tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151150422024-02-27T22:34:00.795-06:00Knitting RoxWhere Knitting & Life MeetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-111985173386232202010-07-11T00:13:00.006-05:002010-07-11T00:16:43.884-05:00Fire in the sky.On our way home tonight from a photo session, Ayv and I came upon these beauties.<div><br /></div><div>[blue fire in the sky]<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUdoWK3qabSAWqTcr5xrWNzB-P-C2WOtxtnMRt1A13pSvHpxaEWyDH2L3wm_J0qBv96oRQjd51XwGKDcsiIPvy0xKeZOA_3ea0ibuAb_I27K10NARSFXnFsensf_gW1eZHwgUbw/s1600/IMG_0530_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUdoWK3qabSAWqTcr5xrWNzB-P-C2WOtxtnMRt1A13pSvHpxaEWyDH2L3wm_J0qBv96oRQjd51XwGKDcsiIPvy0xKeZOA_3ea0ibuAb_I27K10NARSFXnFsensf_gW1eZHwgUbw/s640/IMG_0530_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492512675527035330" /></a>[branches of fire]<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvBBTQ-JQN5uFHVfNY2DWKa8iQK76WOCZnmVjBRnnZF2jtJkswQz5SgEhyphenhyphenQD4rB1jyfnGWGIPippTW6Ri1a_t980dJQasTHI_wWwyHYwgsTW_t4pkkZUB25vg9hhEqdpKFhKHUQ/s1600/IMG_0564_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvBBTQ-JQN5uFHVfNY2DWKa8iQK76WOCZnmVjBRnnZF2jtJkswQz5SgEhyphenhyphenQD4rB1jyfnGWGIPippTW6Ri1a_t980dJQasTHI_wWwyHYwgsTW_t4pkkZUB25vg9hhEqdpKFhKHUQ/s640/IMG_0564_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492512669159343394" /></a>[green explosion]<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4jhK-m9WPg9YGmLhsGxAB5USjIRhynXtOXxq7yqt3gS2cBCpQmx09XgZKK278yqOq97IfGBMp-EEbSL-IsPZaD5la9iPKBryadVIV5wo2gCz7TMYYPlNaOdA3rngNFDqTkE8Jg/s1600/IMG_0565_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4jhK-m9WPg9YGmLhsGxAB5USjIRhynXtOXxq7yqt3gS2cBCpQmx09XgZKK278yqOq97IfGBMp-EEbSL-IsPZaD5la9iPKBryadVIV5wo2gCz7TMYYPlNaOdA3rngNFDqTkE8Jg/s640/IMG_0565_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492512668758983602" /></a>I hope the weather holds out so I can shoot more fireworks tomorrow night. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-50121606709476291532010-07-08T23:10:00.012-05:002010-07-08T23:24:30.834-05:00My Outlet.When I took up interest in photography (years ago), it was my outlet. My creative outlet. Visual. Tactile. Personal. It remains my outlet.<div><br /></div><div>It was a wonderful pleasure to meet up with my friend, Christy, and pull out the camera earlier this week. We walked around her farm, although not far from the house. This time of year presents itself with an enormous mosquito population. Probably nothing like those birds I hear about up North, but they still don't treat me favorably. Anyway, I was able to get a few of my new favorite shots while out for that short time.</div><div><br /></div><div>[Summer Lace]</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguPLwfZ4tfz0jTUQK-_gfkWFhHSzUuWbTsCq6eLY9RXACFJsxM8vplGUyDVkseu5O5Npn-Pk3feNpPjOtWe8Oix_ySaay4bWYShVTfRfqmmla99SmUJOgxrjM6W3iDUgF9ZtdsQ/s1600/IMG_9420.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguPLwfZ4tfz0jTUQK-_gfkWFhHSzUuWbTsCq6eLY9RXACFJsxM8vplGUyDVkseu5O5Npn-Pk3feNpPjOtWe8Oix_ySaay4bWYShVTfRfqmmla99SmUJOgxrjM6W3iDUgF9ZtdsQ/s640/IMG_9420.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491756150824292482" /></a><div>[Bellflower]</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5fpHYMLQVbADX17OnxHpSRFEU6aU11yXtlesmejh5s4ThEY7oEp5GKfsilkbc2nB-CtHlYg9a0ETe3PPrhjpp8E0CmPtNrSUQe-ICKxiJTFqRC-P4-OjP-nyVSlBOYGKMlObAA/s1600/IMG_9457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5fpHYMLQVbADX17OnxHpSRFEU6aU11yXtlesmejh5s4ThEY7oEp5GKfsilkbc2nB-CtHlYg9a0ETe3PPrhjpp8E0CmPtNrSUQe-ICKxiJTFqRC-P4-OjP-nyVSlBOYGKMlObAA/s640/IMG_9457.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491756142595265986" /></a><br />I have had a couple of sessions this week (so far) and spotted this along the way. [Scout]<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3xdxBkUg3M2Gqbs177M513i9WBuXoVnHPZYuMpCZI8aHj9fDxMfBdz_H0GY5y6WkS43vX3g1qzyi8XyikScjY-_0eZr2CAWGloIugcTErqKZ80Tt_D8_1AcX6DuC15i76qyukg/s1600/IMG_0054_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3xdxBkUg3M2Gqbs177M513i9WBuXoVnHPZYuMpCZI8aHj9fDxMfBdz_H0GY5y6WkS43vX3g1qzyi8XyikScjY-_0eZr2CAWGloIugcTErqKZ80Tt_D8_1AcX6DuC15i76qyukg/s640/IMG_0054_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491756966616680898" /></a>It has been a rewarding week with my photography - personally and professionally.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-473829660188896612010-06-28T22:09:00.006-05:002010-06-28T22:24:11.365-05:00Barn Dance: 2010Memorial Day weekend was our annual attempt to make it to the Adams Family Barn Dance in Lamont to visit my aunts, uncles, and cousins...some who happen to be members of the Adams Family. This year's attempt was a success (on the way there, anyway - there's no need to discuss the big deer in Buchanan County **you can thank us, Buchanan County residents** that added nearly $4,000 to our insurance claim).<div><br /></div><div>We got the chance to meet the newest member of our family on this visit, my cousin's daughter. She really wasn't sad because we showed up. I promise. But, her little pout is just too cute!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLVM-DFprfS6FTrNiTA6oBFMD5UpCWStpwP8GEnfQiEOi-vK59XEz_SvEWY0C6iJ6ZFfnId4Kzp3gIsWIGksjy1c9DpkSdTAM9GXWn_xzE73VmVY9kLmqNb65NHWQroP_Zq_PKQ/s1600/2010_Barn_Dance-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLVM-DFprfS6FTrNiTA6oBFMD5UpCWStpwP8GEnfQiEOi-vK59XEz_SvEWY0C6iJ6ZFfnId4Kzp3gIsWIGksjy1c9DpkSdTAM9GXWn_xzE73VmVY9kLmqNb65NHWQroP_Zq_PKQ/s640/2010_Barn_Dance-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488029356173479250" /></a>During the dance, I was able to get her with her daddy. I think this is a precious shot.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4MPXPhu_MP1whS-LzJfK8QvCA4Xjbui7fIkUJx5guQyjTWw77R4D-EWh6AaDGqyNXY1qfF8yJuXgOz2t9cowo2PAYvlol6SFaK-d5ugvdgsUni9w65MmRVeihDhH3o44DUcVFQ/s1600/2010_Barn_Dance-108.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4MPXPhu_MP1whS-LzJfK8QvCA4Xjbui7fIkUJx5guQyjTWw77R4D-EWh6AaDGqyNXY1qfF8yJuXgOz2t9cowo2PAYvlol6SFaK-d5ugvdgsUni9w65MmRVeihDhH3o44DUcVFQ/s640/2010_Barn_Dance-108.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488029366723705746" /></a>I took a LOT of pictures, but haven't had a chance to go through them all, yet. I did pull a couple of my little model, though.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tPXcqiHSyCtTezluCpndWGTRgBviHg7IQeBU18SpIXUgPU36fj62YcUd7nmhI0vL_LvRzR4iPDvcPnbx4ssYyGBMXqhx7XNb5fPrSoSp0EJ9Fg14MgVxEOAx7p1qbucvpavKiA/s1600/IMG_8037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tPXcqiHSyCtTezluCpndWGTRgBviHg7IQeBU18SpIXUgPU36fj62YcUd7nmhI0vL_LvRzR4iPDvcPnbx4ssYyGBMXqhx7XNb5fPrSoSp0EJ9Fg14MgVxEOAx7p1qbucvpavKiA/s640/IMG_8037.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488029371958397154" /></a>I'm pretty sure she could pass for a cowgirl.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlHMGMSyjl0qboaYRTrrgbB7G7cjxbWftiIWdEeSCE31cXcJ0Ez8CtU0JOrVM3YH2KHb4A5RkZ2ZMAreBEU8A3YbSCAtOGV0xxdMhuTdr42XcceyOoQsLR4MaveoB5r-u25AN3Q/s1600/IMG_8040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlHMGMSyjl0qboaYRTrrgbB7G7cjxbWftiIWdEeSCE31cXcJ0Ez8CtU0JOrVM3YH2KHb4A5RkZ2ZMAreBEU8A3YbSCAtOGV0xxdMhuTdr42XcceyOoQsLR4MaveoB5r-u25AN3Q/s640/IMG_8040.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488029380121385778" /></a>Looking forward to the barn dance in 2011!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-34065467981293131882010-04-07T17:09:00.015-05:002010-04-07T18:07:05.882-05:00The Easter Pox.This past weekend we spent time with my family for Easter. We made some monkey bread for breakfast, the kids enjoyed their Easter egg hunt, we had some great food for lunch, Ayla and G'ma made a cake, and Ayden got to practice his archery. I had hoped for a bit warmer weather, but it really was a nice day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjpxEkpWsuUj3iZCYDQr0lMrsp4HcmI47D7DuT884B8uL38_OhW2fhyrCki9tVukShh7wrQP7zBC61zi2d_m1jo6bCyqUHw__SDiGDU4-GaYBik-qWq7WRDicH-yJtrCMOzUY1g/s1600/IMG_4842_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjpxEkpWsuUj3iZCYDQr0lMrsp4HcmI47D7DuT884B8uL38_OhW2fhyrCki9tVukShh7wrQP7zBC61zi2d_m1jo6bCyqUHw__SDiGDU4-GaYBik-qWq7WRDicH-yJtrCMOzUY1g/s640/IMG_4842_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530548052973154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG1lUfAJYJniQSMg2hI3sd0DzyuQD7x1mvOUSIIziQzQ82FcOVNCaMUQxs56Z8-PqcBulb7pBoFTm8x_XcexiBxWjTiKaA7sqviCQLItL0_DTKBXw46aGZhAw6CjOfGlmJCKqhA/s1600/IMG_4849_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG1lUfAJYJniQSMg2hI3sd0DzyuQD7x1mvOUSIIziQzQ82FcOVNCaMUQxs56Z8-PqcBulb7pBoFTm8x_XcexiBxWjTiKaA7sqviCQLItL0_DTKBXw46aGZhAw6CjOfGlmJCKqhA/s640/IMG_4849_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530299218067922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAwAlYSWgZknSMlJFaesvMWp3-u891bsYExGyqxGSlL4tUfnaJw0CefQTaCuxTpe3_S-z-RfXTS7s-fPmIo3_hGYszrilWEkTWqOgufa3usLllzwIoZmEdolOqqRsf0l12zYlnw/s1600/IMG_4865_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAwAlYSWgZknSMlJFaesvMWp3-u891bsYExGyqxGSlL4tUfnaJw0CefQTaCuxTpe3_S-z-RfXTS7s-fPmIo3_hGYszrilWEkTWqOgufa3usLllzwIoZmEdolOqqRsf0l12zYlnw/s640/IMG_4865_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530294445583570" /></a>The dogs were more interested in the dead snake than looking for eggs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiKkYop6RUHcOnhjBXVnJNljSaUTKDauF4oCwWXL-FU_i6ucA6r5scSZJjkqEvsfvwU0sKfqo4j6x7qC-NzL7siPlaDTDJR65RAsdok2qFeKJahbLne8JN_Y3CNNceiRMhfSqzQ/s1600/IMG_4868_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiKkYop6RUHcOnhjBXVnJNljSaUTKDauF4oCwWXL-FU_i6ucA6r5scSZJjkqEvsfvwU0sKfqo4j6x7qC-NzL7siPlaDTDJR65RAsdok2qFeKJahbLne8JN_Y3CNNceiRMhfSqzQ/s640/IMG_4868_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530290715337538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPrN2YJO5YuBFgoAW0Xm4YF1YdnzCpKBdn_6dMS0_7u1p5wwByzKbxRPESyrNE7mwkA8kqGdo00ZqzCRadlkF7E9XCPtKE-HZ636u-7zZwiQQ8xdKglSJPpHBv6YTD3M7Suo2Cg/s1600/IMG_4869_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPrN2YJO5YuBFgoAW0Xm4YF1YdnzCpKBdn_6dMS0_7u1p5wwByzKbxRPESyrNE7mwkA8kqGdo00ZqzCRadlkF7E9XCPtKE-HZ636u-7zZwiQQ8xdKglSJPpHBv6YTD3M7Suo2Cg/s640/IMG_4869_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530283965831122" /></a>The kids had fun collecting their loot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTd9h05cGotqeGjL_Lc9nc4PETTu3_ZQX0DRnMOKTzsYMhxB3xYIZT1n-Ro6EKzgXs0X5W4-fjV8bgazbd3EiTBFy_0i0Cnl4FiVbRRxr3V8BeQAOlH8Yy3zO6J8lFTz2D3jZCg/s1600/IMG_4877_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTd9h05cGotqeGjL_Lc9nc4PETTu3_ZQX0DRnMOKTzsYMhxB3xYIZT1n-Ro6EKzgXs0X5W4-fjV8bgazbd3EiTBFy_0i0Cnl4FiVbRRxr3V8BeQAOlH8Yy3zO6J8lFTz2D3jZCg/s640/IMG_4877_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530280281685202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q46OtiN_vyhUrYt831JSwYtVxEazRyZu_rA18Eeta4PayQMDlimMYmMA9996wvKYM82XGA-wz1G0BuxUDUXshEZKYnJ5-gN47gwCMa_jvrYxvZK62CsCFoxftx-WEKsXvgfa-g/s1600/IMG_4881_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q46OtiN_vyhUrYt831JSwYtVxEazRyZu_rA18Eeta4PayQMDlimMYmMA9996wvKYM82XGA-wz1G0BuxUDUXshEZKYnJ5-gN47gwCMa_jvrYxvZK62CsCFoxftx-WEKsXvgfa-g/s640/IMG_4881_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530026942557842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DFZ5a_O1Dgjb8ILDBwHDb6aa_z-SHpH9rqhCaalKcY3pSZIznBqxMdGVzbDSfvVRoHCa4ig8f_aLEcEF4WhXuMP0XcrhPt2mKDMGSYJVydxcYXBGWls67XQb6vuvH3MNdWtpDw/s1600/IMG_4883_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DFZ5a_O1Dgjb8ILDBwHDb6aa_z-SHpH9rqhCaalKcY3pSZIznBqxMdGVzbDSfvVRoHCa4ig8f_aLEcEF4WhXuMP0XcrhPt2mKDMGSYJVydxcYXBGWls67XQb6vuvH3MNdWtpDw/s640/IMG_4883_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530016682175858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLkoKVjo1mXxPo_saGvFqA-eEjHhroIXRPphSCmJ1SlT0VmaZFlDOaW4UNS1_DZoTHbqQjCs9nvkg5RLkuIN0StcGIYgUgxb-krdgqLWzMFu_KSJ5PQ3bCcx-Yofi608IfE0WWw/s1600/IMG_4892_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLkoKVjo1mXxPo_saGvFqA-eEjHhroIXRPphSCmJ1SlT0VmaZFlDOaW4UNS1_DZoTHbqQjCs9nvkg5RLkuIN0StcGIYgUgxb-krdgqLWzMFu_KSJ5PQ3bCcx-Yofi608IfE0WWw/s640/IMG_4892_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530011553173362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_LCpVDm5ga77ceh6FldGcAS0JN3Q_v0upxfdym-L322FH0cfqHVTcWBotynnA4ONKhb6ukY5gTAndy3V8dgPJA_deb5rXs37_kI7lcsgCfZRepoEr62q-bajGRJ5fNd8CGlY-Q/s1600/IMG_4902_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_LCpVDm5ga77ceh6FldGcAS0JN3Q_v0upxfdym-L322FH0cfqHVTcWBotynnA4ONKhb6ukY5gTAndy3V8dgPJA_deb5rXs37_kI7lcsgCfZRepoEr62q-bajGRJ5fNd8CGlY-Q/s640/IMG_4902_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530005849047490" /></a>We had to get some annual pictures with the tree in the deck.