tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930621839818697012024-02-07T19:01:19.817-08:00The Snowy PerspectiveAli Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-55747160016547934162013-01-12T16:41:00.001-08:002013-01-12T16:41:26.183-08:00Christmas 2012<p>Each year Christmas with kids gets more and more fun. Hannah gets it more and more each year. She’s so easily pleased and has genuine excitement. She’s not greedy. I had been planting in her mind that she wanted a kitchen for Christmas. When she sat on Santa’s lap she asked for a kitchen. When she returned to me I said, “What did you tell Santa you wanted?” She responded with the biggest smile on her face, “Mom, I asked for a kitchen, but he gave me a candy cane!” That could have been her whole Christmas and she would have been so happy. When does that change? When does Christmas become a chore? I hope never. Right now I love to spoil my kids with cheer, and activities, and presents. <p>I started out the season with 24 days of Christmas. Hannah got to open one present a day until Christmas. I loved doing this because it brought excitement to each day and helped me organize all the activities I wanted to do throughout the month. Most things were activities. Some were little gifts. Others toys we already had that she had forgotten about. In our 24 days of Christmas we went to Salt Lake to see the lights, rode the Lindon Polar Express, made cookies, went shopping for family members, etc. <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnWRDDi9qJyD3ULZwGHlG4XzaAVatb2vkbA72dvP8IgBVwyCsSGkrxhtaXOIl0EACGsx7F1xdiRwKP5CXJk6qUYzzsALZqZcxz_xIyW6_ACjpHIVTGB0PrZxycOUeuPAsHijHlZfqF398/s1600-h/IMG_1067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1067" border="0" alt="IMG_1067" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-15rUz7X86Ik/UPIB6iyMOqI/AAAAAAAAEMU/t2cKPBCMwEE/IMG_1067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a> <p>Because we knew we’d be out of town for Christmas, we had a mini celebration a few days before we left with my parents. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H6w-h__Gbuc/UPIB7ckKqcI/AAAAAAAAEMc/4u6lFmX3N0w/s1600-h/IMG_1083%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1083" border="0" alt="IMG_1083" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrhyphenhyphenBNcj8Lzj014aDHZLjD1cLDp-DgjUxDAxV9RbzH9BlUlY1Yv1nkZNvH0UAFwTxfF5MpKQ1YGwq5C1jTaKEN454e2MShugsfHDHklZykt3-igTQIcIWR_Hv8kE_EXwo4EoozmCPRDw_/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YvheOTX6EvM/UPIB8dK68PI/AAAAAAAAEMs/T_gphgYVY5U/s1600-h/IMG_1085%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1085" border="0" alt="IMG_1085" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJbwWcKtDulnsxnYRotwtAIJFZJPARVHIizPsXcE4NPZ98aYZudyCqIXcEZu5tggdwhaUkZOftA0kL6yS8eWvVr3V1N7qJfua4NIsr0GG0nMVjZZ13cJpeD2zvmTfBKe4mO27HwY6aNby/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-u4jtsalstN-2UHJHmduwt_EXKH4_JtOf-TOFyuVzTpSfelQwU711YyyhPUREJU6Jji8AmvgIzu6YSfMEMnMo2u7L72aHQmrQTFV5IqxTjSAeeQv1DkcfiOgDXIn1uhOkJmtIvlTerwvR/s1600-h/IMG_1092%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1092" border="0" alt="IMG_1092" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZveAX7XOI6Q/UPIB9_oT8lI/AAAAAAAAENE/elcMaIIZGK0/IMG_1092_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9sBwS3QWeToXFD7iyleM7kGHKPsVMxiiyZq4yTTgMy3wiCCCKs7iiuyZ0I83bUL8V3atgaNxDodtQcPtB1p_YYjvgVu4J-AtVbOBgW8iEKZy2FNclByX2tQfZxPl_YINsmIIBj8uBXXl/s1600-h/IMG_1086%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1086" border="0" alt="IMG_1086" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tE2-ZM3T8SM/UPIB_u8CWRI/AAAAAAAAENU/8y3j3FGkcCo/IMG_1086_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cwS-vMkgGV0/UPICAfq9X3I/AAAAAAAAENc/aVLQGRB4FyI/s1600-h/IMG_1094%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1094" border="0" alt="IMG_1094" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7D0ECgPZtEFT4KbJ-ZECvTKMReZhq4vGS7q090pZua7pMYwsn0uA-1hDBJ0dPkxrQQfNQhs_vFuinwcU4zn2t0rJcIuOUigx_GIvURYu0qGw1fuaruQaN7lTJAA-AXk7sS6HnkaJHwYj/?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a> <p>We were going to California for Christmas and planned on leaving the Friday before Christmas. Earlier in the week, Jonathan decided he wanted to leave on Wednesday so we could go to the BYU Bowl game in San Diego on Thursday. So we packed up early and headed out. We stayed the night in St. George and Thursday afternoon dropped the kids off at his sister’s house. The Bowl game was really fun. We had fabulous seats (5<sup>th</sup> row, 50 yard line) and the game got especially fun in the 4<sup>th</sup> quarter. It’s always more fun when you win. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZzNv77qSwWM/UPICBlmkvfI/AAAAAAAAENs/JRl8ZOYLIi4/s1600-h/379996_10100713534572969_721108278_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="379996_10100713534572969_721108278_n" border="0" alt="379996_10100713534572969_721108278_n" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vFXNaRZdG_EwFIdDgsDWYR5mk_mmy-54HwBJpCRNdusSPNur164OFECgg6EmUjDeUzyg9vRkR-y3zl3na_qD4hoODK7QxPBvIHSNkHDVwnFHZK6yxJQGEaucob8JETkk7Vy0Y1S0HlOc/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504"></a> <p>After the game we went back to his sisters to get the kids then headed to his parents. It made for a very long day (got up at 4:45 am and got to his parents around 1 am) but a very fun day. We spent the next week going to the beach, playing at the park, seeing the space shuttle and enjoying Christmas with family. <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhE-Hc1y8vvNCApScB5GK5bNfeWiOV7jsf7aXypRzFcxpJ6-pmUX4-2nxilLBfLh1vLXkzpzbrkz40G_1odp7HPyus9dzmeC765mnIdFF73LErN3SrJV-8j3-jWiHAMlXIkw6Nmlekbvx/s1600-h/IMG_1100%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1100" border="0" alt="IMG_1100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BZSoPpuE5jw/UPICDB7lhwI/AAAAAAAAEOE/m3IF8tPnAKU/IMG_1100_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VAb1iy554F4/UPICDz2BI7I/AAAAAAAAEOM/DoYFK7RqOtU/s1600-h/IMG_1105%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; 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border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1198" border="0" alt="IMG_1198" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jiOGB92YSS0/UPICPVul8mI/AAAAAAAAEQU/UVaHp9ZBCv0/IMG_1198_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GfT3WwN2koA/UPICP-sOkaI/AAAAAAAAEQc/QrkfRsVj6ZQ/s1600-h/IMG_1208%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1208" border="0" alt="IMG_1208" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jt_5BfeUlHQ/UPICQkGhsmI/AAAAAAAAEQk/qUyaJi2AMQw/IMG_1208_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilw1nzsJ4rBLcYX0GqQP3RGECNL1CP306JUmipQtl7LrT_91M4Bg9moKVcX3W-yIYj457PfINTVt6DAy0HcDYglwS6fUb6v_uW103pOeNcvQvavODE_ztoTy9Ii5jMvB5_bdVIrw3vTGYe/s1600-h/IMG_1117%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1117" border="0" alt="IMG_1117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTjjlIPEZj1XecUnlrI1KrPVyIxSIgp5fbk8EsiEzKwWp5DvWw7hTULnJwRhrJk0PP_UG8F2lk4lUUMsOi_rAtUF0oTlB_lj4rDjDNqFvscdcMwiyaIh_4h9gJGHx6y7NO8dpTfIY80MI/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBWIoPzsA-1IwUap2qjMQBDIm35JN33Ax507odX_Yx-iKBnN61u38kVoiK-8fnPcXttYzy60fA9xFy0PWOXAK5WAtzNTLjrL6bTny-FA2_N1TXna9jfQ8g5YO5hpBy_a4-hVZsYtyFd9F/s1600-h/IMG_1121%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1121" border="0" alt="IMG_1121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lZv8HOLiabc/UPICT2C116I/AAAAAAAAERE/avP9B8j4AiA/IMG_1121_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a> <p>Christmas morning was pretty laid back. The oldest grandchild there was not quite 3 so while she and Hannah knew it was Christmas, and knew Santa had come, they were fine to eat breakfast and hang out upstairs until the adults were ready. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yGGtadBHEeI/UPICVdWQMPI/AAAAAAAAERM/GjFeK6vhxzM/s1600-h/IMG_1126%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1126" border="0" alt="IMG_1126" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R_XdtLTDnP8/UPICWPzKTCI/AAAAAAAAERU/1ZyK3HShZvg/IMG_1126_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M_aJEoV9xf4/UPICXHIsTEI/AAAAAAAAERc/KqTyG5CTlNM/s1600-h/IMG_1138%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; 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border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1149" border="0" alt="IMG_1149" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KMYrPBaIUSA/UPICfhhvp3I/AAAAAAAAESE/tbRKq_RP9Qw/IMG_1149_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1V9jKxvhOyE/UPIChmZ1HII/AAAAAAAAESM/GPR90kPmgl4/s1600-h/IMG_1160%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1160" border="0" alt="IMG_1160" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pyTjGzmqYIc/UPICjVqN9sI/AAAAAAAAESU/AfQDn1VbeFM/IMG_1160_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-11zGayXph70/UPICkffV2eI/AAAAAAAAESc/Dr4c8MXTBcA/s1600-h/IMG_1165%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1165" border="0" alt="IMG_1165" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7kFQa0pX_iQ/UPICk1J1GDI/AAAAAAAAESk/nLU0ZRdNxsY/IMG_1165_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nd-RpzFDNKWRSO6wyRmbwUMmO7CgWQ8rPxdDmt2DVAvj07adYmFEI4fed7gF1msjsykaxvXh4gPAt-f7gJ5s7WqK42MouJhxlOUHAff6M28E8TpaZuEHgY48hRR99TpCS4N7c323azkz/s1600-h/IMG_1175%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1175" border="0" alt="IMG_1175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIvJ2Yw9gQsI_et436q1Fa4pZZ3N26n9SnG__4mp05WAL9S5F8bxLQqgfe-aQJhIWMCPWzT3w81Ly6-2b5vl1YANBlBte2mO12oa67znXPzViMBCgf9HChjNrSGWrKfaQDGIYanI_PZoI/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jUXnVtH_TSc/UPICnUQmv5I/AAAAAAAAES8/qE8aQwwXsRQ/s1600-h/IMG_1238%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1238" border="0" alt="IMG_1238" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-18fQXtEnET8/UPICn45fmdI/AAAAAAAAETE/ZwHL8fl4jkw/IMG_1238_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a> <p>Everyone got what they asked for and then some. The big gifts were a kitchen for Hannah (delivered on New Year’s Day back at our house), a freezer for me (delivered 2 weeks before Christmas…more on this in a minute), and a tablet for Jonathan (not yet ordered – he got one, wasn’t here before we left, then decided he wanted a different one…so we’re in the process of returning and ordering again). I guess we actually kind of struggled to pull off Christmas ON Christmas this year. Jackson didn’t get 1 big thing…but lots of little toys that currently Hannah enjoys more than he does. <p>We headed back home to the cold on Thursday but finished up the weekend in St. George. Once we got home we were surprised to find out that two more of Jonathan’s siblings were in town. One of the families stayed with us for a few nights and we all went to a basketball game together. <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_AYXLV09PBI/UPICp34RHyI/AAAAAAAAETM/hfz92fWeRcc/s1600-h/IMG_1240%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1240" border="0" alt="IMG_1240" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gVHu27Htit0/UPICqbxtwBI/AAAAAAAAETU/FinVFF1TBu8/IMG_1240_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5GqoJZru_YU/UPICrMpFJII/AAAAAAAAETc/PiIQFMtu5n8/s1600-h/227757_10100726781351319_195314323_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="227757_10100726781351319_195314323_n" border="0" alt="227757_10100726781351319_195314323_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8H8xLY7yZA0/UPICrjnw8nI/AAAAAAAAETk/U-WiBOFA7D8/227757_10100726781351319_195314323_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379"></a> <p>I am sad that Christmas is over. Now it is just cold and icy and there isn’t much to look forward to. I loved having Jonathan not at work for 2 weeks. I could get used to that. Now it’s back to normal day living…which is pretty good too. <p>Oh, I have had job of stocking my new freezer. <p>About that – when did I transition from wanting fun things for myself to wanting things that make my family life easier? And when did I become such a cook? In college I did dinner group. This stressed me out beyond belief because I didn’t know how to cook. I would go to my mom’s house and get a casserole from her, slice up some bread and take all the credit. Now, I plan my meals out a month in advance and am always trying new recipes. This also means my new wants are all kitchen related. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved all my kitchen gifts I’ve gotten over the past few years…I just am surprised that these are my new wants. But, I’ve wanted a freezer for a while now. Like I said, I plan out my meals a month in advance now…many of which I had been wanting to make in advance when I do my one big shopping day but just didn’t have space to freeze them. So, I am thrilled to finally have plenty of room to store all my bulk purchases and freezer meals. It’s not full yet, but I think I’ve gotten a good start on it this past week. So far I have 14 meals, about 30 pounds of cheese, 5 loaves of bread, over 100 sticks of butter, 4 pounds of bacon, a gallon of ice cream, 4 pizzas, and a hundred otter pops. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v7ApaFXP8IQ/UPICsoJxhLI/AAAAAAAAETs/80IRnv6dUT8/s1600-h/IMG_1285%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1285" border="0" alt="IMG_1285" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R7_ZMUACXk4/UPICtMIW8jI/AAAAAAAAET0/51h1V-hccQg/IMG_1285_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="566"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-57766494467478977342013-01-12T16:04:00.001-08:002013-01-12T16:04:29.734-08:00Updates on Hannah and Jackson<p>I have so much to catch up that I don’t know where to start. Who knew having two kids would be so much more time consuming? Perhaps it’s because Hannah is no longer taking naps (at least regularly) and Jackson never has taken naps…have I talked about that? Probably not, because I don’t have time to because he doesn’t nap. It’s a vicious cycle. <p>Jackson is now almost 9 months. Time has gone by so fast, yet it seems like he’s always been a part of our family. I don’t really remember life without him. I’m sure it was a simpler time. Jackson is so different from Hannah. SO different. At 9 months, Hannah was an awesome sleeper/napper (really that started at about 5 weeks). She was always content. If she couldn’t reach a toy – that was fine. She was content to just sit there. She especially loved a party where she could sit and listen and talk along with everyone else. She didn’t get into things, she didn’t throw things, she was on a totally predictable schedule; however if that schedule got changed, she went with the flow and adjusted. She was NO WHERE near crawling. Heck, she could barely roll at this stage. She was so easy.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PrnE9ggR0nc/UPH53aoByJI/AAAAAAAAEJk/Ir0Md9JXnb4/s1600-h/Jacksons-Cute-Face5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Jackson's Cute Face" border="0" alt="Jackson's Cute Face" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dAonH8YdI08/UPH53zDmQxI/AAAAAAAAEJs/Z2WLnFdAkAs/Jacksons-Cute-Face_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a> <p>Jackson is everything opposite. He is never content. He’s always reaching for, grabbing at, and throwing himself at anything he thinks he has a chance at getting. He pulls himself up onto his knees and is slowly figuring out crawling. I often find him in downward dog, sometimes resting on his hands, sometimes just on his head. He will get up on all fours and scootch around. Eventually he’ll collapse and army crawl the rest of the way to get what he wants. He wrestles with toys that are much bigger than him and wrestles with his sister. He usually wins. He loves his jumper and bounces in it all day long. Sometimes he even falls asleep in it. I think for this child I’ll finally need to invest in a baby gate and some door locks. Perhaps finally get around to anchoring our bookshelves to the walls. Maybe we’ll even have to lower the crib. That’s right. Hannah always slept with it on the highest spot because she never even attempted to climb out. I put her in the crib now and it doesn’t even cross her mind.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QVrAVUykxmc/UPH55FRclEI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/zBmH3S9ovHg/s1600-h/IMG_1021.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1021" border="0" alt="IMG_1021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ngg47EzEeQU/UPH56a3CvEI/AAAAAAAAEJ8/Hg_02OQtMCI/IMG_1021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1jn3HXjWPXAt3ETynMcsP_7BO4mjTE_5JGOl9l_JQVhd6_uI6EMBKds5bpuptCJBY3GiHMEhwPtLYCnUmM6fRBzhUs9sfHSJ72NOABGDFWZe6jvG_2bl5zDjDiRdWA3VUUjsdHgcwxFB/s1600-h/IMG_1275.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1275" border="0" alt="IMG_1275" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CYf8o-Ph6O8/UPH581PsPNI/AAAAAAAAEKM/MvJXr0o6TsY/IMG_1275_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p>I don’t know which I prefer. Both are fun. Hannah was good and easy, but Jackson is adventurous and exciting. It just speaks to their personalities I guess. <p>As far as a schedule and sleeping…I do know which I prefer. Jackson has been very challenging because he is not a good sleeper. At New Years I resolved to stop feeding him at night. For some reason he decided to go back to his newborn ways and wake up every three hours. This had been going on for the past month. Prior to that the best we got was 9 hours at night…and that was only for 2 weeks. It’s now been a week and a half and it’s going quite well. The last two nights he hasn’t woken up. Hallelujah! Now I just need to figure out how to get him to nap. I’m lucky if over the entire day he sleeps for 1 ½ hours. That is usually broken up into 2-3 naps. I feel like I’ve tried everything. It wouldn’t be so bad if he would wake up happy, but he doesn’t. He cries the whole time he’s awake and rubs his eyes. I feed him to sleep – he doesn’t transfer. I rock him to sleep – he doesn’t transfer. I put him in wide awake and he cries for an hour. I put him in groggy and he cries for an hour. I’m at a loss. <p>Done complaining. He really is such a cute little boy and when he is happy he is such a delight. Hannah is the best at making him laugh and he tries to do everything she does. They pound the dinner table together, roar at one another, and laugh and each other laughing. I hope they will grow up to be great friends. Hannah encourages him to crawl and talks baby talk to him. Jackson loves to watch her run around…and then tries to steal her toys. This may become an issue soon. I don’t know where his blonde hair came from but I love it and I LOVE his big blue eyes. We gave him a haircut the other day day and now he looks so much older, like a little boy. <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hWGwIk3ErmU/UPH5-dGM3pI/AAAAAAAAEKU/EMTdCpS0m8M/s1600-h/IMG_10064.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1006" border="0" alt="IMG_1006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KHRcc1rIGH0/UPH5_FSzD8I/AAAAAAAAEKc/p6RobKxeQ7Y/IMG_1006_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FFD6rOkX9Sg/UPH5_xtg-rI/AAAAAAAAEKk/C-7xngz4duQ/s1600-h/IMG_1249%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1249" border="0" alt="IMG_1249" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vKWnZwpMxEM/UPH6AbIc5bI/AAAAAAAAEKs/_wBkFYEH_bA/IMG_1249_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHHzO-uVmOjpnKdM3mbmkWlkLX7cRLhLVN-erfR8NUBlsUM1Zd7MvfOjVCuNAgfI2oLo7NSXcv1FBNvYPc8qu1dwCvvlrIyryyd2B9i4NzCbuXfXqfoFQEx0PMOSMJdJwbzw5gfVuCEr4/s1600-h/IMG_1256%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1256" border="0" alt="IMG_1256" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mw3lpiGqewk/UPH6BmcAslI/AAAAAAAAEK8/m9Bop0A7INo/IMG_1256_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379"></a> <p>Hannah is growing up so much. Her favorite show is Doc McStuffins and she LOVES to play doctor. She will act out episodes verbatim. We are always getting check ups. When she is giving us check ups she talks to us like we’re babies and says, “It’ll be ok sweetie. Sweetie, what’s been bothering you? Don’t be scared.” My favorite is when I’m so sick that I have to spend the night in the “clinic”. This means I lay on the couch with a blanket and my eyes have to stay shut until she comes back to check on me. Her other favorite thing is to cook in the kitchen. Every morning she makes me breakfast and she is always asking me what she can make for me. I’m amazed at how much she watches me and copies me. The other day I was making enchiladas and she said, “Mom, I want some milk.” I told her I couldn’t get some for her right then because my hands were dirty, and I showed her my hands. A few minutes later she called from the other room saying, “Mom! Say, I want some milk!” (She often tells me what I need to say when we play) I said, “I want some milk,” and she came running in and said, “Sweetie, I know you want some milk, but I’m cooking right now and my hands are dirty, see. When I’m done I can get you some milk…ok sweetie? It’ll be ok.” And she ran back to her kitchen. <p>She also loves to read books. She’ll get hooked one or two and always want us to read her those books. It only takes 3 or 4 readings before she’s able to read us the book (kind of). Currently it’s <em>I’m not afraid of Dogs </em>and <em>Dinosaurumpus.</em> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ynscavknUHU/UPH6Crf87tI/AAAAAAAAELE/B7cacoB0UMk/s1600-h/IMG_1237%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1237" border="0" alt="IMG_1237" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BAAeVL1iq0I/UPH6DAoOFqI/AAAAAAAAELM/81GMwVBtlic/IMG_1237_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-78200348671640653402012-10-12T16:15:00.001-07:002012-10-12T16:15:01.168-07:00Garage Shelves<p>I turned 28 back in July. I told Jonathan I didn’t want any presents – all I wanted was shelves in our garage. I’ve been wanting shelves ever since we moved in, then before I decorated Hannah’s big girl room (formally our storage room). It just seemed like such an overwhelming project, but for my birthday I just wanted the project to finally get done. That seemed to motivate us because the next weekend we got to work. At times, it was a frustrating and difficult project – but it got done. Thanks to some great neighbors and family who let us use tools and gave tips we now have some extra storage space.</p> <p align="center"><strong>BEFORE</strong> – the current shelf was there when we bought the house. Every time we touch it, it creeks and pulls away from the wall. It was a fear of mine that I would shut the garage door too hard one day and everything would come falling down. It needed to go.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L2tdcHMVudI/UHikGWHuZ3I/AAAAAAAAD60/8LTfNmIx_O8/s1600-h/Back-Wall---Before4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Back Wall - Before" border="0" alt="Back Wall - Before" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H-KCtmhXiixrkR_hdeXjnk8pzvyHcJIP4Th9SGE8twDRfGYfhn9sxg2sKZcwdqaMvrJhZjRCKS7urp9zsnRiUIVQnnW7fkGJw93Wua1azj-ag2nMhXgTH8qH8Jyy1BY2No8e_bM1Zwk5/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dYSWukEHQug/UHikIL5Ma4I/AAAAAAAAD7E/kz16BAiHZso/s1600-h/Back-Wall---Before-24.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Back Wall - Before 2" border="0" alt="Back Wall - Before 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-15CpLIbHpaw/UHikI1pwjXI/AAAAAAAAD7M/XKOQLI64UwE/Back-Wall---Before-2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dUAB2HG9QU0/UHikJ2742YI/AAAAAAAAD7U/csGdMXn6SWU/s1600-h/Left-Wall---Before4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Left Wall - Before" border="0" alt="Left Wall - Before" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ufv9xiNKD2s/UHikKWy-PaI/AAAAAAAAD7c/riA2Ac5__0I/Left-Wall---Before_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>AFTER</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpPpkAMoQ65d5_RyzCHuiIIQS27TS6GoQxf45MbbpPhGJM4ez-MZBOhH9y6EoruEpnFR8c6aQRs4SmhZkIpkOLE8YAygJKy9oux6m8FGsv8HaFobGDnLNEOGDG2767v8CS82jPZCDYRAw/s1600-h/After-24.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="After 2" border="0" alt="After 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HSi8OQXDF1M/UHikLpnQ0kI/AAAAAAAAD7s/EDLtT8Jm9Uk/After-2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a></p> <p align="center">Best part is – all three of those tubs are empty.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZp8YeQIQ_V7wcBk8r_cr2E8fyTbcTJqj16F7G4wOlpqh41ihFuaeSMafzRMVFIsA-sKsJg6ZbJbvro-wgNECW07ACd2PHlFpfG5WwzRVUw9OdyqIYWg1cBLvoX8imlaZfr8xIbx5dgc05/s1600-h/Back-Wall---After-24.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Back Wall - After 2" border="0" alt="Back Wall - After 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YM_UFZBevE8/UHikNHxxPYI/AAAAAAAAD78/yMf1x902DzI/Back-Wall---After-2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AWWXECysnHf0KAJLrcJle9EIbyv7VeIexyELXt5btZ2IQQ_yI_DkZxXB0VuYVxPNPg2GmEEfEwgK0rex_egokKNpdoVfFaM2n8WLnNiDU75qtawAGDtSWXUNXdWUHfZEHrhIBQ55TUj2/s1600-h/Left-Wall---After-44.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Left Wall - After 4" border="0" alt="Left Wall - After 4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7WzUc2Cs-6g7jh13kYhkipmgXMp2-ssDXTLl-kEssbzGjeZk54vKeG8mM09yt6xyrshSYUQv-a4Sm55KY-kTd4bavCTWbPC5XCwtpe8rU80MGXb-pjRYkmvpMAhg7adgF4zSj4LsjsLb/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEwIpW6XQU7viKGLBjpQc-VMy_ouqE4PYIo4nZxdFyYIGTIupx566CTqxKP6v7L4kuTLpBncGUjj33lcHzJxjryEQPPIefRtW_7orPCNv1gHJ0UDWP6c-2xMaMaiI5_diTjui92jAuaHV/s1600-h/Left-Wall---After-34.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Left Wall - After 3" border="0" alt="Left Wall - After 3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2MieuubplS0/UHikPuHyW3I/AAAAAAAAD8c/9LbFM_7j_ck/Left-Wall---After-3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ezyTGpPEu8/UHikQWJ0psI/AAAAAAAAD8k/OXVgCjV68hQ/s1600-h/Right-Wall---AFter4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Right Wall - AFter" border="0" alt="Right Wall - AFter" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4IDbrYdNjGg/UHikRKu8c4I/AAAAAAAAD8s/5FivXQfAWRY/Right-Wall---AFter_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LVjIKPZwe7bK4avrqYiqrRI7DWGuE2j59fUc7rlMkpNzfesfN3QG9HeY0z8Ta3BlbZXdIXxd_qz-8XcXgsQ-HgbOx_O4hUJV8DYYd6SzeR3dmDPMA5AmtPL0iJd6U_KAtUB3VoERXGmw/s1600-h/Right-Wall---After-24.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Right Wall - After 2" border="0" alt="Right Wall - After 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bk48S1Y9xhQ/UHikSqnyrJI/AAAAAAAAD88/uG9zDYNu9pU/Right-Wall---After-2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-re0jw_aZZ3E/UHikTq5rnOI/AAAAAAAAD9E/WntkLu9ha-k/s1600-h/Right-Wall---After-34.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Right Wall - After 3" border="0" alt="Right Wall - After 3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8obSFfkR910/UHikUBJ2N-I/AAAAAAAAD9M/slIBaHDtcxc/Right-Wall---After-3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center">Happy Birthday to me. I love that it’s so much more organized now.</p> <p align="center">I had a fun birthday too though. Hannah was SO excited that it was my birthday and wanted a party. It’s fun to have someone around who gets so excited about life. We decorated and got cupcakes to make it a little party.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IvOzDty_-bk/UHikU65rLCI/AAAAAAAAD9U/P0xcOIFtFW8/s1600-h/IMG_93334.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9333" border="0" alt="IMG_9333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5xVB3Yo8q-4/UHikVeSm--I/AAAAAAAAD9c/dZqE_e21-E4/IMG_9333_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRJYSG0A_V5giDB3mpWP9Exd7-Clb3gd7P1_5F4UrPTTnMgsD9ZVx6EEeOdskJFlvalu5UmSYeNKgKf_Xgl95x1kT3kNjZRmcAHd3j4oMMmI5Kr2npapCgg6-ml7fmzp9kMCQVeQM8vOE/s1600-h/IMG_93364.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9336" border="0" alt="IMG_9336" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rQSOyrEU6kA/UHikWxGoCqI/AAAAAAAAD9s/SND_c8zz9qI/IMG_9336_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b0obFFmXg4U/UHikXswAx0I/AAAAAAAAD90/GD6-ExiBSoQ/s1600-h/IMG_93384.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9338" border="0" alt="IMG_9338" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L_pov_kYdt0/UHikYZxvvKI/AAAAAAAAD98/NCwiDZsp1IA/IMG_9338_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9gU-54DC06w/UHikZE2--7I/AAAAAAAAD-E/2p7yxPVI-Gk/s1600-h/IMG_93514.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9351" border="0" alt="IMG_9351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57Sam6Wq6wmByCWaK-rSDnBZ4t2Q7I-ciuwYQGrqtb7JJAhZGMVgK_mNkIxb_PU19in46EzvSZd0NO6P2plOcxJj-pAJbh_q59QkVXoUGR9OIOzb64m9E0kGURs7FOusnuqDcLZgHgzSK/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6FAgf0E9GSk/UHikao6DPLI/AAAAAAAAD-U/nULITOFldO0/s1600-h/IMG_93574.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9357" border="0" alt="IMG_9357" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_aVKNFzAZVo/UHikbf1ecuI/AAAAAAAAD-c/qzL0dA6ReMk/IMG_9357_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QthxILK9O_M/UHikce5f8XI/AAAAAAAAD-k/NcTUza0KBgI/s1600-h/IMG_93594.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9359" border="0" alt="IMG_9359" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0Ad4aW6Bgj0/UHikdCGE32I/AAAAAAAAD-s/2XCs1VUzdl4/IMG_9359_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-25732805540429728742012-10-12T16:05:00.001-07:002012-10-12T16:05:19.153-07:00Weiler Family Reunion<p>Every 3 years there is a Weiler family reunion. We’ve been doing these since I was 4. I love getting together with all my cousins and aunts and uncles. We have such a fun time together. This year it was in Lava Hot Springs, ID.</p> <p>The first evening there we played some great Olympic inspired games – you know, things like “figure skating” – person with the smallest waist won or “Shot Put” – person who could spit a goldfish the furthest won.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kqqKr6IopI4/UHihzKDwbMI/AAAAAAAAD3M/3e33zuoOPQM/s1600-h/IMG_95463.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9546" border="0" alt="IMG_9546" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--xYxB9ieSSo/UHihzjHLUBI/AAAAAAAAD3U/b0CYHf2dx44/IMG_9546_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zm-FRpVyBbU/UHih08ayTTI/AAAAAAAAD3c/slD6MCFqt68/s1600-h/IMG_95503.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9550" border="0" alt="IMG_9550" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QIEJX4Q6ssk/UHih1RqFMdI/AAAAAAAAD3k/lHp2TX8gNsc/IMG_9550_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2cYik3i6Sbc/UHih2eQf9VI/AAAAAAAAD3s/pnFOz7vUE0Q/s1600-h/IMG_95613.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9561" border="0" alt="IMG_9561" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-odjkkJ4K0yE/UHih26lxlQI/AAAAAAAAD30/z1f4Yvk68Xo/IMG_9561_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40Nug-0ON7kx02TkyznCkWPPxWao1Ir4FWahRgXqhfRHhV6m4KUC48HW8xtfSuuzyY0rac1mDa-mbfY-TsJRR6jFJSO-Kho_Wc0DFjHBEcAfPgCxDAzo32nJAdL6XKbFiLwJgq0aEUHXa/s1600-h/IMG_95673.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9567" border="0" alt="IMG_9567" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o-SN3ax2aMg/UHih40Xco1I/AAAAAAAAD4E/5duqg2ntCxM/IMG_9567_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>The next day we went rafting down the river. I thought it was going to be like floating down the Provo River, but it was much more intense than that. That being said, we took Hannah down once so it wasn’t THAT crazy. Most everyone walked away with a few scratches though. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--6pYSnaKXJE/UHih6MKVVCI/AAAAAAAAD4M/lV8djsUi4es/s1600-h/IMG_09384.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0938" border="0" alt="IMG_0938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWTirVilysfrQ9CmhFLXY-0afnO8dkQYfzz3kiD3pKzbRwQyvwzMwbD1sCkXmt0PcuBoRA1XnoUc_BBnBNLXDCZeG9tAFnFk5HrrqWuPMXzVceRqaxBrjwOpPcGLXubPtTGj91bmzmOMM/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZeWBeMb8QY4/UHih71dzq9I/AAAAAAAAD4c/aR3LXY2Xb64/s1600-h/IMG_09524.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0952" border="0" alt="IMG_0952" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhfZnWye_mkUNAgV68iw8R8Nnpf1VOFwEE28UKrmUkEkCggKEWdrzYh8Ib6oJ0Q_9QYFx0o4UXBOylhugDiXzqL5Oi2fPxcpeSjiutg66MH8_4yu68EjLLZ7YjDRi14tySCrs4WR5YWMo/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yzesGebxvL4/UHih9yFaHyI/AAAAAAAAD4s/6tMjUDtrIHs/s1600-h/IMG_48884.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4888" border="0" alt="IMG_4888" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS9q5961qJpUEG49YFoJhmL3hiNtcGdiyuy0iwyFDGZPBAhjzuR8fZZVdV7dGIIS3-1BkoCkhLrJgvSx9rnUvmXZAbPUHwCsxplxzAxUVZlP09Qmo3gzmFhQAeAWe4N-p7iif9b8ICPhG/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p>That night we played some more fun “Minute to Win It” games. That night was followed with a movie tribute I made for my grandparents. They’ve been so awesome in putting on these reunions for the past 24 years that I thought it was high time a video of pictures from all the reunions be put to music for everyone to enjoy. It was a big hit.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KhMabnbmHmI/UHih_SBQLuI/AAAAAAAAD48/sdsQpnb1LBA/s1600-h/IMG_49155.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4897" border="0" alt="IMG_4897" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fCLqF7vQwJM/UHiiAMe1RtI/AAAAAAAAD5E/6V_gLUQFFxo/IMG_4897_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4915" border="0" alt="IMG_4915" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-daj9kcZb32g/UHiiA5NmBaI/AAAAAAAAD5M/hxmQ3mcyAzI/IMG_4915_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--2dS-U6aITc/UHiiB2TP2MI/AAAAAAAAD5U/b7HUanblr1U/s1600-h/IMG_96154.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9615" border="0" alt="IMG_9615" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oe2DsFw807c/UHiiC2jQw_I/AAAAAAAAD5c/-_tE0k_y95k/IMG_9615_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XtzDdBQdUdk/UHiiD9algEI/AAAAAAAAD5k/6NF-Kjn1x4s/s1600-h/IMG_96264.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9626" border="0" alt="IMG_9626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn4gRj-lW7JkvvWyKDq_LiTRMCnPvwqo86g_3g3S7HsuYkKLpKrYeerXk0sAr5Jb6fxBp8xNTs_qhP7nljAFo6ydCdNt0yrb4QurINPSrv5jPBP7nny5LFKSi95z3Si9uyBMFu5JifAeS/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p>Next was a trip to the water park. Everything in this little town is so close that it was so nice to be able to walk back and forth from our motel and the pool, ideal for naps. And my grandpa, 84 years old, tackled the body slides. He’s pretty awesome. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X-TJko85zwM/UHiiFTaidPI/AAAAAAAAD50/7lmFEVKE7RU/s1600-h/IMG_10554.