tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78400289313387457042024-03-12T19:44:07.833-05:00Patterson A-TeamAaron, Aubrey, Aiden, Abbott, Anna & AdelineAubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-74751916144353220312011-07-15T23:21:00.002-05:002011-07-15T23:46:18.700-05:00Harry Potter Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">OK…it’s not really a party. It’s just me and my boys. Tonight we went to see the final Harry Potter movie and we LOVED it! I cried like a baby through the whole thing!<br />
<br />
We left the girls with a babysitter, and took the boys out to dinner and to see the movie. After visiting Hogwarts/Hogsmeade last week, we are REALLY head over heels in HP mode at the moment! The boys brought their wands to the theater and had a blast!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">After the movie we came home and I surprised the boys with the 2000+ piece Diagon Alley Lego's set. They were just a tiny bit excited.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge29SnJOeig87x04pFiOM1RvAPq0i2Cn8faenfqDOEbvU-SQnUivA_4IoPAX3eXjHzwxT17L4jWuMDWmDiaIIuPky31NBOjyqBuMAGkxG4iHWFoae3xtU1Me3EsnycWPcaHpYIJhh-16s/s1600/DSC01102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge29SnJOeig87x04pFiOM1RvAPq0i2Cn8faenfqDOEbvU-SQnUivA_4IoPAX3eXjHzwxT17L4jWuMDWmDiaIIuPky31NBOjyqBuMAGkxG4iHWFoae3xtU1Me3EsnycWPcaHpYIJhh-16s/s320/DSC01102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And we decided to make our own butterbeer! It was really easy and turned out great. I thought I would share the recipe for any other Harry Potter geeks out there who want to try it. I found several recipes online, and sort of combined them to make what I think tastes closest to what we had at the park (which was approved by JK Rowling herself). Many recipes I came across were complicated and involved boiling brown sugar, adding rum extract…yikes! So here is a super simple version:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First, make your “froth” for the top. Don’t cheat with whipped cream…it needs to be the real stuff!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream</div><div class="MsoNormal">1/3 cup, plus 1 Tablespoon sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal">3 Tablespoons powdered sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal">3 teaspoons vanilla</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHNLirRsDDsvL7ckDm-zTsfZs0jRelAPFozSqWtHLnNTXr_gZ871wxNve47RYwanosqyfz8IOpDxDcraawjZRl2D_xJGJFFeu4T2EYGfXueAibOG4L-3DYCr_ehLmSWmyPRPAfskCEI8/s1600/DSC01097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHNLirRsDDsvL7ckDm-zTsfZs0jRelAPFozSqWtHLnNTXr_gZ871wxNve47RYwanosqyfz8IOpDxDcraawjZRl2D_xJGJFFeu4T2EYGfXueAibOG4L-3DYCr_ehLmSWmyPRPAfskCEI8/s320/DSC01097.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Whip with high speed mixer until nice and thick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE7LzFn6Q6ZxqOIoj7wdqyVTAtI_GIrbBNo-kqDUbc4353uiLGaZTXkz7-E-NB06ut5yOUV8-FSwHgxQqD4l6nTVZbkwhxwEaHjFtsNk5QvD29KsBz_JdQ1xNyHfzBu20w9Yvr3DEqRI/s1600/DSC01094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE7LzFn6Q6ZxqOIoj7wdqyVTAtI_GIrbBNo-kqDUbc4353uiLGaZTXkz7-E-NB06ut5yOUV8-FSwHgxQqD4l6nTVZbkwhxwEaHjFtsNk5QvD29KsBz_JdQ1xNyHfzBu20w9Yvr3DEqRI/s320/DSC01094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In your glass (or stein!) pour in 1 cup of IBC Cream Soda<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWATqzkoVdvi9CKGzLkXcq9Pnuy0vnxPUR4A4MIlaCS0BVJDiRr0TWrZQGK9zfyJQHkKdmcJcnhO0WXjdC7CHQn11zF0FIOyqPwvPrwnX8RXnZ9MaW8Y-BsC20gLWyKn3ODQTrOE-Cxnw/s1600/DSC01098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWATqzkoVdvi9CKGzLkXcq9Pnuy0vnxPUR4A4MIlaCS0BVJDiRr0TWrZQGK9zfyJQHkKdmcJcnhO0WXjdC7CHQn11zF0FIOyqPwvPrwnX8RXnZ9MaW8Y-BsC20gLWyKn3ODQTrOE-Cxnw/s320/DSC01098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Add about 1/4 cup of butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping) and stir until completely mixed. You can add a little more or less according to taste. I like a little less...the boys liked about 1/3 cup of the butterscotch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6FgnHVX3UBU0y8YccM3KRsajoYRzosO8r3V1fLYFTttLt2nxAO112TMIlzoyyhfXRkv8lrZYO-RvVoO7Kw9roB9bhw_opZ81hG58Y0MBBvDUNmIb_9Q7wueeYOLA9jxgbKxbw84_dw0/s1600/DSC01096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6FgnHVX3UBU0y8YccM3KRsajoYRzosO8r3V1fLYFTttLt2nxAO112TMIlzoyyhfXRkv8lrZYO-RvVoO7Kw9roB9bhw_opZ81hG58Y0MBBvDUNmIb_9Q7wueeYOLA9jxgbKxbw84_dw0/s320/DSC01096.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Spoon your yummy cream onto the top and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoCkg0MXcSxHF4zks7w-J6kU6XtsQ4DCIp4c2oR_azS1e40F8kxxp5mGDeDbzoUWYx3xipXY7uhMl_r6vk1O7gFSEPIktInQ-WlAULs_PYamTIsVOQ9u4M7VwAr3jJ7Ww_DdJA5tS0QE/s1600/DSC01099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoCkg0MXcSxHF4zks7w-J6kU6XtsQ4DCIp4c2oR_azS1e40F8kxxp5mGDeDbzoUWYx3xipXY7uhMl_r6vk1O7gFSEPIktInQ-WlAULs_PYamTIsVOQ9u4M7VwAr3jJ7Ww_DdJA5tS0QE/s320/DSC01099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoCkg0MXcSxHF4zks7w-J6kU6XtsQ4DCIp4c2oR_azS1e40F8kxxp5mGDeDbzoUWYx3xipXY7uhMl_r6vk1O7gFSEPIktInQ-WlAULs_PYamTIsVOQ9u4M7VwAr3jJ7Ww_DdJA5tS0QE/s1600/DSC01099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I added some shaved ice from our snow cone maker because the cream soda wasn't cold. It made it a bit like the frozen version. I can't wait to try it steaming warm in the winter!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYSiP_wUMzetOID-Fbfpyu7eclT5Sl_8rrCxxTdjLjlBR2c71cP4wIx3-2NNKTR3cr-CcK1WwTkkan4i-j9PneGvs0YJZf1Ri4E1Uu-aZk3EnleLAG0xaJNknyDMNzao9dJENtQM273c/s1600/DSC01101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYSiP_wUMzetOID-Fbfpyu7eclT5Sl_8rrCxxTdjLjlBR2c71cP4wIx3-2NNKTR3cr-CcK1WwTkkan4i-j9PneGvs0YJZf1Ri4E1Uu-aZk3EnleLAG0xaJNknyDMNzao9dJENtQM273c/s320/DSC01101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I remember reading the first four books (censoring the end of Goblet of Fire) to Aiden when he was four years old. We wanted to instill a love of Potter at an early age :) Apparently it worked. He finished the "darker" books on his own when he got older, and turned in to an HP geek like his parents.<br />
<br />
Butterbeer, the final HP movie, and the coolest HP lego set ever. Oh, and the babysitter had the girls in bed when we got home. It's a good night! We just sat around talking about the movie, how it was different from the book, and our favorite parts. Love those boys!<br />
<br />
Did anyone else do anything fun to celebrate the last Harry Potter flick?Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-24834948996615953212011-07-14T21:04:00.001-05:002011-07-14T21:06:50.897-05:00Vacation of a Lifetime! Day one- Harry Potter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our family recently spent a fun filled week in Orlando. It was amazing and magical and perfect and expensive...but I am so glad we did it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was the three younger kids first time on a plane (and Aiden's first that he remembers) and they were as excited about the flight as the vacation its self. And I was pretty excited too...a two hour direct flight or an 18 hour drive. Nice!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvw6R1P7skWwdfuLRnYBdzCkWAZTsdNfgOFPrTNba_UIQdgQi-xFq5SmTUIMvPNLnTbM0WbcXddZLMrRw2y_D_-SCKm3gjr9Bwg8jrPYcLnOmpF4ktRZL8cSuP7R64TntgYUtCc2Yv7g/s1600/DSC00009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvw6R1P7skWwdfuLRnYBdzCkWAZTsdNfgOFPrTNba_UIQdgQi-xFq5SmTUIMvPNLnTbM0WbcXddZLMrRw2y_D_-SCKm3gjr9Bwg8jrPYcLnOmpF4ktRZL8cSuP7R64TntgYUtCc2Yv7g/s320/DSC00009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQozpn-Ud5OvhSEG1PB_9BEpSAo1Cu0nlcXRL0Wu72TsPgDCpKaOOr8sDULKA90fghxbcN4Ms5Oi5DPQ2TR-vW72RXrMwUb5xgOAtQ-0yJ5CtvUiMPOcbBFfJZSN24XdeQlkTNC2_2Vc/s1600/DSC00017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQozpn-Ud5OvhSEG1PB_9BEpSAo1Cu0nlcXRL0Wu72TsPgDCpKaOOr8sDULKA90fghxbcN4Ms5Oi5DPQ2TR-vW72RXrMwUb5xgOAtQ-0yJ5CtvUiMPOcbBFfJZSN24XdeQlkTNC2_2Vc/s320/DSC00017.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbSogxrAQGKsN-LcveDY84A_iE0XF-nqXLsTaA6CkafEskuglq-vSF0g1taX4dE1fpT3XFHSO3SIXp0H0vcrNMVM1pV6PiHdCvvQMlwcfYPTzExu47-Vv74bYktpdccczqhlFCMPqlFE/s1600/DSC00018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbSogxrAQGKsN-LcveDY84A_iE0XF-nqXLsTaA6CkafEskuglq-vSF0g1taX4dE1fpT3XFHSO3SIXp0H0vcrNMVM1pV6PiHdCvvQMlwcfYPTzExu47-Vv74bYktpdccczqhlFCMPqlFE/s320/DSC00018.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They were amazed to be flying ABOVE the clouds!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSyTzsZOvv3SJLl0guYH4O_jlEtiK9LhLP2kZ2ipzOndrUz4FEIFvrXwd6ZvmauwnxchUrKrvaxCHr0N-qr8GaganD4PQ93DVTyucGGCmRl0hLvZEaQ9sWWY9weYjXatqpSXXn3vp6J0/s1600/DSC00020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSyTzsZOvv3SJLl0guYH4O_jlEtiK9LhLP2kZ2ipzOndrUz4FEIFvrXwd6ZvmauwnxchUrKrvaxCHr0N-qr8GaganD4PQ93DVTyucGGCmRl0hLvZEaQ9sWWY9weYjXatqpSXXn3vp6J0/s320/DSC00020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our fun began at Universal's Islands of Adventure...The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We are all huge HP fans, and visiting Hogwarts and Hogsmeade was a dream come true. The boys thought we went for them, but the truth is...mom and dad have been fans WAAY longer than they have! Ha! We were all giddy as we entered and were immediately greeted by the Hogwarts Express.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw5ENC8_dMIOkADItdAno9stQ61bgxBg3V3vSq-D2DAHXDJSfYXXdJAsKPpA6itrloLSZJK6JI38N7W0-e4Znzz8MeO-YKGpqG-UAS0056mqDMOUP1UPL8e-1Vocl7UlQgBcYlJH9dDk/s1600/DSC00023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw5ENC8_dMIOkADItdAno9stQ61bgxBg3V3vSq-D2DAHXDJSfYXXdJAsKPpA6itrloLSZJK6JI38N7W0-e4Znzz8MeO-YKGpqG-UAS0056mqDMOUP1UPL8e-1Vocl7UlQgBcYlJH9dDk/s320/DSC00023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hogwart's was truly breathtaking. They did an amazing job. I think it is even better than Cinderella's castle! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfSo-dZG_V2gKUshZo8PW6SCmpunX3jWpsL5aN74LQia1HqDl54QK86We3x0JJ00l_DavYmB29XRauB7b7gVl18IIlfA9JEGN16FnyrfYpKA2tcg-1uo4d-gapTKF1KleeA4WxIeAHyQ/s1600/DSC00031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfSo-dZG_V2gKUshZo8PW6SCmpunX3jWpsL5aN74LQia1HqDl54QK86We3x0JJ00l_DavYmB29XRauB7b7gVl18IIlfA9JEGN16FnyrfYpKA2tcg-1uo4d-gapTKF1KleeA4WxIeAHyQ/s320/DSC00031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A couple of really excited boys!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg99m7k6wr4ChlKvxKPWdk1ZEwMCP9jajmi1GJ3kaf07m8X5Cz7d_iyINXiN8D7XMeJt3T4VzZKotVsoam9Sr4rlrLFbTM3yn7Tn8GqAJqkQc1SsQ16-dCs_ahlZ45L_YGpiNuLZ5GjmE/s1600/DSC00033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg99m7k6wr4ChlKvxKPWdk1ZEwMCP9jajmi1GJ3kaf07m8X5Cz7d_iyINXiN8D7XMeJt3T4VzZKotVsoam9Sr4rlrLFbTM3yn7Tn8GqAJqkQc1SsQ16-dCs_ahlZ45L_YGpiNuLZ5GjmE/s320/DSC00033.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our first stop was Ollivander's Wand shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo-Dig8dgcYEeowvQZZQP22lzf436_0Z-RcflrOJlX8CjJbZ3SetqYwJOLsRzIZI1SdzxmvZmkVFjYtAsspTnfbJOVU_qDYM8nmakqR1e1iUY8RL9hD0OdaJpxCVJFwAxbAemPbpf4Rc/s1600/DSC00046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZo-Dig8dgcYEeowvQZZQP22lzf436_0Z-RcflrOJlX8CjJbZ3SetqYwJOLsRzIZI1SdzxmvZmkVFjYtAsspTnfbJOVU_qDYM8nmakqR1e1iUY8RL9hD0OdaJpxCVJFwAxbAemPbpf4Rc/s320/DSC00046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Yeah...mom's pretty excited too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsFLXnsAdjJLe3UitlJ3GYsDbPduOUv3k_4IV7e9X0liohmVqmJKxf98L59rA4w4XpOCC7pVh1I-mZ1wks0keTnjJpF8Yy0dyl8_3CdDIYIlmzMFLMyyAKK2KDIhehPYgyzOphqjdBQk/s1600/DSC00054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsFLXnsAdjJLe3UitlJ3GYsDbPduOUv3k_4IV7e9X0liohmVqmJKxf98L59rA4w4XpOCC7pVh1I-mZ1wks0keTnjJpF8Yy0dyl8_3CdDIYIlmzMFLMyyAKK2KDIhehPYgyzOphqjdBQk/s320/DSC00054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They take a group into the shop and Ollivander chooses one person for wand selection. The wand chooses the wizard, you know. To our surprise and delight...Aiden was chosen!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbeqd0_q0hzuIlCnZs5LqzDx2GzGcOyWSpx9GSQ8AMq4OfBW-m_4RYFJ_si_3bQdyCnzkdlETJO8BFuhkQq56N6rN488po2MwI_VQM5ISpAUFlRwdLECJwiQAzemxhXxwuYaC3CfW_Kc/s1600/DSC00056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbeqd0_q0hzuIlCnZs5LqzDx2GzGcOyWSpx9GSQ8AMq4OfBW-m_4RYFJ_si_3bQdyCnzkdlETJO8BFuhkQq56N6rN488po2MwI_VQM5ISpAUFlRwdLECJwiQAzemxhXxwuYaC3CfW_Kc/s320/DSC00056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> He was given a few wands to try out. The spells didn't go too well with the first few wands. Made a mess :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWx2ZGTup2JF9-RmDFBXJQvJqsIX9XzHjPpVVhVgBKY6eESxXzb5lZR_T4SsJxjdlAj01n66nbHUNBS8q6OntxwoNq57LxnQoGW5Yf0n2nyP6uos9Cts7kgvhPbvZ26bC7NvnBZrM9uE/s1600/DSC00057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWx2ZGTup2JF9-RmDFBXJQvJqsIX9XzHjPpVVhVgBKY6eESxXzb5lZR_T4SsJxjdlAj01n66nbHUNBS8q6OntxwoNq57LxnQoGW5Yf0n2nyP6uos9Cts7kgvhPbvZ26bC7NvnBZrM9uE/s320/DSC00057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kL1Y-dRzjDuLsRifPsRFeA248yvHrxmp-E13kOG4pKRjFW3s3ZbSGYnMdci33rG1M-aWHy04fqSGhbFm2my3Dv8K5FXrQPr1HDjKEmUnbG-HWh3QlUZ5v097soA6Oov12t58Nd8iDKs/s1600/DSC00062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kL1Y-dRzjDuLsRifPsRFeA248yvHrxmp-E13kOG4pKRjFW3s3ZbSGYnMdci33rG1M-aWHy04fqSGhbFm2my3Dv8K5FXrQPr1HDjKEmUnbG-HWh3QlUZ5v097soA6Oov12t58Nd8iDKs/s320/DSC00062.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But finally, this wand chose Aiden. Alder wood, with a phoenix feather core. Perfect!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWx2ZGTup2JF9-RmDFBXJQvJqsIX9XzHjPpVVhVgBKY6eESxXzb5lZR_T4SsJxjdlAj01n66nbHUNBS8q6OntxwoNq57LxnQoGW5Yf0n2nyP6uos9Cts7kgvhPbvZ26bC7NvnBZrM9uE/s1600/DSC00057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypxo1ixkwYJVpmCtswOc0nSmTv-LsLKpfEArkLyDUloo2MeEJIrMnl1gVrus_HmcMn76AfMu9AnVqQTOPLexsdd-D_vTiOHVZ-NvMgxN7F3Oa_L9IJwWjvYXTSBPHGCDAWB-2dBVDTVs/s1600/DSC00063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypxo1ixkwYJVpmCtswOc0nSmTv-LsLKpfEArkLyDUloo2MeEJIrMnl1gVrus_HmcMn76AfMu9AnVqQTOPLexsdd-D_vTiOHVZ-NvMgxN7F3Oa_L9IJwWjvYXTSBPHGCDAWB-2dBVDTVs/s320/DSC00063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I think this was my favorite part of our whole trip! He will never, ever forget that experience. And the really cool part is that Aiden is eleven...the age that Harry (and every other wizard) gets his first wand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB5NnEYWVk2WehYoaCIgyCzFddbIE87VaypyTZMVpTAeikLX-AWGXhhv9nUo_AAqyPjNBf96eGTWqbtWNkZzt3Z2w6s5eOvXqXA99MhNQPBJaXicf_xQB1-pab8yLy-MUymCV1PtroYQ/s1600/DSC00059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB5NnEYWVk2WehYoaCIgyCzFddbIE87VaypyTZMVpTAeikLX-AWGXhhv9nUo_AAqyPjNBf96eGTWqbtWNkZzt3Z2w6s5eOvXqXA99MhNQPBJaXicf_xQB1-pab8yLy-MUymCV1PtroYQ/s320/DSC00059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the shop was so awesome too! The walls were lined with dusty wand boxes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKaTXHFLiTzlMlkGKGFXiCyjG6BHF4JO5ZnOuQjH_5LS4hQbnEf_Wiiz-Qfmn73opmXidS2grw9ozJDUqqk9FkSca8Z2SX_Zy3sUG1J-Ps1jeVDYnY2ZQgdohyphenhyphen2tusneZt2HuFc6BnF8/s1600/DSC00065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKaTXHFLiTzlMlkGKGFXiCyjG6BHF4JO5ZnOuQjH_5LS4hQbnEf_Wiiz-Qfmn73opmXidS2grw9ozJDUqqk9FkSca8Z2SX_Zy3sUG1J-Ps1jeVDYnY2ZQgdohyphenhyphen2tusneZt2HuFc6BnF8/s320/DSC00065.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Abbott didn't have a wand choose him, so he chose a wand :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikE5J8hNMUAjsjZ_Xy_IbU1AziEN0bh4PCgzG0A5t5x5X05Jk13fJZpfftJn3Eiv7l5yjFgnf5fzK1_6sOLInuwaXZ4P52bok559_QqI-F7yMjmfKcdjjWe-VarJEfAyQ-GFZTlgwePCE/s1600/DSC00067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikE5J8hNMUAjsjZ_Xy_IbU1AziEN0bh4PCgzG0A5t5x5X05Jk13fJZpfftJn3Eiv7l5yjFgnf5fzK1_6sOLInuwaXZ4P52bok559_QqI-F7yMjmfKcdjjWe-VarJEfAyQ-GFZTlgwePCE/s320/DSC00067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Notice the owl droppings...that's attention to detail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY7W3vSqRaH2q9XgYnTHsEEee5VhtZTXJbsN7gcvSg0P23J88ZC5vmE4LH6J3sX3XCpm97U-3sQ-VBtyTZCdc5dEa9t9XPEPjAWP67cRKPb6jcHYaZqFg9lr4y-cK-8_yTUE6w5T9yFg/s1600/DSC00070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY7W3vSqRaH2q9XgYnTHsEEee5VhtZTXJbsN7gcvSg0P23J88ZC5vmE4LH6J3sX3XCpm97U-3sQ-VBtyTZCdc5dEa9t9XPEPjAWP67cRKPb6jcHYaZqFg9lr4y-cK-8_yTUE6w5T9yFg/s320/DSC00070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Monster Book of Monsters...don't want to get too close to that book...yikes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P4kvlynNByfuvHz-H2aUaHTmyaPXQ4ik54jhvZia-zrimYhsLYBzvSS8m11TAVIqIeTfH0x5Atfh_miTANe_-_SSMqvlZHqDcermCCyawb4mZutgvOZFh2h6MyMSa3K-QDtj7zhNoUc/s1600/DSC00076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P4kvlynNByfuvHz-H2aUaHTmyaPXQ4ik54jhvZia-zrimYhsLYBzvSS8m11TAVIqIeTfH0x5Atfh_miTANe_-_SSMqvlZHqDcermCCyawb4mZutgvOZFh2h6MyMSa3K-QDtj7zhNoUc/s320/DSC00076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Zonko's Joke shop was super fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7phTLsv0qiKWs9z4zQYXIQ1NxUZXGfqaxpAUUbMnXXNJg5f0kxw1OB8xQKzuUYzn3d6oO7WDOHqiILYg51IzzE4ojbEYqbYGf2AN9MQGwYBay1sOF35Vn8uDbJT74_nibBoRef7k5qLk/s1600/DSC00025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7phTLsv0qiKWs9z4zQYXIQ1NxUZXGfqaxpAUUbMnXXNJg5f0kxw1OB8xQKzuUYzn3d6oO7WDOHqiILYg51IzzE4ojbEYqbYGf2AN9MQGwYBay1sOF35Vn8uDbJT74_nibBoRef7k5qLk/s320/DSC00025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Top to bottom packed with wizarding gadgets, toys, and pranks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5bZ5QlL_WQ2fTultE5647uX47GT6jv9YEUMT6pcms75DjU6YsRHxJ0J7m33Tz7e6zTjI3tJgkGZMGjFYLSFRF_SpzEkYTlWy58SJee2KF2PXekqueKvjhAse8YPOJXlXoQcbrQem9Vk/s1600/DSC00087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5bZ5QlL_WQ2fTultE5647uX47GT6jv9YEUMT6pcms75DjU6YsRHxJ0J7m33Tz7e6zTjI3tJgkGZMGjFYLSFRF_SpzEkYTlWy58SJee2KF2PXekqueKvjhAse8YPOJXlXoQcbrQem9Vk/s320/DSC00087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love the Extendable Ears!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hhzAt9RLlN7tHBvAhXcYV2zuKTG-mPGlTy2gZ4gFBl0wWlgQlre5sisTRIP7LnUMdI5hqwFXbXViJlT02EXXS_sKoJ8AptQI_Dq8i3BgdJ1DT3f5Wvm61hKx1PYceepNTmKk2_Jpcfk/s1600/DSC00092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hhzAt9RLlN7tHBvAhXcYV2zuKTG-mPGlTy2gZ4gFBl0wWlgQlre5sisTRIP7LnUMdI5hqwFXbXViJlT02EXXS_sKoJ8AptQI_Dq8i3BgdJ1DT3f5Wvm61hKx1PYceepNTmKk2_Jpcfk/s320/DSC00092.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adeline purchased a Pygmy Puff. They do a really cute naming ceremony and she chose the name Chilly (or maybe Chili?) We aren't really sure where she came up with that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ317BDoMC_AgbdyYR42LiQqqFq3TmhAxvRRibddfD4-CxZEaDgxlUFKGWydQO5d7YkVHoAdU3X_lipVJ_e9EG4Gb4rKg8ABk2xVqYiaLBgI4AK9k_4W0tKdbwvBMuXh9Bw6pN1AYOq4/s1600/DSC00117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ317BDoMC_AgbdyYR42LiQqqFq3TmhAxvRRibddfD4-CxZEaDgxlUFKGWydQO5d7YkVHoAdU3X_lipVJ_e9EG4Gb4rKg8ABk2xVqYiaLBgI4AK9k_4W0tKdbwvBMuXh9Bw6pN1AYOq4/s320/DSC00117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this was the only way she would let me photograph Chilly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiA3EtpJf1M6TVhrlXPYxo1bwovWgvvjs4tjJerCO8MquPb1ftceN8aNAYd9lMZpphsRQKPHFQpVsGrsyO-vBqGgcAv_dI8Y2gRYYhN3HgZcLGqsO-_I22d42GgCdO2EA39s0IoBVIQE/s1600/DSC00127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiA3EtpJf1M6TVhrlXPYxo1bwovWgvvjs4tjJerCO8MquPb1ftceN8aNAYd9lMZpphsRQKPHFQpVsGrsyO-vBqGgcAv_dI8Y2gRYYhN3HgZcLGqsO-_I22d42GgCdO2EA39s0IoBVIQE/s320/DSC00127.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HoneyDukes Sweetshop was, well, sweet! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSlvlJoEvdOmbNLeG1OQM5WbDtq5E0iqkwpL2INdVhSSJryOPPR0Lv2zj1AXJ0YJJDsaD4P1NjMdknX2pz13oNDeEffmApXeXCqnVsvizukF-119KOP1kAq3n_2TncvKIVHpvyhTaljk/s1600/DSC00026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSlvlJoEvdOmbNLeG1OQM5WbDtq5E0iqkwpL2INdVhSSJryOPPR0Lv2zj1AXJ0YJJDsaD4P1NjMdknX2pz13oNDeEffmApXeXCqnVsvizukF-119KOP1kAq3n_2TncvKIVHpvyhTaljk/s320/DSC00026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">U No Poo (not to be confused with "you know who")...the constipation sensation!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQchYZm3V3KmgNHW6lHGLeOMARs0a2LIDb4gxpZA2B4Y_LMXaGo7itVhDc9gFq1Crfra_rWVo1iFUdyFUr5tjgI5m1vrgw9R02ZwCo5CdaJYCerR4AZvnSP_MvGfp7ItEuI83qs0D4Rb8/s1600/DSC00094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQchYZm3V3KmgNHW6lHGLeOMARs0a2LIDb4gxpZA2B4Y_LMXaGo7itVhDc9gFq1Crfra_rWVo1iFUdyFUr5tjgI5m1vrgw9R02ZwCo5CdaJYCerR4AZvnSP_MvGfp7ItEuI83qs0D4Rb8/s320/DSC00094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP8mPhmHpodjGbUaoik5NiAUqIQGKZas8EYlLrudJNhPcilVFByKhTeFgAkDG1JyWWT1z1yDKiFtEpb_ReWBSV5M7c1ieQ5pGJlprc96G4da3MF_adrHDRxyN1QW1c3w3HaLRtC62-80/s1600/DSC00098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP8mPhmHpodjGbUaoik5NiAUqIQGKZas8EYlLrudJNhPcilVFByKhTeFgAkDG1JyWWT1z1yDKiFtEpb_ReWBSV5M7c1ieQ5pGJlprc96G4da3MF_adrHDRxyN1QW1c3w3HaLRtC62-80/s320/DSC00098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKezD4LTkuibhAWbxnS8rQ1GSztU6Kc6FuirDK1larB2hlFoSDdccM_EJQe90vP1pX2E7iTYw2j6ZgR9EMhq7hTRCkfarr9QrjntRsnEP0Gjbpje40YMXPQ7DLekCxUy4AvkNSl5N3d2o/s1600/DSC00100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKezD4LTkuibhAWbxnS8rQ1GSztU6Kc6FuirDK1larB2hlFoSDdccM_EJQe90vP1pX2E7iTYw2j6ZgR9EMhq7hTRCkfarr9QrjntRsnEP0Gjbpje40YMXPQ7DLekCxUy4AvkNSl5N3d2o/s320/DSC00100.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Aiden bought a chocolate frog and got Godric Gryffindor's card. He was so excited!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RmMtVOBuzYssh4k8O4sD9jBQtfvlLLBl1uqCQjEzHiqMCMawei38-SSi5LtLpoDaaRKr1xLgbRH31JJ9Q569LuMC5zvDNFaf_GilsaGIq3PVkA8V7mWjXzs3Wv-wPwKEeR2DL_DfQXo/s1600/DSC00103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RmMtVOBuzYssh4k8O4sD9jBQtfvlLLBl1uqCQjEzHiqMCMawei38-SSi5LtLpoDaaRKr1xLgbRH31JJ9Q569LuMC5zvDNFaf_GilsaGIq3PVkA8V7mWjXzs3Wv-wPwKEeR2DL_DfQXo/s320/DSC00103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPejnetoYx-atTNmGlZ1SRvXXCqY8gMX3WyIkrGjPlYtgLSiJjavXtoq-ZxXPSSOeQHWmCjCHJwMS9-F4ekBqlBSV75E8yTftrglLQ5mCttvwMHP4wx0IC6kGYVJdocsGhDrcz0lUU3Xw/s1600/DSC00244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPejnetoYx-atTNmGlZ1SRvXXCqY8gMX3WyIkrGjPlYtgLSiJjavXtoq-ZxXPSSOeQHWmCjCHJwMS9-F4ekBqlBSV75E8yTftrglLQ5mCttvwMHP4wx0IC6kGYVJdocsGhDrcz0lUU3Xw/s320/DSC00244.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzx48-MHGp_ym7p_6kXP89iDSmoLojo2VnW00ahjC2nVkgheEAugvTFsueASh5t6XPnMmLlO2VeSONCJLlRkYoHt00qbqKXduw2eWxKxSL3YT7eKBOXBGXslT3kW4Fshsaf-coZOCevYo/s1600/DSC00242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzx48-MHGp_ym7p_6kXP89iDSmoLojo2VnW00ahjC2nVkgheEAugvTFsueASh5t6XPnMmLlO2VeSONCJLlRkYoHt00qbqKXduw2eWxKxSL3YT7eKBOXBGXslT3kW4Fshsaf-coZOCevYo/s320/DSC00242.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPejnetoYx-atTNmGlZ1SRvXXCqY8gMX3WyIkrGjPlYtgLSiJjavXtoq-ZxXPSSOeQHWmCjCHJwMS9-F4ekBqlBSV75E8yTftrglLQ5mCttvwMHP4wx0IC6kGYVJdocsGhDrcz0lUU3Xw/s1600/DSC00244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_MGr8nkxF0XPXbL8m2NVQbCuDRpWHw9_Qc0OIVFoC-8HCfAceSl0qSAQcJlIjN5SNyJfksIpX62exJW0VUZxKzjfB49krUxCTPTkexAQ4ERosMscKpreeTI2oKITclatBy8W_ikXE-U/s1600/DSC00108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_MGr8nkxF0XPXbL8m2NVQbCuDRpWHw9_Qc0OIVFoC-8HCfAceSl0qSAQcJlIjN5SNyJfksIpX62exJW0VUZxKzjfB49krUxCTPTkexAQ4ERosMscKpreeTI2oKITclatBy8W_ikXE-U/s320/DSC00108.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. The kids just ate these today and tasted some interesting flavors like soap, earwax, pepper, and bogeys. Surprisingly, they liked grass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNlkOYeSUU5bpHMVFqqCkUfjwWP-1dif9eHPxaTFeW9l5_bed7XIHLreE9M-MpYj1YCFYE6OTqznSvykYg6niiHjRozUtxUcIK2VJi6GLN82S7LuLsW0lgCEvFGmAKYszboKh27nFHm0/s1600/DSC00112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNlkOYeSUU5bpHMVFqqCkUfjwWP-1dif9eHPxaTFeW9l5_bed7XIHLreE9M-MpYj1YCFYE6OTqznSvykYg6niiHjRozUtxUcIK2VJi6GLN82S7LuLsW0lgCEvFGmAKYszboKh27nFHm0/s320/DSC00112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These Cauldron cakes were adorable! I can't wait to try to make them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pA4jDuwSQwSmpKASrAf30M7kYDc3nADV4QMhhc2hBNdkLxIjuEp8ecbx9odIT_betVhT7hNtaogHNWTlNhk5kjnJ12zva0zsVSa7X7_tKtsuixk2VUSEq7W7cHifyiyOnuRzj-JX9bI/s1600/DSC00114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pA4jDuwSQwSmpKASrAf30M7kYDc3nADV4QMhhc2hBNdkLxIjuEp8ecbx9odIT_betVhT7hNtaogHNWTlNhk5kjnJ12zva0zsVSa7X7_tKtsuixk2VUSEq7W7cHifyiyOnuRzj-JX9bI/s320/DSC00114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hogwarts Frog Choir</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNDLGWMNruz_V_oooBsIb8vCWp6Se6UQhHImcbPWc5rGP5HczmRmuOXgjVlGXi1MoPlZd9UvEeTDLRhZdQNM4_WRAZNZfhSPM1PpcmZ84umFrvAGJQ_EFFCLN1AOEXvk0iwbts_ditn4/s1600/DSC00125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNDLGWMNruz_V_oooBsIb8vCWp6Se6UQhHImcbPWc5rGP5HczmRmuOXgjVlGXi1MoPlZd9UvEeTDLRhZdQNM4_WRAZNZfhSPM1PpcmZ84umFrvAGJQ_EFFCLN1AOEXvk0iwbts_ditn4/s320/DSC00125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> We got our picture taken with the babes from Beauxbatons and dudes from Durmstrang.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvo8VKv3XAye8dzOcrqvnG0H8ckiay7SlrOSObeTf8gliVLhVbPN09K-bYeYTTR6bXwPeDAGGwFusXB4dVs_HOXeePBB4I5ch7T8quO_ayh6h6rW8VymY8-KZxu8_6xE_n_lftaSRGv8/s1600/DSC00133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvo8VKv3XAye8dzOcrqvnG0H8ckiay7SlrOSObeTf8gliVLhVbPN09K-bYeYTTR6bXwPeDAGGwFusXB4dVs_HOXeePBB4I5ch7T8quO_ayh6h6rW8VymY8-KZxu8_6xE_n_lftaSRGv8/s320/DSC00133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pumpkin Juice wasn't as yummy as we thought it would be. It was kind of like cider and I think I might like it in the fall. It wasn't very thirst quenching in the July heat. The bottle is super cute though :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvo8VKv3XAye8dzOcrqvnG0H8ckiay7SlrOSObeTf8gliVLhVbPN09K-bYeYTTR6bXwPeDAGGwFusXB4dVs_HOXeePBB4I5ch7T8quO_ayh6h6rW8VymY8-KZxu8_6xE_n_lftaSRGv8/s1600/DSC00133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1shBbQyoOx5xggd0939zWZ37zWuOjMTNmK4PeVTz_IZ42X4W7xdAybzL-arpfSDGSvqqq6L4mPCl2LLKMU7J6NluRaaxJ4bjOSHAcDWvzMw7xCg9MlOIwOq7PqpoOHikEejYxMkrGxNA/s1600/DSC00097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1shBbQyoOx5xggd0939zWZ37zWuOjMTNmK4PeVTz_IZ42X4W7xdAybzL-arpfSDGSvqqq6L4mPCl2LLKMU7J6NluRaaxJ4bjOSHAcDWvzMw7xCg9MlOIwOq7PqpoOHikEejYxMkrGxNA/s320/DSC00097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Marauder's Map...actually had little moving footprints!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwe9rg1zT-bkhzo8CThondXtqua3rUR3LVPxibU7BIZNf2d3XZNL3pky3f9Ta8n4i3FeFKH_TYwqUyXc7QsCz0uodGyhcYZs4x6OcRjn9FLxRxeKS0Lv-QAphryFFrks2Q9M8j6il4dA/s1600/DSC00136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwe9rg1zT-bkhzo8CThondXtqua3rUR3LVPxibU7BIZNf2d3XZNL3pky3f9Ta8n4i3FeFKH_TYwqUyXc7QsCz0uodGyhcYZs4x6OcRjn9FLxRxeKS0Lv-QAphryFFrks2Q9M8j6il4dA/s320/DSC00136.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch at the Three Broomsticks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QiMTSjUciq6RaCKF02PS2tWtKsVEcO5TaxMPLMfwnW1bodzATrQS7OA2pmoO5-PR4E2k1of5sT1LVYxoI5n7ZhWB3J1xLBeFLhi-9vbqGXpknDme8ZW3T1MVImSTdkO2Dhq-She_lDk/s1600/DSC00027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QiMTSjUciq6RaCKF02PS2tWtKsVEcO5TaxMPLMfwnW1bodzATrQS7OA2pmoO5-PR4E2k1of5sT1LVYxoI5n7ZhWB3J1xLBeFLhi-9vbqGXpknDme8ZW3T1MVImSTdkO2Dhq-She_lDk/s320/DSC00027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are my kiddos chillin' in a booth at the Three Broomsticks...drinking Butterbeer. I'm so excited just remembering how cool it was!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TqQUP2fChxCL7rlSOq7S-JWx0bhLMlwkIvXErXjpCaxuz1h0-4zcH7UpTFLZ1GNw161LxD48dKxfuZLbW7yPuITI6RE5ZauPCS434QaZxAVhczHJo1B6FcuKJuWb8eFteOfwc2gO3F8/s1600/DSC00145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TqQUP2fChxCL7rlSOq7S-JWx0bhLMlwkIvXErXjpCaxuz1h0-4zcH7UpTFLZ1GNw161LxD48dKxfuZLbW7yPuITI6RE5ZauPCS434QaZxAVhczHJo1B6FcuKJuWb8eFteOfwc2gO3F8/s320/DSC00145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> We didn't try the Hog's Head Brew :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt3TsITFcTY7a3qqjyprV6HYNA09nwAZKzwfKE_10kvRDk_I9AeSPtGdupRc3_YwWlJUBi2gyFCojUo0YWBUKGXyM71xujoNss_Q0iLaCU-GkZkDdvyDZcCkdoC7m1EZngrt2GAr5aV0/s1600/DSC00146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt3TsITFcTY7a3qqjyprV6HYNA09nwAZKzwfKE_10kvRDk_I9AeSPtGdupRc3_YwWlJUBi2gyFCojUo0YWBUKGXyM71xujoNss_Q0iLaCU-GkZkDdvyDZcCkdoC7m1EZngrt2GAr5aV0/s320/DSC00146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We ordered the "Great Feast". It was ribs, rotisserie chicken, roasted vegetables, potatoes, corn on the cob, and salad. Can I get a yum?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtP6xdpfVv0t9ryDpGKEAtiA9wKCt2LFEBlL0SuJDI3_uYq2TUYJ-k9sQ47Hs0mv38G4z5yDOFiT6JTNbV83qE4cBj5D3eoE-1Er77m2zgzk5uPS1XoyA0z8iHbYlIo4FN7tv4azeyO0/s1600/DSC00150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtP6xdpfVv0t9ryDpGKEAtiA9wKCt2LFEBlL0SuJDI3_uYq2TUYJ-k9sQ47Hs0mv38G4z5yDOFiT6JTNbV83qE4cBj5D3eoE-1Er77m2zgzk5uPS1XoyA0z8iHbYlIo4FN7tv4azeyO0/s320/DSC00150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuqyKJijM6pte0MY1jJJ899fqWrfrQbkjUNHAGxGGjp8dsIbhEdMLxsgs5ETy1-92Nw9qiGFz61XeuB6ktaworiLcv7qXXjgIPlQu5tzkkmjQbsZl1zvdZ6QEnUo8G7iXMlY6vqC4LN4/s1600/DSC00154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuqyKJijM6pte0MY1jJJ899fqWrfrQbkjUNHAGxGGjp8dsIbhEdMLxsgs5ETy1-92Nw9qiGFz61XeuB6ktaworiLcv7qXXjgIPlQu5tzkkmjQbsZl1zvdZ6QEnUo8G7iXMlY6vqC4LN4/s320/DSC00154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We were all incredibly excited to taste Butterbeer. They have regular and frozen, so we tried both of course! I think everyone preferred the frozen variety, but they were both delicious! It was similar to cream soda, but with a really creamy, frothy head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQAlyr8SWvrBsCNNm43OpXPqNDl05mrZCJmITjR0n3i1-EsPU0PSm4jjRqFJZogXwesAFQOwYn6zZ8nVZLpMlYtsHnsI6qghhQER8a48WW1wrRmgt1TyobJH86xXoFwyrBEZGoXelRT0/s1600/DSC00151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQAlyr8SWvrBsCNNm43OpXPqNDl05mrZCJmITjR0n3i1-EsPU0PSm4jjRqFJZogXwesAFQOwYn6zZ8nVZLpMlYtsHnsI6qghhQER8a48WW1wrRmgt1TyobJH86xXoFwyrBEZGoXelRT0/s320/DSC00151.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_0k0u5lq7GHqkAh0G6gK91Fw6m085xQBx2yeN7Qz6REnTKXigAqqzseYrhECUrAcnMQd-JSnzaVouG5g0yp7LbkRJ8zzn5dnDc9q0FjtBexcb3eAYx1GSKtrRHbj0t-TBrCPvGMbtJs/s1600/DSC00152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_0k0u5lq7GHqkAh0G6gK91Fw6m085xQBx2yeN7Qz6REnTKXigAqqzseYrhECUrAcnMQd-JSnzaVouG5g0yp7LbkRJ8zzn5dnDc9q0FjtBexcb3eAYx1GSKtrRHbj0t-TBrCPvGMbtJs/s320/DSC00152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> And, of course, the building was amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHROkvQRE4vAp_fNltdLwf6ebp0AXBGDFuX17ilD07BBQBPyWIVSJxg591L7UlchnKQB9XGHIO2NOtXZQXjWGQrdoPRz804C-BKjBLSMubL4HBdwSD6mM4YhQ9LXLIO9y9g1aTNnR5s_Q/s1600/DSC00156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHROkvQRE4vAp_fNltdLwf6ebp0AXBGDFuX17ilD07BBQBPyWIVSJxg591L7UlchnKQB9XGHIO2NOtXZQXjWGQrdoPRz804C-BKjBLSMubL4HBdwSD6mM4YhQ9LXLIO9y9g1aTNnR5s_Q/s320/DSC00156.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Annoying little mandrake...remember them from Chamber of Secrets? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcrhXetJDX82lbJ205_-PANvX37lSf9_Y9tReeG1Uo8auru0mK03jIoXl0G0p99uK3RNq0HLWhik2Ioq8RJiU1poXRetHoa3Q-34Iffyk0bH8KVN1knDJ3_YO2NVuT0d3rzqnUPME-mc/s1600/DSC00159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcrhXetJDX82lbJ205_-PANvX37lSf9_Y9tReeG1Uo8auru0mK03jIoXl0G0p99uK3RNq0HLWhik2Ioq8RJiU1poXRetHoa3Q-34Iffyk0bH8KVN1knDJ3_YO2NVuT0d3rzqnUPME-mc/s320/DSC00159.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was so in awe of all the details...like the Gringott's ATM.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6OxMj6ls739UzbSx7ug3_Lz9dx-uhnpjLIpzA5xR1mjfu4q_JFFyiJebtiJ-lo6sEnDsSXWRYR6pgWXp5EUEEKyf1bwa8xbwMNaW53dgogZZHgX_VmCC1VL9wEHbJKvtW1ycQ6OYjoE/s1600/DSC00160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6OxMj6ls739UzbSx7ug3_Lz9dx-uhnpjLIpzA5xR1mjfu4q_JFFyiJebtiJ-lo6sEnDsSXWRYR6pgWXp5EUEEKyf1bwa8xbwMNaW53dgogZZHgX_VmCC1VL9wEHbJKvtW1ycQ6OYjoE/s320/DSC00160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anna didn't buy her wand in Ollivander's because she was holding out for a replica of Ginny's wand. Here the girls are trying out replica wands belonging to all of the HP Characters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarlWlqUKud9fEcWlmdbU0Be-W2X-2nrEHL-y8BXd45vINuZqrA8UV0TfwHHiK0HHcorERg_8cmdKBzeFzJpnR5nnx3n0FjOW6_RdVItNk-swticwkILBf6uO6DHufAl_sAGx15kQ_Kyo/s1600/DSC00162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarlWlqUKud9fEcWlmdbU0Be-W2X-2nrEHL-y8BXd45vINuZqrA8UV0TfwHHiK0HHcorERg_8cmdKBzeFzJpnR5nnx3n0FjOW6_RdVItNk-swticwkILBf6uO6DHufAl_sAGx15kQ_Kyo/s320/DSC00162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKDYymTVx4gES1L4uF7oSs3V6j9sTQIlDnwWr6015xP3I31g1xTM1DsTPOBrPZTiNxIubBAQNNvnfFMVFeDvMZhL95Vld-j-JSKPFOpIV3C9LfEjqxedto9T1BYMHKMjAnEwCmrOCZBU/s1600/DSC00163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKDYymTVx4gES1L4uF7oSs3V6j9sTQIlDnwWr6015xP3I31g1xTM1DsTPOBrPZTiNxIubBAQNNvnfFMVFeDvMZhL95Vld-j-JSKPFOpIV3C9LfEjqxedto9T1BYMHKMjAnEwCmrOCZBU/s320/DSC00163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My little witch and wizards showing of some magic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENCrqbX48tJbak4rlWGzOpAaoweJ0dOFOpS-2aTD6AJVifwDlg-Gjo3_qW0GZ0J86TKQXk2Ymy7wxjw9Mnm8ZChEjNVVM9PDHteMTqSPCyk4O_Pj1gcHKWEZbDVtznqcCUNiJRIeyQVM/s1600/DSC00170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENCrqbX48tJbak4rlWGzOpAaoweJ0dOFOpS-2aTD6AJVifwDlg-Gjo3_qW0GZ0J86TKQXk2Ymy7wxjw9Mnm8ZChEjNVVM9PDHteMTqSPCyk4O_Pj1gcHKWEZbDVtznqcCUNiJRIeyQVM/s320/DSC00170.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In case you can't tell...we really, really loved our time spent in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I honestly could have flown home without spending a day day at Disney and I would have gone home happy. It was THAT great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, the girls couldn't ride the HP rides, and didn't really appreciate the shops and such as they haven't read the books and aren't allowed to watch most of the movies. So...we headed over to Seuss Landing to have a bit of fun with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ReC3R6ToDEJiEr1fkgQiyfaxDqKn3LMgj8FrNc5zVrpE6ftklj9eb9k81EPrMfRRolXxtENqJmXG6H-pZn03LG0Jm4xdmUfKJ55fYHJ_lUb8AlIUUuc3Y5BHVI95v5Zz6R35MDitPzc/s1600/DSC00185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ReC3R6ToDEJiEr1fkgQiyfaxDqKn3LMgj8FrNc5zVrpE6ftklj9eb9k81EPrMfRRolXxtENqJmXG6H-pZn03LG0Jm4xdmUfKJ55fYHJ_lUb8AlIUUuc3Y5BHVI95v5Zz6R35MDitPzc/s320/DSC00185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's no HP...but it was pretty stinkin' cute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2gQAH1vMaqCcFszW9kaYbh-UrOaStxl-K8_2jKaiumPxrYxpg6NmXXCmNyiTKIECMRru4gvQxOxvNyT1PAX5NWAmKxA14rp8VlD0ASggkpx4HDmjPsOKre39J8gXBR33AqLHJvlBLcQ/s1600/DSC00186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2gQAH1vMaqCcFszW9kaYbh-UrOaStxl-K8_2jKaiumPxrYxpg6NmXXCmNyiTKIECMRru4gvQxOxvNyT1PAX5NWAmKxA14rp8VlD0ASggkpx4HDmjPsOKre39J8gXBR33AqLHJvlBLcQ/s320/DSC00186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this little girl was in heaven!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hLtcnuOSM33HFgk3zP3e_KeQm8bZNmiJE7Rx1-uFJkM-LAjvA4AkBHhFsn1KbS23HpggORncgu75C7iRh1QoyaPmJlHz4dNDWWq5EX3NUEt3j0_VSSETs5Ec0neKKaK6CQj9A0KxNIw/s1600/DSC00202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hLtcnuOSM33HFgk3zP3e_KeQm8bZNmiJE7Rx1-uFJkM-LAjvA4AkBHhFsn1KbS23HpggORncgu75C7iRh1QoyaPmJlHz4dNDWWq5EX3NUEt3j0_VSSETs5Ec0neKKaK6CQj9A0KxNIw/s320/DSC00202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, even on the Cat in the Hat ride, I am longingly taking a picture of Hogwarts in the distance!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDKYP_aWS8amhL8CQEqv9D8mfgJNnhxTy4Mn9Y6OJ94lNNF-Gzw2sWtAZJ7wahyhp2WKXq8-FE_gL2hPcg0fb8wJcz_2zgZ8aPH5rEi1I72bWk81bX301phvcANzVtXNb4lqpKn46gjo/s1600/DSC00198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDKYP_aWS8amhL8CQEqv9D8mfgJNnhxTy4Mn9Y6OJ94lNNF-Gzw2sWtAZJ7wahyhp2WKXq8-FE_gL2hPcg0fb8wJcz_2zgZ8aPH5rEi1I72bWk81bX301phvcANzVtXNb4lqpKn46gjo/s320/DSC00198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sassy little Thing 1 and Thing 2!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGMv6Gmt48svOB7zsUi61pIprriFfW6RGpQfXYqjqG_0fm75yCzH4CdgonHvRb_tSaGoV7jtGXWt1Wx6jdN6AfL50Bew_HWkC6Sv_V_DJOuUV49oprkqIOnZGHdkaLwGf6X2acxAEjuk/s1600/DSC00210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGMv6Gmt48svOB7zsUi61pIprriFfW6RGpQfXYqjqG_0fm75yCzH4CdgonHvRb_tSaGoV7jtGXWt1Wx6jdN6AfL50Bew_HWkC6Sv_V_DJOuUV49oprkqIOnZGHdkaLwGf6X2acxAEjuk/s320/DSC00210.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_STQcFhOI3mixY2rHHoT14b62XwTdeNSKyDdOo71HLbZ29HW2PIvH4kkAxGnU7maX-8rT1RFzgoBEb71pde4fucW7syxVneWe6KqWS_n92H2_vvBjMpvq4v_0k4iov23umM3w29STpdo/s1600/DSC00223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_STQcFhOI3mixY2rHHoT14b62XwTdeNSKyDdOo71HLbZ29HW2PIvH4kkAxGnU7maX-8rT1RFzgoBEb71pde4fucW7syxVneWe6KqWS_n92H2_vvBjMpvq4v_0k4iov23umM3w29STpdo/s320/DSC00223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9bw1Irs72t5xdjelvJLfFmPU8zkPBB9JQyuCfvzvzO5ILUZLVjPFfFP6hofZmMe_ABZgalzkj4er3fGtBh1xNDgj-klD4L3JrbnkuAbuOJSwvy5bPo4DDhmxfnTvFVfgISvRixtpOK8/s1600/DSC00226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9bw1Irs72t5xdjelvJLfFmPU8zkPBB9JQyuCfvzvzO5ILUZLVjPFfFP6hofZmMe_ABZgalzkj4er3fGtBh1xNDgj-klD4L3JrbnkuAbuOJSwvy5bPo4DDhmxfnTvFVfgISvRixtpOK8/s320/DSC00226.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a spectacular day. It did, however, leave us dying to go back! They are refurbishing in 2012. Rumor has it that they underestimated the popularity of the place and are going to expand by adding Diagon Alley in order to accommodate more people at a time. The shops are really neat, but in order to keep it authentic, they are tiny! An expansion is definitely needed...so we have vowed to return to check it out :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">No better way to end a day than with a wizard duel with your brother.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVk3yHTTf3fWYH0ZoE94h1ymQG_CLluPG3cgZSD5Rj7x1070ZbzUu2xy537H2uXiFYPnMyHr7sJBAks4WxeXnmwdt01BzwpUhaP3ymFMnEgXDb6W2EqieGRNUq2Dex4oiweg__mHnEvk/s1600/DSC00256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVk3yHTTf3fWYH0ZoE94h1ymQG_CLluPG3cgZSD5Rj7x1070ZbzUu2xy537H2uXiFYPnMyHr7sJBAks4WxeXnmwdt01BzwpUhaP3ymFMnEgXDb6W2EqieGRNUq2Dex4oiweg__mHnEvk/s320/DSC00256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnCyqhjmHW0TncKcZ7PiPa1FQ4sv6znBB1qZvd_E_Fv7M4xTYqxMhI5zOv-yvUXmBEzRloYxrA8mshOAjq8Kl_QrpKGu1wFD2K5R6WWczEzYKxESjJnRQAVqOOZNnsuxOmVURqWs4HpY/s1600/DSC00257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnCyqhjmHW0TncKcZ7PiPa1FQ4sv6znBB1qZvd_E_Fv7M4xTYqxMhI5zOv-yvUXmBEzRloYxrA8mshOAjq8Kl_QrpKGu1wFD2K5R6WWczEzYKxESjJnRQAVqOOZNnsuxOmVURqWs4HpY/s320/DSC00257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-71680220328456393682011-03-30T15:26:00.001-05:002011-03-30T15:26:53.697-05:00Spring Break: The Economics of Fun<div class="MsoNormal">Have you ever let your kids plan a vacation?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We spent 3 nights in Branson over spring break. We always do a short trip for spring break…St. Louis, Dallas…last year we dug for diamonds in Murfreesboro...somewhere within a few hours drive.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the first time in 4 years that we do NOT have season passes to Silver Dollar City. So we decided to head to Branson and try some new things that we haven’t gotten to do because we usually spend most of our time at SDC.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, this trip was different than any other trip we have ever taken…because 4 kids planned the itinerary!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I sold a bunch of old baby gear and kids clothes in the Rhea Lana’s consignment sale, and made a whopping $564.30! So this little chunk of change became our vacation money…and I handed it over to the kids!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Acl1CYpvtfyuMmgLhfrkZu43rToEZ0kkcpsiW4aQdcuI1RRUquL_6p58hprl8EW-YR156YU6RNo2RGUT_XYeiwUDoukjvCfoz5JTwZEm2DhTrQPyWzxR33Z7wJ1v86KSffQVdn_Szuk/s1600/DSCN2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Acl1CYpvtfyuMmgLhfrkZu43rToEZ0kkcpsiW4aQdcuI1RRUquL_6p58hprl8EW-YR156YU6RNo2RGUT_XYeiwUDoukjvCfoz5JTwZEm2DhTrQPyWzxR33Z7wJ1v86KSffQVdn_Szuk/s320/DSCN2880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When they saw that stack of cash, you would have thought they had won the lottery! Abbott asked if it was enough to buy a car. Uh…no. Our new van cost 80 times this amount. You can see why we need the economics lesson! Still, when you’re 9, $500 is a fortune. And that fortune should buy you any thing you want, right? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The hotel and gas were paid for, but all food and fun had to come out of “their money”. There were only three rules. 