tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16063962682443798022024-03-13T04:03:07.535-06:00Something About Mary and MikeMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-58004595355854270112010-08-22T12:42:00.000-06:002010-08-22T12:42:48.932-06:00The Netherlands!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Chelsea and I headed out for our big adventure on August 10th. We flew from Salt Lake City to Detroit. When we got to Detroit we boarded our plane to Amsterdam. About 30 minutes later we got off again, allegedly because of engine trouble. As we were getting off we saw some law enforcement officials escort a young man off. We didn't think to much about it and went about getting our free meal that the airline gave us to placate us as we were waiting for another plane. We ended up with "gourmet" peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They were good, but not $6 good! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3PpzV43MI/AAAAAAAAA3w/9ED5LOlbMxs/s1600/P1000767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3PpzV43MI/AAAAAAAAA3w/9ED5LOlbMxs/s320/P1000767.JPG" /></a></div>We started noticing there were a lot of cops in our gate area. They gathered, discussed, then broke up and started walking around our area looking for people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3P0GhDfeI/AAAAAAAAA34/Nbydl2rMT0Q/s1600/P1000770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3P0GhDfeI/AAAAAAAAA34/Nbydl2rMT0Q/s320/P1000770.JPG" /></a></div>They spoke with airline people at our gate and basically made us all nervous. They then announced our flight was ready to board (3 hours later). We started wondering if we should get on. Just as Chelsea and I were getting on, here comes the kid they took off earlier, escorted by Immigration officers. It looks as though they were deporting him. Probably got into some sort of trouble while on vacation or something. We never did find out what the other cops were looking for and probably never will. In the end they gave us $50 credits to use on another flight.<br />
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We made it to Amsterdam in one piece. We were met by Eline and her dad, Erik. They took us to Friesland where there was a sail boat race going on. It was so beautiful! We stayed at Erik's girlfriend's house and used her boat to cruise the canals and go to the race.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eline and Chelsea</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janette, Erik and Hiskia</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the bridges were so low we had to duck to get past them!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3Q1gSgE2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/kgRXKrk4Zz8/s1600/P1000806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3Q1gSgE2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/kgRXKrk4Zz8/s320/P1000806.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a Dutch paramedic, one of the very few people we saw wearing a bike helmet.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a very festive day with a band playing rousing music! They are wrapped in the flag of Friesland.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3RSD4EWqI/AAAAAAAAA4w/5uNkgNTLjKI/s1600/P1000819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3RSD4EWqI/AAAAAAAAA4w/5uNkgNTLjKI/s320/P1000819.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view from Hiskia's patio. Beautiful, isn't it!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We left the next day to head south to Utrecht, where Eline and her mom, Jolanda live. One thing we realized is that everyone in Holland has a bike. Yes, everyone! It is definitely the most used mode of transportation in that country. There are bike paths everywhere and places to park bikes. They generally ride basic upright bikes. They don't go for expensive bikes with 21 speeds like Americans seem to need. They do, however, all have a bell and lights, which are required. But no one wears a helmet. I think we saw about 6 people the whole time we were there wearing helmets. And two of those were small children. They have bikes with child seats near the handlebars, bikes with big baskets, bikes made for two, and even three ( that was one made for a parent and two small children). They basically have a bike for every need. So when we decided to go into the city we hopped on bikes:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eline and Chelsea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG59SgLqrJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/LSF9pK66MVY/s1600/P1000824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG59SgLqrJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/LSF9pK66MVY/s320/P1000824.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on one of Eline's bikes.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG3PpzV43MI/AAAAAAAAA3w/9ED5LOlbMxs/s1600/P1000767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5-D_CVa8I/AAAAAAAAA-w/2g7dbRA7Bjo/s320/P1000842.JPG" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went out to dinner at a little Greek place. I had a gyro and it was great!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dutch version of the port-a-potty for men!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG592icLfbI/AAAAAAAAA-o/3cmIKQicDog/s1600/P1000837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG592icLfbI/AAAAAAAAA-o/3cmIKQicDog/s320/P1000837.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dom Tower, the highest church building in the Netherlands. We walked up to the top!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am a Diet Pepsi addict so was happy to find Pepsi Light. It tasted different, but was still good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5-eaOHb_I/AAAAAAAAA_A/vZ2Y2GWp89I/s1600/P1000844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5-eaOHb_I/AAAAAAAAA_A/vZ2Y2GWp89I/s320/P1000844.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea and me at an outdoor cafe.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creator of Miffy (a bunny character in books and on TV) is from Utrecht so they have this cute light for a crosswalk there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5-6FVeoXI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/A0eoo1T-3ak/s1600/P1000851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5-6FVeoXI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/A0eoo1T-3ak/s320/P1000851.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea and Eline</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5_Fmg7BSI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/NNMYuF4tZYY/s1600/P1000856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5_Fmg7BSI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/NNMYuF4tZYY/s320/P1000856.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bells at the top of the Dom Tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5_Qs-onvI/AAAAAAAAA_g/-XZks2b4Hlw/s1600/P1000862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5_Qs-onvI/AAAAAAAAA_g/-XZks2b4Hlw/s320/P1000862.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea and me at the top of the Dom Tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5_f4kGUpI/AAAAAAAAA_o/A24m2zbPLXE/s1600/P1000870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5_f4kGUpI/AAAAAAAAA_o/A24m2zbPLXE/s320/P1000870.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Utrecht from the top of the Dom Tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5_u3GoL5I/AAAAAAAAA_w/nMcu-nol_Ac/s1600/P1000882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG5_u3GoL5I/AAAAAAAAA_w/nMcu-nol_Ac/s320/P1000882.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eline and Chelsea at the top of the Dom Tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6ACuOo1QI/AAAAAAAAA_4/WN8Afx18EvI/s1600/P1000900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6ACuOo1QI/AAAAAAAAA_4/WN8Afx18EvI/s320/P1000900.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite photo of Eline and Chelsea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6AQqutPgI/AAAAAAAABAA/5zOqFfe2ieQ/s1600/P1000901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6AQqutPgI/AAAAAAAABAA/5zOqFfe2ieQ/s320/P1000901.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they are in the garden at the back of Eline and Jolanda's house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Aj41GRmI/AAAAAAAABAQ/yIahey9mKTc/s1600/P1000913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Aj41GRmI/AAAAAAAABAQ/yIahey9mKTc/s320/P1000913.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beautiful girl!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Ayf4Q0JI/AAAAAAAABAY/XXmuJE76Ysw/s320/P1000929.JPG" />We went to Volendam to see Mr. Man, a statue that Chelsea had her picture taken with 10 years ago. We did some shopping, ate some frites, prawns and Eline ate some raw fish. We took a ferry over to Marken which is a cute little village. The weather was beautiful and it was a great time.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6CmNx55KI/AAAAAAAABBA/Kh6DoPlrMPM/s1600/P1000943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6CmNx55KI/AAAAAAAABBA/Kh6DoPlrMPM/s320/P1000943.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marken</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6C_BKAp6I/AAAAAAAABBQ/ax5-M_60Puk/s1600/P1000946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6C_BKAp6I/AAAAAAAABBQ/ax5-M_60Puk/s320/P1000946.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw a lot of these beautiful sailboats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea's Dutch slippers.</td></tr>
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</a></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6BDrgZd-I/AAAAAAAABAg/7AATX0kqj_w/s1600/P1000930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6BDrgZd-I/AAAAAAAABAg/7AATX0kqj_w/s320/P1000930.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6COa3vB-I/AAAAAAAABAw/nQZ-qthNSMw/s1600/P1000936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6COa3vB-I/AAAAAAAABAw/nQZ-qthNSMw/s320/P1000936.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6CYtQlYCI/AAAAAAAABA4/V2W6pz4GeHg/s1600/P1000942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6CYtQlYCI/AAAAAAAABA4/V2W6pz4GeHg/s320/P1000942.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6DagmsweI/AAAAAAAABBg/5A_fP0caURw/s1600/P1000955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6DagmsweI/AAAAAAAABBg/5A_fP0caURw/s320/P1000955.JPG" /></a><br />
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We went to see Het Loo, which is a palace which belongs to the Dutch Royal Family. It is gorgeous as you'd expect. We especially loved the gardens.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6DnN__r3I/AAAAAAAABBo/I76alnhqyAU/s320/P1000983.JPG" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Dy9eAzuI/AAAAAAAABBw/eZRcXu6uT6c/s1600/P1000985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Dy9eAzuI/AAAAAAAABBw/eZRcXu6uT6c/s320/P1000985.JPG" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6FQdCZ3cI/AAAAAAAABCo/2SDdGiI2Zf8/s1600/P1010014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6FQdCZ3cI/AAAAAAAABCo/2SDdGiI2Zf8/s320/P1010014.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone know the name of this plant? We used to have one at our old house but haven't seen one since, until we spotted this at Het Loo Palace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6EAgIaSbI/AAAAAAAABB4/-NPfexy0kGs/s1600/P1000989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6EAgIaSbI/AAAAAAAABB4/-NPfexy0kGs/s320/P1000989.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6EOIPqLQI/AAAAAAAABCA/64310elh5a0/s1600/P1000992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6EOIPqLQI/AAAAAAAABCA/64310elh5a0/s320/P1000992.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6EpHX9diI/AAAAAAAABCQ/lmnWK-7kmBE/s1600/P1000994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6EpHX9diI/AAAAAAAABCQ/lmnWK-7kmBE/s320/P1000994.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6E3VOP7xI/AAAAAAAABCY/TD_hZYJ_rVE/s1600/P1010002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6E3VOP7xI/AAAAAAAABCY/TD_hZYJ_rVE/s320/P1010002.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6FCFdMwiI/AAAAAAAABCg/PUwFWcFP2_w/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6FCFdMwiI/AAAAAAAABCg/PUwFWcFP2_w/s320/P1010010.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went out for dinner at the Pannekoeken Huis that Eline used to work at. It was very good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6FdtjwnVI/AAAAAAAABCw/fOix0cSvx-I/s320/P1010021.JPG" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Fpa_fk_I/AAAAAAAABC4/KqdZ8C3ZWAY/s1600/P1010022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Fpa_fk_I/AAAAAAAABC4/KqdZ8C3ZWAY/s320/P1010022.