tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90544449312935732972024-03-12T20:31:41.093-07:00Howell Quintupletsmy Crazy Life with Five!Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-30298780576353767302015-02-14T11:25:00.000-08:002015-03-09T16:33:10.293-07:00Valentines Day 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think that Valentines is an over-commercialized holiday… I don't want jewelry, flowers or a romantic dinner. I do however think it is a perfect excuse to celebrate love and be with the ones you adore! #anyexcuseforaparty.<br />
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When my babies were little I read the book <a href="http://www.gretchenrubin.com/books/happier-at-home/about-the-book/" target="_blank">Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin</a>. I love, love, loved it! My favorite line that sums up the book is "I wanted to make my home happier by appreciating how much happiness was already there."<br />
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One of the things she chose to do in her journey for a happier home was to celebrate minor holidays by having a festive breakfast. Because I already enjoyed celebrating, I decided to make this a Valentines tradition in our family. After the kids go to bed, I decorate the kitchen so when they wake up it is a surprise. I don't spend a lot of time or money and just do the kitchen. Then I will have a Valentines breakfast for them!<br />
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I found the breakfast idea from Pinterest. (Of course!) Free printables from the blog <a href="http://www.love-the-day.com/lovetheday/wordpress/donut-valentine-free-printable/" target="_blank">Love the Day</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Briellen, Sidney and Luke</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivy and Mitchell</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivy and Daddy</td></tr>
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Because Valentines Day was on a Saturday, I served a heart-y lunch.<br />
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Sidney and Brie inherited my love of decorating and pulled all of the decorations out of the kitchen and decorated the living room. They decided that they needed to have a Valentines Party for their friends.<br />
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So we had to make treats. Back to Pinterest for <a href="http://lisakisch.typepad.com/babies_paper_and_song/2011/02/valentine-rice-krispies-treats.html" target="_blank">Valentines Rice Krispy Treats</a>! Ivy ALWAYS helps me in the kitchen because she gets to snitch as she helps.<br />
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And of course cupcakes must be made...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Helper...</td></tr>
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We went to our favorite noodle house Pho Binh for dinner because I was done being creative! {And I had champagne in the cul-de-sac with my girls and didn't feel like cooking!}<br />
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It's ironic that Stephen and I would have our biggest fight in 10 years on Valentines day, but that's how it happened. {hence no pics of us.} Marriage is hard work… It isn't all butterflies in your tummy and sweet romantic kisses. It is saying I'm sorry when your pride tells you he needs to say it first. It is saying and meaning "I forgive you" when you want to hold on to the hurt. Marriage isn't always pretty, but I've learned that God uses these moments to bring you closer to each other and Him.<br />
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In Happier at Home, she also talks about creating a "Shrine" of her family with pictures that recall happy memories. She felt like the picture frames that she had in her normal decor were being walked by without notice. So she created Holiday photo galleries for Halloween and Valentines Day. I copied her for Valentines day and I have to say I love seeing these pictures up… love seeing how the babies have grown and changed. I will definitely do this for other holidays as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 Months, Our Engagement Pic, 4 Years</td></tr>
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Hope your Valentines Day was filled with lots of love and laughter.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D9054444931293573297%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-ctkYqHSfA5k%252FVP3SSo0eHeI%252FAAAAAAAADKA%252F47r9WSRfVzc%252Fs1600%252FValentines%25252B%25252315.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 8656px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D9054444931293573297%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F-ctkYqHSfA5k%252FVP3SSo0eHeI%252FAAAAAAAADKA%252F47r9WSRfVzc%252Fs1600%252FValentines%25252B%25252315.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 8656px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-4100329790700588352015-02-04T20:05:00.000-08:002015-03-07T20:07:44.402-08:00Forty and Fabulous (Exclamation Point)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you remember this episode of Sex and the City?? Carrie was on the front of the New Yorker and the headline was<i> "Single and Fabulous?" </i>She thought the article was going to be about how fabulous her life was as in<i> "Single and Fabulous!" </i>The question mark changes the whole meaning…<br />
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This is how I felt coming up to my 40th birthday! Was I forty and fabulous with a question mark or exclamation point? I have never been concerned about my age. I have embraced each stage of my life and never looked back with regret or wishful thinking. So it was very odd to not want to turn forty. Frankly, it put me in a serious funk. <br />
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I had a wonderful childhood, an amazing college experience and a successful career. I have lived on my own and traveled the world. I am healthy… I have a terrific husband… I have five healthy miracle babies… why was I so upset?? What did I have to be unhappy about?? <br />
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I am not sure exactly how the funk ended, but my big day came and just like that I just moved to acceptance. It is what it is. I have so much to be thankful for and I will focus on that! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxYQVHzPmJiNbqQuFu5Od5RpRRfu9X6qygDJRCu3c_JtBVDyGWQmo855Zm04KqHyoMT9Al4cScvr4dz7r5T9zNcYsv6Em6qgkL9ZPyd-qjENEGdCAZpv2PSrOQsjJc38Ve3QnRHlP/s1600/40th+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxYQVHzPmJiNbqQuFu5Od5RpRRfu9X6qygDJRCu3c_JtBVDyGWQmo855Zm04KqHyoMT9Al4cScvr4dz7r5T9zNcYsv6Em6qgkL9ZPyd-qjENEGdCAZpv2PSrOQsjJc38Ve3QnRHlP/s1600/40th+%231.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Girls<br />
Misty, Amy, Kimber, Me, Brie</td></tr>
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My college roomie, Brie, lives in northern California and I don't get to see her enough! She was visiting her family in Dallas over the holidays and had to drive her Grandpa home to Austin before she flew back. The ONLY day we could see her was (lucky for me) my birthday!! So we drove to Austin (with my sister Amy and her hubby) and had a big slumber party with our other college roomies!! (203C, baby!) Honestly, I think spending this one night with my oldest and best-est friends helped me with my funk. Being with them is so good for my soul. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJi3v6axGg0k3IFUoero74q9oupWTj1BkNyb_sfYn7Y7oPbY52R6KQPtFuTXgpLwHHyhTciW6afun_9n0CJZm-w0gDRi2bXxm7kNXhmjUDjFjXtYV9f2WtwWWhygOWsFP1nZlH8AA/s1600/40th+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJi3v6axGg0k3IFUoero74q9oupWTj1BkNyb_sfYn7Y7oPbY52R6KQPtFuTXgpLwHHyhTciW6afun_9n0CJZm-w0gDRi2bXxm7kNXhmjUDjFjXtYV9f2WtwWWhygOWsFP1nZlH8AA/s1600/40th+%232.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
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Misty had just moved into her new house and had discovered a box of college pictures. My favorite part of the entire night was looking at all of the pictures together. Some were seriously hilarious!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXCKFDCvnvMAfw-uzwA7_6U0JE6mwUuHXYqOEIBmQuTUXPUIOl88ttOnqa9fQ255S8x-uWgkmmASvmPmWu1nCs8VzJPAT5A2DiD3vrehGSFr_csLhO4rXLWw1Lawt_5ftvfpkxAis/s1600/40th+%232b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXCKFDCvnvMAfw-uzwA7_6U0JE6mwUuHXYqOEIBmQuTUXPUIOl88ttOnqa9fQ255S8x-uWgkmmASvmPmWu1nCs8VzJPAT5A2DiD3vrehGSFr_csLhO4rXLWw1Lawt_5ftvfpkxAis/s1600/40th+%232b.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at Old Pictures</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWd9zEd2Ql_SwJWtyvWxuhMiYHXbikSVzTTmV4x3AHHAi4XJjhStkhRo8-TTK3M97sgo_qrpQv8dxI4nGtpNunIQqbLo7fh_Z85x6_1-mgZbykuAWjazBmGeoNEUKffj_XCcRJTRZ/s1600/40th+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWd9zEd2Ql_SwJWtyvWxuhMiYHXbikSVzTTmV4x3AHHAi4XJjhStkhRo8-TTK3M97sgo_qrpQv8dxI4nGtpNunIQqbLo7fh_Z85x6_1-mgZbykuAWjazBmGeoNEUKffj_XCcRJTRZ/s1600/40th+%233.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Looking In</td></tr>
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Misty's husband Bill had been saving a couple of really old bottles of wine for a special occasion… Happy 40th to me!! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZCMDVwy9zYa_RXQZtt0hebz9RXiymvjdU5TskoY4pzwPwgwOMrSCK6_zUlEn3kpR98Y0yavGixJ_cXN5m4p-bIvFuQnQIx-QTF33jZXvXrLTD4flO5-OZIHwR-h6_2ZXsLGiln1P/s1600/40th+%234b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZCMDVwy9zYa_RXQZtt0hebz9RXiymvjdU5TskoY4pzwPwgwOMrSCK6_zUlEn3kpR98Y0yavGixJ_cXN5m4p-bIvFuQnQIx-QTF33jZXvXrLTD4flO5-OZIHwR-h6_2ZXsLGiln1P/s1600/40th+%234b.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum!</td></tr>
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The evenings agenda: Dinner and Drinks at The W<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1lAWqN5zXmye71DQodXJHgaacgBQPT8AxmGOIuBwe3TX4N_tzX-plgyeaNqYvSrq4olu-4JTfo2DWjUHCSJuaxzT0GJ6s5HITWv9roQN6MWW1ITb4dMdkjf2ncpva0sGQwg1kBrW/s1600/40th+%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1lAWqN5zXmye71DQodXJHgaacgBQPT8AxmGOIuBwe3TX4N_tzX-plgyeaNqYvSrq4olu-4JTfo2DWjUHCSJuaxzT0GJ6s5HITWv9roQN6MWW1ITb4dMdkjf2ncpva0sGQwg1kBrW/s1600/40th+%235.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen and Damon<br />
In the Uber Car<br />
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{If you haven't used the app Uber for car service, you must try!!}<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjQSuCymsSCN2pyuk4ZSTN-MlLV28cyTHhyrwHe77kWH83s1FNgOcIWyODyYB14nkqzpOKolaWCEsbpAP54_kPELyC-KGWqnvSVk7LERbWp6jRGh2B4f3NnsKjYZhW_UiT-1BZLIk/s1600/40th+%236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjQSuCymsSCN2pyuk4ZSTN-MlLV28cyTHhyrwHe77kWH83s1FNgOcIWyODyYB14nkqzpOKolaWCEsbpAP54_kPELyC-KGWqnvSVk7LERbWp6jRGh2B4f3NnsKjYZhW_UiT-1BZLIk/s1600/40th+%236.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert</td></tr>
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And when I got back from Austin, this was waiting for me in my front yard…<br />
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It is so silly, but I can't tell you how happy this one little sign made me. I think maybe because I am rarely surprised anymore… I was wondering who could have done this and Stephen said "Are you kidding? This screams Neal Hare." And he was right! My two Neal Hares (dad and brother) drove to cypress at 6 in the morning to leave a huge plywood sign with fence posts welcoming me into my new chapter of life. It touched me more than you can imagine.<br />
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And then I got to spend the rest of the weekend celebrating with my nearest and dearest… My family… My everything.<br />
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Saturday night we had dinner at The Shack. It is the funkiest hamburger joint with the most eclectic menu and a HUGE play area for the kids.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKseoFItKHtCyns2CZYCBi3p47N5xvFCC2EofqZOTu3bxaF9WAij_NMkrgvTjfs9wJkA28EAiRs9sOUCG9Bfm_hmdavtbZQ2QScG7E_wbqE5uZeyUE1ZHCkW1oDZbpIPjFLOu9xT-/s1600/40th+%238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKseoFItKHtCyns2CZYCBi3p47N5xvFCC2EofqZOTu3bxaF9WAij_NMkrgvTjfs9wJkA28EAiRs9sOUCG9Bfm_hmdavtbZQ2QScG7E_wbqE5uZeyUE1ZHCkW1oDZbpIPjFLOu9xT-/s1600/40th+%238.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy, Me, Neal, Bibi and Marg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These girls…. My BFF sisters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_FiijRVUGt7i7CW7a3L2hpRV7f4rb8jUXz44OGJg8qfCuD-vbnLHJU_ibwtAi2VmJcMJiJ1sXiXs7h8bPqffyp1LZkBczt7ZsTw2QHPG8zT4FvEkJntJeKuXtOdrvy81DKLza3WA/s1600/40th+%239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_FiijRVUGt7i7CW7a3L2hpRV7f4rb8jUXz44OGJg8qfCuD-vbnLHJU_ibwtAi2VmJcMJiJ1sXiXs7h8bPqffyp1LZkBczt7ZsTw2QHPG8zT4FvEkJntJeKuXtOdrvy81DKLza3WA/s1600/40th+%239.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Amy and Sooze</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjToK93in9-G9P8kEAXE5UYah33MoWqdEqmhyphenhyphendQ07jNU4RZEjJzgtyJ7VdZ1BhZMVi8jQ6mK7ksUGAnSzo5ZWeHGDlU4j9RbGHw1AN5LwRz9HnRew51r6OnQYG0azPsfu9DcXcqTF/s1600/40th+%2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjToK93in9-G9P8kEAXE5UYah33MoWqdEqmhyphenhyphendQ07jNU4RZEjJzgtyJ7VdZ1BhZMVi8jQ6mK7ksUGAnSzo5ZWeHGDlU4j9RbGHw1AN5LwRz9HnRew51r6OnQYG0azPsfu9DcXcqTF/s1600/40th+%2310.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silliest Goose Ever</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWX6PiZ7n1mMUsjn7UQasss-oV11ZxfIr_O-zU28hKea3wyXHHdHbRyrKY4eTlVr80DnZcBqpm4xXDQKBLVzJBDckQR1sapCgm_05YDyA-twMrYMy7_8jLwLUnEfhuIZXT-9Gjf2YW/s1600/40th+%2311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWX6PiZ7n1mMUsjn7UQasss-oV11ZxfIr_O-zU28hKea3wyXHHdHbRyrKY4eTlVr80DnZcBqpm4xXDQKBLVzJBDckQR1sapCgm_05YDyA-twMrYMy7_8jLwLUnEfhuIZXT-9Gjf2YW/s1600/40th+%2311.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa and Sidney</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfGxTFEzSTcnTHMf8f77QT2lpWOx9Lo-8RS0pDEoSJ4dnPLpYXFNo32nMgil96OaihopksQfAr0G7jvL-ixEbGQXW1MMZskLmadyUavo1SwtuU-I4ycPWgtDDZnBlKkcdPi3mlfWY/s1600/40th+%2312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfGxTFEzSTcnTHMf8f77QT2lpWOx9Lo-8RS0pDEoSJ4dnPLpYXFNo32nMgil96OaihopksQfAr0G7jvL-ixEbGQXW1MMZskLmadyUavo1SwtuU-I4ycPWgtDDZnBlKkcdPi3mlfWY/s1600/40th+%2312.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nain and Sooze</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0Zk7FOHvwwClQBkLHVlqonR24soL881mhGVl4ZYrY8nbPR7p9DWNjQvzQ8kjDKAszPyYp8mm65a9I40vJzSHeF_4C91zwXf1WrC0Uweey8C24Okba63ZxiDboVbha3tePBbKHuKX/s1600/40th+%2313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0Zk7FOHvwwClQBkLHVlqonR24soL881mhGVl4ZYrY8nbPR7p9DWNjQvzQ8kjDKAszPyYp8mm65a9I40vJzSHeF_4C91zwXf1WrC0Uweey8C24Okba63ZxiDboVbha3tePBbKHuKX/s1600/40th+%2313.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Cousins Lisa and Dustin</td></tr>
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We normally eat outside, but it was freezing so we squished inside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKCkdqVyOKA1cM7wDABkRyQNbbbAHJCJL6lkggnZihwCLkaIK_yUeLrmuFyDw7FKpAi3_7-1v2bvG1i0vxyIYfyRYuiZ7C8AJbnhTtGFRJuDi9uYcdjmMexq78DtJFzN5O1m7pSTs/s1600/40th+%2314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKCkdqVyOKA1cM7wDABkRyQNbbbAHJCJL6lkggnZihwCLkaIK_yUeLrmuFyDw7FKpAi3_7-1v2bvG1i0vxyIYfyRYuiZ7C8AJbnhTtGFRJuDi9uYcdjmMexq78DtJFzN5O1m7pSTs/s1600/40th+%2314.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sunday lunch was at my parents house in Katy. Those of you who know me well, know that I have an obsession with peppermint ice cream. Well, my mom made me a peppermint ice cream/chocolate rice krispy cake and it was AMAZING! Seriously people, I couldn't stop eating it! <br />
