tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43911673819610836372024-03-14T05:50:48.007-05:00Our Backyard and BeyondAs family adventures take us out to our own backyard and beyond, we would like to share those explorations with you.Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-57138410690958308142011-09-28T13:36:00.001-05:002011-09-28T13:36:24.953-05:00Walking the Decks of History<p><strong>September 18, 2011</strong></p> <p>What to do on a rainy fall day?  </p> <p>Take advantage of the news from late last night…  </p> <p>We saw a quick clip on the news about a WWII ship that was docked in Chester, IL.  So here it was almost 11:00 and I am googling to get more information.  What exactly was this?  </p> <p>A little investigation led us to find that this WWII ship was stationed along the bank of the Mississippi River and open for tours over the weekend.  We decided to make the 1 1/2 hour trip to let the boys see a piece of history.  I mean how often does the chance to tour a battleship here in the Midwestern US occur?</p> <p>Sunday we got the boys ready to go and loaded up to head out on our adventure.  They kept asking where we were going.  Drives them crazy to not know what is going on.  (<em>I have absolutely no idea where they get that from!)</em>  After many guesses and hints, they finally got that we were going to the Mississippi River.  This is always exciting.  The river is intriguing to all of them.  Watching barges, crossing great bridges, sometimes tossing rocks into it…  Braden especially loves it.  We cannot take a trip to IL without making sure he gets to see the bridge that we cross on that particular trip.  There are three routes that we commonly use to make our crossover to IL depending on who we are going to go visit.  He can already tell you a lot about the river and issues tied to the river.  (This past spring’s floods were a topic of much interest for him.)</p> <p>As we crossed into IL, the boys could look off the bridge and then saw the ship!  They couldn’t wait!  Raindrops hit the window about that same time.  Hmm…  Quick check of the radar.  (What did we do without our instant access to cyberspace?)  The rain shouldn’t last long.  We will find a parking spot and eat some lunch before we head to the ship…</p> <p>So much for a picnic along the river…  OK we did still have our picnic, just with three anxious boys cooped up in the van instead of sitting along the riverbank.  Lunch is done, rain still falling.  “It won’t last much longer.  Let’s go on.”  My trusty weather man’s prediction.  Glad I grabbed the umbrella as a last fleeting thought before we left the van.  The WHOLE time we toured the ship, it rained.  In and out and around the various decks.  Each time raindrops were falling.  Until the end once we were off the ship.  The wetness did not dampen enthusiasm though.  The boys caught as many details as they could.  All of them were excited about getting to walk through a huge ship, see military tanks, check out the monsterous engines, see where the soldiers would eat and sleep, and climb around old deuce and a half trucks on display.  </p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody> <tr> <td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a59354d6a59314e6a6b3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: medium none; margin-right: 0px; border-right: medium none" alt="Click to play this Smilebox photo album" align="left" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a59354d6a59314e6a6b3d0d0a.jpg" width="420" height="330" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=yahoo&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="Create your own photo album - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif" width="420" height="46" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center">Create a <a href="http://www.smilebox.com/http://www.smilebox.com/" target="_blank">photo album</a></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Then as we stepped of the ship and looked along the river, Tanner started pointing and chattering.  “Two boats!  One going that way.  Other one go that way!”  Two barges were crossing paths right there.  Sooooo Cool!  Then his little head spun around to look up along the road as a freight train rumbled by!  A little later another longer freight train passed by going the other direction.</p> <p>Here are a few more pictures from the day.  Click where it says “View Full Album” to see all of the extras and to see them a bit larger.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:96a814d2-d922-493d-89bb-96ce99eece8c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=efe3b1364ddbb2ca&page=browse&resid=EFE3B1364DDBB2CA!125&type=5&authkey=sp0NPvkRGYY%24"><img style="border:0px" alt="View USS LST 325 visit" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xV82DFAk2C4/ToNpKNlD6PI/AAAAAAAAAw0/UgaiQx6lEl0/InlineRepresentation56a01b6616fc458a.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:543px;text-align:right;" ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=efe3b1364ddbb2ca&page=browse&resid=EFE3B1364DDBB2CA!125&type=5&authkey=sp0NPvkRGYY%24">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p>Ship, barges, trains, big military trucks!  Wow!  A boy’s dream day, rain or not.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-67996786794548409462011-08-23T18:07:00.001-05:002011-08-23T18:07:32.220-05:00Summer Days<p>Time Flies When…</p> <blockquote> <p>…swimming in the pool</p> <p>…checking for fresh eggs</p> <p>…petting baby bunnies</p> <p>…riding big boy bikes and trikes</p> <p>…growing garden goodies</p> </blockquote> <p>Time Flies When…</p> <blockquote> <p>…visiting and playing with friends</p> <p>…going to vacation bible school</p> <p>…going to cub scout day camp</p> <p>…celebrating birthdays</p> <p>…hanging out with the family</p> </blockquote> <p>Time Flies When…</p> <blockquote> <p>…watching dragonflies</p> <p>…catching lightning bugs</p> <p>…listening to martins</p> <p>…capturing tiny toadlets</p> <p>…watching clouds in the sky</p> </blockquote> <p>Time Flies When…</p> <blockquote> <p>…going on a camping trip</p> <p>…fishing in clear Missouri streams</p> <p>…kayaking for the first times</p> <p>…skipping rocks in the water</p> <p>…finding a tarantula on the camper tire!</p> </blockquote> <p>Time Flies When…</p> <blockquote> <p>…conducting fun science experiments</p> <p>…building forts in the house</p> <p>…racing hot wheels</p> <p>…making lego creations</p> <p>…pretending to be cowboys</p> </blockquote> <p>Time Flies When…</p> <blockquote> <p>…devouring pumpkin blossoms</p> <p>…picking garden goodies</p> <p>…canning salsa</p> <p>…baking zucchini bread</p> <p>…trying watermelon for the first time</p> </blockquote> <p>What has kept time flying for you this summer???????<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-10456270711550322932011-08-17T23:08:00.001-05:002011-08-17T23:08:07.785-05:00First Day Jitters<p>We are now the proud parents of two boys who are going to school!  Yes, today was the first day of school here!  Big changes…  Much excitement getting supplies ready…  Lots of anxiety thinking about school days ahead...  We are creatures of habit around here.  We enjoy our time together as a family.  We like things to be predictable and known.  The boys were emotional roller coasters the past couple of days.  Excited and nervous all at the same time.  This morning’s send off had a few rocky moments.  Tears were shed.  Nervousness showed.  </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zfig4YMkmwc/TkyPrnt2H0I/AAAAAAAAAwc/GUkO7Z5NHVM/s1600-h/IMG_87284.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_8728" border="0" alt="IMG_8728" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Hkw10yNzSg/TkyPsvM4O4I/AAAAAAAAAwg/DL-_XgsNiEU/IMG_8728_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271" /></a> The boys were geared up and ready to go…  Lunches, backpacks, and nervous smiles.  The ride to town was kinda quiet.  Contemplating what was to come.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-piyHGYzFNXw/TkyP36INYTI/AAAAAAAAAwk/P8-EHN3GFnc/s1600-h/IMG_87324.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_8732" border="0" alt="IMG_8732" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hZUK0M5kmvo/TkyP8XXHtsI/AAAAAAAAAwo/iu_1bK7fYaA/IMG_8732_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271" /></a> We took Riley to the cafeteria to meet up with his class.  Riley took Braden’s hand and showed him the way.  Reassuring his brother and taking comfort in having a friend along too.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">Bittersweet partings.  Nothing like throwing kids into the day.  =)  Works well for some, but these guys like that slower ease in approach to these things.  Nonetheless, by the end of the day, they had survived!  I pick Braden up at 2:00 and Riley rides the bus getting home closer to 4:00.  Braden was excited to have Riley home at the end of the day.  They walked hand in hand back to the house chatting about their day.  </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eaAjRe1fbF4/TkyP_oIkvCI/AAAAAAAAAws/Jp5B1w2VTbE/s1600-h/IMG_87587.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_8758" border="0" alt="IMG_8758" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6b2YOgyEU-g/TkyQJiu5LcI/AAAAAAAAAww/3PFu2BdqKlc/IMG_8758_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-40183458128289017162011-06-20T23:05:00.001-05:002011-06-20T23:19:15.240-05:00A Camping We Did Go<p>We finally got to take our new pop-up camper on our first official camping trip.  We did get to use it a few weeks ago for a weekend visit to my parents too.  That was the perfect test run for the first time using the camper.  A cool night, rain, hail, breezy, a warmer night…  The weekend gave us the whole gamut (is that how you spell that word????) of weather conditions, and the camper and occupants all faired just fine.  Good to go.</p> <p>We intended to camp another weekend in but weather just did not cooperate.  So we decided this was the weekend.  Packed up and ready to go, we headed to Ferne Clyffe State Park near Goreville, IL (just 10 minutes or so from I-57 and I-24).  This is one of our favorite spots to go camping or even just take a day trip to.  If you are ever passing through that area and need a break, check it out!!!!  We love it for the awesome trails, exploring opportunities, great playground areas, and nice quiet campground.  It is close to home too.  We can be there in  about an hour.</p> <p>Despite some <strike>torrential</strike> heavy rains, lots of thunder, and light up the skies lightening through the middle of the night, the trip went just fine!  Riley would even argue with you whether it really rained that much let alone stormed like it did.  He and TanMan slept like rocks.  Braden, Ross, and I waited out the storm together and all finally got to doze back off when things calmed down.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fLymTZxtw2k/TgAWhhmaETI/AAAAAAAAAtY/IuXUwVOfmiY/s1600-h/IMG_70793.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7079" border="0" alt="IMG_7079" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-llLofV83L_Y/TgAWi27s8NI/AAAAAAAAAtc/QE727yU6yoc/IMG_7079_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="279" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Once we got our campsite picked out, everyone got busy helping set up camp.  Riley and Braden started looking for sticks and wood for a fire, Tanner and Ross started setting up the camper, and I started taking pictures of everyone’s progress.  (Ha Ha!)  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SugsndVY6MU/TgAWkBgUYvI/AAAAAAAAAtg/4JA1k3A4bxs/s1600-h/IMG_70893.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7089" border="0" alt="IMG_7089" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ki1CsSdS27g/TgAWk_HY2mI/AAAAAAAAAtk/4ReCyKzV5VM/IMG_7089_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="279" /></a></p> <p align="center">Had to stop for a snack too.  </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s8OwsrQgISs/TgAWlsIrxsI/AAAAAAAAAto/zlJR71bE0IQ/s1600-h/IMG_70972.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7097" border="0" alt="IMG_7097" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W1hI3O9-gtI/TgAWnwFd4NI/AAAAAAAAAts/JnxaUUAIURg/IMG_7097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8ou_DZskjiY/TgAWp9u5gJI/AAAAAAAAAtw/mqpL34dj9rg/s1600-h/IMG_70924.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7092" border="0" alt="IMG_7092" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7kWAr5ipEa8/TgAWuCqO0tI/AAAAAAAAAt0/u9-VeDePiVQ/IMG_7092_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="158" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XS5GXe_zuy8/TgAWwd6dyzI/AAAAAAAAAt4/75SPJlpJQB4/s1600-h/IMG_70982.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7098" border="0" alt="IMG_7098" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KSGdOlvK1zo/TgAWxf-d1nI/AAAAAAAAAt8/agEi5wwY5f4/IMG_7098_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Rileyis Dorkus making silly faces, Braden the Cicada hunter, and sweet TanMan lovin’ every bit of the camping trip.</p> <p align="left">Along with the actual camping, we hiked a couple of trails.  One the first evening that was short little hike along the bluffs near the campsite.  I didn’t even take the big camera and haven’t downloaded the pics from the other camera yet.  We came back and played at the playground with our camping neighbors and their two kiddos.  They were nice folks, and the boys kind of liked having some other kids to hang out with.  Kept them all five busy when we were cooking and tearing down camp.  =)  The next morning was our big fun hiking adventure.</p> <p align="left">The Waterfall Trail…</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zCSMaVAzB5A/TgAWzJoNo7I/AAAAAAAAAuA/BphlLtfJNJw/s1600-h/IMG_71118.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7111" border="0" alt="IMG_7111" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zwFsD1CEVec/TgAW0BNjCpI/AAAAAAAAAuE/6qft04fQLPI/IMG_7111_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="329" /></a></p> <p align="center">A nice short little trail…  Water was running in the waterfall after the previous night’s rainfall. Not many people were out yet.  Quiet (well as quiet as a hike with three young guys can be!)  Serene.  Peaceful. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yWWBVTBuVHs/TgAW36_MT1I/AAAAAAAAAuI/8lgkr6E2ItU/s1600-h/IMG_71694.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7169" border="0" alt="IMG_7169" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2fLWyz6ZwRw/TgAXDUlGi_I/AAAAAAAAAuM/a3uSdooUtq8/IMG_7169_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="329" /></a></p> <p align="left">While the boys played in the water and explored, I played with my camera.  I have been trying to get more familiar with the manual settings for our SLR camera.  so I practiced a little with the waterfall to get more of the blur effect.  I think this one turned out great!  </p> <p align="left">Then we discovered…</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qma_qwNmyl8/TgAXKx0awbI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/8ZBgzvQX-sQ/s1600-h/IMG_71216.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7121" border="0" alt="IMG_7121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XClJHkwbtqg/TgAXLyEDVxI/AAAAAAAAAuU/jgVHTdB1hbM/IMG_7121_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="229" /></a></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zl6AgKHqUqk/TgAXNcidByI/AAAAAAAAAuY/btf-POGI9ug/s1600-h/IMG_71333.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7133" border="0" alt="IMG_7133" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7_9Yqj5Yogk/TgAXN_GdcTI/AAAAAAAAAuc/gSkT0tXDPUo/IMG_7133_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="229" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UtPCTSey1-I/TgAXRBodOWI/AAAAAAAAAug/STYECDwGMoQ/s1600-h/IMG_71404.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7140" border="0" alt="IMG_7140" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7jgMXLFstFY/TgAXUvw6cRI/AAAAAAAAAuk/vGV57hT2o64/IMG_7140_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="229" /></a></p> <p align="left">…a box turtle hanging out in the water at the edge of the waterfall.  I took him to safety and took some pictures while I was at it.  