tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77192595669958046222024-03-13T10:13:09.413-07:00Musical MoreysLove is HarmonyEli Moreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413893026111009654noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-78416063093890183242012-12-17T18:41:00.001-08:002012-12-17T19:02:06.638-08:00The big 4!Happy 4th birthday Tanner bo Banner!!! Eli and I adore this little guy. He has such a fun personality! We love his spunkiness, creativity, energy, and tender heart. I love his face in the first pic! I know it's blurry, but it just captures Tanner so well!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Tan had such a fun birthday! One of my favorite moments was when his classmates were singing to him at school (I switched with another parent so that I could be the parent helper on Tan's birthday), they sang "happy birthday" as cats and dogs. He wanted so badly to laugh out loud but his shyness was battling with his urge to join in and be silly with the kids. So he hung on my arm, stroked my hair, and kept making so many different facial expressions as his mental dilemma took place! Here's a little more about his day: He shared chocolate donuts with sprinkles with his classmates and loved all the birthday wishes all day. We napped together and I loved the snuggle time with him! He chose his special birthday dinner: chicken nuggets, hot dogs, breadsticks with sauce (toast with garlic salt dipped in marina sauce), kiwi, peppers and ranch. I think he ate the least out of all of us, but I guess that's normal. (He hasn't been feeling well recently so his eating drastically decreases during that time.) He helped make his cake, dyed it blue, covered it in blue sprinkles right out of the oven, and then cut it up and served it to Eli, Kenzie, and I on his own. He tried to take an entire half for himself, but Eli coaxed him into sharing more equally with the rest of us! He really enjoyed playing with some of his new toys: Legos, a big airplane with removable pilots, a sit and spin, and a bike with training wheels! </span><span style="color: #222222;">He never tired of hearing people sing "Happy Birthday" to him all day long! </span><span style="color: #222222;">We watched videos of when he was a brand new baby and he kept saying "that baby is crying," etc, and never really grasped the concept that it was him as a baby. He will always be my special Christmas baby. It was so neat to celebrate the birth of the Savior into the world and be able to snuggle my own swaddled brand-new baby boy. I felt very close to Mary during that Christmas season. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;">Today I interviewed him and wil</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">l make this a tradition every year with the same questions. </span></span><br />
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We are so grateful for our wonderful little boy!!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-57484742327721586292012-11-02T07:14:00.000-07:002012-11-02T07:29:18.363-07:00The Gratitude Challenge<br />
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<span class="s1"><b>The Gratitude Challenge</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is a 20-day project created to help you live with an attitude of gratitude. I created this from a variety of sources and my own ideas, and they are all simple and doable with a busy schedule. If you choose to do the challenge, decide before you start what time of the day you will complete the challenge. </span>For me, that will ensure that I complete it everyday! Some of the challenges require you to be thinking throughout the day so a good time of day would be in the first half. I made my challenge into a little booklet for myself and the young women in my ward. If you do the challenge, let me know what you thought of it afterwards. And feel free to share it with your friends and family! Eli and I are going to do this together and I'm excited to fill our minds and hearts with thoughts of gratitude this month. Enjoy!!!</div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: #990000;">“My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: #990000;">“A grateful heat, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude.” </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: #990000;">Thomas S. Monson</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 1</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Use the alphabet as a fun and quick format for making a list of things for which you feel grateful. Write it in your journal (any form - written or electronic) and share it with a family member or friend.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 2</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Write in your journal in gratitude for some of the “negative” things or trials in your life. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: #990000;">Elder Robert D. Hales expressed that, “Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 3</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Verbally express gratitude for your blessings throughout the day. There are so many little things every day to be grateful for. When you first become aware of a blessing, your feeling of gratitude can be strengthened by immediately expressing thanks. You could even keep a list of these things on a google document if you use a computer for a lot of the day, on a piece of paper, in a little notepad carried in your purse, or on your phone.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 4</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Dedicate an entire prayer to your expressions of gratitude. Don’t ask for anything. Be specific; go beyond the obvious. See how exhaustive you can be. Discover the truth in the lines “And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” (From the song “Count Your Many Blessings”)</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 5</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Take five minutes to write about how grateful you are for all of the wonderful things that you currently have in your life. Don’t long for what you don’t possess—instead, take stock of all the blessings you already enjoy. After listing obvious blessings, shift to “smaller” blessings such as running water, a phone call from a friend, and so forth.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 6</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Eliminate ungrateful thoughts and complaining. When something happens and you want to complain, immediately find something to be grateful for.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 7</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Take a picture of one thing, person, place or specific moment that makes you feel grateful. Share it with your family. If you use facebook, share it with your friends on there.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 8</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Express gratitude to at least 2 people who deserve a little recognition. For example, parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, teachers, coaches. You can call them on the phone or write a thank you card or email. Be specific about the details of kindness toward you and how it affected you. This will lift both you and the person receiving the gratitude.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 9</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Think of your talents and spiritual gifts and list them in your spiritual journal. Pray with gratitude for these gifts and ask for ways that you can use one or more of them to bless the lives of others. Heavenly Father has given you these gifts for a reason and will use you to bless lives. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 10</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Pick one of your five senses to focus on today. Take note of how many gifts come to you through that one sense. Write about this experience.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 11</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Pick three friends or family members you see regularly. View their actions and gestures through a positive lens, assuming their goodness and witnessing their best intentions. Write them a note of gratitude for who they are and write in your journal about why you are grateful for them in your life.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 12</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Open your arms in service to others. Pray to Heavenly Father throughout the day that He will use you to bless the lives of others. Then look for opportunities to help and lift those around you and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We render thanks to God by loving and serving those around us. </span><span class="s2">The blessings that come from opening our arms to others are among the choicest this earth has to offer.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 13</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Take the time to focus on yourself. Appreciate and give thanks for your unique personality, skills and talents. Share them with a friend/family member or write them in your journal.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 14</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Stand in front of the mirror for five minutes and focus on at least five things that you love about yourself. Write them down in your journal.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 15</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Write about something you feel grateful for in your life today. Don’t just say what it is; include details and emotions about why you are grateful for that experience, person, or thing.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 16</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Read scriptures about gratitude. Use the topical guide or bible dictionary to help you search for these scriptures.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 17</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Read a talk or speech by a religious leader about gratitude. Go to lds.org and search “gratitude” in the search box at the top of the screen. Or search speeches.byu.edu. There are so many very great speeches and talks on both of these websites. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 18</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Look back at your life and write about an experience or moment that you are grateful for. It could be a moment that helped you become a better person, gain a stronger testimony of the Gospel, help you get to where you are today, etc. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 19</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Choose a challenge from any of the previous 18 days and do it again!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Day 20</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Think about how the gratitude challenge has helped you gain an attitude of gratitude in life. Reflect on what this process has meant to you. Write your thoughts in your journal and share them with a family member or friend. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">To go along with this, I also listen to gratitude songs throughout the month of November. Here's what's on my playlist: (I'd love more suggestions if you have any!)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">"Thankful" by Josh Groban</span></div>
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<span class="s1">"Thankful Heart" from the Muppet Christmas Carol</span></div>
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<span class="s1">"Simple Gifts" by Hilary Weeks</span></div>
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<span class="s1">"Simple Gifts" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir</span></div>
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<span class="s1">"But Thanks be to God" from Handel's Messiah</span></div>
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<span class="s1">"For the Beauty of the Earth" - a few different versions</span></div>
