tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85707766092976088902024-03-05T03:58:38.782-08:00Swenson Family CircusEnjoy life. This is not a dress rehearsal.The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-23421289018671853352021-08-15T15:31:00.001-07:002021-08-15T15:31:12.674-07:00Wow...Summer flew by!!!!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, I'm not sure how summer flew by so fast, and reviewing the pictures I'm not sure I realized how much fishing my family did this summer! It was definitely, busy, fast, and most of all HOT. So let's go back to the beginning and review!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tyler went to MORP (a dance where the girls ask the boys and they dress up as pairs) and Tyler and his date had the cutest costumes. They were Kevin and Russell from the movie, "Up." They looked amazing and definitely had fun playing it up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogUQLzhC0jMQ0euWIfcWLa7amlRXZT7MaOgoZdI8q2a1RAbuGS2qfaIv6J0da-KfshTFQ1b2wvqKQGHp4yVE2koC5Dk1wBM_LkVyr2QozslORmaicvzydgtQrr3DfCSwCVReMEHYAuB0/s2048/IMG_4335.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogUQLzhC0jMQ0euWIfcWLa7amlRXZT7MaOgoZdI8q2a1RAbuGS2qfaIv6J0da-KfshTFQ1b2wvqKQGHp4yVE2koC5Dk1wBM_LkVyr2QozslORmaicvzydgtQrr3DfCSwCVReMEHYAuB0/s320/IMG_4335.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm9csThMITScrJ8ZF0ezv7FmmniZwzURx1yae6dIQRtSXk8SusmDP6cZ4xhg37AIKvqsvzj95VFR7HI41pa8kmei0MxllDBWzxJk2ymNJ9SthIni1lnkO30gYVKPGU_pXmTHwMtpoffM/s2048/IMG_4370.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm9csThMITScrJ8ZF0ezv7FmmniZwzURx1yae6dIQRtSXk8SusmDP6cZ4xhg37AIKvqsvzj95VFR7HI41pa8kmei0MxllDBWzxJk2ymNJ9SthIni1lnkO30gYVKPGU_pXmTHwMtpoffM/s320/IMG_4370.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>"Here, Snipey snipey...."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSVjq2PmdUjUGBVBAjJHpyYtcrZA5M0dzKwczJYd6j8hJKdC9lCFRp3T0egBW48P2rM3tnHbvgub3_J3YhEILoeWSlnQ9-uXYh664vBYlOVvRvK1Z1WYjRsqNBe5lJEWmEA8LyuWJu1o/s2048/IMG_4644.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSVjq2PmdUjUGBVBAjJHpyYtcrZA5M0dzKwczJYd6j8hJKdC9lCFRp3T0egBW48P2rM3tnHbvgub3_J3YhEILoeWSlnQ9-uXYh664vBYlOVvRvK1Z1WYjRsqNBe5lJEWmEA8LyuWJu1o/s320/IMG_4644.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's fun to see him getting to enjoy some of his senior year, especially after last year with Covid shutting everything down! It certainly hasn't been back to normal, but it could have been worse!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Once again all my pictures will be out of order....I don't know why they don't upload in the order I put them in but with this post there are too many pictures to try to rearrange so you will have to stay on your toes to keep up.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>Tyler really loves fly-fishing. Jacob is getting more interested in it as well. I'm not even sure where this is, but Eric got some shots of Tyler fishing the river....<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXEqW7VV_uMhg4J0tVwVy_oG0OFerhAkrA7FiEO9dY6sh_nOqwVXCZLMHDitljIcJ1tlIloBqkv2v9LwBmhf6N14SuAr34CQSM1Wtdlipbq-YjzRCA9m6rdHKd8_OwqNHGm_UKhZIBmk/s2048/IMG_5096.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXEqW7VV_uMhg4J0tVwVy_oG0OFerhAkrA7FiEO9dY6sh_nOqwVXCZLMHDitljIcJ1tlIloBqkv2v9LwBmhf6N14SuAr34CQSM1Wtdlipbq-YjzRCA9m6rdHKd8_OwqNHGm_UKhZIBmk/s320/IMG_5096.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoO8ZmLQwoNInrxJYNoXs1sX6ptQPTfuKiQm-h0qhZDkQS2l9qRB4DhHg_6HiMe-84fHvRq4aImuHM0NvSIgXT-Vgb136pAxd81ZI6PIaMLYU2VXIanmb7eLQ01c3Vq8WxmTRmh2MnMtM/s2048/IMG_5100.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoO8ZmLQwoNInrxJYNoXs1sX6ptQPTfuKiQm-h0qhZDkQS2l9qRB4DhHg_6HiMe-84fHvRq4aImuHM0NvSIgXT-Vgb136pAxd81ZI6PIaMLYU2VXIanmb7eLQ01c3Vq8WxmTRmh2MnMtM/s320/IMG_5100.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Eric also took the boys on a guided fly fishing trip in Montana. It was technically Tyler's graduation gift but Jacob got to go too. I'm so glad he did, because he LOVED it. He has already said he wants to go again. This is an out of order picture, but it is Jake with a fish on while on their trip....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSsxph4o7PNHKaVcd7CzGpT_8e9OpRTJn3lHA0w4Ac2j13-wf1JBt6_JDVLbgQVYDCFsCQ6ynEYtb8RLWfYT5LF_0QPRU_0ho3pnlPRy2IoXEdn2849Hqjx9AbOa3zEG9q1pVLPUCsEA/s2048/IMG_5171.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSsxph4o7PNHKaVcd7CzGpT_8e9OpRTJn3lHA0w4Ac2j13-wf1JBt6_JDVLbgQVYDCFsCQ6ynEYtb8RLWfYT5LF_0QPRU_0ho3pnlPRy2IoXEdn2849Hqjx9AbOa3zEG9q1pVLPUCsEA/s320/IMG_5171.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Since we're on the subject of Jacob, he is still mountain biking. Each race he gets better and better. He had a race at Snowbird but he didn't feel that great. It was probably because I had to pick him up early from Youth Conference to go and he had been staying up all night and eating junk food for the 2 days before the race. Ha ha. He still did good and the scenery was awesome. His last iCUP race was about a week ago in Powder Mountain. He had a great race...he came in 15th! And it was a really hard course. So he was thrilled. It's fun to see him be passionate about something and also to see his hard work pay off. His team races (NICA) start in 2 weeks. He's excited!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbd_bribQk4axo9cThPuo_4Ng63qCGCkNbKtB1E9r0aDXQwnj9XRVhAaB6cz80yMzLxiJLElZZ_yZMEm6sK_nV_Az5ILdj66kWr0gIbNJM89-Av2Zuq-kviln3otVcNNMvGR-39KN4_k/s2048/IMG_5297.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbd_bribQk4axo9cThPuo_4Ng63qCGCkNbKtB1E9r0aDXQwnj9XRVhAaB6cz80yMzLxiJLElZZ_yZMEm6sK_nV_Az5ILdj66kWr0gIbNJM89-Av2Zuq-kviln3otVcNNMvGR-39KN4_k/s320/IMG_5297.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe4WMX8x0l6ipAbqDZDsFia1Rurz0LTSfHNNWU7trSSUkWmQ54L11pNAxrNlYXXYmE_WKuY9Vx44AbKnVpDz-UXBwqykosV42kfBBPxj9nOnXX2_tr11oJhShssaP8j0F-NAZbJDy0Eo/s2048/IMG_5318.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe4WMX8x0l6ipAbqDZDsFia1Rurz0LTSfHNNWU7trSSUkWmQ54L11pNAxrNlYXXYmE_WKuY9Vx44AbKnVpDz-UXBwqykosV42kfBBPxj9nOnXX2_tr11oJhShssaP8j0F-NAZbJDy0Eo/s320/IMG_5318.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJutIE1I-2fyrufWIGXYPgMrn1JVTGcFaecCTlHOpCGSQTJ7FowUK0sQ1gP_MzBHH0MR9fyvkQhk5P6JI-6z288ZvXuGDplG9bVRoepVdosDoN4tewcEKM7aYo6gBHYzYAcFmk1gZYHSU/s2048/IMG_4483.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJutIE1I-2fyrufWIGXYPgMrn1JVTGcFaecCTlHOpCGSQTJ7FowUK0sQ1gP_MzBHH0MR9fyvkQhk5P6JI-6z288ZvXuGDplG9bVRoepVdosDoN4tewcEKM7aYo6gBHYzYAcFmk1gZYHSU/s320/IMG_4483.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p>We took a trip with Eric's family up to Island Park. We rented a big cabin right on the reservoir. It was great. Lots of (mostly unsuccessful) fishing, playing games, and eating. Joey set up his crayfish trap and caught one.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd75Vtlyqyo18P-6RwNTNKeGd9ytlzyWAeF4AyYrauRsFHWUqV58FKhQyi_-lTH_REbkqvddK6j52O8a1rppl3Sf5hqWfX1HJ5d4SS917MnP1SLm-ll46n7_dJF2tr74F-S-cIMeIz9k/s4032/IMG_6110.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd75Vtlyqyo18P-6RwNTNKeGd9ytlzyWAeF4AyYrauRsFHWUqV58FKhQyi_-lTH_REbkqvddK6j52O8a1rppl3Sf5hqWfX1HJ5d4SS917MnP1SLm-ll46n7_dJF2tr74F-S-cIMeIz9k/s320/IMG_6110.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joey also went out on the boat early in the morning with dad and caught a fish!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI8f89_O3kJV6SuBv3GGYwtlRSu1F75P_cfhACNAG9UNEMvJaoTlzJXIq0qIHRKefO4RWyht1bhDnoplz1cp2JNKJHE_zz_56680JvZ4Vrk-kiWaA5L1iGCQ54fwKLr2xVMp-DaQowBQ/s2048/IMG_5206.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhI8f89_O3kJV6SuBv3GGYwtlRSu1F75P_cfhACNAG9UNEMvJaoTlzJXIq0qIHRKefO4RWyht1bhDnoplz1cp2JNKJHE_zz_56680JvZ4Vrk-kiWaA5L1iGCQ54fwKLr2xVMp-DaQowBQ/s320/IMG_5206.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div>We cruised around a lot on the reservoir. It was really beautiful.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEekLemRmuEQYv_-Yln-dtlioodGfWbc9oombBitnaLDnisCs5_qDZWtHCkJ3Vtm8jCfyOZdqfKNwANekJ0w4AY8MG1_297moxqdD7UJEt4YhIya_1Xfo74439Wr-1AwFVxPBHP5ymzbk/s4032/IMG_6230.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEekLemRmuEQYv_-Yln-dtlioodGfWbc9oombBitnaLDnisCs5_qDZWtHCkJ3Vtm8jCfyOZdqfKNwANekJ0w4AY8MG1_297moxqdD7UJEt4YhIya_1Xfo74439Wr-1AwFVxPBHP5ymzbk/s320/IMG_6230.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Okay, now I'm going to skip around a bit... Joey had his first guitar recital! He did AMAZING. I can't believe how fast he is catching on to guitar. If he keeps it up he will be better than Tyler! He played perfectly and didn't make any mistakes. We were so proud of him. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7JDE0AMST16TKLh2CXOE09w2Yc5idI3INjcr_dnjbFLTg5A8ERV7wINk3sL-P9rVNBBp2OiGGU3WMG9OPLdw-Z6N10XsY-XA-VWnxqSCSovG-CM1SBLubQQ2uiMcLX4CkkBr55f6QqU/s2048/IMG_6422.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7JDE0AMST16TKLh2CXOE09w2Yc5idI3INjcr_dnjbFLTg5A8ERV7wINk3sL-P9rVNBBp2OiGGU3WMG9OPLdw-Z6N10XsY-XA-VWnxqSCSovG-CM1SBLubQQ2uiMcLX4CkkBr55f6QqU/s320/IMG_6422.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>And big news! Tyler graduated! I still can't believe I have a high school graduate. Part of me still feels like I am back in Maryland with Tyler as a little toddler. Time flies. It was touch and go for a bit because Tyler had probably the worst case of Senioritis I've ever seen. It took a few visits with the school counselor and some schedule shifting but he managed to graduate with exactly the amount of credits needed. Ha ha. I won't lie-- it was stressful. Ugh, teenagers! But we are so proud of him and excited to see where he goes from here. He is working on his mission papers. Almost done!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIcliedFJhHlH1IYZhjkvy0LV_K6reTeWxnNu-iN18CcRLVPLzYNdNA-1hnJPVc_86UGHP6TP4zFJzrvEvXEsiKy56nbBydH0V5Fkzs5_82oQElhyYeJUvelNoA4X2oaZU5OW8aYQs1U/s4032/IMG_6542.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIcliedFJhHlH1IYZhjkvy0LV_K6reTeWxnNu-iN18CcRLVPLzYNdNA-1hnJPVc_86UGHP6TP4zFJzrvEvXEsiKy56nbBydH0V5Fkzs5_82oQElhyYeJUvelNoA4X2oaZU5OW8aYQs1U/s320/IMG_6542.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ9yB3tiPyMTJ_q-Kh3BzTjcTDMc2FKn5Bl4yKvYABZE7vp2n4Ag6dlyBCfb_pm55Mxz9ECZ6fVKy2XsEifZKAA8U2CZKoIQLyiWJBkAem28U4zDB_YpSwNdAnIwUX2ZBpEuUK9pNPOc/s4032/IMG_6544.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ9yB3tiPyMTJ_q-Kh3BzTjcTDMc2FKn5Bl4yKvYABZE7vp2n4Ag6dlyBCfb_pm55Mxz9ECZ6fVKy2XsEifZKAA8U2CZKoIQLyiWJBkAem28U4zDB_YpSwNdAnIwUX2ZBpEuUK9pNPOc/s320/IMG_6544.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdBjI1yVEVyfOd-WGyO0iT0WY09pzMex8UPLxxbp-G5a0rgKVBkTHotYuxju6zuw0Ko1FW5lUspxM-O9VB_lT3fGj4Kc7vQm0XeqX-kF__A6NdI9bpeVY1E8rZHHsd6xBVsIZV-ESK0M/s4032/IMG_6559.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdBjI1yVEVyfOd-WGyO0iT0WY09pzMex8UPLxxbp-G5a0rgKVBkTHotYuxju6zuw0Ko1FW5lUspxM-O9VB_lT3fGj4Kc7vQm0XeqX-kF__A6NdI9bpeVY1E8rZHHsd6xBVsIZV-ESK0M/s320/IMG_6559.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Tyler with his best friends Max and Cassie....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIl5vUP7KuuCyaUJT_jSfsxnuzv1O4-55ucXkpnSuXGDovFz5hP68kR5YNaWo8X5dOY5HWIV7LI8paxdiD9XfnfhIVZcSIGIiVTTZfQ1wnurOkWi5NKq6Taj6xkIpL0JdyQclDuLl0j8/s4032/IMG_6576.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIl5vUP7KuuCyaUJT_jSfsxnuzv1O4-55ucXkpnSuXGDovFz5hP68kR5YNaWo8X5dOY5HWIV7LI8paxdiD9XfnfhIVZcSIGIiVTTZfQ1wnurOkWi5NKq6Taj6xkIpL0JdyQclDuLl0j8/s320/IMG_6576.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT42yq4pA_QOXyAnGSyx7k0eXsmnbFbsTbfLaN1IX_O7B7AGmksghbH93dR7GoGy8aaBff5WgslMmzrGht_v6vrwvP4EIV3qKXChx-te-mkJEouTL7Vzc16UM7U0T_unNo1BDrO7d9oLc/s2048/IMG_6582.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT42yq4pA_QOXyAnGSyx7k0eXsmnbFbsTbfLaN1IX_O7B7AGmksghbH93dR7GoGy8aaBff5WgslMmzrGht_v6vrwvP4EIV3qKXChx-te-mkJEouTL7Vzc16UM7U0T_unNo1BDrO7d9oLc/s320/IMG_6582.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>They did it!!!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4L_eMjnBFd_A7K5MJ9NMudAIZXWYoOzJ4k6k0N6-Z9CxF-KETZet4Lw7GELpIqcQcoozoJ7u5pwBZNc0-anarPCivYPjP0KdWdp8Rph10AgljXAgevGemCKLCgakigcn9xpSCDLyJxc/s4032/IMG_6592.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4L_eMjnBFd_A7K5MJ9NMudAIZXWYoOzJ4k6k0N6-Z9CxF-KETZet4Lw7GELpIqcQcoozoJ7u5pwBZNc0-anarPCivYPjP0KdWdp8Rph10AgljXAgevGemCKLCgakigcn9xpSCDLyJxc/s320/IMG_6592.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Joey still loves riding around on his tote goat. The brakes barely work so that's fun. He rides up to his friends house and I tell him to be safe. But who knows. It is hard but you have to let kids have some freedom--just make sure they wear a helmet!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IK_uwqv-vP-6471mAUEFeNffASS2XZCjDxPMynz-OzqiWuryEk0Vr8ooV3aT5C251CTaDnFHWMbdPIla2B8oa8be17P969y0Wj9SfGDhcjLsSy7NFG_lX8oHlL9J8qKHb6Q2i62T2BA/s4032/IMG_6720.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IK_uwqv-vP-6471mAUEFeNffASS2XZCjDxPMynz-OzqiWuryEk0Vr8ooV3aT5C251CTaDnFHWMbdPIla2B8oa8be17P969y0Wj9SfGDhcjLsSy7NFG_lX8oHlL9J8qKHb6Q2i62T2BA/s320/IMG_6720.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>One way you know it is summer is when you have to haul hay. Ugh. It is one of my least favorite things to do. If you've hauled hay, you need no explanation. But Grandpa came and helped, many hands make light work....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROphMxH8yR_MhFd-PgR7SIpvJyYedvoTHPNvFyZ-wDtqpFaQ63CpXqeMHA0tRoNaXR93XBW8F8K53D9S7uGFSWad_YPevmus4QRX5g6KJCrA0ywxguvDAKriz_T87WyLa5bPiiu9S0wA/s2048/IMG_6725.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROphMxH8yR_MhFd-PgR7SIpvJyYedvoTHPNvFyZ-wDtqpFaQ63CpXqeMHA0tRoNaXR93XBW8F8K53D9S7uGFSWad_YPevmus4QRX5g6KJCrA0ywxguvDAKriz_T87WyLa5bPiiu9S0wA/s320/IMG_6725.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWPzlkRT3_leUlZzSds-78Q2s4VebWXGyeiW-KR7awr7nMUEL5I2SF9ZHJp23QwQd7R8I5QX-5xG_L9hjjlq1QdPhqwQ3UeWuWHSTczVCVbQaBrTpxGY8sKv0SxzVcrh7JYCJfosEIig/s2048/IMG_6730.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWPzlkRT3_leUlZzSds-78Q2s4VebWXGyeiW-KR7awr7nMUEL5I2SF9ZHJp23QwQd7R8I5QX-5xG_L9hjjlq1QdPhqwQ3UeWuWHSTczVCVbQaBrTpxGY8sKv0SxzVcrh7JYCJfosEIig/s320/IMG_6730.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITugFb0fkCF3y49qTTEoalsb-SlCk3T26CglR_yDdFvVYPKTg7V82k9IfhPQqPYbMhj_vcrri6VMs1eDRylp3hxNqJpy07gxBe4TvuAUg2O0JC9214LGWWoJgGNQLwMVfj9HgZSaSb4A/s2048/IMG_6732.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITugFb0fkCF3y49qTTEoalsb-SlCk3T26CglR_yDdFvVYPKTg7V82k9IfhPQqPYbMhj_vcrri6VMs1eDRylp3hxNqJpy07gxBe4TvuAUg2O0JC9214LGWWoJgGNQLwMVfj9HgZSaSb4A/s320/IMG_6732.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Pepper has grown into quite a fun little dog. She loves to play, barks too much, is very floppy and ungraceful, but she is very sweet.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-ZhcdKgr6-Ww7RTBcTjXVTobtC77MVjJWS98MU5tM0cJDMh1Bj2NEoM_LD9NgwdAB-Av_l10JQmYnzpso6vW8RFXAM_CwVcWUo1kK2TeYFhvY64dWnJtwEGGU-HO7Dlmy8kHeNkKJrU/s4032/IMG_6744.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-ZhcdKgr6-Ww7RTBcTjXVTobtC77MVjJWS98MU5tM0cJDMh1Bj2NEoM_LD9NgwdAB-Av_l10JQmYnzpso6vW8RFXAM_CwVcWUo1kK2TeYFhvY64dWnJtwEGGU-HO7Dlmy8kHeNkKJrU/s320/IMG_6744.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>She also loves to get very dirty then try to come in the house....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ1GtNOZ6yX-ua2z6C-fTZDKzO5JeHhwrQLmzN3wifNkW-GkzYZiC8M49C4oX0r2wcBzHrM_f6MIgTJRWicv1freCLrgCw5t5s0bg-Cs-4NRvlMUFie8uUcd4q7XWCeOpTxauCyoUUHk/s2048/IMG_6746.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ1GtNOZ6yX-ua2z6C-fTZDKzO5JeHhwrQLmzN3wifNkW-GkzYZiC8M49C4oX0r2wcBzHrM_f6MIgTJRWicv1freCLrgCw5t5s0bg-Cs-4NRvlMUFie8uUcd4q7XWCeOpTxauCyoUUHk/s320/IMG_6746.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>More out of order pictures of fishing at Island Park....unsuccessful mostly. But the views were great!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzfpRMHpG25ZcPZkXaAs7lshaPf6lPJ0sKHecXXk9U9_9AysIVRjVHsWuDCWVCJJ-6k-6kRa_yxlOc1HrhaoUAf5GiF0PErCZGz0PTAe-I5wG0gOg2WzPVlE1Ldr0wdXSSDQxPB14ad4/s4032/IMG_6791.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzfpRMHpG25ZcPZkXaAs7lshaPf6lPJ0sKHecXXk9U9_9AysIVRjVHsWuDCWVCJJ-6k-6kRa_yxlOc1HrhaoUAf5GiF0PErCZGz0PTAe-I5wG0gOg2WzPVlE1Ldr0wdXSSDQxPB14ad4/s320/IMG_6791.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59w3LaclKNEPtvkMc09JAkpaLkOhztOWQeg6hsdolXwL_2pNVkSy05ozCvMFUAeGtzmKxjf3di6JT2CLJ1q1eCOMYPDp7GagVcxDwsFPo6O7oWraZkm1FVi-10-rZB2oIlc6VNBedIuU/s4032/IMG_6794.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59w3LaclKNEPtvkMc09JAkpaLkOhztOWQeg6hsdolXwL_2pNVkSy05ozCvMFUAeGtzmKxjf3di6JT2CLJ1q1eCOMYPDp7GagVcxDwsFPo6O7oWraZkm1FVi-10-rZB2oIlc6VNBedIuU/s320/IMG_6794.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>They had this sign in the cabin we rented. If you know Joey, then no explanation needed. Very appropriate. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefTRcOu0CVlb8VJOqAfOaFexxU4-Ilig1R3P5pKdPLoyMSKV-4ysAxV0txE1BlDYalcuwTIh9gvLP1Ds073-2Q1MEqB6-449vVcMm0v1G4lLdTuIrzfHxQQBA912-jaDpB_GZsCDo4OU/s4032/IMG_6799.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefTRcOu0CVlb8VJOqAfOaFexxU4-Ilig1R3P5pKdPLoyMSKV-4ysAxV0txE1BlDYalcuwTIh9gvLP1Ds073-2Q1MEqB6-449vVcMm0v1G4lLdTuIrzfHxQQBA912-jaDpB_GZsCDo4OU/s320/IMG_6799.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We spent a day in Yellowstone while there. Of course it was beautiful as always. Very crowded. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg5YonWbPqAjeuXJ8Mp6-kCGBDamfH09RKWk7CUCI06UXEGqwsUZj-tw8i7ocrbLn6E3dLQNMW5f9kp4mGOjh0C7h7b3JUfvUhqFFosq5pezb4HSQAB4O6CAl3wnkyehMSl90BqR4JNo/s4032/IMG_6804.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg5YonWbPqAjeuXJ8Mp6-kCGBDamfH09RKWk7CUCI06UXEGqwsUZj-tw8i7ocrbLn6E3dLQNMW5f9kp4mGOjh0C7h7b3JUfvUhqFFosq5pezb4HSQAB4O6CAl3wnkyehMSl90BqR4JNo/s320/IMG_6804.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AkiKSWhHysD5Cd7XIWTcDSMiD6Q01hmb8L-aU0cVgoVMyZzg6p_F32XGnmwD9UMTQM1kBY88jY7nNgFTpRsCETNbFO6m-LzXsU06muHFCQwk-gsxIaCw00YejUJdvhPck7NBX4fetnQ/s2048/IMG_6809.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AkiKSWhHysD5Cd7XIWTcDSMiD6Q01hmb8L-aU0cVgoVMyZzg6p_F32XGnmwD9UMTQM1kBY88jY7nNgFTpRsCETNbFO6m-LzXsU06muHFCQwk-gsxIaCw00YejUJdvhPck7NBX4fetnQ/s320/IMG_6809.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5HwfnuvlK3DkAblHzo3XdvmOm9xdaySB1pZJar9LINCBhYvVvQndhzUgWQPzGhlFfMQvPVEoUbrzBjNZQ_Szt8YywW3ze_T784rkU00MDLG1-8Ri78XgM-fitdKRr6V0CN5BNoCP-aM/s3088/IMG_6817.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5HwfnuvlK3DkAblHzo3XdvmOm9xdaySB1pZJar9LINCBhYvVvQndhzUgWQPzGhlFfMQvPVEoUbrzBjNZQ_Szt8YywW3ze_T784rkU00MDLG1-8Ri78XgM-fitdKRr6V0CN5BNoCP-aM/s320/IMG_6817.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LhbsjRKanLFX6rKtLLvrrQe_mbkqfE-pLHD9whpnjAzrd30Ik0HFYibNJ3XAnktPtDRnqj0ZF3GDWUQhpycWeWJhonHI-bWl1z-DzKxRuNNeD1-wRTvMoM4HubAW8YiTlR9wHvsNrHE/s4032/IMG_6820.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LhbsjRKanLFX6rKtLLvrrQe_mbkqfE-pLHD9whpnjAzrd30Ik0HFYibNJ3XAnktPtDRnqj0ZF3GDWUQhpycWeWJhonHI-bWl1z-DzKxRuNNeD1-wRTvMoM4HubAW8YiTlR9wHvsNrHE/s320/IMG_6820.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ8XJqPAlSfIlFHQ7Xig4S0c8JcvUE-EZabx7TU6giSOXOngAIePo4i6t2YDBVYbzUINsoQQYlfwb7xi6EqeokOHXpzk4fusMUp485RExA9ilVRL3rvqumnb4kGzqzGF5t9h7ORd6sfM/s4032/IMG_6825.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ8XJqPAlSfIlFHQ7Xig4S0c8JcvUE-EZabx7TU6giSOXOngAIePo4i6t2YDBVYbzUINsoQQYlfwb7xi6EqeokOHXpzk4fusMUp485RExA9ilVRL3rvqumnb4kGzqzGF5t9h7ORd6sfM/s320/IMG_6825.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Joey loved spending time at the cabin though, doing cool tricks and twist jumps off the dock in the back of our place. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQHYxsP34OKf70yNNolwzx-rKHOc98t11cL2unDqnAF5j8nBMGya5zp-3Yd3qGXKsjUHzeo7tdiijy-bFWneAlvmXUjcFLoGw57bcUCfEcKruMHZnzWT2LFnkyjA_HukCx6nL-8yRZ5c/s4032/IMG_6846.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQHYxsP34OKf70yNNolwzx-rKHOc98t11cL2unDqnAF5j8nBMGya5zp-3Yd3qGXKsjUHzeo7tdiijy-bFWneAlvmXUjcFLoGw57bcUCfEcKruMHZnzWT2LFnkyjA_HukCx6nL-8yRZ5c/s320/IMG_6846.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We also spent lots of time cruising on the boats. Fishing not so great, views were amazing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj28o8l2oGITGTQyNPdLWpatKZOfx3BlrrM72uaDTYqXuIXEMq-CoKGyB7Zm4rnklErbiYJLdKd3oBKbgsbzDEdxa7v96BjwVTrncEKyDFP41RwXVEq1FiM4J4_Iyg9_86vyTyQNOPU1w/s4032/IMG_6857.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj28o8l2oGITGTQyNPdLWpatKZOfx3BlrrM72uaDTYqXuIXEMq-CoKGyB7Zm4rnklErbiYJLdKd3oBKbgsbzDEdxa7v96BjwVTrncEKyDFP41RwXVEq1FiM4J4_Iyg9_86vyTyQNOPU1w/s320/IMG_6857.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Jake managed to get lucky...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnduZsgCbOU4ebAyx2ERSU4x5a2lRkxNwCWVLGadfwfYch9yOYWKTiv9ln8k2Q7aAmWsWgLlkmJeH5wNu8lRppJ0s6Vth8mCETCTek1baVRqd7K22jOys5TjP66z-7d1Y_8cESTWcR3nI/s4032/IMG_6866.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnduZsgCbOU4ebAyx2ERSU4x5a2lRkxNwCWVLGadfwfYch9yOYWKTiv9ln8k2Q7aAmWsWgLlkmJeH5wNu8lRppJ0s6Vth8mCETCTek1baVRqd7K22jOys5TjP66z-7d1Y_8cESTWcR3nI/s320/IMG_6866.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvej5ijTMyw6SYn01lsL3lBZtkvtAPOdaiALOiZ6RJ0r_K22YG8V9CgMMKiR_26-XqaFRNIp822ucJSAq5WXr39lPRpyenZXBRsQBFCUeYAFJAOHyIdUvwjlOVwMeTM1S8MQNHInym_Q/s4032/IMG_6868.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvej5ijTMyw6SYn01lsL3lBZtkvtAPOdaiALOiZ6RJ0r_K22YG8V9CgMMKiR_26-XqaFRNIp822ucJSAq5WXr39lPRpyenZXBRsQBFCUeYAFJAOHyIdUvwjlOVwMeTM1S8MQNHInym_Q/s320/IMG_6868.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Uncle Mat took the kids out kneeboarding. It was a hit! Joey did some 360 turns and rode the wake....He was pretty much in heaven.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg6NKzak4BrBySXUDMFlu8QSdb3N6WqgKymYjYBojhIa-ln6q_6p8i5uN9whSxxFKDidDdBE-Nk4iO-5leG_5gQr6cnhnGA38xNe5qQBMUseeaqwuW3Bfz2LhqdYMj-nU4S0KU4_J5vY/s4032/IMG_6883.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg6NKzak4BrBySXUDMFlu8QSdb3N6WqgKymYjYBojhIa-ln6q_6p8i5uN9whSxxFKDidDdBE-Nk4iO-5leG_5gQr6cnhnGA38xNe5qQBMUseeaqwuW3Bfz2LhqdYMj-nU4S0KU4_J5vY/s320/IMG_6883.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Jacob got the hang of it quick too! He got really good at riding over the wake.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49E2jZ4OqDfspIVsFzJHUG6e74-_-02-ro5hdZ0iZ28ORY_SXNJae-0tb3t6Z-mQqkxYL8laxeFMfsNjvqzY-fh7MDiuxok1xIhNqXInYUzGI-C5oYYu7i7WxZrsA_erA_n4krMuB2W8/s4032/IMG_6893.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49E2jZ4OqDfspIVsFzJHUG6e74-_-02-ro5hdZ0iZ28ORY_SXNJae-0tb3t6Z-mQqkxYL8laxeFMfsNjvqzY-fh7MDiuxok1xIhNqXInYUzGI-C5oYYu7i7WxZrsA_erA_n4krMuB2W8/s320/IMG_6893.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>A family shot at Yellowstone canyon.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKpKIddzR7NIeHIWRM3MVtyjozqDxOgMYRP3hiWz8sEcPQByyGb0abKen12o9nFMwkzGpjY4z2WAO_sqW2XRr6fQ5pjdu8Xl_4DKWD9IU5nCxzy7LrRaqFPFfw3VIamS9p8IDVqnLdzs/s4032/IMG_6914.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKpKIddzR7NIeHIWRM3MVtyjozqDxOgMYRP3hiWz8sEcPQByyGb0abKen12o9nFMwkzGpjY4z2WAO_sqW2XRr6fQ5pjdu8Xl_4DKWD9IU5nCxzy7LrRaqFPFfw3VIamS9p8IDVqnLdzs/s320/IMG_6914.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5ccjWW5FWqUzNku_Id21FAaB9J_jVTxdwf5gSBHbRRPbheaVTuf-pWzrS5c7g6F9eDe0hrZbJeHqJqBO8Z8YsNl7UI_GEdayCxD9DafhOjE9aPBHdJK9EyZSmx1HtYPl1sYyYWSiRTo/s2048/IMG_6917.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5ccjWW5FWqUzNku_Id21FAaB9J_jVTxdwf5gSBHbRRPbheaVTuf-pWzrS5c7g6F9eDe0hrZbJeHqJqBO8Z8YsNl7UI_GEdayCxD9DafhOjE9aPBHdJK9EyZSmx1HtYPl1sYyYWSiRTo/s320/IMG_6917.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Looking for animals...I'm sure Joey was a huge help.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6O2f2SMrEwp5kbFpbT6uvHZc1W6B3cm2X9zGrOD-1C9LgQ2AwGFe7PKDgA78wELwQ-oHnJ9H1-m2jwvwo52T8WL5UQhEcG5KIIO35c9-iASGvZ99O0CdTO2kql70rKVMjXKgfSxlTBI/s4032/IMG_6920.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6O2f2SMrEwp5kbFpbT6uvHZc1W6B3cm2X9zGrOD-1C9LgQ2AwGFe7PKDgA78wELwQ-oHnJ9H1-m2jwvwo52T8WL5UQhEcG5KIIO35c9-iASGvZ99O0CdTO2kql70rKVMjXKgfSxlTBI/s320/IMG_6920.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_rel0FUkdOFHCfw2lRZHLAGOdynhg81VZLblUnsi01OYy6og36zjEO5VT6bkeY7LDzIEngCq_QLfTm8s25SDoUj1jfoGmJVyCyWP0oPuxWRL7XhurZoN6V6k9r-dnMIkVVpRJCdQSUk/s3088/IMG_6921.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_rel0FUkdOFHCfw2lRZHLAGOdynhg81VZLblUnsi01OYy6og36zjEO5VT6bkeY7LDzIEngCq_QLfTm8s25SDoUj1jfoGmJVyCyWP0oPuxWRL7XhurZoN6V6k9r-dnMIkVVpRJCdQSUk/s320/IMG_6921.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Maggie finally got up the courage to knee board as well. She was a little more timid than the boys but had a blast!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVn_q7bYHLCppIbhqQlgOFUQmV3V4fJ-EFBtOX8LoIKoITcBZvVj3saG-bGboIDs5cnUutH-7Lux3j7S-37bhiSSbkVn12hC40JoIv4o_CIsMJdLiXVLlZVY9bY5I0kcC3TIft9JMU8g/s4032/IMG_6933.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVn_q7bYHLCppIbhqQlgOFUQmV3V4fJ-EFBtOX8LoIKoITcBZvVj3saG-bGboIDs5cnUutH-7Lux3j7S-37bhiSSbkVn12hC40JoIv4o_CIsMJdLiXVLlZVY9bY5I0kcC3TIft9JMU8g/s320/IMG_6933.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Two of my favorite teenagers...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMM-Qj0un3VIDzMTgz39tvNoWMtC2-o66K7scCqWflU4OxxgvT0I6NY9n9wJnW8e0-YRyxr1eKpb14uHD-dDux1P1eOkSO2k_FsFt2julidsBDUAaPGzqgKxEEleBq2b8PaEw7q02TYg/s1119/IMG_6950.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="746" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMM-Qj0un3VIDzMTgz39tvNoWMtC2-o66K7scCqWflU4OxxgvT0I6NY9n9wJnW8e0-YRyxr1eKpb14uHD-dDux1P1eOkSO2k_FsFt2julidsBDUAaPGzqgKxEEleBq2b8PaEw7q02TYg/s320/IMG_6950.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>The whole gang...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPZLKVGFFSSmr7ZDac_Rhb3X4Owagq5d9BkFtkN-QOVyVEoO057GTdG9p7nxZgnVz7IKZC1ttbKctpqXkGjkukQNVuUw-VaFXtb8R6LrcaNuB68DgKtMqmn2eyapxO6YsmbxgzPOx0Ow/s2048/IMG_6963.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPZLKVGFFSSmr7ZDac_Rhb3X4Owagq5d9BkFtkN-QOVyVEoO057GTdG9p7nxZgnVz7IKZC1ttbKctpqXkGjkukQNVuUw-VaFXtb8R6LrcaNuB68DgKtMqmn2eyapxO6YsmbxgzPOx0Ow/s320/IMG_6963.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Let's hear it for siblings!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7KFEg2CDNE_HO6vhD8_vo2ehjh_4C_IzU2Ha-5EyDkkW3peklFgc6nxU5lKbb7btOMQ15VRdna8sHJCUQkXZegljxo0OocBSnoutFie_22PzBsIAQRpe0Wi_rqAZo7hyITVcuVTP0zw/s2049/IMG_6968.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7KFEg2CDNE_HO6vhD8_vo2ehjh_4C_IzU2Ha-5EyDkkW3peklFgc6nxU5lKbb7btOMQ15VRdna8sHJCUQkXZegljxo0OocBSnoutFie_22PzBsIAQRpe0Wi_rqAZo7hyITVcuVTP0zw/s320/IMG_6968.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>On a sad note, not too long after we got back from our trip Joey fell on his bike and broke his arm. Poor guy. He just got his cast off in time for school to start next week. So his summer was a bummer. He got down at times but mostly handled it like a champ. We were proud of him. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggYKmgzW8B3LVHkZOfh6_p4ygdnbu3qMR7b1SvW3J18j0m3o_l4Hwy51eQMcmQFQxAmwtSYQ5Lxj63_tfpDLkATOU_4M4dsDET52lQN_BI8lbTHOfTXFG7HQ9vXaWS73Gu6LXoo_stqQ/s4032/IMG_6972.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggYKmgzW8B3LVHkZOfh6_p4ygdnbu3qMR7b1SvW3J18j0m3o_l4Hwy51eQMcmQFQxAmwtSYQ5Lxj63_tfpDLkATOU_4M4dsDET52lQN_BI8lbTHOfTXFG7HQ9vXaWS73Gu6LXoo_stqQ/s320/IMG_6972.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>But the world better watch out because Jacob got his permit! AAHHHH! He looks like a homeless person. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw4553dbAcRf3Myi6U665UEJh5t3DPPAq2OkFHie_aRcy9PTaflqu3yWVU_6BfrMrFiW1Xsx0R3vgkLIUe6-cQYKr13xt8R56VNENdLepNpyoK9-U5eQWSy4KQHJ83ubLUsRWOxCgZ8o/s4032/IMG_6989.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw4553dbAcRf3Myi6U665UEJh5t3DPPAq2OkFHie_aRcy9PTaflqu3yWVU_6BfrMrFiW1Xsx0R3vgkLIUe6-cQYKr13xt8R56VNENdLepNpyoK9-U5eQWSy4KQHJ83ubLUsRWOxCgZ8o/s320/IMG_6989.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>This summer we added an addition to our list of kids who can mow out giant lawn. Yup, Maggie is now an official Swenson lawn-mower. She isn't happy about it, but the boys are thrilled. She did make the most of it by listening to music and grabbing a selfie with everyone's favorite dog!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xKDgaWROe4IbRsseuilAWiMt5GkzxHSADSfVQZlCsAexs4ghU6yWfuGagpDV1JA0PyZkg6qls8GeAq_ClFALLpEcWcifpsBdvjJSssnT8PoSttiaXYOj4WcbTtf9DeKl8jnH4URI1VE/s4032/IMG_7008.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xKDgaWROe4IbRsseuilAWiMt5GkzxHSADSfVQZlCsAexs4ghU6yWfuGagpDV1JA0PyZkg6qls8GeAq_ClFALLpEcWcifpsBdvjJSssnT8PoSttiaXYOj4WcbTtf9DeKl8jnH4URI1VE/s320/IMG_7008.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>A random picture from the Montana trip....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcCdI9Jqa9X2hlwBEawDVC0yvcn-UkMhUr8jbHWk9gK20wGeEu5jJ-OQbkzkv4qaNS-BUKplq-iihZZdGIKGx_iR5LwVm5mDk2WO-cQ5Zbxgl3f4hVVH0JlO6vapRE8qF7EogDraANfc/s2048/IMG_7027.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcCdI9Jqa9X2hlwBEawDVC0yvcn-UkMhUr8jbHWk9gK20wGeEu5jJ-OQbkzkv4qaNS-BUKplq-iihZZdGIKGx_iR5LwVm5mDk2WO-cQ5Zbxgl3f4hVVH0JlO6vapRE8qF7EogDraANfc/s320/IMG_7027.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Eric and the boys went on a Jeeping trip with one of Eric's old army friends. They said it was fun but also a lot of driving! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5ITyZahCfdTNAyGq6WYicFKzSFHgDh5Px5_gDM4Xe7rlCL6U6eW38An9Jy6FdoWn-m_NPJL7bUmRaJUh7yg3cu8_uQNT7dqkimRSnnwW2keoAYXCFRMPBuG5WeHo2wa1z4JYSOmbbg0/s2048/IMG_7052.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5ITyZahCfdTNAyGq6WYicFKzSFHgDh5Px5_gDM4Xe7rlCL6U6eW38An9Jy6FdoWn-m_NPJL7bUmRaJUh7yg3cu8_uQNT7dqkimRSnnwW2keoAYXCFRMPBuG5WeHo2wa1z4JYSOmbbg0/s320/IMG_7052.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Carrie, Becky, Sammy and Kate came for a visit. We crammed a lot into a few days! Tie-Dying was a favorite and we came out with some pretty cool stuff!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J79qCpn61UEkVuS7x1G4jR7iMgl5wsgV5z3HFjtGVfl65yu4YUTANLnCL8xX3SnJIkH-UJOtjpLLsddfU0y4CJ-WZNiBsgLuaGSLpXiWy4-6P3z4I_U98QCR3KM5oYknC3xCoz9Dna0/s2048/IMG_7053.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J79qCpn61UEkVuS7x1G4jR7iMgl5wsgV5z3HFjtGVfl65yu4YUTANLnCL8xX3SnJIkH-UJOtjpLLsddfU0y4CJ-WZNiBsgLuaGSLpXiWy4-6P3z4I_U98QCR3KM5oYknC3xCoz9Dna0/s320/IMG_7053.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We also went to a place called Evermore. It is like a real life video game in a medieval town where you have quests and stuff. We talked to a lot of interesting people, got inducted into the Dragon Guild, became honorary pirates and more. Bonus--when the kids were naughty there were several disciplinary tactics to use...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqcTyXZ2Umg_X3S3zhKHD0aatuZT1ZD26Kmh7rJjvq-5Mxq8guUy993JctYCfuO752_9UXy4Nn68AvwVQ_p4YfjZgFPp1-XlQ0SayfqWxxTV5cv6h5E0RfeHxwlh6V-haz7PPDHw_ya0/s4032/IMG_7059.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqcTyXZ2Umg_X3S3zhKHD0aatuZT1ZD26Kmh7rJjvq-5Mxq8guUy993JctYCfuO752_9UXy4Nn68AvwVQ_p4YfjZgFPp1-XlQ0SayfqWxxTV5cv6h5E0RfeHxwlh6V-haz7PPDHw_ya0/s320/IMG_7059.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATqY0PXmzb47tzY3HBKzhhRtqDlKtFGP47kEBIwO8NdrZpFMI4yzsbhqwhR4MHfB6KcCKYcF8uGWaMUFZphQYWLre3ezm93orozCezSY992Zb5BKERfOsR6k7ZmnL6I2PKeq8pFOQttI/s4032/IMG_7067.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATqY0PXmzb47tzY3HBKzhhRtqDlKtFGP47kEBIwO8NdrZpFMI4yzsbhqwhR4MHfB6KcCKYcF8uGWaMUFZphQYWLre3ezm93orozCezSY992Zb5BKERfOsR6k7ZmnL6I2PKeq8pFOQttI/s320/IMG_7067.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We also got to fight each other with foam weapons in the battle arena, try our hand at archery and axe throwing.... I'm a dead shot, watch out Robin Hood!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8jLQ3JJ3Bbyg89TjPfS4lFjJu1l0eVa3nIqknvkOnhR13_7p0vJS142e_gvJlius3whWhYD0CTtd32d228uvvnmjezwPz2kswFptolCmk09OVhHTT81VMwCxQMFCGSw9Jv-X6sb5-RY/s2048/IMG_7073.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8jLQ3JJ3Bbyg89TjPfS4lFjJu1l0eVa3nIqknvkOnhR13_7p0vJS142e_gvJlius3whWhYD0CTtd32d228uvvnmjezwPz2kswFptolCmk09OVhHTT81VMwCxQMFCGSw9Jv-X6sb5-RY/s320/IMG_7073.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We went to eat with the older kids, the boys had fun goofing around at an eclectic outdoor area...fighting aliens and making friends with Ronald.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizO0yIyRqx7dsL3bOVU6N_7s13EksxY6hbjr3sR4_bygHCaUzNpj4aq_18wyk8z5qGDBL900ggCYz36Up4ndrKBDvycPeOCHsCTBu5Nj2Gz8WCnx3geYVNWlhXyJEqJs7ZYbKwbc5ilE/s2048/IMG_7078.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizO0yIyRqx7dsL3bOVU6N_7s13EksxY6hbjr3sR4_bygHCaUzNpj4aq_18wyk8z5qGDBL900ggCYz36Up4ndrKBDvycPeOCHsCTBu5Nj2Gz8WCnx3geYVNWlhXyJEqJs7ZYbKwbc5ilE/s320/IMG_7078.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpOg7mQv0_PDegK53f45HQx6FnLXGEpa3qneYrcQ5AmNT-Wnj952r3zQfFKD6-4zONScvzESUV1kW8h5qNmPYyvBxTZOMKCs1YPdwXo8I1wUxzi8FHOqlvOzkLCWTtiHvvO9m5Gp5jLc/s2048/IMG_7079.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpOg7mQv0_PDegK53f45HQx6FnLXGEpa3qneYrcQ5AmNT-Wnj952r3zQfFKD6-4zONScvzESUV1kW8h5qNmPYyvBxTZOMKCs1YPdwXo8I1wUxzi8FHOqlvOzkLCWTtiHvvO9m5Gp5jLc/s320/IMG_7079.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Maggie and the girls made a haunted house for grandma. The sign on the door said something like "Are you ready to die!" Yikes. They went all out with the makeup and decor. Grandma said it was scary!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvghvVipDRArb1uB84ISaTblhyphenhypheniPrWL8yRNymV3rsYswYCA5r2E1TKxfbgBDkMIRokQPiYmYUor-WcyiAlEnv0Q26WAFDCezvomFO-X5bwVDtsWy-UIi_jMZulMy1CtZ59eJYrWcbzJk/s2048/IMG_7080.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvghvVipDRArb1uB84ISaTblhyphenhypheniPrWL8yRNymV3rsYswYCA5r2E1TKxfbgBDkMIRokQPiYmYUor-WcyiAlEnv0Q26WAFDCezvomFO-X5bwVDtsWy-UIi_jMZulMy1CtZ59eJYrWcbzJk/s320/IMG_7080.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We also did an escape room--a new family favorite activity. This was a jailbreak at the OK Corral! We got out with time to spare! No match for these braniacs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzyzCXYlRjBt9tWavHlIMy934YopeZCbaQWrJvtbfeFvhfvNYGMgzuyurCg0mJPQc4Qy0yAGKqN6HiXLx7K6vPaL1lGVH7a-ZzCIqG2uap7-zb5n-8eV4Ed7aTTGxrqmsw9qi5ckSjIE/s4032/IMG_7085.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzyzCXYlRjBt9tWavHlIMy934YopeZCbaQWrJvtbfeFvhfvNYGMgzuyurCg0mJPQc4Qy0yAGKqN6HiXLx7K6vPaL1lGVH7a-ZzCIqG2uap7-zb5n-8eV4Ed7aTTGxrqmsw9qi5ckSjIE/s320/IMG_7085.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The whole fan-damily.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurOiAYCFaJk63fZltcRmpemubphYfTCYCt55exe3Y80l9G8eTE6C6MKnPO46mWwgA-bGMu0VanVh6cG_4iJ_sI_XmRhQTlTqKko-3f_ExoMCeZo5EPcr3UzlUCpeO9V9l2RyrRdi8P_g/s2048/IMG_7109.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurOiAYCFaJk63fZltcRmpemubphYfTCYCt55exe3Y80l9G8eTE6C6MKnPO46mWwgA-bGMu0VanVh6cG_4iJ_sI_XmRhQTlTqKko-3f_ExoMCeZo5EPcr3UzlUCpeO9V9l2RyrRdi8P_g/s320/IMG_7109.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>And a lot of good-looking grandkids! Jacob must have though it was a gun-show. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg_MvOMMv_O_-Z_hmsXJ9OB2uoCz_yGBSPeWhSCz_E6R7C_hF9ieAvR9KCRebTod19nGEt803DAnKofHqX73IyzXrvUQUqMOUcjXxY6qxseyqx8UBX-OgQm-5mYTgmQcwN_HDe3A74gQ/s4032/IMG_7110.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg_MvOMMv_O_-Z_hmsXJ9OB2uoCz_yGBSPeWhSCz_E6R7C_hF9ieAvR9KCRebTod19nGEt803DAnKofHqX73IyzXrvUQUqMOUcjXxY6qxseyqx8UBX-OgQm-5mYTgmQcwN_HDe3A74gQ/s320/IMG_7110.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We also spent a day in Kemmerer digging for fossils. We had tons of success--too much in fact. We couldn't bring it all home. It was some back breaking work but fun.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDwtKoN1Aw5qVLmE3EZoBaYLmGwmii2QGT-ezpkgfPtO_-23iga2RZZJ8tNLoXStJzxu4Vb4LFietrPFPYW5epGAxTLnOCkSaeWP6Vc7QPW4bnr6Kka_zU78jkbhXQXvB50e7ZLkZ-pc/s4032/IMG_7118.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDwtKoN1Aw5qVLmE3EZoBaYLmGwmii2QGT-ezpkgfPtO_-23iga2RZZJ8tNLoXStJzxu4Vb4LFietrPFPYW5epGAxTLnOCkSaeWP6Vc7QPW4bnr6Kka_zU78jkbhXQXvB50e7ZLkZ-pc/s320/IMG_7118.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We have continued the tradition of taking Maggie and her friends to a musical. This year we went to see "The Sound of Music" starring one of Maggie's dance teachers. It was adorable.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittlvT-R7h1JSIjB8hi7W6kBQ_fmqxsQtHYA6wIHe4acGJuGog40IQX4ERpYaR6vFJ8pmiDF-ac8lSxoZfOnCkUJ-jr7enVHRrp_NYRNer2gr1TlGBf8FprPg2_znhQnxxctP1dyZ8Pk0/s4032/IMG_7136.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittlvT-R7h1JSIjB8hi7W6kBQ_fmqxsQtHYA6wIHe4acGJuGog40IQX4ERpYaR6vFJ8pmiDF-ac8lSxoZfOnCkUJ-jr7enVHRrp_NYRNer2gr1TlGBf8FprPg2_znhQnxxctP1dyZ8Pk0/s320/IMG_7136.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>A picture from the Jeeping trip.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU23L4HiG1ho-_HTWA20X8c26xfEG46zHDTj7MlDRJilWW2xNiY4fnI0arKJALbxbxom4dw7WIvZ3ZQT17d_9kOmjbZn82l-fZoNHja9WXecfKqpvJ15mrpOF3JmWAlLNwik1PhqDHuw/s2048/IMG_7154.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU23L4HiG1ho-_HTWA20X8c26xfEG46zHDTj7MlDRJilWW2xNiY4fnI0arKJALbxbxom4dw7WIvZ3ZQT17d_9kOmjbZn82l-fZoNHja9WXecfKqpvJ15mrpOF3JmWAlLNwik1PhqDHuw/s320/IMG_7154.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4D3gD2lN75f_YI0bpvJRJZwFAf1iMjK0h4yYjDo_z4RZ-BmugSuHm1fzLtKYOAvOigwTiIVmDteuG6N0gS18nhozIXRuAcUDh60vyeUAWI4cRC3ilGkam8keZOyiwJC17hFWTgRgBX8/s2048/IMG_7160.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4D3gD2lN75f_YI0bpvJRJZwFAf1iMjK0h4yYjDo_z4RZ-BmugSuHm1fzLtKYOAvOigwTiIVmDteuG6N0gS18nhozIXRuAcUDh60vyeUAWI4cRC3ilGkam8keZOyiwJC17hFWTgRgBX8/s320/IMG_7160.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>One Sunday morning a couple weeks ago, Joey surprised Eric and I with breakfast in bed! It was really sweet. It's always nice when your kids are nice unsolicited. Maybe I did one thing right? Ha ha.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx-6DliuSGdHj1hRXNrDAsev6JA5wbuP8SB6DsOe4DP-oYANfNNQ4_3opPZro3CcF-YrnPkl4k-uz22A9ibm21LorI_xri2QQguOjV32HndIX1ynUa5RAoHwLR074_8i7G5_vUMXgakY/s4032/IMG_7190.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx-6DliuSGdHj1hRXNrDAsev6JA5wbuP8SB6DsOe4DP-oYANfNNQ4_3opPZro3CcF-YrnPkl4k-uz22A9ibm21LorI_xri2QQguOjV32HndIX1ynUa5RAoHwLR074_8i7G5_vUMXgakY/s320/IMG_7190.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Jacob went axe throwing with some of the family--only he and Maggie could go. I hope he represented the Swensons well!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5iZyPX-OfzsvQr88KnuFz6PMJ7sPlJtVqeuRg6Pd1BoZvUSk5FVxeg9vcDWR_qsdW6x7jiBRDLYp3n3zReUpc7mgkYyE613i7RXLQ-qYe6sovuofwrl6RO7L8YLWOU6NsimHf80nB0w/s2048/IMG_7191.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5iZyPX-OfzsvQr88KnuFz6PMJ7sPlJtVqeuRg6Pd1BoZvUSk5FVxeg9vcDWR_qsdW6x7jiBRDLYp3n3zReUpc7mgkYyE613i7RXLQ-qYe6sovuofwrl6RO7L8YLWOU6NsimHf80nB0w/s320/IMG_7191.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Tyler with one of his catches....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvLzP5d6UaKsqiP3V-YB2HZH_MC4Gt2VgYzbcQZ-knnG5Z1TWtDZofIcZSiMqjzGZ_A0m1T-qHzvl8j5kQ1iq2wlh4KzromlZYO6LWjt3-vHli-KZ4SEPk0nRDTZcuZYfX3TXeFzOgwo/s2048/IMG_7217.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvLzP5d6UaKsqiP3V-YB2HZH_MC4Gt2VgYzbcQZ-knnG5Z1TWtDZofIcZSiMqjzGZ_A0m1T-qHzvl8j5kQ1iq2wlh4KzromlZYO6LWjt3-vHli-KZ4SEPk0nRDTZcuZYfX3TXeFzOgwo/s320/IMG_7217.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jacob has been a biking fool. Here's a couple shots of him doing his thing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSdbRyB-D23WQtjqueU_AuS23vlRNDH8Rd2qj0mTU7HZp5Wh4Krc8_5Oai78tJjudcfcyEEdcqYqfDg6oMD_BSzT1g72Dc4odrs530pUsBsWb_w3BLrXAayK_ZuauQ6c-8ZJl1uvRLmc/s1024/IMG_7283.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSdbRyB-D23WQtjqueU_AuS23vlRNDH8Rd2qj0mTU7HZp5Wh4Krc8_5Oai78tJjudcfcyEEdcqYqfDg6oMD_BSzT1g72Dc4odrs530pUsBsWb_w3BLrXAayK_ZuauQ6c-8ZJl1uvRLmc/s320/IMG_7283.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF4nQ-mmxz3Pkj2Tpqtvt428K_KJLMqPs1_qdFhrIKeT2hS9gmbv2Lg0mBDt8sptyYSBK39t6nB7OPinLULfBC-kKLKWIT5tp-v9e7vw4xcaFYZ8R5a81t_sRJnWGgZ54OVtAa9o9q6M/s2048/IMG_7310.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF4nQ-mmxz3Pkj2Tpqtvt428K_KJLMqPs1_qdFhrIKeT2hS9gmbv2Lg0mBDt8sptyYSBK39t6nB7OPinLULfBC-kKLKWIT5tp-v9e7vw4xcaFYZ8R5a81t_sRJnWGgZ54OVtAa9o9q6M/s320/IMG_7310.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Maggie had girls camp! Last year's was cancelled so she was really excited about it. It was only one night but they filled it full of fun! River rafting, games and testimonies. And lots of giggles!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwSeZaeQKBymdFPkE0wIRKYJsjBV2kAQxugWnva7MeXDTjtn-u72mDdRdXIqHC89YfCIB6vcaWFJT4XQYYbYs-LqffCaVO0E3Il8fIgY47XKCaXeaCov0K3iYJuZFQ-Qol85LfMvL5vc/s2048/IMG_7311.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwSeZaeQKBymdFPkE0wIRKYJsjBV2kAQxugWnva7MeXDTjtn-u72mDdRdXIqHC89YfCIB6vcaWFJT4XQYYbYs-LqffCaVO0E3Il8fIgY47XKCaXeaCov0K3iYJuZFQ-Qol85LfMvL5vc/s320/IMG_7311.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw54lqYPP7IWh3kaweju2d0p3gVkIoeHJujYUfMqOxcGyugrN6jzYYdgPNO50Gzf30gW4b3sdqvkLXv4XlSwTPWMEEkIY4nJbtWaqnUedGW8FOKY4Lruudeid8r4AFhyphenhyphenxilOcY0OgxF1Y/s2048/IMG_7312.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw54lqYPP7IWh3kaweju2d0p3gVkIoeHJujYUfMqOxcGyugrN6jzYYdgPNO50Gzf30gW4b3sdqvkLXv4XlSwTPWMEEkIY4nJbtWaqnUedGW8FOKY4Lruudeid8r4AFhyphenhyphenxilOcY0OgxF1Y/s320/IMG_7312.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Joey helping on the "farm". He's growing into a pretty good little helper!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjUWmpC8nMN2I2Z8Nr_eKSPr126BiZBKfwKGQmGdfhh3TPunA0jA0VfzukKOEW7LSbUK4xlcTaivgaGvhNXZ_xTpF-qMTbvJ31xZpPwRskft32kM3uPJoFhxcioXz555WeUb9Imu8cAc/s4032/IMG_7347.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjUWmpC8nMN2I2Z8Nr_eKSPr126BiZBKfwKGQmGdfhh3TPunA0jA0VfzukKOEW7LSbUK4xlcTaivgaGvhNXZ_xTpF-qMTbvJ31xZpPwRskft32kM3uPJoFhxcioXz555WeUb9Imu8cAc/s320/IMG_7347.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Sammy came out to is it for a week. We had tons of fun and it was fun to spend time with her. We did ANOTHER escape room--this time we got out with 20 minutes to spare! Next time we will have to do something harder. It was fun! The Hoarder's Attic...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-lxwFTBqf-C1VHUKEn1HM3EUChp5jOzfAXZNUDgQEcS96Cx3YMtKfaNLKceqeH0u-pn0_vxTNFImZzD35K8EA7N_g3TzO26fKbHuNULgol9hZfezTMAkZlBvdx2iaSegN6l4ceg01v0/s4032/IMG_7375.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-lxwFTBqf-C1VHUKEn1HM3EUChp5jOzfAXZNUDgQEcS96Cx3YMtKfaNLKceqeH0u-pn0_vxTNFImZzD35K8EA7N_g3TzO26fKbHuNULgol9hZfezTMAkZlBvdx2iaSegN6l4ceg01v0/s320/IMG_7375.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We also went on a horse ride. Fun and beautiful. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDlNJ2xYp-sCFkUR_cJ0l9uOQJXT6Wsyx-E6Lk1zn8lPoRV1iYtMk05Xc-g8Y7-U8JtMwfGkUDSGXw-sh8fzpn1qna-m_X8l_jb_FfTYqUnfr02nqL6bXGFKioIRJKqrylORG8IXomvc/s4032/IMG_7381.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDlNJ2xYp-sCFkUR_cJ0l9uOQJXT6Wsyx-E6Lk1zn8lPoRV1iYtMk05Xc-g8Y7-U8JtMwfGkUDSGXw-sh8fzpn1qna-m_X8l_jb_FfTYqUnfr02nqL6bXGFKioIRJKqrylORG8IXomvc/s320/IMG_7381.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>A couple pics from the Montana trip. Eric better watch out or his boys will start out-fishing him!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxGKTNfUx83tGYuTMFto7R11pOAdJjctPrvgy3RB44NGI_BKeD9vsM4Aq1f_mxc8FhIA_lVgKF_dL27-7aT2rRA6ycwctj7nhEGDHDCD01zuWbB86ypipmdILFr0tlCU3v05opmJ31ME/s4032/IMG_8114.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxGKTNfUx83tGYuTMFto7R11pOAdJjctPrvgy3RB44NGI_BKeD9vsM4Aq1f_mxc8FhIA_lVgKF_dL27-7aT2rRA6ycwctj7nhEGDHDCD01zuWbB86ypipmdILFr0tlCU3v05opmJ31ME/s320/IMG_8114.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCCru9mPaU3c4kVqkWZDlSlAvr__4qJboWroUfDDEG6bfBIn0guRjntj64zuOu57pkLOQOEPDY6AES-3wKnV5C0V62uDlKPUoR_u69RvKxssTItL05YTEjdab3LSyVwpX1rE-w39bnaY/s3277/IMG_8157.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3277" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCCru9mPaU3c4kVqkWZDlSlAvr__4qJboWroUfDDEG6bfBIn0guRjntj64zuOu57pkLOQOEPDY6AES-3wKnV5C0V62uDlKPUoR_u69RvKxssTItL05YTEjdab3LSyVwpX1rE-w39bnaY/s320/IMG_8157.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, that is a very brief recap of summer. Sorry for the brevity, but it's too much info! But it was a summer filled with fun and family--the two best things.</div><br /> <p></p>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-56956011480383983492021-05-16T07:48:00.005-07:002021-05-16T07:48:47.570-07:00Spring is in the Air!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spring is in the air and it's time to get outside! This past month has been filled with mountain biking, dances, soccer and lots of yard work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But of course to start it all off a picture of my dogs--I've been way too soft on them, they think they own the place. They've claimed my two nice chairs in the living room as their own. I don't have the heart to tell them to get off. They look so cute and cozy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZWb5N_XOT9nPd-Z0BxisCNcorAHAQm1j1U-ScriP-r9XbEfTWQGWB-DiOfmWlVnRR9YR55ac1uV9INSEURu4o-WcBC8UK6NGLgr4w8av52yGEemhEzNQCuXfbHChgJWhHaSjL1NqYfw/s2048/GVHH4287+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZWb5N_XOT9nPd-Z0BxisCNcorAHAQm1j1U-ScriP-r9XbEfTWQGWB-DiOfmWlVnRR9YR55ac1uV9INSEURu4o-WcBC8UK6NGLgr4w8av52yGEemhEzNQCuXfbHChgJWhHaSjL1NqYfw/s320/GVHH4287+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>After about 9 years of guitar lessons, Tyler finally had his last one. His teacher, Scott, has been so great over the years. He's not only been a guitar teacher, but he's been a great friend and mentor to Tyler in so many ways. I am so glad we chose him to be Tyler's teacher; he had a big impact on Tyler's life. Not to mention the fact that Tyler is an amazing guitar player now! He did another musical number at church last week for Mother's Day. It was beautiful. What a talent! I could listen to him play all day. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPpik5C7xuYp7gRUcL6DullnrxSU4I5K3RW9sWL7l3Xb7a31B_ohwdQy_i-v7q8AQHMHgx5cQ7vF8KitIB4Hd8-vI2vhMVeOznLR7Ugo24ovcDwHhzdRNL_50ovfxSPqJzNxdIJ_wDZQ/s3088/IMG_0001+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPpik5C7xuYp7gRUcL6DullnrxSU4I5K3RW9sWL7l3Xb7a31B_ohwdQy_i-v7q8AQHMHgx5cQ7vF8KitIB4Hd8-vI2vhMVeOznLR7Ugo24ovcDwHhzdRNL_50ovfxSPqJzNxdIJ_wDZQ/s320/IMG_0001+2.jpeg" /></a></div><p>I don't know if it's because Tyler is feeling the impending time when he leaves the house, or who knows what, but he's taken more time to do things with his siblings, and also help out around the house. Out of the blue he offered to help me do the dishes the other day when he saw me doing them! And he has taken his brothers and sister to a fun place nearby where they can swing on this rope thing over the canal or a pond or something (I guess I should probably find out). They think it is super fun, and I think it is super cute that their older brother likes to take them there. He even took pictures!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCxOHzTvGU4REbo501F__1lXpADAyk8TKHfBYAGX4IQHL5_HOFbOPAyemQ8pXMzcSFvejv2WfKnJ67Wfbx4QQnE9DsT7jm23TdMV-pbYwPokMbSILtaJwcef4pN0c3I8vmCz31fjbqaM/s4032/IMG_0026+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCxOHzTvGU4REbo501F__1lXpADAyk8TKHfBYAGX4IQHL5_HOFbOPAyemQ8pXMzcSFvejv2WfKnJ67Wfbx4QQnE9DsT7jm23TdMV-pbYwPokMbSILtaJwcef4pN0c3I8vmCz31fjbqaM/s320/IMG_0026+2.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpPwShXcPuAFwTlxkkSivrFdttAsfwi-aQubz0bLGwh0aHfB64uUp-Fgycjqf8enN3wDcjXLIr96_HeDozqvGTGU_UbflB4Cq3dgofVgT180lh-NuFb_Co6Mw9wU2vzMu2o9pyxIX4DY/s4032/IMG_0027+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpPwShXcPuAFwTlxkkSivrFdttAsfwi-aQubz0bLGwh0aHfB64uUp-Fgycjqf8enN3wDcjXLIr96_HeDozqvGTGU_UbflB4Cq3dgofVgT180lh-NuFb_Co6Mw9wU2vzMu2o9pyxIX4DY/s320/IMG_0027+2.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4fwXtRu0afpB4zadDVLXT-VutgrzOqp9DvlxnqF-ocDNjrt7XS5SpOFYq4xD4hCzBhhRFRx4HVbQXKNy_rWcvKvx_IgBf22Vc7Noa9Q-rzDwDka7Wdn6LzIdTMGnfo6ocb2nAJouhec/s4032/IMG_0028+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4fwXtRu0afpB4zadDVLXT-VutgrzOqp9DvlxnqF-ocDNjrt7XS5SpOFYq4xD4hCzBhhRFRx4HVbQXKNy_rWcvKvx_IgBf22Vc7Noa9Q-rzDwDka7Wdn6LzIdTMGnfo6ocb2nAJouhec/s320/IMG_0028+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Tyler also planned a really cute triple date. They did a "Bob Ross Painting Night." They set up easels as teams and watched a Bob Ross video and tried to recreate the painting. It was so cute and they all had a blast! The paintings don't look half bad either!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2ryM6hE39zqka0nqkziqjN73zPdFrKE98M0U-_g3-xgpBQRnB5jbeSl1cBkcw1vBF7QiKclp5zpjd_VKEZTXIIgdg3Z_61y4SfWn1NuDhyphenhyphenAAwloEiKdq_CwXVfyK8PLT3zCE0zoZ7IY/s4032/IMG_0039+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2ryM6hE39zqka0nqkziqjN73zPdFrKE98M0U-_g3-xgpBQRnB5jbeSl1cBkcw1vBF7QiKclp5zpjd_VKEZTXIIgdg3Z_61y4SfWn1NuDhyphenhyphenAAwloEiKdq_CwXVfyK8PLT3zCE0zoZ7IY/s320/IMG_0039+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's Tyler with his friends Max and Cassie. I love these guys. They are good to Tyler and they are just good kids who have fun together. And yes, masks because, you know, covid.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLCRiMr0UVoT27SkrtMLsgnFrlfIbdhYdylzOOMJuLIo7bUxTET31FZmVfLzVhVSKrensQuxHT3wL9-Rj0LGa7Ap8cCMGqYOcJ0foarjoV126hIEt1Vub_2IEfXZ-Yq5VVhM4PcU32Zc/s1500/IMG_1441+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1127" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLCRiMr0UVoT27SkrtMLsgnFrlfIbdhYdylzOOMJuLIo7bUxTET31FZmVfLzVhVSKrensQuxHT3wL9-Rj0LGa7Ap8cCMGqYOcJ0foarjoV126hIEt1Vub_2IEfXZ-Yq5VVhM4PcU32Zc/s320/IMG_1441+2.jpeg" /></a></div>And here's Jake and his best friend Chase. I can't get any normal pictures of them because they always make dumb faces (teenage boys, ugh). But they are both rocking the shaggy hair look, much to Eric's dismay. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLHmB0zHFnjxapnqLrx5-9D2R3DKCYVgtJ-yFLmylwMJOeQmkOmEHE7-KUcN1oCUCLwPL1sODj14Y2tSvMcUiT69QLijUzJQEWqFqnOR33s_kxmYYL83nO1QEJQeyrwJL6wy79lOwMb4/s2048/IMG_6129+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLHmB0zHFnjxapnqLrx5-9D2R3DKCYVgtJ-yFLmylwMJOeQmkOmEHE7-KUcN1oCUCLwPL1sODj14Y2tSvMcUiT69QLijUzJQEWqFqnOR33s_kxmYYL83nO1QEJQeyrwJL6wy79lOwMb4/s320/IMG_6129+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Jake has definitely lost his little boy look and is growing into a teenager. He looks so much taller and older! Having kids is funny--you can't wait for them to grow up but when they do you're like, "STOP! GO BACK!" I definitely miss the times when they were little in a lot of ways, but them growing into young adults is exciting and fun in it's own ways too. Jake's glamour shot.....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdoG4xIvaW4DrJPFBnBeL4HCLpWMnYyJb-rNLkkJhcs-XeXncWnt3SiKnUi3vxz8jc0YL86gNAQDydPCXjfBJXUDkoPaF5n6QOxJMoO1-Q4r9H6HfMdsjjvMDpjk0Y8YmWg1ao48v7Kg/s2048/IMG_6130+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdoG4xIvaW4DrJPFBnBeL4HCLpWMnYyJb-rNLkkJhcs-XeXncWnt3SiKnUi3vxz8jc0YL86gNAQDydPCXjfBJXUDkoPaF5n6QOxJMoO1-Q4r9H6HfMdsjjvMDpjk0Y8YmWg1ao48v7Kg/s320/IMG_6130+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Tyler went to a dance and practiced his Deacon Shuffle with Jake.... Awww, how sweet.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvwtVWnqpAG03lJ6ptOffCT8dLCNBRJVmPQBts1B_Aj8Cez2lOgCd5iYGa48rF-1pS2AN_YDG70IqZ5noAJDlAQ_Ai-pV2bjRvIsuPdFuu_yxjP7zeRVj96AhERCoyGUiAk-0_7_4chw/s2048/IMG_6131+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvwtVWnqpAG03lJ6ptOffCT8dLCNBRJVmPQBts1B_Aj8Cez2lOgCd5iYGa48rF-1pS2AN_YDG70IqZ5noAJDlAQ_Ai-pV2bjRvIsuPdFuu_yxjP7zeRVj96AhERCoyGUiAk-0_7_4chw/s320/IMG_6131+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Tyler and his favorite dad, dad and his favorite 17 year old. What a great couple of guys.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauvXdBzUTmoUIhqKYK6_IETjIevPTqXlZuRSMr0NVA8hnZP7orXDVK5Owuh5lfTSxGnELsXCSUuB_VM_pjT5mqxz1rZCXAzhDVNn_FUCjQElPjo_sEEFBYHWoBiyJXUFZoZq5JwKD0aA/s2048/IMG_6132+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauvXdBzUTmoUIhqKYK6_IETjIevPTqXlZuRSMr0NVA8hnZP7orXDVK5Owuh5lfTSxGnELsXCSUuB_VM_pjT5mqxz1rZCXAzhDVNn_FUCjQElPjo_sEEFBYHWoBiyJXUFZoZq5JwKD0aA/s320/IMG_6132+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Getting ready to party!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCPC80ccr8Zc8HeQZWvK3g7w5fNOcK-QujR8_qSVLCChU7Gem8O2cbWZKZZh0ltP6u2mhO2HnHHhMFpf1PHMH6gJLzj_hoHhJtFqxFfz8P5D42Z3UoyNLrThiHJkgCOzwqZbnZk62t14/s2048/IMG_6134+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCPC80ccr8Zc8HeQZWvK3g7w5fNOcK-QujR8_qSVLCChU7Gem8O2cbWZKZZh0ltP6u2mhO2HnHHhMFpf1PHMH6gJLzj_hoHhJtFqxFfz8P5D42Z3UoyNLrThiHJkgCOzwqZbnZk62t14/s320/IMG_6134+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Dogs. Can't live with them, but we keep them around anyway. Kidding. I love my dogs (especially Ziggy--she knows she's the favorite). However, they can be such pains in the butt sometimes! Every time we give them a bath, they run off and find something stinky to roll in. Every. Time. So it's almost a futile effort to bathe them. These two had only had a bath the day before, and here they are in bath time jail getting ready for another bath. You can tell Pepper is NOT excited about what is about to happen. She gets no sympathy from me.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvPVU3WSlXpo_z7iWgCXbqETdN6SPnr83mPlg4VgG7I0HqZkR1ooqsZu008IyQXEPvu16bL7Dwkt9PKVCNwjiy7XCmlaYbYrgoJH-Z1PGcMBXWxT2a1sMW281_GB4JVyJnwth3o6oNZ8/s2048/IMG_6138+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvPVU3WSlXpo_z7iWgCXbqETdN6SPnr83mPlg4VgG7I0HqZkR1ooqsZu008IyQXEPvu16bL7Dwkt9PKVCNwjiy7XCmlaYbYrgoJH-Z1PGcMBXWxT2a1sMW281_GB4JVyJnwth3o6oNZ8/s320/IMG_6138+2.jpeg" /></a></div>A few weeks ago we sat down with Eric's family to watch a slideshow of some old photos Craig had. Here's two favorites... This first one is a classic 1980's shot--Eric at a cigarette vending machine next to a payphone. Nice.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmOrxCa3vX7tNb0pk2PO4wj4RGwzG-YBmz2HXyUpaYfs4jbLpsQJ2OHnz21r7_eghJMgWoMn9_wjmv-bbUA8sxdRB5Q2H5Ehq8k2wejXF32Ey-94nNNhOBV_hsK_xS1fRmlP7h-2uuuw/s2048/IMG_6143+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmOrxCa3vX7tNb0pk2PO4wj4RGwzG-YBmz2HXyUpaYfs4jbLpsQJ2OHnz21r7_eghJMgWoMn9_wjmv-bbUA8sxdRB5Q2H5Ehq8k2wejXF32Ey-94nNNhOBV_hsK_xS1fRmlP7h-2uuuw/s320/IMG_6143+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This next one is just adorable. Eric on the right, with his Grandpa and Great-Grandpa on a horse ride. Craig was taking the picture. 