tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76387993029299579042024-02-07T09:23:10.274-07:00The Mellott Pagekellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-20032842008223955282011-06-07T22:27:00.012-06:002011-06-09T10:11:12.545-06:00Native American Character Types<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lxjCX_3Ue-s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Just posting this to make access to it easier for a presentation.</div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-78689964494560078292011-04-28T22:42:00.000-06:002011-06-07T22:57:46.967-06:00Graduation<div>Pictures can be so deceiving. You would actually think I am a BYU graduate by the looks of all the happy faces in this picture. But not so . . . </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaGS6VFBerBhgj2sUJujhP8ZLBWZDIoSFCg9daU8wbO4SEfPQvzkhJ3BOohtUQvZJcgnwa0962Ak8Zvjdt9czx5Es3ayuCuxWO5ARruTD0sHa2J5KLsei4jKyVHTE9n8GIVJnBPsZZVY/s1600/DSC08801.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaGS6VFBerBhgj2sUJujhP8ZLBWZDIoSFCg9daU8wbO4SEfPQvzkhJ3BOohtUQvZJcgnwa0962Ak8Zvjdt9czx5Es3ayuCuxWO5ARruTD0sHa2J5KLsei4jKyVHTE9n8GIVJnBPsZZVY/s400/DSC08801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615706911852345314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Nathan, Seth, Carp, Kellie, Carson with Gabby and Sammy in front.</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pOv0kdgH0uV8Gzs_eG-kj-aCamUh0iCUVXeBrzMKj4XnRtrwTb11i6qdWomqNlCRyc7l3MUYhlkVtTADLZyd2wfoMahQEnJcq4ilRo1BH3VAtltC-HEd3G_aYgoBOaMr5-o4Y9-VJxs/s1600/DSC08798.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pOv0kdgH0uV8Gzs_eG-kj-aCamUh0iCUVXeBrzMKj4XnRtrwTb11i6qdWomqNlCRyc7l3MUYhlkVtTADLZyd2wfoMahQEnJcq4ilRo1BH3VAtltC-HEd3G_aYgoBOaMr5-o4Y9-VJxs/s400/DSC08798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615706499792148130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">With my parents Mike and Dottie Sampson</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJbuQyOv7JBG_r6Mir-mfhKnWZD2Pg83Y_g0qagPFFrGs-0ppV4aD4paCo89iTJjb07uzM2baiKy41D1dkY9ecqyoex-wbWLVSKnSDtDMQTKKR5OtuB2ANYUiQ2hs02SE99Mm8-qP-4k/s1600/DSC08804.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJbuQyOv7JBG_r6Mir-mfhKnWZD2Pg83Y_g0qagPFFrGs-0ppV4aD4paCo89iTJjb07uzM2baiKy41D1dkY9ecqyoex-wbWLVSKnSDtDMQTKKR5OtuB2ANYUiQ2hs02SE99Mm8-qP-4k/s400/DSC08804.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615705890662640386" /></a>I still have one class left to take during Spring term and THEN I will be an official BYU graduate!</div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-18329278139472794632010-09-02T13:12:00.006-06:002010-09-02T13:44:59.160-06:00Sammy in Kindergarten<div align="left"> My baby started kindergarten yesterday.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512402075189584994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDH3RVZ41Oj1OvYzL6OmWIqBir16UPvHVRrbnO2yp68uHYp891wlpLgud11pSsB8pYrQFG1uLvak0FQ23khMhkjDi4HfG4TSWoribpodt-TLFxPnQssm9hXBUa8PexstY1x5VH5_z-e8/s400/DSCN0128.jpg" />It feels pretty much the same as it did last year when she went to preschool. She is gone everyday in the afternoon.<br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512397851413332674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TZR5S7Rc5yiPV0lbDYjfTRxNIBSYpy1yOkj5hiw6fgY86UO7KAFY77fhdWVq7IMtjAq49vQmcHzzqvE9AGVOtMArhyNiwxSO1RBZK1ByFlCzCJ8Uqw8NdE2SEAJMpsurVl_UFOKlV-w/s400/DSCN0132.jpg" />After her sibling started school last week she kept asking me when she would get to go to school. She was so excited to start again. Let's hope this attitude continues for a very long time.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512397301834553794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaF8VsoXr6oZtcN0SZwrAIucMikiXdJwX6SURMuxNSGd2hbr8xrmaeiTQnDJeFh0Mzpb9Rlp4Q8R2xPJsHO07JvT3ab4xMBJ9UvfygDu0LQoCIe0MSKZ1jUqK1QE9gVy1x1-IaUBI_go/s400/DSCN0133.jpg" />My baby started kindergarten yesterday. I just don't know what else to say. Sniff.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512396478871430514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlwPVIsbzFuavNM_01yyYmaWEnpgmUk3CLQ-F_naMOIyPIFRuUQSCkFc2ZGreoyMOcPVZcIj_NE9rTyoo_cgQnqWxdfthTyblOVi68M2gfwK3FFk-EKzOf9zkqdbWRIyDKlcHUyKfPmo/s400/DSCN0139.jpg" /> <p align="center">Sammy with her teacher Ms. Kluber.<br /></p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-24229029036062579902010-08-30T12:29:00.007-06:002010-08-30T17:37:30.740-06:00Dean WinchesterCarp asked me over and over what I wanted for my birthday this month. I finally came up with something comforting, fun, warm and sweet to the core.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511288298175137378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQCqGjSXD4hvG54EdZjQPoYyWvdFEEmOnsDjhP5dRidriySm-stxtZ1xcLULVbUKOuNAy3stvUepyfDR0mp2e20SmJ0JLeIpp3y3sQcPpSmttOLQGXJwh3i6HaMd0-HmhJRl7luzfQF0/s400/DSCN0089.jpg" />Meet Dean Winchester, my border collie mix that I picked up at the Animal Shelter almost a month ago. He was the runt of three puppies and I absolutely fell in love with him because he was quiet and sweet while his brothers where loud and bossy. When one of them saw me looking closely at Dean he grabbed him by the ear and pulled him away so he could sit where Dean was. I just felt so bad for him being picked on and all. So, we adopted him.<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511277248497160466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSp8RSpyBRhLy6E2oeo_Zcc-ulXa1dJlpniT2g5N6fngRy7fZHmcrS9VW8vPQdVEkdi6OO9n2g2wV_jv7zi5cNrh0O1zb2ZF_ynt2tffUL868MQmpyaXmJpKRrKKoPh3Z2MOqOSUDIzY/s400/DSCN0053.jpg" />We named him Dean Winchester after my favorite character on the T.V. show Supernatural.<br /><br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511274160851739570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BbVVr_NdAqmAm7emjsErY9qkXgi9FTRy7SIMOIVy4DM-O9av535jDZU5r2UdVEvlvN29D2cc7zLrQRZdbLBMEAGqgB9GtJCmr7xHgwrtVFnD2tsm6keajrkArZAJD2mcSlUyOiqneIo/s400/DSCN0054.jpg" />He is a sweet little guy. He sits at my feet when I am on the computer. He sleeps by my bed at night. I just love him!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511273768043261714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY2mA6sXk7Xe-9VmyT0FcIXgOpThpd38WqQZOQDMpmZIO-TNUG5zDE48CoJysJNsEeJmDfwITdwYmDVGi6C5xW-xyw8qeT0PEMeS5EtkqmVt5cvMDhUKRuzq6DfB6Q0ew95XBSrlAYxA/s400/DSCN0059.jpg" />He is about 5 1/2 months old. He will be a mid sized dog when he is done growing.<br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511273366608887202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofBmXII-HY-sB64-vQD2Y8OJjVXr3qfRFDz3Gp9XmtFBXRlSIU3o3M91unJuyFQZiNQ0wIpxwNaQ4z5_AjEZ4w91hQsE1Oy8-8r3lCeGIvw5heHq5e55iXeO05Bh8tqb4yObnCbdz8fw/s400/DSCN0056.jpg" />Dean fits in great with our family. He is good with the kids and very playful. We are so happy to have him!<br /></div></div></div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-10895934405341065962010-08-25T21:24:00.015-06:002010-08-25T22:50:01.117-06:00Schools back in session!I could have easily blogged 10 times between today and my last blog. I will have to play catch up. But for now, I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures that I take every year - first day of school pictures. I love these pictures because they really show you how much has changed in one year of life. I just get tickled and a bit choked up when I think about how much my kids have grow and all that they have experienced!<br /><br />So here we go - another blog of back to school.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509569966583787394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr7X9GHCMvz1pnX8AMOmK-C-V1pHteZb-fTUe9COKGiHtsa9zn12iNZJ7vbmZqJaQFWydw4fF64Vly9V39xGFVSuq7YmnotWiC5HhOlhDR_S237fzKMpYDiPgkpl8W_7ypHb1HP44W0A/s400/DSCN0066.jpg" /> Seth left for his first day of high school this morning as a sophmore. He was the first up (not a big surprise) and didn't give me any grief about having to do something with his hair. Yep - I had my doubts about that one, but he came through.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509569569647094146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUQ1H8jXKwa_hOsWO8N7TpXOGvn8aJvTwwDVWWLTbwrR7FpWsCGD5-jwJF6wc52QMVy3Nvwt_yd2-43sK21aCygxdClxirBn9c4FRoeVVXQDiOiQXv3ktCuPpGOW42uG1DXOk-Wrzq8k/s400/DSCN0070.jpg" />Carson was totally cool and collected getting ready this morning because, hey, he's a senior. He wasn't stressed about anything. He was so not stressed that he didn't bring his school schedule with him. I text it to his phone and all was good.l<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509568835801357666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-TXdOJCguapet4GiqiEQS_X-yjh4b9NCBx7a_8-XwGjTtgLa0wyWiPkbBRoFEzuzAhyphenhyphen3Inv46WFBmklJTA65GPR8Uy59h-uLp4SoP2wCwD3BYXvGK8XHN2e8vhzAnnFrtaqAbfc960A/s400/DSCN0074.jpg" />My goodness! Two good looking young men in high school! Hold on . . . yep, I'm a bit teary. That feels weird. </p><p>They both came home for lunch and ate half a loaf of bread and at least one bowl of cereal. (chuckle)<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPY8j2Drz5tbPSDzIMKw9a2sFIMj-Lt26qeZvlX9RdlQ8zuqellrNnK84JYAoHsE_6j20lVaFryjlv5Gng1GVTiUJ1zJK4Va5P0_3IPHw8gz_L9PdXGeKbspj3LzxDdQi4AMB6FlGLxg/s1600/DSCN0077.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509568428029419666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPY8j2Drz5tbPSDzIMKw9a2sFIMj-Lt26qeZvlX9RdlQ8zuqellrNnK84JYAoHsE_6j20lVaFryjlv5Gng1GVTiUJ1zJK4Va5P0_3IPHw8gz_L9PdXGeKbspj3LzxDdQi4AMB6FlGLxg/s400/DSCN0077.jpg" /></a> Next Gabby and Nathan got up and ready for their first day of school. I absolutely love this picture! The expression on Nate's face is classic for him.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509567978147912754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hH_GxEK464fmK4zOmNuyvX2Z9vpeNsoh1NZVp6U3V9gJqMgNQUtQb_EySQ8NF7obNfNbc3YDRP5k0ftyi6lBkRius5YSXOFueLg4H7TJmjvNEcT0KsqFFpFvxVWMdp7ro06jDh08pdU/s400/DSCN0080.jpg" />It's really hard to get this kids to smile an average smile. That's actually an awesome quality. Who wants to be just average anyway.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509567595029285378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttnB9rwp_YPPI4g3JOTGwiMh6VNW244boM7I2CsDyeZVJXMe5WGDAAZBy1gm9_gLQ2uH3pi1jZNsc_g0Msj-rA5avYisssEOxBoqsbPn35I461NY17f9Iw4UJ4KNScZBLPQ7R0KZ4LeA/s400/DSCN0081.jpg" />Gabby looks so much older in this picture! We blow dryed her hair out last night and straightened it. She loves the color purple - hence her purple attire for the first day.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509567161580027762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44cyBg4hxs45VIMmBI7tPwFUEdT_QRqjCUCU1MiMmEq5MatirCN3NZUWZ9Jces3UoVGOP7ajzVNVuMn-FQtopyh4sktucrsfxw56RyrvOAUgy7Lw7JTxmjyghMJcsIms73DXpbLKFbYQ/s400/DSCN0082.jpg" />Once again I am experiencing a little short gasp of breath. Are they really old enough to look like this? These different stages pass by so quick! Oh.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509566574041845058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH9iFigdbRe_cK9sc-9Xr3uo26niw-uQw8y12DRwrfPAivrreRYK2p8xhvxJaFbN9U7iRRmEicfywwV4zzSyRaiuOo6z1G9T-rXJlhHSgdREqAnx69f5CAC6aynXK43pO1QyoLm8v8cQ/s400/DSCN0086.jpg" />Gabby is in 4th grade this year with Ms. Mangum. She is really excited to have her as a teacher.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509563218327523410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4EUX82c49oGzGmek3iOqV0bXwWe6hTDeTt3tSovFzJ0ZeIARDHSFtVbwYr-cDI9RY6Z8mNdtcw9JGxgWBEKO-lDVipllkK0QoGXObfDC9qxbfjFWfzdG9KQv7z06TCaIXQMwrMrEcb4/s400/DSCN0087.jpg" />Nathan is in 6th grade this year and has Mr. Kowallis. He has a normal sixth grade boy attitude about school this year.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509562857749435250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguz6Pqr5BVceb0kBlVDi4tpilZBllaDPRwnxkB8KlAvznii3A2zJvNfxZ1MpjMRxIE-BVVlQ1G7BZD4rFlj3Pukj1Cx72S7bzBFp1RKeC1f22N4RkpGKpwJKi5BoA1di7lvjg-zNJMVd4/s400/DSCN0085.jpg" />We ran into Shelby before school started and I got this pictures of Shelby and Nate together. They grow so fast!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509556124524022354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcjSEptaJ_DytNtnfk4Bo7O4TpyvkIwgJ-TTAc5Bxd-Uc96aqLGphDRuRsmDZzWr2FrrG9pdTocAw1dcutVgKL4kAxnqqanj2vxKcuwAt7H5vfKdhxoeQ91OJ80GsY-ZsjXQjlOGSd44/s400/DSCN0088.jpg" />Sam ran into a friend (James) at the school before we headed over for her kindergarten assessment. She start kindergarten next week. I just don't know what to think about that.</div><div><br />I love my kids. They really have made my life sweet. I love, love, love em'!<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-10662747660024241742010-07-20T13:18:00.057-06:002010-08-02T17:17:18.413-06:00PA and VA VacationThere is never a complaint from anyone in my house when we make the suggestion to go back east for vacation. The kids know all our trips back east will include time at Mom Mom an Pop Pop Herr's farm in Pennsylvania, visits to historic sights and fun adventures. So, here's what we did over the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July holiday. (Most of these pictures are NOT on my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">fb</span> page.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>The Herr Farm</strong><br /><strong>Everett, PA</strong><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496485577014955650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ3jhlGaUidZkpuqmAPiQAk2yw514XGdGLqqaPydDfWhL6V0t4PSZXDdwIXUC-7rVsiV_dxfnud2UJLgM2lvvsgYKnrl_QGsCxiH9-wCokMaHP1hJJoIu6nV013HZfGJfAU7Hw0SHqZA/s400/DSC01997.JPG" /><br />Mom Mom and Pop Pop Herr love company. I sometimes wonder if they ever get a weekend to themselves because there always seems to be a visitor at the farm. True to family tradition, this 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July on the farm was packed with people from all over. There where over 70 people for about 4 days over the 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> of July. Where do all those people sleep? Well, there where lots of campers, tents, people in the bunk house out in the barn, the loft area and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Akido</span> mats in the garage and of course in the two houses. Families are assigned meals together to feed this massive crew and no one goes hungry.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496484563463548610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIUVIjKXoxb_AJcgcSELgu8AlWgJgiRLlRrG7qaZnlYDBxBOsmJ5ElUj_kz4s-OE0awglPeYJDQ2Kfxu0ffCjTKmBLO3IY4aforaKPp5k2xt3qMrtrv8Cb-PJucCe-HzGDODZMcHL6fc/s400/DSC02053.JPG" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hiking up to the rappelling spot.</span></p><br /><p>There are always lots of activities at the farm. Mom Mom decided to do an Easter egg hunt for all the younger grand kids because she never gets to do that at Easter for them. The eggs where filled with MONEY! The kids did Survivor again this year and played lots of games. There where hikes and lots of exploring.<br /><br /></p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496484159284239842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Kd6OlVhV0Hx9FSvvRiIgUiTsV1nx86Dt6u4Mg5qFpSatVC7yIt5SjqYIsexPkP9X_-D7bSvmFMRWJfZeMnVllyqu9oI1TOXrF1GeCHaaq85lSqrv0FjOclZ_c3EevtEm0UNhoM6G2U/s400/DSC02069.JPG" /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Carp helping Mason at rappelling.</span></p><br /><p>Carp brought his climbing gear and took people rappelling almost everyday. Young and old enjoyed the fun. The fun thing I learned to play this year was corn hole. I think I'm going to get myself one of those games!<br /></p><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496483550010973586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXAZNEwAcgGZea158_knE-78lpoGg7GSCs6cefEW_j-u6RRwzqQj7ERzYyWOcB9-RP__nui3yKNnmUqeYsS_siW5txM8k_eMosKv65sPEyBFtV4PyOOExfG8GujreZAg9WjSpWLcHX2A/s400/DSC02080.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Brandon, Heather, Sam, Autumn, Carson and Sadie hanging out by the pool.</span></p><br />The pool is always a treat in the humid, hot heat of summer. It was nice to have so many older grand kids to watch the younger ones. It was also cool to see all these teenage and older grand kids hanging out and chatting so much. They really do get along so well!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496478418945810626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHDm4zU69egW7Q2BMfU3rmGXJGvB7xFcCsFiDn4LQoy5wTV_5tfzyHx8D_aZ20dUGmvI-8JrjLamrPXcFdmDWkUtTOxJoWAb_T26-OXw6sH7no_vJK6tDpGupe2Qdq-mgVhHJ-i6plAw/s400/DSC02109.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />It is always a treat to spend time with Carp's family. We all enjoyed the conversation and laughing. It was really fun.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Air and Space Museum </strong><br /><strong>Washington, D.C.<br /></strong><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496174593724130194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtkHJyLQGNJQShFVIoKqQj7uVaElM-PnQ4A2TxGzs0gsL8s9q4xSwiTJxtiJtO72sqWwqHmPCmzUQndYDB_jrgUN5AoP-fMvqnC9fNaNahwO6wsCNF_SvQB6SFj1vii-j6zKoAn34ULY/s400/DSC02110.JPG" /><br />We decided to spend a couple days in Washington D.C. because we heard we could catch the worst heat wave of the year down there. Well, we didn't mean to, but we just happened to tour parts of D.C. when it was extremely hot. Like 105 degrees and humid hot. So the museums were a draw for us. They are air conditioned!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496173916683922146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOp-iQFWaDoAbAzJW4RhE8AU3S-8_dE9xFPoFdLUfZsfJ8TQwk1Cv0d5VBsYFC0s-IgTLCFF36YBF1B_J-Qy2qTOnzsnB-4F9cIBu7Nel7GQmfIHUqALDuro4cORVpuwRV4rn4Tj8Kio/s400/DSC02113.JPG" /><br /><br />Lanette met up with us and explored Washington D.C. and Philadelphia with our family. We rode the metro in both days. That was an experience in and of itself. I think that's the Apollo 11 space craft behind everyone.