tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3152541923354714982024-03-13T23:01:25.350-05:00Our Crazy LifeWelcome to the blog about Our Family. Follow our crazy life as we try to find time for working, taking care of the kids, remodeling our house, and when time affords a little bit of fun.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.comBlogger761125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-37109500838933327112014-07-07T14:31:00.001-05:002014-07-07T14:31:35.379-05:00Happy 3rd Birthday Oliver!<p>Oliver’s birthday was a week ago. I decided to take it very easy on the theme for this year. Oliver wanted a fire truck birthday cake. He specifically wanted a cake with play figurines on top. Smart boy.</p> <p>So here is my fire truck cake. It is probably one of the worst looking cakes I have made. Except for when I was in high school and a friend and I made ourselves a birthday cake. It came out completely lopsided.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TwUcwZDlqVw/U7r1YoJo2eI/AAAAAAAAOBo/fpCbgrdcPdo/s1600-h/IMG_3358%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3358" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3358" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HwE0ORIiISk/U7r1ZgfUbSI/AAAAAAAAOBw/bLmotQR4pJo/IMG_3358_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>I used my usual frosting recipe and it did not turn out the same as usual. this time around it had no stiffness to it. So when I was trying to create flames it came out as silly string. It’s supposed to be a car on fire on the side of the road….just use your imagination.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JUxX28i-FjM/U7r1aSfhoPI/AAAAAAAAOB4/FQEZaxH0AmI/s1600-h/IMG_3359%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3359" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3359" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DJwmL0MAEuQ/U7r1bAq-AQI/AAAAAAAAOCA/q6oBwetn3dE/IMG_3359_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Oliver was still excited. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9IyjrTRJW4I/U7r1cITEuKI/AAAAAAAAOCI/pkaSdcToAWw/s1600-h/IMG_3360%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3360" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3360" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-il2aey7Qq-M/U7r1eHgEIAI/AAAAAAAAOCQ/SnQ-LPKO10c/IMG_3360_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lUHPkJu0bf8/U7r1e1CezhI/AAAAAAAAOCY/xyASbAH420Y/s1600-h/IMG_3361%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3361" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3361" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IJ48I8-5N3c/U7r1fqTFzcI/AAAAAAAAOCg/ocdAuxJ6dEk/IMG_3361_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>In fact he didn’t even eat any of the cake he was too excited to play with the cars/trucks on top. And open gifts.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FcUcND5WAzM/U7r1gjun0tI/AAAAAAAAOCo/25C7uS1mNSY/s1600-h/IMG_3366%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3366" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3366" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2i4ksTPGEXw/U7r1haKzlNI/AAAAAAAAOCw/OYyZy9jVCwo/IMG_3366_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Would you believe the night before his party he was up all night coughing and I was up all night too. In fact we told most of the guests not to come because we were cancelling his party. I already had the food made, so we went ahead and had family over that was already in town. But I felt bad for him to cancel some of his guests. Who gets sick for their birthday party just the night before when it’s the end of June?</p> <p>His actual birthday was on Monday and we had a small celebration with just our family that morning.</p> <p>Breakfast cupcakes with a candle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q3KpFKDJrN4/U7r1issd6lI/AAAAAAAAOC4/-WoClLAjReY/s1600-h/IMG_3368%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3368" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3368" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vJO8P0IHBJ8/U7r1jlvevQI/AAAAAAAAODA/GrffFQvPy_U/IMG_3368_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>And pure excitement over getting his Gordon train he has been requesting for the last half year or so.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wi3JIFjZX3E/U7r1kabjF_I/AAAAAAAAODI/ZC1tqgUThrQ/s1600-h/IMG_3371%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3371" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3371" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vk65JwiY_1I/U7r1lAjfvAI/AAAAAAAAODQ/AZlEEIgmpJg/IMG_3371_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a></p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-34845088392730768452014-06-30T00:04:00.001-05:002014-06-30T00:04:48.878-05:00Why… and then some<p>I think it’s been a while since both of us posted, but for sure me (Jesse), so since I’m up dealing with gall bladder issues cause I ate too much for dinner (you’d think I’d fricken learn)… I’m sitting here thinking about a conversation I had this evening with a little girl that will be in Bella’s class this coming fall.</p> <p>Our neighbors hosted a family activity this Sunday evening with water slide, trampoline, BBQ, etc so all the the neighbors with kids could get to know one another. We don’t have the luxury of having a community pool for everyone to meet at, so it was a great idea. We headed over once we convinced Oliver to get up from his nap and that a water slide was awaiting him. We showed up in typical fashion with Bella in her stroller and Oliver in the wagon and all the additional gear… chairs, cooler, food, etc.</p> <p>We met a bunch of new neighbors and it will be nice to hopefully get to know them more, especially the ones who will have kids going to school with ours. One particular conversation is what I plan to reflect on this evening. </p> <p>Ella is six and will be in Bella’s class this fall. Her family of 5 will be moving into the neighborhood once they finish gutting and rebuilding the house they bought… they did it the smart way… don’t move in until its all finished. Ohh well. </p> <p>Having conversations with kids is always interesting and this one was the best yet. Ella immediately took interest in Bella and came over closer to her and wondered why she was in a stroller. </p> <p>“Why is she in that stroller?” she asked. “Because her legs don’t work”, I responded. “Why don’t her legs work?” “Because she was born that way.” Later she inquired “Can she talk?”… “Nope, can’t talk either but you are welcome to talk to her if you would like to.” And so she did after her Grandma and Mom convinced her it would be a good idea… its tough for kids to take and keep an interest in Bella, because once they realize it’s a one-sided conversation, they usually move on. But Ella was still interested. It wasn’t that conversation, but one that I had with Ella later on over by the trampoline that really got to me… and still does. Oliver was playing on the trampoline with a friend he’d met so I pulled Bella from the stroller to head over by the trampoline for a bit. Ella wasn’t over there immediately, but came over after she saw Bella and I were there. </p> <p>I was in the process of spinning Bella around and around, as she laughed and held out her tongue in her upside-down typical Bella fashion. “Does she like that?” asked Ella. “You bet… do you see her laughing?” I asked. “She likes to be spun around and tossed in the air… do you?” I followed up. “Yeah, can she go down the water slide?”… “Not unless I hold her and go down with her.” I told her. “Ohh, so when do you think she can?” she asked. “I don’t know.” “Hopefully her legs will work someday.” she said… “I do too, someday I hope.” I responded. And then Ella said something I will never forget and it just tears me up thinking about it… “Maybe when she dies God will make her legs work.” and she ran off to go to the water slide.</p> <p>There’s a few things I’d like to follow up on… one being the fact that Bella will have someone in her class this coming fall that clearly is interested in her and will hopefully be that kid that sticks up for her over the years when others poke fun… cause it will happen. Being in the Blue Valley school district has been absolutely a blessing, and this is yet another example. Another being that she actually referenced God… it seems more often than not everyone (adults more so) are so afraid to offend others by referencing their own religious beliefs, that they don’t speak for what they truly believe. Kids don’t have that influence from society yet, and it’s just pure,honest, and beautiful. And lastly… I sure wish God would have made her legs work here on earth, but for whatever reason he didn’t and I try not to be mad at Him for it… but if he doesn’t make her legs work in heaven, I’m going to have a beef with Him for sure. Goodnight sweet angel, Bella.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-61290483915558145842014-06-19T08:27:00.000-05:002014-06-19T08:27:51.968-05:00The QuestionI did a few post awhile back about typical questions we get in regards to Bella. Of course one of the most popular questions is "How is Bella doing?"<br />
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Well that one is kind of boring for me to answer. Besides commenting on whether she is currently sick or not, sleeping or not, etc. Nothing much changes. I thought I would give you an idea of what I mean.<br />
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This first video is of Bella when she is 1 1/2 years old. How you see her acting and talking, is pretty much the same thing she is capable of to this date. And it's now 5 years later.<br />
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This second video I have posted before, but is the most recent video of Bella talking and laughing. </div>
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So yes, Bella is doing alright, but what you see right now is pretty much what I assume Bella will be for the rest of her life. Of course she does have minor developments and I have talked about them before. But unless you ask me two years from now how she is doing, there really isn't too much to report.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-9588356473985879612014-06-10T14:03:00.001-05:002014-06-10T14:03:21.222-05:00Catching Up<p>I know I know. I owe you about a hundred posts over the beginning of this year. There are things that have happened I wanted to write about and I’m afraid I’m going to forget.</p> <p>So in this short frame of time, I’m going to try and get a bunch of posts knocked out. I am going to back date a bunch of them, or however many I get finished today while Oliver is napping and Bella is content on the floor playing. So you might have to look for them.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-68129739644367866512014-06-07T13:50:00.000-05:002014-06-11T13:51:01.103-05:00Jesse’s Birthday<p>Jesse’s birthday happened to be this Saturday. Oliver and I made a Jello Cake, which is his favorite. Oliver did a really good job helping me make it. While we were waiting for the cake to cool, we decided to run to the shoe store, so Jesse could pick out his birthday present.</p> <p>Right next to the shoe store was a toy store. I told Oliver if he was good we would run into the store before we left. He was pretty busy running around the shoe store and Bella was fussing up a storm. So we left Jesse in peace to pick out his shoes and we headed into the toy store.</p> <p>This particular toy store was pretty much made just for boys. It was all model cars, planes, construction equipment, farm equipment, etc. The prices were pretty high, but they did have a few smaller items. Oliver found a bus. He absolutely wanted the bus.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JF7m-soHByk/U5ilDLtlRaI/AAAAAAAAN9g/bOQzk4f_Lvo/s1600-h/IMG_0567%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0567" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0567" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wijno88CQCY/U5ilEJlztOI/AAAAAAAAN9o/8K16hDfdFzw/IMG_0567_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>Just a few days prior Oliver and I had run errands and while in Target I told him he could play with the toys for a little bit, but we would not be buying anything. When it was time to go, he threw a little bit of a fit, but I told him his birthday was coming up and he could ask for his favorite items and hopefully get them.</p> <p>This time around, he threw a major fit. He tried to sneak out of the store with the bus a couple of times. I finally had to grab him and put the bus back in the bin. Oliver was crying and kicking with arms flailing everywhere. One handedly I held him as I pushed Bella in her stroller back out to the car. I told Oliver that if he was going to act this way, we were going to sit in the car. Again I reminded him, his birthday was coming up soon and maybe he would get the bus for his birthday. He proceeded to cry in the car. When Jesse made it back out to the vehicle he was still sobbing over his bus.</p> <p>As we drove home (still sobbing) out of the blue he sadly said “Daddy I don’t like your birthday”.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-1073913310768857392014-06-05T15:48:00.000-05:002014-06-10T15:49:01.545-05:00Kindergarten is Over<p>Bella finished up Kindergarten. It’s a school tradition that the kindergarten class and their families go to Deanna Rose Farmstead for a field trip picnic during the last week of school.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zRxPCAU0Ag4/U5dvF12dm1I/AAAAAAAAN78/ykggUG3SmFQ/s1600-h/IMG_3318%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3318" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3318" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4BnszOIck-8/U5dvG5SZzeI/AAAAAAAAN8E/6rLufAUOkEM/IMG_3318_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Bella had the smallest class. I think there were under 10 students, while the full day class and the morning class had over 20 students.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qmAjzcHonVQ/U5dvH22HzDI/AAAAAAAAN8M/u-2IjmceF0U/s1600-h/IMG_3321%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3321" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3321" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f8QjlSo7n-c/U5dvIh0vTPI/AAAAAAAAN8U/h-pWZRZ1B5E/IMG_3321_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Bella’s last day of Kindergarten I tried to get some pictures to compare from her first day. She wasn’t really cooperating.