tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74311035316963331472024-03-12T23:59:59.567-05:00A Word or TwoSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-24641617987924962582012-03-24T16:21:00.008-05:002012-04-05T13:04:15.125-05:00Free Travel #3 ContinuedWe woke up to a gorgeous day. The sun was shining, skies clear, and Cinque Terre was on our agenda. Cinque Terre means "the five lands". We hopped on the train to the first city of Riomaggiore to hike to Manorola. The trail called the Via Dell'Amore ("Love Walk"). There were locks all along the path which will seal your eternal love. It was literally on the edge of a cliff protected by super sturdy rails and nets to catch falling rocks. The view was from a postcard.!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx6HTRzvbJ0U30xk4sT6-527LxK3cn_TsrKkuX1sAdKl9gKI5FXdUPTtdDZqCOVEW8ebba8j8vi9Mng-LcGSNOlM4nlsPPeCA9EjjJe3XBcQyNNBmeZb8MbnqxBCmdRU48i3TqSUsxmtF/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx6HTRzvbJ0U30xk4sT6-527LxK3cn_TsrKkuX1sAdKl9gKI5FXdUPTtdDZqCOVEW8ebba8j8vi9Mng-LcGSNOlM4nlsPPeCA9EjjJe3XBcQyNNBmeZb8MbnqxBCmdRU48i3TqSUsxmtF/s320/IMG_1689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723935311849151010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLybWG9v_x4FbZx4Dw4iszSShG495moBMmLcKILAfpIB9gidWEYJL69z9uo5qNBEuWshGy1Rl1txaX05NoCcTpL3MAQMzNSGIFpXVndAE9F9zytI0MYRWKSiwJHpTpWHKPAmcI-O-GKwqS/s1600/IMG_0756.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLybWG9v_x4FbZx4Dw4iszSShG495moBMmLcKILAfpIB9gidWEYJL69z9uo5qNBEuWshGy1Rl1txaX05NoCcTpL3MAQMzNSGIFpXVndAE9F9zytI0MYRWKSiwJHpTpWHKPAmcI-O-GKwqS/s320/IMG_0756.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723935305719691298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Cr6mFlVscOfBNhIoyASDCFOhfkISmVsVxjsIgjsJ9MENuH4TxbWgQ6e9_j1Yk9ACz6dTWvenDIvrTRDYVXgp_z-roIck_x4JuG1Gg616ElCmTO4YQzVYXv3-DZrWbTH4Kxs-6n9L5WgD/s1600/IMG_0752.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Cr6mFlVscOfBNhIoyASDCFOhfkISmVsVxjsIgjsJ9MENuH4TxbWgQ6e9_j1Yk9ACz6dTWvenDIvrTRDYVXgp_z-roIck_x4JuG1Gg616ElCmTO4YQzVYXv3-DZrWbTH4Kxs-6n9L5WgD/s320/IMG_0752.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723935317999728946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3-XnO2FbVPfsdmwZSGBFiyZAMFz75c6L_kFS4mlzBltEUUqeUvtWLvEQuiYZ1ibHTqMiKDGD4T5UBxnL7eHRAWFT4aOwy0SFK0Qg8WueeXYMHGm4JF_xVYAraaaO82EcaRcIyaGeFxHV/s1600/IMG_1690.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3-XnO2FbVPfsdmwZSGBFiyZAMFz75c6L_kFS4mlzBltEUUqeUvtWLvEQuiYZ1ibHTqMiKDGD4T5UBxnL7eHRAWFT4aOwy0SFK0Qg8WueeXYMHGm4JF_xVYAraaaO82EcaRcIyaGeFxHV/s320/IMG_1690.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723937957495152818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-y4_d3kseJApO4bC8EzhwnuhqQXVjljBSELRpMJMo1H1TU1N1yShyphenhyphenD7HqYebSdGzC_gTiUGoazwUo6UANT-ckV0MwPp-xayBgHwma5lfDs6wEhL3wahbgd6hMntkso4oZenniHGXkY0E/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-y4_d3kseJApO4bC8EzhwnuhqQXVjljBSELRpMJMo1H1TU1N1yShyphenhyphenD7HqYebSdGzC_gTiUGoazwUo6UANT-ckV0MwPp-xayBgHwma5lfDs6wEhL3wahbgd6hMntkso4oZenniHGXkY0E/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723935322653221746" border="0" /></a>In Manorola, we caught the train to Monterosso. We skipped the two towns in between-one of those towns was <a href="http://savevernazza.com/">Vernazza</a> and it was hit hardest in the torrential rains, flooding and mudslides that happened on October 25, 2011. I have been told this town is beautiful and a favorite by many.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQbQeezgxGezJiGYEMdwh0w5bzQTah_xMw_ambLHPJ0o89lRNwaAy6GsT_nJlmsWz5EqG4Z2ly5RWZ1lK3pkMr1rG11aCDloNYpbkQ_bmI9h75eRdltjeGzfgQBxS01oO3VpVrVAPHwsm/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQbQeezgxGezJiGYEMdwh0w5bzQTah_xMw_ambLHPJ0o89lRNwaAy6GsT_nJlmsWz5EqG4Z2ly5RWZ1lK3pkMr1rG11aCDloNYpbkQ_bmI9h75eRdltjeGzfgQBxS01oO3VpVrVAPHwsm/s320/IMG_1685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723937966591977938" border="0" /></a>In Monterosso, we ate a quick bit of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focaccia">Focaccia bread</a> sitting outside looking at the beach, The kids enjoyed rolling up their jeans and pretty much getting soaked from the knees down. When we returned to Santa Margherita, we did some window shopping, ate supper and actually got the kids to bed at 9.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapR2g7KDgDZpbJnsmut_EztGlLGxYdfRQjHUHS-Ieo2YIUfwTPyeZnKLLrkYlFHhkAVsdt0NjrD9SwmRiE088HuQ9EQuYU4CMOhPIyguXUnpPZ4jtvemRcSqJEGBFA4Mzzr6jI8ma47gf/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapR2g7KDgDZpbJnsmut_EztGlLGxYdfRQjHUHS-Ieo2YIUfwTPyeZnKLLrkYlFHhkAVsdt0NjrD9SwmRiE088HuQ9EQuYU4CMOhPIyguXUnpPZ4jtvemRcSqJEGBFA4Mzzr6jI8ma47gf/s320/IMG_1697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723935330657181650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8TE7-lVZVqwHV8fWN0tkV6BhayIzR4bErzIbedALGViYVT_k7yC7ku93sveDO6YM5TOahYF6Tbn9um7AUGkZZBi8U4h_hE1_AHRIhnTh8QgOyMnwDi3RDDe1wb9rFl3H5Kuq_2Hel7su/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8TE7-lVZVqwHV8fWN0tkV6BhayIzR4bErzIbedALGViYVT_k7yC7ku93sveDO6YM5TOahYF6Tbn9um7AUGkZZBi8U4h_hE1_AHRIhnTh8QgOyMnwDi3RDDe1wb9rFl3H5Kuq_2Hel7su/s320/IMG_1694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723937950111669858" border="0" /></a>We headed home on Friday after visiting the outside market in Santa Margherita. I love the Italian markets where you can buy anything from panties to fresh fruit! We again made a train error (my fault) which delayed us a couple of hours. It is confusing sometimes to figure out the train schedules and train bins! Irritating to make mistakes, but it does make you a well-seasoned traveler. The kids really had a good time this past week and it was nice to be on a slower schedule!Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-66698641129290301762012-03-24T15:49:00.007-05:002012-04-05T13:03:50.122-05:00Free Travel #3-Santa Margherita<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2hcOx8EKkvlHhwQDgRPHJSvI4pHnUgcG6FWYxgj28rcQFDdvqiVFjcn60MIwvqwCGscmBiO9wREepo-Y4qV1um6ZFA9ovCGWTmOSeMLOtEvIDRNXRrMXLSYz8Pppe7iTHOffEVmI1Ov3/s1600/IMG_1643.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2hcOx8EKkvlHhwQDgRPHJSvI4pHnUgcG6FWYxgj28rcQFDdvqiVFjcn60MIwvqwCGscmBiO9wREepo-Y4qV1um6ZFA9ovCGWTmOSeMLOtEvIDRNXRrMXLSYz8Pppe7iTHOffEVmI1Ov3/s320/IMG_1643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723933235369543714" border="0" /></a>The last three days of our free travel was spent in the beautiful Italian Riveria. We based ourselves in Santa Margherita at the Hotel Continental. March is low season for this area, so we were able to stay at a nice hotel with a huge balcony overlooking the Ligure Sea.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ICb3-V3tREf1wxSj0erQ6B7E17Pca1Tu4rMev5zs6t9JwrWYRj7ebMv-bUmyjfyb5bWRQaJYSKVgqzVoP3YdC3L4y0CsQTMnP2IhtdRnnD3BC5gH_cJl3rZ_ITyGtUiDFqzyjCi1_oqy/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ICb3-V3tREf1wxSj0erQ6B7E17Pca1Tu4rMev5zs6t9JwrWYRj7ebMv-bUmyjfyb5bWRQaJYSKVgqzVoP3YdC3L4y0CsQTMnP2IhtdRnnD3BC5gH_cJl3rZ_ITyGtUiDFqzyjCi1_oqy/s320/IMG_1724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723941226077274946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcdKYYxPaSOOnfvtlNRAP6Rc8gZ9f4WWlrfxCMBnxLUpncgqIYNk52irB99kQBQbEmGEc4Md2uxPT15y9eWVAu-IBoZGpIjGFAnHMrHuIlcgfcnU_kRvmc1VDMNrtwxwRqkyAKcuN0Nit/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcdKYYxPaSOOnfvtlNRAP6Rc8gZ9f4WWlrfxCMBnxLUpncgqIYNk52irB99kQBQbEmGEc4Md2uxPT15y9eWVAu-IBoZGpIjGFAnHMrHuIlcgfcnU_kRvmc1VDMNrtwxwRqkyAKcuN0Nit/s320/IMG_1723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723941212694408258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rqsdWFdK9sWlgSk5HckmF3i6NwbyXxCLMCQ2KzBOGvMSc4EEzyYT4FQxvNn5HKdKshB4HIxRKE591y4qqWMDowDyK1BpNBDxTNp-cgROgOJ9LX02GSff1cU5w77pR3pslGbVX2T0v2qz/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rqsdWFdK9sWlgSk5HckmF3i6NwbyXxCLMCQ2KzBOGvMSc4EEzyYT4FQxvNn5HKdKshB4HIxRKE591y4qqWMDowDyK1BpNBDxTNp-cgROgOJ9LX02GSff1cU5w77pR3pslGbVX2T0v2qz/s320/IMG_1648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723933255671426562" border="0" /></a>As our train rolled through the countryside, we saw beautiful mountains with snowy peaks; then we passed the rugged portion of the coast going through the towns of Cinque Terre; and, finally to our town of Santa Margherita which we happened to miss by mistake and ended up in Genova.<br /><br />We had decided to visit the Genova Aquarium, so since we were already there we changed our plans for the day and headed over there. I was really impressed with the aquarium. The tanks were huge and we got to see up close seals, penguins, jellyfish and more. The kids loved trying to "pet" the stingrays. Unfortunately the dolphin tank was under construction, so much the the kids dismay, we did not see them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ3GEszdaPSXMukgak_oqZ9GtNulVzHOV3LE9-gh-IOkOE9eAt4f-nM7krHFOb9JTTubqaHO5jg4AXIbv48sgGTodPaK4X4dOI-WKxoxcQwr7kCP9OFM5NNCxF4vWogw6DGKEjkvVkEca/s1600/IMG_0733.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ3GEszdaPSXMukgak_oqZ9GtNulVzHOV3LE9-gh-IOkOE9eAt4f-nM7krHFOb9JTTubqaHO5jg4AXIbv48sgGTodPaK4X4dOI-WKxoxcQwr7kCP9OFM5NNCxF4vWogw6DGKEjkvVkEca/s320/IMG_0733.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723933240341426194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEa4X7mnKHrGt5oV1fDsGVcFK4EuZ1hu6_bSSLtRhWia5f3Gvcvvg99ayC2r8XgLmQkFC_5TyMNQtKzOQX5rmOSqBwruyDp3Sdsw7bxEByi6JJ7P7AgmlQQBn_2bpcrIe_cNmqwj_ai6f/s1600/IMG_0740.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEa4X7mnKHrGt5oV1fDsGVcFK4EuZ1hu6_bSSLtRhWia5f3Gvcvvg99ayC2r8XgLmQkFC_5TyMNQtKzOQX5rmOSqBwruyDp3Sdsw7bxEByi6JJ7P7AgmlQQBn_2bpcrIe_cNmqwj_ai6f/s320/IMG_0740.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723933249516365138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqE4l1KaX3kVZfDW_-VZU5e0UTeoVJIh2iAg9ueg8vzOTQCHndpweImYqzuvgWhCQe02Tow3odwyRBHiaND2q0sI707ptSNGNvkMtrtf8MtBcxHE4LqBm9rSF8Vtu9EMizJjeb1agLe3v/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqE4l1KaX3kVZfDW_-VZU5e0UTeoVJIh2iAg9ueg8vzOTQCHndpweImYqzuvgWhCQe02Tow3odwyRBHiaND2q0sI707ptSNGNvkMtrtf8MtBcxHE4LqBm9rSF8Vtu9EMizJjeb1agLe3v/s320/IMG_0773.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723941213785969490" border="0" /></a>Despite missing our train stop, we had a good day full of adventure!Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-32562471147408760032012-03-24T15:44:00.006-05:002012-04-05T13:03:32.363-05:00Free Travel #2-Florence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPaZjINpNASoieW8OQsCU5LlFph-O_XrC22XL29r_Kc5Ot95QBV9cr8mUuJz02k1R7Ah-5H0DekuOQVRC0FBVODMdc2giVycetGTXAFU5fzCjj-bDu1w3ZbG8gfmK-vC1aLVk4vVc3NW4/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPaZjINpNASoieW8OQsCU5LlFph-O_XrC22XL29r_Kc5Ot95QBV9cr8mUuJz02k1R7Ah-5H0DekuOQVRC0FBVODMdc2giVycetGTXAFU5fzCjj-bDu1w3ZbG8gfmK-vC1aLVk4vVc3NW4/s320/IMG_1618.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723929485229244530" border="0" /></a>We spent two days at the villa chilling and relaxing. One day we climbed to the top of the duomo. It had 400 steps and we climbed through tight spaces to reach the top. It was pretty amazing to view the painting by Michelangelo literally right behind us. From the top of the duomo you could see all of Florence. I was a bit afraid of the height especially since Grant made the climb with us. It was a beautiful view of the city and well worth the sore legs I had the next day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkUlH83AC2jais-N9Tp_b6AzGtWDRyzcjm54C0tVqFjCFUYsl-d3U4HP_MrowLecTKeUuD-I1AVimq0kgmALCg8VluV9WumXc9qk9MTuYWbQfiUjoPuO9CpUOBdf7ndtraEf7pD1-272V/s1600/IMG_1613.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkUlH83AC2jais-N9Tp_b6AzGtWDRyzcjm54C0tVqFjCFUYsl-d3U4HP_MrowLecTKeUuD-I1AVimq0kgmALCg8VluV9WumXc9qk9MTuYWbQfiUjoPuO9CpUOBdf7ndtraEf7pD1-272V/s320/IMG_1613.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723929452807188674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFwDl_C-aOz0LmVGvkdfW0KWn9bec0LMzpJ4fQWrnWcfx6UgBwwb6hQjLpbNG9wekDBrvCtWJAMZR7ERV_Hw54TX9y3Ey8eSghTo-7kOhhGKhU3KiGPlxs7MXFsxCRVs2b4jOJXIPcif-/s1600/IMG_1616.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFwDl_C-aOz0LmVGvkdfW0KWn9bec0LMzpJ4fQWrnWcfx6UgBwwb6hQjLpbNG9wekDBrvCtWJAMZR7ERV_Hw54TX9y3Ey8eSghTo-7kOhhGKhU3KiGPlxs7MXFsxCRVs2b4jOJXIPcif-/s320/IMG_1616.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723929468499756594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTof8yJoDvpK6kTNgHny8FHe2p5pA3bOvVepXfQzboIbQPBwLn11VoTFaFbCMv2QZIIDylKvXWZ5h_lE8MY_Q6nz2gx2Gyb7JCCAPmp_mGnUlG-q0KSsjrobmcV6ylgnmP8MBG1uRZDcc/s1600/IMG_1611.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTof8yJoDvpK6kTNgHny8FHe2p5pA3bOvVepXfQzboIbQPBwLn11VoTFaFbCMv2QZIIDylKvXWZ5h_lE8MY_Q6nz2gx2Gyb7JCCAPmp_mGnUlG-q0KSsjrobmcV6ylgnmP8MBG1uRZDcc/s320/IMG_1611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723929459256269618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-F3sLx9b1cn-qAzASZz0_vJAa8Zi2HXyq9wfMm91DQTTgu81oXwGGj3ASVc_U7_dpTPUmssY0fBMAccT5pL1W1KYica_lGPofUxQwv966j4RWso43jWgINcNItU4MfWsHIZV1i2_2Pje/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-F3sLx9b1cn-qAzASZz0_vJAa8Zi2HXyq9wfMm91DQTTgu81oXwGGj3ASVc_U7_dpTPUmssY0fBMAccT5pL1W1KYica_lGPofUxQwv966j4RWso43jWgINcNItU4MfWsHIZV1i2_2Pje/s320/IMG_1636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723929476878496786" border="0" /></a><br />On our second day in Florence, Jim took Grant to the Museum Leonardi. I had fallen down a couple stairs the night before in the villa because I didn't turn the lights on. I missed some steps and fell on my ankle. Laura and I stayed back and each of us enjoyed some one on one time with the each kid.