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496173631341174274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh073RdoQR9f5lMLSyBRavsCXXk5LJqVGzf229FOwrN4KhmvS1kqFH97C0PNh6k3usdeSL_tIZHXKCH4vqil0tl12TP9Dm9wYo0lYdzFKrpLy8kpqaha6-P_8ApmeEVpJR79M6hlQVwt3M/s400/DSC02130.JPG" />Carson was basically a kid in a candy store at this museum. He had taken a class through <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">UVU</span> called aviation science and pretty much knew what all these space crafts were and information about each of them. He and Nathan eventually went off by themselves for a while so they could explore he museum more in depth. Did I mention how nice and cool the museums where?<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496172932321177778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0wVh_-Nn4TI8B5zKUzsEV1Bj2iFT46lqD9xDmFhZnz4jVWYOMs2dbb-S2IcM1dLPXSEsjCbf-mW2GaiaEn5lL0xRQyHE84VQR5aJ7GQUg8rGuhyphenhyphenc4S-F7_ACxOpKfVqoF7myAZEksi4/s400/DSC02134.JPG" /><br /><div>Just in case you wanted to know . . . these are the machines you use to go to the loo in space. They have a matching pair for him and her.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496172097673834690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAAQDUFGWnHkz1A88KaGuZ6Q2An6gz9lP2Vqm4H7OuYeTkvTYfiBAwnQU8v2FGvoyK50msePpCMOzUJ5qhMGZfXq4tGB-8ixiP_iqeTHoVZKnA2vNqS6hsBvQX6j0guXqd99FaWN_Fs8/s400/DSC02136.JPG" />The Air and Space Museum is very family friendly. There are sections completely hands on for kids to explore all aspects of space related topics. Here is one that took your weights and transposed it into what you would weigh on different planets. The museum had lots of stuff like this.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496171694434721202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjIIDqE9zr0du5xnwzsyuSniULRzDGUb9Fbj8rWVy0fzvFnKzHu87IwJYFB9ngLvJpjpy6UtbR0C_IE_DK2QYz1DrC5y369lCD4IxEPLKQUUrW99lcSXypdWWgoPwUH_DGUSkLsdO93g/s400/DSC02148.JPG" />That's Capitol Hill behind us. I included this specific picture to illustrate how dry the grass in the national mall was. It was brown everywhere because the heat had been so bad.<br /><div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496170890312122178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwwPfg6r7Ddj_Nc_LCn3jMtCC4dZE2uyWh-EI-TvmluiAYH4ZU1xoljQ1npQeA4FiUEjq88gQtAKyFZPMzq0OZlwKeagF8LvWv347IXOhMnNSf-XiM7D0PTN5OYLYIJrv-wwi34GWeHM/s400/DSC02176.JPG" /><br />The Washington Monument was pretty interesting. Check out the difference in the color of stone about a third of the way up. It probably came from a different quarry.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496169601537224098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAE5NI62S7sW-oerbuBZgasm-yHFhygQlyC8Y3pXyfKHhwFf3ODTNgCZrQpL-oh5yuiuALYkTS-hBisEw5aw3PLX5WiOj_u-wcW9pam_8u2ztkW8j4GjOk-Cwt-xsv0dtlZdw0T6k7fa4/s400/DSC02182.JPG" />Next we went to the World War II Monument. It is beautiful. There is a water feature in the middle and 50 individual markers with wreaths surrounding it. Each marker has a state name on it. There is also a beautiful WWII bronze maker inside.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496169042023795858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuomvrJoZNBo__8ja-VlsPLKiEu6ZOtoyfr5Yb4mf44UJzwq7xHiK-qmpb5TxFwbHq89MllxFAK4s0qJ4I1Uj-rsnS3qHfqs5mG9r2-CsUhw9LU83Y0YQYn9qB9pSG_lPVkIE-YaSCvrI/s400/DSC02199.JPG" />The Vietnam Memorial is surrounded by a beautiful park and had what little green grass we could find in the area. I absolutely love this picture. The reflection of people against all the names of people who lost there lives is quite touching.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496168364665168690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpF5lr0CnHv_0fBp9rQymGlExHinhq-AYwTwc8xky6IYIU2g6gYzHcDb0FDIfdT4OM0CcutGpKdA9XvZSMmwvGHa21uKmdTkYjuq5s8CqrdgEXNdiuJFDLdRPx5nPGHtoCV-GpuRFtRk/s400/DSC02206.JPG" />This memorial has always been one of my favorites. It is the Lincoln Memorial. The kids where overheating by the time we got here. We walked up the steps, took some pictures and let the kids rest on the marble floor inside.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496167859472161586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJQd4Z7jDi7QKIe2yo4KLHFVhn4e49nbfzgGss7KsMFcHDwo4GU8QJEKRky39FkmjQ5hkR5KooKptawrsAKHvg4MLT7ztGdtSORn5zvMAjTUW4-B3NYPqcB6b9besp_5KcBgguHJjCuE/s400/DSC02210.JPG" />Lincoln was an interesting character in American history. It feels like home for me walking into this monument.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Museum of Natural History</strong></div><div><strong>Washington D.C.</strong><br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496166910782780258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcXV57qsU8tGh_d-XwSivCZ39gAzwwmywjZYHYwPbRPmDTsGHcQVonjVezQ0H89mQgMN4ZjHpXB8_7VsQZ4-bzPbDxIsnj3bxiqCnjZdyx_DDvMAo40641ps58hf-1Fo_DxHQHVdg-NI/s400/DSC02247.JPG" /><br />This is another kid friendly museum to visit. Oh, and by the way, all the museums and monuments we visited in D.C. were free. They are some that cost money (the Spy Museum for example) but after spending so much on parking and metro fairs, it was not going to happen. They have different levels and sections to the museum so you can check out all types of natural history. We toured a whole area of just stones and gems. It was actually quite beautiful.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496166663048241682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H_ZzbeVEBwfDP6h5J1MtG2Z3fQMfuPu4nNeunxthP_L43whdjnukQk9b9eHsIC0QQ3ma7Lp4E13gvluVRamGTF-QqfGlqt3U7sq-qA6BLa4orfw7JUrx56M43oobPWnMjBD6SE3EeZ0/s400/DSC02254.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>The bone section was my favorite. We started off just checking out skeletons of all different kinds of creatures. You name it and we probably saw it. However, my favorite section was the part to use bones to figure out how people dies and what their lives where like. They found bones from back in Jamestown, Virginia of a boy slave and could map out what his life was probably like and how he died. There was also more modern detective work like you would find on the T.V. show Bones. It was fascinating!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL_IGXZICWx_IW2CJp53Up_VuAaACkdqSAaXJxsi1q1Ruqj8pQdyZ-LQrAglzpd2gU_XMCD5x46WokVhOZAkvxsGhfJpHDStrp8tCxXHXsqvMChAk_k-_n_ZTuONmXVZMK_nAN859JnI/s1600/DSC02258.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496165946154355586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL_IGXZICWx_IW2CJp53Up_VuAaACkdqSAaXJxsi1q1Ruqj8pQdyZ-LQrAglzpd2gU_XMCD5x46WokVhOZAkvxsGhfJpHDStrp8tCxXHXsqvMChAk_k-_n_ZTuONmXVZMK_nAN859JnI/s400/DSC02258.JPG" /></a> The section with all the animals was pretty cool too. I like this picture of the tiger leaping from above. Many of the animals were positioned around this section in areas that would be their natural habitat. Cool stuff. Or, cool stuffed animals.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTGCzm4IJaLZUo-cJPFIZcE2i339l-lVRYPAZXstfpB0effD8d89lEN8HBRCn1X7y2EF6e0H3P1NU78_18RYX8LBDD3p15uOI050oI7sX2LilAaxVJgOsthfkpxZGaQjrH01lIez9UEw/s1600/DSC02257.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496165589451536962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTGCzm4IJaLZUo-cJPFIZcE2i339l-lVRYPAZXstfpB0effD8d89lEN8HBRCn1X7y2EF6e0H3P1NU78_18RYX8LBDD3p15uOI050oI7sX2LilAaxVJgOsthfkpxZGaQjrH01lIez9UEw/s400/DSC02257.JPG" /></a> In this section where all the dinosaurs and caveman stuff. Yep, they depicted a caveman and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">cavewoman</span> in there. This area was mostly bones. Again, cool. We saw areas about earthquakes, insects, snakes, you name it . . . . it's there. We didn't get to see the whole museum. That's okay though, next time there will be something else to see.<br /><br /><strong>Museum of American History</strong></div><div><strong>Washington D.C.<br /></strong><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs8mQlVK2VIPsXCiIGP0ZAp8cVnK8Imr1TqfkiKvf9dYEAOuXMLarT6Vmg88dGwm173og9I4SzQo8Gr-0h6EMy3Hm0P4XmIaSlfD9j_k1Ib-0jkXmvh_xlVcRdjpYXiYgQhEtn38HbMI/s1600/DSC02231.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496164650792431810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs8mQlVK2VIPsXCiIGP0ZAp8cVnK8Imr1TqfkiKvf9dYEAOuXMLarT6Vmg88dGwm173og9I4SzQo8Gr-0h6EMy3Hm0P4XmIaSlfD9j_k1Ib-0jkXmvh_xlVcRdjpYXiYgQhEtn38HbMI/s400/DSC02231.JPG" /></a> This is one of the coolest museums EVER!!! It shows all aspects of American history, including Pop culture. This costume of C3P0 was used in the third movie of Star Wars. Seth was so excited to see it! They have all kinds of fun stuff like that there.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496164274475666786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEd3vc0dDtLv2DmHeg-tWQTMS77FzEnnW1B1qXNt5b6ZquSvwactrzJf_STWr8ppxjkJiUBPr68jcUJpZQtHKR7bR0DtViYoJfgeszJxC51lIouQbmyeH4XL7xdIyRxGLkKINg8tzUgg/s400/DSC02264.JPG" />This section of the museum chronologically depicted the wars America has been involved in. It was called the Price of Freedom: Americans at War. There were actual red coats from the British Army and an entire outfit of George Washington. There were camps set up just like in the Civil War and uniforms and propaganda from WWI and WWII. The Korean and Vietnam war had a jeep and helicopter.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496163796416771890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczNB2-JSIIaJeF8xl8tRn1ouW7MvrKV_veqci0gPgHQM-JNhmK7mqAX8vDcIKqcJXuEQXV-zEA6LKpn9yiRuEnM1y6e4xsTSP_UuoDAZJXm7kJhqzyDOYteA0aDWhQIkU4QRIP29tRZA/s400/DSC02278.JPG" /><br />Some of the more modern wars or military actions our nation has been involved in were also depicted. This is a replica of a piece of the Berlin Wall. There is a real piece inset in it.<br /><div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496163491694938562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zYHgkRXKI75zEKCtx0KGHSQE7N0wfd_Uo4bHwHlbTQaheq03dnQeRnR_Ppt2XpiEodPfy6vaWbhdID6xP5ZTkJjQtWmDVXRXDipI4HgVemiUuDRKRg8oKCh7PXanR4-L0KsQJ3MPBzE/s400/DSC02282.JPG" />These are pieces from the Twin Towers. We where out of time and were being rushed out of the museum at the end of the day so I didn't get to take any more pictures. Sad. </div><div></div><div>We also saw the original Star Spangled Banner. It's kept in a dark area with low lighting and we were not allowed to take pictures. It's quite impressive in size and worn out. It was a neat thing to see.<br /><div><br /><strong>Kings Dominion Amusement Park</strong></div><div><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Doswell</span>, VA</strong><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496163195887975378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WCpxdCGUCfIkGFm12O84zn8hSwi7hhKJzGmNFpAUmU57en5QoxCdSxDFJ6CEaEPpSxybjoNKkPkZynWRY-VFM-Zrl35xApeqBD68EKKtBBA2y97Rl1UnvYykQo0ZqbpD-FzeVniy_tQ/s400/DSC02283.JPG" /></div><div><br />This was a pretty impressive amusement park. We split up almost from the beginning. Carp, Carson, Nathan and Lanette started hitting all the rides for insane people and I took those who were left and rode the ride normal people would be attracted to.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496162924320530514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcYAn4lBcuumtS-C4GiLbX9s-qiPEqOLb_eZr7Wz4zWa0cX-LW7FX6XiFywu26RXO2ALWkbMePIfzKk5iYqJ1KEnXjM6rOOfxDYAZG_ShFQyi54x6xy-dfN61_bu0Nsz-BKZHg4-urmI/s400/DSC02284.JPG" />Sammy was the only one small enough to enjoy the little kid rides in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kidville</span>. Ironically, she is an adventure seeker and the only reason she was hanging with me was because she wasn't big enough to ride the crazy people rides. She didn't get my genes on this one.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496162615773583970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnDcWMVoKYA9BmDsGePS-afsr0rVSOvQ0L0m7rMJKd5R17qnrZM-1InNl0tN35-p6PxgZNWALhcX7bnu6V232w-dFgCj_-pK56xEdme63Np89YVYE6hfNHNu-ps1A2LRK2VuNODbMV_I/s400/DSC02293.JPG" />We did a few rides together. This was our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">ferris</span> wheel ride.<br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCgJXRAXTWqDqeNC_EqafSxt57MRME3N-i61oaIaKfAMVmISFey3TlK0R0mTZ6OX22nDhQ-o7V7PdIJJS2XHGbLJAaKESYd0cJQBNzvtL2cLosqynNShJbbGF6inZF-8lhP-NdEbtbh0/s1600/DSC02299.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496162345368354498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCgJXRAXTWqDqeNC_EqafSxt57MRME3N-i61oaIaKfAMVmISFey3TlK0R0mTZ6OX22nDhQ-o7V7PdIJJS2XHGbLJAaKESYd0cJQBNzvtL2cLosqynNShJbbGF6inZF-8lhP-NdEbtbh0/s400/DSC02299.JPG" /></a> We also rode the carousel together. It's classic. It's a must do.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVQLzMSY5WoJV9TXCVBpgcY0Uye_riUauFVT3R2hCZMOHOo3YQxtDBiOm-27ZiY8wPQfeeMuGb_MGKHVhCGJpqUfGeylSelsXNkPyB0ryo7sAh7d2fpYIUU31oEUfouN_iwoKcANQwKo/s1600/DSC02302.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496162108848576690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVQLzMSY5WoJV9TXCVBpgcY0Uye_riUauFVT3R2hCZMOHOo3YQxtDBiOm-27ZiY8wPQfeeMuGb_MGKHVhCGJpqUfGeylSelsXNkPyB0ryo7sAh7d2fpYIUU31oEUfouN_iwoKcANQwKo/s400/DSC02302.JPG" /></a> Seth is not a thrill ride fan. He did however love this El <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dorado</span> ride in a car that went up high. I could hear him laughing the whole time. He rode it 4 times.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YS7R9A8ZvXyf2VhswBl4tUYYpOWWRGeZjDJox1RuukDdmbSNzSPIKUeSZs9bAdGFh-b2eTOtGm_tzzvw4iDvvn4fdruvASV0icKunNmYYWyocMNvpi8nyXbj_mx9JWJHovwMNTo9Ffg/s1600/DSC02309.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496161759220190882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YS7R9A8ZvXyf2VhswBl4tUYYpOWWRGeZjDJox1RuukDdmbSNzSPIKUeSZs9bAdGFh-b2eTOtGm_tzzvw4iDvvn4fdruvASV0icKunNmYYWyocMNvpi8nyXbj_mx9JWJHovwMNTo9Ffg/s400/DSC02309.JPG" /></a> Snoopy and friends were found in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Snoppyland</span>. We rode a few rides here, but the waterworks area was the best part of it.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496103920871784434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHVpFmDHAUUCu4_Qzg3VZBn_oWK2eh9KrGES9tGekSMZQI2U2InLeITSzpypF_M9d9cOkz6Pb7hPIMJA2c90eims4WfUKuUaD8IbRmuAtRlHPzTQH6H6uUmUqwFQvTXL3E4yDM77ut2k/s400/DSC02319.JPG" />Seth had to pay extra money to drive the go carts on the Thunder Raceway. Carp went as a passenger. Seth driving. Um, yeah.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496085955498348034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-G3zsViPiDplzlQZSEoAaWioVI9nBlT83fjfMTXBCouDAWiMgegszJnrKTGa7yN5UbDOIrjTFJoEXmag4NSWlgedHJjCkOjuA0lAGdWh4fkbyiLiSBzkq8vUzvjVvlJL34QeJEScQPI/s400/DSC02322.JPG" />The Shenandoah Log flume was quite fun. Well, not so much for Gabby. She doesn't like scary ride and this one is considered scary to her. She screamed the entire way. But, if you look real close at Sammy, you can see delight written all over her face.<br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf7ljRwefsMBOq3w5a7qAiXen0z2m9W_DvYiWKbMN7lo69bvU6KqCi0zxdhI9Q0sVQ609yd6jrstdqRcC1v1pMmrGBkpg1hwU4b-ZjFd4cYXrQne0c7lDVfdA7LjP7fM9Qh66vWuluvw/s1600/DSC02323.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496085668588622402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf7ljRwefsMBOq3w5a7qAiXen0z2m9W_DvYiWKbMN7lo69bvU6KqCi0zxdhI9Q0sVQ609yd6jrstdqRcC1v1pMmrGBkpg1hwU4b-ZjFd4cYXrQne0c7lDVfdA7LjP7fM9Qh66vWuluvw/s400/DSC02323.JPG" /></a><br />There was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">water park</span> at Kings Dominion. However, we never got there. We did run around in the water works area in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Snoopyland</span>. It cooled us off enough to take in some more rides.<br /><br />All in all, I think Kings Dominion was really fun. The kids really enjoyed themselves even though they were dog tired from walking around in Washington D.C. the two days before.<br /><br /><div><strong>Philadelphia, PA</strong><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496085387341350402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ISsne7u-kpbhXICs4pkP9BXHbkVvwno_QvIaFq6R-d7mmE0l9LX7EHRzrfDvux8WTrEtmWcapdQAe_NKLzsMuF30UmX3ZBpQ3a6Wp-QHAFfHZPVUY5m30UaH2I105SX9Doi9LAu7WnQ/s400/DSC02330.JPG" /> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here are Seth, Sam and Gabby with one of the fellas that dress up and walk around the visitor center area.</span></div><div></div><div>We headed up to Philly the day after we went to Kings Dominion. The kids were good sports walking around and checking out historic buildings in Liberty Square after dealing with all the head and walking around in Virginia.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496085165781006530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllhASGhoczqAv8GCJZJ4oUbhcYCdZMWE9yG9uT8Tg2Ylln1hTJUKwfICzclmO6V0qNDRgtJK6ezhTl52BKOYG4yzTKLBIrTqoEZOsVMd6KrKc2FyQpodGs96J4qih390XVf9jxDxskQw/s400/DSC02331.JPG" /><br />We got to the visitor center too late to get tickets to tour Independence Hall. They open it up to walk though between 5 and 7 p.m. each night. We just happened to go through when a history fanatic park ranger was there and got a better tour than we would have otherwise.<br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496084844231758066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF9KV8hwXsZrlPeAA8T3BvEh61BoaFn3vu6sUarMwj4azOVpjcxTm4_f6g8Ec18nSVa6RL0VFQ7AWTeHshZMLGHukl7a8pyjBD5qfbL0922IDWdzYGtlEcvpsWzyc1u6MWf54XF3KXxg/s400/DSC02352.JPG" /> Out in front of Independence Hall (the actual name is the Pennsylvania State House) the kids found this water pump and pretended they were pumping water for Nathan. It's kindof a cute picture.