tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36551175947277529722024-03-13T03:23:44.352-07:00The Brown FiveSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-38124441055430045162013-06-25T09:26:00.000-07:002013-06-25T09:26:15.242-07:00Over a Year LaterI have finally decided to come out of my blogging hiatus, shocking right?! The last year has been so crazy, rewarding, fun and full of a few firsts for us.<br />
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First things first, we bought our first house! For so long we have been renters because we knew we wouldn't be staying in those places for very long. We have no idea if Georgia will be our forever state, but as of right now I am staying put, at least until my girls have graduated highschool. I love their school and so do they, so leaving would probably cause me great distress. They're both doing so well and there is no way I am putting them through another move. So buying a house has been on our wish list for a long time. Every now and then I miss renting, for example when we have to shovel out money to fix a house problem, or getting a note from the HOA for having a weed in my yard, or something similar. I certainly don't miss not being allowed to make house changes whenever I wanted to, that has certainly made home ownership fun. So far we have redone the kids' bathroom and completely redone the downstairs bedroom for Hannah. When we moved in, the basement bedroom was just an empty space with ugly carpet and we were making Hannah and Mallorie share a room upstairs. As you can imagine that wasn't going well, they fought constantly. So we ripped out the carpet in the basement and added nice flooring, hung new curtains, painted the walls and filled her room with all the antique furniture
that I'd been holding on to for many years, and now her room is the
nicest room in the house. Our fix up list is about a mile long, so I am
excited to move on to the next room. </div>
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Just a bit of a before and after. You can get a sense of just the sheer ugly color that the wall was before. Now it's a slate gray color, that sometimes has a blue hue to it, but for the most part is just a beautiful gray color. And that hand rail you see below is the color of the stairs. Why? Why, do people put silly putty paint colors in their house? I think their is no sane answer, but that is next on my to-do list. I wish I had an after pic, but maybe some other time. <br />
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I feel like I have so many other things to catch up on that I don't know where to start. Ava is officially starting Pre-K in the fall and Hannah will be an 8th grader, while Mallorie will be in the 7th grade. They both did so well in school this last year. Hannah continues to amaze me with just how easy she makes school seem. And Mallorie just makes me so proud, considering her teacher thought she was illiterate when we first moved here because she was just too shy to talk and read outloud. I still think of her 4th grade year as the year from hell for her. Poor thing. I was at the school probably once a month in meetings with the principal and all her teachers. Now, she's come out of her shell, and her being in the band has been an outstanding place for her to make new friends and get rid of some of her shyness. Ava is still in ballet, but adds tap this fall to her class. She gets to go to Pre-K with several of her dance friends and will be there three days a week. I must confess I am totally freaking out about her being away from me, but she'll have a lot of fun. She took swim lessons in May and totally rocked my socks off!! She's never been afraid of the water, but she wouldn't jump in or get her face wet. NOW, she's like a new kid. She learned to jump in, swim without floats and just not be afraid, and may I add, her back swimming is most impressive. I have to give credit to her teacher, she was so wonderful and made Ava feel completely at ease.<br />
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We recently went on a vacation to Hilton Head Island with my side of the family and poor Mallorie got such a terrible sunburn on her face. Someone, who's name I won't mention, forgot to put sunscreen on his daughter before they went to the beach. He, I mean they put it on at the beach and then she got right in the water and it washed off. Poor kid was pretty miserable for the rest of the week. I used coconut oil religiously on all the blisters and it healed pretty well. It at the least stayed very hydrated and swimming in the cool pool also helped alleviate some of the pain.<br />
PS...I HATE being in pictures, I'd rather be behind the lens any day, but we needed a new family pic. Plus, I pick myself apart everytime. For example, WHY didn't I straighten my hair that day??? WHY didn't I lose 50 pounds before vacation, ha? Kidding, sort of. <br />
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This is the best picture from all of our vacation pictures. Obviously it's not lined up, I wasn't even shooting at the moment, I just snapped it as it was happening without looking through my view finder. This was classic Bree, she's so happy go lucky and Holly was mad at one of us. <br />
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I have a new nephew and a new niece since I blogged last. My little sister had another daughter, Bree. She's too precious, and totally squishy! My sister in law had another son, Luke and he is just such a sweet little guy. I wish I could see them all more often, but thank goodness for smartphones, I atleast get a pic or video to stay caught up.<br />
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This picture of Luke and Tyler was from last summer on vacation in Cape San Blas, FL, so it's a year old, but I still love it. <br />
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I started back up at my gym a few months ago and took a leap and started going to a yoga fitness class. So far, it is kicking my tail. I am so sore some weeks, but I am noticing that I am getting better each week. And while it hurts while I am working out, I can't wait to go back for the next class. I'm not sure I will be able to take the class once Ava starts Pre-K, but there are a lot of other classes I could try. I kind of want to get back into swimming laps, but haven't done that yet. It takes guts to get out there in a swimsuit and a swimcap. Plus, I hate the feeling of being watched, ugh, sometimes I feel like that's all people do at the gym, ha.<br />
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The hubs is staying busy working, like always. Our weekends a lot of times consist of working in the yard or on a house project, but mostly we try to just relax and make sure he gets some down time so that when he travels again that next week he doesn't feel too tired. <br />
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I think I'm going to have to stop here for today and maybe blog again later this week with some more updates. The kids are asking for lunch, and since that's my job, I guess I'd better get busy. I hope you all have a great week! <br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-84932891572227316332012-02-03T07:18:00.000-08:002012-02-03T07:18:15.950-08:00Quick UpdateMy little strawberry choppin, sassy two year old is turning three in just under two weeks! The kiddo is so fun right now, she's bossy, opinionated, and loud, but so are all of us. She fits in well around the Brown house! We aren't doing anything too crazy for her birthday, probably just dinner and then a day that she chooses what we do. Also, we signed her up for ballet that starts next week. I bought her shoes and tutu and she is so excited to start. She already decided that all the girls there are her best friends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo9iZSMfsIKKY2VivQenqRADwtlSUzD2LKUGtDR4nSbiS4SfoCmHSgqTDlrBoqG24S2T9vRp2ii4O9jbXtbJO4gPHZrFYISkKt41w4m5uM21lnbKwYmWxlwccyXKsLZTc45LaH6K63g8/s320/IMG_6252.jpg" width="320" /></div>Do you remember when I bought those beat down dining room chairs off of Craig's List last year and said I wanted to recover them? Well, I finally started. It took a LONG time for me to decide what I wanted to do. My first thought was using a nice burlap and then stencil in a big "B" on the back in a script type font, but I never could find the right burlap. Plus, I didn't know how well it would hold up long term. Then one night I went into JoAnn's and found fabric marked down twice that everyone in the house loved (except me), so I bought it. Thankfully now that it's on the chairs I like it.<br />
Anyway, here is one of the chairs before with half of the nail head already removed:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FYqdbt1dRSKeO_SoFbaPNB02kNBc3wO-m27AyYrzQ4-sKARXuy6_nzxtCX2KHSL35cAENQnIvX2oato41Q-ief3-QNV71xRFq62bffbhztQcd1CY4a5D0V3bZR_-u6dApLFAO94p0Ik/s1600/IMG_6141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FYqdbt1dRSKeO_SoFbaPNB02kNBc3wO-m27AyYrzQ4-sKARXuy6_nzxtCX2KHSL35cAENQnIvX2oato41Q-ief3-QNV71xRFq62bffbhztQcd1CY4a5D0V3bZR_-u6dApLFAO94p0Ik/s320/IMG_6141.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Here is one of the chairs after:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6DZ4D3ipd3HpZFllnXhVhVzvzyp2S6K1xJOF5oNfZ7p1cOi3GEDo17CTQTc8q-xoLeXBPH5pzw-3vvRYXQX5hXrYN8XFu19Q14WRSpNByFKIblfGUH37BCp6kowpxz3VvPpcLkxiYk0/s1600/IMG_6143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6DZ4D3ipd3HpZFllnXhVhVzvzyp2S6K1xJOF5oNfZ7p1cOi3GEDo17CTQTc8q-xoLeXBPH5pzw-3vvRYXQX5hXrYN8XFu19Q14WRSpNByFKIblfGUH37BCp6kowpxz3VvPpcLkxiYk0/s320/IMG_6143.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Everytime I see it I think "Not my gumdrop buttons" like the cookie from Shrek. But the colors are nice and I like that the nail heads are now only on the back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5_i5ILnPhjxQ_EkQcrJir33Vo1MUtYaT2fohvJ6lGTp0Fc9fc3S9u2hWj804hg6arqbAs8ki_DG0p3Cey9PyWR7m-fT83mV9UkAukTY_vzOB9E3Iki-WcBRuWYCT07K0FaMJs6vLXCo/s1600/chair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5_i5ILnPhjxQ_EkQcrJir33Vo1MUtYaT2fohvJ6lGTp0Fc9fc3S9u2hWj804hg6arqbAs8ki_DG0p3Cey9PyWR7m-fT83mV9UkAukTY_vzOB9E3Iki-WcBRuWYCT07K0FaMJs6vLXCo/s320/chair2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I hope to do a "how-to" post after I completely finish. It's a definite time zapper getting all the nails and staples out, but I'm having a blast getting them done. I'm also going to refinish the table top. I don't know if I ever showed you that piece, but it's very pretty with deep knicks all around it like kids were beating their silverware on the table. Weird. But if you remember the chairs were disgusting when we got them and now they're starting to look like there is some new life being breathed into them, so I know there is hope for the table.<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Happy Super Bowl...(it is a national holiday now, right?? ha)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-57881656382727347882012-01-05T21:59:00.000-08:002012-01-05T21:59:21.887-08:00OH MY!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did I really let that many months slip away without a blog post??? Well, I obviously got my camera fixed so I've been getting back into the swing of things with my picture taking and having a blast doing so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a warm front of 58 degrees come through today so we got ourselves outside to play. I had to put Hannah on my bike because she has officially outgrown her old one. She's a whole five foot, one inch tall now, thankyouverymuch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWg6AwycR_5jMC2U56y84n6E-eHv1Bg-W5vzPybuKQfPIUxlsDv9YP8DNwEqfwRR-vUxJ1IThGkztDI1A5Vl3VG_LQA0tzFDnwRdNqUUGecWyRpoq3lfnWWx-5dC0S6w6NB_ntge55vI/s1600/IMG_5922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWg6AwycR_5jMC2U56y84n6E-eHv1Bg-W5vzPybuKQfPIUxlsDv9YP8DNwEqfwRR-vUxJ1IThGkztDI1A5Vl3VG_LQA0tzFDnwRdNqUUGecWyRpoq3lfnWWx-5dC0S6w6NB_ntge55vI/s320/IMG_5922.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>Ava got a new bike for Christmas, but I was afraid to leave her side while she was on it so I couldn't get a picture. Maybe I will soon. This car was from Santa. She's seriously now the boss of the neighborhood. Honking her horn she runs over her Mommy's toes and doesn't slow down one bit!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3L8AT8jo9fwk69wFYLNY8bu_yosC6KW2rrQK07Tuh-05y4HLAfjkXk8PsJrd2MTg42ltqnhzwq1hokKzo2ihNbRphN8EMZVTPYC9wf3LV6blsh4nhFfARYg0tTGw_0gHSVsIz0iNjWc/s1600/IMG_5824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3L8AT8jo9fwk69wFYLNY8bu_yosC6KW2rrQK07Tuh-05y4HLAfjkXk8PsJrd2MTg42ltqnhzwq1hokKzo2ihNbRphN8EMZVTPYC9wf3LV6blsh4nhFfARYg0tTGw_0gHSVsIz0iNjWc/s320/IMG_5824.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sassy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9_WmufSFm4Vz2w0VCdxx9oMBpoJx99D9JOSgahp2Q7caVq6FpBERMBrEG6rJrFz_Cpzrhk7WIuttGoJTzttAZKD_IHEbcVDYI2zlEmuyxIGTkTgLwnSg2ygAsYIvs7rdRoVStPW0jNc/s1600/IMG_5860-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9_WmufSFm4Vz2w0VCdxx9oMBpoJx99D9JOSgahp2Q7caVq6FpBERMBrEG6rJrFz_Cpzrhk7WIuttGoJTzttAZKD_IHEbcVDYI2zlEmuyxIGTkTgLwnSg2ygAsYIvs7rdRoVStPW0jNc/s320/IMG_5860-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, we had a lot of fun and got a lot of energy out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiP8AqW7wrVmqz7W6MjDD8atAoqsALXqxbXzIY09uknH115tXL6tfm1oKqOrUT_gwpsf_f6gaRkMTp8fb13WNas9nh58ZfwLhb2HQGwte0kX1d22T1xKmn1d4-osi_4Kj2ebHn-QJEbI/s1600/IMG_5883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiP8AqW7wrVmqz7W6MjDD8atAoqsALXqxbXzIY09uknH115tXL6tfm1oKqOrUT_gwpsf_f6gaRkMTp8fb13WNas9nh58ZfwLhb2HQGwte0kX1d22T1xKmn1d4-osi_4Kj2ebHn-QJEbI/s320/IMG_5883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhctoyHi-vPlvzCcE57op6zpc3pqziAIOuRuia7q-bE5NWmSYLIlNheVarRnmEcrOjOWB0j-R7BPyU8PYG-B5aLyswmiN_i_-bS_oUzeBBbiG-1nfJUQzRm2r_KCV1jKmdz2z62QBhnk/s1600/IMG_5884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhctoyHi-vPlvzCcE57op6zpc3pqziAIOuRuia7q-bE5NWmSYLIlNheVarRnmEcrOjOWB0j-R7BPyU8PYG-B5aLyswmiN_i_-bS_oUzeBBbiG-1nfJUQzRm2r_KCV1jKmdz2z62QBhnk/s320/IMG_5884.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>For Christmas this year Mallorie asked for a bow. For hunting. She's all about it these days, even though she is scared to shoot her bow. Makes sense, right? We found her an awesome bow and I love it. I've shot it, along with my dad and Rusty and we all think it's wonderful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1NcbtAYJy_fS1jd1Or8VrKri-7GGSe6PiNVNr3rKLz6aiE8eLGnn5na4Bh7TWLRCm8ZGl3OAKSerlQJaQWNDvwAIaGEuafnV6KH3hok0qcl0-CrNGzL2Q3QYDuGaWzF8NZkZw6ak8Yk/s1600/IMG_5798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1NcbtAYJy_fS1jd1Or8VrKri-7GGSe6PiNVNr3rKLz6aiE8eLGnn5na4Bh7TWLRCm8ZGl3OAKSerlQJaQWNDvwAIaGEuafnV6KH3hok0qcl0-CrNGzL2Q3QYDuGaWzF8NZkZw6ak8Yk/s320/IMG_5798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>She's terribly adorable shooting it. Hopefully we'll find her a place to practice around our house and she'll feel more comfortable.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BlwBmupoGuw_hfcT-XutRscrMXmiP1JKWSckXg_jnKHivewgAVYYjGQztN4ty267hKhGaL1kRJGMpREdAteGq0EgKOMFx1Xu6r84RsoJVF_2mu9naIsA5Llls3J7i-8GA-XPf9E1VFs/s1600/IMG_5783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BlwBmupoGuw_hfcT-XutRscrMXmiP1JKWSckXg_jnKHivewgAVYYjGQztN4ty267hKhGaL1kRJGMpREdAteGq0EgKOMFx1Xu6r84RsoJVF_2mu9naIsA5Llls3J7i-8GA-XPf9E1VFs/s320/IMG_5783.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At Rusty's Christmas party for his office he won tickets the the Nutcracker Ballet in downtown Atlanta. For some odd reason he didn't want to go so he gave the tickets to us girls, and since my Mom was in town visiting she got to go with us for a big girls night out. It was so amazing, and I am not being dramatic. Our seats were orchestra a few rows back and I don't think I'll ever want to sit anywhere else. They even had "snow" fall on us during a part of the performance. It was so magical for the girls, their faces were smiling during the entire performance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK9RAZ4AlGBlL-UUM-KqvEb7JVSMw2rV1LCigV-Mrdb3dw3I2OCnSvEO7ax3sERCFzCjotFzyujl2Rqwp5KTcNcohh9rSLIvQAbGbszYe1Rgkx5BL3pyc2N3ToPTW0YgPY8_sAI0-nvM/s1600/IMG_5108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK9RAZ4AlGBlL-UUM-KqvEb7JVSMw2rV1LCigV-Mrdb3dw3I2OCnSvEO7ax3sERCFzCjotFzyujl2Rqwp5KTcNcohh9rSLIvQAbGbszYe1Rgkx5BL3pyc2N3ToPTW0YgPY8_sAI0-nvM/s320/IMG_5108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>By the way, I think I have the most beautimous kids on the planet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaNfgn_DTjSEz9dQO59wKurhbKYSFPOxE70eEjddOmKRXk59l-XiE8iqimNAf11kPKbPNUT4EejMFHcoW7YX7a3n1hXrkPle9_Gm1fIIhJIRLczF8H2fpju4pj6YNJnwlnY8J2VSkCaI/s1600/IMG_5122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaNfgn_DTjSEz9dQO59wKurhbKYSFPOxE70eEjddOmKRXk59l-XiE8iqimNAf11kPKbPNUT4EejMFHcoW7YX7a3n1hXrkPle9_Gm1fIIhJIRLczF8H2fpju4pj6YNJnwlnY8J2VSkCaI/s320/IMG_5122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After our fun with MiMi here in Georgia, we all drove down to Texas to have the rest of our Christmases. I got to take some pictures while there and had such a wonderful time.<br />