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She had helpers...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwDgd0o0XWpOm1hqol4yrHN2VFldxsrr0_gFfylPdO-TqqSryNI4l-IZOslELccRXlJuMXa1XjO-48Uq9SryyIRmk4zPbtTKS59VvItRzA3Dbuu_PpOYpAwYyKQgegxV9gImUXZHO/s1600/40th+%2317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwDgd0o0XWpOm1hqol4yrHN2VFldxsrr0_gFfylPdO-TqqSryNI4l-IZOslELccRXlJuMXa1XjO-48Uq9SryyIRmk4zPbtTKS59VvItRzA3Dbuu_PpOYpAwYyKQgegxV9gImUXZHO/s1600/40th+%2317.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sidney and Ivy</td></tr>
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She got the recipe from a mailer forever ago and kept it. Here it is…<br />
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Here is her version...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke</td></tr>
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I was so excited!! It was like I was a kid again.<br />
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I am so loved and have so many to love. I wouldn't change a thing.</div>
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Forty… Bring it!</div>
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I was brainstorming on everything that I wanted to change or get done this year! I started to feel like I did when I walked into the H&M in Vegas… TOO MUCH! I was overwhelmed and almost scrapped the whole idea of goal setting. But I decided to pare down and split the task in two - My goals and goals for family. I chose to start with me and I felt instantly better the minute I did this. (Probably because I am a procrastinator and being able to push off something until later made me feel like the old me! Ha!) Honestly, I don't truly believe in New Years resolutions, so if I get to our family goals in May, that's ok… As long as they get done!<br />
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I wrote everything down on a piece of paper and then picked the things that I REALLY wanted to get done. Here is what I came up with…<br />
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HEALTH: Exercise Regularly and Eat More Real Food<br />
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FAITH: Quiet Time<br />
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MONEY: Make and STICK! to Budget<br />
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HOME: Declutter Projects<br />
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EXTRA:Stop Wasting Time<br />
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I am the most sporadic exerciser there is… One minute I am religious about it and then one tiny thing will get me off schedule and then it will be weeks before I get back in my routine. Or I will choose something like running, that I detest and then will look for the tiny excuse not to go. And as much as I wish it were, exercising every day just isn't for me… So this year I am going to try to walk 4 times a week…. NO MATTER WHAT!<br />
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Last year I became obsessed with<a href="http://100daysofrealfood.com/" target="_blank"> 100daysofrealfood.com</a>. I really like her approach of eliminating processed food. I think that everything is okay in moderation, but choose the healthier alternative when I can.<br />
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The changes I've already made in the name of real food:<br />
- Instead of Splenda and French Vanilla Creamer, I use real maple syrup and milk in my coffee.<br />
- I quit my Diet Dr. Pepper addiction and added a Pellegrino addiction. (I used to hate sparkling water, but last September I stopped drinking wine for the month and this was my savior! Just add lime!)<br />
- No more store bought Ranch dressing or Taco seasoning etc.<br />
- I started buying my bread and tortillas through <a href="http://greenling.com/" target="_blank">greenling.com</a>. They deliver it from a local bakery.<br />
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This year I want to try to eat at least 2 fruits and/or Veggies at each meal. Dinner will be easy because as is Hare tradition, we have a green salad with most dinners. Breakfast shouldn't be too bad because a handful of berries or smoothie will do the trick. But my staple hummus and cracker lunch, if lunch happens at all, needs to be tweaked.<br />
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{Note 1: I haven't braved getting the kids totally off of processed foods… Note 2: I MUST stop snitching their junk food! Note 3: I took the above salad pic before I took off the cucumbers. Detest them.}<br />
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Does this count as two veggies??</div>
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My faith is everything to me! During the chaos of having babies and raising kids, I have not devoted enough time to growing spiritually... Spending time reading my Bible, reading books that inspire me to be better, carving out time to pray and truly being quiet so I can focus of what kind of woman/wife/mother I want to be and that God wants me to be.<br />
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Even though my mornings start at 6 and are cray-zay, I want to wake up earlier and have this quiet time before I start my day. I am going to start with 15 minutes and then work my way back from there. I have read a million articles that say the one thing in common in crazy successful people is that they all wake up early…. We shall see.<br />
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I am a spender and Stephen is not a spender… REALLY not a spender. The only way we can live harmoniously is to have a budget. (Ugh! I can't even stand that word!) When a budget is in place, I know exactly how much money I get to spend and Stephen knows exactly how much he gets to save. Last year, we let the budget fall to the wayside because it was a good year. And surprisingly, it wasn't as glorious as I would have thought. Its amazing how overspending can cause anxiety! This year is gonna be a titch rough, so the budget has to be back.<br />
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{side note: I cringe every time I see someone post on FaceBook how wonderful it is to fill up their cars for so cheap. Most of Stephen's customers are in the Oil and Gas business, so low oil prices are not a good thing around here!}<br />
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Last year we converted our guest bedroom into an office. We live in a small house and we felt we needed to utilize every square inch. Stephen was working from the dining room table when he was home and our desk was crammed upstairs in the playroom. It was a much needed move even though I resisted it at first. I pretty much have it decorated, but I just threw everything in the closet. Plus there is a corner upstairs that is still piled with paper work. {Goodness knows what is up there!} So Project #1- Organize Office Closet<br />
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For years we have been over run by toys. This year I've noticed that the kids don't play with their toys as much. It makes me so SO sad! I am not ready for this. But they A) just don't have the time and B) would rather play electronics. I did a test over Thanksgiving and put 25% of their toys in boxes in the garage. My plan was when they asked for a certain toy, to give it back and then donate the rest. Well, they never asked, so after Christmas I donated it all! When they finally did realize that things were gone and I told them I donated them, there was a minor melt down. I promised I wouldn't do it again without their knowing it, so this time around they will have to be involved. It will slow down the process, but I think they will learn lessons in having excess and giving to those who have less. So project #2 - convert playroom to media room. <br />
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I am sure that this is the case in many of your homes, but our Master bedroom is the landing pad for any and all things that don't have a home. We dump EVERYTHING in there. This is the room that is supposed to be our haven and refuge in the chaos of our lives. It's supposed to be peaceful and inviting… Exactly the opposite of what it is now. So project #3 - Declutter and Decorate Master<br />
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The last goal I have is to stop wasting time. Some days when the kids would get home from school, I would wonder where the time went and why didn't I get anything accomplished. I have 7 hours alone, people!!! As I kept a mental time chart of my day, I noticed that a LOT of time is sucked by my Charm King addiction. (This replaced my Candy Crush, when I couldn't pass level two hundred and something.) I explained it away in that I only play for 5 lives at at time, but when I added up how much time I was playing, it was ridiculous! (embarrassing to admit, but true!) I went through withdrawals when I first erased, but am actually happy that it is gone!<br />
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During the month of January as I thought about what I wanted to accomplish this year, I kept coming back to this: <b><span style="font-size: large;">be content</span></b>. I noticed that last year I spent too much time focusing on what others had that I didn't. This year, I am going to purposefully focus on being grateful for my husband and family and the happy little home that we are building. I am going to choose to find joy in the little things in my life instead of waiting for big things to bring happiness. And I will not compare myself to others.<br />
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<a href="http://bestquotesaboutlife.org/quotes-about-life-187-comparison-thief-joy/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErVYTJpv3sJ8A-IeTXQxBQq_PXyUegGJUQQH0Bn_20jvnjiwMOLBz8unWxUiKhXoALUeOhlQX6575sYAl2N3ARagKk4Nm5ajHnxziLbnM3mAM3XA7HZRNW7TthI_owd02sxTNqQ_p/s1600/quotes-about-life-comparison-is-the-thief-of-joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErVYTJpv3sJ8A-IeTXQxBQq_PXyUegGJUQQH0Bn_20jvnjiwMOLBz8unWxUiKhXoALUeOhlQX6575sYAl2N3ARagKk4Nm5ajHnxziLbnM3mAM3XA7HZRNW7TthI_owd02sxTNqQ_p/s1600/quotes-about-life-comparison-is-the-thief-of-joy.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErVYTJpv3sJ8A-IeTXQxBQq_PXyUegGJUQQH0Bn_20jvnjiwMOLBz8unWxUiKhXoALUeOhlQX6575sYAl2N3ARagKk4Nm5ajHnxziLbnM3mAM3XA7HZRNW7TthI_owd02sxTNqQ_p/s1600/quotes-about-life-comparison-is-the-thief-of-joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-67296449608953704312015-01-02T08:11:00.000-08:002015-03-07T20:07:05.356-08:00New Years Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppbJSNezgP_1baQt91gwEZLR6toNA1WI-a81_Dg2Ifa5qmt4w3m71gGU9Qfn70AS5EqgIaUB8BGJoHj7NKXCIequS55LPsAKexLSyQHE07sm4ddt6r2lLoe_494IDbhaPLPTkj4wr/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppbJSNezgP_1baQt91gwEZLR6toNA1WI-a81_Dg2Ifa5qmt4w3m71gGU9Qfn70AS5EqgIaUB8BGJoHj7NKXCIequS55LPsAKexLSyQHE07sm4ddt6r2lLoe_494IDbhaPLPTkj4wr/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%231.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year with My Love</div>
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In our early 20's, going out in the city was the ONLY way to bring in the New Year... Crazy late nights and sleeping the entire next day. As we got a bit older and wiser, we would go out to eat at a fun happening restaurant and then come home to bring in the New Year. And then along came kids and going out for anything screeched to a halt. First of all, all we cared about was sleep. Second, it wastn't so easy to get a sitter on NYE. And lastly, with all the drunks out on the road, it wasn't worth the risk to be out and about. The last couple of years we started our kid friendly New Years Eve parties. We rotate houses with our besties The Farleys and The Wagners. And honestly, staying home with everyone is a blast… </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVOKBi0VK2expOzK6-TBaXMN1ifGH_Tc96mnvYv8KpykzNPrUglZhclqIaeZ2D7k9qzH0b0rFe1SrVUTHL4-U8G0MmEdFe9tqIgyXXNbteVUclnIyDZUlU0YrsFiEHq_jeLDzCqOR/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVOKBi0VK2expOzK6-TBaXMN1ifGH_Tc96mnvYv8KpykzNPrUglZhclqIaeZ2D7k9qzH0b0rFe1SrVUTHL4-U8G0MmEdFe9tqIgyXXNbteVUclnIyDZUlU0YrsFiEHq_jeLDzCqOR/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%232.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivy and Me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEs1V-g8AfL8wQ3RylJYjhEwdM-vtOW9WbW9Buwcs49SWp0W3J4OprDXpJIAiVP0O58zd5DiyJr8k9b9GaN434X-SByyT_XnMG5n5y4yca3e0_Sq6mp_3MSpv5iStqEgVrZSH9foL/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEs1V-g8AfL8wQ3RylJYjhEwdM-vtOW9WbW9Buwcs49SWp0W3J4OprDXpJIAiVP0O58zd5DiyJr8k9b9GaN434X-SByyT_XnMG5n5y4yca3e0_Sq6mp_3MSpv5iStqEgVrZSH9foL/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%233.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sidney and Me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFedO0WmJYSHLZVR_OuLMrjaXvGeSp22jWvY7_CY9XDhhpAd5lOTsow1nll7D-owCZ4yQHRbkT_5Oz1lwrK-XpOdSjpJ0hyB4V0sIxiuxCCpxRSVhPGz3bQzNEw_lmh82eOn26r2y/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFedO0WmJYSHLZVR_OuLMrjaXvGeSp22jWvY7_CY9XDhhpAd5lOTsow1nll7D-owCZ4yQHRbkT_5Oz1lwrK-XpOdSjpJ0hyB4V0sIxiuxCCpxRSVhPGz3bQzNEw_lmh82eOn26r2y/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%234.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitchell, Eli and Luke</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHBAoyhBlgl0aiqF2UlEchznt-K5YanTZOEUEo3YyDUzBnqwJ-Qafk4ym6m6acfD19YTTvD1FO08zZ8E-n0m07hnbo3B0d_y4XhCqEIBWMZxREj9arn8ftbOyh7XWrsARqKywFtAS/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHBAoyhBlgl0aiqF2UlEchznt-K5YanTZOEUEo3YyDUzBnqwJ-Qafk4ym6m6acfD19YTTvD1FO08zZ8E-n0m07hnbo3B0d_y4XhCqEIBWMZxREj9arn8ftbOyh7XWrsARqKywFtAS/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%235.jpg" height="328" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Girls<br />
Briellen, Sidney, Brynne, Ivy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvrJi9fsJcMQn8zL6vd5URk4BC-J_YACtW7ywM3iH-vqU8y0jhspAWybNT4SvD34mwYa-KEQSLdV7EJyyst34gG2lmtQhKmcuy66LIlDct5YG3QjCPMuSjoa3KHqy1KkVcsWHvzLb/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvrJi9fsJcMQn8zL6vd5URk4BC-J_YACtW7ywM3iH-vqU8y0jhspAWybNT4SvD34mwYa-KEQSLdV7EJyyst34gG2lmtQhKmcuy66LIlDct5YG3QjCPMuSjoa3KHqy1KkVcsWHvzLb/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%236.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They Farleys<br />
Damon and Amy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8_2CNAjEnjWJKbH8wYPGea0PowM7G0IzMgtkQh6_sKPaeAMuawdGH9Dwf9qBUQrNdbILWTUQKYaayXPO8xH6l7pQ_UifDEIJ3VuhAD8bxxgrJY22HV4cXZF1SKkXkW5csYl684Vx/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8_2CNAjEnjWJKbH8wYPGea0PowM7G0IzMgtkQh6_sKPaeAMuawdGH9Dwf9qBUQrNdbILWTUQKYaayXPO8xH6l7pQ_UifDEIJ3VuhAD8bxxgrJY22HV4cXZF1SKkXkW5csYl684Vx/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%237.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wagners<br />
Susan and RJ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtWwmaj2E0Qtm7gJBClfaFzyvvNgoAS7EA5haizL9Aurf36RnCIJwlvQKRQF4Ls0kUqVaY8-IyRpkFZKcmoccWAjOBqhI55e-uggQ_olMwMZjUHo0_c85PfjnWR4xzuoYmuw4Vpix/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtWwmaj2E0Qtm7gJBClfaFzyvvNgoAS7EA5haizL9Aurf36RnCIJwlvQKRQF4Ls0kUqVaY8-IyRpkFZKcmoccWAjOBqhI55e-uggQ_olMwMZjUHo0_c85PfjnWR4xzuoYmuw4Vpix/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%238.jpg" height="536" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Howells… and photobomber<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtp1c1xfkzrE5CXLKEBYunqSV64bA4UDdogNtkWupHgNQLKOg1VUybCK8RGfhrpiYsZy29h2OMWvuIJs1JNRkgCkezwALx72rJHQp7Pppj31vJwmQNr40PTY2gTxphM2S8TN0F3i7/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%2319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtp1c1xfkzrE5CXLKEBYunqSV64bA4UDdogNtkWupHgNQLKOg1VUybCK8RGfhrpiYsZy29h2OMWvuIJs1JNRkgCkezwALx72rJHQp7Pppj31vJwmQNr40PTY2gTxphM2S8TN0F3i7/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%2319.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Speaking of Photobomber… We had the same one NYE 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC3F_6XtkhfEWl_Xw8xhBdoorS4soVx5pS9EyXBdVA5BcUj31p8YpsQIAS6cslKeItN-alFa0VQUdqT4d8cGOQdieD_S2PsmMIrXfDQDXnC-5JYXXFTkZDWVvCuImCWuDWg92LNqL/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC3F_6XtkhfEWl_Xw8xhBdoorS4soVx5pS9EyXBdVA5BcUj31p8YpsQIAS6cslKeItN-alFa0VQUdqT4d8cGOQdieD_S2PsmMIrXfDQDXnC-5JYXXFTkZDWVvCuImCWuDWg92LNqL/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%239.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Girls</td></tr>