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaAlETWSnXhm-5wI43HAN16HH-oHNQYzTKjWUVrjIEofllC0nO8diREcI8jz_f0IP4ikaAjKaTUhPpyQzODzxrgaRlVbIFS4tobtUvuqn89MlBVYU1pPvukW0MO0wF_Epvr0MMQ/s1600/IMG_4919_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaAlETWSnXhm-5wI43HAN16HH-oHNQYzTKjWUVrjIEofllC0nO8diREcI8jz_f0IP4ikaAjKaTUhPpyQzODzxrgaRlVbIFS4tobtUvuqn89MlBVYU1pPvukW0MO0wF_Epvr0MMQ/s640/IMG_4919_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530000643960994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl31U-VNHCJ7CNfE2cdj8qAge-eMrtjy3QGvQCENRVu4WkkfHnUfo6NChTAcMa94GDRWwROIFo6Y4RlqcxFSu1mLG8HC8I9rzwgS8tEiqYwfUq0Vi7lua21dHSNh7ENxPDyxRVw/s1600/IMG_4925_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl31U-VNHCJ7CNfE2cdj8qAge-eMrtjy3QGvQCENRVu4WkkfHnUfo6NChTAcMa94GDRWwROIFo6Y4RlqcxFSu1mLG8HC8I9rzwgS8tEiqYwfUq0Vi7lua21dHSNh7ENxPDyxRVw/s640/IMG_4925_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457529377668675362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE528zyGmXnCIqYIQ0i8_DzjF6fJbJDzT4Eqk912OMv5g7tSXh18woj4jOL4vH36fxTmnPs_wkQi3UZsTe_Y2MTBxs7k8mL6VvMwwLHDZA20SPeZATCoZXk6Gs2D9C5aFKt-DgA/s1600/IMG_4931_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE528zyGmXnCIqYIQ0i8_DzjF6fJbJDzT4Eqk912OMv5g7tSXh18woj4jOL4vH36fxTmnPs_wkQi3UZsTe_Y2MTBxs7k8mL6VvMwwLHDZA20SPeZATCoZXk6Gs2D9C5aFKt-DgA/s640/IMG_4931_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457529366143695186" /></a>Ayv modeling her chocolate...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxo6zJfHNHSRzAQfGvKsBoNmPz2AQswUNu7HTrf4-VB4kNUmrGLPaBcgj-aFpIO5uHR_IwSrtB8HdXosP62C0Jd0NC-pRN5OgBLrs9azi2ddPji7E6vvrOxUES1te9x8Kvc0mjA/s1600/IMG_4932_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxo6zJfHNHSRzAQfGvKsBoNmPz2AQswUNu7HTrf4-VB4kNUmrGLPaBcgj-aFpIO5uHR_IwSrtB8HdXosP62C0Jd0NC-pRN5OgBLrs9azi2ddPji7E6vvrOxUES1te9x8Kvc0mjA/s640/IMG_4932_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457529363908505602" /></a>...and eating her chocolate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhag8jkFoMoShB7Wfnul2mG9xEbI-QFYeZttjkzOuchC09oci2Vk-mNZh2-CnqlScIHcpqc8DRQ4A39W1UvMp9TDPdKGOFxksX3gMtrwz4JuPSYYvV_gwc8IKZUwhzIi27XtHFMLw/s1600/IMG_4933_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhag8jkFoMoShB7Wfnul2mG9xEbI-QFYeZttjkzOuchC09oci2Vk-mNZh2-CnqlScIHcpqc8DRQ4A39W1UvMp9TDPdKGOFxksX3gMtrwz4JuPSYYvV_gwc8IKZUwhzIi27XtHFMLw/s640/IMG_4933_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457529360739878722" /></a>The cake that G'ma and Ayla made.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSRkl4-y8wl0LRysiMLyxIQib91E4vaOyk421Qgviofbaj6K-RZVDygxqQvtglxFT9PToqmUzNEcn8d_Fx-gqHI6BfSrgqbVVFkAs0o1EqDN-rWDS1SGIkBz5bckrgK-zheyDjw/s1600/IMG_4967_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSRkl4-y8wl0LRysiMLyxIQib91E4vaOyk421Qgviofbaj6K-RZVDygxqQvtglxFT9PToqmUzNEcn8d_Fx-gqHI6BfSrgqbVVFkAs0o1EqDN-rWDS1SGIkBz5bckrgK-zheyDjw/s640/IMG_4967_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457529351553139890" /></a>Ayla with her musical card...she LOVES musical cards. Her favorite one plays, "Who Let the Dogs Out".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnp5NMDmJqBaSM4RupH1dKMTBsvgvhIgyCW4LCnvb8_U3eUmJS47z9CMIUQx2C8dy8WE5ECjTMsFBW_DZ6xp0v-0WTKw5zl4KJTKiKMf63l7K0PrPhQ_dbBKRKrKTovh91ResxBA/s1600/IMG_4986_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnp5NMDmJqBaSM4RupH1dKMTBsvgvhIgyCW4LCnvb8_U3eUmJS47z9CMIUQx2C8dy8WE5ECjTMsFBW_DZ6xp0v-0WTKw5zl4KJTKiKMf63l7K0PrPhQ_dbBKRKrKTovh91ResxBA/s640/IMG_4986_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457523201046912514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ckoPcEDD_sorlNe6pq68KYUSBcdTnPOL0N2-bJ5HERCcjoXD0dIDnxwm0Ft5KdPFAc4TcqgAkpSeuGV79vQDGKJD045spufSF6j_A_vOX_H5r4qUverFqb3R_V_bE9gnkGZCNQ/s1600/IMG_4988_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ckoPcEDD_sorlNe6pq68KYUSBcdTnPOL0N2-bJ5HERCcjoXD0dIDnxwm0Ft5KdPFAc4TcqgAkpSeuGV79vQDGKJD045spufSF6j_A_vOX_H5r4qUverFqb3R_V_bE9gnkGZCNQ/s640/IMG_4988_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457523194194414018" /></a>Ayden was able to get out and practice his skills. I loved his facial expressions when the arrow was released.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeSr-r_GHInWBpwxCYIuPlhbQl9D54HtMD__9UPoQwofSrQAavk6F9axbXqfPHu-CeeSRb-KF3z74LlF3vv16-6SjB7kpuabwZHoy-2UFj3i7-g8WWxScWi37oc1SkQw0Vk2ZSg/s1600/IMG_4994_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeSr-r_GHInWBpwxCYIuPlhbQl9D54HtMD__9UPoQwofSrQAavk6F9axbXqfPHu-CeeSRb-KF3z74LlF3vv16-6SjB7kpuabwZHoy-2UFj3i7-g8WWxScWi37oc1SkQw0Vk2ZSg/s640/IMG_4994_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457523187109227186" /></a>This is my favorite image from the day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX30wKQ9digEkMA2kbFKl6rm6gteBbfohRdPL2Tb4pvcoAEBJbbqr9P-6l-XOQ0AxbrwdAEN6N4aC9YUa2uNFv8nNuzj47M0baB8MMqZ3KwmHeBNibZuyTOIfdc9zF5SI7wQYztQ/s1600/IMG_5008_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX30wKQ9digEkMA2kbFKl6rm6gteBbfohRdPL2Tb4pvcoAEBJbbqr9P-6l-XOQ0AxbrwdAEN6N4aC9YUa2uNFv8nNuzj47M0baB8MMqZ3KwmHeBNibZuyTOIfdc9zF5SI7wQYztQ/s640/IMG_5008_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457523182033382946" /></a>And this is all that Ayden shot (besides the target).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bCu8IT4iIqjOoeT4nC0fbuVMFqgOhLNr-bPfbaObz37wbyj8o5itEXdJ-aeMTs_T9bKhAjDMuf95TiunmhZ2HcogxfPlQIyqFHOkp80qWfSY0X2sZKDhvh1_YXTg2o9TQk3jWg/s1600/IMG_5015_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bCu8IT4iIqjOoeT4nC0fbuVMFqgOhLNr-bPfbaObz37wbyj8o5itEXdJ-aeMTs_T9bKhAjDMuf95TiunmhZ2HcogxfPlQIyqFHOkp80qWfSY0X2sZKDhvh1_YXTg2o9TQk3jWg/s640/IMG_5015_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457523177165364578" /></a><br /><div>The kids didn't have school on Monday as part of their Easter break. That's when Ayvarie complained of itching and bumps appearing on her arms...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfc12m6nsyofU3njZop-sYye3cUiTGRR_mULfqVNpzFOmezs2ecnBqhItOOvosXC0jPcctTbQKfjXIfMY5Cr11_AktlZ6IJCyvSDoSHwtQDRuwovYAHgLkLjQt5Xz7i0g__wY6w/s1600/IMG_5071_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfc12m6nsyofU3njZop-sYye3cUiTGRR_mULfqVNpzFOmezs2ecnBqhItOOvosXC0jPcctTbQKfjXIfMY5Cr11_AktlZ6IJCyvSDoSHwtQDRuwovYAHgLkLjQt5Xz7i0g__wY6w/s640/IMG_5071_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530565929090722" /></a>...then her legs...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoXOPKfBif7yc5KoqPx4DXtk9dx8oycYplxJPRw20Mvm_tAvz0ZaOlDXu75zLM9tTqv25kBON4CuGkiJ1aUJnkga_Ttl-uemttw21On3unodeN1V8Z9qabeL25XzZ241jqPaJbw/s1600/IMG_5052_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoXOPKfBif7yc5KoqPx4DXtk9dx8oycYplxJPRw20Mvm_tAvz0ZaOlDXu75zLM9tTqv25kBON4CuGkiJ1aUJnkga_Ttl-uemttw21On3unodeN1V8Z9qabeL25XzZ241jqPaJbw/s640/IMG_5052_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530552845501426" /></a></div>...and then her back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmBcjxuWP984-e4oyijj2vsOi8c6_JvmMfE5py9doCrwEhGwo7eks9cT0bj9HyOBBb0yZCxmq-uQeYN1_GHS5Ezfz1KssSVLxVWdtavD2yzxgonSsg7-W0XNOFCpvFcl3-kKLow/s1600/IMG_5068_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmBcjxuWP984-e4oyijj2vsOi8c6_JvmMfE5py9doCrwEhGwo7eks9cT0bj9HyOBBb0yZCxmq-uQeYN1_GHS5Ezfz1KssSVLxVWdtavD2yzxgonSsg7-W0XNOFCpvFcl3-kKLow/s640/IMG_5068_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457530558480413026" /></a>Seriously I didn't know if it was chicken pox or hives as the bumps mainly covered her arms and legs and they didn't itch as much as I imagined they would. She didn't have many on her torso until yesterday. But, the doctor confirmed it's the pox (of the poultry variety). So, Benadryl, colloidal oatmeal, and calamine spray have become our friends. We're really hoping they clear up soon. As it looks now, Ayvarie will miss her pre-state trampoline & tumbling meet this weekend. That is not something she is very happy about...let alone the fact that she is all itchy.<div><br /></div><div>If you haven't had them and you want them, feel free to stop by!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-16579775093571220862010-02-23T15:38:00.009-06:002010-02-23T21:37:33.332-06:00Still my little girl.The other day, Ayv chose to spend her "points" earnings on a new dress. It was definitely a choice I approved of. She looked up at me with her sweet eyes.<div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96fqD74Tssk1ZN7CrdBpjF5kZ_9BYFTtGDMiscNSNE2av8eHkevMdxIPdawOAYDkhKTpG94gZKjMhEIw-XXyJaN_dQrD_FiOGBGhSW912dJHnwPnbMjp9-rjBT6F8X4Bp_1kUIw/s1600-h/IMG_4500RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96fqD74Tssk1ZN7CrdBpjF5kZ_9BYFTtGDMiscNSNE2av8eHkevMdxIPdawOAYDkhKTpG94gZKjMhEIw-XXyJaN_dQrD_FiOGBGhSW912dJHnwPnbMjp9-rjBT6F8X4Bp_1kUIw/s640/IMG_4500RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441557715053895986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q6MHDhPPx1uu8JHsoq7I1VfezcUCRU_NZnJokT78Es9oa0sWyUzafw2FckvY0fm5Ynmp1lul0866YXdDYngGatBPYrdnDQT1MNHaKUEEMsPkfoPtpmHq1HPRfqTcCuJJ9kde8w/s1600-h/IMG_4499RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q6MHDhPPx1uu8JHsoq7I1VfezcUCRU_NZnJokT78Es9oa0sWyUzafw2FckvY0fm5Ynmp1lul0866YXdDYngGatBPYrdnDQT1MNHaKUEEMsPkfoPtpmHq1HPRfqTcCuJJ9kde8w/s640/IMG_4499RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441557706954017714" /></a>Then she sat up in a way that reminds me that she is still a little girl...innocent, unmarked, and beautiful in many ways. There are many days that I expect more from her than she gives, but I realize I shouldn't. She gives the right amount of everything that a seven-year-old should. And every day I'm proud to be her mom. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYOmtBgsnOuqgfLF6ycuewAML7-y87IyAY7RcJn2Mv8RbI_4QbKln2GRAx26o0Ilw3K2Dr3QsbIBXtdBAa15D27WwujAJE2lyjBZUdw9FHKOs1Gv-T5Fd20UNpmgkqQ0JlZ5Ujg/s1600-h/IMG_4487RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYOmtBgsnOuqgfLF6ycuewAML7-y87IyAY7RcJn2Mv8RbI_4QbKln2GRAx26o0Ilw3K2Dr3QsbIBXtdBAa15D27WwujAJE2lyjBZUdw9FHKOs1Gv-T5Fd20UNpmgkqQ0JlZ5Ujg/s640/IMG_4487RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441557700999081522" /></a><br /></div><div>And another girl I'm proud of...Ayla.