tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229971424564110812024-03-12T20:32:12.829-04:00Down the Garden PathOur new life as a family is like walking down a garden path. Beyond every bend are new sights and sounds. It is a beautiful place! Join us as we walk through life with our beautiful little girl whom we adopted from China.Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-72363339578084747762012-06-20T00:36:00.001-04:002012-06-20T00:43:56.719-04:00She did it!Let me just tell you that Elizabeth is loving the nice weather. She doesn't watch TV and she doesn't have too much imaginary play so winter gets her a bit stir crazy. She wants to come home and go right outside. She wants to play until it gets dark. Many a nights there are arguments about coming in for dinner! She wants to run, throw the football, ride her bike ~ doesn't really matter much to her as long as she is outside.Learning to ride a bike has been elusive to her. She certainly has the coordination and core strength to do it but not really the confidence in herself. We bought a new bike last fall thinking that would help. We bought some kind of handle to help train but that didn't really help. She had no drive to make it happen. When we were camping at Easter, I noticed how much she was riding her bike without using her training wheels. She still would not give it a try!. Tonight she was in a great mood so I decided to give it a whirl. I noticed when she would try it, she would try to put both feet on the pedals and then start. That works well with training wheels but not with 2 wheels. We started on the hill of the driveway where gravity would help her build steam so she could get the other foot on the pedal. She tried without much success about a dozen times and then she wanted to quit. She got the mommy lecture about winners never quit and we tried again. JACKPOT. Down the driveway she went!!! In a sheer couple of minutes, she took off down the street with Daddy in tow and rode all of the way to the end!!! She was so proud of herself. I was so proud of her. Not only because she accomplished this elusive goal but because she didn't give up!!!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZO82k7YqXXY" width="420"></iframe><br />
Disclaimer, we got caught up in the excitement and lost the helmet along the way but be certain she is the best helmet wearer! She puts in on with out a reminder every time! Except the time I video her! <br />
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Good Job Baby Doll!!! I love you!<a href="http://youtu.be/ZO82k7YqXXY"></a>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-20081616166090831272011-10-18T13:43:00.005-04:002011-10-18T14:10:50.978-04:00Fall Camping FUN!!We are not very spontaneous people. I mean, if you call us to go to dinner and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dinner</span> is in the oven, we will put it in the frig and head out. If you have a cool place to go and we are cleaning or doing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">yard work</span>, we are happy to drop our mops and rakes and head out but that is usually the extent of it. But we went crazy this weekend and decided to go camping less than 24 hours before our departure!!! We have heard that Halloween Camping is fun so we decided to give it a try. To add to our pleasure, Elizabeth took her best buddy, A!<br /><br />As soon as we arrived we realized we were camping next to her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pre</span> K friend Emily. Quickly they became <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">reacquainted</span> and the fun began!!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RqS9B5kuM6I/Tp2939CVQLI/AAAAAAAABPk/PJJsFufNCI4/s1600/IMG_3702.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RqS9B5kuM6I/Tp2939CVQLI/AAAAAAAABPk/PJJsFufNCI4/s400/IMG_3702.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664892675276751026" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday morning after an outdoor breakfast of eggs and bacon, we headed to the craft shop to do ceramics. Who ever said pumpkins needed to be painted orange??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X51sSd9obVY/Tp293j3d4PI/AAAAAAAABPU/RyWrg_spw3Q/s1600/IMG_3704.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X51sSd9obVY/Tp293j3d4PI/AAAAAAAABPU/RyWrg_spw3Q/s400/IMG_3704.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664892668520292594" border="0" /></a>After ceramics we went to the playground and then headed to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pavilion</span> for a magic show.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Best Friends waiting for the show to start!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sOrxu71ymU/Tp29245aRpI/AAAAAAAABPI/x-cHriyhpKQ/s1600/IMG_3707.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sOrxu71ymU/Tp29245aRpI/AAAAAAAABPI/x-cHriyhpKQ/s400/IMG_3707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664892656985720466" border="0" /></a><br />Then there was more fun playing together.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3rjb6qSeTyg/Tp292q5MY0I/AAAAAAAABO8/4ASRkOpr1XQ/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3rjb6qSeTyg/Tp292q5MY0I/AAAAAAAABO8/4ASRkOpr1XQ/s400/IMG_3717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664892653226713922" border="0" /></a><br />Then there was Trick or Treating. Sam was Luigi, Elizabeth was Mario A! was Jesse and Emily was heading to the sock hop!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqOU3NFMqKk/Tp28z4JeKVI/AAAAAAAABOw/z1MrE5HKFMk/s1600/IMG_3719.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sqOU3NFMqKk/Tp28z4JeKVI/AAAAAAAABOw/z1MrE5HKFMk/s400/IMG_3719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664891505733413202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cF_RK3iO86E/Tp28zgWo7dI/AAAAAAAABOg/Zih8lpU6gh4/s1600/IMG_3720.