tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75944023835263167422024-03-14T04:37:06.133-04:00ducks in a row...shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-60002916371127472312016-01-29T14:24:00.000-05:002016-02-14T07:41:01.837-05:00Reilly's 13th Birthday--mall scavenger hunt--Jan 2106<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Reilly's birthday was quickly approaching, and since turning 13 is one of those milestone years, I knew I needed to deliver on this one!</div>
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The only problem was that I got the worse case of bronchitis in the world!!</div>
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I felt like utter garbage and couldn't seem to get out of the coughing pit.</div>
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I looked at the calender one day and realized I only had 2 weeks until the big</div>
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day and I hadn't even sent out invitations not to mention come up with a plan! I called the mom's of the girls Reilly wanted to invite and told them to save the date and I would give them the details later. This bought me some time.</div>
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Pinterest saved my bacon when I happened upon the idea of a mall scavenger hunt. </div>
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I decided to tweek the idea by stepping it up a notch or two! </div>
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My friend, Leisha, went to the mall with me the week before to get an idea of what stores would work best as well as which items in each store that would be a fun thing for the girls to buy.</div>
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My other friend, Taunya, completely blew me over by heeding to my call of distress as I was struggling to find clever wording for the "clues" and "tasks". I literally gasped when I opened up my email the morning after speaking to her and found 15 of the most creatively cute little ditties. (I've listed them farther down in this post). I always knew she was talented, but this just confirmed to me what I always knew to be true...<span style="font-size: large;">that her brain needs to be cloned!</span></div>
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Here's are the details of how it all worked...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhN2Emb6bDO3CyXe0AwWN1j0E5MiLTKKSFYYnuWRRpMbmWvmzkCN1oGpou7hn52ybxC7KiXPE-Z_cda6wMwtILHNqMVkD99WFqbfABSgRcnxzXvmQrNeal4efyyub2whxFUjDZKtPshSe/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhN2Emb6bDO3CyXe0AwWN1j0E5MiLTKKSFYYnuWRRpMbmWvmzkCN1oGpou7hn52ybxC7KiXPE-Z_cda6wMwtILHNqMVkD99WFqbfABSgRcnxzXvmQrNeal4efyyub2whxFUjDZKtPshSe/s640/IMG_1737.JPG" width="414" /></a></div>
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Each girl got a bag with a mall map, water bottle, and 2-3 envelopes containing the "clues" and "tasks" for each store.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-arYOSJL5L84Xy3qz6RdgIoKObp5raW7knkLFvNOVg1YiJuE7Ztt2N-J-7pyeAc2_g-xd4yOeoH1Rvl4sVeH4N7X6FDGRYLz5M-rAOFkDDbVxIPTbLqUpsjeJjNz1l8suSpCtiSxwQwW/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-arYOSJL5L84Xy3qz6RdgIoKObp5raW7knkLFvNOVg1YiJuE7Ztt2N-J-7pyeAc2_g-xd4yOeoH1Rvl4sVeH4N7X6FDGRYLz5M-rAOFkDDbVxIPTbLqUpsjeJjNz1l8suSpCtiSxwQwW/s640/IMG_1735.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4yD8c5dp8AQIlI51FrOWG0leSn4Q5w8lyTNQdMKQChfhfWrf04mJLGQZl-upDWOhCtekKimHOUS87M7xCy-JDwMXoUV8z4c1mc_eM0uzF5XLN66bVRbInqb1iUZhyphenhyphenQ2Qf9wyv6X1O5Bk/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4yD8c5dp8AQIlI51FrOWG0leSn4Q5w8lyTNQdMKQChfhfWrf04mJLGQZl-upDWOhCtekKimHOUS87M7xCy-JDwMXoUV8z4c1mc_eM0uzF5XLN66bVRbInqb1iUZhyphenhyphenQ2Qf9wyv6X1O5Bk/s640/IMG_1728.JPG" width="476" /></a><br />
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They also got to choose from one of these darling little change purses that my sister, Katie, made! That girl has mad skills, I'm telling you!! There' nothing she can't do!</div>
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The purses had a few gift cards and money in them for some of the purchases that they would be making along the way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFO9LA4Zg9h17ahMWuftQokX6yknBJyuPSB-n4TSSGeI_bvUS7bqIWZLV0G9NpnXPzVLLzL1uGpdjyvIsEiKlx8WxlzZTpUvn6kg7_FyQ_b7i9UbkigHiIuXMe_JZc-CPOYGKn_mlTlZI/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFO9LA4Zg9h17ahMWuftQokX6yknBJyuPSB-n4TSSGeI_bvUS7bqIWZLV0G9NpnXPzVLLzL1uGpdjyvIsEiKlx8WxlzZTpUvn6kg7_FyQ_b7i9UbkigHiIuXMe_JZc-CPOYGKn_mlTlZI/s640/IMG_1743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here they all are at the beginning of the scavenger hunt. My phone camera is junk so sadly, this picture turned out blurry. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(from left--Jillian, Kirsten, Reilly, Caroline, Hannah, Emily and Ria in front) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Scavenger Hunt Riddles: </span></div>
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<b>Clue #1-</b>-Go to the most twisted restaurant in the mall, Roll out your dough--buy a knot or a ball!</div>
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<b>Task</b>: Each of you enjoy a warm, salty good--Sit down on a bench while you eat your food!</div>
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<b>Clue#2</b>--A big department store you now must raid, It hosts each year the NYC Thanksgiving Parade!</div>
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<b>Task</b>: It's time for your first kiss--so none of you peek! Snap a pic kissing a handsome mannequin's cheek!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ96cH-b-l3fsWN9PguReAOYZ__BsRKVrCIYUDVv1sipjjwCXvEA29xuB_loxZZIyRcgthg_Xw6riKg1ewOO2B3H29-48EOQeDlZOHNM7CpSVM3HxdQip7OMq_I-YB2-myJfkfSVr-Xvc/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ96cH-b-l3fsWN9PguReAOYZ__BsRKVrCIYUDVv1sipjjwCXvEA29xuB_loxZZIyRcgthg_Xw6riKg1ewOO2B3H29-48EOQeDlZOHNM7CpSVM3HxdQip7OMq_I-YB2-myJfkfSVr-Xvc/s640/IMG_1758.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Clue #3</b>--Sugar and spice make little girls nice--But jewelry and rings are teenager things!</div>
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<b>Task:</b> The girl holding card #3, Will pay for a birthday button for MISS REILLY!</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uwox8dKEhNYbzwRcQhxN9Wr86lLWCE0DrtX2NnrljO-vwSMxtOGWRZMXONhlXW6T-Kwxu1qdGJgyZ-VX6aR_RHJb-RpAEaHpTnxRY1zrRWYEcOtgJu2XTsdqP9BIHVEcKlFQmyr29kI/s640/IMG_1752.JPG" /></div>
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<b>Clue#4</b>--Super Bowl Sunday will be in a day--Find your favorite team jersey and make a big play!</div>
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<b>Task:</b> Now, find your favorite sport's team shirt--Then, strike a pose as if you're in a cheerleader skirt!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKAKg2eKOi4frh7aOe-EbMWUDWURfijU6N0dLAabe-azLgX4QDIE2RjvFlY72aKfdMfsjIjfEEnrrqthtBIWYVUhjyf2RQCjbLkvZTZxrJrUFWpW6Ldk9sWtyTVdm2P1a7rWUoMvcIdE/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKAKg2eKOi4frh7aOe-EbMWUDWURfijU6N0dLAabe-azLgX4QDIE2RjvFlY72aKfdMfsjIjfEEnrrqthtBIWYVUhjyf2RQCjbLkvZTZxrJrUFWpW6Ldk9sWtyTVdm2P1a7rWUoMvcIdE/s640/IMG_1754.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Clue #5</b>--Lotions and potions and liquids that smell rosy-This fragrant shop can even soothe toes-ees!</div>
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<b>Task</b>: Combine all your gift cards to get the best deal--Buy two, get one free--it's such a great steal!</div>
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<b>Clue #6</b>-- Dazzle your feet in something that lifts to the sky--Walk the run-way in crazy shoes that are high!</div>
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<b>Task: </b> Find the right size with the wackiest style--Go for a walk but under one mile!</div>
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<b>Clue #7</b>--Milk, dark, and white are a girl's best friend--Time for a treat to help you push to the end!</div>
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<b>Task</b>: The person holding gift card #7 will pay--Each of you pick two, it's your lucky day!</div>
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<b>Clue #8</b>--Casual wear from these Japanese designers and makers--This UNIque store will dress you cool--not like those fakers!</div>
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<b>Task</b>: Stand next to a mannequin and copy her pose--Remember not to blink, twitch or wiggle your nose!</div>
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<b>Clue #9</b>--Freshen your breath and give your jaw a work out--Toss in a quarter and watch the machine's silvery spout!</div>
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<b>Task:</b> Breath in, blow out--the biggest one wins! After it pops, be sure to wipe your chin!</div>
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<b>Clue # 10</b>--What's in? What's out? It's always HOT to know--Fashion is a TOPIC that's constantly changing, never slow.</div>
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<b>Task: </b>Search for skulls to decorate your fingers and toes--Gift card #10 will pay for each of your gifts, she knows!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLybxB1QOfOtPaeelukoUYua8OtWSNQHjV21xj4A8LDF-Bj2tr1FJcWQZuQBUzjGjPvyK1sUnX7QHlk4K1S1g2QfRvwUIHDyee-BAvZsDL1q-A1fdEGuPZqWJ8c9_G0_b5kaC50aWcDvE/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLybxB1QOfOtPaeelukoUYua8OtWSNQHjV21xj4A8LDF-Bj2tr1FJcWQZuQBUzjGjPvyK1sUnX7QHlk4K1S1g2QfRvwUIHDyee-BAvZsDL1q-A1fdEGuPZqWJ8c9_G0_b5kaC50aWcDvE/s640/IMG_1755.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Clue #11--</b>Numbers, numbers cover the mall a bit--Find something with Reilly's age on it.</div>
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<b>Task:</b> Look high, look low, just look all around. Keep searching for the magic number 'til it's found!</div>
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<b>Clue #12</b>--Old fashion writing on a little white CARD--Finding a funny birthday wish shouldn't be hard.</div>
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<b>Task</b>: All of you work together to find the ONE perfect fit. Reilly holds it near her heart while the rest of you sit!</div>
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<b>Clue# 13</b>--Red, white, and blue plus an eagle's strong ride. This popular store shows our country' s great pride!</div>
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<b>Task:</b> Show-off something from our country strong and true--One must be red + white and the other one blue!</div>
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<b>Clue #14</b>--Ten plus eleven is the number to find--This store is forever one of my kind!</div>
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<b>Task:</b> The summer sun will soon fill the blue skies--Find a pair of glasses to protect your eyes!</div>
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<b>Clue #15</b>--For your final clue on the big shopping birthday--Move from floor 1 to floor 2 in</div>
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<b> Buddy's</b> <b>special way</b>!</div>
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<b>Task:</b> One by one up the escalator you must go--Go ahead flexible girls--put on a Shopping Mall show!</div>
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One of the best parts of this party was that my mom (who was in town for a visit) and I got to sit in massage chairs while the girls were on their scavenger hunt and talk about everything under the sun! </div>
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When all the clues had been solved, we headed over to the Grub Hub for dinner. The ironic thing is that this place is known for it's delicious burgers, and yet all 7 of the girls got... <i>chicken fingers!</i>? </div>
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I'd definitely give this party a thumbs up! I think all the girls had a fun time! </div>