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-37557527259149032322012-03-24T14:11:00.012-05:002012-03-25T14:55:54.691-05:00ROMEThis was our first trip on a train for me and the kids. Grant was pretty excited since he loves trains so much. When we arrived in Rome, we boarded a charter bus to see the Catacombs and the ruins of the Circus of Maxentius.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk9NH079-lqgT4Uk4uxOrdWwZA9C5qaqppJaE1-6uyAePNF8Mpug5881VhCblSxZXtF-5RMCOm-Co7rEla7I2HUwilX8yzzWJ6wL-zJBpzeeCWLrmyB3P6Kj1IxEn5lMSAIp_6fdsq0G0/s1600/IMG_0548.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk9NH079-lqgT4Uk4uxOrdWwZA9C5qaqppJaE1-6uyAePNF8Mpug5881VhCblSxZXtF-5RMCOm-Co7rEla7I2HUwilX8yzzWJ6wL-zJBpzeeCWLrmyB3P6Kj1IxEn5lMSAIp_6fdsq0G0/s320/IMG_0548.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723569495114161634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFhY4bB33l7JDJ_hkfM-x5VS27sW8nje59A3b_lzJ5g3divXbZgJbMLP4PZAVvLiUxWzBCKA6kHmBjohjWP2bvhs7x6hDOItFCRptczvJoBj0XKfL0ScMQtRt3ApIHo38WIbUoJCS9Bo5/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFhY4bB33l7JDJ_hkfM-x5VS27sW8nje59A3b_lzJ5g3divXbZgJbMLP4PZAVvLiUxWzBCKA6kHmBjohjWP2bvhs7x6hDOItFCRptczvJoBj0XKfL0ScMQtRt3ApIHo38WIbUoJCS9Bo5/s320/IMG_1420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723569502279361378" border="0" /></a>I laughed when we checked into our hotel room because there were four separate beds for all of us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV0T_dnlTGyyISzUHMqJkTFAPTLHee6H3A-Crf9TdM4gXfbM0-1DafcMDph5M10Dva23yMlJEEnT2hO0chyphenhyphensCaxH2FKhViyBxgHH-348nHAQBKDdCucXvU12LMTUS22d_8TyRiR4UHLhO/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV0T_dnlTGyyISzUHMqJkTFAPTLHee6H3A-Crf9TdM4gXfbM0-1DafcMDph5M10Dva23yMlJEEnT2hO0chyphenhyphensCaxH2FKhViyBxgHH-348nHAQBKDdCucXvU12LMTUS22d_8TyRiR4UHLhO/s320/IMG_1427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723569520381088050" border="0" /></a>Here are the highlights of the trip since we saw so many sites:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trevi Fountains</span>: Legend says if you throw one coin over left shoulder, you will return to Rome; two coins thrown ensures true love; and three coins thrown ensures marriage. We all threw just one.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3ZpvXUMxT2uB4Sh__bwu8O40IWacbHLRXjMBHrhnvVOKv9V8q2E5ZOkajEIc46CW05v0LjbVES9aBxp6cb5mSvCa31rfBpB7Cx_9DCZORLFeeuA3HdJsDHyat1OMzTt5FLTJ4AXnEt61/s1600/IMG_0559.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3ZpvXUMxT2uB4Sh__bwu8O40IWacbHLRXjMBHrhnvVOKv9V8q2E5ZOkajEIc46CW05v0LjbVES9aBxp6cb5mSvCa31rfBpB7Cx_9DCZORLFeeuA3HdJsDHyat1OMzTt5FLTJ4AXnEt61/s320/IMG_0559.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723824537517670994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bla52yDEL-R_dqxAQeJ5wV3xyNH8ArTSoTPEc195ftxHJXZcuYDCMZYJX3eHotW0HodNaoB-7FVErg4a4ywNGMWyeqI3qJ0fQquh3U-UruJfw53xAjIx8PLzMTNKaToLpWEz93NpeOQo/s1600/IMG_0567.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bla52yDEL-R_dqxAQeJ5wV3xyNH8ArTSoTPEc195ftxHJXZcuYDCMZYJX3eHotW0HodNaoB-7FVErg4a4ywNGMWyeqI3qJ0fQquh3U-UruJfw53xAjIx8PLzMTNKaToLpWEz93NpeOQo/s320/IMG_0567.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723824549388799714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pantheon:</span> One interesting fact is that Brunelleschi studied this dome to figure out how to construct the Florence duomo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNsBF2SuZRPgE0AgQm4RtP076Dh9h3JcgY1_vcxIDacapNppgKMPKv-0SP3G6IbGdp5YPkp8miuiYM8cUnzN2nwZDPYn36CvRTZ2WBCl6L3Aie1UuRZarVAA6a9ba9ccE9fXRRyq-k_uk/s1600/IMG_0557.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNsBF2SuZRPgE0AgQm4RtP076Dh9h3JcgY1_vcxIDacapNppgKMPKv-0SP3G6IbGdp5YPkp8miuiYM8cUnzN2nwZDPYn36CvRTZ2WBCl6L3Aie1UuRZarVAA6a9ba9ccE9fXRRyq-k_uk/s320/IMG_0557.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723569528376694562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coliseum: </span>I was so impressed with this building structure from so long ago-it was huge!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsB1IF9NpjufOxB13P3V-ujl-jhWz8zqeSJLJCGp8fyIbhJzpwoURAOwSHOp186tLrTTA7nzVcbCeDqh24jsK5X0WsMzhjH7DSXx_zERs_g3PsdWU_DmEPrRZrNEZk0NGXCU9DS2h1m19/s1600/IMG_0620.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsB1IF9NpjufOxB13P3V-ujl-jhWz8zqeSJLJCGp8fyIbhJzpwoURAOwSHOp186tLrTTA7nzVcbCeDqh24jsK5X0WsMzhjH7DSXx_zERs_g3PsdWU_DmEPrRZrNEZk0NGXCU9DS2h1m19/s320/IMG_0620.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723824570008018466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZPNhY4SHL6m6N7gt8_3Tr6cSa1BkkoxgHHmhbVk-uRQer1PkzhXs537laR0-tofOlELurjS99duRBdsuS9SP_SLeIgZpj6aGo6g3STAWI19W2gveR-MFgtY8SjpLLg1Uit8UPK3IuJ2L/s1600/IMG_0617.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZPNhY4SHL6m6N7gt8_3Tr6cSa1BkkoxgHHmhbVk-uRQer1PkzhXs537laR0-tofOlELurjS99duRBdsuS9SP_SLeIgZpj6aGo6g3STAWI19W2gveR-MFgtY8SjpLLg1Uit8UPK3IuJ2L/s320/IMG_0617.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723824562112258130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Forum: </span>This was the central area of Roman government.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi877ZdfsVYUGndcBPx5ZHw77PV5QRIMKl9PmBvHXsxADz2zYGyt-yDgdfIZdU9Yv7bWYSh87qUd0O46Sar6KqkcFwt6-h8fn74PXQifa6GKEYn2J0QTgUr5ezM4ngy4J_OtlOZDgnZkE1X/s1600/IMG_0599.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi877ZdfsVYUGndcBPx5ZHw77PV5QRIMKl9PmBvHXsxADz2zYGyt-yDgdfIZdU9Yv7bWYSh87qUd0O46Sar6KqkcFwt6-h8fn74PXQifa6GKEYn2J0QTgUr5ezM4ngy4J_OtlOZDgnZkE1X/s320/IMG_0599.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723824575949829714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p25MXj1_uFznwLS5V3zGo2lbcqBere0bPXnhpuRqB3HOyp6bqjaTjBoJ1cAnEkm7FUFczkaeTUAojPP4xlZpW9EqR39E7ZuBG-DR3LuOpebiT6kvoHwe15zxARrmEIZD4Rfxk1nKsI53/s1600/IMG_0605.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p25MXj1_uFznwLS5V3zGo2lbcqBere0bPXnhpuRqB3HOyp6bqjaTjBoJ1cAnEkm7FUFczkaeTUAojPP4xlZpW9EqR39E7ZuBG-DR3LuOpebiT6kvoHwe15zxARrmEIZD4Rfxk1nKsI53/s320/IMG_0605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723828779830151074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRrBAQhKHlLlaD0CA5q-1Cf03utfSBnjvbuyAxGcVqtegT8TNVvVVTPVpvFBgwSOQ44EdirGe1K4Wn5XOw0LOJ_ulylIA59DfI56yb8-8Z8dmmvBPGNypez6zy62R36hsO-pCQNqdi0dU/s1600/IMG_0601.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRrBAQhKHlLlaD0CA5q-1Cf03utfSBnjvbuyAxGcVqtegT8TNVvVVTPVpvFBgwSOQ44EdirGe1K4Wn5XOw0LOJ_ulylIA59DfI56yb8-8Z8dmmvBPGNypez6zy62R36hsO-pCQNqdi0dU/s320/IMG_0601.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723923501439201810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Villa Borghese</span>: There are museums, a theatre, park, a lake, and a zoo. We rented a fun bike to tour the beautiful area and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6grljGLsolYuNXLAGO_niSf9G7ThEYp_RgMo5AI6NsDbYKH7gRto6Fnu7NPIXxTrq-HDp6t5ZcrvgxLQMwGID9Wwh_XXmWnX24eFaxiyImC7UyPotm2od4xhg7zIZm73Opt9Z3p3_iNt8/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6grljGLsolYuNXLAGO_niSf9G7ThEYp_RgMo5AI6NsDbYKH7gRto6Fnu7NPIXxTrq-HDp6t5ZcrvgxLQMwGID9Wwh_XXmWnX24eFaxiyImC7UyPotm2od4xhg7zIZm73Opt9Z3p3_iNt8/s320/IMG_0628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723828789411216338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Vatican:</span><br />I had no idea the Vatican was so enormous. This was a harder visit to really enjoy with two children. Laura enjoyed it for about an hour and Grant was totally off that day, so he was a challenge. I did enjoy the Sistine chapel although it was super duper crowded. We also visited St. Peter's Basilica. It has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world. It was beautiful!<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica#cite_note-size-0"><span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a-S_K6wjJGTAAZPOZLxkKaNF7XTu9l_A_qK8g5jNDnJnue1AULeBzo4SQ12evnvnLoBvcs-Rvnn2MErBfR-gCKx7o8zglJHWAw7gVMyOP2H9MSzrqXEldHnLIHYPGbhlm2e9EiNn1TxF/s1600/IMG_0635.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a-S_K6wjJGTAAZPOZLxkKaNF7XTu9l_A_qK8g5jNDnJnue1AULeBzo4SQ12evnvnLoBvcs-Rvnn2MErBfR-gCKx7o8zglJHWAw7gVMyOP2H9MSzrqXEldHnLIHYPGbhlm2e9EiNn1TxF/s320/IMG_0635.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723828800677336466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_EBo2oaOheF8LskXZDlNd0R_iz0thHRJ2rZc2o5GjrsWteaf2VnwyFN6w59mduNqG_cWf4NzjxcjrMZm92zHXISPMDE6TIYvMRLFt_wqkU67sK1BPYblAMn92H0JemP6Ho4EWJv3gW8X/s1600/IMG_0641.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_EBo2oaOheF8LskXZDlNd0R_iz0thHRJ2rZc2o5GjrsWteaf2VnwyFN6w59mduNqG_cWf4NzjxcjrMZm92zHXISPMDE6TIYvMRLFt_wqkU67sK1BPYblAMn92H0JemP6Ho4EWJv3gW8X/s320/IMG_0641.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723828805364084994" border="0" /></a>Grant is definitely on his last legs at this point as he sits in the middle of the church!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9biXB7SXLVmFQoXskpu6cFZnHAnx7851gzsZovFwRZbM3CfvbpVq00QR1ZvT48r26rvyelfudwHv_DhgXxevKdfKpksmdWtsjSOnofpzjTm_m48pfy1lw7hvOHhWDaJvtFmcDf7i9yY-/s1600/IMG_0638.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9biXB7SXLVmFQoXskpu6cFZnHAnx7851gzsZovFwRZbM3CfvbpVq00QR1ZvT48r26rvyelfudwHv_DhgXxevKdfKpksmdWtsjSOnofpzjTm_m48pfy1lw7hvOHhWDaJvtFmcDf7i9yY-/s320/IMG_0638.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723923513749193746" border="0" /></a><br />Rome was so fascinating because you have this huge city bustling with taxis, people, cobbled roads, fountains with fresh drinking water and then ancient ruins.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9yTrms3Ini574q6bgFGWAqRYHaJoTrNoo557knDTQq0H7TdtAJNJc6FOWsy8C1iysD0Ph628LU4v03tBEcm36NXIWyM1NTglLeESCg3BHmUDqmUZmbR_2THRIiuMfAVdfl52cKPQRE5k/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9yTrms3Ini574q6bgFGWAqRYHaJoTrNoo557knDTQq0H7TdtAJNJc6FOWsy8C1iysD0Ph628LU4v03tBEcm36NXIWyM1NTglLeESCg3BHmUDqmUZmbR_2THRIiuMfAVdfl52cKPQRE5k/s320/IMG_1422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723569510044768114" border="0" /></a> I liked it a lot, but I will say that I enjoy the smaller city of Florence.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-27516143429688047342012-03-11T10:00:00.004-05:002012-03-24T13:19:40.656-05:00Masks for Carnavale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHZFIa4R90p1A89i4cVxuMLGmWXZIy8R5V_TBhpautR6aQCazsky3c4YzRVW6jpLuWQUAtZV7FoEFxczRb4x6wM29b6XtHkqoln2cX5ml1qpLEAHE_89rWPtU_Y5WPG1yVVv4iW-BxQLl/s1600/IMG_0541.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqcWA33qqj6FsLxjBhC3lkAOzFtJvNrgeXI2KyDOnCn4pe1NROlGi9SN24Sq4gF3LCb1NpJiw4P5dOf2ogX9TedbThXsczDiRPYE7k-gZE3VGiseyGPIXMgpZuFtKu6Jgz8qN3qsGzIv7/s1600/IMG_0538.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqcWA33qqj6FsLxjBhC3lkAOzFtJvNrgeXI2KyDOnCn4pe1NROlGi9SN24Sq4gF3LCb1NpJiw4P5dOf2ogX9TedbThXsczDiRPYE7k-gZE3VGiseyGPIXMgpZuFtKu6Jgz8qN3qsGzIv7/s400/IMG_0538.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723516412582685378" border="0" /></a>I took Laura one afternoon with the HU student to visit a Firenze artisian bottegga. We were there about three hours and learned the art of mask making. Since Carnavale was coming up, we all make our own masks. It was quite a process and a long one. Laura made her very own mask and I stayed out of her artistic style.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukThTZOcMAPJSC_nRSDInItN-dNUlt-5JVdORw_eV_oybd8Ci5LUUYeD7kLcZKLXcUviBzAeFOmF0KZey0Lpv6wnl3uEB5YK2R-lWRNVF96A4EAUFkfkWIuNPmgy2BQb3wVj0WOz9aa8_/s1600/IMG_0527.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukThTZOcMAPJSC_nRSDInItN-dNUlt-5JVdORw_eV_oybd8Ci5LUUYeD7kLcZKLXcUviBzAeFOmF0KZey0Lpv6wnl3uEB5YK2R-lWRNVF96A4EAUFkfkWIuNPmgy2BQb3wVj0WOz9aa8_/s400/IMG_0527.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723516389363425810" border="0" /></a>Carnavale is like "Fat Tuesday". It takes place the day before Ash Wednesday where you can eat all the yummies you desire before Lent. We celebrated at the Villa with a mexican dinner. We all dressed up in our masks and Grant was a cowboy. There was a fun band where Laura and Grant took over the dance floor for a few minutes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbL7lxpOryRkXEd-c49BQk5ydsN3qKi9I52g9LuyWNpEE0ynlqlv5o6Z5l9x7f71Z59qWvg-WQvGi3FKwUD5bJ96oZ0r2c6ZV6_5pW9B5cl4jsZ3EY2tPTMU-G8v6JHloNqZgxMqETMhaG/s1600/IMG_0537.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbL7lxpOryRkXEd-c49BQk5ydsN3qKi9I52g9LuyWNpEE0ynlqlv5o6Z5l9x7f71Z59qWvg-WQvGi3FKwUD5bJ96oZ0r2c6ZV6_5pW9B5cl4jsZ3EY2tPTMU-G8v6JHloNqZgxMqETMhaG/s400/IMG_0537.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723516395086122738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHZFIa4R90p1A89i4cVxuMLGmWXZIy8R5V_TBhpautR6aQCazsky3c4YzRVW6jpLuWQUAtZV7FoEFxczRb4x6wM29b6XtHkqoln2cX5ml1qpLEAHE_89rWPtU_Y5WPG1yVVv4iW-BxQLl/s1600/IMG_0541.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHZFIa4R90p1A89i4cVxuMLGmWXZIy8R5V_TBhpautR6aQCazsky3c4YzRVW6jpLuWQUAtZV7FoEFxczRb4x6wM29b6XtHkqoln2cX5ml1qpLEAHE_89rWPtU_Y5WPG1yVVv4iW-BxQLl/s400/IMG_0541.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723516422726868626" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-50456979683339828272012-03-11T04:03:00.011-05:002012-03-11T07:11:45.426-05:00Loving and Missing<span style="font-weight: bold;">What I miss:</span><br />1. My clothes smelling like Downy.<br />2. Lingering over a cup of coffee--Italians drink their caffe in 5 minutes.<br />3. My mom and dad and Friends-being able to just pick up the phone and call my mom every morning or a friend real quick. I miss that.