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ezMHm3itFVsNxfYNZXPL9oGDf7SWR-PmXG8LWMfnVHzhgoCSsvCG3nEni6_LWfr5yQaczSh9U6O0qt6pltMZM5t7l-1N0jwAaZOYVsnRuXiHRLGxGuI6F8BIvFWWZIv7TjTpSA/s1600-h/IMG_4507RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ezMHm3itFVsNxfYNZXPL9oGDf7SWR-PmXG8LWMfnVHzhgoCSsvCG3nEni6_LWfr5yQaczSh9U6O0qt6pltMZM5t7l-1N0jwAaZOYVsnRuXiHRLGxGuI6F8BIvFWWZIv7TjTpSA/s640/IMG_4507RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441648535993721234" /></a><div>This is Ayla's "ghost". It's not the first time she's spoke of one, but it's the first time I've seen her draw one. Boo!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-68530010385311810792010-01-05T18:14:00.009-06:002010-01-05T18:42:59.636-06:00Happy New Year!This last year contained quite a whirlwind of activity for our family. I kept very busy with photography and keeping up with the kids. Ayvarie started competing in gymnastics, played soccer in the spring, and tee ball in the summer. She's currently preparing for her first meet this year, which is in a few weeks. Ayden played baseball and started participating in 4-H shooting sports late in the fall. He's excited to start shooting with his compound bow that Santa gave him. Ayla...well, she just kept busy in general and turned three. She proves her age to us nearly every day!<div><br /></div><div>Due to budget cuts at Iowa State, our office closed between Christmas and New Year's, so I took my required unpaid leave, along with the rest of my co-workers. I also put my photography business on hold during that time because I wanted to spend it with my family and I don't really get a break any other time of the year. It was the best time off I have had in quite a while! </div><div><br /></div><div>Although the weather was less than desirable, it forced us to stay home more, which was beneficial to our new family member.<div><br /></div><div>Meet Rudy, our double dapple miniature dachshund. He joined us on Christmas Eve, which made for "The Best Christmas Ever" according to the kids. They love him dearly.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxejwgpljH2DuqJuMjhx0snn5nx6cWvGO1VVH1_x5yDJBo8UKgslq9f71XLjkXT55_WmGqh2_kCaQGIvujIBbxoU9Q2inR9Yp01cUX8uyGdXyl3ISeU_pJZnjqXRYbDudLk4PBw/s1600-h/IMG_3687RAW_square_BLOGPROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxejwgpljH2DuqJuMjhx0snn5nx6cWvGO1VVH1_x5yDJBo8UKgslq9f71XLjkXT55_WmGqh2_kCaQGIvujIBbxoU9Q2inR9Yp01cUX8uyGdXyl3ISeU_pJZnjqXRYbDudLk4PBw/s640/IMG_3687RAW_square_BLOGPROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423416372316793186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6wo9agQNCixPeQG46BkLH-iQZqMcELi1Xqth0T_MeBmKiPK32UJIMMyjoRcq4gO_T50PPuu3NtFYxMZfUak4SITUXO-emS4ByfWNgMCuA56JK_dN5YzIn89geEdMN-flEharnA/s1600-h/IMG_3680RAW_square_BLOGPROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6wo9agQNCixPeQG46BkLH-iQZqMcELi1Xqth0T_MeBmKiPK32UJIMMyjoRcq4gO_T50PPuu3NtFYxMZfUak4SITUXO-emS4ByfWNgMCuA56JK_dN5YzIn89geEdMN-flEharnA/s640/IMG_3680RAW_square_BLOGPROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423416364857407554" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j1PAPtVhe1BcfoFN8IH3QdWGApBoISMylWidVVRLdPGhWV9sejr29mj6ud_4EM5zkeqgL6CZuFZngM8Q-xOEM-RVLFDJ9fRFwV5dloROMj0eh8zVe7NEmv3ZL69DYnWDnbXoKQ/s1600-h/IMG_3678RAW_X_BLOGPROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j1PAPtVhe1BcfoFN8IH3QdWGApBoISMylWidVVRLdPGhWV9sejr29mj6ud_4EM5zkeqgL6CZuFZngM8Q-xOEM-RVLFDJ9fRFwV5dloROMj0eh8zVe7NEmv3ZL69DYnWDnbXoKQ/s640/IMG_3678RAW_X_BLOGPROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423418397387890082" /></a><br />He has definitely made himself at home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAlTId4r_azHFd0xdXQWtn-9mL0xY4RgnNoRwBVpsmmKSkjXZWT6xQljkBQE_Fw9ecTMhyphenhyphenfS-lzRo46wSza-b6cKTM8QwiKSwranbN924LxHGJyDlTq4BpmJTDdzxxsLAlQGg6g/s1600-h/IMG_3697RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAlTId4r_azHFd0xdXQWtn-9mL0xY4RgnNoRwBVpsmmKSkjXZWT6xQljkBQE_Fw9ecTMhyphenhyphenfS-lzRo46wSza-b6cKTM8QwiKSwranbN924LxHGJyDlTq4BpmJTDdzxxsLAlQGg6g/s640/IMG_3697RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423416375351332610" /></a></div><br />I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the new year (minus the temperatures).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-60286189988071800322009-12-01T15:38:00.008-06:002009-12-01T16:01:02.078-06:00The Polar ExpressI vowed that from Thanksgiving to Christmas this year, I'd make more time for fun with the kids. Last year's holidays just got away from us. So, to start off our holiday fun this year, we took a ride on the <a href="http://www.scenic-valleyrr.com/">Polar Express</a>. The kids were really excited for it!<div><br /></div><div>My sister and Alan joined us (although in the next car).</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9u7Vm7W3VAkxIDJ7Cy7pEllOeay-imMeXX69Hz3lddX57bIr0ud__S40-OaRx2Q8mnaeDKQwIBIYsu4sqIeyZzk7-uhptg4wG35tZTUKD78HMJj1H_mw3Ydbw2Vq9SVqlvfTMA/s1600/IMG_3102RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9u7Vm7W3VAkxIDJ7Cy7pEllOeay-imMeXX69Hz3lddX57bIr0ud__S40-OaRx2Q8mnaeDKQwIBIYsu4sqIeyZzk7-uhptg4wG35tZTUKD78HMJj1H_mw3Ydbw2Vq9SVqlvfTMA/s640/IMG_3102RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410387673607649810" /></a>Ayla enjoyed gazing out the window and relaying what she saw. This was one day where she talked a lot without a lot of sass. We had fun trying to watch for Santa and the North Pole.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6piLF69rnqn9I8GW0Oc3HLXwPsXFmLeGSKbdfk8MDRbeajwvo1bNFyS8hkFCmQXivYQMotKzF7_3drOS9V_wPcEwP7l4C05TTWp6zbiYWdkDcyAS_jtHXWNNO_rHEWqcd6K9O2g/s1600/IMG_3138RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6piLF69rnqn9I8GW0Oc3HLXwPsXFmLeGSKbdfk8MDRbeajwvo1bNFyS8hkFCmQXivYQMotKzF7_3drOS9V_wPcEwP7l4C05TTWp6zbiYWdkDcyAS_jtHXWNNO_rHEWqcd6K9O2g/s640/IMG_3138RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410387678561196210" /></a>The Polar Express provided complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. Obviously this little guy (our friends' nephew) enjoyed it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu77nCQY_NCfepfH9Y9yoz_6jmhAVQpz2GyloNWJ8QEpp26Vdr0Dlvr0PUOQS7E2LiSka4zGJgRLSqEgjsZ_BVSrpM4picrHz-lXboiwUDgFm6dsqZUCyrG3y7b9ATGu4QnUe1g/s1600/IMG_3210RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu77nCQY_NCfepfH9Y9yoz_6jmhAVQpz2GyloNWJ8QEpp26Vdr0Dlvr0PUOQS7E2LiSka4zGJgRLSqEgjsZ_BVSrpM4picrHz-lXboiwUDgFm6dsqZUCyrG3y7b9ATGu4QnUe1g/s640/IMG_3210RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410387680972132306" /></a>Here is my small attempt at getting a picture of the kids together. It doesn't seem to happen much anymore. I know the fact that they were wearing jammies didn't thrill Ayden, but he still had a good time and let me snap a few shots. This was one day that it was perfectly acceptable to lounge around in jams all day. It was actually encouraged!<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tcReZDjZodBcjQRx9O00kuqZrmvfh_VnTVvX-CgwTTqeSRbGAnvWDQkWiAc1Q_BpArtxG2z16wBY8kd24ZBDTEcTsuo2DZb15AXt5v9dVweFr96YSC9DB6aepQreEcn6Do-N1Q/s1600/IMG_3264RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tcReZDjZodBcjQRx9O00kuqZrmvfh_VnTVvX-CgwTTqeSRbGAnvWDQkWiAc1Q_BpArtxG2z16wBY8kd24ZBDTEcTsuo2DZb15AXt5v9dVweFr96YSC9DB6aepQreEcn6Do-N1Q/s640/IMG_3264RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410387692064100626" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next on the list of fun is attending the <a href="http://www.center.iastate.edu/">Wizard of Oz</a> production with Ayvarie and her girlfriends. I might be looking forward to it more than the girls. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-40959828964162341022009-11-10T21:37:00.008-06:002009-11-10T21:57:40.680-06:00My little bean.She's not so little anymore. Ayla is a full-blown, sassy, but super cute, three-year-old. She rarely sits for pictures, yet last Friday she let me take her outside for some shots. Nevermind that most turned out blurry because it was near-dark and she was jumping up and down. The few that I did get I immediately fell in love with. Here is my favorite from that mini-session.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq_u1BywXUMlkA2QHAkEf_FxsszCXYfHP05zXjxuNkOXPEAIYrTXriKdk2mkvK-mTPVd4CuRUioh1hs-ApgZIJQlz3xy9kYXL-EWF69D0o_1aSExP7_cM_Om8MZ5oVmrrm1R7Tg/s1600-h/IMG_2487RAW_1_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq_u1BywXUMlkA2QHAkEf_FxsszCXYfHP05zXjxuNkOXPEAIYrTXriKdk2mkvK-mTPVd4CuRUioh1hs-ApgZIJQlz3xy9kYXL-EWF69D0o_1aSExP7_cM_Om8MZ5oVmrrm1R7Tg/s640/IMG_2487RAW_1_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402685987250494162" /></a><br />The next day, we were waiting patiently for Levi to return from work (not expected on a Saturday) so we could go to town. Ayla agreed to a bath and then requested two braids and a barrette. She pranced around the house in her dress topped off with her jacket...because we anticipated leaving soon. I decided to pull out the camera again. Even though she said, "leave me alone", more than once, I still caught some cute expressions.<div><br /></div><div>Here she was dressing the doll on our fridge. Well, she stopped to smile (but not at me).<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ei_L2bNe3JrdGrZ_yB8F9EXwAQ50dlJUpiV2Q2VuAoMaXQE46UPikp0Qng4-4do2xBGK0RzQpwvyjsuWD7GwIEf60CH4ikAGHEGjTAroxhj-amJK17VAxIUbBsteMW8lViH1Bw/s1600-h/IMG_2532RAW_1_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ei_L2bNe3JrdGrZ_yB8F9EXwAQ50dlJUpiV2Q2VuAoMaXQE46UPikp0Qng4-4do2xBGK0RzQpwvyjsuWD7GwIEf60CH4ikAGHEGjTAroxhj-amJK17VAxIUbBsteMW8lViH1Bw/s640/IMG_2532RAW_1_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402687438486156306" /></a><br /></div><div>Then she presented me with one of the most common expression she gives. I'm so glad I caught it with the camera. It has to be one of my favorites of her this year.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmoj_cPIbO-zpiVlWz_fCVSjMj66LoI8dYBfXOyQOv7Bg7WfiE5yjjYBjczoSO-efbUNTqpcFZD3QUS4c4dSYXkMJE-EwEqR7vb_t4sNib5JNHjHRnnPIWxUiVoe4uKll2YUAUw/s1600-h/IMG_2557RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmoj_cPIbO-zpiVlWz_fCVSjMj66LoI8dYBfXOyQOv7Bg7WfiE5yjjYBjczoSO-efbUNTqpcFZD3QUS4c4dSYXkMJE-EwEqR7vb_t4sNib5JNHjHRnnPIWxUiVoe4uKll2YUAUw/s640/IMG_2557RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402687438663179266" /></a></div></div><br />I am grateful I have pictures such as this. She has grown so much - even in the past month - and I want to remember my little bean as she is.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-25433467406883040442009-10-20T15:20:00.005-05:002009-10-20T15:27:46.770-05:00HennaI checked out the <a href="http://sac.iastate.siteviz.com/en/arts_entertainment/workspace/">Workspace</a> schedule this fall and knew I wanted to take a class. Glass beads, jewelry, pottery, painting, or henna? Hmmm....henna. It's a different artform, informal, yet semi-formal. It lasts up to a couple of weeks, not a lifetime. That makes it appealing! <div><br /></div><div>Last night was my first class. I learned to mix and apply henna as well as doodle like I did in any other class. In this class it was encouraged! Here is our first attempts at tattooing each other as well as ourselves.