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My Brother in law Damon is the MASTER cocktail mixer. He always has a new cocktail for every event. This night he brought wassail with a bourbon or whiskey something. I am a vodka girl, so this held no appeal until the end of the night when RJ made us watch the countdown outside in 20 degree weather. {I was miserable at first, but was so glad that he made us because we saw some amazing fireworks! Like huge professional type fireworks… in the burbs… craziness!} <br />
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So last Valentines day we had <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2014/01/31/cherubs-cup-cocktail/" target="_blank">Cherub's Cup Cocktails</a>, which were AMAZING. I was jonesing for one so I brought all of the stuff to make one forgetting how labor intensive they were. Enter my master mixologist… He took over and voila…. cocktails! Check out the recipe <a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2014/01/31/cherubs-cup-cocktail/" target="_blank">here</a>… YUM! <br />
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After dinner we did fireworks and sparklers. Despite the cold, we had so much fun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitchell and Aiden "cheers-ing" their Sparklers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVcHiic-Lxuceed9rZdsZsoArSMcD0BtTr8m35JfmSswkcUnZ4bTLxPdYTN7ddCfgJJlVtWCOEFmQqiDVTA0QSLKJ8RINZZQ42V9cVCCAQTFh7-aCdHam1Grue6ezr2JJGSqMZBys/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%2314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVcHiic-Lxuceed9rZdsZsoArSMcD0BtTr8m35JfmSswkcUnZ4bTLxPdYTN7ddCfgJJlVtWCOEFmQqiDVTA0QSLKJ8RINZZQ42V9cVCCAQTFh7-aCdHam1Grue6ezr2JJGSqMZBys/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%2314.jpg" height="640" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Luke</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBBhvFdf06_jBkDGeV6IfdWqYTUbiK-zzBK1ylAIXQFfQqKyfW3SdYp6gtJlJY72cK1IVFXG6wkWECDUZGFWTW-VDAU5EGB-Rc6JWRt0kSchUR0GjLHnP6WR6PJYTXq5pwZP95H1b/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%2315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBBhvFdf06_jBkDGeV6IfdWqYTUbiK-zzBK1ylAIXQFfQqKyfW3SdYp6gtJlJY72cK1IVFXG6wkWECDUZGFWTW-VDAU5EGB-Rc6JWRt0kSchUR0GjLHnP6WR6PJYTXq5pwZP95H1b/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%2315.jpg" height="338" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Am so glad I've passed my love of Sparklers on...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdmwJiTLN6G-muWFJY0mGXbCT1jODPiGccDi8YXCOj3yAYeL-WMuXVKLe3G1hwYINsYgMoH-4MV_5sYH6ZmT4xfSp50AKtSdMdUj-72CjziLIDr8iyHqX-JcRZgMg436b2Sf5Veva/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%2316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdmwJiTLN6G-muWFJY0mGXbCT1jODPiGccDi8YXCOj3yAYeL-WMuXVKLe3G1hwYINsYgMoH-4MV_5sYH6ZmT4xfSp50AKtSdMdUj-72CjziLIDr8iyHqX-JcRZgMg436b2Sf5Veva/s1600/New+Years+Eve+%2316.jpg" height="600" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crew</td></tr>
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My kids were starting to get a little sicky and I wanted to make sure they got a good nights rest so we took them home and put them to bed instead of spending the night per tradition. Our sweet Nonna came to watch them so we could go back to the party.</div>
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But before they left, a happy New Years toast! </div>
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These kids.</div>
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It makes my heart so happy that these little bitties have each other and my prayer is they will forever stay as close as they are now! It also makes my heart so happy that I have such amazing friends and incredible husband to share my life with! </div>
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Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-23089007201610673432015-01-01T20:16:00.000-08:002015-03-07T20:06:44.524-08:00Happy New Year!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mitchell, Briellen, Sidney, Ivy and Luke</div>
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2015 -- Here we are! <br />
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When the babies were born, we were in total survival mode… Forget setting goals and deciding what direction we wanted our lives to take. Really forget wanting to exercise more or decorating projects! I just did what I had to do to feed my babies, make a happy home and stay sane. I really got out of the habit of reevaluating my life at the start of the year, choosing the things I need to work on and then actually doing them. So this year I am writing down my goals and how I plan to achieve them. It's my year to thrive… not just survive!<br />
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I will share my other goals with you, but my first one is keeping up with my blog. Why is this important to me? <br />
- It is my journal… my diary… my way to look back and see how my little babies have grown and changed and to remember the funny things they said or the fun summers we shared.<br />
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- It is a way for my family and friends across the world to be apart of our lives.<br />
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May this year be a productive year for you (and me)… filled with happiness and love!!!<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054444931293573297" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054444931293573297" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-32005405037228002842014-04-28T20:48:00.000-07:002014-04-28T20:48:00.950-07:00Sleeping Arrangements -- Triple Bunks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tP2Bqw7kYgiv3aXZ9auPJw-qLNGvHjpj28ZqS4ZHS2EgbIus1ccJY-dMetzc4jtEibTHsUhMpj3Y3oDmjbrXfvCoB1DDEF_g5A9su814x5Ofue98hOgS9JCBfKmanGrA__M3lExE/s1600/2014-04-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tP2Bqw7kYgiv3aXZ9auPJw-qLNGvHjpj28ZqS4ZHS2EgbIus1ccJY-dMetzc4jtEibTHsUhMpj3Y3oDmjbrXfvCoB1DDEF_g5A9su814x5Ofue98hOgS9JCBfKmanGrA__M3lExE/s1600/2014-04-24.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was over a year ago when I had a panic attack! My kids were 4 1/2 years old and still in toddler beds!! I could NOT have my 5 year old babies sleeping in toddler beds! Plus, it was ridiculous how giant they were for those teeny beds! </div>
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When we moved into this house (almost 3 years ago…) we had a plan for sleeping situations. We have 4 bedrooms downstairs and a game room upstairs. The plan was to give each girl a room downstairs and convert the upstairs to the boys room. But like with any good plan I make, it crumbled…. To convert upstairs we had to build out the attic, add a bathroom, raise the roof line, and more. And trust me when I say it was going to cost a fortune! Now, I do not mind spending a fortune on anything, but my sweet frugal husband said something about not recouping our money… something, something, something…. no way! Soooooo, back to the drawing board… How am I going to fit 5 kids in 3 rooms?!?</div>
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After lots of thought and talking, I came to the realization that I was going to have to settle on the dreaded bunk bed… I DETEST bunk beds!!! The idea of crawling up to the top and changing sheets chills me to the bone… But there just was no other way! </div>
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The 3 kid bedrooms are REALLY small and if you have ever looked into buying bunk beds you know they are REALLY big. It would have been okay for the boys room, but the girls room would literally just be 2 sets of bunk beds… One day, Stephen came to me and said he found plans for a <a href="http://thehandmadedress.blogspot.com/2012/04/triple-bunks-gone-viral.html" target="_blank">triple bunk online at The Handmade Dress Blog</a>… I checked them out and they were perfect!! </div>
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He downloaded the plans, made a few tweaks of his own and voila! Problem solved!!</div>
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Here's how it went down...</div>
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1. Clean out beastly guest room…. This is how my room looked with all of the junk from guest bedroom in it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0tPTotyqND0UIvjOZ4e2owIj0mLp_3ojcrzqp6L9Hd475sE4CULzcnxPCPTAHXRW_F0TMzJJI6JBimrFR8O6hS5wjAdO8AI4SqkwoDFN3k1eJXHfTbuPwR46UmBnuAddwqRnRPgj/s1600/DSC08717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0tPTotyqND0UIvjOZ4e2owIj0mLp_3ojcrzqp6L9Hd475sE4CULzcnxPCPTAHXRW_F0TMzJJI6JBimrFR8O6hS5wjAdO8AI4SqkwoDFN3k1eJXHfTbuPwR46UmBnuAddwqRnRPgj/s400/DSC08717.JPG" /></a></div>
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2. Guest room cleaned out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAW7N8KVubVkx10LPp0bj_WMGoKJOr5H06MbTx9nfwo6ineE2FeoynuoPdnLyWC8kqE7PwO83H6HdmUEAkUcOFjnR30XyoWitqW8gXNAXom0G4YllQXSZR5KVOgc7LtE21kocM-nAU/s1600/DSC08718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAW7N8KVubVkx10LPp0bj_WMGoKJOr5H06MbTx9nfwo6ineE2FeoynuoPdnLyWC8kqE7PwO83H6HdmUEAkUcOFjnR30XyoWitqW8gXNAXom0G4YllQXSZR5KVOgc7LtE21kocM-nAU/s400/DSC08718.jpg" /></a></div>
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3. Buy lots of wood.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgK0YZ0A4a-mY9oPmOIawPbYbsGVmWDgaAj0xtMCQFfIhP36RL10U3oyaRCw4ZCckhlTIPJWR9wRw-VNIWnQfHKJvW0O5KpboHJeBvcT_4A3NLe_xEi3c5ukcM5XQJ4IBEZ2x61oi/s1600/DSC08721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgK0YZ0A4a-mY9oPmOIawPbYbsGVmWDgaAj0xtMCQFfIhP36RL10U3oyaRCw4ZCckhlTIPJWR9wRw-VNIWnQfHKJvW0O5KpboHJeBvcT_4A3NLe_xEi3c5ukcM5XQJ4IBEZ2x61oi/s400/DSC08721.JPG" /></a></div>
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4. Paint room.. (Sherwin Williams 6821-- Potentially Purple)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuwnp4K_Zi2kvTHYJ4F9vlb9-fhChFw1_84URuaav_GeQi4FIHaYP9W3SIQiL8xn_ZlrNQq6X6fELIZIyp1e6ctRbKLceQuvThUB37PmKyfQO2WDgiqcq-v7_TD2Yd8fP9C-k3jiW/s1600/IMG_2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuwnp4K_Zi2kvTHYJ4F9vlb9-fhChFw1_84URuaav_GeQi4FIHaYP9W3SIQiL8xn_ZlrNQq6X6fELIZIyp1e6ctRbKLceQuvThUB37PmKyfQO2WDgiqcq-v7_TD2Yd8fP9C-k3jiW/s400/IMG_2456.jpg" /></a></div>
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5. Start building bunk beds. (1 day to cut wood, 1 day to assemble.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hananjOS9pNFCy_aKpOejG652O5-w9OEaRkqrrE40nOY8UC9C_zLoa5JQNdrlfZgbPvmpu7Q3kGhF2M55wyuDjHn2iukal0dFiV3bFWcQG8cr0pwUwdMvDksf6aXc0YNaXoy5y6Z/s1600/IMG_2465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hananjOS9pNFCy_aKpOejG652O5-w9OEaRkqrrE40nOY8UC9C_zLoa5JQNdrlfZgbPvmpu7Q3kGhF2M55wyuDjHn2iukal0dFiV3bFWcQG8cr0pwUwdMvDksf6aXc0YNaXoy5y6Z/s400/IMG_2465.jpg" /></a></div>
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6. Paint bunk beds. I wanted to have an antiqued white. We chose a technique where you paint a dark color first and then paint the light color over, rubbed the edges with wax and then sanded where we wanted it to look antiqued. I am not sure I would choose this again, because as you can see in the final pictures below, the white is coming off a LOT more in the high traffic areas and it looks more dirty than antique. It took a day for the brown and then a day for the white. (I used Sherwin Williams 6083 -- Sable for brown and 6119 -- Antique White for white.) I have heard wonderful things about Annie Sloan chalk paint and still wonder if I had splurged, if I would have the same issues of the white coming off…. Oh well, too late now! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaUatzMT7KLo-V_xQZaNbGjAxmUuv6aBQU2j50zDURwZ2_1XGZqgGhs0WKUjboicoWzy8pE-06uHoNNWDYqxBX3qcvlM26na4HKp5pseEJbdqSl7NtHJRNp5z_92xxY6EBKt2MCPE/s1600/IMG_2474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaUatzMT7KLo-V_xQZaNbGjAxmUuv6aBQU2j50zDURwZ2_1XGZqgGhs0WKUjboicoWzy8pE-06uHoNNWDYqxBX3qcvlM26na4HKp5pseEJbdqSl7NtHJRNp5z_92xxY6EBKt2MCPE/s400/IMG_2474.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxb-dBOi5iw-5QTTli3CEN5Urz8PUskwHj9QAOzxnafm5kBg3IixrWyjMn0qUUg1te1P-H_0rMuCRLpfTScycCu61oua-xVFjlzfIfy5AQrr93gjgT7UA5-o5WkYOubdln3bmwhgJ/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxb-dBOi5iw-5QTTli3CEN5Urz8PUskwHj9QAOzxnafm5kBg3IixrWyjMn0qUUg1te1P-H_0rMuCRLpfTScycCu61oua-xVFjlzfIfy5AQrr93gjgT7UA5-o5WkYOubdln3bmwhgJ/s400/IMG_2493.JPG" /></a></div>
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7. Assemble</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfISXdd2eakAGHW9VE_QfPBK6WojKgZFVObbd9hqPyl4es3mKG0NU3AtEhcHiAQv3WpDCEiMt_yRqwI_Sinp12NHRzZf5bzUvHzCTZ0EUGalIzH7Gx9dhgeZohOB2RatS3nWhEYC_/s1600/Documents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfISXdd2eakAGHW9VE_QfPBK6WojKgZFVObbd9hqPyl4es3mKG0NU3AtEhcHiAQv3WpDCEiMt_yRqwI_Sinp12NHRzZf5bzUvHzCTZ0EUGalIzH7Gx9dhgeZohOB2RatS3nWhEYC_/s400/Documents.jpg" /></a></div>
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8. Decorate!! My favorite part… obviously! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubLqFk6VAIdwJyAVO4aPZXzB1YSsjN3IDe1pExJw240w5UWU3RQR7ZYZIMnk6WUf3K7vAnAWNY-HhuMRzIyRZS5yi_up-dJZg39l_uKqV26h-YWSZklf1t23NDl4jX-68S_8EPhmu/s1600/IMG_5590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubLqFk6VAIdwJyAVO4aPZXzB1YSsjN3IDe1pExJw240w5UWU3RQR7ZYZIMnk6WUf3K7vAnAWNY-HhuMRzIyRZS5yi_up-dJZg39l_uKqV26h-YWSZklf1t23NDl4jX-68S_8EPhmu/s400/IMG_5590.jpg" /></a></div>
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I bought this dresser from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MyHappyPlacebyDeannaCheriese" target="_blank">My Happy Place by Deanna Cheriese</a>. It is a 1936 dresser that she painted using the Annie Sloan chalk paint at a seriously reasonable price!! I wish I could buy all my furniture from her.</div>
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One of the major reasons I love the bunks is there is still room to play in the room!! Not a ton, but enough!!</div>
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This is going to be hard to believe, but the girls did not fight over who slept where… Ivy on top, Sidney in the middle and Brie on the bottom. I was shocked, but went with it! This is the place that is theirs alone, so they do not switch around. They haven't even asked!</div>
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And in case you want to know… Quilts, pillow shams and drapes from Pottery Barn Kids, Pink lattice sheets and green Euro pillows from The Company Store, light fixture from Ikea, rug from Overstock.com</div>
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8a. <a href="http://familylovehome.blogspot.com/2012/09/diy-wooden-book-crate.html" target="_blank">DIY Wooden Book Crate from Family Love Home Blog!</a> We desperately needed a book storage solution in the girls room and I ran across this cute little book crate tutorial! Super easy and perfect size. I painted it the same color as the walls, where in hindsight I would have done a contrasting color…</div>
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Brie helping me paint.</div>
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I still haven't done wall decorations and as it's been over a year I wonder if I'll get around to it at all… hmmmm…</div>