<br />4. A schedule for my children.<br />5. Alone time<br />6. Annie sleeping in our bed at night.<br />7. Diet coke--- coke light just isn't the same!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What I love:</span><br />1. My clothes <span style="font-weight: bold;">are </span>washed and folded by Ms. Paola.<br />2. Cappuccino - tastes nothing like American Cappuccino<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgf-EYULQSpMdfk8OaXi1fDTxrLZ8bcP_dCkkz5SHlE91Em1zSS__oQ81eP5s5zZq087tp8ESkvc1gHRNlVEdpyXzzWv3sBtQA6ASRMQvvjfKRdLDKchobyzgqpUAXOMXPQ5s3YNpnC9q/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgf-EYULQSpMdfk8OaXi1fDTxrLZ8bcP_dCkkz5SHlE91Em1zSS__oQ81eP5s5zZq087tp8ESkvc1gHRNlVEdpyXzzWv3sBtQA6ASRMQvvjfKRdLDKchobyzgqpUAXOMXPQ5s3YNpnC9q/s400/IMG_1124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718608729172628594" border="0" /></a>3. Italians being so helpful and sweet-especially to Laura and Grant.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx_W3fmu9XIYCui4SPc_iCQsLAg8Av0sORpbHRocPO0M8Wjue3NLVBNcxAH8DVuWi99F-VQqizWmuE9mEXY0UOWQUOj2cLkiKbwHxMf-Qpjg1MFxq_FR9Q4OMc9eBBN8LKH60OTsZRWbE/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx_W3fmu9XIYCui4SPc_iCQsLAg8Av0sORpbHRocPO0M8Wjue3NLVBNcxAH8DVuWi99F-VQqizWmuE9mEXY0UOWQUOj2cLkiKbwHxMf-Qpjg1MFxq_FR9Q4OMc9eBBN8LKH60OTsZRWbE/s400/IMG_1116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718609485506239810" border="0" /></a>4. Simplicity of Italian culture-there are really no conveniences here-like drive thru food. I love that. You have to plan ahead and not rely on McDonald's or Little Caesar's to feed you.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHVQ0zYgUaOxMTqPnDpTHfBM9kTITSgOkJUyJOlxtEr1iyRlz8qJbyHfL2k-tAZ68z8eU1bR2PeX3ibeR21FUHLkFGrw5uW9mr4ISyv5GoYP0NzRhQ59e6vdqhg4YcuQyEdnrDVcsxIT5/s1600/IMG_1369.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHVQ0zYgUaOxMTqPnDpTHfBM9kTITSgOkJUyJOlxtEr1iyRlz8qJbyHfL2k-tAZ68z8eU1bR2PeX3ibeR21FUHLkFGrw5uW9mr4ISyv5GoYP0NzRhQ59e6vdqhg4YcuQyEdnrDVcsxIT5/s400/IMG_1369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718609130814118338" border="0" /></a>5. Technology is not a big deal here. You won't find Italians on their phones ALL the time. I enjoy that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hZC89irfsSMCWWys4O09p1yi3LphXP45ioHI-XlY-zmWpBkhm50ERgvSpDQ9ds_ZaW2F7PDKhRUOFlThtupolfMvqpmyTIw1PXFO-DlYELVqp6W7spgs2BjYMoQFChk2jHDGd1Mp19vX/s1600/IMG_0526.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hZC89irfsSMCWWys4O09p1yi3LphXP45ioHI-XlY-zmWpBkhm50ERgvSpDQ9ds_ZaW2F7PDKhRUOFlThtupolfMvqpmyTIw1PXFO-DlYELVqp6W7spgs2BjYMoQFChk2jHDGd1Mp19vX/s400/IMG_0526.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718572615213024690" border="0" /></a>6. Beauty-I haven't been to an ugly place yet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzQMF3OjaTuyXj7WJ9NhO0wyVR7WjrPoahI15WIt6c_TkrUVkeKq_12MgbJufXT6SDOXVXzZaD930vhPP2BnoP6VkkSigDW17O5y2-biksB9R3XKr6otL0dT9MjGxMnxsh-FSfh6uEDWQ/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzQMF3OjaTuyXj7WJ9NhO0wyVR7WjrPoahI15WIt6c_TkrUVkeKq_12MgbJufXT6SDOXVXzZaD930vhPP2BnoP6VkkSigDW17O5y2-biksB9R3XKr6otL0dT9MjGxMnxsh-FSfh6uEDWQ/s400/IMG_1648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718572116934231810" border="0" /></a>7. City life-it is nice to just hop on a tram or train to get to your destination.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIc5kYud-zh2kzqNCVYuJ-qpCsJLTOhaklnn3Oq3nQ03x-1kHWp_mUrnOG2KmRqemVWe-n3QgB52k68Gb_HXzTPuWyAoBPSks5AZVxakcvGXbA6OW5lpaV93oVqPqpb-66FgdOkJMkkcw/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIc5kYud-zh2kzqNCVYuJ-qpCsJLTOhaklnn3Oq3nQ03x-1kHWp_mUrnOG2KmRqemVWe-n3QgB52k68Gb_HXzTPuWyAoBPSks5AZVxakcvGXbA6OW5lpaV93oVqPqpb-66FgdOkJMkkcw/s400/IMG_1599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718571768450493554" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-87499948599987747302012-03-10T06:15:00.011-06:002012-03-11T10:00:08.255-05:00San Gimigiano & Sienna<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7SjL1GDD5RE3_7GPQfZ3VN9Xelv5tP-7Pp0N_1SMjIdAKSV9KmfTTNlesnjktInkGfLTJYKM9FNjKjk0GhxxuzFXbHVQbmmhDGUi4ePBIxHTgvo-O7O4Sa4EtYa7yM8tNxaImZpHxzfP/s1600/Millers.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7SjL1GDD5RE3_7GPQfZ3VN9Xelv5tP-7Pp0N_1SMjIdAKSV9KmfTTNlesnjktInkGfLTJYKM9FNjKjk0GhxxuzFXbHVQbmmhDGUi4ePBIxHTgvo-O7O4Sa4EtYa7yM8tNxaImZpHxzfP/s400/Millers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718614728468274994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDnyihyzYrC_SMuCz7qijFPFunpA7NH0V-eCIgjZUKPXmbgndtUWxH0iaxQb6AhhQNdxMpC9TSWmELFkPTOIGEiUnJj4rt_WkfA3ZiXSYAV0RcJCW1fz1GZ2kXhjZErb_DZ8PA0TE00nS/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDnyihyzYrC_SMuCz7qijFPFunpA7NH0V-eCIgjZUKPXmbgndtUWxH0iaxQb6AhhQNdxMpC9TSWmELFkPTOIGEiUnJj4rt_WkfA3ZiXSYAV0RcJCW1fz1GZ2kXhjZErb_DZ8PA0TE00nS/s400/IMG_0504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718294947918460434" border="0" /></a>A clear blue sky awaited us as we boarded the bus for San Gimigiano. This was definitely one of my favorite towns. It was quaint, adorable and a beautiful city surrounded by towers. The town originally had 72 towers, and now only 15 remain. The weekly market was that day and the little shops were open along the cobbled street.<br /><br />We visited the Duomo which was decorated in Old and New testament frescoes. Our time went so quickly and after we had climbed to the top of the city, it was time to go.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf20YHFZRZYAQtwSsVjE3DL010LkoB53a58OKTVJbhZZAWAKVwY_cw97O8IxzQmVKH4Z39foR5J6PgOVcqie2nyRkLAXHxyZUDPFFV9qOpdR6-Fijss8XXGb0PqlIXOQ1PRkXQ3-wDmM-/s1600/IMG_0498.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf20YHFZRZYAQtwSsVjE3DL010LkoB53a58OKTVJbhZZAWAKVwY_cw97O8IxzQmVKH4Z39foR5J6PgOVcqie2nyRkLAXHxyZUDPFFV9qOpdR6-Fijss8XXGb0PqlIXOQ1PRkXQ3-wDmM-/s400/IMG_0498.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718294943015134098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1HyeXv6_Xjpmzke3y-9A2k5dvcB_lAc8DGTDIbgClrH1YnwBqftgge_ZDkNEmKN8iFgqLk4NeS_L4XnyX-E9reU5jTJpnTkrZIe-Y6U9GwuDkl_yZIyGm5G8TH3bEc0RLt752Mw-kjDJ/s1600/IMG_0508.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1HyeXv6_Xjpmzke3y-9A2k5dvcB_lAc8DGTDIbgClrH1YnwBqftgge_ZDkNEmKN8iFgqLk4NeS_L4XnyX-E9reU5jTJpnTkrZIe-Y6U9GwuDkl_yZIyGm5G8TH3bEc0RLt752Mw-kjDJ/s400/IMG_0508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718294955743815074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bLY5sNhCybfCsz1D1dipMVME-hX86DWjUKqkr17GZDD519Q8bYW_euIUbS7exomEYMKnKblg2VpNTy_WIbQ0vL1iCm1qSrdAT-Ezbp9-8Q0Wq1chBLx9L5jywTRgiIegbaAmEpHmcmFD/s1600/IMG_0509.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bLY5sNhCybfCsz1D1dipMVME-hX86DWjUKqkr17GZDD519Q8bYW_euIUbS7exomEYMKnKblg2VpNTy_WIbQ0vL1iCm1qSrdAT-Ezbp9-8Q0Wq1chBLx9L5jywTRgiIegbaAmEpHmcmFD/s400/IMG_0509.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718294968611140290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4Y_fFTKTTRh13OgoI7MjH4Scmlz44YrFr5nDo_aDdhpSdBvVegJhpRFI7D2WlhuBkLZN4MW9xdiePeyG9etOj49_2Ys7ETjQkN8hKRHr4PHTo1_stdZbMcdD6tvR4fTp5cSpetvcJfrE/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4Y_fFTKTTRh13OgoI7MjH4Scmlz44YrFr5nDo_aDdhpSdBvVegJhpRFI7D2WlhuBkLZN4MW9xdiePeyG9etOj49_2Ys7ETjQkN8hKRHr4PHTo1_stdZbMcdD6tvR4fTp5cSpetvcJfrE/s400/IMG_1331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718614738279278114" border="0" /></a><br />On our way to Sienna, we ate lunch at Monteriggioni. This is a medieval Tuscany town surrounded by its virutally intact curtain walls and fourteen towers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEu76q6gsKVD9dM7WCAqxeQ4uUdwj7plo8PHH7H-UNSB96OBuWs1sr-9d_Oc0LOfdhZM7v958M7LAZykFxWypXQACulTtOazJDkDPKuYHzLfBnpHVWdVaOuPOaJrx0A-RbEYjmE1hzHEoi/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEu76q6gsKVD9dM7WCAqxeQ4uUdwj7plo8PHH7H-UNSB96OBuWs1sr-9d_Oc0LOfdhZM7v958M7LAZykFxWypXQACulTtOazJDkDPKuYHzLfBnpHVWdVaOuPOaJrx0A-RbEYjmE1hzHEoi/s400/IMG_1333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718615451962045730" border="0" /></a>After lunch, we headed to Sienna where we toured their Cathedral. We let the kids play in the Piazza del Campo which houses the Torre del Mangia and is also famous for hosting the <i>Palio</i> horse races.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC-HFgE-DWAepyJQN5zdkFpn4GY9HD7jTXdLHwJck7p-c6QgfgOR_c56R9TdWgZr_kqRqNLCjQ_NxHcg561lSyeok3x7y8n8N3VGuAPgp_uvnYLuY49kBNhc0gOmOcEst3c4-0rU6UWD0/s1600/IMG_1344.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC-HFgE-DWAepyJQN5zdkFpn4GY9HD7jTXdLHwJck7p-c6QgfgOR_c56R9TdWgZr_kqRqNLCjQ_NxHcg561lSyeok3x7y8n8N3VGuAPgp_uvnYLuY49kBNhc0gOmOcEst3c4-0rU6UWD0/s400/IMG_1344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718614743664715650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRu67tVfAWKMJIse5v03FOOPcGiJNNpf9uYTN2OZ2YlZy9oS1JqPmA76nzT5rkSsbLQnUBPWwEJehkuPUcog9JJDzWixyyJfAk0SHFUmY4JTg0lpY9V2_lP21OeJ0lm9ImmmaMaUGZmCyX/s1600/IMG_0519.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGrbwnwTJbKA5dj2ZWwG6Spbt4Hk6TRgUcPx6phRWaw6z9595YZBe6woOLM0xsOlds_4wTXRV9E0Q3x3od2BGJRCVto277aJbZu0usZx4rOKzjl8N1kXZJ9mOsCxLrqeF5YPSOoeh5qoi/s1600/IMG_0523.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGrbwnwTJbKA5dj2ZWwG6Spbt4Hk6TRgUcPx6phRWaw6z9595YZBe6woOLM0xsOlds_4wTXRV9E0Q3x3od2BGJRCVto277aJbZu0usZx4rOKzjl8N1kXZJ9mOsCxLrqeF5YPSOoeh5qoi/s400/IMG_0523.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718298416017232722" border="0" /></a>I really enjoyed Sienna and our day was complete with a meal together at a local favorite restaurant.<br /><h2 align="center"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 0);"><a href="http://www.monteriggioni.info/monteriggioni.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 0);font-family:verdana,tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></a><span style=";font-family:verdana,tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ></span></span></h2>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-37818699200812745852012-03-04T15:41:00.010-06:002012-03-11T09:43:33.147-05:00Abetone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsSJ_Rmjm8QZEkJVmXOX0x92d2WWjSmQL0uFe9lxDYFss_LnL9jWTKO-E9lSH3lzXFjxnUN0O0ZJgWNo6jWiL8B5seCmROvKvx3vMYi42G7D9cF25Dbutb8pK7vhsIKrD-ggOEK8UkMpO/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsSJ_Rmjm8QZEkJVmXOX0x92d2WWjSmQL0uFe9lxDYFss_LnL9jWTKO-E9lSH3lzXFjxnUN0O0ZJgWNo6jWiL8B5seCmROvKvx3vMYi42G7D9cF25Dbutb8pK7vhsIKrD-ggOEK8UkMpO/s400/IMG_0477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718646290425700818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh720dahjNEGWASRebJTqbSt0Y_uoP85cnhSY0PPPj7Wo8MMMrMM6UjqbrwDfIk7AgtsPrdSY45kYImwUinjknx7xGGqcGOXDVw7sMxyc3tICnyzxWUpqqeU7XAjPYNhOortVnOcI3WEqQ-/s1600/IMG_0472.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh720dahjNEGWASRebJTqbSt0Y_uoP85cnhSY0PPPj7Wo8MMMrMM6UjqbrwDfIk7AgtsPrdSY45kYImwUinjknx7xGGqcGOXDVw7sMxyc3tICnyzxWUpqqeU7XAjPYNhOortVnOcI3WEqQ-/s400/IMG_0472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716809903279516498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc3WAYTbCowgsa5zwcYTRvUxVli0aJ3y9tQ3pBAS-QL_xWxuEve-HJU5bGDfOYF_n2ftghprr0hS20_gS3PUX5Rc5XciQmc4rq6BL1t4XAVSz-Z7X4XQhyphenhyphenGaN-inkvFlhBScVUk6tX2Jl/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc3WAYTbCowgsa5zwcYTRvUxVli0aJ3y9tQ3pBAS-QL_xWxuEve-HJU5bGDfOYF_n2ftghprr0hS20_gS3PUX5Rc5XciQmc4rq6BL1t4XAVSz-Z7X4XQhyphenhyphenGaN-inkvFlhBScVUk6tX2Jl/s400/IMG_0476.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716809589428182626" border="0" /></a><br />We visited Abetone, Italy, for 3 days of skiing at the beginning of February (I'm that far behind on my blog!!)<br /><br />I've never been skiing and I'm not one for cold and wet, so I wasn't really super excited about this trip. And it had been sooooo cold in Italy-unusually cold--the coldest it has been here in years. Yep, the year we come to Italy, the coldest winter hits.<br /><br />At the meeting to prepare us for going to Abetone, Kyle (the asst. director) mentions that if you get car sick then to definitely go to the "Farmacia" to get some travel gum. Well, I can get car sick going to Little Rock with Jim, so my first priority was to not be the one who puked on the bus. And let me tell you that the drive to Abetone was scary. First it was snowing; second, we are on the huge charter bus on tiny narrow roads; third, did I mention how winding the roads were? We made it safely to our cute little family run hotel called <a href="http://www.albergoexcelsior.com/">"Hotel Excelsior"</a>.<br /><br />My first meeting with the ski slopes lasted about 10 minutes. My ski boots were a size too small and I could barely walk. I decided skiing wasn't for me, but Jim pushed me to try the next day with bigger boots. It was a much better experience. Kids did ski school that day and they were both completely at ease and loved it all. I managed to get down the bunny slopes and did have fun. Our last day there, Jim talked me into doing a blue slope and I reluctantly agreed. It was pretty scary and Kyle had to help me down all of it. I have determined that I am able to ski, but I don't just LOVE doing it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1i0b8w2Y_7Mz65yjz0b4inwSil8OFwplnHNGmidGTwM7U-3Hj7VnTiulgO7E2_cv3hnWavgT18zFi-pVnBIDqV8oTgRio9i_pPmXELsz6yCq0chKNOQxzb6sS7YgQjuEneDThcIqLixbi/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1i0b8w2Y_7Mz65yjz0b4inwSil8OFwplnHNGmidGTwM7U-3Hj7VnTiulgO7E2_cv3hnWavgT18zFi-pVnBIDqV8oTgRio9i_pPmXELsz6yCq0chKNOQxzb6sS7YgQjuEneDThcIqLixbi/s400/IMG_1168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718646282060952418" border="0" /></a>We had a great time though and Grant was so tired that he fell asleep both nights during dinner. He's been a trooper with our different schedule!