tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73432312164431047312024-03-05T00:10:56.751-05:00Adventures With the Bug and the ButterbeanAdventures With the Bug and the Butterbean began as a way to document our lives for our family and friends. Over two years ago, we made a big move to the Caribean and have new adventures every day. Follow along and see what we are up to!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.comBlogger644125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-31443465402892598782015-01-14T07:53:00.001-05:002015-01-14T07:53:58.049-05:00Hey There<p>We have been keeping pretty quiet.  Just getting back into the swing of things in the New Year!</p> <p>A friend of mine captured this shot from Saturday’s soccer game.  Is it wrong how much I love it?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OHdEdmrngmQ/VLZm1XuBGtI/AAAAAAAB-y4/82_cyYYgIVw/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="unnamed" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="unnamed" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6GkgIUAMLsQ/VLZm4nPMGQI/AAAAAAAB-zA/gIdJ1aEzTDw/unnamed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="354" /></a></p> <p>He is just really intense!  Yes, that’s what we’ll call it!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-13193026934439204422015-01-02T15:54:00.001-05:002015-01-02T15:54:47.466-05:00Christmas 2014<p>Of course this blog is very late, but we have been busy and lately our internet has been spotty… oh well better late than never!Christmas 2014 is in the bag and it was the best one yet!  On Christmas Eve we picked up my sister from the airport and headed to a college football bowl game.  This was the inaugural <a href="http://www.bahamasbowl.com/">Popeyes Chicken Bahamas Bowl</a>. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uDpehozZXk4/VKcEyADsbLI/AAAAAAAB-sw/i1ExiIpMswY/s1600-h/NIK_94033.jpg"><img title="NIK_9403" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9403" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j6qBhEDGiiU/VKcEzfan1CI/AAAAAAAB-s4/h2xlL86mJ34/NIK_9403_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>We had gotten tickets through Allen’s work and thought it would be fun for the boys to see and experience another college football game. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6VrwSMjg8gI/VKcE1Peh6OI/AAAAAAAB-tA/nzJoY_y9W1g/s1600-h/NIK_94243.jpg"><img title="NIK_9424" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9424" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ui4Oeu6Ujl8/VKcE2ibHJqI/AAAAAAAB-tI/n51VEBOq87w/NIK_9424_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>  It was hot and they were out of water at the concessions, but it was a fun afternoon!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8sWvQ_E6PsY/VKcE3p2PqbI/AAAAAAAB-tQ/ZEZL206ehFY/s1600-h/IMG_43203.jpg"><img title="IMG_4320" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L0eiqR77usM/VKcE5FgD_5I/AAAAAAAB-tY/rniiWicvqTM/IMG_4320_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We also enjoyed a little Junkanoo entertainment at half time!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hw4lAnguQ70/VKcE61HnNbI/AAAAAAAB-tg/Dh6UYLA0Z4c/s1600-h/NIK_94023.jpg"><img title="NIK_9402" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NZjg9vgcotw/VKcE7_M0tUI/AAAAAAAB-to/d9gLDbzJfzI/NIK_9402_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FzsrZrako6U/VKcE9n1imAI/AAAAAAAB-tw/x76plABZLCE/s1600-h/NIK_94253.jpg"><img title="NIK_9425" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9425" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Np7xqOAiqg0/VKcE-kog_3I/AAAAAAAB-t4/Ctvo_C8KbuE/NIK_9425_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Maybe this means that Popeye’s Chicken is coming to the Bahamas?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3JvdtRLIb6U/VKcE_20bn5I/AAAAAAAB-uA/wP2BsP7M_80/s1600-h/NIK_93854.jpg"><img title="NIK_9385" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9385" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cZt26JFWuCw/VKcFBdr1OPI/AAAAAAAB-uI/0Cvc_081yFY/NIK_9385_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We shared a Christmas Eve meal with our good friends…and all I have to show for it is this one picture.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--R2TYVE5mmc/VKcFCgZz6uI/AAAAAAAB-uQ/X6UDNFySitA/s1600-h/NIK_94303.jpg"><img title="NIK_9430" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9430" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DKkpuCk_Whk/VKcFDz22I9I/AAAAAAAB-uY/GW6BTGPE2jM/NIK_9430_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We had a really nice time.</p> <p>After dinner the boys got in their Christmas jammies and we read <u>‘Twas the Night Before Christmas</u>.  The boys were straight to sleep and given thorough instructions to sleep until 6:30…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QdeFHcvrXNE/VKcFFNAJmRI/AAAAAAAB-ug/MyrE2ZnYSwI/s1600-h/NIK_94363.jpg"><img title="NIK_9436" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9436" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4odIYcG82PQ/VKcFGd81nJI/AAAAAAAB-uo/SFleXdLmhZ4/NIK_9436_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="420" /></a></p> <p>They <em>maybe</em> made it until 6:15, but it is Christmas after all!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zsPy0-H-3Ws/VKcFHrgrdSI/AAAAAAAB-uw/jrC3X9suBJ8/s1600-h/NIK_94393.jpg"><img title="NIK_9439" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9439" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bPOrpegnV-s/VKcFI1g1aRI/AAAAAAAB-u4/IsNCb-_8i1c/NIK_9439_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a>For the first time ever, they busted into their stockings before we could get settled first.  They were excited!</p> <p>Bless him, he was so excited to get socks!  Love that kid!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vH4M5E-Ue0E/VKcFKCnE86I/AAAAAAAB-vA/JBRJlkryuoc/s1600-h/NIK_94423.jpg"><img title="NIK_9442" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9442" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--agLJ7tv7g8/VKcFLlpbnKI/AAAAAAAB-vI/OPeAxsj8dog/NIK_9442_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Jackson was only slightly less enthusiastic… with his erasers.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iQ88LFfUcmw/VKcFM9g6tvI/AAAAAAAB-vQ/7tAlG1ibXvE/s1600-h/NIK_9446.13.jpg"><img title="NIK_9446.1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9446.1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HiYK-LRbpM0/VKcFN33mdYI/AAAAAAAB-vY/Quhj-yBAZLE/NIK_9446.1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Every single gift they got they were just thrilled with.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eByLiv_Qqxo/VKcFPsd-lkI/AAAAAAAB-vg/xHyovabBMhg/s1600-h/NIK_94623.jpg"><img title="NIK_9462" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9462" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vDhe41HDQZk/VKcFRPy1m1I/AAAAAAAB-vo/LVbdozgga6M/NIK_9462_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Because they got some amazing gifts!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fCnE_LwHzeQ/VKcFSm6ntwI/AAAAAAAB-vw/R3S9WN3dneo/s1600-h/NIK_94703.jpg"><img title="NIK_9470" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9470" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OSZPg15TkNQ/VKcFT6LWYpI/AAAAAAAB-v4/o6WBQYQfsPI/NIK_9470_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>His smile is so big I can see his tonsils!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oh58liGOycw/VKcFVFX9_AI/AAAAAAAB-wA/W4PrigvGd4c/s1600-h/NIK_94753.jpg"><img title="NIK_9475" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9475" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fucsdfRrihQ/VKcFWex8GzI/AAAAAAAB-wI/ULnterJOQNw/NIK_9475_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="377" /></a></p> <p>Nerf bows and guns may have been the gift of the year!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hmKxGqeH6IU/VKcFXnCKuFI/AAAAAAAB-wQ/OlRGLtAFTHM/s1600-h/NIK_94947.jpg"><img title="NIK_9494" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9494" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cDfnRj676BQ/VKcFZASZM8I/AAAAAAAB-wY/1P_KkJIyR_c/NIK_9494_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>As I write this 8 days after Christmas, they are still having Nerf battles every day, multiple times a day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dnBBQnX0Njs/VKcFaiX68TI/AAAAAAAB-wg/y-falI3PcQY/s1600-h/NIK_94853.jpg"><img title="NIK_9485" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9485" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7hYjeun4tIA/VKcFcCWFiwI/AAAAAAAB-wo/h5sx5SVL_Ko/NIK_9485_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XJlIoyHkUGk/VKcFduGfQzI/AAAAAAAB-ww/52mugCQG_VE/s1600-h/NIK_94863.jpg"><img title="NIK_9486" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9486" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZoJniUzkAA0/VKcFema9ZTI/AAAAAAAB-w4/1vUDqMVNZk4/NIK_9486_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jTbqDt4aSdE/VKcFf4Vdv1I/AAAAAAAB-xA/EmK-2bJyVJ8/s1600-h/NIK_95083.jpg"><img title="NIK_9508" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9508" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l_eqNnSjQ-0/VKcFhRir2wI/AAAAAAAB-xI/626z3Cx8iFY/NIK_9508_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BQlDSzoa14c/VKcFiyxZfPI/AAAAAAAB-xQ/q60cMZ7e-CM/s1600-h/NIK_95123.jpg"><img title="NIK_9512" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9512" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k0dZTRX3VVA/VKcFkfvyYdI/AAAAAAAB-xY/GnVngCkIsbc/NIK_9512_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Jackson also got a new skateboard and he is doing so amazing on it!  Allen and I gave each other a <a href="http://gopro.com/">GoPro</a> and I was able to get some video of him on it as I was trying out our new toy.</p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:3a5932ea-676d-4cdb-8467-eea2047fd2bd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="a9a1449a-cb5c-4508-913b-3b1daf89897c" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx8zj5eXn5Y" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2eBIcuCw4XY/VKcFlaCb-GI/AAAAAAAB-xg/BZjOLOVljJc/videoa17d0618c293%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('a9a1449a-cb5c-4508-913b-3b1daf89897c'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/xx8zj5eXn5Y?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/xx8zj5eXn5Y?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p> </p> <p>We finished our Christmas with another yummy meal with some other dear friends and  ended up on the sofa with blankets (and Air Conditioning) watching movies.  Bliss!</p> <p>We had so much fun soaking up all the fun and busy-ness that is the Christmas season, but it also so nice to just sit and be still and enjoy the things that we have to be thankful for.</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-9145542602288272502014-12-23T06:15:00.000-05:002014-12-23T06:15:00.789-05:00The Most Delicious Party of the Year<p>This year was the 4th year of hosting my annual cookie party.  I look forward to hosting this party every year, and I think my friends look forward to coming, although they do give me a hard time about having to bake.  They all claim to not be bakers.  {Based on the cookies they brought, I might have to disagree with that!}</p> <p>The party is  cookie decorating party and a cookie swap rolled into one.  It is a fair amount of work, but it is just too much fun!</p> <p>Each year I pick a different cookie style to decorate and this year we used the ones from this HGTV cover to use as our inspiration.</p> <p><img src="http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2014/11/21/0/FNM_120114-Cover_s4x3.jpg.rend.sni10col.jpeg" /></p> <p><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/magazine.html"><font size="1">source</font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xmA5uQdWxBA/VJRra7HfNYI/AAAAAAAB9Sw/O7E9FhwgO6Q/s1600-h/NIK_9182%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9182" style="border-top: 0px; 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background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9185" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k98EhsPPNLo/VJRrjkUiN3I/AAAAAAAB9TY/BgQCZ51uIFI/NIK_9185_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-olMse4jZjY4/VJRrlE2QgKI/AAAAAAAB9Tg/YRfBUH5IzCQ/s1600-h/NIK_9186%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9186" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9186" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ighwoqopo4Q/VJRrmvOJTxI/AAAAAAAB9To/bDeln41c41g/NIK_9186_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kcp2lEfsKQM/VJRro9pAlRI/AAAAAAAB9Tw/ixdHDjZJH1E/s1600-h/NIK_9187%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9187" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9187" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ujQis8hb8TM/VJRrqfWFpFI/AAAAAAAB9T4/-S7mOqSj4KM/NIK_9187_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gJKONgGLJQc/VJRrsDR3acI/AAAAAAAB9UA/vI7dhdEF6jI/s1600-h/NIK_9188%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9188" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9188" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UMtw4VKAak8/VJRrti5DQ8I/AAAAAAAB9UI/BNhQeZld1e4/NIK_9188_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0aJfTE8NSjI/VJRrvAuX5oI/AAAAAAAB9UQ/j6aXdeG5a5w/s1600-h/NIK_9189%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9189" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9189" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sQvEKv-Ivqk/VJRrxMgsN4I/AAAAAAAB9UY/6ESzX5Z7iXg/NIK_9189_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-48IymnGcqeY/VJRryqtCCoI/AAAAAAAB9Ug/Vt_M91x0rk4/s1600-h/NIK_9190%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9190" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9190" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EKqUNCksGOk/VJRr0TtKi7I/AAAAAAAB9Uo/uA7_k8XRXi0/NIK_9190_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rxv92hI87eI/VJRr2d5iqlI/AAAAAAAB9Uw/z7qs7oamAJ0/s1600-h/NIK_9191%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9191" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9191" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ayguauNVaUk/VJRr34d2L8I/AAAAAAAB9U4/znpUecLy4aM/NIK_9191_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dScBJ_n1zdE/VJRr5CsFRwI/AAAAAAAB9VA/Pw-zi3k-Ooo/s1600-h/NIK_9193%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9193" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9193" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qvga_BD6BqA/VJRr6WfLVmI/AAAAAAAB9VI/qziE_d6FzFo/NIK_9193_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sI2EoZm63kY/VJRr7j4NIAI/AAAAAAAB9VQ/yaUD4SeuJ3o/s1600-h/NIK_9192%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9192" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9192" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g71U_euyx0U/VJRr82LJn3I/AAAAAAAB9VY/mmJj0XeDNvY/NIK_9192_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="328" /></a></p> <p>Since it isn’t too likely that we will be here next year, I wonder if there will be a 5th annual cookie party. I have a feeling that even if they don’t get together for the cookie decorating part, they will get together for the cookie exchange part.</p> <p>While we were playing with cookies, Allen took the boys to a Christmas concert by the <a href="http://royalbahamaspolice.org/band/">Royal Bahamas Police Force Band</a>. at Atlantis.  