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9. Start the process again for the boys room… Build. (Their room was already green, so I just left it. Sherwin Williams 6710 -- Melange Green.)</div>
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10. Paint bunk beds. (I started with SW 6524 -- Commodore, but it was too blue, so I had them darken it until it was more navy.)</div>
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11. Assemble.</div>
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12. Decorate again… Yippee!!</div>
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Mitchell sleeps on top. Luke in the middle. And cousins on the bottom.<br />
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Again, if you want to know… Quilts, pillow shams and drapes from Pottery Barn Kids, Star sheets from The Company Store, rug from Target.<br />
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And again, haven't gotten around to wall decor…<br />
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13. DIY light fixture. I fell in love with this navy and white striped light fixture from <a href="http://www.shadesoflight.com/deck-stripe-shade_pendant-light.html" target="_blank">Shades of Light</a>, but I was already over budget for the room and just couldn't justify an extra $200!!! So, I searched for tutorials on how to make one. The one I found was gluing ribbon on the lamp shade, but since the only cheap white shade I could find (from Ikea) wasn't the same circumference top to bottom the ribbon bubbled. So I ended up just painting a blue strip on the top and bottom and calling it a day. Not perfect, but cute!<br />
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14. Try to tame the lego disaster… I stole this idea from my organizing sensei, my sister, Amy… Plastic organizers from The Container Store. Believe it or not, this has kept the lego messes minimal. Before they were all in a huge bucket and the boys would dump the entire thing out every day and it getting them to clean it up was like murder!!<br />
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So… if you ever were curious how a quintuplet family squeezes into a small house, now you know!! </div>
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Keepin' it real…</div>
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1. I still HATE changing the sheets.</div>
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2. The rooms normally look like a tornado blew through them.</div>
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3. As cute as the light fixtures are, I really miss the ceiling fans…. Two words… Texas. Summer.</div>
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I am so, so proud of Stephen for being able to build these!! He truly is amazing and the kids absolutely LOVE them!!</div>
Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-29313760958372829422013-05-13T19:50:00.002-07:002013-05-13T19:50:52.039-07:00Makeover!I have been getting my hair cut at <a href="http://www.theupperhand.com/" target="_blank">The Upper Hand - River Oaks</a> for what seems like forever! Even though I moved out to the burbs ages ago, I still drive back into town because I can't leave them. Maybe it's the chocolate chip cookies... or the wine.... or maybe Tony, who is hands down the best hair washer EVA... or Rachel, the owner, who makes you feel so welcome. They seriously rock, if you need a new salon!!<br />
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My hair dresser, Jessica, is AMAZING.... She has been by my side through thick and thin. Job Stuff, Boy Stuff, Fertility Junk, Raising kids... She knows it all. Really, why do I feel the need to share my deepest secrets the minute my bum hits the chair?? She even makes last minute house calls when I am desperate for me AND the kids! (Here is when she came to give the babies their <a href="http://howellquints.blogspot.com/2009/09/first-haircut.html" target="_blank">first haircut!</a>)<br />
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Several times, I have been in the salon and have seen TV cameras rolling. A show called <a href="http://livewellnetwork.com/Mirror-Mirror/7624630" target="_blank">Mirror Mirror </a>on The Live Well Network comes into to film short segments every now and then... Tips on beauty products, hair/nail/skin care, etc.<br />
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Back in December, Jessica called me and said that they were wanting to do a makeover for a deserving mom and that they immediately thought of me. (so sweet!) My initial reaction was no thank you... from being burned in the beginning, we have declined all show/publicity offers... Plus the last thing I wanted was a new blond crew cut. Ha! But after Jessica described that it was a mild makeover, more of a pampering day and after she told me all of the fun products I would be introduced too (and get to keep!) my love of all things beauty beat out my aversion to being on TV and I said YES!<br />
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They came and filmed my morning routine.... Rebecca, the host of Mirror Mirror was ADORABLE! She was like my new BFF instantly! Having cameras in your face was somewhat flustering... And having 3 extra people in a tight space wreaked havoc on our factory-line routine, but I got through it only sound like a dork a few times.... I feel compelled to tell you that the clip makes my house seem WAY more chaotic that it really is.... Creative editing or the kids were off/wound up because of the excitement.... Probably a bit of both!<br />
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Ellen and Rebecca</div>
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Ivy, Mitchell, Luke, Brie, Sidney</div>
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Then we went to the salon.... SO much fun. <br />
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My faves:<br />
1- Color/shine rinse that I have been wanting forever! It gave my hair just a boost of color and the shine took some of the dull mousy out.<br />
2 - Product called LiBrow. My eyebrows are turning Gray!! What the heck?? I was thinking about dying them, but Rachel gave me LiBrow which is a serum that darkens and thickens them. Am loving it!<br />
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My not-so-faves:<br />
1. The pink lip stick.<br />
2. The cheesy hair toss for the after pic. <br />
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I really had such a good time and truly felt so special! Everyone was so amazing!<br />
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Stephen bolted before they got there that morning... Just "happened" to have a really early meeting... :) But he did take me out and splurge on a fancy dinner!! Thanks Aunt Mimi for watching the bittys!!!<br />
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HERE IS THE CLIP!!! <br />
<a href="http://livewellnetwork.com/Mirror-Mirror/episodes/Mom-of-Quintuplets-Gets-Makeover/9097063" target="_blank">http://livewellnetwork.com/Mirror-Mirror/episodes/Mom-of-Quintuplets-Gets-Makeover/9097063</a><br />
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-29877318728595167942013-05-13T11:32:00.000-07:002013-05-13T11:32:24.173-07:00Mamas!Being a mom is definitely the hardest, most rewarding job I have ever had! Am loving it!!<br />
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Am so blessed that I've had a great role model that has paved the road for me....</div>
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Nain</div>
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Am so blessed to have two mother-in-laws that would do ANY thing for us...<br />
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Nonna</div>
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MaMa Jude</div>
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And am so blessed to have two amazing, strong grandmas...<br />
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MawMaw</div>
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GG</div>
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My heart is full! Love you all!!</div>
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Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-41261838036173201312013-04-22T11:23:00.000-07:002013-04-22T11:23:22.871-07:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Easter was a whirl wind weekend... not surprising as everything is whirl wind in our lives. I am starting to think that it is me... I get so busy with so much of nothing and then I realize Easter is this weekend, so we must pack every craft, baking, decorating, fun activity that I thought of (or saw on Pinterest) into 3 days! Most of the time half of them don't get done and put on my list for next year when I definitely will NOT wait until the last minute.</div>
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Saturday we spent with Stephen's side of the family...</div>
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Ivy, Mitchell, Brie, Luke and Sidney</div>
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(Lalaloopsy dolls... cute or creepy? I vote cute, Stephen votes Creepy!) </div>
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Stephen's cousin Lisa hosted this year... This girl can throw a party! She is my soul mate when it comes to party planning! (Except she actually implements the things that have to go on my list for next year!) We had brunch, which is my most favorite meal EVER and had fun just hanging out, playing and hunting eggs....<br />
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Goodies</div>
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Girl Cousins<br />
Laura, Elle, Lisa</div>
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Stephen and Ivy</div>
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Briellen is obsessed with Ava's room... She only left once for the egg hunt!</div>
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Wild Boy Cousins</div>
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Luke - Mitchell</div>
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Ethan - Jacob</div>
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MawMaw with her girls</div>
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Kaeli Sidney Ava</div>
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It truly is hysterical how excited the kids get before the egg hunt! They seriously can not wait for the door to open... and when it does, watch out!<br />
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All of the Cousins</div>
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My philosophy on events where candy is available in mass quantities -- Let them open it all, gorge themselves and then at the end of the day toss it ALL. First of all, it eliminates the fight of, "You can only open X amount of eggs... Okay only 1 more... Well, one last one..." Second, it eliminates the consistent pestering of wanting candy on the subsequent days. Lastly (and probably the most honest reason,) is I would eat the entire bag in the night when everyone was sleeping and I was having a pity party and was promising myself I would only have one more!!!!! My philosophy would probably be different if I had a kid who ate themselves sick, but most of my kids eat a few pieces and move on... Most, as in not all, because my Ivy girl is just like her Mama and likes to eat! <br />
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Eating the Loot</div>
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This was our first year to dye eggs together... Definitely not the fun crafty eggs of my years past! It was barely controlled chaos in a vinegar haze. I am hoping they (and me) will have more patience next year. (And maybe I'll have everything already prepared for them next time. Sharing was a titch challenging... It's a miracle none of the buckets were spilled.)<br />
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Girls</div>
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Boys</div>
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Thanks Nonna for helping me!!</div>
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Final Products</div>
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(Ummmm... Mitchell, really?)</div>
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Aunt Laura had a cute idea of planting jelly beans.... Then the next morning the kids go out and they have grown into lolly pops!<br />
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Planting Jelly Beans</div>
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All Planted...</div>
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Looking at the Lollypops</div>
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Lollypops! </div>
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I got the girls leotards because they have been asking to go to gymnastics or dance class because they want to wear leotards... So I thought that if I just got them the leotards, I could buy myself some time... but I am sure you can guess that I was way wrong... Now it's even worse!<br />
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Easter Day we went to church and then family lunch at my parents house. Every meal is an event at my parents... Tons of incredible food and amazing friends and family... Love seeps from every crevice of that home!!<br />
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Papa and Nain</div>
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(Have I told you that Nain (said like the number 9) is Welsh for Grandma.... My mom is half Welsh.)</div>
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Uncle Neal, Bibi and Aunt Mimi</div>
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(Bibi is "Aunt" in Balinese)</div>
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Girls</div>
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Our "little" Fam!</div>
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Mimi Brynne and Aiden</div>
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These two are inseparable!</div>
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Luke </div>
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Sidney</div>
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"Do you like my hat?"</div>
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My parents yard is perfect for egg hunts! We hide eggs in front in really hard places for Margaret's boys and eggs in the back for the little kids.</div>
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Look at all this space!</div>
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And here they are waiting/ off again!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1xjcjEmWmRaKohAbxgkYKKcbb16zvADrOsvc7Gpvr_X4hIOZmhCOd8ulIEwGDWWOYr0R8Ya8RXlwzeorBzThjOLP-2fQ9AZJjE7WYdgcqOqbZFzkQneqUVerILOcTh6jDF4OJgFw/s1600/2013-03-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1xjcjEmWmRaKohAbxgkYKKcbb16zvADrOsvc7Gpvr_X4hIOZmhCOd8ulIEwGDWWOYr0R8Ya8RXlwzeorBzThjOLP-2fQ9AZJjE7WYdgcqOqbZFzkQneqUVerILOcTh6jDF4OJgFw/s400/2013-03-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't know who had more fun... us hiding the eggs or the kids finding them!</div>
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Brie</div>
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Sooze and Aim</div>
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Mitchell</div>
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Aunt Mar helping with the hunt</div>
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The Wagners -- Our besties... Love them!</div>
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Clever spot to hide and egg, Uncle Neal</div>
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Uncle Damon going all out to hide eggs!</div>
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Trying to get egg hidden a little to well...</div>
