tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62946840180832652222024-02-06T21:48:23.073-08:00Ryan & Brenda Miller FamilyEst. 2004Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-73695879181400834442012-10-14T11:04:00.004-07:002012-10-14T11:04:54.546-07:00Still alive -- now in Kaysville UTThis blog has been completely inactive for nearly three years. Kind of pathetic, but here's a brief update -- if nothing else for recordkeeping sake. <br />
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We are renting a house in east Kaysville. Neither of us has ever lived in Utah--unless you count Brenda's childbirth and very early years in Orem and my two-month stint in the Provo Missionary Training Center. We seem to be blending in with the culture reasonably well since we both primarily originate from southeast Idaho -- considered as a cultural extension of Utah. <br />
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Ty (12) has started seventh grade at Diamond Fork Junior High School in Spanish Fork. Drew (7) and Matt (6) entered 2nd and 1st grade, respectively, at Columbia Elementary School in Kaysville. Brady will turn four tomorrow, and he attends preschool twice weekly at Columbia Elementary. <br />
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Brenda is in her final semester to earn her credentials as a certified medical coder. She studies online with Montana State University. For the past two years she has carried loads of 16-20 credits/semester. While quantitatively heavy, she has also performed with superior quality making the dean's list each semester. <br />
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I finished my Ob/Gyn residency and the written boards in June 2012 after spending four years at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, TX. I am employed by Tanner Clinic, and my office is west of Layton in Syracuse. I began work on September 4 after a delayed credentialing process. If you have any friends in the Syracuse and surrounding areas, please encourage conception -- in the most tactful manner possible, of course. <br />
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Halloween is around the corner, and we look forward to it each year. We are anticipating a Harry Potter family theme. We will try to post pictures of the festivities -- hopefully before the next triannual blog post. Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-21778884377656207122009-12-15T08:14:00.000-08:002009-12-15T09:40:16.845-08:00Early ChristmasWe usually travel each Christmas to see our respective families, but before that we celebrate and have our own quiet Christmas with just the kids. This year was no exception. The kids are a year older and it shows. Their comprehension of the event and ability to express themselves increases our enjoyment as well.<br /><br />The Night Before Christmas. We made hot chocolate together and then the kids picked a candy cane from the tree to stir it with...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415501018325178002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyU1P9DtWjVFzWkLQmM39Al1jP-LLsG4iGIkO5OBjzuK0Kxz9QTlNOnDY0BvLGvGeH7a0aUbR0mWr71JVvNDlpn-EdXtJ3K4kedkyIuT-HILrRxdKou7MdtiNy34EjCydDS7pDWEcuHA/s320/029.JPG" /><br />We also made gingerbread cookies together for Santa, but Drew & Matt thought it was important that we leave the reindeer some carrots...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415501024470663490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhGdidyu5_Gg01M7Ba5DcoQJC7FzRq5Nb27mUdW98pYK-G7_MeY2hTxQz6IL0L19VD2ihInhLELLMajLPEgTHzDD6s2EL32FpZ3tLSVYSoRqBxO6HwWVVXFlSu9cqrA1cAu-K-XUQ8KY/s320/034.JPG" /><br />Christmas Morning! I was up an hour before the kids (not by choice), and was ready and waiting with the camera to get a shot of them sprinting toward the tree. Ryan still had a small window of time before he had to leave for work, so this was one morning I didn't want them to sleep in anyway. I left the room for two minutes to use the bathroom, and wouldn't you know, it was the <em>exact</em> time they bounded down the stairs screaming and hollering! As I heard, "Mom, Mom! It's Christmas!", I closed my eyes and tried not to be too disappointed that I was trapped in isolation during a climatic moment. This is Drew opening his stocking. He usually selects and examines each item one at a time and asks questions about everything...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415501029787595250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6j1i72Or3FhrQGFhK_WbWOcFJIWifMDxsEmo1qnJe0C3CZaEYwKP20l1Yw0gv1SUtRpmTFT4i99WFzECmNMvsvDS25hjlebcqzEhcnsEp9Gwv7O7CxmkgFD1OjH__MEwEz27GvcFntkM/s320/039.JPG" /><br />Our baby Brady with his favorite food...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415502523262657842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-A_NjqfafMHW2AF3z25owGeSuyFpx4XbLSP_BnSc0UZg7cK9GJeMd4MpipKP6hgjRR2wFquo4kODiq6nc_IqXf8GwyDYjTiFhaBvl3HgYGkZhUh_HZF1qsm9isr3vfTu-3OWPLterULA/s320/043.JPG" /><br />Ah, the first present! Drew opened Iron Man with Matt's help...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415501043244237538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoBE-OTxvAmPX7l3gzeY38Pa2534Mn3rsxe5kcZE6btWcdZ7alkS-mrq9z5y_HEgl9KK-I91WLeqy1NC72i7xhXtPJgilLwcduC22t6sJkHxrq888Jx-AMoWPsJC5Ddfs7GZ2mWiKIPw/s320/045.JPG" /><br />Next came Matt with his Daredevil. They were so excited to see what the other got...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415501872141501282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOuhBic2YxLdO-AuWCvvuSU3s6xR2Mg1eDefwFuCxJYYB1-1d24O4TTi4iRNHN4Pqi_T2BS5kIF1DvVTDzwwubTEJKx9ALp68m9AgTjAGI7sYO1nUeUW9r67hGFDUIm1147zbFKmvizs/s320/048.JPG" /><br />Finally the gift coveted most of all... the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiderman</span> web shooter. Drew told me a few nights before at the ward Christmas party, "Mom, I talked to Santa and he said he was going to bring me the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiderman</span> Webs! I know he's bringing it to me!" I didn't know Santa was bringing it either, until the night before Christmas at the 11th hour. It was like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ralphie</span> and his gun. They thought there wasn't any more to open until I said, "What's that behind the tree?" After the gift was spotted they didn't even come out from behind the tree to open it. It was like the scene in Jurassic Park where the raptors are fed, because it was a frenzy of paper flying everywhere, and in a nanosecond it was over...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415501877044800178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiserBErx_KGtrH5xkEcSVfvi8zQVcqWk3zKvbqNC96LolzHJAwFwMVXD9YBcjgbLtLsM5pZjKQAHxI4PPFHCoCxWqM7n45_eW-Acokr45MhTqb7G467V4HK_qYK7gOlLEcQHRUs9AQAN8/s320/050.JPG" />After it was over and we said our goodbyes to Daddy, we lounged and talked about how much fun we had and how fortunate we were to have a Christmas. We talked about the shepherds and how their staffs were shaped like a candy cane. We talked about the star on top of the tree and how it helps us remember the Star of Bethlehem that rose in the sky when Christ was born. We talked about how excited we are to see our families and celebrate with them as well. We watched Christmas movies, listened to music, ate lots of chocolates and oranges, cracked nuts with the nutcracker (the kids participated and the shells were flying), and played, played, played. It was a blast.Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-50350075127374379072009-12-10T11:47:00.000-08:002009-12-10T18:46:02.750-08:00Christmas On The PecosThis year we attended a totally fun event called Christmas On The Pecos. Every year during the holiday season in Carlsbad, NM, the city welcomes people from all around to view the gorgeous Christmas lights along the Pecos River by floating down the river in large boats. These boats seat around 80 people and take big groups down the river for a trip that lasts about 50 minutes. As we prepared to board, we walked around and enjoyed the lights and shops, admired the pretty river and warmed up with hot cocoa. Then they announced our departure and as we moved down the walkway, workers handed us thick wool blankets and life vests for the kids. We took our seats (all forward-facing) and started the serene tour. The sky and water were as black as night, and it created a nice contrast with all the lights and animated spectacles lining the waterfront. Our kids were just thrilled to be on a boat, bundled up in hats & warm coats & sipping hot chocolate, but the visual appeal made it that much more fun. As we drove home and the kids were sleeping peacefully in the back, I felt grateful we could spend time together as a family and create another fun memory at Christmas time.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413699184131509058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl135-gqircNUoEabwihn9uX1TTCXPl270wNECL_m7G5IVg01L2IBtrWykfFws62vRaoEQWLZVSNAqHLALo2FsMYeNNgvw9jFi-BcTAmn7gST7ifJlj87_dNm4BqMqdSo8fSBAkXjWK6s/s400/054.JPG" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-61899026648750218202009-12-10T10:30:00.000-08:002009-12-10T10:49:49.689-08:00What? Snow!This year we received snowfall that actually stuck around for more than a few hours. The kids were SCREAMING with excitement. They rushed to get on hats, coats, mittens, and had the best time. They had snowball fights, drew patterns on the drift collected on our stone wall, and shoveled snow into their buckets normally used for shoveling sand.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413680461037017746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBZ0UrpzdUsl2Ax6KUdUVu79kHneIQ6qodp2mC0ZK6-4Y1tQ9wQPpO0gxLAU07f6RXRsLDdvAI5d1Rx3cHy2p4l8grsZdqULO43XEcG-p6Jy9-9U0xs1qQd2VGC6Wh6yQmV-3JUhcYIY/s200/008.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413680483582249746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2EtlarmkioUGcYF8WcAbW3K8_Re3u9LU0s9_HKzMdSKpQpi_WoZpo9CXB0x69ZHuZnk7Fvq237oDBfGTS3FmL4LcIdauiAfGt4YFoFPxfkYgpSR7v23ZZDRP0yIRIKd72RPSUYXuuSE/s200/016.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413680469344555202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXYIr3_VYCGm5YhuqzH__n60j_RU84AYawQQu3xEGX6-kXC_hyAGszonvh5u0V2o7VzrfTvXQD8IZnlKZ-VioJ53CwykRGO0BUDVcYOPzhtrzCu_q0Hkk9RnaDFvnnn8TTq3XffAfLks/s200/012.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413680479233917538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yX0BNX4x_ts0ctjz_c5H3tUBKiSPX60fb4F3gxLXsjfKIeHd_fVM27rqkxwZLUn1VEjo1LTF85qYz7bd4nRud6JURARWzvEnOrlqfUvqrN5Pp8cqmSn_-ipkVbjIfr7p6YWWFD81rbI/s200/013.JPG" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-40660264535474189332009-12-02T20:58:00.001-08:002009-12-02T21:29:52.146-08:00ThanksgivingI <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">should've</span> taken a lesson from last year that Thanksgiving is just easier when I cook as much food in advance as possible. Last year I don't remember feeling desperate for 4 ovens. I don't remember having to stall the turkey in order to cook the side dishes. Things just worked better last year... oh ya, I woke up at 3:00am to start on everything. This year I didn't start until breakfast was over, and I found myself unhappily "chained to the stove" until Ryan's little two-hour break before he left for work again. As a result I felt guilty for neglecting the kids and I felt rushed to have everything completed precisely at Ryan's "go" time--and then it was difficult to relax and enjoy the meal anyway. It had me asking, was it worth it? The best part was talking with the kids about what they're grateful for. Their simple answers <em>center</em> me and bring me back into focus.