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-canFtfsHT14/U5dvJQz3QaI/AAAAAAAAN8c/AJckg1hAdfQ/s1600-h/IMG_3324%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3324" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3324" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PRngUTB2P0M/U5dvKczu5mI/AAAAAAAAN8k/GIOZ2MJMoU0/IMG_3324_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6TPz_mHCKVk/U5dvLBpvIPI/AAAAAAAAN8s/AOuZZX5EzGY/s1600-h/IMG_3326%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3326" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3326" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LUEmKSeKubY/U5dvLrtJk5I/AAAAAAAAN80/JJ3ACJoXuQQ/IMG_3326_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a></p> <p>I put her in the same outfit on purpose. I think maybe her face has gotten a little longer/less round. Otherwise it’s really hard to tell any difference.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pfz_W6-pHLI/U5dvMVEjSdI/AAAAAAAAN88/CrGXNDBLDUo/s1600-h/IMG_2094%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2094" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2094" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vWGcu6p-yhk/U5dvNNx4t0I/AAAAAAAAN9E/OOcZM71iDgM/IMG_2094_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o0r1qyyrdis/U5dvN8lbOQI/AAAAAAAAN9M/jSwNtEP_xJE/s1600-h/IMG_3329%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3329" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8SVUI2p3fZA/U5dvO9LzlKI/AAAAAAAAN9Q/5rtknH4jwKA/IMG_3329_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="400"></a></p> <p>We really enjoyed Bella’s Kindergarten experience. Now how to keep us occupied over the summer!</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-27952382866778565442014-06-03T15:22:00.000-05:002014-06-10T15:27:27.112-05:00Florida Vacation<p>First off I just want to say thank you. I really do like being from the Midwest and I find Midwesterners to be very helpful and we had people step up all over the place to help us out.</p> <p>We had a morning flight out of Kansas City. Having to get to the airport so early, means you have a lot of time to kill. For us that meant trying to get Bella to eat breakfast, and getting our very excited son to have patience and wait to board the plane. Let’s just say we had to attempt a time out in the airport and it didn’t go so well.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BCkZ0ftWyHE/U5dpISM36pI/AAAAAAAANzM/RbHXlU4dnug/s1600-h/IMG_1152%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1152" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1152" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Ij73ckGXt8/U5dpJBdbQiI/AAAAAAAANzU/R58l5C7gI3U/IMG_1152_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gaeMSargku0/U5dpJx-LaAI/AAAAAAAANzc/Q4d_uPXab54/s1600-h/IMG_1154%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1154" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1154" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hRMpAv2lRr8/U5dpKtHGHHI/AAAAAAAANzk/bA_ptZULQZ4/IMG_1154_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p>Boarding the plane. Well that’s a story on it’s own. And since our hands were extremely full, there was no way we got any pictures. But it would have been priceless to see them now.</p> <p>So we were able to preboard because we needed to transfer Bella from her stroller to a car seat. Except we didn’t quite get in line early enough and a bunch of elderly people got in front of us. I was trying to ask nicely if they minded and we could jump to the front of the line (all of the people in front of us were walking on their own with no assistance devices). I just got a bunch of glares and so we slowly went to the back of the line. This did pose a problem because we were the last ones to preboard, which actually meant we had no additional time to get situated. Jesse and Oliver boarded the plane with the car seat and Bella and I waited with all the bags in the boarding ramp. </p> <p>Then all the class A group boarded (we were on Southwest). I quickly realized Jesse was not going to be able to make it back out to us to help get Bella. Which meant I was going to have to get Bella out of the stroller myself and somehow get the stroller properly folded up for them to load it underneath. My options were basically to lay Bella directly on the floor, in which their wasn’t much room, or I first attempted to have her sit in a basic wheelchair that was stored there. Bella would not sit, and kept sliding down. People just kept walking by. I realize no one wanted to stop and help because this was the “A” group and they had probably paid extra to make sure they could get on the plane first and get their chosen seats…..here is where I silently cursed Southwest and their no assigned seating.</p> <p>But as I was struggling the boarding pass agent from Southwest came down the ramp and offered help. I asked him to keep Bella propped up in the chair so I could fold up the stroller. And no sooner was he doing that, Jesse actually started to come out of the plane. The stewardess and stopped traffic so he could make his way out, and another stewardess had been kind enough to sit with Oliver on the plane. So Jesse was able to grab Bella and I quickly grabbed our bags and we finally got situated on our seats.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h77yuaeaAVI/U5dpLasIRtI/AAAAAAAANzs/wNMhnnB0pvo/s1600-h/IMG_1155%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1155" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1155" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ih7jadId3Z4/U5dpMJlXEpI/AAAAAAAANz0/UpYUw-Ljf3g/IMG_1155_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p>The flight itself went fairly well. Bella got a little fussy toward the end and probably wanted to get out and lay down. Oliver got very fidgety and didn’t want to be stuck in his seat anymore. But all in all both kids did really well.</p> <p>Once we landed and got to the ramp and picked up our strollers, we began our journey to get all our bags. I really, really, really wish we had taken a photo of us with all our bags and gear. It was slightly ridiculous and honestly about one bag more than we could handle. A nice couple that had been on our flight offered to take a few of our bags to the car rental agency, since they were also headed that direction.</p> <p>We crammed all our stuff into a slightly too small for us vehicle (let’s just say I picked it out and Jesse was cursing me under his breath as he tried to get everything stuffed into the vehicle to shut the doors). In my defense the only time we had all the bags was to and from the airport and we saved both money on the rental and gas money by going with the smaller vehicle.</p> <p>After we arrived at the house we were renting we dropped everything off and headed out to a turtle festival which was held at a sea turtle rescue center.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4Fi4381xyG4/U5dpMsHOxYI/AAAAAAAANz8/YMz5pDb7JCo/s1600-h/IMG_1158%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1158" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1158" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wcf54p5i4Fk/U5dpN6AGMVI/AAAAAAAAN0E/iKtUBxAKUtM/IMG_1158_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>The next day was Oliver’s first experience at the beach/ocean. He LOVED IT! And he squawked like a bird in excitement for the first 30 minutes straight. Running into and out of the ocean. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E5cIkWSTkTw/U5dpOfnrMpI/AAAAAAAAN0M/enoWpNd5z9w/s1600-h/IMG_3187%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3187" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3187" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GJEfrsGOQQw/U5dpPCPX2OI/AAAAAAAAN0U/SU27r-_t66Y/IMG_3187_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X50xsXKWVoA/U5dpP9kj4BI/AAAAAAAAN0c/0uEOTHQRX4s/s1600-h/IMG_3189%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3189" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3189" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dbDC0GK4Uvg/U5dpQuOGkYI/AAAAAAAAN0k/mwCepob_JKc/IMG_3189_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>It took him a while to realize the waves could take him down. There were quite a few instances he fell and/or we had to grab him. This one is fearless I tell you, because he loved it and kept going back in.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aolm_iqdz34/U5dpRRi9YJI/AAAAAAAAN0s/XoBh_yPfFQ0/s1600-h/IMG_3191%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3191" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3191" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FxaEJ004ReY/U5dpSP6fbtI/AAAAAAAAN00/Di9sxc2ApO4/IMG_3191_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Our rental house was in Juno Beach and we absolutely loved the area. It was not busy at all and the beaches were lovely. The fishermen were out there daily.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wb-uUCQf2O0/U5dpWkVvjqI/AAAAAAAAN08/UwChV8BO8nE/s1600-h/IMG_3188%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3188" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3188" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NlI9TC3mqAo/U5dpXZ9w3vI/AAAAAAAAN1E/cNIq4BpySGc/IMG_3188_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Bella really enjoyed her first day at the beach. We dipped her into the ocean water, but for the most part she just enjoyed sitting in the breeze.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dv_ymt1Tm2U/U5dpYA3D9TI/AAAAAAAAN1M/fsEWgK30epo/s1600-h/IMG_3193%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3193" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wTNEsXkmWYk/U5dpY0zd4HI/AAAAAAAAN1U/AsM6L3vuTyo/IMG_3193_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>The rental house had a pool, so the kids were excited to swim there as well. And it was great for Jesse and I, as we hung out at the pool each day the kids napped.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PyraYhpaUH4/U5dpZo6tPOI/AAAAAAAAN1Y/g_xsRr61HBU/s1600-h/IMG_3197%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3197" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3197" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-necbq_WZOAg/U5dpaZ4_NsI/AAAAAAAAN1k/sjedvAmBsMU/IMG_3197_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KuP8SSCu2zo/U5dpbEm6ZKI/AAAAAAAAN1s/SrvTi28YhNU/s1600-h/IMG_3195%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3195" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3195" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1hGJWLis8uo/U5dpcBWdxqI/AAAAAAAAN10/wa2aRJC6DZQ/IMG_3195_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>The next day we tried a popular beach for children in a nearby community. The water wasn’t as pretty, but it was a lagoon where the kids could play around and not have to worry about waves knocking them over.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GI3l1QUsnys/U5dpcpnIAAI/AAAAAAAAN18/n8hNzZwZvUg/s1600-h/IMG_3202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3202" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3202" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8azQrXn-VWo/U5dpdSnal6I/AAAAAAAAN2E/wNeYRoMHr84/IMG_3202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>The preferred activity of Oliver’s at the beach, throwing sand. Trying to tell him you could only throw sand into the water and not at people…very repetitive.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xia8_s2SgKE/U5dpeLJ5PRI/AAAAAAAAN2M/VlcwkCnnObs/s1600-h/IMG_3204%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3204" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3204" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kDwPpKjsUVY/U5dpe98CJII/AAAAAAAAN2U/WQpOA0q-q54/IMG_3204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uoBYqDmBlgo/U5dpfQOV9AI/AAAAAAAAN2c/EOgstv_5zGQ/s1600-h/IMG_3201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3201" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3201" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C4uyUMuA48E/U5dpgBdVOAI/AAAAAAAAN2k/nPZ2SVsa2AM/IMG_3201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>We also went to a small rescue zoo that was located near us. Oliver informed us that his favorite animal was the snake.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5J8eP-QZSzk/U5dpgw4fe9I/AAAAAAAAN2s/R2Y_2akhULM/s1600-h/IMG_3209%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3209" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3209" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w6XtYObLKLA/U5dphlt_A2I/AAAAAAAAN20/1AAcPEdkmTQ/IMG_3209_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JQxgx-EOgR4/U5dpiav-ucI/AAAAAAAAN28/_-Ch3GSyJn4/s1600-h/IMG_3213%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3213" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3213" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sHNOqSMU-hQ/U5dpjTeF_dI/AAAAAAAAN3E/wcSn1SrwpWo/IMG_3213_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>And what’s a Florida trip without seeing an Alligator?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tDiFs1GpPJ0/U5dpkNS7nrI/AAAAAAAAN3M/prvtWQCyvug/s1600-h/IMG_3214%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3214" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3214" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XERKRoJYXls/U5dpkyTt-XI/AAAAAAAAN3U/ya4AfU8BY0Q/IMG_3214_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5_1w4XNkdmg/U5dplsLNcfI/AAAAAAAAN3c/_ccu4E3puL8/s1600-h/IMG_3221%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3221" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3221" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KRDoFpaBSAE/U5dpn_zSWLI/AAAAAAAAN3k/EP58hnzUpb8/IMG_3221_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LKOu29hcxlE/U5dpomwt0jI/AAAAAAAAN3s/HRa-4PB2Lv0/s1600-h/IMG_3219%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3219" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3219" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-23WuvVN95l8/U5dppczZxmI/AAAAAAAAN30/EagzQmEPlzc/IMG_3219_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>We also hit up some parks and plenty of additional time at the beach.