After I got my pictures, I tucked him up in the rocks off the beaten path a little ways.  Hoping that someone else didn’t find him and try to take him home.  They just don’t make good pets and are best left where they are found.</p> <p align="left">The boys played in the water…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eyA8gr6O0Z0/TgAXXyNyMJI/AAAAAAAAAwU/492F_nJ-mg0/s1600-h/IMG_71602.jpg"></a></p> <p align="left"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UJLrXEWIDKo/TgAXaa2q67I/AAAAAAAAAus/Tg93v_BPQ8E/s1600-h/IMG_72013.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7201" border="0" alt="IMG_7201" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T8DXldRxHG8/TgAXbbzoziI/AAAAAAAAAuw/5pkvgzJg-Ao/IMG_7201_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="229" /></a></p> <p align="center">  building dams and channeling the water…<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wcxNfL6XcpI/TgAXdJWFyKI/AAAAAAAAAu0/qE6GnS3f4EI/s1600-h/IMG_71743.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7174" border="0" alt="IMG_7174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fzV0qy3pBEY/TgAXdhnFJII/AAAAAAAAAu4/oYgXQ5o5_Ig/IMG_7174_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="229" /></a></p> <p align="right">then destroying the dams and letting the water go… <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xXJDP5jL9xs/TgAXqMhlq7I/AAAAAAAAAu8/qSrk7GDvRaA/s1600-h/IMG_71983.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG_7198" border="0" alt="IMG_7198" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ErcJw5V5Ic8/TgAXr4CxX9I/AAAAAAAAAvA/HcgKBRHcbls/IMG_7198_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="229" /></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">Nobody was in a hurry to go.  Several other families came and went.  Looked at the waterfall for a few brief moments and then moved on.  I love how we get our guys to stop and look around.  There is so much more to see than what is obvious!  It is good to take time and explore a little deeper.  That is how we discovered the box turtle, the millipede, the frog way up under the rock…</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pfLvQ_-4ynE/TgAXvST4f1I/AAAAAAAAAvE/UXfWa0frFfk/s1600-h/IMG_71944.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7194" border="0" alt="IMG_7194" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k0a7iHsTgmA/TgAXxOhBDCI/AAAAAAAAAvI/Yem9WL60i8s/IMG_7194_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2KYszYTQTJA/TgAXxzxf3pI/AAAAAAAAAvM/jwpbtWUD1xU/s1600-h/IMG_71168.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7116" border="0" alt="IMG_7116" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RHgrTpWB5mE/TgAXyURpdUI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/r20sURGoJWk/IMG_7116_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fGllmWo3EEA/TgAX1mydgYI/AAAAAAAAAvU/YMGESXL5_Yw/s1600-h/IMG_71845.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7184" border="0" alt="IMG_7184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bDiGhKv7vuw/TgAX3Sy9pXI/AAAAAAAAAvY/TEz3v5Xwm0k/IMG_7184_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a> </p> <p align="left">TanMan and Braden climbed, moved rocks, threw rocks into the water, sat together helping each other, and walked up and down the creek.  When it was time to go, TanMan was the most reluctant.  He kept pointing back and saying “water”.  He did not want to leave.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eyA8gr6O0Z0/TgAXXyNyMJI/AAAAAAAAAwY/6Y2UczMWZSE/s1600-h/IMG_71604.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7160" border="0" alt="IMG_7160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ywPd55lKFXM/TgAX68n72OI/AAAAAAAAAvg/Mv3PAk9wIfY/IMG_7160_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Nova was a patient girl while we were playing around in the water.  She enjoyed watching everyone that came and went.  Even got quite a few pets from various folks.  That social lab that gets no attention from us!  =)</p> <p align="left">On the way back to the van, we made a few more stops…  Braden and Riley led the way…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hfYKxEVzRLg/TgAX_4lycfI/AAAAAAAAAvk/CBOo3K22ENg/s1600-h/IMG_72145.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7214" border="0" alt="IMG_7214" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z2I582MRkPs/TgAYOYAyZXI/AAAAAAAAAvo/K3rKOXD2vSQ/IMG_7214_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="338" /></a> </p> <p align="center">We checked out some stepping stones leading to a trail across the creek…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GiwaK3UsG6o/TgAYPK5YceI/AAAAAAAAAvs/j8Bv54uR2yg/s1600-h/IMG_72333.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7233" border="0" alt="IMG_7233" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IV9gNrHbGjY/TgAYRQQ_kiI/AAAAAAAAAvw/WkUv9wrgSC8/IMG_7233_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uBsXdDSHG9I/TgAYTwSp_uI/AAAAAAAAAv0/nFkMEsKImXU/s1600-h/IMG_72447.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7244" border="0" alt="IMG_7244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6NIGyaak1j4/TgAYUdnWPAI/AAAAAAAAAv4/_tZmgaYQDl8/IMG_7244_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342" /></a></p> <p align="center">TanMan, Ross, and Nova patiently waited while the other two boys <strike>got soaked </strike>discovered how quickly they could make it across the stepping stones and back again.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K5grpe9oUtE/TgAYXbqSHEI/AAAAAAAAAv8/Vl8O1GyGjGY/s1600-h/IMG_72513.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7251" border="0" alt="IMG_7251" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nJLR2puLfy8/TgAYY0oAOfI/AAAAAAAAAwA/QIoLDMQvTKk/IMG_7251_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p align="center">Then the boys discovered a GIANT earthworm as we walked to the van.  Everyone had to take a turn to hold it and check it out.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VBS5WdWT33c/TgAYbt_EX0I/AAAAAAAAAwE/beJF1wW5pHc/s1600-h/IMG_72543.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7254" border="0" alt="IMG_7254" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1JawT5_8V3Q/TgAYcVtwB2I/AAAAAAAAAwI/-R6wC1xz3vU/IMG_7254_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H7MQWDgqOl8/TgAYiOKplSI/AAAAAAAAAwM/cxdcRXxnKcc/s1600-h/IMG_72573.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7257" border="0" alt="IMG_7257" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jFffQK4Z5oA/TgAYmFX7xzI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/uy2cpL5tLnM/IMG_7257_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342" /></a></p> <p align="left">Finally we got everyone back in the van and went back to camp to pack up and head for home.  The boys are so ready for a longer trip!  Hopefully soon we can take a few days to go explore somewhere else!  Now that we have air conditioning, I can handle summer camping!  There will be many more trips to come!</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-81835681452562043602011-06-05T23:03:00.001-05:002011-06-05T23:03:00.314-05:00A Steaming Adventure!<p>What month is it?  What day?  I seem to have lost track.  It must be the end of July or the beginning of August the way things feel outside!  The pool is 88 degrees, the air is thick and muggy, and it is just plain hot!  Oh, but it is just the beginning of JUNE!  Wow this could be a long summer…  Hope that we have many more adventures like today to help it pass all the more quickly.</p> <p>What to do on a sultry summer day?????  Go on an adventure of course!  Today’s adventure was certainly a steamy one.  (Tee Hee)  Want to take a guess as to what we went to see today?  Need a couple of hints?  Well, lets see what we can come up with…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_z98v7GUxGo/TexQ6LW854I/AAAAAAAAAqo/Y2ILX1Vares/s1600-h/IMG_66476.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6647" border="0" alt="IMG_6647" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j_8y-UUZdSU/TexQ7UwgTiI/AAAAAAAAAqs/WXvT4qq-RT0/IMG_6647_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S7K8hN0pcwM/TexQ8C_WD_I/AAAAAAAAAqw/x2XxKmPZu9c/s1600-h/IMG_65616.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6561" border="0" alt="IMG_6561" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7pJXS8Kh0nM/TexQ8fMaqTI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Z1ce59da2V0/IMG_6561_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1jB35Sfp_gI/TexQ9WXJR8I/AAAAAAAAAq4/jFyg3TkHnqM/s1600-h/IMG_65636.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6563" border="0" alt="IMG_6563" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-87VyMWVaV98/TexQ95HeAnI/AAAAAAAAAq8/JPKXDexE6jM/IMG_6563_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZpGW_dz_4bs/TexQ-oqVNtI/AAAAAAAAArA/I8UDKifUhww/s1600-h/IMG_65933.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6593" border="0" alt="IMG_6593" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pY_XDXl8h78/TexQ_Kf5cUI/AAAAAAAAArE/rnrXYUdm1GU/IMG_6593_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a></p> <p align="center">Still need a few more hints?  No problem!!!!  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f2E62vvl0JY/TexQ_7qzQyI/AAAAAAAAArI/Xdyeq_RAy9Q/s1600-h/IMG_65643.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6564" border="0" alt="IMG_6564" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sHElSCHlEmg/TexRA_U6FdI/AAAAAAAAArM/VVci8hsL0_s/IMG_6564_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nUxdhHuIZGs/TexRB9MMUzI/AAAAAAAAArQ/UmSlfc2LVJc/s1600-h/IMG_66493.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6649" border="0" alt="IMG_6649" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u8hem0EUGmg/TexRCZRcQaI/AAAAAAAAArU/AUkW9-ujdJ4/IMG_6649_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--E83hNvootI/TexRC_BECLI/AAAAAAAAArY/4GyVimYsbas/s1600-h/IMG_65623.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6562" border="0" alt="IMG_6562" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gdg-ZbQ1QdE/TexRDaX0X7I/AAAAAAAAArc/lXrUwqZzVQ8/IMG_6562_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rwsX8nB-oXc/TexRD22hi3I/AAAAAAAAArg/zoy_IwESDeU/s1600-h/IMG_65663.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6566" border="0" alt="IMG_6566" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1I2bDdS44AM/TexREWNIipI/AAAAAAAAArk/ku1QHZ5TlI0/IMG_6566_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S-YajrvFpn8/TexRFEpfyaI/AAAAAAAAAro/e3U-5EV7A_4/s1600-h/IMG_65733.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6573" border="0" alt="IMG_6573" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wLyRDVk2ibY/TexRFSg_77I/AAAAAAAAArs/u9HBXTdWcHQ/IMG_6573_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m7T4uUG_bTM/TexRGHDoHrI/AAAAAAAAArw/u9OYjLu7nVc/s1600-h/IMG_65813.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6581" border="0" alt="IMG_6581" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5nXF3UTiZP0/TexRG9PzsCI/AAAAAAAAAr0/HBwKzM2cFh8/IMG_6581_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a></p> <p>Surely you have guessed by now.  We went to see a train today!!!!!!  But not just any ole’ train…  This was a massive steam engine that was produced in 1944.  The Union Pacific steam locomotive No. 844 was on display in Cape Girardeau today.  Cape Girardeau is one of several display stops that the steam engine will make as it continues its excursion from Cheyenne, WY to Little Rock, AR and back again.  What a cool sight for all of us!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ylJuHwVMyf8/TexRHtTBB8I/AAAAAAAAAr4/g0dznD3rFM0/s1600-h/IMG_66556.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6655" border="0" alt="IMG_6655" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-epj3mTrxMDA/TexRIrY5lEI/AAAAAAAAAr8/fR8k9Ine2Xs/IMG_6655_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="654" height="271" /></a></p> <p>Yep, you could walk right up to it, touch it, crane your neck to see the top.  We were all in AWE!  This thing was absolutely MASSIVE!!!!!!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t36BevFJ4VM/TexRJN_0MwI/AAAAAAAAAsA/--u_9YrhS9g/s1600-h/IMG_65583.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6558" border="0" alt="IMG_6558" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-05uXVJBB_Uw/TexRJzahJoI/AAAAAAAAAsE/qIK_XMoD9Uo/IMG_6558_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="304" /></a> We got to Cape right at the beginning of the official start time for the display today.  So glad we did!  There were a lot of people around already, and more and more folks coming in by the time we left.  An added bonus…  We got to ride on one of the university shuttle busses.  TanMan wasn’t so sure about that at first and really did not want to get on that bus with strange people and a guy driving that he did not know!  By the time we took our return bus to the van, he was loving it though.    </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3L64906QkoQ/TexRK4YFd1I/AAAAAAAAAsI/enUY73AKCM8/s1600-h/IMG_65684.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6568" border="0" alt="IMG_6568" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ieNRjbVNA_A/TexRLmQR23I/AAAAAAAAAsM/6FWh5Kq86uE/IMG_6568_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454" /></a> We walked from the front of the engine all the way to the end of the last car and back again.  You can see the structure behind the steam engine.  Added bonus number two…  The mighty Mississippi was directly behind the train.  We walked under the big new bridge that crosses the Mississippi from Cape Girardeau into Illinois.  With all the recent flooding Braden has been infatuated by the river, so he was almost excited about this as the train.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q8bfbL_dO_w/TexRNsnsluI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/aBvAbgc-DFs/s1600-h/IMG_66136.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6613" border="0" alt="IMG_6613" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZgCl0cvcjh4/TexRN5mnKdI/AAAAAAAAAsU/CIklQQfaxgM/IMG_6613_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JdvsXl02QFc/TexRO1XpM8I/AAAAAAAAAsY/pTcC3rdp-zI/s1600-h/IMG_66166.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6616" border="0" alt="IMG_6616" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mIf4FSGaSiE/TexRPbLwDLI/AAAAAAAAAsc/QNzxUJcMYsQ/IMG_6616_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a>  </p> <p align="left">After a short break to check out the river and watch a barge go past and under the bridge, we were all ready to go again.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IiE-7HKTX4k/TexRQgaQmCI/AAAAAAAAAsg/P5IVWShB6t8/s1600-h/IMG_65843.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6584" border="0" alt="IMG_6584" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZTf-mWvuGWM/TexRSXbWMRI/AAAAAAAAAsk/QwHD_usIk5A/IMG_6584_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454" /></a></p> <p align="left">There was so much to take in, the boys just couldn’t decide what to pay attention to.  Obviously they were not too concerned with me at all.  The are getting used to me taking tons of pictures and usually just ignore me and my camera.  =)  Look at how huge those wheels are!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3LRzJUJ8ZTU/TexRS5fODII/AAAAAAAAAso/_cIvWFYakrk/s1600-h/IMG_66354.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6635" border="0" alt="IMG_6635" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YtbUbiWXhc8/TexRTaWMLFI/AAAAAAAAAss/Gzz5ziE1EKk/IMG_6635_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="254" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Massive chains, wheels, and so many parts!  One guy commented, "…if something were to go wrong, where would you even start?”   Good point.  Again we were just awed by the size of the engine.  There were several cars along with the engines.  One car was set up with souvenir sales, but that was the only car open for people to go into.  The rest of the cars were for the crew that travels with the train.  This particular excursion lasts for about 5 weeks.  They left Cheyenne, WY on May 27th and are scheduled to return on July 2nd or 3rd.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wBq4npacYTM/TexRUf1HDgI/AAAAAAAAAsw/cIEAhhWeeEI/s1600-h/IMG_65923.