tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479619121950427072024-03-13T08:51:40.758-07:00The PortersValeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-87041417755581539852015-06-04T13:01:00.001-07:002015-06-04T13:01:48.172-07:00The Magnificent Month of May<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Every year, the month of May is a doosie! It is so jammed packed that it is hard to enjoy what's going on. The week before my birthday, I went to a New Kids On the Block concert with my friend Erin. NKTOB was huge when I was a kid. I thought it was hilarious that I was going to one of their as a 38 year old. It was super fun! Nelly opened for them as well as TLC. It was like going back in time. It was also hilarious to see these once teenage heart throbs turned "old dudes". They were all in their mid 40's still doing boy band choreography and dancing with their shirts off. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oT3_BS-9C_T5evIW30zNrXqpQOpdpJXTT0J0sMIJ-HGGMPtQNQPyShIoTZWEy7udo92tSY4QywvQ_LtWu2ngciaAC3Fz_-6J1SPAMke8zgivvjlw7HXPCEXfjpEwcWnK42jHAcRre7I/s640/blogger-image--756926636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oT3_BS-9C_T5evIW30zNrXqpQOpdpJXTT0J0sMIJ-HGGMPtQNQPyShIoTZWEy7udo92tSY4QywvQ_LtWu2ngciaAC3Fz_-6J1SPAMke8zgivvjlw7HXPCEXfjpEwcWnK42jHAcRre7I/s640/blogger-image--756926636.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jmhhCCwJcTE8X0vuW2IxkPuMuqSOa1l-F19ChY7c0-mRjib02QfMzUtVt9OUwUmu4U8nJmNjeh3Qv_y5CYs9_lQXW6gmb_HwhhdD6b41AA81NKATus8R2-z5nypcI0GSo_EbLirKJYI/s640/blogger-image--787023066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jmhhCCwJcTE8X0vuW2IxkPuMuqSOa1l-F19ChY7c0-mRjib02QfMzUtVt9OUwUmu4U8nJmNjeh3Qv_y5CYs9_lQXW6gmb_HwhhdD6b41AA81NKATus8R2-z5nypcI0GSo_EbLirKJYI/s640/blogger-image--787023066.jpg"></a></div><br><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My birthday was great! I've decided that I am done thinking that I am old. I never wanted people to know how old I was but really 38 isn't old. I feel great and I feel young and I have lots of energy and life in me that that is really all that should matter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OximUycc8WZEGazwcQ1oh-WFQhANBieRQ6_-bmkAk-t3bEz43YMsyy4IMwzI5UBiwimjv_CXU1uHnP0W8AnQJS5KZ_FgY37QNKqHloSOkZufHuKgPKT8-42VVJZ4PQm-sbcydC7gVts/s640/blogger-image-2060568218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OximUycc8WZEGazwcQ1oh-WFQhANBieRQ6_-bmkAk-t3bEz43YMsyy4IMwzI5UBiwimjv_CXU1uHnP0W8AnQJS5KZ_FgY37QNKqHloSOkZufHuKgPKT8-42VVJZ4PQm-sbcydC7gVts/s640/blogger-image-2060568218.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div>I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">started with a breakfast with friends, went to the temple, went to lunch with Ben and then I went to a mother/daughter activity with mia and CJ. It was a non tea hat party. We all wore our fanciest hats and mia got to decorate her own and walk down the catwalk. They also sang happy birthday to me and I danced around like a crazy lady.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPle63Uz7zwjrvLiBOX_0Z5Wvfc0S9N381Cfk7OgcD9WiUeoFCs2Yq-GxqVpVBIZikrFTe0MyWHN683PqFC30GoaoPkb7leA0ynWnPIka7bNEqq9xVihhJR1r_mDgBhWH8tQoU2Fu3i0/s640/blogger-image--996430684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPle63Uz7zwjrvLiBOX_0Z5Wvfc0S9N381Cfk7OgcD9WiUeoFCs2Yq-GxqVpVBIZikrFTe0MyWHN683PqFC30GoaoPkb7leA0ynWnPIka7bNEqq9xVihhJR1r_mDgBhWH8tQoU2Fu3i0/s640/blogger-image--996430684.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKLZqHCem6C-Mh5uGsgYhrpLJFQ7r7vR3oT-NLxuKFcUXNYJkZw8mIkaAlOE0HcWuA6ZhXJegKQ9XZJmfqwMdkZeSgny7IZ_5KO_MS7GKlZSEz2_3SE87lfDL0PmLUZGMNKEQ9wO0DWA/s640/blogger-image-1733226165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKLZqHCem6C-Mh5uGsgYhrpLJFQ7r7vR3oT-NLxuKFcUXNYJkZw8mIkaAlOE0HcWuA6ZhXJegKQ9XZJmfqwMdkZeSgny7IZ_5KO_MS7GKlZSEz2_3SE87lfDL0PmLUZGMNKEQ9wO0DWA/s640/blogger-image-1733226165.jpg"></a></div>I also got a firepit for my Mother's Day/birthday gift. We've already cooked lots of snores already.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrV75dDrer70Cdm3Z1WgCHgNIbg_wh7CEqoN8ESaZPgkejn6iZ6pevv48iNM3uuaivHbQYWYQIy_zcLni7JSmqChvIAwlv7GoY-KZ_C6___y_Un4WvmmVcTSwQoNbLy6DOiKv71Zc8y4/s640/blogger-image-1914401436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrV75dDrer70Cdm3Z1WgCHgNIbg_wh7CEqoN8ESaZPgkejn6iZ6pevv48iNM3uuaivHbQYWYQIy_zcLni7JSmqChvIAwlv7GoY-KZ_C6___y_Un4WvmmVcTSwQoNbLy6DOiKv71Zc8y4/s640/blogger-image-1914401436.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I'm the third year girl's camp leader this year and so I'm in charge of doing pre-hikes and organizing everything. It's been tough and a little stressful because I really don't feel like I know what I am doing. I'm sure everything will turn out fine in the end.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyk3GDB0y7FdIzKPN6WskCsH9zH1WlsMBJrO5qfFZbjxsM7WlQWD_Dg23MXrcEByRVR81JvxvwUevLxJOQYkMNSmatvOQSS8_0fwSvFKpuzpxkkl-LlrSXiu0sYNaC6hZbntda4py0jY/s640/blogger-image-240555367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyk3GDB0y7FdIzKPN6WskCsH9zH1WlsMBJrO5qfFZbjxsM7WlQWD_Dg23MXrcEByRVR81JvxvwUevLxJOQYkMNSmatvOQSS8_0fwSvFKpuzpxkkl-LlrSXiu0sYNaC6hZbntda4py0jY/s640/blogger-image-240555367.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuJsIBXeA2dt2wXyMfzylpldwVztM7HRgQKp63HttjUvL3L1VPbWPGVmJPqYVsIcCp2o4ULUfBfLhRO8yqemq5ok4OBkoJFWE4TLaUQBbgquctzjdpybBc0P1MeSE-LsJE5CIy3ZEV4k/s640/blogger-image--1365148242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuJsIBXeA2dt2wXyMfzylpldwVztM7HRgQKp63HttjUvL3L1VPbWPGVmJPqYVsIcCp2o4ULUfBfLhRO8yqemq5ok4OBkoJFWE4TLaUQBbgquctzjdpybBc0P1MeSE-LsJE5CIy3ZEV4k/s640/blogger-image--1365148242.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I went on my last kindergarten field trip with Zoey to Smith Family Farm. It's crazy to think that my baby is 5 almost 6. I'm going to miss out time together and just hanging out with her. With Zoey there are a lot of "lasts". I'm going to try and enjoy every moment.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdUdcxoJFVelcXdh9VnwuI0tChLQOBaPuAnHdtSQUXpEo15ji02DVTzKQ4QMa0elTTS9jPZMJ6iK54pDC75PbojhGndXF9QxVuOUt4qNgehywqmjvfjWrDkrfPPPUkCUiP4h9qKhqQMg/s640/blogger-image--625057354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdUdcxoJFVelcXdh9VnwuI0tChLQOBaPuAnHdtSQUXpEo15ji02DVTzKQ4QMa0elTTS9jPZMJ6iK54pDC75PbojhGndXF9QxVuOUt4qNgehywqmjvfjWrDkrfPPPUkCUiP4h9qKhqQMg/s640/blogger-image--625057354.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We got a new kitten that the kids named, Willow. She's a cute little kitten who is so energetic, playful and cuddly. Ben and the kids are so happy to finally have a kitten. I kinda like her too.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_1ZjiZd4mm4HP66KrVoJ7qoD0Gu7r8yljdRlPPqJJsa04g6w-RceaQdKwlHOEUkh-sH7Y1DfjFRN9wytfovv7rZfIERYdxTydWbhi1x0XRFPgy9oWzrO6RbNx5PXuvZCfx0W-glvCi8/s640/blogger-image-1774724772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_1ZjiZd4mm4HP66KrVoJ7qoD0Gu7r8yljdRlPPqJJsa04g6w-RceaQdKwlHOEUkh-sH7Y1DfjFRN9wytfovv7rZfIERYdxTydWbhi1x0XRFPgy9oWzrO6RbNx5PXuvZCfx0W-glvCi8/s640/blogger-image-1774724772.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div>We finally went on another family bike ride. It's been since January since we've been on one because I was sick for months and then I had surgery. We went on the iron horse trail. I love spending time with my family! Xander was so cute thanking Ben and I more than once and saying it was the best day.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPTiYverdbeASg7F-fbQ1YV7p4OJfVRpFG-7yE8aRdyQcKbDyS53hnH1FuXYM_iOx0py2DOL5WRBJUAPkpDUfxPKcoFHd_y90RajbEdrhm-1WUBaE89LlBKZf5c-EbDjbAfB5aiIjw6U/s640/blogger-image--1590887949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPTiYverdbeASg7F-fbQ1YV7p4OJfVRpFG-7yE8aRdyQcKbDyS53hnH1FuXYM_iOx0py2DOL5WRBJUAPkpDUfxPKcoFHd_y90RajbEdrhm-1WUBaE89LlBKZf5c-EbDjbAfB5aiIjw6U/s640/blogger-image--1590887949.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Our first trip to the beach was at Muir beach. It's a windy beach but it was a great day. It was a family beach day with the youth and kids. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXed5niua5vfcLhSSMJjUMCPmN4YmnR70soL1_Q-K0V7rNie8L0nsCjKyp42F4wiSB6ylJ0dOEiUimFZBaOjJVuaC2KPNt99KNQiJdy0lw4CqNQqmyojwGv-cVoal5T3fl_DKC1wQRB1I/s640/blogger-image--323859807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXed5niua5vfcLhSSMJjUMCPmN4YmnR70soL1_Q-K0V7rNie8L0nsCjKyp42F4wiSB6ylJ0dOEiUimFZBaOjJVuaC2KPNt99KNQiJdy0lw4CqNQqmyojwGv-cVoal5T3fl_DKC1wQRB1I/s640/blogger-image--323859807.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD23kwx9T0d4eslnLbGTq6ccTP7W4l37Q7jkxsE9jUhruS0loMZkNqvnXChPgK0t4uEA31ntG7qoa2exyZrdcxSXtnTpapFMH03dzMyIVf4W-_w7530YGdHk_wYmEcKitP3gnwPkgADMQ/s640/blogger-image--551672769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD23kwx9T0d4eslnLbGTq6ccTP7W4l37Q7jkxsE9jUhruS0loMZkNqvnXChPgK0t4uEA31ntG7qoa2exyZrdcxSXtnTpapFMH03dzMyIVf4W-_w7530YGdHk_wYmEcKitP3gnwPkgADMQ/s640/blogger-image--551672769.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ben and I went to the "Inside Out" wrap party. It was super fun and we stayed until 1:30 am. We are party animals! They had great food like always and a fun scavenger hunt and dancing. I hugged my first actor. I was disappointed that he felt like any other human being. I was hoping for confetti or a spot light when I hugged him. Just kidding. His name is Richard kind and he is the voice for Bing Bong. Ben and I had a great time hanging out with his friends.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uU3ULFxCSlKh3Qdsj7j6w0-AN9bzvAYi98xLJVM_i3wbLK4o9qgaSd_bXPpC0hg9LNz3ozt0OVy8Tjkmj65WwfPxwf1YK-1_8w6h_12E6nUo31zPjEP7DGtW1QpLVQTK8Q4w_FX-I94/s640/blogger-image-214896619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uU3ULFxCSlKh3Qdsj7j6w0-AN9bzvAYi98xLJVM_i3wbLK4o9qgaSd_bXPpC0hg9LNz3ozt0OVy8Tjkmj65WwfPxwf1YK-1_8w6h_12E6nUo31zPjEP7DGtW1QpLVQTK8Q4w_FX-I94/s640/blogger-image-214896619.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxbhtyrg9kgR1W_LyZvz6peZgpadzzQS0pUrEjJAzk9TZYPV6oa5eo0WjKTwVFps3-562b0TrnOE960hm-bGj8_ZzEYjhd8uwcQ0cqhBTZXakcbrcqv9ouFrDzWElVnTuM_ZoTgudV10/s640/blogger-image-1337300908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxbhtyrg9kgR1W_LyZvz6peZgpadzzQS0pUrEjJAzk9TZYPV6oa5eo0WjKTwVFps3-562b0TrnOE960hm-bGj8_ZzEYjhd8uwcQ0cqhBTZXakcbrcqv9ouFrDzWElVnTuM_ZoTgudV10/s640/blogger-image-1337300908.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div>Mia and Zoey were in the school talent show. Mia did a dance with her friend Brooke and Zoey did a magic trick with Isaac. I also helped with the talent show but wasn't in charge. That was nice.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjaCCz9it_Dg4tziEEXnfAf7JjFQOxbuP7wKh0sVK8qk4PriuRrpIoxwmlH6U9AhQP1jWHZap20zRCLgtRobMx1abNC0sA7F4Qrkam4EfLIiuMD05rrkwZFjwBM_nT68Grc_mwslP32E/s640/blogger-image--968132735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjaCCz9it_Dg4tziEEXnfAf7JjFQOxbuP7wKh0sVK8qk4PriuRrpIoxwmlH6U9AhQP1jWHZap20zRCLgtRobMx1abNC0sA7F4Qrkam4EfLIiuMD05rrkwZFjwBM_nT68Grc_mwslP32E/s640/blogger-image--968132735.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn2adciBPTYzFxk5OhNVJ-da2tB-irQSkRVEtb66NdcBUYzhMHvAlMmfU_TAxtpvYj2gymXx3HXBjvkJuUUz4HSkTKQCgc013xa_o7T_p0INhx2LuBpeuHi02jHTOYEKq_jsWt6rHc7E/s640/blogger-image--1716807711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn2adciBPTYzFxk5OhNVJ-da2tB-irQSkRVEtb66NdcBUYzhMHvAlMmfU_TAxtpvYj2gymXx3HXBjvkJuUUz4HSkTKQCgc013xa_o7T_p0INhx2LuBpeuHi02jHTOYEKq_jsWt6rHc7E/s640/blogger-image--1716807711.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc4efvypmRNsmJFbkXWd-J1SvtsHRsc-N9GT9JxKK_jGsbLIOtBhj0ULmzXeccaO2zYAIWDBJdrJpHLlNjyGiGyMFuBlPvOzkvXohamdD3kKx0rAd2TqnXndPlI4WZA2XZmTfMePCZOY/s640/blogger-image--196154128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc4efvypmRNsmJFbkXWd-J1SvtsHRsc-N9GT9JxKK_jGsbLIOtBhj0ULmzXeccaO2zYAIWDBJdrJpHLlNjyGiGyMFuBlPvOzkvXohamdD3kKx0rAd2TqnXndPlI4WZA2XZmTfMePCZOY/s640/blogger-image--196154128.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV9jlIa4PlECeLBKaL3wcfix55wvRDZsmFsqAQDzZAdjdOF3oA-hH2iHlwENsN5yelO_l-rfp6YRfhFr1hs6F9dU02AevVMFa8yH8RQ9H09Cz0FpVkp-HZavF_Q0fyHfbFyvP9Wugdo4/s640/blogger-image-1576214125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV9jlIa4PlECeLBKaL3wcfix55wvRDZsmFsqAQDzZAdjdOF3oA-hH2iHlwENsN5yelO_l-rfp6YRfhFr1hs6F9dU02AevVMFa8yH8RQ9H09Cz0FpVkp-HZavF_Q0fyHfbFyvP9Wugdo4/s640/blogger-image-1576214125.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-65841540581050712372015-04-24T11:06:00.001-07:002015-04-24T11:22:21.559-07:00Hurry before April is over!<div style="text-align: center;">
That is what I'm thinking. . . "I'd better hurry and write a blog post before April is over!" 2015 has been flying by! Seriously, as I get older, I've realized time waits for no one. It goes by so fast and I feel like I'm scrambling sometimes just to savor every day moments. Sometimes I'll just stare at my baby, who is now 5, hoping to soak her in permanently just the way she is at that very moment. There are times I wish I could go back in time for just a day <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">when my kids were babies. I never enjoyed them the way I would right now. Back then, it was all about survival and right now it's all about savoring precious moments. Not the figurines. That's crazy!</span></div>
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By the way. . .here are some moments I want to remember.</div>
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Mia, Xander and Zoey each placed in the school science fair. Ben worked extremely hard with each of the kids on their science fair projects. When I say he worked extremely hard, that's an understatement. Ben goes above and beyond when it is something he is interested in and science is one of those things. Sometimes I wonder what it would take to implant a love for say, yard work or house cleaning and chores???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtQg7C3NDZ3m4j9TS3vbLxJ_ujoH_0jB58Q5g2tL8qLVj_ZX2hHKF8mqlaURPOV37qs1Aj8NFeHt1mUs5NVPCocYp_vNx0qtgalJAnAnckZNXtRVXmPYPkhEp3zy3PkKpLeu_2SppWL4/s640/blogger-image-667403735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtQg7C3NDZ3m4j9TS3vbLxJ_ujoH_0jB58Q5g2tL8qLVj_ZX2hHKF8mqlaURPOV37qs1Aj8NFeHt1mUs5NVPCocYp_vNx0qtgalJAnAnckZNXtRVXmPYPkhEp3zy3PkKpLeu_2SppWL4/s640/blogger-image-667403735.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nmV6lQ_CW_oLoy7Vx0I8j6jxWW9K4a_o9AXk28qNmSoJ7CUeGn1s56twxr3JYFE-I2JMMxNxeIKxR6CwLdC2DtUpR4Rvd7AYfhqg5kxBMjYyTxoGIyCQbPx0kIrzTJUEWxDoUzF9tLs/s640/blogger-image--1328967830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nmV6lQ_CW_oLoy7Vx0I8j6jxWW9K4a_o9AXk28qNmSoJ7CUeGn1s56twxr3JYFE-I2JMMxNxeIKxR6CwLdC2DtUpR4Rvd7AYfhqg5kxBMjYyTxoGIyCQbPx0kIrzTJUEWxDoUzF9tLs/s640/blogger-image--1328967830.jpg" /></a></div>
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Mia went to districts with her science fair project. She has gone every year possible! That girl rocks! </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And if the school science fair wasn't enough, bring on "playing science fair" at home. The kids made a bunch of pretend science fair projects. My favorite," do IPODS make you zombified?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mia had a daddy daughter 50's themed date. Her activity day leaders helped the girls make poodle skirts. And Ben wore my letterman jacket which I think is hilarious! I remember when I was younger having a daddy daughter date. It was a great memory and the fact that I still remember it is amazing. I have the worst memory!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Other random moments of happiness. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">What Zoey looks like when she is the chairman for family home evening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">What Zoey is writing these days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Field trip to the reservoir with Xander. I had to take a nap afterwards, I was so tired!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Some creations created by our family include, beautiful updos, a sword holder, a giant clock, a quilt, a fondant cake, a brush that draws blood, a shed. . .</span></div>
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I think every family has "that something" that they do. Some families are a sports family or a dance family or a traveling to places family. In our family, we create things and do art. I've also decided that "that something" is usually something that the parents enjoy doing. Parents are selfish in that way. Naw, not really selfish but it's easy to do something you enjoy and your kids are the recipients.</div>
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After a 2 years absence from team sports, Mia made her debut back with spring soccer. Since being diagnosed with anxiety (thanks mostly to Ben and my chemical imbalances I'm sure), Mia has not been in sports because it causes too much anxiety for her which is sad because she loves sports and is really good at it. We decided that she was doing good enough and has gotten more control to try a sport. Her coach is the best! He is really kind and patient with her. And Mia is a natural! She scored the first goals at the first and second game. I think this is a good experience for her. She is learning how to deal with her anxiety and is coming out on top!</div>
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Mia is also taking piano lessons. She had her first piano recital and once again, triumphed over her anxiety!</div>