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Finally, there are so many talks and speeches by religious leaders about gratitude available for free download on the internet. Last year, I uploaded these speeches and talks to my ishuffle and listened to them as I ran, drove in the car, and cleaned the house. It really brought the spirit of gratitude into my heart! See Day 17 for where to find these talks and speeches.</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="s1">Bonnie D. Parkin taught that </span><span class="s2">“[God] has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span>I'm excited to do the gratitude challenge this month and really reflect on how incredibly blessed I am. Having an attitude of gratitude most definitely makes a person happier! Happy Gratitude Month!!!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-56132284680031955422012-08-27T11:45:00.002-07:002012-08-27T11:51:33.511-07:00"I'm BIG!!!"How do Eli and I have a preschooler already? In a way, it seems crazy! But in a way, it seems like just the right time for Tan to start preschool. We've been talking about preschool for a few months now, so he was really excited to start today. In preparation, his teacher came to visit him at our house a couple weeks ago. He showed her all his toys and they built mormon temples together with blocks, topping them off with a miniature statue of Moroni. So cute! I don't know why he chose to do that with her, but it was cute to see him as a mini missionary. Ha ha! And then we've spent time there a few different times getting the grounds ready for school to start (weeding, mulching, spreading out mini rocks on the playground, etc). The school is a co-op and we are the co-chairs of the buildings and grounds committee.<br />
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This morning when we were finally ready to get in the car and go to his school, I said "Ok! Let's go to preschool!" And he screamed "YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!" with his arms out in front of him and his hands shaking with excitement. So cute! We chatted during the 15 minute drive there about his new friends and his teachers. He let me take pictures of him in front of his sign before meeting his teacher, Lorie, on the playground. He was a little shy at first, but he went inside with her to find his cubby. They talked about his elmo backpack and about the little picture on his backpack of him, wes, gra gra, and papa. I gave him a big kiss & hug and headed to the car. <br />
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The school is in an amazing location with a sledding hill, perfect for preschoolers, right behind it, and a trail through the woods next to a fun river to play in across the street. <br />
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Kenz wasn't too happy about not being able to stay and play at the school!<br />
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His favorite moment of the day was playing with legos! That's about all I could get out of him about his day. Ha ha! He's excited for Thursday when he goes back! <br />
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I have to thank Amy Madsen for really making this happen for us!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-45625410698468849522012-08-14T05:20:00.002-07:002012-08-14T05:58:06.158-07:00Lucky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am smitten. The past few weeks with these three people have been wonderful!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-6182604232536488782012-07-28T12:15:00.002-07:002012-07-28T12:15:55.169-07:00Sibbies!<div style="text-align: center;">
These two are the best! They adore each other and I adore them!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-19159984686958373142012-06-17T13:54:00.001-07:002012-06-17T13:55:47.780-07:00Happy Father's Day to my daddio! I think he is the best dad and I feel so blessed to be his daughter. He truly personifies what Elaine S. Dalton said about father's in her General Conference address in October 2011:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f6ed; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">You are your daughter’s guardian in more than the legal sense. Be present in your daughter’s life. Let her know your standards, your expectations, your hopes and dreams for her success and happiness. Interview her, get to know her friends and, when the time comes, her boyfriends. Help her understand the importance of education. Help her understand that the principle of modesty is a protection. Help her choose music and media that invite the Spirit and are consistent with her divine identity. Be an active part of her life. And if in her teenage years she should not come home from a date on time, go get her. She will resist and tell you that you have ruined her social life, but she will inwardly know that you love her and that you care enough to be her guardian.</span><br />
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Fathers, you are your daughter’s hero. My father was my hero. I used to wait on the steps of our home for him to arrive each night. He would pick me up and twirl me around and let me put my feet on top of his big shoes, and then he would dance me into the house. I loved the challenge of trying to follow his every footstep. I still do.</div>
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Did you know that your testimony has a powerful influence on your daughters? I knew my father had a testimony. I knew he loved the Lord. And because my father loved the Lord, I did too. I knew he cared about the widows because he took his vacation to paint the home of the widow who lived next door. I thought that was the greatest vacation our family ever had because he taught me how to paint! You will bless the life of your daughter for years to come if you will look for ways to spend time with her and to share your testimony with her.</div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I know that Eli will be the same to Makenzie. He is already an incredible father! Kenz and Tanner adore him and he truly is the best dad for them. Some of my favorite moments everyday are watching him interact with the kiddos. He is fun, spontaneous, happy, adventurous, creative, loving, and so good at teaching them new and cool skills. He is an amazing dad and I'm so grateful to be married to him!!!</span></span><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-25254787345490921182012-05-02T12:52:00.000-07:002012-05-02T12:53:46.362-07:00Marchy March!After Eli's week off, things got back to normal in our lives. Eli started his 3rd year of medical school, which means that he began rotating through specialties. His first specialty has been Pediatrics and he seems to really like it. His second day into rotations, he turned the big 3-0! I was going to throw a big surprise party bash for him, but I couldn't keep it a secret and he chose to go swing dancing instead. I'm totally more of the party person anyways, but it was nice to not have to plan a big party for him and he be ok with that! We went out to lunch at the Firebird Cafe as a fam. The weather was nice so we ate outside, which the kiddos loved. After dinner, we played outside in the 65 degree weather - it was gorgeous, especially for mid-March! (Last year we were buried under 2 feet of snow on his birthday!) <br />
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The kids and I got back into our normal routine of preschool, storytime, playgroups, etc. <br />
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These were leprechauns - can't you tell??!! Ha ha ha! We had a preschool day about Leprechauns so Jack stayed for a leprechaun lunch afterwards.</div>
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Just like everywhere in the country East of the Rocky Mountains, we had a heatwave for a week. Of course, we took full advantage of it!! I went running a few times, we played at the park A LOT, we went to the beach a couple times, and we took the ferry across the lake to go to Target. It was fun watching Kenz explore the outdoors because it was like a whole new world to her! She hasn't been outside much since learning how to crawl so she didn't really explore when she could just sit in one place. She pointed at every animal and tree she saw, she wasn't sure about the feeling of grass on her barefeet (it was still crunchy and brown), and she was skeptical of sand until I gave her tools to dig and then she loved it. <br />
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This is at Lake Iroquois Beach in Williston<br />
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Tan really wanted to touch the water and it was hard to explain to him why it was so icy cold still!<br />
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Getting to the lake was an adventure! Because the temperature had warmed up so drastically and quickly, the road to the beach was extremely muddy. I had to scope out each muddy spot (some lasting for probably 75 feet or so), and then get a head start so that I didn't risk getting stuck in the mud. The first time through the muddy spots, my adrenaline was pumping near the end! On the way home, I was scared and held onto the steering wheel with an iron grip as I navigated through the mud. I didn't get stuck, thank goodness, but that was totally luck and not really because of skill. Ha ha! My friend, Erin, did get stuck and had to get towed out. It was quite an adventure for us!<br />
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I grabbed some dinner at the City Market Coop, picked up Eli from the pediatric clinic, and we headed to North Beach. I locked the keys in the car when we got there, so Eli waited for Triple AAA to come while the kids and I walked the mile to the beach since the parking lot wasn't open for the season yet. The beach was FILLED with partying high schoolers and college students, but there was no one on the beach in front of the playground, so we had our own little experience on the beach away from the partying. It was lots of fun! Kenz insisted on walking back the whole way while holding Eli's hand and so many teenagers commented on how incredibly cute she is. We agree!! She smiled and giggled every time people walked by her! (Our cell phones didn't take very high quality pictures here - sorry!) <br />
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I love her face - she is so happy and proud of herself! She has always LOVED to walk and has the biggest smile on her face the whole time.<br />
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Riding the car ferry to Plattsburgh, NY</div>
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Oh Target, how I love thee!</div>
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Tan's new carseat only fit in the front seat</div>
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Two more random pics from March:<br />
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Kenz eats SO much more than Tanner! In fact, even when she is done with a meal, if someone else is still eating, she will go beg for their food. Thus, we call her "our little beggar." It would be nice if the two kids met in the middle because Tan won't ever eat and Kenz eats constantly. Ha ha ha!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-81517333416523362332012-04-30T11:44:00.001-07:002012-04-30T11:48:18.309-07:00A week with daddy!<div>
Eli studied like CRAZY for a board exam during January and February and we hardly saw him during those two months. He took his exam on Friday, March 2 (<a href="http://musicalmoreys.blogspot.com/2012/04/makenzie-turns-one.html" target="_blank">Kenzie's 1st birthday</a>) After his exam, he had a week off so we spent the whole week just playing together as a family! It was heaven! On the evening of his bar exam, we headed to Church Street to eat dinner at Panera Bread and participate in Burlington's monthly <a href="http://artmapburlington.com/content/first-friday-art-walk" target="_blank">Art Walk</a>. </div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We saw some neat/beautiful items in the art and boutique stores, and had fun as we wandered from store to store. We ended the night by visiting a bulk candy store and eating lots of treats on the way home! </span></div>
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On Saturday, we played at home as a family, Eli went to help a friend paint his house, and then we met our good friends, Brian and Nicole Groves, for lunch to celebrate Eli's birthday (which was the following week). We ate Hibachi style at Koto Japanese Steakhouse and it was super yummy! The kids weren't so sure about the big flame at the beginning but they did enjoy, though with uncertainty, watching our chef cook right in front of them. At the end of the meal, I asked our chef how to say "thank you" in Japanese and he said that he was Chinese. I wish I had known that sooner so that I could speak a little bit in Chinese with him! (emphasis on a LITTLE bit - ha ha! I don't remember much from my few months living in China!)<br />
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After lunch, we went to Oakledge Park to let the kids play in the sun that had been hiding from us all week. Tan ran and ran and ran in all the open space, and Eli and I got to chat with our friends as we leisurely walked around the park. After that, we went to my favorite grocery store, Shaw's, and while I shopped, Eli watched closely as Tan rode up and down in the 2 story elevator over and over again.<br />