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea had a bacon and cheese pancake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6F1Dh0CwI/AAAAAAAABDA/1KaOFBccaos/s1600/P1010023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6F1Dh0CwI/AAAAAAAABDA/1KaOFBccaos/s320/P1010023.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a pancake which was half apple and raisin and half bacon and cheese. Delicious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6GBoVk9DI/AAAAAAAABDI/PDEvYU8JVsg/s1600/P1010025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6GBoVk9DI/AAAAAAAABDI/PDEvYU8JVsg/s320/P1010025.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6GO8npHBI/AAAAAAAABDQ/o9sY8aSKZLY/s320/P1010030.JPG" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to Madurodam which is a miniature model of Holland, with all the major landmarks built to a 1:25 scale. It was fun to see miniatures of places we had visited.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Gm-_HInI/AAAAAAAABDg/loux68lN4hU/s1600/P1010037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Gm-_HInI/AAAAAAAABDg/loux68lN4hU/s320/P1010037.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature Dom Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6HPhiK41I/AAAAAAAABD4/ak_CavPFtUk/s1600/P1010052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6HPhiK41I/AAAAAAAABD4/ak_CavPFtUk/s320/P1010052.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken of our reflection on the wall made of glass tiles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6HdnQxhQI/AAAAAAAABEA/ra1_wrCBbJQ/s1600/P1010054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6HdnQxhQI/AAAAAAAABEA/ra1_wrCBbJQ/s320/P1010054.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were there at the wrong time to see the tulip fields so the miniature will have to do!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6GanSjAuI/AAAAAAAABDY/_JPmXdQFEbg/s320/P1010031.JPG" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our last day we went to Amsterdam to see the Anne Frank house. We decided to go on a canal tour and then went to the Ice Bar which is a very cold bar made completely out of ice including the chairs, bar and even the glasses! We also went to the Red Light district. I wasn't too keen on going since I've seen it before and I was with my teenaged daughter. But Eline really wanted to show it to her so off we went. Chelsea wasn't impressed, to say the least.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6HqvIIa4I/AAAAAAAABEI/DxFTPnhZQPc/s320/P1010059.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a 3 story bike garage which can hold over 3000 bikes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6H3Xzc9bI/AAAAAAAABEQ/gz9OfQMo6eQ/s1600/P1010067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6H3Xzc9bI/AAAAAAAABEQ/gz9OfQMo6eQ/s320/P1010067.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ship is a replica created voluntarily by Amsterdam's unemployed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6IE2ClE-I/AAAAAAAABEY/__UGZTgt0WA/s1600/P1010068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6IE2ClE-I/AAAAAAAABEY/__UGZTgt0WA/s320/P1010068.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A house boat on one of the canals. This is one of the nicer ones.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6IQYOuM8I/AAAAAAAABEg/mjenn8sTgkU/s1600/P1010076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6IQYOuM8I/AAAAAAAABEg/mjenn8sTgkU/s320/P1010076.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The narrowest home in Amsterdam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6IeM5qEOI/AAAAAAAABEo/SYJd8Yzeszc/s1600/P1010077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6IeM5qEOI/AAAAAAAABEo/SYJd8Yzeszc/s320/P1010077.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our canal boat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Io3PhqnI/AAAAAAAABEw/P-CH7VNMhJg/s1600/P1010079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Io3PhqnI/AAAAAAAABEw/P-CH7VNMhJg/s320/P1010079.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Eline first came to live with us she asked for American sauce when we went to McDonalds. We had no idea what she was talking about so we made her get some while we were in Amsterdam. We still don't know what it is except that it has some mustard and possibly some mayo and some small green stuff. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6IzXxGGeI/AAAAAAAABE4/NqDW40lr1xU/s1600/P1010083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6IzXxGGeI/AAAAAAAABE4/NqDW40lr1xU/s320/P1010083.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea became quite the tea drinker while we were there. She especially liked the fresh mint tea and now wants to grow some for herself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6I-US1PRI/AAAAAAAABFA/zH5OD840_pA/s1600/P1010089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6I-US1PRI/AAAAAAAABFA/zH5OD840_pA/s320/P1010089.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking in the alleys of Amsterdam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6JL47LZWI/AAAAAAAABFI/mKnN1XLDw-0/s1600/P1010090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6JL47LZWI/AAAAAAAABFI/mKnN1XLDw-0/s320/P1010090.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We learned that Coffee Shops aren't where you go to get coffee, but rather where you go to buy marijuana. We didn't try any out though! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6JXuxzoGI/AAAAAAAABFQ/nweDuvtCzeQ/s1600/P1010091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6JXuxzoGI/AAAAAAAABFQ/nweDuvtCzeQ/s320/P1010091.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All kinds of fun stuff for sale! You gotta love Amsterdam!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Jk9gn-cI/AAAAAAAABFY/_h_0b1PEoDk/s1600/P1010099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6Jk9gn-cI/AAAAAAAABFY/_h_0b1PEoDk/s320/P1010099.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a floating bed and breakfast. We thought of your dear gay and lesbian friends when we saw this. Amsterdam is one of the most gay and lesbian friendly cities in the world!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6JyA_IekI/AAAAAAAABFg/04jzAzu1eEA/s1600/P1010103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6JyA_IekI/AAAAAAAABFg/04jzAzu1eEA/s320/P1010103.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Amsterdam street, complete with a Subway, Burger King and McDonalds. Chelsea and Eline ate at the Burger King.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6J_wiBLUI/AAAAAAAABFo/PpL5Ri78QVw/s1600/P1010107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6J_wiBLUI/AAAAAAAABFo/PpL5Ri78QVw/s320/P1010107.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I chose to eat a shwarma instead, mostly because it wasn't American and Mike asked me to! He loved to eat them when he lived in Holland.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6KKdKHOrI/AAAAAAAABFw/xaIEGOQ6mqo/s1600/P1010108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TG6KKdKHOrI/AAAAAAAABFw/xaIEGOQ6mqo/s320/P1010108.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Central Train station in Amsterdam. It looks so beautiful with the sun seting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
We had such a wonderful time visiting Eline and her family. Jolanda was especially a great hostess, trying to speak English, and doing a great job! We found that we had much in common, including the books we like to read. It was an amazing vacation but I am glad to be home!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-35483476506132458892010-08-09T20:50:00.001-06:002010-08-10T07:49:02.102-06:00Summer tripsNow that our Glacier trip is over it's time to start the next trip. Chelsea and I are off to Holland to see Eline and her family. Eline was our foreign exchange student for the 2007-2008 school year. She was also a bridesmaid at our wedding. We are going to spend a week with her and her family. It should be a blast.<br />
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While we are gone Jake is moving out into his own apartment. I spent part of yesterday buying him things he'll need to be on his own, such as silverware, trash cans, kitchen utensils, etc. We are also giving him the dresser in his room, and dishes and pots and pans we no longer need.<br />
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A few days after we get back from Holland Chelsea will be moving into the dorm at Utah State University. I think we have everything she needs to settle in there. Fortunately it is only an hour away so not to far to drive, if need be. That same day Mike is going to head out with some friends for a motorcycle trip through Idaho, Oregon and California. <br />
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I am planning on a trip to CA over Labor Day. Mike had planned a trip to Vegas with friends, but he decided to stay home. He's probably looking forward to some quiet time alone! <br />
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I think we might be done with trips for a little while after this. I start working full time on September 7th and he has to be just about out of leave. So we'll settle in to being empty nesters until Christmas break, when Chelsea will be moving back for a month.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-44560822960445032992010-08-08T19:19:00.000-06:002010-08-08T19:19:20.655-06:00Glacier National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We left for Glacier National Park on July 31st. Mike, Harley and I spent the night in Butte and then met up with my sister, Karin, her daughter, Samantha, and Chelsea in St. Mary, MT. Chelsea was at camp at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, near Kalispell. Karin and Sam picked her up on the 30th, saving us a trip over to that side of the state.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stayed at the KOA in a Kamping Lodge. We had no idea what it was going to be and imagine our surprise when this is what we drove up to:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9OxX9-j3I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/HnqTH8HzYKU/s1600/P1000407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9OxX9-j3I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/HnqTH8HzYKU/s320/P1000407.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>It is a single-wide trailer, with 2 bedrooms, a full kitchen, 2 baths, a living room and laundry room. As you can see, we were roughing it!<br />
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We met up with our friends, Bob and Carol, from here in Utah, and headed out for our first hike. It was a 12 miler to Cracker Lake. We had wanted to go to Iceberg Lake but it was closed due to bear sightings. We weren't on our trail for more than a few minutes when we encountered a bear. It all happened so fast that no one got a photo, but it seemed as shocked to see us as we were to see it and it left quickly. We were on a Ranger led hike so I think we felt more safe than if we'd been on our own. We got a little farther up the trail and found this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9PySAn_II/AAAAAAAAA2o/dndE2_rUn1Q/s1600/P1000336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9PySAn_II/AAAAAAAAA2o/dndE2_rUn1Q/s320/P1000336.JPG" /></a></div>It was 3 horses that had gotten away from their riders. We took them up the trail with us and caught up with the riders who had been bucked off when the horses were spooked. A couple miles into it I tripped on a tree root and hurt my knee, left arm and shoulder. It hurt really bad but there was no way I was going to stop and turn back. As we approached Cracker Lake we saw this up a ways:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9Q0Xj90oI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/xAzvIJVVK3c/s1600/DSCN0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9Q0Xj90oI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/xAzvIJVVK3c/s320/DSCN0742.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This mountain goat had a pretty ugly coat. It looked like it was still shedding it's winter coat, just in time to grow a new one.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9PjxJnu4I/AAAAAAAAA2g/9HmE3pYNcbU/s1600/P1000613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9PjxJnu4I/AAAAAAAAA2g/9HmE3pYNcbU/s320/P1000613.JPG" /></a></div> Here we are at the lake: Bob, Carol, Karin, Sam, Chelsea, Harley, Mike and me. It was so beautiful there and the photo doesn't do it justice. On the way back we saw this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9PWlw_fUI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/xJORvMt49Fg/s1600/P1000616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9PWlw_fUI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/xJORvMt49Fg/s320/P1000616.JPG" /></a></div> A momma moose. It was so beautiful and so big. We all took off though when it started coming towards us!<br />
