tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87027408402117811342024-03-12T18:48:59.429-07:00A Penny Thoughtthe value of mental capacity at any given time!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-78404831381716731272010-06-14T07:47:00.000-07:002010-06-14T21:35:40.355-07:00The House<div style="text-align: left;">I have not got 'caught' up yet... but I am going to skip the rest of May for now. There have been requests of house photos.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like everything at my house is almost done...</div><div><br /></div><div>The fence...The yard...The sprinklers...</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZCxVb5UhI/AAAAAAAACn8/gWEsXWhvR0g/s400/STG_0753.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482643011705328146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZCxB6foqI/AAAAAAAACn0/u7eB5870-zI/s400/IMG_1548.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482643006464959138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The house...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A before on the house... and after on the fence.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZBfOqwVbI/AAAAAAAACm8/hsXu2RKWjBE/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482641601139332530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZBegmGnNI/AAAAAAAACm0/hR9MpT9ulRU/s400/IMG_0033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482641588771790034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">During:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZBfek2OTI/AAAAAAAACnE/QO-vW0qkYR4/s400/IMG_0093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482641605409519922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZCxVb5UhI/AAAAAAAACn8/gWEsXWhvR0g/s1600/STG_0753.JPG"><br /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZCwuSOMmI/AAAAAAAACns/GZg2Sy8KXy8/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZCwuSOMmI/AAAAAAAACns/GZg2Sy8KXy8/s400/IMG_0092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482643001195770466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TBZCwQXdPKI/AAAAAAAACnk/ohxu3eB3KK4/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482642993164663970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div>In due time... all in due time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc planted grass today... we are well on our way!</div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-14032540600487451312010-05-30T09:55:00.000-07:002010-05-30T23:30:03.672-07:00Orange Belt<div style="text-align: left;">It looks like we found her 'thing'! Grace started <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Taekwondo</span> this year and loves it. -She doesn't jump up and down and talk about it non-stop. -She complains about getting ready to go. -But when we get there... she transforms to Ms. Grace.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><ul><li>She listens.</li><li>She participates.</li><li>She works hard.</li><li>She smiles.</li><li>She says, 'Yes sir' and 'Yes ma'am'.</li><li>She learns.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TAKeYS4TTXI/AAAAAAAAClw/3qwhRLnZib0/s400/IMG_1439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477114237057977714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div><div>About every 2 1/2 months she has the opportunity to test for a new belt level. Her instructors 'get' Grace. They allow her to test with another student. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TAKeZnd2nAI/AAAAAAAACmI/vlFwMRjYIOw/s400/MVI_1451-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477114259764059138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite part of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">TKD</span> is the positive teaching method. The young students not only learn from the instructors, but they learn from other classmates with higher belts. There are Tiny Tigers who aren't even in school yet and there are adults also...including a Grandma Black Belt.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TAKeZFGMZgI/AAAAAAAACmA/siRgtG6o0_M/s400/MVI_1451-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477114250538018306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>There are many 'typical' students and then there are a few students, like Grace, who need special consideration. All students are treated with respect. All students are expected (and do) perform to a high level of control and with respect.</div><div><br /></div><div>After going 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">x's</span> a week for over 5 months you would think that I would be saying they almost always use positive reinforcement strategies with their students ~ but I can't. No, they ALWAYS use positive comments. I have NEVER heard NO or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">THAT's</span> not right. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I could say the same thing about my teaching, but I can't ~ but two times a week I can see positive reinforcement work. And, trust me, I'm watching and I'm taking notes. Hopefully, I will learn by example and be able to apply the positive teaching approach in my own classroom and make my students feel as successful as they make Grace feel.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am pleased to introduce Ms. Grace, my orange belt!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/TAKeY9NkHHI/AAAAAAAACl4/2aVEzj8PTls/s400/IMG_1460.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477114248421448818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-17028146944979681892010-05-23T08:13:00.001-07:002010-05-30T10:19:57.678-07:00Track<div style="text-align: left;">Taryn participated on the Sunridge Middle School track team this spring. In addition to her running events she tried a variety of field events including: the long jump, the high jump, and the javelin. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here she is making her move on the final corner of the 800. She sucked up both of these girls and got 3rd place.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lGQARJXYI/AAAAAAAACkg/wJSehebxWkw/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lGPwVHZkI/AAAAAAAACkY/mI9EdEksBF8/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lGPwVHZkI/AAAAAAAACkY/mI9EdEksBF8/s400/IMG_1345.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474484058530997826" /></a><br /><div>This is her posing with her javelin. I tried to take some action shots but it is hard to have a steady hand when you are giggling so much. - A 70 pound, noodle armed girl throwing a javelin is funny to watch.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lGPg5EoLI/AAAAAAAACkQ/vkBg-BwXNwc/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lGPg5EoLI/AAAAAAAACkQ/vkBg-BwXNwc/s400/IMG_1336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474484054386843826" /></a><br /></div><div>Taryn ended up cutting the season short. Her second to last meet was scheduled to be in The Dalles. They would not get home until after 9 pm. It was the week before fair and she was having tests. On her third consecutive melt-down in a row that week, we convinced her she was spreading herself too thin. The last meet was the same day as weigh-in, so she stopped track 2 weeks early. It made those weeks a little less stressful and she was a lot more manageable.