tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77912158511805039712024-03-05T11:49:51.063-07:00Observations & MusingsSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-31654723103050669242014-07-02T07:00:00.000-06:002014-07-02T07:00:01.154-06:00Getting Kids to Clean<div class="MsoNormal">
At what age does cleaning stop being fun? Right now it’s
pretty sweet having kids who think cleaning is a game. Last night they were fighting
over who got to help wash the dishes. So I set them both up at the sink and I
just dried and put things away. I can see a future where they are doing the
dishes by themselves while I’m having a drink on the porch (wouldn’t that be
nice?). But by that age they will probably be uninterested in helping and they
will be moaning the whole time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until then, I’m going to take advantage of their desire to
help with cleaning. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also have to put my perfectionism aside and let them help
the best way they can. They don’t always get things as clean as I’d like, but
really I get most annoyed when they don’t do things exactly the way I do it. I
find myself thinking it would be easier to just do it myself. But that doesn’t
help them learn. I can teach them the alphabet, but if I don’t teach them life
skills they aren’t going to be functioning adults. So, if I want their help I
need to resist criticizing and just add some gentle guidance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I can also try to make it as fun as possible. I don’t love
to clean – in fact I usually try to avoid it. But if I can make it fun for the
kids, it is also more fun for me. Last week we tried washing the floor with
socks on our feet and playing slip-n-slide. They had so much fun that they have
been asking me everyday to do it again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, we will be doing this again!</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-16984538262425603112014-06-30T09:01:00.000-06:002014-06-30T09:01:39.204-06:00Managing the Heat<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes I feel that one of my major jobs is managing the
heat in the house. In the winter I’m trying to keep the heat in; plugging up
holes where cold air is creeping in, stuffing towels in the windows that gap, opening
blinds when the sun is trying to shine, closing off entire rooms that have
electric heaters (expensive to run!), but often it comes down to moving a space
heater around with me from room to room.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now we are trying to keep the heat out of an old house
without central air. We open every window during the night and have window fans
bringing in the cool air. Then in the morning I have to run around closing them
all and closing all the blinds so no sun can heat up the rooms. Last week there
were several nice days that I was able to leave the windows open all day to get
a nice breeze and it wasn’t too hot. That was heavenly!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the last few days have been HOT, so we have come to the
point in the summer that we really need to haul the window air conditioning
unit from the basement up to our bedroom. I say we, but I really mean my
husband. It is really heavy and usually results in banged knuckles and
profanity mumbled under his breath.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Some of us deal with heat a little differently. The littlest
one just ran inside nude – she was playing in a tub of water in the backyard
after breakfast and got her pjs wet so they had to come off. Sometimes I wish I
was 3. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-3979265020401071562014-04-13T20:53:00.000-06:002014-04-13T20:53:29.549-06:00Why do I read?
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<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Books/Pix/pictures/2008/11/11/stack460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Books/Pix/pictures/2008/11/11/stack460.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m just a few pages away from finishing the book I’m
reading. But now the kids are waking up from naps and the quiet afternoon spent
wrapped in blankets is about to come to a close. There are snowflakes coming down;
probably one of the last snowfalls of the year. It is a day to stay inside with an
excuse to read, and the gray skies are a fitting backdrop for the book I’m
reading about the Holocaust. (<a href="http://www.alysonrichman.com/#/the-lost-wife/" target="_blank">The Lost Wife, by Alyson Richman</a>). What a nice
luxury to spend several hours reading! I’m learning about a different time, but
mostly I read to be "entertained" by being immersed in the emotions and details of another life that
comes with storytelling.</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-71644171530987715642014-01-08T16:51:00.001-07:002014-01-08T16:51:29.611-07:00Photos After a Fire<div class="MsoNormal">
My brother-in-law came to visit during Christmas. We both
are interested in photography, so we took the opportunity to go to Black Forest
and shoot photos in the fire area. Even though my husband has been there often
for work, this was my first visit since the <a href="http://earthsky.org/earth/colorado-black-forest-fire-burn-scar" target="_blank">fire in June</a>. We even had some friends stay at our house while they were evacuated. Their house was fine, but I've never had time to venture into the burn area. My heart goes out to all the people who lost their homes. This was so amazingly tragic.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, for me it was also a good time to get away from the ordinary, be creative
and collaborate. Here are few of my photos.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-22731714478176526362013-11-22T07:45:00.000-07:002013-11-22T07:45:00.942-07:00Playing with my little girlMia: "You are a monster. I will kill you."<br />
<i>After being hacked to pieces by her sword, and some moaning dying sounds from me...there is a moment of silence.</i><br />
Mia: "You aren't a monster anymore. You are a giraffe.<br />
But you are nice."<br />
<i>She turns around and flounces out of the room in her Tinkerbell costume.</i><br />
<br />
I'm left stunned. I just went through a whole range of monster/animal makeovers and suffered a hideous death. Now I'm nice?? It's so confusing.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-81825482210779246712013-11-20T09:37:00.001-07:002013-11-20T09:37:36.514-07:00Cleaning<div class="MsoNormal">
The microwave was disgusting. For a long time. I finally got
around to cleaning it after a bowl of chili exploded. It was so bad I couldn’t
ignore it any longer. I know, I know…I’m supposed to have a system of cleaning
that helps me stay on top of things. And over all I think I’m better at keeping
my house clean than I used to be. *scary* But there are still some things that
I just don’t do well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning I got a piece of bread stuck in the toaster. As
I moved it, I saw the huge mess under, around, and in the toaster. Umm, I guess
I should move it out a little more often. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My dresser is a dumping ground for many things without a
home or in-transit. But somehow they get stuck there and stay for months on end
until I get motivated to clean it off and find homes, or the trash, for those
things. And it usually only takes a few minutes. Why don’t I just take care of
it sooner? *sigh*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think part of the problem is that I get dirty-spot
blindness. Once an item has been set where it doesn’t belong, and it stays
there for 24 hours, I no longer see it. It melts into the décor and I don’t
notice it anymore. Until I deliberately stop to take stock and see how awful
everything has become. But I’m not beating myself up about it; that is just the
way I roll.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband and I joke that it’s a good thing when we have
guests come over because it requires us to clean up. So if you get invited to our house, it might be for my
selfish need to clean.</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-59230941448601996662013-10-22T22:32:00.001-06:002013-10-22T22:32:56.301-06:00Emotional Wrecks
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The kids were very emotional yesterday. I’m not sure why. I *think* it was because of a busy
weekend. But we often have busy weekends. And on Sunday night we made sure to
get them home and to bed on-time and with a normal routine. Yet yesterday, they
were very sensitive. It might have just been a case of being a 4-year-old and a
2-year-old. Who knows. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One minute they would be playing nicely, then…tears and
blood-curdling screams. Because “he won’t use the right color marker”, or “she
is playing with her babydoll and I don’t want her to”. Seriously. There was no
blood, everyone had their appendages. Just two kids who were feeling strong
emotions and didn’t know what to do with them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To see a funny blog about kids crying: <a href="http://www.reasonsmysoniscrying.com/" target="_blank">Reasons My Son is Crying</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A friend of mine gave me a book about the emotional life of a
toddler, but I haven’t read it yet. Mostly I just roll my eyes (when they can’t
see me) and let them work it out. That usually results in hitting, possible
blood-shed, time outs, and more tears. Sigh. Maybe I should read that book. </div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-86359347943373003342013-04-22T16:18:00.000-06:002013-04-22T16:26:31.070-06:00Just a little more sleep<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I know it was my fault. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was laying in bed thinking about my friend who recently
had a baby. I told myself that I needed to journal about what it was like to
have a newborn because I am starting to forget. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that we have a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, things are
different than they were, well, 2 years ago. They eat solid food, they can tell
me what they want or need (although they don’t make the distinction), they are
not wearing diapers (except at night), and they play together without my
supervision without killing each other (most of the time). And, my children now
usually sleep through the night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Usually.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHArqjd1VQWPedHJY9ekI69LLMQXYQr5OJ1unKuAPYNDR-WW9wKVL-12Nnb1HKE7QV9TJWSCLfBQiRKLLzlzPawMTuQ2jG7AtgoHrpLtJAzVw_7RluyjLn9YEDPvMf400mBII6OFORwkQ/s1600/IMG_0197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHArqjd1VQWPedHJY9ekI69LLMQXYQr5OJ1unKuAPYNDR-WW9wKVL-12Nnb1HKE7QV9TJWSCLfBQiRKLLzlzPawMTuQ2jG7AtgoHrpLtJAzVw_7RluyjLn9YEDPvMf400mBII6OFORwkQ/s400/IMG_0197.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, sure enough, about 20 minutes after I said those fateful
words, my daughter started crying. So, I went in to soothe her and get her
tucked back in. I was back in my bed for about 20 minutes – you know, long
enough to just be starting to fall back to sleep – when she started crying
again. And coughing. Ugg. My husband fled the room in hopes of getting some
sleep in a quieter part of the house. So I brought M&M into bed with me. I
thought that if she could sleep with me that she would be so comfortable that
she would sleep soundly. That didn’t happen. I was constantly being kicked,
rolled on, nudged over, and then there was the coughing and snoring. She is
only 2 years old, how can she make so much noise?!? So I don’t think I really
got any decent sleep all night. I now totally remember what it was like to have
a newborn. Thank you very much; I’d rather forget. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY4e3IWd8wMVjTPgpqmv9tK2Pv89KGB4dOPAs6nsfLRvo_dCFQT9V3VoYGqVrwnVS-FL9A7a-wy96xvBrGWYbz8HhzHlQ1_0XRx9blZHUy_5yTFc6W3x5MSbXB77nyavlcbfxfEQ0294/s1600/IMG_0269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY4e3IWd8wMVjTPgpqmv9tK2Pv89KGB4dOPAs6nsfLRvo_dCFQT9V3VoYGqVrwnVS-FL9A7a-wy96xvBrGWYbz8HhzHlQ1_0XRx9blZHUy_5yTFc6W3x5MSbXB77nyavlcbfxfEQ0294/s400/IMG_0269.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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With babies back-to-back, it was about 3 years of little to
no sleep. That is something the books don’t tell you. They like to lure you in
with the promise/hope that your baby will sleep through the night by 6-8 weeks
old. I read that even if you have a ‘needy’ child he should be sleeping through
the night by 10 weeks. Well, I either did something wrong (I tried <i>everything</i>), or the books are wrong (I
have met more families with similar scenarios to ours than those with good
sleepers), or my expectations were wrong (8 weeks, really???) because my
children didn’t sleep through the night until over 14 months old. That is
MONTHS not <i>weeks</i>. And it is still not
a guarantee that they will sleep all night. Every night we talk (plead, beg,
lay-down-the-law) to our daughter about staying asleep all night. We even got a
clock, which changes color in the morning when they can get out of bed. It helps.