<br /><br />After dinner was over and the kids were in bed, I contemplated whether I had the energy to drag the tree out of the garage and put the Christmas decorations up. Ryan was working 26 out of 30 nights in November, and the thought of me asking him to put up the tree between shifts garnered the mental image of tired, flat rejection. I'm learning more and more that if I want something done, I just have to do it myself. Needless to say, I changed my mind a few times and then finally relented, wrestling the gigantic tree box in. The next morning my kids woke up and raced toward the tree in excitement. I purposefully left some ornaments in their boxes so the kids could help decorate the tree and feel the pride of knowing they contributed to its beauty. Now every day we talk about everything we love about the holidays, our plans this year, what we're looking forward to, and of course, how many times we have to wake up before Santa comes! Seeing the world through their eyes... nothing better.Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-78925070473525483382009-10-31T19:28:00.000-07:002009-10-31T20:14:08.529-07:00Happy Halloween!We had a great time on Halloween! A huge bonus was that Ryan was able to be with us, so the augmented family time made the whole day better. We began the evening at our "trunk or treat" by having dinner and playing games at the carnival. After that we packed up the kids to go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. They were so excited to learn there was more fun ahead as we were leaving the church! That's one thing I love about experiencing holidays with the kids. They inject their magic into everything with their enthusiasm and excitement about every little aspect of the day.<br /><br />This year the kids anticipated Halloween with great angst for several months, and every time we'd ask what they wanted to be, their answer would change. Since we couldn't nail a specific theme down, we decided to go with Superman. Ryan was Clark Kent. Matt was Clark Kent changing into Superman. Drew was Superman, and if you recall the classic Christopher Reeve movies, Brady portrayed Superman as a baby when he landed on earth. I went as Lois Lane, and since my wardrobe lacked one of her snazzy pastel business suits, I looked like "Flight Attendant Lois Lane..." "Passengers, we are beginning our decent into El Paso. Please see that your tray tables are in the upright and locked position." I thought Ryan looked great--tall, dark and handsome! The kids don't look very enthused in the picture, but they loved what they wore. Drew even said throughout the night, "I sure love my costume!" Matt gave people demonstrations of how he could pull his shirt apart and start changing into Superman. He does the same thing around the house, only he sprints from one side of the house to the other, spins in a circle, pretends to put his boots on, and then "flies" to the other side of the house as Superman. Brady just stood there and looked cute, and for any wondering, he wasn't cold. I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween. You can check out our <em>Monster Mash</em> Halloween video at the bottom of the page.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398960899384284194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERYXgkckZ8nVyKJb1RD6xoo3euGSEFZvVN0LyUoOLA-fWSES_ojRZURWQv0gZULI41b_vl05RLCUZAa088_qSr-Xilhyphenhyphenq_cbUcf__uiCSpcgBYYj5SCmkZcY14m8GeiBOJjtLbR9MSF4/s400/007.JPG" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-13414053733132235172009-10-20T11:25:00.001-07:002009-10-20T20:17:31.296-07:00Brady's 1st BirthdayBrady's birthday was fun. The kids enjoyed celebrating all day, and we got to visit Ryan at the hospital and sing "Happy Birthday" with the nursing staff. It was a good thing we had fun during the day, because as evening wore on, our happy party morphed into a fiasco. First I made the mistake of running errands all day, which robbed Brady of valuable sleep. Then as we cleaned up dinner and bedtime came, my good-natured baby short-circuited into a wailing, screaming, arching of the back nightmare. I couldn't keep him happy to save my life. Finally, I waved the white flag (gave up on waiting for Ryan) and brought out his birthday cupcake with the candle lit, hoping to distract him long enough to take at least one good photo. But the cupcake seemed to upset him more, like, "I didn't ask for a cupcake! I want to GO TO BED!" Then it all came to a head while I was fiddling with the camera settings and trying to remember how to activate the video. Brady lurched forward and put the candle out with his fingers, and the night officially ended. Dejected and defeated, I scooped up my tortured baby and headed upstairs to bed. Drew and Matt were yelling that he still needed to eat his cupcake, and I let the chaos, fatigue and stress get to me by roaring back that the party was OVER! So much for the ideal, picture-perfect scene. The following afternoon we did a "Take 2" by giving him the cupcake under better circumstances (still without Ryan, but what do you do?). I can't fully express what Brady means to me; what mother can truly articulate it? All I know is that he is a <span style="font-size:130%;">priceless</span>, integral part of our family, and may never know how much I fiercely love him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRmXoo4vSft8ZPoB9Rsuef167LS30AkeJ0zgkE673HWpwsTq7StUW2eL8RoRp7vOo5O4BHa_RyM0r-JgXgHYNK1dzkjV7wFprUUBiDlng252bcZCGdPE-eKFCCA6wGdgwbg18XQCkmVM/s1600-h/IMG_3824.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 190px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394781474498320146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRmXoo4vSft8ZPoB9Rsuef167LS30AkeJ0zgkE673HWpwsTq7StUW2eL8RoRp7vOo5O4BHa_RyM0r-JgXgHYNK1dzkjV7wFprUUBiDlng252bcZCGdPE-eKFCCA6wGdgwbg18XQCkmVM/s200/IMG_3824.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIphHF20kMHyXIT6pZVuI2q7VCYL5zZBRf6jWL6WbdmC1QqYPFLkNxaPeF1iQqx7IdXR8OEYBjgezZ6rGVLNpmbvC6ZleaxgM_mZ3xjwCIuyZ6E1_zysApLsUx3E9XuRJ6dHUzTgStxU/s1600-h/IMG_0188.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP65o2xnPDtrBTx0w3ZuAsR0W0xxQb9TJdM9LSKyxFlpVqY76LVfqSlLlIOXGpXGSC_iwiWgFG2oGMRdOt-2ljjhR1TEVH7gePAy4dsTp8yD2OWOCUuT3rK2mXbB46O7E5Qy1iztQaN0A/s1600-h/003+(2).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394766608537395138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP65o2xnPDtrBTx0w3ZuAsR0W0xxQb9TJdM9LSKyxFlpVqY76LVfqSlLlIOXGpXGSC_iwiWgFG2oGMRdOt-2ljjhR1TEVH7gePAy4dsTp8yD2OWOCUuT3rK2mXbB46O7E5Qy1iztQaN0A/s200/003+(2).JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1x-TMKQz2E-Ig08lp575ZRlQVNqrE6FukJ66wvoJQbENgndmNDDCp_3XVJag1ZslMfbhrzHU9ZeQMh1NSU5pUpwDIY8TPkghF8Zv5g-OfGSXxO1bUC5V_4DOezGVfEECume7qNoeuBf0/s1600-h/088.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAhVUJgF1t-7T9e_MXD4PvyDE0-tefUd1M5ox9Y-iDZV7fnvOIj6YLQhgnXaf-eecq-jpLzqKwroDD6K5DSS6Wi-Xpn9tPSMQZry5hbyfd6dWQgh3Hgyt1w1qV7b8KD7e6-Wy17NFxFY/s1600-h/028.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48cPDyMWNCKNj5vvuIEOqefkdiErMfgcgJQLZwni1cLYPM7Me-hE_hYe6JO4ms1FNlq5r07NBQ7MNx8Cz00ghalnir-T8JBF7OaO4yI6nygS7xAlowYT3aGrVY45Q-nKdcEondvLkoRQ/s1600-h/062+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; 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HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394780320455416674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHgSOp9Id3e-k4HKNgQFePhT8WiyyI0u5nxtoMPNIb0oD29JnfoOttOOJ565TtbOQf-SEWHJqtJcO130vtQc9QInUG4CUM3YuRTOwkqm4AEmjlXVyKNscPHpd1Addoc_7MmB2xfljK14/s200/087.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFo3q_dJuhzDNiB9cA0L_qLGZDEvJtlqGiCFTZOSNTE_zOCxvuk_S-44ov1pSVTR8NKuBW4CR0KKnZXruUt8M9ajQqKxnG9HJKXP5rrVXJ3D0M_r-qzFGbMBvc9MOQn00dSoGg-S-J_g/s1600-h/089.JPG"></a>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-25605224444798522692009-10-20T10:54:00.001-07:002009-10-20T15:11:23.899-07:00Pumpkin PatchWe had a fantastic time this year at a great pumpkin patch just 20 minutes away in New Mexico. It was still warm with temperatures in the low 80s, but it didn't feel nearly as hot as last year when I was big and pregnant and one week away from delivering. The boys were able to enjoy the big rubber tubing slide, giant sandbox, mini maze, farm animals, tractor ride and the pumpkin selection. The grilled corn smelled so good, but we didn't take time to eat this year. I also didn't venture out with them into the giant corn maze, but I was able to have fun watching them explore and take part in the activities while Daddy stayed home with a napping Brady. Freedom!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCqy6e73fBCTbclb9d9uWIA7zuDXjjvc7_AahNc_heEdzE_qoaBuLeL_44gJvxKkjXCHKataVQQpTEn1-EBllZKBzmWcVE3pnpmWvWSuV78BoSY_K6boW9Tc3zg2zDUlyI-qWFVc3sts/s1600-h/001.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBxe-MyjsiuVnUdkmvjSxYm_WZf9F_IAnoWldZ8Mq49oxh3Du_JXyedkkM4bIIPmgk8Vyj5HEnAOf8jnIy83CtICe_uXCLeIJDrjMzdNPMQLmE7jruZfgJ8SVP8XGzQicGET2QgbaXfs/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394744580652406562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBxe-MyjsiuVnUdkmvjSxYm_WZf9F_IAnoWldZ8Mq49oxh3Du_JXyedkkM4bIIPmgk8Vyj5HEnAOf8jnIy83CtICe_uXCLeIJDrjMzdNPMQLmE7jruZfgJ8SVP8XGzQicGET2QgbaXfs/s200/002.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzsEa7IQK4o68adiABwii37Z5zpG5RGCbG_7G6LpZpn524DMw-x4aBvl5Kb1KsdtWj5GZjtxlTE8JqOQ8R1EWy19Sw0fzF4Utdm0iFc_H1iHjxKmLVjnbiNi8Oz7EuUiF2n81klCYaCM/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; 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HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394744631646937490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiMMondpycyz1r-YnVoRRm5hvOJ5sy_ZLrXYqoZ4vE3qQ6xoLMtxf7LVKI5g4JeUBpdpiWHgtevzyODbpQd0vZq8EvGSjeflaF3H6QOn2RQcmtVmPNi57uINMBGI7tzABbfR6Oejab1g/s200/013.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C4KfZXCNjbEseA1eXIfhrkE9B41BTwqGZdRyzJNX85v8kWoPC_d9bFFHzXIoyttXhYNG9iCiGLahYGE468BFdJVWELnqA_iYoWWyl2gAaOxZ1vjhc7DkthyphenhyphenOstNGexyNvv0Vx_GMO2s/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394746402375378642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C4KfZXCNjbEseA1eXIfhrkE9B41BTwqGZdRyzJNX85v8kWoPC_d9bFFHzXIoyttXhYNG9iCiGLahYGE468BFdJVWELnqA_iYoWWyl2gAaOxZ1vjhc7DkthyphenhyphenOstNGexyNvv0Vx_GMO2s/s200/019.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKB3b-9iaes-KYiUV7xWMocipPfkVQ5CqfLsXJ8jQsAFihLYG3xN5eRSFTOlJdME0c2uVwrSh8klsLme-emzgkJxJFYaWVfihz_A3HpwExCPJQhIfXDIvByy4cGVjpRNaE74rwEXzaG8/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394746395153098994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKB3b-9iaes-KYiUV7xWMocipPfkVQ5CqfLsXJ8jQsAFihLYG3xN5eRSFTOlJdME0c2uVwrSh8klsLme-emzgkJxJFYaWVfihz_A3HpwExCPJQhIfXDIvByy4cGVjpRNaE74rwEXzaG8/s200/017.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgid6MqiP_koOtHi4K5luItt63dMNaWz2Mx6aY1ZOZiHMUKQGRLJgScDyBwbswzcgirN5c6cOrFTAVRirQk__5uxyvGjoZPvwaOiTNOZgeW2EAGLei6kp_S4mRvFvHYcsLDolwshtL6M/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394746358552957314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgid6MqiP_koOtHi4K5luItt63dMNaWz2Mx6aY1ZOZiHMUKQGRLJgScDyBwbswzcgirN5c6cOrFTAVRirQk__5uxyvGjoZPvwaOiTNOZgeW2EAGLei6kp_S4mRvFvHYcsLDolwshtL6M/s200/015.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiMWe7dUer0kA-n_tSFMPnezoduYNrsF7ujC7Mmj9LlULyax91EEPCigibWRVS7DBhsw47dDgCRkSe1yJmeCIhTSwkBj6c-viDN-3LpK5iLkIKUf5AHeUoLXKU6cW3MkR2CqHgTsLtNA/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394746378532485250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiMWe7dUer0kA-n_tSFMPnezoduYNrsF7ujC7Mmj9LlULyax91EEPCigibWRVS7DBhsw47dDgCRkSe1yJmeCIhTSwkBj6c-viDN-3LpK5iLkIKUf5AHeUoLXKU6cW3MkR2CqHgTsLtNA/s200/016.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh6rjiurBnwenC4vw9a3LBtwIkqQhpg-RF071Gg8aCb1EgXyKGBpzAOBoADFt_J0Mr6uRU2SmKtr9Hrj1EaTHP5AoFBVVcIo7oom6hTVBwiajH2AqCUV-In2V8840puMtbysa4HLxXCY/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394746341555386562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvh6rjiurBnwenC4vw9a3LBtwIkqQhpg-RF071Gg8aCb1EgXyKGBpzAOBoADFt_J0Mr6uRU2SmKtr9Hrj1EaTHP5AoFBVVcIo7oom6hTVBwiajH2AqCUV-In2V8840puMtbysa4HLxXCY/s200/014.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAywn0Pj1yVNoK1PP_hgIJLFlYwh5polF5_6CfmqLuEKWNxwyShgNniu9EaWzb5bHPF8h3zhaMeEX6TuesyjtvFO0nTSvqaW4SZX7Exy8yfchVhqPg9zaeBKllQwFmMfPI-K_UvV8dpT8/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394747715146347202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAywn0Pj1yVNoK1PP_hgIJLFlYwh5polF5_6CfmqLuEKWNxwyShgNniu9EaWzb5bHPF8h3zhaMeEX6TuesyjtvFO0nTSvqaW4SZX7Exy8yfchVhqPg9zaeBKllQwFmMfPI-K_UvV8dpT8/s200/020.