tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84805246594127328642024-03-05T03:07:08.093-05:00Fordy Days and NightsLiving, laughing, loving my busy days and nights.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-90413893178615963122011-03-08T20:09:00.002-05:002011-03-08T21:07:12.220-05:00Time Flies...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5HMNoVdbvVaSDqL4fDAOhVyV7V-M2foyAMnxV7AaR5BhzbOIrszJdaaWhc7iC0Pg6L9oEEHdBvIUG8UQMJwRxJcm8jFQBKFvVCE-Z5K4yaKhUnUKMV5UQ8r-12h_H4utEInnQUDaOCID/s1600/IMG_0289crop.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5HMNoVdbvVaSDqL4fDAOhVyV7V-M2foyAMnxV7AaR5BhzbOIrszJdaaWhc7iC0Pg6L9oEEHdBvIUG8UQMJwRxJcm8jFQBKFvVCE-Z5K4yaKhUnUKMV5UQ8r-12h_H4utEInnQUDaOCID/s400/IMG_0289crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581884708811914802" border="0" /></a><br />Today I registered Austin for Kindergarten. <br /><br />I wasn't prepared for how that would feel.<br /><br />He is my baby. <br /><br />How could he be 5 already?<br /><br />I don't think I am going to be able to hold it together well in August.<br /><br />Time is flying by too quickly!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-27256105286034475022011-03-07T21:18:00.005-05:002011-03-08T11:15:43.698-05:00Favorite February Face<center><a href=”http://www.iheartfaces.com” _mce_href=”http://www.iheartfaces.com” mce_href=”http://www.iheartfaces.com”><img src=”http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg” _mce_src=”http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg” mce_src=”http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg”/></a></center><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbBacn2WWqhD5LwOIJl1Q4NX4jbiJ1l0bO3FcLomiVEXsd1SrCmBnf3ZxKX_bA04sKn1M-OSMek3COWA37eYdQ4BrrXbfwxcghMiRj7keq1Lhrq9c4wSpE9N5jU_xtNnVbqUYSfqko_a6/s1600/February_157_2wtr.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbBacn2WWqhD5LwOIJl1Q4NX4jbiJ1l0bO3FcLomiVEXsd1SrCmBnf3ZxKX_bA04sKn1M-OSMek3COWA37eYdQ4BrrXbfwxcghMiRj7keq1Lhrq9c4wSpE9N5jU_xtNnVbqUYSfqko_a6/s400/February_157_2wtr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581532357360735314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I haven't done an entry in I Heart Faces for over a year, but I just couldn't resist this week's theme which is "Best Face in February".<br />My baby turned six months old last month and one day while taking some pictures of him and his new mastery of sitting up like a big boy, he was full of expression and DROOL! This was easily my favorite image from that day and the whole month.<br /><br />To see more entries in this week's contest go <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/03/best-photo-february/#comments">here</a>.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-86617495077908572552010-08-18T15:54:00.002-04:002010-08-18T18:28:54.474-04:00Truly Blessed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGDhYfi48vFMCoqldnA2fuIHzgR4P7dnFO5mDgWjOq5HxQmnsvwyoaxgsKWiGSW1DuU4jDyI3XNaZp_kdqPhqAeEWgjmfXANFenF21BedqYp3rr0dXdhdLjWdTiYDVUwEXfPTD_DcPC8p/s1600/IMG_4891_1wtr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGDhYfi48vFMCoqldnA2fuIHzgR4P7dnFO5mDgWjOq5HxQmnsvwyoaxgsKWiGSW1DuU4jDyI3XNaZp_kdqPhqAeEWgjmfXANFenF21BedqYp3rr0dXdhdLjWdTiYDVUwEXfPTD_DcPC8p/s400/IMG_4891_1wtr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506840925746158370" border="0" /></a><br />Tomorrow our precious new son will be 3 weeks old. It is truly stunning how fast time goes by.<br /><br />My induction with him went very smoothly. So smoothly in fact that I was able to catch up on a favorite show of mine that happened to be running a marathon that day, read a couple magazines, keep friends and family updated on Facebook and through texting and even snooze a bit here and there (after the epidural of course).<br /><br />I have been blessed with quick deliveries in the past and this one was no different. I progressed from 5 to 10 cm in one hour and had him pushed out completely in about 5 pushes. The cord was wrapped around his neck twice, his shoulders were stuck and he was a BIG boy, but I got him out quickly nonetheless. He came out so fast in fact, that his poor face was pretty badly bruised and he had hematoma in both of his eyes. Needless to say, we won't be showing off a vast array of hospital pictures. <br /><br />So, on July 29th at 4:48pm, weighing 9 pounds and measuring 22 inches, Jaxon Glenn Ford was born.<br /><br />As I mentioned in my previous post, we choose his name not just because we liked the sound of it, but because of its meaning. Over the last year or so we have gone through some really trying times, the greatest of which was Mark getting unfairly pushed out of the company he envisioned, built and greatly sacrificed for. The greatest sting was that it was at the hands of a friend and a family member. Being unemployed in this economy is tough, but many days that didn't compare to the emotional roller coaster that resulted from the broken relationships. We definitely went through a period of questioning why all of this was happening to us, but then God began to make it clear that He would bring beauty from the ashes and He had a good and perfect purpose in Mark's removal from the company. <br /><br />When we found out that we were pregnant with our third child we knew that though the timing would present challenges, this baby would be a tremendous blessing in our lives. He was a bright spot in some really dark days and as we began to talk about names, we decided that we wanted to give him a name that would have significance based on what we were going through. Our focus had changed by then and we were constantly looking for all of the good things that our trials were bringing us. It seems odd to say considering the circumstances, but the blessings have far outweighed the difficulties and as I said, we know beyond a doubt that God is doing amazing and beautiful things in our lives through this. We looked at name meanings for days and never really found anything that had the right combination of meaning and a name we could live with. Finally one night I went back to the list of names we had made when we were pregnant with Mia to see if any of those boy names would work. Jaxon had been high on my list of names I liked and we had chosen to spell it that way because Mark wasn't a fan of the nickname Jack, but did like the nickname Jax. Oddly we had never even looked up what that name meant, until we went back to the list this time. I could hardly believe my eyes when the search results came up. I knew immediately that Jaxon would be his name. It was perfect!<br /><br />Jaxon means, "God has been gracious. He has shown favor."<br /><br />It so encapsulated how we had begun to feel about our circumstances. God was daily revealing a new plan for our lives and though the difficulties were many, we constantly did and do feel blessed to be right where we are.<br /><br />As far as his middle name, we chose the name Glenn after Mark's dad. He is a man of great integrity and honoring him gives us tremendous joy.<br /><br />Jaxon is such a good baby and we are all loving on him on a daily basis. Both Austin and Mia have adjusted better than we even expected. So far there are no signs of jealousy, only love.<br /><br />And boy do we love our little Jaxon!!!<br /><br />"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11<br /><br />"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-67071132154609790582010-07-28T21:59:00.007-04:002010-07-28T23:40:37.503-04:00To My Third Child<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3TVoKGdfKglJOS4CQfb1Wj3W4HQnKdxYrT94UQ4xjW9DQoyEe5h70iTwPHLcNR-JeMvnJUP6_dc6LtCKpDg61fEP46ijuJvvS7g3HeDdq1E3xvkw_QTrjEkpX2lHAZwl92lCdqKAfVnh/s1600/IMG_4610.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3TVoKGdfKglJOS4CQfb1Wj3W4HQnKdxYrT94UQ4xjW9DQoyEe5h70iTwPHLcNR-JeMvnJUP6_dc6LtCKpDg61fEP46ijuJvvS7g3HeDdq1E3xvkw_QTrjEkpX2lHAZwl92lCdqKAfVnh/s400/IMG_4610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499144267653190610" border="0" /></a>Well, considering it has been since November that I have posted something on this neglected blog, it won't come as a surprise that I have been working on a "nine month project."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YnAtpT9Kzq70xHTWxgBal5CczY5e0jEDZn5HTGgw6fY2SnB8ti1wUrLCT2_o7PZjdPaXjB6Kn85uSBgtn8jF_LNFauTBwHrpDndux9AeqTAg0OfkEpN4sjtP7kWhFREtYDkrwpxHOOaq/s1600/IMG_4631.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YnAtpT9Kzq70xHTWxgBal5CczY5e0jEDZn5HTGgw6fY2SnB8ti1wUrLCT2_o7PZjdPaXjB6Kn85uSBgtn8jF_LNFauTBwHrpDndux9AeqTAg0OfkEpN4sjtP7kWhFREtYDkrwpxHOOaq/s400/IMG_4631.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499144463947350114" border="0" /></a>As would be expected, Austin and Mia have grown in leaps and bounds and are very excited to get to meet their baby brother.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvbK-YWQSN4XBHmZ_GJTa25HGhuuRiweoDuPswpDU7u-9U6oKjMUx6rktC9R9H58Es4f0UTQTnVH14VOmBm-JqWWfgouvODG6hZ0pxc29SDTbE3y3Bp1RQrMr8-kC-bIjrygLmT9YM9UY/s1600/IMG_4614_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvbK-YWQSN4XBHmZ_GJTa25HGhuuRiweoDuPswpDU7u-9U6oKjMUx6rktC9R9H58Es4f0UTQTnVH14VOmBm-JqWWfgouvODG6hZ0pxc29SDTbE3y3Bp1RQrMr8-kC-bIjrygLmT9YM9UY/s400/IMG_4614_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499144782857378642" border="0" /></a><br />These pictures were taken this morning on the eve of my induction. That's right...this baby is coming tomorrow!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zOrlmrg4s4o-ZkNanqJEpgcqpbLY5iLcR3elOYgxBHhSTfpvG6H37vmlpjfCPxCSB6d2cgllFBBl4xsSQdzzz0vhsEfdsgJ_ry0Y68xSKbXJzlnvx38M88qsWnQPLcGB6bOWrRSb0yAC/s1600/IMG_4642_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zOrlmrg4s4o-ZkNanqJEpgcqpbLY5iLcR3elOYgxBHhSTfpvG6H37vmlpjfCPxCSB6d2cgllFBBl4xsSQdzzz0vhsEfdsgJ_ry0Y68xSKbXJzlnvx38M88qsWnQPLcGB6bOWrRSb0yAC/s400/IMG_4642_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499143246083272354" border="0" /></a>We are SO excited to be adding to our family! <br /><br />To My Third Child,<br /><br />It is the eve of your birth and there are so many people that are very excited to meet you. However, I, your mommy, have a little more of an urgent need. You see, you are my biggest baby and for at least a couple weeks you have been making things much more difficult and uncomfortable for me. It is certainly all worth it to have you in my arms, but I won't be missing your acrobatics, the intense heartburn, the sweating and the hip pain.<br /><br />I have known you were a boy since early on in the pregnancy. As soon as my aversion to coffee flared up, I knew. You see with Mia I could smell and drink coffee fine, but with you and Austin it would send me running. Your abuelita was the same way when she had your grandpa and his brothers.<br /><br />Generally, my pregnancy with you has been good and easy. I believe you have been my most active baby though! It makes me wonder so often what your personality will be like. What kinds of things will you have in common with your siblings? me? Daddy?<br /><br />I can't wait to see what you look like! Austin and Mia looked very similar as babies and many people think they still do, but you may just be a completely different mix of Mommy and Daddy.<br /><br />We don't know you yet, but there is one thing we know for sure...you are a blessing! Our family has been through a lot of hardship in the last 10 months, but you will certainly be one of our greatest joys. We have chosen a special name for you and can't wait to share it's meaning with everyone we know.<br /><br />Austin can't wait to teach you all about cars, trucks and most importantly tractors. Mia can't wait to baby you in all of her motherly ways. Daddy can't wait to show you off. I can't wait to sing to you.<br /><br />Tomorrow will be your birthday. A day that will forever hold some of the fondest memories of my life. I will try to sleep tonight because you will certainly be keeping me from getting much of that past tomorrow, but it will be a difficult task because I am overflowing with anticipation.<br /><br />No words can possibly describe the love I feel for you already. I thank God for choosing me to be your Mommy and will certainly do my best to live up to the amazing task of being not only your mommy, but the mommy of 3.