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Miss Holly is growing up so much. She's a busy girl and wasn't too willing to let me take pictures of her. I had to work hard to get so much as her eye contact. She was much more interested in waving at the trucks going by and trying to run away. Oh, she's fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R6pfbyzu6FkqeC3OIqEwT5i1KJhX5PXXktIOs9gbgT_GrUUCWRgp33bGo56PlCN1ujNIhlfuJRuAd44bRSU_v46qrtsyoG07hJZ2tP31vnhfeQ1c8VJEPQdPSX_f-8XR8nhXmeurTEs/s1600/IMG_5440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R6pfbyzu6FkqeC3OIqEwT5i1KJhX5PXXktIOs9gbgT_GrUUCWRgp33bGo56PlCN1ujNIhlfuJRuAd44bRSU_v46qrtsyoG07hJZ2tP31vnhfeQ1c8VJEPQdPSX_f-8XR8nhXmeurTEs/s320/IMG_5440.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is the one of the ONLY pictures I have of her intentionally looking in my direction. What a cutie pie she is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5-XhrwzgdtcYT4w9JiUELd4IoE95DWeW9QStzucNnDqZ-0bvjAtwzqf-FQF6FreS2HOMtUsDqqVDkFukvr7ryc8uPRVojpwS2WUfZCch9KqkE_1fc0EZqJEWzVg2xtdvW0KKRuyV5KQ/s1600/IMG_5453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5-XhrwzgdtcYT4w9JiUELd4IoE95DWeW9QStzucNnDqZ-0bvjAtwzqf-FQF6FreS2HOMtUsDqqVDkFukvr7ryc8uPRVojpwS2WUfZCch9KqkE_1fc0EZqJEWzVg2xtdvW0KKRuyV5KQ/s320/IMG_5453.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>I also got to take Senior pictures of Rusty's little brother. I feel very strange knowing that he's about to graduate high school. I started hanging around Rusty when Heath was only 3. Ava's age. Disturbing. I remember one time we were swimming in their pool and my sister was with us. Heath was around 4 at the time and being a toot and pretended that he drowned. My sister freaked, and Heath came up laughing. Rotten!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VT_63kozEEChpR_4QY9KKEz9sI9zg2u4RJj6s3CMuwIgUaUm3Lq1kaeNvlHzD6m5iEyiZJeFHTTDkJHt5nIJ1mzYYlT3KdNLRXdTPXVO7qZtvywpiZZ5IX8pSpmMl2O9dxazxfh3LUc/s1600/IMG_5648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VT_63kozEEChpR_4QY9KKEz9sI9zg2u4RJj6s3CMuwIgUaUm3Lq1kaeNvlHzD6m5iEyiZJeFHTTDkJHt5nIJ1mzYYlT3KdNLRXdTPXVO7qZtvywpiZZ5IX8pSpmMl2O9dxazxfh3LUc/s320/IMG_5648.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Now he's still rotten, but such a good guy. We can't wait to see what he does with his life and where he ends up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgivkEr4-2BDSFxcLx-g6GXUEu4FCa8RFlSEjmNmUUmkf6R9kG1xczOPwxi6fb-9QA0pw5wjGq3NAXi3mKZXYR-lrsOyMXETyCte6N6dM8bdoXjMJOxhr2zWy63-3mCCUz0I7dJBpP3iQ/s1600/IMG_5681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgivkEr4-2BDSFxcLx-g6GXUEu4FCa8RFlSEjmNmUUmkf6R9kG1xczOPwxi6fb-9QA0pw5wjGq3NAXi3mKZXYR-lrsOyMXETyCte6N6dM8bdoXjMJOxhr2zWy63-3mCCUz0I7dJBpP3iQ/s320/IMG_5681.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christmas break flew by, we travelled back home on New Years Day and it's been a blur ever since. School started back today so I had tons of time on my hands and didn't know what to do. Who wants to clean, puhlease! I did finally start recovering our dining room chairs. I'll have to do a before and after soon. I am very proud of where this is going. One chair is done, Five more to go. It seems daunting, but I'll get it done. Rusty was a huge help getting the staples and nails out, so I think I'll ask him to help me some more this weekend. It's going to look a million times better in there when they're all done. I had more fun recovering the chair than I thought I would, so yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you had a wonderful holiday and that 2012 is wonderful for your family!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-8379632451728705042011-10-21T14:01:00.000-07:002011-10-21T14:01:02.571-07:00Orchard TimeHere's a catch-up post for the past few weeks. I feel so awful not posting more often, but there are many good reasons. Here are a few: a.)I have a toddler that is napping right now, or I wouldn't be writing this at all! b.) Homework takes over my life when the kids get home. c.)I'm lazy. d.) My camera is sick. It's so sad. One of the kids put my sd card in backwards and apparently bent or broke something down in there, so I have to get it fixed. It's a bit expensive, so for now I've been using my phone on my camera. I'm bitter, but trying hard to just let it go. I love my camera. Like, love it love it. I don't know why I asked one of the kids to put my sd card back in the camera, that was so stupid!<br />
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</div><div>Alas, these are just a few of the reasons I haven't blogged. Plus sometimes I feel like I have the most boring life in the world. Apparently one of Rusty's coworkers makes him give an update every week about what we did over the weekend because we are always going somewhere and are doing something. I find that amusing because it seems so normal to get out every weekend and go somewhere or do something just to get out of the house. I guess if you work all week, mostly out of town you probably just want to stay home and relax. Not at our house.<br />
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So last weekend we decided that it was getting fallish enough to start enjoying the fruits of Autumn and go enjoy the leaves and pick some apples at an orchard north of us. I bought some tickets on Groupon several weeks ago (thank goodness for Groupon deals) for the orchard, so it was a perfect way to spend a weekend. We got to do apple picking in the orchard, petting zoo, hay ride and shooting apples out of a cannon. The kids had a blast. </div><div><br />
Well, I say the kids had a blast, Hannah pretty much just walks around acting like nothing is fun, but I know deep down she's having a blast. Oh, she is getting too old.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUyjmsy6X_GNtYbB4xox6zLPvE39mRMxk0tf1N5vJT48JKv-0wFVknYjaVS__ebx8oIIilaH2olOTIUUh-mfjxZXEFCqup1dAL_KrG5V9PTOCebuwCmL9J1c73r_x7wsns5MwnNuFBcI/s1600/appleorchard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUyjmsy6X_GNtYbB4xox6zLPvE39mRMxk0tf1N5vJT48JKv-0wFVknYjaVS__ebx8oIIilaH2olOTIUUh-mfjxZXEFCqup1dAL_KrG5V9PTOCebuwCmL9J1c73r_x7wsns5MwnNuFBcI/s320/appleorchard2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The petting zoo area part was Mallorie and Ava's favorite area. Mally would get the animals to come over to her and Ava would gently pet the different livestock.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn3d34IgryRMcr4wlBYbBHf9kZ_oiWcw483XfznMbTXCT6Y3ZEpck448c0ooYPb73db7khKFS4uB-KfOSe5HetPWsYANPEjjacv3xhDkt1XPxfZ_DgzP6eP5s6AmP8bBWCk1gBqWffPo/s1600/appleorchard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn3d34IgryRMcr4wlBYbBHf9kZ_oiWcw483XfznMbTXCT6Y3ZEpck448c0ooYPb73db7khKFS4uB-KfOSe5HetPWsYANPEjjacv3xhDkt1XPxfZ_DgzP6eP5s6AmP8bBWCk1gBqWffPo/s320/appleorchard3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We had a couple of tickets for the apple cannon so Mallorie and Rusty shot a whole bunch of tiny apples at targets and I took the other two girls for potty breaks. Rusty said he only got to shoot four apples and Mallorie shot all the rest of two full buckets. So fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OuJElimc2T1GRYS1gJLuuSkNKZFw4WufIJfzcHNUsdXMdbNoVltZcsulxV0m6K9EaCmGN4HSXpFk67Q4ne91572Q0q-GHuI7aGsf2ba1wkZPn3yhJvq1DoFaJ3RD6YX9nJBLOGnyt5g/s1600/appleorchard4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OuJElimc2T1GRYS1gJLuuSkNKZFw4WufIJfzcHNUsdXMdbNoVltZcsulxV0m6K9EaCmGN4HSXpFk67Q4ne91572Q0q-GHuI7aGsf2ba1wkZPn3yhJvq1DoFaJ3RD6YX9nJBLOGnyt5g/s320/appleorchard4.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>Madam Apple Picker. She was so good the entire day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFV9D4z3v3Xv2wtE-86ahF9PS89Qrk5p4WTWPWvOMYXmZfZko2_MFJ8hlsHXgZ828YFPDivfYmmfVnvHx12d6sw1D0-Q9Se-gOjrGVRooxWlUVXMZnygmE_DYDdTJew48rjq4CZyAb_w/s1600/appleorchard5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFV9D4z3v3Xv2wtE-86ahF9PS89Qrk5p4WTWPWvOMYXmZfZko2_MFJ8hlsHXgZ828YFPDivfYmmfVnvHx12d6sw1D0-Q9Se-gOjrGVRooxWlUVXMZnygmE_DYDdTJew48rjq4CZyAb_w/s320/appleorchard5.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>Mallorie might have gotten hit in the eye by a rogue apple falling from the tree Hannah was climbing to reach other apples. I probably shouldn't have taken a picture of her, but I couldn't help myself. And Rusty's shirt from 10 years ago, I have to mention it because I'm always making fun of him for wearing his shirts til they fall apart.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbPwtV4bm7CgWOuGh-Oqt3rQ-rQ9UWi15AQRtbiuadoh7tmvbnmPjpD9JuzEmTZ4Y_wwrxYyEUW7jFAUZUY4Qh4-hPitEDeeZLOitAScYuBdbPoUJGez3JRP62VYAx8wWCWrzJRhbFyw/s1600/appleorchard6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbPwtV4bm7CgWOuGh-Oqt3rQ-rQ9UWi15AQRtbiuadoh7tmvbnmPjpD9JuzEmTZ4Y_wwrxYyEUW7jFAUZUY4Qh4-hPitEDeeZLOitAScYuBdbPoUJGez3JRP62VYAx8wWCWrzJRhbFyw/s320/appleorchard6.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>No, it's not a full family picture, but it was the best I could get that day. This was standing in line for the hay ride. They had those yummy Mexican Popsicles conveniently placed next to the line, so of course the girls needed one. Thankfully I still had wet wipes from mine and Hannah's trip to Joe's Crab Shack in Cali stuffed in my purse because we had some messy kids! Doesn't Rusty look like he's saying, "Sarah, get this baby off of me!!". He does to me, she was a sticky mess.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWI7dWXtwolhm4khzEE5mubrrnAm4Py5Kpog6yg1GmIoWTn56OyzP_AkZOQ8OQoYqtaDEPeobyW7ITfUM6azfZaUSdcjdiBR9cWOb8wWznKr3uqF5ETR3YWN7Na53nM4kmWHA3oV0BKw/s1600/appleorchard7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWI7dWXtwolhm4khzEE5mubrrnAm4Py5Kpog6yg1GmIoWTn56OyzP_AkZOQ8OQoYqtaDEPeobyW7ITfUM6azfZaUSdcjdiBR9cWOb8wWznKr3uqF5ETR3YWN7Na53nM4kmWHA3oV0BKw/s320/appleorchard7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div>We also celebrated two birthdays this month. Mally turned 10 and Hannah turned 12. I need to take a moment to let that sink in. It's still hard to remember that they are so old. We had birthday parties for each of them a weekend apart. This is the first time we've done separate birthdays. It was good, they were very happy to have a party with just their friends. I was happy because Rusty was home and he saw for the first time how crazy it gets with a bunch on loud girls in the house. He said, I thought girls just went to their rooms and gossiped and did hair. Poor guy. He is so clueless. I don't know if we'll do sleepovers anymore, they're exhausting. They never sleep.</div><div><br />
I shot these pics yesterday and had to share. This is the neighborhood dog that all the kids just love, and the owner always lets the kids take him for a walk, so they just have a ball. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxdkch2NuzWEBUpBYXZ_IEIGKUDJM8qUPS-7GrX2JHqF-0XTCq-8cjr7kIkcOTnUs5HVGAz2aiPoR1TEUUpWFPuaY0L873F58TUi1jF3YHFLXV91_OIdPpoelE-RAMp3sPA6GUsBOjKY/s1600/playing+with+dog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxdkch2NuzWEBUpBYXZ_IEIGKUDJM8qUPS-7GrX2JHqF-0XTCq-8cjr7kIkcOTnUs5HVGAz2aiPoR1TEUUpWFPuaY0L873F58TUi1jF3YHFLXV91_OIdPpoelE-RAMp3sPA6GUsBOjKY/s320/playing+with+dog2.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1XfkZCXCtL8ftkcvDcfGn7dDyjOeLnTIpHvaPtRmSQEbQsBsU4TeuQJvmriOKD1Qhb4dzV8mzeU3ny86boDDOnO-1dY_IA7Jn0oFdovqpAesFboGp4okCrGlm8zho0lcz6zPZ3DFSMI/s1600/playing+with+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1XfkZCXCtL8ftkcvDcfGn7dDyjOeLnTIpHvaPtRmSQEbQsBsU4TeuQJvmriOKD1Qhb4dzV8mzeU3ny86boDDOnO-1dY_IA7Jn0oFdovqpAesFboGp4okCrGlm8zho0lcz6zPZ3DFSMI/s320/playing+with+dog.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>OH she's silly. And now she's sick with some kind of cold and I know the rest of us will probably end up with it. Sick toddlers are NOT FUN!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPAMVR0JlKDmbA5fmOwwnfzBSm9j_7dhgxp9LwckL16ba9MrYQDOPBOk6VWjw6KAhWqXbP307GtY2jWe5Q5yDFfJ4n6Nqn-uM7GQ6x4SSdzTlblOnVypew5z7IHfFmECgk2pcnhgBE04/s1600/ava+modeling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPAMVR0JlKDmbA5fmOwwnfzBSm9j_7dhgxp9LwckL16ba9MrYQDOPBOk6VWjw6KAhWqXbP307GtY2jWe5Q5yDFfJ4n6Nqn-uM7GQ6x4SSdzTlblOnVypew5z7IHfFmECgk2pcnhgBE04/s320/ava+modeling.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
</div><div>This week it's really cold here, which I am loving, sort of. The kids have the most awesome clothes for fall, boots, cute jackets, etc. I look like a ragamuffin. My style is so laid back, I have got to get some cuter clothes, but I am getting so bad about shopping. It makes me stressed because I always talk myself out of everything, I wish I had a personal shopper. Just boom, show up with 10 perfectly beautiful outfits, tell me I look fabulous and then my imaginary billion dollar bank account will cover it all. That just won't happen this week though, so I guess I'll be going to TJMaxx soon, that way when Ava gets marker on my new shirt, I don't have to worry, it was on sale for $10! <br />
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Anyway, that was so random, but I just wanted to do a quick update while I had a minute. Hopefully Mr. Camera will get fixed soon and I'll be able to post some better pictures.<br />
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Have a great weekend!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-16892858508645137102011-09-27T22:49:00.000-07:002011-09-27T22:54:36.416-07:00Quick Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2F8QTd23vMPV7nrwy6XGOk3VxhErYO_GqdNoaQfDdCLXwnSzSqQmZvIYKtQn5lWjKZEFVWc4jjDJSXaOC0NNNnAfOmlHmUpU2J6bqwPIewD3Bst_8g3OXBu_ullA1in2yxsWhTEhzPI/s1600/IMAG0211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2F8QTd23vMPV7nrwy6XGOk3VxhErYO_GqdNoaQfDdCLXwnSzSqQmZvIYKtQn5lWjKZEFVWc4jjDJSXaOC0NNNnAfOmlHmUpU2J6bqwPIewD3Bst_8g3OXBu_ullA1in2yxsWhTEhzPI/s320/IMAG0211.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>I hope you don't mind, but I'm just unloading my phone's pictures from the past weekend. Hannah and I finally got to go on her trip back to California to see some of our friends. But first, Ava and I got to have a little bit of time together to just hang out. First at Starbucks, which we hardly ever do and then to the Library, which we do every week...when her attitude permits. She LOVES going to the library, they have these fun computers set up for the kids and she just goes to town.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN1GLy4pCX7yeQmySv85tw32NjHKXHfupzeOkbMgmxylgxTU2lJf8v7Qs6_q3ApMrzsHDzNt6vh0lWILHUM_RSd6c5CVBA-Yg6dTdCVJD3b9jwtGBk-u5l90GdCOImJa7t2p7_VDjYxA/s1600/IMAG0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN1GLy4pCX7yeQmySv85tw32NjHKXHfupzeOkbMgmxylgxTU2lJf8v7Qs6_q3ApMrzsHDzNt6vh0lWILHUM_RSd6c5CVBA-Yg6dTdCVJD3b9jwtGBk-u5l90GdCOImJa7t2p7_VDjYxA/s320/IMAG0201.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, our trip, where do I start? Well, Hannah as you know. graduated fifth grade last year and so I decided it would be a wonderful gift to her to take her back to California to see her best friend that she misses horribly. We had such a wonderful time. As usual, our time went by too fast, but every moment we filled with friends and activity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got to see almost of my closest friends. Hannah and I also had a few free hours on our second day in Cali. So we took full advantage of the super fun car Rusty got for us that I would never ever own in a million years and drive by all of the important places from our past life in California. All of the places we lived, her first school and then second. The beach of course, and surprisingly I didn't get emotional. Well only a tiny bit, but I always do that when I think of the fact that I brought a baby home in California and lost one there as well, that always gets me, but it was short lived and I only wanted to focus on the wonderful time I was getting blessed with to spend alone with my oldest daughter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We splurged for lunch and went to Joe's crab shack and had a breathtaking view of the ocean and the sea lions swimming around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1zL_D_imRGzbbjDCqI2_tOPqLyvKRIy3-UlIQ3AcymUY_k_8MaxQ7uRCuIufsP4EC-m80raaGQoTA598LqEpAHOGMn0mA1p2mjEVOnfnGFh7Ep2Em0tXZ2z0-d-NiByw4pTOUqDHc1A/s1600/IMAG0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1zL_D_imRGzbbjDCqI2_tOPqLyvKRIy3-UlIQ3AcymUY_k_8MaxQ7uRCuIufsP4EC-m80raaGQoTA598LqEpAHOGMn0mA1p2mjEVOnfnGFh7Ep2Em0tXZ2z0-d-NiByw4pTOUqDHc1A/s320/IMAG0224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Thankfully we had a lot of Hertz points because of Rusty's job, so the car we got to drive was a black Mitsubishi Spider Convertible. I think I am biased toward Lexus, but this car, well, just let me say it isn't luxury, but it was fun! If you ever get the chance to drive down the coast with the top down, do it! It's so much fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP0IHB3nAoMhd-Ow1oqE6l2P30IHYzhJBddhCbIGlZlTUxHJBqyz5BHSS12zZjpFPsef0CqNOdlVa2DYjmA9C6TFZedmudjwrVG42J81N6a7RHyGTAJ8WR0XqtD9GezhHaqUsdPw5_Xo/s1600/IMAG0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP0IHB3nAoMhd-Ow1oqE6l2P30IHYzhJBddhCbIGlZlTUxHJBqyz5BHSS12zZjpFPsef0CqNOdlVa2DYjmA9C6TFZedmudjwrVG42J81N6a7RHyGTAJ8WR0XqtD9GezhHaqUsdPw5_Xo/s320/IMAG0227.