tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31235472245151896872024-02-19T09:20:21.205-08:00Jill's WorldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-45237353733154138692009-07-15T08:32:00.000-07:002009-07-15T08:44:21.344-07:00Rocky Jones ArtMy brother-in-law Rocky Jones is an amazing artist! Please check out his new blog which shows just how talented he is. Get your orders in now! Let me know if you would like to order some prints or originals - they will look beautiful in your home or office.<br /><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://rockyjonesart.blogspot.com/">http://rockyjonesart.blogspot.com/</a></div><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6lkzuPr7yHZUGh2XOX2iBCsNmZWiAD32HyIZe02HEJPs8j0UCXb0JLgLyreIrmCmSrNqUglKFYN_k8MHbpl4VDWKd3FQ_YKwK31GEL7tV9Mou6mQjEl0Tah1f3k16um92QNMNpa5zTz_/s1600-h/rocky1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358712889854137266" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6lkzuPr7yHZUGh2XOX2iBCsNmZWiAD32HyIZe02HEJPs8j0UCXb0JLgLyreIrmCmSrNqUglKFYN_k8MHbpl4VDWKd3FQ_YKwK31GEL7tV9Mou6mQjEl0Tah1f3k16um92QNMNpa5zTz_/s400/rocky1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CGkH94ovgUknrIlQtcfII92KAvrI2CNzhgbtEzqtHC0LoujNHZEDd6klUrVs_t9_U2P06SHTSr7as9yVDmkwFJ4fuNzEsgizLisHzRquZv2hrk-H9WyPTLXuG7MsyFz85OO4bqC7VtDs/s1600-h/rocky2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358713029784299186" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CGkH94ovgUknrIlQtcfII92KAvrI2CNzhgbtEzqtHC0LoujNHZEDd6klUrVs_t9_U2P06SHTSr7as9yVDmkwFJ4fuNzEsgizLisHzRquZv2hrk-H9WyPTLXuG7MsyFz85OO4bqC7VtDs/s400/rocky2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-20911437245796295882009-04-13T13:19:00.000-07:002009-04-13T13:49:39.310-07:00Happy Easter!<div><div><div><div><div>Some cute pics from Easter... had a great family dinner at Mom's. </div><div> </div><div>Maddy and her basket of eggs!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3wujUPX3l9Mspxf-nGJ6LpkFUJcuSIkWtuK6QoU11qkt8vIojSp7n1aLYsClCWyW7hU1jiGeJBjrotd0wGshmI0pofihVGas0Sp3bbeQY2dfoeIR_roSmF1MO3cpXskDoaDFh9ijEDf7/s1600-h/IMG_3353.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324278415244447842" style="WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3wujUPX3l9Mspxf-nGJ6LpkFUJcuSIkWtuK6QoU11qkt8vIojSp7n1aLYsClCWyW7hU1jiGeJBjrotd0wGshmI0pofihVGas0Sp3bbeQY2dfoeIR_roSmF1MO3cpXskDoaDFh9ijEDf7/s320/IMG_3353.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>Look what I found!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeq0jTCxG2c1XiGyhgbYk-9RvzkdwI8ntrsBGJig77DrhDpc8Kh1pa54KfGBCAz4BE18lAAesS6XhB8YiB331PvNWphmkFaiozhiSd6V3WhIXYrI-w9hu42KRs8jrv8GOHB-IdVZhurHQL/s1600-h/IMG_3345.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324278818756224450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeq0jTCxG2c1XiGyhgbYk-9RvzkdwI8ntrsBGJig77DrhDpc8Kh1pa54KfGBCAz4BE18lAAesS6XhB8YiB331PvNWphmkFaiozhiSd6V3WhIXYrI-w9hu42KRs8jrv8GOHB-IdVZhurHQL/s320/IMG_3345.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>Ruthie's first egg!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXlk-DQZXt3DqYqyvy2hlxHw5OQyECMUrIj0u09GA8i-_CWz0nDtRk26KY7GQnKSyZDW2teX_FwO7xIAr3g8QzFq9MUIjbWLgxIUe461vDaRLImczLRO5k0X364zUwNVSjyStkbWlZAFc/s1600-h/IMG_3330.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324279005040180050" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXlk-DQZXt3DqYqyvy2hlxHw5OQyECMUrIj0u09GA8i-_CWz0nDtRk26KY7GQnKSyZDW2teX_FwO7xIAr3g8QzFq9MUIjbWLgxIUe461vDaRLImczLRO5k0X364zUwNVSjyStkbWlZAFc/s320/IMG_3330.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Hey! I found a dollar!</div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IJadu_cBXsETh6J19wRiRDXTz31sIHejhGAhVijIgYIusrF-sKsbNLah31tApdH8mtbbd1RKMCkTe0Y8zazciE-flpf1wFYF8z59_HL9UOfz1SaJRqTXtLyaQCH2HSHSB-aDWjRex5pq/s1600-h/IMG_3364.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324279396324851250" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IJadu_cBXsETh6J19wRiRDXTz31sIHejhGAhVijIgYIusrF-sKsbNLah31tApdH8mtbbd1RKMCkTe0Y8zazciE-flpf1wFYF8z59_HL9UOfz1SaJRqTXtLyaQCH2HSHSB-aDWjRex5pq/s320/IMG_3364.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>What is this?!?!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHq_p6fMyO5OOYFIAFOtfl9T3YQhxb8fVrh7iVWzeBHD_hFcGIhsMUcPTNwt8FxBwg1a3UhHVlrk80o06aaZ1fKrq7XrwffBB52WjkICPX3EBqnV9yCuchYfgNZCbHch5R-Z9gCfXEKmW/s1600-h/IMG_3367.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324279715270008690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHq_p6fMyO5OOYFIAFOtfl9T3YQhxb8fVrh7iVWzeBHD_hFcGIhsMUcPTNwt8FxBwg1a3UhHVlrk80o06aaZ1fKrq7XrwffBB52WjkICPX3EBqnV9yCuchYfgNZCbHch5R-Z9gCfXEKmW/s320/IMG_3367.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>Little Roo - aka Michael Jordan in training... look at that tongue!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK154bHG5o8wrA5yAQskGyFOeKF-E05puZWeCG5oQZqtT6VXVGiJ4MN5eBvH7i8hvKNfTQuLqMZ5PRTCXn6AgS0wTVaBgxIwE9WrKbxgzYpbskWLC2gR6Wgln50ttwKhiWS26QDBt4z0W/s1600-h/IMG_3371.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324279930609383522" style="WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK154bHG5o8wrA5yAQskGyFOeKF-E05puZWeCG5oQZqtT6VXVGiJ4MN5eBvH7i8hvKNfTQuLqMZ5PRTCXn6AgS0wTVaBgxIwE9WrKbxgzYpbskWLC2gR6Wgln50ttwKhiWS26QDBt4z0W/s320/IMG_3371.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-16963740268983458822009-03-27T10:17:00.000-07:002009-03-31T13:01:17.652-07:00Time Out For WomenOk so I'm a little late in getting this out...<br /><br /><br />So last weekend (March 20-21) was time Out for Women in Orlando. My mom, sisters and I went together. We got a hotel for Friday night and had a wonderful time.<br /><br /><br />We checked in early and then headed to PF Chang's for lunch. This is one of my favorite restaurants. I of course ordered the Mongolian Beef and everyone else ordered some kind of chicken. Jessica was still waiting on her dish after we got ours. Our food was cold and when Jess' came it was piping hot... and then she cut into the chicken and it was RAW!!! Oh dear - NOT a good experience... but afterwards we went to The cheesecake Factory to get yummy cheesecake to have later in the evening.<br /><br /><br />Friday night was wonderful. I missed most of the first speaker (Chieko Okasaki). I really enjoy listening to her. She's a great speaker. We also heard from Mark Mabry who is a professional photographer. Since I am in love with photography, his story was really cool to hear. He started out wanting to be a lawyer and then quit and took up photography. There were times when he didn't know if it was the right thing to do with his life, but the Lord let him know he was on the right path. There is a line he quoted from one of Michael McClain's songs that parallels my feelings... "I took a snapshot of my life but the exposure was all wrong." Super profound.<br /><br /><br />I'm not sure of my purpose in life right now and his words really hit home for me. He let me know that everyone can have a surety of purpose thru the grace of Heavenly Father. I need to do some serious soul searching and reach out to the One who can let me know (of a surety) what it is I am supposed to be doing with my life.<br /><br /><br />Sometimes I just don't feel worthy of receiving the blessings I most desire in this life. Mark mentioned a line from the movie Meet Joe Black that says, "My wife knows the worst thing about me and she's still here." What a comfort it is to know that if I go to the Lord with the worst thing about me, he will still love me and still be there for me. I think back to when I was baptized and took the name of Christ upon me. I KNOW that I did that, but do I always REMEMBER?<br /><br /><br />Somethings I know:<br />1) I know what it is to be lonely.<br />2) I know that the scriptures contain truths.<br />3) I know that appearances can be decieving.<br />4) I know that my Redeemer lives and loves me, even though sometimes I forget.<br /><br /><br />Saturday started a new meeting and special musical numbers by Hilary Weeks. I love her. Her music speaks to my soul. She sang quite a few songs from her new CD and there is one called <span style="color:#3333ff;">"Tender Behind the Mercy"</span> that really spoke volumes to me about so many things, but especially about my Redeemer and why He is my Redeemer. The last verse and chorus:<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">More than once I've added to the pain </span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">He bore in Gethsemane</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Yet gentle as a morning breeze </span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">His love reaches out to me</span><br /><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">He's the tender behind the mercy</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The unconditional in love</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And when I need forgiveness</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">He's the Redeeming in Son</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">More and more I see</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">In the blessings all around me</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">I can't help but see</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">In the way that He loves me</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">More and more I see</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">He's the tender behind the mercy</span></em><br /><br /><br />I think probably the first hymn I ever learned was <span style="color:#3333ff;">"I Am a Child of God"</span>. We start to learn this song in Primary. I have sung it millions of times but on Saturday I think I really heard it and felt it for the first time. Hilary sang it to a beautiful arrangement that she created. The words really leapt out at me. Read the words. I was so touched by this song and Hilary's beautiful voice.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am a child of God and He has sent me here</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Has Given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am a child of God and so my needs are great</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Help me to understand his words before it grows too late</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">I am a child of God rich blessings are in store</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">If I but learn to do His will I'll live with Him once more</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday</span><br /><br /><br />Emily Watts is a wonderful woman who had so much to teach me about truths and Heavenly Father's love. What is the truth we can anchor ourselves to? Heavenly Father. Soemtimes Heavenly Father lets hard things happen so that we can gain the qualities we need to do the Lord's will. I need to just be patient and trust the Lord to "untie the knots". Psalms 9:10 talks about trusting in the Lord and seeking Him. Sometimes the fruit doesn't ripen on this side of the veil... how lucky we are that it doesn't end here.<br /><br /><br />Brent Top reminded me that I need to focus on Christ and some ways in which to solidify the focus. C.S. Lewis once said, "Only real risk tests the reality of belief." I know that I cannot walk on water by myself. Just like Peter, I need the strength of Chirst to bring me to the ship.<br /><br /><br />Three ways to focus on Christ:<br />1) Think on Him<br />2) Thank Him<br />3) Trust in Him<br /><br /><br /><strong>D&C 121</strong> speaks to letting virtue (godly power) garnish our thoughts. President Packer once said, "You can only think one thought at a time. When you have a good thought, there is no room for a bad one." Even when life is difficult, God is good to us. There are so many blessing that He has in store for us but only through gratitude can we see what those blessings are. We need to remember to let the Lord "hold us, confort us."<br /><br /><br />Wendy Ulrich spoke about the differences between sin and weakness. The gospel is intended to give us answers to the difficult questions in our lives. We shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes, but it is imperative that we learn the difference between sin and weakness.<br /><br /><br />Sin: When you know better. Rebellion. Intention<br />Weakness: Limitations to being mortal. Illness. Temptation. Emotion.<br /><br /><br />One thing to remember is that Satan is the author of sin and God is the author of weakness. One of my favorite (and oft quoted on my mission) scriptures is found in <strong>Ether 12:27</strong>, <span style="color:#006600;">"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."</span> When we are weak, God offers us His strength to help us along the road.<br /><br /><br />The day was wrapped up with Kris Belcher. What a wonderfully comedic woman. She had me in tears with her stories. She has a wonderful sense of humor. From her I learned that there <strong>ARE</strong> answers and there <strong>IS</strong> comfort. I need to tell Heavenly Father, through prayer, exactly how I am feeling from day to day. The last 2 verses in <strong>D&C 121</strong> talk about how The Son of Man hath decended below them all and to "hold on thy way". I cannot let go of christ, I cannot give up. My trials refine me. There is real power in Christ and the struggle is worth it (I just need to keep repeating this over and over...!).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-56856064551678874012009-02-18T08:03:00.000-08:002009-02-18T08:33:14.274-08:006th from 6th TagMy friend Eden tagged me with the "6th from 6th tag". You take the 6th picture from your 6th folder and post it. Since I'm at work, I went to my "pics" folder that I keep here. The 6th folder in was of some photos I scanned of my sweet Grams (maternal grandmother) after she passed away to arrange a photo collage at her funeral. Appropriately, the 6th photo in was her wedding photo to my Grampa. January 26, 1946. What a dashing couple! I love and miss them both so much!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhz7yHlQTph6SfeHCsotMXLgQNWdtoMNRuvgC-uxO5ziuXbgMmC2uI-AY_uwTqapv7uOEB9a4_rdQi_44yHtNlEVmeRtIKDKCaD4W9-kFyGUcJ-VnXisEJkEUgpQb4Hh1ETFqg6akmXZS/s1600-h/gram_gramp_wedding.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304170622272329042" style="WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhz7yHlQTph6SfeHCsotMXLgQNWdtoMNRuvgC-uxO5ziuXbgMmC2uI-AY_uwTqapv7uOEB9a4_rdQi_44yHtNlEVmeRtIKDKCaD4W9-kFyGUcJ-VnXisEJkEUgpQb4Hh1ETFqg6akmXZS/s320/gram_gramp_wedding.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Now I am to tag 6 friends (ok I tagged more than 6!). <a href="http://billandadele.blogspot.com/">Mom</a>, <a href="http://mellonjello.blogspot.com/">Andrea</a>, <a href="http://justinandbetony.blogspot.com/">Betony</a>, <a href="http://www.thiazee.blogspot.com/">Cynthia</a>, <a href="http://andyandellen.blogspot.com/">Aunt Ellen</a>, <a href="http://toblermania.blogspot.com/">Janet T.</a>, <a href="http://www.rockyandjessica.blogspot.com/">Jessica</a>, <a href="http://ksmiths.blogspot.com/">Krissy</a>, <a href="http://nikkimnoel.blogspot.com/">Nikki</a>, and <a href="http://markosmischief.blogspot.com/">Sarah</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-62852676453611603532009-02-02T11:48:00.000-08:002009-02-07T21:13:50.987-08:00Guess Who Came to Church?!So I'm sitting at church Sunday morning and the Bishop is making some announcements. He says that there is going to be a special Youth Fireside at the Stake Center that evening and there would be a very special guest... American Idol's David Archuleta! Wow! That was pretty cool... then he mentioned that it was really geared for the Youth so let's not everyone go... didn't want there to be a mob at the Stake Center.<br /><br />Hmmmmm..... of course my sister was JUST called into YW that day.... hmmmm..... well, I had worked with the YW for quite a while in my last two wards so I figured I could go too! Actually, we found out later that some Bishop's had invited the whole ward to go so I didn't feel bad. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0grKBu9IvrtTELT-l2E8_V9LUG2DOJDXvqewOtdteIm7PROOM6P3SOPrXft1FQepW3RDbTnEkTCnSN14ftEGWeKHhTDwutUpyMpDM9cyTL3k8et-clBBzx5hexiMyC0xpoz8sIopS2NTs/s1600-h/Me_Archuletta(cropped).jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0grKBu9IvrtTELT-l2E8_V9LUG2DOJDXvqewOtdteIm7PROOM6P3SOPrXft1FQepW3RDbTnEkTCnSN14ftEGWeKHhTDwutUpyMpDM9cyTL3k8et-clBBzx5hexiMyC0xpoz8sIopS2NTs/s320/Me_Archuletta(cropped).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299167990833746018" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />What an amazing young man. When the time was turned over to him, he proceeded to tell us that he wasn't a good speaker and hadn't really prepared anything since it had been last minute. He warned us that he would likely ramble (and he did!) and that he didn't make much sense when he talked to people but I found him to be quite charming!</div><br /><div>He started the evening by singing hymn #124 Be Still My Soul. I cried. I cried. I cried. His voice is a gift sent straight from Heavenly Father and the arrangement of that song and his singing was amazing. What was even more amazing is that you could feel that he truly felt every word he sang. I think that particular hymn just really touched my heart because my soul is restless and has been for some time. This hymn speaks to trusting in the Lord to be forever on our side and healing our hurts. It is one of my favorites and I know that I needed to hear him sing that song last night. </div><br /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" align="center"><strong>Be Still My Soul</strong></div><br /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" align="center">Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Leave to thy God to order and provide;<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">To guide the future as he has the past.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">All now mysterious shall be bright at last.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When we shall be forever with the Lord,<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.</span><br /></div><br /><div align="left">Earlier in the evening cards were passed out for us to write down questions we would like for David to answer. Someone asked him what his favorite color was. His answer was just too cute... he said, "uhhh.... ummmm... I don't know... I guess orange, yellow and green because they're the colors of citrus and I love oranges, lemons and limes" - how adorable is that?!</div><br /><div align="left">I was originally going to ask him what his favorite scripture was but my sister beat me to it! He shared with us that one of his favorites that he likes to re-read when he's feeling down or sad is D&C 68:6 (this also happens to be one of my top five scriptures). He said it reminds him that the Lord "has his back".</div><br /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" align="center">"<span style="font-style: italic;">Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.</span>"</div><br /><div align="left">My question was "what was the most spiritual moment you've had since being on the show or while on the show?" He answered that the finale was a spiritual moment for him because it was a positive accumulation of all the work he had put into his singing and an affirmation that this is what he was here to do; to share his talent with those who will listen in the hopes of touching their lives for the better. </div><br /><div align="left">I was very impressed by this young man who not only has an amazing voice but a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. There was no doubt as to the conviction of his testimony that he shared with us. What a great example for the youth. He is every bit as adorable as he appears to be on tv. There is always a smile on his face and you can't help but want to squeeze him in a big hug or pinch his cheeks! </div><br /><div align="left">He closed by singing hymn #136 I Know That My Redeemer Lives. This is such a powerful song and always brings me back to my mission. It was an oft requested song by others for us as missionaries to sing. I remember one time visiting with an elderly woman who had not much time left on earth and she asked my companion and I to sing this song to her. I get choked up at just the thought. The Lord was surely with us because I don't know HOW I got through that song without crying. The spirit was so strong and the entire family was in tears.</div><br /><div align="left">To hear David sing that song touched my heart and memories of a special time in my life. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have served a full time mission. </div><br /><div align="left">After the Fireside, there was a meet and greet and I was able to shake his hand, give him a hug and tell him that I thought his heart and spirit was just as beautiful as his voice. I got a picture too! It was a great evening! It was so cute to see the YW with pictures of him to sign! This kid has beautiful gold (yes golden) eyes... a really cute kid who's gonna make a super duper handsome man! Watch out ladies! No older brothers tho... bummer... :)<br /><br /></div>I know that God lives. I know that Christ lives. I know that I am a child of God. My testimony of the living Christ has nevered wavered. He lived for me, he died for me... so that I may truly live.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-19837623289013886592009-01-14T12:33:00.000-08:002009-01-14T14:16:54.764-08:00December Update #4 Two B-Day PartiesMr Thatcher Chance Jones turned 2 years old on December 26 and Mr Alexander Angelo Conte turned 5 years old on December 31! Since Alex was still in town, we decided to have a combined b-day party for the boys at a local park.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>What a great day to run around and chase the kids, thus reverting to children ourselves! Too much sand though! That stuff was everywhere! All kids needed to go straight to the tub that evening but they sure had fun!</div><br /><div>Alex pushing Thatcher in the swings! Too cute!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-K7AvezT3Y_l3ugZEIP1mDVdANP-Jck8bmTBJYa9vudJlm2JS6CRpcGYKg9BrsGtkX3JNZpcGslFH_HBA5RASkijZcMSurT6wWA8EzcytTBvSuvpxdPE2V3iaaDsHrXu_DlR0O7l86px/s1600-h/IMG_3153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291251313271062178" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-K7AvezT3Y_l3ugZEIP1mDVdANP-Jck8bmTBJYa9vudJlm2JS6CRpcGYKg9BrsGtkX3JNZpcGslFH_HBA5RASkijZcMSurT6wWA8EzcytTBvSuvpxdPE2V3iaaDsHrXu_DlR0O7l86px/s320/IMG_3153.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaACTgf16YiSayLTHh8vrZ7BjMNAsvdkrPj9I5W2-pE8r2kXJOJJ-A85jN7YWQ9tTKuDNeEP2822DoZG_OiBcA4c-qH5Y0HMMRG_ONflssZ2ZbdC-4Ne-YY6Vtbvnj-xDZld8qE7Jc1KUL/s1600-h/IMG_3159.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291275266663854418" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaACTgf16YiSayLTHh8vrZ7BjMNAsvdkrPj9I5W2-pE8r2kXJOJJ-A85jN7YWQ9tTKuDNeEP2822DoZG_OiBcA4c-qH5Y0HMMRG_ONflssZ2ZbdC-4Ne-YY6Vtbvnj-xDZld8qE7Jc1KUL/s320/IMG_3159.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Ryan wondering, "hey why isn't anyone pushing me?"</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-vUvZs0JP7pz19SLLOmfUdJnZGr1tsPScuL4ck3cOEOL8TEGaNL-iJ3yzDRGecYuc-3ySYUelJ8Sju0_-YRvO4cf7ERTRG4vu0ZW_Dd31aLQLr3JBZ9dOoWbktm55RGKukqPAlK_piMt/s1600-h/IMG_3155.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291252061590553794" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-vUvZs0JP7pz19SLLOmfUdJnZGr1tsPScuL4ck3cOEOL8TEGaNL-iJ3yzDRGecYuc-3ySYUelJ8Sju0_-YRvO4cf7ERTRG4vu0ZW_Dd31aLQLr3JBZ9dOoWbktm55RGKukqPAlK_piMt/s320/IMG_3155.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On to the slides! Here we come (Alex and Thatcher). </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R23l64j3MIKJ88LmVV9pSsEGnlpIPFnLNN0SuZwAkGNbsOW_XTa1iGczDuB8qLTtnieGI6BCyJrhYZ0cGc2t6eaGkancjAZRwiM9trU3dwRmyjOS7E7-vYFNyYGKIZ3VQ0zA_Xq-sb7T/s1600-h/IMG_3164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291252863401803362" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R23l64j3MIKJ88LmVV9pSsEGnlpIPFnLNN0SuZwAkGNbsOW_XTa1iGczDuB8qLTtnieGI6BCyJrhYZ0cGc2t6eaGkancjAZRwiM9trU3dwRmyjOS7E7-vYFNyYGKIZ3VQ0zA_Xq-sb7T/s320/IMG_3164.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdUXNVwwR-41RLGbb9-revYnRO3oWeq2N4gKvQXsAwJU3IHhpFOr406ntkxBxgtugtAVyi54ABu5UlsCxlIkpr_dsuyiTz5bknF8zr8F_ymaaTp8EJg7_vgib3iYFl47fnLlRep_MVGHU/s1600-h/IMG_3171.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291253513660929410" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdUXNVwwR-41RLGbb9-revYnRO3oWeq2N4gKvQXsAwJU3IHhpFOr406ntkxBxgtugtAVyi54ABu5UlsCxlIkpr_dsuyiTz5bknF8zr8F_ymaaTp8EJg7_vgib3iYFl47fnLlRep_MVGHU/s320/IMG_3171.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Playground Tubes!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CcJH3fZlkCr2YoKeUpeYoKtuK2ZMqumgV1nKMSEVIeK1mouAl7JGohswPuRGVGbHUxJE7SA1EU1Zy3lZK_YTcxzkfjWTYe2V5_Y9DzrSCc__xckM40QnddVuyTdVcUw6v8or8Hn4LeeQ/s1600-h/IMG_3169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291253825236161330" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CcJH3fZlkCr2YoKeUpeYoKtuK2ZMqumgV1nKMSEVIeK1mouAl7JGohswPuRGVGbHUxJE7SA1EU1Zy3lZK_YTcxzkfjWTYe2V5_Y9DzrSCc__xckM40QnddVuyTdVcUw6v8or8Hn4LeeQ/s320/IMG_3169.