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Still trying...</div>
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Ivy tried and did NOT want to get down until she got it out...</div>
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And of course, our fabulous bunny cookie from Mrs. Sandy! Our friend from church who came to help me every week, when the babies came home!! <br />
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<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-18779530184879395172013-04-11T10:16:00.001-07:002013-04-11T10:54:17.166-07:00Happy Nothing Day!<div style="text-align: left;">
It was stormy and FREEZING this morning and we had no where to be and nothing to do and it felt AH-mazing!!</div>
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So what did our nothing include??<br />
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Lighting a fire and watching TV...</div>
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Making a huge mess of our playroom...<br />
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Wearing our superhero costumes all morning...<br />
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Playing in the massive piles of furniture stacked around the house...<br />
(We are in the process of making bunk beds... more to come on that massive project!)<br />
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Drinking lots of coffee and wearing NO makeup...<br />
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I know at the end of the day I will feel like I got nothing accomplished, but for now I am going to enjoy!</div>
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</script>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-34816589562054141292013-04-06T18:02:00.000-07:002013-04-07T19:20:06.704-07:0045 Years!!Dear Dad and Mom --<br />
<br />
I can't even begin to describe how wonderful it is to be your child!! To be a part of this amazing family that you two have built... To watch year after year how you deal together with all that life throws your way (and it's been a lot!) and get stronger and stronger because of it... To want to mold my own life and marriage after what I see.<br />
<br />
Here are just a few things that I have learned from you guys:<br />
<br />
-Stand up for each other no matter what.<br />
-Love each other unconditionally... ugly faults and all.<br />
-Say "I love you," "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you" often.<br />
-Love the Lord first and foremost.<br />
-Do the right thing, no matter the cost.<br />
-Make your home a haven... full of love, security and fun.<br />
-Dance when you have the chance. <br />
-Be loyal.<br />
-Drink wine.<br />
<br />
You've always said that the greatest gift you can give your child is to love each other... Now that I am old enough, I really get it and I believe it! Thank you for giving us that!<br />
<br />
Happy 45th!! I love you with all of my heart!<br />
Elle<br />
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Nain and Papa</div>
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My sweet romantic dad buys my mom 1 red rose for every year that they are married! This is what 45 look like!! Is 8 years too late for me to start some tradition like this?!?</div>
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Flashback to 25th Anniversary!</div>
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P.S. And lest you think they are perfect, I will divulge a secret... my mom becomes insanely furious when my dad eats the entire box of her weight watchers fudge bars... in one sitting.<br />
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-81020641447523309302013-03-22T13:08:00.001-07:002013-03-22T13:34:09.750-07:00Why oh why...Am I still blowing out the knees of my pants?!? <br />
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Must be cleaning up the playroom... Boycotting this responsibility effective immediately!<br />
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RIP, my beloved... Too bad cut off jean shorts aren't still in style! Oh wait, the 80's are coming back... (I kid!)<br />
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The number of designer jeans in my closet are dwindling at an alarming rate... Hmmm... Maybe I'll sell the toys in the playroom and kill two birds with one stone!! <br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-15044707953571196902013-03-14T11:37:00.000-07:002013-04-07T19:23:48.030-07:00Three Sisters<br />
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Three Sister's</h1>
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© Francis I. Gillespie</div>
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We are three sisters<br />
Three sisters are we<br />
I love each of you,<br />
And I know you love me<br />
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We’re not always together,<br />
Life sometimes keeps us apart.<br />
But we're never separated<br />
We’re in each other's heart.<br />
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Now I know we've had our troubles,<br />
But we always get thru.<br />
The real message is you love me,<br />
And I also love you.<br />
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We have had lots of good times<br />
That we'll never forget<br />
Sometimes we worry<br />
And sometimes we fret<br />
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But if God ever gave me<br />
Something special you see,<br />
It might have been the blessing of,<br />
Three sisters are we.<br />
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The Lord above has gave me lots<br />
Of happiness and glee<br />
But the most special thing he did was<br />
Make us sisters, all three.</div>
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Update: I FINALLY found a picture of my mom and my fabulous Aunties!! Too adorable for words!<br />
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Margie, Gwladys and Katie</div>
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<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-66615596563186108552013-02-28T13:28:00.001-08:002013-02-28T13:28:21.934-08:00What To Do During Kids Nap?There are a MILLION things I should do... Laundry, paperwork, housework, exercise, shower, etc.<br /><br />There a HUNDRED MILLION things I want to do... Read my book, play on the computer, watch junk tv, reorganize my shoes, shop online, plan my next vacation, etc. <br /><br />And there is what I did today...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/28/1661.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/28/s_1661.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Trying to be proactive and make a healthy din-din for my family, I figured I could spend 30 min of my oh-so-precious alone time cooking.<br /><br />Note that the active time in above recipe is 30 minutes. It's a LIE! It took me every bit of the 2.5 hours the kids were asleep to make these stupid quinoa cakes!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/28/1662.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/28/s_1662.jpg' border='0' width='264' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I tried one and they were delish, but would I ever make them again? Never, ever, ever... <br /><br />Would my opinion be different if I had made them with Stephen helping me with a bottle of Pinot? Maybe...<br /><br />My two little sleepers slept for 3 hours today...<br /><br />Luke<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/28/1663.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/28/s_1663.jpg' border='0' width='153' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Sidney<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/28/1664.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/28/s_1664.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The others chillin...<br /><br />Mitchell<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/28/1665.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/28/s_1665.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Briellen<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/28/1666.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/28/s_1666.jpg' border='0' width='226' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Ivy<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/28/1667.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/28/s_1667.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='264' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Since they are almost 5, I toss around the idea of dropping their nap, but can't bring myself to do it! They still go to bed at 7:30, so I am not very motivated to do it! Thoughts?<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-36082583998409980132013-02-19T12:23:00.000-08:002013-02-19T12:23:00.006-08:00My Little DudesWe split the kids up this weekend... Girls with Daddy to lay some sort of plastic something in the church grass (and to play at Nain's across the street.) And the boys stayed at home with me to get my chores done. [We totally planned for it to be the girls with me and the boys with Stephen, but when it all shook out, the boys wanted to stay and girls wanted to go]<br />
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It is always so much fun having a couple all to myself... Experiencing what I think is "so simple" and seeing the different dynamics between the two when the others are not around. {Now, my girls with only two children... I KNOW that life with two is not always simple and can be just as crazy as mine, but it just SEEMS like it when I have any number less than five at any given moment!}<br />
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And being with only boys is an experience I treasure... especially, when before children I thought I only wanted girls! I would DIE without my boys and love every beastly minute with them!!!<br />
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(Again, WHY are my iphone pics so stinking blurry!?!)<br />
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Snack Time</div>
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Being a Worm</div>
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Playing Whale Rescue</div>
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(I love how close they play to each other!)</div>
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Building Forts</div>
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Dance Cardio with me!</div>
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(<a href="http://tracyandersonmethod.com/metamorphosis/?ref=main-menu" target="_blank">Tracy Anderson Method</a> -- Give me a few months and I'll let you know if it's worth it.)</div>
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Luke's Robot Dance Cardio</div>
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Enjoyed my day with boys!!!<br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-52472297178431036152013-02-16T10:34:00.000-08:002013-02-16T10:37:48.053-08:00Another 40th Celebration!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am so lucky that my best friend and sister, Amy, married someone that I ADORE! Damon is an amazing friend and I love him with all of my heart! (We joke that I am his sister-wife, because I am around them so much! HA!)</div>
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The old goat turned 40 this year, so we spent the day celebrating with all of our best friends! </div>
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First stop <a href="http://kungfusaloon.com/houston/" target="_blank">Kung Fu Saloon</a>, which is a cute little spot on Washington that has fun games, like giant Jenga, giant 4 Squares and free Skee ball and amazing fried pickles. (Stay away from the jalapeno poppers, huh, girls?!?)</div>
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Baby Sister Marg, Amy and Damon, Stephen and me, Dana and Chris</div>
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Skee Ball</div>
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Next stop... <a href="http://www.hotelzaza.com/#houston?s_kwcid=TC|1026684|hotel%20zaza%20houston||S|e|28655942259" target="_blank">ZaZa</a>! We LOVE this hotel and stay there as often as we can! Amy and Damon got a suite so we could all get ready for the night without going home!<br />
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Yellow Sisters</div>
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Ready for the Night!</div>
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Amy, Me, Dana, Marg</div>
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Birthday Boy</div>
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(Had to get the flower chandelier in the pic!)</div>
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Dinner at <a href="http://sparrowhouston.com/" target="_blank">Sparrow</a>.... Best brussel sprouts EVA!<br />
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Getting Crazy with the Beaker Water</div>
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I forgot the name of this bar, but they made the martinis and then sent them through this bank shoot... crazy!</div>
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Last stop was the <a href="http://reddoormidtown.com/" target="_blank">Red Door</a>... revamped for those of you who remember it from our youth. It always makes me laugh when we do things that are clearly for the younger set... Although we have a blast just being with each other, we definitely show our age... It was FREEZING, too loud, too crowded and too many young people drinking too much... </div>
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Dana and Me</div>
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The Girls!</div>
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(Notice how close we are sitting... So cold!)</div>
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We missed all of our besties that couldn't come!! </div>
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D... you are SO loved and I can't wait to see what the next 40 years brings!!</div>
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p.s. (Why are my iphone pics so blurry?!?)</div>
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p.s.s. (Esteban and Uncle Jim, why are the no pics of you??)</div>
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<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-47437963994492865922013-02-05T05:47:00.000-08:002013-02-05T08:32:15.081-08:00Rainbow Just last week my munchkins were complaining that they had never seen a rainbow... Well, yesterday their wish came true! Our power went out, so despite the drizzle and wetness, we went outside to escape the stuffiness of the house. They were having a blast jumping in puddles and getting soaked when I noticed the biggest rainbow!<br />
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One of the things I love most about being a mother is experiencing things through my children's eyes! How the ordinary can seem so extraordinary when looking from a different perspective! <br />
