tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12400981983229600912024-02-02T13:20:31.857-08:00Me, myself and themKirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.comBlogger353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-14346307308074351312012-01-15T12:56:00.000-08:002012-01-15T12:56:18.468-08:00The Sketch ChallengeAlways love this challenge each month for Skrap N Chat...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LEa7JXEWaaAfiyMzWBrCGmaRcUbnbkEcAlZQLk-ftc1w6BIlZhJxHTDTIH3mrRTSG9Z2CHWS8ESHSPlmkEH2ehAzBhVXOu6Xkmg7hvWNVDbnaNAMZ9KL1jTtdLTz6skg_jIH7jmE22I/s1600/IMG_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LEa7JXEWaaAfiyMzWBrCGmaRcUbnbkEcAlZQLk-ftc1w6BIlZhJxHTDTIH3mrRTSG9Z2CHWS8ESHSPlmkEH2ehAzBhVXOu6Xkmg7hvWNVDbnaNAMZ9KL1jTtdLTz6skg_jIH7jmE22I/s320/IMG_0175.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>Here is the sketch<br />
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And my take on it<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt5r0SEyBlRVl-p6L_RFtVTajJ7l-maSOsaUBY_I5E5p0VXeW4mNoepG3JHz8_4S1b1xi6HLVFHVEKObwWNfEpvYR-gATnNCqt_LRm1IqZSyNlOgLbCqeJTrQnOEi8e9iqTuwJpqciPg/s1600/IMG_0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt5r0SEyBlRVl-p6L_RFtVTajJ7l-maSOsaUBY_I5E5p0VXeW4mNoepG3JHz8_4S1b1xi6HLVFHVEKObwWNfEpvYR-gATnNCqt_LRm1IqZSyNlOgLbCqeJTrQnOEi8e9iqTuwJpqciPg/s320/IMG_0174.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br />
And Jessica's<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL3EOGjFL2GDsRGG5VZGmAfSVOrJfhFasvTUD_zNaXjfVs3z47nSnnjgs_x2ctSdtt9hCxoO8FqBb33UGshHj7t3vmhNf6_MwnnLaN_om2RexJpNEpYFOWRwbRsFRp_-L2SzUTLpv3ww/s1600/015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL3EOGjFL2GDsRGG5VZGmAfSVOrJfhFasvTUD_zNaXjfVs3z47nSnnjgs_x2ctSdtt9hCxoO8FqBb33UGshHj7t3vmhNf6_MwnnLaN_om2RexJpNEpYFOWRwbRsFRp_-L2SzUTLpv3ww/s320/015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And April's<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7-D-8YbsJ-grCicUnYM0r9hy-GNbhsEiEmtk5PhLnaWQCgBsHZcNoryeM78F2yNE2chXwC7ow_eJDh-UHPeYK3QcQP5EPerYqPElqMopQp1FAIj0EmGL1XlDS_a9Wig4NqLEiDkPAWE/s1600/april+jan+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7-D-8YbsJ-grCicUnYM0r9hy-GNbhsEiEmtk5PhLnaWQCgBsHZcNoryeM78F2yNE2chXwC7ow_eJDh-UHPeYK3QcQP5EPerYqPElqMopQp1FAIj0EmGL1XlDS_a9Wig4NqLEiDkPAWE/s320/april+jan+sketch.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Dawn's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>And Suzanne's<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyczcuF916v2JF63Z2SPWR6_hQGhFVIdRgzhcc04KTmrGIee9G2NWjoPProxx0taNpCEY43JEyYRAcggEccLnDoha766cjAxnh0_yR5QmYZV_pu1uj7NQEqFggkJTiSA4lSuLRCNV9VM/s1600/suzanne+jan+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyczcuF916v2JF63Z2SPWR6_hQGhFVIdRgzhcc04KTmrGIee9G2NWjoPProxx0taNpCEY43JEyYRAcggEccLnDoha766cjAxnh0_yR5QmYZV_pu1uj7NQEqFggkJTiSA4lSuLRCNV9VM/s320/suzanne+jan+sketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Jenn's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfo4xePEwP_NYmMP7N3Y1cSrULqsPghMzjkmJxTaI0DzzbKtA-msvxCBRw3odL4hQwCjIX3eSttjJQm5x3nnioc1fkrRccwIt1S8ZFMvRiPWZ9MxSIr3bAcGGvKstHtQNxFPo9OzfRhQ/s1600/jenn+sketch+jan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfo4xePEwP_NYmMP7N3Y1cSrULqsPghMzjkmJxTaI0DzzbKtA-msvxCBRw3odL4hQwCjIX3eSttjJQm5x3nnioc1fkrRccwIt1S8ZFMvRiPWZ9MxSIr3bAcGGvKstHtQNxFPo9OzfRhQ/s320/jenn+sketch+jan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Angela's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-19385494039997552002011-12-30T16:34:00.000-08:002011-12-31T16:43:42.446-08:00Sweet Nutcracker Suite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAQV3biU_DNpHIXssXtuTTRJFR96eb5jYAFH0-Iq2GnIwDO3GQc-bKWVExnC1tl6P4aD4XE2IMazWD2fKu1E2PAopZECHmlD6JPD7HnNQE6Na9K0Tkocmn0BjAXTO8GS7PLWYCbeWLoQ/s1600/nutcracker-snow-queen-copy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAQV3biU_DNpHIXssXtuTTRJFR96eb5jYAFH0-Iq2GnIwDO3GQc-bKWVExnC1tl6P4aD4XE2IMazWD2fKu1E2PAopZECHmlD6JPD7HnNQE6Na9K0Tkocmn0BjAXTO8GS7PLWYCbeWLoQ/s400/nutcracker-snow-queen-copy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When I was a little girl, I remember going to the Nutcrack Suite when I was about 6 with my Mom and Grandma. And this year, I got to do it with Mom and Kaylee.<br />
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While I had the best of intentions of organizing this and getting us there, I had left it too late but made myself a note to be extra on the ball for next year. But as luck would happen, I was given three tickets for the matinee, which was perfect.<br />
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This years performance was the Alberta Ballet, and it was beautiful. It has a very Russian feel to it and the set was absolutely spectacular. Kaylee enjoyed it (although the last 10 mins was almost asleep) and hopefully she is gaining an appreciation of arts. She did say that she didn't think ballet was super girly anymore and that she would like to give dance a try again.<br />
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I'm glad that we went, and will definitely do it again. It really is a good part of Christmas.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-66538084629854060212011-12-26T18:44:00.000-08:002011-12-26T18:44:22.299-08:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnosLtY-Rty8Re-AJAlSt3yB9Kd6WhQ6Gkc9U1qNsew-Iv00Bqq4qxkx4zILGP-nd1t6rntn5DNDItvo7c07-6Ka7uOS9DC0Ufvj_HU-l-mq3c3VpWnFAq7AY6aVuOsFWC_Kz2UQGE4e4/s1600/IMG_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnosLtY-Rty8Re-AJAlSt3yB9Kd6WhQ6Gkc9U1qNsew-Iv00Bqq4qxkx4zILGP-nd1t6rntn5DNDItvo7c07-6Ka7uOS9DC0Ufvj_HU-l-mq3c3VpWnFAq7AY6aVuOsFWC_Kz2UQGE4e4/s640/IMG_0064.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6wEZEeDXlgI_3ztvX5LASoOEoUOH7tYVTvo4yJr0cmxh2BTFJVhLh0KDDCdPaclrxzxLDDVoG9HOIMOr-TCAnrP9aJpEtdVabdkWszXJLtQHdXGnjXOaXguGiGHM6Cfb4Q4ImYmdrSk/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6wEZEeDXlgI_3ztvX5LASoOEoUOH7tYVTvo4yJr0cmxh2BTFJVhLh0KDDCdPaclrxzxLDDVoG9HOIMOr-TCAnrP9aJpEtdVabdkWszXJLtQHdXGnjXOaXguGiGHM6Cfb4Q4ImYmdrSk/s320/IMG_0052.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4IbJHYGD-aGsYNnB168Ky0AMvLu-syPZsVPX7CJA_ev_KRPZZG6EvjK1YNB-lZaGoh1gTaFk5aRRM3phFSWgeqYIFU6uN6NkIkqA1jAIygelX1vmYdXYRH_VWUh49msSRElBYZwUk5k/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4IbJHYGD-aGsYNnB168Ky0AMvLu-syPZsVPX7CJA_ev_KRPZZG6EvjK1YNB-lZaGoh1gTaFk5aRRM3phFSWgeqYIFU6uN6NkIkqA1jAIygelX1vmYdXYRH_VWUh49msSRElBYZwUk5k/s320/IMG_0063.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
A day filled with fun, family and lots of new toys for us all!! Santa brought just what the kids were looking for (Millennium Falcon for him and a microphone and speaker for her) with other great things like Etcha Sketch and books<br />
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They shared the day helping each other, reading cards together and handing out all the presents to my parents and my brother..<br />
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Many of the cards had special wishes in them, and some even filled with gift cards or money for them to go pick out their own things later (a favourite are the gift cards to the book store)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAkFeo2jWxzXX6VKlBaWIe5MYhJFtFYh6j0N06AFoK6R-37BmWgdX_tnCzPUoYVV8tHi2nIBx5eVuHbLvVxoqL9v-c3ZO_pla9zoB5Pk5p-cFggwkhvIDQX5arhnDe5CRuF1IOxZnpAw/s1600/IMG_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAkFeo2jWxzXX6VKlBaWIe5MYhJFtFYh6j0N06AFoK6R-37BmWgdX_tnCzPUoYVV8tHi2nIBx5eVuHbLvVxoqL9v-c3ZO_pla9zoB5Pk5p-cFggwkhvIDQX5arhnDe5CRuF1IOxZnpAw/s320/IMG_0069.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqUxrfepOo1lBv4Q7W5nopIrvrbeJyLI3cl0xRtei_gNbyPtMvJZnchrFxcmtS0TdukQlKx8dED-3mk0pEhB5oR9uk0ddek90uGmyGYFtrbKOUfkJ2ALxtpGR4wUXT023EDpDlwhZB30/s1600/IMG_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqUxrfepOo1lBv4Q7W5nopIrvrbeJyLI3cl0xRtei_gNbyPtMvJZnchrFxcmtS0TdukQlKx8dED-3mk0pEhB5oR9uk0ddek90uGmyGYFtrbKOUfkJ2ALxtpGR4wUXT023EDpDlwhZB30/s320/IMG_0077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It seems as though so many gifts were a hit, it's hard to tell a favourite yet. The cameras were both a big big hit, and I'm sure we will all see the world from a different perspective! I can't wait to see what they take pictures of.<br />
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Dinner was an awesome turkey at Mom and Dad's and by the end of the night everyone was pretty tired. All in all, an amazing Christmas at the Heal house.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvtcNC3Ou4kuj2Jccu4kXXkGtzi-Z3hetmPqegP-YBeSEBHFXbjaFMhM17_tQMyik4SVVtyfx7bS_clO7m2PXlfomvZcXiQPihVNnqagx0xEMBLDLK9cINIA3MGuuEDjHMHcUmQ9AAsM/s1600/IMG_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvtcNC3Ou4kuj2Jccu4kXXkGtzi-Z3hetmPqegP-YBeSEBHFXbjaFMhM17_tQMyik4SVVtyfx7bS_clO7m2PXlfomvZcXiQPihVNnqagx0xEMBLDLK9cINIA3MGuuEDjHMHcUmQ9AAsM/s400/IMG_0081.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-27511280925820018542011-12-24T15:46:00.000-08:002011-12-26T16:13:29.671-08:00Christmas Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGHn3j6s4h32JWKt1AEaYMIOYR_ZaLz6tgYR-JJxYqAoM5JFd4W4PxJWYgeS-FhTc_0ExMewB6SQHUIe-iZHMUY0QSaNfwJvpKuC6QsINAm_zyvuC2xEOKXB8XpOdYb49dp-EnRb3FkY/s1600/IMG_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGHn3j6s4h32JWKt1AEaYMIOYR_ZaLz6tgYR-JJxYqAoM5JFd4W4PxJWYgeS-FhTc_0ExMewB6SQHUIe-iZHMUY0QSaNfwJvpKuC6QsINAm_zyvuC2xEOKXB8XpOdYb49dp-EnRb3FkY/s400/IMG_0027.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
I love Christmas Eve. It's when the magic it at it's most and the anticipation is so thick you could cut it!! This year was a little different, but I really enjoyed it.<br />
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First we headed over to Nana and Papa's. These are one set of the kids great grandparents. Nana is a young 88 this spring and Papa will be 90. They still live on their own and have a pretty good life. I love that my kids have all of this surrounding them.<br />
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Afterwards we headed over to Chris' moms. Usually we have dinner with them time year (we rotate who goes where what year) but she suggested an afternoon visit which suited us just fine. We saw Doug and Leann (Chris' brother and fiancé) and then headed home.<br />
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A simple roast beef dinner, and a movie was on the schedule.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkgul3pv-E2ZQMexfGb_2KjaXVlfkY2r36VSXjQw0pjZpzfyq6IAt5Ss-_V0pfHC8CNa_0fbizcUOSIsCBq1O9fBwj3lsg3lk0mX4hJmq087GVyTjH9orRbhAFiwja6KxARavMA18e5M/s1600/IMG_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkgul3pv-E2ZQMexfGb_2KjaXVlfkY2r36VSXjQw0pjZpzfyq6IAt5Ss-_V0pfHC8CNa_0fbizcUOSIsCBq1O9fBwj3lsg3lk0mX4hJmq087GVyTjH9orRbhAFiwja6KxARavMA18e5M/s640/IMG_0045.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
Of course, what is Christmas Eve without new Christmas PJ's?? A long long standing tradition that has been passed a long. I love my new cozy red ones, Braydon was thrilled that there were snowboarding dudes on his, and KJ is cute with reindeer and snowflakes. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Un3QLp3tiIldSHhKBJB09m51oxbxnKWZA9VZNPgEdxBWAmGiNzsD1yKZOhpe-Uc5prlpwwF5cnIBB38XfNHhT-sIiv3uhQPWIfPb8t9mVq6Z78oUAkU_vfitBqCzsLuhMvjgqdmb6s/s1600/IMG_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAdZBmj9nWUGrfwheSsROhSwywHmChXb3OZv1V0vkxT8jhgTLp0NDBw_k72J9tkEmrzMaz5aOd19Bb0eR4eOWJ9nyL7VmEWzyKPsl2AwLIPmb4hzWUkN1JvaJz6y2lKFJSdA3CelzXS0/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAdZBmj9nWUGrfwheSsROhSwywHmChXb3OZv1V0vkxT8jhgTLp0NDBw_k72J9tkEmrzMaz5aOd19Bb0eR4eOWJ9nyL7VmEWzyKPsl2AwLIPmb4hzWUkN1JvaJz6y2lKFJSdA3CelzXS0/s320/IMG_0033.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_Un3QLp3tiIldSHhKBJB09m51oxbxnKWZA9VZNPgEdxBWAmGiNzsD1yKZOhpe-Uc5prlpwwF5cnIBB38XfNHhT-sIiv3uhQPWIfPb8t9mVq6Z78oUAkU_vfitBqCzsLuhMvjgqdmb6s/s320/IMG_0042.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