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7XM6AFKx2_O8eRIxVCZIyDo69ym4G9JmuSBvzFF_K5hXRL1n3-a95bYZJ6svkGnCGxfaulN-Cmc4AmQgpjXi3O0Tlsns_61LpxOoE6dUblutLhlMFBwRpyIBniDQO8G1wmTiIfFLkjU/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394747721691008642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7XM6AFKx2_O8eRIxVCZIyDo69ym4G9JmuSBvzFF_K5hXRL1n3-a95bYZJ6svkGnCGxfaulN-Cmc4AmQgpjXi3O0Tlsns_61LpxOoE6dUblutLhlMFBwRpyIBniDQO8G1wmTiIfFLkjU/s200/021.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneWLBfOoP4-oJhFuoi35Gs35TSWpACE6byyhyphenhyphenEzyBjEUZzAWLcvoH94GI3yFvqqBZD6c4k7LHKU9k5i3BnhYmeY8WMhA5p3u7PsqFJP9Ne0qjldFPGNw0iqBv03fPTnAN5w19-g_4uns/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394747735900239682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneWLBfOoP4-oJhFuoi35Gs35TSWpACE6byyhyphenhyphenEzyBjEUZzAWLcvoH94GI3yFvqqBZD6c4k7LHKU9k5i3BnhYmeY8WMhA5p3u7PsqFJP9Ne0qjldFPGNw0iqBv03fPTnAN5w19-g_4uns/s200/022.JPG" /></a>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-53775619486840681752009-10-03T12:59:00.000-07:002009-10-03T15:07:59.697-07:00Puppy Surgery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihHeUNE5ml1ICjXE7NAMvYu6u3WcCLr_4XWijluUsRQUPn4H3r35iDKT2FfAZ2nQCn1qFcbDuYExdfFzUiL4BYLyUUoUIHF4mRnFkNLqgEe7aFM5KMsmoyP5nHn_YYAtJ30OQZ5oUnNA/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388485339030109330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihHeUNE5ml1ICjXE7NAMvYu6u3WcCLr_4XWijluUsRQUPn4H3r35iDKT2FfAZ2nQCn1qFcbDuYExdfFzUiL4BYLyUUoUIHF4mRnFkNLqgEe7aFM5KMsmoyP5nHn_YYAtJ30OQZ5oUnNA/s320/020.JPG" /></a> <div>Pre-Op Diagnosis: 3-month old puppy with abdominal wound suffered at home, suspect domestic violence.</div><div>Post-Op Diagnosis: Same</div><div>Procedures: Abdominal wound closure</div><div>Surgeon: Dad</div><div>Assistant: Matt Miller</div><div>Anesthesia: None</div><div>Start Time: 13:44<br />End Time: 13:47</div><div>Fluid Replacement: None</div><div>Surgical Wound Classification: Clean</div><div>Antibiotics: None</div><div>Complications: None</div><div>Dressings: None</div><div>Post-op Plan: Recovery Room ---> Home after Social Services Clearance<br /></div><div>Procedures: Puppy was brought to couch and laid in dorsal supine position. No prepping or draping. No anesthesia. 2-0 Vicryl used to close 2.5 cm midline abdominal wound. Puppy tolerated procedure well. Instrument counts were correct x 2. Sent to recovery room in stable condition.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388486240371661698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYt8sJEqxze_x3_5oD4MbVEQ84WysmUAK-8IC8mxM0ZWJK0ZkzjCDcAU2YEHcK9-Z6nglFNnyHvyxKqxaBljGY01_l5CN-IYiPcn1FPY8-VU-WDtoQX-eO1H0Hey2PWrCszcgXM_QA1i4/s320/021.JPG" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-39829700144854457022009-09-19T21:58:00.001-07:002009-09-20T15:29:10.342-07:00Flashback: Halloween 2008This is Ryan blogging, so my words will be less eloquent and more brief. I think Brenda is an excellent writer, but she suffers from a chronic condition called detail diarrhea.<br /><br />Since spring of this year, Drew and Matt have literally been discussing their Halloween costume possibilities on a daily basis. We still have not made final decisions for this upcoming year because they change their minds by the hour. So...while Halloween has been abuzz around our house and because we never posted many pics from last year, a flashback is in order.<br /><br />Aside: Brenda doesn't feel flattered by her appearance in the picture because she'd just given birth and landed herself in the ICU, but I thought she looked great. Thanks for coming out with us on Halloween, dear.<br /><br />Kudos to the first person who guesses my character.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383412232724325410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4AbqY7Bs53Z7r605S1n-HTMyxHKp54F0-aWVJkaRT5s4qKFKMmeMOnETvbyxV1SqYFET9nkuzojQbBdWB0Wc0f4qOTCULB_KmvrBYJqM9D7A3N9zSyKVMqyoACG8eoQG6iWXuHWsRdI/s320/IMG00012.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 385px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 325px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383411577679526098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9fPJfldHRFenesCCEBJ_ftD1U14rqRpR0H2A2nCMga1wCYmdHrgfNOfKFoOI5IcdZ8BMRnQRGLhhnzLzPjYjM8YVBK8q1xcObvO_xf7ErDkVRV1cNXqriSuTBeMJw4QBvYl0VUlZC1k/s320/IMG00005.jpg" /> <p></p><p></p>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-72110252333859854532009-08-14T14:14:00.000-07:002009-08-14T16:28:03.355-07:00San AntonioIn April we went to San Antonio to visit friends and explore the sights. We had an absolute blast enjoying The River Walk, The Alamo and Sea World. Ryan was able to take a boys' night and go to a Spurs game with good friends from medical school. It was the final game of the regular season, and as luck would have it the game went into overtime (Spurs winning), so it was exciting. We laughed, caught up with great friends and relished our days of quality family time (a rarity nowadays). Here are some pictures from the trip:<br /><br />Sea World<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg319wjSuro8V9mZ7xYlXK_hzbL0oBMo7E7iXdoM4VH8b4biGqJ8lQKjR2f9yVMwelwYKVM3kmHqjQeeVaDkrLDtgMXuUYajcHpXgrzDsmKuBKSJvnFUDcrEAkRFa1MqLlOHl2-vuYLRg8/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369938443107403074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg319wjSuro8V9mZ7xYlXK_hzbL0oBMo7E7iXdoM4VH8b4biGqJ8lQKjR2f9yVMwelwYKVM3kmHqjQeeVaDkrLDtgMXuUYajcHpXgrzDsmKuBKSJvnFUDcrEAkRFa1MqLlOHl2-vuYLRg8/s200/008.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_BVi2GabWMQLP4qmGpgm2N3fd3Uc3Cy5kpdg4varFN1ISHv3wHGAQyVr29L69o8amCn2-Zb8C2PXvwZMKLDPa0KGEWgsAhEDTHGOYkSd9EJ8NgrzzRGeqkMUuJ8Lqe8XrfqIClJ4kRg/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369938484770033730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_BVi2GabWMQLP4qmGpgm2N3fd3Uc3Cy5kpdg4varFN1ISHv3wHGAQyVr29L69o8amCn2-Zb8C2PXvwZMKLDPa0KGEWgsAhEDTHGOYkSd9EJ8NgrzzRGeqkMUuJ8Lqe8XrfqIClJ4kRg/s200/017.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZuOpk_gx5HM-DvES8NAb4mZcSlEXNrgwB-VBoZZzDE8AVzGhqSM_fz31TT1hoWoTuqTfsa8u9fZtqlW-tNpd7xqRNfwq75lw6CNbTl8sKHWGaU-p8nsLbaUJVR7ioeUVKrAWLLCP-GU/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369938452468406866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZuOpk_gx5HM-DvES8NAb4mZcSlEXNrgwB-VBoZZzDE8AVzGhqSM_fz31TT1hoWoTuqTfsa8u9fZtqlW-tNpd7xqRNfwq75lw6CNbTl8sKHWGaU-p8nsLbaUJVR7ioeUVKrAWLLCP-GU/s200/010.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pHAHCNODNifei9TRy04B859qAM-XmNjUmyZMb1oVrUy2fwC6fp5vZQ-GCBPSdV9s3h8erpJeIfORctqrHXfLIPGDCxg_kbeLyaVk-6qGqcEsSAnKpf9WwOEf9-NSEM4p3VWyhY-lsQc/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369938472202978722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pHAHCNODNifei9TRy04B859qAM-XmNjUmyZMb1oVrUy2fwC6fp5vZQ-GCBPSdV9s3h8erpJeIfORctqrHXfLIPGDCxg_kbeLyaVk-6qGqcEsSAnKpf9WwOEf9-NSEM4p3VWyhY-lsQc/s200/013.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlmozw1E_cxXhzXQlf4mqiHfXsbwAB-b57LgkRuJmzQOGdQIAIw-9ddh7ukc1V3dEWoGnwt1fmQtPJ_LAguvmKOrBoauhPeue0GFZ_EMD2dd3qToNBYTHEMCNHbYQX_lWa_NgDx0Yf6E/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369938465440226866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlmozw1E_cxXhzXQlf4mqiHfXsbwAB-b57LgkRuJmzQOGdQIAIw-9ddh7ukc1V3dEWoGnwt1fmQtPJ_LAguvmKOrBoauhPeue0GFZ_EMD2dd3qToNBYTHEMCNHbYQX_lWa_NgDx0Yf6E/s200/011.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrDAzH0qojR8inkVicqa-NotI_mYoVX4u4pYf6g2WdswMyy61pW22UuNMWjUarWs09r1FsBG-WUSKI6TGElktUDqMsvMI3DkR2875BbL4wEwDkznJTEFipllBUsBDdsqMromtem8nvuM/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369939978762123362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrDAzH0qojR8inkVicqa-NotI_mYoVX4u4pYf6g2WdswMyy61pW22UuNMWjUarWs09r1FsBG-WUSKI6TGElktUDqMsvMI3DkR2875BbL4wEwDkznJTEFipllBUsBDdsqMromtem8nvuM/s200/020.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHJ5s66R-lejS3xhRdmCR7UOOHwia2Hz-dyoRd6JMbqxk-1LwREhlxLm3VCi5qgE4Gyf4AcJPDXw6xAcK1YNKtNmJ9dSlQjio5zB0sgFs6tAwHcL0qUdKarPv9Tz5A9B0TYWi20YQ_A8/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369939994256024114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHJ5s66R-lejS3xhRdmCR7UOOHwia2Hz-dyoRd6JMbqxk-1LwREhlxLm3VCi5qgE4Gyf4AcJPDXw6xAcK1YNKtNmJ9dSlQjio5zB0sgFs6tAwHcL0qUdKarPv9Tz5A9B0TYWi20YQ_A8/s200/028.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2nCQ2ahqa5vcLcW5kF7pUBoyFz689bY40LQ8GYwneKMAkblZQjbb3obc0cP2QXY8qVzHIkr9sIXU0MJLisx-LZVebWyAntdE00AA9Sor3rN_bMshY12OCeZ0NthJz3cb45QHEB1Qvv8/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369939985704755538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2nCQ2ahqa5vcLcW5kF7pUBoyFz689bY40LQ8GYwneKMAkblZQjbb3obc0cP2QXY8qVzHIkr9sIXU0MJLisx-LZVebWyAntdE00AA9Sor3rN_bMshY12OCeZ0NthJz3cb45QHEB1Qvv8/s200/025.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div></div><div>The Alamo </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xGNap4eML3iUFxUa-df-Cw7Y1odL8RFodzprqiQYBHxAU6tctQN-YyyUxH9mSxSf7ca39I_WP16NWcms4l3vCY2In2_QdLb2VI4a7nC39BxHqZKQEtf5HgfS2AuYaWu5vKiH2TTIf0E/s1600-h/049.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369940009406037746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xGNap4eML3iUFxUa-df-Cw7Y1odL8RFodzprqiQYBHxAU6tctQN-YyyUxH9mSxSf7ca39I_WP16NWcms4l3vCY2In2_QdLb2VI4a7nC39BxHqZKQEtf5HgfS2AuYaWu5vKiH2TTIf0E/s200/049.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4avFD4tCWGA3WR_33FFe5pgaENKzIiVwk2vGoJ1QKohzGMWIjHeHgIOshgszRh5pAu0nTjjkgJMirH3qZ9nYPArRn7C8cWB7unrDCJgd9nc6p8mHg4RDj308OJAZUVUni__YXvfcMvd0/s1600-h/050.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369940016031039666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4avFD4tCWGA3WR_33FFe5pgaENKzIiVwk2vGoJ1QKohzGMWIjHeHgIOshgszRh5pAu0nTjjkgJMirH3qZ9nYPArRn7C8cWB7unrDCJgd9nc6p8mHg4RDj308OJAZUVUni__YXvfcMvd0/s200/050.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div>The River Walk </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMViys0kPlJlzH9grlHprT3p3D0zGWmFrOkzZmWDAgE-RWsv2RCp_BTbSqM2vJUwgLsN_GbRSPjpaagretmstam-M6Mz1OYPD1DIR6uMOF_jzrqAVrQl94CaRr0eslCnqce28sy7QT2So/s1600-h/055.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369942947278976114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMViys0kPlJlzH9grlHprT3p3D0zGWmFrOkzZmWDAgE-RWsv2RCp_BTbSqM2vJUwgLsN_GbRSPjpaagretmstam-M6Mz1OYPD1DIR6uMOF_jzrqAVrQl94CaRr0eslCnqce28sy7QT2So/s200/055.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuCqdSqSOXYFUYm3flkA50WcWSGqLnEQZoupcsK9vAHEUE23A81kHUNj_IerVdCtA9YT_tZAWRJzTB9Jtr-nkgT6kxFxGO3QqtFRWLzczMCAvctzKwZqM4I9-_WfaUkHarub6D_S0P-8/s1600-h/051.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369942922332162706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuCqdSqSOXYFUYm3flkA50WcWSGqLnEQZoupcsK9vAHEUE23A81kHUNj_IerVdCtA9YT_tZAWRJzTB9Jtr-nkgT6kxFxGO3QqtFRWLzczMCAvctzKwZqM4I9-_WfaUkHarub6D_S0P-8/s200/051.JPG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjB-eD_Ie_nxE5oWC19HNwvQKOBDor-1fg8jt6IV37KbjiqpHRtTxGQ8imdJh-YA99bRuACKHvvfiHpJD-oP_9Eo_arQlT99tJi5HXbOjz5OLk1icyETmpIMiQsOKqY90LzrRWSh1RAOE/s1600-h/054.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369942931837151938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjB-eD_Ie_nxE5oWC19HNwvQKOBDor-1fg8jt6IV37KbjiqpHRtTxGQ8imdJh-YA99bRuACKHvvfiHpJD-oP_9Eo_arQlT99tJi5HXbOjz5OLk1icyETmpIMiQsOKqY90LzrRWSh1RAOE/s200/054.