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1055" border="0" alt="IMG_1055" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OgSJPpqIG-Q/UHiiGKlXsQI/AAAAAAAAD58/zLQpsGtMxqc/IMG_1055_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7BYsGX-h45R3O93Eb9kZo_S5DrH0L-ESCuR7gYAssV4HMM_FORc5zapzNlUWUme_cIqktL9SPcTt6einjwCIl24qwEQwByhlQj2uRRmvpoMakHgH9EzSCCpQLCW4gLwLrrw5nykzpI8P/s1600-h/IMG_10574.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1057" border="0" alt="IMG_1057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxEi20mccoCsg5jQzSaSXBNtgpS8X5WNAXNTgQcZqyMvkX2JFW9dkEv7lBLGm59nUSBcT5sS3ssB-e18LumohMVUBvN8nQHYKxIgT_pRjVZl9e08uqaCDK7I9LFmH5CQof8eDIdcZRgCA/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="537"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LD_FEyurr-k/UHiiI6EknFI/AAAAAAAAD6U/yvOFAYkQsD0/s1600-h/IMG_10594.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1059" border="0" alt="IMG_1059" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF0SDMwOgKv4kox2CK5xr5dTVYq8lpmMON0-O4R4_TEoLDeXfqcZ4ztFMzxVyIiF5_3A-5wWwLokdcG5Qi5cQxOS9MASTK9UdIX40eidf7EN6HypLYVwxNMNeZztR7Vn8c3_du7pgphso/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIBdE3hWfYIQDew4un0hdkmvmEVh0Ebt5y5pC4j7dLQk9YOfLtFUIgPuWr_Mnb9qTcQ_mNXt_oYTCUnoD2Fm__MAaFA-b26M0NwF5bUJZqhb-BAGa01jDglLMv12-lUKW8bkwCzCzoV23/s1600-h/IMG_10614.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1061" border="0" alt="IMG_1061" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3IJ5VYzlbGY/UHiiLRjL7YI/AAAAAAAAD6s/aZg8jvktRus/IMG_1061_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="604"></a></p> <p align="center">I’m sad that these reunions have come to an end – but am so grateful for all the awesome reunions we’ve had.</p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-34672784717749404032012-10-12T15:59:00.001-07:002012-10-12T15:59:50.758-07:00Baby Boy and Big Girl<p align="center">With the arrival of a baby boy, I needed to redecorate my little girl nursery and move my baby girl into a big girl room. With Hannah’s new room, I knew I wanted to go neutral because Hannah and Jackson will someday share a room – and I didn’t want to have to start over in 2 years. So, I got inspired and got to work. We bought bunk beds so in just a few years Jackson can join Hannah. I’ve added a few “girl” touches for now since Hannah is the only one in there but my goal was to have a bright, happy, colorful, play room feel.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P9xUS3Vg28Q/UHigjjknVkI/AAAAAAAADzc/WzPjJRU3f7w/s1600-h/IMG_94916.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9491" border="0" alt="IMG_9491" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d54vCcNUFMg/UHigkfGUlkI/AAAAAAAADzk/sYqLEUr0mug/IMG_9491_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="376"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IuHVbZEjyhU/UHigk0VzlCI/AAAAAAAADzs/U3RyeXjB_K0/s1600-h/IMG_94855.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9485" border="0" alt="IMG_9485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4trlO7Nv61pw5TqZoaIhtlMx1ZWcslJCtTMmJhRDKlPS24w1ifLRrwO-Od4G8vSB7AEaEzyE0Bt5CvlRrt1tvKyXWOt7f5zwmaYutOYJ-NF6TohD912ozCqGEOI8iOXIz-JjfdaH54F7/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OUz8KZPlNvk/UHigmVwPG6I/AAAAAAAADz8/F0xykR1BnxU/s1600-h/IMG_94865.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9486" border="0" alt="IMG_9486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgsExceDT4_EqjJND3U46SPdlKZYSXeQ6HBDRP82WBwcf6PdIisaq_hJ1wM2gJwofzdvB7c11B4_W0rX5OrBiHmMuE6UEhSM8UWzBmtWrW3c_BLJY9qo-J088f67CxVjpwSy02U9Fjj80/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-613noOCTwps/UHign2yw3fI/AAAAAAAAD0M/yvstjnGWW5E/s1600-h/IMG_94895.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9489" border="0" alt="IMG_9489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifbJBFPFQWtqIUFmYyXQNmj_-pFKRC3lKJqIf-u66lWwDTC9BQlb2s0L65stTmSvc3vmuMSNSiWx9lgH7oFTQrIvRtyw4iiX2UcogottqWLdXtrW2xwU_YzZeIgno87FDZY23QXyi3_LE/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IyIGJeLTXe4/UHigpLN_nGI/AAAAAAAAD0c/wscsxutc04U/s1600-h/IMG_94907.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9490" border="0" alt="IMG_9490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1qeb2aSwJ4vEDABhtpo7PlJVFHz-qcn4C90-yeDuCLdu3HWUWJnckMGHzCTes_p9n_1rk-zU0NHwfPm5tKt4UBH-TvlBpdEsfcv95dmK4OQy3OBjpTelDdKXAxpUkO2hw0bQotc_wG2m/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="460"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP7rcTjxnJgpbmP0aMgnYKboc_1Du1R7AIMSXO5mJ5WvnMfzWHfJ2dkROMCtwCGqUNLOcL2ySpuNZOFw0aRYWPMThJqypwQ8DA-6xl8Ldz0qZxyXF4pA12AS3kqwQ2irj7toHqxnz69vf/s1600-h/IMG_94934.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9493" border="0" alt="IMG_9493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5uc0_HDLWaDhq7eirvR4C8Wq-aSOJe3QnwDQ3V3rBDtKez5SFUm3asDhka0EOldzfZ99SXSFddVroh-SQVtmGdYuI10YjqI0jBtRlGN2_0rQmT9lnZVOlIqixJjcKbcBEqlkpGtCZt4l/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center">Jackson’s room became a jungle</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PGoH3NO5peA/UHigre6hlQI/AAAAAAAAD08/gWhAtusr1LM/s1600-h/IMG_94944.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9494" border="0" alt="IMG_9494" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p31_bPkuTOU/UHigr6lQIHI/AAAAAAAAD1E/V4vhdE3kjZc/IMG_9494_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pmnKbca-0ck/UHigsrY18hI/AAAAAAAAD1M/IMGsCm--dwk/s1600-h/IMG_94954.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9495" border="0" alt="IMG_9495" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UTst1YmuBzw/UHigtIGO_NI/AAAAAAAAD1U/ZGIKD28ZxxI/IMG_9495_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVK9XaEJptm8eflvVXtHDIy0u3RLa0mC7ido99GLm5Q4H2qTxWhRm1p_qLwydKU8uizfgSaA2xA78f9e3lx3s5caplL2evhMUYgV37CZ_0cw0m8RRaC-EWZMQ3dsjJQrBUQlFYC-KPNqp/s1600-h/IMG_94974.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9497" border="0" alt="IMG_9497" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6U_th6VPxT0/UHigvtb9JwI/AAAAAAAAD1k/UJ687UJ-pxc/IMG_9497_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zqssWN2L2ng/UHigwZxCUDI/AAAAAAAAD1s/E7ttZ7f66OM/s1600-h/IMG_95014.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9501" border="0" alt="IMG_9501" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bYmmtJi8N5s/UHigw1ZLWwI/AAAAAAAAD10/Vag55Cdeeqk/IMG_9501_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MXsyIoQYtK8/UHigxk9WnYI/AAAAAAAAD18/DSsocIffUTo/s1600-h/IMG_95034.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9503" border="0" alt="IMG_9503" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEily-Y3FDHPZ8dN6n4-JkgFG-zpcnK2W7d1Vq-KyADrDfzYBvh-XWbjqj2eSFPMScGwyTCapmB4CQSjI_hiUM7kL7eFi6D4kPePsNO1nmtnrF5G9JJyV4xhIqi2rSKJsARcMZR0W994CNJx/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t2F9epWn2UM/UHigzZOrjMI/AAAAAAAAD2M/DdcKdGwGBdQ/s1600-h/IMG_95044.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9504" border="0" alt="IMG_9504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBS_LB2zKT7TNDh8o1byiNVSs0QFCFKBO-vjxc4I9I3BsQYcxYcGUn9wd4jjVcbfSv70U4VJGLRKzAZzpB88ELLQ2AArl1EHoJaEx52IqdSuxNtAhYiaOJdfxdtGJg36cxwfsLpcuoW3C3/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p align="center">We moved Hannah to her big girl bed about 2 weeks before Jackson was born. We wanted to get her settled in her new room before the big transition of having a new baby in our house. She did a fabulous job. The first time she slept in her bed was for a nap. She played for 2 hours, then we found her like this - </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCWETV68jFx1bNvWwHBlW9RMD82xKJ6jyoYI0Vgrv6JCvD4gVydMbKr8mW3o775T9ebY8VPyR-RlQMcPfclJTbUIcfSG78vvUka88zwNyAgaCwtAneeCkK4px2ad1OuTQPoeeWUEijlRs/s1600-h/IMG_80654.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8065" border="0" alt="IMG_8065" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-majWpgcOLugZoTar7qza_qD8qCNYrcwNZP1ed0Y4VBPZcyM-ufP0yt_wJZqv9KSU5ABIzRGVESqhPmWjWSuV8z_4NwgFQ9v2aR4Vjc7BNBkMkcuMtL6KOhhNo1KZ3eMtq0WlRNjxNWgT/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center">She got the hang of it pretty quickly – we don’t think she ever fell out – and never looked back. She never was sad that someone new was going to be sleeping her crib.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b8x97X9Io9M/UHig2xqjubI/AAAAAAAAD2s/OaAXwbQiJJM/s1600-h/IMG_76664.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7666" border="0" alt="IMG_7666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghZYouzsCLKBH1420RTRkzSnRSVrC29bCKDiCXlqIoOcwNdu-khz2l0CVGPVaj_U3VI0AxEx5wu82rcb0vgAznS8wyr4c3Ie9dPLLU_HhV7nPb0tZEiV3PwReuLiC76MCl6sSY4fjzv7-/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center">Jackson feels OK about his room too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YFKjDEBcPLo/UHig4pG3VEI/AAAAAAAAD28/msPQDDlBO5A/s1600-h/IMG_94994.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9499" border="0" alt="IMG_9499" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oX1DT-mf71A/UHig5XEUmqI/AAAAAAAAD3E/-UkubIQ9M9w/IMG_9499_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-36595168782986856192012-10-12T15:49:00.001-07:002012-10-12T15:49:52.705-07:00Festivius ‘12<p align="center">This summer for the annual Snow Family Reunion we went to Arkansas. Each year they take turns which sibling gets to plan the reunion and this year Stephanie planned it. They live in Tennessee, so naturally we all headed south. Personally, I was excited to go some where I’ve never been before – Eureka Springs, AR – but I was not overly thrilled to drive there with a 2 year old and a 2 month old. I made sure I was plenty prepared though and we headed out early Sunday morning. Googlemaps said it was 21 hours to Eureka. Our goal was to make it to Lincoln, NE – 14 hours away, but were prepared to stop sooner if needed. </p> <p align="center">We left at 3 AM. Our vision was both Hannah and Jackson would sleep for the first 5 hours and not even know they had been in the car. That didn’t work. Hannah woke up when we put her in the car and stayed awake until 5:15. Good thing we had to stop at 5:30 to feed Jackson. I think her staying awake may have played to our advantage though. She was so tired that she was in a daze the whole time. From 3 AM to 5 PM (when I offered to put on a movie for her) she was perfectly content to look out the window and find trains and cows. In that time I gave her some animal crackers and juice, but other than that she pretty much was entertained by the good ol’ countryside. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a8Dcbt0pE54/UHich_-gfgI/AAAAAAAADg8/gH7dI0THxWk/s1600-h/IMG_88105.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8810" border="0" alt="IMG_8810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutz8o3G6iIMJjTESgIt3O7GCeQWHcs09UOerQvJ08mIRSwD4FOxUYjTEFTPpM83DuICXq8BcP03LDJTAiYgObE_NUs4fw20fLWwONyVN_Gf7Xlp16-m1sG3Pw4HTp7hNwQppF0tTA0211/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p align="center">We stayed the night in Lincoln, NE which was so fun for Hannah to have a sleepover in a sleeping bag. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3oHzDDQnywa8NmEbt8f7ASJ9V_YcMdd_aPWI9LwHiow2xTcRUmMAysntBXkahUz6u-o5xm28Fp0J3oaav7MMEACvj2JdFt7NnWj9Uct-VI0LS_-4vL0gF0sQ1_YJUmmkSOqivwOhm4lN/s1600-h/IMG_88174.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8817" border="0" alt="IMG_8817" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SlBw4aS28bdd8d1Xg4ZoHai_obUZX7JbI5dTzk783ju7496A-b5_BdGyO08N_Xh-kIG8yOxMj5t2rA6U7ycPBitKTS9riMg7rJAEIkUYeRKTtpVZmJZfbARfLr6T9_6T5eax64upF53R/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xTbdm3tSkpQ/UHicl_g_XZI/AAAAAAAADhc/v2zAHaTPPgU/s1600-h/IMG_88206.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8820" border="0" alt="IMG_8820" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r6iyEZjdy9w/UHicmTtOhrI/AAAAAAAADhk/cGzMgp57tCs/IMG_8820_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-45WoaVSS2J0/UHicnDwPWBI/AAAAAAAADhs/R5ZJ_hNP4iw/s1600-h/IMG_88245.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8824" border="0" alt="IMG_8824" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s1ebzF1P5e0/UHicn7urP4I/AAAAAAAADh0/2h40sE2tqGI/IMG_8824_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p>The next afternoon we made it to Eureka with yet another reminder that <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/07/moabarches-national-park.html">apparently Hannah gets car sick while driving to Snow Family Reunions</a>.</p> <p align="center">The rest of the week was spent with typical family reunion festivities that include <br>(but are not limited to)…</p> <p align="center"><strong>Hiking</strong> in 108 degree temperatures with crazy humidity…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEswKuCCYvCvQuG598Q8wGA6EoFpahqlVgfDEbE0lq6dL2OeOV6SoiPigXQ_BMQ1YxHbVZ8hTi5yS2_h-gqWY8tGSiKYFSgfj37geqsHNbMe_6ROqjN2NFCabv_6Zaryk4DbRHbvkCRQwo/s1600-h/IMG_88284.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8828" border="0" alt="IMG_8828" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hy7qVoYNNC0/UHicrBilZjI/AAAAAAAADiE/pMsa4jjqlcU/IMG_8828_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6KmAjOPmoeQ/UHicsc6dtGI/AAAAAAAADiM/ErAbtDHE_q4/s1600-h/IMG_88434.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8843" border="0" alt="IMG_8843" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WkBZxQFLvnU/UHictC6ipFI/AAAAAAAADiU/vbA7EsHA1Jk/IMG_8843_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aRjkOY5Rgrg/UHicu5xqJlI/AAAAAAAADic/JldWX7FJxpY/s1600-h/IMG_88474.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8847" border="0" alt="IMG_8847" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GmOBvmcLEPw/UHicvlRZ2vI/AAAAAAAADik/MACN6vnXXw0/IMG_8847_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8xyaePiWrlzMsAMK9tx7EsLp0Iz16IR0SsDjY_Q83kc0_rGWxKMQ6qXOSLLKcyEDZijaI4njj-onqr2Wo17Ln484F81nSgzSmX1LazVVlmN15tSSG8YGHeBJnsHULJWqD7PKdU30x_TN/s1600-h/IMG_88534.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8853" border="0" alt="IMG_8853" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eZWhxpeQnZs/UHicxkBoldI/AAAAAAAADi0/m3zCKUMu-nM/IMG_8853_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a> <p align="center">Cooling off in a <strong>lake</strong> after hiking in crazy hot temperatures.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpKNz9kIyVXhsGfLGrkhaJ9iTRLusDz7WJ8VzFyFIegKtoZwhfiKyt_iq8-imKq64bcxxHq_boTgnu5d7vtOy_gf8_jut-Col7FxyMMK5ItHYBVPAWMHGdtfIehFSTgV-GUAa51fOGOjk/s1600-h/IMG_88637.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8863" border="0" alt="IMG_8863" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l1_B88mfzss/UHiczXGWtyI/AAAAAAAADjE/GxD0fbLE21Y/IMG_8863_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="614"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LZaxga8qzto/UHic0Lpq0JI/AAAAAAAADjM/vwBJkRZSDcg/s1600-h/IMG_03155.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0315" border="0" alt="IMG_0315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvGlo0vLD11CR6oeeK9y1vq7bxDYJuxzaQ-gRL0W-JOhP0g0xWd2LTiXIYS0390jADKyxpuEu8FOIW9ZkA95ge-4bdCjme11-YzlZOAgAlPJnPsykWR-aSsdGPSV2rHoq4ZhG5x8jv_U_/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="370"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vdf5Mb3OpCo/UHic3A6N6eI/AAAAAAAADjc/XivKTNxwt8M/s1600-h/IMG_88736.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8873" border="0" alt="IMG_8873" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIh0CZhaZn_53ibUIV5WkmRJqzXKH-tgL3xNTYlJ2je9Wrw3qjF-FG3axnXfxDhWgkTUuLNTSoqdQMmp-q6WQHu9F47u0WcZffp8oscdyoiPAVtNiDR_4DWnJO6tml4Tdq4KF0zMnpZn5/?imgmax=800" width="509" height="195"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Visiting a cave</strong> - which we got left in. That’s right, the quality tour guide we had shut of the lights and closed the entrance while 9 of us were still in there. Note to self – don’t ask a 6 year old if they are the last one out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--B4PuBNsELo/UHic4TQXU8I/AAAAAAAADjs/ijYDfYg9Gd4/s1600-h/IMG_89154.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8915" border="0" alt="IMG_8915" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hzm8lFNnttw/UHic5IcxcAI/AAAAAAAADj0/FFNmKKsYaao/IMG_8915_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d4J8lIR4rbA/UHic6OKOyOI/AAAAAAAADj8/haPnrt4BSgQ/s1600-h/IMG_89164.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8916" border="0" alt="IMG_8916" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KxYHpgzrPHU/UHic617iMkI/AAAAAAAADkE/EydPS3V3ujk/IMG_8916_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oV2nkLTRU6k/UHic75SDTjI/AAAAAAAADkM/9WqIHoCnyk4/s1600-h/IMG_89174.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8917" border="0" alt="IMG_8917" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-00Q8l0O2whY/UHic8t5gTeI/AAAAAAAADkU/a-IaFt-aS08/IMG_8917_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IOIYBKrKTgY/UHic9rSc8eI/AAAAAAAADkc/huMbAqevMJc/s1600-h/IMG_89195.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8919" border="0" alt="IMG_8919" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qoY96uE4pOo/UHic-DljzgI/AAAAAAAADkk/SLrO1HZn3Cw/IMG_8919_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WCqJ3n9OpKU/UHic_Glt7-I/AAAAAAAADks/Wptu41B-rUA/s1600-h/IMG_89234.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8923" border="0" alt="IMG_8923" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KKwbAzfN5M4pXh6OGxKa9XZbHIDPvMeP7krlEkEA7v1p6972aXCV7o9y4GQnLnyIFwxlZQum5SLcrDpudR_ODBMY4qVfHyRv4FA_MgEcXUTowKEd_PQnrJCHCJo6JnlQ2Z2L08hg4Yfd/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xMG8DkKDIwM/UHidA4fyWrI/AAAAAAAADk8/1YJohBU0qJw/s1600-h/IMG_89274.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8927" border="0" alt="IMG_8927" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Plwf_XMcS0c/UHidBnNevrI/AAAAAAAADlE/WxueYrcjTp4/IMG_8927_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oXrHYS7BZRc/UHidChxgmOI/AAAAAAAADlM/yULSuu1KZoY/s1600-h/IMG_89285.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8928" border="0" alt="IMG_8928" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gjLRjg8ZBZLrZD01m0Phtftg9x6r5OD84vlTKl4-fem5SIEJP3WvMe_pe7adXR-2kU5QAsWsAatX4DVTaSFaQYscHFNdm75NcMAh04PNO8V6bb2a926XjQgbPT8m06NnCGI8RonJ4tFv/?imgmax=800" width="454" height="679"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tYakkN53KqeRichdwxFblmT29VhYevYQpgiK4JwOBTrEWzk4ltIgWhLys6Ln7aWctBwE4X03WG5hc4JyCc2twzI4dp5uQRhSmRKDFWKZsEnNbn4joH6cw2xoinbZUVFxoTihxhtrLdMy/s1600-h/DSCN47974.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4797" border="0" alt="DSCN4797" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pQe6ssbdmUc/UHidFSaFwWI/AAAAAAAADlk/XfcahG4Svcs/DSCN4797_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a> <p align="center"><em>Jonathan took Jackson on the “adventure trail” part of the cave. He came out crying and dirty. Jonathan said he probably shouldn’t have taken him. </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINs8zy7z3enm5tM5Q7GnX0xhob7MUkmYXhVTTfuOWMVOIgpxygLMo1YJk0XMTyLtoQE0U8hY9QSTSuFRCUujIjFFR19zBAT5fqZFHd0maYJbJwJ_R9QTP69NdG6M5F8N-rpHgBm1OzuTe/s1600-h/IMG_89294.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8929" border="0" alt="IMG_8929" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcptbGgqgOVhkzEjxVheEdSEA2jO7H1MWNTND5cel3nqAyXINoMNXDoDl6IQP6iYVd4HgCumviiZH4MaOUq3LiEHDaZj3apSeka2wHgQug9YxKePaYT1WVKd-l8cQ8dni1ZpjOR8UKQmO/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="829"></a></p> <p align="center">A historic <strong>tram ride</strong> of Eureka</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sn0KWj9r_ts/UHidIb7afFI/AAAAAAAADl8/0dtqwhheLWU/s1600-h/IMG_04124.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0412" border="0" alt="IMG_0412" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_M1eklCkVqY/UHidJI9Mm2I/AAAAAAAADmE/318JyoxKWxI/IMG_0412_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="313"></a></p> <p align="center">A visit to the 2nd largest <strong>statue of Christ.</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xffII7mgP1s/UHidKIApSnI/AAAAAAAADmM/SQLJkwBeAAU/s1600-h/IMG_91434.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9143" border="0" alt="IMG_9143" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SLxa8Mn3XSo/UHidK_S-BxI/AAAAAAAADmU/J8fwgYAxWKY/IMG_9143_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Snake world.</strong> Yes – a true taste of Arkansas character. Basically a dude’s collection of all things creepy and crawly in a double wide trailer with $6 admission. Hannah loved it. Note – also very hot. Her hair is wet with sweat, no water.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F-ygEf0AwfQ/UHidLmB1mvI/AAAAAAAADmc/mq_SdonpQP4/s1600-h/IMG_91444.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9144" border="0" alt="IMG_9144" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-su3XVNzK9fg/UHidMcjeqAI/AAAAAAAADmk/nAeX_2k7eGc/IMG_9144_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bmiYE4bh96E/UHidNJ2pU8I/AAAAAAAADms/JNwXG5PqtBw/s1600-h/IMG_91484.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9148" border="0" alt="IMG_9148" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lDks4bd8QAs/UHidN0PTPeI/AAAAAAAADm0/ACaE-Cof1bM/IMG_9148_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DE3hf-iybfc/UHidO-6uEiI/AAAAAAAADm8/MVlF0idsMys/s1600-h/IMG_91534.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9153" border="0" alt="IMG_9153" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3lRPUlUPhOU/UHidPv8DMgI/AAAAAAAADnE/4YkQnMV9Dtg/IMG_9153_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfwB_uKcibRtLVyyeQYHQT_UO6c-1RQdCh0DqbEq0Y4IEpFGoTHcXt4ta2WeNcwsCb4p008D6YsdV2_R5jy-Z5H4Com9ETga5zYX4PlnjNABZtu1zPx6tNetSjjUEj89geuAn95tucD6h/s1600-h/IMG_91664.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9166" border="0" alt="IMG_9166" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EECaQwUEspk/UHidRoHtGPI/AAAAAAAADnU/6TzOLzODwXM/IMG_9166_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hFwyCQg8bjk/UHidSqVw5vI/AAAAAAAADnc/pPO7jmXgT20/s1600-h/IMG_91674.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9167" border="0" alt="IMG_9167" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qS0SQ2cGyzY/UHidTZkyI2I/AAAAAAAADnk/ixK18ylDZBI/IMG_9167_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1Dkg60czYyA/UHidUDo1n5I/AAAAAAAADns/KfU50CmvH8E/s1600-h/IMG_91784.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9178" border="0" alt="IMG_9178" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DkD4VyDemi0/UHidU0cbDNI/AAAAAAAADn0/KgBzwSZFHjg/IMG_9178_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t_3Nr3NP6K8/UHidWMXjfMI/AAAAAAAADn8/N4T0kMXSSLE/s1600-h/IMG_91804.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9180" border="0" alt="IMG_9180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4flNih1XRW0/UHidW2HOFrI/AAAAAAAADoE/YPbwzSfdrBA/IMG_9180_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center">Traditional game of <strong>rubbers</strong>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HA8m-ErFtdg/UHidX1cUI4I/AAAAAAAADoM/oKEfyxa8BDM/s1600-h/IMG_89584.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8958" border="0" alt="IMG_8958" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qm41H289Aa4/UHidYq-DCqI/AAAAAAAADoU/avuW6uPtN0o/IMG_8958_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvsukGyPEPsICbAkU3SX7lI06EyzQL3pkc2GDFaF_GSy9knChWsJAwxOonUWNqKpz7NBeBbwR1MKXlC4tSxjNbwLjDwmYDl8BqaW6dkajB08v3E0HMEjGGOSAaCeRKrtRif-XWl7azi45/s1600-h/IMG_90104.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9010" border="0" alt="IMG_9010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-P7qPvPpHWKxZ6h9nJLJHUBGjVz4QAXMByDkUjigJZxsqD1IDpN6x7O4jvDRboo6_Xf_l8fTAZP-ed8X6XM263lEIeXspoVhKZAXH0XevUebCGdv-S6UmaWnJbZM1d0Byf7UJeq0VXd7/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1sqfgyviEDo/UHidb7wRXuI/AAAAAAAADos/shSEMZCr4TM/s1600-h/IMG_89935.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8993" border="0" alt="IMG_8993" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YekMkpDMnq8/UHiddK89wdI/AAAAAAAADo0/4i_AVSJ7_0w/IMG_8993_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="536" height="383"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gq8Z0AOP-SI/UHidd-8yxCI/AAAAAAAADo8/1HHvkkW8f2E/s1600-h/IMG_90024.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9002" border="0" alt="IMG_9002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70Y7ke646PMeXf1DV_6Sp95DZZRdY9z7IA3eaAtaXkOSKC6KSzUi4i4nMDcBp8mdjKOm-uCpFGzPwcBwHdfh5RhG4x7p2mRKT841PbVJ7dXl06pYTStF0bbRK3C7WdbJLyVIF-5eQ03G8/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--IXH3EzaWTg/UHidfnUq-1I/AAAAAAAADpM/eR6trkYLCng/s1600-h/IMG_89805.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8980" border="0" alt="IMG_8980" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4vwIm_pC8EGQRvchlhKsj8H1xtvG_JCWvwQEmhb3vUErjAXnck0ovBHwdOxFwKU4cn50XDq8eKftDolPikhDkvuYM6j1LB7PjsmgCGX9xXBmQlhWy1nZnVu6miVVdTgwjD-cnwaunJLV/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ldNgqbruRIA/UHidhG2vVEI/AAAAAAAADpc/1KmuyihkOvo/s1600-h/DSCN48455.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4845" border="0" alt="DSCN4845" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wCGJpRppV44/UHidhl7OO_I/AAAAAAAADpk/oXLU1x3YJlI/DSCN4845_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VmDZiKPhlAY/UHididYD9rI/AAAAAAAADps/R4jEfpToS-A/s1600-h/IMG_89995.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8999" border="0" alt="IMG_8999" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbGfdltdIrb-kTGlFwDk2pr2HA119K89gBQFRBC2W0kqdFhRxqxzLe7FHS9EvvuL00-YZ6VSpQWDYhFl_c5Kf7RJaALuo914VUUgTbVoxdLb6_T53TxTk8j7rDRk3fRlHOiBM2JX_i0cC/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a> <p align="center">And it wouldn’t be a family reunion without a whole bunch of <strong>ridiculous</strong> and <strong>embarrassing</strong> <strong>games</strong>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qV-RxRkDLAE/UHidkYmd_WI/AAAAAAAADp8/__lCJ7hGiQw/s1600-h/IMG_90304.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9030" border="0" alt="IMG_9030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzaPNLvP2GIjwXUFpllqPYhxV5oa1xB8US74jmIBnvwdg7n4BKyHCIUBhyphenhyphenmfew_gSF_FCqsJ87zMCdoTkT4r94fJBcBIrDzgDuEwKXTuQPLxMMBzzcQC_XZP-XrTJHNtGnnu1nWcXEbSS/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xB_bC0Cx860/UHidmhZSybI/AAAAAAAADqM/e76BFsTYT-4/s1600-h/IMG_90354.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9035" border="0" alt="IMG_9035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTdKcPOxXg_R9cd_jr6JVLUsOJm_Exi8D9073rC2zLyckhFakm0ADpI7NcWUEtv-Z69E5yJgyh7OOiwqkwzjQ7uugKZpuXTkrMds7XpzdSA7zylHT6nW6fSJjjxPzBn7ews-zLu7l4seF/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrxzQs2M_02KwxXUeH4WztX4VoopcL4LX6WDK9xubiuZKAV1XPlFZt-N4YvvNhVGyUNcjoFyouOSYKHxcmxlXRhb194KgEVj-REeRW-0oL-TbbT1QMuntjG7BKZa9quslkLl5WtIyoQe9/s1600-h/IMG_90544.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9054" border="0" alt="IMG_9054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PZtw6dSV80kwZDLe7osb_zXXB-FpMd1ZjeacQ13fhWTf8Yh2d8YIgBs-LzSmyT5i9XGViCkCQcNIq_mu-ewa_jHjTgSLP7tFHgtg8PJ-II7lBNrSTpDLKODWG_jM5Y7TegzvA5qaSlF0/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TdQ5o9vMMS8/UHidqc7_2pI/AAAAAAAADqs/nsOLyz7JbGA/s1600-h/IMG_90714.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9071" border="0" alt="IMG_9071" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OpJVsSaF-Og/UHidrcCA0XI/AAAAAAAADq0/FrwdisSZYtQ/IMG_9071_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="679"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w3e6q27_O9k/UHidsuGXXcI/AAAAAAAADq8/plgtydlXHSo/s1600-h/IMG_90754.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9075" border="0" alt="IMG_9075" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WnvZ9zVJdDc/UHidtSNBhfI/AAAAAAAADrE/vUfy32t8ZeA/IMG_9075_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jiq7fsluVUE/UHidutE-vfI/AAAAAAAADrM/aAR7NF0omVE/s1600-h/IMG_90864.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9086" border="0" alt="IMG_9086" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UNIVD1qD20k/UHidvdhwGpI/AAAAAAAADrU/o7Z3dYARr6A/IMG_9086_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cHEk4FOQHdc/UHidwdBm_sI/AAAAAAAADrc/d6llU-V_0Xk/s1600-h/IMG_90934.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9093" border="0" alt="IMG_9093" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-chwNdPw5RzQ/UHidxHoeC2I/AAAAAAAADrk/sJd33nnluP8/IMG_9093_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aEezwS6R3gQ/UHidyC7a92I/AAAAAAAADrs/JlA3EZ58rbo/s1600-h/IMG_90984.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9098" border="0" alt="IMG_9098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdCAkTwQpryrgVlz3u2cpz1xgXZ35B9wiZ5tARE620ysf96gyu7Ozcay1V_tIszza5iMxCrtevo6o3TAz7XZdDq8SoKkse3ncyji2RQA36j47lFLdyc2GvUJTLm4nEhEskapXdPCD8OZt/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oT-mGqLHnZE/UHidzlWIYTI/AAAAAAAADr8/MbgVTYbliuY/s1600-h/IMG_91064.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9106" border="0" alt="IMG_9106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqV-i5deYdE3WpOa3aCRCiroRvk0bAegdJKclkDTemTx5LRH9dFYxpSDuQq_c11EmE78vawWhF9yBSvyZBzZcOQcXVM0EZ3Q3TYkjd7yKW4JuuvAFluVb3CMHUkFf7jMjJpHhT0wTEpnAz/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JFaYLRZMiMQ/UHid1epx_sI/AAAAAAAADsM/56UOFxPBZrE/s1600-h/IMG_91134.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9113" border="0" alt="IMG_9113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7MLTLSfiejBpyucZywBxYxz4vwGyYUMYiz5ALsm-ugHfVy4eJvDjaTABMTp-cvU6pnrUHwgxTJdcYWdSD4RgN5VConM3cjZl7B18oVvLePnB1xGIM26yDKBlN41kxiuDKkrdLL2ZhP-7/?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pqWqPXvKjfM/UHid3OqqaiI/AAAAAAAADsc/aaLSAW8Ijpo/s1600-h/DSCN48854.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4885" border="0" alt="DSCN4885" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aczuX5qjPZo/UHid3kbGhmI/AAAAAAAADsk/y2sOBQG3WlY/DSCN4885_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a></p> <p align="center">My favorite part of these reunions is cousin bonding time. Hannah and Jackson so rarely get to see their Snow cousins. I loved seeing how cute Hannah’s older cousins were with her. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_shgeilX51g/UHid4Y8447I/AAAAAAAADss/sE7bKocWuLc/s1600-h/DSCN49266.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4926" border="0" alt="DSCN4926" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-In-RrB-7zBE/UHid5K9VMCI/AAAAAAAADs0/ULDU8u5g11Y/DSCN4926_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mr8ChF86GWQ/UHid51jzHGI/AAAAAAAADs8/XEx3_Dz-VSg/s1600-h/IMG_88834.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8883" border="0" alt="IMG_8883" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HhmZrrhwkXI/UHid66fSfXI/AAAAAAAADtE/riwAw_-OxuM/IMG_8883_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5Urc29wJlU-CkNIvyLF8HWLsUP-QiYISOdgBCCHs6sV2_lm3KMXljweqF_lvTYuvMCu-zDt2JEA9XM4QOuj0sYirStphbXQyJF9JobIXPn-AHNX1qTaYvcvIX7DSFI4H1TSZE5hcBLHc/s1600-h/IMG_88854.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8885" border="0" alt="IMG_8885" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ttkcTxX24Zo/UHid8VeDbdI/AAAAAAAADtU/sfn_sP4KARM/IMG_8885_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncaFV8Jws9zS1UuGMewKtdOBodfa-HlN5QFPdbWpADcGFWpI35o-QMD12VqhPzSf_vWcZMlUWUuwc-aXArVvuf5tHnFBMS8JjpDWSdBy0NMqbDz-1BEnkK9ho7VyvK7EkxhLl9XmZZNRd/s1600-h/IMG_89114.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8911" border="0" alt="IMG_8911" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FPPBa-cIwe4/UHid-NYMcNI/AAAAAAAADtk/2li070ywl3o/IMG_8911_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DxZBjE3H8Ms/UHid_eQXKFI/AAAAAAAADts/pufzECtvza0/s1600-h/IMG_89374.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8937" border="0" alt="IMG_8937" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dtSKzRY8Ujo/UHieANiSPKI/AAAAAAAADt0/mcD3Fd6xNkE/IMG_8937_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gnB3dBlhwBQ/UHieBHMdMhI/AAAAAAAADt8/6S0RezvMSLM/s1600-h/IMG_89394.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8939" border="0" alt="IMG_8939" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ItDy_EA3Cl4/UHieBzjhTBI/AAAAAAAADuE/V6NXtVYZE5Y/IMG_8939_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AR9qCgARePU/UHieCjcYHII/AAAAAAAADuM/VGK6xZvDbX8/s1600-h/IMG_89424.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8942" border="0" alt="IMG_8942" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nyi_LsSMb_Q/UHieDcu9NBI/AAAAAAAADuU/-ZvpP_34wyw/IMG_8942_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-99ryfEdkWAI/UHieEOnZJ1I/AAAAAAAADuc/swaEcAArmBM/s1600-h/IMG_90274.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9027" border="0" alt="IMG_9027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T5vPVUPgFQU/UHieEmKrCiI/AAAAAAAADuk/i1a9tO5bWdI/IMG_9027_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURfSAj5Uk7E6cWi2Z998i2HZdFGSNysbrYPg6aPwe4ag-LEFSbmb-rFk8y_htnSEvP60z9Pgs2VSRo94b-kdc4PixT_eqixnqsKadk444ZkyvOwtDOb3rZ9oFBoEs6DbnkyclmsywUvWO/s1600-h/IMG_89444.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8944" border="0" alt="IMG_8944" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kppdNIeymx4/UHieGd3qcgI/AAAAAAAADu0/WHhubNcqgPE/IMG_8944_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ogy9JE20Xco/UHieH2lItNI/AAAAAAAADu8/YCfOjcvcRSg/s1600-h/IMG_89734.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8973" border="0" alt="IMG_8973" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CitXu-6lSBw/UHieItNayfI/AAAAAAAADvE/-xnCbrabRK8/IMG_8973_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyU5I2tcQhbHgQvg-jraOuX8kAsyWvEWt8r_PWfrCan-G8PFZwzr7dEr5OURuwlt9FNOE5EE58W582EROyThkP_1pqf35x_U0ukKT8n6I8uI25iVyS76bAyK9-sMN4-oORE9rj60LsB9F/s1600-h/IMG_91454.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9145" border="0" alt="IMG_9145" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fz9MJc0OgII/UHieKfRYvqI/AAAAAAAADvU/H_WZuz6h9tM/IMG_9145_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center">We are so lucky to have such a great, big family. Wish we got to see them more.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kOl3B36hjYs/UHieLRjEaEI/AAAAAAAADvc/JQQ-RIm9sa8/s1600-h/IMG_91314.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9131" border="0" alt="IMG_9131" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2uisAlAP0rY/UHieMAYAYRI/AAAAAAAADvk/hBeBEfO-S84/IMG_9131_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center">On our way home, we decided to take a little bit more time. We stopped in Kolby Kansas where I left my wallet at the motel. The next day we visited a children’s museum in Denver. A perfect activity for Hannah.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wpZ1NgF-sYYVAS3_HlXUtMkDCjN2d3jj6_XiCWKSLaGk2Ix7uHMg7HTJU5bJhQ-KeXLPshQPSnj4Axc7W7cvB_f8RnXHBIq3D8LW_w6H0JatFRwJusN0z6yj7cc_Bfk8PNV5QqKtXeB_/s1600-h/IMG_91945.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9194" border="0" alt="IMG_9194" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uK66VKynFdo/UHieN1v6jlI/AAAAAAAADv0/k_rtET632d0/IMG_9194_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="367"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l0MhNh71154/UHieOg7GqXI/AAAAAAAADv8/OGr4r_-o1qg/s1600-h/IMG_91985.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9198" border="0" alt="IMG_9198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx20bH57iTrgUaOcPY2H3k70Xdeem_EVIr5-2WFdNGb4cQHsxVcvzN5O11P3y2HhNA2Vo-Gzmk-mW_TFeayKMHxO2oxzCYbyoXYeVXfSM0N06KMQZOGIe342DeQCe52PPg4zzMCy_oS7ot/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEJaAu9O9S3g1vPzIN3GdfcMtdfGZpmiHvXmH454kSsSPjHjZjRepwF2l0TYPwDYHzi7m4eiXPhV1RTWoBmcfp6TWA3U0a5cB64CTESpfBKa8hg9QFSnJ2q628wkOWrgHk1sHw9QlfonT/s1600-h/IMG_92084.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9208" border="0" alt="IMG_9208" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7G3ypXwsWKw/UHieQumRfYI/AAAAAAAADwU/JJwNZTZybdk/IMG_9208_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6c8C_qKzRgM/UHieRZCTdnI/AAAAAAAADwc/FX-GBw2LJGY/s1600-h/IMG_92094.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; 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padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9225" border="0" alt="IMG_9225" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-95TKOrYAAOQ/UHieUmTe4RI/AAAAAAAADxE/SkDFc9KC_XQ/IMG_9225_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ImkXofOm2r4/UHieVTrmJUI/AAAAAAAADxM/iPW-5s_l_p8/s1600-h/IMG_92354.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9235" border="0" alt="IMG_9235" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2lV1cBjn8e4/UHieV-LAksI/AAAAAAAADxU/WZ5dWBu2i_E/IMG_9235_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nHc1_jL5kMw/UHieXBZEEMI/AAAAAAAADxc/ZeEMKag2_Xw/s1600-h/IMG_92374.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9237" border="0" alt="IMG_9237" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Au9Bc2k7zys/UHieY5zeayI/AAAAAAAADxk/rdAYCFfMJqA/IMG_9237_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2n1g1dtm5bR8-TktWrtjMqiZKnmDcBDZyU2bLxXUUKThSl0LSpHicnyBdGALMd3qnMbrct04z7kJRCWpfzSk_hClkvidDBfQ-S9Ik_Fk2rYVJVMohmsgJe9IwrP0AWg831a1R4brTOYF/s1600-h/IMG_92434.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9243" border="0" alt="IMG_9243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHrwIaE8uJupJC2MUE5hvzwUbIABZYYrxE8E1qOgcUfa8IvkTJ8qdi5BNo_kn_gejOXYCUWeGzOpTwlsC6VukF61m2i9RzdMxzL5W6gxJhJUXHfTOEurAIiyx6AxsAAbQ6osr0WYEzAOY/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JkN8wpsNB44/UHiebPEDTCI/AAAAAAAADx8/LYlpNZ2fxCM/s1600-h/IMG_92494.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9249" border="0" alt="IMG_9249" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cfqaam67PoI/UHieb5jE2HI/AAAAAAAADyE/sHdnlKU2t6o/IMG_9249_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--TqOz6JZwXU/UHiecmLGdSI/AAAAAAAADyM/lMW8OTvvvMQ/s1600-h/IMG_92524.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9252" border="0" alt="IMG_9252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBRYWWJo-0FWcRgnwZk6BmaJXa-Ux5eFJAAnX36ASWQqHpF8VgDBDfnJmMavh1G3mr33PTdsXowRs8SNU5qRuDoNHd0WrSAqbKfzQssPJdGX9i5wtBeV-K4R_mUiYPyi3-eN3vnrEVBLI/?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j_qIl_tdVdU/UHied69Fn7I/AAAAAAAADyc/SN19NxgziYg/s1600-h/IMG_92594.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9259" border="0" alt="IMG_9259" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DE9hWlM2QyA/UHieegjnxEI/AAAAAAAADyk/1wKGQHF949w/IMG_9259_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mW6YclijYAI/UHiefUoWbbI/AAAAAAAADys/yuefu96wpLs/s1600-h/IMG_92624.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9262" border="0" alt="IMG_9262" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TbJzb7mQXN8/UHiegNjxtxI/AAAAAAAADy0/TihypAioF8I/IMG_9262_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jc1obd5pY4w/UHiehP8hzFI/AAAAAAAADy8/9BJLu7VKfCQ/s1600-h/IMG_92664.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9266" border="0" alt="IMG_9266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PBtDP9UB1vc/UHieiPbSCPI/AAAAAAAADzE/9LuK6ikJ-ao/IMG_9266_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="371"></a></p> <p align="center">And then the whole thing was capped with one more fun night in a motel.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y5cR_mq8VqE/UHiei28JN6I/AAAAAAAADzM/KpjDNdpwQyc/s1600-h/IMG_92824.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9282" border="0" alt="IMG_9282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwIclUFZbjxWy82YtqXLwtFprFLNNTbdPAzJCbGELXl9WL5ozNFXgklRDJmHHa33T-e1GWIMz27j3kpmrCVPH1TQznOzjaVZ-1n37nVa65v4ogpnDNBQ8SA4cJziBznnXCpteLr2zIw4f/?imgmax=800" width="454" height="679"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-8033524423828032622012-08-14T09:36:00.001-07:002012-10-12T15:40:17.855-07:00When did she get so big?So I have an entire summer’s worth's of posts to catch up on…Hannah’s big girl room and Jackson’s nursery, Tom’s wedding, Lisa’s Wedding, all the fun family time in between, the Snow family reunion and the Weiler family reunion. However, all that stuff seems so overwhelming. Maybe someday I’ll get to it all. This post however seemed manageable.<br />