The movie of choice was the Santa Clause, which helps explain a whole lotta questions that can come around Santa Claus.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFGtZ4zOG57Xm1AoPo3p8r30c4buNuBK2kZelZoO9ct390Cjmz6aXTqCrL0v7INwDP7PLEIo0p76JEF-C-YwEigMXw67EA4QuDZX9LE2D0HyOZ2LoOZYocEB73funR0k0eCfRtVrJgFo/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFGtZ4zOG57Xm1AoPo3p8r30c4buNuBK2kZelZoO9ct390Cjmz6aXTqCrL0v7INwDP7PLEIo0p76JEF-C-YwEigMXw67EA4QuDZX9LE2D0HyOZ2LoOZYocEB73funR0k0eCfRtVrJgFo/s320/IMG_0049.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjror2MJQihyYO9__nUHWQ2XWwTUtwIS2dYg_jTnLyE5za_GSNH01qybDldPvHJl9H75UzCbgArWuo474Hzia_MZCBS_as2ETDbJwN-MOPQ1jF0XLH-VQUbfrq-jB91ZwcFq6mhOGfwesQ/s1600/IMG_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjror2MJQihyYO9__nUHWQ2XWwTUtwIS2dYg_jTnLyE5za_GSNH01qybDldPvHJl9H75UzCbgArWuo474Hzia_MZCBS_as2ETDbJwN-MOPQ1jF0XLH-VQUbfrq-jB91ZwcFq6mhOGfwesQ/s200/IMG_0038.jpg" width="200" /></a>After the movie we set out some carrots for the reindeer (9) and some eggnog and cookies for St. Nick. Then we sprinkled magic reindeer food on the roof complete with sparkles in them to ensure that they could find out place easily.<br />
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Going to sleep was wanted more than it seemed possible, both kids were a little on the excited side of things to say the least. But eventually visions of sugar plums danced in their heads and they drifted off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Chris and I stayed up a bit later to see if we could catch a glimpse of the big guy, but no luck for us either so we too headed for bed.....where I had the same problem as the kids getting myself to sleep. Happy Christmas to All, and to All a Good NightKirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-30680544028627837662011-12-23T16:18:00.000-08:002011-12-26T16:30:13.740-08:00Snow Babies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have always had a love for skiing. And when I started the kids, they just didn't seem to have the passion for it. So I made the hard decision NOT to make them and just wait it out as hopefully that moment would come. Well this week, it did!! Braydon didn't love skiing, so he asked to try boarding. Ok, I said. Hopefully this will come easier than skiing did to him and we would get those days on the hill together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP3nHScttH6KjOWuEiyG5fiIPgprswAi6ogXPpbjhqrk7zKBa6nGEN9AAhGjCNynNdpg3V7qPLhQUDn_U4jWaupWeRb8rn5qnED0qbNwRcK5bzy9kzwkg1rXCuvtNAqovxyt-bcr1FOU/s1600/L1030649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP3nHScttH6KjOWuEiyG5fiIPgprswAi6ogXPpbjhqrk7zKBa6nGEN9AAhGjCNynNdpg3V7qPLhQUDn_U4jWaupWeRb8rn5qnED0qbNwRcK5bzy9kzwkg1rXCuvtNAqovxyt-bcr1FOU/s320/L1030649.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Skiing on the North Shore can be a wet sport. But wow did we luck out with the weather. They had lessons planned for three days, two with blue bird sky and one with snow. Worked out pretty well I think. Can you see how big his smile is??<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAe560fu9yDhO7N_XeNzAyeeqyKAOQhOYeWenThv8ZByTPalUzyRMMRtnWz4Dl7XaUtzPBaXQPFHma8vAzQmyUNNJH5hN_LT6efNV-qkhvAvHcihxJSxfwExErNQXHX5l51GcgmwY684/s1600/L1030651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAe560fu9yDhO7N_XeNzAyeeqyKAOQhOYeWenThv8ZByTPalUzyRMMRtnWz4Dl7XaUtzPBaXQPFHma8vAzQmyUNNJH5hN_LT6efNV-qkhvAvHcihxJSxfwExErNQXHX5l51GcgmwY684/s320/L1030651.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I3KKdXfevbb1Fo99PpozBhKaTKehtbgnPGjnJv28cHoOh9YzzLILuWijex_3_uLTx0JkPrzEtYbS8Tu2ld4yJfGS580NSNWzQlQwVkm7jxASwIMo1xlPqI5wG2QFG6s3EAxoFhM5_vg/s1600/L1030624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9I3KKdXfevbb1Fo99PpozBhKaTKehtbgnPGjnJv28cHoOh9YzzLILuWijex_3_uLTx0JkPrzEtYbS8Tu2ld4yJfGS580NSNWzQlQwVkm7jxASwIMo1xlPqI5wG2QFG6s3EAxoFhM5_vg/s320/L1030624.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kaylee did enjoy skiing, and was excited to have another go at it. She hoped onto her board and headed down the slope. She went from purple to orange and I know with a few more days on the hill she and I will be doing some bigger runs together. She did get onto the chairlift and ended the days tired but loving skiing!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOi2wYxDTXWdIgGH3KPyNFwc9FKJzt0paf6O6Fkzbpf4iCv9YVyT2j3_fEwxcWFAG4dWWW8zA4q9N4sld8XcpXy-T1UpdPXOIZRkUZnh36rvfE3JBAEkup9UD3ygTWVpLEZLOSUgKoUBI/s1600/L1030660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOi2wYxDTXWdIgGH3KPyNFwc9FKJzt0paf6O6Fkzbpf4iCv9YVyT2j3_fEwxcWFAG4dWWW8zA4q9N4sld8XcpXy-T1UpdPXOIZRkUZnh36rvfE3JBAEkup9UD3ygTWVpLEZLOSUgKoUBI/s320/L1030660.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypDPPUngtJ6cXt1JRNA4SjTCb0ml7ZIcVivEJwk26cfQ5OgqzEOjfgpdMhtl4DjpSrmDqC5lPnS6rui30oPNr6A4-bzy8KunZOvgwEQUQqZcW1uoxynrL1dfV3toPOQhrIYA1wmORoDw/s1600/L1030662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypDPPUngtJ6cXt1JRNA4SjTCb0ml7ZIcVivEJwk26cfQ5OgqzEOjfgpdMhtl4DjpSrmDqC5lPnS6rui30oPNr6A4-bzy8KunZOvgwEQUQqZcW1uoxynrL1dfV3toPOQhrIYA1wmORoDw/s320/L1030662.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVuYfJ9pD15sGKYLwYhaxEGqvd4i4nYnzUFA7uhdE_NzVufz8lkIXHta3DGvvV6LMthToYaYxp2dKW132VNcTECquPfSSPQge6d09vZFfjvuG8oKZy5z5YOn4k-qvIHzaCqcQXtP5ibs/s1600/L1030662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVuYfJ9pD15sGKYLwYhaxEGqvd4i4nYnzUFA7uhdE_NzVufz8lkIXHta3DGvvV6LMthToYaYxp2dKW132VNcTECquPfSSPQge6d09vZFfjvuG8oKZy5z5YOn4k-qvIHzaCqcQXtP5ibs/s640/L1030662.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I'm such a happy snow person myself! The kids are keen to go into lessons again in the New Year and I'm hoping to make this a family sport once again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8339je6X2Su78bSi5UmJm4QnXmF-B7zIhhM5YmDuZCdkN6QwUG6gl9ND-283hSgb6WrugZE4oc66McopwaIqWOiAc6WNorZsfY9M8zpcmlwUNjqK-lHqgDgfXy9MRJTh0sQo79BAT3Pk/s1600/400726_10150433167381932_605746931_9148888_1441809110_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8339je6X2Su78bSi5UmJm4QnXmF-B7zIhhM5YmDuZCdkN6QwUG6gl9ND-283hSgb6WrugZE4oc66McopwaIqWOiAc6WNorZsfY9M8zpcmlwUNjqK-lHqgDgfXy9MRJTh0sQo79BAT3Pk/s640/400726_10150433167381932_605746931_9148888_1441809110_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-88437761021625186952011-12-20T23:22:00.000-08:002011-12-20T23:22:13.989-08:00I love wrapping<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71979DKp2ar8PqYD3rWlYRC_ZVctHs_c3u-EnKo2Ey3n_7twr539p7p4DDGj1aNjZPBXP_h0CBwuviEXsRboOrmgytfvM89_IW1IxtZRfKTzWqtnoPe1TCt4XUp1l9go0r2Sf_4vLiCI/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71979DKp2ar8PqYD3rWlYRC_ZVctHs_c3u-EnKo2Ey3n_7twr539p7p4DDGj1aNjZPBXP_h0CBwuviEXsRboOrmgytfvM89_IW1IxtZRfKTzWqtnoPe1TCt4XUp1l9go0r2Sf_4vLiCI/s400/IMG_0019.jpg" width="266" /></a>I remember sitting at my dining room table wrapping gifts with my Mom and Grandma. Learning how to curly ribbons, how to fold the paper and how to make each one pretty. Maybe this is where my love of paper and ribbons came from????<br />
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Tonight, when everyone else was all snug in their beds, I went downstairs and wrapped for a little while. I'm not done, but it was nice to plug in the ear phones, listen to some Christmas music and wrap away.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-81638408656078542172011-12-19T23:05:00.000-08:002011-12-20T23:18:12.870-08:00We Fish You a Merry ChristmasA long time ago, in a land just up the road, my Mom bought me a fish tank. The deal was, she bought the tank, I bought and cared for the fish. I thought it was SUCH a great deal because the tank was $200 and fish, well they were cheap.....right?? <br />
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Let's just say, Mom's always know best right? Fish are cheap, sure. But when you keep killing the fish over and over again, it quickly becomes more expensive than the tank was originally.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwNIMNwmSOXu_k9NA1cVu8sjoB9TMH2Dj8ZKIeRiGIzSXB90ByrlB0ysu2H-CQGNV6DVeNe1ERN80jLrL0yiWMdnDNnKRaX97L96BJ8uB43GU2qHdAWPsAGJxTt27NJl-breaR5yjiK4/s1600/IMG_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwNIMNwmSOXu_k9NA1cVu8sjoB9TMH2Dj8ZKIeRiGIzSXB90ByrlB0ysu2H-CQGNV6DVeNe1ERN80jLrL0yiWMdnDNnKRaX97L96BJ8uB43GU2qHdAWPsAGJxTt27NJl-breaR5yjiK4/s400/IMG_0020.jpg" width="266" /></a>The tank already wasn't doing well. I loved my fishes, but I wasn't a good fishy owner. I eventually moved out and took the tank with me, thinking I can do this. Set it all up and bought (more) fish. My friends called it the tank of death. I mean, sure an aquatic frog actually jumped OUT of the tank, we think in attempt to take it's own life. But tank of death seemed just so, well...<br />
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Eventually I gave up. But when I moved in with Chris and got all domestic and stuff, I tried again. All faithful, it was fine till my friend showed up at the house and said "you brought back the tank of death". Chris looked at me and asked what that was about. I smiled.<br />
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When we moved here, the fishes had all gone to fishy heaven. But when Braydon was about 4 he found the tank and asked me to fill 'er up. Chris looked at me again (this time knowing better) and said this should be interesting. The first few didn't' fair well, until I actually listened to Chris and added an air filter. You see, in my defence, I had asked what I'm doing wrong, and I was told that a small 20 gallon tank didn't need the air, so I never had one.<br />
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Well guess what. A 20 gallon tank NEEDS air. It's amazing how long fish can last when you start to figure it all out!!<br />
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So today when I got home, I noticed water on the counter by the tank. In hopes that I had knocked something liquid over I wiped it up, only to find more water. Chris looked at me (this time knowing that I could keep them alive) and said I guess you are setting up a new tank tonight.<br />
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Instead of finishing up my Christmas shopping, I headed down to Pet Smart to simply pick up another 20 gallon and use all that I already had. But of course, in true me fashion, I found a nicer bigger tank. I sent a quick text to Chris and he said go for it and Merry Christmas.<br />
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So now my fish have a beautiful 37 gallon house. The 11 I currently have will soon be joined by some new friends and this tank of hope should last me a long long time.<br />