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0VNL9wEunwvueyLO_fhjPXmj-pcWOrkqJfZ50mvW1GUlCzGtaV4H8FRt1M2g4Vyobcl6Fi9Iu5bNA2BGc91Qci23lwxP9QyYztKfGemCNKpyVuptOBcxG-8_q5MMO6RqI34rFJXs7yQ0/s1600-h/IMG_3172.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291253936038956130" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0VNL9wEunwvueyLO_fhjPXmj-pcWOrkqJfZ50mvW1GUlCzGtaV4H8FRt1M2g4Vyobcl6Fi9Iu5bNA2BGc91Qci23lwxP9QyYztKfGemCNKpyVuptOBcxG-8_q5MMO6RqI34rFJXs7yQ0/s320/IMG_3172.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kB4qangoXUF63ViPhyUA1dQTckuDy5Jf76vsn47QGDdDRtTjtfD5fHw0_fWqhNFQJyQomVgOjsx0FYa6C0pavU7c8v6mYeU76JFDHpVjWJ55ZaxRW8Jpq13Tl_9fsB0RWODKaPHPOJ62/s1600-h/IMG_3175(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291255016491950386" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kB4qangoXUF63ViPhyUA1dQTckuDy5Jf76vsn47QGDdDRtTjtfD5fHw0_fWqhNFQJyQomVgOjsx0FYa6C0pavU7c8v6mYeU76JFDHpVjWJ55ZaxRW8Jpq13Tl_9fsB0RWODKaPHPOJ62/s320/IMG_3175(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms5HIoKyEXGiirjWAPlZGfL7PgpTqwBd7L3nMWG8NllzWJjolJ1eEtQgpJdVrXjs075k-KLEKqt7vqrhdmyu4C1XwBParNPIKQhSNeKiEZDnJbY5E022NVGvYD4ZdOvS0Npgjhx0n0UNl/s1600-h/IMG_3180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291255119775519842" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjms5HIoKyEXGiirjWAPlZGfL7PgpTqwBd7L3nMWG8NllzWJjolJ1eEtQgpJdVrXjs075k-KLEKqt7vqrhdmyu4C1XwBParNPIKQhSNeKiEZDnJbY5E022NVGvYD4ZdOvS0Npgjhx0n0UNl/s320/IMG_3180.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6zrdcDeKn16qzf-DOlD8kpB4altYHcnN274ZLsnIB3afQx00PlTROo1KwAXMkdDwt_uLTIO4yqpZqa8oP5u5htDfSK2izGBq-HiWCQUpijhArtXfFm-Tbgw1QkpWQLs5LP4xE7sUanGo/s1600-h/IMG_3177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291255468702600402" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6zrdcDeKn16qzf-DOlD8kpB4altYHcnN274ZLsnIB3afQx00PlTROo1KwAXMkdDwt_uLTIO4yqpZqa8oP5u5htDfSK2izGBq-HiWCQUpijhArtXfFm-Tbgw1QkpWQLs5LP4xE7sUanGo/s320/IMG_3177.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Ruh Roh... the climbing wall!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxByX5gXBMdtugPQgf9nZUywG6hy3qgDscvXNSj2XbEFTZkx6bi8aq_HXzoLKbFb8b5uPeTzyf_ZvtkpJTJJvxNEXuTNtQo-7sZT7vh9Krg2tqc2gv4Gphw9iuoVUPz5hHJawq5lETLUMD/s1600-h/IMG_3162.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291263849306854418" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxByX5gXBMdtugPQgf9nZUywG6hy3qgDscvXNSj2XbEFTZkx6bi8aq_HXzoLKbFb8b5uPeTzyf_ZvtkpJTJJvxNEXuTNtQo-7sZT7vh9Krg2tqc2gv4Gphw9iuoVUPz5hHJawq5lETLUMD/s320/IMG_3162.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYu2MYg3cVOHj96PWjgB8s_Aa478U2UwpMWEJWgv27gigvQc2XPj2tLH11579c9a-VgRTYMR-if_KqmIsj7itql_ApXBrsFqLUY8nFKv2kSVPDeWyKVh5H7yEquKM5so2UE0llhMYbTrL/s1600-h/IMG_3223.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291266068235608034" style="WIDTH: 176px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYu2MYg3cVOHj96PWjgB8s_Aa478U2UwpMWEJWgv27gigvQc2XPj2tLH11579c9a-VgRTYMR-if_KqmIsj7itql_ApXBrsFqLUY8nFKv2kSVPDeWyKVh5H7yEquKM5so2UE0llhMYbTrL/s320/IMG_3223.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKetK_DZi6L0XkZeKyFSxF6NpxAP5dll1PG76kOVKWl2p3NFOl33V20MPXryStaeDW91vb_ygtZZufeCdchRO38CY0jIU4HAK4knIrUW6D2cPehL-R2SCZ-NW6yExHIWJfWuO83TzW9dp/s1600-h/IMG_3230.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291266235060968482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKetK_DZi6L0XkZeKyFSxF6NpxAP5dll1PG76kOVKWl2p3NFOl33V20MPXryStaeDW91vb_ygtZZufeCdchRO38CY0jIU4HAK4knIrUW6D2cPehL-R2SCZ-NW6yExHIWJfWuO83TzW9dp/s320/IMG_3230.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGvzvWSu9YbH8_zObtugAdHYTVkrNNwFV8fZ8HFfgpkafhmfyxZ8HNQCSPB1GZdmmtR5Xhjuk7JnG8QZP-cx92Cyqz-HA5sBQm6RHsn-t-tpltjwYXb830rLpZUV8m44nQU4G6EyPq3W4/s1600-h/IMG_3233.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291266735545185522" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGvzvWSu9YbH8_zObtugAdHYTVkrNNwFV8fZ8HFfgpkafhmfyxZ8HNQCSPB1GZdmmtR5Xhjuk7JnG8QZP-cx92Cyqz-HA5sBQm6RHsn-t-tpltjwYXb830rLpZUV8m44nQU4G6EyPq3W4/s320/IMG_3233.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U-kgNx-sl2D0XpbqSt-djssy4vyp9kT23m2NGr5xvBI9IapN3nRGV-POyfFKkjllAQDZQGtSuOZVwg5ri2qJQLfhIk5myvDaOdQMLwBaJStE-Z3BvmdcBakCWVRUOvWg0amjzhVcRmwN/s1600-h/IMG_3235.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291266802013319906" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U-kgNx-sl2D0XpbqSt-djssy4vyp9kT23m2NGr5xvBI9IapN3nRGV-POyfFKkjllAQDZQGtSuOZVwg5ri2qJQLfhIk5myvDaOdQMLwBaJStE-Z3BvmdcBakCWVRUOvWg0amjzhVcRmwN/s320/IMG_3235.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Um, children???????<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPf0XQkCr1sQXIhBDqMoh9aSZCtCbT5q7j6yxuJUjXoZmtMCIGDv8M6DVo4fKje8QF7tYdmLzqFeTctu7lcgngugm0xIsCxp4wtQlH8eQAPsgRecGj-HbXTsfqzCJK-DJkOAKoUu62wfP/s1600-h/IMG_3240.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291266892789360690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPf0XQkCr1sQXIhBDqMoh9aSZCtCbT5q7j6yxuJUjXoZmtMCIGDv8M6DVo4fKje8QF7tYdmLzqFeTctu7lcgngugm0xIsCxp4wtQlH8eQAPsgRecGj-HbXTsfqzCJK-DJkOAKoUu62wfP/s320/IMG_3240.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Monkey Bar fun... Madeline was scared out of her mind when she couldn't swing back to the starting point... even when mommy had her, she would NOT let go!!! Thatcher, such a boy this one - he couldn't get enough! Just launches himself everywhere whenever he pleases and somebody better be there!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF_jnO8vLNb0UW8fpLZunBVVjKgAPBt7m8n8bHEYVc0IL-IHS8XlBH7JvxSjcgMrf0Ld-RB9zfqVEgh6fwWHP91qBZKJVNoMgfoEgL6zHAY_YvoLPqb6E9wfYJ4P7viLCCnGcOjNxMQIN/s1600-h/IMG_3248.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291271215987425042" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF_jnO8vLNb0UW8fpLZunBVVjKgAPBt7m8n8bHEYVc0IL-IHS8XlBH7JvxSjcgMrf0Ld-RB9zfqVEgh6fwWHP91qBZKJVNoMgfoEgL6zHAY_YvoLPqb6E9wfYJ4P7viLCCnGcOjNxMQIN/s320/IMG_3248.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARTllGZ-KajP28iG0CnUftADcBepZXQojMBf2Ip29I8Gv-hXuN1TpUB3FQBN-tBOVBeIBIwrS81ROhOIIZZmwDhpDKteJKs5Ihq3its8B9CFJmA0WX4xW900YS4aSui2qmGSlvAkrZnGF/s1600-h/IMG_3254.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291271371917297682" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARTllGZ-KajP28iG0CnUftADcBepZXQojMBf2Ip29I8Gv-hXuN1TpUB3FQBN-tBOVBeIBIwrS81ROhOIIZZmwDhpDKteJKs5Ihq3its8B9CFJmA0WX4xW900YS4aSui2qmGSlvAkrZnGF/s320/IMG_3254.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PiRPNLdLG1R3AFD-gshCTJcZxUkt1Ge_qCIKeidGsPtY-_JSTmVW_sbZrDNjJiR82EP8s4GUN1ujUJc30tP5RPdpVjHgN_vz_inEgDq3mpp-Xw3FaiWGEQR3m36wd6VVn7iLYk7RyB7O/s1600-h/IMG_3251.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291271299449548866" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PiRPNLdLG1R3AFD-gshCTJcZxUkt1Ge_qCIKeidGsPtY-_JSTmVW_sbZrDNjJiR82EP8s4GUN1ujUJc30tP5RPdpVjHgN_vz_inEgDq3mpp-Xw3FaiWGEQR3m36wd6VVn7iLYk7RyB7O/s320/IMG_3251.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0BK_3eRyD4lnrqKl5xrEGg35-ppEIqGHmRY9xIJnTaupfll_DiGmnfSqEOHZaMZ0r7G5vDKM9vMmczQb2RKOyLQdHAIygFkapcwPQfKhqQIpHZuFV9Vhaoxlh5tN_cjB0bp24TimxU8_/s1600-h/IMG_3257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291271439317092146" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0BK_3eRyD4lnrqKl5xrEGg35-ppEIqGHmRY9xIJnTaupfll_DiGmnfSqEOHZaMZ0r7G5vDKM9vMmczQb2RKOyLQdHAIygFkapcwPQfKhqQIpHZuFV9Vhaoxlh5tN_cjB0bp24TimxU8_/s320/IMG_3257.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Don't forget Baby Roo - ok maybe she's just a mite too small yet!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIpP77AE79-9_ir28EFqHLwEDMgsu-gLTiQOR8wLf9qqv9yADbWf7BdvMRYQwP7QuV64fAMELVIAK9uJbYpo_IU0GPomAmqcSHk4rU2EXLSp-wEL_V1LL401wstM6ZbWMUbJVQ2orgu38/s1600-h/IMG_3260.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291271497663660242" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIpP77AE79-9_ir28EFqHLwEDMgsu-gLTiQOR8wLf9qqv9yADbWf7BdvMRYQwP7QuV64fAMELVIAK9uJbYpo_IU0GPomAmqcSHk4rU2EXLSp-wEL_V1LL401wstM6ZbWMUbJVQ2orgu38/s320/IMG_3260.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Catch me Auntie Jill!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5c9EYtqq-fSOILgYAO1oexcy8E-dx-JojFNXM8E_7GyqSrjR8wJEt-DxKrYKnG2kZ90WM3kMggQVZCZ3yvEYSAY4wsQhB-dfXU-HqZKhqsor29B1KYv5M8fjybsfAQJ46LqdJmRV0ZAc/s1600-h/IMG_3269.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291272807560404322" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5c9EYtqq-fSOILgYAO1oexcy8E-dx-JojFNXM8E_7GyqSrjR8wJEt-DxKrYKnG2kZ90WM3kMggQVZCZ3yvEYSAY4wsQhB-dfXU-HqZKhqsor29B1KYv5M8fjybsfAQJ46LqdJmRV0ZAc/s320/IMG_3269.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFVdiOKFKNrPDPKwjSC5S76YbhEfwZxj7gWiZmmnXHReXVc0UiB5gwiCBsJXHTRWX_FAKtwaqrQmStITJbs3_akqCeE_98IOdB6Tk38JXOicmQCjpfQGSr3Sbpm5bn5Fi0HVxTH39eYL9/s1600-h/IMG_3262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291272666888787970" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFVdiOKFKNrPDPKwjSC5S76YbhEfwZxj7gWiZmmnXHReXVc0UiB5gwiCBsJXHTRWX_FAKtwaqrQmStITJbs3_akqCeE_98IOdB6Tk38JXOicmQCjpfQGSr3Sbpm5bn5Fi0HVxTH39eYL9/s320/IMG_3262.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGSncolQSFeO2mc9FtaZpImd0zlpPCiXnpB1sleOsCv0zXgR3z7IYVQY0EvLi9HqGhZcHZaeOR3yt0_Vj2crqaIF9b5KM8rAyobbdU4-AgD8viqu0RgkpDJflW8KZA4WML_b2fgt7gnvs/s1600-h/IMG_3264.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291272738246375250" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGSncolQSFeO2mc9FtaZpImd0zlpPCiXnpB1sleOsCv0zXgR3z7IYVQY0EvLi9HqGhZcHZaeOR3yt0_Vj2crqaIF9b5KM8rAyobbdU4-AgD8viqu0RgkpDJflW8KZA4WML_b2fgt7gnvs/s320/IMG_3264.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVTUay5Vzjal5Jgw0C9QlSxK97MXqr-m2pAPOA_-6h-yp35FaU50FOENDzdpprnCnrvDGtCAlghyphenhyphenBUNl4GXcTvcIczcuy_mm911s3sAUZLzGbkkLD0gWzDNBgB5qjZPzpZzGWWEo8CtE8/s1600-h/IMG_3276.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291272955040412274" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVTUay5Vzjal5Jgw0C9QlSxK97MXqr-m2pAPOA_-6h-yp35FaU50FOENDzdpprnCnrvDGtCAlghyphenhyphenBUNl4GXcTvcIczcuy_mm911s3sAUZLzGbkkLD0gWzDNBgB5qjZPzpZzGWWEo8CtE8/s320/IMG_3276.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Time for cake!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WXakRP-0gqM1m0xO5Y6WyAOl7R44uCIenosbInT9KTEuZX2hVSzrievLQWXukPNtchWQmJzaiKKNVhM9mEazyae3vhfDD7YTus0ghlC1crVdZQXyTo_2f_tnmiGFkE5ZbK1L9ei96W2v/s1600-h/IMG_3184.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291256196553086386" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WXakRP-0gqM1m0xO5Y6WyAOl7R44uCIenosbInT9KTEuZX2hVSzrievLQWXukPNtchWQmJzaiKKNVhM9mEazyae3vhfDD7YTus0ghlC1crVdZQXyTo_2f_tnmiGFkE5ZbK1L9ei96W2v/s320/IMG_3184.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxLYWjlRXwVCsFsjbuAIqyfCOA6-AAloWzzmEx4LSND__WlDzUA3x-KyiwUqDxbnSPG2xZYQ_Ji8CWtemDoSrgW2v4__-cdNl3BiOmiaTrLzLu7J4K_hF7eBucDmqPAxONBRP9Lpep1lt/s1600-h/IMG_3186(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291256740403901906" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxLYWjlRXwVCsFsjbuAIqyfCOA6-AAloWzzmEx4LSND__WlDzUA3x-KyiwUqDxbnSPG2xZYQ_Ji8CWtemDoSrgW2v4__-cdNl3BiOmiaTrLzLu7J4K_hF7eBucDmqPAxONBRP9Lpep1lt/s320/IMG_3186(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM95XJDHwI5mjthtsVSOrj75V79QrcumwbKqgyKCBV6NLLWkLtDO_qwXrwnd7Az8Z-zuihF50tcirw7eJNZ7EMHzTSsMXaOSbKjokhC1AtES_5z8EQJUSNytThKIeqQxT4b_zNU7lWxffV/s1600-h/IMG_3189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291258143938458482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM95XJDHwI5mjthtsVSOrj75V79QrcumwbKqgyKCBV6NLLWkLtDO_qwXrwnd7Az8Z-zuihF50tcirw7eJNZ7EMHzTSsMXaOSbKjokhC1AtES_5z8EQJUSNytThKIeqQxT4b_zNU7lWxffV/s320/IMG_3189.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHRUKIZBp2fXLnIgY0GvlyeMcrXoakglb9mfE6HbeLg3ymG_W3wkK2w0guQ7xjs5X1BHA9Xvm7uqDm7_Fr0RuQRI59T1O_VLdiMwt9niylDqLzN-nff4CylgX3BBkyhZm1kX-2lQQ2swU/s1600-h/IMG_3199.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291276011047335330" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHRUKIZBp2fXLnIgY0GvlyeMcrXoakglb9mfE6HbeLg3ymG_W3wkK2w0guQ7xjs5X1BHA9Xvm7uqDm7_Fr0RuQRI59T1O_VLdiMwt9niylDqLzN-nff4CylgX3BBkyhZm1kX-2lQQ2swU/s320/IMG_3199.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Are there any presents??!!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5Kcc3TMMtYm3plDn65R0XtYz8jBP7-b92P-P2MPE-utA-rLM_SPUdZBFcczxJhyphenhyphenDmOpt0sRIhkA9XmvCl1g23sUzy82WlOkrXlrcqo_9jT_4gRselcaVAbmiZfBpi2LLmd28fvrjbdhU/s1600-h/IMG_3204.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291260309090432114" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5Kcc3TMMtYm3plDn65R0XtYz8jBP7-b92P-P2MPE-utA-rLM_SPUdZBFcczxJhyphenhyphenDmOpt0sRIhkA9XmvCl1g23sUzy82WlOkrXlrcqo_9jT_4gRselcaVAbmiZfBpi2LLmd28fvrjbdhU/s320/IMG_3204.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRngJEgvsEwBWC8g_UCb0vMyOiVDiq8hr9V4alO2w5jaBpjCrWeI6cbIpzDTvjdx2O1zbaiK0k7mn0CwKVVLL1VcKpihnZpS0CWl_pdTEBfuJH54uSdWxo7QiiWkiMCWK62EuXDfkGotX/s1600-h/IMG_3205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291260417484258978" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRngJEgvsEwBWC8g_UCb0vMyOiVDiq8hr9V4alO2w5jaBpjCrWeI6cbIpzDTvjdx2O1zbaiK0k7mn0CwKVVLL1VcKpihnZpS0CWl_pdTEBfuJH54uSdWxo7QiiWkiMCWK62EuXDfkGotX/s320/IMG_3205.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX9BMN6TNDNV3GHr5I1jVMnlyXvHB5eT4MgPrn-z35DrN4oCF1TvZ5BKZxciCBUMdonKN4VQoarprxjUKO75RVqNyrdAhCP9ua-LbTN5gjGtT9x5GXvAm9v0ElodUpfnFYMKeDPIGUA8M/s1600-h/IMG_3210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291260506375639410" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX9BMN6TNDNV3GHr5I1jVMnlyXvHB5eT4MgPrn-z35DrN4oCF1TvZ5BKZxciCBUMdonKN4VQoarprxjUKO75RVqNyrdAhCP9ua-LbTN5gjGtT9x5GXvAm9v0ElodUpfnFYMKeDPIGUA8M/s320/IMG_3210.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdN4zDpH2fl22qjMXC0MydbTXKnWkJmzTyRblM8uzMJfOE3Ka-yKKIbPd7YlAEcLT_sh1sUEBs9-OgBZQwsvq6TUuJDPDnDIgrGdiTuxqVolwZlsl4rMPrqcAUNIqmm6J53iXjWs-Fd1H/s1600-h/IMG_3211.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291260611185962786" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdN4zDpH2fl22qjMXC0MydbTXKnWkJmzTyRblM8uzMJfOE3Ka-yKKIbPd7YlAEcLT_sh1sUEBs9-OgBZQwsvq6TUuJDPDnDIgrGdiTuxqVolwZlsl4rMPrqcAUNIqmm6J53iXjWs-Fd1H/s320/IMG_3211.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknwPONnNVom05h2Or43RnKjfdzxTO0e_9LBqxy8B7SJX74Y8OFd1oBCM31WnodMA6ZsGBW7HYOVS0ypQBtKwfCajWqIIE6V61j3PQSloQmA1dCRStIEcmoD0wflMeYwF2RA32pPYnuDRC/s1600-h/IMG_3213(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291260675473153586" style="WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknwPONnNVom05h2Or43RnKjfdzxTO0e_9LBqxy8B7SJX74Y8OFd1oBCM31WnodMA6ZsGBW7HYOVS0ypQBtKwfCajWqIIE6V61j3PQSloQmA1dCRStIEcmoD0wflMeYwF2RA32pPYnuDRC/s320/IMG_3213(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidt5MCOodexpxPQa2QMh_nufZI8YAYDE4UBulqcchVwhVRsFlirOQocWHxtUBMVcel6xKMdO2apVAnAUCvuTcren7ei9fl87Dx82tVbs4bx1DO3Nkeya3cUfLTxzOcS2PsM6ta2umDzDAp/s1600-h/IMG_3216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291260752223204706" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidt5MCOodexpxPQa2QMh_nufZI8YAYDE4UBulqcchVwhVRsFlirOQocWHxtUBMVcel6xKMdO2apVAnAUCvuTcren7ei9fl87Dx82tVbs4bx1DO3Nkeya3cUfLTxzOcS2PsM6ta2umDzDAp/s320/IMG_3216.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Happy Birthday to us - we had a great day! Thanks to our family for making our birthday a special day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU3rT5PqoOMR5-zIryTUcpsHfBn7tHtKxwvH2SQGLvUan55LEF9jxtzIa75Qny5jS1TQUMimpgL2BPAnKfiNRysCSgtzC4pKmnHuvZWoTPpSjTI0G-iD6KQSDAKxMH8OnH23G-wGlcTbw/s1600-h/IMG_3165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291252941967921090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU3rT5PqoOMR5-zIryTUcpsHfBn7tHtKxwvH2SQGLvUan55LEF9jxtzIa75Qny5jS1TQUMimpgL2BPAnKfiNRysCSgtzC4pKmnHuvZWoTPpSjTI0G-iD6KQSDAKxMH8OnH23G-wGlcTbw/s320/IMG_3165.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-75422676330831715172009-01-14T11:49:00.000-08:002009-01-14T13:48:48.076-08:00December Update #3 Jones' Moving WeekendWell Jessica and Rocky bought a house and decided that the weekend after Christmas would be the best time to move...! Whew!<br /><br />Friday night Madeline spent the night at my house and then the next morning I dropped her off at Grandma's house so I could help with the move. I watched all Jess' kids during the day (that's 3, including new baby)... got some cute shots of the kids.<br /><br />Thatcher playing under my kitchen table<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j6Pg18XIqVnc8zezX3PgahwXpvqN8_f0MuOSqYNNyT8f8rxIZtEz_JzbRQl8L7c75aNeLG8hCSBCSOMdLsArxMsZKulEGvG2FF1ROu80HnFGtjf2YHTlFUg4Rh5n7m10VrX297-Zz9IK/s1600-h/IMG_3113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291239977915585938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j6Pg18XIqVnc8zezX3PgahwXpvqN8_f0MuOSqYNNyT8f8rxIZtEz_JzbRQl8L7c75aNeLG8hCSBCSOMdLsArxMsZKulEGvG2FF1ROu80HnFGtjf2YHTlFUg4Rh5n7m10VrX297-Zz9IK/s320/IMG_3113.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy73VzGN288aIZMoRjFu9pYn3GnG5xfQOwcrd2G8XDFduSRYCYvXa4TDeN2HQ77ykNw2fkPlAGtGoJ5DMFlx_vr5k_KXfhS9JcrMZmRuW9tQuANixmQGH5QGA_UmOW6llIc6B1oM9rahH9/s1600-h/IMG_3116.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291240104397681666" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy73VzGN288aIZMoRjFu9pYn3GnG5xfQOwcrd2G8XDFduSRYCYvXa4TDeN2HQ77ykNw2fkPlAGtGoJ5DMFlx_vr5k_KXfhS9JcrMZmRuW9tQuANixmQGH5QGA_UmOW6llIc6B1oM9rahH9/s320/IMG_3116.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ruthie in her new outfit Auntie Jill gave her for Chrsitmas<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4cI-hrquTTRyLBZNdWuTw9icm7jQHAN0gSf20p_lpz6cevCtQvO_G9cUS4-TrjpyQBFMwn88ivoQkRhwJpe_tM-5TKTjf6AmT7RjlmXCHMfTd3s-SWa8wPtsuJQAwP_to_AJjCdyCpYu/s1600-h/IMG_3118.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291241909752953346" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4cI-hrquTTRyLBZNdWuTw9icm7jQHAN0gSf20p_lpz6cevCtQvO_G9cUS4-TrjpyQBFMwn88ivoQkRhwJpe_tM-5TKTjf6AmT7RjlmXCHMfTd3s-SWa8wPtsuJQAwP_to_AJjCdyCpYu/s320/IMG_3118.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKlBndG37AEBccL4CyS0DJ34OitIOklPkK1nYlAfR3gTekZ0k9bp5zngGhW7ynIkdF0ti0d563mlIifk6zA-_rKyz5J7SUt9OpH2VN3oLyauZeO72PFehGEWMjZeiY5Hpi4kkwSfLnzko/s1600-h/IMG_3130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291242895944439026" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKlBndG37AEBccL4CyS0DJ34OitIOklPkK1nYlAfR3gTekZ0k9bp5zngGhW7ynIkdF0ti0d563mlIifk6zA-_rKyz5J7SUt9OpH2VN3oLyauZeO72PFehGEWMjZeiY5Hpi4kkwSfLnzko/s320/IMG_3130.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Sweet Siblings - Madeline, Thatcher, Ruthie<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAUZZkkD6aSwolNjNku351-RSAJf6dHdfAPsCwUVygCUooiUaU74LncVEMXSy7m_3AMfk09eq19SShw4AkeeAV3ebgyRhk0pcvOHYIFoU1Z4anoknJOobL4Pm3he4yCqA6_c9oRdvciVt/s1600-h/IMG_3132.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291243312778876162" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAUZZkkD6aSwolNjNku351-RSAJf6dHdfAPsCwUVygCUooiUaU74LncVEMXSy7m_3AMfk09eq19SShw4AkeeAV3ebgyRhk0pcvOHYIFoU1Z4anoknJOobL4Pm3he4yCqA6_c9oRdvciVt/s320/IMG_3132.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_76Tpg9pevyAxQRGYAR9zqr02uvbrGe2F5MQlHsCEJaNLjZoTbYYemDVh3VNRzV6GY_EROiOaVIVSdgy3PUzj6QZf9EqqTjvKAs-6OSpOeljWfERBmKSMhfSNL3TkaGXljURHI5nzIJW/s1600-h/IMG_3126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291242527682690562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_76Tpg9pevyAxQRGYAR9zqr02uvbrGe2F5MQlHsCEJaNLjZoTbYYemDVh3VNRzV6GY_EROiOaVIVSdgy3PUzj6QZf9EqqTjvKAs-6OSpOeljWfERBmKSMhfSNL3TkaGXljURHI5nzIJW/s320/IMG_3126.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeqv644LTZno5oJzSYqhaWB_hqew8YkNuZft84wOJq8Iy6ApM1bwbUSpB60X8F3pXd3G1u57yDxIBem9YkAJDRrHVZsncdmKTuzrA14yxiPt5x7Oapzxg0nAQG-523T0fiJIaPJ7YSObm/s1600-h/IMG_3131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291243512639182514" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeqv644LTZno5oJzSYqhaWB_hqew8YkNuZft84wOJq8Iy6ApM1bwbUSpB60X8F3pXd3G1u57yDxIBem9YkAJDRrHVZsncdmKTuzrA14yxiPt5x7Oapzxg0nAQG-523T0fiJIaPJ7YSObm/s320/IMG_3131.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0ejC17wrqIGHZ44zE41VxhgqcmUp0XX1PJNTETPm8Fjct3evcop5VhfIXXrnTad0MW-2jx31S7FBREyT_iRKaiJP547IbJ24CfylsYNGZBjQhsRdVsgfUjX12-bu1fs49RZyxM90j6ZV/s1600-h/IMG_3280.JPG"></a><br /><br />Maddy's sleep-over with Auntie Jill (sleeping in her special Princess sleeping bag that Auntie Jill keeps for special Maddy-Auntie Jill time). There is a pillow and lamp that she insists must stay on all night so that the "monsters" don't get her!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnsbcryJ140VkuZiC-2oOFAteM9wksZKfR_cVENTG6hI4yCmmxKqWojOfkalawA_ajJy0ZwxiTCr-02j3YX_Bo69Miiu_uFKM2KdZYpMq6hMh8jk2Xsqew6UtWjpIpWJqLn-YyPZTc1K2/s1600-h/IMG_3135.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291244077489305538" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnsbcryJ140VkuZiC-2oOFAteM9wksZKfR_cVENTG6hI4yCmmxKqWojOfkalawA_ajJy0ZwxiTCr-02j3YX_Bo69Miiu_uFKM2KdZYpMq6hMh8jk2Xsqew6UtWjpIpWJqLn-YyPZTc1K2/s320/IMG_3135.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The next morning she was sooo excited to snuggle up in auntie Jill's bed! When it was time to get dressed to go to Grandma's house she pleaded with me to stay at my house. I had to explain that I had to help her mommy and daddy move into the new house. Then she insisted that she be allowed to keep her pajama top (with santa claus) on for the day. I insisted that she change and then she says, "but auntie Jill, this is <strong>MY</strong> body and I should be allowed to wear what <strong>I</strong> want on <strong>MY</strong> body..." Oh really?! Excuse me little I'm too big for my britches sassy girl... what do you think happened? Yeah she changed into a regular shirt! It was so cute though, I had to hide my smile!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AKw1qr2Woe2fu5KdjHL7OAE0Js4208fehRp8r28STDDJIhfXzJhYR3I8EDQJr2Abhude5fiIQ7xbITtFDEOzy5tXzdsifnUFx6Qqe-ql0_oukYQiPS52Its4yfDwDmql4Q-nyHp7G_XW/s1600-h/IMG_3141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291246564341771442" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AKw1qr2Woe2fu5KdjHL7OAE0Js4208fehRp8r28STDDJIhfXzJhYR3I8EDQJr2Abhude5fiIQ7xbITtFDEOzy5tXzdsifnUFx6Qqe-ql0_oukYQiPS52Its4yfDwDmql4Q-nyHp7G_XW/s320/IMG_3141.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgExfsrBtdxbVqjSWym5gOrNjkuyF4WOEtZS192_AfJfSbmDNWSPxeFxuZcwkXDAVs6kht9wbqA5_9YXdLKQior0yfTBD83i8hCHfZjAwfH9m4UGljI9EYeElpl6_arrJDgZn9Ud17vLnW/s1600-h/IMG_3143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291246677295044258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgExfsrBtdxbVqjSWym5gOrNjkuyF4WOEtZS192_AfJfSbmDNWSPxeFxuZcwkXDAVs6kht9wbqA5_9YXdLKQior0yfTBD83i8hCHfZjAwfH9m4UGljI9EYeElpl6_arrJDgZn9Ud17vLnW/s320/IMG_3143.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnbCBdZ3Tuk-4G02CTm_61U51Vr0iyocU3R4VEvHHEEIuxRFzw5K_pH9HrceOUuUWAXeOxO1afDCXUy0hmgwJ2GY2Cu9N0gLSgTyzqodhJEGDYGmcdVx9Qpm9PBP2STNgnJjmwVmffXlD/s1600-h/IMG_3145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291246794995928002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnbCBdZ3Tuk-4G02CTm_61U51Vr0iyocU3R4VEvHHEEIuxRFzw5K_pH9HrceOUuUWAXeOxO1afDCXUy0hmgwJ2GY2Cu9N0gLSgTyzqodhJEGDYGmcdVx9Qpm9PBP2STNgnJjmwVmffXlD/s320/IMG_3145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Saturday was moving day and luckily there were lots of people who showed up. The move went pretty quickly. They discovered some termite damage but you can read Jess' <a href="http://rockyandjessica.blogspot.com/2008/12/joyful-homeowners.html">blog </a>for that update!<br /><br /><br />Saturday night I got to take baby Ruthie home for a sleep-over! She's just 2 months old and I loved every minute of it! We had a wonderful evening and then woke up for church! Look how pretty she is!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xEgN9R6MLMYKKbPFp_7LEv_JyPRgcAseSzPK7cb9sGZAfN5HXe4hU8IKgOSU42SDqbzJmHm8OTgnV10IyTXX2QrxXvu5TAHXvpdCU8N6fZESUXFgomABc_2QReN9Bjw3iyQiUKinetiy/s1600-h/IMG_3151.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291248912525520786" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xEgN9R6MLMYKKbPFp_7LEv_JyPRgcAseSzPK7cb9sGZAfN5HXe4hU8IKgOSU42SDqbzJmHm8OTgnV10IyTXX2QrxXvu5TAHXvpdCU8N6fZESUXFgomABc_2QReN9Bjw3iyQiUKinetiy/s320/IMG_3151.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiEnYNXIiH-ujNkHTiP_FEh3qSbQQDcylF7TCI_m10BreRojpftG2KIyRn44zx87sU1ddgqGXuDgkBJRAexjUWijmVKSp_esIXIdtczqITVOzdjQcJ_nenOxAPDoMj8viKxl7XzSZgtfE/s1600-h/IMG_3149.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291249058681635026" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiEnYNXIiH-ujNkHTiP_FEh3qSbQQDcylF7TCI_m10BreRojpftG2KIyRn44zx87sU1ddgqGXuDgkBJRAexjUWijmVKSp_esIXIdtczqITVOzdjQcJ_nenOxAPDoMj8viKxl7XzSZgtfE/s320/IMG_3149.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks Jess for trusting me with your kids!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-62735157504805227662009-01-14T10:27:00.000-08:002009-01-14T11:49:06.927-08:00December Update #2 CHRISTMAS!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>What a wonderful Christmas Season. As many of you know, I have 2 brothers serving in Iraq (Justin and John). We were blessed to have Justin's wife Betony and the 3 boys here for Christmas. I was excited to spend some time with my nephews since I don't get to see them often, especially the new addition, William who was born just 4 days after Ruthie. It was so cute to see the 2 of them next to each other. Even though William is younger, he is bigger!<br /><br /></div><div>I was so excited to put up a Christmas tree for the first Christmas in my new house! I had fun decorating too! Check out my poor little nativity set! I bought this set the year I cam home from my mission at the Dollar General! I love it! One day I will be able to afford a nice big nativity set!