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CJ is growing up too fast! She is a big sister at camp which means she helps plan camp and is a leader in one of the levels. She is going second year this year. She has so many talents that she doesn't even realize and I can see her finally using them for the benefit of others. I think that when you use your talents for yourself and yourself alone, your talents are halted and do not grow as they would if used for others. I have seen in my own life, how my talents have grown when I use them to serve and help others. CJ is a natural leader. The girls naturally look up to her and want to follow her. I love seeing her talents being used for good. She is also taking drivers Ed-scary but true!! And I'm sure she is looking forward to DATING-also scary! </div>
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WARNING the next part is not G rated. . .</div>
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Since we are talking about scary things, let's talk about boobs! More specifically. . . my boobs! Am I going to post a picture? Uh that's "epropriate" (pronounced with a long e) Zoey would say. Which the cutest things Zoey says are words with the wrong vowels. Sorry grammar nazis of the world, I don't even correct her because it is too cute! My favorite thing she says, "look uhind you" . Translation, "look behind you." </div>
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Back to me. This is my bra and those are mia and Xander's heads. This is proof that I have gigantic breasts. Most people wouldn't consider me big breasted. That's because I am a pro at hunching, I wear bigger shirts and a minimizer. Since highschool, I have been what some women call "blessed". If "blessed" means having boys and men stare at my chest making me feel uncomfortable or having to wear more than one bra while playing sports or struggling to find clothes that fit me, that's messed up! A side joke I had in highschool was that when a boy would talk to me and not give me eye contact because he is literally talking to my chest, I wanted to grab my boobs and shake them while saying,"and they talk too!" I may have really done that in real life but I can't remember. On my basketball team my teammates voted that I had the best body. I was like, "What? That can't be right. Have they seen my legs? They are all scarred up?" Then it dawned on me later, it was because of my boobs!</div>
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Flash forward to adulthood. Still wearing two bras to workout in, I hate shopping for clothes and now my back hurts every now and then. Then the babies come. I can't breastfeed. My breast don't produce enough milk. My breasts are literally useless. I hate them. I really do. And what do they do to spite me? They just get bigger with each pregnancy. And then I hate them more.</div>
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Later in my 30's I find a sporting store that sells sports bra for endowed women. I was so excited that I didn't have to wear more than one bra while exercising. The cost? Around $70! And let's talk about bathing suits. I could never find one that fit my bottom and top at the same time. After searching on the Internet, I found a bathing suit top with a bra inside to help with support. The cost? $50 and that was just the top. </div>
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You know that saying in kindergarten? "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit?" Well that's what I think. For years, I just dealt with what I had. That is until I started having back pain ALL DAY EVERYDAY. First, I thought, it must because I'm getting older. Then I asked my 70 year old mother if she has back pain everyday. Her reply was "No." That was when I decided to do something about it.</div>
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It actually took me over a year to get the courage to go talk to my doctor and start the process. I don't know exactly why. I think I was a little embarrassed. I mean, who in this world wants smaller breasts? And I don't agree with all the plastic surgery that people get. One I started the process, there was no going back due to the fact that I became totally committed and driven. There was no stopping me. </div>
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Well there was one thing that tried to stop me. A mess up with documentation with the insurance company made a mess that I had to sort out. I was in tears by the end. It was so stressful. </div>
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Finally it all worked out and the breast reduction was happening! I am not kidding you I looked at boobs non stop for a month. Wondering, what size do I want to be?? I think I would have been completely satisfied with man boobs. Mine have been a heavy burden in more ways than one. I would have loved to be flat!!</div>
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The surgery went well, but I was very disappointed afterwards. I still felt big and heavy. I had doubts if what I did was the right thing. I cried. I was mad at myself for not liking myself.</div>
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It's been almost 6 weeks and the swelling has gone down. Thankfully. At the beginning, I had no idea that I would be really swollen for a long time. I wanted instant results. That was not realistic. </div>
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Conclusion. I am so glad that I had this surgery. This is going to give me relief and a better quality of life. Will I ever love my boobs? The answer is "Probably not". But I "like" them better each day. </div>
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On a different note but still somewhat related. I was so blessed to have so many people help me out. I'm serious, what do people who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when things like this happen? In our church we have a great network of "instant" friends. On top of that, my mother and MIL both came out helping me and my family so much! I only have a picture of my MIL because when my Mom came, I wasn't feeling that great. But know, I appreciate her so much! </div>
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So thus ends my boob saga. I hope to never, in the rest of my life, spend time thinking about my boobs.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And I don't care if people disagree. I still think boobs are overrated!</span></div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-26519891502447791192015-02-12T15:19:00.001-08:002015-04-24T11:07:36.292-07:00Another Month Bites the Dust<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's amazing how time flies! I can't believe it is halfway through February all ready. January just flew by so quickly. We began the year with a trip to Disneyland. It was a great time of the year and I took the 3 younger ones out of school. CJ already had the time off from school. I let CJ take a friend and she chose Taylor. I'm glad she chose Taylor. Taylor loved the little kids and was fun to be with. We stayed in a nice hotel, which was 100 times better than the last one. The only unfortunate thing about this trip was that I was sick the whole time. I actually got sick a week before and was feeling better than the first week, which was good but it still wasn't a ton better. Luckily, I made it though and was glad I came. I was tempted to stay at home and let Ben take the kids-that's how bad I was feeling. All in all, a good trip.</span></div>
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The next exciting thing was that Ben and I celebrated our 13th anniversary by going ziplining. It was super fun and something I've never really tried. Especially, on this scale. We were ziplining from tree to tree never touching the ground until the very end. It was a fun experience and I would totally do it again!</div>
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This year is the "Year of the Bike Ride", we will be heading on adventures on the trails. I got a new mountain bike which I am so excited about. I even recently went mountain biking on some super muddy trails. So messy but really fun!</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We have been super blessed with great weather along with some good rainy days. California weather is awesome!</span></div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-24312931757979520972014-12-09T11:48:00.001-08:002014-12-09T11:50:46.707-08:00Happy Thanksgiving in December!Each year my blogging skills get less and less impressive. But I will keep trying because the fate of my "Family Yearbook" depends on it! And that is something that I love making each year. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyhiPWyJqbGUAJxlOcJKTLAhX_q7ipkGmnID0jNKLR8B6txecLJ8PjK6iqUA0Qeem3XemFBaFWgeBuXEtlTHyC-FqS2217yH7nZ2jxIyOWlD9spDXeYp-JsgsXzwVemmcXknODHuHhrg/s640/blogger-image-952983544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyhiPWyJqbGUAJxlOcJKTLAhX_q7ipkGmnID0jNKLR8B6txecLJ8PjK6iqUA0Qeem3XemFBaFWgeBuXEtlTHyC-FqS2217yH7nZ2jxIyOWlD9spDXeYp-JsgsXzwVemmcXknODHuHhrg/s640/blogger-image-952983544.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>This Thanksgiving we decided to stick around and have dinner in our new home. We invited anyone from our new ward who didn't have a place to go to come to our house. That could have been an "invitation of masses" and surprisingly went the other way! Everyone seemed to have a place to go! Luckily, I still had friends in our old ward who came over.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic53y1vL-OzH5ciHd1ZVbRvEn3Pa9K8yW6mrCQ5F-QqucTBxPOH-9h4H7utrJS__QaelqvKppg9qaFGp9YBcd7goD8x_yOcgPCXry49BdgBTJFA72GYj_RBQ2-Fn-CSEnNZmaP363OcY/s640/blogger-image--340500465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic53y1vL-OzH5ciHd1ZVbRvEn3Pa9K8yW6mrCQ5F-QqucTBxPOH-9h4H7utrJS__QaelqvKppg9qaFGp9YBcd7goD8x_yOcgPCXry49BdgBTJFA72GYj_RBQ2-Fn-CSEnNZmaP363OcY/s640/blogger-image--340500465.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Let me just tell you, this is the way to do thanksgiving. We had the Lemieuxs and two of the Lenininger family over and we just split everything up! It was awesome and not hard at all and not a burden to any one person. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinocLexXI3i4XCZSv3HUeCTd6_bGv6wYMVxCtTvhubTrMDbEzoMJNCzHog5T34CG4wHKQB3tcTBSrcuvDvaJ_mPcwxg5vV2c4z638DN5w7KWWd0joAyBLdmlym2r5Cu01FlRCeAziUBQg/s640/blogger-image-1192648848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinocLexXI3i4XCZSv3HUeCTd6_bGv6wYMVxCtTvhubTrMDbEzoMJNCzHog5T34CG4wHKQB3tcTBSrcuvDvaJ_mPcwxg5vV2c4z638DN5w7KWWd0joAyBLdmlym2r5Cu01FlRCeAziUBQg/s640/blogger-image-1192648848.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ewyuWRKpd9JhntGQJ_-1I0thPoTTF5eTmEY_jyn727YYrloBHLWn8l2CsuQLSiu9U1uMfYB9Rxz67ZL2U2YES_9PDMSkr8uPoxueFp1q4tsPPK2ojNmU2KaaMqn_xJi7NjOr_o-PJLM/s640/blogger-image-1663665411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ewyuWRKpd9JhntGQJ_-1I0thPoTTF5eTmEY_jyn727YYrloBHLWn8l2CsuQLSiu9U1uMfYB9Rxz67ZL2U2YES_9PDMSkr8uPoxueFp1q4tsPPK2ojNmU2KaaMqn_xJi7NjOr_o-PJLM/s640/blogger-image-1663665411.jpg"></a></div>So, invite a ton of people to thanksgiving dinner and spread out the assignments and it will be grand!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRb9QiFFzVRkcTvsLoHJACoshZPac2MceNd58mD0tx9fV5szB405POLcbu3Kx-lg781YvZJcmh2OuQm1t5X8X5tYnzGxdo6Az9xIisJO_uJcfEv2RL_VfAhLFbhaOmFybDkVnXstE1Kg/s640/blogger-image-131983815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRb9QiFFzVRkcTvsLoHJACoshZPac2MceNd58mD0tx9fV5szB405POLcbu3Kx-lg781YvZJcmh2OuQm1t5X8X5tYnzGxdo6Az9xIisJO_uJcfEv2RL_VfAhLFbhaOmFybDkVnXstE1Kg/s640/blogger-image-131983815.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Before the dinner, we organized a turkey bowl game. I was wondering how that would turn out especially since our track record wasn't so great. The first year we tried to organize one it was Ben, our brother in law and one other person. It ended up being the best we ever organized. There were about 22 people and I even got to play a little.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVxo2Jovt_Z2fXuDKlXICUeWOBA4BEQDQvZhHJMhFc18JZ0T-NcdB_Jzkv2FYZLT0OdDs3FoljUINyORyRwNRbZFXiQVJIOCY7Vs4vAyRNyrGwZhHbdoYl8vUrjVS4bnDtuGZLfr8TPQ/s640/blogger-image--1721672435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVxo2Jovt_Z2fXuDKlXICUeWOBA4BEQDQvZhHJMhFc18JZ0T-NcdB_Jzkv2FYZLT0OdDs3FoljUINyORyRwNRbZFXiQVJIOCY7Vs4vAyRNyrGwZhHbdoYl8vUrjVS4bnDtuGZLfr8TPQ/s640/blogger-image--1721672435.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>The kids and I made table decorations which was really quite fun. We gathered things from our backyard that was fall like. I couldn't believe at all the things that we found. From pinecones to pine needles to leaves and cool green spikey things, we had the best table decorations.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPYrR69Qp_-IOn0wt_SAUCzHvUoEBGVpVNVmLnLuHfx0O0fFUUJRzVtkkrNhb_W7KmohV_7avFnT4bSCFT7JXGtV9MHEaNQNENSUd9i6ZE_-NUvZOR1HTaMIGnr4XxZqbkoE4L0uwW68/s640/blogger-image--648313162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPYrR69Qp_-IOn0wt_SAUCzHvUoEBGVpVNVmLnLuHfx0O0fFUUJRzVtkkrNhb_W7KmohV_7avFnT4bSCFT7JXGtV9MHEaNQNENSUd9i6ZE_-NUvZOR1HTaMIGnr4XxZqbkoE4L0uwW68/s640/blogger-image--648313162.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQnYAqaG3v6_MGM-1bfmM4QB8Rh8reUKnpw-3sGY5bVpqU0lcyGCvlEaN_0g_KSEWlgeLrN2c0jyadswQmbYCIV4h76hIReNqJdjH_BuY_1MVd5Fe8PfMxy962qbHfLy9DH5eGl63QZc/s640/blogger-image--71652048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQnYAqaG3v6_MGM-1bfmM4QB8Rh8reUKnpw-3sGY5bVpqU0lcyGCvlEaN_0g_KSEWlgeLrN2c0jyadswQmbYCIV4h76hIReNqJdjH_BuY_1MVd5Fe8PfMxy962qbHfLy9DH5eGl63QZc/s640/blogger-image--71652048.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP4P-1TjK14jFD_gQUTzRGKdTYBuJRyp0Vckuj6m2l_vb55dWC2qI_sJTtkBtYc-JIFAUKLff-HS_afzxiJ3mu6eqEjhCnvSg3sfaq4SYhKzTJTVpEJAvNhmemP-0lW-KWyBXQFY5GHw/s640/blogger-image--1328231936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP4P-1TjK14jFD_gQUTzRGKdTYBuJRyp0Vckuj6m2l_vb55dWC2qI_sJTtkBtYc-JIFAUKLff-HS_afzxiJ3mu6eqEjhCnvSg3sfaq4SYhKzTJTVpEJAvNhmemP-0lW-KWyBXQFY5GHw/s640/blogger-image--1328231936.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The turkey cooked nicely. I was so nervous about it since I was cooking it for other people. I think turkey is overrated. I really think that chicken has a better taste. We had a ton of food and pies!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtSXkxRtZY0_w9VfJgXTw-I97ctdkeyaaKlfFPbWnR_2v9SutWvB2YNW7BcJIAnyPfpeH5L7wUensylHOWdeQOzGsTqcTWHH3UwdaZ6XypRlyT33r5bO-S2CHBK95qBk_6_EjB9YZdUQ/s640/blogger-image-1548408014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtSXkxRtZY0_w9VfJgXTw-I97ctdkeyaaKlfFPbWnR_2v9SutWvB2YNW7BcJIAnyPfpeH5L7wUensylHOWdeQOzGsTqcTWHH3UwdaZ6XypRlyT33r5bO-S2CHBK95qBk_6_EjB9YZdUQ/s640/blogger-image-1548408014.jpg"></a></div> We stuffed ourselves and then the grownups got to play games. BEST. THANKSGIVING. EVER.</div></div><div><br></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-27035344598809693562014-09-26T16:41:00.001-07:002014-09-27T10:31:53.844-07:00It's almost October by golly!I can't believe how quick time flies! It's almost October and from there on out the rest of the year will become a blur. Since school has started, I have never felt so busy and exhausted. Maybe it's because we no longer live across the street from the highschool and I now have to pick up CJ every day and two days a week she gets out at different times or that Xander is in soccer and scouts, or that Zoey is in kindergarten, gymnastics and dance, or that Mia is taking piano lessons now.<div><br></div><div>Whatever it is, I am so busy that the three hours that Zoey is gone feels like minutes. In my garage, pieces of furniture that need refinishing and painting remain untouched, books I swore I would read when the kids started school remain unread, or the genealogy I was going to do remains undone.</div><div><br></div><div>I do try to squeeze in some photography work here and there or a workout. I do feel like I am in the car ALOT taking kids here or there. Mom Taxi. . . that phrase is so true!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4q4Dmczc9gK2n4f83cKbQIsKzGqYdpyCZNjUmAs6PBSqOR-KTdvXM8Kft9E_t4qoDMMAETlNwR4X7NXo7fFE4EiCxXf3rk8hnqGTg0ZlGGKML3kBpGglfQmt_8zUukidPuRaPg-QZ4k/s640/blogger-image-1418871807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4q4Dmczc9gK2n4f83cKbQIsKzGqYdpyCZNjUmAs6PBSqOR-KTdvXM8Kft9E_t4qoDMMAETlNwR4X7NXo7fFE4EiCxXf3rk8hnqGTg0ZlGGKML3kBpGglfQmt_8zUukidPuRaPg-QZ4k/s640/blogger-image-1418871807.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">CJ tried out for her first school play, although she didn't get the part I think she learned a lot and I hope she tries out for the spring play. I was so proud of her for trying. It takes a lot of courage to do what she did.</span></div><div><br></div><div>She also had a sad unforeseen loss in her life. Her friend from church, seminary and school passed away suddenly. It was so so so sad. It was amazing how the community came together to buoy up and support this family. I know that there were many prayers on their behalf from friends, family and from people they didn't even know. CJ is doing well now, she had some rough days. It's been tough on all the youth in the stake.