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I was so thrilled to see all of the details come together!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy 13th Birthday, Reilly!</span></div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-12371067436151162812015-10-24T15:19:00.000-04:002016-02-14T07:54:56.032-05:00Trunk or Treat--Oct 2105<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our primary was in charge of organizing the ward Trunk or Treat/Chili Cook Off...</div>
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It was fun coming up with different Halloween vignettes for each table...</div>
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While this picture doesn't show it, we had the lights dimmed and just kept the pot lights on which gave it a more cozy/spooky effect...</div>
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Crows with party hats! Nothing could be cuter!</div>
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I took a few pictures of things before the festivities began because I knew that once everyone started filing in, things would get a little crazy. </div>
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The only thing I wouldn't do next time is have the desserts out and accessible for people/kids to grab at their leisure. Half of the cookies were gone before dinner even began. This was one of those times when I wish I had a little less of an um..uptight personality. ha ha<br />
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Ellie sporting her favorite food item--mac and cheese! Here she is with her friend/neighbor, Megan.<br />
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As a presidency, we decided to be "expressions that we often say during primary each Sunday"</div>
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<b>"Oh deer!</b>" "<b>Holy Cow</b>!" "<b>Holy Guacamole</b>!"<br />
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On Friday, the 30th, I volunteered in Ellie's classroom to help with the Halloween party. I made my traditional "witches brew" (homemade rootbeer with dry ice). Always a big hit! I've only got one more year of this left! I can't believe that she will be in 6th grade next year!! I'n going to miss this!</div>
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-66582783616726021902015-06-16T17:23:00.000-04:002016-02-13T17:27:26.413-05:00Activity Day Girls--Garden Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been the Activity Day leader for about 3 years now, and every June, per the girls' request, we try to have a garden party. Unfortunately, last year, every time we tried to plan this, the weather wouldn't cooperate.</div>
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Most of these girls will soon be moving up to Young Women's so I felt like they needed a memorable send off...</div>
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I decided to have them make fairy pots--</div>
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They learned the proper way to add drainage stones at the bottom of their pots and how to check to see if a plant is root bound or not. They also learned about the right way to water.</div>
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I wish I would have taken a close up of the final product! Dang!</div>
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The chickens added to the ambiance with their feathery selves! </div>
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After the pots were completed, we ended the activity with refreshments: cream puffs, lemonade and fresh fruit...</div>
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This was our last activity before summer begins!</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-45460636175282923352014-03-24T18:55:00.000-04:002014-03-24T21:14:14.406-04:00Spring Terrain...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My friend, Ann and I had lunch last week at my favorite store/cafe in the whole world...</div>
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...T E R R A I N!</div>
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It's a well curated garden and home store that inspires me each time I visit...(Anthropology owns it, so the home goods, stationary, dishes etc. are all a mixture of eclectic, creative and downright adorable).</div>
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While I didn't capture any of the actual food aspects of our day, (creamed mushroom soup with black truffle oil, quiche and cauliflower fritters), I did take pictures of some garden inspirations...</div>
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I love the idea of growing wheatgrass in a container and then taking it out after it gets to it's root bound stage and placing it on a cake stand...wouldn't that be cute with a few colored eggs nestled in for an Easter table?</div>
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This burst of color is exactly what these "winter logged" eyeballs needed to see...</div>
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now THIS is a gardeners sink!</div>
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I always like getting inspiration for terrariums and fairy pots...</div>
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And who wouldn't be charmed by this little visitor?...</div>
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I can almost hear him proclaiming that "Spring is Here at last"!</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-86311714330346055452014-03-22T22:30:00.000-04:002014-03-23T11:29:40.342-04:00Jake's 14th birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-5aXawtnc6TUQWrXv2Rgg7s1tZ-0kjmM9yRKz31V_JgX8pzW4JCqvLD13Rjaw15-EDYhNkMQm_NIQEpIHO5Xwv8RK45JRpxlV_p8G_2AegUsxXu9zRorf4pIB6DU-ezZbrrZZJUMfse3/s1600/2000-bringing+Jake+home+from+hospital.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-5aXawtnc6TUQWrXv2Rgg7s1tZ-0kjmM9yRKz31V_JgX8pzW4JCqvLD13Rjaw15-EDYhNkMQm_NIQEpIHO5Xwv8RK45JRpxlV_p8G_2AegUsxXu9zRorf4pIB6DU-ezZbrrZZJUMfse3/s1600/2000-bringing+Jake+home+from+hospital.jpeg" height="434" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It seems like just yesterday, Brian and I were bringing Jake home from the hospital in a NY taxi...</span></div>
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Now here we are, 14 years later, driving him with 4 of his friends to Lancaster, Pa for an overnight excursion. (PS--we're not the one's in the buggy)</div>
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The drive was so beautiful. (About an hour and 20 from our house). Everytime I take a trip to Lancaster, I act like I've never seen Amish people before. There's something about it that feels like I'm stepping back in time. </div>
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For the past year, Jake's dream has been to have breakfast at Shady Maple Smorgasboard in Lancaster. (Gotta love a guy that has high aspirations!) Because the breakfast buffet ends at 10am, it made it more convenient for us to just drive up the night before and stay over rather than have everyone meet at our house early on Saturday morning.</div>
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I booked two rooms...one for the boys and one for Brian and I.</div>
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This cozy fire in the lobby was what greeted us as we walked in. I loved this hotel! </div>
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The location was perfect! It was right smack dab in the middle of Amish country. The view from our hotel window, in fact, was an Amish house with a buggy parked in front. Look at the contrast between the red convertible car and the buggy behind it.</div>
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I ordered pizzas for the boys and after they ate, they went outside to play basketball for a while. Thankfully, the weather was mild, so no one really needed a jacket.</div>
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They then spent the next few hours yucking it up in the pool...</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">and then spent the rest of the evening hanging out in their room playing strategic board games and eating snacks until around midnight...</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> The next morning, we headed over to Shady Maple for the breakfast extravaganza...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sBSTRM0qwzsGkuz6iSAbdLTm8ZOpKZAgo631c8zlpCii4adOpBUJIsGWOB4oalNIi1P1afAMfDM7XOhtm_bZiCna1sz97BbRU_lBtm1jDyZacZtncj18hhjscw8gIegKVUlU50oFRX6M/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sBSTRM0qwzsGkuz6iSAbdLTm8ZOpKZAgo631c8zlpCii4adOpBUJIsGWOB4oalNIi1P1afAMfDM7XOhtm_bZiCna1sz97BbRU_lBtm1jDyZacZtncj18hhjscw8gIegKVUlU50oFRX6M/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It was impossible to capture the magnitude of food that was available at this buffet. I took a few pictures but looked like a nerdy tourist doing it. In addition to the buffet spread, you could have any breakfast thing under the sun made to order...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Iaby8-o__oCyBvrPkL7KbQ5gUbBE36Xqyi63X9kS17EYoTx935-R5HuTzJcDHD4FLLSTboRwGZve0k2pD2NOe_3W30sX0FR_jl-XxSTZ94UReOY2dyU-Y4A-JwRQeMh_yyQySCBCznLg/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Iaby8-o__oCyBvrPkL7KbQ5gUbBE36Xqyi63X9kS17EYoTx935-R5HuTzJcDHD4FLLSTboRwGZve0k2pD2NOe_3W30sX0FR_jl-XxSTZ94UReOY2dyU-Y4A-JwRQeMh_yyQySCBCznLg/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> I think this was a picture of the first round</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqKTmxbUgYmgECvE-cxgonT2uRvoxZXuF-yEuiR3gqgwwPYj0219pA76kdbA4oTXHb_9XbgQXLc45_vi7EaqP2JClT0d_ipwXcr0gP-SLjfkZ-mqDU_gLQXevliaiorSl7iZnJCs8ztfM/s1600/IMG_2735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqKTmxbUgYmgECvE-cxgonT2uRvoxZXuF-yEuiR3gqgwwPYj0219pA76kdbA4oTXHb_9XbgQXLc45_vi7EaqP2JClT0d_ipwXcr0gP-SLjfkZ-mqDU_gLQXevliaiorSl7iZnJCs8ztfM/s1600/IMG_2735.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Evidence of the second...</div>
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And onto round 3...(made to order m&m pancakes) </div>
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They all ended their meal with creamsicle slushies</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Shady Maple has a ginormous gift shop, so we <strike>hobbled</strike> walked downstairs to browse. The boys had fun looking at all of the knicknack toys and gadgets.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> Brian found this hilarious bumper sticker that had us all laughing...</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">On the way home, I couldn't resist taking an illegal action shot of an Amish buggy as we passed by...</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Granny drove up from Butler to stay with the girls while we went to Lancaster. When we got back, she and the girls had everything decorated for our family party...</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> which was, of course, Granny's traditional..."A Mexican Dinner"....</span></div>
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I only chose to keep this picture because it's good of Brian...(what's up with Reilly's evil glare and Jake's awkward tongue?) </div>
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With 14 candles, "it almost looks like the pie is on fire". (a quote from Reilly)</div>
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Jake is the person that made me an official mother...I have a tender spot in my heart for him., and am grateful for these past 14 years we've been able to share together.</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-69872036113427336582014-03-17T09:08:00.000-04:002014-03-17T09:08:43.869-04:00Miscellaneous Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was crazy socks/hat day the other day at the elementary school in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday...</div>