I can often hear her wake up, but she doesn’t usually cry anymore, she just
stays in bed until the clock turns green. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m glad for this new phase of life. A life with a little
more sleep. I didn’t say a lot more sleep, I know that is not likely to happen. Just a little more...</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-31549359906589199752012-12-27T12:53:00.003-07:002012-12-27T12:53:53.163-07:00Kids Food
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I’m playing with the new toys I got for Christmas. I
received some fun bento <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kotobuki-Small-Stainless-Vegetable-Cutters/dp/B002TZ04G4/ref=sr_1_fed1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1355095504&sr=8-3&keywords=bento+cutter" target="_blank">cutters</a> to make cute shapes out of veggies, etc to add to my
kids’ lunches (or bananas to my husband’s breakfast, like this morning). Previously I had tried to make my own shapes with just a knife, but these cutters are so much easier to use.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It will be fun to see all the things I can come up with. I have some inspiration on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/colomama/kid-s-food/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a> to keep me going. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-71823430324513575142012-12-26T15:20:00.001-07:002012-12-26T15:20:59.019-07:00The Day After...
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There is a conspiracy to keep me from writing. As soon as I
find a few minutes to sit down there is some new tragedy to attend to. Today it
happened toward the end of lunch…I was done eating but my children (especially
the male child) were still picking around on their plates using their best
stall tactics. So I thought I would do some writing while they finished up. But
as soon as I got my computer out, one of them spilled his milk. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All over his chair. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the wall. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After I got that cleaned up then there were requests for more
food. Then one had to go to the bathroom – with assistance, of course. But
finally all settled down so I could pound out a few words. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning was quiet… as far as there was very little
talking and very little fighting (yay!), but it was filled with lots of new
noises from the new toys and frequent asking if they could have more special treats
(aka Chocolate). They have had so many sweets in the last few days that they
now think it is normal and complain when I don’t give into their incessant
pleas to keep the sugar high going. But even with the greatly reduced amount of
sugar (or perhaps because of it), It was such a good day for them to be at home
just exploring their new treasures. The last few days were a bit overwhelming
for them as they spent so much time with family and opening the presents. Even
though they enjoy it, it is a bit stressful. They are in their dress-up
clothes, everyone is watching them, there are sooo many gifts, there are too
many sweets, and they have to pose for too many pictures. Today they get to
stay in their PJs and really take the time to play with everything. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I get to linger over my cup of tea and catch up on
Facebook and email.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But because of all their playing there are now toys
EVERYWHERE. They will play with something for awhile, then walk into another
room or just turn around and suddenly they see something else new. So the last
hot item is discarded and traded for the new widget. This is not a recipe for a
clean house. But since they are having so much fun I will not make them clean
up until naptime. Then the challenge will be to find space for everything. I
will have to purge their old toys soon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m also loving listening to the <a href="http://radiocoloradocollege.org/programs/" target="_blank">Blue Plate Special</a> today. I’m
ready to pack away the Christmas music for this year. I’m also packing away a
note of things to remember next year. Like how many cards to order, things that
went well this year, and things to not do again. </div>
<!--EndFragment--><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-75833899172714702132012-12-03T19:35:00.000-07:002012-12-03T19:36:37.395-07:00Thanksgiving<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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Danny’s family came into town for Thanksgiving. He has three
brothers who all live in different time zones, so we always try to cram as many
activities into the time we have together as we can. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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It is always fun, but a
bit tiring. Danny laughs at me when my “social quotient” gets filled up. That’s
when I head to the bath with a book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Danny and my kids never seem to tire of family activities. Although there were a few meltdowns after long days filled with sugar. The
kids got spoiled with lunch at McDonalds, playing at the park, building Lego’s
with cousins, overload on electronic devices, etc. You know, all the fun things uncles and grandparents do for the kids.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The adult kids have a tradition of going to Old Chicago for
drinks. I was so happy to be able to go this time…for several years in a row I
have been pregnant or nursing or sleep deprived. It was a fun time to catch up
with the brothers (and sister-in-law), and this year we got to meet a
girlfriend. Then another night we went out to Jack Quinn’s. On Friday night we
had a birthday party for our niece, then the boys went out again on Saturday
night (that is the night I stayed in like a hermit). We also visited a few
coffee shops and restaurants for lunches. We watched football, played games,
and ate more food. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whew. Like I said, lots of activity. </div>
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So, let's do it again next year!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-46529914751654787592012-11-20T17:11:00.000-07:002012-11-20T17:11:37.772-07:00early Thanksgiving
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<br />
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This weekend we had an early Thanksgiving get together with my family
since we can’t all be together for Thanksgiving. It was nice to spend this time
together. And we didn’t eat turkey – there will be enough of that this week. </div>
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My
family likes to play games…my husband does not, but he’s a good sport and will humor
me for special occasions. Gage has not had much exposure to games yet, but he
had great fun on Saturday. For him it is not about playing the games; it is
about the cool pieces that go to the games. At one point, while we left him
unattended, he got ALL the games out and ALL the pieces out. It was an epic
mess in our living room. But with many hands working, we got it all put back
together quickly. </div>
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So that he could start dismembering everything again. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pFOzQVyl2TUDgcQCG07SlR26wcRz40l-AvH9WOPqvHJNV1tGtCiHSk8bUIY6kmJx2j_N6X1r_Wm4c0BB7cQXKAhIKf1JJAQBH-ZcNAfnSoxHIOq7P_LPX2xCoJYwuP_H1i5HNwLT2r4/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pFOzQVyl2TUDgcQCG07SlR26wcRz40l-AvH9WOPqvHJNV1tGtCiHSk8bUIY6kmJx2j_N6X1r_Wm4c0BB7cQXKAhIKf1JJAQBH-ZcNAfnSoxHIOq7P_LPX2xCoJYwuP_H1i5HNwLT2r4/s400/DSC_0048.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gage with Uncle Ben</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our Italian menu: homemade spaghetti and ravioli (I make the
pasta dough…Danny runs it through the machine. There is less fighting that
way.) Antipasti was provided by my sister and her husband. It was so tasty and we
snacked so much that we weren’t really hungry for lunch. But in true