</div><div><br></div><div>I took his last professional pictures and I enlarged it and framed it for his family for the funeral. I was glad I was able to do something for the family because it breaks my heart. My heart aches for them. I love photography for many reasons but one of the biggest reasons why I love it, is being able to capture a moment. Moments come and go and they are never the same. When you take a picture you capture that moment which will never happen again. And then with that picture, you can enjoy and relive that moment again and again and again. His mother, my friend, appreciated this gift because as she said, this is how she will always remember him. . . alive. Ironically, the outfit that I photographed him in was the one he was buried in. Photography brings me happiness and I am so happy that it can also bring peace and comfort to my friends.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWa-CxcoNijF5wUeA9162TxtMm7UgpiclApj9wAbanInDa0iiLgxH7s6iDFxNVo8H7W1GAtUqIT8kzNrLLtLsmdYPegQPB_YLueSGMsk_tm1dFaxJkcBj0XLn009npMav5NWuO58EVTc/s640/blogger-image-1346046433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWa-CxcoNijF5wUeA9162TxtMm7UgpiclApj9wAbanInDa0iiLgxH7s6iDFxNVo8H7W1GAtUqIT8kzNrLLtLsmdYPegQPB_YLueSGMsk_tm1dFaxJkcBj0XLn009npMav5NWuO58EVTc/s640/blogger-image-1346046433.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mia is taking piano lessons right now. I love having a piano! It's great because Mia comes home and teaches Xander and Xander teaches Zoey. Her anxiety causes some frustration but hasn't been an issue which I am so grateful for.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFMEDgYnLdQAy0yv1mdPRCVKQJKu7JXaHT15zsWbOnpAtKKy0rwS4cVFKvPSwWlwf3Bmklj5HT6m6s7a7Zu4_v1pYkPVwo5kmDTJSEIq58DqBCAmWdwl3Rj9sa6Ee8OKBZI1lMDVdAb8/s640/blogger-image-969645805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFMEDgYnLdQAy0yv1mdPRCVKQJKu7JXaHT15zsWbOnpAtKKy0rwS4cVFKvPSwWlwf3Bmklj5HT6m6s7a7Zu4_v1pYkPVwo5kmDTJSEIq58DqBCAmWdwl3Rj9sa6Ee8OKBZI1lMDVdAb8/s640/blogger-image-969645805.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Xander is playing soccer right now and is a superstar. I am always amazed how talented he is on the field. He's not the fastest. He's not the most skilled. He's not aggressive. But there is something about him that makes him very successful on the field. He analyzes and anticipates his opponent's move. He also really uses his head thinking about the best place to throw in the ball or to kick it. It's like if you have ever seen a show on TV where the person throughts are written on the screen. I can envision Xander's thought process all over the place with arrows, formulas, and foresight.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQmdqqK9TYfW9n5WGO7h07wUk3mL5LqiuXtaSaIRqPwljscVCFr-xuTSJ11n1Qnpx4pSrZB1m4ukv1EqpgyBCfBkpllsMYCDYER6f3ANgFDG_Di8ZtVBtMH3fOET_e6ueaE_IZ0YROXg/s640/blogger-image--369614340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQmdqqK9TYfW9n5WGO7h07wUk3mL5LqiuXtaSaIRqPwljscVCFr-xuTSJ11n1Qnpx4pSrZB1m4ukv1EqpgyBCfBkpllsMYCDYER6f3ANgFDG_Di8ZtVBtMH3fOET_e6ueaE_IZ0YROXg/s640/blogger-image--369614340.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Zoey is doing dance and gymnastics and is loving kindergarten. In fact, the first day of school that I picked her up she was so mad at me because I wasn't picking up Xander and Mia as well. That they got to stay longer. She wants to be a big kid so bad and do everything her siblings do. She loves doing gymnastics and dance. I enjoy her so much! She is my sunshine and I like having time with just her before the big kids get home. She loves to read and be read to. </span></div><div><br></div><div>We are enjoying our new home and it's feels like we have lived there longer than four months but that is all it's been. Life is good. So good!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ1aJ95DBS5RwBFbCbQxtpgwmornnzphkrDwbOU2YV1Wp4hYt4EgGBM9aCgKFXOvGvkkKUEjyqSFAm7mcsZtt0gWo42fBX73Yf_N5iKgzJpZwvv0DKDIR81N1Gvtb5Vy4gMvk_1cIct8/s640/blogger-image-96726791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ1aJ95DBS5RwBFbCbQxtpgwmornnzphkrDwbOU2YV1Wp4hYt4EgGBM9aCgKFXOvGvkkKUEjyqSFAm7mcsZtt0gWo42fBX73Yf_N5iKgzJpZwvv0DKDIR81N1Gvtb5Vy4gMvk_1cIct8/s640/blogger-image-96726791.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09wvfGggW0Pa_XcxxOVNajdJGMsKF-oAtJFSRcMwPeJvdMt0Re9MebRFZKdSm2_AlOnbBnC14X0bE-k-ZeQ3ZiZFI_VRNJLeq_lqTYqYgDhnIaPVrvKVw6mdYuTvmhPwY8-dpR7jRmpM/s640/blogger-image--1062073029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09wvfGggW0Pa_XcxxOVNajdJGMsKF-oAtJFSRcMwPeJvdMt0Re9MebRFZKdSm2_AlOnbBnC14X0bE-k-ZeQ3ZiZFI_VRNJLeq_lqTYqYgDhnIaPVrvKVw6mdYuTvmhPwY8-dpR7jRmpM/s640/blogger-image--1062073029.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwQd4HrR4b8Z5w5n71NkF5JbDBYP7dIIwJeuy3aM1-Nvg4qmLt1yvz6KGTkPbejCI4oPjr5Mz510ErpQ7McMT3ALhocqNxqFOUW9a0fAhhg0yBC6DZL8-Xz_V2Yd1yS0yqlqJLyl8-dU/s640/blogger-image--1287974005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwQd4HrR4b8Z5w5n71NkF5JbDBYP7dIIwJeuy3aM1-Nvg4qmLt1yvz6KGTkPbejCI4oPjr5Mz510ErpQ7McMT3ALhocqNxqFOUW9a0fAhhg0yBC6DZL8-Xz_V2Yd1yS0yqlqJLyl8-dU/s640/blogger-image--1287974005.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4giDRPxhEQMbdVmOerp-8vWm_4rmgHSAICBz7bQi5i2Pu3mgMzqWEUeSp-8rmr040flhnKPM7pQ-OR8HORWr9Q99Jb2XZOcq0Odhzh0q3R0Hull_XJpcTloJclm6ptBATfTlNqhQHZLY/s640/blogger-image--1021673895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4giDRPxhEQMbdVmOerp-8vWm_4rmgHSAICBz7bQi5i2Pu3mgMzqWEUeSp-8rmr040flhnKPM7pQ-OR8HORWr9Q99Jb2XZOcq0Odhzh0q3R0Hull_XJpcTloJclm6ptBATfTlNqhQHZLY/s640/blogger-image--1021673895.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Rz-821qiCcxeLiiaqaA7gWdUDgjbFUceF9-VIKnlBks2YyM726UX6fCweH6ubdeX5YY1nXQDSs-BoRG_bISG_zSfGPF-A7QoJ_V6YwePqQa9RdUGoXs8WyyNWrNy0XSFy5ESfJSLfh0/s640/blogger-image--1034011938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Rz-821qiCcxeLiiaqaA7gWdUDgjbFUceF9-VIKnlBks2YyM726UX6fCweH6ubdeX5YY1nXQDSs-BoRG_bISG_zSfGPF-A7QoJ_V6YwePqQa9RdUGoXs8WyyNWrNy0XSFy5ESfJSLfh0/s640/blogger-image--1034011938.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-18605859865511147572014-08-30T21:27:00.001-07:002014-08-30T21:27:11.897-07:00Xander got Baptized!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Xander got baptized a day after his birthday on August 23,2014. What was epic about his baptism is that both sets of grandparents were able to come. We had a ton of fun the week of his baptism. </div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEgQvAQDM8NY-3nZKxdpC3UiF4x5jeBU2BKGl4K78SRoseawnfGO3Mz4jcjWSInUgb2UKFgXdgXnYEyT5WTgf2KxFEnc1mr2SAyzxKGoXXoiDkePwS9uFYmqxHkKAmBhaRSjUSRFvGtw/s640/blogger-image-1026782995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEgQvAQDM8NY-3nZKxdpC3UiF4x5jeBU2BKGl4K78SRoseawnfGO3Mz4jcjWSInUgb2UKFgXdgXnYEyT5WTgf2KxFEnc1mr2SAyzxKGoXXoiDkePwS9uFYmqxHkKAmBhaRSjUSRFvGtw/s640/blogger-image-1026782995.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We went to the Academy of Sciences with grandma and grandpa Armstrong. We also took them to Tilden Park where we rode the train and fed the animals at the farm. It was chilly that day, a whopping 60 degrees-ish and our poor Californian bodies froze. Grandma too, but just because she's old! Just kidding Mom! You're still 21!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFOBm0jxks1K7M4T-ddxXsmAYTpCOQ5LbJTafFcWJYlkHNbDJuBP8HtPvEA7-c0vHGrdQ_YdYhV9SX1WowlTWP7yewqcGwwTen-00UwlK8lHF0a1otbiAup3PVv2y3hWTUaRY4ykBGhg/s640/blogger-image--426252828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFOBm0jxks1K7M4T-ddxXsmAYTpCOQ5LbJTafFcWJYlkHNbDJuBP8HtPvEA7-c0vHGrdQ_YdYhV9SX1WowlTWP7yewqcGwwTen-00UwlK8lHF0a1otbiAup3PVv2y3hWTUaRY4ykBGhg/s640/blogger-image--426252828.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Ben and I and my parents have a Euchre tournament each time we see each other. Lots of smack talk happens but ultimately, my parents continue to hold the title of "euchre champions"! I love being able to play even if it is just once a year. A great tradition when they come and visit us each time!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFfhiO2XOtnKn2m-CRW8AID8GRA6iE_GfbemNT5EjMQYe1tOkJsVLinn4OLP9JBxjUMOsZUcOrvQe6hTDhkJ0cPdyY96jVMKzva0_d0eqRjZqauxbyh-B93z7XFyojTWw1HaaCK8gi8g/s640/blogger-image-986058067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFfhiO2XOtnKn2m-CRW8AID8GRA6iE_GfbemNT5EjMQYe1tOkJsVLinn4OLP9JBxjUMOsZUcOrvQe6hTDhkJ0cPdyY96jVMKzva0_d0eqRjZqauxbyh-B93z7XFyojTWw1HaaCK8gi8g/s640/blogger-image-986058067.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>When Ben's parents arrived, we headed to Santa Cruz. What a beautiful yet, windy day! We played at the beach and some of us took a stroll down the boardwalk. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T9gJLRbeVY4Q73XxwzugBlVOLyHv4MudKTcey_k0o3djhft1hfj3Ve3Dcp7Vrafy8FBZxQzsiaShTUYBS3D2B_hRPmzbxm2OBG3bZH0Jj82ykugYJS_ZlvYAdQTxDdh9az2IpIpI_RA/s640/blogger-image-509020974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T9gJLRbeVY4Q73XxwzugBlVOLyHv4MudKTcey_k0o3djhft1hfj3Ve3Dcp7Vrafy8FBZxQzsiaShTUYBS3D2B_hRPmzbxm2OBG3bZH0Jj82ykugYJS_ZlvYAdQTxDdh9az2IpIpI_RA/s640/blogger-image-509020974.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IiFtIZxxEr-_QzqPlh9exvJ4hzyMe3xVUmjuRyasEvqiHZuhKuQ6WS-WYziZRlsv2tNzd47_cp2Ey2hpRPddZ2oJ30zagisO85sJwJKosu77i1XGnunZvphVpuNa-z-EzpUycand_fo/s640/blogger-image--1087493337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IiFtIZxxEr-_QzqPlh9exvJ4hzyMe3xVUmjuRyasEvqiHZuhKuQ6WS-WYziZRlsv2tNzd47_cp2Ey2hpRPddZ2oJ30zagisO85sJwJKosu77i1XGnunZvphVpuNa-z-EzpUycand_fo/s640/blogger-image--1087493337.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We hung out until we got tired and then got some yummy icecream! Good thing we had a yummy treat because we spent the next 3 hours getting home! This picture the kids were being funny. Grandpa Armstrong told Grandma to get a picture of the kids against the wall. So here they are against the wall!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZYk7wnbxuUjpDspcI0ni-U6aVee-iNgwcHC0Jww9PX7IXkEPJqdB7wEkvu7XUSKjzMAxnwNjOeHnyW_LBTzy1YOsodkcXV0c58vj_lpSH4fR-vBLY8DWIX5jgil_4TRrxcoye6_6xjE/s640/blogger-image-626527237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZYk7wnbxuUjpDspcI0ni-U6aVee-iNgwcHC0Jww9PX7IXkEPJqdB7wEkvu7XUSKjzMAxnwNjOeHnyW_LBTzy1YOsodkcXV0c58vj_lpSH4fR-vBLY8DWIX5jgil_4TRrxcoye6_6xjE/s640/blogger-image-626527237.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyL41AAWJTbI2j6j5VV9QLUxUNkTjw3eQWVKBViyCTywaY_BZ2cvoa8uBQsNp3ZsxGyU85w95mwq6vzMDusN7xPTFpl0qYEr-dLDwhP8MsbS_NCgx-3KwipaJtk1xZxVx0O1dqGilXF8/s640/blogger-image--225989421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyL41AAWJTbI2j6j5VV9QLUxUNkTjw3eQWVKBViyCTywaY_BZ2cvoa8uBQsNp3ZsxGyU85w95mwq6vzMDusN7xPTFpl0qYEr-dLDwhP8MsbS_NCgx-3KwipaJtk1xZxVx0O1dqGilXF8/s640/blogger-image--225989421.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Xander's baptism day was busy! We checked out the swap meet before heading to Xander's birthday party at the rock climbing gym. I spent more money than I wanted to on the party but in the end, it was worth it! With family in town it would have been hard to do a party yet alone plan it! Plus, Xander had such a great time. He was a natural climbing up those walls. Plus, Mia and Zoey both had a great time as well!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ5Z7LCReMTlFJ5mYGAhvQlMMzchusDR02ZznwXeUvo2ql8p11L6avHi2aFse85E90veVJQOB3YrDjwnj-DgtpAs_f9M0bCJ3TcpmbwltJiVkeGuNdgUfZ5Sd5OVQ1Ut2mWglj5e5JMo/s640/blogger-image--602751225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ5Z7LCReMTlFJ5mYGAhvQlMMzchusDR02ZznwXeUvo2ql8p11L6avHi2aFse85E90veVJQOB3YrDjwnj-DgtpAs_f9M0bCJ3TcpmbwltJiVkeGuNdgUfZ5Sd5OVQ1Ut2mWglj5e5JMo/s640/blogger-image--602751225.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnENPIswLZRfzPa2_BLBDP6UPxnQAsXZgUhof08P6WkO6NgVgYOw-F0V1RFKPsFUvRIMf8sWGzyid2KxXFYFEm6qs1wq_ZfKslb2gWFwO7DlBC1r8JUPYQZ50nhRn2z_DygOJEA3XeVFI/s640/blogger-image--1212975056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnENPIswLZRfzPa2_BLBDP6UPxnQAsXZgUhof08P6WkO6NgVgYOw-F0V1RFKPsFUvRIMf8sWGzyid2KxXFYFEm6qs1wq_ZfKslb2gWFwO7DlBC1r8JUPYQZ50nhRn2z_DygOJEA3XeVFI/s640/blogger-image--1212975056.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN85aCQUZvwidciUv4tvoyibULplaPl26kKYI_L21tCWastoabkZ6flrqb6PIN-x902JqTGFQIv9dq3Pjz7OF0b8qjg0METWNto3R2EQvYFbg6MwfT-u6WiRRcd3MwrvVtBizhIhzK5E/s640/blogger-image-432141402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN85aCQUZvwidciUv4tvoyibULplaPl26kKYI_L21tCWastoabkZ6flrqb6PIN-x902JqTGFQIv9dq3Pjz7OF0b8qjg0METWNto3R2EQvYFbg6MwfT-u6WiRRcd3MwrvVtBizhIhzK5E/s640/blogger-image-432141402.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The actual baptism was awesome! Grandpa Porter spoke on baptism and CJ sang with her friend musical number. We had some technical difficulty but, whatever right? Sometimes that happens!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis69BuDlGkNqtJO0lZ1ewv30EbnchAPZxxHmF9YhahJseRIyZhR8QmCXclEkbm77fl0Yys8r5KT57U8PIuCFCNUIeXAnowPOsMgkfHP9T1K32rEH0McWoFFcuko1kqwe5sdah8wlLmFyY/s640/blogger-image-1113829017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis69BuDlGkNqtJO0lZ1ewv30EbnchAPZxxHmF9YhahJseRIyZhR8QmCXclEkbm77fl0Yys8r5KT57U8PIuCFCNUIeXAnowPOsMgkfHP9T1K32rEH0McWoFFcuko1kqwe5sdah8wlLmFyY/s640/blogger-image-1113829017.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Xander had a great week! It was exhausting to me especially having to go right into starting school the next week but we did it, yay! Happy birthday to the greatest, smartest, kindest, and most handsomest boy in the world! We love you!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLs_mnnE2jYAILp0mfVp8_-zrb2krBy_XTaVHri7GmewmiU-gcraTof9vAVsXV_8uCNNBpmC0rFsS5w48D5nL2NyeGPZEg62t_aErdvGCayf8vSD1u8u6lMugHmSXDWQhiWYk6mt4CI/s640/blogger-image-1554842852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLs_mnnE2jYAILp0mfVp8_-zrb2krBy_XTaVHri7GmewmiU-gcraTof9vAVsXV_8uCNNBpmC0rFsS5w48D5nL2NyeGPZEg62t_aErdvGCayf8vSD1u8u6lMugHmSXDWQhiWYk6mt4CI/s640/blogger-image-1554842852.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat26OuGLkHlA0X0rJYiz8kzt-nwWr3c5gluiM3qtm0RyCHzk_LCXhhMHdfwED5G85kVk6bJBrNwu_grfdE7fi-ghdy051bk5pND5RwIzz3eQWeJLW9VQDZA0wOtPio0Yz6HURdDOXUy4/s640/blogger-image--589251968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhat26OuGLkHlA0X0rJYiz8kzt-nwWr3c5gluiM3qtm0RyCHzk_LCXhhMHdfwED5G85kVk6bJBrNwu_grfdE7fi-ghdy051bk5pND5RwIzz3eQWeJLW9VQDZA0wOtPio0Yz6HURdDOXUy4/s640/blogger-image--589251968.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD97iWzh315J-MPd2r-ipy1ZCh7IVe0b9fUbPPjnzf9rWEr0urJ75u9WwP1a1005Iq0IMR6gJIHt0lVQ4ng6C8zH6TQLhCmqn1GdvSHo67CmA_rCZEcM6pzQAnDyPGJ2E_6su7WI-rbJA/s640/blogger-image--1889483489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD97iWzh315J-MPd2r-ipy1ZCh7IVe0b9fUbPPjnzf9rWEr0urJ75u9WwP1a1005Iq0IMR6gJIHt0lVQ4ng6C8zH6TQLhCmqn1GdvSHo67CmA_rCZEcM6pzQAnDyPGJ2E_6su7WI-rbJA/s640/blogger-image--1889483489.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNlKuobYvdg3Zn1oo4SLiRYn1o8JIS3Ho0oLQxYqBl21aWKqB_uuqDAfh-xDqvQa0O_XpAqC2JGmbzIL0d1sgflSRGKb_Vb8erptzr8PyoaxjVHYb8nCFmtF2cRG767aueeLkBAcI4G0/s640/blogger-image-2011881811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNlKuobYvdg3Zn1oo4SLiRYn1o8JIS3Ho0oLQxYqBl21aWKqB_uuqDAfh-xDqvQa0O_XpAqC2JGmbzIL0d1sgflSRGKb_Vb8erptzr8PyoaxjVHYb8nCFmtF2cRG767aueeLkBAcI4G0/s640/blogger-image-2011881811.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-6727679059984818872014-06-20T20:26:00.001-07:002014-06-20T20:45:29.915-07:00The Kiddos<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwx-VwCd0o42DKah7KFFcFyEHKxFu_qPAqQ-QHAvh-pi_j7Ec4SZ7qb01xrTqm5EaFwQQrJqGr2198CVsUMsZhzQ7ymDW5CgZwVrydMlNu96btgamHR3pwQNYyD0i9RrtqCeqfX6XMWA/s640/blogger-image--611703963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwx-VwCd0o42DKah7KFFcFyEHKxFu_qPAqQ-QHAvh-pi_j7Ec4SZ7qb01xrTqm5EaFwQQrJqGr2198CVsUMsZhzQ7ymDW5CgZwVrydMlNu96btgamHR3pwQNYyD0i9RrtqCeqfX6XMWA/s640/blogger-image--611703963.jpg"></a></div>Xander never ceases to amaze me! His class voted him "funniest" person in the class. That really surprised me until the teacher said that Xander trys to make people laugh when they are sad. And that is spot on! He is so kind and aware of others and their feelings. As he walked up to get his award and came back to his seat, he walked like a T-Rex with tiny arms. The class all laughed. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIuT9H4kAdJXT8DQXE6BbY1tSO-2wrvY_u1yTWHC31SMkRnLF2OdLQE1-ldOSY-b-TFLWH8LTSDvExTsBojc26yUA0Xl7_7siK2Yqy_jnZlPmhIk-mcLPf15k4OWt7lPumDKjYC28bMg/s640/blogger-image-611530749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIuT9H4kAdJXT8DQXE6BbY1tSO-2wrvY_u1yTWHC31SMkRnLF2OdLQE1-ldOSY-b-TFLWH8LTSDvExTsBojc26yUA0Xl7_7siK2Yqy_jnZlPmhIk-mcLPf15k4OWt7lPumDKjYC28bMg/s640/blogger-image-611530749.jpg"></a></div>CJ was such a trooper! One week she had oral surgery where she got out two of her wisdom teeth and a chain was put on an impounded tooth that had not come through yet. The idea is that they hook that chain to the wire of her braces and slowly over time bring that tooth down. She was amazing and the oral surgeon was very impressed with her. A week later, she got braces. Her appointment was 2 1/2 hours long! Crazy! I think she looks super cute in them. She says she likes her smile better with braces.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANhGcO_INT3GCddt0G0JEshACPNcEjh44dTkFY-Qbu7A8hayAyvT78evHLYssC5cFlMrJ6MRhlkwlwZkf2izJBhD3zcV0BdL77L9PKFIINz42vBx2L9ii5UrZ63JUlb21YM_Bijm-TpU/s640/blogger-image-426232338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANhGcO_INT3GCddt0G0JEshACPNcEjh44dTkFY-Qbu7A8hayAyvT78evHLYssC5cFlMrJ6MRhlkwlwZkf2izJBhD3zcV0BdL77L9PKFIINz42vBx2L9ii5UrZ63JUlb21YM_Bijm-TpU/s640/blogger-image-426232338.jpg"></a></div>Mia is busy working on birthday gifts. Here she is busy sewing a United States flag for Zoey, our Fourth of July baby. She was so clever that with the "free foot" that allows you to go all over the fabric, that she made stars. She is super thoughtful and she just has to have a gift for everyone on their birthday. Birthdays are special with Mia!