4 generations of men together on a horse ride. You can look at Eric's face and tell he thinks he's pretty hot stuff. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz6nHxF9mzst0sd2AmUPQupgMHcdClrp781hBZSYaRkmE61EVrrBepENluEJRP6ZcrpPZfuHOKmMBClJEBio6JPXvs5mBvTKThEBjNs_6UmHh2rVifyxq3mISgjd5MO57uWkGdWTM14Y/s2048/IMG_6144+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz6nHxF9mzst0sd2AmUPQupgMHcdClrp781hBZSYaRkmE61EVrrBepENluEJRP6ZcrpPZfuHOKmMBClJEBio6JPXvs5mBvTKThEBjNs_6UmHh2rVifyxq3mISgjd5MO57uWkGdWTM14Y/s320/IMG_6144+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>After the slideshow we snapped a current photo of the siblings and their spouses, and then just the siblings. What a great family. It's been a long time since we were all together at the same time.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3sxJJ5_D4EbH0zb749HbiOSFShqVlzkH6nzaYyN_vanr96yqRwmo1oMB7y-Imfni-fk9mw_J2JtKo-eh71Np5ZN2IqP3vIn8kc3aOo0G4kJbuqwS07GJoOlyu1OljiViS0vNoILUzFc/s2048/IMG_6147+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3sxJJ5_D4EbH0zb749HbiOSFShqVlzkH6nzaYyN_vanr96yqRwmo1oMB7y-Imfni-fk9mw_J2JtKo-eh71Np5ZN2IqP3vIn8kc3aOo0G4kJbuqwS07GJoOlyu1OljiViS0vNoILUzFc/s320/IMG_6147+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s_ZGygBSEyDkozwSUAHNGXpu1n5CI_OBnILs3JVv20PBqe1s-yo5ibBbs9ZlAtjpmJS0yBaLjVZbHOmeXStlaMQ3F49PbZtPPbw1eMsoIKQm3amv9wasZHBrxR-v6LOAItrNusMrS64/s2048/IMG_6148+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s_ZGygBSEyDkozwSUAHNGXpu1n5CI_OBnILs3JVv20PBqe1s-yo5ibBbs9ZlAtjpmJS0yBaLjVZbHOmeXStlaMQ3F49PbZtPPbw1eMsoIKQm3amv9wasZHBrxR-v6LOAItrNusMrS64/s320/IMG_6148+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Ever since Jake got his new bike, Joey inherited his old one. It's way too big for him, but it is a nice bike, especially for a 10 year old! He's started to love to bike around town--to school, to the neighbors, to his friends, to the gas station for treats... he goes to a little jump area and has a great time. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up with two mountain bikers in the family!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzy3qmzgceVHvQAzYXmQVPaK4xc1dlbTHonD-5BZnCs2KqWl8zQmQmLV4K5bd6iWmS5HRi7tzHOpiyxVUI_X3loIWnpG93w2N2n8pgs6nCfSbw08mG8bwYM_yhT9QJx2-hOnx0MydU5sg/s1509/IMG_6160+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzy3qmzgceVHvQAzYXmQVPaK4xc1dlbTHonD-5BZnCs2KqWl8zQmQmLV4K5bd6iWmS5HRi7tzHOpiyxVUI_X3loIWnpG93w2N2n8pgs6nCfSbw08mG8bwYM_yhT9QJx2-hOnx0MydU5sg/s320/IMG_6160+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Tyler went to his Senior Prom! He didn't really want to, but I told him he had to go--you only get a senior prom once in your life! He went and was glad he did. They had a really good time. His date was lovely and really nice. They took some pictures but it was very windy!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6ZzMQRfn6ouXgt5HLERbEsTbW7S8zLw6BGPmmMTvbFb4zVXRreuJejUpDbU7mC1p8hRfQVwtVE85-aSWP0zn2HDxwY_swFJEVidqdAshzso_qidRKoFdEMIJBLc0nzQ_bJKpyHRQBYA/s1760/IMG_6190+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1760" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6ZzMQRfn6ouXgt5HLERbEsTbW7S8zLw6BGPmmMTvbFb4zVXRreuJejUpDbU7mC1p8hRfQVwtVE85-aSWP0zn2HDxwY_swFJEVidqdAshzso_qidRKoFdEMIJBLc0nzQ_bJKpyHRQBYA/s320/IMG_6190+2.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-Sipy6EaVKSgSeMEsYQLRBXC-zLEMDeiQle9yOWusow8Oca7OWmsvI3ST2QWb9Xw64-svoL_bmT-54yTTsNmK3TLjLIGPiHFXLcOLd4IKK34lcyGfLP9VezreLKBqvpkLyYfUuNQz60/s2048/IMG_6192+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-Sipy6EaVKSgSeMEsYQLRBXC-zLEMDeiQle9yOWusow8Oca7OWmsvI3ST2QWb9Xw64-svoL_bmT-54yTTsNmK3TLjLIGPiHFXLcOLd4IKK34lcyGfLP9VezreLKBqvpkLyYfUuNQz60/s320/IMG_6192+2.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48Jrt0kmEwx223To-RnEKKh-kC6yfu5rFKlNtIfHfy-L24WM3Ox9flA4E5YOmXwXXcaRcNGR0CRaYghCUkLF4a05R2kL4oqMaJqb-3CElCYOxkvW2lYwYcUI7kjwjEP1wAdOfnL8i3r0/s1279/IMG_6194+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48Jrt0kmEwx223To-RnEKKh-kC6yfu5rFKlNtIfHfy-L24WM3Ox9flA4E5YOmXwXXcaRcNGR0CRaYghCUkLF4a05R2kL4oqMaJqb-3CElCYOxkvW2lYwYcUI7kjwjEP1wAdOfnL8i3r0/s320/IMG_6194+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>They boys in the group love to goof around....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpsv_aQximf3MFXeTtivCFuzNPE2yMIsUFhzozRla0CCuyqBPE-fcqcK3cIAGerDXQWajXutfA1EOjssKq9iAKVNCwz1qgq0M8UPOSTBLVY48Xdv4KSYBXrlwKD0o5cuFF_acxTajqlE/s1279/IMG_6196+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpsv_aQximf3MFXeTtivCFuzNPE2yMIsUFhzozRla0CCuyqBPE-fcqcK3cIAGerDXQWajXutfA1EOjssKq9iAKVNCwz1qgq0M8UPOSTBLVY48Xdv4KSYBXrlwKD0o5cuFF_acxTajqlE/s320/IMG_6196+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfLAYZi8BK4yZ716KecBMyOeQ3Gykfa2q6owBXjq7il4eubYkNuCbdxyYwOxitY6ay-yM9j7CTC05qNKgSjNR_cZquuhGqYWVIjEYfY3fV5zh6HcRAW1BV-yznQc3PIII2NJs6EaOiVw/s1280/IMG_6199+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfLAYZi8BK4yZ716KecBMyOeQ3Gykfa2q6owBXjq7il4eubYkNuCbdxyYwOxitY6ay-yM9j7CTC05qNKgSjNR_cZquuhGqYWVIjEYfY3fV5zh6HcRAW1BV-yznQc3PIII2NJs6EaOiVw/s320/IMG_6199+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>I have a kitchen letter sign that I put a new saying on every week or so. I woke up one morning to find this little gem of a surprise....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeWY0f-QyL3Gjge8nCm3Bag6TnBFjXG0GXcWzBYpkftkpeK0L9ix19d2n9JrJ4cvmDcA48IYuQIu74893M2Srr6S5cDozJlM4Udc48Rz1OJYYUCj0WYOemwxuzUptESZGVm4nCW40TPA/s2048/IMG_6219+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeWY0f-QyL3Gjge8nCm3Bag6TnBFjXG0GXcWzBYpkftkpeK0L9ix19d2n9JrJ4cvmDcA48IYuQIu74893M2Srr6S5cDozJlM4Udc48Rz1OJYYUCj0WYOemwxuzUptESZGVm4nCW40TPA/s320/IMG_6219+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Ha ha! Can you guess who wrote it? What a funny girl. It made me laugh. <p></p><p>Here's Jake and Chase--see, silly faces. I guess getting a normal picture of a teenage boy is a rarity. Oh well, this captures who he is better anyway.... I'm so glad he has a friend like Chase--every since they day they met they bonded. Best friends from day 1. Chase is awesome and his family is great too. It is so nice when your kid has a great friend who is a good person and lots of fun. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWt9ckjnqJm1n0mFnn4qdy9KiA4dczZl_HhLxkWc-cbW89xrkHvZeCBadq-FrwNQf8ndguHBkrj5PzcrFPAesVs0KsBRpsmRrrkJvlQ-7PQc0ozBvzKsGmP4pfApQs9SwcFEab5kLT60/s2048/IMG_6222+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWt9ckjnqJm1n0mFnn4qdy9KiA4dczZl_HhLxkWc-cbW89xrkHvZeCBadq-FrwNQf8ndguHBkrj5PzcrFPAesVs0KsBRpsmRrrkJvlQ-7PQc0ozBvzKsGmP4pfApQs9SwcFEab5kLT60/s320/IMG_6222+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Joey goes to bed late every night despite my attempts to get him to sleep earlier. But the real problem is when morning comes and he's dead tired. I have to go wake him up every morning. This particular morning he was extra tired. I had to go physically pull his covers off and shake him awake. Why is it that as a kid the last thing you want to do is sleep, but as an adult it's the activity of choice?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfF1ig1NJImNpTllYWSbJd6EHOeLNQu2oGFgoTdscxm6-NV4XZmcJ4iRrF8dT6cZz0xcAU-KXek8hMJM5wCaYoD__zODMLZfkK1lidqMv1m8lLsA1gFt93VUVDxbN4GkNtKTyBK3hfvo/s4032/IMG_6237+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfF1ig1NJImNpTllYWSbJd6EHOeLNQu2oGFgoTdscxm6-NV4XZmcJ4iRrF8dT6cZz0xcAU-KXek8hMJM5wCaYoD__zODMLZfkK1lidqMv1m8lLsA1gFt93VUVDxbN4GkNtKTyBK3hfvo/s320/IMG_6237+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Joey played soccer again this spring. They had their last game yesterday. So appreciative of the coaches who take time from their busy lives to coach these kids! If I weren't such a dummy at sports I might do it myself but it's no secret I'm not a "sports" person.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6kw1GHhqjw8gWfkK04qoKdud0qwe9lcR7L5-Jv_qaBJbY6DkfYQ-mZKeRdrEO5XWoqv-4BZiGTMIPtT5DDW9JQYfgIZMClJvAm68tYfqFF2RixL8DoIsLR6WlcoJR88vDoUhDj91wuU/s1898/IMG_6286+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6kw1GHhqjw8gWfkK04qoKdud0qwe9lcR7L5-Jv_qaBJbY6DkfYQ-mZKeRdrEO5XWoqv-4BZiGTMIPtT5DDW9JQYfgIZMClJvAm68tYfqFF2RixL8DoIsLR6WlcoJR88vDoUhDj91wuU/s320/IMG_6286+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I've gotten a little more into mountain biking myself since I had so much fun in Sedona. I used to mountain bike in college but haven't really done it for years. But whenever I go I always have fun. So I bought a bike and decided to get back into it--not like crazy into it, but just for fun and exercise. I also signed up to be a level one coach for Jacob's mountain biking team that he's doing. What?!? I know. I'm not very good or fast, but they need one parent for every 6 kids on a ride. That's hard when they have 150 kids! So I thought it would be a good way to get more biking experience in and a way to help the team. Basically all I have to do is go on the practice rides with the team. I was concerned because I'm not very good, and I will be biking with the group Jacob is in (who I can't even remotely keep up with). But the coach (who is awesome) said it doesn't matter. They ride loops for practice so I'll just keep on the loop and watch for any stragglers, lost kids, or kids that need help. I'm pretty nervous about it all, but I figure it's good to be out of my comfort zone. And hopefully I will have fun doing it! We will see. Of course riding the other day (I'm trying to get in some practice before the team practices start next month) I fell and skinned my knee. I guess this is my initiation into biking...Jacob always has scabby knees! ouch!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0OSDWm_OVA996Abv1RHGkBMTdDm_F0q7Af06Xrk88sJqjkRoZhXHxKNKjEDvU816F6gf8BOmWHLgQvfuzPtdy-CCU2bki_ITsoQOoe-QLkwAv8cNsoPlOhSHdxEvlULJKRidc8B3JK4/s4032/IMG_6312+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0OSDWm_OVA996Abv1RHGkBMTdDm_F0q7Af06Xrk88sJqjkRoZhXHxKNKjEDvU816F6gf8BOmWHLgQvfuzPtdy-CCU2bki_ITsoQOoe-QLkwAv8cNsoPlOhSHdxEvlULJKRidc8B3JK4/s320/IMG_6312+2.jpeg" /></a></div>Jacob and I went on a ride over at the Spanish Oaks Trails by our house. It was so fun to be able to go with him and share something he loves. I couldn't keep up of course, but he'd wait for me periodically. I don't know if it was fun for him, but I loved it. Hard climbs but great company. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG9rKiqaEbRKIuhq7r5E0Z6Wt5mrQuIIojxjQIf-CRyJ8wLD8t11TDg8uEZ1K_BY4ubNj0J6cTnk39l7hjP5i-yeVUJXnwmYfxjtMoz19sgLdW0RffDStXL9nkmNev3r7cFjyDdGB_Tc/s4032/IMG_6322+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG9rKiqaEbRKIuhq7r5E0Z6Wt5mrQuIIojxjQIf-CRyJ8wLD8t11TDg8uEZ1K_BY4ubNj0J6cTnk39l7hjP5i-yeVUJXnwmYfxjtMoz19sgLdW0RffDStXL9nkmNev3r7cFjyDdGB_Tc/s320/IMG_6322+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BaZLzrMsOaioEFGWw17Ao0FbgQcBkqWQ8UQiC2CJ0zOqzRb6j4EAXX52_RWXMf6DVBzKBXtTsYUeoKindO8rDS_p4n4KK7iHfc4rIuMLuKHdDMTyZ1T9lYjRLhz80yZtpFJ3HWNroKg/s2048/IMG_6323+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BaZLzrMsOaioEFGWw17Ao0FbgQcBkqWQ8UQiC2CJ0zOqzRb6j4EAXX52_RWXMf6DVBzKBXtTsYUeoKindO8rDS_p4n4KK7iHfc4rIuMLuKHdDMTyZ1T9lYjRLhz80yZtpFJ3HWNroKg/s320/IMG_6323+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jacob just did his third mountain bike I-Cup race yesterday. This hot tub photo is from a previous race, but the boys like to preside the course the day before the race, then go sit in the hotel hot tub that night. I went down with Jake this time and Chase didn't get there until late, so Jake and I rode the course and then went tubbing at the hotel after some yummy Mexican food. The course was pretty tough. There was some technical climbing that was rough in spots. I had to walk a couple places. Jake crashed and skinned his knee. He was a little nervous about the race because the course was harder than the others, but excited too. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_1qX2KBkojOZvGNn4m3ywUMNhrbHux1YvFbIqg0ECvBJk-62IrFLWU20lyTCdBzszYV_bW5zefL5O5GTipwwU6tdrr-Xl22u_h7Ld5sQge2R7AFdVVIuwjwbDYZCkGKb0SOWevhVFs4/s2048/IMG_6179+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_1qX2KBkojOZvGNn4m3ywUMNhrbHux1YvFbIqg0ECvBJk-62IrFLWU20lyTCdBzszYV_bW5zefL5O5GTipwwU6tdrr-Xl22u_h7Ld5sQge2R7AFdVVIuwjwbDYZCkGKb0SOWevhVFs4/s320/IMG_6179+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div>We got there early the morning of the race. He was pumped and ready to go!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7DMdzoCl6w6Vr_eNR-RuZ0FRtoyUH6Or4jhJqGR1gFm0KxgI3BVGVn7YF82Fzv1UykFT9ZZwNPfUA7EfVMbhiSdPutQCjWjtWiDOdUzZ3rvrF4Bh6IhMRUrCIAYhyphenhyphenoa9T3QWUFsrCCY/s2048/IMG_6334+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7DMdzoCl6w6Vr_eNR-RuZ0FRtoyUH6Or4jhJqGR1gFm0KxgI3BVGVn7YF82Fzv1UykFT9ZZwNPfUA7EfVMbhiSdPutQCjWjtWiDOdUzZ3rvrF4Bh6IhMRUrCIAYhyphenhyphenoa9T3QWUFsrCCY/s320/IMG_6334+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Here he is on a long climb coming to the end of the first lap. They do two laps that are each about 8 miles so the race for him is 16 miles. Right after I snapped this shot he passed a kid on the uphill! Way to go Jake!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO2ztNpnjSBLyLGpPu86_MHwneZ30JqkhDWGxZMhsyj2kGOidwWQAF6SDKq-mvkMlE7XBjOQc4vfvT9L_fZGEGzXmA6nlTmcbJc5JUfyjtLpSxZ990VXL4djA4nvvNLM4jjiCJ7TiWVs/s4032/IMG_6344+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO2ztNpnjSBLyLGpPu86_MHwneZ30JqkhDWGxZMhsyj2kGOidwWQAF6SDKq-mvkMlE7XBjOQc4vfvT9L_fZGEGzXmA6nlTmcbJc5JUfyjtLpSxZ990VXL4djA4nvvNLM4jjiCJ7TiWVs/s320/IMG_6344+2.jpeg" /></a></div>This is toward the end of the second lap--catching some air. He was pumping it hard! I was so excited! Come on Jake!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWQWa4v2hEEMJTS1WxTNSdxLrOeoRQru74ahH-K7nHj9GfZ4hKp9VZ8haRk621Sl9tDdQAp5sIQK4041c1ddP4A-AFZz4UYzUW8BMQfPqvn-k9YWkrFajRpQa9VCLIG28dlfno1dIYIE/s2048/IMG_6357+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWQWa4v2hEEMJTS1WxTNSdxLrOeoRQru74ahH-K7nHj9GfZ4hKp9VZ8haRk621Sl9tDdQAp5sIQK4041c1ddP4A-AFZz4UYzUW8BMQfPqvn-k9YWkrFajRpQa9VCLIG28dlfno1dIYIE/s320/IMG_6357+2.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfMqyBy3_4s53LH0Z9aKyrd80FZLGJGefcBUcO1dUUOF7pdC4X6Xwnrv7ijxFoPYLD9RlIE4VplKJpp7F2mrp6VPQ5NEUOLZw36tLGlNxfVTeCghqUOOza9lVdSS04ZZ0yPvz58KDru4/s4032/IMG_E6358.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfMqyBy3_4s53LH0Z9aKyrd80FZLGJGefcBUcO1dUUOF7pdC4X6Xwnrv7ijxFoPYLD9RlIE4VplKJpp7F2mrp6VPQ5NEUOLZw36tLGlNxfVTeCghqUOOza9lVdSS04ZZ0yPvz58KDru4/s320/IMG_E6358.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was so proud of him. He finished strong, but he was a little mad because he had taken a wrong turn which cost him a couple minutes and then crashed twice, which also cost him seconds. And seconds count! But even with the wrong turn and crashing he improved another 5 spots from the last race and improved his time another 2.5%. So a total success! I'm so proud of all the hard work he has put into mountain biking. It's fun as a parent to see him be so passionate about something, to find something he loves to do, and take the initiative to try to get better and pursue it. I can see all his hard work paying off! He's only been biking for a few months and he's doing great. I think next year he will see even more improvement. Keep at it! Shred the gnar, as he would say.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maggie got to have a fun little sleepover with her friend Macie. They were going to go on a girls weekend to St George but had to cancel so this was the consolation prize. They wanted to stay up all night...and didn't make it. But they did stay up a long time. Maggie had a lot of fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGa2Am9lMc82gEgLUEQJXDSd4fRJ5_0nx1P7LpcdmUrXvGv9Lx0g_Ztrf-Lg0g33Mfy3tMQPJZOA1AvYcVgsUseJ95NlJoqDhpKCfqId89Hu7Ust0C3Mks8K_cwo0BgQbJ7hiyUhKhS4/s2048/IMG_9837+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGa2Am9lMc82gEgLUEQJXDSd4fRJ5_0nx1P7LpcdmUrXvGv9Lx0g_Ztrf-Lg0g33Mfy3tMQPJZOA1AvYcVgsUseJ95NlJoqDhpKCfqId89Hu7Ust0C3Mks8K_cwo0BgQbJ7hiyUhKhS4/s320/IMG_9837+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p>Joey is so much fun to have around. Sure, there are times when he can be a real stinker, but, can't we all? And just when you're ready to tie him up to a tree he does something adorable. He left this note for me the other day...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpj_cBBEfCOwbP8eUpkq_oW8Z2wRGsdbwrQLc7YHDpUbT53KpUqrBZkAxgRlrEk4crt_QSW2qnkAf4xRGFI9eZB-CWaCMwzhA_fFZcfDQvsJJeDqAbWiB7nPQTGxCIfvnfnV9ja1-np8/s4032/RCWD2793.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpj_cBBEfCOwbP8eUpkq_oW8Z2wRGsdbwrQLc7YHDpUbT53KpUqrBZkAxgRlrEk4crt_QSW2qnkAf4xRGFI9eZB-CWaCMwzhA_fFZcfDQvsJJeDqAbWiB7nPQTGxCIfvnfnV9ja1-np8/s320/RCWD2793.jpeg" /></a></div>I can't even tell you how much I love it. I can just see the little cogs turning in his brain--rode? Rided? Hmmmmm..... I love that he went with 'rided' even though I probably shouldn't love it. It's just so sweet and cute. Then he left this for Tyler on Tyler's bed...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaNRh3CdRSsUVPirq1gvs45mcIn1FxKx7Lp3ZreNUfWUOTulf0T0cqYX0bxosO3StBXX_o85Y0JaDaVD_sjVsx3VEyGQ2uwRVWf9uttHoUsNEYpenwYXsk9oxOv5zb7-R7IgJrfo4IuA/s2048/RZHD0665+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaNRh3CdRSsUVPirq1gvs45mcIn1FxKx7Lp3ZreNUfWUOTulf0T0cqYX0bxosO3StBXX_o85Y0JaDaVD_sjVsx3VEyGQ2uwRVWf9uttHoUsNEYpenwYXsk9oxOv5zb7-R7IgJrfo4IuA/s320/RZHD0665+2.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> He put a little Twix on it. Just as a fun cute surprise. Joey bring so much fun and spunk to our family. yeah, I think we will keep him!<p></p>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-29815323936185695642021-04-11T11:44:00.006-07:002021-04-11T11:44:58.416-07:00Good Times in Sedona! (and a few other tidbits of life....)<p>Drum roll please......................</p><p>I got my first dose of the Covid vaccine! (Cheers....applause....). Tyler did too. Utah has opened appointments for ages 16+. So I'm well on my way to being completely immune from any disease ever again.... okay, well maybe just a slightly better defense against covid, but it's a start. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygOfFjmqbaI21Sb4CDwrvTYoa0H8IcyP9Px6hL0iGQAwBvZFJ9HlBbyEEp9FPq94_cOmjnTmGsDFUnEZOJpEZDgGh8-z8rbCiGz6Cs62O5gyj8AoUwqZhS8Tf6j29wDNHmbS_gHmKgVM/s2048/UYRH3076.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygOfFjmqbaI21Sb4CDwrvTYoa0H8IcyP9Px6hL0iGQAwBvZFJ9HlBbyEEp9FPq94_cOmjnTmGsDFUnEZOJpEZDgGh8-z8rbCiGz6Cs62O5gyj8AoUwqZhS8Tf6j29wDNHmbS_gHmKgVM/s320/UYRH3076.jpeg" /></a></div>Tyler has his senior prom coming up. He didn't really want to go (I've never seen a case of senior-itis as bad as his....he's is ready to be done done done with high school) but I told him he had to! Otherwise he would never get the experience of his senior prom. So we found a cute way to ask....this is the best....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsauhDkukYz28J4jwesCJRCnjETgWrkn8g7XcQYA-tVWPuD4RtoayxftBX2pXbgL6aVXZJd33trqAC_1ZKmbgHQBVtWsa2gx0g9BCHWSbl3dUP-TyTZ8ElJv8aDabgsdhV0Z4kYrrbpU/s2048/MRFT5137.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsauhDkukYz28J4jwesCJRCnjETgWrkn8g7XcQYA-tVWPuD4RtoayxftBX2pXbgL6aVXZJd33trqAC_1ZKmbgHQBVtWsa2gx0g9BCHWSbl3dUP-TyTZ8ElJv8aDabgsdhV0Z4kYrrbpU/s320/MRFT5137.jpeg" /></a></div>So he's got his date and his plan and (hopefully) his dinner reservations and is ready to go for a week from now!<p></p><p><br /></p><p>For spring break this year we couldn't travel too much (ya know, Covid) so we decided to head down to Sedona, AZ. We've thought about going there a few times but there always seemed to be something more enticing. But now with so much closed down and travel restrictions abounding, we figured it would be the perfect time to head down there (plus Carrie gave a huge plug for it). We had a blast, more fun than I even thought we would. Our house we rented was really close to an awesome bike skills park. It had huge jumps, slalom runs, etc etc etc. Jacob especially had a blast. I'm surprised he didn't break a limb the with jumps and air he was getting. Plus it was nice to be so close so that at times when the rest of us were tired and wanted to chill at the house, Jake could head over the park and ride. That happened several times. Here's Jake on a jump at the skills park...it is bigger than it looks like in the picture.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivkE78k9JbpFF-H9dSdHNu1m0P4IFV6OEjEkdlSsPSVT-c8GnLYcW_QRD9kbRzn6GbIivmC4orL9YdJy1jN8dGNKfKCHTidRmmkc4C1npIkuNAIJL8hSQ9xvJgmptbjdutORwJe_0JcI/s1125/IMG_6083.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivkE78k9JbpFF-H9dSdHNu1m0P4IFV6OEjEkdlSsPSVT-c8GnLYcW_QRD9kbRzn6GbIivmC4orL9YdJy1jN8dGNKfKCHTidRmmkc4C1npIkuNAIJL8hSQ9xvJgmptbjdutORwJe_0JcI/s320/IMG_6083.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We did a lot of mountain biking as a family too. After the first ride we realized Maggie's bike was not up to snuff, so we rented a nicer bike for her to ride. Actually she did really good the first half but the second half of the first ride she was struggling and losing confidence. Finally I got frustrated enough that I gave her my bike and rode hers.....um, yeah, it took me about 2 minutes of riding to realize I don't know how she even rode it as far as she did! Granted, it was my old mountain bike from college, 20 years ago. It was decent in its day but that was a long long time ago. So after she got a better bike it went much more smoothly. <p></p><p>The rides were really fun. Not much beginner stuff in Sedona, but we rode intermediate trails and just walked a few of the really technical parts (well, some of us did--Jake and Ty cruised ahead of us and just had to wait at "intersections" of trails). I did pretty good but I had to stay behind Joey and Maggie so didn't get to see how well I could have done if I didn't have to stop as much for them. Either way, we had a good time and ended up skipping some other planned activities to go on more bike rides. We skipped some hikes because we could see the same views but on a bike which was more fun. The rides were fun because there is a huge range of stuff to ride on, even on the same trail--slickrock, packed dirt, rocky stuff, etc. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGGxGl1QLHtnMCAuEDFLH_bRsqaYyP2yYEsWxVbYfVZjEwcNM7qt9QKgYdnLWiFiodNk__v_M_4SmezKU6G6wA0KnW8TYjedCsl9ZvNDPLuZSZfbjwvuugsyVKIUe4wC3FVIklmM1SfA/s1791/IMG_6081.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGGxGl1QLHtnMCAuEDFLH_bRsqaYyP2yYEsWxVbYfVZjEwcNM7qt9QKgYdnLWiFiodNk__v_M_4SmezKU6G6wA0KnW8TYjedCsl9ZvNDPLuZSZfbjwvuugsyVKIUe4wC3FVIklmM1SfA/s320/IMG_6081.jpeg" /></a></div>The Easter Bunny brought us the Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle game so we took it down there with us--I have to say I wasn't sure how fun it would be but it is like the funnest game ever. We became obsessed playing a new level each night! It will have to be a new family tradition on vacations to play each night.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9mrKCaleo3jeJe2rKP-aiJO53b09tUWudF-QesRN4XNPUz1ns0CYHPSrSoxGTzXT8zllOlpgtUwvz7M4aii3ARc39phWEX38-AJnvoRYI-jjCx93Cl5JAjcP1qmOW0PBvsR0CsbMH2g/s2048/IMG_6073.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9mrKCaleo3jeJe2rKP-aiJO53b09tUWudF-QesRN4XNPUz1ns0CYHPSrSoxGTzXT8zllOlpgtUwvz7M4aii3ARc39phWEX38-AJnvoRYI-jjCx93Cl5JAjcP1qmOW0PBvsR0CsbMH2g/s320/IMG_6073.jpeg" /></a></div>Another pic of Jake doing a jump at the bike park--he jumped the entire length of the bridge and then some. He had headed up there with Joey one evening and had Joey film him doing his jumps and stuff. Ha ha. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLlugyOIwRUDwP0872NNtcg_YCayJ-sk9s9AklYEyS8VgdIrOehyor8CMJhmgfdSNJgXSQ7o_k6ytveWbBiwtZp0aNP4tNDDhyphenhyphenAjzlzGKwAwjH05mfphSmDOglbJKhfDFtVhLt-h5jos/s1719/IMG_6071.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLlugyOIwRUDwP0872NNtcg_YCayJ-sk9s9AklYEyS8VgdIrOehyor8CMJhmgfdSNJgXSQ7o_k6ytveWbBiwtZp0aNP4tNDDhyphenhyphenAjzlzGKwAwjH05mfphSmDOglbJKhfDFtVhLt-h5jos/s320/IMG_6071.jpeg" /></a></div>A couple pics from our 3rd ride....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjs8u9kvBP4Pa45TYpp_Y1hDOkcDfcZd77-Ex7hNKq7skyp1taB8SLjEclxbjZGmF6kB8l-KrjyQxg1QCa4zMaSyt9B13aYU-cjly90JDEekPFYj3RtKpt4pyjWHDdiRwtsL0bYLcyvw/s2048/IMG_6069.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjs8u9kvBP4Pa45TYpp_Y1hDOkcDfcZd77-Ex7hNKq7skyp1taB8SLjEclxbjZGmF6kB8l-KrjyQxg1QCa4zMaSyt9B13aYU-cjly90JDEekPFYj3RtKpt4pyjWHDdiRwtsL0bYLcyvw/s320/IMG_6069.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ISPVxSLuX0LACMIMEOAi8sLKTuq8uLM11BDsDC_r-GoWqevnHe1W7I5PdKWAVI8t-BULHeHXwxM5G0kNIIM0aoZM1oCYSupmGkHInW8zE25ZRTtiAQkbeKwckdZ80qvYBlsJgkyiZA/s2048/IMG_6065.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2ISPVxSLuX0LACMIMEOAi8sLKTuq8uLM11BDsDC_r-GoWqevnHe1W7I5PdKWAVI8t-BULHeHXwxM5G0kNIIM0aoZM1oCYSupmGkHInW8zE25ZRTtiAQkbeKwckdZ80qvYBlsJgkyiZA/s320/IMG_6065.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I think all in all we rode about 10 miles one day and then 17 another day, plus the bike park a couple times in between that. Jake rode way more because he kept going to the bike park every chance he got. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawOlCbktifO1FcolfZx8yqznxmWFO4p9kMOi6tawhLRXo509HupFkC_eh-id3TgJSXMz9bG1FXUiunW5wjcCMCvcceZrADEdBzPNrHWGn_6ELMpYC6DTJofi1BLUAMirhKy0RbgAHy3k/s1218/IMG_6049.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawOlCbktifO1FcolfZx8yqznxmWFO4p9kMOi6tawhLRXo509HupFkC_eh-id3TgJSXMz9bG1FXUiunW5wjcCMCvcceZrADEdBzPNrHWGn_6ELMpYC6DTJofi1BLUAMirhKy0RbgAHy3k/s320/IMG_6049.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>One of the days we took break in between rides and went to a cute 50's burger diner we had passed. It was so good!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVUC1E5pRNgNvE2pUkOhvwskT5s6c8bjYjAk2fwXPpHsBshxt2S_2XoYTV8eZwtPfLIsSdIF05aLZDbEtth_ybPKDR3NOWUwLoPdtmKzLTptRU6mnaMMv1Y0s22P_c_zlIzNTzSXO8SU/s2048/IMG_6059.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVUC1E5pRNgNvE2pUkOhvwskT5s6c8bjYjAk2fwXPpHsBshxt2S_2XoYTV8eZwtPfLIsSdIF05aLZDbEtth_ybPKDR3NOWUwLoPdtmKzLTptRU6mnaMMv1Y0s22P_c_zlIzNTzSXO8SU/s320/IMG_6059.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We also took a trip over to explore the Petrified Forest National Park. It was really cool! It was neat to read about how this area used to be a huge forest and the concentration of petrified wood was because these trees fell into a huge river and these were basically the "log jams"--that's why there are such huge concentrations of the petrified wood in certain areas. It's hard to imagine this place as a lush forest--it was as barren as they come today! Here's a petrified log that fell and has created a natural bridge.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWxRdWX-TYzn4DoEGtPJ-py7T9vuGVE0D8wH9q1T0jzWKk_X3Tekal0b6UQg8hOvg77vGyFDpVZiuD45t7IA7Icg0Pi3ucYvSCAJM1JitlClP1fZZmn_LIg5cH1s4cGEiK9b54N_RTK8/s2048/IMG_6048.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWxRdWX-TYzn4DoEGtPJ-py7T9vuGVE0D8wH9q1T0jzWKk_X3Tekal0b6UQg8hOvg77vGyFDpVZiuD45t7IA7Icg0Pi3ucYvSCAJM1JitlClP1fZZmn_LIg5cH1s4cGEiK9b54N_RTK8/s320/IMG_6048.jpeg" /></a></div>There were also lot of hills where you could see the striations of dirt. I didn't get a good pic of that but I did get one of the kids on top of a hill....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlf2UPqNfX_MuiWJ237iJtVl-NlWzUOat04Rz_LVXU0W6109ux0KlWH7Mp1cV21wA8krBJ8eBajved7O8bFZ6B56B3rd87arRwar0XWmY6IgyrgZO_vvU0ozg_CmBo7-4P0PVpYMxZcIw/s2048/IMG_6043.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlf2UPqNfX_MuiWJ237iJtVl-NlWzUOat04Rz_LVXU0W6109ux0KlWH7Mp1cV21wA8krBJ8eBajved7O8bFZ6B56B3rd87arRwar0XWmY6IgyrgZO_vvU0ozg_CmBo7-4P0PVpYMxZcIw/s320/IMG_6043.jpeg" /></a></div>Tyler is an aspiring explorer, practicing his signature pose....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NeZBQPBv69-5tT9xMmiPlaA1bkdo9Im9zgsl8-u4GPCUZbkKw6ywsuyBx3VVZuJ0LGp3MIIrwsz6iq_iRapvFJHEHbilmo3dzQ0M4EkTcehazCNazYy_Q7RgT_7y4K-KXXLlT5gDyW8/s2048/IMG_6038.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NeZBQPBv69-5tT9xMmiPlaA1bkdo9Im9zgsl8-u4GPCUZbkKw6ywsuyBx3VVZuJ0LGp3MIIrwsz6iq_iRapvFJHEHbilmo3dzQ0M4EkTcehazCNazYy_Q7RgT_7y4K-KXXLlT5gDyW8/s320/IMG_6038.jpeg" /></a></div>The petrified logs were neat because you could see all the bark and knots in the trunks.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmMubwXUIwywxtNnwf-7FDreGPSXXi09fJ0B-S4Hq7SQ8evS3JW_pJ4ywtfVKv_fKFSe25kDnXMcviUdtv5Q_MpyQj6PxDkFQfW79xEg8TvMqZKnHW9W6oByed_xcLm8wRPVl-M2XeGM/s4032/IMG_6030.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmMubwXUIwywxtNnwf-7FDreGPSXXi09fJ0B-S4Hq7SQ8evS3JW_pJ4ywtfVKv_fKFSe25kDnXMcviUdtv5Q_MpyQj6PxDkFQfW79xEg8TvMqZKnHW9W6oByed_xcLm8wRPVl-M2XeGM/s320/IMG_6030.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Plus the minerals in the rock (former wood) created really beautiful colors!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30q_gYGaVagay7LWTW3z57kQ_DOa7htYCvf0ieMTVwjadgBXwjIxrIFa1vMPmqAdvhvQjbWSKLIMh3ZHIxtj0GBnYkQFJ-GTeiPNEj8g1BcvrELCXKnNgAXyviF6tQDC4llboRqqYQYg/s2048/IMG_6028.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30q_gYGaVagay7LWTW3z57kQ_DOa7htYCvf0ieMTVwjadgBXwjIxrIFa1vMPmqAdvhvQjbWSKLIMh3ZHIxtj0GBnYkQFJ-GTeiPNEj8g1BcvrELCXKnNgAXyviF6tQDC4llboRqqYQYg/s320/IMG_6028.jpeg" /></a></div>The drive to the petrified forest was long and the kids were arguing so I took the middle back seat spot. It actually helped and there's tons of room back there. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRtA3pLKNbgE6d7MUDvRjfm0u_1g8dWFNp6aXXuDZRzhv2kh8PkYUe7y9oQhWQuK-Ui109wmj4pPauYEPkhyonu8Z45S9QQSuAUgm2GjJodAmo1JM0Syo7duLpQweavy3w50yCwTzKX4/s2048/IMG_6027.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRtA3pLKNbgE6d7MUDvRjfm0u_1g8dWFNp6aXXuDZRzhv2kh8PkYUe7y9oQhWQuK-Ui109wmj4pPauYEPkhyonu8Z45S9QQSuAUgm2GjJodAmo1JM0Syo7duLpQweavy3w50yCwTzKX4/s320/IMG_6027.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>More mountain biking!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2D_CXsuNby-BK-xCOmHvVv0SR90cu8RHNYDs450xK-Tzv71nuTvI_hPPiRswLldbTomU1GC6OF5AmbfqFGzy123XKv-IW-lBK2GHcFTqEWPMkog6bwR_izloB2_baHFTuX1l77kDYII/s2048/IMG_6023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2D_CXsuNby-BK-xCOmHvVv0SR90cu8RHNYDs450xK-Tzv71nuTvI_hPPiRswLldbTomU1GC6OF5AmbfqFGzy123XKv-IW-lBK2GHcFTqEWPMkog6bwR_izloB2_baHFTuX1l77kDYII/s320/IMG_6023.jpeg" /></a></div>We had an incident with a chain breaking. It took us a while, but between all of us we were able to figure it out and fix it enough to finish the ride, when we went and bought a new chain. Go teamwork!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjsn1dQsz_KVrf7beF2lJaL-N24af73hK62lV7_kCut2qOlxSoOi-0j4Vvx-8YjJEqszjF2pN6X3V-Zad-0D7gYp_Wh8WSQR-pVGzc86QmjOU3ckMYdoljeEkL3SThsiiBThMXzHXQ-4/s2048/IMG_6022.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjsn1dQsz_KVrf7beF2lJaL-N24af73hK62lV7_kCut2qOlxSoOi-0j4Vvx-8YjJEqszjF2pN6X3V-Zad-0D7gYp_Wh8WSQR-pVGzc86QmjOU3ckMYdoljeEkL3SThsiiBThMXzHXQ-4/s320/IMG_6022.jpeg" /></a></div>Can't beat these views!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X-ubTXlP1w2i2szf-zTBSBIF8Etr9kGHn3Af-gGSvyOY4_ReA6S7QbacdRvgSBM03KkW3DCUGUOZDZ4wrxNp-iAbN_GS3TarrR1fefXZlSW23A-vPrn3ANLJFM3ItYhkOepAQY9e5HU/s2048/IMG_6019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3X-ubTXlP1w2i2szf-zTBSBIF8Etr9kGHn3Af-gGSvyOY4_ReA6S7QbacdRvgSBM03KkW3DCUGUOZDZ4wrxNp-iAbN_GS3TarrR1fefXZlSW23A-vPrn3ANLJFM3ItYhkOepAQY9e5HU/s320/IMG_6019.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWj2HWWmNqaumWrxiEfTaVEfD5I_Nsnvn15S4qqr2n4Guqnc44p_hyphenhyphenr7s7H3Ym55RAvBrEMpX3Qp4MtNz7Uiv-LdFoW8Cth1kO-IFU7mmPPJlC2TI-onwF_EBF8h_jJ6BM1Hb5UxGqWA/s2048/IMG_6016.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWj2HWWmNqaumWrxiEfTaVEfD5I_Nsnvn15S4qqr2n4Guqnc44p_hyphenhyphenr7s7H3Ym55RAvBrEMpX3Qp4MtNz7Uiv-LdFoW8Cth1kO-IFU7mmPPJlC2TI-onwF_EBF8h_jJ6BM1Hb5UxGqWA/s320/IMG_6016.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2ZRWJlcedP31GvZgF_jQxz_TvyG3oTVEvNsjd-ReNEHf7XLElWX0jng26MNEm81RueouZ3hz-rrVUwn9QnDyyzobFn1sAcoSESEAPicJ3GUCHn5C7MXfOHy4gmwts6JYTUh2gLBFVZk/s2048/IMG_6009.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2ZRWJlcedP31GvZgF_jQxz_TvyG3oTVEvNsjd-ReNEHf7XLElWX0jng26MNEm81RueouZ3hz-rrVUwn9QnDyyzobFn1sAcoSESEAPicJ3GUCHn5C7MXfOHy4gmwts6JYTUh2gLBFVZk/s320/IMG_6009.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOkiSlnxe3wRFAx0jgYCzR6jfgeLqtXTNyK2tIq9wcZR64EYAx-SEsI_a44QkC28Y2RzzAvIy83QN0XpeZvGmfBbWKrJ5hpPMsKYOMLuh9ODHHIGaXpHaxjWKU2OTJpTui9rN5p1L5R4/s2048/IMG_6008.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOkiSlnxe3wRFAx0jgYCzR6jfgeLqtXTNyK2tIq9wcZR64EYAx-SEsI_a44QkC28Y2RzzAvIy83QN0XpeZvGmfBbWKrJ5hpPMsKYOMLuh9ODHHIGaXpHaxjWKU2OTJpTui9rN5p1L5R4/s320/IMG_6008.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqU-ChX0DYXNpNz66s2NXbqpcyfwYPuhfmx17ooQ34eirqW3TmyMHVOcZOyVKqKrFOD3vEbzDx7SnWCJPKN3Ig0h7gRheK-2kd2DNe0nJeENHL-kBCtG1WIcmoZDSBqfYMtHYbbxF0gA/s2048/IMG_6006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqU-ChX0DYXNpNz66s2NXbqpcyfwYPuhfmx17ooQ34eirqW3TmyMHVOcZOyVKqKrFOD3vEbzDx7SnWCJPKN3Ig0h7gRheK-2kd2DNe0nJeENHL-kBCtG1WIcmoZDSBqfYMtHYbbxF0gA/s320/IMG_6006.jpeg" /></a></div>Most of my pictures are of Joey because I was stuck in the back riding behind him so he wouldn't get lost or left behind. That's ok, he's a good looking kid!<div><br /></div><div>Here's the view from our backyard of the house we rented, pretty sweet!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_YYZoeA47zQW_deHvGXJ7dMmQ3rdGyy_oJyoldktr5V92T5AX9NjNADIQEVbrLddHgBUAmSEMuNrA-KnF_FYq5-UG6dHQcw43wQu1Oq5RWKu_lL4RllasNJWWqeRo8T_uFqcnuaEfvU/s2048/IMG_5996.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_YYZoeA47zQW_deHvGXJ7dMmQ3rdGyy_oJyoldktr5V92T5AX9NjNADIQEVbrLddHgBUAmSEMuNrA-KnF_FYq5-UG6dHQcw43wQu1Oq5RWKu_lL4RllasNJWWqeRo8T_uFqcnuaEfvU/s320/IMG_5996.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We also took a trip out to a place called Fossil Creek. You have to get a permit in advance and luckily I had figured that out because it was amazing. You have to drive quite a ways on a bumpy dirt road, then hike a bit along a lovely river out to a beautiful waterfall. The water is crystal clear and gorgeous...but also very cold! It was about 70 degrees. Too cold to jump into especially because it wasn't super hot outside. But we all got in in one way or another. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8IthQQCyzkWYQlXjZPOE4VZ1pVAzbqSEaT_pOxXaQDAB2F79IoPrrY-3jPikNQOrU1syWEQLvC5eOjnGeWiOyDmLUWrSfQXdpLUh1yCbHEHT9GsTOXE9HBbHZDQMdlBJOiLwkUOJr8Q/s2048/IMG_5991.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8IthQQCyzkWYQlXjZPOE4VZ1pVAzbqSEaT_pOxXaQDAB2F79IoPrrY-3jPikNQOrU1syWEQLvC5eOjnGeWiOyDmLUWrSfQXdpLUh1yCbHEHT9GsTOXE9HBbHZDQMdlBJOiLwkUOJr8Q/s320/IMG_5991.jpeg" /></a></div>Jacob and Tyler went the deepest, I managed to about my waist--that was it! Dad only went in to his knees so I beat him at least.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZ258EROn4Ew-gF3I1hLA7JnE0a-iPw0CcSpEFsAOdVhn3rttdgu7wq-EqpwrdsAvqLsADqiDx5mmd4-Bi_T_fUPtxmiouTO-0Ldv0gewVb7ZdUW5AxuA6wXEgMabfuzluymEvhU2dJc/s2048/IMG_5990.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZ258EROn4Ew-gF3I1hLA7JnE0a-iPw0CcSpEFsAOdVhn3rttdgu7wq-EqpwrdsAvqLsADqiDx5mmd4-Bi_T_fUPtxmiouTO-0Ldv0gewVb7ZdUW5AxuA6wXEgMabfuzluymEvhU2dJc/s320/IMG_5990.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwjjaiTHBCy19uzaHy1MZCItFg7WPVIMPaHc8hxwuIVM9SWulgaz6AgEKoW5r5arJr-Bmav29yFyXVMbRAJkAq_NDTrNyGu_D7qP11MsqVvJTjcRcJky01kQVZCdxAlnWZ7waUW5sRLk/s2048/IMG_5987.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwjjaiTHBCy19uzaHy1MZCItFg7WPVIMPaHc8hxwuIVM9SWulgaz6AgEKoW5r5arJr-Bmav29yFyXVMbRAJkAq_NDTrNyGu_D7qP11MsqVvJTjcRcJky01kQVZCdxAlnWZ7waUW5sRLk/s320/IMG_5987.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7Zb7_0WlHHfpCDBeFt8s7-syPgfjC07z_-LQXjBEn9ZZj8NHJDNGfJd9bFMBJQEA8u4HXd3hg5cu8haxXdlZY8Bg58wq035eyLfcHDh-JkeA4dTTfqpY_zcG9rifUXlspLs8AdRT9JM/s4032/IMG_5982.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7Zb7_0WlHHfpCDBeFt8s7-syPgfjC07z_-LQXjBEn9ZZj8NHJDNGfJd9bFMBJQEA8u4HXd3hg5cu8haxXdlZY8Bg58wq035eyLfcHDh-JkeA4dTTfqpY_zcG9rifUXlspLs8AdRT9JM/s320/IMG_5982.jpeg" /></a></div>Look how clear that water is! You could see all the tiny fish and everything. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmCV3XREVl_phsEVje3hQpKzmGCB8SP8BdxNmlJk47xbL4lWoZjmTFN8R5HAC9VRgGE7UZ3eUvxu7vUDCZd5HsaHMMZSzX25QP3368jhyXYf_hqDwEXCykiV1dJsD843U3jNmbImdQGg/s4032/IMG_5977.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmCV3XREVl_phsEVje3hQpKzmGCB8SP8BdxNmlJk47xbL4lWoZjmTFN8R5HAC9VRgGE7UZ3eUvxu7vUDCZd5HsaHMMZSzX25QP3368jhyXYf_hqDwEXCykiV1dJsD843U3jNmbImdQGg/s320/IMG_5977.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xDza3q_G1T7sRXaH4moGpNHo9mIKACK8s4olFCU6B9wyzsxr4jAV-7AVJTzBEZYqVPisESLKFYi_yNAOqnKxA5diJ8TISIo0VO6kP5megcFGHmE-j1IuQy_p9kEYCIwDklMGnM5yNvQ/s4032/IMG_5975.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xDza3q_G1T7sRXaH4moGpNHo9mIKACK8s4olFCU6B9wyzsxr4jAV-7AVJTzBEZYqVPisESLKFYi_yNAOqnKxA5diJ8TISIo0VO6kP5megcFGHmE-j1IuQy_p9kEYCIwDklMGnM5yNvQ/s320/IMG_5975.jpeg" /></a></div>Even though it was a bit if a rough drive we were all so glad we went out there. It was beautiful and amazing to see river water that blue and clear--it was like the Bahamas....only cold. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlbvckyNg1Pe2r_Hie7oZg160RxpIBWH5Cl1Kk7mRYhF8eRuw8aB7ZqKV22p5ffZKrGPxMhTSwhUanUlGYfDGs8eSmx-Sup8oLEj1Xy-WTqdcmV1xj0G6RtGoqASeGu_hKrGcmcAZHnY/s2048/IMG_5971.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlbvckyNg1Pe2r_Hie7oZg160RxpIBWH5Cl1Kk7mRYhF8eRuw8aB7ZqKV22p5ffZKrGPxMhTSwhUanUlGYfDGs8eSmx-Sup8oLEj1Xy-WTqdcmV1xj0G6RtGoqASeGu_hKrGcmcAZHnY/s320/IMG_5971.jpeg" /></a></div>We also thought we'd explore some of the Native American ruins. This was called Montezuma's Castle. It was like a 5 story apartment building built into the cliff with a big castle type thing at the top--it was incredible! I've never seen anything like that. We kept trying to figure out how they got all their water and food into their homes so high up!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpyW-i6oNz3-mdgHg20ou3npSAhSNT4rwzekEQtozDGkDO6tCthJ_T9G8jbletBgHQQs40DevJOAsek3t8t3JXxJLekUrG9FxLUKy5Oq2cFbGHcj0Jn1VWhfJE_63E8z0nR0nzKBvZsQ/s2048/IMG_5969.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpyW-i6oNz3-mdgHg20ou3npSAhSNT4rwzekEQtozDGkDO6tCthJ_T9G8jbletBgHQQs40DevJOAsek3t8t3JXxJLekUrG9FxLUKy5Oq2cFbGHcj0Jn1VWhfJE_63E8z0nR0nzKBvZsQ/s320/IMG_5969.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Tuzigoot were some other ruins we visited. It's amazing to think about the people who actually lived and walked in these places.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7iS9AzPWC2ktB4oNRbZpoQ2N-dejctUWYOpmRL3D3BhHGYO-EkD2zAiQ8RiigBCYYxO2TaMBBfYNNWQWBONkjUzaCLaU-2b6AaeNj0putsN4A6hq3YD79pSrJrQ_Jpwowe1pAd2NotU/s4032/IMG_5966.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7iS9AzPWC2ktB4oNRbZpoQ2N-dejctUWYOpmRL3D3BhHGYO-EkD2zAiQ8RiigBCYYxO2TaMBBfYNNWQWBONkjUzaCLaU-2b6AaeNj0putsN4A6hq3YD79pSrJrQ_Jpwowe1pAd2NotU/s320/IMG_5966.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoFPzAgnUQVJxnMTny38FiVza40vlhJTiCb40FQVYUOQX8meYDEe3IeGROuhurYskvLOmbeEc21GKHBWZn4ro2i1xfHXSJB1ITmE3FbgeYsgzHmj8Uar7JWGx7bZGh5kZj4suGPrQP5E/s2048/IMG_5963.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoFPzAgnUQVJxnMTny38FiVza40vlhJTiCb40FQVYUOQX8meYDEe3IeGROuhurYskvLOmbeEc21GKHBWZn4ro2i1xfHXSJB1ITmE3FbgeYsgzHmj8Uar7JWGx7bZGh5kZj4suGPrQP5E/s320/IMG_5963.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The whole gang after a fun time at the bike skills park.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv34PX8ElQmcpNfkaZSylwb2lOm2ByMAAvPYAtvVHyhswqgEnVL3ojrSv7usPURLf0rn5QyLMj8wvZNafNhSOpvPIcXd_UO2oesllL2SrVGh9P6DgGUpHVtx-XQK2ZPFPMHdQhC3SO4o/s2048/IMG_5955.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqv34PX8ElQmcpNfkaZSylwb2lOm2ByMAAvPYAtvVHyhswqgEnVL3ojrSv7usPURLf0rn5QyLMj8wvZNafNhSOpvPIcXd_UO2oesllL2SrVGh9P6DgGUpHVtx-XQK2ZPFPMHdQhC3SO4o/s320/IMG_5955.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Overall it was a great trip. I wish we could have stayed another day or two! We didn't even get to go jeeping even though we drive the Jeep down. We just had too much fun with the other stuff and figured we will have to plan another trip down there someday. A successful and fun spring break.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I've mentioned, Jacob has gotten really into mountain biking and once he got his new bike he wanted to enter some races around the state. He did his first race a few weeks ago and did great for his first try! He was really nervous, didn't know what to expect. But he managed to finish the race, and he even finished 44th out of 60 racers in his group--he also picked up a few tips and tricks so he's aiming to do even better in the next race. His best friend Chase is doing the races with him. It's fun for them to have something like this that they can do together. And it's fun to watch Jacob be so passionate about something and work so hard for it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04YvDZjBiAjfq_X-sn1zmfjzvUz8tBqsRIpPDGid3F_tCoPEomiXcFSYubtb9of5_VaF3UzmKV3arzB_q9Z1mVkZ6NcFkiNZ3nBTzj2zi0RXGWueDcuv7O1NoCmi0HNXNxQwOWn9bF44/s2048/IMG_5901.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04YvDZjBiAjfq_X-sn1zmfjzvUz8tBqsRIpPDGid3F_tCoPEomiXcFSYubtb9of5_VaF3UzmKV3arzB_q9Z1mVkZ6NcFkiNZ3nBTzj2zi0RXGWueDcuv7O1NoCmi0HNXNxQwOWn9bF44/s320/IMG_5901.jpeg" /></a></div>A couple weeks ago, Eric and I took a quick weekend trip to Scottsdale to visit our friends, Dan and Lindsey. We went out to some yummy restaurants, went to a spring training baseball game, laughed and talked into the night and rode bikes around the cute Scottsdale downtown. It was a nice getaway. We left the kids home ALONE! Tyler was in charge. I was somewhat apprehensive but I only got one call all weekend regarding fighting. Plus they had done the dished and picked up the house before we got home! Whaaa!?!? I'm going away more often!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zx73X5dbb1JVDlTL2i7DmsI1wZm4gMcYM-tkmKMc6gyAVioigBQztxuaRLp0uOK5EJSgBHaVqllNRnjqZ1k3OKsdrwHULU1mTXwo-qkXxSA9FA9G0LsM-1GhAxddpJBUornhObuqDWQ/s2048/IMG_5876.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zx73X5dbb1JVDlTL2i7DmsI1wZm4gMcYM-tkmKMc6gyAVioigBQztxuaRLp0uOK5EJSgBHaVqllNRnjqZ1k3OKsdrwHULU1mTXwo-qkXxSA9FA9G0LsM-1GhAxddpJBUornhObuqDWQ/s320/IMG_5876.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Tyler got asked to Preference by his friend Kayla. They took real pictures but Ty is a lame boy and never sent them to me so this is all I've got. Enjoy....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39y1kyfqEQedW_eglJGO_YPptV5Komlt0wnEHNWqRSV9tRZ1Hh9qWIbNCxBmDqj-qdUjK_fw6JaXpIf8O0qFvVtuiYPi8_rGGuwdF8P92z_7rQi590iTpNtA4AJpzffk1Xo6zRVYNuo8/s2048/IMG_5871.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39y1kyfqEQedW_eglJGO_YPptV5Komlt0wnEHNWqRSV9tRZ1Hh9qWIbNCxBmDqj-qdUjK_fw6JaXpIf8O0qFvVtuiYPi8_rGGuwdF8P92z_7rQi590iTpNtA4AJpzffk1Xo6zRVYNuo8/s320/IMG_5871.jpeg" /></a></div>Daylight savings time came around again. I hate having to get up when it is dark. Even my dogs went back to sleep after we all got up for school Monday morning....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3otPYr3nXUX27lDhQExHyZbl_2P1w-PNlmiNY5myB27pUBGqfzxYyzz-g75ERfAYdjndNavYxef1aPXlTNcOjxV1t4FhXuPvSNdrGfa5_7cxL46yyEvm7oJnTgZlFiwrL_Qt3dlMTo0s/s2048/IMG_5854.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3otPYr3nXUX27lDhQExHyZbl_2P1w-PNlmiNY5myB27pUBGqfzxYyzz-g75ERfAYdjndNavYxef1aPXlTNcOjxV1t4FhXuPvSNdrGfa5_7cxL46yyEvm7oJnTgZlFiwrL_Qt3dlMTo0s/s320/IMG_5854.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Maggie left this "painting" she made on the counter......yikes. Not sure what kind of demented dreams she is having. She told me it was a present for her friend Hallie--glad I'm not Hallie!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgCjApNYEuUI403qc65HXlwI9ESsD26O3Stecy0cVn5SqNE-BV6VGzV77cpB3MYfxDvEdGmefh2ob2W00RcYFTrFArE-7GTInDq9ob38HWN4wjlppxl-jsQ3YZdvhZgbWA9mcquAgh0U/s2048/IMG_5853.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgCjApNYEuUI403qc65HXlwI9ESsD26O3Stecy0cVn5SqNE-BV6VGzV77cpB3MYfxDvEdGmefh2ob2W00RcYFTrFArE-7GTInDq9ob38HWN4wjlppxl-jsQ3YZdvhZgbWA9mcquAgh0U/s320/IMG_5853.jpeg" /></a></div>I found a bunch of these en pointe pictures on my phone Maggie had taken. They came out pretty cool. She still loves dance. She just had a dance recital and she was so excited to be in 3 different dances AND get to help with props in another dance. She was proud because she feels like her dance instructor is starting to trust her more and give her more stuff to do. And she is thrilled about it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVErH6LHZqJhDbVFJcelSQXAISI8rpXtyqfVBVzSiSP6fmvlu7fr1TyCvXHfncQyx90GRL9_mmsZ7z48XQqDJmO4wruk63lasIGDPOtvi6eiyexSXMnUP9YN99mM9dLPNYb52QfhR10w/s3088/IMG_5848.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVErH6LHZqJhDbVFJcelSQXAISI8rpXtyqfVBVzSiSP6fmvlu7fr1TyCvXHfncQyx90GRL9_mmsZ7z48XQqDJmO4wruk63lasIGDPOtvi6eiyexSXMnUP9YN99mM9dLPNYb52QfhR10w/s320/IMG_5848.jpeg" /></a></div>Pepper has taken to sitting on the front room bench to keep an eye out for her buddy, Bella, our neighbor's dog who is her bestie. It's pretty cute. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHe9SaZUqd2aQ8-CtO0GDrr58yQ1cP9CGzcKL_L4tbdceH6RMHOAoJvB2vhXiBjs6pUrNG2fLBAca_VY0EjyD6KhyphenhyphenL-OxOFD5YczeQ116xCRZgb41pBehbaDoDaoHKOYvWIqYFatx7c8/s2048/IMG_5793.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHe9SaZUqd2aQ8-CtO0GDrr58yQ1cP9CGzcKL_L4tbdceH6RMHOAoJvB2vhXiBjs6pUrNG2fLBAca_VY0EjyD6KhyphenhyphenL-OxOFD5YczeQ116xCRZgb41pBehbaDoDaoHKOYvWIqYFatx7c8/s320/IMG_5793.jpeg" /></a></div>All in all, a pretty good month and a super fun spring break. I think I need a vacation again!<p></p></div>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-76746505167348138472021-02-14T08:44:00.005-08:002021-02-14T08:44:45.703-08:00Orlando Here We Come!....Or, Came!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a month February has been! Although there hasn't been hardly any snow this year we've tried to ski (well, not me anymore since I hurt my knee). Eric and the boys went up to Park City before our bog Disneyworld trip. Joey is getting to be quite the good little skier! Tyler pretty much skied off a cliff and almost got hurt (it was an accident) but luckily I only heard about it after they got home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yfZ7atlvilrZGBfyXoYVtXhU_GjIqQDTJlNo12EseYxK0rvkydB6BEwC4bJy8__oTitRbUbfzjSYWo52AE2l71UokGyO7pRlcRjYN8Ee4AujDVZw90w9NyGcenso0d3SHx8m9VmfP-0/s2048/IMG_5561.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yfZ7atlvilrZGBfyXoYVtXhU_GjIqQDTJlNo12EseYxK0rvkydB6BEwC4bJy8__oTitRbUbfzjSYWo52AE2l71UokGyO7pRlcRjYN8Ee4AujDVZw90w9NyGcenso0d3SHx8m9VmfP-0/s320/IMG_5561.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then it was finally time for our big Orlando vacation! It could not have come at a better time--COVID restrictions has made it nearly impossible to go anywhere or do anything. Movie theaters are mostly closed, and those open are at limited capacity and showing old movies since no new ones are being released. Restaurants are hard to get into because they only seat half their tables. A lot of recreation areas are closed. Travel is restricted to a lot of places. Anyway, we were all looking forward with a lot of excitement for this trip! Here we go! Plane rides stink even in the best of circumstances. Having to wear a mask didn't help, but we managed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNCEvxY-xeFwTdA5a8IvO3AU_CJNX8XXetpnjGRFi7Dy6Ao66rihDKCf9J3RZRWCGZV2GAF0j8Zdp9bsV4M9MjC_tKycc5zlblmpAtCiTxnT6TDnxvyLsOr8Iy4M7viUh4x26wirJHBk/s2048/IMG_5578.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNCEvxY-xeFwTdA5a8IvO3AU_CJNX8XXetpnjGRFi7Dy6Ao66rihDKCf9J3RZRWCGZV2GAF0j8Zdp9bsV4M9MjC_tKycc5zlblmpAtCiTxnT6TDnxvyLsOr8Iy4M7viUh4x26wirJHBk/s320/IMG_5578.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwzJa8FWxpiFdwl985p657ezAB_vKbVKGnUcWFRksuSSnAco34a8Gts9VkJy9AGaXgCmOYGf0axcjnXllyT7STdX40QWR6NbUORLTu3OoCcirZ1XuUppmm2Fp4R0W3PtMtiOHkwb2tJs/s2048/IMG_5577.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwzJa8FWxpiFdwl985p657ezAB_vKbVKGnUcWFRksuSSnAco34a8Gts9VkJy9AGaXgCmOYGf0axcjnXllyT7STdX40QWR6NbUORLTu3OoCcirZ1XuUppmm2Fp4R0W3PtMtiOHkwb2tJs/s320/IMG_5577.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A long layover because of a flight delay made it so we had time to stop for a nice lunch at the airport. Joey sure does love hot wings! He got a whole plateful just for himself.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-SC0h75CPnnyO9NWxqPftPZK525_3bmqJKyvQMl5HzsqK19x9eQLawETlzDYVOYE0cLvyGrWMex0nTUtalx3fhm-CQy1goUNWuI5u6kkNtXCdqiJWssyV9WfWXbmWr6ayZbMhQM0EXo/s2048/IMG_5597.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-SC0h75CPnnyO9NWxqPftPZK525_3bmqJKyvQMl5HzsqK19x9eQLawETlzDYVOYE0cLvyGrWMex0nTUtalx3fhm-CQy1goUNWuI5u6kkNtXCdqiJWssyV9WfWXbmWr6ayZbMhQM0EXo/s320/IMG_5597.jpeg" /></a></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then it was off to Disneyworld! My pictures will be a little out of order, as usual. I don't know why the computer doesn't load them onto the blog in the order they are in, but it's a hassle to rearrange. So this is what you get. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We stayed at the Disney Swan hotel, and yes, there was a giant swan (2 actually) on top of our hotel. We got two room that adjoined together. We thought about keeping the kids separate and away from our room (Eric's idea), but I reminded him that our kids would quickly be kicked out of the hotel if we weren't there to keep them in line. Ha ha. He agreed. So, adjoining rooms it was! We had a few squabbles about sleeping arrangements, but other than that it went pretty smoothly. There were a few pools, hot tubs, etc. They had free transportation to all the parks. We walked to Epcot, took a boat to Hollywood Studios, and then a bus to the other parks. It was a nice central location without the cost of staying in an official Disney resort. The kids definitely thought the swan was a fun landmark...</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4ZsFjk6mfA9c4_NsJQbfiXW5L8mULZlbrmA72gNe-m5cs-co7rDbeb4MBNcw-eB3PCjJIr6al9_wupNwvbFCTg0wkcs7DbIUXvtoRL-VkQFW07R0jaoIjU1tBbprt_R49n9UevqpWo4/s2048/IMG_5580.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4ZsFjk6mfA9c4_NsJQbfiXW5L8mULZlbrmA72gNe-m5cs-co7rDbeb4MBNcw-eB3PCjJIr6al9_wupNwvbFCTg0wkcs7DbIUXvtoRL-VkQFW07R0jaoIjU1tBbprt_R49n9UevqpWo4/s320/IMG_5580.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first day was spent at Epcot. I really wasn't sure what to expect, because I've never met anyone who can really explain to me what Epcot is. It's basically a giant circle and as you walk around it each little jut off the circle is designed to look like a street in a different country--they have food stands and restaurants that sell the kind of food that is typical in that particular country as well. There is also a Tomorrowland area at the front of the park--that is where the giant ball thing is. Here are me and Ty under the ball...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_dTDz5kHoYaMXxywnOSy3lH2Tw6f1IpcDGFc5G9zV06BOGy5o2omuh8uVKsusgfAfKzUgoEUSDBBENeKiLbLtBHp1EYK9Nt9rwXF5OBbxRpbVjY7NofX-vzZ46hJeCSHQzxjCiHONVM/s2048/IMG_5589.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_dTDz5kHoYaMXxywnOSy3lH2Tw6f1IpcDGFc5G9zV06BOGy5o2omuh8uVKsusgfAfKzUgoEUSDBBENeKiLbLtBHp1EYK9Nt9rwXF5OBbxRpbVjY7NofX-vzZ46hJeCSHQzxjCiHONVM/s320/IMG_5589.jpeg" /></a></div>Yes we had to wear masks the entire time. And they were very strict about it. But the weather wasn't hot (in fact two days it was freezing--more on that in a minute) so the masks weren't awful. It was a worthwhile sacrifice to make to be able to go on a vacation!<p></p><p>The food at Epcot was so good--I think that's why people go there. We had a lunch reservation at a French place and then a dinner reservation at a German place. They were both excellent, however I wished we didn't have a lunch reservation and just snacked at all the food stands around the park. There were so many yummy looking things I was too full to eat! Here's Tyler pretending to be British in the England area....<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9_8rRipwXlAick6rJB1RWQorNQC_cbeFZHxGeidW8V3e34z_7XjpJPAsfwtYx9LAHoOvKF4UHshKOuPAhZjgH4edEBeSGWT792CMMSHoVF7-uruQlyO1LTMIgCePEfaR6cyyZqwafKs/s2048/IMG_5591.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9_8rRipwXlAick6rJB1RWQorNQC_cbeFZHxGeidW8V3e34z_7XjpJPAsfwtYx9LAHoOvKF4UHshKOuPAhZjgH4edEBeSGWT792CMMSHoVF7-uruQlyO1LTMIgCePEfaR6cyyZqwafKs/s320/IMG_5591.jpeg" /></a></div>And Joey pouting because we couldn't find a place that sold chicken strips. We bought poutine which was delicious, but he wouldn't ear any of the fries that had anything on them. This kid is missing out! Oh well, more for me. But he wasn't happy about it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRC7qd3ULj8M0dAlMCIOaT1inijmY5_VCjcizVFy0QODXIu5g7lXWCqWgIkgxT-aGmfUyCjEtIrOG7-mwhYrZ8bheXqFsE_NSWWh4uHWlwcBmABCUeh3cIll7XaZUW1Zf2wqti7ghNCPU/s2048/IMG_5592.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRC7qd3ULj8M0dAlMCIOaT1inijmY5_VCjcizVFy0QODXIu5g7lXWCqWgIkgxT-aGmfUyCjEtIrOG7-mwhYrZ8bheXqFsE_NSWWh4uHWlwcBmABCUeh3cIll7XaZUW1Zf2wqti7ghNCPU/s320/IMG_5592.jpeg" /></a></div>So he was happy when they served individual baguettes at the French restaurant we ate at for lunch. He loves bread and rolls. We just watched him enjoy his little baguette and enjoyed some mask free time while eating. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTA8rbfa4W2HS3h4DRdqpm9mCwgL_65pcD4wj8xCUmATKKMFbb_j5Hf_sVVUcfS8CPu1JPFGNtumtBE3FlqjuEp9aUI6PDLiJd3efIhuT250RuyYDrkb4qLZt1oz34eZO9mcQ8xoQobxQ/s2048/IMG_5595.