<br /><br />My son...my precious third child...see you tomorrow!<br /><br />Love,<br />MommySusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-43266529480165732902009-11-13T14:57:00.008-05:002009-11-13T15:47:04.356-05:00SlackerHas it really been two months since my last post?<br /><br />Ugh! Time flies when you are a full time Mommy and it's Christmas card season in the photography world. My poor children have definitely become photo deprived since I started this business, but they aren't complaining.<br /><br />My grandma called last week and begged for some pictures...any pictures at all. She checks my blog twice a day. She is committed though I am not. Sorry Grandma! Here are your pictures.<br /><br />I will try to do better!<br /><br />On Halloween we went to a local farm for some Fall fun. Unfortunately it was a cold, misty day, but the kids didn't much care about that.<br /><br />The first thing they wanted to do was ride the bucking cow train.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_5c0vnOS7zOQYSm4tG9-5KEDhxihITnOWeXjYNIXYYSns8WQ5vgtDtKxDqW6NSbWaGDpIbCxoBGErknhoX_77iYk3GeHsL5PbdkMX270p13UoIA8C9ZsMN7ty8uokdx8P_RE8f7pQHzK/s1600-h/IMG_6280_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_5c0vnOS7zOQYSm4tG9-5KEDhxihITnOWeXjYNIXYYSns8WQ5vgtDtKxDqW6NSbWaGDpIbCxoBGErknhoX_77iYk3GeHsL5PbdkMX270p13UoIA8C9ZsMN7ty8uokdx8P_RE8f7pQHzK/s400/IMG_6280_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403686210297573378" border="0" /></a><br />Well, maybe they liked the idea of it when they saw it, but once inside were not so sure. A "train" of four or five cows was pulled by a small tractor and as it moved the cows bucked up and down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovBkLiPQBh2BOyChehjE3WmfhnKyEfujh1cCDcrpIfnPq2e8ZtaLcBDF3NSXUpVWgZF7a5N7so7q3d43-EllW4pn1a5Vul3R7uEuSms95d1eIItdRw42sOdd97YT0hSMq-kdkF8z3C-rK/s1600-h/IMG_6283_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovBkLiPQBh2BOyChehjE3WmfhnKyEfujh1cCDcrpIfnPq2e8ZtaLcBDF3NSXUpVWgZF7a5N7so7q3d43-EllW4pn1a5Vul3R7uEuSms95d1eIItdRw42sOdd97YT0hSMq-kdkF8z3C-rK/s400/IMG_6283_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403686208105994098" border="0" /></a><br />Austin loved it immediately. Mia waited a bit for her verdict.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRWgR9pVqbPgSrVbHaGcDAD0Rwx3fEEfrY0e9rjMVoAdq9YTUUj84M2sRV4Cb-4HmXGmFtnitIBg-q15YbHMa8ne2AbS_sPxeUTsIcpzshOKb7U1CU_qYxk-uoRWzdO5nr8F22aRBZowg/s1600-h/IMG_6285_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRWgR9pVqbPgSrVbHaGcDAD0Rwx3fEEfrY0e9rjMVoAdq9YTUUj84M2sRV4Cb-4HmXGmFtnitIBg-q15YbHMa8ne2AbS_sPxeUTsIcpzshOKb7U1CU_qYxk-uoRWzdO5nr8F22aRBZowg/s400/IMG_6285_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403686199388901458" border="0" /></a><br />But, ultimately she seemed to like the experience. We didn't know how she would do when the train went into the corn field where she couldn't see Mommy and Daddy. We waited for the wails!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImBFRHXyHgmUK4_iC4U9yeBl3Bff1ZN57iZcT7gRF06dZeyuFXNEaOl4AKHpsPkl49_gQrVKAsL3F0feacEty3TDU51HwHN4E1vMhDfuK0hdvE3xfdT2JwOwFz124Pt6mSAWxr8pe7YXg/s1600-h/IMG_6289_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImBFRHXyHgmUK4_iC4U9yeBl3Bff1ZN57iZcT7gRF06dZeyuFXNEaOl4AKHpsPkl49_gQrVKAsL3F0feacEty3TDU51HwHN4E1vMhDfuK0hdvE3xfdT2JwOwFz124Pt6mSAWxr8pe7YXg/s400/IMG_6289_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403685260732793362" border="0" /></a><br />But, to our surprise, they never came and when they emerged from the field this was her sweet facial expression. Pure joy! Needless to say, they rode it more than once.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3Mjglgo1lF9mc1vY5Bn5zFF-8OPD7GlTNlQMlOJzGPsa23kd_ta3QvUMY760aRetUU71rMqrQcyzC0O1Xcs4cR_uCddBiqywYIQN04_zBhtMhFU7CtUKUsdwm5u4VDWauzCIBky1zW0w/s1600-h/IMG_6312_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3Mjglgo1lF9mc1vY5Bn5zFF-8OPD7GlTNlQMlOJzGPsa23kd_ta3QvUMY760aRetUU71rMqrQcyzC0O1Xcs4cR_uCddBiqywYIQN04_zBhtMhFU7CtUKUsdwm5u4VDWauzCIBky1zW0w/s400/IMG_6312_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403685252185195778" border="0" /></a><br />Another highlight was the corn slide. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAuGfl96sgb2ntGLKGaTcZM_A9qQt6WRvp6UjGZmrO0UYi_KlkVSUQRzr8pLvxXRWkLrbqm7i-W2XbioFz_iAD8xZQcx8YvAUS1zEIVp4rDOm0dDSuoJD3yXSb2bl7K2mjr_Qf85qnAJk/s1600-h/IMG_6303_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAuGfl96sgb2ntGLKGaTcZM_A9qQt6WRvp6UjGZmrO0UYi_KlkVSUQRzr8pLvxXRWkLrbqm7i-W2XbioFz_iAD8xZQcx8YvAUS1zEIVp4rDOm0dDSuoJD3yXSb2bl7K2mjr_Qf85qnAJk/s400/IMG_6303_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403685246572822162" border="0" /></a><br />And the "heavy machinery" for corn play.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfPUlPmep6Hb5g9Hw5kcnx-rt86lsosOSq0mTkPMLvwrb-KylAq29jsOulb-mT1ws6O7pgzTlhuz0AvY0uS5mK-5e_3Da0Hfxp9Szeo2Kmx72kDgZtoNaVNmn5M7SJjp1qFjsDCGwF7tS/s1600-h/IMG_6297_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfPUlPmep6Hb5g9Hw5kcnx-rt86lsosOSq0mTkPMLvwrb-KylAq29jsOulb-mT1ws6O7pgzTlhuz0AvY0uS5mK-5e_3Da0Hfxp9Szeo2Kmx72kDgZtoNaVNmn5M7SJjp1qFjsDCGwF7tS/s400/IMG_6297_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403684151734339474" border="0" /></a><br />Of course, the John Deere inspired pedal carts were also a lot of fun, though Austin was a little frustrated that he was too short to do it himself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUvASVHbDXGX2kn1t8fRfEgULWzglByu4A0NtocaDjJiZWFuKmbRxCy0JXDX2-t76VfX_Q875_iSB76cR0lu6qtwOCreJ6d_kAXHW3nCSbFmMjgJ5BOWAMwjadnVJKM11XqA3fZipy-Qf/s1600-h/IMG_6325_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUvASVHbDXGX2kn1t8fRfEgULWzglByu4A0NtocaDjJiZWFuKmbRxCy0JXDX2-t76VfX_Q875_iSB76cR0lu6qtwOCreJ6d_kAXHW3nCSbFmMjgJ5BOWAMwjadnVJKM11XqA3fZipy-Qf/s400/IMG_6325_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403684143889855730" border="0" /></a><br />We took a hayride pulled by a tractor out to the pretty much empty pumpkin patch where we weren't even allowed to get off. I imagine the pumpkins that were left out there were rotting anyway, but it was a nice ride. When we got off the kids were thrilled to get to climb on the stationary tractor for some pretend driving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc7mBS5ULmviDNwmvEnu24T-XU0UZ0bKVl4FD9xL0MTfSs2EpZnWRDYUiO4LanuKU-AR-COcbmWC1Yt4bo1CimficQfDeiE-yN3lhY-xLP8e7OvSX7jMwJ1MCsNJi2Xk8F52Q_seNBCno/s1600-h/IMG_6335_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc7mBS5ULmviDNwmvEnu24T-XU0UZ0bKVl4FD9xL0MTfSs2EpZnWRDYUiO4LanuKU-AR-COcbmWC1Yt4bo1CimficQfDeiE-yN3lhY-xLP8e7OvSX7jMwJ1MCsNJi2Xk8F52Q_seNBCno/s400/IMG_6335_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403684137614520290" border="0" /></a><br />If you ask Austin what he wants to be when he grows up, he always replies with "A Farmer. So I can drive a tractor every day." He was in his own little world up there that day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kqnn0k_5jL_LHUzM83-OEX50c3ugXTv86ebDGE-_DS_VlUUzCIBM0Y82ns45AWY5ioACkt6cRgK-2jHMd28Sj-xcbRmj3LxjaOu0FM79cieIqyvBeTwxC2JBptsmkSJCj4yaL6cd6jgR/s1600-h/IMG_6349_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kqnn0k_5jL_LHUzM83-OEX50c3ugXTv86ebDGE-_DS_VlUUzCIBM0Y82ns45AWY5ioACkt6cRgK-2jHMd28Sj-xcbRmj3LxjaOu0FM79cieIqyvBeTwxC2JBptsmkSJCj4yaL6cd6jgR/s400/IMG_6349_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403683611321567186" border="0" /></a><br />And because Mia has to do everything that Austin does, she drove the tractor too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aF4bNRsT43trbrwrqHWUJg2-1f4c5LBQrpOvewCINH5GoMdq2iBEomecSkAOJ9s5X8OOxsIGj1fs0k_VA05-rcKlSzGduljtOAE3hZ7WPzJ_U1yqacV3hW2Jmf7tVzhHYpStCLd9Qyeb/s1600-h/IMG_6360_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aF4bNRsT43trbrwrqHWUJg2-1f4c5LBQrpOvewCINH5GoMdq2iBEomecSkAOJ9s5X8OOxsIGj1fs0k_VA05-rcKlSzGduljtOAE3hZ7WPzJ_U1yqacV3hW2Jmf7tVzhHYpStCLd9Qyeb/s400/IMG_6360_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403683604972565778" border="0" /></a><br />Before we left we let each of the kids pick a pumpkin from the selection they had left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHV5hI-0o47686V_NxaDFpwO4T-0ZWiH2298OYX1-CG0VIxSweSid4XqZNpslZ_zw2Rh0rR9qiLqRrN2cK_6Xx18Vf3IhEb8Phs9NBVx0nYaiMTYWMkrj86XlQYn1Otil0ceLcfhD6dtjD/s1600-h/IMG_6363_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHV5hI-0o47686V_NxaDFpwO4T-0ZWiH2298OYX1-CG0VIxSweSid4XqZNpslZ_zw2Rh0rR9qiLqRrN2cK_6Xx18Vf3IhEb8Phs9NBVx0nYaiMTYWMkrj86XlQYn1Otil0ceLcfhD6dtjD/s400/IMG_6363_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403683590449340466" border="0" /></a><br />Mia picked the largest one she could manage to carry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G7vRxKbIMGVuqWx_IiDDtA-oXCPwOd3bmX_lOUHd79Sat-cG55XhYfhwHQt3usby_MPmhoAVyWPumn-fhUkq21xGV6I_J6uCm5ZDKtwRm1tCXeIM7Tba8NeH8mbT3zd9pmFfsiFFgyNG/s1600-h/IMG_6371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G7vRxKbIMGVuqWx_IiDDtA-oXCPwOd3bmX_lOUHd79Sat-cG55XhYfhwHQt3usby_MPmhoAVyWPumn-fhUkq21xGV6I_J6uCm5ZDKtwRm1tCXeIM7Tba8NeH8mbT3zd9pmFfsiFFgyNG/s400/IMG_6371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403681122169197490" border="0" /></a><br />Hours later it was time for trick or treating and Buzz was ready to go. He LOVED the $7 costume I got him from a local consignment shop. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L_eP01mw8e6qSRAMX5Xet4dXjN68raXdEN4WngjHhBGWvq58eLpOzxPdCl0JWBlqvdBkbcG4ZTWfuwJY60pFJNBh1PuAQkBkMK1jEOatwEpB4mlVhhSxAaT2rNvBNpDfG3m2uCWDAS8m/s1600-h/IMG_6374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L_eP01mw8e6qSRAMX5Xet4dXjN68raXdEN4WngjHhBGWvq58eLpOzxPdCl0JWBlqvdBkbcG4ZTWfuwJY60pFJNBh1PuAQkBkMK1jEOatwEpB4mlVhhSxAaT2rNvBNpDfG3m2uCWDAS8m/s400/IMG_6374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403681110873949666" border="0" /></a><br />It really was cool with its light up head gear. He was on a mission and ready to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MmknVBaAXeZf_6Mh6J3-Mf94qfbbTvKNb8XfPHSDuJnhRXNX-BaZb7UqstIQiLm8Za8GQOEuyq3T7Bko38_LPOjW9Cn0Y6-g4M-BKCZkQ5qSK6WB1wPo0tU1z90_DL2rvtKX_umPn0ny/s1600-h/IMG_6390.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MmknVBaAXeZf_6Mh6J3-Mf94qfbbTvKNb8XfPHSDuJnhRXNX-BaZb7UqstIQiLm8Za8GQOEuyq3T7Bko38_LPOjW9Cn0Y6-g4M-BKCZkQ5qSK6WB1wPo0tU1z90_DL2rvtKX_umPn0ny/s400/IMG_6390.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403681109347358242" border="0" /></a><br />After some heckling from his family, Mark decided to dress up as Woody to go along with Austin. Mia who wouldn't be still for a good individual picture, was a fairy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8hvA_hl0oR3RN2yJ8uzr9-hTd4uRBpO98g6NNVOB0HqwI0lg9VEUykxtPTuF0Mf3WAQkV2a66pSVMYVEUXW0lCoYNuUOlIRGuyMqMX0R_aYUjCKh3sP8XzLONL2lHl9NngjMUMGhb9GT/s1600-h/IMG_6396.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8hvA_hl0oR3RN2yJ8uzr9-hTd4uRBpO98g6NNVOB0HqwI0lg9VEUykxtPTuF0Mf3WAQkV2a66pSVMYVEUXW0lCoYNuUOlIRGuyMqMX0R_aYUjCKh3sP8XzLONL2lHl9NngjMUMGhb9GT/s400/IMG_6396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403687087683312514" border="0" /></a>As you can see from the wet steps, it was a rainy night that didn't allow for much candy collecting. But we had a lot of fun and needed to get back home for a very important World Series game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIKGmieBNKLNRCXt67601W1SoYf2tmWTtq7LQGmdUIOhblX4AwAgya2pFmuHLLnxSgrLxo2zKyPZX8PitC3h2BePFSysdbHalMTbpmufyzVmGqvHkigJcu5BfRer8UlixRBQFZSmlbPN6/s1600-h/IMG_6394.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIKGmieBNKLNRCXt67601W1SoYf2tmWTtq7LQGmdUIOhblX4AwAgya2pFmuHLLnxSgrLxo2zKyPZX8PitC3h2BePFSysdbHalMTbpmufyzVmGqvHkigJcu5BfRer8UlixRBQFZSmlbPN6/s400/IMG_6394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403687082562420114" border="0" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-27218585097203059592009-09-14T00:36:00.004-04:002009-09-14T01:11:37.058-04:00S-C-H-O-O-LI am still not quite sure how it happened that I turned around and my baby boy became old enough to go to preschool, but alas it has happened.