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEJVEHkwG2m4PBu_ljvGc6H439BejgbtX1shoezrrFIcU5-orVZkP_QEnqfLyR4tEBoij4OZTr8St6DZ7SYTcNigtsR2blQkl1suWqpu-Zq7_DZbZ5WUtkT8CN0Di2Ocs9il0MIxu-qs/s640/blogger-image-1560042990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEJVEHkwG2m4PBu_ljvGc6H439BejgbtX1shoezrrFIcU5-orVZkP_QEnqfLyR4tEBoij4OZTr8St6DZ7SYTcNigtsR2blQkl1suWqpu-Zq7_DZbZ5WUtkT8CN0Di2Ocs9il0MIxu-qs/s640/blogger-image-1560042990.jpg"></a></div>Zoey loves butterflies so much! We went to the Academy of Sciences in San Franscisco a couple of weeks ago. They have a rainforest that you can go through and at the very top, there are oodles of butterflies flying around. If you are lucky, you can get one to land on your hand. Zoey is obsessed with butterflies! So much so that her birthday party this year is all about butterflies and well. . .some insects too because she's got a lot of friends that are boys. Every day she asks when her birthday is. She just loves her birthday. Now that I think of it, all of my kids love their birthday!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeutRgTgw_iZ_lsdFbtMSFrFnnxdmbD57p7I522ybFMjPKbQVhNdDv-b0BR4zf143hTW7UqaBtqj-O8wZVSZ2PmJQ6S-yU0EUFKlz-RCL-HWRJaSgEEGoPUjUfiriqN3mY9GMN66-mhs/s640/blogger-image--173021530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeutRgTgw_iZ_lsdFbtMSFrFnnxdmbD57p7I522ybFMjPKbQVhNdDv-b0BR4zf143hTW7UqaBtqj-O8wZVSZ2PmJQ6S-yU0EUFKlz-RCL-HWRJaSgEEGoPUjUfiriqN3mY9GMN66-mhs/s640/blogger-image--173021530.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>How can I forget about my biggest kid? Ben has been wanting a Playstation 4 for the longest time. I haven't been wanting to shell out the $500 for it especially since we just bought a house. Well the other day, Ben got a letter from Advanta stating that he was entitled to part of a retirement settlement. Ben worked there for 5 years and he thought he would get .30 cents or something like that. Turns out he got $500! Just enough to buy the Playstation 4! His dreams came true and I can continue to be husband less on Thursday nights when he plays online with his other 30 something year old homies.</div><div><br></div><div>Oh life is good!</div><div><br></div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-38874200230081716762014-05-21T08:23:00.001-07:002014-06-20T20:42:22.269-07:00Surprise! It's a Party not a dinner!Oh birthdays. . . I love them! My birthday. . . Historically not always great. I started getting sad the day before. I told Ben not to do anything because I've been feeling poor with buying a new house. Even though, I really didn't want him to spend money on me, I kinda got sad that I wouldn't be doing anything for my birthday. Then I bought my birthday cake because it was convenient. And even though I really didn't mind getting my own cake, I started to get sad that "I got my own cake." Same with my birthday present. <div><br></div><div>Then I decided that I was going to ask Ben to maybe write me a note. You know something that doesn't cost money. Then we started to talk about my birthdays because they normally stink. And I told him excluding this year (because I want to save money) I want to do something fun on my birthday that I don't have to plan. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money either. Like going to the park or a bike ride or something like that. </div><div><br></div><div>Anyways Ben says defensively," you're getting depressed about your birthday and it hasn't even happened yet!" Fair enough.</div><div><br></div><div>My birthday arrives and my friends take me out to breakfast. That just made my day! Then Ben decides to take the day off from work and I got to go to the temple something that I really needed to do. I stop by Old Navy on the way home and spend some of my birthday money. Xander plays "Happy Birthday" to me on the piano and we have some yummy cake. All in all, a good day.</div><div><br></div><div>Saturday arrives and I have a photo session that evening. Ben sets up a dinner with another family which never happens. I was a little suspicious about it all but with all the selling and buying and packing of a house that was going on, I didn't press it too bad. I literally couldn't even think straight. I was so late getting back from the photo session. Fourty minutes late, that doesn't even qualify for fashionably late or Mormon standard time. It qualified as embarrassing and rude. I couldn't believe I had made that family wait.</div><div><br></div><div>I arrive at the house to see another friend's car in their driveway. "Oh great!" I thought. Yet another family I made wait. I open the door and a giant group of people say, "Surprise!" It was a surprise birthday party for me and I had no idea. The best surprise birthday party ever!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajFZbn36KGPUYOBwHs0CAYL7WfPO8nJ6Bij0cebSH555W3z903nA2PWLDRZFYFcpKBOV6J91bs369Ps7wabUZLigJZuQrGNyaDhDFHVisVtQ3YAf-OQK-uE_B1GZY_KpO31TgVITm_9M/s640/blogger-image--1804425626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajFZbn36KGPUYOBwHs0CAYL7WfPO8nJ6Bij0cebSH555W3z903nA2PWLDRZFYFcpKBOV6J91bs369Ps7wabUZLigJZuQrGNyaDhDFHVisVtQ3YAf-OQK-uE_B1GZY_KpO31TgVITm_9M/s640/blogger-image--1804425626.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>It was great because all of my dear friends were there and we would be moving the next weekend. I loved it!</div><div><br></div><div>So I guess my birthday wasn't so bad and I guess 37 isn't so bad either!</div>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-21466347478403469882014-05-15T08:03:00.000-07:002014-05-15T08:03:52.001-07:00M.I.A.<div style="text-align: center;">
The title says it all! We have been Missing In Action in the big wide world of blogging. So much has happened lately that I cannot wait any longer or I will get very behind.</div>
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DISNEYLAND </div>
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We went to Disneyland! We went around Presidents' Day hoping that the lines wouldn't be that bad. And they weren't! The longest line we waited in was for 2 hours for the Cars land racers. The rest of the rides were 30 minutes or less. In fact, since we got on rides so quickly we decided to see some shows and meet princesses, things we normally don't use our precious time for. So in 2 days we pretty much rode all the rides that we wanted to.</div>
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After getting our fill of Disneyland, we headed to Hunington Beach. I love the beaches in California! We had a great day chillin' at the beach. </div>
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FIELD TRIPS AND SCIENCE FAIR</div>
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I always try to make it a point and go on at least one field trip a year with each child. I've done that since CJ started school. This year I went on a walking field trip to the local fire station with Xander's class.</div>
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I always love it when I see my children so excited that I am there with them. They love school and love it when I am there seeing the things they do and participating.</div>
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I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">went to the theatre with Mia and we got to see professional dancers perform and teach us about dance. I am truly amazed at how many field trips my kids go on in a year. When I was teaching school, we only went on one, maybe two if the other one was a walking field trip and didn't require a bus. Here, they charge the parents however much they need. I've had to pay up to $12 for my child to participate. In Utah, we couldn't charge the kids anything. It all came from PTA funds. Maybe it's just California.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The science fair was epic! Xander and Mia both came away with medals for first place in their grade level. Every year, I think my kids are going to be disappointed because, really how long will this winning streak go on for? Every year I never have to deal with their disappointment because they keep winning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This year I signed Xander and Zoey up for soccer. Soccer is awesome! I wish I would have signed Xander up sooner. When he was 3, we did the Kids Love Soccer program and even then I thought he showed some talent for the game. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But then we got involved in baseball and taekwando and didn't come back to the game until now. I'm so glad we did. I love the AYSO program. I also love his pinky finger up in the air as he kicks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Zoey is having fun although she really had a rough start. She screamed her head off the first day and refused to participate. I had to hold her hand the entire time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Then around game 2 or 3, she decided that she really liked soccer. She told me before we left for soccer, " I'm so excited to play soccer today! I'm not going to cry, I'm going to be brave!"</span></div>
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Since<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> then, she has done great!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYrgc3PSMVfukJ7-8nsXkw3hhzdd8Cj2oe8ZaZ4aeIYitx5zB7b6xUbNe6xX8gSDDZ5ayECptsrN4_cr5jiHKLeVCHiWRAnR1iieSWDpgGxUe-edJMwLNeOpCqAHdyWNODgKDDIk-MqA/s640/blogger-image-65530247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYrgc3PSMVfukJ7-8nsXkw3hhzdd8Cj2oe8ZaZ4aeIYitx5zB7b6xUbNe6xX8gSDDZ5ayECptsrN4_cr5jiHKLeVCHiWRAnR1iieSWDpgGxUe-edJMwLNeOpCqAHdyWNODgKDDIk-MqA/s640/blogger-image-65530247.jpg" /></a></div>
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GOODBYE HOME! HELLO NEW ONE!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKOcbC3uqZ2oyPw_LFVgvFXNvYdT_4BaA1cc3-fRAwWTrhp0I9QKBclA1pBza9RIcAQK8rjdvD2XDonCsF3waYOtVNeSnv-rcpSFlSHDhOUiOeWF48FtvB5FAHfPJ1-rBJji8R3d2_lw/s640/blogger-image--580438483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKOcbC3uqZ2oyPw_LFVgvFXNvYdT_4BaA1cc3-fRAwWTrhp0I9QKBclA1pBza9RIcAQK8rjdvD2XDonCsF3waYOtVNeSnv-rcpSFlSHDhOUiOeWF48FtvB5FAHfPJ1-rBJji8R3d2_lw/s640/blogger-image--580438483.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The biggest news right now is that we are selling our home and buying a new one. We put our home on the market at the beginning of April. Within a week, we had a buyer! We had 10 offers on our home, all over asking price. Since there is a low inventory on houses in our price range we pretty much got to set the terms and asked for a 45 day close and 30 day rent back. We narrowed it down to two offers and sent out a multiple counter offer. We ended up getting what we needed and the offer we accepted offered a 30 day rent back for $1! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">That gave us plenty of time to find a house. After getting under contract with our house we set out to find a new home for us. There weren't many houses on the market at that time that fit our specifications which were 4 bedrooms and at least 1600 sq feet in our price range. We were looking for a home we could spend at least 10 years in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We stumbled upon a house near where we live now, that was out of our price range. I had been watching the market for a couple months now and noticed that this house was overpriced and thought, "well maybe we should check it out". So Ben and I did. The house was a flip and completely remodeled and we didn't understand why it wasn't selling. We asked our realtor if we offered $50,000 less, if that would be a total joke? He said,"No" and also told us since it had been on the market for so long, we could make our offer contingent on our house selling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">They came back with a counter offer, of course asking for more money. They asked for $25,000 more. I thought about it and thought, that's pushing it. We better play safe and just reject the counter offer. I sent the email telling our realtor that we were declining the offer. Then i just laid on my bed thinking about it. The more I thought about it the more i really wanted this house. It was 2500 sq feet-bigger than we ever dreamed we could afford and it would fit our family comfortably. Ever other house we looked at couldn't compare and were about 1000 sq feet less!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> talked to Ben and I told him that we should look at our finances more closely and see if it was something we could do. I emailed our realtor back and said to hold off on our rejection. Ben and i spent a couple hours crunching numbers. Ben just recently got a wonderful raise from work but since it was so recent, we didn't know how much more per paycheck he would actually get. Once we figured it out, we realized that the raise that Ben had gotten, would be enough so we could accept the counter offer and afford the monthly mortgage payment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I could see the Lord's hand in everything. He provided a way for us to get this house. I have no doubt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our realtor had gotten an email from the seller's agent saying that they got another offer and wanted to do a multiple counter offer. Well the seller's agent is very sloppy with his work and failed to send paperwork out voiding the counter offer they sent us. So when we signed the counter offer document, we were technically under contract.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">For three days, we had no idea if we were really under contract. The seller's agent was angry because the other offer they had received was bigger. The broker's on each side were trying to work it out and finally the seller's buckled and we were officially under contract!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Had the multiple counter offer been sent out, there is no way we would have gotten this house. We offered the most we could and could not go higher.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We have been so blessed! This house is only a mile and a half from the one we live in now and is in all different schools than what we have now. Once I got over that and accepted that it will be okay for the kids. I began to realize things work out for a purpose that we can be very happy in this home and that it is big enough to be a 20 year home, not a 10 year one that we thought we would get.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Phew! I made it through the major stuff. I have been slacking on the blogging lately. Once we get settled into our new home, things will be better I'm sure. I can't wait!</span></div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-51126226681806970572014-02-13T21:46:00.001-08:002014-02-13T21:46:49.886-08:00Boo-yah!<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/yellowgirlster011/IMG_0367_zps73e546ea.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0367_zps73e546ea.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/yellowgirlster011/IMG_0367_zps73e546ea.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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This is Mia's reflection entry for this school year. I took her out to a place across the street where I've shot some amazing pictures. I have taken a picture of this same tree but in my shot, it is of the tree alone. I was amazed at how Mia framed her picture. This picture is actually taken a good distance away from where I had shot my picture and because of her perspective in her picture, she got tips of trees and other foliage.<br />
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Well. . .her entry was sent to Districts AGAIN! I cannot believe how much this girl wins. I feel like every year I'm blogging about the same story but it is true. Mia is just really talented and I love helping her discover her talents and helping her in anyway. She doesn't realize how big it is getting to Districts. Each school judges and sends their entries onto the next level. There are over 30 schools in our district alone. From there, the school council judges the entries and chooses which entries make it to Districts. In Mia's age group and category, there were only 5 entries. I am still so amazed that Mia has made it to Districts 3 years in a row! Amazing!<br />
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And if that wasn't enough. . .BOO-YAH. . .science fair! Well that's what Zoey would say. She's been saying boo-yah alot lately and it is the cutest thing ever!<br />
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Mia and Xander came home yesterday so excited with how their science fair presentations went. They have to present their science projects to the judges. Mia said hers went so well and that she had to do it twice to two different judges. Xander said they said his was "brilliant"! He was so cute presenting his project on how the body moves.<br />
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Today was the night where the parents were able to come and see all of the projects and the announcement of the science fair winners. Mia got all dressed up and put lipstick on. She was ready!<br />
