tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74140551738715759662024-02-19T21:37:45.892-05:00Leigh and Abram's ClanAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-72006721316505440042012-10-29T19:49:00.000-04:002012-10-29T19:49:52.423-04:00Hiking on a Gorgeous Fall Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Abram and I enjoy hiking. We have made it a point to walk or hike several miles each weekend since our biking accident in August. Up until October 21st, none of our children would join us. I decide to insist Carmen and Rachel come "walking in the woods" with us. Sarai was working that day so she couldn't come.<br />
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Here is the image of the fall leaves at the beginning of our trail. We planned on hiking up Mt. Wachusett.<br />
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Rachel and Carmen were very silly walking. Rachel found a stump which she called a chair, but decided to stand on. <br />
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Here is a root base of a tree that had fallen over.<br />
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Rachel discovered a great walking stick and used it for some of the hike. <br />
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We took two bags with us. One was a hydro-pack with water and the other a small back pack with food. I found it humorous that Carmen would only carry the backpack, she was too embarrassed to carry the hydro-pack and Rachel was the opposite. She only would carry the hydro-pack. She thinks it is so cool to drink the water from the tube. <br />
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So as we hiked I had to carry either the hydro-pack or the backpack as the two girls couldn't switch off.<br />
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When we began our hike/walk Rachel kept asking "where are the rocks?" I promised her that the rocks will come as we get closer to the top of the mountain. Here are some good climbing rocks for Rachel.<br />
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She found a great rock to hide under as well. <br />
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And others to look so pretty on.<br />
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Abram and Rachel at the top. Carmen has become too much of teen to offer me good smiles so we don't have many of her on this hike.<br />
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She took this picture of us at the summit.<br />
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Then one of herself!<br />
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Abram used his long arm to get all of us. We did enjoy the hike. Rachel and Carmen kept us walking fast at the end. I did promise them ice cream when we finished (which we did get). I was so cold that my lips turned purple though!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-44694041870159617592012-10-02T21:10:00.000-04:002012-10-02T21:10:56.496-04:00Kid's artIt has been so long since I posted last. So much has happened. I will try to keep up to date posts as well as ones from the past several months.<br />
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I have always had the idea that the study would show case the kids art. A few years ago Abram bought me a matte cutting board and equipment to create my own mattes. Art paper is never standard and it is "easier" to make your own matte to fit a certain sized frame. I made two such matted pictured with frames, but stopped at that years ago. Two weekends ago, we rediscovered many of the kids art work that I had always wanted to frame. With Abram's help we added many frames to our study as well as other areas of the house.<br />
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From left to right:<br />
Two pictures of Tobin. A friend of Tobin's sketched his senior picture as a graduation gift for him. I placed it with Tobin's self portrait from 9th grade. Tobin's portrait is made from magazine clippings using positive and negative space. It was on display for parent's night at the HS. I knew it was him immediately.<br />
Center is pointillism of my dress shoes done by Sarai<br />
Right is is water color done by Sarai.<br />
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Here is a closer look at the portrait Tobin created. <br />
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This is the water color painting. I believe it is of a microscopic organism.<br />
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Left is a picture done by Carmen if Rudolf flying in the winter sky. She did it in 2nd grade. This was one of first pictures I matted on my own. <br />
Right picture is a digital image of a cat in a bottle by Sarai<br />
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A closer look at the cat in a bottle.<br />
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This is now the wall the couch back is against. the top two pictures are done by Sarai. the flower she did in 5th grade and the fruit and bottle was done last spring. both are done in oil pastels. The bottom two are done by Rachel. I believe the bottom left was done when she was in 1st or second grade and the shapes are either from 4th or fifth grade. The large picture on the right is also done by Rachel. Another one of the first I matted. I think it was done in 2nd grade.<br />
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The next three pictures are now in my entry way closest to the garage (for those who have been in my house). <br />
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This is a mosiac done by Carmen from 8th grade.<br />
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This is done by Sarai from her print making class. They had to carve into Styrofoam ink it and make multiple prints to create a design. <br />
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Also, in that same print making class she created this see turtle. This picture was entered into the Boston Globe art exhibit winning an honorable mention.<br />
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Abram purchased a poster in Spain. It is a Picasso of a bull fighter. He now greets all that come down our stairs or enter through the main entrance door.<br />
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In 2004 we took a family vacation out to the west coast. While we visited the Seattle Children's museum Carmen spent almost two hours in the art room. We learned to use oil pastels in a bucket of warm water. Using water color paper, she was able to draw and erase anything she did not like before it became permanent. the oil pastels did not penetrate the paper until the paper dried. Here is her mermaid that she did the week she turned 6. She still loves this picture. It is now in my bathroom. <br />
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There is still more art to frame!<br />
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I also began an adventure wall in the living room. I need to find pictures from all the state parks we have visited as well as great family pictures and ones of Abram and I being outdoors. Hopefully, many more blogs to come. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-67083088247047403782012-03-14T22:19:00.000-04:002012-03-14T22:19:01.125-04:00Rachel's Fans at BasketballRachel played travel basketball this winter season. She played basketball last year and didn't think she wanted to try out for it this year until her closest friend, Teresa, asked her to attend a tryout with her. They made the same team and Rachel realized she loves basketball and is very good. <br />
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Her games were played on Sundays. <br />
Last year she chose the number 23 which is the inverse of Sarai's number 32.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9xMMzOfE_OKyd8y2Q31db7PjQVOeJ5Y5x4Q3Kf8lWiMvGxoY2_w18MLmATl-2uj1Rw3gc3zY_WUpEa5pYjbuiZv4FnQdly0YMgTQHzS8w74QVTZjgmOcBZua2_PMd7bESHvBo1Z2U0s/s1600/rachels+number.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9xMMzOfE_OKyd8y2Q31db7PjQVOeJ5Y5x4Q3Kf8lWiMvGxoY2_w18MLmATl-2uj1Rw3gc3zY_WUpEa5pYjbuiZv4FnQdly0YMgTQHzS8w74QVTZjgmOcBZua2_PMd7bESHvBo1Z2U0s/s400/rachels+number.jpg" uda="true" width="207" /></a></div><br />
Rachel is a fantastic player. She is able to steal the ball often and make fast breaks as pictured here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C3xR5BewBboMnjyKU_Dbub32anrhQhdH6Wk-ToDnAG992t8iwP7QKC-Nk5_UGi8NHx_GKgsl1MlpiLRYYOzMKQ8gx6Eqx-eOAw_Zar8DJTHU3dRFi6Fc-JtoOdoae5yDK3LQp7NQLYM/s1600/good+action+of+rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C3xR5BewBboMnjyKU_Dbub32anrhQhdH6Wk-ToDnAG992t8iwP7QKC-Nk5_UGi8NHx_GKgsl1MlpiLRYYOzMKQ8gx6Eqx-eOAw_Zar8DJTHU3dRFi6Fc-JtoOdoae5yDK3LQp7NQLYM/s400/good+action+of+rachel.jpg" uda="true" width="307" /></a></div><br />
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I always enjoy watching her lay-ups. Yes, this picture of the hoop looks odd. At 5th grade they lower the hoops to 8 1/2 feet. At this gym they cannot lower the hoops so they hung another hoop from the rim of the 10 foot hoop. It was a bit difficult to adjust, but they managed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJypdY1t99RXblkvtnTv6GdlYXM3Pz9DfvhTwvH1Q63feAg-qVZgeitPILR1b9i71S_ToLO8GKLZiqZ4wFOFEqZEXtKCh7f_YsSsPTLDq5m4FyViafbCSsT9ucTKLSgpFW-FyllYSI7VY/s1600/rachel%2527s+layup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJypdY1t99RXblkvtnTv6GdlYXM3Pz9DfvhTwvH1Q63feAg-qVZgeitPILR1b9i71S_ToLO8GKLZiqZ4wFOFEqZEXtKCh7f_YsSsPTLDq5m4FyViafbCSsT9ucTKLSgpFW-FyllYSI7VY/s640/rachel%2527s+layup.jpg" uda="true" width="344" /></a></div><br />
Here is Rachel with Teresa and her game coach, Alex. Alex lives across the street from us and is a senior like Tobin.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmqwpFOtyXFGBzLl0QnNp_THCU65s3GAwOCsCbhPMqdb-ZXtBkvlASnHtWDb0H0EMZ6y9W6oB8BDgQLeL5IY0EVAs7CqExWJaVxhfNZmGhpEKPeodS1vaowAMB_zag8qLBDI4xy53iWY/s1600/teresa+n+rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmqwpFOtyXFGBzLl0QnNp_THCU65s3GAwOCsCbhPMqdb-ZXtBkvlASnHtWDb0H0EMZ6y9W6oB8BDgQLeL5IY0EVAs7CqExWJaVxhfNZmGhpEKPeodS1vaowAMB_zag8qLBDI4xy53iWY/s320/teresa+n+rachel.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div>Rachel asked her siblings to come to see her games, but only Carmen made it before February vacation week. Everyone was free at the end of vacation and planned to see one of her last games. <br />
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Sarai made this sign for Rachel for the game. Each letter is on a 8 1/2 x 11 construction paper. She now displays it on her closet doors.<br />
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Here you see her cheerleaders! Bill, Sarai, Tobin and Carmne. Abram and I were there too, but since I'm taking the picture I just featured the kids. Each time Rachel had the ball, cherrs of encouragement errupted from the bench. Everyone was laughing with joy, especially Rachel, during this game. They certainly tried to make up for all the games they missed. <br />
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Rachel is good at looking up and finding open players.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtXpDAAJMsbdpyooPre_hyn40LKWN4N_O7MVxGPOMCsj0TXBj3e-PczF0TgSfylUIZ7XZbnryxY9VJJ2G4UaBfhYjUonfjlfiZGUKPvjfJuqzypZQIOw3SwZOdRN0_csj_uAT_U3ighI/s1600/heads+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtXpDAAJMsbdpyooPre_hyn40LKWN4N_O7MVxGPOMCsj0TXBj3e-PczF0TgSfylUIZ7XZbnryxY9VJJ2G4UaBfhYjUonfjlfiZGUKPvjfJuqzypZQIOw3SwZOdRN0_csj_uAT_U3ighI/s400/heads+up.jpg" uda="true" width="267" /></a></div><br />
She also will take the ball and control it and keep it from the defending team while moving it to an open player.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_jY0zLk380Syrosm_V4RKFqrbp-A_YHMQqeL4AaVFNs5llNK4knchjXZ28fXZw132OBwpfTs4rIy4AHAcbPltoRwOpSjrvuWybwbdahzbkI6Dc8K0QJ5dh3-zncPOIXiQRzxkrgztyQ/s1600/driving+the+ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_jY0zLk380Syrosm_V4RKFqrbp-A_YHMQqeL4AaVFNs5llNK4knchjXZ28fXZw132OBwpfTs4rIy4AHAcbPltoRwOpSjrvuWybwbdahzbkI6Dc8K0QJ5dh3-zncPOIXiQRzxkrgztyQ/s400/driving+the+ball.jpg" uda="true" width="400" /></a></div>Was was a head taller than the players on the opposing team!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbkFelkBjPFm2jiCCVAzfonBHP7C8K1mur8Ftc6NYyP9KtAPhwfXm3KI789UtaCWha98VNsC7mZPjLeOgpFOgW3ETvLJpo-sTKm-elYyPVk64PHJs3mWb3i9MOjTwZfCrDf2ExpcB7u4/s1600/rachel's+a+head+taller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbkFelkBjPFm2jiCCVAzfonBHP7C8K1mur8Ftc6NYyP9KtAPhwfXm3KI789UtaCWha98VNsC7mZPjLeOgpFOgW3ETvLJpo-sTKm-elYyPVk64PHJs3mWb3i9MOjTwZfCrDf2ExpcB7u4/s400/rachel's+a+head+taller.jpg" uda="true" width="400" /></a></div>Sweet lay-up!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GM8BA0Ht9Hug9D9ICj5YS09jSAfLYDZuWRMnOc8EkA9EWpRjdr8mGcv8fmyYCuL7Wvzg14K21NTkXYcdKEBSsxtAapzTPCkbJMxn03HBdNLY7coaJjIRqqtsuXWKrvRQlOqzJlaa0lQ/s1600/rachel's+lay-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GM8BA0Ht9Hug9D9ICj5YS09jSAfLYDZuWRMnOc8EkA9EWpRjdr8mGcv8fmyYCuL7Wvzg14K21NTkXYcdKEBSsxtAapzTPCkbJMxn03HBdNLY7coaJjIRqqtsuXWKrvRQlOqzJlaa0lQ/s640/rachel's+lay-up.jpg" uda="true" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel loves her team. They have fun and have worked hard to earn their place as 3rd in their league. tomorrow is the last game of the season with playoffs next week. It has been great to be coached by the senior captain of the High School varsity basketball team Remy and Alex an experienced senior who lead them to many wins in games. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to all who have helped to cheer on this team! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-73727734304317145402012-02-23T08:36:00.000-05:002012-02-23T08:36:47.016-05:00Sarai at the Winter BallA few weeks ago, Sarai went to the winter ball with Bill McKenna.<br />
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Helping her get ready was an all girl affair. Carmen and I worked together to use the curling iron and make banana curls all over Sarai's head. Rachel was given the camera to document the progress. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8lAqF8Vw4rlDx4nbSey7bMjnqZeuIMda-UE_6IL9EugM6W5qUq_sB4aXouQNad-qwvxKqm_ufnOmzvnXZDgPQFvMRbZ8J1P3vevxEZkfms7FjMDdwXj1OYFbLWjASSGKf2AsOfhz7o4/s1600/carmen+the+stylist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8lAqF8Vw4rlDx4nbSey7bMjnqZeuIMda-UE_6IL9EugM6W5qUq_sB4aXouQNad-qwvxKqm_ufnOmzvnXZDgPQFvMRbZ8J1P3vevxEZkfms7FjMDdwXj1OYFbLWjASSGKf2AsOfhz7o4/s320/carmen+the+stylist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is the photo Sarai's calls her family photo: her, Bill and Zori. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaO0uTGWyCt7Xd3fUPACfl7OZjFtvPcuokgNx5-V8BCG3z3bv680_7hp5Ynau9sxzHoC5vCvx-Sd1N7vid_LwecddXaC_4fsAb8Gim_mkHV0LIUbRmgSLdx_BgHnhlOAk-wPiIbzhihOM/s1600/sarai's+strange+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaO0uTGWyCt7Xd3fUPACfl7OZjFtvPcuokgNx5-V8BCG3z3bv680_7hp5Ynau9sxzHoC5vCvx-Sd1N7vid_LwecddXaC_4fsAb8Gim_mkHV0LIUbRmgSLdx_BgHnhlOAk-wPiIbzhihOM/s400/sarai's+strange+family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I tried taking photos in different rooms to see which background was best. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtH3MX34QXXTw_ZVsKNaooZEDizQvpqmvkwbTxNs5g3SzUTTpX6LEBhi45rnp-zqrhBF1PDd5RIXOGi1ELZqrH2W2rlDT7VMADWhHLYKbonN4gEyU3hWzETSPNCAEAZ-1HFGJUPOdO0o/s1600/good+view+of+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtH3MX34QXXTw_ZVsKNaooZEDizQvpqmvkwbTxNs5g3SzUTTpX6LEBhi45rnp-zqrhBF1PDd5RIXOGi1ELZqrH2W2rlDT7VMADWhHLYKbonN4gEyU3hWzETSPNCAEAZ-1HFGJUPOdO0o/s640/good+view+of+dress.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><br />
I prefer the kitchen curtains color as their backdrop color. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PhMWkLRpCAC33cLKNnuQsKo69Qtb7ILWnbt4jDARxdwLJCJrU4xNMZnKPqb5w266O6nYe30H-UNsXeFra4i0s6-AABECp7T9u4S8_uI5408PJ9JkwLLtLLhPXJwI-uqrAZSoBldvPjw/s1600/nice+smiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PhMWkLRpCAC33cLKNnuQsKo69Qtb7ILWnbt4jDARxdwLJCJrU4xNMZnKPqb5w266O6nYe30H-UNsXeFra4i0s6-AABECp7T9u4S8_uI5408PJ9JkwLLtLLhPXJwI-uqrAZSoBldvPjw/s400/nice+smiles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sarai's dress was simple, but looked great. When we were shopping for dresses I picked this one out because of the great color. She wasn't excited about it until she put it on. She did take Bill shopping for a shirt and tie to make sure it complemented correctly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj5UO1p4hHJmPTUUubGrFt51C5hA4ydqkef8HB8iNq5tVMi1IGBvOVjrelP0kOyvC2Xipx8l4VxC7bBFcmyBwygRIrYYzbnDLNbTC2itWZTy2gNSF3RfU_RWySGJU6hkEcaZXi3hRa3Q/s1600/funny+smiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj5UO1p4hHJmPTUUubGrFt51C5hA4ydqkef8HB8iNq5tVMi1IGBvOVjrelP0kOyvC2Xipx8l4VxC7bBFcmyBwygRIrYYzbnDLNbTC2itWZTy2gNSF3RfU_RWySGJU6hkEcaZXi3hRa3Q/s400/funny+smiles.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
Many people have huge groups gathering at their house for pictures. We went to one house, took this picture and left quickly. Even though there were many people there, they did not know anyone there very well. We did capture a good photo though. She is wearing Toms shoes in this photo because the shoes she had planned to wear were at Michelle's house. We are going there next.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcOEzVxKxUw3bGKmLwFvWyIJnIC7uvNlltaOPEOxKn1snm6CKwJXAG0oX5G-STfU2OjeXK687dYoszo7PbQiZjmFYHXmZ0aZ8AU3KMMZMGGw_nnJHEpddfprqr9w-8jaKPh5uJPIzLlM/s1600/another+good+view+of+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcOEzVxKxUw3bGKmLwFvWyIJnIC7uvNlltaOPEOxKn1snm6CKwJXAG0oX5G-STfU2OjeXK687dYoszo7PbQiZjmFYHXmZ0aZ8AU3KMMZMGGw_nnJHEpddfprqr9w-8jaKPh5uJPIzLlM/s640/another+good+view+of+dress.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><br />
This is Michelle, a good friend and someone Sarai has played basketball with for many years. We drove to her house for more pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7JKFv96sIjlmzjiOqL5-ArIhb8GQ2q4z2my7GcR8F3i1uz14uRQkjZ77Uy6w8f3M1UQ3G_SaJX_WjjGxHzY_Z7ycVT3PqpcLkqM3e1NNByBnUSboEOM09Ww4tAIWtGC0IsGe7vjZaQI/s1600/michelle+and+sarai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7JKFv96sIjlmzjiOqL5-ArIhb8GQ2q4z2my7GcR8F3i1uz14uRQkjZ77Uy6w8f3M1UQ3G_SaJX_WjjGxHzY_Z7ycVT3PqpcLkqM3e1NNByBnUSboEOM09Ww4tAIWtGC0IsGe7vjZaQI/s320/michelle+and+sarai.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br />
Caroline and Sarai, with a Bill shadow on the left!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t8eoPnQk5mnv9e6umb_LbU_7ba-qTFDf0XU7ZB__3rjmuOff2LYReUbh1XFb7rjDHICC4FEvD3FsqzR09evL5ws0fYUrbOo0CcXFY7sujztDf6eNmnmMjk1kl7IcbCQHFq8MvHq-cgE/s1600/caroline+and+sarai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t8eoPnQk5mnv9e6umb_LbU_7ba-qTFDf0XU7ZB__3rjmuOff2LYReUbh1XFb7rjDHICC4FEvD3FsqzR09evL5ws0fYUrbOo0CcXFY7sujztDf6eNmnmMjk1kl7IcbCQHFq8MvHq-cgE/s320/caroline+and+sarai.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Liz Belden and Sarai<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtQcBNmDYhYNzno7hp-i-3DsNehETPzu60BIotLA9dWZUFjQ__MzFZTVAOoV4CH8EYXQyB35CustwzEYLM8emxsf4te4pB6n_iKpPYYZUHjOVo2FBzAe4-UE_FKosqE0iNTqUsre8xmE/s1600/liz+belden+and+sarai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtQcBNmDYhYNzno7hp-i-3DsNehETPzu60BIotLA9dWZUFjQ__MzFZTVAOoV4CH8EYXQyB35CustwzEYLM8emxsf4te4pB6n_iKpPYYZUHjOVo2FBzAe4-UE_FKosqE0iNTqUsre8xmE/s320/liz+belden+and+sarai.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br />
Sarai is in a Liz sandwich. Liz Belden is on left and Liz Benbenick is on the right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0tzxqE4HWwsyz5qGLIUJLML_-UVQqxn-IF3qmnokqgqENCz-ZqOYbZuj-odZTUyKFbs3ss185rt-S-T4PILSoi3YZSdiuJr2xchlzpBSBNOlYY-8UhWCGTm0VHEDOaPlp55U5FmV-IE/s1600/sarai+in+a+liz+sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0tzxqE4HWwsyz5qGLIUJLML_-UVQqxn-IF3qmnokqgqENCz-ZqOYbZuj-odZTUyKFbs3ss185rt-S-T4PILSoi3YZSdiuJr2xchlzpBSBNOlYY-8UhWCGTm0VHEDOaPlp55U5FmV-IE/s400/sarai+in+a+liz+sandwich.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Michelle and her date and Sarai and Bill.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTgsS6WSxFn7ZDSY6YqJ6gl7Ro0HY1qXXpDBNSv3i-tNXLf3SxgOCg7TwGGWF_rrOOekkt81kPXG_ZKw-ebOMLKuhzcmc_2pOx1sD_T9dc73I0LQNXzji9nc54_sHwFR2I-zs3jnPWtc/s1600/michelle+and+date+with+Sarai+and+bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTgsS6WSxFn7ZDSY6YqJ6gl7Ro0HY1qXXpDBNSv3i-tNXLf3SxgOCg7TwGGWF_rrOOekkt81kPXG_ZKw-ebOMLKuhzcmc_2pOx1sD_T9dc73I0LQNXzji9nc54_sHwFR2I-zs3jnPWtc/s400/michelle+and+date+with+Sarai+and+bill.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Winterball is held at the High School. It is usually a fun time to dress up and dance with friends. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-41944963904666309962012-02-20T17:04:00.000-05:002012-02-20T17:04:25.456-05:00Valentine's Day HikeAbram and I celebrated Valentine's Day with a long hike. The weekend before Valentine's Day, he had asked what I wanted to do. Having dinner on a week night when most places are already booked did not seem fun to me. I'd rather be active, so I suggested hiking. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoLlZC5jU1OqaCJJnUMdhWDWWV7W2jYVuw7Ftphaa3r8kwmwhHUFV8rKKgphJ1HRjoi5smHs_sKkNaeDfnXMzK-cc6swnNwBrnvNdb5-HjBGGFWYT4psBO9GcjG5lAYe-BKKiZEZoIv0/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoLlZC5jU1OqaCJJnUMdhWDWWV7W2jYVuw7Ftphaa3r8kwmwhHUFV8rKKgphJ1HRjoi5smHs_sKkNaeDfnXMzK-cc6swnNwBrnvNdb5-HjBGGFWYT4psBO9GcjG5lAYe-BKKiZEZoIv0/s400/us.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We often do a long hike up Mt. Wachusett starting at the Audubon Society. I wanted to do a different hike this time. Abram had taken the day off on Thurs to spend the day with me; that in of itself is a great gift!<br />
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The Midstate Trail goes north to south through the middle of Massachusetts. It is broken up into several sections. I wanted to begin at the Barre Falls because I'm intrigued by falls.<br />
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Here is the trail marker:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9Pc_OdGwoa4vwQQYSOy2KFqmwQK8-m0HkCyyRuSJzzEFG2NIySkHbdoUbm3dZNS5AyLZa04Dvka9pufw0jXrM07VAWmTcKPElw2Z3qLhSaaFCIpMToqi-lrOAWi0hOAnOTDwPZQmwDE/s1600/trail+marker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9Pc_OdGwoa4vwQQYSOy2KFqmwQK8-m0HkCyyRuSJzzEFG2NIySkHbdoUbm3dZNS5AyLZa04Dvka9pufw0jXrM07VAWmTcKPElw2Z3qLhSaaFCIpMToqi-lrOAWi0hOAnOTDwPZQmwDE/s320/trail+marker.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
We began at the Barre Dam by 9:30am. No one was there, it was so quiet and peaceful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG40yisnuBPwLs0FQ2JtObu13barEaTZvuUGaQ_RjlyWnATKqDBJqCCbmg3J5E4liP0Sb_hPiUOwdk8HJZgtALWVFs45lelDHZ8a-zpNEM8dot-l1Wr-zu2UdW8iRaRH-Iss1kgZEYV-8/s1600/barre+dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG40yisnuBPwLs0FQ2JtObu13barEaTZvuUGaQ_RjlyWnATKqDBJqCCbmg3J5E4liP0Sb_hPiUOwdk8HJZgtALWVFs45lelDHZ8a-zpNEM8dot-l1Wr-zu2UdW8iRaRH-Iss1kgZEYV-8/s640/barre+dam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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After a short walk into the woods this was the sight that welcomed us:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d63PvKNDPc4oo9c7Sq5ugZK5obH66Px2OypOUo-IHApdse0ozZ_I0a3Go1a2wfSEwcszZ61yo5NpAvISI2rDVwI1aKTBpqGIGUQlUmaZBAVKL12J-kkb-Slw_16zlV4IK3zVF6yOWmA/s1600/landscape+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d63PvKNDPc4oo9c7Sq5ugZK5obH66Px2OypOUo-IHApdse0ozZ_I0a3Go1a2wfSEwcszZ61yo5NpAvISI2rDVwI1aKTBpqGIGUQlUmaZBAVKL12J-kkb-Slw_16zlV4IK3zVF6yOWmA/s640/landscape+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>A peaceful river flowing through the woods. I'm glad there was little snow on the ground; although I have missed the snow this year. I can imagine this river would be much fuller with a good amount of winter snow melt. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G4WXEFwdC7dPZ50FcINLNXuSQz7twQz_yIhE4GuXNU-gXunSfCoijHcw0gz6U6-UPsAAbuN9Sa3IN4xRJdiOWj7BiHbzcYMiOhH_bQAP8_osyWBYBYNjCHpUmFSBC6I7MNFc33Ag3eY/s1600/babling+brook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G4WXEFwdC7dPZ50FcINLNXuSQz7twQz_yIhE4GuXNU-gXunSfCoijHcw0gz6U6-UPsAAbuN9Sa3IN4xRJdiOWj7BiHbzcYMiOhH_bQAP8_osyWBYBYNjCHpUmFSBC6I7MNFc33Ag3eY/s640/babling+brook.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Even though there wasn't any snow on the ground, there was ice in the river along the edges or near tree limbs in the water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBAF8mlqD5kZ7mAKQ6PL71blBAW2Ik4Yl3XQp8ID6lkUTZkhHT4pTqtp6eW-k5zsNCG12obySOfT9Qpdtx4RDlD2Rn-AWJgTQCvczo9XwBxF1eCg9-ZoWnv9NxrY_TQOLX43AGlPOKZw/s1600/river+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBAF8mlqD5kZ7mAKQ6PL71blBAW2Ik4Yl3XQp8ID6lkUTZkhHT4pTqtp6eW-k5zsNCG12obySOfT9Qpdtx4RDlD2Rn-AWJgTQCvczo9XwBxF1eCg9-ZoWnv9NxrY_TQOLX43AGlPOKZw/s640/river+view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I was amazed that the river could be flowing quickly and still there's snow and ice forming. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYzQVFBEpDSeVxmMfYzL3PZOlBQJILM9t-LAxf4if_R_ne0tiDULoNHqTO4_Ulh7MGpyrxQsZmoeRRjrIZMix8anhUuJ-RvetGfbM2cOjhSWTiFjLu5fXaA2u-0of_aLLWl1qv9WRj-k/s1600/water+and+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYzQVFBEpDSeVxmMfYzL3PZOlBQJILM9t-LAxf4if_R_ne0tiDULoNHqTO4_Ulh7MGpyrxQsZmoeRRjrIZMix8anhUuJ-RvetGfbM2cOjhSWTiFjLu5fXaA2u-0of_aLLWl1qv9WRj-k/s640/water+and+ice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We crossed a bridge at one point.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs0s9Kh_Ei-IUmyggC8zcMKqiMMfpKAvvBluNWQSABAhEKYYQLDpEwuPkeGRf4KWFq94gr-G081GCphEHXexb6R5dluJNG4Sj-bFXDZRWkNfKkQh015pI-_TvDBXogKEPZiRTDn1PeQs/s1600/over+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs0s9Kh_Ei-IUmyggC8zcMKqiMMfpKAvvBluNWQSABAhEKYYQLDpEwuPkeGRf4KWFq94gr-G081GCphEHXexb6R5dluJNG4Sj-bFXDZRWkNfKkQh015pI-_TvDBXogKEPZiRTDn1PeQs/s640/over+bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Here was the sign on the bridge:<br />
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We walked for a good 4 and a half miles along the trail and then turned around to get back to the Barre Falls. We climbed down a steep hill and set of stairs to see the Barre Falls and this view. <br />
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I just love the icicles forming on the rock just above the water's edge. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3qDfDDBOo-k5u9XGfW7PSgGknKpG7xCSBvrirF39SJF7Z4beuAisxiS88X_1UCXkBtsJpEdPqq-ySbyis6UgKpHBLsjdSBbB-JY8lz6m_GZWy2hyphenhyphenhARhH2K9GVmCQ5yMy3dn3cxO3Fk/s1600/icicles+at+the+waters+edge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3qDfDDBOo-k5u9XGfW7PSgGknKpG7xCSBvrirF39SJF7Z4beuAisxiS88X_1UCXkBtsJpEdPqq-ySbyis6UgKpHBLsjdSBbB-JY8lz6m_GZWy2hyphenhyphenhARhH2K9GVmCQ5yMy3dn3cxO3Fk/s320/icicles+at+the+waters+edge.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>I learned a new game that day: Disc Golf. <br />
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Here is a map for hole 4 showing you the path your flying disk should go and what par the hole is. <br />
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This is what you are aiming to get the disks into. <br />
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When I first saw the map on our way to begin the hike I thought it was showing a golf course. Then when we returned back, a few hours later, people were playing around the falls. It wasn't until I read the label on the metal hole that I learned about this sport. By 1pm the Barre Falls had several teams of people around playing this game. Barre Falls has an 18 hole course. <br />
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Barre Falls is beautiful. There is a lot of land to walk along. They have picnic tables and a volleyball court. I'm glad we discovered this place and had a peaceful hike together. <br />
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Happy Valentine's Day to all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-85193134769251297052012-02-13T20:55:00.000-05:002012-02-13T20:55:49.416-05:00Trip to Block IslandAs I looked back on 2011s pictures I realized that I had uploaded photos to Face Book without doing anything for the blog. I have quite a bit of catching up to do!<br />
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On September 30th, Abram flew me to Block Island for the day. Here is a picture from the plane of the island.<br />
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I believe it was the first time I flew in the plane we have a partnership in. Here's the Cesna 182 in the hanger. This is the four passenger plane. There is a six passenger plane in the partnership, but Abram needs more flying hours to fly that one with the family.<br />
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The cool thing is that we leave the car in the hanger while we fly. <br />
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After landing in Block Island we began walking into town. I noticed a hedge of hydrangea bushes. I laughed seeing the one blue flower amongst all the purple ones. Block island is small in quaint. <br />
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In town we walked around and found some very interesting shops. We were there off season so most of the restaurants were not open for lunch. <br />
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We found Carmen's Closet<br />
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I loved the Peppered Cat. Sarai is always calling me "Sassy Momma" and this picture reminded me of a sassy lady! It was paired next the the Salty Dog. <br />
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While we ate our lunch, which by the way was delicious, I saw the best tandem couple I've seen so far. They had a special dog carrier for the bike! The dog is on the back. It jumped right in and road away with them. What a great way to travel together.<br />
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Abram ordered fish and chips. The fish was huge. It was almost two inches thick and four inches long. He had two huge pieces. I had a lobster salad. Getting sea food right from a pier store is the best!<br />
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After lunch we ventured off to find Abram's Farm. I wasn't sure what we would see, but it was a pleasant surprise.<br />
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Abram's farm is a refuge for exotic animals. Here is a lama. They use the fur from their lamas to make yarn. <br />