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPytyNDf7DOWFqUuM8HIwW8-s6M42z600meQD0QdFE1rU-i_CYQZ-BzSt-zo2Oj9RE1VduAPMPtk0eT786VnmVnfYpjOiqafZjg2Pge0LAxfg4mMl9nBSVhNvo559cVIgEbueOV2Gy4YMl/s1600-h/IMG_0440.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPytyNDf7DOWFqUuM8HIwW8-s6M42z600meQD0QdFE1rU-i_CYQZ-BzSt-zo2Oj9RE1VduAPMPtk0eT786VnmVnfYpjOiqafZjg2Pge0LAxfg4mMl9nBSVhNvo559cVIgEbueOV2Gy4YMl/s400/IMG_0440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381182917423642850" border="0" /></a><br />Friday was his first real day. We had gone in on Wednesday to meet his teachers and I think that settled his nerves quite a bit. I still thought he was going to cry though.<br /><br />For the last couple months he has cried a lot when I leave and he knew this was something that he was going to have to do without mommy. He asked me very often, "Are you going to stay with me Mommy?" I feared my weepy reaction if he started to cry.<br /><br />But, you can see from the above photo and the ones to follow, he was ready to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WOfRuSzwY42WoDZ51lprEr-c2Kns5pdhtSXGQtUNNujTZmxOiekQ4FAxDY0auGiQivbIjqjbcxIXgwDYL6tyq5ZIv2ScYq7LarxirJ9Uw6KBN0p9qaHSJ9dsAOUdTPehs3RiGEj5Terj/s1600-h/IMG_0443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WOfRuSzwY42WoDZ51lprEr-c2Kns5pdhtSXGQtUNNujTZmxOiekQ4FAxDY0auGiQivbIjqjbcxIXgwDYL6tyq5ZIv2ScYq7LarxirJ9Uw6KBN0p9qaHSJ9dsAOUdTPehs3RiGEj5Terj/s400/IMG_0443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381182910144023026" border="0" /></a><br />It was a VERY rainy and cold day. He was excited to get to wear his raincoat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUqKww1MSRT6wqwj0TeWvGFYxhS4gQVJYTf9CVHUpYBLAQj2N5_xw7L8AKTqs4bapnPv_hxz0Ylca8cFUWq9Qzslh0ILG3Wf2e7K4V5NpgvXE4VtohC0LfxBDdIp_ZELhWvyfqg2tj-y2/s1600-h/IMG_0446.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUqKww1MSRT6wqwj0TeWvGFYxhS4gQVJYTf9CVHUpYBLAQj2N5_xw7L8AKTqs4bapnPv_hxz0Ylca8cFUWq9Qzslh0ILG3Wf2e7K4V5NpgvXE4VtohC0LfxBDdIp_ZELhWvyfqg2tj-y2/s400/IMG_0446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381182120401196274" border="0" /></a><br />He walked right in, hung up his backpack and coat and started playing. He really didn't even look back. We had to call him over to say goodbye to him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvEs3l4RaAhFyDmFSniFkrgT0XmM6pN2_p9FMgSbVWvz3ay4F876KK9psFfGv_skfLR-l9D6cp45JeeCPdpJfQZd36vQdWR97okgfrqMroz24UCxwUavPiYJK5cs5Us40whRT1S-h9evN/s1600-h/IMG_0448.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvEs3l4RaAhFyDmFSniFkrgT0XmM6pN2_p9FMgSbVWvz3ay4F876KK9psFfGv_skfLR-l9D6cp45JeeCPdpJfQZd36vQdWR97okgfrqMroz24UCxwUavPiYJK5cs5Us40whRT1S-h9evN/s400/IMG_0448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381182108186711474" border="0" /></a><br />He had a great first day. At least that is my assumption because I got very little out of him when we got home. I do know that they had Cheetos for snack. That may be the only information I am able to get out of him most days. But, as long as he is loving school, I will be a happy momma.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-41038296523304419482009-08-27T00:39:00.003-04:002009-08-27T00:51:05.110-04:00Little Pink Turtle Winner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxJfwvsva7k0OCqSKSGktxaNrTg3sGlXJKxvU1nxJMylxFJdJ_Miw1gQLNO2eQzcyNW4kW3vG5R4AwodNJWZbTKc6MOcM5_etKn9h1w-ehwITjhUcxSs3xVmU27CBiSchlNBa2YORDymf/s1600-h/littlepinkturtle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxJfwvsva7k0OCqSKSGktxaNrTg3sGlXJKxvU1nxJMylxFJdJ_Miw1gQLNO2eQzcyNW4kW3vG5R4AwodNJWZbTKc6MOcM5_etKn9h1w-ehwITjhUcxSs3xVmU27CBiSchlNBa2YORDymf/s400/littlepinkturtle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374500941041703682" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for the <a href="http://thelittlepinkturtle.blogspot.com/">Little Pink Turtle</a>. I hope you enjoyed browsing their fantastic merchandise and will consider making them your official bow headquarters.<br /><br />I had a little meeting with Mr. Random.org and the winner he chose was....<br /><br />Kim<br /><br />Congratulations Kim!!! You will be receiving an email from the <a href="http://thelittlepinkturtle.blogspot.com/">Little Pink Turtle</a> to claim your prize.<br /><br />For those of you who didn't win but would still love some free stuff from <a href="http://thelittlepinkturtle.blogspot.com/">Little Pink Turtle</a>, you are in luck because they do Mom's Night Out parties where you can earn free bows and other accessories. Contact them today to set up your party, and help your friends and neighbors out by introducing them to their adorable products. It's a win - win!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-28596710328967096012009-08-26T00:28:00.003-04:002009-08-26T00:32:57.360-04:00I Can Take Care of That for You<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5KafyUxqRFRxqOEbtRvKkpqDSvRf4qAXym7bQxzWIqv7cY5oazUmBThrCFrMOrZqrGAtUd_v9W-hJK9vU_kH6g1aM4vlzq96Q66sd4W3x-CCj4H4fwloCefE3Udy9BO58GFqEvvCuToQ/s1600-h/IMG_9225_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5KafyUxqRFRxqOEbtRvKkpqDSvRf4qAXym7bQxzWIqv7cY5oazUmBThrCFrMOrZqrGAtUd_v9W-hJK9vU_kH6g1aM4vlzq96Q66sd4W3x-CCj4H4fwloCefE3Udy9BO58GFqEvvCuToQ/s400/IMG_9225_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374124843741825938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />** My <a href="http://fordydaysandnights.blogspot.com/2009/08/girlie-giveaway.html">giveaway</a> ends at midnight tonight, so be sure to enter if you haven't already **Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-19489828031735858682009-08-24T23:35:00.007-04:002009-08-25T00:43:36.589-04:00It Wouldn't be Summer Without ItWe just aren't ready for summer to end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74BI5R-lcF4-s0AcL00oAVsQydQTGzjrT-w0qIwNethAehQM-S9psT3t7Jgc6-g3ufw6GK8SsT1ldl7emxKCdsy-BI1jFwhGyVFCPsnqQE-D639fl5odjgkfcT6j9I-0IfPLpe6y_SbmO/s1600-h/IMG_7957_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74BI5R-lcF4-s0AcL00oAVsQydQTGzjrT-w0qIwNethAehQM-S9psT3t7Jgc6-g3ufw6GK8SsT1ldl7emxKCdsy-BI1jFwhGyVFCPsnqQE-D639fl5odjgkfcT6j9I-0IfPLpe6y_SbmO/s400/IMG_7957_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373744870085014946" border="0" /></a><br />So, we are continuing to enjoy some of our favorite things about it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdVW4lvZ0l1aNJCE3HDon2G5ZgWojglyafofV6GXi4v4MFXd3mA5FvRk4hxBGnuVZNH_FxI0X1GO69R7rYjnHMR_JbpOtvXOVzvE3QGNOXaugyP_DAd5NeQyDTh6Tpr-iHw3vlwxwv6Mj/s1600-h/IMG_7968_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdVW4lvZ0l1aNJCE3HDon2G5ZgWojglyafofV6GXi4v4MFXd3mA5FvRk4hxBGnuVZNH_FxI0X1GO69R7rYjnHMR_JbpOtvXOVzvE3QGNOXaugyP_DAd5NeQyDTh6Tpr-iHw3vlwxwv6Mj/s400/IMG_7968_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373744609400013922" border="0" /></a><br />One of them is most certainly WATERMELON.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ws5kmCYng17AWNZ_kxrupIQ5_Q19xJdlU7xDXszVqzqMfrXQWuN8r7BhkNtmggSmAkS2tVkTQtnuvvw27qhejusjYs2IacojzqipsNnNzMRjPMY7u4fKF2RJ_yiv0oQd2yAlq97qW4nA/s1600-h/IMG_7973_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ws5kmCYng17AWNZ_kxrupIQ5_Q19xJdlU7xDXszVqzqMfrXQWuN8r7BhkNtmggSmAkS2tVkTQtnuvvw27qhejusjYs2IacojzqipsNnNzMRjPMY7u4fKF2RJ_yiv0oQd2yAlq97qW4nA/s400/IMG_7973_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373743945750681074" border="0" /></a><br />Cool, refreshing, sweet, juicy and fun to eat. What more could you ask for?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NWR9sACxw_guq6nR11S8t4moPh8vOlOdPKwhQbgeHPrJwzc6X_HsrFeWBkIsIVmPryQl7_Nm7v6-MF-DpjH0bwPSUMjCTc_1HymC1zPWVuLUpxOW9qN13lS_SOgLMwSvT5qc5TmgWJdF/s1600-h/IMG_7962_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NWR9sACxw_guq6nR11S8t4moPh8vOlOdPKwhQbgeHPrJwzc6X_HsrFeWBkIsIVmPryQl7_Nm7v6-MF-DpjH0bwPSUMjCTc_1HymC1zPWVuLUpxOW9qN13lS_SOgLMwSvT5qc5TmgWJdF/s400/IMG_7962_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373743213781996626" border="0" /></a><br />This is Mia's first summer as a watermelon indulger. I'd say she is a fan.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_3W3MRhgm0mlPXwvnrkYvvm3Jm-lzfC75ximEFbFF2BhmL9bGDIOQ3o6qHsS0hcFY7oPk_Sb56LRWNEdlu49YKq4pUrqIVFI3QASaKRoTZRyTkMIdEnJAKLlhpWg2Pj1BBtpXdzkh_vZ/s1600-h/IMG_7960_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_3W3MRhgm0mlPXwvnrkYvvm3Jm-lzfC75ximEFbFF2BhmL9bGDIOQ3o6qHsS0hcFY7oPk_Sb56LRWNEdlu49YKq4pUrqIVFI3QASaKRoTZRyTkMIdEnJAKLlhpWg2Pj1BBtpXdzkh_vZ/s400/IMG_7960_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373741536184048914" border="0" /></a><br />It isn't always pretty, but hey who cares if you let a little bit dribble down your mouth and drip from your chin and chubby elbows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSMp54yLfhbGOjzD6fLJB7H3nKGv4wrJmvML-q0ewEqU0z901OdLjCjnmI_iPNsmdiGBy3ickI2mMIfRZIJNf42ruKpoXh_WFZnqRLpM-N7k87aoM_i8b-waL2tdX5-zzqoqdSXz9jMOO/s1600-h/IMG_7967_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSMp54yLfhbGOjzD6fLJB7H3nKGv4wrJmvML-q0ewEqU0z901OdLjCjnmI_iPNsmdiGBy3ickI2mMIfRZIJNf42ruKpoXh_WFZnqRLpM-N7k87aoM_i8b-waL2tdX5-zzqoqdSXz9jMOO/s400/IMG_7967_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373741542030029842" border="0" /></a><br />For now, we aren't thinking about all the things we will miss when summer is long gone. We are just enjoying them in the moment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlf6pjMQmem8KlRorjIQZewCJdiNWujpyYvUr5VoiG8GKmuUwxnaK64Wp_niqt5eCPibtGRQdtrIsKSbrP5_crC4MtX5n0MhOzz_tN8k5BZAy6bg1JWA_D5il5jsixKIx5O0YhrKgrlRp/s1600-h/IMG_7970_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlf6pjMQmem8KlRorjIQZewCJdiNWujpyYvUr5VoiG8GKmuUwxnaK64Wp_niqt5eCPibtGRQdtrIsKSbrP5_crC4MtX5n0MhOzz_tN8k5BZAy6bg1JWA_D5il5jsixKIx5O0YhrKgrlRp/s400/IMG_7970_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373741528487368706" border="0" /></a><br />And I refuse to think about how much bigger these little watermelon tinged toes will be when next summer rolls around.<br /><br />**My <a href="http://fordydaysandnights.blogspot.com/2009/08/girlie-giveaway.html">giveaway</a> ends on Wednesday so don't forget to enter**Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-37668058587044755232009-08-24T13:01:00.003-04:002009-08-24T13:18:43.067-04:00Fair-ly Nostalgic<center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/125x125.jpg" /></a></center><br />This week's theme on I Heart Faces is Nostalgia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILLGKzNiSGX9icIQaBW87Z23cFooJT5Q3T3Mj0wD3OXrm7vZoJw-j1VuwBDQ0-SDsGi4ELZ0rCLODbQ3rGER1erfeJU1xNhpfnfqIcYkhfYYDhkazSx50CoKdJkg2TOsNfriw_rRqFKFH/s1600-h/IMG_7150+copy2+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILLGKzNiSGX9icIQaBW87Z23cFooJT5Q3T3Mj0wD3OXrm7vZoJw-j1VuwBDQ0-SDsGi4ELZ0rCLODbQ3rGER1erfeJU1xNhpfnfqIcYkhfYYDhkazSx50CoKdJkg2TOsNfriw_rRqFKFH/s400/IMG_7150+copy2+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373576976239561954" border="0" /></a><br />I chose this picture for this week's Nostalgia theme because it brings back so many childhood memories. The "Swings" were absolutely my favorite ride anytime we would attend the fair or a local carnival when I was a kid. I loved the breeze in my long hair, the feeling of flying and the view from the elevated height. If my family would have tolerated it, I would have used nearly all of my ride tickets to swing.<br />It is no wonder that my son is exactly the same way. Last year at the fair he rode the swings three times and begged for more. I stood there smiling knowing exactly how he felt.<br /><br />For more Nostalgia themed shots click <a href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2009/08/week-33-nostalgia-photo-challenge.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><br />**Only two more days to enter my <a href="http://fordydaysandnights.blogspot.com/2009/08/girlie-giveaway.html">giveaway</a>**Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-81860391334407397652009-08-22T11:26:00.007-04:002009-08-23T01:16:39.317-04:00If the Kids Could Decorate the YardThere is a store near Nana's house that sells all sorts of indoor and outdoor art. They have common things like bird baths, ornate mirrors, interesting plant holders and taxidermy. But, they also have many uncommon items...like life sized elephants.