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My girlfriends Merdie and Nena took me to an Angels game. I had to face my convictions because let's face it, these girls are my dear friends and I didn't want to hurt their feelings. But can I say I felt as though I was cheating on the Rangers. We had great seats and the atmosphere was awesome, so I was able to put my petty team preferences behind me and enjoy myself. Truly, I had a blast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe3GXFiapMGKuRpDyANTw373VeJA3-KXo35nQqRPrAGPH_FAVDfVZpRH5OHkRdUqzDwGcZeVinA102_RG43pmbHPDc8IGonMCqubTXFhXfmx-y7Ky7Wq0MxMHOVYarlaMUl32IolZiXo/s1600/ballgame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe3GXFiapMGKuRpDyANTw373VeJA3-KXo35nQqRPrAGPH_FAVDfVZpRH5OHkRdUqzDwGcZeVinA102_RG43pmbHPDc8IGonMCqubTXFhXfmx-y7Ky7Wq0MxMHOVYarlaMUl32IolZiXo/s320/ballgame.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Nena and I took the girls to the beach and lost track of time, but we were having such a good time and enjoying ourselves, just relaxing. It was pretty chilly that day, but like usual, the kids didn't even seem to notice and were able to get their legs wet and not whine about it like a certain mom did. What? I'm not used to it.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08WemhBg8VO8HaNnNsuKGg0mb4dC9uCp0J48A7YTiodMtxXe00O_olJ1J_gYrKaX5rr-2xP97nq_4aUQYUGr5J60MA0_3ONyfXxYloV9kfN4IC6jmXobe8og-jPZGe8nnfQ6nyLHrJt4/s1600/IMAG0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08WemhBg8VO8HaNnNsuKGg0mb4dC9uCp0J48A7YTiodMtxXe00O_olJ1J_gYrKaX5rr-2xP97nq_4aUQYUGr5J60MA0_3ONyfXxYloV9kfN4IC6jmXobe8og-jPZGe8nnfQ6nyLHrJt4/s320/IMAG0239.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>I so wish I could upload the pictures I have of these two together in first grade, they were so tiny. And now, well now they're both almost as tall as us moms are and it's so strange to see them so grown up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLlX99oemG9BogJXlVHj8XdB8gpwAxEB-T7XCXn04g4Ad7f5b5wlT0lVme_fyRv6xm68FJFuqHf2NDWHMFRToDugTIElU6Vc9U7roEhKMVgiiyMdWvVfZ3koegUOpokl2AMlwN0x86yE/s1600/IMAG0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLlX99oemG9BogJXlVHj8XdB8gpwAxEB-T7XCXn04g4Ad7f5b5wlT0lVme_fyRv6xm68FJFuqHf2NDWHMFRToDugTIElU6Vc9U7roEhKMVgiiyMdWvVfZ3koegUOpokl2AMlwN0x86yE/s320/IMAG0235.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Like I said, they were willing to get into the water, it was frigid. FRIGID!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXurintd00MEZAGYMAMGwZqXRvdGOlI1zoyhobVivsAK6Vrpg5_H-_ccrlMmtgdlxXqNIKVQWDS0VNuSh67nKwJ86PjwuCfVS_EykHT2zD-rrxJPF_zt3zx-KPawi_auLza5E50xQBH0/s1600/IMAG0244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXurintd00MEZAGYMAMGwZqXRvdGOlI1zoyhobVivsAK6Vrpg5_H-_ccrlMmtgdlxXqNIKVQWDS0VNuSh67nKwJ86PjwuCfVS_EykHT2zD-rrxJPF_zt3zx-KPawi_auLza5E50xQBH0/s320/IMAG0244.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5eZ0CxkKzDAQI1v5elwikbLOsoNX1fDULw6JdDjuVXkdGvOhFu6KGSAPuQhp4IrzmAyu454Bgt3IkBJhr2Zz7ubZpZ4GmYSFrtEqon29s6lmO4Y911r_lxjHoSSheU5xg_JapUWewFw/s1600/IMAG0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5eZ0CxkKzDAQI1v5elwikbLOsoNX1fDULw6JdDjuVXkdGvOhFu6KGSAPuQhp4IrzmAyu454Bgt3IkBJhr2Zz7ubZpZ4GmYSFrtEqon29s6lmO4Y911r_lxjHoSSheU5xg_JapUWewFw/s320/IMAG0247.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>We found some of the most amazing shells on the rocky bottoms of the cliffs. In five years I never found shells as amazing as these. I wish I knew what they were called, but you'll just have to take my word for it. Plus Nena and Kaylee kept finding tiny little sand dollars. That hardly ever happens. It was our lucky day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkKo4UUBjiuGxfOHR1dRySQIDhQ8y3DZkuUxq-WnAB4U3SxuXLPEGmP7QmKvZpyyH6PkW394UtHNibKSzSNFJDvRtG2ciezEmKNmoGJpXamBOIfwWxwNNiHRqzGGCG-nvRcRYeCkP2jw/s1600/IMAG0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkKo4UUBjiuGxfOHR1dRySQIDhQ8y3DZkuUxq-WnAB4U3SxuXLPEGmP7QmKvZpyyH6PkW394UtHNibKSzSNFJDvRtG2ciezEmKNmoGJpXamBOIfwWxwNNiHRqzGGCG-nvRcRYeCkP2jw/s320/IMAG0251.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>Then almost as soon as it had begun, our little vacation was over. We headed back home and got tons of hugs and kisses from everybody, ate Burger King because it was the only thing open, then got heartburn, burp. The next day Rusty headed back to work and Hannah and Mally headed back to school and I took a nap with Ava.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Then Monday when Rusty got home from work, I was so desperate to spend some time alone with him that I invited him to go to the grocery store with me. Fancy date! Ava came with us, but still it was sort of a date. We had no drinks, hardly much groceries left in the house at all. But we had to get only the necessities because we need to cut down on the junk food. Don't cha know that when you go to the grocery store for specific things, you always get tempted to buy junk. Here is where my mind went during our grocery store date: Yea, though I walked through the valley of the shadow of junk food, I pretended I couldn't see it and moved along in my search for chaw-mill and coffee creamer; pure survival foods, saith the Sarah, mother of the Chaw-mill monster and wife to the coffee creamer addict. Don't y'all wish you lived in my brain, ha! I'm always very exciting.<br />
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I think I am almost back to normal, a little jet lag remains, but I am lucky that Ava is good sleeper and will usually sleep in pretty late in the morning so I can have a little extra sleep after the girls go to school. I hope you have a wonderful week. It's starting to get nice and chilly here, especially at night and I LOVE it! Hello Fall.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-19174307383218545322011-09-07T19:26:00.000-07:002011-09-07T19:26:16.208-07:00The BossAnother pretty day and we were as happy as could be to get outside and not feel like we were about to melt to the asphalt!
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Busy kid, she's so happy when her big sisters get home and are ready to play. Let's see, today she helped me bake tooties (or cookies in normal talk), and then ate only the icing on the tooties. She told me she didn't like the cookies, they didn't taste good. What's so wrong with a little burn on the bottom, ha!!<br />
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And just so you know, she isn't cheering here, she's just showing off her armpits. Yes, you heard right, we're that classy. <br />
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And I finally caught Hannah getting off the bus, and she still won't let me get a decent picture of her. <br />
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I guess I should let you know that Ava's the boss of the neighborhood, incase you had any doubt in your mind. She told everyone they couldn't go in the street today, and if they were supposed to run or not. Sassy! Don't worry, I know I've got a monster on my hands!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEZthyOB7ttE-CtUBFmzqEEC-2m-TV_LhWqYYLYvfBnq5-nPPKPVK8isx0DvPMLLt9I_v53HHx_AAv8Vry7vbScKbxdI3lRSW0rqL2lVudJB1ckvkE8porlcMtv-cLEM_sTt9KLskW4w/s1600/scooter+riding+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEZthyOB7ttE-CtUBFmzqEEC-2m-TV_LhWqYYLYvfBnq5-nPPKPVK8isx0DvPMLLt9I_v53HHx_AAv8Vry7vbScKbxdI3lRSW0rqL2lVudJB1ckvkE8porlcMtv-cLEM_sTt9KLskW4w/s320/scooter+riding+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
If only she wasn't so cute!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-53889724418856426522011-09-06T20:38:00.000-07:002011-09-06T20:38:48.396-07:00Sweet Toddlerhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLApfDKgXswVlZE77ttuyFWGO7VtfyJ7JPvsvSv_C9DYikbPVUamNF0OMcQ4oXgVKYCNR2pku19rk0d0SX34iUqOSA_Ybo9rBpwQkVTSaamIIZrAvdWEYKiBPmyb-0FxrC3YuLfM8K_g/s320/playtime+065.JPG" width="213" /></div>Can I just say that I hope this cool weather sticks around for good. It is so heavenly here, the temperatures never went above 64 degrees yesterday! It was actually chilly all day and I was able to air out my house. Of course we couldn't play outside too much, we still had a bit of drizzle all day from remnants of Lee passing through. We did try to go to the store, just to get out for a few minutes, and when Mally came home we played outside when there was a short lull in the rain.Thank goodness for that quick break, they had such fun playing and running. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_7gRZ1Tc6QUKo-q3521RkuYaZQU6YfRkB-Kak6IIadS76ZrnmcUe3J-wH_xHreYovT7pNW_udAfobUIjAqjef-dtt3H_iF4RKdLzbSvgcs76brmVhyBkc7WdSvI9FOnx4VqVFr-2M-A/s1600/playtime+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_7gRZ1Tc6QUKo-q3521RkuYaZQU6YfRkB-Kak6IIadS76ZrnmcUe3J-wH_xHreYovT7pNW_udAfobUIjAqjef-dtt3H_iF4RKdLzbSvgcs76brmVhyBkc7WdSvI9FOnx4VqVFr-2M-A/s320/playtime+078.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Mally can't hear me anymore, I think she's losing her ability to acknowledge my voice. I told her atleast ten times to get a sweater on, but she insisted that it wasn't needed. Finally it started raining again so I got her to come in and get out of the cold.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JviuXLEvnHYS7bhcL47J6rB-3OqvZb9YXuVyvlU7Lh_mB62dVaoJYmaXvtK-A9wMKmATP3uhoR-WYiAgCVPXbwz9DhvgVjrPUKkG0sY3Ykjj7tmHs98PJWSYyKwdTnjF3Y9utxEpViQ/s1600/playtime+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JviuXLEvnHYS7bhcL47J6rB-3OqvZb9YXuVyvlU7Lh_mB62dVaoJYmaXvtK-A9wMKmATP3uhoR-WYiAgCVPXbwz9DhvgVjrPUKkG0sY3Ykjj7tmHs98PJWSYyKwdTnjF3Y9utxEpViQ/s320/playtime+081.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Ava thought the rain tasted wonderful. She's got a bit of a cold right now, but I couldn't make her stay inside when she was just bored out of her mind. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQPBElx900eJyZQ4K29FFaIB6gAJ380aAWcVVNS65MsxZRWqVt7q0QF6f8ei1ZRyAA9OEbm-xkdqYLa1eRgZT-2wZDkBjVeBWkpjlDtRF5NbfoGjahL8YJAV-VXrzerzgz9LxqqGx13c/s1600/playtime+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQPBElx900eJyZQ4K29FFaIB6gAJ380aAWcVVNS65MsxZRWqVt7q0QF6f8ei1ZRyAA9OEbm-xkdqYLa1eRgZT-2wZDkBjVeBWkpjlDtRF5NbfoGjahL8YJAV-VXrzerzgz9LxqqGx13c/s320/playtime+114.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of Miss Ava, first of all, she is trying my patience like no other toddler has. She tells me no all the time and refuses to do what I ask her to do. She's not in any way mean or anything of the sort, but she doesn't want to obey. On top of that, she is climbing on/over everything imaginable. She's always been a bit of a monkey, climbing over the backs of the couches, climbing into our bar height chairs, etc. But yesterday she climbed out of the tub which is no regular tub, it's a deep garden tub. Then last night she climbed out of her crib and busted her lip. I knew it was going to happen, but what can you do? I constantly tell her to lie back down and not to climb, but I have a feeling sometimes she's going to have to learn the hard way. Hopefully she won't do it again, as I'm afraid she's going to really hurt herself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqD6y3M-KzZ_aVujkktcPF4Aj-nVZ27TzMk5GiOOPBXk5FOTVKnTGYBSzVBUqqmNAW1mf1shXJBuV5BYr3d_HkKCNxQR1XzH3W8tbyZL8sjNaEmRb088IBEMTJQLXfLaj_UNh8mp-MBo/s320/playtime+069.JPG" width="213" /></div>I know this picture is blurry, but she was "posing" for me and moving too fast, but I thought it was cute anyway. Tomorrow we are planning a trip to library where hopefully Ava doesn't go nuts, come to think of it, I might wait until Rusty gets home to go to the library. Otherwise, I think a bike ride would be fun tomorrow since it's supposed to be 70 for a high.<br />
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This week I am mentally preparing myself for this upcoming weekend. It is opening Bow season here in Georgia so you can imagine where Rusty will be; out in the woods waiting for a deer, surrounded by ticks and bears, ha! On top of that, football season started, so I am officially not going to see him much for the next couple of months. Oh well, he is so excited and is having so much fun getting everything ready for being out in the woods. Thank GOD I like college football enough to watch most of the games he likes. Sometimes I just cheer for the team he doesn't like to make it more interesting and to aggravate him. I'm such a sweet wife!<br />
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I hope you are having a wonderful week. To my family and friends in drought ridden Texas and Oklahoma, I am prayerful that y'all get rain soon and that these fires are put out quickly. It is heartbreaking to watch everything that is happening. I hope you all are okay!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-52049535855186887142011-08-24T15:45:00.000-07:002011-08-24T15:45:20.341-07:00Family UpdateOh y'all. I am so boring lately! After H and M get on their buses in the morning Ava and I just don't do much of anything. Everyday we decide we should go for a bike ride, but then we don't. I got the information to sign her up for some little kid classes, but I haven't done that yet. We go the library and that's about it. I don't know what's wrong with me, I think I feel a little lost without H and M being home with me all day. Strangely enough, I miss them while they're at the school.<br />
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We'll get back into a normal groove, I certainly don't want to let this entire year fly by without spending some fun time with A, especially if we put her in some sort of preschool next year. That's a whole other thing by itself! She has always been such a Momma's girl, not wanting to leave my side no matter where we were. But now, when we get to church she waves bye to me and takes off to play with her "frins" and when we get back to pick her up she's always in the middle of a group of kids playing with toys. I am so proud of her for that, she's come so far in the last few months, but I know she's growing up.<br />
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For some small family updates, since I haven't blogged in so long: <br />
As I've talked about before, Rusty has a hunting lease up north of where we live He's been leaving his outdoor camera attached to the trees in the areas he wants to hunt. While he hasn't seen any big deer or bear for that matter on the camera yet, look what we did catch on it.<br />
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Oh the cuteness! That momma and her fawn walked by several days in a row, it's near a creek and it'll be fun to see if they continue on that route into the fall.<br />
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I finally booked H's and my little get away trip to California and we can't wait to see some of our old friends. The trip was supposed to take place during the summer for her "graduation from fifth grade" gift, but I put it off and it turns out it was better to wait until later anyway. I really wanted to wait until we had enough flight points to get both of our trips for free. Even when I think about how much I hate that Rusty has to travel so much, there is always a silver lining. Anyway, now we're all set to go and I can't wait to spend some special one on one time with my eldest kiddo. M and I are already planning our trip for next year when she graduates from 5th grade.<br />
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School for my big kids seems to be going so well. Much better than last year, thank the Lord! M no longer begs to stay home or cries or throws fits about doing her homework. She is much happier. Hannah, as I figured, LOVES middle school. She's already gone to her first school dance and is deciding what clubs she wants to sign up for. We've also started attending a new church. The other one was good and we loved the pastor, but we felt that we were getting swallowed up there, it was so big. This new one is quite a bit smaller and the kids ask when they get to go back. First. Time. Ever. Plus it's just down the road from our house which is a blessing for us.<br />
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Oh, and one more little update, A is now sleeping in her own room, her choice! I don't know what changed exactly, but I am so happy about it. My sister and her little one came to visit a few weeks ago, so we converted A's toddler bed back into a crib for Baby Holly and since they left Ava wants to sleep in the crib. Every evening I turn on my Pandora radio app from my phone and she passes out within 15 minutes. I still have to be in the room with her, but she doesn't ask to get out or to be held. I am going to start working my way out slowly while she's still awake. <br />