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There were several lemurs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxs45iXiFSQC7F_wgdq6xwbPFb6Y-sDEbDkqnCK1qfqJfJ21aVBhU_ZhCjfj95wG1L7wYbIraDkFJ9t71h3zsxSk9basBt6l8-sjBhZAglEN126-d21WaZTjuffu7O6HWlKgdVjbObKU/s1600/lemur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxs45iXiFSQC7F_wgdq6xwbPFb6Y-sDEbDkqnCK1qfqJfJ21aVBhU_ZhCjfj95wG1L7wYbIraDkFJ9t71h3zsxSk9basBt6l8-sjBhZAglEN126-d21WaZTjuffu7O6HWlKgdVjbObKU/s400/lemur.jpg" width="241px" /></a><br />
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This is a tortoise. He doesn't seem large until you read that he is under 5 years old. He did seem fast for a tortoise. Tortoises grow until they are 20. This one was donated to Abram's farm from a tortoise reserve because he was going to be too big for them. Can you imagine how large this animal will be after growing for another 15 years! Wow!<br />
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This was one of the strangest animals I have learned about yet. This is a Zedonk. It is a cross between a zebra and a donkey. This is becoming a new animal in different zoos. It was peacefully hanging out with the lamas in the large fields they had.<br />
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There were red kangaroos, too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutFOKANFrBQa1q-I1nkuE0GEUET87F0ZRK-bOQdBakofPenIVCIYjiuWb0art4z4_wmAfox3WOxy3T4CC2Wosj5CVBAD6Vb4dKPuMeqUR9VLXXieDXnvqtBtX2xicGrBp5kbI0UuiSp0/s1600/red+kangaroos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutFOKANFrBQa1q-I1nkuE0GEUET87F0ZRK-bOQdBakofPenIVCIYjiuWb0art4z4_wmAfox3WOxy3T4CC2Wosj5CVBAD6Vb4dKPuMeqUR9VLXXieDXnvqtBtX2xicGrBp5kbI0UuiSp0/s320/red+kangaroos.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
After finding Abram's farm we tried to find the fastest way to walk to a bike rental place. Here is a photo of what walking/hiking is like with Abram. According to the map we had this was a real trail. It led us behind houses and into what seemed to be rental house's back yards. I was thankful it was off season and most of these places seemed empty. The "path" did lead us to the bike place. We had our pick of bikes and off we were to bike the rest of the island. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOoT509wDajKkx8cNr6z5TrpfiruvnDwaeW4i0oPHlEmyDsliMuttXRMywr97QSvgk-dqQfrLe7VKNewArZmDUT-zraSWC1oL4jMsI6m_t3Zd-lf3yqbarjevzWb0ag5pzuOjx-IzkMc/s1600/walking+with+abram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOoT509wDajKkx8cNr6z5TrpfiruvnDwaeW4i0oPHlEmyDsliMuttXRMywr97QSvgk-dqQfrLe7VKNewArZmDUT-zraSWC1oL4jMsI6m_t3Zd-lf3yqbarjevzWb0ag5pzuOjx-IzkMc/s400/walking+with+abram.jpg" width="390px" /></a></div><br />
It was a beautiful day, a bit cool, but perfect for biking. We did not bring sunscreen and both of us were a bit red by the end of the day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbr6gZ6A_tW59ty5soeIrFiD10gKvTI3ThSRWPa9QGiuBJHX30vDEVJZ2Tg1GIwsruLkimAQ940Vzf1tAW1UjxOEJJXZCALQmnygVUzWSCV-PUSzghe22E67CGxTZwQhpm6xSWXA5-oY/s1600/us+on+block+island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbr6gZ6A_tW59ty5soeIrFiD10gKvTI3ThSRWPa9QGiuBJHX30vDEVJZ2Tg1GIwsruLkimAQ940Vzf1tAW1UjxOEJJXZCALQmnygVUzWSCV-PUSzghe22E67CGxTZwQhpm6xSWXA5-oY/s400/us+on+block+island.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
We found lighthouses<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomTxoGky3Bel4fHw3FzxUnQ3XAF-ZQ5YcKHXNRMTCYJxAEFrnd7jJU-VHU_CxTjS8a8DQEvl_VWjhu3hsqSJh2IN5QM2rsl_GV3Pm1uqwy41-lwI0KADaPLfPdmcygU0lO6GAeYkHohI/s1600/lieghthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomTxoGky3Bel4fHw3FzxUnQ3XAF-ZQ5YcKHXNRMTCYJxAEFrnd7jJU-VHU_CxTjS8a8DQEvl_VWjhu3hsqSJh2IN5QM2rsl_GV3Pm1uqwy41-lwI0KADaPLfPdmcygU0lO6GAeYkHohI/s400/lieghthouse.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>Fish out of water! This was a cool sculpture sticking out of the water on one of the roads we biked. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxtvkirF9ETsKCoCW3oAfgxYcCiAX5AhygHfbpRmOpv4RskbI5PVQ5MDRDc9aDgPqkeUFaxcUFHXiH23NWtGxD_rWiev-v0Q8FMbp4bM1efhC-IyhQoPgIpv7F3MQrQUMQ3q6SKdpfhE/s1600/fish+out+of+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxtvkirF9ETsKCoCW3oAfgxYcCiAX5AhygHfbpRmOpv4RskbI5PVQ5MDRDc9aDgPqkeUFaxcUFHXiH23NWtGxD_rWiev-v0Q8FMbp4bM1efhC-IyhQoPgIpv7F3MQrQUMQ3q6SKdpfhE/s320/fish+out+of+water.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The man at the bike rental place recommended we find this beach. It was secluded and beautiful. I am always grateful when locals tell us of great finds and unique places to go. It always add to our adventure. There staircase down to the beach was steep. Here's the view from up top.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwt_eqiOZS9o2FTv7dTCA8QzuX0NRgBU6mdV3xoi22Ib115oSyt92fIKXK3BXSv69lc8zsaYLQUbxOLTWdeQFwMPpLUH3frE8pnMYzxoOjea8X2njNO7Ioxr1hanbX8UH2f1xw6wZRYc/s1600/staircase+to+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwt_eqiOZS9o2FTv7dTCA8QzuX0NRgBU6mdV3xoi22Ib115oSyt92fIKXK3BXSv69lc8zsaYLQUbxOLTWdeQFwMPpLUH3frE8pnMYzxoOjea8X2njNO7Ioxr1hanbX8UH2f1xw6wZRYc/s400/staircase+to+beach.jpg" width="300px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found my name, on a bike, at the bike rack at the top of the staircase.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5UaCrkhywr054vx2ZxfGfntuIWiQOYjN8EmHAe9Ca8j1lxA9UmPCPliiQ5jWsgrLIJQ4I1smGagkaPQYzsUncNKJFUhm7aUcv6BjDRimrH1C_foJsgRkjQd8Pue9lWR1WgnNcU8WO5o/s1600/my+name+on+a+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5UaCrkhywr054vx2ZxfGfntuIWiQOYjN8EmHAe9Ca8j1lxA9UmPCPliiQ5jWsgrLIJQ4I1smGagkaPQYzsUncNKJFUhm7aUcv6BjDRimrH1C_foJsgRkjQd8Pue9lWR1WgnNcU8WO5o/s320/my+name+on+a+bike.jpg" width="312px" /></a></div><br />
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We sat on some rocks near the base of the staircase.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9BR7rvjYry7U1oG0zabmsFNIfsGgteJrVbZGAMlhbjfwR231Epbpdx6UoYn1H6RV-GErcyJbg7AqibHn_B46e0t7SpWu2amjzbD1VPvZgCfI4byVzFaUlSGQi4ONQuaFn9iIaDwE6Ns/s1600/abram+at+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9BR7rvjYry7U1oG0zabmsFNIfsGgteJrVbZGAMlhbjfwR231Epbpdx6UoYn1H6RV-GErcyJbg7AqibHn_B46e0t7SpWu2amjzbD1VPvZgCfI4byVzFaUlSGQi4ONQuaFn9iIaDwE6Ns/s400/abram+at+the+beach.jpg" width="326px" /></a></div>This is the beach view. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EcCjgS8KjOGtRVNzEJV9F8KyU0Yz69J4vcRalFXfmgp0tnoB3tv8M-HnSq3GYXzyQR21CBpJfYhwfXqdPFHYV0AHSpY42FFwFQPHmO-UqZtpt1UQk9F2n38hEeQ3m2Hb2LKKnKb07XQ/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EcCjgS8KjOGtRVNzEJV9F8KyU0Yz69J4vcRalFXfmgp0tnoB3tv8M-HnSq3GYXzyQR21CBpJfYhwfXqdPFHYV0AHSpY42FFwFQPHmO-UqZtpt1UQk9F2n38hEeQ3m2Hb2LKKnKb07XQ/s640/beach.jpg" width="640px" /></a><br />
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Just an amazing view and a beautiful day together!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-67537226428896088032012-01-24T22:33:00.000-05:002012-01-24T22:33:01.218-05:00Las VegasAbram and I had gone to Las Vegas in February of '06. We thought that it would be interesting to take the kids and show them some of the amazing architecture in Las Vegas. Paul Drebelbis, Abram's uncle who had past away in June, had a company that created the facades and internal pieces for the casinos in Vegas. I was told that the Excalibur Casino was a family friendly one, so we booked two rooms there. I was amazed that price of a room tripled from a week rate to a weekend rate.<br />
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Here is a picture of Excalibur at 9:30 at night. Vegas is pretty outside with all the buildings lit up. It is loud and difficult to negotiate with a family inside. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiA8_xM9lGPIvmD7zJUZyPHx_5Ytl99ArSlRovEK-sMAmQeqtqI5mUNnWgQXcNWQ28EaFi8MG0ewl-L1RA2PFkSbyfEfKz6tpnSSgRmWnR00PDQ2_Ykt5oNccHNndReVztfSDNOYJIQw/s1600/excalibur+at+dusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiA8_xM9lGPIvmD7zJUZyPHx_5Ytl99ArSlRovEK-sMAmQeqtqI5mUNnWgQXcNWQ28EaFi8MG0ewl-L1RA2PFkSbyfEfKz6tpnSSgRmWnR00PDQ2_Ykt5oNccHNndReVztfSDNOYJIQw/s640/excalibur+at+dusk.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Our rooms across the hall from each other. This is the view from one of the rooms.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQVZu033hiOQsFCKIa2CKanrOXb8tduMhmkvXHmCQy37mfuWYH1_MoFK60Owifj1YeAVDGNSvnKoQcvUIUoNdV-hBSJRRuh5WJ2ucK_20XMM99-8_sQEjlw1ZfunXDyN7AV5-ZoTq6BU/s1600/view+outside+the+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQVZu033hiOQsFCKIa2CKanrOXb8tduMhmkvXHmCQy37mfuWYH1_MoFK60Owifj1YeAVDGNSvnKoQcvUIUoNdV-hBSJRRuh5WJ2ucK_20XMM99-8_sQEjlw1ZfunXDyN7AV5-ZoTq6BU/s640/view+outside+the+window.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
The next day we ventured out to see other casinos and try to find some things to do. Here's our hotel during the day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZWEsANQo_BOvqEYnsMb-ck5jhqGQdalw9JTDsVtHLln4hfThGAlKdNnsHWj8UC_j_c-aoNVNj9W_06cixec4ilmw4L6EmNxuIhYj5Je7D5ezFm0dDAzJYV8wFIAtrF6iwMwrratGKbI/s1600/excalibur+in+the+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZWEsANQo_BOvqEYnsMb-ck5jhqGQdalw9JTDsVtHLln4hfThGAlKdNnsHWj8UC_j_c-aoNVNj9W_06cixec4ilmw4L6EmNxuIhYj5Je7D5ezFm0dDAzJYV8wFIAtrF6iwMwrratGKbI/s640/excalibur+in+the+day.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Here's NY, NY. I took the girls on the roller coaster. I do not like roller coasters, but Rachel had never been on one before and I couldn't let her go alone or have Sarai be responsible for her. I gave Abram my camera and pocket book and all loose items I could think of; one I forgot was my glasses! The operators of the ride would not hold them for me, so I held them tightly in my pocket hoping that it would stay while we twisted and turned upside down. All was fine, except for my elbow which was bruised. The ride was more bumpy than anything. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4_m5nZ4oYrliavPuxypZGQwuPjodXzfpjZxIOfMjnFWkxGvt8DaaYszlIRoSsUrcehYRkCSjVjM-IdQnRThclJMEG0jdqTNE7XQTnCtvaqqqDdkTAtJWYiPjeVvkYcmeG-BGO9HMu1g/s1600/new+york+new+york.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4_m5nZ4oYrliavPuxypZGQwuPjodXzfpjZxIOfMjnFWkxGvt8DaaYszlIRoSsUrcehYRkCSjVjM-IdQnRThclJMEG0jdqTNE7XQTnCtvaqqqDdkTAtJWYiPjeVvkYcmeG-BGO9HMu1g/s640/new+york+new+york.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
We played some arcade games. We looked at show prices, but having tickets begin at $70/person with a seven person party we had to find other things to do. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznHD1avS3I_dXTzVW_YXtgksaHmLlWPycD9PyhOl2av7ujtfRPkGsDeoIaBkLt9bqZQyjZF1H-hEJyx8VVCDx7coxJFu0Je0bw1ZF8fGOFzXDeD5X7TplKvuNRaiPYBKVKiK1L6nEKpQ/s1600/fuze+ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznHD1avS3I_dXTzVW_YXtgksaHmLlWPycD9PyhOl2av7ujtfRPkGsDeoIaBkLt9bqZQyjZF1H-hEJyx8VVCDx7coxJFu0Je0bw1ZF8fGOFzXDeD5X7TplKvuNRaiPYBKVKiK1L6nEKpQ/s400/fuze+ball.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
We walked into MGM studios casino. In the middle of it were two huge lions! These are real. They are switched out half way through the day with other lions that are cared for at a reserve. It was amazing to watch their behavior. They acted so similar to our cats. The grooming is the same, they care for each other in a similar manner, our cats lounge just like them. It struck me how similar their instincts are yet we are comparing wild cats to domestic ones.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc2g3F_OYfW0Xr3OhMu6VT3HVDSDlg1pb1Z_EYcChZEIVD6lBD2H4lfGXYigfixg0GIDQL09zx_rvGnFIgtRVobmSPvWSOgUy02p25HnGmFgE_bSuumfFttZFSgxUOaqHnyQIbRwydWs/s1600/lions+at+MGM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAc2g3F_OYfW0Xr3OhMu6VT3HVDSDlg1pb1Z_EYcChZEIVD6lBD2H4lfGXYigfixg0GIDQL09zx_rvGnFIgtRVobmSPvWSOgUy02p25HnGmFgE_bSuumfFttZFSgxUOaqHnyQIbRwydWs/s400/lions+at+MGM.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
The Bellagio is a great attraction. On the half hour, music plays and the water fountains move to the music. We saw this site in '06 with our friend Dave. Here are some great 2011 shots of the fountain display.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZoKd0oJbngZEzaHnXfIuAXZVY4ZtNkqRzV6O6nD8UxDripl_R-lJU8h_A3djslv228WzV_TEhs5Jo97LuiT4Fho828iXxq6zW9B6GQtnUVHcVakTl9KkXSfTxS24Cl9-JXdTVNZ6MOQ/s1600/more+fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZoKd0oJbngZEzaHnXfIuAXZVY4ZtNkqRzV6O6nD8UxDripl_R-lJU8h_A3djslv228WzV_TEhs5Jo97LuiT4Fho828iXxq6zW9B6GQtnUVHcVakTl9KkXSfTxS24Cl9-JXdTVNZ6MOQ/s640/more+fountain.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KHJh8bPfmkXAUzHZ8SUkXjolaClq3-5ZUpA4aZ960qp71t1TMMVBDJdtzcaIN0DaurpDxHJbQ4BnmgzGIyNJkwwcVJjLPIaKgaqwEPDn-5MSlkxDvL9AvxOqZ2p5hY6VJvgRcKwQ8-I/s1600/more+fountain+power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KHJh8bPfmkXAUzHZ8SUkXjolaClq3-5ZUpA4aZ960qp71t1TMMVBDJdtzcaIN0DaurpDxHJbQ4BnmgzGIyNJkwwcVJjLPIaKgaqwEPDn-5MSlkxDvL9AvxOqZ2p5hY6VJvgRcKwQ8-I/s640/more+fountain+power.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
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We decided to explore the casinos hoping to see some good things inside during the day. A few casinos are connected by tram, but that costs too. We walked in the desert heat of 105 between many casinos. We got to the Bellagio around 6:30. I was happy to find it since I really wanted the kids to see it. Our walk through the streets provided an eye opening experience that none of the kids enjoyed though. We were hot, hungry and tired and still needed to walk back. Abram asked if I wanted to go into the Bellagio, I said "why bother, let's go back and eat". Well, he remembered that there was an incredible site of glass umbrellas lining the ceiling in the Baliagio, but I had not remembered that. He also did not think to mention anything about the umbrellas, so it was a lost moment.<br />
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In '06, I took these great photos with a small camera. I had said it would be great to take more with the newer, better camera. That opportunity was lost and so was the chance to show the kids this great work of art. In order to see anything inside of a casino, you need to walk through all the slot machine areas and other gambling spots. You are allowed to walk with your kids, but they cannot stop. I was chided for having the kids wait for me to use a bathroom, because they were starring at a slot machine! This was extremely frustrating. I decided to use the photos from '06 to show how beautiful the inside of the Bellagio is.<br />
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Imagine the whole ceiling covered in these glass umbrellas.<br />
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I have a print of this one in my bathroom. <br />
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At night, Vegas lights up. Here is a picture from '06 of the Sphinx with a blue beam coming out of its head.<br />
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I cannot remember at all which casino this is in. (If Dave lets me know I will correct this.) Dave took Abram and I here because there is a thunder storm that happens regularly here. The ceiling is painted like a sky. You hear the thunder rumbling and then rain falls into the pond for the thunder and lightning storm. They also have a Ben and Jerry's here so we had ice cream while waiting to witness it.<br />
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Back to our recent 2011 photos. Here is picture of the Vegas sky line.<br />
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Out of the other hotel room we had, was this view of the Excalibur pools. We floated in the upper right pool. The upper left pool was an over 18 pool. <br />
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I don't have many photos of the pool because with the temperature being 105, I wanted to be in the water. We also did not spend a lot of time in the pool. The pool opened at 10 and closed at 7. They really wanted to make sure you had nothing else to do but gamble.<br />
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There was one waterfall that was working. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdD6147iD1lpxmFIXyytl01Ka7_gHuADGzsf75M9321C1l-RY95TSg__m9fXPyahNNYTxIHoGCtYM1WtWYdCb6MfBOd6K3ti98BrIauO3th0xHtsPj9LDFtX0rcv4QtDRQzrIHHaQ2QE/s1600/waterfall+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdD6147iD1lpxmFIXyytl01Ka7_gHuADGzsf75M9321C1l-RY95TSg__m9fXPyahNNYTxIHoGCtYM1WtWYdCb6MfBOd6K3ti98BrIauO3th0xHtsPj9LDFtX0rcv4QtDRQzrIHHaQ2QE/s400/waterfall+girls.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Las Vegas was an experience. Tobin thought peoples' descriptions of Vegas were over exaggerated, but now he knows that they were true! We had planned to stay two night in Vegas. After spending Saturday night and Sunday in Vegas we needed to leave this city and do something else. We chose to see the Hoover Dam. That will be the next blog.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-20434455587797937382012-01-20T22:14:00.000-05:002012-01-20T22:14:15.231-05:00CA vacation: leaving Yosemite traveling eastward to Death ValleyWe left the cabin in Yosemite to travel at least 8 hours east to Las Vegas. Before we exited the Yosemite National Park we stopped at Tuolumne Grove to see the Giant Sequoia trees.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I tried to capture how tall the trees were. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQcAzdiXzYGhokhLWasOZseAuA-EgHQWZfMNQ6VFCCTmMm9JUqlFLOQhdDwrxIiKBbp1F2qBgfi-aFzitjKtsJI756E9n-fNRs_qzM7fszMBjhMfqjS24s_zsXbFmzt5Dbaw__MeRjFo/s1600/huge+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQcAzdiXzYGhokhLWasOZseAuA-EgHQWZfMNQ6VFCCTmMm9JUqlFLOQhdDwrxIiKBbp1F2qBgfi-aFzitjKtsJI756E9n-fNRs_qzM7fszMBjhMfqjS24s_zsXbFmzt5Dbaw__MeRjFo/s640/huge+trees.jpg" width="241px" /></a></div>Over time, the rangers learned that the only way to force a Sequioa tree to reseed is through fires. As we traveled in an out of the valley we saw several controlled fires used to stimulate the continuing growth of the forests there. The rangers had placed signs near the controlled fires saying, "do not call 911, controlled fire in progress."<br />
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Rachel wearing her sundress standing against a giant Sequioa tree.<br />
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</div>I thought this "green" eyed susan was unique and beautiful.<br />
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We are all standing inside of a sequioa tree! It is called the tunnel tree. No one is squished and there is plenty more tree on either side of our family. Sequioas are truely magnificant to view.<br />
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A bit further in the hike there was a fallen, dead sequoia that you could walk/ crawl through. Most of us walked through until we had to get on all fours. I walked through until I was squatting down, but left through a narrow break so I did not have to climb on my stomach to get through. Rachel on the other hand, was excited to crawl all the way through a huge, fallen tree. She did this twice!<br />
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Here is a view of the east side of Yosemite. It was gorgeous. I'm so glad we traveled this way. Many people never get a chance to view this side of Yosemite. The east side of Yosemite has a rockier terrain.<br />
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We drove along Tioga Road. I took these photos while Abram was driving. I believe this is the Tuolumne River. <br />
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This area is called the Tuolumne Meadows. I was disapointed we couldn't stop and enjoy the area. Hopefully we will get a chance to visit Yosemite again and come here for a day.<br />
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What is this tree growing from? As I looked up at the mountain side I saw several trees growing. Nature is amazing.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Traveling eastward did not provide many opportunities for bathroom breaks. We had spotted a building labeled for tourist information, which we quickly discovered was closed. While looking around the building I discovered a walking path that had huge pine cones strewn around it. I asked Abram to get a picture of the size difference between what I'm assuming was a Sequoia pine cone vs a "normal" pine cone! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_J-03cAuiMSThIHhrhX4CGA7L6grNyr-Advf73HDBvmsrb_Q271t1wDdyb4xAOLhjrppPtr9i9HaMnBAdiJG8aDEFLqjw0-TvtK0frOGBYs64OhBgs55APVfMnPHlCRhA8s_Vvs7VZ4/s1600/two+pine+cones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_J-03cAuiMSThIHhrhX4CGA7L6grNyr-Advf73HDBvmsrb_Q271t1wDdyb4xAOLhjrppPtr9i9HaMnBAdiJG8aDEFLqjw0-TvtK0frOGBYs64OhBgs55APVfMnPHlCRhA8s_Vvs7VZ4/s320/two+pine+cones.jpg" width="214px" /></a></div>After I realized that it looked weird holding up two pine cones, I just held up the Sequoia one. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMpi0_HVhgQzbscnQRg2vTtw5-eQNIzacCdo1ecRiWtIMKZ6NYolsS1Uj3rvCLdHHRMOOLRkbPLTSroKvLKPh3yAGa5_f8UYHgwTNp66YXxRGkmPXmuAr93NjkZFnrB9IzJ-Vhbm1xZ4/s1600/big+pine+cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMpi0_HVhgQzbscnQRg2vTtw5-eQNIzacCdo1ecRiWtIMKZ6NYolsS1Uj3rvCLdHHRMOOLRkbPLTSroKvLKPh3yAGa5_f8UYHgwTNp66YXxRGkmPXmuAr93NjkZFnrB9IzJ-Vhbm1xZ4/s320/big+pine+cone.jpg" width="208px" /></a></div>Leaving the Yosemite Valley and the Tuolumne area provided many new views and constant switchbacks on the road. Only the passengers could appreciate the beautiful terrain out the window. The driver had to concentrate on negotiating a car around the curves and keeping as far from the cliff edges as possible. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfLN2OaHpxwXhXlu_-jrIs5Dsr9NEU4zUzO3bzfnylzGkGgC4-Qx-iH8LmivJbeQXBQE-e_6myvJuWG74saFhnoc8yy21vI58GR2SFsG4MTOr-07FzGJ0RiipCCOOk6XP_XxKg816SaA/s1600/more+unknown+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfLN2OaHpxwXhXlu_-jrIs5Dsr9NEU4zUzO3bzfnylzGkGgC4-Qx-iH8LmivJbeQXBQE-e_6myvJuWG74saFhnoc8yy21vI58GR2SFsG4MTOr-07FzGJ0RiipCCOOk6XP_XxKg816SaA/s640/more+unknown+lake.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
As I watched this cyclist climb up these mountains I thought, "The view is amazing, but the shoulders suck. I would not like to be biking on these roads." Kudos to him though. <br />
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Here's a great view of what it was like to drive through these passes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjps_2S3Gds4clzp5ZWqVXNhulOGsrp5cs56xAVHgBW5JT_Hse4W6KFejo3IAzXEtNbAXWMspfDxJesLFmurEBzr9NNthroGB0GTZ3313Q37BZlJR9YKoCKBABMuX9RMMUDcwsc0QBcLbY/s1600/stomach+turning+curves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjps_2S3Gds4clzp5ZWqVXNhulOGsrp5cs56xAVHgBW5JT_Hse4W6KFejo3IAzXEtNbAXWMspfDxJesLFmurEBzr9NNthroGB0GTZ3313Q37BZlJR9YKoCKBABMuX9RMMUDcwsc0QBcLbY/s640/stomach+turning+curves.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately, we took all of these pictures through the car window. I have no idea where we were, but it looks amazing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcZZP0CSqmAp3r27Phke11unP2qoGi6zVdXR0nh7A99-Sjk4f8XBpa_GHi7_jRrpog-x9ptGbZ-OupioD0iP7rOg1uN80JNUa-IUMePrVzlyKNAJkBYj6cFoEjGKXzuv23H5y-jgJerI/s1600/mountain+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcZZP0CSqmAp3r27Phke11unP2qoGi6zVdXR0nh7A99-Sjk4f8XBpa_GHi7_jRrpog-x9ptGbZ-OupioD0iP7rOg1uN80JNUa-IUMePrVzlyKNAJkBYj6cFoEjGKXzuv23H5y-jgJerI/s640/mountain+view.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I affectionately call these mountains, chocolate mountains. It reminds me of shaved chocolate. When I was driving through the Canadian Rockies in 2004, I saw several passes with mountains like these. It brought back many memories. (I will have to make vacation photo journals of all the places we have visited.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5aSEyctoeohP4mk_SzHR9d7z9kJKPR_61LeF1qsT4Ru0KzNJeq5tIuhPek7UWa_r6xNiyU8d8OAnBGVsgdmvuOo4FTRridMbcRiBAVYNVA4gg6GE1mHlZl8lsn4GnyADiTzZ6ZIcj0Q/s1600/chocolate+mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5aSEyctoeohP4mk_SzHR9d7z9kJKPR_61LeF1qsT4Ru0KzNJeq5tIuhPek7UWa_r6xNiyU8d8OAnBGVsgdmvuOo4FTRridMbcRiBAVYNVA4gg6GE1mHlZl8lsn4GnyADiTzZ6ZIcj0Q/s640/chocolate+mountains.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
As we traveled on one of the only high ways leading to Death Valley, we found ourselves driving behind a car from Massachusetts! Life can feel so small some times.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLX5dPjQMAIlsAS1fUTpQzHfY_zmNpdESMeXgLgzTbQC4t3pQ3L8-tqJK262YQKypCKmjRlLwuuJShRYmF47cI3Oc97CznFLDbmzy4M_wQvLW0kwA0y-RI2U4VrIBrQSkFqHOPK0RLFU/s1600/traveling+to+death+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLX5dPjQMAIlsAS1fUTpQzHfY_zmNpdESMeXgLgzTbQC4t3pQ3L8-tqJK262YQKypCKmjRlLwuuJShRYmF47cI3Oc97CznFLDbmzy4M_wQvLW0kwA0y-RI2U4VrIBrQSkFqHOPK0RLFU/s640/traveling+to+death+valley.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Abram has the camera now and took a picture of our crowded car. Part of the travel entertainment was listening to Tobin quiz Leah with her medical exam book. It usually went like this: "This 'condition' [Tobin tries to pronounce it; Leah guesses what he is trying to say] causes x, y and z." Leah says the wrong answer sometimes and Leah says "are you sure you are reading this right!" Medical terms are extremely difficult to pronounce, but when you have an aunt questioning your ability to read the answer key it's another issue all together. It helped to pass the over 8 hour drive to Death Valley!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm98OXk3GT9J0_rXy2WhoNk_jH0zhUbyp7AT_faVFbnsLqC-n3V2-MVSQuLxTZRydZygbm4Pez4NxWD8qx9H8jgw7VSZf9XT8TYItyC4PA75HmQmyJMZ3dj538TzUtATx6rFFWyO_tRVI/s1600/drivinf+in+the+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm98OXk3GT9J0_rXy2WhoNk_jH0zhUbyp7AT_faVFbnsLqC-n3V2-MVSQuLxTZRydZygbm4Pez4NxWD8qx9H8jgw7VSZf9XT8TYItyC4PA75HmQmyJMZ3dj538TzUtATx6rFFWyO_tRVI/s400/drivinf+in+the+car.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
Abram's artistic view of the terrain through the rear view mirror.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlc4ntKmD85_wPf1mlHvQOpOxhxJQogUCMSXqUGqJwLqGlq4MowLKgVKOA22hZx5kX9TWlrsPZEv7vG6OCf4nn_QX25Pb-jbcwr4myVNCu-_FnGaXslURpVpuo0U5e4_pIjwQYBrD0hY/s1600/abram%2527s+artistic+license.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlc4ntKmD85_wPf1mlHvQOpOxhxJQogUCMSXqUGqJwLqGlq4MowLKgVKOA22hZx5kX9TWlrsPZEv7vG6OCf4nn_QX25Pb-jbcwr4myVNCu-_FnGaXslURpVpuo0U5e4_pIjwQYBrD0hY/s400/abram%2527s+artistic+license.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
I thought that driving from the mountains to Death Valley would mean that you would descend the whole time. I was wrong. So often we would drive down to 1000 ft of elevation, to then assend back up to 4000 ft of elevation. It made for an interesting drive and we did get to Death Valley. <br />
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We didn't realize that our excursion to the Tuolumne Grove would have prevented us from getting into the Death Valley museum. But we do have this great photo of the temperature in Death Valley at 5:30pm. It was 109 in the shade! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb_gB47Mo_ksfNB9YK5ENVvBdlD15kigf9vxbTrXY2fsvphyibv8-lBj27mYHocHhaknoKMA8qE3SDeW-L-Mr7gvgSgoBDgXSVMYKxiOFrCS9DvaTIoD3r3nxsm25LdDryvpUb2AId90/s1600/abram%2527s+reflection+in+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb_gB47Mo_ksfNB9YK5ENVvBdlD15kigf9vxbTrXY2fsvphyibv8-lBj27mYHocHhaknoKMA8qE3SDeW-L-Mr7gvgSgoBDgXSVMYKxiOFrCS9DvaTIoD3r3nxsm25LdDryvpUb2AId90/s320/abram%2527s+reflection+in+glass.jpg" width="314px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb_gB47Mo_ksfNB9YK5ENVvBdlD15kigf9vxbTrXY2fsvphyibv8-lBj27mYHocHhaknoKMA8qE3SDeW-L-Mr7gvgSgoBDgXSVMYKxiOFrCS9DvaTIoD3r3nxsm25LdDryvpUb2AId90/s1600/abram%2527s+reflection+in+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
Did you know there is a resort in Death Valley with a golf course? Neither did we! After seeing the temperature we quickly retreated back to the air conditioned car. I was shocked to see these great palm trees juxtaposed against the sand dunes. Researching names of the places we visited allowed me to learn that Death Valley has a golf course, resort and ranch at Furnace Creek. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bf19LAMX8Vp98QenpqE9BIpBal5O4erX0M2_lVAmT_0c6irO-gIakGYRusVaanPSgWNSXaBorChsiEWkCAoKuYtLdOdfTYbipt5OAUC0J3PyKRtxo9FMVWYVxKPSlADlZMcK-8w3wnk/s1600/palm+tree+and+background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bf19LAMX8Vp98QenpqE9BIpBal5O4erX0M2_lVAmT_0c6irO-gIakGYRusVaanPSgWNSXaBorChsiEWkCAoKuYtLdOdfTYbipt5OAUC0J3PyKRtxo9FMVWYVxKPSlADlZMcK-8w3wnk/s640/palm+tree+and+background.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLy2XuIFPBRgBpscrM6gxB9Iad8a-lG-4ib7DxOvvWHCJ7LpyYwi9bsKZkfy5FNDRjBwRkilHY8vDlSOpWjc-WS7pfMH3m8uc6-1NhyphenhyphenYXCBToFYdIuIO9WNQVjwxYPyLdaa5tynvelIk/s1600/palm+tres+in+death+valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLy2XuIFPBRgBpscrM6gxB9Iad8a-lG-4ib7DxOvvWHCJ7LpyYwi9bsKZkfy5FNDRjBwRkilHY8vDlSOpWjc-WS7pfMH3m8uc6-1NhyphenhyphenYXCBToFYdIuIO9WNQVjwxYPyLdaa5tynvelIk/s400/palm+tres+in+death+valley.jpg" width="250px" /></a></div>The palm trees were huge. <br />
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Sand dunes or more chocolate mountains?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdO1cNMQljiD3EN7RxhNIsLxkAF37LMsCiYjq-A1yPvBqGJyqcSRVKuqzrwJn77sbCitEtMD9fxP71_fOGFJ54jqb5gc_Br-kVJiWGlmmK7CUZNirae6flLpU1I45KdNAX0xFuHU8JKOo/s1600/rock+or+sand+dunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdO1cNMQljiD3EN7RxhNIsLxkAF37LMsCiYjq-A1yPvBqGJyqcSRVKuqzrwJn77sbCitEtMD9fxP71_fOGFJ54jqb5gc_Br-kVJiWGlmmK7CUZNirae6flLpU1I45KdNAX0xFuHU8JKOo/s640/rock+or+sand+dunes.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This was the site along the road near the ranch. I was not expecting to see any treess or bushes in Death Valley. Yes, we chose to go during a very hot time of the year, but I am glad we were able to see this amazing place. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9ofjkUjFrzyxqluby-nFZUmC0KoxgblIWI7LLtZf3vbKrINaU4BufHDztQ536R8kdMZnZTkroy5fs6CUrQCZhKDNTtnQDkM9uEWFYiiBdlh_W3JDd-AyLUMDAQpx8YFnk4CRg-d27Qw/s1600/death+valley+resort+tree+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9ofjkUjFrzyxqluby-nFZUmC0KoxgblIWI7LLtZf3vbKrINaU4BufHDztQ536R8kdMZnZTkroy5fs6CUrQCZhKDNTtnQDkM9uEWFYiiBdlh_W3JDd-AyLUMDAQpx8YFnk4CRg-d27Qw/s640/death+valley+resort+tree+line.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
We stopped at the Furnace Creek Ranch gift shop. Leah took our hot family photo. In the background you can see the mountains and sand dunes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXBT4AqPrUKUG5ZM74jsvl9ypFe0WSh8AgRxLDiDpslTQEKj1jaTaC8LsY2ddskmQjAVxqI_fRdaKvE3YI_fT5MZEb3S8ZBEZwDNfExBOIXE23i0trxS0foswFC_kwX1INaCDTEiGl7M/s1600/hot+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXBT4AqPrUKUG5ZM74jsvl9ypFe0WSh8AgRxLDiDpslTQEKj1jaTaC8LsY2ddskmQjAVxqI_fRdaKvE3YI_fT5MZEb3S8ZBEZwDNfExBOIXE23i0trxS0foswFC_kwX1INaCDTEiGl7M/s640/hot+family.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