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTA8rbfa4W2HS3h4DRdqpm9mCwgL_65pcD4wj8xCUmATKKMFbb_j5Hf_sVVUcfS8CPu1JPFGNtumtBE3FlqjuEp9aUI6PDLiJd3efIhuT250RuyYDrkb4qLZt1oz34eZO9mcQ8xoQobxQ/s320/IMG_5595.jpeg" /></a></div><br />There are some fun rides at Epcot. The funnest ride I thought was Mission Space. We heard from lots of people to not go on it because it will make you sick for the rest of the day. But now they offer two "missions"--one that is less intense and then the normal one. We went on the less intense one first. The only part I had a minor freak out about was after you strap in the front wall moves in toward you and you're basically trapped in this tiny area--a little claustrophobia happening there. But I took some deep breaths and made it through. I have an iron stomach when it comes to rides (except drop rides...yuck) and I felt totally fine on the less intense version. Apparently the ride is on a giant centrifuge that spins to simulate the force astronauts feel--the less intense "green" mission barely spins but the "orange" mission spins at 45 mph and you feel something like 5 G's. Eric (who apparently has the weakest stomach known to man) was already feeling sick, so decided to stay off. Jacob was dying to try the more intense one, so I went with him. It was actually super fun. You are pushed back in your seat and it almost feels hard to breathe for a few seconds while you watch a video screen right in front of you like you are in a space shuttle taking off. After we reported back, all the kids wanted to try it, even Joey. Everyone liked it except Maggie was "iffy." They all went on it another time but I stayed with Eric so he didn't have to keep sitting alone. Poor guy.<p></p><p>Every line we waited in was very "socially distanced." They would skip the parts where you wind around, had markers all over of where to stand, and big plexiglass dividers where needed with signs saying ......</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0qcvzA4yq1vVMfiC4C4CKGcE2vE8IT-pWMTZ3heoJCOFsK_cUkst_NA07Ri9fvi_AF2wticwvwMvHafAo-LTG4H8UzsgbxTaAQRZA1hvp0qq1rA0QEOzUnXrnxMsRug-ZhNc4YszSKY/s2048/IMG_5598.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0qcvzA4yq1vVMfiC4C4CKGcE2vE8IT-pWMTZ3heoJCOFsK_cUkst_NA07Ri9fvi_AF2wticwvwMvHafAo-LTG4H8UzsgbxTaAQRZA1hvp0qq1rA0QEOzUnXrnxMsRug-ZhNc4YszSKY/s320/IMG_5598.jpeg" /></a></div><p>I'm such a rebel. Kidding.</p><p>After exploring Epcot we had dinner at the German Haus. It was a family style all you can eat. It was so so so good. I could eat there every night. The ambiance was so fun too--it felt like being outside in a little German street watching a live band play. The band even had an alpenhorn! So fun and so good. Of course Joey didn't eat anything so that was annoying. Big shocker.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbVUx-AT2x-pUQyTOOVS3duyvbBIDBIFZRMe10GFnYvqmH0nTt84YPCQn06yNcVHYOEBsroIJmvP85dAWMmsatnuq2nxzyfzn87rNNFN5froWeI7qZhgIel0Ez9tzH2Qpi83og7WHxLY/s2048/IMG_5600.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbVUx-AT2x-pUQyTOOVS3duyvbBIDBIFZRMe10GFnYvqmH0nTt84YPCQn06yNcVHYOEBsroIJmvP85dAWMmsatnuq2nxzyfzn87rNNFN5froWeI7qZhgIel0Ez9tzH2Qpi83og7WHxLY/s320/IMG_5600.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFr7kcNiLihxIyDkVFeuE-_Ewn9JVfxW9MXzyhIN7NuwWO21F7Eon-rgMyLUQnVnzy7illD9gLKEASG-ZcaChXBb9Jm7_-HIFx4S3AB3IuL-sCBN1tj9e4fwi91RrrOJHalz2H728wU0/s2048/IMG_5601.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFr7kcNiLihxIyDkVFeuE-_Ewn9JVfxW9MXzyhIN7NuwWO21F7Eon-rgMyLUQnVnzy7illD9gLKEASG-ZcaChXBb9Jm7_-HIFx4S3AB3IuL-sCBN1tj9e4fwi91RrrOJHalz2H728wU0/s320/IMG_5601.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>The second day we went to Magic Kingdom. This is the park most like Disneyland. The castle was huge! We got there early but even still you can see how sparsely crowded it was. It was, however, freezing. I was like, Florida, what is up?!?! Of course I'd rather it be cold than super hot and humid. Especially while wearing masks. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnVQDHoLh2mFiWFfWZAegv_TaEU0yF9FXpm21e9cbRAN2BXKWVK8B6XAHhsxXv66-RkyjaZgt84PeLYfxN6bs6dynfhdztF1c0wpzFjMpbSTS2RTd9YKDkHPfO6wo2dG1wn54k6votoA/s2048/IMG_5602.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnVQDHoLh2mFiWFfWZAegv_TaEU0yF9FXpm21e9cbRAN2BXKWVK8B6XAHhsxXv66-RkyjaZgt84PeLYfxN6bs6dynfhdztF1c0wpzFjMpbSTS2RTd9YKDkHPfO6wo2dG1wn54k6votoA/s320/IMG_5602.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Splash Mountain was a classic favorite. I think I liked this one better than the Disneyland one. It was longer and nicer. The kids loved it too. We went on it a few times.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPnrR1MasWPwGaIC65tbwIoZ8EHik2_8UG4jg3VAgkIXEU9dFSxeOKlBEZLylywzVUxFwRE0GVY0ZrcMt85usnSEdL2fGqb4ysLr3MkhNhVLO01NlKUe5gTlTPpxhRfWDGB4Dl_XO0v8/s2048/IMG_5603.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPnrR1MasWPwGaIC65tbwIoZ8EHik2_8UG4jg3VAgkIXEU9dFSxeOKlBEZLylywzVUxFwRE0GVY0ZrcMt85usnSEdL2fGqb4ysLr3MkhNhVLO01NlKUe5gTlTPpxhRfWDGB4Dl_XO0v8/s320/IMG_5603.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8U_la1r3q5uIjohzpUi0_Le_h-Qhbk8qXUeViLlk5XVqR1nJzwgXQnAtTqbPvafTPst2f2MPlKoVnPAU7QlYl7TLzfe6w1MRe_NImg2Q9xB8O9ScJLyEJZu9_32IC5W93UlBXuvDWQs/s2048/IMG_5604.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8U_la1r3q5uIjohzpUi0_Le_h-Qhbk8qXUeViLlk5XVqR1nJzwgXQnAtTqbPvafTPst2f2MPlKoVnPAU7QlYl7TLzfe6w1MRe_NImg2Q9xB8O9ScJLyEJZu9_32IC5W93UlBXuvDWQs/s320/IMG_5604.jpeg" /></a></div>Up at the top, when we were all alone in our own log, Jake slipped his mask down below his nose, and almost instantly someone came over the speaker saying you have to wear your mask over your mouth and nose! Man, they are serious! Big brother was watching! Ha ha. But one nice thing about the social distancing was we pretty much got our own cars/boats/etc on the rides we were on. No sitting with strangers. So that's fun.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbrLmU7fnHtC2St5zkFUtCGfoGBSf8sX4ZNXMGeW1ix7vmAuqxI_Ss6XxhE-_IV96GYXkDTCBgVhSqFgyOzo2MWY2K1QM0ZSAE_KXQrNSeGWhbk1WB3RD8taOEF4Hpf4crt_KtJq6gtk/s2048/IMG_5607.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbrLmU7fnHtC2St5zkFUtCGfoGBSf8sX4ZNXMGeW1ix7vmAuqxI_Ss6XxhE-_IV96GYXkDTCBgVhSqFgyOzo2MWY2K1QM0ZSAE_KXQrNSeGWhbk1WB3RD8taOEF4Hpf4crt_KtJq6gtk/s320/IMG_5607.jpeg" /></a></div>Another fun Splash Mountain drop.....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1fvt_XnKbT4-5UINSGGaC0NRmwA0Es3QOsJz9FFo-yhV-AQ2xHy3cMmKRu0luSzPJhERoKgty6oG4FQWPDpUJ68e3MgR5F-icAf8_0kBm7jwKKZulN40_-BdOJK2BJlwtJS6Wzn_rkI/s2048/IMG_5608.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1fvt_XnKbT4-5UINSGGaC0NRmwA0Es3QOsJz9FFo-yhV-AQ2xHy3cMmKRu0luSzPJhERoKgty6oG4FQWPDpUJ68e3MgR5F-icAf8_0kBm7jwKKZulN40_-BdOJK2BJlwtJS6Wzn_rkI/s320/IMG_5608.jpeg" /></a></div>These markings were everywhere in the park, and I mean everywhere. Every line for every ride, every food line, every store line, every popcorn kiosk line.....you name it. And they had millions of them because they had to spread the lines out so far because each marking was at least 6 feet apart. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKqNHzIdXw5IOzo6xxeCDt5RCGxY41_SyL1HQF54FGiZ6vY9aux3mtvJwLLOOTtrKi5_-XptgMQNVHG0um1jmzhdpn383wJrybPgYlgmBu18myrVRt4BXj2zRKhQuBPQBo4agS74BJTM/s2048/IMG_5609.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKqNHzIdXw5IOzo6xxeCDt5RCGxY41_SyL1HQF54FGiZ6vY9aux3mtvJwLLOOTtrKi5_-XptgMQNVHG0um1jmzhdpn383wJrybPgYlgmBu18myrVRt4BXj2zRKhQuBPQBo4agS74BJTM/s320/IMG_5609.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>In line for Pirates of the Caribbean (which isn't as fun as the Disneyland one), Joey said, "Mom! let me take a picture of you so you can be in one!" Well I thought that was so nice. So he takes it, gives me my phone back, and this is the picture he took....... stinker!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR4vcDgNUU0-qEiobn363sC_ehWXgP5RF2Mr9bMLamXVil49D2nQL3pKskpE-fpaWuyrxi7KQvdmJ6NXKqc79zZcvtZ_FglyWUZEV1v7JqPCkV_9pGDI1vbiC6cXAqyG_4TNOw7aN4es/s2048/IMG_5612.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR4vcDgNUU0-qEiobn363sC_ehWXgP5RF2Mr9bMLamXVil49D2nQL3pKskpE-fpaWuyrxi7KQvdmJ6NXKqc79zZcvtZ_FglyWUZEV1v7JqPCkV_9pGDI1vbiC6cXAqyG_4TNOw7aN4es/s320/IMG_5612.jpeg" /></a></div>Space Mountain is always a classic. I didn't know where the camera was but obviously Eric and the older boys did. Ha ha.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpFCwW6kRv7WZ8hFMTRjEzk_SVQ48raep_a7quc9Iy3KCtNKkdwrYY_I4oJU8AoaQ870fWIyiBUlV5DyBBl5cAoDgJvtCYCmf-4ec6wVipntyxMVQWo4b_VowzgBhLpZ9nS799V8h-B8/s2048/IMG_5614.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpFCwW6kRv7WZ8hFMTRjEzk_SVQ48raep_a7quc9Iy3KCtNKkdwrYY_I4oJU8AoaQ870fWIyiBUlV5DyBBl5cAoDgJvtCYCmf-4ec6wVipntyxMVQWo4b_VowzgBhLpZ9nS799V8h-B8/s320/IMG_5614.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJOavpU0Gtz75G50ytG7NRkfSGHaefV7btOzEg3617ysRQMngd7dptWDk2p0Zj88Ga4jEbLmy5lgvJM0PaVVC-1jct8KNU_m3WTo0rpXL97rsWjAV1w_KKMRt1f37Zl1aSF0f-0ngXQQ/s2048/IMG_5615.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJOavpU0Gtz75G50ytG7NRkfSGHaefV7btOzEg3617ysRQMngd7dptWDk2p0Zj88Ga4jEbLmy5lgvJM0PaVVC-1jct8KNU_m3WTo0rpXL97rsWjAV1w_KKMRt1f37Zl1aSF0f-0ngXQQ/s320/IMG_5615.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Autopia....this one was definitely not as good as the one at Disneyland. It didn't help that by the afternoon it was FREEZING cold. So cold in fact we went an bought sweatshirts for 3 of us. We tried to wait it out until the end of the day but it was miserably cold. Once we got some extra hoodies it was much more enjoyable!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OaaI4q15h12gw1AD_6vqvRH4Q1MUl69g1vp9PlwVgZQSwOygRbqe-us-dIvNbbm-7Ymvltn1Rg5ZRByIZT0wDUFkTga9BOA507wa_PBRfY2qyMgaFAJEa4m9DpCsG0Jrr5ZsJz3kD7A/s2048/IMG_5618.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OaaI4q15h12gw1AD_6vqvRH4Q1MUl69g1vp9PlwVgZQSwOygRbqe-us-dIvNbbm-7Ymvltn1Rg5ZRByIZT0wDUFkTga9BOA507wa_PBRfY2qyMgaFAJEa4m9DpCsG0Jrr5ZsJz3kD7A/s320/IMG_5618.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm-MqGxiH2XWjSjNhDV9YfPXZDXNdp58wtUVAqMegbQddCeBcIBIMKN0a4JD7VY6uZIWnWZMIVr8NSAmpb1xPRaPRBftEln29WY3cSkBSESp1MRdSBQ9JWfmaIOeqG7Fr94Q8ONGMRxk/s2048/IMG_5619.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm-MqGxiH2XWjSjNhDV9YfPXZDXNdp58wtUVAqMegbQddCeBcIBIMKN0a4JD7VY6uZIWnWZMIVr8NSAmpb1xPRaPRBftEln29WY3cSkBSESp1MRdSBQ9JWfmaIOeqG7Fr94Q8ONGMRxk/s320/IMG_5619.jpeg" /></a></div>Here's me in my new bright yellow Mickey hoodie--they had limited selection because I think everyone in the entire park went in and bought a sweatshirt that day! But it was kind of fun, and the kids could always find me! Ha ha.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudfnMeI0FaLoXqYyeE3emvm7TQ7StQNDvDl6JujB3Qta_mffBs9aHjf52UooC5e_Fn_OVhBS9-62LYl53n_u8PazV5d9iOCg-5-6rD8H3Tmi8osi1PAYuc2Z9IlFMrs9CseQYzN1bMxM/s2048/IMG_5620.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudfnMeI0FaLoXqYyeE3emvm7TQ7StQNDvDl6JujB3Qta_mffBs9aHjf52UooC5e_Fn_OVhBS9-62LYl53n_u8PazV5d9iOCg-5-6rD8H3Tmi8osi1PAYuc2Z9IlFMrs9CseQYzN1bMxM/s320/IMG_5620.jpeg" /></a></div>Leaving Magic Kingdom after a full and fun day!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn10e0UbeGqi2jOZjGfJkXGa6BJR1ojh0RaBeLPNEYqs8SliK0krj0uC_1xuYcYthckgyFONbflh4eRyCUpPws9Oz6e4gL36mQFydeaLCQ4Uikamj-KYAobo66MVSI7cwV6wcCaPZiak/s2048/IMG_5622.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn10e0UbeGqi2jOZjGfJkXGa6BJR1ojh0RaBeLPNEYqs8SliK0krj0uC_1xuYcYthckgyFONbflh4eRyCUpPws9Oz6e4gL36mQFydeaLCQ4Uikamj-KYAobo66MVSI7cwV6wcCaPZiak/s320/IMG_5622.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The third day was Animal Kingdom. While the park as a whole wasn't our favorite (a lot of the shows and stuff were closed, and it felt a little like a zoo), they did have one of our favorite rides. First was the Flight of Passage ride, supposed to be one of Disney's best ever. Well, while it was amazing, Eric got so motion sick on it he actually threw up in his mask.....like, for real. We get off the ride and he's holding his mask away from his face because it was full of puke. Ewww! I told him just to take it off and chuck it, but he was afraid the puke would spill all over. Gag. Luckily I brought lots of extra masks and he was able to get a bathroom and clean up. It was such a neat ride we went on it again and obviously Eric sat out. But while he was talking to the workers he told them he couldn't go on it again because he puked, and he mentioned something to the effect of they must think he's a lightweight. Their response? "Oh no! People throw up on this ride all the time! We always have to clean up puke." Ha ha! So I guess Eric has company. Here we are in line for the Pandora ride.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjwhOhJidGy3mqMax26UCw1TrrmzQgo1UTxq1hM34rAPRfYEaX5ntY79Dsx_0fhibTzaCjhgq1KqbSEgEt1mLqj-ZRrYyWPzEmCOP8ueX8_Rolfc0hA85qr6YhvkxKYVDFSVHpA5bsa4/s2048/IMG_5623.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjwhOhJidGy3mqMax26UCw1TrrmzQgo1UTxq1hM34rAPRfYEaX5ntY79Dsx_0fhibTzaCjhgq1KqbSEgEt1mLqj-ZRrYyWPzEmCOP8ueX8_Rolfc0hA85qr6YhvkxKYVDFSVHpA5bsa4/s320/IMG_5623.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We also took an animal safari. The good thing about it being cold (this was the coldest day of all) was that all the animals were out in the sunshine instead of hiding away in their caves for shade. So we saw lots of animals!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK0a59WkVvn8A4KICzBC9DopbP1YT_KDe3WWDvS_-M99rVXOZjgUN3fkjw_KrKtUjiNaQglA12zH0uwZNKA48nnLd1wLZvi8iuyPdh_kRbeZdmPY9ZsOBDiSEAvzUNL2-Ek_io8ACmKw/s2048/IMG_5625.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK0a59WkVvn8A4KICzBC9DopbP1YT_KDe3WWDvS_-M99rVXOZjgUN3fkjw_KrKtUjiNaQglA12zH0uwZNKA48nnLd1wLZvi8iuyPdh_kRbeZdmPY9ZsOBDiSEAvzUNL2-Ek_io8ACmKw/s320/IMG_5625.jpeg" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWcXNI8ymhYCzV5O-W584lZclgKou5PAF5xEWYAAATtUAScmlex6wyAok_Wby6HsAThJKwyfhsyeQxmjz5rdPNfT1Wo5Itr_Sa_8FLijqtMRkFZq7dZwzyLgRhVzYbhCzxiQTaeQlgVk/s2048/IMG_5630.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWcXNI8ymhYCzV5O-W584lZclgKou5PAF5xEWYAAATtUAScmlex6wyAok_Wby6HsAThJKwyfhsyeQxmjz5rdPNfT1Wo5Itr_Sa_8FLijqtMRkFZq7dZwzyLgRhVzYbhCzxiQTaeQlgVk/s320/IMG_5630.jpeg" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A funny little car by our favorite ride, which was......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RN9AZ3LH7KqzNsUd9Cf-NWfXK8YEH8RWPmd2BqRD7Fj_BsCudSpVi-mvsHy2mxahPeZjd6nSXfYDD80Hw9qBQuhOf0e_Zo99DDsaEtFkDT6evr6LLTkAMzBwPVgCj_JN1u9ddGoy5hM/s2048/IMG_5631.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RN9AZ3LH7KqzNsUd9Cf-NWfXK8YEH8RWPmd2BqRD7Fj_BsCudSpVi-mvsHy2mxahPeZjd6nSXfYDD80Hw9qBQuhOf0e_Zo99DDsaEtFkDT6evr6LLTkAMzBwPVgCj_JN1u9ddGoy5hM/s320/IMG_5631.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">FAVORITE RIDE: Expedition Everest! It was a roller coaster that went through the "Himalayas" but the track gets torn up by a yeti--so then it goes backwards! You get right to the edge of the broken track--it's a little scary! Then backwards you go. It was so fun. A favorite for everyone but dad and Joey. We probably went on it 10 times in a row. We love roller coasters! Eric went on it once and was fine (he's usually ok on coasters...weird) but didn't want to press his luck and be sick for the rest of the day. Probably smart. But while he was waiting he got some great pictures of us. Here's one....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTHU8NFs-UxG6J_ga25KR2OUtnHzw6nOIzcYYKn0StYs_volz1AO_btHqPobX_cVX6DOx9KMuG16749XDISM3fZRxe7aOxGawvx2J2eBVJW4qkrB7wsVov0fb5yuKF87fcF0m8Sq679o/s2048/IMG_4818.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTHU8NFs-UxG6J_ga25KR2OUtnHzw6nOIzcYYKn0StYs_volz1AO_btHqPobX_cVX6DOx9KMuG16749XDISM3fZRxe7aOxGawvx2J2eBVJW4qkrB7wsVov0fb5yuKF87fcF0m8Sq679o/s320/IMG_4818.jpeg" /></a></div>The kids in front of the big tree at the entrance to Animal Kingdom....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9BPmwBNR3O3BLn3E5Oi5omaUZcjRK-OeHn7aOBs6PJwL6S66N10QrO56nNpZT8Yd7U0qrPqfALoZFd54sSFohyphenhyphen7KfFOqBhREYvhHP8WWrJ6R4Ot7FjqPJRutGM821hCpxgtKnjHGX-8/s2048/IMG_5634.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9BPmwBNR3O3BLn3E5Oi5omaUZcjRK-OeHn7aOBs6PJwL6S66N10QrO56nNpZT8Yd7U0qrPqfALoZFd54sSFohyphenhyphen7KfFOqBhREYvhHP8WWrJ6R4Ot7FjqPJRutGM821hCpxgtKnjHGX-8/s320/IMG_5634.jpeg" /></a></div>Joey started a collection of pressed pennies. By the end of the trip he had around 10 or so. These were his first 4. He loved them!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53Mnx2WWG5fdBq2kDQH_2xZGUZLq_hWgXxBff6U0DA3XTdD_A_TbcyT1ZAhgwkjKkUlQ8uW349q5fba5znBHKXOMRpfu1NyyQ1HQys6XnwQEm8HHJGPS2jO0_nJapYKdMWCMN2y_0CXs/s2048/IMG_5635.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53Mnx2WWG5fdBq2kDQH_2xZGUZLq_hWgXxBff6U0DA3XTdD_A_TbcyT1ZAhgwkjKkUlQ8uW349q5fba5znBHKXOMRpfu1NyyQ1HQys6XnwQEm8HHJGPS2jO0_nJapYKdMWCMN2y_0CXs/s320/IMG_5635.jpeg" /></a></div>By the end of Animal Kingdom we were pooped, and cold. I went to the bathroom and came out to this raggedy bunch. Man, do I love them!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5J2qzWFWUnx2liDWyUjJUWT4ECudy-ZMfrAb13EZrS4O5qDZPraXCeT10Eq4fRMAgaw78JdJiwyjtveTSqmeUlVZhUwywhDDu6-Nu1moI5iZnWD3m3QDgWVb-HpPrgyKPMboyWbaqiU/s2048/IMG_5636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5J2qzWFWUnx2liDWyUjJUWT4ECudy-ZMfrAb13EZrS4O5qDZPraXCeT10Eq4fRMAgaw78JdJiwyjtveTSqmeUlVZhUwywhDDu6-Nu1moI5iZnWD3m3QDgWVb-HpPrgyKPMboyWbaqiU/s320/IMG_5636.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Since we finished at Animal Kingdom a little early we went to Disney Springs shopping/restaurant area to explore. Once again, they took our temperature to get in. You had to pass a "temperature check" to get into anywhere--any park or shopping area. In fact, I brought my own thermometer and an arsenal of medications just in case. Every morning I would take everyone's temperature just to be sure. Because if only one person in your group has a temperature they won't let anyone in your group in! Luckily we had no fevers! <p></p><p>After dinner at Disney Springs we waited for the bus to come bring us back to to hotel. It was so cold we were all dancing to the music on the speakers to try to stay warm!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYf1lZuEUCNP2NNCOzqbw1W0ulhyphenhyphenMUv2hASowDXjMf1U2KNT3WqHZzXn_zrE8IUa21PG4DZx7fzwMjZn42q-ChBOrpfaVJvFo3kzF2eMjz3ChJf6b2oZRbapF-JEr6XnRPPWfbQaNvBo/s2048/IMG_5641.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYf1lZuEUCNP2NNCOzqbw1W0ulhyphenhyphenMUv2hASowDXjMf1U2KNT3WqHZzXn_zrE8IUa21PG4DZx7fzwMjZn42q-ChBOrpfaVJvFo3kzF2eMjz3ChJf6b2oZRbapF-JEr6XnRPPWfbQaNvBo/s320/IMG_5641.jpeg" /></a></div><p>The fourth day was the last Disney World park, Hollywood Studios. This was out favorite park. The Toy Story Land is the cutest thing I've ever seen. Every little detail is thought of. Even the lights strung up high for evening were like Christmas tree lights! Joey loved Slinky Dog Dash.... and we went on Eric's favorite ride, Toy Story Mania, like 5 times. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaZRzCA_fzlsdwKz6mxjkbwrkAYQNraL1xAMgd2LbRV9nYCCMvy6jotytDENVA4Bfq3KPSkxydBmyMAU7i4Wu36sZOmZzqObAo4ZARUYp5sBrtGFeX-BUSNCYp7pUZ_NrcrR0V1VWSQI/s2048/IMG_5647.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaZRzCA_fzlsdwKz6mxjkbwrkAYQNraL1xAMgd2LbRV9nYCCMvy6jotytDENVA4Bfq3KPSkxydBmyMAU7i4Wu36sZOmZzqObAo4ZARUYp5sBrtGFeX-BUSNCYp7pUZ_NrcrR0V1VWSQI/s320/IMG_5647.jpeg" /></a></div>At Hollywood Studios they also have the Star Wars land. It was really cool. We got passes to go on the new Rise of the Resistance ride (you have to get online at 7 am and try for passes--the run out within less than a minute!) so that was cool. Man it was quite a ride! We also went on the Millennium Falcon ride which was fun because it was just our family in the cockpit. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_wQ-SGLiegvuJGUZvQZDXdK_1YfxaakC66QOInLZyTC69Jr4-ROuCyMzuYJpjVHXU9o3GMfb7vdDXoGRrtx74oQwe11wGZBEDZPNz7ikO9LghGeYzU94Lxq5BVOIN9lJaOpZJj0F0Jw/s2048/IMG_5648.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_wQ-SGLiegvuJGUZvQZDXdK_1YfxaakC66QOInLZyTC69Jr4-ROuCyMzuYJpjVHXU9o3GMfb7vdDXoGRrtx74oQwe11wGZBEDZPNz7ikO9LghGeYzU94Lxq5BVOIN9lJaOpZJj0F0Jw/s320/IMG_5648.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We had to try blue and green milk--blue is better!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy1ouLlhstoyI9RXHu-HcEI959bs3ZweQ7Yf4-L61cfVy3qea-4TLSgG6NeXiYlBaEGv7DIVzZDRXBgzFB7CW-8nWznZdhfOmXR_7bCRpEcv2Jy8n0_MS6osMfq0n9wm5ws5s7UU-2fg/s2048/IMG_5650.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy1ouLlhstoyI9RXHu-HcEI959bs3ZweQ7Yf4-L61cfVy3qea-4TLSgG6NeXiYlBaEGv7DIVzZDRXBgzFB7CW-8nWznZdhfOmXR_7bCRpEcv2Jy8n0_MS6osMfq0n9wm5ws5s7UU-2fg/s320/IMG_5650.jpeg" /></a></div>In front of the Millennium Faclon.....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcM2NKsOpIdapJPBcBrj7lT5wbuhsHJyGF1gy_0F7w2fBYK15c7m-fe1aUGJV-aj9Wd6OiAS9451Y4lmxZM-mPCSvl-ggRZfsdtaqkJF-nD6BlQlKPGBf58l7LlY8yIZL3wP6GmZWto04/s2048/IMG_5653.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcM2NKsOpIdapJPBcBrj7lT5wbuhsHJyGF1gy_0F7w2fBYK15c7m-fe1aUGJV-aj9Wd6OiAS9451Y4lmxZM-mPCSvl-ggRZfsdtaqkJF-nD6BlQlKPGBf58l7LlY8yIZL3wP6GmZWto04/s320/IMG_5653.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Finally inside the Millennium Falcon!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUlIneeIp9CFj-y16tpUNbw7Uc1LgIM59e6qmwjD-8YKzP5UXFXIlcwKDM-8eZu4KHPRQM82vjLORLl4uDzT3VxmHgoK0itvDjXHxGiEAMK8cqHNhEB4Bt6ssDJU4sg7rSW8I9lP5NOY/s2048/IMG_5654.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUlIneeIp9CFj-y16tpUNbw7Uc1LgIM59e6qmwjD-8YKzP5UXFXIlcwKDM-8eZu4KHPRQM82vjLORLl4uDzT3VxmHgoK0itvDjXHxGiEAMK8cqHNhEB4Bt6ssDJU4sg7rSW8I9lP5NOY/s320/IMG_5654.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Hollywood Studios was super fun. Lots of cute and fun rides. Another of our favorite rides was the Rock N' Roller Coaster. Joey was terrified to go on it, but once he did he loved it so much we ended up going on it several times. He's going to be my roller coaster buddy! We really liked it. Spent the entire day, from morning until closing time! <p></p><p>Then it was off to Universal Studios. I had low expectations but I was shocked at how much fun it was. There were lots of thrill type rides, which are my jam totally. Lots of virtual reality type rides too which were pretty cool. They had several really fun roller coasters--all the kids love them. Even Joey! We went on the Hulk coaster a few times--and that is a serious coaster. It probably goes upside down like 10 times. Joey loved it! I'm so glad he likes roller coasters now. It opens up a whole new world for amusement parks. Maggie was totally into it too. Yay! </p><p>But aside from all the other fun rides, hands down our favorite area in ANY of the parks we visited was Harry Potter world. I've never seen anything like it! You walk through a walkway in a brick wall and it's like you are in an entire other world. Talk about EVERY DETAIL. Every shop, storefront, etc. Even the food at the restaurants are only authentic type--no soda, just Butterbeer.....heaven in a cup!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD_yxF5yzmKUuxhB8Tufn2DPcABiXhHD4XjkOa_8tnGQL3VZQl1go4mnii9cYTcacVnnZKrDsOjZ-I7StlRFufObuz8IE7KFT3U9bdJ3URrLKi3NVRZ1-HQiv2WIUf7XK73P3udLqGL4/s2048/IMG_5669.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD_yxF5yzmKUuxhB8Tufn2DPcABiXhHD4XjkOa_8tnGQL3VZQl1go4mnii9cYTcacVnnZKrDsOjZ-I7StlRFufObuz8IE7KFT3U9bdJ3URrLKi3NVRZ1-HQiv2WIUf7XK73P3udLqGL4/s320/IMG_5669.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzfe5LZuYz_MQ7ipPMnLf4Cymn33wimUNSz0XxzLVUVquavjttvviKcZhmTkN34A_RSKgJhSvfZNc13P8i75X2LfNcK3erT3g9_T4JaEqyrj6CTUDASjNksg7yzICUDbaihDDtYRqKyg/s2048/IMG_5670.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzfe5LZuYz_MQ7ipPMnLf4Cymn33wimUNSz0XxzLVUVquavjttvviKcZhmTkN34A_RSKgJhSvfZNc13P8i75X2LfNcK3erT3g9_T4JaEqyrj6CTUDASjNksg7yzICUDbaihDDtYRqKyg/s320/IMG_5670.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnhZqsxHkd9g_jBfBZ_rkhdc1k5XQ5z3khMDvJwzaq8q0O5ayVri3zTbtIbkUGwViWecNCLnrBKkFynvJb7ABjNAVCGzCyp6dU7c29Xjfh4WYQRQSsIupGp2QF92pZLP5Mr5LxwqfvZY/s2048/IMG_5671.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnhZqsxHkd9g_jBfBZ_rkhdc1k5XQ5z3khMDvJwzaq8q0O5ayVri3zTbtIbkUGwViWecNCLnrBKkFynvJb7ABjNAVCGzCyp6dU7c29Xjfh4WYQRQSsIupGp2QF92pZLP5Mr5LxwqfvZY/s320/IMG_5671.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We had to revisit the Butterbeer carts multiple times. All the rides were amazing too. In fact, the lines for the rides were almost as cool as the rides themselves! This is just in the line for the ride, but it's like the actual bank building from the movies, and the goblins actually move like they are working. I could go on and on about how amazing it was. Literally you couldn't find a single thing wouldn't have been from that world.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge3LpvaVxBtS99nRjvyxuprNTZgXphsN4Zr1qBYpzlHghY1HEwCySzECYMLcrDd0pSvS2kcYY6nN6JNfYZfdBT0diOG6k6XG6N9PnhuvegdcVWXodHdFQZSk-oo5avp83TEQC2Sag34c/s2048/IMG_5672.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjge3LpvaVxBtS99nRjvyxuprNTZgXphsN4Zr1qBYpzlHghY1HEwCySzECYMLcrDd0pSvS2kcYY6nN6JNfYZfdBT0diOG6k6XG6N9PnhuvegdcVWXodHdFQZSk-oo5avp83TEQC2Sag34c/s320/IMG_5672.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5TurSQa0keAeSD8kbjuEn1afaI-Rz_yCTDt2XCDjhBw_-iXHYHq5xBFHJRa7fQh1kPvdw2KE40eUboiNgMV1Vq9j7NyTm10OR5kBhW7GRMqs2KWPuVxEy_hqdc513ZK0crnSvx_qv-U/s2048/IMG_5673.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5TurSQa0keAeSD8kbjuEn1afaI-Rz_yCTDt2XCDjhBw_-iXHYHq5xBFHJRa7fQh1kPvdw2KE40eUboiNgMV1Vq9j7NyTm10OR5kBhW7GRMqs2KWPuVxEy_hqdc513ZK0crnSvx_qv-U/s320/IMG_5673.jpeg" /></a></div>Tyler bought a wand (from a shop EXACTLY like the one in the movie, stacked floor to ceiling with wand boxes all askew and everything). It was fun because they had certain places throughout the Harry Potter world where you could point your wand at something, move it in a certain way and make something happen. Like a water fountain spouting water, or a window display changing, or making it rain in a certain area! So fun. <p></p><p>The rest of Universal was fun--Simpsons area....<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdFpRVlEyY6y9ny4l2rddL4PLNBDyqmurwfhx1izLo3RLQtH2PFs6WGw2i_K7hiXEwij9PzxAJxfTUg5veN_wqIfi3WLwf9Dma7wzuPVI2UDzC0C094j5QaJV0T8GVlUCAwLJ2SuftV0/s2048/IMG_5675.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdFpRVlEyY6y9ny4l2rddL4PLNBDyqmurwfhx1izLo3RLQtH2PFs6WGw2i_K7hiXEwij9PzxAJxfTUg5veN_wqIfi3WLwf9Dma7wzuPVI2UDzC0C094j5QaJV0T8GVlUCAwLJ2SuftV0/s320/IMG_5675.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We even saw the Delorian from Back to the Future...this was one actually used in the movies! You could see the flux capacitor inside.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0BzKNsTASPkF_w2QYsaywIynyeaIRcyR82IH2tG08_WLi-_UJpuDqhiXkz4Myb268FG5VcVu7gp94TfoMbN1kz940xBqR8Yh7yDuY2GoAJLrajqjRJD351L8-U79Kg_I2AmFq6NKQQ4/s2048/IMG_5677.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0BzKNsTASPkF_w2QYsaywIynyeaIRcyR82IH2tG08_WLi-_UJpuDqhiXkz4Myb268FG5VcVu7gp94TfoMbN1kz940xBqR8Yh7yDuY2GoAJLrajqjRJD351L8-U79Kg_I2AmFq6NKQQ4/s320/IMG_5677.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Jurassic World....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHFR6fQGlQmwVyV1wEeoQEFVDqeQInLlWD8zOxmiSQ_BJpp_2tcdX2s-uqD2QQwwQKBgUqv8lPIFqSLOOf7YVWP3iveKrnqmtu0LxBMyZAhfo5bpEJAc3FyzeS8ENbCzogsdL0YWA-sU/s2048/IMG_5687.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHFR6fQGlQmwVyV1wEeoQEFVDqeQInLlWD8zOxmiSQ_BJpp_2tcdX2s-uqD2QQwwQKBgUqv8lPIFqSLOOf7YVWP3iveKrnqmtu0LxBMyZAhfo5bpEJAc3FyzeS8ENbCzogsdL0YWA-sU/s320/IMG_5687.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But then it was back to Harry Potter. Each park (Universal has 2 in Orlando) was decorated like a different area. One was Diagon Alley and the other (our favorite) was Hogsmeade. It was really amazing. Here's Maggie using the wand to make the fountain squirt water.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZI-2lS4LkpDpndMf9p8Ig2W3ejVuvXMl1NRgaTCAuS4ioaA-Ws1cvtHCnRkquJhvQtoTYqZ-rCCE0yaXa8jdFMEa7nHiU9Gr-79mbj5vXK4FEkv1VMYwez-OYH6SYcp1Xb7eUGf_l3E/s2048/IMG_5674.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZI-2lS4LkpDpndMf9p8Ig2W3ejVuvXMl1NRgaTCAuS4ioaA-Ws1cvtHCnRkquJhvQtoTYqZ-rCCE0yaXa8jdFMEa7nHiU9Gr-79mbj5vXK4FEkv1VMYwez-OYH6SYcp1Xb7eUGf_l3E/s320/IMG_5674.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can take the Hogwart's Express train between the two worlds/parks. They've even made it so that you watch people go through the platform to platform 9 3/4 (you have to read the book of see the movies if you don't know what I'm taking about). People literally disappear into the wall. Here I am on the way through the wall! Like I said, every detail...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy9PFt6SgsDdgzXZIGp8x7TPMrnLG7BR7k0CaXBaAbchvkvSKG9K8ssn6u5By3881iDDKJ_ynMw0JopWnKCXx4gZuJ5ngzrthc3Ktbx325HK3OaKJn5clMJvTI9Ho3EU-ZGlFzKsJibk/s2048/IMG_4830.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy9PFt6SgsDdgzXZIGp8x7TPMrnLG7BR7k0CaXBaAbchvkvSKG9K8ssn6u5By3881iDDKJ_ynMw0JopWnKCXx4gZuJ5ngzrthc3Ktbx325HK3OaKJn5clMJvTI9Ho3EU-ZGlFzKsJibk/s320/IMG_4830.jpeg" /></a></div></div></div>Tyler trying to use his wand on me.....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddEgukaLTagTx6MQT_QZ7_FcNNEel7TDTLpOo1Gt4dMk3dVI6LZW-3GJlcbPAp6FwcIHE-JD6ryEyz7Z2SIX-ByIRDPO244tu1DTorvl-gExbg8nuUDmcOQPLpQ6XUkXaxNDtnfG7JZc/s2048/IMG_5678.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddEgukaLTagTx6MQT_QZ7_FcNNEel7TDTLpOo1Gt4dMk3dVI6LZW-3GJlcbPAp6FwcIHE-JD6ryEyz7Z2SIX-ByIRDPO244tu1DTorvl-gExbg8nuUDmcOQPLpQ6XUkXaxNDtnfG7JZc/s320/IMG_5678.jpeg" /></a></div>The Hogwart's train is LITERALLY a train. For real. A huge engine, etc. It's not even really a ride because it's actually a physical train that takes you to the other park. Well, it is a ride because while on it they make it seem like your going to Hogwarts with a simulated screen on the window, and stuff in the hallway. Totally awesome.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv6qlHvwYsfyumaorxB5XAO-ZmNQ5gN-aYe0nWi8Sz7p31FusPFGeH91zu_UJ8-Q_KPr6xHq6uNEbviq5urfbqai-PRnDbn2SuukIfh6h95wZQiBeu9YLAhyphenhyphen-ZJp-GUnN2ijxE_2DKQo/s2048/IMG_5680.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv6qlHvwYsfyumaorxB5XAO-ZmNQ5gN-aYe0nWi8Sz7p31FusPFGeH91zu_UJ8-Q_KPr6xHq6uNEbviq5urfbqai-PRnDbn2SuukIfh6h95wZQiBeu9YLAhyphenhyphen-ZJp-GUnN2ijxE_2DKQo/s320/IMG_5680.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkQqsmS1pTa8uV1Efg7NaQpGhWxCR6UPX1Z-pPT2h68S14YnQm2QaXsa6p63O538j8MWuevavXJ5tTTR58SZMMu1OwtiHGjsfLl2ClcdVGodGj2KSVZ6YA3_IlVVtaiCKhCHgxhcpx64/s2048/IMG_5681.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkQqsmS1pTa8uV1Efg7NaQpGhWxCR6UPX1Z-pPT2h68S14YnQm2QaXsa6p63O538j8MWuevavXJ5tTTR58SZMMu1OwtiHGjsfLl2ClcdVGodGj2KSVZ6YA3_IlVVtaiCKhCHgxhcpx64/s320/IMG_5681.jpeg" /></a></div>And there is the castle of Hogwart's school. It's like a real castle. There's even a ride in it--my favorite ride. Once again, the line was just as cool as the ride. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jBeGAszP0IFooC6psZMYEIi6dsdVBz6Ha5it3I3WxodsWH10nOTMlelyazn-gEhjJ7Ztv0PCcPzbKFBoEXNA5Yw6l5rg7EDxJm19EFzL_I2f4sTCmb35CbxpwxA5peMt49uRFrD0DEw/s2048/IMG_5684.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jBeGAszP0IFooC6psZMYEIi6dsdVBz6Ha5it3I3WxodsWH10nOTMlelyazn-gEhjJ7Ztv0PCcPzbKFBoEXNA5Yw6l5rg7EDxJm19EFzL_I2f4sTCmb35CbxpwxA5peMt49uRFrD0DEw/s320/IMG_5684.jpeg" /></a></div>Our other favorite ride was the Hagrid's motorbike coaster. It went forwards, backward, and even had a vertical drop! Oh my gosh it was fun. We went on it a couple times. We just loved the Harry Potter world. It was so engrossing. In fact since we've been home we've started watching all the movies. The detail gives me an even greater appreciation for what they did with Harry Potter world! <p></p><p>Lunch at the Three Broomsticks.....fish and chips, meat pie, beef pasties.....it was legit!<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOpVTUQrwGInhCbXupGyzB07RHlI0DdsepypOzguc33TPl27pkQjlFp76kn9ecZukkxWgXz6QZ5G89UZ0I3NYjmjvzO35TR-oSSOdHoR_tJhbj_DwqgOmmZ5kjnNA2o5nVI447gFoSNY/s2048/IMG_5689.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOpVTUQrwGInhCbXupGyzB07RHlI0DdsepypOzguc33TPl27pkQjlFp76kn9ecZukkxWgXz6QZ5G89UZ0I3NYjmjvzO35TR-oSSOdHoR_tJhbj_DwqgOmmZ5kjnNA2o5nVI447gFoSNY/s320/IMG_5689.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Our last day we had the option of going back to Hollywood Studios or Universal. We opted for Hollywood Studios. We didn't stay long--it was really crowded since we not only slept in, but it was also a Saturday. We went on the Rise of the Resistance ride again and a couple others. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HDKMZ_WoywoJz0Mw6FZcGOS86Av4Ip7jKoOnzkl1B3P1-kBUx1QPJts4s1fKS0GkQkLf61PQNYABtOY1qE_x-fD29mrcwEAwv55ky9ez_b5VUbQGR5w1FSILPYDhwsXrw7bcVHveBa4/s2048/IMG_5731.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HDKMZ_WoywoJz0Mw6FZcGOS86Av4Ip7jKoOnzkl1B3P1-kBUx1QPJts4s1fKS0GkQkLf61PQNYABtOY1qE_x-fD29mrcwEAwv55ky9ez_b5VUbQGR5w1FSILPYDhwsXrw7bcVHveBa4/s320/IMG_5731.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then finally back home. Joey zonked on the plane. I don't blame him! It was a week jam packed with fun. We walked miles and miles every day. Some days we walked 10 miles! But it couldn't have gone better. The lines were really short, even the long lines were 25 minutes. Most rides we just about walked on. It wasn't hot, no one was sick, we did everything we wanted to do...multiple times! So all in all a great time. A desperately needed getaway! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One funny story--Tyler gets night terrors. He has his whole life. It was gotten less frequent now that he's older, but they still happen and they often happen when he is in a new place. Just last winter he was trying to climb out his window well in the middle of winter in his underwear. Ha ha. Well after our first day at Harry Potter world, that night he starts yelling. I run in to try to stop him, and he's got his arm straight out like he's holding a wand and he's yelling, "Please stop! Please stop! I don't know how to combat magic like this! I don't know how to combat magic like this! Can we pause for a sec?" I laughed so hard!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then in was back to reality. And Covid reality. This bit was from an email from Joey's teacher at school....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIFsGFXJvc71qJfZS4DJVmRd7PCHLOF6Dp-2IgBEM5iUCJSUvrjOkJMgMSBZvDqglgLyzj-CjYOnPO7ixhT9hqwzou-334h2Lw5idHCvNIEim2JArCk4Lq7k5uCEhucv_Y0SEaJRtr9s/s1125/IMG_5726.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIFsGFXJvc71qJfZS4DJVmRd7PCHLOF6Dp-2IgBEM5iUCJSUvrjOkJMgMSBZvDqglgLyzj-CjYOnPO7ixhT9hqwzou-334h2Lw5idHCvNIEim2JArCk4Lq7k5uCEhucv_Y0SEaJRtr9s/s320/IMG_5726.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I mean, they are quarantining the Valentine's boxes?!?!? ugh.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>The dogs were thrilled to see us after a week. They stayed with a family that boards dogs. They have gotten sick the last two times we took them to the kennel so this was a new option we tried and really liked it. They got way more attention there anyway! Here's Pepper zonked out on the sofa.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSfFJgBcfLfPwhfmgSnzUCmG_jpof-p2i_BJ6ySljPvcV1NohrUKz980jjTn0XSX_D09LCIsQVZV_45LPM1dK4wpXSmYm9fq1_ITbvfj1jIenFZNELL72N1fYbNYPbYkeJ2YqC0SEhE0/s4032/IMG_5752.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSfFJgBcfLfPwhfmgSnzUCmG_jpof-p2i_BJ6ySljPvcV1NohrUKz980jjTn0XSX_D09LCIsQVZV_45LPM1dK4wpXSmYm9fq1_ITbvfj1jIenFZNELL72N1fYbNYPbYkeJ2YqC0SEhE0/s320/IMG_5752.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Maggie has some mishaps. She lost her brand new EarPods somewhere on the way to Orlando. Grrrr. Then when we get home she drops her phone and shatters it. Double Grrrr! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3dQkuBo-2jr6Ij6J2wUQUaTprmn7srUgyrgFi6vPzKe9tYd7SZzn79AK3_qtZXHAqkxZJwf5n5ENpNxx-Usa6fomj17gh1CMAL0rNJ0KYaGYCuhioa62v2jbrfa_fRq5Ble3i6OLgyM/s2048/WPAH9535.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3dQkuBo-2jr6Ij6J2wUQUaTprmn7srUgyrgFi6vPzKe9tYd7SZzn79AK3_qtZXHAqkxZJwf5n5ENpNxx-Usa6fomj17gh1CMAL0rNJ0KYaGYCuhioa62v2jbrfa_fRq5Ble3i6OLgyM/s320/WPAH9535.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> A couple funny stories from the past month--Joey is taking guitar lessons now. His teacher gives him a treat if he does well. A few weeks ago he came out and said he did good and showed me the Tootsie Roll he got. I pretended like I was going to take it from him. He said, "You can have it. I don't like Tootsie Rolls, but I still feel accomplished." Too cute. Sometimes he says they cutest most mature things it catches me off guard! And then sometimes he's Joey..... ha ha..<p></p><p><br /></p>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-81889707820579184282021-01-24T11:08:00.002-08:002021-01-24T11:08:34.893-08:00January is almost over?!?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't even know what happened to the month of January--it's like a time warp happened. But it's okay! Because we leave the last day of the month for Disneyworld and we can't wait! None of us have ever been so it will be an adventure--especially with all the covid rules~but we are super excited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We kept our New Year's Eve tradition alive again--a family dinner at a nice restaurant. All the restaurants we were hoping for were not open due to covid (the kids wanted to go back to The Roof in Salt Lake, where we went last year), so we went to Tucano's. It is still a great place but one we have been to a few times. We like to try places we either haven't gone or rarely go. But is was a food extravaganza! We ate so much and stuffed ourselves to the brim. They gave the kids party hats to get the full New Year's Eve effect. It was fun. Just keep bringing the grilled pineapple!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheW4QAPXaXd9YFzZ4_Cv4LwHR6trlnp4nVKhG8ajbPC1Jc5aqowfmADu75NP6iYvxRomUznAo_O8rmurZ_mmY5vu49XwpOV-DboFC5yFsr97tD1pGfEmI_38nlBv7r1WcbtzTasmDLHCk/s2048/IMG_5421.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheW4QAPXaXd9YFzZ4_Cv4LwHR6trlnp4nVKhG8ajbPC1Jc5aqowfmADu75NP6iYvxRomUznAo_O8rmurZ_mmY5vu49XwpOV-DboFC5yFsr97tD1pGfEmI_38nlBv7r1WcbtzTasmDLHCk/s320/IMG_5421.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Over the break we also went hatchet throwing. We were much better than last time! I was pretty much the worst but that's ok. It is always fun to do things together--when the kids don't fight!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLMKIv5txDpQLG0NtWIEu7PRm3HYagfhbPxR5RAglcyIKqEohT2E_8F6N3ub616Tlf70jVlJGVZciGsjSfZambdfsj-3wa8uccpxbAyw_U0MoTwH58kvEc-Ca2-IZpav41NSWCK2Krtk/s2048/IMG_5428.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLMKIv5txDpQLG0NtWIEu7PRm3HYagfhbPxR5RAglcyIKqEohT2E_8F6N3ub616Tlf70jVlJGVZciGsjSfZambdfsj-3wa8uccpxbAyw_U0MoTwH58kvEc-Ca2-IZpav41NSWCK2Krtk/s320/IMG_5428.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQhyphenhyphen1bcPO5qlwQ1ROr3xkqF18QCOdyzSwAdXl9VHLc-nGVk1uWggDJ9TWyoNZ7D0aLrcpaKB3Ryu88bsfUAgQS6vHoFFNdslhhzetaWXGenLfdaBnYUp9aQ-mQdFXVGt_39mjRK_n_-8/s2048/IMG_5430.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQhyphenhyphen1bcPO5qlwQ1ROr3xkqF18QCOdyzSwAdXl9VHLc-nGVk1uWggDJ9TWyoNZ7D0aLrcpaKB3Ryu88bsfUAgQS6vHoFFNdslhhzetaWXGenLfdaBnYUp9aQ-mQdFXVGt_39mjRK_n_-8/s320/IMG_5430.jpeg" /></a></div>To celebrate Sharee's birthday we all took her to lunch at a fun restaurant in Heber--they have installed these cool glass pods to sit in. They are outside but they close and are heated. I actually got a little too hot! It was so cute and fun. And bonus--the food was great too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd_8mbXKVwoZ4bKS3KV_CcUngFJEZ-pzKcHXFH6XSGK9jMq6ajooiw4nsfie41qCOQM70rkSTmtwOMTL9TBi3L7tcYxpcFILpVcKcKLurH0JPrHnzc_uT2Ea6H5M0SX6pWtVD0YIWAVs/s2048/IMG_5493.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd_8mbXKVwoZ4bKS3KV_CcUngFJEZ-pzKcHXFH6XSGK9jMq6ajooiw4nsfie41qCOQM70rkSTmtwOMTL9TBi3L7tcYxpcFILpVcKcKLurH0JPrHnzc_uT2Ea6H5M0SX6pWtVD0YIWAVs/s320/IMG_5493.jpeg" /></a></div>Hillary came into town to help Nate get situated back in Utah after the break. So Jessica booked the whole family a session at Top Golf. I'd never been and was a little skeptical since I don't golf at all, but it was really a blast. There is a tiered building, and you get a "bay" with sofas and heaters and then you get to hit golf balls for 2 hours and try to score points. There are lots of different games to try. We all had fun, but Joey had the most fun! He actually started to get pretty good at it too! He loved it. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9N9rSB3wD6jl2f75SptYrZOFtVkTVeriuh_hCbdR0fZWH7cGbzHjrnhAvz5JJgvNJLhr53ViRLcKG_aWV5LJ5T2MxuX-mC9IOulkXrs1LBeg9iimfRuSVZcrZ1x_w4FPXe7gt6VFXiM/s2048/IMG_5497.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9N9rSB3wD6jl2f75SptYrZOFtVkTVeriuh_hCbdR0fZWH7cGbzHjrnhAvz5JJgvNJLhr53ViRLcKG_aWV5LJ5T2MxuX-mC9IOulkXrs1LBeg9iimfRuSVZcrZ1x_w4FPXe7gt6VFXiM/s320/IMG_5497.jpeg" /></a></div>Here's the "teenager bay" next to ours. Nate was there, he was just hitting a ball when I took this pic. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWfYhHR9RuExBPUY2SHyFWC_0noW9uWBI0ieg2HOv4G9PAzomd_SMwAYwWrn3gceAMglUtKSmLQC2x3UfGx36ZguIrlVyIjgi7KsqWpuWpVBjgh5m9JfCs5GzeP7CPLjz4MWDf-wpjSg/s2048/IMG_5498.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWfYhHR9RuExBPUY2SHyFWC_0noW9uWBI0ieg2HOv4G9PAzomd_SMwAYwWrn3gceAMglUtKSmLQC2x3UfGx36ZguIrlVyIjgi7KsqWpuWpVBjgh5m9JfCs5GzeP7CPLjz4MWDf-wpjSg/s320/IMG_5498.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Maggie getting some lessons from dad...who was by far the best.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGUEeLVzgfWZNI5V_kMDkwZgIXw2YV3olhTg_e3UwYbLbY1OgjmIYRCe2N5XR4cfL6POSkSuyFFSD_gPSNZ-a3k8b_DsY6AtF-w7o5y79HX1V4wOrrNsRfOeuEEc2kT6-NwVzGf9U3lI/s2048/IMG_5499.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGUEeLVzgfWZNI5V_kMDkwZgIXw2YV3olhTg_e3UwYbLbY1OgjmIYRCe2N5XR4cfL6POSkSuyFFSD_gPSNZ-a3k8b_DsY6AtF-w7o5y79HX1V4wOrrNsRfOeuEEc2kT6-NwVzGf9U3lI/s320/IMG_5499.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's been a winter packed with stuff--good and bad. But anything to pass the time when it's muddy and gloomy is fine with me. Actually this winter has been super mild. One unfortunate event is that the last day of 2020--December 31--we went skiing and I fell. It was the end of the day, on a super easy pretty much flat part. But I fell. I had skied all day and felt like I was doing really well...but I fell. Ugh. And I fell in a way that my knee instantly hurt. Double ugh. After sitting for a few minutes I was able to get my ski back on and luckily we were pretty much down the mountain so I was able to get down. But I went to the doctor the next day because it was pretty sore, and I tore my MCL. Of course. I couldn't just fall and be fine. So annoying. So now I've got a knee brace and am having to ice my knee and not do anything on it. I'm worried about Disney but I'm hopeful it will be ok. It is definitely improving over the last few weeks, and I can walk on it mostly without a limp as long as I don't go fast. So it will be interesting to see how I get around--maybe a Disney wheelchair is in my future!<p></p><p><br /> </p>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-63584598137907703032020-12-27T11:47:00.001-08:002020-12-27T11:47:19.075-08:00Cramming too Much into a Month....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not going to lie--I won't be sad to see the end of 2020. Not even a little. This year has felt like an eternity, but at the same time has flown by...how does that even happen? There have been deadly and destructive wildfires across the globe, threats of war, unemployment, a pandemic, protests, impeachment trials, etc. Our December felt just as packed as rest of the year. What a way to end 2020--our December was full of highs and very sad lows. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the saddest of notes, we lost our niece, Ashley, a couple weeks ago. It was sudden and very tragic. We have all mourned her loss, and have felt deep sadness for Cory, Jessica and Kaylee. We have also felt the prayers of everyone lifting and supporting us. We took a few pictures at the viewing...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa8PkCbyLJBy3UGltzDJrhYWU9-91BeQoEASq_sM1TWNYXH8yi8nXHb1eMnyGQCcanTA5l5k09cTbgQjbmErOfIf12ghwZxaYFUDlHjmHJjYS0hgC5a8U5bPUVFZvuVbwf9RaPenVmE8/s2048/IMG_4736.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa8PkCbyLJBy3UGltzDJrhYWU9-91BeQoEASq_sM1TWNYXH8yi8nXHb1eMnyGQCcanTA5l5k09cTbgQjbmErOfIf12ghwZxaYFUDlHjmHJjYS0hgC5a8U5bPUVFZvuVbwf9RaPenVmE8/s320/IMG_4736.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxR9NRNqA5kAQbAOnQNnL8w70MxOWjSn5J5-FKIldCoo4Pe8bavnVr35OwNftxQELDuAWzKlEpoQNBxDLf_HwdQMRv89ncgFGPJMN6MfkLIZcDiuII_c8SCjQvpd-ULa7UDRF_B0RyP0/s2048/IMG_4737.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxR9NRNqA5kAQbAOnQNnL8w70MxOWjSn5J5-FKIldCoo4Pe8bavnVr35OwNftxQELDuAWzKlEpoQNBxDLf_HwdQMRv89ncgFGPJMN6MfkLIZcDiuII_c8SCjQvpd-ULa7UDRF_B0RyP0/s320/IMG_4737.jpeg" /></a></div>The one thing I keep thinking in this hard time is how grateful I am for the atonement. It becomes so much more real when something like this happens. I am so grateful to know that the Savior overcame all so that He could lift us, save us, and understand everything we face in this life. It has brought me a lot of comfort during this time.<p></p><p>On another, less important, sad note, after we returned from Moab and picked our dogs up from the kennel, they both got very sick. We got so worried I ended up taking them to the vet. They were hacking all the time, could hardly breathe, yellow discharge coming from their noses....yuck. Apparently it is some new infection going around in dogs here in Utah. Well it is a bad one! Look at poor Pepper...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVUloQrS2S4Uj6SYBA9jBmBm06UD5P53pHG85Fx4sE0D5c1ShFQTF-BNg4vRu5UT99nR5ct0Qb39AAZrbz1up_xTsGHNq0GnB2BofMqmJrMxOp2jLn7uY4weq_Kom4oR4hkHM3vGK8cE/s2048/IMG_5201.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVUloQrS2S4Uj6SYBA9jBmBm06UD5P53pHG85Fx4sE0D5c1ShFQTF-BNg4vRu5UT99nR5ct0Qb39AAZrbz1up_xTsGHNq0GnB2BofMqmJrMxOp2jLn7uY4weq_Kom4oR4hkHM3vGK8cE/s320/IMG_5201.jpeg" /></a></div>You can just feel her misery! Luckily the medication worked quickly and within a few days they were starting to feel better. Thank goodness for vets!<p></p><p>One important thing I have neglected to mention in my blog is Jacob's love of mountain biking. He started mountain biking a couple years ago but just started getting really into it this past summer. Eric and I bought the boys nice bikes right at the start of COVID, just because we knew that things would be closed down for a while and they would need something to do. They already liked biking but didn't have great bikes, so they were thrilled with the new Fezzaris we bought them. Jake's favorite thing to do now is mountain bike. He has the cuts and bruises to prove it.... (that's his friend Chase behind him)....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgjeMuKakknA1y-fMr56DLIQvAw0rpcyW4Z8V2Ph6EEojja6nnQhrBpQ4tFa03oUe9hbDfZ2QkMoWRLw8tsMeV1qHqqLljjOV5aR1xiRUDcdjR0D0cT74fStTCXzMlf49ZW-gLDyI-8M/s2048/IMG_5214.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgjeMuKakknA1y-fMr56DLIQvAw0rpcyW4Z8V2Ph6EEojja6nnQhrBpQ4tFa03oUe9hbDfZ2QkMoWRLw8tsMeV1qHqqLljjOV5aR1xiRUDcdjR0D0cT74fStTCXzMlf49ZW-gLDyI-8M/s320/IMG_5214.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>He loves it so much he even took this artsy pic of his bike in the fall. Pretty sweet ride!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlOpFpv3graRJKBUQywZJhO5wv7yNyaSUjCSBgzNGvqBLkYB-JqATTEqj8JQYcYSjqKJOSw-dtUka2DGBE7geXYMRjj9cK1A1aXuASJ-fXLqp96aMCiqzpdT24kZHxKK51mqVuGvUq_0/s1125/IMG_5215.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlOpFpv3graRJKBUQywZJhO5wv7yNyaSUjCSBgzNGvqBLkYB-JqATTEqj8JQYcYSjqKJOSw-dtUka2DGBE7geXYMRjj9cK1A1aXuASJ-fXLqp96aMCiqzpdT24kZHxKK51mqVuGvUq_0/s320/IMG_5215.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He loves to go with his friends, but he will go on rides alone if he has to. He wants to join the local mountain biking team next spring so has been working out and going on rides almost every day. I'm proud of him for all his efforts. He is saving up to buy a (very) expensive bike he wants...but I'm hoping once he has that money he won't want to spend his life savings on one bike.....but I guess we will see! I am glad he has a hobby he really loves.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArXxo8H3a8j2ya6WeW4kPlpX2EB_gDIdi-lLL9lj-23nKXuTTjXxVVutZ1NaB2yg80X6YVvxuGcefw-ZPHOGGxlPwV9MltpT_CU9M5oY-LOxjZN0wZTys2SkrUr7I7nkDXofUpC6sufo/s2048/IMG_5221.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArXxo8H3a8j2ya6WeW4kPlpX2EB_gDIdi-lLL9lj-23nKXuTTjXxVVutZ1NaB2yg80X6YVvxuGcefw-ZPHOGGxlPwV9MltpT_CU9M5oY-LOxjZN0wZTys2SkrUr7I7nkDXofUpC6sufo/s320/IMG_5221.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Slc9umDY9OfSUaNZJCi6Xb5OK3xRnsWTE69486EvMvIDYT9hQ6hJV1iuCDjLKCVZmL1dzSX4uYnGEX535W6ntuE38ZtvdQy23AdTN3RnG7x8tgTSaOAvdo3Wh7ylBeav_vkEmTINlps/s2048/LXGY4918.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Slc9umDY9OfSUaNZJCi6Xb5OK3xRnsWTE69486EvMvIDYT9hQ6hJV1iuCDjLKCVZmL1dzSX4uYnGEX535W6ntuE38ZtvdQy23AdTN3RnG7x8tgTSaOAvdo3Wh7ylBeav_vkEmTINlps/s320/LXGY4918.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>For the past few years, we have gone to a play at the Hale Theater at Christmastime. It is always so fun. This year's production was Tarzan. I loved it because I got to watch a buff half naked man run around on stage for two hours! Kidding....kind of. Seriously though, the production was amazing--they always do such a good job! And it is becoming a fun tradition we all look forward to. Of course we had to abide by COVID protocol--social distancing and masks, no food. But we are just happy to be able to go out still after having so much shut down for so long.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS6GwFZuZnlH7_mgkDWlpitY8oDPT8agAw55OAPA60uQ5CIR3rA4-2I6LvfNKEHcVP3os51guoUuftEjO4sSHK6Uo2V4bMO3YHxVSQoTWXNmG2huug9MIA9J21Iq3kxywuIVXjKXx8Pc/s2048/IMG_5224.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS6GwFZuZnlH7_mgkDWlpitY8oDPT8agAw55OAPA60uQ5CIR3rA4-2I6LvfNKEHcVP3os51guoUuftEjO4sSHK6Uo2V4bMO3YHxVSQoTWXNmG2huug9MIA9J21Iq3kxywuIVXjKXx8Pc/s320/IMG_5224.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pepper is doing well, mostly. She was doing great on our electric perimeter fence but then her collar broke and we didn't know for about a week. So during that week she learned that the border meant nothing. Even once we replaced the collar, she keeps leaving. It's like she has learned that the fun she gets to have outside the fence is worth the shock. I even have it turned up all the way! Ugh...dogs can be so frustrating sometimes, but then they are worth it sometimes too. Let's hope in 7 years we feel about Pepper the same way we feel about Ziggy. Pepper looks like she will be a good little hunting dog--she points at butterflies and bugs...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnBWkpEOy37KzBLb_FHI8ee6GnnsQ0mUiUo4B3fv0aI6AXi-6b92Wq8zM06yDwjWAzX1jamoEZTbkgXE2yao7yRxSMttAt3fS4wWc4BxEtPuDbXAKR-hNfnQgTC7gesKQi5T23N9eSyE/s2048/IMG_5240.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnBWkpEOy37KzBLb_FHI8ee6GnnsQ0mUiUo4B3fv0aI6AXi-6b92Wq8zM06yDwjWAzX1jamoEZTbkgXE2yao7yRxSMttAt3fS4wWc4BxEtPuDbXAKR-hNfnQgTC7gesKQi5T23N9eSyE/s320/IMG_5240.jpeg" /></a></div>And then there's Ziggy who is practically perfect in every way. We all just love Ziggy so so so much. We've had her for 8 years; she's a part of the family. And you can tell she is happy and contented by the way she takes naps..... she feels totally secure and loved!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEjLN0unuA50-Mlgs7V_p5jj1kk6lnPlXwGMPSJHj52NnqZpyy4TFhSSEYrOdAWhXEz-3N0df5oSQXps0Snu6GAGAaWcw74Nqe-oF8-jgYF1SZhyphenhyphenHydwYtIexHa7vWBFSn2_YmnRcMY8/s2048/IMG_5261.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEjLN0unuA50-Mlgs7V_p5jj1kk6lnPlXwGMPSJHj52NnqZpyy4TFhSSEYrOdAWhXEz-3N0df5oSQXps0Snu6GAGAaWcw74Nqe-oF8-jgYF1SZhyphenhyphenHydwYtIexHa7vWBFSn2_YmnRcMY8/s320/IMG_5261.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>And then of course there are times when she does this....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-4D3HduXwvWELvtIPY8vXnVIkb1uTJPSSD8LKkQ6gXwTafR2LMCdK8p7uSZJGPn4IhZMERtpDZ5oJIeuP_KXoybM9X_kR3SqdyU8MIlF5E7j7wyH-hxjUcPzW8g17HsY1DVRzu8MW78/s2048/IMG_5269.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-4D3HduXwvWELvtIPY8vXnVIkb1uTJPSSD8LKkQ6gXwTafR2LMCdK8p7uSZJGPn4IhZMERtpDZ5oJIeuP_KXoybM9X_kR3SqdyU8MIlF5E7j7wyH-hxjUcPzW8g17HsY1DVRzu8MW78/s320/IMG_5269.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Naughty little doggie! At least it was in the mud room! She's worth it though.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>The older boys have been dying for ski season to get here...and when the ski resorts opened they were chomping at the bit to go! So Eric took them up to Park City. They had a good time, but not much was open at the resort so didn't stay more than a few hours. We haven't had much snow here so it's not boding well for the ski season. More on that in a few minutes...</p><p>Here's Jake.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiitX2SJx0rhBFsXw5xEQEn_d957XX3up9_clAU6XRhm-IIKwNf3dSnkrzm7iwyr9jsaxs17iCaFu7D_SKuIojbN_6ac5O2I2pfl-M86jbUcoZ9-VS6E8NOh7yBbGBnI1u34ML97eOjc0/s2048/IMG_5286.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiitX2SJx0rhBFsXw5xEQEn_d957XX3up9_clAU6XRhm-IIKwNf3dSnkrzm7iwyr9jsaxs17iCaFu7D_SKuIojbN_6ac5O2I2pfl-M86jbUcoZ9-VS6E8NOh7yBbGBnI1u34ML97eOjc0/s320/IMG_5286.jpeg" /></a></div>Jake and Tyler...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3qnmVx5g2Bhn87EBD2lHb222A4qQuJFolYRXMHEdCafW2nxQxsaBfDVj_yhebhc2SGSMx_oRjK6UuqFYBg9y_gYdZGxMPraTZyYJ7-A-JOV79WMrR9X_A2lHF7x0nPKEbRlF15LqWrM/s2048/IMG_5287.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3qnmVx5g2Bhn87EBD2lHb222A4qQuJFolYRXMHEdCafW2nxQxsaBfDVj_yhebhc2SGSMx_oRjK6UuqFYBg9y_gYdZGxMPraTZyYJ7-A-JOV79WMrR9X_A2lHF7x0nPKEbRlF15LqWrM/s320/IMG_5287.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>And Tyler. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOFwvMldAxIRneTjDgBq56Lbq52HO6hjbua7PNVNHTSIPKkge6KhpY1E7wPjQFBQsvdXcWyXRTuCW8qLS_y4YdSlhoUrEnVWSfyAOcuNpQmmx9Da0tJ345zJ9Twv1r7HTLTUvbAYT15Y/s2048/IMG_5288.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOFwvMldAxIRneTjDgBq56Lbq52HO6hjbua7PNVNHTSIPKkge6KhpY1E7wPjQFBQsvdXcWyXRTuCW8qLS_y4YdSlhoUrEnVWSfyAOcuNpQmmx9Da0tJ345zJ9Twv1r7HTLTUvbAYT15Y/s320/IMG_5288.jpeg" /></a></div>I'm glad they love to ski and bike. I think those are great hobbies because they are ones they can do their whole lives, alone or with others. Hopefully we will get some snow soon so that they can have a fun ski season!<p></p><p>Pepper is good, but still a puppy. She always likes to eat Ziggy's food when I put it out, so sometimes I have to banish her from the room until Ziggy is done eating. When I do, she just sits at the door like this until Ziggy comes out. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XyMgUhOBP9r0v3HSGh_e20reT94UOgFu70QHXDXN8MIMwiwca-i47Xjur6qQAslMnBcVTIy7bXlHQ2fLlRXpijCspOx-nKQsQ-MwoEBc9GqwojWwGQdJkB126fyqZ1cPWdXhTiFicH8/s4032/IMG_5295.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XyMgUhOBP9r0v3HSGh_e20reT94UOgFu70QHXDXN8MIMwiwca-i47Xjur6qQAslMnBcVTIy7bXlHQ2fLlRXpijCspOx-nKQsQ-MwoEBc9GqwojWwGQdJkB126fyqZ1cPWdXhTiFicH8/s320/IMG_5295.jpeg" /></a></div>Maggie loves face masks. She got some for her birthday and Christmas. And she has stolen some from me.... at least her skin will silky smooth!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir833YRS5urusblLaMZM5fNKjyL8yI8H4gFxrVJIgCFUiEfOnLVi3i5vlRyY1MHexlBqxLp4rVWWFx-b0dip1_1o0P8KORMPaoeGLoATMvEIX7MWLYyPxfhx2-QbnzST4XyohELcx15LI/s2048/IMG_5301.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir833YRS5urusblLaMZM5fNKjyL8yI8H4gFxrVJIgCFUiEfOnLVi3i5vlRyY1MHexlBqxLp4rVWWFx-b0dip1_1o0P8KORMPaoeGLoATMvEIX7MWLYyPxfhx2-QbnzST4XyohELcx15LI/s320/IMG_5301.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Another tradition we are starting at Christmas (along with the play), is doing an escape room as a family. We did one last Christmas and had a total blast! We decided to do one every holiday season and this year we had even more fun. We did "The Heist" and we made it out! We actually did really well! Everyone helped--Joey too! Here we are with the loot! I love being able to do things like this with my family. I'm just sad I don't have more years with them--this is probably Tyler's last Christmas living at home!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V9dUeX5jUQklEK08vuCU0Swdo_1QkK9lguLflT_iyiTqdsn7OZLi_tahBxSA7wfvl9xiTYz6pCc5t164ezI8ZLfnJTslCmAUhHPVHyjGNPkyUmh_o6FiqeoFzTi0iU8cj3NoVSzjXYk/s2048/IMG_5320.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V9dUeX5jUQklEK08vuCU0Swdo_1QkK9lguLflT_iyiTqdsn7OZLi_tahBxSA7wfvl9xiTYz6pCc5t164ezI8ZLfnJTslCmAUhHPVHyjGNPkyUmh_o6FiqeoFzTi0iU8cj3NoVSzjXYk/s320/IMG_5320.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>So far, Ziggy has mostly just tolerated having Pepper around. The occasional snap and growl at her when Pepper is being too annoying...but every once in a while, if you're lucky, you can see them play together. It is such a fun sight--especially because it makes me feel like Ziggy isn't as old as she is. I love seeing them play together--I got a great video of it, but here is just a snapshot from it--they are both in the air running. It cracks me up.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6ahCHAB5kb4iEpiTX-2O9g8Bbm8My-eL7hPX8eKrMbtMT1v-0Pxt5zoxCUN0gSzg49MPvi3nH8-Qe1198__EFx8y7eyTZ4vQ1fCyePTjVwkrpe3tBNDVqosWUpUW9paLHgmAWXOEBZ4/s2436/IMG_5326.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6ahCHAB5kb4iEpiTX-2O9g8Bbm8My-eL7hPX8eKrMbtMT1v-0Pxt5zoxCUN0gSzg49MPvi3nH8-Qe1198__EFx8y7eyTZ4vQ1fCyePTjVwkrpe3tBNDVqosWUpUW9paLHgmAWXOEBZ4/s320/IMG_5326.png" /></a></div><p><br /></p>This year we also went to Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point. It is a huge, and I mean huge, Christmas light display. We went a couple years ago also. I thought it would be fun to go again and I'm glad we did. It is really beautiful but mostly I love it because I get to go with my family, and we (mostly) all got alone for the evening. I feel so much joy and love when I am able to spend time with my family, enjoying each other's company. I love love love it. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6RUTw8CBYKRXGpbpNsxRQIo2bOFgSDTeiYgk2srMH0osnUyWxceMEI8dHqx2Q5oTaq_swjTv8fiGWFEFL962Fm1MZdksCmAfp59fvVFMKl7RWa25ubBBlEJ7neodP9qP7lVJSy1HKHA/s2048/IMG_5334.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6RUTw8CBYKRXGpbpNsxRQIo2bOFgSDTeiYgk2srMH0osnUyWxceMEI8dHqx2Q5oTaq_swjTv8fiGWFEFL962Fm1MZdksCmAfp59fvVFMKl7RWa25ubBBlEJ7neodP9qP7lVJSy1HKHA/s320/IMG_5334.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTV4HO22KvPmSK8N2CME_q1Jp5lrqfMrcD-TPJ-oEq-ZS4W8ZcbyY5rb3abL66PMcmW9krwy2pxg6rW5aCURrA9zkiGF_xJ3ggnSlDpysUcof9wcpGyukdhzv6TXxxQmYHs2eqjxUhB8g/s2048/IMG_5338.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTV4HO22KvPmSK8N2CME_q1Jp5lrqfMrcD-TPJ-oEq-ZS4W8ZcbyY5rb3abL66PMcmW9krwy2pxg6rW5aCURrA9zkiGF_xJ3ggnSlDpysUcof9wcpGyukdhzv6TXxxQmYHs2eqjxUhB8g/s320/IMG_5338.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseahBvwpk1XwgDesVE_HiKC79_Uu3HzOZcbV38M-4ktKzYpcwlzwDckVbIco00N0uhcMcPfw9B8VK6JrMNKMIp2aMHYWTPk5kiJdUt2UlgHSy9jiczvZTmyP62kp5qbQ-iUIDUcvrCFk/s2048/IMG_5346.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseahBvwpk1XwgDesVE_HiKC79_Uu3HzOZcbV38M-4ktKzYpcwlzwDckVbIco00N0uhcMcPfw9B8VK6JrMNKMIp2aMHYWTPk5kiJdUt2UlgHSy9jiczvZTmyP62kp5qbQ-iUIDUcvrCFk/s320/IMG_5346.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>We've been skiing with everyone a few times as well. Once again, there isn't much open at the resorts because of the lack of snow. So we stay for a few hours and then head home. That's ok with me though, because even though it has been a few years, I'm still not a very good skier. I supposed I am slowly getting better, but I like to ski really slowly, and I ski the easy stuff--greens and easy blues are my jam! Poor Eric stays with me the whole time though, even though I'm sure he wishes he could ski something more fun! But once again, I ski because I just love spending time with my family. The older I get the more I realize how little time I have with them. Some people have hobbies that they love, but my hobby that I love is doing ANYTHING (even skiing) with my family. The bonus is when we go do something and everyone is kind and gets along. That doesn't happen every time, but man, when it does it is magical! <p></p><p>Here is Joey and Maggie on the gondola--a nice needed break!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGjWG_g0j2xmER9Tp8UT9l9kJ3J9j4sgGCQfD-hvMfiRMqoUiOeHBVMkR8fq1PJAwXaBLdDh2WG8K86a6xj8J7IvgTTI9JvBqLanisynwpr_DzaWYl_8CY_UelsL2eVwmaqzBfa2wCHc/s2048/IMG_5353.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGjWG_g0j2xmER9Tp8UT9l9kJ3J9j4sgGCQfD-hvMfiRMqoUiOeHBVMkR8fq1PJAwXaBLdDh2WG8K86a6xj8J7IvgTTI9JvBqLanisynwpr_DzaWYl_8CY_UelsL2eVwmaqzBfa2wCHc/s320/IMG_5353.jpeg" /></a></div>Me and Eric....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ18GSfqK_WaWwiu3lcpc9dwQ1Yewarg6sVBWlkyxzxUMi0WYNWSaO3SuhkYZ2U5vZ1iRS1_zqIZZsrixKvD_JUSVgAbzztS6KSUVClQmDtxsbIcsHAmPSl26dkKsaibEr2IlNscBw27I/s2048/IMG_5354.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ18GSfqK_WaWwiu3lcpc9dwQ1Yewarg6sVBWlkyxzxUMi0WYNWSaO3SuhkYZ2U5vZ1iRS1_zqIZZsrixKvD_JUSVgAbzztS6KSUVClQmDtxsbIcsHAmPSl26dkKsaibEr2IlNscBw27I/s320/IMG_5354.jpeg" /></a></div>Joey...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpSxxylGDWs88D5CywAY36q5dpoMp_bOu50Q_w-VSfeu4tW8oFkg190oS0rGXERLejGk0dakpWSn5aVvqHnyhPmcCC-zsQelhCQQ-wu58ipMU321KvOjyFxdotD-A6Al58crhH5iFAGo/s2048/IMG_5356.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpSxxylGDWs88D5CywAY36q5dpoMp_bOu50Q_w-VSfeu4tW8oFkg190oS0rGXERLejGk0dakpWSn5aVvqHnyhPmcCC-zsQelhCQQ-wu58ipMU321KvOjyFxdotD-A6Al58crhH5iFAGo/s320/IMG_5356.jpeg" /></a></div>And on the lift is Tyler, Jacob and Maggie...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoKfxVDr3a3AhG_MKWmk3ii_yxxoXK6_zHqo7UUPSHrvQiKHe4Y79eUvf-nd_aYtYV612OM14KLJdIAykgAwpDxl_01AX8mK1jC2N5eZldDR2ITEkJpBZCJ5RHmy6iU_09L3FSBDuU7o/s2048/IMG_5358.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoKfxVDr3a3AhG_MKWmk3ii_yxxoXK6_zHqo7UUPSHrvQiKHe4Y79eUvf-nd_aYtYV612OM14KLJdIAykgAwpDxl_01AX8mK1jC2N5eZldDR2ITEkJpBZCJ5RHmy6iU_09L3FSBDuU7o/s320/IMG_5358.jpeg" /></a></div>And here we all are! It's definitely a lot of work to get all set up to ski--loading the car (which Eric has down to a science), getting everyone's gear on, trying to get Jake's boots on (impossible).... and then a lot of work when you are done skiing, just reverse that. But it's fun to be together.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGma5FThE2Sou7X4Cwuv1pOvpd6pMntgELXm7JrHtMUDUpmmYI_BHlekw6rMCP2KQOudsedQs4r1Kb1AKqyPLpBHnR_bgJnQcwRW-SIymqzrWsY2pGONzcrPX_V6oPFFBCMXMS2fS0Zg/s2048/IMG_5361.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGma5FThE2Sou7X4Cwuv1pOvpd6pMntgELXm7JrHtMUDUpmmYI_BHlekw6rMCP2KQOudsedQs4r1Kb1AKqyPLpBHnR_bgJnQcwRW-SIymqzrWsY2pGONzcrPX_V6oPFFBCMXMS2fS0Zg/s320/IMG_5361.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6zyis3AdqFhuzUajD_MAQODSZr-XgARve9XEg4lvVjIzd0xzCWjSMmiMtEbYph4PPNV2a_UyTqfycpsC-I_Iv49Xqy4JN_rsp3fQJjeNJmwSaau1rEmwu6HILYU-xBkzVK6QnhxW3QY/s2706/IMG_5379.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6zyis3AdqFhuzUajD_MAQODSZr-XgARve9XEg4lvVjIzd0xzCWjSMmiMtEbYph4PPNV2a_UyTqfycpsC-I_Iv49Xqy4JN_rsp3fQJjeNJmwSaau1rEmwu6HILYU-xBkzVK6QnhxW3QY/s320/IMG_5379.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>We had so much fun at our escape room this year we decided to do another one on Christmas Day (since skiing was out because the reservations--you have to make because of COVID--were full). This time we went to a different company, and it was totally different and way fun! We had to find relics to release the sword in the stone. The rooms were bigger, much more intricate, and there were 3 rooms. WAY WAY more intricate than the other ones we had done. These rooms are designed to be harder so they put an actor in with you to help you when you need it. We definitely needed him! But we ended up getting the sword with seconds to spare! It was intense but in the funnest of ways. Maggie pulled out the sword so we all had to bow down to her.....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxZhTkrRFCmmQ3_NBR1PvtqJUUqittUMhhrFJA1RroGo29rwMSpp7IXN8A1ltLp_3q-9a3l3BjmqhoiH3UyXwWHiYOmQ2mb_BaCINLmKCtsxyaFPwNET8gtD4j82ykMZmMW-517JXjFU/s2048/IMG_5373.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxZhTkrRFCmmQ3_NBR1PvtqJUUqittUMhhrFJA1RroGo29rwMSpp7IXN8A1ltLp_3q-9a3l3BjmqhoiH3UyXwWHiYOmQ2mb_BaCINLmKCtsxyaFPwNET8gtD4j82ykMZmMW-517JXjFU/s320/IMG_5373.jpeg" /></a></div>After skiing yesterday we went to a new restaurant called Back Door Burger. They have a peanut butter and jelly burger, and a bunch of other really unique and interesting burgers. It was super fun!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD4yakKkehhCk7Q53g_he-85QyOKagYfu6x0TO0ElsY_FUBX1tFge5e7edV2kqbtPOxeznddl1vqyUffotZB1qqCy-ZMLs_Iypjd2m8I3hE1B5Ok8X3FJu31Hen4bSbO0OXvoTiNzmEA/s2048/IMG_5381.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD4yakKkehhCk7Q53g_he-85QyOKagYfu6x0TO0ElsY_FUBX1tFge5e7edV2kqbtPOxeznddl1vqyUffotZB1qqCy-ZMLs_Iypjd2m8I3hE1B5Ok8X3FJu31Hen4bSbO0OXvoTiNzmEA/s320/IMG_5381.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tyler is getting so amazing at guitar. He loves playing now and will just learn songs on his own. I LOVE it! I wish Maggie and Jake would take more of an interest in piano. But Tyler played "We Three Kings" in sacrament meeting last week. It was incredible. I am so proud of him! If this video works, it is a clip of his song I made him play for me. It sounds better in person, but you get the idea...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwOPvaKA8u3czHg4oQ6VlrZfDg36Bo254zcdnAjYThjuy1eV7LEy29CCZmDWP9qA1e_h-6XaotEc1ICEXuaKQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joey is also taking guitar lessons now. He learned Jingle Bells! He is doing so well and I hope we will love it just like Tyler! He even recorded himself playing Jingle Bells and sent it to my mom. Cute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well December was full of everything, from every emotion. We are happy to say good bye to 2020!</div><br /> <p></p>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-72940654487496199202020-12-03T09:50:00.002-08:002020-12-27T07:30:18.297-08:00One Pheasant Hunt, One Thanksgiving, One Naughty Dog, One Old Tree...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grandpa Swenson took Tyler and Nate pheasant hunting--and of course he also took Ziggy. She is the best little bird dog around. It is so fun taking her out to do stuff like that because at home you can tell she is getting older and more tired, and her bad leg bothers her sometimes...but when she is hunting or on a horse ride or out in the mountains she runs around like a little puppy again. It brings us all so much joy! Tyler got 2 birds--he's a crack shot! But now I have to cook pheasant for dinner....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRsrK4mPcfmdwfPXVn_wNKQNM0IY0TdTJSHH6WDeX8yn-lWJgyHv5BwpJ7TxD8vkPsSv6pCCtETl5FbbUu9gn6YI8T1egz0RfL6qppmQZ9dUKUHQ0r-Y9druY0ghqSZfjoO3nEGBEjdM/s2048/IMG_0014.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRsrK4mPcfmdwfPXVn_wNKQNM0IY0TdTJSHH6WDeX8yn-lWJgyHv5BwpJ7TxD8vkPsSv6pCCtETl5FbbUu9gn6YI8T1egz0RfL6qppmQZ9dUKUHQ0r-Y9druY0ghqSZfjoO3nEGBEjdM/s320/IMG_0014.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>For Thanksgiving this year we went down to Moab with Eric's parents, Katie and Jessica and their families. It was so nice to get away--any time we can get away during this COVID crisis is a blessing. Our big trips to DC and Italy were cancelled, along with many other small trips. Being stuck at home with many stores and restaurants closed has been hard. I get tired of looking at the walls of my house everyday! So we high tailed it out of here for the weekend. It was not a super regimented trip, which was nice. The boys went mountain biking (of course there are no pictures of that because it was BOYS) and I went with the rest of the group to hike Delicate Arch. It was beautiful, of course. I get nervous near the drop offs--people die here! Last year Jessica came down and the day after they hiked the arch some kid fell and died there. So, my "nervous mom" is justified I think. I made Maggie and Joey promise they would go slow and, just for my sake as an early Christmas gift, stay away from the edges. They did. I only had to panic a couple times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqzM-Zz5DqWLADQ2qtpcr6S6s2v6xzeQczRatyd4lk-i3y8ecOXviVNjSITTEl7BvPZ-z_NeSCC-vC4nL-gUyWLAp7MLrXDvKVNNws-3gcmiXj9f-m9V7PvlTP_mtrSSiSO0HJ3WDJcI/s2048/BZLM8952.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqzM-Zz5DqWLADQ2qtpcr6S6s2v6xzeQczRatyd4lk-i3y8ecOXviVNjSITTEl7BvPZ-z_NeSCC-vC4nL-gUyWLAp7MLrXDvKVNNws-3gcmiXj9f-m9V7PvlTP_mtrSSiSO0HJ3WDJcI/s320/BZLM8952.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It is fun to get to explore all the cool places down there--it is so gorgeous. I think we take it for granted--but there were people from all over the world hiking in Arches Park that weekend. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhti-RNhcX8sm3N2zfGPlzUxeHlPGCxmNbFsy_9Ph5LceFt0O7GNSvwMhjadOjdE4otVTthVrxWzJubXfY2poVIPL3vwfvK9uqeCAZ6xTgcyTBHilrA80hA50Uietn4fxWHne4pnBvdE/s2048/IMG_0022.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhti-RNhcX8sm3N2zfGPlzUxeHlPGCxmNbFsy_9Ph5LceFt0O7GNSvwMhjadOjdE4otVTthVrxWzJubXfY2poVIPL3vwfvK9uqeCAZ6xTgcyTBHilrA80hA50Uietn4fxWHne4pnBvdE/s320/IMG_0022.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's the group on the way up to the arch. This is the steep part of the climb so it was a welcome break to stop and take a quick photo!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4Zv0_rEyOIdKF1wI1INRjExvRLOmmEhxw9aBdXiN5oAzf-kLQ0GHRBZiHKiuBtDSOIPifyFTWsv_W1nP2JZD4ZXGJzFm4X7whDCfNQAr-M_S5WrFFUXrcocJSfQd4aBqlKWsSOUHLv0/s2048/IMG_0023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4Zv0_rEyOIdKF1wI1INRjExvRLOmmEhxw9aBdXiN5oAzf-kLQ0GHRBZiHKiuBtDSOIPifyFTWsv_W1nP2JZD4ZXGJzFm4X7whDCfNQAr-M_S5WrFFUXrcocJSfQd4aBqlKWsSOUHLv0/s320/IMG_0023.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We also hiked out to landscape arch--the longest arch on the planet. It is getting pretty thin! Huge chunks have been falling off over the past decades. Who knows how much longer it will be there! But at least we got a picture.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LYvpUklgmxftyf3DtD-GQPR9WOmHyNcnNBOOz0-a-YnZsaXwtVEPXBg0VyqB78HW4pnFVZN9-JzjKwnXj2R1jKM3Dy6-6rBIyBsMlwyrLj5xXVzcwJNwEOioWZijrCnv71o5XqEHKOY/s2048/IMG_5099.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LYvpUklgmxftyf3DtD-GQPR9WOmHyNcnNBOOz0-a-YnZsaXwtVEPXBg0VyqB78HW4pnFVZN9-JzjKwnXj2R1jKM3Dy6-6rBIyBsMlwyrLj5xXVzcwJNwEOioWZijrCnv71o5XqEHKOY/s320/IMG_5099.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyone except me and Joey (there wasn't enough room) went Jeeping out at Fins N' Things. Looks like they had a good time! My family had done that a year or two ago so I was okay sitting out. Joey and I went shopping and bought everyone in our family some socks. Here's the group in their little caravan. They adopted a Red Jeep truck who was afraid to go on some of the stuff but Eric helped coach them through it. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwP08_QpRxgWW0UR0bC3gOl43-TG13v-ETgt1LemEmhdGGXqgrLsyL6ZH6zkg5kF8rl0bEWLTfHqp-zm3-OBpF6BHzeiLgrjptPATNjs9kHMCOuIeUHb1vXz8kPwREAQrnxJU0XZGqJM/s2048/IMG_0054.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwP08_QpRxgWW0UR0bC3gOl43-TG13v-ETgt1LemEmhdGGXqgrLsyL6ZH6zkg5kF8rl0bEWLTfHqp-zm3-OBpF6BHzeiLgrjptPATNjs9kHMCOuIeUHb1vXz8kPwREAQrnxJU0XZGqJM/s320/IMG_0054.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's a rare moment of Maggie and Joey walking nicely together and not arguing. Those two are either best friends or the worst of enemies. There is no middle ground! So I have to cherish the moments when they are getting along.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ShJC73U5c5UEe81DlALn-MbbMTWlhQXDLFgpgJNrBLiPT_cDDryVVMGk9HRmOsgzA1FkOOXsXqmzNlM1i7raXnk3QmcTQVHwfjEdzWWaw6migoIWjd06Iu3WH49zpoDcbOW1FaCLks4/s2048/IMG_5110.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ShJC73U5c5UEe81DlALn-MbbMTWlhQXDLFgpgJNrBLiPT_cDDryVVMGk9HRmOsgzA1FkOOXsXqmzNlM1i7raXnk3QmcTQVHwfjEdzWWaw6migoIWjd06Iu3WH49zpoDcbOW1FaCLks4/s320/IMG_5110.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5QQ6XmxNQzYAgQhaEvoppVbGI5qkolafmygnf8rLRxcLEJ2UJrEfRjL1o3oWKpLc7A6vwCtSSOQzllMEoVp1Cyws1pKLetkSo8LpXe6v17ZArqK-ET6p83hqd-UvYkp_NklP-t8y1Nk/s2048/TCJL4562.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5QQ6XmxNQzYAgQhaEvoppVbGI5qkolafmygnf8rLRxcLEJ2UJrEfRjL1o3oWKpLc7A6vwCtSSOQzllMEoVp1Cyws1pKLetkSo8LpXe6v17ZArqK-ET6p83hqd-UvYkp_NklP-t8y1Nk/s320/TCJL4562.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we were up at the arch Joey found a spot to sit down and it was the perfect photo opportunity! This isn't even posed!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4A_vg0qLaoj2Kj-6v29YVtbeYic7ba3maZ5g37SJq_VpaTiqAKeEcHZI9FUNRjv7lwHZ6WVNmh5KlwuWHri77gWkXHxJjYimwTigPzB5wUafav5d4A5zUoBioronLUHg1mG2AH96Br4/s2048/IMG_9438.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4A_vg0qLaoj2Kj-6v29YVtbeYic7ba3maZ5g37SJq_VpaTiqAKeEcHZI9FUNRjv7lwHZ6WVNmh5KlwuWHri77gWkXHxJjYimwTigPzB5wUafav5d4A5zUoBioronLUHg1mG2AH96Br4/s320/IMG_9438.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More arches....</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cU0hoW11LxIOpNLn0K_8QYbeFD1hUNLZ_5mKzm_C0rlA2aAblXukfFvvzjzSZWw6jDA-U48JPH9HQVDaaa6V6NZ5xYCwCLxboAwzG6Je3ndXLtrJqrV_0bFIWjuiZUHVqw8XD5L_4HM/s2048/IMG_5120.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cU0hoW11LxIOpNLn0K_8QYbeFD1hUNLZ_5mKzm_C0rlA2aAblXukfFvvzjzSZWw6jDA-U48JPH9HQVDaaa6V6NZ5xYCwCLxboAwzG6Je3ndXLtrJqrV_0bFIWjuiZUHVqw8XD5L_4HM/s320/IMG_5120.jpeg" /></a></div>We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Sunset Grill, where my family had eaten there a couple Thanksgivings before. It was delicious and we all left very very full! And the scenery is unbeatable.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmRIKqPJ0veWuF1Pm9JqcD116ci2LUhPEHBsdcDDd8_x9iNs8-_F7BeJwWzEyoPPV-ngXYQn8nVulhFo9A7jhIdzOnrz662wv8PMLXVu3OlxnOjOkwpc-X2-2t5DSrUUUd3TY_tq4_o4/s2048/IMG_5106.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmRIKqPJ0veWuF1Pm9JqcD116ci2LUhPEHBsdcDDd8_x9iNs8-_F7BeJwWzEyoPPV-ngXYQn8nVulhFo9A7jhIdzOnrz662wv8PMLXVu3OlxnOjOkwpc-X2-2t5DSrUUUd3TY_tq4_o4/s320/IMG_5106.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So on to the dogs--I love Ziggy--she's been in our family for 8 years now and she is THE BEST DOG EVER. I would get 5 more if I knew they could be like her! But then there's Pepper--who I kind of like but still often just tolerate her. She has some good points...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX42NdXu1qh4WDkUuq2yJuFlFxgBUaj0VX9tHbWmhyphenhyphenYKO2Jt5NWqYA5rHj1X89cjSCpdqvcwbqTm_GBbyehhwS9O1dIToZ8pL86nQNXAkVdVqLpFqqR5HMYydO-CZlIJxzWfNrHAfal8/s2048/IMG_5057.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX42NdXu1qh4WDkUuq2yJuFlFxgBUaj0VX9tHbWmhyphenhyphenYKO2Jt5NWqYA5rHj1X89cjSCpdqvcwbqTm_GBbyehhwS9O1dIToZ8pL86nQNXAkVdVqLpFqqR5HMYydO-CZlIJxzWfNrHAfal8/s320/IMG_5057.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>She is very snuggly which is fun because Ziggy usually isn't (mostly because I trained her really well to stay off the furniture ha ha). Pepper doesn't roam the way Ziggy does, and she's very soft, and loves her people (us).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug17I8bXiYsoN6eEQr2RxpuNoG0E5vP5kW99BCPudqu3LvcTxjLSapNFhSqF1Hq8SvxT4Cn2pfD-lqcVgBpJ09dPP88zNWRdUIjygMi8_vGpgfxLjQ0WlUxphuGvGIcEdFUDfEopkcUc/s2048/IMG_5062.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug17I8bXiYsoN6eEQr2RxpuNoG0E5vP5kW99BCPudqu3LvcTxjLSapNFhSqF1Hq8SvxT4Cn2pfD-lqcVgBpJ09dPP88zNWRdUIjygMi8_vGpgfxLjQ0WlUxphuGvGIcEdFUDfEopkcUc/s320/IMG_5062.jpeg" /></a></div>BUT! She is naughty when she's not being supervised. If we are around she is generally pretty good, but when she knows she's unsupervised (even if I'm in the shower or something--we never leave her inside alone) she is a pain. She chews everything...including chapsticks, Maggie's glasses, Eric's snore mouthguard, ornaments, the blender lid, you name it...if it is out and on the floor or within her reach it is fair game. Now she has also taken to chewing up packages left on the porch...ARGH! <div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIom6tL4FAE2ONm9ieHYzIpM6sSx5tS1mg4dZ7I1VOizh4ScR6y1xoDJ4lCeaojw7B6gCEAfwUysu-kG0HSd_zCSjFcmwHAq_KhLdhXd9Ar9xIHnZoKG6anJ6qBVHhvylzdbMC2B_RXss/s2048/IMG_5073.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIom6tL4FAE2ONm9ieHYzIpM6sSx5tS1mg4dZ7I1VOizh4ScR6y1xoDJ4lCeaojw7B6gCEAfwUysu-kG0HSd_zCSjFcmwHAq_KhLdhXd9Ar9xIHnZoKG6anJ6qBVHhvylzdbMC2B_RXss/s320/IMG_5073.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm hoping she grows out of it--I keep trying to watch her to get her to chew things while I'm around so I can ZAP her, but she won't do it when I'm watching or even hiding. So my best bet is to just make sure nothing is left out (which I am good at but my kids are not) and hope it is just a phase!!!!<br /><br />I mentioned in the title about one old tree, well, here it is....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d9Rtsr3AyN_xEa34fL55fdhvX5Ec7O7Bj8aNdUglu5ZBIHNZFqXl10NOYXO-h2ba6DE4hz9dsyIZHZy7Qg0h0VX-nq7LTzChSwlhfD_eBXKzM2R6a-bApIyFNX0kG4rJkwJOFUiCH9o/s2048/IMG_5174.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d9Rtsr3AyN_xEa34fL55fdhvX5Ec7O7Bj8aNdUglu5ZBIHNZFqXl10NOYXO-h2ba6DE4hz9dsyIZHZy7Qg0h0VX-nq7LTzChSwlhfD_eBXKzM2R6a-bApIyFNX0kG4rJkwJOFUiCH9o/s320/IMG_5174.jpeg" /></a></div>This is what we call out Ghetto Tree. It is the tree in the basement where we actually have presents and Christmas morning. Yes, half the lights don't work, it is extremely sparse (this pic makes it look WAY better than it actually does), it is always crooked and it is just cheap. But we bought it back in Maryland (!!!) when we didn't have money for a nice tree and have had it all these years. I asked this kids this year if I should buy a new tree to replace it, and they all said NO! They love the ghetto tree and all it represents--our family growing from just Eric and I back in Baltimore, all the way to now--all 6 of us growing together. So we will keep the ghetto tree, and look at it every year as a reminder of how far we've come, and what really is important. </div><div><br /></div><div>In other, unfortunate news, I had to have surgery yesterday to have my gall bladder removed. It has been quite a saga which I will give you the short version of--about a year and a half ago I started having severe pain just under my left ribs. It was so bad! So I made an appointment with a GI doctor but they were booked out about a month or two---a couple weeks after the pain started it went away almost as suddenly, before my appointment. So I figured it was just a weird fluke or something and cancelled my appointment (wrong choice, I know). Then months later it came back, same place, just as severe and sudden. It got so bad that there I was, crying at the Christmas Eve Family dinner table in front of all of Eric's family. Eric said, "That's enough, were going to the ER" so we did. On Christmas Eve. When I was there they didn't do any tests or anything, just had me drink a numbing solution. Then asked if I felt better. I didn't really, but it felt different. So then they said I had an ulcer. They sent me home with ulcer medication. It did not seem to make any difference but I thought they must know what they are doing so persisted until finally, just as before, the pain suddenly went away. Well back in September the pain came back. As bad as ever. I immediately started taking the ulcer meds but they did nothing. I told Eric I didn't think it was an ulcer and neither did he. I debated for a while and finally decided to go to Urgent Care (after the ER blew me off last time I didn't want to go back there). I just knew something was wrong. I'm glad I did--the PA I met with was so attentive and listened to everything. He ran some legitimate blood work and I was diagnosed with pretty severe pancreatitis. Based on the history, he said this is most likely my 3rd bout of it and I've been extremely lucky to not have had serious complications as often pancreatitis can cause. After more tests and scans they found out I have gall stones which were 99.99% surely causing my pancreatitis. I met with a GI specialist and he said I should get my gall bladder removed because there is a high likelihood I will continue to get bouts of pancreatitis and my "luck" of not having severe complication will run out someday. He emphasized how he was surprised and that I am very very lucky to not have been deathly ill or had permanent pancreas damage etc. The risk of recurrent bouts of pancreatitis were much more dangerous than having my gall bladder out. Anyway, so after some more specialists and appointments I finally had it out yesterday. Overall I'm doing ok. I've got a lot of pain and discomfort but that's to be expected. I'm trying to take it easy and follow the doctor's orders. Joey has been helping--he made me ramen last night...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCJlsq-nH-0HsQG88jZo8Awr9rkl03dj05KkC3-pRLLHwI6HWiMFhWLKqYteHYy4nf2CGAqdMID8kJVzATOih_yBPVKyvtxN5KesKV9NPh_nhbTIAxkrlUUu13phxeEBBAqjc17eTNm8/s2048/IMG_5178.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCJlsq-nH-0HsQG88jZo8Awr9rkl03dj05KkC3-pRLLHwI6HWiMFhWLKqYteHYy4nf2CGAqdMID8kJVzATOih_yBPVKyvtxN5KesKV9NPh_nhbTIAxkrlUUu13phxeEBBAqjc17eTNm8/s320/IMG_5178.jpeg" /></a></div>He put about 5 cups of water in it so it tasted like noodle water, but the effort was sweet. Hopefully recovery will be quick and I can enjoy a fun Christmas in a few weeks!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, I have to tell one more story--Joey has a Tote Goat, like a little off road motorcycle thing he got last Christmas. A few weeks ago he was riding it up to his friend, Wyatt's, house and thought he ran out of gas. So the house he was in front of, he stopped at, went right up to the door (didn't know them) and told them he was out of gas and can he get some from them! Lol, the gumption on that little guy. Well it just so happens he stopped at the absolute right house--not only was the older couple not some creepos, but the guy was into dirt biking and rebuilding old cars and such, so he knew about this kind of stuff. He wheeled the tote goat over to fill it up but saw the front wheel was about to some off! He got on it and rode it a bit and then realized the brakes didn't work either! (Neither of which I knew). So he told Joey he would fix it for him while he went to his friend's house--and not only that, but that Joey could take this man's own tote goat (that goes way faster!) to Wyatt's! Joey was hesitant because he probably felt nervous taking the guy's tote goat, but he did. So while Joey was off playing, with this guys tote goat, this nice man (who just happened to be Jake's good friend, Breyton's, grandpa) fixed the brakes and front wheel (the front wheel was a temporary fix because he didn't have the right bolt) and filled it up with gas for Joey so that when he stopped there on his way home it was ready to go. Isn't that amazing? Some people are just good, and helpful and kind. We did not know this couple but Joey made sure to tell us we needed to bring them a treat to thank them. We sure did! They couldn't have been nicer. It's just nice to know there are still lots of good people in this world. And I'm happy to know these two now!<br /><br /><br /> <p></p></div></div>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-6494974958787819822020-11-22T10:01:00.000-08:002020-11-22T10:01:10.248-08:00Dream Job...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not a whole lot has happened over the past couple weeks--just getting on with life as normal as possible under COVID circumstances! But a couple fun things to share--</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The other day Joey was with me in the car running errands. We were talking about who knows what, then he decided to tell me... "Mom, my dream job would be to be a rocket scientist...or one of those garbage picker upper guys along the freeway. I want to use one of those grabber things--it looks fun."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not sure if there could possibly be a wider discrepancy between his two choices, but there you go. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joey and his best friend Jack love to build things and be creative, which I love. Yesterday they took a bunch of scrap wood, some screws and hinges and made a "garage" for their EZ Roller ride on toy. It came out awesome--mostly. But it was so fun to see them use power tools (all fingers are still intact) and ingenuity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf92ov0_tp_yHhb-jGvycjcQvFyg1zF-kTyG7Hn35OGcoZNI_l-iOEt1mdBXRRZr_3SgGjvZpinoXWVhguk6zN50njb2b0N_k5NhTto2DRyJw__TxYGbqvCHbdwHnTNgdXskUVS15kSI/s2048/IMG_5028.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf92ov0_tp_yHhb-jGvycjcQvFyg1zF-kTyG7Hn35OGcoZNI_l-iOEt1mdBXRRZr_3SgGjvZpinoXWVhguk6zN50njb2b0N_k5NhTto2DRyJw__TxYGbqvCHbdwHnTNgdXskUVS15kSI/s320/IMG_5028.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Tyler, instead of being productive and building something like his brother, he decided to go on a post-it rampage and post-it bombed his friend's car.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN0RopiPYUBo635X7GEaxh_cZB5J7iDYDD3SqnmhXenx1Ql7efxdeTQbWTEix4xNdUJrcq6WZLnnQ9WkYmHfK0Fx6FQDdrjkBsNoU-h7FRPMMA-lcDPrqvGuKnN8DNg4mSttAJplR4ss/s2048/IMG_5043.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN0RopiPYUBo635X7GEaxh_cZB5J7iDYDD3SqnmhXenx1Ql7efxdeTQbWTEix4xNdUJrcq6WZLnnQ9WkYmHfK0Fx6FQDdrjkBsNoU-h7FRPMMA-lcDPrqvGuKnN8DNg4mSttAJplR4ss/s320/IMG_5043.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>To redeem him to all reading this, though, Tyler has been making an effort to be closer to his little brother. Don't get too excited--he still has his moments of being 17, but several nights over the last week he goes into Joey's room at night and reads scriptures to him and they say prayers together. I don't know what sparked this beautiful turn of events, but I'm going to enjoy it for as long as it will last!<br /> <p></p>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-39753741492642776192020-11-08T09:39:00.001-08:002020-11-08T09:39:22.719-08:00Look at Me Go...Two in a Row!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, if you aren't proud of me, I am! Two posts only a couple weeks apart--I told you I'm turning over a new leaf (again) with the blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the weather turning into fall and getting cooler, we know we have limited chances to do certain things, so we went with Grandpa Swenson out on his boat to go up to Strawberry Reservoir to try to catch some fish! There was very little fishing involved since the majority of the time we were all trying not to get hypothermia because it was FREEZING! But Joey caught a couple, grandpa and dad did too, and I even caught one! But pretty much it was huddling under blankets...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajX_Kccsregyr2JpMcEUvB-ZqcTF8MRT9sPuM0OOrLhKnvoKHZuVHpV4LnOJkDNit7VdNeFK7rirwSXk9GW6Ybd7HNGxf4rDwdhfCLD15_lVoVAHn6Kk2hwcnP2FdBtE9QsJoOeHPKmM/s2048/IMG_4609.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajX_Kccsregyr2JpMcEUvB-ZqcTF8MRT9sPuM0OOrLhKnvoKHZuVHpV4LnOJkDNit7VdNeFK7rirwSXk9GW6Ybd7HNGxf4rDwdhfCLD15_lVoVAHn6Kk2hwcnP2FdBtE9QsJoOeHPKmM/s320/IMG_4609.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lr8zxge55m7aggqQLcyJr52HkfcDskBRIef0X0zthg67WrVtajWIdpu8CQJaRQ6_CAwR0acrVpnMbGbES8iB26jWxCVu7rPEXgBBCVIOHXfKSB_MYqImnGBsZ8OmsGaaifq7TXJbGMI/s2048/IMG_4610.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lr8zxge55m7aggqQLcyJr52HkfcDskBRIef0X0zthg67WrVtajWIdpu8CQJaRQ6_CAwR0acrVpnMbGbES8iB26jWxCVu7rPEXgBBCVIOHXfKSB_MYqImnGBsZ8OmsGaaifq7TXJbGMI/s320/IMG_4610.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4JR_xoYA2oDvU5igaJBc3Lc15xPBbpp5SDKEb00fBAaEbfkfVKVsBeOW_seWXDaV1dcZ99j6RyRAxcFjd-kivHf-FteGVa0kSPpgnSNqGkOgk_3XMLpEEoys5PQPWS2aqAKDbV0XNjQ/s2048/IMG_4613.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4JR_xoYA2oDvU5igaJBc3Lc15xPBbpp5SDKEb00fBAaEbfkfVKVsBeOW_seWXDaV1dcZ99j6RyRAxcFjd-kivHf-FteGVa0kSPpgnSNqGkOgk_3XMLpEEoys5PQPWS2aqAKDbV0XNjQ/s320/IMG_4613.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>A few weeks ago we decided to be ambitious on a Saturday morning and took the boys on a hike. Eric had a particular one he wanted to do that crossed up onto a ridge (or something like that in "mountain speak"). We tried it, and boy was it steep! We gave it our best go but probably only ended hiking a little over a mile each way, just because it was so steep....plus the trail kind of became overgrown and difficult to traverse...no doubt because of all the other people who did what did but turn back when they see the trail never gets less steep, thus the overrun trail. You keep climbing higher and higher thinking you must be near the top.....but no. Nevertheless we made a fun time of it. Pepper came along too--Jacob had a little "lion king" moment with her. She wasn't very happy about it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWfP2K6gC7Y52hArY4VZeeKiN_zvcTmwKocFm29_BVtoOsO_RfBf9Jy7JZ65FLHn2ypiH_lZCKCftnGs0dOYlsKrysuXutKUY2KMI5I7Trp3SUuVqkmZKD_akgmKmWCLGqGo8y8E_fu4/s2048/IMG_4640.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWfP2K6gC7Y52hArY4VZeeKiN_zvcTmwKocFm29_BVtoOsO_RfBf9Jy7JZ65FLHn2ypiH_lZCKCftnGs0dOYlsKrysuXutKUY2KMI5I7Trp3SUuVqkmZKD_akgmKmWCLGqGo8y8E_fu4/s320/IMG_4640.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-JQBYkFfB41JSbMRQvYyo4SP-hytelslrN0eGWDRC9nTjO3UzkCxvgg1zz9G0rnvEeUsKUKi0KO4_IBJd8Sls_F0oMDs6YoCTUfJ9oVKbpq5z4Q5LlM76KJJ6Rsu_Ih9ht9yEmqxo5Q/s2048/IMG_4643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-JQBYkFfB41JSbMRQvYyo4SP-hytelslrN0eGWDRC9nTjO3UzkCxvgg1zz9G0rnvEeUsKUKi0KO4_IBJd8Sls_F0oMDs6YoCTUfJ9oVKbpq5z4Q5LlM76KJJ6Rsu_Ih9ht9yEmqxo5Q/s320/IMG_4643.jpeg" /></a></div>I have always encouraged my kids to play an instrument. Tyler has done guitar for a long time, and there were times when he wanted to quit, times when I wanted to quit, but we both stuck it out and thank goodness we did! Tyler can play guitar so beautifully now, and the best part is he actually finds a lot of joy in playing. He practices on his own, finds songs to learn, heck, he even played a hymn in sacrament meeting that he arranged himself! It was funny because Craig and Sharee came to hear him play that Sunday and the person behind them said (when Tyler went up to the stand with his guitar ), "Well this should be interesting." Then after (Tyler did the most amazing and beautiful job) the same guy said, "Wow, that was good." Ha. I love seeing Tyler find joy in his music. Now I'm hoping that all the grief I get from Jacob and Maggie taking piano lessons will be worth it--I am hoping they can get to the point where they are good enough to be able to play songs they like, find joy in playing for themselves and sharing their talent with others. But it is a battle getting them to practice. Jacob especially because he wants to hang out with friends (teenager)...and Maggie because she is busy with dance. But music is a talent they can use their whole lives. Joey started guitar a few weeks ago--so far it hasn't been too bad, but he is also catching on really quick! I am pleasantly surprised because I wasn't sure how it would go with him because, well, Joey. But he seems to like it so far. Fingers crossed!<p></p><p>Getting a fireside serenade was the highlight of my month--and I told him so. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsmjeYe27uHrhs8Xu7CWVpm4nTR7NRUs3fKqwV93zED7cwgV9Gu6A6VKpHPMmr9RkMNAUpkyLbyhG6DgzFbrNiLPy_a71wemzyhiTMX_XS9MNtGl5iliVlrGmN3uOC-rFlMbmsoiKzc4/s2048/IMG_4661.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsmjeYe27uHrhs8Xu7CWVpm4nTR7NRUs3fKqwV93zED7cwgV9Gu6A6VKpHPMmr9RkMNAUpkyLbyhG6DgzFbrNiLPy_a71wemzyhiTMX_XS9MNtGl5iliVlrGmN3uOC-rFlMbmsoiKzc4/s320/IMG_4661.jpeg" /></a></div>Maggie has been taking dance for years now, and has been working up to being "on pointe" for ballet and guess what? She finally did it! She was thrilled to say the least. We went to get her her first pair of pointe shoes. There was a little snafu with the shop opening late, but after almost 3 hours, yes, you read that right, 3 hours, we found the right pair. And wouldn't you know it, it was the first pair she tried on to begin with. Phew! It was a long haul, trying on dozens and dozens of pointe shoes. Who knew it was so complicated?! I'm just glad the pointe teacher comes to help them find the right fit/style/pair for their feet. I'm so happy for Maggie--this was highlight of her month!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD72lO2QDn1BcUsXAgRxX3AHQur9m3hyphenhyphenW3k5LUQ3AQLFj9FvBZNN9DxEIxQ-c2FppwCDgHEhyphenhyphen1zSdX08S4fgc_jZj1TH6zQGjs0TJvUhV-npQAnsaDMmJ_kcuhtu5NyDGOmLkKE4wxbg4/s2048/IMG_4682.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD72lO2QDn1BcUsXAgRxX3AHQur9m3hyphenhyphenW3k5LUQ3AQLFj9FvBZNN9DxEIxQ-c2FppwCDgHEhyphenhyphen1zSdX08S4fgc_jZj1TH6zQGjs0TJvUhV-npQAnsaDMmJ_kcuhtu5NyDGOmLkKE4wxbg4/s320/IMG_4682.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>We had long weekend so we decided to go down to Zion's National Park area just to get away. It was over <p></p><p>Halloween weekend so I had to bribe the two younger kids with candy to replace trick or treating. It is such a beautiful area down there. We went into Zion's and found some rocks to climb and explore.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsIk3QpSfv3tE30jBmwsi5zPUsnf-ZAmABybBv7w4KMmpqwaenehi_9oQ2-5XpMkU38gCOFL0JUVAChez13clvIeo483QY4jclnxIKIlE1Ox6rh0yIDVg-gop876GTfAorj-4hsh_8nI/s4032/IMG_4744.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsIk3QpSfv3tE30jBmwsi5zPUsnf-ZAmABybBv7w4KMmpqwaenehi_9oQ2-5XpMkU38gCOFL0JUVAChez13clvIeo483QY4jclnxIKIlE1Ox6rh0yIDVg-gop876GTfAorj-4hsh_8nI/s320/IMG_4744.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrImRj00g4vk1w8UJ8QucoAWrxkEEIqfGeS3TbNb2JfupRyQpRG3QBGq1MDZeNDfxMO7JM8kzmHo5VvnUm995gOeIpPkvD1w0PDoWUAjlWOP3omAA9cY4R14M3T3dxpRib_H6xlyqUjI/s2048/IMG_4742.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrImRj00g4vk1w8UJ8QucoAWrxkEEIqfGeS3TbNb2JfupRyQpRG3QBGq1MDZeNDfxMO7JM8kzmHo5VvnUm995gOeIpPkvD1w0PDoWUAjlWOP3omAA9cY4R14M3T3dxpRib_H6xlyqUjI/s320/IMG_4742.jpeg" /></a></p><p><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6PykT5bgSpxNUryNKBGmqP3El2gyZGFkJZtbF-cREoCBjSQA34sxRnxCKaXTObXkmBOmtlKmrCct2vo7GtlSoCYiegSvLPNWh5u_QG2CVhFbp7sXKEECUIHt0PKVGK4ayHey6yn4Szs/s320/IMG_4745.jpeg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtB0dUrB0AMpwG8egnXS5BCRaYGNiUQiiX-Yj6GAfWOAkCI1KEY9gsfopu9Aw4_5hVEJKbemIk0Z7eOgDcEMSignizZpN9O9yIkWxN3HUWWE8eFrXKkNq2hfOLCq4nk0CxEexTs2ErTE/s4032/IMG_4747.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtB0dUrB0AMpwG8egnXS5BCRaYGNiUQiiX-Yj6GAfWOAkCI1KEY9gsfopu9Aw4_5hVEJKbemIk0Z7eOgDcEMSignizZpN9O9yIkWxN3HUWWE8eFrXKkNq2hfOLCq4nk0CxEexTs2ErTE/s320/IMG_4747.jpeg" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbrUf64S07ht7Ys0PV8pnlnLyTgYaqeIRhIu8IX5tzH5K73sTTZhMTad-J5hFo0voKERZfnBGp_TjI_a9lMD4-3UFw7PuuDIi06-eUQf6Y_Rp3OA4LopTxeW6q8dN4R5KLDukYCRJ9pg/s4032/IMG_4750.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbrUf64S07ht7Ys0PV8pnlnLyTgYaqeIRhIu8IX5tzH5K73sTTZhMTad-J5hFo0voKERZfnBGp_TjI_a9lMD4-3UFw7PuuDIi06-eUQf6Y_Rp3OA4LopTxeW6q8dN4R5KLDukYCRJ9pg/s320/IMG_4750.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HYeC6RDTpoyJkLPiQdPE6WEKrCFXLLE573txfd9RSGhFng2Ql-mJ-cL5YNKixQT_0GeEnhgBMBAYFI_cwAW_Cxchwhx6x0ZBibXET8gEwjg05LFV8DgtbAFrxfmkgM9FXWRF7hoS_sg/s2048/IMG_4753.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HYeC6RDTpoyJkLPiQdPE6WEKrCFXLLE573txfd9RSGhFng2Ql-mJ-cL5YNKixQT_0GeEnhgBMBAYFI_cwAW_Cxchwhx6x0ZBibXET8gEwjg05LFV8DgtbAFrxfmkgM9FXWRF7hoS_sg/s320/IMG_4753.jpeg" /></a><br />It is so fun hiking on that redrock because you can basically climb up almost anything. The kids thought that was a blast. And you can't beat the scenery. I love this picture of Joey--typical...a big smile and a big hole in his knee. Ha ha. Oh, we also found an old Big Foot track!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycjV0cqyJCIX9FqG1Qk207AO7zKdU7sLqjqQ6C0Y4mfuvDXjOV1ibyy6tO7R9sda8UpWQku85gSHoM9ZEgEDz3YaIhk9TdLsDS9JKcnJ1wgddhyphenhyphenbvkHgkAZPFwV2L1pGGLHFtqDTapek/s2048/IMG_4759.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycjV0cqyJCIX9FqG1Qk207AO7zKdU7sLqjqQ6C0Y4mfuvDXjOV1ibyy6tO7R9sda8UpWQku85gSHoM9ZEgEDz3YaIhk9TdLsDS9JKcnJ1wgddhyphenhyphenbvkHgkAZPFwV2L1pGGLHFtqDTapek/s320/IMG_4759.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YKvMaErsCiVb_Is8GGdOvPqhizbpsSzG7jaufzHyWwsc2d69iidNX_VOqgsdoECdqhrZPP7w5V0Jlbf64pipkJaGRNck27R2-9_iX8Fhd3iFgItsUukeT-918TgnjYbRizkxg9hHif0/s2048/IMG_4764.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavqOpg4Q45EF0xzogw9xpfVdEgrudP0ojh1v4fjP9jcwKfIbV5lUjnYUiB5rYsrJI2Viu0VoXJGV5_9g9Emtw6sM8hWSEAq616DomfKhiae2X9huil_rgzS8d4Eb7UmwW9hUZmS7V1NI/s2048/IMG_4767.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavqOpg4Q45EF0xzogw9xpfVdEgrudP0ojh1v4fjP9jcwKfIbV5lUjnYUiB5rYsrJI2Viu0VoXJGV5_9g9Emtw6sM8hWSEAq616DomfKhiae2X9huil_rgzS8d4Eb7UmwW9hUZmS7V1NI/s320/IMG_4767.jpeg" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YKvMaErsCiVb_Is8GGdOvPqhizbpsSzG7jaufzHyWwsc2d69iidNX_VOqgsdoECdqhrZPP7w5V0Jlbf64pipkJaGRNck27R2-9_iX8Fhd3iFgItsUukeT-918TgnjYbRizkxg9hHif0/s320/IMG_4764.jpeg" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also got to see the home of the Ho-made pies. Yes, you read that right. When we first drove by the sign I didn't read the saying and just saw the scantily clad figure of the woman. I thought to myself, "That's a little inappropriate! Slutty for a small town." Then I saw the caption. We didn't try a pie, but we did get a laugh out of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKLJMRg0wBnBLxLZVTWuY0h01NvIq1voTWYiYZf-Uk9_MfJ0N2cYvqz9l4GLAhz_iBi098QLHi9pKzH9diPpj0YUlIdWj2bNfaiQcUKlHc5J5htNK18ElqO83Q_ActT5F1zQiXrDblo0/s2048/IMG_4784.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKLJMRg0wBnBLxLZVTWuY0h01NvIq1voTWYiYZf-Uk9_MfJ0N2cYvqz9l4GLAhz_iBi098QLHi9pKzH9diPpj0YUlIdWj2bNfaiQcUKlHc5J5htNK18ElqO83Q_ActT5F1zQiXrDblo0/s320/IMG_4784.jpeg" /></a></div>While down there we went exploring a few other places after we meet up with Jessica and her family and grandma and grandpa Swenson. Pretty fun stuff! A tunnel carved for drainage....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ0Iz79Oi6U-oNF8Om0Ywce2_dy95FQTu7KnJPInXF0efP_N-BAZCZyIV2hHcYjPF8lcRA1I1M7uG3YIh9Fv8o8r4MFo_LvHhN-gdSmOHxCjUBiE2Wi0DfHRTFRD4CSeruGg05hnnqCE/s2048/IMG_4785.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ0Iz79Oi6U-oNF8Om0Ywce2_dy95FQTu7KnJPInXF0efP_N-BAZCZyIV2hHcYjPF8lcRA1I1M7uG3YIh9Fv8o8r4MFo_LvHhN-gdSmOHxCjUBiE2Wi0DfHRTFRD4CSeruGg05hnnqCE/s320/IMG_4785.jpeg" /></a></div>And some wind caves...not sure how they were formed or what for. But they were pretty neat!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmBQMV8LQZMsIoveAmEhl-rIZONyUbsxeLSIZwkyYNsQrr2af8eMv7ku_CzNmQBEfqRAx5YtUfMLmEsm6qo-dtcI9RCnuA5zVkMGDNP_DqQgNiDKppzRZ2Z76z__wcXAkBKGFBt9TWC0/s2048/IMG_4790.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmBQMV8LQZMsIoveAmEhl-rIZONyUbsxeLSIZwkyYNsQrr2af8eMv7ku_CzNmQBEfqRAx5YtUfMLmEsm6qo-dtcI9RCnuA5zVkMGDNP_DqQgNiDKppzRZ2Z76z__wcXAkBKGFBt9TWC0/s320/IMG_4790.jpeg" /></a></div>Of course I had a panic attack because Joey would walk right up the edge of the cliff--literally inches away, on sand. I could picture him slipping and falling down the straight cliff behind them. Ugh. Luckily no one fell to their death that day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggps33NKGSJ3Qlr-H8e-JXGBnwcGAIvUWOoXOyULv-dJsji_RSGG_CmFS834Bn43a18iPQX-DRdJua86bS42YWWJ0_VQSjiDEhZM8aZD_nxOngzzSwQgwkFYU0t2WTHSrvV7CmRbyJsl0/s2048/IMG_4794.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggps33NKGSJ3Qlr-H8e-JXGBnwcGAIvUWOoXOyULv-dJsji_RSGG_CmFS834Bn43a18iPQX-DRdJua86bS42YWWJ0_VQSjiDEhZM8aZD_nxOngzzSwQgwkFYU0t2WTHSrvV7CmRbyJsl0/s320/IMG_4794.jpeg" /></a></div>We also went to Buckskin Gulch--the longest slot canyon in the world. No we didn't hike the whole length of it, and it wasn't as technical or narrow as some others we've done, but it was gorgeous and a really fun hike. Slot canyons are so cool--as long as there's no rain in the forecast! A few pictures to enjoy...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYXzDqELSLNjcM4_WxKctbIbQnnAktmTvFLvfJiupMhzQr_FvFikL858BntJ9I6s0GSiDn_2BDO36hjINLk9Vh8fSKoqk4vGZUiOyZXkWdaKUNUIE-cuoCDvg6i9f7E2S-Q6M0pAVbyc/s2048/IMG_4808.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYXzDqELSLNjcM4_WxKctbIbQnnAktmTvFLvfJiupMhzQr_FvFikL858BntJ9I6s0GSiDn_2BDO36hjINLk9Vh8fSKoqk4vGZUiOyZXkWdaKUNUIE-cuoCDvg6i9f7E2S-Q6M0pAVbyc/s320/IMG_4808.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheYb30Jn-ptgQVxNjOPaxgDcjKmM4_MdZp_Isz6YUwe6mI3k8c5M7tXjq263C6cHLQSIxLOmRrLtWk45-dqXNiXkC-9nrIfEDq_eC7KkRiYHZuKPAyfKgmWx31Iw9kBLKpZ5rpbo6gP8/s2048/IMG_4811.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheYb30Jn-ptgQVxNjOPaxgDcjKmM4_MdZp_Isz6YUwe6mI3k8c5M7tXjq263C6cHLQSIxLOmRrLtWk45-dqXNiXkC-9nrIfEDq_eC7KkRiYHZuKPAyfKgmWx31Iw9kBLKpZ5rpbo6gP8/s320/IMG_4811.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCU0m06Y21RNISGywpFSc10ryK1-w0duAew7BFCTO24SSUBu-a9k6uuDeRyrJK3U1n0ZxZYPpaEyo2YTUdSBHakrGmYyRAfTgpWb0pmUsKMl-54R_0dfyN6PuHEnKcD-RZluugIZWZjE/s2048/IMG_4812.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCU0m06Y21RNISGywpFSc10ryK1-w0duAew7BFCTO24SSUBu-a9k6uuDeRyrJK3U1n0ZxZYPpaEyo2YTUdSBHakrGmYyRAfTgpWb0pmUsKMl-54R_0dfyN6PuHEnKcD-RZluugIZWZjE/s320/IMG_4812.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FHnMBebO0uWY8IpQUFeiy5ZbO-ox7uYU1MsVQn9idgaK6I9fCUt50Gd7vOjO1VdLIKqCVtE6w_defazo4-tNc7NcJSoXP8tGDy042iNX2xy3_YIHX6Qy2bCAHVcoH1_0KsvPmLZnfEw/s2048/IMG_4824.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FHnMBebO0uWY8IpQUFeiy5ZbO-ox7uYU1MsVQn9idgaK6I9fCUt50Gd7vOjO1VdLIKqCVtE6w_defazo4-tNc7NcJSoXP8tGDy042iNX2xy3_YIHX6Qy2bCAHVcoH1_0KsvPmLZnfEw/s320/IMG_4824.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiP62pGMd4xK2zJ6eLgTexj_ezgpTGhJ8ykwi5HZ3k2Pmyp-H1ebnUWmgQo9uX5VU3u6DvsoWlmUjKDQ7p7eWGiy3kXlc4RHt16I9EuU2ehCeYmLu01V9r-PbbHA1fsXvINAARGcowhw/s2048/IMG_4837.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiP62pGMd4xK2zJ6eLgTexj_ezgpTGhJ8ykwi5HZ3k2Pmyp-H1ebnUWmgQo9uX5VU3u6DvsoWlmUjKDQ7p7eWGiy3kXlc4RHt16I9EuU2ehCeYmLu01V9r-PbbHA1fsXvINAARGcowhw/s320/IMG_4837.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSfjIa5YnjalISYhOfIMNxZMPD8zfT6bWNUhC-sEQDDYhslY4xPD0A_qwOnQyZEwISn8mtS77WIzDk2A8djdBb59-IcIBeSyVA6Al02DM9Rp-SQDvzAAfvA7aHiVv-R2mOpOj70txgW4/s2048/IMG_4839.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSfjIa5YnjalISYhOfIMNxZMPD8zfT6bWNUhC-sEQDDYhslY4xPD0A_qwOnQyZEwISn8mtS77WIzDk2A8djdBb59-IcIBeSyVA6Al02DM9Rp-SQDvzAAfvA7aHiVv-R2mOpOj70txgW4/s320/IMG_4839.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTXI1kC1BSBW3Ea4VR281gI4boU6XI2BK4sUgsssj4PwVCU8nxWWplmqjAgiLCqkyIIodMwXgCV76u0CYmz7FFs0mGJkkaxif7VOoc9Mexca_IEzePv429jbZqRNN1yycZ9uXv1GkJ6k/s2048/IMG_4845.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTXI1kC1BSBW3Ea4VR281gI4boU6XI2BK4sUgsssj4PwVCU8nxWWplmqjAgiLCqkyIIodMwXgCV76u0CYmz7FFs0mGJkkaxif7VOoc9Mexca_IEzePv429jbZqRNN1yycZ9uXv1GkJ6k/s320/IMG_4845.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthxwaXME2X6YQR9WOueAS_2QJmfHCE9n42CnZe5o1BXUGWSO40Yj8-UNy4J_NBnIStHY6CPluilqXdlw5q0tjslLjwBKZaxgjwaHfjSgu2xCVpa9GuCLda0s01Aow7PTHwmZSie_3bxY/s2048/IMG_4848.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthxwaXME2X6YQR9WOueAS_2QJmfHCE9n42CnZe5o1BXUGWSO40Yj8-UNy4J_NBnIStHY6CPluilqXdlw5q0tjslLjwBKZaxgjwaHfjSgu2xCVpa9GuCLda0s01Aow7PTHwmZSie_3bxY/s320/IMG_4848.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Another exciting thing happened -- Maggie turned 12!! Didn't really get pictures of the party because I was dealing with a water issue (more on that in a minute) but she had a bunch of friends come in their "onesies" and they had a dance party, played games, did henna... a fun time. With a little side of drama, to be expected maybe with tween girls? Annoying nonetheless.<p></p><p>Maggie is so much fun. She loves to play with her friends, she loves loves dance, she is so kind and thoughtful to others. I feel so lucky to be her mom.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6krqNbVEQHGZRUiIeVZVgWZOsPYThWqNW8IjJ54LOtMNBOCyX4JQ5iEY8lgTYScXUe-lddqp9w3Jd30vHeF6wYqM-HHt-Ysq2JLj3auI5MYlZCW1OdCAEGqviks0uFPTyKYuB8QjSuEc/s2048/IMG_4925.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6krqNbVEQHGZRUiIeVZVgWZOsPYThWqNW8IjJ54LOtMNBOCyX4JQ5iEY8lgTYScXUe-lddqp9w3Jd30vHeF6wYqM-HHt-Ysq2JLj3auI5MYlZCW1OdCAEGqviks0uFPTyKYuB8QjSuEc/s320/IMG_4925.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>As for the water issue, our well stopped working! We woke up Saturday morning and...no water. So my day was filled with this....filling buckets for toilets, drinking, toothbrushing etc. You never realize how much you use water for until you don't have any! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryYkVax6ZB-MqnZrBcAt_-rIBpS3gCZn7aFyaHyjUgyrNd34FYRc-X6uzk-Li5N4KqupSYxKSQlkbCrSkEYsxUbyPBiB3tCrrOq4dVyabv4cUelm41XwUDnYh6KweyiL9zR88yrBqjHI/s2048/IMG_4926.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryYkVax6ZB-MqnZrBcAt_-rIBpS3gCZn7aFyaHyjUgyrNd34FYRc-X6uzk-Li5N4KqupSYxKSQlkbCrSkEYsxUbyPBiB3tCrrOq4dVyabv4cUelm41XwUDnYh6KweyiL9zR88yrBqjHI/s320/IMG_4926.jpeg" /></a></div>Good news is they are here today (the next day) fixing it. Hopefully fixing it.....fingers crossed I have water by this afternoon!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxS3xbTx9LR2jfPd5z8pvstVRnVVPMEmrUABbFPiY6G20SHOS3uy0YrU2Tt5Fjn662lWCKmTyDdi6c8pg7fDEOI_nYXRqN7Q4ZBciS_NtklXGoYFXJqrPDjZNA3LvoAwhkFDHX3Y-pXI/s2048/IMG_4928.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxS3xbTx9LR2jfPd5z8pvstVRnVVPMEmrUABbFPiY6G20SHOS3uy0YrU2Tt5Fjn662lWCKmTyDdi6c8pg7fDEOI_nYXRqN7Q4ZBciS_NtklXGoYFXJqrPDjZNA3LvoAwhkFDHX3Y-pXI/s320/IMG_4928.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>One side note, Jessica (a teacher at Joey's school) sent this picture to me with the caption, "Look what I found in the garbage at the school!" I laughed so hard. I don't know why, but it is just so typical Joey to get an award, shrug his shoulders and throw it away. He's such a funny kid. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTjUg6m3syn52WfxMDSrcmOs7g7VzqeyrBDcr42PVCPplJX3OeoFc98KtsKhCmCbLJevUqDwKbeJ_HVfH7_j5kL_yUVCPsn6zJyYNbA7_yMDiBMuV0goN45DE-_IIxr6Wx7_Ju093SPM/s2048/VHHP1819.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTjUg6m3syn52WfxMDSrcmOs7g7VzqeyrBDcr42PVCPplJX3OeoFc98KtsKhCmCbLJevUqDwKbeJ_HVfH7_j5kL_yUVCPsn6zJyYNbA7_yMDiBMuV0goN45DE-_IIxr6Wx7_Ju093SPM/s320/VHHP1819.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-18935061836613134912020-10-18T16:37:00.001-07:002020-10-18T16:37:30.079-07:00Losing all sense of time...2 Years in 86 pictures...<p> So how do you sum up two years of the lives of 6 people? Aside from hours and hours and pages and pages of posts, there really isn't any good way. But as our family has grown I've realized time is moving forward faster than ever--and I need to document these days before they are gone! I want to remember the silly things, the day to day things, the fun trips, the chaos, the adventures, the hobbies....all of it. I thought my memory would serve me better than it has, but I feel like as my brain fills up with so many memories there isn't room to hold it all. So instead of pressuring myself to post about every happening over the last 2 years, I'm going to have to do a summary, otherwise the task is too overwhelming and I will never do it. So here goes the start of a new chapter, a new leaf turning over, and it starts with 2 years in 86 pictures (just so you don't think 86 pictures is crazy, I had to choose from almost 1000...so props to me for being so judicious!)....</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My five favorite people (and my favorite dog) in the whole world, together in one picture. Boy am I one lucky lady!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu-cB8IygpwyfcM0MPBfdPTqYBjOO9ByMa3eunpmxeCshnnzU9B674Y7sYFA6jiMMGjiT9yH1vzgOsSHAL130e39S71wxYjkgBE0hngqwjbmwOqQBX92xvmZ7uZMmarC_M7c2cG7i640/s2048/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0020.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu-cB8IygpwyfcM0MPBfdPTqYBjOO9ByMa3eunpmxeCshnnzU9B674Y7sYFA6jiMMGjiT9yH1vzgOsSHAL130e39S71wxYjkgBE0hngqwjbmwOqQBX92xvmZ7uZMmarC_M7c2cG7i640/s320/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0020.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoXODVXsV2wRSU25TuFOKwxbZaQYMWjU4tft8jJnP7BSxVSbq9Cp7cwwQhW3mUu62EhN2QYqXF8JRBthzZ5sioC3eL-Qml4dsN7daOrqDwx1QCSGYHygIqlCYty6O6HYL25CulTpnEKs/s2048/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoXODVXsV2wRSU25TuFOKwxbZaQYMWjU4tft8jJnP7BSxVSbq9Cp7cwwQhW3mUu62EhN2QYqXF8JRBthzZ5sioC3eL-Qml4dsN7daOrqDwx1QCSGYHygIqlCYty6O6HYL25CulTpnEKs/w133-h200/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0019.jpeg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcOatBjC4pqiLNdNdRBwIieVz3WA_B8m9m9tODWPm-0NWp9sbLVOLpHgdtT5ydXl-3W491fvtW0zvA6dlT7J4Zc-h_lIlVDihJdpb_olxbe9NUSI2j6ETzTMo5HCdybDtROcFCVte9BU/s2048/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0018.