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6592" border="0" alt="IMG_6592" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-593l8pPAD-A/TexRWFYkEjI/AAAAAAAAAs0/QdNiimWFCmc/IMG_6592_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vzU-SCOL3yw/TexRW5aVxNI/AAAAAAAAAs4/lkC9Eh5gCPE/s1600-h/IMG_65773.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6577" border="0" alt="IMG_6577" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DQBYeVQtRUI/TexRXVqqOgI/AAAAAAAAAs8/3A6By4JaeAY/IMG_6577_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MQQRdIzRa40/TexRYPRUMyI/AAAAAAAAAtA/t5jTCzdFqpE/s1600-h/IMG_66333.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6633" border="0" alt="IMG_6633" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E_suPV-JDeM/TexRZFbTBKI/AAAAAAAAAtE/3aNw6p6Gp0Q/IMG_6633_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P-Eu_qw_4rY/TexRbIDz_3I/AAAAAAAAAtI/zcce81075Gs/s1600-h/IMG_65944.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6594" border="0" alt="IMG_6594" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ajlASucDFpc/TexRbRS4A0I/AAAAAAAAAtM/Oii5_M6pwO4/IMG_6594_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Oe1c7a1Wocg/TexRcaXkaoI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/8Sirv1TDFlk/s1600-h/IMG_66205.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6620" border="0" alt="IMG_6620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y9l897iH4V8/TexRc30A_CI/AAAAAAAAAtU/NSwyImhpgpQ/IMG_6620_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a></p> <p>After checking out the train for a while, we took the shuttle bus back to the van, took a drive across the Mississippi river and back again, and then we spent most of the rest of the day in Cape shopping, before we came home to let the boys get in the pool for the first time this summer.  The whole family had a great time!!!!!!</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-19285324222474216322011-05-23T14:04:00.001-05:002011-05-23T14:04:51.969-05:00Our Palomino<p>We have been wanting one of these for quite some time now!  The whole family should have a blast with our new palomino!!!!  It should add a new element to some of our outdoor adventures.  Let me give you a little preview of our recent addition to Glenn Acres…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvV4uEEFI/AAAAAAAAApc/aEItYQidrhw/s1600-h/IMG_63846.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6384" border="0" alt="IMG_6384" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvXJp0rvI/AAAAAAAAApg/XB27WRMA4Vc/IMG_6384_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="603" height="404" /></a></p> <p>What?  That is not what you were thinking of?  You thought it would be more golden in color?  Maybe a little softer?  Well it isn’t that kind of palomino.  We didn’t get a horse.  Maybe one day, but not now.  Our neighbors have one of those palominos in the pasture along the drive, so we can already enjoy watching her every day.  =)</p> <p> </p> <p align="center">We did get this palomino though!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvYJ5xnbI/AAAAAAAAApk/_OInrJQUaww/s1600-h/IMG_63654.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6365" border="0" alt="IMG_6365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvZNksmLI/AAAAAAAAApo/HFgO7lT5ffY/IMG_6365_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>After “losing” another spring camping season to uncooperative weather conditions, we found the perfect solution.  As much as our family loves to camp, I have never been big on the whole summer tent camping adventure.  Too hot and muggy where most of our trips take us.  Makes it just a little miserable for everyone which then sometimes leads to grumpy, grumbly, grouchy family members.  Time for a change.</p> <p>We have talked about getting a little camper of some kind for a long time now.  We finally found one that fit our needs perfect at this point in our life.  This is a 2000 model that is in excellent condition inside and out, has A/C, will sleep the five of us and Nova pretty comfortably, and will allow us to have most of our gear packed up and ready to go.  Perfect!   </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvZ7v7vvI/AAAAAAAAAps/zzPU05nz8MU/s1600-h/IMG_63634.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6363" border="0" alt="IMG_6363" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvaZ_WF-I/AAAAAAAAApw/HrWLAku4EEU/IMG_6363_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="179" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvmXNDBAI/AAAAAAAAAp0/cWdPyOgX3HY/s1600-h/IMG_63784.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6378" border="0" alt="IMG_6378" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvnF1hbSI/AAAAAAAAAp4/J4aP1BqdRsw/IMG_6378_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="179" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvqGxCLmI/AAAAAAAAAp8/wsW9SpHwl7Q/s1600-h/IMG_63933.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6393" border="0" alt="IMG_6393" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Tdqvr86YCTI/AAAAAAAAAqA/C16mGZUwLg0/IMG_6393_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="179" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Tdqvs8gvpRI/AAAAAAAAAqE/-Mkje3x13f8/s1600-h/IMG_63803.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6380" border="0" alt="IMG_6380" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvtQUSUrI/AAAAAAAAAqI/4P1KFn6YFRo/IMG_6380_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="266" height="179" /></a>  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvuSMGGwI/AAAAAAAAAqM/jOD4WO2QOYg/s1600-h/IMG_63754.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6375" border="0" alt="IMG_6375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvvB-ORcI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/hvh40mNlxhQ/IMG_6375_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="260" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Tdqvv52q_mI/AAAAAAAAAqU/sYAsO3xzF0s/s1600-h/IMG_63834.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6383" border="0" alt="IMG_6383" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TdqvwgnijRI/AAAAAAAAAqY/hqdW8tBtlms/IMG_6383_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="260" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Tdqv0FDD21I/AAAAAAAAAqc/yX42OJFdAxk/s1600-h/IMG_63904.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6390" border="0" alt="IMG_6390" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Tdqv0pefyJI/AAAAAAAAAqg/P4IIwp5PWrc/IMG_6390_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="260" /></a></p> <p align="left">The boys were so excited to see how everything worked.  They were not two steps away from Ross as he set it up here at the house the first time.  Or the second time for that matter…  None of them missed a thing!  By the time Ross was ready to take it back down to put it away before we got some rain, Tanner was putting the handle for the crank where it was supposed to go to lower the roof.  Think he didn’t pay attention.  He has such determination for such a little guy.  Riley and Braden got to hang out and read a book and play UNO in the camper for a while.  Some good brother bonding time and practice for rainy camping days.  We even spent a night in the camper over the weekend.  The boys all seemed to sleep good.  I think Ross and I would have slept better had the stray beagle dogs not ended up chasing rabbits through our driveway during the middle of the night.</p> <p align="left">Now we can’t wait to try it out somewhere else.  Wonder where our first adventure will take us?????  Hmmm…</p> <p align="right"><font color="#008000" size="7" face="French Script MT">Amber</font></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-57913243411435978032011-04-15T23:27:00.001-05:002011-04-15T23:27:20.373-05:00Another Trip to Town…<p>Remember when I just said that you have to keep an open mind to find exciting things and that you just never know what you might find around that next corner, or through the next stoplight?  Well…  Here is another perfect example of opportunity awaiting when you least expect it.</p> <p>It was just another ordinary Friday evening.  We were watching our friend’s girls tonight and decided to treat all the kids to a meal at BK.  We loaded up all five kids just after the pop-up storms passed through the area.  The clouds were thinning and the sun was starting to shine.  Off we go.  It isn’t too far into town.  The kids were having a good time chit chatting in the back singing made up songs and talking about 1st grade and 4 year old things.  The younger two were just giggling at all the big kids had to say and sing about.</p> <p>Just as we pulled up to the stoplight in town, we saw it!  Ross made a quick lane change and we took a detour to see this unusual sight.  Here are some clues…  Can you guess what our town trek discovery was this evening?  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakUYRDtfpI/AAAAAAAAAn8/XZv-xcE4BFQ/s1600-h/IMAG02154.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0215" border="0" alt="IMAG0215" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakUZNqHCtI/AAAAAAAAAoA/KwSaeRVefY4/IMAG0215_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="274" /></a></p> <p align="center">It was sleek and colorful!  Like a bright golden sun. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakUZvjVgMI/AAAAAAAAAoE/T4_mp2Ek0YM/s1600-h/IMAG02053.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0205" border="0" alt="IMAG0205" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakUaJnqJBI/AAAAAAAAAoI/eX85Ff2Xtkc/IMAG0205_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="454" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Many aerodynamic curves.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakXPttf_8I/AAAAAAAAAoM/PTco8l7-KsE/s1600-h/IMAG02133.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0213" border="0" alt="IMAG0213" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakXVo9UGMI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/Tu2JRlz3yFg/IMAG0213_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="274" /></a></p> <p align="center">Personalized license plate in the front window?  Hmm…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakZUi_uLNI/AAAAAAAAAoU/LbRt1aj_uhI/s1600-h/IMAG02083.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0208" border="0" alt="IMAG0208" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakZVX2qY4I/AAAAAAAAAoY/B9E-qgoy38Y/IMAG0208_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="274" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Looks kinda like a space ship cockpit.  </p> <p align="center">Got it yet?  Any guesses?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakZXUPQLAI/AAAAAAAAAoc/HKhNnzvodQ8/s1600-h/IMAG02063.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0206" border="0" alt="IMAG0206" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakZa7ReP7I/AAAAAAAAAog/ZXgfAPscAB8/IMAG0206_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="454" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Man I was hungry!  I mean we came to town to eat.  Maybe we should have just grilled some hot dogs.  I didn’t think we would ever make it to Burger King.  Have you given up yet????  Here ya go, the giveaway pics!  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakaA5N0bgI/AAAAAAAAAok/0rZKoYfFlFE/s1600-h/IMAG02124.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0212" border="0" alt="IMAG0212" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakaGFQrk9I/AAAAAAAAAoo/PQ5l0cPR4iM/IMAG0212_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="169" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakajI9NN0I/AAAAAAAAAos/9N9foUsyG50/s1600-h/IMAG02074.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0207" border="0" alt="IMAG0207" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakajVRw_TI/AAAAAAAAAow/lszGMSIuvUM/IMAG0207_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="169" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Takajxi39nI/AAAAAAAAAo0/_vAJxwKWTWg/s1600-h/IMAG02103.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0210" border="0" alt="IMAG0210" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakakS-sZGI/AAAAAAAAAo4/i_Ew44Dp9Ng/IMAG0210_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="454" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Takalm2eBcI/AAAAAAAAAo8/XAIcjx-zHGk/s1600-h/IMAG02174.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0217" border="0" alt="IMAG0217" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakamM8qR5I/AAAAAAAAApA/kQjXyiMmySs/IMAG0217_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="169" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Takam3xRC7I/AAAAAAAAApE/jI4JBQYFS7c/s1600-h/IMAG02094.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0209" border="0" alt="IMAG0209" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakanKrht4I/AAAAAAAAApI/lj7uhITjn-0/IMAG0209_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="169" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Takan14KbKI/AAAAAAAAApM/uUkse_cXZRA/s1600-h/IMAG02113.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0211" border="0" alt="IMAG0211" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakaoJkAP6I/AAAAAAAAApQ/Cy-XNfWszEg/IMAG0211_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TakapOVyQgI/AAAAAAAAApU/BY3-Wjb_Z0c/s1600-h/IMAG02025.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMAG0202" border="0" alt="IMAG0202" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/Takapzj1vpI/AAAAAAAAApY/TKfwNdStFQo/IMAG0202_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="334" /></a> </p> <p align="center">It isn’t everyday you get to stand next to the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile!  To think, I almost changed my mind and fixed supper at home tonight with all the rain that was passing through the area.  Glad we once again went on one of our close to home adventures to town.  </p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-23834997723941259802011-04-14T14:18:00.001-05:002011-04-14T14:26:35.274-05:00Just Another Trip to Town…<p>This winter, we took many weekend trips to town.  Picking up groceries, heading to the man mall (a.k.a. Lowes), eating at McDonalds.  You know, just ordinary stuff.  Most of the time however, these trips include some fun sights.  We have watched army helicopters land at the little airport in town, seen a HUGE semi truck in an abandoned parking lot (I think it had over 30 tires on the rig!), picked up a few geocaches, gone to the farmers market, bought a couple of rabbits, and the list goes on and on and on.  </p> <p>Now that I have my sometimes smarter than me Android phone, I am able to document more of these everyday moments.  Here are a couple of collages that I put together on my new PhotoGrid Android app then emailed to myself so that I could post it here.  Really like this app so far.  Amazing what phones can do today!  Amazing what all this technology can do!  You know, I never even used email until I was out of college a couple of years!  So many changes in such a short time.  Imagine telling these guys about the days when I was a kid and the phone was attached to the wall with a cord and you could not leave the house to talk.  Since the phone is our go to communication to keep in touch with family across the miles, I think that will be more amazing to my guys than life without so many of the other modern conveniences.</p> <p>Here are the men planning out their manly irrigation system for this year’s garden.  Plants will go in soon.  Very soon!  TanMan did take a little extra time to peruse the many options for painting his room now that his crib is gone.  Yep, no more baby bed for this big guy!  Time to put together a bigger boy room now.  Out with the yellow stripes (it isn’t as bad as it sounds!) and in with the new…  He hasn’t picked the new color yet.  =)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TadId3KTGOI/AAAAAAAAAns/giaDk8SvMTU/s1600-h/Lowescollage3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Lowes collage" border="0" alt="Lowes collage" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TadIe6OL7vI/AAAAAAAAAnw/ZSvmfG7__y4/Lowescollage_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="648" /></a> </p> <p>On our way to Wal-mart, we had to detour to the next door parking lot to take a look at these mighty machines.  