1. They had to buy lunch and dinner each day (the hotel had a free breakfast) 2. All decisions were majority rule. 3. Whatever money was leftover at the end of the trip, they got to split 4 ways and keep.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For Family Home Evening we brainstormed all of the wonderful things we would like to do in Branson. Everyone wanted to do the Dixie Stampede. We went there a few years ago and loved it! Everybody tossed out suggestions, and then mom put a price tag next to each activity of what it would cost for our family of 6. Dixie Stampede: $276. Hiking: free. You get the idea. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This was exactly the wake-up call we were hoping for. “Dixie Stampede would cost HALF of our money!” say the kids. “Yes, it would” says mom and dad. “Well, there is no way we’re doing THAT” say the kids. “It’s your choice” say mom and dad.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So the Dixie Stampede was crossed off the list in favor of more economical options. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They looked over all of the activities and prices and decided which things were “must-do”, and which things they could do with out. Can I just say how AMAZING it was to see their little frugal minds when they knew they could keep some of this glorious cash if they budgeted wisely? Yeah…it was great.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And I am pleased to announce, upon completion of the vacation, that they all compromised, negotiated, and got along great! They would try to talk one another out of unwise purchases, and put their heads together to make choices. For example, Aiden wanted to go to McDonald’s for breakfast, and the crew talked him into sticking with the free breakfast at the hotel.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I thought I would post our kid-planned vacation itinerary so you could see how they chose to spend those precious pennies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Wednesday</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dinner- McDonald’s $19</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Thursday</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Breakfast- Free</div><div class="MsoNormal">Swim at the hotel- Free</div><div class="MsoNormal">Watch movie in hotel room- Free</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lunch @ Cracker Barrel (with tip...there's a good lesson!)- $42</div><div class="MsoNormal">Fish Hatchery- $3.50 for fish food</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5-GVaNXwUxsVt3ZMgj0NdtbiHdojDEi4uWvYrvotJcFhw0K325WpcZ_QF9NZVec-wWGZwzi7tyeQaYPQfLKLsY4hb7z0Q0BIdA64igGvICNUP0O_3dGxV95E_nast4PFaQxacG40QJg/s1600/DSCN2896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5-GVaNXwUxsVt3ZMgj0NdtbiHdojDEi4uWvYrvotJcFhw0K325WpcZ_QF9NZVec-wWGZwzi7tyeQaYPQfLKLsY4hb7z0Q0BIdA64igGvICNUP0O_3dGxV95E_nast4PFaQxacG40QJg/s320/DSCN2896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrAi36SoGas39NAqO_ZR8C1K9VaDBsV4mcqQtmZpadSF1z26mBZPlBYz6ZQRkiGbTb-ceF-1DY8xGmCIR54WxJAGlD4L6MfLOGhRHqqNMcPQe0YM61jadAlVwdenfqmM5mY1PGUJ3F8M/s1600/DSCN2902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrAi36SoGas39NAqO_ZR8C1K9VaDBsV4mcqQtmZpadSF1z26mBZPlBYz6ZQRkiGbTb-ceF-1DY8xGmCIR54WxJAGlD4L6MfLOGhRHqqNMcPQe0YM61jadAlVwdenfqmM5mY1PGUJ3F8M/s320/DSCN2902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfnXlKilpDn1sE3mOEHcKfX-BSBJJLlAneUM7I7hXmaFRMknwCQJsTtFEJH4gMjdOrCZAiSeEf9XFTtjUbPEi61xBpuapbENqTvFfoXFpztruwyDjgMLKL_uZDwuDb-M0_IQWyEX9opk/s1600/DSCN2904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfnXlKilpDn1sE3mOEHcKfX-BSBJJLlAneUM7I7hXmaFRMknwCQJsTtFEJH4gMjdOrCZAiSeEf9XFTtjUbPEi61xBpuapbENqTvFfoXFpztruwyDjgMLKL_uZDwuDb-M0_IQWyEX9opk/s320/DSCN2904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hike along the lake- Free</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YmAza69jPHoTWtJga_itzQo6p0Puo9Nv0SmAMz5Hjz3Rk1TXKkY5rz9CNIgG92_8MriOro803KeVoJOY9Qe_EVHRSeZY1f2UK6YthCXv9JkBziTBNRTewQG3LfVKTSnb-f72dP0p34g/s1600/DSCN2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YmAza69jPHoTWtJga_itzQo6p0Puo9Nv0SmAMz5Hjz3Rk1TXKkY5rz9CNIgG92_8MriOro803KeVoJOY9Qe_EVHRSeZY1f2UK6YthCXv9JkBziTBNRTewQG3LfVKTSnb-f72dP0p34g/s320/DSCN2928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjj3vn-slAJ-syNrhe3e9IH8yfr6iclj8CMT2sP4l7FX2r-cbedlrLOB5B7yiRcmhmKhinW5J2ZqwaIOmA8qIrOwSfyWRLW8Cv0x58cIoZAAZge-bk04883WNCBNTieSegtHna6tDr0o/s1600/DSCN2923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjj3vn-slAJ-syNrhe3e9IH8yfr6iclj8CMT2sP4l7FX2r-cbedlrLOB5B7yiRcmhmKhinW5J2ZqwaIOmA8qIrOwSfyWRLW8Cv0x58cIoZAAZge-bk04883WNCBNTieSegtHna6tDr0o/s320/DSCN2923.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUt2KRmzr25vc3T1KEb0VohQ741BxyD7TSYXlZptLkWLfz-GhJe7yScRqeSmwTce_GnDEeVgV9crIzI1qZsYax7lLpPYhA0vxNc3C7FSaUx7J8QQidBPYNM_3mVyZJlqlybdCMi412Fo/s1600/DSCN2914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUt2KRmzr25vc3T1KEb0VohQ741BxyD7TSYXlZptLkWLfz-GhJe7yScRqeSmwTce_GnDEeVgV9crIzI1qZsYax7lLpPYhA0vxNc3C7FSaUx7J8QQidBPYNM_3mVyZJlqlybdCMi412Fo/s320/DSCN2914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5Yuls6gARi3Fg29ZsR9ErMt0yVZ-XZ_7EfZ_Rng2vPDOP1_m80W0bhcTbFpPozLtA8RETAJEzNFypgGU4kaG6-EoFfuEEZSn8Cpx_ERB20N6M_VMFwrqxsbOZjuObmN0LqVvVMjO__I/s1600/DSCN2932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5Yuls6gARi3Fg29ZsR9ErMt0yVZ-XZ_7EfZ_Rng2vPDOP1_m80W0bhcTbFpPozLtA8RETAJEzNFypgGU4kaG6-EoFfuEEZSn8Cpx_ERB20N6M_VMFwrqxsbOZjuObmN0LqVvVMjO__I/s320/DSCN2932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna was tired of walking so her sweet bro offered a piggy back</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Sonic Drinks- $5.50</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Track (Go Karts, Bumper Boats, Arcade Games)- $85</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqfxYNeODKAEDgl8UHMzoJjA7OgC4os-cD116O-6OL1PDix9Jcp6Ntr4ztsF88zeXRIjzbSk08USgBeTLnYdwhjgpeFFvnL-VSU0pos5sljjpw9jmZdcPyE4E2SlTlB3GVKywzwtyz7c/s1600/DSCN2933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqfxYNeODKAEDgl8UHMzoJjA7OgC4os-cD116O-6OL1PDix9Jcp6Ntr4ztsF88zeXRIjzbSk08USgBeTLnYdwhjgpeFFvnL-VSU0pos5sljjpw9jmZdcPyE4E2SlTlB3GVKywzwtyz7c/s320/DSCN2933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nohEhnYakkG2ocyAQXFtPoSiDy3_4zeO4Pl0Di6LrucCDMJrb6Dx7EmacheBRqok3pm_MvdcNAcJnOgEqDqPUIDu3pI6qnb4dJq3BByCZMLPdP8rG3FYJGPZNOCXcGBP32Fp8jwPSMM/s1600/DSCN2934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nohEhnYakkG2ocyAQXFtPoSiDy3_4zeO4Pl0Di6LrucCDMJrb6Dx7EmacheBRqok3pm_MvdcNAcJnOgEqDqPUIDu3pI6qnb4dJq3BByCZMLPdP8rG3FYJGPZNOCXcGBP32Fp8jwPSMM/s320/DSCN2934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWvFcI9ngv7_sM7SCC6i217JfH65IESGLURlNQ_NBWtoYwM1td4rkInv-krk_HT7CzzB2p4sOiUCTrhiBVvxiJiE2TafA8FzyqXpBDAEm09lu6eRC2LbJePcB1daT5WivQ17f9-zRJm4/s1600/DSCN2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWvFcI9ngv7_sM7SCC6i217JfH65IESGLURlNQ_NBWtoYwM1td4rkInv-krk_HT7CzzB2p4sOiUCTrhiBVvxiJiE2TafA8FzyqXpBDAEm09lu6eRC2LbJePcB1daT5WivQ17f9-zRJm4/s320/DSCN2941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dinner @ Fudruckers (with milkshakes!) $41</div><div class="MsoNormal">Toys @ Walmart (Everybody got a $10 limit)- $37</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><b>Friday</b></u></div><div class="MsoNormal">Breakfast- Free</div><div class="MsoNormal">Swim at the hotel- Free</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lunch @ Taco Bell $25</div><div class="MsoNormal">Play with new toys in the room/hang out- Free</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dinner @ Sonic- $20</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hamner Barber Magic/Comedy/Ventrriloquism Show- $88 (after coupon- another good lesson!)</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOnNf9_bio0zLLVhBN4srIBqlCLbwiN7cPFrmeK2_wHFpIP7cxYQSv9b36hwuyMhHW6gw_CMZ9gehyUWxbUV-MOrlDwVAMvA3p4BXHjaaP4ZdiaYJ7rmS5UgotmFSq7O5GLqs_nzT-kk/s1600/DSCN2945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOnNf9_bio0zLLVhBN4srIBqlCLbwiN7cPFrmeK2_wHFpIP7cxYQSv9b36hwuyMhHW6gw_CMZ9gehyUWxbUV-MOrlDwVAMvA3p4BXHjaaP4ZdiaYJ7rmS5UgotmFSq7O5GLqs_nzT-kk/s320/DSCN2945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hamner and Barber</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Cotton Candy and Popcorn at Hamner Barber- $10</div><div class="MsoNormal">Souvenier googly eyes at Hamner Barber X 4- $12</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1-fZ3a2p3AYErzfbuLikDOtRkSc_WnpWFW3GEBsSBMv80uXFJIPko57Cw43oMQNi0_i4nyvgwMTYFx-hDfrFNCWxkC9MLbBi-Q8d6q5bx0BsnuYlmd1Ijs-V6khJpPWBzaFNoz3WI9U/s1600/DSCN2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1-fZ3a2p3AYErzfbuLikDOtRkSc_WnpWFW3GEBsSBMv80uXFJIPko57Cw43oMQNi0_i4nyvgwMTYFx-hDfrFNCWxkC9MLbBi-Q8d6q5bx0BsnuYlmd1Ijs-V6khJpPWBzaFNoz3WI9U/s320/DSCN2948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Krispy Kreme donuts (for the morning)- $9</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7T8a50pOXNCnldoOW7UHPvgHrTEG8HuJ9wDB0kTQNApLiKKX523nWr_0C0psRvZ2vxBx566pUXkbGETVpihVQiN3kuChdHHdzNX-CkVZ_Y86EoDekQ1wk-lxnBRrRXL1WahiW1ch-uo/s1600/DSCN2954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7T8a50pOXNCnldoOW7UHPvgHrTEG8HuJ9wDB0kTQNApLiKKX523nWr_0C0psRvZ2vxBx566pUXkbGETVpihVQiN3kuChdHHdzNX-CkVZ_Y86EoDekQ1wk-lxnBRrRXL1WahiW1ch-uo/s320/DSCN2954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Saturday</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Breakfast- Free</div><div class="MsoNormal">Shopping- Mom Paid <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Lunch @ Pizza Buffet- $40 with tip</div><div class="MsoNormal">Machines at pizza place- $1 in quarters</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Track (again)- $20 (half price credits this time- yay!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlgeg1VGt0rCqS3RHk4V6AxyUX9H534mj6eoczkkza5DqXz38bKumYp3fovU7_6KZBot7FYcnDcIHytVDdx3zPEJa_wTahIXL0MeoyL_Z5wVcy4r5ch8wST5TiI33FrRKCpc0zOzzEJ8/s1600/DSCN2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlgeg1VGt0rCqS3RHk4V6AxyUX9H534mj6eoczkkza5DqXz38bKumYp3fovU7_6KZBot7FYcnDcIHytVDdx3zPEJa_wTahIXL0MeoyL_Z5wVcy4r5ch8wST5TiI33FrRKCpc0zOzzEJ8/s320/DSCN2960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0gCo3WnVsr5sjrLiPXIYSr8MIArV2SCAT1wOtMu_K68U_XN9VxuBwq1dNRArHlvevrAZ9iXjFT7olUdyQ0N_TbDZ-LnSQ95tCrBkKI5DVRhkPqvNL-_qXfxw26ZrECywYckGFB5dkHw/s1600/DSCN2962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0gCo3WnVsr5sjrLiPXIYSr8MIArV2SCAT1wOtMu_K68U_XN9VxuBwq1dNRArHlvevrAZ9iXjFT7olUdyQ0N_TbDZ-LnSQ95tCrBkKI5DVRhkPqvNL-_qXfxw26ZrECywYckGFB5dkHw/s320/DSCN2962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuY4i6cXWrEt2qlD0pcCofvfT6P86WnbVOV-ZJgjZZu8uGRBM_rY1a81_DVxA2iUCXAs_V7MdyRQ3UuMPTX0YbxT6KpPFpj0lET9-L4akIfgRxz6Qn_HtUrMsc0dq5R1Qer1yy_zwJ84/s1600/DSCN2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuY4i6cXWrEt2qlD0pcCofvfT6P86WnbVOV-ZJgjZZu8uGRBM_rY1a81_DVxA2iUCXAs_V7MdyRQ3UuMPTX0YbxT6KpPFpj0lET9-L4akIfgRxz6Qn_HtUrMsc0dq5R1Qer1yy_zwJ84/s320/DSCN2965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Drinks on the way home- $3</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am beyond thrilled with how successful our little experiment was. We did not hear “pleeeease”, or “why can’t we?”, or “I want this” at all the entire trip. However, we did dish it out a bit. At Cracker Barrel, Aaron asked them to buy him an electronic spider and I begged for a ceramic Easter bunny. They were a little disgusted with us <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span> The look of “seriously?” on Abbott’s face was priceless! We didn’t leave with the spider or the bunny, but I’m pretty sure we made our point.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On the way home I informed them that they had $103.84 left over to split. Then I asked them if they wanted to stop for ice cream. Ever hear four kids shout “NO!” to ice cream at the same time?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I think frugality is one of the most important life lessons we can teach our children, and this vacation definitely went a long way toward teaching them the whole “money doesn’t grow on trees” thing. We will definitely be doing this again, and I think next time I will make them pay for gas. The fact that gas costs a fortune is a good life lesson as well, and I think it would be good to have them budget enough to get home. When they’re older we may even let them plan the whole trip, destination and everything. However, mom will always have veto power.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC3JGKboEh8fJowovFjleBESP3tNWWWFAjGyOLamP0uf3mA3c_yrQ4tTBzKOgQmxdR5sOCWN4vvuawTmQZ_3I16UXla30DDUN5UiEo_qEJoRnTUBnBdf-8KeVMo8Rkh1gyF-e_XYNOBA/s1600/DSCN2971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC3JGKboEh8fJowovFjleBESP3tNWWWFAjGyOLamP0uf3mA3c_yrQ4tTBzKOgQmxdR5sOCWN4vvuawTmQZ_3I16UXla30DDUN5UiEo_qEJoRnTUBnBdf-8KeVMo8Rkh1gyF-e_XYNOBA/s320/DSCN2971.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Divvying up the cash!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-83466326940697916132010-10-31T01:31:00.000-05:002010-10-31T01:31:24.028-05:00An Avatar Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Patterson family LOVES Halloween! On November 1st, we begin planning our costumes for the next year. Seriously, it's a big deal around here. Everyone agrees on a theme, and then mom is expected to create costumes that are a perfect replica of all of the characters. And I love it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year, we chose Avatar: The Last Airbender. The cartoon...not the movie. That's a really important disclaimer because the movie followed the series pretty well, but the costumes are totally different. We are HUGE fans of the series and have been for years. If you have never seen it, you a) would have no idea what we were dressed as (along with a lot of other people) and b) are really missing out on a great show. We own all three books (seasons) on DVD...you should really borrow them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here they are! I'm pretty proud of the way they turned out. Mom didn't dress up this year...mainly because I ran out of time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAQ5ntZ8fp7XWj-4eKO9woJDsQFklv5LfCQH3avEBJRgAGizIROO59O_kq1kzTMp8Tn6_5xiWNJIU2PBdLS2zFWgdcl_YbxZ0kEH_MxgJ1BPfhxGMcrQAtU-f3L-EhrJqPos3F8CbQHs/s1600/DSC06951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAQ5ntZ8fp7XWj-4eKO9woJDsQFklv5LfCQH3avEBJRgAGizIROO59O_kq1kzTMp8Tn6_5xiWNJIU2PBdLS2zFWgdcl_YbxZ0kEH_MxgJ1BPfhxGMcrQAtU-f3L-EhrJqPos3F8CbQHs/s640/DSC06951.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am going to give a little info on how I made each costume, along with how much money I spent on each one. I hope to help someone looking for info on how to make Avatar costumes with...should we say "limited sewing abilities" and limited finances.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVVX1yDOIV689vPMnuUL5E_7xoU938yVAKWHNv6CpMB4cKI-vSCAHuCKu3y1xtXOXM18djRuDh__fRk99K3VTKiuopNiIFmVKVTXXqXWrYAjriDUf-qDMW9y5P-X9_wKqploqWlgCL3c/s1600/DSC06950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVVX1yDOIV689vPMnuUL5E_7xoU938yVAKWHNv6CpMB4cKI-vSCAHuCKu3y1xtXOXM18djRuDh__fRk99K3VTKiuopNiIFmVKVTXXqXWrYAjriDUf-qDMW9y5P-X9_wKqploqWlgCL3c/s320/DSC06950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9_FXAENG9Vs_VibHsxCOFJoUoSNQWc1rZDZJbgkMX1rkKN0DYxv3AiWs2oBiKvCMciG8GGueodqQ_A1zgHaPHZDMgVtMfSBpww1OCfZN2ur5KPhAZk7P_DA-u9WBv6JqY1y4iqXm0B8/s1600/DSC06896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9_FXAENG9Vs_VibHsxCOFJoUoSNQWc1rZDZJbgkMX1rkKN0DYxv3AiWs2oBiKvCMciG8GGueodqQ_A1zgHaPHZDMgVtMfSBpww1OCfZN2ur5KPhAZk7P_DA-u9WBv6JqY1y4iqXm0B8/s320/DSC06896.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adeline is Katara. She was absolutely adorable...hair loopies and all! She was very proud of her costume. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrPyLxHUi2FDeV0X36h9al2PoQHC1T2e_M-f555RZEGHrOAbPmQi3FG0vLUQGON_7ow-jRX5yNGSBgZs-mY9uF26t7lwBpSL0UaRbdB7TglzEv3AIqlRVAjD0CqP4el8cgwQEJ7jPS_4/s1600/DSC06943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrPyLxHUi2FDeV0X36h9al2PoQHC1T2e_M-f555RZEGHrOAbPmQi3FG0vLUQGON_7ow-jRX5yNGSBgZs-mY9uF26t7lwBpSL0UaRbdB7TglzEv3AIqlRVAjD0CqP4el8cgwQEJ7jPS_4/s320/DSC06943.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
She is a fan of the show like everyone else...and she knew exactly how to water bend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvWCd6bM1W1YzhaTNF2JgyWTy0dpGzWeq5AsjB4AVwVYjQS_21eOXjuruOXtwwRvZZBsLTD8zp9zEKzywj6jgzO6F8Qm41LXxBLUd8P8xJvXxxIyoNBanJSBV54LwNJqxbK17avsAmeE/s1600/DSC06932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvWCd6bM1W1YzhaTNF2JgyWTy0dpGzWeq5AsjB4AVwVYjQS_21eOXjuruOXtwwRvZZBsLTD8zp9zEKzywj6jgzO6F8Qm41LXxBLUd8P8xJvXxxIyoNBanJSBV54LwNJqxbK17avsAmeE/s320/DSC06932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
She kept her water (which was a piece of tulle) in her bag that she kept slung across her back. And she never took that bag off for one minute!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZc8zCq2sjSY-s63eWXX88kqVbI8fYSKeAQjfQI5ukhyphenhyphenWxy5554FVUninyxUzwsybRba5GknnhK8sLqiLI_L4LNCD8QNVHg1yOl8L4VUuf6IErdrq2E58LGXolKj_0WhkJcVue7-7YtI/s1600/DSC06930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZc8zCq2sjSY-s63eWXX88kqVbI8fYSKeAQjfQI5ukhyphenhyphenWxy5554FVUninyxUzwsybRba5GknnhK8sLqiLI_L4LNCD8QNVHg1yOl8L4VUuf6IErdrq2E58LGXolKj_0WhkJcVue7-7YtI/s320/DSC06930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a close up of her necklace. I bought the pendant at Hobby Lobby. I would have loved to create my own pendant and carve in the waves of the water tribe...but that wasn't going to happen in time for Halloween. I thought the look of this one imitated the waves pretty well, and I just strung it onto a piece of ribbon and was done!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXPTOMENBhI1y-_7OcGt2KgKArVvas2Lrug7A6rmKdAkNDC4-9lPQtrJpZjuRxiUDR6PeKXwRXiXdGkg_wJXkk0Vpk-eF3DdLsm9VJcMNClcTeepcbgWpoms35PPkAEVHUA781rZD9pg/s1600/DSC06955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXPTOMENBhI1y-_7OcGt2KgKArVvas2Lrug7A6rmKdAkNDC4-9lPQtrJpZjuRxiUDR6PeKXwRXiXdGkg_wJXkk0Vpk-eF3DdLsm9VJcMNClcTeepcbgWpoms35PPkAEVHUA781rZD9pg/s320/DSC06955.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think her hair loopies turned out better on the previous day. She just didn't have quite enough hair to work with!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L0FCm67XauzO91XRX-ChwpscO99Zy07zMNbpaPu5frDDWKDOajkfKAVc_N_l5q5p1_rLC1t0i3tx1lGH6KtWR6UnHkVg2Fmb7dcRqZ8-zKPWTK4Bm55cz8H0jUsZ6ezfmV3WQ8eQnn0/s1600/DSC06908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L0FCm67XauzO91XRX-ChwpscO99Zy07zMNbpaPu5frDDWKDOajkfKAVc_N_l5q5p1_rLC1t0i3tx1lGH6KtWR6UnHkVg2Fmb7dcRqZ8-zKPWTK4Bm55cz8H0jUsZ6ezfmV3WQ8eQnn0/s1600/DSC06908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L0FCm67XauzO91XRX-ChwpscO99Zy07zMNbpaPu5frDDWKDOajkfKAVc_N_l5q5p1_rLC1t0i3tx1lGH6KtWR6UnHkVg2Fmb7dcRqZ8-zKPWTK4Bm55cz8H0jUsZ6ezfmV3WQ8eQnn0/s320/DSC06908.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She's got it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CN3kyZgq6HLyiitsnxlwn3RsZz4FCwzRGkO9iKBMAKCJzHKSdWfUOTrq8KY3tJ4UoQ_QfIHyTW2QfLRYsPltvaBuZQxEnh-Xnww3y1oTzkwBaP6VSj0SUyN3pDWTR_SNhdBlU2qUM8I/s1600/katara05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CN3kyZgq6HLyiitsnxlwn3RsZz4FCwzRGkO9iKBMAKCJzHKSdWfUOTrq8KY3tJ4UoQ_QfIHyTW2QfLRYsPltvaBuZQxEnh-Xnww3y1oTzkwBaP6VSj0SUyN3pDWTR_SNhdBlU2qUM8I/s320/katara05.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkLzQiE2QDdExj3B3mAbO2fvHKc8U_UjD9mH4uj54Gs2pBDtCH37yxLmQTWNFCCmWzAjWFl43LIl0vsZuctQpVGREfcWVzbEfwODO4At6fhTFahWRGhS9dJsPl3VhEfkdSySj0ge3pu4/s1600/DSC06935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkLzQiE2QDdExj3B3mAbO2fvHKc8U_UjD9mH4uj54Gs2pBDtCH37yxLmQTWNFCCmWzAjWFl43LIl0vsZuctQpVGREfcWVzbEfwODO4At6fhTFahWRGhS9dJsPl3VhEfkdSySj0ge3pu4/s320/DSC06935.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Katara Costume:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dress is made out of blue fleece. It is two pieces of fleece, cut out without a pattern and stitched together with some simple straight stitches. I am not a good enough seamstress to add sleeves, but the shape I cut out had a little bit of a sleeve, and I think it worked. The bottom is trimmed with craft fur and the top trim and belt are actually made from a microfiber dish towel:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaY2I4Mc-hnyDrxzXLFxv23UUJg3SIG3vnjWqbBVlaeuioKo1CBrg-58-GU__hiVw0tMNB8VPkRD34vpyGqwn3Ith_8M5ZQsxQMU8R4mtHFN4MRPLjWBYOz82ZMiDFlqDSrxhKwxbGk0/s1600/DSC06878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaY2I4Mc-hnyDrxzXLFxv23UUJg3SIG3vnjWqbBVlaeuioKo1CBrg-58-GU__hiVw0tMNB8VPkRD34vpyGqwn3Ith_8M5ZQsxQMU8R4mtHFN4MRPLjWBYOz82ZMiDFlqDSrxhKwxbGk0/s320/DSC06878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really liked the texture of it, so I cut it up and sewed it into strips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cost of Katara costume:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Fleece $2.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Fur trim $3.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Microfiber towel $1.50</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Necklace $3.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Brown bag (at consignment store) $2.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Water $0.25</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total Cost: $11.75</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anna is Princess Yue. She looked absolutely stunning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIpITyELoLdNuKNWi9WgLO2tBJM-p8zRtAL6x4aeRiSLgWII-QtwowmCjS517mNlQvQN5_W-ZFbSMn1HJN3xLtPkCV0HJ-Vn7_1Kvs2_mR67RBZTOtOvpqgJrWgTjyWGbB1aBay1TOxw/s1600/DSC06918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIpITyELoLdNuKNWi9WgLO2tBJM-p8zRtAL6x4aeRiSLgWII-QtwowmCjS517mNlQvQN5_W-ZFbSMn1HJN3xLtPkCV0HJ-Vn7_1Kvs2_mR67RBZTOtOvpqgJrWgTjyWGbB1aBay1TOxw/s320/DSC06918.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted her to be Katara, but she really wanted Yue's hair! It was definitely the right choice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGWf5iiQFIs9o5HcxIz81tnNOQqyUdTYW5XrUjdLDoDDUim5BRYDKg-gA9PvX7VqPouZgH69skrRSC1RnRJxkMAKSv7O2NulzD2eTw6kMCKO36oP0FDFLPN2IB7kBvVdwXvmYhrNFL34/s1600/DSC06919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGWf5iiQFIs9o5HcxIz81tnNOQqyUdTYW5XrUjdLDoDDUim5BRYDKg-gA9PvX7VqPouZgH69skrRSC1RnRJxkMAKSv7O2NulzD2eTw6kMCKO36oP0FDFLPN2IB7kBvVdwXvmYhrNFL34/s320/DSC06919.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the show Yue wears a dress and a big "coat-desss" I sort of combined the two looks and came up with this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnJnP6z5vUZiJwh0sWuV3VKqnBaYoQ3SxVq8QLVa-IWnjKbTnb1v08uVJF-aWm2HhyzsqyWz1hL2ZtwpepnkhGcRnRUuVKWRyKDLOsvMUA3qw8IqWU01YLQmtoOvHzeya4SjbJ8w6s9o/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnJnP6z5vUZiJwh0sWuV3VKqnBaYoQ3SxVq8QLVa-IWnjKbTnb1v08uVJF-aWm2HhyzsqyWz1hL2ZtwpepnkhGcRnRUuVKWRyKDLOsvMUA3qw8IqWU01YLQmtoOvHzeya4SjbJ8w6s9o/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LBRQfIS_102TVpV548g2NElaz8DOjsZjU4ufYLouW2mN19RvDiNuYgGltq7bJeO3mbGfx2PbtoZ-LWNlemArHp3Kko5PftrCCcedPdh3uMN4DUt6ecT5_cSFxYOys1vKZVpcjzhgXN0/s1600/DSC06953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LBRQfIS_102TVpV548g2NElaz8DOjsZjU4ufYLouW2mN19RvDiNuYgGltq7bJeO3mbGfx2PbtoZ-LWNlemArHp3Kko5PftrCCcedPdh3uMN4DUt6ecT5_cSFxYOys1vKZVpcjzhgXN0/s320/DSC06953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Her costume was definitely the most difficult and time consuming. The worst part was just figuring out how to do it! What I lack in sewing ability, I try to make up in creativity :) <br />
<br />
I picked up the blue velvet at the Goodwill a while back for a Medieval event that we ended up not attending, so that was a score! For the shape of the dress, I actually used the same "pattern" (a term I use loosely seeing as there wasn't actually a pattern involved) as a Jedi robe. I have made a few Jedi robes in my day, and it seemed like the same basic shape...just add a belt. I actually think it turned out pretty well, and VERY easy!<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
The velvet may have been a score, however, I discovered that fur is expensive!<br />
<br />
I found this fur vest at the consignment store.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYRFDydhwsZ-buY9H0FLbhCtGVZfXhzPDSSL1UqlRn0vHEThmJZT3ijshJyB70OGL-8yfaUWJqx3ndema8um_jH-OeXpxxlGxu762RaA294Ysw6HP70hnAKeI6YO9zQeB-ldfQrN9B-s/s1600/DSC06876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYRFDydhwsZ-buY9H0FLbhCtGVZfXhzPDSSL1UqlRn0vHEThmJZT3ijshJyB70OGL-8yfaUWJqx3ndema8um_jH-OeXpxxlGxu762RaA294Ysw6HP70hnAKeI6YO9zQeB-ldfQrN9B-s/s320/DSC06876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cut off the hood and turned it inside out and used it as the lining for my hood. The rest of the vest I hacked up and used to trim the entire dress. It looked like I skinned a cat in my bedroom, but the total cost to trim the entire dress in fur: $5. This was nice, soft fur too...much nicer than craft fur. I broke the needle on my sewing machine trying to sew on the fur. I do not recommend machine sewing fur. I also do not recommend hand sewing fur (very time consuming). I do however recommend hot glueing fur! After doing the hood completely by hand, I whipped out the glue gun and knocked out the sleeves and trim in no time...and it looked great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The most important part of Yue's costume is her hair. I wish I could have gotten Anna's to stand up a little higher, but she was happy, and that's all that matters. Since I did not have time to make custom hair jewels, I knew I needed to find just the right thing. And I did! This is a Christmas ornament that had EXACTLY the look I was going for!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo4dPVW7XWeWcjbNlvfnaBKCS31F-vLMZCb0fvIhYrD_0nPRYqx4OC1y4hyphenhyphenVuUIp6U8H09w7GLMV39qvX-O8-a-LZc5GwB0rUDXSharsMVoEw0stquGzkqnTuOR6egX9gdEYHlvmnIyA/s1600/DSC06877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo4dPVW7XWeWcjbNlvfnaBKCS31F-vLMZCb0fvIhYrD_0nPRYqx4OC1y4hyphenhyphenVuUIp6U8H09w7GLMV39qvX-O8-a-LZc5GwB0rUDXSharsMVoEw0stquGzkqnTuOR6egX9gdEYHlvmnIyA/s320/DSC06877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I cut the jewels off and hot glued them to ponytail holders. Very simple and Anna thought they were beautiful!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2Wb_2yd00-hIhS7UqKBHJD1izbddTGnJgGzJ1TiRQ7xuG2yMdJJyVp1vHQ1z0uwq1yUK296E4cpVQdkBDgA8lmC7xS7KGvUshZgEtAi3csOyy4X7-3vT7K5HsRAEGLb20erejsDrPzE/s1600/DSC06893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2Wb_2yd00-hIhS7UqKBHJD1izbddTGnJgGzJ1TiRQ7xuG2yMdJJyVp1vHQ1z0uwq1yUK296E4cpVQdkBDgA8lmC7xS7KGvUshZgEtAi3csOyy4X7-3vT7K5HsRAEGLb20erejsDrPzE/s320/DSC06893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Cost of Princess Yue costume:<br />
-Velvet- had on hand<br />
-Fur $5.00<br />
-Hair jewels $2.00<br />
Total Cost: $7.00<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Abbott is Aang, the Avatar. Or as we like to call him Abbottar, the last windbreaker.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvv7i-BZ6HSmDNIx41zmiwXStgnx9jGFHzxRaZpAfm0bJ0x3-RckrNEi8kUEck5p9iVEJP51-BwVJ-kkBPzwOjdIbPd8epcQ0QkkEE6sRXLI_kX2YrZjxid_6QBvlvPXdf6k-AqH2_uM/s1600/DSC06921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvv7i-BZ6HSmDNIx41zmiwXStgnx9jGFHzxRaZpAfm0bJ0x3-RckrNEi8kUEck5p9iVEJP51-BwVJ-kkBPzwOjdIbPd8epcQ0QkkEE6sRXLI_kX2YrZjxid_6QBvlvPXdf6k-AqH2_uM/s320/DSC06921.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
He actually shaved his head to look more like Aang. He is a boy after my own heart. He was so excited to wear his costume that he could hardly contain himself. He wore it to school on Friday and he said he had a fan club at recess. But Abbott always has a fan club, so I'm not surprised.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8Nov28Rvs4DmM80qa6DeTsZx0_UCqppO1AG76xDUaqpcnllUUHDebRNfi90P23e4lAnXl61AfK2jW98FgQ3alQs9nWwpChc8IS5YSOa2rC4AI9jeZRKT_hShXL-SeeNhhHhIk_HrBiw/s1600/DSC06922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8Nov28Rvs4DmM80qa6DeTsZx0_UCqppO1AG76xDUaqpcnllUUHDebRNfi90P23e4lAnXl61AfK2jW98FgQ3alQs9nWwpChc8IS5YSOa2rC4AI9jeZRKT_hShXL-SeeNhhHhIk_HrBiw/s320/DSC06922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Doing a little air bending.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNbg3LkLFuS_OWRKyqYpgSHLtoDRzrDcpg6Ww9qDSCbZgelgj_mMFzSF9VZ0jzwQddHIfxqU9Bjsw2g6TROlQdkMjE6UVJbLA5fL1CMKhJrgvHAeBrrXPLUtApvvizvY2UHrVsqvBH2c/s1600/DSC06923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNbg3LkLFuS_OWRKyqYpgSHLtoDRzrDcpg6Ww9qDSCbZgelgj_mMFzSF9VZ0jzwQddHIfxqU9Bjsw2g6TROlQdkMjE6UVJbLA5fL1CMKhJrgvHAeBrrXPLUtApvvizvY2UHrVsqvBH2c/s320/DSC06923.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpj1WgS1e0oTXyjaxYint-xT__xlVg4ORdmAbrUOZJ_v4Dfv1AGyTVHaeXpXKGGnNG06BxWm5ppzW9lRXrFJhETv5me-cLWLahL56jSxDpSmSSMDvpqFvjBx4woWZd1xwcqXeQsHsc_o/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpj1WgS1e0oTXyjaxYint-xT__xlVg4ORdmAbrUOZJ_v4Dfv1AGyTVHaeXpXKGGnNG06BxWm5ppzW9lRXrFJhETv5me-cLWLahL56jSxDpSmSSMDvpqFvjBx4woWZd1xwcqXeQsHsc_o/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The Avatar costume was pretty easy to make. The yellow top is a turtleneck that I found at the thrift store. I folded the neck down, then cut it up the middle and folded it in, to create the "V". <br />
<br />
I hoped to find a yellow bottom to match, but I ended up having to go with fleece and it was close enough. It is just two separate pieces of fleece pinned together at the waist and two points on each leg to give the open look. <br />
<br />
The orange cape is a big circle of fleece with a hole for the head and a big "V" in the front. And the belt is just a piece of fleece with velcro.<br />
<br />
We drew the arrow on his head with a blue washable Crayola marker. Worked perfectly and came off for church the next day...we just had to make sure he didn't sweat too much :)<br />
<br />
Cost of Aang costume:<br />
-Yellow turtleneck $2.00<br />
-Fleece $5.00<br />
-Brown Leggings $5.00<br />
-Staff (I was going to make this, but we found this nerf one at Walmart on clearance and couldn't resist) $7.00<br />
Total Cost:<br />
$19.00<br />
<br />
Aiden is Sokka...the guy with the boomerang.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriDHrERCUlIERwsNvJ09yamSXRc9KeDW9qCbgDV_2LA6a5To5DO1i7xhBLv8_mwzqYPGBzag2lIpVpAMj_dTSCADF-xcVi44oDJ4Po_hkFWtrluMVzbazxqQIYeMPDH2FJaVyrAUWPwQ/s1600/DSC06924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriDHrERCUlIERwsNvJ09yamSXRc9KeDW9qCbgDV_2LA6a5To5DO1i7xhBLv8_mwzqYPGBzag2lIpVpAMj_dTSCADF-xcVi44oDJ4Po_hkFWtrluMVzbazxqQIYeMPDH2FJaVyrAUWPwQ/s320/DSC06924.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Aiden's favorite part of the costume was the necklace, which you can't see very well in these pictures. He also liked the boomerang...an essential piece of the costume.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j5dV00JhVdckCATADztkQxdFCQdevqvlFQXjYreadAfI6mw5GTuVIL3Snjfvk8Unt9rEX0Wvekt8PWRhMifH3WQ8PBDqjn34bd4jYk5BmrSAC2mmu5oDvPUXe93OfOMVEEgsOHXK2-U/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j5dV00JhVdckCATADztkQxdFCQdevqvlFQXjYreadAfI6mw5GTuVIL3Snjfvk8Unt9rEX0Wvekt8PWRhMifH3WQ8PBDqjn34bd4jYk5BmrSAC2mmu5oDvPUXe93OfOMVEEgsOHXK2-U/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibviillXn48Gz1VAjR4nIwhsQubOdCgJMUzls2CJwo-R4FHP67OEzX_xnJs2nHHOb2xTJznkSjGq1ncj-l6Gfbb30txn4MHKgEqzPJPhDYCZGW7dsN7sh7fBTCajUp7mO37mvfoXXAJsw/s1600/DSC06926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibviillXn48Gz1VAjR4nIwhsQubOdCgJMUzls2CJwo-R4FHP67OEzX_xnJs2nHHOb2xTJznkSjGq1ncj-l6Gfbb30txn4MHKgEqzPJPhDYCZGW7dsN7sh7fBTCajUp7mO37mvfoXXAJsw/s320/DSC06926.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
His costume was made exactly like Katara's (only bigger!) and shorter and without the fur. The boomerang was really fun. We had a yellow plastic boomerang, and I covered it with duct tape! Yeah! Halloween costumes are not complete without duct tape. It is blue tape with silver tape around the outside. He also has a sling to hold the boomerang. I wish I had a picture of it because I am pretty proud of it. I stitched two pieces of leather-like vinyl together in the basic shape of the boomerang and left it open on one end. I then hot glued it to a belt that Aaron doesn't wear. It was perfect! He could actually reach back and whip out his weapon.<br />
<br />
We also cut the fingers off of some old cheap gloves and wrapped his arms with white ribbon.<br />
<br />
Cost of Sokka Costume:<br />
-Fleece $3.00<br />
-Dish towel $1.50<br />
-Black Leggings $5.00<br />
-Boomerang and case- Everything was made from stuff we already had, except the vinyl which I found in the scrap bin at Hobby Lobby $0.50<br />
-Beads for necklace $3.00<br />
Total Cost: $13.00<br />
<br />
Dad is Prince Zuko.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfQJkkWRJ-SJGGj81MddANqc_3kL6joNXPuX7vg6O_93h08f4RhrgGuTstAcM21C4VrRPsusS577RPyUlMrbrZLExBoEPZB0O1cHmJi8JVPheEIOzYTI9XakT0BB-TcehlX0iXtuvc30/s1600/DSC06928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfQJkkWRJ-SJGGj81MddANqc_3kL6joNXPuX7vg6O_93h08f4RhrgGuTstAcM21C4VrRPsusS577RPyUlMrbrZLExBoEPZB0O1cHmJi8JVPheEIOzYTI9XakT0BB-TcehlX0iXtuvc30/s320/DSC06928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
His costume was sort of thrown together. He bought the gold suit 15 years ago when he served as a missionary in Hong Kong. The red top is an old curtain panel! I cut the tab tops off of it and cut a hole in the middle for the head. Trimmed it with some brown ribbon and belted it with the same...and viola...prince Zuko. The colors aren't exactly right, but it was free.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkigJaBMxf1cdsKLGYDpgvYOMhl9bdkHaf_ZDvBlyMIrfyCMDapO_4PavLFni8saC8woyC5pnrF5Z8HXUH7ZGUbFToRGc8kqmr3VO537Y8J3qMeI4Ywr_JZ6K1YuGC0xSzOLiSK3esd4/s1600/Zuko_by_c_dy_answer_4_xlarge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkigJaBMxf1cdsKLGYDpgvYOMhl9bdkHaf_ZDvBlyMIrfyCMDapO_4PavLFni8saC8woyC5pnrF5Z8HXUH7ZGUbFToRGc8kqmr3VO537Y8J3qMeI4Ywr_JZ6K1YuGC0xSzOLiSK3esd4/s320/Zuko_by_c_dy_answer_4_xlarge.jpeg" width="237" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3hP5P7OH8dkJCaC22sb3z75ZMXhls9FMBY90vBLkn9lgERTRoDyojAQh7sVl2Sb8LM_h6w5SLb6hhfwriT4yyq0Idyr6xeB5_fdcJKA2DOtmaSw5w8lUoMx7g-Aas9KhpsyU4G2TXGs/s1600/DSC06929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3hP5P7OH8dkJCaC22sb3z75ZMXhls9FMBY90vBLkn9lgERTRoDyojAQh7sVl2Sb8LM_h6w5SLb6hhfwriT4yyq0Idyr6xeB5_fdcJKA2DOtmaSw5w8lUoMx7g-Aas9KhpsyU4G2TXGs/s320/DSC06929.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total cost of Zuko costume:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Brown ribbon- $4.00 (kind of a splurge...but I have quite a bit left over, so it didn't really cost the full four bucks)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fire (shiney red tulle) $1.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total cost: $5.00</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total cost for all five costumes: $55.75</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not too bad, considering the amount of happiness it bought with four children that were absolutely thrilled with their costumes. And the bonus was hearing Abbott tell his teacher "my mom makes the most awesome home-made costumes". And the hours of fighting with my sewing machine and burning my fingers with hot glue are all worth it :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are my favorite pictures. The water bender and the fire bender in a fight.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWm-RTKD-ytAHMClil189M7Pm3_U80Hj_85flh3-NyZa9PwyhyphenhyphenQRqn2KjcDA2_dQNhVWSg3bwT-OACihuNTIQPkvfyrrc6HItYAXFJ9TK4T7f8cfP8mc6P8VZ_rN6z7pYO2AZBDPdRjo/s1600/DSC06937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWm-RTKD-ytAHMClil189M7Pm3_U80Hj_85flh3-NyZa9PwyhyphenhyphenQRqn2KjcDA2_dQNhVWSg3bwT-OACihuNTIQPkvfyrrc6HItYAXFJ9TK4T7f8cfP8mc6P8VZ_rN6z7pYO2AZBDPdRjo/s320/DSC06937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZhWr6VNm1K5PZ17pseHImR5C0n3zc3ZWEX-IM8aWvRm7WHviS78beOFmMEZsOvdwp8uwLvKZYmT19H6khejQ7hI_tIGy34NfIhoBeoAH0-_zLEPnvR_1JtyJIrziFFMVrA2_09gVpQE/s1600/DSC06938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZhWr6VNm1K5PZ17pseHImR5C0n3zc3ZWEX-IM8aWvRm7WHviS78beOFmMEZsOvdwp8uwLvKZYmT19H6khejQ7hI_tIGy34NfIhoBeoAH0-_zLEPnvR_1JtyJIrziFFMVrA2_09gVpQE/s320/DSC06938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Then the whole group started battling. Except Princess Yue, of course. She's not a warrior.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ06Uk1TM05mnFZYV5u14DimwRANClTsTPurbART_CPwfCXxNZ4aM4Kz680NsFf7sMfBzfpxYlVpMHETmhYDvptpDXh7AIm3HZParSshWhiJIyl2hCXzNq7VeC4x8e-bx388E2VKcQBLw/s1600/DSC06948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ06Uk1TM05mnFZYV5u14DimwRANClTsTPurbART_CPwfCXxNZ4aM4Kz680NsFf7sMfBzfpxYlVpMHETmhYDvptpDXh7AIm3HZParSshWhiJIyl2hCXzNq7VeC4x8e-bx388E2VKcQBLw/s320/DSC06948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Adeline started to get upset because Abbott kept using his staff to take dad's fire. So she gave him her water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcACKovt1MAG1kTS_ydiSsOposkYFEWrhY3UbpGzTSuFqKCd8Mcci59KwJnDvTLu-eHsvnSQeTw5TSGcaFPsVbAH3dpi_0i-ftJZ3EqhWUN2vz6UtLHU6Ke-3Z5Ft23gNyuNUIY7Xjkk/s1600/DSC06949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcACKovt1MAG1kTS_ydiSsOposkYFEWrhY3UbpGzTSuFqKCd8Mcci59KwJnDvTLu-eHsvnSQeTw5TSGcaFPsVbAH3dpi_0i-ftJZ3EqhWUN2vz6UtLHU6Ke-3Z5Ft23gNyuNUIY7Xjkk/s320/DSC06949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I love my family.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now to start planning 2011...</div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-11382853030742417172010-10-29T10:34:00.000-05:002010-10-29T10:34:42.719-05:00Voter Education- Arkansas 2010 Candidates and IssuesI recently taught a "voter education" class regarding the upcoming election. We discussed all of the candidates and amendments that will be on our ballot and I answered some general questions. I love this stuff and I was happy to be able to share the information with others. I have decided to post my notes here for anyone who would like to read it and become a more informed voter. I have compiled this information from a wide variety of sources. I have tried to include information that sets the candidates apart, rather than list the things they agree on. Let me know if you have any questions or if you would like me to email the file to you as an email attachment.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>The amendments are pretty complicated this year and I have had many people ask me how I plan to vote. There is a lot of good information on the amendments at the end of my notes for you to read and decide for yourself. But in case you are interested, I am going briefly explain how I plan to vote and why.<br />
<br />
Issue #1- No<br />
This measure seems like a good idea at first glance. Certainly we want to preserve our right to hunt and fish. However, when you think about it a little more, you realize that we already have the right to hunt and fish and the powers to regulate it lie with the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission. This is first and foremost unnecessary and doesn't belong in the constitution. Should we start creating thousands of amendments to specifically guarantee our rights to do all of the things we do on a regular basis? <br />
<br />
My further concern with the amendment is that it paves to way for the judicial branch to have the ultimate authority over hunting and fishing rights. As a part of the constitution, and activist judge will be able to "interpret" it how he or she sees fit. This could be soemthing like "The white tailed deer population is shrinking...we need to ban hunting then for 10 years to ensure that future generations have the right to hunt deer". Or "The spotted owl population is being affected by all of the hunters...we need to prohibit hinting in a large portion of the state to preserve their habitat." These are just made up examples from my head, but much sillier things have happened. I just prefer the laywers and judges to NOT have the say on this.<br />
<br />
Issue #2- No<br />
It is unfortunate to have to vote no on this one. There is a law that says the the Arkansas General Assembly can only introduce three ballot issues per election. Well, apparently they wanted to do more than that this year, so they just too issue #2 and dumped three totally different issues into one. This makes it ridiculously complicated.<br />
<br />
The first two parts have to do with change interest rate restrictions for lenders and for bonds. I probably would have voted yes for these two parts. HOWEVER, part three of issue #2 is a total deal-breaker for me.<br />
<br />
Part three creates an amendment to allow the General Assembly to issue bonds (go into debt) to finance "energy-efficiency projects" without voter approval. Current law says that (in most cases) they have to get our permission before issuing bonds. So this would create an exception to that as long as the project is considered and "energy efficiency project". What is an energy efficiency project, you ask? Oh, that's left up to the legislature to decide? How much can they spend on these "energy efficiency projects?" Yep...that's up for them to decide too. <br />