They loved it! </p> <p><img src="http://www.royalbahamaspolice.org/images/newsimages/news2013/lg_images2013/jazzconcert.jpg" /></p> <p><a href="http://www.royalbahamaspolice.org/news&media/policenewsstory2013.php?news_id=276"><font size="1">source</font></a></p> <p>The guys looked so adorable before they left, I had to get a picture!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VwjGkgzxhZA/VJRr-Eha0tI/AAAAAAAB9Vg/U6BPVGsE8CU/s1600-h/NIK_9175%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9175" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9175" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1J64u9Q8aGI/VJRr_WXy5pI/AAAAAAAB9Vo/lR12QXXKaDM/NIK_9175_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We have been having so much fun this year, but it is all flying by so fast!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-83458406299742797032014-12-22T05:43:00.000-05:002014-12-22T05:43:00.192-05:00Here Comes Santa Claus 2014<p>Our Santa visit this year was another fantastic one.  </p> <p>The boys had their lists ready. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-czpZFPwWpFw/VJGkxrY2WsI/AAAAAAAB83I/1V_eNrXtyNQ/s1600-h/NIK_9127%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9127" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9127" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C4_rUFY2PKI/VJGky5QZW9I/AAAAAAAB83Q/a0WsVtolSs0/NIK_9127_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>They were extensive!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xAwksIjefqQ/VJGk0Vh9eGI/AAAAAAAB83Y/n12dyT4WapA/s1600-h/NIK_9133%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9133" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9133" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1KK27Gty0z8/VJGk1p2WXuI/AAAAAAAB83g/LwtTL_V8eyo/NIK_9133_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>I love this smile!  He looks so much like Allen…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dg_UO8GPV1w/VJGk28mP3-I/AAAAAAAB83o/QTII15ugYW0/s1600-h/NIK_9136%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9136" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubj6QNn78Ov6uMR1g8U4XbhrBRM_ufwmLPifCVQjwofvPa4uqQuVhJUEhNZpKScby4VZPaBY80jXtZtJoiijmnRSfY79INErL9zqf3r_a4LeuTR_DF1lNwlpaae-tS-It_zL92v2rfOz5/?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kSoPDNodxWM/VJGk5eQWRnI/AAAAAAAB834/ZxyGMQrUDv4/s1600-h/NIK_9137%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9137" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9137" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PjFXByFDPEk/VJGk6sedqBI/AAAAAAAB84A/xBg2pQLi3zg/NIK_9137_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>The Santa this year was a little different from <a href="http://imnotabloggermom.blogspot.com/2013/12/here-comes-santa-claus.html">last year’s</a>.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yAKbOQy49gM/VJGk7o9SotI/AAAAAAAB84I/FBlrw_A-elA/s1600-h/NIK_9144%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9144" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9144" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qh2WcFVbJwI/VJGk8wMUOLI/AAAAAAAB84Q/ETT9YXMlo3w/NIK_9144_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>After seeing Santa the boys had some fun playing Christmas games. {Do you think Miller was peeking?}</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n6DntVr_t94/VJGk-YYFlSI/AAAAAAAB84Y/ODphXd1gfjs/s1600-h/NIK_9151%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9151" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V0qvHauQVoA/VJGk_9dzEbI/AAAAAAAB84g/yrn700IpoDs/NIK_9151_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>They had a fun photo booth set up and we had a blast with it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HiF6H1lbPQE/VJGlBQA0dLI/AAAAAAAB84o/6UZjfGtF5M4/s1600-h/NIK_9152%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9152" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9152" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--6jjud1ZTgY/VJGlCse14mI/AAAAAAAB84w/XsweINspzoA/NIK_9152_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bcBm0RsVVcE/VJGlEFn5VYI/AAAAAAAB844/bhczNN8p4LI/s1600-h/NIK_9154%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9154" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9154" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3X5EKZngJI0/VJGlFjTZPGI/AAAAAAAB85A/Zp5f3Tookv0/NIK_9154_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p2ZYSriA120/VJGlG--S41I/AAAAAAAB85I/XNYZclvDsIg/s1600-h/NIK_9161%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9161" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9161" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f48hkVa0ct4/VJGlIMQqBmI/AAAAAAAB85Q/lpmCwpj_QOo/NIK_9161_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l9EAOxsGvdE/VJGlJxzm_5I/AAAAAAAB85Y/01NUopygG1M/s1600-h/NIK_9167%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9167" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xc7MyyRbZyQ/VJGlLJJ9NcI/AAAAAAAB85g/aqxd8nXfq-k/NIK_9167_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sBgbub7hbIY/VJGlMvYAZWI/AAAAAAAB85o/ptLRjSci0Ik/s1600-h/NIK_9168%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9168" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9168" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dY9zZdaAjM0/VJGlOBWMR0I/AAAAAAAB85w/8yuL_Y-LLDg/NIK_9168_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="378" /></a></p> <p>And just because I can’t resist…here are some Santa pictures from the past!</p> <p>2008</p> <p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7Y2L5d6uMvvnpYppd_3akFmIvtZfPLw5zPrq47-OFCdNljOKFgKq45OLrCpADZbtx-EeK4GmX-l0mD5rwBSI-F8kGthT8c47pJIiwhvSxvZcSAbxGoLLcx7H11snmX01hDb_V58XeeqO/s320/12+038.jpg" /></p> <p>2009</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QEdo-gU1JO8/VJGlPoHAs4I/AAAAAAAB854/F7JnOoVoAFY/s1600-h/scan0001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="scan0001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="scan0001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KUrvIXTy3qw/VJGlQj4BTII/AAAAAAAB86A/k3mMhfzyEk8/scan0001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="420" /></a></p> <p>2010</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1OVBi1tRz8o/VJGlR89tEJI/AAAAAAAB86I/_rih-3-OLLw/s1600-h/DSCN1882%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN1882" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN1882" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jjZeDPOFz4k/VJGlTc9uiaI/AAAAAAAB86Q/4Zhg3U8WU-k/DSCN1882_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="378" /></a></p> <p>What happened to 2011?</p> <p>2012</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ow3gcRvNGVc/VJGlUq9ki8I/AAAAAAAB86Y/QqEEMvrr_zU/s1600-h/20121207_EmbassySanta_0115%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20121207_EmbassySanta_0115" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20121207_EmbassySanta_0115" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h4hp02wsXRA/VJGlV8Lv_MI/AAAAAAAB86g/zFXAwSOqaic/20121207_EmbassySanta_0115_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="354" /></a></p> <p>2013</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ro7NKc76N8A/VJGlXWbtGlI/AAAAAAAB86o/SX766PGZHGc/s1600-h/NIK_4463.1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_4463.1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_4463.1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_kW3ikdK3vQ/VJGlYyGBQUI/AAAAAAAB86w/StBLj8HiwiY/NIK_4463.1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="521" /></a> <br />Merry Christmas!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-414270823502252212014-12-19T05:51:00.000-05:002014-12-19T05:51:00.182-05:00Festival of Lights Boat Parade<p>This was our 3rd year enjoying the Festival of Lights Boat parade.  Our friends are kind enough to include us on their boat each year and we love getting out on the water to see all the entrants up close and personal.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oCjya9_B4-4/VJGYse_f_6I/AAAAAAAB8ys/KqG733urc8I/s1600-h/10394829_878127752207489_9188430583973285397_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="10394829_878127752207489_9188430583973285397_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10394829_878127752207489_9188430583973285397_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KFegA0ASRr4/VJGYtdcj90I/AAAAAAAB8y0/f6yaXXYylZ0/10394829_878127752207489_9188430583973285397_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="290" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Festival-of-Lights-Bahamas/172150826138522?sk=photos_stream"><font size="1">photo credit</font></a></p> <p>This year’s contest was smaller than it has been in the past, but they had a $20,000 prize for the winners!</p> <p>Of course my camera battery dies after 3 pictures (blurry of course), but it was so much fun!</p> <p>This is my artistic approach to photography!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CvCFhvV8ju8/VJGYuY8jOSI/AAAAAAAB8y8/OuwLMrpnQH8/s1600-h/NIK_9058%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9058" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9058" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zW62fyvPAe8/VJGYvrdfbjI/AAAAAAAB8zE/9gNtOM3elmw/NIK_9058_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>I kid, it’s nearly impossible to get photos at night unless you’re still and since I was on a boat it wasn’t very still!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LhFO4yKS8WU/VJGYwj005yI/AAAAAAAB8zM/UD3c6WNDpBI/s1600-h/NIK_9059%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9059" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9059" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wrAGXY581Dc/VJGYxidciHI/AAAAAAAB8zU/sJGnSVBIgig/NIK_9059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-96-zvFTPZ-4/VJGYyqmXQ7I/AAAAAAAB8zc/W6pzUPEQJYg/s1600-h/NIK_9060%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9060" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9060" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4JtQ3IKIpY0/VJGYz2jEeAI/AAAAAAAB8zk/sV7mcAx9xjQ/NIK_9060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>The kids love seeing the fireworks so close!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lt2nB8XR8ZA/VJGY074C_tI/AAAAAAAB8zs/T_7UmR3SLjk/s1600-h/NIK_9061%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9061" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9061" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GIWiwe6L3uI/VJGY18aKeoI/AAAAAAAB8z0/2eslKUNyU6Q/NIK_9061_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We all bundled up because the weather has been a bit chilly.  68 degrees or so!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-otK89LsiO2U/VJGY23iKaJI/AAAAAAAB8z8/jDzHXpeu6BQ/s1600-h/IMG_4247%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4247" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4247" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S37oV0gb8xM/VJGY4Jtgm1I/AAAAAAAB80E/giKTeQHxkaQ/IMG_4247_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>My sister Sharon was visiting and got to come too!  She has a funny story about winning third place in a boat parade based only on enthusiasm!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7cGGVtQiDJ8/VJGY5SjMGlI/AAAAAAAB80M/pha_h36uQ7w/s1600-h/IMG_4251%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4251" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4251" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CddDa3LnqWA/VJGY6djnCYI/AAAAAAAB80U/92xspxLeua0/IMG_4251_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>The theme was sailing to commemorate <a href="http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/aug/14/legendary-sailors-sir-durward-knowles-and-cecil/">Sir Durward Knowles</a> sailing gold medal in the Olympics 50 years ago.  Here are some photos from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Festival-of-Lights-Bahamas/172150826138522?sk=photos_stream">official site</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DgEoldtMndE/VJGY7mH8joI/AAAAAAAB80c/IrGyWEdcV5k/s1600-h/1507273_878123142207950_5015392980400581311_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="1507273_878123142207950_5015392980400581311_o" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1507273_878123142207950_5015392980400581311_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g8MFGiwPjQo/VJGY8iceRlI/AAAAAAAB80k/wV48ZH1S2Pk/1507273_878123142207950_5015392980400581311_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ezQhtWmNOlY/VJGY9zyeTSI/AAAAAAAB80s/aLxT54wsOco/s1600-h/1597563_878121198874811_2319843466702928985_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="1597563_878121198874811_2319843466702928985_o" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1597563_878121198874811_2319843466702928985_o" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Re1pb6rwsTY/VJGY_EOV5tI/AAAAAAAB800/s_t3eKIslDU/1597563_878121198874811_2319843466702928985_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XEywmIvZ7E8/VJGZAGBkH1I/AAAAAAAB808/OLhzxRJu6xw/s1600-h/10013376_878122695541328_490461480709728087_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="10013376_878122695541328_490461480709728087_o" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10013376_878122695541328_490461480709728087_o" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4CzuQfJaPX4/VJGZBaT-ywI/AAAAAAAB81E/ZYYA_jn9xT0/10013376_878122695541328_490461480709728087_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vntsz7yMoY8/VJGZCRIiGqI/AAAAAAAB81M/5SOFQPQ3xMg/s1600-h/10631288_878123168874614_3701139857661074353_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="10631288_878123168874614_3701139857661074353_o" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10631288_878123168874614_3701139857661074353_o" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wYXGK2Dw3M8/VJGZDjEFyfI/AAAAAAAB81U/TajtCfWnqrc/10631288_878123168874614_3701139857661074353_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q3xA9ADuCSM/VJGZElZggJI/AAAAAAAB81c/oLQIbZtL7-A/s1600-h/10697429_878122345541363_6404375871392209135_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="10697429_878122345541363_6404375871392209135_o" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10697429_878122345541363_6404375871392209135_o" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S1n1VTPixXg/VJGZFl-iBDI/AAAAAAAB81k/bSkQ4YERCzs/10697429_878122345541363_6404375871392209135_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lXPIj5P9rzs/VJGZG0zEZqI/AAAAAAAB81s/KJiMcLV7qu8/s1600-h/10750084_878117042208560_153823719857328806_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="10750084_878117042208560_153823719857328806_o" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10750084_878117042208560_153823719857328806_o" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bZH_v7ErZks/VJGZHx5SLzI/AAAAAAAB810/-mzM4ccYTqs/10750084_878117042208560_153823719857328806_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nr8NJa5ZuFY/VJGZJOCxe4I/AAAAAAAB818/uKTzTXeaRrU/s1600-h/10856594_878117268875204_7294497182499353933_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="10856594_878117268875204_7294497182499353933_o" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10856594_878117268875204_7294497182499353933_o" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OJ_o4Kxf3oU/VJGZKM7R98I/AAAAAAAB82E/U0gpfVgXJfQ/10856594_878117268875204_7294497182499353933_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HR15OPzvQnI/VJGZLc1hH_I/AAAAAAAB82M/I6Hex1nxH2M/s1600-h/10861107_878123478874583_2389302784397140009_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="10861107_878123478874583_2389302784397140009_o" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="10861107_878123478874583_2389302784397140009_o" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4o_z1SRStXQ/VJGZMWLe13I/AAAAAAAB82U/6YthHVusv3A/10861107_878123478874583_2389302784397140009_o_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>After following the parade for a bit we headed back in the direction of home, but made a small detour to check out <a href="http://www.superyachts.com/motor-yacht-2102/al-mirqab.htm">this super yacht</a> that was anchored along the cruise ship pier.