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They were so excited and I was so excited... Happy moment!<br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneEllehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-70210908592136844402013-01-31T18:09:00.003-08:002013-01-31T18:09:56.721-08:00Catch up! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just Blogged about Halloween! But because I dated it in October it doesn't show up first... <a href="http://howellquints.blogspot.com/2012/10/halloween-festivities.html" target="_blank">Click HERE to read!!!</a> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-72210926989598152872013-01-10T11:46:00.000-08:002013-01-15T11:47:29.441-08:00The Tooth Fairy Visits Unexpectedly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ivy bumped her tooth about a year ago... I don't even remember how it happened, I just remember one day seeing that behind the tooth was gray. The dentist said yes, the tooth was dead and as long it didn't change colors and there was no pain we wouldn't have to pull it. I have been over protective of that tooth for a year... I can't tell you how many times I've yelled "HER TOOTH" when she is wrestling with her dad or "YOUR TOOTH" when she is carelessly swinging a toy around. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, the inevitable happened and she bonked it again. I randomly noticed one day a fistula on her gums. A fistula looks like a juicy pimple... The dentist had told me to be on the look out. It is a miracle that I even saw it, it was so high up on her gums. A mother's intuition always amazes me... Like God telling me to check her gums even though I didn't know I needed to!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took her back to the dentist right away and sure enough the x-ray revealed an abcess that was infected. (The fistula is the infected junk trying to drain.) So that baby had to come out.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I can't even explain to you how upset I was.... I am not sure even why!! But as I was by myself, I sucked it up and found a happy face and made it seem like this was the best thing that could ever happen to Ivy. (I cringe when I think of how over the top I was talking about loosing her first tooth and the tooth fairy in the dentist office!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was such a trooper... Afraid and weeping, but none of the epic Ivy throw downs that she is known for at home when she anticipates something hurting her. (i.e. She acted like we were going to saw her foot off one time she had a splinter and Stephen had to get it out with a needle.) Aunt Mimi met us at the dentist and we had a special play date at Chick-fil-a! (I NEVER take my kids inside to play and they ALWAYS want to go, so it was a big deal for her to get to go in...)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because I was totally unprepared for a tooth fairy visit, we didn't have a special tooth fairy pillow or gold coins or anything else fancy, but she seemed to be just as happy with a dollar. (I was going to over compensate with $20, but Stephen kept me in check.) I think a second tooth will be the new big deal tradition in our house.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was reflecting on why I was/am so emotional about this and I think it is twofold. One, loosing a tooth is a big milestone for a kid... it means you are a big kid! I don't think I am ready for her to be a big kid yet! Two, this happened too early and so in some part of my mind I consider it as something "bad" happening to her. I want so badly to protect all of my children from anything bad.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you are curious about the fistula... here is what is looked like. ICK!</span></div>
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<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-16674302799820413112012-11-13T07:06:00.000-08:002012-11-13T07:06:11.988-08:00Happy Anniversary!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8 years with my love! Never been happier!!!</span></div>
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<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-32994824296709277582012-10-31T13:31:00.000-07:002013-01-31T18:03:16.212-08:00Halloween Festivities!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- PUMPKIN PATCH #1 -</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of our favorite places to go at Halloween time is the Oil Ranch, however, the particular Saturday we had planned on going it was closed for a private party! We saw that the Old Time Christmas Tree Farm had a pumpkin patch as well, so we headed off with our cousins.... </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn't my fave... (who makes you have a ticket and a time limit for a bouncy house?? The one thing you can NOT keep a kid out of??) But we made the most of it! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spooky Spider</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ivy Mitchell Sidney Luke Brie</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWCmNiJgPjS30lkOq8kSlf4hUsZNNp40Iz9pbOKkMCFd2UfsegXAht8e5QcN8ZU6Fb1TOs8CboeljuQYqsSgkXBs3Z319A6IcB7xZQ5k0OFR_O4RiVs4EiP3P9t-PaCSQ04XC8jV1/s1600/DSC08408.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWCmNiJgPjS30lkOq8kSlf4hUsZNNp40Iz9pbOKkMCFd2UfsegXAht8e5QcN8ZU6Fb1TOs8CboeljuQYqsSgkXBs3Z319A6IcB7xZQ5k0OFR_O4RiVs4EiP3P9t-PaCSQ04XC8jV1/s400/DSC08408.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Cousins!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stephen Luke and MawMaw</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Train Ride</span> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me with Briellen Sidney and Mitchell</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- PUMPKIN PATCH #1 -</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right around the corner from our house is an adorable pumpkin patch at the Methodist Church... They dress up their pumpkins in all types of themes. (Star Wars, College Football, Sesame Street, Happy Feet, etc.) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sidney Briellen</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ivy Mitchell Luke</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Happy Halloween" as they throw hay in the air...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And they wondered why hay was in EVERY nook and cranny!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- TODDLER PARTY - </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had our 4th annual Toddler party at our house this year. (I guess it's not really a toddler party, huh?) This is a way for all of our girlfriends to get together to see all the kids dressed up, but still be able to go trick-or-treating in our own neighborhoods on actual Halloween night.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have always decorated my house for Halloween, but it has always been more Fall-ish. Think pumpkins, gourds, etc. But because everyone seems to go all out with their decorations in our hood, my kids kept asking when I was going to decorate "spooky." Since I am not a huge fan of spooky, I decided that the toddler party would be a spooky party and that way they would get their spooky and I would only have to see it one night! (p.s. turns out spooky decorating is fun!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course, I spent too much time on pinterest and found fun foods to do. (Eye-ball cake pops, mummy pig-in-a-blankets, PB&J finger sandwiches and of course, Damon brought a signature cocktail - Candy-corn Cocktails! (Vodka infused with candy corn... very yum!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The AVENGERS</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Iron Man and Wasp</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Mom Thor and Dad Hawkeye</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ivy Brie Sidney Mitchell Luke</span> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Dyers</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(with Baby Nolan on board)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Fab Farleys</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Wagners</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More than meet the eye...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Hares</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kids reaction to seeing Uncle Neal like this was PRICELESS!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I couldn't stop laughing!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing like an Uncle getting IN the bouncy house with you...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Girls</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hid bones in the backyard for the kids to find...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Halloween version of an Easter egg hunt!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fuzzy Pic, but LOVE my sis and brother!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- BOOED - </span> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One day our door bell rang and this was at our door, filled with goodies and a note saying "You've been BOO-ed!" </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had never heard of it before and thought it was such a fun idea! Basically, once you've been boo-ed you put together 2 "boo" bags and deliver them to 2 people without being seen and then you hang a sign on your door saying "We've been BOO-ed!" (Details here... <a href="http://www.beenbooed.com/" target="_blank">http://www.beenbooed.com/</a>)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- BLOCK PARTY -</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seriously </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">live on the best street ever! Awesome cul-de-sac with amazing neighbors! We all got together in the street the weekend before Halloween to hang out and be together!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brie and Laylah - B/F/F</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loving Coopers Car Box</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are TONS of kid on our street (30ish) and they all get along really well. Love it! (Trust me, we have our "She took my toy" or "She's being a tattle tale" or "He hit me in the face with a stick" but it's in a manageable quantity.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- SCHOOL PARTY -</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love some Ms. Raiza and Ms. Sarai!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ivy, Brie, Luke, Mitchell, Sid</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- CARVING PUMPKINS -</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It takes FOREVER to get a pumpkin carved when 10 little hands want to help with all of the work... Totally had to find my patient hat.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally pulled out the paint and let them paint little pumpkins, so I could work on ours...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A spooky pumpkin per request!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">- TRICK OR TREATING -</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The actual night of Halloween, Stephen took the kids up and down the street and I stayed to pass out candy... Love that my cul-de-sac peeps stayed outside with me!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attacking Mr. Dave for candy!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Off they go...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A lesson learned this year... Do not buy expensive Halloween shirts. I did this for the girls and made them wear them to every possible Halloween event. Got a little old and it makes looking a pics more boring. Would much rather by a couple of cheapies!</span></div>
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Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-17819790671323781862012-09-07T08:48:00.001-07:002012-09-07T08:48:31.697-07:00PreschoolI love seeing everyones back to school pics! So here is mine!!<br /><br />Mitchell, Ivy, Sidney, Luke, Brie<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/07/937.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/07/s_937.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='232' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After almost two weeks of no school, I was out of practice getting everyone out of the door on time with lunches packed, hair brushed and teeth cleaned and I forgot how bad traffic can be after summer! But we all survived and I only got one "you're mean, mommy." <br /><br />Now... What am I going to do with my day?!? <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-24434642999416763042012-09-05T12:42:00.000-07:002012-09-05T12:42:43.171-07:00Summa Summa Summa Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I almost stopped blogging.... For real! Not just a whoops-two-months-went-by hiatus, like I normally do but a total delete of my blog. No more. Nada. You see, some CRAY CRAY person took my pictures and started their own blog. They stole my stories as their own... They even were pretending to be me on some on-line forums. CREEPY! Now, I never felt in danger. Just really creeped out! In the end, I decided just to move on. I had Google take down their blog and I called the DA's office and they are looking into it, but I didn't want to waste one more second of my energy worrying about it or thinking about it. And ultimately, I love my blog. It's like my journal of (most) everything that has happened in the last 4 years. I refuse to let some weirdo keep me from doing what I love!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SO, with that being said, I am going to tell you in one post about our summer and how I did (or not did) with our bucket list!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. If you are a creepy person, please stop reading and go away! (hee-hee.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had SUCH good intentions starting off the summer. I made my list and started checking things off. But as with everything I do, life gets in the way and I procrastinate and then we have one week left and I am hustling trying to cram something everyday!! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The majority of our summer time was spent in the pool! (They don't wear floaties anymore... I'll blog about their swim lessons later.) I am SO thankful that we bought a house with a pool! It really made the summer more bearable.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ivy, Mitchell, Luke, Sidney and Brie</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also LOVE our community pool... Awesome lazy river and splash pad for the little ones. I did not love the blue slides you see in the background of the below pic. The kids would want to slide, then get to the top and get scared and start crying and then be afraid to climb down and cause a major traffic jam. Then the ones that finally would go down wouldn't swim very well to the side, so I would be in the water waiting at the bottom of slide and not be able to help fix the traffic jam at the top and... OY, I am tired just thinking about it!! Needless to say, I quickly put the Kibosh on the blue slides.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our sweet neighbors went with us our first time and it was awesome with the older ones watching and entertaining the little ones. (Not to mention managing the blue slide chaos!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Laylah, Jake, Luke and Sidney with Mine </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFA5gskIViC33leSL4UhqGYBfi4ijLvKjo1ASLFAK330hK8_XKx1ddK6Zh5jCmrbfdmVNs3n94dzGwgJevpPOqfm7xUvXw1Zm6mc_M08i796cBAb6vfb6XEGtoKYAxLZKSNaVX_5B/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFA5gskIViC33leSL4UhqGYBfi4ijLvKjo1ASLFAK330hK8_XKx1ddK6Zh5jCmrbfdmVNs3n94dzGwgJevpPOqfm7xUvXw1Zm6mc_M08i796cBAb6vfb6XEGtoKYAxLZKSNaVX_5B/s400/IMG_1297.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We played outside a lot.... How many babies does it take to teeter-totter??</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kids went to summer school two days a week, so there were really only a few weeks where I had to figure out how to run my errands with them. I guess because I have gotten used to it, I always wonder why we get so much attention. Then I took this picture and saw what others see and got it. It kinda is a lot of kids! (Plus, we have to rotate seats frequently, so we are not the quietest of shoppers!