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On Sunday, we went to church and fulfilled all of our church responsibilities for that day (Eli meetings, me teaching Young Women's and conducting the ward choir). That night, we celebrated Kenzie's birthday with friends (more on that <a href="http://musicalmoreys.blogspot.com/2012/04/makenzie-turns-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>!) by having a Ben and Jerry's ice cream party. MMMM mmmm GOOD!<br />
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On Monday we had a lazy morning playing at home (and I played "dress up my cute baby in her new birthday clothes!"). It was just so nice to have Eli around!! We went to a gymnastics place nearby for their open gym time where the kids had a blast running, jumping, balancing, somersaulting, scootering, foam pitting (yep, I made that up!), and climbing. (The lighting was not so great for pictures so they all ended looking better in black and white.) Afterwards, we went to the European Market nearby to buy some Russian Pelminis to make for dinner.<br />
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On Tuesday, we had a little photoshoot at home for Kenzie's 1st birthday (pictures later once Eli can find time to edit them!). Following that, we headed up to Bolton (a ski resort 30 mins from us) to eat lunch slopeside and watch the "skier guys" and snowboarders as we ate. The kids had fun playing in the snow at the bottom of the slopes! <br />
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That afternoon, the kids had a babysitter while we test drove some minivans. That began our hunt for our new minivan! More about that in a different post! We had a casual dinner with our good friends, the Ellis's, that night. </div>
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On Wednesday, we spent the afternoon test driving cars, but this time we took the kiddos. We just took turns driving the cars and watching the kids. Tan and Kenz were entertained for hours by climbing around the inside of our car while we were parked at dealerships. Simple pleasures! Oh and eating lots and lots of snacks! We got salads at Shaw's (my fav grocery store) for dinner, which is something we do probably once a week for either lunch or dinner. Eli and I love a big salad for a meal, and the kids have so many options of things to eat from the salad bar, with Tan's favs being croutons and carrot strips. I helped serve the youth at their mystery dinner activity that night. We ended the night by watching one of our favorite tv shows, Psych. If you haven't seen it, watch it! You'll love it!</div>
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On Thursday we drove an hour and a half north to Montreal, Canada for a one night getaway. We walked around the medical school there, McGill University, and I felt like I was walking around Hogwarts! Not that it was magical or anything (that would be awesome!), but it was old and castle-like. </div>
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We were crossing the street to go back to our car, when we saw a building that really did look like a castle. So we went to check it out and discovered that it was a hospital! So neat! It was updated inside, but the outside was beautiful and it is right at the base of a big hill in the middle of the city, Mont Royal.</div>
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We drove around the hill and saw more neat houses and buildings. We wanted to go to the big park on Mont Royal, but it was cold and icy/slushy all over. So we drove around a cemetery across the street instead. This was the biggest cemetery I have ever seen! There was an entire Ukrainian section, and other nationalities as well, though we didn't look closely at those. There were many big statues, and lots of tombs built into the peak of the hill. </div>
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On our way down Mont Royal, we stopped at an overlook and saw how big Montreal is. The kids enjoyed feeding a super fat squirrel.</div>
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Eli and I drove around Montreal while the kids napped in the car. We headed back into the heart of downtown and checked into our hotel, the Hyatt Regency. We went to the swimming pool which both kids LOVED! Tan liked floating around on giant flat foam animal-shaped rafts and Kenz splashed up a storm. My favorite part of swimming was just being in the pool room because 2/3 of the walls were windows so it was just a beautiful, relaxing place to be. We explored the sauna and steam room before heading back up to our rooms. We didn't have much time for dinner so we just ate at the mall foodcourt next to our hotel. I hopped in Momo and braved my way through the rain and unknown downtown streets to attend a session at the Montreal LDS temple. The peace I felt the second I stepped into the temple was palpable and calming. I had a wonderful experience there. Eli put the kids to bed all by himself- go Eli! </div>
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Eli is standing in the center in a red shirt</div>
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On Friday, we ate cereal for breakfast and then Eli went to the temple to do a session. While he was gone, the kids and I walked around downtown. It was sunny and crisp - such a gorgeous day! We walked through Chinatown and then through the Old Quarter where there is a street that makes you feel like you are in Europe, lots of cute shops and restaurants, beautiful government buildings, and a cathedral called Notre Dame. </div>
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I checked out of the hotel, Eli picked us up, and we went to the Biodome. It was packed because it was Montreal's school vacation week. But we braved the crowds and enjoyed walking through different habitats: tropical, maple forest, antarctic, a coastal region. Kenzie's favorite animals were the fish and she pointed and called out to them like crazy! She also loved the little penguins that came right up to the glass the she was standing up against. </div>
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The leaning tower on the left is the Olympic Tower from the 1976 Olympics. The biodome is the building on the right.</div>
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Do you see Tan and Eli through the waterfall?</div>
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We didn't know that porcupines sat in trees!</div>
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Then we went to the Insectarium and saw lots of (dead) bugs, spiders, and insects. After that we went to the Botanical Gardens and walked through the greenhouses. We ended up in the butterfly room where the butterflies flew all around us and one even landed on my head! Kenz had the little pointer finger out and she was jabbering away about the butterflies the whole time! SO cute! Eli sat down on a bench and fell asleep (the line was moving really slow - like I said before, it was PACKED), and we had to keep moving with the crowd since I had the stroller. I guess that when he woke up like 15 minutes later, one of his classmates was standing in line right next to him. Ha ha! They had a good laugh about it! </div>
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This tree is about 3 feet tall and at least 50 years old!</div>
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Montreal was fun!</div>
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On Saturday, Eli helped run the blood drive at our church and then we test drove cars again. That evening, we got a babysitter and went swing dancing to celebrate his 30th birthday! We had some friends meet us there: Dahle's, Fellows, Groves. Eli and I both love to dance but we don't ever go. We had a blast! </div>
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It was such a fun week filled with lots of adventures, time with family and friends, and yummy food! </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-7165527689187780702012-04-10T13:09:00.004-07:002012-04-10T13:09:57.338-07:00Makenzie's First Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Babies grow up SO much in the first year, so I want to give a glimpse in pictures of Makenzie's first year of life. My favorite part of seeing all these pictures together is how her hair grows a tiny bit each month. So cute!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Birth</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 weeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 month</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="text-align: center;">8 months</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">11 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 12 months!!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-10050118819535022562012-04-09T19:26:00.001-07:002012-04-09T20:02:44.523-07:00Makenzie turns one!The morning of Kenzie's birthday started out with good luck hugs for daddy, as he was headed to take a board exam all day (8 hours!). <br />
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We ate birthday pancakes and she wasn't too sure about the candle, but was reassured when we sang to her. She liked that!</div>
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We said goodbye to daddy, got dressed, and went to Pizza Putt to play in the ball pit and giant tunnel structure. It's a pretty ghetto place, but the kids love it and it's something to do indoors that is free, so I'm ok with it! We went with my friend, Amy, and her three darling kiddos. The rest of Tan and Kenzie's little friends were either out of town or in school.</div>
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During lunch, we skyped with grandma Carol and I took pics of the birthday girl.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">When she "talks," she uses her tongue and makes the cutest and funniest babbling sounds. You can see her tongue touching the roof of her mouth. I know exactly what she sounds like when I look at this picture!</span><span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span><br />
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After naptime, daddy came home from his test (yay!!!) and Kenzie opened one present which was from mommy and daddy. (We were planning on going out to dinner right after Eli's test but Tan couldn't wait any longer!) </div>
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Searching in the tunnel for Tanner</div>
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He found her!!! Ha ha ha ha!</div>
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She is our darling little Princess!!!</div>
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We had zucchini bread as her "cake" since her real cake would be at her birthday party. She's looking at the candle like, "I'm not sure I liked this the first time!"</div>
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"Nope! I didn't like it and I still don't like it!"</div>
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She was ok halfway through "Happy Birthday" because she loves being sung to! She even started "singing" along in her own cute baby way!</div>
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We went to Church Street and ate dinner at Panera. MMMM! So so yummy! Kenzie loved the broccoli cheddar soup (but what doesn't she love?!) </div>
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She was being such a silly goofball at the restaurant and kept launching herself backwards in her high chair. She's such a fun little girl!</div>
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The next morning we finished opening her presents...</div>
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Finally, her birthday party was the next day! We had a Ben & Jerry's party because I scored an awesome deal on pints - HALF OFF!!! So I bought 15 different flavors to serve at her party! I thought it was fitting since B&J's originated in Vermont and Makenzie is a true Vermonter. Our friends came and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to Kenz, ate ice cream and cake pops, and hung out for a couple hours. It was lots of fun! </div>
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Cake pops are SUPER yummy! (But they are pretty labor intensive.) </div>
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I made Kenzie her very own cake in her party colors: bright pink, orange, blue, and green. It was just a simple double layered cake that she could tear into. She is a phenomenal eater and will pretty much eat anything (even non-food items!), and she doesn't mind getting messy or playing with her food, so I thought that she would definitely try her birthday cake. Well, she checked it out...<br />
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Realized that she wasn't too sure about this giant pink thing on her tray...</div>
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And then wanted to get as far away from it as possible!</div>
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So I gave her a bite of cake on a spoon and she wouldn't even touch/try it. </div>