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-8572467162610904072009-04-12T14:11:00.000-07:002009-08-14T16:10:08.532-07:00Happy Easter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHosRcX-x1HunX5wCu1Lt3ObbP8KbHdb7ZBcwgEsuAKDQskgwFtbDlPatrdHPsnN3N2XddvczLyQ3NO7Bj9xnaxrKPAOO3_wOQIYY9Ll2-yansucT-pXQXd9LvODAh6ZcSRiqxcbWmQrI/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323918401940602418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHosRcX-x1HunX5wCu1Lt3ObbP8KbHdb7ZBcwgEsuAKDQskgwFtbDlPatrdHPsnN3N2XddvczLyQ3NO7Bj9xnaxrKPAOO3_wOQIYY9Ll2-yansucT-pXQXd9LvODAh6ZcSRiqxcbWmQrI/s320/012.JPG" /></a>It's well into the afternoon and I'm still waiting for Ryan to come home so we can start hunting for baskets. This is the first year we're giving Easter candy to the kids, and I hope they enjoy it. I decided to do a scavenger hunt for the baskets so the event would last longer. Yesterday we had fun at the ward Easter egg hunt and picnic. The kids were a little standoffish at the start of the egg hunt. I had to practically scream at them to get them to pick up an egg. Luckily they gave the smaller kids a head start, so they had a chance to fill their baskets with the designated number of eggs. This event required everyone to bring filled eggs, a picnic and a dessert to share. Naturally, Ryan was working, so it was cumbersome to carry the eggs, picnic lunch, dessert, diaper bag and purse, all while carrying the baby and holding hands with the kids. But we made it and had a good time. I hope all of you have a great Easter Sunday and remember the real reason we celebrate it.Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-9132492709745571332009-03-30T06:51:00.000-07:002009-03-30T14:24:07.087-07:00March MadnessNo, not the NCAA basketball tournament. March was just a crazy month, and I know that if I don't write things down, I won't remember anything about our lives at this moment in time. Since I want to remember everything--the good and not so good--here's a synopsis. March was a mixture of crazy and fun. Let's start with <em>CRAZY</em>:<br /><br />Two Sundays ago, Drew was set to give the scripture in Primary. Ryan was working, so I was extra cognizant that I had to get everyone ready for church a little early to avoid some Murphy's Law-imposed disaster. Twenty-five minutes before church started, I finished buckling the kids in and started the car, when I realized that the car was dead! After a few heart palpitations and deep breathing exercises, I calmed down and recalled that we had a portable car charger that had never been used. I quickly found the box and read the instructions, hoping for a quick solution to get on the road ASAP. The tension in the car swelled as the silent delay ticked away. The baby became more and more fussy. The kids were asking more and more questions with greater annoyance and louder voices. I tried to keep my cool, practically chanting to myself in Buddha-fashion that I couldn't control everything, but I could control my response to it. At T-minus five minutes to the start of church, I realized why the charger wasn't working. It needed an initial charge of 15 hours before the first use. I quickly called and texted a few friends in the ward, but by this time sacrament had already started, and the lack of response was expected and warranted. Now I was looking around at the total breakdown around me. Drew and Matt were whining and kicking their shoes off in frustration. The baby was screaming (because heaven knows he can't go more than 30 minutes without nursing). I was running out of options, when I thought of calling a <em>cab</em>. I called one cab company, who said they didn't have any cars available on my side of town. They referred me to another company, who told me they could have a car to my house in 15 minutes. By this time, Drew was scheduled to GIVE the scripture in 15 minutes, but I hastily agreed with no other options coming to mind. The kids were so "done" waiting around, so I ushered everyone outside to wait, hoping the time would pass by quicker. Finally the cab appeared, and I piled everyone in, acutely aware of the scathing judgements that could be directed my way for not using car seats for the two older kids. I was trying not to fidget as the time slowly passed while this nice, law-abiding, <em>very</em> speed-limit-controlled cab driver made the drive to our church building. After a quick thanks and a $10 payment, I scurried into the Primary Room only to find that we had missed our time! Thankfully a nice sister quietly came up to me and asked if Drew would still like to give the scripture, so we made our way (apologetically) to the podium and recited what we had practiced all week. Now that was an experience to remember!<br /><br /><em>FUN: </em>Last weekend I attended my brother's wedding in Las Vegas. I was so looking forward to it, 1) because I would only have the baby, and 2) I would be spending the weekend with my sister, who I never see. She is so fun and upbeat, I can't help but have a blast every time I'm with her. We walked everywhere and tried to see as many "free" things as possible. In addition, we were able to see the <em>Titanic</em> exhibit with actual artifacts and pieces from the boat, as well as the <em>Tournament of Kings</em> dinner show at the Excalibur Hotel. It was fun, but I felt like a terrible mother since the loud noises and constant hustle and bustle of our surroundings made it almost impossible for Brady to sleep. He was crying all the time. I swear baby life is best suited for a hibernation-type existence where you only leave home for brief "walks in the park" to ensure plenty of good sleep. But since we can't live our life in a bubble, situations like this can arise which cause painful agitation. He would fall asleep intermittently in my arms, only to be awakened by another loud noise or the windy conditions from walking to our next destination. But even with his fussiness, it felt like a true vacation to only have one child to look after. It made me remember why it seemed like so much fun when I only had Drew! With all the fun we had, it was obvious at times that the city is well-suited to indulge decadence. Even in the "kid-friendly" Excalibur Hotel with carnival-like games, we saw a table dancer doing her thing in plain view as we made our way to the dinner show (aimed at kids). At one point we were going down the street and saw a vehicle with a large advertisement that showed the back view of a row of girls clad only in thongs. It struck me as almost humorous (but sad), as if they were horses lined up at the county fair to be judged... "That's top flank right there, fellers! Fed nothing but the best oats! This little darlin' gets the blue ribbon!"... Yes, the city can resemble a modern-day Sodom and Gummorah.<br /><br />After a day of fun on Saturday, we made our way to the Little White Wedding Chapel (of Elvis Presley and Michael Jordan fame) for the ceremony. I was able to see all but one of my siblings and have a fun but too-brief visit before we parted ways and drove home. My sister convinced me to get a good night's sleep at the hotel before setting out on the long drive. The trip there took me what would've taken a "normal" person (with no baby) 11 hours, almost 15 hours. The drive home was no better at 21 (yes, 21) hours, with frequent stops to take care of Brady and avoid an accident from falling asleep at the wheel. I was trying to make it home in time to trade Ryan cars so he could leave on time for work at 5:00am. It turns out I was five minutes late, but it wasn't a big deal. We just had to be more creative about what we did for fun that day. Below is a picture of me and my sister outside the Little White Wedding Chapel after my brother's wedding. We both have necklaces on from our excursion to the <em>Titanic</em> exhibit (she couldn't decide between the "heart of the ocean" necklace and a replica of one of the actual necklaces recovered from the debris, so she got them both!).<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319034761854818818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4g4NJFNZnUT5saabxRecLeCH4FutY3Ynn4OleN0EK44d1EupvZmtwe8Ljh4Ptos2FdpXOYJ9DK7tlCu9xB5iHHL3TiF0WDHuCfcfOSUu-DXWLAGMSVeDARBCE94u__Xqp-WC4kquuBo/s320/IMG_6035.JPG" border="0" /><em>Honorable Mention: </em>This is just one of those stories every mom has, when everything comes to a head and you think, "Well, that's a memory!" I was nursing one morning. Everything seemed pretty calm until Drew yelled, "MOM! Matt pooped on the stairs!" At this point Matt had been having more accidents than usual, and I'd <em>had</em> it with cleaning up poop! I seethed and immediately raced to the stairs with the baby in my arms. Upon viewing the dreaded scene and "fun" that awaited me, I yelled, <em>"Matt!" </em>My voice must have taken on a demonic dimension, because my son shook with a start and didn't know whether to run upstairs or downstairs. He took one step up, but then changed direction and started downstairs. In his confused moment of fear, he lost balance mid-step after realizing he was about to plant his foot firmly on the decrepit pile of crap and fell down the stairs! He fell mostly on his face, and as he lifted it, crying, I saw that the impact had given him a bloody nose! By this time the baby was wailing, Drew was trying to instruct Matt that he shouldn't poo on the stairs, and Matt's dirty derriere was staring up at me while he screamed bloody murder at the red stain growing larger and larger on the carpet beneath him. The culmination of events actually took me over the top and I started laughing! I put the baby down, who's wail turned into a scream, and somehow cleaned everything up. I have a feeling this story will come up later in life as my boys get older and we reminisce about their childhood.Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-7166876953835946372009-03-08T17:16:00.000-07:002009-03-08T23:00:15.354-07:00Matt's BirthdayMatt turned three yesterday, and I was so glad Ryan could be home. It was our first Saturday together as a family in one solid month... (1st-year residency is hard to tolerate!). Ryan probably makes it to church 20% of the time because he's either working or sleeping post-call. Some people at church probably assume I'm a single mother, because more often than not I'm herding the kids into sacrament alone. Today was no different (Ryan works all day and all night tonight). Next Sunday Drew is assigned to give the scripture in Primary, but again Ryan can't see him because he'll be working. That's why it felt so great to have him home yesterday to celebrate Matt's birthday.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I just can't imagine life without Matt. He joined our family at an extremely stressful time in our lives. We struggled so much, but with great struggle comes tremendous growth, and we got through it together. Looking back, having our first child was so special (nothing else like it), but I clearly remember when Matt came along that the ties that bound our family together became tighter and more numerous. He is so special to us, and we are a better family because of him. Here's Matt through the years, followed by video of him blowing his candles out.</div><div><br />Birth...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTbjPbSbR7JcbvL91prOzSwK7l4W4NdPAs4q_GxfMjh0X3dR5fi_8yZQdbYm_RiC6xiWwVZ_R7ElSmDEry5PZmTZZvfgVJYrfLcNKRVUPJHunsQFXXK_ADE6P8mrG2wk7zpkZPuh89CY/s1600-h/IMG_1399.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311022550076461074" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTbjPbSbR7JcbvL91prOzSwK7l4W4NdPAs4q_GxfMjh0X3dR5fi_8yZQdbYm_RiC6xiWwVZ_R7ElSmDEry5PZmTZZvfgVJYrfLcNKRVUPJHunsQFXXK_ADE6P8mrG2wk7zpkZPuh89CY/s200/IMG_1399.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Homecoming...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRCxKGIPlmGXQCBhCMV9NfRPhBfHiGhsDPw_ZlN1dHZE1tQt7IW67rZzc90e7Dsl9-eTBsT8SP3oRIRi3RMTThAXiILo1bUNvaSOv_W5zOGJYegP7ikLVt1mPh3oWeGxjO0zdnxa8vLY/s1600-h/IMG_1533.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310987393516487906" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRCxKGIPlmGXQCBhCMV9NfRPhBfHiGhsDPw_ZlN1dHZE1tQt7IW67rZzc90e7Dsl9-eTBsT8SP3oRIRi3RMTThAXiILo1bUNvaSOv_W5zOGJYegP7ikLVt1mPh3oWeGxjO0zdnxa8vLY/s200/IMG_1533.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>1st Smile...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBuKbuqInXZikPNURwtO0dG3agpm__qpP7S_tE0EULXQ7CHYWq0gtZfJJWHjvBWTmNutAFxFfKzlM0r8iCzDDs4NZw8Myu8O974RW8dRb9b_gr52lULaUI_7NGSPE-dXB2p1vgMUgYd8/s1600-h/IMG_1756.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311022552561408450" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBuKbuqInXZikPNURwtO0dG3agpm__qpP7S_tE0EULXQ7CHYWq0gtZfJJWHjvBWTmNutAFxFfKzlM0r8iCzDDs4NZw8Myu8O974RW8dRb9b_gr52lULaUI_7NGSPE-dXB2p1vgMUgYd8/s200/IMG_1756.