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ7YKxwmcm_Fq9bTvx6UlueckxF63fZFZETJ4D0qQlhaZlBFcqUZKMNGE4ZXwwmzcBEzAB2yYb0sRTX5wjvoZlmSs5vYefCoFzCgCPNhU2T3U1f5CQeCmeDXHW8TUy8IIoVL-fnJg1mTw/s1600-h/IMG_3004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291220446612092562" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ7YKxwmcm_Fq9bTvx6UlueckxF63fZFZETJ4D0qQlhaZlBFcqUZKMNGE4ZXwwmzcBEzAB2yYb0sRTX5wjvoZlmSs5vYefCoFzCgCPNhU2T3U1f5CQeCmeDXHW8TUy8IIoVL-fnJg1mTw/s320/IMG_3004.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSGeewap3NmirOqTFQU9w5fKxzdZp_7-YUuPf9PhMMvTKRYIFBdTh2LbG4KW7eTWzVa4fu46DvIQXzWc2gwroh-QRcAmWZY_IDzwvj0YJ5n64oNt6J458wWBzZ5ffKP71OcESLH5oweG3/s1600-h/IMG_3005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291220549535068482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSGeewap3NmirOqTFQU9w5fKxzdZp_7-YUuPf9PhMMvTKRYIFBdTh2LbG4KW7eTWzVa4fu46DvIQXzWc2gwroh-QRcAmWZY_IDzwvj0YJ5n64oNt6J458wWBzZ5ffKP71OcESLH5oweG3/s320/IMG_3005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the 23rd of December we usually have our family program. We read the story of Christ's birth from the scriptures along with singing songs that accompany the story. I always love this tradition our family has. The spirit is strong and we share one with another. I think the most special moment for all of us that evening was being able to see and talk (via Skype) with Justin on the computer! He looked so good! We all sang "Hark the Herald Angels" to him and it got quite emotional. Justin started tearing up and then I just couldn't hold on. I know he wanted so much to be here with his family. I pray his time over there goes quickly.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Christmas Eve Madeline and Alex gifted us with a wonderful rendition of Christ's birth. They are wonderful little actors and sang a beautiful song as they set up the nativity. Our sweet little Joseph and Mary.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhVluSssvgG_fEsp498bFRJF_N55m7xVqSc7svfAWLHkVVMR18U1YOZWGRmaSNMYkDBf63L-cYh5JpYT2uLE47FNseC6Z2FU3rhLIUOhWerRp3l9qefWuriTWpDrM_N4Lv1Z2nffA-S3T/s1600-h/IMG_3022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291223235425183762" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhVluSssvgG_fEsp498bFRJF_N55m7xVqSc7svfAWLHkVVMR18U1YOZWGRmaSNMYkDBf63L-cYh5JpYT2uLE47FNseC6Z2FU3rhLIUOhWerRp3l9qefWuriTWpDrM_N4Lv1Z2nffA-S3T/s320/IMG_3022.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZorFSwB9-AV85RMxum4iUcLeIZS1TsCRGccz148GFMxsgRMqL7mNa6NyP5LReow-FPw-hO8UBOmuLZuqAlvP0_FmdxBMrwWRsknauy9Auk2cJfMAEH1jNiWiqcWQGXT5vWn_KQ372ROQ/s1600-h/IMG_3026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291223377812912114" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZorFSwB9-AV85RMxum4iUcLeIZS1TsCRGccz148GFMxsgRMqL7mNa6NyP5LReow-FPw-hO8UBOmuLZuqAlvP0_FmdxBMrwWRsknauy9Auk2cJfMAEH1jNiWiqcWQGXT5vWn_KQ372ROQ/s320/IMG_3026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbfSQgRaEExCseSOxqZQCF2qnDaacjcU3kvNn0v8mXrJcObPc4nSyNQK3bt2NRdup3ByX0NIBlJSqmqjAXps8nRd7BOKwkg4yjHrkDNmzGzbjh5TxvrSvZtB8WphK1xmVo2I2paYRtl23/s1600-h/IMG_3034(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291223764455638418" style="WIDTH: 157px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbfSQgRaEExCseSOxqZQCF2qnDaacjcU3kvNn0v8mXrJcObPc4nSyNQK3bt2NRdup3ByX0NIBlJSqmqjAXps8nRd7BOKwkg4yjHrkDNmzGzbjh5TxvrSvZtB8WphK1xmVo2I2paYRtl23/s320/IMG_3034(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9vr42ardJBDcAtsGJngA5NCCJLlrQ4EFiide4UltBP4DXJTXaCIbMRs84cQas3z3f2wdAnJQmyc7awtNan9utTnigjOYQFCO9esymLuTEeDgmryIHg2BtqCaCDpimIhHzTE_cmoJ6PXQ/s1600-h/IMG_3031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291223955636801330" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9vr42ardJBDcAtsGJngA5NCCJLlrQ4EFiide4UltBP4DXJTXaCIbMRs84cQas3z3f2wdAnJQmyc7awtNan9utTnigjOYQFCO9esymLuTEeDgmryIHg2BtqCaCDpimIhHzTE_cmoJ6PXQ/s320/IMG_3031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh goodness... how cute are they?! Another family tradition, which we resumed this year, is to do the 12 days of Christmas. My Grandmother and her sister used to crack us up every year with their lovely renditions of whichever day they were tagged with. We always had props and thanks to Jessica and Mom, we had some props this year as well. It was soooo much fun and soooo hysterical that I think I peed my pants, just a little...!!! Here are a few pics from some of the days and their lovely portrayers... don't be surprised if you pee your pants!<br /></div><div><br />The handsome(pretty?) Rocky as the 12 Drummers Drumming AND the lovely 9 Ladies Dancing(don't you just love the tutu?!)! And then Baby Ruthie Christmas day as the "what is going on?" 9 Ladies... ( I guess she takes after her daddy!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGKCApB7-1mW7FadIh9Au11uYGURqTPmL_kThz2V9VcsvFiJpIY5Dy_rFjbqQtgKkTaFA82PqktMuV72MCmvMDwq68tnT6FP2ioAMNJvMblrfVmMEJND3ZyM6jH7YmTJM51wultozZjHm/s1600-h/IMG_3059(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291225864055815634" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGKCApB7-1mW7FadIh9Au11uYGURqTPmL_kThz2V9VcsvFiJpIY5Dy_rFjbqQtgKkTaFA82PqktMuV72MCmvMDwq68tnT6FP2ioAMNJvMblrfVmMEJND3ZyM6jH7YmTJM51wultozZjHm/s320/IMG_3059(2).jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO57jILjUMCsvqnL8F6u-wrNcxcORW-T9Y_bwipP0rSubYQ0tbeLV4NhdzQxhF9FtFqG_HCK7CPKnRXdnYF1eaIPzz1c4c4ioGMaCAUArRi8eEhJiXU4ObS3dawJP9t9KEyeuLE7pnSRR4/s1600-h/IMG_3099.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291230987222371266" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO57jILjUMCsvqnL8F6u-wrNcxcORW-T9Y_bwipP0rSubYQ0tbeLV4NhdzQxhF9FtFqG_HCK7CPKnRXdnYF1eaIPzz1c4c4ioGMaCAUArRi8eEhJiXU4ObS3dawJP9t9KEyeuLE7pnSRR4/s320/IMG_3099.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The (obviously) Happy Betony as 10 Lords-a-Leaping and 8 Maids-a-Milking!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIXBFgo8okN9yGxcSAnIhDWSZDGo2i-INajREPmpt7emYK5J4m-j_jSikYbh0hZA7ULNVxcyfhkGSHnOVcsU2NPoBC2wn3Zydjo9tultD15zTInVct6nu8PIYTDQdcjtzMkkxsKgXOAy_/s1600-h/IMG_3046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291227714136452274" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIXBFgo8okN9yGxcSAnIhDWSZDGo2i-INajREPmpt7emYK5J4m-j_jSikYbh0hZA7ULNVxcyfhkGSHnOVcsU2NPoBC2wn3Zydjo9tultD15zTInVct6nu8PIYTDQdcjtzMkkxsKgXOAy_/s320/IMG_3046.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Alex with the 5 Gold Rings!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPvuK68FOLTOWEelkRapMr-yaA9FllzbSs-_At-e5XUoz6LwtE9Yx6i47flFulQBjoIht90z4Qbgr-j_-phGsAEA2mBrFDGfrV7-D538tEmS1mHCcOcCmJo9lYap5dtqA5qIAqg0g5Epo/s1600-h/IMG_3104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291230255606180642" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPvuK68FOLTOWEelkRapMr-yaA9FllzbSs-_At-e5XUoz6LwtE9Yx6i47flFulQBjoIht90z4Qbgr-j_-phGsAEA2mBrFDGfrV7-D538tEmS1mHCcOcCmJo9lYap5dtqA5qIAqg0g5Epo/s320/IMG_3104.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jessica as the quite hysterical 4 Calling Birds.... (really... you just had to be there!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGfFryJ3ce-7ljMsi2_hCu1ZFUGAgXRxvaB9Lord2hEQz0zZ_nHbKkTpOHvMuXj6Ttj5QpEEOlAQK4pfnGFmBhtN1osYWk2qZjSIynyXYFzfwinKmbaif3XPLUZMSEKtEAjyvkgygXW_e/s1600-h/IMG_3049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291228724409317938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGfFryJ3ce-7ljMsi2_hCu1ZFUGAgXRxvaB9Lord2hEQz0zZ_nHbKkTpOHvMuXj6Ttj5QpEEOlAQK4pfnGFmBhtN1osYWk2qZjSIynyXYFzfwinKmbaif3XPLUZMSEKtEAjyvkgygXW_e/s320/IMG_3049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Papa as 3 French Hens and 2 Turtle Doves!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCP_Hy-AAN9WHyQU4ZxR8dfcz1ya_7gONuVECKDffyNgRT6hZ10H7Uydtd7LD4s6QOgsfvdWh95P6KvKaR742dpk_dFfjum3B_DLi6W-6NQn5MTawg4SN-bGsVpiLDuzhzny7kTBaHMHR/s1600-h/IMG_3057(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291226665035628914" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCP_Hy-AAN9WHyQU4ZxR8dfcz1ya_7gONuVECKDffyNgRT6hZ10H7Uydtd7LD4s6QOgsfvdWh95P6KvKaR742dpk_dFfjum3B_DLi6W-6NQn5MTawg4SN-bGsVpiLDuzhzny7kTBaHMHR/s320/IMG_3057(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj3Oz3XNZontKaGLYo4QOm-wlR9MaQc9JQq1bKFq2OgqCHMHJHRksj2kx-3gyk0PQMGRt00T88W3SrmfPi565r4hqDozlAuoVjz1SLMIPmKYRVgj3y0HopQWS3-U-tImjsVvifzWXzz1C/s1600-h/IMG_3047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291226855878893090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj3Oz3XNZontKaGLYo4QOm-wlR9MaQc9JQq1bKFq2OgqCHMHJHRksj2kx-3gyk0PQMGRt00T88W3SrmfPi565r4hqDozlAuoVjz1SLMIPmKYRVgj3y0HopQWS3-U-tImjsVvifzWXzz1C/s320/IMG_3047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And Delirious Mom as the Partridge in a Pear Tree!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedtlW0JrBWK279kIos_LtdVgN1Srh7jfPkh4o_VcRnwMql61uOgtpgWJ1BDIL3k_lComV_r2dekx2WvLRdaEEIUZ7U6SGZJg7RVrEW8dz69rKtwD98NOPcgCmpOWGKDCkbbWlDcIP8Mv5/s1600-h/IMG_3053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291228180274337554" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedtlW0JrBWK279kIos_LtdVgN1Srh7jfPkh4o_VcRnwMql61uOgtpgWJ1BDIL3k_lComV_r2dekx2WvLRdaEEIUZ7U6SGZJg7RVrEW8dz69rKtwD98NOPcgCmpOWGKDCkbbWlDcIP8Mv5/s320/IMG_3053.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Oh it was so much fun! Chrsitmas Day brought lots of happy little nieces and nephews and their joy in ripping the wrapping paper off the gifts and just being absolutely adorable! </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5qrQWZPyydY2N5k8OFGyBnssNCHsVAjiqqDTWg9zzZEdn0HdfFPSsZB7L2IIVrHgIm6rXgj7fspMhFdgHuSnbRaY0D2K4LNcQ_-xF78duXGCZJyVagaqkogXEDWPDt3D5Wuc1av2Hh2R/s1600-h/IMG_3066(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291232471374985762" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 311px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5qrQWZPyydY2N5k8OFGyBnssNCHsVAjiqqDTWg9zzZEdn0HdfFPSsZB7L2IIVrHgIm6rXgj7fspMhFdgHuSnbRaY0D2K4LNcQ_-xF78duXGCZJyVagaqkogXEDWPDt3D5Wuc1av2Hh2R/s320/IMG_3066(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbalYqU2zYQVpJq9tm8SjrUNBMyOFvbzHsGlKV7bjxSQjz_k7oCgddZdqOxVhvlakyAF3jrw9GBffrFrx-NWhUeHwftWCkE62XBB2DRmG5UIVuN8PugjFUIs7h6tiafOwnkSdSw6e9bpJg/s1600-h/IMG_3078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291232700500935042" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbalYqU2zYQVpJq9tm8SjrUNBMyOFvbzHsGlKV7bjxSQjz_k7oCgddZdqOxVhvlakyAF3jrw9GBffrFrx-NWhUeHwftWCkE62XBB2DRmG5UIVuN8PugjFUIs7h6tiafOwnkSdSw6e9bpJg/s320/IMG_3078.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3vsZ_QCj7A26rRTX8h4Jq4ETtghMzeNJ7X64jaJ72Mf5NVpeH1LRzwod0WUdofxVX-CidX4i_OaONTC_khmqjEc47b__Z7hmzshEBn1xE3zEpM6BlEAfsRpZQ1A5Bz0aYnnt2ca0Csd2/s1600-h/IMG_3077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291233130057171250" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3vsZ_QCj7A26rRTX8h4Jq4ETtghMzeNJ7X64jaJ72Mf5NVpeH1LRzwod0WUdofxVX-CidX4i_OaONTC_khmqjEc47b__Z7hmzshEBn1xE3zEpM6BlEAfsRpZQ1A5Bz0aYnnt2ca0Csd2/s320/IMG_3077.JPG" border="0" /></a> Alex is off playing with Optimus Prime and the babies are sleeping soundly!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>John called Christmas Day and we all got to talk to him. He should be coming home sometime in January. I think he's headed back to Colorado. I wish he would stop by florida first! It was good to talk to him. I wish all of my siblings and their familes could have been with us - maybe one day we will ALL be able to get together for the Holidays - that would be awesome!</div><div><br /></div><div>One last plug... The food this year was exceptional! ;)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-19531434481917429022009-01-14T09:08:00.000-08:002009-01-21T08:24:52.413-08:00December Update #1 - GRADUATION!WoooHooo! December 13, 2008 turned out to be a fine day indeed! The morning was crisp and cool. As I drove to FIT I was so excited that this day had finally come. After working for 3 long, hard years (while also working full-time) the time had finally come to walk across the stage and be recognized for every agonizing second of study groups, term papers, LATE nights, team projects, individual projects, research papers, midterms, finals, homework, paper after paper, study after study, and the absolute WORST and BANE of my graduate program.... ECONOMICS!!!!! Ahhhhh..... I did it!<br /><br />The graduating class met in the Assembly Hall where we were properly hooded and given our seat assignments. As time drew near, I chatted excitedly with my fellow graduates (the Northgrop Grumman cohort). We had been through these 3 years together and it was great to celebrate our accomplishment together.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>As we headed out to the auditorium, all of the professors were lined up on either side of the walkway, applauding as we passed by. It was so exciting to see some of my professors there, cheering us on. What a wonderful feeling. As we marched inside the auditorium, I was able to see my family! There they were, cheering and smiling - 13 in all! I was so happy I could hardly contain myself. My family had suffered right along with me I think - listening to all my whining and complaining! How exciting for them just the same, I'm sure! </div><br /><div>Before they called the Graduate degrees, they started with those receiving their Doctorate. That was cool to see. Those receiving their Doctorates were "hooded" on stage and it was so cool that I ALMOST started thinking, "hmmmmmmm...." but NO! rest assured my friends and family.... no desires to continue on...at this point in time! tee-hee</div><br /><div>My group (Business) was the first group of "Master's" to be called. It was so exciting to walk the stage and hear my name called! </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pfrKK5ENF4sLLxhqLcgDt9cQ3_Gtxrg0em-o5SvUREUhSMTryVrP5ipgFu1dGfg2K6Hpgvp8zdOmTZmAWs_kDrIr4oNgl58E7mU7sqaLg4wBfsm17NFAu9OyEsvWTT8KccJ1mh8RMv8E/s1600-h/walking_stage1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291201768278575010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pfrKK5ENF4sLLxhqLcgDt9cQ3_Gtxrg0em-o5SvUREUhSMTryVrP5ipgFu1dGfg2K6Hpgvp8zdOmTZmAWs_kDrIr4oNgl58E7mU7sqaLg4wBfsm17NFAu9OyEsvWTT8KccJ1mh8RMv8E/s320/walking_stage1.bmp" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2qZ6bY_-OnhnE8_e1MNKze76lSDtiVm88LSC3z11DPTVErrnwdMVXiSjqUM9jivjl7mlEL4HHiaoJsE-6pe3C9KO9dhnAaxb7lz7_hO1HJCJ_lqNOYUVpALeoIah7NMrvAR3kXAOtdhn/s1600-h/MBA3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291201954864831458" style="WIDTH: 122px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2qZ6bY_-OnhnE8_e1MNKze76lSDtiVm88LSC3z11DPTVErrnwdMVXiSjqUM9jivjl7mlEL4HHiaoJsE-6pe3C9KO9dhnAaxb7lz7_hO1HJCJ_lqNOYUVpALeoIah7NMrvAR3kXAOtdhn/s320/MBA3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My dad, step-mother Carole, and step-sister Kelly came from NC for the special occasion. I was so happy to have so much family to celebrate with me. The day before graduation I had a nice linch at Red Lobster with my dad, Carole, Kelly and sisters. My dad and Carole suprised me with a beautiful graduation gift. A ring with my birthstone(yellow topaz) and diamonds on the sides. I really love the ring and appreciate the love.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4VqWtp145-CwypOIPdMjprxBMP2WgHLxP2_oDhxYxtl9rRGmnXaiCON0MvcQLkfIVSankB3JLLlFpR7RkQ14Jo_8nv_5Mal-hJmtb_MoZpohupkCFhMdONjM6bK0tK8S7_ZTO9k63WPH/s1600-h/Ring2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291216909119109490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4VqWtp145-CwypOIPdMjprxBMP2WgHLxP2_oDhxYxtl9rRGmnXaiCON0MvcQLkfIVSankB3JLLlFpR7RkQ14Jo_8nv_5Mal-hJmtb_MoZpohupkCFhMdONjM6bK0tK8S7_ZTO9k63WPH/s320/Ring2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>After graduation ceremony, there was so much running around to find family and friends for pictures! Here are just a few...<br /><br />Mom and Step-dad showing some love! </div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByqQPM1-L25pjCaPD4mjuZYVUGG3ezOyT6UkjBl4KchhPVKb0w5BAaf1kcp0eMIg-Srhw9jWmLyhYf3E5oI28ZMb9h-ZPBdLbSO_HsLT6SI2okKF_CYjlp-XnUe91QEzkLUiivPPNgu1X/s1600-h/Me-Mom_Papa1(sized).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291202915733054034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByqQPM1-L25pjCaPD4mjuZYVUGG3ezOyT6UkjBl4KchhPVKb0w5BAaf1kcp0eMIg-Srhw9jWmLyhYf3E5oI28ZMb9h-ZPBdLbSO_HsLT6SI2okKF_CYjlp-XnUe91QEzkLUiivPPNgu1X/s320/Me-Mom_Papa1(sized).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIU4T0nRBXw37b6Yc7Eb-1xUQusqR0bQ7w5Sfdl8Gy_dC-UXLB3vTjU5dEJXwO35wC2uqnf1RnqoBQN8IY5yAx3Y7ew4GMngFTqxIBNjO2agAsbHRmQTSuSLHbdU1QMN0y0L16HOjjmwa/s1600-h/Me_Mom_Papa3(sized).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291202998154554802" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIU4T0nRBXw37b6Yc7Eb-1xUQusqR0bQ7w5Sfdl8Gy_dC-UXLB3vTjU5dEJXwO35wC2uqnf1RnqoBQN8IY5yAx3Y7ew4GMngFTqxIBNjO2agAsbHRmQTSuSLHbdU1QMN0y0L16HOjjmwa/s320/Me_Mom_Papa3(sized).jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Dad, Carole & Kelly<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips-Y2MhCbKPWcAVSZcQLq6rxXEMie0lDUO-pN3YfXT4m54jlwYMsOthRhgHttqOAcRp6BDoVng_23n3ib25Nv4hi6wYsJHoRn1FKGqJkn53MgwFhZOHLvmzsMYktpNA5Z5tVQVXC_Bq_h/s1600-h/me_dad2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291203631206701458" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips-Y2MhCbKPWcAVSZcQLq6rxXEMie0lDUO-pN3YfXT4m54jlwYMsOthRhgHttqOAcRp6BDoVng_23n3ib25Nv4hi6wYsJHoRn1FKGqJkn53MgwFhZOHLvmzsMYktpNA5Z5tVQVXC_Bq_h/s320/me_dad2.bmp" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFCb2Z-U7qediNS8yOUu-4H4ZF2dyGZHk_NirZTr97xoQ_nIxsvIYWBI-v-KrXNuEKeLZ020OmC4ZBPSWYIOltZqHzDLJOABXWZPic0Ada2MP-0ml5qkfIODiv0Q7AAQaI3HhT6G-s0h5/s1600-h/me_carole1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291203774868610722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFCb2Z-U7qediNS8yOUu-4H4ZF2dyGZHk_NirZTr97xoQ_nIxsvIYWBI-v-KrXNuEKeLZ020OmC4ZBPSWYIOltZqHzDLJOABXWZPic0Ada2MP-0ml5qkfIODiv0Q7AAQaI3HhT6G-s0h5/s320/me_carole1.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6VDHoNmD5WiVSa0V4NF4cEegYYAX4G02n2dIuyuNWe1HGL-1kezb1KFGXb3-Wp_ao6Y8VYoGkUs4CATnUs8mrIN2KT-XhDCq8T6SVA8vkFy-0dFTQ4ErKKalUie8G4da3U4fPNpF-xoT/s1600-h/Me_Kelly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291203862520983954" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6VDHoNmD5WiVSa0V4NF4cEegYYAX4G02n2dIuyuNWe1HGL-1kezb1KFGXb3-Wp_ao6Y8VYoGkUs4CATnUs8mrIN2KT-XhDCq8T6SVA8vkFy-0dFTQ4ErKKalUie8G4da3U4fPNpF-xoT/s320/Me_Kelly.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My sisters!!!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIrsOwNLnj0uatP3v5-Qr7sFyGn5OlxeP6IhclsopgcSYb1kqC-zBKJXmgqpniFyQ1_ZICj53RU8tdkVbHgO5BE5l60lGmBbLYwlXUQj9Xjq3Nq31Tb4_sxZ2QEv-N6JL96sxu9xvrrvX/s1600-h/Sisters2.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291204617009078370" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIrsOwNLnj0uatP3v5-Qr7sFyGn5OlxeP6IhclsopgcSYb1kqC-zBKJXmgqpniFyQ1_ZICj53RU8tdkVbHgO5BE5l60lGmBbLYwlXUQj9Xjq3Nq31Tb4_sxZ2QEv-N6JL96sxu9xvrrvX/s320/Sisters2.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><br /><div>Sweet niece Maddy - she loved my cap!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCoHVkx9bMTp_tlAlv-C4d0PaK2-S7mNAD9Q-GlOubUToIGH2ocwdTs3vNvTWRVQtsvY6MNcSSOKexECLznyuuOx0XeqqaprAqCnSYXtOzRl4lWoMMlH8ZeAUSXNuDT2fSfTH17_HZ2U_/s1600-h/Me_Maddy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291204803951036498" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCoHVkx9bMTp_tlAlv-C4d0PaK2-S7mNAD9Q-GlOubUToIGH2ocwdTs3vNvTWRVQtsvY6MNcSSOKexECLznyuuOx0XeqqaprAqCnSYXtOzRl4lWoMMlH8ZeAUSXNuDT2fSfTH17_HZ2U_/s320/Me_Maddy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Me and the NG Peeps! (almost all of us)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_sxExY0jTfM8owdQ2IKYBovj9y1qFvmnZ4oicJWSZpLpQTRWFPlK4TWdppZMCWVFv1yzM42PalvsvtSWxWI9K4V5jE47Sf_ITB_DDdiFo9XJxgi5lEmlBTxQ-1gWLIu4IMyzPwKdJ95J/s1600-h/Group3.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291212505638426034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_sxExY0jTfM8owdQ2IKYBovj9y1qFvmnZ4oicJWSZpLpQTRWFPlK4TWdppZMCWVFv1yzM42PalvsvtSWxWI9K4V5jE47Sf_ITB_DDdiFo9XJxgi5lEmlBTxQ-1gWLIu4IMyzPwKdJ95J/s320/Group3.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>We had a party at my house after graduation. My mom really went all out - she is AWESOME! Not everyone who RSVP'd showed up so I felt bad for all the effort my family put into making the party special for me when not everyone showed up! I guess December is a bad time... But I had fun anyway with all of those who did show up - thank you for making my day super special for me! Love to you all who helped support me through the rough and tough times of my graduate degree program!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_KR3AUjW_kC3PKl9JAFcGIgwKriiibM3lJyYfk3qlpfXd91sS-CaVSSgRp6XYytjickotuuRy6EHxwkB_8__io7I-uBYAgydgmhyphenhyphenxrX-cLyQueZy5rPTkvCthE77sn7jLQtHxVOxKoIq/s1600-h/Cake2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291213243043336930" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_KR3AUjW_kC3PKl9JAFcGIgwKriiibM3lJyYfk3qlpfXd91sS-CaVSSgRp6XYytjickotuuRy6EHxwkB_8__io7I-uBYAgydgmhyphenhyphenxrX-cLyQueZy5rPTkvCthE77sn7jLQtHxVOxKoIq/s320/Cake2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNppG5rXrT6qSMgyL9Vg3GZRbHqSIWiBTcG6XGyhdm-6dFe6uxVYnsrgikXyaIWuiJXFlHFWuhpEUEXvqPwRI6Bxem0fNlueGCOwD0GlCRLj5YCrFrKF-c1OOEOmCxCDlEvOY9ZbYNPtsO/s1600-h/Cake1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291215773905048530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNppG5rXrT6qSMgyL9Vg3GZRbHqSIWiBTcG6XGyhdm-6dFe6uxVYnsrgikXyaIWuiJXFlHFWuhpEUEXvqPwRI6Bxem0fNlueGCOwD0GlCRLj5YCrFrKF-c1OOEOmCxCDlEvOY9ZbYNPtsO/s320/Cake1.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherTLO05yR6GNHBJtuu-97y6oQIt63w8-Mzzr6wQZeK_fDOR8bzExrRNmmqhJ2c7ySUVtOHd7xGqnrQ-eExVHcN9kjFppFuC09p6FmNnouXbI7UP900_e36_M6Yhk0N2QUVGjp587RgRSR/s1600-h/Me_Brooks1(sized).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291213556389900018" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherTLO05yR6GNHBJtuu-97y6oQIt63w8-Mzzr6wQZeK_fDOR8bzExrRNmmqhJ2c7ySUVtOHd7xGqnrQ-eExVHcN9kjFppFuC09p6FmNnouXbI7UP900_e36_M6Yhk0N2QUVGjp587RgRSR/s320/Me_Brooks1(sized).jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnr6hm-kTpL3hMVXH7SDoy7v4Zf5gg-bDqa3Gxls-GV7iiwqVIwX1GS3UXBPci8y4Bboh0azx1kgvgYf3Mj5F7coLgIviIbpMG49lLsT-ajVGg7mtBpsUs_Y4OWRmnAlwWmbHD5uIuLDKj/s1600-h/Me2(sized).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291214120206004354" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnr6hm-kTpL3hMVXH7SDoy7v4Zf5gg-bDqa3Gxls-GV7iiwqVIwX1GS3UXBPci8y4Bboh0azx1kgvgYf3Mj5F7coLgIviIbpMG49lLsT-ajVGg7mtBpsUs_Y4OWRmnAlwWmbHD5uIuLDKj/s320/Me2(sized).jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-67169815124431118552008-12-05T09:22:00.000-08:002008-12-08T06:23:11.865-08:00Christmas TagBetony started and Jessica followed...so here goes mine!<br /><br />Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your family and friends.<br /><br /><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="color:#000000;">1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Wrapping paper stretches the surprise a little longer!</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">2. Artificial or real tree?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">I prefer Real - they smell so yummy</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">3. When do you put up a tree?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">I try for after Thansgiving - haven't done it yet though</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">4. When do you take it down?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Whenever I want</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">5. Do you like eggnog?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">SUPER</span> YUMMY!<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">6. Favorite gift received as a child?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">10-speed bike & leg warmers (that went to my thighs!)<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">7. Hardest person to buy for?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">My Husband... hahahahahahahahaha If only I knew who he was it would make things SO much easier! ;D<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">8. Easiest person to buy for?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Maddy</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">9. Do you have a nativity scene?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Just a tiny one from the dollar store that I bought when I came home from my mission - I love it!<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">10. Mail or email Christmas cards?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">I like to mail cards but dunno what will happen this year</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? </span><span style="color:#cc0000;">Hasn't happened...</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">12. Favorite Christmas Movie?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Miracle on 34th Street, Frosty the Snowman</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">October-December</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Not that I can think of</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Grams' tradition: Fish & <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Perogies/Detail.aspx"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Perogies</span></strong> </a>(you can either boil or saute them) on Christmas Eve. I also love Honey Baked Ham and Pecan Pie<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">16. Lights on the tree?