I wanted to get Leah's photo with kids.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wwNrm9_XMAJSjeACkqfQeHDEddV54L1utWYpPNW_xj-6xH7uEmfxajBWne15Xrqwl3lBRasYw5Zu_uUSElVOt7TldE6OZR0iIyXJ-fJwpNCec9PfJ2DPA2Tm2pt-RDjItKMU2fQChSU/s1600/leah+and+the+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wwNrm9_XMAJSjeACkqfQeHDEddV54L1utWYpPNW_xj-6xH7uEmfxajBWne15Xrqwl3lBRasYw5Zu_uUSElVOt7TldE6OZR0iIyXJ-fJwpNCec9PfJ2DPA2Tm2pt-RDjItKMU2fQChSU/s640/leah+and+the+kids.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
While we were standing on the grass (as a New Englander I call it crab grass, our weeds), we noticed a very interesting bird near us. Here is a great picture. This is a road runner! They are much smaller than the Bugs Bunny version, but it moved so quickly all over the grass. I think it may have been waiting to see if we would feed it. It obviously is accustomed to people. It was very near us and calm the whole time we were around. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqF2j5CTljUnMxE-PoO3bXKz8NyOg7I0POswHRcB9mPhyLLPXAWaCc-8PlLLnk9zPrpq7_SbFLma6W9ZBEE989AW4E5GRECDRM6PHW-T26hOaq9yvI5zRzJcNpdwxii5RnDm84sxtMg0/s1600/road+runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqF2j5CTljUnMxE-PoO3bXKz8NyOg7I0POswHRcB9mPhyLLPXAWaCc-8PlLLnk9zPrpq7_SbFLma6W9ZBEE989AW4E5GRECDRM6PHW-T26hOaq9yvI5zRzJcNpdwxii5RnDm84sxtMg0/s400/road+runner.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We left Death Valley and headed to Las Vegas.. Death Valley was 110 at 5pm. We got to Las Vegas around 9pm at at temperature of 98! Not much cooling off in the city even if it is in the desert. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was an amazing day, seeing sequioa trees, climbing through them, driving to Death Valley, briefly hanging out in the heat and then traveling further east to Las Vegas, the city of lights. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-32299608079004474982012-01-07T18:53:00.000-05:002012-01-07T18:53:15.766-05:00CA vacation part 2: Hiking Bridal FallsAbram, Isaac, Tobin and I hiked up Bridal Veil Falls on Friday.<br />
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Isaac and Jenna were going to travel back to San Francisco Friday afternoon. Isaac wanted to hike one more time, so we had planned to hike early in the the morning. We had to get into the Valley before 9am, hike the trail and be back to the cabin before 1pm. We were close. <br />
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Here is the buck we saw in the parking lot at the visitor center in the valley!<br />
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Waterfalls are powerful. They are beautiful and enticing, but need to be respected for their strength. As we began out hike, we learned that three hikers had been swept away over the falls earlier that week. One woman had tried to walk across the pool at the top to get a better photo opportunity. The story is that she slipped, two men tried to help her and they all were swept away. We began our hike learning of this story and seeing their photos along the trail. It was a scary reminder of how powerful nature is and our need to respect it..<br />
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This is a panoramic photo I put together of the falls.<br />
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The sound of the falls was so loud. It is amazing how much water was still flowing in August.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We asked another hiker to take out photo. We were getting wet from the spray of the falls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9mPP1MXN3H-jVtbY64arw-IBrYyedmoXmTAhvwvsjR2szAqUYJll6zrJi85Acb-8I1jK-h2dXDHyARxrZsvTlaMDu9HLaEEZB8SHok_pKwaNQcSyEzM0AfHaN2o6fdhanC5m3V-dVFY/s1600/close+up+of+hikers+at+bridal+veil+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9mPP1MXN3H-jVtbY64arw-IBrYyedmoXmTAhvwvsjR2szAqUYJll6zrJi85Acb-8I1jK-h2dXDHyARxrZsvTlaMDu9HLaEEZB8SHok_pKwaNQcSyEzM0AfHaN2o6fdhanC5m3V-dVFY/s400/close+up+of+hikers+at+bridal+veil+falls.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The spray enabled me to take great photos of the rainbows.<br />
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</div>The stairs we climbed to go up to the top of the falls. There were few people coming down when we were going up. On our way down the volume of hikers had quadrupled. The staircase is narrow, just wide enough for two people, but the railing was a bit wobbly. <br />
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View of the falls from the top.<br />
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Here is Vernal pool. A beautiful view.<br />
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Tobin and Abram<br />
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</div>Isaac<br />
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A gorgeous blue bird. There were several flying around us. I was lucky to capture this one.<br />
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The whole time we were traveling in and out of the valley we would see these signs: <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2n9GjToyKQtDu0x5I_hxnGlrEpzo1i_rfp3yxkGBmhrgl6jEkzrsqoZU5Rb637nfm5gPQu-AzI9MH5D-EW7b7yf6PyZ6DiJvRLf_m8vIwa0lcl5nzmHD_h4xvCp80N5HWnk7uV-3tJ0s/s1600/bears+kill+t-shirt+a+bit+better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2n9GjToyKQtDu0x5I_hxnGlrEpzo1i_rfp3yxkGBmhrgl6jEkzrsqoZU5Rb637nfm5gPQu-AzI9MH5D-EW7b7yf6PyZ6DiJvRLf_m8vIwa0lcl5nzmHD_h4xvCp80N5HWnk7uV-3tJ0s/s320/bears+kill+t-shirt+a+bit+better.jpg" width="217px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tobin thought it was great. After our vacation, Jenna had a shirt made for him with this sign on it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is difficult to put into words how beautiful Yosemite was. We saw and did so much I am trying to capture each part in different sections. As I have said before, there is much more to come!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-20513001079233562252011-12-27T17:59:00.000-05:002011-12-27T17:59:28.605-05:00CA vacation part 2: water funThursday of our vacation week was spent in the water. The Leibig's decided to rent rafts inside the Valley. Rachel joined them. The rest of my family borrowed a beach pass and had an amazing time at a private lake area. <br />
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As we were driving towards the lake, I saw this doe on the side of road. Ironically, we had just passed a deer crossing sign!<br />
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Tobin went for a run before joining us at the lake.<br />
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Carmen<br />
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Sarai catching some rays.<br />
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I later learned that there were several places to stop at along this lake. We stopped at the first place we saw and it was perfect for us. Inside the swimming area were two floating rafts, for lack of a better term. The center tube was a huge trampoline. There were two ladders on either side so you could climb up onto it. Rachel wanted to go onto these rafts, so I joined her. The "thing" to do was this: one person would scoot onto the rectangular tube. Another person would launch themselves in the air and fling the first person up and into the water. <br />
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Here is a picture of me launching myself to pop Rachel up into the water.<br />
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After Rachel and I were out on the raft for awhile, the rest of the gang: Sarai, Carmen, Abram, Leah and Tobin joined in the fun. Here is Sarai trying to launch Abram. <br />
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As I had mentioned earlier, the Leibigs were in Yosemite valley renting rafts with Rachel. Cora's friend Erica drove up to spend time with them. She took a number of photos and I am using them to tell this part of the story.<br />
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Here are Rachel and Julie walking in the water. I heard the water was extremely cold.<br />
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Mike, Rachel, Julie and Teresa<br />
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I love this picture of Joey and Rachel climbing a tree root.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view while rafting. Half Dome is in the background. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0P9vajDw1RJecD-AiofwT8JrCa_rrQltoCtsYUacYhPqzTiY07QC_A3VRYHq-_L8WRxwzcKCDWOaoH96kQJ5hF4TKvlTQnEPgR-veCl9J-6LazvwD5JrMNgCXTadLa6hKvAFnFuJ4wc/s1600/view+while+rafting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0P9vajDw1RJecD-AiofwT8JrCa_rrQltoCtsYUacYhPqzTiY07QC_A3VRYHq-_L8WRxwzcKCDWOaoH96kQJ5hF4TKvlTQnEPgR-veCl9J-6LazvwD5JrMNgCXTadLa6hKvAFnFuJ4wc/s400/view+while+rafting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday, the Leibigs joined us at the lake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is Julie crawling out on the hot dog tube. Most of us made it one and a half steps before we fell off this structure. Julie made it all the way out and almost all the way back before she slipped into the water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pAmN4gqf-2zsug1mDFXsOhvVNfhG7QG4OlzmY3qvOU1tkHbiPbI-qIN_P2X0BKx4Jj4fXIMBEojgJXOSfC0vWqu9wmcqUgafBJAzIu-OcQLJVJqnPzywpSMCjkTri7dBCVPGzT5DPi4/s1600/julie+crawling+across+the+tube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pAmN4gqf-2zsug1mDFXsOhvVNfhG7QG4OlzmY3qvOU1tkHbiPbI-qIN_P2X0BKx4Jj4fXIMBEojgJXOSfC0vWqu9wmcqUgafBJAzIu-OcQLJVJqnPzywpSMCjkTri7dBCVPGzT5DPi4/s640/julie+crawling+across+the+tube.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Here is Teresa trying to run across the tube.<br />
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Rachel and Joey had a great time playing on the rafts. Here is Rachel jumping to launch Joey and....<br />
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It's successful, Joey is up and off the raft!<br />
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Thomas enjoyed digging in the sand with Cora.<br />
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Theresa doing hand stands in the water. I caught her going down. <br />
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This was an amazing vactation. There is more to come as we did more and saw more in Yosemite!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-40278437796287282182011-11-25T17:04:00.000-05:002011-11-25T17:04:33.327-05:00Tobin racing at DistrictsThe end of the cross country season can abut up against some bad running weather. But this year takes the cake. Leagues was scheduled for October 27th. It is always held at the Marlboro country club. Thursday's weather was predicted to be pouring rain. the race was postponed until Halloween. this year we had 10-12 inches of heavy, wet snow the weekend before Halloween and a snow day, yes a snow day in October! With the ground covered in snow the MIAA organization did not know where they could hold a Leagues meet. There is typically two weeks between Leagues and Districts. As the week progressed without any solution school began complaining and saying they did not want to have a League meet. MIAA decided to use the Districts race to determine the League results.<br />
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Districts had more weight it this year. Now, not only did it mean that only the top three teams went to states, but it also meant that each runner's performance determine the result of two races. Pressure was on.<br />
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Tobin had run a race the weekend earlier, which resulted in a collapse before the finish and transportation via ambulance to Milford's ER. I will talk about that race in another blog. But that incident was weighing on him heavily for Districts. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K64An6SPV-QIYd5RFyrlp7f0JyvFWSBojnKYm4ILIY6HO9HbKGzfBB6UfudxOZOemv9iSBcvYTvDSYCANN26OWqJjULlkTbz-uIXCdQNiIcKZu4IosSjQosqFnIZaMIXRP_atbJTvpo/s1600/shrewsbury+xc+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="72px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K64An6SPV-QIYd5RFyrlp7f0JyvFWSBojnKYm4ILIY6HO9HbKGzfBB6UfudxOZOemv9iSBcvYTvDSYCANN26OWqJjULlkTbz-uIXCdQNiIcKZu4IosSjQosqFnIZaMIXRP_atbJTvpo/s400/shrewsbury+xc+sign.jpg" width="400px" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxbX7tQL_WHFTE9wuSpZVxryKm6Th6GaMWfNo-Ng92yO4iIU6hKL5o0JK1-ba6j8wXURsEqZTbuM51sXlvpyHmHsGa71PTvdNCa4P1TB8aAHkPzSwII6xNUQAB8_etLCImtOIqc4TsCo/s1600/mike+with+no+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxbX7tQL_WHFTE9wuSpZVxryKm6Th6GaMWfNo-Ng92yO4iIU6hKL5o0JK1-ba6j8wXURsEqZTbuM51sXlvpyHmHsGa71PTvdNCa4P1TB8aAHkPzSwII6xNUQAB8_etLCImtOIqc4TsCo/s320/mike+with+no+clothes.jpg" width="142px" /></a></div>This co-captain Mike Bodden. We were laughing before the race because it looks as if he is going to run the race with nothing on. Yes, he's wearing his uniform underneath, but the shorts are so short that the jacket covers them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffjk0vG-4SzrkVN1p2Icz409R2NaRB5lvDtFIz5qQQShyphenhyphen46rC1Pe6KypGor6_RGWFWM5hLevQNak3TLAix13yF5ZRDxo7jnzPku0LJC8TNbB25yqyABuZ_Q3vXoQqTXJ55_yc2kPxGFU/s1600/1st+mile+Tobin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffjk0vG-4SzrkVN1p2Icz409R2NaRB5lvDtFIz5qQQShyphenhyphen46rC1Pe6KypGor6_RGWFWM5hLevQNak3TLAix13yF5ZRDxo7jnzPku0LJC8TNbB25yqyABuZ_Q3vXoQqTXJ55_yc2kPxGFU/s400/1st+mile+Tobin.jpg" width="255px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7sA75izYwXLwSOthSdirRGuq1NG-Ojeglbs4xm5_QNtLBdkZlClvHY0Px0NXccgv9mGP1KkBQqlv-0vzLfE4Ff5CIoqsDtmJQvQPRKgCkTvWB56CVq6nr5g8-wK1YBkoNfHbUFp3GeA/s1600/tobin+mile+1+another+good+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7sA75izYwXLwSOthSdirRGuq1NG-Ojeglbs4xm5_QNtLBdkZlClvHY0Px0NXccgv9mGP1KkBQqlv-0vzLfE4Ff5CIoqsDtmJQvQPRKgCkTvWB56CVq6nr5g8-wK1YBkoNfHbUFp3GeA/s400/tobin+mile+1+another+good+one.jpg" width="278px" /></a></div>Tobin running around the first mile. the weather is very cold, maybe it was 40 that day. He was grateful that he wore the leggings since everyone spoke later of how cold they were after the first mile. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt51eZK9fKoeNyEmxfPGtWe5aYHxXwQoQyOT-QqnTybJigMB6W6K1Em3GkFN6YgZhJWTwZksz7cFA2HsLzJ8guWwRGQWnHNvh7dP9pMcIQ-3oprK9XDes6Axrv9AUkJ36EmpkfCeyxOM/s1600/sienery+at+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt51eZK9fKoeNyEmxfPGtWe5aYHxXwQoQyOT-QqnTybJigMB6W6K1Em3GkFN6YgZhJWTwZksz7cFA2HsLzJ8guWwRGQWnHNvh7dP9pMcIQ-3oprK9XDes6Axrv9AUkJ36EmpkfCeyxOM/s400/sienery+at+race.jpg" width="393px" /></a></div>Here is a shot of the runners going down a hill. The course was held at the Gardner Country Club. This is the site for Districts each year as well as last year's state meet. I had stood off of the course, according the white line painted on the grass. The first runner ran straight at me because I did not realize they would take the tangent of the curve. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22cfHeMgswSAvJkN1bIlI_ilyLZuu3gG_jWSJyfvhdRlmUT7ib1qPWuuiLkEMmwq12ouwZCI4gKp304xRQZJd4tu2pfRqxOE8wLNch5HWOWXrS-GNUmKWgY5B2NjbTM1g1eynvSbnVxs/s1600/mile+2+for+Tobin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22cfHeMgswSAvJkN1bIlI_ilyLZuu3gG_jWSJyfvhdRlmUT7ib1qPWuuiLkEMmwq12ouwZCI4gKp304xRQZJd4tu2pfRqxOE8wLNch5HWOWXrS-GNUmKWgY5B2NjbTM1g1eynvSbnVxs/s320/mile+2+for+Tobin.jpg" width="216px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybsGQbWeRUpdMdXAIy2qWJX4j_h4aX3p2LdInSYsqJY3R0sYGeCAcu5tsyrEN_t3UW7vEEOeSVnY99tnP6SBDNlkTAsRWbgnPtPstdkLjSScHjdEIk2fJpRUMo0tdiN8-TJN3PNLm2VI/s1600/going+to+the+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="238px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybsGQbWeRUpdMdXAIy2qWJX4j_h4aX3p2LdInSYsqJY3R0sYGeCAcu5tsyrEN_t3UW7vEEOeSVnY99tnP6SBDNlkTAsRWbgnPtPstdkLjSScHjdEIk2fJpRUMo0tdiN8-TJN3PNLm2VI/s320/going+to+the+finish.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Tobin looking strong near the finish. He was slowing down at the end and was passed by someone behind him in this picture. He finished 8th. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKdYdfDktMoMbqd41zqmMdRgLGPYd9DveUqpCJFOgkDcG6Tk6TlraAMH81pc0Ex2M3eS492fb-0ERTfM1g4Qh9DL5_YChAJsBnYoglh6mIBSgqtPCtj5888mYy3Tuu5J2tSuQPv_Q_m4/s1600/mike+kicking+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKdYdfDktMoMbqd41zqmMdRgLGPYd9DveUqpCJFOgkDcG6Tk6TlraAMH81pc0Ex2M3eS492fb-0ERTfM1g4Qh9DL5_YChAJsBnYoglh6mIBSgqtPCtj5888mYy3Tuu5J2tSuQPv_Q_m4/s320/mike+kicking+it.jpg" width="270px" /></a></div>Here's is Mike trying to pass some runners near the finish. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXHEmjUaKlEEm4N4nVgCbdnr4inK9_sNJtx-duHxEcUi_KeBrSqiwa16pqX5pbNf2wufz6zPJlIu8wyaPvuTc8jr7QUxMYuF2WfBTKToSxoXFNF3J851WzogbHnt_6QYmEcm71NeeCMk/s1600/tired+trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXHEmjUaKlEEm4N4nVgCbdnr4inK9_sNJtx-duHxEcUi_KeBrSqiwa16pqX5pbNf2wufz6zPJlIu8wyaPvuTc8jr7QUxMYuF2WfBTKToSxoXFNF3J851WzogbHnt_6QYmEcm71NeeCMk/s320/tired+trio.jpg" width="258px" /></a></div>CJ, Tobin and Mike. the first three guys to finish from their team. Shrewsbury scored 66 points in this race. This is the lowest score Shrewsbury has ever scored at a Districts meet. It gave them 3rd place and entrance as a team to the states meet the following Saturday. <br />
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Tobin was feeling a bit wobbly on his feet at this point. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNWQANhWB32t2b6-kTvvIWXa5CARUaVFMdeO70FclxqMiLLYdYYwLUMdQdY84wTWFbkCz5ge-MPLcrG-ZarfNaA6sMEo-nGDzsGBT2PFX_THrjmo4akjOizn-ATQO103Kk-VVePPo-8I/s1600/hanging+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="464px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNWQANhWB32t2b6-kTvvIWXa5CARUaVFMdeO70FclxqMiLLYdYYwLUMdQdY84wTWFbkCz5ge-MPLcrG-ZarfNaA6sMEo-nGDzsGBT2PFX_THrjmo4akjOizn-ATQO103Kk-VVePPo-8I/s640/hanging+around.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>Enjoying some friends after the race. It is wonderful that runners who are not able to compete in this race and friends of the team come an hour away to cheer on the team. I am a captains mom, so I'm one of the moms responsible for bringing food and organizing donations so everyone can have things to eat. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rKLykpy1_WgLB7kPFYKTaEGMO4uaXNeS67DmfIUT84wAOZ7e4G7ZnHQX4wYHWvs2CQqKxDH4yzFyEBQSq4U2qH93l6mb1EEWI_-T8brnzDTYvozZdCoMokQAR-d-xrv481zDZhWAAQU/s1600/getting+the+medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rKLykpy1_WgLB7kPFYKTaEGMO4uaXNeS67DmfIUT84wAOZ7e4G7ZnHQX4wYHWvs2CQqKxDH4yzFyEBQSq4U2qH93l6mb1EEWI_-T8brnzDTYvozZdCoMokQAR-d-xrv481zDZhWAAQU/s400/getting+the+medal.jpg" width="208px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tobin getting his medal for eight place.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wl9_gPwd-qUIttKnRYhU-TZByWa_sk3Eb4ZjXKro17o47UuLgTFKEHUTDrdbn6EoSKsNcnXjc7cOaxiVym_208DgIn6oKR_yZUZUNmERUiQe3U53FwuzAwpeCw3yE4kR4oVXCZBhx9E/s1600/congratulating+others.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="339px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wl9_gPwd-qUIttKnRYhU-TZByWa_sk3Eb4ZjXKro17o47UuLgTFKEHUTDrdbn6EoSKsNcnXjc7cOaxiVym_208DgIn6oKR_yZUZUNmERUiQe3U53FwuzAwpeCw3yE4kR4oVXCZBhx9E/s640/congratulating+others.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>Tobin has always made a point to congratulate all the other runners regardless of their place after a race.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D3187nZO_koiVnb-TzN6Rd1CLZMP8SEpDCeDyPN2Y7ggrFutWnqtFPogxxqi0KvWv13xJnMXMdgKCg0E6qsgHdvEN7uyPtDtNmyGksww1ol4tPG_XdfnubiGlutwdrbJyvt7ovV4hs0/s1600/blurred+movement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="396px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D3187nZO_koiVnb-TzN6Rd1CLZMP8SEpDCeDyPN2Y7ggrFutWnqtFPogxxqi0KvWv13xJnMXMdgKCg0E6qsgHdvEN7uyPtDtNmyGksww1ol4tPG_XdfnubiGlutwdrbJyvt7ovV4hs0/s640/blurred+movement.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love this photo. I captured Tobin's movement by blurring all the stationary figures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindlCiBZTC4YW1kI9Ti2kKrIvQKC3t93YQDqmbzZWYrhLY7oWwNM1-NKwWR8MZADoFHCYOKX13HTbNDUHQqTjN3Nv0BjpxFcc_KpyuhVHcZPcQCq9EXmPDvMGcdrxcebxC9nAvD2eBOZs/s1600/boy+medals+this+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="350px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindlCiBZTC4YW1kI9Ti2kKrIvQKC3t93YQDqmbzZWYrhLY7oWwNM1-NKwWR8MZADoFHCYOKX13HTbNDUHQqTjN3Nv0BjpxFcc_KpyuhVHcZPcQCq9EXmPDvMGcdrxcebxC9nAvD2eBOZs/s640/boy+medals+this+time.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>The officials did not see that they had given the Division 1 guys Division 2 girl medals. All of sudden we hear a moan from several runners and one of them tell the officials they have girl medals. We all waited for the exchange of medals. A number the teammates in the bleachers had no idea what was going on with the exchange of medals though. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1NUdnqIk8K-68QosbQiJ9mZSaWskuuzl7aqyOFcxhaxZ1wroB_PumaKr4a_4FyqAhJ8swzK2jK0-F4Xl_0Qgyu41sSx_kxzpO56dOMzolhXT7B_CrkQaCQbyAYQEoWGrCd0RHQyjl4M/s1600/some+seagullls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="316px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1NUdnqIk8K-68QosbQiJ9mZSaWskuuzl7aqyOFcxhaxZ1wroB_PumaKr4a_4FyqAhJ8swzK2jK0-F4Xl_0Qgyu41sSx_kxzpO56dOMzolhXT7B_CrkQaCQbyAYQEoWGrCd0RHQyjl4M/s400/some+seagullls.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>From top to bottom: Tobin, Dan M, Alicia, Guiseppe, Jake and CJ.<br />
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Here are some of my seagulls! I was sitting in the bleachers, having a conversation with another parent, when I start hearing a funny sound. Tobin had gotten his group of runners to say: "mom, mom, mom"! They reminded me of the scene from Finding Nemo when the sea gulls all see Nemo and say "Mine, mine, mine"! This is why I call them my sea gulls. I told them that story and they loved it. Tobin asked everyone to call me so he could ask me to get this photo. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdoWvuE5YgSYd2z-n5wTC9u_G2cdphT_6kDwqT108id_tY8LR8qT3jZbgUweEzaLKLRMgspiZ_8jkX-eQWWPmPR5B7y58VHRQPM6rZEXMsyeEvXblqqnLixrpvEvG0EBc61D9Clye8V4/s1600/the+seagulls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="490px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdoWvuE5YgSYd2z-n5wTC9u_G2cdphT_6kDwqT108id_tY8LR8qT3jZbgUweEzaLKLRMgspiZ_8jkX-eQWWPmPR5B7y58VHRQPM6rZEXMsyeEvXblqqnLixrpvEvG0EBc61D9Clye8V4/s640/the+seagulls.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>This is a photo of the runners and others from the team that came to Districts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKd74tvCc3vUBQKNc7VQgqhFuN_cDZoTHdjb9cIFCQbiqulYcWUXxp7KMl4srHFV_NS3mF4XFWzA5K-Kupxvx0jmoxetqYbw0Fdey3Vmi21jOZAc-ugQGYXsu6-tr58SHnB-MUT8Lcz8/s1600/league+all+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="368px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKd74tvCc3vUBQKNc7VQgqhFuN_cDZoTHdjb9cIFCQbiqulYcWUXxp7KMl4srHFV_NS3mF4XFWzA5K-Kupxvx0jmoxetqYbw0Fdey3Vmi21jOZAc-ugQGYXsu6-tr58SHnB-MUT8Lcz8/s640/league+all+stars.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>Remember I said that the results from this race would be used to determine placement of two races. This photo is of the League all stars from Shrewsbury. For the first time ever we had 7 league all stars. Shrewsbury scored 66 points the next team in their league score 100 points. Our first 5 guys finished before their 3rd guy. Way to go Shrewsbury! The boys were trying to be the Verizon raise the bar by lining up by height. They are a puny group. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsVM7ndLK_ouOO3KkwOD3aHZSYjCDTI11WmV_GgkCvGmHdauexMoafdhFHSNU0VQonc-oB6yVmWDCmmPcr2aFdwPtCT65yzWBQAtuDsUHyi-1sD-EzK13ks3d4ZZFk4atEOaOjWe5v4o/s1600/all+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsVM7ndLK_ouOO3KkwOD3aHZSYjCDTI11WmV_GgkCvGmHdauexMoafdhFHSNU0VQonc-oB6yVmWDCmmPcr2aFdwPtCT65yzWBQAtuDsUHyi-1sD-EzK13ks3d4ZZFk4atEOaOjWe5v4o/s640/all+stars.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>Tobin has three fingers up because this is his third year being a League All Star.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaEZ9H9y3Gl-t0KQFaPM3299kHzHO11OhknXssjqphI-zE7XcUl7kEgBWQkmhx-Xd9y2BfHEFcp-x38MtjEfvJ2mXo9VI9naE9R1MD6QTEBDkmsA5HphdPeeJDBRKW8l0udJIpFAzwT0/s1600/happy+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="238px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaEZ9H9y3Gl-t0KQFaPM3299kHzHO11OhknXssjqphI-zE7XcUl7kEgBWQkmhx-Xd9y2BfHEFcp-x38MtjEfvJ2mXo9VI9naE9R1MD6QTEBDkmsA5HphdPeeJDBRKW8l0udJIpFAzwT0/s400/happy+boys.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> CJ, Dan W and Dan M.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUcjk5el78JVM2iAjsE1_sEqIDQd45iN5H0MR8CUnsct4JO1eZDtbN-oYiwK8x42WkJzWw_EQ8p3ayFCywwzrKGIO484wae13jgs-W3gPDYa1SGkJxmodgqZ-V824WnYFSEP4tHmP1Hg/s1600/tobin+and+mike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUcjk5el78JVM2iAjsE1_sEqIDQd45iN5H0MR8CUnsct4JO1eZDtbN-oYiwK8x42WkJzWw_EQ8p3ayFCywwzrKGIO484wae13jgs-W3gPDYa1SGkJxmodgqZ-V824WnYFSEP4tHmP1Hg/s640/tobin+and+mike.jpg" width="402px" /></a></div>Captain Tobin and Captain Mike.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxanJlOJQnIEt4LppxhotoWxpqnQUU8TurTZJqDIMNh2zhiHeS2OrNn4lzygZ61hNAJqDX0vmBEoyut4dcjKg2wiqFDwNr_YrW8WlGFQzUmP91clgvNqzub6X4eOseKqSCLU4eCXPvv1M/s1600/boys+and+girls+make+it+to+states.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxanJlOJQnIEt4LppxhotoWxpqnQUU8TurTZJqDIMNh2zhiHeS2OrNn4lzygZ61hNAJqDX0vmBEoyut4dcjKg2wiqFDwNr_YrW8WlGFQzUmP91clgvNqzub6X4eOseKqSCLU4eCXPvv1M/s640/boys+and+girls+make+it+to+states.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>Shrewsbury girls and boys cross country both make it to states!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtkdRS9cM1Lw4bgM1YOO2z_viSgHGGmKTxRaKUNntps5CJB9hIuzAz0znc4dYjN3MW6ffuS1xpOAVK9UBzpS50GUDR9FZtGMLbRjetgjNe6RI372yIw6uMIMqjMRjbwiMDRLfW2oHgAg/s1600/staircase+guys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtkdRS9cM1Lw4bgM1YOO2z_viSgHGGmKTxRaKUNntps5CJB9hIuzAz0znc4dYjN3MW6ffuS1xpOAVK9UBzpS50GUDR9FZtGMLbRjetgjNe6RI372yIw6uMIMqjMRjbwiMDRLfW2oHgAg/s640/staircase+guys.jpg" width="414px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stair case boys: Funny John, as Rachel calls him, Karl, Dan M, Tobin, Guiseppe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next it is off to states! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-90723059302896452242011-10-23T19:40:00.003-04:002011-10-23T19:40:00.385-04:00CA vacation part 2: hiking up and down the 4 Mile HikeIt has been difficult to divide my pictures into appropriate, but brief blogs. I decided to capture the 4 mile hike by itself in a blog. Barbara mentioned to me that she wanted to hike a long hike on Wed of our vacation and wanted to know if Abram and I and others were interested. Of course Abram and I wanted to jump at the opportunity! It worked out that many of us could hike up while Mike hung with the younger crowd. He would drive up to the summit and meet us for lunch. <br />
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The hikers for the 4 mile hike were: Tobin, Abram, Ryland, Barbara, Leah, me (taking the photo!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj1BdTp_n8fBg6BvReO6mKCGa6B0T1qJx0ja8VAh1_tRXlbjDgHkBYRZQXqW0-uaR7xCpRSVc-SqQ8tSrHiqLRRKnNs5MOoSlsy-IyyudYaVp_bLehm-3nOVpxSMI10IA5npq9FcFzXY/s1600/hiking+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj1BdTp_n8fBg6BvReO6mKCGa6B0T1qJx0ja8VAh1_tRXlbjDgHkBYRZQXqW0-uaR7xCpRSVc-SqQ8tSrHiqLRRKnNs5MOoSlsy-IyyudYaVp_bLehm-3nOVpxSMI10IA5npq9FcFzXY/s400/hiking+group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cora and Theresa. The hike was really called "4 mile hike" because the elevation of the hike was 4 miles upward! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx3aMI3pGcHPr9gs-K7QIVwWXNz1Z9Z6lKTqZnyTzdiNZ7JMXduKm3ykxgW51cu3lfPUILROBpB1eKZ9C24pRCaRwQsSSb8nFFi8z8vZuM8bBJaFPQZ-Mdaro2HBiK6rdco8sNcyqryo/s1600/cora+and+teresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx3aMI3pGcHPr9gs-K7QIVwWXNz1Z9Z6lKTqZnyTzdiNZ7JMXduKm3ykxgW51cu3lfPUILROBpB1eKZ9C24pRCaRwQsSSb8nFFi8z8vZuM8bBJaFPQZ-Mdaro2HBiK6rdco8sNcyqryo/s400/cora+and+teresa.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When you drive into Yosemite park you can see upper falls or lower falls, but not both together. At multiple points during the hike we were able to see both the upper and lower falls together. I didn't realize how lucky we were this year to see the falls still running in August. The snow fall the past winter had been at a 30 year high allowing the falls to flow rapidly even in August. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe_WJmFf9WvlUnAPzLPOmDqbx_ApqHGX_aRyHSD_DNCS7UPke6bAwyex2QWVz7If3kI7r_VzO-Kta7CFCydrSMKZZWrEAYeLyol7L4Tfo0sv6i1nowZOgQNkT591puup3XteMB-od1EM/s1600/great+upper+and+lower+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe_WJmFf9WvlUnAPzLPOmDqbx_ApqHGX_aRyHSD_DNCS7UPke6bAwyex2QWVz7If3kI7r_VzO-Kta7CFCydrSMKZZWrEAYeLyol7L4Tfo0sv6i1nowZOgQNkT591puup3XteMB-od1EM/s640/great+upper+and+lower+falls.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I believe this spot is called Cathedral point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7kmCC9tncyytlAK0BXXveRsfEGrzZxpSKDuzxxyFNctajNlnd9tg7WvWRlQ5NCWKYILvucXzwSD7URBYQ-fvGiXE288XxES8sYKZFni3rUJ7nmQa1pA6lTZRlZTD3HZ-GcbjB3-rfrc/s1600/three+points.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7kmCC9tncyytlAK0BXXveRsfEGrzZxpSKDuzxxyFNctajNlnd9tg7WvWRlQ5NCWKYILvucXzwSD7URBYQ-fvGiXE288XxES8sYKZFni3rUJ7nmQa1pA6lTZRlZTD3HZ-GcbjB3-rfrc/s640/three+points.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This is half dome.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7LKf3xjRDtDNdj4yBhaXGlpwEz4Xtl-dWZ7iFsva6dfTWwHHmWUeSAWY1LpaQ2kgHObffp6D9Z3D8B06aQqHB7kYa3qaSsAF3mI_a_Ar9qTMJrYEKAXPS_GxUveIuRTI6NI0xOuiq34/s1600/half+dome+from+hike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7LKf3xjRDtDNdj4yBhaXGlpwEz4Xtl-dWZ7iFsva6dfTWwHHmWUeSAWY1LpaQ2kgHObffp6D9Z3D8B06aQqHB7kYa3qaSsAF3mI_a_Ar9qTMJrYEKAXPS_GxUveIuRTI6NI0xOuiq34/s400/half+dome+from+hike.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Barbara took this picture of us. I do beleive she has one of Tobin and Ryland. When I have that I will update this blog with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGINIWpYtpNQekGlegZXds2mjL4LvDfQtc4cHHEkF1v6cUGpmmTIzOe1d6DrzZtq4dia90xZdVl68J7F1W9swbBjsZuo2xGh700EIRMaykjol8A7vKOc1Kf042oeUHbob9mzFkJBuC0Q/s1600/the+hikers+in+the+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGINIWpYtpNQekGlegZXds2mjL4LvDfQtc4cHHEkF1v6cUGpmmTIzOe1d6DrzZtq4dia90xZdVl68J7F1W9swbBjsZuo2xGh700EIRMaykjol8A7vKOc1Kf042oeUHbob9mzFkJBuC0Q/s400/the+hikers+in+the+family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No idea what this is really called, but I affectionately call it "Pig Face Point".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRD1-fmVI8Jo0RU9qtKY5Zy1HRAAfpcA3UkaWC01v6JIdR5fbr3L8THsxPEtyogk3XiPma69uit5G2iWX0keWHqq_QbtljeWy3aqEAD2D7AhSn7BEOJJpIG8FqoxkbZBdFLQeAFzMN0Q/s1600/pig+faced+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRD1-fmVI8Jo0RU9qtKY5Zy1HRAAfpcA3UkaWC01v6JIdR5fbr3L8THsxPEtyogk3XiPma69uit5G2iWX0keWHqq_QbtljeWy3aqEAD2D7AhSn7BEOJJpIG8FqoxkbZBdFLQeAFzMN0Q/s400/pig+faced+rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a panoramic photo of Glacier Point. This is what we hiked up to from the Yosemite valley. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcwpXCRGUw7xXsXK9IQG2EIzIRl98cAYy7FLEUVsklc_FX-N3jLsHT8ERMNsT2Yz5xB_rXmDHMkDtDyxT687gScDesTjPF6gHLDinyitkv1-DI8Fc7CJ5-q-ZZ_kwRkEHMS0wcvmj7pY/s1600/panorama+of+glacier+point+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcwpXCRGUw7xXsXK9IQG2EIzIRl98cAYy7FLEUVsklc_FX-N3jLsHT8ERMNsT2Yz5xB_rXmDHMkDtDyxT687gScDesTjPF6gHLDinyitkv1-DI8Fc7CJ5-q-ZZ_kwRkEHMS0wcvmj7pY/s640/panorama+of+glacier+point+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a great photo of all of us who made it by foot or car to the top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIomUeeK8PQIiangwknh8EM36EbgxYE7ry5w3ehfIfJW5_trKUkxPfezI_OvILY8IHvRVLdpZHfsrvSJ3EnsF3wtRBpmQAP8WDJDSfKvtAfceTsSC1Y196_t40AXA7gv03mq4svqM01g8/s1600/picnicers+at+glacier+point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIomUeeK8PQIiangwknh8EM36EbgxYE7ry5w3ehfIfJW5_trKUkxPfezI_OvILY8IHvRVLdpZHfsrvSJ3EnsF3wtRBpmQAP8WDJDSfKvtAfceTsSC1Y196_t40AXA7gv03mq4svqM01g8/s640/picnicers+at+glacier+point.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Mike graciously stayed back at the cabin with Sarai, Carmen, Rachel, Joey, Julie, Thomas and Faye. He drove everyone up to Glacier point with lunches so we could be together for part of the day. <br />