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It's almost H and M's birthdays again, so I am trying to decide what to get them. M wanted an aquarium with this certain type of fish (that I can't think of at the moment) and now it's turned into wanting a turtle. This stresses me out on so many levels. First and foremost, I like animals, I really do, but I don't love them. I can handle cats, and I can pretty much handle a fish, but not a turtle. Especially since I will be the one taking care of the clean up. Yuck! What is the point in having a pet turtle anyway? I was reading up on them and apparently they can carry diseases !?! and I know M would want to pick this thing up and play with it. Umm, no thanks. So I'm not really sure which direction that gift will go in, but hopefully she'll be happy. I think for H I want to get her some awesome stuff for her room. She is so obsessed with making it look a certain way and trying to be a little more grown up about it. She said when we buy our own house and we can paint and hang more stuff on the wall that she wants a zebra print rug hung on the wall. What? She's crazy, but I like her style, so I will try to make sure she gets to have a "cool" room. <br />
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It seems to be starting to get chilly here at night and in the mornings. Even some of the leaves on the Maple trees are starting to change. It seems a bit early, but we aren't going to complain, it's beautiful! I hope you all are having a good week and I will try to blog a little more often. <br />
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Here are some pictures I got of the girls the other day during an impromptu photo shoot in our dining room. They were acting crazy and silly, so these are the best ones I got.<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-9017414915190091512011-08-11T07:36:00.000-07:002011-08-11T07:36:59.018-07:00First Day of SchoolThat's it, they're officially too grown up! These two left for school this morning and while I didn't get emotional at all, I certainly noticed how grown up they looked. <br />
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Miss Mally had me straighten her hair last night. I couldn't believe how long it is, or how red it is starting to look. She was born a redhead, then it went to blond and now it's starting to turn light red again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEakTTVzI8SmoLFRaXxseKuXYKmQwg41TqVXHkc5XDaIdpclKJvt2ctagorJXuXopmgZFI-PCtP_bqHdtnIGpqVcZMNn-eI06p-_KpI0TtGhP71OIviyTB9XlLEAg9If2MOP3CKqGtQFo/s1600/first+day+of+school+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEakTTVzI8SmoLFRaXxseKuXYKmQwg41TqVXHkc5XDaIdpclKJvt2ctagorJXuXopmgZFI-PCtP_bqHdtnIGpqVcZMNn-eI06p-_KpI0TtGhP71OIviyTB9XlLEAg9If2MOP3CKqGtQFo/s320/first+day+of+school+033.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Hannah needed a new hair-do for middle school, so she got her cut short just last weekend. She loves short hair and I don't mind it on her, however Rusty freaks out everytime she does it, which she gets a kick out of. You can't see it, but they both have the feathers in their hair as well. Oh dear. This is one of those fashion fads that I know will eventually fade and one day they will look back and laugh about the time they did this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnyv6d2Ydl6n7YQfsVMhtLGDubw-0QBt_FRCOVL62DU4syjYLFXKkepkUto29AI9lz41LzB6JsvUwcaKu7NTbIRLmE5tUtPXJJSNLLrAPDOb9o8SU65zwez2sESPMhT8aWhMvydIfAIk/s1600/first+day+of+school+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnyv6d2Ydl6n7YQfsVMhtLGDubw-0QBt_FRCOVL62DU4syjYLFXKkepkUto29AI9lz41LzB6JsvUwcaKu7NTbIRLmE5tUtPXJJSNLLrAPDOb9o8SU65zwez2sESPMhT8aWhMvydIfAIk/s320/first+day+of+school+041.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Me and this little sweetie have a whole day to ourselves. I don't know what we're going to do yet. She's was pretty sad about her big sisters leaving today, but it'll make her so happy when they get off the bus this afternoon. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hF72gvDzYVQJ8wPOuKgG_m6LN3R0t2rML7H1ntY8mn1NGWVAvPc8hAeUc3W1VDhKFDPNlm6XklSHLoPiMFWgp3jxi4p-PZnk8c-SlnfCDON4AbOOxICunUTB89Js7Vz5YH7C62MaKJ8/s1600/first+day+of+school+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hF72gvDzYVQJ8wPOuKgG_m6LN3R0t2rML7H1ntY8mn1NGWVAvPc8hAeUc3W1VDhKFDPNlm6XklSHLoPiMFWgp3jxi4p-PZnk8c-SlnfCDON4AbOOxICunUTB89Js7Vz5YH7C62MaKJ8/s320/first+day+of+school+045.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>I hope you have a wonderful day!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-73825535774185416742011-08-10T12:37:00.000-07:002011-08-10T12:37:23.806-07:00Goodbye Sleeping-InOh how the summer has flown. School for my big girls starts tomorrow and I don't know whether to be happy or sad about my girls being gone most of the day. I do know one thing that I am so happy about; Mallorie is actually excited about starting school. First. Time. EVER! Hannah is always excited to start school so I never have any issue with her, but for Mallorie it is always a struggle and now she's almost giddy. What a true blessing, and I mean that whole-heartedly!<br />
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I've been meaning to do summer upkeep on this blog so you could see what we've been up to, but it all got away from me. We've been so busy, good busy, and spending a lot of time with family and each other doing all of the stuff we love.<br />
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Anyway, I'll have pictures posted tomorrow along with the obligatory first day of school pictures of Hannah and Mally. Sadly, neither girl wants me to take them to school tomorrow for their first day. Oh how broken my heart feels today, but in a good way I guess. I just knew Mally would want me to take her, but I guess she's finally over having me with her all the time. boohoo!<br />
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I hope your summers are going well. We get a shower around here several times a week and I watch as my home state of Texas gets nothing but hot sun. I don't even remember what 112 degrees feels like, but I don't want to find out anytime soon either, hopefully it'll cool off by Christmas, ha. We've got work to do today. Hanging by the pool for our last day of summer, painting fingers and toes and then straightening Mally's hair for her first day...pray for me people. I better get going, it's the last night of summer break and I want to have some fun!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-55407687829869167472011-07-15T20:50:00.000-07:002011-07-15T20:50:30.794-07:00Sleepin' at the WheelWe've been having such a fun, busy summer. Family visiting, floatin' the Hooch (Chattahoochee River), camping, and now Hannah has just completed her drama camp and Mallorie starts her horse camp next week. Then Auntie Becky and Holly comes and then school starts. Whew.<br />
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Rusty's mom and step-dad were here last week and we had such a good time. I love them, but I could not pass up an opportunity to snap a pic of them in the grocery store all matchy-matchy! Oh, it was too funny! That's Texas pride right there. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cv0EBXQaPoE/TiD1bjNDDgI/AAAAAAAACzM/eIDHOHv0mxg/s1600/IMAG0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cv0EBXQaPoE/TiD1bjNDDgI/AAAAAAAACzM/eIDHOHv0mxg/s320/IMAG0161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This picture is horrible, but it's from my phone so that's what happens. Anyway, they LOVED floating the river so much that we've gone back twice since they went with my dad three weeks ago. I went with Ava the last two times and she loves it. The first time she passed out about half way through and had a wonderful nap. The cold water is so refreshing on a hot day and it's only a few dollars to float, you just can't beat it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnwrsIba0gc/TiEHqXY6EpI/AAAAAAAACz0/nklkOuEOP4Q/s1600/IMAG0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnwrsIba0gc/TiEHqXY6EpI/AAAAAAAACz0/nklkOuEOP4Q/s320/IMAG0150.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HeOz5X8hh1U/TiEI-IkVt-I/AAAAAAAAC0M/JgHFVLnCuq0/s1600/IMAG0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HeOz5X8hh1U/TiEI-IkVt-I/AAAAAAAAC0M/JgHFVLnCuq0/s320/IMAG0162.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hannah couldn't quit catching the fish while Rusty's family was here. The boys were getting so mad because they couldn't get anything and here was this little girl just reeling them in.<br />
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We had a wonderful break from the heat today, it never went above 75 degrees! So we took full advantage and went on an evening bike ride. Here is what Ava did halfway through:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zjz37EU587o/TiDpsQTcNBI/AAAAAAAACy0/O_X0d_zkGtg/s1600/IMAG0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zjz37EU587o/TiDpsQTcNBI/AAAAAAAACy0/O_X0d_zkGtg/s320/IMAG0166.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>She fell asleep in her seat. I can't blame her really, it was just so beautiful. Meanwhile my legs felt like they were going to fall off when we finished the ride. I am so thankful Rusty and I finally bought ourselves bikes, they have been a wonderful investment and such a fun way to exercise with the kids. Incase you were wondering, I did infact snap that picture as we were riding...I've got skills, man!<br />
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I hope to post some more pictures this weekend. All of our summer fun pics are on the other computer at the moment and the mouse needs new batteries, so I guess you get to see all the pictures off my phone.In the mean time, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-85861505512749122212011-06-03T10:29:00.000-07:002011-06-03T10:29:58.452-07:00Tracks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We headed down to the deer lease the other day to take a look around since the girls and I hadn't been out there since the colder months when the vegetation was thinner. It was so pretty and lush and I wanted to see where Rusty was going to put his deer stands. The question has also been hanging in the air about me and the girls possibly going down there to hunt with him occasionally. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1A9Z3b9LKI4hpp1lbs0n1vEP25EQiHQ9cDpthgX7QrUIS32diBGki3CzVKGAzNXmE8mfRMakDpzEqMbAlhZoZ24JMemJAYwAkqmAyUT7qZfsd5BZk5N0z5jIF8BwiN9lT9VoZOIYkVc/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1A9Z3b9LKI4hpp1lbs0n1vEP25EQiHQ9cDpthgX7QrUIS32diBGki3CzVKGAzNXmE8mfRMakDpzEqMbAlhZoZ24JMemJAYwAkqmAyUT7qZfsd5BZk5N0z5jIF8BwiN9lT9VoZOIYkVc/s320/IMG_3568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Judging by the tracks that we came across, I am not feeling too confident about heading out there, especially in the dark of morning to be in nature with BEARS! We knew they were out there, but when we saw tracks all over the main "road" then I got just a bit more nervous. They say that the black bear isn't as aggressive as other bears, but I don't think I want to find out. AND, the other day we were watching a stupid Sasquatch show on some channel and they were looking at tracks on a deer lease just north of where Rusty is going to be hunting. I don't even believe they exist and I am scared. It's so stupid, but I promise you that if I went out there with Rusty he'd find a way to make me believe we just heard one or saw one. It would be a whole lot of ridiculous-ness!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu02LeVZOwHS_QAZNV5Lh9jeeeylzchrnSjsLOorhyphenhyphen-TmUvPntXe2Ksf52wIUZOdVnPOShOoKzoLC7jgAsFWZZ6qO1N3MnURtCage4j3WwsRMza_VQU2LpjZ-Oxmukp5ZkkOAdnQ7CzDk/s1600/IMG_3573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu02LeVZOwHS_QAZNV5Lh9jeeeylzchrnSjsLOorhyphenhyphen-TmUvPntXe2Ksf52wIUZOdVnPOShOoKzoLC7jgAsFWZZ6qO1N3MnURtCage4j3WwsRMza_VQU2LpjZ-Oxmukp5ZkkOAdnQ7CzDk/s320/IMG_3573.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can you believe how red the dirt is here? I always heard about Georgia's red dirt in old country songs, but never gave much thought to it. Let me tell ya, it's true! It stains your tires and gets all over your shoes. But it is pretty and fun to find fresh tracks in!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNd7k2GjCmqFV8iNuJRA79ql9wlRbVt2hcqI0FzM5KXIX4xWNuQyyqsLYkrk_E5PFKaqQUaGXwRYl2eGfktulfgMX0hiKqTJemizKhWc4QiM7WsA_Uw9lETb99NcW49c9UjDT2tiMrRc/s1600/IMG_3575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNd7k2GjCmqFV8iNuJRA79ql9wlRbVt2hcqI0FzM5KXIX4xWNuQyyqsLYkrk_E5PFKaqQUaGXwRYl2eGfktulfgMX0hiKqTJemizKhWc4QiM7WsA_Uw9lETb99NcW49c9UjDT2tiMrRc/s320/IMG_3575.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>We drove a while on one side of the lease and then headed over to the other side to another entrance and found so many tracks on that side as well. Mostly deer, bear and coyote, but there was some kind of cat print that I am unsure of. The thing we didn't see was hog prints. They other guys told Rusty that they hardly ever see any wild hogs up there which is a great relief to me, those things are mean! The print below is of a buck deer next to Rusty's hand. That sucker is big and his tracks were deep. We saw deer prints everywhere and I could tell Rusty was a little bit excited!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j49akc8trs7hrCaCBz-wiecnCUO4obClq2hvsUN9IOY5u_GQIF9r2UdfcmrBXJvNDFM4oaOl5H6-7GtRkW-MZbeN0uJ1Kbxiy1A9Za-dNxDn-KAGGiFdfPh4lMQIsVnfoXwoWzA4O2E/s1600/IMG_3580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j49akc8trs7hrCaCBz-wiecnCUO4obClq2hvsUN9IOY5u_GQIF9r2UdfcmrBXJvNDFM4oaOl5H6-7GtRkW-MZbeN0uJ1Kbxiy1A9Za-dNxDn-KAGGiFdfPh4lMQIsVnfoXwoWzA4O2E/s320/IMG_3580.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So excited that he got his bow out right then and started practicing. I'm kidding, sort of, ha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDV1Bk6yyGBHXIC-Q1-9gUzdnUkKqfffMKim_ohryUM0esMOOajATJzDhsIvvKmsJaSQ9GdARrEpVXo42SDM5UOaRAzsNQKP_vOy2QGA1b3n2aPTVuBB-2PHvQDfOMpvnGyeTYUyuZMk/s1600/IMG_3591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDV1Bk6yyGBHXIC-Q1-9gUzdnUkKqfffMKim_ohryUM0esMOOajATJzDhsIvvKmsJaSQ9GdARrEpVXo42SDM5UOaRAzsNQKP_vOy2QGA1b3n2aPTVuBB-2PHvQDfOMpvnGyeTYUyuZMk/s320/IMG_3591.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This next shot is MY hand next to a bear track. Rusty thought this was his hand when we were looking at the pictures. I think that means I need some work done, ha! Seriously, it's time for some nails. And I don't wear a wedding ring because when we moved I guess I hit my ring hard and my diamond got knocked loose and eventually came out. I found it, but I haven't taken it to get fixed yet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, I thought the bear track was pretty cool. I have never seen one before. This is the second set of bear tracks we found on the other side of the lease and they were smaller than the first set we found that you see up top next to the truck tire. Maybe it was a cute, snugly, cuddly baby bear.....yeah right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnCGURphGeJEWwZwpsRwel5blB1GPzKA5Zx7xdQUMZ_51F5WUymZ-XYj57iCzUUq13dRIRLHMefQaA-xiyWLreccRq3mW1oblCZix5DcMroIYwDjMwv_IY4W56awm4G31yAOo_7QD8sk/s1600/IMG_3584-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnCGURphGeJEWwZwpsRwel5blB1GPzKA5Zx7xdQUMZ_51F5WUymZ-XYj57iCzUUq13dRIRLHMefQaA-xiyWLreccRq3mW1oblCZix5DcMroIYwDjMwv_IY4W56awm4G31yAOo_7QD8sk/s320/IMG_3584-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiWHS08Xecb_qeCX2ez8JhpLQUHlRAbu1zwjVrHMBRB9MxmFR2eKBu7zdK-6SlymgqRD-2CN9jUIgVTe1zXYseYLO6omNUa9rUFKeEQlEW-LmEH3B3diVyXHqqixMcR4DKT_00VKIMUM/s1600/IMG_3585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiWHS08Xecb_qeCX2ez8JhpLQUHlRAbu1zwjVrHMBRB9MxmFR2eKBu7zdK-6SlymgqRD-2CN9jUIgVTe1zXYseYLO6omNUa9rUFKeEQlEW-LmEH3B3diVyXHqqixMcR4DKT_00VKIMUM/s320/IMG_3585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And of course our chauffeur for the day. Oh my she was sassy, but good the whole time, even taking a nap in the cool a/c of the truck. After that we went to the dealership just to see what kind of used cars they might have. This always happens. Only this time we came home with a pickup. That does not always happen. We couldn't believe it and now our house is starting to look like a Toyota dealership, haha. Rusty is so happy to have found a 4wheel drive and I was happy that it wasn't a junk truck that he was going to have to work on every weekend which is what we had been looking at on Craig's List Anyway, our three day weekend ended up being a lot of fun. We have family coming this weekend and are looking forward to cooking out and showing them around.<br />
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I hope you have a wonderful weekend and are able to stay cool. It's stinkin' HOT here, we hit 99 the other day. We go to the pool early and stay only a couple of hours because I can only handle it so long before I am drenched in sweat, yuck! After that it's the a/c or a free movie morning for us.<br />