<br />
So this amendment would allow our senators and representatives to take on as much debt as they would like, as long as they can justify that the spending is for a "green" project. Sorry, I don't trust them with that kind of blank check.<br />
<br />
Issue #3- Yes<br />
This is the only one that I am voting for. Currently Arkansas is only able to offer incentives to lure businesses (and therefore jobs) to the state if it is a huge company. They have to plan to invest at least $500 million and hire 500 people. The proposed amendment would remove this threshold and allow incentives to be given to to smaller companies. <br />
<br />
I think this is worthwhile spending. So they are only going to hire 300 people?...that's still a lot of jobs! It's a shame to have a rigid limit in place that prohibits us, as a state, from attracting moderately sized projects. We are losing this kind of business to surrounding states like Texas and Mississippi.<br />
<br />
So those are my opinions in a nutshell. I have an opinion on everything :) Please let me know if you have any questions! And please vote on November 2nd! (or sooner if you like to vote early. Those who know me know I like to vote on Election Day! It's a fun holiday to me!)<br />
<br />
Here are my notes...<br />
<br />
<div class="Section1"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">2010 Voter Education<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">How to vote?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Early @ Benton County Clerk’s office- 215 E Central Ave, Suite 217</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px;">-Now! 8 am-6pm Monday-Friday , 10-4 Saturday (ends @ 5 pm Monday, Nov.1<sup>st</sup>)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p>-</o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px;">On Election Day @ your polling place</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px;">Tuesday, November 2<sup>nd</sup> 7:30am-7:30pm</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px;">Find your polling place @ <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">voterview.org</b> (and make sure you are registered)</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Just enter your name and birth date- very easy!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l7 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Mine is the First Assembly of God Church<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">U.S. Senate<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln- Democrat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l21 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Seeking a 3<sup>rd</sup> term as senator, previously represented Arkansas’ 1<sup>st</sup> district in the House.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l21 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Voted for the passage of Obama’s health-care law<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l21 level2 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Specifically favors forcing </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, allowing parents to cover their children until they are 27 and giving people more choice for health insurance coverage</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l21 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">To balance the budget- says</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> a combination of spending cuts and taxes are needed</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l21 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Don’t Ask Don’t Tell- one of just two Democrats to join Republicans in a vote to block a recent repeal attempt, however she said she now believes that it should be repealed “If that's what the military's top commanders recommend.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l21 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Tax reform- supports the recently formed “bipartisan debt commission”, charged with helping to bring down the federal debt.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l21 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Marriage between 1 man 1 woman amendment- oppose- should be decided at state level.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l21 level1 lfo15; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Pro-Choice</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Congressman John Boozman- Republican<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l26 level1 lfo16; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Currently serving his 5<sup>th</sup> term in the House of Representatives<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l26 level1 lfo16; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Small business owner before entering politics<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Voted against Obama’s health-care law and strongly supports repealing it<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 11pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Specifically, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">replacing it with common-sense, free market reforms such as: allowing people to purchase insurance across state lines; enabling small businesses to pool together to get the same break as major corporations when purchasing insurance; allowing you to transfer insurance when you leave your job; nuisance lawsuit reform to lower health care costs.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">To balance the budget- suggests </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">an amendment requiring a balanced budget and legislation allowing line-item vetoes so pork can be removed from bills</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">DADT- believes the policy should remain in place because it has worked well and has had no significant problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Tax reform- Boozeman says he would like to look into a “fair tax”. This would completely eliminate all federal income tax and the IRS. It would be replaced by a 23% sales tax.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Marriage between 1 man 1 woman amendment- support</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo14; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Pro-Life</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">U.S Congress District 03<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">David Whitaker- Democrat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Lawyer, served in the Air Force<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">I had a very hard time compiling information on him because most sources of information had notes like “</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">The Whitaker campaign confirmed receipt of the questions but provided no responses.” Frustrating.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Tries very hard to not reveal his stances on issues. When, in a debate, he was forced to declare himself pro-life or pro-choice, the only answer he would give is that he is “pro-gress”.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">He opposes the war in Afghanistan, and suggests fixing the deficit by cutting war spending.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Supports letting the Bush tax cuts expire completely<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Supports keeping the death inheritance tax<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Supports and praises the recently passed health care legislation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Opposes privatizing social security<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Favors gay marriage and repealing DADT. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">"They said all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. They didn't say almost everybody,"</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l8 level1 lfo26; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">If I could only pass one bill in the entire time I’m in Congress, it would be the bill sending to the states a constitutional amendment overturning the Citizens United case. Because none of us – whether Republicans, Democrats, Tea Party, or otherwise – believe that giant corporations should have the same rights as living, breathing Arkansans and Americans. And we’re going to change that. (note: </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">In a 5-4 decision, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions have the same political speech rights as individuals under the First Amendment. It found no compelling government interest for prohibiting corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds to make election-related independent expenditures.)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Mayor Steve Womack- Republican<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l19 level1 lfo31; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Retired Arkansas Army National Guard colonel, is in his third term as mayor of Rogers</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo18; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Favors requiring a balanced federal budget. It is the first step in a lengthy process to stop the ever-increasing debt burden we are putting on future generations. I support a constitutional amendment allowing a presidential line-item-veto to cut pork barrel spending. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo18; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Believes improving the economy by helping businesses is the answer…not higher taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l28 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Opposes government bailouts</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l28 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Supports a constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Supports legislation that clarifies that foreign terrorists are not entitled to constitutional civil rights like the right to a jury trial and Miranda warnings.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l28 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Opposes the healthcare overhaul and vows to repeal it. Adds that a critical component of health care reform includes incentives for wellness and prevention. “That's why our city built a nationally-recognized Adult Wellness Center in Rogers. It reflects the appropriate role government investment can play in improving the mental and physical fitness of a community with documented results in reducing demand and lessening the financial burden on individuals and businesses.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l28 level1 lfo17; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Supports extending the Bush tax cuts.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Governor<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Jim Keet- Republican<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Supported cutting grocery tax, but said he also wants to focus on tax cuts that will bring business to Arkansas<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">If elected, he promised to join 21 other states in a lawsuit challenging the federal healthcare overhaul.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Criticized for tax problems including late payments.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Favors consolidating school districts with less than 350 students to save money.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Says he will not increase the number of state employees when he is governor. He is “co</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">mmitted to wiping out waste and simultaneously rewarding employees who are doing a great job."</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Immigration- wants to enact tough laws to fight illegal immigration- like Arizona’s law</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Pro-life</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Education- to improve education we need to restore discipline to the classroom and to reduce the amount of bureaucratic red tape involved with teaching so that students are the focus.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l10 level1 lfo24; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Focus: Will work to reduce out of control spending and reform our tax code to make it fairer and more jobs-friendly. Will work to make Arkansas the most business friendly state in the union to unleash our economic engine. Has proposed a six-point ethics plan which will end double-dipping retirement abuse and travel reimbursements without receipts.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Governor Mike Beebe- Democrat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo23; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Argues that during the economic downturn, Arkansas has fared well compared to the rest of the nation. The state's unemployment rate has remained below the national rate and, while he has had to cut the state's budget, Arkansas has avoided the mass layoffs and school closings that other state s have had to endure. Arkansas is one of only 4 states without a projected budget shortfall next year.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo23; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Cut state grocery tax from 6% to 3%, plans to cut it further</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo23; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Says he would not have voted for the healthcare overhaul, but has not joined the lawsuit against it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo23; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Number of state employees has increased by 3,400 since he has been governor<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo23; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Believes immigration is not a state issue<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo23; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Not on record as pro-choice or pro-life, but signed ban on partial birth abortion<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo23; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Education- Main goal is to increase the number of Arkansans with college degrees.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><u><br />
</u></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Lieutenant Governor<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Mark Darr- Republican<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l22 level1 lfo28; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Married, 2 kids, small business owner (Mad Pizza), never held political office<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Would like to push for more transparency and responsibility in our State. “I would like to use the office to push for an online checkbook system that shows where ALL of our State taxes are being spent. This will cut on wasteful spending and help business development and job creation.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Would like to encourage teaching the subject and not teaching the test. We need to make sure that our children learn the Constitution. We also need to make sure our children are learning life skills such as balancing a checkbook, creating a budget and dangers of debt and gambling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Favors a fair tax in which ALL residents would pay equally (and eliminating the income tax)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Wants to privatize social security<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Says he views the office as a chance to counter Democrats’ dominance of state office in Arkansas. Democrats hold a majority in both chambers of the Legislature and all of the constitutional offices which doesn’t offer much of a balance of power.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Senator Shane Broadway- Democrat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Married, government/politics only career<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Has a</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> “Plan for More and Better Jobs for Arkansas”:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">1. Cut Taxes<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">2. Quick Action and Technology Acceleration<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">3. Build Partnerships<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">4. Improve Education<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Voted to assure that state school funding remained based on a per student formula, not parceled out by district. Important to growing districts (like ours).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Says he views the office as a chance to advocate primarily on economic development issues, and push for tax cuts that have been advocated by Beebe.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Focus is on “responsible spending”.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Strongly supports state lottery</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Co-sponsored climate change bills and is </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Co-Chair of the Sustainable Building task force</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l27 level1 lfo27; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Term limits are forcing him out of the legislative branch.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Attorney General<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Attorney General Dustin McDaniel- Democrat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Opposed only by Green party candidate<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Secretary of State<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">County Clerk Pat O’Brien- Democrat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo20; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Lawyer, County Clerk, single<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Pro-Choice<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">On the proposed amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that prohibits state benefits for some illegal immigrants? Oppose “</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">I think we need comprehensive immigration reform to make it easier for law-abiding, hard-working immigrants to enter our country legally and pursue the American Dream the same way our ancestors did.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Alcohol: On requiring a countywide vote for the approval of any permit to sell alcohol in a dry county?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> Oppose. “I believe alcohol is much like the use of guns. When properly utilized, they do not hurt anyone. People should be allowed to drink more freely then they are currently allowed in Arkansas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Favors user fees such as gasoline taxes and toll roads to fund repairs to our highways and bridges<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Accountability is the most important duty, especially in a tough economy. The Secretary of State is the chief elected official in charge of coordinating seventy-five counties so that elections may run smoothly. I already have plenty of experience in doing so as County Clerk.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Representative Mark Martin- Republican<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo21; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Engineer, served in the U.S. Navy, married with 3 kids<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Pro-life<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">On the proposed amendment that prohibits state benefits for some illegal immigrants? Support</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Alcohol: On requiring a county-wide vote for the approval of any permit to sell alcohol in a dry county? Support</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Funding for highways should be from revenue transfer from the general fund of sales tax collections from "user" based items such as automobiles, tires, and batteries. No new taxes.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l16 level1 lfo19; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">The most important job is ensuring fair elections. When I first announced, I stated one of my top ideals was to restore faith in fair elections through transparent and accountable systems that people trust. I have proposed prohibitions on political activities for those directly involved in elections. We have to take care to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">State Treasurer<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">State Treasurer Martha Shoffner<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Opposed only by Green party candidate<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Auditor of State<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Charlie Daniels- Democrat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Opposed only by Green party candidate<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Commissioner of State Lands<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">LJ Bryant- Democrat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Business owner (Branch of Jackson Hewitt Tax), Licensed realtor, single, 23 years old<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Promises to use technology to make the office function better- increase online services and make identifying and viewing land parcels easier<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> - </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Will not use a state owned vehicle and will not permit Land Commission personnel to accept gifts from Lobbyists.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Self-proclaimed “progressive”, supports card check legislation and favors unions<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">John M. Thurston- Republican<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Minister, widowed<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Wants to introduce compatible software between the counties and the Land Commissioner’s Office so we can stop the bottleneck in transferring data.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">The public school system is largely supported by real-estate property taxes. The primary responsibility of Land Commissioner is to disposition tax delinquent land and collect unpaid taxes. Believes an efficient State Land Commissioner office will bring revenue to public education.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Benton County Judge<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Bob Clinard- Republican<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Unopposed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Circuit Clerk<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Brenda DeShields- Republican<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Unopposed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">State Supreme Court Assoc. Justice 6 (selected from the state at large to an 8 year term)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Court of Appeals Judge Karen Baker<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Married, 3 kids<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Believes strongly in using judicial restraint.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Core of judicial philosophy: The power of the people is the strength of our country, and a balance of power restrains abuse. Just as the right to vote ensures that the people of this country hold the power in the legislative and executive branches of government, the jury trial ensures that the judicial branch is also accountable to its citizens.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Judge Tim Fox<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Married, 2 kids<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Endorsed by unions<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Believes strongly in states’ rights<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Core of judicial philosophy is the doctrine of separation of powers provided by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Arkansas, and its resulting checks and balances.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l20 level1 lfo22; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> -</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Ruled that a state law prohibiting homosexual parents from serving as foster parents was unconstitutional.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Mayor (Bentonville)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Mayor Bob McCaslin<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Unopposed</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Centerton</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Mayor (Centerton)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Mayor Bobbie Griffith<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo32; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">I have been in public service with the City of Centerton for 17 years and I have been serving as your current Mayor for last 2 years. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo32; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">I have worked hard lobbying for the City of Centerton on the widening of the Highway 102 Project. The project will cost the City $2 Million. We have a signed commitment and have secured the money for the project through sales tax bonds. Bidding should start in a few months. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo32; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">We want to welcome two new businesses that will be coming to Centerton. We will have new Head Start School and a Family Dollar Store. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo32; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The City purchased land for Street Department Facility. The City is in negotiations on purchasing land for a sports complex. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo30; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">I attend and take part in all Planning Meetings, Water & Sewer Meetings, and I am a member of the Finance and Personnel Committees of the Benton County Solid Waste District. I am a partner in Northwest Regional Planning Commission and also a member of the Regional Mobility Authority.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Alderman Randy W. Thomas<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l12 level1 lfo29; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Recently released from jail after his arrest in the assault of Patricia Thornhill of Centerton, a fellow alderman. Has </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">withdrawn from race.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Bill Edwards<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l12 level1 lfo29; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">I have several goals I would like to accomplish while serving as your Mayor and have been involved with the city since living here, I have served 4 years on the City Council, I have been the Chairman of the Centerton Advertising and Promotion Committee, I have been a member of the Personnel Committee, and several things were accomplished during my time of service to the city, I am also currently serving as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Centerton Parks and Recreation Committee, and attend all city council meetings and have attended most of them since living here.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Alderman Ward 2 Position 1 (Centerton)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Keith Higginbotham<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Q: What makes you the best person for the job?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">A: Experience. I’ve been available for people to come and talk to. I’ve just always tried to be available to anybody. I think I’m widely known in Centerton. Just knowing and working with people, it’s always a plus when you’re available and you’re able to talk to people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">James Everett Brummett<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Q: What makes you the best person for the job?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">A: Common sense. I believe I’m a common person. I work for a living and I’ve managed businesses for other people. I’ve managed my own small businesses and I’ve been successful. I want to run government like a business. I know you can’t do that 100 percent, but we need people who know how to run a business and live on a budget in government.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Alderman Ward 2 Position 2 (Centerton)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Shane Dilday<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Q: </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">What makes you</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"> the best person for the job?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">A: I have experience in government. I feel that my heart is in the city of Centerton and I have the best interest of the city at hand. I want to see the city advance and I really feel that with my experience that I can benefit the city<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Josephine Reed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Q: What makes you the best person for the job?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">A: My experience. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to get more involved in the city, I feel like I’m much more knowledgeable in the city’s affairs. I’ve seen how the city has grown and developed I want to continue to support that progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Alderman Ward 3 Position 2 (Centerton)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Skye Petty<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Q: What makes you the best person for the job?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">A: I’m a business owner and I feel like I’ve got some fresh Ideas that could help the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Jimmy L Thompson<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Q: What makes you the best person for the job?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">A: I’m straightforward, honest and I deal with the problems. I don’t brush it under the carpet. If you have a problem, you fix it. If it’s not broke, you leave it alone. I’m going to make it easier for businesses to do business in Centerton by revamping some ordinances. Anyone in Centerton will be able to get in touch with me 24/7 at 479-903-2406.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Proposed Arkansas Constitutional Amendments<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Issue No. 1<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Amending the Arkansas Constitution to provide for a constitutional right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">General information:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l31 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">If passed, the amendment would not affect any powers of the autonomous AGFC or any common laws or statutes relating to trespass, private property rights, eminent domain, public ownership of property, or firearms unrelated to hunting.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l31 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The proposed amendment also establishes that public hunting, fishing, and trapping shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling nonthreatened species.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l31 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The sponsor of the proposal introduced similar right to hunt and fish amendments in 2003, 2005 and 2007 but did not receive the majority vote required in both chambers to place a measure on a ballot.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l31 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">In the 2009 legislative session, the sponsor’s bill passed unanimously in the Senate and with a vote of 70 to 9 in the 100member House of Representatives.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l31 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Twelve states have language in their state constitutions to protect citizens’ rights to hunt and/or fish. This year, citizens in three additional states – Arizona, Tennessee and South Carolina – will vote on similar right to hunt and fish initiatives.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Arguments for: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l23 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Supporters contend that a constitutional amendment is needed to protect hunting, fishing, trapping, and harvesting wildlife because animal rights organizations in other states have filed lawsuits and mounted advertising campaigns intended to influence public opinion against hunting and fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l23 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Arkansas Attorney General said that placing an amendment in the constitution elevates the importance the state places on hunting and fishing as both a cultural activity and a wildlife management tool.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l23 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">According to the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, if approved by voters, this amendment will have the strongest right to hunt language in the country.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l23 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The leadership of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has formally endorsed the proposed amendment.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Arguments against:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l15 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Amendment is unnecessary because hunting and fishing is already allowed the current constitution- Amendment 35 that established the AFGC.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l15 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The Constitution is not the appropriate place for language.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l15 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">PETA </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">has not announced plans to actively oppose the measure; it has stated that the proposed amendment is frivolous and would “open the door to a flood of other amendments whose sole purpose is to make political statements to benefit specialinterest groups.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The problem with amending the constitution to recognize this right is that it puts interpretive power in the hands of the courts -- and the lawyers. After all, when you make an amendment that’s as broad as this one is, it’s going to have to be further defined at some point. That defining will probably come in some court, where some lawyer tries to persuade some judge that our current Game and Fish regulations don’t really “promote wildlife conservation and management.” And if the judge happens to agree with the lawyer, the regulations could narrow, resulting in Arkansans having less freedom to hunt and fish than they do now. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px;">It seems much more prudent to leave the authority where it currently is -- with the Game and Fish Commission, and with the state legislature. We may not always agree with how they regulate hunting and fishing, but at least most of them truly care about the outdoors, and, in the case of legislators, they answer directly to the people of their districts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Issue No. 2 </span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">(The General assembly is only able to introduce 3 ballot measures per election, so they combined)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">An Amendment concerning interest-rate limits and the issuance of governmental bonds to finance energy-efficiency projects<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">General information:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">PART 1- The proposed amendment changes interest rate restrictions for three groups of lending entities:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level2 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">government entities</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level3 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">constitutional interest rate restrictions would be removed, but legislation could be passed by the General Assembly to provide restrictions. This applies to interest charged on loans they make available to borrowers as part of programs offered.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level2 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">federally insured depository institutions (banks)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level3 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">the change simply adopts the federal rules that have been applicable to banks doing business in Arkansas for many years.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level2 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">all other lenders (example- owner financing of property)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level3 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">restricted to an interest rate not exceeding 17 percent per annum, which is the existing limit for consumer debt in the Arkansas Constitution. It would eliminate the restriction that interest rates charged could not be greater than five percent above the Federal Discount Rate.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">PART 2- The proposed amendment would also change the restrictions on interest rates that could be paid on bonds issued by all state and local governmental entities.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level2 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">eliminate all interest rate restrictions on all state and local government bonds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level2 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">give the General Assembly the authority to set interest rate limits on various types of bonds issued by governmental units.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">PART 3- The proposed amendment allows the General Assembly to issue bonds for “energy-efficiency projects” without approval.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level2 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Current law is that </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">the state may issue new general obligation bonds only if approved by a majority vote in a general or special election (approved by us).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level3 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">There are some current exceptions<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level2 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The proposed amendment does not define eligible energy efficiency projects but authorizes the General Assembly to establish the requirements to issue this type of debt.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l29 level2 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The proposed amendment states that bonds can be repaid from any source including general revenues derived from taxes.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Arguments for:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l25 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">It would help Arkansas become more economically competitive and make government facilities more energy efficient.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l25 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">By removing interest rate restrictions on government bonds and simplifying the limit for other debt, the sponsor(s) contend that: (1) much needed projects could be funded with bonds and (2) local Arkansas businesses could sell more goods and services to Arkansas consumers on terms more favorable than currently available.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l25 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Current limits on interest rates paid on municipal tax supported bonds and revenue bonds restrict interest on the bonds to levels substantially below market requirements, and in some cases has halted the financing of public projects.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l25 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce formally endorsed the measure</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l25 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Furniture and car dealers support the measure saying it would help them stay in business during tough economic times. One furniture store owner said his store and others are losing money, but could increase their customer base and sell more furniture if not restricted by the current interest rate they can charge.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Arguments against:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l24 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The complexity of including three seemingly separate issues creates potential for voter confusion.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l24 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Allowing businesses to charge higher interest rates could encourage consumers to make purchases that put them further in debt, increasing debt burden during a time of economic crisis and record bankruptcy filings.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l24 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Citizens of Arkansas would be giving up the power to approve bonds for energy efficiency projects to the General Assembly</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l24 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The scope of the projects that could be funded is undetermined as “energy efficiency projects” are not defined in the proposed amendment and opponents also point out that there are no limits on the amount of bonds that may be issued.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l24 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Debt service for energy efficiency project bonds could be required to be paid before funding other governmental services. Depending on the amount of bonds issued, this could diminish funds available for other state and local spending.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l24 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Has been challenged in the state Supreme Court as not meeting the requirements for a ballot measure. The lawsuit, filed by a Jacksonville resident, charges that the amendment is defective because it combines several different issues into one, and also because it fails to inform voters of all the measure’s implications.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">Issue No. 3<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">To amend amendment 82 of the constitution of Arkansas to authorize the general assembly to establish criteria before authorizing the issuance of bonds for prospective employers planning an economic development project.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">General information:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l14 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">State of Arkansas can currently only issue bonds for the purpose of providing infrastructure and other needs to attract prospective companies that plan to invest a minimum of $500 million dollars and hire a minimum of 500 new employees (large economic development projects, also called superprojects).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l14 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">If passed, this ballot initiative would remove the threshold limits in Amendment 82 and would also empower the Arkansas General Assembly to establish criteria for determining the financing eligibility for economic development.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Arguments for:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Additional revenues generated by a number of higherpaying jobs could offset principle and interest payments on the bonds and provide a substantial increase in overall state tax collections. More jobs and higher personal income levels could also lessen the need for unemployment and welfare program expenditures by the state.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">It levels the playing field with many of our surrounding states whose economic incentive programs are not limited by such a high threshold. Arkansas has lost projects to Mississippi, Texas and other states that do not have such limitations for issuing bonds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo12; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Would broaden the application of economic development over a wider area of the State.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Arguments against:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l18 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The state continues to experience revenue short falls and budget restrictions. New debt authority will only make a bad situation worse.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l18 level1 lfo13; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">In light of commitments to increase funding for public education, Arkansas could not afford to incur additional demands from already stretched state revenues.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-80037740731326943532010-08-27T14:55:00.000-05:002010-08-27T14:55:37.428-05:00Be Careful What You Wish For!You know those creepy stories where someone is granted a wish, and it goes all wrong? Like "I wish I was rich" and the spouse dies and leaves them lots of money. Or "I wish so-in-so was alive again" and they come back as a corpse. <br />