thanksgiving fashion we went ahead and filled our bellies to bursting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eYNujzDhHm5EJK1ts_juyb38kAq__X42Un2e0l1nlvbO6K-6a51VpHJ7UzqwSciIqhTbvg8yJ5rHZp7lzK_YSFzysRQjTlklrJsv4IOZc0p3PmvYpgr5a2FZGpa0w9_g9OMWkDIpY6E/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eYNujzDhHm5EJK1ts_juyb38kAq__X42Un2e0l1nlvbO6K-6a51VpHJ7UzqwSciIqhTbvg8yJ5rHZp7lzK_YSFzysRQjTlklrJsv4IOZc0p3PmvYpgr5a2FZGpa0w9_g9OMWkDIpY6E/s320/DSC_0054.jpg" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqPDF7BQupTaraql-8i90Y-1MZgLCyYBNSGBJXs-iXfkDUxUyP3L7WGUZ4ArqMu3-x3Xn6WHko30eFs8YB8drvFLqVaj0JCvy-LLPMUcQv01g0TYynYEEL6YcRxhSFIinhfG57IjfWGY/s1600/DSC_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqPDF7BQupTaraql-8i90Y-1MZgLCyYBNSGBJXs-iXfkDUxUyP3L7WGUZ4ArqMu3-x3Xn6WHko30eFs8YB8drvFLqVaj0JCvy-LLPMUcQv01g0TYynYEEL6YcRxhSFIinhfG57IjfWGY/s320/DSC_0053.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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I even tried to get fancy with the name tags. </div>
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<br />
<br />
Then we
had spiced cider and pumpkin pie. That's when we all had to undo the top button on our pants. Good thing I wore legging with elastic.<br />
Gage didn't remember having pumpkin pie before, so he was excited to try it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuV8C3hI3vOcmB_v8SUdSmZPXBHUWW5VmrtH9tXvj8COjkBkNuHktwC4rwpSSk8-2RJnq89Uy4QBXIYFFbw2owkpmozUdsabs7mrHq9I_jnq1Ubh7P3WE02gSzBFaA6NLc0L_6s_qmk0/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuV8C3hI3vOcmB_v8SUdSmZPXBHUWW5VmrtH9tXvj8COjkBkNuHktwC4rwpSSk8-2RJnq89Uy4QBXIYFFbw2owkpmozUdsabs7mrHq9I_jnq1Ubh7P3WE02gSzBFaA6NLc0L_6s_qmk0/s400/DSC_0062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">success!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV0P8EQZyZT79oiO75hNLDz0JDYamdIQQGvoFQHUKQQ3cNBWLXrpmrNEx9rtaoHp0WKmJuy4B4FmG_1LWZOXDtzpqHrrDKwnWdX5Jacusa8L73dxo3Yw8thxiuZTN6VPAqaSSVVcj9Vk/s1600/DSC_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV0P8EQZyZT79oiO75hNLDz0JDYamdIQQGvoFQHUKQQ3cNBWLXrpmrNEx9rtaoHp0WKmJuy4B4FmG_1LWZOXDtzpqHrrDKwnWdX5Jacusa8L73dxo3Yw8thxiuZTN6VPAqaSSVVcj9Vk/s400/DSC_0078.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M&M was also a fan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A good time was had by all.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-71335095261968710292012-11-13T09:00:00.000-07:002012-11-13T09:00:09.735-07:00HalloweenThis year we did not do a lot for Halloween. In the past we have decorated the house inside and out, created great costumes, and hosted a HUGE party. For various reasons we decided not to do that this year. We did dress up (my favorite part of halloween) and go to someone else's party with a group of our friends. We decided very last minute to all go as the characters from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluedo#Suspects" target="_blank">Clue </a>and I think we pulled it off pretty well.<br />
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<br />
Then it was time for my kids to dress up for Halloween. We decided to not take them trick-or-treating; Gage-a-rooni still gets pretty freaked out by a lot of things. So we opted to go to the Harvest Festival at our church. It was great. They had bouncy houses galore, both inside and out. My son could barely contain his excitement when we pulled into the parking lot and he saw everything set up. There were also some fun carnival games and a magic show. There were a bunch of things for older kids too, but we didn't check it out. It was also nice to be able to ration the amount of candy our kids got. There was a ton available, but at this age it is pretty easy to distract them with something else.<br />
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We were blessed with a beautiful sunset, while we were surrounded by shrieks of laughter from millions of kids all around. As it got dark, we moved inside (to another bouncy house) and kept going. Gage-a-rooni was throughly worn out when we finally peeled him away and got him in the car to go home.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-63219815099383661092012-11-11T20:56:00.001-07:002012-11-12T11:10:28.030-07:00Pumpkins<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Ah...Fall is here.</b></span> Well it has been here for awhile, but I'm just now writing about it. And tonight it is supposed to get down to around 14ºF, so we are quickly moving into winter. But on Halloween I had a crafty moment that I'd like to share, so here it goes.<br />
<br />
You know how you look at Pinterest for hours (oh, is that just me??) and you repin all these great ideas about fun things to do with your kids, but you really never do them? Well, I did one!<br />
<br />
I saw an idea to use mini pumpkins and decorate them like cute little nature creatures. So fun!! (do you hear the Pinterest euphoria in my voice?) So I took my kids to the grocery store and they each picked out some mini pumpkins - while we were there my son suggested that we also get some donuts.<br />
So we did.<br />
With our pumpkins and donuts safely home, we grabbed some bowls and headed outside to gather leaves, twigs, seeds, etc to glue to our pumpkins. It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time collecting all the things we would use. At first, when I told Gage-a-rooni what we were doing he wanted to "collect" a toy car he had left outside, then some sidewalk chalk, then a piece of plastic. I had to keep redirecting him to natural things, and he eventually got the idea. M&M had no difficulties collecting things. She had great fun running around picking things up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRDTDO9Bx5W4AxyhrDbdC5kltQNWI6vOscBrleU3enTwgVLY-vGt20RT3gmXmrvdu0nbouqcihaQ3aN32rBHnubcjdCz24dinkRZAWCn2c1uhkXmuOifmCFBWJd0ttuCFeai2O5ENqvI/s1600/DSC_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRDTDO9Bx5W4AxyhrDbdC5kltQNWI6vOscBrleU3enTwgVLY-vGt20RT3gmXmrvdu0nbouqcihaQ3aN32rBHnubcjdCz24dinkRZAWCn2c1uhkXmuOifmCFBWJd0ttuCFeai2O5ENqvI/s400/DSC_0321.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzILWD_47aNP1_uw-LbrKqhvXgixZt1rhhdLEAWN4tYZImP-k9DwTLFJg4H3cWUJwJCxvlBxuCzVHaflvRQv8LBQxUvB1_SC67DSm85AAJ2jyYgplx_cN8o1rO12eQahDecnqoN5ZXfY/s1600/DSC_0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzILWD_47aNP1_uw-LbrKqhvXgixZt1rhhdLEAWN4tYZImP-k9DwTLFJg4H3cWUJwJCxvlBxuCzVHaflvRQv8LBQxUvB1_SC67DSm85AAJ2jyYgplx_cN8o1rO12eQahDecnqoN5ZXfY/s400/DSC_0320.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uOm9iNCPTBV_jC8npJM1WL0Z1hqBdk0y0vUPPvTqRzf045sSiNYlHA4uEfNse6VzayF61U4czUhdP9iVjbiXOXHqYNTeF-kSvzvHD-RXEFVWVVbiCVWtssjPV_TQy1PotPNPWP68N9s/s1600/DSC_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uOm9iNCPTBV_jC8npJM1WL0Z1hqBdk0y0vUPPvTqRzf045sSiNYlHA4uEfNse6VzayF61U4czUhdP9iVjbiXOXHqYNTeF-kSvzvHD-RXEFVWVVbiCVWtssjPV_TQy1PotPNPWP68N9s/s400/DSC_0326.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then we got our bounty inside, and after eating our donuts, we went to work on the pumpkins. I was armed with the hot glue gun, but the kids picked out the things they wanted to put on their creatures and where everything should go. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUMFCVFy1YEyxW4UiYLN8i5vTIVT5UTmWCyZQkJ2xk1ggphSUy7QnjWqZyT8we2xMMd73Bo2ggVYvJr7hBgFImue_OX4GLZpZudHchXVQz-ynr8sXuwYc4Eh_4MtYtgG39HPLFDYkSvU/s1600/DSC_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUMFCVFy1YEyxW4UiYLN8i5vTIVT5UTmWCyZQkJ2xk1ggphSUy7QnjWqZyT8we2xMMd73Bo2ggVYvJr7hBgFImue_OX4GLZpZudHchXVQz-ynr8sXuwYc4Eh_4MtYtgG39HPLFDYkSvU/s400/DSC_0327.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our finished creations were, um, interesting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F_ZdUHjxWhsmdh6GcJbxGh3pzLm87X6aZmlYg2XzT9-gltrJUjTB1ru03RMznYnPDesCehOYEEJAF-7qFrLLdFXgWhiThoBdnNQtjuDUjWzbryxXbkvZ-eCTXNT3WEhTqlG26mfnUk0/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F_ZdUHjxWhsmdh6GcJbxGh3pzLm87X6aZmlYg2XzT9-gltrJUjTB1ru03RMznYnPDesCehOYEEJAF-7qFrLLdFXgWhiThoBdnNQtjuDUjWzbryxXbkvZ-eCTXNT3WEhTqlG26mfnUk0/s400/DSC_0331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But my kids are so proud of them. It was a lot of fun. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And the donuts were tasty. </div>
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-45166707875703152392012-05-12T15:20:00.000-06:002012-05-12T15:20:21.368-06:00Home Remodeling Bug<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjfF0L9UyiU6o2v-sZ-y884QoOKJKmA_9Nh8D4tz6iYlgqXgZdDHkIx-pBLbnquXahsFLj6Lnh-NwCHoL6jZS8LFrfKl-wmiFMOUXUpKr2CULwZIOq5YtHiQ1REn1tAlUcTNZwZ3foXU/s1600/DSC03823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjfF0L9UyiU6o2v-sZ-y884QoOKJKmA_9Nh8D4tz6iYlgqXgZdDHkIx-pBLbnquXahsFLj6Lnh-NwCHoL6jZS8LFrfKl-wmiFMOUXUpKr2CULwZIOq5YtHiQ1REn1tAlUcTNZwZ3foXU/s200/DSC03823.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Danny and I have had some time to talk as adults recently.