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"Get me outta here!"</div>
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Tan and Kenz have lots of cute friends here in Vermont!<br />
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Silly Tanner</div>
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Grandma Risa gave Kenzie this darling outfit that worked perfectly as her birthday outfit!!!! I decorated for her party with colors from this outfit.<br />
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We all just adore Makenzie and how amazingly cute she is (which Eli and I tell each other multiple times a day)!!! She is such a joy and brings so much happiness into our lives!<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-75473249961733698712012-04-09T18:39:00.000-07:002012-04-09T18:40:29.021-07:00Happy 3rd birthday Tan!<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Back in December, Tan celebrated his 3rd birthday! He looked forward to it for a while, which was fun because he was finally to the age when he anticipated the actual birthday and wanted to celebrate. Here he is testing out holding up three fingers, instead of 2. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span>We actually celebrated a week early because his real birthday was on my sister's wedding day. But he didn't know! In the morning, we went to our ward Christmas party. When we got home, he opened presents from Eli & I and his grandparents. <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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After that, his friends came over for a firefighter birthday party! First, they colored pictures of firefighters, firetrucks, etc. Then we played "put out the fire!" Two kids started in the corner of the house. When they heard the bell ring (it was a loud bell that I was given when I finished teaching at Spring Lake Elementary), they had to put on fireman boots (snowboots), a fireman jacket (eli's jackets), and a fireman hat. Then one child sat inside one of a "firetruck" (one of those <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-Cozy-Coupe-Anniversary/dp/B001NQHN7S">red coupe cars</a>. I call them flinstone cars because you have to walk with your feet to make it move!), and the other pushed from the back and made siren sounds. (There was also a red flashing light that we taped onto the truck that the kids liked.) They made their way to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Learning/dp/B004717NNU/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1334020512&sr=1-2">house</a>, got out of the truck, opened the door, and had to crawl through a tunnel (made by covering the space between the couch and the counter/wall) because of the "smoke" inside the house. When they got to the bathroom, they looked for the child and animal inside (the child chose a stuffed animal to take inside the house with them and the child cried out "help!" until the firefighters got there). They found them and then grabbed a squirt bottle and sprayed the fire to put it out (an orange plastic tablecloth taped inside of the shower). Then they crawled back out of the house with the person they had saved, got back into the firetruck, and drove back to the firestation. It was really fun for the kids! I wish we had pictures or videos of it, but Eli and I were both busy running the activity and weren't able to get any. <br />
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After the game, we had snacks and cupcakes. For snacks, we served red, yellow, and white food: chips and salsa, red and yellow peppers, red grapes, milk.<br />
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Then we all jumped in our cars and headed a couple miles away to the St. Michael's Firestation for a tour of the station and the trucks. The kids LOVED this! Tanner was pretty timid the whole time, but I know he had a good time because he talked about it for a long time afterwards. They had free roaming privileges in both firetrucks, which they all took full advantage of! The firefighters even turned on the flashing lights for the whole time, but not the siren, which was probably a good thing because it would have been really loud in the garage. <br />
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I love how all of those kids fit on the back of one truck!!! So cute!!</div>
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Both kids were out by 6:30! And then I crashed soon after. It was such a fun day!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-81655910138102131202012-04-08T15:52:00.003-07:002012-04-08T15:55:12.219-07:00Happy Easter!<div style="text-align: center;"><span >Happy Easter!! (This is as good as the photos are gonna get today. After 3 hours of church, 1 hour of choir practice, a chocolate covered white shirt, and a post-nap baby, I wasn't going to attempt a photo session!) </span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0wfkXTe2H4/T4IWt082MOI/AAAAAAAAIXw/pPTY1qyy3Sw/s1600/photo%2B%252844%2529.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unHErfW_Yqc/T4IW6PpivDI/AAAAAAAAIX8/ZiaSd_Vq9KY/s400/photo%2B%252845%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729166865857690674" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0wfkXTe2H4/T4IWt082MOI/AAAAAAAAIXw/pPTY1qyy3Sw/s400/photo%2B%252844%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729166652532469986" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-46883360150160568782012-03-30T09:03:00.002-07:002012-03-30T09:29:37.869-07:00<span ><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Mormon?sk=app_175956092522107"><img alt="Come listen to living prophets" src="http://www.lds.org src=" org="" bc="" content="" ldsorg="" images="" style="width: 300px; height: 250px; " /></a></span></span><div><span ><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-24137784325770955852012-03-14T21:52:00.002-07:002012-03-14T21:56:14.823-07:00Reminiscing...I'm talking to my sister, Aly, about classroom management right now, and it is making me think back to my teaching days. I loved my 4th grade class and decorating my own classroom. You can see how it looked <a href="http://musicalmoreys.blogspot.com/2008/08/first-day-of-school.html">here</a>. I loved teaching and I really do miss it! But I know this is my time to be at home while my kids are so young. And I am loving this stage of my mommyhood when my kids are home all day and are so cute and fun! But I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to teach. I have so many good memories from my days as an elementary teacher!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-25897424871656785432012-03-02T20:17:00.000-08:002012-03-03T20:20:10.881-08:00Our Princess!<div style="text-align: center;">Happy 1st Birthday to our darling princess! We adore you and are so lucky to be parents to such an incredibly cute, fun, happy, sweet, and funny daughter! </div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVuQl__IGIc/T1LtBCfZTHI/AAAAAAAAIXg/B9ChGCMvH6U/s400/ELI_7121.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715891479190785138" /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-78658623669110755812012-02-23T11:16:00.005-08:002012-02-23T11:30:47.713-08:00Ben & Jerry's!<div style="text-align: center;"><span>We coaxed Eli away from his studying (he takes a huge board exam next Friday and has been studying like a maniac for the past month!) and headed to Church Street. We love Church street at night because there are lights on the trees and our favorite ice cream place is there - Ben and Jerry's! There actually aren't many ice cream places here because Ben & Jerry's and Hood (soft serve ice cream called "creemees" sold all over the state during the summer) have a monopoly on ice cream in Vermont. But we love Ben & Jerry's! Tan thinks any ice cream we give him at home is from Ben & Jerry's. For now, he doesn't have high taste standards, but someday he'll know the difference between Ben & Jerry's and other ice creams! </span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DfRo-R27mE/T0aRo_-St_I/AAAAAAAAIXQ/pt0yL-P3CFo/s400/photo%2B%25288%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712413310919555058" /><div style="text-align: center;">Kenzie's first time tasting ice cream - I think she is hooked!</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYUlTh0mT1U/T0aRoS5Y-9I/AAAAAAAAIXI/pqEXK4nazS8/s1600/photo%2B%25287%2529.JPG" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYUlTh0mT1U/T0aRoS5Y-9I/AAAAAAAAIXI/pqEXK4nazS8/s400/photo%2B%25287%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712413298819398610" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bKBt-fiIeN0/T0aQ-xZACqI/AAAAAAAAIW4/tZNeWmfe798/s1600/photo%2B%25286%2529.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bKBt-fiIeN0/T0aQ-xZACqI/AAAAAAAAIW4/tZNeWmfe798/s400/photo%2B%25286%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712412585450539682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Check out her face - "mmmmm, that was goooood! I want samoreathat!"</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odFUZh_mTYo/T0aQ-LEMGBI/AAAAAAAAIWw/G_Yqsy8aPAA/s1600/photo%2B%25285%2529.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odFUZh_mTYo/T0aQ-LEMGBI/AAAAAAAAIWw/G_Yqsy8aPAA/s400/photo%2B%25285%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712412575162701842" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwAonlIj1OE/T0aQ9FfM-GI/AAAAAAAAIWk/0I38RH8gRlQ/s1600/photo%2B%25284%2529.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><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/-IwAonlIj1OE/T0aQ9FfM-GI/AAAAAAAAIWk/0I38RH8gRlQ/s400/photo%2B%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712412556485523554" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGtMCSb-0iU/T0aQ84zBHHI/AAAAAAAAIWU/Z-WSQdYK68c/s1600/photo%2B%25283%2529.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGtMCSb-0iU/T0aQ84zBHHI/AAAAAAAAIWU/Z-WSQdYK68c/s400/photo%2B%25283%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712412553078971506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">She looks so grown up in her super cute coat and flared jeans!</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcTQ7Yzdh1I/T0aQ8gJiBsI/AAAAAAAAIWM/Qhzw7gmET_w/s1600/photo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcTQ7Yzdh1I/T0aQ8gJiBsI/AAAAAAAAIWM/Qhzw7gmET_w/s400/photo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712412546462516930" /></a><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-62623260795318321252012-02-07T06:12:00.000-08:002012-02-07T14:26:24.306-08:00Love Hunt<div style="text-align: left;">For FHE this week, we went on a love hunt. We sang "Jesus Said Love Everyone" and talked about pictures in the Gospel Art book that show what some people in there love (ie. Joseph Smith loves the scriptures, Mary loves baby Jesus, etc. - simple things that Tan could understand). Then we went on a love hunt around the house. Each person took a turn taking a picture of something they love and it couldn't be the same as someone else. Tan took his own pictures, which is why they aren't framed very well. I think it's cute and he was so proud of himself! These are iPhone photos which is why the quality isn't that great.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was actually at the end of the hunt, but Eli and I both LOVE our little fam! </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-_ZJratF-k/TzEyjfffsoI/AAAAAAAAH5M/lBKsUmsnagA/s1600/photo-19.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pObUcQzOkAY/TzEyj9hZ8pI/AAAAAAAAH5Y/1EjFdmJVpuo/s400/photo-18.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397796246614674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></a><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center; "><b>Eli LOVES:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Russia</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvIrYEVa4is/TzEyZszML1I/AAAAAAAAH48/ieewv2Yxw_w/s1600/photo-16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvIrYEVa4is/TzEyZszML1I/AAAAAAAAH48/ieewv2Yxw_w/s400/photo-16.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397619959115602" /><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-_ZJratF-k/TzEyjfffsoI/AAAAAAAAH5M/lBKsUmsnagA/s400/photo-19.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397788185539202" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sara</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87QpmjQhc2E/TzEyYOjtXXI/AAAAAAAAH4k/cod61IlERE0/s1600/photo-10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87QpmjQhc2E/TzEyYOjtXXI/AAAAAAAAH4k/cod61IlERE0/s400/photo-10.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397594661248370" /><div style="text-align: center;">Doctor stuff</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dyhN0gWye5Y/TzEyZFJa17I/AAAAAAAAH4w/oiAsbu8vsIY/s400/photo-13.