<br />
In fact, it seems like every story out there about wish-fulfillment, everything goes completely wrong and the person has to work to take back their wish. I just saw a Hannah Montana rerun where this happened to Miley. Come on...don't act like you don't watch shows on the Disney Channel.<br />
<br />
Anyway...I think the Birthday Fairy granted me a couple of wishes. Only she has a really twisted sense of humor. My birthday is tomorrow. Last year was the big 3-0 and I had a big party and it was a huge deal. 31 is a pretty low key year and I haven't thought a whole lot about my birthday.<br />
<br />
*Except* I told Aaron..."All I really want for my birthday is to be able to lay in bed all day and read <i>Mockingjay,</i> but there's no way that's going to happen" <side awesome="" book="" books.="" final="" games="" hunger="" in="" is="" note:="" the="" this="" trilogy.=""></side><br />
<br />
Enter mean fictional Birthday Fairy.<br />
<br />
Yesterday morning my kids were at the bus stop and they were cold. It really wasn't that cold, but whatever, I walked across the street to bring them jackets. As I headed home (with Adeline in my arms- as always) I stepped off the curb (it was a really big menacing, monster curb) and heard a pop (two pops actually) as my ankle twisted. I went down hard, and I wasn't able to "right" myself because I was more concerned with keeping Adeline off the asphalt. <br />
<br />
It really, really hurt! It was so painful, I thought it had to be broken. But x-rays confirmed that it was just a sprain. <br />
<br />
So yesterday, I spent <b>all day laying in bed, reading the Mockingjay</b>! (with my foot propped up and iced) And I finished it. But now I'm hobbling around, my house is a mess, and I have missed several things that I needed/wanted to do. And it will be a month before I can start jogging again!<br />
<br />
Not exactly what I had in mind!<br />
<br />
Wish #2<br />
<br />
My other "wish" has been to lose the *ahem* couple of pounds that the cruise forced upon me :)<br />
<br />
What do you know...I woke up this morning with a fever, sore throat, headache, swollen lymph nodes...and no appetite. (And Abbott woke up with the exact same symptoms.)<br />
<br />
Anna had strep last week and I was pretty certain that Abbott and I had the same thing. So I made a trip to the pediatrician (hobbling and miserable...but I was happy I was able to drive). Strep throat for Abbott- check.<br />
<br />
Then I took myself to the doctor. Yes, the SAME doctor I saw yesterday for my ankle. I haven't seen him in a year, and now I'm like some crazy hypochondriac in there two days in a row.<br />
<br />
Strep throat for me- check.<br />
<br />
So I figure this is the twisted Birthday Fairy's way of helping me shed a few pounds. It's the feel-so-crappy-you-can't-eat method.<br />
<br />
So for my birthday I got a sprained ankle and strep throat. Seriously. I should have just asked for the Kavu bag.<br />
<br />
Anyone want to come to my pity party?Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-18106079193517671592010-08-23T18:50:00.000-05:002010-08-23T18:50:01.371-05:00The First (and Third) Day of School<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">The first day of school did not go as planned for the Patterson family. Thursday was supposed to be Anna's first day of Kindergarten! Unfortunately, Wednesday night she started running a fever and going to school was not an option. Such a bummer! I really felt horrible for her, but she was only concerned about her clothes. She was laying on the couch and she asked me (quite pitifully) "mom, will I still get to wear my new favorite outfit?" I was happy to reassure her that I wouldn't be returning her new school clothes just because she didn't wear them on the 1st day.</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we sent the boys off to school on the 1st day without their little sister.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e6MiNXqJwdjvaEEA3UfHA55eJR8KO_0nQuoj2ZI48CjM4iGuhv9pEnzbgrTyEEI6jIrusnkzPJPKDNR8pJzPtQO4ECZufeyV-FCZZ4m3tj3zO1N-0be8ZIhyphenhypheng_0ATuTHquRxPeT3Vac/s1600/DSC06498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e6MiNXqJwdjvaEEA3UfHA55eJR8KO_0nQuoj2ZI48CjM4iGuhv9pEnzbgrTyEEI6jIrusnkzPJPKDNR8pJzPtQO4ECZufeyV-FCZZ4m3tj3zO1N-0be8ZIhyphenhypheng_0ATuTHquRxPeT3Vac/s320/DSC06498.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big 5th grader. Aiden started middle school this year. He doesn't have his backpack because everybody in his class left their backpacks at school (full of supplies) at the open house. I really had to bite my tongue when his teacher said to leave it. I think I would have embarrassed him just a little if I had said "but he has to bring it home so I can get a picture with his backpack on the first day of school". I had already agreed not to bring my camera into the school...and now no backpack :( He doesn't seem overly concerned.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e6MiNXqJwdjvaEEA3UfHA55eJR8KO_0nQuoj2ZI48CjM4iGuhv9pEnzbgrTyEEI6jIrusnkzPJPKDNR8pJzPtQO4ECZufeyV-FCZZ4m3tj3zO1N-0be8ZIhyphenhypheng_0ATuTHquRxPeT3Vac/s1600/DSC06498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-NGOK83903R8n_ZmVrNvCo60iPvkAXP7SJxD34p2ta2ZGsJs_fExRtu2jlfvB7EbKGSO6qTlhTpZjfzZZOUM_dElcVysk4Na6kT2cqA7zbLDE3D73fq0HMXiKJLXfQfSNT21reiAhTQ/s1600/DSC06502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-NGOK83903R8n_ZmVrNvCo60iPvkAXP7SJxD34p2ta2ZGsJs_fExRtu2jlfvB7EbKGSO6qTlhTpZjfzZZOUM_dElcVysk4Na6kT2cqA7zbLDE3D73fq0HMXiKJLXfQfSNT21reiAhTQ/s320/DSC06502.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abbott was happy to show off his new backpack. He's in third grade this year, and I don't think the third grade will know what hit it! Abbott agreed to let me take a picture outside his classroom (but not inside). Sadly, he ended up completely off the hook because I had to stay home with Anna and dad did the 1st day walk in.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aaron called to tell me that when he told Abbott good-bye, he only said one thing: "Tell mom I love her". I think he was worried about me. He's such a sweetie.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-NGOK83903R8n_ZmVrNvCo60iPvkAXP7SJxD34p2ta2ZGsJs_fExRtu2jlfvB7EbKGSO6qTlhTpZjfzZZOUM_dElcVysk4Na6kT2cqA7zbLDE3D73fq0HMXiKJLXfQfSNT21reiAhTQ/s1600/DSC06502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfNCXodwBRR1hKXxQVFVqRcyhNFiYktxByJN8GlTuEoGOTYvYOxPxsNbh4jqnBzjxM3E6pDriet8Wg39WFmRHN3QMI9ijeEFbPHUMkd44umQT6fo4LBtYE81Iyx_Q4AMdSWcILJfPenU/s1600/DSC06501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfNCXodwBRR1hKXxQVFVqRcyhNFiYktxByJN8GlTuEoGOTYvYOxPxsNbh4jqnBzjxM3E6pDriet8Wg39WFmRHN3QMI9ijeEFbPHUMkd44umQT6fo4LBtYE81Iyx_Q4AMdSWcILJfPenU/s320/DSC06501.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am sure going to miss these boys all day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu0fgrIjZjsZxAmQIZ8psUFXj9hj_cZckJo7DoKS-qE6lzIzV6JKDZzF75Rqstx7aklMEiYjBO5C00ph3L8irBy0HWeA6APpFltbA1Vi0cYZyoD36EUH4aWDVBhH5WsZc0oiVS1Prgds/s1600/DSC06505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu0fgrIjZjsZxAmQIZ8psUFXj9hj_cZckJo7DoKS-qE6lzIzV6JKDZzF75Rqstx7aklMEiYjBO5C00ph3L8irBy0HWeA6APpFltbA1Vi0cYZyoD36EUH4aWDVBhH5WsZc0oiVS1Prgds/s320/DSC06505.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abbott said "hey mom, get a picture of me smelling the flowers". He's so strange. I just had to throw that in.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu0fgrIjZjsZxAmQIZ8psUFXj9hj_cZckJo7DoKS-qE6lzIzV6JKDZzF75Rqstx7aklMEiYjBO5C00ph3L8irBy0HWeA6APpFltbA1Vi0cYZyoD36EUH4aWDVBhH5WsZc0oiVS1Prgds/s1600/DSC06505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8dRIa0Z1AWIvA1pEV0I2uzTY9YepHxAwzGAwQ_DacIf3END3F3XfCnv917I0osTwtfpQ3Ei3Cf7xbxFlzLWl0dda5xB3jT1Bqa4QAy1P5KGsCZnFyGKE7XGZ7w015z2Ov6czfAizgq4/s1600/DSC06506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8dRIa0Z1AWIvA1pEV0I2uzTY9YepHxAwzGAwQ_DacIf3END3F3XfCnv917I0osTwtfpQ3Ei3Cf7xbxFlzLWl0dda5xB3jT1Bqa4QAy1P5KGsCZnFyGKE7XGZ7w015z2Ov6czfAizgq4/s320/DSC06506.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later that day I took her to the doctor because she was complaining about her ears hurting. She didn't have an ear infection, but she did have strep throat! Yuck!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So she didn't go to school the 2nd day either.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And she was really, really, sick all weekend (even after days of antibiotics).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But on the the third day...the kindergarten princess went to school!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really wanted a picture of all three of them...but Aiden's bus came before I finished Anna's hair. Dang it! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcXi0vc1mJcwC4ccvN6N1RqIyiQEbdBLtnSjqJhkWXj7EAUmO0j6lsfCGJ73CrxDDiIjKuMawDDBcSXVFPSB5LhVNgjvT4TFdWUaJFC49lSRz74sgbjmNZnzR44E0X2ZYN5sPTi-J4yY/s1600/DSC06521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcXi0vc1mJcwC4ccvN6N1RqIyiQEbdBLtnSjqJhkWXj7EAUmO0j6lsfCGJ73CrxDDiIjKuMawDDBcSXVFPSB5LhVNgjvT4TFdWUaJFC49lSRz74sgbjmNZnzR44E0X2ZYN5sPTi-J4yY/s320/DSC06521.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My beautiful little kindergartner on her first day of school. Even if it was everybody else's third day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_NM4P5w6DRClHljT72YcCVMhGO11Pj9G7FIiRCIe759Uy9QjKmyke0pmv-msLMBt_zyrbnLc0stksEvZWKYVf3Xzs3ir7QiHRVLCKn5Z25wbEVpkWflAeZAM1aGnYzkUy2KAfztoD9Y/s1600/DSC06525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_NM4P5w6DRClHljT72YcCVMhGO11Pj9G7FIiRCIe759Uy9QjKmyke0pmv-msLMBt_zyrbnLc0stksEvZWKYVf3Xzs3ir7QiHRVLCKn5Z25wbEVpkWflAeZAM1aGnYzkUy2KAfztoD9Y/s320/DSC06525.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In front of Central Park Elementary. Adeline was so sad to see them go. All day she kept asking: "are we going to pick up Anna now?" She is really going to miss her big sis (and the brothers, but mostly the sis).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_NM4P5w6DRClHljT72YcCVMhGO11Pj9G7FIiRCIe759Uy9QjKmyke0pmv-msLMBt_zyrbnLc0stksEvZWKYVf3Xzs3ir7QiHRVLCKn5Z25wbEVpkWflAeZAM1aGnYzkUy2KAfztoD9Y/s1600/DSC06525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr11SyzB-yiHtXjEAPu1eNh51k-oHJ-7Ijib89J8nazjhPpaHBEGKlvi8zAelYGICRNHn779FiisgCK5cv9XcG8hxL3JftMGl58QBREoKOxljKzolHEhZSkWDcBpmxLfKEb20Cm7fPv6k/s1600/DSC06526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr11SyzB-yiHtXjEAPu1eNh51k-oHJ-7Ijib89J8nazjhPpaHBEGKlvi8zAelYGICRNHn779FiisgCK5cv9XcG8hxL3JftMGl58QBREoKOxljKzolHEhZSkWDcBpmxLfKEb20Cm7fPv6k/s320/DSC06526.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In front of her new classroom. I'm sure I looked like the crazy mom still taking pictures on the third day of school! Oh well!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx_tE4trGYJYAtrlZWnpnGtbgLXcnzl9xmO4vLAOzRg0dvppqlv2t7HcKklEW2Rr_ZDzUNNQy3ajuU9waDBuhry7L4Xx86HfJrKMJmzo8CiKHz8Cu55qZQRCjEX8UvTKnQpsSSZTXlS0/s1600/DSC06528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx_tE4trGYJYAtrlZWnpnGtbgLXcnzl9xmO4vLAOzRg0dvppqlv2t7HcKklEW2Rr_ZDzUNNQy3ajuU9waDBuhry7L4Xx86HfJrKMJmzo8CiKHz8Cu55qZQRCjEX8UvTKnQpsSSZTXlS0/s320/DSC06528.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anna at her table...ready to color her Gator. She was much more nervous than she was originally. I think she felt like everybody else already knew each other and knew everything, so she was a little scared. But I know she will do great!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx_tE4trGYJYAtrlZWnpnGtbgLXcnzl9xmO4vLAOzRg0dvppqlv2t7HcKklEW2Rr_ZDzUNNQy3ajuU9waDBuhry7L4Xx86HfJrKMJmzo8CiKHz8Cu55qZQRCjEX8UvTKnQpsSSZTXlS0/s1600/DSC06528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ykWN8QPMK7WuPtkrBNDppygf5y2ylc6ZeHcvFQV_YPv7G4Rw3hu0eNSENMe4hTscibE_Ckxnn8eKzEfeF1UQbku4i8LJdS3A6cpj9-y_3Ykfmh1Atqn0X21ukmCszrGAJ5EHy-TBbQ0/s1600/DSC06531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ykWN8QPMK7WuPtkrBNDppygf5y2ylc6ZeHcvFQV_YPv7G4Rw3hu0eNSENMe4hTscibE_Ckxnn8eKzEfeF1UQbku4i8LJdS3A6cpj9-y_3Ykfmh1Atqn0X21ukmCszrGAJ5EHy-TBbQ0/s320/DSC06531.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she got home I asked her if she missed me. She considered it for a while and said "no, not really". But a little while later she crawled up in my lap and gave me a big hug. It was an I-missed-you-but-I'll-never-say-it hug. That's good enough.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxKWI_uG4CiwEhqZmYUe_8KtV4bFTIAHDO5IQkyfgO-bvK7Hpm7uBCH5BwNRS8DHiCaYsVEcLlIe_vcnd_-qN9Wql5kDZKJCOARa4AJpGBrlks1PsxI8Wvg2ZoSAyeVqy6y9DQOBPYzI/s1600/DSC06532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxKWI_uG4CiwEhqZmYUe_8KtV4bFTIAHDO5IQkyfgO-bvK7Hpm7uBCH5BwNRS8DHiCaYsVEcLlIe_vcnd_-qN9Wql5kDZKJCOARa4AJpGBrlks1PsxI8Wvg2ZoSAyeVqy6y9DQOBPYzI/s1600/DSC06532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxKWI_uG4CiwEhqZmYUe_8KtV4bFTIAHDO5IQkyfgO-bvK7Hpm7uBCH5BwNRS8DHiCaYsVEcLlIe_vcnd_-qN9Wql5kDZKJCOARa4AJpGBrlks1PsxI8Wvg2ZoSAyeVqy6y9DQOBPYzI/s320/DSC06532.JPG" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so proud of my three big kids! It's going to be a great year!!!!</span></div><br />
</div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-35785042779628598512010-08-20T19:34:00.003-05:002010-08-20T22:32:48.269-05:00Finding a good way to spend it...Summer 2010<h3 style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; margin: 7px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>And school comes along just to end it</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>So the annual problem for our generation</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Is finding a good way to spend it</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Like maybe...</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Building a rocket</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Or fighting a mummy</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Or climbing up the Eiffel Tower</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Discovering something that doesn't exist (Hey! )</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Or giving a monkey a shower</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Surfing tidal waves</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Creating nanobots</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Or locating Frankenstein's brain (It's over here! )</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Finding a dodo bird</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Painting a continent</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Or driving your sister insane (Phineas! )</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>As you can see</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>There's a whole lot of stuff to do</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Before school starts this fall (Come on Perry)</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>So stick with us 'cause Phineas and Ferb</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><i>Are gonna do it all!</i></span></span></span></h3><br />
OK...so I happen to think that the Phineas and Ferb theme song is adorable!<br />
<br />
I never counted to see if we had 104 days of summer vacation, but we sure had fun finding good ways to spend it! Unfortunately, I never found time to blog it. So this post is in honor of all the fun we had this summer. Starting school is so bitter sweet, but we can certainly say that we had an awesome summer!<br />
<br />
<br />
Our little strawberry patch brought us pure joy early in the summer. The kids never appreciated all of the tomatoes and green beans that came out of the garden. This year they decided gardening is fun with the addition of yummy strawberries! We had to go out almost every evening a pick them...it was wonderful.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909368182/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC05287 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05287" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4909368182_936b4f37a7.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908772377/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC05293 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05293" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4908772377_73c4384990.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't get behind buying a boat, but I certainly support RENTING one every so often! We had a blast out on the lake.</div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908772943/" title="DSC05462 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05462" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4908772943_952d78d184.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909369386/" title="DSC05471 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05471" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4909369386_cab3ec0f82.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909368832/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC05449 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05449" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4909368832_4bf1b40eff.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We call this the "white trash princess" look. Adeline is so much fun and her spunky personality never fails to make us laugh. She loves to throw this tutu on to go play outside.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909369642/" title="DSC05505 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05505" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4909369642_3032b22713.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
And I caught her throwing a little fit. I wish she wasn't so cute when she's throwing fits!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909369826/" title="DSC05518 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05518" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4909369826_763620da6b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The three older kids went to Mad Science Camp. They loved every minute of it! Here is Abbott with the rocket he launched.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908774325/" title="DSC05534 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05534" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4908774325_2a12eb84e5.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
They were given stickers to put on their rockets. Anna used her extra stickers to decorate her name tag. That's my Anna!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909371044/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC05541 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05541" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4909371044_4ab147a565.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">And they gave each kid as much cotton candy as they could eat. What do you think the highlight was of the camp?</div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908774643/" title="DSC05540 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05540" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4908774643_1e261e10f4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This was Aiden's last year of cub scout camp and Abbott's first year. I'm glad they got to be there together for one year.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909371508/" title="DSC05588 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05588" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4909371508_d61e777319.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Abbott did great at archery<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908775707/" title="DSC05594 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05594" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4908775707_b6cc3f367a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
A firetruck came and sprayed all of the boys with their hoses. When you're an 8 year-old boy, there is nothing better than being soaked by a fire hose on a hot summer day!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909372254/" title="DSC05597 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05597" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4909372254_50834a3d14.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Some friends invited us over to do a "Cake Boss" day. All of the kids had their own cake and they got to decorate it ANY WAY they wanted! Abbott made a football cake.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908776355/" title="DSC05626 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05626" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4908776355_d060c40664.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Aiden did a Percy Jackson theme<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908776939/" title="DSC05628 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05628" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4908776939_beaefcd54b.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Adeline had ponies (and lots of sugar and marshmallows!)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908777289/" title="DSC05633 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05633" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4908777289_58e9d19eb6.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Anna was very meticulous with her Littlest Pet Shop cake.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908777597/" title="DSC05637 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05637" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4908777597_580458c87e.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
All of the cakes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908777939/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC05638 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05638" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4908777939_d5da856cdd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Abbott want to a Razorback football camp. He loved every minute of it and he can't wait to start football (tackle- not flag- don't insult him) this fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4910962058/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_0119 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0119" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4910962058_840c02cf51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Razorback quarterback Ryan Mallett signed his camp tee shirt.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4910362207/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_0135 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0135" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4910362207_b0f5bdd30f.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
One of our very favorite things to do <u>every</u> summer is pick BLUEBERRIES! Tons of them! Enough to freeze and use all year long.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909376068/" title="DSC05686 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05686" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4909376068_94d44c84f4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I just couldn't resist throwing this picture in. Blueberry picking 2003. The same exact little farm...same yummy blueberries! Aren't my little boys adorable? And I only had two kiddos!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO3PWAGH9k1jbKTgH1k2XXvDton2fdsIn_LzHWGR6Nan6lmzdi0azAA9RJnNoxlxD2w72749Wf4xNfjT_j2oCk5TJyzQS1TrnlokwwyspLqVCrXwraQGmPpyOVjS_AKp3dsn_0tNJIos/s1600/Picture+121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO3PWAGH9k1jbKTgH1k2XXvDton2fdsIn_LzHWGR6Nan6lmzdi0azAA9RJnNoxlxD2w72749Wf4xNfjT_j2oCk5TJyzQS1TrnlokwwyspLqVCrXwraQGmPpyOVjS_AKp3dsn_0tNJIos/s320/Picture+121.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
Back to 2010...Aiden found a heart-shaped blueberry</div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908779285/" title="DSC05665 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05665" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4908779285_7b26fe5f00.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Anna was serious about finding the perfect blueberries.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908778949/" title="DSC05661 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05661" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4908778949_f15feae448.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
This year we went with friends (and no dad) for the first time. Some of them had never picked blueberries before. Yummy blueberries for everyone!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908780133/" title="DSC05692 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05692" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4908780133_6a51b8e383.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
We are really lucky to have a drive in theater close by. It's $11 for a car-ful. Nothing says summer better than a drive in.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909376982/" title="DSC05703 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05703" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4909376982_195a2c7111.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909376736/" title="DSC05700 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05700" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4909376736_106e6b1543.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
We went twice this year. We saw Toy Story 3 and The Sorcerers Apprentice. These pics are of our Toy Story trip with friends.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909377510/" title="DSC05714 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05714" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4909377510_95f4939449.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Speaking of movies...Abbott decided to go all out for The Last Airbender. We are huge Avatar fans and we were really excited for this movie. We call Abbott "Abatar- The Last Windbreaker". He's so much fun...and he got lots of comments at the theater!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908781387/" title="DSC05716 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05716" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4908781387_33f917b808.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
One of the big highlights of the summer for the boys was their lemonade and snow cone stand. I love to support capitalism, so I helped them get started. They set up the stand several times with different sets of friends each time. They made a few bucks and they were happy.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908781387/" title="DSC05716 by apfam, on Flickr"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4910973692/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_0158 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0158" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4910973692_f983285295.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I love this picture. They dropped- and broke- my snow cone maker. I told them they couldn't set up their stand offering snow cones without a snow cone maker. They came up with this solution all on their own.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908781653/" title="DSC05720 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05720" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4908781653_17b1e8176a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Aaron played church-league softball. We had lots of fun "watching him play". Or maybe we we visiting and playing with friends. Either way, we all had fun :)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909378430/" title="DSC05722 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05722" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4909378430_f0129969e3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909378842/" title="DSC05729 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05729" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4909378842_d220bc405d.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Another favorite summer tradition for our family is ICE CREAM FOR DINNER! We do it once a year, and everybody leaves the table happy! This was our third year, so they knew it was coming and kept asking for it. I like to do it early in the summer...kind of a summer "kick off"...but this year I had to wait until I could surprise everyone. That's my favorite part. Even dad doesn't know when it's coming!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908782665/" title="DSC05731 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05731" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4908782665_ea19f006b5.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Happiness is...a big bowl of ice cream with sprinkles and no vegetables in sight!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908782969/" title="DSC05734 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05734" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4908782969_cd852351c0.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908783601/" title="DSC05741 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05741" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4908783601_148d4a4db2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Five yummy flavors to choose from and tons of toppings!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909380468/" title="DSC05742 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05742" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4909380468_b514572289.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909380728/" title="DSC05743 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05743" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4909380728_bf11555c14.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908784493/" title="DSC05744 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05744" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4908784493_7efefe1d1f.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
After dinner, we watched a movie and ate "dessert": Carrots and dip, beef jerky, popcorn, and cheese and crackers. Quite possibly a perfect evening.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4910887121/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC05749 by apfam, on Flickr"></a><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4910887121/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC05749 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05749" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4910887121_e8efa5398b.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Everyone but Aiden did swimming lessons and they all learned a lot! I was worried about Adeline, but she ended up doing great!<br />
Anna was in class with two of her BFF's- Carly and Bryn.</div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908769797/" title="07.13.10 023-1 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="07.13.10 023-1" height="212" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4908769797_8854ec09ba.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908784865/" title="DSC05764 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05764" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4908784865_cfd52f6e7b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908785459/" title="DSC05767 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05767" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4908785459_6132e33f8b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Adeline and Kade<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908785719/" title="DSC05769 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05769" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4908785719_78660eb0e8.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Climbing the slide<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909383012/" title="DSC05794 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05794" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4909383012_ac81512668.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Anna jumping off the diving board<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908786827/" title="DSC05818 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05818" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4908786827_53dd8f4de5.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It wouldn't be summer without a trip to Silver Dollar City. When we found out the Tom and Jerry were going to be their for breakfast, we were so there! We stayed at a hotel with an indoor water park Friday night and went to eat breakfast with Adeline's favorite fictional characters bright and early Saturday morning.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909384040/" title="DSC05820 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05820" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4909384040_449776f3be.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Big hug from Jerry!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908787713/" title="DSC05828 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05828" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4908787713_1b00c555fb.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Adeline is the happiest little girl on the planet!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909384588/" title="DSC05833 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05833" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4909384588_1666510faf.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Then we had a very fun (and very hot) day at SDC.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908788263/" title="DSC05837 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05837" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4908788263_154230c1b6.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908788575/" title="DSC05838 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05838" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4908788575_5747359c99.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
We met cousins there!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909385538/" title="DSC05851 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05851" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4909385538_214ee906e3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Abbott loved the Magic Show and was excited to learn a trick from the magician after the show.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908789277/" title="DSC05854 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05854" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4908789277_f991baa70f.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Abbott went to two wrestling camps this summer.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909382718/" title="DSC05783 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05783" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4909382718_956440db76.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909382392/" title="DSC05779 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05779" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4909382392_89c7331be7.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
