tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29452057651847417472024-02-20T11:41:38.738-07:00Grayson FamilyGrayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-636323901841940522011-04-03T16:39:00.005-07:002011-04-03T17:07:45.950-07:00Habitat Diorama<div style="text-align: center;">First grade has been a challenge. No longer can you get by with "baby kindergarten stuff". You have to work. You have to be diligent. You have to actually learn stuff. Some "stuff" you are expected to learn are the various habitats of the world. In order to facilitate the learning process the wonderful teachers at Candeo gave the girls a project wherein they were required to pick a habitat and construct a diorama from the facts they learned in class supplemented with outside sources (Mom does not count as an outside source - I told you 1st grade was tough.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjUAJSjBbp88HK4hamLXR1HZGvDuSOFnB7qG8j4OG0LqFORHalijsq6lQlEYJaPCvjqjnAUQu31X7VClS2kyPrpEP65Lykg4Ii1jOnMLYW9EnxhNKx09u1G0fCdf4tcbnJvNozw5PYRMo/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjUAJSjBbp88HK4hamLXR1HZGvDuSOFnB7qG8j4OG0LqFORHalijsq6lQlEYJaPCvjqjnAUQu31X7VClS2kyPrpEP65Lykg4Ii1jOnMLYW9EnxhNKx09u1G0fCdf4tcbnJvNozw5PYRMo/s320/IMG_0345.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591508069411121730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Liv with her finished tropical rainforest. She did all the work herself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2feZumsZKyPyuQhVTICjtTrODklCSIN3CJZ0zBYOssJWug4wQ9uH8qE7sCjZu7iSXov0FKzgXkWxHsPa5GAm06R6VaCeYPEtmeM80J3KZB1IeJTbz8r5c2SRU5qk0QMNt-VfhZVeMX_U/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2feZumsZKyPyuQhVTICjtTrODklCSIN3CJZ0zBYOssJWug4wQ9uH8qE7sCjZu7iSXov0FKzgXkWxHsPa5GAm06R6VaCeYPEtmeM80J3KZB1IeJTbz8r5c2SRU5qk0QMNt-VfhZVeMX_U/s320/IMG_0346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591508062165487874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A close up of the palm trees (donated from our bathtub dinosaur toys), newly purchased tiger and jaguar (yes we know it's a cheetah but we couldn't find a jaguar and are counting on other 1st graders not being able to tell the difference), a hand crafted butterfly (they grow them big in the rain forests) and bushes also made from play-dough and painted by a well-known artist (namely Livvy).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE7AmiMDwq6xLznL9RA8rbLXkWEUmJQWllbIptF4ZpMyn_Lg_aVMY-3NXxG_cu925ZMWwDvyeB77BLyx0ktsViMAz0FQhRvEJOc3gzzl9z4BZ5SXlJ96wH0m6jEOh88qBNTgP4q0diNsM/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE7AmiMDwq6xLznL9RA8rbLXkWEUmJQWllbIptF4ZpMyn_Lg_aVMY-3NXxG_cu925ZMWwDvyeB77BLyx0ktsViMAz0FQhRvEJOc3gzzl9z4BZ5SXlJ96wH0m6jEOh88qBNTgP4q0diNsM/s320/IMG_0347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591507245611362802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Nice bushes, no?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEmQ0QoZ2f4bW4YBIqPmu7W0wBlFJZRusP8eZ01ZISoK5uhHnDPQcwgUHFDQLohA8eAg-LLLFuA6mjbZLWBhv3iKP0Z6ppQiEklDdrvNWfT78DkX_mevw1t16swOEbR6d_O1xKnSDcy-8/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEmQ0QoZ2f4bW4YBIqPmu7W0wBlFJZRusP8eZ01ZISoK5uhHnDPQcwgUHFDQLohA8eAg-LLLFuA6mjbZLWBhv3iKP0Z6ppQiEklDdrvNWfT78DkX_mevw1t16swOEbR6d_O1xKnSDcy-8/s320/IMG_0341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591507240703091922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Ellie with her Deciduous forest diorama. (And a Harkins movie cup)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WY-9W5DyuGUlSe4POHuwMQtKAJgNIEjApo1DlF6r7WpmsP9zZ8Shhyphenhypheni1nawrjfE2uZpoZ-Pns6ZFMdg_u2JHTPOmgyqorBWZi8vDjEmRDET60SS3gkJyqyavIRqPrMoQz7cjWwyCeRyL/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WY-9W5DyuGUlSe4POHuwMQtKAJgNIEjApo1DlF6r7WpmsP9zZ8Shhyphenhypheni1nawrjfE2uZpoZ-Pns6ZFMdg_u2JHTPOmgyqorBWZi8vDjEmRDET60SS3gkJyqyavIRqPrMoQz7cjWwyCeRyL/s320/IMG_0348.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591507236127676034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">She too painted everything with no help from me. We did buy the various frolicking forest animals, however they are set off nicely by the dead foliage and shredded moss she added.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPTSudP5ywFhHYJ3Pmvwd_vLhvchHZptHetjXSme89kJHhqFkUyK1skLVv2ZPZN3hJP-w_u3OBVxWVjttvayyYmebmEBF6S8xHaS9esHXFOvntktMHTdpIf5VXmFLdG2G3eqvc36b7hWi/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPTSudP5ywFhHYJ3Pmvwd_vLhvchHZptHetjXSme89kJHhqFkUyK1skLVv2ZPZN3hJP-w_u3OBVxWVjttvayyYmebmEBF6S8xHaS9esHXFOvntktMHTdpIf5VXmFLdG2G3eqvc36b7hWi/s320/IMG_0349.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591507229058478386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Frolicking animals.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwZ-Gc9JKgn6f1F-HAPlpQhKHm1mDXDAS328kYIdLBO8OFskNZEB6BiZDB5ZmrpYqAa28UnAPGzDl2sXSuMdf-5G3Te9qiVZZtQHJrV2z99_Sa6tscWXzjKHj6ckgMuvVMRNywsbFoJgq/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwZ-Gc9JKgn6f1F-HAPlpQhKHm1mDXDAS328kYIdLBO8OFskNZEB6BiZDB5ZmrpYqAa28UnAPGzDl2sXSuMdf-5G3Te9qiVZZtQHJrV2z99_Sa6tscWXzjKHj6ckgMuvVMRNywsbFoJgq/s320/IMG_0350.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591507226560092386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After much hard work I allowed them some much needed free time which included some very special wii time as they had not been allowed to play "in forever."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So with their completed projects in hand they came to me very seriously and instructed me to take pictures and send them to grandpa the great as he is a true artist and thus the only one fully able to appreciate their God-given talent. Apparently it skips a generation - or two. Ouch.</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-81765217546620322312011-04-02T15:23:00.003-07:002011-04-02T16:03:20.821-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">The girls are now 7 and we are finally in a position to let them try some extra-curricular activities. They wanted soccer so soccer it was. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVCgwfLZmjj74K6F1ESHXz40BpXy8fFPIUzcy8UnfY4u_ZFujjmb1H0rkIleiUJFdQ-3hQPNKC8Ml1jy4_pi8_kqaeYTerKPgGbz9TiitBGs0Ot6RUOjFp39C0unOlX99PulCvKgQftP-/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVCgwfLZmjj74K6F1ESHXz40BpXy8fFPIUzcy8UnfY4u_ZFujjmb1H0rkIleiUJFdQ-3hQPNKC8Ml1jy4_pi8_kqaeYTerKPgGbz9TiitBGs0Ot6RUOjFp39C0unOlX99PulCvKgQftP-/s320/IMG_0333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591115957648731602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Brock and the girls approach the field for their first game ever.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMbXcdZNVCo9iqiXHGsHCXoPuk155Kxurq_l3PLz8H7zcBn9yl6eDZ8sJcxt3fV5o7ahmQ-CAdtqnBa70LTKkxR35LMyOA32KFUWOUy9SKOgY_JvyinPSMaW6SN2g8WitXqPKuOX8BOg7/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMbXcdZNVCo9iqiXHGsHCXoPuk155Kxurq_l3PLz8H7zcBn9yl6eDZ8sJcxt3fV5o7ahmQ-CAdtqnBa70LTKkxR35LMyOA32KFUWOUy9SKOgY_JvyinPSMaW6SN2g8WitXqPKuOX8BOg7/s320/IMG_0334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591115963673413634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is what they were up against. No fear!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoxaIX7gihas-OGPkHsIheVWl-iFeUe7Pm2Y0F5wcMma_DqpAkIvOHGOr7yVT-gmhLKMQGK_DasZjicR2Wh63nwJuryDFzHfEZIEXBXZ2Hso_rOfsOB6YOAogzW_qKrjPWdhyphenhyphenOUX0QNsy/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoxaIX7gihas-OGPkHsIheVWl-iFeUe7Pm2Y0F5wcMma_DqpAkIvOHGOr7yVT-gmhLKMQGK_DasZjicR2Wh63nwJuryDFzHfEZIEXBXZ2Hso_rOfsOB6YOAogzW_qKrjPWdhyphenhyphenOUX0QNsy/s320/IMG_0335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591115970454291042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hurry up and wait. I would like to say they were sizing up the competition but mostly they complained that it was too hot. 90 degrees at 8:30 in the morning. Welcome to soccer in the desert. (Perhaps not one of my better ideas.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The game started and all doubts vanished. Soccer is fun!!! The girls were timid in the beginning and mostly stood around while we yelled from the side lines. (Apparently I am that parent.) Once they figured out what they were supposed to do (take the ball away from the other team - I know it doesn't sound nice but really, it's the point) they stepped up and did their best. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Kfzb-6bChk4C6VpgDEyq-pMi3_EYrhk5WMVmONoz2epojVgLbOHVbJiYGWDqBsMzGi_fp5eeKIH-DNsSJ5uz5hdjMfds1xBMVk3pQTc2P5BXLO-ZFMDpSv0MgNqqNZhbHcMxL7gPmdfM/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Kfzb-6bChk4C6VpgDEyq-pMi3_EYrhk5WMVmONoz2epojVgLbOHVbJiYGWDqBsMzGi_fp5eeKIH-DNsSJ5uz5hdjMfds1xBMVk3pQTc2P5BXLO-ZFMDpSv0MgNqqNZhbHcMxL7gPmdfM/s320/IMG_0336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591115976778936210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ellie coming in for a water break.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G2_FpmIC3LUt3nCkMDQyEsG7AwIEW9qNm0GMFKIYobr2E6ldj2tlLJxUsVesVzFitCIvDVejh0_KtUv8zNj-RByTat4xyI3h5AcSfnIMIX0XcrtYfEQvjwXxS7IRoEB_zSYn4xMHlCyB/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G2_FpmIC3LUt3nCkMDQyEsG7AwIEW9qNm0GMFKIYobr2E6ldj2tlLJxUsVesVzFitCIvDVejh0_KtUv8zNj-RByTat4xyI3h5AcSfnIMIX0XcrtYfEQvjwXxS7IRoEB_zSYn4xMHlCyB/s320/IMG_0337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591115981303746882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Liv's water break.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brock and I had so much fun watching, cheering, and yelling incredibly helpful things that we forgot to take picture of the actual game. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4XMrMlYUHPrZfi-BHsWteb-Eqk17zxjiUay8cVgC17aa68IV6AezZmvRCNPad1CKT80ayXEfOTwb92yoJUAzMf_tWJdsoYgyGOwMKPmv6-EtqV-9ne0Jbs1xZJvtYVd2H6dHII_DIcGr/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4XMrMlYUHPrZfi-BHsWteb-Eqk17zxjiUay8cVgC17aa68IV6AezZmvRCNPad1CKT80ayXEfOTwb92yoJUAzMf_tWJdsoYgyGOwMKPmv6-EtqV-9ne0Jbs1xZJvtYVd2H6dHII_DIcGr/s320/IMG_0338.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591117810672508514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately they were not victorious. They lost 0-5 but there was improvement in the second half and everyone had fun. Here is the team with their coach who is a really great guy. We didn't know him at all and we really lucked out.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3mDb7foFszbzHFvJfRQTkDvbBsxagG4aLGpY8AINpSVwUUQG_OGyE0naUYJ46iojRmYGJ08mEW4Z9ASLR9JLqC9D9gSB4q98BSE7m54j1BRoW_jSGTRrcgqqrN-bTthr9wFzuGmgEqFo/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3mDb7foFszbzHFvJfRQTkDvbBsxagG4aLGpY8AINpSVwUUQG_OGyE0naUYJ46iojRmYGJ08mEW4Z9ASLR9JLqC9D9gSB4q98BSE7m54j1BRoW_jSGTRrcgqqrN-bTthr9wFzuGmgEqFo/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591117813888289234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The girls were so tired by the end of the game but they had a blast. </div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-91343020014774033442009-07-21T15:15:00.021-07:002009-07-22T10:26:09.491-07:00Service Continued<div style="text-align: center;">So we have wrapped up our Grayson "summer of service" and it was a wild success. I am so please with how everything went that I just might do it again.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday we went to clean the church. Despite the grumbles I endured earlier there were none when the big day came. None! And I didn't even have to threaten their little lives! I'm so proud. We finished our dinner here at home, got our shoes on, and left in the middle of a monsoon heading towards the church. The kids were a huge help. They went through the chapel collecting trash and straightening up in the pews and then they went to each and every classroom to empty the waste baskets. They didn't complain. They didn't fight. They didn't run away to play chase up and down the hall ways. They worked diligently until it was done. I am so proud of the work they did.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our final project was making lunches for a women's/children's shelter. I bought some plain, white lunch bags and zoo stickers so the kids could personalize each bag. This was the result of our Family Home Evening project.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our Stickers</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIwVTg-g4jYaOz4GOgVi5eFhzFYCGs5PL47G_9gol6zsJ2kPyYpA-Stmy4E2o0ORyaObvDb5HhN6dFXiMTpfuU8EuZg54l43E2QS_I7W4Qa6HLVNQRnitHV9t-bM2JZ3ZWLy8Mz5z2Wny/s1600-h/DSC02873.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIwVTg-g4jYaOz4GOgVi5eFhzFYCGs5PL47G_9gol6zsJ2kPyYpA-Stmy4E2o0ORyaObvDb5HhN6dFXiMTpfuU8EuZg54l43E2QS_I7W4Qa6HLVNQRnitHV9t-bM2JZ3ZWLy8Mz5z2Wny/s320/DSC02873.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361043472562290450" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stickers and Bags - A Beginning</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TkMLb8DaCVySBAYvV_b1IXKhzBP-UMOhlwjUA6AK45dO-z076GlyX64Xn3gxHp5Q0cx2z1Aqe9lYfr_KjGx7r6KfvEhVh5VkIprv4xOQzI8E9YzXsWgDy7fRedbPKce_KjqsC6J_lrcg/s1600-h/DSC02874.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TkMLb8DaCVySBAYvV_b1IXKhzBP-UMOhlwjUA6AK45dO-z076GlyX64Xn3gxHp5Q0cx2z1Aqe9lYfr_KjGx7r6KfvEhVh5VkIprv4xOQzI8E9YzXsWgDy7fRedbPKce_KjqsC6J_lrcg/s320/DSC02874.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361043465923872050" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After much concentration...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UJResu9Ml9Qr7ws0ra2Xjv_Nj1yFVqPP7JmHS0FbFLKCmWJaAXA0vt92xlJtk4RCZoIE2oRI1X2HDpnOcWt2t4NozeSfgONUQVzyiqoZYnZ4ApooMpbKUa4zHB3W8aHrHj08sJsklzMf/s1600-h/DSC02866.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UJResu9Ml9Qr7ws0ra2Xjv_Nj1yFVqPP7JmHS0FbFLKCmWJaAXA0vt92xlJtk4RCZoIE2oRI1X2HDpnOcWt2t4NozeSfgONUQVzyiqoZYnZ4ApooMpbKUa4zHB3W8aHrHj08sJsklzMf/s320/DSC02866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361280554740165890" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">unfailing diligence...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0LMWLjE6q09DR4xilpwZTjEYfxr1XtMaPDozmuosoVLOfXmrijQEsNZYtNE7fjknXYFNJ5FRV9kgka74B6U_f7lH1ZEOYQ4iF-dX9Gjsp7tKcw7GWaxrngs8ma4kPNfbXicFMu8k5wkr/s1600-h/DSC02868.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0LMWLjE6q09DR4xilpwZTjEYfxr1XtMaPDozmuosoVLOfXmrijQEsNZYtNE7fjknXYFNJ5FRV9kgka74B6U_f7lH1ZEOYQ4iF-dX9Gjsp7tKcw7GWaxrngs8ma4kPNfbXicFMu8k5wkr/s320/DSC02868.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361280565134822866" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and some hard, hard work...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kfcvVWykPM-99vm85_FZEcTWf8eIRVYsW574rF78ruqD0eKBKWALk4eT58hFHGV-amIW9PvpCBK9L35U6xJQfTW0IDOu92woOgX2XDh5U4Opb4JGmawbArgTz31_OkoGCPpc80-dU6s7/s1600-h/DSC02869.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kfcvVWykPM-99vm85_FZEcTWf8eIRVYsW574rF78ruqD0eKBKWALk4eT58hFHGV-amIW9PvpCBK9L35U6xJQfTW0IDOu92woOgX2XDh5U4Opb4JGmawbArgTz31_OkoGCPpc80-dU6s7/s320/DSC02869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361279891352332210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">we were done. Here are some examples of the masterpieces that were created.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Livvy</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv3TrALDCfhKwo-OOreEqsOrX8z3VeW2jWO9ZQ1WK1Qd6axNqyPU3pMIAzB1F1Z5IPzdAFJYjuX0WCQBOSG0RPEFdGp_9ingFNDvGDw_DHzEI3PQKzZPT6PpUX5mzKVIiDLSbq84Lihi-/s1600-h/DSC02872.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv3TrALDCfhKwo-OOreEqsOrX8z3VeW2jWO9ZQ1WK1Qd6axNqyPU3pMIAzB1F1Z5IPzdAFJYjuX0WCQBOSG0RPEFdGp_9ingFNDvGDw_DHzEI3PQKzZPT6PpUX5mzKVIiDLSbq84Lihi-/s320/DSC02872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361283140836137090" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ellie</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWZaP-b9mkhyphenhyphenaMr6AOZQcK4fNzpGGx5UbKM4FICaNkgdB4BgMzpwInI8s9W0uwf-iZzT-nbgR5vjOSB-OuBAepTjYtoWMRgLlT_1f-k-zQecXao1OfBQR1CUgjcGc9zcgMZk0DdSFsxaa/s1600-h/DSC02871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWZaP-b9mkhyphenhyphenaMr6AOZQcK4fNzpGGx5UbKM4FICaNkgdB4BgMzpwInI8s9W0uwf-iZzT-nbgR5vjOSB-OuBAepTjYtoWMRgLlT_1f-k-zQecXao1OfBQR1CUgjcGc9zcgMZk0DdSFsxaa/s320/DSC02871.