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ0GgVicl1EZEHxEwoIo0de94ViETSpHIXtUPRjo9HNe3p_GPnY30i6K9tmxH4bQeUNGOlIdN-KVopXUUJwYv_2_nw0-HUnNIQdPLSAWwAJid-FMkpJhfnScBhHhoa9BrzoBgbnROACNj/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ0GgVicl1EZEHxEwoIo0de94ViETSpHIXtUPRjo9HNe3p_GPnY30i6K9tmxH4bQeUNGOlIdN-KVopXUUJwYv_2_nw0-HUnNIQdPLSAWwAJid-FMkpJhfnScBhHhoa9BrzoBgbnROACNj/s400/IMG_1186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718646274940861762" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-47740497470057550812012-02-20T02:29:00.005-06:002012-02-20T07:54:49.104-06:00LatelyRight now, Grant is napping and Laura is watching a movie with the college girls. It is a perfect time for me to reflect on the past 25 days. They haven't all been easy. Some have been filled with belly laughs and others times of tears. I've come along way in the 3 weeks we have been here. At first, it was confusing to find my way around town; communicate at the grocery store; pay for stuff; and even figure out how to buckle Grant into a carseat. Everything seemed complicated and backwards!<br /><br />Then, Grant was not adjusting well AT ALL. He was being super stubborn and downright disobedient. And on top of it all, I got sick. Our family has never lived in such close quarters before, so we were all learning how to live together and try to find some time to have "alone" time to recharge our batteries. It was an interesting 2 weeks. I feel like this past week, we've done a lot better. The kids seem happier and content. Jim and I have figured out a routine (for the most part) and we are settled in. I didn't imagine it would ever take so long to feel adjusted, so I'm very thankful that we are in the groove.<br /><br />We have found some fun things to do that are "kid friendly". One of them was to visit a ludoteca. It is a neat little play area indoors with fun games and such. Grant was pretty excited to play with a car and I even got a kick out of the Italian Monopoly game!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe-kZ-ZIOHNlNESDEH9qh6aYHbjtjc4Rm8V2iaZy7yWvx77GwmlK3RFCkXM66IWiqEo6EZHOjBCOz4RFgDTax6bW8DEiQ21TFvfrQ5VjPjENwHc4J7tJCS5zDRG3keogGN8qg0CHHERC9/s1600/IMG_0445.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe-kZ-ZIOHNlNESDEH9qh6aYHbjtjc4Rm8V2iaZy7yWvx77GwmlK3RFCkXM66IWiqEo6EZHOjBCOz4RFgDTax6bW8DEiQ21TFvfrQ5VjPjENwHc4J7tJCS5zDRG3keogGN8qg0CHHERC9/s400/IMG_0445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711192121972376162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWqS2BMx1g3qMo_64acmCHgPja2Bmlo7XZKawcilovde_-iPGSvuJ-KrlwkCknBSVCWZboWZReXZg5p1Hdzje7v0WdnjsBIMyJwf19As9ut4z2wPtWvtyAdShlqjynsf6E7iVnSYQbvKd/s1600/IMG_0447.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWqS2BMx1g3qMo_64acmCHgPja2Bmlo7XZKawcilovde_-iPGSvuJ-KrlwkCknBSVCWZboWZReXZg5p1Hdzje7v0WdnjsBIMyJwf19As9ut4z2wPtWvtyAdShlqjynsf6E7iVnSYQbvKd/s400/IMG_0447.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711192126714008450" border="0" /></a><br />We enjoyed our first pizza as well. Both kids have really enjoyed having pizza so much.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl35Gxz3ioR7m9h4mnSb0JMnOssJljxEKnw4tokJDYelEjCw__gmWFv3a1kfd3WxcZJCUrESfJl3mNbgOt4f8sZTKvQr-At2tfUASKdr7aQXdC8H23tbu7AVekP59WOPH1VmyxKKY2z3rx/s1600/IMG_0448.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl35Gxz3ioR7m9h4mnSb0JMnOssJljxEKnw4tokJDYelEjCw__gmWFv3a1kfd3WxcZJCUrESfJl3mNbgOt4f8sZTKvQr-At2tfUASKdr7aQXdC8H23tbu7AVekP59WOPH1VmyxKKY2z3rx/s400/IMG_0448.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711192132407126386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkPNm5o_kLZRLJNwSEt1_u06Pj-A24RVw41ZfLefW-GmIt4htLkFXKIXh5GDcbhyXOa3hQAKcQUKlykO8Elzp26E_FfIkinIF0ms8YUmAxeYlbpf1eTiejINBiZ5jTfI9gW0YXCv4NfhQ/s1600/IMG_0449.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkPNm5o_kLZRLJNwSEt1_u06Pj-A24RVw41ZfLefW-GmIt4htLkFXKIXh5GDcbhyXOa3hQAKcQUKlykO8Elzp26E_FfIkinIF0ms8YUmAxeYlbpf1eTiejINBiZ5jTfI9gW0YXCv4NfhQ/s400/IMG_0449.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711192555403338914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkPNm5o_kLZRLJNwSEt1_u06Pj-A24RVw41ZfLefW-GmIt4htLkFXKIXh5GDcbhyXOa3hQAKcQUKlykO8Elzp26E_FfIkinIF0ms8YUmAxeYlbpf1eTiejINBiZ5jTfI9gW0YXCv4NfhQ/s1600/IMG_0449.jpg">On Fridays, we have gone to the Scandicci library to help Italian children learn English. It's been fun to interact with them and it has also helped us learn some new words as well.</a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCIuH0vOgC_cGX8l9da_jEFnFmMpLPQ8p7cFGXLeelqVq3FCy44GgOTP5V7rezMpnXS0VtKBd1nkhNviqSqe1SGav3r9TUJ1gIER5Bx64UOhvTEuT14uXNqvVQLmO_gr3sRxFbEPGmPXi/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCIuH0vOgC_cGX8l9da_jEFnFmMpLPQ8p7cFGXLeelqVq3FCy44GgOTP5V7rezMpnXS0VtKBd1nkhNviqSqe1SGav3r9TUJ1gIER5Bx64UOhvTEuT14uXNqvVQLmO_gr3sRxFbEPGmPXi/s400/IMG_0451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711192157520997058" border="0" /></a>One day in Florence, we found a book exchange and the kids both enjoyed finding some new books to buy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xkOKg7L2uaIKfIg57eOa5TJNM1rKvrmXBwiCSXlall43t3LWpmulwUuq85PO87K7f9T97jWs_DYaRhizl9_QYDEcERoy2nyFGn7zXza8fbXp7cws5WOMtK5J5IMFzgPv1SrygQfb7pfK/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xkOKg7L2uaIKfIg57eOa5TJNM1rKvrmXBwiCSXlall43t3LWpmulwUuq85PO87K7f9T97jWs_DYaRhizl9_QYDEcERoy2nyFGn7zXza8fbXp7cws5WOMtK5J5IMFzgPv1SrygQfb7pfK/s400/IMG_0450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711192156097486482" border="0" /></a>The weather has finally warmed up a bit. The wind was so brutal for about 10 days. It was just bitterly cold and we had snow as well. We've seen some beautiful churches and amazing towns that I'm going to blog about next.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-38589918836938404552012-02-15T09:48:00.002-06:002012-03-11T09:58:44.744-05:00Valentine's Day is....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEw3Oc8IUFBFhNfaXmIG3NXtNmijK7y0BGY77pA_Q_B9AVmM13-hQjQ9uKSGzEksmUZTkoHFZGYRE-8NnvH0X_g7yeAyQt5eibTadfS0nPynA_dKliblGidFsDnCTkoRy-sVV4t_P_Fk8/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEw3Oc8IUFBFhNfaXmIG3NXtNmijK7y0BGY77pA_Q_B9AVmM13-hQjQ9uKSGzEksmUZTkoHFZGYRE-8NnvH0X_g7yeAyQt5eibTadfS0nPynA_dKliblGidFsDnCTkoRy-sVV4t_P_Fk8/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718653763112093426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">a BIG deal at the Villa. The boys sang "HUF girls" to the tune of "My Girl", all girls were given a rose, Laura made Valentine's for everyone</span>, and Jim and I went on a date to a yummy restaurant and took a cab up to the Piazzo Michelangelo to view the city at night. Perfect day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34s2b21fetjF0ZvMqKDCSWin4XBO8ssiIpoT_MWY6zWRfYAUrfqk5vwAywAdCthaoriEXu36Qf4HMvh3Kq8wNar_75eGPJfqFZX3ODMMbeyklY14Y5MgG3FJHkuqO9ISYNHvgvmrKhNDd/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34s2b21fetjF0ZvMqKDCSWin4XBO8ssiIpoT_MWY6zWRfYAUrfqk5vwAywAdCthaoriEXu36Qf4HMvh3Kq8wNar_75eGPJfqFZX3ODMMbeyklY14Y5MgG3FJHkuqO9ISYNHvgvmrKhNDd/s400/IMG_1267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718653769269156802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWe21B8N7iH2cHr2mynf-SCM-cw1bb-RQE1p_8nXWCtEZbsQ7bDQnB7ibhgUjamqljfsorA8TdmET4WW2vnCA4jvq8vXEig9FUvKKIfyvAvR6V1zc8sNVhAougaiJQfqRrF24y7883lKE/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWe21B8N7iH2cHr2mynf-SCM-cw1bb-RQE1p_8nXWCtEZbsQ7bDQnB7ibhgUjamqljfsorA8TdmET4WW2vnCA4jvq8vXEig9FUvKKIfyvAvR6V1zc8sNVhAougaiJQfqRrF24y7883lKE/s400/IMG_1273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718653790385989970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZteZ1NZlD4bkiA0WlVedVqUyYg4m8o0Q8HMBjfOAVbjmXqZAz0qvYnuXSNoFoB23xmNUlyc-bAp35E7K3_UTqv27UsCic3PefbY1nJFg3AUkXajjmU1tOTU-1m5dUugoaU0q6V7opIpyZ/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZteZ1NZlD4bkiA0WlVedVqUyYg4m8o0Q8HMBjfOAVbjmXqZAz0qvYnuXSNoFoB23xmNUlyc-bAp35E7K3_UTqv27UsCic3PefbY1nJFg3AUkXajjmU1tOTU-1m5dUugoaU0q6V7opIpyZ/s400/IMG_1268.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718653772673444002" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-57762162062729829572012-02-03T05:44:00.000-06:002012-02-04T03:37:29.637-06:00Duomo & Baptistry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2cSOhw49hpAd-1O07mU2h3dqnpyFKv70l_tak3xH6i7rfRly-hOIEIHcr8zuifq-HE8a7TxNOGCZj2XBYNcegRF3Vwonrk3QYfyIQbgDbVbMmJ48Sp00vkM9rbeguJsCM41wM0fGtv-S/s1600/IMG_0433.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2cSOhw49hpAd-1O07mU2h3dqnpyFKv70l_tak3xH6i7rfRly-hOIEIHcr8zuifq-HE8a7TxNOGCZj2XBYNcegRF3Vwonrk3QYfyIQbgDbVbMmJ48Sp00vkM9rbeguJsCM41wM0fGtv-S/s400/IMG_0433.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704657527610521298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-gZFjRZgHSKR3J8n67ie5yBGwa9ZImnzEBL1xRrSvrx006PZDw2qWJHFG3sMsxHpyfCInXakDBR2fMc_dvqoI1vg6n3sMl-2tk6J-XaddQKjHSOVN933Sj3tT3tlzVUpwZ4iNustGC2q/s1600/IMG_0436.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-gZFjRZgHSKR3J8n67ie5yBGwa9ZImnzEBL1xRrSvrx006PZDw2qWJHFG3sMsxHpyfCInXakDBR2fMc_dvqoI1vg6n3sMl-2tk6J-XaddQKjHSOVN933Sj3tT3tlzVUpwZ4iNustGC2q/s400/IMG_0436.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704657514116262834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3tafsLJ669g0Mn4boZTiHN1W05-yBH0kL5HXBTHYdlqezSk7VMnzyzp-FRht56Ulz6uyVm3FCgzCmU7IwVObAUVHdpg5Y_VOFO0ZUHC-RE3sHBM1OxVaSwySipn1yzrY02nXZrPdXdVT/s1600/IMG_0429.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrmaLjUbvKyfr715T2_yxUO76PCHdI4Ja0rRVFuH979-I-2EAvdgkphk3HzRZL3HqApNkjIEZCTYdX1NPSMsDdQP-TpXenTdxPsP-7OhTUNv8RSlbMvgXUl8gtoKXhHSYrFhXaN_cULEq/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrmaLjUbvKyfr715T2_yxUO76PCHdI4Ja0rRVFuH979-I-2EAvdgkphk3HzRZL3HqApNkjIEZCTYdX1NPSMsDdQP-TpXenTdxPsP-7OhTUNv8RSlbMvgXUl8gtoKXhHSYrFhXaN_cULEq/s400/IMG_0427.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704657494841432098" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-70144748875761712252012-01-31T15:48:00.005-06:002012-01-31T16:23:02.458-06:00First Trip to Florence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg118u4xaLF0P1C_fwkDa5LmxPjjRf3vYf8GFbketl_SR_2ot0OYTfwqCuwmNO_1T4ziYcEMjIlWBH8zh9Z9aKFQQIDMolJHdwSbWM8N2vDiVlrgfsXdFAwVqR8VA4cyeKRIOYilA05ORC8/s1600/IMG_0420.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg118u4xaLF0P1C_fwkDa5LmxPjjRf3vYf8GFbketl_SR_2ot0OYTfwqCuwmNO_1T4ziYcEMjIlWBH8zh9Z9aKFQQIDMolJHdwSbWM8N2vDiVlrgfsXdFAwVqR8VA4cyeKRIOYilA05ORC8/s400/IMG_0420.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703924728623321442" border="0" /></a>On Sunday, we awoke to complete another busy schedule. We went to church on Sunday morning-half of it was in Italian and the other in English. It was a unique experience to be among others who worshiped God with their songs and prayers in another language. The church was friendly and even the kids went to a "children's church" with the other Italian kids.<br /><br />After church, the group walked down the block to eat two courses of pasta and meat. The Italians always eat a first course of pasta, then the second course is a meat, vegetable and/or salad greens (skip the ranch). Dessert has typically been fruit (dipped in Nutella if you like). They also eat lunch later - lunch at the villa is served at 1:30. Our stomachs have definitely had to adjust to different meal times!<br /><br />After our meal, we boarded a chartered bus to be delivered to a lookout point over Florence at the <span id="1365910" class="showmore" style="display: inline;">church of San Miniato al Monte. We went inside this beautiful church which is said to have the bones of St. Minias and sat down and sang two or three songs. The acoustics were beautiful and it was very moving.<br /><br />Later we walked down the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio and then to the Duomo.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yhyphenhyphenJvcNFNsmW0bkX_KPPtaThG_8AdQ1qnzGSalRJiU-Cj-yp-cSeYjqWITkhhQ3h17OgjDTATcGWkvmD6zGlvcehcwJDfdMcS4OVe7tyyPPrhGghwh8mxJAJDro8B7OuEW_L0qE9J4jy/s1600/IMG_0423.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yhyphenhyphenJvcNFNsmW0bkX_KPPtaThG_8AdQ1qnzGSalRJiU-Cj-yp-cSeYjqWITkhhQ3h17OgjDTATcGWkvmD6zGlvcehcwJDfdMcS4OVe7tyyPPrhGghwh8mxJAJDro8B7OuEW_L0qE9J4jy/s400/IMG_0423.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703924729267024962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrAhSGJze5Yj-IILx6hoKERRAGE48YYM_Am6-tQs1PQIrc5u7mDY-wMSpcWBgE9l581yF-BcR6Px3dPMBxfxhOpwGBY7ow2Je_b2WMkUchD7A-ebxbH2f_jyw_TIJGWuIYJ7Sh94ak7Nw/s1600/IMG_0426.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrAhSGJze5Yj-IILx6hoKERRAGE48YYM_Am6-tQs1PQIrc5u7mDY-wMSpcWBgE9l581yF-BcR6Px3dPMBxfxhOpwGBY7ow2Je_b2WMkUchD7A-ebxbH2f_jyw_TIJGWuIYJ7Sh94ak7Nw/s400/IMG_0426.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703924769362272322" border="0" /></a><br /><span id="1365910" class="showmore" style="display: inline;">It was again a full day. We are still adjusting to a new time zone and schedule. The kids are also in that transition as well. Grant is struggling a bit more with behavior, but we've been fervently praying for improvement and continued adjustment for him. They have both been troopers though and I'm blessed to be sharing this journey with them!<br /><br />Next blog will be about our trip to the Duomo and Baptistery and the start of classes.