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">White lights only</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">17. Favorite Christmas song?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">O Holy Night & It Came Upon the Midnight Clear<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Both can be wonderful</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Of course!</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">20. Angel on the tree top or a star?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">I have a Star</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Presents? Are there presents for me?<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">The commercialization and shopping frenzy<br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">23. Favorite Ornament theme or color?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">I love and collect Snowmen</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">24. What do you want for Christmas this year?</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">A MAN</span><br /></span><br />I Tag: <span style="color:#cc0000;">Everyone!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-34087108490195647022008-12-02T04:48:00.000-08:002008-12-02T05:36:00.340-08:00Thansgiving<div><div><div>Whew, what an event! Thanksgiving this year was supposed to be a small (only me, Janet, Jessica and family) affair. It turned out anything BUT...of course it was wonderful. Mom and Papa were on a short cruise that docked in the morning so they were both able to join us later for dinner.</div><div></div><br /><div>Kris and Christina decided to join us as well. Aaron was going to be in town after all, and Janet had an out-of-town friend visiting. We had dinner this year at Jessica's and she is so talented that she turned "not enough room at the table" into just enough! Aren't her decorations pretty?! Look for the pretty leaves on the tables.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh4zMQVZWqJrealMJI9OFBRtoPg_y6koLE7_v_0Bheqhr1ffende9fQcmCYyGSHeVPfv3TgPnbVxSdOkEvRoQ9YV0qnE8M0_LzwGm3j2_-0Ms9W1Oc9dR8d9-nUgXwpaeke8wVft-KI5P/s1600-h/IMG_2997.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275180265356954450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh4zMQVZWqJrealMJI9OFBRtoPg_y6koLE7_v_0Bheqhr1ffende9fQcmCYyGSHeVPfv3TgPnbVxSdOkEvRoQ9YV0qnE8M0_LzwGm3j2_-0Ms9W1Oc9dR8d9-nUgXwpaeke8wVft-KI5P/s320/IMG_2997.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Janet, Jessica, and I prepared the Thanksgiving meal this year (Christina made a yummy green bean casserole too!). Janet took care of the turkey and stuffing, Jessica got the cranberry sauce, made the rolls, a pumpkin pie and a chocolate-raspberry angel cake that really was super scrumpdiliumptious! I made the sweet potato casserole with yummy sticky-gooey marshmallows on top - they were almost completely gone by the time they made it down to my end of the table! I also made a new recipe this year - stuffed zucchini - aka zucchini boats. They were a big hit and super yummy if I do say so myself. I beleive this recipe will be a keeper.</div><br /><div></div><div>I spent the day at Jessica's cooking and spending time with the kids. I got some really cute pictures of Maddy and Ruthie. Maddy was excited to be holding Ruthie...for about 3 minutes and then she was done! "Can you take Ruthie please? I'm done now" LOL She is a rip!</div><div></div><br /><div>Big sister loves baby sister!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__DQKXKZGeqCMbBWL_IGl71OgktopshGz6Kuq9gs4VK5RbgiHayofwwz3DBbg1MQsx6HQU0ki-6p0aehyphenhyphenf3ol8W9mJtG4bcWXzWNuwcjNQfZJ1569HHxDr4rZeZLKa4tbWWTv37Qn9WW9/s1600-h/IMG_2990.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275181984577517378" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__DQKXKZGeqCMbBWL_IGl71OgktopshGz6Kuq9gs4VK5RbgiHayofwwz3DBbg1MQsx6HQU0ki-6p0aehyphenhyphenf3ol8W9mJtG4bcWXzWNuwcjNQfZJ1569HHxDr4rZeZLKa4tbWWTv37Qn9WW9/s320/IMG_2990.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>Baby Ruthie is such a doll baby...perhaps not at 3 AM when she's screaming to be held or fed or changed... but nonetheless...!</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArNrtk8ox8eQcB-tBFFga-bCPQGm9N1KISt7lwRiSOyD86CCMvqlrvWbUvUdVTu-rA-ayPDNlMrquIUSRIuXqw-QElnf26OTzaK0BwfPmU4oHOOtnXyoYUdUE-bqngZBHv5GF95f3FMOh/s1600-h/IMG_2994.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275182312399811906" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArNrtk8ox8eQcB-tBFFga-bCPQGm9N1KISt7lwRiSOyD86CCMvqlrvWbUvUdVTu-rA-ayPDNlMrquIUSRIuXqw-QElnf26OTzaK0BwfPmU4oHOOtnXyoYUdUE-bqngZBHv5GF95f3FMOh/s320/IMG_2994.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>So after scrumptious food and dessert, we had some good times just hanging out together and enjoying the family time. I'm really thankful for the amazing family I have. I wish my whole family could live here so that we could have all us siblings and the kids together. </div><div></div><br /><div>Later we had a Parcheesi battle - Janet came after me so out went Ms Nice and in came Ms I Shall Crush You. I won of course! taa-haa :-D</div><div></div><br /><div>I really enjoyed having Joel and his family here for Kris & Christina's wedding. I'm thankful that they stayed at my house and for the chance I had to spend time with my nephews Josh & Blake and sweet baby girl niece Juliana. I cherish the smiles and cuddling seesions I had with Jules and the hugs I got from Blakers. I'm thankful for the conversations I had with Josh - he loves sharks! Who knew? I do now! I also really enjoyed the time spent with Joel and Andrea, especially the girls night out for Twilight!</div><div></div><br /><div>I'm so thankful that I can realize and appreciate the great blessings in my life.</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-31646709957243944382008-11-24T08:10:00.000-08:002008-11-24T09:03:36.442-08:00Ramblings from the OLD oneWARNING!!! Straight talk ahead...<br /><br />Well I really can't believe how incredibly fast time flies. I'm feeling super old today. Yes, yes, everybody tells me that turning 35 is still young...well I sure don't feel it. Of course with me it never is about the actual age, but what I don't have in my life at this age.<br /><br />Yes of course I'm happy with the things I've been able to accomplish in life. I've lived in several states, travelled to many places and have a great family. I've been blessed to have been able to serve the Lord as his emissary in the country of Ecuador as a full-time missionary. I was blessed to teach and love the people and learn a second language.<br /><br />I've been blessed to work for a company that allowed me to continue my education and financially supported my graduate degree program so that I could earn my MBA.<br /><br />I've been blessed to have been in a position to buy my first home earlier this year. Some may think I should have invested in a home earlier in my life but I have done so now and am truly happy with my purchase. I don't care that it is a 3 bedroom house or that there are those who think it is too big of a house for a <strong>single</strong> person to have. I'm just going with: "if you build it, they will come"...<br /><br />I have been blessed with a wonderful family who loves me and I can feel of their love everyday. And while all of these blessings should be enough to make me feel whole or happy, I sadly am not. I hesitate to express my true feelings but writing is a release for me. I never thought that at my age I would still be single and without children. Yes I have 10 wonderful nieces and nephews but it is not the same. They don't call me "mommy". My mother was raising 5 children by the time she was my age. I know we've led very different lives but I can't help to compare my inadequacies. My sister who is 6 years younger than me has 3 children. While I am extremely happy for all of my married siblings and their families, I cannot help but feel terrible loss that I cannot share those same blessings. Kris was just married this weekend and while I am very happy he has been able to find his true love, I cannot believe he got married before me!!!<br /><br />I was at a friend's baby shower a couples of weeks ago and there were maybe about 20 women there. As I looked around the room at the 15 or so women I did know and who are friends of mine, I had this overwhelming feeling that I did not belong. Every one of them have children (or are currently pregnant) and spend time together at playgroups, b-day parties for their kids, primary activities, etc and it made me so sad to think that I was not a part of the biggest part of their lives. As I was leaving, the host asked me, "Would you like to take some cookies home to your husband?" I know that she did not know that I was single and meant no harm whatsoever but while I'm used to similar comments, it felt like a knife to my heart. I would have loved to take some cookies home to my husband...if I had one.<br /><br />I always thought I would be raising my children with my friends. My two best girlfriends each have 4 kids and it saddens me that I can't go through the same spouse/children ups and downs that happen in their lives. I'm rarely invited to hang out with my married friends and their spouses because they do the couples thing together and they probably think I would feel like a third wheel...and truthfully, I probably would! It just saddens me that I can't be a part of that world with them. I'm not quite sure where I belong.<br /><br />I'm tired of hearing "your time will come", "this is your year", "there's someone really special being prepared for you", etc... I'm not having a pity party, truly, it's just that I feel such loss for some of the greatest blessings the lord has to give.<br /><br />Another year gone by. Another year of being alone. Most times I feel like I'm standing in the middle of a crowded room screaming and no-one hears me.<br /><br />I can only pray that I can find a fulfilling happiness and peace in the blessings I do have and not the ones I long for.<br /><br />Happy Birthday to me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-54172353683494470752008-11-24T07:31:00.000-08:002008-11-24T07:56:47.730-08:00Kris & Christina's Wedding<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Saturday November 22, 2008 marked the day that Kris and Christina became ONE... Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Conte! We are so happy to have Christina in our family.</div><br /><div>The wedding ceremony was held at Christina's church (Our Lady of Grace) in Palm Bay. It was a beautiful ceremony made special with Papa singing a couple of songs. Kris and Christina pledged their love for one another and truly I am happy for them both.</div><div><br />Here they are in their true fabulous personalities...! Taa-Haa!!!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOMDSDk8Oh3LjWkWd7rIs9svP9uEo7-rEVt2nvQDQFx24wfEc1jEBxChznx7xOHMxGDDxsk-vXZkbDdS-AHCHQrSJOJvhw1PCbg6pJokl5-aaCV2H8ezMISBuZe4rrKSNE_BMBuGYtgyR/s1600-h/IMG_2884.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272248155984300978" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOMDSDk8Oh3LjWkWd7rIs9svP9uEo7-rEVt2nvQDQFx24wfEc1jEBxChznx7xOHMxGDDxsk-vXZkbDdS-AHCHQrSJOJvhw1PCbg6pJokl5-aaCV2H8ezMISBuZe4rrKSNE_BMBuGYtgyR/s320/IMG_2884.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>There was the first dance... So Sweet!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7oN81P-5L_5cWeFtcz-D42te4KBVdabWIygvltZJDXPytgkNzai2RxZWJIszFPnyMXEQ-E3wbNO77WB3u6SPnuJN1mG82wjs4O5b2E8QW3qacr3398K6yTezZm3u_5rjSgr0dyUedVD4/s1600-h/IMG_2932.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272248627629040626" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7oN81P-5L_5cWeFtcz-D42te4KBVdabWIygvltZJDXPytgkNzai2RxZWJIszFPnyMXEQ-E3wbNO77WB3u6SPnuJN1mG82wjs4O5b2E8QW3qacr3398K6yTezZm3u_5rjSgr0dyUedVD4/s320/IMG_2932.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKET8HWTSjL1tQELEqMyFzAlhD3th3G1A1QwK7OQsxaym_NuXQqdcoS00xjUDUeZYd1bOXrqApEw00QPb2_k7MdZ2wh4Cl_FBGDl22wwvX2HceaJC90Nq9pg8GDAmN-rPGGIMYKzkNec0G/s1600-h/IMG_2934.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272248569408870978" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 263px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKET8HWTSjL1tQELEqMyFzAlhD3th3G1A1QwK7OQsxaym_NuXQqdcoS00xjUDUeZYd1bOXrqApEw00QPb2_k7MdZ2wh4Cl_FBGDl22wwvX2HceaJC90Nq9pg8GDAmN-rPGGIMYKzkNec0G/s320/IMG_2934.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX58BA0DwS-9vQi4PNrGxoFJ-LZ8slqfrWNXikwiAQM4OhxUPOgB53kvGtzjDcgLM-tGxrk3stCae_2ZWSCypLFcH2BDlTNaXBkK7BNJyF2ckDnbZMTcharfWXmRskqmsm7pkQMAn8dFhS/s1600-h/IMG_2968.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272248411128630690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX58BA0DwS-9vQi4PNrGxoFJ-LZ8slqfrWNXikwiAQM4OhxUPOgB53kvGtzjDcgLM-tGxrk3stCae_2ZWSCypLFcH2BDlTNaXBkK7BNJyF2ckDnbZMTcharfWXmRskqmsm7pkQMAn8dFhS/s320/IMG_2968.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aDINJWnli0qDt7ShOEOVP-vvafRetb6AlX1HDS-P7wJPSeXWkk-rA1AiAurB3Str6Fzda8sBaKj_ChZB7k5LQswRSshPVBRz55sjQ3AaIKsOhEazPJjYY48DAdWSlAGaxbXoiT_Cf4m6/s1600-h/IMG_2964.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272248515043944050" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aDINJWnli0qDt7ShOEOVP-vvafRetb6AlX1HDS-P7wJPSeXWkk-rA1AiAurB3Str6Fzda8sBaKj_ChZB7k5LQswRSshPVBRz55sjQ3AaIKsOhEazPJjYY48DAdWSlAGaxbXoiT_Cf4m6/s320/IMG_2964.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The reception was so much fun! There was a lot of dancing going on! I do beleive I caught the bouquet! I beleive that for those who catch the boquet, they DON'T get married - I guess I'm just keeping with tradition...<br /></div><div>It was really nice to be able to spend time with family on such a joyous occasion. Joel, Andrea and the kids stayed with me at my house and I really enjoyed having them there and getting to know little Jules since it was the first time I had seen her. She is such a sweetie! Just look at that face!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72iaSvxsp5mi0RSxDLMGj6KmbbqNpx00WwEf2GK_Z6bErbeAa1Q1KYXVuLV87QeGJJApAH8GfJ6sxS_b6PinhK33nrM0WmQ_efxkwp4GIoXR3EPQX21m79dc_HA2OXYbtSv1UOE1yKYeP/s1600-h/IMG_2895.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272249957836193410" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72iaSvxsp5mi0RSxDLMGj6KmbbqNpx00WwEf2GK_Z6bErbeAa1Q1KYXVuLV87QeGJJApAH8GfJ6sxS_b6PinhK33nrM0WmQ_efxkwp4GIoXR3EPQX21m79dc_HA2OXYbtSv1UOE1yKYeP/s320/IMG_2895.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I know Papa was enjoying having his sister and brother here - just looks at these goofballs! What sibling love!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii59ybUHQhboQkjT_Fp1Ms_IUrg8teTcmx4yNVOOngq29lXi5eaTyM7703yhIaH8hulnDI4GGSBrngL-iGHlqg8FwyU55jp7odwsGaFMcsnFSZBn4NRwH-8v5wsBANs6_3YCVh01fyDAFl/s1600-h/IMG_2889.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272250704155109714" style="WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii59ybUHQhboQkjT_Fp1Ms_IUrg8teTcmx4yNVOOngq29lXi5eaTyM7703yhIaH8hulnDI4GGSBrngL-iGHlqg8FwyU55jp7odwsGaFMcsnFSZBn4NRwH-8v5wsBANs6_3YCVh01fyDAFl/s320/IMG_2889.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YmCLdw_vuhr6j5hBs668SGwk5PtjgcK4KwvO0iCI-o2kz4r_C_rbno5uWtX8GP7uvyxfdP9WlrNC9sWag6ELwalz0QMSyfNeWdUp0NmJ6IAI_5xzl9_a0aX42845IDBf9eLHmqjareWL/s1600-h/IMG_2891.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272250768612305778" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YmCLdw_vuhr6j5hBs668SGwk5PtjgcK4KwvO0iCI-o2kz4r_C_rbno5uWtX8GP7uvyxfdP9WlrNC9sWag6ELwalz0QMSyfNeWdUp0NmJ6IAI_5xzl9_a0aX42845IDBf9eLHmqjareWL/s320/IMG_2891.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Well I wish all the love and happiness life has to offer for the newlywed couple. Congrats Kris & Christina! Mucho amor!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixBUmYAKwv37O6T8utROAhaBRog6x4kXvXLwlJi1_dWKxXoLvLEchCsND6Jv4lR_ybjANFHLWVScN8km7mPLAvaXdvGg6H6i5RIEewoiz_GbXjdzEphG-PAmPIPhdg1_5EUpgZz-aczIQ/s1600-h/IMG_2907.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272250302138687266" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixBUmYAKwv37O6T8utROAhaBRog6x4kXvXLwlJi1_dWKxXoLvLEchCsND6Jv4lR_ybjANFHLWVScN8km7mPLAvaXdvGg6H6i5RIEewoiz_GbXjdzEphG-PAmPIPhdg1_5EUpgZz-aczIQ/s320/IMG_2907.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQsoYlZ1MiLldkSKyF68sffPo9ptnQXd4iNDzQ_UG3O3kAEuMYSGuwcl9pU3uKrzxrRpLaX4Jr7B_MpMwMMVDRTGlZyF5gN8gg7xWaWWooHsxPu4Kg_fjBddnMqbXl6HfcSq_UPpysxGZ/s1600-h/IMG_2911.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272250234738705890" style="WIDTH: 174px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQsoYlZ1MiLldkSKyF68sffPo9ptnQXd4iNDzQ_UG3O3kAEuMYSGuwcl9pU3uKrzxrRpLaX4Jr7B_MpMwMMVDRTGlZyF5gN8gg7xWaWWooHsxPu4Kg_fjBddnMqbXl6HfcSq_UPpysxGZ/s320/IMG_2911.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-66786905498249458472008-11-17T13:48:00.000-08:002008-11-20T07:57:16.645-08:00Tagged!I was tagged by my friend Janet - she claims she meant BOTH Jill's, but I dunno!<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">8 Things I am obsessed about right now:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">1. My nieces and Nephews</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">2. The Twilight Saga</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">3. Facebook</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">4. Upcoming B-day</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">5. Celebrating completion of MBA</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">6. Ice Cream Sandwiches</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">7. Getting my house organized (pics on walls)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">8. Thoughts of never being a mom</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">8 Words or Phrases I use:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">1. Whatever!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">2. For serious!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">3. I don't think so</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">4. Yep</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">5. Mmmmmm hmmmmm</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">6. Where you at?</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">7. I'm done with school!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">8. What? or What you say? (thanks to Maddy) lol</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">8 TV shows you love to watch:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">1. The Amazing Race</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">2. Survivor</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">3. Top Chef</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">4. Project Runway</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">5. CSI (LV & NY)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">6. Criminal Minds</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">7. Heroes</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">8. 24 & Lost</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">8 Things I did yesterday:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">1. Woke up on time (yay me!)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">2. Went to work</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">3. Ate a peanut butter & honey sammich for lunch</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">4. Felt sad for my good friends Chris & Drew's loss of their mother</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">5. Had dinner at Chili's with friend</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">6. Watched Quantum of Solace at theatre</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">7. Got home late</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">8. Prayed</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">8 Favorite Places to Eat:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">1. PF Chang's</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">2. Red Lobster</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">3. Del Frisco's</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">4. Tejas (Texas) de Brazil</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">5. Firehouse Subs</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">6. Roadhouse</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">7. Cafe Rio</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#663300;">8. Pizza Gallery</span><br /><br /><br /><br />I tag: MomUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-47103022933229299492008-11-17T12:44:00.000-08:002008-11-17T13:38:12.246-08:00Christina's Bridal Shower 11-8-08<div>Well I'm a week late in blogging about my soon to be sister-in-law's Bridal Shower! It was a nice day with fun games. Here's the Bride-to-Be!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dasRnt_bZ-zGjvnknSSDF-sZviPTFcKu_i1tDOlrIDbR7d2mF9n-hR8K0vyOb025QFWbhen6995H9r7HGFWWcYKJHYj67UoAM4Ws-Er8iJphJvZCE3DC-xNAxh1cEXLbuUIDG0Lc4I5-/s1600-h/IMG_2859.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdGiKtXx-tc5Qx66pjnDr3ZnC9pWQIdPR8vzO8XJlsP0zQHqfwKcetwCMMaWJoBAP6PSvUtSFVwIQ8A1oc21xwgQOCfjCI6hHaAjYXlPImpad1ER6TRDWevTfDlaWIqPHl_g_g8QYTkD5/s1600-h/IMG_2845.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269741544727045570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdGiKtXx-tc5Qx66pjnDr3ZnC9pWQIdPR8vzO8XJlsP0zQHqfwKcetwCMMaWJoBAP6PSvUtSFVwIQ8A1oc21xwgQOCfjCI6hHaAjYXlPImpad1ER6TRDWevTfDlaWIqPHl_g_g8QYTkD5/s320/IMG_2845.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>We played a fun game of dressing up a model as a TP Bride... Here are all three and my group (with Janet as model) won!</div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1jXJMdOTfLB_0UvQlqHOONj3xFsOq61MqKajxqZbpZH6bqlLHLOQKxqzpD8BK8eydzKaiRaGF74wTWpEjduHVFeT3wTehJG1uSZqiY1nE1RAf-OG-Xd1tG9BJM809JWjBqrV19Mkm5VV/s1600-h/IMG_2851.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269741958981472178" style="WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1jXJMdOTfLB_0UvQlqHOONj3xFsOq61MqKajxqZbpZH6bqlLHLOQKxqzpD8BK8eydzKaiRaGF74wTWpEjduHVFeT3wTehJG1uSZqiY1nE1RAf-OG-Xd1tG9BJM809JWjBqrV19Mkm5VV/s320/IMG_2851.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Something borrowed... a special gift from her mom to wear for her wedding day...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5H9G92RKLQfG0xfKS76vfyFcBlZ2uLyzIMiJ6QJbZVXa941KldRq8bPirKz7lUlUmLbt_hzHtzXPZqBGp8yBspuaRg3ArNtcaF589lhS1xGrGyYBrNbNqBYZEGtP5hPBW8RvEjaD8hOw/s1600-h/IMG_2871.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269742539643164898" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5H9G92RKLQfG0xfKS76vfyFcBlZ2uLyzIMiJ6QJbZVXa941KldRq8bPirKz7lUlUmLbt_hzHtzXPZqBGp8yBspuaRg3ArNtcaF589lhS1xGrGyYBrNbNqBYZEGtP5hPBW8RvEjaD8hOw/s320/IMG_2871.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUuUNm8PMY0LBNl-1X-asAeihBSf-28ptGZroeExti0I6tPHqc0n8zqJDFrCwnaMg1rT0iUUwHoZotN9d0ZeSgVMItllVKZijpz-Km6TL4QLgxfr0l9Lb6g6HGsj6qT1OCtyPz21A6Q26/s1600-h/IMG_2872.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269743563826936226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUuUNm8PMY0LBNl-1X-asAeihBSf-28ptGZroeExti0I6tPHqc0n8zqJDFrCwnaMg1rT0iUUwHoZotN9d0ZeSgVMItllVKZijpz-Km6TL4QLgxfr0l9Lb6g6HGsj6qT1OCtyPz21A6Q26/s320/IMG_2872.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div>Nobody can ever take a clear picture when using my camera!!!! Grrr... oh well! New Sisters!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHLUQyaZ5bmphC10PvLW5P_0V_AdZLDP6prZdrXNxIlWyc2pYGhInGVx_NcaoOYTMa_EcJHVOBxMmkMJZa-deO-WSOkCcQ5CWNY4RWStfpX6Puq2XDUlC6MY6-tx2J5jU6oQ5qI3QVUjf/s1600-h/IMG_2870.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269742814216369634" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHLUQyaZ5bmphC10PvLW5P_0V_AdZLDP6prZdrXNxIlWyc2pYGhInGVx_NcaoOYTMa_EcJHVOBxMmkMJZa-deO-WSOkCcQ5CWNY4RWStfpX6Puq2XDUlC6MY6-tx2J5jU6oQ5qI3QVUjf/s320/IMG_2870.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div>5 days and counting! Saturday we celebrate Kris and Christina as they become Husband and Wife!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-58513412333466407472008-11-01T17:28:00.000-07:002008-11-01T18:01:38.127-07:00Halloween 2008Sooooo...... last night my sister Janet and I took Maddy and Thatcher trick-or-treating. What an event! Jess was still a little too sore to walk around with the kids after just having Ruthie a few weeks ago, so Janet and I walked the walk!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwCSqnx8_sFkiu1TQa9t3rL_k8-VpaDAs3ttUmR1xOV-vFspIvZZz3TCVWfL_CddHgUyYTQa0IOm0xiAo5PsvEFTOFlfP_Cjun6QFdXhRZwRmgQg50lO3Ov7Qww_t_dq5se3hJ7qADmFA/s1600-h/IMG_2805.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwCSqnx8_sFkiu1TQa9t3rL_k8-VpaDAs3ttUmR1xOV-vFspIvZZz3TCVWfL_CddHgUyYTQa0IOm0xiAo5PsvEFTOFlfP_Cjun6QFdXhRZwRmgQg50lO3Ov7Qww_t_dq5se3hJ7qADmFA/s320/IMG_2805.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263854378436298530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They looked so cute in their costumes. Miss Madeline was a (good) witch - Grandma Conte made her costume for her. She sure was rocking her boots!