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcOatBjC4pqiLNdNdRBwIieVz3WA_B8m9m9tODWPm-0NWp9sbLVOLpHgdtT5ydXl-3W491fvtW0zvA6dlT7J4Zc-h_lIlVDihJdpb_olxbe9NUSI2j6ETzTMo5HCdybDtROcFCVte9BU/w133-h200/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0018.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XWTDVkYhaZZUpSSkfOGfzJTNdPTATIUMZTLYVwtQxVzs870LXcLHNdifrPhMNPThSiNA6bxdSMEEl8tLILlWgX_hImXfmFC-h2ZwDGUHCHh_P5nz_B9J3qVdkUUl2mna4Qoh9Hn_2lc/s2048/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0017.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XWTDVkYhaZZUpSSkfOGfzJTNdPTATIUMZTLYVwtQxVzs870LXcLHNdifrPhMNPThSiNA6bxdSMEEl8tLILlWgX_hImXfmFC-h2ZwDGUHCHh_P5nz_B9J3qVdkUUl2mna4Qoh9Hn_2lc/w133-h200/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0017.jpeg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx8nLprvdixJgvgoXOYNNiKMVyOBXr2dU8SIhYmgwC3fw-cBl6rPvXx3nOFILCGWKOXEyzhM46p0MO3-75FE1oJLHdc5JhZwccal6BCCywv_dibmGXDNkEr83JGTgzmCRsEaWtHhVyOw/s2048/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0016.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx8nLprvdixJgvgoXOYNNiKMVyOBXr2dU8SIhYmgwC3fw-cBl6rPvXx3nOFILCGWKOXEyzhM46p0MO3-75FE1oJLHdc5JhZwccal6BCCywv_dibmGXDNkEr83JGTgzmCRsEaWtHhVyOw/w133-h200/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0016.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6jNHc3V1_uqCqoShgen1zPo7L4OEWjT5B4PhKa4HM-53bInyzen2g5fLpSi29TT1bQ6QqdsdhdM9hiFVomKdZuQ04lmXm8yjHPs8ZqWodKRpzJ7o36ZazIKKan1M6CdrA5NXs7a3teQ/s2048/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0003.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6jNHc3V1_uqCqoShgen1zPo7L4OEWjT5B4PhKa4HM-53bInyzen2g5fLpSi29TT1bQ6QqdsdhdM9hiFVomKdZuQ04lmXm8yjHPs8ZqWodKRpzJ7o36ZazIKKan1M6CdrA5NXs7a3teQ/s320/Kelly+Swenson+Favorites-0003.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For Joey's 9th birthday Eric and I took him on a trip to San Francisco! Jut him and mom and dad. Giant's game, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Winchester Mystery House, Golden Gate Bridge...all the things! Alcatraz was Joey's favorite. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi1xfE0uJEom3KKCed7CpLWsMT9FVli-xybqtoJM3zLDl2SBbNgAIwOXsutfrJknxVmNLZcf_9FA7LzE4KcwFhlR_rWZXAe3VCyq9bqpeoP5Ybm9k5dM1RVQpt18QiwgHTqSmyBR3WYs/s1280/IMG_9317.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi1xfE0uJEom3KKCed7CpLWsMT9FVli-xybqtoJM3zLDl2SBbNgAIwOXsutfrJknxVmNLZcf_9FA7LzE4KcwFhlR_rWZXAe3VCyq9bqpeoP5Ybm9k5dM1RVQpt18QiwgHTqSmyBR3WYs/s320/IMG_9317.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>While we were in San Francisco, we were escaping the massive fire burning near our home. For weeks the sky was black with smoke, ash covered our driveway, streets and house, the mountains lit up at night with flames, hundreds evacuated just blocks from our home....it was terrifying. Firefighters from all over the Western US came to help and together, and by the grace of God, they were able to finally quell the flames and save every single home.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x-BdmotGF3fhLXsrwT_5PmuXvrm4YUWJ8eYMviFpF57GDm-C64jrFyVGhnDbokHKSyuzmcSTJXMu9MG7_-JQGvhy3IuHFiA5ZrvpauDKnIu6BovQD08MMXDezpw6PecBDpyiw-wN3NA/s2048/IMG_9204.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x-BdmotGF3fhLXsrwT_5PmuXvrm4YUWJ8eYMviFpF57GDm-C64jrFyVGhnDbokHKSyuzmcSTJXMu9MG7_-JQGvhy3IuHFiA5ZrvpauDKnIu6BovQD08MMXDezpw6PecBDpyiw-wN3NA/s320/IMG_9204.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've missed a couple of "First Day of School" shots...first day of school 2019! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B0gJKcJk5fUNkeLl0L5EUaBaTQd3uVoZEBCvw8t1iLHG_WcKH32k0ib0Li__Nt5vvd3ZgsqoMQS26G8xjAUP-OI1FOeJpCEqNH2_Qm4IL6mMhyphenhyphen1hF9HVg65hseXG6KOm-MPuypPYKOE/s2048/IMG_9049.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B0gJKcJk5fUNkeLl0L5EUaBaTQd3uVoZEBCvw8t1iLHG_WcKH32k0ib0Li__Nt5vvd3ZgsqoMQS26G8xjAUP-OI1FOeJpCEqNH2_Qm4IL6mMhyphenhyphen1hF9HVg65hseXG6KOm-MPuypPYKOE/w150-h200/IMG_9049.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0GLTTrQxNEWocUN23a8mOlmb_MPIBLJebge1fqUvE9y0mUNjLzN6_389dtTE6Zk8cH_mfOu-QTzpwc9bPCVsfC3xO5A6DtoSgze4pNxvFEtNl8kRegRHOTC0qKK4ihGX3-uaJI9syS0/s2048/IMG_9058.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0GLTTrQxNEWocUN23a8mOlmb_MPIBLJebge1fqUvE9y0mUNjLzN6_389dtTE6Zk8cH_mfOu-QTzpwc9bPCVsfC3xO5A6DtoSgze4pNxvFEtNl8kRegRHOTC0qKK4ihGX3-uaJI9syS0/w150-h200/IMG_9058.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div></div> 11th grade 8th grade<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqViIHmO2KjR2AG5zm6k5hPUOl8vqzAqqn0CK5dW87mJUJ7eyqivgsvzm5WVPbyP2CAO4M5aqFEhaOzMMSu8ybmLi-txpk0vgNHjmqjgbOlt41qeqwhK82tOhZ8029JRpHpC2L9FiiVw/s2048/IMG_9047.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqViIHmO2KjR2AG5zm6k5hPUOl8vqzAqqn0CK5dW87mJUJ7eyqivgsvzm5WVPbyP2CAO4M5aqFEhaOzMMSu8ybmLi-txpk0vgNHjmqjgbOlt41qeqwhK82tOhZ8029JRpHpC2L9FiiVw/w150-h200/IMG_9047.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYu8RG-oTHOawyA1DpdgUB3sIQFpkqtnanxPY5R88GiY580QpFCRVSkdolLPDFzg1-6Go_OiiVkOpoJPd6-PHtMBYSCfRlBgFuXpguOierg7wlp_CDKo797JMdKaqDtj41KMz9ycOo8Q/s2048/IMG_9045.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYu8RG-oTHOawyA1DpdgUB3sIQFpkqtnanxPY5R88GiY580QpFCRVSkdolLPDFzg1-6Go_OiiVkOpoJPd6-PHtMBYSCfRlBgFuXpguOierg7wlp_CDKo797JMdKaqDtj41KMz9ycOo8Q/w150-h200/IMG_9045.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div></div> 5th grade 3rd grade<div><br /></div><div>A girl's trip out to Seattle was in order--Fun with sisters and cousins, trips to the lake, forest, beach and more!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDNhb6PCGk0evdYqQf8fjgkTySjW2k1oXH1jOmXsavP4QLa0P5U3JL86x6kxkRbP8WMbHNNDRZH_Col2mvTz7KtdmehoXKoLIWKOepp1keq9M5jklAfByY8Mi3NPLogsvjC4JnRpzQJA/s4032/IMG_4795.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDNhb6PCGk0evdYqQf8fjgkTySjW2k1oXH1jOmXsavP4QLa0P5U3JL86x6kxkRbP8WMbHNNDRZH_Col2mvTz7KtdmehoXKoLIWKOepp1keq9M5jklAfByY8Mi3NPLogsvjC4JnRpzQJA/s320/IMG_4795.jpeg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGED4nEelHLB8hNpVyDQKaP7Pv1jBUQbVTLS9UdsXANTd9ZdcRsAK-zpvb52Me9hdPOEZVkbFntgjTQ2R4GP3eqt_C1XsQY9r4bId5pkNZRN53qRYCNTt7xpa8AvV1bjKYc8QNB7uwh8/s2048/IMG_8884.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGED4nEelHLB8hNpVyDQKaP7Pv1jBUQbVTLS9UdsXANTd9ZdcRsAK-zpvb52Me9hdPOEZVkbFntgjTQ2R4GP3eqt_C1XsQY9r4bId5pkNZRN53qRYCNTt7xpa8AvV1bjKYc8QNB7uwh8/s320/IMG_8884.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hiking for the boys....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJUV5Fyq5ujVQHSI7X8Uz7of8hYVAG4HY27d5tbdQ4mzUC7OUg6GFoS3Bloo3IXao888WuZdx6VDhy05DGvazVoCrzP0VzVUYawUbZ-x7dAuuqyP4ANIfsv2_3Qj6LGcpcutkB4aiong/s2048/IMG_8798.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJUV5Fyq5ujVQHSI7X8Uz7of8hYVAG4HY27d5tbdQ4mzUC7OUg6GFoS3Bloo3IXao888WuZdx6VDhy05DGvazVoCrzP0VzVUYawUbZ-x7dAuuqyP4ANIfsv2_3Qj6LGcpcutkB4aiong/s320/IMG_8798.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A trip to San Diego must include a Padres game!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97pXMCuVmxhuvsQ1fGXHvGW5ZbTNFKLy8x3aH9r6VQ8_hDMpUg6vKAKDViqHpoFHjRUWC8DjQGUXO9JEuJFKyqBZbx-FPlNCQfD1T1-IO_1Lh88KvDb8lDvcFTyA-wr712tFUyoEiNxU/s2048/IMG_8751.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97pXMCuVmxhuvsQ1fGXHvGW5ZbTNFKLy8x3aH9r6VQ8_hDMpUg6vKAKDViqHpoFHjRUWC8DjQGUXO9JEuJFKyqBZbx-FPlNCQfD1T1-IO_1Lh88KvDb8lDvcFTyA-wr712tFUyoEiNxU/s320/IMG_8751.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Fossil digging! Jacob won a special award at the county science fair--we got to go to a fossil dig site for free and dig all day. It was hard work, but of course Jacob was the one who found the best and most valuable fossil! My future geologist.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYAIQuuBFmdExCgmLu1RI5CTaUN8G6jh1gEJs6g7Kjl3RNYrm8ZD4Fy6p8t6rnELfyCihKVG3SjpM8eKLAlH8ssHQ_69OVJLNmmjBiqaZz5VpFAmyx4E_QgKjtZW3I41xshkoGz5mV7E/s2048/IMG_8632.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYAIQuuBFmdExCgmLu1RI5CTaUN8G6jh1gEJs6g7Kjl3RNYrm8ZD4Fy6p8t6rnELfyCihKVG3SjpM8eKLAlH8ssHQ_69OVJLNmmjBiqaZz5VpFAmyx4E_QgKjtZW3I41xshkoGz5mV7E/s320/IMG_8632.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Tyler got up the nerve to perform in his high school talent show..."Blackbird" by the Beatles.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44YY2UFNT2D3KlDTPdBS9MK4XjG8fkQIttb5KXJTDPb-LVDmvj8M8MSCe-evNLUCkgsxi6GwkRl3EBodeNGZXy9Bkni5CpBplkD5iiTCQj9G_XEki-j32j-MFBQyFXjcj4rM5TckzQnQ/s2048/IMG_8619.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44YY2UFNT2D3KlDTPdBS9MK4XjG8fkQIttb5KXJTDPb-LVDmvj8M8MSCe-evNLUCkgsxi6GwkRl3EBodeNGZXy9Bkni5CpBplkD5iiTCQj9G_XEki-j32j-MFBQyFXjcj4rM5TckzQnQ/s320/IMG_8619.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then cousins came out to Utah! Fun at Payson Lakes and muddy muddy legs....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI3mefDuFHUiCQBGu0Ax352IjYJZ4fmVsKnWkgSDBnHcKU80HCYbbPDWi_nuwbZqc12T6zDFopZMarg3ghw5AnJGl9EvPNCUJnFF2Y1AnxdNPCMsKuTuGtBcKyWWUfAE6qNhmZpqQbPU/s2048/IMG_8579.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI3mefDuFHUiCQBGu0Ax352IjYJZ4fmVsKnWkgSDBnHcKU80HCYbbPDWi_nuwbZqc12T6zDFopZMarg3ghw5AnJGl9EvPNCUJnFF2Y1AnxdNPCMsKuTuGtBcKyWWUfAE6qNhmZpqQbPU/s320/IMG_8579.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Freezing on the lake to watch fireworks for the 4th of July...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Pn9Vk8-9R-JYl_eaHpGZmNe6G90RI4V0Lhttr9mnmAcrba3F2W2FXFem6MhsfrmnPRppMYdkY3yQGHVGKzNppbqjqt4Z1ezXRbWLT3DS-umNJXfTVej6yV-cndz1W8Qsc9US9VGdOWc/s2048/IMG_8464.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Pn9Vk8-9R-JYl_eaHpGZmNe6G90RI4V0Lhttr9mnmAcrba3F2W2FXFem6MhsfrmnPRppMYdkY3yQGHVGKzNppbqjqt4Z1ezXRbWLT3DS-umNJXfTVej6yV-cndz1W8Qsc9US9VGdOWc/s320/IMG_8464.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Visiting the Salt Flats, just for no reason at all except that we live in Utah!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyfedXg26HZPx1e2vtYnks6JTDtidXtKU8ozp_Ko6-v6s68NyzcYlFER3biu-1HPbnkCKQ1xLmp9-6N7O5m-uiHINefZFFFPLFBL_cRojzUZ241RMvISsj2ec-SU6E7Iy3YxliZhJgIk/s2048/IMG_4583.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyfedXg26HZPx1e2vtYnks6JTDtidXtKU8ozp_Ko6-v6s68NyzcYlFER3biu-1HPbnkCKQ1xLmp9-6N7O5m-uiHINefZFFFPLFBL_cRojzUZ241RMvISsj2ec-SU6E7Iy3YxliZhJgIk/s320/IMG_4583.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xebWwIiMOHsjHP-aTatDLZj2LZXd0MzK3ThLCdtU2bJfdToa9U-BmcEV1Bbq0dlt27UGmak9YrYq49wtB0VIwmhKEPtrMz3Cz-QLCKOY5Oq2e-Jwp5F_OE-lmnm0cF0fvjoGY50X61I/s2048/IMG_4578.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xebWwIiMOHsjHP-aTatDLZj2LZXd0MzK3ThLCdtU2bJfdToa9U-BmcEV1Bbq0dlt27UGmak9YrYq49wtB0VIwmhKEPtrMz3Cz-QLCKOY5Oq2e-Jwp5F_OE-lmnm0cF0fvjoGY50X61I/s320/IMG_4578.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tyler's Covid Homecoming...so glad he has such great friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSXFrw7btB_b2-e5UX-oQWoYXrrKhjxT68kKlsQOBa-gF-CMNtGpcX6aGC6Y5I6CzjvQJpE86-BEVtD6jJxnBMt09hS18FYUS48yk9itR_BUYlm8zGjMr3xvkiJhbxYAwKMAlaX7e8GE/s1280/IMG_4516.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSXFrw7btB_b2-e5UX-oQWoYXrrKhjxT68kKlsQOBa-gF-CMNtGpcX6aGC6Y5I6CzjvQJpE86-BEVtD6jJxnBMt09hS18FYUS48yk9itR_BUYlm8zGjMr3xvkiJhbxYAwKMAlaX7e8GE/s320/IMG_4516.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPOj8440gm90bTrrEzw9ox-TS0E3ByrLHe2QHDYma_CIJ-2qqlFyvQBKMFhN18Wtu3RgB496e5D3SokdXjFAffMxzqXWfMr1y16KZKJE_aUjBzhWSiu2bff3DQh2EUIlBVEKzgbfL-dQ/s1280/IMG_4511.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPOj8440gm90bTrrEzw9ox-TS0E3ByrLHe2QHDYma_CIJ-2qqlFyvQBKMFhN18Wtu3RgB496e5D3SokdXjFAffMxzqXWfMr1y16KZKJE_aUjBzhWSiu2bff3DQh2EUIlBVEKzgbfL-dQ/s320/IMG_4511.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lake Powell Trip #1 (2019)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFiykuqg4fSCPnCTOSuse2LTs9nviCAed4Qnc-Ii1mvbhdVqfTkCpkQO4I5lXSRq-k2GpQm_1s3XbcSbxwwRf1UUhXKX5kjJnK4YsHHnc7iUA0O_Xy1NGTwEYJDBH5BPpceAVrnrkOM0/s4032/IMG_4512.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFiykuqg4fSCPnCTOSuse2LTs9nviCAed4Qnc-Ii1mvbhdVqfTkCpkQO4I5lXSRq-k2GpQm_1s3XbcSbxwwRf1UUhXKX5kjJnK4YsHHnc7iUA0O_Xy1NGTwEYJDBH5BPpceAVrnrkOM0/s320/IMG_4512.jpeg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDTzNSapVIAeiW4fApuOdOKZj1VRXUovxbTpNeVccw6zlw1z43tbKyykqhK8v_4JhXZWdwRdoDx2SL6WjzxRBGh5mxPhw0BZisysV3PSqHP3UcIL6y36KYAd_u9uC0UH0-q8x2aePJPE/s4032/IMG_4471.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDTzNSapVIAeiW4fApuOdOKZj1VRXUovxbTpNeVccw6zlw1z43tbKyykqhK8v_4JhXZWdwRdoDx2SL6WjzxRBGh5mxPhw0BZisysV3PSqHP3UcIL6y36KYAd_u9uC0UH0-q8x2aePJPE/w150-h200/IMG_4471.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div></div><br /><br />Eric, Tyler and Jake on their pack trip!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6ebjpLfGD8rUWnNGol866IZ_1KWC6A7mKYgdbihkwIRXkmIWnBh1o5lh4nw5hNCRTp7YNxYjXSpLS3blm5mwd2HvTmUk8iGK3i53PzBB1p_6t1PKgSa7GyRLRSqSELYpuQLU9efY4kI/s2048/IMG_4389.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6ebjpLfGD8rUWnNGol866IZ_1KWC6A7mKYgdbihkwIRXkmIWnBh1o5lh4nw5hNCRTp7YNxYjXSpLS3blm5mwd2HvTmUk8iGK3i53PzBB1p_6t1PKgSa7GyRLRSqSELYpuQLU9efY4kI/s320/IMG_4389.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloqU6TM1ox-4yYXcTexEij9dL6uy37GSklGboyK5plrZQVFPhhRjsEr33QVocl6DBV91NiPBEqe9eKIYdHGS4ta7YqSU7Exi_bLEa3hkz-iV9X3Zv4t1g2VB36ipqkheATm04oOtSgCY/s2048/IMG_4356.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloqU6TM1ox-4yYXcTexEij9dL6uy37GSklGboyK5plrZQVFPhhRjsEr33QVocl6DBV91NiPBEqe9eKIYdHGS4ta7YqSU7Exi_bLEa3hkz-iV9X3Zv4t1g2VB36ipqkheATm04oOtSgCY/w272-h204/IMG_4356.jpeg" width="272" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ46yxMqmgCwQCBKn7qwvmz-JbRFLr0wRTbRffeu73ooUX46wgWD3URm_J9NaU9UxfQV1gT9w3ltIGU8qZQLnu2tyK602xy2FIHpOTdyHMYcisQFxNhinpYV50okn-dz9eaPiBM0LPEQ/s2048/IMG_4339.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ46yxMqmgCwQCBKn7qwvmz-JbRFLr0wRTbRffeu73ooUX46wgWD3URm_J9NaU9UxfQV1gT9w3ltIGU8qZQLnu2tyK602xy2FIHpOTdyHMYcisQFxNhinpYV50okn-dz9eaPiBM0LPEQ/s320/IMG_4339.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />First days of school 2020 (covid style)...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_1eFU66ZGvpqsygySuXFCixRzV6MzNhdg1xDM321TfBhla2luFnwlc-CRHweM5pVa8Vy9lV0RuDwSkOztBI4GcNNPkypbPxI7dcwh7DSW_zjJ1ovbFH764a23L8vXU9RoyjfZDv-XRs/s2048/IMG_4132.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_1eFU66ZGvpqsygySuXFCixRzV6MzNhdg1xDM321TfBhla2luFnwlc-CRHweM5pVa8Vy9lV0RuDwSkOztBI4GcNNPkypbPxI7dcwh7DSW_zjJ1ovbFH764a23L8vXU9RoyjfZDv-XRs/w150-h200/IMG_4132.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIhqaE-PbwzCuTE2yToSybI4YuIE9ZmUkWmrWNaWgIhFFmIsbVQmgPyOQ0sSGdjYxD4aMKiOMida9XMvhQGmtjLV44kYfPtzOEX-Xhu1i1ly0_5DZRPmXqG_xwT5QXpnYyFpSy-fJn4M/s2048/IMG_4131.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIhqaE-PbwzCuTE2yToSybI4YuIE9ZmUkWmrWNaWgIhFFmIsbVQmgPyOQ0sSGdjYxD4aMKiOMida9XMvhQGmtjLV44kYfPtzOEX-Xhu1i1ly0_5DZRPmXqG_xwT5QXpnYyFpSy-fJn4M/w150-h200/IMG_4131.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12th grade. SENIOR!</div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmNHXlJK6QfQct-hdmOVJURf2dwBMDcJiVQ72BS0Uo7Gt7EYU1SqB5QmM_BJWwiEelguPv9XdbNMr9XB8MKvPTVnp9ek2sA963vJxfqmUnnlkyddemVFy6TDvasEUlMVBRJDIxwllx4M/s2048/IMG_4125.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmNHXlJK6QfQct-hdmOVJURf2dwBMDcJiVQ72BS0Uo7Gt7EYU1SqB5QmM_BJWwiEelguPv9XdbNMr9XB8MKvPTVnp9ek2sA963vJxfqmUnnlkyddemVFy6TDvasEUlMVBRJDIxwllx4M/w150-h200/IMG_4125.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTATr2pMKT2-N88bVPN3cnQDxzvnpGqBeFJZDHNgHvWjVv0bM667qu7CZO3Yg-COtyI2ujCXQ5TnuQok1zsrsf6g4feoG8k1kBUy4rha-IrVq5sj_XNeWLkPkFyLViJDoaS3y6JVt25k/s2048/IMG_4124.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTATr2pMKT2-N88bVPN3cnQDxzvnpGqBeFJZDHNgHvWjVv0bM667qu7CZO3Yg-COtyI2ujCXQ5TnuQok1zsrsf6g4feoG8k1kBUy4rha-IrVq5sj_XNeWLkPkFyLViJDoaS3y6JVt25k/w150-h200/IMG_4124.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">4th Grade!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibkJQWKPAiTQMdozRowW4WtVQMDzJaA5E_TREI18N_u0FHxgC3tdmTO0xkKH9hi-puNfPMk5LVL0ixi2_rQ7fz5fHbS2Ohp9ZpGayyQNKM-_mV3owMNRrumnp42BaxXFupY0a9Kec238/s2048/IMG_4122.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibkJQWKPAiTQMdozRowW4WtVQMDzJaA5E_TREI18N_u0FHxgC3tdmTO0xkKH9hi-puNfPMk5LVL0ixi2_rQ7fz5fHbS2Ohp9ZpGayyQNKM-_mV3owMNRrumnp42BaxXFupY0a9Kec238/w150-h200/IMG_4122.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkGGkQQ7JTcPqCtpmvuGI5G-OYRWJ7qKx61J0EbEAhL5lWewIf0BhQJlDDz0L0EC_pcHVUWa-iOe7EWqdPeVTZq_n6finasdRqP_Z1tAIU6cA0_b7n20cLK7dPTBcW8K-f1Swh0QeWBg/s2048/IMG_4123+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkGGkQQ7JTcPqCtpmvuGI5G-OYRWJ7qKx61J0EbEAhL5lWewIf0BhQJlDDz0L0EC_pcHVUWa-iOe7EWqdPeVTZq_n6finasdRqP_Z1tAIU6cA0_b7n20cLK7dPTBcW8K-f1Swh0QeWBg/w150-h200/IMG_4123+2.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">6th Grade!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zUPsDGTPi6YhxMDUmfTIAxQXKjUk1pSJtlF_OL677PCLprLTuHSs2dVeWk2JSjHMfhY31S16Xn2h4R6uLgs2DjljOIxH9fJlmo0vBMCpvj5oCupOaPrp9jYIupX8UBmJ42MkNUQOZnI/s2048/IMG_4120.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zUPsDGTPi6YhxMDUmfTIAxQXKjUk1pSJtlF_OL677PCLprLTuHSs2dVeWk2JSjHMfhY31S16Xn2h4R6uLgs2DjljOIxH9fJlmo0vBMCpvj5oCupOaPrp9jYIupX8UBmJ42MkNUQOZnI/w167-h223/IMG_4120.jpeg" width="167" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB1INGOeJsWYAJbr2AqabzjJYYGRax49HmcoHUt6qjjHDBUfwnUm7kFefwftWSRLfNEF1r0RFLyEVDyW54SInJY_VoTEBsd3Oi32ejkzO22TEg33LF-viI6gopf6pGHmc2Mshwug8kMI/s2048/IMG_4119.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB1INGOeJsWYAJbr2AqabzjJYYGRax49HmcoHUt6qjjHDBUfwnUm7kFefwftWSRLfNEF1r0RFLyEVDyW54SInJY_VoTEBsd3Oi32ejkzO22TEg33LF-viI6gopf6pGHmc2Mshwug8kMI/w150-h200/IMG_4119.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">9th grade...FRESHMAN!</div><div><br /></div>Lost of horse rides...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvFdprCnTfFsd0MpAXNwMOQ1PXgPGOjdz6atddKBEia_Kwe9wokqmYpcFmDaZSQsSsoTwMhZrTtQwjScO98ukHcyYCNs6iYmPjVDCLM_ZRFoW9CddBpEiIhzRcDcczh9PsbZc7-HKFPA/s2048/IMG_4095.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvFdprCnTfFsd0MpAXNwMOQ1PXgPGOjdz6atddKBEia_Kwe9wokqmYpcFmDaZSQsSsoTwMhZrTtQwjScO98ukHcyYCNs6iYmPjVDCLM_ZRFoW9CddBpEiIhzRcDcczh9PsbZc7-HKFPA/s320/IMG_4095.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>St George hikes...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsx8OyUKW5WpiZxCdAFgd7IsiTfMAw3Bjb98M5yKdIptkwMPuKC8vkO2tsiInilj4W8OJUimEpQta07bX3vBzTjOm59r4zfV1RRCW8MfHmguYMcXypj0rEesUPwvJwTvvDiec3BTNjEY/s2048/IMG_4079.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsx8OyUKW5WpiZxCdAFgd7IsiTfMAw3Bjb98M5yKdIptkwMPuKC8vkO2tsiInilj4W8OJUimEpQta07bX3vBzTjOm59r4zfV1RRCW8MfHmguYMcXypj0rEesUPwvJwTvvDiec3BTNjEY/s320/IMG_4079.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A quick trip to Steamboat Springs! I had to get away for a few days with Covid making us all trapped. We had a great little jaunt to Colorado--most exciting was mountain biking. One day we biked down a ski trail and a freak thunderstorm hit--like a bomb! Hard and fast! By the time we got down we were drenched, muddy, exhausted and of course the rain had stopped.... Joey was slightly traumatized...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkMLM1TAT1aC-kZWXDp-9IGwa8FEvv62XcetwMUfvPdHIDVEZgTHLKm946QweDNZCT7MCqUB6xGXtksUdxua6xuFZS17trUab8abrwZyiCuMRL5VfvG3xNC6_4HZWh81dTB8tVMr1w18/s2048/IMG_3931.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkMLM1TAT1aC-kZWXDp-9IGwa8FEvv62XcetwMUfvPdHIDVEZgTHLKm946QweDNZCT7MCqUB6xGXtksUdxua6xuFZS17trUab8abrwZyiCuMRL5VfvG3xNC6_4HZWh81dTB8tVMr1w18/s320/IMG_3931.jpeg" /></a></div>But we biked the day before and had no storm or accidents--a long ride but everyone did it and did a great job!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yp54uhsExffcjktfeIqAekMNpt6Hmd06OS3IbI6ISGnIV0PN374LOqEYekbXci89WOpNS03PepjlHLAPXzBafJ5SeupkYhWT5ztRm5UK1U2KKJPet8QYmEs3f4Mf4VwlPHbvf6ZiSAA/s2048/IMG_3923.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yp54uhsExffcjktfeIqAekMNpt6Hmd06OS3IbI6ISGnIV0PN374LOqEYekbXci89WOpNS03PepjlHLAPXzBafJ5SeupkYhWT5ztRm5UK1U2KKJPet8QYmEs3f4Mf4VwlPHbvf6ZiSAA/s320/IMG_3923.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Fun at the shops in town...what a cool looking bunch.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2PRIlgbHtFvfWU7W0V70acZuhQP_aKoeiRT1wIhVQKj4LBOBS0lst2hzvuxgJuZWhr35H-PVgbLtTn_k4zNkFuo3g3fhIjDUChMiH4jbfWqZiYWyzzwuVjv9nTWFd-2e6r_U5CCYFpU/s2048/IMG_3916.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2PRIlgbHtFvfWU7W0V70acZuhQP_aKoeiRT1wIhVQKj4LBOBS0lst2hzvuxgJuZWhr35H-PVgbLtTn_k4zNkFuo3g3fhIjDUChMiH4jbfWqZiYWyzzwuVjv9nTWFd-2e6r_U5CCYFpU/s320/IMG_3916.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPyQBvnY8NP34yT94_dEnf3U0VWZMsFvMPUdT9jTBQ9-4luy39K11vcrWcE2P4J-mhyphenhyphenn5O351esXY8nNrcA61YkBZcdShcxQc38sd3nb2nIRNF8vyusa6Fuh0mQzVVVLXdReSL5zxGjs/s2048/IMG_3912+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPyQBvnY8NP34yT94_dEnf3U0VWZMsFvMPUdT9jTBQ9-4luy39K11vcrWcE2P4J-mhyphenhyphenn5O351esXY8nNrcA61YkBZcdShcxQc38sd3nb2nIRNF8vyusa6Fuh0mQzVVVLXdReSL5zxGjs/s320/IMG_3912+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another quick trip to Flaming Gorge...with a river rafting escapade--freezing water but beautiful scenery!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILGzvSWvC49KW5rhmR1qy_HIvdaESTb7cSEr_3qWig2xC-PxmbkKgYfHKx3bccvUK8xveoIX866XmrDEePtsshyvl1Fw7sIAsYO8C5ahAN8HjEJLaGHhF58U3kSh5st8U8uaonGZKBnA/s2048/IMG_3582.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILGzvSWvC49KW5rhmR1qy_HIvdaESTb7cSEr_3qWig2xC-PxmbkKgYfHKx3bccvUK8xveoIX866XmrDEePtsshyvl1Fw7sIAsYO8C5ahAN8HjEJLaGHhF58U3kSh5st8U8uaonGZKBnA/s320/IMG_3582.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our new "covid boredom" puppy, Pepper. What was I thinking!?? <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi495FKn07BKGHh_53IKrns4FJ2qh3XUhoEvXsfEB05KIKZnaZiFu7ODIwzt2Wmh1jaPwCqCmUtn8nx2PnfUxhAj_rV2N451iXU1g9IFzy73xG4jU60uBiYSWOSJE0zWVQKtLByXmZ1Xto/s2048/IMG_3377.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi495FKn07BKGHh_53IKrns4FJ2qh3XUhoEvXsfEB05KIKZnaZiFu7ODIwzt2Wmh1jaPwCqCmUtn8nx2PnfUxhAj_rV2N451iXU1g9IFzy73xG4jU60uBiYSWOSJE0zWVQKtLByXmZ1Xto/s320/IMG_3377.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Camping with friends....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kqjpL8jsWkJniMCxCxuie1vhRMxuAxb1kDrx87C46c3mV7Vu2aewvMBhytUDWGD1WudeQmc6njvxUZu6v4LKcTSAji4xVCeIoeyuRO9_MCmqhYtf-GdbiybdADfQJcrya2gt6q3uljQ/s2048/IMG_3297.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kqjpL8jsWkJniMCxCxuie1vhRMxuAxb1kDrx87C46c3mV7Vu2aewvMBhytUDWGD1WudeQmc6njvxUZu6v4LKcTSAji4xVCeIoeyuRO9_MCmqhYtf-GdbiybdADfQJcrya2gt6q3uljQ/s320/IMG_3297.jpeg" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJANiem69MruRVNjepSMkbsXZkWebakIFSxc7ZmZ_rVCvc04Toh9J0bCA13hLlOKwofmIFQuCuqN5nKlP0pQHyDpgn9Xdzj5P3Zu4X3SG36HzMUNe6FXMhjZDJWg6JjvAqbOXoSz3zO8/s2048/IMG_4236.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJANiem69MruRVNjepSMkbsXZkWebakIFSxc7ZmZ_rVCvc04Toh9J0bCA13hLlOKwofmIFQuCuqN5nKlP0pQHyDpgn9Xdzj5P3Zu4X3SG36HzMUNe6FXMhjZDJWg6JjvAqbOXoSz3zO8/s320/IMG_4236.jpeg" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjoVJFVqa5yWjTjAyUKXgrIYLQ1_w5YsY9NbjgurgcOZFWqMBKz0DEbwZ1MgnguKpwGrmUGVSBKWg58Q83-836qUz6XmONXXXjk7yP8CJZptdfyrfHqQqCqT51mEXN8rZ9r-rSsVYd8A/s4032/IMG_3185.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjoVJFVqa5yWjTjAyUKXgrIYLQ1_w5YsY9NbjgurgcOZFWqMBKz0DEbwZ1MgnguKpwGrmUGVSBKWg58Q83-836qUz6XmONXXXjk7yP8CJZptdfyrfHqQqCqT51mEXN8rZ9r-rSsVYd8A/s320/IMG_3185.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A weekend backpack trip through Coyote Gulch...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk0bCmaSIimMQv9Xk9ekgIsI7UA1Mo1Ll9rx281Kq_UJshW6jcqe4EeKb-WvnCIXfjgLNfZ-4SAa68_gaFX7W_BNZwPUbUeUdSJ0ysAU7GkSfDHxE4R-I26KI2rbvFwSVCjem6EoFSjE/s2048/IMG_3093.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCk0bCmaSIimMQv9Xk9ekgIsI7UA1Mo1Ll9rx281Kq_UJshW6jcqe4EeKb-WvnCIXfjgLNfZ-4SAa68_gaFX7W_BNZwPUbUeUdSJ0ysAU7GkSfDHxE4R-I26KI2rbvFwSVCjem6EoFSjE/s320/IMG_3093.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjrEwZU5_1F9jevzP0Oq1X8AWNbY4ts-bVGtzBY5iP3jU4Bz9Ip312PUqE3q3yy-sXWGW6ZAGkjZmIiYZvOGmJN8eaBfaNLSNCG2UHaHfCE22xOClTdz2cJY6zLXli6nmGqwa_4Nbxig/s2048/IMG_3091.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjrEwZU5_1F9jevzP0Oq1X8AWNbY4ts-bVGtzBY5iP3jU4Bz9Ip312PUqE3q3yy-sXWGW6ZAGkjZmIiYZvOGmJN8eaBfaNLSNCG2UHaHfCE22xOClTdz2cJY6zLXli6nmGqwa_4Nbxig/s320/IMG_3091.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>And of course a game of Splendor in the trailer after the hike...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo8dB3N-Tji7YVI4CUMm-SGkSY6rAdlHV8GyBYZTyNXiH8ZgoG1T6ifaWhJVhqyU0zch4Y5eKxvJYzky7KaCBYOKq6IyfCRbL_dSx0jZChZvlVMvHupro3hgLq7rciuxwAcRQWSQTKQE/s2048/IMG_3066.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo8dB3N-Tji7YVI4CUMm-SGkSY6rAdlHV8GyBYZTyNXiH8ZgoG1T6ifaWhJVhqyU0zch4Y5eKxvJYzky7KaCBYOKq6IyfCRbL_dSx0jZChZvlVMvHupro3hgLq7rciuxwAcRQWSQTKQE/s320/IMG_3066.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Backyard summer evenings....s'mores and obstacle course challenges are a family favorite.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkILqsrMChCdCjFS9IjN8oI_EgkUEi2yWHRXzAo0fIhDNdAO4ktx59gQWUr5_HQC-BIrDHNQgWTgc43nqb-hJ646alsFUt5nf6QH1h0v_jkzbKuoYRXmQFShFzYqSdxiwvp7vcXhyIvg4/s2048/IMG_3012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkILqsrMChCdCjFS9IjN8oI_EgkUEi2yWHRXzAo0fIhDNdAO4ktx59gQWUr5_HQC-BIrDHNQgWTgc43nqb-hJ646alsFUt5nf6QH1h0v_jkzbKuoYRXmQFShFzYqSdxiwvp7vcXhyIvg4/s320/IMG_3012.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Another dance! This one was pre-covid...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-I6f5rej4ku_x7a_TlxdgOhhi769wC2kPLyObqq7u36miElORmlZ3y0SIkyM4ZX8JgjNR2Mk9VH3KQveAB5WUB2HxZ4msEhIbhO-0H_bX_XCurEOONseZnmOsqQzpzgbxDkjrcZ_IU8/s2048/IMG_2727.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1463" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-I6f5rej4ku_x7a_TlxdgOhhi769wC2kPLyObqq7u36miElORmlZ3y0SIkyM4ZX8JgjNR2Mk9VH3KQveAB5WUB2HxZ4msEhIbhO-0H_bX_XCurEOONseZnmOsqQzpzgbxDkjrcZ_IU8/s320/IMG_2727.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Our 2019 New Year's Eve dinner at The Roof. We have a tradition where we go out to eat at a fancy restaurant every New Years Eve. This year's was a blast.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJZuE9BL1NLLSZ3LzL_wdO49JtTtuaQ-thAN1fbLbM_C_mWwo9oL_clRnYD1fs0BblMogCnJzNMhE2W5d51KPKBHwYg6G2CJWq4H_9MJ0-T6B0SewMBSrdA3qYUixktA5Y2SCRDtgj8A/s2048/IMG_2564.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJZuE9BL1NLLSZ3LzL_wdO49JtTtuaQ-thAN1fbLbM_C_mWwo9oL_clRnYD1fs0BblMogCnJzNMhE2W5d51KPKBHwYg6G2CJWq4H_9MJ0-T6B0SewMBSrdA3qYUixktA5Y2SCRDtgj8A/s320/IMG_2564.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>And Joey gave all his Swagger!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9KwxNDI_BTQp-VzQYESwZ2epinWkjBlfGOZwGT2B_dnt-u9A4yy6HgYHrA6yRhnF-HHeil-ofnQpBRiM3_WKJMZsCWQTqL13xPQf_YWArcoMnAKWofIzYdMarY9yKPfnK8LmdlzAz4I/s2048/IMG_2565.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9KwxNDI_BTQp-VzQYESwZ2epinWkjBlfGOZwGT2B_dnt-u9A4yy6HgYHrA6yRhnF-HHeil-ofnQpBRiM3_WKJMZsCWQTqL13xPQf_YWArcoMnAKWofIzYdMarY9yKPfnK8LmdlzAz4I/s320/IMG_2565.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also did an escape room this year...a new tradition! We made it out of the Egyptian Tomb!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzUydqSOi4E5_ZOEV7DSu06zF1q5jKeCcBsn_7jxERFGXkk-yhOKNxLS0Aa-F_CQwMSqKW4c_cvD5YxUxGUx64tFGdNgz80wfSYCbtRfBUUM3K6kWmGYgSHoGNFZbtrRASEUKF8_c6sU/s2048/IMG_2541.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzUydqSOi4E5_ZOEV7DSu06zF1q5jKeCcBsn_7jxERFGXkk-yhOKNxLS0Aa-F_CQwMSqKW4c_cvD5YxUxGUx64tFGdNgz80wfSYCbtRfBUUM3K6kWmGYgSHoGNFZbtrRASEUKF8_c6sU/s320/IMG_2541.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Camping!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHYPWVoMnftUPC8nit20uNzmTTYI_9A5JvbawbMXgQIOaS-b6NmbiuH2iqF-AljuH16IVhgJoeZ-9z0Dwo0fRzxHe1t2PnMDmv_VeUytY6CM5-jGTH7IYV8BM2lfGKyTbnMhCvx9K72k/s2048/IMG_2276.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHYPWVoMnftUPC8nit20uNzmTTYI_9A5JvbawbMXgQIOaS-b6NmbiuH2iqF-AljuH16IVhgJoeZ-9z0Dwo0fRzxHe1t2PnMDmv_VeUytY6CM5-jGTH7IYV8BM2lfGKyTbnMhCvx9K72k/s320/IMG_2276.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Eagle Scout Projects! Tyler was finally able to complete his eagle project (the fires from the year before delayed his forest service project) and he now an official Eagle Scout! Quite the accomplishment, we are so proud of him. And now no one will be able to illegally drive on this road again! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWUCj907Csa4pWM-hthrlg9_3uS35ljFklLo7Uw00WIMlDs5nfdfZBABRX9e7DS_pL7S5LYtQB83btuol1Sh7bsAYF4Ncmwh8zf4Ethm4snJ_L47Ug5bpjnCwz5UBKFn6-Fva2WZ3_38/s2048/IMG_2024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWUCj907Csa4pWM-hthrlg9_3uS35ljFklLo7Uw00WIMlDs5nfdfZBABRX9e7DS_pL7S5LYtQB83btuol1Sh7bsAYF4Ncmwh8zf4Ethm4snJ_L47Ug5bpjnCwz5UBKFn6-Fva2WZ3_38/s320/IMG_2024.jpeg" /></a></div>Another pre-Covid dance! What a handsome guy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7egOZSQC4RtPIX4p4HHlwNcOMDedxmirqtyTjVe6pEH6VuKEk6innEZ5IdeCx8ZvEFim1VSK1HNFGByrmCI2vJ539RQ4feNkeRBVm66QLQvGD81E_t7ZmW-6obUkmF6L9COJr8xCfdI/s2048/IMG_1925.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7egOZSQC4RtPIX4p4HHlwNcOMDedxmirqtyTjVe6pEH6VuKEk6innEZ5IdeCx8ZvEFim1VSK1HNFGByrmCI2vJ539RQ4feNkeRBVm66QLQvGD81E_t7ZmW-6obUkmF6L9COJr8xCfdI/s320/IMG_1925.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>More horse riding fun--my kids have no idea how good they have it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvBX8BALo77lDV-X-GgvirgSrmBKcEY1qTbmZouyO2CFKSoBIFqGLWSD6_APhWXHXvpe2EeQsNQkPaTJjJwzQ02cT0FU2g4k62WqNP0eeq3oW67rK2SHvYca9I5WLLgNlEaDzTJVkVmQ/s2048/IMG_1903+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvBX8BALo77lDV-X-GgvirgSrmBKcEY1qTbmZouyO2CFKSoBIFqGLWSD6_APhWXHXvpe2EeQsNQkPaTJjJwzQ02cT0FU2g4k62WqNP0eeq3oW67rK2SHvYca9I5WLLgNlEaDzTJVkVmQ/s320/IMG_1903+2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />First day of school 2019? I can't even keep it straight anymore. But I was thrilled to have a driver!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSgaZsmhhm03LhAaEEXsB6NnyE6pYK47XrP9rQ4ocDH82o4vIGzxaS5BDtmSBHFCM3tEaq5bCjYHRqLuJYzP9cn-TN0a_aWUmbYC3M6805LunEciMgBFKE0nysX6aLMa5rFbZPmdNtWA/s2048/IMG_1742.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSgaZsmhhm03LhAaEEXsB6NnyE6pYK47XrP9rQ4ocDH82o4vIGzxaS5BDtmSBHFCM3tEaq5bCjYHRqLuJYzP9cn-TN0a_aWUmbYC3M6805LunEciMgBFKE0nysX6aLMa5rFbZPmdNtWA/w150-h200/IMG_1742.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPW1gWSAPFfvd76QZqgKLmhufGANP2eZyW2bkhzPZQa0ho86v_Q9DYcf3o9zEGQ8Wy3RYClncqrjOWpjuVMF7OK5tjGcl9PhiDznSd5Nkb3WnQiWN9W6dWFKVX5NL-Ar8kfjnhi56olI/s2048/IMG_1750.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPW1gWSAPFfvd76QZqgKLmhufGANP2eZyW2bkhzPZQa0ho86v_Q9DYcf3o9zEGQ8Wy3RYClncqrjOWpjuVMF7OK5tjGcl9PhiDznSd5Nkb3WnQiWN9W6dWFKVX5NL-Ar8kfjnhi56olI/w150-h200/IMG_1750.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A very special highlight was Tyler did an HEFY in Zimbabwe! They worked on building a health clinic in a village that desperately needed one. What an amazing thing... Tyler will remember this trip forever. Once in a lifetime!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiu1xiaaVY7aRwTtu00KEgiDb9L_Ul28H67kd8EpdD-vTIMYecRpZ_PI-SZYzf8APtXNinx8GYjljWUC6TPJM-wK9h7pPgKlqRYRH0b80afOHiBWVhOlGReNKP21A9q3jyYywCI8G99E/s1920/IMG_1764.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiu1xiaaVY7aRwTtu00KEgiDb9L_Ul28H67kd8EpdD-vTIMYecRpZ_PI-SZYzf8APtXNinx8GYjljWUC6TPJM-wK9h7pPgKlqRYRH0b80afOHiBWVhOlGReNKP21A9q3jyYywCI8G99E/s320/IMG_1764.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKR8qzJn0q7JxvxarUO1_esrqIuM3tdswUpwtq-6TELQwHCkaLycz0qceXN4RNvhlNkZYP4jyrUkSl9f7JaRjHmbBwruqEbtSS_f64oDXZsgxJWDlgglKJD8GL8Yjcihq4vtnWMVPV5E/s1125/IMG_1628.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKR8qzJn0q7JxvxarUO1_esrqIuM3tdswUpwtq-6TELQwHCkaLycz0qceXN4RNvhlNkZYP4jyrUkSl9f7JaRjHmbBwruqEbtSS_f64oDXZsgxJWDlgglKJD8GL8Yjcihq4vtnWMVPV5E/s320/IMG_1628.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdBc2taJ0wUEGmMXAHGv6T2dquL75_crxS7LIVwMACMjA-Ug2yjVF4G9eKCYIoAQcg_ILyqb7HAAouQEuE0E7T9w4JD2yuPotXW8mK0fGRWT76NiU0OKCJhsorFMnm-hbEtTJSeCdIeg/s1125/IMG_1622.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdBc2taJ0wUEGmMXAHGv6T2dquL75_crxS7LIVwMACMjA-Ug2yjVF4G9eKCYIoAQcg_ILyqb7HAAouQEuE0E7T9w4JD2yuPotXW8mK0fGRWT76NiU0OKCJhsorFMnm-hbEtTJSeCdIeg/s320/IMG_1622.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RVnM-dlijMDzGamVt4dvKPX-s3wlOELL_r_J0u5ma8RPM_C9txsSNkoNF5e-00BMq4TEMcO4JDFUJPWRUBZQZrmRa0QnB3ihN6s70OF0CD6WYunjKMPJknxHvHPXvujiK9uiSJ6oj6I/s1125/IMG_1617.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RVnM-dlijMDzGamVt4dvKPX-s3wlOELL_r_J0u5ma8RPM_C9txsSNkoNF5e-00BMq4TEMcO4JDFUJPWRUBZQZrmRa0QnB3ihN6s70OF0CD6WYunjKMPJknxHvHPXvujiK9uiSJ6oj6I/s320/IMG_1617.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBK3mBEDDjXLWMi-nwPHLOxhTAGWLmUaQtfz37uHmrgLHc6IezUmlXAhb6xIefr5tUPk5nkJJPSMb9GDQ7JbFppeGm7s9a7mrxnBvKE7OzOEsgnHQtD7K4NfWV5mGbK1mRKFBCRIYKPw/s2048/IMG_1569.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBK3mBEDDjXLWMi-nwPHLOxhTAGWLmUaQtfz37uHmrgLHc6IezUmlXAhb6xIefr5tUPk5nkJJPSMb9GDQ7JbFppeGm7s9a7mrxnBvKE7OzOEsgnHQtD7K4NfWV5mGbK1mRKFBCRIYKPw/s320/IMG_1569.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lake Powell Trip #2!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQPTCitgxGPzeOWsjpzqn3A3k9VS-s-qYYgj6Zz2v-pWcIYyMJKsLHG7oqVhh25qViQwh9rNa-gmhwdMiPKKeF277Ewnje4qxLyB-3hb06yFY20yRAZ8CLunKdkhl5_CleLSDA_Qi_lY/s2048/IMG_1423.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQPTCitgxGPzeOWsjpzqn3A3k9VS-s-qYYgj6Zz2v-pWcIYyMJKsLHG7oqVhh25qViQwh9rNa-gmhwdMiPKKeF277Ewnje4qxLyB-3hb06yFY20yRAZ8CLunKdkhl5_CleLSDA_Qi_lY/s320/IMG_1423.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Poor Maggie had to have a SECOND eye surgery. What a trooper. She didn't complain at all. The first surgery did not correct the problem, unfortunately the second one did not either, but it is much better. But now she gets to wear cute glasses so bonus!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3PyRFvtK-JXA1vj1_qLCm8kSurw5BJ9lmviDgF2y5dx_xISAQDYl2rPT6nHgEGcDsYzyiy6MRUbKKGBnSTzJKcpoy-mn5CPoWtTnKLNOwCmF6PE8R_b33lPxMNxmbBkZZ1XquQVmOl0/s2048/IMG_0864.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3PyRFvtK-JXA1vj1_qLCm8kSurw5BJ9lmviDgF2y5dx_xISAQDYl2rPT6nHgEGcDsYzyiy6MRUbKKGBnSTzJKcpoy-mn5CPoWtTnKLNOwCmF6PE8R_b33lPxMNxmbBkZZ1XquQVmOl0/s320/IMG_0864.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eric, Jake and Joey being insane in dad's Jeep--it's a good thing mom wasn't there!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPlrGu8PytqPFkeZ7xTvBTBYxlaA7fvTZyit-YawwqCnjTVeGup2XIoFpifvTAVxFiXWvlemzL8fSGnXipYrnJEE_bIgVPvs9m3B07t9cF3D37Cy1MoWDeTR35Yz4jZ7qDt6HA4a_Jig/s2048/IMG_1083.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPlrGu8PytqPFkeZ7xTvBTBYxlaA7fvTZyit-YawwqCnjTVeGup2XIoFpifvTAVxFiXWvlemzL8fSGnXipYrnJEE_bIgVPvs9m3B07t9cF3D37Cy1MoWDeTR35Yz4jZ7qDt6HA4a_Jig/s320/IMG_1083.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>More Western adventures!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBtj3_DZSEuZW7tc-IUe2Ad6sLedw0LUeiJQDQoHQ7SV3xwyg7Wb7sVfllaLhm_E_ycGLvVabnKZ1vDfVlmeH5Sm0RPOzQudncBsEmjhVdyfOIyNdlKnlCvURqCdoqRZbtiYnjsgKfPg/s2048/IMG_1061.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBtj3_DZSEuZW7tc-IUe2Ad6sLedw0LUeiJQDQoHQ7SV3xwyg7Wb7sVfllaLhm_E_ycGLvVabnKZ1vDfVlmeH5Sm0RPOzQudncBsEmjhVdyfOIyNdlKnlCvURqCdoqRZbtiYnjsgKfPg/s320/IMG_1061.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The past two years also included an amazing family trip to Costa Rica. It was incredible! We went zip lining, played in the waves at the beach, kayaking, learned to make traditional tortillas from a little abuela, made ceviche, went out on a boat on the ocean and saw dolphins and went snorkeling, took a 4 wheeling adventure through the jungle to a secluded oasis where we cliff jumped, played and then ate the most amazing BBQ ever. The sauce was so good, we asked what kind it was. The guide told us it was a special kind found in Costa Rica. When we returned to the town he went and got the bottle....Kraft Original! We all laughed so hard. We thought it was some local delicacy. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LgO1XKHVEXgRX91G2yPAD0qJBvEi9XRa6x-khtlbpO7BTsg7MZieCsqXaBn1kmqi_p2dNjd2yEiAvRf-UGSkSwWiiCMtiphQwSi4U6DR0I3q23AEOhbka5QcNFAz4H99DWZW7v7HgEc/s2048/IMG_0980.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LgO1XKHVEXgRX91G2yPAD0qJBvEi9XRa6x-khtlbpO7BTsg7MZieCsqXaBn1kmqi_p2dNjd2yEiAvRf-UGSkSwWiiCMtiphQwSi4U6DR0I3q23AEOhbka5QcNFAz4H99DWZW7v7HgEc/s320/IMG_0980.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GVkgv8Mlm8s_5gro1loTnVwW70H_1tkwZVye267xZSG3zF7xnSTUZYZgnfDTu70lVZ9jtWb411Ncy5nt46VbIuzSpo5k-bbu4yDxX_v349wVwLPdWHMGt916y5RWjJ0x0p8BQcoRAfk/s2048/IMG_0953.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GVkgv8Mlm8s_5gro1loTnVwW70H_1tkwZVye267xZSG3zF7xnSTUZYZgnfDTu70lVZ9jtWb411Ncy5nt46VbIuzSpo5k-bbu4yDxX_v349wVwLPdWHMGt916y5RWjJ0x0p8BQcoRAfk/s320/IMG_0953.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-ZlXutiapzmMuuDdiJch1ZpxOoTFPfekvFJ7SoC5-QrduYaI5JzKYQsGaedGmR1cm5oat2EaNkcEjEbSkWeZX5wsiUv674_-FrxyVD6vct6ZNHsy60Aw2DURjypLaffQzsjMOMgT4OY/s2048/IMG_0929.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-ZlXutiapzmMuuDdiJch1ZpxOoTFPfekvFJ7SoC5-QrduYaI5JzKYQsGaedGmR1cm5oat2EaNkcEjEbSkWeZX5wsiUv674_-FrxyVD6vct6ZNHsy60Aw2DURjypLaffQzsjMOMgT4OY/s320/IMG_0929.jpeg" /></a></div><br />We had our own villa and it even had it's own little pool! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq4cAJ4WWTzuHqP1sy3ia_UeOW-O_CTkn92rnpASJ3f35VxjJ8kDBPMi5GKEBtSjPQpyACWFsMKBeslEVF8NPqpBaEnvZiIueFnO25bLJipZzpiQtmUIJIbZLFm_XJjyrwf9qnjj164o/s2048/IMG_0828.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq4cAJ4WWTzuHqP1sy3ia_UeOW-O_CTkn92rnpASJ3f35VxjJ8kDBPMi5GKEBtSjPQpyACWFsMKBeslEVF8NPqpBaEnvZiIueFnO25bLJipZzpiQtmUIJIbZLFm_XJjyrwf9qnjj164o/s320/IMG_0828.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>From hot, to cold! We've become quite the skiing family! I've gotten slowly better and can now do most blue runs...slowly, very slowly..... But I'm learning!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcw3PZeqcv33gXHX4jJpx0a7o-S3NJR7tJW8t5JMoSJfoP8-TWgjHUadsGVQi6JQYXb1AWOqjqBYDaOvJ0x_Lg9l79TC2snj0nFEYY-OWyjg5hj0M7a2XuMSTF6w0BH7CBoI0zcfE2BQ/s4032/IMG_0110.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcw3PZeqcv33gXHX4jJpx0a7o-S3NJR7tJW8t5JMoSJfoP8-TWgjHUadsGVQi6JQYXb1AWOqjqBYDaOvJ0x_Lg9l79TC2snj0nFEYY-OWyjg5hj0M7a2XuMSTF6w0BH7CBoI0zcfE2BQ/s320/IMG_0110.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Annual Ugly Sweater Party! 2018. Always a blast.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG8ePQ0midK0fEVXlEGbVBmMC8EHhp2OqPnyjGQBdZqqcYSTKe8OBU8NrVody-P_-d6_o_zFy_awWLsy65YCMM-JAKTJTbeWAZY5OMPnqiyoEuq64l7wyLAgDehATZEFwDNkTSRc1TSw/s2048/IMG_0076.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG8ePQ0midK0fEVXlEGbVBmMC8EHhp2OqPnyjGQBdZqqcYSTKe8OBU8NrVody-P_-d6_o_zFy_awWLsy65YCMM-JAKTJTbeWAZY5OMPnqiyoEuq64l7wyLAgDehATZEFwDNkTSRc1TSw/w150-h200/IMG_0076.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1h0ijZTyuO2e9i_wA5sUg5DzfZ2EtmLI3Aiw8nqwIs7McATsETJzarFBIVZVgdS74I516D7My-MeadbyTcmSWi4WYn1BeQAomxaWXuSxftwNkIjGhNtqiR7hCKD9xW5RuERFriIaHQA/s2048/IMG_0074.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1h0ijZTyuO2e9i_wA5sUg5DzfZ2EtmLI3Aiw8nqwIs7McATsETJzarFBIVZVgdS74I516D7My-MeadbyTcmSWi4WYn1BeQAomxaWXuSxftwNkIjGhNtqiR7hCKD9xW5RuERFriIaHQA/w150-h200/IMG_0074.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div></div><br />Another couple shots from Lake Powell #2.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_tLR3ufat1rS1bzxe5YpKYir3r88dX1wt5f0AtBoPV38jiNC_HB5mkAdXv4s9A8wq73XLY4jzPlGcWY2FSCGfFXnWYBU9ZfI-jMKNmWnYqJSa-tPm0xS8ww40IDadBv78O3o2oeGofk/s2048/IMG_0045.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_tLR3ufat1rS1bzxe5YpKYir3r88dX1wt5f0AtBoPV38jiNC_HB5mkAdXv4s9A8wq73XLY4jzPlGcWY2FSCGfFXnWYBU9ZfI-jMKNmWnYqJSa-tPm0xS8ww40IDadBv78O3o2oeGofk/s320/IMG_0045.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8n6prR28AnkLdR5_vr_p04tnd4woNFKKA6Z4ZWFRSK22gZqc0E6_JK-LUG5KX2QgTyYGrC6TSBZipmTbv56fuDUQOdABdfklMZtA6vbmIXKjP61dDihLr_bVficEXmnyT97FuWfyqY4/s1125/IMG_0028.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8n6prR28AnkLdR5_vr_p04tnd4woNFKKA6Z4ZWFRSK22gZqc0E6_JK-LUG5KX2QgTyYGrC6TSBZipmTbv56fuDUQOdABdfklMZtA6vbmIXKjP61dDihLr_bVficEXmnyT97FuWfyqY4/s320/IMG_0028.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas! Going to see the lights at Temple Square....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l64Y0BMy7tcZou2e8y03i9JgZnsqCk1rK2O2F21YVerphC5XtQ5Eqq7tbNpZgWsM_nTV8BjQKkpcR2y0eteO3zxZTHp93nw-BAXkS3GGP_7gHMps5nDXGUMXdz3L1zcXp0B1kTZck5Y/s2048/IMG_0017.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l64Y0BMy7tcZou2e8y03i9JgZnsqCk1rK2O2F21YVerphC5XtQ5Eqq7tbNpZgWsM_nTV8BjQKkpcR2y0eteO3zxZTHp93nw-BAXkS3GGP_7gHMps5nDXGUMXdz3L1zcXp0B1kTZck5Y/s320/IMG_0017.jpeg" /></a></div></div><br />Lastly, even though this has consumed life for the last 6 months...COVID-19. It has been quite a roller coaster. All our trips were cancelled (D.C. and Italy and Disneyland). For weeks store shelves looked like this--you couldn't find toilet paper if your life depended on it. Schools were shut down in March and we had to do home learning. You'd probably think for someone as organized as I am I would have been great at doing home learning with my kids...you would be wrong. I was miserable at it. So when they decided last minute to return to school learning in the fall I was beyond thrilled. There are protocols, kids have to wear masks, social distance, and quarantine if ill. The schools are on standby for switching at a moment's notice to at home or alternate day learning. We have to wear masks whenever we go somewhere, many restaurants are closed for dine-in, theaters are closed, etc. It's been such a crazy time, a time that my kids will remember and tell their kids about someday I'm sure. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_DcsI-a0PS-Orf5W07831zmCQQO06ZBs5aRYATS8Omwuxtjodz1Oqmy7DgwOWvtytfABiCOSuu1u4zzubSPAWDdCGmQZQA58WloTetMnj9HqBNPTfWos0Q8PN2fn2jMAQgQJvwGOi1Y/s2048/CBFD3594.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_DcsI-a0PS-Orf5W07831zmCQQO06ZBs5aRYATS8Omwuxtjodz1Oqmy7DgwOWvtytfABiCOSuu1u4zzubSPAWDdCGmQZQA58WloTetMnj9HqBNPTfWos0Q8PN2fn2jMAQgQJvwGOi1Y/s320/CBFD3594.jpeg" /></a></div>There is also the 2020 presidential election coming up in just a couple weeks. People have gone crazy. Protests for Black Lives Matter filling the streets, looting, rioting, political vitriol being spewed from every side. I could go on and on. I wouldn't be surprised if the second coming came next week! Alas, I doubt we will be that lucky. But I am grateful to have the peace of knowing there is more to this life than just this world...that I can still find peace when the world is falling apart all around me. I don't need to let anger fill my heart. I just move forward with faith, trying my best to do what's right. I often feel like I fall short, and I am sure I often do in so many ways. Sometimes it seems impossible to do everything we are called upon to do. So I close with a quote that has brought be a lot of comfort and motivation over the past few months...<p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXxY_-IdobXGkaFfYdZOanNGXyj9QsTZteM_jbiSm7NmF4iV3kHx1ZREErvyz-b9pKdL-vH-R2PbC5ZIetd1bdQAY9DfSnhbvV8wzYtZzYQUS6r5cHU9EAaQcVj_0a8mcuBmYWSlhHY8/s1048/Screen+Shot+2020-10-18+at+5.36.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXxY_-IdobXGkaFfYdZOanNGXyj9QsTZteM_jbiSm7NmF4iV3kHx1ZREErvyz-b9pKdL-vH-R2PbC5ZIetd1bdQAY9DfSnhbvV8wzYtZzYQUS6r5cHU9EAaQcVj_0a8mcuBmYWSlhHY8/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-10-18+at+5.36.40+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-68598503009892097182018-06-22T12:40:00.000-07:002018-06-22T12:40:58.584-07:00Time flies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Honestly I have no idea what is happening to time. I feel like the older my kids get the faster and faster it passes. I feel like I am in a time warp. And there are days where all I want is for it to go faster! But then most days I wish I could slow it down. So much has happened lately I will try to catch up...</div>
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Maggie is sweet as ever. She and Joey stayed at my mom's house for a couple days while I was at girl's camp and Eric was at Scout camp. They went and playing in a little creek and to the Payson Pool which is always a hit!</div>
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Of course grandma is a sucker and bought her cotton candy.....everything is more fun when grandma is around!<br />
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I snapped this funny picture of Ziggy while we were on one of our summer adventures. I have to take a minute to say what a great dog she is. I spent a LOT of time training her, but it has payed off. Usually Brittanys are wild and super energetic, but Ziggy is perfect--she will laze around at home when she is inside with us. Just mellow and chill. But then you can take her on a horse ride and she runs runs runs runs circles around the horses! But she always comes back every few minutes to check back in with us. She loves to run around the fields and explore around our house. She is even a great mouse and gopher catcher (sometimes she leaves them for me in the garage). She is just loyal and so fun to be around. Definitely part of our family!<br />
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We went down to Escalante area a few weeks ago and hiked Coyote Gulch with our friends, the Carlys. It was SO FUN. I have to say we had a lot going on at home and I was having a little regret about dedicating a weekend to this but I am so glad I did. It was a great bonding experience for our family, it was great exercise, and the scenery was amazing. This hike is consistently rated one of the top 5 in Utah but it isn't crowded because it is difficult to get to. It was so fun--you hike basically in the creek and walk through the water in this wide slot canyon, through arches and red rock and waterfalls. Everyone had a blast and even though it was long (14 miles or so) Joey and Maggie were troopers and made it the whole way without any complaints (well Joey was getting tired the last few miles hiking out because it was through sand, but he did it all on his own!) Joey also threw a little fit at the beginning because he didn't want to keep his shoes on in the water but he got over that pretty fast. Here are some snapshots of the hike...<br />
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Pretty cool stuff! <br />
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We also spent some time last month planting our garden! We didn't get to it last year so it was fun to get it all planted. The kids all helped and they are super excited to eat the strawberries and sugar snap peas! Things are growing pretty well. Hopefully we will have some fresh yummy fruit and veggies!<br />
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I posted last time about Maggie's eye surgery...well, unfortunately it was not a success. In fact just today she had her second surgery. The eye was over-corrected and did not adjust itself so instead of going out now it was going in! They over-correct on purpose because usually the eye will pull back again. But apparently Maggie is special and unique and isn't like everyone else. So her over-corrected eye did not snap back to the correct spot. So she had to have a second surgery. Ugh. She took it like a champ though and even though she did not want to go through it again and was nervous she did really well. We are praying that this time it works right! Here she is at a pre-op appointment. Surgery today seemed to go well--the doctor said the inside muscle was tight and he loosened it and the outside muscle looked "funny" and not right so he adjusted that one as well. Here's hoping second time is a charm....NOT the third.<br />
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Joey has taken up sports! He didn't do much before but he decided to do soccer again. Here's his cute little team. His coach was so sweet. Unfortunately they didn't win a single game...but it's a good lesson in sportsmanship! <br />
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We went to the Bean Museum for FHE a few weeks ago. It's a neat place to go when you have a little time to kill and don't want to spend any money. They've redone it all so it's really nice now. We went to the live animal show and got to see a tarantula, turtle, and .... one other thing I can't remember. Jake got attacked by a wild hippo though.....dangerous times.<br />
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And with the season comes the end of the school year, complete with school graduations and programs galore. Joey had his 1st grade Program and it was awesome. He's such a cute kid. Full of spunk and personality. You always know when Joey is in the room. He sang and did the movements to the songs and then surprised us when he hula-hooped for the whole auditorium! I didn't even know he could hula hoop at all but he did great!<br />
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Jake finished his soccer season in great form. They started out the season a little slow and I was worried but picked it up by halfway through and then really started doing well. He has decided to take a break from soccer and try football next fall but he still loves soccer. Just ready to try something new. I tried to get a few action shots. I am really proud at how he has improved at soccer over the years. He plays defender and when he has a good game and he's "on" nothing gets past him. He's had fun playing but now it's time to say goodbye soccer, hello head injury..err... I mean football....<br />
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Grandpa Swenson got a new boat! The kids have been waiting for this day since he left on his mission 2 years ago, ha ha. They've been out on it fishing a couple times and had a blast. Apparently Joey is the family's best fisherman. On their first trip he outfitted grandpa and dad! All that casting and reeling in really wears you out!<br />
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Adding to the end of school year events was Maggie's violin concert. Her amazing teacher got a grant a few years ago to purchase violins to use for her students and she takes class time every week to teach them how to play. They do small concerts throughout the year but this was the biggest of all, showing all they have learned. They did so good! And I love that her teacher places importance on music and the arts--it really helps learning in all areas. Maggie did great--her teacher told me she should continue it because she has a real talent for it, but Maggie doesn't really want to. I'm going to see if I can talk her into it when the school year begins!<br />
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Maggie has been loving playing with friends this summer without all the restrictions of school and schedules. Her best friend, Hallie, and she play all the time. I love this cute pic of the two of them--pure happiness and friendship...<br />
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Along with soccer, Joey has also started playing baseball. Jacob played this year and Joey couldn't wait to tag along in his big brother's footsteps. He's had a fun season and has gotten some good hits in too!<br />
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This one didn't quite connect with the bat...but it is an A for effort!<br />
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As I said, Jake is also playing baseball for the first time ever. He just decided to on a whim at the last minute (he had some friends who were playing so decided to give it a try). He started out the season a little slow--a couple strike outs--and I was worried he'd have a not very fun season, but I am happy to report that he has gotten a lot better really fast and is now getting to be a pretty good ball player! He has gotten a hit every at-bat for the last several games, gets on base, and even makes it home a lot of the time! He's had some great plays in the outfield too. His coach and teammates keep telling me and him how they are surprised he's never played ball before because he's come so far this season. So that has made it fun to watch and he's really enjoyed it. His friend, Chase, is also playing. Different team but still fun!<br />
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After the last day of school was out Jacob hung out with his friend Breyton. They went fishing down at the pond--look at these two cuties!<br />
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And they did a nice camera pose showing what cool 7th graders they will be!<br />
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The last day of school also happened to be Jake's 12th birthday! I just have to tell you all how much I love this boy. He is so much like his mom--very organized, efficient, gets all of his chores done quickly and without being asked most of the time. He's very bright and does well in school without having to be prodded and poked along. He is generally very easy-going and is just fun to be around. He's making up for all the time as a baby he spent screaming all day every day for 2 years. I guess he got all of his orneriness out of himself then. I love hanging out with him and wish we had more time to just sit around and watch a show together or something. Even though he's 12 now he still loves to sit next to me on the bed and watch America's Funniest Home Videos or something like that. He won an award for being a terrific kid at school--and he really is. I love him so much and couldn't imagine our family without him!</div>
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For his birthday he went to the movies with a few friends to see the new Avengers movie. Half way through the movie there was a fire alarm and we all had to go outside! So weird. But the boys thought it was funny and took the time for a photo op....<br />
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just a quick shot of the mice I mentioned earlier in the post that Ziggy brings to me. Lunch!<br />
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The kids have had fun playing at grandma's house a few times this summer. They love playing outside in the water. They made a water balloon store...<br />