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vSSYoFH6f40/U5dpqTPFx8I/AAAAAAAAN38/4wibPJKkZQI/s1600-h/IMG_1169%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1169" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1169" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lM4HQ4bk40U/U5dprK6c-BI/AAAAAAAAN4E/EMEqSXkj0nA/IMG_1169_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ngjybPw5LWE/U5dpsBoUhoI/AAAAAAAAN4M/0Vy3f2M7d8c/s1600-h/IMG_3224%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3224" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3224" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VIji3nxUKVQ/U5dpsy6rEqI/AAAAAAAAN4U/j0wUxBOhS0I/IMG_3224_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pamz2yacnS8/U5dptsgX11I/AAAAAAAAN4c/jd_mLyOFP0I/s1600-h/IMG_3227%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3227" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3227" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FxLsii9lyyM/U5dpuD2vF_I/AAAAAAAAN4k/3qoBDzJJcGU/IMG_3227_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>By the end of the week, Bella was not really enjoying the beach anymore. But since that is what we were there for, she didn’t really get a choice and had to stick it out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OJOe96Dzg38/U5dpu3eJV8I/AAAAAAAAN4s/7uor6OHXbYM/s1600-h/IMG_3229%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3229" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3229" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NlvUn28sUeg/U5dpvxjT0kI/AAAAAAAAN40/g-zjRgD_ylw/IMG_3229_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h0Hj68eewrE/U5dpwuE8HtI/AAAAAAAAN48/MxFtVhYKjh4/s1600-h/IMG_3234%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3234" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3234" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TvgbfecD_Lc/U5dpxWeSY0I/AAAAAAAAN5E/GlTdHiYcKcA/IMG_3234_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NIxy_N_QA4s/U5dpyds3p9I/AAAAAAAAN5M/TRywu0whOHw/s1600-h/IMG_1187%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1187" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1187" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H2zeg57xHMc/U5dpzGdybYI/AAAAAAAAN5U/BlNoC28tUX0/IMG_1187_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p>Bella’s favorite activity, and possibly Oliver’s too, was our sunset cruise boat ride. This was meant to be a somewhat romantic/relaxing outing for couples and families. They allowed small children and at the time we booked, it was the only thing available. So we went. Our kids were the only ones on the boat, in fact Jesse and myself were some of the youngest members of the cruise. Luckily our kids loved the boat ride and behaved great. The crew/workers did a great job entertaining them.</p> <p>Oliver got to be captain for awhile.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_Twry7uuhsY/U5dpz8gdCwI/AAAAAAAAN5c/sXc9FZ75J2k/s1600-h/IMG_1174%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1174" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lWva3rZDUZM/U5dp0-SBOYI/AAAAAAAAN5k/gU6JEvgeyKc/IMG_1174_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>And the captain came out and danced with Bella when he heard she loved to dance. That takes a very special person in our minds to be able to hold her and try and give her a great time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O1bauoiwpgU/U5dp4F2Ms4I/AAAAAAAAN5s/1zTnm7vtbJs/s1600-h/IMG_1179%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1179" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1179" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IJQYe0Q6vho/U5dp49AopsI/AAAAAAAAN50/FFYfsojJ9lY/IMG_1179_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fVpHTI3bh7Q/U5dp5vzLJDI/AAAAAAAAN58/ZUOrHZh5ZTQ/s1600-h/IMG_3243%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3243" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3243" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i7xSBvkLqX8/U5dp9YuHVjI/AAAAAAAAN6E/EwtfrPBAQ34/IMG_3243_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wjnXJ-ufe8U/U5dp-InZMkI/AAAAAAAAN6M/zp3SRRG2Ysc/s1600-h/IMG_3252%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3252" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3252" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MkD018smwFQ/U5dp-xoobBI/AAAAAAAAN6U/ATXZi_eRfXc/IMG_3252_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Nzr-uXO-Exg/U5dp_0olDpI/AAAAAAAAN6c/cjf9MJhWykk/s1600-h/IMG_3247%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3247" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3247" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4sybBxjN2F0/U5dqAt3IM5I/AAAAAAAAN6k/o50nth5KBzM/IMG_3247_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>This girl was smiles the whole night.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2gkRPTxaKEM/U5dqBQSGTFI/AAAAAAAAN6s/HiKxWIF3nt4/s1600-h/IMG_3241%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3241" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3241" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9DYZeciwWxY/U5dqCApSeGI/AAAAAAAAN60/O3OikuZGmdU/IMG_3241_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vDAg6Z4_USc/U5dqC8u00xI/AAAAAAAAN68/7paQWufz2As/s1600-h/IMG_3257%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3257" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3257" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wQIxIVu-Itw/U5dqDkVyvkI/AAAAAAAAN7E/gdgVL66fLBU/IMG_3257_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-51MtrGSd57w/U5dqEUWLLbI/AAAAAAAAN7M/BE3VYtibN-U/s1600-h/IMG_1181%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1181" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1181" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pDp9zJeUYSw/U5dqFctov6I/AAAAAAAAN7U/ufbj1wtYX24/IMG_1181_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BSSoMa4zd-U/U5dqIbhM8NI/AAAAAAAAN7c/A155TOsVZ00/s1600-h/IMG_3267%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3267" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hjCy_HuZVgw/U5dqJVz0BTI/AAAAAAAAN7k/r8up1AyTQ8o/IMG_3267_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a></p> <p>The way home we had a little practice under our belt, so it seemed to go a little better. Except for the 5 hour plane delay where we camped out at the Fort Lauderdale airport for hours and hours. Luckily there was a place for Bella to lay down and both kids came through it with minimal issues.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hbNiAhUOwd0/U5dqKP8FlTI/AAAAAAAAN7s/6IFhhHacz9w/s1600-h/IMG_1194%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1194" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1194" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RfNgtrDX-bY/U5dqK3f1D5I/AAAAAAAAN70/GssnowOCc_c/IMG_1194_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>Our biggest hurdle was the fact we were now in the air and landing way past bedtime. Oliver went to sleep in our laps and Bella went to sleep in her stroller once we landed at the airport…which never happens, that’s how tired she was.</p> <p>All in all it was good vacation. The travel was a little stressful and the majority of activities was geared to the kids. The weather might have been a tad on the cold side (beginning of April), so in the future if we do Florida again, we might wait a month or so if we really want to maximize the beach and pool time.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-39034327492434491262014-04-21T11:36:00.001-05:002014-04-21T11:36:20.507-05:00Happy Easter<p>We had a beautiful day for Easter this year.</p> <p>We did a small Easter Egg hunt for Oliver to find the Easter baskets.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YQagu9wj5vs/U1VI3NdxtHI/AAAAAAAANok/kC339IwqIEU/s1600-h/IMG_3272%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3272" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3272" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WD_PW88NIb8/U1VI38t6ZqI/AAAAAAAANoo/LkpbyjOjNpg/IMG_3272_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ODf4HrcQtsM/U1VI4fcjXMI/AAAAAAAANow/i8PD5jFvo4Y/s1600-h/IMG_3273%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3273" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3273" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ttIQBMwExKY/U1VI5MAregI/AAAAAAAANo8/hd6Cs4GbdjI/IMG_3273_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o1j-C2n2jd8/U1VI5g-x9fI/AAAAAAAANpE/PgauryGpPho/s1600-h/IMG_3276%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3276" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3276" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ceIF5RwUz2o/U1VI6UZ0hUI/AAAAAAAANpM/wx2irnb5B08/IMG_3276_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>He was excited about the planes he received.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rZCX8w3-Yu4/U1VI6-ymC5I/AAAAAAAANpQ/Ww4TArKUNIg/s1600-h/IMG_3277%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3277" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3277" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cC4lfgOyw5g/U1VI7nFPizI/AAAAAAAANpc/x2eOu-ne1f4/IMG_3277_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Then he got to deliver Bella’s basket to her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7AEkpikg328/U1VI8XpeRaI/AAAAAAAANpk/8tAbggtljwI/s1600-h/IMG_3279%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3279" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3279" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KfCPs3rgZR0/U1VI82LL2WI/AAAAAAAANps/yJ16HV_BXlQ/IMG_3279_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yQDkLFfkXzs/U1VI9fgxzPI/AAAAAAAANp0/flqvZilrWh4/s1600-h/IMG_3280%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3280" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3280" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zdMplDeernM/U1VI-B6qrOI/AAAAAAAANp8/h_JYq_MSHAw/IMG_3280_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o4zjJSURF4g/U1VI-t-Rd5I/AAAAAAAANqE/ezL3E6QXV_Q/s1600-h/IMG_3286%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3286" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3286" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7I1nh5ScI_I/U1VI_YaBxbI/AAAAAAAANqM/hK8QQfEseCU/IMG_3286_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>We headed to church and then did brunch with Jesse’s family.</p> <p>Most of the afternoon was spent enjoying the great weather outside.</p> <p>The kid liked his planes so much, he literally didn’t let them out of his hands all day long.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iwK2Ts9tOFk/U1VI_z0kuRI/AAAAAAAANqQ/3e1UF9ZkIJo/s1600-h/0141e4849b1b091ed7c2ffd3dfe536c66a373c51b3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="0141e4849b1b091ed7c2ffd3dfe536c66a373c51b3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="0141e4849b1b091ed7c2ffd3dfe536c66a373c51b3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J8MQ4zL9Iw8/U1VJAV4eMEI/AAAAAAAANqc/4twKQq_zbcw/0141e4849b1b091ed7c2ffd3dfe536c66a373c51b3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p>Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-24468412591302012502014-02-28T10:39:00.001-06:002014-02-28T10:39:14.649-06:00Say SomethingI have been missing for awhile. I wish there was an exciting reason. But it's just been sickness after sickness after sickness after sickness. I could go on and on, because no exaggeration, it's been non stop.<br />
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Bella is in a particularly bad spell right now. One of those mystery sicknesses we can't diagnose and can't seem to get over, which gets contributed to teething once again.</div>
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It's also hard when she is sick because normal "mothering" actions don't soothe her. She seems to have a bit of sensory issues and at times can't be comforted. Which can make it extremely hard emotionally for us as the parents when we can't find a way to make things better.</div>
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There has been lots of crying around here for the last week, day and night. And it seems at least once a day I even break down from the stress.</div>
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Today I heard a song again and it really hit me as it pertains to Bella.</div>
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I feel like I am giving up on her because if can't see any real progress. I feel horrible about the fact that I don't push her enough at home. I don't do enough follow through with her therapies. I enroll her in extra outside therapies and then always end up canceling them because it gets too expensive, we cancel all the time because of sickness, or it doesn't seem to be worth the effort.</div>
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That last statement probably sums it up. "It doesn't seem to be worth the effort". And how horrible is that to say about your child. The daily taking care of Bella wipes me out and with everything else that goes on in our lives, I have literally given up on pushing her to do more, because I don't see progress.<br />
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Now you can listen to this song and see if you understand.</div>
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Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-29823996996116902002014-02-10T10:09:00.001-06:002014-02-10T10:09:35.275-06:00Potty Training–Zoo Style<p>Oliver is 2 1/2. I was definitely ready for him to be out of diapers, especially since he wouldn’t let me change them anymore and would run away from me thinking it was a game.</p> <p>He actually started showing interest in the potty around age 2, but the physical signs (holding pee for a couple of hours, and having more adult like poops) just weren’t there yet. But we bought a few potty’s and a few books to start talking about the process and if he wanted to sit on them, we encouraged it.</p> <p>Fast forward a couple of months and the physical signs started to happen, but there was little interest from Oliver himself. He would at times sit on the potty, even sitting for 15-20 minutes and nothing would happen.</p> <p>I read a few books myself and looked up a bunch of research on potty training. The majority of research said you could potty train in 3 days. I also read that in the past most kids were potty trained around the age of 18 months, and now days it was getting closer to age 3. The main difference…..disposable diapers. They claim that the disposable diapers now days do such a good job absorbing the pee, that the kids don’t really feel it, and therefore don’t even know what the sensation to pee is.</p> <p>Since Oliver had tried sitting on the potty and when we asked if he needed to pee, he would try pushing really hard like he had to poop, we figured he had no idea what pee meant. So we decided to take the path of putting him in underwear and letting him feel what it was like to pee himself. This was guaranteed to make a mess, but we figured he was a smart kid and he would figure it out quickly. And since he was refusing to sit on the potty when we asked him, we figured this was the only way.</p> <p>We actually did some test runs of this potty training style a couple of weekends, we would start on a Saturday and after cleaning up pee and poop all day long and not going in the toilet once, we would give up after one day. But it did give him a chance to feel the pee, and he did not like it one bit. But still he would sit on the potty for 20 minutes and then get up and almost immediately pee his pants.</p> <p>After the failed attempts we would wait a couple of weeks and then try again. We would talk about where pee and poop go, and that if he peed in the potty he would get “Gordon” his favorite Thomas the Train, plus if he tried he got jelly beans, and if he actually went he would get fruit snacks…his ultimate favorite treat.