Which is great. But it also means we start dreaming together. Which is also
great. But it usually ends up in some grand scheme for working on the house.
Since our house is about 115 years old there is ALWAYS something to work on. It
might be some minor maintenance to keep the house from falling down, or it
might be updating something major to bring it into the current century. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have already done a lot of work, but it has been a while since our last project. What we are dreaming of now is new floors. Ahh…even saying
that makes me smile at the thought. The existing hardwood floors are in poor
shape. It is one of the first things we noticed when we were looking at the
house. At the time we thought maybe we could just refinish them (and we did that
in the back room after removing multiple layers of other flooring on top of the
hardwood). But the nails are showing through and they are warped, etc. so that
our best option is to replace them entirely. We would also replace the
subfloors and make sure all the joists are looking good. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">While we are in there</i> (very dangerous words), we would also move/reroute
a lot of the ducting. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">While we are in
there</i>, we would like to move a wall to open up the entryway. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">While we are in there</i>, we will probably
redo the whole kitchen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week we spent some time after the kids went to bed
taking measurements of all the rooms to get an idea on square footage for
flooring. We also got the layout of the kitchen. Now we are throwing around
ideas on where to place everything. We have the ability to move everything, so
the options are wide open for changes. It is not wide enough for an island, but
we could add a peninsula, take out the small wall into the dining room, move
the stove, move the sink, add a window, take out the ‘dummy’ door, replace the
cabinets, new countertops. Above all, it would be nice to have a little more counter space, duel
wall ovens, and a more cohesive layout. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But at this point it is just dreaming. We’ll have to see
what we can actually accomplish in the near future or if it will have to wait
for another time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0sY8Zr9sIS8CwJTtdjD_z-NDyC3ktqateNUX99_59iuuJNKDFrdrfNyL_-NQsfQQHiDYNt8vQh8mRz9T4DqvQQqSeDQl4qFua8_z8RhfYaGcQrxZ10ZW5OIL4lvyD7_WRucPXstCBC0/s1600/DSC01221_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0sY8Zr9sIS8CwJTtdjD_z-NDyC3ktqateNUX99_59iuuJNKDFrdrfNyL_-NQsfQQHiDYNt8vQh8mRz9T4DqvQQqSeDQl4qFua8_z8RhfYaGcQrxZ10ZW5OIL4lvyD7_WRucPXstCBC0/s640/DSC01221_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this picture of our house is from 2006 when we first bought it. We have already done a lot of work since then. I guess I need an updated picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-20820699131398486572012-05-08T16:23:00.001-06:002012-05-08T16:24:06.246-06:00A Weekend Away<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79rzQKFReH1LVgqBZO4VHnJZF-P_jitX0HwJCpFRB2fr06hQX3CuCqfIVt1bvEVIjZXUU90c05Gz7C-EWdeuoyh2GsEeUoekIk_ofU6ZVtHdLwCmoijxmviutSiJtVVdYslnjbRU294M/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79rzQKFReH1LVgqBZO4VHnJZF-P_jitX0HwJCpFRB2fr06hQX3CuCqfIVt1bvEVIjZXUU90c05Gz7C-EWdeuoyh2GsEeUoekIk_ofU6ZVtHdLwCmoijxmviutSiJtVVdYslnjbRU294M/s200/DSC_0005.jpg" width="133" /></a>Last weekend Danny and I were able to get away. BY OURSELVES. It has been nearly a year since our last time away. It was so
restful and healthy for us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went to beautiful Golden, CO. We walked around
the small historic area, read books, walked along the river, had a few drinks,
had a wonderful dinner, talked as adults without being interrupted, ‘slept-in’
until 7am. Ahh…</div>
<br />
It was nice to not have to be responsible for any little people for a few days. It was nice not having to remind my fellow diners to take more bites. It was nice to not have to talk about going to the potty. It was nice to do whatever<i> I</i> wanted.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0C06xdCgGQJJ4Pi45lC5EEWVlhpZ2atXUpc5OyQKslZYeYdt63UXG_TqVi2cXLP5HvjuXhZ2SuqbT-5NSgUDVaxuElAxEyyCKh7l6Fx0u_VybFKvntOLTnK09HMkN3rMQ4r7_dDsbCA/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0C06xdCgGQJJ4Pi45lC5EEWVlhpZ2atXUpc5OyQKslZYeYdt63UXG_TqVi2cXLP5HvjuXhZ2SuqbT-5NSgUDVaxuElAxEyyCKh7l6Fx0u_VybFKvntOLTnK09HMkN3rMQ4r7_dDsbCA/s640/DSC_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wonderful husband!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great little cafe for breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgah_R6KAPygqfDYJr2FFw_HnJUH9UeFcSXXD7aOsX_Q_tO4ibiZuj1EG78N3TqNRbc1NggNCDd4klMEya-uRqMRPGUmA0GpLy9nyMaeQlv3iZ7xQlda5j9LwkUTmSaCc9IO84GcEO77d4/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgah_R6KAPygqfDYJr2FFw_HnJUH9UeFcSXXD7aOsX_Q_tO4ibiZuj1EG78N3TqNRbc1NggNCDd4klMEya-uRqMRPGUmA0GpLy9nyMaeQlv3iZ7xQlda5j9LwkUTmSaCc9IO84GcEO77d4/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original log cabin in the historic park. There was also a barn with chickens and goats, a root cellar, schoolhouse, lots of veggie gardens, etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4D8ULxXDGkUiOkgj38Xf9-bjpwTdP_-MtZuz80wnSJurc8YFqgaI-2fYbYfvQu6DCTFMQfx01wb2Qb8TQzBCjqcNF_MknymK5qRNmv6ODqn9IWXRrgeY7It1Kju3WrPKtsesFoSk234/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4D8ULxXDGkUiOkgj38Xf9-bjpwTdP_-MtZuz80wnSJurc8YFqgaI-2fYbYfvQu6DCTFMQfx01wb2Qb8TQzBCjqcNF_MknymK5qRNmv6ODqn9IWXRrgeY7It1Kju3WrPKtsesFoSk234/s400/DSC_0037.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady playing clarinet in the park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyok_wJidRclVMFh_ESeYyjEHxJcdc6sm1kzuy8AIa1BHZ4jpF4PY-GWrFqVMIUdmfdx8q8_QustAybQNW7uBq87AQ7xfQBsPlpLbuKCQJ4j4pznZ13JSHtDRxugiec-GV0vBFdLDE6A/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyok_wJidRclVMFh_ESeYyjEHxJcdc6sm1kzuy8AIa1BHZ4jpF4PY-GWrFqVMIUdmfdx8q8_QustAybQNW7uBq87AQ7xfQBsPlpLbuKCQJ4j4pznZ13JSHtDRxugiec-GV0vBFdLDE6A/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet husband indulges me be letting me take a million pictures of him</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9632Vm9GQYNrE_YyS0rBb_s8GQXjK6tzx66b2cyW7qcmV9Jl-eFmAC1cbtQz3iQcHRFVVh8ZYxDczoMEFtYHymIbq4GfTUOMdRmsLIdXoeOX2PaX7-aOxpGKaTQxx5xe9BHRPrC2RlYo/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9632Vm9GQYNrE_YyS0rBb_s8GQXjK6tzx66b2cyW7qcmV9Jl-eFmAC1cbtQz3iQcHRFVVh8ZYxDczoMEFtYHymIbq4GfTUOMdRmsLIdXoeOX2PaX7-aOxpGKaTQxx5xe9BHRPrC2RlYo/s400/DSC_0060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are from the Golden City Brewery. We did NOT visit Coors</td></tr>
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And it was also nice to come home to see my kids. That is to say,
on Monday morning I was ready for them, but not on Sunday afternoon when we
actually got them back. I think they were happy for a break from each other
(they each stayed with a different set of grandparents, to whom we are
eternally indebted to). Sunday evening they were bickering with each other
non-stop. They might have been a little spoiled from their time away from us.