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361283137916818098" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ashton</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF3Sx4fqttLY9wmX6T4nLXhGzvpAAwycICrtmeWjrHKclyr-24bpdXKb_HJeBHZydTcM4p2aRiYYrataMa4sJ0kX2IUVGFKIxJttLRUaz4J0V8mQI4sOsCgh3kC99kD9IPAD9DZLsC8TP/s1600-h/DSC02870.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF3Sx4fqttLY9wmX6T4nLXhGzvpAAwycICrtmeWjrHKclyr-24bpdXKb_HJeBHZydTcM4p2aRiYYrataMa4sJ0kX2IUVGFKIxJttLRUaz4J0V8mQI4sOsCgh3kC99kD9IPAD9DZLsC8TP/s320/DSC02870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361283129189914018" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The next step in the process was stuffing baggies with carrots... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XSMq1yB8i6HT9JFtisYc2VOvMXvND2k2w1Eh4hfIfsXeu3ptRFepM25d_KDBwIoc6kaf9O1hyK2dnvTh7_PqGtzpnhz9Cr3saLi8IFBk6s4P8QoDJlWhqd5M3vJ3Je-aBEDgpBoJQ-Fo/s1600-h/DSC02880.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XSMq1yB8i6HT9JFtisYc2VOvMXvND2k2w1Eh4hfIfsXeu3ptRFepM25d_KDBwIoc6kaf9O1hyK2dnvTh7_PqGtzpnhz9Cr3saLi8IFBk6s4P8QoDJlWhqd5M3vJ3Je-aBEDgpBoJQ-Fo/s320/DSC02880.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361285380473309122" /></a><br />and apples.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkutwh8In2fowEMW1Wsm23t1YZJi4oAkEaCwTmbSIvffLksFMwobjwQCfI4qgMtJIABSE5HyL3idBw0l500f19C_9BkUdC2fRt8f8Q_AAkMJirgFVAoToEHQsksK3asP60qv0YAECVpTuw/s1600-h/DSC02881.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkutwh8In2fowEMW1Wsm23t1YZJi4oAkEaCwTmbSIvffLksFMwobjwQCfI4qgMtJIABSE5HyL3idBw0l500f19C_9BkUdC2fRt8f8Q_AAkMJirgFVAoToEHQsksK3asP60qv0YAECVpTuw/s320/DSC02881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361285368662180962" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I really felt like all of the food groups should be represented - fruit, vegetables, meat/protein, grain, and fruit snacks. This is the only part the process the kids grew a bit bored with. They hung in there till the end though. Even Ashton stayed for all the hard work. Of course that could be because he sat in the middle and was effectively trapped.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyD8L88Dsgm5WWBqSdKyyCip6CD9K1zrt4_LAjoBIJ13n6oNi0iHmTZfD6dPcC-MnujNHE6S_6cKLtAAw5pRzwcY_YGsRULRo90Qpuosw6nEfToND8ZB3kwk19mkvk8AiBdVS-j68TYvKF/s1600-h/DSC02879.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyD8L88Dsgm5WWBqSdKyyCip6CD9K1zrt4_LAjoBIJ13n6oNi0iHmTZfD6dPcC-MnujNHE6S_6cKLtAAw5pRzwcY_YGsRULRo90Qpuosw6nEfToND8ZB3kwk19mkvk8AiBdVS-j68TYvKF/s320/DSC02879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361285383211362642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I set up the staging areas...</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8g1MfjiXfBQyRYIczCLDFjVogiJFX9YGTxxtSLCTGGXBwlfU1KEbNGOl4zGgVXRY0azYtyneH_lNKPhV_ZjxC9UZsyf_rW27JHmazWJ35Pg2FczeBBN_SfksHv1EGNnNd3GvLbhvWhbA6/s1600-h/DSC02884.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8g1MfjiXfBQyRYIczCLDFjVogiJFX9YGTxxtSLCTGGXBwlfU1KEbNGOl4zGgVXRY0azYtyneH_lNKPhV_ZjxC9UZsyf_rW27JHmazWJ35Pg2FczeBBN_SfksHv1EGNnNd3GvLbhvWhbA6/s320/DSC02884.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361294048393670610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYzvs3_buD9BPhCrrvEqNVoa-kTDZulSLRrx17xScwaJqZ-iLYqYS9gFIxgFNA3tyEivcUpowG4pCUG-2snQ69k2EHUp5mvIPGsH3_h79yyXKsNhQ33SZaxy0FH-xMFPJoi3F4PFFyHfe/s1600-h/DSC02883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYzvs3_buD9BPhCrrvEqNVoa-kTDZulSLRrx17xScwaJqZ-iLYqYS9gFIxgFNA3tyEivcUpowG4pCUG-2snQ69k2EHUp5mvIPGsH3_h79yyXKsNhQ33SZaxy0FH-xMFPJoi3F4PFFyHfe/s320/DSC02883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361294040796290066" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">And we got to work. At first our "to do" pile was much bigger...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfO1Jz1BLJpzvTXZVTUntZLGIJ-YkghOFywYxmZ3kaAFlnyM_l0JfrF0LsxOkiVb7qeR0ed7vydjZFx-nB_UUWb41neKz5rudJV8HxeoVyatLIyT6Gtd7AGd3AWU0KtchdPEakt_TpPgT/s1600-h/DSC02887.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfO1Jz1BLJpzvTXZVTUntZLGIJ-YkghOFywYxmZ3kaAFlnyM_l0JfrF0LsxOkiVb7qeR0ed7vydjZFx-nB_UUWb41neKz5rudJV8HxeoVyatLIyT6Gtd7AGd3AWU0KtchdPEakt_TpPgT/s320/DSC02887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361298838779577266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">than our "done" pile.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYrabxQ5VFLalIMTGwA0lbHhFHpBhPgchaVszAR91wka5HJElZG8x03jTresFljXplfiEc9Nabs3O7R9-Pbqslk6U2tvRxfJWOtm572tjc1x1thLzTxfURs0HadaDFwnMm6DqGPT-M0wQ/s1600-h/DSC02886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYrabxQ5VFLalIMTGwA0lbHhFHpBhPgchaVszAR91wka5HJElZG8x03jTresFljXplfiEc9Nabs3O7R9-Pbqslk6U2tvRxfJWOtm572tjc1x1thLzTxfURs0HadaDFwnMm6DqGPT-M0wQ/s320/DSC02886.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361298829512093778" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But we persevered.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JSjyCaq0m6iWK0SosfuorQ394X92ZPdDEjgbStvEbrvFfRoqf935V6xmnFk38y1oFDqaNQVHpj9fOsW1SYXn8otvKtLVkG8RJ3blE2QxLQYfOHXKyV8T5YD0aqbxE1xopQcOnN3Iuxkb/s1600-h/DSC02889.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JSjyCaq0m6iWK0SosfuorQ394X92ZPdDEjgbStvEbrvFfRoqf935V6xmnFk38y1oFDqaNQVHpj9fOsW1SYXn8otvKtLVkG8RJ3blE2QxLQYfOHXKyV8T5YD0aqbxE1xopQcOnN3Iuxkb/s320/DSC02889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361302179677468194" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Always working with a smile.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h3zG56BZ_pvCVG8l5eboYww48kCjK7f7NcVAod9_J4t7QB4kt_pg7K5Nj-Hg_SQcQGkeyTjAv3li7sR1HUFtp48YK_DCyMhtxPLTET4oFEmbMhJW1IWspLuIVsdtaJo5bWnpi4VSsbe6/s1600-h/DSC02890.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h3zG56BZ_pvCVG8l5eboYww48kCjK7f7NcVAod9_J4t7QB4kt_pg7K5Nj-Hg_SQcQGkeyTjAv3li7sR1HUFtp48YK_DCyMhtxPLTET4oFEmbMhJW1IWspLuIVsdtaJo5bWnpi4VSsbe6/s320/DSC02890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361302186965833170" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And our "to do" pile got smaller...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTI3Bcc87c4zZCpNDk5HT6w-zv-kJUDwvkx1wGZIIelpuCAlE8m8jQ_JYiMRCSpXsrssXhXzEDmeLkejcsfcu808j-URbb1jy4si-GeekPNplQ5DgzRK8zmfb3r4X2eXiGYo-UGZ92-IKm/s1600-h/DSC02893.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTI3Bcc87c4zZCpNDk5HT6w-zv-kJUDwvkx1wGZIIelpuCAlE8m8jQ_JYiMRCSpXsrssXhXzEDmeLkejcsfcu808j-URbb1jy4si-GeekPNplQ5DgzRK8zmfb3r4X2eXiGYo-UGZ92-IKm/s320/DSC02893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361304896962456018" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and smaller...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATvoulVu9drLB1890ZztnsvZxUog4rZ0iUurnAwBfB-EH0ojmbJ_QpSxd7w4g-1LcVxgeqWSA6wQtmNxC-fexAqek-rJo-ztT7tVkXLJrikchb740N0A3vVxZFSRVbZR5nrUT0c3OT4NB/s1600-h/DSC02895.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATvoulVu9drLB1890ZztnsvZxUog4rZ0iUurnAwBfB-EH0ojmbJ_QpSxd7w4g-1LcVxgeqWSA6wQtmNxC-fexAqek-rJo-ztT7tVkXLJrikchb740N0A3vVxZFSRVbZR5nrUT0c3OT4NB/s320/DSC02895.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361304901551108514" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and smaller.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp10xv_w_3jv-162ifBGz4_6gou1G8_-AYVwoSKTyCEkwL7C5L_vm0TNruUbA_vLiXgGxkRSQpCdmWMJWwaBXrPRitMLaw5T8KZq0pLMHmtIQijGSsmMzh_teu9csu5Ncftk2LaD_f7Bg/s1600-h/DSC02897.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp10xv_w_3jv-162ifBGz4_6gou1G8_-AYVwoSKTyCEkwL7C5L_vm0TNruUbA_vLiXgGxkRSQpCdmWMJWwaBXrPRitMLaw5T8KZq0pLMHmtIQijGSsmMzh_teu9csu5Ncftk2LaD_f7Bg/s320/DSC02897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361304909303409570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And we kept smiling...</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQE4_6W01XrISciF9g3Jp6T3O1JJAKvWo-1WZY4PtZjsONVhb2PrCKHW7OXOn9iuC8K5UARr9ZOcArbrdjx4CQnjFFarqG-X1dgA1CUHE49eeWnjvITPGKkQWs1PS9EZQ7mBfLo4sj7Bo/s1600-h/DSC02892.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQE4_6W01XrISciF9g3Jp6T3O1JJAKvWo-1WZY4PtZjsONVhb2PrCKHW7OXOn9iuC8K5UARr9ZOcArbrdjx4CQnjFFarqG-X1dgA1CUHE49eeWnjvITPGKkQWs1PS9EZQ7mBfLo4sj7Bo/s320/DSC02892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361308210917847730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9ak-fvYOvG-hG0typVJRkSNzVsNP2UetjqVoGDIyHJEW71sPNmpulchYvIUbRFxdIPVem_hgarQe5Ccvti-nmqg2sbNjVeiHbnwDjuwZjr0LPPYifPnIsI9jHVlRbo-TM3XP5YB76FWa/s1600-h/DSC02891.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9ak-fvYOvG-hG0typVJRkSNzVsNP2UetjqVoGDIyHJEW71sPNmpulchYvIUbRFxdIPVem_hgarQe5Ccvti-nmqg2sbNjVeiHbnwDjuwZjr0LPPYifPnIsI9jHVlRbo-TM3XP5YB76FWa/s320/DSC02891.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361308200196129442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">as our "done" pile got bigger...</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mNbrdMMmg4RrJwIPu6cjIC_bgEHz0ouZoi3rG2UuNh3soI9xkMWPGIA7J0hCUIwKh19zBAdTsGazzlW-Sg52aWLqMxXvCkZ0L3G_-xr4TMF7tOYBxtnGeuuaFZ0lOHNtK5KXhVxGVQH5/s1600-h/DSC02894.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mNbrdMMmg4RrJwIPu6cjIC_bgEHz0ouZoi3rG2UuNh3soI9xkMWPGIA7J0hCUIwKh19zBAdTsGazzlW-Sg52aWLqMxXvCkZ0L3G_-xr4TMF7tOYBxtnGeuuaFZ0lOHNtK5KXhVxGVQH5/s320/DSC02894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361312772387967026" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and bigger.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATMNP7dENH5acX9-iXU_nAxD3fJlVq-BI1HEnfL0jXin0AGg3mQiwhJ08CN3IzxOaTLQ8kHApRNPyVRsf3_avPYIUbhqLD21u4Y_qjmHiCQfXQL6CP6ovJlNjq4if8lUwc-9-NLVKk0E8/s1600-h/DSC02896.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATMNP7dENH5acX9-iXU_nAxD3fJlVq-BI1HEnfL0jXin0AGg3mQiwhJ08CN3IzxOaTLQ8kHApRNPyVRsf3_avPYIUbhqLD21u4Y_qjmHiCQfXQL6CP6ovJlNjq4if8lUwc-9-NLVKk0E8/s320/DSC02896.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361312775230580002" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Eventually, as with all things, we came to the end. We were very sad.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhkO3Y45ent-Juyl5_Zzz_05D_tN39GGrREtmQ1iQZ7KIMU-dZO5ixqGgpdC3uiy-wd_SdMdQhRUXEDhwSuqmDhdJjJ7J2gqbaU78Jchb5DmEUrG6jrMiHe2Y381USiTwvG0-SylxyKjh/s1600-h/DSC02899.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhkO3Y45ent-Juyl5_Zzz_05D_tN39GGrREtmQ1iQZ7KIMU-dZO5ixqGgpdC3uiy-wd_SdMdQhRUXEDhwSuqmDhdJjJ7J2gqbaU78Jchb5DmEUrG6jrMiHe2Y381USiTwvG0-SylxyKjh/s320/DSC02899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361313356347518434" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But proud of all the work we had done.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81tz5-fgHcwuSZ3thWxv5uk4aIOhAMr6b9AoQ9bXI3s86bEvG2OQx22kn5XTOT5o2IFfG8j6KcZatJOUCcaNNcDSQBpJ_aX7AIi6JfmR-uj2kGe9LDBPGdKK40KzBiGUdpmCfNTxUGDcp/s1600-h/DSC02900.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81tz5-fgHcwuSZ3thWxv5uk4aIOhAMr6b9AoQ9bXI3s86bEvG2OQx22kn5XTOT5o2IFfG8j6KcZatJOUCcaNNcDSQBpJ_aX7AIi6JfmR-uj2kGe9LDBPGdKK40KzBiGUdpmCfNTxUGDcp/s320/DSC02900.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361314343700018018" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Once everything was put in bags the kids helped me pack it all in boxes and carry everything to the car. We then drove down to the shelter and they helped me unload. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of those things because I was loading and carrying as well. The lack of pictures, though, is in no way indicative of less work. In fact, I think they worked harder towards the end in stifling heat. There was no complaining, no tears, no abject refusals. These kids were awesome. And, as if that were not enough, my girls came to me at the end of the day and suggested that we give their old backpacks to some kids who maybe don't have any. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I joke quite a bit about my kids but the truth is that I have been richly blessed. Blessed beyond my imaginings with kind, empathetic, good children who have spent the last couple weeks making their world a little bit better. The strength of their spirits astound me. I am better because of them.</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-6467666827869915182009-07-14T15:35:00.003-07:002009-07-14T16:09:56.577-07:00I don't matter...Now, before you start sending me notes about how I do matter and how I shouldn't off myself just because we have reached ridiculously high temperatures and I'm fairly certain I saw a tree burst into flame for no apparent reason... please, read on.<div><br /></div><div>Ellie: I don't matter which popsicle I get. I just get which one is familiar to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is some background. </div><div><br /></div><div>Nap time had just ended and the girls decided they would like a popsicle. Liv grabbed hers and Ellie walked over to the box, looked in at the 3 red ones left and grabbed one.</div><div><br /></div><div>This begs the question. What went on in those few seconds?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"Yes. You. Popsicle. I know you. We have met before." </span> </div><div><br /></div><div>Cue evil maniacal laughter and fade to black. (as the popsicle was eaten and we are a G rated blog.)<br /></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-42246240022924433642009-07-07T20:13:00.014-07:002009-07-08T16:17:49.976-07:00Our summer so far...<div style="text-align: center;">I think it is quite amazing that I am posting this before the summer is over. Too bad they don't give out prizes for this sort of thing. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have had a pretty fun summer so far. It has only started to get ridiculously hot the past couple weeks so our mornings have been around 90 degrees or so and playing outside is not only possible but pleasant. This first picture isn't an outside shot but it is of Ashton playing with his best friend Cade. They are so cute together. They will run up to each other, legs pumping, arms flapping, and stop nose to nose narrowly avoiding a head on collision. They will then exchange pleasantries. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Hi Cade."</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Hi Ashy"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then the fun starts. Notice they are both wearing the newest styles in shoes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk5n7gQ969DjFk_EEDw1hEkBgyoYpfynoPDbikd_GTk_tMQrT4GL_Z0nBWNyyeo2p0QCJA_cdCcSObp5J7p0rpDYQWnQ3ijkyi-VKMA5dtBgh1uml3K9dlVSfzzaIM7HgRMHVpCGvKu8w/s1600-h/DSC02821.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk5n7gQ969DjFk_EEDw1hEkBgyoYpfynoPDbikd_GTk_tMQrT4GL_Z0nBWNyyeo2p0QCJA_cdCcSObp5J7p0rpDYQWnQ3ijkyi-VKMA5dtBgh1uml3K9dlVSfzzaIM7HgRMHVpCGvKu8w/s320/DSC02821.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355923978570981842" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ashton also turned 3. Unfortunately none of my pictures turned out so you will have to trust me on this. It was wonderful. Cars themed with the real Lightning McQueen making a cameo. There was also a balloon artist that could do all the disney characters, a mime (because what party is complete without one?) a helicopter ride and a not so brief jaunt to the moon where we raised the Ashton flag. Typical 3 year old party really. The kids were really tired by the end of the day.<br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgra5NP2uudYfBONpzhUElcMoGr5tH9FBMIFUgKE5xKqQDgYTjrf8Zv71Fj2P8KhxKsJon1UekD_zMjGxsvMCxXBbMptGo5fa8rMLxg2V8cYkGXg748CA8CPCHV71sKvKqUk9uZbG6o-ME/s1600-h/DSC02846.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgra5NP2uudYfBONpzhUElcMoGr5tH9FBMIFUgKE5xKqQDgYTjrf8Zv71Fj2P8KhxKsJon1UekD_zMjGxsvMCxXBbMptGo5fa8rMLxg2V8cYkGXg748CA8CPCHV71sKvKqUk9uZbG6o-ME/s320/DSC02846.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355926137537811186" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We have also begun the Grayson "Summer of Service". We started small. Simply choose a family member's name from a hat and you have a week to perform service for that person. At the end of the week we tried to guess who had our name. Ellie had Livvy and spent the week making her bed and taking care of her water glass. I had Ellie and I also made the bed but added in a room clean here and there. Livvy had daddy and made an extra effort to run to him at the end of every day and give him his welcome home hug. Bigger than ever before. Ashton had me. He put his diapers in the pail so I wouldn't have to get near the nastiness. Thank you Ashton. Daddy had Ashton and he made sure all of Ashton's dirty cloths made it in the laundry room. It was a great week and everyone had a really fun time.