Guess their drivers were eating lunch.  The boys were all in awe, and walked around and around the trucks to take in every detail.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TadIf11FkRI/AAAAAAAAAn0/pRr6bBe2cnM/s1600-h/Firetruckcollage6.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Fire truck collage" border="0" alt="Fire truck collage" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TadIhGzpE5I/AAAAAAAAAn4/PS3X1xTfFgY/Firetruckcollage_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="649" /></a></p> <p>Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life.  To focus on the mundane tasks.  To think that life is boring.  Simple trips to town like this are a good reminder that there is excitement and opportunity everywhere you look.  Sometimes you just have to remember to branch outside the box to find those moments.  It helps to be looking at the world with the youthful eyes of our little guys too!  Search to find ways to overlook the mundane of your world too.  Let us know what you discover on your next adventure to get groceries!</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-61288409972515728752011-04-07T14:05:00.001-05:002011-04-07T14:05:25.981-05:00Lego Mania<p>Yes, we have hit that stage…  The age of legos!  The boys have scored big in lego sets between Christmas and Birthdays.  Many afternoons are spent building, and building, and building.  And once in a while creations are taken apart, pieces to be used for a new creation.  Last weekend we opened a couple of more new sets and built a fire rescue brigade.  Braden and I built a fire boat, and Riley built the fire rescue truck.  Braden’s approach is to grab a little life boat and a mini figure and play at the table as I do the rest.  Every few minutes he checks my progress and goes back to his guys.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K2WnKbiI/AAAAAAAAAnE/801DGlAPfnk/s1600-h/IMG_12535.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1253" border="0" alt="IMG_1253" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K3CuHKmI/AAAAAAAAAnI/uqtm4n7RJSM/IMG_1253_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="229" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Legos are right up Riley’s alley.  He loves the detail of putting something together and does great at following along with the instructions.  He is determined and focused.  He likes seeing the finished product.  He then likes to take things apart and rebuild it.  All is good unless someone (a.k.a. Dad) has made modifications to the original.  That throws him off.  We are working to encourage him to create his own ideas and be flexible with substituting pieces if he can’t find the exact one the instructions show.  He will get it…  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K39I2o0I/AAAAAAAAAnM/ud87ixzgBFc/s1600-h/IMG_51723.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5172" border="0" alt="IMG_5172" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K4aXQpKI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/ApmXjpWfzrY/IMG_5172_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Of course, once the build is finished it is time to play!  We had quite the entourage of lego rescue vehicles in the living room.  I felt quite safe!  (TeeHee)  TanMan even gets in on the action once he wakes up from his naps.  (Most lego building is done while TanMan sleeps.  He has a tendency to latch on to a handful of legos and stake claim to them, not wanting to give them up for ANY reason whatsoever!)  He grabbed a little life boat and fought with Braden over a couple of guys, then was content to play along with the big boys.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K5d2tyqI/AAAAAAAAAnU/qd6iQtqPpAU/s1600-h/IMG_51863.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5186" border="0" alt="IMG_5186" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K51oq1wI/AAAAAAAAAnY/447o3FTb4iA/IMG_5186_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Braden just grabbed his helicopter and headed off on his own.  Easier than having that pesky little <strike>bother</strike> brother following him around. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K675c7ZI/AAAAAAAAAnc/aRCZU2TSo2E/s1600-h/IMG_51703.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5170" border="0" alt="IMG_5170" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K738AP0I/AAAAAAAAAng/oCxZDnkDYsQ/IMG_5170_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404" /></a>  </p> <p align="center">See…  Quite the crew!  Perserverance and determination resulted in one mega fire boat, one ladder truck, three helicopters, and a rescue truck.  Not bad for a couple of hours of building.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K855aRKI/AAAAAAAAAnk/hdI4V0jAivg/s1600-h/IMG_51823.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5182" border="0" alt="IMG_5182" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZ4K9aVrnVI/AAAAAAAAAno/Awv70iD-8gM/IMG_5182_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-17445195958042813942011-04-04T21:39:00.001-05:002011-04-04T21:39:24.478-05:00Celebrations<p align="left">Spring is a busy time here, full of celebrations.  Once Christmas is over, the craziness of birthdays begins.  First TanMan, then Braden, and Riley.  Three birthdays over the course of 7 weeks.  (Even their dad has a birthday just 3 weeks later!)  My spring boys…  Thank goodness these guys are good friends as well as brothers and we can finish off with a bigger combined party.  Makes life a little easier, at least for now.  I am sure that one year soon, the boys will each want their own day.  We will cross that bridge when it comes.  We usually do a small cake for each of the earlier birthday boys on their actual birthday too.  That way they get a little celebrating in on their own birthday.</p> <p align="left"><strong>First was TanMan’s 2nd birthday…</strong>  I posted a brief couple of pictures last time too.  Tanner wanted a train cake.  He loves Thomas and all trains in general!  We are going to have to take another ride on the amtrak sometime.  Maybe a trek from Central IL to Chicago???  Hmm…  We will have to see what we can work out for that one.  He was excited to tell everyone that he is two.  He spent much time trying to get his fingers to work so that he can show the world he is two!  I can’t believe what a big boy he is now.  He never really wanted to be a baby.  He had keeping up to do.  No time for that little baby stuff!  He is now potty trained, sleeping on his new big boy bed, and playing with all the big boy toys.  Where did my baby go?  He will be in college in the blink of an eye!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAi8eICzI/AAAAAAAAAlE/hjJnsPaMa8A/s1600-h/IMG_46723.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4672" border="0" alt="IMG_4672" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAjRQKibI/AAAAAAAAAlI/wEwaKoXba8I/IMG_4672_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAkFeyIrI/AAAAAAAAAlM/5qNvjIpmiFs/s1600-h/IMG_46713.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4671" border="0" alt="IMG_4671" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAknPcz4I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/puKW8aNLs_0/IMG_4671_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a>  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAkxSroqI/AAAAAAAAAlU/aKCp5iUi8Tk/s1600-h/IMG_46995.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4699" border="0" alt="IMG_4699" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAlT5LEKI/AAAAAAAAAlY/_SZLe3JQ6zk/IMG_4699_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404" /></a></p> <p align="left"> <strong>Next came Braden’s 4th Birthday!  </strong>Did I already say that these guys are growing up too fast?  YEAH????  Well… I just said it again.  Braden got to help me decorate his cake.  We did a dinosaur cake with a river running across it.  Most of the time Ross does the cakes, but we decided that Braden and I would attempt this one.  It was fun.  Braden helped me figure out where to put the river, picked out dinos to put on the cake, and then placed most of the dinosaurs himself.  He was proud of his work.  That evening we went to McDonald’s for dinner so that he could have his favorite chicken nuggets, and then came back for cake and nutty bars.  He was ecstatic about his special night.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAmGGDG-I/AAAAAAAAAlc/GYxerw336fg/s1600-h/IMG_499814.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4998" border="0" alt="IMG_4998" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAmnxlU5I/AAAAAAAAAlg/T2JEkEvO8xk/IMG_4998_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="404" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAnnT_iKI/AAAAAAAAAlk/ommYRU_Yl28/s1600-h/IMG_49923.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4992" border="0" alt="IMG_4992" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAo39s80I/AAAAAAAAAlo/biyTogkB3j0/IMG_4992_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqApfjJxZI/AAAAAAAAAls/m5GLzS-C0yc/s1600-h/IMG_50143.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5014" border="0" alt="IMG_5014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAp4gVhvI/AAAAAAAAAlw/zoUYPII4azM/IMG_5014_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqArS-9HBI/AAAAAAAAAl0/lEAnEINT8Kk/s1600-h/IMG_50173.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5017" border="0" alt="IMG_5017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqArnoXpCI/AAAAAAAAAl4/cO5gBjuCcSI/IMG_5017_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAsUkwRCI/AAAAAAAAAl8/B0NSt_7-5lA/s1600-h/IMG_50213.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5021" border="0" alt="IMG_5021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAsvasa_I/AAAAAAAAAmA/9_TwfoXWA24/IMG_5021_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a></p> <p align="left"> <strong>Finally came Riley’s 7th birthday, and the boys’ combined birthday party!  </strong>Riley and Braden decided together quite a while back that they wanted a wildlife themed party.  After we looked at many ideas for cakes and decorations, we decided on a camping/wildlife theme.  It worked out great.  Ross and I used teamwork to tackle this cake.  He baked it and did the base green icing.  I put on the river, and border.  Then we both worked to add the finishing touches-rocks in the river, a tent, campfire, log benches, and plants all around the campsite.  The trees were the only thing that were not edible.  We even let people eat the rocks.  Great Grandma Pogue got quite the kick out of that one.  I think I am going to have to find her some rocks of her own to eat.</p> <p align="left">The boys got to invite some friends and we invited a few family friends too.  Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandma Pogue were all able to come for the weekend too.  It was a good party.  Just wish it would have been warmer so that we could have spent some time outside too.  Oh-well, maybe next year.  </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAtCYVVII/AAAAAAAAAmE/Mif0B7QFeGE/s1600-h/IMG_510312.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5103" border="0" alt="IMG_5103" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAuHEcDhI/AAAAAAAAAmI/eYjQJ5yekko/IMG_5103_thumb17.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="282" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAu_MFxeI/AAAAAAAAAmM/zg_IbW_LNkw/s1600-h/IMG_50913.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5091" border="0" alt="IMG_5091" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAvfj1l4I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/su46cr4YU74/IMG_5091_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAwR-Wz8I/AAAAAAAAAmU/H-T4eU-L0vw/s1600-h/IMG_50933.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5093" border="0" alt="IMG_5093" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAwuo6X2I/AAAAAAAAAmY/pr_z4Dl3Lj0/IMG_5093_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAxOyGNVI/AAAAAAAAAmc/HGqF0v8vnWQ/s1600-h/IMG_50944.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5094" border="0" alt="IMG_5094" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAxlU8FuI/AAAAAAAAAmg/PhdI3tMlrME/IMG_5094_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAyUvUj9I/AAAAAAAAAmk/yuwC0ZMpoNM/s1600-h/IMG_50963.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5096" border="0" alt="IMG_5096" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAyiqKiYI/AAAAAAAAAmo/tcBcY5zR2gY/IMG_5096_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAzUZC_iI/AAAAAAAAAms/Vn--WezFhWA/s1600-h/IMG_50974.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5097" border="0" alt="IMG_5097" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqAz5a8keI/AAAAAAAAAmw/HKteqDLXDR4/IMG_5097_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="206" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqA0lIwM7I/AAAAAAAAAm0/K9qgtDtZijs/s1600-h/IMG_50993.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5099" border="0" alt="IMG_5099" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqA1CI8oJI/AAAAAAAAAm4/v9TjmH_Zzfg/IMG_5099_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqA2v0htwI/AAAAAAAAAm8/QfqlIU7jwi4/s1600-h/IMG_51013.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_5101" border="0" alt="IMG_5101" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TZqA2-tXzBI/AAAAAAAAAnA/spf-4_8mq9s/IMG_5101_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Now it is time for much exploring for the spring.  I am so looking forward to days spent outside as we meander around our backyard and beyond.  </p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-33043021098623145912011-03-14T15:03:00.001-05:002011-03-14T15:03:27.695-05:00A Giant Adventure…<p>Wow!  We have had a busy few weeks.  I was going to show what we did this weekend, but I still have to figure out how to get my pictures off of my new phone.  Not sure if I have the right cable to connect to the computer, so I might have to email myself the pics that I was going to share with you from our trip to town.  Technology…</p> <p>So instead we are going to take a blast back to the very, very recent past…  Sunday, March 6, 2011…</p> <p>The weather had been cold, damp, and dreary.  The weather forecast was promising for this day though.  Sunny and mid to upper 40’s says the weather man.  Braden has been wanting to go on a picnic and take a picnic basket.  Why not?  We haven’t been to Southern IL for a while.  Let’s get up and go in the morning.  4:30 pm, decision made.  </p> <p>6:30 am, Morning comes, we look out the window.  Where is the sun?  Where is the inkling of warmth?  It is coming, it is coming.  Pack a picnic lunch, grab some coats, camera ready, head out the door.  Load up kiddos, load up dog, load up us.  Roll on down the drive.  The boys have no clue where we are going, just that we must be going to have a picnic.  Fun!  </p> <p>Driving along, we look out the window.  Where is the sun?  Where is the inkling of warmth?  It is coming, it is coming.  We arrive at our destination.  Lunch now, or hike first?  It is still cold, lets hike first.  Everyone will be ready to eat by the time we get done.  Everyone is rearing to go at this point.  It is still cold, bundle up boys!  Coats, gloves, hats… A hiking we will go!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xSvBiS_I/AAAAAAAAAi0/U4xxZ3X3hTg/s1600-h/IMG_49123.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4912" border="0" alt="IMG_4912" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xTE6OpxI/AAAAAAAAAi4/6FtPEtWxM2M/IMG_4912_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xVP7C3yI/AAAAAAAAAi8/6SfC3PUk3p8/s1600-h/IMG_49103.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4910" border="0" alt="IMG_4910" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xVoEu6MI/AAAAAAAAAjA/9hxjGt2AURk/IMG_4910_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> </p> <p align="center">TanMan and I headed up the rear of the pack.  The bigger guys and Nova darted on ahead.  There were rocks to climb, clues to find, adventure awaiting.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xXq12TQI/AAAAAAAAAjE/bu7OjWRpGLM/s1600-h/IMG_49143.