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z3Fq5himNaI/VJGZNRJRPtI/AAAAAAAB82c/5_18FbGoH5E/s1600-h/IMG_4265%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4265" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fIprcGiKg1k/VJGZOqHbCII/AAAAAAAB82k/R2gWZIFLon0/IMG_4265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UChpbMSpEsU/VJGZPq70v3I/AAAAAAAB82s/7wB7l5pz5Bk/s1600-h/IMG_4260%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4260" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4260" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xP3EPmhMuEI/VJGZQ2oXlxI/AAAAAAAB820/teocLs0pf_4/IMG_4260_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>It was enormous…and gorgeous…and owned by the former prime minister of Qatar…which must be a very lucrative job!</p> <p>Go <a href="http://www.superyachts.com/motor-yacht-2102/al-mirqab.htm">check it out</a> because my iPhone pictures at night don’t do it any justice.</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-7736460250190026022014-12-17T06:27:00.000-05:002014-12-17T06:27:00.638-05:00Bahamian Snow Day- What the Heck Wednesday<p>We have been having some wild weather here recently.  Typically December is pretty windy and we have had our fair share of wind so far.  The other day as we were leaving the neighborhood there was a LOT of water in the road.  It was coming from the beach across the street and going right into our neighborhood.  Sometimes if we get a real big high tide and wind at the same time this happens.  </p> <p>Not a huge deal because our neighborhood has a canal system and the water will run right back into the canals.</p> <p>So I took the boys to school and we marveled at the big waves along the way.  I stayed for my usual volunteering time and then made my way home.  When I came over the hill and saw that what we had <em>thought</em> was high tide was really just <em>nearly</em> high tide.  The <em>real</em> high tide hit while I was at the school.  And with it came a lot of stuff that shouldn’t have been in the road.  Normally this road it a pot holed mess.  It had officially just gotten worse.</p> <p>As I drove down the road I was simultaneously thinking, “This wasn’t even a storm” and “My car is going to get eaten alive with this salt water.”<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yynMFfo9MZc/VIiD1SGc-9I/AAAAAAAB8J0/zr3tGjkrwbE/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252821%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (21)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (21)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vFcA8IBqIo0/VIiD2W3d6sI/AAAAAAAB8J8/XBoVsB4Wvsc/amh%252520%25252821%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>The close I got to home the worse it got…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P-9IrAPT4RU/VIiD3kglZ_I/AAAAAAAB8KE/NfF9gb43CwA/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252830%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (30)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (30)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-guxEjCkpTgw/VIiD4d231tI/AAAAAAAB8KM/IN0KBKSURyY/amh%252520%25252830%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IRewPVJz3rY/VIiD5f5eRHI/AAAAAAAB8KU/2ww4GkT856M/s1600-h/IMG_4211%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4211" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4211" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2SLsBqrCZ94/VIiD6arut8I/AAAAAAAB8Kc/NvI8vu7tsnw/IMG_4211_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GFuMI9qsoH8/VIiD71DqCfI/AAAAAAAB8Kk/YNvuWLgtxRo/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252838%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (38)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (38)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3tOJtkh505o/VIiD89TtkBI/AAAAAAAB8Ks/UkMik5gwhxM/amh%252520%25252838%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>Have you ever run over a coconut?  I don’t suggest it.  I sounds like you just ran over a bomb.  {Or what I imagine running over a bomb would sound like since I’ve never run over a real bomb, but I have run over several coconut explosive devices}<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3ygMdH3KEEI/VIiD-T5dWYI/AAAAAAAB8K0/q_bHhoJY21s/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252844%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (44)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (44)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gI-PpZkx78k/VIiD_lVljMI/AAAAAAAB8K8/i8q9SMeqBso/amh%252520%25252844%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7ZX7IElusRc/VIiEA5_TWcI/AAAAAAAB8LE/NFf3F-qigXA/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252845%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (45)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (45)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jiObJf-GFJs/VIiECEeRGRI/AAAAAAAB8LM/QmKb3CxZKQQ/amh%252520%25252845%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>As I got ready to enter my neighborhood it was a total mess.  There was a bus that got stuck in the sand.  Some guys were trying to pull it out by using a light post as leverage.  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RmtmhkORqqs/VIiEDWFvMcI/AAAAAAAB8LU/ADqLyvbYZXE/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252849%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (49)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (49)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qOkR0EJ7sm0/VIiEESJfDDI/AAAAAAAB8Lc/vUL4QnXSyQ0/amh%252520%25252849%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>There were regular people passing through and poor tourists who had to get off their scooters and push them through the mess.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CsDrA0iNEh0/VIiEF9pLJqI/AAAAAAAB8Lk/OdNEHu-xWMU/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252853%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (53)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (53)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yXOT4REUp3E/VIiEHLHuiwI/AAAAAAAB8Ls/ZZ2DA_6vU2I/amh%252520%25252853%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uK1kuYLGcTs/VIiEIWT3IUI/AAAAAAAB8L0/I8VCzT5lvcw/s1600-h/IMG_4228%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4228" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4228" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nVF-gll28rQ/VIiEJaEI0NI/AAAAAAAB8L8/uk-MU7mxfHs/IMG_4228_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EreEtguDoNQ/VIiEK95bCgI/AAAAAAAB8ME/k5AaInWkEkI/s1600-h/IMG_4234%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4234" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4234" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wPF8plYIjKo/VIiELyMG_EI/AAAAAAAB8MM/rFZtFQhC7I4/IMG_4234_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>I stayed within our neighborhood for an hour or two and when I came out they had tried cleaning it up some….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O-_tnJzsBrs/VIiEM6bMlkI/AAAAAAAB8MU/k3bj8bJ9v8s/s1600-h/IMG_4241%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4241" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4241" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TtIkmzvC2zU/VIiENrvKvMI/AAAAAAAB8Mc/44-I0u_68Gg/IMG_4241_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>I’m thinking that these guys know how to drive a tractor, but snow plowing is just not their thing….</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JfItsBYBnbY/VIiEO64dq8I/AAAAAAAB8Mk/uKNNGkptR1g/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252863%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (63)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (63)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2zelptC7APE/VIiEPtfUqpI/AAAAAAAB8Ms/xU0wJuzsF4A/amh%252520%25252863%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>You see they piled all that sand right there.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MArYhvVwUI4/VIiEQ-lKtFI/AAAAAAAB8M0/OE_Yh1zG-s0/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252861%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (61)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (61)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ct1EM018xpE/VIiER6TTuHI/AAAAAAAB8M8/5z5fSgbJpQE/amh%252520%25252861%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>In the exact spot where the water came onto the road.  The <strong><em>exact </em></strong>spot where the water is going to come back through when the tide is high again next time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t4U2i2vSMoQ/VIiES8ldp2I/AAAAAAAB8NE/ESoIFMScqow/s1600-h/amh%252520%25252863%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="amh (63)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="amh (63)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WfXNZAeq85Y/VIiET-Vv9SI/AAAAAAAB8NM/pXvgJT0KkCQ/amh%252520%25252863%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Hey!  It beats a snow day in the North any day!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-66563673193034453892014-12-12T08:57:00.001-05:002014-12-12T09:03:49.416-05:00Santa is Coming!<p>In my <a href="http://imnotabloggermom.blogspot.com/2014/12/holiday-busy-ness.html">last post</a>, I showed a picture of my Santa collection and this  new addition to the crew.  Within a few hours my sister was calling me and asking the who, what and how of this canvas.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sWnCV1AbV6I/VIr0Ct1rjYI/AAAAAAAB8Ng/HX7VPXYqfwU/s1600-h/NIK_9025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4Ag11xMtaTk/VIr0ENTxVUI/AAAAAAAB8No/A0rKMuWbwcA/NIK_9025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>So here you go…  </p> <p>Usually we have another painting that I made to go there in order to cover up the cable and electrical outlets that are mounted on the wall.  Here is a picture from 2012 where you can see it up there {and look how cute and sweet Jackson was then}</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EM2XWvpahFw/VIr0FmX2FkI/AAAAAAAB8Nw/Wxz22mRhJZA/s1600-h/DSCN2803-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN2803-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN2803-001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DQb95RORBcA/VIr0G4RE4WI/AAAAAAAB8N4/LK9dE5vG9uc/DSCN2803-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="379" /></a></p> <p>Please allow me to rant….Who puts a cable and electrical outlet over seven feet off the ground and does not even center it?  Who puts something like that in a cinderblock wall that would require a really crazy TV mount situation…to be mounted there (not centered) and then decide that an entertainment center is just easier to figure out?  </p> <p>Someone who cares nothing for my state of mind, that’s who!  Yeah let’s just leave it there and call it a day!</p> <p>So for a few years I’ve had it covered up.  This year I changed some of my Christmas decorations  and decided to put the Santas there and have the nativity down where the boys can see it better.  So the usual canvas looks awful with the Santas and of course like any perfectly sane person I knew I had to create a new canvas to cover the outlets.</p> <p>Yes, I am very good at making extra work for myself.  So I Googled “Santa picture” and finally came to one that I liked and I thought I could execute.  </p> <p>It turns out that Pottery Barn had something similar (for $250) a few years ago and it had been copied all over the internet.  So I printed out a copy and set up a grid on my canvas and got to work.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wcuTMG7ld-k/VIr0IFGlvHI/AAAAAAAB8OA/ky4lbAj65lQ/s1600-h/NIK_9019%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9019" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wp9X3uN0B3o/VIr0JeWq3AI/AAAAAAAB8OI/OyOEN62QClE/NIK_9019_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>I lightened this one so you can see it better.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WhR2WjJzHmk/VIr0LYXmK7I/AAAAAAAB8OQ/2uDykACrMU0/s1600-h/NIK_9019-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9019-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9019-001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h0luFz6dCi0/VIr0Mrq1B4I/AAAAAAAB8OY/OyBfipMAoVA/NIK_9019-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>It is pretty simple if you just put a grid on your paper and then do a little math to find out the grid on your canvas.  After that is done you just draw each square exactly as it looks in the original.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IJGC-wqzP3Q/VIr0NsaSjII/AAAAAAAB8Og/HlFxKuRqBOs/s1600-h/NIK_9018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9018" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qhgrG-_npcU/VIr0O4CZ7SI/AAAAAAAB8Oo/Yrq-zQ6MIxA/NIK_9018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Then you just get to coloring.  I used a silver Sharpie.  I have an extensive collection of Sharpies and I’m not afraid to admit it!</p> <p>{I decided to do this before my Christmas decorations were really finished and there were still boxes in the Dining room.  I have no idea why I needed to get this done so desperately….}</p> <p>I got about half way through when my marker died.  I had another one, but when I opened it, the new one was dried up.   Womp, womp womp!  So the next day I trotted myself all the way across the island to get another silver Sharpie.  It turned out that they didn’t have the same one as I had before.  Why would they?  That would be way too easy.  </p> <p>They <em>did</em> have a silver paint pen.  I love paint pens.  Well I did when I was 12, which is also when I loved White Out so much I painted my lampshade in my bedroom with White Out…so yeah, I <em>love</em> paint pens.</p> <p>Bada bing bada boom!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z-GaBu9-bOY/VIr0QZhSMsI/AAAAAAAB8Ow/Lk4-GGYV2C4/s1600-h/NIK_90223.jpg"><img title="NIK_9022" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IO2OmmnvFpQ/VIr0Rr1nqdI/AAAAAAAB8O4/rCE-l59v80U/NIK_9022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a></p> <p>The paint pen has a different sheen on the canvas and it irks me some to look at it and see two different shades of silver on there.  But sometimes you just have to call it done and move on…</p> <p>There is always next year to improve it and make it even better!  I’m thinking glitter!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-isz2loyLhFg/VIr0Sj8RgiI/AAAAAAAB8PA/BkQlIg9DPZ8/s1600-h/NIK_9043%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9043" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9043" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hpw5f4w8A8A/VIr0To4JMdI/AAAAAAAB8PI/GjnvG16AyE0/NIK_9043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Oh and I’d be lying if I didn’t show you this.  