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With about 2 miles left on the trail, we ran into pouring down rain. We did have some rain gear but it was terrible, especially because that part of the trail was used by horses as well. So it was not only muddy, but had lots of horse poop as well. In the end Harley gave up trying to avoid the mess and just walked down the middle of the path. It didn't matter anyway because there was no way to totally avoid it and it was probably safer just to give in.<br />
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On Tuesday it was cloudy and cold. We went up to Logan Pass on the bus and pretty much decided to bag our hike to Avalanche Lake. It was so cold and windy up there that we decided to catch the first bus that showed up, regardless of where it was going. It turned out to be one going to Avalanche Lake so we hopped on, thinking we'd catch another bus from there. When we got off there it was much nicer that at Logan Pass so we decided to go on our hike after all. What a good decision because the hike was nice, about 4 miles round trip and the lake was nice. We didn't have any rain at all that day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9QGLA3p8I/AAAAAAAAA2w/BcUW7wLoeUc/s1600/P1000665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9QGLA3p8I/AAAAAAAAA2w/BcUW7wLoeUc/s320/P1000665.JPG" /></a></div>Here we all are at Avalanche Lake: Mike, me, Carol, Bob, Chelsea, Sam, Harley and Karin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9Qx201BaI/AAAAAAAAA3I/8xhSP9bg0bc/s1600/P1000655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9Qx201BaI/AAAAAAAAA3I/8xhSP9bg0bc/s320/P1000655.JPG" /></a></div> Chelsea in one of her 'sploring photos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9Q2u9xRmI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/8m3dUbcJe4M/s1600/DSCN0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9Q2u9xRmI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/8m3dUbcJe4M/s320/DSCN0799.JPG" /></a></div>Chelsea and Sam just chillin'.<br />
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On Wednesday Bob and Carol headed to Canada and the rest of us went on a whitewater rafting trip. Here we are after we were done:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9RSq4qHKI/AAAAAAAAA3o/i4A3P6kp-LI/s1600/R1-+1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9RSq4qHKI/AAAAAAAAA3o/i4A3P6kp-LI/s320/R1-+1A.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sam, Chelsea, Mike, Karin, Harley and me. It was a pretty mild ride because it was late in the season, but we all had a great time. On the way back we stopped near some snow and got this picture of the girls:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9QjyIdOrI/AAAAAAAAA3A/uRzDXITN2DU/s1600/P1000387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9QjyIdOrI/AAAAAAAAA3A/uRzDXITN2DU/s320/P1000387.JPG" /></a></div>Yes, they are a little strange! Sam, Chelsea and Harley<br />
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On Thursday we decided to go on a hike near Two Medicine Lake. It ended up being a boring, very short hike, so we went down to the lake and took a boat ride, then ate lunch and headed out to hike to St. Mary and Virgina Falls. It was about 3 miles round trip and was so beautiful.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9ROJZoBjI/AAAAAAAAA3g/fhcuNNI6Kfs/s1600/P1000746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TF9ROJZoBjI/AAAAAAAAA3g/fhcuNNI6Kfs/s320/P1000746.JPG" /></a></div><br />
On Thursday all of us went into "town" and got double scoops of ice cream as a reward for all of our hard work this past week. It was well deserved!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-44083342567056576732010-07-29T12:54:00.000-06:002010-07-29T12:54:17.942-06:00Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The house has been really quiet around here. It's been just Scruffy and me for the past several days. I've been doing chores around the house, studying for my licensing exam and working a little bit. I start full time at my job in September. I'll have every Friday off which will be really nice. I did have my Godson's, Iain and Elias, over last night and we had loads of fun. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TFHLfwFzcqI/AAAAAAAAA1w/18M8sTvEtlQ/s1600/P1000573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TFHLfwFzcqI/AAAAAAAAA1w/18M8sTvEtlQ/s320/P1000573.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Iain liked the sidewalk chalk, but said it smelled like fireworks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TFHMqpLmubI/AAAAAAAAA2I/xCK18Ghj3r8/s1600/P1000576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TFHMqpLmubI/AAAAAAAAA2I/xCK18Ghj3r8/s320/P1000576.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Elias preferred the sprinkler and kept trying to get "Grandma Mary" wet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TFHLuaXIHwI/AAAAAAAAA14/ZeVvt6jwAZk/s1600/P1000581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TFHLuaXIHwI/AAAAAAAAA14/ZeVvt6jwAZk/s320/P1000581.JPG" /></a></div><br />
They both liked the bubbles but preferred to use them as light sabers so I got out the real light sabers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TFHL6TkWOeI/AAAAAAAAA2A/e_hXFKh7QSs/s1600/P1000583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TFHL6TkWOeI/AAAAAAAAA2A/e_hXFKh7QSs/s320/P1000583.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And guess who got to play with them?? Usually it is Uncle Mike but since he's not here I was the lucky one! :) I had my arms and legs cut off and stabbed in my tummy, but I had a lot of lives, according to Elias. Later we watched a Star Wars movie and I got to play with Star Wars action figures. I had to have the bad guys, not sure why. I asked Elias if his other grandma's played Star Wars and he said they didn't know how! I had to laugh because I didn't know how either, but he was happy to tell me how!<br />
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While I was busy with that Iain found some markers that a friend had given me and decided to color the Etch-a-Sketch and the couch. Luckily they were washable markers and it all came off. I must've looked mad when I first saw it because Iain kept saying "I so sorry, I so sorry." God made little children cute for moments like this. :) <br />
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We had popcorn and bananas and yellow watermelon and then just before their parents got here they got some fruit roll ups. Needless to say Mom and Dad weren't excited when they saw that, considering it was bed time! Oh well, that's what grandma's are for!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-46474924667981210132010-07-24T10:33:00.000-06:002010-07-24T10:33:59.744-06:00Good news and bad newsWe got some good news the other day. My sister-in-law, Tammy, doesn't have brain cancer like we thought she did. The bad news is that she has MS. But at least we know that MS is treatable. Tammy's doctor seems like he will serve her well, and he has an MS specialist joining his practice next week. We all hope she gets some relief from her symptoms soon.<br />
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Mike and Harley are in SD visiting some of Mike's old AMMO buddies and their wives. I am sure they are having a great time.<br />
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Chelsea had her last day at Old Navy on Thursday. She has worked there for over a year so it was a little hard for her to leave. She has put in a transfer request to work in the Old Navy in Logan when she goes to college. It's not a bad job and she actually likes folding t-shirts. I actually liked doing that also when I worked there several years ago.<br />
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She is getting ready to head back to Montana to volunteer as a jr. counselor at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. Then next week we all head up to Montana for a week at Glacier National Park.<br />
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I am so looking forward to getting up there and doing some hiking. Not sure anyone else in the family is as excited about that!<br />
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Jake put off completing his financial aid and housing applications so long that he most likely won't be living in the dorms this fall. And he may only end up with a Pell Grant and student loans for college. I've only been bugging him for about 8 months! So now he is going to need to look for a place to live in Salt Lake. And he's putting that off as well. School starts for him on August 23rd so he needs to get busy. And, no, living here with us is not an option. At this point he is really using our house as a place to sleep and eat breakfast. Other than that we don't see him and he has chosen not to go on vacation with us. He doesn't do the very few chores he should be doing either. So it is time for him to move on and really live on his own. I've done all I can to help him become independent so he should be okay. Besides, he does have a mother, father and grandparents to help out as well.<br />
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I am going to bake some banana bread today for Chelsea to take with her on her bus ride tomorrow. We always seem to have leftover bananas so I've just been throwing them in the freezer if they get too ripe. Time to use them up!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-44280690409957192602010-07-19T11:33:00.002-06:002010-07-19T11:37:18.722-06:00Bryce Canyon<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">We went to Bryce Canyon with some friends and had a great time. We got there Friday and just set up camp and relaxed. On Saturday our friends, Bob, Carol and Jessica ran the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon. Bob won first place in his age group. While they were running we went for a short walk at the south end of the park. It was an easy 30 minute walk that gave us some nice views.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER0nFm7O8I/AAAAAAAAA0g/4cHtNgDCscE/s320/P1000152.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Here we are standing a little close to the edge~ Chelsea, Mike, me, Harley, Micah and Marcia.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER01HO1L9I/AAAAAAAAA0o/0CrNiURvMc4/s1600/P1000167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER01HO1L9I/AAAAAAAAA0o/0CrNiURvMc4/s320/P1000167.JPG" /></a></div>Harley and Chelsea enjoying the view.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER1Cz8TpOI/AAAAAAAAA0w/We_y2vkYCTU/s1600/P1000169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER1Cz8TpOI/AAAAAAAAA0w/We_y2vkYCTU/s320/P1000169.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Later we went for ice cream and decided the girls needed a little discipline so we locked them up. It's not too tough being in jail when you have good ice cream to eat!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER1QPQWYbI/AAAAAAAAA04/iCOxRQBZfrE/s1600/P1000186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER1QPQWYbI/AAAAAAAAA04/iCOxRQBZfrE/s320/P1000186.JPG" /></a></div>Later Chelsea and I went for a hike into the canyon with Bob, Carol and Jessica. Yes, the same people who ran 13.1 miles in the morning were up for a hike in the late afternoon. Mike and Harley were exhausted from the 1 mile walk so they stayed in the camp. They really missed out on some amazing scenery. It was about a 3 mile hike and was relatively easy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER1cyHp_LI/AAAAAAAAA1A/d2lLEg5LujQ/s1600/P1000295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER1cyHp_LI/AAAAAAAAA1A/d2lLEg5LujQ/s320/P1000295.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER1qJF7MDI/AAAAAAAAA1I/EtgfzTUGASQ/s1600/P1000302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER1qJF7MDI/AAAAAAAAA1I/EtgfzTUGASQ/s320/P1000302.JPG" /></a></div>Here we are, taking a short break. Carol, Bob, Chelsea, me and Jessica.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER12zgkahI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/rHv_eaqn1t8/s1600/P1000318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER12zgkahI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/rHv_eaqn1t8/s320/P1000318.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER2EwO1wlI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/xnAAJZ6LReE/s1600/P1000356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER2EwO1wlI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/xnAAJZ6LReE/s320/P1000356.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER2QRwGUnI/AAAAAAAAA1g/tIZ10FQF1gE/s1600/P1000417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER2QRwGUnI/AAAAAAAAA1g/tIZ10FQF1gE/s320/P1000417.JPG" /></a></div>The girls spent the evening enjoying the giant marshmallows and making smores.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER2b0DRtyI/AAAAAAAAA1o/VVfnqWSCPuU/s1600/P1000420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TER2b0DRtyI/AAAAAAAAA1o/VVfnqWSCPuU/s320/P1000420.JPG" /></a></div>And this is Mike's idea of a good time, sitting by the fire,drinking Crown Royal, and spending time with friends. Sadly I didn't have any red wine so I had to resort to drinking beer. I was tired so went to bed early. According to the girls I missed out on a good party! But I sure felt better than some of the other adults the next morning!<br />