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496084008697086978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxr1iMoUPDmd4ZXJJ53AlzYs3WhDcz4wznA3ciaP1BXkFTdWE8ZgYpVyEM2XgyCKrTv-0EhNoX42ZdeWMMebU6UkcDrHVOtSnX8xtRy4omLGIdD4K-eNbMY7pe2oLDh2q8i6TQb4gDSY/s400/DSC02362.JPG" />We were on our way over to Carpenter Hall when I shot this picture. It is just so GREEN in Pennsylvania. I love it!</div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496083336319286066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YWqxQIOjtY7bKdbkjq6kkUqnmPgfl3AB7oDM4QjnJeU7oYAYCvMicDWjxA9ee_o0Yr0c2mZWm-CkPsxxDI2r-oQPvLd4_X2OwY7AkhuY8rZonN5fhqFy-SVAjf_ZT5TvtTEsgl5f_xA/s400/DSC02363.JPG" /> This was our second attempt to take a peek in Carpenter Hall. We didn't get it! It closed 5 minutes before we got there - and it was only 4 p.m.! Needless to say, I was bummed because it was closed when Carp and I were back there a couple years ago. One of these days, Carpenter Hall. One of these days!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknnloF6Hn1jlOpOj5c5KHKxg1Wm_YMiswHB7DRxLtHMkpR0Xptx63aHyawSXl0cyZEZ2kBhHJKbVsLk28vBhBPigqToBmzxFAWTZ6uHcXI5jeMBd77jTuhxJbf5N_vRpncj7BAngIakA/s1600/DSC02371.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496082277910966258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknnloF6Hn1jlOpOj5c5KHKxg1Wm_YMiswHB7DRxLtHMkpR0Xptx63aHyawSXl0cyZEZ2kBhHJKbVsLk28vBhBPigqToBmzxFAWTZ6uHcXI5jeMBd77jTuhxJbf5N_vRpncj7BAngIakA/s400/DSC02371.JPG" /></a> Check out the POOF on my head! Humidity my readers. It's not your friend! Seth took this picture of us when we were in Independence Hall. While in historic Philly we visited Independence Hall, Congress Hall, New Hall Military Museum, Old City Hall, and a building that housed original documents such as the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. If we had been there a day earlier, we would have heard someone dressed in colonial wear reading the Declaration of Independence just as they originally did over 230 years ago.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496079896733955554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75t3nCmcVWu2-Wn8kI81oK6mXJw_zBpZCDMFA1nd4JhRzMWevMzcuPiEBXncTIzP8HjdnVvxuV1uhnbh7xBy2F5frbjKb-CdjwNzyi-eog9WJf2hht_8J6PYGE8lDmGtmdNHA75Xtbvk/s400/DSC02378.JPG" />We met up with Kelly Winchester and Mason along with her exchange student from Poland, Eliza and her touring teacher Anya and also with my nephew Brandon. We visited the Liberty Bell a second time that day to get this picture. Afterward we went to south Philly to get cheese steaks. Yum! </div><div> </div><div><strong>Harrisburg, PA</strong><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496079003259480914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomkhSoCMXg2Ijy5-snT8-p5-7pH4vaQMAULU7Ntp_pf5SGY53EKEg1BIXUjzLne5cnm152gFgb6qdErg66oTX0MLGUgx0QoVgjMSHFUmCA5Q7tm9znQ7iBjnQZ3Jk3rcvjW0oqkkjykA/s400/DSC02426.JPG" />We spent that night at Jeff and Judy Kellers (Carp's sister) and then headed back to the farm the next afternoon. We stopped in Harrisburg to visit with Iris Mellott. She was so sweet to let us come visit on such a short notice!</div><div> </div><div></div><div><strong>The Herr Farm</strong></div><div><strong>Everrett, PA</strong><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496077085339369538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXarjHHmhECEuOExVdCRWGyOHjIxtl6H3NXT5AHnqwryA0UsCNfSl1IHNDB-4Wp8N1_fqvJHP7_LNKZH14dskMegBiKbhBPaXogaOTlNx6KMr2C-FASFLIrniQ6Rk0Qoi0qHyZJfCf-lM/s400/DSC02458.JPG" /> We spent a couple more days at the farm with Mom Mom and Pop Pop relaxing. The morning after we got there Carp and I let the kids sleep in as long as they wanted. They were so tired! <div>Nathan worked on a merit badge while we were at the farm so my camera has lots of animal, bird and insect pictures on it. I was with him on a walk when he took this picture down in the secret garden.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496076754207576898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISzvidMJn9ArHF5h1VC4pJH7qiSAwE4gcoh4I0QKblF4KvnLF284Q0J7KcqFITXLeGrak9-6cE2t3wEfkk1hkpfq-p1_nic4e_u9UWXXjmwISKrrIqF4sYVs5htXLLoEL6lcqk2HPEw0/s400/DSC02559.JPG" /><br />Brandon came back up to the farm those last couple days. He and Nate caught some crawfish and cooked them up to eat. I tried them. They were, um, different. We enjoyed spending a little more time with Geneen's girls too. </div><div> </div><div>It is always a stress to plan and carry out a big vacation with so many people to keep track of. It just is so important to do occasionally. The kids will have these memories forever!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-77404037925505793732010-06-30T19:14:00.005-06:002010-06-30T19:29:52.045-06:00I just get giddy . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQOoGZG_ynos1hS08D1FHXUdSq9nWrCe0RwGlhDysp3d1xKdkPU7mX-wpfR8qyqZjKJ2g3hE5h-qUqo3lvPS_wDmh_LVMr1LJ38tQJXk65eyQwUL0GkfINJ85x6N7l2_g3HI_P7VzSHI/s1600/poster_harrypotter-hallows.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488741968364427186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQOoGZG_ynos1hS08D1FHXUdSq9nWrCe0RwGlhDysp3d1xKdkPU7mX-wpfR8qyqZjKJ2g3hE5h-qUqo3lvPS_wDmh_LVMr1LJ38tQJXk65eyQwUL0GkfINJ85x6N7l2_g3HI_P7VzSHI/s320/poster_harrypotter-hallows.jpg" /></a> Yep, I get giddy over the silliest things. I know it. I own it.<br /><br />Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I is coming out in November and I can't wait! I am GIDDY with excitement! Yeah, so is Carson. I love that my son totally shares in my crazy reading habits. Gabby is just starting the series. I bet she has the series read before part II of the Deathly Hallows is released next July. Oh man! Do I really have to wait until July? Silver lining - I can read the entire series again before the final movie installment is out. I can deal. I can deal. I can deal. I'll deal.<br /><br />Watch the trailer here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EC2tmFVNNE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EC2tmFVNNE</a><br /><br />Watch another clip here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6lUS4iG5dE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6lUS4iG5dE</a>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-63015177316020212992010-06-22T14:30:00.051-06:002010-06-24T18:32:20.832-06:00Wasatch Back Ragnar 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdynln9QqX1-17A621bgLrdsTifwAiKcI9XrOpdrhh-US0peaMGvj-X63PDvG-q454xVj51YGJdzzhRlyflrBgh5xHK9Cwc1RD7KIRolqYWnUakjfWodmMHKYqSOsz3LIK6T21MNssC8A/s1600/ragnar2010_logo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486497605402732258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdynln9QqX1-17A621bgLrdsTifwAiKcI9XrOpdrhh-US0peaMGvj-X63PDvG-q454xVj51YGJdzzhRlyflrBgh5xHK9Cwc1RD7KIRolqYWnUakjfWodmMHKYqSOsz3LIK6T21MNssC8A/s200/ragnar2010_logo.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">***WARNING***</span> LONG POST AHEAD.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">This past weekend I ran in the Wasatch Back Ragnar from Logan to Park City, Utah. I love running Ragnars! It's more than a good run . . . it's an experience! </div><br /><p align="left">If you remember my explanation of the Ragnar I ran in Las Vegas, you get 12 crazy runners together to each run 3 legs of a long distance race. The race starts on Friday and ends on Saturday. That's right, you get to run through the night! That's where their motto of "Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat." comes from. Notice the question mark after sleep. Yeah, like that's gonna happen.</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486438343183004834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0GCUAqjf5jp4IwKpJnmYZQZDOOobPV1mx3NTnVRSyMkLE4JQt0yhcMXqnz2RNfO_HoiRYCY5igCNTA5uyjRPmf4AFcHh1TbNWqb9RcLQUTPnZEmHwcNK11Z4ggb3-JD5hPnc61rpxZk/s400/WasatchBack+009.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Team 454 - "Save Our Soles" - Chieko, Brenda, Dena, Alexis, Jamie (back), Annette, Ruth (back), Kellie, Libby (back), Melanie, Wendy (back), and Tifany. </span><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">We divided up into two vehicles and ran the entire race with those in our respective van cheering us on and handing us water whenever we were on the road running.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486438146598918530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D-NkmEQ6WJGFmqMwEi7bd3jDJ28JcyEIVfNnG66BKj1xSr9ds8iGxQScH55FwXsUz1YBO7VqfMn-yw-RUelURPX2ZHwCtvAXpwKXITTfRwx9qYfVr7csw0eDVI13EL1cH_BUllx63kg/s400/DSC01794.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Alexis Geist, Annette Green, and Chieko Bramhall.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left">These three AWESOME gals where in my van. It's funny how none of them knew each other before we started. There's something about running without sleep, sweating like crazy to bring your team closer to the finish line, and lots of laughs that will make you friends for life. Like I said, it's the experience!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486473234425385426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL3Ve5xXsvuhePT3nbvz8C0k88QM0n_00RWsVHfqKYB7gHNsKLbA-iTWyzLRx3FlCT8WH21hDNzgMHzdei_6edLeO9UzT2SzqCQA7UzvaIFQ0QXepaS0nwRod8EvEm-fwClSUGkjSh8Y/s400/DSC01796.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brenda Dobry and Myself.</span> </p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486437297025849042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjRQyyP01raWe68N_RjuwfKUpqEQUlbFFafUx8vpNcta75PKQDh9hSgCCHzV_qaT8Qsrvm_MU1i_kocTd8fKQKdCKu9qzx7GLwy7UVWdn4ApO1sbNNU_Wq8iurYgMncYRLk__kQitT24/s400/DSC01800.JPG" /><br />There were two BIG differences between running the Wasatch Back and running Las Vegas.</p><br /><br /><p>1. Overall, the race was more challenging.</p><br /><p>2. The scenery was far superior in Utah. </p><br /><p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486436769877519666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABEuXkGiev4WTqmld4D7zq_L7YnCkZe1eDZWAWPeMUjmnzLrwrgYxvfSHcEZswJ4YdTeEko8GBLppjABgezv6saAuq2WDKj84FKrdKTSsrRuBV-lgwAFV8BRPYwgRgg1q70L6f0pzQ0o/s400/IMG_0682.JPG" /></p><br /><br /><div align="left">Our lack of sleep was not because we didn't try! We got showers at a high school and made an attempt at getting some ZZZZZ's on the high school field. Yeah, we got some rest, but most of us didn't get sleep. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Note: My favorite memory of this race was when we were all packing up our stuff at the high school to start our middle of the night run . Someone asked if anyone had gotten any sleep. Most of us mumble a "no." Out of nowhere Chieko said, "I think I did. I saw Sponge Bob." I think we were all ready to run after that laugh session.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486436638004917426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRKcMgQE_GzAuKLlp1umkuV8LA28ijXP3_3Ed3kXMgG_r7K7yXs1rE2X_10eWtWYKUxPB9eHElfCrqltpL9zqIT0-K4MCuSfIXf8egHiD9mi64xBcN4wZn5ZB2lFuDiGIAHHX5i-RXzA/s400/IMG_0684.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Libby, Annette and Alexis waiting at exchange 30</span>.<br /></p><br /><br />During the Las Vegas Ragnar I was in Van 1. When our last gal ran, we were done until the last runner of Van 2 was ready to cross the finish line. This time I was in Van 2. We stayed on the road following our runner up until she was just out from the finish line. Between the two, I think I prefer Van 1. It's nice to have your part over early. However, I liked the legs I had to run in this race and wouldn't change how it all went down.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486436470933691538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlG6tmtWINDUsyVKT-x44UibUkyKjfIcvSGxmbokY2mpbRzZ6-Lq2FFFR07FX397wBeNRL7Df79LOK39MkxvzltVI9xnmRNAe11nybLXxeO8nhQ-t7_YPXhXSMgwWkNZ7dF78SvS2zLg/s400/IMG_2572.JPG" /><br /><br /><p><br />There are some peculiar sights out there on a Ragnar run. This guy was one of 12 fellas running in short shorts or speedos. Yes, I did a double take. It just ain't natural to run in a speedo. And check out his poofy wig and gigantic ear phones. That had to be HOT!</p><br /><p>Each team has a name and many runners had added accessories to their running gear to reflect those names. Here are some of my favorite names I saw on vans during the race:</p><br /><p>"We ARRRR Pirates Out Chasin" Booty"</p><p>"Damn Soles in Distress"</p><p>"Off Like a Prom Dress"</p><p>"CTR - Choose the Ragnar"</p><p>"Duh Agony of Duh Feet"</p><p>"Run, Run as Fast as You Can" (They dressed up as a gingerbread man and handed out gumdrops at the exchanges.)</p>Thing 1- (Van 1)<br />Thing 2 - (Van 2)<br /><br />"If You Can Read This . . . NOW You are in Last Place."<br /><br />"Legs, Breast and Wings" (The runners wore fairy wings)<br /><br />"Gu Gu Dolls"<br /><br />"The Chafers"<br /><br />"Walking Wonders" (They decorated their white vans with red, yellow and blue dots)<br /><br />"Runamok"<br /><br />"U.F.O - Unusually Fast Offspring"<br /><br />"The Fit, the Fat, and the Fossil"<br /><br />"F.A.R.T. - Fastest Army Ragnar Team"<br /><br />"12 Running Mega Hurts"<br /><br />"Victorious Secret"<br /><br />"Bling it On!" (They wore lots of bling while running)<br /><br />"XLR8"<br /><br />"Scrambled Eggs and Achin'"<br /><br />"Another Long Distance Relationship"<br /><br />"We're on the Highway to Hell"<br /><br />"There is no I in Team and no F in Way"<br /><br />"Go Business Socks. It's Business Time" (See Flight of the Concords on Youtube)<br /><br />We had white Life Savers in baggies with a note from "Save Our Soles" on it to hand out. We would drive by cars and Libby would chuck one in an open window so runners could enjoy the treat. She made everyone of her throws except one landed on the hood of a car. When I did it I hit runners in the head or hit their cars and the treat landed on the ground. Moral of the story - don't trust my throwing ability in a tight spot. I might give you or someone you love brain damage.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486436156213420082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kt1I_qHIi2FrXEPQUzYst3WT1Bu3xWQLOOg4LDhbQo1bfgDUdMsUjhxHqwcfFi2x6EEUHt_UONUv7J7UCICXb3T6qKB8C9QvnQ6gfbbf_TDFG0NxhpDdBwt4E8d78aX9GV-1TTKjHeY/s400/IMG_2566.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Alexis spraying Libby as she slowed down for a drink during her first run.<br /></span><br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486435438687612402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSWtJU99vXMvs8eKfvZsTNoQlrSTl5G6vmria0g_1RyoSydwrOoIsUinUGKLOMvD0RI9P6m8FuN2c-38sVSraCAVkS118kcNhCfYLIZ7dACnNTWB-dij6jPivMr4raht2x-jeBjbr0UE/s400/IMG_2574.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Libby and Alexis</span><br /></p><br />We had a great system going. When a runner was out, the van would go ahead of her, pull over and we would walk across the road to wait for her (with our bright orange safety flag, of course.) One person would offer her water, another would sprayer her with water, and the last would grab her water when she was done. Chieko was the self designated photographer of the van so she only got in these pictures when she was running.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486434784673241346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZtt1MBZO6M_DQJwRLKNEnBNcw9zY-vnSsGBrkvBHDxE03qUE6rkpjP8MovnQT31hsnudEwbZ55rmz1lMquUzKcPGpI90ay_zPlFPv1nxh0seZAud56378_nhwKDg8LZ2RhEHzUXPFfM/s400/IMG_2603.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Libby, Brenda and Annette<br /></span><br />So, check out the scenery in this picture. Did I mention it totally rocked over Vegas? It was like this throughout all the runs. Even when we ran in town, the people came out to cheer us on. So many of these home in the rural areas of Utah are beautiful.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486430757192190578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoY4VDFEW1U9ZH2yDKK-98NW1FH4OBqRzkb1exnD97zDu7BLZAGW8H1Cc8uvPU5UgodbPrCHArYDzb2mjfqnbA8fk7Liu21rN2X_NKjfxZoKSJoDeERFWAEiUqCxCY9kYAVWKuq5KMEM/s400/IMG_2616.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Chieko running with support from her team.</span><br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486430336554781202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSykEsUHVW9ptTQbcodeJh5zJf5s-m_-TY6ow2e6_Fj9T-8svFYT2jZ23FhlUYoRQ7_FvgXX-xvFsiazKgmTJopN91wGraYzQvicsTTsyAaJiZ8DdJhp6PYnJC4zgwayAlsmwwgc8rE8/s400/IMG_2649.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">Chieko, Alexis, Wendy, Brenda and Melanie.<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486427467325905250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6gFurFpOxYONMYDHnJzdsBGGn6UQj6yacbccKjVuhfFlIzLXagJp8iRtuiiEmQxzR6MC-Yeqq3wipznH9yjkuSJmO552XTFrP3Ip36_d9XsT7th7CGlCJsMSWdi97d0utp0LMlNu5p0/s400/IMG_2653.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">Melanie, Brenda, Alexis, Jamie, Tifany and Chieko</span><br /><br />We only got to see the other half of our team at major exchanges to hand off the wrist band to the other van full of runners. It was very uplifting to see that they were having as much fun as we were. I so wish we could follow them on their runs too! Again, check out the scenery.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486426261560306306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhav-iUA1SfXBLxXC5h32DlKoBdAx_4Up6WnvAwk1Lt6MyQqVTlYj56VXjkWzjjqgoZJvGvZitqrNkbnkPWzeJ9ZgG7TOGi_Jc6_zqoQ77S4_HCinnpaTF4CM2mCbbizQfAnnb-bJOwGDQ/s400/IMG_2683.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">Running (and power walking) "Ragnar Hill." I loved being sprayed with that water!</span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">I actually like to run hills. I know that sounds crazy, but I like the challenge. However, just because I like it doesn't mean I'm fast at it. My last leg was known as "Ragnar Hill." It started on Brenda's leg and I got to finish it on mine. On my leg alone I gained over 1600 ft. in 4 miles. It was my favorite run! It was my favorite run because I did it with a gal I met on the trail named Lisa. We talked the whole time so it went by fast and I totally enjoyed it!