</p> <p>So starts last weekend. We were stocked on fruit snacks and juice boxes, so he could drink a lot and really have to go. Saturday morning he woke up and was dry, so we were in the perfect position to start. We set up a potty seat in the bathroom and a potty chair in our family room where he usually plays.</p> <p>I had to heavily bribe him to even sit down. Having to resort to fruit snacks to get him to sit down. And then he would sit down….and nothing. So he would get up. 30 minutes later, I again had to bribe him to sit down, and again nothing. An hour later I bribed him to sit down….and finally we peed on the potty. Our first success!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iybKnqOQ_u8/Uvj5ut7575I/AAAAAAAANf0/mNYHX98JUus/s1600-h/0178d6364e1ea5a1d2f0d28c972ed0ec1398ad8eac%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="0178d6364e1ea5a1d2f0d28c972ed0ec1398ad8eac" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="0178d6364e1ea5a1d2f0d28c972ed0ec1398ad8eac" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NpUsMZ43MCo/Uvj5vZMEJzI/AAAAAAAANf8/Nd0t7jEsvAQ/0178d6364e1ea5a1d2f0d28c972ed0ec1398ad8eac_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="300"></a></p> <p>A couple hours later he pooped his pants. I have heard it takes them longer to poop on the toilet, so no big deal, we cleaned it up. He wanted to keep his underpants on for his nap, so we let him, and luckily he kept them dry. Except when he woke up he still didn’t want to sit on the potty and eventually peed his pants. Although we did have a bit of luck getting him to potty before he went to bed that night. So in the first day he peed twice in the potty and had a few accidents around the house. But this was progress.</p> <p>Day 2 - On Sunday we did the whole thing again. Again he peed in the potty in the morning after bribing him again and again to try. The rest of the day we tried to get him on the potty and he would sit if bribed, but not always go. And we continued to have accidents. Although at this point he was doing a better job only letting a little bit out and then saying he was peeing and needed to get to the potty.</p> <p>Day 3 - Monday – this was a school day and I debated what to do. Everything says it would take 3 days and I should probably keep him home to continue. Except a big snowstorm was coming and this might be the only day the kids would be in school and I could get things done. Plus the teachers at school were supposed to be potty training experts, so I hoped he would make progress even going to school.</p> <p>He peed at home in the potty before leaving for school, and peed in the toilet at school once. Then it was downhill with multiple accidents and clothes changes.</p> <p>Day 4 - Tuesday morning was indeed a snow day. Same process in the morning although a little less bribing necessary (mainly because I realized he normally was up for 30 min to an hour before he had to pee). Then around 9 am Bella woke up with puke everywhere. Luckily Jesse was home due to the snow and he was giving Bella a bath while I was trying to get the sheets, pillows and puke covered stuffed animals in the wash. Jesse yelled down that he needed help. </p> <p>Oliver was standing right beside him in the bathroom and had pooped and peed his pants. So I had to then go up and clean up his stinky mess. It was at this point I was about ready to give up on the potty training. But we forged ahead and were about half toilet/half pants incidents for the day. The frustrating thing was we always had to ask him/bribe him to sit on the potty. He still really didn’t seem to have it figured out. </p> <p>Day 5 – Wednesday – same process as Tuesday with no progress made. By that evening when I was cleaning up pee out of the carpet after already having to clean a huge puddle of pee out of our couch that afternoon, I was giving up. He still just didn’t seem to connect the sensation to pee. I was beginning to think it might actually be something he just didn’t feel and that we were being horrible people for making him continually pee his pants. Not to mention we were getting so frustrated that we were not keeping it fun and light anymore. So that evening we put diapers on him for bed and we officially gave up. Our house smelled like a zoo.</p> <p>Day 6 – Thursday – We were officially done trying to potty train him, but we planned to leave the potty in the family room and occasionally ask if he needed to go, since he had some success. That morning I left his diaper on instead of immediately taking it off the second he woke up. And about an hour after he had woken up he was sitting on the couch and said to me “Oh I have to pee” and was trying to get to the potty. So I helped him. He didn’t go. Although, 15 minutes later he said the same thing, and I helped him and low and behold, he went potty.</p> <p>A couple hours later I was busy doing something and heard him say “Bella I’m going potty”. I rushed into the family room, and there he was sitting on the potty. He had taken down his pants, underpants, and diaper all by himself and was sitting on the potty. Except in this instance he had actually already peed into the diaper before he got it all off. </p> <p>Since that time he will now do it himself. Sometimes he still needs help getting all his clothes off, mainly because he is still wearing a diaper. And why with his success is he still in a diaper? Well at this point we haven’t had any luck with pooping in the toilet, so the diaper will stay on until then, I have cleaned enough poopy underwear!</p> <p>We will see how long it takes him to poop in the toilet. I’m hoping to have some success within a week.</p> <p>He still gets fruit snacks every time he pees. And we did go to the train store to get “Gordon” for his excellent job at going pee in the toilet. Except he picked out “Flynn the Fire Engine” instead. And now he asks for “Gordon” which he has been told we can go back and get once he poops in the toilet.</p> <p>I can definitely tell you the experience was one huge long frustration and trying to keep everything fun and light was not easy as you continually clean up pee and poop. And of course it took us double the time stated in all the experts opinion. I honestly have no idea how he finally figured out the sensation and why it took as long as it did. But I guess if you have a stubborn, smart, strong willed child like ours, this way of potty training might be your only option.</p> <p>Good luck….you are going to need it!</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-83967017518157529562014-01-31T11:34:00.001-06:002014-01-31T11:34:26.742-06:00Inclusion<p>It’s been awhile since I have written about the kids. Beyond the fact that we have been busy battling colds/flu constantly, life has been going on.</p> <p>Bella’s school works on the inclusion policy. They try to include Bella in all activities that she can possibly participate in, and they probably include her in more than she can really comprehend. In truth Bella just watches life happen around her. In order for her to participate in anything she needs an adult to make that happen. We are lucky that at school she has an adult with her at all times that pushes her to do things and be a part of things. The kids in her kindergarten class are also doing a great job seeing her as a part of their class, even though she isn’t in the room full time.</p> <p>Bella got invited to a birthday party for girls in her kindergarten class. She has been invited to parties before and I always decline them. This time around I really debated on what to do. The school makes such an effort to include her and the kids do such a good job seeing her as one of them. </p> <p>I’m not sure if the girls asked their mom to invite Bella, or if their mom wanted to invite all the girls in the class, but if I want Bella to be seen as someone who could be a friend, then I need to have her participate outside of class.</p> <p>That would all make you think that saying yes to the party would be an easy decision…..except as I said, in order for Bella to participate in anything she needs an adult to make it happen. The party happened to be in the evening after school. Generally Bella is really tired after a full day of school, and Bella likes to be winding down and going to bed around 7pm. The party would only be halfway over at that point. Plus we already had plans that evening we would have to cancel in order for me to take her to the party.</p> <p>And logistically, I had never been to this person’s house. I would have no idea if they could accommodate Bella’s wheelchair or have an area that she could lay down, or a place I could try to hold her. I wouldn’t really know anyone there either, and Bella can’t really help with that part, she wouldn’t really interact with the girls there, she would be watching for the most part.</p> <p>In the end I regretfully declined the invitation. At some point I know I need to step it up and help Bella get included in activities, but it still seems like an impossible task, and a lot of hard work on my part. I really just wish I knew whether she would enjoy the hard work put forth to include her or not?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JPxLXW8R4i4/UuvenF0TWGI/AAAAAAAANc8/jiv3mwQLMzc/s1600-h/IMG_2503%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2503" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2503" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qDe0nitpI-Q/Uuven-fE_qI/AAAAAAAANdE/KRnBlmMaieo/IMG_2503_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="352"></a></p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-63668740811504062892014-01-06T14:29:00.001-06:002014-01-06T14:29:49.112-06:00Happy New Year<p>This post is a little late. If you saw the few posts I got done during the holiday season you obviously noticed the never ending sickness in our family.</p> <p>I wanted to show a few highlights from our Christmas celebration.</p> <p>Christmas Eve we opened a few gifts from each other. It was also the time I did the unexciting clothes for the kids which immediately got tossed for more exciting toys.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--NtL7txSIfY/UssR8L1JjAI/AAAAAAAANRk/GqlG2RdetlQ/s1600-h/IMG_2988%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2988" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2988" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PhCNQr_NJmY/UssR86QLS-I/AAAAAAAANRs/2DteZUHhWwI/IMG_2988_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Santa’s big gift to Oliver was a new train set. Jesse built a new train table out of scrap wood. We knew the train table was going to be a necessity when one day I picked Oliver up from Preschool and they had just gotten a new train table there. He did not want to leave school. I had to physical pick him up kicking and screaming because he didn’t want to leave. He cried for the train table all the way home from school. Then when we pulled into our circle drive and I got him out of the car, he started running towards the street saying he was going back to school to play with his train table.</p> <p>He finally calmed down but it took awhile. And building a train table for Christmas became our number one priority.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AlYnh303hio/UssR95_4r0I/AAAAAAAANR0/cviDwENCyPM/s1600-h/IMG_2997%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2997" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2997" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PY65mHrNPsg/UssR_F1j7mI/AAAAAAAANR8/rwsB6LNxePU/IMG_2997_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Remember when I mentioned Oliver had fevers and was very sick Christmas Eve. That morning he was a little out of it when he first saw the new train set.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c3Cb8-Xrd8o/UssSALS9hlI/AAAAAAAANSE/3mSEEthtPC0/s1600-h/IMG_3000%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3000" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3000" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mc4_HxTf5Xc/UssSBR4VyZI/AAAAAAAANSM/gyh8a_WCWD4/IMG_3000_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>But once he fully woke up he excitedly played with it all day. In fact almost two weeks later he is still busy playing with the train set.</p> <p>Bella’s big gift was getting a swing installed inside so he has something to do when the weather is cold. Although we didn’t actually get this accomplished before Christmas. And once we did get it installed she was battling a cold/ear infection so she didn’t feel like swinging.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j1fIUMjiRvI/UssSCRfluvI/AAAAAAAANSQ/anBBRtzpHGk/s1600-h/IMG_3025%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1a5YxP7vtqk/UssSDBYVXoI/AAAAAAAANSY/vhr7yb45lJk/IMG_3025_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a></p> <p>Besides their large gifts, Santa brought them a few other things.</p> <p>Bella actually seemed to enjoy grabbing at her presents, but didn’t really care about what was in them. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UeoOEPQ8L58/UssSEPrSJgI/AAAAAAAANSk/_X-f70Kp800/s1600-h/IMG_2991%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2991" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2991" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-agjmgvHa3Oc/UssSFXLiLxI/AAAAAAAANSs/YqaCFm7I6jM/IMG_2991_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>I would say that is actually some progress. I have to admit I didn’t get this girl any toys. She doesn’t really need any toys, so I’m sure clothes, coats, etc were very boring to her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n40MfF82oB8/UssSGd_BrhI/AAAAAAAANS0/bn2vUwGTcMk/s1600-h/IMG_2993%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2993" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2993" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w-_L1V0-uJA/UssSHTuMAXI/AAAAAAAANS8/qMdlp9E1yo0/IMG_2993_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a>Santa brought the whole family slippers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8hRVpyn3L4c/UssSIWKrzmI/AAAAAAAANTA/mvsfRzcgHUA/s1600-h/IMG_3004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3004" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZIuNeuA_bf8/UssSJGEAl6I/AAAAAAAANTM/tzasCMENA1E/IMG_3004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YGs9kQzL5oI/UssSJ0H95II/AAAAAAAANTU/HxS5ESv8Rh0/s1600-h/IMG_3005%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UBMKM_recEY/UssSLbNDokI/AAAAAAAANTc/SRSv1NANr9Y/IMG_3005_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Bella was able to get her slippers off immediately so I came up with a modification that keeps them on. I will have to share in another post for anyone else that has slippery slippers.</p> <p>And we actually managed to finally make Christmas cookies on Christmas day. Oliver helped for a little while and made some train cookies for himself.