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To be honest, I usually dread these school "spirit" days because it always ends in a fight or last minute scramble to come up with an appropriate ensemble. My new rule is that if it's important to you to participate in the spirit day theme, then everything has to be done the night before...</div>
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We hit the mother load this year thanks to our neighbor, Jeannie, who lent us her Dr. Seuss and leprechan hat. </div>
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I was surprised that Reilly agreed to go as a "semi-twin" with Ellie with the socks...</div>
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Notice how she switched the pattern up so as not to be completely identical with her, though?</div>
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A few years ago, for this crazy hat/socks spirit day, Reilly wanted to wear a crazy hat but was too self conscience to wear anything remotely crazy. After I produced several options, she ended up deciding on a rather understated stocking cap, but then was in tears at the end of the day because no one thought it looked crazy. What the?! I can't win!</div>
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Jake's in house basketball team played their last game last Saturday...</div>
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This wasn't their best season, sadly, but he still had fun.</div>
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Brian was the head coach which was nice...I love watching him coach...he's exactly what a coach should be-</div>
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He's encouraging, knows the game like the back of his hand, and has a good relationship with the boys...</div>
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My friend, Megan, called me the other day in a panic, as apparently, there was a fox attack on several of her chickens. Out of the 10 that she had, only 5 were recovered--two of which had major gouges and chunks taken out of their backs.</div>
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I offered to help her since I have had a bit of experience with wounded birds...</div>
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She brought one of the hens over and I got her cleaned up as much as I could with hydrogen peroxide and neosporin. </div>
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She wouldn't keep the dressing on though, and kept trying to put straw on her wounds which was making a gooey mess.</div>
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I had her stay in a cage in my potting room that first night. (Notice, the chicks are in the pack and play with the heat lamp).</div>
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The wound still didn't look great the next morning, so I decided to give her a "spa" treatment by soaking her in epsom salts and warm water. (I probably should have done it the day before, but didn't want to send her into more shock than she had already experienced). She didn't seem to mind and was very calm through the process. I kept pouring the water over her back for about 20 minutes or so with a cup since that's where the bite marks were.</div>
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I wrapped her in a towel and then blew dried her until she was fluffy and dry, </div>
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put more neosporin on her and then some clean dressing and then. . .</div>
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I put a chicken saddle on her! (Thanks to my friend Olivia who made these for her hens that were getting pecked at by her rooster). I called her to ask her if she would be able to make a chicken saddle for this chicken and within an hour, she was at my doorstep with two! </div>
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The saddle, which fits over their wings with elastic, was the perfect thing to keep her (and the other hens) from pecking at her exposed back as well as keeping the wound clean.</div>
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Since it was warm yesterday, I put her in our spare chicken coop and had her stay there for the night. I was pleasantly surprised to see that her wounds have made a drastic improvement and she appears to be on the mend. Epsom salts are one of my go to remedies for many different chicken related ailments!</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-5902893115510442072014-03-07T22:37:00.000-05:002014-03-07T22:39:38.168-05:00Father Daughter Dance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Annual Father/Daughter event was tonight...</div>
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This year's theme was a"Sweetheart Dance"... </div>
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I'm pretty sure Brian appreciated this theme over some of the others in his Father/Daughter night history...(ie...pirate, luaua, and an 80's theme which actually ended up being quite funny)</div>
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They've been so excited for this! </div>
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The girls wanted me to do something special with their hair, but I have as much skills in the hair department as I do in making a flaky pie crust!</div>
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Fortunately, Rock Star Carissa Nielson came to the rescue after a panicked call this morning requesting her help. She's great with hair and was able to whip up these hairstyles in no time!</div>
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I am so appreciative to her that she was able to make them feel confident about their hair.</div>
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One last picture before heading out the door, to go home and put on the final touches!...</div>
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I totally scored on this dress...When all was said and done, I think I paid $12 for this! Ellie loved it and couldn't stop twirling in it.</div>
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Reilly picked this little number out (and paid for it with her own money!)...</div>
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She was so proud of this--I thought she looked great!</div>
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There was much excitement in the air at this point!...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-bEa_oDxhpXKgEUANXo04EEdRCdZTrH9tWEg763K3EFF_P06tEj_ywaiqVt3K_ebtspEEhwp0PkBWhCbkELDQN2WagbhegwR_6CBFU93ifGWxIufdGzkz7jlngrlAWFmoof09lENMq6i/s1600/Daddy+Daugher+Dance--Reilly--March+2014.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-bEa_oDxhpXKgEUANXo04EEdRCdZTrH9tWEg763K3EFF_P06tEj_ywaiqVt3K_ebtspEEhwp0PkBWhCbkELDQN2WagbhegwR_6CBFU93ifGWxIufdGzkz7jlngrlAWFmoof09lENMq6i/s1600/Daddy+Daugher+Dance--Reilly--March+2014.jpeg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
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"We'd like to thank the <strike>Academy </strike>Dad, for taking us to the dance"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhYRPjwO5v3xat30UwdeKeQSnF_Lfk0XSWxC4tdmgotqQ17HR4ERsJsVMAL_9CAxruOP2ljWobVl-ZXWhyphenhyphenNDXraUOGXGXf7xk3Is6veTKB8ls52jyl7orfPgao_fVuXKiKAQh5GlQAaET/s1600/Daddy+Daughter+Dance--Ellie--March+2014.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhYRPjwO5v3xat30UwdeKeQSnF_Lfk0XSWxC4tdmgotqQ17HR4ERsJsVMAL_9CAxruOP2ljWobVl-ZXWhyphenhyphenNDXraUOGXGXf7xk3Is6veTKB8ls52jyl7orfPgao_fVuXKiKAQh5GlQAaET/s1600/Daddy+Daughter+Dance--Ellie--March+2014.jpeg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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He's a great egg, that guy!</div>
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Dancing is totally not his thing, but he bucks up every year and makes this night a fun memory for the girls.</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-85871060132632975812014-03-06T21:19:00.000-05:002014-03-06T21:29:56.912-05:00Everywhere a chick chick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spring is just around the corner (or so they tell me...who would know with these freezing temperatures?!)...and that only means one thing...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chicks!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdBO8gtPz-KgkNYWkjbngs9D3HZmue1vkBBXbJVLzfvRy3iIKJXQJ09VAOoZcU25Kt_mRltZV6U0C5Q58bdm-7M9ybVnWgPaSoV1FjeWEQ4dWfnguR9DzUkW-gq59CjpH4vSeMnnno-wT/s1600/IMG_2665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdBO8gtPz-KgkNYWkjbngs9D3HZmue1vkBBXbJVLzfvRy3iIKJXQJ09VAOoZcU25Kt_mRltZV6U0C5Q58bdm-7M9ybVnWgPaSoV1FjeWEQ4dWfnguR9DzUkW-gq59CjpH4vSeMnnno-wT/s1600/IMG_2665.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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We went in on an order with the Bucks Clucks 4-H club for chicks from Murray McMurray Hatchery...</div>
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We ordered 3 cochins...(our favorite breed of chickens)</div>
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They're the ones with the feathered feet.</div>
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This brings our chicken population up to 14...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9Fp3Vhzzum-x_vgv4BqX_NWdWH5O9r1hUNnXED3fHGOZuQ9N_rHOKOb8Vy8xTD9syptbIJRi8NIBd9Rmm7hbYyHymt4wQbfBguj77KO4LWxVYU0ntefKxK5HjY7iaj3B8I7VYeq67Wfv/s1600/DSC_0099+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9Fp3Vhzzum-x_vgv4BqX_NWdWH5O9r1hUNnXED3fHGOZuQ9N_rHOKOb8Vy8xTD9syptbIJRi8NIBd9Rmm7hbYyHymt4wQbfBguj77KO4LWxVYU0ntefKxK5HjY7iaj3B8I7VYeq67Wfv/s1600/DSC_0099+-+Version+2.jpg" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mary saved the day again and came over to take a few professional photos of our newest additions...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PGI449MU6tDd8PwylWxSIKTyp9zj_ioiqxhCyxGsUCsLWPDhd0lY1_gVqvxPPgNaxr0_G6pvUx6Z_GrN_hM2K3s3n3e9jusAhgYGAXBSdF7KPjJVC5qjbGu-GeGqwHamJKQavlUbE6-b/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PGI449MU6tDd8PwylWxSIKTyp9zj_ioiqxhCyxGsUCsLWPDhd0lY1_gVqvxPPgNaxr0_G6pvUx6Z_GrN_hM2K3s3n3e9jusAhgYGAXBSdF7KPjJVC5qjbGu-GeGqwHamJKQavlUbE6-b/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" height="542" width="640" /></a></div>
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This little black and white chick will one day be an all black, elegant chicken. We got her as a replacement for our other black cochin, Sonny, who died last year. She's the one that won Reserve Champion at the Grange Fair 2 years ago.</div>
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The green dot on her head is just a temporary thing used for identification purposes in shipping...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA2_L8bR5r3mkwUBWlG_-pjLMDBl1Xu-3QWHix_48V9U2QrMYQWWdsjXSaz_DquWbNg1eol0Y7Khfa2M9ZArX4nUkoDMTYX92Aq5s780klIKbN1as61UD7OKT3XUrmrI7Rri-eibcm5qR/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrA2_L8bR5r3mkwUBWlG_-pjLMDBl1Xu-3QWHix_48V9U2QrMYQWWdsjXSaz_DquWbNg1eol0Y7Khfa2M9ZArX4nUkoDMTYX92Aq5s780klIKbN1as61UD7OKT3XUrmrI7Rri-eibcm5qR/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Reilly claimed this buff cochin, and named her "Peaches"...</div>
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Ellie was so excited to show her class at school this picture...</div>
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Here she is holding "Blue Bell", "Chippie", and "Peaches"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMf3Dn3TnpRsSCYedyNdNet9eYNljXg4EkHuCbvCV0RnCUSogUBRBgYKNYN4oSb9AtK-i5f6MoTd4qAy-ayKlGiFc2inDu1dm1uckScsq9iXxCBxk7ZhLsxgvnWZdxA9pesVGUM6exK6P/s1600/012-2401372797-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMf3Dn3TnpRsSCYedyNdNet9eYNljXg4EkHuCbvCV0RnCUSogUBRBgYKNYN4oSb9AtK-i5f6MoTd4qAy-ayKlGiFc2inDu1dm1uckScsq9iXxCBxk7ZhLsxgvnWZdxA9pesVGUM6exK6P/s1600/012-2401372797-O.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was a photo taken of our last batch a year and a half ago...these guys are at a bit of a gangly stage, but still cute...</div>