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4914" border="0" alt="IMG_4914" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xYC2RpfI/AAAAAAAAAjI/kW4AlhJ9v00/IMG_4914_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xYjVFn9I/AAAAAAAAAjM/DR6V8XaZW58/s1600-h/IMG_49193.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4919" border="0" alt="IMG_4919" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xZkX-PaI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/j6AbwtmXRV0/IMG_4919_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a></p> <p align="center">There is always time to take a moment and share a cool find with your brothers, or take the more adventurous route to see what lies ahead of us. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xbddrcNI/AAAAAAAAAjU/vIg2H7II41E/s1600-h/IMG_4924%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4924" border="0" alt="IMG_4924" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xb14zWUI/AAAAAAAAAjY/idjmbYhmLPQ/IMG_4924_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="270" /></a></p> <p align="center">And when you reach the top, take another moment to hang out with your buddies.</p> <p align="center">As we trudge on, I look around.  Still cloudy, still cold.  Where is the sun?  Where is the inkling of warmth?  It is coming, it is coming.  I certainly hope…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xcyhm3cI/AAAAAAAAAjc/WluJ2aPA-LU/s1600-h/IMG_1166%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1166" border="0" alt="IMG_1166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xd4EkosI/AAAAAAAAAjg/N52Iuds3jkg/IMG_1166_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Whoa!  Look at this!  Can we move it.  Riley recruits his strapping little brothers to help him out, and they didn’t budge it one little bit!  But, they sure gave it a go.  I think it might take a bit more to get that log further off the trail.  Maybe that is why it is still there.  ;)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xen2ha3I/AAAAAAAAAjk/hcO9lb43bRc/s1600-h/IMG_11643.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1164" border="0" alt="IMG_1164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xfTkOV6I/AAAAAAAAAjo/sS2KIbdmFfA/IMG_1164_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xgcPTASI/AAAAAAAAAjs/FQttSIcZZFE/s1600-h/IMG_11693.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1169" border="0" alt="IMG_1169" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xhFWgu9I/AAAAAAAAAjw/4IxIqwojgpQ/IMG_1169_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a>  </p> <p align="center">Someone was getting tired, and cold, and had worn out little legs.  Daddy saved the day and carried him the rest of the way.  A catch twenty two though…  This led to getting colder than everyone else.  Those muscles weren’t getting used, made for a cold little man by the end of our little one mile hike.  We trudged on.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xi8jVTnI/AAAAAAAAAj0/w0maFipOFAQ/s1600-h/IMG_1175%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1175" border="0" alt="IMG_1175" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xjuilmEI/AAAAAAAAAj4/XoYgbNEkqb8/IMG_1175_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a></p> <p align="center">Giant City State Park near Carbondale, IL is such an awesome area!  We love to come hiking and camping here.  So lucky to have this spot so close to home.  We can be here within an hour.  So many areas to explore close to home…  We have vowed to do these kinds of trips more this year.  It is awesome to watch the expressions from the boys while they explore.  Even when it is cold.  </p> <p align="center">I looked away from my camera…  Where is the sun?  Where is the inkling of warmth?  It is coming, it is coming.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xkl29U3I/AAAAAAAAAj8/X1xNMYq3Am0/s1600-h/IMG_11733.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1173" border="0" alt="IMG_1173" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xlL8JQvI/AAAAAAAAAkA/F-KPL0JnfX8/IMG_1173_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5xmG12tbI/AAAAAAAAAkE/8AbQKqX-ZpA/s1600-h/IMG_11883.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1188" border="0" alt="IMG_1188" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX5zPTihHWI/AAAAAAAAAkI/DXYBt-BYBKc/IMG_1188_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50SujROiI/AAAAAAAAAkM/b07_yhDoqyg/s1600-h/IMG_11803.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1180" border="0" alt="IMG_1180" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50TisnSTI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/NuenMhvVaCQ/IMG_1180_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="303" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50VzIzlCI/AAAAAAAAAkU/AX6jxIMokVU/s1600-h/IMG_11901.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1190" border="0" alt="IMG_1190" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50W64mhqI/AAAAAAAAAkY/pdW4_5mKoQk/IMG_1190_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a> </p> <p align="left">After stopping at the “alligator rock” near the end of the trail, we continued on down the last stretch of trail and finished up our hike.  </p> <p align="left">Everyone was cold.  And hungry.  And cold.  And thirsty.  And cold.  (oh, did I already mention that?!?!?!)  Time for our picnic on this sunny, bit warmer day.  Darn it, the weather man lied!  You shouldn’t lie ya know?  Anyway…  We now had tears, maybe wails, from TanMan (he was cold, and he does not like to be cold, and he lets his unhappiness be known very loudly!) We had other cold, hungry boys.  But a picnic we shall still have!  TanMan and I gathered our rations from the picnic basket and hopped in the van with the heat cranked as we sent the others on their way.  They headed to the pavilion to have a picnic, at the picnic tables, with the picnic basket.  Hardcore folks. Hardcore.  Little bit of cold is not stopping this crew!  They shivered and scarfed their food down and then came back to pile into the nice, cozy, warm van to finish their picnic.  We stopped in the little visitor center at the park, grabbed a geocache, and finished thawing out a bit before we headed home.</p> <p align="left">But that is not all, folks.  Oh, no…</p> <p align="left">I was still looking around…  Where is the sun?  Where is the inkling of warmth?  It is coming, it is coming.</p> <p align="left">It was at home!!!!!!  Who knew!!!  That sun and little bit of warmth was waiting for us in our own backyard!  So we took advantage and got a teeny bit of yard work done.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50a4Qiw2I/AAAAAAAAAkc/0Jehe0BqsP8/s1600-h/IMG_11983.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1198" border="0" alt="IMG_1198" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50bmtv1GI/AAAAAAAAAkg/Utwy8w-_nSM/IMG_1198_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Goodbye little dogwood tree.  I will miss you so.  You just could not endure the drought from last summer.  Goodbye little pine tree.  You also did not fare well…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50cySsPaI/AAAAAAAAAkk/yqj0DvYJ1gM/s1600-h/IMG_12061.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1206" border="0" alt="IMG_1206" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50dQRWL-I/AAAAAAAAAko/5rTh7GAXuSc/IMG_1206_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50fzXaikI/AAAAAAAAAks/w_ZgVYRBFnE/s1600-h/IMG_12001.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1200" border="0" alt="IMG_1200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50gHAOMHI/AAAAAAAAAkw/5X5E1IOiAFA/IMG_1200_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50hCgftQI/AAAAAAAAAk0/vdS_n4ymHXA/s1600-h/IMG_12041.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1204" border="0" alt="IMG_1204" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50hz9AlyI/AAAAAAAAAk4/DSoOO0f5wYs/IMG_1204_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a></p> <p align="center">Of course this job meant getting the old Case out, and getting the old Case out means rides for boys, and that makes everyone forget being cold.  We will have another picnic and hike on another warmer day soon.  Ross always says that good things come to those who wait, so we will just have to wait a little longer.</p> <p align="left">You know what I love about my guys?  That no matter what the conditions might be, they trudge on and are such troopers.  Despite my repeated reminder of how cold it was, everyone had a blast!!!!!!!!!  These guys are the greatest in the world!  I am glad that the four of them are mine!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50iayNnUI/AAAAAAAAAk8/wIRbOO40kAM/s1600-h/GiantCityphonepic7.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Giant City-phone pic" border="0" alt="Giant City-phone pic" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TX50jlF6KoI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ZnPSXSm7fjA/GiantCityphonepic_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="504" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Looking forward to spring days and  more adventures for 2011!</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-34447264025914287142011-03-05T22:11:00.001-06:002011-03-05T22:11:07.730-06:00The Lost Month<p>Yeah, so I guess I didn’t do so good about posting often again!  Oops!  We have had plenty going on, and I have gotten plenty of computer time.  I have no excuse, just procrastination.  I cannot believe that it is already March!!!!!!  Where in the world does time go?  Anyway, here is a bit of a recap from my lost month of blogging.</p> <p>1.  <strong>Braden’s surgery</strong>—Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJHz7S2sI/AAAAAAAAAhI/KtGY38lybJ8/s1600-h/IMG_08784.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0878" border="0" alt="IMG_0878" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJIP2VREI/AAAAAAAAAhM/YxIwVDRYIQ8/IMG_0878_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="213" height="244" /></a>  Braden had huge tonsils for a while!  We got him in to see and ENT, and the Dr. basically took one look and said “How soon do you want them out?”  We ended up at the surgical center 6 days later.  Nice to have something move along so quickly in the medical field.  He recovered pretty quickly.  After a couple of days of being pretty wiped out, he was soon back to his active self.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJJNuWRJI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/hpI00A--cvk/s1600-h/IMG_09093.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0909" border="0" alt="IMG_0909" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJJTSh-eI/AAAAAAAAAhU/mD7XmwdEHJA/IMG_0909_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="192" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJKStFXuI/AAAAAAAAAhY/WvtcPzhXf7M/s1600-h/IMG_09013.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0901" border="0" alt="IMG_0901" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJKmAUEOI/AAAAAAAAAhc/CRgCMtDXJzI/IMG_0901_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="192" /></a> </p> <p align="left">We have noticed an improvement in his speech, he eats so much better, and is sleeping better since he can breathe so much easier now.  Yea!</p> <p align="left">2.  <strong>Guess who is two?</strong></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJLtpgYkI/AAAAAAAAAhg/uvIWcteqGJ4/s1600-h/IMG_46714.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4671" border="0" alt="IMG_4671" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJL4GNCiI/AAAAAAAAAhk/EW_QiLn_FB4/IMG_4671_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJMsuKhnI/AAAAAAAAAho/15kxxENPA98/s1600-h/IMG_09453.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0945" border="0" alt="IMG_0945" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJNNgjm_I/AAAAAAAAAhs/s4lB-iF6MEg/IMG_0945_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="304" /></a> </p> <p align="left">All of these guys are growing up so fast!  I can’t believe that TanMan is already two years old!!!!!  He is constantly working to keep up with everyone else, and trust me, he does not fall too far behind.  Since the 11th was actually a snow day, we ended up spending part of the day visiting the nature center where I used to work.  The boys love going there and looking through the exhibits.  Then we celebrated with a daddy made cake over the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Pogue.</p> <p align="left">3.  <strong>Snow Days</strong>—One week Riley had three and a half snow days!  Made for a short school week.  We got out and played in the snow quite a bit.  Of course this was right after Braden’s surgery, so we still had to take it a little bit easy.  The first day was great snow for building snowmen.  We had an awesome time, except for Tanner….</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJNptkLWI/AAAAAAAAAhw/gcz3kbzK1Z4/s1600-h/IMG_45983.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4598" border="0" alt="IMG_4598" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJN2yDBCI/AAAAAAAAAh0/_Qzr_8E4DVI/IMG_4598_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="171" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJOszTiII/AAAAAAAAAh4/47pfdhDKKuM/s1600-h/IMG_46173.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4617" border="0" alt="IMG_4617" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJOwxbpYI/AAAAAAAAAiA/2DCI8skUxTo/IMG_4617_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="171" /></a> </p> <p align="left">He was having no part of it that day.  Went and sat on the steps in the screen room, cried, sat in his car outside, cried, stood in the snow, really wailed, watched Riley and Braden building snowmen, said “uh-uh!”, cried hard shaking his head no, then finally got sat on the couch in the screen room to impatiently wait for his brothers to get their carrots on the snowmen.  Then we called it quits.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJP_SCqgI/AAAAAAAAAiE/KIwDCxA8KXk/s1600-h/IMG_46103.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4610" border="0" alt="IMG_4610" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJQVcUdhI/AAAAAAAAAiI/DlgwHO-WqBU/IMG_4610_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> </p> <p align="left">The next time we ventured out for snow play time, Braden was in about the same mood that Tanner had been in before.  We trudged on much to his dismay and played anyway.  Can’t please ‘em all all of the time!</p> <p align="left">4.  <strong>A Trip to the Grandmas’ house</strong>—Went to Clinton to help paint Ross’ mom’s upstairs hall and stairway.  Ross was tucked away making progress most of the weekend.  The boys did get to help with some of the prep work, and then made regular assisted appearances for inspection throughout the weekend.  The end result is a fresh clean paint job to brighten up the stairway.  Happy Birthday Grandma Glenn!</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJQwl58JI/AAAAAAAAAiM/sNjtBP91U_w/s1600-h/IMG_10393.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1039" border="0" alt="IMG_1039" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJRVJMQ4I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/G5E8LdIwZXw/IMG_1039_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJSHiOw-I/AAAAAAAAAiU/oMU1elnTEwQ/s1600-h/IMG_10423.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1042" border="0" alt="IMG_1042" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJSdET1II/AAAAAAAAAiY/aup1M_zcUFk/IMG_1042_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a></p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJTNETo5I/AAAAAAAAAic/bc7lJsjTERU/s1600-h/IMG_10473.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1047" border="0" alt="IMG_1047" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJToFQuQI/AAAAAAAAAig/OthGCQTwklc/IMG_1047_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a></p> <p align="left">The boys found lots of time to entertain their grandmas.  They were such troopers for the weekend.  We did get to take them to the really cool playground in town one afternoon.  It was so nice to just get outside and run off some energy for a while.</p> <p align="left">5.  <strong>Visitors from NC</strong>—Adrienne and her new little guy, Bailey came for a quick visit while they were in the area visiting her grandma.  They returned the cradle.  Bailey was the 9th little one to get to use the cradle that Ross and my dad built just before Riley was born.  