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bbhX9EfR400/UssSMLiRMeI/AAAAAAAANTk/UeI6D2D0z2s/s1600-h/IMG_3019%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3019" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6-vKYB6H5Nc/UssSM_sx3RI/AAAAAAAANTo/Iw2LC35RZBc/IMG_3019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_E8L-W_G8p0/UssSNrnGKtI/AAAAAAAANT0/d_3mWVHRP10/s1600-h/IMG_3021%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3021" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RPOMgCaG3vs/UssSObZmOYI/AAAAAAAANT8/LeMY3yPIyHQ/IMG_3021_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>We did have a babysitter for New Year’s Eve. Jesse and I attempted to go out for dinner and drinks with friends. I had gotten a headache earlier that day, but since we rarely have babysitters we pushed through and still went out. I say “we”, because Jesse also had a headache.</p> <p>So we went out to a restaurant and on the car ride there I started to get nauseous. We made it to the restaurant and the feeling was getting worse. I wasn’t quite sure where the feeling was coming from. Was it because I had a migraine, was it because I had taken migraine medication on an empty stomach, or was it because I was now getting the sickness/flu that my kids had?</p> <p>So I sat there worrying about the fact that at some point I might have to make a run for the bathroom to throw up. I was even more worried because I was in a nice restaurant and wearing heels. I thought there would be no way I would actually make it to the restroom in time and instead would throw up in front of everyone trying to have a nice New Year’s Eve dinner.</p> <p>I can luckily say that I did not throw up, nor did I have to bolt for the bathroom. Although the cook thought his meal was bad because I only ate two bites of it. When I didn’t want anything else to replace the meal I ordered, the restaurant was nice enough and took it off the bill. Our friends probably thought I was being a diva over my meal……that and the fact I felt so terrible I couldn’t even carry on a conversation. Needless to say we headed home after dinner and instead of staying up till midnight, I found myself heading straight for bed. We definitely owe a make up to our friends for that evening!</p> <p>I’m happy to report that everyone is starting to feel better, 6 days later I am finally headache free and Bella is feeling better and enjoying her new inside swing.. And today was supposed to be the first day back to school and work for everyone. Except this extreme cold weather came and now school is out again. Yeah…..sarcastically said.</p> <p>So that was our holiday wrap up. And as soon as school can get started again, we will be back to our “normal” scheduling.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-22518147979272482182013-12-29T13:42:00.001-06:002013-12-29T13:42:36.022-06:00December<p>I could tell you all about our Christmas. How much of a success and how much fun we had. But really what we did this year was make the most out of a bad situation.</p> <p>All of December someone in our family was sick. And people are still sick as we near January.</p> <p>I have to apologize to all the relatives who got cash or are getting cash for Christmas. If it wasn’t bought over black Friday, then you probably are not getting the gift I planned on getting you. I did not get out to the stores to buy gifts and I did not get things done I wanted to make.</p> <p>Let’s break it all down.</p> <p>Oliver had fevers/stomach bug for a few days right after Thanksgiving.</p> <p>Kristen had stomach bug for a few days.</p> <p>Bella had stomach bug for a few days.</p> <p>Oliver had coughing/cold for a week.</p> <p>Bella had ??? She just wouldn’t eat and wasn’t feeling good for over a week.</p> <p>Oliver got a fever with more coughing and being miserable for a week (to include a horrible Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day).</p> <p>Kristen got coughing and still has it.</p> <p>Bella got coughing/achiness/general fussiness??????? and still has it.</p> <p>Jesse is starting to get sore throat, stuffiness, etc.</p> <p>I also could mention that on almost every one of our advent Christmas activities someone was sick when they were happening.</p> <p>Here is our Christmas photo for this year. The fact we are all in our pajamas is because everyone was feeling kinda crappy.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ykbv0Q0xfyQ/UsB7Hv3G_UI/AAAAAAAANQs/eBlVvq9tdYQ/s1600-h/IMG_3010%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3010" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_3010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nTrkR0zHGsY/UsB7KVnHjZI/AAAAAAAANQ0/PoQetUW9sE0/IMG_3010_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Hey at least we are trying to smile!</p> <p>Here’s hoping somehow miraculously that we can ring in the New Year all in good health!</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-7364697139810491632013-12-09T07:28:00.001-06:002013-12-09T07:28:04.504-06:00Children’s Programs<p>I know I have mentioned this before, how weepy eyed I become whenever I watch any children’s program. This time I am specifically talking about the Children's program that we watched at church the other night.</p> <p>This time around it was a little different as my emotions were pulled in two different directions.</p> <p>Half the time I was thinking that Bella should be up there, she should be able to enjoy putting on a Christmas program for her family and friends. Would she be the child that was shy and just standing up there? Would she be the child that was constantly waving at her parents the whole time? Would she be the child that was proud of herself and singing every word and doing every action?</p> <p>The other half of the time I was thinking that Oliver would be up there signing next year. And the songs were simple and cute enough, I knew that if he had been up there this year he would already know all the words and actions. He does pretty well with memorizing kids songs.</p> <p>But pretty much the whole time I had tears in my eyes, just ready to spill over as I kept telling myself “Get it together Kristen, there is no reason to cry”. “Eyes, dry yourself out, there is no reason to cry”.</p> <p>I wonder if it will ever get easier. I wonder what will happen next year when I am watching my son, starting to do all the things I wanted my daughter to be able to do.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-72630308441750840052013-12-01T15:16:00.001-06:002013-12-01T15:16:35.272-06:00Countdown to Christmas<p>During the holiday season I will be blogging about our 25 days till Christmas countdown over at my other blog</p> <p><a href="http://www.crazykuhlencreations.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Crazy Creations</a></p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-78360512695586708762013-11-15T11:49:00.001-06:002013-11-15T11:49:57.712-06:00A Crack in the Wall<p>We just spent a lot of money on our house. A lot of money for a really boring and never going to be seen project.</p> <p>We had our house piered.</p> <p>We had some pretty major cracks in our basement wall.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xAgCyJw7sKU/UoZes9a2q5I/AAAAAAAAM1w/7TIfbqHrgOo/s1600-h/IMG_2751%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2751" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2751" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z6hOWarls2k/UoZetiBgX9I/AAAAAAAAM14/M6ktie8u9Ys/IMG_2751_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a></p> <p>We had main house support beams that were not bearing on the wall anymore.</p> <p>Our house had settled a few inches, which was causing the cracks in the basement wall, cracks upstairs in our drywall, cracks in our exterior brick…etc. We had this problem a few years ago. We tried some other solutions to see if we could get the house to come back up on it’s own without having to spend the money to pier it. The house did come back up, but then it went back down again. So we took the plunge and hired out a company to come and fix our problems.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lvM4Wgyr-y4/UoZeuEsokBI/AAAAAAAAM18/Gawg-wUurN0/s1600-h/IMG_2763%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2763" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2763" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XKHxya0D9Fo/UoZeugpTnqI/AAAAAAAAM2I/0Pq-bCwdHzA/IMG_2763_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3tIGUHuhWUg/UoZevcw2GRI/AAAAAAAAM2Q/irDh78X7veM/s1600-h/IMG_2759%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2759" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2759" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L239fBsMUZg/UoZev6TtrhI/AAAAAAAAM2Y/Xi9xhAt5oek/IMG_2759_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_9VxkunfUns/UoZewqXg_xI/AAAAAAAAM2g/9mUobYK1_50/s1600-h/IMG_2762%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2762" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2762" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2fAv-Nto5cg/UoZew59OZ3I/AAAAAAAAM2o/vGgssPlYPt8/IMG_2762_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>They are not exciting pictures, it was not an exciting job. But it’s all done now and we are hopeful that it fixes our problems.</p> <p>In case you are curious, we had 9 piers added to our house along two different walls. Our Southeast corner was the worst, had dropped the most, and it got jacked up 1 1/4”. We also had granular fill added on the outside of the full basement wall and a sump pump installed so that the wall will not continue to move inward and should hopefully never have any leaking problems. And now buried under the house are all my dreams of getting a kitchen remodel in the next 5 years.</p> <p>As for what we have been doing around the house lately. We are still working on the basement, trying to get the mudroom and stairs finished up.</p> <p>Then we move on to work on Bella’s room, which was the reason we bought the house in the first place.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-15185540750837598992013-11-12T10:02:00.001-06:002013-11-12T10:02:15.222-06:00School Carnival Time<p>This weekend Bella’s school had a fundraiser, a school carnival. We were also in charge of watching the class pet, a stuffed frog named Tad.</p> <p>Bella enjoyed showing Tad all her favorite toys.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XaDerX2tV_g/UoJQyc_nXlI/AAAAAAAAMug/Ya0Jd8Mi4So/s1600-h/IMG_2694%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2694" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2694" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vrQ8zzc79YU/UoJQyybszLI/AAAAAAAAMuo/LS-cC9wTQVs/IMG_2694_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RzKjminR79o/UoJQzt9KpOI/AAAAAAAAMuw/PNFSkDh4VSc/s1600-h/IMG_2696%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2696" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2696" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SujMIFXk05U/UoJQ0FbWwZI/AAAAAAAAMu4/ksWeRYwAnGw/IMG_2696_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>They became good friends.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dyNd7Cf8Q_k/UoJQ0qqI7YI/AAAAAAAAMvA/mXMMuJ9kyf0/s1600-h/IMG_2706%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2706" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2706" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n9mSzvZ9jok/UoJQ1W_GxGI/AAAAAAAAMvI/y2OI1wIfqJ4/IMG_2706_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Bella and Oliver have been enjoying “Despicable Me”, we are currently borrowing it, but I’m thinking it needs to be added to our collection.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-980VEN-pDc4/UoJQ1-6mcII/AAAAAAAAMvQ/xJ2M9sXfpY0/s1600-h/IMG_2710%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2710" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2710" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-46_ArIeKzAY/UoJQ2XWBcbI/AAAAAAAAMvY/Ws3vyxCrUGo/IMG_2710_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>I made pumpkin pancakes while Bella and Tad supervised.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IaOgZJNLCWQ/UoJQ2xfdS9I/AAAAAAAAMvg/nIf_aAEA3OY/s1600-h/IMG_2714%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2714" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2714" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NFuvRGbqWvo/UoJQ3toFQEI/AAAAAAAAMvo/R0dQllw8bZ4/IMG_2714_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Then we headed over to the school carnival.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B9lT3jWKRt8/UoJQ4OOt8CI/AAAAAAAAMvw/CA-pV_-yRA8/s1600-h/IMG_2727%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2727" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2727" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UeOePlpp8iI/UoJQ4qXbZWI/AAAAAAAAMv4/KEXHdr-By8k/IMG_2727_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Oliver really wanted to go down the big slide, but the poor kid couldn’t make it up the stairs. He tried a total of 5 times to get up, but in the end he had to settle for the plain moon bounce.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BAQVGhy5-yw/UoJQ5PhBfbI/AAAAAAAAMwA/L6Ygr8M6o-w/s1600-h/IMG_2729%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2729" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2729" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-15BAn5RZGiQ/UoJQ5unEdpI/AAAAAAAAMwI/nxAkEGzBFbg/IMG_2729_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iIy0yi3zTDw/UoJQ6cLWnCI/AAAAAAAAMwQ/4ZR2wY69wIc/s1600-h/IMG_2730%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2730" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2730" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hbFQTPxZnGA/UoJQ65psgAI/AAAAAAAAMwY/dRoZee2ygyE/IMG_2730_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Bella also got to enjoy the moon bounce. She wouldn’t smile for the camera, but she was definitely smiling while being bounced around.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h-9Hsfw16EY/UoJQ7TrVmlI/AAAAAAAAMwg/2h1SeHRA554/s1600-h/IMG_2732%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2732" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2732" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KE2sLgeyOKs/UoJQ8KC_0PI/AAAAAAAAMwo/Ixk7IBTiGuA/IMG_2732_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Both Bella and Oliver got their faces painted.