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9bKg-8jARELOI-bDtR1dtdaC8MYVoA9dxpmxl-tXjDmr8rt896vbBWZ207lRwJ9mshBC0AfpwcSX68r972e-tOnNT613syZbYEu9akR4zccAuDjjxMB7hlvI-rzUlgMjslwKk20x-E6G/s1600-h/IMG_9131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9bKg-8jARELOI-bDtR1dtdaC8MYVoA9dxpmxl-tXjDmr8rt896vbBWZ207lRwJ9mshBC0AfpwcSX68r972e-tOnNT613syZbYEu9akR4zccAuDjjxMB7hlvI-rzUlgMjslwKk20x-E6G/s400/IMG_9131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372816699969298114" border="0" /></a><br />...and fierce looking tigers<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn8zIbePv1oOM3NR5qz-ObhTOTKlpCx8f2DvnKV4X_38T3_wwSb6ItEWHV0IMGBJ5Z4c-sY7iaLPtqLW4_QWDn1WVCrFqLPXk5euXV5BJqXy3HV-tRejuNtf7kczcqMQ3iS2RsyQkknHw/s1600-h/IMG_9135.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn8zIbePv1oOM3NR5qz-ObhTOTKlpCx8f2DvnKV4X_38T3_wwSb6ItEWHV0IMGBJ5Z4c-sY7iaLPtqLW4_QWDn1WVCrFqLPXk5euXV5BJqXy3HV-tRejuNtf7kczcqMQ3iS2RsyQkknHw/s400/IMG_9135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372816691431797154" border="0" /></a><br />...and dinosaurs of all kinds<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqLq6B4eO2dtyTq6N1_lJJwcJKsLj547xvdIM_4vRepM-CRsy3TZE1y4-JeHS1d8w4k-BiJJTtqmksY5BDarieudG2uKcQ4EDTUQNXaYVIM5xuwKCGKwY2-ddCxtB_pBGD_we1mnPaQTV/s1600-h/IMG_9137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqLq6B4eO2dtyTq6N1_lJJwcJKsLj547xvdIM_4vRepM-CRsy3TZE1y4-JeHS1d8w4k-BiJJTtqmksY5BDarieudG2uKcQ4EDTUQNXaYVIM5xuwKCGKwY2-ddCxtB_pBGD_we1mnPaQTV/s400/IMG_9137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372816023728131986" border="0" /></a><br />The realism is unbelievable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t_enrXmPeuNguSY2B4l7n2nrwnugwfSpqse99HuyAeIceiXv1WNRTz0u_b53dOgJue3CYIlTvzEHyzeUNegcryzoO0D9tqPBhldXUKXlqYuCR411pI60B1SIoK2kc8IYhGN-OnviGcGa/s1600-h/IMG_9147.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t_enrXmPeuNguSY2B4l7n2nrwnugwfSpqse99HuyAeIceiXv1WNRTz0u_b53dOgJue3CYIlTvzEHyzeUNegcryzoO0D9tqPBhldXUKXlqYuCR411pI60B1SIoK2kc8IYhGN-OnviGcGa/s400/IMG_9147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372815611931801426" border="0" /></a><br />It is honestly a little strange that such a shop is located in such a remote area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm15ZBJseDe4lkphkeJCDOx111DneP5Ar6NWJk9mAnhe2Ly1vePp0C3YP5Gis1F7btfxrRBKcoutcKF7tS4Vgmmff1_JyX9WyVlhUq86nI_y-Vs70MjNg-50pfiNHoqOaY86lIt25npF-t/s1600-h/IMG_9145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm15ZBJseDe4lkphkeJCDOx111DneP5Ar6NWJk9mAnhe2Ly1vePp0C3YP5Gis1F7btfxrRBKcoutcKF7tS4Vgmmff1_JyX9WyVlhUq86nI_y-Vs70MjNg-50pfiNHoqOaY86lIt25npF-t/s400/IMG_9145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372815338402167474" border="0" /></a><br />Austin and Mia were thoroughly enjoying the visit and wanted to take home many of the pieces.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BYuWJDqvZCuYiF963cUy4yX9fkudQDxUUmzLVdDoj0FcoXSBtAYjj3XzrpRGxtyQR8fZHgdrQYuanMKTRuiDm2R9TjjQ4pdz45MYlWS0ZQrLwqwRNYF1YCdzuhKjEDciGG6_SuVRUD_l/s1600-h/IMG_9140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BYuWJDqvZCuYiF963cUy4yX9fkudQDxUUmzLVdDoj0FcoXSBtAYjj3XzrpRGxtyQR8fZHgdrQYuanMKTRuiDm2R9TjjQ4pdz45MYlWS0ZQrLwqwRNYF1YCdzuhKjEDciGG6_SuVRUD_l/s400/IMG_9140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372811147598492098" border="0" /></a><br />This was Austin's favorite.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5hfPLotyb2TBQEkQIe-O82MP2xyoFi-plydIpOjMLaHC0fuCbsLFE4EhRYWGvW2VyAez_eNRJaCES8doGSAv7MykfOlqbJ0I-4xpZW6sxNORUV7lNLK4f9tJs6rr4Y21FvjyUjvNvgWg/s1600-h/IMG_9151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5hfPLotyb2TBQEkQIe-O82MP2xyoFi-plydIpOjMLaHC0fuCbsLFE4EhRYWGvW2VyAez_eNRJaCES8doGSAv7MykfOlqbJ0I-4xpZW6sxNORUV7lNLK4f9tJs6rr4Y21FvjyUjvNvgWg/s400/IMG_9151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372811139353356194" border="0" /></a><br />I wasn't sure if the caboose was for sale, but the kids were having a great time on it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAqApq2D7CxEgR7mf2FCAU2jHfW_uzJLNCXgc40vSFD1AObEna9F0htwxoVoUdpNNN_0LE19ChxuWWaF3LMV8IKEb1EJLHSkhfWNRNtmMvkmZ5fUVJ6LWyfjBjP1wAtoq_Pt4Sw7DWx7P/s1600-h/IMG_9150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAqApq2D7CxEgR7mf2FCAU2jHfW_uzJLNCXgc40vSFD1AObEna9F0htwxoVoUdpNNN_0LE19ChxuWWaF3LMV8IKEb1EJLHSkhfWNRNtmMvkmZ5fUVJ6LWyfjBjP1wAtoq_Pt4Sw7DWx7P/s400/IMG_9150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372811129939094514" border="0" /></a><br />We enjoyed the brief visit, but as we left I had one question lingering in my head.<br /><br />Who actually buys this stuff for their yard?<br /><br /><br />**Don't forget to enter my <a href="http://fordydaysandnights.blogspot.com/2009/08/girlie-giveaway.html">giveaway</a> if you haven't already**Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-46179555262496463082009-08-22T11:18:00.002-04:002009-08-22T11:26:03.849-04:00Woo hoo!I'm so excited! I just found out that I was a top ten finisher in this week's I Heart Faces "Bubble" themed pictures.<br /><br />Check out all the winners <a href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2009/08/week-32-bubbles-photo-challenge-winners.html">here</a>.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-39308854194729674822009-08-21T14:40:00.005-04:002009-08-21T15:05:12.564-04:00Gardening with Nana<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlTmpiwvUpHCeSuRqpa8v4XgRYKqvBmkATSScVCuJeaey83239hJomT6KGGalz26JS1S_AZOylY0icWRnOhYmIgP74VEKV_1zqYWp64Hn0-8TNVkEJHDIwFwy0o8Qh9lkKje3Ws3O-mRi/s1600-h/IMG_9116_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlTmpiwvUpHCeSuRqpa8v4XgRYKqvBmkATSScVCuJeaey83239hJomT6KGGalz26JS1S_AZOylY0icWRnOhYmIgP74VEKV_1zqYWp64Hn0-8TNVkEJHDIwFwy0o8Qh9lkKje3Ws3O-mRi/s400/IMG_9116_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372490721655576386" border="0" /></a><br />This year was the first year my mom stopped talking about wanting to have a garden and actually (with a little help from daughters and friends) made it a reality.<br /><br />While we were visiting Austin spent a lot of time in the garden with Nana.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_jmeAlewZa2qRdNcxIeWssWoN0L2YTlFT8kZirlXyusz0nu7LSA0t1pIQf4Czg3SYMDOzDKS-9NGem-2uF4JibS7KVJ6dbvqgxGU6nIv0cj0IBgejJXpED7Qj5fLgxMIM9GLDGlp7ibY/s1600-h/IMG_9118_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_jmeAlewZa2qRdNcxIeWssWoN0L2YTlFT8kZirlXyusz0nu7LSA0t1pIQf4Czg3SYMDOzDKS-9NGem-2uF4JibS7KVJ6dbvqgxGU6nIv0cj0IBgejJXpED7Qj5fLgxMIM9GLDGlp7ibY/s400/IMG_9118_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372490713765651298" border="0" /></a><br />They would go out in the morning and afternoon and check on the progress of all the vegetables, pull some weeds and pick the days bounty.<br /><br />Austin loved it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvbdJ31ngtXpnJhvwCslTdP76MhLKjjCLKnuhfRJDUaRup-OkL2DNtKWk6uBQ3TuVmqbvym-P3FnMlBMedGzCKBcWI5W1OEuHBoR5R2nMTTic0-rFHtDx44D883I_LqN-q0KVeKDJCidB/s1600-h/IMG_9119_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvbdJ31ngtXpnJhvwCslTdP76MhLKjjCLKnuhfRJDUaRup-OkL2DNtKWk6uBQ3TuVmqbvym-P3FnMlBMedGzCKBcWI5W1OEuHBoR5R2nMTTic0-rFHtDx44D883I_LqN-q0KVeKDJCidB/s400/IMG_9119_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372489743911619458" border="0" /></a><br />He has always been a good eater and he was finding no problem enjoying the fresh veggies right there in the garden. (A little dirt shouldn't hurt right?)<br /><br />There was always a face of satisfaction and joy as he would bring the baskets full of tomatoes, green beans, peas, radishes, squash and cucumbers into the house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuZRiBAWRoeFcsFUZasZq1BTr_wVER3ksIm2hWUa1jFPj6B_AJEUo5SCOItOH8RTN0PwgvMbeCsio_dz3Yht7xwef4m1Is6oa7904bBPyO5r19n5qwxqL_n_fq3Wz1tMBScZZPVQZVNM7/s1600-h/IMG_9121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuZRiBAWRoeFcsFUZasZq1BTr_wVER3ksIm2hWUa1jFPj6B_AJEUo5SCOItOH8RTN0PwgvMbeCsio_dz3Yht7xwef4m1Is6oa7904bBPyO5r19n5qwxqL_n_fq3Wz1tMBScZZPVQZVNM7/s400/IMG_9121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372489732366243826" border="0" /></a><br />It was certainly a very special time with Nana and he wanted it to be all his own. He was happy to share the vegetables, but not the garden.<br /><br />It was such a joy for me to see him doing something I loved to do with my Grandpa when I was little.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywUdfGxCDLPmJPuikt_IZLmPWwS9ao42AFA1zDX2nA6LqjMhuGMhkFhdPL2Q4YkpBFTSHBiqmeIZ7pVJvCjFn7B9LysPevQSej5SMR7zBCMatxMvHKPZ6qsRM4NJoPwRwcuqslk9jpWlg/s1600-h/IMG_9130_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywUdfGxCDLPmJPuikt_IZLmPWwS9ao42AFA1zDX2nA6LqjMhuGMhkFhdPL2Q4YkpBFTSHBiqmeIZ7pVJvCjFn7B9LysPevQSej5SMR7zBCMatxMvHKPZ6qsRM4NJoPwRwcuqslk9jpWlg/s400/IMG_9130_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372489725179118434" border="0" /></a><br />He had a big, beautiful garden every year and even some berry bushes. My sisters and I would go out and do the very same things that Austin was doing with his Nana.<br /><br />They are some of my fondest childhood memories and it warms my heart to know that Austin will have the benefit of the same types of memories.<br /><br />Thanks Mom for planting seeds in your garden and memories in Austin's life.<br /><br /><br />** Don't forget to enter my <a href="http://fordydaysandnights.blogspot.com/2009/08/girlie-giveaway.html">giveaway</a> if you haven't already! **Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-82049823789642120292009-08-20T13:16:00.000-04:002009-08-20T15:15:37.448-04:00Mud BogLast week while we were visiting Nana, their county fair was in full swing.<br /><br />On Monday night after I had a day full of photo shoots in my old stomping grounds, we went to the fair to watch the Mud Bog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRN9c9KdykEqvRcM54FPmLgNtUkd7yP73QywLqWNXUP2bEM457l6ZIKXVQDKyFmDP-L4g-02ipJaD2TdkgsfUBiuBM6WBBxr7uu5h7NGiFNnZr_5yu9vC_vatIKdRcXoooMnZ6cLkWHmj/s1600-h/IMG_8837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRN9c9KdykEqvRcM54FPmLgNtUkd7yP73QywLqWNXUP2bEM457l6ZIKXVQDKyFmDP-L4g-02ipJaD2TdkgsfUBiuBM6WBBxr7uu5h7NGiFNnZr_5yu9vC_vatIKdRcXoooMnZ6cLkWHmj/s400/IMG_8837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372120879125476418" border="0" /></a><br />In case you aren't familiar with what that is (because I had never been to one either), it is a section of "race track" filled feet deep with mud.<br /><br />Trucks attempt to make it all the way through the mud by using a combination of lots of horsepower and fancy maneuvering.<br /><br />The winner is the truck who either makes it through in the fastest time or if none of them make it through, the truck who goes farthest through the mud without making it to the finish line.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWet5J8oaPMJMiyX7_vkw4kXuqTfBM09Tt0Rlbw8jk4A1S18YwvlxWRiO_F-q59eKLppW6_dXscyaRrqr3-0wcs_R6K8ImxS0-LjqiiK9-JGVPfzXD2FKZt5s_dNKQu1RikJWW73Tcz2U/s1600-h/IMG_8839.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWet5J8oaPMJMiyX7_vkw4kXuqTfBM09Tt0Rlbw8jk4A1S18YwvlxWRiO_F-q59eKLppW6_dXscyaRrqr3-0wcs_R6K8ImxS0-LjqiiK9-JGVPfzXD2FKZt5s_dNKQu1RikJWW73Tcz2U/s400/IMG_8839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372120668898179122" border="0" /></a><br />It was a family affair for sure. The four of us, Nana & Pap, Gigi & GP and Aunt Amy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3gAm7NJGCdGgBYh66Lw9dJhiQdtQDCGYjNWph7RYELubVNK_45wpskIYnjGnP4Cw4scl41IHtaZk3sKc4UobPJlfzow-Gm60-VmaJHtLfwVaRtIMjsKV_qt_EGdJUqolCTCQyd8G7aTp/s1600-h/IMG_8842.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3gAm7NJGCdGgBYh66Lw9dJhiQdtQDCGYjNWph7RYELubVNK_45wpskIYnjGnP4Cw4scl41IHtaZk3sKc4UobPJlfzow-Gm60-VmaJHtLfwVaRtIMjsKV_qt_EGdJUqolCTCQyd8G7aTp/s400/IMG_8842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372120659110718626" border="0" /></a><br />I don't know if the kids were having more fun being on our shoulders or watching the trucks.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRUMVN8faH3XqFt8iM7l2T0IM2O7ogRocwMKw8mjziBU5Aw4M7_iRQIphPYZJHieQTqT-TcBi1APSm43mWRq9Hl-U5b311N4JRZqajcxm_2fG6W5ezA07Brhp9tHOxnsouXDSRTx5JB7k/s1600-h/IMG_8843.