</div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486176652006257906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBVHF6QXdJeXSG6OuGdYQBcwI3nt8Er_2HQEeAS6SfqnDppIoz8NPQISvX1Z1lsaLG3chSM4bDTXtFof1ydImQVWHBLvWE6-4AlwCnHZK-zjXPLjj4AkxHRs7hXiKN1MIF2cbAwekDJo/s400/UTAH_00_2347_small.jpg" /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">With our medals - (front) Chieko, Annette, Dena, Melanie, Me, Tifany and Alexis. (back) Libby, Wendy, Jamie and Brenda. Ruth had to leave before our team got in.</span></p><br /><p>The race ended at the Canyons Resort in Park City. We all waited for Chieko to come in so we could run up the ramp with her. All the teams did this. It was fun to see everyone there at the same time. Afterwards, we went to dinner in Midway. </p><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486425667377184546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE80HQOnWCMMrBEx-TxypLbeQpSJoR8tscJAknPiNEfXoCbpN6lY3f-cAVPTKwQ0YAZCtvDeIY34Up4VQoa5VcpmrYZCvtN5jL2HU2t85y5Y2LamysI1wHpIR1iUvJ8Qd5RKghcB_tKFk/s400/DSC01807.JPG" /></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Chieko, Kellie and Brenda</span></p><br /><p>Believe it or not, I already signed up to do the Las Vegas Ragnar again. You see, there is a "Saints and Sinners" medal I want real bad. If I run both races in the same year I'll get it. So, come October I will be in Las Vegas running through the night with a bunch of friends again. I can't wait!</p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-58045696305007130942010-05-27T13:04:00.005-06:002010-06-08T13:37:55.366-06:00Quiltin' GabbyAll that quilting has paid off! I now have my very own quilting protoge. Gabby asked me to teach her to quilt last year. We decided to make a doll blanket out of squares. She finished it just after Christmas and was ready for something bigger. We went through my stash and found some fabric she liked and the results are seen in this picture.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476028410760366130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdzo-aBy5Og-w5wqeamYlSizxyZYWmY8a4E8eODVcPlK7_Vb0PH5HboTIZr9sG7mSh1PsNWdPC5mboayrC4YcxNVbiDd7D8oWY3SP9CLPowXH02ySMSzxPoIFtQeDby43QnTVxJu5spY/s400/DSC01706.JPG" /><br />I don't know which is brighter - the gree in this quilt or the smile of accomplishment on Gabby's face. This pattern was fairly easy. Gabby pinned and sewed each block. I helped to pin the rows together and she sewed them. I put the boards on because the quilt got bulky and Gabby was unsure of her sewing. I also machine quilted it for her.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think she did a fabulous job! She has a really good eye for a 1/4 inch seam and pays close attention to detail. We are now going go through my stash to look for the next project. I will keep you all updated.<br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476028148842342562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitY7q4jchM76bwOqvUjBZP4cj-eTimbdRlVaYfeWfnILQW_d67ncehUlOZAa4IBVSMJIHrsrh3Hs8TEruE2ua4b-eSaEPWO7ZYlz3691ydpF6Ke_fRupJOGmMCGTIJqC3e9JRG5NBsChE/s400/DSC01707.JPG" /></p><br /><p>Here's a cute picture of the girls. Sammy looks marvelous!</p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-52003034592541767162010-05-27T12:26:00.007-06:002010-05-27T12:55:07.770-06:00Dance FestivalDance Fesitval is the best event during the last week of elementary school. I love watching all the kids totally enjoy themselves.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476022773559700818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uuJcafE-N2J6JbvzcHNEaV6vEmRKu4-Whdz-pdJft2PpZsM2FacPUrvkDZYvd287i1J9dB_axMA-hUSs2UqWd-1Lf9XIXzv8K-Zo3Ya2pHSm4Tk61-iVpya7f_IwdU8YD093f98DdZE/s400/DSC01724.JPG" /> This year Gabby's class did "Footloose" which is a new addition to the schools dance repertory.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476022500117663170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillLxwt4I1MmJqajGLArJ-9PEpnuEYfDtIBOicUkNleOe3WoH0lw0Zf9ZSpiM9s9-n7q5Wg6zeI460hb9lyziN27YY0pnQhIoE7qqSqZ85XRIVyDE52z_WOySZcxnPZmdgx6naeuumxaM/s400/DSC01725.JPG" /><br />All the kids were asked to wear crazy socks. Check them out!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476021832338662738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIvRzLpqIIKlxJ4L-JzcNljboNGl9mHTgElVJQvYO-s5Y69Plylbr8zOTDYSO5vnF584DhwwSuM6sdlLtvnHoGMn6UXvFtemG4VeYeslAHyd6ZIN7SZNOqkJTTqq8gCnqwDUm6-_xUkE/s400/DSC01711.JPG" /><br />Nate was hanging with some of his friends before the dance festival started. Here is Nate with Dawson, Nick and River.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476020643002087234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8MaPADYzW7t44lPGMnSR7VfokUNqB1iDefEuJ4o_vod6mYtu3vjJwY8lknNWf5n-VsgKdyfhQIAchamLRB4qLvR7l3VVn-2LQ2rOT79w8vGzYMMtORDVJLXlznjMgxhw3yAoOOr0c6Y/s400/DSC01745.JPG" /><br />Nate's class did "The Hussle" all dressed up in their tye dye shirts. It's a classic!<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476019979424434290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqAeGg1DY1w3Bm5YC5Fcdi3XYFq0np8kcYYbOJx6yadydVhbbOiw2nY5JgjdRMJwJJaohWUOamoAYLLncHGbq8U1zfhPbhj_LmU9Sq97uiE857qw801rMIIvNlVYMLy7g5SPE8XbTQVY/s400/DSC01760.JPG" /></div></div></div><br /><p>I was the room mom for Nate's class this year. I got a chance to to take a picture of the class after all was done. Great kids!</p><p>Just a note: I loved the 6th grade rendition of "Thriller." I hope they keep it for next year because Nate would love to do it!</p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-34679964134973171862010-05-16T14:28:00.009-06:002010-05-16T14:59:00.867-06:00Sunday, May 16th, 2:20 p.m.I was told by Carp this week that when he is on the road he checks out my blog to see if I've updated it yet. It never occured to me that he looked for my blog as a way to see us. So, when I saw Nathan lounging in Carps kayak a few minutes ago, I decided to take a picture of where everyone was at that specific moment. Here's what I got:<br /><div><div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471968334781999458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizILxZLI5kN2M_6Zr9IJkMsYwfJI3GUaT_tv-sJt_lEAwdtn8w-4Nbrv5gpMRyHXAw16RZMYK_IrojeQUN1mxsxL18ahaB3z66Yopm2oKGh9jh4thhxlNHgob5cgPX6ZgW2ArnbJz5yJY/s400/DSC01658.JPG" /><br /><div>Nathan had crawled into Carps kayak to relax a bit and take in the nice weather. Notice the Lehi Roller Mills Christmas bag on Nates right foot. Nice touch! </div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471969500424538034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrnUHj1ECinFp5JsCnTqJ90AgmX5PISg7nVOQxT3XTCSAa2k3B6rfeRv30iDAhwWu2Y-2E8XRzgvVBEDdS8qRMajZN3l8C9uIxJ4HfHjS3wwWqBHqPDoB5YGnFtlPK3BJKyHv3DAmQAc/s400/DSC01659.JPG" /><br /><div>When I was done taking the picture of Nathan, Carson walked into the yard having just finished some home teaching. I told him I wanted to take a picture and he struck a pose.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471970114682408898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bEaBMVcrMUXNilsRaLj_Xf6d6M1DT5s6W1ld-YumNHAeewuro1RhLOmcilJLXp8nzlI2a0H0g7e20rjnTJCzOTfMjWW-fwgBimDv1BTz_VBqnNgcrOAf1Sk-LXDOAT51pCs9QHQ0ZP8/s400/DSC01665.JPG" /> I found the girls in the backyard playing with Maggie. My sister is on vacation and we are dog sitting. This poor doggie is probably looking forward to Aunt Katie coming home so she gets a little more "alone time." The kids just love being with her.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471971972500617298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqbQ7EZ_keS_TDqGTPwIDOsZ2OK-XS8qOIj8TEvUW99U2TQMaX_Nbxmw6W8DsszaNbifYfOI9pr8NpsgCMOh52Dem10jFDLrAUZB8FgQAx3Q56lRkCsisYmUESaHPu3q9uyQ2t0rrqSI/s400/DSC01669.JPG" /><br />I tracked down Seth in his bedroom taking in a movie. Of course, true to form, Seth would not let me take a picture of his face. So, we got some hands here.</div><div> </div></div></div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471971298945861250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflJ14b3H_yLAjQRMNRQLVBCuBExupoA_zIUTlLlk5tWFImeV8O1SVXBniO2wOe88S72WIlLTPfb_ALTRQ4Q2nfYh-RhYFM4vrtZJEFpBsXwRlBRfXveXwrlqt_YBbBt3lDi-jNSpJVVk/s400/DSC01670.JPG" /> I knew right where to find Carp. He was finishing up some repairs on his kayak. He has been working on the two kayaks he has for Carson and Brian to float them down the Green River next month. Carp and Seth will also be on that trip, but in different flotation devices (o.k. - boats). <p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471970484051972530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvFpKOf9CWscT9V0TZ9mV0lq907tez8QATOsgLrryLbz7xnaHSXRrR0O2PgFHxAgwdk2SoiMdT6sxCTevC2j0XQJq4At2W2gYIZXlrcoCq7fs4TL-l8OvNCd4SAGIwAeZYfsVMPOat2Q/s400/DSC01672.JPG" />And here's me. Yikes! Thanks for making that picture look a whole lot better Nathan!</p><p>So, there we were. Sunday, May 16th, at 2:20 p.m. </p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-654656009158427962010-02-09T19:56:00.005-07:002010-02-09T20:09:35.688-07:00What are the Chances?Nathan is in 5th grade. It's a right of passage to participate in the annual science fair when you reach the ripe old grade of five. Yep. Right. Of. Passage. Actually, it's an assignment, but I think kids kind of look forward to it because it makes them feel older.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Carp helped out this year with Nathan's project. It was a thing of beauty. I love that man. After much deliberation, Nathan decided to do a project on the probability of dice rolling. He decided to roll the dice 1,000 times to see what number was the most common roll. He used a white die and a brown die. After 1,000 rolls he added up how many times each number was rolled. </div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436445843284002962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEtaNN6wdr1p6m6miwIixBFCmrnVBR6QMRHmaR0gkf_7AXsHZvi8Ere_LX44wfGaGf5kxpS5wdKd69iQU8yMfQYm1U9WJ6T91jmFcRF3agmQpyRS8B7yz_TYOdsZg5gBc5xwbTLkVskc/s400/DSC01434.JPG" /><br /><div>Conclusion - I will always bet on 7. It's the most common number rolled. Though, I am more impressed with snake eyes than I ever have been. It's the least common number rolled. So, I'm going with 7 because it comfortable, but I'm more taken with 2 because it's a surprise when it shows itself.</div><br /><div></div><div>Great job Nathan!</div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-68296544080610573212010-01-13T15:23:00.010-07:002010-01-13T21:24:11.860-07:00Hypocrite - NOT<span style="color:#000000;">I got a phone call yesterday to help out with our, um, well I don't really know what we call it anymore BUT it use to be "Enrichment Night" at my church. This great gal asked if I would talk a couple minutes about blogging as a form of journaling.</span><br /><br />The first thing that went through my mind was . . . now, when was the last time I blogged? Needless to say, I totally felt like a hypocrite knowing I haven't been real consistent the last few months with blogging.<br /><br />On a whim I looked up the word "hypocrisy" on Wikipedia to see what they have to say about the subject. If you haven't played around on Wikipedia, I urge you to go and do. It makes your time wasting net surfing feel enlightening. Anyways, here is what I found:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#330099;">Hypocrisy is the act of persistently pretending to hold beliefs, opinions, virture, feelings, qualities or standards that one does not actually hold. Hypocrisy is thus a kind of lie.</span></div><p><span style="color:#000000;">I got to thinking about that definition. I really don't pretend to blog. I do it. Inconsistently, yes . . . but I do it. I believe it's good. I think it's a great way to keep in touch with friends and family and, HOLY COW, I love that other people comment on it! </span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">Here is some more of what Wiki had to say:</p></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#330099;">Hypocrisy may come from a desire to hide from others actual motives or feelings. Hypocrisy is not simply an inconsistency between what is advocated and what is done.</span></div><br />Ok. I don't hide the fact that I have some flaky loser qualities. I might limit my time with other people so they don't pick up on them. If you have noticed them in me, well, I've probably noticed them to. Some things are just hard to shake. According to the above definition my inconsistency at blogging or being on time isn't that I don't have the desire. It's that I am still working on that one. Right?<br /><br />When I read the next part I felt vindicated.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><div align="center"></span></div><span style="color:#6600cc;">Samuel Johnson made this point when he wrote about the misuse of the charge of "hypocrisy" in Rambler No. 14:</span><span style="color:#6600cc;"> <div align="center"><br />"Nothing is more unjust, however common, than to charge with hypocrisy him that expresses zeal for those virtues which he neglects to practice; since he may be sincerely convinced of the advantages of conquering his passions, without having yet obtained the victory, as a man may be confident of the advantages of a voyage, or a journey, without having courage or industry to undertake it, and may honestly recommend to others, those attempts which he neglects himself."</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">So, to all those who will hear me praise the virtues of blogging as a kind of journaling tonight, know that I am expressing my desire for and further action of some good ol' fashion blogging. Maybe I need more courage. Maybe I need to conquer my time mismanagement issue. Maybe I need to store that stinkin' cord for my camera in a more convienent place! Maybe I need to answer this . . . </span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Does a hypocrite ever think they're really a hypocrite?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"></span></div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-64188139414154372072009-11-27T09:20:00.000-07:002009-11-27T09:21:30.275-07:00ThanksgivingSometimes life feels like the funnies.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408819163146162962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7zeIWuYG61a-a5K_abk9h6GKGcaOFQYGO19-84d2K28hNATWOkxBu5nDIZIzMmL1r2AimJzjwSIFUMQB4IsLk8UzBpTIpScnoVXIe66KvHLbWOZ-jOCGEXlCOkrAaEPsqek7Er2e4p0/s400/cartoon.jpg" />kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-37010820167570393432009-10-14T09:53:00.026-06:002010-01-13T16:38:05.249-07:00Ragnar: Run. Drive. Sleep. Repeat.What an experience it was to run in the Ragnar Relay from the Valley of Fire to Las Vegas in the warm state of Nevada. I now get the phrase, "Run. Drive. Sleep. Repeat." that is on all Ragnar logo stuff. There was plenty of all of that (except sleep) during the whole experience. And it was totally worth it!<br /><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">When I told people I was running in this relay race I got a lot of funny faces and remarks. A lot of people seem to think they could never do something like this. Well, yes, you can. Running is only part of the experience and if your team is there for fun and not to be the first across the finish line, GO! DO IT! You will never regret the experience. Here is what you get if you run a Ragnar:</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:180%;">1.</span> An opportunity to make friends.</span></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">The only people on my team I knew at all were Wendy, Melanie and Lisa. At that, I knew Wendy the best. Through our training runs and the race itself I got to know Melanie and Lisa better and made lots of new friends.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392496297850070482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Xp9T2BCIET4pvWQtD47TtqnpikrAcJWxtG8RCTvW5e53wpKaXP5bujYsqCv2RYoQ7hemwUhw0rIiwN_2MgmpwrJ0OelcujCaD2MowJCnkUmOah_jBiJqdk24JtEEPcw6D6pH5iMBgkQ/s400/DSC00638.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#660000;">Van #1 - Yolanda, Laura, Melanie, Me, Christine, and Cheryl.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">I spent the next two days with these awesome women racing around the Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, Henderson and into Las Vegas. We shared food, laughter and lack of sleep. I will always remember our choice of conversations and topics. The honesty of it all! Wow!</span></p><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392500274285469314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-EJLV7piQEC7IdDQ9exT7dXzzUfoJ_zglvexXrpTqtyqFzZfKueFEgzurWAbJOsvpyuzEvgJdQ9DRR2UnhKW0hYZldu4zWXdSI7CeoOS5BWFdItyDFy3w8PNW3GsoKOuNMVktuG8miU/s400/DSC00654.JPG" /></span> <p align="center"><span style="color:#660000;">The hand off from Melanie to Yolanda. Everyone of you ran a great run!</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><span style="color:#660000;"></span><br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:180%;">2.</span> In a race like this your teammates give you lots of support.</span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392495930525733266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnIcFm2I10QMIiKqkUEG5sIEoCQXG_YkknXPeHfG_cDQHEbTXk8HYV_BFHgvfRN-Sgvita5G6FoiIjIAJxnk7rMjSItTgC8WLnGlTGOOcD_SKaWRMVdSdqjayxIXn9b1ZOptI7IY_PkY/s400/DSC00652.JPG" /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">Cheryl handed off to Melanie but Melanie forgot her gum. Christine set her right.