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49eVnZ_1QgD8B9UkR3TB8F7BjP31Y7G-gBer6jkCR2yPa24qGAfWdUvm_spul8KcWqluYJABQg7bxc_0GD0DW5ixxYTISykQ2PIjrlGX5Rpy5LfKnGEYQeTAL9JhTMkvUAbWcmQ/s1600-h/IMG_1848RAW_X_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49eVnZ_1QgD8B9UkR3TB8F7BjP31Y7G-gBer6jkCR2yPa24qGAfWdUvm_spul8KcWqluYJABQg7bxc_0GD0DW5ixxYTISykQ2PIjrlGX5Rpy5LfKnGEYQeTAL9JhTMkvUAbWcmQ/s640/IMG_1848RAW_X_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394781140780280002" /></a><br /><div>My arm is the 3rd from the left and my artwork was applied to the arm, 2nd from the right. I can't wait to go back tonight and tattoo up my co-workers!!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-59999759440481537982009-10-07T21:04:00.010-05:002009-10-07T21:18:51.519-05:00Finally!Ayden has been a booger when it comes to taking pictures and it's rare that I get a session with him. Knowing that today might be the last nice day this year (although I really hope not), I took him outside for some shots. There was another reason I wanted to get his pictures taken sooner than later...the middle school will be going through some extensive changes and I really like the existing exterior. Before they tear it up, I thought I'd preserve it in pictures. Here are a small portion from the session.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAg0Uh8GbMFCpnKZmd2Bk_3xm4h2vURGZXTTaUG5ZVwgQAF4EbudNxxmhRo3gbOPGFe7cgSDsLIEfX7NxHdXgZlfds5cs4SuOL7Ke0paogyyQQQlgxOsHMOggMJVhci7sOm4NiA/s1600-h/IMG_0761RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAg0Uh8GbMFCpnKZmd2Bk_3xm4h2vURGZXTTaUG5ZVwgQAF4EbudNxxmhRo3gbOPGFe7cgSDsLIEfX7NxHdXgZlfds5cs4SuOL7Ke0paogyyQQQlgxOsHMOggMJVhci7sOm4NiA/s640/IMG_0761RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044482616344722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj301if5KKB9iGyGguucqH_MSTues3BXul-iZsV7QIZMvv40mlJ5E9DprzvZ6fhH65gH_GTVWQgQtlWVMZmgn8Kc_3KT4XnYMsbFeoKOgAHsWZZpkThzOvBLZ4UAZ8oapgDWemMKA/s1600-h/IMG_0790RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj301if5KKB9iGyGguucqH_MSTues3BXul-iZsV7QIZMvv40mlJ5E9DprzvZ6fhH65gH_GTVWQgQtlWVMZmgn8Kc_3KT4XnYMsbFeoKOgAHsWZZpkThzOvBLZ4UAZ8oapgDWemMKA/s640/IMG_0790RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044492989645778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZfE9Vhr0mJSuzu7Dz1RiwqwILeRVyFfLAErdo5iDWe9joSqNDeiZgvvRucCVUKACFs2UTuCZWdAepx6enzVqgexMSORkwNghtrzLajOIHnJFe2g3awGEAuUget1tRxfYLCvvXg/s1600-h/IMG_0791RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZfE9Vhr0mJSuzu7Dz1RiwqwILeRVyFfLAErdo5iDWe9joSqNDeiZgvvRucCVUKACFs2UTuCZWdAepx6enzVqgexMSORkwNghtrzLajOIHnJFe2g3awGEAuUget1tRxfYLCvvXg/s640/IMG_0791RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044507118913362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1BLbZQrLHMGPy4AoUhOhmjDovE7vQQGINw_QIIU2MUCreYpNaS99GBzIxAbxGVe1CFSMaR39v1XEr_n06r4TqYeLsKmkaT1q-r_aJFzUUvd4Cr7u8ApsS5e1T3OwwdavouQW-Q/s1600-h/IMG_0793RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1BLbZQrLHMGPy4AoUhOhmjDovE7vQQGINw_QIIU2MUCreYpNaS99GBzIxAbxGVe1CFSMaR39v1XEr_n06r4TqYeLsKmkaT1q-r_aJFzUUvd4Cr7u8ApsS5e1T3OwwdavouQW-Q/s400/IMG_0793RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044514617187122" /></a>I love the old chairs!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepGhRF4bi8PTYkBobZfBL2Hh69qW47Pks4peX2pFVwMt6Ojz9YomV55ShFSVHseKu75CwRMi29CoS5tonvQsxtz-46xjq8XgTiBLfu42eUmzcsZggCzEk9Q1OcaN_zcdMQDDBVg/s1600-h/IMG_0921RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepGhRF4bi8PTYkBobZfBL2Hh69qW47Pks4peX2pFVwMt6Ojz9YomV55ShFSVHseKu75CwRMi29CoS5tonvQsxtz-46xjq8XgTiBLfu42eUmzcsZggCzEk9Q1OcaN_zcdMQDDBVg/s640/IMG_0921RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044523836660034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqoBbuQPcLdyR80VMbItyW2y4336TC6PxJZoXJCSGqmSx2t0Shk4xjNKxqYEln-PRu99e4v0UksB2_VNXac_X1gYqlLRfmeME21wIkQ4v-tados3ojXpdVUc6FdJ6B3H1XQU8Uw/s1600-h/IMG_0922RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqoBbuQPcLdyR80VMbItyW2y4336TC6PxJZoXJCSGqmSx2t0Shk4xjNKxqYEln-PRu99e4v0UksB2_VNXac_X1gYqlLRfmeME21wIkQ4v-tados3ojXpdVUc6FdJ6B3H1XQU8Uw/s640/IMG_0922RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044665266828818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aPLSACH24hPt6_NTnS-HA4eB72vllQN5fbir48dRv4SwUqtNGWmVDXvDsIh6YU5L8TeEvqeH_E5FlebP6ZRPtPztY5mKjUBwLiGW_rhR4XFymkYDxRtHklcapyJOnJhSik4SsQ/s1600-h/IMG_0924RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aPLSACH24hPt6_NTnS-HA4eB72vllQN5fbir48dRv4SwUqtNGWmVDXvDsIh6YU5L8TeEvqeH_E5FlebP6ZRPtPztY5mKjUBwLiGW_rhR4XFymkYDxRtHklcapyJOnJhSik4SsQ/s640/IMG_0924RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044673687636850" /></a>Obviously I still like the old chairs...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVqEICZQnPYfA1kHsF322IuPh25mQnjcqxNeqktWG02q-HqzI-Kccn6A5vvkCuG-Vo_lG2pw5aVtMM2q6ez1OpgN55w7muBuEGh9dsRvUW2e4UeqOMp-gD14Cq8S3FG6KM3uo5Q/s1600-h/IMG_0929RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVqEICZQnPYfA1kHsF322IuPh25mQnjcqxNeqktWG02q-HqzI-Kccn6A5vvkCuG-Vo_lG2pw5aVtMM2q6ez1OpgN55w7muBuEGh9dsRvUW2e4UeqOMp-gD14Cq8S3FG6KM3uo5Q/s640/IMG_0929RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044701801405922" /></a>Levi was tormenting Ayden a bit while I was shooting. These represent the love Ayden has for his father.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZlAxJ6AWWRAxvfSH8quLnNYmCtlHaXv8KR_4eLj5o5-4j582S4A5xtvpmDbaIVMc0sGR44FWZu1fOg5wtQcDlleTnwJabfNN88bP6byrT5-OUBqFjWrzhT9awx3KT-rVTAfKhw/s1600-h/IMG_0925RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZlAxJ6AWWRAxvfSH8quLnNYmCtlHaXv8KR_4eLj5o5-4j582S4A5xtvpmDbaIVMc0sGR44FWZu1fOg5wtQcDlleTnwJabfNN88bP6byrT5-OUBqFjWrzhT9awx3KT-rVTAfKhw/s640/IMG_0925RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044680750728674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBFKq4h5hiKW3mPZrTEkV-KShNPXe_uUdwUksQdunJrS_o9sBXPEReg_iWfk4QV_R00aq0UjBwEjfYiJILsdNSacGN3WA9SsTArItsQRHhPz5b9WOq1ct08xsHxGzL_hQeVD22Q/s1600-h/IMG_0927RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBFKq4h5hiKW3mPZrTEkV-KShNPXe_uUdwUksQdunJrS_o9sBXPEReg_iWfk4QV_R00aq0UjBwEjfYiJILsdNSacGN3WA9SsTArItsQRHhPz5b9WOq1ct08xsHxGzL_hQeVD22Q/s640/IMG_0927RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044692246278626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2SIOKsKq0ziHwqU0v14kjFAsoV5EN4tVj98nOOHeX5sl1N-WTe5B9ulQwSZgAjnnoCpaivvHnyjcELQda4JSP3lBHLyjYI9FglxZN4UD05yjNNJNQjKGfay3-u75VXEFyPn4NQ/s1600-h/IMG_0930RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2SIOKsKq0ziHwqU0v14kjFAsoV5EN4tVj98nOOHeX5sl1N-WTe5B9ulQwSZgAjnnoCpaivvHnyjcELQda4JSP3lBHLyjYI9FglxZN4UD05yjNNJNQjKGfay3-u75VXEFyPn4NQ/s640/IMG_0930RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044816189784274" /></a>He's royalty!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaWohHR_yLeYveJvJeA3r1s1ut4esd0u-8r7BCnk2WZ9esG3RGtxEfryXRNBca3KEwApO6fomjwjwdnWNZVpdlMNtu40eltGJH5wMb4U7hlOSwZAU6t3AkDXmu7duX6GX3Vc6NA/s1600-h/IMG_0967RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaWohHR_yLeYveJvJeA3r1s1ut4esd0u-8r7BCnk2WZ9esG3RGtxEfryXRNBca3KEwApO6fomjwjwdnWNZVpdlMNtu40eltGJH5wMb4U7hlOSwZAU6t3AkDXmu7duX6GX3Vc6NA/s640/IMG_0967RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044834142444770" /></a>...trying not to laugh.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgdfnpwzCTCrTmcyYeWQhqSFweF5SboDC95ZgE23A9hyNSvdUxCtNYKQJGcwdiqJECinuVgThuWmqF50RqNvXqTqZEsVxkJE11QK2XHPC_POanmI-ScKPVFppXzT6HsEJL0HYAQ/s1600-h/IMG_0935RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgdfnpwzCTCrTmcyYeWQhqSFweF5SboDC95ZgE23A9hyNSvdUxCtNYKQJGcwdiqJECinuVgThuWmqF50RqNvXqTqZEsVxkJE11QK2XHPC_POanmI-ScKPVFppXzT6HsEJL0HYAQ/s640/IMG_0935RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044824993951714" /></a>Definitely a goofball...just like his father. Ayla will attest to that!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzIbw635Crc3_zu4dEOB-ioZcDgPSgggwsg_h8nCm7nnLCNahhbrgfwLQLUrxHWfzgaIIBXOY7AR46NzS7sSIcrEIN5Xilp1obrJ3kFYihExfpBDdgvybbs5drc7pMTFAwlxgcw/s1600-h/IMG_0978RAW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzIbw635Crc3_zu4dEOB-ioZcDgPSgggwsg_h8nCm7nnLCNahhbrgfwLQLUrxHWfzgaIIBXOY7AR46NzS7sSIcrEIN5Xilp1obrJ3kFYihExfpBDdgvybbs5drc7pMTFAwlxgcw/s640/IMG_0978RAW.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390044843471673826" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-80216832096723444472009-08-24T22:23:00.007-05:002009-08-24T22:47:26.081-05:001st Day of SchoolIt seems my kids enjoyed their first day at school. Unfortunately, they proceeded to have a couple of meltdowns...mainly the two-year-old...not long after they returned to the home base. Ayden is now in Middle School, which seems pretty crazy to me. I swear he grew five inches since this morning. With that, we are trying to devise a really cool plan for fall pictures with this being an important year for him. He's not usually keen on taking time out of his day to pay attention to my camera, but he's not declining!<div><br />Ayvarie had a wonderful end to her summer. In the middle of August, we attended the Jr. Olympics in Des Moines, where Ayv competed in tumbling, trampoline, and double-mini. She did great! A gold medal for double-mini and bronze medal for tumbling now adorn the top of her dresser. The best part of her involvement this year are the friendships she has made. Here she is with a few of her fellow X-Treme Team mates.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76jWI-74wB8jPlC3HtDYzL30nh9HZGBw6VdtedVXukoCcaSfGha1E8sYGoo4AWvT2kmgqif7z5CNMLyC4hCNCoxKQB4oG-yf6-UIGQX3hZYzp7tkOHd-Ctkp03fx_GsasaF4PYQ/s1600-h/2009_08_04_IMG_6925RAW_PROOF.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76jWI-74wB8jPlC3HtDYzL30nh9HZGBw6VdtedVXukoCcaSfGha1E8sYGoo4AWvT2kmgqif7z5CNMLyC4hCNCoxKQB4oG-yf6-UIGQX3hZYzp7tkOHd-Ctkp03fx_GsasaF4PYQ/s1600-h/2009_08_04_IMG_6925RAW_PROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76jWI-74wB8jPlC3HtDYzL30nh9HZGBw6VdtedVXukoCcaSfGha1E8sYGoo4AWvT2kmgqif7z5CNMLyC4hCNCoxKQB4oG-yf6-UIGQX3hZYzp7tkOHd-Ctkp03fx_GsasaF4PYQ/s640/2009_08_04_IMG_6925RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373738580913841138" /></a>That same week, we stopped to visit some family at the hospital. The photographer side of me too advantage of the location, although it was definitely not planned. The furniture and lighting there was amazing! It proved to be a great setting, which allowed me with to capture some of my favorite pictures of Ayv that I have taken this year. I am anxious to receive her memory box, which I ordered this week with a couple of these pictures on the cover.