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The time came for the announcing of the winners. Xander and Mia both won first place in their grade level and Mia's is going onto the District science fair. Unbelievable!<br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-68999357523624131942014-01-21T15:27:00.001-08:002014-01-24T15:44:16.618-08:00Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
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December was a great month for our family! We were very busy but still squeezed in our family traditions. We added making gingerbread houses out of graham crackers to our family traditions this year. Mia made one for Activity Days and so everyone was super jealous.</div>
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We also made our traditional ornaments for our tree. This year we used glass ornaments and the kids could paint them or stick things inside them. Zoey loved sticking things inside hers. She had so much glitter and beads and other things inside her ornament, I didn't think it was going to stay on the tree, but it did!</div>
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I also made ornaments for my friends this year with their family pictures in them. Since my friends are so nice and hire me as their photographer, I have many of their pictures. I copied the pictures on a transparency and rolled it and stuck it into the glass ornament. The hardest part was getting the right size circle to fit in the ornament.</div>
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We did our sibling secret santas, and we encourage our children to look for opportunities to serve each other. Service is something that I would like to focus more on. Service to each other and those around us. I want them to see how serving others and making those around us happy can bring us true happiness. We had a wonderful experience this holiday season. I've been wanting to find a family who could not afford to go to Disneyland and give them tickets so they could. We found a family and I wanted to give it to them with our whole family present so they could see what happiness comes from doing something for others. It was a great and special moment. The family we gave them to were so happy,especially the mother. I learned that Disneyland is the "happy place" that this mother envisions when she is going through a tough time. There young family has experienced so many trials and it was wonderful to give them something that would bring them some smiles and happy times.</div>
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After Christmas, we headed to Utah to visit Ben's family. His parents just moved recently so we got to see their beautiful new home. It's huge! Well everything is huge to our family who lives in about 1100 square feet. It's funny because when we go to someone's house that is just a normal size house, my kids ask if it is a mansion.</div>
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We really had a wonderful time visiting with family. I love that there are always someone for my kids to play with when we come and visit. I got to take some pictures of Ben's brother and his family as well as his sister's twins, who are so adorable. I really miss his family and appreciate them so much more living away from them. They are a great bunch of people!</div>
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I squeezed in a visit with one of my friends from Alameda who moved to Utah about the same time we moved to Concord. We also got to visit some of our long time friends that we have known for over 10 years now. We are very lucky to have such wonderful family and friends. I'm excited for 2014! It's going to be a great year!</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-65897150704461512812013-12-21T19:13:00.000-08:002013-12-22T20:16:29.347-08:00Gobble. . .Gobble. . .Gobble till you wobble. . .wobble. . .wobble!<div style="text-align: center;">
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We had my parents in town for Thanksgiving. Holidays are just so much better when you are surrounded by family! I also LOVE cooking big dinners. I spent probably 5 hours straight cooking and eating the food took about 10-20 minutes depending on who you were. Mia helped me make the table decorations which were fun to make. We made place settings for everyone.</div>
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The day after Thanksgiving, we decided to head to San Francisco. It was such a beautiful day! I couldn't believe our luck! It was the best weather I have ever experienced in San Francisco. Blue skies, no fog, and no wind. I wish I could have stayed the whole day there! We headed to Crissy Field and took some family pictures quickly. I love taking pictures but when it comes to my own family, I can never get the shots I want because I have to be in the photo. My Mom helped us out this year which was nice.</div>
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Xander, Mia, Grandma and I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was awesome! There was a ton of people there that day but we still had fun. Grandpa wanted some yummy clam chowder so we got some food to go since I had a photo session that day. I wish we had more time to spend in San Fran, the weather was just so awesome!</div>
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Grandpa Armstrong's birthday was the next day. We surprised him with a train ride on the Niles Canyon Railway. It was a steam train with decorated lighted cars. It was fun to see my Dad in his element. He used to work for a railroad company and helped repair the trains. I think he had a really great time!</div>
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The kids also had a wonderful time. I don't think they have ever been in a train like this before. We've ridden in smaller kiddie trains or the BART train but this was an experience that I think they will remember for awhile. Santa also visited each of the cars and the kids got to visit with him. Grandma and Grandpa had alot of fun with him too posing for pictures and Grandpa pretended to kiss him on the cheek! I think Santa was relieved when he moved onto the next family! We're a little crazy!</div>
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Christmas came early for the kids and they got to open presents up from Grandma and Grandpa. They each got the perfect gift and were so happy! Zoey got a makeup kit and absolutely loves it! She puts makeup on almost each day and I am subjected to her makeovers almost daily. CJ got her batman pants that she was dying to get. Xander got an Electronic playground for the scientist in him and Mia got some baby dolls. She is pretty much obsessed with babies these days. </div>
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While Grandma was here, I helped her get started with online banking and even had her join Facebook. She loves it and it is weird to see my 70 year old Mom "like" my status or picture. One time I saw her comment with "lol", now that was even weirder! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for coming!</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-30855904576358217562013-11-11T20:54:00.002-08:002013-11-11T20:54:16.193-08:00Deck the Patch. . .fa la la la la, la la la la<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Deck the patch with
orange and black<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">fa la la la la, la la la
la.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Take along your goody sack</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">fa la la la la, la la la
la.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Don we now our weird apparel,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">fa la la, la la la, la la la.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Toll the ancient pumpkin carol,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">fa la la la la, la la la la.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">See the goblins rise
before us,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">fa la la la la, la la la la.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">As we sing the pumpkin chorus,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">fa la la la la, la la la la.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Follow them as they ascend,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">fa la la, la la la, la la la.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Join with all your loony friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">fa la la la la, la la la la.</span></div>
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October was yet another crazy month! We even squeezed in some Halloween caroling. This time, to Ben's relief, I invited several families to join us. Ben would rather sing in a large group than with just our family because mostly, it is just him and I singing. We had fun caroling, decorating cookies, and drinking hot chocolate.</div>
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CJ had fun at the Stake Youth Halloween dance and I had fun taking pictures of all the youth in their costumes.</div>
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October was also filled with school Fall Fest, our traditional Halloween pizza night, a painting night and raking leaves.</div>
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Xander and Mia had a parade at school. . .</div>
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And Xander had a crazy hair day during Red Ribbon week. He looked super fierce when he went to karate that day!</div>
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This month it was very hard for Ben and I to get on the ball and put up the Halloween decorations. Luckily, we have done it enough that the kids will constantly remind us about putting up the decorations. Also, the kids are great at knowing what they want to be for Halloween.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zoey wanted to be a supergirl. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">CJ wanted to be batgirl. . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Xander wanted to be a mad scientist. . .</span></div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/T87A0357blog_zps18207b05.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo T87A0357blog_zps18207b05.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/T87A0357blog_zps18207b05.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mia wanted to be a gothic vampire. . .</span></div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/yellowgirlster010/IMG_0542blog_zps45e0435b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0542blog_zps45e0435b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/yellowgirlster010/IMG_0542blog_zps45e0435b.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/yellowgirlster010/IMG_0541blog_zps10742d2c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0541blog_zps10742d2c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/yellowgirlster010/IMG_0541blog_zps10742d2c.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad we survived October. Now if we just can survive the month of December!</span></div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-84818784583628662832013-10-27T21:34:00.000-07:002013-10-27T21:34:10.831-07:00Scary Things<br />
I'm getting old.<br />
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I don't really feel old, but I just attended my 20 year High School Reunion, so all evidence points to me being old. Then again, I'm the same age as these people, and they don't look old, so maybe I'm not that old after all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cIQdStxgwCYIFaUrALENPnuWJ0BOSeSgfbrA8WjZWvQYIUZBPPOF7BD5dDbWchA6v0WdZ6vk3nP8y2eZTggJSZB6ZLYseu6Pia_nveO-1YOI6gbIUcorLRv3eOD-JZVQabSsjkdu7EE/s1600/myAge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cIQdStxgwCYIFaUrALENPnuWJ0BOSeSgfbrA8WjZWvQYIUZBPPOF7BD5dDbWchA6v0WdZ6vk3nP8y2eZTggJSZB6ZLYseu6Pia_nveO-1YOI6gbIUcorLRv3eOD-JZVQabSsjkdu7EE/s640/myAge.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Anyway, while planning my trip back to my hometown of Louisville, KY, I found that my airplane ticket would be much cheaper if I stayed a couple of extra days - even after considering the cost of a couple more nights in a hotel and car rental.<br />
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So there I was, about to spend 5 days in my hometown. My reunion was only going to occupy a single evening. What would I do with all the extra time?<br />
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Well, since it's October, it only made sense to visit some Haunted places. Did you know that Louisville is generally considered to be the city with the most Halloween events (per capita) in the country. There are a lot of spook alleys! But I didn't want to spend a ton of money visiting all of them. Instead I decided to visit some actual haunted places. <br />
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I'll share a few with you.<br />
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The Goatman of Pope Lick Trestle<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKJOy4L3I5c/UlyqxbKVv4I/AAAAAAAAA18/eajWilntYHI/s1600/T87A8081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKJOy4L3I5c/UlyqxbKVv4I/AAAAAAAAA18/eajWilntYHI/s640/T87A8081.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I don't have the time to talk about all the legends and theories about the Goatman, but here's a quick rundown. <br />
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The Goatman has a hairy body of a human and the head of a goat. He haunts this trestle and the area surrounding it. He is said to cause people to have an overwhelming urge to want to try and cross the trestle on foot. <br />
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It's a VERY bad idea to try and cross it.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9CtnUn0ICfs/UlyqYTFe_BI/AAAAAAAAA1U/6zunWcob8oU/s1600/T87A8064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9CtnUn0ICfs/UlyqYTFe_BI/AAAAAAAAA1U/6zunWcob8oU/s640/T87A8064.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UzjKmlMUYKY/UlypL9O8QsI/AAAAAAAAA1E/fJ-hww-NehU/s1600/T87A8059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UzjKmlMUYKY/UlypL9O8QsI/AAAAAAAAA1E/fJ-hww-NehU/s640/T87A8059.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Osfu1_9nnIM/Ulyqc6kwkKI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ez4vMCcc_EQ/s1600/T87A8066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Osfu1_9nnIM/Ulyqc6kwkKI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ez4vMCcc_EQ/s640/T87A8066.jpg" width="516" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NszG8Gn2iJY/Ulyqs64fPoI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Mq5usts7yeI/s1600/T87A8068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NszG8Gn2iJY/Ulyqs64fPoI/AAAAAAAAA1s/Mq5usts7yeI/s640/T87A8068.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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The trestle is 700 feet long and nearly 100 feet high. There are no handrails or walls of any kind along the track. There is no floor under the track, and the spaces between ties are big enough for a grown man's foot to fall through.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJhjT-MHuMM/UlyqeBt_UJI/AAAAAAAAA1k/LUcVgl1IqaE/s1600/T87A8067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJhjT-MHuMM/UlyqeBt_UJI/AAAAAAAAA1k/LUcVgl1IqaE/s640/T87A8067.jpg" width="416" /></a><br />
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Additionally, the geography of the area makes it nearly impossible to hear or see a train coming until it's right on top of you. People die trying to cross it.<br />
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When I was a teenager, my Mom overheard us talking about going out to see the trestle. She didn't like the idea one bit. I wasn't planning on actually trying to cross it, but my Mom was very adamant: "Promise me you will NEVER try to cross the trestle!" I promised.<br />
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So here I am 20 years later at the trestle. I'm not dumb enough to think I could actually cross it successfully, I had no intention of even getting close.<br />
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But then again, I found myself here:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oK7oaKfRLks/UlyqzopsuWI/AAAAAAAAA2E/6HVu5r68gEo/s1600/T87A8095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oK7oaKfRLks/UlyqzopsuWI/AAAAAAAAA2E/6HVu5r68gEo/s640/T87A8095.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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I don't know what that sign says because someone scribbled it out with spray paint. And the chain on the gate is really lose, I could easily slip through without even sucking in my ample gut. And it's only about 20 feet to the track. I could quickly climb up there onto the track and not actually go more than a few feet out on the trestle. I would be safe if I had to jump off because of a train. And think of how awesome the picture would be - taken of the TOP of the trestle - out across the valley.<br />
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I was ready to do it, but then I had 2 thoughts. The first was my Mom's voice making me promise to never try to walk on the trestle. The second was "I don't think the cops will believe that I couldn't read the scribbled-out sign and I might spend my week seeing the inside of a jail".<br />
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So after a bit of an internal struggle, I decided to walk over and get some pictures of the forrest all around: The Goatman's territory.<br />