<br /></span>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-70542591520675959592012-01-28T16:51:00.005-06:002012-01-30T15:34:06.614-06:00Arrived on Friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpMK29V8gPYvkyAkeWf1jQ-0qHDnBaakKFKsUe9BbEE9gvmqeBcNwpu38spJiIEcVndX-vXdDqpBAU82KsuP-b0BaEmFzTDvK6EO2xiNl3_hK5Hhk3bTCKgUpV8BaQUFhVW3_u-e0pFVt/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpMK29V8gPYvkyAkeWf1jQ-0qHDnBaakKFKsUe9BbEE9gvmqeBcNwpu38spJiIEcVndX-vXdDqpBAU82KsuP-b0BaEmFzTDvK6EO2xiNl3_hK5Hhk3bTCKgUpV8BaQUFhVW3_u-e0pFVt/s400/IMG_0410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703538343761048514" border="0" /></a><br />We arrived after about a 24 day of travel. The kids did remarkably well and we are settling into the villa. We live in an apartment right off of the Villa. It is perfect for our needs. We all have a bed and our own little nooks. Our first night here, we slept for about 12 hours. The kids slept for about 15 hours solid. They were some tired kiddos! Jet lag did hit about 4 hours after I woke up. I could have laid down to sleep forever, but we had a group trip to Scandicci.<br /><br />In Scandicci, I think I was the only blonde person there! That was very interesting. The Italians all have dark hair and dark eyes. We walked the Saturday Market where they sell everything. I also learned it is not proper etiquette to touch the items in market. You ask to touch them first. I was sure glad I learned that prior or I would have picked everything up! We enjoyed a delicious bombalonie treat. I'll be eating more of those!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA6EtAv49g_NUlP8x4n5fLc5-NQfHP9T01r8fJ1ayeTUTir67JmtU-1brzed97SvXa2nSlhMlENfE6yPb1T1xALHi3cr30n2o6gXEGBJiMC-7g3EQwAugoVX-YnmXMai5iNqldO-p2Ej2/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA6EtAv49g_NUlP8x4n5fLc5-NQfHP9T01r8fJ1ayeTUTir67JmtU-1brzed97SvXa2nSlhMlENfE6yPb1T1xALHi3cr30n2o6gXEGBJiMC-7g3EQwAugoVX-YnmXMai5iNqldO-p2Ej2/s400/IMG_0411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703538323893718754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxtXqiyAqgUhoWrPygIdW07DgL8Q6DEeN7CmnExxJn8SjJnBxVQmGz7sbEjDOMjhtbocgxVngzk5yUe5us2FO2kn8PEYXGjHWxot2pcD3lsUNo8Cb2nP0JW-J86ndCblTt5bbmBgqWjzs/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxtXqiyAqgUhoWrPygIdW07DgL8Q6DEeN7CmnExxJn8SjJnBxVQmGz7sbEjDOMjhtbocgxVngzk5yUe5us2FO2kn8PEYXGjHWxot2pcD3lsUNo8Cb2nP0JW-J86ndCblTt5bbmBgqWjzs/s400/IMG_0412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703538316399166834" border="0" /></a><br />After we had a quick dinner in town, we came back for a party. It was like a bunch of camp games. I told Jim they must be keeping us busy so no one has time to even think or miss home! Today was full. Feeling blessed to be a part of such a fantastic group of people in a town rich with life.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-3596266929664633382012-01-24T08:38:00.005-06:002012-01-24T08:53:58.755-06:00Italy Bound<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSm_ijzq2QR_f9cBAiYaiNAS2MjZGz8sBfGa_BlPzXJnbUpti-80NE7zWqYWLXRVlxxcTvW8Bx-WLwYyqQ0B2VAuzb0ZWWx7MrqOpsimbhMENqkifv2io5FOgEAMSoi4zHfYaPA8zNYw4/s1600/241896840_6238f6ace7-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSm_ijzq2QR_f9cBAiYaiNAS2MjZGz8sBfGa_BlPzXJnbUpti-80NE7zWqYWLXRVlxxcTvW8Bx-WLwYyqQ0B2VAuzb0ZWWx7MrqOpsimbhMENqkifv2io5FOgEAMSoi4zHfYaPA8zNYw4/s400/241896840_6238f6ace7-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701209543620151554" border="0" /></a><br />We leave in 2 days. TWO DAYS! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time--a wide range of emotions and anticipation. We signed up to be the faculty on staff for this program when Grant was a baby. (Now my baby will turn 4 while we are over there!) It is just hard to believe that it is finally here.<br /><br />I have been working on my "to do" list for about 3 weeks now. We will have four college girls staying in our house while we are away keeping things running and taking care of Annie. I am teaching 3 classes while over there and also homeschooling Laura. I'm excited to have small classes and also work with Laura.<br /><br />I ask for your prayers for safe travels on Thursday and continued prayers as we are away. We return to the states on April 24th.<br /><br />I plan to blog our family experiences (hopefully regularly) while we are gone, so stay tuned for more.<br /><br />Until then, ciao.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-39644390225535509372011-12-19T07:52:00.005-06:002011-12-19T08:16:21.884-06:00The River House-Heber Springs, AR<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3YmTbXCLO51jkeZAm8tUaDYTUWGz4hBogTGR6-n9oHefJj83h-BNhRhSNEKjQjQu-zoi64KveSvF7JTh0Y99HaJEiZSjUjlQ5EncKJuugYFhyphenhyphenpgX4cKYJxe2BZ6imIja9YRmqGY3a7oc/s1600/-5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3YmTbXCLO51jkeZAm8tUaDYTUWGz4hBogTGR6-n9oHefJj83h-BNhRhSNEKjQjQu-zoi64KveSvF7JTh0Y99HaJEiZSjUjlQ5EncKJuugYFhyphenhyphenpgX4cKYJxe2BZ6imIja9YRmqGY3a7oc/s400/-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687841130967375314" border="0" /></a>This is the second year that my parents have rented this lovely house in Heber Springs, Arkansas. It is truly a little cabin overlooking the river; nestled among the beautiful fall trees.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQrhUplDK7BVmE00zTcWtYBRFaM_0oEA9alEMLw9tXBuo_XcoIdoAkGrM3PhB-rvpOrUL-qLgWDNLQtM05roLIlFZYcDRty7RPYDKmy0sOfoVlJ7k_7G_idHLjC6p8efvF5Tlfx4pV_IJ/s1600/-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQrhUplDK7BVmE00zTcWtYBRFaM_0oEA9alEMLw9tXBuo_XcoIdoAkGrM3PhB-rvpOrUL-qLgWDNLQtM05roLIlFZYcDRty7RPYDKmy0sOfoVlJ7k_7G_idHLjC6p8efvF5Tlfx4pV_IJ/s400/-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687841135635256802" border="0" /></a>While we are there, we fish, climb trees, run in the huge front yard, go on boat rides, swim in the hot tub or just sit on the deck. Good memories.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LcKAjFshihSpmN0QZmEKnduJrUUCiEElDjLL4PDx_ByJn8YYwUor5dEm8iU2qhpFA3P6yVyTePBca_kmSrJTA4nvwL_TghEpv-qCfyjtqwaAApTbnyOv5tcUrNECU7G0JictaKoSmM1r/s1600/-6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LcKAjFshihSpmN0QZmEKnduJrUUCiEElDjLL4PDx_ByJn8YYwUor5dEm8iU2qhpFA3P6yVyTePBca_kmSrJTA4nvwL_TghEpv-qCfyjtqwaAApTbnyOv5tcUrNECU7G0JictaKoSmM1r/s400/-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687841945069247698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQl1Ls3_J0x6WgPrtIwlGdZmRfbKgErOQ-6sSbkXVdYD1j0ZjPZp1ndrJD2ZYnN1TwnZnKuHvXTeRUQWRFP9mZ2iIeFE9HXjSMWz81RPjwhPEIsPPxHJF3TmVm7ijpaB05ysL44bvt5yy/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQl1Ls3_J0x6WgPrtIwlGdZmRfbKgErOQ-6sSbkXVdYD1j0ZjPZp1ndrJD2ZYnN1TwnZnKuHvXTeRUQWRFP9mZ2iIeFE9HXjSMWz81RPjwhPEIsPPxHJF3TmVm7ijpaB05ysL44bvt5yy/s400/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687841942565803954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpIviCU6t5211-wtZcOnFWwLJgS4TqUi5rpi4uRzKgNsaO4csC1wVHN2Ye_sW7vybF4J0t-99fEftXdwmIYX2YGawSb7FgXHRCYp9ippedidBDRwAouceT1M0XJp8Cyf_s9vEqFEozwkF/s1600/-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpIviCU6t5211-wtZcOnFWwLJgS4TqUi5rpi4uRzKgNsaO4csC1wVHN2Ye_sW7vybF4J0t-99fEftXdwmIYX2YGawSb7FgXHRCYp9ippedidBDRwAouceT1M0XJp8Cyf_s9vEqFEozwkF/s400/-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687841945423051650" border="0" /><br /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-4035415326789266032011-11-11T14:09:00.004-06:002011-11-11T14:30:08.885-06:00Fall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD86NxtkUfLdJ0pp16ZyNqUAGcNBMUQoAgRf2CG-ZuzJJNcm6kLxPuMu3bbaA_fCQ-8QX5FArAOeB-2IdZxWe8ph5cpMAwg4XGLka6KEJsOaDy5kWC4FsVW7dQks2CcxzbJnM-0hBpwSRn/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD86NxtkUfLdJ0pp16ZyNqUAGcNBMUQoAgRf2CG-ZuzJJNcm6kLxPuMu3bbaA_fCQ-8QX5FArAOeB-2IdZxWe8ph5cpMAwg4XGLka6KEJsOaDy5kWC4FsVW7dQks2CcxzbJnM-0hBpwSRn/s400/IMG_0273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673837222723370994" border="0" /></a>So life has happened since my last post almost 2 months ago!<br /><br />Laura is a well-adjusted 1st grader. She is doing great-loving school, reading like a champ, and just occasionally pulling her card at school! We've got a strict teacher this year which is fine with me!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37BHo27E-2KmLpWho2XiLbfh2ozx1BnzXx4ETbTSpwuNo77n8Xm8xr4Ma-enzhlJYP114DgipZeGiQFaa2Ie892aSO78KHbO21B32Rx3YWLpcdr2Zlq-WQwjgwt-lzPPwksozX8dnTIB8/s1600/IMG_0101.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37BHo27E-2KmLpWho2XiLbfh2ozx1BnzXx4ETbTSpwuNo77n8Xm8xr4Ma-enzhlJYP114DgipZeGiQFaa2Ie892aSO78KHbO21B32Rx3YWLpcdr2Zlq-WQwjgwt-lzPPwksozX8dnTIB8/s400/IMG_0101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673837203149863154" border="0" /></a>Grant has pretty much given up his naps. Every now and then, he'll fall asleep. I still require him to go to his room to play/read/sleep for one hour or more. He is doing pretty well with our new routine. He is going to school on Tues/Thurs and is also doing wonderful!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0juBE66YO7pNUVhYMkHgcHL6V4_QafpEuyIclPtuycayZnvSIP5Nypt1c6G8uG7xr5IpckKSNN2qCE6CXxz9GaGu9TWZkamTr7HeoD3klNt-II-bSurTe45NlhMTrTwTzobofSuvwlUNa/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0juBE66YO7pNUVhYMkHgcHL6V4_QafpEuyIclPtuycayZnvSIP5Nypt1c6G8uG7xr5IpckKSNN2qCE6CXxz9GaGu9TWZkamTr7HeoD3klNt-II-bSurTe45NlhMTrTwTzobofSuvwlUNa/s400/IMG_0244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673837224172170562" border="0" /></a>Jim is busy this semester. Seems like he has more responsibility, more grading, more this, more that....it is what HU does best-overwork their people! Tis a true fact. Despite the fact, Jim is really a respected and sought out teacher. He does it well and students like him.<br /><br />I am loving teaching my one course at HU this fall. It is one of my fave's and I'm thankful to have the job! It works perfectly with Grant being in school and gives me usually a couple afternoons a week to do what I want.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2caNPwrYBaCprC9RE1S-Gm5tFlEGTrUiBrPuCESs32mRG4EjYFbbVSjpyovInYEm_fmFgw6Ffsdv00RO76vkl6BpiXzCEge6IWJ_KhX6SrFbfDJ7YDVC3QWPLAqE2Toh2Ioe8q2dk2gXL/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2caNPwrYBaCprC9RE1S-Gm5tFlEGTrUiBrPuCESs32mRG4EjYFbbVSjpyovInYEm_fmFgw6Ffsdv00RO76vkl6BpiXzCEge6IWJ_KhX6SrFbfDJ7YDVC3QWPLAqE2Toh2Ioe8q2dk2gXL/s400/IMG_0229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673837206958936946" border="0" /></a>So we leave for Florence, Italy on Jan. 26th. We'll be gone 3 months. Crazy to even think about. We are obviously excited and prayerful that our kids will adjust and do well on an unpredictable schedule.We've been meeting with the HUF (Harding University in Florence) students every Wed night and I feel very good about them. They are fun, funny, creative and sweet! I'm excited to spend our time in Italy with them. Jim and I will both be teaching and I'll also homeschool Laura. I don't know what Grant will do all day-I'm sure he can find something to destroy!!!!<br /><br />Hopefully I won't let two months go by before I blog again....Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-11455524742610682392011-09-15T21:36:00.004-05:002011-09-15T21:47:52.050-05:00First Grade<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIloRy6FHl4_6_z_hW3i89bz8ev6Xi43PG-5aznH68LhubI0Zv1lS5hdZyZv4c-9rM-25atwadx7R2Sny7jLPhOP2TQ_-gHaQeOkFRuvVcRldtOC3E2xpOnZj2aj1bMvRWlRvGdERc53Zi/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIloRy6FHl4_6_z_hW3i89bz8ev6Xi43PG-5aznH68LhubI0Zv1lS5hdZyZv4c-9rM-25atwadx7R2Sny7jLPhOP2TQ_-gHaQeOkFRuvVcRldtOC3E2xpOnZj2aj1bMvRWlRvGdERc53Zi/s400/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652783350138781602" border="0" /></a>Laura has been in school for a month now and she is loving it. She gets excited when she has homework and starts on it the minute we walk in the door after school.<br /><br />She is in a sweet class with several of her friends from Kindergarten. And she has the best teacher ever-I am so grateful for Mrs. Mote. We've already had our parent teacher conferences and Mrs. Mote had Laura totally pegged. Laura is a pleaser, (yes!), reliable (yes!) and needs affirmation (yes! yes!). She is just like her daddy! ha!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmJ9ep6YY1SNgtKU7Pgv2l62g1Quem3HKcjXQH8EcEUotG0Crx7tAxXt_yBSTEtULKD1RKV-6wuSgxfLW9ic5s0-ocpOkGf5SYHHrIlOXz1zBrWxQgqddEEHd4eNDtgSqHK-OS6igEQYL/s1600/-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmJ9ep6YY1SNgtKU7Pgv2l62g1Quem3HKcjXQH8EcEUotG0Crx7tAxXt_yBSTEtULKD1RKV-6wuSgxfLW9ic5s0-ocpOkGf5SYHHrIlOXz1zBrWxQgqddEEHd4eNDtgSqHK-OS6igEQYL/s400/-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652783352034298546" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-30653590258591062612011-08-17T14:00:00.005-05:002011-08-17T14:09:56.984-05:00Slumber PartyLaura had been asking for an entire year if she could plllllllleeeeeaaaaassssseeeeee have a slumber party for her 7th birthday. So---I gave in. She asked 4 of her friends and 3 were able to come which made it pretty easy. Grant was actually in St. Louis with the grandparents, so I didn't even have to worry about him following Laura and her friends around!!