We did a family Photo Scavenger Hunt with some friends. We didn't win (go Wisers!) but we had a lot of fun taking our pictures! Here are a few of them.<br />
This is a picture with an animal:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909386662/" title="DSC05857 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05857" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4909386662_d944935de5.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
With a yellow car:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909386980/" title="DSC05859 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05859" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4909386980_8470031e1b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
WIth a train:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908790697/" title="DSC05869 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05869" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4908790697_dbe939af82.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Making a human pyramid:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908790979/" title="DSC05871 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05871" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4908790979_aebb3593d9.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
One day we went with some friends to the lake. I didn't think I would enjoy it (you know...because it's a lake). But the kids had a blast and it ended up being a really enjoyable day.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909388820/" title="DSC05881 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05881" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4909388820_12793d0505.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909388538/" title="DSC05879 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05879" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4909388538_c207a938e8.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908791605/" title="DSC05877 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05877" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4908791605_124bf13279.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908791269/" title="DSC05875 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05875" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4908791269_f7a9245ca9.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Another summer must-do is a Naturals baseball game. This is our local minor league team...they are a farm team for the Kansas City Royals. They have a really nice field (with a playground) and it's dirt cheap to get grass seats (by the playground).<br />
<br />
I seriously adore this picture. Really I adore the moment and I'm glad I was able to capture it. We were just walking from the car to the stadium. Aiden picked up Adeline and Anna and Abbott are holding hands. How cute is that? Nobody told them to hold hands...they just did. And they walked hand in hand all the way to the gate. It was precious. Those are my two "middles" that fight like crazy. This was another perfect summer evening.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908792427/" title="DSC05890 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05890" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4908792427_4685247c60.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Anna and her buddies.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908792741/" title="DSC05901 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05901" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4908792741_53556eef33.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The boys with their buddies. The kids enjoyed watching the game...but spent more time rolling down the hill.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909389730/" title="DSC05908 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05908" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4909389730_87fd804e06.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Wild thing in a tutu sneaking off with a donut!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908793319/" title="DSC05909 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05909" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4908793319_90f6de314d.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Aaron and I took the girls on a special date to see the Broadway performance of Beauty and the Beast.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908793937/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="DSC05917 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05917" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4908793937_1515abbcc5.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I know I'm a tad bit biased...but these are the most beautiful little girls that ever walked the face of the earth! I love them! It was so fun to see their excited little faces when the show started. (Not quite as much fun to watch Adeline toward the end jumping on the stairs.)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908793617/" title="DSC05910 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05910" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4908793617_c448ed3ced.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This little stinker got herself stuck under dad's truck!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908794333/" title="DSC05918 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05918" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4908794333_2ba41f41d1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909391562/" title="DSC05919 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05919" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4909391562_a5a3b948bf.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Anna loved her hair post-french braid. She looks like she belongs on a beach.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909391878/" title="DSC05920 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05920" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4909391878_bc7a0409e7.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Roller skating. I'm just glad nobody broke anything.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909392178/" title="DSC05927 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05927" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4909392178_47f1dcbb5e.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Adeline loved being pushed around the rink in her stroller.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908796083/" title="DSC05932 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05932" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4908796083_298b6b2a97.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
She felt like she was on a roller coaster!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908795785/" title="DSC05929 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05929" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4908795785_2f0f1d3472.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our fantastic summer culminated with our cruise! We spent all summer looking forward to it, and then it was over much too quickly. I have a lot of amazing pictures that I want to share, so I promise to post more later!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909393398/" title="DSC05961 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC05961" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4909393398_1ae9249d2b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909395110/" title="DSC06156 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC06156" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4909395110_f81f5ef8f5.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
The beach in Cozumel, MX<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908798949/" title="DSC06184 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC06184" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4908798949_c946607787.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Riding a 2000 year old snake-thing in Progreso, MX<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908797005/" title="IMG_0080 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0080" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4908797005_0db547aef9.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Mayan temple<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909394830/" title="DSC06040 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC06040" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4909394830_6967d94585.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
After the cruise we spent a few days in New Orleans. None of us had ever been there, and we actually liked it more than we thought we would.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909396298/" title="DSC06391 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC06391" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4909396298_3b8c490b00.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I loved the colorful masks! I feel a masquerade party in the near future...</div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909396920/" title="DSC06474 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC06474" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4909396920_3f088d057a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
They had a great Children's museum that was popular with the kids. Adeline cracked everyone up when she grabbed this rope and was slowly raised up very high in the air.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908799197/" title="DSC06329 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC06329" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4908799197_287b5aeabe.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
When we got back from vacation, we had one last hurrah with our friends. A "Back to school party". Here they are doing the crab walk:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908800431/" title="DSC06494 by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC06494" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4908800431_5cdbdd1a96.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
And the long jump:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4908800643/" title="45566_1569396998278_1336068049_31522015_8279238_n by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="45566_1569396998278_1336068049_31522015_8279238_n" height="213" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4908800643_d5a5365354.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
They also did jump roping, basketball, bubble gum blowing, and other fun outside games.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/17096608@N08/4909397692/" title="44722_1569396158257_1336068049_31522011_1105102_n by apfam, on Flickr"><img alt="44722_1569396158257_1336068049_31522011_1105102_n" height="213" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4909397692_e1b1ce0d47.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I guess that's a summary of our summer adventures...at least the adventures where I remembered to bring my camera! It was a great summer and it went by way too quickly.Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-74266465687977075632010-07-07T14:10:00.011-05:002010-07-07T21:24:25.579-05:00The Coolest Percy Jackson Party Ever!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Aiden's party was months ago. I'm not exactly the most dedicated blogger in the world...but I just had to post about this party. I have thrown a lot of really fun parties for my kiddos over the years, but this one was my favorite! When I set out to plan a Percy Jackson party, I looked online and found nothing. So I hope I can help out others who are searching for ideas and stumble upon my blog.<div><br /></div><div>Aiden loves the Percy Jackson series. He read them forever ago and I decided to read them before the movie came out. And I fell in love with them too! The movie is quite different from the books (very disappointing!). Our party was based on the book, and luckily all but one of boys had read them (and he saw the movie, so he had the basics).</div><div><br /></div><div>The biggest omission from the movie is the orange camp half-blood shirts. Well, OUR camp half blood was complete with the orange shirts! Each boy got one upon arrival. </div><div><br /></div><div>For food, we had:</div><div><br /></div><div>Blue m&m's and blue jelly beans (you would have to read the book to get the blue thing)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcw1eof6mFPY5imr2IFB7rrSrN728PNofsZmikWAt8F1Z_MRIVgXpCTZgsEKMXpAOYY3N5i_C838bmguOQfEmIqkddmqAyq6jvk3qLWh4UWulYDQBWNgdPuqXZZJ5dkzGGsdQiR41L_o/s320/DSC05097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491281592203568002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOz0gUZwHGsR-hZVxlMabUMy6FvFO34ojZ1AVA-fC9BXMPjZa2gPixuWAYGf8sM-KeufFPkFUvymavC8pCVHE19cvIOUp1YTXO-ZyWJWGUtHo0zzDzes0_do7QufN6WOQGgE2GDDi-jjY/s320/DSC05092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491281599353941810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Strawberries (again...in the book but not the movie...the camp had a strawberry farm and that's how they raised money)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3Goi9IZsSvE3KPXYFhrWKhOnArhpJuVPIQ2zGSQhyphenhyphenv_2ZqXUE1T4JQiIS-h6uWP26Iz2iT_pXbcqEyQqVpfAE7X9nT3pk24v3F8tRF8iM9qoAdSGpMVbNkZ1j1VFXkVVkAwT3SdCP3w/s320/DSC05093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491281608284097970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>The cake turned out ok. I originally intended to make it in the SHAPE of a trident. Well, let's just say that was a bit lofty. Aiden loved the sparkly trident and Percy figurines. He gave me the biggest hug and thanked me and told me it was the best cake ever. That's what it's all about :)</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnPmRYFyclHZ5I8X8R4RsCb28ptD7UidGDD8iroZdOPJ1CgPkUnAvTl8MOlcSCvBseyIloP1XK80QlaYVTMdzQBDLZxUW24fPnVxb34l7obrbtavhXAs6EZ1cs4R-g3ZlQpf73_LpgZE/s320/DSC05091.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491305337508414770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincczHr9BTB3LfIYXso177t-SFy-5sTZc8YB6mknns6ATErHAnUCdpNp3Rm8MwGCieK1lS9TonMDPDYbPbRMdBy2zFVaXAvTycpYkKL_JFKO82FxSL5p_nhyqmxCoNSzgExIvHH1aXsHo/s320/DSC05090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491305331949581154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>And of course, the cake was blue</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVd1WcduCb3YNq3QJ0WzF-YG7kXgi2BO2BQ8P7-cesJ7R2SNsfmrM7FxM0LSXOBLqMKD6l2vSPBFgtVNEGm78wRw8snkZZjxuBQ6DcjQp63rhp2D8BdfOYV3B0piqz9ygucUBJF8j6Wc/s320/DSC05172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491246909583256850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GkzHXF8f0G9L3rc4XYwFUrZ0ftWoY75no1yKp7ZWTzJTw3ALE2slqHTvZZ4csKJC9bltKbpvEAn-6uAnlIlmGKi_NmTWuoMWIMm2o6BVffWfJOgDseIafvNhocNDKmvJqPgkADAj4As/s320/DSC05174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491246883919760802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>The boys were very surprised when we cut it and saw blue cake! That is definitely what Sally would have done!</div><div><br /></div><div>We had four activities based on four of the cabins at camp.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hephaestus' Shield Making</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>I honestly thought 10 year old boys would spend 5 minutes slopping some paint on and be done. Boy was I wrong! These boys were meticulous. They kept going back to them between every activity. Coat after coat of paint. They certainly weren't dry when their parents came.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TgWk_wx9nBZajPmmPBerT6iBx3mC0ngszvhwQ3DwVslhnsPd5tHjdi6uGrrCSIrhsLvTYDC7jfddh4qfKykvDcaTxw6ZVEzA6wOEg3G4czV9usoXf4G03L9eH2VR0YlzJtQ2mDcAkiY/s320/DSC05102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491271900301685842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xryGro8j1C5-h0IEyMMwzVU4FUgkqF6HM5UNZ-CsVHHTvnURrflIYCDhgrcaNuPactykkirNt9yOtUSNWBYXAcVR674VlEhUmgRGwcC2seIDsFP93G0XboM_tdXqI5zDmrYMWZ-GSNY/s320/DSC05162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491305351002163426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>I printed off some Greek symbols for them to copy and here they are searching for artwork in Aiden's mythology book. These boys were serious and their shields turned out great!</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KhHPGjdKqMlFE2T4RRuD8khGEm2-9KUxO9B-rYp85W3i6SAmn8ByrO_zCNdrR9AXcmIHjaKP9MHCzLWL6-_bZt9gCnpOYFsPZeqBAn-inpsIl-1YUBO84Pj-yUE9ozw46PmYJrYIJsE/s320/DSC05100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491246933106529634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>To make the shields I used cheap pizza pans from Walmart. We drilled four holes and attached straps to the back with bolts. Very easy! And much cooler than toy shields.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrTfCplqr6gYZ3L9Fa0NJ-2g6LdmYQNH_lk-_i7sHbI8hwCRF2DdiLbtlpDYzg5Uno7omSvy3nZiyNSHD9ei9kBx8-WYXdyiiHHbhHQvwCBNdHBXjpIj6qf-HVG1fu85ta_Cu8XOFtow/s320/DSC05095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491305320313723362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkl3F_FNzIoGoXmqV5EALhvsAIoUANGLk6pl7K962td9QQ-7CREt7feWLifv7PX497UP6Tkj6HEf26QA3h9ADBGamncrs8Cmr7POqtkcURyo7B3dMdZAc8rdPsDYqwyHygVItCC5LeE1I/s320/DSC05096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491305309804386002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b>Apollo's Archery </b></div><div>Unfortunately, it was raining the day of the party, so archery was a little tricky! I had the kids stand in the doorway and shoot out. It worked pretty well and several of the boys had never shot before. They all loved it!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO3LwTad9n00yYLkn7XDC4qRDBagWOI9y4Qv8XAjLHf70vcaR13YiRY8fZZQY_SSMFdwQ5oCqimcrFbi8ArQte1FHSKsZIkaCYOt-DPr9Trj63VaqY-p51kONlud_rsMRAC_nAU7H7uI/s320/DSC05106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491279823042597138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3udSibf12IpfQCs2czZ6NJ66A72B5xIWc-oOZGkIxIOJKldjLIvtC0iIuFl_-OtP8q_lWL5DKtdUEvh8JIctG6DbvnvUydx7L9BjccUr75fjxvyFQfPo7kkQh5FmRyeqm7bPBOmbpFhI/s320/DSC05107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491281584427260626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNIiG_CY4lQFaXWJ0OeN5m10xhfktTSWvzQ6Hwl2jsKhgI2EpEh0LwucEOxz_ZkstrvK1s1LnQBBdMQsaA0rHLTMwfiNmOG7RHC1KRj_wnl3lMuDSQvGdXtRsWMVrmxmBVx-BCKkZN8s/s320/DSC05111.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491281571856486610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hermes' Obstacle Course</b></div><div>The obstacle course didn't really happen with all of the rain. They climbed up the "rock wall" on our swing set, ran through it and down the slide. Then the grabbed a waiting sword and battled with a monster full of candy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yes, you heard that right! Each boy got their own monster to battle (hit, smash, beat, kick, tackle, shred...they got pretty into it!)</div><div><br /></div><div>This was they best part of the party (if I do say so myself!). Pinatas just aren't fun. A few kids hit it, one kid busts it, and the kids at the back of the line get squat. So I thought "what if everybody got their own monster pinata to destroy?" So...at the end of the obstacle course, they each had their very own mythical monster wanting for them!</div><div><br /></div><div>Nobody ever said I was good at keeping things simple.</div><div><br /></div><div>I spent a good amount of time paper mache-ing, painting, and decorating these monsters. But it was seriously worth every second. </div><div><br /></div><div>These 10 year old boys had the time of their lives and insisted on taking home the leftover chunks of their monsters! I thought they would be making fun of my designs...but they LOVED them!</div><div><br /></div><div>Meet the monsters:</div><div><br /></div><div>Fury</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6n7H_TO2gjKqni2OiiBvGzu73PluMIzmmxSYu187Szy4aWFkX1RLeM4Dn6Nfd3H-XyzAkfK4QWgqeEQiYpWhSfiXBuHx0mF_KScaUlrWevrah6E2-QRj8j-nVbDYSZ6YHXL7Teqs2gk/s320/DSC05118.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491279794659074706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Fury being torn to shreds with candy flying everywhere</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1B45gHP-zGUYLWDgjEAfjE_Q08SzgpBgatzWhyCqxl_8JIESaO2un8aagLK0TQ4Y0iOi6R8vA7Jew3x5jkaMZlDhV3TFHNUyZ3HHpgrK79CDHwKPPIhlUUI49RgvmT1_md7sgpiu8TMU/s320/DSC05131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491276119980809314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>Hydra</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X7zEvhoGFBKaQj_jVIPaMvcGhAY6zbbI-UiXrwcXJ2WDJFgRXLyb0uETEGeP8wPPo3zCCNmfa3MJkgXWM28pm6dV-DrdvIwXGXFlkgCK8hKvh7tG5QFd-71Nm2M3FMs989e7jmtslxo/s320/DSC05117.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491279811130364194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Hydra being beaten to a pulp!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQwAFyG45OB2flf480hSXk4lVmfle_EjZ70Q8pnbx03WhdOyIIr8G1axMdqJOIWg_lUHEhw6g8EQfD2iHeI4ak0QeEsDPTlSKclJJ7ZgOnD7VYvsYPwF2jOAua87tg50kBUH94ChA64Y/s320/DSC05145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491271941201532850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Aiden and Medusa</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84iSPxK-XRb79cFrHxgKkLaGI8vkTEdgcjYCMVver-CCcxCt6B5K937ceS8aMGdJK45kwaesj6-gWBVtMkLjIhYysazumzCNbPvl9jVpKN0tslmDdKezJmYrwl1-hJLjS_U1VgkdukVc/s320/DSC05114.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491279776922985586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Aiden cutting off Medusa's head!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca2eZ165SDPqaG-DSOPRdupgL66qRb2OYZIpI0Zr4NKVlTP5upExADTh5_bbfSLqaJE5TrdZoRUiZ0xiZUa8LdDmkyLMifkpM31vOzP7ial9AplquRDVS7MxYOrxK33-8UENVpojgXc4/s320/DSC05123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491276145694020642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Minotaur</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBylLnDEAoHPcWscGg-OtIbbCrbAcQ2acMqfriq7_ys1Ku7AuwyhwBV0kNPZvaDXgDPDpXsfZT2mm9WiQ4w7OZv_PG2eIftBEqwYOcUEtgkHXfqqDeKfog2ovgTp6mjKTlp6KBOWYV0U/s320/DSC05119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491279792843595266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Dead Minotaur. This boy dove on the Minotaur and tackled it to the ground. I don't think the boys will soon forget that memory!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsrS2ZN-lF3cYwpJlwfvDSpzGMoix8gH5awEMou8UW8SbxTVD9_6Bs2WMkBoih2yKGheRndaJIWaVKf1ZrOtMHDi7kDu84jocRZxHfLy7fcINK7ri6SXPb6x64GUm_EUUekpB8p5OaJ8/s320/DSC05141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491276093969018002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Hellhound about to go down</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jhcZYdcmpZnYVE4aRtpW0JkfP98wVXmGLVP0MOGJqotDHzPj6XHAYobcjUmYviKdTGkAisIkz4pJPWbTYGadaMBaMS-9RgO00aUhjTttuWtMLc89UAF2n9H1ls7lUWAptjYJR4j4LhY/s320/DSC05126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491276132421914674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Cerburus about to lose his heads!</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbof6iUMN4a5opQpM4l5QKIhwCa3PC3DdgoujqZfdiGTDniN5Ws_t-VnIChH0g_KX5kLUCoXGxluOkHvf5E9KkzErUwsRp_IE8X9GOUGHwPMFeaVDlpQ4lQL-6UZOQKkmvzucjSouU09I/s320/DSC05134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491276109667385282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><b>Ares' Sword Fighting</b></div><div>We ended with an all-out battle. Each boy got an inflatable sword and a can of silly string. Luckily there was a break in the rain and they were able to go duke it out. My plan was for the shields to be dry for the fight, but they just kept painting. They weren't missed. They all had a blast duking it out and shooting silly string all of the yard. It was quite a battle!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJTnsByT_6wJY_m8nyGwcUiN3nuyauwcqVCHk2DhdnFr-IvVZlZYPa1Fd_6Wi2yysmmxEShzeMQCVypIaW6j5z9BLw2DHA-EuqErJomQocy2TnDZlWhDxCQNRJFj1wTj7UieKlsJY0NE/s320/DSC05164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491302795612185186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The whole crew with their spoils of war! They mounted the heads on sticks...such BOYS!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-FbDh1E_hzGDtVN3AF06-fnR7vKJiyQVZhX7pOy91W98JTjnYaKzByf2KMV-gbY4dJ-zev9Bg6vlGw49hexbmxZlMcUYDryGKR1H9TklKxQ-7GZgiCOB9DJup5EtVD2B_xeLbosVGJo/s320/DSC05152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491246916384701010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I love this boy! Happy birthday Aiden...I'm so glad you enjoyed your party!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAY9xIGYqPIRs4ksolNqmU7aUcZDIHUac2HVcgrTZ3t1T7ykXo9JA94pWbGcJj1uMzj_HEcYRZyaKk7idnfYUgY-hbyrg7JbuaKe359SjoPc1ubyTWNnnI90usPmV407s4QGpvD-uFtQ/s320/DSC05170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491246900842746994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">In honor of his 10th birthday...The 10 things I love most about Aiden are:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">1. He is so stinkin' smart! This boy helps his classmates with math. He read the entire Harry Potter series in a month. He beats me at chess. He's such a smarty!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">2. He is such a good big brother. He really loves his siblings. He's Abbott's best friend and he spoils the girls.</span></span></span></div><div>3. He really, really wants to be good. He messes up like any kid, but I love his desire to make me happy and to choose the right. I bet he is the one child that I don't fight with about curfews. An obedient child...what a blessing!</div><div>4. It's really easy to make him happy. He is the best at showing appreciation.</div><div>5. He is just like his dad (and nothing like me). And I love his dad a lot! It is so fun to see what a clone he is of his dad (right down to the birthmark on his hand!).</div><div>6. He is so easy going. He doesn't get worked up about things (see #5) and isn't stubborn at all (and I'm not being sarcastic...he really isn't!).</div><div>7. He is so handsome. He has a wide smile and full lips. He can get anything out of me when he flashes that grin!</div><div>8. He can be silly. He is so cautious and quiet and laid back...most of the time. But sometimes his silly side pops out. He sings goofy songs he heard on youtube. He says little one-liners that make everybody laugh. I love these silly moments.</div><div>9. He's happy with who he is. He isn't interested in being the star of the show. He does the things that he enjoys because he enjoys doing them. He keeps a low profile.</div><div>10. He is my sweet firstborn. He will always be infinitely special as the boy who made me a mom.</div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-19350032154660769802010-07-06T16:30:00.007-05:002010-07-15T16:28:23.692-05:00Adeline's Tom & Jerry Party<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Adeline loves Tom and Jerry. It it the only thing she watches (and an occasional Barbie movie). She has totally moved on from Dora. <br />
<div><br />
</div><div>She has been very excited about her very own birthday party, and of course she wanted it to be "Tom and Jerry" themed. To my surprise, I found the cutest Tom and Jerry plates, cups, napkins, stickers, etc. Lucky me! I also found a cute little Tom and Jerry shirt for her on ebay.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490915202352620034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxvi7m-vUqbYHHCAlIF_3CjBG5ev82ksaKQ1TJJVfJbj4QjiYV65mtDEBVQ-Gp1ugDuvH0lAugg31WgDK4HfquuuiLwxusU7FFQoj9H2Xj_dDqNnr2i_k8GI1xQn7I9EUM-a1LQur_Fg/s320/DSC05559.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><br />
</span></div><div>She knew this party was HERS and she thoroughly enjoyed it! </div><div><br />
</div><div>Knowing that my crowd was going to be two and three year olds, I kept the games simple. We played "pin the tail on Jerry" and a cat/mouse version of "hot potato". Adeline's favorite was freeze dance...that girl is quite the dancer! </div><div><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490915237316718018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlbckqj1_yRUhHNMRqswpjpnDtTN7SefUgXk2MdnWWVN6cdv8WPOTAd_VvMNbQxtb7NNtXbOOcSxElufeqfBObYQS-ii5rFlKsgsxxbrcvb3XQbVlQ2XDHtTofQacCBJzmn4UBwh_gCY/s320/DSC05555.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span><br />
<div>We colored.</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490915209597658738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEmcUWRsDlGZOC87ptrSE9tnnOBvtUfRdVjLDoU28mI020_4ptlUh-vCgKvfTxVKeWqMPugh2bAq-hrG1VWdVplIXaeEBIiQL4W8iyWtLQmt9l4SmOXpqJZNx0IKs3ibi0Zjratr-aUM/s320/DSC05564.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><br />
</span></div><div>I bought a little remote controlled cat toy (cats, toddlers...) to have them chase the mouse around and try to catch it. I was really excited about this and it worked great when I tried it out the night before. Unfortunately, it didn't work as well at the party but the kids still had fun with it! Got to love little ones...it doesn't take much to impress them!</div><div><br />
</div><div>She was so excited to open her presents and she tried to hold all of them at the same time. The big hit was a beauty salon set from Kade. </div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490915220080605954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZLRrfPi5WNyii6s5j2qW01zjAvp8bzEqwJEwgj6eZf5wy-VaJyk2t0pUhg1mTm2UnnfiCeSSfPPdLj-JSYkZyHuZH1JAA_r8JrjvAgBOKmwm2Miw4CBe1_kTCJQ7XUiW0lugnUvgSjQ/s320/DSC05575.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><br />
</span></div><div>Here she is being pampered. I think Abbott could have a promising career as a nail guy!</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490915226428069634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAuRTmXD3mkViRSrNhVLhUsMoEXCkl_KIOEC5V-3AxkYl1NakpXbSoCGKuKzR6q_JB30SYSUHFGWaqI-uzAVweXK75pLo7sq20_JrLjHgzRVM68VAAbt7DVzpB3P0oZdCJJTxcLsiKNY/s320/DSC05584.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><br />
</span></div><div>It was a cute little party and she thought she was the queen of the world!</div><div><br />
</div><div>However, that night she went to bed saying "I didn't get a pillow pet." She has been asking for a pillow pet for months and we have been telling her to wait for her birthday. She certainly remembered!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I did have the pillow pet tucked away, but since daddy missed the party, I figured we would open it on her actual birthday the next day.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We started with three pink candles in a Krispy Kreme donut. </div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490916938244419938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYms72r-s1rkoLtZzSG6v2FQofzamrWPD7O39E6t8ZNI7VWdK7QvqLIFNVn2wyp_0-4YhIcI5coSfH88QGAmegh9JBR7aj1FOfJ5TD4JSdsVwTTUHb52Ae0K9RZAMUg0nD_yZy3UU2b4/s320/DSC05602.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><br />
</span></div><div>And then came...so excited...the pillow pet!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490916953707431458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTHg0ZMAOOrYGcGSB3Dcwcy3XgbeLLhAu5l44DrPuyplyv4Tg3Dk8h1_Y6rpUTgGWL-0NcdrVFluHNpqw2tOVZl_ySUcE-_VGMleLRKT4oTe-wczsi9jEZju3tEHJ_e4cntCnLm7s7J8/s320/DSC05611.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><br />
</span></div><div>She loved it (and she's still carrying around her new purse and salon set).</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490916945260521202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bXa8F5tVnlUENhYvXSdNN-dN6NnuvGfx1kklFFGjTIdxYWiLSB6jVyUcEUGQy3RW6BkV6sb8bvBJpDTUwkE_NBkjUD6xLHpI5KNcxp3KNCYgVPOS30D7JwL94Xffa1B6RxBZ1D0l0OQ/s320/DSC05613.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><br />
</span></div><div>I love this little girl. In honor of her third birthday...the 3 things I love most about Adeline are:</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. She's so snuggly. This girl wants to be held all day (which I sometimes have to remember is a good thing). She loves me and she would be perfectly happy to lay in my arms all day long. She gives the best hugs and she never lets anybody out of the house without a kiss AND a hug...so don't even try!</div><div>2. She hears a drum in her head that nobody else hears. And she doesn't march to that beat...she DANCES! This girl can really bust a move...and she frequently does! When it's her turn to choose the Family Home evening Activity...we all dance! I can already tell that she isn't going to be worried about what other people think. I love it!</div><div>3. She's the most adorable little girl on the planet. OK, I'm a bit biased, but really- she's cute. She is tiny for her age and I think that is part of what has always drawn people to her. Seriously, wherever she goes, people love her. She's a little spoiled...but we'll deal with that later :)<br />
<br />
Get Tom and Jerry party supplies on amazon.com!<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=patteteam-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003IO1IOM&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=patteteam-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003IOJK2O&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=patteteam-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003IO3FL6&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=patteteam-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003R7ZT2W&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=patteteam-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003INWFBS&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=patteteam-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003UFPBFQ&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=patteteam-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003IOJX94&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=patteteam-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003IOLK0O&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-80263441087412205422010-05-09T20:18:00.005-05:002010-05-15T22:07:00.699-05:00My Handsome 8 Year Old<div style="text-align: center;">This is Abbott</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpGKVAdglawSrw1RFiTEc6PVerggqPXM0A7p8erBuvPNCmUTwB5M4PuqXAhscmNKK87e4rNgmUUI5ftUgoym3Nfo9t5wL-o3ZMCDSqSbDMy0TCazXOBP_G_UQxcLgrkpXGPhYJur51os/s1600/DSC04828.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpGKVAdglawSrw1RFiTEc6PVerggqPXM0A7p8erBuvPNCmUTwB5M4PuqXAhscmNKK87e4rNgmUUI5ftUgoym3Nfo9t5wL-o3ZMCDSqSbDMy0TCazXOBP_G_UQxcLgrkpXGPhYJur51os/s320/DSC04828.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469618094151839234" /></a>Isn't he handsome? Even with the goofy 2nd grader teeth? I love this boy so much. He was baptized a few weeks ago. It was such a fun day. We had lots of family in town and lots of friends that attended the baptism. It was really special. Abbott's favorite part was when mom squirted cheese whiz in her hair while giving the talk on baptism. Sounds crazy, I know. If you need entertainment at your next baptism, just invite me to give a talk!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk52FOTyWoTjF85-fkG2Z-OuX2XJS7yUlD397WpCHi1aRv_U2oGLbVavbQpqi3JgMh_OszRzMgy0gCSBVd_aZ01H-ErI1YnfA_ZYdaXUHVnA9U4bi1NaobSuH5ND4kRm_ygI1vVacKBcw/s1600/DSC04868.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk52FOTyWoTjF85-fkG2Z-OuX2XJS7yUlD397WpCHi1aRv_U2oGLbVavbQpqi3JgMh_OszRzMgy0gCSBVd_aZ01H-ErI1YnfA_ZYdaXUHVnA9U4bi1NaobSuH5ND4kRm_ygI1vVacKBcw/s320/DSC04868.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469447918760128114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Grandma gave him this cool towel.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii2muaBHQd9AoacZC_iDlzlB6Vef09aEHNHqR0GL-IJvuVmg5PbClOQE_38I-zdbEmSFxnn8c_6UXbWxIJk-h9KYJK6dVmV-zhbumPydbvvPyYlVIgsKbiyr_-tAvjr6M5O33sVJ_nLk/s1600/DSC04883.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii2muaBHQd9AoacZC_iDlzlB6Vef09aEHNHqR0GL-IJvuVmg5PbClOQE_38I-zdbEmSFxnn8c_6UXbWxIJk-h9KYJK6dVmV-zhbumPydbvvPyYlVIgsKbiyr_-tAvjr6M5O33sVJ_nLk/s320/DSC04883.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471698583697319330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwPXgIpesxoP18KqYP5gMLQa54ymGD8UuJCfEOSxr7sfb_WnIwWKS4WxwwD076suhPSuc6-Y9M6XaudEEAAD2C9qRNWFbQkZ6SA5jqScvhVQxVQ6kF0MAiOckMr97pMoNRQxQgDgr_84/s1600/DSC04895.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwPXgIpesxoP18KqYP5gMLQa54ymGD8UuJCfEOSxr7sfb_WnIwWKS4WxwwD076suhPSuc6-Y9M6XaudEEAAD2C9qRNWFbQkZ6SA5jqScvhVQxVQ6kF0MAiOckMr97pMoNRQxQgDgr_84/s320/DSC04895.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469447943309488882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 301px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Aiden, Abbott and cousin Ryan. I love this picture.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwbDCnmqh6VYSczLDhhPdPMnhLQDfAdXn-gJWhFORy8ld9b51digt2Suk7xANi_rewSOC2SXiX4PN866ZJ4bwjrVHgDIxhpgWv-62BwbdE4hC7VVvlOIu7dNZ1cAEBU8XoabZD8I1uWM/s1600/DSC04892.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwbDCnmqh6VYSczLDhhPdPMnhLQDfAdXn-gJWhFORy8ld9b51digt2Suk7xANi_rewSOC2SXiX4PN866ZJ4bwjrVHgDIxhpgWv-62BwbdE4hC7VVvlOIu7dNZ1cAEBU8XoabZD8I1uWM/s320/DSC04892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469447952198186370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Later that day...we celebrated the big 8th birthday with a party at the Great Skate. There were lots of kids from his class and from church. Even his best bud Henry from his old school was there. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyvXbojz4c0YP1KNG9J7yMSsXDNxSxxnoCLW9f0sTE4ByXNTKa3e7ptMtwDd-VrfGQ4Tg71ayy3P-TBvU-W_NVCPG-oSm_y3oj-dYfjMVMHlF1kc5lNaf9Zvq1RqNSKPa62s0nJHNZ6o/s1600/DSC04905.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyvXbojz4c0YP1KNG9J7yMSsXDNxSxxnoCLW9f0sTE4ByXNTKa3e7ptMtwDd-VrfGQ4Tg71ayy3P-TBvU-W_NVCPG-oSm_y3oj-dYfjMVMHlF1kc5lNaf9Zvq1RqNSKPa62s0nJHNZ6o/s320/DSC04905.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469447962295120338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Adeline had more fun than anybody. That girl isn't scared of anything!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJl4PDB8s3MPz5zLHeAQ0r52xpeB-EXxgAO5cVsrdxGhNmfyVC_phsSTtmWzTM6q18q4fWpjGwKVk9QQkW5saZNBA3aE5MM1wOjTz5JHksEMU2_6Bc5lhERJ7G-DY5lxxsHhAcqE6WlQ/s1600/DSC04916.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJl4PDB8s3MPz5zLHeAQ0r52xpeB-EXxgAO5cVsrdxGhNmfyVC_phsSTtmWzTM6q18q4fWpjGwKVk9QQkW5saZNBA3aE5MM1wOjTz5JHksEMU2_6Bc5lhERJ7G-DY5lxxsHhAcqE6WlQ/s320/DSC04916.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471698594871061682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddH_0FPyly1oZWiKEmY5LdV_uHu-6D33nUGrA08ozTEqt_p3AjxOb86VsYKJynUiw0uNw5w8Dt2bMda9-HhJLjxhAapBbAOjritksiYSDQxUq4ca1_B7xwIhqabLAcK4c_WzijGpyF08/s1600/DSC04955.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddH_0FPyly1oZWiKEmY5LdV_uHu-6D33nUGrA08ozTEqt_p3AjxOb86VsYKJynUiw0uNw5w8Dt2bMda9-HhJLjxhAapBbAOjritksiYSDQxUq4ca1_B7xwIhqabLAcK4c_WzijGpyF08/s320/DSC04955.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469463274259510962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Limbo</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIX7LwQD3Q4MQphCkzMizmk6gNagjN8h2SmSWwrnRBQyKDKv8WBibI9pU4KgWPdZlSRg-dDmiMOrI8Eusm5RuKlndobeDAsHvIHqodLh1k6ZutZl_1UnfaXFfiOBAHNKpystiFw2yRlA/s1600/DSC04924.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIX7LwQD3Q4MQphCkzMizmk6gNagjN8h2SmSWwrnRBQyKDKv8WBibI9pU4KgWPdZlSRg-dDmiMOrI8Eusm5RuKlndobeDAsHvIHqodLh1k6ZutZl_1UnfaXFfiOBAHNKpystiFw2yRlA/s320/DSC04924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469463296575486658" /></a>Abbott went home with a bunch of presents and over $100 in cash and gift cards. He was the happiest kid on the planet. He used most of the money to buy a little video camera. He wants to make youtube videos. He's pretty funny...I'll post them if I decide to actually let him post them to youtube.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-D1T9xPArXrmnDyVz7lDPVz1N53YiEtGUM1eiV7N0P2FcI6diCjKwvKfjavD8soLMsYI7VmAU_YYQg-1YVp5NCJSNfRwyaZIVIsaCkNYvVmVdHB660SUY0tAugtm0s-Uv9oyiB40Fik/s1600/DSC04972.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-D1T9xPArXrmnDyVz7lDPVz1N53YiEtGUM1eiV7N0P2FcI6diCjKwvKfjavD8soLMsYI7VmAU_YYQg-1YVp5NCJSNfRwyaZIVIsaCkNYvVmVdHB660SUY0tAugtm0s-Uv9oyiB40Fik/s320/DSC04972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469463290883106914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bHwseMN6_VqB_zkM5IKtA83lJJPp35cAAeJvlQMNqk3zSvpfk37ofYRhZWwwIvj4L2sk7DHd9mFE6oyTwD7GHTRIn_CtZItKJtzMiEDHD54teV_u_Ca6JmBjmHkhKLNbg3MYWTdDZzs/s1600/DSC04963.