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BTW - Bruce our shark has been alive for <b>four</b> years and seems to be thriving in his new home.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-91079134777655049622011-12-18T22:55:00.000-08:002011-12-20T23:04:48.981-08:00The Annual Heal Christmas Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wW_vpSMJPX76ruUbbUNssRlldQDWZU-cjOYK56PwoS2SqhSpsUc9CM-CoppyA6dRVVseeSE5ab5RDXb2aMZtLDsVxq5aHcHiECU1VdKXWH_2PYmCpeWTQKx67GZUMytTEPRAnQ0d5v0/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wW_vpSMJPX76ruUbbUNssRlldQDWZU-cjOYK56PwoS2SqhSpsUc9CM-CoppyA6dRVVseeSE5ab5RDXb2aMZtLDsVxq5aHcHiECU1VdKXWH_2PYmCpeWTQKx67GZUMytTEPRAnQ0d5v0/s320/IMG_0017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Every year since I can remember, I've had a Christmas party. It started when I was growing up, my parents hosted a neighbourhood sing a long. Dad played on the organ, Mr. Lenord played the piano. The neighbours came and sang songs, drank the punch, brought Christmas treats and everyone got into the festive season. <br />
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A few years after I moved out, one Christmas I brought all my friends back to my parents house, Dad played the organ, Mom had out treats and we all sang the same carols that I did as a kid.<br />
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When Chris and I moved in together, our first Christmas was also as new home owners, so of course, the Heal Christmas party began. This year we continued on for our 11th.<br />
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It was a quiet year. A lot of other events seemed to be happening and took some of our regulars to other places that night. But while I missed seeing some, I still enjoyed visiting with others. Sure, I kinda wish I had an organ and piano in my living room cuz I can sing a mean Rudolph....but I really enjoy celebrating the season with friends and family.<br />
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This was a weekend packed with Christmas festivities. Friday a lunch at work, Friday night Chris' staff Christmas party, Saturday lunch with Dave, Sue and Gumpmom and Saturday night at our place. To say the least, I was pooped on Sunday morning, but a Bailey's coffee to start the day kept me going.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-4560445952792104022011-12-15T13:43:00.000-08:002011-12-15T13:43:43.860-08:00What's your answer?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZcBUDTV9lHBEgu1ieKEmzmiLeDFkyVAMu8Z2gY4j6OYKapI06f6p0YqWJE-_tPh8CSvXCYKzfXCqM6SKbUAMfF-CT340HQ4MiTKv39YwNpxnoLR6BmllDUgXlnpgX6sDzGrL4STFG0o/s1600/santa+kj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZcBUDTV9lHBEgu1ieKEmzmiLeDFkyVAMu8Z2gY4j6OYKapI06f6p0YqWJE-_tPh8CSvXCYKzfXCqM6SKbUAMfF-CT340HQ4MiTKv39YwNpxnoLR6BmllDUgXlnpgX6sDzGrL4STFG0o/s320/santa+kj.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a favorite photo from 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My friend Vanessa had this list posted on her blog and I loved the idea. I hope you either answer below or copy and post it on your blog so I can read it!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">1. <b> The holiday season is: </b><i>my favourite! I look forward to this time of year all year, and can usually tell you how many more days left even in the middle of June!</i></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">2. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> Snow makes me: </b><i>happy! I love the snow, I love the snow more than most people for sure. I find it peaceful and beautiful and fun. </i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">3. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><b>The best comfort food to eat when it's cold out is: </b><i>hot chocolate with lots and lots of marshmallows</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">4. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Winter is the best time for: </b><i>snuggling in and watching family movies with popcorn</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">5. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><b>I can hardly wait for: </b><i>Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. This year, Christmas eve is just us four, which I am really looking forward too. And Christmas morning is so fun with the kids at this age, they are really excited about it all.</i></span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">6. <b>When it comes to holiday gifts I prefer to: </b><i>wrap them with pretty bows and ribbons. If I have time, I would love to make some hand made tags.</i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. <b>If I were to rate my excitement about the holiday season on a scale from 1-10, I would say I am at about a: </b><i>+12. I'm a little crazy about this time of year and while that type of excitement usually subsides in someone my age, I don't really see that happening!</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Merry Christmas, only 10 more sleeps!!!</i></span></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-55728087158493342302011-12-14T19:04:00.000-08:002011-12-14T19:05:12.662-08:00Christmas Came EarlyA Christmas Elf snuck into my house and left me a present. What was really sweet is that Miss Christmas junior (aka Kaylee) was the first person in the house to spot the difference!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4k7LHDFgcjf1PHiKY1RoRBI_4UM5BUi34ZSXSJVttz64XMWVzrkxQV6CAfgs3kg01ncc-8WA4KA7CPuqUngR3cRAlcXxPbG4FrcoP_Y7OGdQExeAgb-GOrRniUPJDNtBCpAF0jUX06Mg/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4k7LHDFgcjf1PHiKY1RoRBI_4UM5BUi34ZSXSJVttz64XMWVzrkxQV6CAfgs3kg01ncc-8WA4KA7CPuqUngR3cRAlcXxPbG4FrcoP_Y7OGdQExeAgb-GOrRniUPJDNtBCpAF0jUX06Mg/s320/IMG_0009.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
The Christmas Elf replaced my plain jane tree skirt with something pretty spectacular. The Christmas Elf worked very very hard over the past (apparently three years) and really went at it over the last month. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpK8Bg1bpFIBVnp2TO01Tm9CIHEnFuxk42xGttucPs8BmK0XIxge-U4k-I_n-YWbNBSYyJUUg7BhoV9p2FuUWzx6ObA7VMdJ57A8APYl5ZxTcDR3NqF8bwrVbII5MV6BWyfHM15l0X0U/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpK8Bg1bpFIBVnp2TO01Tm9CIHEnFuxk42xGttucPs8BmK0XIxge-U4k-I_n-YWbNBSYyJUUg7BhoV9p2FuUWzx6ObA7VMdJ57A8APYl5ZxTcDR3NqF8bwrVbII5MV6BWyfHM15l0X0U/s320/IMG_0013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You see, the Christmas Elf knows how much I LOVE my stockings. And how much I know went into that so many many years ago. So the Christmas Elf found a kit to make a matching tree skirt and spent hours putting it together for me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictXCmZUOJ8ZaG8XV5SPhpMsyf7f5a3ECqFEDzfAzAjSzSuwBY0ji_cYwdtp9OjVgz36_UaH5Tno717uymnP6NQzMdrdyPboGdM7KNczAMEt7vnLJmZRDuHOaajfDd1SXCsbcEczPkFoI/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictXCmZUOJ8ZaG8XV5SPhpMsyf7f5a3ECqFEDzfAzAjSzSuwBY0ji_cYwdtp9OjVgz36_UaH5Tno717uymnP6NQzMdrdyPboGdM7KNczAMEt7vnLJmZRDuHOaajfDd1SXCsbcEczPkFoI/s320/IMG_0010.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
The detail is amazing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMor6el4vdDMequjS_rjuy-GtidzvNG_hWb0I5Z-H8eszudTdd4JIaGwLo9fpu65jAArTOTmy-h7x6WGkGE0RhUp_UDx6pBV3DlyCvvW2tKZ5Hj72XGE0JMhUNNr8kqWHR7ilNQTzHWI0/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMor6el4vdDMequjS_rjuy-GtidzvNG_hWb0I5Z-H8eszudTdd4JIaGwLo9fpu65jAArTOTmy-h7x6WGkGE0RhUp_UDx6pBV3DlyCvvW2tKZ5Hj72XGE0JMhUNNr8kqWHR7ilNQTzHWI0/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The whole skirt is filled with gingerbread houses, Santa's ands Scotties (we had a Scottie growing up)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fSGQr4KKtn9_vcGY0bQTQJvD0EcGFeRe3yuOZXUCGb9oB98EsLjK4X_HxwZt1sjvmyAGkXjUN8lNlqFd0EDV2cWHmX6XQ9BelbsGTfQmXHpAHpUJkJwKp1liulOT_X5oIpxysZN5YOA/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fSGQr4KKtn9_vcGY0bQTQJvD0EcGFeRe3yuOZXUCGb9oB98EsLjK4X_HxwZt1sjvmyAGkXjUN8lNlqFd0EDV2cWHmX6XQ9BelbsGTfQmXHpAHpUJkJwKp1liulOT_X5oIpxysZN5YOA/s320/IMG_0012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know that this took a long long time for the Christmas Elf to finish, and that she did it for me because I love Christmas and I appreciate the effort and love put into this BEAUTIFUL tree skirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So thanks <b>Mom</b>, you are the best Christmas Elf ever!! And this will be in our family as long as the stockings are. Love you lots!!</div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-80797838643573159652011-12-10T18:44:00.000-08:002011-12-14T18:56:21.679-08:00The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney With Care<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinemwC60EEulWeGFHE47f62laQwQYBPmT3eg0Y51yQ9tVSb6JLDNHgN9ZpYmBJMB2RXb1230iHVpKqszTDEva1yv44thJ67bX_3KTHCii2c84RopyrvbGvq8aaSEHIzLzKloCW0y6ebGA/s1600/IMG_9949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinemwC60EEulWeGFHE47f62laQwQYBPmT3eg0Y51yQ9tVSb6JLDNHgN9ZpYmBJMB2RXb1230iHVpKqszTDEva1yv44thJ67bX_3KTHCii2c84RopyrvbGvq8aaSEHIzLzKloCW0y6ebGA/s400/IMG_9949.jpg" width="266" /></a>Putting up the tree is always a favourite thing to do. Little tight on space this year with some new furniture, but we made it fit.<br />
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Our tree is filled with ornaments, to too many Christmas balls. Every year Chris received a special ornament of which all are on our tree. He has continued that tradition with the kids and each year goes out and picks one up just for them. I love that that is a tradition he shares with them.<br />
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I have lots of my favourites too, the ones most special to me are the ones that my grandmother made. She for a number of years made intricate beaded stars and bells, and there are only a few remaining. But they always have a place on my tree.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMSR6Ruwv0UJVgx_rfdxrsyGU2QKvSik4xPOb9ITT4rh0FqEzzIMgVRS3Lcc4n7lNWySroR6BxtEhAiK563kFXjzHQ6aVfnRFJ0b7Cfsj7tNryqAsAJR3pvaKKs-0JP2KcQ2ZPmwITzg/s1600/IMG_9950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMSR6Ruwv0UJVgx_rfdxrsyGU2QKvSik4xPOb9ITT4rh0FqEzzIMgVRS3Lcc4n7lNWySroR6BxtEhAiK563kFXjzHQ6aVfnRFJ0b7Cfsj7tNryqAsAJR3pvaKKs-0JP2KcQ2ZPmwITzg/s320/IMG_9950.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMSR6Ruwv0UJVgx_rfdxrsyGU2QKvSik4xPOb9ITT4rh0FqEzzIMgVRS3Lcc4n7lNWySroR6BxtEhAiK563kFXjzHQ6aVfnRFJ0b7Cfsj7tNryqAsAJR3pvaKKs-0JP2KcQ2ZPmwITzg/s1600/IMG_9950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3D6uQjkFmubxnDRIoM177Ql8yOJWKTA4Wjq939vaNOrHPLhBg5oLUvdU73ihiYYcMlkiUZE11tHfl0J_6m573uNecA6ZrI_G6sDDAEgXiEBYoAd02LY9Ur6iSjyLz3YRWOcD9K7eNks/s1600/IMG_9957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Along with pulling out all the other decorations, my favourite to see every year are the stockings. My stocking in particular holds a special place for me because my Grandma made mine (and my brothers) many moons ago. In fact, I don't ever remember having another one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QSCaDxpVmYj72k82c6cfnx6xrYrsjgS15ugM8O375NyJYl_HUCil8cHG-w392QE71A4x8f9yAuglnqirJZ1hVKNwiRYFJr4pCLXFZPvuos9KCX0WPIMr3xraMb6qSswOK_o74-N1-5k/s1600/IMG_9957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QSCaDxpVmYj72k82c6cfnx6xrYrsjgS15ugM8O375NyJYl_HUCil8cHG-w392QE71A4x8f9yAuglnqirJZ1hVKNwiRYFJr4pCLXFZPvuos9KCX0WPIMr3xraMb6qSswOK_o74-N1-5k/s640/IMG_9957.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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When I was in my early 20s, I made the same type for my parents and surprised them with it. That was when I fully appreciated the love and time that went into the one I already had. When Chris and I got married, Mom made him one. And of course, in true family tradition, both of my children received them for their first Christmas. It may be years before they truly appreciate them, but I know how special they are.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nXcG1SzFDDZrZ-IvMKugG4l5RS38n7FEBKSH2IR4PAUPS12mTP5UODo48S7BIgQX7glfc8u7Lr5SQDCQhBVYMlVfINnkh1tHY74NwMil_eq-oWEG8IsDKFAkkUqJakP2F4DNviMMZV4/s1600/IMG_9960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nXcG1SzFDDZrZ-IvMKugG4l5RS38n7FEBKSH2IR4PAUPS12mTP5UODo48S7BIgQX7glfc8u7Lr5SQDCQhBVYMlVfINnkh1tHY74NwMil_eq-oWEG8IsDKFAkkUqJakP2F4DNviMMZV4/s640/IMG_9960.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The house is now (mostly) decorated. Getting close!!Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-73839667997248493312011-12-08T19:38:00.000-08:002011-12-12T19:42:18.489-08:00Fa la la la, la la la la<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7AvG5pwX_LKv8oahCJL7nuseJWO3LFTDr9eRXzfdDeMRhyaifjtgUyOE2YWV1aVUBapkb5phPzRvqmnXocdraWXW53EbmDR8AhKzEJG2NBntgMR30-FfCd5wcjgfGE9cGO4Hz2po_k4/s1600/kj+sing" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7AvG5pwX_LKv8oahCJL7nuseJWO3LFTDr9eRXzfdDeMRhyaifjtgUyOE2YWV1aVUBapkb5phPzRvqmnXocdraWXW53EbmDR8AhKzEJG2NBntgMR30-FfCd5wcjgfGE9cGO4Hz2po_k4/s320/kj+sing" width="240" /></a></div>We wish you a Merry Christmas,<br />