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Rachel, Julie and Joey on top of some big boulders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEkRMLToTu07SVGsyI5xotfw9UNo9Ta5I5JTznZMBCO-KA92OJ8UC1LcWHXRnlDMw32Bty81rJRkYQaL97ZXndfI81HoA9ZNCfdv8RZw7tDOMcVUORWGWo0WWpf5dq5r7EHhuUfdVNFc/s1600/rachel%252C+julie+and+joey+on+a+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEkRMLToTu07SVGsyI5xotfw9UNo9Ta5I5JTznZMBCO-KA92OJ8UC1LcWHXRnlDMw32Bty81rJRkYQaL97ZXndfI81HoA9ZNCfdv8RZw7tDOMcVUORWGWo0WWpf5dq5r7EHhuUfdVNFc/s400/rachel%252C+julie+and+joey+on+a+rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the hikers who climbed up the 4 mile hike. Cora offered that Mike could hike down and she would take the car. He accepted. Sarai also hiked down with us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-atE6nMjvGHphWHOQZEvoINTbfrAAdkAuNyPb1sh7MT2-8ALcsBFog7avUo-nxCvXfeja86UpA90R1_qFY-kYZYAxQLWrTkTx5VH0gkOSwfaWe0cKhC8NB9osOlLKftxeAxR-LfSK8s/s1600/hikers+at+summit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-atE6nMjvGHphWHOQZEvoINTbfrAAdkAuNyPb1sh7MT2-8ALcsBFog7avUo-nxCvXfeja86UpA90R1_qFY-kYZYAxQLWrTkTx5VH0gkOSwfaWe0cKhC8NB9osOlLKftxeAxR-LfSK8s/s640/hikers+at+summit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our family photo on top of Glacier Point.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9Zb7piVNZCpBE3N-37GsBq-VYR39DydMpMgB7QmDk3O8EzzWjv67u8JOYrr6PE4XbOZETzKHHPKqgnkGqUV73enfYPwrgPVLu-OwBLibUDD0G7XlVydRzHVGaY38Qkf_R_zPnMEf9rc/s1600/family+in+yosemite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9Zb7piVNZCpBE3N-37GsBq-VYR39DydMpMgB7QmDk3O8EzzWjv67u8JOYrr6PE4XbOZETzKHHPKqgnkGqUV73enfYPwrgPVLu-OwBLibUDD0G7XlVydRzHVGaY38Qkf_R_zPnMEf9rc/s640/family+in+yosemite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This walkie talkie has a fantastic story! Cora and Mike brought walkies to use between the cabin houses. Cora thought it would be good to take one on the hike and she intended on Mike having the other so they could find each other when both arrived at the summit. As Cora and Theresa were hiking up they were often hearing a kid yell into the walkie. Multiple times they would say "Joey, we cannot hear you. Talk slower!". It became more frequent and more annoying that at one point they told Joey to shut up. Well, low and behold, Mike forgot the walkie and Cora realized that she had been yelling at a different kid who was not Joey!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8N9oULRajJF9QnTdaMUp-BICgq716JBngpeNVQe-9IsKiNYk2J1ZYPjPMDuxKXQRnsQR8U_3fA22H_js_sPGKNY5eUtumHqxOAj5lvfU-mxsgmLU8xUEklmkLavUWYHsxE5xw8hbj_0/s1600/walkie+talkie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8N9oULRajJF9QnTdaMUp-BICgq716JBngpeNVQe-9IsKiNYk2J1ZYPjPMDuxKXQRnsQR8U_3fA22H_js_sPGKNY5eUtumHqxOAj5lvfU-mxsgmLU8xUEklmkLavUWYHsxE5xw8hbj_0/s400/walkie+talkie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our hike down I learned that Barbara and Paul were going to have celebrated their 20 year anniversary that month. I also learned that they had gone to Yosemite for their honeymoon and this was a huge reason why Barbara suggested this area for our summer vacation spot. We knew Paul had cancer while were making plans for the vacation and all hoped Paul would be able to join us. Unfortunately, he died before our visit to Yosemite. Barbara had his ashes and per request of Paul, she spread some of his ashes at beautiful spots on our hike down. It was a tender moment to witness. This truly was and is a beautiful park. We miss you Paul!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwYTzAUXFc5IuIsW6U5UaJTrYoVD8Ajcr03Wl0fTPW1LgcKppyCJBbP985Mor0qeBwyR8F8TsclZN-5DnGz9kkZPcoPVVL4EUus9-gV_1MclxysTQZaGEJEs-951y_YVJdGKDDW9IruE/s1600/in+memory+of+paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwYTzAUXFc5IuIsW6U5UaJTrYoVD8Ajcr03Wl0fTPW1LgcKppyCJBbP985Mor0qeBwyR8F8TsclZN-5DnGz9kkZPcoPVVL4EUus9-gV_1MclxysTQZaGEJEs-951y_YVJdGKDDW9IruE/s400/in+memory+of+paul.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Abram has the camera again and caught me and Tobin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbuJvhIk8FFxn7e8XWHAX1AeCqMQxBZbIOwoElNh2Z8E1hbODC7imsoBdmgzKfSzxNcA6xNQ2eep8lbM2OCg8ft-3AF2m6ziK7jztqfKwjz4Coam8peIfQ65Jz6whMCdmONXBGwFGDIY/s1600/leigh+and+tobin+walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbuJvhIk8FFxn7e8XWHAX1AeCqMQxBZbIOwoElNh2Z8E1hbODC7imsoBdmgzKfSzxNcA6xNQ2eep8lbM2OCg8ft-3AF2m6ziK7jztqfKwjz4Coam8peIfQ65Jz6whMCdmONXBGwFGDIY/s320/leigh+and+tobin+walking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took a break so Tobin could do some weight lifting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5Eq07CDQkAl3YIH4kz8tx7fn0N21MLw2FXDwAQzV6slrdlSKGkMVauhOpPChLJopNHns1qaOZX5sE2SgMnwVOq4Ec5yyQste1ot0fDEYtsRI0XF1De1SNIKs46bovag5dSE03NReKKo/s1600/tobin+holding+up+a+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5Eq07CDQkAl3YIH4kz8tx7fn0N21MLw2FXDwAQzV6slrdlSKGkMVauhOpPChLJopNHns1qaOZX5sE2SgMnwVOq4Ec5yyQste1ot0fDEYtsRI0XF1De1SNIKs46bovag5dSE03NReKKo/s400/tobin+holding+up+a+rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sarai join in on the super sibling show!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoP2i19ugyP64-iHZmiwn03pM0sMQZzlauJ8R4tJ2mfHcpvsOwPQvTZZHXm7ZOjmTQMWsruehTXpsCJFUrgHFEkQbSQtVYei-3SQkUNuYgQAwcbrtBK4S5kw7WkQ7hoM70h8QZxHFnKQ/s1600/sarai+holding+up+a+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoP2i19ugyP64-iHZmiwn03pM0sMQZzlauJ8R4tJ2mfHcpvsOwPQvTZZHXm7ZOjmTQMWsruehTXpsCJFUrgHFEkQbSQtVYei-3SQkUNuYgQAwcbrtBK4S5kw7WkQ7hoM70h8QZxHFnKQ/s400/sarai+holding+up+a+rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is like a National Geographic picture. Abram saw this small lizard with a meal in its mouth. Great shot hunny!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq8wGbcKsp30ifALfiy4DS9nKE5ulY46m3LV6pm-l9FQ6RbiY5Tn3zNNs63jRjm0nsJzCUcnnTb1NgdrNEBuhUyGlQ2lZf9BYK2am3KKHpLuCrUXJ4in1BO-T82LEMbucmdbeVqP9NvY/s1600/a+lizard+and+its+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq8wGbcKsp30ifALfiy4DS9nKE5ulY46m3LV6pm-l9FQ6RbiY5Tn3zNNs63jRjm0nsJzCUcnnTb1NgdrNEBuhUyGlQ2lZf9BYK2am3KKHpLuCrUXJ4in1BO-T82LEMbucmdbeVqP9NvY/s640/a+lizard+and+its+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Barbara and Ryland took bikes with them to the valley and biked to more spots to spread Paul's ashes. We headed back to house and found out that all the family was coming for dinner at the cabin. Many of the photos I took from the fire pit happened that night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A not so funny story about the cabin: Tobin intended on running daily while we were at Yosemite. After hiking the 9 mile rigorous trail up to Glacier Point he said he was going out to run a few miles. Isaac told him that the owner said there were trails behind the house that led to the main road. Tobin took off. An hour later, I realized he wasn't back. Abram took off in the car to look for him and soon Isaac left in a car too. The difficult piece of all of this was that there wasn't cell reception for AT&T carriers (which is our carrier). Within 5 minutes of Abram and Isaac leaving Tobin shows up. I did not know how to contact Abram. I tried his cell number with the house phone, got his voicemail and absently held the phone away from my ear exclaiming my frustration that I couldn't tell Abram to come back. Somehow his phone recorded my voice and when he was in a particular spot on the road with cell reception, mind you this was a miracle since we had no service the whole time we were in Yosemite, he heard me say "Tobin's back, but I cannot tell Abram to come back". After that scare we told Tobin to run on main roads only, no trails and well before dusk. Oh yeah, forgot to mention he began running at 6. Dusk was at 7 with potential of bears in the woods! Ah!!! Tobin drove home with Ryland that night and they saw a mom and baby bear outside of the house Barb, Jennie and Justine's family were staying in! They ran at 6am and then encountered several deer on their run. Beautiful sites and wildlife to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-21429941406668135442011-10-22T15:51:00.002-04:002011-10-22T23:01:56.168-04:00CA Vacation Part 2: Yosemite, cabin and family timeI referred to the cabin at Yosemite in my previous post. We arrived at the cabin late on Monday night. Barbara invited those staying at the cabin to have dinner at their place. This was a blessing since we were all traveling to get to Yosemite making it difficult to buy food for dinner as well. <br />
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I woke up early Tues morning and took several pictures of the two cabins and surrounding area.This is the main cabin. It had the kitchen, two large bedrooms on the main floor, a living room area and a huge loft with 5 beds. <br />
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A view of the deck that wrapped around the main cabin. I love how the the owner made the deck around the tree near the house. It was a new definition of tree house!<br />
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This is the bunk house. This house had three bedrooms on the main floor with two lofts. Each loft had three twin beds, which two on each side being trundle beds. this house had room for 10 kids up in the loft and three couples downstairs. It also had an entertainment center with a great train set and couches. <br />
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The place gets even better. Here is the BEST outdoor fire pit I have ever been privilege to use. You had your regular fire pit, which was huge. Then there was a fire oven with a pulley system to cook food on, plus a special pizza oven. Notice also that all the seats and benches are made from logs. There was plenty of room for our family to sit around the fire. There were even seats for the younger crowd like Aidan to use. <br />
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Joey showing us how to make the perfect marshmallow. First roast it in the oven, then hold it over the flame. He enjoyed making the smores.<br />
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Sarai, Theresa, Tobin, Leah and Carmen chilling around the fire pit.<br />
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Cute picture of Carmen on Rachel. <br />
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We were able to have all the family over one night to enjoy the campfire atmosphere.<br />
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Smores were definitely a hit with all. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0SMHdCKd5sBmux3g81Iq2Z8x1hTdzK4wLaW4CSRUygaUcDR25tXtrEdFaiJ66qMCBdgpdXKMt_tiqwJzjwsbsxucSgsYnrFn43KaSPN_DTfpxiFIuv3kKU2yPsjoRb8G_fh1HtDeakw/s1600/smore+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0SMHdCKd5sBmux3g81Iq2Z8x1hTdzK4wLaW4CSRUygaUcDR25tXtrEdFaiJ66qMCBdgpdXKMt_tiqwJzjwsbsxucSgsYnrFn43KaSPN_DTfpxiFIuv3kKU2yPsjoRb8G_fh1HtDeakw/s320/smore+time.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another great feature of this cabin area was the rope swing. Here is Rachel on it. Most people tried the swing Tues morning in their pj's, it was that cool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90Qk9lGm3xTeLo1acS8f_ckNn8w3puyw5NvMyKQYRPDLXsLFdGhKjDhFYhA7q292FKGKjQsLlKZ5nYkvkIwRejgR9le8vpYwZdw2bCu1GLM4qcVF0flJx7q0TnkuI-tV-8buLw3M1vLc/s1600/rachel+on+swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90Qk9lGm3xTeLo1acS8f_ckNn8w3puyw5NvMyKQYRPDLXsLFdGhKjDhFYhA7q292FKGKjQsLlKZ5nYkvkIwRejgR9le8vpYwZdw2bCu1GLM4qcVF0flJx7q0TnkuI-tV-8buLw3M1vLc/s320/rachel+on+swing.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />
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Joe, on the swing in his pj's too.<br />
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I even caught Mike in his pj's! Many more enjoyed the rope swing, but were not photographed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rachel is enjoying it before dinner time and dusk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojZiQfONL1th2Mj6MApkWAPqtOzahdomu_NLaZIOHbAlN9HLzZ90iL6swB-tPhwzmiOpAcsgpB0kM0ba0rnBOaHvDZHOgAxFKcw3X1glKAOKiTYAAgR7JZXYfOFhHx2-oS-35_WK-pMc/s1600/flying+rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojZiQfONL1th2Mj6MApkWAPqtOzahdomu_NLaZIOHbAlN9HLzZ90iL6swB-tPhwzmiOpAcsgpB0kM0ba0rnBOaHvDZHOgAxFKcw3X1glKAOKiTYAAgR7JZXYfOFhHx2-oS-35_WK-pMc/s400/flying+rachel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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There is more to this great outdoor playground around the house. There was a swing set with this great cocoon swing. Caught Abram in it one evening.<br />
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Monica swinging Mateo.<br />
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A hammock for the girls to hang out on. Thanks to Jenna for this great shot of Theresa, Rachel and Carmen.<br />
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The yard even had a see saw. Here are Theresa and Thomas using it. <br />
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Thomas was playing around with someone's shoe. He would not smile for my with the camera, so I had to be sneaky and catch him having fun.<br />
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</div> Sierra found a baby and was playing with it and th toy bus during our large family dinner at the cabin. <br />
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Cora has two little ones: Thomas and Sierra. Sierra was playing peek--boo with me while I was trying to get this picture.<br />
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Aidan with his great smile and many bug bites. <br />
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Kierra, Sophia and Aidan<br />
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Ryland, Barbara and Jennie<br />
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Carmen, Sarai and Tobin. I don't usually get them in one picture so I used this. Tobin found humor in the fact that they are all looking a many of pictures I am posting now. Each day the kids would ask to see what photos I took. <br />
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Sophia and Mateo eating with us. I believe Chris and Monica stayed over one night to enjoy the cabin, outdoors and the bunk house's train set. <br />
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Abram got hold of the camera one night and took my picture. As photographer, I don't often make it into pictures.<br />
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The house even had bikes the kids could use. Here is a great picture of Rachel and Joey on the deck playing with the bikes. Joey is wearing a bandanna I got him. Carmen dressed him up as bandanna man!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiUrsKV6VwfHqNJ5PxFagdVLweKm2-DTm3QTPcMrJngjJSXcWqzCHdUm2HZ_YZj5vrtGjRs15ihFp4j7qE3tWWtOJSP1bdMKoVpDgAZZ97GovRCQLG8IYW0wzvCn1D1n5iDxIigfh99Q/s1600/rachel+and+joey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiUrsKV6VwfHqNJ5PxFagdVLweKm2-DTm3QTPcMrJngjJSXcWqzCHdUm2HZ_YZj5vrtGjRs15ihFp4j7qE3tWWtOJSP1bdMKoVpDgAZZ97GovRCQLG8IYW0wzvCn1D1n5iDxIigfh99Q/s400/rachel+and+joey.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know there are so many more photos to use. I will try to add more. The cabin time was amazing. I loved that there were people doing many different things on the same day. This allowed me to do hikes with Abram and Tobin while the girls hung out here and relaxed. One day Cora and Mike took Rachel rafting while Abram and I found a beach and swam there. I am so grateful we were able to show this amazing national park to our children. It was also my first time coming to CA. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This cabin is my ideal grandparent home. I have been dreaming of a place that Abram and I could build so that our kids and their families could gather and enjoy growing together at and vacationing at. This has everything I could imagine and hope for. What a wonderful place to have been able to visit.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-48779327030361029652011-10-21T20:27:00.001-04:002011-10-21T22:35:22.428-04:00Visit to San FranciscoWe planned a great summer vacation that began the first week of August. This summer was the year we were gathering with Abram's paternal family. The tradition had been to gather in Emerald Isle, NC the last week of August. This timing was going to be difficult with high school sports beginning that week. Barbara suggested we come to CA and visit Yosemite park. This was a place close to them and a favorite spot for Paul. <br />
Barbara and Cora did a lot of research for housing and found a great cabin in the woods just outside of Yosemite National Park. (I believe Barbara wanted this for her family, but it wasn't handicap accessible so she found a great ranch nearby.) The downside was that we could only have it from Monday through Saturday. In order to make the most of our vacation and try to get reasonably priced plane tickets, we extended our visit on either side of the cabin time. Our vacation plans were to fly into San Francisco on Saturday. Spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning there, then drive to Yosemite which was only 3-4 hours away. Monday through Saturday morning we were staying at the amazing cabin. Saturday we would begin to drive to Las Vegas via Death Valley. This leg would be the longest drive, it was predicted to be 8 hours from cabin to hotel. We had a red eye the following Monday to fly back to MA from Las Vegas. A week prior to leaving for CA, Leah called and asked for our plans. She had an unexpected change of plans and was able to join us in CA. She came along for our whole trip. Thankfully, her presence gave us many chances to get good family photos on this vacation. There were a few changes to our original plans, as you will read through multiple blogs, but it was an amazing vacation.<br />
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We landed in San Francisco at 9am so we had a full Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning to enjoy the area. The plane ride was long, but uneventful. Leah had to take a different flight then us getting there, but her plane landed an hour earlier than predicted letting her meet us at the rental place. We rented an Explorer trying to save money. It had seven seats as advertised, but with all seven seats used it had room for a few backpacks in the "trunk" space. This made it eventful with bags. We managed to shove as much as we could in the back and then on top of everyone else! On Sunday, Abram and I walked to a Target and bought bungee cords so we could strap luggage on top of the car.<br />
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We drove into San Francisco, trying to get to a parking lot near the wharf section. Traffic is horrible, but with two Dancy's navigating I was spared being barked at for not finding the directions quickly enough! <br />
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We saw Alcatraz:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOjvsPFv8hgSXiSpZzNklH_C5TvbI__Zvr_drt9C-7sOrMiL13JlEnzRqwYweflxN0mCOpWeGklC-1VkIEKNf2AlKQfx-Nzlfy_G4uizoAMO-5O3rJxnOdfxXSa7pkBhpDxbQwetaQnc/s1600/alcatraz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOjvsPFv8hgSXiSpZzNklH_C5TvbI__Zvr_drt9C-7sOrMiL13JlEnzRqwYweflxN0mCOpWeGklC-1VkIEKNf2AlKQfx-Nzlfy_G4uizoAMO-5O3rJxnOdfxXSa7pkBhpDxbQwetaQnc/s640/alcatraz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Abram wanted to see a battle ship that was docked at the pier.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Tq7172H1ExzAjzittf7GzQ8zyvmMzvWxkirySLoBj5CoSXHmxSM56pYSJhPh8CBbhe-Ij9LDz2uVwJ_kzBsy8HCRRa9g3AkQBXdr1mK7AbBfECBvBviOu4hCN6KQQNYEf3TPfTeEOJg/s1600/large+ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Tq7172H1ExzAjzittf7GzQ8zyvmMzvWxkirySLoBj5CoSXHmxSM56pYSJhPh8CBbhe-Ij9LDz2uVwJ_kzBsy8HCRRa9g3AkQBXdr1mK7AbBfECBvBviOu4hCN6KQQNYEf3TPfTeEOJg/s320/large+ship.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pier 39 has become a home for sea lions Here they are lying on the floating docks. They attract many sightseers. There was an information plaque telling us that the sea lions began coming to pier 39 in 1989. It is very smelly. I'm glad we actually did not go onto Pier 39 since it is so crowded. We used another pier and saw them from another side. You can see the crowds of people across the way. We barely had anyone on the pier we were standing on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysn9EUf28cvsf0bfeLveUxYZSNEsqgg3K00uGyo316TH3SFH27Ya5e3fh-F-Zq_TsDhi9x-hKL4mrz8RUk5T5Iq2annboIN5_dk3oxAr1FGeD2CrGZ8x81JNap_xz3jlgvIgiNVYxcw0/s1600/sea+lions+on+the+pier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysn9EUf28cvsf0bfeLveUxYZSNEsqgg3K00uGyo316TH3SFH27Ya5e3fh-F-Zq_TsDhi9x-hKL4mrz8RUk5T5Iq2annboIN5_dk3oxAr1FGeD2CrGZ8x81JNap_xz3jlgvIgiNVYxcw0/s640/sea+lions+on+the+pier.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My girls... It was hard to get them to realize that in San Francisco, the weather is very cool. It was 67 at the high. We were cool and yet we burned!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEItCgiCxYFvaUyzM5FIOsVHmTb7OleX1o5Gp_iEILbh4lCZhCT-NbVv8wxGvshrBz3sHYtjVTn373aO99duytjwRVFjuY_Kk3gc3D30h04oHtfVAHPgNd8JW2MxX3gT8a2Qn3WzWL5k/s1600/three+girlies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEItCgiCxYFvaUyzM5FIOsVHmTb7OleX1o5Gp_iEILbh4lCZhCT-NbVv8wxGvshrBz3sHYtjVTn373aO99duytjwRVFjuY_Kk3gc3D30h04oHtfVAHPgNd8JW2MxX3gT8a2Qn3WzWL5k/s320/three+girlies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had an amazing lunch on the wharf. Carmen and Rachel looked at the menu, and said, "we will have the chicken nuggets!" I was appalled. I told them they should have some kind of sea food since it was fresh from the wharf. They decide on Fish and Chips. The fish used was so huge and thick, it was amazing! They both loved it and were thankful I insisted they chose something other than chicken nuggets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leah led us around to different places. We saw some interesting street performers. Here is a man all in gold. He stood on top of a box and acted as if he was a robot. There was a silver guy across the street doing the same act! (I did not get his picture.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7oimb2OFodz2PkrjNKrwp40TDa-ZUdEKx0G0ch03-dLLbYD1wqpwiaUA4NbPbM6ggv_h0PCAHdFae8ZEsFsTJbzSOXF8dLbzy_8JSVPbe-isJZHDvC-WP6nBrp3GeprGbdCYGH4iebQ/s1600/gold+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7oimb2OFodz2PkrjNKrwp40TDa-ZUdEKx0G0ch03-dLLbYD1wqpwiaUA4NbPbM6ggv_h0PCAHdFae8ZEsFsTJbzSOXF8dLbzy_8JSVPbe-isJZHDvC-WP6nBrp3GeprGbdCYGH4iebQ/s400/gold+man.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel excitedly grabbed a balloon sword from a street performer not knowing that we were then going to have to "make a donation" for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0xdwY1KTUhzlLHEYCeGYPO6ai5TuWfvZA66ktrr7h4QeGZ5Ebv7VuhuvuVock1BEPmX04aAPLlw5AXsVmiFF4GzrGVEvPeeKLCC-RSn7uvNmD4yjG9Rrx22LwuoehRRjrtDceLrd9N0/s1600/rachel+and+her+baloon+sword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0xdwY1KTUhzlLHEYCeGYPO6ai5TuWfvZA66ktrr7h4QeGZ5Ebv7VuhuvuVock1BEPmX04aAPLlw5AXsVmiFF4GzrGVEvPeeKLCC-RSn7uvNmD4yjG9Rrx22LwuoehRRjrtDceLrd9N0/s320/rachel+and+her+baloon+sword.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The streets are amazingly steep. I wanted to walk up them just to say we did it. Leah had done a medical rotation here and was familiar with the area. With the time change and the fact that we had been going since 3am Eastern time (I'm sure it was 4 out here) no one else wanted to walk with me, so I did not. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSdSdsb8GNfAmLC4IAhkCpxWXpeT1nIHSMpeZyRiONuiF6Cd72LSVJf0sS38v-E6U10ZbWnqK4HYqJM7EVuNr7aYKOwkmJTS8sjDJGbHcYRajke1mJ3DTTGQgwYs_NuD3V2eL92x6B5k/s1600/hills+in+San+Fran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSdSdsb8GNfAmLC4IAhkCpxWXpeT1nIHSMpeZyRiONuiF6Cd72LSVJf0sS38v-E6U10ZbWnqK4HYqJM7EVuNr7aYKOwkmJTS8sjDJGbHcYRajke1mJ3DTTGQgwYs_NuD3V2eL92x6B5k/s400/hills+in+San+Fran.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really wanted to go down Lombard Street with the car. We must have waited at least 45 minutes to be cued into the long line of cars. Remember the car we rented, well it did not have a great visibility. It was more challenging than Abram had wanted to drive down this road, but we did. As we drove by we saw this new VW Bug and thought of the Herbie movie when the car was seen driving down this road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx7yKgJAcBnBLugaTrVg1E9C_48ujSLhOxtEDBYSFIZkr03TNPU2vFQA6pwnrWH7EQ74MVIaIHY27r-C5RyDZ4rvhL4G0TpukQYbQGFZ7HT33hB_QTQLEolW_dkhMwm34jsYiWaJVYlU/s1600/going+down+rodeo+drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx7yKgJAcBnBLugaTrVg1E9C_48ujSLhOxtEDBYSFIZkr03TNPU2vFQA6pwnrWH7EQ74MVIaIHY27r-C5RyDZ4rvhL4G0TpukQYbQGFZ7HT33hB_QTQLEolW_dkhMwm34jsYiWaJVYlU/s400/going+down+rodeo+drive.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have to say this was the most beautiful house on the street!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV5HV4s0q7DPkkWEifkbGcfVIprZe9OU-WUC4-5ElsTQ-klOPwc4wvWXY0yEhuB2zTTaWnSGbBULB6XokF9HeiBNCPv2l-c7Xt9-GXBN1N3ytuptiiGcWne7ZB-IbFxtHQd7FvcKluao/s1600/pretty+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV5HV4s0q7DPkkWEifkbGcfVIprZe9OU-WUC4-5ElsTQ-klOPwc4wvWXY0yEhuB2zTTaWnSGbBULB6XokF9HeiBNCPv2l-c7Xt9-GXBN1N3ytuptiiGcWne7ZB-IbFxtHQd7FvcKluao/s400/pretty+house.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The view of the city as we ending our travels down Rodeo Drive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9a-2jL9RaaJjkHFe5CFVHrVegZp-mxOaiS-uB6ZTMn_y5zWEK_Ut6qzAqDMGQDW7jLD4T_5G0bMB8cDxr0ZDqsqOZtkTrzIjRbaU294u53j-NWaodr-vx4EWfjnlz3dyMMkbBPZ_kz8/s1600/hills+of+san+fran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9a-2jL9RaaJjkHFe5CFVHrVegZp-mxOaiS-uB6ZTMn_y5zWEK_Ut6qzAqDMGQDW7jLD4T_5G0bMB8cDxr0ZDqsqOZtkTrzIjRbaU294u53j-NWaodr-vx4EWfjnlz3dyMMkbBPZ_kz8/s400/hills+of+san+fran.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended Saturday, by going out to eat at the Olive Garden. We discovered that they offer gluten free pasta dishes. Sarai was in heaven!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Here we are on the beach.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK8hXZMc4VrAvoijEBS1tkIHH8cq_g6Rk5_Ie3vBYI2EsI2S7Gj2netYXcEJdPOrBP58kRr-Nb7HvWIWLo_iCB6ilOVmINafSaZvjkK9G28l-1FLL49w7ybzj7bI-ZZJG4-MECe_98v0/s1600/abram+and+his+ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK8hXZMc4VrAvoijEBS1tkIHH8cq_g6Rk5_Ie3vBYI2EsI2S7Gj2netYXcEJdPOrBP58kRr-Nb7HvWIWLo_iCB6ilOVmINafSaZvjkK9G28l-1FLL49w7ybzj7bI-ZZJG4-MECe_98v0/s400/abram+and+his+ladies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found incredibly long sea weed. Sarai placed a crab shell on top and created a dude. We were missing Tobin at the time, so the seaweed dude was him in this photo. The water was COLD.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxUItMse4wZXmc26cBZEoAyWgo_zTtZfOkhxfn0G_79w1X8ITrAglEGVqoRQP2LeigoWS2jn2MWye6reRS2P1UZaJ-DheErdShZbCIX3E5XsW9HaGA3AZjGyQ4VuUinKxTN3dyb8zwOY/s1600/3+girls+and+an+alien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxUItMse4wZXmc26cBZEoAyWgo_zTtZfOkhxfn0G_79w1X8ITrAglEGVqoRQP2LeigoWS2jn2MWye6reRS2P1UZaJ-DheErdShZbCIX3E5XsW9HaGA3AZjGyQ4VuUinKxTN3dyb8zwOY/s400/3+girls+and+an+alien.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I waited a long time for a kid to get off the wooden post so I could get this great shot of the shore.<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/AVvXsEilM6RdlscG7v4eyJIHrw7NU8nwW9ySq5i3ExOFDIVdnCwTrCupUrG17Cztlwet3pITRe3gk0FO8CvuCqFcfd7xupha5-o_4QvF2DtuBQRhIhtTRzMEQiPuL0Al0FwjbFpiIh8N68mAUrA/s1600/great+view+of+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM6RdlscG7v4eyJIHrw7NU8nwW9ySq5i3ExOFDIVdnCwTrCupUrG17Cztlwet3pITRe3gk0FO8CvuCqFcfd7xupha5-o_4QvF2DtuBQRhIhtTRzMEQiPuL0Al0FwjbFpiIh8N68mAUrA/s640/great+view+of+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>This is a picture of an amazing plant. This was like a ground cover. It was succulent and resembled an aloe plant. I don't know what it was called, but it was covering a large area between the beach and the walking paths.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH5bcxNDLB8NAUYm3gfQnAwxAHu6D-n1panYKjHHsJql_ZkBtKHh5OUYtp46VoYMybAoIrzSSHVUZgK3IyZHqeDRszGPvzKJOxTNVCzjCIgXyJRux6UUV7eSQHWWHMcu90TKPeUzkK9g/s1600/wierd+spongy+plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH5bcxNDLB8NAUYm3gfQnAwxAHu6D-n1panYKjHHsJql_ZkBtKHh5OUYtp46VoYMybAoIrzSSHVUZgK3IyZHqeDRszGPvzKJOxTNVCzjCIgXyJRux6UUV7eSQHWWHMcu90TKPeUzkK9g/s320/wierd+spongy+plant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After we finished our hike and collected Tobin we headed in the car to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. We had to climb down 300 steps to get to this lighthouse. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM-8iXdt62ksRrJeZhmdFi7PDwNL-Jem0cGPvSAy1xJjuvzFoNzus0Eb5q1dsqyIV9fRc8Ho63RLY61cMsc10nagOOin46vjIjnVyA9mdfkCHIJw-g4bQ4RM7PhHBehmuztgtSL7t0Es/s1600/light+hosue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM-8iXdt62ksRrJeZhmdFi7PDwNL-Jem0cGPvSAy1xJjuvzFoNzus0Eb5q1dsqyIV9fRc8Ho63RLY61cMsc10nagOOin46vjIjnVyA9mdfkCHIJw-g4bQ4RM7PhHBehmuztgtSL7t0Es/s400/light+hosue.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another great family photo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKj74J_dZA5PwFWSFE-jp_EiB5P3RYzh7ZwXr3KnZwldlvp5N_z2Ef6Dt-Nv6QNqgZlotRF_wkrJJq-23nMTl8DSHMV_T3A3yPwhF1MXY-xGvy4tAF8D5Ka3VBmZHAJiIshDe5WQhmOg/s1600/lighthouse+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKj74J_dZA5PwFWSFE-jp_EiB5P3RYzh7ZwXr3KnZwldlvp5N_z2Ef6Dt-Nv6QNqgZlotRF_wkrJJq-23nMTl8DSHMV_T3A3yPwhF1MXY-xGvy4tAF8D5Ka3VBmZHAJiIshDe5WQhmOg/s640/lighthouse+family.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Another strange plant we spotted. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-iZkIfoW5lHBbEwH0URvxgFh355XMd0XuFOqXIFHftC6mQsrqC_byCoWAuEFtn8jdnx9chDE6wapKwgLAUKY1YcE6Z9rl74JZPOkEcVJub6jXDJieaxe218Asghhk51971ulP8f6C4I/s1600/aloe+like+palm+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-iZkIfoW5lHBbEwH0URvxgFh355XMd0XuFOqXIFHftC6mQsrqC_byCoWAuEFtn8jdnx9chDE6wapKwgLAUKY1YcE6Z9rl74JZPOkEcVJub6jXDJieaxe218Asghhk51971ulP8f6C4I/s320/aloe+like+palm+tree.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a view of the 300 steps we climbed down and up to get to the light house and back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZar9SiOhfy4vXTdTfG-wRy22rGQMoCVnrvY2NtFUMKTYllPBF_5xRes8_woNM4vgUqQpPUoTatW8Cc3bzpoPUSiQ6oUcOG6Q88JVPigpGByzibkbgZlnTQnNfSX3UVDu2360-sdwTOFQ/s1600/300+steps+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZar9SiOhfy4vXTdTfG-wRy22rGQMoCVnrvY2NtFUMKTYllPBF_5xRes8_woNM4vgUqQpPUoTatW8Cc3bzpoPUSiQ6oUcOG6Q88JVPigpGByzibkbgZlnTQnNfSX3UVDu2360-sdwTOFQ/s640/300+steps+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Just an amazing view around the lighthouse.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsq2n8CvWOYOcL84uK5dfaX0Xya8S2m3k5rjCqJcNuOcFreSrboTRXKCkNuCfO1JLv-RG0tfpVTQhuACHxpnGTPPk_fAARLi_TGBfKuDGbFlA1JGGjw0qmnQcxXwuQ-jYht4MvCAJQG4/s1600/beach+view+near+lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsq2n8CvWOYOcL84uK5dfaX0Xya8S2m3k5rjCqJcNuOcFreSrboTRXKCkNuCfO1JLv-RG0tfpVTQhuACHxpnGTPPk_fAARLi_TGBfKuDGbFlA1JGGjw0qmnQcxXwuQ-jYht4MvCAJQG4/s640/beach+view+near+lighthouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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As we were returning to our car, a man pointed this boat out to us and informed us that it was a sailing canoe from New Zealand! There were six of them fighting the incredible head wind that day. I cannot believe they sailed from New Zealand!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93VfDMWHOI1tG8JZRYmONAHGZCPyWE0wG7dHcfivYqwrZotZAGmq2gZ67u4MATVtScIAnNR5xMHe6rSdr4O18oy1Ch1qjofSyKDnYvyDQIonAV41f2xtgB6nTl1h6wTeMtQs7TzH3h3M/s1600/boat+from+new+zealand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93VfDMWHOI1tG8JZRYmONAHGZCPyWE0wG7dHcfivYqwrZotZAGmq2gZ67u4MATVtScIAnNR5xMHe6rSdr4O18oy1Ch1qjofSyKDnYvyDQIonAV41f2xtgB6nTl1h6wTeMtQs7TzH3h3M/s400/boat+from+new+zealand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a long day we tried to use the pool and hot tub advertised on the website of this hotel. The weather was so cool, the pool was painful. So we tried the hot tub at the hotel. It was luke warm. After spending 30 minutes in a "not" hot tub Leah, Carmen and Rachel decided to take a hot bath back in the hotel room since the water was so cold. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuLWdmihDGuFued_9NgJ1ZTP45PfIBb8l_gxrtjCFhqSpVunXZyPv-j_7UcFQhXpQm_dZAXEJpD1S0fa8jnrurJG3XIz9vyHNWBUiG4JSlrojBsOlsopE_-g3DkEwW-KoFiIM9yTz1Yw/s1600/cool+hot+tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuLWdmihDGuFued_9NgJ1ZTP45PfIBb8l_gxrtjCFhqSpVunXZyPv-j_7UcFQhXpQm_dZAXEJpD1S0fa8jnrurJG3XIz9vyHNWBUiG4JSlrojBsOlsopE_-g3DkEwW-KoFiIM9yTz1Yw/s400/cool+hot+tub.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monday's task was to walk over the Golden Gate bridge. Abram was tempted to suggest biking over it, but later admitted that he was glad we only walked due to the crowds of people. The biking sidewalk was under construction so both bikes and walkers were on the same path. It was crowded and a bit frustrating at times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P_zpmKq21Uh9wDE76NucN8aDIXf5TD8qzjVa-bqakvUox3ZTQqrp5eXeIbbdQe0MJaPrBRAyau9IHu5ifmTpwvOtVf5MKb5P7oAxFQw0I6Kr8jdGVtrips7hyphenhyphenlEW_Lx5-gNrVgB9j8k/s1600/golden+gate+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P_zpmKq21Uh9wDE76NucN8aDIXf5TD8qzjVa-bqakvUox3ZTQqrp5eXeIbbdQe0MJaPrBRAyau9IHu5ifmTpwvOtVf5MKb5P7oAxFQw0I6Kr8jdGVtrips7hyphenhyphenlEW_Lx5-gNrVgB9j8k/s640/golden+gate+bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Leah took this family photo of us. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_sLYxIQz7U5j6RnfSv-RCpIMv3RIY_9Wi9A1c5L8RrpvidS7oAH_D3W7AmhyRQIYfuH9L0wIUXPncYLOST2EduI0ITdxOMPtEIyjM0EOZ24YpdyRf9sHu2mmEyMUzxNqbgpaDqC8ZRI/s1600/golde+gate+fam+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_sLYxIQz7U5j6RnfSv-RCpIMv3RIY_9Wi9A1c5L8RrpvidS7oAH_D3W7AmhyRQIYfuH9L0wIUXPncYLOST2EduI0ITdxOMPtEIyjM0EOZ24YpdyRf9sHu2mmEyMUzxNqbgpaDqC8ZRI/s640/golde+gate+fam+pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I like this photo of all four of them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPVU3CWOSYp9vVrmSMTZW8eceCGlLq76vppiqlhjBdVKbNmq_0E6afY2tX8zYiEiM0ahWs5jHDeAGWr7wULs1QjmcmCNNJncuOehyOJFRQKXZejMAlkqNJEyt1-Gi2k_AmwaKMUmIGKg/s1600/kids+on+the+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPVU3CWOSYp9vVrmSMTZW8eceCGlLq76vppiqlhjBdVKbNmq_0E6afY2tX8zYiEiM0ahWs5jHDeAGWr7wULs1QjmcmCNNJncuOehyOJFRQKXZejMAlkqNJEyt1-Gi2k_AmwaKMUmIGKg/s640/kids+on+the+bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Leah had read that there were buffalo in a San Francisco park. Before leaving San Francisco for good, we had to find them. Here is one. His coat looks a bit mangy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuyWaA2DMq3oesZMn1Z2439fUTpU24rQW6PRJFQ-jCE6g_8IlAHiuQQpdOgi3Ep9X3QzcLEEJtdbG6I4nltNBOx7dVQsKYAObsWwoz-L8n1_ygwG4-phdlFlPzn9nTg6YypcDpdawNMA/s1600/bufalo+in+the+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuyWaA2DMq3oesZMn1Z2439fUTpU24rQW6PRJFQ-jCE6g_8IlAHiuQQpdOgi3Ep9X3QzcLEEJtdbG6I4nltNBOx7dVQsKYAObsWwoz-L8n1_ygwG4-phdlFlPzn9nTg6YypcDpdawNMA/s400/bufalo+in+the+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found a playground to hang out in before we traveled out of San Francisco and to Yosemite Park, our next destination. Sarai made friends with a little girl in the park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gs-wMSLgSNE3XuZ7Dic3zhMKSbQa-n5AIo73BLyKBEckrAgAkMQM_VQ79FKSbpXJxaD7y063Y1sAaXJWOQe3msxOxmy3Xpi6eeSVnNj1C5n1n0T9yVNF0iLNqKSn1xceAriZ5tmTjzY/s1600/IMG_1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gs-wMSLgSNE3XuZ7Dic3zhMKSbQa-n5AIo73BLyKBEckrAgAkMQM_VQ79FKSbpXJxaD7y063Y1sAaXJWOQe3msxOxmy3Xpi6eeSVnNj1C5n1n0T9yVNF0iLNqKSn1xceAriZ5tmTjzY/s400/IMG_1764.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our vacation was packed with sites that I will be making mutliple posts. More to come.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-48020559379830863092011-08-20T19:39:00.001-04:002011-08-21T15:49:54.794-04:00The Many Events During Rachel's Fourth Grade YearFourth grade was full of projects and celebrations for Rachel at Spring St School. It is the last year in elementary school; making it the last year I am able to go into her classroom often. <br />
Here are some of the events I was able to attend.<br />
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In December, Rachel was assigned a heritage research project. We discovered that my mother's great-grand-mother made quilts for wealthy families in RI. Here is Rachel's favorite quilt that was made by her great, great, great grandmother. I think Rachel's love for sewing gave her a wonderful respect for how much time was spent hand sewing these quilt tops. This one is her favorite.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQzhcZV-hT2MyXobmqYgCp4tkej8-6b1-FRPpPJ6cpm4eSoEn61qZnWAbICY-nzcPNSU3pZtiBtLTwus4FO5a-6Lj-wM20jbFVFpLOhES8W-Rolue9c6Vo4BKzVR3Zoh0LVpsoXd94oo/s1600/IMG_9207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQzhcZV-hT2MyXobmqYgCp4tkej8-6b1-FRPpPJ6cpm4eSoEn61qZnWAbICY-nzcPNSU3pZtiBtLTwus4FO5a-6Lj-wM20jbFVFpLOhES8W-Rolue9c6Vo4BKzVR3Zoh0LVpsoXd94oo/s320/IMG_9207.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel is with her good friend Kirsten. Kirsten is holding up the other quilt top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxI82BThFaXzxwHS5N1n9mOxaA2EH2uHLDNU2bB-fg0n-mP4QHHFp2Ib6YlbeDTJaIW1ykJ3i-_GrF2gnZnjfy0Q4Uzp28UnWltlECHV6USYHIa5QE9BXk97FBsDTKcOcwVNChjGmr3w/s1600/IMG_9212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxI82BThFaXzxwHS5N1n9mOxaA2EH2uHLDNU2bB-fg0n-mP4QHHFp2Ib6YlbeDTJaIW1ykJ3i-_GrF2gnZnjfy0Q4Uzp28UnWltlECHV6USYHIa5QE9BXk97FBsDTKcOcwVNChjGmr3w/s320/IMG_9212.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each student was given a small area in the cafeteria to display their heritage pieces. One student brought in this hand carved shoe. It was made by his grandmother for St. Nicolas day, December 8th. We celebrate this feast day by using our own shoes and receiving a special ornament for the Christmas tree. Later, when the kids have their own home I will give them a box of ornaments to start their Christmas tree with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu8V3yqpmLtDxcRHn6eTRVfZAmmJ1CcR5qcuS47meFo2lxMyXDD4oagGZ2hI_HWLh1DLIXWhyphenhyphenm1lOSgNe3GXNNQspHXBbdIL_KBfgLvuTyIFY-s1-3wuVBnQZ-M2urD63bgJ9md8734o/s1600/IMG_9211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGu8V3yqpmLtDxcRHn6eTRVfZAmmJ1CcR5qcuS47meFo2lxMyXDD4oagGZ2hI_HWLh1DLIXWhyphenhyphenm1lOSgNe3GXNNQspHXBbdIL_KBfgLvuTyIFY-s1-3wuVBnQZ-M2urD63bgJ9md8734o/s320/IMG_9211.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, we have the Invention Convention. Each 4th grader has to come up with an invention that uses at least one simple machine. They design it, make it and present it to their classmates and to the whole school. Rachel made the cat feeder 2011. She wanted to make something that would measure out the right amount of dry food for the cats each time. She used a wheel and axle, a lever and an incline plane. Abram calls this project "shop time at home". It is the one time he is able to show the kids how to use the saw table and other machinery in the basement. Rachel used the drill press and the miter to make this invention.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj6yEKUE-gRKVP0OBk4ccTgiPJWrMeZi1w1Bw4AvRdbU6cRXN9DeQP_Qn8oKl-ytGZCBhhvlT21X7U_897RhsATgULvdNKuiAxfGWkAhJZFG-zGqJuL40eT2XB7HinB4QWT9xJBUHh94/s1600/invention+convention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoj6yEKUE-gRKVP0OBk4ccTgiPJWrMeZi1w1Bw4AvRdbU6cRXN9DeQP_Qn8oKl-ytGZCBhhvlT21X7U_897RhsATgULvdNKuiAxfGWkAhJZFG-zGqJuL40eT2XB7HinB4QWT9xJBUHh94/s320/invention+convention.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMn8AdLn84GPwTpJGQXW0aMrKSXleNIGARKmGNz5lHhZUjNjDxGut2a4zqXDNQz66kisuRluGUsUYnA4TaT4QQ0KHwBCWhosQfCiNm8XjQ16Apdl6sKLkGACP4QLVra1BCnopPD3lyio/s1600/cat+feeder+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMn8AdLn84GPwTpJGQXW0aMrKSXleNIGARKmGNz5lHhZUjNjDxGut2a4zqXDNQz66kisuRluGUsUYnA4TaT4QQ0KHwBCWhosQfCiNm8XjQ16Apdl6sKLkGACP4QLVra1BCnopPD3lyio/s320/cat+feeder+2011.jpg" t$="true" width="193px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel began learning the cello this year. She upgraded to a 3/4 sized cello with all her growing. She has grown over 5 inches since last April!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislcygZ0FwnXEYDfPI1gNEqoUozH3c4yNhX6Eqbqx_3xpZLs-QqS55-VZXIPpwvMHH6wpjtLISQpK1TLtfENZovlIXAXOuCQ55_NzfBNmp_dD9Ud45shyphenhyphendA5eS-Md0WMWA1h6iifx7pzQ/s1600/rachel+and+the+cello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislcygZ0FwnXEYDfPI1gNEqoUozH3c4yNhX6Eqbqx_3xpZLs-QqS55-VZXIPpwvMHH6wpjtLISQpK1TLtfENZovlIXAXOuCQ55_NzfBNmp_dD9Ud45shyphenhyphendA5eS-Md0WMWA1h6iifx7pzQ/s320/rachel+and+the+cello.jpg" t$="true" width="213px" /></a></div><br />
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Every year, the music teacher at Spring St School, puts on a May pole celebration. All the grades, K-4th, come together and perform different songs. The graduating fourth graders get to learn and perform the May Pole dance. Here is Rachel's graduating fourth grade class. (Spring St is one of the smaller elementary schools. There were less than 100 fourth graders in Spring. The number of fourth graders in town is closer to 500.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNQ7hFx7Q4gttPI8e8yZGhUjYEFwgn-xb7FFn5dkLkjmRigz7-SP7nrSh6IY8__jY8rJ-SZVltyjhZ0YMWULcsByOYtm0FTbYc4nhRB2HKfcxPd1d0glnU9Gt3eiVTLwUlfuSsxyi7OQ/s1600/cropped+may+pole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNQ7hFx7Q4gttPI8e8yZGhUjYEFwgn-xb7FFn5dkLkjmRigz7-SP7nrSh6IY8__jY8rJ-SZVltyjhZ0YMWULcsByOYtm0FTbYc4nhRB2HKfcxPd1d0glnU9Gt3eiVTLwUlfuSsxyi7OQ/s640/cropped+may+pole.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. For two months prior to May 5th, the art teacher had invited the 4th graders to come in and learn different kinds of Mayan art. Rachel's class was able to learn how to do gold plated engravings. I took her into school early on Mondays to work on her art piece. Here is a sample of the art work they did. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nLSYmnWKFI2iLRwt4XCWojFkFX-SrLNWfXSd1HL2axuxXutVO5aLfkLQxnAyNVBAn0zsKmwYyEpar5poRDR3JcBYW9fH6c6cYXy_F8e8K5yg5b4h_QYV485UW1rlNGoMLZ_RUxf5gkQ/s1600/mayan+art.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nLSYmnWKFI2iLRwt4XCWojFkFX-SrLNWfXSd1HL2axuxXutVO5aLfkLQxnAyNVBAn0zsKmwYyEpar5poRDR3JcBYW9fH6c6cYXy_F8e8K5yg5b4h_QYV485UW1rlNGoMLZ_RUxf5gkQ/s400/mayan+art.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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On May 5th I was able to come into the school and help the kids enjoy a bit of celebration. They ate salsa and chips, chicken tortillas, made paper flowers and took pictures of each other behind this backdrop. <br />
This is Rachel and me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WOtyCP2aivExDHWYeJrtfbM5zQZxizB6OfhJMSWLSmhlrApqlklLaLmVk6QMOLCi5PERv4fUMZWCINKafvbzhnoSME00vqkSg0B99MNQuXv5J_QhNa5nKpbE-ygiqkPw9mSMwNYXMY4/s1600/rachel+and+I+backdrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WOtyCP2aivExDHWYeJrtfbM5zQZxizB6OfhJMSWLSmhlrApqlklLaLmVk6QMOLCi5PERv4fUMZWCINKafvbzhnoSME00vqkSg0B99MNQuXv5J_QhNa5nKpbE-ygiqkPw9mSMwNYXMY4/s400/rachel+and+I+backdrop.jpg" width="231px" /></a></div><br />
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Here is Mrs. Tolozcko and some of the girls from Rachel's fourth grade class. Rachel's class was wonderful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhF6Ve667WJUgyAGVy1aDX0vBbry0BwqJj83kKpqy3BNiTXkfgjy4pLmhMcjc0zQop-t7FbCKvR53foD-IfeyiqEnl9uhMuWFz8tfG0b8dXHi8pdQJYGS31kD-xNKv7VZtfODn-utaFk/s1600/Mrs+T+and+the+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhF6Ve667WJUgyAGVy1aDX0vBbry0BwqJj83kKpqy3BNiTXkfgjy4pLmhMcjc0zQop-t7FbCKvR53foD-IfeyiqEnl9uhMuWFz8tfG0b8dXHi8pdQJYGS31kD-xNKv7VZtfODn-utaFk/s640/Mrs+T+and+the+girls.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">May 8th was Grand Friend Luncheon. My mom came down from NH and had a very nice lunch with Rachel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlFpf0Z-C1u1NebFTSNOdcNQ1TNS_XSTgrkpAIyBjlUg7wBaSEhnKVppDHMg0Oh_6rvEBlyoXis04u8TZeHfONDD3obkCOu7WzOGeK6ReFXM8031If0pBtqSfLM-4qgSy394jcuVYEVI/s1600/better+Rachel+and+Grammie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlFpf0Z-C1u1NebFTSNOdcNQ1TNS_XSTgrkpAIyBjlUg7wBaSEhnKVppDHMg0Oh_6rvEBlyoXis04u8TZeHfONDD3obkCOu7WzOGeK6ReFXM8031If0pBtqSfLM-4qgSy394jcuVYEVI/s320/better+Rachel+and+Grammie.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The principal came into the cafeteria smelling lunch and commented it was the best the staff had served this year. They were offered Chicken Parmesan, pasta, salad and rolls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafsyt_zl5U5ygr3aujXJSqWyGixN9QwXy8FQn0Ns7q9q2VvRWEziY8sEKQAB_eLHw9mld5wAKrRjtWIHG_gpei5_xp7TnNgF8EXEaUDgZE6jkleyh41TsQlds4yX8E7D4-_mrz-2lZf0/s1600/funny+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafsyt_zl5U5ygr3aujXJSqWyGixN9QwXy8FQn0Ns7q9q2VvRWEziY8sEKQAB_eLHw9mld5wAKrRjtWIHG_gpei5_xp7TnNgF8EXEaUDgZE6jkleyh41TsQlds4yX8E7D4-_mrz-2lZf0/s320/funny+lunch.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ-ysWgtIdAnzMocKLxRlH2S3Ms3o9lCxgaZnRzBmcGu1-ypdacSbLHkYSHkWwbHjj-XRORPN2P3PvfRredA0tQ98beY6BuWtB8z1IEyQJutHBburJX6y3yMGpbUlpk95Wo6sVENlHFo/s1600/eating+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZ-ysWgtIdAnzMocKLxRlH2S3Ms3o9lCxgaZnRzBmcGu1-ypdacSbLHkYSHkWwbHjj-XRORPN2P3PvfRredA0tQ98beY6BuWtB8z1IEyQJutHBburJX6y3yMGpbUlpk95Wo6sVENlHFo/s320/eating+together.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel, Kirsten and Phoebe (can't really see her in this photo) sat together with their grandparents for lunch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdlIAh3ixAck7qtmbObAm7JYidO1nkSIM-hZKByD2JX4P5KKBheoFTfdWOieOga_yF1aT0vzKCjE0d4z8XvX0_Egf98HAnHGz7JSVgd101wdqZHfv0yOuF0289H5HCv0tbhgaBNbnH0A/s1600/all+at+the+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdlIAh3ixAck7qtmbObAm7JYidO1nkSIM-hZKByD2JX4P5KKBheoFTfdWOieOga_yF1aT0vzKCjE0d4z8XvX0_Egf98HAnHGz7JSVgd101wdqZHfv0yOuF0289H5HCv0tbhgaBNbnH0A/s320/all+at+the+table.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there was the research project about a famous person. Rachel chose Jane Goodall because of her love for animals. Rachel is very organized. She was given 4 weeks to do this project. She planned it all out, had many sources and plenty of time to practice her oral report. This project was done like a wax museum. This kids were all seated in the gym, given a paper with a colored circle on it and we had to push it so they would begin their presentation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV9e1jvYLtmK1n1xDwVsAucamkCGDNB19fehqoLm_5p0cu2p3WHkfsaGdtsBhrL48OEYRmk22vOndlw1QlqcpW2YEm1qclJdecE8Sq5mcXwBkaC74XFe4fXBc4MhBIdH4Oi2WT9__7io/s1600/rachel+as+jane+goodall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV9e1jvYLtmK1n1xDwVsAucamkCGDNB19fehqoLm_5p0cu2p3WHkfsaGdtsBhrL48OEYRmk22vOndlw1QlqcpW2YEm1qclJdecE8Sq5mcXwBkaC74XFe4fXBc4MhBIdH4Oi2WT9__7io/s400/rachel+as+jane+goodall.jpg" t$="true" width="206px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the year comes to end all the fun begins. Field day is a fun time for the kids to be outside and play different organized games. It is the gym teachers responsibility to organize the games and the parents volunteer to run them. I was going to help out, but the original date was forecasted to be 98 out so it was postponed to a Friday that Abram and I were going away on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Fourth grade is assigned to wear blue for field day. Rather than pay $10 for a shirt with the school logo on it Rachel and Kirsten decided to tie dye their own shirts. They spent multiple days creating their field day shirts. They spent an afternoon at my house dying their shirts in blue, animal print. Then they spent another day using puffy paint to do their names on the back. They treasure this memory and still wear the shirt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-BYL56l8kP7X8uBVH0VWuIoRto5Gk9UqNspFVcucpjpGgqzlp0z2M0x3Gn0WJZkENTjTpnsU2zQnwKAdV9AqVFuOQg_zOW9rUD4ApaNPXIC4lQcwusj0uFER0k2k21lwwUz8lkXazok/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-BYL56l8kP7X8uBVH0VWuIoRto5Gk9UqNspFVcucpjpGgqzlp0z2M0x3Gn0WJZkENTjTpnsU2zQnwKAdV9AqVFuOQg_zOW9rUD4ApaNPXIC4lQcwusj0uFER0k2k21lwwUz8lkXazok/s320/IMG_1076.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn-qCBtxIJJmqrBLhYnsurp1l7juSIegeJkcbKJL2O3MCEamxWB4v7sqX3Nl_vk20NhhV116vmda6gQNVafZiWLeoqtgXyAoeedqkvPJvqaDwsZhZiO6SXTanof0xi1TeJZ08zH8xQQc/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn-qCBtxIJJmqrBLhYnsurp1l7juSIegeJkcbKJL2O3MCEamxWB4v7sqX3Nl_vk20NhhV116vmda6gQNVafZiWLeoqtgXyAoeedqkvPJvqaDwsZhZiO6SXTanof0xi1TeJZ08zH8xQQc/s320/IMG_1077.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kirsten slept over the night before so they could get ready together in the morning. I couldn't go to field day because it was on Friday, June 10th. Abram and I left to drive to NY that morning for our anniversary get-away. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSSgxjHZ1CkbVzWjm3dpH6W0DDZWzwdo-Oxay11nRRGABYOY0iEVw1_-Ygo3Emd38MOLgmObNjqeP0bhmC3A5qs5JbD1mA15guqxUX_EZ2wSXN-n0jLv0_1dn4omDO0iGYmht2Z0UAsk/s1600/Rachel+and+Kirsten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSSgxjHZ1CkbVzWjm3dpH6W0DDZWzwdo-Oxay11nRRGABYOY0iEVw1_-Ygo3Emd38MOLgmObNjqeP0bhmC3A5qs5JbD1mA15guqxUX_EZ2wSXN-n0jLv0_1dn4omDO0iGYmht2Z0UAsk/s400/Rachel+and+Kirsten.jpg" t$="true" width="238px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">June 14th was the fourth grade chorus concert. It was paired with the Oak middle school's select choir concert. They performed very well. The two schools sang a song together. I'm always impressed. both choruses showed up an hour before the concert and were able to coordinate and pull off a fantastic concert. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS0jr8Jbax4MfS_gBU9IMxzOSd5X-tNUe7ZPSpeNCRpbmpE5zOTr6PMnGBRxMCg8SPkS19II5kLE85D51005MMSgjTNz9y0Eni1HZufePuv6DldIdOpziJSuiTifZtzC0zN6wFXiw1uU/s1600/singing+now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS0jr8Jbax4MfS_gBU9IMxzOSd5X-tNUe7ZPSpeNCRpbmpE5zOTr6PMnGBRxMCg8SPkS19II5kLE85D51005MMSgjTNz9y0Eni1HZufePuv6DldIdOpziJSuiTifZtzC0zN6wFXiw1uU/s400/singing+now.jpg" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYgvTUX5vK31GOkbeTVciLzSJ1iY_Q7v5jF44tysZqXO3nocSDjt5RPgdI4xYE_YRCV__k3qwqr-QVlE5Zniaf2bdbHOqBFCAsm1Unp4Ww1jJVIR1SmgM2lptZuf1oXY1Asd_udsn2Tk/s1600/getting+ready+for+concert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYgvTUX5vK31GOkbeTVciLzSJ1iY_Q7v5jF44tysZqXO3nocSDjt5RPgdI4xYE_YRCV__k3qwqr-QVlE5Zniaf2bdbHOqBFCAsm1Unp4Ww1jJVIR1SmgM2lptZuf1oXY1Asd_udsn2Tk/s400/getting+ready+for+concert.jpg" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two days later, she has graduation from 4th grade. It always happens on hot day and someone always faints. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRipnN7HtTur6m2KWh9gJB_36jPvWJm8WYWX1WipNBneRE2704EoNuDAJmPaNWCYSitVuKy8VwTmjVEbuQ56NTo7oceovTCrB5BQqLDbEPSokMXr1ak_RkZj5xFjjynOYF4lTTPU00_-s/s1600/time+to+graduate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRipnN7HtTur6m2KWh9gJB_36jPvWJm8WYWX1WipNBneRE2704EoNuDAJmPaNWCYSitVuKy8VwTmjVEbuQ56NTo7oceovTCrB5BQqLDbEPSokMXr1ak_RkZj5xFjjynOYF4lTTPU00_-s/s320/time+to+graduate.jpg" t$="true" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizzXUk6RN7sAurkunyWnEam6Q85cpUoNtGhbxIriz7v_wQAM85cAo1HFVhcGULeyq2Ptw8vu31G0ZEaJ6c0NzT_haOkvIOTwfdQCToZTb-SUN24nKjf8lIJC_l1AsrutV0r5YSRBIEA4/s1600/reading+her+poem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizzXUk6RN7sAurkunyWnEam6Q85cpUoNtGhbxIriz7v_wQAM85cAo1HFVhcGULeyq2Ptw8vu31G0ZEaJ6c0NzT_haOkvIOTwfdQCToZTb-SUN24nKjf8lIJC_l1AsrutV0r5YSRBIEA4/s320/reading+her+poem.jpg" t$="true" width="257px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here Rachel is with her Fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Toloczko. She is reading her memory of fourth grade: When she got to use the elevator for a few weeks while she was on crutches. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLlZdNw6dnVK5F4ckOe1YXgMVDYMM8Zwlp5rI1_Se545246tL_Lm0xWDurdQwG4yE0_OuftRSYG_2a-OKs66r6K9-J60Rq0yDchlShHAr-bTtloEV4IFUoiy3iGaNPlR8aP37DbCQFXI/s1600/spring+st+memories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLlZdNw6dnVK5F4ckOe1YXgMVDYMM8Zwlp5rI1_Se545246tL_Lm0xWDurdQwG4yE0_OuftRSYG_2a-OKs66r6K9-J60Rq0yDchlShHAr-bTtloEV4IFUoiy3iGaNPlR8aP37DbCQFXI/s400/spring+st+memories.jpg" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fourth grade celebration is a big deal. the kids get special shirts with everyones' self illustrated head shot. A DJ comes to the school for dancing and fun and so does the ice cream truck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is amazing that I am out of the elementary schools! Our town has two middle schools: 5-6 and 7-8. Rachel and Carmen will travel on the same bus since the two middle schools are only a block apart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was crazy making this blog. So much has happened during her forth grade year. This is only pieces from school, I didn't include her sports throughout the year! There's more to come. I will be creating something like for for each of the kids. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-56378569750809043662011-07-26T23:05:00.000-04:002011-07-26T23:05:00.644-04:00Cape Cod visitWe visited the cape twice during the week of June 24th. Chip, Marie and Marita spent the week there. Over various days different siblings of Abram's joined them in the cape.<br />
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Our first visit was on Monday. We found a nice beach called Bass River beach. There was an actual kite designated area. Here are some of the kites flown there that day. <br />
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A huge red octopus and a black blow fish next to it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnGuj01Edz7O7u7LiLI7bVd5ZwJ0NtkB3Eg9cr5Dl3N9e6DqOFmjD6DWAOgO3exP2kI4_p97F7FG2cvAqQHXMnu-epCE5Nr_X6f18OYR6v7w0exDIWD-WnqExaFPXOYKWPO3d9EqrwdM/s1600/octopus+kite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnGuj01Edz7O7u7LiLI7bVd5ZwJ0NtkB3Eg9cr5Dl3N9e6DqOFmjD6DWAOgO3exP2kI4_p97F7FG2cvAqQHXMnu-epCE5Nr_X6f18OYR6v7w0exDIWD-WnqExaFPXOYKWPO3d9EqrwdM/s400/octopus+kite.jpg" width="337" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">a large panda kite. We did find the black ball like object a bit humorous!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkZyaijj5Ag_D1kGGZmaH1tRBsH7eEqbA24hseDJpYVSRENSc9YPHvfUcNCUUi8F45f1qVdlzDxKiuO8wHRjO8om1J54cDKoaIrYiLI-LVpfNKrkh-I9REOtYvVPP3595BRDQQ7WMLKk/s1600/panda+kite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkZyaijj5Ag_D1kGGZmaH1tRBsH7eEqbA24hseDJpYVSRENSc9YPHvfUcNCUUi8F45f1qVdlzDxKiuO8wHRjO8om1J54cDKoaIrYiLI-LVpfNKrkh-I9REOtYvVPP3595BRDQQ7WMLKk/s320/panda+kite.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of my favorite kites was this one. The man photographed here has already led up a kite on a long cable. He then proceeded to open up 7 umbrellas that were attached to the cable. Each umbrella would float up the cable towards the kite in the air.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqshksegHr9mh0do6bnftUnf6CT0uUgoqULL2EuoYF4T1sFe5RPArOU_B7PKSFsQ13Zqz0RuYvxgXElWB4ei0g3RMjFO-hwnCeoKN2FmDBEdMIWLNN_T4xDAPTGPut3K_JRzKvFr6kFc/s1600/kite+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqshksegHr9mh0do6bnftUnf6CT0uUgoqULL2EuoYF4T1sFe5RPArOU_B7PKSFsQ13Zqz0RuYvxgXElWB4ei0g3RMjFO-hwnCeoKN2FmDBEdMIWLNN_T4xDAPTGPut3K_JRzKvFr6kFc/s400/kite+guy.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ6ZBkqmtdoXgIBzxJmBEPs0wFGhNZrOfXyfNm50TQ39ehyoeZkJXmLBjiIbeO7VZBCO2Fe6i-HBiSWRZFOetxi60fZz95QjrKDjphWFBxRhGpq2G72Me3IGKlsn65l6AmCrukOdaj9s/s1600/umbrella+going+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ6ZBkqmtdoXgIBzxJmBEPs0wFGhNZrOfXyfNm50TQ39ehyoeZkJXmLBjiIbeO7VZBCO2Fe6i-HBiSWRZFOetxi60fZz95QjrKDjphWFBxRhGpq2G72Me3IGKlsn65l6AmCrukOdaj9s/s320/umbrella+going+up.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Once the red one reached the top kite it would collapse, hit the umbrella below it creating a domino effect and sending all 7 kites back to the man at the end of the cable. He would release the umbrellas over and over creating the same effect. On the hour he also ran a remote controlled bag of candy up in the air, opened it and created a pinata effect on the beach for kids. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYWqA-sMWhTS9bZg2S9QswbcMTuYIG1XbLcBFFyCkUPu81Su_6asSEPjFUsnIsjj4wcQth4McnAIoEVE_OmCgzdAS2mOPp4ohPLdTaru38tpKsGDlZaDXxwdJNQ5Jo7tqHOFntJVe6Wg/s1600/umbrellas+going+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYWqA-sMWhTS9bZg2S9QswbcMTuYIG1XbLcBFFyCkUPu81Su_6asSEPjFUsnIsjj4wcQth4McnAIoEVE_OmCgzdAS2mOPp4ohPLdTaru38tpKsGDlZaDXxwdJNQ5Jo7tqHOFntJVe6Wg/s400/umbrellas+going+up.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">wooooooooooow Carmen looks great :) Not sure who posted that statement, but it is staying!</div><br />
Jacinta and Carmen began burying Rachel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5KPdoU2cX7gGz67ABKqY8aQxB_UeFPQ6LWR-WVIcTbW-YzNLxk6y6MZrMIgG9xCIv5cEb-EKARF4aHOgs-iadWcc2VJxqwl56V47iR2OO5PNc5sA4LhAV0xRByE2OkpULIKqNLyqsQU/s1600/time+to+bury+rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5KPdoU2cX7gGz67ABKqY8aQxB_UeFPQ6LWR-WVIcTbW-YzNLxk6y6MZrMIgG9xCIv5cEb-EKARF4aHOgs-iadWcc2VJxqwl56V47iR2OO5PNc5sA4LhAV0xRByE2OkpULIKqNLyqsQU/s400/time+to+bury+rachel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I like how she used goggles to keep the sand from her eyes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB25sB2lf5XoLKlyRxQLFPycVmEddz9cvFOK2yIja3UqMTaVGVx6X_VJEkT9fWINeP_ikUzHNrqPf0FEfxewDxVuFf1rzqIfSHkQ8ZLLhBq2_hr-jdtqiv39X9M-Z_u427wjHMCB7O0e8/s1600/rachel+is+under.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB25sB2lf5XoLKlyRxQLFPycVmEddz9cvFOK2yIja3UqMTaVGVx6X_VJEkT9fWINeP_ikUzHNrqPf0FEfxewDxVuFf1rzqIfSHkQ8ZLLhBq2_hr-jdtqiv39X9M-Z_u427wjHMCB7O0e8/s320/rachel+is+under.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The brave ones who dared venture into the water. I was not one of them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOExWmcFRI3ksf9krN-qxqZN5sUfmQ9RXqGaq96ErXywI4UQlTdTm_8eej-wvkkxzTIain-xQqOTdqDooM863QAnzf_O80UK9MeCzMt0xxjbq4Pwa5Lo7ufrtKP9aBm3tXBI8kZ7vk94/s1600/jacinta%252C+rachel+and+abram+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOExWmcFRI3ksf9krN-qxqZN5sUfmQ9RXqGaq96ErXywI4UQlTdTm_8eej-wvkkxzTIain-xQqOTdqDooM863QAnzf_O80UK9MeCzMt0xxjbq4Pwa5Lo7ufrtKP9aBm3tXBI8kZ7vk94/s400/jacinta%252C+rachel+and+abram+in+water.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday, we returned to the cape for more beach time. We went to Marconi beach; which is very close to Provincetown. </div><br />