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I have to chuckle when I think of how this photo would make many of my non-animal loving friends' skin crawl...</div>
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Good times!</div>
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-86474503151873807972014-03-01T19:06:00.004-05:002014-03-01T19:49:30.443-05:00Maple Sugaring <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQyw3zEvvggdIeCInbMvuooz-56jO4NvUnjKyPTXz-SKjPJlxu_TWAIrQ8G2O2uBPD-gHDmy6Vz0cNJsuIR1suX4bB0kUsu5e13oUCFYdOTbPVzOyEaoRy-J2ECqdzA0z91mHCdwS3BAS/s1600/DSC_0006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQyw3zEvvggdIeCInbMvuooz-56jO4NvUnjKyPTXz-SKjPJlxu_TWAIrQ8G2O2uBPD-gHDmy6Vz0cNJsuIR1suX4bB0kUsu5e13oUCFYdOTbPVzOyEaoRy-J2ECqdzA0z91mHCdwS3BAS/s1600/DSC_0006.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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We took a field trip today with Mary and Nicole to Howell Living Farm in New Jersey today...</div>
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This has been something I've wanted to do since the kids were little but never got around to going until today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkj73X7tQD7BB5-V7fYTgVbOJis5KpT8ZgzchrbcVbhLCsi4561ITd11V8EKoVHemHkmUBiTcSv-X3KxZ-zAsKFOaSyjI5qOkaNdOn4tCQVHWuM3nM-GPNZI9p5SBiGpQkfKPcHj3o4A7/s1600/DSC_0004+-+Version+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkj73X7tQD7BB5-V7fYTgVbOJis5KpT8ZgzchrbcVbhLCsi4561ITd11V8EKoVHemHkmUBiTcSv-X3KxZ-zAsKFOaSyjI5qOkaNdOn4tCQVHWuM3nM-GPNZI9p5SBiGpQkfKPcHj3o4A7/s1600/DSC_0004+-+Version+2.jpeg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Depending on the season, there are all sorts of hands on activities and presentations to participate in such as</div>
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beekeeping, sawmilling, lambing, sheep sheering, etc.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTVtYrCn0ZKCK1mBXI8n2-Lbd_4Mw702_atUslX7n_dAlH0VRHuskP0ELuxTxaAZmuSt28RoBtDsMkIav6WNwjnUYXe4l5mJIPOc8dfc0_6oPEDzwHyT2qjspQSaLrYJJrO2I3MVlXEkN/s1600/DSC_0057.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTVtYrCn0ZKCK1mBXI8n2-Lbd_4Mw702_atUslX7n_dAlH0VRHuskP0ELuxTxaAZmuSt28RoBtDsMkIav6WNwjnUYXe4l5mJIPOc8dfc0_6oPEDzwHyT2qjspQSaLrYJJrO2I3MVlXEkN/s1600/DSC_0057.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the time of year when they tap the sugar maple trees of their sap for making maple syrup--</div>
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The temperatures need to be in the 40's in the daytime and 20's at night...</div>
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We've had crazy weather in these parts, so the maple sugaring season has been shorter than usual.</div>
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It's been so cold that the sap from some of the trees never make it to the bucket...</div>
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Normally, the sap flows fairly steadily into the bucket, so much so that sometimes, the buckets need to be emptied a few times a day...</div>
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After the sap is collected, it's placed into a large holding tank. The sap is then boiled for about 14 hours or so to allow the water to boil off and the syrup is then in a concentrated form...</div>
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When the internal temperature reaches 219 degrees, the syrup is then ready to be strained of the minerals and then canned...</div>
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After hearing about the "how to's" on boiling down the sap, we took a scenic walk up the road to a 250 year old farm house where we got to eat pancakes made with handground wheat, homemade buttermilk, butter and of course, the farm's own maple syrup.</div>
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While we didn't go on one of the wagon rides, it didn't stop Ellie from doing the "horse hover"around her favorite animal...</div>
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Nicole isn't the biggest animal fan (say what?) but I love that she bucked up and put on a smile for this picture--I always joke with her that I'm to make her into an animal lover someday!</div>
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I have the strongest urge to bend the rim of Jake's hat down. This apparently is the new "look"...(he's even keeping the labels and stickers on it)...He says that it adds value to the hat, but I say that it just makes it look like it's stolen.</div>
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It was nice to get out and enjoy the sunshine today...(even though it was freaking cold). This was a great diversion from the hideous weather report that we are getting for Sunday night into Monday....</div>
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<b>Note: </b> Many thanks to my rock star friends Mary and Nicole for taking the photos of our day...</div>
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I wish I could carry them around in my pocket to help me document each day like this!</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-32209373264143100792014-02-27T20:40:00.001-05:002014-02-28T08:26:12.032-05:00House Renovations--Before and After<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've always loved this house...</div>
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It had a kind of living, breathing spirit to it that drew me in from the minute I saw it..</div>
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We knew from the beginning, though, that changes needed to happen to accommodate our growing family...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEljMu8PPIfn1bSveGMTmVlXM9EWLltqi_ruRlVdehtyFs_mVN4pER_LLu1l0p3ctC4pPzk1PUr79wteP7NwdynJqRu45_d7L7k38ehK5HQNcudua-ogTAdUl3N57hteW8-eBqyp_1Zr2/s1600/garage--before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEljMu8PPIfn1bSveGMTmVlXM9EWLltqi_ruRlVdehtyFs_mVN4pER_LLu1l0p3ctC4pPzk1PUr79wteP7NwdynJqRu45_d7L7k38ehK5HQNcudua-ogTAdUl3N57hteW8-eBqyp_1Zr2/s1600/garage--before.jpeg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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...And so about five years ago, we began our renovation process by making our garage into a living room...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67GYV3JU9qGjJ-q9MCHG99zxh0ab50djRis3ceTnt6Hl_L7lkaDqg-QzNbR0aXVqphZ-PKsN9eUshOADcv2e4szSbBdwo9KO42r4KcVSF_VX7IKqB0k5xlmbdyRIsCf91XGZzcrJwYFpI/s1600/111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67GYV3JU9qGjJ-q9MCHG99zxh0ab50djRis3ceTnt6Hl_L7lkaDqg-QzNbR0aXVqphZ-PKsN9eUshOADcv2e4szSbBdwo9KO42r4KcVSF_VX7IKqB0k5xlmbdyRIsCf91XGZzcrJwYFpI/s1600/111.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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and added this...</div>
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(this little bump out was the only thing added...the rest was the garage space reworked)</div>
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Here is the entry way view right when you walk into the house...</div>
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This is what it looks like when you're standing in the mud room...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2iDkYSYM0bh2Q1ZfCH0xtPEw1YMlRVI7ZEetvR-iP8lKOTAYrynhgqXJmAjr391f4l6kpAFfPz93WEMycfoRLV_9HDnHjEVZl8Yo-i4rwMaSP9jhAv8kX5sc37ayJRn-MtoFU358jk9f/s1600/IMG_2656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2iDkYSYM0bh2Q1ZfCH0xtPEw1YMlRVI7ZEetvR-iP8lKOTAYrynhgqXJmAjr391f4l6kpAFfPz93WEMycfoRLV_9HDnHjEVZl8Yo-i4rwMaSP9jhAv8kX5sc37ayJRn-MtoFU358jk9f/s1600/IMG_2656.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here is the entry way view right when you walk into the house...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8H_0grfWpqcX18-8N6MrpQFgKpUH3KHboiTk5FYzLwiq9VjF__BkqptmM_O-FQelWk-djNDovQBC4jKeIAstLstY2F8-m8ZZ13mwoPtIeli9uyvG9frsl8Q5j2x7jXLtTF-pC_95OddG/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8H_0grfWpqcX18-8N6MrpQFgKpUH3KHboiTk5FYzLwiq9VjF__BkqptmM_O-FQelWk-djNDovQBC4jKeIAstLstY2F8-m8ZZ13mwoPtIeli9uyvG9frsl8Q5j2x7jXLtTF-pC_95OddG/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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From the mudroom/entryway looking in...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi0MDUHe02wlceABSbON3GOCcSZpflEw3RvBCSUfja7IG9G-FkUUwukS0ADlQJ_RW-eVnI1yQ0UKBcGmIwI58uB3fzCx41b4iMIye0c0bZQ2qYIsurTfhylI7WgsQvLdnQxP-_xeVUlSH/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi0MDUHe02wlceABSbON3GOCcSZpflEw3RvBCSUfja7IG9G-FkUUwukS0ADlQJ_RW-eVnI1yQ0UKBcGmIwI58uB3fzCx41b4iMIye0c0bZQ2qYIsurTfhylI7WgsQvLdnQxP-_xeVUlSH/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Living Room</b></div>
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(A bit of a splurge was had on the floors because we wanted to make them match the rest of the house...)</div>
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I found a company in New Hampshire that makes them (Carlisle) who were delightful to work with...</div>
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We chose random width, old growth, eastern white pine with hand cut nails...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg457HAlySYVLpNNqX9kH8i3J0Uh57CfMrZL-LRFzZCzzbWL3UDaIpHMqAVddETDt2UseXj2GdW9WsZ26uPd4LuYY5qiHhFddTgXeJCg_Kcc_dTeP8Z_tNivP_ILY59ojxKda3Tj4YThrjJ/s1600/IMG_2655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg457HAlySYVLpNNqX9kH8i3J0Uh57CfMrZL-LRFzZCzzbWL3UDaIpHMqAVddETDt2UseXj2GdW9WsZ26uPd4LuYY5qiHhFddTgXeJCg_Kcc_dTeP8Z_tNivP_ILY59ojxKda3Tj4YThrjJ/s1600/IMG_2655.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since the basement of our house is not usable living space, we needed another place to go when our kids had friends or we just needed to not all be on top of each other....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X9amMPkXoz3O7rorWU0aLDMy7M4nJ8KNmIGMG14_I92e4qIZAB6CTArcMXllX4HDpWobVClKGMdrNceB4HVUbulsn1pv54UK904DWZlzyrp1SWYM-zFdaKl8qsRALGqDOFLzsjsiX8sV/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X9amMPkXoz3O7rorWU0aLDMy7M4nJ8KNmIGMG14_I92e4qIZAB6CTArcMXllX4HDpWobVClKGMdrNceB4HVUbulsn1pv54UK904DWZlzyrp1SWYM-zFdaKl8qsRALGqDOFLzsjsiX8sV/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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That glass door leads into the potting room...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNb2xqJxo_FCZfNRb-dz4guEfGzkNavoxpRGQM4T8WuhwM5Tq0FAa0YaQjiWhcmKsDVN944Ngegpis0OV8eYF5IeOjxAKzhMCFyzWSz9mH94hkTIHNkWKSyyeoYAfmsId1TG0IieaB6kKm/s1600/IMG_2659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNb2xqJxo_FCZfNRb-dz4guEfGzkNavoxpRGQM4T8WuhwM5Tq0FAa0YaQjiWhcmKsDVN944Ngegpis0OV8eYF5IeOjxAKzhMCFyzWSz9mH94hkTIHNkWKSyyeoYAfmsId1TG0IieaB6kKm/s1600/IMG_2659.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhkW2qjZc86fNVS53NI61_arRXQlAfah1k8pWRnsSQPn_Et6Fm6xglagU-0yypVvz6kMgMDxBW_J8RTlPcaAQQeWP6bwo2mIsEXu79SCpaewR-44LqBKigDYpsSdpfcg9pDSxqGtu0nck/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhkW2qjZc86fNVS53NI61_arRXQlAfah1k8pWRnsSQPn_Et6Fm6xglagU-0yypVvz6kMgMDxBW_J8RTlPcaAQQeWP6bwo2mIsEXu79SCpaewR-44LqBKigDYpsSdpfcg9pDSxqGtu0nck/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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AKA--(favorite room in the house!)...</div>
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I love that it gives me access to the garden, and that we can see the new chicks or ducklings (if we have them) just by peeking in from the door off of the living room...</div>
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I always joke that the neighbors must think we are devil worshippers since when we raise baby birds, there is always a red glow that shines from the heat lamp that can be seen from the street.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87DOjareEld4ZwxQ1Zpj1zoPoEhTiYoA5ZVgFUMXTBve7ds3q5tYwFYda_aSUpQrrxlzD5XoqnuvqNP-suCPB-P1VMYrYu_45_7BCNPHgqiwjzrVmpwnEQxW-vHvpJ4vNmZEtf1gz9ed0/s1600/kitchen--before+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87DOjareEld4ZwxQ1Zpj1zoPoEhTiYoA5ZVgFUMXTBve7ds3q5tYwFYda_aSUpQrrxlzD5XoqnuvqNP-suCPB-P1VMYrYu_45_7BCNPHgqiwjzrVmpwnEQxW-vHvpJ4vNmZEtf1gz9ed0/s1600/kitchen--before+1.jpeg" height="640" width="454" /></a></div>