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b5QVMqbSxjg/UoJQ8i4H3yI/AAAAAAAAMww/TFAIxkjgsDU/s1600-h/IMG_2736%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2736" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2736" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QsywfOAPKIc/UoJQ9Pi6AhI/AAAAAAAAMw4/AcIUpEZIeiM/IMG_2736_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jRcTq_AePcI/UoJQ9g6D_mI/AAAAAAAAMxA/Zic9MaWM4es/s1600-h/IMG_2737%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2737" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2737" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DUQGcV7VOF0/UoJQ-T5OXxI/AAAAAAAAMxI/ksrCkufjqvw/IMG_2737_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Bella also did the cake walk and won a cake. Then we headed down to the cafeteria for some carnival food. Bella and Tad had to watch, as there was nothing for them to eat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h3e1aIS0aJA/UoJQ-0H0sZI/AAAAAAAAMxQ/28WtY2g20E8/s1600-h/IMG_2738%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2738" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2738" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yGTdiVyxtSo/UoJQ_V4Bv8I/AAAAAAAAMxY/WrSHYXNciMQ/IMG_2738_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>They were so exhausted from the busy morning they ended up taking a nap as Jesse and I watched the football game.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6FBShMlboP8/UoJQ_8PphCI/AAAAAAAAMxg/LJ5Mx0zp_-E/s1600-h/IMG_2739%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2739" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2739" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--YVrZDaXzf8/UoJRAa8x00I/AAAAAAAAMxo/CKgMPJfEjA0/IMG_2739_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>It was a good weekend, but I think Tad realized he spent a lot of the time upside down!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2K6AA0Iiu_E/UoJRA-MxwPI/AAAAAAAAMxw/fhIQjclKNMQ/s1600-h/IMG_2747%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2747" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2747" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m2cLZOtBjps/UoJRBjketvI/AAAAAAAAMx4/-vq6rVO-too/IMG_2747_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-88126287012716474622013-11-06T06:57:00.000-06:002013-11-06T06:57:00.694-06:00It was a quick trip<p>We took a short vacation this last weekend. Short meaning amount of time, not distance traveled.</p> <p>First we headed up to Nebraska to drop the kids off with Grandma. Then at 6am on Friday morning, we headed off to Minneapolis, MN. We arrived in the early afternoon and ventured off to a few establishment, had dinner, went to another bar for some drinks, and then were tucked into bed by 9:30pm. Yes crazy vacation…right? Except we had been up since 4:30am that morning, when Bella woke us up and somehow on a 6 hour car ride neglected to take a nap.</p> <p>My only regret of the first night was not hopping aboard the biking bar.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IXyZGZBJmkE/UnkHZsHnFeI/AAAAAAAAMp4/imvXJXQlER0/s1600-h/IMG_1014%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HNaSy_Uv9GA/UnkHaVhhB9I/AAAAAAAAMqA/PTPWYU1xT9k/IMG_1014_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>Have you seen these things? You sit up at the bar, but pedal as you drink to move around the streets of downtown. It looked fun, but it was cold, I had on high heels, we were tired. Excuses, excuses….we should have just done it (well except I think it was full at the time so we couldn’t have anyways).</p> <p>But hey, we were actually there for the Saturday activities. Tailgating for the Nebraska/Minnesota game which started at 7am (the tailgating I mean, not the game time).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VUEGZPDprJQ/UnkHawUtH3I/AAAAAAAAMqI/4HHMfODi0zs/s1600-h/IMG_0436%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0436" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0436" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RaK7V6djH1s/UnkHbd_zw_I/AAAAAAAAMqQ/C_JDcMLCRMM/IMG_0436_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-22QvcDv2cB4/UnkHb0VKmRI/AAAAAAAAMqY/Ear2G7W_I9A/s1600-h/IMG_0435.jpg"><img title="IMG_0435" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0435" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gTQiygw2zHs/UnkHclV-y5I/AAAAAAAAMqg/DhPEY8wdR5c/IMG_0435_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504"></a></p> <p>During the game, Jesse and I headed to the stadium.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ROEbxRSs1lU/UnkHdB5jhTI/AAAAAAAAMqo/W2SFEjbdyk0/s1600-h/IMG_1020%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1020" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J4FDvwyAc3I/UnkHd50eDzI/AAAAAAAAMqw/DnAFyxbHXEI/IMG_1020_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>But only for a quick picture, then we headed right across the street to a BW3’s to enjoy the game in the comforts of indoors with beers, food, and big screen tv’s.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8yOGZ3p1P_8/UnkHel4whpI/AAAAAAAAMq4/L7j1iD-Q_Yo/s1600-h/IMG_0434%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0434" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0434" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Uf3K3lBG2Q/UnkHfJFRXsI/AAAAAAAAMrA/v6UyJ2bHkvo/IMG_0434_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>I would say it was about a half Nebraska/half Minnesota crowd at the bar.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_6zI4LjyLTY/UnkHf-MDRBI/AAAAAAAAMrI/sNA3HL_gMJw/s1600-h/IMG_1021%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1021" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7N1s81wnB04/UnkHgcstRaI/AAAAAAAAMrQ/VPJH7sJGrG0/IMG_1021_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>And then the game was a huge disappointment, at least for us Husker fans. We did enjoy Minneapolis, but the 10 hour drive home on Sunday wasn’t too much fun. At least we only had the kids with us for 3 of those hours…as they provided quite a treat. Oliver was crying at one point because he couldn’t see any pink water towers. Yep definitely something to cry about!</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-31855919717580711212013-11-05T08:42:00.001-06:002013-11-05T08:42:48.504-06:00October Roundup<p>I thought I would post any pictures we took in October that I never got around to blogging about.</p> <p>I made these pretzel rolls from scratch….delicious. <a href="http://une-bonne-vie.blogspot.com/2010/08/pretzel-rolls.html" target="_blank">Recipe Here.</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T-KlIBV4j5w/UnkDvOguvlI/AAAAAAAAMnk/ZV8Lji6RtmM/s1600-h/IMG_0456%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0456" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0456" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P6VEb44jDh0/UnkDv4szl2I/AAAAAAAAMns/El3MvXR5pZc/IMG_0456_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p>We did sneak in one pumpkin carving time for Father and Son.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9wLafgPxDqk/UnkDwXDBxzI/AAAAAAAAMn0/IrdwDY3i00k/s1600-h/IMG_2560%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2560" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2560" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rgA2FsFxtjk/UnkDw-4mkSI/AAAAAAAAMn8/jxgyEXDC0rw/IMG_2560_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m7ZBZ43fT48/UnkDxzuVNQI/AAAAAAAAMoE/f2EHUOkr63g/s1600-h/IMG_2562%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2562" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2562" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fEEwD2DOae0/UnkDynC-X_I/AAAAAAAAMoM/Mjf3aCJqpv4/IMG_2562_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NRKFXyFnp04/UnkDzKUjY8I/AAAAAAAAMoU/E-ZpFhLjdcQ/s1600-h/IMG_2565%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2565" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2565" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jXT9ww-g-Vg/UnkDziuJSZI/AAAAAAAAMoc/BaB9Q14zd6s/IMG_2565_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bg-WtuIMGzA/UnkD0IA7N7I/AAAAAAAAMok/urh1I2cUH10/s1600-h/IMG_2567%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2567" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2567" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9r8q3KpWJP0/UnkD02LyHJI/AAAAAAAAMos/QFzEufe-Qhs/IMG_2567_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Bella had picture day at school. She wouldn’t hold her head up for me, so I’m pretty sure the class picture is going to have Bella with her head down !</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CaB2sk_NG48/UnkD1iwnMJI/AAAAAAAAMo0/Z8CP7Mh97Ng/s1600-h/IMG_0427%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0427" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0427" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c1B2kFG_ri8/UnkD2PDolxI/AAAAAAAAMo8/AS1lbG_Is8U/IMG_0427_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="300"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jYudvcYgKq4/UnkD2vMiCTI/AAAAAAAAMpE/mLntJVZzzgM/s1600-h/IMG_0429%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0429" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0429" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7MwPPQfW7Ks/UnkD3LgVnRI/AAAAAAAAMpM/W7sLcRAoCFM/IMG_0429_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="300"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Htjo5QvZNfw/UnkD3wcUskI/AAAAAAAAMpU/GTlO4Rmlebg/s1600-h/IMG_0430%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0430" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0430" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4YrieC7ELCI/UnkD4Razo3I/AAAAAAAAMpc/rcbidATTSmM/IMG_0430_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="300"></a></p> <p>Bella also had her first Dentist visit this past month where they actually cleaned her teeth. We finally went to a special dentist that just got in her mouth and did what needed to be done. Bella actually did a great job and I think because we were there for almost 2 hours towards the end she was getting very cranky and did start crying, otherwise if we could have kept it shorter (less waiting around) it would have been a huge success.</p> <p>She did get a balloon for her troubles, and cracked me up that she held it the whole ride home (doesn’t happen very often).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zh3GMRVsvQA/UnkD5I69D_I/AAAAAAAAMpk/_LWtmH_KP50/s1600-h/IMG_0432%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0432" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0432" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NlUDsSj6UQU/UnkD5m03RVI/AAAAAAAAMps/EObJBY_T560/IMG_0432_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p>We also took a short trip to Minnesota and the kids went to grandmas…post coming soon.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-9544187365562672402013-11-02T13:28:00.001-05:002013-11-02T13:28:33.168-05:00Follow the Yellow Brick Road<p>Or as Oliver’s favorite song of this Halloween season goes – “Ding Dong the Witch is dead. Which old which? The wicked witch. Ding dong the wicked witch is dead.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rbDgWu-ei04/UnVDy_aDQUI/AAAAAAAAMdU/rQFvPnYa9dk/s1600-h/IMG_2576%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2576" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2576" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oLO_0b3hvIA/UnVDzSw3vjI/AAAAAAAAMdc/A3HltxOsG1Y/IMG_2576_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>As I mentioned Bella had a witch’s costume for this year, and I was trying to think how we could incorporate the whole family theme based from that. I came up with the idea of having the house fall on Bella, and she would be one of the wicked witch’s from “The Wizard of Oz”.</p> <p>Jesse made her a cardboard house.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z2TfcYtkRu4/UnVDz4wWsEI/AAAAAAAAMdk/DciFxFIGGxA/s1600-h/IMG_1024%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1024" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eLb-pj2tmsc/UnVD0jpu08I/AAAAAAAAMds/NWmCMdDMgvs/IMG_1024_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="500"></a></p> <p>I painted and decorated it.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iSyEIx1yeGA/UnVD1Al_cKI/AAAAAAAAMd0/K_J5moFWVs8/s1600-h/IMG_0439%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0439" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0439" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tOhiaI31Hrk/UnVD1maBu9I/AAAAAAAAMd8/zPViTlj8sa4/IMG_0439_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RJXMevVPlhU/UnVD2JNu3mI/AAAAAAAAMeE/XQdEYF_GfQs/s1600-h/IMG_0440%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0440" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0440" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B-NOntxb868/UnVD3OTtaFI/AAAAAAAAMeM/gJePOU1M48Y/IMG_0440_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="400"></a></p> <p>We got quite a few compliments as we went along on Bella’s costume parade at school. And a surprising number of people would say….”Oh look it’s Bella”, as we went by. As long as we were moving Bella had her head up and was talking away in her costume.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hWicoN06Mq8/UnVD3gNUPtI/AAAAAAAAMeU/VoXkho-mMvE/s1600-h/IMG_0455%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0455" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0455" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RSQgeqeo3CU/UnVD4IqvNZI/AAAAAAAAMec/2DhvL4OLRoE/IMG_0455_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>Bella’s Kindergarten Class all dressed up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VvPGVgiBtlw/UnVD4g56RZI/AAAAAAAAMek/mujrUckfqjM/s1600-h/IMG_0450%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0450" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0450" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wI89Dl3CGNc/UnVD5UngE3I/AAAAAAAAMes/QNXeo_DzV0Y/IMG_0450_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a> After participating in Bella’s costume parade I had to quickly drive to Oliver’s school to see him participate in his costume parade.</p> <p>Oliver got to choose between the lion, scarecrow, tin man and flying monkey. I do believe he picked the one with the most pieces.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-by72Cx5zT5c/UnVD5yO75XI/AAAAAAAAMe0/4hJ87YSy9PU/s1600-h/IMG_0452%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0452" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0452" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wlTz5Jl1sCE/UnVD6tdtxTI/AAAAAAAAMe8/o2dgLc1A72E/IMG_0452_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aJg-CzTcMeA/UnVD7MU5GOI/AAAAAAAAMfE/iPztmZqjMaE/s1600-h/IMG_1025%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v1ORvVHLr1Q/UnVD70lsLoI/AAAAAAAAMfM/CrTNWqY4AMI/IMG_1025_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="400"></a></p> <p>Later that evening we headed out to go trick-or-treating. Both kids did great. Oliver loved running from house to house. Most times he would say Trick or Treat and then Thank You. Bella had a button to push and you could hear “Trick or Treat” over and over again as she pushed it. Unfortunately almost all the houses have steps, so she only went up to a few doors. Oliver was happy to give her all his candy, so he could go get more!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OpI9nNEyaFg/UnVD8RNQ0cI/AAAAAAAAMfU/17D5GmgXrGY/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JxoBUjo8d2s/UnVD80Le9aI/AAAAAAAAMfc/Ft5sNoolUG8/photo%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p align="center">Flying Monkey’s have to fly!