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Oh, and lest I forget, Mallorie got her cast off yesterday and is so thankful, but still pretty sore. She's been putting her wrist brace back on to make herself feel better, but the doctor said it would take about a week to feel strong and stop being stiff. Hopefully Ibuprofen and some tlc will help her finish healing.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-49690184236784691172011-05-31T20:44:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:44:59.459-07:00Summer Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's Summer Time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/graybrown/5782332139/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMAG0085 by gray.brown, on Flickr"><img alt="IMAG0085" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/5782332139_45384060dd.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blue goggles are cool</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rusty's truck bed is a jungle gym</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Late nights watching movies are the norm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Going to the library is a welcome relief from the sun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cheapo popsicles flow like milk and honey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mosquitoes and lightening bugs float through the evening sky</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we couldn't be any happier every single day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just playing outside and then snuggling under blankets in the cool a/c</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-20415479009381773212011-05-25T13:07:00.000-07:002011-05-25T13:07:34.522-07:00The GraduateShe's a graduate of fifth grade. She had the ceremony this morning and came home screaming about this afternoon. Am I ready for middle school? No. But I guess I don't get a choice. She's growin' up!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiimyFsefENttBnQPNN0fQW8lzzItSqOCX3zopzeaCFVF8jV0aZ5Xh59tTQDxqhFTCBu2rpeWn1MEywBF9w7va2ZrNXrumNplWnErbD2Uu9h-8DNWplSh6nJFrhZED4fTyVY9v818RpG0/s1600/IMG_3483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiimyFsefENttBnQPNN0fQW8lzzItSqOCX3zopzeaCFVF8jV0aZ5Xh59tTQDxqhFTCBu2rpeWn1MEywBF9w7va2ZrNXrumNplWnErbD2Uu9h-8DNWplSh6nJFrhZED4fTyVY9v818RpG0/s320/IMG_3483.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Her certificate states three accomplishments that she felt she had for the year. She put babysitting, church activities and chorus. I can vouch for her on the babysitting and the chorus, but as for church activities... I don't know what she's talking about, but as long as she thinks she accomplished something in church then I won't question her, haha. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz4vDcjSJ2uG8aaN6OTkrYWEM79PReJ9zuTRHcHlUtYFd7vJy8vZ-ev7PxWjPh1ApbzUiJYrWbLDe8uZvcA_um4sXpVS9b5Xv3MVj_waTn2LMlcvmsuCDVGl8DbSeacsX8JYmDvlInBg/s1600/IMG_3492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz4vDcjSJ2uG8aaN6OTkrYWEM79PReJ9zuTRHcHlUtYFd7vJy8vZ-ev7PxWjPh1ApbzUiJYrWbLDe8uZvcA_um4sXpVS9b5Xv3MVj_waTn2LMlcvmsuCDVGl8DbSeacsX8JYmDvlInBg/s320/IMG_3492.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this is a picture of a toddler who stayed awake until TWO AM! She fell asleep early in the afternoon at the pool and then would not go to bed that night. So I cleaned her room while she played with her babies in her bed. It was a short sleep kind of night. You can tell she's so happy to be there. Atleast she fell asleep during the ceremony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6GPaq_pqGDOj6ctBy3FTxmoladdw8l0_BYB8C97yhbHFCfORm0IA8I157r4IcPwB3RK8rum4MXo7TtoiHPlPamgOKLCrEYYjDANO5k-dm5eAzuFHBBowyLl-X9p9p6d_xmVU-ZqZEv4/s1600/IMG_3485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6GPaq_pqGDOj6ctBy3FTxmoladdw8l0_BYB8C97yhbHFCfORm0IA8I157r4IcPwB3RK8rum4MXo7TtoiHPlPamgOKLCrEYYjDANO5k-dm5eAzuFHBBowyLl-X9p9p6d_xmVU-ZqZEv4/s320/IMG_3485.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>What a great day we had. Summer break is here, and we couldn't be more excited! I know the kids are ready to sleep in and play all day. I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the day, we're headed to the pool again and possibly to the park for a cookout.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-85046886959727701602011-05-24T20:45:00.000-07:002011-05-24T20:45:39.310-07:00Swimmin' BabyI had to share this picture today. Ava has never wanted a pacifier. Even as a tiny baby, she never cared for them. She found this on today in her toy box and had to have it. It was one of those times when I chose my battle and so I chose not to battle to make her stop sucking on it. She even took it to the school for Mally's party this afternoon. I think at this point tonight she has forgotten about it, but we'll see. She never stops making me laugh!<br />
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Two posts in one week? I know it shouldn't be this shocking, but even I'm shocked at this point. I just finally feel like I can breathe from all the school stuff going on, so I guess that puts me in a writing mood. I am tired though. We stayed at the pool from 4pm until 8pm because their school friends just kept showing up and I just didn't have the heart to make them leave. They were having so much fun. Even Ava had a blast. And since our local Chik-fil-a has a kids eat free on Tuesday night deal, I had a great night not cooking, so a good time was had by all.<br />
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Look at this big 2 year old wearing floaties! I mean it when I say is not scared of the water. But don't worry, we were right next to her the entire time she was anywhere near the water and always with her in the water. She gets so mad at us when we try to help her swim so I was pretty proud of her when she figured out how to use these floaties. You should have seen how proud she was of herself!<br />
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I'm sitting here watching the weather radar and just trying relax, being thankful that I am not in the middle of all that, but also thinking of all of our family and friends who ARE in the middle of it. My heart is really aching for all the places getting hit. Memories of being scared to death during tornado season every year keep resurfacing. I love storms, I enjoy watching the sky and watching the beauty of the storms changing so quickly, but once the sirens go off I get scared. Living in Kansas, the sirens went off a lot. Rusty and I were just saying tonight that we were so thankful that a tornado never hit any of the houses we lived in because so many of them were so old and dumpy, ha. Especially our first college married apartment....I'm pretty sure they were barely standing when we lived there. Anyway, my point was, it's just so hard to sit and watch all of it happen and know that there is nothing you can do but pray for the people in the path of the storm.<br />
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I guess I'd better get to bed. Mallorie's friends are coming to spend the night tomorrow for the last day of school celebration and that means snacks, swimming, lots of screaming, and late night movies. I know they'll have a lot of fun, but I'm going to need my rest. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday. Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-63120341732978279342011-05-22T20:44:00.000-07:002011-05-23T04:28:35.078-07:00School's Almost Out for SummerThe countdown is coming to a close. There are only three days until Summer Break takes over and children everywhere rejoice in angelic singing. And maybe their parents as well. I will be happy not to wake up at 6am one more day for several months!!<br />
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We've all been enjoying our beautiful warm weather by playing outside and swimming in our neighborhood pool. Rusty watched Ava Friday evening so I could just take Hannah and Mallorie to the pool and not have to run around chasing her all afternoon. It was heavenly! I've put in a request to have atleast one afternoon a week where I can go to the pool with just my big girls. They had a blast playing with all their little friends and not having to help watch baby sis. I love that little monster, but she is a ball of energy with very little fear especially around water, so it was nice not to have to be on high alert for an afternoon. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/graybrown/5749371504/" title="IMAG0011 by gray.brown, on Flickr"><img alt="IMAG0011" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/5749371504_7c714e0c2b.jpg" width="299" /></a><br />
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Hannah and Mallorie got their test results back for their standardized tests and they both passed with very good scores. Hannah got extremely high scores in math and science. Praise The LORD!! You cannot imagine how happy it makes me when one of my kids gets scores that are above what is expected, especially in a subject that wasn't my strong suite. They're both such smart little girls and I am so proud of them.<br />
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Mallorie fell off of her scooter last week and got a small fracture in her wrist. So she is in a cast for a couple of weeks. At first she loved it and the attention. Now she hates it! She keeps thinking of ways she can take it off. But atleast it's waterproof. I didn't know they made them waterproof now, but they do and it's dry in no time once she gets out of the pool. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/graybrown/5749363866/" title="IMAG0004 by gray.brown, on Flickr"><img alt="IMAG0004" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5749363866_c5f253e06f.jpg" width="299" /></a><br />
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We're all excited to be having family come and visit soon. I don't know what all we'll do, but it's always nice to have company. I know Hannah and Mally are looking forward to it. They can't wait to get their Poppy back out on the lake to go tubing. And now that it's warming up in the nights, maybe we'll be able to get someone to go camping, ha. We shall see. <br />
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Miss Hannah is loving all of the exciting stuff going on for the fifth graders. And they're preparing them for next year and explaining how to use a locker and how to keep it organized. Hannah has her money set aside for the accessories she'll be needing for her locker. She cannot wait! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/graybrown/5749362554/" title="IMAG0013 by gray.brown, on Flickr"><img alt="IMAG0013" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/5749362554_64b53fd593.jpg" width="299" /></a><br />
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Do you watch Swamp People? It's one of our favorite shows. Rusty has these shirts that he occasionally wears around the house and to work, they're the cotton short sleeve Polo's. Anyway, they look just like the one that the Alligator hunter named Troy always wears. They make Rusty look just him. Needless to say I have banned the shirts. Good grief! Everytime he walks around in one of those shirts I just can't help but laugh at him. It's now just a big joke and if he wears it, it's only to get on my nerves. We're dorks, we can't help it, haha!<br />
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Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful week. We are gonna be so busy with class parties and everything else that goes on around here. Hopefully I'll remember to charge my camera and get a few pictures of the kids this week so I can post some better ones on here.<br />
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**Edited to add** Please pray for Joplin! That was a big part of our lives while living in Kansas, it was the only place to go for some fun. It's such a small town where everyone knows everyone and I know they are all devastated. Just keep them in your thoughts and prayers that loved ones are found and they are able to rebuild their town and their lives.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-3319931804983605812011-05-09T04:00:00.000-07:002011-05-09T04:00:41.863-07:00Gone Fishin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsa1wiC2j9DNjn-SohRneywSIFmkt4vYk2Ew9NMpdUVCN9dnOUPWo0_xu1uGMUN-6bmozIDWbma8oe_b6WrfMOXuepyL7pcFszwr6J5YWKYE7GLGvh5auzlNy_rzxpYdQrW-Fu9-oloE/s1600/IMG_3295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsa1wiC2j9DNjn-SohRneywSIFmkt4vYk2Ew9NMpdUVCN9dnOUPWo0_xu1uGMUN-6bmozIDWbma8oe_b6WrfMOXuepyL7pcFszwr6J5YWKYE7GLGvh5auzlNy_rzxpYdQrW-Fu9-oloE/s320/IMG_3295.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Mommy's Day was so sweet this year. We just hung out and fished. Mostly I watched and took pictures, but I loved every second of it. We even found a beautiful water snake and got (safely) close enough so that Mallorie could be the photographer and get lots of great shots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH4VrCp95sQQMc5uWLO4l3AJ-jkJlE8qigkD_Obnu1gNpnSCmSeeuzvgOa8X5JAXE0PNPuJQxdoysZDx0gp5bqJXPALILSRCH9jwCCHXZhq_IxvnlaLeTzSQcXBClYDFdEJUnpiSMDfc/s1600/IMG_3336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH4VrCp95sQQMc5uWLO4l3AJ-jkJlE8qigkD_Obnu1gNpnSCmSeeuzvgOa8X5JAXE0PNPuJQxdoysZDx0gp5bqJXPALILSRCH9jwCCHXZhq_IxvnlaLeTzSQcXBClYDFdEJUnpiSMDfc/s320/IMG_3336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The final score ended up being Hannah-1, Mallorie-3, Rusty/Ava-2. Hannah caught several, they just kept getting off the hook when she got them almost to the shore. She had a lot of fun, though. Oh and somehow I caught a minnow. That counts, right?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOopNHnuHCTelaU2frKLcvqo0DOD9dnALG5wwn7PXKsyK3xCyxtHGhuDTZ-CKtUqj52TZcKdFwVtHdWFgQ0q9tYQq8PU_eZV8gymqV7ICRDJxMZywI4DqVfcufaaPN1ZSPxc2peBwnesc/s1600/IMG_3262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOopNHnuHCTelaU2frKLcvqo0DOD9dnALG5wwn7PXKsyK3xCyxtHGhuDTZ-CKtUqj52TZcKdFwVtHdWFgQ0q9tYQq8PU_eZV8gymqV7ICRDJxMZywI4DqVfcufaaPN1ZSPxc2peBwnesc/s320/IMG_3262.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Apparently, it is very manly to fish with a Dora the Explorer fishing pole. It did catch him a fish....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7RBaq9Mf9p0-fBuUxeUHdRYQ-ASlB4kqoupiE5QORP_8jREmuhTZzsNhm3yhx3eKjmwbaqMqY_WK3MSC2fPNfZ-p82W17HqjOAHu-XoSRfcPo_qIP6C4vjcDNt7o3YBL0pe6hdNE2wY/s1600/IMG_3274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7RBaq9Mf9p0-fBuUxeUHdRYQ-ASlB4kqoupiE5QORP_8jREmuhTZzsNhm3yhx3eKjmwbaqMqY_WK3MSC2fPNfZ-p82W17HqjOAHu-XoSRfcPo_qIP6C4vjcDNt7o3YBL0pe6hdNE2wY/s320/IMG_3274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ava did not nap first, so she didn't last too long. Thankfully she was happy to walk around the pond and look for "nakes" and turtles with Mommy holding her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dEF1an2-QGPmpvmFgI5kXwMAKJ-Pi9VlLZ4fBAWvFoj5u6QRCoGW9dLKbz4Wbk6Q-ATsjSKvGIfokVa7zNkbMcgkPMUWK59-oonA73d1-yzg8cQDDt0Ny0AJdAKpwZ8hU1YCkbbi2G8/s1600/IMG_3277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dEF1an2-QGPmpvmFgI5kXwMAKJ-Pi9VlLZ4fBAWvFoj5u6QRCoGW9dLKbz4Wbk6Q-ATsjSKvGIfokVa7zNkbMcgkPMUWK59-oonA73d1-yzg8cQDDt0Ny0AJdAKpwZ8hU1YCkbbi2G8/s320/IMG_3277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>She did fish a little bit, reeling in every throw. She didn't care to much for waiting on her bobber to go under, but hey, as long as she was happy and not screaming "NO WAY" at us at the top of her lungs then we were all happy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLbfEUxU6n3R6yhtxAMXlz8KNIluJnVdayVrzAOw57egVIHZHRg4RjcnZQuD82ZF0xwWyah0ZVwdtdgFMc7WfXBS3QXhtiN3BEF10xx-EHeADcrdWP3JlX4tl3xf4kR_mWd7m-6QNi1s/s1600/IMG_3287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLbfEUxU6n3R6yhtxAMXlz8KNIluJnVdayVrzAOw57egVIHZHRg4RjcnZQuD82ZF0xwWyah0ZVwdtdgFMc7WfXBS3QXhtiN3BEF10xx-EHeADcrdWP3JlX4tl3xf4kR_mWd7m-6QNi1s/s320/IMG_3287.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Mallorie surprised us all and touched a few fish. Even picking one up that fell off the line and throwing it back into the water. She had such fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2SD0K-TeG2Jw8mZZLHEVQdWXVombrKs7OqrSCTGRAmDBTB0iVe4IuuG-SKFze2-QQXaaGhK_hMLfB6LN_k7GswZqa1H5RABX5ehhnWWQGKtUoEy09co-cX7cShHc65f417vwT2kDv6Q/s1600/IMG_3304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2SD0K-TeG2Jw8mZZLHEVQdWXVombrKs7OqrSCTGRAmDBTB0iVe4IuuG-SKFze2-QQXaaGhK_hMLfB6LN_k7GswZqa1H5RABX5ehhnWWQGKtUoEy09co-cX7cShHc65f417vwT2kDv6Q/s320/IMG_3304.