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next week we branched out to our friends. The girls picked the Allen's to serve and wanted to bring them dinner and pick up their toy room. Broccoli soup, lasagna and homemade bread were the menu items of choice and Wednesday was the day chosen. The kids helped with the soup and the lasagna. Both turned out really well. I called ahead to make sure the Allen's would be home and we headed over. The kids filed in the house and marched (with only a little prompting) upstairs. Ashton and I hit the toy room and the girls cleaned up their friend Kyra's room. On the ride home they let me know they didn't have any fun at all but I think they were still secretly happy to be helping. Deep down. Really deep down.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next on our list were our neighbors. We made these (caterpillar cupcakes in case you couldn't tell) for our neighbors.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfPDUVLYzH83yOijVoyv6TJdyFNgmjIMgIZF6rX6zBxhCJO5BVrzEvjST-txUidB9KrqyQnlbB7PCTsBlTVodX76oE-GozKAWJ133E84-MWyeV98ULLzAIQYbmuKZ96qkSKgzeO9QkoLe/s1600-h/DSC02856.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfPDUVLYzH83yOijVoyv6TJdyFNgmjIMgIZF6rX6zBxhCJO5BVrzEvjST-txUidB9KrqyQnlbB7PCTsBlTVodX76oE-GozKAWJ133E84-MWyeV98ULLzAIQYbmuKZ96qkSKgzeO9QkoLe/s320/DSC02856.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355928984651074562" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, or fortunately, only 2 of our neighbors were home so we had a lot of cupcakes to eat. Oh well. It's the thought that counts right?<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ellie with her cupcakes<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs-0TfCv2oxFrIq-mw50BjKAIkmzv6pfCmhoPYN7o1tKglu-X7MDxOV7ITorepgjo8RcCzyzMhjBwfBoCfcydX2QIDbqtj37mKtpOxRfgnvkcEhFvsk1BieD0panGswNG2t1RnhdgGlRC/s1600-h/DSC02861.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs-0TfCv2oxFrIq-mw50BjKAIkmzv6pfCmhoPYN7o1tKglu-X7MDxOV7ITorepgjo8RcCzyzMhjBwfBoCfcydX2QIDbqtj37mKtpOxRfgnvkcEhFvsk1BieD0panGswNG2t1RnhdgGlRC/s320/DSC02861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355929773713978850" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Livvy with her cupcakes<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVPgSQvJnFGazYylfc9r6CsAQnV7w4BO_KH4jNWSab2xD2V_BnKqcQJZsEy4cUHtTDFQnM-AFR1i3ZWLMy49MfGbKH5v326UEY_JCcApW8B6XbwNiGUxXGmgZ0YRoVQZbvazICM8kbqon/s1600-h/DSC02858.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVPgSQvJnFGazYylfc9r6CsAQnV7w4BO_KH4jNWSab2xD2V_BnKqcQJZsEy4cUHtTDFQnM-AFR1i3ZWLMy49MfGbKH5v326UEY_JCcApW8B6XbwNiGUxXGmgZ0YRoVQZbvazICM8kbqon/s320/DSC02858.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355929763849556802" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Our final two challenges are cleaning the church and making sandwiches for a battered women's/children's shelter. I'll have to take copious pictures and tell you all about it. I don't really have high hopes for cleaning the church building as the grumbles have already started and we are not schedule for another 2 weeks. But, I think the sandwich making has serious potential. It was difficult finding a community service project in the dead of summer that is appropriate for small children. This should work? I'll let you know.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, after all the fun was had Brock and I have stretched out to take a minute for ourselves. We've earned it right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S0j7o1kbSu_88ZbfegEqghAczSXjYVpirOUCUcLjzq_SnlnjLp10i_JGINf3L6iqm9lXBiN3xmfGTCmr7ibzgyTneCoqQCYVM0DMRNRSLLPGUNZax-PF0DiFoexfnfDkbJXslSQTwZmL/s1600-h/DSC02851.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S0j7o1kbSu_88ZbfegEqghAczSXjYVpirOUCUcLjzq_SnlnjLp10i_JGINf3L6iqm9lXBiN3xmfGTCmr7ibzgyTneCoqQCYVM0DMRNRSLLPGUNZax-PF0DiFoexfnfDkbJXslSQTwZmL/s320/DSC02851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355931633307236162" /></a></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-886028268855350122009-05-19T13:57:00.015-07:002009-05-19T14:34:16.338-07:00Mom vs. DadAs a parent you quickly learn your strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes I will be better at something than Brock - cooking for instance. And other times it is the other way around. For example, Brock is much better at being a monster at the park and chasing small children around, they don't even have to be ours. <div><br /></div><div>I am better at finding things. A typical conversation could go like this...</div><div><br /></div><div>Ashton: Blankie.</div><div>Mom: Look down.</div><div><br /></div><div>or this...</div><div><br /></div><div>Brock: We're out of salsa.</div><div>Me: It's on the second shelf.</div><div>Brock: No, it's gone. I don't see it.</div><div>Me: Move the mayo.</div><div>Brock: Oh.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brock is better at fixing the car. Not that he actually gets on the ground and fixes it himself but he always takes it in for the things it may need. Except gas. I can do gas. (That didn't come out exactly like I would have liked it to.) Brock also washes my car for me. Always. I love that about him.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am better keeping the house and all who reside in it organized.</div><div><br /></div><div>One place where I can't touch dad on the good, better, best scale is the pool. Dad rocks the pool. Mom gets out of the way.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsmE6b_4kZXonqZHis8QiBJrcHcy4H14-aZPursnQX9z1j6q0m49LTUuxHg6TdLEWL8JqRoU14E8HrqIZT_PHMndNl66d3JjPEiwG4_j-x5p1gARHEABI5RPrtBiMdVX2UDwyOlY_0MS1/s1600-h/DSC02780.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsmE6b_4kZXonqZHis8QiBJrcHcy4H14-aZPursnQX9z1j6q0m49LTUuxHg6TdLEWL8JqRoU14E8HrqIZT_PHMndNl66d3JjPEiwG4_j-x5p1gARHEABI5RPrtBiMdVX2UDwyOlY_0MS1/s320/DSC02780.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337646583108698898" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>If you look at the picture carefully you will notice Livvy is holding onto dad's shoulders from behind while Ellie is sitting on his shoulders holding onto his face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSVaEL5kuuvS05NP7JZzF4XvHn6phz7ZDNyUHFljeO_9YxtF5K4TLQfXy6SSK92eAYx4ZGnzFOHdugLiuXFoJuEYWdNJsIz5-bGj8ZbtQiWUM-kpUwF0nrSFVY-noQEZR5o7_A0fd1r1c/s1600-h/DSC02792.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSVaEL5kuuvS05NP7JZzF4XvHn6phz7ZDNyUHFljeO_9YxtF5K4TLQfXy6SSK92eAYx4ZGnzFOHdugLiuXFoJuEYWdNJsIz5-bGj8ZbtQiWUM-kpUwF0nrSFVY-noQEZR5o7_A0fd1r1c/s320/DSC02792.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337645694405201410" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3UREWvRLUVrggftAl8qAyi_Drsf7g5FI9zfTfroCWyrdEd1S87a2iAg4kS9f5htZju1i6oXM9KMb5mOJkr5j8Yytl0hBKaThWb0lu7kOPScssinHnO-KqiK6kRrIKXPF_AwFyqQ4e4AW/s1600-h/DSC02793.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3UREWvRLUVrggftAl8qAyi_Drsf7g5FI9zfTfroCWyrdEd1S87a2iAg4kS9f5htZju1i6oXM9KMb5mOJkr5j8Yytl0hBKaThWb0lu7kOPScssinHnO-KqiK6kRrIKXPF_AwFyqQ4e4AW/s320/DSC02793.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337645696515774850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD5HWxZ7wjnjlYd6OArat729fEeVC8RfbJuAzwn3RH-zcwG2BGtMFUKjcteHMCXrnp1pEGM6VRKt1YvknS8SGqbpq5pmC68ngrNFXvrZ_9caSG3Fz5ukB3iAiD-WMgtpYp5GgPbL5mYhS/s1600-h/DSC02794.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD5HWxZ7wjnjlYd6OArat729fEeVC8RfbJuAzwn3RH-zcwG2BGtMFUKjcteHMCXrnp1pEGM6VRKt1YvknS8SGqbpq5pmC68ngrNFXvrZ_9caSG3Fz5ukB3iAiD-WMgtpYp5GgPbL5mYhS/s320/DSC02794.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337645705612534914" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0ASn01uLiUSOZr076DD4LJ9wL_mTJK9E-T99pUFrABBPfwTMqZcj38V3F9ZnZGYm083yadqvDrerIEqfSZtLrOnvEkV1G4VPyLERJ9pxQQWJSYPrCNEvP0VuTfoW4zFZhNuBqCWwTZf7/s1600-h/DSC02795.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0ASn01uLiUSOZr076DD4LJ9wL_mTJK9E-T99pUFrABBPfwTMqZcj38V3F9ZnZGYm083yadqvDrerIEqfSZtLrOnvEkV1G4VPyLERJ9pxQQWJSYPrCNEvP0VuTfoW4zFZhNuBqCWwTZf7/s320/DSC02795.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337648966681304946" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuvLMn2HE5cAmovXP5Onrt5bMEnzOHddVeyEaZqXrt0OmiwdBxl1AGmMusXveELzQNy07m4tPWA7BKxqwif8mDUrpH7KJN9pay-fZT7eTsSWUSiecq5xVoh-ACq2-NzEIfkKWaiwxOx8V/s1600-h/DSC02786.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuvLMn2HE5cAmovXP5Onrt5bMEnzOHddVeyEaZqXrt0OmiwdBxl1AGmMusXveELzQNy07m4tPWA7BKxqwif8mDUrpH7KJN9pay-fZT7eTsSWUSiecq5xVoh-ACq2-NzEIfkKWaiwxOx8V/s320/DSC02786.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337650372817791090" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ashton got too cold. He doesn't like to fly anyway.<br /></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-72386713207585669102009-04-16T09:45:00.003-07:002009-04-16T12:59:20.899-07:00My brain will eat itself and I'll die - an Easter storySo Easter has come and gone again just as it has done ever since its inception. It is, like all holidays, comfortingly consistent. Well, as consistent as a holiday that seems to land on random Sundays can be. Will it be in March this year? April? Who decides? Is there a world Easter Czar that pronounces it's day and how does one get that job? <div><br /></div><div>Okay, I digress. On with my Easter story.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday night I got home after watching some friends kids and my husband turns to me and asks if I remembered inviting the missionaries over for dinner the following night. What a silly question. Of course I don't remember. Do I ever? And of course the following day would be Easter and I was now in charge of bringing a little piece of home to these poor elders who are serving so diligently our Lord and Savior, but, hey, no pressure right? Did I mention that I got home that night at about 10 so I immediately felt slightly overwhelmed? Being the man of the hour my dear, sweet husband offered to run to the store for anything I might need. I thanked him profusely and told him I would, in payment for services rendered, make his favorite banana cream pie. He was very excited and left immediately.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day was the sabbath but I had agreed to stay home and man the Ashton station. Since I was missing any and all forms of spiritual uplift I decided to commit myself to making the best Easter dinner these Elders had ever had. I would serve them to the best of my abilities. I spent most of the day cooking and trying to keep the kitchen under some kind of control. I did well if I do say so myself. I even had everything ready in a timely manner for the elders arrival at 5:30. </div><div><br /></div><div>The elders came in, greeted everyone and sat down at the table. Now, while the food was made it was not yet on the table. Elder One (name changed to protect the innocent although "innocent" is a relative term here) looked at me sweating in the kitchen and said.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Did we mention our dietary needs?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Why no, no they hadn't mentioned "dietary needs". There had been no "needs" mentioned at all accepting the obvious "need" to be fed. </div><div><br /></div><div>"No." I answered hesitantly hoping they would then say, "We are allergic to walnuts." To which I would answer with relief in my voice, "Oh that's fine. I didn't use any walnuts."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Elder Two can't eat protein."</div><div><br /></div><div>WHAT?!? I made pot roast! That's like 4 pounds of protein! Are you serious?</div><div><br /></div><div>"What do you mean by protein?" I asked although I already knew the answer - most if not all animal by-products contained protein as well as a host of other sources. I was biding my time hoping against hope that his condition would be miraculously cured in the next few seconds. It wasn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I can't eat protein." Elder two explained in a very non-explanatory way. </div><div><br /></div><div>So you wont be eating my 4 pounds of cow? Or my cheese sauce that I have smothered on the cauliflower? Or the banana cream pie that is chock full of dairy? </div><div><br /></div><div>"What can you eat?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Fruits and vegetables." He answered.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fabulous. The only vegetable I have is covered in a very offensive (but tasty) cheese sauce. So we took the only option available to us. We gave him a salad which really amounted to a lot of lettuce with some semi-oldish italian dressing (no ranch for this one). Nothing says Easter like a small amount of lettuce on a dinner plate with a dressing that could very well be older than my children. </div><div><br /></div><div>As we all sat around the table enjoying our various dinners I felt prompted to ask, "So what happens to you when you eat protein?" I was thinking perhaps he got a nasty rash, hives, some swelling, maybe his throat would close causing a panicked call to 911.</div><div><br /></div><div>"My body can't break the protein down so my brain will begin to eat itself and I'll die."</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh. Well. Goodness. That's not good, is it? But, hey, at least you wont get a rash.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-85273056573240192882009-02-18T09:57:00.004-07:002009-02-18T10:02:30.573-07:00cute hairI never thought I would have girls. I really didn't know what to do with them. You see all these mom's with little girls with cute hair - I could barely do a pony tail.<div><br /></div><div>Now, however, I have girls and I love to do cute things to their hair. It is a sickness. I see a cute hair style and I will follow the child (at a discrete distance so as not to scare the mother) to see how they did it.</div><div><br /></div><div>My stalking days are over now though. (No I was not arrested.) I simply found this blog that gives great ideas and walks you through them. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is for you with cute girls (I know your out there - I've seen your pictures).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.shedoeshair.blogspot.com">www.shedoeshair.blogspot.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I had found this before valentines day. They had the cutest ideas.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have fun and take pictures so we can see how you did.</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-73965783928220059652009-02-17T16:02:00.002-07:002009-02-17T16:46:22.824-07:00What's in a name?Every year of my son's short life some time has been spent in the ER. Always for breathing/croup problems. When he was only a few months old he got sick and after the first round of medications didn't work he was diagnosed with the beginnings of pneumonia. (To make matters worse our pediatrician wouldn't see him because his name - the pediatrician's - wasn't on his - Ashton's - medical card. So while I am holding my wheezing new born they sent me away to find an ER. In the interest of full disclosure the ER was downstairs but I still had to pay $100 instead of $10 and wait in ER lines instead of seeing the man that had seen him multiple times by this point. Why you ask would your pediatrician see him a month ago for a well check but not now when his little life hung in the balance? No idea but hostile phone calls were made and things were taken care of by the time our ER visit was over. Don't mess with Mama.)<div><br /></div><div>The second year his cold turned into a double ear infection which again turned into pneumonia. I blogged about it once last year in <a href="http://graysonclan.blogspot.com/2008/01/phhbtt.html">phhbtt</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here we go again. Ashton had a cough that just wouldn't go away. He didn't have a fever, no body aches, no changes in his appetite. I brought it up to the doctor we saw for his 5 month well check. It was a new doctor. (Not new to the practice, just new to us.) </div><div><br /></div><div>"Why don't you try this Singular?" He asked me. "Here is a 2 week sample. Call me if it works and I'll get you a prescription. It should help with his allergies."