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<b>Before--</b><br />
This was the very first picture I took of the kitchen...(and sadly, the only angle) grrrr</div>
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(notice the carpet, dark wood, and hideous windmill wallpaper)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAAwjTrndzJ6Rov-4URGG0tiXr5TX_Y0elNHr-I9YMBINRfVRhzkxwnc_6Km6qcvBTH2t6ysOXldCmUSDUtJ6N1McjHmX8ytamn-0X76ReMY8YFqVJ5qyzB-Lf-wCsjQHbr3Lu_wt9bLl/s1600/_D3S2180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAAwjTrndzJ6Rov-4URGG0tiXr5TX_Y0elNHr-I9YMBINRfVRhzkxwnc_6Km6qcvBTH2t6ysOXldCmUSDUtJ6N1McjHmX8ytamn-0X76ReMY8YFqVJ5qyzB-Lf-wCsjQHbr3Lu_wt9bLl/s1600/_D3S2180.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Phase 2--</b></div>
we ripped off the wallpaper, pulled up the carpet and painted the floors with porch paint, and painted the cabinets. I enjoyed the fact that I could get to the front porch via the door, but it took up a chunk of space, so when we finally redid the kitchen, that feature was removed and a cabinet was put in it's place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcW415btl5cr9-jX1Eqazv0MptEGLTtisCLfRvv3FkTSfqX9JR84v0LROfqohD2KcsQ2qacC-kWg_EZk9XIzg5Ky7v9Y8uefQedfDoopw_Sn2Kxc7PpRdseTWrrG591_TdH_KYmgRh6O2/s1600/DSC_5230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcW415btl5cr9-jX1Eqazv0MptEGLTtisCLfRvv3FkTSfqX9JR84v0LROfqohD2KcsQ2qacC-kWg_EZk9XIzg5Ky7v9Y8uefQedfDoopw_Sn2Kxc7PpRdseTWrrG591_TdH_KYmgRh6O2/s1600/DSC_5230.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b>After...</b></div>
By opening up the wall and putting a transom over the new doorway, the entire space felt unified and so much larger...What a pleasure it is to be able to converse with people and actually see their faces now, whereas before, there was always a wall dividing the conversation since there was really no where for them to sit if I was working in the kitchen...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl7OT7RYG7sUxRtntfLAMjNR4xcCTOO9U6yn0J9sggnuXrj2ZLnWBWGiWiPfHbgeCnb6qa9ej8CUdENKC24tab0H3d9keeqI0W8zrsLcWPAqk7us1hKVZTdKdCFbDqS4I0WOUx1sraDbb/s1600/DSC_5224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl7OT7RYG7sUxRtntfLAMjNR4xcCTOO9U6yn0J9sggnuXrj2ZLnWBWGiWiPfHbgeCnb6qa9ej8CUdENKC24tab0H3d9keeqI0W8zrsLcWPAqk7us1hKVZTdKdCFbDqS4I0WOUx1sraDbb/s1600/DSC_5224.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is just another view from the dining room into the kitchen....</div>
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I never get tired of my blue plates..<br />
It always makes for a more productive flea market outing when you have an idea in your head of something that you collect. Collecting blue plates has been a favorite thing to look for as they are easily spotted from a distance. I love that each one has a story!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3v2AZ3SLHMSv9yZ-8dbpMaA6yENmwLWjF1vgZ91AdUVQhRRKn1Snh8LPPHQNX1T5T5SifPfDq84p1ORy7GWCYQ8-z6CETYPjgjiZav5rN2Et1sWHOgkKHFSkDZR_f3h8kGuw10PsTb8r/s1600/DSC_5307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3v2AZ3SLHMSv9yZ-8dbpMaA6yENmwLWjF1vgZ91AdUVQhRRKn1Snh8LPPHQNX1T5T5SifPfDq84p1ORy7GWCYQ8-z6CETYPjgjiZav5rN2Et1sWHOgkKHFSkDZR_f3h8kGuw10PsTb8r/s1600/DSC_5307.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> I was super excited to get this farmsink (Sha</span><span style="text-align: center;">ws) and faucet (Rohl)...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlM6P5NSPszuPp3piHiw74NozeG7Fq6eCTDUZfu5wbLoV_1VkvAJg1MZBa_yyA0mua09Umu949juGlhRrIsdT_dEg8Cx0iIq-0ryX2Nm1I1IlNuG999MvqHSZN7OmTEUGdFE2t5KHBrnH/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlM6P5NSPszuPp3piHiw74NozeG7Fq6eCTDUZfu5wbLoV_1VkvAJg1MZBa_yyA0mua09Umu949juGlhRrIsdT_dEg8Cx0iIq-0ryX2Nm1I1IlNuG999MvqHSZN7OmTEUGdFE2t5KHBrnH/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEY3EfyYU6ZCGT_YuSltBY-orP3fp-BXSJDE4lhChzamzhql1dVNPTwYbyTm0wD-hVbPpPhmCHeM0UrbOS241cClUS-UczKYyYM2S1o-WYK-gzvNzZFY5dhr3UxQUgwFG8y1Et-6WK6-HY/s1600/_D3S2189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEY3EfyYU6ZCGT_YuSltBY-orP3fp-BXSJDE4lhChzamzhql1dVNPTwYbyTm0wD-hVbPpPhmCHeM0UrbOS241cClUS-UczKYyYM2S1o-WYK-gzvNzZFY5dhr3UxQUgwFG8y1Et-6WK6-HY/s1600/_D3S2189.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Before--</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a better shot of the door that led out onto the front porch. We can still access the front porch, but from the door in our front hallway. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJVsxu6y1AN7iiwudUR2h0pBxBP8OzGqDNX9yOk2a9ZyiI1MhVHDJHGHbPxG12LUTzTJMaLezzOK9n7A_K_80VDYgDMMm-CnhHxpvT69FvZ228lHHCRz5xlk2VeTD7QLx_2mKFP2NP9qC/s1600/DSC_5250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJVsxu6y1AN7iiwudUR2h0pBxBP8OzGqDNX9yOk2a9ZyiI1MhVHDJHGHbPxG12LUTzTJMaLezzOK9n7A_K_80VDYgDMMm-CnhHxpvT69FvZ228lHHCRz5xlk2VeTD7QLx_2mKFP2NP9qC/s1600/DSC_5250.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>After--</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Notice what a difference removing most of the wall between the dining room and kitchen made?<br />
(this photo makes the kitchen look 10 times bigger than it is)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_Y1EQRrGFfXp8KUDQa6OvpBruLzaZxFCDOU9T325DVqdDrnQ2FPziHB3fQaJj2rhF1LzRT9lFlld8EFhRMxSq_FWhJxdxpemYWdgW-xYz1iIfHK-7MfgwqtlklfB-p2TqrxSY_IYg_8u/s1600/DSC_5294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_Y1EQRrGFfXp8KUDQa6OvpBruLzaZxFCDOU9T325DVqdDrnQ2FPziHB3fQaJj2rhF1LzRT9lFlld8EFhRMxSq_FWhJxdxpemYWdgW-xYz1iIfHK-7MfgwqtlklfB-p2TqrxSY_IYg_8u/s1600/DSC_5294.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I chose quartz for my countertops...While there wasn't much of a savings by choosing quartz over granite, the fact that I can put a flaming hot pan right on the countertop without a hot pad was what sold me. I was leaning towards marble, but found this white quartz to be a more practical choice...<br />
<br />
Notice the cabinet is where the door used to be...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiMLQKgWPfHdQyR90b34Nxqlc4OBYd0EWaz2tMU3jip9Zjt5ml4NnR3mbH3zmgx3o21j6xodLNJrOvBPGnfbYYHQj1d6OTTDU07_Mt5CCpmYICId1PAyq9zz9RWJRc1qIwSOzjHCFaPLe/s1600/kitchen+hall--before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiMLQKgWPfHdQyR90b34Nxqlc4OBYd0EWaz2tMU3jip9Zjt5ml4NnR3mbH3zmgx3o21j6xodLNJrOvBPGnfbYYHQj1d6OTTDU07_Mt5CCpmYICId1PAyq9zz9RWJRc1qIwSOzjHCFaPLe/s1600/kitchen+hall--before.jpeg" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Before--</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hallway that leads to laundry room and garage...</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7L1L67K6TEv7OOQwD0WX71G97cG_8NnS5uZhoNIg2EPqxj-idz9Ahi2hyQAz67IzuCZ7wD9GgCv0Fsyka6VEpcmGw9tgGv5joVjffcThbZ0Ke44kYrFQlp9pgXI-rOzqKKHtYyZF-mnYP/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>After--</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDUPdegbRpf3KT3OpiSLWJ6TF_Y-52-eKYPlmG9jSWvxUHfEfOqT7FhC2VgxMUGahmtA7Q5n9RWMef7oyKEiZwZ4AiTzWPIzBNjhSS0IAjPPPmVN4kdvLSfQhB0lj64kwyZhRQv8wFdYJ/s1600/Old+Kitchen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDUPdegbRpf3KT3OpiSLWJ6TF_Y-52-eKYPlmG9jSWvxUHfEfOqT7FhC2VgxMUGahmtA7Q5n9RWMef7oyKEiZwZ4AiTzWPIzBNjhSS0IAjPPPmVN4kdvLSfQhB0lj64kwyZhRQv8wFdYJ/s1600/Old+Kitchen+1.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Phase 2--</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was what it looked like after we did the living room addition.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mMEFZ1Pmijy6AHIb6MciUX5MuP56EO4ZmwVnk5ebTLpZQrTrJpiDanDpMAUSvl6RKnrbMSsXp6hYPW5WcAy6h5ihwvLHlIH_uVXAeZh4t8g72_TXOYdjwGIHk9y6bnlv7IHjC4VaD2ut/s1600/DSC_5259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mMEFZ1Pmijy6AHIb6MciUX5MuP56EO4ZmwVnk5ebTLpZQrTrJpiDanDpMAUSvl6RKnrbMSsXp6hYPW5WcAy6h5ihwvLHlIH_uVXAeZh4t8g72_TXOYdjwGIHk9y6bnlv7IHjC4VaD2ut/s1600/DSC_5259.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>After--</b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4SOuG5aTQeF7v0q7W161TpsZ5OLk_T3bpymHH3UkT9Ur-ga2XRjmV8cNyoAL_xLi6DyV6wX0rRWfjQNWPUhVGbQXLIqcivC49Jv5hr_kWjy6bKMpQgV6N8DRYLwGB5sQIwN4gLWQUn5e/s1600/kitchen+hall+2--before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4SOuG5aTQeF7v0q7W161TpsZ5OLk_T3bpymHH3UkT9Ur-ga2XRjmV8cNyoAL_xLi6DyV6wX0rRWfjQNWPUhVGbQXLIqcivC49Jv5hr_kWjy6bKMpQgV6N8DRYLwGB5sQIwN4gLWQUn5e/s1600/kitchen+hall+2--before.jpeg" height="640" width="386" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Before--</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This door used to lead out into the garage...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF3s4o2tVwVyDF0eHLZuUawy_8JWHNAcHqmNX2wULPtHDeLgU05xCF6hmoji26EeMdMBb12KKHgf1Wg0UJaPAC8qgIJ0gJ25HZnhw7gqOKDoXzqN3y6cGC-I6Bu2aTG8cjs2QzYBwPyS2/s1600/IMG_2648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF3s4o2tVwVyDF0eHLZuUawy_8JWHNAcHqmNX2wULPtHDeLgU05xCF6hmoji26EeMdMBb12KKHgf1Wg0UJaPAC8qgIJ0gJ25HZnhw7gqOKDoXzqN3y6cGC-I6Bu2aTG8cjs2QzYBwPyS2/s1600/IMG_2648.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>After--</b><br />
This is now the hallway that leads to the new living room<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rAFuKuUqZIYh-tphJRuWF2EfBo4EqQ4XhvN8KLV_72x74Vlk8PfzN1DSrP6RVKCdN1KfrCM1EOFvCCNmDfAY9f5kYjv1duHjvbKkGv5M5FUrdyEe5lygod4IStqNny9LoTvrlAp2zg9m/s1600/dining+room--before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rAFuKuUqZIYh-tphJRuWF2EfBo4EqQ4XhvN8KLV_72x74Vlk8PfzN1DSrP6RVKCdN1KfrCM1EOFvCCNmDfAY9f5kYjv1duHjvbKkGv5M5FUrdyEe5lygod4IStqNny9LoTvrlAp2zg9m/s1600/dining+room--before.jpeg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Before--</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dining Room fireplace</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia19koP-HsslQf7QhR7wQ4dbCoswzPgZvJGNB8NrLI87jGELfLlHCEGuUqc05tb3nrpT4PdE_ebuq0zf7-HMh1TSYUj5I71W3HjI6XgZx6f0qSK9KGTO1BbvCfmymJQ6siHOTyV0iHBEEO/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia19koP-HsslQf7QhR7wQ4dbCoswzPgZvJGNB8NrLI87jGELfLlHCEGuUqc05tb3nrpT4PdE_ebuq0zf7-HMh1TSYUj5I71W3HjI6XgZx6f0qSK9KGTO1BbvCfmymJQ6siHOTyV0iHBEEO/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>After--</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis45WHGZa3qaSPJ96-diB1qk3JMO608EunGxFiHLeOsGBwhR4MGxaxQ9uWbmy9j9rVodIZieM7MFJtBdOf4LYgtNjMxjCf2bnHvXGvjQamnDWBSi93zhW4Zlqyt0Zr2TEOZO4QQO_lCQpg/s1600/dining+room+3--before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis45WHGZa3qaSPJ96-diB1qk3JMO608EunGxFiHLeOsGBwhR4MGxaxQ9uWbmy9j9rVodIZieM7MFJtBdOf4LYgtNjMxjCf2bnHvXGvjQamnDWBSi93zhW4Zlqyt0Zr2TEOZO4QQO_lCQpg/s1600/dining+room+3--before.jpeg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Before--</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
someone had a field day with the stenciling!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspXBwjtxAFTai5iFvl422AGxnhhFbvvzPlohN2-qbRfAPA4t2SuzXyKWOv3uoDWDwkTFzeFdLCsFd28Nts_W0GYFMgftSrVMckJZHfKjKLsuxePkLd81tT_leQ1J7O3MTX-FpabWs2d5t/s1600/IMG_2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspXBwjtxAFTai5iFvl422AGxnhhFbvvzPlohN2-qbRfAPA4t2SuzXyKWOv3uoDWDwkTFzeFdLCsFd28Nts_W0GYFMgftSrVMckJZHfKjKLsuxePkLd81tT_leQ1J7O3MTX-FpabWs2d5t/s1600/IMG_2641.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>After--</b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzaYthHiqS7kfuGOXqdQGdoRI_hqWQN8EdVj4ngJs1GQD1e7jXAwlAnSwCW9G80bnZc_xq87_-BbRkwjN56nWuZrRuzvSzzZxjIfnkxzvjCtcOJqeFlSU3qgi17zO5HGmyKYLMNYt4GsA/s1600/dining+room+2--before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzaYthHiqS7kfuGOXqdQGdoRI_hqWQN8EdVj4ngJs1GQD1e7jXAwlAnSwCW9G80bnZc_xq87_-BbRkwjN56nWuZrRuzvSzzZxjIfnkxzvjCtcOJqeFlSU3qgi17zO5HGmyKYLMNYt4GsA/s1600/dining+room+2--before.jpeg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Before--</b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57gI1L2TRq_Ng53olN529CWnloZ-7CHZZbyDwRB473ajqzmRsV0sVMp6qiPHwEYcm8hW0Mmqky69XrOZ0n50DEenE5uqfAuQ3UVgrVX1k91Etn4_ztMOONIUAmWQzlT8tui5Yf-Ijh7Y_/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57gI1L2TRq_Ng53olN529CWnloZ-7CHZZbyDwRB473ajqzmRsV0sVMp6qiPHwEYcm8hW0Mmqky69XrOZ0n50DEenE5uqfAuQ3UVgrVX1k91Etn4_ztMOONIUAmWQzlT8tui5Yf-Ijh7Y_/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>After--</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucckaSvoARZ-QkZmJCe2xcoYFicVnu_B_Nit2RPtb7SDClnlO-KpNd4gcuKjuFcAX3rDofq6c_eo6PVt2lOKYEelOnvH3LTBcaH355T88IRAI6_WeI8oHuA13tyPuQr1HgbOuDzYLQlG1/s1600/old+living+room--before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucckaSvoARZ-QkZmJCe2xcoYFicVnu_B_Nit2RPtb7SDClnlO-KpNd4gcuKjuFcAX3rDofq6c_eo6PVt2lOKYEelOnvH3LTBcaH355T88IRAI6_WeI8oHuA13tyPuQr1HgbOuDzYLQlG1/s1600/old+living+room--before.jpeg" height="640" width="556" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Before--</b><br />