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They can't wait to go back. It's only a catch and release pond, but what great practice. I was impressed with their ability to be patient. I am so blessed to be the mom of these three girls, what a great Mother's Day, I couldn't have asked for more! </div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-9808100499049096142011-04-24T20:39:00.000-07:002011-04-24T20:39:05.592-07:00Happy Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQrmbqxeaoQhilbPHTQ_cu2dVg98BGqiDXAxVa_iP5AB3Okaq6DCmDVShDjs7de2IkUJSVq0-xy0qsiuZq9sVpA8NWBAPKqdfwIhWpCkpPfu25wqEwjoMnkvXnHDHoIQyrZAccM0ankM/s320/easter%252C+etc+035.JPG" width="213" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had such a beautiful and wonderful Easter. I know it may seem odd to start off the post with this picture, but it just made me smile. I guess I had a spot on my lens when I shot this and it gave it a blurry spot, but her face is so wonderful and ticked! I wouldn't let her have her scooter, mean mommy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was one of the better pictures I caught today. Ava refuses to look at me when I have the camera out so I have to try and catch her smiles when she isn't paying attention to me. Mallorie and Ava were the only ones that hunted eggs this afternoon. Hannah isn't up to it anymore, she didn't even want to dye the eggs last night. Kind of made me sad that she feels too big, but I understand and am glad she enjoyed hiding the eggs with the Easter Dad...we don't do the bunny thing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-HYWzqg30iyeO9cJl6FcnsAaRfe5Q3FlmvbqaZqdBm1qVpxCB0YhI2U8Oxwa9wKUAjwAfE0ukDdQ16cqE0iHd6Yey6u0zcdvrxO9QWbm0x4p4LSTOXXjOQztUSSpamOi_l8Q5ChYxig/s1600/easter%252C+etc+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-HYWzqg30iyeO9cJl6FcnsAaRfe5Q3FlmvbqaZqdBm1qVpxCB0YhI2U8Oxwa9wKUAjwAfE0ukDdQ16cqE0iHd6Yey6u0zcdvrxO9QWbm0x4p4LSTOXXjOQztUSSpamOi_l8Q5ChYxig/s320/easter%252C+etc+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ava found quite a few eggs and dug right in to her M-E-M's. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTEir3ROKvqa8moz_D4MDL72-YDNcToXZtvFudG965K0PjhKEI0us-aNeqbNu3-Xr8_renctx1B90k0fkzT5i6lVcwpWsgePDZp0OLmWnZp6ieLoPIDxtG_BGCepBaeVyn8hT8Jn_b1M/s1600/easter%252C+etc+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTEir3ROKvqa8moz_D4MDL72-YDNcToXZtvFudG965K0PjhKEI0us-aNeqbNu3-Xr8_renctx1B90k0fkzT5i6lVcwpWsgePDZp0OLmWnZp6ieLoPIDxtG_BGCepBaeVyn8hT8Jn_b1M/s320/easter%252C+etc+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I'm telling ya, getting all three girls to look at me at the same time and sitting like ladies was pretty much impossible, but I'll take what I can get. They were in such wonderful moods so the day was so nice. It was also very toasty outside so after hunting some eggs the girls climbed into their swimsuits and hit the Slip-n-slide. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVWfjLXQuce4DKG-Tld67Igxy1xxbooHDFckvWKRzAwmBiXdAmMLa6EJAh23rfUMSpZa02LepcOMsj5GXxXo4fvNCdIT6qub-8fOUfJlXrs0VcO5P3T4fY1XFckzi3od6H9vaQpvvHH0/s1600/easter%252C+etc+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVWfjLXQuce4DKG-Tld67Igxy1xxbooHDFckvWKRzAwmBiXdAmMLa6EJAh23rfUMSpZa02LepcOMsj5GXxXo4fvNCdIT6qub-8fOUfJlXrs0VcO5P3T4fY1XFckzi3od6H9vaQpvvHH0/s320/easter%252C+etc+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hannah only went once, again feeling way to old compared to everyone around her so she just kind of hung out and walked around in the water. Mallorie didn't care a bit and had a ball playing and splashing around. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs0BTSA1X4vjlTaAP3iuTwy562eksf7f9iQ_T5iEJ3qaelrALBvfrBGvN1VuNerSMofb0WW4vXgqrTuqycd8Yr5-ZxRdCx9_hWM9Uhn6yEDf8Ye1DlJrjxATwWqI_4GwUcuz_wvC8zV0/s1600/easter%252C+etc+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs0BTSA1X4vjlTaAP3iuTwy562eksf7f9iQ_T5iEJ3qaelrALBvfrBGvN1VuNerSMofb0WW4vXgqrTuqycd8Yr5-ZxRdCx9_hWM9Uhn6yEDf8Ye1DlJrjxATwWqI_4GwUcuz_wvC8zV0/s320/easter%252C+etc+126.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Ava, too. She is ready to play in the water at any time. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjHffaOvpg9BgllqSfde92PDm66k0xRqQjGBldNbFfvRTY-iWU2UDmIeLswaO8LkaXyFpvvBaWsbCbax0NHhUbYDE6txVEtT-whb-o3hXPIBB5nphjHMQTjI8dLuOukJTB7QaMiHUgx0/s1600/easter%252C+etc+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjHffaOvpg9BgllqSfde92PDm66k0xRqQjGBldNbFfvRTY-iWU2UDmIeLswaO8LkaXyFpvvBaWsbCbax0NHhUbYDE6txVEtT-whb-o3hXPIBB5nphjHMQTjI8dLuOukJTB7QaMiHUgx0/s320/easter%252C+etc+160.JPG" width="213" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rusty got our fishing poles ready today in preparations for our upcoming weekend camping trip. That's right, we are heading out soon....I hope it goes well. We're just going for one night this first time, just to see how Ava does. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The girls are out of school tomorrow so I better get to bed, it'll be a day that I need lots of energy as we'll be playing outside most all day. I hope your day is nice and that you had a wonderful Easter celebration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<b>Romans 6:8-11</b> <br />
<i>Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.</i> (NIV)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-85601970503907268362011-04-19T06:04:00.000-07:002011-04-19T06:08:59.061-07:00Round 2Round 2 of Standardized testing starts today for my big girls. I'm so over them already. The only good thing about these tests is that Hannah and Mally don't have homework on any of the nights after the tests so they get to play outside til dark which we all love. I keep losing track of time because it's still so light at 8pm and by the time I notice it's time to rush to get showered, read and go to sleep. I'm so anal about them going to bed by 9 on a school night. They get mad at me and say that some of the kids get to go to bed at 10, but dang-it, I need that quiet time!!<br />
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It's starting to get warm around here. It's hitting the 80's, the bugs are EVERYWHERE and achoocoughcough, I am sounding like a sick person all of a sudden. I thought maybe it was a cold, but with the pollen covering every inch of everything outside, it might be a case of allergies. Seriously, I don't remember ever noticing layers of pollen on every surface outside, but obviously it happens every year I just was never bothered by it.<br />
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Miss Ava is loving the outside playtime. We're headed to the store today to find her some cute shoes for her Easter outfit and buy some color safe bleach because apparently when you are two using markers on your clothes equals fun! I'm not kidding, every single one of her "nice" outfits I have bought her lately have some sort of stain. I blame her love of ChawMill (or chocolate milk) and a secret stash of markers I found last night in Hannah and Mallorie's bathroom cabinet. She's completely potty trained now with little to no accidents and I couldn't be happier. Rusty keeps getting all sentimental about her being so big, but I am not missing all the diaper changing! *sidenote* I just told her "Hi" when she walked down the stairs this morning, she gave me the serious eyebrows and said, "No hi". I guess she needs her chawmill first thing in the morning like Mommy needs her coffee. Grouchy little toot.<br />
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After our adventure for shoes and bleach we're headed to sign up her sisters for summer camps. They are so excited and so am I, with a side of hope that the camps they want aren't already full. So here is the lineup after many hours of deliberation and mind changes: Hannah is taking drama camp and art camp. Mallorie is going to horse camp. Hannah refused horse camp because she said then she would want a horse and it would be better for her to resist the temptation...I just stood there looking at her when she said it and nodded my head trying not to giggle at such a big proclamation. All the while Mallorie was jumping up and down with giddy excitement! Judging by Hannah's choice you can see that she is exactly 50% Rusty and 50% me. I would NEVER in a million years have had the confidence needed to get on stage and participate in drama, that would be her father. I pushed the art camp because she wouldn't make up her mind between jazz and tap or art...who is this kid?? She can't wait, and honestly I'm glad they're doing these camps on their own. They'll hopefully have a wonderful time! <br />
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We've got our schedule all set up so that we can take some time to travel and see all of our family. I can't wait! I'm missing seeing everyone and I can't wait to get my niece and nephew together with my kiddos and let them play. I need to go visit my Nanny and see my cousins shop that she opened, just so much stuff that I feel like I've been missing because of being so busy with moving and getting settled in the last year. I'm also trying to find a long weekend where I can go visit some friends in California (all by myself, alone, solo) so I can recharge my Mommy and Wife battery.<br />
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*warning: not for the squeamish*<br />
Speaking of family, please keep my nearly two year old nephew, Tyler, in your prayers for continued healing. A couple of days ago he was playing near a dishwasher rack and fell on it. It impailed his eye socket, missing his eyeball (thank God) and fractured his skull entering his brain. Amazingly there was not major vessel damage. They put him in the ICU in Dallas and treated him, he is now in a regular room, the bleeding has stopped and now he is just being monitored and I'm imagining he's probably pretty sore. It looks as though he might stay in the hospital there for several more days, so just keep that part in your prayers as well. I can imagine it's pretty tiring emotionally and physically for his parents and the grandparents that are there with him. There are so many people praying already and I know his mommy and dad are feeling the blessings of his healing. This is such a happy, fun and energy filled little boy and I am so happy that he won't remember a bit of this when he is older. I cannot get him off of my mind and am just in constant praise for his ability to bounce back and seeing his smiling face on a text last night was like a huge relief for us. I cannot imagine how his mom and dad are feeling, but I do know that smile had to give them a jolt of needed energy!<br />
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Well, Ava and I are about ready to go run our errands and she's sick of waiting on me to finish writing this post, so I'll try to post again soon. Oh and there are no pictures because our Mac decided it didn't want to accept discs anymore so we took it back to the store for what we were told should be a quick fix, but is infact going to take two weeks *tear* so I don't have any new pictures on this laptop...they slow this computer down even more than normal, if that's even possible. Gah, anyway, I hope you are having a wonderful week!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-73894280140901367682011-04-07T11:38:00.000-07:002011-04-07T11:38:51.901-07:00Spring Break 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB8GoMDYv-VoJJIanAqYNmesuBtsqjagnNB2mO_ov8ysG34ryQNNKCWRtY0bUlKj-4ffH9m5hA7zPgDqmV4BkJd0sC0Sa1ex3QqD_DiAvhRBC9_R3WWW5iNg9M2GEBURfeM3NI7u-6Q8/s1600/beach+day1+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB8GoMDYv-VoJJIanAqYNmesuBtsqjagnNB2mO_ov8ysG34ryQNNKCWRtY0bUlKj-4ffH9m5hA7zPgDqmV4BkJd0sC0Sa1ex3QqD_DiAvhRBC9_R3WWW5iNg9M2GEBURfeM3NI7u-6Q8/s320/beach+day1+154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our Spring Break trip to Fort Lauderdale is coming to an end. We decided last minute last week to come with Rusty, since he works down here, that Florida was just what we needed. The weather hasn't disappointed and the sunsets are beautiful! One funny thing that both Rusty and I decided is that it's just like living in California here. Infact, we constantly looked to our left while on the beach expecting to see the Palos Verdes Penninsula that we were so used to seeing while living in Southern California. The streets are so similar that I felt immediately at ease driving around. The only difference was how fast everyone here drives! I mean if the speed limit is 70 on the freeway and I was driving over seventy-five, people were passing me like I was standing still! CRAZAY! We are both very ready to get back to our own bed and back to our washing machine, ha! I took the kids to the laundromat the other day to wash our clothes, it was their first time and they did not enjoy it. But then again, who does enjoy the laundromat. It was the one day that we had rain down here, so I figured that we might as well do laundry than sit at the hotel all day being bored. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdy8ET_3KnVcNA5m8DhSuX5AuwCCbjgKO3kYoFBtRfO1qvTBojlDD8y57nTtNyTtAeTo0984u1_A7x-qyPYGnTbJo3NJ-88cpVlE4u9gmp_wI-IE1irI13fOExkyT3xH1zq5fF4-489E/s1600/beach+day1+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdy8ET_3KnVcNA5m8DhSuX5AuwCCbjgKO3kYoFBtRfO1qvTBojlDD8y57nTtNyTtAeTo0984u1_A7x-qyPYGnTbJo3NJ-88cpVlE4u9gmp_wI-IE1irI13fOExkyT3xH1zq5fF4-489E/s320/beach+day1+148.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Ava has loved getting to see Rusty every afternoon so I am sure she'll go through withdraws from him next week, but it has been nice to hang out with him everyday. He finally got in the water yesterday with Hannah and Mallorie and had a great time. I think tonight we might go back down there and enjoy our last night walking the beach and letting the girls collect their favorite seashells.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHCaRjkk_1c1LT1kbgm192HYQxSIlJgEQgOzZovnL36kPeFKI4L927gwjsuD-rJeeR9p7EzXx6wW-IyIJpX7eVEXBKg6T5s9IXY02zGWwaY81ltne5qlrpbUdi0Gcxaz__32xZ3oRj98/s1600/beach+day1+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHCaRjkk_1c1LT1kbgm192HYQxSIlJgEQgOzZovnL36kPeFKI4L927gwjsuD-rJeeR9p7EzXx6wW-IyIJpX7eVEXBKg6T5s9IXY02zGWwaY81ltne5qlrpbUdi0Gcxaz__32xZ3oRj98/s320/beach+day1+090.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Surprisingly Ava is having a wonderful time. She likes the water, but would rather play in the sand the whole time. She fills a bucket with water, puts her little turtle toy in there, then sand, then dumps it and restarts. I'm not sure what is so fun about it, but I continue to help and she has so much fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb1vf4d6p-eHfJHsG9pmwkNLdb0Aj95TC5o3CAJqBBsvNxY8DWqdoqYH6sM-udDjusJP5xftIDPH6urdGKKrT7huWlA1f7eeUngtQ9fhEYO3CM2VXOIajK5AFOsw2WTJ4nYVKYn7cOyw/s1600/beach+day1+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb1vf4d6p-eHfJHsG9pmwkNLdb0Aj95TC5o3CAJqBBsvNxY8DWqdoqYH6sM-udDjusJP5xftIDPH6urdGKKrT7huWlA1f7eeUngtQ9fhEYO3CM2VXOIajK5AFOsw2WTJ4nYVKYn7cOyw/s320/beach+day1+100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvIH1DhI_-NEFEx2T4v88xIBEtsQdZU1_Zo8VKmGe1B9RwKo42nib1caQLmjhyCK9bRbaom-u6R9uEZtxlMluvu8dNtsdaGbWi0MvmnMRbObUllx_JcT50xzyB9IwuPGAE7_ra0tdq0A/s1600/IMG00239-20110405-1948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvIH1DhI_-NEFEx2T4v88xIBEtsQdZU1_Zo8VKmGe1B9RwKo42nib1caQLmjhyCK9bRbaom-u6R9uEZtxlMluvu8dNtsdaGbWi0MvmnMRbObUllx_JcT50xzyB9IwuPGAE7_ra0tdq0A/s320/IMG00239-20110405-1948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The other day after it had rained we decided to drive over to Alligator Alley. It was almost dark when we got there, but light enough to get to witness a few gators swimming around. The kids had never seen any in the wild so they were very excited. The sunset was just an added bonus, my goodness I wish my phone camera could even come close to catching the colors that were in the sky that night. Florida sunsets do not disappoint! We thought about driving this way again when we leave on Friday and hit Naples and head north, but Rusty and I both have never been to Savannah, GA so we decided to go that way instead. And since it's my birthday, we're going to try to eat at The Lady and Sons restaurant. (y'all know, Paula Deen's place) But even if we don't get to eat there, I know there will be tons of other wonderful choices for lunch on Saturday. I can't wait to walk around down there and just look around. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjpLvhtPYgB34JyvJLFFYdHMyxntmDl3l2L3axhZDFJ8rD6BiJHem4iBzCg5_kmKu7S4g7uMb_lxEF_VkNQ-1AdZlpatxko0qep5Fwkf-uYKSvqG8uv-K7gBXPrahrpuK-qJ_y-xZAzY/s1600/IMG00243-20110405-1955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjpLvhtPYgB34JyvJLFFYdHMyxntmDl3l2L3axhZDFJ8rD6BiJHem4iBzCg5_kmKu7S4g7uMb_lxEF_VkNQ-1AdZlpatxko0qep5Fwkf-uYKSvqG8uv-K7gBXPrahrpuK-qJ_y-xZAzY/s320/IMG00243-20110405-1955.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr9oCkLmVjWEzf4uJaX6jtTZmfj7fzAh_50xknZtRVx7qpuNrIVfbmbLJUzIxn7L6MV7fwdp4pP3zQ1qF-KR8VWSN55dTwzF6Iiigf3LdYNBVbGMHDnH0sJ6QGwCAQCv2nPgAHZSCFaI/s1600/IMG00214-20110320-1019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr9oCkLmVjWEzf4uJaX6jtTZmfj7fzAh_50xknZtRVx7qpuNrIVfbmbLJUzIxn7L6MV7fwdp4pP3zQ1qF-KR8VWSN55dTwzF6Iiigf3LdYNBVbGMHDnH0sJ6QGwCAQCv2nPgAHZSCFaI/s320/IMG00214-20110320-1019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And one last picture. I found this one on my phone the other day and I just love it. This was one of the days we were going to try to take a family picture I think, but it just turned into a disaster. I love this picture though, especially since Ava is somewhat smiling at me and they both look so pretty. I've been putting Ava's hair in a low side ponytail a lot lately and I just love it! She's so cute, I'm so happy to have daughters. It's too bad her big sisters no longer let me do their hair, or pick out their clothes. OH well, that's how it goes I guess.<br />