</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay. I thought. Why not. So I used it and after about a week he got better. After 2 weeks he was great. "Wonderful." I thought. "No need to use that anymore." So I didn't call back. (Can you see the mother of the year award sliding away from me yet again?)</div><div><br /></div><div>Then comes the good part. I was having a presidency meeting here (I am now in the primary presidency.) and Ashton started to cry. I ignored him as we were in the middle of some very important ... stuff. About 30 minutes later they had left and I went to check him. He could barely breath. His chest would cave in on each inhalation and his little body was wracked with coughing fits upon exhalation. I ran with him outside to see if the cold air would help. No good. I tried to decide if I should try to give him a breathing treatment at home but I wasn't sure he was getting enough air into his little lungs to do him much good. So, back to the ER we go. Again. Again they tell me croup. </div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest with you I didn't know what to do. We have done this every year. Every year I rush him to the ER and every year they tell me croup which eventually turns into pneumonia and it isn't until my son is really sick that the medication seems to help him. Why, I ask, is that? Why does he have to get so sick before he is allowed to get better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today I got my answer. Today I took him back to the doctors because, again, he wasn't improving. I asked this time to see the same doctor I had seen about a month ago now. The "Singular" doctor. Double ear infection was the diagnosis again. I could have cried. "So why don't I just skip giving any medication and just come back in a few days when he has pneumonia and get <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">that</span> medication. It'll save me a few bucks on medicine that doesn't seem to work anyway." I thought.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Tell me about him." The doctor said.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I did. I told him how he had prescribed the Singular and how it had worked. I told him about our trip to the ER and the diagnosis of croup - again. </div><div><br /></div><div>He looked up and said, "Croup? Are you sure?" </div><div>"No." I said. "That is what they said. I don't know."</div><div>"It isn't croup. It's asthma."</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I will tell you what is in a name. Everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everything is in a name. Now my son has a name for what has happened to him every year of his life. Now I have a name to treat. Asthma. I can fix that. This cold, flu, croup thing I can't fix. Nothing worked. But asthma I can work with. By giving the illness a name he gave me hope. Hope that I wont have to listen to my son struggle to breath while praying with all my might that he didn't just take his last as I drive too fast to the ER for help. Hope that he wont have an attack at night that I miss because I have been awake for too long listening to each breath he takes and I am so tired. Hope that I wont have to watch my son cry for relief that I can't give him and then stop because it requires too much energy. More than he has to give. Hope that I wont have to sit in the ER waiting for some doctor I have never seen before say "croup" before he has even touched my son and after 4 hours in the middle of the night I am sent on my way with nothing more than a "call your doctor if he doesn't get better". Here's a clue for you - HE DOESN'T EVER GET BETTER!</div><div><br /></div><div>Doctors don't diagnose kids with asthma when they are under 5 years old unless they meet very specific conditions. Ashton does not meet those criteria. When I brought this up with the doctor he agreed that Ashton does not have the diagnosis but for all intensive purposes that is what he has - treat is as such. I could kiss him right on the mouth. (I wont because it is very inappropriate and wrong.) But, I could. So here's to you doc. The one willing to give it a name.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">SMACK!</span></span> (Kisses for you.)</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-84011372999944040462009-01-20T14:51:00.049-07:002009-01-20T21:46:57.654-07:00Final thoughts on Disney LandSo, I was looking through some old pictures of us in Disney Land and I realized that there were a lot I never posted. (If you are thinking "No surprise there." I would ask you to keep your comments to yourself.) So I am going to post them now with my thoughts on the happiest place on earth. I will warn you now that there are a lot of pictures. I have to make up for lost time.<div><br /><br /></div><div>1. Disney Land is clean. I love clean. The bathrooms are clean. Don't you hate walking into those bathrooms that smell like they were built in the middle ages by people who routinely chucked the contents of their chamber pots out their own windows? Well I do anyway. Everywhere you look people are sweeping and wiping and picking up. Even the train is clean. In the 3 days I spent with hundreds of people I never once stepped on gum. Bliss.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div>2. Disney Land thinks of everything. You can even buy diapers if you need one from nice ladies dressed in a very Mary Poppins-ish outfit. They have nice changing tables and even little potties for little people to use. (This is not in reference to people with dwarfism as that would be rude.) Unfortunately, the diapers cost a dollar each so Mickey and his peeps are raking it in every time some mom (i.e. me) forgets to bring more than one diaper for 8 hours of drink filled fun.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div>3. People are nice at Disney Land. I know I haven't been there as much as some people have but I have rarely heard snotty remarks made. (Except that time the drunk guy stepped on some ladies kid in the haunted mansion but my kids were not there so they didn't hear rash words exchanged and even then there was no cussing. Impressive as Mr. Drunk smelled like a distillery with a leak.)</div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Ready for pictures yet? I thought so. No need to make rude remarks. See #3 above. We can all learn from Disney Land. (I meant about being nice not about being so drunk you step on children and smell like you have a leak.)</div><div><br /><br /></div><div>4. The characters are great. After our Easter Bunny trauma I was worried but they really know how to put the kids at ease.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br />Here is Ellie with Aladin (lest you think we let our children hang out with strange men with really small red caps on their heads). Isn't she cute?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv32K19O17r4p1my6fYmQZh6NBiDjZyH68pu8xxYhyphenhyphenn624N3VX2lOjb7Vf-g5wLBMFUe9GYkffdxqi4tenQmY8Ku47AzMbmbfXj8ve_dBvA4OL5LxxCkLYz1Fiuhhl_Wx3MEj8xh7ENsT-/s1600-h/DSC02132.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv32K19O17r4p1my6fYmQZh6NBiDjZyH68pu8xxYhyphenhyphenn624N3VX2lOjb7Vf-g5wLBMFUe9GYkffdxqi4tenQmY8Ku47AzMbmbfXj8ve_dBvA4OL5LxxCkLYz1Fiuhhl_Wx3MEj8xh7ENsT-/s320/DSC02132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293503044357513074" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ellie, Ashton and Liv with Minnie.<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBJB4XuyfIS1y3xwwMKry0KerGl8qVIW00mwpXbcESr9Noj_aPjQMveQhDvWbONnvPG5hUwLxM58fFLJyQoJBCbFNjsnt36yv4F0hrkvQoaGUkye0PTYi0uqIcMvp_dZ0Fa6wxclh7eVZ/s1600-h/DSC02155.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBJB4XuyfIS1y3xwwMKry0KerGl8qVIW00mwpXbcESr9Noj_aPjQMveQhDvWbONnvPG5hUwLxM58fFLJyQoJBCbFNjsnt36yv4F0hrkvQoaGUkye0PTYi0uqIcMvp_dZ0Fa6wxclh7eVZ/s320/DSC02155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293503026069317986" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ashton with Mickey. I know he doesn't look all that thrilled but he was. Really.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXkfKOCkCC_pGXa-ttm4ZocI5HJKBVvfEFy0v8X10cx44knS-tvaVS-HMc49azqUBzJFGH8awAkM86j_XtEX3xN6t5sxiqaxBTVkJFl36O1z8iMHf7C77O8AcbMyvpOXjkHkaK_QSdLMy/s1600-h/DSC02145.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXkfKOCkCC_pGXa-ttm4ZocI5HJKBVvfEFy0v8X10cx44knS-tvaVS-HMc49azqUBzJFGH8awAkM86j_XtEX3xN6t5sxiqaxBTVkJFl36O1z8iMHf7C77O8AcbMyvpOXjkHkaK_QSdLMy/s320/DSC02145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293503041336311730" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Okay, not as thrilled as he was to sit in Mickey's car but still... thrilled.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-GwZZxpRwtiQHkD_JunmjJFZiIoBebyzo2e-qKISoLh69Qh_Z4Gf857FXSo2a3TReQrYG9GTGseH3USQ7-VjmxNu7uEKFXCbjFwPijMUUbnoW7HqKyaHUBQhw8fBLRTF_kNvzFK6TcQI/s1600-h/DSC02151.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-GwZZxpRwtiQHkD_JunmjJFZiIoBebyzo2e-qKISoLh69Qh_Z4Gf857FXSo2a3TReQrYG9GTGseH3USQ7-VjmxNu7uEKFXCbjFwPijMUUbnoW7HqKyaHUBQhw8fBLRTF_kNvzFK6TcQI/s320/DSC02151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293503033436374338" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, the characters were so great that sometimes we didn't even care if they were real.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaYQYSuFhZk4SS4358NcMtqLmE0MW0n1RLDCsvpRrd-MHm6lXY-2z3s3X3POdO6sYNHBZYvhomQnWNQ5H9EnTtHgaoYjiLIEUMHp1Yf2nB57SGmi5b_Ft9NDnVrdt-V7SFUn3xFLLdBEg/s1600-h/DSC02209.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaYQYSuFhZk4SS4358NcMtqLmE0MW0n1RLDCsvpRrd-MHm6lXY-2z3s3X3POdO6sYNHBZYvhomQnWNQ5H9EnTtHgaoYjiLIEUMHp1Yf2nB57SGmi5b_Ft9NDnVrdt-V7SFUn3xFLLdBEg/s320/DSC02209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293501104465317458" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Elle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pViN5zp8wWxsL3ckMxjVv694FiNeLtB7gdyBJDX9STub_7ja5lYYhUJpsuZTDJL-JAzmJdN3Wh-jCnevGI-OQ36Qc9LHQq02KrL1ff_b-SRWZqOaHmTt7LuBQvgkxTPdq-l50HA1etGg/s1600-h/DSC02207.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pViN5zp8wWxsL3ckMxjVv694FiNeLtB7gdyBJDX9STub_7ja5lYYhUJpsuZTDJL-JAzmJdN3Wh-jCnevGI-OQ36Qc9LHQq02KrL1ff_b-SRWZqOaHmTt7LuBQvgkxTPdq-l50HA1etGg/s320/DSC02207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293501084638251170" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Liv.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII-anjT4eTwuq_WMOwmXC0BKR8SrxGNodsx_nfUI4xoKnPcGHV70_kycuKFvCFIHzEmzY3zF1Ykbw5aLAhyWEOI1wyG60r4eZHESCVHRqFb7EQqkkHUK7BDMuBg0kODzgXo3R6oHkJkdF/s1600-h/DSC02208.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII-anjT4eTwuq_WMOwmXC0BKR8SrxGNodsx_nfUI4xoKnPcGHV70_kycuKFvCFIHzEmzY3zF1Ykbw5aLAhyWEOI1wyG60r4eZHESCVHRqFb7EQqkkHUK7BDMuBg0kODzgXo3R6oHkJkdF/s320/DSC02208.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293501092105316114" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br />5. Disney Land offers not only the afore mentioned characters and rides but also performances by some world renown actors such as...</div><div><br /><br />Pooh, Tigger, and the new girl. (As a little side note, what was wrong with Christopher Robin? Did the feminists get him? After all, Kanga was the only female character. Perhaps she was too maternal for their liking? Chris is gone. New <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">girl</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span><br />comes in. Coincidence? I think not.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmJmXDH9WeT0bbqzqWzHiMsvIQb6XTxu3EcrcXBZqO7wIbAaP7UfJ7HJ9p3YLiPpeAkuCyREJkROBLUDsr_eK_Y9Nu5E5t9xg8dne1nLUopu6x6fhE1PE1xd7w62aOpTTNIUlR9nCOHBm/s1600-h/DSC02192.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmJmXDH9WeT0bbqzqWzHiMsvIQb6XTxu3EcrcXBZqO7wIbAaP7UfJ7HJ9p3YLiPpeAkuCyREJkROBLUDsr_eK_Y9Nu5E5t9xg8dne1nLUopu6x6fhE1PE1xd7w62aOpTTNIUlR9nCOHBm/s320/DSC02192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293502047714455122" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Little Einsteins<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg520XNxh3Z4FgaLGEIsIjmxOS_gxAyLh7D49JijMkYspcXCAlp5798h6q-qeFoA_kA6alANbXinoscp_aGkIiQroKFrmGrihLbuE73SGTRPeqgycF95CpUPmJCo4Wo0Bn0ze1pX3LLibFJ/s1600-h/DSC02176.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg520XNxh3Z4FgaLGEIsIjmxOS_gxAyLh7D49JijMkYspcXCAlp5798h6q-qeFoA_kA6alANbXinoscp_aGkIiQroKFrmGrihLbuE73SGTRPeqgycF95CpUPmJCo4Wo0Bn0ze1pX3LLibFJ/s320/DSC02176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293502035018893458" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br />And.......... Mickey!!!!!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP4qb6cCn7eXhWWQs5zVfgQKXqHQv_dBTl-fRbC3WBVU8kDMvkBPHMY-BbX0P_e8FYqmCNHImi3e001l7GE1FE6NZGMKGEL6AIbYm3wX9kPpXI3gaCKZmEOFAMWasyZLu6w67jlbngA5J/s1600-h/DSC02164.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP4qb6cCn7eXhWWQs5zVfgQKXqHQv_dBTl-fRbC3WBVU8kDMvkBPHMY-BbX0P_e8FYqmCNHImi3e001l7GE1FE6NZGMKGEL6AIbYm3wX9kPpXI3gaCKZmEOFAMWasyZLu6w67jlbngA5J/s320/DSC02164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293502020985504386" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br />6. Mickey may be a mouse but he rules the world. For instance, he has an ice cream sandwich made in the shape of his face. Can the president say that? Today Obama was sworn into office as the president of the most powerful country in the world. But I ask you, does he have an ice cream sandwich made of his face? No he does not. And Mickey can charge a few hundred dollars for a mouse shaped desert and people will pay. That's power my friends. That's power. <br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ellie proving that even over priced treats looking like rich rodents are tasty.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVL7r9vgfl3J6GGbf5mdQ_I9eCWf6lEHEi_dAWc3AzpCQDiJkEJsiZtQwOxOPq0h7hXAKAqfsbgDAx_blWD28f15lLuaAj1C0KXtUfPBYEFBn3q5jFXDKB2Mfuvrq35Rec2lwI3CKERIO/s1600-h/DSC02226.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVL7r9vgfl3J6GGbf5mdQ_I9eCWf6lEHEi_dAWc3AzpCQDiJkEJsiZtQwOxOPq0h7hXAKAqfsbgDAx_blWD28f15lLuaAj1C0KXtUfPBYEFBn3q5jFXDKB2Mfuvrq35Rec2lwI3CKERIO/s320/DSC02226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293500277159343618" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>7. Disney Land makes you tired.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd_8XFbfC7n0MQZqYH8QvNMz40ZNwmq_-UqA9BymQ5CzPT9pZt90bx3UXTG4vj8MyGuy3hsQh6o76l9BgIz72tWiH0NMDMHjcNOYbb48YDEbaO5fNjgF5HsZTaP7Jwske0QGhVwPtop9r/s1600-h/DSC02153.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd_8XFbfC7n0MQZqYH8QvNMz40ZNwmq_-UqA9BymQ5CzPT9pZt90bx3UXTG4vj8MyGuy3hsQh6o76l9BgIz72tWiH0NMDMHjcNOYbb48YDEbaO5fNjgF5HsZTaP7Jwske0QGhVwPtop9r/s320/DSC02153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293503028203241138" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div>8. To every lesson there is an exception.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Xs3x4Z04eTKrnQHognl8tClzleDoVxhLWgeAU829_Rckr3qT7loRVwyj7rAoaTQICUm1v2xIsC1BicPh31RRBoZvVkmEHa0cJvVmc8HShZiBh2UkCi9KbAeVnkkVyl3nDCfXViGQZSHE/s1600-h/DSC02227.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Xs3x4Z04eTKrnQHognl8tClzleDoVxhLWgeAU829_Rckr3qT7loRVwyj7rAoaTQICUm1v2xIsC1BicPh31RRBoZvVkmEHa0cJvVmc8HShZiBh2UkCi9KbAeVnkkVyl3nDCfXViGQZSHE/s320/DSC02227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293500266057149778" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-9503240529735680402009-01-19T20:35:00.003-07:002009-01-19T21:01:58.078-07:00Where have you been all my life... or at least since last Nov?I have finally decided to embrace being a bad blogger. I think every blogging community needs one and I have decided to offer up myself for service (or lack thereof) so you, my friends, don't have to. Offer yourselves up I mean. Anyway........<div><br /></div><div>Because of my new life calling I am no longer going to apologize for failing to write. What is the point I ask myself? This tragic trend isn't going to end. I am not going to become a continual contributor of the blog. No radical transformation will ensue causing frequent frivolity or arduous autobiographical adventures. Besides it is really hard to come up with so many words starting with the same letter. I am finally finished. Okay, seriously. I need to stop.