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">We were always supportive of the girl on the run and did our best to offer them whatever they needed to make their run good. Everyone had different preferences. Thanks for spraying me down with water, the drinks and lots of cheering. Cheryl was an amazing sprayer. She was always on top of that with everyone. I hope we didn't let you down when you were out on the road! You all rock!<br /><br /></span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392495217693870962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKefQhvQRxbaVm8N9dbi-3PXDlaVDAFa_lRaAhgkrjtFW2-MJUVy6QbNboDL4HgmvkwaSAckom4jh21c62CdINXTm8pZb8SjWdHQ9RpeS4Xv4cJMa-e-Yr6CKDiRKwfHCYVbFdofxY6fE/s400/DSC00660.JPG" /> <span style="color:#000000;">This was my favorite run - into the Valley of Fire. It was beautiful. The moon and the sun where out. The rocks were a beautiful red. We also got to talk with the gals from van 2 at the exchange. I was the last to run from my van everytime and got to hand off to Tiffany in their van. It was just nice to see them there.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;">3.</span> <span style="color:#000000;">The scenery you encounter on a Ragnar is varied.<br /><br />Dusty straight roads. Winding sandy roads. Mountains, desserts and city scapes. We got some of all of this during the race. Early morning sunrise, late afternoon heat and moonlight trails. For an area as "out there" as Nevada, there was actually a lot to see. This is one of the reason I prefer to run outside instead of on a track or treadmill. The view outside is so different from riding in a car.</span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"> </span><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392494797098777074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_My1Uk8rISGRiGGv79oOVrhPFhOXaVbl6jEF6sIzUYSn9TXwLTHcPP-X1J2vK5ZzSGILEPFXYxdvFySnv7lMYUK1wn_0352tTHUq1lRTZv76OQvN4hJgHFQY1sIouqn2JWkLLYGV1BQ/s400/DSC00672.JPG" /><span style="color:#990000;">In the city - Yolanda offers Laura a drink.</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392494469852331106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT6nsNMyGn1nBGuVrgugVE2w9g7c35qQ_fped3TqHR3RuIov8i9zyk8xv6lAUWiJ3Fy7efM6KfhPP811Ba5wnNVFGZv1ZJbqjQQLfxR9XZzdBbjKG6SY_vuYCXdPNE1r_b83W-NLa3Ps/s400/DSC00675.JPG" /></p><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#660000;"></span><span style="color:#990000;">A</span><span style="color:#990000;"> long straight road outside of Las Vegas. Tiffany is greeted with a drink from Rachel and a cooling spray from Libby.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392494049915279650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxtIC24p3SERF1X_ZpxiPElsA0LreyAVzYsqFjPI4vOglF0Gx8hwtvfpYXzcWrMptiT7nFNbUmzsWBoo6r5S7qlnZ1rXrP9g4O6x_KP1PLxrWzbLgyZi8xI22hAYrf8twUu_R31L-uQ8/s400/DSC00731.JPG" /> <span style="color:#000000;">One of my favorite pictures. Lisa is running out of a canyon and into Las Vegas. This was the last leg of the race. It was a beautiful area. Can you see how the experience would be different from driving it?</span></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:180%;">4.</span> Running makes you feel good.<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span style="color:#000000;">Whether you feel good because you get the runners rush of adrenaline or because </span><span style="color:#000000;">you have done something you didn't think you could do, running will make you feel good in one way or another.</span><br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392493466927981650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdABb2ktNsaLHjtQ-hW08NTaLESwkzf3tTuGINWEIXOwT54Z3csqquHOZsfnH91TRB5bUtEsW0aK42JzKu2EPRA7Uzd7nHQCrpGDV481zSfJvL39HPKkLBmbG6XawhBSHVSE9S7yBhlFE/s400/DSC00684.JPG" /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#990000;">Rachel hands off to Libby. Check out Libby's smile. She's feelin' good!</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392492815826302274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_pwmPvb5Im3M9RU4M1_3jpUAp0e5llQDn4tLHc6y47eOhY_mPFNhFl4Rv1aIXHsI7bMTj0W8Czn23oaSVoyFpwLEYiyIG3xGTiXWTyKcI-JQ-5K_1mPuck_gNPtFRIm_lpj9TfQkTDw/s400/DSC00688.JPG" /></p><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Here is our team captain Wendy with Jamie. Wendy. I hardly know the words to describe the admiration I have for Wendy. She organized the whole experience. I would never in my wildest dreams take something like this on. BUT - I will happily take part in anything she plans in the future. I told her she make my dreams come true. I apparently have a hard time nailing down what those dreams are, but she gives me a heads up when she finds one for me.<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392492552896151506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j17rdtd65l4AD0BdbJkEb-swK1SfT_gaYOg7VHQk3jbAD73TR_xF6GsXcWdFw_N93LNRTg3XkcY_oOsAtf_DT1Hg6g71hzVMeys_AFfLW2k6x3lEtGyB4AVR5cA-snPSs7v7y-jlflM/s400/DSC00706.JPG" /> Here's a hightlight - Carp drove down to Las Vegas and cheered me on for my last run. Then we road around together to cheer on the ladies from Van 2. It was really fun to have him there!</span></p><p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392492213955712082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9vrcdatkHMir-b4a2TgehEqB8a5tJpwDR_Cjo-H9qtMi2lNoryUrONVxY9YiZ9M6-hdi1Prysw9i59YEp5v-0BxNbSrAULKoLYIa8A_H3vjMSzKjTgHVywejT7YQde5bmdj92waiLRc/s400/DSC00709.JPG" /> <span style="color:#000000;">Wendy's family also drove down to give her support during her last run. I love this picture of Carp and Jeff. They are so GQ, aren't they?<br /></span></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392491821714176866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGJ5y8sGQZc9d3F_xzgKVcCUP5zhW3FIfYgVuDCTGzk2PNBGm1c-HBUY9q9e2BRnFF23IGE1JnPdpgefP-yGj9RnBJaNDzXsP4O3H1GZKQHKzqwaHC9hgyvnSuDjE7A5-BL3N18C1qLg/s400/DSC00749.JPG" /><span style="color:#990000;">Back: Libby, Tiffany, Wendy, Jamie,Laura and Lisa. Front: Melanie, Kellie, Yolanda, Christine, Cheryl, and Rachel.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">After we were done, with medals in hand we checked in our hotel, showered, dressed, and headed off to the Rio for a buffet. We were all tired but were still able to enjoy ourselves.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">The entire experience was great. I am grateful I had this opportunity and that we all arrived safely home. Not everyone made it home from the race. One runner was hit and killed in Henderson - the first in a Ragnar. His family and friends have been in my prayers and will continue to be.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Thank you to all you fabulous women I ran with. Thank you.</span></p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-9705350345215399712009-09-14T07:56:00.008-06:002009-09-14T08:22:14.411-06:00Birthdays!We had two birthdays in July. Seth turned 14 and Sam turned 4.<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381325723117455426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-cBGd3KHAnDW9XcOyu0HeHMRccCST2WYupenhX_VzDVZEvVs8QsTzQzv9tS_HsSli-mvmdYtkikjZg-lHjEKOH2lYyOwpp5-AdeFFK8Z94OKRjKci5wiscHwQX67UQHflihDKGKnk_k/s400/DSC00354.JPG" />For Sammy's birthday we did had a hot dog roast in the backyard compete with chips and gifts.<br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381325386700293778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpkcaM4VZxaA2rWxjSL7ME73vQt6baNGlmICANnKoUH6nYbBAfvVIcGhp4-6EFmJmFOVyA9LIhTzOVxErep6PlHMIevEs-aIXWU1AjOipGdKOqmCOkIX_xQkWK8XoP7dMfoc5CdYoL8g/s400/DSC00360.JPG" />The kids really like to roast marshmallows around the fire pit. Carson also picked out a few tunes on the guitar.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381325097169445330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAJaEToY3QyhpptbkysRij1pwTfJjNFvVy_GhcBeYftCztd6iin3A_1gCGxRsSZ1yJkHfqSO5EEbMu7riSqK940_a92GewRKKrbkb-Y7A38Xs33UoYSZaJpWDKS62KciXjpK5ba3bIRo/s400/DSC00366.JPG" />Sammy loves shoes. She use to have a pair of pink sparkly shoes and out grew them. So, she now has red sparkly shoes.<br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381324843459700450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJMwL0gy6fpnn8ZuzHj9m37DCPYQe796r59aBXYJsHUDj92zG2Nz6_2g9N5B7-MVNF7LKPQNJScqKRuylQ37mjlk3jRp2RtGrA-Nx-VGj-KT5dFAk6gGtH6tiYO58dogCce6WSv4RtzY/s400/DSC00376.JPG" />Sam also got a new scooter. She use to have one just like this that got some heavy use. It was mostly pink. This one is mostly purple. She loves it.</div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381324540900042530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_JsOKWzNdH3HRKR1lMRz3AA6INmMbefHoYGmp1U1Je4oFeGW5ZqGIQ_-8-IAkZ-hbUVpdU1qW_LMfD9QM3u_gP-ESwUgUpFLkVUg2awWcG1cCRt1YzjyaUxpw98ktBwdwhuFD-9Ix7U/s400/DSC00393.JPG" />Seth's birthday was the day before Sammy's. He got some yummy brownies. We made the number 14 on his cake.<br /><br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381324200664443682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsPJktpjWfrk7bpVQ-3TJvcI2qAUw7zY3duaCA5ezGuogoCY9UHgJV_Q8x1X8hlnbtvyT8qwNysX-Ac76EGBCHBWAT7p8LIzHb9M1BvqZxdwnSv6Y6A-rkpobXYu4axXGH9o6CeG4Ur4/s400/DSC00394.JPG" />Seth was so excited to have Sammy born the day after him. He tells everyone how cool that is to share birthdays so close.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381323793763949970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtOG6GN27VDFnZZyuAsZV6J1NydCI3J6hmj3XrZOSxg47uRweOSCI89nYfFR2SoGjCwVzhNYxrRQGMhzKQfC6AuoxB2K-LiAsExwTt2nOlraidJZAYABxIzBdhhLgLn9mwtLAmRSqkMA/s400/DSC00397.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"> Happy Birthday Seth and Sammy!<br /></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-39883645346162324782009-09-10T22:43:00.000-06:002009-09-10T23:29:44.196-06:00Philmont<div align="left">K. So I finally got some pictures for Philmont up. Yes!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Carp had an opportunity to attend training for the BSA at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, NM the middle of July. We returned home a while ago, but you know, I'm not good at keeping my blog current. So here's the low down on what we did on our family vacation to Philmont.<br /><br />We packed up the kids in the van with lots of stuff and drove to Raton, NM in one day. That was about a 12-13 hour day of driving. The next day we drove out to the Philmont Scout Ranch (hereafter refered to as PSR) and check in. Within the hour, Carson left for a week of back country adventure while the rest of us unpacked and set up home away from home in our assigned canvas tents before attending an evening church service and opening ceremony.</div><p align="left">We each were assigned groups that we did stuff all week with. Here are pictures of our groups:</p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379294626225159330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_2tHELmLOQ7QMLKoHHV4DzFPEHv0hfVBtm_Wtd77CnWzjOxJhZLZvUDJ_8BXiZwJ6hizLhXsSzTdyldZsCECKDHs3_fhigp3Mox1AMlXlVlNHOrcLtOPR6cs_qxxrP9B1mWOpBo_uX4/s400/Sammy+Philmont+Small+Frys.jpg" /><br /></p><p align="center">Sammy was a "small fry."<br /></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379294490761797410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xYM9QCPe-uhWBkHCp-VZ03YzzqDaEBCLQKUMFdb2bjIg3fFnYeJlDp2tkpqjZY7V8MVj7Qb4zdGnCwk1b0QG4xnwi9E_KynaxYSQybGtU4b7PYWdCCwmdyJ71dfQkkRt8Uo3RGRPnNg/s400/Gabby+Philmont+Ropers.jpg" /><br />Gabby was a "roper."<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379294251195211298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PobK1-57f3mihPq5m3nRB-UFvo-ZjXRf_mYjT0ttKAF_J5n5QzmT60Q-m8594w9uQQ4PmRaB1rIG1H_uyBe-tz0iev-xxUHLQiihpiS3_O64C_PQ_m7308pyyxIXauWpPoRVKUCxmbo/s400/Nathan+Philmont+Sidewinders.jpg" /> Nathan was a "sidewinder."<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379293807881989954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXYV2tqwbW_cMyoRN0xfpBKRu9c7aVP_2_UgMk3A9qB5LUrkMk4AD04RJqInyqrDU3p24GIVfB36n63fQ4b8IBSTgp2iDqOkfTelO61-C0tlTAt-pZguy9VGEwFgeiPpfDo1zY_cSdL4/s400/Seth+Philmont+Blazers.jpg" /></p><p align="center">Seth was a "trailblazer."<br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 319px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379293480869291570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-NWrFLo07AYY0rd6Lxtb4rLnMlOTsKwFADMQE6UWlAyU3NEIlWuIhmaFRl6V3lhA2BBHQPXudVX5-Xr1Nm0hzSI0GC3GWO1BvT9-Do2bSOUkC1kfqU_L1QTM1ky0xlQdVwWRTHunEvw/s400/Carson+Philmont+Mountain+Men.jpg" /><br /><p align="center">Carson was a "mountain man."<br /><br /></p><br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379293210546448114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxm8lRpBivm51Qwu2i-WqpFHD77SiUqphh2c8yXb85f_3iRj808BvVL8sPGnXwB6efdRX-vK8EmYd86AZHy6_G9VmhYGK3PU-EYQjxS59C0lZBTc5dnUxf9IO4p6LuJLtTTBTtYVNUqxQ/s400/Mom+Philmont+Silverados.jpg" />I was a "silverado." I hung with all the significant others of those that came for training.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 316px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379292865211867490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIl7vdWDYivMOUT0qZq4xJDbYD3fqyv-Avj_GxIUjbXuftYfnsaBpCYgwx-lWauiBruGBDE-e7AbSOwlJqlFHXtxXP6SYa2fFOvP1lIDUyOM2Vty8Nxu6CnUg1tx1NRBH2_2XoF7YHUAg/s400/Carp+Philmont+Group+Outing.jpg" />Carp was a training member of "put more outing in scouting."<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379292329306567330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysJcWVFIppfuihXoELkZhpHTrDlzVE_yT1s5YGiPfR38b0_pV8npnKZH2WXJZFiUqlug_ehoivU-yBNxFcWNM9ZwdkzvGVRW094B63HbSov_CxdnxRWFIYNf5k4tTxoDULg12SGEQLbg/s400/DSC00294.JPG" /><br /><br />Yeah, 5 star accomodations were in order for our trip. We slept two to a tent - canvas tent, that is. HOT during the day, but not too bad a night. The tents were on wood platforms. How do ya like the deer Carp caught a picture of? </p><p align="left"><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379291768089353634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2118oq_zid4Y4N-Kmv5zp5Vd5RTUU36mpJzC5bZzUdaIsyRLWEPQ5ybR1qjCjs3ivnxFy2MTak8eg035J1PL6MqVnzmIoJ0aa1NV5uUShZpKuBJrhTuLXkWxq2QIiKCyrk6PrvZeZUI/s400/DSC00012.JPG" /><br />This is Carp and Sammys tent. We claimed the first 3 of these closest to the playground. It was quite convienent to be so close to quick entertainment for the kids. Sometimes Carp and I would sit outside and let the kids play while we read or chatted with other folks. Relaxing. <p>The great thing about this training for Carp was that they offered a family program to participate in if you wanted to bring your family with you. Every day we ate all three meals together in a mess hall. After breakfast we dropped the kids at their assigned stations and Carp went to training while I did, well, whatever I wanted. We picked them up for lunch and then dropped them off again. Carson would go back to training and I would do, well, whatever I wanted. We picked them kids up again around 4:15 p.m. - Carson, of course, was not in the training center with us. He was gone the Sunday we got there and got back the Saturday we left.</p><p>We had fun everyday we were there. Here's the week at a glance:</p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Monday</span></strong></p><p>Sammy: Played at the small fry play center and visited the greenhouse in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Gabby: Made bagel pizzas in the morning and hiked to the T-Rex footprint in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Nate: Hike to Abreu in the morning and had rootbeer at the cantina. Went to the Kit Carson Museum in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Seth: Did archery and Rifle shooting in the morning. Hiked to Lover's Leap in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Carson: Hiked to Clarks Fork. He did branding and chilled with his buddies.<br /></p><p>Kellie: Had an adult meeting in the morning to introduce what options I had while I was at PSR. Hiked to Cathedral Rock in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Carp: Training<br /></p><p>After Dark: We had a play ground right next to our tent and were right by the South Tent offices and picnic area. We had cobbler and let the kids play.<br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Tuesday</span></strong></p><p>Sammy: Pony rides in the morning. Played and did crafts in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Gabby: Archery and Rifle shooting in the morning. Villa Philamonte tour and pony rides in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Nate: Archery and Rifle shooting in the morning. Hiked to Lover's leap in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Seth: Handicraft and Villa tour in the morning. Horse back riding in the afternoon.<br /></p><p>Carson: Hiked to Cyper's Mine. Had the strong man contest. Had the stomp which was a music thing. </p><br /><p>Kellie: Did an all day hike to Carson's Meadows. We stopped at the original woodbadge lodge for a tour and Abreu. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379290793659416946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCcKKkvH5YvewwsUsfKwiH5bHxo4ZMskRr4sbs_vIedvIJuFHGDLmiGiaS4hahRmLlDRZInRyPyzYeYo1ZHr0GKuZp4oIGPtBRfYsJ7kmLXh8K0vr_DaGG7dQyKRBhspWG4NjjC4TVDA/s400/DSC00041.JPG" /><br /><p>I ate lunch at Carson Meadows with my hiking crowd. I was interested in this hike mostly because they said we would get to sample what the mountain trekers were eating everyday. Afterward, I started saving apples and oranges for when Carson got back. The lunch was, well, high on fats and processed food. I just knew Carson would want something fresh.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379290329656096402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvcQ-0pNHC4Gbh1aF1vdl4C9de22aecEJhYJz1PM1v1WNPvgbHDbC6-8zJxoZxb3IpgsIz3H-5lEKHnyH1zfomXOUdiDSXCc2fPqrozOk_Z85KoVLyzgqpkP799FFZxmN9OxmLJ8ifYc/s400/DSC00044.JPG" /></p>We stopped at Abreu for a tour and checked out the cantina. Those on the Mountain Men/Women Treks also stopped at places like this. Nathan had a rootbeer at this cantina on one of his hikes too.