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The first thing we noticed were the pods of seals swimming very close to shore. We must have seen at least 10 seals swimming around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5M3nQio8bF2JnyaH5Ca9ek6vrpLArX2MuIFWERzo3hyphenhyphendNG-GnmZA-CN5iNPY5AWRxDfWq_XTAH4GOimnybAnxEHRLyx7HAuwnkCqRYdZh0yYZiO4zHe-kad-4Zlha4U-coELXI0a8EQ/s1600/pod+of+seals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5M3nQio8bF2JnyaH5Ca9ek6vrpLArX2MuIFWERzo3hyphenhyphendNG-GnmZA-CN5iNPY5AWRxDfWq_XTAH4GOimnybAnxEHRLyx7HAuwnkCqRYdZh0yYZiO4zHe-kad-4Zlha4U-coELXI0a8EQ/s640/pod+of+seals.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is our pod of girlies: Sarai, Rachel, Jacinta, Carmen and Marita.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf30a0sKq0456fHqjEI1GNLqNSJSgnHqPSEJkvufADiyu2IEee_P2hODBA_Yq79haZEEO2vBruSrTzaIY5KQ0yUktqEAKAAKCnznnrMUqF2DUmj2zF0tqxJewkapTnBe-C8Hiplx6djAo/s1600/girlie+fishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf30a0sKq0456fHqjEI1GNLqNSJSgnHqPSEJkvufADiyu2IEee_P2hODBA_Yq79haZEEO2vBruSrTzaIY5KQ0yUktqEAKAAKCnznnrMUqF2DUmj2zF0tqxJewkapTnBe-C8Hiplx6djAo/s400/girlie+fishes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4r-gtiNfSv3RiF2S2L9waFCwYY_4GF7XyuE1nMJaz8a7vGpdddO9q0romSmxi_eA66VUEz4KCShZSQDoxvc_NRaKPpfYKA_5Ht-oGEpBCgjgYPxUoAtWab7RIXWF4XjNXZBT2kTTKWI/s1600/aidan+and+sierra+at+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4r-gtiNfSv3RiF2S2L9waFCwYY_4GF7XyuE1nMJaz8a7vGpdddO9q0romSmxi_eA66VUEz4KCShZSQDoxvc_NRaKPpfYKA_5Ht-oGEpBCgjgYPxUoAtWab7RIXWF4XjNXZBT2kTTKWI/s400/aidan+and+sierra+at+beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jacinta gave Sierra a necklace over the weekend. Since then, Sierra has wanted anything that resembled a necklace to be on her. Jenna brought a new version of Boccie ball called Bootccie to the beach. Sierra insisted on wearing the rings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And how proud she was when she wore all four of them!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp_NGtm3YCMR9i2Avacyec0omnZnMzWVOED8B3auqCte4BCUIB_Trncx-IILKE21PjUO3nKmrBbtQlWlFgKE3y0MT1NjgK-ZS2C2WkwyYeqR8dCSPbRc4fpHdCozvn8T-0EoxG5LR9Fg/s1600/all+four+rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp_NGtm3YCMR9i2Avacyec0omnZnMzWVOED8B3auqCte4BCUIB_Trncx-IILKE21PjUO3nKmrBbtQlWlFgKE3y0MT1NjgK-ZS2C2WkwyYeqR8dCSPbRc4fpHdCozvn8T-0EoxG5LR9Fg/s400/all+four+rings.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sierra and daddy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIaGcHEfG4M0H4Eo_dAK_ay1sTTDI1_jor2Zzys564hD0jninFmlagGeS8Rg2rjo7FXa72LWS13WlprJx8rtjgW8bOygw0xF1DMnGob4Z4HAIPR0ALz3ievFGgilIgJRa8WQQYDVxmiU/s1600/isaac+and+sierra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIaGcHEfG4M0H4Eo_dAK_ay1sTTDI1_jor2Zzys564hD0jninFmlagGeS8Rg2rjo7FXa72LWS13WlprJx8rtjgW8bOygw0xF1DMnGob4Z4HAIPR0ALz3ievFGgilIgJRa8WQQYDVxmiU/s320/isaac+and+sierra.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mira and Max relaxing in the sun. We were all excited to see her baby bump. Rachel was disappointed she was so small. I keep telling her that it will become more apparent. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao74gRUg4vIZ9kqQPsvqwuW3KRETRvznNoQtVpikkOY7HZt9LaTce06LGhtPPOQ8LUHkCN_4og51-cGAzNIleqaIPtv8gDClmjKTp0-xE94WBvvUg3XeNofXvQuOAspc8XO25z4vfSRo/s1600/mira+and+max+and+marie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao74gRUg4vIZ9kqQPsvqwuW3KRETRvznNoQtVpikkOY7HZt9LaTce06LGhtPPOQ8LUHkCN_4og51-cGAzNIleqaIPtv8gDClmjKTp0-xE94WBvvUg3XeNofXvQuOAspc8XO25z4vfSRo/s400/mira+and+max+and+marie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesse, Jacinta and Carmen</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcije2SZ46-iH_WYmky4Hz2G4A1VCH4QXM1vdmoX3iyM0M3_RBrRveZBpFmIVdwrH9MGXVxP1XD7DbXB0ikPKweWTTk-Hgi3ADexG1w7ZrCGwpfEU7q5ztErEHHT-hN-5HrEOwmasiBXs/s1600/jesse%252C+jacinta+and+carmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcije2SZ46-iH_WYmky4Hz2G4A1VCH4QXM1vdmoX3iyM0M3_RBrRveZBpFmIVdwrH9MGXVxP1XD7DbXB0ikPKweWTTk-Hgi3ADexG1w7ZrCGwpfEU7q5ztErEHHT-hN-5HrEOwmasiBXs/s400/jesse%252C+jacinta+and+carmen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tobin buried Aidan up to his chin. Aidan repeatedly asked for him to do this. Tobin would dig a hole, Aidan would jump into it and Tobin would fill up the hole. We were all laughing the whole time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1F7GXx9LU3G94WDvDa-obDnuyQ7t4rSv1U2o7L-Zwywrki_eASzWSHzH-KDFHDTNNsPucPI337wDtmX_OhyphenhyphenpBdmet8861tqJ7wBvnrrXn1X-v2lWLHr5TIuUN2EtX_1ZAnsMrLGBclI/s1600/tobin+takes+care+of+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1F7GXx9LU3G94WDvDa-obDnuyQ7t4rSv1U2o7L-Zwywrki_eASzWSHzH-KDFHDTNNsPucPI337wDtmX_OhyphenhyphenpBdmet8861tqJ7wBvnrrXn1X-v2lWLHr5TIuUN2EtX_1ZAnsMrLGBclI/s400/tobin+takes+care+of+me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">More Tobin, more! While we were driving home from the beach Isaac sends Abram a text. It said: "Aidan, says 'I love Tobin. He takes care of me!'". How sweet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlYebzoiJk_vuqn9jRHbdCXrZ0U42bmLPUEujnToWj8tRqzujsYUUDv62JqN6YFcCyTlyt-5dtzq92uInelCCS_fWaqDbstdcIGqSVsosA5ZogwaEwJ2Li4DfoM0uOkvv7tDfT-sf4C4/s1600/burrying+aidan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlYebzoiJk_vuqn9jRHbdCXrZ0U42bmLPUEujnToWj8tRqzujsYUUDv62JqN6YFcCyTlyt-5dtzq92uInelCCS_fWaqDbstdcIGqSVsosA5ZogwaEwJ2Li4DfoM0uOkvv7tDfT-sf4C4/s400/burrying+aidan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Now it's Aidan's turn to try to bury Tobin.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7Ob0jMvmbm57Z23q8y5jCmyG4ylbStxYO3lnzLgwfzqSElZ6KtHPp6coAl6Ymf-lXzllx_UUSrrRyI_WOSEYM9X0vmFNgNLTEvqXU9PrVFewC7CkJhRlj5Or4E1Vf9a7Uv_2LBkuk1U/s1600/now+it%2527s+tobin%2527s+turn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7Ob0jMvmbm57Z23q8y5jCmyG4ylbStxYO3lnzLgwfzqSElZ6KtHPp6coAl6Ymf-lXzllx_UUSrrRyI_WOSEYM9X0vmFNgNLTEvqXU9PrVFewC7CkJhRlj5Or4E1Vf9a7Uv_2LBkuk1U/s640/now+it%2527s+tobin%2527s+turn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I cannot resist photographing great sand creations. Cool alligator, huh.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0diqocfUQid3trK6-h1S1UF50mJkTHg9Ds1mgb_Wo0PDE5nHZrypOWus1zstBBiVSmJs4y0aWa5-9z29J2a2QO_FOwUhBjYefELy-u3Gr4LCukNMCkGnPG-aGY9nqujkcCO7tGTZ6L24/s1600/alligator+sand+sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0diqocfUQid3trK6-h1S1UF50mJkTHg9Ds1mgb_Wo0PDE5nHZrypOWus1zstBBiVSmJs4y0aWa5-9z29J2a2QO_FOwUhBjYefELy-u3Gr4LCukNMCkGnPG-aGY9nqujkcCO7tGTZ6L24/s400/alligator+sand+sculpture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beach time with the Dancy's is not complete without a crossword puzzle or two. We have a joint effort between Jacob, Jesse, Marita, Mira and Abram.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLPvjxrGCjWL_rXJUzdQKXw5ypREYLpN09DNAwL2cfGbeRmLZOlXC-zF04AsaFroH3EBRhU878qPqiqgKSyqJlRgFf3HtzG2D2JUywyNZITBKNsffWvGeOkt7lohZosWavs2j9XMZDWk/s1600/cross+word+puzzle+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLPvjxrGCjWL_rXJUzdQKXw5ypREYLpN09DNAwL2cfGbeRmLZOlXC-zF04AsaFroH3EBRhU878qPqiqgKSyqJlRgFf3HtzG2D2JUywyNZITBKNsffWvGeOkt7lohZosWavs2j9XMZDWk/s320/cross+word+puzzle+time.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Abram and I went for a walk along the beach. I thought this shot captured the tranquility of the beach. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxr1D8QxC4R27PbtZ-joYiF_xYTavQnTSrObJth213EoTANneY5rs7U1pLxzepcozKlIwX5M0fPLkVFxxheYhF0zmOgVBt3jC_GeVGcxbVWM1r8XtawP9e37OmmrCR9vBkheBs7pOs5BQ/s1600/walk+on+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxr1D8QxC4R27PbtZ-joYiF_xYTavQnTSrObJth213EoTANneY5rs7U1pLxzepcozKlIwX5M0fPLkVFxxheYhF0zmOgVBt3jC_GeVGcxbVWM1r8XtawP9e37OmmrCR9vBkheBs7pOs5BQ/s640/walk+on+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-18838586151238732942011-07-23T18:00:00.000-04:002011-07-23T18:00:21.163-04:00Anniversary TripJune 12th was our 18th year anniversary! <br />
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On our 5th and 10th year anniversary we went away for a couple of days to celebrate. Things became much more complicated by the time we hit our 15th year anniversary and we didn't get away. This year I said I really wanted to do something together. Jenna and I were discussing plans for June. She needed me to take her children for a surprise get away for Isaac's 30th birthday and I needed her to help manage my children while we were away. We negotiated that I would go away for 2 1/2 days around my anniversary and we would take Aidan and Sierra the 25th and 26th of June. <br />
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Abram and I had planned on flying to the finger lakes in NY, but the weather was not cooperating. We drove 6 hours to stay at the Fox Inn in Penn Yan, NY. It is surrounded by several finger lakes. We had an amazing weekend away as you will see. I am not one to sit around when I have a chance to explore. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuqxPXC2Nhr5CwfCSu0hu8YYL5myKG1A-vgBU4NIli8s7aGtY4nn31KeicK9GyeM55IYj6sW0F-FelO8QWAF0lgfer_GdGCeTXFKmRbYHKOIqBS71XeYd2Hvzu9CmanGiM520oEXVAJk/s1600/us+by+the+lake+cuter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuqxPXC2Nhr5CwfCSu0hu8YYL5myKG1A-vgBU4NIli8s7aGtY4nn31KeicK9GyeM55IYj6sW0F-FelO8QWAF0lgfer_GdGCeTXFKmRbYHKOIqBS71XeYd2Hvzu9CmanGiM520oEXVAJk/s320/us+by+the+lake+cuter.jpg" width="277px" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the Fox Inn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_n5I525v7MINxQ53DoTztSp92lbHoYqwn-DBipWKkZvxes0Gvaa2vkvBvU81GO6kg2awceCODF7EWrE77Ru_9gnZg7YKFTTA5ql2ea5feeSt4vTsyJS1fP121psNkv3C4ncUMnwKyLXE/s1600/the+fox+inn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_n5I525v7MINxQ53DoTztSp92lbHoYqwn-DBipWKkZvxes0Gvaa2vkvBvU81GO6kg2awceCODF7EWrE77Ru_9gnZg7YKFTTA5ql2ea5feeSt4vTsyJS1fP121psNkv3C4ncUMnwKyLXE/s400/the+fox+inn.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was the dining room where we had breakfast. The Fox Inn is known for its amazing breakfasts. You choose from a number of menu items and breakfast is served on gold plated dishes! We chose the early time, 8:30 so we ate alone although there were other couples in the inn at the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6UKubANlCo5bSWoBvMjNICivYsG6qDwPKHn1sUi-GafgbZ_A-bvHWy3kiPLOrTlx33qMEBUp4MGCCjUDpIxJiQlL6aOOEGM2ww3EQaamZcgdgu1m2Dc8Gho4Lj-dWwUO2TniiU9ow7A/s1600/dining+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6UKubANlCo5bSWoBvMjNICivYsG6qDwPKHn1sUi-GafgbZ_A-bvHWy3kiPLOrTlx33qMEBUp4MGCCjUDpIxJiQlL6aOOEGM2ww3EQaamZcgdgu1m2Dc8Gho4Lj-dWwUO2TniiU9ow7A/s320/dining+room.jpg" width="248px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love Mr. Fox near the fireplace!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlq29cDogkNvJRk3BOzBTG597oiBC_9qpga0MA_B3CQaLvoxgcLZ0-suHVZiWDVtHP6tCJiHWNYHl8F0wi5l7MpuXKIXiBn0SyAf1Xq-AQpdeXRKJA2YAavCyFPHUM7TRoB0d1mVtqsM/s1600/mr+fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlq29cDogkNvJRk3BOzBTG597oiBC_9qpga0MA_B3CQaLvoxgcLZ0-suHVZiWDVtHP6tCJiHWNYHl8F0wi5l7MpuXKIXiBn0SyAf1Xq-AQpdeXRKJA2YAavCyFPHUM7TRoB0d1mVtqsM/s320/mr+fox.jpg" width="141px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You entered the inn through a small sitting room in the back. I was intrigued by the plant holders used in the room. There were several around the small room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSUJYIlvcmUjk9KveE8Q1gKWY4e6P3OOKGZkCLvHPBpTpTSqDmF0HwD5EDYts8CDLDYolyYfZhkKZnZ99pKWDvBDWUZxlNpRRpxGIcMHVrZS9FYB6hUwqJq6D2heYgGXp2zrCeNz4nIo/s1600/cool+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSUJYIlvcmUjk9KveE8Q1gKWY4e6P3OOKGZkCLvHPBpTpTSqDmF0HwD5EDYts8CDLDYolyYfZhkKZnZ99pKWDvBDWUZxlNpRRpxGIcMHVrZS9FYB6hUwqJq6D2heYgGXp2zrCeNz4nIo/s320/cool+pot.jpg" width="253px" /></a></div>I had a cup of coffee outside one evening and was joined by a cat who seemed to live at the inn. It was not an indoor cat at all. It's food and litter box were both outside of the house. The cat was very friendly, but certainly looked like it had gotten into a few scuffles. I am truly a cat person if I will chose to have my cup of coffee with a strange cat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU08G2TM7gGHXGiceB1fVE_1utMbKp8-rlOgxck0tXbLaoTXnMvpQkgZD6XOayxvXLKhRyt1omBga_yH-Bchssq77KQK41l34_YOtpiFHUmIYa9rGu6CUY3fhue0-TImsZx6fjlizGbqc/s1600/my+cat+friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU08G2TM7gGHXGiceB1fVE_1utMbKp8-rlOgxck0tXbLaoTXnMvpQkgZD6XOayxvXLKhRyt1omBga_yH-Bchssq77KQK41l34_YOtpiFHUmIYa9rGu6CUY3fhue0-TImsZx6fjlizGbqc/s320/my+cat+friend.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a wonderful dinner on Lake Keuka. Here is a picture of us with the lake in background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YkQLgGlJnsbmeWmyYJtbhnqw7g-1ERINdOwsvWfrrSHM4jDT-dh737I_CWCMojAxjpUj-kn2DK6_XqLkAeBS5S1_jeMlwxqsvt5_sYQ57cGRqaHNfQBuiDs3PgIldXCF2tndzJNJqr8/s1600/us+near+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YkQLgGlJnsbmeWmyYJtbhnqw7g-1ERINdOwsvWfrrSHM4jDT-dh737I_CWCMojAxjpUj-kn2DK6_XqLkAeBS5S1_jeMlwxqsvt5_sYQ57cGRqaHNfQBuiDs3PgIldXCF2tndzJNJqr8/s320/us+near+lake.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We at dinner on the porch over looking the lake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ8DHGG9VskR6PL0eRlwc85qgYoRMv-62EXBs4f_8Ajl_8-rSCAi-wOxg6UGpU9jiOUmvtl6F64hYqB1cRjduapBtn1p767E3J1cTB20cB_GRbb_b37nfHLUo1Qey8x6r4s04Xzk9dhg/s1600/dinner+with+Abram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ8DHGG9VskR6PL0eRlwc85qgYoRMv-62EXBs4f_8Ajl_8-rSCAi-wOxg6UGpU9jiOUmvtl6F64hYqB1cRjduapBtn1p767E3J1cTB20cB_GRbb_b37nfHLUo1Qey8x6r4s04Xzk9dhg/s320/dinner+with+Abram.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After dinner we went for a short walk and I had to climb into the enormous life guard chair. Sarai saw this picture and said "That's my mommy. She really little!". I had to laugh. The chair really dwarfs me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLolDsPaoP5-yxvTLEIH6HU3wuiKgVere94_tVb5th8MqZR3BnEihZnxPTfetFxIEVTJYq2VkguHCKvA-nwRiD1uiOFc4oQRYwzzAducoeyu9w1uImjnj_dQ26mb8l6rwZsHVnNa0A5h8/s1600/me+in+a+huge+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLolDsPaoP5-yxvTLEIH6HU3wuiKgVere94_tVb5th8MqZR3BnEihZnxPTfetFxIEVTJYq2VkguHCKvA-nwRiD1uiOFc4oQRYwzzAducoeyu9w1uImjnj_dQ26mb8l6rwZsHVnNa0A5h8/s320/me+in+a+huge+chair.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Saturday, we got up, had an amazing breakfast and began to plan the day. I had read that there were nice hikes and possibly waterfalls near the finger lakes.In our room I was reading through a journal that other people written in saying what their visit was like. One person said that Watkin's Glen was amazing and made the visit remarkable. We looked up Watkin's Glen and discovered it was a gorge with waterfalls and a great hike. Luckily for me, we also discovered that Watkin's Glen Falls was only 35 minutes south of the inn. I had also looked at the weather and read that there were forecasted thunderstorms for the afternoon. I hoped we could hike in the morning before the storms and then visit a winery or two in the afternoon. Our host recommended that we visit Dr. Frank's winery. So we had a plan for the day. <br />
<br />
We enter Watkin's Glen State Park and saw this site! It was amazing. The water had chiseled out the rock creating a beautiful gorge. There were several waterfalls on this walk. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyu-dpVFc9LnW4FxYhhkZndEz4XsbI6wtTvWLvXPFf0sKoqyw9N-yxrNSbzWmQS-IL9xOOb7mwJRPpzHWTGQugWFNNNTqKB4lIM5dvlyBU0q2I7ZXS7WkIKxpbCOtX4zYOVPZW1cDNdE/s1600/entrance+to+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyu-dpVFc9LnW4FxYhhkZndEz4XsbI6wtTvWLvXPFf0sKoqyw9N-yxrNSbzWmQS-IL9xOOb7mwJRPpzHWTGQugWFNNNTqKB4lIM5dvlyBU0q2I7ZXS7WkIKxpbCOtX4zYOVPZW1cDNdE/s320/entrance+to+falls.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were able to walk behind this waterfall. Just breath taking views. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlt-VO26eriz6F7d9MJ-72rvJYncyWCFMFv7RJiaQ_65Ow-BiSsMwFcTe5gCiiwbPcNtz7jM1B-7-8EbuZYXnOpiTtur6ensVdMN_ap-PZAbX3aent17bvSbVfAGlqB6hVfRT9iMQQxSg/s1600/amazing+waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlt-VO26eriz6F7d9MJ-72rvJYncyWCFMFv7RJiaQ_65Ow-BiSsMwFcTe5gCiiwbPcNtz7jM1B-7-8EbuZYXnOpiTtur6ensVdMN_ap-PZAbX3aent17bvSbVfAGlqB6hVfRT9iMQQxSg/s400/amazing+waterfall.jpg" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is called lover's lane because the waterfall has carved a heart shape pool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1ZP_RxSH49SWBqRcIhu2l3Sy3Gqf1zAC1DjsHHKK0nVjSuK-9hP79RpeVNnsDJ7uX9C2uwnlaYRBzu68X2qyL-WIjSXSbLov6oE5jshIAbVx-tBx3NbeYjEph0vRucrdOF1uCMZIIo0/s1600/DSC09113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1ZP_RxSH49SWBqRcIhu2l3Sy3Gqf1zAC1DjsHHKK0nVjSuK-9hP79RpeVNnsDJ7uX9C2uwnlaYRBzu68X2qyL-WIjSXSbLov6oE5jshIAbVx-tBx3NbeYjEph0vRucrdOF1uCMZIIo0/s400/DSC09113.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">more waterfalls to walk under and behind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8PNhCRMOnkuOzWGuRq0ceSWLpn-esjlImlr3Xak1GUrEtywGdQ03DxkBB5pOJVKAWpZ6WR6SKcf1TRTIbL_rCTc-jqi-zPwzJxbLM28KeLms4Q0nawgoJpMh10NyWz4Tb35j6WwLYiE/s1600/DSC09125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8PNhCRMOnkuOzWGuRq0ceSWLpn-esjlImlr3Xak1GUrEtywGdQ03DxkBB5pOJVKAWpZ6WR6SKcf1TRTIbL_rCTc-jqi-zPwzJxbLM28KeLms4Q0nawgoJpMh10NyWz4Tb35j6WwLYiE/s400/DSC09125.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A view from under one of the falls. You do get sprinkled on, but we were hiking on an extremely humid day so the spray was welcoming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_LTrKZ1S6Z3SrO1ikezJ6qV61teDdv1ZRk5QT5Kfd-F_L1alLEEO_euM6SuG6zzzhJcUZxlLJT8jL7YcXc_7B-geI_7VyybQZkjU91frtk9yNXVijm6Kz9SSTxy_Ev9DtUOuIULQTSk/s1600/DSC09127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_LTrKZ1S6Z3SrO1ikezJ6qV61teDdv1ZRk5QT5Kfd-F_L1alLEEO_euM6SuG6zzzhJcUZxlLJT8jL7YcXc_7B-geI_7VyybQZkjU91frtk9yNXVijm6Kz9SSTxy_Ev9DtUOuIULQTSk/s320/DSC09127.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a view of the same waterfall but from another angle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBirmGzTMRudBIJlf1CaYUkEcb_XxW49ckf4BxrPdhVSWjLYq3Hf15COldzunyx8jPeORGPJNoI145SNkv8HDyhaK8aas7b6t70W6-y_xtQoF8I1RMo-ekelCCJeVdcT5BciYxmyEq6M/s1600/DSC09129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBirmGzTMRudBIJlf1CaYUkEcb_XxW49ckf4BxrPdhVSWjLYq3Hf15COldzunyx8jPeORGPJNoI145SNkv8HDyhaK8aas7b6t70W6-y_xtQoF8I1RMo-ekelCCJeVdcT5BciYxmyEq6M/s320/DSC09129.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>We offered to take a couples picture at this site and they in turn took ours. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc7u8vMLFUk4oAEh7e5muWpQO_Y0fGwBrYdDFOxjNZtgBZQhPa2DbBAZ4Ehtla1gpSHdZ9371donCSbvAZm0qsnfdUwlFEEwLfiHkTCOunLVNE8Aea_jP4PK0OCMHEum4tlJkNtpepdo/s1600/us+on+hike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc7u8vMLFUk4oAEh7e5muWpQO_Y0fGwBrYdDFOxjNZtgBZQhPa2DbBAZ4Ehtla1gpSHdZ9371donCSbvAZm0qsnfdUwlFEEwLfiHkTCOunLVNE8Aea_jP4PK0OCMHEum4tlJkNtpepdo/s320/us+on+hike.jpg" width="284px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This area is called Cavern Cascade. I asked Abram to pose near the waterfall so we could see the scale of how big it was. He decided to pretend to take a shower! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mWTdLQQyWiDR_OjQcfPSgqbN7TPfDFEiVIDQOs-oXapQReqvxJu_ROg_1w_hkJPr9IFREGIb8HGDRqDifOR9jVoi-hJ3tZe27FjAT-chBdJQH-HWfmHvTy78Z5oEWG247bNW_iz-1og/s1600/abram%2527s+shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mWTdLQQyWiDR_OjQcfPSgqbN7TPfDFEiVIDQOs-oXapQReqvxJu_ROg_1w_hkJPr9IFREGIb8HGDRqDifOR9jVoi-hJ3tZe27FjAT-chBdJQH-HWfmHvTy78Z5oEWG247bNW_iz-1og/s400/abram%2527s+shower.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hike through the gorge is said to be only 1.5 miles. We took our time gazing at the sites and climbing the steep staircases. Once we were through we headed to Dr. Frank's winery. Unbeknown to us, the weekend of June 11th and 12th was special. The wineries around Keuka lake had a bar-be-que wine tasting event. For $30 we could visit 10 wineries in the area, eat a small meal and taste their wine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the view from Dr. Frank's vineyard. It is over cast because the thunderstorms had rolled in. We didn't mind since most of the wine tasting was done inside. </div> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IFaneDw9MSt1xt7lJS_zdwARLrHSbfIKjNu1b2JQv4T3Y2ocmFwgj1V57Ak_P_zYMGRr1g2Y59xunkb8xUcrTnCs5S4YSMt7S-8vPAWvM_TLKf3cpuqn9lquXh-zi67rakCAGurxxuA/s1600/wine+grapes+along+the+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IFaneDw9MSt1xt7lJS_zdwARLrHSbfIKjNu1b2JQv4T3Y2ocmFwgj1V57Ak_P_zYMGRr1g2Y59xunkb8xUcrTnCs5S4YSMt7S-8vPAWvM_TLKf3cpuqn9lquXh-zi67rakCAGurxxuA/s400/wine+grapes+along+the+lake.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I honestly don't remember which winery this was at. It is a huge barrel for wine. I do remember it was the last one on our stops. We visited only four, but that was plenty since I tasted close to five wines at each. Abram was the designated driver. I was the designated taster and decider of which wines to buy and bring home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xHRpZoq2tIRQ8Rp1F_9e90UbkZwSf5d-9AVq6xPsTg_7jOk8euz6cdEM3ftftF9nTHWSkNIP_pBgwOMzY2SZarLteCIDAIopgo8hry5qfdyz0UtuYKnC3XZE5mL8t_IR0FeD53k1tuI/s1600/me+against+a+big+barrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xHRpZoq2tIRQ8Rp1F_9e90UbkZwSf5d-9AVq6xPsTg_7jOk8euz6cdEM3ftftF9nTHWSkNIP_pBgwOMzY2SZarLteCIDAIopgo8hry5qfdyz0UtuYKnC3XZE5mL8t_IR0FeD53k1tuI/s320/me+against+a+big+barrell.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ate enough between the four wineries that we skipped dinner that night and just had ice cream later! While relaxing in the inn we discovered a pamphlet on the Corning Glass Museum. We decided to visit it Sunday morning before we headed back to MA.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are some of the amazing exhibits at this museum.</div>This is a lynx made out of glass! It was over three feet tall. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSbaAB9WC_VnEdFD59b0a9fsJFd-_p_1bU26qyyBb3KzvNkzymuzoyqhwXmq7MPBieEilqWmD9qOKKFTJ25Jq7_T_Z3sncEXif7_o7Yw4yh6uZEDaEAOPwoKx_IoKG3PnjXJiZWPRKvA/s1600/glass+phinx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSbaAB9WC_VnEdFD59b0a9fsJFd-_p_1bU26qyyBb3KzvNkzymuzoyqhwXmq7MPBieEilqWmD9qOKKFTJ25Jq7_T_Z3sncEXif7_o7Yw4yh6uZEDaEAOPwoKx_IoKG3PnjXJiZWPRKvA/s320/glass+phinx.jpg" width="241px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This picture is for Cora. this is a glass flute. I believe they said there were only 25 in the world made. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MKBMZhQZsYnJ42p7JNqUErliWb6OOVsNHDDadEbS52RagvhP2qczA1_Gx017umKLOCf0-9mh1gF1U5GOvA-aoGvNGJ-W-6ATrTGZaJnOeP5Xk5AXk5yVonCB92wLobjb4x5BSCkRBy0/s1600/cora%2527s+glass+flute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MKBMZhQZsYnJ42p7JNqUErliWb6OOVsNHDDadEbS52RagvhP2qczA1_Gx017umKLOCf0-9mh1gF1U5GOvA-aoGvNGJ-W-6ATrTGZaJnOeP5Xk5AXk5yVonCB92wLobjb4x5BSCkRBy0/s400/cora%2527s+glass+flute.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a cool chess set. It is the Catholic hierarchy vs the Jewish heir achy. Had to laugh when I saw this one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqxo18VItzArnvY-jN5pI_dJ7025MM1GztVPnTyRvakddfNh52WRr_CxFwPW6DUXfFtoK3GC8nssMinroidFwjK5E5gL_Jz_RqExkmrIWryys1KoaeFKQ7zp_uaJwgB6Ru3C0V_sD6YM/s1600/glass+chess+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqxo18VItzArnvY-jN5pI_dJ7025MM1GztVPnTyRvakddfNh52WRr_CxFwPW6DUXfFtoK3GC8nssMinroidFwjK5E5gL_Jz_RqExkmrIWryys1KoaeFKQ7zp_uaJwgB6Ru3C0V_sD6YM/s320/glass+chess+set.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition to walking around the museum and seeing glass making demonstrations, each patron was offered, with a fee of course, to create something with glass. This was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up. Here are photos of me getting ready to make a glass flower. Making the flower allowed me to experience what it is like to work with glass. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here I am picking out the colors for my flower. Yes, I decided to dress up for my anniversary not knowing that I was going to be working with glass. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4zMuvKi8fCN30j3snE63gAtdPO7gx6Os-xvXwlOLNE-vqB7YH34-CffS9hHIUGIpsUkCc_hWz9pgkkJ-hSQGJOqC-8_2h7Y_HuXhgkK1DSHJ0YlqrBm4EE4IPr78fkgL8JYcPdtMng4/s1600/picking+out+colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4zMuvKi8fCN30j3snE63gAtdPO7gx6Os-xvXwlOLNE-vqB7YH34-CffS9hHIUGIpsUkCc_hWz9pgkkJ-hSQGJOqC-8_2h7Y_HuXhgkK1DSHJ0YlqrBm4EE4IPr78fkgL8JYcPdtMng4/s320/picking+out+colors.jpg" width="238px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here I am swearing the safety clothes for the glass making. All of the pieces were too big for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnvvl7Lpw4Rh8cVA05EC2VjU_wZcZOoG-ABzbPJGAOCqD-EY8nFykVo5ThoUVs-NKN5TCpIzbmFqJ4GGjCOEMjySx-COs-IajF9Mi3DCxBc7TPypu627Soz837aSoMJLunB_FIbDunCU/s1600/in+safety+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnvvl7Lpw4Rh8cVA05EC2VjU_wZcZOoG-ABzbPJGAOCqD-EY8nFykVo5ThoUVs-NKN5TCpIzbmFqJ4GGjCOEMjySx-COs-IajF9Mi3DCxBc7TPypu627Soz837aSoMJLunB_FIbDunCU/s320/in+safety+clothes.jpg" width="116px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went first. Here is the man who is getting liquid glass for me to work with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnECcXHfy0qrTbZ56tzT4K6MWHry_kZoodpYHpWYmyAajDAAR9SSqsx8_5yEodQo_VQvyTAuEaH2TSK2m7K0L8tRcLNFt8vuLqZIoIt48iOeJbK0Pr-hOuhcjXr_7itorXJpk8I_1UeUw/s1600/getting+some+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnECcXHfy0qrTbZ56tzT4K6MWHry_kZoodpYHpWYmyAajDAAR9SSqsx8_5yEodQo_VQvyTAuEaH2TSK2m7K0L8tRcLNFt8vuLqZIoIt48iOeJbK0Pr-hOuhcjXr_7itorXJpk8I_1UeUw/s320/getting+some+glass.jpg" width="269px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wish I had seen a demonstration on how to make something with glass before I attempted it myself. You should roll the rod quickly, but instead I was going slowly trying to keep it from flowing downward. My experience with sewing made me think slow would be good, but instead I needed to do the opposite. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvnncxzpthrqpyZraDmF4OATecPqTL71uQmrbVsvrehZ_jcqJgag79DGpbMSZ8q_oUOmNno3kBJt7ApKHsoUp7uRQh6cE2FjKzKxh7-pW7xSd_nsy90sfHWqXa-WYY2yEL6haK_SZPAs/s1600/first+time+using+the+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvnncxzpthrqpyZraDmF4OATecPqTL71uQmrbVsvrehZ_jcqJgag79DGpbMSZ8q_oUOmNno3kBJt7ApKHsoUp7uRQh6cE2FjKzKxh7-pW7xSd_nsy90sfHWqXa-WYY2yEL6haK_SZPAs/s320/first+time+using+the+glass.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After rolling it for a bit, it was time to add some color. There are trays of colored glass which he would pick up as you see here. Then you get the liquid ball and spin it more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQROzI-3ouZOYJldqvjFNeGFLfPB5b0XypbxlWVMz0geZPAATvvVaoWL59Ub3Ovw8lsZ04MxfTsi2svaXyVjGnBXL7IXwCZu3b06ATB0Z-DkmFTLvkoaTbtIU2k5A_5KspM0VWAZpXmKE/s1600/getting+color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQROzI-3ouZOYJldqvjFNeGFLfPB5b0XypbxlWVMz0geZPAATvvVaoWL59Ub3Ovw8lsZ04MxfTsi2svaXyVjGnBXL7IXwCZu3b06ATB0Z-DkmFTLvkoaTbtIU2k5A_5KspM0VWAZpXmKE/s320/getting+color.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used a flat metal paddle to push the glass inward. Now I'm using large tweezers to pinch pieces outward. I'm starting to create the pedals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKewfG0s6-hDDugcl3UkMUt-hGyo4eLnLjE2CrQOBkZqSF0fIGmQRJ3tPoNeEGlUW0tERznEfb5lj4WRHMV0tVufN5U1xFWy9PTPE2QmwgPQuIEaEZLVVmg04Vl_NgNlRV0pkLMejAhVw/s1600/puling+the+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKewfG0s6-hDDugcl3UkMUt-hGyo4eLnLjE2CrQOBkZqSF0fIGmQRJ3tPoNeEGlUW0tERznEfb5lj4WRHMV0tVufN5U1xFWy9PTPE2QmwgPQuIEaEZLVVmg04Vl_NgNlRV0pkLMejAhVw/s320/puling+the+glass.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Now I have pliers and I'm pulling upward as he helps me spin the rod. I was suppose to spin and pull at the same time. There was so much to do I would forget one part when I remembered the other one. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6yQp6c8BVXpid-wMlC3bEvbpQvrSHTjPm-HY4nDyppptYmI4r2XgL8oFwsNKyXtp2yVIB7p3itkVul5Eeam_xyKvIacP6UEhFn7pWFBnneWuYwC3AieiUxVzdIVhfEzBTcJt-mgf8CM/s1600/puling+petals+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6yQp6c8BVXpid-wMlC3bEvbpQvrSHTjPm-HY4nDyppptYmI4r2XgL8oFwsNKyXtp2yVIB7p3itkVul5Eeam_xyKvIacP6UEhFn7pWFBnneWuYwC3AieiUxVzdIVhfEzBTcJt-mgf8CM/s320/puling+petals+up.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted a curly stem. My job was to pull the glass out while he twisted it for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJZzvwsfDhIT2nHxNWvws8PYPkI0GZAZMypJgDaDJnRJUIB200bB8Ej4ap6mGhKzMr46q7dCadY9u9FZ1n7n-D6LDTcC6-ZlYYTxK7A5D9Z6qV7X6TS3teC5ug1oRQZXwty7Vqb4p10w/s1600/making+the+stem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJZzvwsfDhIT2nHxNWvws8PYPkI0GZAZMypJgDaDJnRJUIB200bB8Ej4ap6mGhKzMr46q7dCadY9u9FZ1n7n-D6LDTcC6-ZlYYTxK7A5D9Z6qV7X6TS3teC5ug1oRQZXwty7Vqb4p10w/s320/making+the+stem.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is my flower when I had just finished it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9KjFx4-ACJdhh5odIpJLSTVbVQdJST0ynxjM7GD9cvI6NRDaMfsn4duoMs2Gq3_LGeI7f7XwCA-m4TTFrs0PzFb4OPXB5tubKpu0I44bwd0sMnqmRwcmdlr2RV2P69OFMINqfsfHkXA/s1600/flower+befor+cooling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9KjFx4-ACJdhh5odIpJLSTVbVQdJST0ynxjM7GD9cvI6NRDaMfsn4duoMs2Gq3_LGeI7f7XwCA-m4TTFrs0PzFb4OPXB5tubKpu0I44bwd0sMnqmRwcmdlr2RV2P69OFMINqfsfHkXA/s320/flower+befor+cooling.jpg" t$="true" width="304px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Abram photographed another worker putting her glass into a mold to get a pattern on the outside of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspByFa8XmdEWzWjcfWM0mmTlmBCMI5CP85XaxnC1yuNykuLGZ80tJ5rcJkhWUnxU1PRn8VSOWu9jnQxYvcoY078mUxkIFo9suBe3NOACj2QyAy-u9KvnNUSparxjLNpe9FypYgp8Ho54/s1600/using+a+form+for+liquid+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspByFa8XmdEWzWjcfWM0mmTlmBCMI5CP85XaxnC1yuNykuLGZ80tJ5rcJkhWUnxU1PRn8VSOWu9jnQxYvcoY078mUxkIFo9suBe3NOACj2QyAy-u9KvnNUSparxjLNpe9FypYgp8Ho54/s320/using+a+form+for+liquid+glass.jpg" width="167px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We watched an incredible glass making demonstration. The man creating the glass vase was working so quickly. At the end of the demonstration he taps the vase so you can hear the ting and think it is relatively cooled. He then places a piece of paper inside the vase which instantly ignites! The vase is still extremely hot. It takes a minimum of 12 hours for a piece of glass to cool down without shattering. </div><br />