<br />
When did Hannah grow up? Obviously she’s been learning new words and skills slowly over the past 2 years, but in the last week I feel like we’ve hit 2 HUGE milestones in her little life that graduate her from toddler to big girl. It is so fun for me to watch this transformation so obviously take place but at the same time I want to freeze time and continue to enjoy Hannah right now because I don’t know if I’m ready for her to be such a big, *independent (kind of) girl.<br />
<br />
Last Thursday, Jonathan and I decided that maybe it was time to potty train Hannah. We didn’t necessarily desire to do this nor were we ready but she was showing signs of being ready. I won’t go into all the details but basically she knew when she had business to do and was starting to request using the bathroom. I was still hesitant because she had never requested a trip to the bathroom for #1. We decided we would start Saturday, when Jonathan would be around to help. Well, Friday morning she asked to go to the bathroom 4 times – each time was productive and her diaper didn’t get wet or messy the whole morning. Before her nap we went to get pull-ups, treats, underwear, and a “big” prize. I started officially potty training her after nap.<br />
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Hannah has always been pretty easy (and now with Jackson we are really appreciating how easy she was). She’s never liked “<a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-snowand-other-things.html">yuckies</a>” and I figured potty training her would be easy, but I didn’t think it would be this easy. She’s doing AWESOME. It’s now been 3 ½ days and she has only had 1 accident (which was my fault – she told me she needed to go, she ran to the bathroom and was waiting for me to get there and couldn’t wait any longer). Not only is she comfortable going at home, but she’s gone at Café Rio, Walmart, my parent’s, church, and her Aunt’s house. I put her in a pull-up when we when out on errands on Saturday and to church on Sunday, but it stayed dry the whole time. She tells me when she needs to go and I don’t remind her anymore. She’s super motivated by the skittles and the Rapunzel doll (which she’ll get when she fills up her chart)…but that is actually starting to fizzle and I have to remind her that we get to put a sticker on the chart. Don’t get me wrong – I’m so grateful this has been so easy, but part of me feels like last week I had a baby in diapers, and this week she’s running around in Rapunzel underwear. Where did my baby go?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't worry - it's not a video of her going to the bathroom</div>
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Then, on top of that – all the sudden Hannah has friends. She’s always had nursery friends, and cousin friends, and random kids at the grocery store that are “friends” but now she has real friends that come over and play. I’ve set up play dates before, but that’s different. That’s an arranged time where I’m babysitting another kid or she’s being babysat and we call it a play date.<br />
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It started about a week ago. There is a neighbor girl that lives 2 houses down and is 2 years older than Hannah. She’s always playing outside and has started coming over and asking if Hannah could play. Well yesterday, she rang the doorbell and asked to play. She and Hannah set up a blanket outside and played with babies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLHox0KpNXW4NcTqMxzvpUEnbJGxaWk8RgE3iqujydUqxVMJB8fsk71b4dG2HzNZaQrlyVTZgDe00ztwMgDzNBadBwrTJjhtnLOtCmUIauKOJ-a_T5zh6m8aC2QQrDkoSZ7Js3v_Q6Z0h/s1600-h/IMG_9633%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9633" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ElV_cZPPHdU/UCp-ZVWBZQI/AAAAAAAADfs/w4U--slSYdA/IMG_9633_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9633" width="620" /></a> <br />
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I then fed them lunch. Hannah did everything Addie did. She wanted a pink plate like Addie, 5 carrots (which she ate – that’s NEVER happens) with ranch dip and spun her fork on the table like Addie. While Hannah was napping Addie came over 3 more times wanting to play. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYZLs3rQfsAyTalHgmRo_EqGSG544pdUI9FPECux1Gr92LmYUldU1E4E4vLnTDoAA2SltzorZXy2K5svZt6Cz81OGzeeCxxdb1_sb57K_0551q1Yxl0OYzBJDsf5U1GQNii8WqaHwhxzs/s1600-h/IMG_9628%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9628" border="0" height="387" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xhj16Gftpwc/UCp-ajXnxmI/AAAAAAAADf8/HxvZE73vEcE/IMG_9628_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9628" width="570" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMayFuQQTE8KIvmlFPcNu4u1XMzB5o9GABAVccpbFngBgQQDKF_c1iaOwre9SzNLCaQLdl6LsQIInJf-7fmWzfFnpWMenmvsQ-J2ZWmi_QyGFWjymi96UjCgu6hc3zq0rhsu1ug9oEcgj/s1600-h/IMG_9631%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9631" border="0" height="569" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BeL-vQ5-3-k/UCp-b5VhwjI/AAAAAAAADgM/3bApnd7HlGc/IMG_9631_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9631" width="457" /></a> <br />
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After her nap, not only did Addie come over but so did 4 other kids – all older than Hannah which I think it a little weird. She spent the whole day playing with friends. A few days ago I was upstairs feeding Jackson and before I knew it there were 3 kids over helping themselves to drinks and fruit snacks. When did my baby grow up and start running around with friends and wearing underwear?<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*The down side to all of this is it takes Hannah a while to warm up to the idea of playing. When kids ring to doorbell to see if she can play, she always wants to but she wants me to go with her. She can’t ride a bike (she’s close to riding her tricycle by herself). Other kids are willing to push her on her trike but she wants “just mommy”. She wants me to hold her and it takes about 20 minutes for her to warm up. I’m hoping this will get better the more she plays with these kids. And let’s be honest, I really can’t send my 2 year old outside to “play” and have a 4 year old with a short attention span be her only supervision. Also, when the friends leave or it’s time to come inside, she MELTS. She doesn’t understand the concept of “later” or “tomorrow”.</i></span><br />
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<br />Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-39537167945700824082012-06-21T20:03:00.001-07:002012-06-21T20:03:07.365-07:00Jackson<p>It’s amazing how quickly time flies. I can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to doing an entire “Jackson” post yet…so here it is. I absolutely love Jackson – and while he’s only 2 months old and doesn’t really DO anything – he has already added so much to our family and I don’t remember life without him. He (for the most part) has been such a good baby and has the sweetest face. </p> <p align="center"><em>These pictures were taken at 2 days old.</em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6YSd8g1Ct98/T-PdTLnOsmI/AAAAAAAADSk/ijzd9glVVyw/s1600-h/000_3084-2%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="000_3084-2" border="0" alt="000_3084-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gtsgxyr2R-k/T-PdYMokpDI/AAAAAAAADSs/pGMJOmKfsQQ/000_3084-2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="624"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kwTokaX-35Q/T-PdgN7PPJI/AAAAAAAADS0/01Keru_0IRc/s1600-h/000_3085%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="000_3085" border="0" alt="000_3085" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEY3646qy6yFTsgIDrZGzx7hTEblzWaPGDR-z_LDrIBmOjuM56YmGRIscBcXglYrRLjAQzJ99Q9y6TaFnWTVw9KVABKL5qoe4i4eBExn_XZ9HRYK9VvUqmlyEBtHhGlIZsCrHak_Bfinfh/?imgmax=800" width="420" height="624"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pbXDL-aPc4U/T-PdqNoM6SI/AAAAAAAADTE/2yQYvzOJ-0s/s1600-h/000_3093%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="000_3093" border="0" alt="000_3093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fGmkwUsX2yU/T-PdulEbKwI/AAAAAAAADTM/gMP0_7uu3ag/000_3093_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="418"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ATnxucH7pPw/T-Pd3ZN6c4I/AAAAAAAADTU/RQsA9mAEEs8/s1600-h/000_3096%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="000_3096" border="0" alt="000_3096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXjHRa-a_c3lzN9TSGs0ASdEgBMtHHI7dENQpo2uvaVvYMg-cSM9Jgnw56p3ikZML9uTCKX2JK1_QPJ4dBusaKzpESqYz4pjqcPlJCuyjLrylcNmfaruLS3VNvmy-Hh9SSeEsQTTcrEGk/?imgmax=800" width="620" height="418"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D8yiYaBNyL0/T-PeBuS2o8I/AAAAAAAADTk/nyy4ACWGWYY/s1600-h/000_3106%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="000_3106" border="0" alt="000_3106" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JKo4D5MwNyo/T-PeE6VOs6I/AAAAAAAADTs/rP7rW7qvhZI/000_3106_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="418"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xopxdyCx2FU/T-PeLdPeF2I/AAAAAAAADT0/OlSgHBvtqN4/s1600-h/000_3132%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="000_3132" border="0" alt="000_3132" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cIRM1GpKPdU/T-PePTBfvnI/AAAAAAAADT8/14wa9dpoJF4/000_3132_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="418"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1-A2xi8Q1mw/T-PeWrMLxMI/AAAAAAAADUE/liQsWMfzUTg/s1600-h/000_3136%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="000_3136" border="0" alt="000_3136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6TExwRJYEby6rDn_K4XETIJguXPpKCABQbnAX6G6ofaJAdKrRECa4xgglHl21TMau4r7QM_tBxNWu2S_OZihOzc38CiXXCi3-fxpHdZ-OHEOCzb-JaXlJAYCvalPSc_IrYj0k9bgTLfL/?imgmax=800" width="620" height="418"></a></p> <p>He does a great job sleeping and his record (although only for one glorious night) was 10 hours. Usually he goes from about 8 PM to 3 AM, then wakes up again between 6 and 7. I don’t know what I would do without the SwaddleMe – he loves to be swaddled when he sleeps and even when he isn’t sleeping. Often he’ll be fussy so I’ll wrap him up and he’ll just look around for 30 minutes or so. While he does a good job sleeping at night, he struggles to sleep during the day. I think it’s because Hannah is so loud but when I put him in his crib he will only make it about 15 minutes before waking up. So, he usually naps in the swing or his chair.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MM3bVf3eyXs/T-Pee_aixFI/AAAAAAAADUU/3onhSEh7Big/s1600-h/IMG_8100%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8100" border="0" alt="IMG_8100" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OKbrJ4ygZz4/T-PehSVSQXI/AAAAAAAADUc/f2C9JXYzkSs/IMG_8100_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--6AiNb8y3QU/T-PelrExZeI/AAAAAAAADUk/F3LEP1vDnNk/s1600-h/IMG_8120%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8120" border="0" alt="IMG_8120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1XjK7ATTptCo8XGI1bpEO69iVYxaSUBHGbqAJUsvrhViIDHoY7H9i7NafPaZDHv7zuayYPJIQHANdGvew7ByANDndcCXquJbLOlhShwUuhdHZSF7cuKnLg4avyyyweFRPFfCzMAZDpzR/?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3sXbqSJO5GymvAL3yl6z-gxtSrGROfk_M_Mz6Hdrvy-a0_plURrM2mci6zc3kL6r-IO28pJWRxfttoJhboUPCcZo1G-xWkBokGS_C1hgHRsaM5W5D10Jx7bYTaFmPW87ghvOUEitIEhe/s1600-h/IMG_8275%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8275" border="0" alt="IMG_8275" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aO2xg1bTGzI/T-PevUZTdLI/AAAAAAAADU8/6QkMlI_qvqI/IMG_8275_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3updGrPsPmDNEaA6UfhcNUPYRnzIetsaSuqrCufJhzbl-pUK-rdU4tykVjeI7HHKTleHTbq_rdbay6Hqc2zGopFN0tbrwqBmyw7MTcoBEEK6jvGQCIyfbP1nY2-XqP-2yrB0ZkVjlK1S5/s1600-h/IMG_8295%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8295" border="0" alt="IMG_8295" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Eh2mfiVxedc/T-Pe2FD_fUI/AAAAAAAADVM/xkzHXgKUyRY/IMG_8295_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TctJSHa4YVA/T-Pe8uTnZmI/AAAAAAAADVU/RNkRjDy4jGE/s1600-h/IMG_8500%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8500" border="0" alt="IMG_8500" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V5O6o259ZE0/T-PfAeSwcwI/AAAAAAAADVc/KSKi7mfLfL0/IMG_8500_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="420"></a></p> <p>Jackson loves bath time and doesn’t ever cry during his baths. However, when I pick him up and wrap him in a towel he cries. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FvJpKaPU3Nc/T-PfF9w0MiI/AAAAAAAADVk/-cG8B-YKP7A/s1600-h/IMG_8085%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8085" border="0" alt="IMG_8085" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AHPPg00YQBQ/T-PfIyIS7UI/AAAAAAAADVs/GdxknEI7xWg/IMG_8085_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="420"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KIjM8DjzO6c/T-PfM56waCI/AAAAAAAADV0/RxEowfIvzHg/s1600-h/IMG_8087%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8087" border="0" alt="IMG_8087" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3YW_U_WCKuA/T-PfPrktzRI/AAAAAAAADV8/A95NICv7dtk/IMG_8087_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PI9bxLJI54I/T-PfTsfCFbI/AAAAAAAADWE/nIpvLb_Sxb0/s1600-h/IMG_8088%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8088" border="0" alt="IMG_8088" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgxeoZ938tnOY__rdX0iXNXaHlYqMOBTBVQHrhUFMSGyYbDroLlnkESGpiqxL1pPNbHak6RjIUIZtD3bF0fcawMnBkKc7aoHDtdqbvODY5QJMKjIQAMCaYyIYYEQKmki8gby0Yovp9bnF/?imgmax=800" width="420" height="595"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n4N7xaQcF14/T-PfancPfNI/AAAAAAAADWU/hn4nOL8J1Ow/s1600-h/IMG_8095%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8095" border="0" alt="IMG_8095" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E118dpfTTdk/T-PfdMrJN-I/AAAAAAAADWc/9ErlydfWPG4/IMG_8095_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="420"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lsRPDknMP30/T-Pfgj4KstI/AAAAAAAADWk/R06f0IXITM8/s1600-h/IMG_8097%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8097" border="0" alt="IMG_8097" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d0kBKC_pDoc/T-PfkOSNsyI/AAAAAAAADWs/dNqiMre83ME/IMG_8097_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="675"></a></p> <p>I love watching Hannah interact with Jackson. She takes such good care of him (when she’s not throwing balls at his head). She always wants to know where Jackson is and what he’s doing. She’ll get right in his face and in baby talk say “Hi, Jackson. Hi Buddy. Whatca doing? I luuuv you. You’re so cute.” She likes to stroke his hair and give him kisses. If he’s ever on his play mat, Hannah makes sure she has pulled on the frog’s legs to make the music start then she’ll lay down next to him and talk to him like she’s explaining it to him. If he’s sad in the car she’ll say, “It’s OK Jackson, Don’t cry. We’re almost home. Why you so sad?” She’s also quick to introduce him to everyone she meets.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2nQ9gJfTSmE/T-PfoEkSRDI/AAAAAAAADW0/4CdPA4P5Ov0/s1600-h/IMG_8123%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8123" border="0" alt="IMG_8123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Avf5tNJqyRDBzJwpHhdDKXf7EHxVKVN4CsJZQmxiVdXrPfasWDAsYLtaj3BtBijZDyrHC1wmhqRMoTHsVegQKINNP-oLcVwZNi7d3z7JfCFd-CVmAz4O_Ez3xmn1g-fvxTjqzuK5phWr/?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MS4lhJ-ebh9s8URCom6qyK-77lKAbxnj6ARLXfzSrVEdxcWq-iuNBvm0QDPODyir9bVphyphenhyphenM20bqzVU4_EsuMiIUIBN6pxwME3b2S4UQalEYACvRjgTAvpBiu-xcNbalIR1O_t5mJkun1/s1600-h/IMG_8161%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8161" border="0" alt="IMG_8161" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ULKPyK0Cck8/T-Pfx7KXgQI/AAAAAAAADXM/JBor3V6pjPo/IMG_8161_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="420"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NUKXxiVZ1vE/T-Pf6-4I35I/AAAAAAAADXU/r01Gshib_Wk/s1600-h/IMG_8241%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8241" border="0" alt="IMG_8241" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v3azBQI7KeM/T-Pf-3QvbjI/AAAAAAAADXc/nHPArB54pgo/IMG_8241_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="420"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VPsM54dHWuA/T-PgDCpb7AI/AAAAAAAADXk/7jV1Zf-78JI/s1600-h/IMG_8244%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8244" border="0" alt="IMG_8244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R_EaFobEvWk/T-PgG3gQdAI/AAAAAAAADXs/A2uKtxllaVE/IMG_8244_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8YPCcKah_TI/T-PgL-DORxI/AAAAAAAADX0/RP_lUfECaYM/s1600-h/IMG_8129%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8129" border="0" alt="IMG_8129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMYV6oBTxo-8717HmwWyvTB2hZoe6GgHuAKxW300TUP32EyfoHktJ7jWAEWb_O7zK_h285tjX8m1bQBxDltd9VC3Ay713pA1Re9MQzK1zxpAivjduiGWelFNW8Bx4es9tzCZOEx5BXGm3/?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">We love having Jackson as part of our little family and we feel so blessed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qnbiTP0RXDk/T-PgWyN6FhI/AAAAAAAADYE/HJzad01xx1M/s1600-h/Family%252520Pic%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Family Pic" border="0" alt="Family Pic" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLY_2qZX_0fO4luyOvpAP_CoLz4O5VtS248jpTBlBF-InctJZf5G3THqh_6NFdtHsE_PXZV0AZGKqIB5n7_b799Ce7oG-TcMqz8o6KaAxlikg5UsZd63HegNf6hec6dT9rJ0Qn5QwZYHA/?imgmax=800" width="620" height="420"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-85587436848129161272012-04-27T15:26:00.001-07:002012-04-27T15:26:48.940-07:00Bringing Baby Home<p>Jackson has been home for just over a week now and I must say he is an absolute delight. I know, he’s still in his super sleepy stage, but he has been so easy so far. He’s a good eater, doing pretty well at night already (going 4-5 hours) and most importantly, puts up with his adoring big sister.</p> <p>I knew Hannah would like having a baby around. She’s been talking about it for weeks. In fact, the week leading up to his arrival, anytime the doorbell rang she thought it was the baby coming to our house. Unfortunately, it’s not THAT easy. </p> <p>She first met him in the hospital. She spotted him as soon as she came in the room. She climbed on the bed with us and mostly just pointed and said, “Baby”. She gave him kisses and giggled at the faces he was making. After a few minutes she became more interested in the peanut butter sandwich my mom brought for her and the ice cream I had on my lunch tray. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PJMZWtzCrKU/T5sZjnw81SI/AAAAAAAAC7A/fNNMCAOj3PU/s1600-h/IMG_7852%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7852" border="0" alt="IMG_7852" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_oSyUcSpVDg/T5sZoFEUl3I/AAAAAAAAC7I/qJOR5eRUGSI/IMG_7852_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="540" height="451"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_gEuuZ0yN0E/T5sZt8vaMAI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/PsMB1F0LEfI/s1600-h/IMG_7854%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7854" border="0" alt="IMG_7854" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cklcb67JmDzVDQkUGV4MVqdOCks-4xo8cli1piSTJYY5e9xZfvVDJcaglWA9mB0FbMp0seqTLtaPkJNzBM7T_szSsvOjK7p-4vMew5VdEkwxpar6r1jHhkEA5w_KrR0L5LuFWITsrrkc/?imgmax=800" width="517" height="471"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b-5uKinXlPM/T5sZ385eh3I/AAAAAAAAC7g/3uQ6ldWkRPQ/s1600-h/IMG_7860%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7860" border="0" alt="IMG_7860" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fi7Hk2U2T_c/T5sZ7DdebbI/AAAAAAAAC7o/Ws0j4giJLWE/IMG_7860_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404"></a></p> <p align="center">His head looks broken….I know. Good thing babies are so flexible.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UX2fVqjauhM/T5sZ_weF_fI/AAAAAAAAC7w/8-tMos02J6A/s1600-h/IMG_7865%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7865" border="0" alt="IMG_7865" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ttYwCwI65es/T5saCQIG1jI/AAAAAAAAC74/ccWuUH325b8/IMG_7865_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k9UcldCoZeI/T5saFy9fMDI/AAAAAAAAC8A/CevJ8bA-vdk/s1600-h/IMG_7870%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7870" border="0" alt="IMG_7870" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zhTc8tPZZ1Y/T5saIxVBnpI/AAAAAAAAC8I/2neF7mIcuks/IMG_7870_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a></p> <p>After a little while, my dad told Hannah they were going to go to McDonald’s. Hannah was just as excited about that as meeting her new brother. She said, “Bye Momma, bye Dadda, bye Jackson” and left.</p> <p>A few days later when we came home from the hospital Hannah got to see Jackson on her turf. Her response to him being in our house was adorable. My dad brought her back to our house and right away she ran in and found the baby. She climbed up on a chair so she could get a better look. Then, she took my dad upstairs and a few minutes later they returned with a stroller full of Hannah’s favorite stuffed animals. She introduced Jackson to each of them as she laid them on top of him. Can you spot the real baby?</p> <p align="left"><em><font size="2">(Please excuse the next several pictures of Hannah. My dad was her primary caregiver at this time so she kind of looks like an orphan.)</font></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3Ui1hl4FLIA/T5saNGaNyYI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/TSrWLcIL964/s1600-h/IMG_7905%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7905" border="0" alt="IMG_7905" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1lowEisp6rw/T5saUIxR_sI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/M_flm1_lvIE/IMG_7905_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404"></a></p> <p>She wanted to hold him right away. She thinks she can pick him up and carry him so we have to watch her closely. She’s finally learning that only Mom and Dad get to walk with him but Hannah can hold him on the couch.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nAHrop0Yh30/T5saa_z6nlI/AAAAAAAAC8g/SYxCLVCHm8k/s1600-h/IMG_7912%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7912" border="0" alt="IMG_7912" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AxOh29sl2Qw/T5saeoaATqI/AAAAAAAAC8o/UVJDdIq_Poc/IMG_7912_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="484"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qLv9WpochL0/T5san7NAeGI/AAAAAAAAC8w/MRNs3Ike0yU/s1600-h/IMG_7915%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7915" border="0" alt="IMG_7915" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hp-1m7hffWA/T5sau-vjLpI/AAAAAAAAC84/rtkQlmLOjT0/IMG_7915_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a></p> <p>Next she wanted to put him in the swing. We’ve had the swing out for a little while now and we kept telling Hannah it was for the baby so she was ready for the baby to be in it. First she wanted to push him in the swing…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ackUSRlh_b4/T5sa0lkYJjI/AAAAAAAAC9A/c4eURsyseSo/s1600-h/IMG_7923%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7923" border="0" alt="IMG_7923" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cqtf72isJ5c/T5sa5Lk1AzI/AAAAAAAAC9I/SlzWBWHRlRI/IMG_7923_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a></p> <p align="center">And then she wanted to give him toys to help keep him company.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OQ4XfcSSCpI/T5sbCXzAHUI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/TJE33QRTDo0/s1600-h/IMG_7926%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7926" border="0" alt="IMG_7926" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcB4WpqT9jDziJUdjvgWMy_bmvUl_ckzODiWB-6RFP9N_9S7QLyX9uBFFeC9cE02l92Fmd6MhU7_cT7SoT2fQWcAMJmRrs3YSLdN6Q-9F71TXCQu2uuBrI2TRYx7wtdPiUmzjsI5cL-hQp/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404"></a></p> <p align="center">Good thing he’s so sleepy and doesn’t even notice.</p> <p align="left">Hannah loves this little guy and loves to show him off. We’ve had a few visitors since we’ve been home and she runs to show them Baby Jackson.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <blockquote> <p align="center">Great Grandma Jean My Aunt Chris<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WRQOdCElpKY/T5sbc7mAN6I/AAAAAAAAC9g/dHuDJlC21jY/s1600-h/IMG_7927%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7927" border="0" alt="IMG_7927" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-14TFJL1g6X8/T5sbiUm_sZI/AAAAAAAAC9o/EEHsMSuF568/IMG_7927_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="257"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OTz4cvOG1YI/T5sbvLtEqsI/AAAAAAAAC9w/utRHwlBJPHs/s1600-h/IMG_7929%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7929" border="0" alt="IMG_7929" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8rTxiVnOg-g/T5sb0BYwtQI/AAAAAAAAC94/AqYKXQXb_NE/IMG_7929_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="256"></a></p></blockquote> <p align="center">Great Grandpa Queed<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QZ4Tz9F4xf4/T5sb-rxOl4I/AAAAAAAAC-A/IDQYj6gpOCw/s1600-h/IMG_7932%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7932" border="0" alt="IMG_7932" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e7HP15j1C0akujyd29llF9Zm8hdllnYo8MlxodKhcCTw9QY4W_KqCQlUkS_Pt6GA5Sb_Wz25kqBmZ66eDDb5FWF9zhdCLKMVra4sCD9V3upt8KG01Kd_X3EpGIlQGTTY5ggWsLMqgNlg/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="422"></a></p> <p align="center">Aunt Cherilyn Cousin Kendra</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LiJu_C2JXZs/T5scMYw8O6I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/cBsKRlCjvrA/s1600-h/IMG_8073%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8073" border="0" alt="IMG_8073" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-niBzJeAlzjg/T5scVKJLKrI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/cevB8mvOpr4/IMG_8073_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="258"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fuLlP9EsBtM/T5scfmkva3I/AAAAAAAAC-g/tjzzvicV9Co/s1600-h/IMG_8074%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8074" border="0" alt="IMG_8074" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RpsNIinQBjg/T5sck6qZc0I/AAAAAAAAC-o/qtyZQP2ndy0/IMG_8074_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="258"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">Every night Hannah wants to give Jackson a kiss good night. She’ll check on him to see if his eyes are open or closed. She’ll rub his hair and give him hugs. She laughs when he makes funny faces, “talks” or blows bubbles. She likes to have him hold on to her finger. She is always wanting to help regardless of what I’m doing with him. She knows he has a “yucky” on his tummy (umbilical cord) and has to be soft. I’m so proud of her for how she’s responding to Jackson even though he’s taking up more of my time and therefore taking attention away from her. She has yet to show any jealously though towards him. For now, she just loves to love him and LOVE him she does.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hDxnL5PxLjE/T5scs74MzTI/AAAAAAAAC-w/gfrqp8fryYA/IMG_8080%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8080" border="0" alt="IMG_8080" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NIiBLOAXLW8/T5sc3sRLjtI/AAAAAAAAC-4/HspAMe2NkVI/IMG_8080_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T4EiUCoGkEA/T5sdBBWgq6I/AAAAAAAAC_A/qz-DsAJOVgY/s1600-h/IMG_8083%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8083" border="0" alt="IMG_8083" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5KMDlVJQr_s/T5sdIaEE5II/AAAAAAAAC_I/bZWJJ1IBMk0/IMG_8083_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-16535047453324757912012-04-26T22:21:00.001-07:002012-04-27T06:31:15.179-07:00Welcome JacksonMy due date was April 15, 2012. Hannah came 4 days early and I was half expecting this baby to also come early. I didn’t necessarily want him to come early though because my mom was going to be the one to watch Hannah and she was working a lot more than usual the week leading up to my due date. Also, my doctor, Dr. Ryan Jones, was out of town until the 16th. I knew it would be fine if a different doctor delivered, but I really liked Dr. Jones and wanted him to be the one to deliver. My mom’s ideal date was April 13th. In fact, she called me at 4:37 on Friday, April 13 and told me she was off work and I could go into labor now. I didn’t. When my due date came and went I was a little disappointed but it was OK.<br /> <br />April 16th - 9:00 AM - The hospital called and told me I was first in line to be induced the next morning. They said they would call sometime between 6:30 and 8:30 and I would be given a 45 minute heads up to get to the hospital. Most likely it would be around 9:00. I had mixed feelings about being induced. I loved the idea of having an “end” date. I loved knowing I could have my house clean, bags totally packed and hair done when we left for the hospital. I LOVED knowing that once I went to the hospital I wouldn’t be sent home and my doctor would for sure be there. I loved that I wouldn’t have to sit at home for who knows how long wondering if I should be heading to the hospital and if I should be making calls arranging a sitter for Hannah. I didn’t love the idea of getting the process started artificially. I feel like babies should come when they’re ready. Either way, I was ready enough to be done being pregnant so I didn’t turn down the opportunity to be induced.<br /><br />8:00 PM – My dad came down to get Hannah. Knowing I was to be induced as early at 7 am the next morning we decided it would be best for Hannah to already be at Grammy and Papa’s house.<br /><br />April 17th - 12:50 AM - I woke up to an AWFUL cramp in both my sides. It took a good 10 minutes of massaging for them to be completely gone. Then I had a hard time falling asleep. I laid in bed waiting for sleep to come but instead contractions came around 2:00. They were painful but bearable. I started timing them with the bedroom clock until about 3:30. They were about 8 minutes apart. At 3:30 I got out the computer and pulled up a contraction timer online. Jonathan woke up around this time. I could still talk through the contractions however walking hurt. They continued to be about 6 and 8 minutes apart.<br /><br />5:30 AM - I texted my mom and said, “I may not need to be induced. I’ve been having contractions since 2:00.” She immediately responded in all caps saying “GO TO THE HOSPITAL NOW!!! IT GOES FASTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND”. I didn’t feel like they were close enough together or painful enough to justify going to the hospital. I also wasn’t sure if I’d make it all the way to being induced around 9:00 though. Luckily, at 6:10 the hospital called, apologized for calling so early, but said they were ready for me and wanted to know if I could be there between 7 and 7:30. I said absolutely and I had already started having contractions so the timing was perfect. We gathered up our few loose ends, got ready and headed out.<br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mczTm7D9jcU/T5or-U0jn2I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/6crw5bHykRI/s1600-h/IMG_7774%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7774" border="0" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNjiIS2wnG-9yg9QH-xgQp6BTAa8PcFiPwOX9x9trWwjDy7BV19pnsx9OWUihoFqgxgAWsqeZJHBQkC3T3SCMZpBe6fOXLCyIAcYK4tsJjpa_41iyo6LL-xhyphenhyphenESbI4yMhEJsb0T-Sz6JO/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7774" width="404" /></a><br />