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We went on the park bus tour on Sunday morning and then broke camp and headed home. About half way home I noticed Marcia's trailer brake lights weren't working anymore. Her wire bundle which hooks up the lights and brakes to her truck wasn't secured and so it dragged on the ground, which resulted in the wires becoming severed. In the end we made it home with no incidents, although we were some very tired and in Mike and Chelsea's case, smelly people. Harley and I took a shower in Marcia's trailer but Mike and Chelsea waited until we got home.<br />
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Now I am working on making plans for our trip to Glacier the first week of August. I have been there before but no one else has. We are staying at a really nice cabin at a KOA so won't be camping. I am hoping we will do a lot of hiking but Harley doesn't like to hike so we'll see. I am definitely going to Iceburg Lake which is a 4.1 mile hike (each way) but did pick out several easy, much shorter hikes to do as well. And our KOA has a pool and hot tub so there will be plenty of relaxing also.<br />
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My sister, Karin, and niece, Samantha, will be joining us and so will Bob and Carol. Karin and Sam will stay in our cabin with us and Bob and Carol will be staying in the park in their trailer. It should be a fun trip.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-25944455578372498332010-07-15T08:42:00.000-06:002010-07-15T08:42:48.086-06:00Visit from the in-laws<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TD8aUk3gWYI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/wLj1dGxr8TI/s1600/P1000076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/TD8aUk3gWYI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/wLj1dGxr8TI/s320/P1000076.JPG" /></a></div>We had a really nice visit with the in-laws this past week. This photo includes Mike, his cousin Mini, Harley, Uncle Bob and Aunt Laura. They traveled from PA and have been all over. They are headed home now. They are such good people and we all really enjoyed our visit.<br />
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Yesterday Scruffy was having a hard time walking on his left rear leg. Mike took him to the vet and they think he might have arthritis. He got a prescription for puppy ibuprofen and is doing really well today. I have to go in to get a crown this afternoon and then we are planning to head out tomorrow to go to Bryce Canyon for some camping and hiking. We are going with friends, Bob and Carol, Marcia,Micah and Jessica. It should be a blast! It will be about 10 degrees cooler there than it will be here. Temps are supposed to get up to 99 degrees over the weekend. That I could live without!<br />
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This morning I am going to take the dog for a walk then head to Kohls to use a gift card Mike got me a while back. My new job is a little more casual than my internships so I need some khaki pants and new tops to wear. I am not much for clothes shopping so it's not that exciting for me!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-20347062311685123832010-07-12T12:31:00.000-06:002010-07-12T12:31:13.667-06:00I am backMy dad asked me to start blogging again and since I am finally done with Grad school I guess I should be able to find the time. Mike's aunt, uncle and cousin are here visiting and we are having a great time. Harley is also here for the summer. This weekend we are going camping with Marcia, Jessica, Bob and Carol. We are heading to Bryce Canyon for a long weekend. Can't wait to do some hiking. I have started a new job at the Ogden Homeless Veteran's Fellowship. It's not what I initially thought I would be doing but it is a very flexible position and the pay is competitive. There are a lot of health issues going on with family and friends and so I want something that will give me an opportunity to work, get my LCSW license and still spend as much time with my family as possible. This job will allow all of that.<br />
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I am not making any promises but will try to update this blog at least once a week! See you soon!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-9639365040263336872009-12-22T07:48:00.000-07:002009-12-22T07:48:45.221-07:00Stitches out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, just as a reminder, it all started February 11, 2009 when I went running and managed to hit the only piece of black ice on the road and broke my ankle. This is a photo that Mike took in the emergency room: <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But that didn't stop me! I started running in May, ran a 5K in July and then a 10K in September:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week I finally got the hardware removed. I think the plate would make a great bracelet!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And yesterday I got my stitches out!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It really hurt much more than I thought to get the stitches out. And the bad news is the doctor was adamant that I not run for a month. I can start using a stationary bike or elliptical trainer next week. I'm not thrilled about that but I will live with it because this saga has gone on long enough and I don't want to risk another injury. I am going to run the Ogden 1/2 marathon in May so I need to take care of my little ankle!<br />
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</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-23515576913442295312009-12-20T15:02:00.000-07:002009-12-20T15:02:52.088-07:00Shopping done!I do believe I finished up all my shopping. I think the kids and Mike will be very happy with their loot! I even had time to make some gifts for my family. I can't even remember the last time I had the whole weekend to do what I wanted! Mike is off with a friend watching football and the kids are still in Colorado. Chelsea called and neither one of them made the cut but they both learned a lot. Chelsea says she is definitely going to try out again next year. I don't know about Jake yet.<br />
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I am so tired so I think I will take a short nap and then try to finish wrapping everything. Good thing we are taking the truck up to Idaho or we'd never get all the gifts and suitcases loaded! So far it looks like the weather is going to cooperate. In any case, it doesn't look like it will be anything like last year, with record snowfalls.<br />
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Well, off for my nap and then back to Christmas chores!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-56941989936293267632009-12-19T21:01:00.000-07:002009-12-19T21:01:47.773-07:00Okay, this is getting ridiculous!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2IcQNi2_I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/_BV0oHaFWMw/s1600-h/P1010951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I decided it was time to update my blog. Imagine my shock when I found out it's been almost 2 months since I last updated! I don't really suppose anyone is still checking it! But I'll update it anyway! So, lets get started! Jake finally got his drivers license and after weeks of searching we finally found this Mustang, which he fell in love with. It was reasonably priced and runs, and doesn't look too bad either! <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2ClEsFlGI/AAAAAAAAAug/iXmdqEzr-UQ/s1600-h/1111090933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2ClEsFlGI/AAAAAAAAAug/iXmdqEzr-UQ/s320/1111090933.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Mike, Chelsea, Jake and I went to see Trans Siberian Orchestra. The music and light show were amazing. Here are the kids on the train ride home: <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a few pictures from the concert. Jake say's he is going to marry the violinist!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mike and I got the chance to go down to St. George to watch the kids compete in the state marching band competition. We were all thrilled when the Roy High band won 2nd place in their division. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After their performance the band parents hosted dinner and some activities. Jake won the pie eating contest and Chelsea competed, but didn't win, the soda drinking contest.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mike traveled to Vegas for work and then came home for a couple of days before heading to South Dakota to visit with some of his best friends, Matt and Woodie and Larry and Shelia. The guys went out in the gators to check out the Black Hills.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mike turned 50 on November 22nd. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a party for him with some of our dearest friends and it was so fun to see him open his presents. His favorite was the new laptop. Since he travels so much he will get a lot of use out of it. And I might even be able to get on mine once in a while! :) <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the Fullers, Campbells, Kierpiecs and our family. We had a great time. I gave Chelsea some cooking tips and she did very well. She made the ham and the sweet potato casserole. Both were wonderful! After dinner the women and kids played Apples to Apples while the guys watched sports on TV.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> My friend, Jessica, and I ran in the Santa Fun Run after Thanksgiving. It was fun, with over 200 Santas! And we got the chance to work off some of that food!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first weekend in December Mike and I went to Las Vegas with our friends, Steve and Dave. We went to see Cher. We decided we needed to do that while she was still performing. She looked amazing for being in her 60's. Heck, I didn't look that good in my 20's!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"> I had surgery the other day to remove the hardware in my ankle which was put in in February when I broke my ankle. Here's a picture of the plate, pins and screws.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2C3nQXbxI/AAAAAAAAAvI/oDztveRvYgk/s1600-h/1217090912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2C3nQXbxI/AAAAAAAAAvI/oDztveRvYgk/s320/1217090912.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cool souvenir isn't it? <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids had their Christmas band concert the other night and they sounded amazing, as usual!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2JBFqf19I/AAAAAAAAAxo/ZReznHO3xvY/s1600-h/P1020031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2JBFqf19I/AAAAAAAAAxo/ZReznHO3xvY/s320/P1020031.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see Chelsea in the center playing the bass clarinet and right behind her is Jake playing percussion.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had my little Godson's over the other night to decorate gingerbread houses. They are so fun. They call me "grandma" and they call Mike "uncle" because he thinks that he's too young to be a grandpa even though he's 50. Anyway, it is so cute to see the little one calling "Uncle, uncle!" And Mike really loves playing with them too. Here he is playing light sabers with them,<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2J0AchMcI/AAAAAAAAAyI/51oX-X1N6-M/s1600-h/P1020051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2J0AchMcI/AAAAAAAAAyI/51oX-X1N6-M/s320/P1020051.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the background you can see the fort we built which is perfect for flashlights and picture books!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here they are decorating their houses:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2JNqal-nI/AAAAAAAAAxw/yQwTehlDIk4/s1600-h/P1020044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2JNqal-nI/AAAAAAAAAxw/yQwTehlDIk4/s320/P1020044.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2JZzPPrQI/AAAAAAAAAx4/p9k7MXSp9y4/s1600-h/P1020045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2JZzPPrQI/AAAAAAAAAx4/p9k7MXSp9y4/s320/P1020045.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think the little one ate more candy than he actually put on his house!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And don't tell their parents but we also made a surprise Christmas present for them. It probably won't be much of a surprise since they get the same thing every year (and they might even read the blog).<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2JnxwHcQI/AAAAAAAAAyA/3eOvDuFSNYg/s1600-h/P1020050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sy2JnxwHcQI/AAAAAAAAAyA/3eOvDuFSNYg/s320/P1020050.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Last week Mike and I hosted our second annual open house and fundraiser. We had about 75 people and collected over $400 for the Salvation Army and collected 19 sets of sheets, 12 pillows and 9 blankets for the Ogden Homeless Veteran's Fellowship. I am on break from school although I still go in to my internship location on Monday's to see my clients. I think I have most of my Christmas cards out and most of the presents bought and wrapped. Chelsea and Jake are in Colorado at a camp for the Blue Knights drum corps and Mike and I are enjoying some time alone with each other. Harley will be coming late Tuesday night and we all will be heading to Idaho to spend Christmas with my parents. And once again, I will do my best to update my blog more often!<br />