<b>Family Room</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuI7i_1Ajtx4klnjSG0q8OXGsGH-1_9k3XrRPnG6woABbykNh7ZY5eRn7VITReyXPxpnSzOXKxVn9kw3axDLy6L3Cf2Yt1WYEpWK0erO48LcPeBJGdejvKNVd_FOcrDenBGYrWcVp9OYn/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuI7i_1Ajtx4klnjSG0q8OXGsGH-1_9k3XrRPnG6woABbykNh7ZY5eRn7VITReyXPxpnSzOXKxVn9kw3axDLy6L3Cf2Yt1WYEpWK0erO48LcPeBJGdejvKNVd_FOcrDenBGYrWcVp9OYn/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>After--</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Family Room--Before--</b></div>
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<b>After</b><br />
(the perfect little nook for a game table/chairs)<br />
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I've been wanting to document these changes for the longest time now...<br />
I've been frustrated that I've been so lame with blogging. It always feels good when I know I've been able to get a memory/or event down in print...<br />
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-92097569464493216582014-02-21T21:08:00.000-05:002014-02-21T22:21:33.735-05:00Five for Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>1. </b> Brian and I were invited to a pancake breakfast this morning to honor the kids who got nominated for the Boomerang Award. (It's a local program that recognizes and honors youth in the community for exemplifying and living by one of 9 Developmental Assets). Reilly was nominated for the month of November!</div>
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She was chosen for the category of <b><u>Interpersonal Competence</u></b>--<i>Young person has empathy, sensitivity and friendship skills. Young person cares about and is aware of other people's feelings.</i></div>
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Her teacher nominated her after being impressed by how she befriended a girl who had just moved into the school. </div>
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We are super proud of this girl!</div>
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<b>2. </b> It's hard to believe that about a month ago, I was actually excited to hear that we were expecting a huge snowstorm. I'm officially DONE with winter! This has been Philadelphia's 3rd worst winter ever on record.</div>
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The above picture is a perfect depiction of the <b>SNIRT</b> that is currently covering the streets.</div>
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<b>3. </b> I am a floral snob. There! I said it! I guess working at Black-eyed Susan for a few years will do that to a person! I went into Michaels today and couldn't resist taking a picture of the wreath debacles on display. I can't imagine someone actually paying $50+ for one of the these bad boys!<br />
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<b>4. </b> And speaking of bad boys...</div>
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For mutual last Tuesday, the activity was for each kid to dress up as one of their ancestors and come prepared to tell the story...(It's amazing what a little electrical tape and mascara can do for one's image!)</div>
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<i>Brian's great great great grandfather, Christian Monson, was the son of a jailer in Norway. He was in charge of feeding the prisoners each day. One day, the mormon missionaries were thrown in prison for teaching "lies". As he fed the missionaries each day, they talked to him about the mormon teachings. He began to gain a testimony about the things they were teaching him. He wished to be baptized, but the missionaries were the only ones who held the authority to do so in that area. One night, he snuck into his dad's office, took the key to the missionaries' cell. They snuck down to a nearby fjord where he was baptized in the icy waters. </i></div>
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<i>They returned to the jail where he locked the missionaries up again so his father would not know. </i></div>
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<i>A few weeks later, he confessed this to his father who was so angry with his son that he disowned him.</i><br />
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<b>5. </b> Is it just me, or is he almost edible? I mean, seriously! I could just spread his deliciousness onto a cracker!<br />
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-72746690089731426722014-02-17T22:02:00.000-05:002014-02-21T22:18:03.659-05:00Ellie's Half Birthday Surprise!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Ellie's birthday is in July, which sadly, always means she gets the shaft for parties...</div>
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For the past month or so, she's been hankering for a "half birthday" party (one where she gets to take a treat into school and gets to invite a few of her friends over). <br />
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I coordinated with my sister, Katie, to drive up last Saturday from Butler (6 hours away) with my niece, Josie, for a surprise visit. </div>
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And what a surprise it was, too! Ellie had NO idea and was caught off guard and THRILLED when she saw Josie walk into the living room.<br />
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Katie and I took Ellie, Josie and two of Ellie's friends (Megan and Tori) to Willowgrove Mall to the Cheescake Factory...The ride in the elevator was a thrill in it of itself for them!</div>
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While we were waiting, the girls danced around in this open square. I didn't try to put the kabosh on the high octane activity level since I figured it was better to burn off the energy here rather than in the restaurant. It makes me tired just looking at this picture! </div>
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Ellie loves Build A Bear...it was her request...(On a side note--what a racket! I have to contain my irritation at the highway robbery-ish-ness of it all)</div>
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We sure didn't have to twist any of the other girls' arms into going...they all were super excited!</div>
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Having Josie sleep over was an added bonus! It was the best birthdays ever for her...<br />
We're thankful to Aunt Katie and Josie for braving the elements to make this day so special for Ellie...<br />
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Quote of the week, by Jake...<br />
<i>"Aunt Katie, you drove 6 hours just to go to Build A Bear?"</i><br />
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-23839852938645259252014-02-05T08:41:00.000-05:002014-02-10T13:50:09.419-05:00Mother Nature's Fury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This old cedar tree, that once served as a fort for the kids, protection for the chickens in both shade and coverage from hawks, a popsicle eating place, a cool hangout spot on a hot summer day, a pretty back drop for the shade garden in our yard and the location for last year's Christmas card photo...</div>
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...became this with last night's horrendous ice storm...</div>
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It completely split apart</div>
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The loss of a tree always makes me so sad. Seeing the tree like this just makes my heart hurt!</div>
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Here's the view looking back from the stream and duck pen</div>
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We lost about 40 percent of the branches from our white pine trees in the front yard</div>
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What a blow this was! The schools have been closed due to power outages. They've turned one of the middle schools into a shelter. Brian went to work this morning and said that almost every yard has a tree or major branch down.</div>
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We're expecting another snow storm to come in this weekend.</div>
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Argghhh....I've never been more anxious for spring to arrive! </div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-67468424368012971872014-02-03T20:47:00.002-05:002014-02-04T09:28:07.109-05:006 more weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My mom drove up to help celebrate Reilly's and my birthday...</div>
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This was the picture that was sitting on the table when I got up on Sunday morning...</div>
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Interestingly, the real Punxsatawney Phill died on Friday and they had to have an "understudy", if you will, pinch hit for the big day...</div>
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Can you guess based on the photos below whether or not he saw his shadow?</div>
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We got about 9 inches of snow with today's storm...</div>
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It was beautiful but wet and heavy! </div>
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Not sure I can handle another 6 weeks of this stuff!</div>
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My mom waited until the bulk of the snow had fallen before making the 6 hour drive back to Butler...</div>
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I only wish I had taken a picture of her car trying to drive through our unplowed cul-de-sac. Crazy!</div>
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-46478719514866433552014-01-29T11:10:00.000-05:002014-02-06T17:08:17.002-05:00Reilly turns 11!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Normally, I don't have big parties for my kids except for special birthdays like 5, 8, 12, 16 etc...</div>
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I probably should have done one for her last year since she turned "double digits"...</div>
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I took a lot of heat for not having a double digits party for her 10th birthday, so we attempted to make up for it this year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn1k-2RKNIRKdjT9SJRIbYgmTAkJ7c_nvX-DbYaZVeOHzL1H5YVKyMn48axdQKG-sTjTIZScFF5CF5jyPa-1eDOr2_kWhH8I_Cx8GVEpcnxlvZVHhZ971fVja_8BMjXnqq9xqWPgMgOsE/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn1k-2RKNIRKdjT9SJRIbYgmTAkJ7c_nvX-DbYaZVeOHzL1H5YVKyMn48axdQKG-sTjTIZScFF5CF5jyPa-1eDOr2_kWhH8I_Cx8GVEpcnxlvZVHhZ971fVja_8BMjXnqq9xqWPgMgOsE/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" height="346" width="640" /></a></div>
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I tried doing the right thing by having her just invite the girls in her 5th grade class this year...(I didn't want anyone to feel left out). I was actually glad that the temperatures have been so frigid that the kids had to stay inside and have indoor recess. This meant they weren't going to be able to mingle with kids from other classes at outdoor recess. </div>
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It totally backfired on me.</div>