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder why she thinks she can do more than she really can? Hmm... I'm still trying to figure out why I can't. I am hoping to help her learn to not over commit. Maybe we can practice together.</div><div><br /></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-62831226153292804652010-05-23T07:48:00.000-07:002010-05-23T08:22:24.037-07:00PLC Conference<div>Professional Learning Communities have been a goal for our staff for a few years now. I can honestly say I don't feel like 'goal' is the right term anymore. We are on our way. I now consider PLC's a work in progress in our building. </div><div><br /></div><div>Curt, my principal:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lCA7pcc4I/AAAAAAAACkA/t8fwSw7h16M/s400/IMG_1373.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474479405824504706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Ken, second grade teacher, and extraordinary trouble maker:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lB_4XobII/AAAAAAAACjw/T_bIWhKGWzc/s400/IMG_1371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474479387764616322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Diana, my brilliant teaching partner:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lCABtllAI/AAAAAAAACj4/SBhjFxJPrlU/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lCABtllAI/AAAAAAAACj4/SBhjFxJPrlU/s400/IMG_1372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474479390272623618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div>And myself:</div><div> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lCBL0q2BI/AAAAAAAACkI/t2NdTpKcjZI/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lCBL0q2BI/AAAAAAAACkI/t2NdTpKcjZI/s400/IMG_1374.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474479410166552594" /></a><br /><div>went to Porland to attend a conference on PLC's. The first night there we went to The Kennedy School for dinner. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://blog.ratestogo.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/kennedy-school.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The burgers, beer and tater tots were delicious.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>At the conference we learned a lot. (Including how NOT to open soda during presentations.) Now we all feel ready to get a fast start on our work in progress next year.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lCA7pcc4I/AAAAAAAACkA/t8fwSw7h16M/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lCABtllAI/AAAAAAAACj4/SBhjFxJPrlU/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_lB_4XobII/AAAAAAAACjw/T_bIWhKGWzc/s1600/IMG_1371.JPG"></a></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-87460832613714175742010-05-20T20:40:00.000-07:002010-05-20T21:18:22.894-07:00First Communion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_YFOuMgG7I/AAAAAAAACjg/Me3swYfeGBg/s1600/IMG_1259.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_YFOuMgG7I/AAAAAAAACjg/Me3swYfeGBg/s400/IMG_1259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473568147592190898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Reagan 2010</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_YFOHgELeI/AAAAAAAACjQ/hrsZEDH_9yQ/s1600/IMG_0676.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_YFOHgELeI/AAAAAAAACjQ/hrsZEDH_9yQ/s400/IMG_0676.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473568137205263842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Grace 2009</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_YFNQoVnKI/AAAAAAAACjI/H1lVb98VWAg/s1600/100_0962.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S_YFNQoVnKI/AAAAAAAACjI/H1lVb98VWAg/s400/100_0962.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473568122476010658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Taryn 2006</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>All three of my beautiful daughters have now received their First Communion. I bought a dress for Taryn 5 years ago, thinking at the time, it would be the first of 3 dresses I would buy. It worked out that all my girls were able to wear it. I loved that. I am a ~touch~ sentimental. The pictures of all three girls in the same dress melts my heart.<div><br /></div><div>I'm counting my blessings now, as I'm guessing, that won't fly when it comes to the wedding gown(s).</div><div><br /></div><div>PS- I know I was overzealous with a post a day... I've already posted more this month than the entire year. Summer will get me caught up, right?</div></div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-35798663910217737062010-05-16T07:18:00.001-07:002010-05-16T07:35:03.790-07:00Pendleton Easter<div>For the three of us at home Easter was a bit more traditional. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had a sleepover at the Nelson's so we could enjoy an early morning egg hunt. Yes, those are our winter coats. There wasn't snow on the ground, but it fell in the mountains that night and it was FREEZING. That was another point to our sleepover. Our heat pump went out and the cold weather wasn't finished. We were snug as bugs in their wonderful house.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_-962GCLI/AAAAAAAACh4/D5qhGbHo1rM/s320/IMG_1190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471872412000061618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Then the girls had to get dressed and pose for our annual Easter pictures. Unfortunately, because of the very early Easter and crazy cold weather, there were no flowers to provide a pretty setting. Again, the girls were sport, it was freezing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_--mWqKdI/AAAAAAAACiI/bIvU7qjsuhA/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_--mWqKdI/AAAAAAAACiI/bIvU7qjsuhA/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471872423679371730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Church services were beautiful as the Children's Choir sang from the balcony. We recently remodeled the church and added a high alter to restore the original look of the church. Eventually there will be a mural above the alter. I can't wait to see it finished.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-__D0Y3U2I/AAAAAAAACiQ/UoWaIFw1VJE/s320/IMG_1208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471872513346065250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>It was a blustery afternoon, but the girls ran around looking for the elusive GOLDEN egg.