Which is exactly what grandparents are supposed to do! And I will gladly take
some spoiled children if it means I also get to have a weekend of being
spoiled.</div>
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While we were away M&M (aka Sweet Pea) started fully
walking. She had been taking a few steps here or there when coaxed, but she was
not very interested in walking as a mode of transportation. I guess she just needed
some Grandma motivation!</div>
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Rooni (aka The Blobster) also had a great time without us. The
report is that he was sweet, helpful, and full of energy. That last part sounds
about right!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-2207932573156401422012-04-15T10:10:00.000-06:002012-04-15T10:10:20.165-06:00Gage turned 3<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0TZWLC6pXkOKqWG9p9tlj2kZealXxnF4ecu6G46btFWraeD6VUYvoIR5ui9FL-UHcBi7-WTJ34-LzSEiy15mzj69D9UlDc2H89eWri82sLAOCOWEr63r3zl34aRQtgDGZJmtTQy-ySI/s1600/DSC_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0TZWLC6pXkOKqWG9p9tlj2kZealXxnF4ecu6G46btFWraeD6VUYvoIR5ui9FL-UHcBi7-WTJ34-LzSEiy15mzj69D9UlDc2H89eWri82sLAOCOWEr63r3zl34aRQtgDGZJmtTQy-ySI/s320/DSC_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April 4, 2012 - Birthday Boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CAsQFyZcrJC9tHXZpdbLY5_5QX_x5j03jW0K5CZTKw72hDgS9qTO_Q_L4g2of0yEB2KecdD9yT3vxUmTYnIQrXy4c6jD8dD_NzyVwXOKEC3DM-pG_wrbzQc2JynE-8d10PDaU5KpUb8/s1600/DSC_0232+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CAsQFyZcrJC9tHXZpdbLY5_5QX_x5j03jW0K5CZTKw72hDgS9qTO_Q_L4g2of0yEB2KecdD9yT3vxUmTYnIQrXy4c6jD8dD_NzyVwXOKEC3DM-pG_wrbzQc2JynE-8d10PDaU5KpUb8/s320/DSC_0232+-+Version+2.jpg" width="214" /></a>My little Boy is growing up – we rarely even call him the
Blobster any more. It doesn’t seem an appropriate nickname for such a big boy.
Mostly we call him Gage-a-rooni; don’t ask me how we came up with that, I’m
sure it had something to do with making up a song to make him laugh. I will
keep you informed of any new nicknames that come up, which is inevitable. </div>
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We had a family party for Gage this year. I wanted to do a
vintage rocket theme, but it didn’t turn out as grand as my <a href="http://pinterest.com/colomama/rocket-party/" target="_blank">Pinterest board </a>seemed. (It turns out I’m not Martha Stewart after all) But I had fun getting
everything ready to make the day special for my baby (who is no longer a baby,
as we have already established). And Gage was so excited, hopping around and
asking me all day if he could eat his cake. Birthdays pretty much equate to
cake for him. Which I guess never really changes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrMZjNBAbbudZ82eWcOXR_nwsCSbgi83Y_YifUPaqesexs4AhhJ-azr9N2IDh_ooLG_Ez8bPhIJ1Rjpe9hEC2qOxoojF7q3jYVkFLxbaCfm_z04jQe_4dguHESWlK5YM-IwNO0TKxoX4/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrMZjNBAbbudZ82eWcOXR_nwsCSbgi83Y_YifUPaqesexs4AhhJ-azr9N2IDh_ooLG_Ez8bPhIJ1Rjpe9hEC2qOxoojF7q3jYVkFLxbaCfm_z04jQe_4dguHESWlK5YM-IwNO0TKxoX4/s640/DSC_0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-esnU3gfb0eI9uCI1agnE5IWaoW5JXzFHeliuPlSXpelCCzbgjuSoVrHtNoWbRbfyAdwwfGsHwVRfbkmbNX36RJDMtG3a5E7_XVvuL2rSvxiZKq0yh8vRg6Fc1qWMCTl4UW2JFt6mYxQ/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-esnU3gfb0eI9uCI1agnE5IWaoW5JXzFHeliuPlSXpelCCzbgjuSoVrHtNoWbRbfyAdwwfGsHwVRfbkmbNX36RJDMtG3a5E7_XVvuL2rSvxiZKq0yh8vRg6Fc1qWMCTl4UW2JFt6mYxQ/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first attempt at making/icing a cake. It looks ok if you don't look too closely. But it was tasty!<br />Thanks to <a href="http://michellemabell.blogspot.com/search/label/Cake%20and%20Cupcakes" target="_blank">Michelle </a>for some basic tips. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gVP6APqAlL1xJ0Mu-fzNFOFMUnowARBfp8ZlDy01MZDZ0IDcJqeEqny6JIv-ogVgMyVh85hFGZLxPyc3yee5RBHlJR8rfLsAj8mJRP3QpdUC63TEzyRCssHtUfYaAB_NtV3Tzv-MfiU/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gVP6APqAlL1xJ0Mu-fzNFOFMUnowARBfp8ZlDy01MZDZ0IDcJqeEqny6JIv-ogVgMyVh85hFGZLxPyc3yee5RBHlJR8rfLsAj8mJRP3QpdUC63TEzyRCssHtUfYaAB_NtV3Tzv-MfiU/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockets - mini 'pinatas' Gage helped me make them, and had fun pulling the strings to make them explode </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdqbUVIuULixYod5jSE0eKFR_yTOsOfnROe-Fc9JhUtkiJtFIpQw3-hwZ7-7PiX-9zh_5beM2C7plhZGTGibesMtBGV1AltqPK14P_2DteptnIRx00l-DUvrHqm2DGK-nYqQObyWRNCY/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdqbUVIuULixYod5jSE0eKFR_yTOsOfnROe-Fc9JhUtkiJtFIpQw3-hwZ7-7PiX-9zh_5beM2C7plhZGTGibesMtBGV1AltqPK14P_2DteptnIRx00l-DUvrHqm2DGK-nYqQObyWRNCY/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt very crafty making the table settings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-56925753486891995012011-11-06T17:01:00.000-07:002011-11-06T17:01:20.203-07:00Random Observations on the Beautiful Sunday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">1. It is a Beautiful Day</span><br />
I haven't actually been outside, but it looks beautiful from my window<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">2. Big breakfasts are one of the best changes in our lives since having kids</span><br />
Almost everyday we eat a big breakfast now (something other than a bowl of cereal, which was our breakfast pre-kids). The kids don't require it, but now I have more time in the mornings and it means Danny has to eat fewer snacks before lunch<br />
FYI - today we had scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and tea/juice/milk (depending on the person)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">3. I have become a fan of creating an art journal</span><br />
Visit my <a href="http://pinterest.com/colomama/journal/">Pinterest board</a> to see some fun examples<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">4. Watching football is different since having kids</span><br />
I used to be able to watch a whole game (or full afternoon of games) uninterrupted. Now I have to help tie shoes, wipe noses, get food for one then the other child, and I can't even hear the tv over the racket.<br />
One thing has stayed the same: Danny still doesn't like to watch<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">5. I'm a Broncos fan but it is pretty painful to watch</span><br />
Even when they are doing wellSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-13682283441816077522011-10-12T10:00:00.000-06:002011-10-12T10:00:01.290-06:00Heavenly Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Oh heavenly day, all the clouds blew away</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Got no trouble today with anyone</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">The smile on your face I live only to see</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">It's enough for me, baby, it's enough for me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Oh, heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Tomorrow may rain with sorrow</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Here's a little time we can borrow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Forget all our troubles in these moments so few</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">All we've got right now, the only thing that</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">All we really have to do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Is have ourselves a heavenly day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Lay here and watch the trees sway</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Oh, can't see no other way, no way, no way</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">No one at my shoulder bringing me fears</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Got no clouds up above me bringing me tears</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Got nothing to tell you, I've got nothing much to say</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Only I'm glad to be here with you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">On this heavenly, heavenly, heavenly, heavenly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Heavenly day, all the trouble's gone away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Oh, for a while anyway, for a while anyway</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Heavenly day, heavenly day, heavenly day</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iKM2r4vBScGp2zB_iGfVwrp71e2IWEjcDI7RRvCjHRX-tCMoBmUKEpZpupq2rcwK-CZ8ULSLKi4uGFSnqT-78YJKfNphi5QCbkT8OmgguHK96p-lB-hxEK9a_u-0AiB5nNw_1rZxVjM/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iKM2r4vBScGp2zB_iGfVwrp71e2IWEjcDI7RRvCjHRX-tCMoBmUKEpZpupq2rcwK-CZ8ULSLKi4uGFSnqT-78YJKfNphi5QCbkT8OmgguHK96p-lB-hxEK9a_u-0AiB5nNw_1rZxVjM/s640/DSC_0132.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky Mountain National Park - anniversary weekend June 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-57889328356530271502011-10-11T14:55:00.001-06:002011-10-11T14:55:25.995-06:00Farmers Market
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The leaves are turning yellow and we have traded the 90
degree weather for 60 degrees and freak snow flurries. Fall is here and it is
my<i> favorite</i> time of year. But there are still a lot of things that I love about
summer (that I haven’t blogged about yet). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the last 2 years I have been going to the local Farmers
Market on Monday mornings. I get on my bike, put the kids in the bike trailer
and head out. Really it’s only 4 blocks away, but it sounds more romantic if I
can say we went on a bike excursion. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoikzRV6L70goI1tludZlhdP9MN4xnUbXV6whSYIRGWwI7eMXb7fVK3zFXwzjCAZSSodyyPkxTWj2YCyFvdlWZb0wu4gExqGLwkpURv2ZDruYc5xydohJFgBX-mVgUDltxx-2iF5GZuyI/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoikzRV6L70goI1tludZlhdP9MN4xnUbXV6whSYIRGWwI7eMXb7fVK3zFXwzjCAZSSodyyPkxTWj2YCyFvdlWZb0wu4gExqGLwkpURv2ZDruYc5xydohJFgBX-mVgUDltxx-2iF5GZuyI/s400/DSC_0109.JPG" width="400" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoikzRV6L70goI1tludZlhdP9MN4xnUbXV6whSYIRGWwI7eMXb7fVK3zFXwzjCAZSSodyyPkxTWj2YCyFvdlWZb0wu4gExqGLwkpURv2ZDruYc5xydohJFgBX-mVgUDltxx-2iF5GZuyI/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfix8mZC5xBqC0oXUh5735A4ktVVuNIiZVxmjVcM-Yqwlh_IqoqX2fQ6j_XtZsnaiXQHisSXAacpHF3SxMenn1AEM2ieAll0MkWlpmROlhgw986AnFZoC3QFzsyw-X_8s5WeZyoCU53Q/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfix8mZC5xBqC0oXUh5735A4ktVVuNIiZVxmjVcM-Yqwlh_IqoqX2fQ6j_XtZsnaiXQHisSXAacpHF3SxMenn1AEM2ieAll0MkWlpmROlhgw986AnFZoC3QFzsyw-X_8s5WeZyoCU53Q/s320/DSC_0114.JPG" width="212" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiNE9U-QZWYv4KGxZNRmt0EPcW4uo-542lpFkFZFhc4akd6a97Y94KjTIyMS1usnQaVTD6gnzOhgoqrEjEsnbmshXxgEzvTKxnXEXaOUFxuEgUR31p3nYgSb4xOK8jS9qDjwfiLE6jtY/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiNE9U-QZWYv4KGxZNRmt0EPcW4uo-542lpFkFZFhc4akd6a97Y94KjTIyMS1usnQaVTD6gnzOhgoqrEjEsnbmshXxgEzvTKxnXEXaOUFxuEgUR31p3nYgSb4xOK8jS9qDjwfiLE6jtY/s200/DSC_0107.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are lots of booths, and it is fun to walk around and
see what people are offering. One of our (i.e. the Blobster’s) favorite stops
is for kettle corn. The man who makes it is legit – he has the biggest copper
kettle I’ve ever seen.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I bribe my son to be good with kettle corn, I chase
after him as I try to make my way to the european artisan bread, and then I tug
on him to follow me to get some fruit, and after excusing myself for grabbing
my son who is running between people’s legs, we finish up at the veggie stand.