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhot7xs8fRqU929-oHIKJxn11EbASViCf2nXvO5dSxi04tPCEbZkEhtP65Sx1x2TqVIILgQWJjZkct4t-ebEPzQ4WPGTQtYnNXj80FJ6UL9QuNsJTz-ldOqB_bTaCfl6hqW2aYfyd0s33y2/s1600-h/IMG_2803.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhot7xs8fRqU929-oHIKJxn11EbASViCf2nXvO5dSxi04tPCEbZkEhtP65Sx1x2TqVIILgQWJjZkct4t-ebEPzQ4WPGTQtYnNXj80FJ6UL9QuNsJTz-ldOqB_bTaCfl6hqW2aYfyd0s33y2/s320/IMG_2803.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263854516390174578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mr. Thatcher was quite the adorable (argh) pirate! Daddy gave him some facial hair to boot and my, my, my... too cute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwI-smZJPsiVP3OU1yruI_X2NAIcs1DbScAFT69hvzfyDJr7iQNC2YC5xAxT13iWiOYrzbb9qQuEs9hHPYngS_Lmt07Vi3vY0h7Gk1gO3zAZKohJN7mwbzzAEuZEDhzs0QHPWhjyIF_1c/s1600-h/IMG_2811.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwI-smZJPsiVP3OU1yruI_X2NAIcs1DbScAFT69hvzfyDJr7iQNC2YC5xAxT13iWiOYrzbb9qQuEs9hHPYngS_Lmt07Vi3vY0h7Gk1gO3zAZKohJN7mwbzzAEuZEDhzs0QHPWhjyIF_1c/s320/IMG_2811.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263854698300417330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So I'm thinking that I may not do this trick-or-treat thing until I have kids (which at the rate I'm going may be never)! Just kidding! I was literally dragging Thatcher along while he stared in awe at everything and everyone around him! I kept saying, "walk Thatcher, walk"! I was afraid I was going to pull his arm out of the socket! Additionally, he just would not let go of my finger, so of course I had to go to each and every door with them...and then had to drag them both away! It was exhausting! ;P<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5Ss1SZ80peG_CmgOAVrcL19AthMYtKpRuvlOxVq4jOvUs24Uezb55NQQlI39FOTdIACk27ZXmlb62EdAqa8vOwQDnDzVJTpg0xsAVLcgsVRC5geoBwF7h8P1gYB8tKZBXheDp0XGxXY3/s1600-h/IMG_2792.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5Ss1SZ80peG_CmgOAVrcL19AthMYtKpRuvlOxVq4jOvUs24Uezb55NQQlI39FOTdIACk27ZXmlb62EdAqa8vOwQDnDzVJTpg0xsAVLcgsVRC5geoBwF7h8P1gYB8tKZBXheDp0XGxXY3/s320/IMG_2792.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263854919161437314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxE9yHs6IxK6UaLO9Xus8akesNMZ0Oebl-XLcce3VB1SQLn-c2SO7MXRWhccLAVlbxIlmdac4NeLnXN_2o7o9k_155jJJN992h0TlV72zz3yQ8w24d9cZEoKVRnKIrwYA3h8YCmwtA1GU/s1600-h/IMG_2822.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxE9yHs6IxK6UaLO9Xus8akesNMZ0Oebl-XLcce3VB1SQLn-c2SO7MXRWhccLAVlbxIlmdac4NeLnXN_2o7o9k_155jJJN992h0TlV72zz3yQ8w24d9cZEoKVRnKIrwYA3h8YCmwtA1GU/s320/IMG_2822.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263854984301490050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But seriously, I had a wonderful time with them. They are just so full of life and have a desire to experience everything they come in contact with. There was this really big guy (teen) that had on camouflage, with twigs and branches covering him. He came out of nowhere and startled me so I said, "whoa! stealth mode"! So Maddy thought that was his name and she kept saying, "that Stealth Mode was really scary. Stealth Mode needs to stay away from us so he doesn't scare us"! Super cute!<br /><br />Maddy was busy trying to keep her hat on because it was so windy. I told her it was a good time to jump on her broom and fly away but she was afraid she might fall off if she got too high in the air! taa-haa! Aren't kids great?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhqDWR2XHRvl0IYc-3Mx69ggc4MFCABz2CXvG1EF_7W8qcdfax4GRE6zPXvfsp35e_PqOCFIpzdKwHc2K1Lvx8p5CK49u6yupiG7UDQZIGYYP4lo5QnhXz7_1gMn8uzvDL3QC43_a5f1u/s1600-h/IMG_2808.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhqDWR2XHRvl0IYc-3Mx69ggc4MFCABz2CXvG1EF_7W8qcdfax4GRE6zPXvfsp35e_PqOCFIpzdKwHc2K1Lvx8p5CK49u6yupiG7UDQZIGYYP4lo5QnhXz7_1gMn8uzvDL3QC43_a5f1u/s320/IMG_2808.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263855570969953154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I don't know how Thatcher was carrying his pumpkin full of candy! That thing was full and super heavy. He kept dragging it on the ground and slapping it against him and I tried to help carry it for him but he kept reaching his hand out and wanted to carry it himself!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm3eofvTHbAEO4XFFvDJEaqcTIxgYsbiZomNwHEQn62A8hpLHljH_-b7Sm8wC7tOpYeqRogwhF-apnhsqsn6ggTfe26DpQvS6cE1yGdML38iJC0Oh7gRiaz5I5YBGaRU8HQMolr28w2GH/s1600-h/IMG_2799.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm3eofvTHbAEO4XFFvDJEaqcTIxgYsbiZomNwHEQn62A8hpLHljH_-b7Sm8wC7tOpYeqRogwhF-apnhsqsn6ggTfe26DpQvS6cE1yGdML38iJC0Oh7gRiaz5I5YBGaRU8HQMolr28w2GH/s320/IMG_2799.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263856147852426322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I enjoyed raiding their candy after we got back to grandma and grandpa's house! Really, I only took ONE Reese's Cup and that was it (of course I did take three to go... shhh... don't tell anyone)!<br /><br />Little Miss Ruthie was super adorable as a "leopard kitty" as Maddy called her! Here she is just chillin' with Grandpa Conte... All in all, great fun was had by all!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k_qaQuuwN7IwGruhLRqG95GRAIuQBreNiPLT1G8MV1GUvcUpyIPJnVu0fIcw_p1H77VLO7_wuVp06bLBy0HHLPSUqrG5p41VGfdOMRE228YxlSfaLI4KZyql3hiBGYITy88dFabEqnlN/s1600-h/IMG_2831.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k_qaQuuwN7IwGruhLRqG95GRAIuQBreNiPLT1G8MV1GUvcUpyIPJnVu0fIcw_p1H77VLO7_wuVp06bLBy0HHLPSUqrG5p41VGfdOMRE228YxlSfaLI4KZyql3hiBGYITy88dFabEqnlN/s320/IMG_2831.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263856776557644834" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-8310653855776183672008-10-23T07:46:00.000-07:002008-10-23T08:07:07.912-07:002 New Babies<div><div>This has been a blessed past couple of weeks. Our family has been able to welcome two new precious gifts into this world. </div><br /><div></div><div>RUTHIE ADELE JONES was born 10/17 and...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazA_hIPUB3sdcKyXn4TtxLgY3KZXh4FVxkbqNa9KXReOlJgSegn4RoxM3pJ5Z5zg1x2zbN0lMy0OBnE6TLoqo8cshHq5445Ngh3AOVakEB7mCTJdUL-y23U-bXY9FTT2DdYxHok9Nx0yC/s1600-h/IMG_2769.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260364993402778242" style="WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazA_hIPUB3sdcKyXn4TtxLgY3KZXh4FVxkbqNa9KXReOlJgSegn4RoxM3pJ5Z5zg1x2zbN0lMy0OBnE6TLoqo8cshHq5445Ngh3AOVakEB7mCTJdUL-y23U-bXY9FTT2DdYxHok9Nx0yC/s400/IMG_2769.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>WILLIAM LORENZO CONTE was born 10/21</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVRNDmZ2y3jCJx87mVxRL9dccooK6-78POVwJ4wylguif7ndfrU5jgwDVSPBnW7P-nXNhy-DhkMLCQ6jfUvbIFyovhAKsCL3WT4nI4YoQVP3at3HCt_DoTGhxQ2S4OIcQRXqIQwBbwI1b/s1600-h/Will_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260365083814041874" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVRNDmZ2y3jCJx87mVxRL9dccooK6-78POVwJ4wylguif7ndfrU5jgwDVSPBnW7P-nXNhy-DhkMLCQ6jfUvbIFyovhAKsCL3WT4nI4YoQVP3at3HCt_DoTGhxQ2S4OIcQRXqIQwBbwI1b/s400/Will_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div>Two new gorgeous babies to lavish loads of love upon. I feel so priveleged to have so many nieces and nephews. I wish they were all near me so that I could foster closer relationships with them. I am so happy for my brothers and sisters and the families that they have created. They are surely blessed. I hope they will always know just how blessed they are, even in the difficult "what?! I have 3 children? how did this happen?" stages of their lives. Whatever the hardships that come, to have an eternal spouse and children are the best gifts we can ever be given.</div><br /><div></div><div>While I have not been thusly blessed, I am fortunate to have family to love and who loves me.</div><br /><div></div><div>For my family... my cup runneth over.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-6197303611317503122008-10-17T19:35:00.000-07:002008-10-21T08:21:34.083-07:00An Auntie for the 9th Time!!!OK! I am an Aunt for the 9th time! Hurry up Betony and give me my 10th!!!<br /><br />Today was a beautiful (and LONG) day. My sister Jessica headed to the hospital around 6:45AM today to start the inducement process for Baby Ruthie. I headed there around 9 AM to help keep them company. I was hoping she would have Ruthie sometime in the morning... WRONG!<br /><br />I'm sure Jess will blog about all the details once she gets home so I will let her tell the main story. What I want most to say is that watching a child come into this world is one of THE most AMAZING things you can ever witness. What an absolute miracle. I tear up just thinking about it. I wish so much I could experience the wonder of creating and carrying such a miracle; to actually feel life growing within...AMAZING.<br /><br />Sooooo..... without further ado... WELCOME BABY RUTHIE ADELE JONES!!! This sweet angel came into this world at 6:11 PM, weighed 8 lbs 7 oz. and is 21" long. She is a bundle of absolute beauty. I can see both Maddy and Thatcher in her (her two siblings) but probably favors Maddy a little more right now. And her cry sounds just like Maddy...oh boy, another drama queen!!!<br /><br />I got some really good shots of the birth but I will let Jess decide which "birth" pictures she wants to show everyone so keep an eye out for her update coming soon (probably Sunday or Monday). So for now, these will have to do!<br /><br />Here's the big girl!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXCyrH-H1aYY2SlybtN7sZzE_gAqcPWLNW9mHuwE8fNJhGgQvbn4qmKJLDUgzcJVXXm6CboO-qFcLOYyxQMZ8P2388RRK8hUlTcFHizzSvtvnjodxpE91m9bNiTCOt06SZKF8D4sQwkO5/s1600-h/IMG_2732.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258324150266213474" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXCyrH-H1aYY2SlybtN7sZzE_gAqcPWLNW9mHuwE8fNJhGgQvbn4qmKJLDUgzcJVXXm6CboO-qFcLOYyxQMZ8P2388RRK8hUlTcFHizzSvtvnjodxpE91m9bNiTCOt06SZKF8D4sQwkO5/s400/IMG_2732.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHubp1mcG9A5vzqAQUVPxxdlYXJx3FN56ZO5OEMsI_aB7HcDrPpAdkJx3XzskRl3kFV2eV6OBixuwFDfzwABOadMt_Xe42Chyphenhypheny2iQDn6YVA30N4g9B-pMaZ8s5NONmUfi0LiATe-r5XHX/s1600-h/IMG_2761.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258324536877531746" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHubp1mcG9A5vzqAQUVPxxdlYXJx3FN56ZO5OEMsI_aB7HcDrPpAdkJx3XzskRl3kFV2eV6OBixuwFDfzwABOadMt_Xe42Chyphenhypheny2iQDn6YVA30N4g9B-pMaZ8s5NONmUfi0LiATe-r5XHX/s400/IMG_2761.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The "Thank Goodness She's OUT" Momma...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pFHYGSCzwss6t4dXyBGk4lnk1Z7l08k8vqJBFqg4DWjLMwrj6shzThIzLMkhGQVfqYXAPqJB63ituD-2eVeEr1mnbthXibBwW2yZwqZaK4hT7zwI7l4wvI5gdyBE6kD__zYjqNWVJ41w/s1600-h/IMG_2744.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258325009912408130" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pFHYGSCzwss6t4dXyBGk4lnk1Z7l08k8vqJBFqg4DWjLMwrj6shzThIzLMkhGQVfqYXAPqJB63ituD-2eVeEr1mnbthXibBwW2yZwqZaK4hT7zwI7l4wvI5gdyBE6kD__zYjqNWVJ41w/s400/IMG_2744.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Happy Parents...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUwhOpvz1t_cYgNoYZXkaKKaMmjaOm7-GSq10wm3ZZpkMy9a_CofxHL_MbqLl1gudrsLE4-9WYl1NgqeKPYgRJCbxh7vWkjJGOw5Sp5CkefA-fZurjy69OATJlG6VzNIsvfOvYaeh2q2d/s1600-h/IMG_2737.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258325828793723282" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUwhOpvz1t_cYgNoYZXkaKKaMmjaOm7-GSq10wm3ZZpkMy9a_CofxHL_MbqLl1gudrsLE4-9WYl1NgqeKPYgRJCbxh7vWkjJGOw5Sp5CkefA-fZurjy69OATJlG6VzNIsvfOvYaeh2q2d/s400/IMG_2737.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gramma Conte...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU8MNASXEWtNxMeoZv-AlGVC9ODVFmTRFSxw4eckVlc9QMGHlRe55PHgsN-pRdRzKz0WGtea8zJosKYk8fmx1uwYBFP5mxIqR67kcD6vU9CFidsg8cD4HSkEAfLFQL9U8DN9NHKzAniPx/s1600-h/IMG_2751.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258326296366750546" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU8MNASXEWtNxMeoZv-AlGVC9ODVFmTRFSxw4eckVlc9QMGHlRe55PHgsN-pRdRzKz0WGtea8zJosKYk8fmx1uwYBFP5mxIqR67kcD6vU9CFidsg8cD4HSkEAfLFQL9U8DN9NHKzAniPx/s400/IMG_2751.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Auntie Jill (she's looking at me!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P5KJ4XcFxwcrHA9gpY_-PJU-mzqa_gOHTgb-R-brtFsYqwE6TZL4sX3O7Jxw3t8tT2EisjZVpf-tPuTXv1y3aZ3eLn_D1dQen6m7l7vmPMDiWfPas1x_s9DXqC4AftiluMsN0AZWlfMX/s1600-h/IMG_2758.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258326437481878098" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P5KJ4XcFxwcrHA9gpY_-PJU-mzqa_gOHTgb-R-brtFsYqwE6TZL4sX3O7Jxw3t8tT2EisjZVpf-tPuTXv1y3aZ3eLn_D1dQen6m7l7vmPMDiWfPas1x_s9DXqC4AftiluMsN0AZWlfMX/s400/IMG_2758.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Auntie Janet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF2LyyWhsVDeDuuYg8NbEcGqs8MePVNFx_Nh28EPITCNXymiXvB5moOFkMdQ8um4d0ZFIcVHJZtT_YMGGjSXJlhWrSk45EnkafgDYragSKGrmwqYy5Ek7Ck-J_Q2z0X6qJ05wSi19Kwzq/s1600-h/IMG_2766.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258326617656978210" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF2LyyWhsVDeDuuYg8NbEcGqs8MePVNFx_Nh28EPITCNXymiXvB5moOFkMdQ8um4d0ZFIcVHJZtT_YMGGjSXJlhWrSk45EnkafgDYragSKGrmwqYy5Ek7Ck-J_Q2z0X6qJ05wSi19Kwzq/s400/IMG_2766.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Happy Feet...Bye Bye for now!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOwYy4GqDl4w7zfJWEHzP5YY77GpqBd1XzpULHoPwpCI1vsBrakrtBgOXEsebudcDAWoIXimBrynFdsujG66vnaY4eL2KyQdqEmbFirMU3wcGW65VNUY8bj9XY52Ouz0iMOMajdFhelyZ/s1600-h/IMG_2763.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258326767045592402" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOwYy4GqDl4w7zfJWEHzP5YY77GpqBd1XzpULHoPwpCI1vsBrakrtBgOXEsebudcDAWoIXimBrynFdsujG66vnaY4eL2KyQdqEmbFirMU3wcGW65VNUY8bj9XY52Ouz0iMOMajdFhelyZ/s400/IMG_2763.jpg" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-12561287082551204912008-10-13T10:04:00.001-07:002008-10-13T10:22:37.475-07:00Weekend UpdateSo I guess I better update my blog (or so my sister keeps telling me). Had to work last Friday.. :( My company decided to go to a 9/80 work week. so what that really means is that instead of enjoying half Friday's (working 7:30-11:30 AM), we now have every other Friday off... it's ok I guess (def better on gas savings) BUT it is soooo hard to work a full Friday!<br /><br />So I headed to the beach after work on Fri to just hang out and watch the waves break. It is so relaxing. A storm was fast approaching so I was only able to stay for about an hour. My sister Jessica called Sat morning and wanted to have a girls day out (she's trying to stay active to encourage baby to come out).<br /><br />So my mom, sisters, and I headed to Red Lobster for lunch. That was yummy. Then we went to check out Rocky's Art classroom at FAA and then to Barnes & Noble to see the display of artwork from his classes. It was pretty cool. We went back to mom's house (where papa tried to entice us to LEAVE - so sweet he is) and played a game of Pay Me (aka Nickel Nickel). I'm usually pretty good at the game but Janet beat us all! We won't speak of teaching mom to play and her "game playing" taa-haa! We love you Mom!!! Later we decided to go and see "Nights in Rodanthe" based on the book by Nicholas Sparks. Good movie but bring tissues!!! His books always make you FEEL a variety of emotions (usually sad), which is right up my alley.<br /><br />So here I am at work. Jessica called this morning to tell me "today is the day"...we shall see - when will baby Ruthie be ready?! The race is on between her and my sister-in-law Betony. Their due dates are only 2 days apart (and Jess's was yesterday)! I haven't seen pics of Betony, but Jess has DROPPED so low, I don't know how she can move, let alone walk! Poor thing! She never dropped like this with Maddy or Thatcher. I sure hope today IS the day (anything to get me away from work)! tee-hee!<br /><br />I'm trying to grow my bangs out and they're in the "awkward" stage now and it's driving me crazy! I still can't beleive I cut my hair so short (Amber should be happy :))!<br /><br />Grrrr.... just grow out already!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-82556987462745261592008-09-18T12:55:00.001-07:002008-09-23T06:22:55.548-07:00IRELAND PART TWOOK and now the continuation of my fabulous trip to Ireland! <strong>IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PART ONE... SCROLL DOWN...<br /></strong><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 6:</span></strong><br />This morning's drive took us to Limmerick where we saw King John's Castle and the Stone on which the Treaty of Limmerick was signed in 1691. Limmerick is the 3rd largest city in the Irish Republic with a population of approximately 70,000. The treaty was to allow those who were Catholics to practice their religion freely while at the same time swearing fealty to the Protestant king. This agreement did not sit well with British Parliament and they demanded that the King break the treaty because they wanted everyone to practice the Protestant religion. The King unfortunately did break his word and now the town is known as "The Town of the Broken Treaty".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIvrZC3ToW2mpfBxaicX3uyW0w5Rl4I26WyrSavUkVOVuqQb0h1ID64zAhgf29_fpTgd3Vs2U2RDvfsWmKACOi8pimXQ5y3v6ovoupxllsVzXP8wHgKrzohHlJC0_IXMXd1o8Y8XiNFAk/s1600-h/IMG_2382.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247467054162862578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIvrZC3ToW2mpfBxaicX3uyW0w5Rl4I26WyrSavUkVOVuqQb0h1ID64zAhgf29_fpTgd3Vs2U2RDvfsWmKACOi8pimXQ5y3v6ovoupxllsVzXP8wHgKrzohHlJC0_IXMXd1o8Y8XiNFAk/s320/IMG_2382.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQb2T3hb2MK-4574XZy7fuxJNitU47BNx8pYlZJbbKXxq82-9SclaJnm3e4_3wFU8JsLGdvelzEfAyQYjf-189LhtO3iKUxZRinUGV33Pbft-ILngirr0gmExc3ZfDFokbYGVKb2v9Aye/s1600-h/IMG_2383.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247467115480176722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQb2T3hb2MK-4574XZy7fuxJNitU47BNx8pYlZJbbKXxq82-9SclaJnm3e4_3wFU8JsLGdvelzEfAyQYjf-189LhtO3iKUxZRinUGV33Pbft-ILngirr0gmExc3ZfDFokbYGVKb2v9Aye/s320/IMG_2383.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Next we drove to Adare, which is known for its prize winning thatched cottages (see bleow for picture). We stopped in Dingle for lunch and went to a place called Harrington’s which is known for their fresh, cook-to-order fish & chips. It was raining (of course) so I stood in the line to order our food, which of course was backed up out the door, while mom went in to find us a place to sit. The fish was delicious but we weren’t left with much time to shop in this cute little town. I did, however, find a couple of bookmarks for my sisters in the shop across the street from where we ate lunch.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QUxLtpcWOj2LOmVmHsHKdFOCWeTKNt0KKJYIbyk9inrbC50tHmsROdHj60UfVwdR-2L-1KpVViKababpGzmqi-CSN8sJjhTBIjC3yMogBnp2CsUwg398wUwfqRio2A-LVk-v5C8jFXfs/s1600-h/IMG_2423.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247466859208933266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QUxLtpcWOj2LOmVmHsHKdFOCWeTKNt0KKJYIbyk9inrbC50tHmsROdHj60UfVwdR-2L-1KpVViKababpGzmqi-CSN8sJjhTBIjC3yMogBnp2CsUwg398wUwfqRio2A-LVk-v5C8jFXfs/s320/IMG_2423.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Upon resuming our drive, we saw some absolutely breathtaking scenery in the afternoon during our drive on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive afforded us magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. We passed miles of sandy white beaches, which were the setting for the film <em>Ryan’s Daughter</em>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvbY_vnUMLixxS3h2l3CnXpibJu2szGMM1LND0qQ0eBBgPe-JSUaa8qQQPzA-5yN2PLnfv05Tlw5vQ6UxM4iHtjRtEZ6-BQaspcDkHHMsX8tHmBRyvoZsdKWfVZHbSMZIUFAAUlP4uJ7b/s1600-h/IMG_2398.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247466545848704546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvbY_vnUMLixxS3h2l3CnXpibJu2szGMM1LND0qQ0eBBgPe-JSUaa8qQQPzA-5yN2PLnfv05Tlw5vQ6UxM4iHtjRtEZ6-BQaspcDkHHMsX8tHmBRyvoZsdKWfVZHbSMZIUFAAUlP4uJ7b/s320/IMG_2398.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FfxZynx5AFmfc6X2wUkCJxPYNXBPjQms5oAn1BumSB2Y3e75R1okLeArkeDryBtTrO2rPAKaRDr7WRGoAbD-Ce7Rqa0NMyEuj7zAazSF8ITWjngDPOOKT-1KVQkdkbKZpxhDDN_QTfgM/s1600-h/IMG_2403.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247466600236636018" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FfxZynx5AFmfc6X2wUkCJxPYNXBPjQms5oAn1BumSB2Y3e75R1okLeArkeDryBtTrO2rPAKaRDr7WRGoAbD-Ce7Rqa0NMyEuj7zAazSF8ITWjngDPOOKT-1KVQkdkbKZpxhDDN_QTfgM/s320/IMG_2403.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>There is a story about some monks that built stone beehive shaped dwellings to live in in order to pay a penance of some sort. The inside was large enough to fit their length lying down. Many of these still exist and we were able to stop and takes some photographs. It’s pretty cool to think about how long they’ve been standing there and that people once lived in them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDNX81SG89GWQ990KybsKfyXUcFwGuSI43Xf3XjkOCenQz-3FIUgZjfSpOo3oZzfRtc1hWx732-E1zs1ZRN7q2TGTuzUNL4qrmH2p-xBCQ3uoyhQA7vKXsWPj7ISvzDwssnrkr-gH126E/s1600-h/IMG_2386.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247466197285514178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDNX81SG89GWQ990KybsKfyXUcFwGuSI43Xf3XjkOCenQz-3FIUgZjfSpOo3oZzfRtc1hWx732-E1zs1ZRN7q2TGTuzUNL4qrmH2p-xBCQ3uoyhQA7vKXsWPj7ISvzDwssnrkr-gH126E/s320/IMG_2386.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsnoqLR0v6GGZPvZAwzdPObKUxaBg5IEJcl3a8nr4fKdKvIo4V0Yub5806-Xkv5VMgrLOnqsamTnoD-NuPGVtTE-0evC3wBiEvayj-0hIqb5aE-0QKm14YisqkvYF2lafnf0onvlXfQ24/s1600-h/IMG_2388.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247466264762495522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsnoqLR0v6GGZPvZAwzdPObKUxaBg5IEJcl3a8nr4fKdKvIo4V0Yub5806-Xkv5VMgrLOnqsamTnoD-NuPGVtTE-0evC3wBiEvayj-0hIqb5aE-0QKm14YisqkvYF2lafnf0onvlXfQ24/s320/IMG_2388.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>This land is so beautiful. I wish I could take an extended leave, move here and experience the culture more closely. The little I know about my ancestry helps me feel connected to this great land. Learning of the Great Potato famine of the 1800’s has been intense and quite emotional. Were my ancestors part of the land workers that were driven either to death or to the America’s for escape? The famine killed one million Irish through hunger and related diseases such as cholera. A million others emigrated during the famine, with millions more following them in the following decades. There are memorials dedicated to those who lost their lives to the devastation this famine brought to the Irish farming community.<br /></div><strong><span style="color:#990000;"></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s8fHuyQahs5fI5M8HXrTUS1UAQGFjTqElZT-xwrarrey8lk9V2uXhMMRm6zfrZ36jdB3efP4y_l3KeqFapjU4ke6EMHYGOB8TRHSkIheyTO-2-pXrpOvcmTcKhh_owUhTJAjiAWepmnd/s1600-h/IMG_2344.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247465872285332226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s8fHuyQahs5fI5M8HXrTUS1UAQGFjTqElZT-xwrarrey8lk9V2uXhMMRm6zfrZ36jdB3efP4y_l3KeqFapjU4ke6EMHYGOB8TRHSkIheyTO-2-pXrpOvcmTcKhh_owUhTJAjiAWepmnd/s320/IMG_2344.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#990000;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 7:</span></strong><br />I got a cold! The rain aggravated my sinuses and I was starting to become miserable, sneezing non-stop! Today, at the town of Killorglin, we joined the road known as the “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. There were beautiful seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farm houses, along with grazing cattle and sheep. The roads were super narrow and winding. Mom and I were sitting in the front seats of the bus this day and were quite frightened at times. Our normal driver (Phil) had a rest day (by law) and so we had a local driver taking us around. I did not care for this driver at all! He jerked the bus around quite a bit and stalled 3 times.<br /><br />One of our photo stops was the Caragh River. Oh this place was absolutely incredible! </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pTfH4zEpss5Dn9c1lx01Sog7J6Aa_PHLm7xgZc6kto7mGOP_hyNsgdixd4boSjYK6K8WjJJtUAvsttWEQ2fVR0kajBgxRkc0wpsTQvOYzc3u69gOMMbfiJx5C_KXy9gR0BC-sHWXkOyD/s1600-h/IMG_2417.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247465394143179730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pTfH4zEpss5Dn9c1lx01Sog7J6Aa_PHLm7xgZc6kto7mGOP_hyNsgdixd4boSjYK6K8WjJJtUAvsttWEQ2fVR0kajBgxRkc0wpsTQvOYzc3u69gOMMbfiJx5C_KXy9gR0BC-sHWXkOyD/s320/IMG_2417.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZevjVSBpZnoBxNWMeQuf99KIAxdQtOyu7hJs6Fm8LjUyRIJq_bEi87I_lBQNj7J5hhK0EQBhLcQW05UJ35greXorZExhdcv0OZ_FTpqmUWXRq2ogdiO0fJV2AOvQNfORNc1-S3ribs5C/s1600-h/IMG_2421.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247465487735794338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZevjVSBpZnoBxNWMeQuf99KIAxdQtOyu7hJs6Fm8LjUyRIJq_bEi87I_lBQNj7J5hhK0EQBhLcQW05UJ35greXorZExhdcv0OZ_FTpqmUWXRq2ogdiO0fJV2AOvQNfORNc1-S3ribs5C/s320/IMG_2421.