. It was bitter cold and we were NOT tempted to eat out on the patio, at all!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6FGWcZVD_NEY0XMEL1-Zg3z6mDTOjr6MNgD7ynZZGWCLR2L4o33vurR0zRUblTkzYAHkPE6MCGi2otJoNTeA5Y9Vi-5r-kNzYhPy6_GHjEuHYpyE_ItbwSgz6lpcXpaEhHOSGSSnXzna/s1600/003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhQ6FGWcZVD_NEY0XMEL1-Zg3z6mDTOjr6MNgD7ynZZGWCLR2L4o33vurR0zRUblTkzYAHkPE6MCGi2otJoNTeA5Y9Vi-5r-kNzYhPy6_GHjEuHYpyE_ItbwSgz6lpcXpaEhHOSGSSnXzna/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664486727869304162" /></a><br />For my birthday this year we went back up to Northern Michigan. I had intended this trip to be about Fall color but they hadn't really started going in earnest yet. Thankfully my mom decided to come out for the trip and we made a quick trip over to Mackinac Island in honor of her coming! We left Friday morning and drove North hoping that the wind and rain and cold would blow over before we got to Mackinac but it did not so we stopped off in Cross village and did a scenic drive along Lake Michigan and got some old fashioned pix taken during the cold weather and post-poned our trip over to the island until Saturday when it was cold, but atleast sunny. <div>It was so fun to see the island in the fall. We took the carriage tour and they had blankets for us to put on our laps. By afternoon when we had reached the fort it was sunny and mid-50's and felt much better. We got lunch at the fort overlooking the harbor and warmed up in the sun. Then we walked around through town, got some ice cream with mackinac fudge in it and walked past the Grand Hotel and caught the ferry back to Mackinaw City and drove back down to Grand Rapids. </div><div>Hailey, Steve and the boys had come up for my birthday and for mom's visit so we were able to enjoy conference Sunday together. Hailey and Steve made some awesome chinese food for me (yum!) and it was fantastic to be all together!</div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-79541869571340158052011-10-17T11:13:00.005-04:002011-10-17T11:39:10.873-04:00Craig's Birthday Bash (Still playing catch up- It was labor day weekend)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEaAVNCzSQZ7qWOhFPtm0_o7Ua2e-nqFKZz5ZrEBf6HL8v0vl1nAytR6DTTenBrqxhy2qmE8a9vzcYptNn-yLGVN8oO73FfuHarn2B0zPkAaeSWSVE65mAxBMrqgLcLBOzOc0J1LrH8lX/s1600/030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjPEaAVNCzSQZ7qWOhFPtm0_o7Ua2e-nqFKZz5ZrEBf6HL8v0vl1nAytR6DTTenBrqxhy2qmE8a9vzcYptNn-yLGVN8oO73FfuHarn2B0zPkAaeSWSVE65mAxBMrqgLcLBOzOc0J1LrH8lX/s400/030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664485445143597714" /></a>Craig, Amy (that sweatshirt isn't doing me any favors, is it?), Mommo and Dad Starkey. Thanks for the help with the party planning Mommo!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0fMOSvos-W3cX0S1UA4eYWoxLNDQjxZ-Uoi1dVXSkvGyTQwbl5z9jHkyNxGyQIbVqEsEL53_QCmR2WpvBwhxa0kz_URH7gXGNLwIkpBQyYMtuz0ygUGCW8qhpn9duHcXSlqqSIlxtD3s/s1600/022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEie0fMOSvos-W3cX0S1UA4eYWoxLNDQjxZ-Uoi1dVXSkvGyTQwbl5z9jHkyNxGyQIbVqEsEL53_QCmR2WpvBwhxa0kz_URH7gXGNLwIkpBQyYMtuz0ygUGCW8qhpn9duHcXSlqqSIlxtD3s/s400/022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664485435418984642" /></a>Before we headed home on Sunday we took the kiddos to the park in Grandma's neighborhood to run hard before the trek home.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClupk7Dowz68INhX0IzAcCa1OAYfJ1R2pGI5eqZequRIEqVOzn0QCSdGte47-4v-WWY1nrzaffSE30WnOZ13iIfy4Drllf91-B4uDsUU_KsWdiQySKaTUdlEp1ThnMKFzaJvRSKOeb0XI/s1600/018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgClupk7Dowz68INhX0IzAcCa1OAYfJ1R2pGI5eqZequRIEqVOzn0QCSdGte47-4v-WWY1nrzaffSE30WnOZ13iIfy4Drllf91-B4uDsUU_KsWdiQySKaTUdlEp1ThnMKFzaJvRSKOeb0XI/s400/018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664485429058240802" /></a>Hailey and Steve were able to come for the festivities!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__Tily_X_xM30wL0FOP6PhkV2_8ZKYx-T-CVDoq4-wWq0a79yHe0dVDvdzW0cYCBu8jGBr_n-HmtjEHVneSqB5zESgbvNSwUmSBtaDnaFkmuHjO-XpntEo4VN96DWKxe8cgbBry7fS0Y3/s1600/015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEj__Tily_X_xM30wL0FOP6PhkV2_8ZKYx-T-CVDoq4-wWq0a79yHe0dVDvdzW0cYCBu8jGBr_n-HmtjEHVneSqB5zESgbvNSwUmSBtaDnaFkmuHjO-XpntEo4VN96DWKxe8cgbBry7fS0Y3/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664480295393405618" /></a>Thanks to Grandma Arends for letting us crash her house for the birthday bash!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOivv5N1t0NkiBuGq9B87VdG-KP6viemTFMX0E86V4hgqL27R9mwjQVSh7sBcIOO9RukA3nvIlUEFhmaFgG2UPUsVklQF0ViMyx7qriXZelKHsPhxyDwVyhTCeAuHHXEINsSDQcd4DW-n/s1600/012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjZOivv5N1t0NkiBuGq9B87VdG-KP6viemTFMX0E86V4hgqL27R9mwjQVSh7sBcIOO9RukA3nvIlUEFhmaFgG2UPUsVklQF0ViMyx7qriXZelKHsPhxyDwVyhTCeAuHHXEINsSDQcd4DW-n/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664480294385661858" /></a>We had bbq ribs and cheddar brats! YUM!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyW-i2u1sc9RPZgGlsCNRiqCMgh0euPdtaqfkrDnumnI6_mO6J-u5nBXxywZ7fYVe5E8O7K1oT_eB2Wekwz6XziHjXbT1dc1G7oDWwRy-AaLp378ZvP2Y8AUz6rEXAyaB0RUU-zUYSukn/s1600/010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhvyW-i2u1sc9RPZgGlsCNRiqCMgh0euPdtaqfkrDnumnI6_mO6J-u5nBXxywZ7fYVe5E8O7K1oT_eB2Wekwz6XziHjXbT1dc1G7oDWwRy-AaLp378ZvP2Y8AUz6rEXAyaB0RUU-zUYSukn/s400/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664480279103700210" /></a>It was actually really hot on Saturday and we took a historical tour of downtown Chicago on kayaks. It was cool to be kayaking through the city.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_kiwoW1IM5mqUVWrsPmHIoPijo0kNcq7AS-0vuwTRhdQzkjUW4OKQZONd_73eHEWv1rh1hG8M7YABicPoE8K85e1H6uwzEL5HUQsGaZcx9DCKTTK9LH7DwYGHjGQBUyIUljBHirSLx_f/s1600/004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjB_kiwoW1IM5mqUVWrsPmHIoPijo0kNcq7AS-0vuwTRhdQzkjUW4OKQZONd_73eHEWv1rh1hG8M7YABicPoE8K85e1H6uwzEL5HUQsGaZcx9DCKTTK9LH7DwYGHjGQBUyIUljBHirSLx_f/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664480276657107506" /></a><br />This year for Craig's birthday we went out to Chicago to take a kayaking tour and celebrate another year with Craig with his parents, Grandma, Aunt and cousins and my sister and cousin! It was fun to see everybody before school set back in.Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-64840700459277192412011-09-25T16:34:00.007-04:002011-09-25T17:10:25.831-04:00Our trip to the U.P. (this is from August but worth the wait!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLpgssi7lGf3IMWq1lwnxIf2iyq7CF9tx9d0nNDyw7vrtOM1yLYw59JQRaLaFa4gJy2HtYiUfuGYnf-5NdSe5HorJu6UGMUA1Nr0i-BRKtdfV5oqvpqDHMviIdUFy2LElR5BU71dyM-kl/s1600/202.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEizLpgssi7lGf3IMWq1lwnxIf2iyq7CF9tx9d0nNDyw7vrtOM1yLYw59JQRaLaFa4gJy2HtYiUfuGYnf-5NdSe5HorJu6UGMUA1Nr0i-BRKtdfV5oqvpqDHMviIdUFy2LElR5BU71dyM-kl/s400/202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656401011297405458" /></a>The view from the top of Sleeping Bear. You can see Craig and Sophie (he's in the green shirt). She cried the whole way up. She wouldn't stay in the backpack and was useless trying to climb, but she still remembers it!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv_ZHaynqx6ZWBJKsjhtLWukJqEcaRrylAaXZ0WJf1AZNMT3lK0nb-vtqJNEOMdxkIYyycIzaHbI0-on-JGSY08sewGkTI_Sz_PtbT-_pTaWGnsd0AqPXsRZHxBCaKxfa0d6Er9teMby6/s1600/195.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjMv_ZHaynqx6ZWBJKsjhtLWukJqEcaRrylAaXZ0WJf1AZNMT3lK0nb-vtqJNEOMdxkIYyycIzaHbI0-on-JGSY08sewGkTI_Sz_PtbT-_pTaWGnsd0AqPXsRZHxBCaKxfa0d6Er9teMby6/s400/195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656401007543126578" /></a>This is taken at the bottom. It was so gorgeous and I shoulda worn my swimsuit. The water was the perfect temperature. Next time we do this, I'm gonna have Craig kayak from the beach in Empire so we don't have to climb with the kids back up!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJgJjNc-z0RPLkHqSSYUvl5pLG0I3eeIuVsBp8LzBP_04GxlpclCD_2OayuR33d9l2UVzHHB9afDr0lXUPPngHH3JkGh5Zyc_eUvw820aLkMOAwADMERHkr_adNkZEiRIkLoDgBgezfBY/s1600/186.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjxJgJjNc-z0RPLkHqSSYUvl5pLG0I3eeIuVsBp8LzBP_04GxlpclCD_2OayuR33d9l2UVzHHB9afDr0lXUPPngHH3JkGh5Zyc_eUvw820aLkMOAwADMERHkr_adNkZEiRIkLoDgBgezfBY/s400/186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656400832871567218" /></a>We made it to the bottom! What a climb! Can you believe the color of the water? I have yet to be at Sleeping Bear when it was spectacularly beautiful!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoxRQLX2U1aqZjkrNgRjuS2JiTbk0R_RV4q9Q7uam_HxCR6B94r1jhVE3sprsyrXc9b7pKTpeqRlgNp70LY1sqW93Z8XVoiqWUbk8_ZFLwZyGDbQ13Uv9NUBmuoAgT6VFBVboQtDU2wET/s1600/181.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjxoxRQLX2U1aqZjkrNgRjuS2JiTbk0R_RV4q9Q7uam_HxCR6B94r1jhVE3sprsyrXc9b7pKTpeqRlgNp70LY1sqW93Z8XVoiqWUbk8_ZFLwZyGDbQ13Uv9NUBmuoAgT6VFBVboQtDU2wET/s400/181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656400827665786082" /></a>Halfway down!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwdmnt1Wt9cMtxDRFjkOEudOUEqFsSopuIktaZC2MgyNowfy0nlr03iYCAn-oKCidTSo257pGXxE1QsmA__mNE3M1jlcbV-c19UewkK4QsiqHZrcP5jCTfDcYvNOVBxa-CMWfMf4tWfnl/s1600/161.