It is great to pick out fresh veggies that are locally grown. It is so easy to
go overboard and get way too much. (Really… they want me to buy a whole basket
of onions?? What would I do with that many onions in a week? My husband doesn’t
even like onions. But they are cheap. Humm) </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD7w6c-PXYvwVC_wu512mcd4KBx5Oevf97j37g1RFwfpqy5bgOc1IXTiQwR1YFXgMcJCOl9JzligSpLQkKn8Soajx8d8-2Flsxlp2rSuhyBSe0cK9Rwmd1jPK2WqzobkMFDfEBw3e8B0/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAD7w6c-PXYvwVC_wu512mcd4KBx5Oevf97j37g1RFwfpqy5bgOc1IXTiQwR1YFXgMcJCOl9JzligSpLQkKn8Soajx8d8-2Flsxlp2rSuhyBSe0cK9Rwmd1jPK2WqzobkMFDfEBw3e8B0/s200/DSC_0108.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then once we have all our purchases we head over to the
playground so the Blobster can let out some energy. It’s hard work for the boy
to listen to mama, and stand in lines, and not touch things.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3up_2eMj3Zz5QNRvTf9atMI90ar4Tzlcc9knDUTsDpubmd4pgAKaGw3_HuL73s5zhn2PCC9I6512Uzwlm0aBCHyBmBwiFAV8wU-YokPrlvC9y8080_4YJeKPkRMkFDN_6UdSTqxMMKVY/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3up_2eMj3Zz5QNRvTf9atMI90ar4Tzlcc9knDUTsDpubmd4pgAKaGw3_HuL73s5zhn2PCC9I6512Uzwlm0aBCHyBmBwiFAV8wU-YokPrlvC9y8080_4YJeKPkRMkFDN_6UdSTqxMMKVY/s400/DSC_0109.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I get to decide what to make with what I bring home. This
summer I feel like I made a wide range of dishes with fresh vegetables that I
have never tried before and they all turned out really well. The Blobster even
ate everything without complaint. I didn’t have a ton of leftover veggies that
got thrown out either. So that’s a success, right?</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One time this summer we were ‘blessed’ with a huge box of
beets. It’s kind-of a long story, but in a round about way we got this box that
someone didn’t pick up from their CSA share. I like beets, so I was excited at
first, so I made beet puree baby food for the Sweet Pea, a ton of Borscht, beet
salad, beet cole slaw, etc. I
started to give beets to my friends, my family, slipping them in people’s
pockets if they got too close to me. We still had quite a few beets left when
they started going bad and we had to throw some away. I think they were
multiplying and having beet babies in the box while we weren’t looking. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98w7Ai2qR2emGZ2MBqkQliBdyRI_Y_1HEG4Ez29wEKIm8ePlrf6VGdKXZEtjc29mIlKx6vKSj6IE2IO8-gHyughPLH5jZBi4-34Smv6Ye4ZvdKkrQyV6DrNtufmKhhx3RdttPXmP6ufU/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98w7Ai2qR2emGZ2MBqkQliBdyRI_Y_1HEG4Ez29wEKIm8ePlrf6VGdKXZEtjc29mIlKx6vKSj6IE2IO8-gHyughPLH5jZBi4-34Smv6Ye4ZvdKkrQyV6DrNtufmKhhx3RdttPXmP6ufU/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98w7Ai2qR2emGZ2MBqkQliBdyRI_Y_1HEG4Ez29wEKIm8ePlrf6VGdKXZEtjc29mIlKx6vKSj6IE2IO8-gHyughPLH5jZBi4-34Smv6Ye4ZvdKkrQyV6DrNtufmKhhx3RdttPXmP6ufU/s320/DSC_0068.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-30207508479579989772011-10-05T10:09:00.000-06:002011-10-05T10:09:37.946-06:00It's my birthday and I can cook if I want toWe celebrated my birthday on Saturday. It was awesome...a bunch of friends came and took over my kitchen, working feverishly on an amazing meal. I sat on the back porch, with those who weren't actively cooking, and drank a beautiful chardonnay. We ate: mini pizzas, shrimp, roasted fig and beet salad, garlic mashed potatos, brussels sprouts <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(on Sat I learned the correct spelling of that)</i></span> with bacon, filet mignon, and the biggest crab legs you have ever seen! And to finish it all, we had homemade angelfood cake with strawberries. I'm truly blessed to have such wonderful friends who spent so much time, energy, and money to create the most wonderful birthday meal for me!<br />
And did I get a picture of the fun night to share?? No, no I did not.<br />
<br />
Did I mention we had crab legs? They were delicious.<br />
<br />
<br />
My actual birthday was pretty low-key. It was the most beautiful fall day - clear blue sky and the leaves just starting to think about turning. It is a little warmer than it typically is, but at least it is not snowing yet. I decided I wanted to have a special treat so I drove to Starbucks for a cinnamon-dolce latte. I had to drive to the west side of town because I wanted to go through the drive through - it stinks trying to park and get 2 kids out of the car, stand in line with those kids, just to order a coffee and get back into the car.<br />
I think all stores should have a drive-thru option for parents with small kids.<br />
<br />
Then I took the kids to the park since it was so nice outside. It is always fun to watch my kids have fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2WD4WmGt8xLgc3jg459zorJn_skzDQRyXc0W-rR1DiH16QeAtuTSNOFL1saV5WKScf4CiAe_-hfX9PVPGbrc_6_DUB8UnD_HCHYUJm4mD2p-n1cA9JfTQW3bi_nvEM1Lmwmh6GEESQ0/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2WD4WmGt8xLgc3jg459zorJn_skzDQRyXc0W-rR1DiH16QeAtuTSNOFL1saV5WKScf4CiAe_-hfX9PVPGbrc_6_DUB8UnD_HCHYUJm4mD2p-n1cA9JfTQW3bi_nvEM1Lmwmh6GEESQ0/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" width="214" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS16Dhj7KEEYd6w8MsbaFYXrAlsEM1q0KFp7PEM41A_xzKAxI5cUSp68XzyTmT_dTxtw5uo0KdH1biWvguVsUTUqTPl6gji3xcTsAVw7JIsKaloOl2VLOoYhr3Ka9ZQbpfXWhXaeJuYxo/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS16Dhj7KEEYd6w8MsbaFYXrAlsEM1q0KFp7PEM41A_xzKAxI5cUSp68XzyTmT_dTxtw5uo0KdH1biWvguVsUTUqTPl6gji3xcTsAVw7JIsKaloOl2VLOoYhr3Ka9ZQbpfXWhXaeJuYxo/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I decided that for my birthday dinner I would make homemade ravioli. I really like to cook, so it was fun to work on something new.<br />