We wish you a Merry Christmas,<br />
We wish you a Merry Christmas<br />
And a Happy New Year<br />
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The school had their Annual Sing a Long tonight, which was lots of fun. While the teachers have been on a work to rule all semester, it was nice to see that the priorities tonight were where they should have been, on the community.<br />
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The school gym was packed with parents and kids, and lots of teachers all singing Christmas carols and getting into the Holiday Spirit.Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-81055618050430982082011-12-08T17:52:00.000-08:002011-12-08T17:59:44.899-08:00The North PoleWhen you work at a place that has something called The Peak of Christmas, and you happen to be a certified Christmas person who is raising two other such Christmas people, you can't have the season go by without a visit to the local North Pole.<br />
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This of course means visiting reindeer (in this case Vixon and Dancer)<br />
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Santa Claus<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMWZpoTahokb-mCZU2NyrnhR_fZsfDLVw03zbGJEZ44whyphenhyphenbeCUUTOM__XRqpI8liiphQf-kshBdcPGct8zMpLDoV51zhKcqL6sdp-AfMWcQB-69RKtXGv9Zf5jjwdCcX6ZyzSYmhit_0/s1600/IMG_9888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMWZpoTahokb-mCZU2NyrnhR_fZsfDLVw03zbGJEZ44whyphenhyphenbeCUUTOM__XRqpI8liiphQf-kshBdcPGct8zMpLDoV51zhKcqL6sdp-AfMWcQB-69RKtXGv9Zf5jjwdCcX6ZyzSYmhit_0/s640/IMG_9888.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
Ice Skating<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxpRhiGKFdnX1mIZft0X0sKCcQdbVwXADL_jfCDn427Qkhq07n0rTCMmdhqEUiH9MM1-iuAV2AVLmdLn4uKAbn1zBDlTPtosY4NGvq7YpeH13RT2CGV-GspdwaLcC04vDBrVOmwHTMKs/s1600/IMG_9926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxpRhiGKFdnX1mIZft0X0sKCcQdbVwXADL_jfCDn427Qkhq07n0rTCMmdhqEUiH9MM1-iuAV2AVLmdLn4uKAbn1zBDlTPtosY4NGvq7YpeH13RT2CGV-GspdwaLcC04vDBrVOmwHTMKs/s400/IMG_9926.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF95bAlYLqaNesA-Glx5obK7ZsQkavhSCcBTt-10AV1wEkceO0VpMaUc-HCN4D4-xDci4XykM8j2gZSb8dNh1SLQAYMQauNtWA6o5ZHXolODwIoYSpiPHw-ENYPK066s4KUZzGUPTG1Q/s1600/IMG_9923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxF95bAlYLqaNesA-Glx5obK7ZsQkavhSCcBTt-10AV1wEkceO0VpMaUc-HCN4D4-xDci4XykM8j2gZSb8dNh1SLQAYMQauNtWA6o5ZHXolODwIoYSpiPHw-ENYPK066s4KUZzGUPTG1Q/s400/IMG_9923.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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Sleighrides<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirF3dca0tx90KdZbQzGFsrM-FK8K3sshiYqWDXVmq2Xzqm5r0EFjPfCVG-wo2N6ZykRUECAddpN9NPI5wj2CwthWhP5Hy4XRBbk8cb3aT16-67UscX7qUY8jEBtUOfs3Rfd8BByt5YzSU/s1600/IMG_9947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirF3dca0tx90KdZbQzGFsrM-FK8K3sshiYqWDXVmq2Xzqm5r0EFjPfCVG-wo2N6ZykRUECAddpN9NPI5wj2CwthWhP5Hy4XRBbk8cb3aT16-67UscX7qUY8jEBtUOfs3Rfd8BByt5YzSU/s640/IMG_9947.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
and lots of fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsb-dBl8IHoYu9go9vLCiIEgzG92MQh3895ri9YeejAvHo5zC0R201eBI1vUVeccG8YNmbCdo9lbOq-ZkpTkI3Ar5auVnFBcAlQ3PWG_I99Sqrq_3ymhPmrelKS_YbIXadiyjBkgfcHg/s1600/IMG_9904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsb-dBl8IHoYu9go9vLCiIEgzG92MQh3895ri9YeejAvHo5zC0R201eBI1vUVeccG8YNmbCdo9lbOq-ZkpTkI3Ar5auVnFBcAlQ3PWG_I99Sqrq_3ymhPmrelKS_YbIXadiyjBkgfcHg/s640/IMG_9904.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-69154842675974655032011-12-04T23:10:00.000-08:002011-12-04T23:30:13.613-08:00St. Nick<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT83nLC9M9UxLu-2LTy-d-HgBnuONpYZcBw5rboaL_tomCvlulH-0syfYbYfR6a_rsbA6BaW8b1-TMkXYl99ucwyoWg_SFycBms_Zk1VAjJ4JlKsfki71sXWPUgnvdn5XQMuwWhoLOjRA/s1600/Santa+2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_msGRA4WgJG2MhdE_O-ifxsf1ejTjv6OgypQFh3PZ5bN2JD8SebtqjvAzIiO36s38bAQg54I3g8oeOog_Bx0RwkmUAhvx54eogLf50wI8Kv_FMvvkFAr0f5ZwU4DLnHukYm3i1M7saw/s1600/IMG_9831.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_msGRA4WgJG2MhdE_O-ifxsf1ejTjv6OgypQFh3PZ5bN2JD8SebtqjvAzIiO36s38bAQg54I3g8oeOog_Bx0RwkmUAhvx54eogLf50wI8Kv_FMvvkFAr0f5ZwU4DLnHukYm3i1M7saw/s400/IMG_9831.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682541287815504482" /></a><br />The plan today was to go see Santa Claus. And once that plan is in place....well you just can't change it. So when Chris got called into work, we just kept going with what needed to be done, go visit the guy in red.<div><br /></div><div>I'm trying very hard (and this is hard for me) not to push Santa too much. I realize the magic only lasts for so long, so I'm cautious with everything. I have two strong believers in my household and I want that to go for as long as I can!!</div><div><br /></div><div>After getting the groceries and having some lunch, it was time to head out. Kaylee happily put on her new Christmas red dress, and I found a pair of jeans that didn't have holes in them for Braydon. Out we went expecting to wait in a big line up.</div><div><br /></div><div>But nope, the one family in front of us was just done with no kids behind us, we got all the time we wanted with Santa. They sat down for a long time and just had a chat with the big guy. They fessed up they fight sometimes, but were trying to be good. Santa asked them to try really hard to be good. They both told him what they wanted - Braydon the lego Millennium Falcon set and Kaylee and microphone with a stand and a small speaker.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT83nLC9M9UxLu-2LTy-d-HgBnuONpYZcBw5rboaL_tomCvlulH-0syfYbYfR6a_rsbA6BaW8b1-TMkXYl99ucwyoWg_SFycBms_Zk1VAjJ4JlKsfki71sXWPUgnvdn5XQMuwWhoLOjRA/s400/Santa+2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682542783026304146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>I guess when I wasn't listening, Braydon told Santa that there was a new kid around that he would have to bring presents for this year. You see, our friends Kevan and Kelly had a little baby boy Friday night, and Braydon wanted to make sure that Declan's first Christmas was a good one. Full of kindness that kid, makes me proud.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3v8HSklg1NfBLjYA-iaZwiV1-Pb_wsADhjmIrWhGHJ5V3dZmiXrfekMe-mM_ynJCHR4v0L29CiEon55z1K_WwtV4Dt1cUp_WZrnYQ5Xu1oR4ewWfhIA9HNRvpNYCJQKnV-lHabjfkVg/s400/IMG_9815.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682541236743040146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div>Now not that seeing Santa isn't a big enough deal, there was one more big thing in store for Kaylee. We've been talking for a few months about getting our ears pierced and after she knew a friend got them yesterday, I think she got extra brave and decided today was the day. After picking out some cute pink earrings, it happened. A few tears, but so brave. And now just a little extra cuter (if that's even possible!)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_Oo65qgmUvWAT7cmNN4zNslPdCYlbYJcNH1wxicoyqqvyuLN5eaQMlfvNX7lgAAtiswLFn3_QScr813-4AL4Wqpejq5tS2BubcT9Wq1B2iMFCRwp8nGxEPWEaCt9cPcC07WLYkts15k/s400/IMG_9798.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682541236107450066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div>Back home, we took the dog out for a walk, and the kids were kind enough to let me take a few photos. They seem so grown up this fall. Can't say I'm a fan of that.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyNq2aYCnMkPxlMqDLBR_8ZLe3L002m1aAxTFvh0S7E_N7t5FI0mm9vbs0o1Ltt-ONQe5rRJN6KS7jd3OD1_mMKgMkrVaaQh_ZK9MLMhQtVChyjO12n6h69kfOqwjlP1-6Hs84moy3kY/s400/IMG_9820.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682541281715515714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm8G_H0SL_QwLKE0k2XTFlCtyxgU1nyNpKPff-VlUJE6BUDVGQxyAEjEdRhrP2axGam4lo4oN560TJ2ga1mdC3uigqKQVxlx92vvL_DjHMwWNTuAg8cPK7cy5smwIiefoog01tfatuTM/s400/IMG_9793.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682541232157570162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div>Then since we were on a roll, we finished up the gingerbread train to wrap up a good day of Christmas cheer.</div></div></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-31491949762589385882011-12-03T22:50:00.000-08:002011-12-04T23:10:33.129-08:00What to do next?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZj4hXYEjqCvUXGf67tKp4_dpmVGUWODA_Z3OCEEKHFGktMcBSM0pAKppJYf2tePJrPojo5rt1Mnzp4DqFekkAi8ktNf5IGTF4725_nl7gNSlj8Fm3AQlggNlrQVzvL-4rQbnPg78g40s/s1600/IMG_9786.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHGe896rXjA7ZEn8sqQ6VKmvhIJ4TiN676bNo_bNG5c3-HL0pC8BSirDfIjy4OYsYToGPpJxG0vlMSF_tflfApJhrdgf0kPSBmr2hG83HLms7xnh_b3uDw_jPkd20Sxkc8SPCOnsBy1I/s1600/IMG_9783.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHGe896rXjA7ZEn8sqQ6VKmvhIJ4TiN676bNo_bNG5c3-HL0pC8BSirDfIjy4OYsYToGPpJxG0vlMSF_tflfApJhrdgf0kPSBmr2hG83HLms7xnh_b3uDw_jPkd20Sxkc8SPCOnsBy1I/s400/IMG_9783.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682537587201046418" /></a><br />Well there is so much to do to get ready for the holiday season, sometimes it's hard to decide what to do next. <div><br /></div><div>Saturdays for us is always a busy day. With two soccer games on and other things that always seem to be on the go, I was hoping to get a solid day of Christmas shopping done too. The morning went by faster than I expected, but I was able to escape on my own after soccer and get a couple of power hours in myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>A few big items checked off my list (including finding a pair of ski boots for myself, oops!) the last thing I picked up was the gingerbread train.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each year, the kids and I put together a gingerbread house or train or something. One year I tried to do it all from scratch, but that just didn't work out. And the important part isn't how it got built, but that it did get built.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZj4hXYEjqCvUXGf67tKp4_dpmVGUWODA_Z3OCEEKHFGktMcBSM0pAKppJYf2tePJrPojo5rt1Mnzp4DqFekkAi8ktNf5IGTF4725_nl7gNSlj8Fm3AQlggNlrQVzvL-4rQbnPg78g40s/s400/IMG_9786.