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a brief overview of our last few months.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brock has been working hard to find people who want to build buildings. There are not many out there.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been released from my food storage calling and been given a new calling as the primary secretary. This is a lot of work. I never knew. Wow is what I have to say about this calling. Just wow.</div><div><br /></div><div>The girls have turned 5. Can you believe it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Ashton has gotten a new room make over. New paint on the walls and new bedding for his big boy bed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will have pictures. Someday. Probably. Maybe.</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-88359416417629535602008-11-30T19:11:00.029-07:002008-12-02T14:10:31.009-07:00The rest of our summer-ishThis is a little(ish) picture montage of the rest of our summer. We had a blast. And hey, I'm even writing about it before the end of the year!<div><br /></div><div>To finish off our story about our visit to Utah let me begin with one of the best things about the Boswell backyard. It's big. I mean really big. Not so big that you would buy a horse or a cow or anything but considering our backyard is hardly larger than ......... okay, I have nothing but our backyard is hardly larger than something not very large let me tell you - we luurrrvvved it.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dAx0Upmz9ayldhVGORMHMx2sI8Xp-HmVOJqbiYNpYmMfF7nvxxg-FIT00M6QHGjAxR-MjQhUvP8mFduHgvwehYkpbSFCcZGGtX4esN0KYA2ANX2tuF5KUoO_kRah6yb5DnFjklBEBAy1/s1600-h/IMG_2805.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dAx0Upmz9ayldhVGORMHMx2sI8Xp-HmVOJqbiYNpYmMfF7nvxxg-FIT00M6QHGjAxR-MjQhUvP8mFduHgvwehYkpbSFCcZGGtX4esN0KYA2ANX2tuF5KUoO_kRah6yb5DnFjklBEBAy1/s320/IMG_2805.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274640597550228674" /></a><br /></div><div>Here are the kids playing on the swing set. Every night after dinner they got to go back outside and play. A picture perfect moment if I do say so myself.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JcrJ8FRCPzs0NNwC3CUteEsAogaYFhiFy2uuChfE9zZPU3trWfVkQtOXpCFWs_ymInvyolxIDUFLN-D6EbzdFT_7vQdFjBW5uveO4u0hBiobQyJ0tQqHhRr5Zu_ZL-HQiDW2fypANnPa/s1600-h/DSC01869.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JcrJ8FRCPzs0NNwC3CUteEsAogaYFhiFy2uuChfE9zZPU3trWfVkQtOXpCFWs_ymInvyolxIDUFLN-D6EbzdFT_7vQdFjBW5uveO4u0hBiobQyJ0tQqHhRr5Zu_ZL-HQiDW2fypANnPa/s320/DSC01869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274644537791963778" /></a></div><div>And they have a 4 wheeler which didn't work well on grass until Teresa and I went a little MacGyver on it and dismantled a couple of bike tires, screwed them on the wheels and voila! - instant traction<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_pkn9d5ydC14_T2BYpB0xgh_-iqPuwwJhy-oSBFKK8XK_r07j79vxF9RmKi3lY6R9tLfrr_OnEWUd9hp1tlmQCflJ_yZHlvnCLmsRDrtC1Iq8Pkr6IlEkh2jzZjOrrazHTLzHqLruDGD/s1600-h/IMG_2776.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_pkn9d5ydC14_T2BYpB0xgh_-iqPuwwJhy-oSBFKK8XK_r07j79vxF9RmKi3lY6R9tLfrr_OnEWUd9hp1tlmQCflJ_yZHlvnCLmsRDrtC1Iq8Pkr6IlEkh2jzZjOrrazHTLzHqLruDGD/s320/IMG_2776.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274640583072647522" /></a><br /></div><div>Remember how I said we had so much fun on our day in the canyon. Well, I feel it needs to be said again. We had so much fun! It was wet. We don't get wet all that often so we try to enjoy it when we can. This picture missed all of the giggling, splashing, and merry making but it had happened. Trust me.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fSdXyLQHsRP_L3adv0kw9m0y1Q_RuhHqukV0ePmkuBrE_pNjGsAgHyTuNDQdlSZYSmBgnz24LvFiJxuStpfml8MVQL6FHDwXntzpys7E-cN8n-TPtRU2ukWtJzzfgd5zx8eT8yPvol6I/s1600-h/DSC01832.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fSdXyLQHsRP_L3adv0kw9m0y1Q_RuhHqukV0ePmkuBrE_pNjGsAgHyTuNDQdlSZYSmBgnz24LvFiJxuStpfml8MVQL6FHDwXntzpys7E-cN8n-TPtRU2ukWtJzzfgd5zx8eT8yPvol6I/s320/DSC01832.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275029421968009506" /></a><br /></div><div><br />One thing the canyon did have in abundance was cold. We (i.e. me) don't really like cold. I do what I can to protect myself from all forms of cold. Cold is bad. So I did this to my son. Let's face it, if you have read my past blogs you will know that this is by far <span style="font-style:italic;">NOT</span> the worse thing I have done to this boy. Thankfully Teresa found a jacket for him to wear thus avoiding a very embarrassing Oliver Twist type moment.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q2VMv1TNv51F0rKwne3gkWWg2xxsJ9i9HMxEN9UqO1Gaez1kJFDLN0skPUkkN5CuUtZkAoW9fSiAPmP2DQFTH6ohL4YwuFB62M6XhnSNTbwFGDW0iwXLJUgNlHWhsx-_JmUjqHnLmQAN/s1600-h/IMG_2787.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q2VMv1TNv51F0rKwne3gkWWg2xxsJ9i9HMxEN9UqO1Gaez1kJFDLN0skPUkkN5CuUtZkAoW9fSiAPmP2DQFTH6ohL4YwuFB62M6XhnSNTbwFGDW0iwXLJUgNlHWhsx-_JmUjqHnLmQAN/s320/IMG_2787.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274640588948109874" /></a>Unfortunately the girls were not as lucky. If you look at this picture closely you will see how similar the hats look. That is not because we had two very fetching red hats. No. It is because we had one very fetching red hat and one equally fetching bag that said hat (and a nice pair of gloves) went in. This will take years of therapy to cure. Oh well. As long as it happens after 18 so I don't have to pay for it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69f-aHDKp9zVMJkswHnNvbID-QmbdLWeD1J-aHVTdQUjcEZftbsu0dRglq7uYoeJRcy3QJEP-T2lAokynnXGFhUTRddPGo7lylvuEZ1Pk9wVq59U42RvuLFbYPItH0gJgQtZVSK1ZI1XS/s1600-h/IMG_2818.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69f-aHDKp9zVMJkswHnNvbID-QmbdLWeD1J-aHVTdQUjcEZftbsu0dRglq7uYoeJRcy3QJEP-T2lAokynnXGFhUTRddPGo7lylvuEZ1Pk9wVq59U42RvuLFbYPItH0gJgQtZVSK1ZI1XS/s320/IMG_2818.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274642009222470642" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br />Our trip also included a trip to the zoo. Look at these two cute boys together.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2q6nMCuaOijapp8fXfNAYqobTdbiZ1ruh1holD9Z0qZidNNAXOn1LDHdjETtX3N4bVbh6-Q7YDDthNxCs8Rxb2EE4lAslC-BoYVc2yqTYi9Td-tiQlj9HIIq7rqp0GyDPxcnuALxwAUeU/s1600-h/IMG_2821.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2q6nMCuaOijapp8fXfNAYqobTdbiZ1ruh1holD9Z0qZidNNAXOn1LDHdjETtX3N4bVbh6-Q7YDDthNxCs8Rxb2EE4lAslC-BoYVc2yqTYi9Td-tiQlj9HIIq7rqp0GyDPxcnuALxwAUeU/s320/IMG_2821.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274642023306952754" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is what they were pointing at. No, that is not me pregnant. It is in fact a real elephant. (Sorry I couldn't resist the pregnant joke. However, when you tell them you can only tell them about yourself - even if you are not pregnant - because real pregnant people can be mean and they move faster than one would think.)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdxm9EenO1aQ4ueA2O6fZh1DbgxLMSTCw86NY4O6AC2znCl-3k4oN_QSMV4ILoGhHhCgwg5m1eWwYPcBf1NfKF-FTyp11faC3gTH3h5BU_PeQxWYQs-tBB7049s5tMD-mNKG-mVBTJ8B8/s1600-h/IMG_2835.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdxm9EenO1aQ4ueA2O6fZh1DbgxLMSTCw86NY4O6AC2znCl-3k4oN_QSMV4ILoGhHhCgwg5m1eWwYPcBf1NfKF-FTyp11faC3gTH3h5BU_PeQxWYQs-tBB7049s5tMD-mNKG-mVBTJ8B8/s320/IMG_2835.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274642033379871042" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is another picture of the kids together. They have such a great time. I wish we could go more often. Maybe Disney Land?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpBLklKM13vW5WheowLd6xS70sd_c3NENPeau_g6BdSncUzvmw-4y18BVTzJnsVdCcYnQdZmI9-lySKv2tdwMoe_lsC401yH6bgFWtLTooTzmz3H-SbtTylnq_mtNKLQjXQH6Qst5AwJJ/s1600-h/IMG_2843.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpBLklKM13vW5WheowLd6xS70sd_c3NENPeau_g6BdSncUzvmw-4y18BVTzJnsVdCcYnQdZmI9-lySKv2tdwMoe_lsC401yH6bgFWtLTooTzmz3H-SbtTylnq_mtNKLQjXQH6Qst5AwJJ/s320/IMG_2843.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274642043234402498" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of the kids being done with posing together for pictures.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-0pOjtqHV3rDSaDpLnVaJYxx07HGsbFG_JrYmSkbPy5CdkfAqgIcRQfapujPK_BCRlqA01MroBrUdnvbTFtovBL_1UrJvlPuudpsVK78BsQpaouKAP-fFOVeOp8IR6FLZdVvtSRh55xN/s1600-h/DSC01902.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-0pOjtqHV3rDSaDpLnVaJYxx07HGsbFG_JrYmSkbPy5CdkfAqgIcRQfapujPK_BCRlqA01MroBrUdnvbTFtovBL_1UrJvlPuudpsVK78BsQpaouKAP-fFOVeOp8IR6FLZdVvtSRh55xN/s320/DSC01902.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274644543156152306" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On one of my last blogs I showed the great children's museum Salt Lake City has to offer. Here is a picture of some of our crew playing with air tunnels. You can kind of see one just to the right of grandma Kathy.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT4O4S5RfK6FGwIz7m6g295BWQbI4yvzedM7yNOID7aeHQUEgtXMvMlSjx1Ty6MOj4IkD_qPe8fQo3UDYBPIUI1-ZDlceJP-p8t1kC8tbJLtWIIXNPWAD6rhYWB0_0Lj45QaSpXzgQgFC/s1600-h/DSC01899.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT4O4S5RfK6FGwIz7m6g295BWQbI4yvzedM7yNOID7aeHQUEgtXMvMlSjx1Ty6MOj4IkD_qPe8fQo3UDYBPIUI1-ZDlceJP-p8t1kC8tbJLtWIIXNPWAD6rhYWB0_0Lj45QaSpXzgQgFC/s320/DSC01899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274644547678396450" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is why I love the science center. The picture isn't very good but look at the wonder on this kid's face. Makes my soul happy.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br />As much fun as all of this was though it is not the main reason I love to travel to visit friends and family - or have them travel to visit me. These are the reasons I love to go.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6134-Q7YTF8k8G76y3hpWRoUy-98jpsMU-1swPmb8_0yc9sUIdaILlaglF3poU_xUDMP7-1m6eMi2v6tzJq0I0DV3Q8xMuGw3Q1a46zO_PXuGomNohZC0jP0ffSXJd-vap6fOktKLltI/s1600-h/IMG_2844.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6134-Q7YTF8k8G76y3hpWRoUy-98jpsMU-1swPmb8_0yc9sUIdaILlaglF3poU_xUDMP7-1m6eMi2v6tzJq0I0DV3Q8xMuGw3Q1a46zO_PXuGomNohZC0jP0ffSXJd-vap6fOktKLltI/s320/IMG_2844.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274642045994012034" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Cooper is so kind and patient and loving with his little cousins. Here he is reading to <span style="font-style:italic;">my</span> baby.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEusy6ZgqgPo_Lb7g1z9tFDDttE7mYSKadhLwkVlZE_Iqx3qAPDENZkInq27TOP6hyphenhyphenWuf0cW_GESNYeXnK_Xzwx_b15dIKv5j0d685hFYatJlOgbhN3izJp3lR8lAZqymb7Pdh1ziFaE4/s1600-h/DSC01839.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEusy6ZgqgPo_Lb7g1z9tFDDttE7mYSKadhLwkVlZE_Iqx3qAPDENZkInq27TOP6hyphenhyphenWuf0cW_GESNYeXnK_Xzwx_b15dIKv5j0d685hFYatJlOgbhN3izJp3lR8lAZqymb7Pdh1ziFaE4/s320/DSC01839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274640602087322898" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And to the girls. Don't you just love this kid.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8irc9fBThkeoj4mQBynmixtMTFpjw8eIrylqSCsPIqxMNv71jusP6FB2ogBtyJSvm2T_8Kjwit7J_Gf-QvViYpRJXj0DQlsGVL7hJ8uVsQXkke2LN-WaGDcE14kljulf_yEPZaCEIviQC/s1600-h/IMG_2481.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8irc9fBThkeoj4mQBynmixtMTFpjw8eIrylqSCsPIqxMNv71jusP6FB2ogBtyJSvm2T_8Kjwit7J_Gf-QvViYpRJXj0DQlsGVL7hJ8uVsQXkke2LN-WaGDcE14kljulf_yEPZaCEIviQC/s320/IMG_2481.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274645497926306914" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Boswell's came to visit us as well and we met a large amount of family for a day at our zoo and a picnic after.<br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh3zuQr_rOoA-Q2EQvPlaIYtbl2xt_qDYgye-CSTJPoVLqr3acBOqB6TZMMlEPxSeWoP47Orfev4KEVbo_CIfj5uyfYPGTiERHUHHZI_yI-MrKI1WpDgg64ZIucwveJnrikmRK6otITil/s1600-h/IMG_2469.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh3zuQr_rOoA-Q2EQvPlaIYtbl2xt_qDYgye-CSTJPoVLqr3acBOqB6TZMMlEPxSeWoP47Orfev4KEVbo_CIfj5uyfYPGTiERHUHHZI_yI-MrKI1WpDgg64ZIucwveJnrikmRK6otITil/s320/IMG_2469.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274645484950101394" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There was also sprinkler fun at Granner's.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>But again, the greatest part is just being together with people you love. It doesn't matter, really, what you do or don't do - just that it is done together. Whether it be ........<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1igeZ_SalUQ99S-FRTsqAsBfCZkTb5dI6c6NKvVcvTq6RbJlbf_ghEuQjuXzC8UcRaTI4Ia3HtFK1-EzXcZPUtwmrI2blVEDNq68rWPTj7Bg951J9YZEXsYaSVyc5k3_jKT_DJneeS-JI/s1600-h/IMG_2445.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1igeZ_SalUQ99S-FRTsqAsBfCZkTb5dI6c6NKvVcvTq6RbJlbf_ghEuQjuXzC8UcRaTI4Ia3HtFK1-EzXcZPUtwmrI2blVEDNq68rWPTj7Bg951J9YZEXsYaSVyc5k3_jKT_DJneeS-JI/s320/IMG_2445.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274644558693406402" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>playing in the sandbox<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd27IJsGRRr8SF8UtDwmROuX45w2e-FTPDdNaACtn5HF25autMb5Fq9jD7_s8FnGm1-5NQB6wGYyd3b7AKxwsf_XFhDJV0Ps5oxnPQGwWy9CqiakrAwgHNhIvTZ2l-PygYeIBLLKVRysX/s1600-h/IMG_2442.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd27IJsGRRr8SF8UtDwmROuX45w2e-FTPDdNaACtn5HF25autMb5Fq9jD7_s8FnGm1-5NQB6wGYyd3b7AKxwsf_XFhDJV0Ps5oxnPQGwWy9CqiakrAwgHNhIvTZ2l-PygYeIBLLKVRysX/s320/IMG_2442.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274644555030543842" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>or jamming on our alligator pianos.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We just love to be together.</div></div></div></div></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-51251459577392386322008-10-22T20:25:00.043-07:002008-10-23T14:54:32.173-07:00Disney Travel LogI would just like to begin this blog with some self affirmation. We did this a week ago. Yes, my friends, my Disney turn around time is one week. I should get a medal.<br /><br /><br />Here was our very first character sighting. I was a bit apprehensive about how the whole "character thing" would go. We took the kids to an Easter egg hunt at the store once and just seeing the Easter Bunny across the room scarred the kids for life. For the next few months all I heard at bed time was "The Easter Bunny isn't coming right mom?" For months!! Heaven help me when a five and a half foot tall mouse shows up. I tried to warn them. "Mickey Mouse isn't small girls. He's big like daddy." They looked at me like I had grown a second head. Well, I tried. <br /><br />Despite my worries all went well. Ashton ran to Minnie and threw his arms around her. Ellie was a close second. Livvy wasn't interested. (The Easter Bunny was closest to her and she has never really been the same since.) Once she saw that Minnie didn't eat the other two though she thought she might have a go at it. She still wasn't too sure about it but at least she didn't run away screaming. (I'm telling you the Easter Bunny will be the death of me.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy47JgELCMUed1A5tJNtllr4lIciOQ14inmaJ0tJj08pjKoC3Jh0KNemlyNgD7fWhNpuv8gmnuxTwYMBjbJT-nH_DBR5elcAKHP6MWNFuVOp_Tz447dxXVm5kZGudCY3oMEy63LpFZTWi/s1600-h/DSC02089.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy47JgELCMUed1A5tJNtllr4lIciOQ14inmaJ0tJj08pjKoC3Jh0KNemlyNgD7fWhNpuv8gmnuxTwYMBjbJT-nH_DBR5elcAKHP6MWNFuVOp_Tz447dxXVm5kZGudCY3oMEy63LpFZTWi/s320/DSC02089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260462128159521234" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4ZgFA5G9DJfOSa1QFjHgrtk1n59c_O90rxPjUmtsgHNUfgiGwVJmBUpLvc_aHyosjoG24cI7l6TUfQo2OjRS1wrOIjcwECub3cktF3NYXEDlSjcxXawOJWtJ0FtaxhnJEy3nb8sW4ViG/s1600-h/DSC02091.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4ZgFA5G9DJfOSa1QFjHgrtk1n59c_O90rxPjUmtsgHNUfgiGwVJmBUpLvc_aHyosjoG24cI7l6TUfQo2OjRS1wrOIjcwECub3cktF3NYXEDlSjcxXawOJWtJ0FtaxhnJEy3nb8sW4ViG/s320/DSC02091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260463051052000146" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It is my humble opinion that some rides are less <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">rides</span> and more <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">instruments of torture, </span>i.e. the tea cups. Who's bright idea was it to enclose people in a small area facing each other and then spin them until they vomit? Thank heavens for dads!