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQw8sQXsLnvE_Z6t2as8IVe32WKLtCNXkLcjulgjG6NbcaV8S-TPf9EHpDJHNwapsWAI8oo6qbkJzMKmIsATB9OHcY6Vz7r3DhRM_z6m-kPTh609xj4ZVWgcIAC1XkfsCf_QOCGZiZ/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQw8sQXsLnvE_Z6t2as8IVe32WKLtCNXkLcjulgjG6NbcaV8S-TPf9EHpDJHNwapsWAI8oo6qbkJzMKmIsATB9OHcY6Vz7r3DhRM_z6m-kPTh609xj4ZVWgcIAC1XkfsCf_QOCGZiZ/s400/IMG_1292.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the items on our bucket list that I was SO excited to do was go to the beach to build a sand castle. I really wanted to rent a house for a week, but </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">apparently </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so did all of Houston. There was nothing, nothing, nothing available. (I should probably plan for next year now, but I don't think it's in my DNA to plan that far ahead.) We ended up deciding to go to the beach for just a day... We had been to Surfside before and it was so much better than Galveston in terms of clean beach and clear(ish) water that we decided to go there again. Well, we get there and all we see is piles and piles of seaweed! NO sandy beach. It was like a two feet drop off from the top of the seaweed into the water! We decided to make the most of it and it was our Uncle Damon who made the day more bearable by persistently hacking the seaweed to make a path to the ocean and by bringing his fantastic sangria!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This doesn't even do the huge amounts of seaweed justice!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For several weeks in the middle of the summer, it rained, no, it poured every day here in Houston. So we put on our rubber boots and stomped around and used mason jars to catch the obscene amount of bugs that the water brought. (I had to be very intentionally not squeamish during this process because I do not want my kids to be afraid of bugs. Of anything for that matter...)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mitchell, Brie, Ivy, Luke and Sidney</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the retainage ditch by our house... Completely full!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W1bQ7JzRwWnkMKpUKFIcd6ivRUeKvfAAA0fpXSoNCMgJnyTSFnLpNhqA453rzxh5W3YQoOVXcFmV1OiSIMoaTDS9oNMN-pFrX5Ke31n_OWKCv32ROLey11Tkq9vkmuHF3g1Ldpvp/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W1bQ7JzRwWnkMKpUKFIcd6ivRUeKvfAAA0fpXSoNCMgJnyTSFnLpNhqA453rzxh5W3YQoOVXcFmV1OiSIMoaTDS9oNMN-pFrX5Ke31n_OWKCv32ROLey11Tkq9vkmuHF3g1Ldpvp/s400/IMG_1258.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Catching and Drinking Rain Water</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kSeTjgUsE7XMvfxR0tx2jP-c8B_nyRfkGEUCcc9mLMw6d40BbM9xFiY76RfpWUkMwrnRhidRFsCGlxQQqYAvh5yH8vNOd9g4SbGE57Bjt367xKs3XySSm3gzKmWz7uIhHU9Qvts6/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kSeTjgUsE7XMvfxR0tx2jP-c8B_nyRfkGEUCcc9mLMw6d40BbM9xFiY76RfpWUkMwrnRhidRFsCGlxQQqYAvh5yH8vNOd9g4SbGE57Bjt367xKs3XySSm3gzKmWz7uIhHU9Qvts6/s400/IMG_1269.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also found a farmers market this summer! There are plenty in Houston, but I wanted one close. Although this one is teeny, you can order a crate and choose the 10 things that you want and pick it up on Friday and it's only $20!! I always struggle in the grosh about buying organic vs. non-organic and this is a nice little way for me not to even have to think about it and it supports local farmers. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yum!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So cute!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_AN17YbUQKZugkiFWCZ2kh-tzElvNh-J9tgJ5byc1Oi0b6b7tE8ASKsdl8g4mVe-WiMKSPs8nO69EhWlf1wwaSS-C0GNQccizURhECIBsf_Qem0mXjnbO0LmnEcxrSXry66QMrx3/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_AN17YbUQKZugkiFWCZ2kh-tzElvNh-J9tgJ5byc1Oi0b6b7tE8ASKsdl8g4mVe-WiMKSPs8nO69EhWlf1wwaSS-C0GNQccizURhECIBsf_Qem0mXjnbO0LmnEcxrSXry66QMrx3/s400/IMG_1330.JPG" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For July 4th, w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e busted out the surrey</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and went to a parade in our subdivision with our friends RJ and Susan and Eli... It was HOT so thank goodness the parade was short! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Off We Go...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luke, Sidney, Ivy, Brie, Eli and Mitchell</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then my brother and sis, Neal and Alit, had everyone over to their new house in Katy... I LOVE being with my family... Lots of love, amazing food and the best homemade ice cream eva! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish I had taken more pictures because their house is right next door to my parents house. They both have huge back yards that run into each other now! The kids have acres of yard to play in and explore and it so reminds me of growing up and exploring and playing and it makes me happy that my kids have that too. (Especially since our yard is small.) I'll show y'all pics later....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Neal, Marg, Jim, Alit</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Papa's Famous Potato Salad</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Maiden Name is Hare</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Q's in the back of the Green Machine</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Girls</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bibi, MarMar, Mimi, Me and Nain</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went to a bowling birthday party downtown for our cousins Ethan and Ava! First time bowling and they had a BALL! Unfortunately, the cell phone pics look awful... I tried to re-touch but they looked worse! I had to include them because it was such a great time!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ivy, Brie, Sidney, Mitchell and Luke</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did it!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stephen helping get the ball down the lane before we found the big metal "hills" that the kids could roll the ball down.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another unexpected first was riding the escalator! I didn't even realize that we hadn't ever ridden an escalator as a group until we got to the top and I expected everyone to know what to do... It was comical for a minute until Stephen and I came up with a game plan to get everyone on and standing up in one piece. HA! I never touch the side of an escalator, so to see these little hands grappling the sides grosses me out a titch, but I guess that's why they made hand sanitizer, right??</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another cousins </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Kitty </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">birthday party... If my girls weren't already obsessed with Hello Kitty they are now! The life size walking Hello Kitty balloon is asked for daily in our house!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sidney, Ivy, Kaeli, Brie</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the city! Everything about it.. the big buildings, the city noises, the hustle and bustle, the interesting people! I would live there if I could... I always say when we are millionaires, I'll have an apartment in the city in addition to our kid house! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I figured mine were old enough to go exploring our city. So I called my faithful side kick sister Amy and we headed for downtown Houston. Our plan of attack was (a.) ride the light rail, (b.) view the observation deck on the 60th floor of the Chase building and (c.) dinner in a kid friendly restaurant with sand box and view of the light rail for entertainment. But after (a.) and (b.) we were so wiped out and had no more energy for wrangling kids... We will try (c.) another time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kids really loved the adventure and I loved exposing them to new and different things. They saw things they had never seen before, like facial piercings (Mommy, she has sparkles all over her face! - Sidney) and electric wheel chairs (MOM! That chair is moving all by itself! - Mitchell) and an intoxicated weird man wagging his finger in Brie's face after she stuck her tongue out at me. (Not something I was thrilled about, but I haven't seen her do it since. Ha!) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's always amazing to see things through their eyes... Almost like it's your first time experiencing it too!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mitchell, Ivy, Brie, Luke, Aiden, Sideny, Brynne</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Aunt MarMar's Alma Mater </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aunt Mimi With Ivy Brie and Brynne</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Light Rail</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mitchell and Aiden</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me with Sidney and Luke</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amy with the crew in front of (chopped off) Chase Building.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Staring down at the teeny people and cars.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our final outing of the summer... The Blue Bell Creamery. It is about an hour away in a town called Brenham. I loved going here when I was little, so I wondered if it would be the same... It's better! They take you on a tour of the factory to see how all of the ice cream is made and then they let you try the ice cream. I remember having a little individual serving with the pull off lid and a small wooden spoon, but now they have 20 different flavors that you can choose and get a huge portion. And trust me, it doesn't get any better than ice cream right off the line! I think my favorite was Susan's peach cobbler...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have kids and live close, you MUST go! (<a href="http://bluebell.com/the_little_creamery/visiting_blue_bell/VisitBB_Brenham.html" target="_blank">Blue Bell Creamery</a>)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trying all the flavors... Everyone shared with everyone... SO cute!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luke, Sidney, Ivy, Aiden, Brie, Mitchell, Brynne, Eli</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20fxTtgN9ZJ6EK_d8xmmOR7j1N7lVjI2DQ9PPwJW0wbOfm2X-dtWn0ZfV7w-WP8KXwvR7Rfnhm3JA-hPevFdoPOLlcVrc9esMiMTw_HYf9kDKzHEkYn70zDcirrnABVnx3FC4C4R0/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20fxTtgN9ZJ6EK_d8xmmOR7j1N7lVjI2DQ9PPwJW0wbOfm2X-dtWn0ZfV7w-WP8KXwvR7Rfnhm3JA-hPevFdoPOLlcVrc9esMiMTw_HYf9kDKzHEkYn70zDcirrnABVnx3FC4C4R0/s400/IMG_1428.JPG" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My always-by-your-side-helping-chase-kids friends!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me, Amy, Susan</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMz7FwtQ8JfNwxaIoaTeqEc4kgJ7yc_vu3m1p1ZmALSJY2SnklMp7KUpZJDGNwtsR-rcRmCE5Jo50RpDoOnv1iJ55zCj3Rafoir976quJJKJg5QoJgvO54QSWPo47rKe6HARYO2ip/s1600/photo-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMz7FwtQ8JfNwxaIoaTeqEc4kgJ7yc_vu3m1p1ZmALSJY2SnklMp7KUpZJDGNwtsR-rcRmCE5Jo50RpDoOnv1iJ55zCj3Rafoir976quJJKJg5QoJgvO54QSWPo47rKe6HARYO2ip/s400/photo-29.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And lastly, I went through a funk that felt like lasted forever, but realistically was most of the summer! I couldn't shake it. Just going through the motions. Lots of play dates intended but not scheduled, lunches with girlfriends missed and promises not kept and I really hate that. But I am snapping out of it and forgiving myself for a not so perfect summer! I have found my smile and am ready to embrace the fall. (Does that mean pumpkin spice lattes are here?!?)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Peeps and me!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsC0ERij2wXjV0TFXdMdUm5ByrmdbaAOV07eTBZeYP7TMCB6EkLL-LGYqDWoX5njNn7LBBe_g1M_W9tiDeU9JVoSr_0cg3FxIDDqwmC1FDJ-lgCX2Yk4cps7mJo_gJQukaWSPxGDt/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsC0ERij2wXjV0TFXdMdUm5ByrmdbaAOV07eTBZeYP7TMCB6EkLL-LGYqDWoX5njNn7LBBe_g1M_W9tiDeU9JVoSr_0cg3FxIDDqwmC1FDJ-lgCX2Yk4cps7mJo_gJQukaWSPxGDt/s400/IMG_1403.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-46967577856739990682012-08-19T07:16:00.000-07:002013-01-15T19:08:32.138-08:00Brie's Wedding Weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A month after the bach party in San Diego, we all met up in Austin for the big wedding weekend. It was SO much fun to have weekends with my girls two months in a row, but Austin was special because all of the boys were with us and we rarely get to spend time with them. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rehearsal dinner was on a paddle boat on Lady Bird Lake... Honestly, I was kinda dreading this, because Texas in August is miserably hot, but it turned out to to be overcast and a titch breezy. Horrible for good hair, but nice for an outdoor boat ride! We had fun gabbing and mingling with Brie's family.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Girls! (Minus the bride.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Misty, Amy, Ellen, Kimber</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UFFXSzAKmW2NiVUw48CGHdypTeloiKoeku1SjzvYcuFJ5KyPTbSP2N3LPOYmfnFoU6WfZC2hV5uXY5L8P_9_jGnRZ-dPbl2_N0BP-nPSNeiAlEpGorPUmNdTOQLyOqhNEYIXr90s/s1600/DSC08222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UFFXSzAKmW2NiVUw48CGHdypTeloiKoeku1SjzvYcuFJ5KyPTbSP2N3LPOYmfnFoU6WfZC2hV5uXY5L8P_9_jGnRZ-dPbl2_N0BP-nPSNeiAlEpGorPUmNdTOQLyOqhNEYIXr90s/s400/DSC08222.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forgive all of the couple pics, but each of them are so special in their own way... I could write a book on each of them and wish a picture could convey how fabulous they are.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Wilkins</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJOcbsfjps80KGkj_66lSbcvjuVZxIDvPpKOxWrKVUO1yOMzTxY_XAElLaeIK5BQtMAuioel7mhSkWDncMDaRh9DmH2LEm3zc8RLoU40nFb1n5JLWRub599lwQ-zG0AS35_oh37ms/s1600/DSC08225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJOcbsfjps80KGkj_66lSbcvjuVZxIDvPpKOxWrKVUO1yOMzTxY_XAElLaeIK5BQtMAuioel7mhSkWDncMDaRh9DmH2LEm3zc8RLoU40nFb1n5JLWRub599lwQ-zG0AS35_oh37ms/s400/DSC08225.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Reids</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Farleys</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Soon To Be Fergusons</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gx2dCJFN8Nuppy5LtmP9hy4JMlEskVCFDavwWok5BmtLG0Ex9DszdB1MN8x9d6bxgDK2r2Rr05kseNBOQl9l0yKVaw6hsYpPY84BdWHFEuSxO37Hqfyy_ZD-qrQDno2L2Dz_iiN7/s1600/DSC08241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gx2dCJFN8Nuppy5LtmP9hy4JMlEskVCFDavwWok5BmtLG0Ex9DszdB1MN8x9d6bxgDK2r2Rr05kseNBOQl9l0yKVaw6hsYpPY84BdWHFEuSxO37Hqfyy_ZD-qrQDno2L2Dz_iiN7/s400/DSC08241.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course, the Howells</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE-QxtwXadltovvRUc5qq18K2GlO-G0SFN_4yzK5Ob8sJWzR6HOQA4Ll0Hfn1wPMJ75pAbXTN41a5swaUw7tVobfo85MZCuzuPnDJeEC0US3CLpttguJF-gAOZOpyEz9zbVdW1yEh/s1600/DSC08228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE-QxtwXadltovvRUc5qq18K2GlO-G0SFN_4yzK5Ob8sJWzR6HOQA4Ll0Hfn1wPMJ75pAbXTN41a5swaUw7tVobfo85MZCuzuPnDJeEC0US3CLpttguJF-gAOZOpyEz9zbVdW1yEh/s400/DSC08228.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everybody</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n6VlGH99zwPOiQCS9ROTr5y1awAPebki-OrCDL2Ibu8B-0zM_gll2ymwqWQyNuYWHD3qOtmRVCByWBqVbPNVmDiCSHhW2lUYJ3Mo-tGm14tIPVD4ruZ6SNDYzsKtMALZUuJBbmth/s1600/DSC08229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n6VlGH99zwPOiQCS9ROTr5y1awAPebki-OrCDL2Ibu8B-0zM_gll2ymwqWQyNuYWHD3qOtmRVCByWBqVbPNVmDiCSHhW2lUYJ3Mo-tGm14tIPVD4ruZ6SNDYzsKtMALZUuJBbmth/s400/DSC08229.