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-V-ApIRJzYdepOiXXQDlDMne6DpS0VrHGpfjVP8yzZl2RGaR9U6j-0x_W11qCb_tHKH8AA9BLZ8iZmzRp4AjJxILOcJ5fX_-GxEqaQ-pM1tdlp3NNhERHm3g9cV75srkpm6p5A/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7125RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-V-ApIRJzYdepOiXXQDlDMne6DpS0VrHGpfjVP8yzZl2RGaR9U6j-0x_W11qCb_tHKH8AA9BLZ8iZmzRp4AjJxILOcJ5fX_-GxEqaQ-pM1tdlp3NNhERHm3g9cV75srkpm6p5A/s640/2009_08_06_IMG_7125RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373739747424647442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALc1sNumEwvVH60B04riC29qONYkJzTt_fClt0CH1aGK_NT63su8PuAG-FZOQjAkPPMr2TSVxGlVRljNk2a-62enyYOKi7FThaxKZm2m9WJbGewZeTGIXzJNCcNONp4ELAmfaTg/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7120RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALc1sNumEwvVH60B04riC29qONYkJzTt_fClt0CH1aGK_NT63su8PuAG-FZOQjAkPPMr2TSVxGlVRljNk2a-62enyYOKi7FThaxKZm2m9WJbGewZeTGIXzJNCcNONp4ELAmfaTg/s640/2009_08_06_IMG_7120RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373739738285087106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnn3GsLiy72JeAbqSzBRfubvIT_hbM9xHG6uKo3lsWTOSTQix8_xDA7Fr77pkcu_hDMZ8Xhsc-knK4pkSOdSHaVkBpgROaFdD06wgShvuLYIaAIpYeI3dc1avN1Dq7ZZjllIXUg/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7119RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnn3GsLiy72JeAbqSzBRfubvIT_hbM9xHG6uKo3lsWTOSTQix8_xDA7Fr77pkcu_hDMZ8Xhsc-knK4pkSOdSHaVkBpgROaFdD06wgShvuLYIaAIpYeI3dc1avN1Dq7ZZjllIXUg/s640/2009_08_06_IMG_7119RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373739726072877794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzQhZYHevgx3jggCgQLihnDhDSehdqyvy1dP-_DQCyjNFwsSAud1VxvAWlMyiC32sZISGsryhUB2LJWa_VqLHOxYdBzQutZThFV9z6LqNOxfUDU6EVOkeVxTIb4hWqjPmn0eWMw/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7113RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzQhZYHevgx3jggCgQLihnDhDSehdqyvy1dP-_DQCyjNFwsSAud1VxvAWlMyiC32sZISGsryhUB2LJWa_VqLHOxYdBzQutZThFV9z6LqNOxfUDU6EVOkeVxTIb4hWqjPmn0eWMw/s640/2009_08_06_IMG_7113RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373739712653260114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6aR_9IQLqzucPUr2iarYnhpMctz6cyIOPdT2JOCoGu7x4uqnXwJeVqt-J-UeD8gfsJGMMuOQ1zcQW1hqeKHHn87mIXIAoMvFB23MlcUgJksfbLmSoUw1WM8-OWhAiwwuQUr9SQ/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7104RAW_PROOF.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6aR_9IQLqzucPUr2iarYnhpMctz6cyIOPdT2JOCoGu7x4uqnXwJeVqt-J-UeD8gfsJGMMuOQ1zcQW1hqeKHHn87mIXIAoMvFB23MlcUgJksfbLmSoUw1WM8-OWhAiwwuQUr9SQ/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7104RAW_PROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6aR_9IQLqzucPUr2iarYnhpMctz6cyIOPdT2JOCoGu7x4uqnXwJeVqt-J-UeD8gfsJGMMuOQ1zcQW1hqeKHHn87mIXIAoMvFB23MlcUgJksfbLmSoUw1WM8-OWhAiwwuQUr9SQ/s640/2009_08_06_IMG_7104RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373739702466007154" /></a>I managed to get a few updated shots of Levi, too...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Jg2mdy7pmjSdkxFbv8G9gofYd-WmvHkVuYpQHyrBz6s2WtHQsjwusPIlSY-WV_lDEln-PXKDIGh5OcQDbAGDPNYiROPf8_oekCMJLrdSyzZas1OO9_H0RbcQuAuahi8Ld5DnqA/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7132RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Jg2mdy7pmjSdkxFbv8G9gofYd-WmvHkVuYpQHyrBz6s2WtHQsjwusPIlSY-WV_lDEln-PXKDIGh5OcQDbAGDPNYiROPf8_oekCMJLrdSyzZas1OO9_H0RbcQuAuahi8Ld5DnqA/s640/2009_08_06_IMG_7132RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373740287346815426" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4GDv9gpFDvjUufsZZx4S1fjVAu6vQHyFwhlr7YaYcdh6p7bnucED9PbIVF1MhcVxmvh1Sdlh3ypZrUAKkxQKNXSWrTIWKijWysPq2m_UoCL_SBChRa5le7v1uKrVwoR0QoP5Xw/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7131RAW_PROOF.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4GDv9gpFDvjUufsZZx4S1fjVAu6vQHyFwhlr7YaYcdh6p7bnucED9PbIVF1MhcVxmvh1Sdlh3ypZrUAKkxQKNXSWrTIWKijWysPq2m_UoCL_SBChRa5le7v1uKrVwoR0QoP5Xw/s1600-h/2009_08_06_IMG_7131RAW_PROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4GDv9gpFDvjUufsZZx4S1fjVAu6vQHyFwhlr7YaYcdh6p7bnucED9PbIVF1MhcVxmvh1Sdlh3ypZrUAKkxQKNXSWrTIWKijWysPq2m_UoCL_SBChRa5le7v1uKrVwoR0QoP5Xw/s640/2009_08_06_IMG_7131RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373740278114693058" /></a><br /></div><div>It was a very busy and exciting summer for us. We are looking forward to fall and more fun times together (before the kids don't think Levi & I are cool anymore).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-23151948134618375522009-07-31T22:17:00.023-05:002009-07-31T22:53:47.193-05:00ISEK Camp 2009Ayden looks forward to attending <a href="http://www.isek.iastate.edu/">ISEK</a> Camp during the summer and he designated this year's camp as his favorite of the three years he has attended. A camp-mate from last year joined him again and a camp counselor (although I'm not sure they're considered a "counselor") recognized him from previous years as well. It delighted Ay to see some familiar faces and participate in some new activities. What a great marketing job <a href="http://www.engineering.iastate.edu">ISU Engineering</a> is doing by offering these opportunities. Little do they know that my boy has taught me some things about <a href="http://www.iastate.edu">ISU</a> in the past two days that I didn't know...and I attended and now work there. Way to go <a href="http://www.isek.iastate.edu">ISEK</a> for passing along some cool information!<div><br /></div><div>What would this post be without photographic proof of Ayden's participation?</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIuwom2bVkQMz1NU-VBXTblsNl-PcUSkzQyrIUA9xz5KtOdM422bNgI9TzM7C0k8bfU_DLZf8uN40ruqZPLStJ-b2wlSSXs4kt8MECBKgvbOIwRaMQySuyowZ6GpTRg4D88ghOw/s1600-h/2009_07_31_IMG_6312RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIuwom2bVkQMz1NU-VBXTblsNl-PcUSkzQyrIUA9xz5KtOdM422bNgI9TzM7C0k8bfU_DLZf8uN40ruqZPLStJ-b2wlSSXs4kt8MECBKgvbOIwRaMQySuyowZ6GpTRg4D88ghOw/s640/2009_07_31_IMG_6312RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364832166670734690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fzvm5iCWylMPlk7uT22MlUTA0KNNaa-bZ8ZKkyXEKkTEpBawhGwqb-ey6FFb8thqRXqvaGJfC168TYWw__WflcaBwEVTbpy-Y3BjZ0yhBQEbo4tUl8e3sxJftL46X_ePTeUeew/s1600-h/2009_07_31_IMG_6319RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fzvm5iCWylMPlk7uT22MlUTA0KNNaa-bZ8ZKkyXEKkTEpBawhGwqb-ey6FFb8thqRXqvaGJfC168TYWw__WflcaBwEVTbpy-Y3BjZ0yhBQEbo4tUl8e3sxJftL46X_ePTeUeew/s640/2009_07_31_IMG_6319RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364832270376915570" /></a><br />In honor of Ayden, they set up a grouping of "A" frames (aka: easels)...well, maybe they were there for another reason. I like to believe they're for Ayden.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTtDU-BrFiRa1yASQWTsx6hhGGt5bs6RULGxIKUZiXQ0yDZgGFx19EicyKfj8JA3wVwNWzqUCv6jQcBgpi8YvqwCDiHjteLZK7XLIWan_HupI5jP0B8y6mU3XbB5ad9d4HjZCqg/s1600-h/2009_07_31_IMG_6323RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTtDU-BrFiRa1yASQWTsx6hhGGt5bs6RULGxIKUZiXQ0yDZgGFx19EicyKfj8JA3wVwNWzqUCv6jQcBgpi8YvqwCDiHjteLZK7XLIWan_HupI5jP0B8y6mU3XbB5ad9d4HjZCqg/s640/2009_07_31_IMG_6323RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364832383650949330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWIQgu96SDh0FumJCflOhyu-x34guogw0WL_xmPp4dN_UmpZcnmvQLZwP7EAS7XXugvLPJD19EhK1PPL6CtJovP9ZNFW_wiV-089GHg7YFglAER-L8ZPcaHW9KbTXhyphenhyphenGO2-b4KQ/s1600-h/2009_07_31_IMG_6324RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWIQgu96SDh0FumJCflOhyu-x34guogw0WL_xmPp4dN_UmpZcnmvQLZwP7EAS7XXugvLPJD19EhK1PPL6CtJovP9ZNFW_wiV-089GHg7YFglAER-L8ZPcaHW9KbTXhyphenhyphenGO2-b4KQ/s640/2009_07_31_IMG_6324RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364832499298171234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUZwx1Mav-7th_2zA2aeYd8VRhFe-XpK9OTge9BvbGIbKqaEpLno1yx2BU4epcgBa_FrRC67M4mPJMyQKm1UxhfwdFl6-UyvjeXv3jtkcedzEjNoM0CJRTiIcYMkKLWlQUchMCA/s1600-h/2009_07_31_IMG_6331RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUZwx1Mav-7th_2zA2aeYd8VRhFe-XpK9OTge9BvbGIbKqaEpLno1yx2BU4epcgBa_FrRC67M4mPJMyQKm1UxhfwdFl6-UyvjeXv3jtkcedzEjNoM0CJRTiIcYMkKLWlQUchMCA/s640/2009_07_31_IMG_6331RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364832565445559538" /></a>Here's my boy with his solar car. He told me all about it...and he'll tell you, too, if you ask him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTfQ-k6xa10jhqSL9KnqHRt40nZ04fcO814awo1cYRKGx80SA_gnYG5DlAdvF47Khc-XPY3nzzGnzq9lBMb5ZEa1ZgFl6nG1PHaM9d9fRYIDXZMLsgXdZuqDaiyrE77NWPtUVfw/s1600-h/2009_07_31_IMG_6343RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTfQ-k6xa10jhqSL9KnqHRt40nZ04fcO814awo1cYRKGx80SA_gnYG5DlAdvF47Khc-XPY3nzzGnzq9lBMb5ZEa1ZgFl6nG1PHaM9d9fRYIDXZMLsgXdZuqDaiyrE77NWPtUVfw/s640/2009_07_31_IMG_6343RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364832639290783378" /></a><br /><br />I'll just throw a few in of Ayv while I'm at it. These were taken a few days ago when she dressed herself in a trendy little grouping. Maybe she'll attend <a href="http://www.iastate.edu">ISU </a>in <a href="http://www.aeshm.hs.iastate.edu/">Apparel, Educational Studies, and Hospitality Management</a> someday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb6duHQZNh6svBD6Nvu2IYO-eyYxfmWSM_99XoDqJm1EhvSckZfHKurARA-4IrmLLxKr4bLkULRSGrejdCaEKdgT6Vh2PW-VOrFYcMMt3Z0OUn-y8pTMUZ5H8gOQmuta2j5R2tA/s1600-h/2009_07_28_IMG_6294RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb6duHQZNh6svBD6Nvu2IYO-eyYxfmWSM_99XoDqJm1EhvSckZfHKurARA-4IrmLLxKr4bLkULRSGrejdCaEKdgT6Vh2PW-VOrFYcMMt3Z0OUn-y8pTMUZ5H8gOQmuta2j5R2tA/s640/2009_07_28_IMG_6294RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364836577299981682" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZIgoAfRAiuTcpx4lhbUsbATj868KBZzlyYxXW3-GEJ5BT55Qt_Ucjp3WCG35ZGdb5AWKYPM7vwhVwWt3ruqivrGBdqWNMi-O7a8qD-yrjcSyKdveTinMn_Mkk9ontHpnZ1pJPA/s1600-h/2009_07_28_IMG_6299RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZIgoAfRAiuTcpx4lhbUsbATj868KBZzlyYxXW3-GEJ5BT55Qt_Ucjp3WCG35ZGdb5AWKYPM7vwhVwWt3ruqivrGBdqWNMi-O7a8qD-yrjcSyKdveTinMn_Mkk9ontHpnZ1pJPA/s640/2009_07_28_IMG_6299RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364836732357336002" /></a><br /><br />My kids are growing up too fast!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-60592544863135972722009-07-27T22:09:00.011-05:002009-07-27T22:29:01.935-05:00July 2009 is the best!I hope I never forget how lovely July 2009 was. These temperatures could stay year-round! It's been highs in the upper 70s and low 80s with a bit of rain here and there. Unfortunately, not hot enough to be too excited to head to the pool daily, but I'm okay with that...even if the kids aren't.<div><br /></div><div>Tonight I was able to post two sessions and I pulled a few personal pictures from this past month into Photoshop for a little play. It feels like the most I've been able to accomplish in one sitting in a long time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although it's July and we should be outside, we found a bit of time to go through the closets. Ayla found a hat that was tucked away. I think she's pretty cute in it! She was making faces like a "silly goose" for me, too. Just ask her and she'll agree.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_W4CnG-YD8ww-XuYTs1SEzRFvbJTF2N38rn5qNCuvrdg5FaqBhPbdTyNRnUH8_KtqhvQAdOuGRsrmkvDKGvi2e6H4ZMo9-C9q83ZlIiWCwX9GZCt6FIeGIIOzDGoBgzGmVWW2g/s1600-h/2009_07_19_AylaStoryboard_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_W4CnG-YD8ww-XuYTs1SEzRFvbJTF2N38rn5qNCuvrdg5FaqBhPbdTyNRnUH8_KtqhvQAdOuGRsrmkvDKGvi2e6H4ZMo9-C9q83ZlIiWCwX9GZCt6FIeGIIOzDGoBgzGmVWW2g/s640/2009_07_19_AylaStoryboard_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363343790513949554" /></a>This past weekend was Zearing Days and I took my camera out with me. Ayvarie handed off the Little Miss Zearing Crown Friday night. Ayden played with his friends all day Saturday at the park with the kids' activities they had going on (he won a wrist band at the kids' dance that allowed him free entry on all the rides). Ayvarie performed her debut at the annual lip sync contest while Ayla simply hung out with us. By the way, Ayvarie already has plans for next year's entry. Watch out!