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-__EJXsqfI/AAAAAAAACiY/9CP4qUIwHnc/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-__EJXsqfI/AAAAAAAACiY/9CP4qUIwHnc/s320/IMG_1214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471872518978316786" /></a><br /><div>As a side note: the days before Easter I spent HOURS looking for eggs. Not the type of eggs you EVER want to be looking for... in your child's hair.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were struck with head lice for the first time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I found a bug while brushing Reagan's hair and upon a closer look found nearly 200 nits.</div><div><br /></div><div>It took me 3 movies and an extraordinary amount of patience on both our parts to de-lice my little lady.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-__D0Y3U2I/AAAAAAAACiQ/UoWaIFw1VJE/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_--mWqKdI/AAAAAAAACiI/bIvU7qjsuhA/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_-9mqMZ2I/AAAAAAAAChw/hqoQN_iflks/s1600/IMG_1189.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_-9mqMZ2I/AAAAAAAAChw/hqoQN_iflks/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471872406581438306" /></a></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_-9PH2e1I/AAAAAAAACho/MDrHL5T1Xms/s1600/IMG_1185.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_-9PH2e1I/AAAAAAAACho/MDrHL5T1Xms/s1600/IMG_1185.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-_-9PH2e1I/AAAAAAAACho/MDrHL5T1Xms/s320/IMG_1185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471872400263379794" /></a><br /></div><div>There are some experiences of elementary school I would be happy to live without experiencing. We were very thorough and avoided anyone else in the house getting them. I was also successful in getting them out in one go-around (a 10 day process). I now am left wondering, how long before I can scratch an itch on my head without worrying about head lice?<br /><br /></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-79910226064294427742010-05-15T06:35:00.001-07:002010-05-15T07:12:33.818-07:00Easter in Willows<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lfhAJ9pI/AAAAAAAACfg/Q1CPHSrufKc/s1600/103_1316.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lfhAJ9pI/AAAAAAAACfg/Q1CPHSrufKc/s320/103_1316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471492558155282066" /></a></div><br /><div>It was a different Easter this year. I was home with just Grace and Reagan. The weekend coincided with the annual Willow Weekend. You see, my dad & brother are cattle ranchers and they winter their cattle in Willows, California. Each spring my husband makes a huge <b>sacrifice</b> ( read: escapes work and daily duties) to make the trip south. This year we decided Taryn was old enough to make the trip. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lgTY_vwI/AAAAAAAACfw/J8tf8F_Hl2w/s320/103_1340.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471492571681242882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Her job was tail holding. Apparently it is a pretty important job. If you don't have a tail holder and you are working on the south end of a cow, you end up covered in $#!+ by the end of the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>After a long hard day working she was able to experience a new level of testosterone. Growing up with only sisters she isn't used to the 'one-up-ing' that can occur when a bunch of <b>men</b> (read:boys) gather. As if that wasn't enough of an experience, they told her she had to be initiated. The rite involved Rocky Mountain Oysters.</div><div><br /></div><div>Step One: Question your desire...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lhJYae5I/AAAAAAAACgA/QfkSUTOChd0/s1600/103_1370.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lhJYae5I/AAAAAAAACgA/QfkSUTOChd0/s320/103_1370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471492586174315410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Step two: Inspect </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lguah1II/AAAAAAAACf4/lXe_MGQAFLM/s1600/103_1369.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lguah1II/AAAAAAAACf4/lXe_MGQAFLM/s320/103_1369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471492578935428226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Step Three: ABORT!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6pxLItOcI/AAAAAAAAChg/NvqWsZI005E/s320/103_1371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471497259569723842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>That's my girl!</div><div><br /></div><div>Taryn was hoping to bring one of these home to fill her Easter basket.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lgM-gWXI/AAAAAAAACfo/O3vfSDm3bds/s1600/103_1318.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6lgM-gWXI/AAAAAAAACfo/O3vfSDm3bds/s320/103_1318.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471492569959520626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">And Grandpa was trying his hardest to send this home to fill her basket, but turns out dad was blessed with a bummer girl this time. With no option of a 4H project - I respectfully declined the gift.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6pwu0dP0I/AAAAAAAAChY/7dqfaouWmNY/s320/103_1275.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471497251968597826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">She is hoping to be able to make the trip again next year.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Marc had her document the actual work that they do, as I've heard more stories about the 'after-party'. I know they work really hard, and I know my dad and brother need and appreciate the help. However, I'm not sure if they realize how much he enjoys that weekend in Willows. I'm pretty sure he'd pay to be able to go!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6pDhsWUdI/AAAAAAAAChI/KQaHrtnbktU/s320/103_1339.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471496475350815186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6pDdn4FtI/AAAAAAAAChA/-GOM6XMmfOQ/s1600/103_1331.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6pDdn4FtI/AAAAAAAAChA/-GOM6XMmfOQ/s320/103_1331.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471496474258314962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6pDJ1gzLI/AAAAAAAACg4/mwfBAqG491Q/s1600/103_1329.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-6pDJ1gzLI/AAAAAAAACg4/mwfBAqG491Q/s320/103_1329.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471496468946799794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-73238315983977291122010-05-13T19:57:00.000-07:002010-05-14T00:03:18.686-07:00Click, Clack, Moo....<div>For Christmas my parents bought us tickets to the Children's Theater in Portland, Oregon. So in February, over a long weekend, we went and saw Click, Clack, Moo, a story of barnyard antics while the farmer is away on vacation. It was a musical and delighted all the girls. (I'm pretty sure Marc fell asleep somewhere in the middle, but he said he thought it was 'nice'.)</div><div><br /></div><div>In the theater there was a huge chair and all the girls wanted their pictures taken in the big seat.