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEijwdmnt1Wt9cMtxDRFjkOEudOUEqFsSopuIktaZC2MgyNowfy0nlr03iYCAn-oKCidTSo257pGXxE1QsmA__mNE3M1jlcbV-c19UewkK4QsiqHZrcP5jCTfDcYvNOVBxa-CMWfMf4tWfnl/s400/161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656400824535596498" /></a>Looking for Petosky stones (fossilized coral deposited here by the glaciers).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2XZNfaAWhPzH5QHwvNnhWUvlgNqIFCrJ59IIO3EyVKH9LJMadptxCkiJ-uagkupaOYjl3GGeykIfABHrcSyQuxWZ-AdRPp9S6F-2DjZ7c4V02bKX37aGwnPqd32wiQEcXuqvHjQGiGKo/s1600/138.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjp2XZNfaAWhPzH5QHwvNnhWUvlgNqIFCrJ59IIO3EyVKH9LJMadptxCkiJ-uagkupaOYjl3GGeykIfABHrcSyQuxWZ-AdRPp9S6F-2DjZ7c4V02bKX37aGwnPqd32wiQEcXuqvHjQGiGKo/s400/138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656400820377750546" /></a>Sophie is smart enough to run from the bears!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPYx9Pkj7XwNzq0R7ZHo3e6Q3W1TrHxC8RKSMharD-UHNmvn6aCzdIwNzBtjJ0QMfpuzPs9qcQeXwrS13IOpVMDF18N5saVO_GHaqBg3YFzu7IxGgbnu-oF9sMAkrAuSAcKBK7j6MGjkA/s1600/122.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhGPYx9Pkj7XwNzq0R7ZHo3e6Q3W1TrHxC8RKSMharD-UHNmvn6aCzdIwNzBtjJ0QMfpuzPs9qcQeXwrS13IOpVMDF18N5saVO_GHaqBg3YFzu7IxGgbnu-oF9sMAkrAuSAcKBK7j6MGjkA/s400/122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656399591045884434" /></a>Check this out! Now THAT'S an opportunity of a lifetime!! I told Craig we could NOT pass it up!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS99x8i0EilQGOwGxYidcwP7ST0eCSKZzDKfbxALsMETKeRvrylOLRomYMOAte_Va_hZt9zh5JpuFgZJpZHwEeRXvG-A4nCrYqTY0CKeGC-IlRJdVnM23UhJogj-cObOr79UHKaSyR0Ga/s1600/121.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS99x8i0EilQGOwGxYidcwP7ST0eCSKZzDKfbxALsMETKeRvrylOLRomYMOAte_Va_hZt9zh5JpuFgZJpZHwEeRXvG-A4nCrYqTY0CKeGC-IlRJdVnM23UhJogj-cObOr79UHKaSyR0Ga/s400/121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656399583682978786" /></a>I think that this'll be our Christmas card pic this year.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kREvZh0HHNLKog2d9kOpGiUYC47M-l8OJHdxL7azuUqVqwMH6T1jWRsnEiBmVxaVik0C6vXt8L3qAvEgE9d1qEx0loZGoXjOIbhwkQDvOh0Nqyif4xmIy34Zuuv4a9bh3xVUdXYTTIX0/s1600/107.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEi7kREvZh0HHNLKog2d9kOpGiUYC47M-l8OJHdxL7azuUqVqwMH6T1jWRsnEiBmVxaVik0C6vXt8L3qAvEgE9d1qEx0loZGoXjOIbhwkQDvOh0Nqyif4xmIy34Zuuv4a9bh3xVUdXYTTIX0/s400/107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656399580088157842" /></a>Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was gorgeous by boat (wish we'd be kayaking).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvGIaN9vy03QHQAWWtHmo0kCkqEyuhWAVweV2JyvvZLEd0_y-KHpV76DNlyibj7LIVUdQ9wDDuk0rFJ0FTS9PolQ92npXHvyIE6n0zsdoVg-Il2V-Yf5vv21xEj2_k9R5EYeYaANgtMoz/s1600/086.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEikvGIaN9vy03QHQAWWtHmo0kCkqEyuhWAVweV2JyvvZLEd0_y-KHpV76DNlyibj7LIVUdQ9wDDuk0rFJ0FTS9PolQ92npXHvyIE6n0zsdoVg-Il2V-Yf5vv21xEj2_k9R5EYeYaANgtMoz/s400/086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656399574637326114" /></a>This is looking out of a little bay we pulled into.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL8AjWn6c9DdAEHVpG0OqW6KKIVHZVrsSR9hkGcue6ysYE3yREzR1hqxUMes946FV8nSF5O_d3n4Bzm28I8xuw0T7lWnuYhDeRvrh9DN4phxhtSeezeoMwCD40iSszNTZk3TR7IcLBPm4/s1600/077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgPL8AjWn6c9DdAEHVpG0OqW6KKIVHZVrsSR9hkGcue6ysYE3yREzR1hqxUMes946FV8nSF5O_d3n4Bzm28I8xuw0T7lWnuYhDeRvrh9DN4phxhtSeezeoMwCD40iSszNTZk3TR7IcLBPm4/s400/077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656398798015484306" /></a>Okay, it's not Lake Powell, but it sure is beautiful!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDVP4tGmbFmPQi1obIh1hoYtg8qBLvx8GjZqNtiml1ml_4SeWgJwn64Hymh1ATGWMqpk3ke6RgHOSxl0iC-by-97zVEhJ__rjmEwunvD3zNMujKX01tZm5sx3YC48KD4x7LyzgDhK1QyE/s1600/068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjeDVP4tGmbFmPQi1obIh1hoYtg8qBLvx8GjZqNtiml1ml_4SeWgJwn64Hymh1ATGWMqpk3ke6RgHOSxl0iC-by-97zVEhJ__rjmEwunvD3zNMujKX01tZm5sx3YC48KD4x7LyzgDhK1QyE/s400/068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656398790118798930" /></a>You can see the Indian head profile on the end of this outcropping.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGDOLwdV26zW5YU044SJpvFhBhZkDp5rm34xCM3XDrPDeK8_4b3gos85EM89r6VrUobWhQ_NAMcPant9bLCUFvflHkRPexL-dWbkP3UmEE4UlIfiJcDeRJG6uyT3j-BJvw_664Ll0irvw/s1600/026.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjnGDOLwdV26zW5YU044SJpvFhBhZkDp5rm34xCM3XDrPDeK8_4b3gos85EM89r6VrUobWhQ_NAMcPant9bLCUFvflHkRPexL-dWbkP3UmEE4UlIfiJcDeRJG6uyT3j-BJvw_664Ll0irvw/s400/026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656398787873091634" /></a>This is Tahquamennon Falls. It's pretty, but WHY do they bother comparing it to Niagara? Obviously not nearly as spectacular!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2l8RMIckVRd-tgzwaZRxj-mwXAMX180FxWwsozxbqcp8REi0ltiARy5ycB3OixpdUtyXw0fOHjaIe8o3Yr197MGIwPUqivnprNgcukrSv5HtoUuvl4UNPnqwTgf8FHwFy2D22mQKUImC/s1600/031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhU2l8RMIckVRd-tgzwaZRxj-mwXAMX180FxWwsozxbqcp8REi0ltiARy5ycB3OixpdUtyXw0fOHjaIe8o3Yr197MGIwPUqivnprNgcukrSv5HtoUuvl4UNPnqwTgf8FHwFy2D22mQKUImC/s400/031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656398783383650946" /></a>It was nice of Soph to point this out right before she chucked her paci over the guard rail (I did climb down and get it much to the dismay of Craig and all bystanders, but look, I'm still here today and we didn't have to listen to all the crying so it's all good). <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The second week in August we went on a grand explore of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was alot of time driving, but we saw some amazing sights and really enjoyed the trip. We started by driving all the way up to Tahquamenon Falls near Paradise, MI. It was a nice stop short walk to the falls and a pretty view. Next we headed on to Marquette. It was really fantastic to drive along Lake Superior between Munising and Marquette. We had a free night at a hotel in Marquette thanks to Craig's travel points from this year. The next morning we drove back to Munising and caught the tour boat that took us along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (these rock formations were carved out by the glaciers that created the great lakes. I think that the glacier must have deposited all the sediment carved out along the lake shore of lake Michigan and that's how we got the dunes!).</div><div> It was a nice trip for most of us. Katie got seasick about half way through but it wasn't anything that a little dramamine and Sprite couldn't cure (I haven't traveled anywhere with Katie without the aid of dramamine for about 8 yrs). Anyhow, it was a great day to be on the water. Really calm waters and warm too. We didn't even need a long sleeve shirt on the boat. </div><div>After the tour we got lunch and then headed to Oswald's Bear Ranch (with a name like Oswald's I figured we couldn't go wrong!). It did not disappoint! I think we scored the best family Christmas picture ever! Do you think people we assume we adopted a baby bear cub?? </div><div>After our visit to the Bear Ranch we high tailed it back down to the mitten to meet up with Hailey and Steve who had spent the day on Mackinac Island. We rented a cabin with them for the next two nights while we explored Charlevoix and Petoskey. It was fun to hunt down Petoskey stones (fossilized coral deposited in that area by the glaciers that created the great lakes) and check out the beaches and lighthouses and quaint downtown shops. After leaving the cabin we headed for Sleeping Bear Dunes to make the climb. We got a gorgeous day. It was advantageous that it started out with rain because it kept down the crowds as well as compacted the sand making our climb back up the 450 ft to the top easier. After getting completely filthy at the dune we drove the 2 1/2 hrs back to our house to clean up and get ready for church on Sunday. I'd rate this trips one of my all time favorites so far!! </div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-90606308021211786552011-07-31T15:42:00.007-04:002011-07-31T16:15:58.587-04:00Flashback!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0bkkm2N8GS_RXtX2BTFrwYEnYb5zqbXZ4kQJ1B7EvlYwLnpDUjzhRsGq0yvoUiybwXOxYMFtmrvm1Cz9H0et0qzI5fdhh6DA0c1e1qdegRngdLHtC8ClocOtwrnLriOHAXPOrP66ickk/s1600/124.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0bkkm2N8GS_RXtX2BTFrwYEnYb5zqbXZ4kQJ1B7EvlYwLnpDUjzhRsGq0yvoUiybwXOxYMFtmrvm1Cz9H0et0qzI5fdhh6DA0c1e1qdegRngdLHtC8ClocOtwrnLriOHAXPOrP66ickk/s400/124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635612165549823410" /></a>We made s'mores on the deck for Family Home Evening treats!! Great pic of summer Peanut!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jnF9vvbA_AlvzX8lI-RMmuemjNrCALip_ZknJKdawpd1Mx-Ktg7ioIxerwv8144VbhdhWXtbe1sZdTjVno-ld5NzZ_PySt2GWj5NkATHQkuRymf7T9Y1CmhN8kyOyJZdR3D2u89PhQjM/s1600/104.