Such a cool thing to share with our friends and their little ones.  We then loaded them up with some other goodies for Bailey to use when he gets just a bit bigger.  Enjoy Adrienne, Brad, and Bailey!</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJU_qa0CI/AAAAAAAAAik/M0ZbAMJdBbw/s1600-h/IMG_48133.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4813" border="0" alt="IMG_4813" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJVPwbjNI/AAAAAAAAAio/JfVm6cEMq68/IMG_4813_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJVw8i_jI/AAAAAAAAAis/zbDXefh_fMM/s1600-h/IMG_48283.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4828" border="0" alt="IMG_4828" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TXMJWtOUm-I/AAAAAAAAAiw/dMuI76rW1x4/IMG_4828_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="187" height="279" /></a></p> <p align="left">Life is always busy with “normal” things too.  Scouts, school, work, laundry, dishes, sleep…  I just don’t know what I used to do before this “job” came along! Time flies and the next thing I know, another month is gone.  I have some other posts planned.  Even have them written down on my to do list.  Be on the lookout for some blasts from the recent past.</p> <p align="right">‘Til then,</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-25930448705410816162011-01-24T22:39:00.001-06:002011-01-24T22:39:37.776-06:00Winter Wonderland<p>Last week we woke to an incredible wintery scene.  After the snow on Thursday, a fog settled in for the evening leaving the world blanketed in thick frost.  It looked like it had snowed again.  I was able to get out for a few (hundred) photos before Ross had to leave for work.  Here are some of my top picks for you to be mesmerized by.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5T8PxF7dI/AAAAAAAAAgc/JJeYgmIJHZc/s1600-h/Moonset121113.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Moonset 1-21-11" border="0" alt="Moonset 1-21-11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5T9BIB_NI/AAAAAAAAAgg/sEE5y9JE9RU/Moonset12111_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="373" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5T93CEeLI/AAAAAAAAAgk/BO04BtltG7Y/s1600-h/Sunrisefrostymorning121113.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Sunrise frosty morning 1-21-11" border="0" alt="Sunrise frosty morning 1-21-11" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5T-iqqnBI/AAAAAAAAAgo/jZFxNRfnRvw/Sunrisefrostymorning12111_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="309" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5T_bjgaMI/AAAAAAAAAgs/JGBKPRK6-OM/s1600-h/LoadsofFrostBarn121113.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Loads of Frost-Barn 1-21-11" border="0" alt="Loads of Frost-Barn 1-21-11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5T_5Lah1I/AAAAAAAAAgw/9xeF1_2gLbQ/LoadsofFrostBarn12111_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5UAvD4fNI/AAAAAAAAAg0/uIv6PBc040Y/s1600-h/FrostyFences121117.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Frosty Fences 1-21-11" border="0" alt="Frosty Fences 1-21-11" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5UBfL6O7I/AAAAAAAAAg4/PEJgkYeFyYA/FrostyFences12111_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="357" /></a> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Loads of Frost-Trees and Fence 1-21-11" border="0" alt="Loads of Frost-Trees and Fence 1-21-11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TT5UB8AeURI/AAAAAAAAAg8/XiW_H_QAIFA/LoadsofFrostTreesandFence12111_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="231" /></p> <p align="left">What an incredible morning!  Despite the cold (it was around 10 degrees), I could have spent soooo much longer enjoying the peace and tranquility.  I am just grateful that we have this little spot of our own, otherwise there would have been no way that I could have taken a brief time out from the daily grind to go snap some photos.  Hope you enjoy looking as well.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-73490354716135091642011-01-21T21:42:00.001-06:002011-01-21T21:42:28.550-06:00Snow Days!<p>We finally got a good snow yesterday!  You know, one that you can actually get out and really play in.  One that makes it worthwhile to get everyone bundled up to go outside to play for more than a few short minutes.  One that covers the ground and warrants the snow toys.</p> <p>Riley got out of school early yesterday and was out today too.  We bundled up and headed out to play both days.  Snow Much Fun!  (HeeHee)  I even got a little time to go out and just take some winter wonderland pictures too.  But to the business of play now…</p> <p align="center">Everyone got bundled up and ready to go outside.  Nova was not about to be left out of this fun time.  She was the first one to the door.  Don’t you love those smiles?  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR5fYwU7I/AAAAAAAAAeU/Ce_KxoG8GQU/s1600-h/IMG_42685.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4268" border="0" alt="IMG_4268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR5wlKcvI/AAAAAAAAAeY/4f1raiYqeiY/IMG_4268_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Nova was rearing to go.  The only thing that kept her still long enough to have her picture taken was me holding her ball right next to the camera.  Then she chose not to bring it back for that trick again! </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR6WiQtbI/AAAAAAAAAec/KZr1LOrXr48/s1600-h/IMG_42873.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4287" border="0" alt="IMG_4287" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR6ukTZtI/AAAAAAAAAeg/Xm62k5J9n2I/IMG_4287_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p align="center">The fun is even greater when shared with good friends!  We were so glad that Maranda and Remmi and their parents got to come play with us!  We introduced them to a little kayak sledding.  You might remember this from last year if you have read along with us for awhile.  It is great fun!  I will have to try to get a video up soon, so that you may glean the whole experience.  Who says you can’t kayak in the snow too?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR7V_4SfI/AAAAAAAAAek/NzOYY1Hiohk/s1600-h/IMG_07284.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0728" border="0" alt="IMG_0728" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR78UB8qI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Vy_KAWBmvvQ/IMG_0728_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR8H3VrnI/AAAAAAAAAes/diyc509cuKc/s1600-h/IMG_07354.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0735" border="0" alt="IMG_0735" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR85EOVTI/AAAAAAAAAew/r-Tu4SK0ark/IMG_0735_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR9QEsESI/AAAAAAAAAe0/5xON5shu0MM/s1600-h/IMG_07544.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0754" border="0" alt="IMG_0754" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR9677uPI/AAAAAAAAAe4/mFEKUNY8IFA/IMG_0754_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR-FjdP2I/AAAAAAAAAe8/HnU4E0TCneA/s1600-h/IMG_07574.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0757" border="0" alt="IMG_0757" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR-1cemxI/AAAAAAAAAfA/jG9gCc5Eb6E/IMG_0757_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="210" /></a>  </p> <p align="center">Tanner was a trooper.  He trudged through the snow.  Made it to the little slide.  Turned around and headed back.  Sometimes he crawled, sometimes he walked, and many times he wished to just be carried.  But, his lugginess makes that tough for his mommy’s arms.  As long as we were within reach, he was good to go.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR_RPfvtI/AAAAAAAAAfE/CkO3Yj3jd7s/s1600-h/IMG_42775.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4277" border="0" alt="IMG_4277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpR_uM4BhI/AAAAAAAAAfI/yiQj_fWXjkY/IMG_4277_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="266" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSAROlCsI/AAAAAAAAAfM/6Jr348shi64/s1600-h/IMG_42783.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4278" border="0" alt="IMG_4278" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSA94BH8I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/gSNyItelMc8/IMG_4278_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="266" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSBG2bdMI/AAAAAAAAAfU/ZgpXUEJevTY/s1600-h/IMG_42803.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4280" border="0" alt="IMG_4280" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSBqctkoI/AAAAAAAAAfY/TmH2Bb4_vww/IMG_4280_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="266" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Then he just got plain cold, tired, and HUNGRY.  It was time to be done.  He was not a happy camper at that point.  A nice warm bath, full tummy, and cuddles on the couch were the perfect remedy for those tears.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSCC358iI/AAAAAAAAAfc/K1-n1BrdH40/s1600-h/IMG_07393.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0739" border="0" alt="IMG_0739" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSCQ6fxMI/AAAAAAAAAfg/vmpiya3AhmA/IMG_0739_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="279" /></a></p> <p align="center">Today we trudged out the door again.  It was COLD!  TanMan had a new preferred method of travel today.  The sled.  He stayed there most of the time that we were out.  If I stopped he rocked back and forth to try to get going again!  Crazy boy.  He tolerated me stopping to snap pictures and wait for his brothers, but was always glad to get moving again. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSC9JW2VI/AAAAAAAAAfk/a7w6BOxiGx4/s1600-h/IMG_44216.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4421" border="0" alt="IMG_4421" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSDXfhgxI/AAAAAAAAAfo/K3BkXl-EVfU/IMG_4421_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a>Boys moved snow with their big trucks.  We walked out back through our “woods” as Braden says.  We played Mantracker.  All was good til Braden got stuck in a “pricker” bush.  His big brother came to the rescue even though it meant capture by yours truly, the Mantracker.  At that point the troops were ready for full tummies and warm surroundings again.  Off to the house we headed.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSDjcg6GI/AAAAAAAAAfs/JmRnrNhoH20/s1600-h/IMG_44293.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4429" border="0" alt="IMG_4429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSEXX8RkI/AAAAAAAAAfw/ETUOa0eczLM/IMG_4429_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSE6QcF9I/AAAAAAAAAf0/NmWyUYIbFMQ/s1600-h/IMG_44233.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4423" border="0" alt="IMG_4423" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSFV4akCI/AAAAAAAAAf4/wtQCOlDbCX8/IMG_4423_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSF0idvLI/AAAAAAAAAf8/xP0ecZ_HMCM/s1600-h/IMG_44693.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4469" border="0" alt="IMG_4469" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSGT_HCUI/AAAAAAAAAgA/A8iONSzxN4k/IMG_4469_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSHF6x2sI/AAAAAAAAAgE/C6T7U3-sDyE/s1600-h/IMG_44683.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4468" border="0" alt="IMG_4468" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSHYjKBkI/AAAAAAAAAgI/0q3UAGRbO28/IMG_4468_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Before we went in, we found some undisturbed snow (at least until Nova came through and disturbed it).  Boys all plopped down to make some snow angels.  Riley got it, Braden got it, Tanner just laid there.  He did not see the point at all!  Oh, well there is always next times.</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSHwoikiI/AAAAAAAAAgM/g5w6okhAI8k/s1600-h/IMG_44223.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4422" border="0" alt="IMG_4422" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSIH9yC0I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/Epe3fcubE_U/IMG_4422_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSIorbzCI/AAAAAAAAAgU/jOIL5vHl2zQ/s1600-h/IMG_44803.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_4480" border="0" alt="IMG_4480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTpSI6vfuUI/AAAAAAAAAgY/BEfwAMbgdNo/IMG_4480_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="187" /></a></p> <p align="left">We will see what the weekend brings.  I am sure there will be more kayak rides.  More snow play.  Maybe we will give mantracker a go again, now that Braden knows to watch out for those sticker bushes!  Sunday we are supposed to get more snow.  This is what winter is supposed to be like!  Love it!</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-49753177153654005492011-01-20T21:23:00.001-06:002011-01-20T21:23:42.701-06:00A View from the cam…<p>As promised here is one of the recent views from my new camera instead of a view of the camera.  </p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 425px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:3c8c4ef4-737a-4335-8a96-130b949158a5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="ebbf0fd1-fc65-4759-965e-74cd4837635f" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqpgEgvMXXU" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTj8PWBmf1I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/1kjUNUxMF60/video72d1be8a305e%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('ebbf0fd1-fc65-4759-965e-74cd4837635f'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/uqpgEgvMXXU&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/uqpgEgvMXXU&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>You can imagine where this could all lead as time goes on.  Any ideas to offer to my dearest husband for future views?  I am sure he would be delighted to help provide some footage for you.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-22690086603944785942011-01-18T14:06:00.001-06:002011-01-18T14:06:45.835-06:00One Year Ago…<p>I started blogging!!!  Wow!  I got off to a good start, getting posts on fairly often, yet lately time seems to be vanishing before I my eyes.  Life is still full of adventures.  Boys are crazy as always.  There is never a dull moment…  Maybe that is the problem!  I need a few dull moments so that I am not too tired to get posts put together.  =)  Regardless, I will do my absolute best to get some updates on here a bit more often.</p> <p>We have spent a lot of time inside recently.  I think I am getting wimpy in my <strike>older</strike> more mature days.  I can’t stand to be out in the cold and wind.  Give me snow, and I am all for it.  But cold, brown, gray, dreary days of winter?  Nevermind, I will sit inside the warmth of my cozy abode sipping hot tea and watching the boys play.  </p> <p>I got a new camera.  Intentions are to have it with me to take more pictures and even video when we are on the go.  The first couple of times it would have been handy to have, it was left on the computer cabinet.  <strong>Fail!</strong>  This will take some getting used to.  Never fear, it has been getting broken in around the house.  Check out my fabulous new camera.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXyvTAhjFI/AAAAAAAAAdg/yoYH9ewko-Y/s1600-h/IMG_42275.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4227" border="0" alt="IMG_4227" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXyv-je_9I/AAAAAAAAAdk/TXvl4fREjkw/IMG_4227_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="338" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXywgwBRgI/AAAAAAAAAdo/qDhk3rsulbk/s1600-h/IMG_42416.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4241" border="0" alt="IMG_4241" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXyxSh48FI/AAAAAAAAAds/WGu63ZWNyB4/IMG_4241_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXyx_yRx7I/AAAAAAAAAdw/K5MGv10akLs/s1600-h/IMG_42456.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4245" border="0" alt="IMG_4245" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXyyAIPDqI/AAAAAAAAAd0/lrxrE4ji10I/IMG_4245_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXyypRaP5I/AAAAAAAAAd4/WG-lA9omD-c/s1600-h/IMG_42304.