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8z8k14jI/AAAAAAAACeg/yhJPRzoOe9w/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8z8k14jI/AAAAAAAACeg/yhJPRzoOe9w/s400/IMG_1118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470955247968313906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Taryn 12.5</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8zFvO2UI/AAAAAAAACeQ/BfFNHyP4daw/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8zFvO2UI/AAAAAAAACeQ/BfFNHyP4daw/s400/IMG_1116.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470955233247942978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Grace 9.5</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8zsk-RpI/AAAAAAAACeY/b9QhROjyCSk/s400/IMG_1117.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Reagan 8.0</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The actors all came out to the lobby to sign autographs after the show, but there were too many eager fans pushing and shoving their way to the front I needed to step aside before I started talking about how rude it is to cut in front of people. The lecture is always very fresh in my mind, as I present it about 4 times a week to my first graders. I'm guessing that the pushy adults would not have appreciated the 'lesson'.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We settled for a picture with the cardboard cow. Each of the girls had favorite farm animals. It was funny because if I was casting my girls for parts, each would have ended up playing their favorite animal. Something about the characters 'spoke' to my girls and 'fit' their unique personalities.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Taryn liked the cow who was a bit of a goody-two-shoes. The cow was cautious, but still ended up getting into trouble with the rest of the animals. Grace liked the duck who was all about having a good time and was usually the instigator in all the troubles. Reagan loved the prissy chicken. She danced and giggled and stole the spotlight more than once.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8kSL1XyI/AAAAAAAACeI/2x3fDYZfBYo/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8kSL1XyI/AAAAAAAACeI/2x3fDYZfBYo/s400/IMG_1119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470954978891095842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8jiO3l7I/AAAAAAAACeA/gmBsU0VE49M/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-y8jiO3l7I/AAAAAAAACeA/gmBsU0VE49M/s400/IMG_1120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470954966018922418" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Being bitten by the theater bug we already have our tickets for our next show. - We've stepped it up a notch from the $15 Children's Theater matinee tickets however. Next up?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://broadwaycritic.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/the-lion-king-poster63.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This will be a night to remember I am sure. I can't wait. We bit the bullet and bought orchestra seats. Spendy, but I know it is going to be worth it. </div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-15531638556768276422010-05-12T20:06:00.000-07:002010-05-12T20:12:42.750-07:00Happy 40.1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-tt8t4WdKI/AAAAAAAACdg/ood4Dt1xy44/s1600/IMG_1164.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-tt8t4WdKI/AAAAAAAACdg/ood4Dt1xy44/s400/IMG_1164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470587062247126178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-tt8TJTKgI/AAAAAAAACdY/JPNlWW7OAKs/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-tt8TJTKgI/AAAAAAAACdY/JPNlWW7OAKs/s400/IMG_1147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470587055070456322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-tt8KMXRXI/AAAAAAAACdQ/pDl89lIb6KU/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S-tt8KMXRXI/AAAAAAAACdQ/pDl89lIb6KU/s400/IMG_1142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470587052667389298" /></a><br />2010 will ring in the big 4-0 to many of my closest friends. In February, Marc and I took a quick trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Medford</span> to surprise Dianna for her 40<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> birthday party.<div><br /></div><div>Her husband Greg went over the top in planning the party. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a complete surprise, but I don't think she ever guessed that I would be driving 8 hours to spend the weekend with her.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had our nails done, went shopping, and talked endlessly. It is remarkable that we can go months without seeing each other or talking at all and pick up like it was yesterday.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Jello shots were nasty - but we each put one away for old-times sake.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mr. Party Planner himself was the first to hit-the-hay... but he had worked hard, so we didn't torture him too much about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope they get to head up our way in June to watch me roll into the next decade!</div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-20621746954543823562010-05-12T20:01:00.000-07:002010-05-12T20:03:25.358-07:00A post a day?When you get behind it seems really impossible to ever catch up. But while I have been gone a few (million) wonderful events have passed. I am going to try a post or two a day so I can get caught up before summer. You can only imagine how far behind I am in printing real pictures... only around 7,ooo or so.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-25436856432750686162010-02-27T19:22:00.000-08:002010-02-27T19:41:19.545-08:00Get ReadyThankfully, <span style="font-size:130%;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Get ready, get set, go!"</span> is</span> still 7 months away. But today was a beautiful, sun-shiny, 60 degree day ~ a wonderful start to what I hope will be a wonderful adventure. <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Marathon Training!</span></span><br /><br />Actually, I am just in training for the training. The 'real' training will begin in June. Race day will be 10-10-10. I love cool dates and thought this seemed like a perfect day to achieve a pretty lofty goal.<br /><br />Now, don't get carried away with yourself and imagine that I have any intentions of running the darn thing. Heck no. I have never been a runner and have no aspirations of becoming one now. But I decided in the year I was turning 40 I needed to do something remarkable. So here we are.<br /><br />I have one committed friend... as in, she has committed to do the race with me. Others are hinting that they may climb on board, and I'm lining out my cheering squad too. I am listening to advice from my sister, my dad, and some locals that have all done the 26.2 before. I am anxious to join the club. Wish me luck!