My piece was shipped to us so it could cool down without breaking. Here it is on my island. Notice how the colors are darker now that it has cooled.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD3xaerUv_LfrXbkc8etUs7T3jvpqO9bTwXb9JmEFLDOY2jjWbEmLbCaHQosNJtp6nAhu3pJe3D9FJyOeVpkxv_dXXppYQ9dzsBl8zpENVoRsYh10xWYrMVgljg3BHHS_YZ4zzPOLgFQ/s1600/glass+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD3xaerUv_LfrXbkc8etUs7T3jvpqO9bTwXb9JmEFLDOY2jjWbEmLbCaHQosNJtp6nAhu3pJe3D9FJyOeVpkxv_dXXppYQ9dzsBl8zpENVoRsYh10xWYrMVgljg3BHHS_YZ4zzPOLgFQ/s320/glass+flower.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This it the back of the flower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgem2HKlVOSy-6OugoSGQ-s4Q3ujMZnV8mjbvRd6UmYrXJi6845YR5rScef2tXBGIj_LQQMNuaVyh7-y2euvPujH2AOB28cz3yoa4DPdzvjDHZnb1vX9n46lJrK8ibKMAR3NAHH93tUPQY/s1600/back+of+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgem2HKlVOSy-6OugoSGQ-s4Q3ujMZnV8mjbvRd6UmYrXJi6845YR5rScef2tXBGIj_LQQMNuaVyh7-y2euvPujH2AOB28cz3yoa4DPdzvjDHZnb1vX9n46lJrK8ibKMAR3NAHH93tUPQY/s320/back+of+flower.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a wonderful time! Thank you to Isaac and Jenna for managing my kids and to Tobin for doing some of the driving. He now has a small respect for all the driving I do on a daily basis for them. I highly recommend visiting the finger lakes in NY. It is gorgeous!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-73592675284981330102011-07-15T23:20:00.000-04:002011-07-15T23:20:29.948-04:00Fun and Fright on June 1stAbram turned 38 on June 1st. Isaac found out that the Red Sox had a day game on the first. We bought tickets and had an adult day date: Isaac and Jenna and Abram and I. <br />
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Abram took the day off, but Rachel didn't know he was staying home. She woke up early and made him breakfast and a huge place mat birthday card. She made him two English muffins, one with peanut butter and one with cinnamon and sugar and a smiling piece of ham. She even put out his badge for work. So sweet!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l4Mk2uKDDOlgEqYCz6gWGQ2XUgzIKC_i1ffV3w4s_wyCUgHMBKgmXvX8CS6ynFB5pvnmzvuZHmJqCZSwISWSKDx7MwpALYyULfVYFuB1USVhLcqTQfIBtCWkBl44ngyB9WZCd-A6g8s/s1600/rachel%2527s+breakfast+for+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l4Mk2uKDDOlgEqYCz6gWGQ2XUgzIKC_i1ffV3w4s_wyCUgHMBKgmXvX8CS6ynFB5pvnmzvuZHmJqCZSwISWSKDx7MwpALYyULfVYFuB1USVhLcqTQfIBtCWkBl44ngyB9WZCd-A6g8s/s320/rachel%2527s+breakfast+for+A.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
We left for the game with plenty of time to get into the city, but parking was horrible. All the regular places for game parking were full from those who work in the city. After looking for parking for almost an hour we ended up at the Pru. For those who don't know, it's a long walk from there to Fenway Park for the game. We saw a pedicab and Jenna wanted to get a ride. They only hold two passengers so we had to wait for two together. Luckily we found two. Here we are on ours. It felt so weird not biking myself. We did have the only pedicab with rock-n-roll! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWmNHtXuqxkn32j16dXx-zu4knJ9hf5UK0w18f5w0gsdHkCL3lhGc0mcE32THyE6Vxjsm0wSQLFrzfFvZrDN6iR3vhWNn1KNbyMoHyvnWBm25M2RFRTkbEJ9g6s8ZCVMtJQHkfL5js-M/s1600/abram+and+Me+on+a+pedicab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWmNHtXuqxkn32j16dXx-zu4knJ9hf5UK0w18f5w0gsdHkCL3lhGc0mcE32THyE6Vxjsm0wSQLFrzfFvZrDN6iR3vhWNn1KNbyMoHyvnWBm25M2RFRTkbEJ9g6s8ZCVMtJQHkfL5js-M/s320/abram+and+Me+on+a+pedicab.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I thought I had a better shot of Jenna and Isaac but this is the best. We did have fun passing the sunscreen between the two cabbis.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK5mzXrUEWIM9-Of8WKhRxk9XI6EU-GG7uLn5WhYbC__ehsSWWt5zhttiUqw2C-hVpCvPRZAgXRcjCfaOTvRXidJVeIMGS5RzqSHCb6lYHAqqqS5qPUms6D0s18w7TI9AX1z_XCLliUk/s1600/jenna+and+isaac+in+pedicab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK5mzXrUEWIM9-Of8WKhRxk9XI6EU-GG7uLn5WhYbC__ehsSWWt5zhttiUqw2C-hVpCvPRZAgXRcjCfaOTvRXidJVeIMGS5RzqSHCb6lYHAqqqS5qPUms6D0s18w7TI9AX1z_XCLliUk/s320/jenna+and+isaac+in+pedicab.jpg" width="207px" /></a></div><br />
A nice picture of us at the game. We had amazing seats. Third row from third base, right behind the cameras for the game.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBU2atjfJZ8InJRYSvyjs8CyF0WBAPCYn4d3ow3cuwp06z5o5tjPqRX6a498gGRCzXDqpLEcVGt57WfadUOMoeT4CSrI8ALmRUg_1P2vOZVTkbHNT_g2NZ_iakA9esLkeBF7uSs4MSMs/s1600/me+n+abram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBU2atjfJZ8InJRYSvyjs8CyF0WBAPCYn4d3ow3cuwp06z5o5tjPqRX6a498gGRCzXDqpLEcVGt57WfadUOMoeT4CSrI8ALmRUg_1P2vOZVTkbHNT_g2NZ_iakA9esLkeBF7uSs4MSMs/s320/me+n+abram.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Big Pappi running to third base. This isn't my good camera either. Our seats were this good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpcfID0lsTQ1AKycpS8pzGzkuyfsgOqXPqCqzUIKlpLaOmI9c8qNPxoJrasrOs5HD4pl9yXJHq6Q3ZOr7mLzUp9uqOPL6MkBBpPufn_Sc8RRCbTJJtuwkIlbW5oLwoaWJhDSlnNmv5bc/s1600/big+pappi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpcfID0lsTQ1AKycpS8pzGzkuyfsgOqXPqCqzUIKlpLaOmI9c8qNPxoJrasrOs5HD4pl9yXJHq6Q3ZOr7mLzUp9uqOPL6MkBBpPufn_Sc8RRCbTJJtuwkIlbW5oLwoaWJhDSlnNmv5bc/s320/big+pappi.jpg" width="303px" /></a></div><br />
We grabbed someone behind us after the game and got a group shot. This was a great way to celebrate both Abram's and Isaac's birthday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFUN0MxZ5GY2XzKRHaFUDqe_0WcNU2FuwAIPQ-m4FkTvaBxm_weiBVp_dwSkHgNECRFjds48T06WIw-b63jYT2R8ZRmVkxD-OS9-Zl-tyuHP6v47QiIwloc7FCYS7c_EP6LAOCMSHNrI/s1600/us+4+at+the+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFUN0MxZ5GY2XzKRHaFUDqe_0WcNU2FuwAIPQ-m4FkTvaBxm_weiBVp_dwSkHgNECRFjds48T06WIw-b63jYT2R8ZRmVkxD-OS9-Zl-tyuHP6v47QiIwloc7FCYS7c_EP6LAOCMSHNrI/s320/us+4+at+the+game.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
So here's where the fright part of the day begins. The weather in Boston was beautiful. Sunny skies, no wind or even clouds. As we walked back to the car I began hearing hotel butlers talk about tornado warnings. I did not think much about it until I received a text from a family friend who had Rachel saying: We are safe. We are in the basement! OK, that got me worried! I looked at the weather and saw horrible weather patterns. Tobin was driving into Worcester to deliver some papers and Carmen and Sarai were home by themselves. I sent the girls to the basement and prayed Tobin would be OK. thankfully everyone was OK. The tornado did not come near Shrewsbury. <br />
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When we got home we celebrated Abram's birthday with whoopee pies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiblfQJb5_P94idSXHSG5mpXXJv4nHdyrv7cHnGKVJf9BW2v6dX3rlVeJ3-KHm9ouW3qFfdR84L8ZaiaY0-y3FN4ZzFQ7FJh3BANmV9W_Z0wiSYBsn2JaOsDEN1J7O40KuRcIaIXCvWz8/s1600/whoopie+pies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiblfQJb5_P94idSXHSG5mpXXJv4nHdyrv7cHnGKVJf9BW2v6dX3rlVeJ3-KHm9ouW3qFfdR84L8ZaiaY0-y3FN4ZzFQ7FJh3BANmV9W_Z0wiSYBsn2JaOsDEN1J7O40KuRcIaIXCvWz8/s320/whoopie+pies.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
All the kids added to the Birthday song.<br />
Happy Birthday Abram!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vnv6Zkg2MWowIHjgItb4uVTvJJex_nsYdd3AM7R77NQEbyg2jqIJbgBwEdW9AWSG7qNpWkfPTUk0Ek3p0o3xHT_HUY5ErhemVZGi26yIORhRCf9wtj_rBn1eLI7y-GqPOLYJKDBSpuU/s1600/the+gang+singing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vnv6Zkg2MWowIHjgItb4uVTvJJex_nsYdd3AM7R77NQEbyg2jqIJbgBwEdW9AWSG7qNpWkfPTUk0Ek3p0o3xHT_HUY5ErhemVZGi26yIORhRCf9wtj_rBn1eLI7y-GqPOLYJKDBSpuU/s320/the+gang+singing.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-53257414303187382442011-07-15T20:20:00.000-04:002011-07-15T20:20:09.998-04:00Back yard fun on Memorial day weekendWe celebrated Memorial Day at my mom and step-father, Lawrence's house. Joel, Noah, Heidi (Noah's girlfriend), my gang, Teresa (Rachel's friend) and Marita all joined in on the fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_6QLFLFw43JzNBQeK3pqDhRZYd2zGmK2vq9Dt4XD3luzo7acYEsZxDPWMH3QClFf_kI6RxPLe6Ja4mUDeNE7EUuWnjhi0a_nmxe6mQTtQKn9TFsVGmaBtD2zPC1Rgl6IX92vf02O4Pc/s1600/lawrence+on+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_6QLFLFw43JzNBQeK3pqDhRZYd2zGmK2vq9Dt4XD3luzo7acYEsZxDPWMH3QClFf_kI6RxPLe6Ja4mUDeNE7EUuWnjhi0a_nmxe6mQTtQKn9TFsVGmaBtD2zPC1Rgl6IX92vf02O4Pc/s320/lawrence+on+deck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We played a long, but fun game of Crockett. The day began cool, but quickly became hot. Noah is sporting an old bathing suit of Joel's because his jeans were too hot for outdoors. In the background you can see my mom and Heidi chatting.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvtOxidZWH3UASygg81J56kIyG1DEPjAts16H-fQQY2OPhvY_Sj2TD334Y94sVRiCRHT_zvUmWcheEph7DyXExh1uKCM7UcYjGZI4z-Xfp7n7uBpeEoFn5gjQfFBJofyCKLb_EQq69mc/s1600/noah+playing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvtOxidZWH3UASygg81J56kIyG1DEPjAts16H-fQQY2OPhvY_Sj2TD334Y94sVRiCRHT_zvUmWcheEph7DyXExh1uKCM7UcYjGZI4z-Xfp7n7uBpeEoFn5gjQfFBJofyCKLb_EQq69mc/s400/noah+playing.jpg" width="252" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's Heidi waiting her turn at Crockett.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPT7RDtSkWRs8l5tJvoapV4ZJxLokpNgf6SDn7-IjrWFTvZEtzoCWzAZvb5QAhrU1RkFRgL2sg1Jg2QBDqnmgmi14Ce1r8ojQOiwGsImrJ-EBr340wdkPyOVERA6diYpwJ7XJtSgYUsY/s1600/heidi+in+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPT7RDtSkWRs8l5tJvoapV4ZJxLokpNgf6SDn7-IjrWFTvZEtzoCWzAZvb5QAhrU1RkFRgL2sg1Jg2QBDqnmgmi14Ce1r8ojQOiwGsImrJ-EBr340wdkPyOVERA6diYpwJ7XJtSgYUsY/s1600/heidi+in+chair.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sarai, Carmen and Marita enjoyed the swing in the backyard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7fuTQwOSd2N7zR-16YMHFFZAeUB2hOkIfoMV4wtvXeZCQ-mu0cwTmbnumNhCcrtgzeL9hcVUV1WLCyXeYorN8RlmP3Af4602sm5tnaHlN9HPZqeWLf1mbQovtbrrLUp-dIflef0cTQQ/s1600/three+in+a+swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7fuTQwOSd2N7zR-16YMHFFZAeUB2hOkIfoMV4wtvXeZCQ-mu0cwTmbnumNhCcrtgzeL9hcVUV1WLCyXeYorN8RlmP3Af4602sm5tnaHlN9HPZqeWLf1mbQovtbrrLUp-dIflef0cTQQ/s400/three+in+a+swing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carmen and Rachel took the camera at one point; so there's a picture of me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJ4iExGpFU7zjSNM782WnbHaunzlwPNPdsHyoNEc2Uyc53RfxmRPEWZOF2vN1pAzCzqvFfnKMBTQ0P5zz84MqgvW5yzvYjIR9JkogHdq-q3LfNm4t2BaLpyAcSxUpMv7eVjYqzZtNXjQ/s1600/my+turn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJ4iExGpFU7zjSNM782WnbHaunzlwPNPdsHyoNEc2Uyc53RfxmRPEWZOF2vN1pAzCzqvFfnKMBTQ0P5zz84MqgvW5yzvYjIR9JkogHdq-q3LfNm4t2BaLpyAcSxUpMv7eVjYqzZtNXjQ/s320/my+turn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel playing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcz_PAPgxy0TirXrAJTgPKvXko2DrCSMF_7hUVnVCBXwqB1aSFISumKpvwN_SO6x8z5LqqzQC1unmvx636zTkCWT_fJ_AHDXoYEsvpBVx06lG83FiMuufB26l-Poo6rS__T7TF8bt6gw/s1600/rachel+playing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcz_PAPgxy0TirXrAJTgPKvXko2DrCSMF_7hUVnVCBXwqB1aSFISumKpvwN_SO6x8z5LqqzQC1unmvx636zTkCWT_fJ_AHDXoYEsvpBVx06lG83FiMuufB26l-Poo6rS__T7TF8bt6gw/s320/rachel+playing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Teresa joined too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-tNx_9qN9hlhU0FT0x1Az0rz2LMotQeCRsIJAXRbLD81ag5tQbxpyeUtagUXLJ7B-Je20kJpLqUWxwpeusbsTI-EF3Yn3jSrqbBXsWVFf8fQh847dCKT0XoEB0-imEUcCzz9rWBwo5s/s1600/teresa+playing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-tNx_9qN9hlhU0FT0x1Az0rz2LMotQeCRsIJAXRbLD81ag5tQbxpyeUtagUXLJ7B-Je20kJpLqUWxwpeusbsTI-EF3Yn3jSrqbBXsWVFf8fQh847dCKT0XoEB0-imEUcCzz9rWBwo5s/s320/teresa+playing.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Joel was in the game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEP1_LVP7zmh9VtJ8_CkXIPenD0jfr2I2GRGRev45M1ujqJkzabDRzexWLEh24ebtuf02-xv2qx8pFTKx1q-J84d13oT-jHd7lZS3QsGHtgEi-2zeX04AGu1DDvOsiEYZEnypz9qGzOI/s1600/joel+playing+crocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEP1_LVP7zmh9VtJ8_CkXIPenD0jfr2I2GRGRev45M1ujqJkzabDRzexWLEh24ebtuf02-xv2qx8pFTKx1q-J84d13oT-jHd7lZS3QsGHtgEi-2zeX04AGu1DDvOsiEYZEnypz9qGzOI/s320/joel+playing+crocket.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Abram and Tobin chose to play Frisbee. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYZNQzFv-WUMcF-MBkaKaWfWVJU5ivgvKkKT38TdmbL4Tv-Fi5tRNlOXn-ka6L6QJAMoxhMyS8wyds2IXRvDRoLOgpw7c56wONcm9THzh6a0aIZ59ElQradgm2bO44j8uU4F94eCYWc0/s1600/abram+and+Tobin+with+frizbee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYZNQzFv-WUMcF-MBkaKaWfWVJU5ivgvKkKT38TdmbL4Tv-Fi5tRNlOXn-ka6L6QJAMoxhMyS8wyds2IXRvDRoLOgpw7c56wONcm9THzh6a0aIZ59ElQradgm2bO44j8uU4F94eCYWc0/s400/abram+and+Tobin+with+frizbee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carmen and Marita played a bit of boccie ball in the front yard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41M-dsmbs9b9cG4uHgFEMUGCwtBqaDD9O3axrMxNb7bzKIwZ0DhWpWx-KBxoA1CwFrrBmXLIDb1QoN3cbzGI3L_rfpvFkPYE9RskZh_qq2mnGl_vVLldUH_q0g6ohWESOPTdZHLGLMn4/s1600/botcci+ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41M-dsmbs9b9cG4uHgFEMUGCwtBqaDD9O3axrMxNb7bzKIwZ0DhWpWx-KBxoA1CwFrrBmXLIDb1QoN3cbzGI3L_rfpvFkPYE9RskZh_qq2mnGl_vVLldUH_q0g6ohWESOPTdZHLGLMn4/s320/botcci+ball.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel and Teresa had hoped to go swimming, but the chlorine levels were too high.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CCzO1rNA3h9WZrvKIiZThChje7kaum4QNr7PGqj31lz9DLu1_eJx89twu6QcHu6B-mtFqM8SAPKrImtX5lkPUd6fn9rzsE4DxuMa_g1N737NqILA-dMN5M-BhKtCK7ckGi2FPyQkCuM/s1600/opening+the+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CCzO1rNA3h9WZrvKIiZThChje7kaum4QNr7PGqj31lz9DLu1_eJx89twu6QcHu6B-mtFqM8SAPKrImtX5lkPUd6fn9rzsE4DxuMa_g1N737NqILA-dMN5M-BhKtCK7ckGi2FPyQkCuM/s320/opening+the+pool.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They did how ever stick their feet in the water. I also think the water was very cold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ebR68n1foKE219jWmG9qqQH2Td_iGKDIs-uzt_p-ISfk0Gq-HpCX8yUtWBPS4NdfgoMakG2PJfC9wNQsNkdNpIjk1dMrYFvIr6C1CLbulAX9Wp9Q6NdyZvdensgv6ZRaTXTCTNAjspc/s1600/cannot+go+into+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ebR68n1foKE219jWmG9qqQH2Td_iGKDIs-uzt_p-ISfk0Gq-HpCX8yUtWBPS4NdfgoMakG2PJfC9wNQsNkdNpIjk1dMrYFvIr6C1CLbulAX9Wp9Q6NdyZvdensgv6ZRaTXTCTNAjspc/s320/cannot+go+into+pool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hammocks are always a big hit. here's Sarai lounging, Carmen next to her, Marita playing with Sarai's hair and Teresa waiting to get her chance on the hammock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljPm-MvigCwbmRFwg0K0vhWGCRu-gdarhiige8iPOxITPfMC2ZWrhhNugREY9hu4ZWKGRU_8mHRCUeXmpLNHAfS4g4N7F1sZKXOiv-Qg9fZrLPG17CVrhGVYyZIyet-lgMaqT2__a1RU/s1600/sarai+in+hamock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljPm-MvigCwbmRFwg0K0vhWGCRu-gdarhiige8iPOxITPfMC2ZWrhhNugREY9hu4ZWKGRU_8mHRCUeXmpLNHAfS4g4N7F1sZKXOiv-Qg9fZrLPG17CVrhGVYyZIyet-lgMaqT2__a1RU/s400/sarai+in+hamock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel and Teresa pretended to sail the hammock. they tried to toss the other one off the hammock. I don't think it works like a pool float, but they had a blast trying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM0ps3F7GkqX8vEQEnGmtdD8GvvpqZvKOi-_gIcVmP8RTj7ujvMlrp5ARORRPYnDMcZUbGOrbWwK1RlMGubM1LY0p2C1Eh4pgDFhDUgOIrxjnJgWn9kn90VTh08C880aqdopHlE5E0tg/s1600/sailing+the+hammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM0ps3F7GkqX8vEQEnGmtdD8GvvpqZvKOi-_gIcVmP8RTj7ujvMlrp5ARORRPYnDMcZUbGOrbWwK1RlMGubM1LY0p2C1Eh4pgDFhDUgOIrxjnJgWn9kn90VTh08C880aqdopHlE5E0tg/s400/sailing+the+hammock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Either Rachel or Carmen took this shot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjAf4l8sw67wHaHdYQLegsAHoW7gToUO1QRzsuPR6wM75bBQaj4mlkgosEkGjQNQGJmb7uHStqj7Vx2zKL_gAzvT5-M1XxaAvu_tpm75_cwWrLxITg76C4WAFNAWAHHhyphenhyphenPPF4sm7Tz2I/s1600/rachel%2527s+shot+of+teresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjAf4l8sw67wHaHdYQLegsAHoW7gToUO1QRzsuPR6wM75bBQaj4mlkgosEkGjQNQGJmb7uHStqj7Vx2zKL_gAzvT5-M1XxaAvu_tpm75_cwWrLxITg76C4WAFNAWAHHhyphenhyphenPPF4sm7Tz2I/s320/rachel%2527s+shot+of+teresa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Teresa tossed herself off the hammock!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPZkGzKEJixl3qHsG22Q157VTeRbbl7rhUOcqrlh2vQhGuCFCmAYyvB9Iak5Y1ThQzQ5KJmgzkY1uR5BFgIec9fFm2sODSHW5wbeinGFH8FxLuqWP9lZRha96vfP-0bazi9dJ2OuAgCA/s1600/IMG_0787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPZkGzKEJixl3qHsG22Q157VTeRbbl7rhUOcqrlh2vQhGuCFCmAYyvB9Iak5Y1ThQzQ5KJmgzkY1uR5BFgIec9fFm2sODSHW5wbeinGFH8FxLuqWP9lZRha96vfP-0bazi9dJ2OuAgCA/s400/IMG_0787.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cannot resist taking a picture of gorgeous iris. I didn't notice in the the bright sunlight that the iris was a peachy color until I looked at the photo on my computer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoJgilhelwU-V7dyL753Wx9xVjQPBjDPM3Z3s14wE7D-6Z_SBBQLomH6Um5CgggJD7nUG_7gSmiLFlUI9RpSw7AIHMZ1mJfZnzlpth2JVFAKHprrOTo2nUto7NaGiYLfIRCNACclOMig/s1600/orange+iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoJgilhelwU-V7dyL753Wx9xVjQPBjDPM3Z3s14wE7D-6Z_SBBQLomH6Um5CgggJD7nUG_7gSmiLFlUI9RpSw7AIHMZ1mJfZnzlpth2JVFAKHprrOTo2nUto7NaGiYLfIRCNACclOMig/s320/orange+iris.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know everyone had a great time together. Teresa and Marita appreciated being able to participate in the festivities.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-3074262772312951422011-06-28T12:15:00.002-04:002011-06-30T15:31:01.163-04:00Marita's Confirmation; Tobin is the SponsorMarita made her Confirmation on Mother's Day, May 8th, 2011. <br />
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She asked Tobin to be her sponsor the night he recieved his!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVCG3BLM51scv4WFlsjnCefrNF_UVvFdopx1SMsEqNboyA_957OjiD06aqbJz88qgYOZ6htz5D1mjEImAcpuJGyze4S-aB1sM6Bw1Ke5178VARZIdumdazkqNA2JwH82L56To_Ob1v5w/s1600/marita+and+tob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVCG3BLM51scv4WFlsjnCefrNF_UVvFdopx1SMsEqNboyA_957OjiD06aqbJz88qgYOZ6htz5D1mjEImAcpuJGyze4S-aB1sM6Bw1Ke5178VARZIdumdazkqNA2JwH82L56To_Ob1v5w/s320/marita+and+tob.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carmen jumped into the picture here. Tobin and Carmen served and Abram lectored at ourchurch at 11:30. We then drove to Manchester to be early for Marita's confirmation. We spent many hours in a church that day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmi0BLNNoBPnIBCqqX-yufQuQ5g4iGrfJ0cUHqNWAgyvHXDh8R2Uwxk_tHJ54AE43ILAwCZ91azcpEGVUWyR2PNCOij4XhcxW-ds2L6ap3BAdyuhxoWg5l1ETxiNJP0xQl0Aw7GZ1VG2g/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmi0BLNNoBPnIBCqqX-yufQuQ5g4iGrfJ0cUHqNWAgyvHXDh8R2Uwxk_tHJ54AE43ILAwCZ91azcpEGVUWyR2PNCOij4XhcxW-ds2L6ap3BAdyuhxoWg5l1ETxiNJP0xQl0Aw7GZ1VG2g/s400/IMG_0458.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBOzZV6D_a3g_VVIv4hyphenhyphenRz2z44GmFGjjbYdwLqIQCCJ5w6wy_nOOdMD9QPrxNT23cXdhsZ0r2Hxs_5I9k2WxAjzExggXpwvsmGl1Dg79sTIQV5BQZIWOAJnkMjKTchDQHPo1jhFXke6w/s1600/tob+and+marita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBOzZV6D_a3g_VVIv4hyphenhyphenRz2z44GmFGjjbYdwLqIQCCJ5w6wy_nOOdMD9QPrxNT23cXdhsZ0r2Hxs_5I9k2WxAjzExggXpwvsmGl1Dg79sTIQV5BQZIWOAJnkMjKTchDQHPo1jhFXke6w/s640/tob+and+marita.jpg" t8="true" width="369" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She made her confirmation at St. Joseph's cathedral in Manchester, NH. I believe there were five parishes being confirmed at the cathedral that day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73XVawNHREK7oK4dWJtoPmNOticeBDbg9e3UlhXRDKKdZaFL6Juo5IYTrdTiz6F7ufTE_N3CBSHbQ3LEoaapxJNEsNJ62sUqvAE68s2Ueh4uCqTgskEpI6FPRy1HubTI-vRxI5seLPhw/s1600/marita+being+blessed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73XVawNHREK7oK4dWJtoPmNOticeBDbg9e3UlhXRDKKdZaFL6Juo5IYTrdTiz6F7ufTE_N3CBSHbQ3LEoaapxJNEsNJ62sUqvAE68s2Ueh4uCqTgskEpI6FPRy1HubTI-vRxI5seLPhw/s400/marita+being+blessed.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZq63AC5beq9tPQ9xJOcIZf_1qeN6aOMOJ59_1HqJnBxOVloH8SESe5-FW1VN_W2euvuzrXokbkNDZ1sJAh8Snpi8XT9rrlnyWiPKTMuwNUYqVpTLCdgmTa0cSBEbm07r813BNbhju64/s1600/blessing+of+marita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZq63AC5beq9tPQ9xJOcIZf_1qeN6aOMOJ59_1HqJnBxOVloH8SESe5-FW1VN_W2euvuzrXokbkNDZ1sJAh8Snpi8XT9rrlnyWiPKTMuwNUYqVpTLCdgmTa0cSBEbm07r813BNbhju64/s320/blessing+of+marita.jpg" t8="true" width="297" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are Zebedee and Oswald (Marita's and Tobin's confirmation names).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4rzLaZor7KsDwBjQGxn2jX8HitbicZx4VlQXqXJ3tb6CStweLTQ1HovuG0pEHnk-8NveO_4tIaTHzLd5ziJwYkK-qAMuOfDUHXZijqswDMtSTPNxn0ZXa1elEZlFV_eed0r1zaw5fjA/s1600/congrats+from+the+bishop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4rzLaZor7KsDwBjQGxn2jX8HitbicZx4VlQXqXJ3tb6CStweLTQ1HovuG0pEHnk-8NveO_4tIaTHzLd5ziJwYkK-qAMuOfDUHXZijqswDMtSTPNxn0ZXa1elEZlFV_eed0r1zaw5fjA/s320/congrats+from+the+bishop.jpg" t8="true" width="301" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Marita brought up the gifts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z1cWdzME_mjKWB_vs9UOnoQPZJOU9NW7emtW2q42IC5a2Cx2qltfJUw6KetZtzwQlgxOldf-VWISpqI6PdMAqShNMRiRkaOK-qbICz4FrdZvmHUSyRIzHU6CpUCrYJ_IeSVBB7UBfoQ/s1600/marita+bringing+up+the+gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z1cWdzME_mjKWB_vs9UOnoQPZJOU9NW7emtW2q42IC5a2Cx2qltfJUw6KetZtzwQlgxOldf-VWISpqI6PdMAqShNMRiRkaOK-qbICz4FrdZvmHUSyRIzHU6CpUCrYJ_IeSVBB7UBfoQ/s320/marita+bringing+up+the+gifts.jpg" t8="true" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I mentioned that we had spent many hours in church that day. At four, when the confirmation was over, we rushed to Ben and Jerry's with a chocolate shake emergency. We hadn't eaten since breakfast. I saw a Ben and Jerry's in the center of town. Abram walked into the ice cream shop and actually said: "We have an emergency! We need 6 chocolate shakes FAST!" I laughed so hard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back at Chip and Marie's house Sierra was being her cute self. I had to take a few shots of her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9rBvAMuxDPs4EtWAbGW3D4HSpe1hhL1RaCUHCFxfAwZjc6m0ByOqFdWfAL62l4SWYbvFftpqqn2-hUjtA9ZUa-tERbppRmUXrGoyin4FF-uqTzg-3K2tFim__oI2HFokCZoYK5IVg-o/s1600/sierra+with+doll+stroller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9rBvAMuxDPs4EtWAbGW3D4HSpe1hhL1RaCUHCFxfAwZjc6m0ByOqFdWfAL62l4SWYbvFftpqqn2-hUjtA9ZUa-tERbppRmUXrGoyin4FF-uqTzg-3K2tFim__oI2HFokCZoYK5IVg-o/s320/sierra+with+doll+stroller.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Princess Sierra always needs something in each hand. It does make crawling and pushing strollers a challenge, but makes very cute photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRBgorJMmlMiI519Ngu3SgG2h0qGj1F4VBhxj03GY6AysT70anUgJexmSF7sR4X7yFprCmtPn_aVf0yI0vuAIc5iaX5UvjFdYUV3aGYIckqoetEUXJ6tUC93Uk_O4Renra1r5yntMemM/s1600/princess+sierra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRBgorJMmlMiI519Ngu3SgG2h0qGj1F4VBhxj03GY6AysT70anUgJexmSF7sR4X7yFprCmtPn_aVf0yI0vuAIc5iaX5UvjFdYUV3aGYIckqoetEUXJ6tUC93Uk_O4Renra1r5yntMemM/s400/princess+sierra.jpg" t8="true" width="377" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-23971217570406403772011-06-17T23:46:00.001-04:002011-06-28T11:36:59.677-04:00Junior promThe Junior Prom was on May 14th this year. Tobin went with Steph Kalinowski. <br />
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She came to rent the tux and pick out his tie and vest. Her dress was pink and with many options she was smart to bring pieces from her dress so we could match the color as best as we could. I kept the pieces and used them to order her wrist corsage. <br />
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Pinning on the boutonniere<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24tdieFfHMEwQJJhlJ259C-6XrmK4EWlFx2zzf7RDOhko9uPpJupjazjrE5iHkvnLuacK2J42NEgNQPEhjHeoodWPm0TN4eHJNQddxRe8Vj8apT17_xW6Y5P-ukoAv0zN4bfuw5f_zKg/s1600/boutinerre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24tdieFfHMEwQJJhlJ259C-6XrmK4EWlFx2zzf7RDOhko9uPpJupjazjrE5iHkvnLuacK2J42NEgNQPEhjHeoodWPm0TN4eHJNQddxRe8Vj8apT17_xW6Y5P-ukoAv0zN4bfuw5f_zKg/s400/boutinerre.jpg" width="400px" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">putting on the wrist corsage</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrztwwEpZ2nxFZBG_nqodXuVxSK8lkyPP7Oo5a1VJo44B6SeQY5fMq6RnPTfa_NkeJewKUgDIQI_wky_QwGQl157RPuqG3GckJjnYOzzjYGCPNRb39fOQQbLMXbi6nSxNfwA52NNysTeA/s1600/wrist+corsage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrztwwEpZ2nxFZBG_nqodXuVxSK8lkyPP7Oo5a1VJo44B6SeQY5fMq6RnPTfa_NkeJewKUgDIQI_wky_QwGQl157RPuqG3GckJjnYOzzjYGCPNRb39fOQQbLMXbi6nSxNfwA52NNysTeA/s400/wrist+corsage.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Beautiful smiles<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ObiD4GkcWLomnZPjUbJgXPjFS2Ac-ZjLPgU0PoMMRKPB9nx73yUgwcTlN7ayS3DeXN1lGAQb_VGH_Iwm224WOrFmvajyJ_YiEeUvaqSRX_ZqV2uC6ZPpcfGODPZFKRRzYhEJigeov94/s1600/on+stairs+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ObiD4GkcWLomnZPjUbJgXPjFS2Ac-ZjLPgU0PoMMRKPB9nx73yUgwcTlN7ayS3DeXN1lGAQb_VGH_Iwm224WOrFmvajyJ_YiEeUvaqSRX_ZqV2uC6ZPpcfGODPZFKRRzYhEJigeov94/s400/on+stairs+close+up.jpg" width="266px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcXCtrlipS4IOHcPk9TCZe0RvOBnKbbVfKr9sqiINazQ_qoy20qBJz1ox7f9lkJUyQwP02xuBNwrvcRSev6SXjHmCs-Zbo0v5W6DFQ4nbvqeDSoFKzhvFEXD0B7FKyHjI-9TMTW3lC_Y/s1600/so+happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcXCtrlipS4IOHcPk9TCZe0RvOBnKbbVfKr9sqiINazQ_qoy20qBJz1ox7f9lkJUyQwP02xuBNwrvcRSev6SXjHmCs-Zbo0v5W6DFQ4nbvqeDSoFKzhvFEXD0B7FKyHjI-9TMTW3lC_Y/s400/so+happy.jpg" width="270px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We asked them to do a funny pose and they did this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2CtAQvUUQz2VLZmeuRf5N2MGQWLS2yNKjcpFsP-bkfLFHxHBR-4YX7NZNKzdJihWiFJR9kbGyPf-tBuSvIAaPyGoXOflUYefwkDaJj5UFjl599GYB8_QOQmgdGo4ezvD0IM23umnk_I/s1600/funny+pose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2CtAQvUUQz2VLZmeuRf5N2MGQWLS2yNKjcpFsP-bkfLFHxHBR-4YX7NZNKzdJihWiFJR9kbGyPf-tBuSvIAaPyGoXOflUYefwkDaJj5UFjl599GYB8_QOQmgdGo4ezvD0IM23umnk_I/s400/funny+pose.jpg" width="266px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I attempted to take a nice picture of him and he made this funny face at me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswPj0rqA7469aOBD_oF_GwW_zVW6j0ISKuTALWjmPf6irPt5ILZBd6IkpXmhsDRh-gTqgYmt34o2JzH1Sg1ZirIb7pWTuA-umqOamkAXlan-YuNoPZWNFS-87GRDGDgsEX0KjNCIWooc/s1600/his+favorite+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswPj0rqA7469aOBD_oF_GwW_zVW6j0ISKuTALWjmPf6irPt5ILZBd6IkpXmhsDRh-gTqgYmt34o2JzH1Sg1ZirIb7pWTuA-umqOamkAXlan-YuNoPZWNFS-87GRDGDgsEX0KjNCIWooc/s320/his+favorite+face.jpg" width="234px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got this one later. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHm4_DE71gljRREpYTxZ-IBPEqMllpZ7ikncYDPFzL77iGxjlIKkpPXoq4Gez_yLKQ8KvZh4nscqqw-ZBoQTtVKkS4U1-61fhEvqsF82r7wjypEaIWdT6BliqnqAaxpd24_jwUAu3_Ss8/s1600/nice+profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHm4_DE71gljRREpYTxZ-IBPEqMllpZ7ikncYDPFzL77iGxjlIKkpPXoq4Gez_yLKQ8KvZh4nscqqw-ZBoQTtVKkS4U1-61fhEvqsF82r7wjypEaIWdT6BliqnqAaxpd24_jwUAu3_Ss8/s320/nice+profile.jpg" width="226px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then Steph and her friend Teagan posed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGekOqADGQpCZiDrk9hmAKNSkX8k1PwJPuKV031-Dl-eZliTN-TSe51kMFJQCrjV5I_VklW-U1nVc8LRMn7hShgejVu-y75cJFnNUAve32y9EmQV4HKWHcr53lOt_IUWoSC6oDGZ1GYs/s1600/lady+shooters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGekOqADGQpCZiDrk9hmAKNSkX8k1PwJPuKV031-Dl-eZliTN-TSe51kMFJQCrjV5I_VklW-U1nVc8LRMn7hShgejVu-y75cJFnNUAve32y9EmQV4HKWHcr53lOt_IUWoSC6oDGZ1GYs/s320/lady+shooters.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2J5RfFfa0EPGamyOWPiB3thetKgteP1covVUNj7cWwk1Ag5OttIPO82IMzszq-3SpBjpDKXzGyBlvqakmAu4lWU0Xw3o5HGgsfr-3fLTlyxSGY-u-tju-oJb7TN6bNImYSgIwuErBqI/s1600/tob%252C+steph%252C+teegean+and+date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2J5RfFfa0EPGamyOWPiB3thetKgteP1covVUNj7cWwk1Ag5OttIPO82IMzszq-3SpBjpDKXzGyBlvqakmAu4lWU0Xw3o5HGgsfr-3fLTlyxSGY-u-tju-oJb7TN6bNImYSgIwuErBqI/s400/tob%252C+steph%252C+teegean+and+date.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the back of her dress; it's all tied up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6JKziqh932JU9ZuG2OeDk0QUwqF0SQLMau0WnS4DqGogGFAYllOUakY2UabOiKF_-IgWk-H6xZxkY8gaZs3WEpkGnWk7kuL7mgw5MzOWMIdhCmdqGpBq3_b8SU3jsMzzFicNfXNwlMM/s1600/back+of+steph%2527s+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6JKziqh932JU9ZuG2OeDk0QUwqF0SQLMau0WnS4DqGogGFAYllOUakY2UabOiKF_-IgWk-H6xZxkY8gaZs3WEpkGnWk7kuL7mgw5MzOWMIdhCmdqGpBq3_b8SU3jsMzzFicNfXNwlMM/s320/back+of+steph%2527s+dress.jpg" width="211px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steph's dress looked like a princess dress</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVE3-5Q1D3umY5Y3yG7WF1B1IROAjv25LtvaPYrbW8D5ZG54wmntSG0olc12cjA7GK-3iBGIbqWbcwfCeT3FGEhRkwLbui7cjoJdVqonNzD9VWqKw4Xqh1J4NX-3lVRMSY98xuDG0bL8/s1600/two+couples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVE3-5Q1D3umY5Y3yG7WF1B1IROAjv25LtvaPYrbW8D5ZG54wmntSG0olc12cjA7GK-3iBGIbqWbcwfCeT3FGEhRkwLbui7cjoJdVqonNzD9VWqKw4Xqh1J4NX-3lVRMSY98xuDG0bL8/s400/two+couples.jpg" width="276px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We then drove them to Jimmy's house for a huge group photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbsBAejrLJniSGN3cHv4YHCAL5HG4apVJ2Jt2rtkP-Ld1kpqDKsjwlJSylqRciIh1oLlZr4iyDyW9Z66wEIxbegNQLXW9a3ammBqh97PXQVAsQ6nd2mC_Sma0ZRfsK21nbbVeHgP3tHE/s1600/large+groups+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbsBAejrLJniSGN3cHv4YHCAL5HG4apVJ2Jt2rtkP-Ld1kpqDKsjwlJSylqRciIh1oLlZr4iyDyW9Z66wEIxbegNQLXW9a3ammBqh97PXQVAsQ6nd2mC_Sma0ZRfsK21nbbVeHgP3tHE/s640/large+groups+photo.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>Kevin Shae, Kaleigh Filiere, Steph and Tobin<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qH3qZjxXy_eSmulgWM4Mhf_ysXgkKdQroLqg6GJ1n1ArVeTmjWbxc2_0R7lPHsRaHSA2plGbsmm0Z2MD61WTAPSvt1KmJpxSA5a4LgQR445MPqjejdMvL9-JRC0UfA_UkWyaCajJWEw/s1600/track+prom+pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qH3qZjxXy_eSmulgWM4Mhf_ysXgkKdQroLqg6GJ1n1ArVeTmjWbxc2_0R7lPHsRaHSA2plGbsmm0Z2MD61WTAPSvt1KmJpxSA5a4LgQR445MPqjejdMvL9-JRC0UfA_UkWyaCajJWEw/s400/track+prom+pictures.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two friends of Tobin's: Rob Matthews and Nate Nelson-Maney</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMmi9TZNISkkuyGDSOuN4UKAsA77o7fLN2SVRSQbFaxZgWRBIiQqt3inRy58W50ZyioJGxaXFeGmJ3ytLizccEarJUG86GqPE3O36W9DaY1TSoYUjoEV0UtbPILmmd1dKkOIaTEz1_CA/s1600/rob+and+nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMmi9TZNISkkuyGDSOuN4UKAsA77o7fLN2SVRSQbFaxZgWRBIiQqt3inRy58W50ZyioJGxaXFeGmJ3ytLizccEarJUG86GqPE3O36W9DaY1TSoYUjoEV0UtbPILmmd1dKkOIaTEz1_CA/s320/rob+and+nate.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9UlhIPPwhDv6fx2BbrSi8d2HqGsgQLlVWhH2KUFd_vUYvNuwqS883u_uLtdYnG_vUE07PIuSvA2RR9CBEHuHRr2m2or5hHrJb0e2G_LUcaXjp1hS0bmZ-sSi3T_CM3I0TWhnIQ5EJD0/s1600/waitress+girls+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9UlhIPPwhDv6fx2BbrSi8d2HqGsgQLlVWhH2KUFd_vUYvNuwqS883u_uLtdYnG_vUE07PIuSvA2RR9CBEHuHRr2m2or5hHrJb0e2G_LUcaXjp1hS0bmZ-sSi3T_CM3I0TWhnIQ5EJD0/s320/waitress+girls+outside.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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Nice shot of the wrist corsage<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-2ejbJ88qxG2Yr_pxlnkPL-8jQi-D3hf6mXivmYGuFssXaX4A5zMpz_aPn_ewkPtloz_FNKnF7-VamQABvu_LX1yRALHTCVBr6EAT9j8IdgNwDp0WsTvvNSdxdW6KFUJRDv-dR6yMp8/s1600/circle+of+corshage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-2ejbJ88qxG2Yr_pxlnkPL-8jQi-D3hf6mXivmYGuFssXaX4A5zMpz_aPn_ewkPtloz_FNKnF7-VamQABvu_LX1yRALHTCVBr6EAT9j8IdgNwDp0WsTvvNSdxdW6KFUJRDv-dR6yMp8/s400/circle+of+corshage.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tobin doing his Usain Bolt pose</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmodLAqj8yRcUY3apYc70QWd_QgBhOBylMJvxKAuM2q5SOLezPy9o5ICVuDcDmhuRY5bMp_7L08uV2Hw0QRXqZB2YPkWsmw4jsJxfGSQ3oEUQTVMxX-Sqqov5kaQd6frkCfKii1rwnvI/s1600/Tobin%2527s+bolt+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmodLAqj8yRcUY3apYc70QWd_QgBhOBylMJvxKAuM2q5SOLezPy9o5ICVuDcDmhuRY5bMp_7L08uV2Hw0QRXqZB2YPkWsmw4jsJxfGSQ3oEUQTVMxX-Sqqov5kaQd6frkCfKii1rwnvI/s400/Tobin%2527s+bolt+picture.jpg" width="345px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jimmy's back yard was amazing. Abram took this picture of the back yard koi pond and waterfall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV21eVr913ZvO__Bm9GGcOfId4evOkzmyZj0nygPJkf8owPIqfH7my8_rZBi11gE0d3NqTKX_6SytEDP8XasIxNe77p5mCoDL1AKHOJlMwcXzJh2z3VN8T3rpCL684-FC4VFxJzNk7qTs/s1600/yard+for+pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV21eVr913ZvO__Bm9GGcOfId4evOkzmyZj0nygPJkf8owPIqfH7my8_rZBi11gE0d3NqTKX_6SytEDP8XasIxNe77p5mCoDL1AKHOJlMwcXzJh2z3VN8T3rpCL684-FC4VFxJzNk7qTs/s400/yard+for+pictures.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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They even had a chicken coop<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85a6DAFmWfffNwyYN7H1Qa-YkyELBvuDBHhDhzZt3yQLdVwr55QxLZimH2p9C_MbXuD9eHUJZQ-7HiHNHxg9gCAl0JlKU_E5oy7OtYbpnl6dgIZHFVs_VD1MpiFLYc9TEynxfEqKNkoQ/s1600/chicken+coop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85a6DAFmWfffNwyYN7H1Qa-YkyELBvuDBHhDhzZt3yQLdVwr55QxLZimH2p9C_MbXuD9eHUJZQ-7HiHNHxg9gCAl0JlKU_E5oy7OtYbpnl6dgIZHFVs_VD1MpiFLYc9TEynxfEqKNkoQ/s400/chicken+coop.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