<br /><br />Carp: Training.<br /><br />After Dark: We had a Buffalo BBQ for dinner and played western games and danced. All the kids enjoyed the line dancing.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Wednesday</span></strong><br /><br /><br />We had a family day on Wednesday. We drove about an hour and a half to hike the perimeter of Caplin Volcano and then down the the center. It was totally cool to see the massive amount of lady bugs.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379289710446203362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4vZyYEXWUH2wZ6K3ICrc_ZaSYnHgequ4beCeLtDgzw6tmxzMVibCbcJj9UKLH8g7X-eTnpRTrguDT_rC37scBuxnByJW7eZ7m1ga9r9pClbwoDcNB1J_AUbv4FhBenRi6IZ9EYpruMI/s400/DSC00089.JPG" /><br />Nathan was in bug heaven. Sammy was not. She is not a big fan of bugs.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379289098402053122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFWyI14fm03w8AL7bTqlxR0W8u-liMboP7b0eKikPrLOkYM9qMZttUSlwe-G-lXnLMYm0A-pWQd-tVbFystjfS_SB3IwdxvTTOWZ3icfy0NZRJZU2_iB6F1VowscOPyq878aA3utxnYs/s400/DSC00095.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">The kids and I at the top of the volcano.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379288863250789442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E7Vqz-rBSIESSnP9WMgAbrt-YnAUlOmOaHyAskoYV3Nl0-S6uok9V_nJo_25JR0EO_8foulUNLpe6GAwULshiYatIK8ON3gjtKeVDmSYvH9shd5iA8pHoHVJSKg9g3gVI5vC7Q2M6DI/s400/DSC00107.JPG" /> <p align="center"><br /></p><div align="center">This is what it was like all over the volcano area. Kind of creepy, crawly in a way.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379287775125800738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTeNTV8uKnn3x70KwUY1HBDPhE6hhlnnety4fAT7NoNAmKx727U5MoMd0rcTSbb0cx2gN0aO03X0mj_f7k_Ml_1pR31uipdAbrpWkR2zZMZwHY-xnIhikD8JaoMAbdDHV7FHRSaqaGeU/s400/DSC00122.JPG" /> <p align="center"><br />Carp and Gabby resting before climbing out of the center of Caplin Volcano. </p><p></p><p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379280157418709570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajIN1OYGtGUMPiCRLc4_fvf-iuWtOrK21Wbyn3hHpcl_mva3Z1Oaji55R-wjoJD7uS8hqHEcElNdq_9kcQIlA9ozwf6aTmTetaSgwQecrRJ4Ik7FhKEERfHsIc4utQSMwkF0gv5FDx7Y/s400/DSC00136.JPG" /><br />We meant to get a of picture of all of us by this wagon when Carson got back from the trek. Yep, forgot that one.<br /><br />We also spent time at the handicraft lodge. They have tons of stuff to "whittle" away the time.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL4GjLNzgGHWuhzQ3Arx5ICeHhGjrnP5SnrFDOLFm6f_uavK5379EC83k9Ta2WaKY1FeriEqoL3M5LWm12TdQ_NckAgqZsrppmLX48xemSWqJoMy8adhR_m9FydtOO7QpbtpIowTRHKo/s1600-h/DSC00139.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379278685498293170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL4GjLNzgGHWuhzQ3Arx5ICeHhGjrnP5SnrFDOLFm6f_uavK5379EC83k9Ta2WaKY1FeriEqoL3M5LWm12TdQ_NckAgqZsrppmLX48xemSWqJoMy8adhR_m9FydtOO7QpbtpIowTRHKo/s400/DSC00139.JPG" /></a><br />The girls decorated aprons. Look how steady handed Sammy is. Gabby's was creative.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds9mU1NJBBS2bqOdvZsX38w22pPvg10D7nazDAKsNz8zTJ7ZEwSKy9NdrUA3DI37AoxkdxB0OJUMZNBG38WFimoK5iA5QzH9diGSoRJv6-U5r32WjF7OkuF5W0jfmnT0KK-YoHWHsbtg/s1600-h/DSC00141.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379277978479989970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds9mU1NJBBS2bqOdvZsX38w22pPvg10D7nazDAKsNz8zTJ7ZEwSKy9NdrUA3DI37AoxkdxB0OJUMZNBG38WFimoK5iA5QzH9diGSoRJv6-U5r32WjF7OkuF5W0jfmnT0KK-YoHWHsbtg/s400/DSC00141.JPG" /></a><br />Seth assembled and painted a space shuttle.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwJNyaIpQWxFYbLsV7ADiqLcmt1sOB6GE2B87NgUaGVXTlYIEDIbL3GpRPgvLpAnABichY-DA-yD6qnFTKAs8xb6O6MN3IfXKim-DK-AwLAilNPmg-Z3WRw0dU10aCWwsjwXb62EYwoA/s1600-h/DSC00143.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379277242461894466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwJNyaIpQWxFYbLsV7ADiqLcmt1sOB6GE2B87NgUaGVXTlYIEDIbL3GpRPgvLpAnABichY-DA-yD6qnFTKAs8xb6O6MN3IfXKim-DK-AwLAilNPmg-Z3WRw0dU10aCWwsjwXb62EYwoA/s400/DSC00143.JPG" /></a> Nathan made a bug cage. </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">After we were done we visited the trading post and bought way too many souvenirs. Well, maybe not too many considering how many kids we have.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">After Dark: Some of the kids went to watch "Follow Me Boys" while others (including me) just relaxed and read or played on the playground.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Carson: Hiked to Saw Mill. Shot 30 odd 6.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Thursday</span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Sammy: Played and did crafts. Went to the handicraft lodge in the afternoon.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Gabby: All day hike to Cathedral Rock and Hunting Lodge.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Nathan: All day hike to Carson Meadows. Campout with Carp at Rayodo.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Seth: All day hike to Window Rock, then overnighter at the Hunting Lodge. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Carson: Cimarroncito. It hailed on them so they had hail fights. Carson saw Seth because they were hiking in the same area. They did indoor climbing.<br /></div><div align="left">Kellie: Went horseback riding in the morning and relaxed in the afternoon.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Carp: Training.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl6DO4d7SRgVv0cZ6K2C-WGw7KMXgSyQH-xCjcMw4giVkmqNikINhgxjTlgVhFqOdNp4oD0DPqffq5xi0DftN4PoTioVpvS6y5KwMitootnrGLBCrLW3thuOJGFlYwnzlSz8vpOG1Vss/s1600-h/DSC00150.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379276529772784754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl6DO4d7SRgVv0cZ6K2C-WGw7KMXgSyQH-xCjcMw4giVkmqNikINhgxjTlgVhFqOdNp4oD0DPqffq5xi0DftN4PoTioVpvS6y5KwMitootnrGLBCrLW3thuOJGFlYwnzlSz8vpOG1Vss/s400/DSC00150.JPG" /></a>Here I am on the lighter brown horse with the "Tooth of Time" landmark behind me.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bwL6e8mNkK2EhhLmkKMQ5id0F-_4B4MinXUm9HFdIMM9xSQTap6pAPHdbZWDi-8F_ZqtWzv3zjbOSZDoAprqCwtYJH5d-o7r7tSKEY-C6LJB9cwY0jrq7BW6qzvbrxTydIMLRhXjTUs/s1600-h/DSC00173.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379274631032736706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bwL6e8mNkK2EhhLmkKMQ5id0F-_4B4MinXUm9HFdIMM9xSQTap6pAPHdbZWDi-8F_ZqtWzv3zjbOSZDoAprqCwtYJH5d-o7r7tSKEY-C6LJB9cwY0jrq7BW6qzvbrxTydIMLRhXjTUs/s400/DSC00173.JPG" /></a><br />Okay. So Carp didn't do boring training everyday. He did FUN training much of the time. He did a bit of photography, archery, the COPES course and much more. He had a great time. You know, this picture kindof turns me on. He looks so . . . . manly.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j8hTIFQ-e-oQ_QgLAq2y_efzpAHBtnKO_oux9-k9sCIl4o2KpbFKYG9gb0oWCd-K_1c4iM-6rMwyrL_LriCMjoJNhdraEQMhQAGYnRe1H2vk5cz4MEPPg-VRDE_uWkT2VEXbjAl9ZD0/s1600-h/DSC00186.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379274381303425234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j8hTIFQ-e-oQ_QgLAq2y_efzpAHBtnKO_oux9-k9sCIl4o2KpbFKYG9gb0oWCd-K_1c4iM-6rMwyrL_LriCMjoJNhdraEQMhQAGYnRe1H2vk5cz4MEPPg-VRDE_uWkT2VEXbjAl9ZD0/s400/DSC00186.JPG" /></a><br />Here is Nathan and two friends he made at Philmont - Matthew and Greg. They ended up hiking in hail and rain on their all day hike. All their shoes were trashed when they got back. I had to clean Nathan's up so he could go camping that night with Carp.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0sNi1T_xjs97yUL-_SA4wY66iJVumgPmH5fyvCrgiOzU0W3Wu7GUWOOP72R7rSg_TPBQ04qovmE3COdX3sBvRvOIONyA8tTBX729EHSFKhR8F2_dA_8h-91wMjZgF7sKAkl_2tc2wWY/s1600-h/DSC00188.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379273614508649490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0sNi1T_xjs97yUL-_SA4wY66iJVumgPmH5fyvCrgiOzU0W3Wu7GUWOOP72R7rSg_TPBQ04qovmE3COdX3sBvRvOIONyA8tTBX729EHSFKhR8F2_dA_8h-91wMjZgF7sKAkl_2tc2wWY/s400/DSC00188.JPG" /></a> Carp and Nathan on their overnighter campout at Rayodo and Kit Carson Museum.<br /><br />After Dark: There was cobbler and story telling. The girls and I were the only ones at camp from our family. We showered and had a girls late night.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Friday</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /><br />Sammy: Played and movie in the morning. Pony rides in the afternoon.<br /><br /><br />Gabby: Hike to Lover's Leap in the Morning. Handicraft in the afternoon.<br /><br /><br />Nathan: Got picked up at 7:00 a.m. from Rayado campout. Met at the Handicraft lodge and a Villa tour in the morning. Listened to Western Lore at the pony ring in the afternoon.<br /><br /><br />Seth: Kit Carson Museum in the morning. Handicraft in the afternoon.<br /><br /><br />Carson: Did outdoor climbing at Cimarroncito and then hiked to Window Rock. It had a beautiful view.<br /><br /><br />Kellie: Hiked Urraca Trail. Ice Cream Social in the afternoon.<br /><br /><br />Carp: Finished training and received certificate.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NhXOsuj3-Dewa0L5eLOHob8rPiuPKZPj0oon6sFp50DGVrQVRd7ZXrI7c86-oN1lFr_WhFwtnIjyOu6w607g5vB1YDLG43e_P6ZTIJYc2PeT8H6rywn1jqpOt0urvV2SwLODA-N2o-o/s1600-h/DSC00221.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379273315595465282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NhXOsuj3-Dewa0L5eLOHob8rPiuPKZPj0oon6sFp50DGVrQVRd7ZXrI7c86-oN1lFr_WhFwtnIjyOu6w607g5vB1YDLG43e_P6ZTIJYc2PeT8H6rywn1jqpOt0urvV2SwLODA-N2o-o/s400/DSC00221.JPG" /></a><br />Gabby and Sam made friends with lots of kids on the playground. Andrew and Elizabeth's tent were right across from us. These guys played together a lot!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S5M3SCyvNDNCmfR30ssK40EaP-tQ8QtTF6mCDxHPi4fnnNe0UWmbpEkW_JPVkO4BT_7O_e3s2SzDhmuu5UvVNqUM43eLCpSX9wE-PJtVKX2hAfVLal_O2wlSoK7vrT9OqIBp7h3SgVg/s1600-h/DSC00232.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379272282457819026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S5M3SCyvNDNCmfR30ssK40EaP-tQ8QtTF6mCDxHPi4fnnNe0UWmbpEkW_JPVkO4BT_7O_e3s2SzDhmuu5UvVNqUM43eLCpSX9wE-PJtVKX2hAfVLal_O2wlSoK7vrT9OqIBp7h3SgVg/s400/DSC00232.JPG" /></a> This is were I spent 3 hours reading on Thursday afternoon. It is really beautiful around the Villa Philamonte.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379271988658642530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLkO-Nw-B667vrzRXDont5j1daODJNns1uFtrc9_d-NxfJF5LlKpuZmLEsk61qNDrs0FDb19Np_3mvSflM1nkqwFJxzk48fO1UL1La-FmsMRymzBQGP9if22NT36TIJT2FJS6nyZ2jOM/s400/DSC00250.JPG" /><br />This is the belt that Seth finished at his handicraft time with his group. He wears this with his scout uniform. Each of the kids spent time at the handicraft with their separate groups.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379271690006216930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARMMlioFJJ_TVIImsozEZd5eW-WDG-7jjt7bgjgYdEgQi9v_hB6ezpuooZXSzT2bUoErHS96OcI905cj4_qqdR77NGvN7Lutl-r38v6tBq4Yz6VCpTDmdJC3KIbBornRi0uwKlJ1iX6w/s400/DSC00273.JPG" />Carp's group had a little ceremony to celebrate the end of the training and hand out certificates. In true scout fashion, Carp had fun walking up to get his.<br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379271396738107826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwE3X3oan1Ja8J03M36rjEU7SPD3otohJtcxyWFSIpl27mUPj48iPDg2ZcchsUtFNp3zFAv8K4nhIZ894POYuAr9ZK1WbWl25oPIGMrZRVmv4HTvnCVueM6lo_V7Dyhnm0q_ZRQxt-cE/s400/DSC00275.JPG" />Carp receiving his certificate.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379271141612779090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL78J3AYPfTm-6765i4q3GnD3dJRMRnqan5GAUgP2mZGfvZ-23aEayYEjbWpngyUTAnXGLeqoMrkgrsTnH9a73rzZzv8JMRfTIju93pRtAgcDFi4x45Okf4sSfQT7xVi_ccns7f8FvBUg/s400/DSC00277.JPG" />Carp and Tracey.<br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379270843269723762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS-5yz0kWKVcbnMNc3UfylkEcIn9l4UPaU-nH8ZLTjDQ21pUmupGSkmxLyj9zud-bLgHrUhhnPF4QYmBIc7TSS8WozkFvTsj-NYKCN28cbity5Gv6fNBZ37lcwrMlyNvsN5Gv7IwWm-8/s400/DSC00285.JPG" /><br />Carp and I became friends with this couple, Phil and Tracey Mathews. They were totally fun!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379266372715142802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2a0IyuiRWzvQ0bS_fWKUUghidtaThSqL0FQHbGwrbqpqd9b2AQZmcVvhN9B7SoiW82LjKtjxkh2Hpe4GhTTcB-7xAM1lc7-uAO4sUdW9kUNg49nU4puAqyW_NA_-RjolU1tBcrEAWg4/s400/DSC00308.JPG" />Nanette, her boys and then some. Seth and Josh (in the middle) hung out quite a bit. They are from the Atlanta area.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379266008233414258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSclVBvTfmeZdcFj09UKoC97X4LfrXHnGch5ywi0fqNSN4bZYB9Jy7V_5oVJros2w3ZBXPAY2QFHxXvPGf017YzIOHckBsZUfNHR29UI351EhbaN_dhHWr8oqSGP1ysrZc04N9u15_IY/s400/DSC00320.JPG" /><br />Sammy did a cute song in the closing program. Actually, we all did a skit with out groups. So scoutlike.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379265456791933490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpVxgLlt2Kv62vDXZoGGfcswlQHuy5s2c-F1oe1UBysknECpkKZZDNqpGetgjbL5W8vVKOTQxrbQdp7oOSqeuZ8iBe3g7w5xXOtB-f-F7ZJ5ex6f2ULXTno_gF-nrAeSt7eQsT7labyY/s400/DSC00346.JPG" /><br />Gabby pulled Sam around in this cart after we loaded the van on Saturday. They are just outside the mess hall.<br /><div><br /></div><div align="left">We left Saturday morning at drove to Gunnison. Sunday morning we got up and drove home. It was an enjoyable time!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Now - here's a treat. Carp wrote some notes about the trip. All you kind people that actually read this whole post get to read more! Philmont, in Carp's words. Enjoy!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Philmont</span></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It has been one week since we returned from Philmont and a good time to reflect on the trip/experience.<br /><br />Friday night Carson and I loaded the car so we could leave early in the morning. We got on the road pretty early and started the trip with a fast food breakfast in the car, so we didn’t leave dirty dishes is the sink. Kellie drove the entire trip (because she likes to.) Also, since Kellie drove, she got first dibs on the radio which meant that she played “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince”, to Philmont and back. The book literally ended as we pulled into the driveway on the way home. Coincidence, I think not; listening to the book keeps her awake, it serves to put me asleep. There is a method to her madness. On the way down we did hear several times how much longer till we get to the hotel. Since the drive to Raton took 12 hours I can’t really blame the kids. Kellie really enjoyed driving over the mountain passes, the highest was 11,300’.<br /><br />We stopped in Raton and stayed at what recently changed from the Sands Best Western. We had connecting rooms, so the boys stayed in one and the girls stayed in the other with Kels and I. They all thought it was great and would run from one room to another. We unloaded all the gear and ate dinner. Thanks to a special celebration in the town that evening, there were free ice cream cones for the 4 younger kids. Thank you Raton!<br /><br />In the hotel room next to us was a Scout and his mother. He was being dropped off at Philmont in the morning for a week of Youth Leadership training. Nice young man, who I gave 2 patches from our local council he also gave me a patch from his council.<br /><br />Sunday, July 19, 2009<br /><br />On Sunday morning we awoke and had a cold breakfast of muffins and milk at the hotel. Showers for those who did not bathe when we arrived then Carson and I reloaded the car and roof rack which we were beginning to build our proficiency. After we arrived we held a family service in the hotel room as we were not sure if we would be able to attend services at Philmont that evening. We drove into Cimmaron and saw the couple blocks of business then turned down the road to Philmont. We went to the Philmont museum and then to the trading post to pick up a backcountry map for Carson. We then drove back to Cimmaron for lunch. After lunch it was time to check in, so we drove back to Philmont and checked in at the PTC. We checked in right around 1 PM, because Carson had to check in for the Mountain Trek at 2 PM and would be gone until Saturday Morning. We stayed in South Tent City. The van was unloaded with the help of Carson and then we got him over to the greensward and said our goodbyes. We set about arranging our living quarters, tents 235, 236 and 237. Sammy and I were tent mates and she sure enjoyed the freedom of not being with Mom. We went to dinner and then had the kids get ready to attend church at 7 PM. We went to church and to our surpise Carson was there. He was staying in the trailhead tent city that night and would start on the trail in the morning. Carson had the opportunity to administer the sacrament and Seth passed the sacrament. Elder Wilson told the young men, this would probably be the only time they were allowed to do so without a white shirt and tie. We said our goodbyes once more to Carson and headed back to our tents for what was hoped to be a restful night of sleep. Of course I tossed and turned all night, and at 4 AM heard a loud thump! Sammy had rolled out of her bed. I picked her up and put her back in bed and lay semi-awake until 6 AM when I got up to shower.<br /><br />Monday<br /><br />First full day was an experience. We ate breakfast in the cafeteria with the kids and then dropped them off at 8:20 AM with their counselors. Sammy to the Small Fry group, Gabby the Ropers, Nathan the sidewinders and Seth the Trailblazers.