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEi8jnF9vvbA_AlvzX8lI-RMmuemjNrCALip_ZknJKdawpd1Mx-Ktg7ioIxerwv8144VbhdhWXtbe1sZdTjVno-ld5NzZ_PySt2GWj5NkATHQkuRymf7T9Y1CmhN8kyOyJZdR3D2u89PhQjM/s400/104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635612153865842546" /></a>Check out these cute cousins! Taylor was in heaven having "brothers". He kept asking Jack if he wanted to be his brother! I don't think Jack felt like he needed more brothers!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7DyrEeDvyQGngA2mQMl0x_h7mZKPZVUjS5XDRZ0VVQ64sz4_D_ggrA_veIq5eo8bgcrQvvgNmhQ-eG4BOyVUGMxzPKkqaJpcd1OHN8pyO3o1Vv1JXIZ3Y6S7v5q934L1WF0TkEliP1uq/s1600/098.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEiG7DyrEeDvyQGngA2mQMl0x_h7mZKPZVUjS5XDRZ0VVQ64sz4_D_ggrA_veIq5eo8bgcrQvvgNmhQ-eG4BOyVUGMxzPKkqaJpcd1OHN8pyO3o1Vv1JXIZ3Y6S7v5q934L1WF0TkEliP1uq/s400/098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635612144684502578" /></a>We had fun playing at the beach!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81bgkifFlTBvKYmoc-ie3UDilP4SXygaOQUFSIw7i_f650HvWJjnEXxhqaQ8HvdfJXbuqQ6iI1ZPoJaROnOWDtZyieLQQj_sRHg4QQIFRQwJDhpl3KRt4PXz-6AJImCrJDxYu11kae0Zd/s1600/097.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEi81bgkifFlTBvKYmoc-ie3UDilP4SXygaOQUFSIw7i_f650HvWJjnEXxhqaQ8HvdfJXbuqQ6iI1ZPoJaROnOWDtZyieLQQj_sRHg4QQIFRQwJDhpl3KRt4PXz-6AJImCrJDxYu11kae0Zd/s400/097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635612137977338322" /></a>Here's a pick of Sleeping Bear Dunes from the beach in Empire. Pretty huge and vertical!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iRrLzI8FPheyT2m_446T6vbfGHBno5X3w-s5LT0IhsBbb6lVqTVygC6xrKuYQ_S6wqnc-XMhNrX7D0oLolGq9Wi-M4M_C5Bc8aXwO_10tFPp3BVyzqjLO17z69vq7NmorRMb0qukkixW/s1600/095.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEh7iRrLzI8FPheyT2m_446T6vbfGHBno5X3w-s5LT0IhsBbb6lVqTVygC6xrKuYQ_S6wqnc-XMhNrX7D0oLolGq9Wi-M4M_C5Bc8aXwO_10tFPp3BVyzqjLO17z69vq7NmorRMb0qukkixW/s400/095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635611574548158434" /></a>I probably posted a bunch of pix like these last year when we went, but it never gets old! It's such an amazing place!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNwrWhlzd6997rrdESoQ9ulTlzf1HaRue4ISFqth_ZVE_3QIG9J4E8SazHr-xuwKdLYWJwtr5cv0bDz7vJ1jFM7CiOR7inbvW_y7E19EpBvvMHOjTkd1yzUaYroGXkl1zsWpxexkrYamX/s1600/084.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgZNwrWhlzd6997rrdESoQ9ulTlzf1HaRue4ISFqth_ZVE_3QIG9J4E8SazHr-xuwKdLYWJwtr5cv0bDz7vJ1jFM7CiOR7inbvW_y7E19EpBvvMHOjTkd1yzUaYroGXkl1zsWpxexkrYamX/s400/084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635611567356314386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikX47hQXOLL2lgTmdfk7imYiJcRewywJt_WIyjrkPlfJlzRiBmziJctIS5NERYKPYmCgUVm7FwtnEZ77pCFXw84oCOXystJQZpc0bT8BSYsTyD5j_KKC1w-GDzFUGQAB-qxBvF6Q2I6cL/s1600/081.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEiikX47hQXOLL2lgTmdfk7imYiJcRewywJt_WIyjrkPlfJlzRiBmziJctIS5NERYKPYmCgUVm7FwtnEZ77pCFXw84oCOXystJQZpc0bT8BSYsTyD5j_KKC1w-GDzFUGQAB-qxBvF6Q2I6cL/s400/081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635611557475734306" /></a>WOW! So steep! I better start doing lunges now!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYvPEgjsD5011u5NklvQZRxbz-BdkGbC3nxLmEcOZgYrRKa6fzTEp3lXHlO9LtzkzlMOeb1c7hjXUYj7jxIwsH2BBRHtGcZOfeoGHXV89brcjUFgXwgUdkhCGT6vb7kJRWBnSaHQtd9-V/s1600/078.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhEYvPEgjsD5011u5NklvQZRxbz-BdkGbC3nxLmEcOZgYrRKa6fzTEp3lXHlO9LtzkzlMOeb1c7hjXUYj7jxIwsH2BBRHtGcZOfeoGHXV89brcjUFgXwgUdkhCGT6vb7kJRWBnSaHQtd9-V/s400/078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635611548132147570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuCZiR2cUx69gcSFj_EAl1kvOsv_p2NCszLrjtcfAHTSC_ogJHyDsNjxJKdE9cIkX2EhBIzJQRBOLqI6b-mdt6F-WdVWpM3B4C6cGtfZBHOlv5shNiORt3dNMl57gpOSYglEudfYbb_IK/s1600/075.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjyuCZiR2cUx69gcSFj_EAl1kvOsv_p2NCszLrjtcfAHTSC_ogJHyDsNjxJKdE9cIkX2EhBIzJQRBOLqI6b-mdt6F-WdVWpM3B4C6cGtfZBHOlv5shNiORt3dNMl57gpOSYglEudfYbb_IK/s400/075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635609595007019954" /></a>We contemplated doing the dune climb (but we're putting it off until next month when Steve is with us. It'll be a better parent/child ratio then).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdXaEoMSiPos9ifvaxzMLxJwnUtTfQSCdJEdJCTgRyCYwxgkKp0VK1gxPPQx37o__CuGRGCqVzK5m2ddgSRDcQSscVSJaVb7whnSS_qyQEMoIyE1kSk2U1OSmxBnKG-gQw0BS0KEFscq_/s1600/061.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdXaEoMSiPos9ifvaxzMLxJwnUtTfQSCdJEdJCTgRyCYwxgkKp0VK1gxPPQx37o__CuGRGCqVzK5m2ddgSRDcQSscVSJaVb7whnSS_qyQEMoIyE1kSk2U1OSmxBnKG-gQw0BS0KEFscq_/s400/061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635609586358903394" /></a>We had a picnic lunch at the beach in Traverse City before heading out to Sleeping Bear Dunes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEnxUsTYugt97CKL5kGGCbzSyLlA2qDkC2cW2vybuBxtcxEh5PXakuE-1rCpdsAXuxENLEC1W1PBsIvk4xeSlgqIfg4KiQIDg2RFWP0Dz6uBBqRqUQvMDeizP0Rp-X7Z2oEumQrKc6Gfh/s1600/051.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEgIEnxUsTYugt97CKL5kGGCbzSyLlA2qDkC2cW2vybuBxtcxEh5PXakuE-1rCpdsAXuxENLEC1W1PBsIvk4xeSlgqIfg4KiQIDg2RFWP0Dz6uBBqRqUQvMDeizP0Rp-X7Z2oEumQrKc6Gfh/s400/051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635609573190250146" /></a>This is probably the longest parade in the country! We stayed for probably 45 min and it wasn't even a 1/3 of the way through!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL693GnYsQTcAa3TKxnhBCIs3h1tr2H9Re0SmNf6Fck8fMmNNHeH5DWXgxrqcDv81V_lBOH1SJoqOEc2wEpBj1G1zOUDq5hx__1rN-dDsXXN6x1gHcpT7ayJfrJtwD7NbIg2TgSxr2tYnL/s1600/048.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEiL693GnYsQTcAa3TKxnhBCIs3h1tr2H9Re0SmNf6Fck8fMmNNHeH5DWXgxrqcDv81V_lBOH1SJoqOEc2wEpBj1G1zOUDq5hx__1rN-dDsXXN6x1gHcpT7ayJfrJtwD7NbIg2TgSxr2tYnL/s400/048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635609563003493714" /></a>We finally made it to the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City! (I'll be going back next year!).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickbCHW4QCUBJn9bAxxzqkLS7FGLkHuy4070AjRSZpeZ9TU5b3IsJO_2Z6bkKSp5sLXmiWGQOVlwtHOZSD4wm_iXVCnivM1TyrBqGLputfnRwIZs2JnuDHYUavBBKSjy4mizXm9kkqlkmv/s1600/045.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEickbCHW4QCUBJn9bAxxzqkLS7FGLkHuy4070AjRSZpeZ9TU5b3IsJO_2Z6bkKSp5sLXmiWGQOVlwtHOZSD4wm_iXVCnivM1TyrBqGLputfnRwIZs2JnuDHYUavBBKSjy4mizXm9kkqlkmv/s400/045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635608922080607506" /></a>We fed all 5 missionaries at the same time!! Yay for Cafe Rio dinner!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0jkm-p8TftbrtJeW1RYwQxidkNct4Tf0sDCROaFbZqIf63PbCjG4MEw9YyHGJgc0P_EZVg_XFZ_iAfMj9YMwKOKPBaRJg7gkdO0iyAq5KqP6M59bab6LVHAfCgl5PwCfUbTC5oxZsRCg/s1600/017.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0jkm-p8TftbrtJeW1RYwQxidkNct4Tf0sDCROaFbZqIf63PbCjG4MEw9YyHGJgc0P_EZVg_XFZ_iAfMj9YMwKOKPBaRJg7gkdO0iyAq5KqP6M59bab6LVHAfCgl5PwCfUbTC5oxZsRCg/s400/017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635608914752084882" /></a>Hailey is a good one rally the troops for cheering (cheering gets more candy thrown!).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq55gsLhgOUVf4wauW4L2-K7oitnQfsVc4Sxv8fv_apctT93uN-bIbBscI43qzHzlOeQ3CLdhAKc-1hmZldtBas4A3sT-fKt2j_duzn7NXZrBR6lSgaBb6LB3kldl_MiLFgfUiAgPR9TwU/s1600/010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEiq55gsLhgOUVf4wauW4L2-K7oitnQfsVc4Sxv8fv_apctT93uN-bIbBscI43qzHzlOeQ3CLdhAKc-1hmZldtBas4A3sT-fKt2j_duzn7NXZrBR6lSgaBb6LB3kldl_MiLFgfUiAgPR9TwU/s400/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635608906384105778" /></a>We rode bikes to the 4th of July parade! (wearing our firework t's that we made at the family reunion).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUjHl-kHHD5Xr6p8OUuHKp7K1XSAA0sDlY9v_isKv8MXqyUl_vn9X1L62A_TnYblnUJ9dtXsW_ivnvDV-i4iwD8gCIfs-tfQy77qplMirH7gJTIzXj7Ekc7O4A9N_aqLL5F0eHEtyOol0/s1600/008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhCUjHl-kHHD5Xr6p8OUuHKp7K1XSAA0sDlY9v_isKv8MXqyUl_vn9X1L62A_TnYblnUJ9dtXsW_ivnvDV-i4iwD8gCIfs-tfQy77qplMirH7gJTIzXj7Ekc7O4A9N_aqLL5F0eHEtyOol0/s400/008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635608895446401746" /></a>Hailey came and we did fireworks in the street (to mixed reviews, Griff did NOT love it!).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-rf5xsIB4GnHnGLzhbr0Lk6bZU_wooP8ORxsOba49v9wUtuKdkfoLMpQTSzfHKR90Yfsel_FWpdc8WO7urZk6TY-F7H-XB0qUIRnLC4mcIWsZ8RbX7ZnEe5-TT6MAUQB4L-Ra86F5ztM/s1600/015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEh1-rf5xsIB4GnHnGLzhbr0Lk6bZU_wooP8ORxsOba49v9wUtuKdkfoLMpQTSzfHKR90Yfsel_FWpdc8WO7urZk6TY-F7H-XB0qUIRnLC4mcIWsZ8RbX7ZnEe5-TT6MAUQB4L-Ra86F5ztM/s400/015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635605006397348882" /></a>We rode our bikes to Scooper's (thanks Leavitt's!) for family home evening treats.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHdMvvwzrIsIMTHBxvhgNZs3cDE6s4gBPhO6ftQytlXRLDN03fBCbYemNWnCG5ONirxkyyhWSIEO4Z0Yo2jyUkWQWu00iFEPUEHrzqAos-ibPsgDG4zBtaoC_Vyn-5HL7EJC8eB_bDdIp/s1600/014.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhPHdMvvwzrIsIMTHBxvhgNZs3cDE6s4gBPhO6ftQytlXRLDN03fBCbYemNWnCG5ONirxkyyhWSIEO4Z0Yo2jyUkWQWu00iFEPUEHrzqAos-ibPsgDG4zBtaoC_Vyn-5HL7EJC8eB_bDdIp/s400/014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635605001587066482" /></a>We took a picnic lunch to Fallasburg park and played in the water!