</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-32887886466404030182009-10-31T20:47:00.000-06:002009-10-31T20:47:05.504-06:00October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Wow, I just realized it's been over a month since I posted. I am a horrible blogger! So I will do my best to update anyone who is interested about what our family has been doing the past month. Chelsea and Jake have been really busy with marching band. They have had several competitions. Unfortunately they haven't won any.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzrKSkUt8I/AAAAAAAAAto/i0yKNCaUDLg/s1600-h/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzrKSkUt8I/AAAAAAAAAto/i0yKNCaUDLg/s320/039.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzrXQtkf4I/AAAAAAAAAtw/pDArSW-yEJU/s1600-h/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzrXQtkf4I/AAAAAAAAAtw/pDArSW-yEJU/s320/044.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzrzIkl4eI/AAAAAAAAAuA/UM52j0jojFc/s1600-h/P1010466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzrzIkl4eI/AAAAAAAAAuA/UM52j0jojFc/s320/P1010466.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These photos were taken at the competition in Orem, UT. In the group photo Chelsea is 4th from the left and Jake is 7th from the left. In the second photo is Chelsea and the Bass drum line. She is the bass line captain.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Eline was here she went sky diving. So Mike had a beer to commemorate her jump. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzmXHNsAUI/AAAAAAAAAs4/759nvo1AkWA/s1600-h/0926091913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzmXHNsAUI/AAAAAAAAAs4/759nvo1AkWA/s320/0926091913.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzmbHV5vAI/AAAAAAAAAtA/mV2ESYfW-7Y/s1600-h/1003091351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzmbHV5vAI/AAAAAAAAAtA/mV2ESYfW-7Y/s320/1003091351.jpg" /></a>Chelsea was asked to play the bass clarinet for the recent band concert. Here she is with it: <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to my Godson's 2nd birthday party.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzmcTdm2RI/AAAAAAAAAtI/8s7vCxl8ylw/s1600-h/1012091904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzmcTdm2RI/AAAAAAAAAtI/8s7vCxl8ylw/s320/1012091904.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This is his brother (another Godson) on the left and him sitting on his dad's lap. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzmfN90JAI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/a69EI3mNYsA/s1600-h/1012091917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzmfN90JAI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/a69EI3mNYsA/s320/1012091917.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is him enjoying his cake. I think the gun was to prevent anyone else from eating his cake. :)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzsT15OQsI/AAAAAAAAAuI/umnR17Z0Hr8/s1600-h/P1010491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzsT15OQsI/AAAAAAAAAuI/umnR17Z0Hr8/s320/P1010491.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the kids playing at the band concert on Wednesday. Jake is playing second from left in the back and Chelsea is playing the small bass drum.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzuEBmeoGI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/pfY7x0Yz0OU/s1600-h/P1010515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzuEBmeoGI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/pfY7x0Yz0OU/s320/P1010515.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Chelsea playing the bass clarinet.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzrhE-aW6I/AAAAAAAAAt4/S2784gJK_j8/s1600-h/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SuzrhE-aW6I/AAAAAAAAAt4/S2784gJK_j8/s320/012.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chelsea turned 17 on the 23rd of October. She had a party with several of her friends. She just loves being a teenager!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Suzmh68H7RI/AAAAAAAAAtg/1bJIklofUMc/s1600-h/Mike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Suzmh68H7RI/AAAAAAAAAtg/1bJIklofUMc/s320/Mike.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mike went to Las Vegas for two weeks for a conference. He tells me he actually worked while he was there. This is a picture he sent to me to show me how hot he looks in a suit. But I already knew that and so I married him!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mike and I hung out a few times with our friends, Chip and Laura Fuller. We also had a get together with one of my professors from WSU. Steve and his partner Dave are good friends. We had them, Chip and Laura and my friend Marcia and her friend Mica over one Saturday night. Marcia and I went to elementary, junior high and high school together. Imagine our surprise when we met again at our high school 30 year reunion and found out we live about 10 miles from each other here in Utah! That was such a fun night. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mike went to see Alice Cooper with his friend Tim in Wendover, NV. Not a concert I'd want to see but he said it was great.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I finally went to book club which I'd missed the past couple of months because of Dad's cancer. The book we read was The Thirteenth Tale. It was a good book and it is always fun to talk about books and spend time with friends. I'm hosting next time but haven't decided what book we'll be reading.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A long time ago I used my Silhouette craft cutter to make a vinyl saying. While Mike was gone I finally got around to putting photos around it. Here's a picture:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Suzmg1BDWYI/AAAAAAAAAtY/nxBVOuJxRiE/s1600-h/1030092012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Suzmg1BDWYI/AAAAAAAAAtY/nxBVOuJxRiE/s320/1030092012.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Below it we are going to put a sofa table and add more photos. If you'd like us to display your photo send us one!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">School has been keeping me busy. Right now I have 18 credit hours and 9 credit hours is considered full time. I don't think I will take that many next semester! I also have my internship, which I love! I am doing individual and group therapy now. It is scary, but rewarding. Last week one of my clients told me she has felt much better in the last month since she started therapy with me! So cool.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I am really tired so I guess this is it for now. Happy Halloween!<br />
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</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-91948698284070498922009-09-27T14:55:00.000-06:002009-09-27T14:55:36.936-06:00It's FallFall is the start of the new TV season. I was excited to watch the season premiere of my favorite shows, Grey's Anatomy and The Big Bang Theory (TBBT). And speaking of TBBT I came home from school on Friday and Mike had cleaned the house (which he usually does, not because I don't, but because he's a little OCD so it has to be done a certain way, and only he can do it that way) and had bought me flowers, a card and the complete second season of TBBT.<br />
<br />
Last night we watched 5 episodes. That show is so funny we were both laughing out loud!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_Qyz8OYNI/AAAAAAAAAsw/KZ4sv5UWLb0/s1600-h/P1010319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
</div>Today Mike and I went for a motorcycle ride and looked at the fall colors. The trees are just starting to turn but they are so beautiful. Here are a few pictures I took. Keep in mind I was on the back of the bike so they aren't the best.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_Qyz8OYNI/AAAAAAAAAsw/KZ4sv5UWLb0/s1600-h/P1010319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_Qyz8OYNI/AAAAAAAAAsw/KZ4sv5UWLb0/s320/P1010319.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_P-_9lz7I/AAAAAAAAAsY/vuldQ1n8hGo/s1600-h/P1010306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_P-_9lz7I/AAAAAAAAAsY/vuldQ1n8hGo/s320/P1010306.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_QPiZmNpI/AAAAAAAAAsg/1uLJKqOITuQ/s1600-h/P1010307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_QPiZmNpI/AAAAAAAAAsg/1uLJKqOITuQ/s320/P1010307.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_QjAfALYI/AAAAAAAAAso/qXzCTg9NG_0/s1600-h/P1010309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sr_QjAfALYI/AAAAAAAAAso/qXzCTg9NG_0/s320/P1010309.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-1775208630726753632009-09-19T22:07:00.000-06:002009-09-19T22:07:01.836-06:00Homecoming Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWjpW67NhI/AAAAAAAAArg/rXpfh5fUUJU/s1600-h/P1010179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWm7wpBAYI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/4IVfYII6QqI/s1600-h/P1010246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
</div>The night has finally come. Homecoming Night. This is Jake and his date, Savannah.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWjpW67NhI/AAAAAAAAArg/rXpfh5fUUJU/s1600-h/P1010179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWjpW67NhI/AAAAAAAAArg/rXpfh5fUUJU/s320/P1010179.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This is Chelsea and her date, Isaac.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWkSOh1WYI/AAAAAAAAAro/MKt0HOg4oCc/s1600-h/P1010221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWkSOh1WYI/AAAAAAAAAro/MKt0HOg4oCc/s320/P1010221.JPG" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a photo of all the girls, with Mike's bike as a prop:<br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWlm2-BaoI/AAAAAAAAAr4/NvwHD8uzbqQ/s1600-h/P1010236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWlm2-BaoI/AAAAAAAAAr4/NvwHD8uzbqQ/s320/P1010236.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Most of the girls went for comfort rather than style for their shoes. We actually bought Chelsea some really dressy heels but she never wore them. <br />
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</div><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWmG-eS9dI/AAAAAAAAAsA/iKXiZ6NCUAw/s1600-h/P1010237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWmG-eS9dI/AAAAAAAAAsA/iKXiZ6NCUAw/s320/P1010237.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are the men in black. Cute that they are matching, isn't it! <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWmgtvTxlI/AAAAAAAAAsI/RDf6l3LPmFk/s1600-h/P1010240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWmgtvTxlI/AAAAAAAAAsI/RDf6l3LPmFk/s320/P1010240.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The boys wanted to show their shoes, too!<br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWm7wpBAYI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/4IVfYII6QqI/s1600-h/P1010246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrWm7wpBAYI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/4IVfYII6QqI/s320/P1010246.JPG" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids decided to have dinner at our house rather than go to a restaurant. Unfortunately they decided to have spaghetti. I didn't know that until they showed up with the sauce. Sadly Chelsea got some on her dress. I tried getting it out but there is a spot on the front of her dress. I am hoping the dry cleaner can get it out, but in any case she's worn it 3 times which is more than most can say.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This has been such a special week for Chelsea and I am so glad she got to experience it. It was so worth all the work!<br />