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397609314932658" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">His favorite cereal</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBITWQ7eGqM/TzEyVz3_2NI/AAAAAAAAH4M/QiIugP6OXTk/s400/photo-4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397553138850002" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sara LOVES:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My kids</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBITWQ7eGqM/TzEyVz3_2NI/AAAAAAAAH4M/QiIugP6OXTk/s1600/photo-4.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Enw9gBPXL98/TzEyXZUlezI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/1EtqnLlOsIg/s400/photo-6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397580370737970" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBITWQ7eGqM/TzEyVz3_2NI/AAAAAAAAH4M/QiIugP6OXTk/s1600/photo-4.JPG"></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>My bright and happy table centerpiece</u></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWTEEgrjEvw/TzEyEH8CXMI/AAAAAAAAH4A/hJC3lkiJ9gw/s1600/photo-20.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWTEEgrjEvw/TzEyEH8CXMI/AAAAAAAAH4A/hJC3lkiJ9gw/s400/photo-20.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397249286855874" /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Scriptures</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUD9WR8S1WY/TzEx-lKmiwI/AAAAAAAAH3w/T3cRtHfHN0U/s1600/photo-15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PUD9WR8S1WY/TzEx-lKmiwI/AAAAAAAAH3w/T3cRtHfHN0U/s400/photo-15.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397154053360386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Music</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wFmsOeeL0s/TzEx-PXvnlI/AAAAAAAAH3k/BCySPcXYhOI/s1600/photo-12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wFmsOeeL0s/TzEx-PXvnlI/AAAAAAAAH3k/BCySPcXYhOI/s400/photo-12.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397148202901074" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Video chatting on the computer with family</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBlHY64BEhs/TzEx87gZyDI/AAAAAAAAH3M/IKjdX7lMwkM/s1600/photo-9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBlHY64BEhs/TzEx87gZyDI/AAAAAAAAH3M/IKjdX7lMwkM/s400/photo-9.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397125690640434" /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kenzie LOVES:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Toys!!!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xOP3bIYWMn8/TzEx9rl28TI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/PE0T7DOalqM/s400/photo-8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706397138598424882" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tan LOVES:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">His train set</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sixTvdwJUh8/TzExmHtfKnI/AAAAAAAAH20/Frt1hU9kCCE/s400/photo-17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706396733829753458" /><div style="text-align: center;">His music player</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7p2Hiub9x5o/TzExlmaE4cI/AAAAAAAAH2k/QOsYt8rXa4U/s1600/photo-14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7p2Hiub9x5o/TzExlmaE4cI/AAAAAAAAH2k/QOsYt8rXa4U/s400/photo-14.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706396724889969090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">His flashlight</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsK-afVxTvc/TzExlAoIw_I/AAAAAAAAH2Y/cECxzr7FEzc/s1600/photo-11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsK-afVxTvc/TzExlAoIw_I/AAAAAAAAH2Y/cECxzr7FEzc/s400/photo-11.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706396714748396530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">His favorite bear, Cameron</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4HINiRgVhvM/TzExkRTsZ1I/AAAAAAAAH2M/pU45ChR60Mg/s1600/photo-7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4HINiRgVhvM/TzExkRTsZ1I/AAAAAAAAH2M/pU45ChR60Mg/s400/photo-7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706396702046185298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Chips</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTwTEWmEfVc/TzExj0uU2VI/AAAAAAAAH2A/4bbNNtsvHO4/s1600/photo-5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTwTEWmEfVc/TzExj0uU2VI/AAAAAAAAH2A/4bbNNtsvHO4/s400/photo-5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706396694373259602" /></a><br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-51675047638008730162012-02-05T19:24:00.000-08:002012-02-06T06:16:25.099-08:00Past Couple Weeks<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">For your enjoyment, a hodge podge of photos taken mostly by my cell phone or Eli's cell phone, and a couple from the mac, over the past couple weeks!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><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/-peaUGP9iUac/Ty9O_6sThbI/AAAAAAAAH1k/m6hmc6VVIAM/s400/Photo%2Bon%2B2012-02-01%2Bat%2B09.38%2B%25232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705866112895518130" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkUZf4oz8C0/Ty9O_nNDfKI/AAAAAAAAH1U/wjfQGfXYFOU/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2012-02-01%2Bat%2B09.36.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkUZf4oz8C0/Ty9O_nNDfKI/AAAAAAAAH1U/wjfQGfXYFOU/s400/Photo%2Bon%2B2012-02-01%2Bat%2B09.36.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705866107664170146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QpbLC8E8Cqc/Ty9O_qK2-jI/AAAAAAAAH1M/5EGhXzKdK9E/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2012-01-22%2Bat%2B08.38%2B%25235.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QpbLC8E8Cqc/Ty9O_qK2-jI/AAAAAAAAH1M/5EGhXzKdK9E/s400/Photo%2Bon%2B2012-01-22%2Bat%2B08.38%2B%25235.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705866108460268082" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is RARE! Especially in the middle of the day! They were wiped out from a morning of running errands.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzznBxZbb7o/Ty9ObrYeR2I/AAAAAAAAH1A/g-iJlYRRwsU/s1600/photo-22.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzznBxZbb7o/Ty9ObrYeR2I/AAAAAAAAH1A/g-iJlYRRwsU/s400/photo-22.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865490310514530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;">Playing in the foam pit at the open gym. Kenz has this really funny raspy laugh she does when she is playing and she kept doing it here. I think she loved it! </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlxvauBtw_E/Ty9ObZuh-pI/AAAAAAAAH0w/MqTggE5rcfs/s1600/photo-21.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlxvauBtw_E/Ty9ObZuh-pI/AAAAAAAAH0w/MqTggE5rcfs/s400/photo-21.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865485571193490" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzznBxZbb7o/Ty9ObrYeR2I/AAAAAAAAH1A/g-iJlYRRwsU/s1600/photo-22.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzznBxZbb7o/Ty9ObrYeR2I/AAAAAAAAH1A/g-iJlYRRwsU/s1600/photo-22.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My errand buddy while Tan was at preschool. She loves to put up her feet and lounge while I push her around in the shopping cart.</div><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/-8PRnmkYElpc/Ty9Oawpoc1I/AAAAAAAAH0c/sBbst_2MDRI/s400/downsized_0202121126.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865474544792402" /><div style="text-align: center;text-decoration: underline; "><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My birthday date (a few days late) with the kids. I had a free entree at IHOP and Tan got this ginormous pancake and ATE THE WHOLE THING!!!! Sometimes it is like pulling teeth to get him to eat, but I didn't have to tell him to eat more, AND he ate 2 pieces of bacon on top of this. When we got to the car I heard from the back seat, "mommy, I'm still hungry." WHAT???!!! Way to go Tanman!</div><div style="text-align: center;text-decoration: underline; "><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UUrLqLFck3E/Ty9ObIa-E6I/AAAAAAAAH0k/mv0Vq9jlUQk/s400/downsized_0203121715.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865480925746082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: center;text-decoration: underline; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made this little red bolero for Kenz and she looks darling in it! </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2seRiw55P18/Ty9OQjIyAfI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/jvFGwEUzPh4/s1600/downsized_0129121219a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2seRiw55P18/Ty9OQjIyAfI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/jvFGwEUzPh4/s400/downsized_0129121219a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865299118653938" /><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></div></a><div style="text-align: center;">Kenz hangs out around the house in leggings and a onesie and I think it's just the cutest thing ever.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqw4_HNt7Rg/Ty9OQMZiCJI/AAAAAAAAH0E/mnj6Dm85izI/s1600/downsized_0125121103b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqw4_HNt7Rg/Ty9OQMZiCJI/AAAAAAAAH0E/mnj6Dm85izI/s400/downsized_0125121103b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865293014894738" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2seRiw55P18/Ty9OQjIyAfI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/jvFGwEUzPh4/s1600/downsized_0129121219a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2seRiw55P18/Ty9OQjIyAfI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/jvFGwEUzPh4/s1600/downsized_0129121219a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tan's very homemade looking, made from daddy's old shirt, super Tanner cape</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gy5AL4NH6A/Ty9OQF70ljI/AAAAAAAAHz0/BpNy5bfKI1M/s1600/downsized_0125120953.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gy5AL4NH6A/Ty9OQF70ljI/AAAAAAAAHz0/BpNy5bfKI1M/s400/downsized_0125120953.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865291279668786" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqw4_HNt7Rg/Ty9OQMZiCJI/AAAAAAAAH0E/mnj6Dm85izI/s1600/downsized_0125121103b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqw4_HNt7Rg/Ty9OQMZiCJI/AAAAAAAAH0E/mnj6Dm85izI/s1600/downsized_0125121103b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tan let me throw him really high into the foam pit at the gym and earned his very own Ben and Jerry's ice cream cup. He ate every last bite!</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLxpiD8Nl7Q/Ty9OP9DwNaI/AAAAAAAAHzs/_17sHjTu2z4/s1600/downsized_0119121351.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLxpiD8Nl7Q/Ty9OP9DwNaI/AAAAAAAAHzs/_17sHjTu2z4/s400/downsized_0119121351.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865288897017250" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gy5AL4NH6A/Ty9OQF70ljI/AAAAAAAAHz0/BpNy5bfKI1M/s1600/downsized_0125120953.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The king sitting in his throne at an ENT appt (and I love how Kenz is headed for the cords in true baby fashion! ha ha!)</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ0czDZ92fQ/Ty9OPhA36WI/AAAAAAAAHzg/pw5X0lBH4jg/s1600/downsized_0117121503.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ0czDZ92fQ/Ty9OPhA36WI/AAAAAAAAHzg/pw5X0lBH4jg/s400/downsized_0117121503.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705865281368746338" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><br /></span></div></a><div style="text-align: center;">Tan goes to a gymnastics class every Tuesday. He has been 4 times and he still won't do any of the activities unless I do it with him. He can be really shy and that takes priority over his desire to participate. But once he is comfortable, he is VERY comfortable and acts like spunky, no inhibitions, Tanner!</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RkkZsxP1Yug/Ty9NoS9r1yI/AAAAAAAAHzU/p7wP6U7hjH4/s1600/photo-24.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RkkZsxP1Yug/Ty9NoS9r1yI/AAAAAAAAHzU/p7wP6U7hjH4/s400/photo-24.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705864607582377762" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided that it was time to update the picture frames around our house now that we have 2 kids. I actually haven't updated this frame for 5 years. Oops! This one is a work in progress. </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiyPOFy3HwY/Ty9NY-e8Q-I/AAAAAAAAHzI/bz_KCvY2jiY/s1600/downsized_0203122331.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiyPOFy3HwY/Ty9NY-e8Q-I/AAAAAAAAHzI/bz_KCvY2jiY/s400/downsized_0203122331.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705864344386683874" /></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiyPOFy3HwY/Ty9NY-e8Q-I/AAAAAAAAHzI/bz_KCvY2jiY/s1600/downsized_0203122331.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RkkZsxP1Yug/Ty9NoS9r1yI/AAAAAAAAHzU/p7wP6U7hjH4/s1600/photo-24.