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682537667251425698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>So when I asked the kids what version they wanted this year they both clearly stated "it's gotta be the train, it should always be the train". Now lessons learned....building it and decorating it should be done with time apart. If you decorate too soon when then icing is still drying from the building stage.....well it falls apart. Step #1 - Saturday night build.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I had planned to give it an hour and start with the decorating, but on a whim we decided to watch ELF. If you have not seen this movie, immediately get yourself a copy and watch it. It is an awesome Christmas movie and I consider myself somewhat of an expert on this matter.</div><div><br /></div><div>At this moment, I do feel that I should share the Elf Code</div><div>1) treat every day like Christmas</div><div>2) there is room for everyone on the nice list</div><div>3) the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyvIn1Ys-xUC-IGuCA-RePJM_XbjB5G7C4l0h5oWorNXR055UUNE9IM7Vej9ViX5A_dcFLSihq4491eQhyphenhyphenYinsmcY9vAN0dxg6eRaXFuynXyM4ZahqMUVih2aONh90zJAyYbWvSOaMqE/s400/IMG_9789.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682537344675755554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>Now this is particularly important part of my story today, because at the end of the movie, when Santa's Clausometer is too low for the reindeer to fly, and the people start to sing "You Better Watch Out", well my littlest Christmas elf started to sing loud and clear too through the whole song. She made me cry. There is a lot of Christmas cheer in her heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>So tomorrow....well tomorrow is a big one.</div><div><br /></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-20959859713333590842011-12-03T08:34:00.000-08:002011-12-03T08:43:50.088-08:00Getting ready for the visit<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2sGO6gSTSags28x5fgNnUnBpU6qqE9qFs_scJbAt_2YzfynX_S0RHTq36XiXolEuZZAKs0Htn2oLQGnF24N13-pXryQEUeumz6ZL4QCt4CenccrgWgBewM1FwVldU5h8OcU8AWnFj54/s1600/IMG_9782.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2sGO6gSTSags28x5fgNnUnBpU6qqE9qFs_scJbAt_2YzfynX_S0RHTq36XiXolEuZZAKs0Htn2oLQGnF24N13-pXryQEUeumz6ZL4QCt4CenccrgWgBewM1FwVldU5h8OcU8AWnFj54/s400/IMG_9782.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681943448985273314" /></a><br />We've been holding back getting hair cuts for two reasons. One, we wanted to wait till closer to Christmas and two, well Braydon hates getting his hair cut.<div><div><br /></div><div>But it was time. This is the last weekend before all the events start to happen, so it was a now or never, and boy did Braydon really need to get his done. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was once given wise parenting advice of "pick your battles" and I have decided that hair will not be one. The longish style is in, some call it Justin Beiber, but Braydon says it's not. None the less, as long as he keeps it somewhat styled and I can see his baby blues, he can have it how he wants.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now Kaylee loves getting her hair cut, so it was an easy task there.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8J9Y7iyU5pjHUqdQH9HsF-BQGPpm9CPp_5SVsiaoHm2wSeh4vAAgQYA6Y8I-O657VAvtHYcYc_ucUt0o2pn2v26nL1IuyeeR5rgKnnyK_O7Xw3x8ZPtHJRcoXqXUrMxNHaWkWK2HneY/s400/IMG_9780.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681943465755014562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>So with a small bribe for good behaviour (trust me, we've had tears many times in the salon) the deed is done. While you have to look close to see that hair was cut on Braydon, there was lots left on the salon floor and I'll stop calling him fluffy for a little bit.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LCTgmicZ2SgFbnnj-hbYCxwEPwR16fu015hisujTAqV0yrDhmrx6JAviSwTJ-edSDmf93qddc9zm6FrrHnQNrxia40OquzUJRc5IcpYRP1w0wIuSPnxlu65S6YJVqqdqzF8nsasV0l0/s400/IMG_9779.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681943464732655906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>Next up, we gotta figure out when to visit Santa Claus.</div><div><br /></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-59596626665677294362011-12-01T19:54:00.000-08:002011-12-01T20:11:07.460-08:00Dear Santa Claus<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIIUeKblVu6te5qrn_GGk9POcNWXBz7lqugVjSGaMZFwZ-Rmk6-S6SP1KD8vXBwqcORkm1FXI8yvJj26CYDWBblBWpIyuUp6nNELLjh5dVHAdAMC-5xmO3-xjVH8Pq2br3X2pNpM342A/s1600/IMG_9757.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIIUeKblVu6te5qrn_GGk9POcNWXBz7lqugVjSGaMZFwZ-Rmk6-S6SP1KD8vXBwqcORkm1FXI8yvJj26CYDWBblBWpIyuUp6nNELLjh5dVHAdAMC-5xmO3-xjVH8Pq2br3X2pNpM342A/s400/IMG_9757.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375529454769074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvm4GyzZCYPRx0EFSwOu_izDHJi2ODjD_WRcWomZr3nDaIYuw6lS7YUeprv1vMp3OCBDPNg5mimV2y41fFUtvBLeo1KmpCTvTN5AhlQUsfdFXTYED23eo-FwEXJ6RN4mEhPRMLzEoIdI/s1600/IMG_9744.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvm4GyzZCYPRx0EFSwOu_izDHJi2ODjD_WRcWomZr3nDaIYuw6lS7YUeprv1vMp3OCBDPNg5mimV2y41fFUtvBLeo1KmpCTvTN5AhlQUsfdFXTYED23eo-FwEXJ6RN4mEhPRMLzEoIdI/s400/IMG_9744.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375490747183842" /></a><br />Of course, if Santa doesn't know what you want for Christmas, it can be a challenge for him to get it right. And if you keep changing your mind about what you want....well that makes for even more challenges. So, to make it easy for everyone, you need to write him a letter. And that was how we started December.<div><br /></div><div>Know you would think with my love of Christmas, and my count down for months previously, I would have advent calendars ready to go. But even though I saw them everywhere over the past few weeks, I never picked one up. So before dinner tonight, KJ and I headed out and got a couple for the kids.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy9ef3hATFUs2GKNB9TnOpLtt6660U9h2V6thRnLfDypPJ1JCCyEw_rqkEnBqbVduNoinrYdeDSJV30t7VBJIBE-ixEROS-exWYAitvpxPY23SLvYH0KyxyvE17xOGxWfhvG7dkIF0Xs/s400/IMG_9768.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375815858517234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I'm pretty sure that this will be asked for for breakfast tomorrow.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>The kids couldn't decide what they wanted, and it's been all over the map for a week. So we decided to start with making a list, then writing the letter. Since my camera was out (which is a great thing about DD as I've been lacking pulling it out) I took a couple extra pics too</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqivS24d58cM1Oe7bX6dLehyphenhyphenpHFamXqjymglJXiOXFotxRjhWY2de6oZHKZeFTnvd10W2m9A5YzSU532CKvoEgqEZva_-Gvra-tDmZfP6joMGJPYaUgEcTOZ1mXEloExPLNdpNNqflao/s400/IMG_9749.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375499621421106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmRGAEIfdHD5WNkhu6PBdYIG2eEV2F3EXgyAaRHfHB9-rPYWWfKeNIL2hyphenhyphenkWGU75kePlQv_aPmrhnJTK_kkbuF1CeWO5C6DyABlamn65Qp9ZDTfnCmyZoTYmvGX-kWRD4MdB_aj3byU8/s400/IMG_9748.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375495729808514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Once the list was done, it was time to write to the big guy. And this of course didn't go the magical way that all things Christmas are supposed to. KJ started with "Here is what I want" and then was about to list all the things, while I tried to explain that she needed to be nice to Santa, ask him some questions, tell him if she was good or bad, and that she shouldn't be greedy. Well, when you are dealing with a six year old who is excited about Christmas, I need to remember that six is six, and work with that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt4h5vr2rsD_G5GW9Srxv6zLm9bUX9pgV1Iz-MmL905UxnQuae2HG58vIG2T-UV3r64Miv6EcJzs60gijzquVuXhG3zvSTBgZ8MOI4cVXlVRP0_PTOJrzwEJFf9y7cqi4nfOg_x0CrCU/s400/IMG_9760.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375815947042050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>AFter some tears and a departure from writing to St Nick, a pep talk and some explanation about not getting everything, we were back at it. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw6wFK_b8yQYC6awdOMuifwZb6IeiL6AUxwiuVbun1UroJclA5gFZWFbS7OXDzJgsSG3p2wKwxx2F17YAFvdyPOegt1hR2lfvBSKVa1snHYAhug5c0UDc4KPK9eaAPLOEt-LkqKWjx10/s400/IMG_9769.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375820563521458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The letters were crafted, polite manners were used, and Braydon even asked for Santa to bring something to Chris and I. Kaylee asked him a bunch of questions, and we will mail them off on the weekend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Oh and it seems that there may be some peace in our house, the cats and dog are finally getting along (well not enough to get a pic together, but we are working on it)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWFkOjuOMVl2Xt6tjgVoQPWb-pgOQD_XWTecZshz_dxPMM4J907Gg3o7vo-ObbseXh9oZqtVLNMKh9Ei0OEvYfWwhmfjbTxqs04AgGBxBZdN5fS4SCjbiofEn_WJhTe4Z8N8a5YbnB40/s400/IMG_9777.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375892387340546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW8vEHNRdbMV51GXhuHm8Q9N0BdvUBJZeFYWsjoBLK1mnjHVe4VUo8nEzno033DLUCYs90EHzZtbjodSZugzchwDwFh-iUFsIW_d1PV0t3LDLIzbYAWHk6GbVUDO7w8ZckZKUGc1Kd2I/s400/IMG_9755.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681375527235149074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-17340641819099274022011-11-30T18:40:00.001-08:002011-11-30T18:50:42.424-08:00'Tis the season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxf3cg2gKPctxuvbah3H6d3724GENKy1AXhEu7cdptlR9uZKoP78RhpHBHnxLYEyPvavFTB1UvmjgETv6gF_SdBWfgiZz9xyvSEmtLe2kD-w_wMbyMunfHk76K78JGxfVaFBHVI1kDAg/s1600/lights.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxf3cg2gKPctxuvbah3H6d3724GENKy1AXhEu7cdptlR9uZKoP78RhpHBHnxLYEyPvavFTB1UvmjgETv6gF_SdBWfgiZz9xyvSEmtLe2kD-w_wMbyMunfHk76K78JGxfVaFBHVI1kDAg/s400/lights.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680986885994548322" /></a><br /><div>Yup, me again. Maybe 2012 will be the year for blogging (maybe I said!).</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhow, along with thousands, possibly millions of others, for the month of December I will be taking part in December Daily.</div><div><br /></div><div>The idea is to slow down, take a minute or two to document the day and journal it. You can scrapbook it, blog it, take photos, use words, combine them together or do something completely different.</div><div><br /></div><div>Capture the big stuff, like visiting with Santa, decorating the tree, baking cookies. Capture the crazy stuff like staying up late to wrap cuz you ran out of "regular" time or how you go about hiding gifts from those who seek out in to find out what they are getting before the big day (Chris....). Capture the memories from the past like what was your favourite thing about the holiday season as a child or what was your favourite gift from Santa. And capture the memories for the future, like encouraging the giving side of Christmas.</div><div><br /></div><div>So while I may not document it each day on it's own, I will document something about each day. And yes, I know that it's still November, but I have to start today because one of my favourite things about the holidays are the lights.</div><div><br /></div><div>After working three days downtown, Chris surprised me and had the lights ready to go. So when it got dark tonight, we turned on the lights, and voila...the season is on!</div><div><br /></div><div>Merry Christmas all</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-91604173724569876372011-09-02T14:24:00.000-07:002011-09-02T14:33:00.693-07:00Scrappy Stuff<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSYiiyw17o9OP2NOAkd8KSwUD9WaMrjjwRQy1JHLE2j_ajdKDdPut8GjdqSOEUEwBrzVpC59kxlDUXmpD7crtVwYpEFE3rNuKKji-AlvXKQCQViLP15IE21hKTVUwg2uHf0EMev3mIvQ/s1600/sugar+and+spice.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVXK4Vb33yFTKVXNE_XsVb7yNb_a0yEthW2aERdTbnm9QohbYhBFUgMTgJd-Z9hi1x2ke8ThSHYKRDzTwFkseUwD-zl6NOwVneWxxLp-EkKNbw2Ilh7X-ut7b11NxYW2n4j5XFRSauEE/s1600/Kirsten+June+LO+Tag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVXK4Vb33yFTKVXNE_XsVb7yNb_a0yEthW2aERdTbnm9QohbYhBFUgMTgJd-Z9hi1x2ke8ThSHYKRDzTwFkseUwD-zl6NOwVneWxxLp-EkKNbw2Ilh7X-ut7b11NxYW2n4j5XFRSauEE/s400/Kirsten+June+LO+Tag.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647878149021061538" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT70leF4nLlOpw-U3szmAjEtdh-hdG-mU9e8hXGqumg4aWmwPOoaScXEBof8UN9rjv5ESQ6XOcMUXic_BW64lBM92p7rw0uVuEjdn_GWmJfcjRKPxf6TaCYvpGg3HZ4SDTLDtTIidOTRg/s1600/IMG_8840.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT70leF4nLlOpw-U3szmAjEtdh-hdG-mU9e8hXGqumg4aWmwPOoaScXEBof8UN9rjv5ESQ6XOcMUXic_BW64lBM92p7rw0uVuEjdn_GWmJfcjRKPxf6TaCYvpGg3HZ4SDTLDtTIidOTRg/s400/IMG_8840.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647877584696892194" /></a>