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We passed through Cahirciveen where Daniel O’Connell was born. He was a real supporter in trying to gain independence for the Irish Catholics. By the time he was born, his parents thought that they had enough children already and one more was just too much for them so his uncle (who didn’t have any children) adopted him. Can you imagine?! He was educated in England and interestingly enough, when he died, his heart was sent to Rome and buried there. There is a church called The Church of Daniel O’Connell, and it is the only Catholic Church in the world that is not dedicated to a saint. He once stated, “there is no cause in this world that is worth one drop of human blood”.<br /><br />We stopped at a Cumakishda (sp?) which means “Bay of the Hidden Treasure” for more spectacular views. My goodness, but the land here is absolutely breathtaking. There have now been a few places we have visited where I could easily stay and live the rest of my life and be happy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiaZYodXzH4N18ijY90KYYWw3QwpyWiJrcdRPTkeIe2kAP0Fdxawn-Sl7_X4eoAqxmu6zkkv41pGHgnOPfgZGDRWGAddwXTnOGeSyTpq2VrvzUUatRuAYRfgmklEKIQJeVwbQ_hWRJKZo/s1600-h/IMG_2429.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247464437643836850" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiaZYodXzH4N18ijY90KYYWw3QwpyWiJrcdRPTkeIe2kAP0Fdxawn-Sl7_X4eoAqxmu6zkkv41pGHgnOPfgZGDRWGAddwXTnOGeSyTpq2VrvzUUatRuAYRfgmklEKIQJeVwbQ_hWRJKZo/s320/IMG_2429.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Udfmb2WjIfVHyNCICZyjiOV0b0etm8jUQjnA43c8fuZ45PEE48SFED2agiGYMsN7EgcHJ3z_ESc09550Ax3EGHQiaDBLfRCAsA65e31GAVe4bSbBP5XRMftDB9S5rEWsS8BxmB2Kfz_i/s1600-h/IMG_2435.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247464912782243282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Udfmb2WjIfVHyNCICZyjiOV0b0etm8jUQjnA43c8fuZ45PEE48SFED2agiGYMsN7EgcHJ3z_ESc09550Ax3EGHQiaDBLfRCAsA65e31GAVe4bSbBP5XRMftDB9S5rEWsS8BxmB2Kfz_i/s320/IMG_2435.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We then passed through the town of Sneem, which is known for its salmon fishing. We drove by a rock-hewn riverbed where the salmon can be seen jumping in the water. I took a quick shot while on the bus, but alas, we didn’t see any salmon jumping.<br /><br />We stopped in Killarney at a place called the Avoca Shop and Café for lunch. The eating area was upstairs and there were floor to ceiling windows which gave us some magnificent views to enjoy while we ate. I had a delicious homemade tomato and basil soup with a yummy brown bread. For desert, mom and I split a super yummy piece of fresh lemon meringue pie. Avoca is known for their hand weaving but we will be in the actual town on day 8 to see the weaving and visit the shop. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCDGmQd0qGWUOKic6DhZ8ylqqYWpFw2UOw7fuxFgFgE5ZWB7CFdzJJX0cFoFPUoalOLex5x3ogZVXSqZe5D-YPHhgh8DHuw2YNraDDlyJr7cCpNKvwvYnZIAR8Vrfs3kdfImKBNFUs1Tx/s1600-h/IMG_2463.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247463805855612994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCDGmQd0qGWUOKic6DhZ8ylqqYWpFw2UOw7fuxFgFgE5ZWB7CFdzJJX0cFoFPUoalOLex5x3ogZVXSqZe5D-YPHhgh8DHuw2YNraDDlyJr7cCpNKvwvYnZIAR8Vrfs3kdfImKBNFUs1Tx/s320/IMG_2463.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzXQt1MJfC1VYtkqPjEodOt4Hy9PH3bnTj6OhHo7vujIGZT55SyejIDx94mj179t7-KSFmNFktx9hXpG66AwvfON7MyZNc9JiAXPdYJjak6KAkhdkYdzonm8De_aYKLFTVuTOPLaM-lZU/s1600-h/IMG_2457.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247463883744690258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzXQt1MJfC1VYtkqPjEodOt4Hy9PH3bnTj6OhHo7vujIGZT55SyejIDx94mj179t7-KSFmNFktx9hXpG66AwvfON7MyZNc9JiAXPdYJjak6KAkhdkYdzonm8De_aYKLFTVuTOPLaM-lZU/s320/IMG_2457.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LLKLMazq4ChAfmmDr7-nE4ownCIZnZUbWJPIq32BplYMBfQqeK_Dpc6iURYBmrTf3i_ClXJL28e6oosgJer3-dZsxYbPkapi7Bn93zqQ5pPP-7YliuXl_f3ZqKqgxhChkoLHY5vjv_hU/s1600-h/IMG_2453.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247463933654259234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LLKLMazq4ChAfmmDr7-nE4ownCIZnZUbWJPIq32BplYMBfQqeK_Dpc6iURYBmrTf3i_ClXJL28e6oosgJer3-dZsxYbPkapi7Bn93zqQ5pPP-7YliuXl_f3ZqKqgxhChkoLHY5vjv_hU/s320/IMG_2453.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>We then traveled to see the Lakes of Killarney from "Ladies View". This name stems from the admiration of the view given by Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting during their 1861 visit. Here you can see three major lakes and the view is once again, spectacular.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKJ0IZOrb8oq-DpNUTAwbDRs_Wy2hAtJAjcrzW18fY69ZtYiLGgQJLMxheg0xZcVvihAVMp3ij1PjFXT2U6BZgddprWb7N31ItMMMxQqCA-Ae6Umst_bz0o8K8z8zGL0huLGujyY6wTcP/s1600-h/IMG_2467.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247463412921787330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKJ0IZOrb8oq-DpNUTAwbDRs_Wy2hAtJAjcrzW18fY69ZtYiLGgQJLMxheg0xZcVvihAVMp3ij1PjFXT2U6BZgddprWb7N31ItMMMxQqCA-Ae6Umst_bz0o8K8z8zGL0huLGujyY6wTcP/s320/IMG_2467.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4cwmd6-qIeHf1WYIwaLT6KCBfDk6hEB_D3O8OB3ZHjGg8bhn9rLunz4WF5X1HNAGreDeCcp-0r_9wxugASqNTYVcNSxxihqK2BT1Oum4X2Zf6eGGVj47Eu0J3dilq9rRjyaS4pXeLYv-/s1600-h/IMG_2468.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247463491123276626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4cwmd6-qIeHf1WYIwaLT6KCBfDk6hEB_D3O8OB3ZHjGg8bhn9rLunz4WF5X1HNAGreDeCcp-0r_9wxugASqNTYVcNSxxihqK2BT1Oum4X2Zf6eGGVj47Eu0J3dilq9rRjyaS4pXeLYv-/s320/IMG_2468.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>We stopped somewhere a little further up for a group photo (I declined to purchase one) and were then given some time to look at and photograph more views of the Lakes of Killarney. I, however, noticed a pasture and some beautiful horses grazing. Anyone who knows me and my love of horses know that I headed straight there. There was a wire fence just beyond the wooden fence in which the horses were enclosed so I couldn’t really get close enough to touch them. There was one horse lying down and another one “pawing” him to get up. He finally did but you could then tell that he was injured because he was favoring his right hind leg. Poor baby, I wanted to go and find the owner straight away, but there were several homes in the area and the bus was getting ready to leave. Aren't they beautiful?!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2H_K4uxXZYtWipSbQXK3DcOB22mHQt0WurIpQfTQauJWk20HZt4xOuH6jZH7wJY5nY7_nRKIh419HYFqtLsmsUndAhBfZvs0CBc56himlc046uFxvrHhHu5eqjvkogdiO73GXJsp8OtT/s1600-h/IMG_2476.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247462877082750418" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2H_K4uxXZYtWipSbQXK3DcOB22mHQt0WurIpQfTQauJWk20HZt4xOuH6jZH7wJY5nY7_nRKIh419HYFqtLsmsUndAhBfZvs0CBc56himlc046uFxvrHhHu5eqjvkogdiO73GXJsp8OtT/s320/IMG_2476.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wXNNApOYuVwyFY9N4ZhHAXcrdNv38XXd4Z0KwpIZW5F38XXfCZ9UlpWoYRyHvWX8MSAjDfrr5jDaVbm4mic2aBHGaag66TN2ySMCVIZ09_P0rcciyssCiYn13u5PhzPJhHG-tZHS6GK_/s1600-h/IMG_2479.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247462957439227234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wXNNApOYuVwyFY9N4ZhHAXcrdNv38XXd4Z0KwpIZW5F38XXfCZ9UlpWoYRyHvWX8MSAjDfrr5jDaVbm4mic2aBHGaag66TN2ySMCVIZ09_P0rcciyssCiYn13u5PhzPJhHG-tZHS6GK_/s320/IMG_2479.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>We stopped a while later at a place called “Macken of Ireland”. They are known for their rare and interesting pieces of jewelry. I have been waiting many years to get my claddagh ring and really wanted to buy one while here in Ireland. I found a beautiful 14K claddagh set in the middle of a Celtic knot. It is really beautiful. I wasn’t planning on spending so much money on my ring... but I did! The other nice thing about this shop is that every design is made in a limited quantity, so I believe there have only been 100 pieces of the design I bought made. Hopefully the chances are pretty low that I will run into someone here in Florida with the same ring!<br /><br />For dinner we headed into Tralee and then attended a performance at Siamsa Tire, which is Ireland’s National Folk Theatre. They have a different themed performance every night of the week and for Thursday (the day we attended), it was about the potato famine entitled “Tearman”. There was a live 8 piece orchestra to accompany the performers is song and background music. As we have been learning about the potato famine during the week, I was looking forward to the performance. There were no words spoken, songs sung in Irish (Gaelic), tap dancing, and movement. I wish I could have understood the words to the songs sung, but it really wasn’t necessary to understand because you could feel what was happening. It was a very moving and emotional performance. I could feel the emotion emanating from every performer and it touched my heart. It was quite intense and very sad. I believe 11.2 million people died during the famine. I cannot imagine what the people went through; to see their families and friends dying of starvation and disease.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 8:<br /></span></strong>Today we made our way over the Kerry Mountains and into County Cork. Mom has traced some of our ancestry to County Cork. We stopped in Blarney for two hours but it really wasn’t enough time. First, we headed to Blarney Castle to explore and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. It is known as the Stone of Eloquence and is supposed to give those who kiss it the “gift of gab”. I think I have that gift as it is, but of course you have to do it if you’re there! The stone is located at the top of the castle and there are approximately 200 teeny tiny steps going around and around super narrow stone stairwells (towers). I wanted mom to go with me so that she could take some photos with my camera. I really didn’t think she would do it (being claustrophobic and all)… but she did! She must really love me! I’m telling you, I don’t know who these people were building these steps for way back then but they looked like they were made for the “wee people”! We had to step sideways just to fit some part of our shoes on the steps! Every so often there was a “hole” in the walls that allowed a bit of light and breeze; I think this is the only way mom was able to make it, although she did confess to having a few moments of fright. She went ahead of me and all of a sudden I reached a point where the steps were no more and I had to climb my way up! Along the way there were some rooms labeled as bedrooms. Nothing like my bedroom! But it really did continue to make some of the books I’ve read come alive just a little bit more.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2C3QTxFyq5ZzAGD2M5pNcxWFlNQj07SBYXmiKLJod1Vmns5Oi0X3Jv4EKKkCvR9TYAl2Es8uIjOlIc4PT15kN0IQA9hfusNaTF-iIte5t_NrqoZhg9xrT8JAnTdrmDK1FzZN8xYW_i6C/s1600-h/IMG_2488.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247461810775479234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2C3QTxFyq5ZzAGD2M5pNcxWFlNQj07SBYXmiKLJod1Vmns5Oi0X3Jv4EKKkCvR9TYAl2Es8uIjOlIc4PT15kN0IQA9hfusNaTF-iIte5t_NrqoZhg9xrT8JAnTdrmDK1FzZN8xYW_i6C/s320/IMG_2488.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihG-3fAoYomZqAdWLFmHhxjCG6bh324nSQ9iW18HOroE_L3s23Z1NMRIflnJaHh03JmKoL57jXXTpeay96Rzebz9OSGbPSJc03-KP589KmFVKpWFkSmIQU1L21DkzZwZ_zlUtTgdn5l3Nk/s1600-h/IMG_2492.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247461876326739586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihG-3fAoYomZqAdWLFmHhxjCG6bh324nSQ9iW18HOroE_L3s23Z1NMRIflnJaHh03JmKoL57jXXTpeay96Rzebz9OSGbPSJc03-KP589KmFVKpWFkSmIQU1L21DkzZwZ_zlUtTgdn5l3Nk/s320/IMG_2492.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>This is one of the dungeons!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO6x_EezsgZaqqvf8fAqTRjMr9I7xFoBRK07m5SwoFrf-JbmW1zrTBXX3rtL9puy1oMAeB7I5wkCrJp6sAfLMq6t0UKUw42vZPrJ99kNXNyJpW0IIxXopcWLShZaELwb0FEkcxGjJZXzu/s1600-h/IMG_2499.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247461932240685346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO6x_EezsgZaqqvf8fAqTRjMr9I7xFoBRK07m5SwoFrf-JbmW1zrTBXX3rtL9puy1oMAeB7I5wkCrJp6sAfLMq6t0UKUw42vZPrJ99kNXNyJpW0IIxXopcWLShZaELwb0FEkcxGjJZXzu/s320/IMG_2499.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbqpsgsDi2vhvTpY69xL3t2yugKHiB9HQyL12k3_yO55V3QPjFEi7iMnAQEk6IVducTUlf_Y3Xi8Y6J7LE_jchb59aQN08NRyzM37qqqPnfIfiHLKkh_fKGMhsZvXZTtoIUmpjPSVNWwM/s1600-h/IMG_2501.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247461999327037698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbqpsgsDi2vhvTpY69xL3t2yugKHiB9HQyL12k3_yO55V3QPjFEi7iMnAQEk6IVducTUlf_Y3Xi8Y6J7LE_jchb59aQN08NRyzM37qqqPnfIfiHLKkh_fKGMhsZvXZTtoIUmpjPSVNWwM/s320/IMG_2501.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Once at the Blarney Stone, you have to lie down on your back, grab a hold of iron bars on either side of you, scoot back and hang almost completely upside down to kiss the stone! It was kind of crazy. I think the picture of me actually “kissing” the stone is a bit blurry but you get the idea! Mom couldn’t quite do it due to her back problems (I don’t think she was too disappointed though)! I got some nice photos of the view from the top of the castle as well. I also got a shot of mom going back down (though those steps look a little better than the ones we climbed going up)!!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvHSdWXa4aIsQ2zc6SsmLq8NurVeUNIbsrVdaQ9DOcgD1lAEHnneKuCfOCWnrNiUSOhRZlZ164shHyOnm6izBRr1J0TBJie5t5_c2eKNW8sod1s0TsmqRx4fBxDcpB5GvT7D-2RrF6Fzi/s1600-h/IMG_2533.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247460784903186226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvHSdWXa4aIsQ2zc6SsmLq8NurVeUNIbsrVdaQ9DOcgD1lAEHnneKuCfOCWnrNiUSOhRZlZ164shHyOnm6izBRr1J0TBJie5t5_c2eKNW8sod1s0TsmqRx4fBxDcpB5GvT7D-2RrF6Fzi/s320/IMG_2533.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLUttHDEr2nMTWhqxQwTANoxRS7v3L5U6oK7PuQmKjr1EuFaaS6GgMnEzEQGzvNG9UIdO3Cxp1zBnkDUIAs5JENH4mGRPU8CFtcKnxnPjx0gUxUi_bgBtELUuVIed_uu_ukZGhYz8pl4F/s1600-h/IMG_2534.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247460855801302482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLUttHDEr2nMTWhqxQwTANoxRS7v3L5U6oK7PuQmKjr1EuFaaS6GgMnEzEQGzvNG9UIdO3Cxp1zBnkDUIAs5JENH4mGRPU8CFtcKnxnPjx0gUxUi_bgBtELUuVIed_uu_ukZGhYz8pl4F/s320/IMG_2534.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbluq0Epkf-Gfnf4V9ibFD6Mq0wAZKXqpPA25XPLzQ4wPy_up66zGRxoTsRp22FkoRqZArHhmOXyqPCS5PZ4Y_LN4cGm31Gkshcrsbq4Xm2EoSCzWPM0EeL31eQo1-IKqRluytNp3OVl2a/s1600-h/IMG_2536.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247460922355479826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbluq0Epkf-Gfnf4V9ibFD6Mq0wAZKXqpPA25XPLzQ4wPy_up66zGRxoTsRp22FkoRqZArHhmOXyqPCS5PZ4Y_LN4cGm31Gkshcrsbq4Xm2EoSCzWPM0EeL31eQo1-IKqRluytNp3OVl2a/s320/IMG_2536.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuDOHbLhxzMX9WUvT1W8ktSQ7QIEliAkJFYF8qrW9_IT14FUk3Y5bGG9lcRXgAdZfUVqwllj5YwyF9lV-9UinSfyS_OSht_4lYA9v-zRpV9twqISsxZpep-2TbYEvzzK0Ye-DZov_ChEP/s1600-h/IMG_2541.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247461012097378194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuDOHbLhxzMX9WUvT1W8ktSQ7QIEliAkJFYF8qrW9_IT14FUk3Y5bGG9lcRXgAdZfUVqwllj5YwyF9lV-9UinSfyS_OSht_4lYA9v-zRpV9twqISsxZpep-2TbYEvzzK0Ye-DZov_ChEP/s320/IMG_2541.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>This whole process took us about an hour, so that left us only one hour to get back over to the Blarney Woolen Mills to shop and eat lunch. There are three floors to the Woolen Mills! I was able to find a scarf that matches my cool new hat. I was looking for a nice sweater or jacket but then looked at my watch and it was 12:25 (bus was leaving at 12:30)! Mom and I rushed to get in line to pay and then what happens? My credit card was declined! The employee tried it 3 times and it declined each time. Oh I’m getting really frustrated by this point. Thank goodness mom was there – she just put it on her card and told me to hurry to the bus and not let it leave without her. Mom ended up putting some of her items back because we were running so late. We didn’t even get a chance to eat lunch and my tummy was rumbling. I had a chocolate bar in my bag so we ate that as we pulled away from Blarney.<br /><br />Our next stop was the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory. We had a guided tour around the facility where we were able to see how some of the pieces are created. It was pretty cool. We watched this guy firing a piece of glass that was to be added to a pitcher as a handle. We then saw how the handle was attached and molded. It was really neat to watch. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqMeM3Ga-zuSqQOiD3EqI9Y8VKZCqExi1VGCaNZkncp7LFX_p00tWKQlJwIzbeBv0rkGif0UlSakwrVoAkKeeoWrNuYG61D9IW1yRKEXMJvj8phM_TVrX2SrOoSZG4KDoYNUbKWNR-TBJ/s1600-h/IMG_2553.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247459528272358866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqMeM3Ga-zuSqQOiD3EqI9Y8VKZCqExi1VGCaNZkncp7LFX_p00tWKQlJwIzbeBv0rkGif0UlSakwrVoAkKeeoWrNuYG61D9IW1yRKEXMJvj8phM_TVrX2SrOoSZG4KDoYNUbKWNR-TBJ/s320/IMG_2553.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzz-NF5RZ15E4SkJToPPiAqpuCEUhGYiOK3AnChqImtnz-IG2crJI_x__Q1YMUlg1W7FBO5D3IyGosFAoJzlbhZHimanHH8pdOQ8sy9bNSYHCXCpAavQTPSoaQBSSzbcvJGrYQE25aCE1/s1600-h/IMG_2560.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247459608050983458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzz-NF5RZ15E4SkJToPPiAqpuCEUhGYiOK3AnChqImtnz-IG2crJI_x__Q1YMUlg1W7FBO5D3IyGosFAoJzlbhZHimanHH8pdOQ8sy9bNSYHCXCpAavQTPSoaQBSSzbcvJGrYQE25aCE1/s320/IMG_2560.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwzBmOl8c7r6UGB1Ya3CDmLDEUJEM878l7svyWYc_WI_uIk15ng6C3j6RLJlvenkub4DpSfaNyAHoDt3jg88LAlByLUFnQkcfyEDo1AzGOkZyOAnbGXbolfCo1CAu22GR9RG4dzvHeceu/s1600-h/IMG_2561.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247459670899214402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwzBmOl8c7r6UGB1Ya3CDmLDEUJEM878l7svyWYc_WI_uIk15ng6C3j6RLJlvenkub4DpSfaNyAHoDt3jg88LAlByLUFnQkcfyEDo1AzGOkZyOAnbGXbolfCo1CAu22GR9RG4dzvHeceu/s320/IMG_2561.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUls65auEEBeVsEiu8CJNniHmcgWiGRy14K_d1lT7xS75vcFq6UAumbDJ3eSqv5Grl8MMTr3vPdMNeIDwH42HndtfLzNF_GvaEHWtNFZJoP-_iOm3zJnKU3FSgbh-dRSwZb1NX_wrKCWx/s1600-h/IMG_2562.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247459731790781410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUls65auEEBeVsEiu8CJNniHmcgWiGRy14K_d1lT7xS75vcFq6UAumbDJ3eSqv5Grl8MMTr3vPdMNeIDwH42HndtfLzNF_GvaEHWtNFZJoP-_iOm3zJnKU3FSgbh-dRSwZb1NX_wrKCWx/s320/IMG_2562.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWwGt2U56_Kmjq0ifQ4qposQ97RWbv4HHP_eLZRdoPSOKvQyN01YPwhGzCkj8CW0Dt_EA2DKxKReStX2mEdfeqRK7XRHgLyRzVh5DtzzKNNHtMK4RNg7-rk8j7t3Kt-lrEYBro33QEMTE/s1600-h/IMG_2564.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247459817909846658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWwGt2U56_Kmjq0ifQ4qposQ97RWbv4HHP_eLZRdoPSOKvQyN01YPwhGzCkj8CW0Dt_EA2DKxKReStX2mEdfeqRK7XRHgLyRzVh5DtzzKNNHtMK4RNg7-rk8j7t3Kt-lrEYBro33QEMTE/s320/IMG_2564.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The pieces here are quite stunning (both to the eye and the wallet). There was a piece dedicated to the heroes of 9/11 that was beautiful. There was a piece of a girl and horse that I absolutely fell in love with! We also had a glass etcher show us how the etching is done. Most of the positions in the factory require a 10 year apprenticeship and I can understand why! I posed with the guy who showed us a demonstration (and also created the seahorse shown in the picture).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXLXjLrYIwsy3Bc34z8m30q1XoJCDORSCtJ6apMUDrseDvIjHO7OCQ5xcV9ysJ0J_oC1UZYvWsu-YKhTTfxpkekf5m8-Ya_AXQUAmqD0edw0THF_x2f_-GwuLuoD38n3zhxmzeNbyHxCX/s1600-h/IMG_2599.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247457492158440194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXLXjLrYIwsy3Bc34z8m30q1XoJCDORSCtJ6apMUDrseDvIjHO7OCQ5xcV9ysJ0J_oC1UZYvWsu-YKhTTfxpkekf5m8-Ya_AXQUAmqD0edw0THF_x2f_-GwuLuoD38n3zhxmzeNbyHxCX/s320/IMG_2599.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HylNbOjZZtfveg8DwNK1uRgaaonGrp-R-QfqdBztqBeWHYM5QKQ6-Sc38xvnkR23etPAdNPBZ6WLmaxrE-TI9ESPo9sz_TY5nxSf7eeQC8Wcb_S07tCxcVAKnnPY10nGiw81LNdQ07KA/s1600-h/IMG_2601.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247457581204383698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HylNbOjZZtfveg8DwNK1uRgaaonGrp-R-QfqdBztqBeWHYM5QKQ6-Sc38xvnkR23etPAdNPBZ6WLmaxrE-TI9ESPo9sz_TY5nxSf7eeQC8Wcb_S07tCxcVAKnnPY10nGiw81LNdQ07KA/s320/IMG_2601.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqoCdg9ELGHSyKUYoR9l9NpYjdcmz0kgfvAEUKt-vKoLiNn-sZKxlCAS8HCpoFOmvTpvtBq_SniZZX4XYIjezA1t3qCQyD4mRwRIRn_nH3zk1pCkXzJY_D0jNcY9zZfrQmbMec0QcaQQ1/s1600-h/IMG_2596.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247458072780651074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqoCdg9ELGHSyKUYoR9l9NpYjdcmz0kgfvAEUKt-vKoLiNn-sZKxlCAS8HCpoFOmvTpvtBq_SniZZX4XYIjezA1t3qCQyD4mRwRIRn_nH3zk1pCkXzJY_D0jNcY9zZfrQmbMec0QcaQQ1/s320/IMG_2596.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg-1bx8Mo109Kb89aySsL42gnN5K1h4zmhlaNcfbIRB_-MKF_rEc0ol_AK0AIT4__GRBWIfwV_oz2Z-1zIleHZGLKROxnGDXGXKa_7PpqgaydUjNzjn-WkuRdeFCNvy3XcWX7bjTmoUJ4/s1600-h/IMG_2606.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247457650848488242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKg-1bx8Mo109Kb89aySsL42gnN5K1h4zmhlaNcfbIRB_-MKF_rEc0ol_AK0AIT4__GRBWIfwV_oz2Z-1zIleHZGLKROxnGDXGXKa_7PpqgaydUjNzjn-WkuRdeFCNvy3XcWX7bjTmoUJ4/s320/IMG_2606.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br />I called my bank as soon as we got to the hotel to check on my account since my card had been declined. My account was fine; they were having problems earlier in the day so the bank disabled everyone’s cards for a few hours! I would have been soooo mad if my mom hadn’t been there to help me out – I would have missed a chance to purchase items at the Blarney Woolen Mills! Grrrr….<br /><br />We stayed the night at a nearby seaside resort in Tramore. We took a walk down to the beach (Pebble Beach) before dinner and walked along the shore. We found some cool rocks to bring back and let our hands run through the waters of the Irish Sea.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYj1Q5r5okcfjA_2JWKmXqESSzkyYNvNXVl6_Nxc8oqJ775580Z_ai1VxUi-0kcUmKfGktZzFBT9IEvWDnioWgVklVChUVtrs8VyAT5PHKbalqAGlEGJnIPIUCX4gitDJxAdRATgiY7u2/s1600-h/IMG_2611.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247456793479947378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYj1Q5r5okcfjA_2JWKmXqESSzkyYNvNXVl6_Nxc8oqJ775580Z_ai1VxUi-0kcUmKfGktZzFBT9IEvWDnioWgVklVChUVtrs8VyAT5PHKbalqAGlEGJnIPIUCX4gitDJxAdRATgiY7u2/s320/IMG_2611.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5CwosM21kTB3QB21gDY9QRU8zNjyHzcYkx6q5FZPr3LDbjUJXL2fs1aw94Hi1a5DASWkMbtJMtE7Is6HMXIIvxlXpPVsGG8oj2BlkBlJfd3_lSSt-79AVjxbhRVJU7Y-9cJT2du8boN2/s1600-h/IMG_2615.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247456892397184898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5CwosM21kTB3QB21gDY9QRU8zNjyHzcYkx6q5FZPr3LDbjUJXL2fs1aw94Hi1a5DASWkMbtJMtE7Is6HMXIIvxlXpPVsGG8oj2BlkBlJfd3_lSSt-79AVjxbhRVJU7Y-9cJT2du8boN2/s320/IMG_2615.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePS0UTv7L0n6Y_vHBmZbf9Dt8yopQdEoQEhgoy6ihUUMqKGiO5TzKb1FtLhyphenhyphen1tdSuWUp2XTMkPG3o2Tx_LwaDnUA6hSbjQev778J_WuOpHpgDdixnrTKf6gUV3HwL6PFwimIxiwB-ovhi/s1600-h/IMG_2618.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247456950002354978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePS0UTv7L0n6Y_vHBmZbf9Dt8yopQdEoQEhgoy6ihUUMqKGiO5TzKb1FtLhyphenhyphen1tdSuWUp2XTMkPG3o2Tx_LwaDnUA6hSbjQev778J_WuOpHpgDdixnrTKf6gUV3HwL6PFwimIxiwB-ovhi/s320/IMG_2618.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>After dinner we went to a local pub for some entertainment. This pub (Hayes) has been run by the same family for 300 years. The current owner took us on a little tour of the town and gave us some of the history.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy5PFnUkwjK-NdH1qVrNuGc0S52600vG6fvatijygUwRLu0v3NvXVDxjE7swa-CYWfOFXS5t9-cskxooYX08RYyKbb-SwzKTYRlsoMhFmmXV7SeNJ5u-Xx7Euq5jGOnlC5Dp7CO6QjVh_/s1600-h/IMG_2632.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247456135650608882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy5PFnUkwjK-NdH1qVrNuGc0S52600vG6fvatijygUwRLu0v3NvXVDxjE7swa-CYWfOFXS5t9-cskxooYX08RYyKbb-SwzKTYRlsoMhFmmXV7SeNJ5u-Xx7Euq5jGOnlC5Dp7CO6QjVh_/s320/IMG_2632.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HAQWqFar3EUdCgnx0lGp7Q1NGnsXAIEi100mS1w1bsD2zB2LHvc52Dh9PzSjTuGyi3N4rljWxyp9wR4bO16ehsLNM8_JV8v96R4pgVuqJ3DQ8bteod17RCft_xBpKpH7w_UnX08qXINJ/s1600-h/IMG_2643.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247456207433266514" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HAQWqFar3EUdCgnx0lGp7Q1NGnsXAIEi100mS1w1bsD2zB2LHvc52Dh9PzSjTuGyi3N4rljWxyp9wR4bO16ehsLNM8_JV8v96R4pgVuqJ3DQ8bteod17RCft_xBpKpH7w_UnX08qXINJ/s320/IMG_2643.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrOQMwEIZIWrQMXpHxuFEXImrX99BjV1EZlaLKnyEReyFvB0d0lyLWBSbRcFOFVLfxDFfjXex6mzOEmIkrrFjcq8qYBNgiVfCJwIZoAbhMU7jc_ufROlquRUCwdLX6jwb2TI0z4k_QkHA/s1600-h/IMG_2638.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247456313546148994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrOQMwEIZIWrQMXpHxuFEXImrX99BjV1EZlaLKnyEReyFvB0d0lyLWBSbRcFOFVLfxDFfjXex6mzOEmIkrrFjcq8qYBNgiVfCJwIZoAbhMU7jc_ufROlquRUCwdLX6jwb2TI0z4k_QkHA/s320/IMG_2638.