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>1st Birthday...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjYJzR0PDC4jO25RN3l8CGF_phI-rUUkJROPmL5hy8sUX8j2ygNTZSyhxbkjuEfp1NH4V3rHW_Q-hg50DforFPyKQ2BkGxzEI2bqpSi9EIOMXlgLDQIm42PX3Br_Ue3aV27TduhmFG64/s1600-h/IMG_2478.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311014889842481074" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjYJzR0PDC4jO25RN3l8CGF_phI-rUUkJROPmL5hy8sUX8j2ygNTZSyhxbkjuEfp1NH4V3rHW_Q-hg50DforFPyKQ2BkGxzEI2bqpSi9EIOMXlgLDQIm42PX3Br_Ue3aV27TduhmFG64/s200/IMG_2478.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>2nd Birthday...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJP5ZVKMJpYuL4y4C2vvyh8NxHcpMactHTUz0fWrB7YzMPN2PPXddl_g-fX5n-2Ys_HAeCnSeLGBQs3X1crtwdWJ1LhvdacDsd3R6SmTs4xo4auGtzbI_-iUnD7Vo8Kxt66fKXLcNgToo/s1600-h/IMG_3208.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311014895729593122" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJP5ZVKMJpYuL4y4C2vvyh8NxHcpMactHTUz0fWrB7YzMPN2PPXddl_g-fX5n-2Ys_HAeCnSeLGBQs3X1crtwdWJ1LhvdacDsd3R6SmTs4xo4auGtzbI_-iUnD7Vo8Kxt66fKXLcNgToo/s200/IMG_3208.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>3rd Birthday...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVnzG2SgixLEBDEKxtYlnJsF39SKOCWE1nqTMhJcqUkIYzc67K9Ev7itMRYVLpxdM7VfztpxsScDTEe0L0KPxUURQxKeuaVSC7OiD9VPbEiFwzGkfT27tgWxJerRTKDENZQBhU06UpRk/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311014897262042258" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVnzG2SgixLEBDEKxtYlnJsF39SKOCWE1nqTMhJcqUkIYzc67K9Ev7itMRYVLpxdM7VfztpxsScDTEe0L0KPxUURQxKeuaVSC7OiD9VPbEiFwzGkfT27tgWxJerRTKDENZQBhU06UpRk/s200/020.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKArtU39WPpIGqsoWfTs-uK3C7yfK9ynMHxH_OXZ7W7jerDCYosYUTI8AMFSINNzHJxe6PjfDyQNZ8icptlCVR8ps4pi1a6E-ES132PxL4yKPVdOR9gNFPheezwpNWRjzE0yBGoM5Mo9A/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311014901356227394" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKArtU39WPpIGqsoWfTs-uK3C7yfK9ynMHxH_OXZ7W7jerDCYosYUTI8AMFSINNzHJxe6PjfDyQNZ8icptlCVR8ps4pi1a6E-ES132PxL4yKPVdOR9gNFPheezwpNWRjzE0yBGoM5Mo9A/s200/022.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaYtK980HKu-7sseUM9Eff3u3hGS8a4ol5lnCVPE-pGey1cAFYAEAGP1yB6XlNubkoB7TEF9G_FKiDadx4-nLtL9tBd2i9iz4YfZutEnihECq-PCUuYpRh-ZCJVj2TFS53he0lBJ2b5I/s1600-h/029+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311014907282187794" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaYtK980HKu-7sseUM9Eff3u3hGS8a4ol5lnCVPE-pGey1cAFYAEAGP1yB6XlNubkoB7TEF9G_FKiDadx4-nLtL9tBd2i9iz4YfZutEnihECq-PCUuYpRh-ZCJVj2TFS53he0lBJ2b5I/s200/029+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaYtK980HKu-7sseUM9Eff3u3hGS8a4ol5lnCVPE-pGey1cAFYAEAGP1yB6XlNubkoB7TEF9G_FKiDadx4-nLtL9tBd2i9iz4YfZutEnihECq-PCUuYpRh-ZCJVj2TFS53he0lBJ2b5I/s1600-h/029+-+Copy.JPG"></a></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyhWEQJIPrzzX7MvkDqi7XtxXKa1l2WTjMALFr0Eky7TtOWnwD0h1CfxmtEqPph2_Oe50O22Lyvgy729Aw9Dw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-11719319424952148872009-02-28T10:28:00.000-08:002009-03-01T14:25:19.434-08:00Drew's BirthdayFour years ago my life changed forever. I became a mother. Little did I know then how much I would learn about life, love, and what really matters. I look back now and ask, how did I ever truly understand what love was before I knew without a doubt what it was to love someone more than myself? How did I understand what it was to sacrifice before I was forced to constantly put someone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">else's</span> needs above my own? How could I have fully comprehended the meaning of life before I was given a hand in shaping the life of another? Parenthood doesn't merely alter your world. It creates a seismic shift so much so you hardly recognize or remember life before parenthood. Having children has enriched my life far beyond what I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">could've</span> envisioned, and I'm eternally grateful to God for giving me that blessing.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Drew turned four today, and I just can't believe how time has flown by. It seems only yesterday he was turning one and I was crying because he was no longer my "baby." We celebrated last night so Ryan could make it. We had homemade pizza and a four-layer chocolate cream cake! The highlight of his gifts was a red cape my sister made that looked exactly like the cape Prince Phillip wore in <em>Sleeping Beauty</em>. He didn't want to take it off when we put pajamas on. Next week we celebrate Matt's birthday, and we're looking forward to another fun party! Here are some pictures of Drew's milestones through the years.</div><br /><div></div><div>Birth...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoxLea1A7LsItV2f8GinyNdhDswm_zPL_3QjLKN1Z6mLoTuPvz8Nk4Xexpr6qaN62U-jYEATeIwZNL-av7VEapHSgcD7P6EsOu2817pLgyt6xTDKoqSwZCl8atV2z0roBMMas7OQrN5g/s1600-h/IMG_13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308232260022490818" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoxLea1A7LsItV2f8GinyNdhDswm_zPL_3QjLKN1Z6mLoTuPvz8Nk4Xexpr6qaN62U-jYEATeIwZNL-av7VEapHSgcD7P6EsOu2817pLgyt6xTDKoqSwZCl8atV2z0roBMMas7OQrN5g/s200/IMG_13.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Blessing Day...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelWEaQP6OGXt8FLNCTXNzSNhKBiOVNI1XukXamrcJeWo__OBW3bJfRqFw91msU96EJZ9RV3Dwhzbo0taUn7ajqZev8nhPH5HJZjisxV6zZsBnoTyhEQG2KWdpAYiZDhjUIJjMVlztOow/s1600-h/IMG_94.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308232263302146226" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelWEaQP6OGXt8FLNCTXNzSNhKBiOVNI1XukXamrcJeWo__OBW3bJfRqFw91msU96EJZ9RV3Dwhzbo0taUn7ajqZev8nhPH5HJZjisxV6zZsBnoTyhEQG2KWdpAYiZDhjUIJjMVlztOow/s200/IMG_94.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>1st Birthday...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOgWFqC_mTdzPz4ZCi_RCm4sij_349TosSuXxZB6F4oMmJUMP2Dn5694EJqoosaTpinJlZzd5vYWOQIqkbdQIKyNF5IQ87kT_OmRxoEEDaYtvFQ6IyJFD2qjr5c1uToZdDfjayV2G4qc/s1600-h/IMG_375.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308238503693749090" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOgWFqC_mTdzPz4ZCi_RCm4sij_349TosSuXxZB6F4oMmJUMP2Dn5694EJqoosaTpinJlZzd5vYWOQIqkbdQIKyNF5IQ87kT_OmRxoEEDaYtvFQ6IyJFD2qjr5c1uToZdDfjayV2G4qc/s200/IMG_375.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nd</span> Birthday...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjty4tIyEXJXDhPLDQhJ3FMoSQ1qEdKv14ZZ54Kz5zwL73qzVkDgCjHEA7vbnEPLNHHIj77q8RxTEA6jh7UJTvgyCyyOuHO13Wqjf5nPN8lwQtLR2mtjNUEtxp8Az1uWfFktlDzjzjF69w/s1600-h/IMG_2433.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308238510000302258" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjty4tIyEXJXDhPLDQhJ3FMoSQ1qEdKv14ZZ54Kz5zwL73qzVkDgCjHEA7vbnEPLNHHIj77q8RxTEA6jh7UJTvgyCyyOuHO13Wqjf5nPN8lwQtLR2mtjNUEtxp8Az1uWfFktlDzjzjF69w/s200/IMG_2433.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>3rd Birthday...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGUXTqhp5PlujczGL_WGnQ1AVbxrz0Hlbun5-yfULoe3gcZj2_H0jKckVDMVjtVr2qfpc41clRE4ky8ta5qkP2G7h21eUHPCq85W9BrdLDsMaO_ePSQ5-9n2N4CyQHfCmBRiIlL15-r0/s1600-h/IMG_3154.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308243742847959138" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGUXTqhp5PlujczGL_WGnQ1AVbxrz0Hlbun5-yfULoe3gcZj2_H0jKckVDMVjtVr2qfpc41clRE4ky8ta5qkP2G7h21eUHPCq85W9BrdLDsMaO_ePSQ5-9n2N4CyQHfCmBRiIlL15-r0/s200/IMG_3154.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> Birthday...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1VBXwz67QmXS2xD4IkHYrC_QvlB0A-c82uyZFYx6GsCPBI6VR7NMIvXsattysN7zGzMR-aSH4IlgwCiD7D2AdY39LpEJAXp62xllu9jzDlU1lyqNehzmYJLEBicvBlHcLmh8kR5jQcw/s1600-h/013+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308238518188414786" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1VBXwz67QmXS2xD4IkHYrC_QvlB0A-c82uyZFYx6GsCPBI6VR7NMIvXsattysN7zGzMR-aSH4IlgwCiD7D2AdY39LpEJAXp62xllu9jzDlU1lyqNehzmYJLEBicvBlHcLmh8kR5jQcw/s200/013+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91i3seS6g72kBLNoHWMPfgCRQExdyHVL2qOjkoIedvSUiXHhUlwneD2aVhEWN2dgdDpZ_ZB_u7sGI8_XSXopaqgYMKx161nOj7ad-fvNbH0MhcGdiMTOmTGR6v5K2o98Xn81c4WKsefY/s1600-h/018+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308339632647923746" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91i3seS6g72kBLNoHWMPfgCRQExdyHVL2qOjkoIedvSUiXHhUlwneD2aVhEWN2dgdDpZ_ZB_u7sGI8_XSXopaqgYMKx161nOj7ad-fvNbH0MhcGdiMTOmTGR6v5K2o98Xn81c4WKsefY/s200/018+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqhuFW-mPMxfIE_f-0gTmaq6VC_PHpVNHY7LaeEqtcHTnS8ZSJzACZmZhSsTH1_s57JW9Hb_YDuSXCfaA340o8XJhePAOOp9O1p7KcD77G6TIGf2WlBStDrzxiOkkO4LaKyge0JZbUB0/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308245189958365618" style="WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqhuFW-mPMxfIE_f-0gTmaq6VC_PHpVNHY7LaeEqtcHTnS8ZSJzACZmZhSsTH1_s57JW9Hb_YDuSXCfaA340o8XJhePAOOp9O1p7KcD77G6TIGf2WlBStDrzxiOkkO4LaKyge0JZbUB0/s200/020.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-61083507779500407972009-02-06T22:44:00.000-08:002009-08-14T16:07:16.140-07:00Date NightRyan and I went on a date tonight, which was a real treat. This wasn't always so out of the ordinary, as in school we were often part of a babysitting group and enjoyed regular dates. But tonight was special not only for the occasion, but for the unique experience. We had some friends graciously take the two older kids while we kept the baby with us. At first we went to a restaurant that was recommended by some residents Ryan works with. It was very unique and "cool-looking," with floor-to-ceiling mirrors on both sides that made the place seem much bigger than it was. On one side against the wall was a stack of three giant TVs playing different news programs. On the other side of the room, the menu was written in giant font on a wall that was painted to resemble a chalkboard, featuring categories like "leafy" and "hot." After a long wait with no table in sight, we decided to make a run for another restaurant in which one of Ryan's attending physicians had taken him and another resident out for lunch. As soon as we stepped in, I felt like we'd just entered a posh eatery in NYC. The lighting resembled a darkened dance club (without the booming music, thankfully). There were stuffed chairs running down the center of the room covered in beige linen that were paired off and facing each other to provide conversation areas. The side bar wall was made of glass and held countless glass bottles of drink that rested on glass shelves arranged head to toe, illuminated with colorful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">backlighting</span>. Above we could see another level where people were eating and visiting. As we moved along and approached our table, I noticed a tall sheet of water falling between two panes of glass in the near distance. The place settings were made of fine woven bamboo mats and double-sided linen napkins of ivory and the same beige on the lounge chairs. The flatware was incredibly long and lean. The staff members were dressed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">impeccably</span> in black and white. The wall that led to the kitchen had two huge windows so you could look in and view all the working chefs that were dressed in white. Everywhere I looked were men in suits and women in black dresses and heels, and all of a sudden I felt so out of place! We hadn't prepared for this. Here we had our baby (the last thing I'm sure any of these patrons wanted to see or hear), and I just felt scruffy by comparison. Ryan was still in his dressy clothes from the day, but he had taken off his tie to match my more-casual attire. Although I had heels on, they were only paired with jeans and a sweater. "Oh well", I thought, "I want to enjoy myself." Luckily the baby wasn't fussing (as long as I held him), so we proceeded to order...