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRUMVN8faH3XqFt8iM7l2T0IM2O7ogRocwMKw8mjziBU5Aw4M7_iRQIphPYZJHieQTqT-TcBi1APSm43mWRq9Hl-U5b311N4JRZqajcxm_2fG6W5ezA07Brhp9tHOxnsouXDSRTx5JB7k/s400/IMG_8843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372119931226407858" border="0" /></a><br />Actually, I think it was pretty clear what Austin liked the best.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEdmji-bGo8WMci6z-FjvO-2ePdN_-DYc4WAg31ag6YPPznq2aGSZmvCpm4gjgwJZdLfrM9PES8ompNdV1-WgLdFQISrQABgsWW88_c4TgY15VsGt4bXBsYAu56vZ-b3Qh8TJ64gDOleR/s1600-h/IMG_8847.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEdmji-bGo8WMci6z-FjvO-2ePdN_-DYc4WAg31ag6YPPznq2aGSZmvCpm4gjgwJZdLfrM9PES8ompNdV1-WgLdFQISrQABgsWW88_c4TgY15VsGt4bXBsYAu56vZ-b3Qh8TJ64gDOleR/s400/IMG_8847.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372119921089491042" border="0" /></a><br />The next night we were supposed to go back to ride the rides, but it poured rain and we returned on Wednesday.<br /><br />As we stood at the ticket counter to buy our wristbands, Austin noticed that the woman helping us had an obvious "flaw."<br /><br />He promptly and loudly said, "Hey, your teeth fell out!"<br /><br />When she didn't respond to him he assumed she didn't hear him, so even more loudly and this time with an accompanying pointed finger, he said, "Hey, your teeth are missing!"<br /><br />I think she quickly realized she better acknowledge him. So, she said with a toothless smile, "Yep."<br /><br />Needless to say, we were just a tad embarrassed though we realized he is 3 and was just making an observation.<br /><br />Off to the rides we went.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw961zrLFZ_8jOeOgoXPhvpL7Qyk8QOPCB_FsSXyhDKO5NX56Yl_HEpweEKh2ifBFUws2K6coSSTqOClBDclbVoiNHKzy9CDi60r73aId2vfiKVS5JC2n1Hgayir7EaTvQdFxuDF36_Lo/s1600-h/IMG_9077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw961zrLFZ_8jOeOgoXPhvpL7Qyk8QOPCB_FsSXyhDKO5NX56Yl_HEpweEKh2ifBFUws2K6coSSTqOClBDclbVoiNHKzy9CDi60r73aId2vfiKVS5JC2n1Hgayir7EaTvQdFxuDF36_Lo/s400/IMG_9077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372119015171181634" border="0" /></a><br />I was sure Mia would not be a fan of us leaving her on a ride, but she did well on the first one.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgodmFBXdYfvx56wolL4p-K3V1n_u5_9pwbZInEEh1hEUN_9RcMNzfzJFPgqA-UB24QKchv4FBPKu85KSw5t-J1tmyCZLlTMO9JbkvK09H_k7jAzE8KzZTdK3Z9aRx7xFwbtCkrzYgQqm0/s1600-h/IMG_9083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgodmFBXdYfvx56wolL4p-K3V1n_u5_9pwbZInEEh1hEUN_9RcMNzfzJFPgqA-UB24QKchv4FBPKu85KSw5t-J1tmyCZLlTMO9JbkvK09H_k7jAzE8KzZTdK3Z9aRx7xFwbtCkrzYgQqm0/s400/IMG_9083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372119009703765986" border="0" /></a><br />"Dumbo" was a hit, but the second ride of little rockets that went up and down was NOT. Mia cried the whole time and they stopped the ride early when she started trying to get off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSzsqVSQC5NJEVeBx0R0b22IoWY6KhSIzSb63liQ58VYXxVmwgTRwpFKVSX1QwkEtC4bA7h1HDtYWs8iNydfVKaFjd1f2bLwWY14e5Tzsl5GXYqI-F2j_HvCV86PQkWPLI1-a024DeGOB/s1600-h/IMG_9091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSzsqVSQC5NJEVeBx0R0b22IoWY6KhSIzSb63liQ58VYXxVmwgTRwpFKVSX1QwkEtC4bA7h1HDtYWs8iNydfVKaFjd1f2bLwWY14e5Tzsl5GXYqI-F2j_HvCV86PQkWPLI1-a024DeGOB/s400/IMG_9091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372118032827059042" border="0" /></a><br />Austin was a fan of any ride we put him on, but he needed a little more intensity than most of the kiddie rides offered. You can see his obvious boredom with the pace of these vehicles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6EeU2XcLWMuGN6yjdORNBASZMF1NBTAkSHd_ksig-GlArDUY1gB0c-Yy3p1JYzn6wC4ffyTF5S_skdpgN7uHuK4EMgcqdVnFs5Z0YW7Wt8tqRPoJ3IaLgoUI_pupBJXrVpL1FMRTmhNA/s1600-h/IMG_9099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6EeU2XcLWMuGN6yjdORNBASZMF1NBTAkSHd_ksig-GlArDUY1gB0c-Yy3p1JYzn6wC4ffyTF5S_skdpgN7uHuK4EMgcqdVnFs5Z0YW7Wt8tqRPoJ3IaLgoUI_pupBJXrVpL1FMRTmhNA/s400/IMG_9099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372118021652934002" border="0" /></a><br />After watching Austin ride the train, twice, she decided she wanted to ride it too. And she loved it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRe8piCE63UUUSZQWTkK8KvljYPTtIKFa-W6Mkn5C2X2fD4-kqSRX_PC9HuC4B5D00Kv-hCVU0oky4NktR4S2HucQrXwsFzx0KZr7lepuDQe2RHPD4Q-kOBCELshdi8y6Cdrl1SnwkG0y/s1600-h/IMG_9105.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRe8piCE63UUUSZQWTkK8KvljYPTtIKFa-W6Mkn5C2X2fD4-kqSRX_PC9HuC4B5D00Kv-hCVU0oky4NktR4S2HucQrXwsFzx0KZr7lepuDQe2RHPD4Q-kOBCELshdi8y6Cdrl1SnwkG0y/s400/IMG_9105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372117244335157234" border="0" /></a><br />I thought she would like the carousel, but wrong again. She would have been fine if it has just gone in circles, but the up and down motion was not her thing.<br /><br />Don't you love Mark's, "annoyed at her drama" face?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWerTZnqww5FkhCIwXsB4CpOFvPtfZwKhLVjj3ableUN7ZaAw2lm8fpg8LexsvN-RI7leBEDBImMvE1o1U-56BonbnEfe545XOBICkvEiIKZWNy2b_0-zueGkk_ly8DNFEph_cLce-uqG/s1600-h/IMG_9113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWerTZnqww5FkhCIwXsB4CpOFvPtfZwKhLVjj3ableUN7ZaAw2lm8fpg8LexsvN-RI7leBEDBImMvE1o1U-56BonbnEfe545XOBICkvEiIKZWNy2b_0-zueGkk_ly8DNFEph_cLce-uqG/s400/IMG_9113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372115252263286898" border="0" /></a> Finally, after riding kiddie rides for a while Austin was able to ride the two adult rides that he was allowed on.<br /><br />First the bumper cars, which we all did.<br /><br />And, second, the highlight of his night....the Ferris Wheel!<br /><br />We could see the tractor pull that was ongoing while we were up there and he loved it.<br /><br />It was a great time at the fair with so many people that we love!<br /><br /><br />** Don't forget to enter my <a href="http://fordydaysandnights.blogspot.com/2009/08/girlie-giveaway.html">giveaway</a> if you haven't already! **Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-62902397011559691932009-08-19T00:08:00.002-04:002009-08-19T00:08:00.081-04:00This is What Happens After We Come Home From a Trip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJT3fxiPs4xBrSXUbRwad1c7ykUng-jHQeeqBaCTTYFrMskw8jwiB3dZK-mB_pM8ddSz53azrvZN8O5zQUOByDsPzL6Yrd3E8-dA4l-FNsUBRWSoO9okeYWFxFzvYCeOdjUaF3uGwo3IO/s1600-h/IMG_7979.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJT3fxiPs4xBrSXUbRwad1c7ykUng-jHQeeqBaCTTYFrMskw8jwiB3dZK-mB_pM8ddSz53azrvZN8O5zQUOByDsPzL6Yrd3E8-dA4l-FNsUBRWSoO9okeYWFxFzvYCeOdjUaF3uGwo3IO/s1600/IMG_7979.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371461583424425426" border="0" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-24139842321431050722009-08-18T21:41:00.005-04:002009-08-22T11:18:31.518-04:00Bubble Beautiful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRV0uUmAapzZNdVS7IcA4O4JXVKQX45PBEoL1dACg4ZqJVVXgXuwwi5GFnILMrF2MrwyQ4zy3psrtXCrfcQ_7LXSPgYQfTGWnwhnmxuAVEdjAMr51x9MDZv_fPvxo8Y5TzWsVdIFdGNnt/s1600-h/I_Heart_Faces_HM.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 61px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRV0uUmAapzZNdVS7IcA4O4JXVKQX45PBEoL1dACg4ZqJVVXgXuwwi5GFnILMrF2MrwyQ4zy3psrtXCrfcQ_7LXSPgYQfTGWnwhnmxuAVEdjAMr51x9MDZv_fPvxo8Y5TzWsVdIFdGNnt/s400/I_Heart_Faces_HM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372807650055152978" border="0" /></a>Woo hoo! My first top ten finish.<br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/smallbutton.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kltl8m18uc_41Qh_2dz87Y_73sE1fjZtr3kpCwC7gSCPuwgYDzAN-HCKweVpbX-PRbehkN5BUkEZ3l7D5HMkyF2hy5edAqQ-bqYjfWjCsIRkedIynyNGNQSP1NcuLVPtWjzrpe7PuSo-/s1600-h/IMG_8443_2+copywtr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kltl8m18uc_41Qh_2dz87Y_73sE1fjZtr3kpCwC7gSCPuwgYDzAN-HCKweVpbX-PRbehkN5BUkEZ3l7D5HMkyF2hy5edAqQ-bqYjfWjCsIRkedIynyNGNQSP1NcuLVPtWjzrpe7PuSo-/s1600/IMG_8443_2+copywtr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371484357825846562" border="0" /></a><br />This week the theme on I Heart Faces is bubbles. I took this picture of my friend's daughter last week and I love the simplicity of it.<br /><br />To see all the other great entries this week, head over by clicking <a href="http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2009/08/week-32-bubbles-photo-challenge.html">here</a>.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-91030797054485741962009-08-18T13:36:00.005-04:002009-08-18T18:19:33.691-04:00A Girlie Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHJjfeTZbg33BqsWsjZJQ2_ynvIf5UkM-nxrKfR6gC60GhJyhMpyPnMBfSBj-kAWFapbIo4-HszWoYngLeqxWJ47JUjXdo2xXUpuO87StwyihCoATLXXayuHUWMIFeGGj6dF2azA7vdCx/s1600-h/littlepinkturtle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHJjfeTZbg33BqsWsjZJQ2_ynvIf5UkM-nxrKfR6gC60GhJyhMpyPnMBfSBj-kAWFapbIo4-HszWoYngLeqxWJ47JUjXdo2xXUpuO87StwyihCoATLXXayuHUWMIFeGGj6dF2azA7vdCx/s400/littlepinkturtle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371374502241297362" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://thelittlepinkturtle.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Little Pink Turtle<br /></span></span></span></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />I have a great giveaway for all of my readers with little girls, expecting little girls or who ever buy gifts for little girls.<br /><br />My great friend Stefanie and her neighbor have started a new "bowtique." They have the cutest stuff and I know you will be impressed with the quality and selection of accessories.<br /><br />They have a huge selection of ribbon colors and will make bows to order at no additional cost.<br /><br />Here is just a sampling of their beautiful bows.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlsnvgDKac_m3xi9zcG1icG8-zO63SVSl07JvWegkRyCcVZ2aKUZK_F08D07gyUKxKxgnUoJ-_lUAAKrYu0lSlB2CXWOjqGoyFB8VNx3UofX9Sd-0tV8pEeWpRlw1U39F8mCgngWqWXkO/s1600-h/Keeley.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlsnvgDKac_m3xi9zcG1icG8-zO63SVSl07JvWegkRyCcVZ2aKUZK_F08D07gyUKxKxgnUoJ-_lUAAKrYu0lSlB2CXWOjqGoyFB8VNx3UofX9Sd-0tV8pEeWpRlw1U39F8mCgngWqWXkO/s400/Keeley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371374492410011042" border="0" /></a><br />In addition to bows, they also offer binky clips, diaper cakes and adorable bow holders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzG15TumJ7lcd54NDKhCFZ-CP1W8Vh66LQVz900QqmJoZkV8iJfCACluyLhBFO7dBRLDACTzKQrpvtmVqkMDb51eLlMCDtlOJmCMkg6sFtw_AmqYgsyD_vsxjxtiXNlyubJAHO5nMwULJ/s1600-h/Pictures.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzG15TumJ7lcd54NDKhCFZ-CP1W8Vh66LQVz900QqmJoZkV8iJfCACluyLhBFO7dBRLDACTzKQrpvtmVqkMDb51eLlMCDtlOJmCMkg6sFtw_AmqYgsyD_vsxjxtiXNlyubJAHO5nMwULJ/s400/Pictures.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371374488984768130" border="0" /></a>Seriously, how fantastic are these?<br /><br />So, to help get the word out about their new business, I am hosting a fabulous giveaway.<br /><br />One lucky reader will WIN one of their fantastic bow holders and TWO beautiful fall bows!<br /><br />All you have to do to enter is visit <a href="http://thelittlepinkturtle.blogspot.com/">The Little Pink Turtle</a>, browse around their selection of bows and other items, and then come back here and leave me a comment telling me what your favorite item was. (Be sure to leave me a valid email address so I have a way to contact you if you are the lucky winner.)<br /><br />For additional entries: (after the required one above)<br /><br />1. Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment with the link.<br /><br />2. Become a Follower of <a href="http://thelittlepinkturtle.blogspot.com/">The Little Pink Turtle </a>and leave me a comment telling me you did.<br /><br />3. Become a Facebook fan of The Little Pink Turtle by clicking <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Fallowfield-PA/Little-Pink-Turtle/118054002044">here</a> and then leave me a comment telling me you are a fan.<br /><br />4. Post about this giveaway on Facebook and come back and tell me you did.<br /><br />5. Purchase something from The Little Pink Turtle before this giveaway ends and leave me a comment telling me what adorable thing is now yours.