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">First I bought the book.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S4nkPEYOmhI/AAAAAAAACWc/lOrBPGimze4/s1600-h/IMG_1170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S4nkPEYOmhI/AAAAAAAACWc/lOrBPGimze4/s400/IMG_1170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443132572178487826" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Then I bought the gear.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S4nkPjjXdbI/AAAAAAAACWk/5ge-wQFw6-4/s1600-h/IMG_1172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S4nkPjjXdbI/AAAAAAAACWk/5ge-wQFw6-4/s400/IMG_1172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443132580546704818" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Now it's time to get ready, get set and go.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S4nkP5jaSII/AAAAAAAACWs/DLEDFemq5Mo/s1600-h/IMG_1176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S4nkP5jaSII/AAAAAAAACWs/DLEDFemq5Mo/s400/IMG_1176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443132586452469890" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today was day one!</span></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-25904432408242823772010-01-31T21:52:00.000-08:002010-02-07T19:49:32.923-08:00RE: Header#1. Is it summer yet?<br />#2. How is it that they have grown up so fast?<br />#3. When will we ever get to the beach again?<div><br /></div><div>Photo: July 2006 (Taryn 9, Grace 6, Reagan 4.5) Netarts, OR</div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-68057561551455189012010-01-31T12:53:00.000-08:002010-01-31T12:57:12.192-08:00Mini-Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S2XuksGqcuI/AAAAAAAACT4/FGJ7Z7FHHHs/s1600-h/IMG_1087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S2XuksGqcuI/AAAAAAAACT4/FGJ7Z7FHHHs/s400/IMG_1087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433010839574180578" border="0" /></a><br />Taryn got her braces last Monday. For the record, she is much tougher than I was when I got mine on. She only has the tops ones so far. The bottom braces will go on once her molars come in a little more. All four of us needed braces, Marc is a 'been there, done that' so we are 3/5 of the way through the braces.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-8650696652745645962010-01-31T12:45:00.001-08:002010-01-31T12:52:44.191-08:00Homemade Noodles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S2XssqgAebI/AAAAAAAACTY/NWYbDOtMzIY/s1600-h/IMG_1104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S2XssqgAebI/AAAAAAAACTY/NWYbDOtMzIY/s400/IMG_1104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433008777559308722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My mom bought me a pasta maker a few years ago for Christmas.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S2Xss_V7YwI/AAAAAAAACTg/17U-G-JH0yE/s1600-h/IMG_1102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S2Xss_V7YwI/AAAAAAAACTg/17U-G-JH0yE/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433008783154176770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I don't have much counter space but I engineered a pretty sophisticated system to dry my noodles.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S2XstE25iDI/AAAAAAAACTo/yKhXzKeUcYo/s1600-h/IMG_1110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S2XstE25iDI/AAAAAAAACTo/yKhXzKeUcYo/s400/IMG_1110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433008784634644530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> -Yep, a $9 shower curtain rod.<br /></div><br /><br />The Chicken Noodle Soup was wonderful. I had enough noodles left over for my lunch on Monday. (Shh... I am hiding them from my girls.)Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-12161280985160008322010-01-03T17:59:00.000-08:002010-01-27T16:57:36.098-08:00The Girl Scouts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S0FL4wAiqQI/AAAAAAAACPA/d5M09hCLUUA/s1600-h/IMG_1010-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S0FL4wAiqQI/AAAAAAAACPA/d5M09hCLUUA/s400/IMG_1010-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422698864662718722" border="0" /></a><br />In order to suck every last ounce out of Christmas vacation this lot of girls hit the mountains with moms and dads in tow. Tony delighted us with hot cocoa and lemon bars. Yum. Before heading down the hill toward home we visited the little girls room at the lodge. As we were wrapping up a lady came in to use the facilities and said, "Oh, you must be a group of girls scouts or something."<br /><br />It made me giggle. Nope just God's way to keep Marc and Tony in touch with their sensitive<br />side.<br /><br />This picture of Kyndra was so fun to play with in Picassa because there were so many bright contrasting colors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S0FL41OuiMI/AAAAAAAACO4/7tmn4iJZRPs/s1600-h/IMG_0989.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S0FL41OuiMI/AAAAAAAACO4/7tmn4iJZRPs/s400/IMG_0989.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422698866064394434" border="0" /></a><br />First graders be kind to teacher tomorrow, it will be the earliest that she has gotten out of bed in two weeks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/S0FLwo4L6bI/AAAAAAAACOo/Xcc-TKSEXts/s1600-h/IMG_0989.JPG"> </a>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-4595193867777645352009-12-31T09:00:00.000-08:002010-01-02T23:30:33.665-08:00A Special Gift...I left home one day shortly before Christmas to go run errands... I barely was a mile away when the girls called me. There was crying in the background. Not-there's something terrible wrong- crying... more-uh-oh, we're in trouble now- crying.<br /><br />I have a very small (3) collection of Christmas snow globes. I haven't actively tried to collect them, but the few I have are very special to me.<br /><br />The first snow globe is a Peanut's snow globe I got from Larry and Sally Blanc. They are Godparents to my girls. Sally was one of my first friends when I moved to Pendleton. We only worked together for a year or so, but the trauma of that job (ok, it wasn't really that bad) bonded us tight. She and her family are very special to us and I think of them every year I take it out.<br /><br />The second snow globe I got from my mom. It is shiny, elegant, and grand. The music box base is silver. Inside is a vintage looking glass Santa. I put it in the center of my Santa display.<br /><br />My third snow globe I got at a Christmas exchange. It has a wooden base and holds a Nativity scene. It clearly was the least expensive of the bunch... but it held an important place on my Nativity table for Christmas.<br /><br />You can imagine that the snow globes are very enticing to little girls. I don't hover around my decorations telling them to keep their hands off ~ but they have been reminded numerous times that many of them are fragile.