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<br />Laura decided on a "Pink Poodle in Paris" theme and I made her a sleepover cake.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfP4ydoS1xfJUQ70gt5iX16m5yeHrl-pHOLnoTJZYIv6pT4lMnAEgV3fPrKCrKGEGpdzY-d4D71DM1J0F43xz9eLu9f7ZNMNig10zWSIIPKlaHFYP1WkkptvPaAJgf6fj9nUH6Udgz35p/s1600/-9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfP4ydoS1xfJUQ70gt5iX16m5yeHrl-pHOLnoTJZYIv6pT4lMnAEgV3fPrKCrKGEGpdzY-d4D71DM1J0F43xz9eLu9f7ZNMNig10zWSIIPKlaHFYP1WkkptvPaAJgf6fj9nUH6Udgz35p/s400/-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641903169907562034" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCIjcd2LoQ7DYU21870NUPoWChpFM85dEPl5gytX93uxAOM1Lxu4EQBnpNsisq_DT6bL-kdSip5UgoGnj7l9qsyXEw9IbMjy9RbmHlbWNvDpTHfAs6Yh7QS9DkWVx9_RG5_8xPmM44_hJ/s1600/-10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCIjcd2LoQ7DYU21870NUPoWChpFM85dEPl5gytX93uxAOM1Lxu4EQBnpNsisq_DT6bL-kdSip5UgoGnj7l9qsyXEw9IbMjy9RbmHlbWNvDpTHfAs6Yh7QS9DkWVx9_RG5_8xPmM44_hJ/s400/-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641903175919674946" border="0" /></a>At the party, we made pillow cases, ate cake, opened presents, watched movies, enjoyed sparklers and finally went to bed (although it was 1 a.m. before all fell asleep!!) I still can't believe they stayed up that late.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismOb3JC3Xt_XrozqpKuOXdGhBa5Q4L8e_ZRXpBbQD1COCgFgVtmTzxoHckW3qJ-lFOA1WAv56fF2zEO08urRs5ymCvtbWFWsa_xNrg2QnzOOigwKhO94CD52VMqc1j6clN23uhgpGiXfD/s1600/-16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismOb3JC3Xt_XrozqpKuOXdGhBa5Q4L8e_ZRXpBbQD1COCgFgVtmTzxoHckW3qJ-lFOA1WAv56fF2zEO08urRs5ymCvtbWFWsa_xNrg2QnzOOigwKhO94CD52VMqc1j6clN23uhgpGiXfD/s400/-16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641903392819610642" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1eu8ldhiqSNkPdAYsc6x7GrrT_P-wqZ3mkXz-MVJQsFi0_OM3_DxTtjkJsRiNNIvUV4poENfq2KfCL85WQueAHcq2CwvQhL26621ziHqBXE1Mqzb8qiOgWXcAljQjzPcDlHhR0CYHmVk/s1600/-13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1eu8ldhiqSNkPdAYsc6x7GrrT_P-wqZ3mkXz-MVJQsFi0_OM3_DxTtjkJsRiNNIvUV4poENfq2KfCL85WQueAHcq2CwvQhL26621ziHqBXE1Mqzb8qiOgWXcAljQjzPcDlHhR0CYHmVk/s400/-13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641903182160223906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbNXf6s331KpRquy8eTH9-gHjmkEImgwCs-PurkUa7LvMC101csEI_ttI6Xrjrw9j3mg-QQFJLVxgX3EaHlEgefsyy0Lowopk74H4yLR3GhCnS9yasCVf94gCAQIfOfEklgmMrRJ-up0w/s1600/-17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbNXf6s331KpRquy8eTH9-gHjmkEImgwCs-PurkUa7LvMC101csEI_ttI6Xrjrw9j3mg-QQFJLVxgX3EaHlEgefsyy0Lowopk74H4yLR3GhCnS9yasCVf94gCAQIfOfEklgmMrRJ-up0w/s400/-17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641903398678655746" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4ENI9jJBNehoZWrWGgdvm5J3CcfcCoOCl-Z-NBR3xyEBfA0L0OZUPT0yZJQ63UwBX3qbdKiaH8NoR-nvYyIwrrzMaSlBETn3syKH-qy48Njko5FWhcF_Rm-IAtvkxNFgg8MD9nvJeVS3/s1600/-12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4ENI9jJBNehoZWrWGgdvm5J3CcfcCoOCl-Z-NBR3xyEBfA0L0OZUPT0yZJQ63UwBX3qbdKiaH8NoR-nvYyIwrrzMaSlBETn3syKH-qy48Njko5FWhcF_Rm-IAtvkxNFgg8MD9nvJeVS3/s400/-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641903180871837730" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cfsGIxWYj84OpaJnlZ_0UWFVUN_sblgAcx40zB6bo9vifBtDJo4IRJSg8Ct-NAyhhSgfxqN4LsyGcyhyUm2hLGGZV8UKHc_grziFSG_qyyT43lr5JdyG9_4x42wG7Cyx1TWdEGR78W1w/s1600/-11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cfsGIxWYj84OpaJnlZ_0UWFVUN_sblgAcx40zB6bo9vifBtDJo4IRJSg8Ct-NAyhhSgfxqN4LsyGcyhyUm2hLGGZV8UKHc_grziFSG_qyyT43lr5JdyG9_4x42wG7Cyx1TWdEGR78W1w/s400/-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641903180527888690" border="0" /></a>It was a lot of fun and Laura loves being "7" now!
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<br />Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-17846763891701045682011-08-17T13:50:00.003-05:002011-08-17T13:59:40.083-05:00Lake PalestineI am still playing catch up on the blog. In mid-July, we headed to Lake Palestine in Texas to meet my parents and my brother and his family for our annual get together. We stayed in a lake house with a great shaded backyard and a nice covered dock. We did a lot of fishing, a lot of lake swimming and a lot of playing. We always look forward to this time when all the cousins can be together.
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<br />Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-25353797687287831602011-07-14T22:06:00.004-05:002011-07-14T22:30:55.156-05:00BransonWe started our summer with a quick trip to Branson for three nights. We rented a little house that had a pool within walking distance. We spent everyday swimming since the temps were pretty high that week. Both kids are doing great in the water. Laura is a good swimmer and really enjoys being in the water. Grant is fearless. He jumps, dunks, blows bubbles and paddles pretty well (all with his floaties on). I'm so glad both of the kids love swimming so much!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfqN5y0pojB3WoPHNWyDcM37nS8fVpgikJ423BP2qYLHKeVNp5jJ63ZEgWK0_50epOjBCJrEV_WQ4aOmX2p8PUuwWFeqqGOG4iVUF0kDI-ZMcYqSYELInBev0smJcNaUCnvR7-o4AK11D/s1600/-1.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjpcC-fGUFlJAlJ3wgQJikPEzcu1k8g-i_LD4ZFZjHXR9c7YzyADCGTHCOeNGyrPEafb6-bUHqD4036QckxpVS4NE-OThRfvFz_VbOPUOrDAJGyPDyvVyXjG1d1ZP-Uz248wzC6pbuW-t/s1600/-9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjpcC-fGUFlJAlJ3wgQJikPEzcu1k8g-i_LD4ZFZjHXR9c7YzyADCGTHCOeNGyrPEafb6-bUHqD4036QckxpVS4NE-OThRfvFz_VbOPUOrDAJGyPDyvVyXjG1d1ZP-Uz248wzC6pbuW-t/s400/-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629411272190959442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkhL4T6w9GXSRTiflLMhEkiRjkKFGP8_B3zBa7nPYFXUv8bODA7CwqK8Oxm1E8YMC3XPgwE6ZRkFGpXmaLD7-vvVeGGYR19vzQ2FocNzgBfa6RZ2-QDJKevc-ECOAdO38IQrHc3sP_lMm/s1600/-8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkhL4T6w9GXSRTiflLMhEkiRjkKFGP8_B3zBa7nPYFXUv8bODA7CwqK8Oxm1E8YMC3XPgwE6ZRkFGpXmaLD7-vvVeGGYR19vzQ2FocNzgBfa6RZ2-QDJKevc-ECOAdO38IQrHc3sP_lMm/s400/-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629411275855669474" border="0" /></a>One night we went into town to ride go-karts and they had little rides the kids enjoyed. Since it was the last week of school for most of Missouri schools, there were no crowds. It was great!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT3MNyUFqFlHEkVi0T9dXAK2rP_erFSkhJUnAIHgjDXhqGPWSWEppuZOZcSDGdWjJhCSBBRsCw_HmPTExEuVDFykFHSPFE5H_1MeBrHDZqLi5YRH4ai_M_-vFUvD5_t8pHGk8IvPiX57G/s1600/-6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT3MNyUFqFlHEkVi0T9dXAK2rP_erFSkhJUnAIHgjDXhqGPWSWEppuZOZcSDGdWjJhCSBBRsCw_HmPTExEuVDFykFHSPFE5H_1MeBrHDZqLi5YRH4ai_M_-vFUvD5_t8pHGk8IvPiX57G/s400/-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629411286338879954" border="0" /></a>Grant was pretty serious about driving his car. I was right beside him and we were dead last to pass the finish line. People were flying by us, but I was scared Grant was gonna fall out. He had a blast!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54jypNEKw5IOB3RGhKyEWAd0QIduYQz1oVQY6pKjR_cqClVNUqCStd9zLw-XCXC4dvXQitQ1_d0n3ZyAu5ksiR6nHjQ5-cY7Df5ql06bcSPqU6PriqmaQCHxdIVsQkefpE3S5x4lH6YsP/s1600/-5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54jypNEKw5IOB3RGhKyEWAd0QIduYQz1oVQY6pKjR_cqClVNUqCStd9zLw-XCXC4dvXQitQ1_d0n3ZyAu5ksiR6nHjQ5-cY7Df5ql06bcSPqU6PriqmaQCHxdIVsQkefpE3S5x4lH6YsP/s400/-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629410933099096610" border="0" /></a>Some sweet man offered to take this picture when we were at Bass Pro.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz5Emtu7aKv2YG9b5e4ZiDYw7zTYZ7TL3cJVKMaLWUCs47t0SjFMVQI4os-03J5IE8YV99F5MTMQJPnAQx8FppD-zJNiORRQmJ4D2ZWnV585WZza1tDjhJbiO0Fi3VpIyGqffeX9DKOb2/s1600/-7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz5Emtu7aKv2YG9b5e4ZiDYw7zTYZ7TL3cJVKMaLWUCs47t0SjFMVQI4os-03J5IE8YV99F5MTMQJPnAQx8FppD-zJNiORRQmJ4D2ZWnV585WZza1tDjhJbiO0Fi3VpIyGqffeX9DKOb2/s400/-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629411280960425266" border="0" /></a>One morning, we went to Tablerock State Park for a hike. It was hot and Grant needed a lift at the end. We enjoyed looking at the lake. The lake was really high, so were had to stay on the paved path. All of the hiking trails were actually closed.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54jypNEKw5IOB3RGhKyEWAd0QIduYQz1oVQY6pKjR_cqClVNUqCStd9zLw-XCXC4dvXQitQ1_d0n3ZyAu5ksiR6nHjQ5-cY7Df5ql06bcSPqU6PriqmaQCHxdIVsQkefpE3S5x4lH6YsP/s1600/-5.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDHFhyk81RQrZeNXZkICxkihdsNAJr32v_4cNinBH6Wroj55HZ8k_P9F-Xklz1oVa7CsB4UrFOOO14uw1BOC22pZAFDbRXK1I23lat0vbt2wJfpxtI08P0MGLujzi2CpNDmfd_u3XEUN3/s1600/-4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDHFhyk81RQrZeNXZkICxkihdsNAJr32v_4cNinBH6Wroj55HZ8k_P9F-Xklz1oVa7CsB4UrFOOO14uw1BOC22pZAFDbRXK1I23lat0vbt2wJfpxtI08P0MGLujzi2CpNDmfd_u3XEUN3/s400/-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629410930663792066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh3EyH7sWrQoYP6W-0g1rdEYqbpv0pTm4FwaaJaaw2_Noq6sSl4IJpG6dxICDBR_pDl7RrFtyOgACIR2bBkzk2tb6NmclGVmzxJAWGVfq-Uy15Q0Jvg5wzeCZZzNKv1eegyR6b-b5-qOA/s1600/-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh3EyH7sWrQoYP6W-0g1rdEYqbpv0pTm4FwaaJaaw2_Noq6sSl4IJpG6dxICDBR_pDl7RrFtyOgACIR2bBkzk2tb6NmclGVmzxJAWGVfq-Uy15Q0Jvg5wzeCZZzNKv1eegyR6b-b5-qOA/s400/-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629410921655792754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTB9ynH4VarfrHaCxQAIsCq3ygpFq2LC3ZbMNr1h_jJOILzWKTBoxezQOVRqresngWgfpQyhi7ivFdllb1baA1wiPrNyRUAtX4goxIkyZIGTtHh04uY6CVEuXP7LROJNpYWQlj5tb8bWW/s1600/-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTB9ynH4VarfrHaCxQAIsCq3ygpFq2LC3ZbMNr1h_jJOILzWKTBoxezQOVRqresngWgfpQyhi7ivFdllb1baA1wiPrNyRUAtX4goxIkyZIGTtHh04uY6CVEuXP7LROJNpYWQlj5tb8bWW/s400/-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629410921018108658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfqN5y0pojB3WoPHNWyDcM37nS8fVpgikJ423BP2qYLHKeVNp5jJ63ZEgWK0_50epOjBCJrEV_WQ4aOmX2p8PUuwWFeqqGOG4iVUF0kDI-ZMcYqSYELInBev0smJcNaUCnvR7-o4AK11D/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfqN5y0pojB3WoPHNWyDcM37nS8fVpgikJ423BP2qYLHKeVNp5jJ63ZEgWK0_50epOjBCJrEV_WQ4aOmX2p8PUuwWFeqqGOG4iVUF0kDI-ZMcYqSYELInBev0smJcNaUCnvR7-o4AK11D/s400/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629410918420809314" border="0" /></a>After our trip to Branson, Jim and I went to Malibu, California. He presented at the Christian Scholars Conference at Pepperdine, and while he was busy with work, I ventured around town in our Grand Marque rental car. I am cheap-just trying to save Harding a few dollars and get the deal which happened to be a very large Grand Marque! I met up with a couple friends some of the days and it was overall a nice relaxing time. I could definitely see myself living in California--the weather is fabulous. This was our view everyday--it can't get much better!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfqN5y0pojB3WoPHNWyDcM37nS8fVpgikJ423BP2qYLHKeVNp5jJ63ZEgWK0_50epOjBCJrEV_WQ4aOmX2p8PUuwWFeqqGOG4iVUF0kDI-ZMcYqSYELInBev0smJcNaUCnvR7-o4AK11D/s1600/-1.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVI2EZ6ph5Oi4IbowTXhPk3QME-2jEqkHEPzDT3CbZM4d6hyH8zvhH8sWnb09X0iVB9qNQgNPpfSFDyvpjAsPPZBdu2H0_HdwhGkU6JQilYkpIIvV8hulFHUCgjBXlH0FyBVH-zj60g9N/s1600/-10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVI2EZ6ph5Oi4IbowTXhPk3QME-2jEqkHEPzDT3CbZM4d6hyH8zvhH8sWnb09X0iVB9qNQgNPpfSFDyvpjAsPPZBdu2H0_HdwhGkU6JQilYkpIIvV8hulFHUCgjBXlH0FyBVH-zj60g9N/s400/-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629411584172803170" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-10302644754436153242011-06-30T09:39:00.005-05:002011-07-01T14:50:14.832-05:00Trip to Nashville & Laura's Ballet Recital<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpGM5BGK2jXLyQ9pwAcuxF-_FMPOHiyed8nZJNlfQc6hojANaNSYJ37h93kmfMi3BWpqWZsZNVqUGZLjkGKEzl482P7fnIMSM3x_YNVutjXnIpnx7qJr5xbV-XtveO7PIGuj3-UkisMPj/s1600/-10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpGM5BGK2jXLyQ9pwAcuxF-_FMPOHiyed8nZJNlfQc6hojANaNSYJ37h93kmfMi3BWpqWZsZNVqUGZLjkGKEzl482P7fnIMSM3x_YNVutjXnIpnx7qJr5xbV-XtveO7PIGuj3-UkisMPj/s400/-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023410847923474" border="0" /></a>Laura and I joined my parents for a trip to see my 98 year-old second cousin in Dayton, Ohio, the last week of May. It was a long haul, but we know Kathryn appreciates the visit. After we spent a couple days there, we traveled back through beautiful Kentucky to stay in Nashville for a couple of nights. It was our first time to go to the Grand Ole Opry and it was certainly an experience. Vince Gill hosted one of the shows and we also got to see Lee Greenwood sing "God Bless the USA". Another new country star was there as well-Jake Owen. While I had never heard of him, the crowd enjoyed his music. It was a really neat experience and I hope to go again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2iaKFLYPIbZSBKhEnc1D5LD8Kp9J0jH7E9N07CLpQsBsFO9wf801X2lZiPISnRv1U7B-pIhB8UYF4iAlijGlKTyseQhjKlpIrD1SnVJjL_0if0bJllJ0PtQW8vXYJuGcwimUKWZxewHE/s1600/-11.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaHOcVzQb6HQnGHw-6_TCoVt3-MuU8_5-xGvgx7Sr__Bv_PCGrHGCcqOJbFBBWW3GEJCqcRFC_4ffWsTnlQDyKOErLdQs6t6zfDTrWLujZsqDJviTTuPLqwZJ-oPfblU6tuED1gSzFwLf/s400/-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023403142901890" border="0" />We also visited Opryland Hotel. It is always impressive!<img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vmR0JyuVocAnZP_HRPzgntLYozishs9sHJAmYOs-q1erlHuONO3JTpFprDhbEWoNG28CY816bVynyaRHP2il4oBVuVM_iSECkkx7VjLjAlc6KW_zupcODJcn-qABm1M0fEDK6gG90i2C/s400/-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023395228483490" border="0" />We also did a bit of shopping-sooo glad Laura loves to shop with me!