<br /><br />This giveaway is open to all US residents and will end at midnight on Wednesday, August 26th.<br /><br />Good luck!!!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-64947705618995941032009-08-07T00:26:00.003-04:002009-08-07T00:51:26.095-04:00Long awaited Playdate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_RFONv9-jWf9OLCKLDdFACxky0stXcXbw0KSmbDCCkVlYr_IWE5wC4vDO6E5H5QCUcx_2DHlCsUdXWyNtd1XFH31KSETsgioGpyiyBaTnYe32g4OGlIbr2P1I-MPUDz3iw8vtjuNMO0C/s1600-h/IMG_7797_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_RFONv9-jWf9OLCKLDdFACxky0stXcXbw0KSmbDCCkVlYr_IWE5wC4vDO6E5H5QCUcx_2DHlCsUdXWyNtd1XFH31KSETsgioGpyiyBaTnYe32g4OGlIbr2P1I-MPUDz3iw8vtjuNMO0C/s400/IMG_7797_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367075489874076034" border="0" /></a><br />When I moved to Florida after college and got my first teaching job, I met Lissette. She and I were embarking on quite an adventure as new teachers in a challenging elementary school. We were friends from the beginning and though we only taught together for two years, we have remained friends.<br /><br />She and her husband traveled up for my wedding and I traveled down for her bridal shower because her wedding date was too close to my due date when I was pregnant with Austin.<br /><br />Though she lives within a few miles of many of my family members, we had not, until this trip, had the opportunity to connect and meet each other's children.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajuFbEDChLG73ToraXzAmIAR5LFaarFayP2A2fYzLhyphenhyphenRgUsnzEVu85IxWtcrzUeVEG_hN2Q82seLF8Cb6Rm_EGjBqWmrsMErSx1TwrbeTFK9YFxbx-jgqe7sTegxojMAq8jVWt7t-0NK6/s1600-h/IMG_7795_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajuFbEDChLG73ToraXzAmIAR5LFaarFayP2A2fYzLhyphenhyphenRgUsnzEVu85IxWtcrzUeVEG_hN2Q82seLF8Cb6Rm_EGjBqWmrsMErSx1TwrbeTFK9YFxbx-jgqe7sTegxojMAq8jVWt7t-0NK6/s400/IMG_7795_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367075474440947586" border="0" /></a><br />Her little girl Leah is absolutely beautiful and it was so much fun to have the kids play while we caught up a little bit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFSwsLfHGXHA-qsgtWHMqozlWM1phMNoTMi4iSwI_9p6gjf3JC33Zh8l0Nv0E7nw7Q4iCubEdSZhNx_Vm7D77MmqdWxhV5vQ2pAhKLljyaaRKgo9ougGJ08b3QeeilmI_iZ9C4xZHKxJ1/s1600-h/IMG_7804_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFSwsLfHGXHA-qsgtWHMqozlWM1phMNoTMi4iSwI_9p6gjf3JC33Zh8l0Nv0E7nw7Q4iCubEdSZhNx_Vm7D77MmqdWxhV5vQ2pAhKLljyaaRKgo9ougGJ08b3QeeilmI_iZ9C4xZHKxJ1/s400/IMG_7804_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367074692212323970" border="0" /></a><br />My kids were so happy to be around toys that they seemed to be all over the place, but it was a fun time. <br /><br />One of the great things was that Leah only speaks Spanish and my kids mostly speak English, but that didn't phase them one bit.<br /><br />We tried to get a group picture before we left, but Mia was not cooperating, so this was the best I could get.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqKLT7o0Ja-CdZWz2qQQstej5Ngp64X0QEVSGl531j3oJJWPCzpAHtDy72g_V_staBTGgt4p-j4ijIBMt4tkjRoVHTK8Ng8K1yho0gq4Wo5GfcUMgTOIaGsr8VJXYAbcnCzKNI3z6c2tn/s1600-h/IMG_7812_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqKLT7o0Ja-CdZWz2qQQstej5Ngp64X0QEVSGl531j3oJJWPCzpAHtDy72g_V_staBTGgt4p-j4ijIBMt4tkjRoVHTK8Ng8K1yho0gq4Wo5GfcUMgTOIaGsr8VJXYAbcnCzKNI3z6c2tn/s400/IMG_7812_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367074689096976658" border="0" /></a>It was definitely a nice highlight of our vacation.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-72264790590741830272009-08-06T00:29:00.004-04:002009-08-06T00:55:12.751-04:00My Little FishOne of Austin's favorite parts of being in Florida was having access to a pool day....and night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9gjUX3q6HrLxBbRogIDscBAh66S0cbkuzzxwRdrT1N2mViLdp3cmG4Zo_qXlFokF18IMyKwPwLept8PlySm2aN3WB9hHguLWYjCGBHcQ_T6L6JjT9Z5x1P8vXs5LVpGkZGKexTE1OYv3/s1600-h/IMG_7735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9gjUX3q6HrLxBbRogIDscBAh66S0cbkuzzxwRdrT1N2mViLdp3cmG4Zo_qXlFokF18IMyKwPwLept8PlySm2aN3WB9hHguLWYjCGBHcQ_T6L6JjT9Z5x1P8vXs5LVpGkZGKexTE1OYv3/s400/IMG_7735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366707473704721170" border="0" /></a> One night we let him stay up a little later than usual and go for a night swim with Grandpa. He loved it! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM0olB_o4xlt7PAUejF2vBN54-m3HX796cEnie40ILOk27mG-kiku9wZmX_nt89UwRvMS4WEsHYhZr2ZSjbVSYfwxXdX5NA1t-KM9jBhyphenhyphenfR7A2E7SWxF1U8NMelxXQRsnjydATOcddw1a/s1600-h/IMG_7741.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM0olB_o4xlt7PAUejF2vBN54-m3HX796cEnie40ILOk27mG-kiku9wZmX_nt89UwRvMS4WEsHYhZr2ZSjbVSYfwxXdX5NA1t-KM9jBhyphenhyphenfR7A2E7SWxF1U8NMelxXQRsnjydATOcddw1a/s400/IMG_7741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366707464823695490" border="0" /></a><br />He is a little fish and has no fear of the water. We made sure he had a life vest on at all times because of that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHTzOlvZ-7mWI8J1liZ87uv4EsYadhmEPpoGDgtSZr6IU4Ccl6hyphenhyphenjfNuPCVWtsqKMCWnIoB-_C3RKyqqDkWjC8jrnY1PVHCtQ57p8jvmKyVw8-drw0ZStyU86H-kE4oAAN1Dm9zNHpYXp/s1600-h/IMG_7738.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHTzOlvZ-7mWI8J1liZ87uv4EsYadhmEPpoGDgtSZr6IU4Ccl6hyphenhyphenjfNuPCVWtsqKMCWnIoB-_C3RKyqqDkWjC8jrnY1PVHCtQ57p8jvmKyVw8-drw0ZStyU86H-kE4oAAN1Dm9zNHpYXp/s400/IMG_7738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366706656078063394" border="0" /></a><br />He was learning and practicing the backstroke from the deep end of the pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuEX7W44FBjTGkeiOK3ajAve1p8NmnSkWR8YvRgzgBK1REEUU0XkVM_qMQvLgyvd8ZtQzeEFQqAFKqdBj8e-JV8p_sr2QvhUVTjzndoviYOU8D7lOf2LeS0QIkdcn3TTJ76z0tYtImQRC/s1600-h/IMG_7740.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuEX7W44FBjTGkeiOK3ajAve1p8NmnSkWR8YvRgzgBK1REEUU0XkVM_qMQvLgyvd8ZtQzeEFQqAFKqdBj8e-JV8p_sr2QvhUVTjzndoviYOU8D7lOf2LeS0QIkdcn3TTJ76z0tYtImQRC/s400/IMG_7740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366706652577356914" border="0" /></a><br />Grandpa was wearing him out (so he would sleep REALLY well) by sending him right back when he made it to the shallow end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-3Lim3fx3xqcPSjCHN12UnsY6EkvIHtUV5etjxI-BI3gAvbP3vfNipS0DRE6cbBctIPg7k_wHsZOWaVKo1rmFvFaS13wFfZ0Wev0RuY31cv330OXk8CN78Ex6xZKZECU61MAaKSTjUG6/s1600-h/IMG_7737.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-3Lim3fx3xqcPSjCHN12UnsY6EkvIHtUV5etjxI-BI3gAvbP3vfNipS0DRE6cbBctIPg7k_wHsZOWaVKo1rmFvFaS13wFfZ0Wev0RuY31cv330OXk8CN78Ex6xZKZECU61MAaKSTjUG6/s400/IMG_7737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366704872957398002" border="0" /></a><br />By far his favorite pool activity was jumping in to do "cabinballs." He did them over and over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyyLpsAAC5i1GkyxLjpxBnC8Csd_y8TCnbrozxPAH427znoH6VS_R5WBOIzjj1dgvBIuSmLZand01y9K9BHvr0kgp0iwyE4HeKXIrMqfZ8lKD9CRbQt5NTtV4gK4rtu8O75-0g-1oRkfs/s1600-h/IMG_7742.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyyLpsAAC5i1GkyxLjpxBnC8Csd_y8TCnbrozxPAH427znoH6VS_R5WBOIzjj1dgvBIuSmLZand01y9K9BHvr0kgp0iwyE4HeKXIrMqfZ8lKD9CRbQt5NTtV4gK4rtu8O75-0g-1oRkfs/s400/IMG_7742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366704860770073682" border="0" /></a><br />And came up smiling every time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb8vBXiuApm3wsL1L_4ylsJFs4V7Swn1QfAN-uNyvY4qxJhIVjn85KJBjQbbpexqnNVKIT_nFmVSbyIJ80ER17V2aT9njOBOibMTbVndGyExZcLxa96Szb3gloKeN41SW9eYHGwjYZ5Bl/s1600-h/IMG_7743.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb8vBXiuApm3wsL1L_4ylsJFs4V7Swn1QfAN-uNyvY4qxJhIVjn85KJBjQbbpexqnNVKIT_nFmVSbyIJ80ER17V2aT9njOBOibMTbVndGyExZcLxa96Szb3gloKeN41SW9eYHGwjYZ5Bl/s400/IMG_7743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366704854427100402" border="0" /></a>That's my little fish!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-60340078063203487662009-08-04T22:20:00.009-04:002009-08-05T21:53:55.022-04:00Mia - 18 months<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcrd7OwzfjOEgGKF-2bDBwSRmvk16wXVdUADgTT74W9wDkw6LLPOSp5exlwRt12LvDuysvIFQ_idEbRzfwfpskDPZxvmwwJU-O1GmvtKMyXRprCPg3NErqJ2YaAqjucmTMwhQU-19ESwl/s1600-h/IMG_2750_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcrd7OwzfjOEgGKF-2bDBwSRmvk16wXVdUADgTT74W9wDkw6LLPOSp5exlwRt12LvDuysvIFQ_idEbRzfwfpskDPZxvmwwJU-O1GmvtKMyXRprCPg3NErqJ2YaAqjucmTMwhQU-19ESwl/s400/IMG_2750_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366336825042053570" border="0" /></a>Mia,<br /><br />I can't believe you are 18 months old today. The time has flown by and I am starting to see the little girl in you coming out. I have a love/hate relationship with that, but regardless of how I feel you are growing and changing.<br /><br />Since the last update at 15 months, you finally decided to walk. That was a wonderful day for Mommy. I really couldn't take much more of your need to have my finger to get around. You also decided to bless me on Mother's Day weekend with a new word, "Mommy." And boy do you love to use it now!<br /><br />We are having so much fun with you and your ability to be more interactive and involved with family activities. You love to rough house with Austin and Daddy, pretend to hide and be found, eat dinner at the table and go on walks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5nxJtEFZjPnaXZvFiLD5qmBmMxUNvbtT6cY4DT5vpVReIsEZ-KK9O7aeKuFV5K-6ttefL5DTHC2m8MjpgtsC2sq8DkDP6tD4MJnRCmMfFtBXMjopBe4E_g1h169h-Zy9EC8Pyp0iq19v/s1600-h/July2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5nxJtEFZjPnaXZvFiLD5qmBmMxUNvbtT6cY4DT5vpVReIsEZ-KK9O7aeKuFV5K-6ttefL5DTHC2m8MjpgtsC2sq8DkDP6tD4MJnRCmMfFtBXMjopBe4E_g1h169h-Zy9EC8Pyp0iq19v/s400/July2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366338872306211762" border="0" /></a>Some of your favorite things right now are snacks (anything in a little prepackaged bag), juice boxes, shoes, reading and looking at books, doggies and kitties, your baby dolls and all their accessories especially the backpack carrier and bottle, taking "bafs" (baths), saying "uh oh", anything pink, swinging, "driving" in your cozy coupe convertible and climbing up on anything you can and then whining when you realize you are scared or can't get down. You also make every chair a rocking chair by climbing on and rocking while you say, "rock-a-baby."<br /><br />You are SO girlie! Every morning when I come to get you out of your bed, you immediately point to your bow holder and demand a bow for your hair. EVERY morning! You also love wearing headbands, but not on your head. You like to put them around your neck and pretend they are necklaces. Last weekend when our neighborhood had a big yard sale, you managed to put 7 around your neck from a neighbor's sale bin. Anything with a handle becomes a purse and my hairbands and other items become your bracelets. I just bought you a dress for your uncle's wedding and you beamed when you saw it and held it to you as you carried it around.<br /><br />But, as girlie as you are, there is also a side of you that wants to be exactly like your brother. You play with his cars and trucks and make the appropriate sound effects. When we are in the car you point out tractors and trucks with him, sometimes you even spot them first! If he does something, eats something or tries something, you must too. And, his love of Wall-E has rubbed off on you. Every time we get in the car, you start saying, "Waw-wee, Waw-wee" because you want to listen to the soundtrack.<br /><br />You are much more coordinated than your brother was at this age. You can already use a fork and spoon to eat, which Austin wasn't able to do well until he was 2. You attempt to run and jump. If something looks bouncy you are sure to get on it and bounce while saying, "uppie, uppie."<br /><br />You still love saying "hi" to everyone, but act shy most of the time. You love getting lotion put on your legs and feet after your bath. You have a little love affair with "Melmo" (Elmo) and I have read the ONE Elmo book we own about 1000 times. You know each page by heart.