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This past Friday, I took the kiddos to Church Street (after our IHOP date), to see a light and music show. Tan was scared of the loud music and Kenz danced to it. But he liked the lights in the trees that are up year round! It was fun walking around in the crisp January night. </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nS_oYSwKfzg/Ty9NYhx7LGI/AAAAAAAAHy8/tbmphexCxAE/s1600/downsized_0203121843.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nS_oYSwKfzg/Ty9NYhx7LGI/AAAAAAAAHy8/tbmphexCxAE/s400/downsized_0203121843.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705864336681675874" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiyPOFy3HwY/Ty9NY-e8Q-I/AAAAAAAAHzI/bz_KCvY2jiY/s1600/downsized_0203122331.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiyPOFy3HwY/Ty9NY-e8Q-I/AAAAAAAAHzI/bz_KCvY2jiY/s1600/downsized_0203122331.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember on a previous post how I said that we are having a really wet winter? Here's the park area behind our house one day last week. And this wasn't even at its worst!</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpaVD7s6xEM/Ty9NYWg0DsI/AAAAAAAAHyw/1mTNhcj9qdo/s1600/downsized_0127121131.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpaVD7s6xEM/Ty9NYWg0DsI/AAAAAAAAHyw/1mTNhcj9qdo/s400/downsized_0127121131.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705864333657116354" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nS_oYSwKfzg/Ty9NYhx7LGI/AAAAAAAAHy8/tbmphexCxAE/s1600/downsized_0203121843.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nS_oYSwKfzg/Ty9NYhx7LGI/AAAAAAAAHy8/tbmphexCxAE/s1600/downsized_0203121843.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cutest little sunbeam! Tan is the youngest primary kid. It melts my heart to see him participating with all the big kids!</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfgkPBBt1e0/Ty9NYET6FXI/AAAAAAAAHyk/wd9uqcMhpx4/s1600/downsized_0122121205.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfgkPBBt1e0/Ty9NYET6FXI/AAAAAAAAHyk/wd9uqcMhpx4/s400/downsized_0122121205.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705864328771147122" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpaVD7s6xEM/Ty9NYWg0DsI/AAAAAAAAHyw/1mTNhcj9qdo/s1600/downsized_0127121131.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpaVD7s6xEM/Ty9NYWg0DsI/AAAAAAAAHyw/1mTNhcj9qdo/s1600/downsized_0127121131.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Look mommy - I'm like Makenzie!" (She often pulls her headband over her eyes and he thinks it's pretty funny.)</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTA6R1Jxbxs/Ty9NXxpLK9I/AAAAAAAAHyY/Pdz93BQMjhc/s1600/downsized_0118121156.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTA6R1Jxbxs/Ty9NXxpLK9I/AAAAAAAAHyY/Pdz93BQMjhc/s400/downsized_0118121156.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705864323760073682" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfgkPBBt1e0/Ty9NYET6FXI/AAAAAAAAHyk/wd9uqcMhpx4/s1600/downsized_0122121205.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfgkPBBt1e0/Ty9NYET6FXI/AAAAAAAAHyk/wd9uqcMhpx4/s1600/downsized_0122121205.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our bush/tree I picked out for my birthday. Hopefully it grows taller and resembles a tree more than a bush!</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7QCp4TJ21A/Ty9I55VI3mI/AAAAAAAAHyM/akVPDpP75Zw/s1600/photo-23.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7QCp4TJ21A/Ty9I55VI3mI/AAAAAAAAHyM/akVPDpP75Zw/s400/photo-23.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705859412380933730" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTA6R1Jxbxs/Ty9NXxpLK9I/AAAAAAAAHyY/Pdz93BQMjhc/s1600/downsized_0118121156.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTA6R1Jxbxs/Ty9NXxpLK9I/AAAAAAAAHyY/Pdz93BQMjhc/s1600/downsized_0118121156.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My birthday lunch at Pizzeria Uno. Two of my favorite things - peanut butter cup dessert and pizza. Mmmmmmmm!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8NqyJmpZuHM/Ty9IaTNOOJI/AAAAAAAAHxo/QhQx-kHA5Qk/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8NqyJmpZuHM/Ty9IaTNOOJI/AAAAAAAAHxo/QhQx-kHA5Qk/s400/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705858869571238034" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7QCp4TJ21A/Ty9I55VI3mI/AAAAAAAAHyM/akVPDpP75Zw/s1600/photo-23.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7QCp4TJ21A/Ty9I55VI3mI/AAAAAAAAHyM/akVPDpP75Zw/s1600/photo-23.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I finally decorated Makenzie's room. Yay! We've had almost all the stuff because I wanted a neutral gender nursery so Tan had all this decor as well. After switching rooms this summer, redecorating has just been low on my to do list. I like how bright and colorful the nursery is!</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_yQZQiz3Rc/Ty9IZwISGYI/AAAAAAAAHxc/rQIePky802s/s1600/photo-3.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_yQZQiz3Rc/Ty9IZwISGYI/AAAAAAAAHxc/rQIePky802s/s400/photo-3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705858860155279746" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8NqyJmpZuHM/Ty9IaTNOOJI/AAAAAAAAHxo/QhQx-kHA5Qk/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8NqyJmpZuHM/Ty9IaTNOOJI/AAAAAAAAHxo/QhQx-kHA5Qk/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ0czDZ92fQ/Ty9OPhA36WI/AAAAAAAAHzg/pw5X0lBH4jg/s1600/downsized_0117121503.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nBGoa1Fmyp4/Ty_dx3mnM7I/AAAAAAAAH1w/JWoXcD3l5BY/s400/photo%2B%25281%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706023101710939058" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px; " /></a></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cute Kenz roaming around at church</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4rwt0ZWAbo/Ty9IYy9KJLI/AAAAAAAAHxQ/KyaVcPI4zGo/s1600/photo-2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4rwt0ZWAbo/Ty9IYy9KJLI/AAAAAAAAHxQ/KyaVcPI4zGo/s400/photo-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705858843734058162" /></a>Tanner's family portrait - mommy holding Makenzie, daddy, Tanner<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1Hch6ehS70/Ty9IYl5XbII/AAAAAAAAHxE/W8SOLNSKxcA/s1600/photo-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p1Hch6ehS70/Ty9IYl5XbII/AAAAAAAAHxE/W8SOLNSKxcA/s400/photo-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705858840228490370" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Makenzie took her <b>first steps</b> today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to everyone for making my birthday so special last week! I loved all the phone calls, texts, cards, gifts, and skyping. Thanks to some of my friends, I was able to go on a morning run (in 20 degrees - whew!), go on a lunch date with Eli and pick out new running shoes, have dinner and yummy peanut butter pie made for me. I felt so spoiled! It was a fabulous day! My favorite gift was a wonderful letter Eli wrote me. It was exactly what I wanted that I didn't know I wanted! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-5586267211918083562012-01-31T17:16:00.000-08:002012-01-31T17:36:56.685-08:005 degrees<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">We have had a funky winter in Vermont. Last year, our street and backyard looked like <a href="http://musicalmoreys.blogspot.com/2011/02/snow.html">this</a>. This year, it has been rainy and icy with the occasional snowstorm. Most of the time it rains, then freezes over night, and then stays frozen because the temperature drops the next day. Then it starts to warm up and thaw and we have massively huge puddles all over the city. It was crazy to see our playground sitting in 3-4 inches of standing water last week, in the middle of January. So the winter is unusual for Vermont, but the temperatures have been semi-typical (and when I say typical, I mean compared to our one other winter in Vermont!). There is also a few weeks of freezing cold temperatures where the high never gets above 10 degrees all day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It snowed a couple weeks ago, enough to actually go sledding. So we waited for the temperature to go up from a high of 9 degrees for a few days after the snowstorm, to a high of 28 degrees. Heatwave! Ha ha! We called up our friends with kids that have been wanting to go sledding too and met up with them at the Burlington country club for some golf course hill sleddin. When we got there, the air was cold, but the wind made it FA-REEZING!!!!! It took twice as long to thaw my hands as it took to take these pictures with my mittens off. Tan was not happy about being outside in the cold - he's the lump under the black blanket in the picture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I went down the hill a couple times, then I took Kenz with me (she didn't even crack a smile - I guess she doesn't understand the exhilaration of flying down a hill on a piece of plastic yet!). We tried to coax Tan to go (he loved sledding in Colorado over Christmas), but he didn't want anything to do with it. Eli wrapped him up in the blanket, covering his face and everything, jumped on the tube, and went down the hill. And Tan tolerated it! When we got back to the car and started warming up, I check the outside temp on Eli's phone: "22 degrees, feels like 5." I'm sorry to our friends who came at my assurance of "oh it's going to be so much warmer than the past few days!" Their girls all seemed to have a blast though, regardless of the cold.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aE5Z6o1jjJ4/TyiVdmii7pI/AAAAAAAAHwI/rxS2jbllAjI/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XOAWf0sXCg/TyiWKKYk9WI/AAAAAAAAHwg/A0f-rB1MdIs/s400/IMG_0049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703974029395031394" /><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/-aE5Z6o1jjJ4/TyiVdmii7pI/AAAAAAAAHwI/rxS2jbllAjI/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703973263858921106" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwaPcFv-iR0/TyiVeSJ599I/AAAAAAAAHwQ/2tiTx1-7FcQ/s400/IMG_0048.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703973275566733266" 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><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aTWHPiwkJI0/TyiVbL6SqkI/AAAAAAAAHvg/QSkzyhcuKFI/s1600/IMG_0051.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/-aTWHPiwkJI0/TyiVbL6SqkI/AAAAAAAAHvg/QSkzyhcuKFI/s400/IMG_0051.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703973222351022658" /><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/-J2b0wE_GaYM/TyiVdE42OlI/AAAAAAAAHv4/ierW-rYS1Yw/s400/IMG_0055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703973254825654866" /><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/-hKV-Jn2WyG8/TyiVbXdGX4I/AAAAAAAAHvs/D6ki3xeIi30/s400/IMG_0052.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703973225449807746" /></a><br />I have learned to just live with the cold and not hunker down in my house. One day I needed to run a bunch of errands so I bundled up to kids in hats, mittens, and big coats and we went from store to store, braving the whopping temperature of 8 degrees. It took a while getting the kids in and out of the car with all the winter gear on, but I was happy because it was an adventure! It made me laugh when I went to get gas and the little door to the gas tank was frozen over. I had to run inside the gas station a few times for boiling water to melt the ice. </div><div><br /></div><div>And yesterday I went for a run in 20 degrees and it was so refreshing! But next time I'll remember to wear ear warmers and gloves. <br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-79385660180920214242012-01-31T16:59:00.000-08:002012-01-31T17:13:41.410-08:00Mommy school!<div style="text-align: center;">My friend, Erin, and I started doing "mommy school" twice a week. It's so fun! We each take a day to teach our sons. The kids love it and we both love being able to teach and also getting a little bit of time each week during our babies naps and while the boys are at pre-school to get things done. And it's a good teaching outlet for me! I really miss teaching so I'm glad to have something like that, even if it's small. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first week we talked about following the rules. As part of that day, the boys made cookies without following the recipe and here's what their "dough" looked like:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eAdV_kqaloU/TyiOr9kMkHI/AAAAAAAAHuM/d4ERFcYqAYQ/s1600/IMG_0065.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="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/-eAdV_kqaloU/TyiOr9kMkHI/AAAAAAAAHuM/d4ERFcYqAYQ/s400/IMG_0065.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703965813976633458" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eAdV_kqaloU/TyiOr9kMkHI/AAAAAAAAHuM/d4ERFcYqAYQ/s1600/IMG_0065.