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ok92p76ScT8/UnVD9YAq2nI/AAAAAAAAMfk/XY4tZ2mjmg4/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 1 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4IOiYj6HK1U/UnVD-MXqFTI/AAAAAAAAMfs/96loYJxsC5Y/photo%2525201%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4fxqHk8wWcQ/UnVD-vCZXeI/AAAAAAAAMf0/9zKnlGmHnrE/s1600-h/photo%2525202%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 2 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 2 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-knIQr8yPBds/UnVD_Mc7J1I/AAAAAAAAMf8/u_Oi8cLAOBA/photo%2525202%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nUctMwH0EC0/UnVD_1eFLfI/AAAAAAAAMgE/7mKRpIaooZk/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cMXoXH4OAjs/UnVEAfUB1qI/AAAAAAAAMgM/8qcv1z75KA8/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-76JwQLBIxqk/UnVEA1qgMDI/AAAAAAAAMgU/peLVqZYnEg4/s1600-h/photo%2525205%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rGyJ8OPD2VQ/UnVEBberg7I/AAAAAAAAMgc/odvz-mGDs-s/photo%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="400"></a></p> <p>We had our costume party this weekend. I went with the wicked witch, since it just meant making a black dress that could be worn for other occasions. I owned everything else already, except for the green face paint. I even bought two different ones and both were much too dark….oh well.</p> <p>Jesse had a last minute decision to change from being a tornado to the Wizard of Oz himself. He choose the door keeper costume, which I then had to quickly make in the span of 2 days.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f9BxnVs6g-c/UnVEB2snDlI/AAAAAAAAMgk/dXMsiggAgkI/s1600-h/IMG_2577%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2577" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2577" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gUW_OWaR02I/UnVECUgZn5I/AAAAAAAAMgs/aC_L6Fn3z10/IMG_2577_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="334"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nwzF9manvuU/UnVEDG4EF_I/AAAAAAAAMg0/W5969p_eBiI/s1600-h/IMG_2579%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2579" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2579" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6YIoRDUlBOY/UnVEDktG6_I/AAAAAAAAMg8/vhwAxwdza7Y/IMG_2579_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d4r9J-ti4lE/UnVEEI3K9SI/AAAAAAAAMhE/81TTmSfixQ8/s1600-h/IMG_2580%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2580" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2580" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O5lkAMNYN9Q/UnVEE6I69ZI/AAAAAAAAMhM/lVP2Q5bssbU/IMG_2580_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a></p> <p>And here are the pictures from the party itself.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uriUI1a_dck/UnVEFfcpPbI/AAAAAAAAMhU/e73mVfFVClU/s1600-h/IMG_2583%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2583" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2583" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ArQyG6OElF8/UnVEFzp24sI/AAAAAAAAMhc/AFY-7j5CypM/IMG_2583_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EuuxDGswJP4/UnVEGTRLVdI/AAAAAAAAMhk/pHwkdjFgpRc/s1600-h/IMG_2585%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2585" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2585" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CYe7KhgeqfI/UnVEHOWkH8I/AAAAAAAAMhs/0u6wMPFZ_Tw/IMG_2585_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NyjT4jymg40/UnVEHkxXUaI/AAAAAAAAMh0/D477aQfqY3U/s1600-h/IMG_2582%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2582" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2582" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9CXBbGhnImw/UnVEIb4jDFI/AAAAAAAAMh8/X4F7-gQnlZQ/IMG_2582_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DETKQIwQl-I/UnVEI8KG70I/AAAAAAAAMiE/ezg5GPMEaKI/s1600-h/IMG_2588%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2588" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2588" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UIK12Nb8Nrg/UnVEJTbsciI/AAAAAAAAMiI/-d7nzxY-0cA/IMG_2588_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vWjNst18TDo/UnVEKBLMtQI/AAAAAAAAMiU/o3lfaPWP8p4/s1600-h/IMG_2591%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2591" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2591" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z2BsS_W_jdU/UnVEKgB1TbI/AAAAAAAAMic/ygU4Fn-Va48/IMG_2591_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_Bqec6T7gcw/UnVELcMyAVI/AAAAAAAAMik/B8Pahhdl6jg/s1600-h/IMG_2592%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2592" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2592" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cS9uu4mxo0I/UnVELy2rpmI/AAAAAAAAMis/uiww9uYzhiw/IMG_2592_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aVhMjd2k1XQ/UnVEMtrioeI/AAAAAAAAMi0/RI6uqOub4_Y/s1600-h/IMG_2590%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2590" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2590" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--khtsjOMb3w/UnVENDX_IHI/AAAAAAAAMi8/-cbyECbfbAk/IMG_2590_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pu_tPphDQfM/UnVENzb64LI/AAAAAAAAMjE/dAZYFrvFJuw/s1600-h/IMG_2595%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2595" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2595" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b9EnHw4pl6w/UnVEOWV7bvI/AAAAAAAAMjM/Vxo4PhLSBDI/IMG_2595_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a></p> <p>It was a small gathering for our party, but that enabled us to play games.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oyxfw__HnqA/UnVEPGLfHCI/AAAAAAAAMjU/I2yBHAph5Go/s1600-h/IMG_2596%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2596" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2596" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--62I87OKq8A/UnVEP346cKI/AAAAAAAAMjc/bRVtnWaXZqk/IMG_2596_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>We did a spin off of the awkward family photo game…Halloween addition using pictures like these:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U83mY3Abazk/UnVEQvbMcSI/AAAAAAAAMjk/6k-ACzTrfuc/s1600-h/family%252520with%252520masked%252520baby%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="family with masked baby" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="family with masked baby" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oW4OVaxOUSM/UnVERLCX1NI/AAAAAAAAMjs/GSvMweyvLzM/family%252520with%252520masked%252520baby_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="394"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zbZmv-PmMJs/UnVERy4EXuI/AAAAAAAAMj0/tYsNGD-U8SY/s1600-h/colorful%252520family%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="colorful family" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="colorful family" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XUoyCRb1ifE/UnVESm94uzI/AAAAAAAAMj8/Cbuy08epXhg/colorful%252520family_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="386"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2NYBiPyk91k/UnVETOxKQkI/AAAAAAAAMkE/5ppsr7BHF7s/s1600-h/dalmations%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="dalmations" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="dalmations" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f-Q_zgTaZbM/UnVETzP5MgI/AAAAAAAAMkM/KpAKJJEFLz0/dalmations_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="356"></a></p> <p>Hope everyone had a great Holiday, I know our family did.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-70802796657154573202013-10-22T06:32:00.000-05:002013-10-22T06:32:00.157-05:00Family Pictures<p>As I alluded previously we headed out this past weekend to get some family pictures. I like to take pictures in the fall, the colors are great, the clothing options are great, and we cross our fingers for great weather.</p> <p>This year was a little difficult in that we had extra people along, so the “photo session” if you will was longer. Oliver wasn’t too thrilled with being in the park and having to take pictures. He wanted to run around and explore. But overall he did a really great job.</p> <p>Bella wasn’t too thrilled to get her picture taken either. I would say she put up with it, but in general we only got a couple shots of her smiling, and maybe only a few more than that were she was looking towards the camera.</p> <p>So here are the best shots of our family picture outing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9CnpNKcltDM/UmU7CasqquI/AAAAAAAAMW0/C1rTsL1pk0Q/s1600-h/DSC_0008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0008" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NlpAjcbG0v0/UmU7DLsAndI/AAAAAAAAMW8/j8mkOG8FHOs/DSC_0008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Y9j4ujRwuI/UmU7D6HiHUI/AAAAAAAAMXE/plMNjGL2YIw/s1600-h/DSC_0004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0004" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M7A9hiMg08I/UmU7ErCMm-I/AAAAAAAAMXM/Z_zNBb9UORo/DSC_0004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xIDJSqo7lwo/UmU7FLu87KI/AAAAAAAAMXU/93koxAs5SVg/s1600-h/DSC_0014%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-baJLzxd__BM/UmU7FywQ-4I/AAAAAAAAMXc/8DoxeN8DLJM/DSC_0014_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="334"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nFWwPbqdcIQ/UmU7GSCdEqI/AAAAAAAAMXk/qrEwHuPcC04/s1600-h/DSC_0023%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0023" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jNMCC7j1nOc/UmU7HZZrZwI/AAAAAAAAMXs/BPFR9nI8PAk/DSC_0023_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EPFyEQ9OjFo/UmU7INcFKYI/AAAAAAAAMX0/SvDMIWDYCDQ/s1600-h/DSC_0029%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0029" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fn6gKzLH0kI/UmU7JMoV3xI/AAAAAAAAMX8/XcqV-qm8Qio/DSC_0029_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="334"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hlRlxUD8R2s/UmU7Jh__lFI/AAAAAAAAMYE/0_RcT9LgXHo/s1600-h/DSC_0040%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0040" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-unR9Mia7QcE/UmU7K7vkTmI/AAAAAAAAMYM/VsA7YJcXaqw/DSC_0040_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oEMeu-D67HA/UmU7LVZ7LuI/AAAAAAAAMYU/Iajkzsr-60c/s1600-h/DSC_0067%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0067" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0067" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NKWyeOVad7Y/UmU7MFUnJJI/AAAAAAAAMYY/BNmWqUXZj1I/DSC_0067_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RQ_iQv57ECE/UmU7MkG-qqI/AAAAAAAAMYk/nA9XxETWf0o/s1600-h/DSC_0069%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0069" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0069" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ct09RIVksCA/UmU7NT2nHbI/AAAAAAAAMYs/FG5ubBAveX8/DSC_0069_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qHH87QWpdnM/UmU7N_-coJI/AAAAAAAAMY0/YPD6mESTFxg/s1600-h/DSC_0074%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0074" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0074" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xw8GZrok058/UmU7Ow2rOTI/AAAAAAAAMY8/MjORHLnOBeg/DSC_0074_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n6pYK49yeEg/UmU7PbRUUhI/AAAAAAAAMZE/PEcHAXnnpnU/s1600-h/DSC_0097%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0097" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0097" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8GhsCAxhhZY/UmU7QANt_jI/AAAAAAAAMZM/j8vTS0yEMhg/DSC_0097_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-21OeI0lJm7o/UmU7Q88LuOI/AAAAAAAAMZU/TsCUBY5E9gc/s1600-h/DSC_0032%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EnatcKz5N44/UmU7RqFDzWI/AAAAAAAAMZc/teikKfLwW14/DSC_0032_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PcetnhoCgX8/UmU7SBEolII/AAAAAAAAMZk/rgESFdFERI0/s1600-h/DSC_0064%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0064" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0064" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tNUCa5gkZPM/UmU7TEAtknI/AAAAAAAAMZs/Af31NJ5xTUU/DSC_0064_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="334"></a></p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-78293921614204745052013-10-20T20:04:00.001-05:002013-10-20T20:04:15.054-05:00Long Weekend<p>It was a long weekend of family activities and questionable children.</p> <p>With questionable children I just mean children that seemed to be more tired than usual, more tantrum throwing than usual, more fussy than usual. Although it seems on the surface that nothing is wrong, maybe it was one of those weekends they would have rather just hung out at home the whole time.</p> <p>But regardless we had activities planned, activities that we hoped they would enjoy.</p> <p>On Saturday we had family pictures. We took them with Jesse’s extended family. Here is a quick sneak peak. Will post more later, we did take some of just our family.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yBhuSHDdDZQ/UmR9PgrduhI/AAAAAAAAMSM/Vutm9w82X0g/s1600-h/DSC_0001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n65MJDE6djQ/UmR9QNSoX_I/AAAAAAAAMSQ/DCoZvhlCbIo/DSC_0001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>I’m just noticing that even in heels, I am definitely the “short one”.</p> <p>On Sunday we headed up to Weston, MO to “Red Barn Farm” a pumpkin patch/farm. </p> <p>I told Jesse to drop Bella and myself off at the local winery, while he and Oliver headed on to the pumpkin patch. He thought I was joking….I wasn’t. But Bella and I were good sports and went along with everyone to the farm….but next time!