<br /><br />The routine was shower, breakfast, drop off at 8:20, class, pick up at 11:20 AM, lunch, drop off at 1:20 PM, class, pick up at 4:20 PM, dinner, evening activity, brush their teeth and go to bed. Six hours of organized activity each day for the kids was quite nice for both them and Kels. Kellie spent her time hiking each day except for Thursday when she went horseback riding.<br /><br />About my class, Tracey and Phil.<br /><br />My training class covered a lot of ideas for getting Scouts in the outdoors. We went covered COPES course, Climbing & Rappelling, Ecology, Conservation, LNT, Outdoor Photography, Rifle and Archery Shooting, Aquatics, Map and Compass, Geocaching and other topic. It was well worth the week away from work.<br /><br />On my first day of class I met a lady who is a Scoutmaster, Tracey Matthews. When I came back Kels and I talked and she had met her husband in the Silverados group. Tracey told me the next morning that her husband was telling her about a lady he met from Pleasant Grove, UT. Tracey chuckled and said “that has to be Carson’s wife.” Phil and Tracey brought their 12 year old son Colby with them to Philmont. Kellie and Phil hiked together on three of the days. We became friends and exchanged contact information with them.<br /><br />Monday was craft night, but the craft building was so crowded, that we decided to forgo this activity. As there was a playground next to our tent, this did not seem to bother the kids in the least. They were regulars their every morning and before meals and evening. Nathan made two friends quickly Matt from Virginia and Greg from Texas. Sammy and Gabby befriended a 8 year old girl named Elizabeth. Seth and Josh from Georgia also hung out. Seth also would watch out for and entertain a 2 year old little Emma.<br /><br />Tuesday night was Western night BBQ buffalo western games and dancing. The kids had a great time and danced for about an hour and a half.<br /><br />Wednesday was family day we drove 60 miles to Capulin Volcano, came back to the trading post for souvenirs for the kids and made crafts in the craft building.<br /><br />Wednesday night was movie night with a showing of the movie Follow Me Boys. Since we have the movie at home and have seen it about a dozen times, we opted out of the movie and instead relaxed in camp with the kids playing in the playground.<br /><br />Thursday was quite a busy day. Kels went horseback riding, Seth, Nathan and Gabby went hiking all day. Seth did not return back to tent city as he had an overnight campout in the backcountry. After dinner, Nathan and I left for a Webelos/parent overnighter at the Kit Carson Musem in Rayodo. He an I had an 8 mile bus ride to the camp with the other parents and Webelos. The counselors and kids sang camp songs on the bus. We arrived, set up our tent then the boys threw tomahawks and had a foot race. AT dark, the staff put on a musical program and had hot chocolate for the kids. We got up about 6:15 a.m., packed up our stuff and rode the bus back to Philmont Training Center arriving in time to shower and to eat breakfast.<br /><br />Friday night was the closing campfire program. Each family group had a skit or presentation. Yes, even Kels who reluctantly went up and sang with her group. It was difficult, but I was able to get a picture of her by going to the side of the stage area. (She tries to hide behind taller people.) We then had a slide show, but Kellie nor I got to watch it since Sammy decided to bolt off and sit somewhere away from us in a crowd of several hundred people. Near the end of the slide show, Kellie signaled me from across the crowd that she found Sammy. The Philmont staff must have known Kels and I did not get to see the slideshow as they kindly put a CD with the slides in my departing folder.<br /><br />Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast, then went to pick up Carson. However, he was no where in sight. We went towards the tent and there he was with Sammy outside the cafeteria. We took him into the cafeteria so he could get a cooked meal. We then went back to our tents and required Carson to shower. Apparently since he was on the trail, he decided to go green and help save the environment. He changed his clothes once but left on the same pair of boxers for the entire week! What can you do but grin (plug your nose) and bear it! Carson actually did not smell too bad. When we went to the trading post for Carson to pick up some souvenirs you could tell a crew that returned from a trek as opposed to once that was getting ready to leave by their scent. There are two reasons to have a boy shower before the ride him. The first reason is obvious; you don’t want to be inside your vehicle with the stench. The second related reason is to keep the paint on your vehicle from melting off!<br /><br />We spent more money on souvenirs at the trading post and Gabby got a pair of earrings at the museum. We then went into Cimmaron and bought an ice cream cones at the Art Gallery so Carson’s rangers can get a free cone next time they are in town.<br /><br />Kels drove for about 6 hours and we stopped at our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) in Gunnison, CO. We went out for Pizza at a NY style shop and had a good dinner. We went back to the hotel where we enjoyed the pool and hot tub. The kids enjoyed the cinnamon rolls for breakfast then reloaded the car and were back on the road again Sunday morning. Another 6 hours or so and we were home.<br /><br />It was an enjoyable trip and everyone has said they want to go back. Carson is talking about a three week trek next time around!</div></div><br /></div></div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-61122352188662632242009-06-25T16:12:00.008-06:002009-06-25T16:24:45.283-06:00Gabby's BaptismFound the cord to transfer pictures from my camera! Back to blogging. <div><div><div><div><br /><div>Here's the girl that turned 8 in March.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351392830291621794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiO90JmeE1hpWV5mDJPOtrSY2V0BNil-jvwyfcglmg0kXfZIR_JCPfcnGTf5rHNfiElkGEq2YXfPY8aPx16uSnGhzZb7Et8XIrvMq_lvJoara7Mc7_tU1b5WeA6-oTLiQSUo75qRRiai4/s400/DSC09911.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Here's the boy that turned 16 in May.<br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351393088423967970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdkE41TUja6X5XVCN7vbPpuu2SyTlzoPoNbW0fSnvATitCI9Wa-yKmdv2bPhn621iDW4_b7IFux0WIhQGiOTef9_Lltu7IJuEVf89qcqQ7kVJC1XSyvP5EAEk_L0ZPWj4FmcJT-D5HMI/s400/DSC00079.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>Here's the boy getting ready to baptize the girl in June.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351393355633957410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsK5mwmBG9zmyTIhqQa_Gv5TYh3UJXi9DOexxHVc9qwySGPaXvnCqKiNmLldFIuIwe_Cf_GnJxmTEC0BAfmmKPPaMwnEI7AWVvzTXefoTkUYeO0RN8dwFKwezu1QUdB9I2dd8j0ispBg/s400/DSC00258.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Yep. Carson baptized Gabby. It was so neat to see the two of them in this situation. They have always been pretty close so if seemed fitting that Carson was the one to baptize Gabby as a member of our church. He was nervous but did a great job. Carp was able to confirm her.</div><br /><div>After the baptism, we had family and friends over for some yummy food. I love hispanic food so we had Pork Barbacoa and Chicken Enchiladas. Quite tasty if I say so myself.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351393690784432546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93hy8sJUtqeYgDXUPlW8_78DYBKBto2pwx612cAddRJ1F83Rt2LANHuy5dGOZ3e3UBgb-m68YlZbHO4W03z63DYWHtBkNwUVVAnZd2X3lrBLuz9IbQ6hyphenhyphenqOB1yuCZD5w0I5ht66N7aoY/s400/DSC00266.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Congratulations Gabby!</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351394071457729122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj_-2oQ20IX805EQcFyPl-X0SA801B2-_8R72dkqWL5Iu9dDDDQ3N8ucWiT2VadtYuULrcC8-0yrZlzAB7kvYfStuWayJoWjXL_QkYOKua4Azjwe18-9bc4780FjhPjzyr4RqkHaoeik/s400/DSC00288.JPG" border="0" />kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-71462832105757071802009-05-27T17:46:00.014-06:002009-05-27T18:49:26.822-06:00Dance Festival - Hooray!Somethings just never get old to me. The giddiness I feel when I buy a tasty smoothie just for me. The look of coordinating fabric stacked together. Time by myself. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AHHHHHHH</span>.<br /><br />There are activities in the school I can pretty much count on every year. I like the class parties, field trips (yes, I said I like them) and the end of the year mantra of field day, plays and performances. Mostly, I look forward to Dance <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fesitval</span>. I love to watch all the little kids get try to find their groove while the older kids totally think they have it. I twas not disappointed this year.<br /><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340662378678224642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xPiW7qe5Y88_ZbQBnvk9DLSlxD918NavvM1Tpj2n4KwtGmCMiiP5n6dYUQaKY9jkjv5MNsBwZpKJ9i-1iQlf3p0MC2BWtDT7GhdGWdg99oPmnMyMEyXeV9fRANvdX7RJWWa7Mf55WHA/s400/DSC00158.JPG" border="0" />Who stands out the most in this picture? Right smack in the middle are Shelby and Nate. This was taken when the kids where coming down to the field.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340663054370631202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rKciHGuHKPvwD9vAeJff5y4fB4Yzu32JwrIGlV5DTX5mXIuVOqovcs9Bgvinx-36CAmoDGjxyn8CNrMgFUzQ4PSLjBsn3B2mTDkMtcyP1s7K0oEeAr7JkhqJWUqSo0kZHC51CVOj5sk/s400/DSC00161.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Gabby's grade did the "ABC, 123" song.<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340663808274955090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bm9Nyix5cL7u3oey8Oqv1ca7TJ8t-HEr3TieL6VNtG1EZajjuCFeJsCNKS3MDZ1DNh7ItkV0XKCOeYSMsbJkkFFb_GVu-Yo1TN3o1n4BzrsjRH4YvSskJLnT6r3K4oCukb0TnjZGVKg/s400/DSC00171.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340664890497652034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-t4DC0AejnofiSYIU2BjDlFuE5l3C8Q7baApJIm4NHL2FJfCu4e6EHCaN-zN_nu9yqTH8w09YGzbjvOgIvMoEn3Y6ozLwRSzFqHG0pqeLokPiSH3G6sn3CkurplX47uwtHGH5BQfQQWM/s400/DSC00173.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340665518258087762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREMXjvNtIItu9Nimsqh9oi5lXcW_D5Mi2r2TE4RZfB4DqHYc0EOkh4AxvQRvxST5_MlRRfu1S9MIIo8-fJAJvJWzOjA2lhSdxA5FZZWnhU2foqE-bXSeQJBO5CuC4uROIsMZu-R6MhNQ/s400/DSC00186.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Nathan's grade did the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cha</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cha</span> Slide."<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340666324143841698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIrC0h3iZe90Z2ISiZX2arb0nnI8h6rm1QK6zgRc20_iFmL4t22veSh2HQyuZFb3wcvWaUAvjcCsp-wKcg1vp6RxJyvSvI2Bo2EzbozqGh4s0ElIROfgiIkeLfODbz3OaRyTkK_9Vmhk/s400/DSC00193.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340667055414809618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW2BdYs0-cKrmamF_8UBHtynTZlk5W18dtvdteYkCHLC39Z-_JHIzJO826Yst5yEYYYCjvujVNZOeltA6-Q_S8BgpjQwdl3Z0-Qta5RHCqZq4A1m_8IPlWqRQlwjBNIGTiNTaPFHuA0s/s400/DSC00195.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340667593490574162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpIjIy9pOK7hR4Gh2ELf8x2kvi0hG86HhcNwCnI-_4FseBxLumkgt2BdZfTg_2arU71tjNmIDtCiCPLcdex7vukycFQ3fPmFyTigoeCZIll6UDcKpZQI7eQR0LJsYLE0ogTBlJaQ-F-Y/s400/DSC00209.JPG" border="0" />Sammy was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">lovin</span>' all the music and dancing. She did her own little show for those sitting by us.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340667880992335186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r7Kc8D9oulhYSidqgAebeLLIycr8A-PeTkgoJlpTR70pB0kx0Zu_oyQadh_moea-gSgltk1beWKrp3t_wJfiziBFzuIg7_mkKm3Ro7Cri0pkU0MWVRuzizW2vlMWgzpbsYQM_nSw29M/s400/DSC00215.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Gabby and Nathan<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340668185800825666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3RHvhTeH5lyKkIIJyRHrEOPj7mJpMk6qZoNj5TDnEKYdtAcuvtegvdb25FNuTut2D7QoaSrG6-kVvxy1VT_vlmWq3CNfSOonGAkMBub4H_7qwpjAQNGu3dYY674V-XbqEE5R-q4WQGc/s400/DSC00216.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">I just love the sunglasses on Shelby!</p><p align="left">I look forward to next year! This is always a highlight of the school experience.</p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-72366309606148153242009-05-26T17:12:00.012-06:002009-05-26T17:56:54.215-06:00Memorial Day Friends<div><div><div><div>As much as I love to look at pictures of my kids, I kind of think it's a good idea to change the pictures now and then. Yep. I'm a flake. I really don't have a great reason to have let my blog slide. Sorry. Will catch up. Like I said, flake.<br /><br /></div><div><div>Yesterday was Memorial Day. Yeah - kids out of school, husband off work . . . kind of fun. We had some friends over for food and good conversation. AND we had lots of food. Here are some pictures to check out~<br /></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340278217454605938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHv1xQCDza4vRvfXR9zNn69HtzunF6m474g8PClr71ik2oqPGcbYv5iVaKfp-6i2tqgd2Pg42lBqLzqiJ4fq7r7z4LOiCVNihIl_UaHkN5UKgSmdRGMe6SENnltIUwWmPGhQCLtLQ2mo/s400/DSC00148.JPG" border="0" />I know I already mentioned the food. I just feel the need to explain why the food is so important. The yum factor plays an important part of a day that I plan on having company. I just love the idea of eating yummy food with others that can appreciate it as much as I do. So - thanks to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sederholms</span> and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Merryweathers</span> for providing and enjoying the feast with us. A special thanks to Carp for making this gorgeous dutch oven <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">teriyaki</span> chicken. Oh yeah, it was good!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340275857165684386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXuC1D06fvl37OTropfhFRBUlTKkOmDZEm1K7fIrj64Rm8Du8ASP5ot-vnlBBs8QzSsKnglWSFJcSdaRi8zTGBwJ_QsopeR0AEOF66LRP81PK2jIa525FzpquohRTT4Cs5N6WH4vKK-cx/s400/DSC00139.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Carp and Cameron.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340276455044680706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZNLb9RhDauB9dstrx9TbbbURXRj-LnLN2jifKeNZIh1qJj1k1fFFP6WP7rA04r-2PIfEgHDymnrX-WvmpWfdXwuYqB7ICukA7UHyz7F2cVC2ZcyTaInQJa0K-z4wjB8yJOwxKSWtdtYn/s400/DSC00149.JPG" border="0" /> <div>Nathanael and Cyndi <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sederholm</span>. I have to think twice when I write the first name of all of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sederholms</span>. They spell their names beautifully, but I initially want to spell them Nathaniel, Cindy, and Karl.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340277070876172962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ECZFsk5fnGufRWzNjR_v-9NIDdbV3I_tCmgO_29nGtk-Wp-t3gPlkAAU9bQt5pJq09A_9oK42KAMEpGNI3jaRBT15sNujrM6RpLMr4dwB7K13izZ8RyyQlUioCAnNiAPnXuTXerIRwit/s400/DSC00150.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Carl (Carl Daddy as Sammy affectionately calls him) and Sam. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340277865235473138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9a9yIkiBEd41dmjgL95DX7XKGtMLhlLjHm9-7A7OL_Uy5nzpFXdjf7oiycJIDHkkYMnfivL41kPncszIcbPdF5y8AgQ2i4MUdjczmj7e-6QyvSCOfRwOVfyULG1KVBB69cMmEPgku8x9/s400/DSC00145.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Lanette <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Lagerstrom</span></div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340278819042022178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBCpoulkXudFa1hevUSosBzprCLwNiSQOcy7FsgDoTKH73x0KQvtxP4xfhyphenhyphenRO0lUzYUYdPhz6r3pnn8TBuLNv5eHeoXAABNe1xR9GuG2fVF6CUCOFeX1tyIMEWL7F6ZK25RdTo4U7s5k/s400/DSC00153.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><div> </div><div align="center">Nathan and Shelby playing leapfrog. I can guarantee life is never dull with these two around.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340279518188411938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJT4NK_KZXvTsYcztcTaUOC1PbWHvGFnFP0256EzsmLohzHKhU5B2_TAy0DMgzk_58YZDEFw_nRLCcIz2HKeoHnLbQ3Btxpnpp-ymyGfpRdcEh6hodmDNKIyzhR4IAu3VSLEiaYRIQu8/s400/DSC00154.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p align="center">Seth relaxing.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340279903277061474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKiUhhWU4KbiX_HHUFHUzeI7PoRCno3DgiS94j1F0P1hBe_GRgdFG-a-Y69WXg_XScqlY9cSva7ymBIlBjqfyR3YsXvpQL878tA1yYpUjNsgPBocvQU5zpibS82cCmW-uZsvsqp5VHVw/s400/DSC00137.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>The birthday boy! Nicholas Alexander <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Merryweather</span>. It's just to impressive NOT to type that name. Love it.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340280174985598066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5zCkNkB3eCNOUaL0CMHTJ_UaY_PDC9dC9s_xYLwowfWwdgwPBptOM6hqZRkbT-pygPAFprLOEi5X2uH7kv0mczuLI0Rmm_1PJfdDY4u0yQiknHF7m3RNCJ6ESoKJJmzdLFNuKNnYaok/s400/DSC00155.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Merryweathers</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mellotts</span> - practically one in the same.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340280871882602578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdVP9UGOX-dNqBDnCx8HOE0yXu0RoRTk0GY5HIrgVO-knsX8Cfnn059m8Ey3xphrFQJdoeK8yyXloOTyO6q9fPQK-gKJ-XshONkFOy9lIjMo1CoETdMPRAa2W4WbRFNjCfdOt6mcB7oc/s400/DSC00156.