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bdIwmBvDlYOjmxStbSVXkG-CJ5W_6jdSjPbXWbGVHF4rgzY7eFQDMOkK76sq-Sf_KYBAc8XojZjaRdhsiBJNTMlT_wi3wS0X0AVPreCkqjGz0g5nNU5GyNWW7KqsyZEoORsu6sInjVS_/s1600/005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEj0bdIwmBvDlYOjmxStbSVXkG-CJ5W_6jdSjPbXWbGVHF4rgzY7eFQDMOkK76sq-Sf_KYBAc8XojZjaRdhsiBJNTMlT_wi3wS0X0AVPreCkqjGz0g5nNU5GyNWW7KqsyZEoORsu6sInjVS_/s400/005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635604992126023842" /></a>I nearly but my fingertip off (this is a week later and it's healing up quite nicely).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCqodhS9za5uFnnEcvtnPlCJJ8kasLTwq9p2cH2iZyKGIDQ4zZshs_zclXim6MdszVsQf1cZyCJORXtO21Ys1iBpDsIYlO9KSnljM2pQh8fgUDQ7-B83qYPbv16sVEP0jzNCoW5-ak7of/s1600/006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjtCqodhS9za5uFnnEcvtnPlCJJ8kasLTwq9p2cH2iZyKGIDQ4zZshs_zclXim6MdszVsQf1cZyCJORXtO21Ys1iBpDsIYlO9KSnljM2pQh8fgUDQ7-B83qYPbv16sVEP0jzNCoW5-ak7of/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635604981643627138" /></a>We went to the Farmer's Market and bought cherries and ate them off our fingers!!Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-67668879910285618892011-07-31T15:12:00.002-04:002011-07-31T15:30:28.449-04:00A week in the life....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebcy-YhpcGJCBdKza2-uo-qYU_SZktm6f5HfJNABrtwsIkN9Cn-ijKC3y4aiQ32UfqOcHj8_HHP-uLUvtHkTCdihT1Ez8ke0Mo8pdGQKFA1fkBo-Cth7eBc1F7EL-fYg2KGHJ6okmBGdB/s1600/007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEjebcy-YhpcGJCBdKza2-uo-qYU_SZktm6f5HfJNABrtwsIkN9Cn-ijKC3y4aiQ32UfqOcHj8_HHP-uLUvtHkTCdihT1Ez8ke0Mo8pdGQKFA1fkBo-Cth7eBc1F7EL-fYg2KGHJ6okmBGdB/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635596843941253938" /></a>Now Taylor has Katie's fever. Oh joy, another 5 days...atleast we know what to expect.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz-iwU9cWPHge-hOHntPHHpf3ZQtU9KHg6EGCxLESLyan5gbwdfIuAossl8WUx2EY-ELzuA8LuDwKjL4Fw1fFobQItCo-NOceSJ8MR7XvFjyBz8qj1QbwnKTNk475EZlf2iiMol8jGjSL/s1600/002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><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/AVvXsEhdz-iwU9cWPHge-hOHntPHHpf3ZQtU9KHg6EGCxLESLyan5gbwdfIuAossl8WUx2EY-ELzuA8LuDwKjL4Fw1fFobQItCo-NOceSJ8MR7XvFjyBz8qj1QbwnKTNk475EZlf2iiMol8jGjSL/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635596835868260738" /></a>Soph was all wiped out yesterday after I took her and Katie to the pool. Even the girls were going stir crazy!<br /><div>This last week we have stuck close to home. Katie had a fever she picked up on our trip down to Cincinnati. I finally took her into the Dr's on Tuesday afternoon only to learn what I was pretty sure I already knew. She did not have strep throat, only a virus. So frustrating, but she'd been running a fever for 5 days!! Don't get me wrong, I'm all about keeping everybody healthy, but our insurance plan has us pay sick visits out of pocket and while we're still playing for Taylor's visit to the ER (which resulted in no meds given, or stitches or staples and yet we have $1100 to pay for the 5 hrs we WAITED TO SEE A PHYSICIAN!!). Anyhow, I could had done with out the hour and a half wait with 3 kids to spend 3 min with a dr to tell me nothing, not to mention the impending bills.</div><div>Anyhow, I did haul them out to a park on Tuesday because the weather was so nice (meaning sunny but not humid). Then on Wednesday it was almost cool in the morning so I jumped on the opportunity to fulfill one of my summer goals, a trip to the berry farm to pick raspberries. Imagine how elated I was when we arrived at the farm and it wasn't too hot or too sunny and it was the very last day for picking!!! Katie and Taylor each picked almost 2 pts and I picked 7pts. Sophie just wandered around and played with her mermaid barbie, but it was AWESOME to get out and do something great with my kiddos!! </div><div>We spent that night making 9 batches of raspberry freezer jam. Sadly, I couldn't find the pectin I used last year so we ended up with sweeter jam than last year, but it's still good. I miss how fresh raspberry-y it was last year though. I'll have to do some research this year so next year I can remedy that problem. </div><div>Taylor did end up with Katie's fever by Thursday night. He has been down all weekend. He's finally beginning to recover now and it's Sunday afternoon. Hopefully we'll be all done with it now (yeah right! you know Sophie is next!). </div><div>I took the cutest video of the kids helping me make jam and now it won't upload, any ideas? </div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-31309875896785322052011-07-25T09:37:00.003-04:002011-07-25T10:01:35.407-04:00That which does not kill us will only make us stronger<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpA8QoHuGt8WgfHIq5KkHQTK1a_Rd69AQTUwb1aESPaib6ywhdABmC8fwPJJ5fXiKV3o4v8u2VbY8HhJYfao_z5ugvcG-07XLvxFlAjAJOS4dhcmgVCRSZc6zHZR98tEsDJaAV5IW6_ig/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633284790878925186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpA8QoHuGt8WgfHIq5KkHQTK1a_Rd69AQTUwb1aESPaib6ywhdABmC8fwPJJ5fXiKV3o4v8u2VbY8HhJYfao_z5ugvcG-07XLvxFlAjAJOS4dhcmgVCRSZc6zHZR98tEsDJaAV5IW6_ig/s400/014.JPG" /></a> Sophie was so wiped out yesterday after getting home we found her up in her room like this! HAHAHHA!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH06HIHOY8uruiiEEsrPsTOuaJB20WxFaIMW6TqRftpKihqFOpR3DzSJxG4Ta8ZPn3ar4m8M-8mWeGi2atNb8Vh27swnUtQn4c2lz2xc1xRSNzfPRER0Gtbub-5wMG-1Md9wXR_9pDuVm/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633284779361632866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH06HIHOY8uruiiEEsrPsTOuaJB20WxFaIMW6TqRftpKihqFOpR3DzSJxG4Ta8ZPn3ar4m8M-8mWeGi2atNb8Vh27swnUtQn4c2lz2xc1xRSNzfPRER0Gtbub-5wMG-1Md9wXR_9pDuVm/s400/006.JPG" /></a> Here's Taylor's pencil dive at the hotel pool. We spent a couple hours there each day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRzf1YwpFU2uQRuWvkXk9dueOhqhA4Czqm-bz_WtiV10kuJyaBLyXtML-NfmkBIthXU2bYzVt8LCNCWOBAZ5PGzINjTfJu_ibc4DhoWwTae7Ph3jwprome9FgAK-5zrSOWaKxZk7J3Ek3/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633284774188612658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRzf1YwpFU2uQRuWvkXk9dueOhqhA4Czqm-bz_WtiV10kuJyaBLyXtML-NfmkBIthXU2bYzVt8LCNCWOBAZ5PGzINjTfJu_ibc4DhoWwTae7Ph3jwprome9FgAK-5zrSOWaKxZk7J3Ek3/s400/005.JPG" /></a> Ice cream was the only reasonable choice for lunch on a day that hot. Down below you can see Katie and Sophie in front of the frog and Taylor is in the navy blue swim shirt under the green mushroom.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCWg-TCpOWKtkyE2yg7v-J5_3dbL2kB8XBGDGSjyE45GNmboA905HgcfQ736UDLdKmy5cg7BrOb50yRWtga_kzWp4YPXBId7hWhJ9HQY6BLOV8_rO4rNN7-8_pukaCPS4bQ4Ia-KOPZ1N/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633284765675316066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCWg-TCpOWKtkyE2yg7v-J5_3dbL2kB8XBGDGSjyE45GNmboA905HgcfQ736UDLdKmy5cg7BrOb50yRWtga_kzWp4YPXBId7hWhJ9HQY6BLOV8_rO4rNN7-8_pukaCPS4bQ4Ia-KOPZ1N/s400/001.JPG" /></a><br />This past week we accompanied Craig down to Cincinnati. He had to go down for a week of work stuff (the headquareters of his division is located in Evendale, OH, a suburb of Cincinnati). It was hotter than all get-out this week (pretty much everywhere or I would have gone somewhere else). The kids love to stay at hotels so we decided to go altogether. It fell to me to try to occupy the kids during the day and also be on call to drive Craig to and from his work obligations. Understandbly, I was less excited about the prospect of the trip than the rest of the family (also I'm in charge of packing and unpacking). </div><br /><div>Anyhow, I did some online research and found some things for us to do that would allow us to stay relatively cool (the kids would have been happy staying in the hotel the entire week) and also not lose our minds completely. </div><br /><div>On Monday we went to the Cincinnati Museum Center. It is pretty impressive. I forgot to bring the camera so we don't have any pix, but it's housed in an amazing art deco train depo. We paid for our tix to the children's musuem and spent a wonderfully cool 2 hours playing there, then we had a snack and visited the Cincinnati History Museum (it was free with our pass to the Grand Rapids Public Museum). We spent an hour playing there and loved the gigantic train display of Cincinnati in the early 20th century. Also they had a riverboat we could get on and a flatboat to explore and tear apart and turn into a house and even an accordian player. It was certainly worth a visit! </div><br /><div>On Wednesday we visited Winton Woods park. This is huge park with walking trails and hiking trails and a harbor where you can rent boats. Thankfully, we were there for the splash park. Unfortunately, we showed up at 10:15am and the splash park didn't open until 11am. We almost had heat exhaustion by the time we hit the water park, but it was fun and only $5 for all three kids to play as long as they wanted. After playing for a bit we took a break and had ice cream for lunch. </div><br /><div>Thursday we had to stick close to where Craig was working because he needed to go to another location mid-day. We explored the play area of a nearby mall. After Craig finished that day we went up to Dayton and he dropped us off at Leisy and Kent's house. We got to spend the night there and go to the YMCA on Friday morning together and make a fun care package for cousin Tanner, all before Craig came back on Friday around 3pm. </div><br /><div>After our visit with the Millers we trekked up to Ashland and got to spend Friday and Saturday nights visiting with Craig's parents and brothers. It was so fun to get the cousins together, (eat lots of Yaya's great food, especially the ice cream) and visit with the Webbs. </div><br /><div>We are all happy to be home and I'm excited to start hanging things on the walls again (inspired by the gorgeous house that Donna Starkey has redone for her daughter).