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bHwseMN6_VqB_zkM5IKtA83lJJPp35cAAeJvlQMNqk3zSvpfk37ofYRhZWwwIvj4L2sk7DHd9mFE6oyTwD7GHTRIn_CtZItKJtzMiEDHD54teV_u_Ca6JmBjmHkhKLNbg3MYWTdDZzs/s320/DSC04963.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469463283581226914" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">8 things I love abbott Abbott:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. His sense of humor. This boy is so much fun. Sometimes it gets him in trouble (like when his teacher is trying to teach) but you just can't help but smile! He definitely keeps our family laughing.</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. He is very giving. When he got all those gift cards for his birthday, he gave one to Aiden so they could shop together. He is always great to share.</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. His big blue eyes and beautiful long lashes. When Abbott was a baby, he was always mistaken for a girl...even if he was wearing a blue shirt with trucks on it. Seriously, those beautiful eyes were to pretty to belong to a boy! Over the years, he has certainly learned to use those eyes to get what he wants from his mama!</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. His motivation. This boy has drive. He can do anything when he puts his mind to it...and I just love that! He is willing to work hard (most of the time), and I love to see him accomplish tasks.</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. He is such a good brother. Especially to Adeline. He really dotes on that girl and would give her anything. Maybe that's why she's spoiled rotten? And Aiden is his best friend. He really loves his siblings and I hope they stay this close forever.</div><div style="text-align: left;">6. I love thatI can joke around with him. I guess this goes back to his sense of humor. Some members of our family are a little...ahem...sensitive. So sensitive that you can't mess with them at all. I can play around with my Abs, and I love it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">7. He gives great hugs. You know those totally unsolicited, just-because-I-love-you-mom hugs? Yeah, he's great at those.</div><div style="text-align: left;">8. He's a lot like me :) Sometimes it's a blessing, sometimes it's a curse. But like it or not, the kid's a lot like me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-36759169376644204242010-04-23T13:35:00.013-05:002010-04-29T00:23:42.035-05:00What do Walmart, Bill Clinton and Diamonds have in common?<div style="text-align: left;">Arkansas, of course!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those are our three claims to fame. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas is the only diamond-producing site in the WORLD that is open to the public. Pretty cool, huh?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We dug for diamonds a few years ago when Anna was a baby, and the kids had a blast. This time around we had even more fun! Probably due to the fact that there had been a lot of rain and we were sloshing through mud. Does life get any better than that?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My cute little diggers!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRFRbU7oXogcYhMrdhZ97a1aOWVDvHxpOb2Cc_AWpyi7AR7ibjvlLOMOro-xfETIckE31j-Rkv6PhtAoLs4I2A-3nhl7zRcUDG9gP8wxg9fT_3aLV_D3ROtBpCCsbsW3AjoNx8MqErC4/s1600/DSC04721.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRFRbU7oXogcYhMrdhZ97a1aOWVDvHxpOb2Cc_AWpyi7AR7ibjvlLOMOro-xfETIckE31j-Rkv6PhtAoLs4I2A-3nhl7zRcUDG9gP8wxg9fT_3aLV_D3ROtBpCCsbsW3AjoNx8MqErC4/s320/DSC04721.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463406189447906370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>The big field of mud</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nM5Q6TfGj9xP-zxDBL0EVC6rdIbx7u_JUygZovsxMIcN2I125Kgamc_NIXxQWhfNXS4Q5NsRIKhytn5_nbqB60FMqFndeFocPT2yZC24oaR7mooMZxjMS7LdD_9z3B2Dhs92s3e_V10/s1600/DSC04702.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nM5Q6TfGj9xP-zxDBL0EVC6rdIbx7u_JUygZovsxMIcN2I125Kgamc_NIXxQWhfNXS4Q5NsRIKhytn5_nbqB60FMqFndeFocPT2yZC24oaR7mooMZxjMS7LdD_9z3B2Dhs92s3e_V10/s320/DSC04702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463422004139048274" /></a><div>Princess Adeline. She was not too interested in the dirt. Everyone else would bring her rocks that they found. She enjoyed collecting them in a bucket. I think in this picture she is nibbling on a snack someone brought her. She really didn't move much.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoULK8Sfrv6XTekRfW7xDY7u8swD5AMEyT-83CHFs9tl4zQ0t_y2u8lV4mGRpkoT0vO6cJRCMtXlHkyOV2t4-oZfjT-q13tTb_aENU_kRACRDAJ_pYvLjkX9NA731sY-vrRkngwDHQXlc/s1600/DSC04743.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoULK8Sfrv6XTekRfW7xDY7u8swD5AMEyT-83CHFs9tl4zQ0t_y2u8lV4mGRpkoT0vO6cJRCMtXlHkyOV2t4-oZfjT-q13tTb_aENU_kRACRDAJ_pYvLjkX9NA731sY-vrRkngwDHQXlc/s320/DSC04743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463406166388021426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Anna had no problem getting dirty! She liked standing in the puddle and keeping the top of her boots *just* above water line. Of course, she wasn't always successful, and she ended up with a boot-ful of brown water more than once.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpWIhEEa2GH385aW0FYxXOF6rX-s5kCsauyFha7L0_XT4dpxrYc4N1mXm5BXI_rx4xe5dQUluDIh7APDg28Tpjai57ZtspFmgg-_PA7HBuCFJF9AC5GjTJwV94vkGFakYTvFCG96oSu8/s1600/DSC04745.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpWIhEEa2GH385aW0FYxXOF6rX-s5kCsauyFha7L0_XT4dpxrYc4N1mXm5BXI_rx4xe5dQUluDIh7APDg28Tpjai57ZtspFmgg-_PA7HBuCFJF9AC5GjTJwV94vkGFakYTvFCG96oSu8/s320/DSC04745.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463406183909804546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Abbott had no interest in digging for diamonds, but he dug some pretty amazing trenches and tunnels.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHVrPWMIJHPJBawJVekjR43_dOm-yErM-n1t6dgVyhSPAAZwdO4Pl6mhAIPF9ZH_HM0mqt3JE6dqTrwtHelo-Uk_qsChmqDVNLNd2fqkCH98H8pPSF7e3divnU1Y2vnke74t3qbXyHSI/s1600/DSC04685.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHVrPWMIJHPJBawJVekjR43_dOm-yErM-n1t6dgVyhSPAAZwdO4Pl6mhAIPF9ZH_HM0mqt3JE6dqTrwtHelo-Uk_qsChmqDVNLNd2fqkCH98H8pPSF7e3divnU1Y2vnke74t3qbXyHSI/s320/DSC04685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463406197835081570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cousin Lexi came with us on our trip to dig for diamonds. She wasn't really interested in digging for treasure either. She made a couple of new friends while we were out in the field. She's quite a social little girl! All of the kids had fun making up games to play with mud and playing with their new friends.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTzvXsSyztC5XHELsM-tbPJCLosKrHutz8_vB0cglFYmy5BnFxqGuIBpw4T_L0o2_6WwKUhtean9N4Pk3IJEY1kKjDOTFmjtem1GAXFQ68A9OK7zEOWud-xDegHcELaAkqAbYUcVmZ-s/s1600/DSC04708.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTzvXsSyztC5XHELsM-tbPJCLosKrHutz8_vB0cglFYmy5BnFxqGuIBpw4T_L0o2_6WwKUhtean9N4Pk3IJEY1kKjDOTFmjtem1GAXFQ68A9OK7zEOWud-xDegHcELaAkqAbYUcVmZ-s/s320/DSC04708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465405985098555490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Aiden was the only one of my children who actually put any effort into actually looking for a diamond! He worked so hard.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIRB76Om3hUq9EBIO8MqiPnG6njeuHsnS-bSgg8-cCg7mK7VdSZeADCQ8JmtbLjNy0EKTrUjlHU2CduCYazl3XfABa2UsFrer9qZApJbBHU1oMomUUZKHLiEu8w84dPBwIp2Ff7-Lfl0/s320/DSC04697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465410900281223218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ1At0tAj9NBkY1njMomI0_NpvnNTQoBK4l1QtxKeetIAz2DXlH0I-Dg8kpodiAuLbend00ll7h1lRwzwXokZQGX7ubfPyejCz1oWuPH43-i8s1XKA9r4FoBvlo9z3lCLKmjdDyKcqNM/s1600/DSC04719.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></div><div>I love this kid!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ1At0tAj9NBkY1njMomI0_NpvnNTQoBK4l1QtxKeetIAz2DXlH0I-Dg8kpodiAuLbend00ll7h1lRwzwXokZQGX7ubfPyejCz1oWuPH43-i8s1XKA9r4FoBvlo9z3lCLKmjdDyKcqNM/s1600/DSC04719.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ1At0tAj9NBkY1njMomI0_NpvnNTQoBK4l1QtxKeetIAz2DXlH0I-Dg8kpodiAuLbend00ll7h1lRwzwXokZQGX7ubfPyejCz1oWuPH43-i8s1XKA9r4FoBvlo9z3lCLKmjdDyKcqNM/s320/DSC04719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463406154858037970" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br />Daddy is working hard and princess Adeline is perched on her rock waiting for servants (I mean family members) to put rocks in her bucket.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQEbog_Y4OLPm6vBMYKu05lwVZi5z7j79c0OxuPQ4vpygyGjy8ldQZo2LLhriXONDwIf46trzWQNlbfX0zhwNDDsQqPT-F6yYAtICYIivtO8td9gRABfGogY3Z5YzSLPDG9e71Bd2Ors/s1600/DSC04683.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQEbog_Y4OLPm6vBMYKu05lwVZi5z7j79c0OxuPQ4vpygyGjy8ldQZo2LLhriXONDwIf46trzWQNlbfX0zhwNDDsQqPT-F6yYAtICYIivtO8td9gRABfGogY3Z5YzSLPDG9e71Bd2Ors/s320/DSC04683.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463421996202284674" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div>This is not a diamond.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72QWpES5v5epG3xib_jgAUbfz03UVVBR5U02vrW2WGFi7VELiA2C0AffwzoSet9JFA48ItiwZShFYBGnag1fbSJ4uGYKsnOA4VYsEQx8e6dR-6sEH2haea_GsUzwjn2_yd3NrpuOkKsg/s1600/DSC04703.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72QWpES5v5epG3xib_jgAUbfz03UVVBR5U02vrW2WGFi7VELiA2C0AffwzoSet9JFA48ItiwZShFYBGnag1fbSJ4uGYKsnOA4VYsEQx8e6dR-6sEH2haea_GsUzwjn2_yd3NrpuOkKsg/s320/DSC04703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463413575776010754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the really nice guy that identified all of our finds. We found jasper, quartz, and several other types of rocks that I can't remember right now.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQ-W6F5lmLL7QnMlwWgr6Z_N6ekzBVKrM2yCOmDR52VZKYDrvBOu01GdN_RmyS93d4Lbb3Vc6tBUzvRF7meigrEIVkF0185_lY-Bqa4AREFyG_qvXv8pn91mscmNs2ejiB8xdvGrDuyo/s1600/DSC04752.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQ-W6F5lmLL7QnMlwWgr6Z_N6ekzBVKrM2yCOmDR52VZKYDrvBOu01GdN_RmyS93d4Lbb3Vc6tBUzvRF7meigrEIVkF0185_lY-Bqa4AREFyG_qvXv8pn91mscmNs2ejiB8xdvGrDuyo/s320/DSC04752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463413582980163810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">The next day we went fishing</span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hDY6AtBxwK0cEhta1VpW_BmL1k2r38iG6ZliIGBDIRN2F_hwMyCn2qt7nR2394vnJbhktTrzbnwbUYTe4FEreY_ij8BI2LgiVco0mbGToav6WDJSBOvbDfRMobOizjsIGkeatxHkmm0/s1600/DSC04788.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hDY6AtBxwK0cEhta1VpW_BmL1k2r38iG6ZliIGBDIRN2F_hwMyCn2qt7nR2394vnJbhktTrzbnwbUYTe4FEreY_ij8BI2LgiVco0mbGToav6WDJSBOvbDfRMobOizjsIGkeatxHkmm0/s320/DSC04788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463419456151748626" /></a></div><div>It was really windy, so casting was very difficult.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj16IGUJWlUKtyF7jjdQ44bijkPY9cgeC24zg6Rp_6nydz_c-XM5S641_DScck-QYqqWkFetWFijmI9rfDbwAWM49IkWqHPo0oTH1Z1rFjNFHdq8AukyKgkljz-AmURI_cHzQW8SsQJEs/s1600/DSC04792.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj16IGUJWlUKtyF7jjdQ44bijkPY9cgeC24zg6Rp_6nydz_c-XM5S641_DScck-QYqqWkFetWFijmI9rfDbwAWM49IkWqHPo0oTH1Z1rFjNFHdq8AukyKgkljz-AmURI_cHzQW8SsQJEs/s320/DSC04792.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463417542436615714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We didn't catch anything...even with these fat, juicy worms!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lAZlmhKBz236hxJs1M-7hwSc1iaH_FahDsUsMxfe5lzr54PCePX0ARZVkHImTZQP7vVUcQwqVP0O4vhABuGjw-jCQg-vRqlx4QGOdCo_C4aPRe5k7Kq7NOkyQX-FGHyb1rE9_GnmH5Y/s1600/DSC04784.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lAZlmhKBz236hxJs1M-7hwSc1iaH_FahDsUsMxfe5lzr54PCePX0ARZVkHImTZQP7vVUcQwqVP0O4vhABuGjw-jCQg-vRqlx4QGOdCo_C4aPRe5k7Kq7NOkyQX-FGHyb1rE9_GnmH5Y/s320/DSC04784.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463417531503520130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily, this one slept through the fishing trip.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuWq-HMjOQFKL0Q3OXQoGbvPTyq4YoPcAtGp9zYxLiadtsjVxTAnBYbYztDc7dsh0fOjDKb1nDK73EBPvbs_DP5nFUPZSsH-nfi8SK5cibXcz9OoO8nh_ih_S0hPIPtvTDcB2x4iltrM/s1600/DSC04797.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuWq-HMjOQFKL0Q3OXQoGbvPTyq4YoPcAtGp9zYxLiadtsjVxTAnBYbYztDc7dsh0fOjDKb1nDK73EBPvbs_DP5nFUPZSsH-nfi8SK5cibXcz9OoO8nh_ih_S0hPIPtvTDcB2x4iltrM/s320/DSC04797.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463419446607945730" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We also took a nice little hike</div></span></span></span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHqvd52nB-tGXoRTdWMjxQhAxoJbfJ4mdNBnL3i3xIwVa4UOaplCIFLBbDP5-7VH_O0N8YCe_O7M0xNwL7uMZfWKGS5vuLEkrJLTWOgv1pEUueW7RXoK2L0MscxVcZYBoFJxHi4T4jZ0/s1600/DSC04777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHqvd52nB-tGXoRTdWMjxQhAxoJbfJ4mdNBnL3i3xIwVa4UOaplCIFLBbDP5-7VH_O0N8YCe_O7M0xNwL7uMZfWKGS5vuLEkrJLTWOgv1pEUueW7RXoK2L0MscxVcZYBoFJxHi4T4jZ0/s320/DSC04777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463417527743675698" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZdExu0qZ_mX3lxM0QW8oER6hwz9_1oz_MmhlpO6vNYnMGhqRRNuruU0JonYHqRBSId4I8rlXmM-Hi2A57jPKAWpGBs8YFN9jHjv2DvrJ-kEP2cdNoWTTTYV2mxcJkfqb_HiXOp6Gq1I/s1600/DSC04763.jpg"><br /></a>Tree roots taller than people!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkrn5QQx2Vu7b3mjFYHFzuaDWTRCB_c5CCJ5hRNfUI56l0I8bXD1phSr9GydbJFl6PU9fbL0HmrQ3HlgRM1qhpKG8fd9IwQqUAvw3p8wha3M2joQDad9tI1mMEvuKCRX7xdbRJ2ZG_sY/s1600/DSC04775.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkrn5QQx2Vu7b3mjFYHFzuaDWTRCB_c5CCJ5hRNfUI56l0I8bXD1phSr9GydbJFl6PU9fbL0HmrQ3HlgRM1qhpKG8fd9IwQqUAvw3p8wha3M2joQDad9tI1mMEvuKCRX7xdbRJ2ZG_sY/s320/DSC04775.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465416003262588018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZdExu0qZ_mX3lxM0QW8oER6hwz9_1oz_MmhlpO6vNYnMGhqRRNuruU0JonYHqRBSId4I8rlXmM-Hi2A57jPKAWpGBs8YFN9jHjv2DvrJ-kEP2cdNoWTTTYV2mxcJkfqb_HiXOp6Gq1I/s1600/DSC04763.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZdExu0qZ_mX3lxM0QW8oER6hwz9_1oz_MmhlpO6vNYnMGhqRRNuruU0JonYHqRBSId4I8rlXmM-Hi2A57jPKAWpGBs8YFN9jHjv2DvrJ-kEP2cdNoWTTTYV2mxcJkfqb_HiXOp6Gq1I/s320/DSC04763.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463413607190201570" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy51jkNRPVXt9D55_U3MkcVCCwdTGEQw4crTccA8ZcEzApaJ4CRqbAmgCldxfFdiwG9OJ4YU_mvkGgt6lZuD_r0v50q-uRa10wWqsH8T9uqM5xtUyn70nhXTZa_Eyf0eCjd9dFJgEoE0/s1600/DSC04778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy51jkNRPVXt9D55_U3MkcVCCwdTGEQw4crTccA8ZcEzApaJ4CRqbAmgCldxfFdiwG9OJ4YU_mvkGgt6lZuD_r0v50q-uRa10wWqsH8T9uqM5xtUyn70nhXTZa_Eyf0eCjd9dFJgEoE0/s320/DSC04778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463417517893174514" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div>This is a really cool nature blind. You are supposed to be able to hang out in there and the wildlife will come really close because they won't know you're there. They knew we were there. Trust me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs-Mx4STU_mijvrw9EZDWLr5S-n81RnN1wpCorh_RQPoFMTOl0uGy1jeDkFBjq3miRlOu-iZGQbC-2yAI1igP-XCodcWl7r-78kgpQs2otoQ00QgNFsr2EmkBXif0zseF-0b0sDhLjfo/s1600/DSC04769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs-Mx4STU_mijvrw9EZDWLr5S-n81RnN1wpCorh_RQPoFMTOl0uGy1jeDkFBjq3miRlOu-iZGQbC-2yAI1igP-XCodcWl7r-78kgpQs2otoQ00QgNFsr2EmkBXif0zseF-0b0sDhLjfo/s320/DSC04769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463413620027208306" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJw7wOdL-F-DWuNrQh657h5kFMRo6fKvkM_N1yE3oeRclq3OKSLGANvjtEpwif_xwWTHzUNI1Q2nBrCPjDm5dBFzF6cL39zIn0uAaxzH7E3r2sBonCNKRkj3duK_k6j704bKpg7BrdVtE/s1600/DSC04772.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJw7wOdL-F-DWuNrQh657h5kFMRo6fKvkM_N1yE3oeRclq3OKSLGANvjtEpwif_xwWTHzUNI1Q2nBrCPjDm5dBFzF6cL39zIn0uAaxzH7E3r2sBonCNKRkj3duK_k6j704bKpg7BrdVtE/s320/DSC04772.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463417506426780466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj932Y1Rq2jjEIBSa2RNGD_wySm8fSqcKQiXSHLrwcHefg-mXjm5S5KrCfLTzIbhoJZkSR7tosij5MFqQQQSRXyS2rnRH95sInMCBbDsKUJn2VVAAd1bjT5b2RCvGAzPfy2hJ6M6KDu7YQ/s1600/DSC04766.JPG"><br /><br /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SOGC4agvloIboOEYrEE-lPiboWlc3xvPmez4GCD7QoFd-_dZGfIPRmu3BIqjn-DM-AO_gLUQUeHiuIsOBRZxCRZG1tmOHgxgNVyZb_RZNgbvcm-pJzDnjo6ZemTkp9wIy9DPFC_KUfc/s1600/DSC04765.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SOGC4agvloIboOEYrEE-lPiboWlc3xvPmez4GCD7QoFd-_dZGfIPRmu3BIqjn-DM-AO_gLUQUeHiuIsOBRZxCRZG1tmOHgxgNVyZb_RZNgbvcm-pJzDnjo6ZemTkp9wIy9DPFC_KUfc/s320/DSC04765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465415978041710466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj932Y1Rq2jjEIBSa2RNGD_wySm8fSqcKQiXSHLrwcHefg-mXjm5S5KrCfLTzIbhoJZkSR7tosij5MFqQQQSRXyS2rnRH95sInMCBbDsKUJn2VVAAd1bjT5b2RCvGAzPfy2hJ6M6KDu7YQ/s1600/DSC04766.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj932Y1Rq2jjEIBSa2RNGD_wySm8fSqcKQiXSHLrwcHefg-mXjm5S5KrCfLTzIbhoJZkSR7tosij5MFqQQQSRXyS2rnRH95sInMCBbDsKUJn2VVAAd1bjT5b2RCvGAzPfy2hJ6M6KDu7YQ/s320/DSC04766.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465415994129083474" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Rock candy! I thought that was appropriate!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr1Nk1K_OAJ1vL2b1lKE9Uyd_x1kPTRDi_hJ4Jhrd-lgFYwWB0kGUAxC8Zxozj_cZvYMh3X06SRqW5eksB3tIj44CS0ExWcUbLTx3Y9CLQCZq03XX2ThCrhmVQyrn_ImI4mggwbA92CM/s1600/DSC04758.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr1Nk1K_OAJ1vL2b1lKE9Uyd_x1kPTRDi_hJ4Jhrd-lgFYwWB0kGUAxC8Zxozj_cZvYMh3X06SRqW5eksB3tIj44CS0ExWcUbLTx3Y9CLQCZq03XX2ThCrhmVQyrn_ImI4mggwbA92CM/s320/DSC04758.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463413591898486162" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Here is a close-up of the couch cushion. Nice!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRqeU1DQIjrwCN55Y7Dt7QMNB4Rn8BVYcKOhCcfvy-2DyEobbbNg72RVH86w9waodDWieCMOg1mtLybjojjj8gsID0G7_TyzoFVbuounR3SaNHfQ7bm6yMMvNu74hrw56LNuf1z1KV-0/s1600/DSC04806.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRqeU1DQIjrwCN55Y7Dt7QMNB4Rn8BVYcKOhCcfvy-2DyEobbbNg72RVH86w9waodDWieCMOg1mtLybjojjj8gsID0G7_TyzoFVbuounR3SaNHfQ7bm6yMMvNu74hrw56LNuf1z1KV-0/s320/DSC04806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463419467483776498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We rented a little house in this little town. I kept telling the kids it was an adventure. They just said it was a yucky old house with a spring-y mattress. Aaron said it smelled like his grandma's house. So it wasn't 5 star accommodations...it was an <i>adventure</i>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vZTlzEO0fVC2ZL24fne-TkaceFUs8K2e-YbohwXJ_WbLwvPmYVPKd0tDxElgAmQWD8F-HBhuHkzAGOvY-hbnEguo1xNfFEl_8ErBZ_pP5ZgDrwhPUsPdIPifjNpmYkTqBtJRfJg0OGk/s1600/DSC04810.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vZTlzEO0fVC2ZL24fne-TkaceFUs8K2e-YbohwXJ_WbLwvPmYVPKd0tDxElgAmQWD8F-HBhuHkzAGOvY-hbnEguo1xNfFEl_8ErBZ_pP5ZgDrwhPUsPdIPifjNpmYkTqBtJRfJg0OGk/s320/DSC04810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465417193144244946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Here is the dining room. Doesn't everyone keep digging equipment in the dining room? We were just happy it was there to borrow!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSLoiRRb7eUPSt4Cewuz-WE-G3ubc61dfP7q3OqRWLVQg825uEqjc5M8uAUERNg0U0k6PeH8lussmkEWN446yPHDQWRJMeaewyID8OMQgqbrdDhAB3Tpsd5mDuXiwIQBRuvt5E8xfp-Q/s1600/DSC04807.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSLoiRRb7eUPSt4Cewuz-WE-G3ubc61dfP7q3OqRWLVQg825uEqjc5M8uAUERNg0U0k6PeH8lussmkEWN446yPHDQWRJMeaewyID8OMQgqbrdDhAB3Tpsd5mDuXiwIQBRuvt5E8xfp-Q/s320/DSC04807.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463419476740809522" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Couldn't quite figure out this random plant. I think it was supposed to make the place look pretty.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfUbPQlS8sG5599nodK8i3GtAGfDxSIck2F4_gOC05Pm3Y3pgpLWHoebRkrNsybCj2RDUDB5AJW7TaDxwMNewTNl-wyyrlmhTJLDiF8fZuGyZwhizSF8rzt4pTHX0uynU_CUP8i-xz9Q/s1600/DSC04808.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfUbPQlS8sG5599nodK8i3GtAGfDxSIck2F4_gOC05Pm3Y3pgpLWHoebRkrNsybCj2RDUDB5AJW7TaDxwMNewTNl-wyyrlmhTJLDiF8fZuGyZwhizSF8rzt4pTHX0uynU_CUP8i-xz9Q/s320/DSC04808.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463419493330248866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Despite my spoiled children's complaints about the house, it really was a great trip. It was really slow, laid back and relaxing. Just enjoying each other and nature. Who needs roller coasters to have a good vacation? What are roller coasters to rocks and mountains?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">I don't need an amusement park...but something that stays open past 8:00 would be nice! They do have a Sonic, a pizza place and an over-priced-not-very-good diner. Seriously...this is a small town. There was a little donut and ice cream shop near our little house (that's what we affectionaltely called it). One evening, we decided to go get some ice cream. It was about 8:30 on a Saturday night. Closed. No biggie...there is ONE grocery store in town...we'll pick up a half gallon and eat at the little house. Closed. Seriously. By this time it is close to 9:00. We found a gas station (that was about to close) but they didn't have any ice cream. How could we forget Sonic? Beautiful, wonderful franchise to the rescue...closed. It can't possibly be legal for a Sonic to close at 9:00 on a Saturday night. I don't care how small the town is! Lucky for us, there are TWO gas stations in the tiny town of Murfreesboro, and #2 stays open 24 hours. So everyone picked out a treat, and I was the only one that got ice cream.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This was a trip we will certainly never forget!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeWZkXAqocR1fesDHbmVJnQwLQGcKzmH0t9JgCmZ0_07_6lU1E77TpGbFwdknRip4WyGBBVGfmcOnGjNrhu6eArnmJsbtYhYfygZib0njB-BeMXT-1roN92wKyVtwCEroeAmOtudVIKA/s320/DSC04816.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463422021192449170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-50544311026703205192010-04-19T15:44:00.008-05:002010-04-19T21:58:05.684-05:00My Tuesday Night with Jon Bon Jovi<div style="text-align: left;">It started out like any other Tuesday. Yoga class at the gym, pick Anna up from preschool, feed the girls lunch, lay Adeline down for a nap, check Aiden out of school for a doctors appointment. Just an average day of a mom.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was planning to see a movie with my sister that evening, and Aaron left work early because he wanted to show me something before I left for the movie. He asked my good friend Alissa to watch the kids "for about 10 minutes" while we ran somewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div>We start driving and I assume that he is going to show me some beautiful land that he has found in the middle of nowhere. (As a side note, I want to build a house on a LOT and he wants to build on LAND...there's a big difference. We may just stay in this house forever).</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway....finally I said "this is way too far out, you should just turn around". So he pulls over to "show me something". He hopped out of the truck and I looked around at all of the chicken houses thinking there was no way in heck I was living out here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then he handed me a big bag. Strange. I opened the bag and found a grey t-shirt and two pieces of paper. Strange.</div><div><br /></div><div>I like to think of myself as pretty quick, but this actually took a while to register. I was holding two printed-off-the-computer tickets to a Bon Jovi concert.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did I mention it was Tuesday? I think I did, but I don't think I mentioned that the concert was in TULSA! </div><div><br /></div><div>Tulsa. I just could not wrap my mind around it. (Tulsa is two hours away for any non-locals). The concert started at 7:30 in TULSA. On a Tuesday. I think I just kept repeating that over and over. Tuesday Night...Tulsa...Movie with my sister...Need to work on Aiden's party...Tuesday night...5:15 spin class in the morning...Tulsa.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's just say that I yelled at him for about 15 minutes insisting that there was no way I was going. He said that he fully anticipated getting yelled at and that he was not turning around!</div><div><br /></div><div>There was never a movie with my sister. She made it up to make sure I didn't make other plans. Alissa was well aware that I wouldn't be back in 10 minutes. She kept the kids until my sister got off work. (And, by the way, thank you Lindsey for watching the kids until 1:00 in the morning...on a Tuesday!)</div><div><br /></div><div>My sweet husband pulled off a complete surprise. It's not even my birthday. He just loves me. Apparently I told him to be more spontaneous and to put more effort into our dates. I guess he IS listening! He's not usually a take-it-to-the-extreme kind of guy. He just really wanted to do something special for me. And for the record, he doesn't even like Bon Jovi! It was all for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>We made it to the concert and, of course, had a blast. It was Bon Jovi!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R8f8X1YIDqvZahYCHixSnPyvVg7V9aBx-aSGeWmHFGHhxyFy3vd2XudaMhi4IjGeM-9nrLFX_0MtTFXWk3nYazpXuH2NpPlClq7hcF9ZqeET17oSgi7r43RlA0YQneeC7vam0t2i9P8/s1600/DSC05005.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6R8f8X1YIDqvZahYCHixSnPyvVg7V9aBx-aSGeWmHFGHhxyFy3vd2XudaMhi4IjGeM-9nrLFX_0MtTFXWk3nYazpXuH2NpPlClq7hcF9ZqeET17oSgi7r43RlA0YQneeC7vam0t2i9P8/s320/DSC05005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461963719619190994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I realized that I hadn't been to a real concert since the 90's. I missed an entire decade of concert going! I guess I was busy having babies :)</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzi0WUd-RvZQedIm_HAy6OcsDEBAqIOHS_PtzIO94rdYg_fsCUbgBLMKK3eIFi1fK-j4hr8mata85fJWnRafQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>He played a good mix of older stuff and newer stuff. We didn't even recognize some of the newer stuff. I was most amazed by the fact that he really hasn't changed at all in 25 years. We were kids when we started listening to him...and now he looks younger than we do!</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8w_PBHSvad2_JdYCllOSyVVPF8hT3ruPjrTTjaYzye5gSMgPxWOveW2aAIqRuCaEgtF0x1xS4qkXSqQw3WmXoCbpeFttfvhJb4GI_KmcXr_ixOZO90kWPCLqyYwml_76j0yVWEopAjA/s320/DSC05013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461963727306946802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4-Cc3nUWWmY7tiAXkEOsh-ZHUVNkljFg6yDoJSKf6vub9StKufsV_awgQmJ536US7Nu_233UCEJ9vqb8NhneXI_IsTLknVqfqs2mTqy-lXGpMQ_4qnc52QRpnhI4DqKqGZjJtqifXjk/s320/DSC05045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461978611125404002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Richie Sambora joined him for a few songs</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOLunvVyvZVc19V2C34xLialoBtqkazxY0wPOQV4xq126oHqCyXNt8kn2t1QBCQnu9Htc3O90h50ZJlrWxIb_FCGM2VYYZk-hpDmRRCV6CIoRW_AHrm7vScdmaFVCJKrrBQQ67Igqu0w/s320/DSC05070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461978627064736962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think watching the crowd was almost as entertaining as the concert. I even snapped a picture of this pair that was sitting across the aisle from us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7rr_QPTow-UG75AsXHnZR_M0O_9igpD8_PctVo2hUR9t4IjYV7A7HHkABNyY921D2LOzJP6WMogT7FY-vvvkWYrktzuTjdZ8f1Z2DwceY-h06O2aBBe81763is7jm6tRGfwSQYvEsh8/s1600/DSC05074.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7rr_QPTow-UG75AsXHnZR_M0O_9igpD8_PctVo2hUR9t4IjYV7A7HHkABNyY921D2LOzJP6WMogT7FY-vvvkWYrktzuTjdZ8f1Z2DwceY-h06O2aBBe81763is7jm6tRGfwSQYvEsh8/s320/DSC05074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461978645808283058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The girl on the left totally got busted by the cops (during the concert) for underage drinking. She seriously could not be more than 14 (check out her braces). BUT, somehow she was able to produce an ID that must have looked pretty good. The cops left her alone and she went back to her beer. Crazy. Aaron thinks the lady next to her was really her dad!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love Bon Jovi...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9S-KHK-Tzt7B3sXewPxOLxaDl_MzKphOk5bBfMp9kiZe6ZQKIEdGKgDT21qxAZP2AZhqzEdLHUjUMooUPXVPQAq3BiNc-6L0cf5lIFxyQh76oQYtgZ5H_9spZjQI-JXUtN4mFQQSwbM/s1600/DSC04997.JPG"><br /><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzNJ40VWzC6vRVZZovasUBCgYfRJrewkb_kW5tSUxsMr4IdYjka0X6529QqZjbmrgKj9OWMOpnbfzf7MIBayHjHsU6EuOcnPZng0WAsXeBFly52HVYwZ_ORktH4EJcZgXxyUy54ulTCI/s320/DSC05085.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461978654457000434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...but I love this guy waaaay more!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9S-KHK-Tzt7B3sXewPxOLxaDl_MzKphOk5bBfMp9kiZe6ZQKIEdGKgDT21qxAZP2AZhqzEdLHUjUMooUPXVPQAq3BiNc-6L0cf5lIFxyQh76oQYtgZ5H_9spZjQI-JXUtN4mFQQSwbM/s1600/DSC04997.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9S-KHK-Tzt7B3sXewPxOLxaDl_MzKphOk5bBfMp9kiZe6ZQKIEdGKgDT21qxAZP2AZhqzEdLHUjUMooUPXVPQAq3BiNc-6L0cf5lIFxyQh76oQYtgZ5H_9spZjQI-JXUtN4mFQQSwbM/s320/DSC04997.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461963710095584290" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And I even feel bad for yelling at him for making me go to Tulsa on a Tuesday night. When I thought about it later, I felt like Bella - whining and throwing a fit when people want to do nice things for me. I'm a pretty lucky girl!</div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-17215501935936868962010-03-22T15:15:00.011-05:002010-03-23T10:42:13.950-05:00New Moon Party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfu6vc5t8O5Eum_bf0V1s6BeJEMpGrsciWcrEnBmYIQu-ciFK5hajxJV9A4HP3j9dmBoIBl-Z0c6JmvTcv3SZadTNFUehpR_1SGliz2jm_h3lHzuNtjccLWIrpTSP11tZo_Yfs0pn_nM/s1600-h/0002519205829_215X215.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfu6vc5t8O5Eum_bf0V1s6BeJEMpGrsciWcrEnBmYIQu-ciFK5hajxJV9A4HP3j9dmBoIBl-Z0c6JmvTcv3SZadTNFUehpR_1SGliz2jm_h3lHzuNtjccLWIrpTSP11tZo_Yfs0pn_nM/s320/0002519205829_215X215.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451852801022945906" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div>With the release of the New Moon DVD, I just HAD to throw a New Moon party for all of my Twilight-loving friends. It was so much fun!</div><div><br /></div><div>My sister Lindsey and I spent all day decorating, and I think it turned out pretty fantastic! I really wanted it to look completely different than my Twilight party last year. I succeeded, thanks to the addition of Lindsey's collection!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the front door. We had snow in the forecast, so I had to use something that I didn't mind getting ruined. These pictures from a calendar worked great (Borders had their calendars marked down to $4!) And, by the way, we ended up getting around 8 inches of snow!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IhSdCua4B7WeEBr1HfGP0GZAHS5MoYx-isZZGtha5QOWwPjqAXWR0LzOzY81SuDxNg0xw6PVwE4QA6wqljAQeIOx5ubnosQZOsZacE4lxiWYk-n7YWK89dZhVqaSaKqSEPJu89JBf40/s1600-h/DSC04633.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IhSdCua4B7WeEBr1HfGP0GZAHS5MoYx-isZZGtha5QOWwPjqAXWR0LzOzY81SuDxNg0xw6PVwE4QA6wqljAQeIOx5ubnosQZOsZacE4lxiWYk-n7YWK89dZhVqaSaKqSEPJu89JBf40/s320/DSC04633.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451578820138271170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>I had the dining room decorated like Bella's birthday party.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUE4qalLOfcXj7EgKsjEZ02STXCc_03ABgy-kvr1fy1Ht7zV2r_vHTBohT4p6KqQHe9OKOkMIZnPkCxumy9YEtT3rGVdzuFdoOamr4QXzdl5kldukk_5fTxg9c02jNF1FcnIhUQ2FtGXI/s1600-h/DSC04621.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUE4qalLOfcXj7EgKsjEZ02STXCc_03ABgy-kvr1fy1Ht7zV2r_vHTBohT4p6KqQHe9OKOkMIZnPkCxumy9YEtT3rGVdzuFdoOamr4QXzdl5kldukk_5fTxg9c02jNF1FcnIhUQ2FtGXI/s320/DSC04621.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451584439542346674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Here is my favorite part of the party...Bella's cake!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeMoCShirAgFdvOLYfQ6ZodFnjtHXIxKW9k5Tk0DBUDmVYDw7mjGSSoummsD9uBxpXatsA2WgIYUQ3fY8aBvUMvTD6hGRhBNltbT4F_SU0O0wNIUsAdMGvnxEkbPf3pY0nQayDC3L_L4/s1600-h/DSC04639.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeMoCShirAgFdvOLYfQ6ZodFnjtHXIxKW9k5Tk0DBUDmVYDw7mjGSSoummsD9uBxpXatsA2WgIYUQ3fY8aBvUMvTD6hGRhBNltbT4F_SU0O0wNIUsAdMGvnxEkbPf3pY0nQayDC3L_L4/s320/DSC04639.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451584427861913986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div> What do you think? Bella's cake in the movie is covered in green strips of fondant. Well, I think fondant is totally gross. I guess if you are making a cake for vampires that don't eat...fondant is great! I, however, wanted to EAT my cake! So this is what I came up with. It is regular white frosting, and the stripes are green ribbon. Lots of different sizes and shades of green ribbon.<div><br /></div><div>Here is the cake from the movie<div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j2Zq2ZR0bF2NwqbqizQkqoBGLSUA4CbwI8fzNjlOASLV6FkdiVvFHdhe70RjLjh-cHNdkkyVEagp_PO7Nc5H5vfK03B9z7xzGtKeorOK-Q2aoF-ywNGwEbHR4J4sDT-RmDN94xuAaeQ/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j2Zq2ZR0bF2NwqbqizQkqoBGLSUA4CbwI8fzNjlOASLV6FkdiVvFHdhe70RjLjh-cHNdkkyVEagp_PO7Nc5H5vfK03B9z7xzGtKeorOK-Q2aoF-ywNGwEbHR4J4sDT-RmDN94xuAaeQ/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451598718949428466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 95px; " /></a></div><div>I like mine better.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmlD-Ov2TAhmrws4DdgXSY_nAGkvVdmxoPUaF7SyjpPthFgqteRqa1-yxsLm9VQfX8FYrDqwSM5q52u3XQL_TuF5BqVobqhPcskhttx9T__1ZgCkPPdchE-iUQZVJ9kiNgkgpP0OLcf0/s1600-h/DSC04664.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmlD-Ov2TAhmrws4DdgXSY_nAGkvVdmxoPUaF7SyjpPthFgqteRqa1-yxsLm9VQfX8FYrDqwSM5q52u3XQL_TuF5BqVobqhPcskhttx9T__1ZgCkPPdchE-iUQZVJ9kiNgkgpP0OLcf0/s320/DSC04664.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451584460189659026" /></a>Unfortunately, it ended up uneaten just like Bella's cake! We had sooooo many yummy treats to eat that we didn't even cut the cake. It was just a pretty centerpiece.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the rest of the "birthday" decorations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FnJs74cTtxDLOBT2r-25fahMJRTKcZVY5xz505Iyg_fAwZM6YLiUgDRe4AQihNEBiagZtPJGDx9zJiOTP5EZZxhe49jVcayU7SgtuNMAri05WTJaOz3KHBRA0LEMUS5J4mzDHk2Mq1M/s1600-h/DSC04617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FnJs74cTtxDLOBT2r-25fahMJRTKcZVY5xz505Iyg_fAwZM6YLiUgDRe4AQihNEBiagZtPJGDx9zJiOTP5EZZxhe49jVcayU7SgtuNMAri05WTJaOz3KHBRA0LEMUS5J4mzDHk2Mq1M/s320/DSC04617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451584447482124002" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_VIZT0OBdIPWoGqABw-2wYgnaWxJl8Wi78-X1bd-ed0o6R9fV7XR_3ck1ys_XqaW8yYfio5imwNeXWZNSmt2RWbFLWDtkKFe4TjGapya9xV1nKaaDR61UoXhEg_SPcKWr8_nDDRM5QY/s1600-h/DSC04637.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_VIZT0OBdIPWoGqABw-2wYgnaWxJl8Wi78-X1bd-ed0o6R9fV7XR_3ck1ys_XqaW8yYfio5imwNeXWZNSmt2RWbFLWDtkKFe4TjGapya9xV1nKaaDR61UoXhEg_SPcKWr8_nDDRM5QY/s320/DSC04637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451578846327493442" /></a><br /></div><div>Even Edward was here!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_2l2Ee-R0cdW4tOb1MMNkbyyxPyHtiGgMFxHcmdtrMTatP8Fy2uDNB39dw24gNLeb0CDYNExOhrpu8J9UjVcu4dUPzSK_0Mo_Z8y5lfGaM6vMbrLwCv-tHBOb-TVxGovPooQX973HeA/s1600-h/DSC04635.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_2l2Ee-R0cdW4tOb1MMNkbyyxPyHtiGgMFxHcmdtrMTatP8Fy2uDNB39dw24gNLeb0CDYNExOhrpu8J9UjVcu4dUPzSK_0Mo_Z8y5lfGaM6vMbrLwCv-tHBOb-TVxGovPooQX973HeA/s320/DSC04635.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451578838491158258" /></a>Bella's birthday dress. I wasn't going to go as far as to actually WEAR the dress...so it made a good decoration.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZpNjEQ6emFY2p0mztRyPN428_KMrbojP27yzwJDdFkhs55t9xBAxpuTPEbUT0yszOGQxyYrF73wtlYSMMNKxFsbeUtU_Me8iiuHSc7N_v0kH69tg1CUF4U-zBID0nYpdc2m0wYiBnRs/s1600-h/DSC04634.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZpNjEQ6emFY2p0mztRyPN428_KMrbojP27yzwJDdFkhs55t9xBAxpuTPEbUT0yszOGQxyYrF73wtlYSMMNKxFsbeUtU_Me8iiuHSc7N_v0kH69tg1CUF4U-zBID0nYpdc2m0wYiBnRs/s320/DSC04634.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451578829665422594" /></a>We had lots of New Moon pictures and lights and candles.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKidTfoy2NFRPi211_Zf0XC2doUnQVElkPjnBBg_efguFaKX1eroNMxhHyTrHvu2qJP17jVLeT4AvXbtRb6RIMD8_YBLN9nT2QG5x0HGbgnxEqpjT76FOdRsEusqO2OJqAX0CDt3C8Lv0/s1600-h/DSC04629.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKidTfoy2NFRPi211_Zf0XC2doUnQVElkPjnBBg_efguFaKX1eroNMxhHyTrHvu2qJP17jVLeT4AvXbtRb6RIMD8_YBLN9nT2QG5x0HGbgnxEqpjT76FOdRsEusqO2OJqAX0CDt3C8Lv0/s320/DSC04629.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451568092751758306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac0jslUaLNzqxiTOHrmOez03jXAqKOqy48zAcvzloopeUwEh6xmbjcRrbx-bW-NPVBEr-DgjN3fNm635SQJmoR8txNISeF3gK1siQRP9g_3yMT5IMvS4LNKo38aulX_SH30DM_uYXrBs/s1600-h/DSC04628.JPG"></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jacob and Edward hanging out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac0jslUaLNzqxiTOHrmOez03jXAqKOqy48zAcvzloopeUwEh6xmbjcRrbx-bW-NPVBEr-DgjN3fNm635SQJmoR8txNISeF3gK1siQRP9g_3yMT5IMvS4LNKo38aulX_SH30DM_uYXrBs/s1600-h/DSC04628.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac0jslUaLNzqxiTOHrmOez03jXAqKOqy48zAcvzloopeUwEh6xmbjcRrbx-bW-NPVBEr-DgjN3fNm635SQJmoR8txNISeF3gK1siQRP9g_3yMT5IMvS4LNKo38aulX_SH30DM_uYXrBs/s320/DSC04628.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451568081950540338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnrGYSiCMo-kPFJarG1yuAerf_0XjpSTGh9yKgjZY1NzYetRc7zAtvJIkAy-FXr7uTr-98FLTL7FVADD1EEsW9ejJqpdUnibul7xIz8gis6gAL_geY1WAkyKsln0KS2_O52FFXdKCCzo/s1600-h/DSC04626.jpg" style="text-decoration: underline;text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnrGYSiCMo-kPFJarG1yuAerf_0XjpSTGh9yKgjZY1NzYetRc7zAtvJIkAy-FXr7uTr-98FLTL7FVADD1EEsW9ejJqpdUnibul7xIz8gis6gAL_geY1WAkyKsln0KS2_O52FFXdKCCzo/s320/DSC04626.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451568074534219442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-decoration: underline;"></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">Here are my friends working on their "New Moon Trivia" and "Quotes Quiz". It was pretty tough...and they did great!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRuxII6KiDwGG2aCCcjgdY8N4eX5GVHpIwWnxwhBMaoG11BGHVWqJopoUCxfZUcBHaVLacba4zj_p_e7TcB0ZOQuKxQqN6qCOoUoM46q3b-MgI6sVKYi-OKkpU68xubyuvm9LltSzr08/s1600-h/DSC04632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRuxII6KiDwGG2aCCcjgdY8N4eX5GVHpIwWnxwhBMaoG11BGHVWqJopoUCxfZUcBHaVLacba4zj_p_e7TcB0ZOQuKxQqN6qCOoUoM46q3b-MgI6sVKYi-OKkpU68xubyuvm9LltSzr08/s320/DSC04632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451578804936464642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvTV8Ref1o0j2NccqefGiWn7H0D9NAlahYSXLORZakzi6c7zC7KivmwYEx11PIXgmak_nKwpInLUa56Z9_gXa8_P43CeNg4nKob1RoxxrJJtYkkV9gtdAP9zGAr4V9lujvfXZ-grDCGQ/s1600-h/DSC04631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvTV8Ref1o0j2NccqefGiWn7H0D9NAlahYSXLORZakzi6c7zC7KivmwYEx11PIXgmak_nKwpInLUa56Z9_gXa8_P43CeNg4nKob1RoxxrJJtYkkV9gtdAP9zGAr4V9lujvfXZ-grDCGQ/s320/DSC04631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451568113591664066" /></a>This is the "prize table". In case you don't already know, I sell Twilight merchandise on ebay and Amazon, so I have tons of Twilight crap! We had board games, calendars, jewelry, tee shirts, bookmarks, magnets, tote bags, and a lunch box that Alissa was excited to win! All displayed on Bella's comforter. Everybody left with a prize. Winners got first pick!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzfjnXD0VfCa8soSsgefD2-l_JRTP1UZL6Oj7OXDLskrkXsGIm7h4XNCC4pzhiY0HkCUTF_AT_koGtgvmPdOzeBVbi2uUIjPdSZ7AKeJNFwqMnJueN68GK-zSr4c6uifHj_W53DwX-o4/s1600-h/DSC04630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzfjnXD0VfCa8soSsgefD2-l_JRTP1UZL6Oj7OXDLskrkXsGIm7h4XNCC4pzhiY0HkCUTF_AT_koGtgvmPdOzeBVbi2uUIjPdSZ7AKeJNFwqMnJueN68GK-zSr4c6uifHj_W53DwX-o4/s320/DSC04630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451568095705627042" /></a><div><div><br /></div><div>All of the gals brought a New Moon themed snack. If you are looking for ideas...<a href="http://patterson-a-team.