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</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-7280263300217434852009-09-19T09:13:00.020-06:002009-09-19T21:35:50.392-06:00HomecomingA few weeks ago Chelsea came home, sat down and said, in a frustrated voice, "I got nominated for Homecoming Queen." I asked her what was wrong with that and she said she didn't want to do it. After some discussion I told her she could go to the administration and tell them she wasn't interested or she could think about all the girls in the school who would kill to be in her place. She finally decided to go ahead and participate.<br />
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The first thing on the agenda was to find a dress. Normally Homecoming is less formal than Prom and most girls wear a knee length dress, but the candidates need to have a long dress. We went to Chelsea's favorite dress shop, Just For Girls. The manager there was very helpful especially when she found out Chelsea was, in her words, "royalty". It was so funny because several people asked why Chelsea was trying on floor length dresses and the lady kept saying "Well, she's royalty and royalty has to have a long dress." She was so serious about it too, so Chelsea and I had a few laughs about it. The first dress she tried was this one:<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT3QNSfVgI/AAAAAAAAApo/9GMdHNE0_TY/s1600-h/0905091148.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383199312431764994" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT3QNSfVgI/AAAAAAAAApo/9GMdHNE0_TY/s320/0905091148.jpg" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a>We thought it was fun, less formal than normal and fit Chelsea's personality. But of course she had to try on 5 or 6 more dresses. Then we found this one:<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT4qV8jVMI/AAAAAAAAApw/5bChyuLlcIY/s1600-h/0905091155.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383200860943897794" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT4qV8jVMI/AAAAAAAAApw/5bChyuLlcIY/s320/0905091155.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
After consulting with her cousin and a friend we decided this was the dress. You can't really tell in this picture but the material has a shimmer to it. Not sure if that is the best way to describe it but there it is.<br />
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The first activity was the Homecoming Assembly. It was so fun to see all the kids and how excited they were. Chelsea and Mike looked great.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT5xWa29sI/AAAAAAAAAp4/ZFTodTmsRbs/s1600-h/P1000991.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383202080841725634" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT5xWa29sI/AAAAAAAAAp4/ZFTodTmsRbs/s320/P1000991.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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My dad said that Chelsea looks so good in this picture she even made Mike look good! :) I think they both look wonderful! Here are a few more<br />
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assembly pictures. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT7Y6rJNpI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Li80hsW5uzI/s1600-h/P1010006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383203860100232850" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT7Y6rJNpI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Li80hsW5uzI/s320/P1010006.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT7LvyNx5I/AAAAAAAAAqA/sR1nfdFYdZE/s1600-h/P1000997.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383203633838802834" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT7LvyNx5I/AAAAAAAAAqA/sR1nfdFYdZE/s320/P1000997.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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When they called each girls<br />
name the crowd cheered, but when they called Chelsea's name the crowd went wild. Mike said afterward "If they picked the winner by the audience reaction Chelsea would have won, hands down."<br />
These are all of the candidates after the assembly. They are all so pretty!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT9lEH-yzI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/RPS_h7rSzJo/s1600-h/P1010017.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383206267818789682" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT9lEH-yzI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/RPS_h7rSzJo/s320/P1010017.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Next was the Homecoming Parade. Jake marched with the band:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT-wbcH7zI/AAAAAAAAAqY/WR2U9zJcrW0/s1600-h/P1010021-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383207562567479090" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT-wbcH7zI/AAAAAAAAAqY/WR2U9zJcrW0/s320/P1010021-1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
Chelsea rode in a car with some of the other candidates:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT_oCmzL-I/AAAAAAAAAqg/fK8Lp4oXBqw/s1600-h/P1010023-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383208517974044642" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrT_oCmzL-I/AAAAAAAAAqg/fK8Lp4oXBqw/s320/P1010023-1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Of course, part of the excitement was when Isaac asked Chelsea to the dance. In Utah you can't just ask a girl to the dance, you have to come up with some creative way to do it. Isaac came over while Chelsea was gone and put a bunch of Coke cans on her bed and a sign said "You would have to be on Coke to say no to going to the homecoming game with me."<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUDiAeN-kI/AAAAAAAAAqo/Gdo27roIHeE/s1600-h/Homecoming.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383212812368476738" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUDiAeN-kI/AAAAAAAAAqo/Gdo27roIHeE/s320/Homecoming.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 256px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
And then came the game. This is Chelsea heading down to the field before half time.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUGTib6-QI/AAAAAAAAAqw/8sCIr6R7DHg/s1600-h/P1010041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383215862322493698" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUGTib6-QI/AAAAAAAAAqw/8sCIr6R7DHg/s320/P1010041.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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Here she is with Mike when they announced the candidates:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUG7HuiDnI/AAAAAAAAAq4/VdWcpzBjLho/s1600-h/P1010063.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383216542347562610" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUG7HuiDnI/AAAAAAAAAq4/VdWcpzBjLho/s320/P1010063.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
The crowd went wild when they announced Chelsea as the winner. I must say that I was excited too.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUH0bM8kKI/AAAAAAAAArA/Aws7B2AUGqs/s1600-h/P1010066.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383217526827946146" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUH0bM8kKI/AAAAAAAAArA/Aws7B2AUGqs/s320/P1010066.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
Here she is greeting the crowd:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUIP4kTt_I/AAAAAAAAArI/0iPV5ih0dNk/s1600-h/P1010080.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383217998567028722" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUIP4kTt_I/AAAAAAAAArI/0iPV5ih0dNk/s320/P1010080.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
Here is Chelsea with her proud parents:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUIwwbDjCI/AAAAAAAAArQ/rx4H4N0II4Y/s1600-h/P1010070.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383218563316419618" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUIwwbDjCI/AAAAAAAAArQ/rx4H4N0II4Y/s320/P1010070.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
Here is the Queen!<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUI-rfK7tI/AAAAAAAAArY/xLWF9qaj4sw/s1600-h/0918092037.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383218802509672146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SrUI-rfK7tI/AAAAAAAAArY/xLWF9qaj4sw/s320/0918092037.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-13853898656672496572009-09-07T19:12:00.006-06:002009-09-07T19:24:37.260-06:00Labor Day WeekendMike had mentioned going hiking yesterday so this morning I got up, showered, got dressed and woke him up to go. He didn't want to go so early (7:30) even though we had gone to bed at 9:30 last night. I think someone is getting old! :) Anyway I decided to go on my own. I got chastised by my brother and sister for this but I went hiking to Waterfall Canyon which is a very popular hike so I was never really alone for very long. In the end I was sort of glad that I went alone because I am in pretty good shape and could go as fast as I wanted. Mike's idea of exercise is walking behind a self-propelled lawn mower so I don't think he'd have wanted to keep up with the pace I set for myself. Here's a photo of the waterfall:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWwZdLNlxI/AAAAAAAAAo8/z9iWc_X2-mo/s1600-h/0907090951.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWwZdLNlxI/AAAAAAAAAo8/z9iWc_X2-mo/s320/0907090951.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378899281338799890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After the hike I met up with the kids. They were long-boarding at Weber State University. Chelsea got one a few weeks ago and then Jake got one. Now several of their friends have them. Here is Chelsea:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWxAUN15ZI/AAAAAAAAApE/WZDYsaItGoE/s1600-h/0907091146a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWxAUN15ZI/AAAAAAAAApE/WZDYsaItGoE/s320/0907091146a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378899948948809106" border="0" /></a><br />Here is Jake:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWxKnXJasI/AAAAAAAAApM/FDOgF5vDcbk/s1600-h/0907091146.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWxKnXJasI/AAAAAAAAApM/FDOgF5vDcbk/s320/0907091146.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378900125886802626" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a couple of photos of the long-boarding crew:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWxZ2UkbAI/AAAAAAAAApU/otD7ZH2Mc4U/s1600-h/0907091149.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWxZ2UkbAI/AAAAAAAAApU/otD7ZH2Mc4U/s320/0907091149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378900387600559106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWyKkbFnKI/AAAAAAAAApc/6VJFkGGbjGE/s1600-h/0907091150a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqWyKkbFnKI/AAAAAAAAApc/6VJFkGGbjGE/s320/0907091150a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378901224609651874" border="0" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-55347341074806339482009-09-03T20:52:00.003-06:002009-09-03T21:01:27.086-06:00A short postAs you know school has started, for me and the kids. So it has been crazy around here. I started my internship at Weber Human Services and I am really enjoying it. The agency works with mostly Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill. All are on Medicaid. After working in a private practice last year it has been quite a change. I am also in graduate school but am relieve to find that it appears to be easier than undergraduate school. That's good because on top of my internship I am taking 18 credit hours.<br /><br />Mike went to Indonesia and Malaysia for 3 weeks. I'm not a big fan of him being gone that long. He will be going to Las Vegas in October and I think that is all for the rest of this year. After the first of the year he will be traveling again. I'm not sure where but he loves to travel so I know he'll have a good time. Wish I could go with him!