<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2d39_NFilfB6JIMz7ZiUSurNGJTAqeV41ej43ZkQZMKZffxGEXt-TwaBFAjrpedhyPDw2zR6NWXaPooVaDS_mor7414NCI08u0PYoyua9kXDflHTPmtsGUufrwrUX9Dq56wmyJeGSY5t/s1600-h/DSC02098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2d39_NFilfB6JIMz7ZiUSurNGJTAqeV41ej43ZkQZMKZffxGEXt-TwaBFAjrpedhyPDw2zR6NWXaPooVaDS_mor7414NCI08u0PYoyua9kXDflHTPmtsGUufrwrUX9Dq56wmyJeGSY5t/s320/DSC02098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260464649263534754" /></a><br />The favorite ride of all was Dumbo. A close second was the carousel - until we went on Winnie the Pooh. Unfortunately Winnie does his business in the dark so I couldn't take a picture of it. (Well, that came out wrong.) Anyway, here are pictures of Dumbo and the carousel.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSdYzi_YluSVGXlTwZk9vbNjVnB_cXvAcvd1BmB6flPsgtomYvd250uALTDczJYMAzxYxOfUdIWMmnoTKU_rpplHviW0nBcEJ4Vxoj25CloocnI06JZQvauDWNQ0eUt7xhnjp3clj8FIa/s1600-h/DSC02127.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSdYzi_YluSVGXlTwZk9vbNjVnB_cXvAcvd1BmB6flPsgtomYvd250uALTDczJYMAzxYxOfUdIWMmnoTKU_rpplHviW0nBcEJ4Vxoj25CloocnI06JZQvauDWNQ0eUt7xhnjp3clj8FIa/s320/DSC02127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260466223018484786" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsm_67np8OuEw7QsyEWhNijgQBsPqoB3Xz9gUPDke8BDB7MuphUB_o7P6BzlZJ6YthL1L_L542eLKtdL4i7Q9oqHlX5iTjMa3CpfuWh84AW5jn8ZqID62wrb6DufWJjvQzgCLqmZarrq8/s1600-h/DSC02103.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsm_67np8OuEw7QsyEWhNijgQBsPqoB3Xz9gUPDke8BDB7MuphUB_o7P6BzlZJ6YthL1L_L542eLKtdL4i7Q9oqHlX5iTjMa3CpfuWh84AW5jn8ZqID62wrb6DufWJjvQzgCLqmZarrq8/s320/DSC02103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260466456447208274" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are times when, as a parent, you wonder if you are doing a good job. Are my kids good, upstanding members of the community I wonder. (Well, as upstanding as they can be at four and a half anyway.) I hope they are not mean ... or twitchy. Both would be bad. And then something happens that lets you know you are doing a good job. Your children show kindness when they think no one is watching. This picture isn't all that good but it shows Ellie helping Livvy down Tarazan's Tree House. Eventually Liv didn't need any help but the first couple times her sister was invaluable.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2HVr_trg16fIlEtL_-KqELm3VAW_uhJdHrby8GrxJxggolz2DLKzAeGXdNJFxA_m3Tty_AzatBwU8HBODpXO5H7o2OBMxteTmKD77iPpnpfEQDfjwkfLx8FNu0XhhLVKJouvSdpgW-IH/s1600-h/DSC02110.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2HVr_trg16fIlEtL_-KqELm3VAW_uhJdHrby8GrxJxggolz2DLKzAeGXdNJFxA_m3Tty_AzatBwU8HBODpXO5H7o2OBMxteTmKD77iPpnpfEQDfjwkfLx8FNu0XhhLVKJouvSdpgW-IH/s320/DSC02110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260467965136844098" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyADFODFOyOaVUmKrPFDGpvGTpGUUVKPgkskgPGkBRUbtS1uNE-uAsEIjq92ee7c4nDLkApYFU6GlhXzTviM9XXrqsnry3UbE7oq2TkW6GeSSLwrbAbrUN_ahTPSB22RQS2cZpXD1hozOx/s1600-h/DSC00120.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyADFODFOyOaVUmKrPFDGpvGTpGUUVKPgkskgPGkBRUbtS1uNE-uAsEIjq92ee7c4nDLkApYFU6GlhXzTviM9XXrqsnry3UbE7oq2TkW6GeSSLwrbAbrUN_ahTPSB22RQS2cZpXD1hozOx/s320/DSC00120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260469735438030002" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And, lest you think this was a complete fluke - a once in a life time kind of thing. Here is a picture of Ellie helping Livvy put on her hat. They are 2. (I really only included it because it was cute.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the problem with having twins. When you have them you get a double stroller which works great. But, then you have another child and what do you do? Get a single stroller? Well that seems silly since you already have a double. It's like downsizing. As an American I feel as if it is my duty to never downsize. But then do you get a triple stroller? Well that just seems a bit too much doesn't it? I mean please. I may be an American but I'm not pretentious enough to have a triple stroller. Plus, they don't really fit through doorways. So this is what you do. Getto isn't it?<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoGbGE6b77O45XX2hEm6ukAnZ5cPoZSTZg9hCaaBNmFeonU5Zb_GLtX40l3fQ1aYeVRxVvcFQM5ErhGuswjvcZ-YnN70jqyam7JPltKpw0Q52GQx6wnV21cdT45d0bsxurHI3xI7ZjH4z/s1600-h/DSC02123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoGbGE6b77O45XX2hEm6ukAnZ5cPoZSTZg9hCaaBNmFeonU5Zb_GLtX40l3fQ1aYeVRxVvcFQM5ErhGuswjvcZ-YnN70jqyam7JPltKpw0Q52GQx6wnV21cdT45d0bsxurHI3xI7ZjH4z/s320/DSC02123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260469520654271410" /></a></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-60487617285000093832008-10-01T13:51:00.002-07:002008-10-01T13:53:31.047-07:00OopsToday I went to the gym. Then I decided my fridge needed to be cleaned. Then I was tired so I took a little nap with the kids. Then I decided I should probably get out of my nasty gym cloths and into some real cloths. Then I forgot to put on my pants. Good thing I was just going to the kitchen or this might have been a much different post.Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-29302382533922679582008-09-25T14:16:00.031-07:002008-09-25T18:39:03.347-07:00FinallyYou know how sometimes you have this thing to do and you can't wait to be able to do it? But then something comes up and you don't get to it. And then something else comes up. Eventually this thing that you really looked forward to doing has become this thing that you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">have</span> to do. It looms. It stalks your dreams. It rides on your shoulder telling you constantly that you should be taking care of business. It never sleeps. It never leaves your side. <div><br /></div><div>So here I am. Blogging about the incredibly fun summer we had in a rather mundane way because our summer is over and the idea of blogging about all our fun has become a chore. I am hoping this will help me exorcise my blogging demons. Sorry it wont be as much fun for you to read as it was for us to experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>As soon as school was out - yea I know, back in MAY! - we headed up to Utah and had one of the best vacations ever. Teresa also blogged about it many moons ago and did a far better job than I am going to do. Plus, my camera ran out of batteries so I only have pictures from the first half of the vacation which, after seeing how many I have included here, is probably a good thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>First things first. My baby turned 2! While this is a great achievement for him (that is, being alive for around 730 days give or take any leap year that might have occurred and Ashton being born in the afternoon of the first day and the party occurring on or near the exact date of his birth ... well, you get my meaning.) it is harder for me. 2 is such a large number after all.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73YDOCchtpt_Q-rBgX6ujiFPsEwNFQErUVUJagMHvL-U8asZbfi2QD96id8iVYvgNiDopfFROn5-ViSDUBYESqegh9zpq7YKTZvPrgw8XON6xM7y2ptWWiPElSiTo8b59AiPUupgGTCV-/s1600-h/DSC01796.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73YDOCchtpt_Q-rBgX6ujiFPsEwNFQErUVUJagMHvL-U8asZbfi2QD96id8iVYvgNiDopfFROn5-ViSDUBYESqegh9zpq7YKTZvPrgw8XON6xM7y2ptWWiPElSiTo8b59AiPUupgGTCV-/s320/DSC01796.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250083434910203202" /></a><br />Thanks grandma Kathy for the cool dinosaur cake.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihP3myQ6j_M1iN68j_cOEONHAC3HLgoLF5qQ1nydp48BvM5Xh9Sb2IpOLBAlEurvAs4CBK4bzwZimrfW0uu3ZAwhc1WkxAWzRXt7ToS6XcTddptGOg9_ctMk1mw8srzT6J3sAGLO0_zLfo/s1600-h/DSC01785.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihP3myQ6j_M1iN68j_cOEONHAC3HLgoLF5qQ1nydp48BvM5Xh9Sb2IpOLBAlEurvAs4CBK4bzwZimrfW0uu3ZAwhc1WkxAWzRXt7ToS6XcTddptGOg9_ctMk1mw8srzT6J3sAGLO0_zLfo/s200/DSC01785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250073958556594354" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We (and by "we" I mean mostly me) decided to head up the mountain for a fun BBQ. The girls were hoping for snow but all we got is some rain. Still, we don't see rain that often either so everyone (and by "everyone" I do mean everyone) still had a really good time. Being with family is fun even if you are wet and cold. To fight the cold we had to pull out our really big guns.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqssRz4iBnVu1cn_ap40tPYhUN-qd8OWD4S2s27-zC84_Ef0JC-9Bw01kA0-53FY0vG-3iyIJ7PRKeiRdkuNcP4FRbEoMnCLMzMk5dRURPY1PTn87ECF5fPTXUV060wp_wOiJ3H_E6fJXH/s1600-h/DSC01832.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqssRz4iBnVu1cn_ap40tPYhUN-qd8OWD4S2s27-zC84_Ef0JC-9Bw01kA0-53FY0vG-3iyIJ7PRKeiRdkuNcP4FRbEoMnCLMzMk5dRURPY1PTn87ECF5fPTXUV060wp_wOiJ3H_E6fJXH/s320/DSC01832.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250095321098826706" /></a><br /><br />Teresa has much better pictures on her blog - <a href="http://blog.aaronboswell.com/?cat=9&paged=3">Rainy Days and Mondays</a> <br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We also decided to head up to the children's science museum in Salt Lake. If you ever get the chance this is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">by far</span> one of the best children's museums.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYm4pUWiqmDwudjSmAKg9W3stk3aJYtaBL6RMLUWaXKoRgapjaUtTNcyPkOaxfSv5BWDpzcj2pOuuI9jWS8nfEwyclNcvzl17HEiUqJXrCE86smPFPU5XtnmXSB9q94VoiWy5DSjg2Zx1/s1600-h/DSC01878.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYm4pUWiqmDwudjSmAKg9W3stk3aJYtaBL6RMLUWaXKoRgapjaUtTNcyPkOaxfSv5BWDpzcj2pOuuI9jWS8nfEwyclNcvzl17HEiUqJXrCE86smPFPU5XtnmXSB9q94VoiWy5DSjg2Zx1/s320/DSC01878.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250100205265145042" /></a></div><div>The first thing you encounter is this 2 story wonderland of balls and tubes and cranks and air. What else could you ask for in life really? Here is Livvy planning out her ball strategy. I love this kid.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next we bring you world renown xylophone experts Ellie and Cooper in their duet debut. We laughed, we cried, we were ............ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">moved.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytq8CDdXQj8xAThRA_BZ8Vpm4mEm0TUKhxra7BOuJqQpv-PiykXkh3VwJBgkVr-IDK-Wf9T0BxijlUuuteBGg5mmuTgYn9fRXeb5Xu7DC0a79YGC5GRVNF1GHh_vi61mMI5vMyAq1PvF4/s1600-h/DSC01880.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytq8CDdXQj8xAThRA_BZ8Vpm4mEm0TUKhxra7BOuJqQpv-PiykXkh3VwJBgkVr-IDK-Wf9T0BxijlUuuteBGg5mmuTgYn9fRXeb5Xu7DC0a79YGC5GRVNF1GHh_vi61mMI5vMyAq1PvF4/s320/DSC01880.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102385560486530" /></a></span></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There was also a construction zone...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-zvfg_0uJYYwepID1kvOKjb0HpKVwk1DCOmK1m3euYkb2yKV6ky9Jqdr7k64OOq8X9gJBVRvAswnyZhRzhb8wWYv9ZfBS2Iw1nAY9cYfrHOtl9DGGsvZDq4dxVYtnDrYHjPDbCbno4FD/s1600-h/DSC01882.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-zvfg_0uJYYwepID1kvOKjb0HpKVwk1DCOmK1m3euYkb2yKV6ky9Jqdr7k64OOq8X9gJBVRvAswnyZhRzhb8wWYv9ZfBS2Iw1nAY9cYfrHOtl9DGGsvZDq4dxVYtnDrYHjPDbCbno4FD/s320/DSC01882.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250117975074316546" /></a>a farm...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz56dCczBVeXMIdDGeALK8ThMkK67l6_xL4XVs_L-4lmFl8H7-EuzH0VueQjSIjd5qqbvF6z6uJIEUZwMuKUJWE7HbuRZgXEuulWyJQMlssZykpjfQJ-emPtqhZnEgmyCJ9NLumvqbNUk/s1600-h/DSC01895.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz56dCczBVeXMIdDGeALK8ThMkK67l6_xL4XVs_L-4lmFl8H7-EuzH0VueQjSIjd5qqbvF6z6uJIEUZwMuKUJWE7HbuRZgXEuulWyJQMlssZykpjfQJ-emPtqhZnEgmyCJ9NLumvqbNUk/s320/DSC01895.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250117977812374050" /></a><br /></div><div>a real helicopter ...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk94EQSvScpcckITRwe1x4m4VovjSCOiUosAvHoQyqVOMhyphenhyphenIBoSoXYQCrrH9NIviNH3oubnvTZ1ypWLh213PdW-fJXpfxe0SIJ9dcnTE0K6djwFq2wrHxqLmg84MqW9StBEaHyZYB4Jnhp/s1600-h/DSC01904.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk94EQSvScpcckITRwe1x4m4VovjSCOiUosAvHoQyqVOMhyphenhyphenIBoSoXYQCrrH9NIviNH3oubnvTZ1ypWLh213PdW-fJXpfxe0SIJ9dcnTE0K6djwFq2wrHxqLmg84MqW9StBEaHyZYB4Jnhp/s320/DSC01904.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250117978058078434" /></a><br /></div><div>and a multi-level, almost too large to be real, water play zone with - wait for it - real ping pong balls. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1mAdtSIQjjSlZ_05Bnb2zc46S4ZUt7WrFMYBr8F6bBzCaACiYev35pI6UWVupKrLJE5x-HH2N9nrrvewJODge16W3S-YUWQ4yXhbUcnP_4_-PupIWlHxHcQFR8nqHVxwYJFwwc4mO0HJ/s1600-h/DSC01887.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1mAdtSIQjjSlZ_05Bnb2zc46S4ZUt7WrFMYBr8F6bBzCaACiYev35pI6UWVupKrLJE5x-HH2N9nrrvewJODge16W3S-YUWQ4yXhbUcnP_4_-PupIWlHxHcQFR8nqHVxwYJFwwc4mO0HJ/s320/DSC01887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250117985916600994" /></a></div><div>The kids were in heaven. We had to physically remove them from the premises. The tears only stopped with promises of Old McDonalds (as my kids refer to it).</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-90578422125948814872008-06-24T21:04:00.004-07:002008-06-24T21:16:09.610-07:00Bad Blogger BadI have been a bad bad blogger. I do have a couple reasons which you may or may not see in the next few days/weeks/years/maybebeforeyoudie (no promises though).<div><br /></div><div>I did want to get this quick blog out though because:</div><div>1) I am afraid you are going to quit coming to my blog since I am ... well you already know, no use in beating the proverbial dead horse.</div><div>2) I think this is really cool and would like to share it with all my really cool friends.</div><div>3) It's free - does it get any better than free?</div><div>4) I am running out of reasons but the ones listed above are really pretty good</div><div>5) I should stop now.</div><div><br /></div><div>The great site I just found... Okay that is an exaggeration. The great site my husband came in and told me about is Pandora.com. As I said before it is free. It's like your own personal radio station on the web. You can enter the music of your choice and it will play it for you. For example, if you enter your favorite group it will play that group and all others in the same genre. Pretty cool. Maybe this will win me points? </div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-32315221481675114592008-05-19T16:15:00.004-07:002008-05-19T17:06:50.450-07:00Olfactory NervesOkay, I have a question. Are the olfactory nerves of a toddler broken? <div><br /></div><div>I have changed 2 hideous diapers for Ashton today and I have to be honest - they were horrifying. Sure, zombies and chain saws are scary but true horror is what I faced with only some wet towels. There wasn't even the usual scary music to clue me in on what was coming. </div><div><br /></div><div>This leads me to my point. How is it that, when I can hardly stand to be in the same room as my cute but severely odorific (not a real word but it should be) son, he is smiling jovially up at me. I am gagging and he is chanting "diaper rash". (Which does not mean a less than pleasant skin irritation on the less than pleasant part of his anatomy. What he means is "diaper trash" as in, Can I please put my own diaper in the trash? To which I answer, yes please and thank all the saints in heaven that I don't have to around this little gem any longer than is absolutely necessary.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry, I digress.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why is it that I am practically retching from the stench and he can grab the offensive bundle of nasty and tuck it under his arm like a pro wide-receiver? This, of course, keeps it safe from all those 200 pound 2 year olds who are trying to force the fumble thereby retrieving the effects of the more than adequate, workings of his inner bowel. Seriously, due to the fact that he has shorter arms and torso and an overly large cranium (don't all toddlers?) his cradling of the cr** puts it just 3 inches from his nose. How is he still alive?!?