It turns out that this canvas is just a bitty bit smaller than the one I usually have up there.  So the outlets show.  Let’s take a moment to mourn for my precarious mental health…</p> <p>I’m looking for an easel to put it on…. maybe one I can have to fix up and make more work for myself.</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-23746865618632226252014-12-10T12:02:00.001-05:002014-12-10T12:02:02.241-05:00Holiday Busy-ness<p>Things have been a little quiet on the blog since life has been a little hectic lately.  It is the best kind of busy-ness.  The Christmas kind.  If you follow along on Instagram, you’ll know that I have made an decorate 408 cookies.  More or less.  This is after I cleaned up the cookie crazy town that was my house for way too long.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-77flffmkNPA/VIh8LPxhwXI/AAAAAAAB75I/JzH-9skJuyE/s1600-h/NIK_9028%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ev2dj0DFEeM/VIh8MYBBlwI/AAAAAAAB75U/w06jD05OBKo/NIK_9028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="378" /></a></p> <p>There are still a few that I couldn’t get into my containers.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tg44MgKnkEg/VIh8NeaiUvI/AAAAAAAB75c/5cKMsLBpz_0/s1600-h/NIK_9029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9029" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rH8J6qGwT4E/VIh8OjjFpyI/AAAAAAAB75k/cf4KHAQ2vcE/NIK_9029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>We decorated the house for the season and I  love it and always want to do more, while at the same time cursing the lights that I love so much!</p> <p>The front porch got a new small tree to go in the urn that is usually there.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GIM-J3_Qnuc/VIh8PgPb8tI/AAAAAAAB75s/bAcWMtHW1AA/s1600-h/NIK_9054%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9054" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9054" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6XvmXWwx5kM/VIh8QpXdx6I/AAAAAAAB750/xlwNXcIgVBk/NIK_9054_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a></p> <p>I had most of the decorations and I love that it adds that extra bit of festiveness to the front porch.  And yes that is really the color of our house.  Don’t be jealous!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PZgLrEqlOuw/VIh8Rp7W85I/AAAAAAAB758/FpSqS_5OhjA/s1600-h/NIK_9055%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9055" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9055" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lo3Tuhk-I_g/VIh8Suc8GCI/AAAAAAAB76E/f1y-_hG2274/NIK_9055_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a></p> <p>The stockings are hung on the <em>staircase</em> with care.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2VPSwO8xiDI/VIh8TtDkulI/AAAAAAAB76M/D1Cc6i3MMvY/s1600-h/NIK_9048%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9048" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9048" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hjXl9TILbr8/VIh8U5slIHI/AAAAAAAB76U/X_8xcCK7f5M/NIK_9048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a></p> <p>In the Dining room some glass balls are hung from the lights.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0-shIh7gNIY/VIh8V6WcCII/AAAAAAAB76c/a61Zjpd-9Hg/s1600-h/NIK_9037%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9037" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9037" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rylfgF5hs-4/VIh8XLdcg4I/AAAAAAAB76k/jHnI8qo9jkM/NIK_9037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>I put some of my candles and mercury glass down lower this year with the nativity.  Time will tell if that was a good idea or not.  We have had that loving cup since we got married and sometimes I forget about it, but every time it comes out and gets polished I love it even more.  The boys are eyeing those giant candy canes…which are about 4 years old.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xim2CstHO-s/VIh8YZ5IJfI/AAAAAAAB76s/AJyo9hv4qBk/s1600-h/NIK_9026%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9026" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MyS5DrOW8oU/VIh8ZdzeIII/AAAAAAAB760/vkP3gzOwYE8/NIK_9026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="378" /></a></p> <p>My favorite Christmas pillow is out and making me smile every time I see it.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_hWuwxsNm4c/VIh8awmry2I/AAAAAAAB768/hDPXYPKwcpE/s1600-h/NIK_9040%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9040" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9040" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xcgiFaOHsvg/VIh8b7hkDfI/AAAAAAAB77E/bhFdplYWe9o/NIK_9040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="377" /></a></p> <p>Our tree fills me with so much joy.  I know it isn’t designer and it isn’t picture perfect, but it has so many memories.  As much as I would love to do a theme tree, I just don’t know if I would like it anywhere near as much as I like this one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aka3NHpp3pI/VIh8c5jyBtI/AAAAAAAB77M/Xst9b_jG760/s1600-h/NIK_9042%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9042" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9042" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3wBtfhj8xNA/VIh8dy0MJdI/AAAAAAAB77U/Z8XDDooGV-c/NIK_9042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="420" /></a></p> <p>The Lego Christmas Village was quite the undertaking this year.  We (Jackson and I) spent more than a few hours putting it together.  It’s a labor of love!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s81-MUgEjyI/VIh8fODyLkI/AAAAAAAB77c/_deldziRI5I/s1600-h/NIK_9045%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9045" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9045" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ihBynUPoKy8/VIh8gNNdODI/AAAAAAAB77k/k5Ev-Z1Ykb8/NIK_9045_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Since the nativity and candles are down on the buffet the Santas ended up on top of the entertainment center.  This year I added a <em>little</em> something to the Santa collection.  Can you spot it?<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3Q71lItW6W0/VIh8hCj7NkI/AAAAAAAB77s/_9nitIC_2qo/s1600-h/NIK_9025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_9025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_9025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JDLpopdWBx4/VIh8iATs2gI/AAAAAAAB770/uZn3hIA_wdU/NIK_9025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>In addition to bringing so much Christmas cheer to the house there have been all the regular goings on that keep our schedules busy.  The days are absolutely flying by!  S</p> <p>low down please, December!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-1584344229836368512014-12-03T07:47:00.001-05:002014-12-03T07:47:44.610-05:00Writers<p>Jackson’s class has been working on personal narrative stories and they had a publication party to celebrate the completion.  These kids are such great writers!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lz8IGTimiuc/VH8GTLEuCtI/AAAAAAAB7oI/5cOw8mMojsI/s1600-h/NIK_8674%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8674" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8674" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ma9LjB02lRE/VH8GUfJB_TI/AAAAAAAB7oQ/B1SymRR-4Ok/NIK_8674_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>His story was about the time he went gem mining in NC and got lots of amethysts.  He had so many great descriptive sentences.  I love the first sentence, “I ran into my car and waited for my mom and dad.”  Yep he was in the car about 20 minutes before us… he was so excited.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R8SvcrJfTqM/VH8GV473j0I/AAAAAAAB7oY/G5uJeoofXcM/s1600-h/NIK_8682%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8682" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8682" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GEVTIDKBERk/VH8GXHo-iaI/AAAAAAAB7og/SEcaZbuAVBo/NIK_8682_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Many of the parents and school staff attended the publication party and the kids were so great about going to the adults and reading their stories to them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z_XFygMTK9A/VH8GYIoL6mI/AAAAAAAB7oo/y2q4BGuA6xw/s1600-h/NIK_8684%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8684" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8684" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D2j6kjrnKBQ/VH8GZTw2HSI/AAAAAAAB7ow/dP9nWEjHpvg/NIK_8684_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Miller’s class has not had a publication party yet, but I did get this paper home recently.  It is a gem.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6ycBNZWCgFs/VH8Ga4wk6LI/AAAAAAAB7o4/e-zenhojzg8/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%25252813%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1 (13)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 1 (13)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i8TDaM5-lu8/VH8Gb80-FuI/AAAAAAAB7pA/iet7LV7zZps/photo%2525201%252520%25252813%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>There are  some pictures at the top and he had to write a story to go with the pictures. </p> <p> He wrote,  t<font color="#0000ff">ranslation is in blue</font></p> <p>1. On Saturday we went fishing. <font color="#0000ff">{On Saturday we went fishing.  Duh! You got that}</font></p> <p>2.we sawa hippo.  it was a bigun. <font color="#0000ff">{We saw a hippo. It was a bigun. pretty self explanatory.} </font></p> <p>3. it tumtt the bot over.  <font color="#0000ff">{It tumped over the boat.  Do you say tumped over instead of tipped over?  We do.  It’s actually a word in the dictionary. Who knew?}</font></p> <p>4.but den it rod us to sor. <font color="#0000ff">{But then it rode us to shore.}</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">I found this little piece of school work profoundly adorable!  Just so you know Miller’s teacher is Canadian and although she is lovely I don’t think she is familiar with some of these words…</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In case you don’t know and use the word “tump”  Here you go!</font></p> <h4><font color="#4f81bd">Definition of <em>TUMP</em></font></h4> <p><font color="#4f81bd">intransitive verb</font></p> <p><em><font color="#4f81bd">chiefly Southern</font></em></p> <p><font color="#4f81bd"><strong>:</strong>  to tip or turn over especially accidentally —usually used with <em>over</em> <sooner or later everybody <em>tump</em><em>s</em> over. Nothing to worry about if you don't get caught under the canoe — Don Kennard></font></p> <p><font color="#4f81bd">transitive verb</font></p> <p><font color="#4f81bd"><em>chiefly Southern</em> <strong>:</strong>  to cause to tip over <strong>:</strong> </font><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overturn"><font color="#4f81bd">overturn</font></a><font color="#4f81bd">, </font><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upset"><font color="#4f81bd">upset</font></a><font color="#4f81bd"> —usually used with <em>over</em></font></p> <h4><font color="#4f81bd">Origin of <em>TUMP</em></font></h4> <p><font color="#4f81bd">perhaps akin to British dialect <em>tumpoke</em> to fall head over heels </font></p> <p><font color="#4f81bd">First Known Use: 1967</font></p> <p> </p> <p>I love these awesome writers!  We are so thankful that they are getting a great education… despite the fact that they apparently speak like country bumpkins!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-45240739085873934412014-12-01T09:43:00.001-05:002014-12-01T09:43:48.464-05:00Happy Birthday U.S. MarinesI am a little late this year, but it is too important to miss...<br /><br />
One of my favorite events of November is the Marine Ball. We are always happy to celebrate the founding of the Corps with the Marines here. The event was held at <a href="http://www.atlantisbahamas.com/" target="_blank">Atlantis</a> this year and it was the best of the 5 balls we have been to.<br /><br />
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The most inspiring part thing is usually the Birthday Message. Please watch if you have a minute.<br /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA64tqszrmxK_euqnYTRkgbb4_xCkQuKhjbI0aeTjkRCEnWF9ApVSZpfX62jYIgQ9Egc7op3rhmpBWa2x3iJpufz7NuHQaydHsLKOrzi8RnUXEGYyWerd8ved4Bxhwm64FUajJ8u_LUFGB/s1600/NIK_8506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA64tqszrmxK_euqnYTRkgbb4_xCkQuKhjbI0aeTjkRCEnWF9ApVSZpfX62jYIgQ9Egc7op3rhmpBWa2x3iJpufz7NuHQaydHsLKOrzi8RnUXEGYyWerd8ved4Bxhwm64FUajJ8u_LUFGB/s1600/NIK_8506.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: start;">Our good friends Peter and Olivia have gone with us for the last two years and though they are not Americans they are happy to celebrate alongside our countrymen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99Vk3CLI3kw8pvpFToR6pf0RecJIIMo19hgd4I4h8bB5QUZtOQnzbfur_0RL4PW_r4S-jXVe-PosAdNhM4SxHdNmOzPFf2ou_gqnMhgHp5wtW5u_ylJlgVR4tsPhvV-cPd5EPD6fkEeab/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99Vk3CLI3kw8pvpFToR6pf0RecJIIMo19hgd4I4h8bB5QUZtOQnzbfur_0RL4PW_r4S-jXVe-PosAdNhM4SxHdNmOzPFf2ou_gqnMhgHp5wtW5u_ylJlgVR4tsPhvV-cPd5EPD6fkEeab/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LPWwnA7L8EuqFZut94UQidFF-l6axp6v-Xdj0SiPc8iIeHv-OyG4j_VrkF1IBDzEj10u-A43aOVeGCcW2lefvJxUPVXUZmyAkhd2ZCPPD05fZ15vTeO2A3V_aRK2-PMrEeike_KYgoGf/s1600/FullSizeRender+(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LPWwnA7L8EuqFZut94UQidFF-l6axp6v-Xdj0SiPc8iIeHv-OyG4j_VrkF1IBDzEj10u-A43aOVeGCcW2lefvJxUPVXUZmyAkhd2ZCPPD05fZ15vTeO2A3V_aRK2-PMrEeike_KYgoGf/s1600/FullSizeRender+(12).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas1s7NqmSYn2gjpxy1cBPdzugqFxJwO4L0C98Qkl-dsDyAGGCAijLFMMD9moz_qHNkVFVwtJUgSV90EfmCSaLkBW3f3a_FHwB3WYfFblljoO5SaboVUIIV2UU-VShj9COqET_E_Can19h/s1600/FullSizeRender+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas1s7NqmSYn2gjpxy1cBPdzugqFxJwO4L0C98Qkl-dsDyAGGCAijLFMMD9moz_qHNkVFVwtJUgSV90EfmCSaLkBW3f3a_FHwB3WYfFblljoO5SaboVUIIV2UU-VShj9COqET_E_Can19h/s1600/FullSizeRender+(6).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did not get an official picture, so I think this is our official picture!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsoG2ub7OvIBmo5jIktI_PndCilhbYUuT-zmr1TiotXIiF1D71WMpMMri41is_i0NNrelvEUYJL6afZ8Ao_uvxEWL7Zs0DUTyie5YzsMfJbI_x3eqSAYqka7EVREm2ZlcS68SBUysVbXZ/s1600/fave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsoG2ub7OvIBmo5jIktI_PndCilhbYUuT-zmr1TiotXIiF1D71WMpMMri41is_i0NNrelvEUYJL6afZ8Ao_uvxEWL7Zs0DUTyie5YzsMfJbI_x3eqSAYqka7EVREm2ZlcS68SBUysVbXZ/s1600/fave.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got a little silly this year. Technically we were sillier last year…</div><br /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRvUv0k96d1TBHv587BRFniET-UCvogp3FG4i-2AoA1pOgsc9Eck76fG_7fcp2mKNWLOco3X0Z_3QFl2XTvoBuqlGe_pRHcMhaGR4dCuoWWHCfxVhgKPWsqSEEmUK0d6HLvQaYdP-pbv7/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRvUv0k96d1TBHv587BRFniET-UCvogp3FG4i-2AoA1pOgsc9Eck76fG_7fcp2mKNWLOco3X0Z_3QFl2XTvoBuqlGe_pRHcMhaGR4dCuoWWHCfxVhgKPWsqSEEmUK0d6HLvQaYdP-pbv7/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Birthday Marines!</div><br /><br />