<br />
I hope you're having a wonderful week. I think we're the last people in the country to take our Spring Break and to be honest I'm sad to see it go. The kids have their big standardized testing next week and I am ready to get it over with. Pray for them next week...it's going to be stressful for a certain little blonde who has not had a great year. We'll just do our best though, she'll be okay.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-5587345649152040652011-03-23T16:44:00.000-07:002011-03-23T16:44:17.856-07:00I'm BAaaaack!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Brown Five are still around and kickin'. I just needed to take a short hiatus for a little while to focus on the kids' school stuff and just kind of hang out for a while. We've been having lots of fun, especially on the weekends when we're all together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJl82DX-NTsCi29iMmjRx12SWmrCc38i4BB0XwimuxzgXi98pqxXXxWP_A_dC6dlW1fiqT43trGAm1H2TPg_0Q30aJGBvCS8Wyr2yf3Yj69GYsWiLfa8mG9ciM1UQOLNJhK9a3olww1g/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJl82DX-NTsCi29iMmjRx12SWmrCc38i4BB0XwimuxzgXi98pqxXXxWP_A_dC6dlW1fiqT43trGAm1H2TPg_0Q30aJGBvCS8Wyr2yf3Yj69GYsWiLfa8mG9ciM1UQOLNJhK9a3olww1g/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Ava is Rusty's biggest fan right now! If he's home, she wants to be around him. All weekend we hear "Daddy's HOME!" and she's just so happy to see him every week. He's very good to her and always gives her tons of attention and play time and I am always thankful he's home. This kid has become a tornado around this house, so it's nice to have a bit of break!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYkxi3SS4SRw2Kn7optduEER79MFN_zLhe4OMeHESV_mKqfQcI44EgKlAdMq5_taz9HxwtsXDlSSmL0AuSMjhlrfhMy6gZ2VpiMFQEJ_XnTvqDvozTU054kXMG0Us8NX-wLdprblCMWE/s1600/IMG_2232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYkxi3SS4SRw2Kn7optduEER79MFN_zLhe4OMeHESV_mKqfQcI44EgKlAdMq5_taz9HxwtsXDlSSmL0AuSMjhlrfhMy6gZ2VpiMFQEJ_XnTvqDvozTU054kXMG0Us8NX-wLdprblCMWE/s320/IMG_2232.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Rusty found a place to hunt recently and so we decided we needed to go drive out there and check the place out. I fell inlove with the area. Hilly, green and just gorgeous! It ranked right up there with the cliff views driving around Palos Verdes, California. I mean, picturesque scenery and sometimes it was too pretty to be real. I kept telling Rusty that if he finds land up there to buy, then he better grab it. I would love to live up there. There were sheep farms, which I had never seen, but decided that we would need one, ha. They were too amazing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueSmyR0yqt6vM2t7WVfJHiRIVrd6LhK_PjTtdvJUv9j85kt0ZfuO3T_nLf5RKYMsqxvIlkI67ut_siuv54MaXOqertFHN-zTAluESNdlVR_8Xd89xBMyPTLsokDiPgcRR0B6eXSTjsvY/s1600/IMG_2277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueSmyR0yqt6vM2t7WVfJHiRIVrd6LhK_PjTtdvJUv9j85kt0ZfuO3T_nLf5RKYMsqxvIlkI67ut_siuv54MaXOqertFHN-zTAluESNdlVR_8Xd89xBMyPTLsokDiPgcRR0B6eXSTjsvY/s320/IMG_2277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The kids have been playing outside as much as possible. We are all so glad that Spring has decided to make an appearance and warm us all up. It's nice to soak up some sunshine and just get all of their wiggles out everyday. Oh, and opening up all of the windows around the house feels soo good!<br />
<br />
Mimi and Poppy came to visit last week and the kids got all kinds of love and attention. Rusty got to go have "Man Time" out at his lease and shoot his bow. I got to go shopping and have lunch dates with my Mom and so we all had a wonderful time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBNSFf9gXvaHdKd40tJgeiup3g7IQj6VPEINdiEhIrYXs_glZaMv6N3uQy7sQWoQ5zrzAJVK1Ud5L31ccnz7f4eHbsdo3dtaIwt2FL3rX4i980kcIHzy79cE8vJm_btd7AINwGV7Dex8/s1600/IMG_2327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBNSFf9gXvaHdKd40tJgeiup3g7IQj6VPEINdiEhIrYXs_glZaMv6N3uQy7sQWoQ5zrzAJVK1Ud5L31ccnz7f4eHbsdo3dtaIwt2FL3rX4i980kcIHzy79cE8vJm_btd7AINwGV7Dex8/s320/IMG_2327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Miss Ava is doing so well. We've gotten back into the swing of things with the potty training and I think she's broken free of the diapers, except for night time of course. She sings all the time, which I just LOVE! I have to get her singing on video ASAP, because not only does she sing, but she does hand movements. I love having a toddler around, she's great comedy relief!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4-_K2vovXAgove2ckUhwdQ0xpOSwiN6VuiJSo0bw6a6Ml1_e5MTBhhX-ucwi2mrw-Y7PyKyMzqmDpo3k0zxFm0hWrN88ytFmxLFNFfp9fxgkrDfOICTG7X8nni9zgOrdyXQPAeuvdt8/s1600/IMG_2357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4-_K2vovXAgove2ckUhwdQ0xpOSwiN6VuiJSo0bw6a6Ml1_e5MTBhhX-ucwi2mrw-Y7PyKyMzqmDpo3k0zxFm0hWrN88ytFmxLFNFfp9fxgkrDfOICTG7X8nni9zgOrdyXQPAeuvdt8/s320/IMG_2357.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She runs and runs and rides her scooter all over the cul-de-sac. She's getting pretty good on the scooter. It's too bad her bike is not working right now due to a broken pedal, I know she'd be great at that as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdEMpX4Loz4ebcC6FDZ2XMcYyZDSLdyvIGR5PEpzWdF_soHSAYHP_HzR5XcBHDf5cPbLVaeryNN1PtK6nDu1Cx9MCA4axY-xLkWZgzrnLNubvhl6qRtEucFfKInYIX0OPRYtjSpToPvI/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdEMpX4Loz4ebcC6FDZ2XMcYyZDSLdyvIGR5PEpzWdF_soHSAYHP_HzR5XcBHDf5cPbLVaeryNN1PtK6nDu1Cx9MCA4axY-xLkWZgzrnLNubvhl6qRtEucFfKInYIX0OPRYtjSpToPvI/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Poor Mally, ha!! Ava and her play together constantly and love to just goof off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other than all the playing outside and school and work, we basically just like to hang out and be silly. Mallorie had her friends over last weekend and this is what I found on our computer the next day. Aren't they precious?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGbhXWCewrBT6ECRXhOQ6FaRsF1B8vcNyBAmGuEWlhZVCoUDmpJNmIJIoV-w0I7lWz-hFuNm1hq2nn2LWLQ4GblAy35QdK8w8GP1gL3fSnHyZSWufzH8VN_GwdUUdkTFlakaKSq8BNHk/s1600/Photo+on+2011-03-12+at+17.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGbhXWCewrBT6ECRXhOQ6FaRsF1B8vcNyBAmGuEWlhZVCoUDmpJNmIJIoV-w0I7lWz-hFuNm1hq2nn2LWLQ4GblAy35QdK8w8GP1gL3fSnHyZSWufzH8VN_GwdUUdkTFlakaKSq8BNHk/s320/Photo+on+2011-03-12+at+17.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's all the update I have for now, but I will be back tomorrow with more, hopefully. I miss blogging quite a bit, plus I have a wonderful recipe to share this weekend. Hope you have a wonderful week!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-56520169110149594452011-02-28T19:23:00.000-08:002011-02-28T19:23:38.766-08:00Stormy Workouts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had the most awesome workout today! Just kidding, ha, it was less than 5 minutes long and I didn't even break a sweat. The reason? Well, as soon as I got on the treadmill they came over the loud speaker and asked everyone to make their way downstairs. Apparently there was a tornado warning, so everyone went to the basement with all the kiddos. Thankfully all my kids, neighbor's kid included, did amazing. Ava played with the Ipod because I was afraid she would get bored and start having a melt down. We left when the warning was almost passed and got to witness some amazing lightning on the way home. I get more anxious when I'm taking cover in situations like that because I don't know what's going on. Also, it felt like we were in Kansas all over again with the tornado warnings!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our weekend, on the otherhand, was so nice! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZyqPy19KkwPtWcaFZuQCq-dKdHZT9qUCg8u889OU1OaoStveEBzkZCan1q3hCAg_zzXTsbCHt3bLBKzfuGj2Cq0AKMw_RHtSFmxPGW-YO1AFkf8LxtpJ17nHlEBciPZhiIRd6FwqfbU/s320/outside+002.JPG" width="213" /></div>We went and did some scouting for areas we are going to be camping this spring. We bought our tent Saturday and are more excited than ever to get to start camping. Our local lake will be the place we camp first and then hopefully we'll start finding some more exciting places.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrEoXYjRNUs7qk2NbcbBhEFn-ZjG88J-1SedunUKIjjOyh8T6VMW5PAMNT0xT3t98FVtZbyJayZxszfAFZMwdRh6zVcwNLMwQ2cH9mdYkT2NguY5Baqr3_Pod3F3MZeqWWXlvvY0JE4Y/s1600/outside+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrEoXYjRNUs7qk2NbcbBhEFn-ZjG88J-1SedunUKIjjOyh8T6VMW5PAMNT0xT3t98FVtZbyJayZxszfAFZMwdRh6zVcwNLMwQ2cH9mdYkT2NguY5Baqr3_Pod3F3MZeqWWXlvvY0JE4Y/s320/outside+005.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Ava had a fantastic time running around the grounds. They were all blocked for the season, but the caretaker stationed there let us walk around and take a look. He had just ran some other guy and his family out. In the caretakers defense, the guy did have quite a mullet. There just isn't any excuse for that!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoEkiwkO1lcdtpe6OsRA1mfBwF8uPMnuvIA4P0B4JO2pO8B-mupSmiRmppbgJwq08hHaaQ7GDweub4RPIEzYJbn4-M2aDS6PJXYxDdxBETWXQbBtjjz0u_QtiuetmNEsUwPrV8AQ7Bp8/s1600/outside+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoEkiwkO1lcdtpe6OsRA1mfBwF8uPMnuvIA4P0B4JO2pO8B-mupSmiRmppbgJwq08hHaaQ7GDweub4RPIEzYJbn4-M2aDS6PJXYxDdxBETWXQbBtjjz0u_QtiuetmNEsUwPrV8AQ7Bp8/s320/outside+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The girls found the tent pad they wanted, right next to the beach. It was the perfect spot, so hopefully we'll get it a few times. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSlETVG1yqRfNMomtuoQzGHThIPwa64xGY1CtlQqnyeS9dkzJlmDQK1ma0X80l-DPupZIjEd9gUE7zVfDgyQOKI1QwrhmJaTPknHmKmfqFcYmNDPADDQcBrjWjPMJbGo_u07U9dyHSOs/s1600/outside+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSlETVG1yqRfNMomtuoQzGHThIPwa64xGY1CtlQqnyeS9dkzJlmDQK1ma0X80l-DPupZIjEd9gUE7zVfDgyQOKI1QwrhmJaTPknHmKmfqFcYmNDPADDQcBrjWjPMJbGo_u07U9dyHSOs/s320/outside+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This next few photos shows Ava's stubborn side. She got mad at me because I was telling her that if she didn't come with us to the car I was going to drink her chocolate milk. Dumb idea, obviously. SO she sits down on her toosh and refused to move. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmK0i0kW8_rccdenW2ndD06D0sXMqV2zt1lacJezf9AUwVH50QPjs8b6dXKl15eeacah3h0M-sbskqbEBW1-xb-KjEQEdyZGaK1I0ZiQdsqUx3_90at-S67CnpqJ2OOM8rFUaY1pDBQgk/s1600/outside+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmK0i0kW8_rccdenW2ndD06D0sXMqV2zt1lacJezf9AUwVH50QPjs8b6dXKl15eeacah3h0M-sbskqbEBW1-xb-KjEQEdyZGaK1I0ZiQdsqUx3_90at-S67CnpqJ2OOM8rFUaY1pDBQgk/s320/outside+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then when you get to her, she takes off, giggling the whole time. I'm telling you, we can't stay mad at this little stinker!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R0qYoPPwlGIDjnK2AqbP4jrXoU2SSdKHcmTV-GiyZmdwxhN5As_gH_acesKeeQbcfXuRFgQKtFVKKdSuVlPHJOZ9RY_eNYX27XLnvT_O5m6bg0DWBd6uddCiqyr4r8GFJx-Bk071NaE/s1600/outside+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R0qYoPPwlGIDjnK2AqbP4jrXoU2SSdKHcmTV-GiyZmdwxhN5As_gH_acesKeeQbcfXuRFgQKtFVKKdSuVlPHJOZ9RY_eNYX27XLnvT_O5m6bg0DWBd6uddCiqyr4r8GFJx-Bk071NaE/s320/outside+024.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Finally Rusty had to grab her and carry her the rest of the way to the car because she kept trying to run off in the opposite direction that we were headed in. She protested, but lost. Please note that in this picture her legs are kicking wildly, poor Rusty suffered a few blows!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK2UNM_5_RMFbY9yEXR-U8gERtH_iCoAWOQxu60I2WEUJruGJVq8Jw61bbDatxXv6l00fNNqL8tFXdDwU7JXp9qtL_eSaBLEJMtiHvpikm5rxhh4bsYh0TkOyDhWLHDl-hFLnpQje1us/s320/outside+027.JPG" width="213" /></div>We have so much to do these next few months. It seems like this is always a busy time of year for us. School, testing, family starts visiting. We're trying to get the girls enrolled in some extra activities. Mallorie doesn't have any idea, but we are trying to find her a place to start taking horse riding lessons and Hannah wants to start swimming competitively, so she needs to take some classes on strokes. Plus she's all about the babysitting right now, so I've got to get her into the CPR classes and babysitting training. I can't wait to see them start some outside activities to see how they do. Mallorie's favorite thing on this earth is horses and we would love to help her be able to do something with that. Plus she'll look so adorable in her riding pants and boots. Oh, the cuteness! Where we live is really big into Polo and riding, so we shouldn't have any problems finding a place for her to get involved.<br />
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Anyway, I hope things are going well for you this week. And that it's starting to warm up a little. We've had several days in the 70's and I am loving it!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-88223691119782045132011-02-22T22:17:00.000-08:002011-02-22T22:17:20.050-08:00NighttimeWe have officially moved Ava to her own room and her own bed. She goes to bed by 8pm and I am officially <u>bored</u>! Seriously, I have never put a kid (while they were toddlers) on a sleep schedule because I just never cared to. I enjoy being relaxed with them about sleeping arrangements and bedtimes when they aren't in school. But Ava was just not going to bed at a decent time and falling asleep at 5pm for a nap and then staying up all night and then I was never getting a break. So I got her a super nice sheet for her mattress, a Twilight Lady Bug night light, and a Sleep Sheep(which she doesn't like, ha) and whichever little doll she wants to snuggle. At around seven we read Goodnight Moon atleast 12 times, Olivia around 5 and finally she yawns and passes out in her own bed around eight. So far as I write this she has slept a whole 2.5 hours without waking up and last night we only got 1.5 hours at a time, so we're getting better. Plus she's totally without a diaper all during the day. Hmm, maybe she is growing up a little, but I refuse to let her grow up too much.<br />
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I've been especially weepy lately, probably hormonal, but I have just been noticing little things that I all too often take for granted and it kills me! Like when your little one falls asleep right there under your chin and you can hear their little breaths and smell them and you just wish you could stay just like that forever. Ugh, it just stabs my heart. I know it won't be happening too much longer, but it's something I don't want to forget and maybe that's why we women get "baby fever" when we hold another woman's baby and smell that precious baby smell. It's ingrained in us to LOVE that smell not to mention the soft snuggliness of a baby. Don't worry, I'm not having another one, but I've just been in a reflective mood lately with my kids and certain realizations have hit me and it's kind of sad.<br />
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With Hannah, it's just how independent she is now. It's not a bad thing, but when she actually comes to me with problems or just wants to snuggle or talk, I listen and just pray it doesn't stop. She's so smart and funny, but starting to face big kid stuff and I hope she makes good decisions. By the way, I don't think I'm going to ever let her date or leave the house for that matter. Last week while Rusty was out on a business trip, she asked to sleep with me. She NEVER does that. While Mallorie always asks to sleep in my room, it is strange when Hannah does. So...there were four of us in my queen size bed, it was a tight fit, but I am so thankful they were in there. Her new biggest thing is drinking coffee, which I love! She's all about getting the stay hot lidded mugs we have and taking it to church, and I can't help but giggle with how big she thinks she looks. I'm kind of excited about next year. She'll be starting school about an hour later than Mallorie so maybe we'll be able to sneak in a few coffee shop stops before school sometimes. I'll be able to do the same with Mallorie in the afternoons as she'll get out before Hannah.<br />
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With Mally it's just seeing her try to branch out of her little shell. She loves her little sister so much and plays so well with her and I just love to see how much better she is with her these days. She's quick witted and makes us laugh so hard when she gets rolling with a joke. Needless to say I love my kids, they are what my day revolves around and I am so glad. I always wanted to be a mommy to a houseful of kids and while I think a houseful in reality is less than what you imagine as a kid, what I have I feel is perfect.Truly I feel blessed!<br />