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLJZpNCuynrJElLp7QSJuRCTvLbVJRmYpTVMxTgBazkYpmT1olDrtGFoMlHva0d9jfz9UZbv0bs7hUuTkkDy74prpjrLoijAXSyzm5_sG_HChPYyTxI4GC2Wqc4NL_0RkFWff55xJVdJt/s1600/-7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLJZpNCuynrJElLp7QSJuRCTvLbVJRmYpTVMxTgBazkYpmT1olDrtGFoMlHva0d9jfz9UZbv0bs7hUuTkkDy74prpjrLoijAXSyzm5_sG_HChPYyTxI4GC2Wqc4NL_0RkFWff55xJVdJt/s400/-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023387503434226" border="0" /></a>We visited the full scale replica of the Parthenon and the Athena statue. I was expecting this small statue, but she is 41 feet, 10 inches tall!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSG-tVyvBvecw8Gkd6N83o_ZkI9CsYTd4PmhtFPCxTfF7PtLYDSUK56SK4k2q8gP4M76frP5Frr-MmnPgbYEVMGCp1gFcQQDmkQHGf4T-8XCrXZFgVnY2YpwAUEDzCHmfGY8Uc7ZRgL8V/s1600/-6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSG-tVyvBvecw8Gkd6N83o_ZkI9CsYTd4PmhtFPCxTfF7PtLYDSUK56SK4k2q8gP4M76frP5Frr-MmnPgbYEVMGCp1gFcQQDmkQHGf4T-8XCrXZFgVnY2YpwAUEDzCHmfGY8Uc7ZRgL8V/s400/-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023382641684306" border="0" /></a>Desperately needing a haircut in this picture!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0992WNxuhUUrZKu8CZkPttH84x3mk5TitvmiRY9491aTaA-0dheFZvTFyru9aVNZTWbljGMkxsEUvGmG22o2UZWJmSOAh5BHqycLarT_uEeuuWKFD9Z8EZsac7I8XZ0vz4sXXUrRmVRZk/s1600/-5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0992WNxuhUUrZKu8CZkPttH84x3mk5TitvmiRY9491aTaA-0dheFZvTFyru9aVNZTWbljGMkxsEUvGmG22o2UZWJmSOAh5BHqycLarT_uEeuuWKFD9Z8EZsac7I8XZ0vz4sXXUrRmVRZk/s400/-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023177172498706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLElBkOi6zv89lPjSdfdehEh01PZXkLXfPP_LHkfWsQ1XA_T9wNXg8I0sWKlll8ZJLnwPmDo8Bf2_epDhze6mp-UUnY3uxbuh68ZqLriwcjM-McNhtyRrXYE13o2Y_vBObMSA9V8Y8LGE/s1600/-4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLElBkOi6zv89lPjSdfdehEh01PZXkLXfPP_LHkfWsQ1XA_T9wNXg8I0sWKlll8ZJLnwPmDo8Bf2_epDhze6mp-UUnY3uxbuh68ZqLriwcjM-McNhtyRrXYE13o2Y_vBObMSA9V8Y8LGE/s400/-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023171594538514" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRzcb0D991do4Zcp6qOsieIUXsmNmEdJpf2w2A6sH9PGdCwXWZ07QFPzsMueLPOn1E2bL2o0e4GgAO3ltW6EI7xxntMg_xsTeN6_m06Ow5-aYyDZ_eTQVjnA7nEGrMrXtQq1ZzUjPq2A2/s1600/-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRzcb0D991do4Zcp6qOsieIUXsmNmEdJpf2w2A6sH9PGdCwXWZ07QFPzsMueLPOn1E2bL2o0e4GgAO3ltW6EI7xxntMg_xsTeN6_m06Ow5-aYyDZ_eTQVjnA7nEGrMrXtQq1ZzUjPq2A2/s400/-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023169815804994" border="0" /></a>Laura had her ballet recital. She did a good job and as usual she enjoyed being on stage performing! This is her tap costume taken from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"-she is an Oompa Loompa.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCoTmEG04cRjdesTagonWD_vGcnuPQDNMzMXfNVuOuszmqLgahf3VP3TK9hh2SBQTRoRbVDzycIn40MYZEvUFCH49JbsYH3dJjd37qo2N9WGcO0VfQeYmTKfBfN6jljIZNgrer3GjlmxS/s1600/-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCoTmEG04cRjdesTagonWD_vGcnuPQDNMzMXfNVuOuszmqLgahf3VP3TK9hh2SBQTRoRbVDzycIn40MYZEvUFCH49JbsYH3dJjd37qo2N9WGcO0VfQeYmTKfBfN6jljIZNgrer3GjlmxS/s400/-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023159174786034" border="0" /></a>Her ballet routine was so cute. All of the ballerinas were a Disney Princess and Laura was Cinderella.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJu_AeU3sd6tZEGc2sTQSeeibM6m6cQvT5juVCaMU6NOn7NlA-vE4_H9maG6hUkZZ8VIM-JMy2FpERuM7mcHAToSKIiO4oDVbhPGQ7h8UNgM-Cz9D077tITqM1xp5fBS0i2_vKUi85iu5/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJu_AeU3sd6tZEGc2sTQSeeibM6m6cQvT5juVCaMU6NOn7NlA-vE4_H9maG6hUkZZ8VIM-JMy2FpERuM7mcHAToSKIiO4oDVbhPGQ7h8UNgM-Cz9D077tITqM1xp5fBS0i2_vKUi85iu5/s400/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624023155062156050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2iaKFLYPIbZSBKhEnc1D5LD8Kp9J0jH7E9N07CLpQsBsFO9wf801X2lZiPISnRv1U7B-pIhB8UYF4iAlijGlKTyseQhjKlpIrD1SnVJjL_0if0bJllJ0PtQW8vXYJuGcwimUKWZxewHE/s1600/-11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2iaKFLYPIbZSBKhEnc1D5LD8Kp9J0jH7E9N07CLpQsBsFO9wf801X2lZiPISnRv1U7B-pIhB8UYF4iAlijGlKTyseQhjKlpIrD1SnVJjL_0if0bJllJ0PtQW8vXYJuGcwimUKWZxewHE/s400/-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624029887194788754" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-58200337882184692802011-06-04T21:24:00.008-05:002011-06-04T22:25:09.829-05:00April to MayI am trying to catch up on my blogging. I am down with a pretty nasty strep infection which has confined me to bed with lots of chipped ice and ice cream. Everyone is steering clear of me to avoid getting sick!<br /><br />In April, we did our Easter hunt at home after church. I failed to get a family picture of all of us this year! I always bring my camera to church and then forget to ask someone to take our pic. Oh well....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AOMS458EGg4LJML7hjM4wezTSbL_BKBN2GxFV__KVbGqEl0ztozYd-1xXOx2CzDbUFDSFp1wgqM1Ql0JHNbTdvfpv3M_Tcd-0kOGGN8Id9gLVSTPeM_vw4Gl3HTxDZvVmAOFWZ7B-sNh/s1600/IMG_4810.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AOMS458EGg4LJML7hjM4wezTSbL_BKBN2GxFV__KVbGqEl0ztozYd-1xXOx2CzDbUFDSFp1wgqM1Ql0JHNbTdvfpv3M_Tcd-0kOGGN8Id9gLVSTPeM_vw4Gl3HTxDZvVmAOFWZ7B-sNh/s400/IMG_4810.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614559818094218530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaobeyFbZCr9YnY8AWLul8FGGoypWzol_f3FYSLQJYeyw1oH9UanGhWopX0OzRhA6SttNVc5ud_WcDJuUoSd1NT20czMylw-V95z7_a8wlg6n00czd2EHvYNKwJwSNcSnprjSPW_RWDJ31/s1600/IMG_4816.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaobeyFbZCr9YnY8AWLul8FGGoypWzol_f3FYSLQJYeyw1oH9UanGhWopX0OzRhA6SttNVc5ud_WcDJuUoSd1NT20czMylw-V95z7_a8wlg6n00czd2EHvYNKwJwSNcSnprjSPW_RWDJ31/s400/IMG_4816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614559828251107202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKxtcuSPl9u23z5O07E4KEdHm5jWs-1grso1Yw4sPNaVxF5CjJ6GRtgJtddBJHpolHgLbmj6TlTD-J8uorItYGR5_Y15cghrq5WEiOLIYy8i4Y8EzoUjtQDQvYaVP0MNWtwABEuEwim4O/s1600/IMG_4799.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKxtcuSPl9u23z5O07E4KEdHm5jWs-1grso1Yw4sPNaVxF5CjJ6GRtgJtddBJHpolHgLbmj6TlTD-J8uorItYGR5_Y15cghrq5WEiOLIYy8i4Y8EzoUjtQDQvYaVP0MNWtwABEuEwim4O/s400/IMG_4799.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614559808934362866" border="0" /></a>Laura received "Mail Call" for her Kindergarten class also in April. Every Friday, different children from various grades will get a special letter from their teacher. It is kind of a big deal-it is after chapel and they play music and it is really loud and call the children who received "mail" from their teacher. All year, Laura was very nervous about being called down for her mail-crying and such on Thurs night-begging not to go to chapel on Friday. So, we ended up making a deal that I would tell her beforehand when it was her turn. Even though it was not a surprise, she got a very sweet note from her teacher and Laura was proud.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxYH3fRpGi6huOOvgYHpJnwEYe-t2a1wRizZubKdmp1WEmp3bdATt55523CoOsW60vrD_5s6ghW9MAnsmdFHSYNDW50KjwsyXeqWOe_t6u_YSQ1U8Genfog6DFAmmYYZs4qhAwGe1DjsB/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxYH3fRpGi6huOOvgYHpJnwEYe-t2a1wRizZubKdmp1WEmp3bdATt55523CoOsW60vrD_5s6ghW9MAnsmdFHSYNDW50KjwsyXeqWOe_t6u_YSQ1U8Genfog6DFAmmYYZs4qhAwGe1DjsB/s400/IMG_4756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614559830428263922" border="0" /></a>This is a "self portrait" displayed after a Music program.Laura is dressed as a bunny.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloRly17W5CmgrdAGkg51fEf3_Hb2XPbppSIXHGmeWqECjukwFv7fS8IckN1UlI8WKXYjs-pwYfzeT_dlTAL7_yhCGgpZmp9rylyvRu_L0SCzzrU_dMvrxeuVq4DU_e5-qnsZTRxvD971J/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloRly17W5CmgrdAGkg51fEf3_Hb2XPbppSIXHGmeWqECjukwFv7fS8IckN1UlI8WKXYjs-pwYfzeT_dlTAL7_yhCGgpZmp9rylyvRu_L0SCzzrU_dMvrxeuVq4DU_e5-qnsZTRxvD971J/s400/IMG_4768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614559844290877442" border="0" /></a>Moving on to May--this is always such a crazy month for our family. Jim and I are busy grading projects and getting our courses completed and then there is tons of "end of year" programs.<br /><br />I was able to go to most of Laura's "Outdoor Education" field trip. Each class goes up to Camp Takodah, which is about 45 minutes away, for a day of learning outside. They had about 4 different stations to go to--I was there for the scavenger hunt and nature walk where the kids enjoyed catching tadpoles!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-Ww9U6evCqvc9TGY6wIVJLGSO-ll4O7kS69RWzwwmKTdhbCVim9eaUaXy3gakRh7FyGfwgvh7_F40F29yxM63qMh6TRYrWj6mKppRi00QEYeUfMmBMrKLtp0x87BR6oPVbpHnYUHkI_k/s1600/IMG_4834.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-Ww9U6evCqvc9TGY6wIVJLGSO-ll4O7kS69RWzwwmKTdhbCVim9eaUaXy3gakRh7FyGfwgvh7_F40F29yxM63qMh6TRYrWj6mKppRi00QEYeUfMmBMrKLtp0x87BR6oPVbpHnYUHkI_k/s400/IMG_4834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614564225554161346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0NE_V_prY2ge3VavIpUGmUoCFSjakqWm-yP4tKUjhchsIvu0HesywUP3C9YXWU7wVObjqZgW_UcL0yifX_OV86vE96kH6IcxnAA8mnZMpFDZ3AK1DW9xOT3-vVHWg2T19X6gaYRFQo8B/s1600/IMG_4817.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0NE_V_prY2ge3VavIpUGmUoCFSjakqWm-yP4tKUjhchsIvu0HesywUP3C9YXWU7wVObjqZgW_UcL0yifX_OV86vE96kH6IcxnAA8mnZMpFDZ3AK1DW9xOT3-vVHWg2T19X6gaYRFQo8B/s400/IMG_4817.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614564217153610530" border="0" /></a>Laura also graduated from Kindergarten. They had a sweet little program where they performed some songs, called each child's name out and then a slide show. I was unable to contain my tears. We've had a good year and ready to move on to 1st grade!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03g7Zv5_aumMs1_lQBeSbqkSFwTK3XuRJ7qOVxajYO07KtYscJg7SS1usoo07FL-8X9Wp5rod1nrXbtaDyNCih9NwZ6W664mjIdQdPKrGoJ2b_4dWNzLdfADb8jhsHYMK43x1BAj88KM9/s1600/IMG_4838.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03g7Zv5_aumMs1_lQBeSbqkSFwTK3XuRJ7qOVxajYO07KtYscJg7SS1usoo07FL-8X9Wp5rod1nrXbtaDyNCih9NwZ6W664mjIdQdPKrGoJ2b_4dWNzLdfADb8jhsHYMK43x1BAj88KM9/s400/IMG_4838.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614564230870296514" border="0" /></a>Laura is sitting on the bench doing sign language for this song.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGOwaD8ihiZvsZXIRcT1WhVKRIQCgxnSMT2kgP24-fI595Vynix-KXHX_7wrYO5V9k-g_TsAj1JuDRlTpsKp0DtUzY92ciZOZG2TI6H4QQ2LI9P3LAFxnPyOBkIoPqwi8DsEx2EVWqk1P/s1600/IMG_4841.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGOwaD8ihiZvsZXIRcT1WhVKRIQCgxnSMT2kgP24-fI595Vynix-KXHX_7wrYO5V9k-g_TsAj1JuDRlTpsKp0DtUzY92ciZOZG2TI6H4QQ2LI9P3LAFxnPyOBkIoPqwi8DsEx2EVWqk1P/s400/IMG_4841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614564238336239554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAGERYjGRyqZQdzeemEgGeQIcSr4VJVhhxFKDmlPR8qz5-VttC3ocO0prtpmyqKZMxKA5JGwajUvR4ed_95jTz7jZOcG1QZhbttiIzvggDjOSFnWPq56bwSYvNQfIZe8XJaoqx9tl91Vn/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAGERYjGRyqZQdzeemEgGeQIcSr4VJVhhxFKDmlPR8qz5-VttC3ocO0prtpmyqKZMxKA5JGwajUvR4ed_95jTz7jZOcG1QZhbttiIzvggDjOSFnWPq56bwSYvNQfIZe8XJaoqx9tl91Vn/s400/IMG_4842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614564240834241954" border="0" /></a>And a quick Grant update: Well-he is still a mess-rough and tough, inquisitive, daring, but he can sure be a sweetie. He is quick to give kisses and hugs and hand out "i love you's". We are officially free of the pacifier and he is just about potty trained--two huge milestones at our house! Right now, his favorite things to do are to paint, play outside on his "playground" (as he calls it) and play with cars/trains. He is still taking naps--thank you so much as this quiet time keeps me sane. He loves Laura and they play pretty good together. Of course, there is quite a bit of refereeing going on, but he does love to be with her!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAGERYjGRyqZQdzeemEgGeQIcSr4VJVhhxFKDmlPR8qz5-VttC3ocO0prtpmyqKZMxKA5JGwajUvR4ed_95jTz7jZOcG1QZhbttiIzvggDjOSFnWPq56bwSYvNQfIZe8XJaoqx9tl91Vn/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG"><br /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-18632349543987282242011-04-19T16:48:00.007-05:002011-04-20T08:22:22.574-05:00Grant Turns Three!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCclgiwiRpxyYlU1tePfj1scbo8fkwQp_amqu97I-1npG4sUVWz7_yFcNEhEPk0kKI8fuKUK_6aB2_c9w3LSCh6uqVqVAtid9lvbdPzZkTz3V9pcldoW4Wq5TJmyipi8Xp6u9UEBlvYoSI/s1600/IMG_4720.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCclgiwiRpxyYlU1tePfj1scbo8fkwQp_amqu97I-1npG4sUVWz7_yFcNEhEPk0kKI8fuKUK_6aB2_c9w3LSCh6uqVqVAtid9lvbdPzZkTz3V9pcldoW4Wq5TJmyipi8Xp6u9UEBlvYoSI/s400/IMG_4720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597461542864452594" border="0" /></a><br />So my baby turned three on March 17th! It is so hard to believe!<br /><br />For his birthday, he decided he wanted a "Car's" cake, so I googled it and came up with this race track design. I really am not a big baker, but I do enjoy making my kids birthday cakes. He loved it and was very excited about it.<br /><br />Meme and Don-Don were also able to share Grant's birthday this year. This is the first time they've been able to be here on his actual birthday since his birth!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQe5S23jELRJL-XjWutq3dHbpmZblq8xvoU9DPAz_zlcgItsX3evQbE5MR_0egsLwV7pI6NZX1URAvjBEgZ7y07feHjPhuSAX4apiMfuy103BZurFovFgr4BrQPq3FiK7XcvZlP2mwTUM/s1600/IMG_4736.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQe5S23jELRJL-XjWutq3dHbpmZblq8xvoU9DPAz_zlcgItsX3evQbE5MR_0egsLwV7pI6NZX1URAvjBEgZ7y07feHjPhuSAX4apiMfuy103BZurFovFgr4BrQPq3FiK7XcvZlP2mwTUM/s400/IMG_4736.