<br /><br />Now I am notorious for struggling to order at restaurants--even with simple menus at Wendy's or Taco Bell. One problem is I focus on the fact that we hardly ever dine out, so I treat it like I'm ordering my last meal. Tonight was no exception, so Ryan just informed me that he was ordering for me. Sometimes I protest, but tonight I welcomed it... one less thing to worry about. His own food choice was a tad disappointing (translation: boring), but no surprise. He actually ordered a <em>burger</em>. I tend to want to be more adventurous, especially in a place that isn't run-of-the-mill. But we all have different tastes, and after our food came out, I must admit I was envying his burger over my plate of food... or should I say spot? Have you ever seen when they make fun of overly gourmet meals that are so tiny, they amount to a few spoonfuls? I thought we'd ordered a quiche-type thing with a house salad, cooked veggies and fruit. What I was <em>served</em> was a little Maytag blue and walnut tart (no bigger than the palm of my hand) topped with mixed greens, draped with four thin strips of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sauteed</span> fennel and a spoonful of fruit compote on the side, with four perfect circles of spicy brown mustard sauce framing the arrangement in a semi-circle. I looked from my plate to his and could feel my mouth water, wanting to sink my teeth into something more hearty. But I decided this would be a new experience and to have fun with it. Ryan let me try his fries (wrapped in a paper funnel)... awesome! They were perfectly seasoned in something so flavorful and interesting, I wanted to taste more to solve the mystery of what it could be. At the conclusion of our meal, they asked if we wanted to see the dessert menu. I almost thought, we're out an arm and a leg for this snack, might as well finish up with a sure-fire winner. How can you go wrong with dessert? Love it! But Ryan quickly said no and assured me we could go get some Reece's Pieces or something. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bam</span>! Back to reality! Reece's Pieces? Somehow making a run for Reese's after this meal seemed ridiculous. Then they gave us our check and a little something for the road--blood orange truffles! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yummy</span>! I tried to reassure Ryan I was glad we went there despite my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">minuscule</span> meal, and I said I'd love to go back again some... year. At that price we would've been wiser to get full at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Applebees</span>, unfortunately.Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-29993124203152276112009-01-01T11:06:00.000-08:002009-08-14T16:00:43.210-07:00Soap in the MouthThe kids were in the tub when I heard them converse using a word that had previously been explained to them as "bad..." STUPID. They were finding ways to stick it into every sentence, even if it didn't make sense. I didn't want to let it go without correction for fear they would take the word lightly and repeat the behavior. To set the stage a little more, we had watched <em><span style="color:#990000;">A Christmas Story</span></em> a few times recently because of the holidays. They knew <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ralphie</span> had suffered soap in the mouth for saying a bad word, so I thought following suit might make the lesson more clear. So into the bathroom I walked with a somber look on my face that said, "This is too bad... I wish I didn't have to do this." I took the bar of soap from the shower and knelt down. I told Drew he said a bad word and that I had to put soap in his mouth. He grinned from ear to ear and willingly opened his mouth, thinking we were role-playing from the movie. I fought a smile and tried not to laugh. He wasn't scared or upset at all, and the impact of the demonstration was quickly in danger of deflating into a joke, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">I was</span> determined to remain vigil. Into his mouth the soap went, and instantly his brow furrowed as he spit out the soap. I know he didn't fully comprehend this was an official "punishment" because after a few good spews he said, "Mom, that's really not a good taste," like I showed bad form by feeding him something repulsive because of my own lack of knowledge. Matt just screamed and twisted away as if I was about to amputate one of his limbs with a chainsaw. We'll see if I struck enough fear to eliminate the undesired vocabulary.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 128px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286414938898479458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxkhuUBIzqYyauUagOFakm6zH_TInmxhIbDC9oLERJXzHGyEDtJbGRpL3patAhxEuP5ADzXxvXyYDlMoA61sGrw0ClqAlDA8bZiqGOJ_mEbB7rS-0wZEsWRMZ0tHeq9ZVs6eomKHnzCM/s400/A+Christmas+Story.jpg" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-28939605368369239152008-12-29T09:00:00.000-08:002008-12-30T00:27:19.785-08:00Christmas in Idaho & El PasoWe were fortunate enough to see our families for Christmas this year. Before we left for Idaho, El Paso received some snow flurries for a few hours, but nothing stuck. Drew freaked with excitement and shrieked, "Is it Christmas, Mom?" The snowflakes are difficult to see, but they're there.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVq1ZYzN0U8kuopWDT8kQna4NYGdrF0FBaCwL28hoeJV74_aqnlMAHekRjqLSogL9BjO1xZ-f9-S-qAW92KoAF8Cl6oo1LGv2m4hNx8HXqXKElmpvDqmeu77P5E6ZYj1E2YK6D3tQcNg/s1600-h/IMG_0115.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285268437219845714" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVq1ZYzN0U8kuopWDT8kQna4NYGdrF0FBaCwL28hoeJV74_aqnlMAHekRjqLSogL9BjO1xZ-f9-S-qAW92KoAF8Cl6oo1LGv2m4hNx8HXqXKElmpvDqmeu77P5E6ZYj1E2YK6D3tQcNg/s200/IMG_0115.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-z8hmLITOuoTUWC4lHDxi2rwalxZXRP-2MEtp23nEqSMUcs5UziuY5D8a1Lui_m4pCOjErw85o9FQ16QbhIjKtwDFBuwwYp2mUQdEo18rK7XXi4en-ElzVjjwiaPj1USifdsw5DwWn0/s1600-h/IMG_0116.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285268444666692562" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-z8hmLITOuoTUWC4lHDxi2rwalxZXRP-2MEtp23nEqSMUcs5UziuY5D8a1Lui_m4pCOjErw85o9FQ16QbhIjKtwDFBuwwYp2mUQdEo18rK7XXi4en-ElzVjjwiaPj1USifdsw5DwWn0/s200/IMG_0116.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lZsN85-zmSXGJojmsB3pcHrE7wzeaXaW55YzpFMaCaK-XCEnfHiJOfYq8dzxjdfdoJCHeBC8UeL2p7hmrfNooBDGuzMQpSC951eSmAJSRqpt3A0HVExcGCEIJrvJqUJydQCSfvBYCnA/s1600-h/IMG_0118.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285268461386868738" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lZsN85-zmSXGJojmsB3pcHrE7wzeaXaW55YzpFMaCaK-XCEnfHiJOfYq8dzxjdfdoJCHeBC8UeL2p7hmrfNooBDGuzMQpSC951eSmAJSRqpt3A0HVExcGCEIJrvJqUJydQCSfvBYCnA/s200/IMG_0118.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzr9uSASkDpC6GgtdPJhWYBpa7x_vhkBXnuJez8smSVos2CQFJYXBkaUVrDYPdguIYAMX7vzZWYBr7WADGu5yoMG7FpjcpfMYt6aZFqB9ie_JYbHp_z6iga065-Ai_XgKSPjfEw9ZQuK8/s1600-h/IMG_0119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285268452086819586" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzr9uSASkDpC6GgtdPJhWYBpa7x_vhkBXnuJez8smSVos2CQFJYXBkaUVrDYPdguIYAMX7vzZWYBr7WADGu5yoMG7FpjcpfMYt6aZFqB9ie_JYbHp_z6iga065-Ai_XgKSPjfEw9ZQuK8/s200/IMG_0119.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Compare that to our Christmas in Idaho!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU62GHKiBiV8UxVfweADeslS7JCozJhFnFXOEAkKLys29jL4tnPb9_rmQjtUIL6kA_wiINy7N6FRfP0bXMxMsQW9Lo-4apqvtDbK31_WtAsa0hBgNDM0iz4GPN6og8QmBzIl9s9UURp6A/s1600-h/IMG_0200.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285261925361820850" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU62GHKiBiV8UxVfweADeslS7JCozJhFnFXOEAkKLys29jL4tnPb9_rmQjtUIL6kA_wiINy7N6FRfP0bXMxMsQW9Lo-4apqvtDbK31_WtAsa0hBgNDM0iz4GPN6og8QmBzIl9s9UURp6A/s200/IMG_0200.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7sx0qde9yQ20xH6h_zg5U_K_yazoSW4ztpg4hCq7dRPAsWIt9xGYVl0vtYZFYIegb327uXAD7i_SVENxHeBKLTtT4O-Cpp1mnC0LtyvPkhKTH62s1AA-SX6vEqTslt5m3yp8XXElX68/s1600-h/IMG_0204.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285261946167714770" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7sx0qde9yQ20xH6h_zg5U_K_yazoSW4ztpg4hCq7dRPAsWIt9xGYVl0vtYZFYIegb327uXAD7i_SVENxHeBKLTtT4O-Cpp1mnC0LtyvPkhKTH62s1AA-SX6vEqTslt5m3yp8XXElX68/s200/IMG_0204.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3EAh4B0c1yu46-ks_3hyphenhyphen65jthJqrnGypDsJ_un8-exf2GLmsNALAM1HNkV4IuMotChOupVwKwYjbRX0EFCui9lU_9-U2Hd80c2k66t8MjTWX0F6E2m6Ay569b_nuqM0WYwRI-oBjvKM/s1600-h/IMG_0203.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285261938109859298" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3EAh4B0c1yu46-ks_3hyphenhyphen65jthJqrnGypDsJ_un8-exf2GLmsNALAM1HNkV4IuMotChOupVwKwYjbRX0EFCui9lU_9-U2Hd80c2k66t8MjTWX0F6E2m6Ay569b_nuqM0WYwRI-oBjvKM/s200/IMG_0203.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPqC16D1osys44Q0qWxRkOmaArIbNsZKVgQ1RSoZEllHChd48W4s2Jwm94Wfhg6gb1LU5eJoOyM46-bQjoP79oIKjV4MlXwI6Go2VssJe5R1QfJjEF-rmFaDtjh_d-TFbZcSoFqYBiqs/s1600-h/IMG_0201.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285261930057946802" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPqC16D1osys44Q0qWxRkOmaArIbNsZKVgQ1RSoZEllHChd48W4s2Jwm94Wfhg6gb1LU5eJoOyM46-bQjoP79oIKjV4MlXwI6Go2VssJe5R1QfJjEF-rmFaDtjh_d-TFbZcSoFqYBiqs/s200/IMG_0201.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The snow level was incredible. One day we couldn't even drive into the driveway, but I was happy my kids got their wish of a white Christmas.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTTCE1kdmwOBsWbs8G5CiemvHer0DB94yXULIdH6lRH90lSgSWcky4o32BZS7taK0rz5kF7pnzgVIgzwGbPqKtJacMAm_vos2xNeOibEWrY7MB1G8bllHSuvI9O4mysjGQ0QtSHYgdo4/s1600-h/IMG_0163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285278386738739250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 224px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTTCE1kdmwOBsWbs8G5CiemvHer0DB94yXULIdH6lRH90lSgSWcky4o32BZS7taK0rz5kF7pnzgVIgzwGbPqKtJacMAm_vos2xNeOibEWrY7MB1G8bllHSuvI9O4mysjGQ0QtSHYgdo4/s320/IMG_0163.JPG" border="0" /></a>Before we left for Idaho, we enjoyed our own Christmas. It was so fun to see the kids race down the stairs and run into the family room. Since they're older this year, they understood the holiday more and awaited everything with greater anticipation. The highlight was probably the new basketball hoop--an added bonus for Ryan because he had just as much fun as the boys (now I understand why he pushed for it). After lots of goodies and playing, the boys settled down and Ryan read them the books they received. Nothing beats those episodes of family time and togethernes. They are just invaluable to me, and I treasure those moments. The kids eventually migrated upstairs to play and Ryan fell asleep on the couch with the baby.<br /><br />Running downstairs and opening stockings.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJ4H4jq4MASWBZw48-3DHhcDd71B3FxaQv9SH6-KGyamBWZ1k8cO6zvrHW5MReSdz8HZcpGqjPiq9aD-79qFHBOK6hr9a7Lu1B5EagTGtsBdkl1iiSV-GKNwSYBaU8j9rIRJXLUQ2x-w/s1600-h/IMG_0164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285291336408049842" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJ4H4jq4MASWBZw48-3DHhcDd71B3FxaQv9SH6-KGyamBWZ1k8cO6zvrHW5MReSdz8HZcpGqjPiq9aD-79qFHBOK6hr9a7Lu1B5EagTGtsBdkl1iiSV-GKNwSYBaU8j9rIRJXLUQ2x-w/s200/IMG_0164.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOPky3J3l-_zGdiS7cdmDCiCye5Gxdxf5zpQ6rnCQYZlq8b11x4AoufiMbbT5TwYhFras-WR_vsSpH-bDJyfQZm7QENX_gRI5W0Ban3znGJ21AP0tqyn-wy5RvgkSLUytbLXr5nwTDlY/s1600-h/IMG_0168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285291336671302914" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOPky3J3l-_zGdiS7cdmDCiCye5Gxdxf5zpQ6rnCQYZlq8b11x4AoufiMbbT5TwYhFras-WR_vsSpH-bDJyfQZm7QENX_gRI5W0Ban3znGJ21AP0tqyn-wy5RvgkSLUytbLXr5nwTDlY/s200/IMG_0168.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Score! Books and construction equipment.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkINS0W9eM2VAiR4wiCNjbKjK33UJJyhHjZgHSM6UQWdtXOmXMHAGiid4gErFrypp0Zv9yRk3dZpfVN_lDjTsNsZObiIuBLJxJ_Ei7CvUffikbT1PkGefTAV9sUhX00eu3DUxG1E_1hSo/s1600-h/IMG_0171.