<br /><br />Jake has settled in nicely here and is doing well. He had an accident with his long board but is healing. He is excited about his physics class and likes his beginning guitar class. He is preparing to try out for the Blue Knights, which is a professional drum corp.<br /><br />Chelsea also wants to try out for the Blue Knights. I hope they both make it. Chelsea is enjoying school also. She has quite a few music related classes so that makes her happy. She was nominated for Homecoming Queen and had her picture taken today for that. So, here she is:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqCCpnkORNI/AAAAAAAAAo0/c_SNwVpZep8/s1600-h/P1000933-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SqCCpnkORNI/AAAAAAAAAo0/c_SNwVpZep8/s320/P1000933-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377441606587532498" border="0" /></a>Gorgeous, isn't she! The game is on September 18th. She isn't too happy that she won't be able to play in the marching band at half time but she'll have other opportunities for that. Not many girls can say they were nominated to be the Queen!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-39555446940567352972009-08-01T21:24:00.009-06:002009-08-01T22:25:24.181-06:00Roy Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUJZFDimfI/AAAAAAAAAnU/PXqBxKL9Bb4/s1600-h/P1000443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUJZFDimfI/AAAAAAAAAnU/PXqBxKL9Bb4/s320/P1000443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365204857540221426" border="0" /></a><br />It was a long day today at Roy Days. We started out at the parade. I think one of<br />the best things about the parade is to watch the little kids pick up the candy. We were next to two little girls who were so cute.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUTi2NdatI/AAAAAAAAAn8/LJrkDRwtjA0/s1600-h/P1000444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUTi2NdatI/AAAAAAAAAn8/LJrkDRwtjA0/s320/P1000444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365216020470262482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is Eline with her friend Rachael enjoying the parade.<br /><br /><br />But of course the highlight of the parade was the Roy High Marching Band, AKA "The Pride of Roy".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUQz-6FU-I/AAAAAAAAAnc/KZWlZNJNJ_g/s1600-h/P1000446.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUQz-6FU-I/AAAAAAAAAnc/KZWlZNJNJ_g/s320/P1000446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365213016327803874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is Chelsea:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnURXIuH-AI/AAAAAAAAAnk/hM4vvZMy-p8/s1600-h/P1000448.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnURXIuH-AI/AAAAAAAAAnk/hM4vvZMy-p8/s320/P1000448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365213620257421314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is Jake: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUR3VOCSvI/AAAAAAAAAns/w-9H8NBPCRM/s1600-h/P1000449.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUR3VOCSvI/AAAAAAAAAns/w-9H8NBPCRM/s320/P1000449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365214173368306418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here they both are together. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUS0gLTevI/AAAAAAAAAn0/yIGZaXE7CwM/s1600-h/P1000453.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUS0gLTevI/AAAAAAAAAn0/yIGZaXE7CwM/s320/P1000453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365215224281660146" border="0" /></a> Good thing they are both on the drumline.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And this is what band kids do after a long, hot day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUUct3mKmI/AAAAAAAAAoE/WVn-7ppOBAg/s1600-h/P1000462.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnUUct3mKmI/AAAAAAAAAoE/WVn-7ppOBAg/s320/P1000462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365217014663490146" border="0" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-82011246877158491312009-07-31T17:35:00.006-06:002009-07-31T18:01:42.083-06:00Our family is growing!Of course you know that Mike and I each have one daughter, Harli (on the right), Chelsea (in the middle) and we have Eline (on the left) who is our Dutch daughter (she was our foreign exchange student for the 2007/08 school year). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnOAG27HJhI/AAAAAAAAAm0/wDnMoUx-8kM/s1600-h/Wedding1+023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnOAG27HJhI/AAAAAAAAAm0/wDnMoUx-8kM/s320/Wedding1+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364772436439410194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now we have a new addition to our family. Please welcome Jacob to the clan. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnOBhEOrF6I/AAAAAAAAAm8/DgsfXo2yerA/s1600-h/P1000434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnOBhEOrF6I/AAAAAAAAAm8/DgsfXo2yerA/s320/P1000434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364773986199345058" border="0" /></a> Jake is 17 and a senior at Roy High. He is an "A" student who loves math and physics. He's been on his own for about a year. He is going to live with us for his senior year. He's a good kid who has had some tough times. Mike and I have decided that we have been very blessed and now we'll be blessed again by having Jake join our family. I know it won't all be a spring picnic, but we do know how it is to have a new teenager in the house, since we went through that with Eline. And it worked out so well that she is back visiting us for 5 weeks.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnODve_WlhI/AAAAAAAAAnE/oPqzTSns89w/s1600-h/P1000438.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnODve_WlhI/AAAAAAAAAnE/oPqzTSns89w/s320/P1000438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364776432924268050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is Eline and Jake playing "Chicken" in the pool the other day.<br /><br /><br /><br />Chelsea, Eline, Jake and I are heading down to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on Sunday. We will spend very little time there however because we are going to Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park as well.<br /><br /><br /><br />We all really wish this amazing man could join us.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnOEjXToj5I/AAAAAAAAAnM/1UajKOVHBXk/s1600-h/P1000361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnOEjXToj5I/AAAAAAAAAnM/1UajKOVHBXk/s320/P1000361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364777324215046034" border="0" /></a> But sadly he is out of the country, visiting Malaysia and Indonesia with his new job dealing with Foreign Military Sales. We'll miss him but he and I will certainly visit the Grand Canyon on our own sometime and get to spend more time, and hopefully get to go down into the canyon.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-58549708008642487032009-07-29T20:40:00.008-06:002009-07-29T20:50:42.216-06:00GardenMike was in Europe when we really needed to rototill for a garden so we never got it done. That didn't stop us though. We bought some planters and started planting. So far we have jalapeno peppers, sweet green peppers, red peppers, yellow tomatoes and eggplants. We also have rosemary, basil and parsley. Here are some photos: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEI3FqjroI/AAAAAAAAAmE/QuhFO5e4nuM/s1600-h/0729091002a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEI3FqjroI/AAAAAAAAAmE/QuhFO5e4nuM/s320/0729091002a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364078373681475202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEJIGXvEhI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ZSJ2LPmFUAk/s1600-h/0729091002b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEJIGXvEhI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ZSJ2LPmFUAk/s320/0729091002b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364078665928741394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />They look yummy don't they. They'll be so good once they ripen completely and we pick them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEKbTGuwoI/AAAAAAAAAms/KnAqvsu8rM0/s1600-h/0729091003a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEKbTGuwoI/AAAAAAAAAms/KnAqvsu8rM0/s320/0729091003a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364080095276221058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEJTu64fWI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Kf15snkLhdo/s1600-h/0729091002c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEJTu64fWI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Kf15snkLhdo/s320/0729091002c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364078865792138594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEJe99sQAI/AAAAAAAAAmc/HNGluwCbFJ0/s1600-h/0729091003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SnEJe99sQAI/AAAAAAAAAmc/HNGluwCbFJ0/s320/0729091003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364079058809012226" border="0" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-23989016922232458962009-07-22T18:41:00.007-06:002009-07-22T19:38:38.525-06:00Yes, we are still alive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Smeyq8Qbn6I/AAAAAAAAAlk/ND41nXcacnw/s1600-h/P1000166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Smeyq8Qbn6I/AAAAAAAAAlk/ND41nXcacnw/s320/P1000166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361450332207161250" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry it's been so long since an update but here goes:<br /><br />Chelsea and I went to Utah State University last month. We are both happy with the campus, the music programs, and the cost. The best part is that it's 50 miles away so Chelsea will get to have a traditional college experience, but it's close enough so she can come home on weekends if she wants. Looks like she'll be an Aggie next year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sme7KBK2c6I/AAAAAAAAAls/cSD8vwpdprM/s1600-h/P1000204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sme7KBK2c6I/AAAAAAAAAls/cSD8vwpdprM/s320/P1000204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361459662194897826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We took Iain and Elias to the zoo and had a great time. They are my Godson's but I consider them my grandsons, since I (hopefully) won't have grandchildren of my own for many years. Elias love the map of the zoo and carried it everywhere.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sme723u0IsI/AAAAAAAAAl0/q-tbF3-cpwQ/s1600-h/P1000222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sme723u0IsI/AAAAAAAAAl0/q-tbF3-cpwQ/s320/P1000222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361460432755499714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here I am with the two cutest little boys in the world.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mike and I went to the Pat Benetar concert in Wendover last week. It was a good concert and brought back some great memories.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sme8vM0XTRI/AAAAAAAAAl8/6Khuq-hGE1g/s1600-h/P1000355.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/Sme8vM0XTRI/AAAAAAAAAl8/6Khuq-hGE1g/s320/P1000355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361461400488594706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We celebrated our first anniversary on June 28th. We tasted the top of our wedding (cheese)cake but it was terrible! At least our marriage is good! :)<br /><br />I've been home a couple of times because my dad has lung cancer. He needs to have surgery to remove the lesion and hopefully that will be all. Looks like he won't need chemo or radiation. He meets with the surgeon the first week in August. I was home this past weekend because my brother, Bruce, and my sister-in-law, Tammy celebrated their 25th Anniversary. It was a really nice party and I got to catch up with people I haven't seen in a long time.<br /><br />I started graduate school last week. I took two "bridge" courses which make up for not having to take the first year of the master's program at University of Utah. I will start fall classes the end of August.<br /><br />Mike heads off to Malaysia and Indonesia next week. He is looking forward to seeing new countries.<br /><br />Eline came on Monday. I can't believe it's been a year since she went back home to the Netherlands. She isn't here with the exchange student program so now gets to go jet skiing, 4 wheeling and other things she wasn't allowed to do last year. She's here for 6 weeks and it feels almost like she never left. We love her so much. Having an exchange student was a great decision!