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597447496485419618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k_IEgoMyC-6qtyKvzFlbzQDDTpihoOQVQsWegfbblK1a50HD5pLhfrSUfNpWdgIwyGn_SgoqlHv6IICBNYOEnPEy_ROjwOnyz9PiN979lo5-hdT8CJuVLmnV_ufUJq61xRQSCQgGG1Dv/s1600/IMG_4740.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k_IEgoMyC-6qtyKvzFlbzQDDTpihoOQVQsWegfbblK1a50HD5pLhfrSUfNpWdgIwyGn_SgoqlHv6IICBNYOEnPEy_ROjwOnyz9PiN979lo5-hdT8CJuVLmnV_ufUJq61xRQSCQgGG1Dv/s400/IMG_4740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597447487124204066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrQWXVxHAAMoeXI-CnzaWEL5n8qM9x0v6aSW41sBj814kwyXG1-aqKdCrS3FzqzuynEF2q0zLwicfWMnAe_es0icnUPkx7SEcKX7hem9XnkmewwFZ4njtNEvRl7CTTN_lULGSwVBJq0Lf/s1600/IMG_4742.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrQWXVxHAAMoeXI-CnzaWEL5n8qM9x0v6aSW41sBj814kwyXG1-aqKdCrS3FzqzuynEF2q0zLwicfWMnAe_es0icnUPkx7SEcKX7hem9XnkmewwFZ4njtNEvRl7CTTN_lULGSwVBJq0Lf/s400/IMG_4742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597447483649388258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v-ztYuW6lkyNUpq98JNZHoUjUpba8MYieCrIT6lyVq3E7tMIUMMAQUXf36oT1tJECMdt-yBtbtSuAn3MMx_2r1KmnKliZ9oG1aAgmxwSVygt1NUIk1i7hkSyKc1L5Z64euJkS4U63evY/s1600/IMG_4745.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v-ztYuW6lkyNUpq98JNZHoUjUpba8MYieCrIT6lyVq3E7tMIUMMAQUXf36oT1tJECMdt-yBtbtSuAn3MMx_2r1KmnKliZ9oG1aAgmxwSVygt1NUIk1i7hkSyKc1L5Z64euJkS4U63evY/s400/IMG_4745.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597447477675385954" border="0" /></a>For his presents, he got a "Cars" race track which he really enjoys playing with and a new back pack for school (or as he calls it a pack pack).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDkxB_hRoArbYYBNHFVeeH1X2j2TrbnhorikJH-WgeZdb8kH8eR8L2kNybtKqAXJUEm-0QkAWTh9uXw4xLs_Ok9Fh_EJL-F2fn8oMMIpunEtCNXVmFQWZc_M1I9BABQz13-3OPLhRO9jd/s1600/IMG_4733.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDkxB_hRoArbYYBNHFVeeH1X2j2TrbnhorikJH-WgeZdb8kH8eR8L2kNybtKqAXJUEm-0QkAWTh9uXw4xLs_Ok9Fh_EJL-F2fn8oMMIpunEtCNXVmFQWZc_M1I9BABQz13-3OPLhRO9jd/s400/IMG_4733.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597447500439052658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2vSKte_lfoBhUHb7fJkz1cjWq4zet5nyIYWcyFQCaGnS2fa5zipjSnb3GO96JL-hUXjYHbcJ3QVvSUpaPy2tD4-n0iLd7dywHCvnW5xcc4FUCRXpIoqtQcb27WeLlTSJWg7EOiXok060/s1600/IMG_4723.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2vSKte_lfoBhUHb7fJkz1cjWq4zet5nyIYWcyFQCaGnS2fa5zipjSnb3GO96JL-hUXjYHbcJ3QVvSUpaPy2tD4-n0iLd7dywHCvnW5xcc4FUCRXpIoqtQcb27WeLlTSJWg7EOiXok060/s400/IMG_4723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597453914653365762" border="0" /></a>The one thing (and there are a ton) that I love about Grant is that he is funny. He makes me laugh a lot and I'm so grateful for his sweet and funny personality.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-64284205448640947092011-03-03T08:49:00.012-06:002011-03-04T07:33:35.079-06:00January and FebruaryI am a horrible blogger! Once school kicks back into session, I find that my time is limited for blogging. Despite the busyness, we've had a great January and February. I'm glad the warmer weather is right around the corner.<br /><br />We sure got the snow this year. I enjoyed it for about one day and after that, it was a wet mess! The kids had a great time sledding down some of the big hills. Next year, I will definitely invest in outdoor snow clothes.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUuzaGqDqVAlyYnCoB0jlRFGPbX3OZaM7bZi7VgmnTL-4n4MF28rokPtjN5ChOy-igKCFMJJy_XnD03cg1dpwP51FUlRtVyqwGt5ati4R7LDUe5uLxL6_vazvCMuPHxrF-EFCRV4dDV3Q/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUuzaGqDqVAlyYnCoB0jlRFGPbX3OZaM7bZi7VgmnTL-4n4MF28rokPtjN5ChOy-igKCFMJJy_XnD03cg1dpwP51FUlRtVyqwGt5ati4R7LDUe5uLxL6_vazvCMuPHxrF-EFCRV4dDV3Q/s400/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579866079651529810" border="0" /></a>At the end of January, I surprised Laura with a trip to American Girl in Dallas. We met my mom, my aunt and her grandaughter for a weekend of fun! I told Laura we were going to Little Rock for a girl's night out and she quickly bought into that idea. On the way down, I told her I needed to make a quick stop at the airport to go to the bathroom. She was very concerned because you could only go to the airport if you were flying somewhere. Laura is a major rule follower! Once I popped the trunk to get our luggage, she knew we were going somewhere. When we got to Dallas, I told her we needed to go outside to get "our car". She thought it would be a limo! Ha--my mom's van pulled up and out popped Aunt Judy and we told her we were having an American Girl weekend! We shopped at the AG store and ate dinner there. It was a great memory and I enjoyed spending time with just the girls!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz7T7vhbTtdyuBFn_l7KnmqaZt4es4U96yFTLyuLY2F3OPt6ZDxJI6hTTo4sZtZVJ_gCsgOQMTFY0MbMaBA_DIj9CrhvpSFNRaDDwH0B7zG-INxOIsuJpvEcsl00sqfbgLf97NrsxUahT/s1600/-4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz7T7vhbTtdyuBFn_l7KnmqaZt4es4U96yFTLyuLY2F3OPt6ZDxJI6hTTo4sZtZVJ_gCsgOQMTFY0MbMaBA_DIj9CrhvpSFNRaDDwH0B7zG-INxOIsuJpvEcsl00sqfbgLf97NrsxUahT/s400/-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579866085349409474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tvEsOY1wlciMPWnOTA29GrjFd2QHmRmqak7s6ZnVzKVYh9MWy07YV87dSI2vw0aexTzZNj_zursqty1CdgK12AZ2mKrOaRijb5ucdDPtU1uPkTZ_-xDQCO_5uo3JGc3J9bfhSkg7-m9W/s1600/-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tvEsOY1wlciMPWnOTA29GrjFd2QHmRmqak7s6ZnVzKVYh9MWy07YV87dSI2vw0aexTzZNj_zursqty1CdgK12AZ2mKrOaRijb5ucdDPtU1uPkTZ_-xDQCO_5uo3JGc3J9bfhSkg7-m9W/s400/-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579866082937419042" border="0" /></a>Laura has been doing great at school. She is an awesome reader and I find her many days after school laying in her bed reading. I love it! This is a picture from her box car derby at school--she won the race for her heat. It was a super cute event.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1PFL8IjkSyUhNn0nrJz5lP54I2stQFhAHuM8AItXXxFfq8IS9Wv9CDfqCH5HgCmVUr_d4tUxMzgJTxm6VeSgj_wmLvsHY-NluA2JKmjBOb-xv8iK6uGEu8r0I_S9bwMlyDs8c_vLpvDu/s1600/-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1PFL8IjkSyUhNn0nrJz5lP54I2stQFhAHuM8AItXXxFfq8IS9Wv9CDfqCH5HgCmVUr_d4tUxMzgJTxm6VeSgj_wmLvsHY-NluA2JKmjBOb-xv8iK6uGEu8r0I_S9bwMlyDs8c_vLpvDu/s400/-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579866080788925714" border="0" /></a>She also did Upward Cheer the past couple of months. I really am a fan of Upward programs. It is nice to incorporate scripture and being a good team player while you do a sport.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WhjbpHEWCjiS3czy7kn_o-K1Ek-HdLMnP1qthvCQ1r3LG_LCgTHwbtlmxqXT3PM6_y8cHguPeyPPYVlIzXNbvELZJq3uJjZfh9KAE1t_i9czG_tw__Bsz0sQleTyok7ImXY7KbzW9oPz/s1600/IMG_4638.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WhjbpHEWCjiS3czy7kn_o-K1Ek-HdLMnP1qthvCQ1r3LG_LCgTHwbtlmxqXT3PM6_y8cHguPeyPPYVlIzXNbvELZJq3uJjZfh9KAE1t_i9czG_tw__Bsz0sQleTyok7ImXY7KbzW9oPz/s400/IMG_4638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580216803109446658" border="0" /></a>Grant turns three in two weeks! Crazy to think that he is that old! I will have to say that "two" was a very challenging year! He tested all limits. I have noticed in the past two months that he is so verbal. He can talk in complete sentences and he is a really really funny kid! We are just now starting potty training and that is going decently well. He is doing great at MDO on Tues/Thurs. He got moved up to the older 2's in January and that has been a wonderful move! He is not getting into time out and just doing much much better. Love my sweet boy, Grant! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLuL6488H3MtH4ljfrIET-bHtvfMmh7z_RByHFf9uNOFO7mZMjmxHSJ0zhLIeQBXyQ2l8lgo6fRJmjNgPrks33t-UEy0cAYt0ubRRAppkJOuIQtTFCKyRZR7L-32FIYdThSLJF7ZgtB6V/s1600/IMG_4641.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLuL6488H3MtH4ljfrIET-bHtvfMmh7z_RByHFf9uNOFO7mZMjmxHSJ0zhLIeQBXyQ2l8lgo6fRJmjNgPrks33t-UEy0cAYt0ubRRAppkJOuIQtTFCKyRZR7L-32FIYdThSLJF7ZgtB6V/s400/IMG_4641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579869184373720130" border="0" /></a>Annie: She is a puppy still and we are working on not digging in the yard right now-which is killing Jim b/c he loves his yard! And the snow and rain make her a huge wet mess. I've been cleaning her paws several times a day! We still love her though--she is an excellent play mate for Grant! They get along quite well!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT5GzL-hxy7EZIz3jFyEIDd-qvSd3nUJEtto1V3bCuBN-_bHj8oscezu06i6brs9C8aazGTwS31mp8oGzy3SM9F6oowkPssVqu-2JpBddyzjAKhdmzNOlUg9GR2EpYqtAQAykz23m9B99/s1600/IMG_4636.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFT5GzL-hxy7EZIz3jFyEIDd-qvSd3nUJEtto1V3bCuBN-_bHj8oscezu06i6brs9C8aazGTwS31mp8oGzy3SM9F6oowkPssVqu-2JpBddyzjAKhdmzNOlUg9GR2EpYqtAQAykz23m9B99/s400/IMG_4636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579871783123128626" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431103531696333147.post-78377725352637693662010-12-18T13:26:00.002-06:002010-12-18T13:42:11.552-06:00Catching Up on NovemberYes, I am behind again......so here is a recap of our November. My parents rented a cabin in Heber Springs (about 30 minutes from Searcy) for 10 days in November. We were able to spend several nights up there with them and Jim and I stayed up there one night w/o the kids. The cabin was perfect because everyone was able to have their own room. It had a huge deck overlooking the beautiful Little Red River and the leaves were gorgeous. There was even a little loft room (like Laura and Mary's bedroom in Little House) that Laura slept in each night.<br /><br />One day we drove up to Mountain View and went to a little old-fashioned soda shop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdfKn0ZKE8ousBK4SA1BFajZlqFEd9S-Hnl2TfawHcD1d6edGHtghK03j4hxkxZxi2nxOqWVhFNIu-cGRiyKxSGJJ9KDuyvSYNpRmfqwgqanhl-PktysXkvnprbSeKDNzHHY78Gux9Hzq/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdfKn0ZKE8ousBK4SA1BFajZlqFEd9S-Hnl2TfawHcD1d6edGHtghK03j4hxkxZxi2nxOqWVhFNIu-cGRiyKxSGJJ9KDuyvSYNpRmfqwgqanhl-PktysXkvnprbSeKDNzHHY78Gux9Hzq/s400/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552106874521519122" border="0" /></a>We then headed to the Ozark Folk Center where they have a little school house and other shops. Laura went dressed as Laura Ingalls and played school! She was in Little House heaven!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6TMKLPNW9nmUl4p5XtT_1o1DQHUlW-p-aUgDEpGCjNIFMq_vuiGiqt8OTYHeeLGSQmwgNeeTEmo1GISBlaKoY6pqTQF_ztG_yocypoTicey4Y1X-mK2NtzEyx4iJE0ckPxLeZkJpgwA8/s1600/-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6TMKLPNW9nmUl4p5XtT_1o1DQHUlW-p-aUgDEpGCjNIFMq_vuiGiqt8OTYHeeLGSQmwgNeeTEmo1GISBlaKoY6pqTQF_ztG_yocypoTicey4Y1X-mK2NtzEyx4iJE0ckPxLeZkJpgwA8/s400/-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552106785736085762" border="0" /></a>One of the stops was a doll shop. Since it wasn't crowded, the sweet lady helped Laura make a corn husk doll. Very neat!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGWcAV31DgGoAbzG6pOMmnh-zls7QFbtpMZodUT8Lf-4eqDXBhn2FGMMa2GZ7ywG6A0Nt30Z6twu5y8ZHY_P_n7j0mW6eWjw5B5Z9AU2ZtvX-fr_YYGwwOjuyMqkPrx8eVYhBseiaj0es/s1600/-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGWcAV31DgGoAbzG6pOMmnh-zls7QFbtpMZodUT8Lf-4eqDXBhn2FGMMa2GZ7ywG6A0Nt30Z6twu5y8ZHY_P_n7j0mW6eWjw5B5Z9AU2ZtvX-fr_YYGwwOjuyMqkPrx8eVYhBseiaj0es/s400/-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552106780269500738" border="0" /></a>The cabin had a hot tub and the kids enjoyed many squeals and splashes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zDbzo99iJ0E_kUjD_jxNEfAxvk72ndp0MgK34yHTQrAvZEuplMfrNb8B4lM40V5qCUdnn036Dl4Khf0G-QIAP-2pRWRDFLUZfjiWfaijNM-tizLUjG4q2L2vo76DgjFa81VfuXxWWT8j/s1600/-4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zDbzo99iJ0E_kUjD_jxNEfAxvk72ndp0MgK34yHTQrAvZEuplMfrNb8B4lM40V5qCUdnn036Dl4Khf0G-QIAP-2pRWRDFLUZfjiWfaijNM-tizLUjG4q2L2vo76DgjFa81VfuXxWWT8j/s400/-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552106777084547602" border="0" /></a>This was Grant's first time to fish and he was much more interested in the fact that he had a "Cars" fishing pole than actually fishing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPDqUuE8u3MgJtwAFlGJdBML0WupZlH7o2p0pAARVT6dTpaB8JjPImkNjt2z-iIBNZ8ygOPHpDLWB26gS0cpOa-goe2sp9z9K3uKbau3ol3gnZGmyFcPLtrKzyco5ZPsyUDO9ETfXGdeJ/s1600/-5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPDqUuE8u3MgJtwAFlGJdBML0WupZlH7o2p0pAARVT6dTpaB8JjPImkNjt2z-iIBNZ8ygOPHpDLWB26gS0cpOa-goe2sp9z9K3uKbau3ol3gnZGmyFcPLtrKzyco5ZPsyUDO9ETfXGdeJ/s400/-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552106775124865874" border="0" /></a>We wrapped up November by spending Thanksgiving in Dallas with the Looney family. It was a fun time and this year we remembered to get a picture of the group!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX555G4K__0Y49EuPIMUL0VQdHGxtQdRgrJPn7h8iAxlhvkHJ7LvioZPhGAHsLbweJ4iVhRHYuXK2iYFr0WoYE-McBf5pqlzEs6b66IU-Q2cEJ6NjuXU7DXHqJcnX3YPWppAsXCW9H6I-/s1600/-6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCX555G4K__0Y49EuPIMUL0VQdHGxtQdRgrJPn7h8iAxlhvkHJ7LvioZPhGAHsLbweJ4iVhRHYuXK2iYFr0WoYE-McBf5pqlzEs6b66IU-Q2cEJ6NjuXU7DXHqJcnX3YPWppAsXCW9H6I-/s400/-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552106773264562386" border="0" /></a>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17137200224483369530noreply@blogger.com1