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">After they made their version of chocolate chip cookies (they finally decided that egg shells didn't belong in cookies, but kept in things like pepper and massive amounts of salt), we made real cookies by following the recipe. They turned out flat, but that's because a lot of the flour was flipped outside of the bowl while the boys were stirring together. At least they looked and tasted like cookies, albeit a little on the flat side. </span></a></div><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/-P8geo3vXphk/TyiOsAlK6CI/AAAAAAAAHuU/FuDmnXRA-Yg/s400/IMG_0066.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703965814786025506" /><div style="text-align: center;">This week, we talked about snowmen and melting. Jack and Tanner made these cute snowmen on skewers and were so proud of themselves for putting it all together with frosting:</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-koTjqnlRUn4/TyiO49euFAI/AAAAAAAAHvU/40wTVZx6POg/s400/ELI_6813.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703966037291963394" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQe5HSptC9g/TyiO4cxNZxI/AAAAAAAAHvI/hmdQFAaPGqw/s400/ELI_6815.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703966028511143698" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2n8h1-bezdc/TyiO3ECDQkI/AAAAAAAAHuk/F7HRnuoPdWU/s400/ELI_6824.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703966004691026498" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oD7X1yNySI4/TyiO31jwQJI/AAAAAAAAHu8/jQkNUVvMu8A/s400/ELI_6819.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703966017985724562" /><div style="text-align: center;">And they practiced coloring inside the lines (Tan wasn't really interested in that requirement!), sequencing, tracing numbers and writing their name</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XAEUgaVcYBY/TyiO3YZkepI/AAAAAAAAHuw/_yETxrXR8-c/s400/ELI_6817.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703966010158381714" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Erin has done lots of fun activities with boys as well! Our mommy version of "preschool" is a big hit with the boys! They LOVE it!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-87886068585312380512012-01-31T16:24:00.000-08:002012-01-31T16:31:08.168-08:00Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar???<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">Kenzie stole the cookies from the cookie jar!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZRVZpr5JUs/TyiGhHAXGxI/AAAAAAAAHt0/JF58-imcBw0/s1600/IMG_0070.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/-MZRVZpr5JUs/TyiGhHAXGxI/AAAAAAAAHt0/JF58-imcBw0/s400/IMG_0070.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703956831439100690" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kDNmzEhdPN8/TyiGhthK8zI/AAAAAAAAHuA/i1T7mhYuz5U/s400/IMG_0067.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703956841777263410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And she's very proud of it! </div><div style="text-align: center;">(How can you resist gooey chocolate chip cookies??!! Especially when you've never experienced the sheer joy from devouring chocolate!) </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-12757175315507109532012-01-07T10:26:00.000-08:002012-01-07T10:54:16.820-08:00Cabin Fever<div><span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ever seen Muppets Treasure Island? My favorite part is when everyone on the ship breaks out into song and dance to "Cabin Fever." Well, last Sunday I slipped a disk in my back (ouch!) and have been homeridden (and couch/bed ridden) for the week. I couldn't pick up the kids unless it was absolutely necessary, I couldn't bend over, I couldn't really do anything without my back screaming at me. (Eli saved me during the worst day and took care of the kids instead of getting in much needed study time. Thanks lovey! And thanks to my awesome friend, Erin, for coming to my rescue when I was in so much pain I couldn't even stand it and taking the kids to her house for a while. That saved me!!!!!) I'm feeling a lot better today, though it's not completely healed yet. But after a week of being isolated inside our house and not able to do much, we (I guess just Tan and I), have pretty bad Cabin Fever!!!! The Muppets hit it spot on when they sang: </span></span></div><div><span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">I got cabin fever it's burning in my brain</span><br style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">I've got cabin fever it's driving me insane</span><br style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">We got cabin fever, we're flipping our bandanas</span><br style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">Been stuck at sea so long we have simply gone bananas</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">This song popped into my head after this happened:</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">I had just put Kenz down for her morning nap and turned on a movie for Tan. I laid down on the couch to watch it with him and fell asleep. I woke up to Tanner sitting on the kitchen counter (which he knows is off limits!) with his hand in the sugar cannister. He didn't go for the candy that was in plain sight - nope, he went for straight up sugar. I walked over to get him off the counter (who knows how many dips of the hand he made into the sugar?!) and noticed something wet all over the counter. Looking at his underwear was evidence enough that this 3 year old little stinker had peed ALL OVER THE KITCHEN COUNTER. N.A.S.T.Y!!!!!!! And he didn't even care! He just kept dipping away! He is potty trained so I have no idea why he would have done that. It's the cabin fever!!! "</span><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">Been stuck at sea (or at home!) so long we have simply gone bananas" Don't worry, I cleaned it up VERY well and Tan and I had a little chat about big boy behavior vs. baby behavior. During his time out for it, he ripped up a book, which is something that he has never done before. Needless to say, we got out of the house today and went to an open gym so that he could just play, play, play! And now we are all a little happier (and saner!). </span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">And for your enjoyment, here's "CABIN FEVER!!!!"</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CHNJPsCDSqo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span></div><div><span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I just couldn't make a post and leave Makenzie out, because she is so stinkin' cute these days! Well, when hasn't she been incredibly cute?! Biased, maybe?! She just turned 10 months old and is waving and saying "hi." It's so so darling! And it was her first word!</span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(84, 85, 89); font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzClJt5DAg67nhAknggEUT5uYgBBlS2CWtR5gQBR_Q85AtiS0IAYRi9y5N1IJgj6Xlkne8tVW4MCeVOjbAMSQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-83758960366933049872011-11-21T08:43:00.000-08:002011-11-21T09:25:16.690-08:00How-To ideas for increasing gratitude!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bSIAmDJeq84/TsqF1RSx5eI/AAAAAAAAHT0/TKs5Tf-0Xhs/s1600/dchitwoodgratitude.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 215px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bSIAmDJeq84/TsqF1RSx5eI/AAAAAAAAHT0/TKs5Tf-0Xhs/s400/dchitwoodgratitude.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677497430475662818" /></a><div>I spoke in church yesterday about gratitude, specifically how to have a grateful heart. I wanted to share with all of you a list I compiled from LDS talks and devotionals of "how-to" ideas for cultivating a grateful heart. Since it is Monday of Thanksgiving week, today would be a perfect time to pick ONE THING (Don't overwhelm yourself!!!) and work on it for the week. See how it will make your week better and make you so much happier! And it doesn't require any crafting or preparation! Just pick something and start doing it. One last note - Make sure it is something you feel you can do. A couple weeks ago, I started out by trying to keep a journal and that lasted for one day. I’ve never been a good journal keeper so I chose something else to try that worked better for me.<div><br /></div><div>1<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Keep a gratitude journal. Record daily or several times a week 3-5 blessings or “tender mercies” you have felt or experienced, such as good health, a positive relationship with someone, improvements, or lessons learned. Include your thoughts and emotions about them rather than just cataloguing them. This will help you relive and savor the experiences and will help you notice blessings in your life on a daily basis.<div><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>2<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Write thank you notes. Buy or create thank you cards to keep on hand. When someone does something nice for you, write a note of thanks as soon as possible. Even an email will do! The point is to acknowledge quickly and kindly the act of kindness. I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t like receiving a thank you note!</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>3<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Express gratitude to those who you have never properly thanked. For example, parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, teachers, coachers, employers. You can call them on the phone or write a letter or email. Be specific about the details of kindness toward you and how it affected you. This will lift both you and the person receiving the gratitude.</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>4<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Create a gratitude catalog. Make a comprehensive list of all your blessings. After listing obvious blessings, shift to “smaller” blessings such as running water, a phone call from a friend, and so forth. You do do this on a regular basis - daily, a few times a week, once a week. You could make your list on a google document if you use a computer for a lot of the day, on a piece of paper posted on the fridge, in a little notepad carried in your purse, or on your handy dandy smartphone.</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>5<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Express prayers of gratitude. This has two parts. The first is to remember to start your prayers by expressing gratitude. This is my favorite part of praying because it helps me realize every single day that I truly am richly blessed and that all my blessings come from Heavenly Father. A song that I have been listening to constantly, as it is on my Thanksgiving playlist, is “A Thankful Heart” from the Muppets Christmas Carol. I love the line that says “And every night will end, and every day will start, with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart.” The second part is to regularly dedicate an entire prayer to your expressions of gratitude. Don’t ask for anything. Be specific; go beyond the obvious. See how exhaustive you can be. Discover the truth in the lines “And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>6<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Repent and open your heart. Let go of negative emotions that bind your heart. Anger, resentment, and bitterness stunt our spiritual growth. Elder Wirthlin said, “You can repent of uncleanliness. That is the miracle of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Begin the process <b>today</b>.”</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>7<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Verbally express gratitude for your blessings throughout the day. Verbalizing really does make a difference than just thinking about it. There are so many little things every day to be grateful for. When you first become aware of a blessing, your feeling of gratitude can be strengthened by immediately expressing thanks out loud. You could even keep a list of these things on a google document if you use a computer for a lot of the day, on a piece of paper posted on the fridge, in a little notepad carried in your purse, or on your handy dandy smartphone.