<br />For the fun of it, and to challenge myself, I've recently thrown my name in the hat to become a Bella Artista. Bella Blvd is a line of scrapping supplies and I've always loved their stuff. Lots of bright fun colours, whimsical without being crazy, and patters that cross from one line into the other.<div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTReDpZatfBw_XyiFbtnWj91C1q4MMQ3zaKuO99nzRd0LAxhVIEikYMvPa71MmJQ84k90pbmvoWCpoBPJvf-nujhwk4A5TCsW755nQEbG5rlIBX7CjErv15pFyQyAIH68HhJ9goc62PI/s400/IMG_8930.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647877581661934642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSYiiyw17o9OP2NOAkd8KSwUD9WaMrjjwRQy1JHLE2j_ajdKDdPut8GjdqSOEUEwBrzVpC59kxlDUXmpD7crtVwYpEFE3rNuKKji-AlvXKQCQViLP15IE21hKTVUwg2uHf0EMev3mIvQ/s400/sugar+and+spice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647878154327469138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 398px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>I had to submit four unpublished lay outs...so while I would love to share them with your right now, I can't. Give me a couple of weeks and I will know one way or the other and then can post away.</div><div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmaJ-Engx69wwJpQPeLIp1YI2-qyVuUQG0Y8MqcYt8EhmTz8nW_aQmNvrYCC4cHS1o2VD87AR3IMJOQ5j5GLW7R6PXeOlCm87n531etEfXqksQEJUVnFEv-tmiPOA9U4N7lJr2K3b0fo/s400/IMG_8933.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647877570610862962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>So for now - here are some other recent lay outs. Shannon started a 30 pages without new supplies challenges, which is great timing. With Chris off work, running out and buying pretty new papers isn't the top of the list, that's for sure. And I have lots of things to use before I "need" anything (although there is lots of beautiful new stuff out there).</div><div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1nR8mlPLsxtfuY7uRIbJJ6DbNNDLtVU8qz5LrZnnrj377J7rfFTvq_Jlb37rBux3KMJODoM3LPY348mWpSxBE6uT75-kUeYklBZ4QaLdkyLmi_T7s_xz3CTKKG2Oc_urXzd5PN7z1CI/s400/IMG_8931.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647877578034335794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>Anyhow, all of these are "old" supplies. Well, some of the papers were bought JUST before the challenge started (phew) and some are down in the bottom of the pile.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvTynDNo8f0nGo1pd8sM3daak4QTYvXWGLHmhadLLPB4GKGtQlBVb-s2Yw8wMf__NE0PHZGO9j4kESmil2WROU5hDKUVKR25sFzPU0Y05pzs0Jo_RdtzaaC9nVi_QA3SSCJoUbHVqLTg/s400/IMG_8099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647877584943155762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaCEyJ_-svLQPrElVjVRBZu8KZJ8hvttzT4QMy_RW_r_bXu-x89bKusfbjwwIc7BrsN0pvjW2JW80EwBC2HKtt8ae2HWG_BOjS1L4JjlA1IOGuRe1Q4P95Jo_9VFGmvJz9mehV02AbJQ/s400/grade+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647878143482246482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jHJWE-DVSE4krD1xAk9v1OC1TwrnouQTh7o78toz-ojbvoARwqMTUWOE3VPIzhApLmSlA9QwCVpAnQ8rtl-z743QuPl0IvLC4co-A755Wws6XhQZEczxd02ewGPPVu_P8S2QFVcNqHo/s400/10+years+later.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647878139310028818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-12940157108623941162011-08-25T13:38:00.000-07:002011-12-02T07:43:06.413-08:00And now she is 6<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4Lr1_44B_uxY_sCB1Web0xTeGxstpY2Uwvqb6pdW8SGUG0oiPzyX43jZp06b-_xGucJBUybeN9ciB-06HzQN1AYLEaYNtfA1fCmRjLY2Hne1LLwDbspssmIs5ygohpYNjPGhbNt1GZw/s1600/IMG_9027.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4Lr1_44B_uxY_sCB1Web0xTeGxstpY2Uwvqb6pdW8SGUG0oiPzyX43jZp06b-_xGucJBUybeN9ciB-06HzQN1AYLEaYNtfA1fCmRjLY2Hne1LLwDbspssmIs5ygohpYNjPGhbNt1GZw/s400/IMG_9027.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647869695568238578" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Birthdays are always big around here. And I love that. For KJ, the summer birthday seems to last a week by the time we get in all the families and friends in. In fact this year she celebrated Sunday to Sunday.<div><br /></div><div>The day before her birthday, we were at my parents house. Dad's birthday is the day before KJ's, and anyone who knows when Kaylee's birthday is should know that. That is because when people ask her when her birthday is, she always says "August 22 and my Grandpa's is the day before on August 21st".</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE86kQf9apkVbrexw1kstIyIPLO3NypSyQsnAg0eKVpKFuBZL2hk8Xyf73YyReSvKw_0ZUNSCHTD3WomOTsezBRFKagdCX1cFAVHTzVM78h316uQ-NBIlpRQhtffHGY5DZAeGGttD97ok/s400/IMG_9029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865467267782114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>On the actual day, Kaylee got to go visiting with Grandparents, Great Grandparents and Uncles. She loved that. Queen wherever she went. As per Dye House rules, the birthday child gets to pick what she wants for meals. She got Grandma and Grandpa to take her to Wendy's for lunch and it was Sushi for dinner with DQ Ice Cream Cake. Mmmm.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_G78E2lpyQhQ6TgBmnpQtH6gX33j-66Vp-MVGskUxocR8c6MV0SzNmIx9eYJ4VfHTBabT1ew9BzC8_vcXJ1zqssCrI4Zvbu3w_ufw89DlCII73viz0hUNPGnuIj1ZiVtN0qhnCbxn_w/s400/IMG_9033.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865464964325810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>The next day, Chris' Dad, Sue and Gumpmom came for dinner. Gumpmom also has an August birthday, so we always get together for the youngest and oldest family members to celebrate together. Kaylee's choice for cake that night, strawberry shortcake. Mmmmm</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_X17-ECytH8WIplJKy4Xirqf0i90NNWoBqGm3pZiBAV5M-gA37sk-LelP7kU1vGVl6XBYEXRafHKhlvRRiZEybtIZTA53NV6eOnSTMSKpiFfmbxdHUtFSFLUQsjXee0caGF-GCM_p4k/s400/IMG_9047.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865466644112402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofPYlPBAerplR4IV7LM2vyQMZJkOI12kY3p1fi7bsoVCqJay6Dob74kQXcZOPdH5Jm-LLSSfirsELUR4l4YNeerO0MliszsqopxCPmtOjoBL4XyCJG0AaYMzb8aiBXPcP-J7J813vPIs/s400/IMG_9057.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865054473890642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div>A few long days (all days are long when you are six) and finally it was her party day. Now KJ is just like me, gets so excited before the party happens that by the time it finally does happen, she's pooped. Her six buddies (all boys) arrived for a monster party. They made a monster craft, played zombie tag and monster lunch was spiders and octopuses followed by a six eyed monster cake.The cake was only going to have 3 or 5 eyes, but when I told the birthday girl that she promptly informed me "um, it HAS to have 6 silly", and so the 6 year old had 6 eyes.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLt_oF9zzksOoGFQimhzRuVJ8Tt2X_cETJVL2RJw6Zq6rGrKs9KvqCl-RjD9ECERMaS4MFhJW-piL6ijakbqvnO3r4DM2HrQo0jrUVS4nRmxOVR0tuYSYmCYB4UUmSxwas7a54YOCwqIc/s400/IMG_9088.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865043737290370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliBVTR-tboCttxkot2AKbyqWO9XUfIrrAR3FZZy8aR7f4dZU1zJpeg_Ps01dTi_M1ur3yWGKwq6bpHOYVjajNWm9ZstleCujri3v5OT1msyraqICt6RVszrvbeD5suEj6IrPaOff_VUE/s400/IMG_9055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865461435365970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Water balloons, aka monster eggs, were tossed after lunch with a little sprinkler time and me realizing that 1.5 hours would have been fine. None the less, they all had fun and the birthday week came to an end.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhOUwRFMf8CGVb9DMG0zO65kNJhSY2_X2J_AB5hikzMmzrnHCsyIRQNpNteRGMB9iN8dbRehYWlg7ldlMgxH94Yh0WzNJ9QXq1GLrNUkgFIzRA8dJqDDrkaukws2dYRiPNjTiOySQRR8/s400/IMG_9106.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865045076192450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsTEF11sIazS3EV-jrecsAZciUd8D20eM2seRTEtos8DE60XSGMnJ__EYoZ3FPDMVF3wOTZc51Kx7lH50hcPjPjGb_HPgqwy8qJGIaodugjblr35VorgZ8U64mxb9MUA1UN2ZnlpanaE/s400/IMG_9056.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865460957590226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToLQwDu8UylTYkAWBlLlyB6NjHraFIP_4hf1PRLoZA5dtOv-gITZYQwtnujkTwM2_ZGuNyNyeJqPh3el-6zg1jYrvBLY8MtKjkOd0DtiByX0Ed3XthAOlUihcUtMQlUGMR3zny6gyEhQ/s400/IMG_9071.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647865048289813154" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><br /><div>Six. Wow. That was fast! Happy Birthday Kaylee, love you lots.</div></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-83501061832316193262011-08-15T16:19:00.000-07:002011-08-15T16:40:02.906-07:00All in the numbers<a href="http://www.jeffbullas.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/thirty-social-media.jpg"></a>
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<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>30 + 5
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<br />I read on a blog about picking 5 mini goals and working towards them. That seems to be right on track the way I am thinking these days, pick something attainable and go for it. Be happy with <strong><em>results</em></strong>, because any result is movement forward.
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<br />So here are five mini goals. I will give myself two weeks to accomplish them. Someone remind me to check in.
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<br />1) No more fast food junk. I'm not saying no treats, but if I need to "drive thru" to get it, I'm not allowed. Now this goes with my 30 for 30 challenge that I am in the middle of (day 14 to be exact). So if the bottom half of my 30 days includes no junk - even better.