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285291329706510434" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkINS0W9eM2VAiR4wiCNjbKjK33UJJyhHjZgHSM6UQWdtXOmXMHAGiid4gErFrypp0Zv9yRk3dZpfVN_lDjTsNsZObiIuBLJxJ_Ei7CvUffikbT1PkGefTAV9sUhX00eu3DUxG1E_1hSo/s200/IMG_0171.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtoYb0PgqJ8iqCBCUNioHc1aw069EzomAvmI-o9I38Z0D3Ip4lLXGZC-YVE9Bixp3J07AOY_5s9tE-K9hRxdgyoPjqbmy6MdWB7fptq3ijgV9fCtjbK-r9Oegymesnym7-K47h7ubCg4/s1600-h/IMG_0173.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285277241241983538" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtoYb0PgqJ8iqCBCUNioHc1aw069EzomAvmI-o9I38Z0D3Ip4lLXGZC-YVE9Bixp3J07AOY_5s9tE-K9hRxdgyoPjqbmy6MdWB7fptq3ijgV9fCtjbK-r9Oegymesnym7-K47h7ubCg4/s200/IMG_0173.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Shooting hoops... nice follow-through, Matt!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KdpaY2TIb6_QAVEV46KQEJiUVCHKtbjqG1XROCV1V2yn0w4g5uVWMCQ9Jw86IXqskB4Vktz9myMh3dWOUCg-ViOIAFP1uUeQM3iHP3tRiWV32zPXYfJXmcHK7rFuGOJpB9B3vc6UvmY/s1600-h/IMG_0165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285277208047383922" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KdpaY2TIb6_QAVEV46KQEJiUVCHKtbjqG1XROCV1V2yn0w4g5uVWMCQ9Jw86IXqskB4Vktz9myMh3dWOUCg-ViOIAFP1uUeQM3iHP3tRiWV32zPXYfJXmcHK7rFuGOJpB9B3vc6UvmY/s200/IMG_0165.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefrz5s6Q0kTFW_uNOFORr4fIkKK-0AV_xlw7_5GGS3V7v9nqxqS6xmIFViWlvG1VjCsIwLgKoMYTgrI5Ulbq_kEj18fo9Tg52C1OAkhjQqmf35B0Cdw3qhOe8v5ulVZov6Vk7uVOcpc4/s1600-h/IMG_0167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285277216901106034" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefrz5s6Q0kTFW_uNOFORr4fIkKK-0AV_xlw7_5GGS3V7v9nqxqS6xmIFViWlvG1VjCsIwLgKoMYTgrI5Ulbq_kEj18fo9Tg52C1OAkhjQqmf35B0Cdw3qhOe8v5ulVZov6Vk7uVOcpc4/s200/IMG_0167.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Relaxing with Dad.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZv6Q4gSyrkvXr0kMpdgZthPuKkjSGHIFafglQKdzps-1c6Pvs_FPX1Xpj1OvjqhBszHm1oXNgQRSrHKHQInNiO9m3WqjYG8427AG5vsFzOPoxFRBUz-Qn-4Mx7FFvsGh3hw0PhBfdGA/s1600-h/IMG_0177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285291347835332370" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZv6Q4gSyrkvXr0kMpdgZthPuKkjSGHIFafglQKdzps-1c6Pvs_FPX1Xpj1OvjqhBszHm1oXNgQRSrHKHQInNiO9m3WqjYG8427AG5vsFzOPoxFRBUz-Qn-4Mx7FFvsGh3hw0PhBfdGA/s200/IMG_0177.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkME3NHpMr8kuVRbWzsua7Fivz-lFnLhaU0Aay4c6UuKDMMfA_oKz9Aa2hGCGzGy-rEQilV2R_3pnLErhFHrM9Fd604gY9JXYONPDVzznElL9Qap9uCIH4s9_YblQpyukyT6H065DhVqI/s1600-h/IMG_0175.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285291322390385506" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkME3NHpMr8kuVRbWzsua7Fivz-lFnLhaU0Aay4c6UuKDMMfA_oKz9Aa2hGCGzGy-rEQilV2R_3pnLErhFHrM9Fd604gY9JXYONPDVzznElL9Qap9uCIH4s9_YblQpyukyT6H065DhVqI/s200/IMG_0175.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then it was off to Idaho to see family. One highlight was the nativity and gingerbread house display at the Museum of Idaho. Upstairs was a hands-on area for kids where they dressed up in mountain-man garb, explored the wilderness and rode on "horses."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08k3q1DMYtAg92eg9-0EGafwMhFMEQdeuL01_OYY4YqwnFcKjcho3FzcHAn5sya89xuqPjd4_eG_GDjX8r_231Ns_WCL2mlljE0kRWKgwa8hpmpwCytEqIZy5govl5Ay19LPr1dy9ag4/s1600-h/IMG_0213.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285307277748343762" style="WIDTH: 136px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08k3q1DMYtAg92eg9-0EGafwMhFMEQdeuL01_OYY4YqwnFcKjcho3FzcHAn5sya89xuqPjd4_eG_GDjX8r_231Ns_WCL2mlljE0kRWKgwa8hpmpwCytEqIZy5govl5Ay19LPr1dy9ag4/s200/IMG_0213.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnBP8VxrpjVeUXEGg7jFFv6OG_PdKHvomYFTEp98ErorKrRGdA_EQ_cFM9xskVz9gLB1b_ov-VCyG7AXh7fIxwO4JU5g6t4fpmgCcpq-gdA44eMmLGx-XXIqa193_l69e_Dm18iv15Bc/s1600-h/IMG_0212.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285307275330837458" style="WIDTH: 147px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnBP8VxrpjVeUXEGg7jFFv6OG_PdKHvomYFTEp98ErorKrRGdA_EQ_cFM9xskVz9gLB1b_ov-VCyG7AXh7fIxwO4JU5g6t4fpmgCcpq-gdA44eMmLGx-XXIqa193_l69e_Dm18iv15Bc/s200/IMG_0212.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbxooAlg9XrRabi4D2c4KlU-wkw_3QUCMraNwxiQf1JhZxi6thiyJV2Db04juG5QgOsqwj4b2VrD-oaPSx4vR5tOGgUUk6aATTUCcD0idf-JtVvFryu8jqlFzLuDfa1pa93nJD1FYdOU/s1600-h/IMG_0207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285307253994283634" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbxooAlg9XrRabi4D2c4KlU-wkw_3QUCMraNwxiQf1JhZxi6thiyJV2Db04juG5QgOsqwj4b2VrD-oaPSx4vR5tOGgUUk6aATTUCcD0idf-JtVvFryu8jqlFzLuDfa1pa93nJD1FYdOU/s200/IMG_0207.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytUJUzFM0qSwWIaXUwOcRaa_EREAJ18O56Q_ZvKXwyJHVr3TnpHbqIqOExNP5S-vwYKT-GxdGwHNlhhPbm-rKqyu3C6Mmcx4gjubjcw8vhM4v4Kg_BzlKQxn7_VaQ3XgOdd1EnPqswGA/s1600-h/IMG_0210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285307259856476754" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytUJUzFM0qSwWIaXUwOcRaa_EREAJ18O56Q_ZvKXwyJHVr3TnpHbqIqOExNP5S-vwYKT-GxdGwHNlhhPbm-rKqyu3C6Mmcx4gjubjcw8vhM4v4Kg_BzlKQxn7_VaQ3XgOdd1EnPqswGA/s200/IMG_0210.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQcelZRKl7_S3QHF3uBY_55gbSRYyRotrgWhnG30v28kGQtKGTuE6fOp7H8o019LzGuyfbL5H93btDO3nhk-qtQPzFa_eXop8-Bb5PxqSL-nVNrLdNi5Uts1z3a7Ogi2uzkpHcFPk9vI/s1600-h/IMG_0233.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285325842992065346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 236px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQcelZRKl7_S3QHF3uBY_55gbSRYyRotrgWhnG30v28kGQtKGTuE6fOp7H8o019LzGuyfbL5H93btDO3nhk-qtQPzFa_eXop8-Bb5PxqSL-nVNrLdNi5Uts1z3a7Ogi2uzkpHcFPk9vI/s320/IMG_0233.JPG" border="0" /></a> Before we knew it, Christmas Day had arrived. Can you believe their gigantic tree? You wouldn't know it from the pictures, but we were wrought with sickness (what trip would be complete w/o hardship?) One night Ryan and I cleaned up Matt & stripped his bed three times because he kept vomiting. Drew did his part by throwing up and having severe diarrhea along with Matt all the way home--33 hours on the road! It took what felt like forever to clean the car, luggage (spewed on), car seats (also soaked with biohazards), not to mention the mountains of laundry, all while attending sick kids, fussy baby, and new and exciting piles of vomit and diarrhea in the house (lovely).<br /><br />Christmas Eve in front of the tree.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOotJcid37JpV_kfQXkLs5WK3TCnMX3wm8Q6yudQ7QgFBGKDsBwUKFUl_fqB5lICvNPNi66awhTwdJxDclYr8YZjK2qYdAO1IxRUGHpb1GwfNvryFv8nS7O_QhPteA87UQu_WI2ZqM9s/s1600-h/IMG_0225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285307280421730866" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOotJcid37JpV_kfQXkLs5WK3TCnMX3wm8Q6yudQ7QgFBGKDsBwUKFUl_fqB5lICvNPNi66awhTwdJxDclYr8YZjK2qYdAO1IxRUGHpb1GwfNvryFv8nS7O_QhPteA87UQu_WI2ZqM9s/s200/IMG_0225.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1__ElRsoMPklRioHSaTKHSZNnYQu5-c-F6Og6l5CajXtoI2bGg2U68qT-kS6bsNrMNzGeMzf1T9qqJnLx-NmShV1x5x7BiKjK5g6avSFJIEZ-G9nVW5lNAade6NBgjphcOPItm2257YA/s1600-h/IMG_0229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285309022311201330" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1__ElRsoMPklRioHSaTKHSZNnYQu5-c-F6Og6l5CajXtoI2bGg2U68qT-kS6bsNrMNzGeMzf1T9qqJnLx-NmShV1x5x7BiKjK5g6avSFJIEZ-G9nVW5lNAade6NBgjphcOPItm2257YA/s200/IMG_0229.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Opening presents... too much fun!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl7QYeBibxZ45pa_7g4swyUyAk18ivA7tCfF0SN64AMjWO-GFhy1nN1bHVcBUXDY0UZGipyWfdLqsRB1OCQnABegaUy8inDup1zhs1FSzq_1ji-ce1M8Ndb4LQyVMgvE4uBSxS7zwnM0/s1600-h/IMG_0251.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285309054008522914" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl7QYeBibxZ45pa_7g4swyUyAk18ivA7tCfF0SN64AMjWO-GFhy1nN1bHVcBUXDY0UZGipyWfdLqsRB1OCQnABegaUy8inDup1zhs1FSzq_1ji-ce1M8Ndb4LQyVMgvE4uBSxS7zwnM0/s200/IMG_0251.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVUhkeB9KpSbP6myDvyi_J1q4r0dzD4eBHWyBuhO4BiCfrtXAsts_2P8LUoHzP8Cu2pK5N8AySRqcZ3nkFZUarF9_7p4wA0EsVhkZPOIlff0flMieC2qBdS_bQloC2-HeNRrbevK8nT4/s1600-h/IMG_0245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285309046689945090" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVUhkeB9KpSbP6myDvyi_J1q4r0dzD4eBHWyBuhO4BiCfrtXAsts_2P8LUoHzP8Cu2pK5N8AySRqcZ3nkFZUarF9_7p4wA0EsVhkZPOIlff0flMieC2qBdS_bQloC2-HeNRrbevK8nT4/s200/IMG_0245.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What a big day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH28Soj41H37JTlwkri2-5KIUMtho87XEEbreHyPzfn1s31Wm3vdlDofCodZSLTeqJM6NGCiudr87cOkp2Itkc7hvgx5D1xGqptGohj10q68DV2PwBZKrvTuj1yO49Ne4r1mFABrnZWIg/s1600-h/IMG_0253.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285309059160095954" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH28Soj41H37JTlwkri2-5KIUMtho87XEEbreHyPzfn1s31Wm3vdlDofCodZSLTeqJM6NGCiudr87cOkp2Itkc7hvgx5D1xGqptGohj10q68DV2PwBZKrvTuj1yO49Ne4r1mFABrnZWIg/s200/IMG_0253.JPG" border="0" /></a>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-48189935846778640432008-12-28T14:40:00.000-08:002008-12-28T15:16:18.299-08:00Brady is 2 Months OldTime is already flying too fast. <div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284977120948978738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDu0-0Dosng1zwX9sf5Scir5HsKQoZ3EuaxvudQzuRZqcQOJhApBGxZsXW7BCg6fxL2MGahxA6ugzO4czkmBr-U_YgPEoaHkW6CanSX-ftXgjLhIa4GnHTD0_RWG3IW41HcGdSEtC1ILY/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" border="0" />He's getting close to smiling.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284977134988188466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvqr6FPDPetRfhc_FiYWffLggMHidlscu4E1mfPGbDwGDSvDsgh4cs4k76sCXPcOflpPnsCVHYKIYzD3WB_jqfdDAgKNJ_JFhhx0CxRPIFPiMIVT4hYMIkRJKF8G88yJxH3QBJO3L8D0/s320/IMG_0188.JPG" border="0" />I could snuggle and kiss him all day.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284977143250118402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOTRM_bvkO5WHhV6VxJRVa6Na_wpazwNxSeCI8xQIr69FUX8HEu-FBcsAQpGvfcvPnjI0ueUPfxZNhu3WYpnEdqnxHpxsIwBEEUfXGFYVBxHMCSmjfTowb7W-o2zslCv2kRc6lnc2eXo/s320/IMG_0196.JPG" border="0" /></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-56857649341008786742008-12-17T12:51:00.000-08:002008-12-17T14:18:42.685-08:00SantaWhile we were leaving the play area at the mall the other day, we spotted Santa in the Food Court sitting at a table. Kids were coming up to him and sitting on his lap, so we ventured over to see him. Drew was giddy and excited to talk to Santa. Matt, on the other hand, protested immediately and stubbornly refused to take part in the fun. After Drew took his turn, I tried yet again to convince Matt this was a <em>fun</em> thing, and that he should thank his lucky stars for a mom who shows him such a good time, darn it... j/k. But he just kept screaming, "I'm too scared! I'm too scared!" Apparently, Santa is only jolly when encased in a protective barrier; i.e. cardboard cutout, billboard, ornament, or TV screen. As a last resort, I tried aiming my camera at an angle that included both Matt and Santa to have some semblance of a photo op. And in the future if he ever accuses me of leaving him out of the photo, I can show him what my best efforts yielded--a scowling Matt at a good distance from his new enemy. Ironically, now he asks to see Santa every day. By the way, is this not the best mall-Santa you've ever seen?<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>Drew sharing his age... <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280872503978894386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7vDvWouQ9NFy-Jhf-Ig5LabHWIv_vDG5NV-Cg5NJxp_UHUMrC4ur7bEWkwXnIALGj0x4vO9G00BUEz6YAg1nhYKlz09PMUJh6Uf7Wsjek1eCR7qf8a111Kb1BeKSCfTIQ8YWnpQHH1s/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" border="0" />Posing happily...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280872510486852418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojrbpnwGZCfDFP0BqMyAbtVjnaZgaHqK4yl8-CCR6dB2j0VRdmeMMjgDOdL7bb1Vj_QnEAQm0Lr7pP2arwTyJA70nLLvSsy45XZY9lpXSzLHqfkaJItDONLi1YcJAeYjyDwxFVPfnqY0/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" border="0" />Then there's Matt, "I refuse to give you the satisfaction of a smile."