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html">here</a> is the post from my Twilight party last year with lots of treat ideas.</div><div><br /></div><div>The winner of the treat contest went to Amy B. for "Edward meets the Volturi". Think pasty white and hairy! Poor Edward...he's just no competition for Jacob with his shirt off! This was a truly original idea. Thanks for the laugh Amy!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_L0WeFq_r19_sM8moKr8a8p1c3Su8yOfVZoQTb5fUDf6TeoDjCJ8GybWpxvFvAPFuC_8xN82raiJL04kkhdnt1bLN4Q6gQ45TiTRCSgSTCGLhiHo8YYYU8x3NxmuCrXX5xS6_HX47nY/s1600-h/DSC04616.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_L0WeFq_r19_sM8moKr8a8p1c3Su8yOfVZoQTb5fUDf6TeoDjCJ8GybWpxvFvAPFuC_8xN82raiJL04kkhdnt1bLN4Q6gQ45TiTRCSgSTCGLhiHo8YYYU8x3NxmuCrXX5xS6_HX47nY/s320/DSC04616.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451588097293534690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Second place went to Diane for "Blood Clots". I'm really not sure what the popcorn was coated with, but it was sure yummy!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZxf-n4TqCdsoOiv5UYvH8Zy9Fz7zc02_Yz5fffMpwTVH0Y-Fprh4dloJkUl4o5bN9ULjUjS4iiFIB6-S8_g1UF8gTVneeLWKJkBo18zjn7wyTWXQXGoxnB60324lAZJDBPtdTs6oGII/s1600-h/DSC04615.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZxf-n4TqCdsoOiv5UYvH8Zy9Fz7zc02_Yz5fffMpwTVH0Y-Fprh4dloJkUl4o5bN9ULjUjS4iiFIB6-S8_g1UF8gTVneeLWKJkBo18zjn7wyTWXQXGoxnB60324lAZJDBPtdTs6oGII/s320/DSC04615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451588088076302834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Third place went to my Twilight obsessed sister Lindsey for "Twilight Obsession Cupcakes". Each cupcake had something from the movie...I didn't know she was such an artist!</div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Yf7lHPXoA7_ETAsbepw-hq1WWn2UMalw-lnibUgb5iafC39TU_fZJrHfl9UhT0IWPvLiqVadAFe9SW6bNf06-5WZj1aXTgKHZekfXKfM8gtLvYeO5zXyiNoh_VzPXdzIqhwSTM9hHw/s1600-h/DSC04612.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Yf7lHPXoA7_ETAsbepw-hq1WWn2UMalw-lnibUgb5iafC39TU_fZJrHfl9UhT0IWPvLiqVadAFe9SW6bNf06-5WZj1aXTgKHZekfXKfM8gtLvYeO5zXyiNoh_VzPXdzIqhwSTM9hHw/s320/DSC04612.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451588062424209074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">The other treats were fabulous as well! Thanks ladies!</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1vvDTUQwXWLmoI5_qVQF-0nRDHr-bve4F-wIRv7sVb5MhlE2TXf0AKXN0Jzxh7QSG22EdiEzgdsVFkpy6Oer2rRQhhJCW5qM-tF-BItemxkkeCgUc-kygUkWnlXrKyU2qlBCQKWJun0/s320/DSC04624.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451590704093563986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FXkDND-zDE2fxp4sYHxJmmRnxjRY5m4c0b1kddG_lwN63APpKxpEnDqlyEIOe65D8YFl3QedfbmEeCFLaXGTl7hNDXBN2JjPWzkAyVRE1W-ZifgRy4qjm5-NKg3V_Re-BrpQUzPE-uY/s1600-h/DSC04625.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FXkDND-zDE2fxp4sYHxJmmRnxjRY5m4c0b1kddG_lwN63APpKxpEnDqlyEIOe65D8YFl3QedfbmEeCFLaXGTl7hNDXBN2JjPWzkAyVRE1W-ZifgRy4qjm5-NKg3V_Re-BrpQUzPE-uY/s320/DSC04625.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451590716716007090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-6rOj309i7TxHKCXhBGX_7Xh0_6V4d2fuQI6LObUzOwmqLnJ-2jYU3KI544mzMUeEe3NUumWdvA7JCoeyc9nnxF0VbIqKipilg3SNwVZYPS-puGgBBwr3QnIJYHBh4ovK2Mf0oAdodM/s1600-h/DSC04623.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-6rOj309i7TxHKCXhBGX_7Xh0_6V4d2fuQI6LObUzOwmqLnJ-2jYU3KI544mzMUeEe3NUumWdvA7JCoeyc9nnxF0VbIqKipilg3SNwVZYPS-puGgBBwr3QnIJYHBh4ovK2Mf0oAdodM/s320/DSC04623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451590694940182738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfxKxJ5U53obx1_ipahIXvfnPqH_1zSf2PxSkFQiy0wgOuQif8L6Jxx85Fi_9ON_6g4d0SCtwURoAMSCRt8SSUwQ0FP23iZYZhWtF2X0-xuyYHiZVfBzDxYnRXe2XnECjMtpi6UKx7EE/s1600-h/DSC04614.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfxKxJ5U53obx1_ipahIXvfnPqH_1zSf2PxSkFQiy0wgOuQif8L6Jxx85Fi_9ON_6g4d0SCtwURoAMSCRt8SSUwQ0FP23iZYZhWtF2X0-xuyYHiZVfBzDxYnRXe2XnECjMtpi6UKx7EE/s320/DSC04614.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451588078440042242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbB_dmubjocvO-0dRTfyUwo9DbKZ394TEExwIqD9D_8GO3iiCohn7FRvyRQo4LDJj42obWic_VrxhZSR-momw0z1kN0ztNIoGx9V18ysPPBN0Ybf9qf6eJkahv2E9e1G6JkiRWXz6IdY/s1600-h/DSC04613.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbB_dmubjocvO-0dRTfyUwo9DbKZ394TEExwIqD9D_8GO3iiCohn7FRvyRQo4LDJj42obWic_VrxhZSR-momw0z1kN0ztNIoGx9V18ysPPBN0Ybf9qf6eJkahv2E9e1G6JkiRWXz6IdY/s320/DSC04613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451588070685255426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXx8b8MFmn59cK4MYOCAX66O9B7g2CCevu55R_Yno3laLYoSc2H6N6bm8k9Q_AyjfVzQz0qUbv0rJO2Ac7T3Pj0TOKVbHBaHHFCQAiYfcR1dcgr_V9fLzfSLpUZIIbLQWK2dCmLrHK0s/s1600-h/DSC04610.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXx8b8MFmn59cK4MYOCAX66O9B7g2CCevu55R_Yno3laLYoSc2H6N6bm8k9Q_AyjfVzQz0qUbv0rJO2Ac7T3Pj0TOKVbHBaHHFCQAiYfcR1dcgr_V9fLzfSLpUZIIbLQWK2dCmLrHK0s/s320/DSC04610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451586365172214626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">There are cans of soda in the brown paper sacks ..."Drinks from Jacob's Garage".</span></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67YfE2Y4hRBL4tQpQr_eNrxw4QeSagwSw2YoqJVELCMSr3SPc_qm53CYLUw0iLHmTqCS6rjq1W9AqUDV3qdZHBKnAYyub_mYOYGxlvvBy1hS8Twq5n5NgD9FS59x16z0KuQXAbtLbfww/s1600-h/DSC04608.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67YfE2Y4hRBL4tQpQr_eNrxw4QeSagwSw2YoqJVELCMSr3SPc_qm53CYLUw0iLHmTqCS6rjq1W9AqUDV3qdZHBKnAYyub_mYOYGxlvvBy1hS8Twq5n5NgD9FS59x16z0KuQXAbtLbfww/s320/DSC04608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451586350202863922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsf57RAUNeaW852byg2utt9_3ccjTJejsowKI2lFqlLC791Huj9Ao2pQvXDQUUuZOchB_5SB8lB8pK__0pSqpkq9MKhWzfv9gc5qNM08z6FvC5Bv2nNWFV1CQa0v1zI61uD2V8hYLx4Y/s1600-h/DSC04607.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsf57RAUNeaW852byg2utt9_3ccjTJejsowKI2lFqlLC791Huj9Ao2pQvXDQUUuZOchB_5SB8lB8pK__0pSqpkq9MKhWzfv9gc5qNM08z6FvC5Bv2nNWFV1CQa0v1zI61uD2V8hYLx4Y/s320/DSC04607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451586342169446690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn4QdrHIFgZPX0VNJWcrFbnkkXEPsIAcxkYDkZHpGfyHe8OCiaYfeLQniq5tOom1GppMXINUNRbRuL7GxVVjM1abjrMu3KiDHUdoEf5KFD7m9OKKn0jakExQcDd92bjcOgfPQef50kHc/s1600-h/DSC04606.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn4QdrHIFgZPX0VNJWcrFbnkkXEPsIAcxkYDkZHpGfyHe8OCiaYfeLQniq5tOom1GppMXINUNRbRuL7GxVVjM1abjrMu3KiDHUdoEf5KFD7m9OKKn0jakExQcDd92bjcOgfPQef50kHc/s320/DSC04606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451586332345529170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuWnn7zcDrn1c44Bvtt7ubJZXuwt9rT-3bE3yVdBCMZjlkd2hDcS_nnhuoLI7e45mvuCD6ABpYa1p43HD1aJXY5OzkVuBIGnXxJ7QRG_swgKtQ28qQMY4ZDahxFsRV5itw2upwm4-F5s/s1600-h/DSC04605.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuWnn7zcDrn1c44Bvtt7ubJZXuwt9rT-3bE3yVdBCMZjlkd2hDcS_nnhuoLI7e45mvuCD6ABpYa1p43HD1aJXY5OzkVuBIGnXxJ7QRG_swgKtQ28qQMY4ZDahxFsRV5itw2upwm4-F5s/s320/DSC04605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451584473748713042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxDhuLjBs8DDUFJxPVBiq4X_WURkOfUqT5z9eiN-MEvK7ZZ6t9yFB9cTrG3Vxx8cxRQ0S0_ZuL8oeUNyI6fe0-0DwWVkQshlxqBn5ZfPbXnbUuBa3-i2C-GM_sBsEAn6-_w4uEangEA8/s1600-h/DSC04609.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxDhuLjBs8DDUFJxPVBiq4X_WURkOfUqT5z9eiN-MEvK7ZZ6t9yFB9cTrG3Vxx8cxRQ0S0_ZuL8oeUNyI6fe0-0DwWVkQshlxqBn5ZfPbXnbUuBa3-i2C-GM_sBsEAn6-_w4uEangEA8/s320/DSC04609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451586355577260098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>The party was a blast and watching the movie with friends is so much fun. Hilarious commentary! </div><div><br /></div><div>Lindsey bought the movie at Target because they had the deleted scenes, and I bought the movie at Walmart because they had the Eclipse preview...so we got to watch it all!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am very loyal to Walmart (since my hubby works there) but I have to say that their version of the movie was not the best value. In case you haven't purchased your copy yet...here's the rundown:</div><div><br /></div><div>Borders- $27 (with coupon) and comes with a cool necklace worth about $20.</div><div>Target- $20 and had the deleted scenes AND came with a collectible film cell</div><div>Toys R Us- $20 and came with a free keepsake box for storing DVD's</div><div>Walmart- $16 version- cheapest of everyone, comes with nothing. </div><div>Walmart- $25 ultimate fan edition (this is the one I bought...hey, I'm an ultimate fan, right?) came with a brief Eclipse sneak peak. That's it! For 25 bucks! Like I said, I love Walmart, but I felt a little ripped off. I wish I had bought one of the other versions and in a few days the "Eclipse sneak peak" would have been on youtube.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated New Moon with me!</div></div></div></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-85588364945604570672010-02-26T09:43:00.005-06:002010-02-26T10:35:03.640-06:00There IS Such Thing as a Free DinnerThe Patterson family loves Mexican food. All of us. Seriously, my kids beg for it (and they don't have to twist my arm too hard!)<br /><br />Last night we hit our favorite Mexican place, Las Fajitas. It had been a crazy night of piano lessons, basketball practice, a trip to the post office, etc...you get the idea. Mom had been sort-of-kind-of finishing a book (The Last Olympian...so good!) which was way more important than planning dinner (or cleaning the house for that matter!)<br /><br />So we sat down together for a late dinner and woofed down our favorite cheesy, crunchy, salsa-y yumminess.<br /><br />Then we asked the waiter for the check.<br /><br />He handed it to us and it looked like this:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442583360825401618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionALRbJEfNoEN84DcoEHd5ZVmM_kjeqQ8M0zTkgeMHbigmRNiJneMwn5HsVuDwp_RzieVwgoEIAl6mAIDeL9ILE1Gtn-WBQAgHfhUIXivNhubrIkwlzyhrsEuNwD_-BR1vOnBA91p9gA/s320/DSC04578.JPG" border="0" /><br />He pointed to an empty booth in the corner and said that those people had paid for our dinner. They wrote a little note on the top <em>"Beautiful kids! So very well behaved!!"</em><br /><em></em><br /><br />I couldn't help but look around the table at my four little munchkins and think...really? (I mean, I know they're cute...but well behaved enough for someone to notice?)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442589780513505730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhMdF0CTY8bz7w8O5SDnRpR0xWdA_4XNX8ptSD4MDa7z4_1i5QV-0Y8G6m77H0_ZcfhFHbyNluERnj7ynHksJd-x2HuPq2rUox2NQQsEBEWefRokuApr4UVHlpF0402EBUcxS1a5GB_8/s320/DSC04218.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Then I looked a the empty booth and tried to picture it's previous occupants. I had noticed a man sitting on the side that was facing me, but I hadn't even seen the people sitting across from him. How horrible! I didn't remember them getting up and leaving. They didn't come over and say hi to the kids (lots of people stop and talk to Adeline, so it wouldn't have really been out of the ordinary...it's an occupational hazard of being THAT adorable!) They didn't make eye contact or wave. They just quietly left the restaurant after showing us this act of kindness.<br /><br /><br />I drove home with tears in my eyes. Admittedly, it doesn't take much for me to tear up...but this really touched me. Complete strangers plunked down $31.55 to buy dinner for my family. And they didn't even hang around to hear my "thank yous". What kind of people do that????<br /><br /><br />I think that's the kind of person I would like to be.<br /><br /><br />I have heard of people paying tolls for the car behind them and things like that, but I have never been the recipient of such a "random act of kindness".<br /><br /><br />What a good example these complete strangers were to our family. We have decided to find a way to do something similar for someone else.<br /><br /><br />I know the chance of these nice people reading my little blog are, well, none. But I would like to say "thank you" anyway. That was such a fun surprise. You really made our night, and it is something none of us will ever forget.<br /><br /><br />Of course, there is always the possibility that they recognized us from the paper!Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-45310972578351360392010-02-21T22:04:00.008-06:002010-02-21T23:15:06.345-06:00Anna's 5th Birthday: Puking and Pedicures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoHLeVqhIY9xzp3dPvfx_-sfTAFqspHUH0uJ-lfRZgv6YrDWzO-ndvlU1fZNLSZTbXYM1MbB5X9itOxL_MGRzpm2yKO-Njl9ceGcj7sXtqScujOVxszLtpSOuX6yjprFmvqTDZ7itAxw/s1600-h/DSC04479.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440929650823238194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoHLeVqhIY9xzp3dPvfx_-sfTAFqspHUH0uJ-lfRZgv6YrDWzO-ndvlU1fZNLSZTbXYM1MbB5X9itOxL_MGRzpm2yKO-Njl9ceGcj7sXtqScujOVxszLtpSOuX6yjprFmvqTDZ7itAxw/s320/DSC04479.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdmLEPaYv-oIRg29cjDNU70DjBVgTWctSAWxyBiKkcToZc5tAX-ZjD97487CL1L7pbphgupNluY7hcas4yxp1PLJ1F4znhyphenhyphen-yUkajJzrvHl6GCoI2cJZP4pPnaVtSmpUn6UIUESwyfhw/s1600-h/DSC04482.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440917120021136802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdmLEPaYv-oIRg29cjDNU70DjBVgTWctSAWxyBiKkcToZc5tAX-ZjD97487CL1L7pbphgupNluY7hcas4yxp1PLJ1F4znhyphenhyphen-yUkajJzrvHl6GCoI2cJZP4pPnaVtSmpUn6UIUESwyfhw/s320/DSC04482.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Anna's 5th birthday started out a bit rough...mainly because she was throwing up every 5 minutes! I felt so bad for her. We weren't able to have her friends over, I didn't make her birthday dinner (since she wouldn't be able to eat it), and she had to miss preschool the next day (as a precaution, she was actually feeling better) so she wasn't able to hand out her birthday treats.</div><br /><div>The good news was that this lovely little girl was all better by Friday night and ready to party with her best buds.<br /></div><br /><div>We had a pajama party (not a sleepover...a 6-9 party where they wore their pajamas). I had a blast! I love my boys, but girls are so much fun!!!</div><div></div><br /><div>We had a chocolate fountain. The girls thought this was great. It was all for them and they could dip whatever they wanted and make a huge mess! My apologies to all of the moms that had to clean the chocolate out of the pajamas!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440919849451057682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf4B7-miSCCQ0cg6bd4miJlQbr0tZe11EaNiQR4Z6r1EZG1sp6ZKJbtU-fZCikESHWS3fLxEVqnqzP_f6oDEi5QitvXEYFXzJ0tRQUAtnmwTIGDRwTdZ4lIUsnb9WOBMNukqdHtJbFT4/s320/DSC04484.JPG" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440919854290145570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKP_WNFQ6H9jR_f7yChYb5SNfnDxbPpUK1iW16npoFbHp4uWneso8SDnJz5GreeUL965pLCmyrO-xXJ2t6CKjtctgnspmyyF7jqbt-IpHcVhrmlwIvbR5SFr0XlqiYWgEWXAb9JmdD-4/s320/DSC04490.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440919842114491058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwHhw4YYslonACMi9jDaaaV0s48_Doo9SXI0bdjr9NmhBxJnZZqqiL_pnhRbhG74K1a8q1C7db2aSCOq78NqkAGXMeu2oPGNzA1b9x_hnsBwgxXjrJXoQuPmc1puPdgt5OZCiPGBU5cM/s320/DSC04541.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440917127815470002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWldYusApF2rp1n_AuP8uSh5jiVPY7tVzyvp49BrU5fn9YMrZg9wJAYCxcFzP6CLgrsHWP5DjiPrdSliqE-SnanURo1lefnC-zN9mR4aG7Yfr6yhAC06_hMgr3E4sOAZQwXFgPUMNIiW4/s320/DSC04491.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440917130322371842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdx74OOsmCEq5u3ZSiF7_Qyw6Z0PSp4qYX-XajWpbeo2BSrvR9vwQ2WOj7CxlYhPFlCmunx3iOTMdX_ISY1UnAm4KaGQqeq_yd4T9u4BKkrTxIO5XhByK_9XtbgoA0tbvFR6GW2v8lDY/s320/DSC04538.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>We also did some pampering.<br /><br />We soaked our feet<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440923296601025346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NQ-neH-0GYlZpYfuYh4BjKQbV3sIusBzaVHVJXFPQddz2s_JfnCke9PNyU8n2ph3K6iUtJTBmvn3Ak2gOtvMgIwL9GkL0oPFxyEC9VCQBZAqKCOYhXSNgXXWmdbC90yE2gtsoz5jXOg/s320/DSC04523.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440923313248599970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbDQLBrrSyyfFeXLJZR-vTCZamzugQrDuLWBs7fafwMLeX-6-3CgMY1piPzbWSqxgE1rwSPEHT5Dx_VhTaqApZGd94PQJZmlZ710GWKppq7hESfRlIGo30XOY6zplhevuya0f-11l_G8/s320/DSC04516.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440923328634091282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQepuSiwV4QY8_stlZcyPO0ddrKMGDGErcHiCBACSk0ZhrVmyenGm1KQr6Yru6C5c4albt1U1ldXPRd_iTqHhKR5lCcNwCLc5QAwb0ZTjKgvv2W9Gj7F5yeHU92b6_iMDy4tk8gYX-8A/s320/DSC04520.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />and our hands</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440923322878645794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XjeNW1PeHGd9AifP58htqJWCCGihy5dpf3Q5NmH21IbDMh_69V9fvCrMOJ8R4ThJMDwVSO-GroUwo47cA8S8sXLCaOuXLNWlnirAZlKrcOEicRnd5q9Ueil1YwJTuUhT0VdigMEYcQI/s320/DSC04517.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440923308395562994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtKMHc8cTCF2jlJPV27Wrck_MteH2Lof7nAWp7v60s7v957naf7zteQ9Bf4Nr408MsuGjeaUEoCOpttNDQF4VLiFT2zcOtCR24SMq3R4r8xrKCKNd0nKt9GGMfPYQLwH1OpQduBsR7wI/s320/DSC04514.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440919861773511266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3f7cJdqYsbg54zVRS5h6QFai8yhdkjP-ze4j0EfjKXXdklDQsrKZx97Z_m2UTE30xgtHnzEIZoNiOSfview6BnUXYE4m263znLeybgCyIdcZA_S8Xxvfj6HnInFFIgE1vu80f_XhvdI/s320/DSC04529.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Then painted our fingers and toes with brightly colored polish</div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440919868266031890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VpAz2cQSKWYWYnFcUCuot7mcxwSvv-jQcmy019ynFVJori7u7dvXZJ1N9io-xv5dF-bClUamcWCPpd8doZJoUu0LbeQRS9BWfzkpr8HdHgHhGFUqqahtx16HACQ51gJxUNwtkLya6v0/s320/DSC04525.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Then we danced and danced and danced! Their favorite was the "Ice Cream Freeze" by Hannah Montana (or Miley Cyrus...who can keep track?) Here is a little clip:</div><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzRhbU-KNvxqVlyFsj4NcjEliBgvBn0jPGvC0WinDhWSc6wRQ8A_2IPRCaXSqwbNtIdrL5BTUzrGSxsajqx1g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>These girls could really get down!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440925330401439954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdI3FZd4zyt8pUtp7zAI66E-P4PNcS7a_uWZ9q3JSZMYGSKOdaOUSNbuNJxcJHNN-J-bGyASGds9ezNv4HbpJBpWrYC1QiY3qPdQ-j7Y3Uq-cnq90rAV0aIHHHJi_0Z3IXj6qzbfv1RE/s320/DSC04505.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440925323952130898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSUHrqSTEfqZlJUO8L_WzvOSPBN-rK8EJSRP6RFEjJShaMBqk8WnPNYRO9Dj_6LRN9wjn2P_S9grOhu3CoJkzpxkj4bY0JYEa-5WgTtamBhKvIyNCuNFKhPDUqccOAvYJuzpVgkfv-Fw/s320/DSC04502.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440925321722182482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXJU9JtsW3DWhO7tGsCBnHrDJV5Ylp70AJT1bPK9a2Qob2GZU5SiwCJHghvuYcY_qhmdY3vu5xf95Wr_gTjmLfVD6tiZqCsclq8EtzmQzuDu62gaXvfsT4y40dXQaKKx1hJUNjLHMkJA/s320/DSC04501.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div>After pigging out on the chocolate fountain, the girls weren't really into the cupcakes, but Anna enjoyed her "Happy Birthday" song.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440929662844541778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMhDymJjyhUud4GNztbqL_C-NIZCMiDe0nYDxjDOsXDHHJf8TYkOURzlOyROKDnWZufiyPX98231teCsBvjD9sWhxjDG84ilbydAG25XfDNjd5wVuuOlu_k5xb6jHx8AMPsh6dbEHch0/s320/DSC04535.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div></div><div><div>Carly wanted to take a picture with hers. That girl really cracks me up! Notice the fingernails! She wanted a red/pink alternating pattern.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440917141223075970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99x3QbhldzZAYrUTXjvzkpUYaozJVhOhyphenhyphenXr-XL4jyJIPLcePEWJpxRC0CQsKvchYeJzKmKRLF6hZxv1rLAipEZo2c3RJrjL1O_dY6TlPHZ2kSKW8MBfUAAsS0O-Ci8ALXiYbcD3M9QKA/s320/DSC04540.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Anna had so much fun. Her party made up for the yucky birthday. She was a happy little princess!</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>The five things I love most about Anna:</div><br /><div>1. She is so great about sharing. She will give everything she has to her brothers and sister.</div><div>2. She takes stubbornness to a whole new level. I used to look at this as a curse...now I am learning to see that she is just learning to stand up for what she believes in.</div><div>3. She is so girly! She is dedicated to learning how to match shoes and bows to her outfits. She loves makeup, purses, and anything fancy and girly!</div><div>4. She is so loving. She isn't overly touchy-feely, but you <em>know</em> that Anna loves you. She is great about complimenting people (especially mom!) and telling us that she loves us.</div><div>5. She is so smart and talented. Anna can do <em>anything </em>that she puts her mind to. I know she is going to be incredibly successful because of her drive. Right now her passions include </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>drawing and gymnastics.</div></div></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-85935903940839484932010-02-14T21:11:00.005-06:002010-02-14T22:21:33.474-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!The Patterson family had a great Valentine's day! <div><div><div><div><br /><br /><div>The boys made treat boxes for their parties at school.</div><br /><br /><div>Here is Aiden's</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438313136309034114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMol1XoU4h8iQYDmWZuSYFZwoADbdTZ5JEtWMogZaKE7UYfLtNr5S6FBmqx4INZY1Rca1Hd-YPd2C8ClB8F_kipvRWLfaYA3q92CDUhh3x850GJL0ONMdN-kAHUHdZPi3NmPj-WJLNpIA/s320/DSC04458.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Abbott's class had a "contest" so we went for something a little different. His cute Mr. Potato Head ended up winning! (and we are very sorry that it beat out the Graham's Spongebob Square Pants!)</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438313126926849042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBNp8q5xfjvSmOzPwYPLGPEyb2mMVRGy9ik-dNGs1MNnRquSgsEwur1JuDPRP5iCl9b_c7G19IHRDKo53myvZKAetpjL4bQpo3lSXkWuqyW3uiHzYzsNP-YyrzVdZniidV5zw89Mwr1o/s320/DSC04456.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Dropping a load at Build A Bear is our Valentine's tradition. I'm so glad my boys were still excited about it this year. I know that will eventually come to an end, but this year it was still fun for everyone.</div><br /><br /><div>Abbott's Darth Vader Monkey</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438316265031243858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4L69hemSUKB5j9egrNiOP5pVva9I-IEcDc-QiQNTpyb-KScmzYrweZvC_PFkM_2QzTVa5iyIw5lkCRLKkYJ1gwM3_PTbONImYdAa5NsPz33MLLyghTqsss26Q_ha1eVC777RiMD4FZj4/s320/DSC04462.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Anna's Black puppy in a fancy red dress (with purse)</div><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438313152628774594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaEVSnwD8r9hE9giESWvFOoyFPiXd2k7XcYKwdguP0rhz-08MjGqIdDTVEDGkQFBFM2Pi1XHi3tVc8iepU6FRtH1upgLh0FU3r8Yuh9QAhqNK5vzgrZISb4gwTDiihGeJ39gJmkDMgs8/s320/DSC04460.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Aiden didn't get an animal...he opted to get extra clothes for the bear he already has. Here he is decked out. He's wearing his Percy Jackson shirt because we went to the movie before heading to BAB. It was great...I could pick apart a few things I didn't like...but no movie is ever as good as the book, right?</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438313144026162386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIijP5ZmsSZYBSe5jkKMiNUFL6lGuXSQgAhA8wW7WD0HMxfL8TrkaSK5L0n-zDniB3F6M68MLGv_k8nNXZMyfGoKFqaCWypin_eOVovyQUfV9U0u07p8aXaQupVouCXbIfIfmVHkjMqys/s320/DSC04469.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Adeline's naked bunny. She refused to let us put any clothes on her. I eventually gave up fighting her and decided to be happy about saving a few bucks!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438316272182389138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyqW4bdu9OBKuK6udI0kkp2DSVU0I7H5k6rKKkvZ8RmAlac9aehb3PGjk9LC0qZmix0Aggh2RoTXoYO_T8SgPtZiO0EaJikJeLi_VWzmlIbc4u8BCKpFasH8KUaQI3MGGmEW1DbJbi7A/s320/DSC04468.JPG" border="0" /><br />My beautiful little Valentine's angels after church today. I love mixing pink and red on Valentine's Day. There is something that just feels so wrong about the mix every other day of the year, but on February 14th...it's perfect!<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438313138535257138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SIuN8NGzzBQDqkLP6Amq_bIczehQIonmssS8a4hFQKMJ9iZb-oB75TBLhrJS3ynMr0wpHpzXwYETmpKAwrCG5sRUnhA7DVtTyvyvdZLMz7UGRb4QqG_T9mJpvpL-7dgoScFq4yAODrQ/s320/DSC04473.JPG" border="0" /><br />They wanted to pose again with their new friends (and when I say "they" I really mean Anna. That girl is quite the little model!)</div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438316292042580866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTiOhd_iWPYis7PMOyWvvDXeFyRNFX6DqTY1uM61f_hAVsRuOHFB8nPYHE_3wBNIIlD5jqsXADhnMQpF8oNs115Qq-FpJK0K-b0fr6acH8ITRnsumhVnu809T7ipokMKzISJwn6MrlL0/s320/DSC04475.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438316288525688130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4mIAEpL_1pMaUPYoUhjK-8TcoV6vJzV7SYeZKS7OmO8p7RWNLEFnSnRQ6y5skTV5cC-_R1nE1dq49Q6wkUaz7wrJP_tn-ThWHWZHv3aWb-XvD0xG4TgRbM6DIU3si067vi0zksf97g0/s320/DSC04476.JPG" border="0" /> <p></p><p>And just so the pictures above don't make you think that the Patterson home is all Valentine bliss, here is Adeline shoving Anna out of the picture. We sure love that spunky little girl.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438316276749665618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvvoudztEOp3mHosZE2gyJFrbMnY74JbZvxv2di8fE6v-geJ4IjJXar-AYy_ss3CN2XBD4-Y1BNFqzPUBP9_Kit7kXj8UB5yjIJFNKMLfw5aKQ0gGQbTE2ZbP9C_F4mAOOE6hK5OTf-w/s320/DSC04477.JPG" border="0" /></p>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-62694390416702122852010-02-10T21:40:00.004-06:002010-02-10T22:27:14.614-06:00White Trash Family of SixI'm a thrift store girl and I'm not ashamed to admit it.<br /><br />In high school a bought a vintage floor-length floral gown at the Salvation Army. I chopped it off and wore it to school with a pair of silver platform sandals. I probably looked ridiculous, but in my memory, it was awesome.<br /><br />I have frequented thrift stores ever since. Mainly due to my love of costumes. Incredible homemade costumes don't grow on trees...you have to <em>create</em> them!<br /><br />I have also found some great deals on clothes and toys for my kids (and myself). Aaron does NOT share my love of thrift stores, so I generally avoid buying anything for him.<br /><br />So when I heard that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bentonville</span> was getting a Goodwill...naturally I was excited! (We have a Salvation Army that is gross and a Helping Hands that is way over-priced.)<br /><br />I decided that I was going to head to the Goodwill on opening day last Thursday to dig for bargain-priced treasures. We had a 70's party to attend the next day and I still didn't know what I was going to wear. What luck!<br /><br />The next day, this picture ran in the local paper. I have to add that this was the one and only picture with the article.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E_gGnmdowvy_MR8p-23X3HlQUUMRrpGSLD6mI6Xb14fOlvFmrfojaO9IVZjBD_GEjox_N4hBCqxiHO0s5upDrLLKg1Km60IZtnuHCqGY9O_AgmYzJQ4St4KWKppsuFZ4PldiHXgiXhM/s1600-h/BN-GOODWILL-01_JPG_t300.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436827162019998882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 199px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E_gGnmdowvy_MR8p-23X3HlQUUMRrpGSLD6mI6Xb14fOlvFmrfojaO9IVZjBD_GEjox_N4hBCqxiHO0s5upDrLLKg1Km60IZtnuHCqGY9O_AgmYzJQ4St4KWKppsuFZ4PldiHXgiXhM/s320/BN-GOODWILL-01_JPG_t300.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Besides the fact that Adeline and I are both making funny faces, it's not too bad.<br /><br />Until you read the caption:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><em>Adeline Patterson, 2, kicks back in a shopping cart Thursday as her mother, Aubrey, searches for clothes for their six-member family during the grand opening of the Goodwill Store and Donation Center in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bentonville</span>.</em><br /></span><p>Really? "Searches for clothes for their six-member family". </p><p>Thank goodness we now have a Goodwill in town so my kids won't be running around naked anymore. </p><p>If Adeline wasn't so darn cute, I wouldn't get stopped for this sort of thing. I would be able to slip inconspicuously in and out of the local Goodwill like everybody else.</p><p>I guess it doesn't bother me too much since I was back at the Goodwill again today snagging some deep blue velvet for a Medieval Party this Saturday. This time I made it out without being caught by the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">paparazzi</span> :)</p><p></p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2010/feb/05/goodwill-opens-bentonville/?"></a>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-84019672662510969362010-02-07T23:35:00.004-06:002010-02-08T11:12:56.719-06:00I'm in love with a boy named Drew...and my husband's happy about itIt all started in the fall of 2008...<br /><br />My Fantasy Football team was hot- with Tom Brady leading the way. Then in the very first play of the very first game...Tom Brady was out for the entire season. I wasn't feeling so hot anymore.<br /><br />Luckily, I had a backup quarterback. His name was Drew Brees and it was love at first game. I watched every Saints game that I could that season and discovered that my backup quarterback who I had known little about WAS AWESOME!<br /><br />So I became a Saints fan and Aaron got to watch more fotball then he ever dreamed.<br /><br />In the fall of 2009 I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to draft my Drew, as more and more people were becoming aware of his awesomeness. Luckily, in the end he was all mine!<br /><br />So I did what any girl would do...I signed up for NFL Sunday ticket.<br /><br />I was not going to miss ANY Saints games this season!<br /><br />You can probably imagine a husband's delight the day he finds out that his wife has subscribed to NFL Sunday Ticket and every single NFL game of the season will be available at the click of a remote.<br /><br />My sister became a football fan before I did. (Aaron thinks her husband is a genious for getting her involved with Fantasy Football and therefore securing football season bliss and he is forever indebted to this brother-in-law for getting me addticted as well.) Anyway...this sister and BIL are die hard Colts fans. Early in the season, we started hoping for a Colts-Saints superbowl.<br /><br />And what do you know!<br /><br />So of course we had to get together and trash talk last night.<br /><br />Here is me and my Colts fan sister Lindsey. You can tell that this picture was taken BEFORE the game...because she is smiling!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435745285672909650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju2CEXHKQFMJct3Eq0_N5o94wH9Mo52xdctk0gh3MB8g9kEn6DhcHvXm2LP4MNyR3VYR74oO3g1d9H_tsIB4uObbuKFudNGOOSZGpjXANSI8FLweJf7aEiOr4d1HPV2-nAJ1XdZmXCuI/s320/DSC04413.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />My kiddos had so much fun getting ready for our little party. They wanted to decorate the whole house. I am so pround of my little Saints fans! I warned them that Uncle Brett and Aunt Lindsey would try to lead them over to the dark side...but they resisted!<br /><br />Here is our table display. Very fair!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435745295838480546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy0IDS6sA9XXBJi3BE87NCY38xYHzGRWjV9nXArVvcRIZkAgn5_HiD0aWRAXYPcwM4tDrFTj5fpExs_3EPe9_XO9dIYqXmSBO2PsaAyM_lvj3aYMtkkdkMziASqFf5CldIJFaSVl2WZc/s320/DSC04415.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />My football shaped cheeseball<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435745297081873602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfHywKupQMcRd4wR7Bc5kSxUCim7W2Zvt9j6lpd7Zb4EEli3sreyAT2bZyZaoXSC6A6TpxSFC85vtxDiUNDNumlyBmlmS0eIQdztV6V8yyyFAVRM6n9cu2NgNePbnMHy8a4KZL6uvKsU/s320/DSC04416.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Here are three of my cuties in front of the Saints shrine that we made. They really wanted to wear black and gold...but I made them put on their pj's.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435745308358165538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN4Znrt-Wp6FWEvt-MraLn3I9IyxTvvRxNnjz5iS-XfwLqAy6w1bMc14v_OwGg17M6WX4yc6xePf29SibV7ekVE2xQnWcsYIZjlLbINeb2NbJ92tCYTDaVAar-posew4xoVn_bMEm9WI/s320/DSC04419.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Aiden and Anna<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435745316090041906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq5wLf2gAVyfaw398kD0UP8X1fF5YWAz_0g2X5RqEvTxM6Is8o6evXYIPs-ix7fm5n_qOwSYWSza8AeQW_9FWI4SOsjSfa2rL16nyqmYGlfQGWcohYy2MVshyPou7a0Xb5ZIzMKwcuso/s320/DSC04422.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Abbott and Adeline at the "Peyton Manning Table". Brett loved my little nickname!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435754934447697298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TcHFzt-ZRZjGlormwBuROv56CDN3lnOGobBnU5_HcpTVi93z3iJaYxIpz5zRW1iO6uJV9WAPHrrNu936m_Jq72NaUr_fBw4yEWA6vwhqK2UP5iMldZse3MWAInLCwMGz7onivXQ2Mes/s320/DSC04423.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Me and my honey...he'll cheer for the Saints if that's what it takes to have a football loving household!<br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435754966334074930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNracHZghAgKzAsJZ6xia8Ux6WrE67qNwvtUDyt_X4bN-31d4JxjH8r-wZWAzW6iqvTjpOPC-7dP5vEoJk5KjDSz4je5KHAjGTkYxebjS-uPP2c760NtpbM-XYOArJRJ9AES0bLNhibY/s320/DSC04444.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Abbott made this little "flag" to use during the game. It is a yellow plastic cup with a couple of straws attached to a yellow balloon. Whenever there was a flag thrown, he would toss it in front of the TV. It was pretty cute.</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435754948351351538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyyazXCI2TjjwMLk_S8h8lBf8arTuWO21z__Zf-UqJKeFxlTFX72oV88IyxPLpsNZeG66_VgnrQHlFPsouAriB1WBj5C9fRo7Sl_dqRlah5fUKMVEw8lF7nAXn20ZPVOnRkr0z0iGRYw/s320/DSC04424.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>And, of course, the best part is that they WON! Most people thought the Colts were sure to be holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. I actually had a random guy come up to me at Barnes and Noble (I was wearing my Saints tee) and asked me if they were going to win. I said "heck yeah!" and he said "no they're not!"</div><div></div><div>Well here you go!</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQHHJycjAy7b5JXvxVzzkPxHj6XO1hHqhh9rFZggdGSfI-lu6TUyNdy2ofi2ePWdk7wCGuGVXtUt4nc_8HePDgOCBpeZCfVoDhWxctxWXxSx7OGZa_1puP2zZW5GoFq9pGA1D6s_mVAg/s1600-h/DSC04439.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435754956250574434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQHHJycjAy7b5JXvxVzzkPxHj6XO1hHqhh9rFZggdGSfI-lu6TUyNdy2ofi2ePWdk7wCGuGVXtUt4nc_8HePDgOCBpeZCfVoDhWxctxWXxSx7OGZa_1puP2zZW5GoFq9pGA1D6s_mVAg/s320/DSC04439.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Isn't he cute?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JvZIrGeV8mGsEVwLlXuOq9Crhrpq9XD3Zn9cfFTbTSiGb33MypMfacss1T9S7ijwJkngjknEIdt03lMMEKTsfGqfqP1hHrjG-9wlf_mtpNIJ8Nyf4lql_-g00EsEf0Zf5BB9lTn2L-k/s1600-h/DSC04429.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435754953200652034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JvZIrGeV8mGsEVwLlXuOq9Crhrpq9XD3Zn9cfFTbTSiGb33MypMfacss1T9S7ijwJkngjknEIdt03lMMEKTsfGqfqP1hHrjG-9wlf_mtpNIJ8Nyf4lql_-g00EsEf0Zf5BB9lTn2L-k/s320/DSC04429.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I love you Lindsey and Brett...but ole' Peyton just couln't get it done! Go Saints!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-54461706810128233872010-02-04T14:26:00.003-06:002010-02-04T15:23:31.651-06:00Abbott the WrestlerAbbott started wrestling this year and he LOVES it! It is exhausting- physically and emotionally- and he is doing great!<br /><br /><div><div><div><p>Saturday was his first tournament. He put on his singlet (did you know that's what the leotard-thing is called? I am learning so much!), trudged through six inches freshly fallen snow, and entered the world of wrestling tournaments.</p><p>His best buddy Henry was there. Here they are warming up together. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434499094356504098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNzfjqSP7SGDJGTRKhgHeHHffP5IHQr3gcVNLm6K_roL8vfItRbcf-xmZlh3VFnotUulwPdUA-dquEBiIqDUqC1-IIOB1BGUoqeSVFcFYoSTrvWc6rPvyAreOcOE6URk-wk4K-8A_UdY/s320/DSC04380.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434499106508952418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnUxfiX7dtKAurAnofcc0OBY5V75hQuzA8emUWPoWaMQuJjcZ1bNVsC5MbYtdV30vNuK6mWcgQ4KECrlgHaxae1RiK-efj5So-SHkj4IcwH8oprP7xtAwtEIYGiKRzoShum3nCPtt8C0/s320/DSC04378.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p></p><br /><p>They don't wrestle each other...Abbott is in an ummm "higher" weight class. He used to be a bean pole like his brother, but now that kid eats more pizza than his dad! As a side note...this is particularly annoying because all of Aiden's "slim" jeans (that he wore with the tabs cinched all the way in) don't make it all the way around Abbott (with the tabs let out). We told him that if wrestling is his future, he will have to "manage his weight class", which means less pizza.</p><p>Isn't he the cutest little wrestler? Don't tell him I said that!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434499108088168754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIn73YrHqvKYZpwmxoZIXchyWjCf8WwwZCaJemMsKSMBsD4xSVTAHwv5zHWvi7QBh17KwXxArUUo-XVdRP625CxLJEiTV_U9xiiU4o1PMy37zTS87mvE9Tv3_qH521qDdeOdw0KiQUSk/s320/DSC04381.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Here is a video of one of the matches:</p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwHZHPrqDLzksHrHpH9SdTnWFt8jcIozFhN_ZQ30GTXNpjDHFfE1SSdvb2w_i1Th8POChvBxBMbSkQBp9uHbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><p>He was a little bummed that he didn't win his matches, but he was thrilled to learn that 4th place gets a medal. So here he is (post shower) beaming...ok, maybe hulking is a better word...with his 4th place medal. We're so proud of you Abbott!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434499115973342418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDN6v8CR39zgSO4tIKU2l0MQMn_KL-qEBU7e_5hRy21zVP1Gpcal62OJEenNsNJOFdbAgQyh1U6EYYyFwJCB-arcDrw26kM8Z-gNreyVrLh47VX5Wvw9IajBq8yxfTPsj1H-ORZ6TRJg/s320/DSC04391.JPG" border="0" /></p></div></div></div>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-72919142721370497722009-10-21T21:55:00.006-05:002009-10-21T23:24:12.826-05:00Swine Flu and the world's worst week<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1z91v-UBfY67PVB1YXomY73p4s_rFtncLiSoRp3OKpYEus9swazI_ZDXHTtfUfGmPCQV2IRMUosCJ3hK2Eu9aMLwJii3xkJLqLzmY0UiZZcyXTcCDYuKneEo2hkcZWqNiXfRAxqTPBSk/s1600-h/2009+Fall+Pictures+017.jpg"></a><div><div><div><div><div>I know I'm supposed to call it H1N1, but "Swine flu" just rolls off the tongue!</div><br /><div>We have actually been Swine Flu free for nine days...kinda sounds like an AA meeting.</div><br /><div>Our week went like this...</div><div></div><br /><div>Tuesday</div><div><em>7:00 am</em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aiden</span> wakes up with a headache and sore throat. No fever, so mom sent him to school. </div><div><em></em></div><div><em>3:30 pm</em> He gets off the bus looking like death and clocking in at 102.7...why he didn't go see the nurse is beyond me.</div><div></div><div>That night I have a headache and my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">throat</span> is scratchy...no...couldn't be.</div><div></div><br /><div>Wednesday</div><div><em>7:30 am</em> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Aiden</span> stays home from school and Abbott is totally jealous. He has no symptoms, so an entire day of Mario Kart is out of the question.