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In other news, after 10 and a half years of marriage, Rusty and I have finally bought our first set of "grown up" furniture. Our living room for the first time ever finally resembles a nice living room with a somewhat dressy feel to it. Not too dressy, but just not embarrassingly ugly anymore, ha! We are weird and have always enjoyed going into to furniture stores to dream about what we'd buy and could never agree on anything, but the stars aligned or something and we found what we both loved and got an entire set-up for a fantastic price! We even went to downtown Atlanta, where we were told of some good stores, however I was feeling like I was right back in the scary part of downtown LA, so we didn't stay there very long and hit up the Ashley Furniture store here in our town. We hit the jackpot and the price was just a little over our budget, but so worth it! We feel so thankful and blessed to be able to finally get this. I did catch Ava trying to color the leg of the coffee table this morning, but I think I caught her before she did any damage.<br />
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Rusty's and my birthdays are coming up soon and we've decided that for him we'll be buying a tent and camping gear. No surprises around here folks, I don't even remember the last time we got surprises for each other for a birthday. Anyway, we're actively looking up tents and doing some research since I am so not savvy on the camping gear info. We're so excited to do this! I just hope the sasquatches or ligers don't get us! Not that I would tell my kids any scary stories like that, I'm not mean. No, that will be Rusty, telling me that stuff and scaring the poop out of me! Any sound I hear, even in my back yard puts me on edge. It's sad, but true. We often talk about when we eventually buy a home how Rusty wants to live near woods, but I'll probably need assistance in the form of a pill to be outside after dark, something about an animal being able to see me, but I can't see them. Gah, it bugs me! I think I need a dog. But really, I am looking forward to learning to camp the real way and letting the girls hike and fish and just have fun. <br />
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I hope you are having a good week, we're enjoying playing outside as much as possible and the longer days. And I'm starting to see little bits of green popping up within all the dormant grass, which puts my spirits way up!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-80937013206773694492011-02-17T19:45:00.000-08:002011-02-17T19:45:09.304-08:00Lots of Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNZveMMzm2gNbghbLb-ASq2G7tYMQz0ObJgbNlWdkZs3F4q8l4QHT_t3JIlWSGJnnflBhS_mWdTI37OSZzfOywPMz-juHuy4ZPvq8CKQxywv-5WNSryYX4qvwHYNLm4fN3xJAo9O-U8w/s1600/playin%2527+outside+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNZveMMzm2gNbghbLb-ASq2G7tYMQz0ObJgbNlWdkZs3F4q8l4QHT_t3JIlWSGJnnflBhS_mWdTI37OSZzfOywPMz-juHuy4ZPvq8CKQxywv-5WNSryYX4qvwHYNLm4fN3xJAo9O-U8w/s320/playin%2527+outside+143.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I realize that I forgot to post any pictures of Ava's actual birthday, so here are a few. We went to Cheesecake factory for her lunch and had a blast with her. Then afterwards, Rusty and I ran in to Whole Foods (which is my absolute FAVORITE store here) and grabbed a German Chocolate Cake for her birthday dinner that night. I'm so glad I didn't got with a Dora Cake or something similar, I hate the icing on those cakes, it always tastes to oily and the kids won't eat it anyway. Yuck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rusty's car at the moment is this super cute Lexus convertible, so we tried taking her down our street with the top down, but it was just a little too chilly for that. This weekend should be pretty warm, so we might have to give it another try. She didn't care too much for the car though, the back seat only has about an inch of leg room. Come to think of it, I don't know why they even put back seats in this car. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W_WOfUGuNLTtU1SnDP-6_PoE-ghiWInRWPNrGnEDHAAgQsWWAdB4GTVNOZjxGraJ_1MAjRVmo_rzH8t8a6WLAfflq-4QEvWOh-aG3BjtubFDNYpNGEX6W6ih_MuWXF2rw9ktacWWlcU/s1600/playin%2527+outside+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W_WOfUGuNLTtU1SnDP-6_PoE-ghiWInRWPNrGnEDHAAgQsWWAdB4GTVNOZjxGraJ_1MAjRVmo_rzH8t8a6WLAfflq-4QEvWOh-aG3BjtubFDNYpNGEX6W6ih_MuWXF2rw9ktacWWlcU/s320/playin%2527+outside+126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is what we did with the rest of the sunshiny birthday. And this is her version of "riding" the scooter. She thinks she's such big stuff!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmsrlQM-MtRaZNIv3ouo3_DzuDW_g2VayLS0NXnBFDagoVN4W3-5PtdpiFeemuLnsh4EOV7Qwk4WyHCMR3VlC5qXvNgzo4gToes8QxEqHOw6n3z_XQs5otlckwILLxSVX1iL_laFPtV8/s320/playin%2527+outside+205.JPG" width="213" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved having Rusty home on Monday. All the kids were extra feisty that day, so he came up with a wonderful project for them....picking up trash around the cul-de-sac! They did not think it was such a wonderful idea, but did as they were told. We don't know how that junk accumulates, but it's mostly those sale ads and junk that gardeners come put on your front doors. I guess the wind blows it around, but it was starting to look junky and it's been bothering us for a while. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGggbdV0lBohrqZ1unFIWt0tGxAgGy4pQeOTvPz1xP7FmM9QvDAT91_9-_Xf1txMPgcytdDpYgEb589645_i8Gqy2-1W8VLjJeowU6VsKG7jStF0HHvp8WS-Xpbw8Gzj8VlyrjcJiEZmQ/s320/playin%2527+outside+199.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
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I cannot describe to you how perfect the weather here has been, so we've been taking full advantage of it while it's here. I kind of have a feeling we aren't done seeing the nasty winter weather, but we shall see. Everyday after school, the kids quickly get their homework done and then we just run outside and play until dark. Bikes, scooters, skateboards, they play until they're worn out and have a lot of fun. I am so glad we got this house on the cul-de-sac so that we have so much less traffic. It has truly been a blessing!<br />
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Today we got to enjoy our park down the street. Hannah and Mallorie rode their bikes while I drove behind them with the two little kids. I was so afraid that the little guy I watch would get away from me on his bike while I had Ava in her stroller. Not to mention Ava likes to climb out of her stroller while you're pushing her, so I just decided to forgo that possibility and drove behind Hannah and Mallorie. They felt so big and did a great job stopping and watching for cars. <br />
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My sweet Mally. There was a time when she ran from my camera. Thankfully she got over it, she's so pretty and I love getting pics of her smiling face!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOwH5EcdQJx6WRmQpYtmDqeZdj9MGR9gt4ACwLj8ezi9jUERL6PayMgXvoj-76oCOV1DRxfgesZeurn_VSXOiyZS4TQH149uVLqRqcb2zKGqBNh34vGiuFRLt3kZ5jXvhyphenhyphenGiV1_HlJ0w/s1600/playin%2527+outside+320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOwH5EcdQJx6WRmQpYtmDqeZdj9MGR9gt4ACwLj8ezi9jUERL6PayMgXvoj-76oCOV1DRxfgesZeurn_VSXOiyZS4TQH149uVLqRqcb2zKGqBNh34vGiuFRLt3kZ5jXvhyphenhyphenGiV1_HlJ0w/s320/playin%2527+outside+320.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Ava found another little kid to play with while at the park. His name was Jack and so she would keep looking for him and yelling his name. I couldn't help but laugh at the cuteness of it all. He was a few months younger than she, but about the same size, so they had a lot of fun climbing and going down the slide together. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBwCJBLV8iiXj3Jjw-dxrAzdNXzmallnO1I3zvKnrCMXVoMuosiB_4YG67OFBygAsgiokuWI5wvGn9-IwscxdjhRKwRxeXVTVikDMZOqaa_c32_hpaZn8uou71YQQljvke-ssTdX7CJs/s1600/playin%2527+outside+322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBwCJBLV8iiXj3Jjw-dxrAzdNXzmallnO1I3zvKnrCMXVoMuosiB_4YG67OFBygAsgiokuWI5wvGn9-IwscxdjhRKwRxeXVTVikDMZOqaa_c32_hpaZn8uou71YQQljvke-ssTdX7CJs/s320/playin%2527+outside+322.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Hannah wasn't too interested in playing, but I was able to catch a few pretty pictures. While I was getting this picture of her it reminded me of when I got my first "fancy" camera (a Canon Rebel X film) when she was little bitty and I took pictures of her on our playground at the apartments at our college. She's certainly grown up a lot since then, but that face is still the same. I'll have to find those old pictures and scan them sometime, I'd like to do some side by sides of her. Of all my kids, she seems to be the one who has changed the least since she was a toddler. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYQreOFNKcBKbE2g9oYRKldrHXwZW3lCg8X6jgKJycZkcduKbWEAzVoIs5a62olCdPyoRIcQ0V4fvYCGu40rj98UmdT23E581lt24KgmLZ8z-2oJjIg4HHSbZE4NwY1npSz2AZaWFmeY/s1600/playin%2527+outside+344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYQreOFNKcBKbE2g9oYRKldrHXwZW3lCg8X6jgKJycZkcduKbWEAzVoIs5a62olCdPyoRIcQ0V4fvYCGu40rj98UmdT23E581lt24KgmLZ8z-2oJjIg4HHSbZE4NwY1npSz2AZaWFmeY/s320/playin%2527+outside+344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So much for trying to get a picture of them together today, ha! Ava wasn't having it, she wanted to go find her buddy, Jack.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLXppdOVTPyeh1c7h1QGRz1A8uYj_nVLY21dldEw5DE9ADFr35cKm-oefzWsUCQ3F6PhBVTJTthAQKbB_BMrrIVygqXOz119lJ0Mg-1_QAqHFzvRcUNKGUrvvFnOwLgtxJMGBwWEPFBo/s1600/playin%2527+outside+347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLXppdOVTPyeh1c7h1QGRz1A8uYj_nVLY21dldEw5DE9ADFr35cKm-oefzWsUCQ3F6PhBVTJTthAQKbB_BMrrIVygqXOz119lJ0Mg-1_QAqHFzvRcUNKGUrvvFnOwLgtxJMGBwWEPFBo/s320/playin%2527+outside+347.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>And if you don't do what she wants then she turns into a MONSTER!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXEj01i49hf1TzmKzMGu2YeFiJcVdbmFATYKQpd1y5Vy_kh_8Z7FZ7abhJm4J2P_Epp5N78MbGuBXAYX4y3GpMEAxa1qoRctB_YEc8t2jggQ6CuT5VJStXpgsKfYFoy8AO0OyH8Gse5M/s1600/playin%2527+outside+348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXEj01i49hf1TzmKzMGu2YeFiJcVdbmFATYKQpd1y5Vy_kh_8Z7FZ7abhJm4J2P_Epp5N78MbGuBXAYX4y3GpMEAxa1qoRctB_YEc8t2jggQ6CuT5VJStXpgsKfYFoy8AO0OyH8Gse5M/s320/playin%2527+outside+348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I don't know what we'll be doing this weekend. I'm kind of wanting to take a road trip, but we'll see. Rusty gets to be off work on Monday again while the girls have to go to school and I am looking forward to getting some much needed extra time with him. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655117594727752972.post-57285972653139972692011-02-14T05:58:00.000-08:002011-02-14T05:58:10.988-08:00Birthday Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmW7tjDm-x4JJf13hW58xojYrRm_Th7gbIptzZSbb3VeRpwJ84Ls273PsGISWPhHGio63F_UP8CJ7CVCEl-IgrCRvV9nGQv5rijQgbBE6ws2ubvgzNkbNNGTrVObJPdTHUpK3X5X2Aeg/s1600/ava+bday2+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmW7tjDm-x4JJf13hW58xojYrRm_Th7gbIptzZSbb3VeRpwJ84Ls273PsGISWPhHGio63F_UP8CJ7CVCEl-IgrCRvV9nGQv5rijQgbBE6ws2ubvgzNkbNNGTrVObJPdTHUpK3X5X2Aeg/s320/ava+bday2+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ava is two today! She's such a wonderful addition to our family and keeps us laughing all the time. I cannot believe how much she has grown and changed over the last two years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd1_UQ1S_tQ1Xrz7j_EWtpgDod8ekan-8AQsyD7v6-s2KtbSPzMJm9q8vHY3h_FDvu23tiIJ84pGM0pwWbgFY9LO5OszkRHAyeC6E56bhu-qvOjHzzYRfvzP1xw428JzwslkKPf6Nf94/s1600/first+bday+pics+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd1_UQ1S_tQ1Xrz7j_EWtpgDod8ekan-8AQsyD7v6-s2KtbSPzMJm9q8vHY3h_FDvu23tiIJ84pGM0pwWbgFY9LO5OszkRHAyeC6E56bhu-qvOjHzzYRfvzP1xw428JzwslkKPf6Nf94/s320/first+bday+pics+024.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>And even when she was a tiny munchkin she was making us laugh and keeping us on our toes. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEBSqszEpHQSWpaknWkWkm4M3BpqEghYc4r12qKjy1TU3f812hPp2yAcnVTvPmYm-n-eVxwEswy496Zx3IrTDjg51vmWbyb91bFtFPf7VarqIcnyv7W5p7vQth8e4r9QNsFUi757TrOs/s1600/first+bday+pics+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEBSqszEpHQSWpaknWkWkm4M3BpqEghYc4r12qKjy1TU3f812hPp2yAcnVTvPmYm-n-eVxwEswy496Zx3IrTDjg51vmWbyb91bFtFPf7VarqIcnyv7W5p7vQth8e4r9QNsFUi757TrOs/s320/first+bday+pics+122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rusty has taken the day off today so that we could spend some special time with our big two year old. We're taking her to Cheesecake Factory for lunch and just going to do what ever she wants for the day. Cake tonight with her sisters and then presents of course. When it's one of the kids' birthdays we basically celebrate all week and we have been all weekend for her. Going to a huge bounce house place, pulling out all kinds of toys that a big two year old gets to play with and just making sure to have lots of fun. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIOfYfJMMYAemy1Ou7YBqbdl5YvASSUr3dV1WuXL_51adE9jlQDJ8qF-IdUNQLcN4Jx3agHTrnP2hx8Re2aKr0J39Sl5rUEr6gZtfCmpWgDFd9eT8eHgauVvCsZCSnShOmNvkTKgBboE/s1600/laundrybasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIOfYfJMMYAemy1Ou7YBqbdl5YvASSUr3dV1WuXL_51adE9jlQDJ8qF-IdUNQLcN4Jx3agHTrnP2hx8Re2aKr0J39Sl5rUEr6gZtfCmpWgDFd9eT8eHgauVvCsZCSnShOmNvkTKgBboE/s1600/laundrybasket.jpg" /></a></div>She was up at midnight last night and between singing her the usual favorites of "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "I Love You" songs, I sang her "Happy Birthday". It always fills my heart with joy when I get to sing that to my girls!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwlCii7OvDPq2RB4hUDrpZgnpIrnUfaoxeu-F51k7WY-KlDb1M96nl7wrm1bZsWyQEq4Sdd_cV3gG7E5V2iEpftDxTgiyBDrzDjiqTPGLeVWheygLM870EQ2YAyVP0icWu2KLHD_Ckg4/s1600/ava+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwlCii7OvDPq2RB4hUDrpZgnpIrnUfaoxeu-F51k7WY-KlDb1M96nl7wrm1bZsWyQEq4Sdd_cV3gG7E5V2iEpftDxTgiyBDrzDjiqTPGLeVWheygLM870EQ2YAyVP0icWu2KLHD_Ckg4/s1600/ava+feet.jpg" /></a></div>I remember putting these tiny feet on my belly the day she was born. It truly does not seem like it has been two years ago. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFoI03TNStDPygCt7Q-A1KnxdXfMh79MGZCrOijkDzaAtAcjbF8zin9-A1bBaXVUfyFeandQyYtqMqzPs9CkeBZ5HoDzMYC_MwzG1csw_oEuwPSML_6Tbk-I9uK5fHTwkwb49M0_DVDE/s1600/ava+bday2+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFoI03TNStDPygCt7Q-A1KnxdXfMh79MGZCrOijkDzaAtAcjbF8zin9-A1bBaXVUfyFeandQyYtqMqzPs9CkeBZ5HoDzMYC_MwzG1csw_oEuwPSML_6Tbk-I9uK5fHTwkwb49M0_DVDE/s320/ava+bday2+065.JPG" width="213" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This kid is busy these days and we can't wait to see what's ahead. She definitely has a different personality than Hannah or Mallorie did so we never know quite what to expect. Her vocabulary has taken off and she is now speaking in short and broken sentences. She climbs on everything and shows no fear when it's playtime. She makes me nervous on a consistent basis. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-9D1VvQ6RgU16GhsTd6Rk3nbrQ5ofTo9uP_vSmzU-vhJNEAHtZyRWrQXDgCVXqUYn47SO46TpI2RYT7VGfZEl6w_hlZdGnCOwDPAbkklycFORFQ2D67eMMumUOQhA6YKKwFsGTyHYDA/s1600/IMG_1043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-9D1VvQ6RgU16GhsTd6Rk3nbrQ5ofTo9uP_vSmzU-vhJNEAHtZyRWrQXDgCVXqUYn47SO46TpI2RYT7VGfZEl6w_hlZdGnCOwDPAbkklycFORFQ2D67eMMumUOQhA6YKKwFsGTyHYDA/s320/IMG_1043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And please remember that if you're ever around Ava, never try to steal her M&M's!! (or as she calls them, M-E-M's)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGTO34V4Py8-I-I8lukcPcqMyoa4fAejAA8-KEKNT6sNZOJenU__cqlynFJJ3GNjWsXkq5UWaeWAyTJhwBZgkOm6qIHR6ESauU8YduN2nrTR8numPyZ4MvMPxrmcrSVv-EMTo8e6mgeI/s1600/IMG_1063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGTO34V4Py8-I-I8lukcPcqMyoa4fAejAA8-KEKNT6sNZOJenU__cqlynFJJ3GNjWsXkq5UWaeWAyTJhwBZgkOm6qIHR6ESauU8YduN2nrTR8numPyZ4MvMPxrmcrSVv-EMTo8e6mgeI/s320/IMG_1063.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her favorite show is Mickey Mouse, Dora and sometimes Max and Ruby. She'll eat blueberries like her life depends on it. She's finally in a 2T and a size 7-7 1/2 shoe! (I've been putting her in a 6, but had her measured the other day and it turns out I've been smooshing her toes! Mean Mommy!!) She colors all the time and enjoys playing with her baby dolls. My Ipod is her new favorite toy. I have downloaded several toddler learning apps onto my Ipod and she does a great job figuring them out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm just so proud of this little girl and thankful that she's ours! </div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11178323310700858628noreply@blogger.com3