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but when those didn't sell Jake decided to turn them into a homemade waterbed....<br />
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Because Jake turned 12 he was able to get the priesthood! It was a really special day--I just wish he would stop growing up so fast! He has been passing the sacrament and even got to go to scout camp!<br />
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There was only one thing he wanted for his birthday--a snake. I said NO WAY JOSE! and I meant it. But then I tried to think of something else to get him, and asked him what else he wanted...nothing. And THEN I started thinking about what a great kid he is and I finally gave in and decided to get him a snake (he also made a very convincing powerpoint presentation on why a snake would be a good pet--no joke). I convinced Eric, but didn't tell him. So I wrapped some wood branched for his snake cage--he figured it out pretty quick but at first (this was so cute) he didn't get it and I said those branches were decorations for his room--you hang them on the wall and you can hang your jackets or stuff from them. He smiled and said, "Oh! Cool!" even though it would have been totally lame. It was sweet. Then I laughed and he realized that wasn't it and it didn't take more than a few second for him to put two and two together. We let him pick out his own snake online and a couple days later got it. </div>
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A baby albino corn snake. That was one happy kid when he got his snake! It is pretty cool looking.<br />
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It hides a lot right now because it is small, but it is cool to hold it and watch it eat. It did escape the other day (AAHHH!!!!). But we found it quickly and saw how it got out (a little corner that doesn't close super tight at the top--and he's really small right now so could wriggle out with some effort) so we covered the corners with some tape for now. Once he gets bigger he won't be able to fit out the hole anymore so hopefully he grows fast!<br />
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Maggie also had a dance recital recently. She did a hip hop dance with a Star Wars theme. She did so good! She is the youngest and smallest in her class but is the best dancer in it! Her teacher says he might even move her up another level next year with the older kids. She loves hip hop and I love to watch her dance and do something she loves!<br />
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Now that winter is long gone we've been outside a ton--gardening, taking care of horses, you name it. Cinco is growing into a good horse-- a little too much like a pet but she has such a sweet personality. The kids can even get on her bareback without any issues. I think she will be a great riding horse.<br />
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For even more summer fun we decided to go to a Salt Lake Bees baseball game. Nothing says summer like baseball and snacks!<br />
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It was a great game!<br />
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Can you find what's hidden in this picture? We've got a family of killdeer birds that have made a rock next in the rocks on the side of our driveway. If you look you can see 4 little eggs in a pebble nest the birds made. We've watched them over the last few weeks and they finally hatched! One egg didn't make it, but the other 3 produced cute little fuzzy chicks. I didn't get a picture of them because the same evening they hatched they all disappear and never came back. New home I guess. But it was fun for the kids to watch them!<br />
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Maggie, my mom and I went to see the play "Anne of Green Gables"at BYU. As usual they did an amazing job. It was so cute and the acting, particularly Anne, was great. I love that Maggie likes to do that kind of stuff--we will let the boys go camping and we will go out to lunch and plays!<br />
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The actors even came out after the show for pictures and autographs. Maggie was able to get a picture with Anne and Diana...<br />
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And last picture of the post is Jake's first time doing baptisms for the dead! We'd been wanting to take him but couldn't find the time with scout camp, girls camp, Maggie's surgery and everything else. So luckily he has an awesome aunt who took him with his cousin Sam to show him the ropes. He had a great time and can't wait to go again.<br />
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Stay tunes for more updates on our fun filled summer!The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-26423921509134412742018-04-24T07:34:00.002-07:002018-04-24T07:34:47.339-07:00Spring is in the Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's finally spring and with spring come busy and happy times. Sports are going, school, gardening, outside fun, trips...you name it and we've been doing it. Well, kind of. </div>
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Our big event was Maggie's eye surgery. She had what is called intermittent exotropia where her left eye would turn outward a little some of the time. Her doctor recommended surgery so we went ahead and removed Maggie's eyeball. Just kidding. A little surgery to fix the problem. Here she is ready to go in! She was nervous but she was so brave. I was really proud of her. We made sure to write YES on the eye to be worked on--no mistakes here!</div>
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Surgery went well and after she came out (and took a while to wake up out of her grogginess) she was fascinated by her double vision. It can last about 2 weeks. "I've got 10 fingers on my hand!" <br />
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We've been having fun teasing her and playing games with her and her double vision. It gives us all a little giggle. Then it was time to go home and she got wheeled out like a movie star. <br />
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Maggie did so good and we were all very proud of her. The eye is still recovering but doing well. <br />
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Jacob got a special award from school--the Terrific Kid award. Each 6th grade teacher in the district picks one boy and one girl in their class for the award and Jacob's teacher picked him! We were really proud of him. He is a terrific kid!<br />
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For spring break this year Hillary and her family were in town so we decided to do something fun. We went down to Moab and stayed in a cabin in the La Salle mountains. The cabin itself was quite the adventure. It was very "rustic" -- it was really out in the middle of nowhere, and there was no dishwasher, the mattresses were dirty and gross, it was run off of solar power and in the morning we would run out of power! It was definitely an experience! But the only that mattered is that we had a ton of fun. The kids loved playing with cousins and chopping wood outside.<br />
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We played lots of games around the table!<br />
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Grandma had us play some games where we got to get really up close and personal....<br />
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But I didn't mind. I got to sit with my handsome guy!<br />
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Kaylee was the official hair stylist of the trip--does it mean your boys' hair is too long if it can be braided?<br />
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We took a couple of fun hikes too. We hiked out to delicate arch and we also did another fun one (I can't remember the name of it). The scenery is so beautiful down there!<br />
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What a great way to spend an afternoon! Me and Joey had fun hanging out too!<br />
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And of course we had to stop at the sand hill after the hike. We did this last time we were down here a few months ago and it is always a hit with the kids. Even though my car fills up with sand. <br />
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The boys went mountain biking while we went on a small hike. Tyler and Jacob had so much fun! They came back with lots of scratches to show how tough they are.<br />
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Jacob moved on in his science fair again! He went to show at BYU and he won a really cool prize--a trip for 4 to a fossil quarry in Wyoming to dig for fossils! We even get to keep all the fossils we find. It doesn't open for another month but we are so excited to go! It's going to be really cool, and of course Jake thought it was the coolest prize ever. Future geologist.</div>
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Life on a "farm" (okay, a mini-farm) is definitely different from how I grew up. Eric got a tractor and has been teaching the kids to use it (gulp). But it has come in handy a lot even in just a couple weeks. And Ziggy is always bringing me treasures. Here she is with a cow leg, and then the other day she brought me a dead mouse. Put it right outside my garage door for me. I guess better dead and outside than alive and inside? </div>
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When Hillary was here we went up to Salt Lake to walk around temple square and have lunch. I just had to capture this quintessential shot of Joey. This is basically his uniform lately. T-shirt, sport shorts and tall socks pulled up all the way. Lol. This kid may be a handful, but he can make us laugh. I love it. <br />
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Joey love to help us work out in the yard and with the horses. Here Eric was showing him how to hook up the manure spreader to the back of the tractor. Joey got to hook it up, change the latches, and even drive the tractor a little bit! Future cowboy in training!<br />
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Back to temple square with the cousins (the pictures got out of order). I left to go home with the younger kids who were tired but Tyler stayed with the rest of the group. Maybe I should have stayed to supervise because this is the picture I was sent by Hillary....oh dear.<br />
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They also went to do baptisms for the dead in Provo. What a good looking family!<br />
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I went for a horse ride with Eric and his dad last week. The weather was beautiful and spring is always so pretty up in the mountains. <br />
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And with springtime finally here the gardening has begun. We planted a lot more plants around the house for landscaping, and started our fruit and vegetable garden as well. I've never been that great at growing things but maybe with the help of the family this garden will actually produce something. It will be a fun family project this summer. Fingers crossed we get some yummy crops!<br />
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Lots more action to come in the next month. Stay tuned!<br />
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<br />The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-11621223911659060072018-03-18T18:30:00.001-07:002018-03-18T18:30:15.854-07:00Never a Dull Moment!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It seems like there is never a dull moment at the Swenson house--which is why so much time passes between blog entries. Before I know it a month or two has gone by! Time really is flying around here. </div>
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Do you know what else is flying? Maggie and Jacob's hand over the piano keys! Those two had their recital and did great. It's always so much fun to hear them get to perform the songs they've been working on OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER for the past several weeks--and it's especially fun for me...knowing I won't have to hear those songs anymore! Just kidding...sort of (mom's of kids in music know what I mean).</div>
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Then of course we had crazy hair day at school. You know me, I'm a sucker when my kids want to do this kind of stuff. We made a plan the night before--the first part of which was scavenging through the Halloween bin to see what colors of hair spray dye I had left. That is what we based our plan off of. Plus I tell the kids it has to be relatively easy--no gluing toy dinosaurs or shaving mohawks to their heads. But here is what we came up with--Maggie's was my favorite--she looked like an 80's biker chick. Totally punk rock. <br />
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She loved it too as you can tell. And it only took about 3/4 bottle of conditioner to get all the snarls out! <br />
Jacob is more limited having shorter hair but we managed a nice little faux-hawk. He complained after school about how much his head hurt with those little tight ponytails in all day--welcome to world of women--making ourselves as uncomfortable as possible in the name of style.<br />
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And Joey went basic--black and blue hawk. His lasted forever--I think there might be a full bottle of hairspray in there. <br />
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Hail hail the gangs all here.... A bunch of ruffians.<br />
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After what seems like a winter without snow we got dumped on several times as winter winds down. The kids had to make the most of it while it lasted! We tried to build a snowman but this snow was way too dry and we couldn't get it to stick together. I used to dread putting on snow clothes for my kids, but now they are getting better at it so it isn't quite as horrible and frustrating as it used to be. Now it's just picking up all the wet clothes they leave on the floor...<br />
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We went ice skating with the young women and Maggie came with us. She loved it so much she begged to go back with her friends every day (hour) until I took them. The girls had a blast--it was so funny watching them slip around and then get the hang of it. <br />
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Joey was dying to come too so he got to bring a friend as well. Joey had a blast but unfortunately his friend didn't care for it too much. So they to tired of skating and watched the hockey players practice on the other rink. Still a good time!<br />
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And then there's my older, questionably stupider son (only because he's a teenager now) who decided to take his shirt off and ski down the run with his friends. Don't even ask me. I wonder what I did that led to this moment....<br />
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He also got to go skiing up in Idaho with his uncle Mat and cousin Ben. It had been a bust of a skiing winter around here and the boys were all fed up with it, so Mat took them on a day trip up to a ski resort that actually HAD snow. Look at this mop-head sitting eating breakfast. Ugh.<br />
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I think this one is even worse....<br />
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His hair is getting long on top for sure, BUT IN HIS DEFENSE he styles it every day up and back so it isn't hanging in his face like this. I guess this is just his skiing hairdo. I figure that as long as he doesn't want a mo-hawk, mullet or man-bun this is a battle not worth fighting. (Besides, I actually like it when it is styled--I told his to enjoy his hair while he actually has some--Eric is the one who want it super short missionary style---there will be time for that in a couple years).<br />
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The boys had to hike for some reason while skiing (to get to a particular run or whatnot) and were so pooped out they took a little siesta on the slopes. <br />
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Only a few minutes later they are back at it again! Tyler is in the yellow pants.<br />
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Tyler went pheasant hunting with his grandpa Craig. They got some game! He's loving his Elmer Fudd gun that he got for Christmas. (That's how Eric described it to me since I am pretty much gun illiterate.<br />
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It was science fair time again! This time it was Jake's turn. He LOVES rocks and really wanted to do something with rocks so he decided to test the effect of acid rain on different building materials. He soaked granite, limestone, brick, marble and concrete in an acid rain solution he made for 2 weeks, weighing them every couple days. He had a great time doing it. I made him make his poster by himself and it was killing me to not step in and make it nice and neat, but I held myself back and he was able to make a pretty nice poster....considering. And guess what!? He won the school science fair and moved on to the district--and he moved on from that too! So now I think it is called regional competition, at BYU. He was really excited. Especially since Tyler made it to regional for his science project too--and Jacob didn't want to be outdone. It's more work for me, but I'm proud of his hard work!<br />
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Maggie got a moment to shine in her Peter Pan dance recital. She got to be a pirate! Argh! She loves hip hop dancing and has so much fun doing it. She loves being on stage and dressing up in costumes and make up. She did great!<br />
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We took a long weekend trip to St. George with our friends, the Carly's. We rented a house that was right next to a pool--we went there with them a couple years ago and had a blast. So we decided we had to do it again! The drive down of course we stopped to get donuts--and here's Joey eating his healthy breakfast--he even got the box and everything. He's in his happy place.....<br />
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While down there we mostly just relaxed and hung out and tried to get away from the stresses of life. The kids basically lived at the pool. We played games, and I won Michigan Rummy! (I had to brag because I think it's like the 3rd time I've won it in my entire life.). We did a little shopping, and went on a fun little hike. The kids always love hiking on the red rock down there. <br />
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This is the spot where Joey was afraid to go--there are footholds carved into the rock, but it is actually steeper than you can tell here, and it drop off on the left side into the water (it was really cold). Once you got up the footholds there is a rope and you have to hold on and walk across a ledge which wasn't that hard. But Joey was afraid because of falling into the water. So we tried and cajoled, everyone else went, but Joey didn't want to. I'm talking crocodile tears. So I told him I'd stay back with him, but even so I kept working on him. I had him pretty close to being willing to try--he was watching lots of people go over and come back--and was hopeful about it. Then a man was coming back toward us and he slipped and slowly slid down completely into the water--it was deep, completely over his head. It happened almost in slow-motion because you don't slide fast on that rock, but there was nothing to stop him. His head comes back up and he's gasping, "Oh that's cold! Oh tat's cold!" Eric and another man helped pull him up to shore, but the poor man was drenched and freezing. He had a super nice camera in a bag around his neck that got submerged too. And that sealed the deal--Joey was absolutely NOT going to try it. What bad timing! <br />
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So Joey and I explored a little, made a new trail of rocks through a shallow part in the river, and hung out....<br />
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It wasn't too long before everyone came back--I guess there was a spot that wasn't passable not too far past the foothold spot. The kids had a blast anyway....<br />
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And then Eric had to get a picture of me jumping over the stream onto a steep section where Eli helped everyone up. Just showing off my mad skills.... <br />
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One thing I love about Utah and my house is I feel like every sunset is amazing. I don't know why, but it just is. I have a perfect view from my house too--no other houses to block the view. Jacob actually took this one with my camera--isn't it beautiful! No filters, just nature.<br />
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We've been making our kids do their own laundry for a while now, particularly the three older ones. I still usually do Joey's and he helps put it away, mostly because I don't trust him to do it himself! But he decided to do his own laundry last week, and had Maggie help him with the detergent and stuff. He even switched it to the dryer on his own. As I was puttering around the basement I noted how fresh it smelled--like fresh laundry. I thought it was a little stronger than normal (normally I wouldn't notice that from the other side of the house almost) but didn't think much of it. Well, I was folding it with him later that evening and his clothes smelled sooo good. So, in his laundry I found this--EIGHT dryer sheets. Ha ha! No wonder his clothes were so soft and aromatic! Joey was so proud he had done it all by himself. I gently reminded him only one sheet was necessary but applauded the effort!<br />
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Maggie had her Invention Convention at school last week. She made a laundry helper! Luckily for me I already have a laundry helper--her!<br />
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And here's the rascal of the bunch. She's been banished to the outside for a few weeks because it has been so muddy outside that she is always filthy. I finally decided to give Ziggy a bath and let her roam the house with her family. After her bath she stayed inside for an hour or so, but then wanted to go out--probably to go to the bathroom. So I let her out and after about 15 minutes went out to get her. This is what I found...<br />
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Well that didn't take her long. Ugh. Banished once again.....The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-19773814252749662992018-01-13T13:47:00.000-08:002018-01-13T13:47:33.429-08:00O Holy Eventful Month!My goodness--it's only been a little over a month since I last posted, but as I posted all these pictures on here I realized how much has gone on! I suppose I just have WAY too exciting of a life to wait so long between posts. But therein lies the problem--my amazing exciting life leaves me little time to sit and blog....I'm in quite the conundrum. Well, I will keep plugging away I suppose. So onto the show...<br />
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To start the month off with a bang, the kids went to Grandma Calder's house. Jake and Joey spent the night--they made slime (not allowed home with them--I've had too many slime related accidents) and paper ornaments. And ate lots and lots of candy. Always a fun time at grandma's.<br />
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Joey's new favorite activity is taking my giant bags of Costco cups and stacking them. All the time--cups all over. If I had only known before I bought presents I would have just given him a giant bag of cups. He would have loved it. As you can see, he's getting quite good at stacking!<br />
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We've had an INCREDIBLE amount of snow here in Utah this winter--and by incredible I mean "It's incredible that it's January and we have no snow" incredible. Seriously--hardly any of the white manna has fallen here. I know why--it's because I finally broke down a couple months ago and bought a car with 4-wheel-drive because I hate driving in the snow. Ha. I jinxed it. Well the boys were chomping at the bit to go skiing, so Eric took them and met up with the cousins to find some snow. They found some at Park City (Alta) and spent the day there having fun. Glad they did--because it hasn't really snowed much since. Tyler is devastated. But at least they got one good day in! (Tyler is in the yellow pants, Jake is in the white helmet and light blue coat. The other boys are cousins--hi Ben and Sam!<br />
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After a year off I have officially reinstated the Swenson's Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. I missed doing it last year so brought it back to life. It was a total blast. Of course I made my famous sugar cookies.... I even thew in a menorah sweater in my decorating--I want to be inclusive.<br />
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I must admit I threw together some pretty awesome sweaters this year. First up, Eric's "Make Christmas Great Again" homage to Trump the Elf. Tyler ended up wearing this one to school too. </div>
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And I paid tribute to my favorite Christmas movie....see the squirrel on the tree? Do you know the movie?<br />
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If you don't then we can't be friends. (Just kidding--it's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation).<br />
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My friend Buff outdid us all though--she incorporated a live skunk into her sweater. No you didn't read that wrong. I guess they recently were given a de-stinkified skunk as a pet--she tucked it away into a backpack labeled "Christmas Stinks" and whipped it out once she was in the kitchen--AAhhhh! It was actually super cute and snuggly. The kids were enthralled. Everyone had to have their turn.<br />
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The party was fun and there were great sweaters, good games and even better white elephant gifts.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEogBirmeM50uyOBmxZ-r4BgVjEs2_w0_reSWHOuLTSAn6XAyzFS1GiOMjR4bhS6IaCEfK8EPfjBpqI904htHi6kn0YtRdM35Nyz3kYiFYklcCBiJ3c1sGVOYA_1KLGfOr4ixqjvDjTD8/s1600/IMG_7202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEogBirmeM50uyOBmxZ-r4BgVjEs2_w0_reSWHOuLTSAn6XAyzFS1GiOMjR4bhS6IaCEfK8EPfjBpqI904htHi6kn0YtRdM35Nyz3kYiFYklcCBiJ3c1sGVOYA_1KLGfOr4ixqjvDjTD8/s320/IMG_7202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEogBirmeM50uyOBmxZ-r4BgVjEs2_w0_reSWHOuLTSAn6XAyzFS1GiOMjR4bhS6IaCEfK8EPfjBpqI904htHi6kn0YtRdM35Nyz3kYiFYklcCBiJ3c1sGVOYA_1KLGfOr4ixqjvDjTD8/s1600/IMG_7202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEogBirmeM50uyOBmxZ-r4BgVjEs2_w0_reSWHOuLTSAn6XAyzFS1GiOMjR4bhS6IaCEfK8EPfjBpqI904htHi6kn0YtRdM35Nyz3kYiFYklcCBiJ3c1sGVOYA_1KLGfOr4ixqjvDjTD8/s1600/IMG_7202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>This little beauty of a doll was one of the gifts. Luckily, I didn't win it (creepy). Unluckily, my neighbor snuck it into my bedsheets when I wasn't watching. Late that night when i finally cleaned up and went to get in bed, I pulled back the covers and BOOM! There she was, just like this, staring at me. Creepy little bugger. Well, don't worry--I got my neighbor back and stuck it in his shower (his daughter is a friend of mine). This little beauty will make the rounds of party goers I am sure. She may even make a reappearance next year....<br />
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Our friends, the Carly's, invited us to go to a Christmas play with them--"Juanito Bandito's Christmas Carol." Everyone gets these awesome mustaches to enjoy! It was totally hilarious. I'd explain it to you, but you really had to be there. We were laughing the whole time. A fun new tradition!</div>
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Another tradition that is back this year is breakfast at Grandma Swenson's house! She was on her mission last year so we didn't get to do it, but now they are back! Christmas pj's, cookie decorating, and a yummy breakfast. <br />
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And before we knew it, Christmas morning was here. Santa did indeed come and left goodies and treats for us all. Even Ziggy wasn't forgotten! She devoured this pig ear in about 20 seconds. <br />
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It is always so fun watching the kids get excited, go through their stockings and gifts. I am glad we have some "believers" still to keep the magic of Christmas in the house. They keep it fun for all of us.<br />
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Santa left Tyler a new Shotgun...which he didn't put down for the rest of the day. It's called an "over under" but Eric explained it to me as being an "Elmer Fudd" gun. That I understood better.<br />
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Here's Ziggy ready to pounce on her gift!<br />
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Jacob got lots of cool rocks for his collection. Maggie got a new camera and Joey got a set of Avenger figurines. <br />
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For our family gifts we do the 4 gifts--something you WANT, something you NEED, something to WEAR, something to READ. Well, for the kids wear, I got them all something Disney related (Grumpy and Sleepy shirt, Mickey shirt, Mickey earrings). The reads were Disney books (hidden Mickeys, Secrets of Disneyland, easy Disney piano songs) and then can you guess what the WANT was? It was a surprise and I had the kids open all their other gifts first. They didn't put it al together--I bought letters to spell DISNEYLAND and put them all in different boxes for each kid. I had all the boxes different sizes, and even put book and a bag of brown sugar in them to throw them off. Once opened they had to unscramble the letters. With their previous gifts it didn't take them long. Boy were they excited! We haven't been there in 6 years! So they were thrilled. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB2JhNGMoGbRrnboyFT3Zv9jI1WiFI87xmsyuhIezSzZCeDKB00fbTMKrHXpbECgZS4e2olfd4omb_crzlLg7dbOHli3ATAxzFff1LqbQwVrN_cLFwnilpCL7U__SAYijM19RIDKpEoY/s1600/IMG_7231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB2JhNGMoGbRrnboyFT3Zv9jI1WiFI87xmsyuhIezSzZCeDKB00fbTMKrHXpbECgZS4e2olfd4omb_crzlLg7dbOHli3ATAxzFff1LqbQwVrN_cLFwnilpCL7U__SAYijM19RIDKpEoY/s320/IMG_7231.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So a couple weeks after Christmas we left for California! We stayed at a really nice place in Newport Coast--we had a villa with a full kitchen and 2 full bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room and dining area. It was huge! But great to fit us all. The kids thought this fountain out front was hilarious (naked butts....)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRZyU-8Djt1E1jVmhNpGtKglth5U2lj2PaVfvKQ4lVacez1yW3OAZ-o9AVcnWTVGyVToWjBpLAbcGfHgDRf3ydOdUyQ7wq2xIZ-vnc21Zc46SHWAwotdZL8MoOkvvNX9K7PrMXEvQCIg/s1600/IMG_7270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRZyU-8Djt1E1jVmhNpGtKglth5U2lj2PaVfvKQ4lVacez1yW3OAZ-o9AVcnWTVGyVToWjBpLAbcGfHgDRf3ydOdUyQ7wq2xIZ-vnc21Zc46SHWAwotdZL8MoOkvvNX9K7PrMXEvQCIg/s320/IMG_7270.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We had 4 days to spend at Disneyland and then we planned on spending our last day at the beach. Our first day there we had to go on the rides that were closing the next day--California Screamin, Grizzly River Rapids, the Haunted Mansion, the Tom Sawyer Island...I think that was all. I have to say that Joey and Maggie were awesome. Joey went on EVERY ride with us--from California Screamin, to Space Mountain, to everything else. He liked the Matterhorn and LOVED the Thunder Mountain Railroad--but he didn't want to go on CA Screaming or Space Mountain again. That's ok--we were proud that he tried them! Maggie's favorite ride was Space Mountain. Joey even got to see some storm troopers while we were waiting for the other 3 kids to go on Space Mountain!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN4K2WVDOI5sxUz1J2BgY8ULTraPe45S24aaywtrTaHKalKSQLE6B5CHdVcpvdr9jkeVOpw3CXoYR_IH3uqG3CWFAgH3jhqBPPbNsa97IBNpcghwFbC96qL8kxFrQHD3QYKYIJoQI32o/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN4K2WVDOI5sxUz1J2BgY8ULTraPe45S24aaywtrTaHKalKSQLE6B5CHdVcpvdr9jkeVOpw3CXoYR_IH3uqG3CWFAgH3jhqBPPbNsa97IBNpcghwFbC96qL8kxFrQHD3QYKYIJoQI32o/s320/IMG_2051.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLQH1rl60nt4eKdJSf2jiQSm6nt-YNUfzvrn-PrEifdpRWdPMB4saX92VG0X603H0RN9X3plnE4RrKKf-DvfDQDzqDkHHAAKLQN7ER5g4O1euM9oX-_plxFR5cu3JFMz7kBxV66M1GUc/s1600/IMG_2046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLQH1rl60nt4eKdJSf2jiQSm6nt-YNUfzvrn-PrEifdpRWdPMB4saX92VG0X603H0RN9X3plnE4RrKKf-DvfDQDzqDkHHAAKLQN7ER5g4O1euM9oX-_plxFR5cu3JFMz7kBxV66M1GUc/s320/IMG_2046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN4K2WVDOI5sxUz1J2BgY8ULTraPe45S24aaywtrTaHKalKSQLE6B5CHdVcpvdr9jkeVOpw3CXoYR_IH3uqG3CWFAgH3jhqBPPbNsa97IBNpcghwFbC96qL8kxFrQHD3QYKYIJoQI32o/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbN4K2WVDOI5sxUz1J2BgY8ULTraPe45S24aaywtrTaHKalKSQLE6B5CHdVcpvdr9jkeVOpw3CXoYR_IH3uqG3CWFAgH3jhqBPPbNsa97IBNpcghwFbC96qL8kxFrQHD3QYKYIJoQI32o/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Tyler and I decided to sit for a bit in Goofy's living room at Toon Town--Goofy was a great host. My feet were certainly tired--Jake's fitness watch said we walked about 8 miles each day. That probably added in distance on rides, but I'm counting it--because you have to stand in line so much. <br />
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Here's me and Jailbird on Autopia. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsP1H58GxmNKmgX-GyGX0AnJo0Tx57JlDbE1kLWeHsbQOY_j9P9xgAaX9D4eD0teADzQ0g3QoIqrQ8f_9lXSPXOIyhZvhM1G5nqh4u2Gm6WEuTvrJ6vMsXmZqUmvukQLOswMGfg1QXdoU/s1600/IMG_7277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsP1H58GxmNKmgX-GyGX0AnJo0Tx57JlDbE1kLWeHsbQOY_j9P9xgAaX9D4eD0teADzQ0g3QoIqrQ8f_9lXSPXOIyhZvhM1G5nqh4u2Gm6WEuTvrJ6vMsXmZqUmvukQLOswMGfg1QXdoU/s320/IMG_7277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The third day there Maggie didn't feel good. She actually threw up in the hotel room in the morning, but then said she felt better so we figured it was just all the junk food she ate the night before (she basically had half a bag of salt and vinegar chips for dinner--no judgements please). But on the drive to the park she puked again (luckily we keep hospital barf bags in the car--if you don't, I HIGHLY recommend it), so once there she sat out for a couple rides with Eric, but still felt crummy. So I went to the first aid place with her and they let her lay down. She took a nice nap....but I was bored out of my mind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOpAprZokH3O4ojAyiMEvLDByH152swDQasqcFAvdzIQ_8EUz4L-lTmAN_VTUO1det4DlV_Ft1_W_hwefaZ9NAOvQoPTgTY7a-e3wINVPKvBl-tkttvaeM6gM0U_wBvR_qs-wU0mTY1c/s1600/IMG_7279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOpAprZokH3O4ojAyiMEvLDByH152swDQasqcFAvdzIQ_8EUz4L-lTmAN_VTUO1det4DlV_Ft1_W_hwefaZ9NAOvQoPTgTY7a-e3wINVPKvBl-tkttvaeM6gM0U_wBvR_qs-wU0mTY1c/s320/IMG_7279.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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But even after the nap she felt terrible, so Eric left the three boys and me and took her back to the hotel (he wasn't feeling so great either--not puke just a bad cold). So it was just the 4 of us. It started raining on us, so we bought some ponchos, and boy does that place clear out when it rains! I almost like it better because everyone goes home. We went on a TON of rides. Maggie texted me this picture of herself from the hotel room--just to make sure I didn't forget about her. Poor thing. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcatb1Np1ttx45QQhknS6DPRWlXmqPyTz8Fd1qi4CukloxKYsvN5De1KPAmmTRivsvW2zKilPXRvicEbtccY658lqtCayO5HeCECUM7RMMtCg0wQtCdSDc17mTxKvEuswp20RmTwpIbA/s1600/53722847941__94C65FC8-17AD-4A96-96B3-F3F932D14379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcatb1Np1ttx45QQhknS6DPRWlXmqPyTz8Fd1qi4CukloxKYsvN5De1KPAmmTRivsvW2zKilPXRvicEbtccY658lqtCayO5HeCECUM7RMMtCg0wQtCdSDc17mTxKvEuswp20RmTwpIbA/s320/53722847941__94C65FC8-17AD-4A96-96B3-F3F932D14379.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Here we are in line for Matterhorn--all poncho'd up! We went on this one 3 times!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXcq-8gdwaQoB7-vvp_w631kNePA49_pCsK91SVzlijRAAnL7EvrqxReSwTzhVgyB3uw6D6UCDuNzam_gwwfM2dbMfsl3vuAeVcsjoqBS11hHJP9ZLFvW7qQpjyqTAvZJUMy6wIFcwbc/s1600/IMG_7282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXcq-8gdwaQoB7-vvp_w631kNePA49_pCsK91SVzlijRAAnL7EvrqxReSwTzhVgyB3uw6D6UCDuNzam_gwwfM2dbMfsl3vuAeVcsjoqBS11hHJP9ZLFvW7qQpjyqTAvZJUMy6wIFcwbc/s320/IMG_7282.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
And King Triton's carousel....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1rjf5ACbV6llEksClQvxaYffA-ubLUHnXa_umyV-mlmya5EY5dSfuJ6S4YPfwPCsY8GzaEGOdPE5va7CLO72SO6O5XUsHS7j3aCO3otHJ-RNAppxIuX8l6vQKOukFwdWHwjuCbKY9gw/s1600/IMG_7284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1rjf5ACbV6llEksClQvxaYffA-ubLUHnXa_umyV-mlmya5EY5dSfuJ6S4YPfwPCsY8GzaEGOdPE5va7CLO72SO6O5XUsHS7j3aCO3otHJ-RNAppxIuX8l6vQKOukFwdWHwjuCbKY9gw/s320/IMG_7284.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was mostly just drizzly, but In the late afternoon it really started pouring so we had Eric come pick us up. BY the time we got out to the pick up area we were literally drenched anywhere the poncho didn't cover--my shoes were like I had soaked them in a swimming pool. Slosh Slosh Slosh. And we had been there all day so we were ready to go. But the lack of crowds was definitely nice!<br />
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The next day Maggie felt better, thank goodness. We had to hit Midway Mania many times--it is Eric's favorite ride (even though he can't beat my score on it!). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmRZ-1KTXIc461AKgbFA2mUySLNIl5ZyUJQuUJ36h0Rl0HrpWHTNfJVGFlPXlzuZaEmSs9KQAvLXgUko0EREF1HEXXOfDWdzNZN90VNw3INHQczCe7zVWp4oADbmADmdEJXABMdWQFvE/s1600/IMG_7286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmRZ-1KTXIc461AKgbFA2mUySLNIl5ZyUJQuUJ36h0Rl0HrpWHTNfJVGFlPXlzuZaEmSs9KQAvLXgUko0EREF1HEXXOfDWdzNZN90VNw3INHQczCe7zVWp4oADbmADmdEJXABMdWQFvE/s320/IMG_7286.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This picture from Space Mountain was just me and Ty and Jake. We decided to pose--Jake and I are "Dabbing" and Tyler is just bored. The other random guy in front joined in our fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGO2IaVQgGUZvB4oe2QjqiZHn9gXMsQ36zbJ_xZdLvmBbEfqaxYF2J98DA7ugUidSGSR3g4yRmPZzx0Wto2xGbyZGlollBpnt_06Q4iyskPsSHX0IlQubrbPJvZ_0X4aK9qqMicN3hxo/s1600/IMG_7292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGO2IaVQgGUZvB4oe2QjqiZHn9gXMsQ36zbJ_xZdLvmBbEfqaxYF2J98DA7ugUidSGSR3g4yRmPZzx0Wto2xGbyZGlollBpnt_06Q4iyskPsSHX0IlQubrbPJvZ_0X4aK9qqMicN3hxo/s320/IMG_7292.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
This second Space Mountain picture was actually our first ride on it--Jake looks scared but he loved it--it was also his favorite ride. Maggie looks petrified but she also loved it. The funniest (and most priceless) expression was Joey--he looks as bored as humanly possible--but he was actually scared of it. I just love his expression. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSe7BVVajJhBjWW0Ioz_dVhzW1IjgXVCsaqcck3rVam393j6gvkZHdQjsKjSZXmDn6RMW6wXonOD03nz-KEvbJl4Gkjk7dTfFtOFv1J71T3oBGzGmfGZAnLvZHnvZUnbL99B6m6GxqnA/s1600/IMG_7293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSe7BVVajJhBjWW0Ioz_dVhzW1IjgXVCsaqcck3rVam393j6gvkZHdQjsKjSZXmDn6RMW6wXonOD03nz-KEvbJl4Gkjk7dTfFtOFv1J71T3oBGzGmfGZAnLvZHnvZUnbL99B6m6GxqnA/s320/IMG_7293.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
And here we are on one of our 3 times riding the Radiator Springs Racers. It's fun to have our own car. Everyone loved this ride. <br />
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Disneyland/California Adventure were so much fun. The kids had a blast. Maggie was sick the one day which stunk. And then the last day Joey managed to make us buy him new socks, underwear and Mickey sweats--can you guess why? We had a bit of a situation--lucky for me he had gone into the boys bathroom with Eric. I got the preferable job of hurrying to a store to find some new clothes, Eric got to clean off the poop. I win! <br />
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Our last day we went to the beach--our favorite beach in Corona Del Mar. It was only a couple minutes from the hotel. The place was empty--a few people came and went but we pretty much had the beach to ourselves for the most part. It was actually pretty nice out too. We explored the tide pools, looked for sea glass, played in the waves, and even found a brittle sea star! I know you're thinking why did we pick it out of the tide pools--but we didn't. I was just walking along the wave line in the sand and saw this weird ball that looked like a pile of earthworms. I picked it up and saw it was this sea star all curled up because it had gotten washed up onto the sand (it was past the surf line now). I thought it was dead but when we got it wet it started moving. So we hurried and brought it over to the tide pool and set it in. It was definitely alive! Instantly squirmed and huddled itself down under a rock. It was pretty cool. Plus, I told the kids that we are heroes--we saved life that day! <br />
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After spending the morning at the beach, we went out for lunch, then dropped Eric off at the airport--he had to work Friday but we still had our hotel room so I decided to stay with the kids and drive home Friday--otherwise we would have had to have left Thursday morning and missed our beach day.<br />
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After we dropped Eric off, I asked the kids what they wanted to do. Unanimous--beach again. Fine by me. So back we went--and stayed way past sunset until we could barely see anything anymore. But it made for some great pictures!<br />
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Jumping over the waves...<br />
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Jake looks like he belongs on a beach in San Diego with a surfboard. <br />
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Me and the older boys were joking around while the younger two played in the waves. I told them to hug and this is what I got.... nice face Tyler...<br />
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I just love these guys!<br />
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After the beach it was back to the hotel pool, then we all got in our pj's and watched a movie back in the room. It was actually a great day.</div>
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The next morning, we slept in, packed up and headed for home. I've done that drive by myself a hundred times. And it is long. But we made it, and the kids were actually really good in the car so that made it easier. All in all, even with a couple mishaps, it was a successful trip and everyone had a good time. We will have to get back to Disneyland before another 6 years passes by!</div>
<br />The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-13483789114019473502017-12-03T17:08:00.000-08:002017-12-03T17:08:03.859-08:00Thanksgiving Adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well this first picture really has nothing to do with our Thanksgiving adventures, but it does have to do with our adventures at home. I happened to be outside a couple weeks ago and turned to the field and saw a horse that I had never seen before! I thought to myself, "Whose horse is this?? And how did it get into our field??" Upon closer inspection, I realized it was Crazy Alice! She had rolled in the dirt and completely covered herself in black dirt except for her white head. Yes folks, this horse is normally completely white--</div>
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I would hose her off (because she loves that) but once we are done hosing her off the first thing she does--every time--is immediately go roll in the dirt... ugh.<br />
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But we did have a fun Thanksgiving jaunt down to Moab. Since it was just us and Eric's parents we didn't really feel like going through the whole hoopla of making a big dinner. So we hightailed it out of town to the beautiful vistas of Moab. We hiked out to a few arches--including Utah's famous Delicate Arch. The trails were fun because they were a lot of slick rock that is fun to hike on. Tyler found a fun spot--no one will miss these cairns!<br />
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We hiked out to Delicate Arch and it was neat because we were able to go right up to it and touch it, etc. It was neat to see it in person after seeing it on almost every picture depicting Utah! </div>
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We also found a crazy huge sand hill--this picture doesn't even depict how tall and steep it was. I think it was the favorite spot for the kids for the trip (except maybe the hotel pool). It was, however, not my favorite spot because I'm still finding red sand in my car... <br />
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On one of our hikes we stopped to use the restroom (read: glorified outhouse) and Tyler and I were laughing at the sign of "instructions" inside on the wall...<br />
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HA HA HA! Not sure who actually needs these instructions but they must be there for a reason! I think the janitor must have gotten sick of cleaning up after people's misunderstanding. <br />
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Another cool arch was landscape arch. They do not allow you to walk up to it anymore because several years ago a huge chunk collapsed off one side. Luckily no one was hurt, but it is getting pretty thin on that side and possibly dangerous. But it was still cool to look at.<br />
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We found an "arch" that was really a hole in the rocks above us. We dubbed it "Toilet Bowl Arch" because that's pretty much exactly what it looked like.<br />
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Strike a pose...<br />
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We are so lucky where we live because it seems like we always have beautiful sunrises and sunsets but last week we had a particularly beautiful one--these I snagged with my camera so they aren't as spectacular as they were in person, but it still looks just like a painting!<br />
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Even though I got all my Christmas decor up, it took me until a couple days into December to realize I didn't have an advent calendar this year. I wanted something cute so saw this picture online and voila! Stockings of goodies for each day until Christmas!<br />
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And like we did last year I took Maggie and her friends to a BYU production--this year was "Into the Woods." The first half was awesome--the second half....a little weird. But enjoyable nonetheless. Ad the girls had a memorable night so that's what counts!<br />
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<br />The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-65866781539373721412017-11-05T19:28:00.000-08:002017-11-05T19:34:46.756-08:00Parties, Pianos, Pumpkins, Ponies, Parents and Pedicures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Definitely a "P" month for us! And a super fun one at that. Fall is such a great time of year!</div>
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Maggie is celebrating her 9th birthday! OH NO! I only have one more year until she hits double digits. Yikes. Well, seeing as how she already acts like she is 8 going on 16 it probably won't be much different.... She mulled over her options and decided to have a spa party at a local salon, Aria. The girls got their hair done, nails and makeup. It was so awesome! They have a whole upstairs room for parties--while the girls were waiting their turn for the different pampering stations, they had a movie playing. Then afterward had a dance party! I highly recommend it to anyone wanting an easy birthday--no mess, no fuss, and it was actually super affordable. And boy did my little diva love every minute!</div>
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I suppose I did put a bit of an effort into it, I made her rainbow cloud cupcakes. They came out super cute and totally delicious. I made the frosting look like fluffy white clouds on top. And of course rainbow sprinkles. <br />
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It was definitely a hit.<br />
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I really like living out here in the "country"--even though I am blocks away from a neighborhood. I wasn't sure how I'd fare out here, seeing as how I've always lived in a suburb type neighborhood with neighbors right close by. But I actually have really enjoyed it, and one of my favorite things it when I pull down the driveway and all the horses are out front. Sometimes they are eating, sometimes they are all lined up at the fence, and sometime (rarely) they are all basking in the afternoon fall sun. The other day I drove by and they were all lazing about....<br />
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Although fall is my favorite season, it is also a time of crazy schedules for our family. All my kids do fall activities--Tyler did football, Jake does soccer, Maggie does hip hop and tumbling (which is all year), and Joey did soccer for the first time this year. Pile that on top of piano and guitar lessons, scouts, young men, my calling in young women, Eric's calling in young mens, activity days...well it makes for a hectic few months. We are finally through with football and soccer so I am happily taking a respite from the driving. Luckily my kids like to ski more than basketball so they opt out of playing basketball so they can spend Saturdays at the slopes. Fine by me! But it was fun to see my kids enjoy their sports, especially Joey. He LOVED playing soccer and can't wait until spring to start again! And watching his age is my favorite sport to watch. I get too invested in Jake's team and competitive, but Joey is playing with first graders so it is still mostly what I like to call Bumble-Ball. And it is hilarious. But Joey did great and actually tried to play his position pretty well, probably learned it from watching his brother. He even score a goal! Go Joey!<br />
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The highlight of the season was definitely Eric's parents coming home from their mission. It seemed like it flew by to me, but I know they were happy to be home and back on American soil! We got to hear about it and see some pretty cool pictures--boy are they well traveled! We are so glad they got home safely and can't wait to start having them at family stuff now!<br />
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Of course the ladies had to spend an afternoon relaxing. Hillary was in town, so we took some girl time. And what better way to celebrate than an assembly line of pedicures! Can you tell which one of these things is not like the others???? (Me, the blondie)<br />
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This picture is weird but it is the only one I got of Jacob's piano festival. He and Maggie both had songs to perform and were pretty nervous but they did great! They both got superiors and were happy to be done with it! (and so am I--I couldn't stand listening to those same songs any more!) But I had to post this picture because did you notice his feet? We had to come straight from a soccer game and I asked Jake 10 times if he had everything he needed to change into--shirt, tie, pants, shoes. He kept saying yes and finally said "YES!" and told me to stop asking. Well, lo and behold, we are half way to the piano festival and Jake tells me he forgot his shoes. So his choices were fluorescent yellow cleats (I'm sure the people would love it if he played their piano in cleats) or his red soccer socks. He opted for the socks and did the whole performance sans shoes, with bright red socks.... Well, he did get a superior so maybe the judges liked it! (note taken for next year....)<br />
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My good friend decided to do a pumpkin patch at her place. Yup, she's a real go-getter. I'll just let everyone else plan the big stuff and I'll attend as a happy patron. It was so fun--she had all the essentials and probably the best cotton candy I've ever had (gourmet flavors--we got Lime Ricky and Tiger's Blood). The boys had a blast racing on the trikes. Although Joey was the only one who could actually fit on it the right way.<br />
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There was also a big corn kernel pit. That was probably the highlight. The stayed in there for probably an hour! I loved this candid shot of them playing together...without fighting....for this moment...I think it lasted 2 minutes.....<br />
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Tyler fell in love with this little goat and wanted me to buy it so we could take it home. No thanks. I've got enough animals--6 horses, 5 fish, one dog and 3 boys....<br />
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To top off the night we took a horse drawn wagon ride. Since my friend was the driver she let me kids sit up front with her. They thought they were pretty cool....and who can blame them!<br />