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-24460220964075388902014-11-24T08:14:00.001-05:002014-11-24T08:14:28.983-05:00Can’t Keep Up!<p>The funny thing is that I just can’t seem to keep up with the blog, yet I’m not doing anything different.  Of course things are different.  The boys are getting gigantic!</p> <p>This fall I started volunteering at the boys school two mornings a week.  It is great getting back to teaching, but I am sure I am not sure how full time teachers are also mamas!  </p> <p>Soccer keeps us busy 4 days a week.  Miller really loves it now!  Good coaching makes all the difference in his interest!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rgHR7_9w4jM/VHMvCCfn2vI/AAAAAAAB6i8/AnA3hxhF-yc/s1600-h/IMG_4129%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4129" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4129" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TbZqRX01G1c/VHMvDVPtwrI/AAAAAAAB6jE/Patlf-x_cSU/IMG_4129_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>We had some bad weather last week and soccer was cancelled, so I had a homework club at our house.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OUxI-CVCUiY/VHMvEx_9HhI/AAAAAAAB6jM/aR8_j-hUWEo/s1600-h/IMG_4145%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4145" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4145" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zNnByUCYNK4/VHMvGCSfKJI/AAAAAAAB6jU/YGUpt6C9ix4/IMG_4145_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>For dinner last week I made Vegetable Beef Soup.  This darlin’ ate every bite without complaining.  His face looked like this with each bite.  He even said he liked it.  Remember the <a href="http://imnotabloggermom.blogspot.com/2008/10/food-revolution.html">Food Revoloution</a>?  I guess it worked!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i5NH9mmGoF8/VHMvHSRFS7I/AAAAAAAB6jc/8L04tN4SQkk/s1600-h/IMG_4151%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4151" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OqHPpTc5rRM/VHMvIdSG2BI/AAAAAAAB6jk/V2Cs93QX6S8/IMG_4151_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We have been getting some amazing sunsets lately.  My mama loves a good sunset, and so do I.  It makes me so happy when I hear these boys telling me to look at the beautiful sunset.  Full circle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pmg_tK_cDMU/VHMvJlIUwfI/AAAAAAAB6js/uYTsSF1BVHY/s1600-h/IMG_4139%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4139" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4139" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v7Kc-jKiImQ/VHMvKmFxSDI/AAAAAAAB6j0/DuKpslX_c8I/IMG_4139_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Speaking of which…Miller has figured out a way to get up super early…He comes into my room and snuggles up next to me and then tells me to come look at the “beautiful sunrise”.  He knows I can’t be mad at him when he is appreciating God’s work!  Smart boy!</p> <p>When the weather changes here the sand flies come out in force.  One evening I got over 30 bites on one leg.  Insert sad face.  Those sand flies are the itchiest insect bites ever!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0TZBNITn9A0/VHMvLrUL1JI/AAAAAAAB6j8/0HM8-XRQZLY/s1600-h/IMG_4135%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4135" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VVZEYkYB91E/VHMvM_tzagI/AAAAAAAB6kE/CKRb6Ft-pEc/IMG_4135_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>That’s all for now…</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-86671898106933244022014-11-14T05:49:00.000-05:002014-11-14T05:49:00.129-05:00Sporty<p>This year the boys have new sports clothes that are part of their school uniforms.  While their everyday uniforms are fine, I adore their new sports uniforms {which they call a kit here}.  The white is so sharp!  The school crest is also sewn on the tops and shorts.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4BM2QcWG5a0/VGSo8VUMi6I/AAAAAAAB6Xs/0KC7DZokJ7Y/s1600-h/NIK_8512%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8512" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8512" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PBtYQAS5hHk/VGSo9yUNSoI/AAAAAAAB6X0/wbM4qFt-c5w/NIK_8512_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a></p> <p>I’ve blurred it out but the name of their school is printed on their bums.  They love it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-af7dRcXBkLU/VGSo-1nRooI/AAAAAAAB6X8/amKeBJLGXxQ/s1600-h/NIK_8515-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8515-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8515-001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IDBBAs56SYc/VGSpABRP9rI/AAAAAAAB6YE/8pCRk-mpLOk/NIK_8515-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="420" /></a></p> <p>All of the kids are given a “house” which is used for contests.  My boys are in Green House.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S9w019PNsB0/VGSpBd6OKvI/AAAAAAAB6YM/ND9Sl_Fy50Y/s1600-h/NIK_8520%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8520" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8520" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b8G4rtFsIAk/VGSpChy33OI/AAAAAAAB6YU/ZnQWep6pSyw/NIK_8520_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="420" /></a></p> <p>While I adore the look of their uniforms, I detest the washing of them! Here is a little problem for you… </p> <p><font size="3" face="Book Antiqua">boys + white clothes = a bottle of OxyClean  a week</font></p> <p>Miller took that nice white uniform on a field trip last week and got some mud on the shorts.  It must be magic mud because Oxy Clean and Clorox couldn't get it out of the white shorts…  Each piece of the uniform costs $22.  </p> <p>I wish that they boys were going to stay with these smart uniforms forever, but the US, just doesn’t do uniforms the way they do in other places.  The boys are very eager to move to a place where they don’t have to wear uniforms…sigh!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7PDi-InRNA4/VGSpDnex8VI/AAAAAAAB6Yc/BZz5yKKVVE0/s1600-h/NIK_8374%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8374" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8374" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bgU_Oh6cmoY/VGSpEwd83oI/AAAAAAAB6Yk/xqH2k4ecKVQ/NIK_8374_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="261" height="420" /></a></p> <p>The boys want to wear athletic wear all the time.  Ugh!  It’s just so…nylon!  I’ll just enjoy these uniforms days while they last.</p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"> </font></p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-57970761324771152782014-11-12T07:40:00.000-05:002014-11-12T07:41:12.102-05:00This and That<p>Life is skipping right along and as I was downloading pictures, I came across a few that made me smile…</p> <p>Underwear on the head…does it get any funnier than that for an 8 year old?  Nope!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J9jH8NUu-K8/VGD3I0Nh9cI/AAAAAAAB6P4/hq2hTPpxGoU/s1600-h/IMG_3900%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3900" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3900" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9NiWyRG4FFw/VGD3J_N38cI/AAAAAAAB6QA/0Otxcia_BRo/IMG_3900_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>I had a little arm party going…I am liking the gold again…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WGMH8wVlAMU/VGD3LWiYV2I/AAAAAAAB6QI/do-biY0RSKo/s1600-h/IMG_3997%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3997" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3997" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DBcTFSF1t-8/VGD3MT0zvAI/AAAAAAAB6QQ/8U_-TTvTm3k/IMG_3997_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="521" /></a></p> <p>The boys love to play “World Cupping”  It’s a game they made up where they basically walk  past each other, barely touching the other and they both fall down in mock agony.  It is really funny to watch… Until someone gets a knee to the stomach.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AWNT4gSzyg0/VGD3NxL1eUI/AAAAAAAB6QY/UHBywyMKN2o/s1600-h/IMG_3902%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3902" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3902" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vMtSqtpDLEw/VGD3OysdjOI/AAAAAAAB6Qg/y3RNfuFKkxQ/IMG_3902_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Have you seen <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/07/09/330133378/flop-life-what-if-we-all-acted-like-we-were-in-the-world-cup?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social">this video</a>?  </p> <p>It may have inspired their game!</p> <p>The Fantastic Four had a fun time playing like boys should!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_hJPaBc2HHU/VGD3QYrfgxI/AAAAAAAB6Qo/jMMMzk_3g40/s1600-h/NIK_8658%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8658" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8658" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p6e233t4Prw/VGD3RpKPjiI/AAAAAAAB6Qw/m10W7Ksp09U/NIK_8658_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="402" /></a></p> <p>We had a box and because Miller loves to play with boxes, I left it for him to play with.  It wasn’t long before Jackson read the fine print and wanted to know where the contents were!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qOl8Oo7sLdQ/VGD3S4QoB9I/AAAAAAAB6Q4/6LZGXhxBLgI/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 3" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MCgG5DF_GTo/VGD3T1KKyoI/AAAAAAAB6RA/ArOI2wHY6x0/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="521" /></a></p> <p>Somebody made his daddy proud by reading the small print!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dLmCLKphjHM/VGD3VKoRxFI/AAAAAAAB6RI/4tnIDWR_Zgs/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WBRz8g5a_Jc/VGD3WFHBFHI/AAAAAAAB6RQ/H5hJV-3FL8A/photo%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="319" /></a></p> <p>Thursday evening as we left soccer the most amazing moon was coming up.  As we drove home along the coast, I had to pull over and try to capture it.  The picture does no justice to the beauty, but it still reminds me of the breathtaking beauty around us!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MMMbFQZO-Pg/VGD3XgEHU-I/AAAAAAAB6RY/A2WD3Ce5mi8/s1600-h/moon%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="moon" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="moon" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gHSjm-kEQ2w/VGD3Y8rxAyI/AAAAAAAB6Rg/atQQq7YRCl8/moon_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>Miller is finally getting the hang of the skateboard.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U6c-2awl_54/VGD3Z3Jz5KI/AAAAAAAB6Ro/BrUe567Byfk/s1600-h/NIK_8598%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8598" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8598" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U9RfF889vsU/VGD3bEIvD1I/AAAAAAAB6Rw/lmZWmO-hUbs/NIK_8598_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Jackson is getting better all the time!  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7O0H1Wz2VVg/VGD3cAQiFBI/AAAAAAAB6R4/JkWMRYi_5iU/s1600-h/NIK_8616%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8616" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8616" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QeLQlRL9gpk/VGD3dMztH3I/AAAAAAAB6SA/yNTObiAOmm0/NIK_8616_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="420" /></a></p> <p>That reminds me I have to go find his knee pads!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-20659354822659301552014-11-10T11:44:00.001-05:002014-11-10T12:39:20.508-05:00Going Home: South Carolina<p>After our time in N.C. it was time to head south to my home state of S.C.  The boys and I had been there this summer and I had been but Allen had not been in two years.  we had lots of fun hanging out with our family and friends and getting to see and do things that are not part of our life here.</p> <p>We started off with my high school reunion.  It was so fun to catch up with some of these wonderful people that I’ve known forever!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mJ8PQX1HUeQ/VGDqyHlP3sI/AAAAAAAB6Ig/QQHoRflkvdM/s1600-h/reunion%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="reunion" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="reunion" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S97FEh9d_LQ/VGDqzQiZYfI/AAAAAAAB6Io/5f_73UZZotk/reunion_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="362" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KZ3JleGR6I0/VGDq1cS2laI/AAAAAAAB6Iw/SNyqqfuHdvg/s1600-h/IMG_4008%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4008" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sOH3Bq9gkrY/VGDq2hMcsyI/AAAAAAAB6I4/Wt22mQzHMzE/IMG_4008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>We made plans to stay downtown to be nearer to the reunion.   I’ve always wanted to stay at <a href="http://www.westinpoinsettgreenville.com/">The Poinsett</a>.  It didn’t disappoint…the somehow upgraded us to the Presidential Suite.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r2tAhP825J8/VGDq4QxWzZI/AAAAAAAB6JA/EYuTJqgZbqk/s1600-h/IMG_4003%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fki3I4c-DjM/VGDq5WnPIXI/AAAAAAAB6JI/SL9-UIxLELs/IMG_4003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>It is a lovely hotel is you are ever visiting Greenville, SC.</p> <p>We got two good visits in with our friends the Troyers.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nbop1Jq-4Gs/VGDq6-H0bcI/AAAAAAAB6JQ/0iZhqcu0b9o/s1600-h/IMG_4069%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4069" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4069" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GcJzWHjgtys/VGDq8NzQNqI/AAAAAAAB6JY/03SOHROj6Mw/IMG_4069_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Unfortunately we missed lots of other friends due to scheduling {the kids there were not on Fall Break}.</p> <p>All the guys got their eyes checked…someone needs glasses!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PnRLIyfDDts/VGDq9Suj7cI/AAAAAAAB6Jg/FYoMKyap_wg/s1600-h/IMG_4029%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4029" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6FhPOWG0Rl8/VGDq-T4_crI/AAAAAAAB6Jo/V53ZlHd40wE/IMG_4029_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Michele’s neigh-bor came over to say hello!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G3SFvhilNzQ/VGDq_5SvfQI/AAAAAAAB6Jw/3dG-vGDpL58/s1600-h/IMG_4026%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4026" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9iJMaIx4I30/VGDrCJ_s7cI/AAAAAAAB6J4/x9BCZgQ_ryA/IMG_4026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>While the boys were outside playing they found the perfect spot to swing from the tree.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AaSR2KNARSI/VGDrDgbLyDI/AAAAAAAB6KA/RcD2zw0dIzE/s1600-h/IMG_4015%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4015" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aBtQZrJ25oM/VGDrE7Q6lpI/AAAAAAAB6KI/1hIxEy_t0Os/IMG_4015_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="339" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Soon enough Allen had figured he needed to get them a swing made.  He had plenty of input from the females in the family…I am sure he appreciates that.