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Some of her closer friends are in different classes and when they found out through the grapevine that they weren't included, they felt bad.</div>
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Arrgghhh.....</div>
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What is it with girls??? </div>
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I thought it would be a fun to have this be a make and take party...</div>
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I found this great craft on pinterest that I did with my Activity Day girls at church...</div>
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(Although Reilly had already made one, it was something that she was excited to make again)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtFuKehghkRHWIFUsm5Zfmgc5WmyYyXjT67EdK2jkguvQXvNqs48pMxnrpLl4si_pqG73VIvNrmwQdx0ld0ZFvOXJ8EgqDspD_1t7hS4KTpsiYxNHegulVO33lWjoX5h4rdflucsJOSAO/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtFuKehghkRHWIFUsm5Zfmgc5WmyYyXjT67EdK2jkguvQXvNqs48pMxnrpLl4si_pqG73VIvNrmwQdx0ld0ZFvOXJ8EgqDspD_1t7hS4KTpsiYxNHegulVO33lWjoX5h4rdflucsJOSAO/s1600/DSC_0019.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
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Each girl was given a blank canvas and instructions to choose a selection of scrapbook paper to be decopaged onto the canvas for the background...</div>
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They each got a template of a face/neck and a list of descriptive words that they could choose to describe themselves with...</div>
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Some used paint for the hair, and some used yarn...</div>
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Gotta love a girl with a healthy self esteem!</div>
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I loved seeing how each girl described themselves...</div>
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After pizza and salad and cupcakes, it was onto a bit of impromptu gift opening of a few of the gifts...(I wasn't a big fan of this since there was alot of chaos at this point and some parents were already coming to pick up their daughters)...</div>
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It was really a successful party, (although I think I sprouted a whole crop of gray hairs in the process of it)...<br />
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I appreciated having my mom there as well as our friends, Mary and Nicole Dischinger to help with taking pictures and assisting with the activity...</div>
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Good times!</div>
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Decorating cookies is a time that we always look forward to...</div>
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As you can see by this picture, some are already pretty hyped up on sugar!</div>
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Not sure why Jake has to do his creepy nerd face for every picture! good grief!</div>
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Would you eat a cookie made by this guy?</div>
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We had a few hiccups this year with the cookie decorating process. There was some behavior problems (due to the heavy sugar intake) that needed to be addressed.</div>
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It was not all smiles, lets put it that way...</div>
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Christmas morning!</div>
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The big rush to discover what Santa brought!</div>
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Ellie got a life like baby doll (she's been coveting one of these for quite some time, now). Usually, the people who own these type of Ashton Drake dolls are the weird grown women that like to pretend that they are real babies) Super creepy!</div>
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Reilly got an American Girl doll...</div>
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And Jake got a lap top...</div>
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Unfortunately, Mrs. Claus misplaced the power cord the night before which meant he couldn't play the darn thing until another cord had been ordered!</div>
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A whirlwind of excitement!</div>
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Seeing our cat, "Boy" in this picture brings back fond memories of when Mr. Boone used to come in the room every time we had a family gathering...I sure miss my old friend...</div>
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We don't usually have company for our Christmas Day dinner, but this year, we decided to mix it up a bit and invite two families to join us.</div>
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Fred and Susan Taylor, their son Ryan and grandson, Miles</div>
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Justin and Taunya Nelson and their two kids, Emily and Parker</div>
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Not sure how I ended up with ZERO pictures of people and several of the plain table...</div>
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What the? You'll just have to take my word for it that there were attendees...</div>
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The only glitch with dinner was that the prime rib wasn't cooked enough which added extreme stress! Luckily, (and to Fred's delight) we had a backup ham and lots of sides....</div>
<span id="goog_354724513"></span><span id="goog_354724514"></span>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-81755142835739505632013-12-22T22:35:00.000-05:002014-02-27T22:36:23.177-05:00How to dress a chicken...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For our Christmas card this year, I was racking my brain trying to come up with a creative spin on things...</div>
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I've been seeing funny pictures on Pinterest of chickens wearing sweaters and capes.</div>
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After doing a little investigating on line, I discovered that there are actually places in Europe that rescue hens that have been raised in cruel conditions in confined cages for egg purposes only.</div>
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One of the rescues that I read about, <i><b>Little Hen Rescue,</b></i> takes hens that are to be slaughtered and tries to find homes for them. </div>
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Because they have been in a stressful living enviornment, they sometimes molt. This presents a problem if it's in the winter, so volunteers are enlisted to knit "sweaters" for these gals. It was interesting to find out that there was a real purpose for wearing them and not just for silly sake...</div>
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Bonnie Bailey, a good friend of ours, agreed to knit a few sweaters for our cause....</div>
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(After this photo shoot, these sweaters will be donated to Little Hen Rescue...)</div>
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We were lucky to have our dear friends Mary and Nicole to come over to take pictures..</div>
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Dressing these ladies was not an easy task...There was much in the way of pooping and fidgeting to be had! (From the hens, not Mary and Nicole!) </div>
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The caps are for our entertainment only!</div>
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Cricket donning her cape...</div>
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Georgie looking defeated...</div>
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Nellie looking slightly bewildered (or is it humiliated?) in orange...</div>
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Little Cocoa in a mini version of a cape...</div>
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Rosie looking, well....Rosie!</div>
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This picture pretty much sums up the feeling that all of the chickens had about this fashion shoot...</div>
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...but it was worth it because we ended up with a great card!</div>
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-84201718915965859992013-11-29T21:52:00.000-05:002016-02-14T10:57:16.109-05:00Thanksgiving 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For Thanksgiving this year, we had another big crowd!</div>
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And to think that for all the years Brian and I lived in NYC, I cooked a full meal for just the two of us!</div>
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I went a little nuts with the decorations. It was a bit of a woodland-esq theme...</div>
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Brian kept insisting that it was a bit much but why start being practical now, right?!</div>
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The guest list:</div>
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My mom and Seth</div>
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Ken and Lynne drove down from Virginia </div>
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The Garcia's--Holllee (Brian's cousin) and her husband, Carl and their kids, Katie, Logan and Aimee </div>
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The Days--Caroline, Jeff, and their children Ryan, Regina, Brady and Emalee (our neighbors and dear friends)</div>
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Menu:</div>
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Turkey, mashed potato casserole, Meme's cornbread stuffing, cold green bean salad with red onions, shaved brussell sprouts, sagopanauck corn pudding, Hollie's broccoli/cauliflower casserole </div>
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The kiddo table</div>
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It was a fun evening...There was many a topic covered...and many a laugh was shared!</div>
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-35501606734917123212013-10-31T12:57:00.000-04:002014-02-06T12:58:12.209-05:00Halloween-- 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I headed over to the elementary school for the annual Halloween parade...</div>
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Ellie was some sort of spooky queen? Never did get a final "official" title for her costume. My mom bought her the dress so she wanted to wear it but wanted to be scary too... (hence, the black lipstick)<br />
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Reilly chose to be a baby...</div>
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I'm tried getting her to think outside the box a little, but she seemed determined that this is what she wanted to go as. More power to her! One thing is that at least she was warm!</div>
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Here she is with one of her best friends, Emily Sontag</div>
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I signed up to be a helper for Ellie's class party...</div>
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Ah, yes...it's the old toilet paper mummy game</div>
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Ellie with her friend, Jordyn doing a craft</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-45604746781781227842013-09-19T18:00:00.000-04:002014-03-07T22:35:23.883-05:00Solebury Orchard--Sept 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It just wouldn't be autumn without a trip to Solebury Orchards!</div>
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So...I loaded up the gang (The Day's joined us) and we headed on over to the orchard--</div>
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The honey crisps were ripe and ready for the picking...</div>