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>One of the best things about kids birthdays is how they react to their presents. I was too busy laughing and having fun watching Nick open his gifts to remember to take anymore pictures. You'll just have to check out Tammy's blog to get those. They are priceless.</p><p>There you have it. I blogged! I will try to post stuff that has been going on since March and keep up on whats happening now. </p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-28937474586860505682009-03-23T15:25:00.010-06:002009-03-23T16:17:09.357-06:00Diary of a Pinewood Derby Car<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpns_0vgJb1rkAPiVzBqEbRTDU4R6L1CwpyGiIYzA91toyzpvlJYc0ZKx7YwuS_v56ehrDUL5uv4n_hgxeD0bj-wNEXg58G_Z_bYEtnvBQS57MlwA3aoqUCaObHhePUhD0R1rFXSQr0o09/s1600-h/DSC09775.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505935953012914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpns_0vgJb1rkAPiVzBqEbRTDU4R6L1CwpyGiIYzA91toyzpvlJYc0ZKx7YwuS_v56ehrDUL5uv4n_hgxeD0bj-wNEXg58G_Z_bYEtnvBQS57MlwA3aoqUCaObHhePUhD0R1rFXSQr0o09/s400/DSC09775.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dear Diary, <div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Today I have been sheathed and unsheathed several times by a curious boy. He takes me out of the comfort of my box to handle me and stare to only put me back in and close me up once again. I like him. I wish he would just let me hang out - outside my box that is.</div><br /><div>**********</div><div>Dear Diary,</div><br /><div>Today I was outside my box for most the day. In fact, I had quite the field trip with a little girl. I was almost convinced she should be my creator until she shoved me in a basket and piled clothes all over me. It wasn't so bad at first. However, something furry and big started moving around in the same basket with me. My panic left me stiff with fear until the thing jumped out. I was grateful when a big person found me in the basket and placed me back in the safety of my box. I hope they find my wheels soon.</div><br /><div>**********</div><br /><div>Dear Diary,</div><br /><div>Today was a special day. The boy who tries to keep track of me has transformed me into the most amazing car. He did all the work himself. I've heard of cars being created by big people or cars created by boys with aggressive help from big people. I was so excited to find that I would be created by him and only him. I could feel the creative juices pumping through his hands as he formed and shaped me to his liking. He looks at me in such a brotherly way. He loves his creation. I love him back. I hope his mom remembers to buy that paint he keeps reminding her about. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504091009918386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xo7LnbT738S27_JCGoqOndxO195qCZdYp_a_xKzr9RXObrWywV3A4qSEjwi68D9wGmrE2Evlq12OKKZZyDkOrKeHRH0z3G75OX2S8VYc2yco4axliEoe_nxa65mkOw1zyiUEtd4mKPgd/s400/DSC09647.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504555660294738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-Tw7uyMuj_F3P4Rn7wuCmUfrXlRRHcUDuQEmHS-1bqq_oBDkNoBNQV2sHLAjQR9BvrXZAnkV7Xd6mq8pSvxhqiRXL0cSlK5sKCnpRn63I3m2GY3O1yrEVUm-gD_t6vNXpZjkQvioaMFl/s400/DSC09652.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504961831788050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ1XQ2IZeBv-gmX6XftB1datdrqqq6t2hrY2QrdH96xltW0GZRt0BfaNpOxQ9IP5ao7TVQACenpJbm2V6flOx7SATzixpc-gnZK2ldvN_phREyC52rEY8zl_QrKcKIBQjTnbFVssztk4o/s400/DSC09653.JPG" border="0" /> Dear Diary,<br /><br /><div>I am almost complete! I received a healthy coat of orange paint today. My boy was so excited to almost have me done he could barely wait 10 minutes after covering me with paint to put my wheels on (thank goodness he kept track of those four essential parts!) He got paint on his hands, but he didn't care. It's the same paint that covers my body. We are now bonded. We are "paint brothers."</div><div></div><div>*********</div><br /><div>Dear Diary,</div><br /><div>Today is the big day. We have the race tonight and my boy found his way to me as soon as school was over. He is trying out all kinds of ways to add to my weight. He is worried I am not heavy enough. He has settled on some quarters and nickels that he is going to tape to my car body. I hope I don't let him down tonight. I love him. He is so nice to me. </div><br /><div>**********</div><div>Dear Diary, </div><br /><div>We won! We won the "Sportiest Car" award. Almost everyone passed me on the track, but my boy didn't care. He was just happy to have some fun. He had a great cheer team to give him support. I am so grateful to have a wonderful, creative and fun boy to hang with for the rest of my car years. I will always remember this night.</div><div></div><div></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505456323450498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCNnlb3l4hyphenhyphenYmIyWAEcrkAehmeaAKYsofFkbWbPxlnmD1WYcTUwv-4XClm84X-KSXXXRi42dqiqERaOWxsef-jBj09PPYTNtT1qPRt86L9F0Li3To4a_sGNRsNBuv2TaC-VD4T03Ts7TC/s400/DSC09751.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Cheer team: Ammy, Shelby, and Kami with Nathan.</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316503547337686386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hzJPGEvDAiefoDl07ShchZBiGLfvTWnsZ5CqRiibWJ__xqyuHTbOz8dIMfaCxdqvhyphenhyphenDF0LCLtLLsmpvgjQyzX3uMZC66_KAhd2PFkuFbuqmE4Wbcv6be9Fk2HKe6XWoSCSZYkxF_ktBh/s400/DSC09778.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Congratulations on the "Sportiest Car Award" Nathan. Good Job!</p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-85817427232933088472009-03-12T14:51:00.012-06:002009-03-13T09:36:18.118-06:00Seth's Eagle Project Status . . . COMPLETE!<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-4IvAxxfTv_SwFIpHMODgSdbXd5ST6A4w57MA37K4qFR8-IMKWOFG2KTD7DE9QSWvjDDNHWUaKAur_bAXqsY68kuS4ANLrkH8bHTQTnq58n4hFsLgEqLNy2xlM1JGlGzDv48cLAoCmTT/s1600-h/DSC09687.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312413978488638754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-4IvAxxfTv_SwFIpHMODgSdbXd5ST6A4w57MA37K4qFR8-IMKWOFG2KTD7DE9QSWvjDDNHWUaKAur_bAXqsY68kuS4ANLrkH8bHTQTnq58n4hFsLgEqLNy2xlM1JGlGzDv48cLAoCmTT/s320/DSC09687.JPG" border="0" /></a>Seth made it perfectly clear, "I'm not doing anything with digging!" The last few Eagle Projects he helped out on involved lots and lots of digging. Digging that was needed for electrical lines at a park, digging for play equipment at another nearby park . . . digging, digging, DIGGING! Seth knew exactly what he DID NOT want to do for his Eagle Project. So, in an effort to find something that he DID want to do, he asked his principal at school if he had any ideas. Well, he did. In fact, he has quite a few ideas involving getting all the classroom prepared for an emergency <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lock down</span>. The principals plan includes a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">porta</span>-potty, food and water, and first-aid kits in each of the 50 classrooms. Seth took on putting together the first-aid kits.<br /><br />Seth had to do some research (with the help of Carp) to figure out how much it would cost to put a first-aid kit in each classroom. At $15.00 a kit, Seth had to raise $750.00. That was no small feat! So, during SEP conferences in October, Seth set up tables with information about what his Eagle Project was and how it benefited his school. He was given permission to ask for donations. He made over $400.00 in the two nights he and Carson camped out at the entrances upstairs and downstairs at the school.</div><div align="center"></div><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312414240032743618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqh0k4_6ZUnNbQAKi8ZL9odeKcvqLE7HWKiuZa0ES-T-Rev4OSWH1g3JG43rQHdnKo7dtKcid5BeoJTWOSk2TGaCn_wLo36MP2vrITkI61J3-bD2CPgCoqkBzhyphenhyphenSP2TeQ5BdNJlSrTF2t/s400/DSC09093.JPG" border="0" /> Seth greeted the parents and students that entered the junior high upstairs. I sat with Seth and was entirely impressed with his sales pitch. He knew what his goal was and what he talking about!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312414608189091266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEFscANwa1oqrKr9arZTx5RB3mlOX_KBd2JYsPFmE24tvBIzpH4JLkCU_n0iGLZDq30ikCOQXnFvJtPsuUKdJj2DV0JMHUtk69WTbYMvkLR_Mi9j5aU2N3iamVOaCrHV-QA_RbtXJ1Dhv/s400/DSC09089.JPG" border="0" />Carson manned a booth downstairs. He was really helpful!</p><p align="left"><br />Seth received <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">additional</span> donations from family members and friends. He also wrote letters to nearby businesses and received gift cards from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Walmart</span> and Costco. It took him a while, but by December he was ready to place orders for the supplies. He and his Dad went through information on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">internet</span> and our school district catalogue and placed the orders with the help from a sweetheart of a finance gal at the junior high. (Kudos to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">K'Ann</span>! You are a gem!) He also used the gift cards to purchase items at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Walmart</span>. Some of the stuff was on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">back order</span> from the district. We got the last of the stuff a couple weeks ago. Seth was set. He had to iron out a plan on how to get the kits put together.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312414927690899474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f7YbZZfdA15TJuW4RcBa1vP0RwnoQmD3BY0wO2LGY2I4oPy-rYCzA-Zx9HmqNEH8d5WZyho53vQSD_T4tDAR9EpSPhbUqy7Rrk3pClPiLgMtp7Z2pDsFGxiVlFUmxhYefTEfevXDrnY2/s400/DSC09663.JPG" border="0" /></p><div align="left"></div><div align="left">This last weekend Seth had the kids separate the cotton swabs into snack baggies in preparation for his project on Tuesday. On Tuesday we set up tables and with the help of friends and scout leaders, Seth ended up with 50 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">wonderful</span> first aid kits.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312415259708679010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghszIjCNQbbBpNya6d_rj0JdeCcv3KJpRxH3Cg6v2rKsEx1fuqWAGulPaeTQTo8B9ag1hTx2kkekV6rZELGbE15lRGNBixl1dziPOiFw6KSn9lWPAc8GuHMQYL05hiB738zSJHsQ7VNWpz/s400/DSC09677.JPG" border="0" /> The most time consuming part was putting a variety band-aids, wipes, tweezers and tongue depressers in baseball card holders. The baseball card holders allow the small items to stay separated and easy to access.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312415652018850754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43WXq728nWk0f0FeebHpojLnssYjEk5NUfCimdhRUHJTAC6wrJMjuXCV7NEX6iw8mZcL8knLhyphenhyphenmKzZg0gp1aJ6qPpGrquk73FPPoXkUxdwQ_ncKbeOTPbkjVB9YuKnIkw-6YNry_e51uK/s400/DSC09700.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312415968586919746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aDNf01-n8SN1NwCPuyLRPIq7BhRJw14NbgYKVCISl_27ortGwME8BRt9DIf226aqH29vykzxYIz6i15UeMZkaxiJPqolEl9PQM6ZG_BSrYIGgch8opDy3ixY5AVfBcO4ceNWpKNzA63J/s400/DSC09723.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Lots of people showed up to help!<br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312436432307337154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzLBiM7EYygpdXa0QAHckTQLUMkFGLsAB9K8LSBSGC52k7UZZsfSaHBQE62scfP-FWSMXQx4xVZi1Xg4i85ftzx5EahAVKIicHGqOe6lC9caUSjeeO5u73cY3BPI1iTLoCU5AHt8SbU9C/s400/DSC09725.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">The end product: 50 first-aid kits ready to go in each classroom at Seth's school.</p><p>There might be some of you out there wondering why Seth didn't just buy a pre-made first-aid kit instead of going through all the trouble to plan the contents of each kit, ordering each item, prepping the to show volunteers how he wanted to put them together, and then actually putting them together. Yeah, it would have been quicker. Yeah, it would have been easier. BUT - what would Seth have learned? That's why this process is often refered to "earning his Eagle Scout Award." He had to go through all those steps to "earn" it. </p>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-50043299461422673802009-03-02T12:49:00.008-07:002009-03-02T13:19:49.194-07:00David vs. David Guitar HeroYeah, I was wastin' some time on the internet today. I confess, I waste time. There, it's out in the open and I named it. Oh well.<br /><br />So, during my ritual time wasting moment, I found this advertisement for Guitar Hero on good ole' youtube. Of course I was intrigued because, hey, I love to play guitar hero. It's fun!<br /><br />So, I want to hear your opinion. Did you like David Cook or David Archuleta's rendition of "Old Time Rock and Roll" guitar playin'. I know which I like, but what about you?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b_MmOUZ085s&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b_MmOUZ085s&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />If you need something to compare it to, here's one of the most memorable moments in movie making - Tom Cruse in Risky Business. Brings back memories!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ilaUVGjMkJo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ilaUVGjMkJo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I can't help myself with this one. There is just something funny about grown men dancin' around in underwear.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/30DewN99MIQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/30DewN99MIQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-35223463616422850572009-02-23T20:05:00.002-07:002009-02-23T20:17:15.652-07:00Sammy is just too cool.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHFuM3oGAIvE_BwyvQAIJxixDvDCREvkWRwCkjfjc2GQoNp0USw_7VSAxChNZFxV7m4HhiLDfQYXW4Dg9vohqxccfTe7SFLcsc64yTL4b4BJG64ZwVHjvRhsh8dwJWCOZU3AtvC1iRKnU/s1600-h/Mar-Apr+2008+138.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306197591023985938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHFuM3oGAIvE_BwyvQAIJxixDvDCREvkWRwCkjfjc2GQoNp0USw_7VSAxChNZFxV7m4HhiLDfQYXW4Dg9vohqxccfTe7SFLcsc64yTL4b4BJG64ZwVHjvRhsh8dwJWCOZU3AtvC1iRKnU/s400/Mar-Apr+2008+138.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Tonight I was helping Nathan put together a report for school. We were going through pictures on the computer looking for things he could use for his autobiography. I came across this picture and just had to laugh. Sammy is such a crack up. You just can't stage something like this.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7638799302929957904.post-35957273358179372362009-02-13T08:00:00.008-07:002009-02-14T09:20:34.795-07:0010 Reasons I Totally ScoredI am a lucky gal. I know it. I have a wonderful husband. He's a gem. So, with it being Valentine's Day and all, I though I woud share 10 reasons why I totally scored (these are in no specific order):<br /><br /><div>1. Carp is a really good Dad. I could have easily guessed this would be the case when I fell in love with his family before we got married. They are good stock. Carp remembers his Dad doing things with him and showing him love. He does the same for his kids. He thinks about little things that I overlook like taking a kid with him to run errands so they get some time together.</div><br /><div>2. Carp has a testimony of Jesus Christ and that he has a purpose on this earth. This fact makes my desire to be a better person so much stronger than it would be if I didn't have him in my life. He hold me up to a standard that I believe I can reach because he is with me.</div><br /><div>3. My man is good looking. He can't help it, he just is.</div><br /><div>4. I love a good sense of humor. Carp and I laugh a lot together. Our kids laugh with him. We have lots of inside jokes and family jokes going on. He finds the funny side of everything and I totally love it.</div><br /><div>5. Carp is a hard worker. He has always done everything he can to make sure that he is providing for his family. He is driven and likes to improve his skills. He is currently working on his master - not an easy feat when you travel as much as he does. </div><br /><div>6. Carp is good with money. He is a saver and a planner. I am so thankful I married a man that is good with the cash stuff because I really don't like to deal with it. Yeah, we lost some money in the market this last year. Who didn't? If it were not for him, we would probably have nothing out there - that's how much I hate dealing with money. </div><br /><div>7. Carp appreciates my talents and inspires me to do new things. He's fine with me working on a quilt. In fact, he likes when I work on a quilt. It is just wonderful that he doesn't make me fill guilty if I spend time on that. </div><br /><div>8. Carp is adventurous and daring. He likes to do mountaineering stuff and will face mountains I don't ever entertain the thought of climbing. The same could be said of him tackling trials that he faces. He doesn't walk away from anything.</div><br /><div>9. He loves me. Heaven knows I am self-conscious about many things. He is so sweet to me and let me know how much he loves me everyday. I sometimes wonder why - but I love him so much back that I can't be second guessing him. </div><br /><div>10. Carp is a trustworthy person. I trust him with my thoughts, information, my physical well-being (like when rappelling) and with my life and the life of my children. He is always there for us.</div><div></div><div>As you can see, I totally scored! Carp is a 10 in my book and I love him with all my heart!</div><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301784613543165666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJCSjfqCIHbhF-OgAv91dx7I7IU-wU7xNnFBH1zVmm3bxywex9jw6pQN9F_AAEA19316odaM0FlMITrByWBEWQgsN1jXeEgNVnsEzeUvhmnloonvcBvnlbZvob-syRcws-GUyQCqa_VG3/s400/Mellott+family+085.JPG" border="0" />kellieannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12690330837710499969noreply@blogger.com5