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I walked about 20 feet (the same distance I would have gone if I went up to the track). I heard a noise in the woods.<br />
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The Goatman?<br />
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I raised my camera with a zoom lens to see if I could see anything moving around in there.<br />
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The a huge racket sounded over my right shoulder!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAQwACVq-NI/Ulyq3gG7xbI/AAAAAAAAA2M/A84OyZQ1rOs/s1600/T87A8098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAQwACVq-NI/Ulyq3gG7xbI/AAAAAAAAA2M/A84OyZQ1rOs/s640/T87A8098.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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Yes. A train crossed the trestle.<br />
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If I had gone up there, I would have reached the track right as the train did. <br />
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Twenty years later, my Mom saved my life. Thanks mom. <br />
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Now I'm trying hard to remember all the other things you told me when I was a kid. I hope it didn't all just fly in one ear and out the other.<br />
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After my heart settled down I walked under the trestle and got some more pictures. Like this one:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKckm7DRf1g/Ulyquc84LHI/AAAAAAAAA10/M_yuQrjtUEw/s1600/T87A8073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKckm7DRf1g/Ulyquc84LHI/AAAAAAAAA10/M_yuQrjtUEw/s640/T87A8073.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This picture is unique. No one will ever be able to take this same photo if they go and visit the trestle. I'm not going to say why. <br />
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Hey, did you know that some Airport security people think that heavy, rusty, a-little-bit-sharp hunks of iron, like, I don't know, a railroad spike, might be used as a weapon on a plane. And their bosses might think that it's no big deal because what are you going to do with it really, so you can go ahead and continue on as you were? <br />
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It's true.<br />
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Eastern Cemetery<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr89VI-Z1xQ/Ulyr0os2IDI/AAAAAAAAA3s/N3AFgqbg0KQ/s1600/T87A8150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr89VI-Z1xQ/Ulyr0os2IDI/AAAAAAAAA3s/N3AFgqbg0KQ/s640/T87A8150.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This cemetery is east of Cave Hill Cemetery (the place where Colonel Sanders is buried). People began being buried here in the late 1700's, but it was officially incorporated in the 1830's.<br />
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The significant thing about this place is that it can hold about 30,000 plots. But there are actually about 130,000 people burried here.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eoShHA_Va6Y/UlystBXFMvI/AAAAAAAAA40/ar_C8kK8Gro/s1600/T87A8175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eoShHA_Va6Y/UlystBXFMvI/AAAAAAAAA40/ar_C8kK8Gro/s640/T87A8175.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Um, how is that even possible?<br />
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I'll tell you - and it's horrible!<br />
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Bodies are buried as much as five deep! Now, I don't mean five coffins stacked on top of each other, I mean that they buried someone, then later, using a backhoe, dug them up, destroying the coffin and bones. Then they buried someone else and filled it in with the dirt,coffin,and bones fragments. Then they did this again a total of five times!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhfSaY9u6gk/UlyriJj9FRI/AAAAAAAAA3M/-3vTV5WGRps/s1600/T87A8139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhfSaY9u6gk/UlyriJj9FRI/AAAAAAAAA3M/-3vTV5WGRps/s640/T87A8139.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The result is that sometimes when it rains, coffin parts are exposed. Also, burrowing critters like groundhogs often push out bones and coffin pieces in their dirt. You literally have to watch where you are walking to avoid steping on someone.<br />
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The incorporation that owns the cemetery is bankrupt and has done nothing to maintain the cemetery for decades. Luckily there are some good souls who volunteer their time and money to try to keep it presentable.<br />
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Eastern Cemetery is filled with broken headstones.<br />
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And headstones covered by shrubbery.<br />
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And headstones that don't have a place.<br />
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And unmarked graves of slaves.<br />
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There is supposedly the ghost of a woman who wanders around the area where babies where buried. She apparently takes care of them.<br />
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I wanted to take home a souvenir from my visit here. I found a tiny bone near an animal hole. I almost took it, but then I thought that these poor people have been disturbed enough. Anyway, for all I know, it was either an animal bone or just a piece of wood. So I left with only these photos as a souvenir. <br />
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Waverly Hills Sanatorium<br />
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If you ever watch any of those Ghost Hunters-type shows, you've probably heard of this place. It's considered to be one of the most haunted places in the world. <br />
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I got many of these pictures from the internet because they are very picky about not allowing photography (unless you pay them ridiculous amounts of money first).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqcWZ6gwtlU/UlyoUgrKwII/AAAAAAAAA00/Fj6VeDea8UA/s1600/waverly02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqcWZ6gwtlU/UlyoUgrKwII/AAAAAAAAA00/Fj6VeDea8UA/s640/waverly02.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I first visited this place 20-ish years ago with my brother and my cousin and some friends (I really can't remember exactly who was there). It was very overgrown. We parked some distance away and picked our way along a trail on foot. There was a trail wide enough to walk single file, but you could tell it was cement or pavement. It turns out, it was a full sized road that was just overgrown. It's cleared now and you drive up on it.<br />
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So have the trees and brush that had grown up close to the walls.<br />
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I remember how terrifying that place was when I went as a teenager. I didn't even know it was supposed to be haunted.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHye986nZGU/UlyuzD9b5oI/AAAAAAAAA9g/D2JvUp9WjxE/s1600/Waverly_Hills_Sanatorium_by_HodkinsonPhotos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHye986nZGU/UlyuzD9b5oI/AAAAAAAAA9g/D2JvUp9WjxE/s640/Waverly_Hills_Sanatorium_by_HodkinsonPhotos.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZOi-At5fgU/Ulyu0g_gJuI/AAAAAAAAA90/Km39ZvviDWE/s1600/arial1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZOi-At5fgU/Ulyu0g_gJuI/AAAAAAAAA90/Km39ZvviDWE/s640/arial1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Waverly Hills was a tuberculosis hospital. As many as 63,000 people may have died here. There are tons of ghosts in it. You can pay to do an overnight ghost investigation almost anytime of the year. However, in October, they put on a spook alley on in the first floor to raise money toward the preservation of the building. So you can't do any overnight tours. But they do offer "mini-tours", where they lead you through the second, third, fourth and fifth floors. The tours last about 45 min.<br />
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I did this.<br />
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And it was AWESOME!<br />
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And I saw ghosts!<br />
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The entire tour is done with the lights off. No flashlights, no cellphones, nothing. Your eyes get used to the dark and you become sensitive to slight changes in light and any movement that may happen.<br />
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On the fourth floor, I saw many, quick moving shadows and the shadow silhouette of a man. <br />
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We stopped at one end of a very long hallway.<br />
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There were open doorways all along both sides of the hall, so there were rectangles of moonlight along the floor - all the way down. As we looked toward the end of the hall at the rectangle of a window, we would see periodic shadows moving toward us very quickly. These light shadows would block the light coming from both sides of the hall, so the shadows were originating in the hall.<br />
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At the end of the hall, beside the window, I could see the silhouette of a man standing against the wall. I thought it was one of the two tour guides. We began walking down the hall toward the shadow figure, who seemed to be leaning against the wall, waiting for us. When we were about 10 feet away, I was distracted by a noise to my left, I reflexively looked to my left, then realizzing it was nothing, looked forward again.<br />
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The man was gone!<br />
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In the time it took for me to look away and back again, he disappeard.<br />
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And there was nowhere for him to go! No doors, no opened windows.<br />
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Freaking AWESOME!<br />
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After the tour, you could pay to take a "Coffin Ride". You get locked into a coffin hooked up to hydraulics that lifts it and shakes it. There are night vision cameras inside so the spectators can see your face throughout the ride.<br />
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Other Scary Locations:<br />
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U of L Old Medical School.<br />
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This was the site of "The Resurrectionist". That was a guy in the early 1800's who would rob graves and bring the bodies to the medical school for research. He would then dispose of the bodies by dropping them in a well a couple of blocks away. <br />
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The Hanging Tree<br />
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Now its just a fountain, but there used to be a tall tree here. It was the site of numerous lynchings and several suicides. Including a suicide in the early 1900's where a guy hung himself 50 feet off the ground. It took 3 days before they were able to get him down because there were no ladders tall enough. <br />
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The Old Colgate Factory (Indiana)<br />
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The rumor is that those people who worked in the basement were paid extra for being brave enough to work amongst all the ghosts! <br />
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Other Things.<br />
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Here are a few other pictures of not-so-scary places:<br />
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My childhood home.<br />
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The Woods I Used to Play In. <br />
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The Tree We Built a Tree House In<br />
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The Belle of Louisville<br />
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Churchill Downs<br />
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Louisville Slugger<br />
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The Ohio River (and Indiana)<br />
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I got to catch up with several friends from school and church while I was there. I love that place! I had an awesome time!<br />
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-49831711913358097982013-09-18T22:51:00.001-07:002013-09-18T22:53:52.713-07:00Bathroom Remodel<div style="text-align: center;">
We finally finished remodeling our bathroom! I'm not great at remembering to take "before" pictures but let me tell you our bathroom definitely needed a change. In the beginning, the house inspector didn't even know what material was used in the shower. The tub was so old and worn that it didn't matter how hard you cleaned it, it always looked dirty. It was like there was no finish left on it. There were dings in the tub and places where you could tell the previous owner tried to cover the dings with paint.</div>
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We gutted the area to the studs around the bath area and took the tub out. We replaced the tub, put new drywall up and put a new surround up. Ben also put new shower parts in. The previous shower head was just one of those attachments with the hose connected to the faucet area. Ben put the shower plumbing in the walls and we got rid of the attachment. Thank goodness! </div>
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I painted the walls a nice, bright gray. I've actually painted all the walls in the house again and decided to go with the same color throughout. This color really opens up the room. </div>
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Ben got this small shelf, brand new in the box from the free shelf at work. Love that thing! The shelf gave me a chance to add some more color to the room. I got a cool grass fake plant from IKEA. </div>
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While I was at IKEA, I picked up an "as is" cabinet door and used it to make a towel holder. I used a staple gun to attach the fabric and put some vinyl on top of the glass. </div>
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I think it turned out great! </div>
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Now for the next bathroom! I've got to give Ben a little break-he deserves it! Not too long of a break though. . .</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-18535246327726133902013-08-24T20:42:00.001-07:002013-08-24T20:44:15.951-07:00Halloween in August<div style="text-align: center;">
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Earlier this year, Mia went to a birthday party for a friend at a place called, "Ghost Golf". Xander thought that was the coolest thing and from then on decided that he wanted to go there for his birthday. He told me, we can just have the family go we don't need to invite friends. I went online and they had a great deal for 10 people so I thought we would just take 4 of Xander's friends. That turned into more when I went to pay the deposit and the owner told me we could bring 12 friends which doesn't include the birthday boy or the parents. Then that's when I started making it into a party even though I was trying not to make it big.</div>
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We decorated the outside with a few decorations and I hung purple and black lights all inside the house. We put some Halloween costumes on for those who wanted to, played Halloween bingo, decorated bags, and played a eyeball ping pong game. I had the parents drop all the kids off, so we loaded all the kids up and headed to Ghost Golf. When we were about to begin, one of Xander's friends got really scared because of the noises. The place is pretty spectacular. It reminds me of the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland. They had things that popped out at you and places where air would be popped out at you.</div>
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At the end of the miniature golf course, there was a singing skeleton. I was really impressed with all the special effects. We had pizza and sat on a couch that looked like a coffin. The kids had alot of fun and were able to have unlimited golf. Mia was so excited to dress up like a ghost and did all of her makeup on her own.</div>
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Afterwards, we went back home and did the pinata. Ben and I made it and didn't do many layers, so it exploded pretty easy. At the end of the day, Xander said it was the best day ever! He got so many presents and was able to buy lots with his birthday money too. Some of his favorite gifts were magic trick kit, practical joke kit, spy door alarm, hex bugs, legos, bongos, and an optical illusion book.</div>
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Next year, I've decided I'm only doing 2 parties and I won't be doing both Xander and Mia at the same time and then I'll alternate kids the next year. Xander and Mia are only a week apart and its alot of work to put together two parties. Especially since I know it is hard for me just to do something simple and easy.