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Sadly, I don't have a picture of the best part of the trip...the fresh squeezed apple cider and the cider donuts...they were gone before I even had a chance to take a photo. Luckily, I called the farm earlier on in the day to request 2 dozen of these delicious little devils be set aside for us. It was a good thing because they were sold out by the time we got there. A few people even approached us and asked if they could buy them from us. </div>
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Jake and Brady decided that next year, they are going to buy up all of their donuts and sell them on the corner for a higher price. I suppose I should be glad that they are thinking creatively, but somehow, this wasn't what I had in mind--</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-46800858269708273852013-09-03T20:26:00.000-04:002014-02-06T08:55:20.940-05:00First Day of School--September 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The middle school gang...<br />
Jake's second year in middle school...8th grade...WOW!</div>
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Reilly--5th grade--Mr. Molenari</div>
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Ellie--3rd grade--Mrs. Kralik</div>
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And...another school year begins!</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-82381272278760325212013-08-13T20:19:00.000-04:002014-02-04T20:20:40.641-05:00Grange Fair--August 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is always one of our family's favorite time of year...</div>
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The Middletown Grange Fair...</div>
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This was the first year Jake showed "Georgie". (our buff cochin) Sadly, "Sunny", the black cochin that he has shown for the past few years, died a few months before. We're not sure what happened except that we think an egg broke inside of her...</div>
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Georgie always has such a poopy back side. I think it's because she's so massively feathered that it never makes it to the ground. Nevertheless, the rest of her is glorious, and she Jake ended up with another Reserve Champion.</div>
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This was Reilly's first year showing. She showed "Fern" who is one of our "elderly" ladies. She's about 5 years old and she's a sweet little bantam buff laced cochin.</div>
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I love seeing my kids talking to people about the chickens. It is such a self esteem booster for them to have to answer questions about raising chickens.</div>
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I always find it amazing how fascinated people are about chickens...</div>
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Parker joined Jake on one of his nights of chicken sitting...</div>
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They were responsible for making sure the chickens had food and water</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-66811505491731183462013-07-21T19:00:00.000-04:002014-03-07T22:37:21.158-05:00Ellie's 9th birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Never has there been a girl more excited for her birthday to arrive!</div>
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Ellie anticipates this day all year!</div>
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We usually spread out the cheer by having a dual celebration...(a party on her actual birthday at home and one at Granny's in Butler when she goes out to visit for a few weeks every summer).</div>
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Because of the nature of having a summer birthday, we tend to lean towards having her birthday parties be a family affair...So many people are out of town in the summer and it always seems hard to coordinate having her friends over...</div>
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After a dinner of steak on the grill and twice baked potatoes, (per her request), it was time for "cake"...</div>
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Her favorite "cake"...coconut cream pie! Just the name coconut sends her into a fit of giggles...</div>
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(never quite figured that one out!)</div>
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Since her birthday fell on a Sunday, we all change out of our church clothes and get into pajamas...(hence the "dressed down" approach for Ellie and I.</div>
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She never lacks enthusiasm, that's for sure!</div>
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Ellie is one of the kindest, most genuine and thoughtful people I've ever known. It never ceases to amaze me at her ability to recognize when someone is sad or feeling left out, and her ability to forgive when someone has been mean to her is amazing. </div>
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Our family wouldn't be complete without her...</div>
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Happy Birthday, Sis!</div>
shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-45072490525761343602013-07-14T11:52:00.000-04:002014-02-06T11:52:41.919-05:00Yellowstone Trip--part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After saying goodbye to all of the cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents,</div>
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we started driving back...</div>
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We stopped in Utah see Brian's grandfather who lives in a beautiful assisted living facility in Layton.</div>
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This was a great opportunity to have Grandpa Parry give Jake his patriarchal blessing.</div>
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We had a nice visit with him and then headed over to see our dear friends, the Merrills and Brian's brother, Kreg and his family who live just a block or so away from Rob and Heather.</div>
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The kids got to visit with Jen and Larry's kids again (since they had just driven back from the cabin in Idaho a few hours earlier). They got to stay overnight there while we went to dinner with Rob and Heather. </div>
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Brian and I stayed in a hotel that night. It was nice not to have to share our space with the kiddos...</div>
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From there, we drove through Glenwood Springs Canyon and Vale, Colorado. We stayed in Aurora that night.</div>
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We then drove on to Independance, Missouri where we were able to go to the Liberty Jail visitors center. We got to see an interesting presentation about Joseph Smith's time there.</div>
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Look at how thick the walls were in the jail! </div>
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We stayed in Independence that night...</div>
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The next day, we drove to St. Louis, (fyi...one of my least liked places). It was unbelievably hot and humid...(especially oppressive since we were used to dry heat at that point). The kids wanted to go up in the arch but the lines were so long and my patience was waning at that point.</div>
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There was an interesting (and more importantly, air conditioned!) museum at the arch where we were able to get our National Park pass stamped as well as learn some new things about the Louis and Clark expedition.</div>
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One of the only highlights of our stop off in Missouri (for me, anyway) (besides the airconditioning) was the fact that we got to see a rainbow...!</div>
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Which must have been an omen of good things to come...</div>
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Shortly after seeing the rainbow, the girl that was house/pet sitting for us sent me this text. My cat was stretched out in one of our window boxes. After seeing this, I started feeling super homesick and was anxious to return to non-nomad living.<br />
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When we returned the rental van, the final mileage that we ended up putting on it was 6070 miles...<br />
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It was definitely a trip to remember...A trip of a lifetime, really...</div>
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But it was good to be home!</div>
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shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7594402383526316742.post-40644823904797123332013-07-12T21:08:00.000-04:002014-02-06T11:53:49.207-05:00Yellowstone Trip--Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We met up with 4 out of 5 of Brian's brothers and his sister and all of their kids and Brian's parents, Pete and Judy...</div>
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It was really great to see everyone as they were all really little the last time they were all together...</div>
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We rented 2 cabins in Island Park (which is about 45 minutes from Yellowstone Park) on the Idaho side.</div>
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The bigger house/cabin was where all the kids slept and a few "lucky" adults...(tee hee...twasn't me!)</div>
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The girls didn't waste any time getting in the hot tub!</div>
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I failed to see the appeal when the outside temperature was about as hot as the water temp! ugh!</div>
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Who knew hunting for ground squirrels would be such a popular past time with the boys?</div>
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After watching an overview of the park at the IMax theatre, we headed over to Old Faithful to see the geyser go off...</div>
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Top: Allie, AuBrea McKinnley, McKayla, Madison</div>
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Bottom: Ellie, KarLeigh, Bailey, Reilly</div>
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Ellie took a real liking to Allie....</div>
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Shannon and Tawnya</div>
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We went on a hike...(which ended up not being all together). Not sure how Libby and I got separated from everyone else, but we managed to take a few pictures of the scenery...</div>
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Isn't it amazing?</div>
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Probably shouldn't have been this close, but couldn't resist...</div>
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He seemed to have other things on his mind than me, anyway!</div>
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Yeah! I know...how cool is this?! </div>
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This guy right near the road!</div>
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This was one of the views from one of the several sulfur pots located around the park...<br />
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We had a picnic in Mammoth where we saw a ton of elk just laying around. Notice the babies to the right!<br />
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And this! Wow...not something you see everyday, that's for sure!</div>
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After driving forEVER, we finally ended up spotting a bear. A bear sighting had been tops on all of our wish lists!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250338154756355827noreply@blogger.com0