I know they had a great night. It continued by going to the after prom party at the YMCA. I picked them up at 5am. Steph was asleep in 4 minutes after leaving the parking lot. It was a long day but a good one with great memories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-6140412933413295892011-06-08T23:00:00.003-04:002011-06-10T21:20:51.076-04:00Easter 2011Easter was so long ago, I've forgotten what date it was. I looked it up, April 24th. I'm very late in keeping up with the blog, but thankfully I remember the events well and can still retell it.<br />
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We began our Easter celebration with the Easter vigil. The kids really like that mass regardless of the fact it is three hours long. Going to mass Saturday night makes our Sunday mornings more relaxed. Each Easter the kids make up questions for each other, hide them in eggs around the house and create clues to find the eggs. I guess we've blended an Easter egg hunt with a scavenger hunt. Either I or Abram come up with a Bible question that each child has to research in order to answer. This usually takes a good hour or more before they find a clue as to where their Easter basket is. <br />
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Here is my Easter bunny, waiting for the egg/scavenger hunt to begin!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt7JEBJAJplILgxUHm-a75UQ_F-doO8OD2y3FcVERbxicjQdH27ZFhBiC3t5BdmKsJguzVkD9lKRh9ochMU2__a2tHi5Gd1L4RQA7MuSERT7hBQMXrmF38kQdr9MST_k7zgs-jT0PlfQ/s1600/my+easter+bunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt7JEBJAJplILgxUHm-a75UQ_F-doO8OD2y3FcVERbxicjQdH27ZFhBiC3t5BdmKsJguzVkD9lKRh9ochMU2__a2tHi5Gd1L4RQA7MuSERT7hBQMXrmF38kQdr9MST_k7zgs-jT0PlfQ/s400/my+easter+bunny.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I even treated all four cats with time outside. I just love how regal Cappi looks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwtPgGLMz3lIkPDg_cKBmKlw-hEPjSZB5x9XozHB-nGOdiQH7jt-O9goGkrwme0iS3-wa9nkU216yBuUDgfLmvXCuVKlUgBHhwQdehYYsIldClprgGW5Q0LPMEdJLJYNj0w7f6EMx3Ck/s1600/cappi+on+easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwtPgGLMz3lIkPDg_cKBmKlw-hEPjSZB5x9XozHB-nGOdiQH7jt-O9goGkrwme0iS3-wa9nkU216yBuUDgfLmvXCuVKlUgBHhwQdehYYsIldClprgGW5Q0LPMEdJLJYNj0w7f6EMx3Ck/s320/cappi+on+easter.jpg" width="315px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is Friday. I only allow her to stay out for a max of 10 minutes. She wanders too much for my comfort level. Plus, watching four cats is a bit much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpZwvHbJWos53SwLpKpj5sWboH8a1rgRS7SlNhbKQ0Re3LPm9E1HtCp4Zpc4XB15wHtEueglWq6qyOtfQ9GHVEV17gqczTQK9CXfn3ZBoVvLy5VDuGEegpHTu75fNvzeXppeFsvwdvao/s1600/friday+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpZwvHbJWos53SwLpKpj5sWboH8a1rgRS7SlNhbKQ0Re3LPm9E1HtCp4Zpc4XB15wHtEueglWq6qyOtfQ9GHVEV17gqczTQK9CXfn3ZBoVvLy5VDuGEegpHTu75fNvzeXppeFsvwdvao/s320/friday+outside.jpg" width="263px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Zori and Marley went out, but this in the only picture I have of Zori. She was either hunting a leaf or saw a chipmunk. No she did not catch one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuViUy6Im7Kk-GZaIaz-ILpgEEclSFSC-v60n0l3TTWbw0GDFBjTxMQyFEbAPX3W08MxLF1aTlHuOS5-zeqOxVMXpcmvW4G0nASN069xlU_pEqxj0oakJPlo9lLwWP4tH54hIDnNKAhI/s1600/zori+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuViUy6Im7Kk-GZaIaz-ILpgEEclSFSC-v60n0l3TTWbw0GDFBjTxMQyFEbAPX3W08MxLF1aTlHuOS5-zeqOxVMXpcmvW4G0nASN069xlU_pEqxj0oakJPlo9lLwWP4tH54hIDnNKAhI/s320/zori+outside.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later in the day, we drove to NH to see my mom, Lawrence, Joel, Noah and Matthew. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rachel and Noah played a few games of Botchi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNKD7gVvMxD_tJL1hseGtnZXPmfntOvYGbOeFClEhRYM5U1s__u0xtnmtV16IS4MN59bK3So7bs8a14wksLAS1-sEEy9Q7cEDkVwn7f5qWyORx57_QookuKUa4VNdLq0-YW497rKiato/s1600/eggs+on+the+ground+Rach+and+Noah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNKD7gVvMxD_tJL1hseGtnZXPmfntOvYGbOeFClEhRYM5U1s__u0xtnmtV16IS4MN59bK3So7bs8a14wksLAS1-sEEy9Q7cEDkVwn7f5qWyORx57_QookuKUa4VNdLq0-YW497rKiato/s320/eggs+on+the+ground+Rach+and+Noah.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sD3pabJl6Ya_vo1meE4atfecPczTEw7XkIPpEIn1JjvsSBuS7zsNmldDVjGY54PgSt0kJoUjwH9JM54wK_67vG4fEXA-Zj1llj-tvaVSRHzwwGkDRBoAI2-GQfZH9esQt5cMVOpzJ7g/s1600/ball+in+air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sD3pabJl6Ya_vo1meE4atfecPczTEw7XkIPpEIn1JjvsSBuS7zsNmldDVjGY54PgSt0kJoUjwH9JM54wK_67vG4fEXA-Zj1llj-tvaVSRHzwwGkDRBoAI2-GQfZH9esQt5cMVOpzJ7g/s320/ball+in+air.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEzQOOSA0osclIXj_ROXHrU4FxNJRJQMyjD7m4u27eFRzisNgAiLt42SbRIt0ByCMaCTL-08oVDrpx3WzX7yBgJAhAqTXY3TMSHRu0y2mqEOg1SibLjUCfizVr9WBZBZsvWwpFq8Yyos/s1600/botchii+ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEzQOOSA0osclIXj_ROXHrU4FxNJRJQMyjD7m4u27eFRzisNgAiLt42SbRIt0ByCMaCTL-08oVDrpx3WzX7yBgJAhAqTXY3TMSHRu0y2mqEOg1SibLjUCfizVr9WBZBZsvWwpFq8Yyos/s320/botchii+ball.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At some point I realized that both Joel and Carmen were wearing grey and white striped shirts. I attempted to get some picture of them together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NJydVVAa4soeP8fMOFKxjS4Inai00VeWq5f0qne2S4UKD7pUhXPdhMKlMNPT4lJmPqzCuIotlS6G8GvVSHAoM9cmPRc9fZMq1rm8dPKEvnzgQRkzVUKmoLp5phFCslNuQvyS5t0f8Hg/s1600/grey+twins+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NJydVVAa4soeP8fMOFKxjS4Inai00VeWq5f0qne2S4UKD7pUhXPdhMKlMNPT4lJmPqzCuIotlS6G8GvVSHAoM9cmPRc9fZMq1rm8dPKEvnzgQRkzVUKmoLp5phFCslNuQvyS5t0f8Hg/s400/grey+twins+2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL2anPDrY71-VJLjaDvudmkeAVzdcvVkx3VLmtTKBnUJsOXaPhohQNbLZodQobPxNIn303SsWnL6z1RwixGA6s5T6akFM18ZyAGcscQKCZF47ZR4B-oZiXr4IZYf1LPhkHwTbnGuofzM/s1600/nice+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieL2anPDrY71-VJLjaDvudmkeAVzdcvVkx3VLmtTKBnUJsOXaPhohQNbLZodQobPxNIn303SsWnL6z1RwixGA6s5T6akFM18ZyAGcscQKCZF47ZR4B-oZiXr4IZYf1LPhkHwTbnGuofzM/s320/nice+smile.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then there was the slouching contest between Joel and Tobin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyujcxssIw3DuYiI-4shijOpbtq4Y8XOVDlWxAnWex075uqkc-zttxIpmlqTGx6eYi3aSFoI4sAgsvGoQic3PTpYtUMPaavSeWhprpGnJE9cc2uEK9D-AdyYuBsHHFEzSnw-ljJuEicg/s1600/slouch+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyujcxssIw3DuYiI-4shijOpbtq4Y8XOVDlWxAnWex075uqkc-zttxIpmlqTGx6eYi3aSFoI4sAgsvGoQic3PTpYtUMPaavSeWhprpGnJE9cc2uEK9D-AdyYuBsHHFEzSnw-ljJuEicg/s320/slouch+boys.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a nice photo of Noah and Rachel together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRdxJ4xf2SXkrgm9lIWZ69EBWO1zI5HJ5UobQzl8ERBVCy3N-z1DWL9ShRB8qikYQo0dMXIbKCZCojLoruiMfMPtJ4MepSKoMOazmzM4mc-n0q2D6K2JZmn3aSp0g3aBs2zubQvVTDtI/s1600/Noah+and+Rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRdxJ4xf2SXkrgm9lIWZ69EBWO1zI5HJ5UobQzl8ERBVCy3N-z1DWL9ShRB8qikYQo0dMXIbKCZCojLoruiMfMPtJ4MepSKoMOazmzM4mc-n0q2D6K2JZmn3aSp0g3aBs2zubQvVTDtI/s320/Noah+and+Rachel.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For those who don't know, Joel is Carmen's godfather and Noah is Rachel's god father. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a wonderful Easter!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-66554571959867655322011-06-06T22:54:00.000-04:002011-06-06T22:54:36.914-04:00April vacation: Boston Marathon and college visitsApril vacation in Massachusetts begins with Marathon Monday. We had wanted to visit some colleges with Tobin over vacation. Monday began with a scurry to get to the finish line in Boston, or as close to it as we could, before the lead men finished the marathon. Miraculously, we were able to find a parking spot right on Mass Ave across from MIT. We walked across the Mass Ave bridge and found barricades near Abram's fraternity house where the race route elbows two the last 1/2 mile.<br />
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Here is my gang hanging out waiting for the lead men to arrive. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-4Re519XQVw7WjG1dsxM2nn4dSERZ9nmHJK0dnAohWqcqvbHte7wrda2d5dAg33yIqRUgjYatdSTJtr7at5jJunZD_xQbtXzc6hWfUU6ZL9TKSQSoGyNPBNdyxTVtt3-zpihsYMuk1U/s1600/gang+at+the+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-4Re519XQVw7WjG1dsxM2nn4dSERZ9nmHJK0dnAohWqcqvbHte7wrda2d5dAg33yIqRUgjYatdSTJtr7at5jJunZD_xQbtXzc6hWfUU6ZL9TKSQSoGyNPBNdyxTVtt3-zpihsYMuk1U/s400/gang+at+the+race.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Chi Phi, Abram's fraternity house, at the corner of Hereford and Comm Ave. We saw the lead cars with times arrive before the runners did. It was a good spot to stand and get a glimpse of the runners.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1sO4AectKEPBQhQcNPaprWjJgh1egzeijQjZbyFL8GrF2glmsko-PK0ILGg-wbuW2RXoHXNlyA_f6MLjrum0O7yQv-H5Nd3wo74bIOnQI7aUjfIS4WkFHlhb2lNlD-aSbS-I7itpqew/s1600/chi+phi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1sO4AectKEPBQhQcNPaprWjJgh1egzeijQjZbyFL8GrF2glmsko-PK0ILGg-wbuW2RXoHXNlyA_f6MLjrum0O7yQv-H5Nd3wo74bIOnQI7aUjfIS4WkFHlhb2lNlD-aSbS-I7itpqew/s320/chi+phi.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The magnolia trees were blooming that day. It was a beautiful spring day. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNq6tqWYe98Sr5jCZLSbQkOoN3BTt9ny7wLvVc5Il3x5ETn-FEY8aNqoALfG5_FD_WO9RfgBIyPX3ClvfjljKUy5EcCjCzPc1zJNFjPyH3rZmId71Ouks4g0fSP_JRWyRiLmN9daLLjE/s1600/signs+of+spring+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNq6tqWYe98Sr5jCZLSbQkOoN3BTt9ny7wLvVc5Il3x5ETn-FEY8aNqoALfG5_FD_WO9RfgBIyPX3ClvfjljKUy5EcCjCzPc1zJNFjPyH3rZmId71Ouks4g0fSP_JRWyRiLmN9daLLjE/s320/signs+of+spring+2.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are the three lead men, one was American, at the final stretch being directed by the police officer.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3gtSDR662djutj3ZXynSInEeMpPggcjzCUjlY0G7tzpafYsg5yDohM5c7t9p86xBzYWFlCApJ66Wor54s8KboKNDQojAoWUMYTQI0jjcHCtYjLWTQI_5FSt1-WFMoc36QPBTtN6tlO8/s1600/view+of+the+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3gtSDR662djutj3ZXynSInEeMpPggcjzCUjlY0G7tzpafYsg5yDohM5c7t9p86xBzYWFlCApJ66Wor54s8KboKNDQojAoWUMYTQI0jjcHCtYjLWTQI_5FSt1-WFMoc36QPBTtN6tlO8/s400/view+of+the+race.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were still wheel chair racers coming in with the lead men. It is difficult for the racers if they follow some of the lead cars because the cars cannot go past this point, but the racers need to take a right to finish the race. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHSzDHTL8VQOhBeENC3iJ8Fb4Qa_OYhZk4trLX_AiH3tA-7naau-FxR0oEYT1grusjYnmExt93zQrZRdCiQFi5PtKu3DjjuUeSJdGlkfxGbKcc7OdwoJ68ZiMk7bbbcNmbtaZarKZGmM/s1600/wheel+chair+racer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHSzDHTL8VQOhBeENC3iJ8Fb4Qa_OYhZk4trLX_AiH3tA-7naau-FxR0oEYT1grusjYnmExt93zQrZRdCiQFi5PtKu3DjjuUeSJdGlkfxGbKcc7OdwoJ68ZiMk7bbbcNmbtaZarKZGmM/s320/wheel+chair+racer.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here was one of the lead women. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCHR7wo3MMX2G1u_FiUryFBQAajJEt4HBu1d9qklAkMaXTnRHpz_GB3R1ksRSXbZvMTIYl-AFdqLLu29uduTCO8CG0ca5r1hbdiCFqLpRcVvnjVL72j5HPQ-W_mGJ1N-cLHTq3-jGoZ8/s1600/front+lady+runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCHR7wo3MMX2G1u_FiUryFBQAajJEt4HBu1d9qklAkMaXTnRHpz_GB3R1ksRSXbZvMTIYl-AFdqLLu29uduTCO8CG0ca5r1hbdiCFqLpRcVvnjVL72j5HPQ-W_mGJ1N-cLHTq3-jGoZ8/s320/front+lady+runner.jpg" t8="true" width="184px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stayed to see some of the finishers. I was able to download an app to get updates on a friend who was running, but we did not stay to see her finish. The marathon was a treat and now we were going to walk to North Eastern to meet up with Nico who was going to give us a tour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While walking down Newbury street I found a clothing store that had their display window full of old sewing machines. I was so interested in looking at them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzbUIdD8gMmjy9qtkzaecN1rqxcgQMZfjIvD-WvVGSbOra3I0SnB_c75-dOQpY8g_VOtqgXPVj_BR9q8WlxFh4QxfH6_3PcRz_8Ta5xAb6MDwxuDXIuy_AhLrUL89wyRDzQ6CcCjtuEg/s1600/sewing+machine+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzbUIdD8gMmjy9qtkzaecN1rqxcgQMZfjIvD-WvVGSbOra3I0SnB_c75-dOQpY8g_VOtqgXPVj_BR9q8WlxFh4QxfH6_3PcRz_8Ta5xAb6MDwxuDXIuy_AhLrUL89wyRDzQ6CcCjtuEg/s400/sewing+machine+display.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is North Eastern from the street view. The green line is above ground here and has a stop where we were waiting. I wasn't sure how the school would seem being right in the middle of Boston.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtYmZonk226XTng_G6x9eRmMX6VvDnA8BVgH5zkDoRsJAyqdCLEwArUTNIIWBM73mk9-4ObAQpGVKWWdjxAMOHaCodA_uNRTbsuo9hswWwNvWOCGHSELOTQzxSsSR8AmLOx1vV2Zkpt0/s1600/street+view+of+NE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtYmZonk226XTng_G6x9eRmMX6VvDnA8BVgH5zkDoRsJAyqdCLEwArUTNIIWBM73mk9-4ObAQpGVKWWdjxAMOHaCodA_uNRTbsuo9hswWwNvWOCGHSELOTQzxSsSR8AmLOx1vV2Zkpt0/s400/street+view+of+NE.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then Nico took us into the heart of the campus and it was amazing. I was struck by the fact that less than building width ago we were right on the main streets with all the noise of the city and now it was quite and beautiful. It was almost like you were transported into a new place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GAkyYB5FfRgJVbUv_xJpriVKVLPlfF6Pcha3o1RPKvxZvM2nnQfa9Mo97SBP_yA7bCq_n2b6BvKQJOOYvqG0cx6DflH9HBSlGBWgs9J7yA_wxScjfucSOyoaBA5ERA5X3vqGNbOSBbw/s1600/inside+view+of+NE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GAkyYB5FfRgJVbUv_xJpriVKVLPlfF6Pcha3o1RPKvxZvM2nnQfa9Mo97SBP_yA7bCq_n2b6BvKQJOOYvqG0cx6DflH9HBSlGBWgs9J7yA_wxScjfucSOyoaBA5ERA5X3vqGNbOSBbw/s400/inside+view+of+NE.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is North Eastern's memorial wall for veterans. It reminds me of the wall in DC for Vietnam.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6zaygHmjERWDSCk4prSRuLlAzX2cn62EqYxg_DVnS6q3M5aRMrdv9MAwjcpUwqjgWbWubcmPYm-nsD1DMjkGiyqgV81rNIaMwJE1TNFDeC9NT7YCG6lc8qOK6BlXHjTMbFcLbh6rL2g/s1600/great+memorial+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6zaygHmjERWDSCk4prSRuLlAzX2cn62EqYxg_DVnS6q3M5aRMrdv9MAwjcpUwqjgWbWubcmPYm-nsD1DMjkGiyqgV81rNIaMwJE1TNFDeC9NT7YCG6lc8qOK6BlXHjTMbFcLbh6rL2g/s400/great+memorial+wall.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we are walking through campus, we find a statue of someone with a cat. Of course my girls will pose well with a cat statue!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSSq_yeD91h6RkcK-tBvODLY8cTvWAC29bR_vYOLg228bo18ZqXXnbL8Z9a2Xrs13tpSZITnYj1AEMCeMD0WT5C1tk8r_3wnKRWK0r4mz2mQIza8zvuHSXzTZbdwFsWH5dMN2JMwRFaw/s1600/girls+and+cat+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSSq_yeD91h6RkcK-tBvODLY8cTvWAC29bR_vYOLg228bo18ZqXXnbL8Z9a2Xrs13tpSZITnYj1AEMCeMD0WT5C1tk8r_3wnKRWK0r4mz2mQIza8zvuHSXzTZbdwFsWH5dMN2JMwRFaw/s400/girls+and+cat+statue.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nico took Tobin to eat lunch in one of the main campus areas while we discovered that Pizzaria Uno has a fantastic GF pizza! Thanks Nico for taking time to show Tobin and us around your campus. I know he liked the campus. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We briefly walked through MIT before we left the Boston/ Cambridge area. MIT was having a four day weekend due to the holiday so we couldn't show Tobin some of the larger classrooms nor the chapel where he was baptized. So Abram, Isaac, Aidan and Tobin returned for a tour and talk on Saturday to learn more about MIT.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thursday we headed to western Mass to see UMASS Amhurst. The UMASS running coach had shown interest in him earlier in the year so we went out to see their campus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is huge! We couldn't see one end to the next. It is a beautiful campus though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxTQF7l184Pq4YrCEmZLJuh32zIlEYu-MXiqymJ6MeEnuGs_iH23GK9R9bC2TLfFVmAS1cDqsRzdJDilzJO8-aUGbO5tfUoyar95c1ae08WQ1hOrjEr01XvICMMowXplEJ2ZcIa1l3wU/s1600/talk+building+in+UMASS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxTQF7l184Pq4YrCEmZLJuh32zIlEYu-MXiqymJ6MeEnuGs_iH23GK9R9bC2TLfFVmAS1cDqsRzdJDilzJO8-aUGbO5tfUoyar95c1ae08WQ1hOrjEr01XvICMMowXplEJ2ZcIa1l3wU/s400/talk+building+in+UMASS.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love that there are bike lanes and walking lanes on campus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDaKAOn3jADsqHiDJHj4zdwFWxTgd6zGCzcZ2LZC5bxFxe31Nuhk0siM5dENq2-FNEKxUDAbm5h2F5V_79gSKIgKhYFMMW4GOiu-eF9380DANAn2ELtE_AalQwFnL0A_pFsW3A92p6Hc/s1600/long+streets+at+UMASS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDaKAOn3jADsqHiDJHj4zdwFWxTgd6zGCzcZ2LZC5bxFxe31Nuhk0siM5dENq2-FNEKxUDAbm5h2F5V_79gSKIgKhYFMMW4GOiu-eF9380DANAn2ELtE_AalQwFnL0A_pFsW3A92p6Hc/s400/long+streets+at+UMASS.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We ended the tour of campus by eating at the best cafeteria, as told to us by our guide. For starters, we ate for free. The cafeteria was huge. There were so many different choices for food it was overwhelming. We sat in cafe booths with soft cushions. Very nice!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday, Tobin and I went to WPI for a tour. We didn't get to see Dylan though. He was off campus, plus it was final project week so everyone there was very busy.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Not every day was dedicated to Tobin and colleges. On Tues I hosted a soccer party for Carmen's indoor soccer team. I had ten 13 year old girls over from 2-8. They were great, squeally for a bit, but everyone had a great time. I have a picture of the soccer ball cake I made, but cannot find it as I write this blog. Once I find it, I will edit this blog and update it. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, we had a full week. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-31462771454353615842011-05-04T23:06:00.000-04:002011-05-04T23:06:15.089-04:00Tobin gets his license and Rachel has a cello recitalOn April 9th, Tobin took his driver's test and passed! He now is a legal driver in Massachusetts. <br />
In MA the earliest you can get your license is 16 1/2. Taking driver's ed classes are hard for an athlete to fit in so he took a one week summer course from 8am-4pm. Even fitting in driving hours is hard. You can only book one driving hour a weekend because the school he was going through will not let you book back-to-back lessons. The weekends fill up quickly and were hard to come by. Finally, between winter and spring track he was able to book multiple driving hours. I don't know the requirements for other states, but we had to log a minimum of 40 hours with parents, 12 hours with instructors, a 40 hour class for the student and a 2 hour parent class. I am well prepared for Sarai getting her permit which she reminds us, on a weekly basis, is coming up in December! Wow, she is going to be 16 in December. Time is flying too quickly.<br />
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Here is a brownie we decorated with powder sugar to celebrate his license.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cSi2zOHHc7SJLA36Tr-2fJOc1xmemxI1ngfYfdGGIaHCl6a7WgtzOTzopDb6a9E_sIxTOnfnNTIE-B1olY6It402NhmEqqpCh9jY0ce8gkYGR4Ef5dkTv-ER58o5M0r0W-Zi7gK4xz4/s1600/brownie+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cSi2zOHHc7SJLA36Tr-2fJOc1xmemxI1ngfYfdGGIaHCl6a7WgtzOTzopDb6a9E_sIxTOnfnNTIE-B1olY6It402NhmEqqpCh9jY0ce8gkYGR4Ef5dkTv-ER58o5M0r0W-Zi7gK4xz4/s400/brownie+car.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had two choices for doing the driving test. One, you can supply your own car, which needed a hand break for the driving instructor to use, if you went to the RMV in Worcester and waited in their long lines to take a test. Or option two, you could book a Saturday test time with the school's instructor, use their cars and have a more definitive test time within 30 minutes of arriving. Option B had an additional charge, but with out busy schedule I chose option 2. </div><br />
Tobin was so relieved once his test was over that he neglected to really pay attention to what the driving instructor said about his permit and license! He couldn't remember if his permit was good as a temporary license or if he had to wait for his license in the mail. We eventually figure out that his permit was his temporary license. Again, I will know so much more when Sarai is going through all of this.<br />
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Here is Tobin smiling for me. When he took his permit picture at the RMV, he did not smile. He did not realize that the photo taken then would also be his photo on the driver's license. We could wait in the long lines to retake a photo, but neither of us really want to do that until we have to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DA0jyt45m74J4N1P8fAcCLPl6J38bxRjn_44FX1YRfDkmLtGSDA138uBpchDSRdtyU8NLi3pQrm1E-GGGwbVSHZ1tuLPr27Y18Z1xOzeAOo5WlXaMPAzYDFpPSPn-Q6s1iPArgMzjLg/s1600/Tobin%2527s+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DA0jyt45m74J4N1P8fAcCLPl6J38bxRjn_44FX1YRfDkmLtGSDA138uBpchDSRdtyU8NLi3pQrm1E-GGGwbVSHZ1tuLPr27Y18Z1xOzeAOo5WlXaMPAzYDFpPSPn-Q6s1iPArgMzjLg/s320/Tobin%2527s+smile.jpg" width="282px" /></a></div><br />
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Abram took Rachel to her first cello recital in Natick, MA. I was unable to go because one of us had to take Tobin for his driving test. The first task he had to perform on his test was to parallel park between two cars. We worked on this skill in the morning. I too learned a bit from teaching Tobin and now am much better myself at parallel parking.<br />
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Here are pictures of her:<br />
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Rachel had recently upgraded to using a 1/2 size cello instead of a 1/4 size. Notice the boot. She was able to carry the cello by herself on and off the stage. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVURpYGBF9IH5fbNKtHYpc_XR_U-JuhDdCShlWwmfzUxqoemzQygSdT1EcTGufkjH3idGt5MKWaj0ILN9ZoAGkvLeVXTVVWbhp-5-g0jIguQo8bXJjtYw-Nr9g4qMJjYbX5S0I_7Chig/s1600/rachel+with+boot+and+cello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVURpYGBF9IH5fbNKtHYpc_XR_U-JuhDdCShlWwmfzUxqoemzQygSdT1EcTGufkjH3idGt5MKWaj0ILN9ZoAGkvLeVXTVVWbhp-5-g0jIguQo8bXJjtYw-Nr9g4qMJjYbX5S0I_7Chig/s400/rachel+with+boot+and+cello.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I believe Abram said her piece was no more than a minute long, but it gave her a sense of performing in front of an audience. Next year, if she continues with the cello, she will be performing with the High School students and to a much larger audience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVtvE4y4IaLMTTk9WPaRwzghAgDswvnJ95wBCqhBE-42LjEfaNJBKqBJ04zdSJ4QjOYTX_rcn3e0aAPw9_e9278qUxpCJkmniyFPImXQUyhZ6KclujjD3WbGRapj7vwAwF5za0h8_THY/s1600/playing+the+cello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVtvE4y4IaLMTTk9WPaRwzghAgDswvnJ95wBCqhBE-42LjEfaNJBKqBJ04zdSJ4QjOYTX_rcn3e0aAPw9_e9278qUxpCJkmniyFPImXQUyhZ6KclujjD3WbGRapj7vwAwF5za0h8_THY/s400/playing+the+cello.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv6LFyqVwXcQAAP9SAAZVTD_d8NHbiNmrcZRz9XIR_sJROQGQu9An4keDFW5ZRRzSfpCLG2jtGmatUmWk-olNoG7E2PZotZ8zy5OTKfiQWjxWik1QhF0gAUtN6DmrJOmgDlJzFLOSjDs/s1600/the+bow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv6LFyqVwXcQAAP9SAAZVTD_d8NHbiNmrcZRz9XIR_sJROQGQu9An4keDFW5ZRRzSfpCLG2jtGmatUmWk-olNoG7E2PZotZ8zy5OTKfiQWjxWik1QhF0gAUtN6DmrJOmgDlJzFLOSjDs/s320/the+bow.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The following day, she gave a mini concert for Jenna and Isaac in our living room. She is the only child who will perform willingly for relatives or friends. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUTD5sKGH6t0m1eVrUEwsMD4npvEvhVwwPeyb4E2kGh4ugPz_W0-JWv8Z67kff1S302cUcRTBgBfZVN4NVZe5_QtHUMyW-THgF6d3Qp-143jR5mBH8Vok6vOexq2iunoqWG7iDk-9KH0/s1600/Rachel+playing+in+living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUTD5sKGH6t0m1eVrUEwsMD4npvEvhVwwPeyb4E2kGh4ugPz_W0-JWv8Z67kff1S302cUcRTBgBfZVN4NVZe5_QtHUMyW-THgF6d3Qp-143jR5mBH8Vok6vOexq2iunoqWG7iDk-9KH0/s400/Rachel+playing+in+living+room.jpg" width="270px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">April 9th, was a busy day full of great achievements!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414055173871575966.post-51498603705810931592011-05-02T20:50:00.000-04:002011-05-02T20:50:48.344-04:00Carmen All Dressed UpCarmen attended a friend's Barmitzvah. We had gone dress shopping and found two wonderful strapless dresses. She is wearing a black one here with blue fish net stockings. <br />
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She is with three soccer friends: Ava, Skye and Hailey.<br />
I completely forgot to bring my camera so I used my iphone. Pictures taken on the iphone do not compare in quality to my nice camera, but it did the job.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcjej011hj6mc3iC3kw-aMxHWMvymPUKTtkX3R6xIYpKAh5PKyFlGdMJRNQyF7nCxL2NLewMA1dYNTUQkzm9zRJYhJV65xaMMPRbdz4ebNLBZXpxhOCsB-bzdCLXxUk9-WzjrEVQulVM/s1600/batmitzvah+outfit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcjej011hj6mc3iC3kw-aMxHWMvymPUKTtkX3R6xIYpKAh5PKyFlGdMJRNQyF7nCxL2NLewMA1dYNTUQkzm9zRJYhJV65xaMMPRbdz4ebNLBZXpxhOCsB-bzdCLXxUk9-WzjrEVQulVM/s400/batmitzvah+outfit+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1fq_fkSofRElUwPHWc7LUiPaNWABWAUT41SYg9SlW8h5c0ZOpM-G5GYnFsqlB5bUkxMKBdTxc9fnJmgSKbLgBJdZdorKYIJRBfnQcP4Zu6kBrSbnAtRX-Vzoc2PWdvGSrxHVJI14n4s/s1600/outfits+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1fq_fkSofRElUwPHWc7LUiPaNWABWAUT41SYg9SlW8h5c0ZOpM-G5GYnFsqlB5bUkxMKBdTxc9fnJmgSKbLgBJdZdorKYIJRBfnQcP4Zu6kBrSbnAtRX-Vzoc2PWdvGSrxHVJI14n4s/s400/outfits+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Here they are ready to leave and dance for four hours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj0mWWu4cZA_0DAaAWJzmiZ2vgiSHptlJI2wIausdQpfNuqHYDZovkfj384djSrleAC61MROKQpdVaQ1kzK7zDMz3MajuOMbBepNvX0lV3CisnRC_lKxanpXHDRT6teLKIZxQpm6HJxk/s1600/outside+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj0mWWu4cZA_0DAaAWJzmiZ2vgiSHptlJI2wIausdQpfNuqHYDZovkfj384djSrleAC61MROKQpdVaQ1kzK7zDMz3MajuOMbBepNvX0lV3CisnRC_lKxanpXHDRT6teLKIZxQpm6HJxk/s400/outside+shot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carmen attended her second Bat Mitzvah this month. She wore this dress to the service and luncheon and then changed into her black dress for the party in the evening. She looks elegant in her dresses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1v4qZRfUn9uTCL5QgaCNoLejEzhw6HekqDKbgNtKr9aWDKXBjji6-Syt9Y-hndvJo6q9ZwO1Itbo1b0Bdv3hmLGbvOyVEI7ERJWle2IWFb_UOluvpVtqYzNDYzymPt8P6z6CcLhlgQQ/s1600/flower+carmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1v4qZRfUn9uTCL5QgaCNoLejEzhw6HekqDKbgNtKr9aWDKXBjji6-Syt9Y-hndvJo6q9ZwO1Itbo1b0Bdv3hmLGbvOyVEI7ERJWle2IWFb_UOluvpVtqYzNDYzymPt8P6z6CcLhlgQQ/s400/flower+carmen.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
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I have had this photo for a long time and did not know when to put it into the blog. This is a mosiac Carmen made in art in the fall. It is still on display at her middle school. It is a landscape. Again, I only had the iphone at the time and took a picture through the glass display case.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzVNq4JrbcgDa8xVUSPSdZaomK9q8fIaqls_M1ycppimJeTsIjZtYZFCBAd8qkxFcoSMBakkbDyWYgXozJeO9Snk1uNc7-c7matVncWdtc0apnewUmG0lhGBcwwCW5EHtuCiUe81tHz4/s1600/carmen%2527s+mosiac+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzVNq4JrbcgDa8xVUSPSdZaomK9q8fIaqls_M1ycppimJeTsIjZtYZFCBAd8qkxFcoSMBakkbDyWYgXozJeO9Snk1uNc7-c7matVncWdtc0apnewUmG0lhGBcwwCW5EHtuCiUe81tHz4/s400/carmen%2527s+mosiac+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18375758706043212643noreply@blogger.com0