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>There was a musician there (Richie Roberts) who played the guitar and sang. He had a great voice and was quite funny. He led us in some sing-a-longs, which was bunches of fun. Mom and I were sitting pretty much right in his face and he turned to me, asked me my name, held out his hand and then proceeded to pull me up from my seat to stand next to him. I was to be his “assistant”. All right – so now I get to be the celebrity! He pulled out a harmonica and told me that when he gave a nod, to hold the harmonica against the microphone and then he proceeded to play it and the guitar while I held it to the microphone. How fun! He called me back up later on to “assist” him in one more song. He played for about an hour and it was a great time. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfOURztx-aRL75RFKj7MCVIRdaGbhuHGFQMwoKMNmTzPS7dSCy6U3C3jevnL3Qk06mD8-ukBQJ5G9_LotH_bjjPbO9neJacKKaU8TN6D4oFB7bhZpnXW3S_xzwwADFJlD9Sbc6JgEhnuH/s1600-h/IMG_2640.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247455604301812466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfOURztx-aRL75RFKj7MCVIRdaGbhuHGFQMwoKMNmTzPS7dSCy6U3C3jevnL3Qk06mD8-ukBQJ5G9_LotH_bjjPbO9neJacKKaU8TN6D4oFB7bhZpnXW3S_xzwwADFJlD9Sbc6JgEhnuH/s320/IMG_2640.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eTBTDmlgZRe96R2r-Q2TrzK-B-ZsSO_3dK-JXFy8wbD8g2Un9aeiayGCMhrv6kjXBaq0WLMkMPlabn5aoXF4B6np2y2hRrmiqYATcE4O0Ee8ZKvBmdDsFq0LG3Q2lzYnd_bsChQpgE-C/s1600-h/IMG_2641.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247455731768571890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eTBTDmlgZRe96R2r-Q2TrzK-B-ZsSO_3dK-JXFy8wbD8g2Un9aeiayGCMhrv6kjXBaq0WLMkMPlabn5aoXF4B6np2y2hRrmiqYATcE4O0Ee8ZKvBmdDsFq0LG3Q2lzYnd_bsChQpgE-C/s320/IMG_2641.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 9:<br /></span></strong>This was the last official day of our tour. We traveled northbound through Enniscorthy, which is the sight of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798. Next we were off to visit Ireland’s oldest hand-weaving mill at Avoca. I bought a scarf for my mom, one for me and then I got another one free (after buying two). We had a tour of the mill and watched one of the weavers at work. The looms are incredible and it was pretty cool to watch one at work and see the lines (threads) of material be fed through and pressed into place. I think he was using alpaca or mohair.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKwmOnEEwBAyR4w7wVdUJC7XWn7VpJ5LnkFK8_fbKbD590Dwub4UIKVGOZHjZUai5VBcfH_DERUy51Jg7gzIgjw5dd1Wc4pW2WO_Ihh6yp9ABU0QWlhKrLd3sqhUphCYkg_O_VNVYdi-T/s1600-h/IMG_2645.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247454936907175778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKwmOnEEwBAyR4w7wVdUJC7XWn7VpJ5LnkFK8_fbKbD590Dwub4UIKVGOZHjZUai5VBcfH_DERUy51Jg7gzIgjw5dd1Wc4pW2WO_Ihh6yp9ABU0QWlhKrLd3sqhUphCYkg_O_VNVYdi-T/s320/IMG_2645.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLl7bE-yqajHtbl8PJpRmOsNDfSf-E7V3enoTpGYNLREqEPLbxpuBhLppoJvfT-xDkR-vaFSqMy2DpGcOhkhIwCS6vEil-EFGoZAf-Ft5FvKmLQ6QZnNn6e9LIWlM5tiRzkWkBHME6NoD/s1600-h/IMG_2647.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247455010140933090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLl7bE-yqajHtbl8PJpRmOsNDfSf-E7V3enoTpGYNLREqEPLbxpuBhLppoJvfT-xDkR-vaFSqMy2DpGcOhkhIwCS6vEil-EFGoZAf-Ft5FvKmLQ6QZnNn6e9LIWlM5tiRzkWkBHME6NoD/s320/IMG_2647.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Rs2IPX6TDUbPnrftcxcjvz4RQDXezu5annEIUfDkC3xjixl-CAAxKs5GtINOaBoi7vanWnIkO87cnfOPKgp1UEQextNfIXpF84NSDdtj1B86IHO8jTwOK-sZ0qCEisBreG5ER7I4U6Py/s1600-h/IMG_2649.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247455088799001986" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Rs2IPX6TDUbPnrftcxcjvz4RQDXezu5annEIUfDkC3xjixl-CAAxKs5GtINOaBoi7vanWnIkO87cnfOPKgp1UEQextNfIXpF84NSDdtj1B86IHO8jTwOK-sZ0qCEisBreG5ER7I4U6Py/s320/IMG_2649.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>Back on the road we saw the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. Next we were off to Glendalough with its ruins of an Irish Christianity center of founded by St. Kevin (a hermit priest) in the 6th century. It was destroyed in 1398 by English troops. This ruined village contained a former monastery and grave sites. The location was sought out as a peaceful retreat by Saint Kevin because of its remoteness and serenity, but several men who wished to follow his teachings built a temporary place of churches and living quarters in the valley below the site of his house. This soon grew and became an important school.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPnwT_Q7xyR3BU48bY4Rt9Quj-pH_BzOew69LANsmrRjd7N6i2ZLU0wVCnH0MdJw0wXeRxugTZ2KIRBBXAGIt0zVvG3KqOeBd5_KTr-mvB2znUfgGgbijactroVILUnMF5RogN_wfT1wr/s1600-h/IMG_2658.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247454102972225330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPnwT_Q7xyR3BU48bY4Rt9Quj-pH_BzOew69LANsmrRjd7N6i2ZLU0wVCnH0MdJw0wXeRxugTZ2KIRBBXAGIt0zVvG3KqOeBd5_KTr-mvB2znUfgGgbijactroVILUnMF5RogN_wfT1wr/s320/IMG_2658.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rYwCKuVIFtDhmz8Nnt2hEPvrTuTMXVnadhWyRV3htfuobZg31pu4S1HS1FZZdwvL4Gd_lBbVxqFKOFOx4vMLZZaYT_8FJCdGXAzANh5LsohHLwitV97duFg8a9ME0f4Yyb57QOQjWNPA/s1600-h/IMG_2670.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247454172348582594" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rYwCKuVIFtDhmz8Nnt2hEPvrTuTMXVnadhWyRV3htfuobZg31pu4S1HS1FZZdwvL4Gd_lBbVxqFKOFOx4vMLZZaYT_8FJCdGXAzANh5LsohHLwitV97duFg8a9ME0f4Yyb57QOQjWNPA/s320/IMG_2670.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYYiu6w36DJ3AWQZz_60gRVnBH3ZtkydoY3FCCOX2Angfx66ejJRO0EEmkbnC1MFGPOhGHLd8cO2a1ktxPETeBH9WPwyHA5sDH90ws9dx8kejMGZattVvXo1IkY-XPzLnGdjpzStxj5vD/s1600-h/IMG_2655.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247454036955063666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYYiu6w36DJ3AWQZz_60gRVnBH3ZtkydoY3FCCOX2Angfx66ejJRO0EEmkbnC1MFGPOhGHLd8cO2a1ktxPETeBH9WPwyHA5sDH90ws9dx8kejMGZattVvXo1IkY-XPzLnGdjpzStxj5vD/s320/IMG_2655.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPKswIvjQMBh395NeSV_9rGwSpf-Yfc9Qkpu9516AhwbQ64kOm1BnrD9CCBQLlnkDE18FpUIhxLg0GlabQSb_zwPH4T-3VKmK7tGcxyw09K7yM9bDKzAQP46n3tX-nD7p0oinwMRwfEsI/s1600-h/IMG_2675.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247454261563926658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPKswIvjQMBh395NeSV_9rGwSpf-Yfc9Qkpu9516AhwbQ64kOm1BnrD9CCBQLlnkDE18FpUIhxLg0GlabQSb_zwPH4T-3VKmK7tGcxyw09K7yM9bDKzAQP46n3tX-nD7p0oinwMRwfEsI/s320/IMG_2675.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>There were some nice walking trails that led to the Lake. We walked one of them and had some really pretty views. Mom was climbing into the forests so she could get her photo with some big rocks and trees. It was pretty muddy and I was afraid she was going to fall! Silly woman!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgTl_uM_4G2T44XW7WHZeA4HQWlV1gIc470PhokmncWwlEtNHY0RnlUw5_D1TejboQWgsN8dqA8YVz0eDhYbNMA5cQ5G3eFrXB6zsTjtpOZF3oDIEJIL83LncktouTSkop8PAhSqph2ED/s1600-h/IMG_2677.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247453389361039122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgTl_uM_4G2T44XW7WHZeA4HQWlV1gIc470PhokmncWwlEtNHY0RnlUw5_D1TejboQWgsN8dqA8YVz0eDhYbNMA5cQ5G3eFrXB6zsTjtpOZF3oDIEJIL83LncktouTSkop8PAhSqph2ED/s320/IMG_2677.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF_R4PO9Cjd7n6dWYgXqxKwVNerb0E0zphye5phT7Y7rHXgMrWxTf27xMKF2eM4WuQ4N5V7_ktJfZ_I0ZzOm0OFgzx8w00Oel8b3dSwNO037t3euBDywTQZ7yRH0KNUaEfbrK3endVGqk/s1600-h/IMG_2679.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247453618831798866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQF_R4PO9Cjd7n6dWYgXqxKwVNerb0E0zphye5phT7Y7rHXgMrWxTf27xMKF2eM4WuQ4N5V7_ktJfZ_I0ZzOm0OFgzx8w00Oel8b3dSwNO037t3euBDywTQZ7yRH0KNUaEfbrK3endVGqk/s320/IMG_2679.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cdkXq5riK2zt-MuwuRmuE9BryLd-Stllhc0NZuwEyZ5GdNkN-8r_UTjuqcwwwR0lFinr5NeFEvAWiybSxZDXLZ6s91le-3wc4ueF9mLf1IxP3Ve-UDGKvx4_zH6HMVXesPKtwSYpAws7/s1600-h/IMG_2681.jpg"> </a></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247453702131571650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cdkXq5riK2zt-MuwuRmuE9BryLd-Stllhc0NZuwEyZ5GdNkN-8r_UTjuqcwwwR0lFinr5NeFEvAWiybSxZDXLZ6s91le-3wc4ueF9mLf1IxP3Ve-UDGKvx4_zH6HMVXesPKtwSYpAws7/s320/IMG_2681.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div>We stayed at the Montrose Hotel for our last night in Dublin. After arriving at the hotel, we decided to go explore Dublin one last time before we had to leave. We took a local bus to city centre and walked around for a while. I really enjoy people watching and there are all kinds in downtown Dublin! We did a little more shopping (mainly just little trinkets and such) and then decided to have our last evening meal in Ireland. We found Gallagher’s Boxty House again and decided to end the trip the same way we had started it… with a yummy corned beef and cabbage boxty. We had quite the time trying to find the right bus stop, to catch the right bus, to bring us back to the hotel!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 10:<br /></span></strong>Up early for breakfast (6:30) and then off to the airport at 7:30 am. Our flight wasn’t until 11:30 but it was a good thing we got there early. It took us a while to get through check-in, security and processing our tax back forms. The sales tax here in Ireland is 21% (choke, choke). The only good thing is that American’s get the tax back. We had to get tax back forms from every place we bought something and then stand in 4 different lines at the airport to submit them. Such a pain but at least we will get it back (6-8 weeks I’m sure). The flight from Dublin to Atlanta was a little over 8 hours (I think I watched 4 movies – helped the time go by). After arriving in Atlanta, we had to go to the baggage claim area, get our luggage and then go through customs and re-check them! That took us a <strong>hour</strong> to do – super pain in the butt. The only good part of this day was taking a shower after getting home and crawling into my scrumptious bed! I do miss Ireland though – I am sure I will go back, especially now that I know which areas I would like to re-visit. <strong><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="color:#000000;">ERIN GO BRAUGH!!!!</span> </span></strong></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr7d_TbD1Q3SfxpvTpBDZdff3HDxeGrsbWclWONSm-LQb8QHqZ3vZXZzRqkyGQXPiwzUJx3pOl3qoqevFD4Lw-GmkhCqIglaN6EBdPTkdsE1jnEooul-_n_s1433iknYQsWxemCIHCmHU/s1600-h/IMG_2405.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247452756315743202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr7d_TbD1Q3SfxpvTpBDZdff3HDxeGrsbWclWONSm-LQb8QHqZ3vZXZzRqkyGQXPiwzUJx3pOl3qoqevFD4Lw-GmkhCqIglaN6EBdPTkdsE1jnEooul-_n_s1433iknYQsWxemCIHCmHU/s320/IMG_2405.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAmnKD3RfZQvFSkxR1jWEs41T8jsdNgR6e2mFQwG7PHNxyKqyPRC5czL9wz-K8fvNQdfWLL7wUTbp6YurbyTzGaU-aiY9ik0GIaL4b_7RmIhSgFoiamKfPcPIzMYBR62ZV3wY6AgSjE2F/s1600-h/IMG_2407.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247452907839478242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAmnKD3RfZQvFSkxR1jWEs41T8jsdNgR6e2mFQwG7PHNxyKqyPRC5czL9wz-K8fvNQdfWLL7wUTbp6YurbyTzGaU-aiY9ik0GIaL4b_7RmIhSgFoiamKfPcPIzMYBR62ZV3wY6AgSjE2F/s320/IMG_2407.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-54438082025952169502008-09-17T11:18:00.000-07:002008-09-18T13:19:49.280-07:00IRELAND PART ONEOK so I have returned from my trip to Ireland. For those of you who may not know, I have finally completed my Master's Degree and as a (most generous and fabulous graduation gift from my mom and step-dad), my mom and I set off for Ireland. Yay! After several attempts, I have finally been to the land of my ancestors. The following recounts the first 5 days worth of travels. It may be lengthy but stick with me! Part TWO coming soon!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 1:</span></strong><br />We arrived the morning of Friday (9/5) in Dublin to pouring rain! We had to stand in a (super long) line for a taxi to the hotel in the pouring rain (with all of our luggage) for about 15 minutes. Welcome to Ireland! We finally made it to the hotel and since we were so tired from the overnight flight, we decided to take a quick nap. We had arrived one day earlier than our scheduled tour in order to have some time to explore Dublin. After waking up a little later we headed out to explore the City Centre of Dublin. Of course as soon as we left the hotel it started to rain again! We passed through a lovely park to get to Grafton street where the shopping starts! There was a Blarney Woolen Mills shop there and I found the cutest hat! After walking around a while, we were hungry and set off for some authentic Irish food. We found this place called Gallagher's Boxty House and I think I had the most delicious dinner I've ever had! I had what is called a corned beef and cabbage boxty. A boxty is an Irish pancake (almost like a crepe) that was filled with corned beef and cabbage with a delicious creamy sauce over the top. We had some colcanon and Irish soda bread. Oh my goodness! Every last bite was simply magnificent!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm5vtAMiK9dp3l63Vqr0p2jXSpYHo-k-J8bWaZ_pUuTbv9fwlALWD4ifJYl9aXLHNR_MVZElVm_FyC5Dr_aBYsQ26fiPJmWMMq4UJ7szMNfidRtSrzDhYv6Qt4Ojm-mRTedNJQLHwjRHC/s1600-h/IMG_2092.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247060735985076482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm5vtAMiK9dp3l63Vqr0p2jXSpYHo-k-J8bWaZ_pUuTbv9fwlALWD4ifJYl9aXLHNR_MVZElVm_FyC5Dr_aBYsQ26fiPJmWMMq4UJ7szMNfidRtSrzDhYv6Qt4Ojm-mRTedNJQLHwjRHC/s320/IMG_2092.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After dinner we decided to walk off our very heavy dinners and found ourselves in a place called Temple Bar. It is evidently a place to party at night. We decided to head back to the hotel at that point, seeing as how it was getting dark anyhow... but we did get about 4 hours of walking exercise today! We didn't have enough time to get to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells so we planned on getting up early on day two so we could get there before we had to meet up with our tour group.<br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 2:</span></strong><br />Mom didn't feel good at all. She's been sneezing and coughing - not good. We had to pray that she would be feeling better soon. So we headed out to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. What magnificent artistry the monks created so long ago. Transcribed by Celtic monks circa 800, it contains the four gospels of the New Testament in Latin. The illustrations within the book are magnificent. It combines traditional Christian iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular art. Figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts together with intricate knotwork and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours enliven the manuscript's pages. Many of these minor decorative elements are imbued with Christian symbolism and so further emphasize the themes of the major illustrations. The library of Trinity College is just as stunning. The Long Room contains rows and rows of ancient leather bound volumes - it holds thousands of rare, and in many cases very early, volumes. Oh how I wished I could have cracked open just one of those beautiful leather-bound volumes. Check out my cool new hat and the GREEN on the College grounds!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CJVebZ4bFOP6bO-TyNHPbAwhqxmt5UtlQTjA6WeRyIPj5Tnt0w6iVQHiUkgQ7xkHy4Sp2WnMxPezrf-FAo9VrHyfwjzGmTzOBp2rSPTMUnH6s6rpWK9HvTlQaqgIVy_d3P6iDF5VhO1e/s1600-h/IMG_2111.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247065825525791618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CJVebZ4bFOP6bO-TyNHPbAwhqxmt5UtlQTjA6WeRyIPj5Tnt0w6iVQHiUkgQ7xkHy4Sp2WnMxPezrf-FAo9VrHyfwjzGmTzOBp2rSPTMUnH6s6rpWK9HvTlQaqgIVy_d3P6iDF5VhO1e/s320/IMG_2111.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We had to race back to the hotel in order to pick up our luggage and get to a different hotel to meet our tour group. We barely made it, got lost trying to find our room, and had to run outside as we saw a group of people filing into a Cosmos coach bus. We took a drive through town and the tour guide gave us some history on Dublin and Ireland as we passed buildings rich in history. We were later dropped off at the hotel and since we hadn't eaten since the morning, we decided to just go to the hotel restaurant. I had the grilled seabass in a lobster sauce and mom ordered the lambchops. It was the first time I'd had seabass and it was delicious!<br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 3:</span></strong><br />Luggage had to be outside the door at 7:45 and then breakfast until 8:45 and then we were off for our first day in the Irish countryside to discover why it is known as the "Emerald Isle". We travelled north through history-steeped landscapes, with plenty of Ireland's typical round towers and castle ruins. Our first stop was the Hill of Tara (nothing to do with Gone With the Wind my friends). It contains a number of ancient monuments and according to tradition, was the seat of the High King of Ireland until the 6th century. Here's mom amongst the "hills".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4yZx9uRspnB_N-A1vvUYymE1VpQTfxim3uhsp8hy0lmaMe1Uq8mGHgUprVmGn8P36d2v1-oOd9bdxPPWr0y125QoFoqqfFsI-fOGhyphenhyphenLsBZkCQuQChyphenhyphenO_mn2Nlq4qtZRAUoAUIg2Nz4xq/s1600-h/IMG_2152.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247080036650018034" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4yZx9uRspnB_N-A1vvUYymE1VpQTfxim3uhsp8hy0lmaMe1Uq8mGHgUprVmGn8P36d2v1-oOd9bdxPPWr0y125QoFoqqfFsI-fOGhyphenhyphenLsBZkCQuQChyphenhyphenO_mn2Nlq4qtZRAUoAUIg2Nz4xq/s320/IMG_2152.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We then headed for Trim Castle on the shores of the River Boyne. This is located in County Meath where mom has traced some of our ancestry. Trim Castle is the largest Norman castle in Europe and is Ireland's largest castle. It was built by Hugh de Lancy and his son Walter. It is also noted for the part it played in the filming of Mel Gibson's Braveheart. We only stopped to take pictures and weren't able to go inside. Mom was pretty ticked at that! And for those of you wondering if there is a little something different about me... yes I chopped all my hair off! My hair has never been this short! Below: Mom and I near Trim Castle.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdee-KPWb-3IzWUEHf1BjLF9jKjZrx3stMHnkX5mqons55oIFi6pI5w-pjbftyPrbUyyBg-UpuFmFQQNWe83YjjhEE7EALaP9wbjfvqUkfLZsnRwxfaBYZ2OrATOtjh-5wl3w4rIsMcVc/s1600-h/IMG_2171.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247071478157656338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdee-KPWb-3IzWUEHf1BjLF9jKjZrx3stMHnkX5mqons55oIFi6pI5w-pjbftyPrbUyyBg-UpuFmFQQNWe83YjjhEE7EALaP9wbjfvqUkfLZsnRwxfaBYZ2OrATOtjh-5wl3w4rIsMcVc/s320/IMG_2171.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We stopped at Carrick-on-Shannon for lunch. It was a quaint little town along the River Shannon. Mom and I got toasted cheese sandwiches and sat along the river to eat. Our next stop was the Cistercian abbey ruins at Boyle. Here I am in front of the ruins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCJkw3DZGtAv68Dmne1uRsPaKQmv-tQOS0lHQlPv7pbmaZixiq-PldvES_eHqN7Nz8xL23NVpYRE5S8UWq4dqZQj5eNZTiRH1DkkrMhgS5DtCrKcJZ4Lg3DbBvkqhk4IJLJFbV9GfcyHD/s1600-h/IMG_2179.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247074715703051106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCJkw3DZGtAv68Dmne1uRsPaKQmv-tQOS0lHQlPv7pbmaZixiq-PldvES_eHqN7Nz8xL23NVpYRE5S8UWq4dqZQj5eNZTiRH1DkkrMhgS5DtCrKcJZ4Lg3DbBvkqhk4IJLJFbV9GfcyHD/s320/IMG_2179.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We then headed for the hotel in Sligo and of course... had trouble finding the room again! A short while after settling in, we set off for our afternoon excursion to Lough Gill. Lough is Gaelic for Lake. Along this lake is Parke's castle. We stopped here for a guided tour of the castle. In 1610 Roger Parke completed his fortified manor house on the site of an earlier fifteenth-century O'Rourke castle. One of two round fortifiers guarding the north side of the bawn forms one end of the manor. The other end has the gate building with an arched entrance leading into the enclosure. Inside the courtyard are many stone work buildings and a covered well.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj15bc5udKyrh2G8-wrVe5Gko9KhW3wovJsRFM0tUcQvbszBjgDKN0D9oRW0QsTDX71mCDXZXNhpXgClBUEQcUy0L119s9D4C_T5fGRBYxuFuO8084cjgZ-MsFEhboBSbD46exA9AJepsO/s1600-h/IMG_2186.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247079436840829010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj15bc5udKyrh2G8-wrVe5Gko9KhW3wovJsRFM0tUcQvbszBjgDKN0D9oRW0QsTDX71mCDXZXNhpXgClBUEQcUy0L119s9D4C_T5fGRBYxuFuO8084cjgZ-MsFEhboBSbD46exA9AJepsO/s320/IMG_2186.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTKS2uV0EV1BuOgURMDc5xiFSiUnDC0pDDDTPOvgkQ310raLQh1S4borhmelS9ZK4-I-waPS56Ex4s90rB2wqiVXOqQRnTPwR8U3gKoMs3-FZvnGkvfue3rnOrZuuCYRqnUNhsfRljELL/s1600-h/IMG_2195.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247079557647604962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTKS2uV0EV1BuOgURMDc5xiFSiUnDC0pDDDTPOvgkQ310raLQh1S4borhmelS9ZK4-I-waPS56Ex4s90rB2wqiVXOqQRnTPwR8U3gKoMs3-FZvnGkvfue3rnOrZuuCYRqnUNhsfRljELL/s320/IMG_2195.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYO69bjn-cK_MPiVPDMYbc67b_TVngOo2OpRV6Dl1hTXAotUvQX0aU4xkAiY9OBr29rlpwGpEhB4-Fj5zNllG1rfykVCIIPjdk8feKIcE9-X4QqivTySLbT0TeI-fRLD0gIvRxrRqqJUBe/s1600-h/IMG_2217.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247079679949943714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYO69bjn-cK_MPiVPDMYbc67b_TVngOo2OpRV6Dl1hTXAotUvQX0aU4xkAiY9OBr29rlpwGpEhB4-Fj5zNllG1rfykVCIIPjdk8feKIcE9-X4QqivTySLbT0TeI-fRLD0gIvRxrRqqJUBe/s320/IMG_2217.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The River Shannon is also where the great poet William Butler Yeats was inspired to write his famous poem, "The Isle if Innisfree". Sligo is where he grew up and he loved to go to Lough Gill for peace and inspiration.<br /><br />We then headed to a local pub for a "drink". We ordered gingerale and recevied a glass that contained about two sips worth of soda... I guess you have to order a Guiness or a "pint" in order to get a full glass! But this day was truly a beautiful one. It was sunny and the views have been magnificent. The green here is just amazing. I love to see the hillsides full of sheep and cattle and horses grazing. There is something peaceful about it all.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFBi2H1wxnFcMqfWjueoBGOevm4cdRleXxBCFPg8YxrKF_psCdzwAgHn2AwRIxvPrkqLQ4Eoaoedl8IGX9cM5cIsaz8YqIw82MW3kwO15e59dxsGru9vCV8WFgO-keu7XpIakhPmbB08G/s1600-h/IMG_2144.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247118700150689410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFBi2H1wxnFcMqfWjueoBGOevm4cdRleXxBCFPg8YxrKF_psCdzwAgHn2AwRIxvPrkqLQ4Eoaoedl8IGX9cM5cIsaz8YqIw82MW3kwO15e59dxsGru9vCV8WFgO-keu7XpIakhPmbB08G/s320/IMG_2144.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Day 4:</span></strong><br />Our first stop of the day was at Drumcliff where we saw the grave of native son and poet W.B. Yeats. This is the church where his father was rector. Yeats was originally buried in France (where he died) but was later exhumed and brought to rest here. It is a beautiful church and there is also a monument to Yeats outside the cemetary, in the front of the church.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OB9rU7IIY71Ba315iZQ_tkHELZticYy9pE6GQKf3P5cIqrT0yypcYUmonrJA9NGAV_h3zNf0BGweVO8fw0cih1vf5LCQsfQ7kwdEUalQ4GeeNNUiDv7Ns1RGUYBSLtKf5JcZRQdtkD_3/s1600-h/IMG_2229.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247083993642272098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OB9rU7IIY71Ba315iZQ_tkHELZticYy9pE6GQKf3P5cIqrT0yypcYUmonrJA9NGAV_h3zNf0BGweVO8fw0cih1vf5LCQsfQ7kwdEUalQ4GeeNNUiDv7Ns1RGUYBSLtKf5JcZRQdtkD_3/s320/IMG_2229.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh7tw8WrtQGa4opxXPsYUUgmn7VlvrNtZDkv_hyphenhyphen-UNxRna5semCTcYjonhaiWzjt61q6T6FT3-epVIXERJaKfAQCTz4aXWiRY5Ka1fNvwRMMmxDlKTXiULY5NJLKTQDF8vKYp88mV-njE/s1600-h/IMG_2231.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247084071346343938" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh7tw8WrtQGa4opxXPsYUUgmn7VlvrNtZDkv_hyphenhyphen-UNxRna5semCTcYjonhaiWzjt61q6T6FT3-epVIXERJaKfAQCTz4aXWiRY5Ka1fNvwRMMmxDlKTXiULY5NJLKTQDF8vKYp88mV-njE/s320/IMG_2231.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We then passed across the border into Northern Ireland to visit the Bellek Pottery Factory, which is renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china. We had a guided tour of the process for each creative piece of pottery. It is a very detailed and intricate process. We watched some of the artists craft tiny rosebuds by hand - every petal is molded by hand. It was amazing.<br /><br />We then headed to the fascinating city of Derry where we enjoyed a walking tour with a local guide. She took us around the old city walls and St. Columb's Cathedral. Derry was the last city in Britain and Ireland to be encircled with defensive walls; and is one of the few cities in Europe that never saw these fortifications breached. It is most known for "Bloody Sunday" which took place on 1/30/72. It was on this day that 26 civil rights protesters were shot by members of the IRA during a Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march in the Bogside area of the city. 14 people were killed (7 teenagers) and witnesses testify that all injured were unarmed. Our local guide grew up in this area and spoke to how she never really had a normal childhood, she was raised in an era of extreme violence where even the very nature of your religion could be dangerous. The two main religions in the area are Catholic and Protestant. One group stayed to one side of the river bank while the other took the other side. I can't even imagine what she must have lived through. Only a few years ago, we wouldn't have even been able to visit the area.