<br /><br />On this day... Jesus, Mary & Joseph came crashing down onto the hard wood floor. Shattered. There are conflicting alibi's regarding the location of each child at the time of the accident. I did a lot of 'self talk' on the way home. I knew from the crying on the phone that they already felt bad... I figured my remaining two snow globes would lead safe lives. The consequences of a dropped snow globe would be etched in their minds for a long time.<br /><br />Imagine my delight when I unwrapped this globe for Christmas. Girls, I love you and we all must remember that 'things' can always be replaced.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjtQbj26eI/AAAAAAAACNo/e_68FI4Ltnw/s1600-h/IMG_0872.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjtQbj26eI/AAAAAAAACNo/e_68FI4Ltnw/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420343018072238562" border="0" /></a>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-42306831556997446292009-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:002010-01-01T09:16:46.852-08:00Random Christmas Photos<div style="text-align: center;">Eager anticipation!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl60NmbmI/AAAAAAAACM4/jvoveYlPVeo/s1600-h/IMG_0809.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl60NmbmI/AAAAAAAACM4/jvoveYlPVeo/s320/IMG_0809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420334950151253602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Round one of opening presents was in Klamath Falls at my families house.<br />Nice hair Marc.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl8ZyCU0I/AAAAAAAACNY/zGdw1x6flps/s1600-h/IMG_0832.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl8ZyCU0I/AAAAAAAACNY/zGdw1x6flps/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420334977416057666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The girls and I got lots of paper so we can start creating fun things on my Cricut*<br />*My get up at 3:30 am the day after Thanksgiving best buy!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl8C_BarI/AAAAAAAACNQ/ZNmL9PrsxUQ/s1600-h/IMG_0830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl8C_BarI/AAAAAAAACNQ/ZNmL9PrsxUQ/s320/IMG_0830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420334971296508594" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mom opening her water bottle.<br />(Note to mom: There were other photos worse that this one)<br />(Remember when you told me not look at pictures of myself until<br />5 years later...<br />and then I would love them all because I would look younger?)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl7lgwlBI/AAAAAAAACNI/jAgvAN3IrQ8/s1600-h/IMG_0819.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl7lgwlBI/AAAAAAAACNI/jAgvAN3IrQ8/s320/IMG_0819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420334963384947730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Dad loves his Girls Scout chocolates...<br />Gotta love when the store bag is pretty enough to be the gift bag too...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl7ab81lI/AAAAAAAACNA/oxN5P00gMH8/s1600-h/IMG_0814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Szjl7ab81lI/AAAAAAAACNA/oxN5P00gMH8/s320/IMG_0814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420334960411989586" border="0" /></a><br />Uncle Jason always spoils the girls ~ translation ~<br />He sends me a generous check and I pick out wonderful<br />goodies for my girls. He feels a little out of touch with what<br />their interests might be.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjnoP0ckNI/AAAAAAAACNg/Xwir6fgcb2w/s1600-h/IMG_0836.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjnoP0ckNI/AAAAAAAACNg/Xwir6fgcb2w/s320/IMG_0836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420336830167683282" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We got him a really cool OSU sweatshirt.<br />Same as last year.<br />I'm kinda out of touch with what to get him too.<br />Maybe I should just send a check?<br />Naw, I think I am safe with OSU gear.<br /></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-48530429720083701532009-12-29T09:00:00.000-08:002009-12-29T20:18:41.039-08:00What she looks like...This is one of Taryn's many looks when she steals my camera and takes self portraits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjjV4Tj6YI/AAAAAAAACMg/Zanbx3wG6aI/s1600-h/IMG_0802.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjjV4Tj6YI/AAAAAAAACMg/Zanbx3wG6aI/s400/IMG_0802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420332116571580802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is what Grace looks like when she is sick. Poor thing got the pukes the morning we needed to drive to Klamath Falls. (Best trip ever for mom and dad. A puny sick little girl = a quiet little girl.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjjWDD6zgI/AAAAAAAACMo/q8FWOf-LwcE/s1600-h/IMG_0808.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjjWDD6zgI/AAAAAAAACMo/q8FWOf-LwcE/s400/IMG_0808.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420332119458762242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is what Reagan looks like when she is singing her first (and probably last) solo at her Christmas concert.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjjWdVpBVI/AAAAAAAACMw/nsEHvWPB9VI/s1600-h/STC_0792.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjjWdVpBVI/AAAAAAAACMw/nsEHvWPB9VI/s400/STC_0792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420332126512416082" border="0" /></a>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-7907813853327415842009-12-28T08:28:00.000-08:002009-12-28T08:51:21.163-08:00The Christmas Card<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfOJuWGqI/AAAAAAAACMY/S0kqxYl95WA/s1600-h/IMG_0743.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfOJuWGqI/AAAAAAAACMY/S0kqxYl95WA/s400/IMG_0743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420327585761860258" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Taryn - 12.5<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfM6dLW3I/AAAAAAAACL4/-TZHgf6YAmU/s1600-h/IMG_0744.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfM6dLW3I/AAAAAAAACL4/-TZHgf6YAmU/s400/IMG_0744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420327564483451762" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Grace 9.5<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfN0VEpKI/AAAAAAAACMQ/TslqJuTbUX0/s1600-h/IMG_0741.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfN0VEpKI/AAAAAAAACMQ/TslqJuTbUX0/s400/IMG_0741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420327580018713762" border="0" /></a>Reagan<br /><br />7.9260273<br />(She turns 8 on Jan. 23rd)<br /><br /></div>Let's see... about 20 people actually received their Christmas card from us this year. It looked like this...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfNfcpWhI/AAAAAAAACMA/HkWr9gxrj9U/s1600-h/IMG_0738.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfNfcpWhI/AAAAAAAACMA/HkWr9gxrj9U/s400/IMG_0738.