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-61063371154437200742011-07-17T18:01:00.005-04:002011-07-17T18:27:01.519-04:00But wait, there's more!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDwDjtEzzuEU9y8EwVoWmlQsqomAgRvYkZA-WP3LNWrmiQ3-vtyCbT3c2F9risDbzOlF2sjGZDKfJm6zQ1ESBL5-yNzSA_FVfR2atirNQZFDTnrwxhr_eYrAESO5G4sB6SlhutwBajSnw/s1600/128.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630446636528251954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDwDjtEzzuEU9y8EwVoWmlQsqomAgRvYkZA-WP3LNWrmiQ3-vtyCbT3c2F9risDbzOlF2sjGZDKfJm6zQ1ESBL5-yNzSA_FVfR2atirNQZFDTnrwxhr_eYrAESO5G4sB6SlhutwBajSnw/s400/128.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdiGn3dDdEpfTGa-5lh3ZRgUHtKwZBFyHnCs4-_ZVP-Xulo1cY1wlIx4QzdmaOxFtn-cveQy77IAXtlY32vIAVIlZo5oynI0P3BvCcyCK_gGo8ny-dEzLxwUxKmS0gRce5Pi3xv9yCunE/s1600/126.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630446632014177538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdiGn3dDdEpfTGa-5lh3ZRgUHtKwZBFyHnCs4-_ZVP-Xulo1cY1wlIx4QzdmaOxFtn-cveQy77IAXtlY32vIAVIlZo5oynI0P3BvCcyCK_gGo8ny-dEzLxwUxKmS0gRce5Pi3xv9yCunE/s400/126.JPG" /></a> We followed Derek and Rachael's tradition of taking pictures on the walk before leaving for home!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGacDSe_KZLuLPvc0IEb3xUd5voRWv0ZkHMZKJvKXALC7hzhTpn77pvODzn9jURgZ3M4XPhzrUW5BTkX2l1HnKSZNwhGoXpIj1UGZQLt5jZwhVU7pvTNY7EAygAXDwzQKOLT6yqDC9GXM/s1600/123.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630446619481641298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGacDSe_KZLuLPvc0IEb3xUd5voRWv0ZkHMZKJvKXALC7hzhTpn77pvODzn9jURgZ3M4XPhzrUW5BTkX2l1HnKSZNwhGoXpIj1UGZQLt5jZwhVU7pvTNY7EAygAXDwzQKOLT6yqDC9GXM/s400/123.JPG" /></a> What a cute group in the back of Grandpa's truck!! Too bad Hailey's kiddos had to leave early!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Flz2Fpal2PAmXbtLYwuuy80oZJP2OMPFZre5qIRApEh03DA8ctM9JYU4WbPru2c2-JXLrRxGWSMq_UZ0Ok9dtIdH_3l7hOhRBwzgSPnBI87v3BHuQq_WDmxXlKtViPdjjBl-ho-b0vMY/s1600/062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630446165801277170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Flz2Fpal2PAmXbtLYwuuy80oZJP2OMPFZre5qIRApEh03DA8ctM9JYU4WbPru2c2-JXLrRxGWSMq_UZ0Ok9dtIdH_3l7hOhRBwzgSPnBI87v3BHuQq_WDmxXlKtViPdjjBl-ho-b0vMY/s400/062.JPG" /></a> Who knew my nephew Jack lived there??!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqV9pS6YtZ8IzVopTH9CA1PU4JgOySa8P9IJcKI1mFBLhH-lqUNA6JkvMZbFKn6Ifb4xkIchW7IBJZjzFEE0W0RhDXhfh0mmdLCWL96QnZmNXyEBy6AUAsFI5gagWcvXUdMjlzimPw0y_/s1600/060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630446156343866770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqV9pS6YtZ8IzVopTH9CA1PU4JgOySa8P9IJcKI1mFBLhH-lqUNA6JkvMZbFKn6Ifb4xkIchW7IBJZjzFEE0W0RhDXhfh0mmdLCWL96QnZmNXyEBy6AUAsFI5gagWcvXUdMjlzimPw0y_/s400/060.JPG" /></a>We had great fun walking downtown Coeur d'Alene!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2rKKAf8TK5CTQf1xvCP5ck8d-hoMB50rq3bzqD3B8uEwHV4qUSf3TyJwvF8o883inXhT6Kaydq3kTe1ehrACh4Htnxq20WGp9zNkVTse83vJ5gSt9IcAr37xHb16EXSncrbRKnzRHVvA/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630446147320398546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2rKKAf8TK5CTQf1xvCP5ck8d-hoMB50rq3bzqD3B8uEwHV4qUSf3TyJwvF8o883inXhT6Kaydq3kTe1ehrACh4Htnxq20WGp9zNkVTse83vJ5gSt9IcAr37xHb16EXSncrbRKnzRHVvA/s400/040.JPG" /></a><br />Had to take the kids to feed the goat in downtown Spokane!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpF6c0O-ZZZAkrTsemXt3hXX34A0B4J5YPQqOs_W8yt0gBIMr8KlwfcyFLVpY55tTXg7SgI3MkNzLj0PTdwtU5OQI895NHb993oyBKdhr5u1sn4YhO5BGMMDEbRO_zCjTWySW_S7p9KXP/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630446136154423762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpF6c0O-ZZZAkrTsemXt3hXX34A0B4J5YPQqOs_W8yt0gBIMr8KlwfcyFLVpY55tTXg7SgI3MkNzLj0PTdwtU5OQI895NHb993oyBKdhr5u1sn4YhO5BGMMDEbRO_zCjTWySW_S7p9KXP/s400/034.JPG" /></a> Sophie loved the carousel almost as much as I do!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-22381541708223693852011-07-04T15:24:00.008-04:002011-07-04T16:07:41.704-04:00There's no place like home!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTzPBUInypC320egsW1T7ljkCcW2GtwpCa0D0uZ_dkQ5bQaRF46Uz4MdQ0BX53daeG1ph9eZfD8IjYV6PIYnDbVUho4ne1OXUKmaNE9T7OAy307mVq_zz2r6RGBH93Jxq-h3CRCsSJ4ne/s1600/119.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625586023594997682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTzPBUInypC320egsW1T7ljkCcW2GtwpCa0D0uZ_dkQ5bQaRF46Uz4MdQ0BX53daeG1ph9eZfD8IjYV6PIYnDbVUho4ne1OXUKmaNE9T7OAy307mVq_zz2r6RGBH93Jxq-h3CRCsSJ4ne/s400/119.JPG" /></a> The morning that Derek and Rachael had to leave we had a special girls (grown-up girls) trip to Rockwood Bakery. You can walk there from my parents house, everything they make is amazing and it's a fun atmosphere to stay and eat there or you can go over to Manito Park to eat it if the weather is nice. I miss this place when we're not in Spokane!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXlRyPjfVIfDLGKzP5M3aLYAh4OFg4rTGjs6vfVkATjPUYWDsvFpljrJJprqa6z4IGaiY1H4NggCddwembNL-O7CWD_ZuJKaZSQaO8P1ZZuP1aFZcHv69NWGTmuladP9BszpyDBWKEkxY/s1600/117.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625586009666472002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXlRyPjfVIfDLGKzP5M3aLYAh4OFg4rTGjs6vfVkATjPUYWDsvFpljrJJprqa6z4IGaiY1H4NggCddwembNL-O7CWD_ZuJKaZSQaO8P1ZZuP1aFZcHv69NWGTmuladP9BszpyDBWKEkxY/s400/117.JPG" /></a> We did shrinky dinks for probably over 4 hrs on Sunday afternoon! Very addictive to watch them shrink! I hope mom has finished her Pirate charm bracelet by now!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAmFdyiKaUaVif2qOOtlUGUIIW6t9mSvVEup-rAziHZPw9e24Os5qunJGQ9CJZqUgRTY0_uFFNc2r3w9klrwjb9uWkIT5kJMVOECCc6KFXtTTCwLQs-1_WZE_GITr_8eAUIhfXRNebCZZ/s1600/114.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625586000178182482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAmFdyiKaUaVif2qOOtlUGUIIW6t9mSvVEup-rAziHZPw9e24Os5qunJGQ9CJZqUgRTY0_uFFNc2r3w9klrwjb9uWkIT5kJMVOECCc6KFXtTTCwLQs-1_WZE_GITr_8eAUIhfXRNebCZZ/s400/114.JPG" /></a> We did goop (cornstarch and water) for the kids in the backyard after playing at the park (this is to keep them busy while I made dinner. I think we fed them every meal on the back patio. Thank goodness the weather was nice!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vywlwfkU_3QQQ2N3FjvVbwDkxJBHrmW5gPH1dt1INZH7ASFaJYaRkDpPKCFlsRslgLLqtARG_FKS50la8GJyJC9yuoML0EZJRMcbZVTGrEjVwTORZ5LlQwkRGR_zITdusLW2oJTLVc0V/s1600/111.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625585971328090994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vywlwfkU_3QQQ2N3FjvVbwDkxJBHrmW5gPH1dt1INZH7ASFaJYaRkDpPKCFlsRslgLLqtARG_FKS50la8GJyJC9yuoML0EZJRMcbZVTGrEjVwTORZ5LlQwkRGR_zITdusLW2oJTLVc0V/s400/111.JPG" /></a> We took them to Upper Manito to play on the playset and in the splash park on Saturday evening. It wasn't warm enough for me to feel like putting a swim suit, but they didn't seem to mind! (brrrr....with a breeze too!).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcgsZgTM2p0eewhy5AcniraGIQZIi4Yvnh0FLMRXNODrif2mhgccnBHhIvTZwxPdV6UgJgvWUwWqyeLS93EzqB3JYQ7F13RPKWINqEFfwinrJ_c5TtzogEFKfx54IlmnIU-tXhWuM_ZRk/s1600/103.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625585276038810562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcgsZgTM2p0eewhy5AcniraGIQZIi4Yvnh0FLMRXNODrif2mhgccnBHhIvTZwxPdV6UgJgvWUwWqyeLS93EzqB3JYQ7F13RPKWINqEFfwinrJ_c5TtzogEFKfx54IlmnIU-tXhWuM_ZRk/s400/103.JPG" /></a> Brave kiddos!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPHSRU47-f8rJVCFZGovJd_wJ3bk_n1CKhptrp2F8Iy7Tk2w85MkQVVAwcxSWUCiSY027ZyAfAcJuN1pIa27ZKuZjWRziirzFb7zqkjtjbt1FGSsCOoaAYLqv37oU7VzKW1vFuZet9jQq/s1600/100.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625585266737379890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPHSRU47-f8rJVCFZGovJd_wJ3bk_n1CKhptrp2F8Iy7Tk2w85MkQVVAwcxSWUCiSY027ZyAfAcJuN1pIa27ZKuZjWRziirzFb7zqkjtjbt1FGSsCOoaAYLqv37oU7VzKW1vFuZet9jQq/s400/100.JPG" /></a> After we left the cabin on Saturday morning (well, it was 11am by the time we got all packed up and cleaned up) I was able to talk almost everybody into a trip to Paul Bunyan's for a Huckleberry milkshake. Even better than I had remembered!