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we were making our way back, we got to see the <a href="http://www.austinbats.com/" target="_blank">Congress Bridge bats</a> fly out for their nightly feeding... we were assured that they fed on bugs not humans. It was amazing to see millions of bats filling the sky... (It took me back to my childhood watching the bats at Carlsbad Caverns.) I couldn't believe they all fit under that bridge. Can you see them below??</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big day we spent the entire day with the girls getting hair and makeup done....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at that hair, Brie!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOiF2rbF0EgZwWc6Zn-Slqnpt02ZqHxmxjz471RbJJRnkj3gwClEpRP0WSnt6zGADGLFx3aljQrHQ7ZMBJZu5tTcVT2I1tbdnfNzsNswfGXaxz80XN9dysReoBbM8poXZfihSJ08Z/s1600/DSC08259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOiF2rbF0EgZwWc6Zn-Slqnpt02ZqHxmxjz471RbJJRnkj3gwClEpRP0WSnt6zGADGLFx3aljQrHQ7ZMBJZu5tTcVT2I1tbdnfNzsNswfGXaxz80XN9dysReoBbM8poXZfihSJ08Z/s400/DSC08259.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trolley came to get us all from the hotel to take us to the wedding. Minor hiccup with the trolley breaking down on the freeway, but a replacement arrived just before we started really sweating. Whew. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had some time on our hands, so lots of trolley pics!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me, Amy, Misty</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brie and her sister Laurie</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old College Roomies -- Apt. 203, y'all!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5far0STHt2pN3Nq0IPQSx0iDvIwwbZFNqcK2MSYphujRu4xBKTnHAqbDSGMhmE8wO__BZyKRb7Kgnp6kP3ksyDImbhflSsxkDh8USvtqhVMYNsrf8D8Q3MIwpzajDQeX4yBHrsJF/s1600/DSC08275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5far0STHt2pN3Nq0IPQSx0iDvIwwbZFNqcK2MSYphujRu4xBKTnHAqbDSGMhmE8wO__BZyKRb7Kgnp6kP3ksyDImbhflSsxkDh8USvtqhVMYNsrf8D8Q3MIwpzajDQeX4yBHrsJF/s400/DSC08275.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting Brie Dressed... Her gown was AWESOME!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGnSD9zNEEsfuBRJwYLLX5eOvaxHKszJp5sPAq16d9ROj7pOoeHkt4MJEcxFy8LypAPITeJntAJCzNuWXjvl62EUf5GCr48uQwyFV-8iT8j4CKq6MAKibd9oxFIEl16c8PRlzC7mA/s1600/DSC08291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGnSD9zNEEsfuBRJwYLLX5eOvaxHKszJp5sPAq16d9ROj7pOoeHkt4MJEcxFy8LypAPITeJntAJCzNuWXjvl62EUf5GCr48uQwyFV-8iT8j4CKq6MAKibd9oxFIEl16c8PRlzC7mA/s400/DSC08291.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wedding was at the Barr Mansion, which was GORGeous! The unfortunate part of being in a wedding is not being able to take pics of the actual wedding. But you can see pictures of the venue <a href="http://www.barrmansion.com/" target="_blank">here</a>!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of after wedding pics...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stephen and me</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amy and Kimber</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The signature drink was a Moscow Mule... You drink these in a copper mug. I had never heard of one until the bach party, but now I see them everywhere!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was in an O magazine when I was at the doctors office.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dancing with Shae just like the good old days...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uP0eMyuWzPi_OtT96CXsa1wqKM5LeIJwGiYvSZjEGcriU-WJ0NHKuRKPIsbmvyRpMk45ojQFcsOphsMPCS3cQf2Q9sWDcu0Op-XPbK5HzGRRHjheiPHHD4NXzosw4FIdkZ8HULTF/s1600/DSC08329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uP0eMyuWzPi_OtT96CXsa1wqKM5LeIJwGiYvSZjEGcriU-WJ0NHKuRKPIsbmvyRpMk45ojQFcsOphsMPCS3cQf2Q9sWDcu0Op-XPbK5HzGRRHjheiPHHD4NXzosw4FIdkZ8HULTF/s400/DSC08329.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">End of a wonderful evening...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP1kQR8zjeph79_GmdxMhyMv70o2prGEgqYL9tAF653Q4vILgYdo49Ru57vigaIOrfrkSJdn606mJmCM4qT7qixF7MG9YHbP6Czuqao4sONHs2euSR3P8dsNvM9JiaEi8UUnq7R9d/s1600/DSC08347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqP1kQR8zjeph79_GmdxMhyMv70o2prGEgqYL9tAF653Q4vILgYdo49Ru57vigaIOrfrkSJdn606mJmCM4qT7qixF7MG9YHbP6Czuqao4sONHs2euSR3P8dsNvM9JiaEi8UUnq7R9d/s400/DSC08347.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stephen and Shae totally stole my camera and these are only two of the jewels that I found!! Totally dorks and I love them!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRWzFiqbhcCdCJdeZYdnUWRPr3g7zH1WDGyPuAZ9KMOqoYHa6HAVWLaBS7ENaaz4IX47GgmsmkZ9o2RmSYlQizEcYMk75lhejaisfusor4mZ44s1bu2omTQgNKsfzv6xyfedoCnyO/s1600/DSC08353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRWzFiqbhcCdCJdeZYdnUWRPr3g7zH1WDGyPuAZ9KMOqoYHa6HAVWLaBS7ENaaz4IX47GgmsmkZ9o2RmSYlQizEcYMk75lhejaisfusor4mZ44s1bu2omTQgNKsfzv6xyfedoCnyO/s400/DSC08353.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, of course, we had to do a jump picture... (This one is by Brie's photographer <a href="http://www.whitneyleephotography.com/" target="_blank">Whitney Lee Photography</a>.) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8JnKf_6jEyIKhKDNVhQRTLmCPf4RK1bXLWoOQhxJL6jqZQthkPOapBbN8c5bRboKLbEbeH1kfKcVeJhfzey6hDJndQ7Nm1_tDr6zgeDsqFtzV6Cb7gGC5mJMJEakwQTlFM0CYRfC/s1600/photo-34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8JnKf_6jEyIKhKDNVhQRTLmCPf4RK1bXLWoOQhxJL6jqZQthkPOapBbN8c5bRboKLbEbeH1kfKcVeJhfzey6hDJndQ7Nm1_tDr6zgeDsqFtzV6Cb7gGC5mJMJEakwQTlFM0CYRfC/s400/photo-34.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been doing this jump forever!! Here is our first one... circa 1999!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054444931293573297.post-54401083091914741802012-07-30T11:56:00.000-07:002012-07-30T11:56:20.034-07:00Progress. Progress. 4YO Update.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to be there fully, completely for each one. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to be able to hold them until they stopped crying.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to listen to them with undivided attention. To hear what they had to say without any distractions or input from others wanting my attention.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to make sure I knew what their favorite book was.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to make sure they weren't worried about something that they never had a chance to bring up.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted them to feel like they were an only child... if only for a few hours.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I did....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took each one to their four year old check up individually and had a lunch date afterwards. It sucked up a whole week for me and I got nothing else done, but I loved every minute of it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>BRIELLEN JEANNETTE</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>29 lbs - 6%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>38" - 16%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out of the five, she is the only one to get a not so glowing review... because she hasn't gained weight since December. The doctor thinks that it's because she was sick so much and that by getting the ear tubes, she will start eating more and gain weight. I'm not so sure... this girl is STUBBORN! It is like an act of congress to get her to even try a bite of anything new. Plus, she has stopped eating peanut butter, so I am SO worried that she will not gain the weight she needs to when we go back to the dr. next month. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing makes you question your parenting ability than a child who is not growing like they should... ugh! ANY advice on how to feed a picky child is greatly appreciated! I think I've tried everything, but maybe the wise moms reading this will tell me something I've missed!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I asked Brie where she wanted to go eat, she said Mexican. So we tried a new place called Alicia's in Cypress... Awesome food! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though she asked for Mexican, she would only eat queso...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish... I could get this girl to eat more food!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>IVY ELIZABETH</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>36 lbs - 60%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>40.5" - 68%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My big girl.... Just like her mama, she likes to eat! Seriously a snacky girl. She would eat all day long if I would let her. We are still on a strict-ish eating schedule, so I don't spend all day in the kitchen, but this girl will ask for something to eat in between all meal and snack times. NOW I know why mom's let their little ones chew gum! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bookstore to get new books... (After this trip, I made getting a library card a priority.) Am grateful that my kids like to read, but sheesh, $15 for a book!?!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She wanted chicken strips french fries and lemonade, so we went to Willie's Icehouse. (It's funny, they ALWAYS think they want lemonade, but HATE it when they drink it.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>LUKE HARRISON</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>34.5 lbs - 33%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>39.5" - 16%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still my serious one, but has a silly side that I find SO endearing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT3IEkg5Ixb0g-WzIBSh1hij0NjybtVqw6uVb4lcf-8h_GsuwFQFXB6qfwYegM5HJTHBw1DkYtj3iRfNm40xMCXCwVvFJ3aLTLwJusMs-N9tFIiVNqOTGTi9_r-q21kiv0RziXsS9XNM/s1600/photo-34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixT3IEkg5Ixb0g-WzIBSh1hij0NjybtVqw6uVb4lcf-8h_GsuwFQFXB6qfwYegM5HJTHBw1DkYtj3iRfNm40xMCXCwVvFJ3aLTLwJusMs-N9tFIiVNqOTGTi9_r-q21kiv0RziXsS9XNM/s640/photo-34.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He chose Mexican food... To mix it up I took him to Gringos (love!) He's my tortilla guy and will eat a million! Gringo's has self serve ice cream and he was in chocolate heaven! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi. My name is Luke. And I am a chocoholic. He tells me a story involving chocolate everyday. (He is borderline robot-oholic as well.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KPzwe1mZIyOtuTfSYdH2m9-mGd-j5Ie4iyY_z0YaFC0RtIqxJCZsKjkV3l-qIXCpX_c-C_LgiTgRfCgeMHKoELfBY-uQ6IkkiWoWuyNdVtO7uCYFIjmYu0jVQLqtkj9x9ah5PzzsPeA/s1600/photo-35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KPzwe1mZIyOtuTfSYdH2m9-mGd-j5Ie4iyY_z0YaFC0RtIqxJCZsKjkV3l-qIXCpX_c-C_LgiTgRfCgeMHKoELfBY-uQ6IkkiWoWuyNdVtO7uCYFIjmYu0jVQLqtkj9x9ah5PzzsPeA/s640/photo-35.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Green is still his favorite color. If you ever wondered how powerful a parents influence is on a child, this is an example... His color was green when he was a baby, so everything he has has been green. Even after giving him plenty of opportunities to change colors as he gets older, he still chooses green. Four out of the five are this way. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>MITCHELL THOMAS</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>35 lbs - 38%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>40.5" - 56%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Silly, silly boy. Constantly making jokes and laughing his big belly laugh!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(No makeup for me this day... rough night the night before. Not a rough night as in having a good time, but rough night as in being woken up a million times in the night for not very important reasons... Someone had the nerve to wake me up in the middle of the night to ask me to get them a book!!! Excuse me, but I. don't. think. so.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once Luke let it out of the bag that Gringo's had ice cream, there was no other option of where to have lunch, no matter how much I tried to convince him otherwise.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mitchell makes up for any picky eaters that I may have. He can EAT! For the amount of food he eats, he should be huge! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>SIDNEY ALUN</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>28.5 lbs - 4%</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>37.5" - 10</b></span>%</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our sunshine girl. Always happy. Always wakes up with a smile. Always eager to please.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though she weighs less than Brie, she is steadily gaining weight. She eats EVERYTHING, but like a bird. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdQ036UpJXcnokig9-g9z45OgEdvK3q_P5-TmJfFvBCyJ9ZFTOt3UPpEaJK0Qj7gVAJeALaDIGCappoaGLOabdv8v5Sb69SdcO60GT1ulhC7PQ76kGhmixG484q83AGxbQCvWUKdzTuk/s1600/photo-39.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdQ036UpJXcnokig9-g9z45OgEdvK3q_P5-TmJfFvBCyJ9ZFTOt3UPpEaJK0Qj7gVAJeALaDIGCappoaGLOabdv8v5Sb69SdcO60GT1ulhC7PQ76kGhmixG484q83AGxbQCvWUKdzTuk/s640/photo-39.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here we are back at Gringo's.... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyXVHtgFzll-HCSKfK0u40uJOiexFjf0QS9e55o55UzkMqS2_4_6yI6hLz1zL34to4GiCf_KN4E0Dq6wc2BuA_wNXO2xgl7yykSU3mK3cH2axmLd6oJdM8P3Ae3arELdn7dyyU__qyXw/s1600/photo-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyXVHtgFzll-HCSKfK0u40uJOiexFjf0QS9e55o55UzkMqS2_4_6yI6hLz1zL34to4GiCf_KN4E0Dq6wc2BuA_wNXO2xgl7yykSU3mK3cH2axmLd6oJdM8P3Ae3arELdn7dyyU__qyXw/s640/photo-40.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ice cream!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRkLQp452bYX_rOtqRdYSa0H7rA7M7_DWNBfQgiQC_U59VoPRVTvMAboff545Z9Qgg0UebjwG4pFm6DsgsirLR6Gne5USM-wZkLRwkkYWZl_9d05MJdNuNLf4fiqkyWLEoGuqF8VXFi4/s1600/photo-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRkLQp452bYX_rOtqRdYSa0H7rA7M7_DWNBfQgiQC_U59VoPRVTvMAboff545Z9Qgg0UebjwG4pFm6DsgsirLR6Gne5USM-wZkLRwkkYWZl_9d05MJdNuNLf4fiqkyWLEoGuqF8VXFi4/s640/photo-41.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was amazed at how SHY each of them were at the doctors office. They had to do small tests to make sure they were developmentally on track. Like "stand up, clap your hands, then sit down"... to make sure they could follow directions. Not ONE of them would do it! So bashful. I just begged the doctor to take my word for it!! I can't help but think this is because they are always together as a group. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again, I ponder the dynamics of being a quintuplet and how it will affect their personality. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is so easy to get caught up in worry about their development, their future... Am I doing things right? Am I doing things wrong? Am I going to screw them up because I didn't do this or I did do that? Do I have the right parenting style? Am I too strict? Too laid back? AHHHH! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then have to just take a deep breath and remember that I am not in charge... These are God's children and they will turn out perfectly the way He wants them to either because of or in spite of what I do!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-P.S. Uncle Neal... YES they desperately needed a haircut and YES I have since taken them. :) </span></div>
<br />Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11187605020499283172noreply@blogger.com11