</div><div></div><div><em>8:15 am</em> I admit to myself that I feel horrible. I take my own temperature. At 99.9 it's not overly impressive, but it's enough to make me want to crawl back in bed. (FYI, no I did not get to crawl back in bed...I had three kids to take care of)</div><div></div><div><em>11:00 am</em> I take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Aiden</span> to the doctor, hopeful that my swine flu gut feeling was wrong. Nope. Rest, fluids and decongestants.</div><div></div><div><em>1:00 pm</em> I get a call from the school nurse to come pick up Abbott. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hmmm</span>...could he have pulled off the whole thermometer-to-the-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lightbulb</span>-thing? I get to the school and he doesn't look great, but he is grinning from ear to ear.</div><div></div><div>The rest of the day was a bit of a blur. I know that my foggy brain was in charge of medicating 3 people. I know that I didn't go to my meeting or take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Aiden</span> to scouts that night. </div><div></div><div>I also know that my microwave wasn't working. Seriously. I am so sick that I am barely upright. I have two sick kids and two little kids. They all expect me to feed them. And my microwave picks now to stop working? </div><div></div><div>We yanked off the door out of spite. Not really...I just wanted Aaron to prove he could get the old door off before I bought a new one.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395255119710641314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGqkoVYp_hoRlXyzUqeSuR5l6fR3WtQD9Fgs2D1I6ZjLWGI6GyVxHn3KHpF0pCedG_U0par0EVhzE_Y7w0SvznkPovJZYMktYR8mutfndA6lK0A4q4m8MuRIiBZEceENlA0HbwSZOTQM/s320/2009+Fall+Pictures+028.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Thursday</div><div><em>10:00 am</em>- Aaron heads off to work. He let me sleep in, but he has a huge thing Friday to prepare for and can't stay home. Luckily, I knew ahead of time about the huge thing so I wasn't too upset with him.</div><div></div><div>We are all pretty sick still so we don't do much. My foggy brain is still in charge of keeping 5 people alive and medicating 3 of us. Isn't there some rule against mom getting sick?</div><div></div><div>On the up side, we borrowed a microwave from some friends...thanks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Binghams</span>! Of course our door was not in stock and it will be a couple of weeks before we get it.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395255128095305954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC1Nb_n0niGrlT9Sfi3Fc-6-qcwgUevcg7lt0nABtk30pIhpZLH0oLtfp73VbuNulCGjmxkCJT6JOQMUWIQyILhsd9LT2T1toZyMpOWBB1Dqh4AeYHMn7rKpU7NxQ-9nbtwasLPnCXgw/s320/2009+Fall+Pictures+029.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>I learn that my dear husband is still planning to go to the Razorback game on Saturday and leave his swine flu infected wife home to take care of the kids. I'm not thrilled.</div><div></div><div><em>7</em><em>:00 pm-</em> A huge storm blows through.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Friday</div><div><em>7:15 am</em> Aaron goes to work to do his huge thing. </div><div></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Aiden</span> and I start to do a little better. Abbott is completely recovered and having a blast playing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">wii</span> all day. He lucked out with a mild case.</div><div></div><div><em>3:00 pm</em> Aaron gets through his huge thing and Karma strikes. Headache- check, sore throat- check, fever- check. Razorback game? No check. I told him that he got sick because he was going to abandon his sick family.</div><div></div><div><em>5:30 pm</em> Our neighbor Flynn knocks on the door and asks us if we need help with our trampoline. Huh?</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395255116829363922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiEabavnySMsSRwIg_xnrYelCZ7gpN3SIwEM7SP02BgvQOag87STpeDK3IYCUsIiyiQK-RCI9Mntju0VMacDaUu3gAoZTqNWNdUkbxSkfVWvKXXq5v_hPqxPJ4K7Lui3dNbmDXUmPhJo/s320/2009+Fall+Pictures+025.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>That is our trampoline. That is Flynn's yard.</div><div></div><div>It had been there since the storm the night before and we had no idea. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Really? We have the swine flu and our trampoline picks now to blow away? Must be in cahoots with the microwave.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Saturday</div><div>We sat at home.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Sunday</div><div>We sat at home and watched a lot of football.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Monday</div><div>We all felt better and had been fever free for 24 hours, but we sat at home to be on the safe side. This was actually a really fun day together.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Tuesday</div><div>Everybody went back to their normal lives. One week exactly. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>The miracle is that these two little angels never got it.</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395255134220906738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb1xMdcNz1iFgLmke9S4qlWSTno2a54t9Pd2NnetPImwDU45ogb50Q9K2DUupnU8qKnHbZmT0-plbx461C4R1CYOGRfmJ4nJdUqPSfoa45PmvkZDz_G8j7TbhPh-2Kis317g6zSZUNrM/s320/2009+Fall+Pictures+018.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>End of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pity</span> party post. </p>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-80709023719738275502009-10-19T17:21:00.004-05:002009-10-19T17:41:39.177-05:00Healthcare "reform" will reduce the deficit! Hooray! Who believes this stuff?<p>I haven’t written a political blog since the election. At first it was depression that kept me from the keyboard. Then came the shock and outrage. After almost a year I have decided that it is time to again share “Aubrey’s Opinion” with the world.<br /><br />Why now?<br /><br />I was searching the friendly World Wide Web for information on the current healthcare “debate”. I was amazed (more upset than amazed) to find that it was VERY difficult to find actual information. Everything is presented to us through a lens…what “they” want us to see. “They” being the media, the current administration, the progressives-take your pick-that are trying to hijack our country.<br /><br />And I remembered why I started my political blog in the first place.<br /><br />1. An outlet for me to vent my ideas and frustrations.<br />2. A way for me to help my friends and relatives (and total strangers that find my blog) know what’s really going on in the world. It’s hard to find the truth, so when I dig it up, I want to share.<br /><br />So here goes…<br /><br />If you have been following the healthcare mess, you’ve probably heard about the report released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) about a week ago. The major news networks joyfully reported that the CBO found that imposing government run healthcare would REDUCE the deficit by $81 billion dollars over 10 years. Hooray!!<br /><br />Really? Is there anyone in America stupid enough to believe that bunch of hooey?<br /><br />If you got your information from CNN or NBC, that would be the end of the story. The Baucus bill will save us money and reduce the deficit. Yeah! Let’s pass it now!<br /><br />Umm…not so fast…<br /><br />The CBO set the 10 year cost (2010-2019) at $829 billion. The thing is, the coverage won’t START until 2014, but the $11 billion in tax increases will start NOW (2010). Do you get it? <strong>Over this 10 year period they are collecting taxes for 10 years and implementing the program for 5 years.</strong> So on paper they can make it look great! </p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>CBO report on the Baucus Bill:</em></span><br />*2010-2019 decrease deficit by $81 billion<br />*2020-2029 increase deficit by $1.2 trillion (yes, trillion with a ‘t’…somehow this number-<strong>in the same report</strong>-didn’t seem very newsworthy) </p><p>Here's a pretty graph that I found in case all of these numbers are making yoiur head hurt.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394443328335793410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaZxbIP4EsqoeGhDtRoA5RoNnIjZ-NiN5RZLnyvj7TvL2ewYywyfsj9L770AsG3bYKriVyu1VRv0oZJ-M6Y5x4oCt6EDFGI5ZxHfAH2imZkpDimbzYIoA9F8PwLseEuLwfGO9AY3vO7M/s320/baucuschart1.jpg" border="0" /><br />And those numbers assume that the cost estimates are accurate…a HUGE assumption! In 1965 it was projected that Medicare world cost $12 billion in 1990. In reality, Medicare cost over $100 billion in 1990. It’s pretty safe to assume that the numbers are hugely underestimated.<br /><br />Is anyone curious where the money is coming from to pay for part of this disaster?<br /><br /><em>According to the same CBO report:<br /></em><strong>$4 billion</strong>- tax on individuals who don’t buy government qualified coverage<br /><strong>$23 billion</strong>- tax on employers who don’t offer government qualified coverage (which will mean employers will have to lower wages or lay off workers…good plan)<br /><strong>$200 billion</strong>- tax on health insurance plans. This includes a 40 percent tax on sales by insurers of ‘Cadillac’ policies and fees on health insurers, drug companies and device manufacturers, all of which will ultimately be passed on to consumers. (Side note…many of you probably have “Cadillac Plans”…this is any family plan deemed to be worth over $21,000 per year)<br /><br />I haven’t even gotten to the best part!<br /><br />The Joint Committee on Taxation says that <strong>87 percent of the tax burden will fall on Americans making less than $200,000</strong>, and more than half on those earning under $100,000.<br /><br />Didn’t a certain presidential candidate say something about not raising taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 per year? I must have dreamed that.<br /><br />In addition to all of the tax/fee increases, the rest of the $829 billion will supposedly come from Medicare cuts and provider payment cuts. Seriously, do you think the politicians will vote to cut Medicare payments to old people right before re-election? I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether the $400 billion in cuts will ever actually happen or if we will just tack it on to the deficit. I mean, what’s another $400 billion in debt to pass on to our kids when we're already passing on trillions a year, right?<br /><br />So what does our $829 billion buy us?<br /><br />The accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers released a study that predicts that the Baucus plan would <strong>increase premiums for an average American family by $4,000 per year</strong>.<br /><br />The Obama Administration’s response? Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">“Clearly this is not their area of expertise.”</span><br /><br />You know, those accountants…they really need to stay away from numbers…they have no experience with money or anything like that.<br /><br />Bottom line.<br /><br />We are being led to believe that the end goal is to “reform” healthcare and make it more affordable and accessible. If that were truly the case, would we see all of these taxes, fees, and cost increases?<br /><br />I don’t think so, but clearly this is not my area of expertise. </p>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-23250071348619916302009-09-09T21:29:00.004-05:002009-09-09T22:25:13.100-05:0080's Party IIIf you read my last post, you know that I threw myself a big 80's themed birthday party. What I didn't mention was how sad my kiddos were when they found out they weren't invited!<br /><br />They have been watching me plan this party for months. Buying goodies and party favors and prizes that they thought looked like a lot of fun.<br /><br />The look on their faces when I told them they weren't going to the party broke my heart! So I promised them that they could eat all of the leftover junk food and we would have our own 80's party.<br /><br />So we strung some neon tulle around the house and Abbott pulled out toys that he thought seemed 80's (that boy is all about parties and decorating...I think he's going to take after his mama!)<br /><br />Aaron and I pulled out our outfits and put them on the kids. Adeline is wearing my shirt as a floor length dress. She has on my belt and heels and she's wearing my green earrings as bracelets! Anna loved my lacy black skirt and leg warmers.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzgdoFqDno41c_fDDemIpSaJIzS0EcUXS9Z0ddDaLWoKeJmxLt-S8h440N9Ec4H61ci2fa_Ne8fm2J8gaIGTrtXeRPNietmff-1l3L5UNkF43eU0NmKSJ1DMM6RLIPffKVjH8SkjT1Sw/s1600-h/DSC03736.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzgdoFqDno41c_fDDemIpSaJIzS0EcUXS9Z0ddDaLWoKeJmxLt-S8h440N9Ec4H61ci2fa_Ne8fm2J8gaIGTrtXeRPNietmff-1l3L5UNkF43eU0NmKSJ1DMM6RLIPffKVjH8SkjT1Sw/s320/DSC03736.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379669996358663986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH84NnbET2ofzbcCeRp-JEJqz8PnOQ-JrzD3YE6RRjUsSe3u2eREuGRKHXqs8BumO6HliqFZfTyOYTmnD1eNp5JiSyZ69F_BOx2Og5co9-BG3CsGhqNRlXXug_w5AnMm81k4sQEDdFn2Q/s1600-h/DSC03733.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH84NnbET2ofzbcCeRp-JEJqz8PnOQ-JrzD3YE6RRjUsSe3u2eREuGRKHXqs8BumO6HliqFZfTyOYTmnD1eNp5JiSyZ69F_BOx2Og5co9-BG3CsGhqNRlXXug_w5AnMm81k4sQEDdFn2Q/s320/DSC03733.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379669986639610706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbKQK9GexKds8gxZGnsTJpuI9cQedRTKN8msVcHqWukrHJDeNALnUiaR__oCtDqczZ8ixpuqXgw1LotGhlRjxl2T7vU4M_VqRDWYp9yCy_lSJajI7yHz4JDmFda6k9xfBOx5HwbZKafg/s1600-h/DSC03753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbKQK9GexKds8gxZGnsTJpuI9cQedRTKN8msVcHqWukrHJDeNALnUiaR__oCtDqczZ8ixpuqXgw1LotGhlRjxl2T7vU4M_VqRDWYp9yCy_lSJajI7yHz4JDmFda6k9xfBOx5HwbZKafg/s320/DSC03753.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379673858461874322" /></a><br /><br />Abbott was really excited to wear the rocker hair and tattoo arm! That boy is crazy! He danced like a maniac and beat his dad in the air guitar showdown.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrgU88mYiogEqx9rMUPMTg_QURUA84D-tM4x6hz272TTWWnlFv9OJZwyacMi9FF2rIOElRoh0-mUi9TtQEvvdWFi7ySO6QFUM4G_yw3JHc7uigMgD3L8PigU_0rQvsh0xG16cY3lOs78/s1600-h/DSC03759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrgU88mYiogEqx9rMUPMTg_QURUA84D-tM4x6hz272TTWWnlFv9OJZwyacMi9FF2rIOElRoh0-mUi9TtQEvvdWFi7ySO6QFUM4G_yw3JHc7uigMgD3L8PigU_0rQvsh0xG16cY3lOs78/s320/DSC03759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379670021073950114" /></a><br /><br />Aiden is a little more reserved than his brother, but he looked great in the leather jacket.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkC0h9sKFEdpqoyDzlfR3-xuIyZfY8ssO-xJNU-UFJu0dEGR4uXWkS2vVJdpbS8xpO0Rfd6V6Q14Rs8x2vwx46824kQDZawyinvOxeloAbghxkcM5jIpscQKcGAgwJ7DU0MPdNs3aIDY/s1600-h/DSC03752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkC0h9sKFEdpqoyDzlfR3-xuIyZfY8ssO-xJNU-UFJu0dEGR4uXWkS2vVJdpbS8xpO0Rfd6V6Q14Rs8x2vwx46824kQDZawyinvOxeloAbghxkcM5jIpscQKcGAgwJ7DU0MPdNs3aIDY/s320/DSC03752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379670012202923154" /></a><br /><br />We played a game with all of the 80's pictures that I had printed off to hang on the walls. They tried to guess who or what the picture was of. They got a few...like Mr. T. Some of their guesses were hilarious. For Madonna they guessed Taylor Swift, for the New Kids on the Block they guessed The Jonas Brothers, and for an Atari they guessed "the original wii"...we had to give them that one!<br /><br />We had so much fun playing and dancing to some great 80's music and I gave them leftover slap bracelets and sunglasses. They have asked to have another 80's party every single day since. I think I made up for not inviting them to the party.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIP4jYI4U9nJhSPxVYaMLXoPcAJpjRt9JsOBy1YuPkoBqW-rIEviNgUOR3Oh-Q7UUxrxOnUEYcd8ifrBpPMv4uBuXLIhvVCDidpNcKWey4DP5DZDXap0QgRM_mqNLeML_RpPJSgfPtXQ/s1600-h/DSC03740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIP4jYI4U9nJhSPxVYaMLXoPcAJpjRt9JsOBy1YuPkoBqW-rIEviNgUOR3Oh-Q7UUxrxOnUEYcd8ifrBpPMv4uBuXLIhvVCDidpNcKWey4DP5DZDXap0QgRM_mqNLeML_RpPJSgfPtXQ/s320/DSC03740.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379670002330888114" /></a>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-27989343575969439662009-09-02T21:11:00.011-05:002009-09-02T23:59:50.567-05:00Old Enough to be a Senator...Partying Like a Rockstar!Did you know that you have to be 30 to be a United States senator? It's true, and as of August 28th...I qualify! (Don't worry, I'm not planning a senate run, although beating Blanche Lincoln would be better than winning the lottery.) <br /><br />So far I think 30 is pretty good. On the eve of my birthday my friends vandalized my house with beautiful decorations. <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoDLVerZv289BynJuuzqwvS-JPVf6JpQJIah4RHsPjXRj_jSyh4SvC0ML6ep7X7pAA23R7xq9GMrdTjuHENqxxxej0-azl-8TJJZCbOpbt8wkDhMQK23bsFtUxAKCasILCd6N1H1EhRc/s1600-h/DSC03667.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064834949520354 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoDLVerZv289BynJuuzqwvS-JPVf6JpQJIah4RHsPjXRj_jSyh4SvC0ML6ep7X7pAA23R7xq9GMrdTjuHENqxxxej0-azl-8TJJZCbOpbt8wkDhMQK23bsFtUxAKCasILCd6N1H1EhRc/s320/DSC03667.JPG" border=0></A> <br />The morning of my birthday Aaron set my alarm to wake me up to "My Next 30 Years" by Tim McGraw and Bethany called and played "Happy Birthday" by NKOTB into the receiver. Another friend watched my girls so I could go to lunch with Aaron. And when I went to wash "honk I'm 30" off of my van, the guy running the carwash gave me my very own sucker. How's that for feeling special! <br /><br />I had a wonderful birthday, but there wasn't too much time for relaxing! <br /><br />I decided that for the big 3-0, all I wanted was a big party. I threw myself a huge 80's bash! So Friday and Saturday were spent preparing, but it was so worth it! <br /><br />I reused the decorations that my pranksters made for me...thanks! <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1sT0uyaknCE6cfm7LEqbks_L4_DObv3iOEhA4tXno_Sp9AapA7kJ4Bm9pHXi_jah2kTER4lLuzJMhIfwqCuyneudI3kka0QRwAGMcec4Dhy9F14KDTcRrfYRHuEvFUQmIwKkCNvtvoU/s1600-h/DSC03673.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064851140367490 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1sT0uyaknCE6cfm7LEqbks_L4_DObv3iOEhA4tXno_Sp9AapA7kJ4Bm9pHXi_jah2kTER4lLuzJMhIfwqCuyneudI3kka0QRwAGMcec4Dhy9F14KDTcRrfYRHuEvFUQmIwKkCNvtvoU/s320/DSC03673.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF048tBScWkCSG5Vayas1Q0SSZpW3aaKVSlTc_KoMiVM7Zxong4Se0-Iw-cKPPgMj0qzCo2gdYTW4GihIktiWAY2OCe8FV6zgQQK5cfuAeqkod8Sgs-6WnmhQNLfqDBTNB2c7hEA0Fajk/s1600-h/DSC03672.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064841988713650 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF048tBScWkCSG5Vayas1Q0SSZpW3aaKVSlTc_KoMiVM7Zxong4Se0-Iw-cKPPgMj0qzCo2gdYTW4GihIktiWAY2OCe8FV6zgQQK5cfuAeqkod8Sgs-6WnmhQNLfqDBTNB2c7hEA0Fajk/s320/DSC03672.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Everything was done in neon pink and neon green. The tables had bright tule with bright roses, surrounded by a variety of items from the 80's. Luckily my sister is a collector, so she supplied a lot of old (well, not THAT old) toys. <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8RHopftRpyiNpAw31bpcVFXc9eK6MOcZg2q6f0fgVue6HwuZU_uGqqlz9O9xytMOx4S9NXKWsMK49Fk51MgI9k6VvP5-O8y1PpIva4NxLOikoLakb3-21XFHzTJ9l27c34iQEFU2YtY/s1600-h/DSC03676.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064863969621570 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8RHopftRpyiNpAw31bpcVFXc9eK6MOcZg2q6f0fgVue6HwuZU_uGqqlz9O9xytMOx4S9NXKWsMK49Fk51MgI9k6VvP5-O8y1PpIva4NxLOikoLakb3-21XFHzTJ9l27c34iQEFU2YtY/s320/DSC03676.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM4MBneh_l9r09qCxLck_L6Mybn8ubeVYj2Z9pXu21PzZT2b10gGdwj-fbk07PA8fInCDP94Yd7nyXMsCvlw0y33QlO-xRqsWNK564s9o4Nlp9swUSEM94sHnFabvug3p9Sq0iHyKChY/s1600-h/DSC03675.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377064859532652194 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM4MBneh_l9r09qCxLck_L6Mybn8ubeVYj2Z9pXu21PzZT2b10gGdwj-fbk07PA8fInCDP94Yd7nyXMsCvlw0y33QlO-xRqsWNK564s9o4Nlp9swUSEM94sHnFabvug3p9Sq0iHyKChY/s320/DSC03675.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />On the walls I had a bunch of old movie posters and pictures of people, events, and things from the 80's. Food was done by chik fil a...not 80's, but yummy! We also had cheese balls and cool ranch Doritos, which felt 80's to me! And there were plenty of Reese's Pieces and Pop Rocks on hand to satisfy a sweet tooth! <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7BjxPMi_hbLzQnC6uAmO_QIXHkuL9hLJvqxwc5mptPOuX_l1b9G6zzpfv1IThHypaFJnnOnUycLbngJ-oRgogRQmmw_OCWQv8S-w9ZlWi2j0ZuWbCdvDRvAuPenul7w6f5JJnI-OHAw/s1600-h/DSC03689.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377068538803407234 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7BjxPMi_hbLzQnC6uAmO_QIXHkuL9hLJvqxwc5mptPOuX_l1b9G6zzpfv1IThHypaFJnnOnUycLbngJ-oRgogRQmmw_OCWQv8S-w9ZlWi2j0ZuWbCdvDRvAuPenul7w6f5JJnI-OHAw/s320/DSC03689.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />We started out the night with a "name that 80's TV theme song" and I was pretty impressed. Many of them were guessed after only a few notes. I think Dane got the cartoons after one note. I had a lot of fun going through all of the shows from the 80's. <br /><br />I was like 10 in 1989, so the closest I ever got to Madonna was the tape that I played in my brown Fisher Price cassette player. I crimped my hair and tight rolled my jeans and used way too much hairspray on my way too big bangs. But I never got to wear gobs of makeup and piles of jewelry and fishnets and lace and miniskirts and heels. <br /><br />Until now... <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AZeF7Z0pKQF3c8MU1aNnHGoCA2HULQF_m89Po-hob8i-DgDtcKdKv7hseHhsoyRWxkApw1Z8-aEZksKdS7pyhx7oePKcWT3l5KtGVdXXY9O8oywW1NawKc_E15wnhlmH13DwgqJUGb0/s1600-h/DSC03681.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377068505985081986 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AZeF7Z0pKQF3c8MU1aNnHGoCA2HULQF_m89Po-hob8i-DgDtcKdKv7hseHhsoyRWxkApw1Z8-aEZksKdS7pyhx7oePKcWT3l5KtGVdXXY9O8oywW1NawKc_E15wnhlmH13DwgqJUGb0/s320/DSC03681.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />I got to be an 80's rock star and my wonderful husband (yes, that's Aaron in those purple snakeskin pants) was right there with me! Doesn't he look like he stepped right our of a hair band? <br /><br />Here he is without the jacket...gotta love the tatoo arm! I kept asking everybody "is my hair going flat?" And they would look at me and just laugh. Dana thought I was wearing a wig from a distance. It didn't even begin to go flat! I have the perfect 80's hair. It is super thick and naturally wavy frizzy. I keep hoping that the big hair will come back with all of the other 80's fashion. I do big hair well! <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbc7Qk-VD1mbaAphWGkbEWzT2VAu2UfqCb7mIVAYy77e7N-rDME5byjmb7wqQWIcSHD7fWA2VcE5KZlxyQHnQ6b4l9ycO9xtcHTFrJZxggy1dNkKFN6nenGq3DwMX3fVJWMmB-Ha2KG4/s1600-h/DSC03679.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377068514655545650 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbc7Qk-VD1mbaAphWGkbEWzT2VAu2UfqCb7mIVAYy77e7N-rDME5byjmb7wqQWIcSHD7fWA2VcE5KZlxyQHnQ6b4l9ycO9xtcHTFrJZxggy1dNkKFN6nenGq3DwMX3fVJWMmB-Ha2KG4/s320/DSC03679.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />We had so much fun putting our costumes together! I insisted that everybody come dressed in full 80's style and my friends did not disapoint! <br /><br />My mom and sisters <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIABtLOUWpXfkGhhIlQQ-e39LMkP3aBYYTWrwUA0DjeY7vVMS5sFfvY5XZALzwHqAa4z8xugzFFP00K-ykCx60SiSmppFT8K-r_gQNer2GDgF0y2jpS-5H_Da1xk5_iX7pluFHJ98NkA/s1600-h/DSC03685.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377068526753603634 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIABtLOUWpXfkGhhIlQQ-e39LMkP3aBYYTWrwUA0DjeY7vVMS5sFfvY5XZALzwHqAa4z8xugzFFP00K-ykCx60SiSmppFT8K-r_gQNer2GDgF0y2jpS-5H_Da1xk5_iX7pluFHJ98NkA/s320/DSC03685.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Bethany and Matt <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxXi3fpKIj_dnQvOw0s2kGh_R5aakkcAaSA8ix6r7hCTXpge5HfDI-jvnZcpxH1CzlVFTOKc0Y5VAjCXcsv0FcnN0Q9brKLU-LL2JhetYw5IrZLWiPZyS1uDPROFBTNtMYpNk0juLTmY/s1600-h/DSC03682.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377068526496425554 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxXi3fpKIj_dnQvOw0s2kGh_R5aakkcAaSA8ix6r7hCTXpge5HfDI-jvnZcpxH1CzlVFTOKc0Y5VAjCXcsv0FcnN0Q9brKLU-LL2JhetYw5IrZLWiPZyS1uDPROFBTNtMYpNk0juLTmY/s320/DSC03682.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Sharon and Matt...love the "Save Ferris" shirt!<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakhjMMv9dBa7lV6Dep6cz-tW6lsMjb8U8qWrX_PNrP67joc7hGNL__kGFMLmJIvOAqnsJE0-SVC3sVePU9nQtXQlSPFOXZ__y2sZwZ4u34JYDlhv6m_Np6v-rBJ0O1vH9VMDe2FZAJNI/s1600-h/DSC03715.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079421165151586 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakhjMMv9dBa7lV6Dep6cz-tW6lsMjb8U8qWrX_PNrP67joc7hGNL__kGFMLmJIvOAqnsJE0-SVC3sVePU9nQtXQlSPFOXZ__y2sZwZ4u34JYDlhv6m_Np6v-rBJ0O1vH9VMDe2FZAJNI/s320/DSC03715.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Amy O., Amy B., Stefani, Me and Nicole<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlLXn4TXJuVyY0grVt4vqKMlucLBnkpHiSWXQtUsA0OqjQI2Lju_jTOea-LWvX8ffuGhLGEeUZ8S6X7AsNLg62xPZmpc5jgyi6NaDlGtsXBV9qtxMk-rzIt71qPo0k__kB-W8rkygC3g/s1600-h/DSC03713.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079412125599458 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlLXn4TXJuVyY0grVt4vqKMlucLBnkpHiSWXQtUsA0OqjQI2Lju_jTOea-LWvX8ffuGhLGEeUZ8S6X7AsNLg62xPZmpc5jgyi6NaDlGtsXBV9qtxMk-rzIt71qPo0k__kB-W8rkygC3g/s320/DSC03713.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Pedro and Melissa<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoSCCVvj0Ui-2B26mhfv-ZlvbEpf_PODrawEStBNbjbTXpygq4CYnVJFRGHWAMz8lCvCdjXY9yYlecN_3aXM-HzjgULXyo_mJB9AAAxnLo9oYgWHxgIC6dw8ht9pM_EQr625SzTHZXlc/s1600-h/DSC03710.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079403710137970 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoSCCVvj0Ui-2B26mhfv-ZlvbEpf_PODrawEStBNbjbTXpygq4CYnVJFRGHWAMz8lCvCdjXY9yYlecN_3aXM-HzjgULXyo_mJB9AAAxnLo9oYgWHxgIC6dw8ht9pM_EQr625SzTHZXlc/s320/DSC03710.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Cori and Shelly<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVI5VzktSVrkfqgCFfzsRyIu0edLferovv5g-GVePn5BiCv4DtSsrLE1iIRPUSfPQDeQ0pbGMSRUlefL6UdwYz7svxq2nCXfLVCpO5cuXI57uMnrIBQ7lYGnB7kOoXnRKXRQUkwEPgR0/s1600-h/DSC03709.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079393947352418 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVI5VzktSVrkfqgCFfzsRyIu0edLferovv5g-GVePn5BiCv4DtSsrLE1iIRPUSfPQDeQ0pbGMSRUlefL6UdwYz7svxq2nCXfLVCpO5cuXI57uMnrIBQ7lYGnB7kOoXnRKXRQUkwEPgR0/s320/DSC03709.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Lindsey and Brett<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmq2aHWM4vsO-8aZefNc-lCqqwuPD_EHooZszU-IRElogDPDSZpyVk7pg_9aZ3yB_qBg35lnL_qgRs04IVtfxFy9spRGTuReGvQX__SEPt_sDi6TmKPyyzhe7N-t7biKI_aVDw-tQHcdk/s1600-h/DSC03691.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377076325558458290 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmq2aHWM4vsO-8aZefNc-lCqqwuPD_EHooZszU-IRElogDPDSZpyVk7pg_9aZ3yB_qBg35lnL_qgRs04IVtfxFy9spRGTuReGvQX__SEPt_sDi6TmKPyyzhe7N-t7biKI_aVDw-tQHcdk/s320/DSC03691.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF4Ks0hgz-VidwoFECCfJUjS-0T_fXbR-cl8NkDknxThuPtNVS09LxoIuPe-vS9xzlwRw0YaPWJg1ra1_R5YhQG1MqepFWVNmsA_e14-HreDCUQvXOxsg0JfV_Dw77SK0IWRTxThzZG4/s1600-h/DSC03700.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079392188006546 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF4Ks0hgz-VidwoFECCfJUjS-0T_fXbR-cl8NkDknxThuPtNVS09LxoIuPe-vS9xzlwRw0YaPWJg1ra1_R5YhQG1MqepFWVNmsA_e14-HreDCUQvXOxsg0JfV_Dw77SK0IWRTxThzZG4/s320/DSC03700.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy5xVg8uZRVoG5NMXUOtqcANTJOZPvRaEqZkGLN_U4gkGTJWoRIV-HbZ1qTXielkBK9kgfn7wxKf1OmWDkvaP5l_vDX6ShzhSee4T7EQ02kAZc4Q8m63CQsBEWKzfVu6fVXLcf0KWbf4/s1600-h/DSC03695.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377076347811844354 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy5xVg8uZRVoG5NMXUOtqcANTJOZPvRaEqZkGLN_U4gkGTJWoRIV-HbZ1qTXielkBK9kgfn7wxKf1OmWDkvaP5l_vDX6ShzhSee4T7EQ02kAZc4Q8m63CQsBEWKzfVu6fVXLcf0KWbf4/s320/DSC03695.JPG" border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JzyaRuMff7R2u3ovy3jLgLHf-CBhmWOA1K6Ug-MG_4CK6ga1xMM3qUIXg3dn6-AW8wANp9bI0er1gLUKLJ9gsTFbtDNz37r9tqlTbEQw7nuQg31rk6aQfXR0yWgrpm0p7VsyT4u4LkI/s1600-h/DSC03694.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377076343577116850 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JzyaRuMff7R2u3ovy3jLgLHf-CBhmWOA1K6Ug-MG_4CK6ga1xMM3qUIXg3dn6-AW8wANp9bI0er1gLUKLJ9gsTFbtDNz37r9tqlTbEQw7nuQg31rk6aQfXR0yWgrpm0p7VsyT4u4LkI/s320/DSC03694.JPG" border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKoh18mActjWbP0RDfzie8h_P66pTcxaWudxgHpjI3GbPklmTYdkkgHgR9lN_-S0_vQn2OXbbWbd02RXllefbDyzdL7o7IJqmEz3Wzxctzr6Oto6ClIYbVZ0BuDQFXHnvP9qxzgP8vzo/s1600-h/DSC03692.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377076331540111538 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKoh18mActjWbP0RDfzie8h_P66pTcxaWudxgHpjI3GbPklmTYdkkgHgR9lN_-S0_vQn2OXbbWbd02RXllefbDyzdL7o7IJqmEz3Wzxctzr6Oto6ClIYbVZ0BuDQFXHnvP9qxzgP8vzo/s320/DSC03692.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />We danced and danced and danced! Everybody had a great time breaking it down to some old favorites. 80's music is the best! <br /><br />Of course we slowed it down for a little "You're the Inspiration". <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoKV9h80JrcabkRMnalAh-lSY9EDZ4r-DRQowRUpoeDzeeuWfPov1kP9eKu_dtnzP13KcLxCajGfTkke37M-COQqUZAEFi8mIiOCPv9A-m6z1aT4IMUgr8TL-5ha_OyiEM5oMZkX-bW8/s1600-h/DSC03714.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377081930509913186 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoKV9h80JrcabkRMnalAh-lSY9EDZ4r-DRQowRUpoeDzeeuWfPov1kP9eKu_dtnzP13KcLxCajGfTkke37M-COQqUZAEFi8mIiOCPv9A-m6z1aT4IMUgr8TL-5ha_OyiEM5oMZkX-bW8/s320/DSC03714.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Lindsey taught us the thriller dance <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfr91HpFz_J8IKawEb6xkoUYt3lpbczsVm1BPkBEP7s3qmdbJt9FRRZWwyvP3N395BVwGA_rRb-a-zkRJ3jE0Xe0CP4Lr_nLTU6VWP_F1keZYYgJIiDfHbgXDx593sJmnaBLOvWyf0xM/s1600-h/DSC03711.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377081924349431570 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfr91HpFz_J8IKawEb6xkoUYt3lpbczsVm1BPkBEP7s3qmdbJt9FRRZWwyvP3N395BVwGA_rRb-a-zkRJ3jE0Xe0CP4Lr_nLTU6VWP_F1keZYYgJIiDfHbgXDx593sJmnaBLOvWyf0xM/s320/DSC03711.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />Aaron was a great MC... <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkv2vdXWK_XoE7tscrllO2n7jpAXObyOVfw4yDmdKyyKFh0EqoaihO4xQLIOCVx8ORoMxQBb_-4ZgBrIENLlI0AUylx1x7sTL07OtH5XNjRxzflyppxwR-k40FesWnyxx-wDs1DeBSyA/s1600-h/DSC03698.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377076356515130274 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkv2vdXWK_XoE7tscrllO2n7jpAXObyOVfw4yDmdKyyKFh0EqoaihO4xQLIOCVx8ORoMxQBb_-4ZgBrIENLlI0AUylx1x7sTL07OtH5XNjRxzflyppxwR-k40FesWnyxx-wDs1DeBSyA/s320/DSC03698.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The Air Guitar Showdown was the most hilarious thing I have ever witnessed. Dane and Jeff were the awesome winners! With air guitar skills like that it was impossible to pick one winner. <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqMUrTr1vmB5JUU-csaNjwoMI8O5aUuJPz0n2Urn8OV4Zawnlb60LIt1lJw71olcsFIjEriMsDmx-ojXPDaoi98QdLIJrR2YP-axWeJ36hKSP92kHJQMeLhVSuOu95z2zHxQ9Cyqojjo/s1600-h/DSC03722.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377081937475714674 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqMUrTr1vmB5JUU-csaNjwoMI8O5aUuJPz0n2Urn8OV4Zawnlb60LIt1lJw71olcsFIjEriMsDmx-ojXPDaoi98QdLIJrR2YP-axWeJ36hKSP92kHJQMeLhVSuOu95z2zHxQ9Cyqojjo/s320/DSC03722.JPG" border=0></A> <br />Dane's skills are highlighted in this video<br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-9fffa4bb048c69dd height=266 width=320 contentId="9fffa4bb048c69dd"></OBJECT><br /><br />I had a trivia game and a Rubick's cube game that we didn't get to. I planned a bunch of games in case my friends were wallflowers, but I need not to have worried! Everyone (well maybe not EVERYone, but most) really knew how to bust a move! <br /><br />The winners of the costume competition were Jessica B. and Ard H. who were dressed at completely opposite ends of the 80's spectrum! <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSGNNR1aXarOXcJF9f_Diqs3XzYEVs_xsMUdyOZ4xJjK5HTBvx_wHFOu5XX5cw2_eAuzhai_RrCu3DQeHx4BvjLzy1CB_3C8jTX-17fmsjN0cdFHlQINtIKkgCCMsXSfz43ffB5Uc6UI/s1600-h/DSC03725.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377081943382500562 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSGNNR1aXarOXcJF9f_Diqs3XzYEVs_xsMUdyOZ4xJjK5HTBvx_wHFOu5XX5cw2_eAuzhai_RrCu3DQeHx4BvjLzy1CB_3C8jTX-17fmsjN0cdFHlQINtIKkgCCMsXSfz43ffB5Uc6UI/s320/DSC03725.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The whole crew <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRwDxucpdFyAMYhtTfbBy2ZDmjA23YtTHPNeNp4IaClrIRRVqRBYS74a8KqU3DRbsRUOqY27FheIwJZenILXR2kFBJncCq1Wi5cUp7aOauB-8sTx23AgrOO2gL4fznn9XxjLKvFny0I8/s1600-h/DSC03717.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377081949889998050 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRwDxucpdFyAMYhtTfbBy2ZDmjA23YtTHPNeNp4IaClrIRRVqRBYS74a8KqU3DRbsRUOqY27FheIwJZenILXR2kFBJncCq1Wi5cUp7aOauB-8sTx23AgrOO2gL4fznn9XxjLKvFny0I8/s320/DSC03717.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1ZJROvNgkFfsL2SCgxc22I5QFDGRF8x0D1HYVRJ_Dq1hS4Ij2L3ATxMPcoBNYO_zNZ0mG8_FeKFLY6zGfiIJLj1fU4KudUb-mfcBvxdA1sBgLtvexerGIRUQe0CFR5cFCLT9ZJFWDHk/s1600-h/DSC03718.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083867529359202 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1ZJROvNgkFfsL2SCgxc22I5QFDGRF8x0D1HYVRJ_Dq1hS4Ij2L3ATxMPcoBNYO_zNZ0mG8_FeKFLY6zGfiIJLj1fU4KudUb-mfcBvxdA1sBgLtvexerGIRUQe0CFR5cFCLT9ZJFWDHk/s320/DSC03718.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The gals <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJMmGb_X-qlXleR6-jtfLN9e1pTkabrpMaG1bUdUikQNGT5UWi24qObHyQbyd394ck03jRyIzw9j9hA0jdrzgVbProKUnmDtdx50IkfbKm5OezuUQctx_eHf-REzmORLGvEFDeYB-HnE/s1600-h/DSC03726.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083873433189218 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJMmGb_X-qlXleR6-jtfLN9e1pTkabrpMaG1bUdUikQNGT5UWi24qObHyQbyd394ck03jRyIzw9j9hA0jdrzgVbProKUnmDtdx50IkfbKm5OezuUQctx_eHf-REzmORLGvEFDeYB-HnE/s320/DSC03726.JPG" border=0></A> <br />They picked me up...they actually picked me up! <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgZMk2fC-kuvR5P7ZCiMwPCx3vEKtSQtPhjWj1R7Rplu7QtBy9mREVrsZ4J4INnKWP4hN4ZmkjGidbVbX6KelIk26ZWbMcM-CQlIe7n3AdhTo278UpMj1p5bQS0j4rhjFfY8iExih7jo/s1600-h/DSC03728.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083879364630530 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgZMk2fC-kuvR5P7ZCiMwPCx3vEKtSQtPhjWj1R7Rplu7QtBy9mREVrsZ4J4INnKWP4hN4ZmkjGidbVbX6KelIk26ZWbMcM-CQlIe7n3AdhTo278UpMj1p5bQS0j4rhjFfY8iExih7jo/s320/DSC03728.JPG" border=0></A> <br /><br />The dudes <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimU12dilasptcXj-KPPODoVjxSvCNgrsZwUeK9w2xsZ2RM4gcrG5sIMhqbSUleCCxuoJOwM7V1GEceU0dCqBaD-Xul5he9uklJqkq2lwILparxUJA28ZexJb_cEswLqZEQRNP8kUJdyaU/s1600-h/DSC03730.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377083886649203330 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimU12dilasptcXj-KPPODoVjxSvCNgrsZwUeK9w2xsZ2RM4gcrG5sIMhqbSUleCCxuoJOwM7V1GEceU0dCqBaD-Xul5he9uklJqkq2lwILparxUJA28ZexJb_cEswLqZEQRNP8kUJdyaU/s320/DSC03730.JPG" border=0></A><br /><br />I will add a picture of the cake when I get one from my sister...it was the best cake I've ever had!!!<br /><br />Thank you everyone who attended! It was so much fun and the perfect way to celebrate my new decade! Even better...the hotel took care of the clean up!<br /><br />I would love any additional pictures if you have any.Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7840028931338745704.post-14714792506717487812009-08-26T22:49:00.003-05:002009-08-26T23:23:58.251-05:00Anna's Turn!We sent the boys off last week, and now it is Anna's turn to go to preschool. She is going to the same preschool that she went to last year and she LOVES it! She only goes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, but she would go everyday if she could. I'm glad I have one more year with this beautiful, headstrong, sassy, loving little girl.<br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcDpHBVoEit_ZSptI5lvkfCQaD5xVZynk4X9rtahR0DFDyKnqB6UVzyKRim8pMrVY6OG5mO6hDPNgJZiJw0ayPgp_HN29WPipEHSZmgP404b3jwyb1C3dj0GAFiss1c4vavpK5osZsrY/s1600-h/DSC03630.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcDpHBVoEit_ZSptI5lvkfCQaD5xVZynk4X9rtahR0DFDyKnqB6UVzyKRim8pMrVY6OG5mO6hDPNgJZiJw0ayPgp_HN29WPipEHSZmgP404b3jwyb1C3dj0GAFiss1c4vavpK5osZsrY/s320/DSC03630.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />Of course, Adeline wanted to go as well. She insisted on wearing a backpack, which she didn't take off all day. We had to pry it off of her at bed time.<br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMZaOgofZpOv_AOLh0O2LcMY43MDai9I0Y1FnOjcOaVFsL7wsC5gcBWP0k1uElxJOsqtXkZgVTkJjeHmqvjvO2AkSy8xOSJ4C7y5rhMiKuTGFeq-lqJg6pzx7qJU9sbcZJ2L7Pl9Lg-s/s1600-h/DSC03627.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMZaOgofZpOv_AOLh0O2LcMY43MDai9I0Y1FnOjcOaVFsL7wsC5gcBWP0k1uElxJOsqtXkZgVTkJjeHmqvjvO2AkSy8xOSJ4C7y5rhMiKuTGFeq-lqJg6pzx7qJU9sbcZJ2L7Pl9Lg-s/s320/DSC03627.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />I love this picture because Adeline is looking adoringly at her big sister. She was so sad when she figured out she couldn't stay at preschool. It broke my heart!<br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1E7Qrz3UaXMgF1WiRhWLDYbxsnMACbbC_1uVuCetwj_tXz1CTFwdQqA8dL5aDNkYZxOtnMGaMVSVOC5SQfI9btQ-v8E87mDxQgkkUHm8au7NVsr6jgL4baNIR787LQfsSPLwe25Mx88o/s1600-h/DSC03629.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1E7Qrz3UaXMgF1WiRhWLDYbxsnMACbbC_1uVuCetwj_tXz1CTFwdQqA8dL5aDNkYZxOtnMGaMVSVOC5SQfI9btQ-v8E87mDxQgkkUHm8au7NVsr6jgL4baNIR787LQfsSPLwe25Mx88o/s320/DSC03629.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />In other news...<br /><br />BOTH of my girls got their first haircut today! Anna is 4, and since she had the most gorgeous ringlets, I never cut her hair. We have been talking about getting it cut for a while, and everytime she reminds me that it's not a cut, it's a TRIM. This princess likes her long hair!<br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sSmzsaCjZLNeN_5cVzoMrGxuXvZL9del4ZFNJeSNC5kqdChz-tAJnjjY4-FwMqhvf10cHUdXrQOe0DLeQu0ya4cg6e7D778-JvVvK84KJm5_0iWPZJqoHiWnDrw7jsIjy6S_Keum02Y/s1600-h/DSC03653.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sSmzsaCjZLNeN_5cVzoMrGxuXvZL9del4ZFNJeSNC5kqdChz-tAJnjjY4-FwMqhvf10cHUdXrQOe0DLeQu0ya4cg6e7D778-JvVvK84KJm5_0iWPZJqoHiWnDrw7jsIjy6S_Keum02Y/s320/DSC03653.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div> <br /><br /><br />She got 3 inches off, but you can't really tell!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPIil72Zf3xl20lF7UpcVHtYz6isveSRFa02CKVdjnd0IspqYC9WejSChS0sbrdfefzb3pNmK_rqg3d-vjW1RAuJ7XQhNWxxoMcIFiMnL1h1gGjtsTO9YHZLZTAj2RbVI30hLyOpIpaU/s1600-h/DSC03662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPIil72Zf3xl20lF7UpcVHtYz6isveSRFa02CKVdjnd0IspqYC9WejSChS0sbrdfefzb3pNmK_rqg3d-vjW1RAuJ7XQhNWxxoMcIFiMnL1h1gGjtsTO9YHZLZTAj2RbVI30hLyOpIpaU/s320/DSC03662.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374491116723712466" /></a><br /><br />Adeline enjoyed the airplane chair. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMx3HhfYvrNhHuY14t_xoDHnLUXcU2P8Hh5ziHNmdPBVdaXXROMPJsL7Ng6vaMs0s58YGGS9loHRxNMWwkStBCqU0pSrkbaWxGDlgu-T1z-lyewz4G5H7F5nAv2veMlwhyphenhyphenslg3rXqRyM/s1600-h/DSC03664.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMx3HhfYvrNhHuY14t_xoDHnLUXcU2P8Hh5ziHNmdPBVdaXXROMPJsL7Ng6vaMs0s58YGGS9loHRxNMWwkStBCqU0pSrkbaWxGDlgu-T1z-lyewz4G5H7F5nAv2veMlwhyphenhyphenslg3rXqRyM/s320/DSC03664.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374491094633572962" /></a><br /><br />The lady made three snips, and said that she couldn't do a bob because she is too young to sit still. That was quite a waste of $11.00 (plus tip). She made three snips and Adeline's hair looks exactly the same! I was pretty disappointed, but she's so stinkin' cute, it's ok!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu1aozXMXxWpTi_8skYKoylgIjTG_G_1nLbR3opCJTSg02hw36owsSZelhA4IhjDpo2CH_3mCRXnspO4F6gCQhHRIj8LgsNAeKkvozXw6E_wPmLPSEN5W_dwwFHq259anq5iNkIWd8lQ/s1600-h/DSC03660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu1aozXMXxWpTi_8skYKoylgIjTG_G_1nLbR3opCJTSg02hw36owsSZelhA4IhjDpo2CH_3mCRXnspO4F6gCQhHRIj8LgsNAeKkvozXw6E_wPmLPSEN5W_dwwFHq259anq5iNkIWd8lQ/s320/DSC03660.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374491107942175202" /></a>Aubreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07810240865661274061noreply@blogger.com3