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuTg9hl7hdqa5Nk60s0c7JawmnyZODPtiuARRCEwIURoEXP_37VjaxLzdSFVH8G6Om4BlZDpf-Pxhh30roHarh0ElC4heBbmDhvaAF1Nd7CSTtDEvUnIA_QqkiY0Ad_7-lcvACmeg1AM1/s1600/087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625585258331933202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuTg9hl7hdqa5Nk60s0c7JawmnyZODPtiuARRCEwIURoEXP_37VjaxLzdSFVH8G6Om4BlZDpf-Pxhh30roHarh0ElC4heBbmDhvaAF1Nd7CSTtDEvUnIA_QqkiY0Ad_7-lcvACmeg1AM1/s400/087.JPG" /></a><br />Here's what we did at the cabin! Such a perfect family vacation! Hang out, let the kids play, let the daddies play ping pong, throw rocks in the lake, go canoeing. So fun!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPwIrLaqv_00vz3dNuon3hVcgxsnFMLGubGQuKMbgc6PzDavyRgfYXR1vbF7TRRsLiWs5uWfc6BZ5RteVnK5gLiKQGApbWBD2_WpSFD04eeFl1NMttc3-bTZuUINrN6JiNwnmHONLjkJd/s1600/079.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625585246637236674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPwIrLaqv_00vz3dNuon3hVcgxsnFMLGubGQuKMbgc6PzDavyRgfYXR1vbF7TRRsLiWs5uWfc6BZ5RteVnK5gLiKQGApbWBD2_WpSFD04eeFl1NMttc3-bTZuUINrN6JiNwnmHONLjkJd/s400/079.JPG" /></a> I was the only one who did the Stars and Stripes manicure! I think Carver is starting to realize just how crazy his Auntie Amy really is!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDFl5mk4H6ID-P1PiIZOIjRw-emDXaRaAT76NGzG0sKDbz4DBcntX3wZQnYhNeHfSVzk_2feHwZ8EVseNf8NvTzZq3B3YZak4ORHYhjF-JTTxftcVAIDIXjj9RUjqxSbzbYx7nTc34hZy/s1600/073.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625584734041180386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDFl5mk4H6ID-P1PiIZOIjRw-emDXaRaAT76NGzG0sKDbz4DBcntX3wZQnYhNeHfSVzk_2feHwZ8EVseNf8NvTzZq3B3YZak4ORHYhjF-JTTxftcVAIDIXjj9RUjqxSbzbYx7nTc34hZy/s400/073.JPG" /></a> This rails to trails ride that we took was awesome. Made me long to live out West again! No humidity, not tons of bugs. That sweet smell of sap in the warm pine trees. Ahhhhh.... there's no place like home! I guess you just can't take the Idaho out of a girl no matter how many years I spend away!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzuUnpN7-QTij9INQDbZQhJ6teC5hqosSTG5tnYVHQiaa_ZOFKn9hyphenhypheneYefy8KmJhhiotKf4CgXe8Bmfvek8bLxaezA9-U0KkguLD25KcKIwwN2y2lyf3-kqnogF1msE_oY2Tgoeg8Kr-l/s1600/071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625584728334113122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzuUnpN7-QTij9INQDbZQhJ6teC5hqosSTG5tnYVHQiaa_ZOFKn9hyphenhypheneYefy8KmJhhiotKf4CgXe8Bmfvek8bLxaezA9-U0KkguLD25KcKIwwN2y2lyf3-kqnogF1msE_oY2Tgoeg8Kr-l/s400/071.JPG" /></a><br />Such a great ride! I'd love to go again and go on further! Dad says a couple miles farther there's a little deli to get lunch! That's a great day trip!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NiXrPzZFdpiA5-rf2I-D2O5J2f4DcvYF8Cv60mM53A63g5GzZPtf5ht5w7QX9CbNQF7ECfEkxOxmj7VxTz_P_Qc7io6UL04Y2DA71XRaugn4_H6rGEydx3Et2D7Gy4FODcJI5cTWoizG/s1600/067.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625584722997902626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NiXrPzZFdpiA5-rf2I-D2O5J2f4DcvYF8Cv60mM53A63g5GzZPtf5ht5w7QX9CbNQF7ECfEkxOxmj7VxTz_P_Qc7io6UL04Y2DA71XRaugn4_H6rGEydx3Et2D7Gy4FODcJI5cTWoizG/s400/067.JPG" /></a> Ahoy thar Matey's! We didn't take the boat cruise this time, but we did almost go aboard the ship in true pirate fashion! (without being invited).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bJZP-iIvDo7FGx9ClMRRum861Bipm8q8c4VVWJXgMWL_fPsD1a43lxjsSy-_YcbEyNzIJ1cKWI9S3Ti4JXyLG-OROLu2aI6ZbDs53ZgTXBZTN7CcxtK4wS-xPAHNikuU-Bnc0DA3HX-Y/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625584711354661058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bJZP-iIvDo7FGx9ClMRRum861Bipm8q8c4VVWJXgMWL_fPsD1a43lxjsSy-_YcbEyNzIJ1cKWI9S3Ti4JXyLG-OROLu2aI6ZbDs53ZgTXBZTN7CcxtK4wS-xPAHNikuU-Bnc0DA3HX-Y/s400/064.JPG" /></a> It was awesome to walk the boardwalk around the Coeur d'Alene resort again. One of my favorite spots in the area!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmPUBBV5eU5XeP7ZFqmUyPR4xJJMzJTEnXZJvS2rs9TPcEOXbXjpYd2lHXER5U2cpDQWLUh3CHKeszcN3U3yjW7uhmrZQ2Am3_8G_-OAHYLaCY4Yg7fMa7z6rGtVIwwcERLhcCSZXcdoB/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625583627054399938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmPUBBV5eU5XeP7ZFqmUyPR4xJJMzJTEnXZJvS2rs9TPcEOXbXjpYd2lHXER5U2cpDQWLUh3CHKeszcN3U3yjW7uhmrZQ2Am3_8G_-OAHYLaCY4Yg7fMa7z6rGtVIwwcERLhcCSZXcdoB/s400/032.JPG" /></a> Grandma came to get ups from the airport!! So exciting to finally be there!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j6asJVFiYT3-yTn2_2z-cVzkZQWmoPACTkezQDRgUYP2zKI399ruwjhmcsZ2Viuhr2n93Wc-XSGBD3Y7IcWEiA4_RZU-1HC1C8G-U0lzYuVwc7uJTsutepx6jhCk50sYSv_dv81BNLTz/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625583614129522386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j6asJVFiYT3-yTn2_2z-cVzkZQWmoPACTkezQDRgUYP2zKI399ruwjhmcsZ2Viuhr2n93Wc-XSGBD3Y7IcWEiA4_RZU-1HC1C8G-U0lzYuVwc7uJTsutepx6jhCk50sYSv_dv81BNLTz/s400/031.JPG" /></a> So thrilling to finally be leaving on our trip (we'd been planning it for probably a year or more. Many breakfast discussions revolved around our trip to WA to visit Grandma and Grandpa and go to the cabin!). <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkR9yyKsX2h1cjLuQLjtRKWIDBI9vbrVTR0Lle_egTAD0l8wufnC2qxSRKh6keeCmb2LTe81MBcWutn0SfCjB8p0C0Cybl_mRF_tZdQl7EMHOTMOoaoL1K0R7HF7_X_B6lWEZgs584yev/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625583604794730818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkR9yyKsX2h1cjLuQLjtRKWIDBI9vbrVTR0Lle_egTAD0l8wufnC2qxSRKh6keeCmb2LTe81MBcWutn0SfCjB8p0C0Cybl_mRF_tZdQl7EMHOTMOoaoL1K0R7HF7_X_B6lWEZgs584yev/s400/030.JPG" /></a><br />We also go to travel with Auntie Hailey and Jack! PARTY!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We took a week long trip out to Spokane WA to visit my parents and have a family reunion last week. It was really fun to be all together and go hiking, biking, canoeing and stay in a cabin on Lake Coeur d'Alene.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-67046639433540330472011-06-04T16:13:00.005-04:002011-06-07T15:27:13.588-04:00Identity Rehab<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0KJVbDtbCr_rG-M7XSyT5gEOnIVaJ1Mnnsb6BDQ_P989j_WeLz8REjaKFyRUFwCLhJc6AeY116o10fQmKkr1lT2dBxcXX4_yAG7y27-Entp7u1SCqb9sIQiIyei9upXNbi_EJB0FOAIz/s1600/051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462835244445138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0KJVbDtbCr_rG-M7XSyT5gEOnIVaJ1Mnnsb6BDQ_P989j_WeLz8REjaKFyRUFwCLhJc6AeY116o10fQmKkr1lT2dBxcXX4_yAG7y27-Entp7u1SCqb9sIQiIyei9upXNbi_EJB0FOAIz/s400/051.JPG" /></a> We really helped mom pick out some new glasses, but don't you think that these look great on Hailey? (now whydidn't I get a pick of Mom's new glasses?).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61IOEjaDxjlFlPWBasre34rY0niWukDdJksOHlhRN5dOrmOci_HvcGRz2908I048PwomTjerkJpr9t7SzUWxs2pL8AO2CL6KTgi81KOt8iSUgivYOXf2zheKiitiVH-i8aBXV6o27td4c/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462828274553186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61IOEjaDxjlFlPWBasre34rY0niWukDdJksOHlhRN5dOrmOci_HvcGRz2908I048PwomTjerkJpr9t7SzUWxs2pL8AO2CL6KTgi81KOt8iSUgivYOXf2zheKiitiVH-i8aBXV6o27td4c/s400/050.JPG" /></a> Here are some new glasses for Mom (but they weren't the ones we picked! They might help her have a more rosy outlook on life though!).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuttlf6oJmyYBcohyl5ec0UmOFCPqF0YMcwUSnEvO1rkNcA3USD5fkpNK-JikKyxKvChIUZIjANkEZpUJr8crfueaLT_8ZiZO3A_whMhbCu8asqLA_wlpn5pzIFbdVP3vsG4jWXM-qF7Pj/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462816874669394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuttlf6oJmyYBcohyl5ec0UmOFCPqF0YMcwUSnEvO1rkNcA3USD5fkpNK-JikKyxKvChIUZIjANkEZpUJr8crfueaLT_8ZiZO3A_whMhbCu8asqLA_wlpn5pzIFbdVP3vsG4jWXM-qF7Pj/s400/047.JPG" /></a>The "Wicked Women's Wicked Shoes". Funny, nobody wore red and sparkly....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8p7vqxCWZgQS9F0nJa9iJjKp0koAWVwq08Zks5NMHR-lTJqNJF9slfHlV0AJQAJ5WK9j7AlROWjemfUOJG2YCrZp05maB4FA0u-dOf2GnhaMGRK4BhPsXWYycpXQcVR0KqT3V7pxLWlW/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462807104968706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8p7vqxCWZgQS9F0nJa9iJjKp0koAWVwq08Zks5NMHR-lTJqNJF9slfHlV0AJQAJ5WK9j7AlROWjemfUOJG2YCrZp05maB4FA0u-dOf2GnhaMGRK4BhPsXWYycpXQcVR0KqT3V7pxLWlW/s400/046.JPG" /></a> Man, we clean up nice!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTayKMLZp0GRp2mkbGH85PryWb6pUyYYT7Gn7ptkMZs4nmInl5GTft7nQGqqJetQ7MPlfYSGGx7xNr5_CHHZFBrspw6lPneoxB1zD8-7OTzH_W9PJwMgNQ1kw_lZ0BqSJbcnjQi6NdneR/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462338209658994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTayKMLZp0GRp2mkbGH85PryWb6pUyYYT7Gn7ptkMZs4nmInl5GTft7nQGqqJetQ7MPlfYSGGx7xNr5_CHHZFBrspw6lPneoxB1zD8-7OTzH_W9PJwMgNQ1kw_lZ0BqSJbcnjQi6NdneR/s400/044.JPG" /></a> Our seats!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJIugPGzT9wiupDnJUOatzq6kk2QeU6o8-sFcVTCHx4OzTOui4oPOcgWI0ro7BlHXsXR9SOzDJXwZz4zAUUNmWCtYyEtdNKZBPSg_HpLiXlmDASdFHqe4nOXMJIkQLypxVJ_2jrAPG5dF/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462326922952322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJIugPGzT9wiupDnJUOatzq6kk2QeU6o8-sFcVTCHx4OzTOui4oPOcgWI0ro7BlHXsXR9SOzDJXwZz4zAUUNmWCtYyEtdNKZBPSg_HpLiXlmDASdFHqe4nOXMJIkQLypxVJ_2jrAPG5dF/s400/039.JPG" /></a> Our sweet ride! yeah, it was a school bus. Funny, on the brochure, mom said it was a limo. I think that's false advertising! Good thing we had too much fun to care!