7:15 AM - We checked into the hospital. They were ready for us and we went straight to our room and I got changed. The nurse, Kelsey, started asking me all the questions and I got my IV going. At this point I was dilated to a 3. Kelsey told me I could either get my epidural now or around 9:15 because the anesthesiologist was going in for a c-section and wouldn’t be available until 9:15. I opted to get it right away. By 7:40 my legs were numb and I was no longer feeling any contractions. Around 7:50 Dr. Jones came in and broke my water. He said I was at a 5. My contractions had slowed down a little so they went ahead and gave me 4 mg of Pitocin. I guess you can get an amount anywhere from 4 mg to 20 mg so I got the lowest dose just to keep them coming. We continued to answer questions and sign papers, make phone calls, and eat jell-o. The time went by so quickly.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rBrenVJkS8U/T5osBRQ9w4I/AAAAAAAAC2g/ZfL-hz9k-AU/s1600-h/IMG_7778%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7778" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8OpISHZH-j8/T5osC9xp84I/AAAAAAAAC2o/Suwhrm_IUUE/IMG_7778_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7778" width="404" /></a><br /><br />9:40 AM - I could now feel pressure with each contraction. They didn’t hurt, but I could tell when I was having them.<br /><br />10:00 AM - Kelsey came in to check on me and I was now at a 10. It was go time. She called Dr. Jones and started prepping the room. A couple of other nurses also came in. Dr. Jones got there at 10:08. I started pushing at 10:11. I pushed 3 times (10 seconds each push) through the first contraction. We waited about 2 minutes for my next contraction. I pushed 3 times again. Everyone said I was close and I could tell I was close. I gave another 2 short pushes and he was born at 10:15. Total time pushing was 4 minutes. It was kind of a wonderful labor experience. <br />
Jackson weighed in at exactly 9 pounds. He was 20 inches long. Like we did with Hannah, we had all the weight guess on the board. Jonathan was closest – but we all guessed too small.<br /><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ltKyemExsmo/T5osEjWWqkI/AAAAAAAAC2w/NSIYbM8YgLg/s1600-h/IMG_7805%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7805" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lc4Eiu9UiwU/T5osFlpG2lI/AAAAAAAAC24/zQVzigaQG9s/IMG_7805_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7805" width="404" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xCcjsCmPUis/T5osJPFNeDI/AAAAAAAAC3A/IGMOsR4Pims/s1600-h/IMG_7781%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7781" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KowRn4LgyvY/T5osKmj3bTI/AAAAAAAAC3I/hu6B-F8u_vA/IMG_7781_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7781" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t9kGAixlN24/T5osNdgL-hI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/_CvM5v9TNZk/s1600-h/IMG_7801%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7801" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X7gwYP_n7yw/T5osOgLZ-BI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/q36XM9samNA/IMG_7801_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7801" width="604" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ySxtEqWI8pQ/T5osRqlGtTI/AAAAAAAAC3g/cdmjudH7uhA/s1600-h/IMG_7804%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7804" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wmuBYakN2x0/T5osS_Cu5lI/AAAAAAAAC3o/0dE9rwXbnOA/IMG_7804_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7804" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ds-RwnS2rlY/T5osUT1jyOI/AAAAAAAAC3w/GNC39NkKh1Q/s1600-h/5b%252520Hair%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="5b Hair" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDo0dVrA6VlyzRQZhwZxPLoWvR3OowZ4mILxS8H-5G6-JT-4xWQIHIJoHJ1kn_fMgU3nfAorE_KQ78hNpl4DaFEzmUVKmXVdMciFKCt5LtoK2-Fv1O5dQp1i8E_gMuFM3qn9HSPP6roF7G/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="5b Hair" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SufH6_XQuWQ/T5osXsqZynI/AAAAAAAAC4A/MhzLNxM5DKQ/s1600-h/IMG_7883%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7883" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ECCl_V0Dt1E/T5osY7SPT6I/AAAAAAAAC4I/aeI12moRChk/IMG_7883_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7883" width="604" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PUbBmQNI1Z0/T5osaioW06I/AAAAAAAAC4Q/xz7xaC6zZmk/s1600-h/3%252520After%252520bath%252520with%252520onesie%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="3 After bath with onesie" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KNSD0YmhXBE/T5osb-phWBI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/wTbWkaIz1PA/3%252520After%252520bath%252520with%252520onesie_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="3 After bath with onesie" width="604" /></a><br />We had lots of visitors in the hospital. Hannah and my parents came first. I was so excited for Hannah to finally meet Baby Jackson. Their meeting did not disappoint. She gave him hugs and kisses and was very interested in all of his features….for about 3 minutes. Pretty good for a 2 year old. Then the room and all the people in the room became more interesting. Once we got home she had an even cuter reaction to him – more on that in a later post.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8tVE6kxEVSU/T5oseUcQfdI/AAAAAAAAC4g/EnD5NboMVCM/s1600-h/4%252520Family%252520of%252520four%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="4 Family of four" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW8KBW1JSPh_sbLXU-c2VDMrNkgnfIHVnuHgi-7Qx9VahYIeGuTsNdcGBPAdFRZOR2S26JpX-Bo0vqWCSL-nABKKny3gG9OIcfzdaULC4hamZUerax7EtX9UiJmvyxNV5L23dI_E6nROS/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="4 Family of four" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YS443k8arvA/T5osi3P66VI/AAAAAAAAC4w/6bq7LqJuHEI/s1600-h/IMG_7851%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7851" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XBKqgkMq36Q/T5oskTTnavI/AAAAAAAAC44/XUYw3j0I7-c/IMG_7851_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7851" width="604" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XepBoINIvB4/T5osm4QbcgI/AAAAAAAAC5A/BVonyC5jiU8/s1600-h/IMG_7855%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7855" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1I1hmxdNvkom9K7gVVAyHX_NWXUSMa5GLeihCsdE2D7ZX8gRYmBD5MHqkAKajFplb7kbFnclvdBGTYAxkfTBxO9yW5bR9tk57DKEoYOzuhebSWs47Eq7sTj0N-C14uocUFqis7BdDJwZZ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7855" width="604" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jEf21WI50QE/T5osp-1Om3I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/ZALaZbrWtpQ/s1600-h/IMG_7864%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7864" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a51ixp6KrWE/T5osrDjS5xI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/5ysSHGLtP6o/IMG_7864_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7864" width="404" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FWE0TD1PrOE/T5ostnHsP-I/AAAAAAAAC5g/0da0XyzNyo8/s1600-h/IMG_7866%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7866" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SuqWzYQRyYA/T5osvPgV-rI/AAAAAAAAC5o/0e_GbbAdrqg/IMG_7866_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7866" width="604" /></a><br />
Tom and Carrie also came to visit. Lisa did too – but we didn’t take a picture.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ivD18t6xwhM/T5osxMsPEEI/AAAAAAAAC5w/CgN5P2nr_l0/s1600-h/IMG_7889%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7889" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3orq-UhmX1w/T5osyh4VNKI/AAAAAAAAC54/Vbp9WDuPD44/IMG_7889_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7889" width="404" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jimdr5V1VBk/T5os1ENjCHI/AAAAAAAAC6A/JyN7r7njP70/s1600-h/IMG_7898%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7898" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g4fJkVjWLaQ/T5os2ZyCCDI/AAAAAAAAC6I/9R4jd-6eU6s/IMG_7898_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7898" width="604" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IJ4T9ITUp_0/T5os4aaGokI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/Q_qs7BsA-js/s1600-h/IMG_7903%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7903" border="0" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUFAWS_yaC9WmXeBViY1rEgY5R7KvU0mKP9qXl5Y0kNlVBotG0P0cgbTrRqRFp2tprtanT6WkYRzoF6Y6ac19b9WdjrOcyPnoW1ncOWW7duhHmpG2K5rRGpzIdDjG1syFAuXGqQO_VMOl/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7903" width="404" /></a><br />
<div align="center">
Welcome to the world Jackson Jonathan!</div>
<div align="center">
April 17, 2012</div>
<div align="center">
9 pounds</div>
<div align="center">
20 inches </div>Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-21188811516151400582012-04-11T08:47:00.001-07:002012-04-11T08:47:24.798-07:00Easter<p>Hannah is getting to the age where holidays are pretty fun. She gets excited about the activities but doesn’t expect anything so she’s happy with everything. We started out the festivities by dying eggs. Of course, Hannah had no idea what that was, but when I told her on Friday we were going to color eggs she jumped off the couch, clenched up her fists next to her face and exclaimed, “I so excited!” We dressed her in one of my shirts and got to work. She helped drop the tablets in the vinegar. She also helped drop the eggs in, which was a little messy.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WPymX4ZSIjo/T4WmzPGNbCI/AAAAAAAACmw/xDxVogq5JKQ/s1600-h/IMG_76228.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7622" border="0" alt="IMG_7622" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P5z3jjgEZsM/T4WmzwykwwI/AAAAAAAACm4/mQroIVdJOR8/IMG_7622_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="681"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e0NkcgsGl3w/T4Wm08vaVJI/AAAAAAAACnA/sF6T6CYibHw/s1600-h/IMG_76337.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7633" border="0" alt="IMG_7633" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0igbXvGuygQ/T4Wm1o9GuqI/AAAAAAAACnI/xqGcdgh_Occ/IMG_7633_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FsMfZrZDaVQ/T4Wm2r7QyiI/AAAAAAAACnQ/xywPzBPXQuA/s1600-h/IMG_76367.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7636" border="0" alt="IMG_7636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Y8g8KO8fy1XmivB6qPSkbngicV1esVwuFSZFOf_h5rQkTZcvoGbGw2sCDciSevtGmo66EfPk5vbdv4-ntQMR0KoOo1P0HY8WVnYkVni2NuY-eNVBTf9TiQMR6x0k80MTXZasl1zinmSc/?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p> <p>It’s been awhile since I’ve dyed eggs and I forgot what a long process it is, and almost-2-year olds don’t have a lot of patience. Good thing we had stickers to entertain us while we were waiting.</p> <p>The next morning we went to the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. There was a roped off 3 and under section, but the difference between an almost 4 year old and Hannah is pretty big, especially when it comes to being aggressive. She only got 5 eggs, most of which I put in her basket. She didn’t care though. She was thrilled with each egg and didn’t know any differently.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0x9Kw7N1DXg/T4Wm5G2CspI/AAAAAAAACng/5PeO5NvhFgU/s1600-h/IMG_76456.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7645" border="0" alt="IMG_7645" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V1WuNfpEZnw/T4Wm6PFB71I/AAAAAAAACno/b-kUvOfGgp8/IMG_7645_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wFV2_3ekSKU/T4Wm8Byv0pI/AAAAAAAACnw/GX0M_EbUex8/s1600-h/IMG_76485.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7648" border="0" alt="IMG_7648" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FTSs2ASnPiE/T4Wm9bsCifI/AAAAAAAACn4/R9eaS8MvAtw/IMG_7648_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RTgHYpAFs-A/T4Wm-nqz6jI/AAAAAAAACoA/zJe69cDcF-k/s1600-h/IMG_76525.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7652" border="0" alt="IMG_7652" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LOnrXTz_iTs/T4Wm_oou_vI/AAAAAAAACoI/w_Ojr1Y5e0g/IMG_7652_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="681"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rVuhzzsiLJY/T4WnA5UrzcI/AAAAAAAACoQ/lxA2Jg-jLG4/s1600-h/IMG_76617.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7661" border="0" alt="IMG_7661" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9BUFBS2aaQE/T4WnBxaWUjI/AAAAAAAACoY/vw6tpwJV1MQ/IMG_7661_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"><br><br></a>Sunday morning was pretty laid back. Again, the beauty of a kid with zero expectations. Jonathan hid the colored eggs outside and Hannah set out on the hunt. It took a few eggs to understand what to do but then once she figured it out, she loved it (that being said, she needed a lot of help knowing where to look), but once she saw the egg, she’d run up to it and hold it up and say “EGG!” then drop it in her basket. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VNuizjvMjFQ/T4WnDNrL2nI/AAAAAAAACog/i4Dc84eV99o/s1600-h/IMG_76706.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7670" border="0" alt="IMG_7670" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69O9WKnWyAa18z3TaVqlh5m3460QsdcaQh3Wp_Hu5ni6YUdRGWCHM15VALApeU8oqDm-BXVhhS3JverdVgUw3WbOItK1gAPDPUS-8hf28S8ai5Qx6-tMQJERyIzE0LzIB50rsang1S0Ux/?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-88FhPQbPpD4/T4WnFu5AmOI/AAAAAAAACow/oadnZvSgDJQ/s1600-h/IMG_76747.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7674" border="0" alt="IMG_7674" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sRe2KTk6i-I/T4WnGUhsN9I/AAAAAAAACo4/LHQ3omEH74k/IMG_7674_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--OadMuFq1Wk/T4WnHvegOuI/AAAAAAAACpA/5lkXK7xX0mc/s1600-h/IMG_76966.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7696" border="0" alt="IMG_7696" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fwX7qle2ZZA/T4WnIx4_yLI/AAAAAAAACpI/Ycnp3gV4Vzw/IMG_7696_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a><br><br>After eggs we found her basket - filled with practical gifts I’ve been wanting Hannah to have for awhile. It was hiding by the couch. She was most excited for the eggs which she opened one at a time and ate the candy immediately. By the end she had a mouth full of jelly beans and was loving her life. She also got some Dr. Seuss books and play-doh.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l9edFtcosE4/T4WnKlQ02GI/AAAAAAAACpQ/356I2YcFVCo/s1600-h/IMG_76986.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7698" border="0" alt="IMG_7698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGohkwqAZ1F0ZfvNGx9A_OoXBf9v173Rdf8nYmBYxEQo2zn38AvLaRgZwfgryeKiQIz0e7__sPT5UFxmTn828UziIA-ZaB0pd-GyTEK8JqZzTpRmLtCkSmzyScWky97HAlvhHMDafdPXTG/?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TGJNWS7Jkpg/T4WnN9-LGxI/AAAAAAAACpg/myZGf8AG91c/s1600-h/IMG_77045.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7704" border="0" alt="IMG_7704" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j9AHUkFZGrw/T4WnOhc5NCI/AAAAAAAACpo/3EpkFM9jNks/IMG_7704_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f-VCCJ4U1Ws/T4WnP6z0TtI/AAAAAAAACpw/3Znj_SwWFW0/s1600-h/IMG_77145.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7714" border="0" alt="IMG_7714" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hQ0jMm4cP24/T4WnRnW_ZcI/AAAAAAAACp4/IVY4_oQ5BV4/IMG_7714_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p>That evening we headed to Sandy for Easter dinner with my parents, Tom, Carrie, Lisa, Austin and my grandparents. I thought everyone would love seeing Hannah do an egg hunt so we filled more eggs and hid them around the yard. Turns out people weren’t as interested as I thought they’d be but Jonathan and I had a great time walking around, helping Hannah find her eggs that were scattered about. Note to self though - 18 eggs is a LOT of eggs for a 2 year old to find. Also, hide them close together because they’re hard enough to find in plain sight, let alone when they are far apart.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yc6x-6eVWyI/T4WnSkk4rrI/AAAAAAAACqA/1ViV3FXR28k/s1600-h/IMG_77256.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7725" border="0" alt="IMG_7725" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VQIBGVx8shs/T4WnUc0_4CI/AAAAAAAACqI/FKlfjEhFwnw/IMG_7725_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="681"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RFT3UWOvzbU/T4WnVdVTzlI/AAAAAAAACqQ/ddCTS5HnpmE/s1600-h/IMG_77285.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7728" border="0" alt="IMG_7728" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sbpm1ldS1n0/T4WnWW02iSI/AAAAAAAACqY/WTHGCHcjV5Y/IMG_7728_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="681"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3vGUAjXrS4Q/T4WnYFRZCiI/AAAAAAAACqg/39jXHU4d4Wc/s1600-h/IMG_77326.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7732" border="0" alt="IMG_7732" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VYKFDQiUHnQ/T4WnZeWzWYI/AAAAAAAACqo/8Bh7iAnRAyQ/IMG_7732_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="664"></a></p> <p align="center">Some eggs required a little more work to get to.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u54cFwnqrPA/T4WncLiPVjI/AAAAAAAACqw/fEeOjy2qNik/s1600-h/IMG_77446.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7744" border="0" alt="IMG_7744" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bBtBRquMbns/T4WneayXsYI/AAAAAAAACq4/8QXJKbCw_-U/IMG_7744_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xXIDwazU62o/T4Wnfi0F1RI/AAAAAAAACrA/H25wlAFgmW8/s1600-h/IMG_77526.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7752" border="0" alt="IMG_7752" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JoL0dpMQS60/T4WngVoU28I/AAAAAAAACrI/qwcInV1e6rM/IMG_7752_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="681"></a></p> <p align="center">This particular egg had yuckies on it which she didn’t care for.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aGDM6Y0JPTk/T4WnhFTXZ-I/AAAAAAAACrQ/Lcuyv7vP1JI/s1600-h/IMG_77545.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7754" border="0" alt="IMG_7754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7Ngv-gzu6osV4sA3UQVwRWQDcRQU6KGWOykMLSiIOgX3xESF49RIyMlaCHhx5W6clHF9ihcskOuvhfq5bD4lJM9Y5b5ovpyA44_bsZUJlSkrMPvkJPHaPoTpzJTuQ3AANVpA6YoEeLCn/?imgmax=800" width="456" height="681"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-89215610481256496802012-03-19T14:04:00.001-07:002012-03-19T14:04:15.395-07:00Visit from a Cousin<p>Last week my sister Cheryl and her cute little boy Sawyer came to visit. Originally she and both her boys were going to come for about 2 weeks but unfortunately she just wasn’t able to do that. I was thrilled though she was still able to come at all and bring Sawyer with her. Cheryl came for a much needed girl’s weekend and I got to watch Sawyer while she was with her friends.</p> <p>Hannah and Sawyer are about 3 months apart and were such cute play friends. They saw each other in <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/phase-3.html">November when we went to Pittsburgh</a>. They played cute then, but Hannah was in the middle of a terrible ear infection and had been away from home for nearly a month. It was so fun to see Hannah host Sawyer and be on her turf. I had been warned that Sawyer is a lot of work and full on energy and runs and jumps all day long – but I think he was in a new enough environment with people he’s not super familiar with that it calmed him down just enough to not intimidate Hannah.</p> <p>Hannah took Sawyer under her wing and took complete care of him. They loved sitting in their high chairs talking, pointing to each others food, letting me know when one person was out of food. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eXWHxgxMfdY/T2eekgyydRI/AAAAAAAACVY/_39zLNz0Gpc/s1600-h/IMG_7533%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7533" border="0" alt="IMG_7533" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CKT5y8d0owE/T2eelNfZsbI/AAAAAAAACVg/H4tjIC7CEIE/IMG_7533_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zy4KVsxaR_c/T2eemdRYITI/AAAAAAAACVo/j3lj4J-IRx8/s1600-h/IMG_7535%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7535" border="0" alt="IMG_7535" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0abUmBv5vVg/T2eenFbQJCI/AAAAAAAACVw/gyPmKZuOqb8/IMG_7535_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p>Jonathan and Hannah also go on a walk when he gets home to get the mail. Friday, they took Sawyer and I told Hannah to hold Sawyer’s hand. That was all it took and they were hand holding buddies the rest of the weekend. Every time we went outside they would hold hands and walk with one another.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezslDFsm63z-xeEl6T1cGopaTmzPAPUEt36P2NE0g_m9m1HG42y2rR4EksKnqdiCYt26-kvkmJ_kLniTv-YCgmohVD9THHv7j7U8Yb9tGxBg2jALXrUgfqIcP2xBYtb5mpi5JO4yqLySV/s1600-h/IMG_7552%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7552" border="0" alt="IMG_7552" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ndBpx8aqJEY/T2eepyLi6VI/AAAAAAAACWA/S1JWnP1r5TM/IMG_7552_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hZNOLbOaaCo/T2eerIcVQOI/AAAAAAAACWI/f3w9NamI0h0/s1600-h/IMG_7575%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7575" border="0" alt="IMG_7575" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p_ufOhK3xZo/T2eeslsCQLI/AAAAAAAACWQ/Xt2SWQkdqsw/IMG_7575_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9T5qgXxMwqY/T2eeuv12WaI/AAAAAAAACWY/7umbqFm763Q/s1600-h/IMG_7554%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7554" border="0" alt="IMG_7554" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_rgBSRTyTzo/T2eevcDraMI/AAAAAAAACWg/wTy-3yc_L6g/IMG_7554_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 448px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:de694cf4-18ee-467d-a3e4-eab19f39202c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="f0e6f718-37b4-49ef-85e9-2703a016bbdb" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTLdpOe-DE" target="_new"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROVEhNdl_Z1n8uQWgWY4sCKpAp1E1yZkdjy8LESbLB_M7_MgpC9KKSH4ievlxJq_TGaQc0-1WZvnyT-0zgaN1B_MjIU11L0YMpiR1pWQGouD4Os4k3qwjR2x8MjPIY8AGloGy55m9WzFC/?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('f0e6f718-37b4-49ef-85e9-2703a016bbdb'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/BYTLdpOe-DE?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/BYTLdpOe-DE?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>We went to the park several times and Sawyer was just what Hannah needed to be a little more adventurous on the playground. Sawyer had no fears going down any slide forwards,backwards, head first or feet first. It encouraged Hannah to try a few more things.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EoilgiVXzJw/T2eexQujg2I/AAAAAAAACWw/Dp0gyddrQNw/s1600-h/IMG_7525%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7525" border="0" alt="IMG_7525" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yy5yMaeRsqA/T2eeyIe5RnI/AAAAAAAACW4/enlAv7AQ-I0/IMG_7525_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jIrlnBDdh_4/T2eezFNXhkI/AAAAAAAACXA/B03Ge7jV4U4/s1600-h/IMG_7526%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7526" border="0" alt="IMG_7526" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K-ExA3hLN_k/T2ee0aj4pbI/AAAAAAAACXI/9kViYqZp7Sg/IMG_7526_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lPNqqnYAo9E/T2ee1lLHQzI/AAAAAAAACXQ/r3gjq8kPlnE/s1600-h/IMG_7530%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7530" border="0" alt="IMG_7530" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--qmazCpHMQI/T2ee25QPw0I/AAAAAAAACXY/oSne5YQcrHg/IMG_7530_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>Sawyer has the cutest little bow legs of anyone you’ve ever seen. I knew I wanted to take him to ride a pony at Thanksgiving Point. I thought he would LOVE being on a horse and feel right at home. Hannah went first and the whole time it was Hannah’s turn, he cheered and loved the horses and waved from the stroller. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-supUs2yzVks/T2ee3--Eg5I/AAAAAAAACXg/VyHqI_rVPxo/s1600-h/IMG_7556%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7556" border="0" alt="IMG_7556" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3B5fzhDVhcg/T2ee47PMGyI/AAAAAAAACXo/nJO6aWNCdUk/IMG_7556_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QddW51CCRA4/T2ee6BDhY0I/AAAAAAAACXw/MmZAGHRZYrA/s1600-h/IMG_7561%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7561" border="0" alt="IMG_7561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANLz14BQ45GoAT5ee9fNLtRSLYP9JHl1S-uhmxWUjIFmWMKSiMAn71mkN6TlcOAXkESeVHoDI4kwEdlOo3EDSG6eqrvawJ3RFZvMUvyyx9uLDhr_YEyXhKz9mddfG1zTkURP9XtPQSrNW/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>When it was Sawyer’s turn, he panicked and wanted NOTHING to do with those horses. Being the good aunt that I am, I forced him on the horse anyway. He cried the whole time and said “No horsie”. I guess he’s not the natural born cowboy we all thought he would be.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XNP68u3mvfw/T2ee9tabdFI/AAAAAAAACYA/D4pJs0r5x4s/s1600-h/IMG_7568%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7568" border="0" alt="IMG_7568" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u_DwEEO60F0/T2ee_xwa-FI/AAAAAAAACYI/flYR5A8aX24/IMG_7568_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TVTjDr9RomY/T2efBHHdp3I/AAAAAAAACYQ/Z5WlNKNoh4E/s1600-h/IMG_7569%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7569" border="0" alt="IMG_7569" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KrmQYYD2eJY/T2efCL7TxVI/AAAAAAAACYY/IlRgqEp0T8E/IMG_7569_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>He liked looking at the other animals though.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k_AQ1hbnEL8/T2efDnhoj-I/AAAAAAAACYg/yHsikO4g_4E/s1600-h/IMG_7570%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7570" border="0" alt="IMG_7570" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EzCdCX5bOPs/T2efE7pI0EI/AAAAAAAACYo/NqUFAwafzSw/IMG_7570_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BYQfj3eGAls/T2efHBVVm-I/AAAAAAAACYw/gobJs9ZZEIk/s1600-h/IMG_7574%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7574" border="0" alt="IMG_7574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3lQB8Bi9Ui3gNhRah1JKKc_HfIVIySVPIAURw2Xh_5ikt_GYII8JmFwwsMifLq4bIIoo0QzoXoc7tPD9xyLkNTNAKhAHbdeQpe_ruagNtxrD2_mgirkUnoL7JsK-lipMFMT55ZtsdaCi/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HcYbQ1ccQQU/T2efJpoY3FI/AAAAAAAACZA/LYayZoO5oAc/s1600-h/IMG_7580%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7580" border="0" alt="IMG_7580" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VQbVG_6IHCY/T2efLarfTcI/AAAAAAAACZI/pHHH42mbftI/IMG_7580_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6JwETYM7EtM/T2efNODv-vI/AAAAAAAACZQ/ygY5wwdoNdI/s1600-h/IMG_7585%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7585" border="0" alt="IMG_7585" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-INdhR0xIlmA/T2efOLLhxcI/AAAAAAAACZY/tJlWLiAR9Xw/IMG_7585_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K9ybq8gZVcQ/T2efPhBCNPI/AAAAAAAACZg/uqObdQT2mTM/s1600-h/IMG_7592%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7592" border="0" alt="IMG_7592" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M4GCEUD1oMo/T2efQWyK3oI/AAAAAAAACZo/sIpSWN0kpXA/IMG_7592_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eUvlhFemwoA/T2efSrfElHI/AAAAAAAACZw/mI3_p_tJPfU/s1600-h/IMG_7593%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7593" border="0" alt="IMG_7593" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Le177Bk7ft4/T2efTQIadPI/AAAAAAAACZ4/QHf_d8_xS5M/IMG_7593_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-53972836153499523082012-02-09T13:08:00.001-08:002012-02-09T13:08:52.294-08:00Tubing and Hives<p>Last weekend we went to Solider Hollow and went tubing with a few people from Qualtircs. I was excited because I’ve never been but it always sounded fun. </p> <p>Once we got up there, we realized we had left Hannah’s coat at Qualtrics (where we met). We drove all the way back down to get it, putting us an hour late. Turns out it was a beautiful day and we ending taking her coat off for most the time. I wish we could of taken Hannah down the actual sledding hill, but you had to be 3 and be able to ride the tube yourself. Hannah probably would have been fine, especially because we could have linked up and ridden down with her, but riding up by herself might have been harder. She had a great time being pulled by Jonathan though on the little kids hill.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UJwLSMtSTOY/TzQ1jLjJnSI/AAAAAAAACO0/g-8_7PJES9Y/s1600-h/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%2525204%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 4" border="0" alt="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HZM4XnHOe7U/TzQ1keQwG1I/AAAAAAAACO8/jM3B3aPOWSY/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%2525204_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="756"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nGSUllPR2F0/TzQ1lQIR6sI/AAAAAAAACPE/aWclQm7KNgM/s1600-h/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252010%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 10" border="0" alt="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 10" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2uIEQaZVrLg/TzQ1mSHt4-I/AAAAAAAACPM/z9KK-vxyOo0/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252010_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="756"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i2S266nGu7w/TzQ1nzkfK7I/AAAAAAAACPU/gpa4Qr_Hpmw/s1600-h/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252024%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 24" border="0" alt="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 24" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--aq23kLP23E/TzQ1pHkw7nI/AAAAAAAACPc/tgsbRVkcLRU/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252024_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8MMuba2XFlBM6xZ9DKayM9rp7hSH2QYFqPnK87XVxT3HEf-vysV8YxKvp7Nx2cAJBy2QpuwDIw7NckFYSQiNVTymo9vV1Z7A1y_ay_NzuYAQ1VUCvFw52D3uwpBUZDQciUQ6m7D6Qko6/s1600-h/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252044%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 44" border="0" alt="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 44" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2xOEM96g8qw/TzQ1rUxX0nI/AAAAAAAACPs/Czxjb4HSbbc/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252044_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_epVGj7T0Kg/TzQ1sEvfczI/AAAAAAAACP0/f6SNHNUbLgM/s1600-h/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252034%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 34" border="0" alt="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 34" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3-4wp0tq5fE/TzQ1suCptxI/AAAAAAAACP8/CjOeUeJEIeE/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252034_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="341"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7KmW-JK568E/TzQ1uC6HeLI/AAAAAAAACQE/DnryNa8iO1g/s1600-h/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252051%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 51" border="0" alt="2012-02-04 Tubing at Solider Hollow 51" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UPR9MLMyBxA/TzQ1utU-WmI/AAAAAAAACQM/jrisftYSD_o/2012-02-04%252520Tubing%252520at%252520Solider%252520Hollow%25252051_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>On another note – Hannah has hives. I took her to the doctor about a week and a half ago because I thought she might have another ear infection. She did. So, she was put on another antibiotic to treat it. She was 9 days into the 14 day prescription when I noticed some red dots under her arms and she was telling me that her legs hurt. I wondered if it was a yeast infection because the pharmacist said that could be a side effect. I called the doctor’s office to see what I could do and when I told her it was worse under her arms than in her diaper, she thought that sounded more like an allergic reaction and wanted her to be seen. I took her in later that day and by that point it was much worse than when I initially called. </p> <p>Apparently it’s hives and Hannah is most likely having an allergic reaction to the penicillin – which is weird because this isn’t her first ear infection and not the first time she’s had penicillin. Anyway, her ear infection is gone now and she’s since stopped taking the antibiotic but the hives are still here and so irritating for her. I feel so bad for her little body. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-euDL7-4ezB0/TzQ1vfGq1VI/AAAAAAAACQU/mEHKmIjZcjk/s1600-h/2012-02-07%252520Hives%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-07 Hives 3" border="0" alt="2012-02-07 Hives 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gsn-N7wGijY/TzQ1wTdsBWI/AAAAAAAACQc/oCV7D7iH3ZI/2012-02-07%252520Hives%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Uq-cHsPY5yo/TzQ1xrt08CI/AAAAAAAACQk/FKrZ2rbE1aw/s1600-h/2012-02-07%252520Hives%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-07 Hives 1" border="0" alt="2012-02-07 Hives 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GVYJF72c_2w/TzQ1yCor6OI/AAAAAAAACQs/VOk1tGe7wP4/2012-02-07%252520Hives%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RE2eQJ5Tics/TzQ1y_nCdSI/AAAAAAAACQ0/StWTmlqS11Y/s1600-h/2012-02-07%252520Hives%2525208%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-07 Hives 8" border="0" alt="2012-02-07 Hives 8" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JcVlsiJ-TOs/TzQ1zoAIfqI/AAAAAAAACQ8/g4MuXSZu3sI/2012-02-07%252520Hives%2525208_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>Unfortunately, Benadryl doesn’t have the sleepy affect on her. I think it just makes her ornery, but that’s really all there is to help with symptoms as far as medicines go. The first night we put her to bed at 7 and she whined off and on throughout the night and by 3:30 AM she was awake and not going back to sleep. After a long second day with a lot of lap sitting and “froggy letters” – thank goodness for Letter Factory, best $7 I ever spent; we’ve probably watched it 20 times in the last 3 days – and crying that she hurt and was itchy I was hopeful for a good nights rest that night. We put her down at 7:00 again and she fell right asleep. I was in bed at 8 ready to go to bed when she woke up at 8:30 – SCREAMING. Nothing would console her. Well, Forggy Letters would. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l1RSPeGn3ao/TzQ10nmAZwI/AAAAAAAACRE/Z8qnmqEm9RY/s1600-h/2012-02-08%252520Hives%25252C%252520Day%2525202%252520-%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-08 Hives, Day 2 - 1" border="0" alt="2012-02-08 Hives, Day 2 - 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RNnMXOuBf0k/TzQ11qHYAvI/AAAAAAAACRM/OiTw1Hnv1Qs/2012-02-08%252520Hives%25252C%252520Day%2525202%252520-%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a><em>Watching Froggy Letters – she always wants all her babies and a blanket – this seems to be the only time she doesn’t cry or itch. Notice the hives on her face.</em></p> <p>After watching that twice we tried to put her to bed again. I’ve never seen her flip out like she did last night. Absolutely screaming – wouldn’t be consoled by anything. She’d want us to hold her then she’d arch her back and fight us and hit us and tell us no. The hives had spread to her back by this point so there was no way she could lay that wouldn’t result her her laying on the hives. We eventually called the on call doctor to see what else we could do. We ending up giving her a bath with baking soda in it and I ran to the store to get anti-itch cream. This seemed to help because when we finally put her to bed at 12:45 she fell asleep rather quickly and stayed asleep until this morning at 8. Thank goodness.</p> <p>I can’t decide if they’re looking better or worse today. They look different - like a bunch of little bruises surrounded by pink. They aren’t as bad under her arms nor on her back but they’re still all over her stomach and thighs. Her face is also looking better.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-47Z0kXPeqYU/TzQ12n8zz1I/AAAAAAAACRU/XiirbU9OV6I/s1600-h/2012-02-09%252520Hives%25252C%252520Day%2525203%252520-%2525205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-09 Hives, Day 3 - 5" border="0" alt="2012-02-09 Hives, Day 3 - 5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S9sNutIJy4Y/TzQ13PkO-GI/AAAAAAAACRc/GS0aRFCt-9E/2012-02-09%252520Hives%25252C%252520Day%2525203%252520-%2525205_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Gq14EWiEnpjgilQR_AmAR34-eUaQ6I-CRI7pLKi3oKhZmY7-5WIbABeFiz_ZuSqP479E5I5HJCp5rhFg0h4nQkKUYvaqv5g97nOh5nHEJvI0tt3ZSgaPUhUHw0gay4haatk89wVWWuz/s1600-h/2012-02-09%252520Hives%25252C%252520Day%2525203%252520-%2525207%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-02-09 Hives, Day 3 - 7" border="0" alt="2012-02-09 Hives, Day 3 - 7" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3JCWf5fb9iw/TzQ14gLrpkI/AAAAAAAACRs/dccV6oo_YUk/2012-02-09%252520Hives%25252C%252520Day%2525203%252520-%2525207_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>I hope these go away soon. I just want my happy little girl back.</p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-64737000096307869252012-02-01T20:15:00.001-08:002012-02-01T20:15:39.777-08:00Getting Organized<p>We have a baby coming soon. 75 days to be exact. They say the second trimester is when you’re feeling great and start “nesting”…but not me. I’ve procrastinated the nesting to the third trimester. I feel like at this time when I was pregnant with Hannah we had a name pretty much picked out, a nursery done, a drawer full of diapers, and a closet full of clothes. Well, with this baby, it’s a totally different story. We have not settled on a name (nor even have a top 3 list), I have ZERO boy nursery things, I have a drawer full of size 4 diapers – not newborn, and thanks to my cousin Julie, I do have some clothes, but it’s a storage container full of clothes, not closet…because Hannah’s stuff is still in the closet. Don’t get me wrong – we’re very excited for this baby to come. I feel like I get more and more excited each day to meet this little guy, it’s just different. The pregnancy has gone by much faster, our <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/phase-1.html">New York Trip</a> and the holidays took up a lot of time shortly after we told people, and Hannah is a big distraction. But, I’ve got a bee in my bonnet and I feel like I’m in the nesting phase now. Unfortunately, before I can truly “nest”, I first have to organize and make room for this baby. Ever since we moved in, we’ve had one room that we haven’t done ANYTHING to. It’s the ONLY room we have painted or touched up and it’s become a giant storage closet for all our (read - my) random (read – school) stuff. </p> <p>When I stopped teaching almost 2 years ago everything got moved from my classroom to my front room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mt_4xceZVJs/TyoNqE0m2iI/AAAAAAAACM0/zTPfBWlg1aY/s1600-h/IMG_1099%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1099" border="0" alt="IMG_1099" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ol1FToeUMYw/TyoNqy1ElkI/AAAAAAAACM8/L5xcF5AJvWk/IMG_1099_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sZI6XN5AuiU/TyoNsfCjBCI/AAAAAAAACNE/xJ48o70oRaU/s1600-h/IMG_1100%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1100" border="0" alt="IMG_1100" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oIqvSO1AXGE/TyoNtN4qbSI/AAAAAAAACNM/BkVmlFs6aTY/IMG_1100_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p>I went through it all, got rid of a lot of stuff, incorporated some stuff into our home, and the rest got stored in that “one room” that we haven’t done anything to. Over time, that room has filled up with random stuff – computer parts, boxes, old desks and chairs, etc. </p> <p>Well, that’s the room Hannah will move into when Baby Brother arrives so it was high time we cleaned that room out. A LOT of what was in there was school supply stuff (crayons, markers, glue, etc). The first item of business was getting those things organized in a place where we might actually use them. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7XdQnhXkmGE/TyoNt67gdRI/AAAAAAAACNU/_HfcBzkm780/s1600-h/IMG_7179%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7179" border="0" alt="IMG_7179" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xvR6RxCyUsk/TyoNvEaP2nI/AAAAAAAACNc/ePIByvo0chs/IMG_7179_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>This cupboard above the desk in our kitchen just makes me feel peaceful inside. Why didn’t I do this 2 years ago?</p> <p>I also have a large amount of plastic storage drawers that I used at school. I have quite a bit of money invested in these puppies and surely I could put them to use. I cleaned out under our stairs (which we really didn’t have THAT much stuff in it – but it was all unorganized and just thrown in there when I needed a place to put something), and moved all my drawers under the stairs and filled them with all sorts of goodies – mostly paper.</p> <p>NOTE – Everything that was already under the stairs is still under there or thrown away.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqiqqdczzCGfMxpof_ghP8mNHi0NAIgpv5sCvnH23pPjYqrPrbHZ7IpXPrY_PDg0U_ZyCVoJc9yKy-S43jDmXJ7_Qrjtjtcd402BSGyfXR6vTWF-ZKP7jAJ1ueXDg9k0wSLwU8BMTP0X4/s1600-h/IMG_7296-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7296-1" border="0" alt="IMG_7296-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i9cA8rvvbMQ/TyoNxsuUuZI/AAAAAAAACNs/-nxnqBONeFA/IMG_7296-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="694"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj3_pEfjIIBRgi9ubqTIOQ4wvd3K1VNMM1oOIaD_oVRCYBo2mk5IbBTKdcoDP-5eT97tm7rAKL4lWeJ-tiE39tPY3UFRRkzI7SjFL1lApGboCMgg9JvfgWEIiCk5s6r2WsVztS8ELtrK9/s1600-h/IMG_7300%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7300" border="0" alt="IMG_7300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--wxmfuT9yeY/TyoN0LC9ZHI/AAAAAAAACN8/F1b1itu_xbQ/IMG_7300_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a></p> <p>I filled the awkward sloped part with our 10 gallon food buckets, front entry holiday decorations (in the bags with labels) and 3 storage containers. Get this, the ones with blue lids are EMPTY! I love it. Also, the above drawers with blank labels are also empty.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I4PHd3bnITw/TyoN1ZNm0mI/AAAAAAAACOE/TuP0aeywa94/s1600-h/IMG_7298%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7298" border="0" alt="IMG_7298" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SNIDgVLO0gc/TyoN2mahniI/AAAAAAAACOM/Q_Lq4YeLdKk/IMG_7298_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>Finally, we added a few shelves for a few other things </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SqWVf8p1hen4g4MyFxckigJSeBfrtVYn8HWxgwW8aCa-5GB5VOyLc9nEsPip8yZUuE2o4dWF6b-XffSpEsCeh07EDqgE3pYzT7IIIUgqR-5PpLnWRobw4fra4J7K7PsbiCzaU5nC20NF/s1600-h/IMG_7297%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7297" border="0" alt="IMG_7297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHcpke6K1hm35_tD3597ZZ58NqYRSA74G7HS4hy8PRCNk-jlsnkuR12vpSuzuLRvYLcHw9RdVT9HxJvPdF2mpWVMpk5I1ese7QGidGa6qTzpEqoIQ7jt3PZBnhJZN1148Z7JcMQIdHtRZ/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>and under the stairs is organized! I love that there’s plenty of room to actually walk in to the stuff. We just need to add a couple of hooks for bags and we’re all done.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FWJUq6UViyI/TyoN5X6YNSI/AAAAAAAACOk/ebKdTGA3TPo/s1600-h/IMG_7296%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7296" border="0" alt="IMG_7296" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DbI_cdn6cxk/TyoN6UiGAHI/AAAAAAAACOs/1ztqMpuSeTs/IMG_7296_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="754"></a></p> <p>Now that the room is cleaned out, I just need to paint, buy bunk beds, bedding, dresser, bookshelf, and décor, decorate that room, move all of Hannah’s stuff over, get Hannah used to sleeping in a big bed, buy boy nursery bedding, decorate that room, and get his stuff put away. I can do that before he’s born…right? </p> <p>Oh – and if anyone has suggestions on how to decorate a gender neutral room that will eventually be shared by Hannah and Little Brother please send them my way. I’m really struggling to get inspired.</p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-73160153018946273682012-01-25T10:36:00.001-08:002012-01-26T12:48:23.337-08:00First Snow–and other things<p>It finally snowed enough to stick the other day. It still wasn’t that much and by afternoon 90% of the snow in our backyard was melted. Either way, there was some snow. I was doing stuff on the computer and Hannah was playing with puzzles when she heard a “nose” (noise) outside. She ran to the window to see what it was. It was a neighbor with his 4-wheeler plowing another neighbor’s driveway. She stood at the window and watched for several minutes. Then, she went to the basket of shoes, got me a pair of boots and brought them to me saying “Mamma, shoes, walk, Mamma, Dadda, outside, walk, shoes?” and was pointing outside. I took this as meaning she wanted to go outside and play in the snow (which she’s never done before). We bundled up and went out.<br></p> <div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J-dCbaESf7E/TyBLSd_HRzI/AAAAAAAACJc/nKsiCiQFpdM/s1600-h/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-24 First Snow 1" border="0" alt="2012-01-24 First Snow 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--GdYEoZLNvs/TyBLTTJBBrI/AAAAAAAACJk/fCWWLkx3l40/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="617"></a></div> <p>Since she’s never really played in the snow, that’s not what she wanted to do. She wanted to go on a walk to the mailbox. Almost everyday when Jonathan comes home, she gets her coat on and the two of them walk hand in hand to the mailbox. Hannah comes running back in the house when they get back with some piece of junk mail that Jonathan had her carry back. She’s always so proud and excited to deliver it to me. I think it’s adorable.</p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ev0nYotZ8t8/TyBLUR8F6rI/AAAAAAAACJs/oRgjn7caBVw/s1600-h/2012-01-16%252520Checking%252520mail%252520with%252520Dad%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-16 Checking mail with Dad" border="0" alt="2012-01-16 Checking mail with Dad" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ntnWLlKXJI8/TyBLVHmP-gI/AAAAAAAACJ0/5FgeB7Cnn7Q/2012-01-16%252520Checking%252520mail%252520with%252520Dad_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br>Well, they haven’t gone on their daily walk in a few days and apparently she was missing it because that’s where she led me. After getting the mail I helped her into the snow. At first, she would pick it up and say “bubbles!” and rub the snow on her belly – because that’s what she does in the bath. Then she tried tasting it. Her little legs are so short that it didn’t take much for her to get stuck in the snow and need help walking. In usual Hannah form, she was very dainty as she played – not too adventurous. I guess I don’t need to run out and get snow pants.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p_LrjQqAAdk/TyBLWHSmeII/AAAAAAAACJ8/WCU-tZKVjtM/s1600-h/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-24 First Snow 3" border="0" alt="2012-01-24 First Snow 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wQUUoNn98M4/TyBLW0c-fzI/AAAAAAAACKE/C_VkTxWhDtg/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kjaOhyxVCiQ/TyBLXyJZz8I/AAAAAAAACKM/F7rnNHPr5cM/s1600-h/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-24 First Snow 41" border="0" alt="2012-01-24 First Snow 41" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0Exl04Qly4M/TyBLYtMLbFI/AAAAAAAACKU/peq8dZGqa8I/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rrPjPLagXKc/TyBLZ5QU7XI/AAAAAAAACKc/WcHjXh9BmP4/s1600-h/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-24 First Snow 37" border="0" alt="2012-01-24 First Snow 37" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ji9-mYJ3Sl8/TyBLaxWDwMI/AAAAAAAACKk/4U1vZBFmq8Q/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBciiF4TS9qAoOkMpN_3OiA6jBTcu_9UCxmjpvWSakXRXDWrYhVLFRGekid_Jz3CfiBJKA9bp9VJRZrIPx2Hmb1NxMBnDjhWhacMH9o85kmEgU-Eh_B3lSpyrLU0nzPV7ZAwPRN4jjdVXK/s1600-h/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-24 First Snow 25" border="0" alt="2012-01-24 First Snow 25" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3KLfFZAbzWQ/TyBLcXnLWWI/AAAAAAAACK0/UZeEgNXcJ58/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEHzWihe4LdplOZ3ejA-HhKYsoXZoXjraraJaBn291DPjHUrFmid68sh_Lvfd6NvfXrZ1kfV9k0Jeiu7v03oe6MMfCkTrlKcgFLstFM6R9cZUx87WWwqZkFM9pYIlJlTSMrz5FweYL2x9/s1600-h/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-24 First Snow 29" border="0" alt="2012-01-24 First Snow 29" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j-PdzKUk6Ag/TyBLeFDttEI/AAAAAAAACLE/_h1rJ_4QPRM/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252029_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VuC6XDP_EFE/TyBLfK5CR1I/AAAAAAAACLM/uaCpgXcHEYA/s1600-h/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-24 First Snow 16" border="0" alt="2012-01-24 First Snow 16" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YwZtGhZAnKk/TyBLf6m6OFI/AAAAAAAACLU/y7xn-c2-xcU/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8SyGJuJanHM/TyBLh-Q25HI/AAAAAAAACLc/AA45ihGinGs/s1600-h/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252033%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-24 First Snow 33" border="0" alt="2012-01-24 First Snow 33" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hHDwLuw_AYo/TyBLi3CNSGI/AAAAAAAACLk/Si4r1h3y4VU/2012-01-24%252520First%252520Snow%25252033_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><br>She had a great time.<br> <br>Here are a few other pictures of her favorite things lately. For Christmas we got her some puzzles and legos – mostly because I felt like puzzles and legos were something we <i>should</i> have, not necessarily something she would like. Turns out. She LOVES them. We do puzzles and play with legos everyday and it didn’t take too long for her to figure them out. She built this tower all by herself the other day.<br><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBLuPF03BW-B5oVJQX_zSFzuTtkQ4GXIic2Lj-vvbQBZr_NEQVDvRu5ETLEgjWv4W9WXun8HXLsYIDyc_9ebYTiMlxjEoUQjG9iv4r6cqxtL8RXG0JviGdD1QfRSLg982f95GHQaDfq02/s1600-h/2012-01-21%252520I%252520built%252520a%252520tower%252521%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-21 I built a tower! 1" border="0" alt="2012-01-21 I built a tower! 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-opYiwR1iw3E/TyBLlHqqDCI/AAAAAAAACL0/uAbEFvZXpZE/2012-01-21%252520I%252520built%252520a%252520tower%252521%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br>And sometimes she likes to sit in the puzzle bucket while she does the puzzles. She has a few odd things about her.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O63aTlr57v4/TyBLnCmRz1I/AAAAAAAACL8/XOwiwM_jWbM/s1600-h/2012-01-05%252520Doing%252520a%252520puzzle%252520in%252520a%252520bucket%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-05 Doing a puzzle in a bucket" border="0" alt="2012-01-05 Doing a puzzle in a bucket" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IH4H55oKViI/TyBLn9Y3fqI/AAAAAAAACME/jhdL3841SAE/2012-01-05%252520Doing%252520a%252520puzzle%252520in%252520a%252520bucket_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><br>Speaking of odd things Hannah does – she’s OBSESSED with “yuckies”. Mostly “yucky toes”. She doesn’t like the lint from her socks or jammies getting between her toes. EVERY time I change her diaper she lifts up her feet and inspects her toes and says “yucky toes” and won’t stop until her toes are clean. Sometimes she’ll ask me to take off her slippers or socks so she can check for yuckies. She’ll work at them for several minutes too. She doesn’t like yuckies on her hands either which means I have to clean off her hands 3 or 4 times while she’s eating. Cleaning her hands and face is never a battle though because we just tell her there are yuckies. She’ll also pick lint or crumbs off my clothes because those are “yuck!”<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gcl49l3mYbs/TyBLpFhuozI/AAAAAAAACMM/4pybY4VJb0g/s1600-h/2012-01-01%252520Yucky%252520Toes%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-01 Yucky Toes" border="0" alt="2012-01-01 Yucky Toes" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Mp3Y84xz8M/TyBLp85oZAI/AAAAAAAACMU/IbZ7yjjlQo0/2012-01-01%252520Yucky%252520Toes_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604"></a><br>Hannah talks like crazy – at least I think she does. The other night I sat down to make a list of all the words she says. In just a few minutes I came up with 75 words that she says on her own. She’ll repeat anything I say, but those are just words she knows and will come up with by herself. She’s very good at communicating what she wants. And everyday she’ll say a few more words that I had no idea she knew. She also copies everything I do. She’s my little shadow and loves to help in the kitchen. She always wants to see what I’m doing when I’m cooking. She helps me carry in groceries and put things in the fridge. Often, when Jonathan comes home, I’ll lean against the sink and fold my arms while we talk. Guaranteed within a few seconds Hannah is next to me, leaning against the cabinets with her arms folded. The other day I had one arm folded and I was using the other hand to eat a piece of pizza. Sure enough, Hannah, who had been eating normally, saw me and folded one arm and started eating her pizza with the other arm. I love that she’s my little shadow and wants to do everything just like me.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hbQqsgOw9NI/TyBLrugX3WI/AAAAAAAACMc/M7Yz_zjBokk/s1600-h/2012-01-08%252520Copying%252520Mommy%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-01-08 Copying Mommy 1" border="0" alt="2012-01-08 Copying Mommy 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zm1UVylVov4/TyBLsXm9hNI/AAAAAAAACMk/j_zFPAclHRM/2012-01-08%252520Copying%252520Mommy%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337"></a><br>We sure love our little Hannah and I could go on forever about all the cute things she does. She’s very sweet and always concerned when someone is sad. We got a BYU magazine the other day with Cosmo on the front. She thought he looked “sad” and she carried the magazine around the whole afternoon periodically giving Cosmo kisses. She’s starting to say her own prayers at night and dinner (well, repeats what we say). She does a great job and the whole time watches us and beams with pride. She doesn’t really get the bow your head and close your eyes part. It’s just too exciting. She goes to nursery great and doesn’t care that we leave her…never really did. She loves to take things out of my cupboards in the bathroom while I’m getting ready and line them up on the floor or chair in the bathroom. That’s a little annoying and my bathroom is never clean for that reason, but it keeps her entertained. We’ve only had one <span dir="ltr" id=":3c">casualty </span>when she dropped a bottle of perfume…but our bathroom smelled great for over a week! <br><br>Finally, the one thing she does that gets on my nerves is she’ll call my name over and over and over again. “Mamma, Mamma, Mamma”. Even if I answer and say “what?” she’ll just keep saying my name. Do all kids do this? She’ll say it like 30 times in a row. Both ignoring her and answering her don’t work. Oh well, I guess I’ll take her calling my name all the time over other things. Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-3841995251143482472011-12-14T05:18:00.001-08:002011-12-14T10:57:29.634-08:00Phase 3<p><strong><font size="3">Phase 3 – PITTSBURGH</font></strong></p> <p><font size="2">(Don’t forget to read about <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/phase-1.html">Phase 1</a> and <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/phase-2.html">Phase 2</a>)</font></p> <p><font size="2">Finally, Hannah and I headed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a week or so with my sister Cheryl. This week was the most chill of our entire trip but that doesn’t mean we didn’t stay busy and we didn’t have a great time enjoying one another’s company and kids. </font></p> <p><font size="2">Cheryl teaches about 6 exercise classes throughout the week. She would usually go to those in the mornings while Hannah and I would stay home and sleep in (her kids get up earlier than Hannah). We would then hang out and play with the kids in the morning and after naps try and do something.</font></p> <p><font size="2">We hit up the McDonald’s play area one day.</font><font size="2"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8zVuAqlAnNMSaeE8AbcArqgjY_TkZHRUU4evupCJOFY5O9w7Cbp8squ_mTuJHhyphenhyphen67YDNPzGJaamndUQEFUHWHqYkS2_ZfHM2ya3S0o8J0o6kq10UEgHJ17O5IBwc-GPSTcpQm_9-4gaJ/s1600-h/IMG_68402.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6840" border="0" alt="IMG_6840" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KrXJrgKuP6c/TuihvSxKuBI/AAAAAAAACEE/AW0DrYNi8NI/IMG_6840_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="2">We hit up the mall play area one day.</font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C6AUkQ1LYps/TuihvpgEAXI/AAAAAAAACEM/8jY3b8flhSg/s1600-h/IMG_68182.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6818" border="0" alt="IMG_6818" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TQW3LySbbzA/TuihwHSVxPI/AAAAAAAACEU/kQ5SrxPGOrQ/IMG_6818_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TJW75AaVQRs/TuihwowZOAI/AAAAAAAACEc/Eifom7dHRzo/s1600-h/IMG_68143.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6814" border="0" alt="IMG_6814" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4BVe9G0yJko/TuihxYQNewI/AAAAAAAACEk/s00Yx2QXSrA/IMG_6814_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="622"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kuzFjEufdnw/Tuihx-iGwDI/AAAAAAAACEs/hgyh2fjEqGY/s1600-h/IMG_68112.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6811" border="0" alt="IMG_6811" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sU5qNNvvlYk/TuihyW_UV8I/AAAAAAAACE0/KP0ilAUYazU/IMG_6811_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a></p> <p>We also took advantage of the fact that Cheryl kind of knows what she’s doing when it comes to hair (at least more than I) so Hannah got a haircut.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TEBsQjR1cBc/Tuihy-vmUJI/AAAAAAAACE8/oZ8_vlVZd3k/s1600-h/IMG_68053.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6805" border="0" alt="IMG_6805" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-alIiD68hBgk/TuihzRvBhBI/AAAAAAAACFE/nt-1pTaLneY/IMG_6805_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="670"></a> </p> <p><font size="2">The highlight was probably the <a href="http://www.pittsburghkids.org/Templates/CMP_Main.aspx?CID=92&SECID=1&MENUID=8">Children’s Museum</a>. The kids loved it as it was totally interactive and at their level. They could play however they wanted and make as big of a mess as they wanted.</font></p> <p><font size="2"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_wvSBBSqXHA/Tuihz5cQPDI/AAAAAAAACFM/AK05wHifM-U/s1600-h/IMG_68432.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6843" border="0" alt="IMG_6843" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DUOGbVwqgh8/Tuih0qZ1rrI/AAAAAAAACFU/tkDHahyyLMw/IMG_6843_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RBq9s4Xrz94/Tuih1A2WQXI/AAAAAAAACFc/qm62_4QmLY0/s1600-h/IMG_68683.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6868" border="0" alt="IMG_6868" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SDBePNSUbUE/Tuih16vkXaI/AAAAAAAACFk/L1X8uyY-eVY/IMG_6868_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="688"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_7Eb58kxllc/Tuih2Ts9PsI/AAAAAAAACFs/eJpAwD6aHEw/s1600-h/IMG_68632.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6863" border="0" alt="IMG_6863" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nQxXIZKd7N0/Tuih2-msOXI/AAAAAAAACF0/NOuKv2HJ2Iw/IMG_6863_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8o91vw34iZc/Tuih3W4eXUI/AAAAAAAACF8/xqdCVkBwmi8/s1600-h/IMG_68743.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6874" border="0" alt="IMG_6874" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OUdgrbShQ1k/Tuih3yz48CI/AAAAAAAACGE/MnVtoZWkakA/IMG_6874_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="674"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pp9ZVGGJoYCidixTTykv2vBAFIeMQUagwnWSy2aVzwIec44PZdPH1NqPspjW0-APWvQxjIedMhncUeE9Yg9GVpoRTJtvr_d_0jp7gkKhZ5n_fcYTm48fUw4cA7C8IjO2QazJ4m_9kfVi/s1600-h/IMG_68563.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6856" border="0" alt="IMG_6856" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zg4rYEcetuk/Tuih4ggdjRI/AAAAAAAACGU/4B_mifRwSRY/IMG_6856_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="674"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OGfbego_Ju0/Tuih5QkHR2I/AAAAAAAACGc/yBvVvWQGVFM/s1600-h/IMG_68802.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6880" border="0" alt="IMG_6880" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zfnJUZveb58/Tuih5yKKZ4I/AAAAAAAACGk/kg2oNISev-w/IMG_6880_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjTXACcHwrozDP1AvkMdwQ17_oNr9WTSOWUEOjXYKXeMB9JMXaiTnh7IkT0ZN8y-Mgemi3pZwGRHSBs0POQsT4G5Ba8DkFnh9q2VdDLtvNedpJ4sZX6eQhV_2E__pXhGTtOTTO70c69gP/s1600-h/IMG_68893.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6889" border="0" alt="IMG_6889" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DlifZei4dHM/Tuih6tsaFnI/AAAAAAAACG0/iWW7_T1-ixs/IMG_6889_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="661"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hlxoeXoJcvw/Tuih7FeE_vI/AAAAAAAACG4/tv1OeWuoP4Y/s1600-h/IMG_68843.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6884" border="0" alt="IMG_6884" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SGpJyyLKhdI/Tuih7h6ey5I/AAAAAAAACHA/P83pCTebKzI/IMG_6884_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="652"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rUld798M2RE/Tuih79AzMiI/AAAAAAAACHI/mpVoDGwsDrM/s1600-h/IMG_69004.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6900" border="0" alt="IMG_6900" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q7ZiTpLN4Ic/Tuih8Sz4d6I/AAAAAAAACHM/tdt4nZEFMsQ/IMG_6900_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="652"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e01zjVO1W8I/Tuih86JJy3I/AAAAAAAACHY/D_HRS-aBaak/s1600-h/IMG_68943.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6894" border="0" alt="IMG_6894" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Filxb88HELI/Tuih9u7ItRI/AAAAAAAACHo/iGwfgRb75K4/IMG_6894_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="651"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UZP01l1ssRE/Tuih-BKiDGI/AAAAAAAACHw/iJ5J0QbRXIA/s1600-h/IMG_69202.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6920" border="0" alt="IMG_6920" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c3bRL4bas_g/Tuih-WDGE8I/AAAAAAAACH4/wp3vF2u0NI8/IMG_6920_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ijOntZBikdqh7160m8kCuvF-8Ds99b7XmYU9oeg1vryxVii-Pe7jvrPg4hWL_PwZj7ipt4zcklqkMYreiuS-NVq30zgbjZEqcv0vZiLw_WIvJiVJm7vZKi2iXqHLyCodPSnOPMZpxP1r/s1600-h/IMG_69212.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6921" border="0" alt="IMG_6921" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yw_fX01l8wg/Tuih_nUJruI/AAAAAAAACIE/J1xE1gCz7Qk/IMG_6921_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </font></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>And of course, the reason for the trip – quality cousin bonding time. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NzYbar9J22c/TuiiACtvSHI/AAAAAAAACIM/GDU4u0DZKkk/s1600-h/IMG_68282.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6828" border="0" alt="IMG_6828" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wFNv6oClN24/TuiiAvMV78I/AAAAAAAACIU/68oxSjIA_bg/IMG_6828_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br>The favorite games these 3 played was running across the room into someone’s arms after they counted to 3. All of the kids would stand at the wall and wait for me or Cheryl to say, “1, 2, 3!” Then they would run to us. Sawyer was the most aggressive and usually took off early…would would catch himself and scoot his little body back up. Lincoln was the fastest and would make it to us first. Hannah always waited until the coast was clear and she knew she wouldn’t collide with anyone before she took off running. She didn’t care as much about winning.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JzRRfW6sylg/TuiiBCOt61I/AAAAAAAACIc/hc-4HMzujvs/s1600-h/IMG_68335.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6833" border="0" alt="IMG_6833" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0zSkG6h6tlA/TuiiBsH2IwI/AAAAAAAACIk/54D2L8H1rNw/IMG_6833_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 425px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9ef457ae-762a-4c98-ab4a-53449a0d5844" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="b306a56b-85c5-48a6-8991-d91bb893ca5a" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ON2my3SSuw" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pEhlQmMLDHA/TujxlJY_3xI/AAAAAAAACI8/nAdiHY4XmlE/video6b8594cd1b6f%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('b306a56b-85c5-48a6-8991-d91bb893ca5a'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4ON2my3SSuw&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4ON2my3SSuw&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Thanks for letting us come Cheryl!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYdlG1toNPkyZ24XNs9zTyl5g-j7whjMbYrXAs1Ed3qh4g_SKn2-8k-0fe2s5ghWIgcsJyjngfYFAobgvcYvMEn1jaBfhMO6YKSkMbqS8b4RyQmQ-ous_8WUN0Biff9h4OqEEQVqLegNR/s1600-h/IMG_6917%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_6917" border="0" alt="IMG_6917" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j7Dub9lU3eQ/TujxmN-K4ZI/AAAAAAAACJM/RmCjhyasGOA/IMG_6917_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-85634970647064276432011-12-14T05:15:00.001-08:002011-12-14T05:22:20.844-08:00Phase 2<p><strong><font size="3">Phase 2: NEW YORK</font></strong></p> <p><font size="2">Start at <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/phase-1.html">Phase 1</a> if you missed it.</font></p> <p>On Saturday, November 5th, I left Hannah at Wendy’s, took a bus, Jonathan took a plane and we met at the Bergen Street Subway stop. I’ve done my fair share of traveling and having to meet up with people, but this is the first time I’ve done it with a cell phone and in my native language, and it sure makes things so much easier. We met up and headed to Brooklyn to Ashley’s place. </p> <p>Ashley and Blair couldn’t have been better hosts. We felt like we were staying at Hotel Willis, what could have been a <a href="http://diamondsoles.blogspot.com/2011/08/just-little-peak.html">5 star hotel</a>, when we found candy and lotions waiting for us on our beautifully made air mattress. We had to make the most of our time with Ashley and Blair because Ashley had just been hired at Nintendo (cool huh!) and had to go to Seattle for a 3-day training. We dropped off our bags and headed to Times Square for dinner.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cBDFmFgpvQw/Tuig4R-uxJI/AAAAAAAAB78/mQI7u4LExkY/s1600-h/IMG_668112.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6681-1" border="0" alt="IMG_6681-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VhUmLWAyQw0/Tuig5PgsQmI/AAAAAAAAB8E/Hck-FO4iQUk/IMG_66811_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="401"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z0OykMgYZ1M/Tuig5mgInmI/AAAAAAAAB8M/UrAYEKjoURY/s1600-h/IMG_66853.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6685" border="0" alt="IMG_6685" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XdScCWOWRIQ/Tuig6N_PA4I/AAAAAAAAB8U/fCHkuriwBjM/IMG_6685_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="627"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--kpQeLj6zps/Tuig607HwvI/AAAAAAAAB8c/eyAuIdb_qM0/s1600-h/IMG_66902.