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<br />2) Clean kitchen countertops daily. Now, let's think of this...........will it be realistic? Ok, 5 of 7 days, the kitchen counter must be cleaned up and free of debris before I go to bed. This way in the mornings, I'm not starting my day surrounded with clutter.
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<br />3) Laundry goes into drawers. Sersiously, this is one bad habit of mine that drives me nuts. Laundry gets washed. Laundry gets folded. But not a lot of it goes away before it gets worn and then hits the cycle of needing to be washed again.
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<br />4) Purge the kids rooms. After seeing success at the garage sale with my parents, it proves more and more that my kids have way too much crap. So before the new school year starts, their rooms are going to get reduced in clutter.
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<br />5) Add 15 on four days. So this 30 for 30 challenge is great. But for the next two weeks, four days of each week will be 45 mins. I need more of a push and I don't want to get into bad habits. This is such a good one, I really want it to stay.
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<br />In case you are wondering what the 30 for 30 is........there is a group of us that have pledged to do 30 mins of exercise for 30 days straight. It can be walking, hiking, swimming, yoga, in fact, you can even include cleaning if you are doing it and breaking a sweat! The thought is that at day 24 you have done it enough to form a habit. And by day 30, you've pushed past the ugly wanting to quit and your body is now "craving" the movement, thus making you want to continue.
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<br />Tonight, some of the group is meeting to do the Hoskins loop together. We have a few bears in the area, so safety in numbers. Plus, it's always more fun with friends.
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<br />Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-24621428054985965042011-08-14T19:38:00.001-07:002011-08-14T19:56:30.749-07:0040 Years<div style="text-align: center;">When pregnant with me, my parents bought the house that my brother and I would grow up in. That was 40 years.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>40 years of birthdays, Christmas', anniversaries, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and 40 years of living lives. Good lives.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>40 years worth of stuff. Some junk, some good, some memories and some "where did that come from". Today was a day to mark on the calendar, as it was the FIRST garage sale in 40 years. There was a lot of stuff.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I wish I had taken more photos...there was lots to see (I thought I did take more, but for some reason they didn't stick on my phone, oh well).</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Some "treasures" included there two pieces of Mexican art that my Mom and Dad brought home from a trip.</div><div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirCrMUvjMTU1V0Pz5aYr3cuXnVn9Kf06Xa6T_Spmey8dg3FjAuAtL0_tAgkSUWesFqhZMlhoRW8yebxKA9pJnZJ6xBfrvFf5CStBgcKxboYi7pSoTh1GzWlDHsInVxdLOnWQy9Bixw88/s400/mexicanart.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640908462339195266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>And some things that my Grandma had up in her house, one cross stitch she did and one that an Aunt made. Not my thing anymore but I put them to the side and as it turns out, my cousins are thinking about taking them.</div><div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3yBdQUlURuDf4BttUDQsVzA8gXqKbJG-gBOwegy6bPX5Xlc6BVQKjOQahboLvabtBA-JO1RGDpcbsdLFxBEtOQEZEqMoq_uMS5r3jsiPS6M1nEZXbtCW2YNMThNT98_MoocWDHUupGQ/s400/grandmas.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640908462405146658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>And our skis that we spend hours and hours and hours on as kids.</div><div>
<br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErDfdB5HmlgsV_o9LiQxaqRC1DWftVaVTGnm_5yCTkLq4wZNnGyb1VLtHVJAgsm_wSKdr_G0_lVjCLgYiD_q1tyQWdvPrOC-C3yF0pIcybTLTViBPsAro0usYnKT5Ne-P9Vx4Yg7Bh4g/s400/skis.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640908469106033394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>For entertainment today, this sweet kitty showed up at 7:30am and hung out with us for the process.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpobvlHJtPwuiSO7gqEwwhqvsX1qoomdOtCUyuNiMvqXAGCp5JAW14UbTTEwEa9ssUQ8OSddHpEksNX1o7Ctvu6MMHOik-N-fDUYJOfJYXNKeCc2TTXghyphenhyphenMOQPpzxgrkNja959l53ZXXU/s400/visitor.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640908473970521938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>In the end....I ended up with a box of stuff to take home too. A few photos, a couple of tea cups that have memories and a couple of mirrors for KJ's room. Richard grabbed a few things too I noticed.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>And Mom and Dad put a couple of things back - like the ugliest almost so ugly it's cool platter / tray that 40 years of family meals have been brought out on. I'm glad it's staying. Somethings still belong there.</div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-68575454993562600522011-08-06T18:59:00.000-07:002011-08-07T19:26:47.388-07:00Vacation 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6Bo5RsNgnyuypbKt-cjuRjW9pIzH_3EaGMozY-l0tU4RC7Z_kjwszCB_xV_UQRFI-9mSJq9Hm3lczUC0p4qOxHt0iOfGrh6qHU7FgABvh-WfsDp3WnFZ-bHQgewPoyPX8nG_tv5iSAc/s1600/IMG_8763.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6Bo5RsNgnyuypbKt-cjuRjW9pIzH_3EaGMozY-l0tU4RC7Z_kjwszCB_xV_UQRFI-9mSJq9Hm3lczUC0p4qOxHt0iOfGrh6qHU7FgABvh-WfsDp3WnFZ-bHQgewPoyPX8nG_tv5iSAc/s400/IMG_8763.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638305859407234546" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkHtUYDMxuhVEsszByF4NQgmV2f8RwGA2vYiztkX9DvBK-v1CcxT9kG3CslWOT0de9lW6V_gVaajyEc73xnRkoGKeEosP072Ws_rK2f6wFdfkj9ZbEBnRtvMX-OWCuVsoUXMTdmjHxGM/s1600/IMG_8337.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkHtUYDMxuhVEsszByF4NQgmV2f8RwGA2vYiztkX9DvBK-v1CcxT9kG3CslWOT0de9lW6V_gVaajyEc73xnRkoGKeEosP072Ws_rK2f6wFdfkj9ZbEBnRtvMX-OWCuVsoUXMTdmjHxGM/s400/IMG_8337.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638301212766808290" /></a><br />Hard to believe that I've been back at the real world for a week, it seems like vacation just happend, yet a million years ago at the same time.<div><br /></div><div>We headed back to Madrona again this year in Parksville. I really do love where we stay, it's a perfect spot for the kids to run around and us grown ups to relax and enjoy the view. </div><div><br /></div><div>Chris took the opportunity to head out before us and ride down to Victoria to cheer on Lynn Valley as they were playing in the BC Little League Championships. He loved that he got to take his new ride for a real trip.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISJO4XFqWvNFH2vQnUg7luvtZNYQqz77AR36LueFm0Y_f5mUNZO-o-wIcdMZ1uZTjuxjvYEbaAGh1HkreljjQx2kWUHCL46F5NVah2kn5C-jhuQuPxTJfa6zPB55mOfj6LDwaakW5UmI/s400/IMG_3840.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303129654129474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisgTOZMbidSTW6Vr75TReTwouAAeBLCq2b-pcuKIpavZnGsUPPbljLlB79DPKcIr4Mf0ccw0b_ZT1QQmK0CGmWCvUlsiPqDE82fycWXukq6EHIpLcwbDPsPCP5l0drZ-GFYMrX52pOEg/s400/IMG_8342.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638301214410898082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>Tons of time on the beach this year, our weather was perfect with only one morning of clouds and the rest full of sunshine.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATtDJRr6aF4CgFX9Jd1qJ3rOL4YGMpB_0Ot9hsGxPS5Q0e9PiffbRRH_3Ne2sTDODBjQ2GKZCvAvBfh87K6bWLASHb3BroN2Dr2f4XNYoJxHiMofqR0HOhCXDAVdHVu7d_gRsIfNGSso/s400/IMG_8377.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303131871496338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtUv2iCwTF4wWFvEpCalcueynYhj8ZP4r35e4ZJ5-mEfFUlqlokdE6llC8aH-cFsaXB9zgbPWtieizxIlkrI0CF4YaSObOAI4WTo201I7nJG-tIb8ISunNSbfk01lpyMpz2JRrqZHVjE/s400/IMG_8385.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638301220219493826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>Hit all our typical spots: Golfing</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui8y41sJ6ahvHWxbo8GrNTpqE0px_LxMzBNbA7GtwZhS9UkNaUMJ0emSuWuIlKPzYOEgXpElPwC_1WXaFTU8N9XtK1LhzU5ceBmv1cYx2jEQ1ywG3WGEUWvqSCLmWntKuJ2p8oP4mPDk/s400/IMG_8497.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303711806935986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>Coombs:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlGKQd8-LbCsPGiCk3bwBeDYBJFtao6qmfsGafBXphn-EQlqCo0V-AujV-OB4lmLcuoLGFVrqj2dq2WC4jqxIWwE7LE3FZX6mpD_gZHEVZGzmkopngFyS_dTkNm0Az6k05bkTcyLkYoI/s400/IMG_8550.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303715618138098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">the massive playground:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SrZQeaKi340P0aC6dWhY-LNIpYB6rAYh3W6n7Jzju1xVvoMoOLUilsREOaTCWUqheU_nbXVTeMmiNM70ywf1QsPo_qLJh2d7aXpzpfAzOWQDRURty_4MHAz2nZgKj347PsfJHWIfCmQ/s400/IMG_8593.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303722456373378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkopOFlEKpuMUTp8tM3lZ1WxhfJNoa_acRFQIXZgtiBYQPzud24yUiPH-IwGRFf9wCn__4B07kT7RhOZ5cE0zjduDAAb_602eoYNGib8OTSmewoBkonf4Lo4O91s-e4kRTc9E-D8eRkwE/s400/IMG_8595.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303723187624914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>But there were lots of kids around Madrona so we just to hang around and enjoy where we were.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFmAkP8Rla-kyEuIj9eR1IERz5GLuaQNLFQcw7msstMSh9b_73nMNU6n2pAg8BY_HKI9feSnFXcAmx2z3OEDzVaqierIIOGtlxAMtdd3KjqFdFsgSnZX_temxT5HAXt_kajOPDsNjU0c/s400/IMG_8573.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303715875896562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFeu26bD2ZIXtnzNBmm1FVyOC36TH-U1iPH_zIfxugDsK_aCFkjY5OOnzvPcomYoEaMMp2U3GUcUCh4GkJLYMXPBALtrR6CKvH5Eleq0mDt5IkWLvEUm0ofb3oqfPBJLj-lHPCXHZAgg/s400/IMG_8490.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638305138146904274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>With the wet wet summer we have had, the silver lining would be that there were no fire bans this season, so marshmallows were roasted, s'mores were devoured and some late fireside nights of just us grown ups were very much appreciated.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1MRY8ClgaIofJfhqH1WHo4zJ-jOE6VbFvoxc5Y-PMdpHwtSnd2FI3B9vD9NluuPCLXzKbQa7Gd4E7aODWQaPPbQsHJen4MpdTV9zrdiF9kLwXr3F2ej3RWu2YJtsn6cL4Jg4KlnySro/s400/IMG_8485.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303140095031202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uankY6_h31fxOo9GsVRInjXXcgYNN5qoCZlehVrOAxr51Lf20WH_ZIMvnAJCSuelWN7OG33TdeJYSmgpW3pI9b1c25NOVB1rGjnitF812GpvEwJwWv19yuH_OvMssCUQ4wMiMsi3E8k/s400/IMG_8349.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638301218703719442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGjh93vEJLSVLgLqSjvcyf4ZcteleGKT2npVvPD3FXIefK_CNhoV9Bdovlkj2p1YWNg1DMF5B9JrRDdba75dFPZBydPUInO4OH25mpUAQBYpeh1Bi7dmvrK0M5xh3oYw1MyxhpajzxD8/s400/IMG_8466.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303136653310802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>One NEW adventure we took in was MooBerry Farm and we had a ton of fun. The only people on that tour the kids got up front and centre with the cows, got to learn how milking happened and how cheese is made. Did you know that a cow eats 100lbs of hay a day and poops 65lbs out? Lots of very interesting info that day, and we will go back for sure.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN7DIFzJUfyqTQEG3dthRXwEF6AzDDo_nS0xPJQPvlTOPhBRGtPjw3CZ3TGD3aNEwJgCVxAkMJIa5ZGTGx7MDLuJmORnK899EMQwGQvpHV7gchsoRwmAwVn_LUSQDrnzoRl2eqFJTpYM/s400/IMG_8703.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638305143906859794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPhUcg-NhVECEJGSG8hm084bBiMUwW83gGpVy5rVfKBpEaLCefX7XkfRtGbNGwboVgrv9e6_bn3WieGtOt5R4hs_6kbFhqrspu17fk1owqRjdAXFPGYThb5pcPtsBVlaJtmsc0VVIuKk/s400/IMG_8720.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638305145341879474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8VYkBQtALj6D-eNBrUEIoXC9tiv2T0iDz97Uol0oyr-eW4zKfhS8Id07FvchZxrEVzAdCvd_BQJFNwo1je_Q4BaxHA7FAKZNd917Sb8Gj_6XqA6zj65jPVz1-C5erYrns6H-EQJBq8k/s400/IMG_8706.