</p><p class="p3"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>“</span>Lots of people complain. Most people complain about their problems, but miserable people are different-they complain about their blessings. If their car breaks down, they complain that it isn't new. If their waitress is slow, they complain and withhold a tip. If their cell phone drops a call, they complain about their service. That’s like complaining that you missed a call on your miniature computer attached to your ear, which is connected to a multimillion-dollar satellite circling the earth hundreds of miles away, thanks to the work of many talented scientists.They're like the people in the Old Testament who got free food from heaven and said, "What? Manna again?" By contrast, happy people are grateful to have a car, thankful they can afford to eat at a restaurant, and stoked that they have a cell phone. Most people in the world don't have cars, can't afford restaurants, and have never sent a text message. Happy people count their blessings, while the miserable complain about theirs." John Bytheway and Jeffry Larsen</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>8<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Make expressing gratitude a family tradition. Before family prayer each night, or at dinnertime, share with each other blessings you noticed throughout the day. You can just take turns verbalizing them, or you could have each person write them down on a piece of paper and put them in a "blessing" basket. A fun idea might be to read them aloud once a week, possibly as a Sabbath-day activity.</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>9<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Eliminate ungrateful thoughts and complaining. When something happens and you want to complain, immediately find something to be grateful for. I worked on this for the past couple weeks. Here’s one experience I had: Our son, Tanner, is a horrible meal eater outside of our house. We were at a community event and he wouldn’t eat. I was getting frustrated with him. Instead of expressing that frustration and making him and myself unhappy, I caught myself. Instead, I said to Makenzie, “I’m so grateful that he will eat meals at home.” It was a simple statement but it changed by whole outlook on the situation and released my frustration. I have been noticeably happier by recognizing my blessings instead of complaining when something goes wrong.</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>10<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Think of your talents and spiritual gifts. Pray with gratitude for these gifts and ask for ways that you can use one or more of them to bless the lives of others. He has given you these gifts for a reason and will use you to bless lives. Also, choose one of your talents that you would like to cultivate and come up with an action plan to increase your skill in that talent.</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>11<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Endure trials well. It’s easy to recognize our blessings when things in life are going well. But having gratitude through trials will have a greater positive affect on you during times of hardship and help you gain greater perspective. President David O. McKay observed, “We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude.” We learn from Nephi in his great afflictions during his journey through the wilderness. He said, “I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.” Make a conscious effort to thank and praise God during hard times. There are definite blessings to be found during these times. This past May, Tanner was hospitalized because of his asthma. As I was following the ambulance that was taking him and Eli to the hospital, I said a desperate prayer to Heavenly Father. As part of that prayer, I asked that I would focus on my blessings throughout this experience. Eli and I did just that and it made a world of difference in the way we felt throughout the whole ordeal. There were many blessings and tender mercies that happened that helped me know Heavenly Father was aware of us. Elder Robert D. Hales expressed that, “Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure.”</p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-tab-span"></span>12<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>Open your arms in service to others. We render thanks to God by loving and serving those around us. <span class="s2">The blessings that come from opening our arms to others are among the choicest this earth has to offer.</span></p><p class="p2">HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!</p></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm grateful for my two little happy darlings and wonderfully amazing hubbaloo!</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-406y5-FbR3s/TsqEvuWk6iI/AAAAAAAAHTo/2e12cVg2R8o/s1600/20111015_1746.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-406y5-FbR3s/TsqEvuWk6iI/AAAAAAAAHTo/2e12cVg2R8o/s400/20111015_1746.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677496235685374498" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-42810649759888397552011-10-30T20:21:00.001-07:002011-10-30T20:58:12.011-07:00Oh hi blogging world!!!Hello blogging world!!! I have been on a blogging and facebook hiatus for a while as a detox from the virtual world. Last week I sent a link for our family photos to my mom who forwarded them to my aunt. My aunt said that she was glad she got to finally see a few pictures of us. So it made me realize that I probably should utilize my blog more often so that our family scattered all around can see what we Vermonters are up to here, and how our cute kiddos are growing up. I seem to seek out lots of extra things to add into my life and make me even busier than I probably should be sometimes. So journaling and blogging about all of our summer and fall adventures has been put at the bottom of the to do list for the past few months. (And I am so wanting to physically cross it off my list, or many lists, that float around my house and google docs!) Now I finally have some free time to spend sharing photos and stories with you, so get ready, because Eli and I love taking and sharing photos! But you'll have to wait a few days because my dad is visiting from Colorado right now (yay!) <div><br /></div><div>So I'll just leave ya with a link to our fall family photos for now: <a href="http://delightfulphoto.blogspot.com/2011/10/whata-post.html">http://delightfulphoto.blogspot.com/2011/10/whata-post.html</a>. The photographer is a good friend of mine and I think she is just such a wonderful, fun, creative, and talented person (and she's from Colorado so that makes her even cooler!). And we love their cute fam and are so glad that they moved here. Anyways, I think the pics are pretty darn awesome, primarily because I think our kids are so stinkin' cute. Isn't that one of Kenzie just to die for?! Love it! I can't wait to see the rest.<div><br /></div><div>OH and Vermont is just finishing it's fall color show, which has been INCREDIBLE. I love what my friend Christy told me: "Jesus was showing off when he created Vermont." Christy, I totally agree! It is breathtakingly beautiful here and the colors are so vibrant and varied. When my sister, Kristie, was here visiting, I kept saying words to describe how beautiful everything was and the words became cliche. So we started thinking of words in other languages to give new expressions to the amazingness all around us. It's like being in a storybook, everything is just stunning. Christy got some awesome photos and you can check them out on her blog: <a href="http://bryanandchristyclarkfam.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-state-is-prettier-then-your-state.html">http://bryanandchristyclarkfam.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-state-is-prettier-then-your-state.html</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Is everybody watching The Sing-off on Monday nights?????? You totally should! It's so good! And it's super good because my future brother-in-law is in the group from BYU, Vocal Point. Check him out singing the solo for <i>Footloose: </i><a href="http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/video/week-5-vocal-point-performs-footloose/1362716">http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/video/week-5-vocal-point-performs-footloose/1362716</a>. He's the soloist who sings really high and totally rocks! That reminds me, my sister is getting married!!!!!! Aly and Ross Welch are getting married in Littleton, CO in december and it's gonna be so fun to celebrate with them! And it's going to be so fun being with my WHOLE family for an entire week. That hasn't happened in two years! The house is gonna be crazy with 5 little kiddos under the age of 3 running/crawling around. And we can't wait!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!!!</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719259566995804622.post-63313604577091735292011-09-02T05:01:00.000-07:002011-09-02T05:24:00.264-07:00"A fair is a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord orgasbord"<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Oh Templeton the rat, thank you for your fair song in <i>Charlotte's Web</i> because it will forever pop in my head when I hear the word "fair!"</div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Champlain Valley Fair comes to Vermont the week before labor day. We drive by the fairgrounds many times a week and Tan always talks about seeing the "piggies" run at the fair. I loaded the kids in the jogging stroller, threw on my running clothes, and ran the 1.5 miles to the fair. Instead of paying $10 for admission, I took advantage of the lunch deal and went between 12-2 for free. Sweet!</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We cheered on the cute little racing pigs (my favorite part of the fair!)</div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdVphWkbwtE/TmDHN3uCvII/AAAAAAAAHTQ/8pMof4NGM3I/s400/ELI_0401.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732973831896194" /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAQhWXEJ2gE/TmDHNZ5wSwI/AAAAAAAAHTI/CFxUudgPZNI/s400/ELI_0405.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732965827955458" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tan got to drive a firetruck all by himself. He is WAY into firetrucks and firemen right now so he was in HEAVEN!</div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VZyOsCWS2c/TmDHNKtb9BI/AAAAAAAAHTA/HcA7dQIBVMs/s400/ELI_0411.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732961749758994" /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Having fun is serious business for the Tanman.)</div></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QuUxTTQmAyI/TmDHMh3ZNWI/AAAAAAAAHS4/STGyJXgQqA0/s400/ELI_0423.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732950785668450" />
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We saw lots of cute little animals in the Old MacDonald barn.</div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1SGARM2pLmQ/TmDHBjRCgeI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/T9FNfYxiBI4/s400/ELI_0444.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732762183107042" /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6xsMRFSoE0/TmDHB-VHexI/AAAAAAAAHSY/qCHE-sXgl4E/s400/ELI_0442.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732769447967506" /><div style="text-align: center; ">I always feel so overwhelmed trying to make a decision about </div><div style="text-align: center; ">what to eat at the fair. If I'm going to spend money, it needs to be worth it! Well, I went cheap and got something for Tan and I to share instead of buying both of us something a</div><div style="text-align: center; ">nd doubling the cost. We had fried dough nuggets. Very fairish. I really wanted the onion rings but my super picky 2 year old would never eat those!</div></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwYgwAPzLQI/TmDHCcshvbI/AAAAAAAAHSo/J4kn-cdonPU/s400/ELI_0433.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732777599221170" /><div style="text-align: center;">Kenz enjoyed the fair while loungin' in the stroller. She got really excited when she saw the animals, especially the ones that moved a lot!</div></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPtixuINBtU/TmDHClCzzqI/AAAAAAAAHSw/8gcAOiyV0xA/s400/ELI_0427.jpg" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732779840163490" /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yswmdubdl2k/TmDHCMXngmI/AAAAAAAAHSg/9oRj1W2Px3c/s400/ELI_0437.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647732773216551522" /><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't she just darling! I adore my little kenzie koo!</div></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmSe0PET7mM/TmDJFbRB-MI/AAAAAAAAHTY/90xK6CgXwPU/s400/ELI_0435.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647735027778320578" /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We also saw a juggling family, which Tan somehow remembered from last year without me reminding him. And on my run back home, I popped into a store and found a way cute vase to go on our new kitchen table for $1. Love deals like that! </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We'll see ya next year, fair! Tanner will be talking about you everytime we drive by the fairgrounds until you come back again!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18191156240961883720noreply@blogger.com0