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dCNxXyj0Ovo/VGDrGbfRh5I/AAAAAAAB6KQ/hmcTH4nsR7A/s1600-h/IMG_4016%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4016" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5DOwwKvrfkU/VGDrHfv9DUI/AAAAAAAB6KY/3VG5Yqa_M-E/IMG_4016_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Soon enough the boys were on their new swing!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tXNpuWLz_EQ/VGDrIxSpJGI/AAAAAAAB6Kg/wEixDPjgxYY/s1600-h/IMG_4024%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4024" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bQis554hHlQ/VGDrKc09jeI/AAAAAAAB6Ko/9YpY5_3axFA/IMG_4024_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We got to make a stop at Krispy Kreme Donuts!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WsLCM20W_do/VGDrLYAyjOI/AAAAAAAB6Kw/nnBQyDdG2Sk/s1600-h/IMG_4072%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4072" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4072" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XGoLRvbrwZ8/VGDrMgPc9cI/AAAAAAAB6K4/Q1jFdRZfZJc/IMG_4072_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Allen loved Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar as much as we thought he would!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mc9c2E0CfNI/VGDrN-RzKhI/AAAAAAAB6LA/SuhGKuqyF40/s1600-h/IMG_4087%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4087" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4087" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-33eOTZFFu6s/VGDrPFSfqeI/AAAAAAAB6LI/cDKo3kd3XIs/IMG_4087_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qFQ-gaDYNFk/VGDrQf1xvUI/AAAAAAAB6LQ/nd8o2b1rmVg/s1600-h/IMG_4076%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4076" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4076" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oheRQ-B7dls/VGDrRhwssAI/AAAAAAAB6LY/1yUvitM703Q/IMG_4076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>One day we took a picnic to Falls Park.  The boys had a blast rolling down the hill…again, and again and again!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pnbkfTFrm44/VGDrTGTHlcI/AAAAAAAB6Lg/HBuWMGEveQI/s1600-h/IMG_4044%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4044" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w9y9RMkUImg/VGDrUcEinHI/AAAAAAAB6Lo/DtrYdUnTvTc/IMG_4044_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>This tree grows on an embankment there in the park.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TReNTsnrfAs/VGDrVQj9xRI/AAAAAAAB6Lw/Lvbtul1uRsQ/s1600-h/IMG_4049%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4049" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4049" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ua2AqvqhpZo/VGDrWtfNpdI/AAAAAAAB6L4/ftEbf3EWyN8/IMG_4049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Allen and I got married here…14 years ago!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lkPv5fz_rBQ/VGDrYHDPMjI/AAAAAAAB6MA/ijhT_e4CfWk/s1600-h/IMG_4060%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4060" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4060" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6d0IZotdJZM/VGDrZRcMN5I/AAAAAAAB6MI/W_SjZNTjGXM/IMG_4060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>My mom adores watching the boys do their thing…while she sits in the swing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9l65RjbE0cg/VGDrax_r8_I/AAAAAAAB6MQ/Vt826In2zb8/s1600-h/IMG_4062%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4062" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4062" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JrEB3SSDJAg/VGDrcUvus1I/AAAAAAAB6MY/eRJ8ortfFLc/IMG_4062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pow4UrjtvcI/VGDrdXCDw0I/AAAAAAAB6Mg/fIC2Y0NKZa0/s1600-h/IMG_4055%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4055" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4055" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pUVO3jYa1Xs/VGDrevziUXI/AAAAAAAB6Mo/Qel0pIZgUlI/IMG_4055_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We had a few bonfires.  We all love that.  It was cold!  But that didn’t stop me from roasting two perfect marshmallows at the same time.  As my sister and husband both scoffed at me being able to even do one perfect one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QkQCEqdkvPU/VGD4QS_LyiI/AAAAAAAB6SM/Xtv6FI9x4Hw/s1600-h/IMG-20141024-00258%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG-20141024-00258" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG-20141024-00258" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Hw2Nr7uS6o/VGD4RvD42WI/AAAAAAAB6SU/sXqlDAhZkC0/IMG-20141024-00258_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="396" /></a></p> <p>Yep, that is me holding up 2 fingers…not flashing a sign!</p> <p>All of this and I don’t have a single picture of the boys with my sister, who spoils them rotten and babysat them for 24 hours while Allen and I went to the reunion, so here is an old one from this summer!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f_XBB7TWXKs/VGDrf-hGRzI/AAAAAAAB6Mw/s_DqTSgNdd0/s1600-h/NIK_8257%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8257" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8257" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jx8gj2oYKYI/VGDrg_VaRkI/AAAAAAAB6M4/TiebhZTjOVc/NIK_8257_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Thanks for the memories SC, we will be back soon!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-84934955975530238072014-11-06T06:25:00.000-05:002014-11-06T06:25:00.799-05:00Going Home<p>No matter where we live, the Carolinas will always be home to us.  We recently had a trip back home after being here for 4 years.  The first leg of the trip was a week with Allen’s family in Waynesville, NC.  The colors in the mountains were great and we all enjoyed being with there and getting our fix of family and Fall in the mountains.</p> <p>I’m not a fan of driving in the mountains, but the views are breathtaking!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jpgGP-7UHcw/VFeRksR2e8I/AAAAAAAB5hI/HZFPUmdkkKw/s1600-h/IMG_3912%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3912" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3912" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QoQXNXa-S4Q/VFeRmAiyyVI/AAAAAAAB5hQ/L3sZfX6VAxM/IMG_3912_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>The first day we were there, we all went to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm">Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a>.  Allen’s dad had been a Ranger there and we got to explore a bit.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bVmSkDQ-vxU/VFeRnWMSpsI/AAAAAAAB5hY/vs5cXnUYzdI/s1600-h/IMG_3922%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3922" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3922" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R46UnRWF4tU/VFeRoZokYqI/AAAAAAAB5hg/HV27ADg6JV0/IMG_3922_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We got to go on this trail, which Allen’s dad helped to make.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0MGr8RBlLPU/VFeRqQmmUiI/AAAAAAAB5ho/WVJCCBcblcU/s1600-h/IMG_3926%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3926" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3926" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ksIGfjrJOx8/VFeRrke7e0I/AAAAAAAB5hw/IdZ2eFDjTFw/IMG_3926_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>I had to get a picture of the fungi growing on this log.  It was the prettiest I’ve ever seen!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w-akCWrzkAw/VFeRtriqqzI/AAAAAAAB5h4/sCDJ7HBeOis/s1600-h/IMG_3924%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3924" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3924" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZxIMX6OUxqU/VFeRvFuMzOI/AAAAAAAB5iA/huxQ9OYAvKY/IMG_3924_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>Afterwards we drove through Cherokee, NC and picked up some stone ground grits.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tyn5FVOwCU4/VFeRwadIFsI/AAAAAAAB5iI/JosJae1AYJQ/s1600-h/IMG_3932%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3932" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3932" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sm7VJnvp2j4/VFeRx4Vyn3I/AAAAAAAB5iQ/jFQ61zovFvI/IMG_3932_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="377" /></a></p> <p>We took a different route back to Allen’s parents house and had more amazing views on the return drive.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gWzm_EApPgg/VFeRzOGI3tI/AAAAAAAB5iY/Wy-WbD5c1Fc/s1600-h/IMG_3939%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3939" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3939" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--tgrzYJJmWs/VFeR0OerCLI/AAAAAAAB5ig/F9q8YjXWWBY/IMG_3939_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bV_H2YmK8fU/VFeR1S2LOjI/AAAAAAAB5io/gzRvYaip7Ok/s1600-h/IMG_3944%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3944" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3944" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_zLONKj2TWM/VFeR2qt4UwI/AAAAAAAB5iw/MpFXqACHa2k/IMG_3944_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Over the next week we got to do all kinds of fun things, but I think that the boys’ favorite thing that they did was go gem mining.  They can’t stop talking about it!  We went to <a href="http://www.coweemtnrubymine.com/">Cowee Ruby Mine.</a>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d2cOE5-jbCo/VFeR31KT5oI/AAAAAAAB5i4/FOFmQoRZsoI/s1600-h/IMG_3953%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3953" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3953" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5XeaIzrEeQU/VFeR42QmlBI/AAAAAAAB5jA/SKSQYvpADOU/IMG_3953_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>You basically buy a bucket of dirt based on what kind of gems you want to get.  Jackson picked Amethyst and Miller picked Emeralds.</p> <p>You use their screens and just go through the bucket a cup at a time, rinsing away the dirt to {hopefully} find gems in there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6767A_X2o2A/VFeR6CF3SbI/AAAAAAAB5jI/e7iwIoFC4TM/s1600-h/IMG_3950%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3950" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3950" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gQx_4blcekY/VFeR7EPIkCI/AAAAAAAB5jQ/RHb1j7Lk7H8/IMG_3950_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>This boy found a 591 carat amethyst.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ei4KSbhQCQ0/VFeR8db58zI/AAAAAAAB5jY/OjUxcrWVojA/s1600-h/IMG_3952%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3952" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3952" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d4kzRnuiAZY/VFeR9jAn5pI/AAAAAAAB5jg/5CV9ifD-Kac/IMG_3952_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q8rzhAWCLAI/VFeR_MYhRHI/AAAAAAAB5jo/Za0ocz4KI5Q/s1600-h/IMG_3955%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3955" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3955" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CyhhHNy2UNc/VFeSAWHyOtI/AAAAAAAB5jw/xSUczc2TzXM/IMG_3955_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xEU22xAfCQQ/VFeSBmk5urI/AAAAAAAB5j4/NnG1SGbSXxc/s1600-h/IMG_3957%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3957" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3957" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vkq_-MbywsI/VFeSC3fVM2I/AAAAAAAB5kA/FxTOSRzvkf8/IMG_3957_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>Miller also got some really nice stones too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yoZFvQ6iVPI/VFeSEN3qIzI/AAAAAAAB5kI/JlcJ7aJEcFA/s1600-h/IMG_3960%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3960" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3960" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O2eFAivWH4I/VFeSFQNK5xI/AAAAAAAB5kQ/qKo-6R4QkGo/IMG_3960_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>They both came out with some nice <strike>rocks</strike> gems and were over the moon excited!</p> <p>The boys and Allen’s parents took several hikes.  My knee doesn’t let me go on those hikes, but I know they were fun!  One day  I met them with a picnic at this rock {Standing Rock, I think} along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Soo cool!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sUzoz9XQYUg/VFeSGpfdgnI/AAAAAAAB5kY/5PceKas2jow/s1600-h/IMG_3986%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3986" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3986" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-265HlAVz-iM/VFeSHwhaPxI/AAAAAAAB5kg/OBGdFUYAWts/IMG_3986_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Even cooler is that Allen’s parents saved his hiking boots from when he was a boy and now Jackson can wear them! This picture is from the summer, but he’s rocking his dad’s boots!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l301AGOe7M4/VFeSJIl5faI/AAAAAAAB5ko/fy99juiCWhk/s1600-h/IMG_3666%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3666" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3666" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tuaKQZsuxuA/VFeSKR7me-I/AAAAAAAB5kw/X3NMHSYMWnE/IMG_3666_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Jackson was also very excited to play a little trick on his Nana.  He set up some rubber mice and rats beside her water glass while she was out for a walk one evening.  He loves a good trick!  She gave him a good reaction, so I know more shenanigans like this are in the future!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kZ0yQqFTdCE/VFeSLYUR7OI/AAAAAAAB5k4/WezjW9xJuZk/s1600-h/IMG_3974%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3974" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3974" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0yX079uCGIo/VFeSMvebPsI/AAAAAAAB5lA/D53t87SD1io/IMG_3974_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>The boys also got to carve jack-o-lanterns while we were in NC.  As it turns out they were not fans of the actual work of it, but they do like to boss us around while holding knives!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NjjxujfC1Y0/VFeSOM4v6yI/AAAAAAAB5lI/62EQ_cCrpLQ/s1600-h/IMG_3990%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3990" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3990" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-am_rvIpZZeI/VFeSPB7qOsI/AAAAAAAB5lQ/y6eGS5N1ZHs/IMG_3990_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p>No trip to the Carolinas is complete without at least on trip to Mast general Store!  The boys love all the things there and they may just have come up with one more thing to add to their Christmas lists!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-moDHE7GYxs8/VFeSQvZ_91I/AAAAAAAB5lY/dZkYTeug_Yw/s1600-h/IMG_3995%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3995" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3995" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OBls3klrsw0/VFeSSCFu-CI/AAAAAAAB5lg/N7kmPkExZb8/IMG_3995_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We made many more memories that I don’t have pictures of.  