I will definitely be making more ravioli in the future. The filling options are endless and I love fresh, homemade pasta.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L28x9rFd9T8d9KZVDFAihpZ1551TQTQcd6YjXU5Dza7sdJxxgSdHZim7N-Gxdhgxho2kxWUAWNWVIBl0H7lR5DvN75Zg1fYB07UOm4_xE8DMyK1gA82zYAAaIoilGbZUOAqFgU7M89Q/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L28x9rFd9T8d9KZVDFAihpZ1551TQTQcd6YjXU5Dza7sdJxxgSdHZim7N-Gxdhgxho2kxWUAWNWVIBl0H7lR5DvN75Zg1fYB07UOm4_xE8DMyK1gA82zYAAaIoilGbZUOAqFgU7M89Q/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" width="320" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHVaeMKWrLFo4bCQjNj1OK60kl5hFlISjBjQxitwbCEeRNOQ9oOag7ozh4cacmlmHbuLfVWpu37DfajPDC30AS8TPPQp-29ar5zSnioMFL-IOb93kJvXICRd53ILyXMWxp2GhLSWBrq0/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHVaeMKWrLFo4bCQjNj1OK60kl5hFlISjBjQxitwbCEeRNOQ9oOag7ozh4cacmlmHbuLfVWpu37DfajPDC30AS8TPPQp-29ar5zSnioMFL-IOb93kJvXICRd53ILyXMWxp2GhLSWBrq0/s200/DSC_0109.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-84196358311786480922011-08-13T08:56:00.000-06:002011-08-13T08:56:30.711-06:00Midnight <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">It’s been a really long time since I’ve stayed up until midnight. I mean truely STAYED UP until midnight, not woken up at midnight – that happens all the time. I usually go to bed around 9pm; that’s as late as I can stay up until my eyelids refuse to cooperate anymore. </div><div class="MsoNormal">But last night I stayed up until midnight because we had friends over for dinner at our garage mahal and everyone stayed and lingered over one more drink, then one more… It was pleasant and relaxed. I enjoyed myself, enjoyed the music, enjoyed the talking, enjoyed the food, enjoyed the night. </div><div class="MsoNormal">As we were getting ready for bed I turned on the window fan. I think it carried in not only a little bit of remaining chiminea smoke, but also the remnants of laughter and jokes. It was contentment floating around my room when my eyelids finally stopped cooperating last night. </div><!--EndFragment-->Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-16822066227560716152011-07-22T15:16:00.000-06:002011-07-22T15:16:11.630-06:00Baby's first mealThis week the Sweet Pea had her first "solid food". (Incidentally I know several people who call it people food...as though otherwise babies are eating nonpeople food - what, like dog food?? who knows) Anyway...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B4tVpnFgFjnvUu_MtUu1kD7-fEPDhx66TIcpndyANfIQ7MXrOPBWBPz1d1TbpAOHNGQD_8z80TsNGgtFlkVwHTxfVqjl_JdyQgUSV3Pe7LV2JLo_Vt34-u4Jg4nLMenMLKI9Sb3KEdA/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B4tVpnFgFjnvUu_MtUu1kD7-fEPDhx66TIcpndyANfIQ7MXrOPBWBPz1d1TbpAOHNGQD_8z80TsNGgtFlkVwHTxfVqjl_JdyQgUSV3Pe7LV2JLo_Vt34-u4Jg4nLMenMLKI9Sb3KEdA/s400/DSC_0073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I'm not sure she knew what to do with what I was putting in her mouth. Most of the food ended up on her face, bib, and washcloth. But it was kind of fun to try something new.<br />
<br />
I have chosen to start my children with meat (specifically chicken) for their first food. My pediatrician pointed me in this direction and after some <a href="http://children.webmd.com/guide/what-to-feed-your-baby-toddler">internet research</a> I decided this would be a good approach for me. There are so many different ways to go when feeding babies, (fruits, veggies, cereal, meat...) and I don't think there is really a right or a wrong way, but many people get very passionate about it. There are LOTS of books about it. LOTS of websites. LOTS of experts weighing in with their opinions. But at the end of the day, babies all eat <i>something</i> and we all seem to be okay regardless of what it was. What did they do 200 years ago when there wasn't someone telling mothers what to do at each phase of their babies development??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlygcZN06MsTN38I6LLjRK2vjS6mIstsc4Ab5FoahOjHFFWOuh0aJS4oVbDGbRsB0r0PPoaVa9QdZpKybzITiFM6j7QW_aYa7VLHA6nGOBphyphenhyphenM9N5tnrBIedtbagpCX0JTHwc38t3-Aw/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlygcZN06MsTN38I6LLjRK2vjS6mIstsc4Ab5FoahOjHFFWOuh0aJS4oVbDGbRsB0r0PPoaVa9QdZpKybzITiFM6j7QW_aYa7VLHA6nGOBphyphenhyphenM9N5tnrBIedtbagpCX0JTHwc38t3-Aw/s400/DSC_0077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I also make my own baby food. I have found it is so easy and a lot less expensive. I love having a freezer full of things for my baby to eat. I have already started to puree some things that she will eat later. Berries were on sale last week so I took advantage and did a batch of them. I'll do some zucchini from our garden soon. For my birthday, Goatee Man bought me a really nice food processor. It makes pureeing food sooo much faster. (I used my blender to make food for the Blobster). So I put in an hour of work and get enough baby food for a month or so. Easy.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-69008601293125107682011-07-21T10:00:00.001-06:002011-07-21T10:00:05.261-06:00Al FrescoLast night we were eating al fresco. It cooled down nicely after a hot day. In the morning we cooked ourselves at the zoo, so it was so nice to be in our green backyard eating food that I made from our garden.<br />
Here is what we ate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLB5t3eUIG5D3nyODe4CO2mAgd2zAVl9WPTLB82Z0G5YjxQRNopNaKa0hwy_Qe6P9-S5XBTSbYnmDr_fa7eKStQB5HWROD8eBKU0veAZw0BFigB7QAcO7eXvZcAw2orUJf4I9TOGLrHk/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLB5t3eUIG5D3nyODe4CO2mAgd2zAVl9WPTLB82Z0G5YjxQRNopNaKa0hwy_Qe6P9-S5XBTSbYnmDr_fa7eKStQB5HWROD8eBKU0veAZw0BFigB7QAcO7eXvZcAw2orUJf4I9TOGLrHk/s400/DSC_0116.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Lemon basil penne with spinach and pork chops. The Blobster ate all of his and even said it was yummy.<br />
Here is the view from our garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QCqzq3X5ETwGUodg8UPdKGgMU4zLKQhFmg89NNL-G2zXaltSbz6FwxqNwJteLus7freq2dSHeidG_HUjTemfCGqkMEcu9-7zxnk09fzNS_3vGMtsI08zmBYiYo-A8ZJJNsbaJzEgoG8/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QCqzq3X5ETwGUodg8UPdKGgMU4zLKQhFmg89NNL-G2zXaltSbz6FwxqNwJteLus7freq2dSHeidG_HUjTemfCGqkMEcu9-7zxnk09fzNS_3vGMtsI08zmBYiYo-A8ZJJNsbaJzEgoG8/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17XsQIlUkjys7U8-yuqDi3jlFAUI81BPi60dqaP5ClQUqKh0CgpgptHiYbUyovOqWmABs4Dx7qA6ATk5eqpntqRav9fBNYSclu8aqftz50fDCArnqL1ZTJFvC1Ay4EcgzDq1tTrkJsYk/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17XsQIlUkjys7U8-yuqDi3jlFAUI81BPi60dqaP5ClQUqKh0CgpgptHiYbUyovOqWmABs4Dx7qA6ATk5eqpntqRav9fBNYSclu8aqftz50fDCArnqL1ZTJFvC1Ay4EcgzDq1tTrkJsYk/s320/DSC_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW4nLidHUWq3eHjMlKQwQ_M2OC8HJaQuEtbk7F97vGw378D7EaRoEVxy0D3Ia-jDnd6UFVicu3yIChmdbd9QLkQOaV-3_tgW9yNqsrOrqJFDX5Tq1eGr0ET0tWZ2GwM1XNRNkdycAV-U/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW4nLidHUWq3eHjMlKQwQ_M2OC8HJaQuEtbk7F97vGw378D7EaRoEVxy0D3Ia-jDnd6UFVicu3yIChmdbd9QLkQOaV-3_tgW9yNqsrOrqJFDX5Tq1eGr0ET0tWZ2GwM1XNRNkdycAV-U/s320/DSC_0094.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