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRt8-fKbWjl5H7U9xN0AmWZIgzhD6psYqysUutRfN8xDkkT-pFK3Sl0LjS1gwB9dcl8BO1-TP7fUlN-JoNesNiA9QNtxhrfrhPWaOn1OTyl_freB2EVufWp6MhpJREz0wFOkGasrN4Vvr/s1600-h/IMG_6851_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRt8-fKbWjl5H7U9xN0AmWZIgzhD6psYqysUutRfN8xDkkT-pFK3Sl0LjS1gwB9dcl8BO1-TP7fUlN-JoNesNiA9QNtxhrfrhPWaOn1OTyl_freB2EVufWp6MhpJREz0wFOkGasrN4Vvr/s400/IMG_6851_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366333888676858562" border="0" /></a>There are a few things that you dislike. You seriously dislike being dirty, and hot is a close second. So, the beach was not something you enjoyed. You still don't like most fruits, but have started eating bananas and strawberries at times. Oddly enough you do like all juices and always ask for grapes though you never eat them. You don't like being told "no" and sometimes pucker your lip and start to cry. But, you DO have a strong will and fiery temper that scares us a little bit.<br /><br />You have one gross habit. You love to pull dental floss out of the bathroom trash can and pretend to floss. Please stop that soon!<br /><br />Your vocabulary continues to grow, though you don't talk much at all when we are not at home.<br /><br />You have a couple of obsessions. Lately your blankie is the biggest one. You want it with you at ALL times and absolutely meltdown when we won't let you have it. And the biggest part of the blankie obsession is the "taggie." One blankie has already lost its taggie which has frustrated you to the point that I have had to "lose" that one. The other blankie's taggie is hanging by a thread so I guess Mommy will be investing in a couple new blankies very soon. Your other maddening obsession is your desire to sing/play Patty Cake and Row, Row Your Boat. Seriously...you could play that all. day. long. But, it is really cute, especially when we won't play with you so you get one of your babies and manipulate their arms to clap or row.<br /><br />My favorite cute thing you do lately is sing along with your Elmo toy that has a microphone. You know all of the little songs and carry it around like your own personal Karaoke machine. Even Austin thinks it is adorable.<br /><br />You continue to be a light in our lives and we are so blessed by you and all your little quirks. I am really looking forward to having some girl time with you this fall when Austin starts preschool. Fun times ahead my little love bug!<br /><br />Mommy will now forget that tomorrow, you are one day closer to 2. That is just too much to handle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuJcZJr2AX8QKpHlq48VicJ7fhBsxqbhyphenhyphen1XS9VICsX8vaEE5c3drVd7gS7IhknPg6XncaTxoePnxJ3sbyDF4MN0HShXm4iVhw9CvnsmyDX00rW8SDsxPfX50Ew_0CtC9PvD6AEJsrVH7S/s1600-h/IMG_8121_1+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuJcZJr2AX8QKpHlq48VicJ7fhBsxqbhyphenhyphen1XS9VICsX8vaEE5c3drVd7gS7IhknPg6XncaTxoePnxJ3sbyDF4MN0HShXm4iVhw9CvnsmyDX00rW8SDsxPfX50Ew_0CtC9PvD6AEJsrVH7S/s400/IMG_8121_1+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366333885798475394" border="0" /></a>Love you bunches, oodles and beyond my Peach!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-32964175272881940512009-08-04T00:46:00.001-04:002009-08-04T00:56:51.658-04:00Greats are GreatOne of the greatest things we got to do while on vacation in Florida was to spend some time with my grandfather (Papi). <br /><br />This was the first time we have been down since my abuela died in the fall and I have to admit it was strange. Family functions just aren't the same without her there.<br /><br />The first weekend we were down, Mark had some time to visit with Papi one on one and he opened up a lot about how much he missed Abuela. My dad had said he really didn't talk about her much, but I guess since Mark would be less likely to get emotional he felt comfortable talking to him about her. I am so glad he did. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to adjust to life alone after spending 58 years with your spouse.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwTkO0ZnVpGkCRK9AXDWB1rxJIpA9vSTAGRz0cl0R82BOdORMVjLt54m8zZj8kDiQRXqg22kgqT4E3mKI9ONnyxhF2dU6JoAULqH-WOdPrIx8twjtegRTwBMGlHArhnxVYUNZc9T91Tax/s1600-h/IMG_7717_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwTkO0ZnVpGkCRK9AXDWB1rxJIpA9vSTAGRz0cl0R82BOdORMVjLt54m8zZj8kDiQRXqg22kgqT4E3mKI9ONnyxhF2dU6JoAULqH-WOdPrIx8twjtegRTwBMGlHArhnxVYUNZc9T91Tax/s400/IMG_7717_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365595434168745250" border="0" /></a><br />But, he is doing well and thoroughly enjoyed seeing and spending time with the kids. He mentioned several times how much Abuela would have loved to see them and how much they have grown and such, so it was a little bittersweet.<br /><br />The kids love him and love that Mommy speaks Spanish when she is in Florida. Austin is completely fascinated by it and would repeat nearly everything I would say.<br /><br />At 85 years old he is still very active and played with the kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN3nOr47zuO5UN4HCCBzD9Ac_veg2pRdHIdK6ftMvU60w2SKfu9ChQIJ4f7nSII_TR71_1YSrmFMEgpYbub0PpN-cCSdoVftI4w-SdEthz97kDvMAbYL3SQWi1qmnDy5W1SFsT3cgT7c0/s1600-h/IMG_7727_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgN3nOr47zuO5UN4HCCBzD9Ac_veg2pRdHIdK6ftMvU60w2SKfu9ChQIJ4f7nSII_TR71_1YSrmFMEgpYbub0PpN-cCSdoVftI4w-SdEthz97kDvMAbYL3SQWi1qmnDy5W1SFsT3cgT7c0/s400/IMG_7727_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365595429082908162" border="0" /></a><br />Here he was playing "cell phone" with Mia. She could play that for hours and he was very patient in continuing to have play conversations with her. <br /><br />I loved that she could clearly say his name and asked for him when he wasn't around. So cute!<br /><br />One night we stayed at his house so that we could enjoy some extended time. That also allowed us to spend some time with Tia Gloria and enjoy her scrumptious cooking.<br /><br />My great aunt (Abuela's sister) lives in the in-law apartment at the back of Papi's house. They have a nice arrangement where she cleans and cooks for him and he drives her to the places she needs to get to. They keep each other company and I know that makes Abuela and my great uncle smile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigtRsSCm6fXAIxOKzwU_OPXANDGc52Q-ASw0lU8P7fJLI-FXI1F-0UjT_QicYLRUQUFL36gZ-oSGmQ-VXOjYNC5u9nDzoxlCDF7pbzq5mS8lnJ4tM0_qIJeDYkApxFskNf3zxRHlQwtf3/s1600-h/IMG_7748_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigtRsSCm6fXAIxOKzwU_OPXANDGc52Q-ASw0lU8P7fJLI-FXI1F-0UjT_QicYLRUQUFL36gZ-oSGmQ-VXOjYNC5u9nDzoxlCDF7pbzq5mS8lnJ4tM0_qIJeDYkApxFskNf3zxRHlQwtf3/s400/IMG_7748_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365595419116623170" border="0" /></a>Tia has a pet cockatiel named "Tweet." Austin was absolutely, positively fascinated by the bird. He wanted so badly for him to sit on his shoulder or rest in his hand, but Tweet only trusts two people. Papi and Tia. Regardless, he loved watching him and "talking" to him. Of course, the bird speaks Spanish so he couldn't understand.<br /><br />What a blessing it is to know that my children have the opportunity and pleasure of knowing, loving and enjoying their great grandparents and other greats. <br /><br />Though we don't get down to Florida very much I know that at least Austin knows he is loved beyond comprehension by Papi and many other family members.<br /><br />Thank you Papi for who you are, how you love us and for being a ray of sunshine in our vacation.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-89752400682923543322009-08-02T23:02:00.006-04:002009-08-03T00:38:36.268-04:00H - O - TWe have been home from our vacation in Florida for almost two weeks now. So go ahead and call me a slacker for just now getting some pictures and posts up. <br /><br />It's okay...I can take it!<br /><br />While we were in FL it was HOT.<br /><br />Truly uncomfortable.<br /><br />Of course, I think the highest temperature we had experienced in PA was about 82 with no humidity, so 97 with a heat index of 106 and high humidity was a huge change.<br /><br />Thankfully, Grandma and Grandpa's house had a pool, but even more fun was the "Sprinkler Park."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4QGkv0j2yZPwNO0jiHl3rVxAN179TWZugWyT25LTdii8OVsYvk7Et_FvtC3o4D9c97TjMY66AJK79dQ_SUXrBK0t1-ZdlWfOJzZv9UYbnhFM17lz3cIet23Ljgyq6fZKXw_X42eiEqFq/s1600-h/IMG_7761_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4QGkv0j2yZPwNO0jiHl3rVxAN179TWZugWyT25LTdii8OVsYvk7Et_FvtC3o4D9c97TjMY66AJK79dQ_SUXrBK0t1-ZdlWfOJzZv9UYbnhFM17lz3cIet23Ljgyq6fZKXw_X42eiEqFq/s400/IMG_7761_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365584400212752418" border="0" /></a><br />Just minutes away was a cute little county park with this fun water feature.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VEdoYbBaoZqsY7L8mOpdF6kW7D17bRLoyt-SpPw7eFNhSDKZVfLqIqXeugVjGwjMWNlTc91T8SKjIcrOhyphenhyphenXcMzbtK-rSVxtsBxB15_pa6EcBeuHm-pHbuFBP5m9Jd3iRMzU1H-cWVw6P/s1600-h/IMG_7764_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VEdoYbBaoZqsY7L8mOpdF6kW7D17bRLoyt-SpPw7eFNhSDKZVfLqIqXeugVjGwjMWNlTc91T8SKjIcrOhyphenhyphenXcMzbtK-rSVxtsBxB15_pa6EcBeuHm-pHbuFBP5m9Jd3iRMzU1H-cWVw6P/s400/IMG_7764_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365584391905282882" border="0" /></a><br />The kids really enjoyed attempting to beat the heat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4s613d4fGA5G0jdmfVYWzmqnOtAxPdMhfMKrkIppZwP099XxiEAwncBPMZu0umC2qZ3VXk8mriUPxn4ZwA3Gb_AORwz5BcXZHjgR-SvkeQbx08uuPSe3OKi_LQBzT2IIWDUajxcTjCyED/s1600-h/IMG_7783_1+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4s613d4fGA5G0jdmfVYWzmqnOtAxPdMhfMKrkIppZwP099XxiEAwncBPMZu0umC2qZ3VXk8mriUPxn4ZwA3Gb_AORwz5BcXZHjgR-SvkeQbx08uuPSe3OKi_LQBzT2IIWDUajxcTjCyED/s400/IMG_7783_1+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365584386442117426" border="0" /></a><br />Mia must wear her bow at all times so here she is begging me to put it back in her wet hair. Such a girl!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiQ65EQyaJV84ee0TrLWZyIhlB_Uni1edjmQvQaLpj_GUxQ_eaWqvfreIhYZ7AyXwrvlo5uWVGFc8pUd9Y0_nRpTiR3qLkdBh2XbIaAXmPXINnvmRgjFjRyHVJtum3v7pg9UGqfM8JvRK/s1600-h/IMG_7763_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiQ65EQyaJV84ee0TrLWZyIhlB_Uni1edjmQvQaLpj_GUxQ_eaWqvfreIhYZ7AyXwrvlo5uWVGFc8pUd9Y0_nRpTiR3qLkdBh2XbIaAXmPXINnvmRgjFjRyHVJtum3v7pg9UGqfM8JvRK/s400/IMG_7763_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365583282041722994" border="0" /></a><br />Mia liked this much more than the pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqMjT2RnGDhtHN8OKsbfkPkQcmehpR8LSD7Vy1WnlLg3rV3VOW5crBOGkQBui5dFCU9PHMeQQgP_Ef5c9VNSOIpPfUSBsVkxWEGcQsN6Qr3VweAZuLBl1DzFu92TxvL49aiYRs3hOo4hI/s1600-h/IMG_7756_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqMjT2RnGDhtHN8OKsbfkPkQcmehpR8LSD7Vy1WnlLg3rV3VOW5crBOGkQBui5dFCU9PHMeQQgP_Ef5c9VNSOIpPfUSBsVkxWEGcQsN6Qr3VweAZuLBl1DzFu92TxvL49aiYRs3hOo4hI/s400/IMG_7756_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365583280104570114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYno33sabdMcaNZeVnvukHSwQdbYhKcCDiQmq4zmm72VOP7vibtFX7y6JdBIHkfUJ4xRXsyb4LvpA1kEO6JgqbSsOlVBYkH8SJ4HN4TiJXLlBUih_lOHqIcyeJvq9DTnIWtT59zKYTUBd/s1600-h/IMG_7780_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYno33sabdMcaNZeVnvukHSwQdbYhKcCDiQmq4zmm72VOP7vibtFX7y6JdBIHkfUJ4xRXsyb4LvpA1kEO6JgqbSsOlVBYkH8SJ4HN4TiJXLlBUih_lOHqIcyeJvq9DTnIWtT59zKYTUBd/s400/IMG_7780_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365581646781792322" border="0" /></a><br />Austin was really enjoying the simple pleasure of it too. He loved that the different features did not all stay on at the same time. It would stop and start in new places and he would guess which one was coming on and be so proud of himself if he was right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0D9EZSYX1m-hG5D4zNuA6oO0ZEyfOvvHgNpHxxtYxNxBf7PfetC7br7jghYGiqj35sLXoFLf3ZB5UiSro5_jirXpCp939oolTkjkGb36nCOZENERTQPm1Gg_TX5YrYhsne_cSIMxx0M6/s1600-h/IMG_7765_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0D9EZSYX1m-hG5D4zNuA6oO0ZEyfOvvHgNpHxxtYxNxBf7PfetC7br7jghYGiqj35sLXoFLf3ZB5UiSro5_jirXpCp939oolTkjkGb36nCOZENERTQPm1Gg_TX5YrYhsne_cSIMxx0M6/s400/IMG_7765_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365581642980955250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EAN8e5AuPoZofKETahx9C7rLEZfdA55RCXdDFvegY1W_OEZiIzWMwMP6y5k_3bpJvHrTmNVYn6_EqY23dIelbo6BzYRInNPxOI4HzaxXyDJYuFiOu36Rps3XetQNRhPhz2gtH_kRor37/s1600-h/IMG_7767_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EAN8e5AuPoZofKETahx9C7rLEZfdA55RCXdDFvegY1W_OEZiIzWMwMP6y5k_3bpJvHrTmNVYn6_EqY23dIelbo6BzYRInNPxOI4HzaxXyDJYuFiOu36Rps3XetQNRhPhz2gtH_kRor37/s400/IMG_7767_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365578341238232082" border="0" /></a><br />Surprisingly, there was only one other child there the morning we went. Mia was being friendly but secretly I think she was after his bucket.