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So after the pumpkin patch we were definitely getting into the Halloween Spirit. So it was just a great addition to that to go to Maggie's "reader's theater" at school. Her teacher is amazing and got a grant to buy violins for each student in her class. As part of class she teaches them to play songs. (Jacob had the same teacher) Maggie did so good at her songs, and had her cute little smile the whole time. <br />
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Then she got to act a part in a 3 witches play. She loved every minute. And it was so cute to watch her!<br />
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Maggie also loves the horses but doesn't get too much of a chance to ride them. So when she had a friend over the other day Eric generously took them on a little ride. They each took their own horse--but he did get a shot of them both on Cinco. Yee haw.<br />
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As I said before, I don't need any more animals--and part of the reason is this...<br />
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We had the Swenson's homecoming at our house last Sunday, and so we had a ton of garbage. Well, no matter how many times I tell the kids to make sure the garbage lid closes or tie the bag, they never do. And when that happens this is what I wake up to in the morning. Now it's easy to say to make the kids clean it up, but I never notice it until after they have left for school.... I wish I could make Ziggy clean it up since she is culprit. Argh!<br />
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Halloween was a success this year. I like to see the kids get dressed up because I remember how much I loved it when I was a kid. Maggie (after MUCH contemplation and mind-changing) decided to be a deer. It was so easy and cheap--my two favorite costume adjectives! I just bought a brown shirt and used brown leggings. I literally glued on some craft fur, felt and voila. The makeup looks a lot harder than it was. Easier than last year's! Plus it was cute because Maggie loved it so much. <br />
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Tyler pondered how to still dress up but not look like a nerd.....</div>
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Success! Ha. I know you are thinking he looks like a nerd, but he is Dwight Schrute from "The Office." Complete with name tag "Assistant to the Regional Manager" and calculator watch....<br />
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Jacob's was the trickiest to pull off. When I asked him what he wanted to be he said a "taco truck." ???? How he came up with that I'll never know. Actually, I do know. Sometimes we play 20 questions in the car and only once have we been completely stumped. Jake was the chooser and he picked "taco truck." No one could guess it--so now it is our little family inside joke. But lo and behold we worked together and pulled it off! And it actually came out amazing. We made the truck out of a box and had a ton of fun decorating it together. No detail overlooked. Arrrreba!!<br />
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Last but not least, Joey's costume was actually my favorite. First of all because it took no effort except to put him in it, but mostly because it looked hilarious as he walked. The dinosaur waddled back and forth and it seriously made me giggle all night. Usually I get sick of taking the kids trick or treating but I could've done that forever because it just made me happy!<br />
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So October was full of fun and we are excited to get ready for Thanksgiving! (Best meal of the year!!!!!!) Happy haunting!<br />
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<br />The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-63128325543577077322017-10-03T15:06:00.001-07:002017-10-03T15:06:29.400-07:00Livin' It Up in the City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I found a couple of rogue pictures from our weekend staycation in Salt Lake. The best of which was the ones of the restaurant we ate at for breakfast--Coachman's Dinner & Pancake House. It was truly an ode to the '70's complete with red carpet, fake wood paneling, nautical themed decor and mirrors on the walls. </div>
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It was a little sketchy but we trusted the sign, which I thought was hilarious--Come in, YOU will be pleasantly surprised! That is seriously the best advertising ever. How could we resist?<br />
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And it actually was pretty good--we WERE pleasantly surprised! Ha ha. And in true throwback fashion it was a cash only place. Fun way to end our little getaway.<br />
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In the culmination of Tyler's summer efforts, he had his real rock band concert. As usual it was super fun to see him up on stage. He sang one of the songs and sounded great. The kids has musical talent--I just wish I knew how to get him to practice more! <br />
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Tyler and the gang--"The Lazy Boys."<br />
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Tyler didn't like some of the songs they did and he wanted to do more, so I told him to start his own band. Nothing yet but I think he'd have fun!<br />
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On the sadder side, there's been some hurricanes come through parts of the country that caused a lot of devastation. Jake's soccer team was going to have a bake sale fundraiser but instead turned it into a Hurricane Relief fundraiser. They raised almost $700! That's awesome for this little group of boys on a Saturday morning. It was the day of the big BYU v Utah football game so of course the bake sale was Cougars v Utes. I think the cougar side won the bake sale, too bad we lost the game. But I was super proud of these boys!<br />
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A small tribute to our dog, Ziggy. She is such a fun dog to have. She loves all things outdoor so naturally Eric is her favorite person ever, despite the fact that I am the one who feeds her and takes care of her. Figures. She is very well-adjusted and certainly likes to make herself comfortable... <br />
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We had a birthday in the house too--Joey turned 7! I can't believe it. They just keep getting bigger and bigger, even though I keep telling them not to. He had a few friends over and we went to Lowe's Airsports. He got some cool gifts and had fun. Joey is such a funny kid--sometimes he is a TOTAL STINKER, but other times he is the sweetest thing you've ever seen. He give "love pats" on your back when he hugs you (it's my favorite thing) and loves to snuggle. He's definitely growing up fast, but I think that's what happens when kids have so many older siblings to imitate. He loves sugar (who doesn't) and playing outside. And best of all, he has the greatest laugh of all time. Love you buddy!<br />
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Eric and Tyler went on a horse ride a couple weeks ago. The leaves are starting to turn and it's getting colder so they wanted to head out before the weather gets too bad. Tyler is turning into a pretty good rider these days. Looking more and more like a real cowboy!<br />
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Tyler also got his braces off! Woo hoo!<br />
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One of the first signs of fall!!!<br />
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One of the gifts Joey got for his birthday was a stomp rocket. We've had them in the past but not for a long time so he had a ton of fun sending them soaring! We made sure to stay away from the house so the rockets wouldn't get stuck on the roof--thanks for the tip Aunt Katie!<br />
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This past weekend we took a trip to the big apple, the one and only New York City. We had a bunch of money in free airline tix (from getting bumped previously) that had to be used soon. Jake has always wanted to go to NYC so we decided to surprise him. Tyler's been on lots of trips so we figured it was Jake's turn to go. Plus Jake is such a great kid--he always helps out and gets his chores done so well. It's time he got to do something fun with just me and dad. We told him the night before we left. He was so excited!<br />
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Eric and I have been to NYC a few times, but we did lots of new things this trip. Here's a few highlights..<br />
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First we just walked around--we went to Rockefeller Plaza, Times Square, a bunch of stores....<br />
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We went inside St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was really cool--very ornate, lots of stained glass, statues, the works. Jake wanted to light a candle but it cost $3 so we decided to pass on the blessings for that day! Here's a selfie of me and Jake--I'm not very good at taking them. Notice how Eric snuck in the background there! <br />
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One thing we hadn't done before was go to the Museum of Natural History. We tried to go years ago but it was when they were filming Night at the Museum 2 so it was all closed. But we did get to see Ben Stiller! Anyway, this time it was fun to go in. It is ENORMOUS! Almost too much to take in for one visit. But we had to stop in at the Gems and Minerals exhibit. It was like Jacob's Shangri-La. He could've spent hours there! I definitely feel smarter after going through the museum...<br />
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We went to Central Park Zoo, and walked around more stores. There was one weird store that was Japanimation style toys. The one thing they really needed though was a giant oversized stuffed bear....oh wait...<br />
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Another first for all of us was going to the top of the Empire State Building. I've been to the building before but never up to the top. It was really cool! The building itself was amazing--all in the art deco style, no detail overlooked from the floors, to the light fixtures, to the elevator doors. We rode up to the top and got an amazing view of the city. You can see it behind us here--in just a few minutes we will be at the top!<br />
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Okay, I think I'm getting better at this selfie thing....it's just you can see my arm in Eric's glasses! Oh well. And the building behind was actually bent weird like that, it isn't the camera. <br />
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The elevator doors....<br />
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And here you can see the World Trade Tower in the distance and the Statue of Liberty (the tiny speck out in the water)</div>
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Totally cool. After the Empire State Building we went to Grand Central Station. It took us a few minutes to figure out the Subway system but once we got it, it was easy. I think it was just tricky at first because Grand Central is SOOOO big! With so many trains/subways! But talk about an awesome building--once again every detail was amazing. Even though everyone there was busting about, it almost felt like stepping back in time. The fixtures, decor, grates, everything was so neat.<br />
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So we managed to find our line....<br />
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And took it down to Yankee Stadium for our first game at Yankee Stadium! <br />
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It was a blast. We all even bought some NY Yankees hats to be true fans!<br />
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When we sat down we noticed we were right by Zack Hample--I wouldn't have known him but we had just watched a news story about him. He has made a career out of catching balls at baseball games. In fact, he's caught thousands of them. He studies stadiums and players and figures out the most likely place to get a ball--and he has only gotten skunked twice in the last 5 years! He travels all around the US to games and has a YouTube channel. Seriously, we were thinking sweet! We will hopefully get a ball! Well, we didn't get one, but it was fun to see him (now that I know who he is).</div>
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Yankees won! The next day as we walked through Times Square we stopped to watch a group of street performers. They pulled Jake in and then Eric as part of their skit. It was fun at first but then it took FOREVER! In the end, they had two guys jump over Jake, had Eric do a dance with a line of other men they snagged, then asked for money. So it turned out to be just their way of finagling money out of you--and it was sooo long. Oh well, at least Jake got his 15 minutes of fame (which he hated, BTW)<br />
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Eric and his dance...I did film it but I'm forbidden to ever show it to anyone...<br />
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We took a walk to the Brooklyn Bridge. We walked out onto it, then right back. Ha ha. To many people made it way too hard to walk!<br />
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Another thing I had never done was see the 9/11 Memorial and museum. Last time we were in NYC the rubble from the towers was still being cleaned up. The wading pools and museum were amazing. I could have spent all day at the museum but Jake was getting bored. I tried to explain to him how that day changed the world, but he just didn't get it. This is the only world he's ever known, so he just couldn't grasp it. But I found the museum to be amazing, emotional, and so well done. The wading pools are really beautiful as well. <br />
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Of course down on Wall St we had to go see the bull. Jake got a little mini-lesson on the stock market. I didn't wait for a great picture with the bull because there were too many people, once again.<br />
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For our meals this trip we tried to go to as many fun eateries as possible. No chain restaurants for us! We ate the quintessential New York hot dog from a stand, authentic Dominican food from a hole in the wall place, had the best fish tacos i've ever eaten, street pizza which was amazing, a bagel with cream cheese, etc and found this AMAZING dessert place in Little Italy. We got Italian sodas and an assortment of Italian desserts. Delicious. I wish I had a bigger stomach so I could have tried more! It was fun to go with Jake because he is getting to be quite the adventurous eater and loved all the places we went. <br />
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Times square at night.... This was right after our encounter with the Naked Singing Cowboy and the topless "painted clothes on" women. Nice.<br />
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Mind the gap Jake!<br />
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Here's a view of the new World Trade Tower. Tallest building in the USA. We didn't go up to the top, we decided to just do that at the Empire State Building, because the Empire bldg is so iconic. But the outside of the World Trade Tower was cool.<br />
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Our last night there we found the best fish taco place ever at Chelsea Market. It was a tiny place blasting ear-drum bursting latin music. All they sold was fish and shrimp tacos pretty much. But they were so good! We ate our first order then ended up going back for more. Then we explored Chelsea Market and got mini donuts for dessert. My favorite meal of the whole trip!!!<br />
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Of course we missed our flight coming home. We decided to take the Subway to the airport and it turned out a bunch of it was under construction so it took forever to get there. It ended up taking us 2 1/2 hours to get from our hotel to JFK. Ugh! So we got the airport 45 minutes before our flight left and they told us it was too late and we couldn't get on. What! I was surprised. I could understand if we got there 20 minutes ahead, but I'd think that 45 was enough. regardless there was nothing we could do so we rebooked to the next available flight which wasn't until 7:30 that night (our original flight was at 11:30). So we got to spent the ENTIRE day at JFK (torture). Finally we made it home safe and sound. What a fun trip!The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-75237352722277463172017-09-07T20:12:00.000-07:002017-09-07T20:12:37.693-07:00Work Hard, Play Hard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More fun stuff to post! I found this picture of Tyler and Eric from their pack trip. Thought it was sweet so I'm posting it even though it is super late...</div>
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We've spent a few fun afternoons hanging out at Jessica's pool. It's always the perfect temperature! And you can't beat lounging around on a giant swan...<br />
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A couple days before school started I took the kids to Boondocks with my mom. Jake had been there but none of the rest of us had. It was super fun! We bought a day pass and the kids went to town. Their favorite activity was the go-karts. It was super kid-oriented so they even had a track with slightly slower cars that Joey could even drive by himself! I was a little nervous about him crashing and not being able to drive but he did awesome. I think he's about ready to get his license!<br />
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Boondocks also had these fun boats that were motorized and had a super powerful water gun on them. Let the war begin!<br />
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The kids' favorite was the cars, but mine was definitely the XD Theater. Basically you sit in a dark room and watch a 3-D adventure where you have to use the laser guns to shoot the bad guys. The parents (if they aren't participating) get to stand outside and watch the kids reaction on the screen below...<br />
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Let me just tell you, it was hilarious. The kids first did a Zombie Attack one. I didn't think they would be scary, but I was WRONG! (Take note people, that doesn't happen very often.) At first the kids seemed fine and having fun shooting zombies, but then there were times they screamed, Joey started crying, and Tyler was trying to cover Joey's eyes. At this point I'm thinking, what did I get them into?! I couldn't see the actual movie but watching their reactions was priceless. Then at the end they all screamed together...apparently a zombie jumps out. It was seriously funny watching them...Tyler and Jake liked it, but Maggie and Joey not so much. I couldn't get Joey to go back in for hours (to do a less-scary one--they had 3 different shows). But all in all it was a fun day and a great way to end summer days.<br />
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A couple weeks ago there was a total eclipse coming over part of the U.S. In our area it was only 90% coverage, but up north in Idaho they got the total eclipse. We thought about going up there to see it, because I've heard they are awesome, but we figured the traffic would be horrendous (we were right--it took some friends of our 13 hours to get home--it's only a 5 hour drive). But we decided to bring a picnic up into the mountains--we would watch the eclipse and Tyler could practice shooting his new rifle he got for his birthday. Ready, Aim, FIRE! He's a dead eye--hit the bullseye first shot...after Eric sighted it in for him.<br />
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The eclipse was pretty cool--not as neat as a total one, but it got darker, and the temperature dropped quite a bit. We had our solar glasses, but you can see the crescent of the sun in the shadows through the leaves...<br />
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Eric and Tyler enjoying the show....<br />
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And then there was Jake....<br />
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We brought Ziggy up with us. And as usual she had a blast. It is so fun watching her run around in the mountains...she prances like a deer, jumping and bounding around. You can just feel her JOY!<br />
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Tyler decided to try his hand/foot at football this year. It is a lot of practice, averages 2 hours each day. Then games on Saturday nights. We weren't sure if he'd get any playing time since he's a rookie, but he's gotten to play about half of each game so far! So we are pleasantly surprised, as is he. He is loving it for sure....but he come home from practice VERY stinky--teenage boy sweat. It is like nothing I have ever smelled---PHEW! Lot of laundry and windows down on the drive home.<br />
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Jake has a new friend this summer, Chase. They are basically joined at the hip. Everyday they want to hang out. They go on bike rides a lot and seem to always get free stuff--they got free fries at McDonalds, free candy at the gas station and something else I can't remember. Lucky kids! They helped Chase's dad build this bridge and were pretty proud of themselves!<br />
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Jake's been building bridges and we've been working in the backyard....just like ALL SUMMER LONG! I swear it will never end. We just put in a border around the trampoline hole--it turned out pretty nice! We even set the trampoline up so now the kids can play!<br />
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Over the Labor Day weekend, we thought about going camping with some friends, but Eric had had enough of the outdoors this summer. I reminded him that although HE went on all those fun trips, he left US behind. So I told him if he didn't want to go camping that was fine, but we were going to do SOMETHING....and something NOT at home since we both knew we would just end up working in the yard the whole weekend. So we did a little staycation. We got a hotel room in Salt Lake and spent some time in Park City shopping, in Salt Lake at a fun candy store, and a lot of hotel swimming! We also went and saw Music and the Spoken Word on Temple Square (I stayed in the hotel with Joey since you have to be 8 years old) and then we all did a garden tour of Temple Square after that. Eric and I thought that was pretty cool, but the kids thought it was torture. HA! Here we are after just checking in to the hotel...the kids needed an etiquette lesson on sharing a bathroom with 6 people....this was their lecture....<br />
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We also went out by Mirror Lake and did a "hike" (if you can call it that) and played in the river. It was really beautiful. The river was shallow enough that the kids could walk in it, which they promptly did...in their tennis shoes. So we just went along. Lots of cool boulders and shale, really a neat place.<br />
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Despite the grandeur of nature, the inspiration on temple, the plethora of candy at Rocket Fizz...the highlight of the trip (for the kids) was the hotel pool. Of course they wanted to play in it all the time.<br />
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Eric and I even got in on the action, but Dad was the hit of the party--he was strong enough to throw the little kids around. Here's a sequence of one of Maggie's flips. Launch off the shoulders...<br />
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Tight tuck and turn....<br />
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Feet first water entry...<br />
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And SPLASH! He must have done it a hundred times.<br />
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Tyler and Joey liked hanging out in the hot tub.<br />
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And what pool party would be complete without a splash war? Tyler I think has mastered the art of the water splash. But Jake held his own.<br />
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And try as they might, the boys could NOT dunk their dad--he's too buff. They tried to no avail and finally gave up. So I guess Eric remains king of the pool.<br />
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And as I close this blog post you might be wondering about the first day of school...well, it went great, and it is great having all the kids in school all day. Especially because of how busy life seems once 3:00 hits--I'm driving here and there and everywhere. But I love having the time during the day to get things done, eat lunch and use the bathroom uninterrupted, and just enjoy the peace and quiet and the house not being messy 5 seconds after I clean it. You might also be wondering about first day of school pictures!! Well, there are none (hiding my head in shame). I don't know what happened to my brain...it might be the craziness of trying to get ready, the busy breakfast making, the bleary eyed having to get up early, or just the sheer excitement of knowing I would have the day to myself...but whatever happened in my brain, I just plumb forgot to take pictures. Then I thought about it a couple days after school started after seeing some friends/family posting pictures of their kids, but by that point the moment had past. What would I caption it? "Hooray! 3rd day of 6th Grade!" Not quite the impact. So, this year comes and goes without first day of school pictures. But that's ok--a shrug of my shoulders and knowing those awkward school pics will be coming soon makes me feel okay! Happy school days!The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-83917080114844404392017-08-05T20:42:00.001-07:002017-08-05T20:42:27.824-07:00Cramming it all in!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
School starts in just a couple weeks for us, so we are trying to cram in as much fun stuff in these last days of summer as we can! It's only been less than a month since I last posted but I've got a ton of catching up to do. </div>
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Summer is the best time to splash around, so of course we have gone to the splash pad a few times. Maggie, ever the picture poser, must be half mermaid with how much she loves the water!</div>
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And water is a main attraction at Grandma Calder's house (along with the oodles and oodles of candy)! Sprinklers, slip-n-slides, water balloons galore. Jake has mastered the giant water balloon. Pretty cool optical tricks too!<br />
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And just when I thought it would never rain again...it didn't just rain, it POURED. It FLOODED. It DRENCHED, GUSHED, TORRENTED....whatever name you think of for a massive storm. It hadn't rained here since spring, and when the drizzle started my kids were ecstatic! Instantly they ran outside and started to play in the heavenly water. But it didn't take long to realize this was no regular summer sprinkle. The rain got harder and harder, the wind started howling, and within minutes we were wondering if a tornado was coming! We even turned on the news to make sure! No tornado warning, but it poured and poured. I think the final tally was 2-3" of rain in an hour at our house. It didn't last long, but it was enough to flood parts of the grass, the barn, make a river of mud into parts of the grass and the corrals. We were lucky that nothing was too badly damaged, nothing a little bit of elbow grease and a shovel couldn't fix in a short time. We had many people we know who had serious flooding and issues. So we count ourselves lucky. I managed to snap a picture just as the rain started to get harder while the kids were still out enjoying it....<br />
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Jacob is my little soccer man--and he and his friend did a soccer camp together. Of course they had a blast! Can't wait for soccer season to start!<br />
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Eric snapped this shot from our deck. I love that we can see such beautiful sunsets right in our backyard!<br />
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I went to girls camp, which was amazing. I always have so much fun with the girls and the leaders. I am lucky to work with such a fun group of ladies. And we have such amazing young women, they are so inclusive of each other, so kind and hard-working. I had a great time. <br />
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The day I got home from camp, Eric, Tyler and our friend from the army, Nate, took a horse pack trip up into Montana. Eric has been wanting to do that for SO long, and finally decided to make it happen. They packed up and headed out to the mountains for several days. I missed not seeing Eric and Tyler for almost 2 weeks! But they had so much fun. They said the horses did great, they did some fishing (Tyler was the only one who caught fish!) but the fishing wasn't great because the rivers were so high. Because of that they actually came home a day early, but they still had a fun time. I only posted a few of the pictures, but man, is it beautiful where they went! Huge meadows full of wildflowers, rivers and streams, green grasses and tall pine trees. I think it would be really fun to go with them some time! Tyler had a blast also--he is very allergic to horses but we've been doing the allergy shots (immunotherapy) for a year and half now and it's been a miracle for him! He used to break out in hives and his eyes would swell up and he'd be sneezing every 2 seconds around the horses. Now he has pretty much no reaction! They even added his other allergens to the serum so he doesn't even get hay fever anymore. It has been a huge time commitment but totally worth it. And totally worth it to see the smile on his face being the fish master!<br />
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Look at these two handsome men...I'm so lucky to have them both! And that is Oreo's behind. Nice. </div>
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Eric took this shot after some fishing--what a nice view to relax to!<br />
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Here's Oreo again, from the front this time. This was her first pack trip and she did great. Her pack started to slip on a pretty treacherous strip of road ( a big cliff drop off on one side of a narrow path), but Eric managed to save the situation. <br />
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And here is Eric with Nathan. Cowboying it up! Eric came home smelling like horse, dirty, in his cowboy duds, hat and boots with spurs, and a scruffy beard--and a big smile on his face! He said on the way home they stopped in Jackson Hole and all the tourists were taking pictures of the horses sticking their heads out of the trailer, and then when the guys walked down the street to get a bite to eat, with spurs clanking and everything, people were staring at them saying, "Whoa! A real cowboy!" Ha ha. What a fun trip for the guys. <br />
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This picture was from our trip on the ranger up Tower Mountain last month, but I found it on Eric's phone and loved it. My kids can drive me crazy sometimes, but then the next minute they make my heart melt. They really are a good bunch.<br />
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And of course, in true Swenson tradition, we all went to the Fiesta Days rodeo. This year was a special treat because Joey got selected to do the mutton bustin'! He has been wanting to do it forever and I finally remembered to fill out the application a month early. Good job for me! A few years back the favorite treat was cinnamon mini-donuts (which sadly are gone) but now they have mini scones which are right up there with the best of the rodeo treats. Here's Ty, and me and Eric so excited to watch Joey!<br />
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Everyone ready to rodeo!<br />
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So, as I said, Joey was super excited about the mutton bustin'. The week before, his siblings had been giving him many pointers about how to stay on..."Hold on no matter what!" Maggie and Tyler would even pretend to be the sheep and let Joey ride their backs. We really weren't sure how he was going to do. He is a strong and stubborn kid for sure...but who knows how to practice for mutton bustin' without a sheep?! So we hoped for the best. Here is Eric helping him on....we told Joey to ride backwards but he refused. He said, "That's not the way the cowboys do it!" So he rode forward and....<br />
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Didn't last too long before he ended up doing a backflip off the sheep! He tumbled in a complete backwards somersault. He was a little stunned at first and quickly ran back to dad, where he said he cried a little bit. He said he had to let go because the sheep bit him. Ha ha. Okay, bud. But he had fun and we had a blast watching him. Maggie, however, was beside herself, hysterically crying because he fell off so soon. She was literally sobbing, "I feel so bad for Joey! He didn't make it to the other side!" and on and on. We are talking crocodile tears. I kept telling her it was okay, and it was jut for fun but she wasn't having it. So I finally told her if Joey sees her like that he will feel bad, but if we all tell him how good he did then he will feel good! That got her to stop...mostly. It was pretty funny--I couldn't stop laughing.<br />
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One evening Jacob was begging to go fishing and Eric and I let him talk us into it. We ended up going up to Payson Lakes and fishing up there. It was a little slow at first, but it picked up a little and the kids ended up catching some fish. I think Jake caught 2 or 3, Tyler caught 2 but he was kind enough to let Joey reel in one and Maggie reel in the other one. How sweet--see...my kids can be nice to each other every once in a while! Jacob was getting pretty good at casting out!<br />
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Here is Tyler letting Maggie reel in a fish.... She was so excited!!! As you can see we stayed for a long time--well into the dark. We were some of the last people there. But that's when the fish started biting! A fisherman's got to do what a fisherman's got to do.<br />
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Joey REFUSED to let us help him cast it out. And he also REFUSED to listen to us telling him to cast it out and just let it sit. (we were just using Powerbait) He kept reeling it in, casting it out, immediately reel it in, cast it out, and so on. He definitely wanted to DO IT HIMSELF! I can't remember if he caught a fish on his own or not, I don't think he did. Because he didn't leave it out there long enough for fish to bite. He said to me at the end, "I think I should have left it out there longer...I bet then I would have caught a fish." Yup, live and learn, buddy. But he had fun regardless...<br />
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It was a successful night, just the family (which is really my favorite). The kids were getting along, having fun together, and all in all it was a really fun time. Eric and I were both glad we took the time to go. Sometimes doing things like that seem like such a pain--you've got to get everything together, pack all the drinks and snacks, get everyone ready (finding shoes, going potty, etc), and so on. And sometimes you think "I just don't want to bother" but it is almost always worth it. And this time it definitely was. We even stopped for McDonald's cones on the way home! Win!<br />
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And as if all that fun and excitement wasn't enough, we just returned from a trip to Island Park with our good friends, the Larsons. They are some of our best friends from our army days. They've been in Europe for several years and now that they are finally back in the states we jumped on the opportunity to take a trip together! So glad we did. We stayed at the same cabin in Island Park that we stayed in 2 years ago with my sister and her family. It is such an awesome place. The kids favorite activity was playing down at the lake--swimming, fishing, playing in the raft we brought. Here they are for the maiden voyage!<br />
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Maggie's favorite was swimming--here she is (middle) with Brooklyn and Ian--ready set go!<br />
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Here's Joey taking some time off from being the official "Fish Slayer" of the trip and going for a nice dip....<br />
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And Jake goofing around (shocking, I know).<br />
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And Mr. Tyler--growing up way too fast. He almost didn't catch any fish because he spent most of his time helping the little kids with theirs (which was super nice of him). But the last day he ended up catching a bunch so it all worked out.<br />
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Cooling off!<br />
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There was a small pier where we were, and the kids would run together and each jump off one of the end docks...Here Jake in the front, then Tessa. I'm not even sure who is behind them! We had 10 kids total so it got hard to keep track.....<br />
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Dad, like most any other time we do something with horses or fishing, spent most of his time helping everyone else and not getting to have fun himself. But that's why we love him! Here he is helping Maggie get her fish....<br />
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And this might just be my favorite picture of the trip...The fish, Joey's proud expression (he did catch the most fish the whole trip), the beautiful sunset and scenery, and Eric's awesome farmer sock tan. Heart. bursting.<br />
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Well, as I said the Larson's are our dear friends. And we have schemed and planned to keep our families together. It worked out perfectly--they have kids the same ages as ours but the opposite gender (they added 2 extra into their mix just for good measure). So we figure if we can get all these kids paired up we will be set! Family vacations forever. Here is match-up number one--Maggie and Ian. What a cute pair!<br />
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Match-up number two--Brooklyn and Joey. Two little blondie cutie pants. Joey is teaching her how to fish.<br />
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Number three--Emma and Tyler. Emma loves horses, so...set, point, match. I love this shot of them. They had tons of fun diving to the bottom to retrieve lost spinners and equipment. <br />
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And match-up number 4--Tessa and Jake (with Maggie in the middle here). These two got along so well--really all the kids got along so well. It was fun to see the kids be able to play and have fun together like they have been friends forever. Really these kids were my kids' first best friends. At Fort Irwin, Tyler and Emma, Jake and Tessa and Maggie and Ian were all each other's best friends. It is so great they can pick up where they left off after so long!</div>
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The above pic was the day we spent at Yellowstone. We saw a big buffalo herd. Of course! But no bears.</div>
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Another favorite of the trip was Ranger rides. Besides driving around for fun, the kids would pile on and we would drive the short distance to the lake. Pretty sure we were breaking many laws and capacity limits, but it sure was fun!</div>
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Yellowstone was fun. We were somewhat limited because my friend Mindy had hurt her foot really bad and was on crutches, poor thing! But we managed to see a few things. We've been there a lot and seen most everything so it was fine with us to just take it easy. Plus we got ice cream at the lodge for the first time ever. It was deee-licious! Me, Mags and Tyler at Old Faithful....<br />
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Dad and Jailbird at the Upper Geyser Basin. <br />
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And here's Tyler, Jake and Tessa at the overlook for the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. At one point I was walking with all 10 kids (and they all look like they could be siblings pretty much) and a few people were staring at me like I was crazy. Ha ha. <br />
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Another favorite activity (I guess the list keeps growing) was rafting the river. We got a smorgasbord of gear so we could try everything out. Rafts, canoes, kayak and even a paddle board. We switched it up and kept it interesting. Eric and Joey liked the kayak....row Joey, row!<br />
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Tyler took his shot at the paddle board and did a great job! I didn't try it--it looked kind of tricky to me, and I wasn't interested in falling in--that water is COOOLD! But Tyler sure had fun on it.<br />
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And here's a pretty typical scene of us--kids jumping in the water, hopping from boat to boat, having a blast every second!<br />
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And to round off the rafting with an awesome treat, we saw a momma and baby moose right in the river we were in! We stayed as far to the other side as we could but it was still really close. It was awesome. This picture looks a lot further away than it really was. They stayed there for a good 10 minutes or so before moving on! Maggie was very nervous about the mom charging at us. She was certainly interested in watching us and wary, but we kept our distance. <br />
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And then of course after rafting back in the lake! I think the kids would just want to stay and play at the lake the entire trip next time. Swimming was fun, the water was cool and the weather was hot, and fish were plenty. Everyone caught at least one, most of us caught many. And we caught them on spinners which is much more fun than just bait because you get to actually do something instead of just waiting for the fish to bite. It's kind of funny because of all the nice adult fishing poles we had, the one that caught the most fish was Joey's R2D2 kids pole. Ha! Just like last trip--it was his Spiderman pole that caught the most (which Joey threw into the bottom of the lake that same trip because he was mad). Somewhere at the bottom of that lake is the Spiderman Fish-slayer, replaced now by the R2D2 Fish-slayer! <br />
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One, two, three, GO!<br />
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Diving for his lost spinner....<br />
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On our drive home we went through Jackson Hole. The kids always like this stop. <br />
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And the final shot of all the kids together (except Tyler who I kept telling to scoot over--but the glare was in my eyes so I didn't see that he wasn't totally in the shot...argh!) They really look like they could all be related. After this we parted ways as the Larson's headed home to Colorado and us back here to Utah. <br />
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It was such a fun trip--a great break from yard work and stress, from the hum drum of regular life and the distractions of electronics. Everyone had such a good time and the best was we got to go with the best people! Good times, good food, good company! And Joey even gave me snuggles on the drive home....<br />
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This summer has really been jam-packed. Much of it hard work--in the yard and corrals and such. But so much of it fun too. I will miss the fun times once school starts! But...I'm definitely ready for a little structure...and a little mommy time! <br />
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Lastly, Tyler had his 14th birthday 2 weeks ago. I can't believe how old he is getting! I also am shocked every time I look at a picture from just a year or two ago how much he has grown! He is no longer a little boy, or even a tween--he is a big teenage boy now! But still not too old to give his mom a hug and a kiss, even in front of his friends. Love. Tyler is really such a sweet, tender hearted boy. Yes, he does argue and get annoyed with his siblings, but overall he is so kind and sweet and thoughtful. I have had countless friends, teachers, scout and church leaders, pull me aside and tell me what a thoughtful boy he his, polite and respectful, kind. He is a good kid. I need to remember that, when I stress about his school, or other things, that in all the ways that really matter, I am so lucky that he is the way he is. He has always been so good at seeing people's needs and noticing when people need a little extra love or reaching out. I love that he loves music, he loves reading. He is always there with a hug for me, and even a kiss on the cheek. Part of me wishes he would stay little forever, but I guess my job is to raise him so that he doesn't need me anymore. Isn't that the sad part of parenthood? If you do a good job, then you have no job! I love Tyler so much, my first kid, he, (like all the others) holds a special place in my heart. Happy birthday Tyler! And yes, I'm about to post a bunch of pictures of him--I had like 100 I wanted to post, but here are just a few....<br />
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I. Love. This. Boy!!!!! <br />
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<br />The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-53068750917282446212017-07-09T17:33:00.001-07:002017-07-09T17:33:22.661-07:00Dog Days of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Phew! Boy is it the dog days of summer--it sure is hot hot hot out there! But that hasn't stopped us from jam packed fun. Eric's sister, Hillary, and her family came our for a visit. We did our annual Parade of Homes tour with just the ladies, swam at Jessica's pool, had a BBQ, and went up to Salt Lake City. The adults and "almost" missionary Nathan, went through a session while the rest of the (old enough) kids did baptisms. It was really neat. I'd never been through the Salt Lake Temple so it was pretty cool. So much attention to detail inside and so much history. Then, of course, Kneaders French Toast for breakfast rounded out the trip nicely!</div>
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We've been working like dogs in the yard trying to get grass growing, trees planted, mulch spread, and on and on and on and on..... It feels like it will never ever be done! The grass in the front is doing well but the backyard not so much. It is really struggling to get going. It's actually pretty depressing. So we thought planting some trees would help make the yards start coming together (shrubs and flowers come later--baby steps here). We planted about 45 trees (!!!!) Most went in pretty easily (assuming they don't die in this heat), we did have to do some pick-axing and I've got lots of blisters and a MAJOR farmer tan to go along with it all. But we've had a few snafus as per usual when doing this kind of stuff. First snafu was the horses--we tried planting a couple aspens in the back of the yard by the corrals but look who decided to snack on them....<br />
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Argh! Oreo and a few other horses decided they had a penchant for Swedish Aspen and ate the entire middle sections of each tree, including the bark. So they are both dying. Sad. So we got some electric fence wire and strung it up along the corral fence. They don't bite at the trees anymore (zap zap--Eric "tested" it to make sure it worked) but we will have to replace them. Ugh.<br />
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Second snafu was when we managed to get an auger to dig a few of the tree holes. We were sure to be super careful and make sure we didn't hit any of the electrical lines or plumbing going out to the barn...but we were lifting the auger out of one hole and wrapped around it was a length of........sprinkler pipe! Of course, the sprinkler we had just put in only a couple weeks before. We dug right through the spot where the main line goes into the yard--and we knew it was there, but it just totally slipped our minds to make sure we weren't digging into sprinkler pipe. Duh! What do-do heads. Well, it ended up only being a minor crises and easily fixed. It turns out we only hit the pipe that held the wire for one of the zones and tore the wire. We must have missed the main water line but millimeters because they were in the same trench. It was one of those tender mercies! Easy fix--we just got a remote timer for that zone and once we figured out how to set it, it has been working great. <br />
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Snafu three was because I was trying to be a good wife. Eric really wanted an Austrian Pine tree but the place we normally get our trees didn't have any. So while he went to Priesthood session of conference I went to a different nursery. They only had bigger ones that were kind of pricey. I wasn't going to get one, but they were having a Father's Day sale 20% off and since I'm such a kind wife (and since I didn't get Eric anything else for Father's Day) I decided to get one. It was big and heavy but we had a borrowed Bobcat at our house I thought would make it easy work. So once Eric got home we dug the hole (and it was big--the root ball was about 3 feet wide and 3.5 feet deep). It took both of us heaving our hardest to get the dang thing in the bobcat bucket. But we managed with a little elbow grease and sweat. Then we got the tree to the hole, dumped it in and......the hole was too shallow. Ugh. So now to get the tree out. . . . . yeah, it wasn't coming out. We broke a rope trying to lift it, could not even budge it. So, what did we do? We dug another hole right next to the other one and rolled the tree into it! Ha ha. It was a lot of digging (and now filling) but we managed to get it in. Now it better not die!!!!<br />
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After we installed the sprinkler system we were having trouble with dry spots and puddles so we spent a lot of time fiddling with the heads. Eric had to leave for scout camp a couple days after the hydroseed was sprayed so I was worried about getting it all worked out and ready to go. We had spent all day outside and in the evening noticed one more head that needed to be switched out. So we switched it fora different type of head and turned it on. It just sputtered water and didn't spray. Then we realized we needed a little plastic insert to make it spray the correct way. We had just seen them the day before so went to the barn to get one......they were gone. No where. Seriously. We looked EVERYWHERE in the barn (where they had been and where all the sprinkler stuff was). Every box of sprinkler supplies (and there were like 20), we moved hay to see if they got covered up, every garbage can, the garbage pile. Then we thought maybe the kids grabbed them, they said they hadn't seen them. We checked the house everywhere--every garbage--even went dumpster diving in our big outside garbage can. We must have looked for an hour. Then by that point we figured it was useless--no where left to look. Plus it was dark and getting hard to see. The next day was Sunday, then Eric was leaving Monday morning for scout camp. But we figured we'd just have to figure something else out the next day. So we turned off the barn lights and started back to the house. Eric was ahead of me and the whole time I had been saying those little prayers to help us find these little blue plastic things. But it seemed that it wasn't meant to be. But then, as I walked back to the house, I saw out of the corner of my eye a little something literally glowing on the ground, in the middle of all the rocks. I looked at it...and you won't believe, it was ONE of those little plastic things we needed. Just one. (They came attached to a strip of plastic as a set of 10). It was seriously like manna from heaven for me. We put it in quick and it worked like a charm. When I found it I seriously looked up at the dusk sky and felt like God winked at me, as if to say, "I've got you. Don't worry." It just made me think about how God is in the details of our lives, and even something as eternally trivial as a sprinkler system He knows about. And even though I KNOW He doesn't care about a sprinkler system, I know He cares about ME. I'm telling you we walked over those same rocks at least 10 times between the two of us. And it wasn't until after it all that I found it. Sometimes God lets us dig through the trash a little and get a little dirty before He gives us the answers--but it will always be for our benefit. It seems like a silly thing, but to me it was actually a neat spiritual experience. <br />
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So anyway, back to summer fun--we got a picture of the tallest/oldest and shortest/youngest grandkids on the Swenson side. Look at that difference! Joey just loves Nate, it is so funny, because he hasn't spent a lot of time with him. But Joey talks about him all the time--usually about how tall he is and how he never eats any sugar (Nate had to set him straight that sometimes he does eat a little sugar, ha ha). <br />