<div><br /></div><div>While downtown, I finally captured this sign painted on the side of the building down Center Street. I've been eyeing it since we moved here and hope to do more with it another day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWYhNfIQXthcNc4_0N3p8WAAgOI2Ii-NanFTW7ePFiH3wXOx7woy0GKfwaq2oERGCqOHrxtzKfqlioh3hBdqahqjcxMwXa2lz8TBH_NUYuEg2lQbenL8Y6gWbMzxKA2bMynLkYw/s1600-h/2009_07_24_IMG_5976RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWYhNfIQXthcNc4_0N3p8WAAgOI2Ii-NanFTW7ePFiH3wXOx7woy0GKfwaq2oERGCqOHrxtzKfqlioh3hBdqahqjcxMwXa2lz8TBH_NUYuEg2lQbenL8Y6gWbMzxKA2bMynLkYw/s640/2009_07_24_IMG_5976RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363344143215109906" /></a>Then, on the way home, I stumbled across this great grouping of blooming things. Bugs were crawling on them, but they still looked pretty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXgJVCNmGJnkL3LqnLp2fLWVUkGQJDGOoehN9wkiexYbWicGtFdvKXEpQIZJISMgmIjhtZV2O3Zc3OVdBgQcN1sm2ePtFSG7haH9cZA9Oyv2YlvCvEYTPcWjH3EW_9IGi_HjDTw/s1600-h/2009_07_24_IMG_5996RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXgJVCNmGJnkL3LqnLp2fLWVUkGQJDGOoehN9wkiexYbWicGtFdvKXEpQIZJISMgmIjhtZV2O3Zc3OVdBgQcN1sm2ePtFSG7haH9cZA9Oyv2YlvCvEYTPcWjH3EW_9IGi_HjDTw/s640/2009_07_24_IMG_5996RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363344309476329042" /></a>Here's some texture...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSjqyyaXB6YYar-IKx16tlZrOw1qouyhMFEoMfm_BkfSosA96ZINof6iEnrs3Zg896byCq75YVkOMIY8JTQUboznTkV7USajP4_ORkpEAuGSkADUhs9LQ1MZ5b-LTGK3bClfgcw/s1600-h/2009_07_24_IMG_5995RAW_PROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSjqyyaXB6YYar-IKx16tlZrOw1qouyhMFEoMfm_BkfSosA96ZINof6iEnrs3Zg896byCq75YVkOMIY8JTQUboznTkV7USajP4_ORkpEAuGSkADUhs9LQ1MZ5b-LTGK3bClfgcw/s640/2009_07_24_IMG_5995RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363344245971989506" /></a>And here's a different texture...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgA-EDgZN5ipLp86m_cmURMuTFrK68STS22sfmffgAFHgi2MZ_fb0dRoVDbAFP8jkMnlgWuJZNqaY16-WraL0jCl_T3uCLUfesJm6-CXJWjBZfWuNdOl_9txjbZ7cVH1rGJSymQ/s1600-h/2009_07_24_IMG_5990RAW_PROOF.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgA-EDgZN5ipLp86m_cmURMuTFrK68STS22sfmffgAFHgi2MZ_fb0dRoVDbAFP8jkMnlgWuJZNqaY16-WraL0jCl_T3uCLUfesJm6-CXJWjBZfWuNdOl_9txjbZ7cVH1rGJSymQ/s1600-h/2009_07_24_IMG_5990RAW_PROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgA-EDgZN5ipLp86m_cmURMuTFrK68STS22sfmffgAFHgi2MZ_fb0dRoVDbAFP8jkMnlgWuJZNqaY16-WraL0jCl_T3uCLUfesJm6-CXJWjBZfWuNdOl_9txjbZ7cVH1rGJSymQ/s640/2009_07_24_IMG_5990RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363344066573513202" /></a>The kids didn't want the weekend to end, and truthfully, I didn't either. We had a nice time with my parents at the parade and lunch on Saturday, then again at the antique tractor pulls on Sunday. Gotta love small-town festivities!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-74096391834377389172009-07-13T22:32:00.006-05:002009-07-13T22:52:13.747-05:00Palo Duro CanyonWe made it to Amarillo and back. We've been back for a while and I still haven't had a chance to go through all of our pictures. I pulled a few to post on the blog for a quick update. These are all SOOC shots, but I like them just as they are...as natural as the land we were on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMrljhvyGxu1JHlPE9c-zZ3IN8xLW2kvi289PIIhwn6M4wXOc8duvzZRGw0nSARqytLSv3AieKiEJoVL7-E90jddkExl6IHOy7SNwC4Iuvob9dgAVOqpVEZhdd32ClU4h6LUXYQ/s1600-h/IMG_3765RAW_PROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMrljhvyGxu1JHlPE9c-zZ3IN8xLW2kvi289PIIhwn6M4wXOc8duvzZRGw0nSARqytLSv3AieKiEJoVL7-E90jddkExl6IHOy7SNwC4Iuvob9dgAVOqpVEZhdd32ClU4h6LUXYQ/s640/IMG_3765RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358154303401990418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxb85fz6WqYxHnRG-DsoR3nGc2-ms4KdsRlTuFM-_MQ9_l0XlqQ2OuTGHMAARY4MyUAx8CBHMX_LmbDF8ZSq0ZQOZwyY5w6MfH0pmqCLKr-jZ9h6sI1mwx1nTtMXll_QaPnB2RA/s1600-h/IMG_3813RAW_PROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxb85fz6WqYxHnRG-DsoR3nGc2-ms4KdsRlTuFM-_MQ9_l0XlqQ2OuTGHMAARY4MyUAx8CBHMX_LmbDF8ZSq0ZQOZwyY5w6MfH0pmqCLKr-jZ9h6sI1mwx1nTtMXll_QaPnB2RA/s640/IMG_3813RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358155490223780274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa8gRLwwEfZA319OEDvw0eRu0-6iwjaIGY17oIRByX8cJCbk5qRIGtq8cKv3cWNR6ihbEYUD5RF89ge1GLjIpKMA5L7iq_Z2P-exYaKrA2OZB3sDJsARp4dF8UTD2pFw5HZymvA/s1600-h/IMG_3817RAW_PROOF.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxa8gRLwwEfZA319OEDvw0eRu0-6iwjaIGY17oIRByX8cJCbk5qRIGtq8cKv3cWNR6ihbEYUD5RF89ge1GLjIpKMA5L7iq_Z2P-exYaKrA2OZB3sDJsARp4dF8UTD2pFw5HZymvA/s640/IMG_3817RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358154315037319634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtluuq9IGYG-0k94Scb8FQa5gsgizybTJeUpLacq4h3Bo5R1PYQ0ZA_loc5DFFvJ8VFxbvXIANTrGhUdmOCKZCQ1PKwTWuHWo57sQZSwDGooKHldE79qDHMyYcbysByZbsRSM18A/s1600-h/IMG_3855RAW_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtluuq9IGYG-0k94Scb8FQa5gsgizybTJeUpLacq4h3Bo5R1PYQ0ZA_loc5DFFvJ8VFxbvXIANTrGhUdmOCKZCQ1PKwTWuHWo57sQZSwDGooKHldE79qDHMyYcbysByZbsRSM18A/s640/IMG_3855RAW_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358154315414572050" /></a>Our visit to the canyon occurred on the last day of our stay in TX, so we only had a few hours to run around before heading over to my Aunt & Uncle's in OK for the evening. The kids could have stayed there all week, I'm sure. Ayden spotted a turkey, Levi had his eye on a bright green lizard not long after he had spied one screaming across the road in front of us, and we all had the chance to view some bugs we're not used to seeing. From the information we received, there is a variety of wildlife, spiders, and poisonous snakes present in the canyon. I followed the kids with the camera so I could soak in the sights (probably to no surprise) and we left just as a storm rolled in. You can see the clouds building in the pictures. A thunderstorm in the canyon would have been a great experience as it sure wasn't a treat to drive in. Ask Levi!<div><div><br /><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-78644641775137599642009-06-15T07:40:00.007-05:002009-06-15T08:04:30.866-05:00Busy month!June is proving to be a busy month for us. It really started way back in May, which makes for a very busy year if this continues. Actually, it might have started in April!<br /><br />Ayvarie had her dance recital Memorial Day weekend. It was adorable...Grease theme and all. Then, the first weekend of this month was the AAU State meet for trampoline and tumbling. She placed first in her flight for trampoline and third in the state in that event. We are so proud of her accomplishments this year. It's fun to look back and see how she was doing just a few months ago and how much she has improved. She will be competing at the USTA Nationals the end of this week, which should be a lot of fun!<br /><br />In addition, Ayv started t-ball this year and Ayden is in baseball again. Games are nightly between the two, but I enjoy watching them.<br /><br />Oh, and I'm still keeping very busy with photography. Sessions are tucked in here and there. The kids and I took a break one evening about a week ago to head outside and shoot. It was Ayvarie's request, and it yielded some pretty cool results of all three kiddos. Thanks to our neighborhood funeral home's garage out back. It is the best backdrop. See for yourself.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347535725302617410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4aJBVQVzfbu-9Oqobs51Q_lKPNK_HiAVOuI8K-Z_pkAkyNuvk0zwmNTQmeUUIZHPrAyLSB3VkOFWEzpE4kAGtZ8K5orYqO9l3xCFHnh_dnzNCNuG16D0DS1r3ZUk3iwqqaG-yg/s640/IMG_2391RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347536126041993906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4u3sprnFbJxuMfXhYiPywsUu-FI-2c4ayKKSbg3arko821utQb8Y6-tdalOyXqJt4kzN_33xpQVKn4t2gHs0TYbd6xoUwJS0665P6Ecf1MDEoD6d9OpR5BK4VrjDJENqI12hDAA/s640/IMG_2484RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347536130541038274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSXhNDhceetgXYw_0bF6h7vDpDYCf6btvhOJzKfqg8mTq7A5-MtzisQOhcJwwAbL3jMS73rX1eHqiINUPCpeDA-RMSS4DQ8H97G4Y_FH4UPmkqG_pqsXAVuWbem8-2zOW5fCtRw/s640/IMG_2486RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" />This is one of my favorite pics of Ayden.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347535999563212146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqqUihVzqfB-l-zI2WoEDoiY-JbKAYsi7dHQHkyDrdzTVGgIJ6Iqc1iof7vECg0RN_iK73RkiXdHIbsuqZ2XkVViuc1Y1IWaIzMeaGT6uWFwtI7L0-C-hbkbF4sCwTsU07gQS4Q/s640/IMG_2472RAW_fx_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" />Ayla imitates Ayvarie regularly.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347535989447803106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HTtDFgToDc9kJRTfD0bRODnIsNgM9JabC-ex9mMQiPBYfEd46HyCM0EL0m25dcB2pFqOUEFkkRQOSZVra5jbRkQvexxC2X4Qr4l3e6TiLKZlBMaCQ7xpC7tNaSSaLPTdkZzh_A/s640/IMG_2428RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347535990094702786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3lHv5Vxa8JP730OsxEUX14H_QeW1fsm4MAJ88DtwirZzb0DQl5-5OSO3ghSjJZhxKJFULXx4rODX5ouHzJyhr1XAPABvFCUkuGF8_CK6dkt3B3nmI-bBb3psiMeTmYmGxpWc2g/s640/IMG_2430RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347535719856662802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9HT-3x7yF9yLOP8kOz8dwynMvgog_SEAr0u_1kfgUaY7USfFii8Tk8xsLbyOKq8louo2tOuh1Wr1JsQ3ul6a_kRKvca5bNJaFuK0fbYDf_UdoSnmtc92dD0igkt45axshWy1Sg/s640/IMG_2383RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" />We see this look regularly.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347535725905507522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHLwdDCwTTZE-MReJkcCYaTHEXH8FIO4A-HhvPweLD3S6dQ-CsZzS795s3qdoIrXHyUHLkg6i75_CWlkuXNpvvHN9rTNR_AdU9zXRKuT0lTVvkCJliGnZJXT6WHc-Dg6Kg_cnEQ/s640/IMG_2416RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347535726243733746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAp6fWnprIL6N9pzguyvuNTdkGGUxn9LAm7kdk9M49GvXWlJ_kb1Gymd0IZmeuwHo6trH3AhwpGvlpX-m46TWSDf3Onf4v9s_1NwjBYZ7mouBwvfha7ef21514tvoyHS8QFq6xw/s640/IMG_2417RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" />This is proof we have a goofball on our hands. :)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347535996313599842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRFOn9bCbP1CWTUe377oXZtptnsYXC16HUKUxHSaCxldm22EzGqLoYM3omabWuu5Qs-BiF6tAAU5zJelgD_D4cdwJyX4Zi9KGjmsO7XukbpVL4ZEf8BsuPSLb0DPVfbmplECOKg/s640/IMG_2441RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347536121847555026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wVd9jiQv431a1pX1xiCm9vwMPkM4k3OpYlZW-3mMtDTjjn1rWA8vS8kWFW0sLCsUXuPdCEwmSGy9qwtdrMxE41Tai-HgjFBZ0olQupvwz-CQOqpiCJURQ4D92y64ppbfruRewQ/s640/IMG_2478RAW_FINAL_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>I'm planning to take a lot of pictures down here this week (while still working on those I've taken). It'll be up to my finicky access if I'll be able to get them posted to the blog timely. Have a great week!