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is my question. This is what I think about when the temp hits 110. Okay, honestly, this is what I think of regardless of the temp. It is hard to be me.</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-87587291559447468172008-05-18T16:17:00.005-07:002008-05-18T16:39:56.597-07:00Iron man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lomag.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/ironman.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.lomag.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/ironman.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />We went and saw Iron man yesterday. I have to say I wasn't expecting much. I love action but am not a huge Robert Downey Jr. fan. Plus, I really couldn't see him playing a super hero. It was a bit of a stretch for me. But, Brock had heard really good things about it and he had really wanted to see it. Plus, we were double dating with some friends...<div><br /></div><div>*side note here: We finally have friends! After only a year plus we finally have friends to hang out with. They are a lot of fun and we now consider them our best friends in Phoenix. Congrats to them. (In the interest of full disclosure they are our <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">only</span> friends so being at the top of the list is fairly relative.) We enjoy their company so much we think of them often and have to control our desires to spend all our free time with them. Don't want to scare them away now that we have them......... Do you think it's too early to ask them to move in with us?</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to my movie review......</div><div><br /></div><div>Brock and David (one of our new best friends please see above) both wanted to see this so I caved gracefully. I have to say this was a great movie. It was really funny and fast paced. Has Robert Downey Jr. always been so funny? Maybe I do like him and I have just forgotten - one of the many things to fall into the memory abyss I like to call motherhood. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the special effects were great, the lines were funny, and the bad guys were HUGE and very.............. bad looking - in a good way. Iron man's trusty side kick Pepper Potts (okay, not side kick so much as assistant with attitude) was so funny I was thinking I would adopt her name in her honor. Heather Grayson leaves so much to be desired. But, Pepper Potts has it all. It just flows doesn't it? Of course, with all my great ideas comes the crushing reality. What if people begin to describe me as "peppy". I don't like being called "peppy". I am not "peppy". Worse still. What if they shorten my name and just call me "P.P."? That is not okay with me.</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-87183112836147772562008-05-13T14:26:00.004-07:002008-05-13T15:05:40.562-07:00Here's to Your HealthWe live in the Valley of the Sun. Sounds nice, doesn't it? It brings to mind a beautiful sun shining over a lush green valley. Where a light breeze blows through the trees making that sighing noise that I equate with God being happy. The sun would be high in the sky, it's light striking leaves of various colors of green before finally finding it's way to earth to absorb the browns, reds, and blacks that make up the earth's cushion. Of course, there would be a stream trickling away in the background, it's sounds making the melody to the lower hum of the local inhabitants going about their business.<div><br /></div><div>This is not the Valley of the Sun of which I speak. Our sun doesn't warm, it bakes. Our leaves (if they can be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">called</span> leaves) don't dance and sigh. They draw blood, as does every other tree, bush, flower, plant, cactus, or weed we may be able to grow here. And doesn't the word "valley" suggest that there should be some sort of higher ground around ... somewhere ... anywhere?</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite these obvious drawbacks I am growing to love living here. The only downside, negative, unfavorable, disadvantageous, worrisome part is the sun blindness.</div><div><br /></div><div>"What is sun blindness," you ask. It is when the sun causes immediate, irreversible blindness. Hence the name - sun blindness. Appropriate isn't it? Yes, I think so too. Coincidentally named maybe? I think not. A figment of my sun baked imagination? I will admit to nothing.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is no cure for sun blindness. Precautions must be taken. We must be ever vigilant, never slacking. No place is safe. That's right. NO PLACE!</div><div><br /></div><div>Not even the bath.....</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVIUuv_w4FwZJ37PCWo7azEpHGmto_AuWNsVhuojABzRqV-dWTa3OULqySsS69C3D2ak_ARWAAt8flHFqwueXFmWyJHA_8Lwnt6jQdyyT_Wpz6iC146iBZuJhHq00E2EPhPDLWXuri9Gn/s1600-h/DSC01522.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVIUuv_w4FwZJ37PCWo7azEpHGmto_AuWNsVhuojABzRqV-dWTa3OULqySsS69C3D2ak_ARWAAt8flHFqwueXFmWyJHA_8Lwnt6jQdyyT_Wpz6iC146iBZuJhHq00E2EPhPDLWXuri9Gn/s320/DSC01522.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199986460529280674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bZQ7ReuQb-M0rBKhoAu2VYhareQTHEI9oy7zZBPavm6xJ6i4ftZYhdyH-EMpgd2PTf5jwqAUZSgo-qIdN5pwcyH9b_2vYAhj-qqwhaX5ximdPnbkzUjuDUaI-vrCy71_A380xXchPPjU/s1600-h/DSC01553.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bZQ7ReuQb-M0rBKhoAu2VYhareQTHEI9oy7zZBPavm6xJ6i4ftZYhdyH-EMpgd2PTf5jwqAUZSgo-qIdN5pwcyH9b_2vYAhj-qqwhaX5ximdPnbkzUjuDUaI-vrCy71_A380xXchPPjU/s320/DSC01553.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199986469119215282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpgnejv_-se4jQ9RHmf2Wy8fDlOvNw_eR_jLK37i3GWKw4GMBF4R7XSTHmPiqFlRSYAa0Zt4TIKQVKC2jrST2cuhp5w-eEJY_FM1aZ1O6sMZ8VBOGlwLm8JQt1PoNS396IYkd3-S1hOQX/s1600-h/DSC01549.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpgnejv_-se4jQ9RHmf2Wy8fDlOvNw_eR_jLK37i3GWKw4GMBF4R7XSTHmPiqFlRSYAa0Zt4TIKQVKC2jrST2cuhp5w-eEJY_FM1aZ1O6sMZ8VBOGlwLm8JQt1PoNS396IYkd3-S1hOQX/s320/DSC01549.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199986477709149890" /></a>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-52444515534287351562008-04-28T14:13:00.004-07:002008-04-28T14:53:21.726-07:00Think Romantical ThoughtsThe past couple months have been crazy here. We have had a lot of visitors: Kathy and Richard, Aaron and Teresa and kids, Karrie, her sister, her sisters boyfriend, her sisters kid, (Karrie's sister's name is Allison. It is not a state secret or anything. I have just always referred to her as "Karrie's sister". Oops.) My parents, and Brock's parents. We have also been sick. All of the kids got pink eye (previous blog) and just recently Ashton got the stomach flu. <div><br /></div><div>Now, I wont go into details like I have in the past because, really, the stomach flu isn't funny. Well, not <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">that</span> funny anyway. But here is an over view.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ashton got sick on Wednesday morning. Thankfully we were sitting outside waiting to pick up the girls from pre-school so he didn't get sick in the car, or the pool (which is where we were a few minutes previously). But he did get sick multiple times throughout the day and while I avoided the nasty the first time I wasn't always so lucky. By the end of the day I had decided that the world was conspiring against me. (I frequently think this when things don't go my way.) Why else would Ashton get sick on the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">one</span> day of the week that would be hardest for me. Here are the reasons why <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">that day</span> was the worst.</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Brock was working late so I was on my one with 2 pre-schoolers who spill their drinks A LOT and one sick-o baby. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) I had (emphasis on the past tense) planned on going with the kids over to a friends house for dinner. Not so much once the regurgitating began.</div><div><br /></div><div>3) I LOVE nap time. I LIVE FOR nap time. Angels sing and cherubs dance during nap times. (It really is quite amazing.) However, since Ashton was sick he didn't nap. He was doing other things. And, because <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">he</span> didn't nap neither did the girls. This means I had all 3 of my kids for 12+ hours with no help from my husband in sight (see #1)</div><div><br /></div><div>But, I prevailed. I didn't let it get me down. I got through the day with hardly a scratch and put the kids to bed early. Then I sat. I was tired so I just sat. Sitting is good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Brock came home around 9 and asked about the kids. I filled him in on my day and then he looked at me and said:</div><div><br /></div><div>"So, you want to get lucky?"</div><div><br /></div><div>What! Are you kidding me? Do I look like I want to "get lucky"? Do I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">smell</span> like I want to "get lucky"? Have you been listening to my day? (I thought all this is about a nano-second. The brain is really an amazing thing.)</div><div><br /></div><div>What I said was:</div><div><br /></div><div>"I've been vomited on multiple times today but if you want me..." (I even held my arms out to demonstrate how willing I am.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Brock gave me a deadpan look and said, "Wow. You really know how to turn a guy on."</div><div><br /></div><div>Years of practice my friend. Years of practice.</div><div><br /></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-75342073335946215672008-04-10T13:26:00.004-07:002008-04-10T15:03:52.588-07:00EasterSo, I have a little problem. <div>"Little?" you think. </div><div>Sarcasm is not helpful here.</div><div><br /></div><div>My problem is that I declared on my blog (i.e. to the world as a whole) that I would be posting more often. What that small declaration has lead me to is a realization that my life is not fraught with excitement. For instance, today I took the girls to get their haircut. That is really not worthy of blogging. (Can you believe there was a time when our days were NOT measured by their blogging potential? Me either.) Maybe if it was their FIRST haircut... but it wasn't. We have done this many times before. Maybe if I had tinted their hair various colors. But... I didn't. Ellie got an orange barrette in her hair - a butterfly. Not that interesting. I didn't even take a picture. Maybe if there had been singing or dancing by the beauticians, or my children for that matter, but again, there wasn't. By either. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the girls got their haircut I took them to McDonald's for a treat. Still not worth mentioning really. (although I still will - mention it I mean) We got our food. We ate our food. Ellie sat in the booth behind us and cried. (I chose to sit between her <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">and</span> Liv instead of sitting on the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">other</span> side of Ellie so I wouldn't be by Liv at all. Dad sat by himself on the other side of the table with its incredibly long bench trying not too feel too unwanted.) Liv sat next to me and moaned that we were eating too slow and she couldn't "sit here this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">lo-o-o-o-o-ong"</span>. (I didn't realize sitting required so much energy.) Ashton ate his nuggets and grunted periodically when they got stuck in his ketchup cup.</div><div><br /></div><div>But then!!! I had a sudden moment of inspiration and I thought about the following. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is our Easter story (hence the title).</div><div><br /></div><div>The Grayson children scored big this Easter. Not "big" as in lots of presents but "big" as in awesome, rock your world presents. Yes, the Easter Bunny knows my children well. They all got candy, of course. (Note: Ashton likes na-nee, very much.) They also all got kites and - wait for it - nail polish. Ok, Ashton did not get nail polish. He got a puzzle but he is only 1 and doesn't really care that much anyway. The girls however, were in heaven. AND! As if the nail polish were not enough, they also got little flower stickers to put on their nails once the paint was dry. Red for Ellie and Pink for Liv. It was such a good gift getting session that the girls disappeared with nary a complaint. I finally had to call them for dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div>Side note here: How often have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">your</span> children disappeared for an hour without a peep? Me either.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to my story. I called them to dinner. Ashton and Liv came right away. Ellie eventually showed up and informed me that she was going to be a little late for dinner because she had to finish her toes. I paused and thought a moment. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Finish?</span> That can't be good. I looked down and sure enough all 10 finger nails (to the first knuckle on some) and 5 toes were painted. I panicked. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Where did you paint them Ellie?" I asked with a note of hysteria in my voice. Ellie picked up on my panic at once and stopped talking to me. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" was, I'm sure, what she was thinking.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Please, Ellie. You're not in trouble. Just, please tell mommy where you did your nails?" I pleaded.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Your closet" was the whispered answer.</div><div><br /></div><div>I flew across the house to my carpeted closet and found.... nothing. There was the polish - open - and the stickers, but nothing had spilled. I am not sure how my 4 year old managed to get the bottle open and paint 15 of her 20 appendages without spilling a drop. The carpet gods were smiling.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of Ellie's first attempt at self beautification. She didn't do too bad.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yHiECTVwL_JEo1N6jqf6GLEOiBE6G0BKoVCjHhgKrGx-bDYj18FAmO65IhhSgf3H7xWDkWQcSCYM9rPJWsXFMjF_n-DvfugpGB5IMG_2-N6tF8tYxkC62SPjuKkeHkedU-FW_rdkKHD3/s1600-h/DSC01498.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yHiECTVwL_JEo1N6jqf6GLEOiBE6G0BKoVCjHhgKrGx-bDYj18FAmO65IhhSgf3H7xWDkWQcSCYM9rPJWsXFMjF_n-DvfugpGB5IMG_2-N6tF8tYxkC62SPjuKkeHkedU-FW_rdkKHD3/s320/DSC01498.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187725265887601394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwQ2YrtLiyoEkf2LDLwJQ2fYraDHkptgWsXGGR-MaSOSEZ7upcfDgFvlbGusrPRXTxZB1KgsRUdbLRchyphenhyphenfpEkKg9BPNxOkZVLl4IZIafd9DPhPw3AgwkACrPWcMyC0kAqA4pOCxEq0XAx/s1600-h/DSC01495.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwQ2YrtLiyoEkf2LDLwJQ2fYraDHkptgWsXGGR-MaSOSEZ7upcfDgFvlbGusrPRXTxZB1KgsRUdbLRchyphenhyphenfpEkKg9BPNxOkZVLl4IZIafd9DPhPw3AgwkACrPWcMyC0kAqA4pOCxEq0XAx/s320/DSC01495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187716572873794274" /></a><br /></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-4582253933474668122008-04-04T13:48:00.004-07:002008-04-04T14:06:58.072-07:00booksOk, I have a favor to ask the blogging community, or at least those that read my blog. I have just finished reading the twilight books for the second time and am tempted to begin again mostly because I have run out of ideas.