<br /><br />Our last stop of the day was in the town of Donnegal to shop for hand-knitted woolen goods. Mom and I were able to take a quick tour of Donnegal castle where the McDonald's once lived and then the Brookes family. I read a lot of books that are set back in the 10th-18th centuries in Ireland and Scotland and it is pretty cool to see real histroy of the castles in which the people lived. I try to imagine what it was like to have such strong warriors and men who fought to defend their land and familes. In a way it reminds me of the histroy contained in the Book of Mormon. The great Nephite warriors and their bid to defend their lands and families against those who would do them harm. I loved to see the stone hearths built into the rooms and the long wooden tables and benches upon which these people ate their meals of pigeon and duck and rabbitt. It is a completely different life than what I have enjoyed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGvFQTx1sWE5Dcv8Fz0FLN-w_Ws4AdwwrMTCb6c-mSDM5NG_DU8i59w3idQxMrksKoXNWbffYNDC6cUem1B00iqxweJS0fXsMnFsjGlZ1Ddr_EmFNo6s1KJ0ZkkCkYLDfrVcuDvaSlatz/s1600-h/IMG_2288.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247092678382246770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGvFQTx1sWE5Dcv8Fz0FLN-w_Ws4AdwwrMTCb6c-mSDM5NG_DU8i59w3idQxMrksKoXNWbffYNDC6cUem1B00iqxweJS0fXsMnFsjGlZ1Ddr_EmFNo6s1KJ0ZkkCkYLDfrVcuDvaSlatz/s320/IMG_2288.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAMWu2-ht72XM0cbcMobbkq664t5rQV1O7xpLS0RgtYZbnog0hY8mXFmqWC_hIz-G0LQwswHAHSdiY2ixwmJJGXBMy420syZMvg4waGfT7QE4j35kWcU64iZuNGYAWs5OZ2dudhIqO5cz/s1600-h/IMG_2285.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247092879231329634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAMWu2-ht72XM0cbcMobbkq664t5rQV1O7xpLS0RgtYZbnog0hY8mXFmqWC_hIz-G0LQwswHAHSdiY2ixwmJJGXBMy420syZMvg4waGfT7QE4j35kWcU64iZuNGYAWs5OZ2dudhIqO5cz/s320/IMG_2285.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRseVuZFXMcDG4tQjoUPTNrOeHFO2uGE_wY1H2glFCOi7yyHEq70jMt49rF3ONr5wzQrlZh67ntFEjq-p9yNbtTm3FaBqNYdKo09ok4qEgC3l489omR-FcLao-eDxiJvknlgodUV9JtJs/s1600-h/IMG_2271.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247092760620054930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRseVuZFXMcDG4tQjoUPTNrOeHFO2uGE_wY1H2glFCOi7yyHEq70jMt49rF3ONr5wzQrlZh67ntFEjq-p9yNbtTm3FaBqNYdKo09ok4qEgC3l489omR-FcLao-eDxiJvknlgodUV9JtJs/s320/IMG_2271.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Donnegal means "fortress of the foreigners", the foreigners in this case being the Vikings. The town of Donnegal is famous for their tweed.<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Day 5:</span></strong><br />We headed south to Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world because it is said that the townspeople saw apparitions there. They claim to have seen a vision of Mary, Joseph and John the Baptist on the back of a church wall. There are now statues representing these 3 in a glass enclosure at the back of the church. It is called the Holy Shrine of Knock.<br /><br /><br />We then travelled to Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring tradition and where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. It's quite the story. His son accused a friend of trying to flirt with his fiancee and then they fought. He pushed his friend, who then fell and hit his head on a rock and died. The town was known for its very strict system of justice and the mayor of the town was this young man's father. The young man was accused of murder but no-one would build any gallows to carry out the sentence of death for fear of retribution by the mayor. So the mayor took his son to a building and asked him to forgive him, the son did likewise and then the father hanged his son from a window. They have the very same window in the town centre. Can you imagine? They beleive this is where the term "lynching" came from.<br /><br /><br />Galway is also where the claddagh ring originated. I've been waiting years for a claddagh ring and I was determined to get one while I was in Ireland. The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: "With my hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love."<br /><br />While travelling through Galway, we passed through the town of Lisdoonvarna, which is known as the "matchmaking town". Every September (for the whole month) there is a "marriage festival" where single people from all over come to find a mate! There is a bar called the "Matchmaker Bar" that has a saying, "marriages are made in heaven but most people meet in the Matchmaker Bar"!!! Mom nudged me and told me to get off here! Thanks Mom!<br /><br /><br />We then travelled across the limestone plateau of The Burren (a unique karst-landscape region) to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Ahhhhh.... this is the place I have been itching to see! The Cliffs are referred to in my favorite book of all time <em>Wuthering Heights</em>. In addition, they were filmed as the "Cliffs of Insanity" in the 1987 movie <em>The Princess Bride</em> (a great, classic movie... "as - you - wish"). On a clear day the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay, as are the valleys and hills of Connemara. Moher tower, located at Hag's Head, is a square stone ruin. It appears to be the remains of a watchtower placed during Napolean's reign in Europe.<br /><br /><br />It had been a rainy day and an unbelievable fog had rolled in. I'm not sure how our coach driver (Phil) was able to even see the parking lot or where to turn! Tricia (our tour guide) sadly informed us that is was highly unlikely that we would be able to see the cliffs. I was super upset and prayed real hard. We left the bus to head up the MANY steps leading to a vantage point and as we walked, the rain started to subside and the fog began to clear. I started getting excited. The wind was unbeleivable. We were told to stay within the marked paths beacause there have been incidents in the past of those who strayed outside the marked path because the view or photo opportunity was just too tempting.... and... whoosh, the wind picked them right up and over the cliffs!!! OH MY! Can you imagine?! Not to worry, I stayed quite within the paths.<br /><br /><br />These cliffs! Oh but they are so beautiful! I couldn't help but scream, "Heathcliffe, where are you??!!" as I reached the top... tee-hee What a magnificent creation. I could have stayed there all day. I think I took 37 pictures up at the cliffs!!! Here are just a few (including the proof of the crazy wind!).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllamgLizAAVwOt73r-BZ2IN3ntoJ_s00TPESTvgnp2CaWNN3tZ8QygiLYRlsIvrzbjP1ivhzBcxAzCHyvw6a71YLSm4JzxKDGjvSAuhoFxdQGjofMQHGXkjyLBEX9wG5WtwDzHRi8LWHT/s1600-h/IMG_2324.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247105955020042482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllamgLizAAVwOt73r-BZ2IN3ntoJ_s00TPESTvgnp2CaWNN3tZ8QygiLYRlsIvrzbjP1ivhzBcxAzCHyvw6a71YLSm4JzxKDGjvSAuhoFxdQGjofMQHGXkjyLBEX9wG5WtwDzHRi8LWHT/s320/IMG_2324.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6fKsDxmz30wdrU6xJZqga8OxC6SBDTIMAfIcLN0Dd_1iW3hNT8k0caYfmLoRatw8TbB5rTIDeIo4XUNfJ75OusvisS4gQt5hmWvpvX8k7iXBQ2UpbCbDib5-fr5UGLULt9zgpqnLO71G/s1600-h/IMG_2295.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247106104554683666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6fKsDxmz30wdrU6xJZqga8OxC6SBDTIMAfIcLN0Dd_1iW3hNT8k0caYfmLoRatw8TbB5rTIDeIo4XUNfJ75OusvisS4gQt5hmWvpvX8k7iXBQ2UpbCbDib5-fr5UGLULt9zgpqnLO71G/s320/IMG_2295.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD690Cb56_5OGRvnjtC0FmqodJbCxDUsNg-yMlnotIO9bKOufSAL5JDbuZU5DbO4Y5Pt4PL2HRQlPRxKC3yxkT4IcutU5G2E3L7hqJ5XABx8AVJzfCizFRc8JQdKKhWhnPHuxTWcVPzEi6/s1600-h/IMG_2311.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247105848132997762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD690Cb56_5OGRvnjtC0FmqodJbCxDUsNg-yMlnotIO9bKOufSAL5JDbuZU5DbO4Y5Pt4PL2HRQlPRxKC3yxkT4IcutU5G2E3L7hqJ5XABx8AVJzfCizFRc8JQdKKhWhnPHuxTWcVPzEi6/s320/IMG_2311.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7PpQMLLZbEMuua9FjDfG2C8V6EzVomxLc41PdrmPYuPv8LKIOfumqe0QPnXeF4J968bBhyOgzCnbxFZJDPOOHEsmHDaCYvYB44VC5Z2KeN1BoY94HgKYjvrf0pKsTeA4phosRRS150Ph/s1600-h/IMG_2326.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247106033113365730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7PpQMLLZbEMuua9FjDfG2C8V6EzVomxLc41PdrmPYuPv8LKIOfumqe0QPnXeF4J968bBhyOgzCnbxFZJDPOOHEsmHDaCYvYB44VC5Z2KeN1BoY94HgKYjvrf0pKsTeA4phosRRS150Ph/s320/IMG_2326.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the evening we went to Bunratty Castle for a medieval banquet. Some of the sights include the 'great hall', dungeons and four towers with spiral stairwells. As we entered the castle, we received a welcome from the "patrons" of the castle and were given a goblet of mead. Mead is a honey wine and as we don't drink, we asked for something non-alcoholic and were given orange soda! Whatever!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54XkHGM9KZbdfEeIMecjEWCRn2d54wZLLIP11X5mCqk4xaaLqvMjhE4gtLb9mwGNplt7tld_lBhCXvWRyzRgauxm59xui4vZY2alZ-CFT0UmRDuzwiCkEDINJffcZzcAs8DJfOWVSjnhO/s1600-h/IMG_2350.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247114778288436402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54XkHGM9KZbdfEeIMecjEWCRn2d54wZLLIP11X5mCqk4xaaLqvMjhE4gtLb9mwGNplt7tld_lBhCXvWRyzRgauxm59xui4vZY2alZ-CFT0UmRDuzwiCkEDINJffcZzcAs8DJfOWVSjnhO/s320/IMG_2350.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We were entertained by a woman playing the harp and a gentleman playing the fiddle. We were to mingle in this main room. There were tapestries and hand carved wardrobe chests, as well as other time period items. There was a replica of the chairs that the Lord and Lady of the house would have seated themselves. The Lord's chair was of course at least twice the size of the Lady's... harumph! Here I am wondering where my "Lord" is!!! tee-hee<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gU7c4HAeaAFGWF83tFiWhG8ut3D0BPj1QjVnitWiTd6p7mrOQVEbZj6NIJh_DpHfdXo0gOAgSpSvIyUm9w6bWDjMRkzSa_I0UVKbKbhwAgv6doHzSoXWtaSUkPFNa0dEnJ20dp8iuTnJ/s1600-h/IMG_2362.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247111138494565282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gU7c4HAeaAFGWF83tFiWhG8ut3D0BPj1QjVnitWiTd6p7mrOQVEbZj6NIJh_DpHfdXo0gOAgSpSvIyUm9w6bWDjMRkzSa_I0UVKbKbhwAgv6doHzSoXWtaSUkPFNa0dEnJ20dp8iuTnJ/s320/IMG_2362.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We were given a brief history of the castle before moving toward the lower tower and enjoying a four-course medieval dinner. We were first given soup and yummy Irish soda bread. Just as the people in the 13th century did not have utensils, we didn't either (only a "dagger" with which to use for our meat)! So we "drank" the soup and dipped the bread. It was very good. The second course consisted of pork ribs. That was interesting to try and cut and eat. I seriously needed to floss after that course! But it was delicious. We had "finger bowls" (water bowls) in front of us to clean our fingers after eating the food with our fingers and daggers. The third course was chicken, potatoes, veggies and some sort of sauce for the chicken. The chicken was very tender and juicy and super yummy. Our final course (desert) was a strawberry mousse of some kind. It too was yummy.<br /><br /><br />We were entertained by the partons as they sang with the harpist and fiddler as accompaniment. There had been pitchers of both red and white wime on the tables. Our table was drinking the wine like there was no tomorrow, all the while complaining that it wasn't good! I guess it was good enough to keep drinking! Mom and I sipped our orange soda and had a great time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />OK... I beleive I will end here with Part One of my trip to Ireland. Stay tuned for the remaining 5 days (you don't want to miss Blarney Castle and me kissing the Blarney Stone)!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-10857139090866409172008-09-02T11:00:00.000-07:002008-09-02T12:10:37.170-07:00Weekend News<div><div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">So what a crazy weekend... Saturday night was great. My mom, Jessica and I had a girls night out (Janet wasn't able to come). We went to see Mama Mia in the theater and oh what great fun! We've all seen the play and they did such a great job with the movie adaptation. It was a sing-a-long movie and you can bet we were singing our hearts out! I love ABBA (thank you Amber for introducing them to me way back at Rick's College)! After the movie, my mom had made reservations at the Melting Pot for dinner. This was our first experience there and it was super yummy, especially the desert! Oh goodness! I love fondue! It was really interesting to just cook our meat and veggies there at the table but really yummy! And the (dark) chocolate fondue for desert was DELISH!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Went to Melbourne Ward for church and my sister Jessica gave us a scare. There was a combined 3rd hour meeting and my mom comes rushing in toward the end, grabs my purse, my arm and says "come with me now". I had a thought that something was wrong with Jess and as I came into the foyer, I see their Jeep pulled up to the door and she's lying on her side with the seat laid back. She was back in Primary and her legs just gave out on her and she couldn't put any weight on them, said they felt really numb and tingly. My mom was pushing me into the Jeep with orders to go with her and Rocky, so we rushed her to the emergency room to get checked out. I'm sure she will blog about it soon. Baby Ruthie is doing just fine and we think she might have just been pressing on a nerve or something that was cutting off circulation to her legs. She had an MRI and other tests but they couldn't really find anything.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">She ended up going home that evening and yesterday she was able to put a little weight on her legs - just enough to hold onto the wall to get to the restroom. Today she says she's back to 100% so that is great news. She's 34 weeks I think so she will be ok to deliver anytime now - BUT it better not be while I'm in Ireland!!! Do you hear me Jessica?!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">So just a couple of days and counting! My mom and I are leaving Thursday for Ireland! I'm super excited and can hardly wait! I am praying that Hurricane Hanna won't give any interference as far as weather and that we will be able to fly out of here with no problems. I will be sure to take lots of photos and post as soon as I can. Erin Go Braugh! I think I will pack most of my suitcase tonight to get a jump on things (I think my mom has already started her packing). My mom is a master packer. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I can only take one suitcase and one carry-on with me so I will need to be creative in my packing! This unfortunatley means that I will have to be conservative in the amount of shoes I take with me - oh bother! :)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">So I finally finished editing the pictures of Nancy & Jason Fudge's wedding (July 26, 2008). They came out really nice and they were happy with them - that's all I wanted. If they're happy, I'm happy!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">Here is the happy couple!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLw3GkggmmqaxctHS9-uOQfy5cA95k_kXs5v372mkUkEU0c8bGBYX3JxFcaKatoAjRbbYdm4GLCdfIBsam0T52qusaos9jlz6JIEJaoJLLAkiIfkfVcYnEYJ-iO1QlvFi9MRu2Wr5UgT_/s1600-h/IMG_0818.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241493851393008530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLw3GkggmmqaxctHS9-uOQfy5cA95k_kXs5v372mkUkEU0c8bGBYX3JxFcaKatoAjRbbYdm4GLCdfIBsam0T52qusaos9jlz6JIEJaoJLLAkiIfkfVcYnEYJ-iO1QlvFi9MRu2Wr5UgT_/s320/IMG_0818.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m5kxn517NF2_IN3IGmRrdtlRci5pL6qczTI4_SWANFOj7IB8B9EKonAUmqh6hCX7fjmqGORGBY-jdje73sCt5Fmr6wnyMVbC-gjM06M0za-d2W-XXfBMCdGVIZnNj4X0xGVX8iPAA4qd/s1600-h/IMG_0920.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241493987554185202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m5kxn517NF2_IN3IGmRrdtlRci5pL6qczTI4_SWANFOj7IB8B9EKonAUmqh6hCX7fjmqGORGBY-jdje73sCt5Fmr6wnyMVbC-gjM06M0za-d2W-XXfBMCdGVIZnNj4X0xGVX8iPAA4qd/s320/IMG_0920.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m5kxn517NF2_IN3IGmRrdtlRci5pL6qczTI4_SWANFOj7IB8B9EKonAUmqh6hCX7fjmqGORGBY-jdje73sCt5Fmr6wnyMVbC-gjM06M0za-d2W-XXfBMCdGVIZnNj4X0xGVX8iPAA4qd/s1600-h/IMG_0920.jpg"></a> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8tjNuuYJ1Yt1OJUPgBCGrY2Cki2mQO-Qg8B4u7lmDO6pEE8iRyyRZ64talRW-i9-wMq4C9WfuzwCHhpK6r8wPdcEpuV5XSQdyUQzNxa994RXRGCVm7-V-4eN-By59OCA3tXtkAHG91Vw/s1600-h/IMG_0849.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241494552408250210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8tjNuuYJ1Yt1OJUPgBCGrY2Cki2mQO-Qg8B4u7lmDO6pEE8iRyyRZ64talRW-i9-wMq4C9WfuzwCHhpK6r8wPdcEpuV5XSQdyUQzNxa994RXRGCVm7-V-4eN-By59OCA3tXtkAHG91Vw/s320/IMG_0849.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m5kxn517NF2_IN3IGmRrdtlRci5pL6qczTI4_SWANFOj7IB8B9EKonAUmqh6hCX7fjmqGORGBY-jdje73sCt5Fmr6wnyMVbC-gjM06M0za-d2W-XXfBMCdGVIZnNj4X0xGVX8iPAA4qd/s1600-h/IMG_0920.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m5kxn517NF2_IN3IGmRrdtlRci5pL6qczTI4_SWANFOj7IB8B9EKonAUmqh6hCX7fjmqGORGBY-jdje73sCt5Fmr6wnyMVbC-gjM06M0za-d2W-XXfBMCdGVIZnNj4X0xGVX8iPAA4qd/s1600-h/IMG_0920.jpg"></a></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-67416131145208318412008-08-22T07:00:00.000-07:002008-08-22T07:10:01.433-07:00Tropical Storm Fay Update<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ok so I think the worst is behind us now. My street is finally draining and I was able to leave my house this morning to head to work. I did run into some roads that were still fooded, however, and had to drive super slow to make it through (water was covering my tires). This is when I'm happy to have a Jeep!<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#000000;">I've been stuck in my house since Tues afternoon. My area got about 30 inches of rain! There was several feet of water that flooded all streets around me as well as my own. Canals have been overflowing and there are some alligators, snakes and other animals that have been displaced due to the storm... hope I don't find any snakes in my yard (or alligator's in the street)! My brother-in-law tryed to rescue a mole that was working hard to survive in their flooded street. He was gone by the time he went back out with a bowl - what was he going to do with a bowl?! I would not want to tangle with a drowing mole!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">It's estimated that Melbourne received $12M in damage. Crazy. Kris and Christina tried to make it back to my house Wed and weren't able to get through due to the flooding. Kris was finally able to make it back last night - I'm sure he was happy to have his first change of clothes since Tues.. Oooo - stinky stinky! taa-haa!<br /></span><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">So I'm having to work a full day today to make up some hours from not being at work these last couple of days... bleh! My work schedule is also about to change from 4 hour Fridays to every other Friday off, which means I will be working full Friday's every other week - it will be difficult to make the adjustment - I really enjoy only working 4 hours on Friday's.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So since I have bought my house and moved in this past January, I have been through the Palm Bay wildfires and Tropical Storm Fay. I'm so happy to have survived, but I sure hope Mother Nature will give me a break for a while! At least I mowed my lawn last Saturday... because I'm sure it will be quite soggy for a while!!!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-12279358809153125892008-08-20T15:12:00.000-07:002008-08-20T15:45:52.012-07:00Tropical Storm Fay<span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >WOW! This has been some crazy weather! So they let us leave work yesterday around 2 PM... of course that was just about the time that the weather really started to kick up. It was getting worse and worse the further south I drove to get to my house. The storm raged on pretty good last night too.<br /><br />As I check</span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >ed the emergency number for wo</span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >rk this morning it said that we were supposed to go in around noon - HA! I don't think so! I checked again around 11 AM and the message had changed to let us know that they were not going to open the site after all... oh how gracious of them! But wait... we will of course have to make up the time. Sooooo ridiculous!<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Anyhoo - so I looked out the windows this morning and I saw some flooding in the swell in front of my house. That was to be expected. Then I checked again later around 11:30 AM and holy cow! I couldn't see my street! The street is completely flooded as well as almost half my yard. I'm so thankful that my house is up a little higher!<br /><br />Travis Berger and Brad Noel came over to check on</span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" > me and my house and to see if I needed anything. I thought that was very thoughtful and am most appreciative.<br /><br />So I just went outside to mak</span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >e sure I got some pictures of the flooding well worhty of a boat ride outside my house!<br /><br />Here's a shot taken from the top of my driveway</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8pGxvg2pavlbku9MA1NDHK-npn3Zs6zkLomasdFi_7IUB3LrUQaML1w_of5e_A3KHbV0dxCWCkU-CO_VHUEgU1cXbZ5YguGv_7o6845fF8N69ajvtCTEHvO9xXqqW2U11ixgoauEqwt1/s1600-h/driveway2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8pGxvg2pavlbku9MA1NDHK-npn3Zs6zkLomasdFi_7IUB3LrUQaML1w_of5e_A3KHbV0dxCWCkU-CO_VHUEgU1cXbZ5YguGv_7o6845fF8N69ajvtCTEHvO9xXqqW2U11ixgoauEqwt1/s320/driveway2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236732421816084114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >My poor mailbox! Help me I'm going under!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfcRSDiX55FMlmMCYWwg5RlmfMmTeeSbpbgenUAV18DhosBlf7218dqkFJ-kLL7pvRtG8Obr9Oxt4U6xhS6YRYGLkx5E3pYP_PFEbE8JKjdRGlAa0mSLmFDYToZWvJgQOxuujTXBsIybJ/s1600-h/mailbox1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfcRSDiX55FMlmMCYWwg5RlmfMmTeeSbpbgenUAV18DhosBlf7218dqkFJ-kLL7pvRtG8Obr9Oxt4U6xhS6YRYGLkx5E3pYP_PFEbE8JKjdRGlAa0mSLmFDYToZWvJgQOxuujTXBsIybJ/s320/mailbox1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236732856696768818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Here's a good part of my front yard and the street - can you see it? Neither can I!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcfNa7RwbnCVR6I8Y20udCIIRVplBsDRZqW783ikmjJlXjzSt3Abu47ShedmzOcwJvwu91uT3_R3mfSgN4vSxb9wM8Ssyi1Kc31MAFPf5_V9z95zt8l6J7LjsMqhP-8oOedW_M-zmr918/s1600-h/front+yard1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcfNa7RwbnCVR6I8Y20udCIIRVplBsDRZqW783ikmjJlXjzSt3Abu47ShedmzOcwJvwu91uT3_R3mfSgN4vSxb9wM8Ssyi1Kc31MAFPf5_V9z95zt8l6J7LjsMqhP-8oOedW_M-zmr918/s320/front+yard1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236733288733129458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >I imagine I will have to go into work tomorrow, however, I don't know how I'm going to get there, seeing as I don't have a boat!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123547224515189687.post-24203614024044511062008-08-13T12:54:00.000-07:002008-08-13T13:22:41.015-07:00Free at Last, Free at Last...<div>Ok soooo I guess I should have posted an update before now... but I've just been "so busy" with my "free time" since IT'S ALLLLLLLL OVER!!!!!! That's right - NO MORE YUCKY SCHOOL!!! Free at last, free at last, thank the good Lord above, I'm free at last!!! </div><div> </div><div>I can't even express how thrilled I am. In the past two weeks I have already read 5 books, had my first real photography shoot (a wedding no less), caught up on lots of recorded tv shows, shot Kris and Christina's engagement photos, and had time to see some friends.</div><br /><div></div><div>Now I am sooo excited to see Maddy and Thatcher tonight (oh and Jess & Rocky too). They have been away for 3 weeks and I just need some lovin' from my niece and nephew. To make it all complete, Janet just needs to come home now too. I have decided that I need to have my sisters around me - they must never move away! :) <br /></div><div>That's about it for now. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCaYn9NU2w4hGFaQvF03C_Mak7RufnatNtEPC1xWyNRGmwk-EeuxVdpr_rR5J9Sg6jXPfuEnHqLXYtrV4UFxmUCvcQvdmAuZrWoCNidToOQaIAebMkq0xgrgUum6K1evQqXHorAMBbWet/s1600-h/family_disney2.jpg"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1