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-67078882173973731682009-05-13T21:09:00.004-05:002009-05-13T21:22:09.610-05:00End of another school year.The kids are counting down the days until summer break. But, I'm not sure if I'm ready for the year to end. Ayden will become a middle-schooler and that will mean I'm old. Well, not that old, but before I know it he'll be driving and that will definitely make me feel old.<div><br /></div><div>Ayden's middle-school orientation was yesterday and field trips are on the calendar for Friday and next Tuesday. I'm going with Ayvarie to the zoo on Friday. We're just hoping the rain stays away. I have my umbrellas ready...just in case.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ayvarie's artwork was nearby tonight when I pulled out my camera. I try to take pictures of the kids' art pieces since they don't always last as long as I'd like. Here is a picture of her flower she painted in Art. We played with the color a bit. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57fK3crQTBrxfDiC1kpVztZ22RIoAv5NAmfxTnDYcqhgb-d2RMhGNeWR3rqcgHVgfG7gI2p32dAlrQ6WLMju0Jtvo6SB1zBQWfoCMWoUWPzj7djp000_a2JP7ak8xWG9V4wzV2w/s1600-h/IMG_0134_e_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57fK3crQTBrxfDiC1kpVztZ22RIoAv5NAmfxTnDYcqhgb-d2RMhGNeWR3rqcgHVgfG7gI2p32dAlrQ6WLMju0Jtvo6SB1zBQWfoCMWoUWPzj7djp000_a2JP7ak8xWG9V4wzV2w/s640/IMG_0134_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335498900010753442" /></a>..and I LOVE IT!<br /><div><br /></div><div>I will frame the original as I did with one of Ayden's pictures from Kindergarten. My intent is to fill my house with original artwork...and if from my own family, it's even better! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-37310776769840406932009-05-07T21:35:00.010-05:002009-05-07T21:45:16.640-05:00Foxy!Tonight, one of our friends called to let us know about a fox den outside of town. I had him pick me up so we could capture some shots of the cute creatures that dared step out of their home. They were so cute!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSp05tgZLQ-z0Cx0_8ix7wOrSvqI1gojLPmKZpb38ZYs4qfLhAlncCOIpv-AFfZJpRRsLwUzQiEj8Y8nt4TD7GsBy0AKMb5KiUN1Qxjbs5r7oEf6ZL9Ckv2GcR1P8MMqbunhQ79Q/s1600-h/IMG_0045_e_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSp05tgZLQ-z0Cx0_8ix7wOrSvqI1gojLPmKZpb38ZYs4qfLhAlncCOIpv-AFfZJpRRsLwUzQiEj8Y8nt4TD7GsBy0AKMb5KiUN1Qxjbs5r7oEf6ZL9Ckv2GcR1P8MMqbunhQ79Q/s640/IMG_0045_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333277294524811970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE8k-J2M8VRwWATCL_yep1ejwe6bKNWobsnoYjgE_9YSErI26bS29MoJiV-w4PTJiFnTh0dB0AmhkzrzcC3lZRqrfJq470RsNH7qcCyAv_HdEBBIlLOaJeweXqoD78qm5lL9ymA/s1600-h/IMG_0041_e_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqE8k-J2M8VRwWATCL_yep1ejwe6bKNWobsnoYjgE_9YSErI26bS29MoJiV-w4PTJiFnTh0dB0AmhkzrzcC3lZRqrfJq470RsNH7qcCyAv_HdEBBIlLOaJeweXqoD78qm5lL9ymA/s640/IMG_0041_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333277176385706738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxJ9WcjqksbX85kLy1IVVbAKsRbcCt6ksv1O0aobZhrcORw0jJ99YhpTlz6mKWEZ-_0oRzF8uT53Lh6cuebvgrUAjI4AoG9q_eVSvGaRN3H-atWOPYb_yGObWtkF-6WkO2t-jpA/s1600-h/IMG_0039_e_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxJ9WcjqksbX85kLy1IVVbAKsRbcCt6ksv1O0aobZhrcORw0jJ99YhpTlz6mKWEZ-_0oRzF8uT53Lh6cuebvgrUAjI4AoG9q_eVSvGaRN3H-atWOPYb_yGObWtkF-6WkO2t-jpA/s640/IMG_0039_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333277050480399122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqJFvJPQ1JO8IKHEJlpZTHrMG-7R3M7Y4H4-ayF5mclSM9-WcIGntP5LIwzouI-G1PueaZojQ9_0Vqi9Mm9h1dY5wbMS7Qc-wLuk_E9SJ6OR8S2Jx6uoUjdocBE2eGdgnrGbq-g/s1600-h/IMG_0034_e_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqJFvJPQ1JO8IKHEJlpZTHrMG-7R3M7Y4H4-ayF5mclSM9-WcIGntP5LIwzouI-G1PueaZojQ9_0Vqi9Mm9h1dY5wbMS7Qc-wLuk_E9SJ6OR8S2Jx6uoUjdocBE2eGdgnrGbq-g/s640/IMG_0034_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333276946848633586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmDyWgAcjV_51NUZBZ2eP8FpP4gGc5-oGqaPQI1ipRQaF_k89z_yS1BrQGb5K_MFwqNs_A9gK9_bJFNEot3Lx_oBxuCJHPQGwqRF1uEWyUuSfSBytjsWg2Y7ldjJuLkQXHECZzw/s1600-h/IMG_0022_e_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmDyWgAcjV_51NUZBZ2eP8FpP4gGc5-oGqaPQI1ipRQaF_k89z_yS1BrQGb5K_MFwqNs_A9gK9_bJFNEot3Lx_oBxuCJHPQGwqRF1uEWyUuSfSBytjsWg2Y7ldjJuLkQXHECZzw/s640/IMG_0022_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333276863923867938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQEpJy6XvOD3ZGl2ukolaW77oE-o9v2TFmhPZ0jg8eBXoAp1cChiK4Z2L5f4FDdmYSy0p3znyDRa_6oCt-GolcywcnNDjkke17ub096kIRRaZAeBn-GimkMx5W6jXyDSBaAjYAg/s1600-h/IMG_0011_e_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQEpJy6XvOD3ZGl2ukolaW77oE-o9v2TFmhPZ0jg8eBXoAp1cChiK4Z2L5f4FDdmYSy0p3znyDRa_6oCt-GolcywcnNDjkke17ub096kIRRaZAeBn-GimkMx5W6jXyDSBaAjYAg/s640/IMG_0011_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333276779923203730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE9HM5KPCtGy5667VOCEjxgu-0s5EMFHjiB-Tm7CPVy-1zBUw2EsHQcNR7c6qe4w1ki58rpiDle5bqAMPVslKeW3JYJAcUWV3bKdiAsarsfO-jEg2Rv082vSKrUMZHccZCPRE4A/s1600-h/IMG_0010_e_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE9HM5KPCtGy5667VOCEjxgu-0s5EMFHjiB-Tm7CPVy-1zBUw2EsHQcNR7c6qe4w1ki58rpiDle5bqAMPVslKeW3JYJAcUWV3bKdiAsarsfO-jEg2Rv082vSKrUMZHccZCPRE4A/s640/IMG_0010_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333276665487710946" /></a>I took Ayden & Ayla out to watch them after I got back. Unfortunately, by that time they were back in the den for the night. We'll head out again when the weather is nice to watch them grow.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-88883114171198311102009-05-01T21:50:00.006-05:002009-05-06T22:13:44.893-05:00Happy May Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHgj0MsVoptUMFqH7knZKCAmtzbCcp3Q1GPvdDojiM3tUpuF2Hn7Y6LqICuHwG7vRimRInGGgnPwX_HMk1nn_RwJdCU7wCo_27-YLyKUxO5nA8rRBras1JWXBd21W58eoN7RODA/s1600-h/IMG_9796_E_PROOF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHgj0MsVoptUMFqH7knZKCAmtzbCcp3Q1GPvdDojiM3tUpuF2Hn7Y6LqICuHwG7vRimRInGGgnPwX_HMk1nn_RwJdCU7wCo_27-YLyKUxO5nA8rRBras1JWXBd21W58eoN7RODA/s640/IMG_9796_E_PROOF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332913811598483170" /></a><br />Finally...I get to post! It was a gorgeous first day of May. Kindergarten roundup was being held, so I stayed home with the girls and we managed to pull together some baskets for the usual May Day festivities. It's so fun leaving baskets for our neighbors, family & friends...even those that weren't home! The kids spent a lot of time outdoors after Ayden was dismissed from school, so I followed them around with the camera a bit. Ayla was reluctant to have any pictures taken, but Ayv posed for a few. The one above is one of my favorites...mainly due to her natural highlights that I dream about. I'm looking forward to trying to round all three kids up for some pictures sometime next weekend. Not sure how that will go down...I have been unsuccessful so far.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-1202964054919713102009-04-17T22:53:00.008-05:002009-04-17T23:41:17.110-05:00More tests...This afternoon, Ayla & I ran to Des Moines to pick up a light stand and umbrella for my flash. I've had enough of the bracket, so I've been playing with my off-camera flash (aka: OCF) since I got my transmitter and receiver, but needed something to hold it since I intend to use it outdoors and there aren't a lot of bookshelves strategically placed in nature to set it on.<br /><br />My kids were coerced into being my models (minus Ayvarie who is the neighborhood socialite these days) as soon as we got home. I had every intention of taking pics of Ayden on his birthday, which was Wednesday, but I left home without the necessary accessories. You know, lenses, memory cards....I only had the camera body with me. It's pretty useless without a lens and card. Tonight was a different story. I had everything ready, including the flash. So, Ayden & I went outside so I could play photographer and he could play golf. Meanwhile, Ayla dressed herself (since she completely undressed as soon as we got home - her usual homebound activity) and joined us, too!<br /><div><br /><div>Here are a few of the shots. I touched them with a few actions, but I probably didn't need to. I can't wait to get Ayden's 10-year-old pic shown here blown up and hung on the wall. He seems much older than 10, but I have not aged one bit in the last 10 years...just so you know.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325877407969316610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS4TauUaafATN4JtWpbTFWPMTc5s_k0bIDEKyw8dZe_DYlmrEQA8UVduzlCW7LE0LHOaCORZD-EqBfllR7dm00xRFdEfbm7eVOIPeGg7bFyTBW4rFrX3pKB0Qk0ygr_svrppreQ/s640/IMG_9254_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" />Ayla kept running around the yard, so I'd shoot when she'd get near the flash.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325877424957486082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPT974N2me7lqv-B9yXJrGpJFkCEMOXJwZxIcIJaiUZ5Hi_Arj7KqaUEn1-6a9CZQkNkHnC0q-8NAGx5o4UNi4iOZdiy01YEr7EIaTa8gd0bgjPp9fHiyEaI5Zi0AhfLV_pAk4PA/s640/IMG_9245_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" />I feel pretty lucky to catch this one. She is beautiful!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325877421859667810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS8lwodMBehhZgK2F6mS3R_1weIm_hG0Z6tSIfUR7Iuze_v7eAXIE9g_y64vTCr6kNUHvuDJS4LSV074aJZEfQ3o5bdXk2WirJddjHQZ0X9BM75gOzIjPxREp5zdLhh2FlO_EmQ/s640/IMG_9242_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><p>I'd better get back to verifying my backups so I can erase some cards for the wedding I'm shooting tomorrow. I really hope the rain holds off until 3ish so we can at least get some outdoor shots of the couple and wedding party.</p><p>Sleep tight.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-46156368168992060482009-04-16T21:07:00.004-05:002009-04-16T21:21:43.818-05:00Test run.I got outside for a bit this evening to shoot some pics with my new camera (Canon 5D). Portrait shots were put aside tonight for textures and images of the neighborhood. The sharpness of the images straight out of the camera makes me soooo happy! Plus, the images play well in Photoshop, too. I can't wait to use it for the wedding I'm shooting on Saturday. And fortunate for my children, my plan is to drag their little bums out of the house and around town here real soon to get some new shots of them.<br /><br />Here are a few samples from my test run:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325478003223638978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49T6jJqPouAvMZHt7wgbsf2mJe1KeMpelhqyDv8F69t427Yabubu6TeY7zwdVEMqVpVFeCk8g3X6MfABTbjkULBp9p9D-vJ57DNeY-5lOCi_rCTspdUfwdfc2EVhyphenhyphenuEF6sEZpBg/s640/IMG_9173_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325478007144547794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0Acxvtn1QwZ11aqOzwT_weRz59bIXaH4x03F0aRredowXxJCarKxJvoDNsD7PFE15idnfXGw_f3ect8ookMm34pXOgfbimUO_83U7CWS7JW6eNIPMBfvE31bW2ynnglPnWAYcA/s640/IMG_9192_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325478007404942642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfDkA7r723lUTO4MtB2fMxUeckqQdH_w-5mXDjCZK-YZGdc7oRv0QB4CGzAnROCUspHOTmu6I-Eb79vZunxcM2CxTwomdPFZi5FMF2QeJYLm_GKp80ivp5NtNy8053dTvnFyVXg/s640/IMG_9180_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325478009592654978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfyxcZYTXLLfoMi-AeHQAup-CQG7XYe28alqxuJ4b-7AveeeaxiH5JBE0vKuatYEIl1UJQsH2LS08Q1K5vU8Zx6hTikGUFLLuALqHDgeyJhEzFD231Ab1nhnjh23iG1sqNTeCHg/s640/IMG_9197_e_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The colors of spring are so comforting. After our long winter, I am ready for some renewed sights and pictures such as this feed my soul.