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6690" border="0" alt="IMG_6690" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P1VA9y7yB_A/Tuig7pFRgNI/AAAAAAAAB8k/RZMiGz_Y9js/IMG_6690_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br>We spent the next week doing a lot of touring, site seeing, subway riding, walking, and show seeing. Here’s a run down of what we did each day.</p> <p><strong>SUNDAY</strong> – We went to church with Ashley and Blair, then skipped out after sacrament meeting. The rest of the day was spent tracking down Jonathan’s mission stomping grounds. We wanted to attend a Spanish Branch where Jonathan had served, so we looked up when we could attend one and found a branch starting at noon. We headed over just to find the church website was wrong and it was a Chinese branch at noon. The Spanish branch had just let out so we were able to talk to a few people…no one that Jonathan knew, but they knew the same people. Apparently the church is growing though because 10 years ago that building wasn’t there. They met in a rented space on the second floor of a building down the street.</p> <p>Next we went on a building hunt as he walked down memory lane. The next place we went had a sign on the door saying the 1:00 meeting was canceled for Stake Conference which was at 10 in a different building. Awesome. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ETJLvgYwpp4/Tuig8MdXZRI/AAAAAAAAB8s/MCxlzWSgpRQ/s1600-h/IMG_669112.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6691-1" border="0" alt="IMG_6691-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B69WN56NFJM/Tuig8ZEK4vI/AAAAAAAAB80/VPBJqqbw648/IMG_66911_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="409"></a> <br>After grabbing some pizza at one of Jonathan’s favorite places, we headed off to find a third building. This one was more of a hunt. We ended up having to walk quite a ways to find it. Had it been dark, I would have felt even more nervous walking that area. It didn’t help that we saw about 10 police vans (Jonathan said they use vans so more cops can travel together) fly past us with sirens blaring and half a dozen other vans pulled over confronting groups of people and half a dozen more vans just parked, waiting in the alleys. Should lots of police around make you feel safer or feel like you’re in danger? I believe it’s probably the latter. Jonathan told me that while he served in this area he once was talking to someone who’s door they knocked and they asked this lady if she had heard of or seen the LDS missionaries before. She responded with, “Yeah, I know who you guys are…you’re the only white people dumb enough to be in this part of town.” It’s true. Aside from the man we talked to in the church building, we saw 1 other white person…and we spent about 45 minutes walking to the church.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6694" border="0" alt="IMG_6694" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rLGU1AT47Jk/Tuig9NwvknI/AAAAAAAAB88/BsbWFmGN1Ww/IMG_6694_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"> </p> <p>I felt bad that we had such poor luck actually attending a Spanish branch, but I’m glad I got a glimpse of Jonathan’s mission areas and I’m glad he got to visit some of the places. We wrapped up the evening by heading out to Coney Island. That too was a bust because they closed everything up the weekend before but we walked along the beach and ate hot dogs anyway.</p> <p><strong>MONDAY</strong> – We did the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island thing on Monday. The statue is closed (the ENTIRE thing) for renovations, but we were able to walk around the island and take the highly recommended (by us – best kept secret of the Statue of Liberty) ranger tour. Then we toured Ellis Island – which was much bigger than I thought it would be.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j7vQXXXWGPI/Tuig9vz-DgI/AAAAAAAAB9E/Wzj025DaUy0/s1600-h/IMG_67042.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6704" border="0" alt="IMG_6704" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W4mqq2JvpNw/Tuig-Eip-5I/AAAAAAAAB9I/U-VTuLEsOe4/IMG_6704_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D9GW6jErR_0/Tuig-ow4JxI/AAAAAAAAB9U/HGEuifJmPiA/s1600-h/IMG_67072.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6707" border="0" alt="IMG_6707" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0znW4C3eSuI/Tuig_aYhslI/AAAAAAAAB9c/5G0rYxhuxcs/IMG_6707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oqlTvnOGv-o/Tuig_rV744I/AAAAAAAAB9k/fHQlNAME-ms/s1600-h/IMG_672013.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6720-1" border="0" alt="IMG_6720-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jCCKUew4ifQ/TuihAd5uUaI/AAAAAAAAB9s/eQZLbLsdxyE/IMG_67201_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="710"></a> </p> <p>Once we took the ferry back we walked around the Financial District, watched the Occupy Wall Street protesters, then visited the 9/11 Memorial. We were there at a great time because we got to see it in daylight, but were also there when the sun set and lights turned on.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m93TEQapnIQ/TuihA-MbWXI/AAAAAAAAB90/nRpwYtEmHe0/s1600-h/IMG_67222.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6722" border="0" alt="IMG_6722" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4wTXDwuKCc0/TuihBplhcQI/AAAAAAAAB98/zlYsy-skM8k/IMG_6722_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dkANGXGnr0I/TuihCNGkyjI/AAAAAAAAB-I/y6bclvkOuLI/s1600-h/IMG_67232.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6723" border="0" alt="IMG_6723" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o5XF1VLQpt8/TuihCxHl52I/AAAAAAAAB-M/pRjq8hS-PHs/IMG_6723_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6729" border="0" alt="IMG_6729" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0XLGq0tQBlQ/TuihDqITY3I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/jxMnlZmVzFM/IMG_6729_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4VglA119BNE/TuihEPP8TZI/AAAAAAAAB-g/a5dM2XCWKr4/s1600-h/IMG_67362.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6736" border="0" alt="IMG_6736" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fZCru1CU0FA/TuihE_A9hbI/AAAAAAAAB-o/v0JWGiYEBVo/IMG_6736_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L3oyOBYRUQE/TuihFD-3dEI/AAAAAAAAB-w/twRVWCHPGOI/s1600-h/IMG_674012.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6740-1" border="0" alt="IMG_6740-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gfe65TEiG3M/TuihF855r_I/AAAAAAAAB-4/odFR2EOUTUc/IMG_67401_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="240"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_AEjXD1FXVs/TuihGeNYaKI/AAAAAAAAB_A/tuSHjGN8tSQ/s1600-h/IMG_67303.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6730" border="0" alt="IMG_6730" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tNdmw90NEcI/TuihG4J8D3I/AAAAAAAAB_I/EBg0oDr9uG4/IMG_6730_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="590"></a> </p> <p>Finally we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, ate at a Pizza joint called Grimaldi’s that’s located under the Brooklyn Bridge and got ice cream by the river. By the end of this day, especially with it being right after all the walking we did on Sunday, we were exhausted.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kxv4hfNZHTw/TuihHdLtjYI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/b5GwsUPx-uI/s1600-h/IMG_67482.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6748" border="0" alt="IMG_6748" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IFLX5rsJs9A/TuihIfWTS6I/AAAAAAAAB_Y/PWNp04jblxo/IMG_6748_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6zRkaGnGo2A/TuihImvbCwI/AAAAAAAAB_g/f3555RzIbhc/s1600-h/IMG_67433.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6743" border="0" alt="IMG_6743" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4E33E7pmRms/TuihJVrQS9I/AAAAAAAAB_o/MtQhRHqbe0s/IMG_6743_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="620"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VG5pCSlxmzk/TuihJ-xJscI/AAAAAAAAB_s/SJ3iAGyUa9s/s1600-h/IMG_67472.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6747" border="0" alt="IMG_6747" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ty2aVtBXzUc/TuihKuKpvCI/AAAAAAAAB_4/AF23-YFP6Y4/IMG_6747_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p><strong>TUESDAY – </strong>Even though our feet were sore and we were pooped, I dragged Jonathan out of bed early the next morning to hit up the standby line for tickets to the Regis and Kelly Show. Unfortunately, we didn’t get in but believe it or not we had a good time in line as we made friends with the Canadians in front of us in line, got a free breakfast from a food truck, and had our first of 8 celebrity sightings. Regis was walking up from the parking garage (?I assume?) and walked about a block to the studio. He was on the other side of the street, and I ran to take a picture, but of course I forgot my camera was still on the self-timer setting so I clicked, then it waited 15 seconds to take the picture and I got 3 great shots of a truck passing by. I changed that and snapped a few more, just to realized it was on also on a nighttime setting and my pictures were all blurry. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2WheZtR10b0/TuihLFAdUlI/AAAAAAAACAE/n2GdelpKbYQ/s1600-h/IMG_67663.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6766" border="0" alt="IMG_6766" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_GzdZ_Twlrs/TuihL8Wv1TI/AAAAAAAACAM/LpYSS66e3JU/IMG_6766_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="568"></a> <br>After our bust at ABC studios, we hit up the Rachael Ray show to see if we could get standby tickets for that. This time, we were first in the standby line but it didn’t matter. There was no room for us. The only upside to waiting in line the whole time was we had celebrity sighting #2 – AC Slater. Well, I guess he goes by Mario Lopez these days but as far as I’m concerned, he will always be AC Slater from Saved By The Bell. He was getting out of an SUV to be on the Rachael Ray show (I’m guessing) but then the security guy told him to get back in and go to a different entrance.</p> <p>We grabbed some lunch hit up a few fun Times Square stores like Toys R Us and the M&M store. Then we headed to Central Park and relaxed for a bit. I was amazed at how huge that park is and feel like you could spend a whole week there and still not see everything. We eventually made our way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where once again I learned what a rare man I married. By this I mean, he was the one dragging me from room to room to find certain artists and he was the one stopping to appreciate each statue and painting while I just walked to the next bench and collapsed…and I’m the one with an Art History minor! I’m the one who went on a 3 month study abroad where all we did was walk through museums (and I loved it). My pregnant body was just so tired of walking that sitting on a bench was so much more appealing. I could appreciate from a distance.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s6NjulNu494/TuihMdTYOLI/AAAAAAAACAU/sEcFEEfZVhA/s1600-h/IMG_67702.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6770" border="0" alt="IMG_6770" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lzjlyxrj4f4/TuihNLdUh7I/AAAAAAAACAc/OPRUpCOSm_A/IMG_6770_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <em>This is one of my Grandma Jean’s favorite paintings.</em></p> <p>With our early morning in mind, we called it a night and headed back to Hotel Willis and crashed, knowing we had another big day ahead of us.</p> <p align="left"><strong>WEDNESDAY – </strong>Again, I dragged Jonathan out of bed early so we could stand outside and watch Anne and Al (celebrity sightings numbers 3 & 4 – does it count as a “sightings” if you go to their place of business…it does in my book) on the Today Show. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ohjGROz7V5E/TuihN0IYEEI/AAAAAAAACAk/Y1ohtzDiIRA/s1600-h/IMG_67732.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6773" border="0" alt="IMG_6773" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g0mZ-AopX08/TuihOlG6ZQI/AAAAAAAACAw/Lrs4b7wkkjw/IMG_6773_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6776" border="0" alt="IMG_6776" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UrfdIvwQ-fs/TuihPBtfX7I/AAAAAAAACA4/GLexD3fJGRs/IMG_6776_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"><em>Me shaking Al Rocker’s hand, even though he was still talking to someone else.<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ANYldsrat9U/TuihPizPgsI/AAAAAAAACBA/dDMEx3RklfA/s1600-h/IMG_67782.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6778" border="0" alt="IMG_6778" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ig1d2mvxbbE/TuihQRARonI/AAAAAAAACBE/NJ0t3COJ32U/IMG_6778_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </em></p> <p align="left">I was really disappointed that Matt wasn’t there – because let’s be honest, he’s the only one I care about – but he was off in Malaysia doing “Where in the world is Matt Lauer”. This is as close as I could get.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KHpBakHYX94/TuihQyWKFzI/AAAAAAAACBM/9RkciyvWhKE/s1600-h/IMG_67873.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6787" border="0" alt="IMG_6787" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MSJQddHqYz8/TuihRfRtDtI/AAAAAAAACBU/pmbplZ6PMrI/IMG_6787_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="633"></a> </p> <p align="left">There actually weren’t too many people there so we got a front row spot. I called Cheryl and told her to watch for me and she saw me twice. The second time, she only saw my scarf because I was too busy taking a picture with this fellow (celebrity #5)…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C2XWKibRZRQ/TuihR5dJEoI/AAAAAAAACBc/XsjVe4QJ3eI/s1600-h/IMG_67812.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6781" border="0" alt="IMG_6781" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RZA6O2hGweo/TuihSiYSMOI/AAAAAAAACBo/B6IEKsLjp48/IMG_6781_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br>I’m actually not a Twilight fan at all. Haven’t read any of the books. Haven’t seen any of the movies. Don’t really care to. Don’t really care about this character at all but figured I’d take a picture anyway. Jonathan told him it was nice to see him with a shirt on. Not sure he heard, but I thought it was funny. </p> <p>After the Today Show, we wandered around Rockefeller Square, the NBC studios, and did some more shopping around Times Square. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WdDAhxQCKvA/TuihTDQilXI/AAAAAAAACBw/O50K1stAcwA/s1600-h/IMG_67852.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6785" border="0" alt="IMG_6785" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M57c8qCpmTs/TuihTyI0BNI/AAAAAAAACB8/dw5E_iuJkKI/IMG_6785_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbURGd909uXo45xgRC36Z8ffNL49DSf-swSYxD6dGYkIvUoHqtCV5Jgd8FC26a-fPy-FSOl4L_rBMUnBWmQVFxnJiZMGFGAnG71jNs2IbR3Ki4FYe4DaBt_GsZLMqWAgiD0GMZi1865Fq/s1600-h/IMG_67822.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6782" border="0" alt="IMG_6782" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DmDXYiao2pk/TuihVdRG8qI/AAAAAAAACCQ/5RgpgsIY4ns/IMG_6782_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br>Around 11:30 we headed to Gershwin Theatre to enter the lottery for some Wicked tickets. For those of you that don’t know, some theatres do a drawing 2 hours before each show in which they give out great seats for super cheap to the lucky winners. When we got there, we felt we had a good chance because there were only about 30 people waiting and we had been told they usually draw out between 10 and 20 names. Each drawn name can buy 2 tickets, so we figured all 30 of the people there could possibly get in. Throughout the next 30 minutes though, about 100 more people showed up and we were feeling like the odds were against us. So, we had a strategy. There was a nice young couple also waiting for the drawing and the husband was wearing a BYU hat. We made friends with these people and decided that if BOTH mine and Jonathan had our name drawn, we would get them tickets. If BOTH their names were drawn, they’d get us tickets. Well, it was time for the drawing and what are the chances – Jonathan’s name was called. I probably showed my excitement a little too much (especially since out of the 4 of us, his was the only name called and our newly made BYU friends didn’t get tickets) but I was THRILLED. Wicked was the one musical I really wanted to see and it couldn’t have worked out more beautifully. On our first try, we scored FRONT ROW tickets for $25 each. Had we not won this day, we probably would have tried again every other day (wasting a ton of time) until the last day we were there, then finally shelled out $125 each for back row seats.</p> <p>So, two hours later we went and saw Wicked and loved every second of it. I’ve never seen it, but know all the music and loved seeing how it all tied together. Being on the front row, admittedly is a little close, but I’ll take that over back row any day. We could see the make-up, costume detail, hear individuals voices, and see spit come out of the actors mouths. It was great. I would get so caught up in one person that I would have to remind myself there was more going on and remember to take in the whole stage. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KjsVthB-YWo/TuihV-Q94YI/AAAAAAAACCc/GSIWhtV54JI/s1600-h/IMG_67922.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6792" border="0" alt="IMG_6792" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TK3mm_AcsQg/TuihWWGiyGI/AAAAAAAACCk/W1msIZKvBe4/IMG_6792_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br>Because we went to the matinee, that freed up our evening to visit a family from Jonathan’s mission. We hurried to the train station and bought our, what we thought were very expensive, Long Island Railroad tickets. We had about 2 minutes from the time we bought the tickets to the time the train was leaving so we ran like mad to catch the train then enjoyed the hour long express ride. Once we got there Abelda and her husband Leonaldo picked us up and took us back to their house where we had a traditional meal of Honduras (a soup with just about everything in it. Apparently sometimes the meat they would serve would be things like pigs foot, but Jonathan and Abelda assured me that wasn’t what we had that night). Jonathan enjoyed speaking Spanish with them and I was surprised at how well I could follow their conversations. She joined the church a few months before Jonathan ever knew her but quickly became the “mission mom” and always had the missionaries over and so Jonathan got to know her really well. Abelda speaks English so we would also talk, but her husband didn’t so much of the evening was done in Spanish. After a few hours they took us back to the train station and we headed home. </p> <p><strong>Thursday</strong> – Again, we were exhausted because we left the previous morning a little before 6 and didn’t get home until after midnight so we slept in a little. Our only obligation today was the David Letterman Show (which we scored tickets to the day before as we were killing time between winning the lottery and actually seeing the show). We shopped around at FAO Schwartz and the Apple store before heading over for the taping. I really wanted to go to a show taping while in New York so I was thrilled to get into David Letterman (although he’s not really the one we watch). His guest that day was Katie Holmes, whom I’m not a big fan of. But, nonetheless, it was interesting to see how small the set actually is, how many people are walking around on stage throughout the taping, and how the whole thing works. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NFQ3h_Pudwo/TuihW4WPR-I/AAAAAAAACCs/T2_S9V3FHFU/s1600-h/IMG_67932.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6793" border="0" alt="IMG_6793" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ji9pnZ7RYD8/TuihXaajzZI/AAAAAAAACC0/WCzK9qg_5WM/IMG_6793_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p>They tape Thursday and Friday’s show on Thursday and I guess Steve Martin was going to be on the Friday show, so he was in the audience, sitting about 10 seats down from us, and he did a little banter with Letterman. So with Letterman, Holmes, and Martin that wraps up celebrities 6, 7, and 8.</p> <p>That evening we went to visit another mission family. Nuria Reyes owns an El Salvadorean restaurant so we went there for dinner. She treated us to more food than I could possibly eat. What exactly the meat was is still up in the air. Jonathan loved it though. It was a VERY small restaurant (like 5 tables – but really there was only room for 2) and it was near closing so we were able to visit with her quite a bit. She didn’t speak much English so Jonathan translated. Her husband showed up after a while to take her home and he spoke good English so we talked to him while Nuria closed up the restaurant. We then went to their house and met their kids. They have 3 children. One was just a baby when Jonathan met and baptized Nuria and is all grown up now. When Jonathan taught Nuria, she wasn’t married, and since his mission, married and has become inactive. That’s hard to see because they are such nice, loving people. I guess they are still friends with several members though so all hope is not lost.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CYrV1l6y1xE/TuihX0uACWI/AAAAAAAACC8/uKjZKsJh_4I/s1600-h/IMG_67942.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6794" border="0" alt="IMG_6794" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X030K0o_Lz8/TuihYdA8bmI/AAAAAAAACDE/rmGbnQAcdXM/IMG_6794_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p><strong>Friday – </strong>Ashley had gotten back from her business trip the previous night, so we headed into the city with her Friday morning. She headed off for work and Jonathan and I went to the Manhattan Temple to do a session. The building was there, but the temple was not when Jonathan served his mission so that was fun for him to see. It’s amazing how calm and peaceful you can feel when in the temple compared to the crowded, busy city around you.</p> <p>After the temple we got some cupcakes at Magnolia’s Bakery and then joined 5,000 other cheapos at the Target sponsored Free Friday MOMA night. It was crowded, that’s for sure. But worth saving $25 bucks a pop. And this little gem was a fun surprise we weren’t expecting to see.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--j_izuc27v0/TuihY5b8KAI/AAAAAAAACDM/s-HTr7ajq0M/s1600-h/IMG_67962.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6796" border="0" alt="IMG_6796" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2jDUv8Kf8Y8/TuihZYtxH-I/AAAAAAAACDQ/INNjpHzifE0/IMG_6796_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-prolgXcjCFk/TuihZ5zJ0AI/AAAAAAAACDc/iB9cdWGzQzg/s1600-h/IMG_67952.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6795" border="0" alt="IMG_6795" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lCApFiHAT4c/TuihadM-rWI/AAAAAAAACDg/XZ-STqUng0k/IMG_6795_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p>That night we met up with Ashley and Blair and treated them to a show to say thank you for giving us a place to stay the entire week. Mary Poppins was my favorite musical in London so I’m happy we all got to see it. Our seats weren’t quite as good as at Wicked (sorry Ashley and Blair!), but we still got to see the show and had a good time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JAS80T4tjVA/Tuiha0FYlyI/AAAAAAAACDo/KWdhnXybqxc/s1600-h/IMG_67982.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6798" border="0" alt="IMG_6798" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xe7n3erBZ7s/TuihbWVCPsI/AAAAAAAACDw/5NefumLe0P8/IMG_6798_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p><strong>Saturday – </strong>I would like to say that Saturday, or return travel day, went off without a hitch, but that’s not the case. We thought we gave ourselves PLENTY of time to get to the bus station/airport. We were wrong. We had our route planned out and when we went to make our first subway transfer, both the lines we needed were closed for the weekend. We scrambled to figure out a new route and went our separate ways. I still made my bus, but only by about 5 minutes (I planned to get there an hour early). Jonathan however, missed his flight. Our original plan had him making 2 transfers and then heading straight to the airport (a ride that took 30 minutes when he got to New York). Today, with the closures, it required 5 transfers (one of which he had to wait 25 minutes for a train to come) and almost 2 hours to get there. His flight left at like 11:55 and he showed up to the kiosk at 11:56. I thought for sure this would cost us BIG as we would have to buy another ticket entirely (as has happened to us before) but we were pleasantly surprised to find it was a $60 charge for a new ticket. Still $60 we would rather have not spent, but glad it wasn’t $500.</p> <p>Go here for the <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/phase-3.html">final Phase</a>.</p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-32021231502169660592011-12-14T05:12:00.001-08:002011-12-14T05:21:46.441-08:00Phase 1<p>Ever since Jonathan and I have been married, we’ve wanted to go to New York. Jonathan served his mission there and hasn’t been back since his mission. I’ve never been. So, when my friend Ashley and her husband Blair moved out there this past fall we knew it was our chance. We tentatively planned for April 2012, just before Hannah turned 2. Then we found out I was pregnant and due April 15th – so that wasn’t going to work. The latest I could fly was February 19th so we moved the trip up to then. In my mind I still wanted time to plan and get excited. I wasn’t looking forward to cold weather and even more so, traveling across the country, 7 months pregnant with Hannah (who would be 21 months) on my lap. We checked airline prices for November, pulled the trigger, and 2 weeks later our trip began. </p> <p>I’ve broken this “trip” into 3 separate posts, seeing as it was like 3 separate trips.</p> <p><strong><font size="3">Phase 1: Maryland</font></strong></p> <p>My sister Wendy and her family live there, so Hannah and I went to visit them. We got there Saturday evening and in typical Wendy fashion she had plans for us. We hurried home from the airport, ate, changed and headed off to the first Halloween activity – the ward Trunk-or-Treat. Unfortunately, Maryland had a “HUGE STORM” (there was a <em>slight</em> frost that covered the grass, but you could still see grass and according to Wendy, it would have canceled school had it been a weekday) that day so the Trunk-or-Treat had been cut short. By the time we got there (and then went home because we forgot costume pieces) and went in we had missed the activity and were catching the end of the Spanish branch’s annual piñata party. At least we looked great.</p> <p>We spent the next week </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Trick-or-Treating</font></strong><em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-74PlpQJIaaY/TuifwpWUskI/AAAAAAAABvc/vWHyT7q95Ik/s1600-h/DSC_001113.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0011-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0011-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HuoEzN91yzU/TuifxiRBr9I/AAAAAAAABvk/ava8S0s7GDo/DSC_00111_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" height="580"></strong></a>Ward Trunk-Or-Treat </em></p> <p align="center">We were there over Halloween so we did a group costume. Anderson was Gru from Despicable Me, and the rest of us were his minions.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0018" border="0" alt="DSC_0018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cbw_Qm42J1o/TuifyfwWxnI/AAAAAAAABvs/CZtlYLpoKwI/DSC_0018_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="461"></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2HZM48oDBBM/Tuifyyw-PfI/AAAAAAAABv0/3uvHRitI9aM/s1600-h/DSC_01412.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0141" border="0" alt="DSC_0141" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vyEndQVUqnY/Tuifzu2sdZI/AAAAAAAABv8/JhSB3RbIJ-Q/DSC_0141_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PA3FmOuwQx0/Tuifz9ciHjI/AAAAAAAABwA/wcq1CnxnH9Q/s1600-h/DSC_01603.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0160" border="0" alt="DSC_0160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LEnvOHEpXUI/Tuif0tE81JI/AAAAAAAABwI/_U1AiizQ6rU/DSC_0160_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="623"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C7-perf1p7w/Tuif1DXomoI/AAAAAAAABwQ/5a60oDDaBxI/s1600-h/DSC_01842.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0184" border="0" alt="DSC_0184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZUnfioGEdqs/Tuif1zJPYNI/AAAAAAAABwc/8nYJvIwb92Q/DSC_0184_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Hosting preschool</font></strong><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FNODn7P7Hck/Tuif2Ty83FI/AAAAAAAABwk/5wU-96JfT6I/s1600-h/DSC_00622.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0062" border="0" alt="DSC_0062" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GsjzwlV8lKo/Tuif24fnIKI/AAAAAAAABws/VB9AMB5MetI/DSC_0062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> <em>Preschool was on Halloween day, so we all dressed up in our costumes and made it an “H” is for Halloween Party!<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0069" border="0" alt="DSC_0069" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Jg7R-eBwlQ/Tuif3XARLnI/AAAAAAAABw0/r0jpLmm992c/DSC_0069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zp1u7eP8g74/Tuif4G0Y13I/AAAAAAAABw8/tax_FjXENrY/s1600-h/DSC_00675.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0067" border="0" alt="DSC_0067" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x9nvuXio4Cw/Tuif4gwnFAI/AAAAAAAABxE/oHKKkKGwWBE/DSC_0067_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> <em>These two cousins made preschool very difficult. </em> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Playing with new toys<br></font></strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OCqhydnfoD4/Tuif42WIgCI/AAAAAAAABxM/GVJhlW_PYJg/s1600-h/IMG_64372.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG_6437" border="0" alt="IMG_6437" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qS-bo6EH10M/Tuif5mTOHOI/AAAAAAAABxU/O5lnY39xXaw/IMG_6437_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="409"></strong></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g7KhupflBkk/Tuif51VqC-I/AAAAAAAABxc/1wK1OoCqkpw/s1600-h/IMG_64322.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6432" border="0" alt="IMG_6432" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PEb8jaPYrWs/Tuif6VS1A2I/AAAAAAAABxk/EPYF6rAq4ro/IMG_6432_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="409"></strong></a><font size="4"> <br></font><strong><font size="4">Going to a Pumpkin Patch<br></font></strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NOqhugZyekQ/Tuif6-uMXtI/AAAAAAAABxs/qp3G2isMMew/s1600-h/IMG_64422.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6442" border="0" alt="IMG_6442" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m9jrRibTDcU/Tuif7sZI1rI/AAAAAAAABx4/CRWT2P4JShk/IMG_6442_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></strong></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YRVVBrbz2b4/Tuif8J_zAnI/AAAAAAAAByA/yFnGYfYi_R4/s1600-h/IMG_64603.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6460" border="0" alt="IMG_6460" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n9kFWXRhkoU/Tuif83V0V6I/AAAAAAAAByI/1vkBMudywcE/IMG_6460_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="642"></strong></a><strong> </strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BLy9oD7yhlQ/Tuif9bJdkAI/AAAAAAAAByQ/KkmlVtVUkdU/s1600-h/IMG_64502.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6450" border="0" alt="IMG_6450" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tFbTYQNgvZ4/Tuif-cpFMRI/AAAAAAAAByc/lCXMWocVDfg/IMG_6450_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></strong></a><strong> </strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pqTyxeegO7M/Tuif-7FfsUI/AAAAAAAAByk/dUBmgszwUaA/s1600-h/IMG_64772.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6477" border="0" alt="IMG_6477" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1iT_GJOvMZY/Tuif_YtbQeI/AAAAAAAABys/ZpAylDzt1sM/IMG_6477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></strong></a><strong> </strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x8Kp5_6VnX8/Tuif_rvmA-I/AAAAAAAABy0/SF1Svq8zTeo/s1600-h/IMG_65213.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6521" border="0" alt="IMG_6521" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-paKBojd65rE/TuigAgAObOI/AAAAAAAABzA/2FOsi7_3Mfs/IMG_6521_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" height="719"></strong></a><strong> </strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uWhKFGDFlj4/TuigBZXKmHI/AAAAAAAABzI/ZshsOV0Q9Xo/s1600-h/IMG_65242.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6524" border="0" alt="IMG_6524" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h6Rsfq2Otqc/TuigCPiso_I/AAAAAAAABzQ/03r0XOcql0Y/IMG_6524_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></strong></a><strong> </strong><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DfpvFLpiUrs/TuigCj-fJLI/AAAAAAAABzY/owjIDAGUApI/s1600-h/IMG_65472.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6547" border="0" alt="IMG_6547" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8qErVo6Oer4/TuigDfDEZPI/AAAAAAAABzg/wBkgWPbwcKE/IMG_6547_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></strong></a><em>Seeing as we did the pumpkin patch the day before Halloween, the pumpkins were a little picked over.</em> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Playing at the park<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5k8sCebAcCI/TuigD2SkU9I/AAAAAAAABzo/BWGjz57do_c/s1600-h/IMG_65633.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6563" border="0" alt="IMG_6563" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8p4TFb3fG3Y/TuigEqu_4yI/AAAAAAAABzw/jgtZlDcYWyc/IMG_6563_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="485" height="715"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ocJGuJsn6J4/TuigFmpIvcI/AAAAAAAABz4/ahEcLn-Hn-0/s1600-h/IMG_65662.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6566" border="0" alt="IMG_6566" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sYcbx6WZ9R4/TuigGZxSdYI/AAAAAAAAB0A/oPeQvydUGFc/IMG_6566_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qS7wnCW2LQ4/TuigHC6O4OI/AAAAAAAAB0I/zG-e7hv70w0/s1600-h/IMG_65702.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6570" border="0" alt="IMG_6570" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FN8Ckv6WUI8/TuigIHEid5I/AAAAAAAAB0U/Ps1pqdRS9_Q/IMG_6570_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Going to the DC Zoo<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U1dv8jTI2bY/TuigIpYnZBI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/sGSkDeUKT3k/s1600-h/IMG_65913.