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4230" border="0" alt="IMG_4230" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXyzadmX5I/AAAAAAAAAd8/bnC-Ao18HWs/IMG_4230_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXyzrDHMlI/AAAAAAAAAeA/zZrCQXZgHPQ/s1600-h/IMG_42244.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4224" border="0" alt="IMG_4224" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXy0OqGoiI/AAAAAAAAAeE/zHkLnVfF9VQ/IMG_4224_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXy0_ZBLtI/AAAAAAAAAeI/TkJEYMxPVL0/s1600-h/IMG_42464.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4246" border="0" alt="IMG_4246" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TTXy1UkJmeI/AAAAAAAAAeM/dWlqntRHqH8/IMG_4246_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="337" /></a>Not exactly what I envisioned my new camera getting used for, but it kept the boys occupied for a good bit.  I am sure that this could just be the start of many train cam/pedal car cam/bike cam/kite cam/etc. ideas to come.  Must get cheaper little key fob cam for Ross soon!!!!!</p> <p>See you again soon with more pics from the camera instead one of the camera.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-27978408376737189472010-12-15T07:57:00.001-06:002010-12-15T07:57:58.232-06:00Our Backyard and Beyond<p> </p> <p><a href="http://glenns5backyard.blogspot.com/">Our Backyard and Beyond</a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-51194734977818875692010-12-07T14:27:00.001-06:002010-12-07T14:27:28.739-06:00Peaceful Moments…<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TP6YqEfwxvI/AAAAAAAAAdE/efcQ0w6VN7E/s1600-h/IMG_395925.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3959" border="0" alt="IMG_3959" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TP6YqdqrbuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/PoaW9cIHzKE/IMG_3959_thumb23.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TP6Yqsc1u0I/AAAAAAAAAdM/ybAXabD8dR0/s1600-h/IMG_39655.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3965" border="0" alt="IMG_3965" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TP6YreOCHmI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/rwlHEXfoGuU/IMG_3965_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TP6Yrpe5cmI/AAAAAAAAAdU/oZgcnkdDlzI/s1600-h/IMG_39557.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3955" border="0" alt="IMG_3955" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TP6Yr9iptuI/AAAAAAAAAdY/-ZeQz8ZVLz0/IMG_3955_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="724" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us.  So much to do, and so little time to get things done.  Time is ticking and my list is growing.  Candy to make, cookies to bake, gifts to be wrapped, family and friends to see…  All to be fit into the daily grind that must go on as well.  The days do get chaotic, yet each day we love to take a few moments and just enjoy a little bit of serenity with our crew.  Just sit and relax on the couch, look at the lights and ornaments on the tree, slowly start winding up for the day ahead.  It is so much better than the rush to get rolling!  Won’t you take some time for some holiday peacefulness in your day too?</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-74449574562289537152010-11-04T14:21:00.001-05:002010-11-04T14:23:52.232-05:00Shiver Me Timbers!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TNMHmCaeWbI/AAAAAAAAAcc/vB4sNCa0YqY/s1600-h/IMG_360116.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3601" border="0" alt="IMG_3601" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TNMHmsHBrEI/AAAAAAAAAcg/VStZ69D8ljg/IMG_3601_thumb20.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="444" /></a></p> <p align="center">Arrrrgh! All Ye landlubbers, bewares!  The backyard pirates are here!   We be guardin’ our parade candy treasure that we raked in o’er the weekend.  Need to get that map made so we can go back for more next year!  Our matey’s had a great time las’ weekend.  It was a time of much merriement, many family and friends, and good grub and grog.  Too bad it had to end.  Arggggh!  We will have to sail again soon for another gatherin’ of such proportions.   <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TNMHnE6vEXI/AAAAAAAAAco/A_XSYLgSLeM/s1600-h/IMG_35864.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3586" border="0" alt="IMG_3586" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TNMHnbdx5EI/AAAAAAAAAcs/DOUnjaxZ7Qk/IMG_3586_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TNMHn5eE1YI/AAAAAAAAAcw/qEdRi8FPxJk/s1600-h/IMG_359013.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG_3590" border="0" alt="IMG_3590" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TNMHoIQ4XMI/AAAAAAAAAc0/Y-PrVemYQFQ/IMG_3590_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TNMHouu59KI/AAAAAAAAAc4/uziygcbU21w/s1600-h/IMG_35963.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3596" border="0" alt="IMG_3596" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TNMHo2lgeOI/AAAAAAAAAc8/0Zo2YZFAZeM/IMG_3596_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"></a></p> <p align="center">In the meantime, Captain B and crew want you to schmile and say arrrgh in the comments, or ye will be walking the plank.  (If we can find our trusty ship.)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-74179631431870038262010-10-28T14:46:00.001-05:002010-10-28T14:46:55.249-05:00BOO!!!!!!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS4AhMlII/AAAAAAAAAaE/OnLZcOiJhyY/s1600-h/IMG_35815.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3581" border="0" alt="IMG_3581" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS4ha1ImI/AAAAAAAAAaI/H2WmZb2R0yo/IMG_3581_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS5L18IXI/AAAAAAAAAaM/u4sDUxkluqs/s1600-h/IMG_35805.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3580" border="0" alt="IMG_3580" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS59dMAGI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/33TjKuhw-AE/IMG_3580_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">Hope we didn’t frighten you too much!!!!</p> <p align="center">Albeit a little late, we decided to tackle a little pumpkin carving.  The boys have been wanting to do this.  I got the pumpkins about a week ago, and there isn’t much time left before Halloween.  It is now or never, at least never this year.  Why not?  Might have been a  bit stressful, but overall we had a great time.  The looks on their faces as they each held their finished masterpiece was well worth the mess of pumpkin goo all over the kitchen.  </p> <p align="center"> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3449" border="0" alt="IMG_3449" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS6YSR86I/AAAAAAAAAaU/qQOAgQtKrwM/IMG_3449_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></p> <p align="center">Boys waited patiently, very interested in what the inside of a pumpkin looks like.</p> <p align="center">(You see…  We have not done this since Riley was just a wee little tike about TanMan’s age.  Time just slips away oh so darn fast!)<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS660DCJI/AAAAAAAAAaY/z2hbKhtS9xI/s1600-h/IMG_34533.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3453" border="0" alt="IMG_3453" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS7f2YAsI/AAAAAAAAAac/6UvyqVjUIXc/IMG_3453_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">Digging into the first one.  Everyone was intrigued by what the insides looked like.  <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3458" border="0" alt="IMG_3458" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS70bf4VI/AAAAAAAAAag/kfz9iPQlhkk/IMG_3458_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></p> <p align="center">Riley was the only one eager to dig in with his bare hands to tackle the cleaning out mess.  He was a huge help getting the slimy goo off of all the seeds, although he couldn’t believe that it is really o.k. to eat the seeds.  We will have to roast some and let him try them out for himself. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS8ScvabI/AAAAAAAAAak/5n-qFuG2crU/s1600-h/IMG_34563.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3456" border="0" alt="IMG_3456" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS8iOXWQI/AAAAAAAAAao/m86HZp92zVk/IMG_3456_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></a></p> <p align="center">This takes soooo much time!  Everyone diligently stuck with the task at hand.   <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS9GH-6kI/AAAAAAAAAas/s03t7SgeLYU/s1600-h/IMG_34623.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3462" border="0" alt="IMG_3462" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS9s05GxI/AAAAAAAAAaw/j0jufvc5its/IMG_3462_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></a> All was well until Braden got some goo on his sleeve!  Oh he did not like that!  After we assured him that the shirt would come perfectly clean when washed, he was good to go again.  =)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS-BNkSII/AAAAAAAAAa0/iOJsdOX45zY/s1600-h/IMG_34853.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3485" border="0" alt="IMG_3485" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS-v1JT2I/AAAAAAAAAa4/0Vi10JRhjMg/IMG_3485_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></a></p> <p align="center">TanMan wasn’t having anything to do with touching that stuff though!  He armed himself with the long handled spoon and gingerly dug in.  He was fine as long as we didn’t need to use the spoon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS-zzAlnI/AAAAAAAAAa8/S2OprCdTDEA/s1600-h/IMG_34983.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3498" border="0" alt="IMG_3498" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS_KK1tfI/AAAAAAAAAbA/biR62BJ35Yg/IMG_3498_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></a></p> <p align="center">Oooooh!  Look at the stringiness.  Time to clean out pumpkin number two!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnS_3FfNQI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uTf7wQXGJe8/s1600-h/IMG_35053.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3505" border="0" alt="IMG_3505" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTAaeOgeI/AAAAAAAAAbI/mhxcBQHMir8/IMG_3505_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">Riley and Ross take on the job.  Other boys just sit aside and wait.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTBFDpe4I/AAAAAAAAAbM/AapTt7z0JLI/s1600-h/IMG_35203.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3520" border="0" alt="IMG_3520" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTBeknJ7I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/ZAM9Ekz0q3w/IMG_3520_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">Finally!!!!  Time to carve ‘em up!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTCHAoEZI/AAAAAAAAAbU/Zr22g9Avhm4/s1600-h/IMG_35253.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3525" border="0" alt="IMG_3525" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTCZ0665I/AAAAAAAAAbY/jpRSVTES_ts/IMG_3525_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">Riley picked out a ghost pattern that I found.  He wanted a little bit of a spooky pumpkin.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTDjtzvaI/AAAAAAAAAbc/UhSYpV0NXdQ/s1600-h/IMG_35343.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3534" border="0" alt="IMG_3534" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTEJ_TK7I/AAAAAAAAAbg/5tr0VFYdvbk/IMG_3534_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">Tanner thought it was fun to watch Riley punch his design into the pumpkin.  Riley did a great job of getting the pattern outlined and ready to cut out while I helped Braden carve his.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTEvK6e6I/AAAAAAAAAbk/6KcLfFEf-TM/s1600-h/IMG_35263.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3526" border="0" alt="IMG_3526" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTFuLY-LI/AAAAAAAAAbo/zZo7pPIiOPI/IMG_3526_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">TanMan remained in his perch for the entire duration of the carving process.  Even though he was not carving, he DID NOT want to miss out on one second of the excitement.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTGfuF6yI/AAAAAAAAAbs/ivN3EG-6cpc/s1600-h/IMG_353010.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3530" border="0" alt="IMG_3530" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTG24gUcI/AAAAAAAAAbw/NhY2uFuD0cw/IMG_3530_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">Braden and I used teamwork to cut out his BOO!  He was very patient about it and let me help him with all of it.  Whew!  Might have had a funny looking boo otherwise.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTHTeKkvI/AAAAAAAAAb0/KFsvAP6dKvE/s1600-h/IMG_35504.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3550" border="0" alt="IMG_3550" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTH9BZfvI/AAAAAAAAAb4/GOlTfIDPtM4/IMG_3550_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">Riley did an awesome job helping me cut out his ghost.  He is so patient, and loves the detail.  I have a feeling his pumpkins will get more elaborate in years to come.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Once the carving was done, each boy proudly showed off his pumpkin.  I think they look super!  TanMan had to have a pumpkin too.  Maybe next year he will get to carve one, but for now he is sporting the little accent pumpkin.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTIEAuO9I/AAAAAAAAAb8/Q-9lTlRBh1M/s1600-h/IMG_35413.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3541" border="0" alt="IMG_3541" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTIr4VqiI/AAAAAAAAAcA/-lb7xUjbT9o/IMG_3541_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTI9Vi_YI/AAAAAAAAAcE/I7a99VFmMsQ/s1600-h/IMG_35627.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG_3562" border="0" alt="IMG_3562" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTJtkWmXI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Z3WMXB9w8OA/IMG_3562_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTJ8RRKcI/AAAAAAAAAcM/c4RhdyeLfCs/s1600-h/IMG_35634.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3563" border="0" alt="IMG_3563" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTKYCqnCI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/xxMV6856Z7w/IMG_3563_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="6" face="Heavy Heap">Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTKmIkXSI/AAAAAAAAAcU/7J-K1jS8llw/s1600-h/IMG_35794.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3579" border="0" alt="IMG_3579" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMnTLMI-Z8I/AAAAAAAAAcY/vYHUGmgOJYA/IMG_3579_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-20006716746937288342010-10-27T14:09:00.001-05:002010-10-27T14:09:35.477-05:00Waiting…<p>As 3:30 rolls around each day, there is anticipation and excitement in the air.  TanMan and Braden get anxious.  Waiting…  “Is snack ready?  What are we having today?  I want to take my fire truck water bottle today.  Does Tanner need his drink?  Did you get something for Riley?”  Braden’s verbal checklist.  Every day we take the same steps at the same times.  Every day, the same scenario.  Getting ready to go wait.  Yet the waiting is always eagerly anticipated.  So far it hasn’t gotten old.  And I hope that it never does.</p> <p align="center">At 3:30 we get snacks gathered up, shoes on, and head out the door. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh4VJQ7-CI/AAAAAAAAAYs/QLMbjtHyRnk/s1600-h/IMG_32604.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3260" border="0" alt="IMG_3260" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh4Ve0-hHI/AAAAAAAAAYw/D7oUL8pHSiY/IMG_3260_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh4V0y-jII/AAAAAAAAAY0/3zWQal7e4V0/s1600-h/IMG_32614.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3261" border="0" alt="IMG_3261" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh4WQeP3nI/AAAAAAAAAY4/aJ9QNRykfNc/IMG_3261_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Trek down the drive.  Some days they walk, and some days they RUN!