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420327574413335058" border="0" /></a><br />Wait... no it wasn't this one - the one I copied had all girls looking good. This must be the one where I used Photo Shop to copy Taryn's head from this photo onto this photo:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfNh-tKeI/AAAAAAAACMI/2bCvt9-SAcM/s1600-h/IMG_0740.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SzjfNh-tKeI/AAAAAAAACMI/2bCvt9-SAcM/s400/IMG_0740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420327575093062114" border="0" /></a><br />Yep...this is the picture I used...except with Taryn's head from the first photo. WHAT WAS SHE THINKING? -She usually is so good when we take pictures. -There were about 5 other shots that looked just like this one and I never noticed. -She felt really, really, really bad when I freaked out. -She apologized a lot. -I could have felt equally bad and just sent out the cards without editing. -We would have laughed later. -It would have made her sad.<br /><br />Now all this was really just a distraction... I did do Christmas cards. I will send them out. I didn't write a letter. So now when you get a card it will be just to let you know that you are 'worth' a Forever Stamp to me. You've already seen the picture, there is no letter...and nope I haven't and won't hand write any special sentiments to you either. And if you don't get one, maybe I don't have your address or maybe I just got lazy... but just so you know... you are still worth a Forever Stamp to me.<br /><br />None the less... Here's hoping you had a very Merry Christmas and that the New Year will be blessed with Goodness!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-4013199460793080962009-12-13T14:01:00.000-08:002009-12-13T14:35:56.216-08:00Phil 4:4-7Today, maybe because I had read of a single mother who is raising 4 children on her own, three of which are autistic; maybe, I had a moment today because it is Christmas. For what ever reason, the second reading today spoke to me. It could be that this verse spoke to me so clearly because right now life is really great. It isn't picture perfect, but it is pretty amazing. So I really wanted to write this down for those days when things are not all in order. I am getting much better at letting go of things that I can not control. This verse needs to be my verse. I need to let it speak to me when my imagination of 'what-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">if's</span>' gets the best of me. I hope to be able to live this verse, through the good times and through times of struggle.<br /><br />Phil 4:4-7<a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/philippians/philippians4.htm#v4"></a> <p>Brothers and sisters:<br />Rejoice in the Lord always.<br />I shall say it again: rejoice!<br />Your kindness should be known to all.<br />The Lord is near.<br />Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,<br />by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,<br />make your requests known to God.<br />Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding<br />will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.</p><p>Rejoice in kindness, without fear and anxiety.</p><p>Merry Christmas to my friends & family ~ near and far!<br /></p>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-42635810406567665882009-12-09T20:42:00.000-08:002009-12-09T21:00:55.222-08:00Karo Syrup Paintings...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SyB9y1HpWsI/AAAAAAAACKg/bw5MMEdoodU/s1600-h/STA_0784.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SyB9y1HpWsI/AAAAAAAACKg/bw5MMEdoodU/s400/STA_0784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413465064305416898" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I printed pictures of bricks off the internet and then laminated them.<br />I can use them again & again & again....<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SyB90jsJh_I/AAAAAAAACK4/AYyzQRD-K5I/s1600-h/STB_0787.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SyB90jsJh_I/AAAAAAAACK4/AYyzQRD-K5I/s400/STB_0787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413465093986420722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We painted the candle holders for our mantel with corn syrup and food coloring on foil. <br />They look just like stained glass.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SyB90DtE6mI/AAAAAAAACKw/foUFCgD-3yA/s1600-h/STB_0785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SyB90DtE6mI/AAAAAAAACKw/foUFCgD-3yA/s400/STB_0785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413465085400377954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">For gift exchange the kids will each bring in 23 small items (stickers, bookmarks, etc) and then the elves will fill our stockings. If a student forgets, it is no big deal, none of the kids will take the time to count items. I will also get a supply of small items that I can add to the mix.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SyB9zXxLagI/AAAAAAAACKo/916We5LBhTg/s1600-h/STA_0786.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SyB9zXxLagI/AAAAAAAACKo/916We5LBhTg/s400/STA_0786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413465073606420994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This little light of mine...<br />I'm gonna let it shine...<br />This little light of mine...<br />I'm gonna let it shine...<br />Let it shine,<br />Let it shine,<br />All the time!<br /></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-17350887887289092482009-11-30T21:31:00.001-08:002009-11-30T21:37:15.227-08:00New do...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxSqQQWe96I/AAAAAAAACJQ/lARovyYM2yU/s1600/IMG_0780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxSqQQWe96I/AAAAAAAACJQ/lARovyYM2yU/s400/IMG_0780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410136248622708642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxSqQK2wKpI/AAAAAAAACJI/MC7olUL2zjY/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxSqQK2wKpI/AAAAAAAACJI/MC7olUL2zjY/s400/IMG_0777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410136247147440786" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not a blonde right now. I've gone dark before, but never this dark. My first graders are going to flip tomorrow. Mark my words, some sweet little kid will give me a nice compliment, but I bet at least 5, no 8, kids will freak out and tell me they liked my hair the 'old' way. And by that, I hope they mean they liked it better blonde and not GRAY. There was a lot of gray to cover up. When I got called Grandma (twice in two weeks by different kids) I knew it was time to spice it up a bit.<br /><br />Also, I'm not a big fan of self-portraits. They seem to be even worse when you are a nearly 40 year old trying to hide your braces. Sheesh, is it April yet?Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-43727904784166470442009-11-29T21:19:00.000-08:002009-11-29T21:33:42.021-08:00**SPOILER**The following images may spoil a surprise if you<br /><ul><li>have recently adopted a baby boy from China</li><li>are expecting a baby boy this spring</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">or<br /></div><ul><li>currently are a teacher to one of my children</li><li>are a fabulous assistant in my room<br /></li></ul><br />This is what I have been up to in my sewing room for the past 8 days! The five table runners have been a work in progress for 2 years. My apologies to the teachers of my children last year. I hope you liked the Starbucks cards, I love quilting and doing projects... but they sometimes take me longer (a lot longer) than I intend.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxNXvGP_oYI/AAAAAAAACHU/bsYogv49Y6A/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxNXvGP_oYI/AAAAAAAACHU/bsYogv49Y6A/s400/IMG_0767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409764044045263234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I actually have one more I made... but I liked it so much I am keeping it for myself. It is vintage red-white-blue for 4th of July.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxNYLjcf9gI/AAAAAAAACHk/CfX043kyzZ8/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxNYLjcf9gI/AAAAAAAACHk/CfX043kyzZ8/s400/IMG_0771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409764532918679042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Both quilts are a new pattern called 'I Spy with a Twist'.<br />It is my favorite type of pattern - one that looks more difficult than it actually is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxNYLJ0NJhI/AAAAAAAACHc/FHkjwz-4048/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxNYLJ0NJhI/AAAAAAAACHc/FHkjwz-4048/s400/IMG_0755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409764526038787602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am trying to decide what projects I will tackle over Christmas Break. I will need to help the girls get started on 4H projects soon... so my projects may be put on hold again.<br /></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-14374913001512910032009-11-29T16:10:00.000-08:002009-11-29T16:44:46.574-08:00The ApprenticeMarc always has some project or other that he is working on around our house. His handyman skills are very impressive. Between his job working for a contractor in high school, his dad, neighbors and friends, he has learned and tackled electrical wiring, plumbing, decks, siding, roofing, dry wall, and a fire pit. His current project is installing a sprinkler system. But this time he hasn't had to tackle the project himself. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxMSOC5ad9I/AAAAAAAACG0/CRtkc1Ha1Pw/s1600/STB_0748.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/SxMSOC5ad9I/AAAAAAAACG0/CRtkc1Ha1Pw/s400/STB_0748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409687609907247058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Even thought the weather has been chilly at times, Taryn has been her dad's apprentice, his side-kick, his runner. She has learned about different tools, she knows the names of at least 4 different shovels (who knew there were so many?), and she hasn't quit. She told me last night that she thinks maybe for 4H this year that she should make herself a tool belt. She is a chip off the old - I mean ole block. She had to have gotten the fix-it gene from her dad. That is NOT my style. I am much more of an 'inside-where-it-is-dry-and-warm' girl. I love a fun project, but it needs to involve the words, cute-pretty-creative-etc. or I'm not really interested.<br /><br />I am going to be really excited this summer when the lawn will be watered before I even wake up. But for now, I have delighted in watching the two of them, the master and the apprentice, working together, side-by-side.<br /></div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702740840211781134.post-39131743957611649542009-11-26T17:27:00.000-08:002009-11-26T17:51:20.273-08:00Feasting this Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Sw8rFMqIsuI/AAAAAAAACFM/JDk3cFUWghk/s1600/Thanksgiving.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZwQ0YOhPd7Y/Sw8rFMqIsuI/AAAAAAAACFM/JDk3cFUWghk/s400/Thanksgiving.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408589045792551650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This Thanksgiving we feasted on:<br /><br />Bacon wrapped turkey<br />Stuffing<br />Mashed potatoes<br />Homemade butter<br />Green beans<br />Bread<br />Pears<br />Chocolate Pie<br />Pumpkin Pie<br /><br />But what I am most thankful for on this Thanksgiving:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>A loving husband that is willing and able to make our house a home. His handyman skills are too numerous to count. He also manages to keep his sanity living in this estrogen rich environment. His laid back nature helps him not to lose his mind with all the mood swings and chaos that a wife and three daughters can create.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>Three loving daughters that each have their own unique personalities. Where one has weakness the others have strengths. When they are not busy tormenting each other, they design playhouses, produce plays, protect and help each other. Though each of them is unique they are all loving and compassionate towards others. I hope that this goodness of heart will guide them as they grow their own wings and wander about in their lives.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>I am thankful for a job that allows me to help children learn both classroom skills as well as life skills. I work in a school where we strive to give all students fairness, equality, courage and a safe haven to learn. Teaching lets me have a career and lots of time to be a wife and mother. My job provides me with a comfortable salary, wonderful benefits and the opportunity to help contribute to my community.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>I am thankful to live somewhere that is small enough that many friends feel like family. We can get across town in 6 minutes unless there is a train. You can count on seeing people you know no matter where you are in town. The gas station attendants, the coffee barista and grocery checkers know you by name.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>I am thankful for my health. I am thankful that I can make mistakes and my friends and family forgive me, give me a second chance and let it go. I am thankful for my friends - all of them - some I see and talk to daily - some I've never met in real life - some I haven't seen in 25+ years - and all are ready and able to lend a hand, or an ear, when I come calling. I would be lost without the mosaic of friends in my life.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">~-~<br /><br /></div>The five of us spent this week at home, together. There were no travel plans to see extended family. The rest and relaxation was well appreciated. Our busy life is not going to change. We will again load up and travel over the river and through the woods to visit our families. But this 2009 Thanksgiving was just us and it was just perfect.<br /></div></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14984725625661799884noreply@blogger.com1