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH-l5sh_YuUJFx_hhS98WkcDHi8mGSlyYBepRXz8dW3LoaUEdWPdOep3BjuLE9KLOMMybQNQ3vvi37Pvoa6BVWWdD4xko8Ys5vWkszBB_08YYYP6fDmxy7ljr_RFLZVPTV8z3T7z9x-u4/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462320054966386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH-l5sh_YuUJFx_hhS98WkcDHi8mGSlyYBepRXz8dW3LoaUEdWPdOep3BjuLE9KLOMMybQNQ3vvi37Pvoa6BVWWdD4xko8Ys5vWkszBB_08YYYP6fDmxy7ljr_RFLZVPTV8z3T7z9x-u4/s400/033.JPG" /></a> Getting pretty! (I just look like I'm getting goofier, but Rachael always looks pretty!).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hfXR_K5ptLtfKaNaHqJi1NVi7uPKYGvqUYbsfmB1GYy905wmt6hc3CYGW2kOsEcpIs0_FWNYXwax-2mpG-web9TYKOY3x5qOkBjpeT9nPYpBiajL_HUM49Rree12HMDkrIXoe2UqALke/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462309160663106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hfXR_K5ptLtfKaNaHqJi1NVi7uPKYGvqUYbsfmB1GYy905wmt6hc3CYGW2kOsEcpIs0_FWNYXwax-2mpG-web9TYKOY3x5qOkBjpeT9nPYpBiajL_HUM49Rree12HMDkrIXoe2UqALke/s400/030.JPG" /></a>I've yet to meet a PFChang I couldn't like. The crispy green beans were amazing! It's for nights like this one that we can't wait another 4 yrs to do something like this!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDSmcGQk9p0e0Y9pSi5g3tRqI8gb4i_NcawUC5S_BMZc9mZM8HCNEGYYspgmOOGJwLeRJebFl-RGSADAojavi2Routi3021Pie1hp9zR0tgrzsAYW5J_mA6VqQFMOOPRqePfPZuvUey5J/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461608822420002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDSmcGQk9p0e0Y9pSi5g3tRqI8gb4i_NcawUC5S_BMZc9mZM8HCNEGYYspgmOOGJwLeRJebFl-RGSADAojavi2Routi3021Pie1hp9zR0tgrzsAYW5J_mA6VqQFMOOPRqePfPZuvUey5J/s400/024.JPG" /></a> I loved our trip to the temple together! Trips like this one make me realize what I'm missing by living so far away for sooooo long!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-On85lDt2LH6wEUqlONd27XdbThoIr_dQRg1MzgjGv5-ef-Jaq0IxQJxNtaM04_0PJ2UyXmUlgUzzXOX-U550QMmHzc2bqKlck5vtzBjQ_n26XR0VE6J0qIhVfGQjukfgi7YBFyo84bx/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461607518747890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-On85lDt2LH6wEUqlONd27XdbThoIr_dQRg1MzgjGv5-ef-Jaq0IxQJxNtaM04_0PJ2UyXmUlgUzzXOX-U550QMmHzc2bqKlck5vtzBjQ_n26XR0VE6J0qIhVfGQjukfgi7YBFyo84bx/s400/021.JPG" /></a> It's a miracle! Hailey and I both found formals at Nordi's that worked with everything except our budget and lifestyle! (certainly worth a pic though!).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDRr7dHhw17RzSp1WJ7pz3josntR8TIWtOzzZIJ91HyCGi4U0uLDwTw7lELn3zIs_k544UD1LZ_w0l-GIcvDvA0tdH98W7hLIpTlkLgmCb2agvJCTO7la1IztAM0nmuVBXBLbRyGN2JgU/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461594739255058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDRr7dHhw17RzSp1WJ7pz3josntR8TIWtOzzZIJ91HyCGi4U0uLDwTw7lELn3zIs_k544UD1LZ_w0l-GIcvDvA0tdH98W7hLIpTlkLgmCb2agvJCTO7la1IztAM0nmuVBXBLbRyGN2JgU/s400/017.JPG" /></a>My daily breakfast choices pale in comparison to the spread we enjoyed at Rockwood Bakery! (especially the quiche).<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M-odcz3prQVvPzrGemBTlzL8Uv-s0qZpjs5TI9O-3FJIQtv9G3CqYQSeNHgniXHUTRZsBq3nl7rgy0SFTX-Y7EHN5M5qTIIoyZKLZpd6Vvc2tKFtBcM7uj01DM_-TNkUJvZmM46oKDes/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461585707441618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M-odcz3prQVvPzrGemBTlzL8Uv-s0qZpjs5TI9O-3FJIQtv9G3CqYQSeNHgniXHUTRZsBq3nl7rgy0SFTX-Y7EHN5M5qTIIoyZKLZpd6Vvc2tKFtBcM7uj01DM_-TNkUJvZmM46oKDes/s400/013.JPG" /></a><br />Last week I went to what I'm referring to as "Identity Rehab". It's a great spa-like experience that my mom hosted at her house. It was wonderful to be reintroduced to being a person instead of a parent! It was so amazing that last time we all got together like this it was in Paris, France but this time even though we were in Spokane, WA it was still one of the most amazing weeks!! </div><br /><br /><br /><div>I drove to Hailey's house Tuesday night (before Memorial Day), then we flew out together from Chicago to Spokane. It was really fun traveling together. We arrived at 1pm and mom came and got us in Dad's truck! We were momentarily so confused but then remembered that Dad had gone out of town and took mom's car to save on gas. Wow was it fun to be together and be free to do whatever we wanted! The novelty of not being tied to any schedules (naps or meals) never wore off! We went by the house and marveled at all of Mom and Dad's hard work. Sadly, I've been gone so long I hardly remember most of the changes they've made and then they're ready to do it over again! That night we went to dinner at Ferrantes and had an amazing Italian feast. It was so fun each meal to order what looked best and pass it all around so we could taste many different items on the menu! The triple chocolate and pistachio gelato was a fabulous way to end that meal. Thankfully Hailey and I went for a walk (we tried to run part of it but were just too painfully full!)to Manito Park that night while Mom had some meetings to attend to.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The next morning we got up and went to breakfast at Rockwood Bakery (see pic above). Then we went shopping and found Mom's top for "Wicked" and her amazing "Wicked" shoes that she should probably sleep in they are so great. Then Rachael called to let us know she had arrived (she drove in from Seattle) so we raced home to see her. Then we all went downtown to help mom return some stuff to Nordstrom and to flaunt our freedom from reasonable parent activities. This is when Hailey and I found those great formals!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>On Friday we cleared out the living room of couches and furniture and had our own Zumba class taught by Hailey. It was really fun! After getting sweaty we all took showers and raced off to the temple. I am spoiled now! What an amazing experience to be there all together. Hailey and I realized that I don't think we've ever gone through the temple together! How sad when you realize she's been married for 7 1/2 yrs! After the temple we went to the distribution center and then headed home to grab our stuff for "Wicked". Mom had gotten early tickets by buying them through the Red Lion. So we got to stay in a room there and have a shuttle (our "sweet ride" was a school bus)to and from the show. After grabbing our overnight bags we went to our dinner reservations at PF Chang's. The highlights were the Crispy Green Beans (appetizer), Chang's spicy Chicken and the Beef a la szechuan. We took a Great Wall of Chocolate to go! (we shared that on the bed in the hotel in our jammies after the show, why didn't I get a pic of THAT?? I guess I was too busy enjoying all it's chocolatey goodness and the awesomeness of the present company!). </div><br /><div>After dinner we raced back to the hotel and prettied ourselves up then caught our cheese wagon to the opera house. We got there just in time and the show was spectacular! At first our Glinda was doing a funky thing with her voice (think like the Glinda on "Wizard of OZ"), but thankfully, her shrilly voice was reserved for when she was in the bubble and the rest of the show was breathtaking! After the show was over we caught our pumpkin ride back to the hotel where we got hot chocolates and put on our jammies and ate chocolate cake in bed and didn't even remember there was a TV in the room. </div><br /><div>Saturday morning after realizing the hoops one had to leap through to get the "free breakfast" at Red Lion we bailed and went to the "Rocket Bakery" for breakfast. Sadly, there quiche was nowhere near as good as the one at Rockwood Bakery, but mom's sandwich was spectacular. Then we shopped a bit downtown and then got to go visit a friend and tour her fabulous Italian villa. </div><br /><div>Next we got french fries and milkshakes (yeah, for lunch, 'cause you can do that if you don't have to set a good example and be reasonable for your children) and we were going to go running, but decided that we'd rather shop some more, so we did! HA! But after we went shopping, we did go running (well, Hailey and Rachael did, but Mom and I walked. Man, I forgot what it was like to have hills). And then we went and got more amazing food at Ferrantes and gelato. I got the dark chocolate and the peanut butter/chocolate. It was like the most decadent Reese's Peanut butter cup or Buckeye that you've ever eaten. Cravable. </div><br /><div>After we got home we watched "Sara's House" for a bit and talked a lot. So sad, we had to get packed to leave the next day after church. It always goes too fast. Luckily, Hailey and I got to travel together. It's gonna be really painful when she leaves Chicago next July. I'm already bracing myself. </div><br /><div>It was nice Sunday morning to have time to have breakfast together. Church didn't start until 11am. Directly after Sacrament meeting we came home, changed our clothes, grabbed our bags and raced off to the airport. The trip home took Hailey and I through the Sea-Tac airport. Too bad Rachael didn't fly also! Hailey and I got into Chicago at midnight on Sunday night. Steve (and the boys too) was a saint and picked us up. The next day I got up and drove back up to MI. I tried to talk Craig into blowing off the ward picnic (it was sweltering+humid)and meet me at the beach, but he had to be there. Luckly, after I got home and Sophie had her nap we all went to the pool! It was the only decent thing to do on a day that hot and humid! </div><br /><div>Craig had to get up and leave for a business trip the next morning but I was all rehabbed and ready to become Mommy again! What a great trip!