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6591" border="0" alt="IMG_6591" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/---ts2uwVDRI/TuigJTOGxRI/AAAAAAAAB0g/RfAVDQFA5j4/IMG_6591_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="671"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h_-5YUIr2DA/TuigJ-SA0rI/AAAAAAAAB0s/gtOT2LED7IM/s1600-h/IMG_66012.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6601" border="0" alt="IMG_6601" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FsIhwWDl6TM/TuigKovoSLI/AAAAAAAAB00/2m5yf1hE6RM/IMG_6601_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a><em><font size="2">This is the famous Panda Mei Xiang (or maybe it’s Tian Tian) that lives at the DC zoo.</font></em> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Having quality cousin time (my generation)<br></strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zyd-xX1QIXQ/TuigLNmCcQI/AAAAAAAAB08/z-W0w_nRQpU/s1600-h/IMG_66102.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6610" border="0" alt="IMG_6610" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bhl4C2hwoeY/TuigLp-61wI/AAAAAAAAB1E/oIeoCsRTIp0/IMG_6610_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></strong></a><strong> </strong></font><font size="2"><em>My cousin Jill lives in the area and met us at the zoo with her 3 kids.</em></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Having quality sister time<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P_oawSOIVDk/TuigMPRkM3I/AAAAAAAAB1M/bCWgro_Blb0/s1600-h/IMG_66252.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6625" border="0" alt="IMG_6625" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bcw24Fu-uzk/TuigNGD3CaI/AAAAAAAAB1U/eA8-iOUzEIA/IMG_6625_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1uxN5SpyPdo/TuigNhHscTI/AAAAAAAAB1c/C-9dHl2lf_M/s1600-h/IMG_66262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6626" border="0" alt="IMG_6626" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-07Jc5Lo-8Sg/TuigOMkRX1I/AAAAAAAAB1k/dJFBvJ_br_E/IMG_6626_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Wrangling 3 kids on the metro<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N6nvVY6uf28/TuigOkVUDVI/AAAAAAAAB1s/j3KwcOYG-k0/s1600-h/IMG_66222.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6622" border="0" alt="IMG_6622" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MTfEvVgZsH8/TuigPWp3CJI/AAAAAAAAB10/9CIOGTNoJmU/IMG_6622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t01GQWBX7vQ/TuigP0LIiMI/AAAAAAAAB18/o2vRgNpGf4s/s1600-h/IMG_66282.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6628" border="0" alt="IMG_6628" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-30mBaEJsEcE/TuigRBaCYZI/AAAAAAAAB2E/oRQysxSAU8c/IMG_6628_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Visiting the Pentagon</strong></font><font size="4"></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f_GZHWgtiHk/TuigRYRxhjI/AAAAAAAAB2M/d1qh0dGUOjw/s1600-h/IMG_66207.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6620" border="0" alt="IMG_6620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mqujoEJNyNo/TuigSAkszaI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/mCyDd0bm2jY/IMG_6620_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="616"></strong></a><strong> </strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EZIqhxfKGOY/TuigS_qjgQI/AAAAAAAAB2g/ut1hXUCx4x4/s1600-h/IMG_66212.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6621" border="0" alt="IMG_6621" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--soiMQgyJIg/TuigTVrh8GI/AAAAAAAAB2o/HjqnD3fU2vc/IMG_6621_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></strong></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Visiting other DC sites<br></p> <p align="center"></strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YGYYTOZs0tM/TuigT2GPMPI/AAAAAAAAB2w/PaFGXy9j8v0/s1600-h/IMG_66313.jpg"><strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6631" border="0" alt="IMG_6631" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NA_mdp2H-LE/TuigUb_mjOI/AAAAAAAAB24/HJKiSi6ruHo/IMG_6631_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="611"></strong></a><strong> </strong></font><font size="2"><em>Washington Monument</em></font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H_vdUM-8ZIU/TuigU2KxPDI/AAAAAAAAB3A/2hFQXXkECfE/s1600-h/IMG_66323.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6632" border="0" alt="IMG_6632" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E-RbtI89S4Q/TuigVnIr_GI/AAAAAAAAB3I/l2eOZrk0NR8/IMG_6632_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="629"></a> Jefferson Monument</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bKET0YRTpB4/TuigV6O7_vI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/ccWOu9MEvKg/s1600-h/IMG_66463.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6646" border="0" alt="IMG_6646" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zOtBZh560WY/TuigWmSzxLI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/Z7onZbohZPg/IMG_6646_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="675"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eU1znACY9dM/TuigXNNvi4I/AAAAAAAAB3g/jNXyv_gFvRc/s1600-h/IMG_66422.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6642" border="0" alt="IMG_6642" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YkPcmZUwYYs/TuigX1WSsxI/AAAAAAAAB3o/tfOohEhslEE/IMG_6642_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a></font></em><em><font size="2"> Martin Luther King Memorial</font></em></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mOLf3yTVEvc/TuigYoujDNI/AAAAAAAAB3w/x5uOHdNNSsc/s1600-h/IMG_66502.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6650" border="0" alt="IMG_6650" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2curSF39Tyo/TuigZNYdHTI/AAAAAAAAB34/n3XKUDBabj8/IMG_6650_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <em>Korean War Memorial</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0BUW88P3u_Q/TuigZluTiiI/AAAAAAAAB4A/VRuo7komdeo/s1600-h/IMG_66585.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6658" border="0" alt="IMG_6658" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LNPCdyPwYws/TuigaWmsAmI/AAAAAAAAB4E/shh6MGaIA6M/IMG_6658_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <em>And we finished up our Monument tour with a picnic lunch on the lawn in front of Lincoln.</em></p> <p align="center"><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sJWMOAr6Stw/TuigaznBMYI/AAAAAAAAB4M/xHZ1pWQT7cw/s1600-h/IMG_66732.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6673" border="0" alt="IMG_6673" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b3onNqPWCEY/Tuigbk4FLpI/AAAAAAAAB4U/6zz8uaQB0HY/IMG_6673_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </em><em>Then we headed to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.</em></p> <p align="center"><em><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-98qqjrItI2w/Tuigbx2kvvI/AAAAAAAAB4c/N3vHW4RpXkE/s1600-h/IMG_667713.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6677-1" border="0" alt="IMG_6677-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RzfpzWdTwJE/TuigcrvIbKI/AAAAAAAAB4o/JtBGkdxRhNw/IMG_66771_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="639"></a> </em></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">But most importantly, the cousins were able to have lots of quality time together.</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8I9NTfsg7UU/TuigdBjvPCI/AAAAAAAAB4s/MGTFp4rB3YM/s1600-h/IMG_68012.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6801" border="0" alt="IMG_6801" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XLMamXnHFlw/TuigdgQNBEI/AAAAAAAAB40/bwRKzmxD_mk/IMG_6801_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Xa_xVx5RYA/TuigeUOtxfI/AAAAAAAAB5A/3endYKWsYpw/s1600-h/IMG_68022.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6802" border="0" alt="IMG_6802" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LpQ_7yZuxD4/Tuige5ml4uI/AAAAAAAAB5I/XmWLhZt-Ato/IMG_6802_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZQUTfyuE_cc/TuigfU9do5I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/g4VaMSsHwbE/s1600-h/DSC_00792.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0079" border="0" alt="DSC_0079" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VP9sKPHV6io/Tuigf6Qo0sI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/y9zVD57I4vE/DSC_0079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XDMlKTFBmMA/TuiggW3wSDI/AAAAAAAAB5g/3cgSe1MTsx4/s1600-h/DSC_00412.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0041" border="0" alt="DSC_0041" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8DBG_Z1Y4To/Tuigg97dGFI/AAAAAAAAB5o/kza0fXf_d2o/DSC_0041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> </p> <p>Unfortunately, once I left things took a turn for the worse. They still had a good time, and did fun things like a Pirate Adventure…<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6wgZnSp7hdA/Tuighku_jDI/AAAAAAAAB5w/XWytf6_Qv1M/s1600-h/DSC_02042.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0204" border="0" alt="DSC_0204" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X9Uage_3mDc/TuigiaiqIFI/AAAAAAAAB54/atdIPaCtgGc/DSC_0204_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a></p> <p align="center"> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0234" border="0" alt="DSC_0234" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HOslcWZAQM8/TuigjM7AxSI/AAAAAAAAB6A/L2rBlAvUWsY/DSC_0234_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="668"> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gSTyv5_VEhM/Tuigjrbn-lI/AAAAAAAAB6I/rZ7obWu-3AY/s1600-h/DSC_03062.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0306" border="0" alt="DSC_0306" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KVHj2Wjelxw/TuigkK1eybI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/QBQUvdu5q9Y/DSC_0306_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> <em>There was even a bounce house at the Pirate Adventure. </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-07JsPr5vYiI/TuigklkP6rI/AAAAAAAAB6c/sU_HBGA5lg8/s1600-h/DSC_03102.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0310" border="0" alt="DSC_0310" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gzf3wLLE_w4/TuiglsT_l6I/AAAAAAAAB6k/3lih9_z1iig/DSC_0310_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="402"></a> <em>I guess Hannah never really got into bouncing – but loved watching her cousins.</em></p> <p>And an evening at Chuck E. Cheese</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2VchF5jPlCA/TuigmEagOXI/AAAAAAAAB6s/6ZcIH4sAE1U/s1600-h/photo12.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="photo(1)" border="0" alt="photo(1)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5uH5P5IUS6s/Tuigm1W9vYI/AAAAAAAAB60/Ic1J_U_o02U/photo1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="409"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ilQmG4AnLhs/Tuignstu2wI/AAAAAAAAB68/QSNo1dOuDtA/s1600-h/photo21.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MAhYPSm8IQI/TuigoQUIj6I/AAAAAAAAB7E/Q707QrBmGsE/photo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="543" height="409"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZYPfAbUEv04/TuigotAL3qI/AAAAAAAAB7M/KDpBIqz-DkY/s1600-h/photo23.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="photo(2)" border="0" alt="photo(2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AxUmfKbmC58/TuigpeXtogI/AAAAAAAAB7U/R5ea2yTVjjM/photo2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="595"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>But when Hannah wasn’t super distracted with an awesome activity, she was pretty miserable. Just a couple days after I left, Hannah got a pretty bad fever for a few days. She already had a cold and things just got worse for her. She was over the new toys, over her cousins, and wanted her mom to come home. She was pretty clingy towards Wendy and wanted nothing to do with Max. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o5iVCNuhBsg/Tuigp4NTU2I/AAAAAAAAB7c/311AARbnLGU/s1600-h/photo411.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="photo(4)" border="0" alt="photo(4)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wUhI3haC0bE/TuigqBYhGnI/AAAAAAAAB7k/oqOOLDF2B2k/photo4_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="356"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kkooTxXl8ws/TuigqrrVTeI/AAAAAAAAB7s/58pmzMZOTT4/s1600-h/photo36.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="photo(3)" border="0" alt="photo(3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zTWsYcVtyvA/TuigrKSWNbI/AAAAAAAAB70/V-ocarfjI8I/photo3_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="356"></a> <em>These pictures were taken the day she had a fever. Poor kid couldn’t stay awake, she felt so miserable.</em></p> <p align="left">Even though Hannah was sick, she did pretty well considering her circumstances. I’m so glad I was able to visit Wendy and her family and I’m SO GLAD Wendy was willing to watch Hannah for the next week (through sickness and all) so Jonathan and I could have a week in New York!</p> <p>Continue reading for <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/phase-2.html">Phase 2</a> and <a href="http://jonalisnow.blogspot.com/2011/12/phase-3.html">Phase 3</a>.</p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-18429805832213983842011-10-07T11:44:00.001-07:002011-10-09T19:38:44.334-07:00Loving this stage<p align="center">The past few months I have really been enjoying Hannah. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved each stage so far but I think where she’s at right now is particularly fun. She learned how to walk just before she turned 16 months and ever since I’ve felt like she’s no longer a baby but a toddler and I love it. Her personality is so present and she’s learning so much and she does the cutest things. <br><br>Ever since she’s learned to walk she LOVES to walk around the house. I’m so surprised she hasn’t gotten bored with that game yet but she carries toys from one side of the house to the other then back again. She’ll bring me toys and put things away. I’m not sure how she picked up on this but Jonathan and I have a basket of shoes downstairs and Hannah has a separate basket and she knows which is which. If I ask her to put her shoes away, she puts them in the correct basket. She likes to go for walks outside so on her own she’ll bring me my shoes (they don’t always match) and then her shoes then she’ll go sit on the stairs so I can put them on her. When we go on the walks, she’ll stop at the door frame or at the curb or anywhere there’s a “big step” and hold up her hand for help. </p> <p align="center">She’s a great helper. She understands so much and will help pick up toys or get books or put her clothes away. Every time I sweep the floor, she wants to sit on the floor with a dust pan and do it just like I am.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Itb4kb4CZ8c/To9IlHo5v9I/AAAAAAAABuI/cT--IV7Ywuk/s1600-h/IMG_6348%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6348" border="0" alt="IMG_6348" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WNqiLSaoJMY/To9IlzdhAdI/AAAAAAAABuM/Yo8GBmiPZ-s/IMG_6348_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br>Recently, she’s learned she can hold things under her chin. Does she so this so she can carry more things? Not sure but it’s really cute. She’ll give Jonathan and I things to put under our chins too. She tries to get a lot of stuff under then, then things fall but she just keeps trying. I love that she never gets discouraged or embarrassed. The other day she put a sticker under her chin and then was so confused when she lifted up her head and nothing fell out.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GCVBleQZUPk/To9ImWgQhKI/AAAAAAAABuQ/jztnrIuiyDc/s1600-h/IMG_6362%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6362" border="0" alt="IMG_6362" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2dPWovAbaFI/To9ImxxIjaI/AAAAAAAABuU/MFT59mADbDE/IMG_6362_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="620"></a> <br>The other night we were putting Hannah to bed. We were singing her a song and out of nowhere she started to conduct us. She waved her right hand around while we sang. Then, she put her hand down, the started up again with both hands. <br><br>She’s discovered the trash can. She loves to put stuff in there. Only the one in the kitchen though with a lid that she has to lift up. At first it was a problem because she would throw her toys, her silverware or my spatulas and Tupperware away. Lately, we’ve been giving her things to throw away and that seems to satisfy her desire to put stuff in the trash. We’ll give her pieces of mail, or food wrappers or things like that. Then, yesterday I found her going into the bathroom, pulling off one square of toilet paper, then walking it to the trash. Then, she would go back and get another piece of toilet paper and throw it away. Oh the things that entertain her.</p> <p align="center">I bought the whole Baby Einstein series before she was born but turns out she’s not really into that. Lately she’s taken to the show “Super Why” but mostly she loves to watch movies of people she knows. This basically means home movies or videos I’ve made. She knows she can watch them on the computer so whenever I”m on the computer she wants to sit in my chair and watch a movie. Sometimes I’ll sit her in my chair and let her watch the movies by herself. I’ll usually find her like this.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fu0Ya921uF4/To9InbsJpaI/AAAAAAAABuY/rDnvnxLujos/s1600-h/IMG_6168%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6168" border="0" alt="IMG_6168" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2TVwuHnBON8/To9In95FrwI/AAAAAAAABuc/9oAAJ_A77OI/IMG_6168_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a></p> <p align="center">The dark is not something that scares Hannah. Maybe this will come as she gets older. Sometimes when I’m getting ready she’ll go into the little room where our toilet is in the bathroom and close the door and then talk to herself. Maybe she likes the acoustics? When I open the door to see if she wants to come out she smiles then closes the door again.<br></p> <p align="center">Speaking of talking to herself, she loves to talk. She always has. She feels like she’s part of the conversation. She likes to talk on the phone too. I’ll often see her pacing around the room with the phone to her ear chatting it up with herself. <br><br>Everyday I’m amazed at how much she understands. I’ll ask her questions like “where’s the pig?” and she’ll waddle off and a few moments later return with the pig that goes to the barn in hand. Just after she turned one she learned a few signs but lately she’s been picking up more and more and so quickly. She knows the following: milk, water, more, all done, eat, cereal, sleep, help, please, thank you, and book. She knows what a dog and monkey say. She knows how to say bubble, baby, one, Dada, Mom, Oh wow, what’s that?, Papa, go, car, uh-oh, ball, hi, and bye. She tries to repeat whatever we say but those are the words she has pretty solid. She can find her belly, feet, hands, hair, bow, eyes, mouth, and teeth. Her ears and nose are hit and miss. When you ask her how old she is (in either English or Spanish) she’ll hold up one finger and say “one”.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 425px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:923e3395-a9a5-4207-9c62-5f383986e42f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="613c401d-af24-4208-a225-a24c3217ee17" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTZLXfnoeOQ" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t1WbZQzNSHw/TpJasSO6xRI/AAAAAAAABuw/GwS0PnC6iXo/video84bfc48acd14%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('613c401d-af24-4208-a225-a24c3217ee17'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OTZLXfnoeOQ&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/OTZLXfnoeOQ&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="center"><br>She likes to hide behind a chair in the family room, especially when she’s mad at me. Then she remembers it’s awesome to play peek-a-boo while hiding behind the chair because her whole body is hidden and she can run out from behind it and say “HI”. This means she doesn’t stay mad at me for too long.<br><br>Hannah likes to do somersault but can’t do them on her own yet. So, when she wants to do one, she’ll go into a downward dog position and wait for someone to flip her feet over.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 487px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:2c0ac31a-ce69-448b-8402-ba728e4c6193" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="6d202bea-3596-4044-a60b-e908265f448a" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqEgDGHq8c4" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sitk-xWpbk0/To9IorfciwI/AAAAAAAABu0/592o0a_ucCs/videof2bc2a99c683%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('6d202bea-3596-4044-a60b-e908265f448a'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"487\" height=\"406\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/HqEgDGHq8c4&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/HqEgDGHq8c4&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"487\" height=\"406\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="center">She’s great at giving kisses and makes a “mu-ah” sound when she does it. She kisses everything and loves to kiss pictures. She looks out the window by the front door and waits for Dad to come home. Whenever a door opens our alarm system says “Front Door Open” (or whatever door it is). When she hears that she runs to the door to greet whomever it is. When someone leaves the house or even room she gets sad and runs after them. She says “hi” and “bye” all the time and waves while she says it.<br><br>I could go on for pages about all the things I love about Hannah. I am LOVING this stage. She wants to make us happy and she’s so easily entertained and distracted. She finds joy in the simplest of things. No matter how many times she falls she never gets discouraged. I’m so happy she’s part of our family. And I’m so happy we’ll be adding another little one to our group next spring. That’s right…Hannah’s going to be a </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U_6Z7eO92xA/To9IpYrMjEI/AAAAAAAABuo/oAp0oVQaZww/s1600-h/Big%252520Sister%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Big Sister" border="0" alt="Big Sister" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EddyXbEnZlg/To9Ip9k6C8I/AAAAAAAABus/3mXAgDUP2u0/Big%252520Sister_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="666"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-29337757261737884222011-09-20T11:59:00.001-07:002011-09-20T13:46:24.020-07:00Desk<p>A few weeks ago I went to DI to look for a lamp that I could spray paint and use in our newly decorated family room. While there, I stumbled upon something fantastic. A desk. A big, black, solid wood desk. I have been wanting a new desk for a long time because the desk we have been using is small, has no drawers, and is completely eaten up by our computer. I shopped around for a desk but couldn’t find what I wanted. Everything was too executive (i.e. old man) looking, <a href="http://www.beinteriordecorator.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/Bedford-Rectangular-Desktop-Set-home-interior-furniture-Pottery-Barn-bedroom-furniture.jpg">Pottery Barn had the style I wanted</a>, but not the price I was looking for. We even threw around the idea of having a neighborhood friend custom build us a desk. After a lot of looking I decided I wouldn’t stress over it. I had just spent a lot of money getting our front room put together (post on that to come soon) and decided I could put finding a desk on the back burner.</p> <p>So, when I saw this desk I was thrilled. The price was right, the style was right, the size was right, the quality was right, the color however, was wrong. I have nothing against black, I have a lot of black furniture, but it wasn’t the look I was going for. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XeqZpFGlspo/Tnjhj6yQlrI/AAAAAAAABso/3jokwSy--fg/s1600-h/IMG_6187%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6187" border="0" alt="IMG_6187" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C3FzXVVqeg8/TnjhlA7BxxI/AAAAAAAABss/i6YeqKU0nAE/IMG_6187_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p>I took a picture with my phone and sent it to Jonathan and my mom (I run all my interior decorating decisions past her). Jonathan said he liked it and was supportive of my buying. Our conversation went a little something like this.</p> <p>Ali – “I want to paint it and make it look like the white armoire.”<br>Jonathan – “So….does this mean <em>I</em> will paint it to make it look like the armoire?”<br>Ali – “Very possibly.” </p> <p>I’m not always the best at finishing projects.</p> <p align="center"><em>The inspiration armoire</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cpvvJ93WA1Q/Tnj7m5NcyTI/AAAAAAAABuA/79Okl9f3w5Y/s1600-h/IMG_2755%25255B3%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2755[3]" border="0" alt="IMG_2755[3]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kBLE8MUWW54/Tnj7nmMIBII/AAAAAAAABuE/eqx2GsB3V8M/IMG_2755%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="774"></a></p> <p>My mom was also supportive. So supportive that she jumped in her new, big car and came to American Fork to drive it home for me. I love her new car. It has hooked me up so many times already. We loaded it up and brought it home then headed to get supplies. </p> <p>It’s tough to work on a project like this with a little Hannah running around so I could only work on it in 2 hour chunks while she was napping. So, admittedly, it took about 2 weeks longer than it should have but regardless, it’s done.</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">BEFORE</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--MnRwhVoCfs/TnjhmgwtTNI/AAAAAAAABsw/_lH34loLw7U/s1600-h/IMG_6189%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6189" border="0" alt="IMG_6189" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-so6cvAQN1mY/TnjhoMOdpwI/AAAAAAAABs0/Zs2QhaEMGqY/IMG_6189_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P15irRD_NfM/Tnjhp3pIV_I/AAAAAAAABs4/FWWD94QYNVY/s1600-h/IMG_6188%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6188" border="0" alt="IMG_6188" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oz-Wt64RHYk/TnjhrtSkpQI/AAAAAAAABs8/2z1m0yS0xuI/IMG_6188_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="774"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rlcypCrMXZs/TnjhtZ4ZbJI/AAAAAAAABtA/VZAOBnCpNMw/s1600-h/IMG_6190%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6190" border="0" alt="IMG_6190" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uyfSvUdkc-g/TnjhujmCfiI/AAAAAAAABtE/mXqWaXjQ9As/IMG_6190_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="320"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5"></font></strong> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">DURING<br></font></strong><strong>Step 1 – Priming it</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NRHOfCB-kJA/TnjhwO8pxvI/AAAAAAAABtI/50MDBc7B9Is/s1600-h/IMG_6201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6201" border="0" alt="IMG_6201" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Phpr6Lm1NBQ/TnjiJjyIKSI/AAAAAAAABtM/KoyGpXKZXQ8/IMG_6201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Step 2 – Painting it</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zNgod8faTmg/TnjiLrmB09I/AAAAAAAABtQ/pnuq_puVS_E/s1600-h/IMG_6205%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6205" border="0" alt="IMG_6205" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KkfoBKg5fis/TnjiNIRYCtI/AAAAAAAABtU/ddn6s3htzN0/IMG_6205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>Step 3 – Distressing it</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-afD_ny2a3KQ/TnjiPk3KshI/AAAAAAAABtY/0qwntI_3IUE/s1600-h/IMG_6246%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6246" border="0" alt="IMG_6246" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FoD5gnYJefs/TnjiQkCpLGI/AAAAAAAABtc/UB0Q2IDOflg/IMG_6246_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>The Finished Product</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bRzK1O4JnSc/TnjiSX6Qd4I/AAAAAAAABtg/8g1KbCjsKzE/s1600-h/IMG_6278%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6278" border="0" alt="IMG_6278" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wSMP6bDpVLI/TnjiTk1igAI/AAAAAAAABtk/C9PcolAdieU/IMG_6278_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EuR5ob-spUA/TnjiVsCMvXI/AAAAAAAABto/l3BoSKM1b7U/s1600-h/IMG_6275%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6275" border="0" alt="IMG_6275" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IwKbYaf8kMo/TnjiW3FIXYI/AAAAAAAABts/mAwNJ5z8LBI/IMG_6275_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E4KRthip5BM/TnjiYgc7gEI/AAAAAAAABtw/017wC4QoHYg/s1600-h/IMG_6277%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6277" border="0" alt="IMG_6277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nPf7JOmL2K8/TnjiaRBfBlI/AAAAAAAABt0/onhVHb0u1_U/IMG_6277_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="774"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DAp7nN1gqNU/TnjicCSlWQI/AAAAAAAABt4/6iOwsJNB_MI/s1600-h/IMG_6276%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6276" border="0" alt="IMG_6276" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0lKcq8QlCik/TnjidZ8FufI/AAAAAAAABt8/FUu5Uxxebw8/IMG_6276_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="406"></a></p> <p>Pretty much I. love. it. I LOVE how big it is. I love how many drawers there are. I love that there is so much workspace. I think it turned out so well and I’m so proud of myself for actually doing it. Jonathan only helped in moving it and priming the drawers. I’m so happy I didn’t settle for something I didn’t love. I’m so happy I didn’t spend a fortune on a brand new one. I’m so happy I didn’t order one that was slightly better than what we had just to have it be a flimsy piece of junk. I’m so happy that I waited for the right thing to turn up.</p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-56054834828631737222011-08-12T22:52:00.001-07:002011-08-12T22:52:47.821-07:00My Cancer Story<p>I wrote this about a year ago and decided to publish the account of my “cancer story”.</p> <p>Cancer Story <p>I had this mole on my knee as long as I can remember. It was bigger and darker than others but not that strange looking. When I went to the dermatologist two years ago I specifically asked about it. The girl told me it was not a big deal. A year later I had Ryan take a look at it. He had spent all summer working in dermatology offices since that’s the kind of doctor he wants to be. I told him I was concerned because it looked like a funny shape to me. He pointed out that it was really two moles, very close together and that was the reason for the funny shape. That made sense. I could now see where the two moles were touching.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QSYwJf2RN90/TkYRAChgnLI/AAAAAAAABqc/EtGMNYlFikk/s1600-h/Before%252520Picture%252520of%252520Mole%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Before Picture of Mole" border="0" alt="Before Picture of Mole" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wvHI_qJYWZE/TkYRB5yJaSI/AAAAAAAABqg/E5X1MN6-LtY/Before%252520Picture%252520of%252520Mole_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="401"></a> <br><br>Throughout the summer when I started wearing shorts again, I started noticing it more again. I couldn’t really find the two moles anymore. Now it just like one big one (about the size of an eraser on a pencil). For the first time I noticed it was bumpy and there were white flakes on it. I thought about going in for a while, but decided I had other things to worry about, like having a baby and becoming a first time mom.<br><br><strong>July 22, 2010</strong>- I went to the Dermatologist to have a whole body mole check. It had been about 2 years since I went, I was going off Nebo School District insurance and had already hit my deductible so I figured I might as well go to as many doctors as I could, and I had a funny looking mole on my right knee that was making me nervous.<br><br>I didn’t see the actual dermatologist, but I saw the PA (Physicians Assistant). I told him my family history (my dad had pre-melanoma on his face, Grandma Edna had melanoma, and my sister Wendy had melanoma on her arm), then I pointed out the one on my knee and told him I was most concerned about that mole. He looked at it and said, “It does look a little funny, not too bad though. But if you feel like it’s changing, I’ll go ahead and take it off.” He then proceeded with my full body mole check and removed two more things (one on my left arm that was grey-I had never noticed it before, and one on my back-I asked him to remove that because “it would get irritated by my bra”... I just didn’t like it).<br><br>That was all. I went home, got Hannah and took off for the Snow Family Reunion in Heber. No big deal.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YA7fUF7IOPs/TkYRCY-DQDI/AAAAAAAABqk/zhPa-DyygJs/s1600-h/IMG_1833%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1833" border="0" alt="IMG_1833" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H3BS5vBMuT4/TkYRDDqGk0I/AAAAAAAABqo/09TwIpz1i98/IMG_1833_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a><em>This is what it looked like after they scraped it off.</em></p> <p align="left"> <br><strong>August 3rd</strong> - I was grocery shopping at Smith’s and had my phone buried in the diaper bag. I never heard it ring. When I got in the car I saw I had a missed call and voice mail. I didn’t recognize the number. I wondered if it was the dermatologist’s office calling. I listened to the message. I thought for sure it would be the secretary's voice saying “We got your test result’s back, everything looks good. Have a nice summer.” Instead, it was the doctor herself (who I had yet to meet) calling from her personal phone at home (come to find out later that made total sense because she only works 2 days a week from 12-4....not a bad life). Anyway, she just said she got my test results back and wanted to discuss them with me so I needed to call her back as soon as possible at her home. My stomach got all in a knot - that couldn’t be good.<br><br>When I got home, I got Hannah settled and called her back. Everything she told me is now kind of a blur. She told me the results for the mole on my knee came back as melanoma. It was .42 mm deep. I needed to have it removed. She wanted to see me the next day to see if it was something she could do or if I needed to go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute. That made it seem like a big deal. While she’s telling me all this I was trying to remember the details of Wendy’s cancer. Hers ended up being “no big deal” - meaning, they cut it out and it was over with. That gave me comfort. She wanted to me to call her office and set up a time for tomorrow. I did.