Guess what I did the next day? I organized a cul de sac neighbor BBQ party. We potlucked the food and had a water fight and watched Brave projected on our garage. My neighbors say it should be a tradition.</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-11612707601150700622013-08-15T13:03:00.002-07:002013-08-15T17:23:28.225-07:00Mia's "Sweet Shop" 9th Birthday<div style="text-align: center;">
Mia has been thinking about her birthday party for about a year now. She wanted to have lots of candy at her party, which is so surprising because Mia doesn't really like to eat alot of candy. We came up with the "Sweet Shop" idea and everything came together after that.</div>
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I loved the color scheme that I found for the invitation and decided to use that with my other decorations. I painted the board and then I cut some vinyl out for the sign and making everything else was a piece of cake! Ha! Get it? Ya, so cheesy I know.</div>
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I bought some candy jars from the dollar store and used some small mason jars for the rest and some noodle containers. I think I could have gone on forever buying candy, there is so much to choose from.</div>
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I made each of the girls matching aprons. It didn't take me as long as I thought and went pretty quickly. They each looked so cute! Then we made some cake balls. Yes, I let them stir it with their hands. . .probably really gross but don't worry they washed them first.</div>
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Next, we headed to Kara's Cupcakes which are SO GOOD! I'm not much of a cake person but Kara's cupcakes are so light and not dense and taste like heaven! They each got to choose their own gourmet cupcake. It was so hard to choose, they all looked delicious!</div>
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We came back and did some "Sweet Bingo". The girls each created their boards with the same pieces and could place them anywhere on their boards. Each time the girl's won, they got to choose something from the "Sweet Shop" and put in their candy bags. We did five in a row, diagonal, four corners and then finished with a blackout, where everyone won and was able to get a little bit of each of the candies.</div>
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Then my husband helped them make their own small personal pizza. They were so cute! We squeezed nine candles on the cupcake and sang "Happy Birthday" to our Mia.</div>
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Mia has a talent for being a really good friend. She has a bunch of friends that she likes to hang out with who are really "good" girls. Some are members of the church and some are not. Some of her friends that were at her party were classmates from Kindergarten from a totally different school that she goes to now. They just make the effort to hang out with Mia and keep in touch with her. I've had those parents tell me that their daughters love Mia and that "there isn't a friend that is like Mia."<br />
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I will "note to self", that when doing a party that involves lots of candies and sweets, be prepared for hyper and crazy kids! </div>
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Yeah, they look all so sweet and innocent here, but I've seen what lots of candy can do. . .we spent the rest of the night and the next day detoxing!</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-59728423307306778622013-08-14T20:22:00.000-07:002013-08-14T20:26:20.969-07:00Girl's Camp<div style="text-align: center;">
This year, I was able to go to Girl's Camp with CJ. Girl's Camp here is like no other camp you have ever been to. Girl's camp for most is staying in a cabin and going on little hikes. Girl's camp here is actually backpacking 16-27 miles, making your latrines, and purifying your own water.</div>
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I was with the third years and with CJ. For third year we hiked 16 miles over a couple of days. This was the first time for me to ever go backpacking. I was learning with the girls. I've learned that Mountain House (freeze dried food) isn't really that bad and purifying water is pretty cool.</div>
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We hiked half the way the first day. It was not an easy hike, in fact, it was labeled a difficult hike. The girls did awesome! I couldn't believe how tough they were. This was a hard hike for me. Hiking with 70 lbs. on your back isn't always fun, but getting to the destination felt great. It feels good to work so hard. On the way there, I got stung by a bee going through this meadow. I've never been stung before so it was a crazy new experience.</div>
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We really had a great time once we set up camp. It was very nice just to rest and relax. We spent the next day swimming and certifying. The next day, we packed everything up and headed back. I was excited because we hiked mostly up on the way back it would mostly be down. For some reason, the hike back didn't seem that much shorter in time. We didn't take nearly as many breaks, but it still took us a good time to get back. And guess what? On the way back in the same meadow, I got stung by a bee twice! I couldn't believe it! It burns so much right after. What are the chances??</div>
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When we got back to camp, things were more busy and time went by quickly. Something happened and the main leader needed to sit down with CJ and her friend. The things she counseled CJ and her friend were things that Ben and I have been telling her for awhile. It was great to have someone else tell her these things because she listened. I have been struggling alot with her lately and praying that I could say and do the right things with her. I've been messing up alot lately too.</div>
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When camp was over we headed back home and something amazing happened. A change has come over CJ and all by her own will. This change is not like the other times where we have had a really good week or even a couple of days. This is the kind of change that just might stick. Instead of negativity, there is a positive and cheerful attitude. Instead of complaining and not taking responsibility for her actions there is patience and tolerance. I am in awe of this change and pray and hope it continues. She seems so much more happier and I keep reminding her of how good it feels to do what is right.</div>
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The other day she came home from Freshman orientation and told me that other classmates have changed because they are nicer to her. I had to remind her that might be the case, but that she has also changed for the good and that she is more happy. </div>
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CJ started school today and I can't believe she is in highschool! I know these next 4 years are going to fly and I just hope things will continue to improve for her. I love this girl and I am really glad that I got to go to camp with her. </div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-65221000817417831932013-08-04T22:03:00.001-07:002013-08-04T22:03:28.585-07:00Zoey turns 4. . .and America turns 237!<div style="text-align: center;">
Our favorite littlest girl turned 4 this year! The kids all wanted to buy her a gift and so they each got her something at the Dollar Store. My kids are very thoughtful and when it is anyone's birthday or special occasion, they usually make a card or a gift.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/zoeysbday2_zps83fec2f8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo zoeysbday2_zps83fec2f8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/zoeysbday2_zps83fec2f8.jpg" /></a></div>
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This year I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for Zoey. It is kinda a hard day to put together a party, so I decided that I would let the party come to her! I told her that everything was just for her; the parade, the fireworks, the decorations. . .</div>
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We went to some fireworks the day before with a bunch of our friends and the entire time I was telling her the fireworks were for her! I wonder how long I can do that before she figures out that America shares her birthday? I'm going to enjoy it for however long it will last!</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/fireworks_zpsfe05a260.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo fireworks_zpsfe05a260.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/fireworks_zpsfe05a260.jpg" /></a></div>
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Our ward has a Fourth of July breakfast every year. Somehow we have missed most of them since we have lived here. I thought it would be fun to have everyone sing, "Happy Birthday" to Zoey. The middle picture is her walking back to the table after everyone sang to her. Check out that tongue! We let her bring her scooter that she got for her birthday and I attached a balloon to it. I also made her a shirt and we had a birthday hat for her. That was just the beginning.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/fourthofjuly_zps94ac0c79.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo fourthofjuly_zps94ac0c79.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/fourthofjuly_zps94ac0c79.jpg" /></a></div>
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In Clayton, they have a Fourth of July parade each year. Since it is such a small town, the parade is very small. The biggest part of the parade just happens to be the kids! Any kid can be in the parade. They can ride their bikes or scooters or even electric cars! I decided that this year, we should give it a try. We decorated the bikes with whatever red, white, and blue stuff we could find. The kids had a lot of fun doing that.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/parade_zps220029b0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo parade_zps220029b0.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/parade_zps220029b0.jpg" /></a></div>
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The hardest part was waiting in line for the parade to begin. It was so hot and the kids were about done even before the parade started. Finally, it began and the kids took off on their bikes. I had to go with Zoey because she had just recently learned how to ride her bike without training wheels and had a hard time riding her bike without swerving back and forth. I was afraid she would run into someone. She did end up crashing one time because a kid who was watching the parade jumped out of nowhere to grab a piece of candy right in front of Zoey. That scared her but she made it to the end, which was really only one block of riding. That is how short Clayton's parade is but it was long enough for me!</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/parade2_zpsf2ed946c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo parade2_zpsf2ed946c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/parade2_zpsf2ed946c.jpg" /></a></div>
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After the parade, we went home and packed up for a day at the beach. It was an awesome day for the beach because it was about 100 degrees in Concord, so the beach was a lovely 70 ish degrees. It was the best thing we could have done on a day like that. We hung out with the Michaels and McCallisters, boogie boarded, and had the best time at the beach. </div>
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I think I could have boogie boarded all day-it was kinda addicting. Xander especially loved it and I couldn't believe how brave that kid was. He has no fear when it comes to things like this. Zoey was so cute trying to stay away from the waves. Her poses are hilarious!</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/halfmoonbay_zps306082dd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo halfmoonbay_zps306082dd.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/halfmoonbay_zps306082dd.jpg" /></a></div>
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After we left the beach, we hung out with the McCallisters and BBQ and shot off fireworks. I made Zoey a red, white and blue cake. So predictable, I know. I had alot of fun making it.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/halfmoonbay2_zps0964af7e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo halfmoonbay2_zps0964af7e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/halfmoonbay2_zps0964af7e.jpg" /></a></div>
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I can't believe how fast Zoey is growing. Literally. She is so tall! I am already putting her in 5T and 6T clothes. I wonder what size she will be when she is in Kindergarten? I can't believe in another year, she will be getting ready to go to Kindergarten! We love Zoey SO MUCH! She really is the light in our family. She brightens everyone's day with her fun personality and cute things she says.</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-5451369430829313602013-08-02T14:54:00.000-07:002013-08-02T14:54:26.191-07:00Our Michigan Trip<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been 6 years since our whole family has been to Michigan. My sister Autumn even made it too, which made it an Armstrong Reunion of some sorts. This was really the best visit I have had with my family. I think it was great because I felt like my siblings and their spouses were able to get to know my children better and vice versa. </div>
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We got up at 3 a.m. on Saturday morning and traveled to Oakland. We flew out of Oakland to Las Vegas, where we traveled on the same plane to Michigan. The little kids loved being in the airport and at the most part, were good on the plane. In Las Vegas, we got off for a little bit and the kids loved traveling on the moving floor. I'm sure it has a fancy name but I don't know the name of it.</div>
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We finally made it to Michigan at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. I was exhausted and I thought the kids would be too, but they were ready to go and have some fun! Here are some things that we did. . .</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Family BBQ</b></span></div>
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On Father's day, everyone got together for a Armstrong style BBQ. If you are an Armstrong, you know that means LOTS and LOTS of food. Dustin pretty much did it all, he likes to do that sort of thing.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/michigan_zps0f53b041.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo michigan_zps0f53b041.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/michigan_zps0f53b041.jpg" /></a></div>
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We've played some games, ate and took some family pictures. One of my sisters didn't want her picture online, hence, the smiley face.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/michigan2_zps31839e51.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo michigan2_zps31839e51.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/michigan2_zps31839e51.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here are my very awesome brothers and their families. I wonder when the Asian Armstrongs will start to age? My oldest brother is almost 40 and you can't even tell!</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/dustin_zps8053a2cb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo dustin_zps8053a2cb.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/dustin_zps8053a2cb.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Cedar Point</b></div>
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Next, we headed off to Cedar Point located in Sandusky, Ohio. This was "the place" for me when I was growing up. I loved rollar coasters, the bigger and faster the better. Cedar Point has since grown and there were so many rides there that we didn't have time to ride them all.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/yellowgirlster005/cederpoint_zpsa1413e2c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo cederpoint_zpsa1413e2c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/yellowgirlster005/cederpoint_zpsa1413e2c.jpg" /></a></div>
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My mom and dad were amazing and took the littlest ones to kiddie land, while we took CJ and Mia and road the giant ones. My girls amazed me and road everything. The first ride we rode was the newest ride, "The Gateway". It was so smooth and fast, unlike the ones I grew up with. They don't build wooden rollercoasters anymore.</div>
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We had a great time and the lines weren't long at all. Xander was so bummed because he was about a half inch too short to ride the big rides. He wanted to go on the big rides so bad. He told my mom while they were in kiddie land, "Why do I have to ride all the baby rides?" We found a ride he could ride, the Iron Dragon. When we were in line, they announced that this ride was over 20 years old. I remember when that ride came out. Man, that makes me feel so old!</div>
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Ben, Mia and I ended up going back to the park after dinner and road the tallest and fastest rollar coaster. It is called the Dragster and is 420 feet high and goes over 100 mph. Mia was so scared to ride it and the people around her were encouraging and trying to help her. I found out after, that Ben and her both didn't want to ride it, but rode it just for me. I thought it was so cool. It takes off so fast and looks like it goes straight up vertically. Doesn't seem even possible.</div>
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I think the best part for the little kids was staying in the hotel afterwards. I forgot how fun staying in a hotel is for kids.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Calder's Dairy</span></b></div>
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This year, we've been searching for the best icecream places, and Calder's Dairy in Michigan has probably been our favorite. They raise milking cows and make the icecream right there on their farm from the milk that they produce.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/yellowgirlster004/dairy_zpsc6a130b3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo dairy_zpsc6a130b3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/yellowgirlster004/dairy_zpsc6a130b3.jpg" /></a></div>
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They also had some other farm animals for the kids to look at and a little lake area. My mom told me that the icecream is a little expensive and so I was planning on a big bill. But their expensive and my expensive is totally different. We live in California and everything is expensive. The icecream cones were only a couple dollars each and were giant. Plus, the icecream was so creamy and rich.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/yellowgirlster004/dairy2_zpsad176ffe.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo dairy2_zpsad176ffe.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/yellowgirlster004/dairy2_zpsad176ffe.jpg" /></a></div>
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We also hit a custard place near my parent's house. I don't think I could ever have enough icecream!</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/IMG_0275blog_zps934c027d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0275blog_zps934c027d.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/IMG_0275blog_zps934c027d.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Uncle Justin's & Dustin's</b></span></div>
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We spent a couple of days at my brother Justin's house. He's only got one daughter and she's got a lot of toys. That just might be an understatement. This is the girl who has her own, four wheeler, barbie car to drive, her own golf set, the list could go on and on. Needless to say, the kids were in heaven and loved playing with all of her toys. She was so kind to share.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/justin_zps48b02050.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo justin_zps48b02050.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/justin_zps48b02050.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ben and I made homemade pizza for everyone. They were so amazed by Ben's skills. Justin told me he thought the last time he had homemade pizza was when we were kids and lived at home. I told him, we have homemade pizza all the time!</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/justin2_zps62e644cd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo justin2_zps62e644cd.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/justin2_zps62e644cd.jpg" /></a></div>
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Aunt Wendy and Uncle Justin pulled all the big toys out. The kids had fun four wheeling and especially driving the pink car. Mia has always wanted one of these cars and I have always had a great excuse not to get one. She was in heaven and told me repeatedly that she was not too big for one of these cars.</div>
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It began to thunderstorm on one of the days and the kids loved it. Well, at first they were a little scared by the thunder and then loved it when it started to rain. It made me miss thunderstorms. I really love how fresh it feels after it rains. It rains quite a bit in Michigan during the summer. In fact, my brother doesn't even water his lawn and it is so green and lovely. . .lucky!</div>
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The next day, we had dinner at Dustin's house. He is the hostess with the mostess! He was always checking to see if anyone needed more to drink or eat. We had a Eucre tournament, where my mom and I beat all the men! Ha! Ha! The Armstrong women rock! When Dustin wasn't looking I took an empty beer can and filled it up with pop and exchanged it for his current beer. It was awesome! He was so surprised! I got him so good! He got me back by chasing me down and grabbing me and turning me upside down. I love my little brother and I love wrestling with him. I wish my siblings would come back to church, but I don't love them any less. They are my family and I love them completely.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>TurtleCove and Fireflies</b></span></div>