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827397577154469387.post-71170796689126929172011-05-19T08:51:00.004-04:002011-05-19T09:16:41.251-04:00Katie's Birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX4nVtV_cW6Y3SpcIynnPb69xHozns3wjbfTXWyUJUDg1ZEHvReO7YoMkYx6sI2YnCiggjljJOhM7zlR5kPsrK0BsPQCAWhFwK5s8_Q6YQ54ZbonfxJEvzPrUH8TCYfkezJ581ZRUI6gZ/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608411832739794082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX4nVtV_cW6Y3SpcIynnPb69xHozns3wjbfTXWyUJUDg1ZEHvReO7YoMkYx6sI2YnCiggjljJOhM7zlR5kPsrK0BsPQCAWhFwK5s8_Q6YQ54ZbonfxJEvzPrUH8TCYfkezJ581ZRUI6gZ/s400/047.JPG" /></a> It was a great visit! Sorry the weather was so wet, gray and rainy!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2MAb3Bc3a5DgYgjfalvp0prBhPBpySv7wk2KeeRsHcJ0Fzzj_Xs6KF2WAuhUeu7aNIIU53dK_MSH5HQzHm0m_Es6rVjoXS0F63niCoRp7i2fh5PsdY3quqgbhT-xsrsnxw0CDkMxCw9P/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608411822763779602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2MAb3Bc3a5DgYgjfalvp0prBhPBpySv7wk2KeeRsHcJ0Fzzj_Xs6KF2WAuhUeu7aNIIU53dK_MSH5HQzHm0m_Es6rVjoXS0F63niCoRp7i2fh5PsdY3quqgbhT-xsrsnxw0CDkMxCw9P/s400/046.JPG" /></a>Thanks for coming up to visit us Grandma and Aunt Midge!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG31_TO_QcYO1yWYMUR5aWFDfFO31oDifd-lzsLalVshoewkmMtsW4hVdBXx_VTyO4e3ecGFVkvwbHJqsICB4VepIugQMJEZKa7SCxLq8jJXQ8FyLy1rpQqLJPF-ouQVLemhHWsPkvbCC/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608411817612986930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG31_TO_QcYO1yWYMUR5aWFDfFO31oDifd-lzsLalVshoewkmMtsW4hVdBXx_VTyO4e3ecGFVkvwbHJqsICB4VepIugQMJEZKa7SCxLq8jJXQ8FyLy1rpQqLJPF-ouQVLemhHWsPkvbCC/s400/044.JPG" /></a> Great pic on the dress Yaya! It's so cute on her!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRhxUzgy08JEQD5CMGjim7quZgI6GNiQmLr_Ty_uDLmhykum-Mmun1KEXeBWDRRvW3UQc3uAk6NTfPIUkeHV_j9yBnx2PYa-T7Zutm0k5SRTp7T7QLoB8iaJzCeyLg1JK125MFscf-gQM/s1600/038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608411809517679074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRhxUzgy08JEQD5CMGjim7quZgI6GNiQmLr_Ty_uDLmhykum-Mmun1KEXeBWDRRvW3UQc3uAk6NTfPIUkeHV_j9yBnx2PYa-T7Zutm0k5SRTp7T7QLoB8iaJzCeyLg1JK125MFscf-gQM/s400/038.JPG" /></a> This is the pic after they finished bedazzling everything! (it was fun, but I can't even fathom doing a sleepover EVER!!!).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnTxOqjvqRz5e1n_90uZi0cyImMFzCHOBZUUGNqsHS-ol1v2brm-aYnuJJjxkz5sd7rUq8ThHuIHxaivlSSJWacSVvuBIyJCSKbMnb1SgdZ5TaQBmj75rAd7GfJ0oc7fvq76fmZfmYWn2/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608411240799948082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnTxOqjvqRz5e1n_90uZi0cyImMFzCHOBZUUGNqsHS-ol1v2brm-aYnuJJjxkz5sd7rUq8ThHuIHxaivlSSJWacSVvuBIyJCSKbMnb1SgdZ5TaQBmj75rAd7GfJ0oc7fvq76fmZfmYWn2/s400/032.JPG" /></a>What a fun group of party girls, huh? They were so funny! What a change from the 6yr old boy party last month!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtRH55XGjDoAw7K7vTk9Lk3F57xFEZssr8cleMXtV-HyASz1MkXdin-KVUd06Ww5_tv6pmolGaM-PRdtHWoIcDxXN6cefKOen_VNl2jHJXxQg6xzb9lIPFdlyslfk6KDaTg_82UAmU8WC/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608411236041879458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtRH55XGjDoAw7K7vTk9Lk3F57xFEZssr8cleMXtV-HyASz1MkXdin-KVUd06Ww5_tv6pmolGaM-PRdtHWoIcDxXN6cefKOen_VNl2jHJXxQg6xzb9lIPFdlyslfk6KDaTg_82UAmU8WC/s400/027.JPG" /></a> Sophie got her 1st hair cut last Thursday also! They just evened it up some! Such a little monkey! Good thing she's cute, because she's getting molars right now and always wants to be held, super whiny girl.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsY9CFtSh2Hwf94_Cu8rB-YJ-XgsKaxR1301-AVK3BFfI9WJ0ugJMFHZUE3EewBzE2VUX7-BUdeKtZFN2b6Oa9V_FmTyoIpGCvayHdo9m-daoFxafnONh3AbC_pINWxDuRKt0O5SqrPbY/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608411224317914642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsY9CFtSh2Hwf94_Cu8rB-YJ-XgsKaxR1301-AVK3BFfI9WJ0ugJMFHZUE3EewBzE2VUX7-BUdeKtZFN2b6Oa9V_FmTyoIpGCvayHdo9m-daoFxafnONh3AbC_pINWxDuRKt0O5SqrPbY/s400/025.JPG" /></a> Check out the sweet owl cake I made out of cupcakes for Katie's party, the owlet wasn't as cute as I'd hoped so I only made one!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJHuQQlp4RlClSwovc2ZB77bQQRorDYVd2GTtfGvIGLwzmyPk2DeFwqCxHgi6VNs8PFlkE5rw1q-AOss6gG5qJ46RTcYt3txq_KUDoaOiV1E6-RXOX8g-8fal3cUBFcuC3gzTF0yla16j/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608411221105789394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJHuQQlp4RlClSwovc2ZB77bQQRorDYVd2GTtfGvIGLwzmyPk2DeFwqCxHgi6VNs8PFlkE5rw1q-AOss6gG5qJ46RTcYt3txq_KUDoaOiV1E6-RXOX8g-8fal3cUBFcuC3gzTF0yla16j/s400/024.JPG" /></a><br />Check it out! My ring looked just like Princess Di's after decorating the cupcakes! Hahaha! I'd much rather have a diamond than a saffire though, so I washed it off!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpo_JgimMmQhQHocpz6urtn74A1rEsvFO4yxYuubpM2PeJFdhuNt330bbmBsePWzod0IuQTx4DGMaZFoiTOR1MldIVj7bz-OGno44QxRmqqRFiQFLSJ1HW9Zj6CL2bB6NAsOTC9G0Pnbt/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608410030789027426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpo_JgimMmQhQHocpz6urtn74A1rEsvFO4yxYuubpM2PeJFdhuNt330bbmBsePWzod0IuQTx4DGMaZFoiTOR1MldIVj7bz-OGno44QxRmqqRFiQFLSJ1HW9Zj6CL2bB6NAsOTC9G0Pnbt/s400/015.JPG" /></a>Good job on the pet bunny for Julie the American Doll Mom! She loves it! You really are a fairy Godmother!(but not the Granny one on Disney's Cinderella)!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cUHkRozKm9j_Dzx4tKalhafGDPJAj5bMyRd8OSDntUdk7qtySasQ0MRe9PQHyGg3X8NQIZuH83YkkV40kIi15Y1yb2CHijq4n_DN7gRhTVUWomBN97I6Rd4cRljzahrlSFczW-Bf6lp8/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608410021259643794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cUHkRozKm9j_Dzx4tKalhafGDPJAj5bMyRd8OSDntUdk7qtySasQ0MRe9PQHyGg3X8NQIZuH83YkkV40kIi15Y1yb2CHijq4n_DN7gRhTVUWomBN97I6Rd4cRljzahrlSFczW-Bf6lp8/s400/010.JPG" /></a> Katie loves these little lemon cakes that they sell at costco. It saved me from having to make her a birthday cake 2 days in a row, so I was a fan also!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9O_QgT-Xldy1XQc2WuM_Zsvu-CdK62dT03Dtxv0wTdwUcQv9SaTnNFQB3ViMWdbO95xQZ4NOcts2QsM3fpASE1xAX7My_rQ07fkVhp7kKRyvk4Wr2ANllRVD5lHsnDFddbtTR6Vbwuhd/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608410012426853490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9O_QgT-Xldy1XQc2WuM_Zsvu-CdK62dT03Dtxv0wTdwUcQv9SaTnNFQB3ViMWdbO95xQZ4NOcts2QsM3fpASE1xAX7My_rQ07fkVhp7kKRyvk4Wr2ANllRVD5lHsnDFddbtTR6Vbwuhd/s400/005.JPG" /></a> The Thornapple! It magically shows up in your yard for 24hrs and then you send it off to somebody else. Pretty cute school fundraiser. Much better than selling whatever door to door (especially when the whole neighborhood goes to our elementary school).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAahR9rn3MTzp4K_ZJs_fPtUNFdnPuNxtxFUnva2Xg1Cndgbbvw9EaUFIDn8gbs3LkONBVbIRbEGUNWSNL_1yxalzlCTDnu860jAGmfdnlbXOxGSHnUIvAvFYw0t0JZdxWbcgIpNo9jxk9/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608410007524390562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAahR9rn3MTzp4K_ZJs_fPtUNFdnPuNxtxFUnva2Xg1Cndgbbvw9EaUFIDn8gbs3LkONBVbIRbEGUNWSNL_1yxalzlCTDnu860jAGmfdnlbXOxGSHnUIvAvFYw0t0JZdxWbcgIpNo9jxk9/s400/002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Katie's birthday was a week ago. I really can't believe that she's 9! It seems like we JUST had her baptism! She woke up to 9 little lavender pancakes with a candle (we aren't gonna be able to carry that tradition much longer!). Then we had our family party that night she wanted waffels and bacon for dinner and lemon cakes for her cake. It was fun we got the Thornapple on her birthday, it's a school fundraiser where the apple comes and you have to pay to have it leave or you can pay to send it to somebody in particular (fun, huh? I only wish I knew exactly what we were raising the money for so I didn't feel so robbed). </div><br /><br /><div>We had a rockstar birthday party for Katie on Friday from 6-8pm. It was so fun to have her little friends come over and bedazzle play microphones, flip-flops and sunglasses, then we had Dance Party USA in the basement and also watched party of "Tangled".</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>About 10 minutes after the birthday party, Yaya and Papa came into town for a weekend visit. It was so fun to get to see them! Saturday morning Grandma Arends and Aunt Midge came for a visit also. We grilled some hamburgers and brats and had potato salad and watermelon, also lime chips and salsa. YUM! Too bad we were all out of nice weather by then! </div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy and Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396463119439571174noreply@blogger.com5