They climbed tree, swung in the swings, had an acorn throwing contest, played with the dogs, got dirtier than I’ve ever seen boys get and all around had a marvelous time!  Thanks Joe and Doris for having us!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-41948535904742353922014-11-04T06:11:00.000-05:002014-11-04T06:11:00.237-05:00Halloween 2014<p>Halloween 2014 was the best one yet!  Our neighborhood is such a fun place on Halloween, and knowing that this was likely our last Halloween here, we wanted to make the most of it.  If smiles are any indication of success, I’d say we had a blast.</p> <p>Jackson has had his mind set on being a stick man with glow sticks since last year.  When we were in the states we procured all the necessary materials and we did our best to make it happen.  That afternoon I opened the packs of glow sticks and all the long ones were duds…</p> <p>Bless his heart, he just said to me, “It’s ok mom, I can just be a shadow for Halloween.” He is such a sweet kid, I had to figure it out, I used the sort ones and they weren’t perfect, but they were still ok. I really didn’t count on him sweating so much that the tape holding all the glow sticks on wouldn’t stay, but oh well.  He had fun and it was a really good idea!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VA5L08u3ifA/VFegQiVhHcI/AAAAAAAB5lw/y4pl0gnosRc/s1600-h/NIK_8392%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8392" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8392" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EY55-Zdaj0o/VFegSE0RVBI/AAAAAAAB5l4/grAAdMSzpyk/NIK_8392_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Miller was Emmett from the Lego movie.  I have no good pictures of him because he was ringing neighbors doorbells already!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0J3EDvyxtks/VFegTZ4cGWI/AAAAAAAB5mA/T16hAFq9VT8/s1600-h/NIK_8405%252520%2525282%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8405 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8405 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G12AJvVm-lQ/VFegUX4BjzI/AAAAAAAB5mI/8SbU6fEDsXI/NIK_8405%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="205" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Allen and I also dressed up as characters from the Lego Movie.  I was Wild Style and he was the Taco Tuesday guy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JTsUK3VUwZ4/VFegWHG5tpI/AAAAAAAB5mQ/5gRiuJlz_CY/s1600-h/NIK_8398%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8398 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8398 (2)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l3WjCMH5tDM/VFegXd0wuzI/AAAAAAAB5mY/z12GxIeMxYg/NIK_8398%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>Allen’s sign says, “It’s Taco Tuesday but on a Friday!”  If you’ve seen the movie, you get it.  If you haven’t, you just think he is being a little stereotypical and I am being a punk rock girl!</p> <a href="https://www.google.bs/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fgardner67%2F11805089344%2F&ei=e5hXVMjnEISlNu7ygMgI&bvm=bv.78677474,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNFRWBeL4Csv2BOWBES6WSkLgIPekQ&ust=1415113165126272"> <p> <br /><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7368/11805089344_99eb9ebbb4_b.jpg" width="418" height="282" /></p> <img src="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131106080931/lego/images/c/c2/Cmf_taco.jpg" width="367" height="393" /></a> <p>We set out trick or treating with our friends-after briefly losing Miller in the groups.    Reuninted and it feels so good!</p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YReN_Krhhtw/VFegYz8HWFI/AAAAAAAB5mg/guO2tieO4Ho/s1600-h/NIK_8405%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8405 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8405 (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7q-7fAGd32k/VFegaFRiuKI/AAAAAAAB5mo/qEGY1mJrk10/NIK_8405%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a> <p>The boys had the best time seeing their friends while out trick or treating.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nfqg_ra22EE/VFegbS6T1FI/AAAAAAAB5mw/6NfX4NIm0Cw/s1600-h/NIK_8412%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8412" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8412" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hI3m78CuG4g/VFegcm8IYsI/AAAAAAAB5m4/mQr2BceIZHI/NIK_8412_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qyeYJdAAwWE/VFegdo9qA7I/AAAAAAAB5nA/fmkce5V7Q_c/s1600-h/NIK_8417%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8417" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8417" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sXojyANGiFg/VFege3g0YrI/AAAAAAAB5nI/Nl7tlKGF6Co/NIK_8417_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LLCtToBGd88/VFeggc6JJNI/AAAAAAAB5nQ/smq839Uxcz4/s1600-h/NIK_8414%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8414" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8414" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zq6AVW45Zpo/VFeghuJmolI/AAAAAAAB5nY/yk_3CHVQmdY/NIK_8414_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>The mobs we out in full force!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gVu4OKbLxbU/VFegjNgr22I/AAAAAAAB5ng/VHyZka4PdXE/s1600-h/NIK_8419%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8419" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8419" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Y3uXZC3-K8/VFegkbHt5PI/AAAAAAAB5no/KxetBItQFfM/NIK_8419_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Our friends had a really fun party after we finished trick- or treating.</p> <p>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_YdkvnS6aik/VFeglsHvggI/AAAAAAAB5nw/1Tf2bAOya1s/s1600-h/NIK_8422%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8422" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8422" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P-sLxP3OCv0/VFegm2UyRHI/AAAAAAAB5n4/ilklTyfiZ_0/NIK_8422_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wHnd4AV1emM/VFegoQojbqI/AAAAAAAB5oA/rA3incMVZnA/s1600-h/NIK_8426%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8426" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8426" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M7T6Qt68eY0/VFegp3vthvI/AAAAAAAB5oI/CfRKzXHuTJk/NIK_8426_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pXgM6MYtOws/VFegrPxGuQI/AAAAAAAB5oQ/t7MN0fTkv5M/s1600-h/NIK_8428%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8428" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8428" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qQuAZw_qJQE/VFegsUXSfuI/AAAAAAAB5oY/uAQZ2YXYN1I/NIK_8428_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="287" height="420" /></a></p> <p>I took tons of pictures so that I can look at them next year when I am sitting at home watching Ghost Busters!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vVwxXz5iTQc/VFegtpL55oI/AAAAAAAB5og/Ik4D6Ct4G5w/s1600-h/NIK_8430%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8430" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8430" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-86Ek7HD9maQ/VFegu0THQKI/AAAAAAAB5oo/rcr73l5I1qs/NIK_8430_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="420" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DONbBxioZFs/VFegwSbxMtI/AAAAAAAB5ow/K-INN5IrO38/s1600-h/NIK_8460%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="NIK_8460" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="NIK_8460" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4DLmIoc5Yt0/VFegxiyzb4I/AAAAAAAB5o4/ChIlLg4dm4A/NIK_8460_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="352" /></a></p> <p>We had such a fun Halloween!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-45628613697402061772014-11-03T08:42:00.001-05:002014-11-03T08:42:08.066-05:00Unexpected Blog Break<p>I haven’t blogged much this month and it was totally unintentional.  We had a big trip and leading up to it I was sick, then busy, then gone, then playing catch up.  Life doesn’t seem to be slowing down, but I better get with it or else my blog is going to perish!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VknF_vHbruk/VFeF9Uo0z5I/AAAAAAAB5fg/2hkRkzLQg4Q/s1600-h/unnamed07%252520%2525282%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="unnamed07 (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="unnamed07 (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gibPoq12Png/VFeF-rvW9SI/AAAAAAAB5fo/QLt0rwqRd_M/unnamed07%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BNaH_8DY97c/VFeF_4rKi-I/AAAAAAAB5fw/7Y-YKFWH3gA/s1600-h/07%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="07" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="07" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KzLSfVsORR0/VFeGBEYrzCI/AAAAAAAB5f4/rlwaF83O78c/07_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="393" /></a></p> <p>Before we left there wasn’t too much going on.  The boys play soccer 3 afternoons a week and we get home around 6.  We hurry to finish whatever homework they haven’t done yet and then eat dinner, get a bath and go to bed.  It’s not glamorous, but it is comfortable.</p> <p>Jackson has gotten so so big.  He is about 52-53 inches these days!  Where has my little boy gone?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ip_UqpyCH2E/VFeGCPuX4BI/AAAAAAAB5gA/jNUsKo_AoQ0/s1600-h/IMG_3886%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3886" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3886" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_gN9vwtPOOE/VFeGDu1WaQI/AAAAAAAB5gI/JGRSWSEnOjU/IMG_3886_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Miller has been into making things.  Give him some paper, tape, glue, a rubber band…really whatever and he will make something fun from it.  I think in this picture he made a menu for an Italian Restaurant complete with 3D spaghetti.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uxN0ROU4uPM/VFeGE9RR15I/AAAAAAAB5gQ/11LcKAmF9wQ/s1600-h/unnamed%25252005%2525282%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="unnamed 05(2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="unnamed 05(2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YHLM8vyTB8o/VFeGF3gXQiI/AAAAAAAB5gY/UxjuGeStQ1o/unnamed%25252005%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Allen and I went to a friend’s 40th Birthday party and it was amazing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HAbLRpazMwM/VFeGHuXMf0I/AAAAAAAB5gg/1z0Er-zijsk/s1600-h/IMG_3889%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3889" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3889" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VILlkqREfNY/VFeGI1F_WzI/AAAAAAAB5go/mwD0sGxjDFM/IMG_3889_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zIejttGoZUg/VFeGKSbYgCI/AAAAAAAB5gw/MUOmUwZ1MtE/s1600-h/IMG_3892%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3892" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3892" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-28LNZ5A0rPA/VFeGLaHPI9I/AAAAAAAB5g4/WmA6d1BNMnE/IMG_3892_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Our good friends got to move into their new home and it is so good to have them back in the neighborhood.  The boys are loving the freedom of going a street over on their own.  Giving them freedom is such a double edged sword.  I love that we live in a place where they can have freedoms, but I also hate giving up some of the  knowledge of what they are doing.  Ahhh growing pains!</p> <p>Ok that’s it for now.  I’m coming back soon with pics from our trip.</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-87831466061896327842014-10-15T18:25:00.000-04:002014-10-15T18:25:00.048-04:00What the Heck Wednesday—Ridin’ Island Style<p>Like all good children of the 70’s, we rode around in the back of trucks.  We also rode in cars with no seatbelts {in the backseat of course} station wagons and even our Grandmother’s Ford Pinto with a dog cage installed.  Anything with questionable safety…been there, done that!  As times have changed people take less risks with safety.  </p> <p>However here in the Bahamas I think there is sometimes the mentality of, “We aren’t going that fast, so we won’t get hurt.”  Which is why I see this each and every day. {I was actually stopped so it was safe to take the picture}  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xWeHTJaPicM/VDbFUCQG19I/AAAAAAAB4gE/fx93eQ8GfjI/s1600-h/unnamed00%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="unnamed00" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="unnamed00" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ynYvkpdoqAM/VDbFVXmn0EI/AAAAAAAB4gI/Z22zrpE1gtY/unnamed00_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="355" /></a></p> <p>On this day a funny thing happened. Pure Coincidence.  </p> <p>In the evening after I took this photo, a friend of Allen’s asked for his help moving something heavy.  There were about 5 men helping.  They were going from an adjacent neighborhood to our neighborhood.  So they were all riding in the back of a pickup.  No big deal.  Once they got it moved into the house all the guys had to ride back over to the first house to get their cars.  The kids of course want to join their dads in the back of the truck.  I immediately say, “No”.  Allen immediately says, “Come on!”  I was thankful that Miller was already on his bike and riding home as this went down.  Jackson was all in!</p> <p>It reminds me of this commercial.  I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned it before, but I do love it!</p> <p><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/6yQB6fsPb3k?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/6yQB6fsPb3k?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-20429364946267225752014-10-08T14:33:00.000-04:002014-10-08T14:36:30.446-04:00Sick of it!<p>Week before last Miller had a cold.  He stayed home from school because he was sick…until about 10 a.m.  Then he was fine!</p> <p>Allen and I weren’t too surprised when a few days later we started to get that feeling.  You know the one!</p> <p>By Tuesday afternoon, I had officially called friends and asked them to take the boys home from school for me.  I stayed home Wednesday and Thursday and thought that by Friday I was beginning to feel a little better.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gli-eTM5m_U/VDWEJtfEcRI/AAAAAAAB4fo/Gl068p-ZlDI/s1600-h/2da8b80244a2fb876cc4648ffbe2bf4f%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="2da8b80244a2fb876cc4648ffbe2bf4f" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2da8b80244a2fb876cc4648ffbe2bf4f" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b6leDtsNtBM/VDWELOg3ewI/AAAAAAAB4fw/pCfVYPPzE1c/2da8b80244a2fb876cc4648ffbe2bf4f_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="314" /></a></p> <p>That was before Friday night where I coughed so hard that couldn’t catch my breath.  I thought, “Well I guess I should have gone to see the Doctor after all.”  I decided that no matter what I was going to the Doctor on Monday.</p> <p>Monday rolled around and though I felt slightly better I still had a nasty cough and called the office.  My doctor was away, but they put me with another doctor.  That doctor was apparently too busy because she didn’t even give me an exam and just told me to take the two over the counter meds I had already been taking.</p> <p>No bueno.</p> <p>So here we are on Wednesday and each day I feel a little better, but still have a cough and congestion.  Oh well.  It is true your body will heal itself.  