</p> <p>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh4YsVbN3I/AAAAAAAAAY8/DBZ-19CwOoQ/s1600-h/IMG_32663.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3266" border="0" alt="IMG_3266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh4ZKnmElI/AAAAAAAAAZA/wtDp33v4_5k/IMG_3266_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" height="208" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh4Z5a2tVI/AAAAAAAAAZE/nQwOncn88mM/s1600-h/IMG_33623.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3362" border="0" alt="IMG_3362" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh4ayiK-0I/AAAAAAAAAZI/a89pcc1-o5g/IMG_3362_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="209" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Look at the horses.  Look at the chickens, turkeys and ducks.  </p> <p>                               <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh41tmidII/AAAAAAAAAZM/C5tDztZJ9fM/s1600-h/IMG_32732.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3273" border="0" alt="IMG_3273" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh410mDF5I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/TwkdE-NMz1M/IMG_3273_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh42LIhErI/AAAAAAAAAZU/pHzfxbc6q1Y/s1600-h/IMG_327412.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3274" border="0" alt="IMG_3274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh42hxwIkI/AAAAAAAAAZY/KOK40LixTLU/IMG_3274_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Get to the end of the drive and sit under the ash tree.</p> <p align="center">Enjoy snack, have a couple of drinks, and watch the road.</p> <p align="center">Waiting…</p> <p align="center">There it is!  Here it comes!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh43Xp_azI/AAAAAAAAAZc/4OL_JeBGLd8/s1600-h/IMG_32775.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3277" border="0" alt="IMG_3277" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh43pBgQuI/AAAAAAAAAZg/XunfZ06hosI/IMG_3277_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Riley is home!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh44hq1h0I/AAAAAAAAAZk/UDEVJvTgz70/s1600-h/IMG_32805.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3280" border="0" alt="IMG_3280" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh44173ZmI/AAAAAAAAAZo/d9B5HCOj3A4/IMG_3280_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Running to greet his brothers.  Home from a busy day at school.</p> <p align="center">  Awe, so sweet.</p> <p align="center">(The snack they bring might be great motivation too.)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh45bLr3rI/AAAAAAAAAZs/nSQ342Cqmqc/s1600-h/IMG_32824.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3282" border="0" alt="IMG_3282" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh450wMtGI/AAAAAAAAAZw/1L6LvpkH_B8/IMG_3282_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a>“ See?”  Riley is home!  </p> <p align="center">It makes their day.  The waiting is worth it.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh46CqPzeI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/YmYcVoF0LhI/s1600-h/IMG_32854.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3285" border="0" alt="IMG_3285" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh46uzyIfI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Z-2-pNdaMQA/IMG_3285_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="354" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">“How was your day ‘Iley?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh47M1-ooI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/K-Lqb_bSZEQ/s1600-h/IMG_32944.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3294" border="0" alt="IMG_3294" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMh47qxRgpI/AAAAAAAAAaA/SgJMQFo9ED0/IMG_3294_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237" /></a></p> <p align="center">No matter how much they fuss at one another, their closeness runs deep.  They have a friendship that we hope lasts a lifetime.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-7620873499753906032010-10-21T13:47:00.001-05:002010-10-21T13:47:36.245-05:00Mechanics 101…<blockquote> <p><font size="4">How to Change a Flat Tire</font></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKrgRUYoI/AAAAAAAAAXs/EkXMIVv2M14/s1600-h/IMG_32324.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3232" border="0" alt="IMG_3232" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKrymt9SI/AAAAAAAAAXw/mZo6j5PldBY/IMG_3232_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p align="center">1.  Employ three strapping young men to help out.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKsJ_ETRI/AAAAAAAAAX0/vKjNmvs7FjE/s1600-h/IMG_32354.jpg"><font color="#669966"></font><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3235" border="0" alt="IMG_3235" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKsozdg6I/AAAAAAAAAX4/dvvFp7AlDm4/IMG_3235_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a></p> <p align="center">2.   Ask the chief mechanic to assist when needed.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKs2VRkKI/AAAAAAAAAX8/KsdsRxTgAF8/s1600-h/IMG_32386.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3238" border="0" alt="IMG_3238" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKtGMpQPI/AAAAAAAAAYA/stAJAaPwaek/IMG_3238_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p align="center">3.  Check out the spare.  Be certain it is aired up correctly.  This is determined by the bounce factor when jumped upon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKtg7nOQI/AAAAAAAAAYE/9J03iVlYXD8/s1600-h/IMG_32404.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3240" border="0" alt="IMG_3240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKt4-2ESI/AAAAAAAAAYI/wT7YzZaAvGc/IMG_3240_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a></p> <p align="center">4.  Use the buddy system to safely remove the flat tire and place the spare tire back on the vehicle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKuIyp64I/AAAAAAAAAYM/uZM7MDXV2EI/s1600-h/IMG_32444.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3244" border="0" alt="IMG_3244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKurP2OQI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/QtEdC2JEhSI/IMG_3244_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p align="center">5.  Replace all lug nuts.  Sometimes it takes two hands to get them started.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKu9dlOOI/AAAAAAAAAYU/FRI9zJNzBsw/s1600-h/IMG_32494.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3249" border="0" alt="IMG_3249" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKvR7wFGI/AAAAAAAAAYY/ZfVJ0YsTLPk/IMG_3249_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a></p> <p align="center">6.  Be ready for a quality control check.  “Hmmmmmm…”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKviQIWcI/AAAAAAAAAYc/QN_HVMB12p4/s1600-h/IMG_32504.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3250" border="0" alt="IMG_3250" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKw48S1sI/AAAAAAAAAYg/podMheMHqGI/IMG_3250_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431" /></a></p> <p align="center">7.  “I think this one needs tightened a little bit more.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKxAJEZKI/AAAAAAAAAYk/rfYcA5NvIqw/s1600-h/IMG_32514.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3251" border="0" alt="IMG_3251" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TMCKxomXjEI/AAAAAAAAAYo/vKvhk-d1TbA/IMG_3251_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">8.  Finish tightening all lug nuts.  Clean up tools.  All Done!</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; display: inline; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-15665111252072567682010-10-06T14:58:00.001-05:002010-10-06T14:59:34.737-05:00Stealing Our Hearts<p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKzU47B-mxI/AAAAAAAAAXc/6ooNkpZ1IKY/s1600-h/Nova-September%202010%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nova-September 2010" border="0" alt="Nova-September 2010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKzU6KUxncI/AAAAAAAAAXg/RKUglAP25qA/Nova-September%202010_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="377" /></a> Nova is now almost 8 months old!  She has grown into a beautiful chocolate lab.  (Although, I might be a little partial and all…)  </p> <p align="left">Back in March when we decided to add her to the family, we talked a lot about the pro’s and con’s.  Were we ready to add a puppy to the mix again?  TanMan was just learning to walk.  It takes soooooo much time and effort.  Housebreaking, chewing, crate training, lots of crazy puppy moments.  I was the eager one for sure.  Ross took a little coaxing to convince that this was right.  I just didn’t feel that our household was complete without a furry critter around.  I wasn’t ready to NOT have a dog again.  It <em>was</em> time.  Ross was easily convinced once he held this furry little butterball in his lap when we went to “Just see” the puppies.  We brought her home that night.</p> <p align="left">6 1/2 months later…  </p> <p align="left">Nova has been a wonderful addition to the family.  She is awesome with the boys.  She loves to run with Riley, even though that aggravates him sometimes.  She follows Braden around the yard looking for sticks.  She lets TanMan crawl all over her, even when she might have just been sound asleep.  They are all buddies in one way or another.  The boys love having her around.  They all keep an eye out for her, and I am sure as time goes on she will be the one to keep an eye on them.  </p> <p align="left">I knew that it would all be good.  Having critters just makes our world right…</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-52222657692991649722010-09-29T15:01:00.001-05:002010-09-29T15:01:18.037-05:00A Little Magic<p>Hold on to your seats!  Two.  Count them.  Two days in a row!  I told you I was coming back around a little more.  </p> <p>Anyway, I had to share a magic trick with you that I finally took the time to figure out!  I am EXCITED!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKObBJpWgWI/AAAAAAAAAXE/YhuYy9mswUQ/s1600-h/3boys92710editedtomakealllookatcamer%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="3 boys 9-27-10 edited to make all look at camera" border="0" alt="3 boys 9-27-10 edited to make all look at camera" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKObCBgQjaI/AAAAAAAAAXI/TwKrKhfMg2Q/3boys92710editedtomakealllookatcamer%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="421" /></a>Do you remember this picture from yesterday?  Here it is again, minus the fancy framing…  Notice any differences?  This new picture is not one of the original dozen or so pics that I took of the boys all sitting together the other evening.  Nope, but isn’t it perfect?  I will give you just a minute to check and see if you can figure it out.  (No peeking ahead for the answer!)  Here is yesterday’s photo to compare.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKObCzHEL-I/AAAAAAAAAXM/06bB1uVLgRg/s1600-h/3boys92820107.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="3 boys 9-28-2010" border="0" alt="3 boys 9-28-2010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKObDHCtucI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/g3D2q1TnE8g/3boys9282010_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="383" /></a></p> <p>Got it yet?  Yep!  All three boys are looking at the camera!  Do you think that I could get my boys to all cooperatively look at the camera together precisely as I take a picture?  On rare occassions yes, but alas, most of the time they are all going different directions!  Especially when I have no extra hands to direct and distract.  </p> <p>So my little magic secret?  Photoshop Elements 8…  I got this program over the summer and have been wanting to take more time to learn some of its cool little tips, tricks, and neat features.  I thought this was a good time to try it out!  Photomerge will let me have all the boys looking at the camera!  Brilliant!  I don’t normally do much post processing to my images, but sometimes it helps to create an incredible image!</p> <p></p> <p>Enjoying a little magic trick from time to time,</p> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4391167381961083637.post-1590451980515786072010-09-28T22:35:00.001-05:002010-09-28T22:36:02.545-05:00Season’s Changing<p>Well, hello stranger!  Oh, wait…  You are right.  I am the one that has been a stranger lately!  Sorry!  That is called summer, school started, and…  I could come up with excuses all day, but I will spare you this time.  We have been busy as usual.  Although, would you believe that until yesterday I had only taken about 15 pictures in September?  Not that we didn’t do anything picture worthy.  Just forgot that silly camera.  Every.  Time. We.  Went.  Anywhere.  A living history days event at a local park, our friend’s farm, the SEMO district fair, the nature center.  Every.  Single.  Time.  We had fun anyway.  You just won’t get a chance to see those good times.</p> <p>I am trying to make up for lost time.  So, last night I took about 100 pics of the boys and Nova playing outside.  Ross had to go check on a fire at one of his areas, so we played!  Ran through the grass, climbed gates, picked grass seed heads, threw a ball to Nova, played hide and seek in the pasture, just had a blast!  I think the pictures will speak for themselves!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz3WEWfCI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/lJCQh-czKNM/s1600-h/3boys92820106.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="3 boys 9-28-2010" border="0" alt="3 boys 9-28-2010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz4KSY56I/AAAAAAAAAWU/qTNFbNCOAD0/3boys9282010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="359" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz4_16BkI/AAAAAAAAAWY/NkF4Re0mjac/s1600-h/TannerSept20104.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Tanner Sept 2010" border="0" alt="Tanner Sept 2010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz5lElWYI/AAAAAAAAAWc/f2MHmZ-fNY4/TannerSept2010_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" height="341" /></a></p> <p>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz56dV-kI/AAAAAAAAAWg/740wO5YVsQ0/s1600-h/Braden92820106.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Braden 9-28-2010" border="0" alt="Braden 9-28-2010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz6ZQaT6I/AAAAAAAAAWk/4N_tlpEQ1oI/Braden9282010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="366" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz6juIrFI/AAAAAAAAAWo/WmG_PCMYfZQ/s1600-h/Riley92820104.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riley 9-28-2010" border="0" alt="Riley 9-28-2010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz61IiVpI/AAAAAAAAAWs/g-5bWSObrW0/Riley9282010_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="341" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz7FzIzxI/AAAAAAAAAWw/ETXzf_M8PpM/s1600-h/Bradensunsetgateclimbing928104.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Braden sunset gate climbing 9-28-10" border="0" alt="Braden sunset gate climbing 9-28-10" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz7RwxL_I/AAAAAAAAAW0/U1qWitERpIE/Bradensunsetgateclimbing92810_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="341" /></a></p> <p>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz70qhf2I/AAAAAAAAAW4/mZW_lrp2r04/s1600-h/sunsetpostcardcollage928108.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sunset postcard collage 9-28-10" border="0" alt="sunset postcard collage 9-28-10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_cfpHtl6Xhhw/TKKz8bNerkI/AAAAAAAAAW8/7ReskH5rIu0/sunsetpostcardcollage92810_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="378" /></a></p> <p>See ya’ around on our next adventure!  Don’t be a stranger o.k.?  I promise I won’t be either.  Hold me to it!</p> <strong></strong> <p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px !important; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/87/99F1A2606D5D3B9C82F597CFCFF0D6D4.png" /></a></p> Our Backyard and Beyondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02590412406324192456noreply@blogger.com3