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Eric and I took our kids up to temple square one evening, just to take a break from all the yard work. We went to eat at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, then walked around temple square and the visitor's centers. It is such a beautiful place, and so calming. I remember going there when I was a little girl when we'd come out to Utah for reunions, but I am pretty lucky to live so close to it. It is impossible to feel negative there because I realize in all the ways that really matter I am so so so blessed. It was a nice respite from the day and stress.<br />
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Swimming lessons were a must for Maggie and Joey--my last 2 who still need lessons. Maggie is my little Coppertone girl. Blond, tan and loves the water. She loves to swim and did awesome at her lessons this year! Best in her class. Joey, well, he almost got kicked out the pool the first day, (yikes) but by the end of the week he was hugging his teacher at the end of class. So things must have turned around!<br />
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And it wouldn't be summer without another injury, and it wouldn't be the Swenson's house if Joey wasn't getting stitches again. My goodness, this boy is going to be like Frankenstein. This time he was running while holding a tuna can lid. I had told him to throw it away because it was sharp. So of course, he runs to the kitchen with it, and in the process bumps into Maggie and it gouges him in the chest. It wasn't huge but it was pulled way apart and you could see the fat and stuff under his skin. So I took him in to Eric and he stitched him up (gave him some happy gas--which makes Joey like a zombie...I love it). Ended up with 6 nice stitches. This boy! He certainly keeps me on my toes.<br />
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After a break from yard work for a few days, we were back at it, installing a garden fence. Of course it can't go smoothly (when does it ever, right?). So this time as we were drilling with a hand auger we rented, we broke a sprinkler pipe. I know what you are thinking--how could we forget to think about sprinkler pipe AGAIN!? But this time we had, and there really wasn't a pipe where we were digging...I guess, except this one. But you can see we just hit the edge of it. It was so close of a miss! And of course we didn't realize it until the sprinklers came on and Eric and I were not home. So after the backyard is a gurgling flooded mess, Tyler notices and call us. For Pete's sake. It was a muddy sloppy MESS. SO SO SO much water had come out. Back to the store to buy more parts. I think they will know us by name there soon. At least we got it fixed, and eventually it did dry out (after like 3 days). Here's the culprit...<br />
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We managed to get the key to go up to the top of tower mountain. We took the ranger up and had a nice time. It was so hot at home, but WAY cooler up at the top. If you haven't done this, the first half is really rocky and bumpy and you can't go too fast--especially because one side is a drop off down the mountain. As as you get higher, so does the drop off! It makes me nervous at times but I try to remind myself that Eric doesn't want to drive off the side any more than I don't want him to drive off the side. But still, I was white knuckled for a lot of it! Here's me and Jake keeping a brave face!<br />
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But then you get to the top and it is so cool. Beautiful views, nice cool air, and green trees and plants. <br />
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You can tell we don't take many selfies--we haven't mastered how to not look weird in them....<br />
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The kids were having fun too. <br />
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Look how pretty! And yes, Maggie has pink hair. We got her a little pink hair wash shampoo. It washed out after a couple washes but it is fun for summer, and she loves it (shocking).<br />
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At the very top there is a radio tower and a big helicopter pad you can go up on to. Views of the entire valley pretty much. The kids think they are awesome, which they are (because they take after their mother).<br />
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On the way down we stopped at took a peek in the actual Dream Mine (if you don't know the story you can look it up). It is a pretty crazy story and it is a pretty crazy building! It is spooky--it looks like one day they just walked away. The machinery is there, many tools, parts, etc. It was really cool, and it was even cooler because I got to make up a story about how it is haunted by some miners who died in a cave-in. Bwah-hah-hah (my evil laugh). I must not have been very convincing though because they didn't believe me. <br />
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We came up here with my sister too and she said how this entrance/sign looks like something from a Disneyland ride. It totally does! LOL. "Responsible." Love it.<br />
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After we had gone up and down the mountain with my sister it was soooo hot and Eric had the brilliant idea to jump in the canal and swim down a ways and I would pick him up at the road by our house. Well, he jumped in, and promptly got out! It was freezing! No matter how hot it was outside apparently it wasn't so hot as to make him want to swim in that cold water! <br />
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Here we are riding up with Carrie and her family. Such cute girls! Wish they lived closer!<br />
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I got to drive this time (which I found I actually prefer because i feel more in control) but I think Dick could have been happier staying home--he's afraid of heights!<br />
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We borrowed a 4-wheeler and rented a side by side to get us all up there. After a few over-heated stalls we made it! It was fun and we had a nice picnic at the top. Look behind Eric--you can see one of the trees we planted! <br />
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We took them to check out the dream mine too. I didn't try to scare her girls though. I'm not THAT mean.<br />
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While they were here we also took Becky on a horse ride (Carrie wasn't feeling well). It was beautiful, cool, and a great ride....until for some reason Becky's horse decided to jump over a tiny stream and made Becky fall off. I was so surprised the horse did that! It wasn't a place where you'd think they would. I felt so bad. Becky took it like a champ and got right back on and didn't complain, but I've fallen off a horse and it is scary and hurts! So props to her (I told her Carrie would never have gotten back on, ha. Take that, Carrie).<br />
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What is a week with cousins without a sleepover! One night at grandmas (just for Maggie though)... and a night at our place. No sleep but lots of giggles. <br />
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We went one afternoon to Funtopia, a place with a bunch of climbing walls for kids. It is really fun and the kids had a blast--especially on the giant slide! All my kids made it to the top and came down. Joey made it on his third try--and his look of terror as he first let go was priceless. I wish I could have captured it on camera! <br />
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The week with Carrie, Becky and the girls was so fun. My kids love her girls so much. I keep telling her to move closer! C'mon guys!<br />
<br />
I realized I forgot to post about my Mother's Day cards in my last post. I got some great stuff. I got a monster heart card from Maggie. Tyler wrote me a poem:<br />
Moms love you<br />
Enough to correct you.<br />
They hug you and kiss you<br />
And when you're gone they always miss you.<br />
When we have fallen<br />
She stops us from bawlin'.<br />
And when someone hurts her cubs<br />
Mama bear starts maulin'.<br />
I'm running out of room<br />
So lets go out with a boom...by saying I LOVE YOU!<br />
<br />
Jacob made me an awesome card designed like a pro. He said I am the best mom he could ask for. Nice.<br />
<br />
But my favorite was Joey's. He made a card at school where they filled in blanks about their mom. He knew how old I was and said we like to cook together. Here's a few snippets of my favorites:<br />
Mom likes to say: "I love you"<br />
My Mom really loves: Me<br />
My Mom's job is a: Doctor (maybe because I always put bandaids on his owies)<br />
Mom is really good at: Being a Mom<br />
<br />
and my favorite...<br />
<br />
If I could go anywhere in the world with her, we'd go: To a gas station.<br />
<br />
HA HA! Remind me not to take a trips with Joey! We would only make it down the block to the gas station. <br />
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It's been a crazy summer and I can't believe it is half over. Wish me luck with the grass and we will keep plugging away!<br />
<br />The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-4001970260611985402017-06-08T07:42:00.000-07:002017-06-08T07:42:06.007-07:00Work Hard, Play Hard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So far this summer we have been living the mantra "Work hard, Play hard." There've been many long days outside working in the yard, hauling hay, spreading mulch, setting up trampoline pits, installing metal edging, and more! But we've spent a lot of time partying it up--swimming, playdates, bowling, grandma's house fun, hooray! A couple days ago we went to lunch with my mom and then bowling after. Now, I may possibly be the world's worst bowler. Not that I try to improve my skills--if I go bowling once a year that's a lot. But even within the same 10 frame game, I'll get 3 gutter balls, and then a strike. Eric will always say to me, "Do what you did for the strike again, keep your hand straight, look down the lane...." Well, the problem is that I feel like I am doing the exact same thing when I bowl a strike as when I bowl a gutterball. Nothing feels different (except my elation or disappointment at how many pins go tumbling). And most of this game with grandma was no different. I think by the end of the 8th frame I had 60 points. I'd never broken 80 bowling anyway, but I was having a particularly bad game. Last place the whole way. (The kids did have bumpers though--maybe I should consider bumpers!) Then by a stroke of luck I got a spare in the 9th frame. So pressure was on for the 10th and last frame of the game. I gave it a whirl and lo and behold got a strike! Couldn't have been better timing! So I got another roll since it was a strike--ANOTHER STRIKE!!! 2 in a row! Knocked down about 7 my last roll and ended up handily winning the whole game--WITHOUT BUMPERS! I ended up with a 97--my highest bowling score ever! Needless to say I was pretty proud of myself (kidding). But it was fun the make such a great comeback! The kids loved it too. They all cheered for each other. Maggie was in first place for a lot of the game but her luck ran out (or got stolen by me) and ended up losing. She'll get us next time!</div>
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Joey was always eager to take his throws and once threw it too soon and hit the big black thing that comes down to set the pins, set the game board off, so we had to have the counter lady come fix it AND retrieve his ball stuck in the middle of the lane. Oops, typical Joey. He can find (cough: make) trouble like no one else. Just last week he drew with pen on the walls and my white cabinets, and that some afternoon threw a remote at the downstairs tv and shattered our 55" plasma tv screen. ....... It was one of those things where it is so bad you don't even get mad. Seriously, I find myself more mad at the pen on the wall or spilled messses they leave than the big huge stuff--almost because I didn't even know how to react. I left it at this--the tv is still on the wall (the glass didn't shatter but the screen inside did...it's hard to explain...) and I told the kids that was it for that tv. They asked if I was going to buy a new one. Nope. I don't care. I never watched tv there, and it was mostly the video game tv and I hate video games anyway. So no skin off my back! Anyway, Joey had a good game bowling, and he sure used those bumpers!<br />
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A couple weeks ago, Eric had a conference in Washington DC, so we told Tyler if he got good grades he could go. My some miracle in the 11th hour Tyler pulled it off and was able to go. They had a blast. They went to an Orioles game....<br />
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Ate sushi... (I love that Tyler loves sushi--after being so picky when he was little he has come a long way!)<br />
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Visited the house he lived in the first 2 years of his life... (We've come a long way since those dental school days!--The entire house is like 14 feet wide, you can see from the picture. I will forever love this little townhouse. It's where our life really began!)<br />
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And they visited a couple Smithsonian museums and just had a good time together. It was great that Tyler was able to go and spend some quality time with dad. Male bonding!<br />
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Lots of play, but as I said, lots of work too! We ended up hiring someone to install the sprinkler system (we were going to do it ourselves but every weekend was rainy so it was setting us back too long)--but we installed all the metal edging. We had to cut and weld rebar pieces to the edging to help it stay in the ground. So we gave Tyler the job of cutting the rebar into small pieces. He was petrified of the sparks that went flying--so he put on glasses, a sweatshirt and a hat. As you can see: (keep in mind it was over 80 degrees out)...<br />
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But that wasn't enough it turns out. (I didn't get a picture of this one) Tyler was still afraid of the sparks so he pulled the strings around the hood of the sweatshirt and tightened it around his face so that the only thing visible were his nose and glasses. It was seriously hilarious. Too bad I didn't get a pic of it! But after a TON of work we eventually got all the edging in. And then brought in some mulch for the backyard. Worked a few days getting that spread out. Had the boys gathering rocks and dumping them in our ever-growing dump pile (it's very classy)... As you can also see I can't keep Tyler in jeans. EVERY time I buy him a new pair he outgrows them in a month. He had no jeans that fit so you'll have to excuse the floods....yes I did buy him some new jeans after this.<br />
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And then it was back to play. The younger kids went to my mom's house and of course, played in the sprinklers and water (I'm sure they can't wait to get grass to play on at our house!) It is always fun at grandma's!<br />
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The sprinklers are in, the edging is in, so it was time for the hydroseed. We got that put in about a week ago. It's been THE BIGGEST PAIN! The trick is to keep it moist all the time, but not soggy and never let puddles form. Well guess what...that is impossible. I end up with puddles, so I water less, but then there are dry spots, so I water a little more and there are puddles. I've tried hand watering the dry spots but it takes forever. Plus I have to do it 3 times a day. So we spent a while messing with the sprinklers to try to even it out. After trying everything we still have trouble spots, but you know what, it's as good as it's gonna get. I just really hope this stinking grass grows! I told Eric if this doesn't grow I am not doing seed again, I'll put sod right over the top of it, no matter how much it costs! But my fingers are crossed that in the end it will work out.... Here's the back yard after it got seeded....</div>
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And now more work. Our fields are growing amazingly well--they better be with all the rain we had this spring! So got it cut and baled and spent Saturday morning hauling it all to the barn. <br />
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Tyler is smiling, but it was hot and scratchy! But we got it done. I can't wait until all the boys are old enough to help so I don't have to! <br />
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Now more playing--Jake had his birthday party (not really a party, more like a get together with his buddies) at Aunt Jessica's pool. They boys had a blast! They all play so well and even after 4 hours in the water they wanted to stay! The boys had to go home but My kids and I stayed another 2 hours! Phew! It's ok because Eric and Tyler are gone at scout camp all week so I've got to find things to do anyway. Shockingly my kids weren't sunburned even though I only applied sunblock at the beginning! <br />
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So far summer has been good...here's to the rest of it!The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-40010190111603767532017-05-07T12:35:00.001-07:002017-05-07T12:35:29.801-07:00Springing into Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Time sure does fly when things are crazy! The horse drama had a sad ending, I'm sorry to say. After going up every few hours for a few more days, the little foal was not doing well. We figured we would just keep on doing what we were doing, but she had developed big open wounds on her fetlocks (that she walk on). So we took her in to see the vet to clean the wounds and figure out what do with her feet, as well as get some general prognosis advice and information. We told the vet the whole story, and he said we really needed to do some blood tests. So we did, and the results showed that the foal didn't get enough colostrum within the early hours of life. He told us that she would need a plasma transfer (which costs $1000) and even that would only give her a 50/50 chance. Well...that was just too expensive for bad odds anyway, so we had him euthanize her. Boo hoo. Joey was with us and he was crying, it was so sad. But at least she died peacefully and didn't have to suffer. Rest in peace little pony!</div>
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Although Dutch, the mom, took it well, Crazy Alice did not. After we had separated the horses (before we had the foal put down), Alice would do one of 2 things: 1) she would stand like this at the fence STARING DOWN the foal. It was creepy. Or 2) she would chase like hellfire a couple of the other horses in the field with her. It was so bad--she would chase them full bore as hard and fast as she could and it she caught them she'd kick and bite them. For no reason! Poor Penny had run so hard and so long that when Eric went in the pen to help she actually ran behind Eric for protection! Eric scared Alice off and we put Penny in with Dutch and the baby. I thought Alice was going to kill her! She practically had fire spewing from her nostrils! <br />
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Well, amidst all of the horse drama we managed to celebrate Easter. The Easter bunny found us once again and left baskets of candy stuffed to the brim!<br />
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We had dinner at Katie's house--I made 2 cakes. The first is a chocolate spartak cake. It has 7 layers of thin cake with frosting. It was a new recipe I tried and it was actually super delicious. It was hard to make but it has to sit in the fridge for 1-2 days before serving so I got to do it on a day I didn't have much going on. The picture I took showed the first slice which got a little smoothed, but the rest of the slices were nice and layered looking. The other cake is a recipe I've had for a long time, Fresh Strawberry cake. I love it. It is really sweet but has such a nice strawberry flavor. The only problem was dinner and dessert was so good I ate too much!<br />
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Maggie has been getting in the cooking spirit herself as well--lately she's been bringing home library books from school that are cookbooks! These two cracked me up. We actually made a couple and they were good. A new family favorite is slow cooker pulled chicken tacos. Yum! Maybe I can get Maggie to cook dinners then I can have nights off...<br />
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Guess who finally lost their first tooth? Joey has been DYING to have his teeth come out and has been incessant about asking Eric to see how loose it is. Finally Eric gave in to Joey's pleadings and pulled his tooth out. It probably could've used another few days, but Joey wasn't having it. So Eric pulled out the pliers from the tool drawer and popped it right out. I've never seen a kid so excited! And Joey is also by far the toughest of our kids--our older kids have learned NEVER to let dad know you have a loose tooth. But Joey? He came back a couple days later and had Eric pull out the other bottom tooth! LOL, no whining or saying it hurt. I think this is Joey's way of earning money (tooth fairy). We'd better be careful or one day he will come home and need a full set of dentures!<br />
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Jacob had a fun thing he got to do..his friend Breyton invited him to go to the big Supercross race in Salt Lake. They even got to go into the pits and meet the drivers and stuff. The bad news was his friend got sick in the middle of it and spent half the night throwing up in the bathroom! What a bummer!<br />
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I love to cook and bake (and it shows in my figure, ha ha). I love making crusty bread loaves in my dutch oven and I found a recipe to make a 5 seed crusty loaf---doesn't this look delicious! It was sooooo good!<br />
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Okay, folk, this is happening outside my house the end of April...really, Mother Nature??? It lasted several hours too.<br />
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I took my boys and a few cousins and friends to the homeless shelter in Provo to serve dinner. It was a great experience and opportunity to serve others. The boys had a good time doing it and even have asked to go back! I would have taken Maggie and Joey but you have to be 10 years old. But the bummer of the night was that Katie's back window of her car got smashed in! Oh no! I've been there before and nothing has ever happened so I hope it was a fluke, but I felt bad for Katie....<br />
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A couple funny moments:<br />
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Joey and I got stuck waiting at a train crossing while a really long train lined with coal cars passed in front of us. Joey asked where it was going and I told him I didn't know, to which he replied, "Oh, it's going to the North Pole to Santa! Wow, that's a LLOOOOOTTTT of naughty kids getting coal this year."<br />
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Joey asked Eric last night at dinner, "Dad, what's it like to be a cowboy?" Cute, and it made Eric feel manly and awesome.<br />
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Maggie likes to watch the America's Got Talent videos, especially the ones of kids. She told us all one evening she wanted to be on the show. Tyler asked her what her talent would be and she said "I will do pole dancing." Ummmmmm......what are they teaching her in her dance class???<br />
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Lastly, I just wanted to point out that I can really tell I'm getting older now. How? The difference between how I look BEFORE I get ready and AFTER I get ready is getting steadily wider and more dramatic. And I don't even wear that much makeup or anything, but I'm getting to the point where, boy, I really need it!The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-27323136577596756532017-04-13T19:57:00.001-07:002017-04-13T19:57:08.409-07:00Horse Mania and More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lots has been happening lately! I guess it's that time of year again...lovely spring. School programs, sports, baby horses born....busy times!</div>
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Maggie had her second grade program a couple weeks ago--filled with cute songs and Maggie's smiling face! She did great on her part and loved being on stage (shocking). I can't believe she's going into 3rd grade next year! Even though I've seen this program 3 times now (I'm even starting to learn some songs) it is cute seeing each child's different personality. Tyler was new at school during his and was guessing on most of the words, Jake stood there unsmiling and barely pretending to mouth the words to the songs, but Maggie was on the top of the world--smiling the WHOLE time and singing her little heart out. I think she would have preferred a solo show--MAGGIE'S SECOND GRADE PROGRAM.</div>
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General Conference was a week ago. We watched most of it on tv -- we've pretty much given up on the kids sitting and listening and taking notes on their primary handouts. At this point we consider it a success if they stay in the room. So We brought in and dumped out the entire bin of Legos--it worked pretty well! (They weren't so happy about clean-up though...)<br />
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Last Monday we decided to do something as a family instead of working on the yard. So we hit Bam Bam's BBQ (drooling) for lunch and then went to the BYU baseball game. It was so fun! Mostly because we met up with Grandma Calder who didn't hesitate to dole out treat after treat! I think between us all we had just about everything on the menu. It was really a blast (BYU lost though).<br />
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We always let the kids get a CougarTail (a 2 foot long delicious maple bar) at BYU events. We hadn't gotten one and Joey asked grandma: "Can I have a pony tail?" Grandma, "A What?" Joey: "I mean a raccoon tail." "Huh?" It took her a minute to figure out he really wanted a cougar tail! Just couldn't remember the name. Well, he got his treat!<br />
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Over spring break we stuck around here while Eric worked but we did some fun stuff during the day. On Wednesday we went to Salt Lake City and walked through the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (we even saw Elder Bednar), temple square, had lunch at the Garden Room, and went to the church history museum. It was a nice getaway and fun to take the train up there too!<br />
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We went up to see the Christus statue and while running up the spiral path Joey pranced along singing, "I'm going to heaven! I'm going to heaven!" If you've been there you know there is a huge spiral path leading up to a second floor and the entire path is painted with a huge mural of stars and planets and space. It is really beautiful and I never though about it, but it does kind of feel like going up to heaven! At the top we had the kids pose for a shot--Joey MAY or MAY NOT have slightly climbed on it before I could stop him. Luckily I caught him before he started swinging on an arm or something.<br />
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Taking the train to fun town!<br />
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Tyler is progressing awesomely at scouts. He's close to getting his eagle. I couldn't make it to a court of honor but my friend snapped this cute pic of Eric and Ty (Eric is the assistant scoutmaster). I just love Tyler's face in it! (And we have bought him a shirt that actually fits him since this pic was taken....)<br />
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Eric and the boys went camping with some friends (more on that in a minute) so me and the girls from our friend's family (we love you Carly's!) decided to try our hand at some homemade creme brûlée. I hate this picture of me but I had to show off our handiwork---it was crazy delish!<br />
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As I said, Eric, Tyler, Jake and some friends (Jim, Porter and Eli Carly) went down to Escalante and camped/hiked Coyote Gulch. Apparently (since I've never been) it is an awesome hike through a canyon with a river in it, waterfalls, slot canyons, slick rock, etc. I am so proud of my husband--he took so many amazing pictures! Since I didn't go I don't have too much commentary about the funny/disgusting things the boys did, but the picture look amazing! I can't wait to go myself some day!<br />
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Tyler headed down into a slot canyon.<br />
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They had to hike through the river a lot...<br />
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Is this amazing or what! I'm so proud of Eric for taking pics! He even did a group shot.<br />
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This looks awesome.<br />
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Love these two boys! Especially when they are getting along!<br />
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Not sure how I would feel about this part if I were there....<br />
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I hope this part wasn't as treacherous as it looks!<br />
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So I know that's a ton of pictures of the hike but it is only a fraction of what eric took! But it gives you a pretty good idea of what it was like. </div>
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A few nights ago we got a call from Jessica that our horses got out (of course it was the middle of the night--it couldn't have been during the day, that would have been too easy). She said the sheriff was there (and none too happy about it) and that they had corralled them into a large field about 3/4 mile from her house. She told us to "follow the lights" to find them (at that point we know it wasn't good). Luckily once we got there we were able to catch them without too much trouble (it's amazing what a little corn will do) but then we had to walk them the ways back to Jessica's house. We must have looked crazy walking horses in the middle of the night down the street. We got them back ok, it was odd that the gate was wide open. We do have a horse that knows how to shake the chain on the gate enough to get it to open so we figured that's what happened, even though we try to make sure the chain is in a place she can't get it. Well I found out the next morning that a friend's horses had gotten out around the same time in the same way--the gate was wide open! Although I can't imagine someone driving up Jessica's driveway to open the gate it is awfully coincidental that it happened on the same night as our friend's (and the other place was the field where we used to keep our horses!--even MORE coincidental). At least it was a bright full moon--we didn't even need flashlights to catch the horses. </div>
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So the biggest excitement/stress/surprise came early this morning. Well, I guess I need to go back a couple months. We have 2 horses we tried to breed--Dutch and Crazy Alice. Crazy Alice was due a month before Dutch, but we were positive Dutch did not get pregnant. Even the guy helping with the "breeding process" said that. But we knew for sure Alice was. So we waited. A couple months ago the boys called while Eric and I were out on a date saying there was a dead deer head in the middle of the driveway. ???? So Eric and I headed home and went and checked it out. It took us a minute to realize what we were looking at--it was definitely a head, but also what looked like a little leg, and it had no fur and the skin was pink and translucent. After a few seconds Eric said, "That's not a deer--that's a horse!" We looked at the back side of the horses and from what we deduced Dutch actually had gotten pregnant and this was her miscarried baby. We got flashlights and searched the field for more "parts" but didn't find much more than a leg and bloody spot in the snow....and lots of dog prints going off in all directions. Yuck. </div>
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So we let some time pass and kept getting ready for Crazy Alice to have her baby. We figured she'd have it around the middle of March. We waited but no baby; we looked at her belly and she didn't look pregnant; we felt it and didn't feel any movement. We then figured it must have been ALICE'S baby that was miscarried and we now have no pregnant horses. Ok. Oh well.</div>
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Then this morning we got a call from Jessica (where the horses are right now) saying we have a baby horse! WHAT?! So now we figure Alice didn't miscarry and just went into labor a little late. Eric wen't up briefly before work, mostly to check out the foal's legs (the front feet are wonky) but we've since found out they will be just fine and it is common. Then I went up a couple hours later and things were weird....Alice was taking no interest in the baby--in fact, no one was. Except for a couple of the horses coming over and biting her making her yelp. GRRR!!! Stupid horses. I called Eric and told him something was off--the baby was just laying down and not nursing and no other horses were paying attention to her except to bully her. Eric called Rex and he said that because the foal was brown it COULD NOT be Alice's and was, in fact, Dutch's baby! Holy Hannah! We went up and looked and lo and behold, Dutch was bloody-ish behind and full of squirting milk. So we figure out that since Alice lost her baby, and Alice is also leader of the pack, that she had bullied Dutch away from the baby and was trying to either claim it as her own or do away with it. It was a real emergency--this foal had been without any food at all since birth--and it essential they eat in the first hour of being born. This poor little foal was on the verge of dying!!!! It was a serious situation--Eric and I met up there on his lunch break. He separated mom and baby from the rest of the horses first thing. Mom and baby then started hanging around each other, but the baby was so weak she could barely stand up. We tried getting her to latch on but the damage was done by Alice and she couldn't figure it out. Poor thing was so hungry she would suck on anything from my hand, to her mom's knees but she just couldn't find the teat. So we hustled and milked the mom to get at least something in that foal and fed it to her through a syringe in her mouth. It was messy and tricky but we together managed to get about 8 oz in her. Eric had to go back to work so I stayed and working for another 2 hours got another 6-7 oz in her. But she kept laying down because she was so weak. And no matter how hard I tried I could not get her to find the nipple. At one point she basically fell down, closed her eyes and was breathing very rapidly and I thought I was watching her die. I have to say I broke down in some tears at that point. I kept feeding her as much as I could but then had to go. </div>
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Luckily Eric was able to get a hold of the horseman we bought Dutch from and he sent his daughter (who we have now dubbed The Horse Whisperer) down to help. I went back up and she had the foal on the nipple for a few seconds at a time! She showed me how to do it, then we milked and fed the baby 2 bottles worth of milk, and kept working with her to nurse. She finally started catching on! She is still very weak and needs support to eat so for the next few days we will be up there every 2-3 hours (fun for us--yes at night too) making sure she is getting all the nutrients she needs. The girl also showed us some tips with our other horses--she is seriously amazing. But by the time left at 8 pm the baby was nursing better on her own. We will still be checking on her but I think everything will turn out ok. It really was touch and go there for a while. But here is mom, and baby resting after a hard time working on feeding. Wish us luck with this duo!</div>
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<br />The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-29669428867810724152017-03-26T13:09:00.002-07:002017-03-26T13:09:32.593-07:00Snow Glad It's Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spring has come with a vengeance, in true Utah fashion. Winter was long and snow-filled and then suddenly it was 75 degrees and sunny! Then it rained. Then it was sunny. Then it rained. And it rained again. Today it is sunny but now it is supposed to rain some more and even snow! Goodness. I got myself all excited about some warm DRY days ahead but I'm left with disappointment. I know we need the rain, but I need my concrete poured in my backyard.....my needs should trump the rain, right??</div>
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Well, even though spring is a big tease, we enjoyed some snowy days as winter came to a close. With a little family help we got the mini-4-wheeler running and the kids have been enjoying feeling adventurous riding around. Joey had to wait his turn though...</div>
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Maggie tried doing some donuts on the driveway.<br />
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Look at that little pink fluff ball go! She said something funny the other night. I always tuck my kids in, just about every night. It is a great time to connect with them about their day for a few minutes and get some hugs in before they go to sleep. I like doing it...WHEN they are actually ready for bed when I come to tuck them in. However most nights I come downstairs and they haven't yet gotten in their pjs, or brushed their teeth, etc. So I end up standing around waiting for them while they do that, then I don't want to hang out as long because I've already been down waiting for them for 10 minutes. It drives me nuts. One night, after waiting an eternity for Maggie to change and brush her teeth and pick up her towels and on and on, I finally told Maggie she would have to tuck herself in that night because she was taking so long. I meant it too--I was tired of being taken advantage of! I determined to teach her a lesson right then and there, that if she couldn't be ready on time she would have to tuck herself in. She said, "I can't tuck myself in, only you can!" I asked her why she can't tuck herself in and she told me, "Because I'm not a professional tucker-inner like you are." Well, who can argue with that? So I tucked her in.<br />
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In the front room of our house we have our piano, and (shockingly) it is where all music practice happens--piano and guitar. Most of the time, when the kids start to play their song, Ziggy will prance into the room, sit or lay down, and start singing along! OOOOwwwwwwwww, oooooowwwwwwww, wwoooowwwww...." We laugh so hard about it every time and she always does it (except of course when we try to show someone). She's loud too! For a dog that hardly ever barks, she's got quite the set of pipes! Here she is showing off her skills....<br />
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Every year at school the kindergarten does what they call a "Kindy 500." It is a day where the kindergartners bring in cars they've made of cardboard and "travel" the USA (around the school to different stations where they talk about different places). It's pretty cute--they get assigned license plate states even. This year Joey got Rhode Island so we decided to make a fishing boat! I tried my best to be creative director (a difficult feat for me since I am a little bit of a control freak). That's why his boat isn't cute painted white with wood lines, etc. He wanted it yellow, blue and green. I even let him paint a lot of it (mom points for that one). We put a fishing pole on the back with a bowl of gummy worm bait (which lasted about 5 minutes before the bait mysteriously disappeared). He had a ton of fun!<br />
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Tyler got in as much skiing as he could this winter--he skied every single run at Sundance, even the double black diamonds! He went a lot with his friends. Eric said he's getting so good he's having a hard time keeping up with him! Tyler really loves to ski, and now that he's got his yellow pants and helmet he loves it even more. Now he just needs a yellow jacket and he will look like a giant banana cruising the slopes!<br />
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Jake had his first and only Pinewood derby last week. When deciding how to design his car I asked him one very important question, "Do you want to design a fun looking car, or do you want to win?" Because I've learned you can't have it both ways. Without hesitation he looked me in the eyes and said, "I want to win." So we went to work. Tyler did 2 Pinewood derby and his first car he made a cute bear design.....and lost. The second time he wanted to win so we did some research and designed a speed magnet and (drum roll) he took first place! So we did the same design for Jake's car, different paint job. There was a lot of smack talking going on with those cub scouts so I was worried whether or not the "Soccer Screamer" (as Jake dubbed his car) would pull through. Well (second drum roll) it didn't fail us! Jake took first place and was so happy! It was a close race but only one can bring home the Golden Hot Wheel Trophy.....<br />
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The kids had a day off school so I took them and some friends to Lowe's Airports. They have a new Ninja Warrior course. It looked so fun! I wanted to try it but I had on flip-flops so they wouldn't let me. But even Joey tried!<br />
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Joey didn't make it past the first bumper (he's a little too short) but Tyler made it all the way through, and Jake did awesome too! It was fun to watch.<br />
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The rock show comes to Spanish Fork once or twice a year, so when we saw it was coming last week we had to go. Jake has turned into quite the rockhound. He wants to be a geologist when he grows up....and I think he actually might! He's got a huge rock collection and keeps adding to it. He was in seventh heaven at the rock show. All the kids loved it.....for me, it's a little stressful keeping track of everyone. Here's Maggie showing off her brute strength.... (it's pumice and weighs only a few ounces).<br />
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Here's a sunny day riding the 4-wheeler...I think Utah has the craziest weather!!!!<br />
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I got roped into helping Joey's class on a field trip to Thanksgiving Point. I have been on field trips before and NEVER enjoy them--way too much stress. But the teacher needed help so I told her I would go. The bus ride up was LOUD but I had a great bench buddy....<br />
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The kids got to see some really fun stuff...lots of animals, riding ponies, having lunch....all was going great (much better than expected)......until a horse bit one of the boys in my groups fingers. Chomped it. A big huge draft horse. All I heard was a scream, look down and see the horse with it's head out the gate, teeth bared, chomped down on this little hand. Yikes! I boinked the horse on the nose and he let go after a few seconds but the damage was done. The poor little guy had a big scrape on his finger and it looked so sore! I quickly bandaged it up and hoped not too many others saw what a terrible parent helper I was!! Maybe this will be my last field trip.....<br />
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Last night was super fun--Eric and I went to a nice dinner and Salt Lake and then saw The Lion King musical at the new Eccles Theater. It was awesome! I loved it. Here's my sad attempt at a selfie---I need more practice I think.<br />
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One cute story--the other morning Maggie came upstairs before school and said, "Mom, how long does the wetter take?" Me: "What?" Maggie: "How long will my clothes take in the wetter?" Me: "You got your clothes wet?" Maggie: "They are in the wetter." Me: "What is the wetter?" Maggie: "You know, you put them in the wetter to get wet, then you put them in the dryer to dry them?" Ha ha. (She was talking about the washing machine). I thought that was cute, and also pretty logical--if the one that dries is called the dryer, then the one that wets should be the wetter! Kids are so funny. Why do adults have to complicate everything?<br /><br />The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8570776609297608890.post-17776929658607841712017-02-26T16:12:00.000-08:002017-02-26T16:12:08.552-08:00Look Who's Posting Now?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I've been experiencing pangs of guilt lately--I supposed there are many things I could have these over...the pint of Ben and Jerry's I ate Friday night, the way I got angry at my kids for their mess, the fact that I haven't solved world hunger yet. But my guilt isn't from any of those things; it's from the fact that I have been neglectful about my blog. Now I don't keep up the blog to showcase my admittedly amazing incredible life...I keep it up as a family chronicle, a journal complete with stories and pictures of our goings-on. The reason I feel so guilty lately is because the kids have been LOVING reading the book I made out of my blog. They laugh at the stories and pictures of themselves, all the silly things they used to say, they remember the fun vacations we took and things long forgotten. And as I read the stories that I had written, I realized all those daily things, the cuteness, annoyances, craziness, messes, up and downs that you think you will always remember....well, you don't. And so I am making a renewed commitment to my family to be better about this little family record, silly as it may be. And someday when I am old and gray and maybe even long gone, they will have these memories to look back on and remember all the good times we had together.</div>
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I did notice in my old blog book that I used to write with much more finesse than I have for a while. I thought for a minute that perhaps I have gotten boring, or the kids have sucked all my creative brain cell away. But I realize, it is a 2-fold issue: 1--the fact that I wait so long between posting makes me have to catch up on 6 months at a time--and I can't sit at a computer screen detailing the little things trying to cover that amount of info, and 2--I came to the realization that it is not ME that has gotten boring...it's my kids. I'm still as interesting as ever, but my kids are outgrowing that sweet innocent stage where the silly things they say and do are just that, silly and cute. Now, however, when my kids do those same "silly" things I tend to find them more annoying than cute. Case in point--making a picture on the bathroom counter out of broken Q-tips used to be adorable. In current times though I find myself saying, "Who broke my entire box of new Qtips!! I just bought those!! What a mess." Ok, maybe I'm not THAT bad, but no one can argue that a 13-year-old boy is as cute as he was when he was 3. But I digress, back to my point, I figure if I can update the blog more often then I will be able to remember and include the cute little things that get forgotten so easily. So here's my attempt at keeping current...</div>
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The kids like to steal my phone and even though I have a passcode on it, they can still work the camera...and boy, do they work the camera. In a world where they are surrounded by screens it makes sense my kids would want to be on one themselves. I find literally countless videos the kids have taken of themselves and each other--Joey's videos are usually of him making some odd face and equally strange noises while filming in slo-mo or fast mode which exaggerates his craziness. Maggie, on the other hand, had decided she wants to be a "YouTuber"and makes instructional videos on how to do things like play with a dollhouse, or draw a picture. They are usually very very very informative (translation: LONG--the last one was 23 minutes long). But every once and a while while deleting all the new additions to my album, I come across a gem or two. Here's a cute one of Joey the kids must have snapped. We must have been leaving grandma Calder's house (the soda can).</div>
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We took a day trip on President's Day to the San Raphael Swell. On the drive down Ziggy showed how True Blue she was by smiling when we put on Ty's BYU hat. I mean, really...she is smiling. Either that or thinking "I'm just waiting to make my escape. Just smile and pretend everything's normal...."<br />
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It was a bit of a sketchy drive through snow and then mud but we made it. It is a really neat area with tons of huge boulders and red rock type landscape. Jake was in rock hound heaven collecting tons of specimens for his ever growing collection.<br />
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We let the kids climb around on the hills and boulders...which also means that even though we had intended to go for a nice long hike we didn't make it very far. Boulders are much more enticing to a bunch of kids than a brisk walk.<br />
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There were some really neat looking rock formations. While the kids were playing on the boulders we found a "rock bench" that we parked it on while we watched the kids play. <br />
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Ziggy was thirsty and so we even found a rock with built in bowl for her to drink water from! Boy did she have a blast. It is so fun to have a dog that we can take on things like this. It sounds silly, but I get so much joy from watching her run and jump and do all the dog things she does when she is outdoors. You just know she is having the time of her life. I just hope she appreciates it! Not many dogs have as good a life as she does...<br />
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The first path we ventured out on was pretty muddy--you can see behind Maggie how muddy it was. We stayed away from the worst parts like that, but it didn't keep our shoes from being dragged down by a pound of mud stuck to them. So before too long we changed tactics and went a different way and that was much better.<br />
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Of course stopping every 10 seconds to climb and play. Maggie decided to take a nap.<br />
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In the area there are several places with Indian petroglyphs and pictographs. We stopped at one of the bigger sites that is marked and took a look around. It was pretty incredible. Plus I got a nice hug from my teenager which was pretty incredible too....just kidding. I'm lucky that Tyler is such a loving boy. There is no shortage of hugs coming from him. I might be doing something right...fingers crossed!<br />
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The boys and Eric have done a lot of skiing this winter. As mentioned before, I am learning along with Maggie and Joey, but we can't handle the big stuff like the boys do. So they go without us several times. I'm so glad they have this activity they love. Tyler set a goal to ski every single run in Sundance this winter, including the double black diamonds he never skied before. Well as of yesterday afternoon he met his goal! He went skiing with his friends determined to finish the last of the missing runs and he did it! Now how to get him to set a goal about getting better grades.....<br />
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This picture is from a while ago but I just found it. Eric and I took Joey on a horse ride in Payson Canyon. It was close by and we had a fun time. I have decided to embrace my new cowgirl lifestyle and have set a goal to get more proficient at riding and everything that goes along with it this summer (saddling, loading, bridling, etc.) I'd even like to start working with our foal Cinco. I've got some books about it--I guess we will see how it goes (i.e. if I end up kicked in the face or not).<br />
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We have season tix to BYU basketball again this year (I think I have previously mentioned this) and Eric takes turn taking the kids (on the games I don't want to go, or course). Joey got his turn...but I'm pretty sure he only cared about getting a Cougartail.<br />
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And on to more important matters--ice cream. We found the best ice cream on the planet at a new popular shop in Provo called Rockwell Ice Cream Parlor. Holy moly, it is soooo good. We stopped by there one afternoon since we'd heard raves about it and it certainly delivered. I can be an ice cream snob, but this hit the mark in every way. Delicious interesting flavors, huge portions and good music playing. Check, check and check. We will definitely be back.<br />
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And to close off I'll tell you a story about my currently favorite son Jacob (you'll see why in the story). I was deciding between 2 pairs of jeans and I modeled them for Eric and Jacob just happened to be sitting next to him. I modeled both pairs and asked which one looked better, which in girl terms translates into "Which pair makes me look thin?" I made sure to tell them that's what I meant, just so there was no confusion. Eric was deciding and Jacob chimed in with, "You look thin in both pairs." BOOM--he just moved to the top of the list. Nice job Jake, I've taught you well. Now I better get to work on Joey who asked me if I had a baby in my belly.....The Swensonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613955589808427743noreply@blogger.com2