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7VZ_xd30dzw/UmR9Ql5KqfI/AAAAAAAAMSc/MnYE5Qh-8hA/s1600-h/IMG_2549%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2549" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2549" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jiW34ElEPNc/UmR9RcWLdrI/AAAAAAAAMSk/dL_mvKfMDP8/IMG_2549_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G412Y3VcWM8/UmR9R30P3gI/AAAAAAAAMSs/VQNVrXsHcF0/s1600-h/IMG_2551%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2551" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2551" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1ae1Ro0d4Fc/UmR9SVx0VYI/AAAAAAAAMS0/YtCjmlIWWV4/IMG_2551_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tEGysWmRO3U/UmR9S6edwuI/AAAAAAAAMS8/BM1icjICG6w/s1600-h/IMG_2497%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2497" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2497" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-acpzfENI3_0/UmR9TYAWFsI/AAAAAAAAMTE/2Nhpk67FQ9M/IMG_2497_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0d1APvCwNuA/UmR9T_YMtQI/AAAAAAAAMTM/EueJveg5fcg/s1600-h/IMG_2501%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2501" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2501" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mm9As9Mpg44/UmR9UV-UpAI/AAAAAAAAMTU/mqiu2yhf2xw/IMG_2501_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qFhwmJvoyQ0/UmR9VGofMVI/AAAAAAAAMTc/pFqpZ5gYps0/s1600-h/IMG_2503%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2503" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2503" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_ZNe2Qwl1NI/UmR9VmormKI/AAAAAAAAMTk/2HPLSowrNMU/IMG_2503_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DJogKoTn_6g/UmR9WC88-NI/AAAAAAAAMTs/wApjl9uIY-k/s1600-h/IMG_2511%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2511" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2511" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d45FWeLTqTY/UmR9WsqIbcI/AAAAAAAAMT0/RgBeB9Oxty0/IMG_2511_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6EvvGRer8Os/UmR9XUhjcaI/AAAAAAAAMT8/oTjaC_nl3jo/s1600-h/IMG_2508%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2508" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2508" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yl1SAxBeIas/UmR9X7FanCI/AAAAAAAAMUE/IodNhKyUxwU/IMG_2508_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3RHVrUQXytc/UmR9YSjXn6I/AAAAAAAAMUI/yfYVAOvlnyM/s1600-h/IMG_2513%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2513" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2513" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E4a1jDyeOfs/UmR9YzDvolI/AAAAAAAAMUU/b5TdskCgo2s/IMG_2513_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xu5poNXcAKE/UmR9ZY-uEVI/AAAAAAAAMUc/ToYhSPE-994/s1600-h/IMG_2514%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2514" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2514" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TsGK4bkt29k/UmR9aAgCl5I/AAAAAAAAMUg/A-7y8nhD__I/IMG_2514_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="199"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YBGXcMXAGzo/UmR9at1JmYI/AAAAAAAAMUo/0FNx3MGnE0Y/s1600-h/IMG_2526%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2526" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2526" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b6dVCcgREVc/UmR9bEgTHOI/AAAAAAAAMUw/afZpsMQMNgk/IMG_2526_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YhPQIw9sL7E/UmR9bhpiroI/AAAAAAAAMU4/d5Gf44FrVsw/s1600-h/IMG_2545%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2545" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2545" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HwY6Eibu-vw/UmR9cGsFOEI/AAAAAAAAMU8/IRbPkPiKaQI/IMG_2545_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xLlfxMJNJ5w/UmR9c8zFg_I/AAAAAAAAMVM/s0FSL8Gn-iY/s1600-h/IMG_2539%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2539" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2539" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7AeGt5Cj_fk/UmR9dTVVITI/AAAAAAAAMVU/OKVt4X683ew/IMG_2539_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="200"></a></p> <p>It really was pretty countryside near the river in the hills up there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WIBUSR2juFE/UmR9d1pMIpI/AAAAAAAAMVc/jYwTjM2-CVc/s1600-h/IMG_2537%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2537" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2537" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t8vfPSU6DO8/UmR9eR6H1ZI/AAAAAAAAMVk/d7nkxX9JBko/IMG_2537_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Some funny moments:</p> <p>Oliver’s pony had to stop and take a potty break.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nXl5savqotk/UmR9fKU5NqI/AAAAAAAAMVs/g0s3z7cZ7TM/s1600-h/IMG_2522%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2522" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2522" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RfwV4rT32VA/UmR9foXb5PI/AAAAAAAAMV0/FvlkJ1B0ZnM/IMG_2522_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Jesse and Jon wore matching jackets. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9E-jaV60xmY/UmR9gHoGUWI/AAAAAAAAMV4/q831Sqcdp3A/s1600-h/IMG_2542%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2542" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2542" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IKohjw1hUeM/UmR9g84BVLI/AAAAAAAAMWE/QS1YlTJmnXs/IMG_2542_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Trying to make a two old smile at the camera for shot after shot, means you start making funny faces yourself and you don’t realize he can’t see you.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N4ndkqv9728/UmR9hRYrf6I/AAAAAAAAMWM/maUXB0RL6qU/s1600-h/DSC_0031%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0031" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UG5tQj2r_ps/UmR9iPdz6TI/AAAAAAAAMWU/DwTaBYXe5SA/DSC_0031_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a></p> <p align="left">And sometimes it was too funny for him!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lyTwCyDV2dA/UmR9ilYvhnI/AAAAAAAAMWc/lrCUs-10YeE/s1600-h/DSC_0065%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0065" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0065" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gm0Y2kn3_N0/UmR9jeDQOcI/AAAAAAAAMWk/GZNI0AQjal0/DSC_0065_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="500"></a></p> <p>Hope you all had a wonderful fall weekend!</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-22996948187279005892013-10-17T13:25:00.001-05:002013-10-17T13:25:14.824-05:00Field Trip–Pumpkin Patch<p>I joined Bella’s class for a filed trip last week. We headed to a local pumpkin patch. At the pumpkin patch there really isn’t much that Bella can do. I did carry her on the wagon ride so she could experience that, and then had to carry her around for about 20 minutes while all the kids picked out pumpkins. One of Bella’s kindergarten friends picked a pumpkin for her. And I even got a couple offers from teachers, parents, who would carry Bella for me if she was getting to heavy.</p> <p>After our ride back on the wagon, Bella got back into her wheelchair. I wanted to take her to the giant bouncing pumpkin, as I thought that was the activity she could do and would enjoy the most. As Bella and I wondered over to the bouncing pumpkin, many little kids would pop out of whatever activity they were doing to say “Hi Bella”. If a parent was around they would usually say “Oh, this is the Bella we have been hearing so much about”. One mother even said they had prayed for Bella one week when Bella was out sick for a couple of days. These were kids/parents that are not even in Bella’s actual Kindergarten class they were in the morning class, or full day class. Bella is pretty well known around the school. And I can’t say enough how grateful we are to be in this great community.</p> <p>Bella and all her girl classmates at the Pumpkin patch.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vL7_cGNttgw/UmArgYU-9nI/AAAAAAAAMRk/tZ2WS_kWlVc/s1600-h/IMG_0421%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0421" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0421" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oH1cXbJDxk8/UmArhCyzYCI/AAAAAAAAMRs/MX_8w9gz0pk/IMG_0421_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>Bella’s afternoon Kindergarten class and teacher at the Pumpkin patch.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SKxZ-rnH4l4/UmArh7tzGdI/AAAAAAAAMRw/6HVY1q3BgMc/s1600-h/IMG_0422%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0422" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0422" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v1GVkLpo_kc/UmAribNIo2I/AAAAAAAAMR8/ABXQNyUvAaA/IMG_0422_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p>I think Bella had a good time and it was a gorgeous day. She did in fact enjoy bouncing on the giant pumpkin, lots of smiles! The next day my arms were super sore and I couldn’t figure out why, until I remembered I carried her around for 20-30 minutes.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-17453760635985392892013-10-07T15:21:00.001-05:002013-10-07T15:21:39.082-05:00Bella Bella Bella<p>I got yelled at the other day. Well I didn’t really get yelled out, but I felt like a little kid getting a lecture. I wasn’t making Bella wear her orthotics as often as I should. She is supposed to wear them every day all day long. Yeah, I wasn’t even coming close. Now with her back brace, she should also be wearing that every minute that she is awake. Again I fail. It just looks so uncomfortable.</p> <p>I do realize that having messed up muscles/bones, is way worse than wearing the braces. But I’m not sure Bella understands that.</p> <p>On most morning I do make her wear her brace to school. Except when she looks sick and decides to have coughing attacks while wearing it. Then I go ahead and let her off the hook. </p> <p>And every day for school I send her in her shoe orthotics. </p> <p>Since she should be wearing them everyday, this year Bella and I went shopping with the orthotics on and finally found some shoes she can wear over them.</p> <p>I’m excited the weather is getting colder and we can break out the new boots. You can’t even see she is wearing the orthotics under her boots.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y1Tyo_0OYSs/UlMXwXRtEaI/AAAAAAAAMNk/V4XQL70KDtA/s1600-h/IMG_2415%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2415" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2415" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZCG58oMwDN8/UlMXxDMJzRI/AAAAAAAAMNs/lUGewSRrZ9Q/IMG_2415_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a></p> <p>Do you notice how it looks like her head is slumped into her shoulders? That’s because she has the back brace on, which does a great job of holding her upper body upright, but then her little neck just disappears because she refuses to use it. So Bella pretty much looks like she is wearing football pads under her clothes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oZ7RyGoeswI/UlMXxm5QOOI/AAAAAAAAMN0/419anwJIT7M/s1600-h/IMG_2416%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2416" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2416" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lkxutoTn8gY/UlMXyE_WZAI/AAAAAAAAMN8/93nJfQQweY4/IMG_2416_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="500"></a></p> <p>I think she would grow 3 inches or so if she would just use her neck.</p> <p>She does her best to not look at me while I am trying to take pictures.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bR12-_vYldY/UlMXyzImyuI/AAAAAAAAMOE/GGnbx_7A-4w/s1600-h/IMG_2410%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2410" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2410" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YuFXaPoDapo/UlMXzbP7ppI/AAAAAAAAMOM/p6DJUr4M-NA/IMG_2410_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="500"></a></p> <p>She is actually wearing the white tunic I made for her a couple of weeks ago. As you can see, I ended up pairing it with some leopard skinny jeans. Love the skinny jeans on the little girl with no legs…only skin and bone on this kid. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O0p0K_iPpzc/UlMXz5Rt2NI/AAAAAAAAMOU/bBFgXa6HY0Q/s1600-h/IMG_2412%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2412" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2412" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LIvneo_OfpQ/UlMX0eJxx7I/AAAAAAAAMOc/eb5aP7k6s4g/IMG_2412_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315254192335471498.post-42486013581808396622013-10-04T21:34:00.001-05:002013-10-04T21:34:26.101-05:00I have a baker on my hands<p>I have been meaning to bake for awhile. I keep telling myself I shouldn’t bake because then the goodies will be around the house and I will eat them all. So instead I keep eating a bunch of other crackers and cookies that are store bought, and still not good for me.</p> <p>So the other night I broke down….the can of pumpkin was calling to me. I asked Oliver if he wanted to help me make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. He very quickly, and I mean very quickly, stopped what he was doing and scooted the kitchen chair over to the island so he could help me. I hadn’t even gotten any ingredients out yet, so he was very impatiently waiting until I could give him a task that he could help with.</p> <p>I usually measure out the ingredients and let him dump them into the bowl. I even let him break open the egg into the bowl (one of his favorite tasks).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BcVA4En84xs/Uk96lxw0ZtI/AAAAAAAAMJw/lR8OCqEDes0/s1600-h/IMG_2404%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2404" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8dLG2FbM-3s/Uk96mRCi7dI/AAAAAAAAMJ0/TUm0ZSuAePU/IMG_2404_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>He was also very excited to stir the cookies. I had to tell him to be gentle so he didn’t cause everything to spill out of the bowl, about every other minute. It helped when I had a hold of the spoon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C4pzbWQ34pU/Uk96nbC-3sI/AAAAAAAAMJ8/IwpYZjBL3Gw/s1600-h/IMG_2401%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2401" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2401" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ddb9Klz9Kyg/Uk96n_tkxPI/AAAAAAAAMKE/UPE0M_TnMtY/IMG_2401_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lJ7Qm45VpjU/Uk96ocdtKNI/AAAAAAAAMKQ/cSYzA94dofQ/s1600-h/IMG_2402%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2402" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eqr-wuTET6g/Uk96qJ0SgDI/AAAAAAAAMKU/61r_prM92K4/IMG_2402_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>Then we came to the end where we added the chocolate chips. I lost my helper at that point.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JovG7TjX6Mg/Uk96qjCYi4I/AAAAAAAAMKg/lR1RmlAErvY/s1600-h/IMG_2406%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2406" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2406" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Gz2xqBKR2A/Uk96rC4XgYI/AAAAAAAAMKk/FJe2f_Rs9vE/IMG_2406_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>He was only interested in eating the chocolate chips.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZjjiouvVIEY/Uk96rknWJkI/AAAAAAAAMKw/BclI0R69Am0/s1600-h/IMG_2407%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2407" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2407" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TXcC0ZQVKg0/Uk96sN3SbHI/AAAAAAAAMK4/fq58Wa3arqk/IMG_2407_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="333"></a></p> <p>With as much as he loves helping me bake, I think this is something we will be doing quite often. Well until he gets too old to hang out with his mom.</p> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10840158219336488493noreply@blogger.com0