</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280872512526672450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhpHzXrJW4ZYhxB20SmMOS7loRvZZb6byNlIjABSdXhxrSTkxMu63MsGj4XuXwokx1c0uWzMjXmnL5jhaZFTcyY8M9F6KYkvrVKRyRHMxZ_FLxjgOrb_Z3KJn-v-W4Kx1zGPiLJ1Q6LE/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-31994472295842856072008-12-13T11:29:00.000-08:002008-12-13T18:27:00.283-08:00Christmas PajamasThe kids just couldn't wait to wear their new pajamas.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279362530892490658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO-Z4J9naHrazTvGNddRNXoPqsAaX30vcDIxBaLIi05E26BAAqy0FeJYgCMAsO_VQ9o04450oXKzyM21xQLULgimFGSHXD116e5XQ0ggUXke5Pr0suGHkDf9OJ20dPjLl9RBzMKxMQ_4/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" border="0" />It didn't take much to get them to sit in front of the tree and smile.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279365068824513826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj0dBV_yUePcHx0pNlgUCuLab0vNiZNSzfQ5ZwhEsJNP5E-zZPDc-ztAZjD8YF4l4JeFeSmXKpO73eHiA536tvCTTowB8odpPll5VXcwezjdjKM2DadzURUxxHW3FAZDEJTgHmrUoMLM/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" border="0" />I love to see their affection for the baby.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279362523241073986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqivTQKRFVkglwd9WGu5uuHc3yZVzG74eFmpXjt3YkflDth4NDnNKEjCkVuBcnhFNPsF6J6QOTfZQxCuGI0l1fCic5CeeZjrc35UnYPva8Tri5O-uwyzgDxWq4iyIH9MsTJ_w8QWiZp4/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" border="0" />We wish you a Christmas filled with the best feelings of the season!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279362501918534626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmDga1qIO6r6dWFMY7M3_vc0d6H9aSQ5ThYSjNQMSEdH7WvAdG9YIdMxHA4n_qkhH7k9SNYMUWsWyXdLnn46VfR6qmdcKm-nU4W1_nLLi-nlkRrjEF2uyqWumuTE-UZkP_4bYfhM9noc/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" border="0" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-67656460292624857492008-11-28T08:00:00.000-08:002008-11-29T19:59:05.234-08:00Thanksgiving & Black Friday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kt37rRNbcI6quvUXiz0-yK04t5w7DH73WDxF2WWF4TjKp-OppxtwEhCsvYbizcp41JLJgYUFssP6DBIFOFswWj6cQkP1avzQMi3Kfg-tVXBmQQiNqRbcBtWaUz5DuzM1WaJE2vZuySQ/s1600-h/thanksgiving.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kt37rRNbcI6quvUXiz0-yK04t5w7DH73WDxF2WWF4TjKp-OppxtwEhCsvYbizcp41JLJgYUFssP6DBIFOFswWj6cQkP1avzQMi3Kfg-tVXBmQQiNqRbcBtWaUz5DuzM1WaJE2vZuySQ/s1600-h/thanksgiving.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273751472446442818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 107px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kt37rRNbcI6quvUXiz0-yK04t5w7DH73WDxF2WWF4TjKp-OppxtwEhCsvYbizcp41JLJgYUFssP6DBIFOFswWj6cQkP1avzQMi3Kfg-tVXBmQQiNqRbcBtWaUz5DuzM1WaJE2vZuySQ/s400/thanksgiving.jpg" border="0" /></a>So this was the first Thanksgiving where we stayed home and I tackled the entire dinner alone. It was actually fun researching countless recipes and planning our perfect menu. The night before, I stayed up cooking as the kids slept, focusing on the reward of seeing my family happy & excited at the array of fabulous food on the table. Of course with just toddlers in the house I shouldn't have set my sights too high on receiving many oohs and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">aahs</span></span></span> of culinary pleasure. Luckily I don't have picky eaters, and Ryan more than made up for any lack by pouring on the compliments.<br /><br />Thanksgiving morning Ryan returned home after a 28-hour shift and I was expecting him to go right to bed to recover all day, but he surprised me and took the kids to the Sun Bowl Parade and gave me the chance to cook in peace. The enjoyment I was feeling began to wane as I started to prepare the turkey. This was my first turkey and I was a little intimidated, but I figured it would probably turn out OK (and even if it didn't, that was OK too). As I plunged the bird into a sink of warm water and watched it bob up and down, I was turned off at the sight of a this poor dead animal floating in my kitchen sink, grown only to be killed and feed us <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gluttons</span> on Thanksgiving. A short time ago it was an innocent little animal running around, relatively happy (I imagined) and unaware of its inevitable doom. Now I'm sure this could sound something like the rant of a psychotic vegetarian who thinks of meat-eaters as murderers. However, although I don't plan on becoming a vegetarian after this experience, I would like to restrict my meat prep to "cutlets" rather than "beings" <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">from</span> now on. Fortunately, the meal turned out great with the roast turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, tarragon gravy, crescent rolls, homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">herbed</span></span></span> stuffing, yummy sweet potato casserole with praline topping, pumpkin pie and sparkling cranberry slushy drink.<br /><br />After our big day of feasting and family time, and after the kids were in bed, I prepared to participate in the annual Black Friday shopping day after never having done it before. But the thought of fighting the cold and the crowds for limited items (not to mention the uncertainty of whether I could return home in time to nurse the baby) led me to do my shopping online. After the 1am feeding I got on the computer and started shopping. The downside was that not all deals were available online, but for me the payoff of staying at home and avoiding the chaos was worth foregoing them... I just ended up experiencing a different kind of chaos. At a certain store website where I took quite a while browsing and making final decisions, I proceeded to checkout but an item had sold out since it was added to my cart. I tried to remain calm and went back to shop. After finally deciding on a replacement and proceeding to checkout yet again, my computer froze up. I eventually had no choice but to reboot, and by the time I logged back in and added everything back to my cart, more items had sold out! Now I'd had it and just wanted to grab my stuff and sprint to checkout, much like I would've felt in the stores. After three hours and several stores visited, I finally collapsed into bed, only to be roused within seconds to feed the baby again. And so it goes!Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-59539272453118347782008-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:002008-11-01T08:34:06.815-07:00Pumpkin PatchOne week before Brady was born we went to a corn maze and picked out pumpkins. The kids had a great time sliding down a slide made of huge piping large enough for them to stand in. We pet the goats, explored the corn maze, and then took a hayride to the huge pumpkin patch. The weather was hot and I was hoping to find smaller pumpkins for the kids to carry, but all of the pumpkins were very large and difficult to handle. I did my best to grip one in each hand and a third under my arm (not to mention the pumpkin in my belly), but the weight soon got the best of me and I couldn't prevent them from dropping to the ground. To complicate matters, Matt became wary of the uneven ground and eventually refused to walk without my help (see picture). Luckily several people helped me lug the kids and our three pumpkins back to the hayride so we could make it home with our Halloween goods. I'm planning on making some pretty sweet pies with these pumpkins. I've heard that the taste of fresh (vs. canned) pumpkin can't be beat! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263322555792697490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kIQmgPEuRcUTzqBZPudPno8WBtMOuxOA1b1rNRotL8peeXmmxGi2048b_QQRACy8UnrVu-YEVVnQ34xBeYUy3VBf7vPugCmhQf2zQmI-P-5TZNlwN9berT296_Bef0aY-LRsP9uobec/s320/IMG_3749.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263323173981996546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yY9t2mt390NlkmLHpLZOjAQXbzSgq1MHbxrr-Og4-yeHre8y9fyXIst7u1JBK54yXd1GiD8tU63nKyFZMRA2UHCskUYJpwHAsK6sBIzaCeWfv8ypw6ku6VPZdERqcKc8StsfbV_T-bU/s320/IMG_3752.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263322558384146082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib49Ggi0Jx7bbtIl97uN_RlIv_n-XPwUQ-2dIjs8jrM0V8VaRrXY4Wm06Bs7CkJJgbryVfTw8-DRifydpVPLZd4NxH6iAr79SAR_4dbJvZp7U7ftUUZjOhDQbLpuDVj6BX8NU3F_uEvWw/s320/IMG_3755.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263322841764355586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sCAAzvXag-AEMUFyG7sPjpH52dzOsoMrddt01PoXk36ok3hKj8PgMW9Fba93BwAP4ke3W6ucYD3R5lvgYyw1D2lrD4G5AGSvylZNfIPcDh7lkV8ZbNzw1u1XM5RZ6oBosLIVxb25Qb0/s320/IMG_3761.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263322567604299762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpIZ3XRH6VZ0qzfGvNfjghMK_UmLp4lGei8m-0eCvRM4nwk5_6tShEEz9v-kRwO9YHNc_CSqjnuwr3qdjp6P2RhDxDx0Gs25lbNnCtbgcvW8tVu4G1tLt0F3OCfdoQnJHK1YFR6RzB0k/s320/IMG_3760.JPG" border="0" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-8980353894273737252008-10-30T21:31:00.000-07:002008-11-01T08:36:38.859-07:00The Gridiron GreeniesMatt and Drew enjoying a costume dress rehearsal. We wish everyone a fun Halloween!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263713328886773746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkFLR7ti5SDda1b7h-100PD7dcuvBFyu9mBN0Womw5fSDP4TERQq5lhCEk10XGWY9EpW2krouTGbwCjtOL7NJHpmdH2rjm4vOsDGDqazf6QsFKofr59wRcVnLtgZo-oNWdPjTpFedBHQ/s320/IMG_3820.JPG" border="0" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6294684018083265222.post-46136726956512536382008-10-25T12:42:00.000-07:002008-10-26T08:43:05.934-07:00Introducing: "Uh-Oh!" Brady Thomas MillerOver the past week Brenda and I have engaged in several heartfelt conversations regarding the naming of the baby. It almost felt like we were in the courtroom, each of us pleading our case to the other. Then something happened, something that made me defenseless. She pulled out the ultimate secret weapon--a weapon that only women seem to possess--a weapon more powerful than logic--a weapon no man has an answer for. She <strong>cried</strong>... OK, so she cried <em>after</em> I gave the green light on Brady, but just the same it was all over for me--case closed, nail in the coffin, final buzzer, end of story, checkered flag, game over, gavel down, judgment to Brenda. "Ryan, you are hereby sentenced to consume <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SpaghettiOs</span> for the rest of your life."<br /><br />Okay, so it's not a bad name. Brady is already growing on me. And above all, we are blessed to have a healthy, "spirited" baby.<br /><p>Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, and naming guidance. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261285956065565922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif32wB8jP2aTo8nsSAdYiIW365xQER3S2RfssILXZx1L7oTYqTC-liTpDek-2UbA345EHGpaD7XxFdWbKm8keSZ2cFijSjkDpsr1ahHULHRtEvNe9oUaPKqvCXAhdt8sBDxUho3Re_-3Q/s320/IMG_3806.JPG" border="0" /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261285958007789522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6ytThiG2HxpnkUiz5urNZ-_SLauKZa0d9iiUdPZad50OMjVNvjrL4RujktkKJvhCORTasqGowWfUbE3eGFn0lJouEnOMi1DgfrkqjQPsrkCVas4uTduLkiN_fUUJiKesGUAn26aLOcw/s320/IMG_3801.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261285965109408434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLoL7v4EujA4NesdjGxJIQHXbdBJZyLCQt1U7aHm3WB51xgTKZOoe4YnFCSfuWcQZtnmvkUJz92A3qJ265qzCJAd8mK2MpUQ0xuDbj1kDTrYYWV1KzQndAjxjrpKZmRqHG7Sgct4d_aE/s320/IMG_3805.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261285967741303282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNOic5rki9rHQAiggxA-sE3E7eHRsjBmVy-OPwA1TjiJaSapdgyn1hXV2WHdvPt3vn-RrccxiQtSQyeOwWzYcfnBwEFMMRKcYQlTn9DK2Lhyeu6KnS2ZIZg7aVhFug40rS1AaeBGTgJI/s320/IMG_3807.JPG" border="0" />Brendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546339171682609842noreply@blogger.com7