If you’re 6 it takes about a day, if you’re my age it takes about 2 weeks.  Not that I’m bitter.</p> <p>So Miller comes home yesterday with a new cold.  Yep, I've been sick for so long that he has gone and gotten another cold before Allen and I have finished with the last one he gave us!  Here’s to being over 40!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-16125808477431562792014-10-03T07:48:00.001-04:002014-10-03T07:48:56.782-04:00Flashback Friday<p>I was just reading on <a href="http://thebigmamablog.com/17110/nobodys-cuter-new-book-fun-request/">Big Mama’s blog</a> about her newest book, <u>Nobody’s Cuter Than You</u>.  Big Mama is writing about her friendship with her BFF Gulley.  </p> <p>It made me think of this girl.  We met in fifth grade, went through the rest of our schooling together.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bCVVv6J1E1Q/VC6NCdQ4leI/AAAAAAAB4d4/tB-Mo6h0Mwc/s1600-h/CAM01066%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="CAM01066" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="CAM01066" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C3SKvD3el7w/VC6NEZaFi4I/AAAAAAAB4eA/l05rnsQra1o/CAM01066_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="317" /></a></p> <p>We lived together in college.  Well there was our first year where we thought we wouldn’t room together because we thought we were going to go to college to meet new {better} friends.  Turns out that was a mistake, but we didn’t want to be mean to our roommates, so we lived with them all that year.</p> <p>Oh the stories we have!  We are still as tight as ever.  </p> <p>In April we had our college reunion.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kSHmZu4T7Qo/VC6NF_CaHhI/AAAAAAAB4eI/-QHyPXkEeIU/s1600-h/IMG_3179.1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3179.1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3179.1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hrSIqENljy4/VC6NHY081SI/AAAAAAAB4eQ/8WwF4sfKXrI/IMG_3179.1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>This Summer we had a day together just to enjoy some uninterrupted {childfree} time together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uIyRIloa9Qg/VC6NIURZFdI/AAAAAAAB4eY/UZTGBNBc8Zc/s1600-h/IMG_3680%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3680" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3680" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cmcg0D4vSIg/VC6NJh-nCSI/AAAAAAAB4eg/7bOlyM8IuGg/IMG_3680_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Love you girl!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-76399763642195981342014-10-01T06:16:00.000-04:002014-10-01T06:16:00.581-04:00What the heck Wednesday- Tenting<p>When we moved here, I had no idea how frequently I would see this in my neighborhood.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DEwdxhOHwV8/VChC-_elqII/AAAAAAAB4WI/ArOAZfvTjiU/s1600-h/photo%2525202%252520%2525284%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 2 (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 2 (4)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zMo8aE4Kw5E/VChDAcrPMNI/AAAAAAAB4WQ/lQNb5pIwdz8/photo%2525202%252520%2525284%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>This is the house across the street from us.  It is a lovely home with gorgeous royal palms out front and apparently termites inside.</p> <p>When houses here get termites {and living in this climate, they all do at some point or another} they put these giant tents on them, attach a tank of <strike>poison gas</strike> insecticide  to a hose going through to the house and leave it like this for 3 days.  it penetrates the wood and walls killing the termites.</p> <p>If there is any doubt if you should go in or not, they put this sign in the yard.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c76wJQIhfxw/VChDCHb0TNI/AAAAAAAB4WY/9ZJFfaFAvZg/s1600-h/photo%2525201%252520%2525287%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 1 (7)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 1 (7)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BqQOLM9EOl0/VChDDVtvowI/AAAAAAAB4Wg/TcygKp9147w/photo%2525201%252520%2525287%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="420" /></a></p> <p>Just in case you were considering going in…</p> <p>Then when the three days are up, the exterminators come and remove the tent, and the family moves back in.  To the house with poison in it.</p> <p>We found that one of our kitchen cabinets has termites.  We reported it to the landlord and so far we haven’t had much of a response.  Hopefully if it gets worse we will be long gone from this house!  Who knows since those termites were recently evicted from the house across the street we may be seeing this much sooner than we would like!</p> <p>Anyone want to come visit?</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-6953513298667515312014-09-29T06:00:00.000-04:002014-09-29T09:53:17.234-04:00Bonus Year<p>When Allen initially accepted his position here he was given a two year contract with the option to extend another two years and then one final year for a total of 5 years.  At the time we thought we would stay two to four years.  We <em>thought</em> that that amount of time would be plenty and we would surely be ready to get back to the US after four years.  The fifth year wasn’t really something we thought much about...</p> <p>We arrived here October 7, 2010.  Whoa!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uipTtM84q00/VClkH2DLrFI/AAAAAAAB4bg/8nr08zdnaAE/s1600-h/DSCN1439%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN1439" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN1439" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XF-m_qtNy4E/VClkJe_V0QI/AAAAAAAB4bo/9Nm1dbFztbI/DSCN1439_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="396" /></a></p> <p>There were plenty of times in the beginning where we thought we wouldn’t even be here two years.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ryd6BgJYeH0/VClkLEy2OUI/AAAAAAAB4bw/2UW5oaKdl-w/s1600-h/DSCN1444%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN1444" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN1444" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z8dAhGyDHTQ/VClkMN7u_LI/AAAAAAAB4b4/XqRj97IyH-c/DSCN1444_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="396" /></a></p> <p>Last Spring,  in preparation for our departure at the four year mark, Allen looked to see what positions were going to be available to him for our return to the US.  It was pretty slim pickins.  {Yes, we want to be in the Southeast and we also know that there are many more opportunities elsewhere, but we have to try, right?}  So he looked in quite a few places, but there wasn't too much available.  So much for planning!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-heRafSUTpdU/VClkNjRjWXI/AAAAAAAB4cA/JTLEQI2ko2Q/s1600-h/DSCN1594%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN1594" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN1594" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zzkwixzOGgg/VClkOmuk86I/AAAAAAAB4cI/Y33hDPJMtC4/DSCN1594_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="396" /></a></p> <p>We wouldn’t mind staying another couple of years.  In the Spring we had <em>sooo</em> many friends who were in similar situations.  There were around 7-8 families who knew they were leaving, but didn’t know where they were moving to or when they would leave.  </p> <p>Imagine that.  Where will you live?  Where will the children go to school?  What do we need to do to move to_____?  Misery loves company!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jCcV-GTZiEU/VClkP8hDVDI/AAAAAAAB4cQ/Er5SJf-WMH0/s1600-h/DSCN1516%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN1516" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN1516" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ypW56Gai4tY/VClkQ8sLMOI/AAAAAAAB4cY/o9LXpewnA2k/DSCN1516_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="396" /></a></p> <p>It turns out that several families have left and scattered themselves all over the world and some did not…we are still here. </p> <p> It is hard to have friends leave to start their next chapter, but we are still here…wondering “What next?”   We are anxious to know what our future holds, but we also know that no amount of worry is going to reveal it any sooner than it should be.  So here we are getting ready to begin our fifth year here.</p> <p>We’re calling it our <font color="#0000ff" size="3">Bonus Year</font>!</p> <p>In the spirit of the Bonus Year we are going to do as much as we can to enjoy our time here.  Time that we never expected to have here, but are going to wring every bit of fun and enjoyment out of!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X9YUkcWIlXQ/VClkRy_AISI/AAAAAAAB4cg/inn9hGCvAd0/s1600-h/life%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="life" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="life" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lxJLz9dqxaA/VClkS6ni-CI/AAAAAAAB4co/k0jPQ8VmjQc/life_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="420" /></a></p> <p>We will be back to living normally soon enough.  If you need to find us we will be on the beach, fishing, having coffee with friends, island hopping and generally living it up, because Bonus Year!.  </p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-78068446973238395702014-09-26T06:06:00.000-04:002014-09-26T06:06:00.287-04:00#EDSFTG<p>Sometimes you just have a day and you think, “Every day should feel this good.”  The folks at <a href="http://www.vineyardvines.com/blog-edsftg">Vineyard Vines</a>  have it as their slogan, and I have to agree, when you are having one of those days, you just want it to last forever.</p> <p>Last Saturday was one of those days.  We didn’t have anything going on, so we went to the beach.  After almost 4 years here, we are still looking at each other all the time saying, “Remember when we didn’t have anything going on when we lived other places and we’d go to Home Depot and run a bunch of errands.  This is sooooo much better than that!”</p> <p>The water was flat, and the boys and Allen were able to snorkel right off the beach and find lots of baby conchs.  </p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:d1d63988-47af-4bb8-b466-e92ac8d85a60" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/KUFIaSI9yt0?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/KUFIaSI9yt0?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="width:420px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">EDSFTG</div></div> <p>These are the days that you’ll remember!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-14757790928806211922014-09-24T06:11:00.000-04:002014-09-24T06:11:00.234-04:00Soccer Season- Here we go again!<p>Soccer has returned to our house on a big way.  It never really left because we had World Cup fever this summer and the boys are still talking about it.</p> <p>As I mentioned the boys are at a new school.  Not just new to them, but new new.  Because grass for the the soccer fields are not completely rooted yet, we have been practicing at a local park. </p> <p> It isn’t easy to scramble over there in time right after school, eat snacks and do homework in the car,  change in the parking lot and all that jazz, but the location is pretty sweet.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z9RwNKsVHTE/VByqSAWvkPI/AAAAAAAB3s0/Tpudo6nPsB8/s1600-h/photo%2525203%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 3 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 3 (1)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-npsF30lcruI/VByqT-5Nu7I/AAAAAAAB3s8/xScfT3HQ0ng/photo%2525203%252520%2525281%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="402" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ti_vjo4-heA/VByqVhIJShI/AAAAAAAB3tE/laJix9KRmo8/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo 4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-86iagVhivIE/VByqW1PLfgI/AAAAAAAB3tM/61EdU9B1B60/photo%2525204_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="420" /></a></p> <p>I guess we will suffer through it.</p> <p>As an aside in case you are jealous, please know that there is a fair amount of litter and in some places the grass is knee high to a giraffe{soccer balls don’t roll on high grass} Oh, and there is an open electrical panel just to the left of this picture.  If a child touched one of the fuses, I’m pretty sure many of us would die {no joke}.  We’re not in Kansas anymore.</p> <p>But oh what a view!</p> Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343231216443104731.post-24473082596460051292014-09-22T05:48:00.000-04:002014-09-23T09:24:38.184-04:00Our BoysThe boys are just growing so fast. Michele captured this when she was here.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AeyjNME0wgg/VBspLyRUmcI/AAAAAAAB3rw/efQMutpVuz4/s1600-h/20140831_133513%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="20140831_133513" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-go4MNLcRl74/VBspNX0OM6I/AAAAAAAB3r4/3qU1y_30s7Q/20140831_133513_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="420" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20140831_133513" width="244" /></a><br />
Jackson was looking for some sea creatures, I’m sure. He is now 54 inches and almost 80 pounds. He is exactly one foot shorter than me. We are trying to guess when he will pass me in height. Whaaaaat?!<br />
I love that he is a thinker. He never ceases to amaze me with the way he observes and then makes his ideas known. He’s also a reader! Yes!<br />
Miller lost another tooth.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tRDP8qxk0s8/VBspOq10WpI/AAAAAAAB3sA/A6NMlKm1_mQ/s1600-h/photo%2525205%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="photo 5" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DtMP2GxIgNQ/VBspQfQl-UI/AAAAAAAB3sI/CeWP59XTZs8/photo%2525205_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="420" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo 5" width="319" /></a><br />
He lost it at soccer practice because he was trying to run and drink from his water bottle at the same time. Never a dull moment with him.<br />
He is also a reader. A great reader in fact. He prefers non fiction with lots of facts for his little brain to turn over again and again. You never know when he will ask you if you’ve ever been to Bulgaria or some other random place. When you say no, he just spews out everything he knows about the random place. I love that about him.<br />
We may be looking at some new accommodations for him at school soon, he is such an unconventional learner. Right now I am reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Without-Instructions-Surviving-Parenting/dp/0991617800/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411065853&sr=8-1&keywords=the+boy+without+instructions">this book</a>. It is amazing. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OxuThIhx9qA/VBspSMAw7GI/AAAAAAAB3sQ/KgTHLyVSAvw/s1600-h/boy%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="boy" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V9TLvnp7T2U/VBspTPQkwAI/AAAAAAAB3sY/pxKs8pEI3aM/boy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="366" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="boy" width="248" /></a><br />
We will see how he settles into the rigors of first grade. We have great faith in the school and his teacher, not to mention is abilities.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823542481666736801noreply@blogger.com0