<br><br>I called Jonathan first. He reacted very calmly. I was also surprisingly calm. It was what it was, we would deal with it as it unfolded, and everything would be fine. I caught it early and that was the good news.<br><br>Next I told Cheryl, then Wendy. Wendy was good to talk to because she had just been through this exact thing 2 years ago. I waited until my mom got home from work to tell her. She just kept saying, “Well, crap.”<br><br><strong>August 4th</strong> - 1:30 I went to the dermatologist. My parents came down to watch Hannah and Jonathan met me there. The whole thing was again kind of a whirlwind. The doctor didn’t have any openings that day. She was just squeezing me in and it sure felt that way. I wanted her to come in and sit down next to us and say things like “Good job for knowing your body and coming in. We caught it early so everything is going to be fine. This is what it means to have melanoma… Here’s a diagram of your skin... This is how deep yours is... This is how it spreads... This is what’s going to happen tomorrow...” Instead, she ran in - looked at my knee, squished the skin around it, said she could do it, wrote a prescription down for me for compression socks, and asked if I had any questions. Well, of course I had questions but I didn’t know what they were or how to ask them. I mean, I had read up on melanoma before coming so I had a basic understanding but I didn’t know how to say “talk to me like I didn’t spend 15 years studying medicine and I have no idea what’s going on - explain it from the beginning.” I asked what my official diagnosis was so I could compare what I had to Wendy. She said, “You have melanoma.” I told her Wendy’s diagnosis and she said, “Oh, I don’t diagnose things that way.” Why don’t all doctors diagnose things the same way?<br>I came home feeling like everything would be fine. I always knew it would be. I was frustrated though that the doctor didn’t spend more quality time teaching me about the cancer I had.<br><br><strong>August 5th</strong> - I spent the day going from one medical supply store to another trying to find compression socks and a knee brace that will make it so I can’t bend my knee. The doctor made it sound like it would be easy to find and cheap. That wasn’t true. I ended up at a doctor’s office that makes prosthetic arms and legs. I felt dumb there. They said that most surgeons have those braces at the surgery centers to just give the patients. Mine didn’t. I was starting to get the feeling that this doctor didn’t remove melanoma from knees very often (I later found out that she only has 1 or 2 patients with cancer a year…so not as common as I thought). In the end, I called the doctor’s office because I needed a prescription to get one. And they weren’t cheap - around $100.<br><br><strong>August 6th</strong> - 1:45 I went in to have the cancer dug out. My mom watched Hannah and my dad drove me to the appointment. Jonathan met us there. I guess I misunderstood what would be happening. I thought she would use the razor thing that was originally used to scrape the mole off but just go deeper and wider. Nope. She numbed my knee, took out a scalpel, and cut a circle around my mole. I started bleeding. Then, she took pliers, lifted up my skin and started cutting with a pair of scissors. The whole thing took about an hour and a half. The chunk of skin was 3 inches in diameter and a couple of centimeters thick. I watched for about half of the cutting before I started to feel nauseous and she had me lay down so I couldn’t see. She stitched it up by doing a purse string stitch. That meant she stitched around the outside and then pulled it together like a purse sting. When she pulled I could feel the skin of my shin and thigh being pulled. Very weird sensation. When she finished she said I still had a dime-sized hole, so she did it again. Then she did seven more stitches along the top. <br><br>I was told not to bend my knee for two weeks.</p> <p align="left"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1841" border="0" alt="IMG_1841" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TI7BvFL_nIo/TkYRD7CVB5I/AAAAAAAABqs/8FJ3yQIatNQ/IMG_1841_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_LQdusvHaZQ/TkYREf7353I/AAAAAAAABqw/wOFk0uGJgrI/s1600-h/IMG_1922%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1922" border="0" alt="IMG_1922" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8hKXHY4maMs/TkYRFOS9X9I/AAAAAAAABq0/fpvSXmLlKm4/IMG_1922_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br><br><strong>August 7th-20th</strong> - I wore my brace only some times. It was hot and cumbersome. I was surprised at how easy it was to NOT bend my knee. I was very aware of the pain associated with me bending my knee. When it was straight though, it was fine. The night of the 7th was when I was in the most pain. I couldn’t sleep because it hurt so bad. They didn’t prescribe me any medication because she told me the pain wouldn’t be that bad. Jonathan went to the store at midnight to get me some extra strength Tylenol. That helped.<br><br>I felt stupid wearing the brace. It drew a lot of attention - but then again, so did walking with my knee perfectly straight. People’s reactions surprised me. Some people were very sympathetic. I appreciated that. Most people would see the brace and say, “Oh my gosh what happened?” I would answer by telling them I had some cancer on my knee and it was removed so I had a big hole in my skin with stitches. If I bent my leg the stitches would break, therefore I had to wear the brace. People would respond by saying “Oh, good, I thought it was something horrible like you broke your leg.” One person even said, “Well, you should at least make up a better story than that.” Those responses hurt my feelings. Yes, a torn ACL would be more painful and a longer recovery process. But, a torn ACL won’t kill you. Had I not gone in, I would be slowly dying of cancer. Didn’t people get that? Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. More than 8,000 people die each year because of it. Now, I know that’s not as many as breast cancer, or lung cancer...but it’s still cancer and it’s still deadly. People didn’t seem to get that.<br><br><strong>August 20th</strong> - I went in to get the stitches out. That was a pretty quick process. I was told I could slowly start to bend my knee again. It felt like I had to relearn how to walk. I was amazed at how after only a week, my muscles that bent my knee were so weak. With every step I felt wobbly. It took about 3 days before I felt like I was walking normal. It took about 2 weeks before I could go up and down stairs with some normalcy. <br><br><strong>September 3rd</strong> - It has now been about a month. My knee has a small infection. Every time I sit I can tell that I’m still stretching out the skin. I try not to bend my knee too much. When I was in the 4th grade, I was chasing after a ball, tripped and fell. I had a scar on the right side of my knee from that fall. Now that scar is on the top of my knee. I had another mole on the inside of my knee. Now, that mole is part of the scar. It’s weird to think my skin was stretched that much. <br><br>I spoke with the dermatologist’s office today. The test results were back and all margins were clear. All the cancer is gone. I will now go in to be checked once every 4 months for a year, then every 6 months, then once a year for the rest of my life. Because both Wendy and I have had melanoma, our other siblings have a 98% chance of getting it.<br><br>----------------------------------------------------</p> <p>It’s now been just over a year since it was removed. I don’t in any way feel like I “survived cancer” because when I think of cancer I think of people going through things so much worse. I do, however, have a lovely scar to remind me how grateful I am that I knew my body, and I got it checked out, and it didn’t become a big deal.</p> <p>This picture was taken last month.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FTR9oWJCqoY/TkYRF3h4nZI/AAAAAAAABq4/rLm0WletCag/s1600-h/IMG_0226-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0226-1" border="0" alt="IMG_0226-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AwxzFi26Nl4/TkYRJx7mftI/AAAAAAAABq8/INj31J1yqB8/IMG_0226-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="578"></a></p> <p> This is zoomed in on my knee. Cool scar, eh?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PUOMzNFCEG4/TkYRKy8Fi_I/AAAAAAAABrA/KNS4JozpCr0/s1600-h/IMG_0227-1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0227-1" border="0" alt="IMG_0227-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6nDHzCdNsgc/TkYRLVig2hI/AAAAAAAABrE/gfVbmurNXxU/IMG_0227-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="495" height="409"></a></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-81077295802625513362011-07-26T16:37:00.001-07:002011-07-26T18:17:58.525-07:00Moab/Arches National Park<p align="center">I’ve lived in Utah my entire adult life and I’ve never taken the 4 hour drive south to see one of the things Utah is most known for. So, when Jonathan’s sister said they would be going to Moab and hiking around arches before the family reunion we decided to tag along – and I’m sure glad we did. It was more fun that I thought it would be and I loved spending time with family.</p> <p align="center">We left Friday after Jonathan got home from work and pulled into our ultra swanky Super 8 around 8:00. We met up with the Ford’s (Jonathan’s sister’s family), unpacked (I have to unpack when I arrive somewhere, even if it’s only for a few days), and tried to put Hannah to bed. I say tried because it took us 3 1/2 hours before she finally fell asleep. At 9:45 we put her down (much later than her normal bed time) but were worried her crying would be annoying to our neighbors. (By night 2 we got over that fear). We only let her cry for about 5 minutes before I went in and held/bounced her for an hour. She was almost asleep when I texted Jonathan (who had been sitting in the hall) to come in and turn down the AC so it wouldn’t be so loud next to her pack and play. Our stupid, LOUD as could be door woke her up and she was ready for another party. Fast forward to midnight and she’s still wide awake so we put her in the stroller and walked the halls of the motel/town for 30 minutes to find her even more hyper with the new environment. Around 1:15 we just put her in her bed and she cried off and on for another 10 minutes before falling asleep. Needless to say the next morning we were very tired.</p> <p align="center">We got to Arches around 9:00 and set off for our first “hike”. I’m sure there are much harder hikes to do but we did simple ones that little kids could do with us. I was very pleased with how family friendly arches was.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FXCpwFG7958/Ti9PPCMlzBI/AAAAAAAABno/5BpFJDLV_to/s1600-h/IMG_5709%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5709" border="0" alt="IMG_5709" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D0ic-HdR2GI/Ti9PPu7h4tI/AAAAAAAABns/LMctBOtgdGs/IMG_5709_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fQuRtQa1dnQ/Ti9PQMWPVfI/AAAAAAAABnw/oIqXKPd-srg/s1600-h/IMG_5596%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5596" border="0" alt="IMG_5596" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ztfeRSzbRoQ/Ti9PQ_2sA2I/AAAAAAAABn0/lxgFEqMkwME/IMG_5596_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="690"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZVCnGQLVWLY/Ti9PRdfEpBI/AAAAAAAABn4/u5KGQVjdFPw/s1600-h/IMG_5598%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5598" border="0" alt="IMG_5598" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-02M90rFKbMc/Ti9PR-1_MEI/AAAAAAAABn8/0ujmMxyfFNQ/IMG_5598_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hsJFI6IW1Xo/Ti9PSlPP-mI/AAAAAAAABoA/v-NvqPkl3e0/s1600-h/IMG_5600%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5600" border="0" alt="IMG_5600" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Eficv-hM5Z0/Ti9PTVuqbwI/AAAAAAAABoE/UaoLoxZZnEg/IMG_5600_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="671"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cBOAC8HVxxk/Ti9PT4ET82I/AAAAAAAABoI/1vAo3uCDxxQ/s1600-h/IMG_5602%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5602" border="0" alt="IMG_5602" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sNDm6YoUbYs/Ti9PUrssqsI/AAAAAAAABoM/B1wchOnmjg8/IMG_5602_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <br>For the second hike we lost the three year old and his mom but the rest of us went to Landscape Arch and Navajo Arch.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cC9Q2o-jqdI/Ti9PVKBb-MI/AAAAAAAABoQ/b4SBWCnyHlc/s1600-h/IMG_5610%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5610" border="0" alt="IMG_5610" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qwIAR4obYNo/Ti9PWNnHW8I/AAAAAAAABoU/NPSD3ZOW3ZE/IMG_5610_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="691"></a><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5631" border="0" alt="IMG_5631" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZXafq25V2_c/Ti9PWqMEBcI/AAAAAAAABoY/ZSyf4NSXGpM/IMG_5631_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5629" border="0" alt="IMG_5629" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-95UpfvifECg/Ti9PXuyqiPI/AAAAAAAABoc/xsX-ZNTaINQ/IMG_5629_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gS9-1z3nzaE/Ti9PYJDwOFI/AAAAAAAABog/R1_zBvLNyAY/s1600-h/IMG_5613%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5613" border="0" alt="IMG_5613" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_k_NHYOIarU/Ti9PY1mq5-I/AAAAAAAABok/7AFTcufV0zQ/IMG_5613_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="681"></a><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5616" border="0" alt="IMG_5616" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-boSiCOOApbg/Ti9PZjUb4oI/AAAAAAAABoo/dhqCEbs4tro/IMG_5616_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5612" border="0" alt="IMG_5612" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AfEf5C5yrK4/Ti9PaWJmjCI/AAAAAAAABos/hBsX5eaAu_I/IMG_5612_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></p> <p align="center">Did I mention that Hannah loved being carted around on Daddy’s back?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xo1BcA3HKG8/Ti9PakNqTHI/AAAAAAAABow/2xWnynsxy44/s1600-h/IMG_5608%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5608" border="0" alt="IMG_5608" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bxxfXbMTfe0/Ti9PbRcmtcI/AAAAAAAABo0/Zv_6tgIQkp4/IMG_5608_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="477" height="703"></a></p> <p align="center">But after awhile she started to get tired so we headed back for naps.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TPXPV7v4IOk/Ti9Pb9bYS2I/AAAAAAAABo4/vwsCttYobUk/s1600-h/IMG_5635%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5635" border="0" alt="IMG_5635" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mqw2ZjEkRJU/Ti9PcgSQnVI/AAAAAAAABo8/cxZ_PKRqhps/IMG_5635_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">That night David and Melissa and their little girl that is just 3 months older than Hannah joined us. We went out for dinner.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cK2PJI5elY4/Ti9PdBjdQ_I/AAAAAAAABpA/izlVtOkO_L8/s1600-h/IMG_5640%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5640" border="0" alt="IMG_5640" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PSTLwjw7gx4/Ti9PdxxnwzI/AAAAAAAABpE/EL21SqZFQH8/IMG_5640_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="397"></a> <br>The next morning we went to church then headed to “Hole in the Rock”. No, not the place where the pioneers had to take their wagons, but a house that some guy with too much free time built in the side of the mountain. After that we went to the “movie museum” where there were a bunch of pictures documenting all the movies that have been shot in Moab.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MAZsidJVH78/Ti9PetcAiWI/AAAAAAAABpI/3pOH6FLQodA/s1600-h/IMG_5642%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5642" border="0" alt="IMG_5642" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IyxHD4NzKpQ/Ti9PfcBw1sI/AAAAAAAABpM/1nvnzQgzd9g/IMG_5642_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="593" height="401"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f7HMg6ho0ls/Ti9PfzPip4I/AAAAAAAABpQ/Ch7sgR_jOcs/s1600-h/IMG_5649%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5649" border="0" alt="IMG_5649" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zz4N_WCQ5hg/Ti9PgtZ-hTI/AAAAAAAABpU/ikbnaQowd8I/IMG_5649_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="615"></a> </p> <p align="center">The next day, Monday, was by far the most eventful. This was the day we decided to do <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delicate_Arch">Delicate Arch</a>. We got a later start than planned (which tends to happen when little kids are involved.) The Fords decided not to go on this one as they wanted their kids to sleep in and they thought it might be tough for the littlest one. We pulled into the parking lot at 9:00 and from the time Jonathan turned off the car and got out and looked in the back window Hannah and thrown up all over herself. We’re still not totally sure what made her sick but it was everywhere. Luckily we had a full thing of wipes and extra clothes. We changed her and wiped up the car seat the best we could, left the car windows rolled down to let it air out and continued on with our plans.</p> <p align="center">I’m so glad we didn’t turn back then. Delicate Arch was a great little hike and a beautiful sight.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W1UYvfVWdM8/Ti9PhV6T2HI/AAAAAAAABpY/SV7tyssRFjk/s1600-h/IMG_5655%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5655" border="0" alt="IMG_5655" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-taVkrFxV9HI/Ti9PiORIVGI/AAAAAAAABpc/WAI6LXZoBNE/IMG_5655_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <em>We thought we made it….but had to continue on.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eMI8us30btI/Ti9PihTqZuI/AAAAAAAABpg/OZff10A4AuI/s1600-h/IMG_5657%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5657" border="0" alt="IMG_5657" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D-13fMmqL2M/Ti9PjZPvGMI/AAAAAAAABpk/vrG_O0dAMQg/IMG_5657_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9nCAaaMvvC4/Ti9Pj9y5WGI/AAAAAAAABpo/8KLoZby8Pjc/s1600-h/IMG_5662-1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5662-1" border="0" alt="IMG_5662-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PcCAiDDDW9I/Ti9Pku7Jf8I/AAAAAAAABps/dl2F3sM50s4/IMG_5662-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="361"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FsGS3rGNAcM/Ti9PlETHaQI/AAAAAAAABpw/R_FyZCrkS2k/s1600-h/IMG_5687-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5687-1" border="0" alt="IMG_5687-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vBBor0ztYEg/Ti9Pl04UnHI/AAAAAAAABp0/lLfqpxUsBtE/IMG_5687-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="673"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XdAm4tpdpsg/Ti9PmXa24qI/AAAAAAAABp4/GyX10SypdqM/s1600-h/IMG_5678%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5678" border="0" alt="IMG_5678" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X7XCMcVOPjI/Ti9PnGQgwuI/AAAAAAAABp8/8AKp1kq52Qc/IMG_5678_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="834"></a> </p> <p align="center">The walk back was apparently hot and exhausting for the little girls.</p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5694" border="0" alt="IMG_5694" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-28O3onvvq5Q/Ti9PnmktFOI/AAAAAAAABqA/tvCEAifjSeo/IMG_5694_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5696" border="0" alt="IMG_5696" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uHoeYEEG5mY/Ti9PoR4e_VI/AAAAAAAABqE/B9qqfZuj6W8/IMG_5696_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">We made a quick stop at Balanced Rock then headed to a laundromat do wash Hannah’s clothes and attempt to wash her car seat.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GqlK9Tmkm4Y/Ti9PoiuZuoI/AAAAAAAABqI/7lIknE6ZD0U/s1600-h/IMG_5708%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5708" border="0" alt="IMG_5708" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oM11E-TD9Uw/Ti9PpUiEW9I/AAAAAAAABqM/umSuo2jlc0c/IMG_5708_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="641"></a> <br>I’m not sure why car seats have to be so difficult but it was hot, we were tired and hungry, we had a squirmy baby and after half an hour we could not get the thing off. There was one little part that we could not figure out for the life of us. Then, we saw on the label that you’re not supposed to dry it in a dryer and we figured that even if we could get it off, we didn’t have time to let the thing air dry. So, I washed Hannah’s clothes and Lamby (the stuffed animal that we can’t sleep without that was a causality in the mornings incident) while Jonathan did the best he could to clean the car seat. I wish I had taken more pictures of the awfulness that was that afternoon because looking back it was a good memory but at the time I was very stressed. The only picture I took is this one: I’m sitting on the toilet, feeding Hannah lunch while Jonathan is scrubbing the seat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T_H6LBtGVtY/Ti9Pp6aFQwI/AAAAAAAABqQ/A3flgdBXLbk/s1600-h/IMG_5711%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5711" border="0" alt="IMG_5711" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-72eWYZIn9mA/Ti9PqeI2GfI/AAAAAAAABqU/AdpVslFIDUc/IMG_5711_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="686"></a></p> <p align="center">After we got everything <em>cleaned we </em>headed to Colorado for the Snow Family Reunion. We were in charge of FHE the first night so we had planned to stop at a Walmart an hour away from where we were staying to get popsicles. Well, just as we were pulling into the parking lot, guess who threw up AGAIN! That’s right. So we spent an hour longer at Walmart than intended. We also got baking soda and Febreze while there. Lamby was covered again and this time we had no access to a laundromat. Later that night I cleaned Lamby in the bath tub and then dried him with a blow dryer. Oh, and did I mention it was my birthday? Happy Birthday to me :)</p> <p align="center">She didn’t get sick the rest of the trip with is great. Not sure if it was just a 24 hour thing, or car sickness, or breakfast didn’t sit well but I’m glad we had a full 5 days to leave the windows rolled down and let the mountain breeze air out the car.</p> <p> </p> <p>Stay tuned for the details of the actual family reunion…</p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-88934549049768057312011-07-26T14:33:00.001-07:002011-07-26T14:33:02.922-07:00Happy 4th (a little late)<p align="center">I decided that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday. I love the BBQ’s. I love the music. I love the parades. I love that everyone dresses in the same three colors. I LOVE the fireworks. I love everything about the 4th and this year we had a great one.</p> <p align="center">It started on Saturday the 2nd. We dropped Hannah off at my parents where she was going to have a sleep over. My parents back door neighbors were having their annual 4th of July party and once again they set up an awesome slip and slide that went from the top of their hill down to a water spraying bounce house. Of course, my dad wanted to take Hannah down it. The more she went the more she liked it. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ht1L89HrHTU/Ti8yKzeLnsI/AAAAAAAABlk/Mpx_JyCeUCM/s1600-h/IMG_5518%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5518" border="0" alt="IMG_5518" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qgsx4eSpYGo/Ti8yLhiPW-I/AAAAAAAABlo/k6WiaLOCa5g/IMG_5518_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="618"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5TGef9uN4eM/Ti8yMMwD22I/AAAAAAAABls/PE7_FVtvTbw/s1600-h/IMG_5520%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5520" border="0" alt="IMG_5520" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4bn75HpSHaM/Ti8yNKKlKXI/AAAAAAAABlw/oRmxZU7QLpE/IMG_5520_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="615"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WMgHU-ttYGs/Ti8yN_JFNJI/AAAAAAAABl0/Puq9qjXud3k/s1600-h/IMG_5524%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5524" border="0" alt="IMG_5524" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mx0GVqan8C4/Ti8yOmEwzFI/AAAAAAAABl4/j70zRsnRAjA/IMG_5524_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="617"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><iframe style="width: 562px; height: 433px" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/26933031?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe> <p align="center"><br>While Hannah was playing and Grandma and Grandpa’s, Jonathan and I headed back to Provo for the “Qualtrics Stadium of Fire”. That’s right, Qualtrics was the name sponsor this year so that meant we got four free tickets. We brought 2 of our nieces, Natalie and Kendra. We all got cool blue tee shirts to wear which was an OK sacrifice to make for such great seats. We on the field, 20th row. David Archuleta and Brad Paisley were the performers. David Archuleta could use some work on his song transitions but Brad was awesome and put on a great show. And of course, the fireworks are the best in Utah and I loved every second of the 20 minute show.</p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LY0zL1ZAR9k/Ti8yPhxb7oI/AAAAAAAABl8/98WpkplEyjQ/s1600-h/IMGA0073%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMGA0073" border="0" alt="IMGA0073" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0OYKO1jmDo8/Ti8yQ9rsgQI/AAAAAAAABmA/8IZ3fdb8ACw/IMGA0073_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="588" height="448"></a> <br>Sunday morning we went to church baby free then headed to Sandy to have dinner. We spent the night there since the next morning Jonathan, Lisa, and Austin would be doing the Pepperwood Mini Triathlon.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wjlqZB8yCeQ/Ti8yRR5eFtI/AAAAAAAABmE/GyQCWofiJSA/s1600-h/IMG_5525%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5525" border="0" alt="IMG_5525" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BSxTBb8imBM/Ti8ySAEkvUI/AAAAAAAABmI/QqH5d-hPKw4/IMG_5525_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="409"></a><br>Austin did the whole thing himself and Jonathan and Lisa were on a team. Lisa did the swimming, Jonathan did the biking, and they both ran (for fun).</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sh7IPycHl_0/Ti8ySy8uhII/AAAAAAAABmM/hDuWMAcxdEQ/s1600-h/IMG_5528%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5528" border="0" alt="IMG_5528" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ps1kiXT_iqQ/Ti8yTluXzwI/AAAAAAAABmQ/OCzxBjm-JQc/IMG_5528_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--P0vpIYmAUY/Ti8yUa-e9iI/AAAAAAAABmU/8iqQ846Zdrs/s1600-h/IMG_5530%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5530" border="0" alt="IMG_5530" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TPOBNvhs_3E/Ti8yVNql9oI/AAAAAAAABmY/pLKFkp1NM2c/IMG_5530_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="633"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Roej7-ks29U/Ti8yVg1POSI/AAAAAAAABmc/llUI1x8DEMM/s1600-h/IMG_5541%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5541" border="0" alt="IMG_5541" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1HdW5AwbBl8/Ti8yWmxZMuI/AAAAAAAABmg/aYYrTu83bo8/IMG_5541_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="636"></a></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-boJNcSy-LZ8/Ti8yXd7JfgI/AAAAAAAABmk/DQeHz1PhA4E/s1600-h/IMG_5542%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5542" border="0" alt="IMG_5542" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rygkQFviLUs/Ti8yYIoxVxI/AAAAAAAABmo/-_KV2SEBzxI/IMG_5542_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="634"></a> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 618px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:5d68c6ca-8591-4290-b609-0521a6f341ec" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=1f3eb0b2635f53f7&page=browse&resid=1F3EB0B2635F53F7!159&type=5&authkey=XXMvIf0s8u8%24"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Crossing the finish line" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-knq4B9vOO5U/Ti8yYxi2WaI/AAAAAAAABms/yWolN1WMNJE/InlineRepresentation7b02bb31-bdc1-4363-9763-d4e7a49725a5%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:608px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=1f3eb0b2635f53f7&page=browse&resid=1F3EB0B2635F53F7!159&type=5&authkey=XXMvIf0s8u8%24">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p align="center">Then my dad took Hannah for a little run and they crossed the finish line too. It was a pretty casual triathlon.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cfuSF6jA0PI/Ti8yZ1_PHcI/AAAAAAAABmw/9sl0UKM6I2o/s1600-h/IMG_5549%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5549" border="0" alt="IMG_5549" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wF_5Bh2dzgc/Ti8yajsUlCI/AAAAAAAABm0/jozM0rgHLR4/IMG_5549_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="682"></a><br>Next was breakfast, music, playing on the playground and the tennis tournament. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fPUQYPaNhdw/Ti8ybVflqSI/AAAAAAAABm4/F1brOcLgNSc/s1600-h/IMG_5555%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5555" border="0" alt="IMG_5555" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4ySGlqbBdiM/Ti8ycGjLSBI/AAAAAAAABm8/K4A9l_8IXsM/IMG_5555_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="453" height="668"></a></p> <p align="center">My dad participated in a tennis tournament. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my dad play tennis before so it was fun to watch and I learned a lot about scoring. Unfortunately, the last time my dad played tennis was 10 years ago and the man he was playing against plays tennis 3 times a week in a prestigious tennis organization. My dad held his own but ended up losing.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gX9IRXBpXXs/Ti8yc_SkW_I/AAAAAAAABnA/dFTh4MbyOBg/s1600-h/IMG_5565%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5565" border="0" alt="IMG_5565" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Oxzg8Qb38Gs/Ti8ydncANsI/AAAAAAAABnE/OTyssrLCnTM/IMG_5565_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p align="center">After the Pepperwood festivities we head to Willow Creek Country Club for lunch and games. Hannah rode a train and got her face painted. After lunch we (Jonathan, Ali, Tom, Carrie, Lisa, Austin) stayed to play cards. Hannah was keeping herself busy crawling around but found a leftover bowl of popcorn. She got a piece caught in her throat and threw up all over herself and the carpet. That was her first real throw up that wasn’t baby spit up. </p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5567" border="0" alt="IMG_5567" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9_g1tB4K9Gs/Ti8yefpfyHI/AAAAAAAABnI/FVu7ejO8_4s/IMG_5567_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UZ-yMl4yhw4/Ti8ye9D_VOI/AAAAAAAABnM/Jq_j4Z1wd-o/s1600-h/IMG_5570%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5570" border="0" alt="IMG_5570" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k8xV_KVEtvs/Ti8yfXWs_GI/AAAAAAAABnQ/gFN7Epo-DVY/IMG_5570_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="689"></a> <br>Finally, we went home and had a special 4th of July cake I had made.<br><br><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5575" border="0" alt="IMG_5575" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KoO1Rle4jlA/Ti8ygAFHbGI/AAAAAAAABnU/inICDQWr4Q8/IMG_5575_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="688"></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o_p_0hBL7DM/Ti8yhMm463I/AAAAAAAABnY/_7zhIK1FZZQ/s1600-h/IMG_5577%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5577" border="0" alt="IMG_5577" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Uc2Otj4umwE/Ti8yiMZKHQI/AAAAAAAABnc/WYv0XVwu64E/IMG_5577_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="692"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k3zLnvv9E5o/Ti8yik36Y_I/AAAAAAAABng/fTiqEB0bFPE/s1600-h/IMG_5578%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_5578" border="0" alt="IMG_5578" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XOgTTg0MorE/Ti8yjeJqwuI/AAAAAAAABnk/iB7LrzZ-FYM/IMG_5578_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="403"></a> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">Hope every one had a Happy 4th!</font></strong></p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-64791159047821225632011-06-25T10:16:00.001-07:002011-06-25T10:16:06.183-07:00Not bad for $15<p align="center">This week I participated in Bountiful Baskets for the first time. The location is just down the street from my house in my neighborhood. I went early and volunteered which was more fun than I thought it would be and I came home with a great haul. All this for $15. Not bad. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L0sawwA8HyM/TgYX0uzl1rI/AAAAAAAABlM/f5lBKVcE8wk/s1600-h/IMG_5516%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_5516" border="0" alt="IMG_5516" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nNOfD597RdQ/TgYX1FaVdRI/AAAAAAAABlQ/mnTkBt5AcDw/IMG_5516_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="584" height="395"></a><em>1 cabbage, 1 lettuce, 1 celery, 2 green onions, 6 carrots, 1 package of grape tomatoes, 1 package of strawberries, 10 peaches, 7 plums, 6 mangos, 5 bananas, 8 apples, and 13 limes.</em></p> <p align="center">Anyone have some good ideas for limes?</p> <p align="center">I also got 5 loaves of bread for $10.</p> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-693062183981869701.post-21378059699886528072011-06-24T17:08:00.001-07:002011-06-24T17:08:42.784-07:00Alaska<p>Last week we got back from the most wonderful vacation. My entire family (adults only) went on a 7-day Alaskan cruise. It was beautiful. It was fabulous. It was a little cold. It was so fun to be with family. It was so nice to be without children. As a thank you to my parents, we made this video of our trip. Enjoy.</p> <p>My sister Wendy also blogged about it so go <a href="http://wendywking.blogspot.com/2011/06/heres-to-alaska.html">here</a> for some more pictures and details.</p> <center><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25491071?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe></center> Ali Snowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03674161275863989028noreply@blogger.com5