<div><br /></div><div>So in this vein I am asking for your help. If you are reading this could you give me your 10 favorite books or authors (which is how I usually decide)? In return here are some of mine. These are just fun books, of course if we are talking about life altering books the scriptures would be top of the list. (In no particular order.) </div><div><br /></div><div>1. Twilight books</div><div>2. The Alchemist (small, simple read that for me was very profound)</div><div>3. Spencer books by Robert Parker (these are PI books that are also simple reads but they are great get away books)</div><div>4. Harry Potter</div><div>5. The Prey books by John Sandford (these are very disturbing books - definitely rated R. they are all about serial killers and the cop who tracks them. I love them but they are offensive to some)</div><div>6. Wheel of time by Robert Jordan (if you like fantasy)</div><div>7. In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson (this is actually a travel book - I never read travel books - and was one of the funniest books I have ever read)</div><div>8.Much Ado about Nothing by Shakespeare (because I can relate)</div><div>9. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (I thought the language was beautiful however parts of the story are hard to read)</div><div>10. Timeline by Michael Crichton (this was a great concept - the movie was terrible)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, this is my list. It was actually kind of hard to put together because I can't remember all the books I have ever read. I may do this again sometime.</div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-58750159453368895982008-04-02T19:53:00.007-07:002008-04-03T14:37:58.607-07:00I have a dream...<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">**Note: This post is long. Really, really long. Read at your own risk. (This is what you get when you ask me to post more often. I can get a little carried away and no one has ever accused me of being succinct.)</span></span></div><div></div><br /><br />"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'<div><br />I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.</div><div><br />I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.</div><div><br />I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.</div><div><br />I have a dream today!</div><div><br />I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.</div><div><br />I have a dream today!</div><div><br />I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; 'and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.'"</div><div><br /></div><div>This is, arguably, the most famous speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28, 1963. It is one of my favorite orations of all time. No matter how many times I hear it or read it, whether partially or in its entirety , it raises goose bumps on my flesh and brings tears to my eyes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love his eloquence. "With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."</div><div><br /></div><div>His simple phrases that inspire humanity to reach to a greater height than they may think possible. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (this is my absolute FAVORITE line of the whole address)</div><div><br /></div><div>His compassion that encourages others to kindness when they have so much reason for hatred. "Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."</div><div><br /></div><div>It is with all these things in mind, with the greatest regard and the upmost respect for the man and his vision that I post the following....</div><div><br /></div><div>I too have a dream. Mine is not grandiose. Mine will not alter the fabric of society nor change the destiny of a nation. Mine is not filled with the passion of years of injustice, the burning of righteousness or the nobility of truth. </div><div><br /></div><div>No, mine will do none of these things.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is simple. But, to me, it is profound. I have a dream that one day I may be able to use the bathroom all by myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a dream that one day I will be able to use the bathroom without a small voice calling to me, "Mommy, did your pee-pees wake up?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a dream that one day I will be able to use the bathroom without someone barging in and announcing passionately, "Mommy, it stinks in here! I'm getting out of here!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a dream that one day I will be able to use the bathroom without watching the door handle turn and a head pop-in to ask, "Mommy, can you get me some more milk?" I can't <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">right</span> now. Obviously.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I said, it is not profound but it is my little dream.</div><div><br /></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-10588712931643233802008-03-31T14:55:00.007-07:002008-04-02T14:54:38.092-07:00PinkPink is an interesting color. It brings to mind spring time, Easter, flowers, and bunnies (although I could not begin to tell you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">WHY</span> pink makes me think of bunnies - I have never seen a pink bunny).<div><br /><div> </div><div>However, this past week my kids have contracted pink eye which, to be perfectly honest, does NOT bring any of the afore mentioned sweetness to mind. In fact, it brings to mind much nastiness. Pink eye is NOT a symbol of new life and baby animals romping playfully through a meadow. It is NOT a reminder of time spent with family frolicking in warm spring days. I do NOT revisit the cotton candy moments of my youth where birds sing, butterflies flutter and kites float lazily on the breeze while children squeal in delight.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>No, pink eye is none of these things. Putting the word "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">pink"</span> in front of the word "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">eye</span></span>" does NOT in anyway make the word "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">eye</span>" </span>more pleasing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">. </span>Just the opposite in fact.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pink eye has made all three of my children look like they have lost boxing matches against really famous boxers whose names I will not even pretend to know. Their eyes are red and swollen and incredibly foul things leak out of them. To top it all off I get to line up all of my children for eye drops. It worked great - the first time. Now they know it is not a pleasant experience to put stinging, itchy drops in sore eyes. (You can't say my kids aren't bright.) As if the drops are not enough the kids are not allowed to touch their eyes. So here I go...</div><div><br /></div><div> I put the drops in. 1 drop 3 times a day.</div><div>"Don't touch." I say.</div><div>Instantly little hands and even littler fingers leap up to the eye region of the face. </div><div>"Don't touch." I repeat as I attempt to block their ever increasing attempts to reach their eyes.</div><div> Little hands and even littler fingers continue to move with dizzying speed as they eventually break through my defenses and attempt to pop their offending eyeballs out of their ocular cavities. </div><div>"Don't touch." I repeat again as I remove their hands in an attempt to preserve the eye. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is at this point that my cute, precious little angels turn into little creatures of pure malice that seek to take my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pink eye is not my friend.</div></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2945205765184741747.post-52641770839762745352008-03-09T13:52:00.019-07:002008-03-31T14:51:16.435-07:00Field trip to the zooIn the spirit of my brand-new, blog more frequently, resolution, here are pics of the kids at the zoo. This was their second ever school field trip. I didn't post pics of the first. As Aaron would say, "I fail at life".<div><br /></div><div><br /><div> </div><div>Here is a pic of the entire class. Ellie is on the far left of the picture chewing on her Diego sport cup. Liv is hiding behind the little red headed boy - you can't see her. Can my kids pose or what?<br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcboTV6znuNWLeZoppzuIE784bQ054bCLh_mhWZQGRzupuahnu-icgmYpH0dgaH3v-DjffKDNwk-nfaivm_yLCMqFNxioXKMIz7ohDvNB5_TKeovYAG7A23xXzufLwArNBQbpfU4wDFZE/s1600-h/DSC01387.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcboTV6znuNWLeZoppzuIE784bQ054bCLh_mhWZQGRzupuahnu-icgmYpH0dgaH3v-DjffKDNwk-nfaivm_yLCMqFNxioXKMIz7ohDvNB5_TKeovYAG7A23xXzufLwArNBQbpfU4wDFZE/s320/DSC01387.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176091927376838738" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Ok, seriously. What is this? Cheetah? Jaguar? Leopard? How does one tell? Apparently a trip to the zoo did not help <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">ME</span> at all.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRgtNcRKqh2aqMlhUNOt5uax1YUWwgHMBxk9VcN_Zn9sn_gNH9Kbu0wGlDlzupBhbsAH6JKwlFE4vN29ojEPC2mJ25PPxjDRqdby7plkFNPeyqJuTVY9zZQDqsuj-u29KZW59qd_gEouT/s1600-h/DSC01395.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRgtNcRKqh2aqMlhUNOt5uax1YUWwgHMBxk9VcN_Zn9sn_gNH9Kbu0wGlDlzupBhbsAH6JKwlFE4vN29ojEPC2mJ25PPxjDRqdby7plkFNPeyqJuTVY9zZQDqsuj-u29KZW59qd_gEouT/s320/DSC01395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176139189196963938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My girls posing again. They refuse to put down the cups and Ellie wont look up. So much for a career in TV.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPLmbAWWacjLjWdem45vi8ulRAY-BKGQS8J9FGSH7ET0D3w1g4v4wwqZWyv-OhNUfaijgKIlFZQ8hNLz9sHZHRZ68HXbhJTbw_bzcoyrP2RkvB0Q_64ZdO3SHKy2aQa7eVAGf_c_HZWfg/s1600-h/DSC01397.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPLmbAWWacjLjWdem45vi8ulRAY-BKGQS8J9FGSH7ET0D3w1g4v4wwqZWyv-OhNUfaijgKIlFZQ8hNLz9sHZHRZ68HXbhJTbw_bzcoyrP2RkvB0Q_64ZdO3SHKy2aQa7eVAGf_c_HZWfg/s320/DSC01397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176331290199212146" border="0" /></a><br />We went to the Wild Zoo which was really a lot of fun. As you can see the kids are able to get pretty close to the animals.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeuzKD31XDXzaypC3gny5rbbZDZpbFg1auY-AoDzwOHZWzZz-L289MjyHJ0BystAwH4nXE8sMphZMm5-7iFEQ2Al7eF4_CD_27rQtj8E-2qMBFxw2_qGEf89NSf3MYzmZgG-4EPkNilZb/s1600-h/DSC01400.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeuzKD31XDXzaypC3gny5rbbZDZpbFg1auY-AoDzwOHZWzZz-L289MjyHJ0BystAwH4nXE8sMphZMm5-7iFEQ2Al7eF4_CD_27rQtj8E-2qMBFxw2_qGEf89NSf3MYzmZgG-4EPkNilZb/s320/DSC01400.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176470601758425218" border="0" /></a><br />Sad when the kangaroo poses better than the children.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FUSqDq5f5ChTdKRRBPhQtabhJ1s684gyzs1egdlvmYxvXxbogsfBJVg0Plo3Fcz1yoqmDaY6DYH6C7rwrn34GvO6PT48eKt6J4T47NTiGKzCO5I6QG9-_XBARuFGshXcOdK_HnweE-wt/s1600-h/DSC01409.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FUSqDq5f5ChTdKRRBPhQtabhJ1s684gyzs1egdlvmYxvXxbogsfBJVg0Plo3Fcz1yoqmDaY6DYH6C7rwrn34GvO6PT48eKt6J4T47NTiGKzCO5I6QG9-_XBARuFGshXcOdK_HnweE-wt/s320/DSC01409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176470610348359826" border="0" /></a><br />This was BY FAR the best part of the zoo. The lorikeet feeding. The kids were able to hold a piece of an apple and the birds would fly down and eat it right out of their hands. It was really neat. Liv loved it. Ellie, not so much.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig3qkFTebTxMa_3ZoI9FCL81W-yeCiLNyulge8cTWDHJ9z6kbN0MF-LkxYV_Wcdica4tcq_scypwWLVHkNYvZPioo-y6bLyH_gMbEkFY6g7O0SsOvmq-obGJ9fKLJLBSx6eTFs4TmVcYP/s1600-h/DSC01425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig3qkFTebTxMa_3ZoI9FCL81W-yeCiLNyulge8cTWDHJ9z6kbN0MF-LkxYV_Wcdica4tcq_scypwWLVHkNYvZPioo-y6bLyH_gMbEkFY6g7O0SsOvmq-obGJ9fKLJLBSx6eTFs4TmVcYP/s320/DSC01425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176596603213988002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvIsuiyeWdbkdATw9pEKBNdgUpMAfmBSG-DYIDHsMh62ijunGM6MVdsIKKjBi61fZQ8R8_r_r8m7dWpM9leCWdo170YX7nytSu8yi47Du3ICrh4VdfWqQLbB_5YZk4V4xZrwWwyBiVATN/s1600-h/DSC01435.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvIsuiyeWdbkdATw9pEKBNdgUpMAfmBSG-DYIDHsMh62ijunGM6MVdsIKKjBi61fZQ8R8_r_r8m7dWpM9leCWdo170YX7nytSu8yi47Du3ICrh4VdfWqQLbB_5YZk4V4xZrwWwyBiVATN/s320/DSC01435.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176596620393857202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Picture of the class before the train ride.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP9mtLBUPdj-DRcsyuWyzxrCkC5FYz4r-dft9Cl79xqtOna53t2dyT1TGSm4tVCUCXF3PdE7ACUTqK2SjqqhZ-LBORRj5gre_DqFON9jxaPo2ZONeSipDauPPaon5lc58AGtVoLpMM6Hu/s1600-h/DSC01440.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP9mtLBUPdj-DRcsyuWyzxrCkC5FYz4r-dft9Cl79xqtOna53t2dyT1TGSm4tVCUCXF3PdE7ACUTqK2SjqqhZ-LBORRj5gre_DqFON9jxaPo2ZONeSipDauPPaon5lc58AGtVoLpMM6Hu/s320/DSC01440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176597500862152898" border="0" /></a><br />The girls were enthralled by the tortoise (the large, flat, rock looking thing in the upper left hand corner). Now, I myself am an animal lover and the tortoise was cool and all but this picture captures all the excitement the tortoise has to offer. This is it. I finally had to drag them away. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9CYlLm3k9aHyESRULhIDzYH0woBnIy10z5V1Ke-_-ICuOcTkqHlOq0OLLAu4slzuPpcbTZ8QVghl9y_DmMKMaAe0Dr3V9db82dtfFNd4hWAViRApmuZg_BlqvwCLg0_gd_iR26wui_WD/s1600-h/DSC01443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9CYlLm3k9aHyESRULhIDzYH0woBnIy10z5V1Ke-_-ICuOcTkqHlOq0OLLAu4slzuPpcbTZ8QVghl9y_DmMKMaAe0Dr3V9db82dtfFNd4hWAViRApmuZg_BlqvwCLg0_gd_iR26wui_WD/s320/DSC01443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176597522336989394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was our next big adventure. Feeding the giraffes. The girls would not do it so I had to hold them up while I fed the giraffe. "You will have fun so help me......"</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6OOp2VeFwukdEQ4NxGU5v3_2tmU1sW0ornwVwfR5M2uj62Us6vSoOC_RCvekhWmsHl9COb21wvR2RskBrBCvSgRQVvl5kma7toG-qTbW6VfM2yp70qI4ZyaL-vzVge82OfzevSiwBVrZ/s1600-h/DSC01460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6OOp2VeFwukdEQ4NxGU5v3_2tmU1sW0ornwVwfR5M2uj62Us6vSoOC_RCvekhWmsHl9COb21wvR2RskBrBCvSgRQVvl5kma7toG-qTbW6VfM2yp70qI4ZyaL-vzVge82OfzevSiwBVrZ/s320/DSC01460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176599283273580770" border="0" /></a><br />Is it just me or does this camel look dead? The girls were quite concerned.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-eMRgjsq6hK9h8FbalrX2SYyp0Mucq6dyVFtPEuAV5HpH7ubHMbavpWjsqQABXS9kkqufXNhHfu-n_W9hM67aQfgPB77DpnrCWMpim7TrMLjaPDpSw1nI6J_4NhDILdfK0W-9hiigVVY/s1600-h/DSC01463.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-eMRgjsq6hK9h8FbalrX2SYyp0Mucq6dyVFtPEuAV5HpH7ubHMbavpWjsqQABXS9kkqufXNhHfu-n_W9hM67aQfgPB77DpnrCWMpim7TrMLjaPDpSw1nI6J_4NhDILdfK0W-9hiigVVY/s320/DSC01463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176599296158482674" border="0" /></a><br />I was thinking of doing this with Ashton's hair. What do you think?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DmCkyqKZG4jRja6PypV-cutlme4sLiM5ROvMKQRUOySTXf8agUW3YKJdgc8CJPyFE_yOhbO5xEaKvXxJFnSr65YjlCFlgvAWoOrq63UgdUrv-SLa4UENVmpCf5uk9tsDyT4xUcMLrNQK/s1600-h/DSC01468.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DmCkyqKZG4jRja6PypV-cutlme4sLiM5ROvMKQRUOySTXf8agUW3YKJdgc8CJPyFE_yOhbO5xEaKvXxJFnSr65YjlCFlgvAWoOrq63UgdUrv-SLa4UENVmpCf5uk9tsDyT4xUcMLrNQK/s320/DSC01468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176600326950633730" border="0" /></a><br />This white tiger was beautiful. He was sleeping until all the kids came around. At which point I am thinking, that he was thinking, "Lunch".</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk50di1rR4RCbFudvuaVtZGrz8qNqFPSyOYWXSfqECq0HVBstr0jPScJmMkeHvOGD-RFA83MRbRK36nDUkL2h-mipSm0x9cDsAFYa8DNNCbadjyPucztYzZZJ0O7yakYIKcSq_XD73iiMR/s1600-h/DSC01481.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk50di1rR4RCbFudvuaVtZGrz8qNqFPSyOYWXSfqECq0HVBstr0jPScJmMkeHvOGD-RFA83MRbRK36nDUkL2h-mipSm0x9cDsAFYa8DNNCbadjyPucztYzZZJ0O7yakYIKcSq_XD73iiMR/s320/DSC01481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176600339835535634" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Grayson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141267912577809387noreply@blogger.com4