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-12240333132404248752009-06-23T11:16:00.012-06:002009-06-23T12:24:09.753-06:00Back from PA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEUhiU4sUI/AAAAAAAAAjo/wtQwI9Hgniw/s1600-h/P1000009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEUhiU4sUI/AAAAAAAAAjo/wtQwI9Hgniw/s320/P1000009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350580398675505474" border="0" /></a><br />We had a wonderful time in Pennsylvania! It is so beautiful and green there with trees everywhere. We got in to the Pittsburgh airport around 11:00 and drove to Mike's aunt and uncle's house. His Mapquest directions took us through some very rural areas and we eventually resorted to using the navigator on my phone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEWx6gpQOI/AAAAAAAAAj4/UavPu5AWkJI/s1600-h/P1000012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEWx6gpQOI/AAAAAAAAAj4/UavPu5AWkJI/s320/P1000012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350582879068438754" border="0" /></a>On Friday we headed to Altoona, PA to see some friends of Mike's (and now friends to Chelsea and me as well). We went to have hot wings at Al's tavern. Yummy. We had so much fun with Joe and Terri and their daughter Brianna.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEXTSKgs4I/AAAAAAAAAkA/r4XLi6q1JQ4/s1600-h/P1000023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEXTSKgs4I/AAAAAAAAAkA/r4XLi6q1JQ4/s320/P1000023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350583452353737602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEX0Y7Jw-I/AAAAAAAAAkI/jgcufiG-8rA/s1600-h/P1000034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEX0Y7Jw-I/AAAAAAAAAkI/jgcufiG-8rA/s320/P1000034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350584021104051170" border="0" /></a>On Saturday we headed back to Indiana (the town, not the state!) and went to Pete and Dianne's 50th Anniversary. Mike had fun seeing his cousins, aunts and uncles and other relatives. They were all really nice but Chelsea and I didn't know anyone so it was a little boring for us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEZb8-ZGZI/AAAAAAAAAkY/j5idDl3n3eI/s1600-h/P1000048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEZb8-ZGZI/AAAAAAAAAkY/j5idDl3n3eI/s320/P1000048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350585800307841426" border="0" /></a>We all took a nap later on Saturday and then just hung out with Uncle Bob and Aunt Laura. They are a lot of fun and just great people. Aunt Laura introduced Chelsea and me to Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry floats. Sounds bad, but it was actually pretty good.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On Sunday we headed to Pittsburgh and saw some sights. First we had lunch at Jerome Pettis' Grill. I didn't know who that was but Mike informed me it was some famous Pittsburgh sports person. The food was good and actually reasonably priced.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEaq2qcMwI/AAAAAAAAAkg/05Ix1ML4FD4/s1600-h/P1000072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SkEaq2qcMwI/AAAAAAAAAkg/05Ix1ML4FD4/s320/P1000072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350587155823211266" border="0" /></a>We headed over to Heinz Field where the Steelers play.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Then we walked along the river to the Carnegie Science Center. We saw lots of cool science things as well as a submarine they had on exhibit. That was fun but it was really geared towards kids below the age of 12.<br /><br />We headed towards the airport but stopped at the IKEA furniture store to pick up some shelf brackets for Chelsea's room. We had purchased some about a month ago at the store in Draper, UT but needed two more. This saved us a drive down to Draper for just this.<br /><br />We had plenty of time at the airport so Chelsea decided to look for a pin. She started collecting pins when we went to Europe in 2000. It's an easy and inexpensive way to remember where she's been. She also decided she was going to be a Steeler's fan. She said it was a good Father's Day gift for Mike. :) Of course that meant that she needed to get a Steelers T-shirt. After buying her and Mike more junk we waited for the plane. We had an uneventful trip home and got to our house around midnight. Both Mike and Chelsea had to get up early. Luckily I didn't have to get up for any particular reason.<br /><br />When I did laundry yesterday I didn't realize that my <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=230&ra=true">Garmin Forerunner</a> was in the pile of clothes so it got washed too. Lucky for me I'd seen my friend <a href="http://justlookingforananswer.blogspot.com/2009/06/210-205-305-happy-camper.html">Carol's</a> blog while the laundry was washing and found out that Costco had the Garmin 301's on sale. So I ordered one and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. In the meantime I ran today. After about 3 weeks of running sporadically and at low altitudes it was painfully obvious to me that I may very well come in last at the 5K I'm running with my friend<a href="http://thefullerfamblog.blogspot.com/"> Laura</a> on July 4th. No matter, at least I'll be running!Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-72580291994132958362009-06-17T17:54:00.000-06:002009-06-17T17:55:31.028-06:00Indiana, PennsylvaniaNo, we aren't going to Indiana, the state. We are going to Indiana, PA. It is a small town in Pennsylvania. Thanks for all the prayers. MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-86283268670443319362009-06-17T10:44:00.004-06:002009-06-17T10:57:47.996-06:00Finally, an updateAs some of you may know I have been rather busy lately and have been unable or unwilling to update my blog. But here goes:<br /><br />About 3 weeks ago my nieces, Amanda and Jennifer came to visit. We had a great time going to Salt Lake City and hanging around in Ogden.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SjkeFzxlz3I/AAAAAAAAAjg/g_OjwTxFhaY/s1600-h/0527091943.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SjkeFzxlz3I/AAAAAAAAAjg/g_OjwTxFhaY/s320/0527091943.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348339117625560946" border="0" /></a> This picture was taken at Rainbow Gardens which is a fun gift shop with a decent restaurant. <br /><br />Not long after they left my mom called and said my dad was in the hospital with stomach problems and not to worry. Later that evening my sister called and told me the doctors thought Dad had cancer. So I decided I'd better head home to N. Idaho to get the real scoop and be there for my parents. We got the results on the 10th. Definitely lung cancer and most likely stomach cancer. After visiting several doctors we still are unsure about the stomach cancer because the biopsy showed only normal cells but the surgeon feels certain it is cancer based on the results of the CT scan. To be sure, Dad is having a PET scan later this week. That will also tell us if the cancer has spread to other areas.<br /><br />The doctors say this cancer cannot be cured but can be treated. Dad will start chemotherapy after all the test results are back. In the meantime he has planed a boat trip on the Snake River with his sons, sons-in-law, brother and grandson for the end of this month.<br /><br />I came home yesterday. I was so happy to see Chelsea, Mike and Scruffy. But my homecoming is short lived because we are leaving tomorrow to go to Indiana, PA for his aunt and uncle's 50th anniversary. We scheduled this before we found out about Dad so we are still going. It should be fun and I've never met any of Mike's relatives, besides Harli (she recently changed the spelling of her name, cute, huh?).<br /><br />I will, however, be very glad to be home, hopefully for a while. Chelsea and I will be going back to Idaho for my younger brother's 25th anniversary in July and then I will be going back in August for my high school 30 year reunion. And in between all of that I start graduate school. Whew! I thought the summer was supposed to be relaxing. One highlight, though, will be on July 20th, when Eline comes from the Netherlands to visit for 5 weeks. We all miss that girl and really look forward to seeing her again.<br /><br />Well that's all for now. I'm off to run errands so we'll be ready for our trip tomorrow.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606396268244379802.post-60559121110074969802009-06-01T10:00:00.011-06:002009-06-01T10:43:29.778-06:00It's about time...I updated my blog! I did get the not so subtle hints that I needed to update my blog. We've been busy people around here. Chelsea was busy finishing school. She lettered in band and also got a couple of awards for band and marching band. Here she is with her certificates:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP8JyAveDI/AAAAAAAAAig/_dusrxawyQA/s1600-h/0521091027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP8JyAveDI/AAAAAAAAAig/_dusrxawyQA/s320/0521091027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342390827965446194" border="0" /></a><br />Mike and I went to Panguitch and camped with some friends. We went to Bryce Canyon, where we saw some amazing scenery.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP9OKPdPOI/AAAAAAAAAio/TzcXsqlAYxk/s1600-h/2008_0523Bryce0039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP9OKPdPOI/AAAAAAAAAio/TzcXsqlAYxk/s320/2008_0523Bryce0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342392002700721378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP98A52J_I/AAAAAAAAAi4/x7Sg6yZeoJ8/s1600-h/2008_0523Bryce0040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP98A52J_I/AAAAAAAAAi4/x7Sg6yZeoJ8/s320/2008_0523Bryce0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342392790468143090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My nieces, Amanda and Jennifer, came to visit and we had lots of fun together. They are both in college, with Amanda finishing her teaching degree this fall and Jennifer just starting on her Social Work degree. What a smart girl! :) Well, actually both of them are. I am so proud of them. I am hoping they can come again soon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP-9jWuCnI/AAAAAAAAAjA/GNG_pHGseHQ/s1600-h/0527091943.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP-9jWuCnI/AAAAAAAAAjA/GNG_pHGseHQ/s320/0527091943.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342393916407548530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jennifer is on the left and Amanda is on the right. This was taken at Rainbow Gardens. We went to the Greenery for dinner and they had these cute benches outside.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am running again. What an amazing experience to be able to run after all my ankle has been through the past 3 1/2 months. Today I ran 31 out of the 44 minutes I was out exercising. I walked the rest, but at a good pace. It won't be long before I'll be running all the time! I plan on running the Cherry Day's 5K on July 4th and the Jon Francis 5K on August 22nd. Maybe a few in between as well. Jon is the youth pastor from our church who died while hiking in the Sawtooth mountains several years ago. He had an amazing effect on Chelsea and on her spiritual growth. The money raised will go towards <a href="http://www.lutherheights.org/">Luther Heights Bible Camp</a> scholarships and the <a href="http://www.jonfrancis.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1">Jon Francis Foundation</a>.<br /><br />Mike is busy with work and will start his new job next week. He will be traveling all over the world with this job and he is very excited about it. I will miss him while he is gone, but am very glad that he finally has a job that he loves. Plus he'll probably bring home cool gifts! :)<br /><br />I have totally slacked on keeping involved with my old internship location this summer. I only have 6 more weeks until I start classes for graduate school and then will get started on my new internship right after that. And I've really accomplished nothing so far except to read a lot and I actually scrapbooked one whole page! I am going through all my scrapbook stuff and getting rid of a lot that I know I won't ever use. I really can't justify buying anything new because I have nowhere to put it.<br /><br />We didn't get an opportunity to get our garden rototilled this year so we have resorted to container gardening. We have two tomato plants, two sweet pepper and two hot pepper plants, an eggplant plant and parsley, basil and rosemary. Actually this way means a lot less problems with weeds and we won't have too much produce. But I really do hope to have a "real" garden next year.<br /><br />Okay, that's all for today and I do really plan on trying a little harder to keep this updated. Have a great day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JRCXL5vw9OE/SiP98A52J_I/AAAAAAAAAi4/x7Sg6yZeoJ8/s1600-h/2008_0523Bryce0040.JPG"><br /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09661023568285787682noreply@blogger.com1