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On Monday, we headed up to Turtle cove with Michelle, Wendy and Rylie. We packed a lunch and played all day! It's a splash park with waterslides, a pool and lazy river. Remember Xander was a half inch or so shy of 48"? Well, we tried to sneak him on the waterslides because you had to be 48", which he was practically. At one point, they changed workers and one of them measured him and they said, "Close enough" and let him through. He loved it! He is really a little daredevil.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/yellowgirlster006/turtlecove_zpsdbc064c5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo turtlecove_zpsdbc064c5.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/yellowgirlster006/turtlecove_zpsdbc064c5.jpg" /></a></div>
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The kids really enjoyed catching fireflies. We spent a couple night catching them, sometimes killing them, and then letting the survivors go. The kids loved it!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Great Grandma and Xander</b></span></div>
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A few years ago, my grandmother passed away. I didn't make it back to Michigan for her funeral and while I was there I decided I wanted to go visit her grave. Xander wanted to come with me. I thought he wanted to come because he has a fascination for scary things and graveyards are right up his alley. In fact, on the way there he asked me if zombies were real. I think he was hoping he would see some. He walked around and was very interested in the people who were buried there who were soldiers. He read tombstones and just walked around.</div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/yellowgirlster007/T87A4575_zps630935ca.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo T87A4575_zps630935ca.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/yellowgirlster007/T87A4575_zps630935ca.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
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I had taken some pictures and was ready to leave when Xander asked me, "Can I have a picture with Grandma?" I thought that was the cutest and sweetest thing ever! So then I took a picture of him. I actually took two because he changed his position and said, "How about I go behind grandma?"</div>
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I bet Xander made Grandma Bennett smile down from heaven.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Laura</b></span></div>
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I have one very good friend from highschool. We have kept in touch over the years and have stayed close through emails and facebook. I've shared my beliefs with her and she is very active and religious herself. Everytime, I go to Michigan, I always visit her and it always feels like I have never left. She is a very good person, a wonderful mom and great friend! </div>
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<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/Untitled-1_zps7bbefad0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Untitled-1_zps7bbefad0.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/Untitled-1_zps7bbefad0.jpg" /></a> </div>
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While we were visiting, our kids decided to have an impromptu water fight, the best kind!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Going home. . .</b></span></div>
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Was exhausting and LONG! Our flight out of Detroit was 2 hours late! We didn't leave until 9 p.m. EST which made our arrival in California at 2 am the next day! Which is 5 am Michigan time. I sleep and rested pretty much the entire day. I get jet lag pretty bad and felt nauseated for the next few days.</div>
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I'm so glad that I got to visit my family in Michigan. Sometimes, it is hard visiting them, but this has been the by far the best visit so far. I feel like my brothers and sister have gotten to know my kids more and we just had so much fun with them. Hope to take my family again sometime. . .hopefully sooner than 6 years!</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-88195590824325672432013-06-09T21:26:00.004-07:002013-06-09T21:29:30.579-07:00My Lil' Man<div style="text-align: center;">
I just have to take a moment and write about my favorite little man. His name is Xander and he makes me very happy.</div>
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First of all, I have discovered that Xander has an amazing talent. One day as I was dropping off our friend whom we carpool with at her house, she was very upset. I asked her why she was upset and she told me that she lost her topper from the birthday cupcake that she got at school. In a matter of seconds, Xander whipped out his from his backpack and gave it to his friend, whose tears instantly vanished.</div>
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I told him how nice I thought he was for doing that and he said, "I like making people happy. I don't think about myself, I think about others."</div>
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That still just makes me smile when I think of that.</div>
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That wasn't the only time Xander made his friend happy. I've seen him give up his treasure box prize to her because she didn't get what she wanted. He doesn't think twice, he just does it knowing that he will make her happy.<br />
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The other day I was watching my friend's 3 year old. He was very sad and grumpy because it was early in the morning and it looked like he just woke up. Xander noticed he was crying and that I couldn't say or do anything to make him happy. I left him there so I could take care of the other kids. I came back to find the little boy laughing because Xander was being silly rolling on the ground and making boy noises. He was making this grumpy boy smile.<br />
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Xander has a talent of being able to notice those around him who are sad and making them happy.</div>
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In the mornings when the kids don't have school, Xander is always the first one up. The next one to follow is always Zoey. Xander will take care of his sister and play with her while I rest. He is so cute with her and Zoey just adores her big brother. He is sweet and kind and so nice. They play so well together and I'll see them pretending together, laughing and having so much fun. It's those days where the house looks like it had been hit by a tornado because they have gotten everything out, but were playing so good that I didn't even care.</div>
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Sometimes, when I go somewhere and leave the kids home because CJ is there, I'll tell Xander that he is Zoey's babysitter. Makes it easy for CJ and Xander is actually really good. One time I paid him a dollar for "babysitting" and he thought that was really cool.</div>
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He'll play "school" with Zoey and read her books. She is so lucky to have such a wonderful brother!</div>
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Xander new interest these days is origami. Ben found these apps that teach you how to make several origami things. They are step by step in a video format. Xander will make shirts, ties, and his favorite is a medal. On CJ's birthday, he made her a medal and was so proud of it because it was his best one. It somehow got misplaced and he was crushed. I finally convinced him to make another one and he did. He went outside and cut a flower so he could give it to her with his origami card.</div>
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Another thing that Xander has been doing lately is reading a children's dictionary! Today he asked me about the painter, Monet. He's been learning things in his dictionary and I think it is so cool that this is his book of choice lately.</div>
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Xander is so smart and catches onto concepts easily. If he doesn't know how to do something, all I have to do is show him once and he can do it by himself easily afterwards. Homework has been a breeze this year. He comes home and does his work independantly. I don't even have to remind him. He just does it. Man, I love it! </div>
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He is a good example to me and I'm so glad that Xander is part of our family. </div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-52933993050444817682013-06-03T07:48:00.001-07:002013-06-03T20:37:29.771-07:00Silverwood Talent Show<a href="http://s194.photobucket.com/user/yellowgirlster/media/Porter/T87A3597blog_zpsd55355ce.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo T87A3597blog_zpsd55355ce.jpg" border="0" src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z172/yellowgirlster/Porter/T87A3597blog_zpsd55355ce.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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I was in charge of the Talent Show again this year. I was unsure about doing it again after having such a busy month of May last year, but somehow I got roped into doing it again. I'll tell you the best part of being in charge. . .it was having Mia and Xander participate. If you would have asked me a year ago if I could see Xander getting up on stage in front of the whole school and in front of an audience of parents, I would have said, "No way!" Or two years ago, could I picture Mia up on stage performing in front of a crowd, I would not have been able to.<br />
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Mia and Xander are somewhat shy kids. They get nervous in new situations and take awhile to warm up to people they don't know. Xander told me he wanted to do the talent show this year and I couldn't believe it. Last year, a young boy did karate and chopped a piece of wood in half. Xander was so amazed by it that he wanted to do the same thing. I found a fellow classmate who was interested in doing Kung Fu and I asked his parents if we could combine the acts. I didn't know how interesting an act I could come up for Xander alone, but I had an idea how I could make it more interesting with another person.<br />
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So the whole act was Xander and his friend trying to show each other up with their moves. Xander doing Tae Kwando and Aryan doing Kung Fu. Then at the end, they decide they are both pretty good and decide to do something the same, which was chopping the wood in half. Xander had trouble during the school performance but for the evening, had no trouble. In fact, you'll have to see what he does during the evening one. He steals the show!<br />
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Mia and her friend Allison did a gymnastics routine last year and had first decided to do something similar this year. When they got together the first time, the gymnastics routine turned into a dance. Allison wanted to do the song, "Call me Maybe" and Mia wanted to do "Radioactive". They have opposite taste in music. Mia decided that they could do "Call me Maybe" and here is their dance. This is actually the second time, during the first time, the music cut off abruptly for no reason. I felt I needed to give them another chance on the stage.<br />
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I was so proud of my kids doing something that was hard for them. I think they had a fun time and even though I won't be in charge of the talent show next year, I think my kids will participate. I am happy that I was able to help them accomplish something like this.<br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-31483610732096534422013-05-15T16:17:00.001-07:002013-05-15T16:19:59.041-07:00Easter in Utah<div style="text-align: center;">
We decided we needed to make a trip to Utah because of this guy. . .</div>
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Caleb will be heading out to his mission in June and we couldn't see him then, so we decided to see him now. The kids were so excited, so was I.</div>
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We left Friday evening and drove all night. Man, each time Ben and I do it, it gets harder and harder as we get older. I'm so tired when we arrive. We arrived Saturday morning. We had a Easter Egg Hunt with all of the family.</div>
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Then we did a birthday party for Mom and Dad. Their birthdays are only a week apart. Hannah and Abby decorated the night before so it would be a surprise when they woke up. Andy made 2 tiers of 60 cupcakes. We played old person Minute to Win It. </div>
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We also went on a scavenger hunt, "Geo Caching" which was super fun. I guess people just hide these "treasures" and put them on a GPS map so everyone can try to find it. Once you find it, you are supposed to sign the paper and take the "treasure" inside and then leave one behind. The treasures could be anything small like a sticker.</div>
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On Sunday, we went to church and Ben, Zoey and I went and visited the Crenshaws. We've been friends for years. We met the Crenshaws when we lived in Orem in 2003. We had game nights with them all the time and have kept in touch over the years. They just had a cute baby named Darci and I shot a few pictures for them while I was there. Afterwards, the whole family watched "Wreck it Ralph" on the big blow up screen that we got Mom and Dad for their birthday.</div>
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On Monday, we went to Nickelcade for family home evening. We treated the big boys to a game of Lazer Tag and the split up according to age. The old guys vs. the young guys. They old guys won! We really wanted to do something for Caleb.</div>
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On Tuesday, I took Caleb and a couple of his friends out for some senior pictures. We found a really cool castle like place in Provo. I like the idea of having friends around when I do senior pictures. I get more genuine smiles. </div>
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Caleb has a special place in my heart. When I married Ben, he was the age of my first graders that I was teaching at the time. Those children made a difference in my life. They are so accepting at that age and have so much energy and excitement for life. More often than not, I felt like I was Caleb's aunt, not sister in law. We lived with Ben's parents and Caleb for a year. I feel like Caleb is my buddy.</div>
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Caleb has grown up to be a handsome, spiritual, and good young man. I look at him and see how he does well in school, loves the church and surrounds himself with good influences and I just hope my kids will be just as good. He is going to be an exceptional missionary!</div>
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Visiting Utah was great! On our way home we stopped by a rest area and got to see this. . .</div>
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Places like this make me miss Utah. . .</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-38080345455048755302013-03-29T11:10:00.001-07:002013-03-29T11:10:48.762-07:00Roadshow Baby!This past weekend, Ben and I just finished up on the Stake Roadshow. We were asked around Christmas time last year if we would head it up. I was excited but wasn't sure how Ben felt about it. Turns out, he was really interested in that kind of thing! Ben and I actually worked perfectly together and we made a pretty awesome team! I was worried we would argue, but it was quite the opposite, we worked very smoothly together.<br />
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Towards the beginning of January, we had a meeting with all of the ward specialist. There were 7 wards involved. Two of the wards combined so we had a total of 5 productions. Each production had a couple or more as their ward specialists. The ward specialist were in charge of their ward's production. Ben and I were just over the ward specialist. We still had a ton of work to do organizing it all. Ben was great because he had done a Roadshow before and I hadn't. He had also done plays in highschool and I didn't do that either. So he had lots of knowledge when it came to stage stuff. In fact, we split up the duties where he was the technical, sound and prop man and I was the manager sending emails, booking the building, and coordinating everything else. Ben came up with the idea, "Movie Mashup" which basically was combining the movie elements of one movie and mashing them with the movie elements of another.<br />
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I had a great idea to kick-off the Roadshow with Ben and I performing something fun. I told Ben that I wanted to do a rap and he wasn't too excited about that, but he did it anyways because he loves me. So I made up a rap to the song, "Ice, Ice, Baby". I called it, "Roadshow Baby". We traveled to each ward and Ben and I were given a few minutes. I was dressed in my dress jacket and I pretended to warm up as if I were going to sing a lovely song. Then I took my jacket off and I had a giant baseball jersey on. I put on a baseball hat and I made myself a giant CTR bling neckless. Ben made visuals and held them up while I rapped. I think the kids loved it! I told Ben it was a good idea because if they saw us having fun and being goofy, it would make it easier for them to do the same. I called myself the, "Asian Rapper."<br />
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We went to practices and videotaped them because I thought it would be fun to make a music video to show at the end. Kids love seeing themselves on a big screen. We also bought all the materials and Ben made plans for the shared risers they would all use and we also bought the paint for the backdrops. Everyone was only given less than 3 months to put everything together. That was creating the story, music and dance. Getting costumes and making scenery and props. It was a lot of work for all of the wards. We encouraged them to use the members in their ward.<br />
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This past weekend, we had the performances on two nights. I was completely amazed at what was accomplished in just a few short months. I hope the kids had alot of fun because Ben and I did! One thing about being over an event, you don't get to work with the youth and I miss that aspect. It's always good to hear from others what the kids are thinking and if they are having fun. It's Monday and I am still kinda recuperating from this weekend. Church was hard yesterday because I did not have much energy!<br />
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The crazy part is that Ben and I were talking about the next Roadshow and what we would do differently and what the theme should be and so on just the day after. . .! I think we may have jinxed ourselves!<br />
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347961912195042707.post-72301272038741689482013-02-22T14:11:00.002-08:002013-02-22T14:11:57.094-08:00Science Fair<div style="text-align: center;">
It's science fair time again! I love that Xander and Mia get so excited about it. They always know what they want to do too. Xander wanted to learn about how caves are formed and Mia wanted to learn about how lungs were formed.</div>
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This year, Ben and I each took a kid and worked on the science projects with them. Each year, Ben is reluctant when I ask him to do it with the kids. It's not a small project and it's hard to squeeze into his schedule.</div>
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The week of the science fair, Mia and Xander were all excited. They couldn't stop talking about how it would be okay if they got 2nd place. Then they had it all planned out which place they would take. </div>
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The day came where they had to explain their projects to the judges. Mia gets frustrated easily and Ben worked with her the night before so she wouldn't be nervous. Xander wasn't nervous at all. Afterschool, when I picked them up, they were all so happy and I knew it must have gone well. I was so happy they did it.</div>
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We went to the science fair in the evening and were able to see everyone's project. Mia and Xander could not contain their excitement. </div>
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When the time came for the annoucements of the winners, Mia and Xander scooted their way to the front. Mia watched out for Xander and held his hand (I love when they do that). They announced Xander's name first for honorable mention. I don't understand his expression on his face. I yelled out to him to smile and this is what I got.</div>
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When it was Mia's grade's turn, they always start on the bottom with honorable mention and move their way up to the top. I was nervous for Mia and when they didn't call her name at all when it got to second place, I thought for sure, she didn't get it. But, then again, it's Mia. And they called her name for FIRST PLACE! She was so excited!</div>
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After we got home, Ben and I were talking in the bedroom. I can't remember his exact wording but basically, he decided that doing science fair projects with the kids is fun. I told him, I am going to remind him how he feels now, next year when I tell him he has to help the kids again.</div>
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And yeah, science fairs are fun especially when you kid wins all the time!</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04022787053330798906noreply@blogger.com3