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638305142685145346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Meeting a one day old calf was pretty cool too</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBTEaemUD5XB2ZTfooaYR8Tf0_2MXdQa1pWHi7ByZjumt_hqmstmZgAaezakVjWVRK-B4BaV5OHLUq0dilyYN17crtOAzR6In4iMO_VLdXMDY4eriRv0W54LvTH1uEscFEbPHAVBJ980/s400/IMG_8675.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638305138785219074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">We did have one unexpected call while in the middle of it all, Chris was called to say that he was being laid off. It did put a damper on it for a day but in true vacation spirit we moved on from that and enjoyed the time together as a family.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJfMGuP3U-jbpjHLPCOn0bpzGg5hpnt9kVxLrPrLmRo8eH8Mu71Y0KYfafgBCEa9TqxYoTg0q-ZRsra4FSwnrnk0bAhLONIfUjhSbB0_cy-oCInPITPjb5Lj88lWFf88Yrty6Lbf_30s/s400/IMG_8427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638303138592100034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>I know people travel all over the world to find the most beautiful beaches, but I know how lucky I am living a quick ferry ride from this.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaEfAwsJ18G6HLLW7JROA6Ujjs1wrf6Aio-rwdPhV1GyAhyphenhyphenM5wZuFbM5DCs6yOpS8DGxaHztd8jQDkhaZq4AMftP6KXmoeYu6FpQbu7FBCz7otQ2-dVDfo_J8oWxUM9U7S6Kxim-LULU/s400/IMG_8363.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638301215287627794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-41372910120480580522011-07-17T17:22:00.000-07:002011-07-17T17:37:04.096-07:00It was perfect<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoAxpfbPegTmlpLdg223uxVnj2f27I1MCfEng9krdVhzStf4MOS86Ji8rWAUt6Ryq7zcN3fKen9HmdPgwsAk8TUl7RkGmGyhygvfN-cQUEhfARi1e3ADO_GYKERjhDqAlAz67XrnRk1A/s1600/IMG_8224.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoAxpfbPegTmlpLdg223uxVnj2f27I1MCfEng9krdVhzStf4MOS86Ji8rWAUt6Ryq7zcN3fKen9HmdPgwsAk8TUl7RkGmGyhygvfN-cQUEhfARi1e3ADO_GYKERjhDqAlAz67XrnRk1A/s400/IMG_8224.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630482828457139474" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>He couldn't have done it better. Really, a perfect weekend. A great way to celebrate a great ten years together.<div><br /><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4FC2RKyamGM_-VMIg1M2OTKk87-wLJ0KEgdMXbjko7HlyIZxCYChTPNu2ETuZ4Y1J1mN5s7D-li_GwR8gnKV5QYXv7jIHDFGuCswkl0c1rozZYNRacTKURm9aRpntQbzapvHZp-4Xp4/s400/IMG_8145.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630482838461515922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>We left Friday afternoon and headed to the island. We were the last car onto the ferry. Enjoyed the views of the west coast on the way over and were both excited about a just us weekend. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-ouHhn2zDIhJzCkbKLoHONfBnlsIPlF-Yttdhqi_t56j9aQ_pkpBhZ-FUvN1WEk22R5hQVNaj3JyduXmttixUmWN3TGaCypONp2QJWh8D73yj6P-Wv65VRlX8SaG26-_LIZEI14F0Qo/s400/IMG_8131.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630482841724276850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>When we got the to room, we relaxed before dinner. The rain fell outside, but our cozy log wood room with beautiful views of the beach - there was no need to be outside. Dinner at 7 - our only scheduled event for the weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dinner was great, the muscles were the best either of us have ever had. We loved them so much we ate them the next night too!! After dinner, we walked back to our room, through the canopy covered surroundings. Such a beautiful spot.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6gwfDmpm4Qp5Q2PhSODdbqK7IyxpS0V81TtBqwVqBnxeilBwuTekt4Ge0uba2tCwhKgudq8uAAwh_kn26QY8RKiDxzHGrBnhYuS50ewoA3kpvMSzb4xKKHx5-Z9pEM29rIofCDb5fQU/s400/IMG_8199.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630482834337674530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>Arriving back in our room, there were candles, rose pedals, roses and champagne, along with strawberries dipped in chocolate waiting for me. So sweet.</div><div><br /></div><div>But what happened next, well that is what brought tears to my eyes. Before I knew what happened Chris was down on one knee presenting an anniversary diamond ring. Telling me how he loves me, and that while he didn't ask me to marry him (I asked him), he was so happy that we are together and that he is still in love with me and I make him happy. Perfect words, perfect surprise, perfect husband.</div><div> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6thhkcmf_hWEeZGpqp-jpFb6EzvQEGXfZFiW0zq7YuX6nJfCzCJ35skBieHvkBN8DhoVfu18LN29i4dq4FUVpie4hgV8Ptlgl5Xmaq2ulXEBrEQQE1GoigZSpGrsTvZyWSb2cr_7c28/s400/IMG_8153.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630482836800625650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>Champagne out on the deck. A really perfect night. </div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDOKBVL0AmgljvuyRgRdEOY7Ag9NGk6SbfvO11geJ7pgQLsXQTPxlAuPxe95f2iyBEwsqN57BL9-dEwHvczz99QRa96hNYdQrKQNUm4BaoJifgTLY07BIcMAdPb-T_3mVly1H51cfaSg/s400/IMG_8150.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630483003693094530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1240098198322960091.post-41816738860623003422011-07-14T18:40:00.000-07:002011-07-14T19:10:28.351-07:00Ten Years Strong<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAt_B2urBpXZF6blOcqiob67-l7fCPaGQp63ClTa5Y_xoVzaZAfLBR593s6Rj2ejjkjuSsK7wtVd05mVllhr8NsvySxdJVewCD5PEhbTFw73KJyblEgHL_mNE9FtTgt-qf1QInyedCUg/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPk7ta3GUYsMoJig5lzK7MRd-GKxp1SiS_JdVQMtvC8HlcrtflVVrzIruMEwMVLijIBRyaW77GG0iMvwakPG57GKxgYzqROqqiOICDzEDlePuRu8zr0qjdz1AEpAKjho1Sho6zdEVWKl4/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPk7ta3GUYsMoJig5lzK7MRd-GKxp1SiS_JdVQMtvC8HlcrtflVVrzIruMEwMVLijIBRyaW77GG0iMvwakPG57GKxgYzqROqqiOICDzEDlePuRu8zr0qjdz1AEpAKjho1Sho6zdEVWKl4/s400/IMG_0005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629394004347477282" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SIhFr2e0VTaxrKL4pNjKwuhkaCnlHrYp_EhA0sVVNPz5NHeNyhZZ8f9j_25Cahawaf0IG57IsBF6lndvvpOmVqBRDFBjIXAXFq4kMmNsitPSxwMRTTkNmeHCyFvbL3Aty7-yRsUTHgc/s1600/100_0629_00.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today, Chris and I celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary. And I say that with a lot of pride.<div><br /></div><div>Back in the day...when we first met at the mountain, he was big goof with loud friends and a party lifestyle. He seemed nice enough, but really not my type. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, in the late spring of 1999 something made me look at him differently. Still not sure what it was, but all of a sudden instead of our "hey" as we passed each other, it was "hey, how was your weekend". Then I found myself at his baseball games. Then I found myself hanging around the mountain top talking to him.</div><div>Then, I found myself on Aug 23 kissing him. After a fun night out with friends, and a conversation about what our pretend future would be like together, the irony of that all just being the beginning has never been lost on me.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupVg_YIrd_icatWIeTMP_LSdgb3YwU40ycQgXmm1anQQF4fDtbV9AMkM6ZiwQ3yVWB6zNHwk_0Se6fSPnjMN4mFQuVjxp7MOrG6uOJg4M1D55A1NV8gTnzntnbW1SRp4rpS78xUK0Ezc/s400/IMG_0003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629392312116742594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px; " /></span><div>We planned our life together that night. Two kids, one boy with the middle name Christopher, one girl with the nickname KJ. We would have animals, in particular a wolf cross dog. We would live on the North Shore, we would get married on a golf course. Even the people we said would be in our wedding party were. Right then, it was like a road map all laid out for us. And that kiss, that kiss made my knees go weak. It made my heart skip a beat. It made me scared, excited, thrilled and full of aniticpation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, the rest pretty much followed suit. I moved in with him at the cabin on the mountain that following January. We were engaged in May, and married the following July. Fast? Nope. Right? Yup.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFWJrln-R2j6jlnl-e5E5Io1VCi1oqzQ_6Glcj_v-upDm7ebVhzi3ra4N3Ipp6_4eqR32zZSc-8Ppr7tQ62hWTQbrmgVQlz6c3ic07KXfyeWImdmF7E0QVhDugfCI9g1tmwmyNrJYaqU/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629392306817254994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px; " /></span><div>Of course, first up was Takaya, our sweet wolf cross pup. Then Braydon Christopher and Kaylee Jordan. Within the first five years, we fell in love, moved in, got engaged, married, bought a house, had kid, bought a different house and had another kid.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SIhFr2e0VTaxrKL4pNjKwuhkaCnlHrYp_EhA0sVVNPz5NHeNyhZZ8f9j_25Cahawaf0IG57IsBF6lndvvpOmVqBRDFBjIXAXFq4kMmNsitPSxwMRTTkNmeHCyFvbL3Aty7-yRsUTHgc/s400/100_0629_00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629393860283498082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div>You would think things have slowed since then, but in truth, they've picked up. All of a sudden, it's ten years since we said "I do". Ten years of growth, opportunity, lessons learned, forgotten and re-learned. Ten years of hugs, kisses, cuddles and the odd disagreement or two. Eight of those years being parents together, including working through a miscarriage and then the blessings of Braydon and Kaylee. Diapers, late nights, no sleep, figuring out all the how tos of a being a Mom and Dad, and still trying to be husband and wife.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVDJuwxcSqonS66PgcULQtoTpMwonGTR_XjizvUDuGEYGifxcqf_miP0SuWbw4PKs9S6uc4Fkn1QqUK5cpU5zuiu8xXTYVfEp9Jivs-70Ac1mbMPpafQw2gn0_AnhWrLoPEAPn1IxcL8/s400/IMG_0441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629395597446247394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>As the kids hit a new stage of life, school, sports, play dates and independence, it's another stage for us. Shuttling them to everywhere. Hours at a ball field, or nights at a school music festival. Dinners with four, fast and furious to get out the door. Coaching, leading, less cuddle time, more on the go.</div><div><br /></div><div>The future sees no slowing of our pace. Busy children = busy parents. But through all of that, I am happy to say that parents are just one roll in our lives. Somewhere we still find time to be Kirsten and Chris. Husband and Wife. Friends. Companions, and yes, some of that other good stuff too.</div><div><br /></div><div>All too often marriages fail because there is an expectation of perfection. Doesn't exist. Just a willingness to let the little stuff go and appreciate the good stuff as it sometimes happens so fast you may miss it.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIvSQ7tBCNGQDMuVhZ-iqKHvnsfuA8SMxTWaeuN8t1RM6wqjE9xZlleEWY_9RHf8bZdgoOEEoBgZYqYUyeRfMudy87EGI5fTTcoRMQybBzxgmq_OldW2vNwiRmAqAYqgA7OglSOtN-ng/s400/IMG_0433.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629394958556975042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 335px; " /></span><div>The love of my life has surprised me with a trip over to Tigh Na Mara for the weekend, just us adults. I'm so looking forward to our two days together and reviewing the ten years of the past.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAt_B2urBpXZF6blOcqiob67-l7fCPaGQp63ClTa5Y_xoVzaZAfLBR593s6Rj2ejjkjuSsK7wtVd05mVllhr8NsvySxdJVewCD5PEhbTFw73KJyblEgHL_mNE9FtTgt-qf1QInyedCUg/s400/IMG_2204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629394966674426802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div>I'm lucky to have found this one, even if it took me a few years to really see him.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMT0MQruUMntVL94teF1G28KMEOK4xXuQf0zT09JI-FZVTlFMJNtCZUn0KTZrFW7f8noCCHtqSmVns2D7fJXMWrdCJb8VIBniZc64TEqs9y0zzKNB-mpgUGVv2pxNBl65ZA82WRxYupg/s400/IMG_7866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629395604099571010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px; " /></span><div>I love you Chris, Happy 10 Year Anniversary.</div>Kirstenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14402019630878671998noreply@blogger.com1