Here we are eating outside. It really was a great night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-FrJVcgJ1IfCp_0xiHtisOXKxjZ5Cu-VNFMsdljTblAg6e57BgKDVP3OixpzMowRPhRlaafsSpoRo9qgbwYSZ-tHGqmOoFFz6LagAGdZKrUn8VO9FPkFhXLxgchyphenhyphen2O3SvoIPRyVc20Y/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-FrJVcgJ1IfCp_0xiHtisOXKxjZ5Cu-VNFMsdljTblAg6e57BgKDVP3OixpzMowRPhRlaafsSpoRo9qgbwYSZ-tHGqmOoFFz6LagAGdZKrUn8VO9FPkFhXLxgchyphenhyphen2O3SvoIPRyVc20Y/s400/DSC_0120.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nLcU1Ijm8zWseyJyiXQd0qdRFyfftTDlrO72_t62Gzxg1wpMbUKUwzlJ37A70eXoxx-SzGKl17sykM8n00Xa_tz72UebV71koynh2bpHeNeirrB776Orn44r_KLLFdHsfj5sfYfSM74/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nLcU1Ijm8zWseyJyiXQd0qdRFyfftTDlrO72_t62Gzxg1wpMbUKUwzlJ37A70eXoxx-SzGKl17sykM8n00Xa_tz72UebV71koynh2bpHeNeirrB776Orn44r_KLLFdHsfj5sfYfSM74/s400/DSC_0121.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And after dinner I had a lovely <a href="http://www.averybrewing.com/our-ales">Avery IPA</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8z0SvubYxJbD964-iegyPBEu_s0BZ0YPBDA7HeUTCJtEO1Lt1L8p40PQbPltEKjRA-tISeIPsuPTcKOzhHsJg3yxJZN1sjSCK6y3JLOTy8p0P_INRT_Ub4O74n1s0SLLzxymodPxfgc/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8z0SvubYxJbD964-iegyPBEu_s0BZ0YPBDA7HeUTCJtEO1Lt1L8p40PQbPltEKjRA-tISeIPsuPTcKOzhHsJg3yxJZN1sjSCK6y3JLOTy8p0P_INRT_Ub4O74n1s0SLLzxymodPxfgc/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Such a nice night.<br />
Makes me want to keep the kids up until the moon is out, but then we would have cranky kids on our hands. So I put the kids to bed and cleaned some lettuce for salad tonight.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791215851180503971.post-80867529751554904252011-07-20T17:42:00.000-06:002011-07-20T17:42:26.724-06:00ParadeRecently, we went to a parade for the <a href="http://www.coloradospringsrodeo.com/">Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo</a>. We rode our bikes down and watched horses, horses, and more horses. The Blobster was thrilled!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OcikQgt4xLWgUqxZJ9frNdnbnW6BMEjsrNBHgw8XbhWSUGhMIr668YXBaHXoMQ42VWgSCzYy9uHhmQ1qrITyKVBZwITqFHepHORgVNFRGEQu3gC5kwJTs4cB8lzPS8ckOuEDZo9Nn7Q/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OcikQgt4xLWgUqxZJ9frNdnbnW6BMEjsrNBHgw8XbhWSUGhMIr668YXBaHXoMQ42VWgSCzYy9uHhmQ1qrITyKVBZwITqFHepHORgVNFRGEQu3gC5kwJTs4cB8lzPS8ckOuEDZo9Nn7Q/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi1ty0aUOzzjYD3GRkz8qdAP5Chm2ZhiwUcIOPVLoU_uyE7zFUc3vvljl8sR7rDDr8W3y0KWapnhHrQh85QrBT5YDjwdCok7Oiu12lIrouW_eTPWJKi0w7fXmYyCflBGZJKlkcaxAwsg/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi1ty0aUOzzjYD3GRkz8qdAP5Chm2ZhiwUcIOPVLoU_uyE7zFUc3vvljl8sR7rDDr8W3y0KWapnhHrQh85QrBT5YDjwdCok7Oiu12lIrouW_eTPWJKi0w7fXmYyCflBGZJKlkcaxAwsg/s400/DSC_0049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn3-3j1kCPn8zAqkvZOB-BzYy4fW2GtKOxBvrTL4qlAOEBsR1BVfghyphenhyphenmpnrWgBsbYbylpopCJNtwwAYA9Ms0I39qW13Uq4rSGqgg_DIsq1W5yHznTYXAkk7buhRV1Qx5Iz5By3n9eqog/s1600/DSC_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn3-3j1kCPn8zAqkvZOB-BzYy4fW2GtKOxBvrTL4qlAOEBsR1BVfghyphenhyphenmpnrWgBsbYbylpopCJNtwwAYA9Ms0I39qW13Uq4rSGqgg_DIsq1W5yHznTYXAkk7buhRV1Qx5Iz5By3n9eqog/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHgUxhp3ZInUhxaD5AwUaK2nsulRfaWU-6mhs7jYXDtwld7aADS4q2H8RIefdw_1MyTA21jbE-85-Mx_yuG2v3Y6_a5nIXZTwSqhMMC0wzozr-N7sTaWf9OFsFWOVXRSijdj5RdOFXgU/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHgUxhp3ZInUhxaD5AwUaK2nsulRfaWU-6mhs7jYXDtwld7aADS4q2H8RIefdw_1MyTA21jbE-85-Mx_yuG2v3Y6_a5nIXZTwSqhMMC0wzozr-N7sTaWf9OFsFWOVXRSijdj5RdOFXgU/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>The Blobster had the best seat in town.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTX8mQ0hN73MHgddrZVujnrZ7dD5ZJtObHIIKyyfYj6LIQXVdinCT7BUCyDDjD-PTdxuX_GbfKmvlT-uvZXfgJSY3LRJs0SsPEsjSQsxktvz_r5FCMIlMGpCF5SUztWFB-DqI32q-RLg/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTX8mQ0hN73MHgddrZVujnrZ7dD5ZJtObHIIKyyfYj6LIQXVdinCT7BUCyDDjD-PTdxuX_GbfKmvlT-uvZXfgJSY3LRJs0SsPEsjSQsxktvz_r5FCMIlMGpCF5SUztWFB-DqI32q-RLg/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Lucas and Jaime joined us too. It is nice to have extra hands to help with our children. And Lucas' office provided relief from the rain.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNVSaHDvV_uooN4i4ik7Jk7TncCjwE3MgWh6fssyavLHGCvrJn3vDigThbIlsZAkS6Gpq9o8kiOMl7UGmEAqV53efDqjyGfvRwzCBStXTn3eFCSAIEj8n-Aj2MYJfsHWf4sZD5f3ooeE/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNVSaHDvV_uooN4i4ik7Jk7TncCjwE3MgWh6fssyavLHGCvrJn3vDigThbIlsZAkS6Gpq9o8kiOMl7UGmEAqV53efDqjyGfvRwzCBStXTn3eFCSAIEj8n-Aj2MYJfsHWf4sZD5f3ooeE/s400/DSC_0051.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbx38PzsGMAillRfP0_2f7ud3gIeTk5PDN8HU2yw0adb3i3Ab-uJ90d_B6qSiN0sB7zJeqXG1X6gQKSNGf56K7Z82NW4g_s8g_kCt0hZcm95JyYqyxHQBFS528aTbOxWcMcVBpicx3gzU/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbx38PzsGMAillRfP0_2f7ud3gIeTk5PDN8HU2yw0adb3i3Ab-uJ90d_B6qSiN0sB7zJeqXG1X6gQKSNGf56K7Z82NW4g_s8g_kCt0hZcm95JyYqyxHQBFS528aTbOxWcMcVBpicx3gzU/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Grandma showed up too! The Blobster was spoiled with all the hands to hold him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-IGJOK1NgpIxbKh8JEErGhEr2YiXjcn7eSUsPFGQdRArZV6oZzFZMHdiFhVBNRjsGPZY5jfKpMUS9QWmHRpSXmMGMHDfpQdhTp8cnGVfCGxFK8sC_AHjHyrp2RydF1Cduaze30v_adw/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-IGJOK1NgpIxbKh8JEErGhEr2YiXjcn7eSUsPFGQdRArZV6oZzFZMHdiFhVBNRjsGPZY5jfKpMUS9QWmHRpSXmMGMHDfpQdhTp8cnGVfCGxFK8sC_AHjHyrp2RydF1Cduaze30v_adw/s400/DSC_0064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ahh...the Sweet Pea loves her grandma!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0EiarlgyIS_jHE9RRtaY0rXhOEpfNT0SxkbOC4g9Kai-xhnuRXM-AM544Lv945s1TiLw4dcTF4eaSj5QC-fY7Mq5at_-_CGuIUdDhq-bd277J32bhWd-tWFSztd1vZOvh11CaOd5Wjk/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0EiarlgyIS_jHE9RRtaY0rXhOEpfNT0SxkbOC4g9Kai-xhnuRXM-AM544Lv945s1TiLw4dcTF4eaSj5QC-fY7Mq5at_-_CGuIUdDhq-bd277J32bhWd-tWFSztd1vZOvh11CaOd5Wjk/s400/DSC_0065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And I think she is too cute for words.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacWxslS4bewrGLQBsTF-an30Up_gV9rXkMDB9Tm04LAhGHwCrKwc9qHdAgWzFNjMHVdwCgXxprUF-plxT6AEVW0bsAsbBx77ZJvdKY6yax2sdX_jKu8OVgRUKhzpGePqhL5tSFYVoDvY/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacWxslS4bewrGLQBsTF-an30Up_gV9rXkMDB9Tm04LAhGHwCrKwc9qHdAgWzFNjMHVdwCgXxprUF-plxT6AEVW0bsAsbBx77ZJvdKY6yax2sdX_jKu8OVgRUKhzpGePqhL5tSFYVoDvY/s400/DSC_0052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Did I mention that we saw some horses??Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03590033982703537971noreply@blogger.com1