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmkorNFRZvgbZxJM1BsPl5_jh7Zm9sYkKK7xnCy2vYtdPNTLe7Zhaanw7w3A4x-58Hk4Wu4IYmfOWBETYfgM43ZNU-5wcy0eeLTJBD5rYfv8d5NQYLN0VXoXU2o_IGA3naaxGVhF0fQ7j/s1600-h/IMG_7760_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmkorNFRZvgbZxJM1BsPl5_jh7Zm9sYkKK7xnCy2vYtdPNTLe7Zhaanw7w3A4x-58Hk4Wu4IYmfOWBETYfgM43ZNU-5wcy0eeLTJBD5rYfv8d5NQYLN0VXoXU2o_IGA3naaxGVhF0fQ7j/s400/IMG_7760_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365578330160596914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_BOs0Yt8nViqEnqB-FdPLv8YGD3j4iWTcwvMr5U-sRpZEex5d01FN-5HUUBNy8Ms-VF-Y1FIy3fz6s-fvr5ol-aAWUCrsBuxCB9mT23xrF-Vcu3PVfyfHydvcA0g06zgPNMrZ9a_TUnq/s1600-h/IMG_7775_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_BOs0Yt8nViqEnqB-FdPLv8YGD3j4iWTcwvMr5U-sRpZEex5d01FN-5HUUBNy8Ms-VF-Y1FIy3fz6s-fvr5ol-aAWUCrsBuxCB9mT23xrF-Vcu3PVfyfHydvcA0g06zgPNMrZ9a_TUnq/s400/IMG_7775_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365573809881359634" border="0" /></a> It was a great time! And though we beat the heat for a brief time we didn't beat the mosquitoes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixxiSP4P3UD_ITRczs2o0HFFykjshUKIfxZFq6nP2COj7CGGZjSGCHIK5tr4j_-jWStw_2zehij9T-GAr-q5O63aeUU2XfzxDFSgogHtJ1V6wUsVMBpXdHEyhWSx8yJyrrQQiwFrxYAei/s1600-h/IMG_7787_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixxiSP4P3UD_ITRczs2o0HFFykjshUKIfxZFq6nP2COj7CGGZjSGCHIK5tr4j_-jWStw_2zehij9T-GAr-q5O63aeUU2XfzxDFSgogHtJ1V6wUsVMBpXdHEyhWSx8yJyrrQQiwFrxYAei/s400/IMG_7787_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365573802539950098" border="0" /></a>So, playground time had to be very brief because though the kids were swinging and safe from bites, Mommy and Daddy were being eaten alive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm6Es6c8oWYUHiYVRzQ-sRaQXJaZ-ALVdEGdWCnVdq_uXzqKwsqXMuw6-BoZkSVHulti2PavSl04_L6jBvv9p-_i6CzuJlrabO1x0VipMHsojvT0P-Hhguwmvx6zsKn0CnkoTTHQKJFaS/s1600-h/IMG_7791.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwm6Es6c8oWYUHiYVRzQ-sRaQXJaZ-ALVdEGdWCnVdq_uXzqKwsqXMuw6-BoZkSVHulti2PavSl04_L6jBvv9p-_i6CzuJlrabO1x0VipMHsojvT0P-Hhguwmvx6zsKn0CnkoTTHQKJFaS/s400/IMG_7791.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365573800034115586" border="0" /></a><br />More vacation pics and stories to come. Hold me to it...otherwise my slacker tendencies may take over again.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-55383354806992517982009-08-01T23:46:00.002-04:002009-08-02T00:00:07.987-04:00A Wii to Help a Wee OneA friend of a friend is doing a huge giveaway on her blog and I am here to tell you about it.<br /><br />The Weldons are raising money to adopt their daughter from China. To aid in this process Angie is doing her first giveaway and it is a big one.<br /><br />The first 200 entrants will have a chance to win a Wii Entertainment System!!! <br /><br />All of the details can be found <a href="http://clintandangieweldon.blogspot.com/2009/08/home-study-wii-style.html">here</a> on their blog.<br /><br />Good luck!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-81986147193359070182009-07-28T00:14:00.003-04:002009-07-28T00:36:46.912-04:00Beach Baby?<center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img src="http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/125x125.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6DF8o_R6tW7ZXxAW2k7iIX3VVOOeVMHoohHyKnLtlJGv3nO_dQz7oqwK1PfSklnn5YpeY2mHCbkXrSMQtV1tgs2vXKnvZrbssqHsr11HOSEWIK_l6oC1C4vr8RMciuDdisvDdUIw_IQR/s1600-h/IMG_6850_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6DF8o_R6tW7ZXxAW2k7iIX3VVOOeVMHoohHyKnLtlJGv3nO_dQz7oqwK1PfSklnn5YpeY2mHCbkXrSMQtV1tgs2vXKnvZrbssqHsr11HOSEWIK_l6oC1C4vr8RMciuDdisvDdUIw_IQR/s400/IMG_6850_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363361372370769826" border="0" /></a>This week on I <3 Faces the theme is "beach." Since we just got back from a trip to FL to visit my family, I have some recent shots. This was my favorite because it truly conveys how Mia felt about the beach. Hot and dirty are not on her list of things she enjoys, so she was definitely not a fan of her time there. Needless to say, we spent the rest of our days at the pool.<br /><br />For more beach themed entries click <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/">here</a> and give yourself a dose of summer.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480524659412732864.post-31332244667541582252009-07-06T23:33:00.010-04:002009-07-07T01:03:17.894-04:00Red, White and BlueThis is the first July 4th in three years that it didn't rain. Not only did it not rain but we had absolutely gorgeous weather.<br /><br />We spent the night at my in-laws on Friday night along with my nieces, nephew and sisters in law so that we could all go to the parade Saturday morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiQXQzEf6Ih066wZDgObsSfYs7_hLSJ1wb4SWBK2hcNEfUVX8NknNZznLw7QFxhJe5BR6Jknl4pZG6utGwI3HZgsGrEoSo_emVxlWf7EzhSiGx-9dTj9xlEt5Lvi2SEGh4jIoDTj1nYG-/s1600-h/July4th1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiQXQzEf6Ih066wZDgObsSfYs7_hLSJ1wb4SWBK2hcNEfUVX8NknNZznLw7QFxhJe5BR6Jknl4pZG6utGwI3HZgsGrEoSo_emVxlWf7EzhSiGx-9dTj9xlEt5Lvi2SEGh4jIoDTj1nYG-/s400/July4th1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355566870319200306" border="0" /></a><br />Though the parade was a little long and in need of more bands and general entertainment, we all had a good time seeing the endless firetrucks, politicians throwing loads of candy and kids on decorated bicycles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXBJRVb-mxfp-GmgfB0eevoZwSROOs11WIywD6pn3q0V4MvTPpVaB1QAaa8wgxl86Zajpyk8d50tnRqUQKatu4iUR0eDCsPGcwzwhB7K71a2ZG6P0lgTnnCw-adzOhGrlJj8KmKczQPQ3/s1600-h/Collages.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXBJRVb-mxfp-GmgfB0eevoZwSROOs11WIywD6pn3q0V4MvTPpVaB1QAaa8wgxl86Zajpyk8d50tnRqUQKatu4iUR0eDCsPGcwzwhB7K71a2ZG6P0lgTnnCw-adzOhGrlJj8KmKczQPQ3/s400/Collages.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565920139489618" border="0" /></a><br />It was nice for all the cousins to get to do something fun together. They all looked so cute in their outfits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60fNmvJcVh-iYlRhWtUmKnUIeCBqPvzrFQ1AfjZYOt1Fv2fCiO7eaNuUP5fAJitLfrIBfBO0hIDIxWUI1xMJZ9CN3ebCe1tKem_TXYFs-_dpYsjmVSHPQyHQWnB-ykhPrD6BuWpX0Ld7P/s1600-h/IMG_7619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60fNmvJcVh-iYlRhWtUmKnUIeCBqPvzrFQ1AfjZYOt1Fv2fCiO7eaNuUP5fAJitLfrIBfBO0hIDIxWUI1xMJZ9CN3ebCe1tKem_TXYFs-_dpYsjmVSHPQyHQWnB-ykhPrD6BuWpX0Ld7P/s400/IMG_7619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355565271766163666" border="0" /></a><br />I handed Mark the camera so I could finally be in at least one picture. And I think he captured a gem.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfnEh9BqXtNkV_lP3xF1rVAhyOpnhj_5ESEif1_8vC6UfypIN7aXlzLiehccHzUO0wmLjvg-rnELqrh4qt3UK8RsGJzjmxfkdmP7RnlmYoqyTyOViwK0luGS7P6Vhe5KV1CHay3ZVjbBn/s1600-h/July4th.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfnEh9BqXtNkV_lP3xF1rVAhyOpnhj_5ESEif1_8vC6UfypIN7aXlzLiehccHzUO0wmLjvg-rnELqrh4qt3UK8RsGJzjmxfkdmP7RnlmYoqyTyOViwK0luGS7P6Vhe5KV1CHay3ZVjbBn/s400/July4th.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355563995432402578" border="0" /></a><br />After the parade we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house for more food and fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSspsAqCInTih_xZl4vHZu_h0GUoAT29L7NXwRNwSV9YBq_coC-ea7s7UlyxbTAcnIBVsYPPzRaHhnU1Tteiw9fRrc74LRaysR_U_wJm_1_WQ4G0Izc36JpWL48U4rJ4OSxJK9zzSRenDH/s1600-h/BillandMarsha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSspsAqCInTih_xZl4vHZu_h0GUoAT29L7NXwRNwSV9YBq_coC-ea7s7UlyxbTAcnIBVsYPPzRaHhnU1Tteiw9fRrc74LRaysR_U_wJm_1_WQ4G0Izc36JpWL48U4rJ4OSxJK9zzSRenDH/s400/BillandMarsha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355567968408876802" border="0" /></a><br />Patriotic popsicles were a popular choice and Mia was certainly not left out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDwxDkSvextXT1UzjFH09Vjtu1ERN1Ic9edj2q5x4x7hNRwvT_5TYDOQC_VsQwH82bg-_bAEjUJKqNa4ReAeQ0iFyQzXHKh1-ocCp49Gybqp8jEPBd3O_301_y5Dv9ykFQGlbFq3Ac2bp/s1600-h/July4th2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDwxDkSvextXT1UzjFH09Vjtu1ERN1Ic9edj2q5x4x7hNRwvT_5TYDOQC_VsQwH82bg-_bAEjUJKqNa4ReAeQ0iFyQzXHKh1-ocCp49Gybqp8jEPBd3O_301_y5Dv9ykFQGlbFq3Ac2bp/s400/July4th2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355567963572419042" border="0" /></a><br />She has really started hamming it up for the camera. Hmmmm...I wonder why?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR96vYaaPMUaT4qylQXs3jV1Lkz-n4kNt6h2NdFLYqQaBHMjXJRtRYYxW2od4K6pcyTTUoJGHXcpuBQKNZxmcGeD4CGOFTHB7lCHN-Bt_RKTHOeiMEkwDumkg8uqiUZd8PVi8aPhAkJKI/s1600-h/IMG_7672_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR96vYaaPMUaT4qylQXs3jV1Lkz-n4kNt6h2NdFLYqQaBHMjXJRtRYYxW2od4K6pcyTTUoJGHXcpuBQKNZxmcGeD4CGOFTHB7lCHN-Bt_RKTHOeiMEkwDumkg8uqiUZd8PVi8aPhAkJKI/s400/IMG_7672_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355560425068224418" border="0" /></a><br />This pictures is for my family because they have been bugging me for a picture of Mia walking. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br />After some delicious food and homemade ice cream we headed out to get a spot for the fireworks. There was music playing which was nice since we had over an hour to wait for it to get dark.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OjoUrighfwJX_9va0D0heW0wiy1F535ivdSLeOh4zjrrjaje1svSg1c5wEfRp2HbChLi22afBDUftfSIvYRfJNx2vZ6SU2NogE4w2y3LAlPR_sZDY73r_S9qw0Wc4Jjn51K5RaQPlZW4/s1600-h/IMG_7695_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OjoUrighfwJX_9va0D0heW0wiy1F535ivdSLeOh4zjrrjaje1svSg1c5wEfRp2HbChLi22afBDUftfSIvYRfJNx2vZ6SU2NogE4w2y3LAlPR_sZDY73r_S9qw0Wc4Jjn51K5RaQPlZW4/s400/IMG_7695_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355560414616144770" border="0" /></a>Austin happily danced.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBe6oOxn8WQyV850R-qKwqMv6J3YgY866Aeyn_0sjETpszIm9HoBd_-n1AwPklVMeuFVZJsrYSxiX_5wPUxc_yXMS0jQFSte_U-S45UNxOsqmwfCtpF3vZ8wEbDe72KI-KQM8JDyQ7vIM/s1600-h/IMG_7697.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBe6oOxn8WQyV850R-qKwqMv6J3YgY866Aeyn_0sjETpszIm9HoBd_-n1AwPklVMeuFVZJsrYSxiX_5wPUxc_yXMS0jQFSte_U-S45UNxOsqmwfCtpF3vZ8wEbDe72KI-KQM8JDyQ7vIM/s400/IMG_7697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355578699025096786" border="0" /></a><br />The sunset prior to the fireworks was gorgeous. That alone would have been a terrific ending to a wonderful day. But, there were still fireworks to come.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaFMY5nPosJ_6PYC1g215efHBTbvtOodDxwJvvIHlFgnAML1bC20Ff52LoaRbv13QoE3oVop8dW4P4eQlW4Neg-_yfOktgh1RE2t9gR24WfIriO4VNfEW5JGjVdJ8asZUzC2gai2dFTvv/s1600-h/IMG_7698_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaFMY5nPosJ_6PYC1g215efHBTbvtOodDxwJvvIHlFgnAML1bC20Ff52LoaRbv13QoE3oVop8dW4P4eQlW4Neg-_yfOktgh1RE2t9gR24WfIriO4VNfEW5JGjVdJ8asZUzC2gai2dFTvv/s400/IMG_7698_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355560400682340738" border="0" /></a>It was WAY past Mia's bedtime and she was having a really hard time waiting, but she ultimately loved the fireworks and oohed and aahed the whole time.<br /><br />On the way home I told Mark that I think it was one of the best 4th of Julys I have had. I love this country and celebrating it's "birthday" with my family brought me joy and hope that we will all remember the foundations it was built on and hold true to them.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01561610754317073080noreply@blogger.com11