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-45624132130684708472009-03-22T22:58:00.005-05:002009-03-22T23:09:12.390-05:00Still catching up...Today was a busy one. We woke to a house in need of attention. Well, it has been needing some attention for quite a few days, maybe even weeks. The kids were very helpful in picking up and then we did the usual run through with the cleaning supplies. I had a wonderful senior stop over to go over her memory book and invitations. Then, we ran to town to get some groceries and meet up with Ros for a late lunch. Then, came our fun evening...at least for me. I pulled out the studio lights and played a bit. My kids really treated me well by simply being good models.<br /><br />Here is what we snapped:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ayden was pretty casual.</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316229012038025426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTNF2JNT1qlSOhDVA_kHX-GrRK7QvCZlYNQgKDuGAyoDbu2pwY3kvDEPs1-Bd-NCUEQHwj1Phpi4KsKNHmuiI99gPM8lPcC79uqupgEPlWeD0rkmJrB3Pa_IkKQw3CBI9AWeCHQ/s640/IMG_8897+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ayla tried to copy him, and she did a wonderful job!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316229020703028066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fnTEnxCOpMhgsPL7sNoG1Nx1kk3NXmFR7m13nSUjnMRGOJ1DZHMrOqHGnxHdJQd-AfKsboqgC45YouRfpBmjYo9Kn1HYjZ-TP4HB_Zg6JxAbG0t60ReXHlr-GHgjg5x1PpdybA/s640/IMG_8906+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">Then, Ayvarie pulled this face, which is a common expression. I'm glad I captured it!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316229027234846514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7-cRGNRylrOClHaUCuYznA3y45u_etHWb6dfDX0EMxz1Qk8NGVahXq4XN4nD6YpEAaXNCI3oPNzzK2RhxDBw0KJgcAwaTIsJeB3tHd42Gde68kD8-omZkdwmyxPULg42qwE6NQ/s640/IMG_8916+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><br />Of course I snapped more, but there is only so much time in a day to play. Have a good night!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-20204782414069726082009-03-16T20:19:00.006-05:002009-03-16T21:16:23.986-05:00Catching up!Today was gorgeous! It was hard to stay focused on getting anything done around the house here. I worked on some photog stuff, some personal must-do stuff, and some personal for-fun stuff. This is what came of the personal for-fun stuff...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Little painted piggies. I painted Ayla's toes last week and she LOVED it.</span><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313961707956816722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kXgnu3TC7ouLOfF3gevifc_qbche_hWRzhji16ib9WwFMLERcISNnSAPSfityJkU7_vMkuM9A3W6qZlYPWP-M6vXpXu8JN3p-CCwo72aKcPdQ-O_4DvCRHECmNS1A75_igVgDQ/s640/IMG_8800+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:85%;">Our annual shoot out on the front steps. Maybe it's bi-annual or any-annual...whenever we feel like it. She's getting so big!</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313972366176467554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEyX7FC3Har6K1p_LFqAJJgCTc9xkxUe9Cufa6ZbZPS3M2QwD1J0kgiVLtPVaUcIBRVUQFwIx5s2wqaXy1Umm96wzwACbD44D5hogS8X7qFvJUPLeA24_0jHutS63t8-Z6iS_IQ/s640/AylaStoryboard_PROOF.jpg" border="0" /> Have a good night!<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-21810224754191103092009-02-25T21:13:00.004-06:002009-02-25T22:07:08.728-06:00The pink eye.Levi phoned me at work today to relay the message that school called with the news that Ayv had pink eye. We had a weekend of gunky Ayla eyes that was definitely related to her cold and now we have to deal with Ayv's ONE irritated eye. It took me an eternity to get through to the pediatrician, so it didn't surprise me that they were more than willing to call in a prescription for us. Now I wait....to see if she has an improvement by morning. Otherwise, I'm home again, home again.<br /><br />The best part of my day was the weather! I'm not sure if we were some of the fortunate few to experience 60 degrees, but the air felt warm. Even when my house at 67 barely feels warm, 60 outside definitely feels warm! I suggested to the kids that we get out for a walk. Ayla and I were the pedestrians of the bunch while Ayv & Ayden whizzed by on their bikes. It felt good to get some fresh air and soak up some sun. Ayla took in more than the rest of us, I think. The second half of our adventure was A LOT slower than the first half, but she still didn't want me to carry her (I offered). She's such a big girl! As soon as we entered the house and took a load off, she hopped up into my lap and in a near instant, sacked out. She's still sleeping.<br /><br />Now, tomorrow looks to be a bit sketchy weatherwise. Possible rain/ice and snow? Really. As long as it clears out by Saturday, I'm fine. My plans to hang out with my girlfriends will not be disrupted!!! We're planning to visit <a href="http://www.crazygirlyarnshop.com/">Crazy Girl</a> in Cedar Falls. I'm guessing we'll get a caffeine fix at a coffee shop along the way and find nourishment at a restaurant we don't frequent too often. Actually, I'm pretty sure that will happen.<br /><br />I don't have any exciting pics from today, but I really like this one from CA. It's not my normal processing, but the car is what stands out to me (and should to you now). The guy sitting in the driver's seat is actually strumming a guitar. If only this car was on the beach...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306952006635666642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQBtE0lVbmiZS56UbrmscWqoWZRAZz2cVF602AzgdebGWGoBo4ySzTjYIazUpgbNiPZ8TeBaeTnrIpKbyJ3mR2VwajNAxpwDRvuSf9KvdKKpNtDm6_yFyMqJiYgeKhetmte_v_A/s640/IMG_8175+PROOF.jpg" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-41394804071252112872009-02-14T13:40:00.004-06:002009-02-14T13:48:59.265-06:00Happy Valentines Day...2009!We're home and enjoying the day of trying to get back into the swing of things. The kids reminded us that it's Valentine's Day. Actually, Ayden's cell phone alarm was going off at 7:00 to let us know! I got online to work on some edits and Ayvarie and I ran across this idea on another blog. I think it's fun!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302741008474051938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Cqu73XWqzmEKavgqzvSmEvSeGHMn7g0EK6hJBvLe4bJKHPaBCzmKzPP_az3kD-OlNiqpKyXK2g4SgYgHFh7gSYMOgYbRscYMu7FA8Dj10a6P0zwL9nfl20x1GCTTKK_Dq1RUg/s640/IMG_8454+PROOF.jpg" border="0" />This is what I chose to shoot in honor of today.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302741015096561090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs5iuHvooJ3t2t_w1Z88InLOIbqTUcAtplbwbYJnUmP30snMuG0ejGHSR4YYXm2EwCC751oiV2Jp81v80HI7OQB8ALcN64b0MO7oRZSDkQgjAP54t5v2_zxlus0JDj_m7J-prAw/s640/IMG_8466+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /> I hope you get to spend time with your Valentine(s) today!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15115042.post-61759238371340006912009-02-10T00:22:00.003-06:002009-02-10T00:51:07.832-06:00Day ??? (This is just a general update.)I know it's been a while since I've posted. We had quite a bit happen in our lives over the past few weeks and blogging is the last thing I had time for. Chynna (my oldest cat) fell ill and we decided to let her pass on, which was very hard for me (and Ayden). Then, we received the news of flooding in our house. We received a lot of not-so-good news over the last few weeks as well. We are so glad it is all in the past. We're healthy and happy now...that's all that matters.<br /><br /><br />Levi is fortunate enough to have me travel with him this week for work. :) A big THANKS goes to Ros for taking over the parental and household duties while we are enjoying the coast. It's great having family nearby and having Ros willing to relocate to our house and keep the kids in line. Unfortunately, it's been rainy and cool here while Iowa has been warm! What that means is that they are sharing the same 50-60 degree temps there that we're experiencing out here in Long Beach, California. Crazy winter!<br /><br /><br />Here are some images I captured today.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I liked the name of this place..."House of Hayden". Drop the "H" and it reminds me of some little guy I know. It's located in close proximity to our hotel, but it was closed when we were walking by.</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301052808400757170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5u5K1ayjewBsm6hUwgsw-nPxLqTNwqQGCnki17f-_0SIY5AtdLLj0BH8YGmY0BsLZ8FSxxNCi1wLBuH2sqiQexJxKARdHvaOyMMSSaEPoXz8Th0m1ah5ibXiYzlfsvV28cEL3A/s640/IMG_8179+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm not sure what to say about this image, but it's colorful! </span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301052807491705810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXL9jqZNOaa6fyEQlBxz4fzsLjK2lifqTl1YKk6tQ52tsfKX2YRUtBB-6v30mcZ57S16q_awN9GUW1EZq92_7PCxQt4oKyJ19Pbfo7KraMndh9S1jOXCipm5Tdu9-GWKEp6rRtQ/s640/IMG_8198+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">Between the boats in the bay here, you will see a lighthouse peeking out of the grassy mound. It really was a beautiful sight today after the rain subsided.</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301052807019503010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnMvIfJwC8jutzFQVTp4eM-L2eS8rdoe9Jn83Gw1HN41aCXdYtxYG1PGs8pc1e5yD31p6cWkHFXX5clhP5lIBC097V1Ut0I5up7GTt4vwhAd7OqeksELWiMfZ9k91uytZXyEY4g/s640/IMG_8201+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is our French waiter at </span><a href="http://www.cremedelacrepe.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Creme de la Crepe</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> presenting my crepe with Grand Marnier. This is actually the second time he did this for us, so I could entertain myself with a picture. We loved this location. It was quaint, close to the hotel, and unfortunate for him, not too busy when we showed up. On a good note, it made for a great location to chat and the food was tres bien!</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301052811241766402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapMmxmQQhd6ud1x6AS9IvNGmjY43mZBnb3MQoGywobg1zsF1Y6ATpcPerEsJczbxomcvPiQYL5vpgdNWkwOr0Rp68GZVC8iC4WQkRoVo_spJO-Ya1CVmPbmrc9_Iv58CJNyVVsw/s640/IMG_8207+PROOF.jpg" border="0" /> Now, don't think I have forgotten about my daily photo....I don't remember commiting to posting every day, or did I? You can consider these coverage for today. Maybe one of these days I will have time to get caught up on my personal images again and post the rest from January.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0