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cF_RK3iO86E/Tp28zgWo7dI/AAAAAAAABOg/Zih8lpU6gh4/s400/IMG_3720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664891499346193874" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cLWtc97Xu3M/Tp28yobhiCI/AAAAAAAABOY/p-9UICkatAk/s1600/IMG_3723.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cLWtc97Xu3M/Tp28yobhiCI/AAAAAAAABOY/p-9UICkatAk/s400/IMG_3723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664891484334295074" border="0" /></a><br /> Watching what other people were doing, I pulled my chair up to the road and handed out candy. WOW, I gave out 4 bags of candy in about 40 minutes!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6r5vTq9Ra0o/Tp28yGMfN-I/AAAAAAAABOI/yhVKVf8Pru8/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6r5vTq9Ra0o/Tp28yGMfN-I/AAAAAAAABOI/yhVKVf8Pru8/s400/IMG_3727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664891475144423394" border="0" /></a><br />Check out my haul!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SlnQnMMBhec/Tp28x6oEc7I/AAAAAAAABN8/hf2c_yRElN0/s1600/IMG_3729.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SlnQnMMBhec/Tp28x6oEc7I/AAAAAAAABN8/hf2c_yRElN0/s400/IMG_3729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664891472038884274" border="0" /></a><br />After our candy gathering, we took a hay ride. This was the activity that both girls said was their favorite part of the trip.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGFpqG19MRc/Tp28Dyqg0HI/AAAAAAAABN0/bSPtsvyXenM/s1600/IMG_3740.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGFpqG19MRc/Tp28Dyqg0HI/AAAAAAAABN0/bSPtsvyXenM/s400/IMG_3740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664890679627665522" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XB4-qZ2wA00/Tp28DRsyl_I/AAAAAAAABNk/LIXAKBEWWb4/s1600/IMG_3743.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XB4-qZ2wA00/Tp28DRsyl_I/AAAAAAAABNk/LIXAKBEWWb4/s400/IMG_3743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664890670778849266" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday night there was a beautiful sunset of the bay.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoedRercSzE/Tp28DY_JzTI/AAAAAAAABNY/1A4s7Ax2hEE/s1600/IMG_3744.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoedRercSzE/Tp28DY_JzTI/AAAAAAAABNY/1A4s7Ax2hEE/s400/IMG_3744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664890672734915890" border="0" /></a><br />Sunday morning the girls piled into my bed and the giggles started!!! <br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E3YbWw-07QA/Tp28CYoNcvI/AAAAAAAABNQ/IpE_cRLNazg/s1600/IMG_3748.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E3YbWw-07QA/Tp28CYoNcvI/AAAAAAAABNQ/IpE_cRLNazg/s400/IMG_3748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664890655458816754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7J9AKzB9Yc/Tp28CPrD6dI/AAAAAAAABNA/br1Q0fbQIu4/s1600/IMG_3758.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7J9AKzB9Yc/Tp28CPrD6dI/AAAAAAAABNA/br1Q0fbQIu4/s400/IMG_3758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664890653054855634" border="0" /></a><br />And more time playing on the bikes!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzRdMujLjsw/Tp27VL18RMI/AAAAAAAABM0/BEfUVRKCng4/s1600/IMG_3775.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NzRdMujLjsw/Tp27VL18RMI/AAAAAAAABM0/BEfUVRKCng4/s400/IMG_3775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664889878932636866" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNHrcqxsDCU/Tp27U1c4cwI/AAAAAAAABMo/avYdSibhkeU/s1600/IMG_3779.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNHrcqxsDCU/Tp27U1c4cwI/AAAAAAAABMo/avYdSibhkeU/s400/IMG_3779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664889872921948930" border="0" /></a><br />By the time we were on the road home, the girls were fast asleep~ the sure sign of a great weekend!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4oSLJpJLtsc/Tp27TxLkptI/AAAAAAAABMg/juC3suH1eRs/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4oSLJpJLtsc/Tp27TxLkptI/AAAAAAAABMg/juC3suH1eRs/s400/IMG_3784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664889854595737298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17dyOrxoyvI/Tp27TtjM_cI/AAAAAAAABMQ/r9csLSv-9Tk/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17dyOrxoyvI/Tp27TtjM_cI/AAAAAAAABMQ/r9csLSv-9Tk/s400/IMG_3786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664889853621108162" border="0" /></a>This trip was certainly one that reminded us about the importance of making memories for Elizabeth. We hope this will become a yearly ritual. Having Anna along just made the fun that much better!Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-23543986025723092252011-09-16T12:47:00.007-04:002011-09-16T14:17:32.344-04:00How could it be the middle of September?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh where did the summer go??? Our summer ended rather abruptly with the arrival of Hurricane Irene. Our last weekend was spent getting ready, enduring and cleaning up. Luckily not too much damage. The first week of September brought the opportunity to visit E!'s new school. She loved it and is so excited about what it might bring. So are we!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWTNpLvmq1A/TnOC2R1uBbI/AAAAAAAABMI/k0O2ILL-cK4/s1600/IMG_3615.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWTNpLvmq1A/TnOC2R1uBbI/AAAAAAAABMI/k0O2ILL-cK4/s400/IMG_3615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653005826293368242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We got to visit her classroom, find her desk and leave all of her supplies. Her class seems warm and inviting. She was excited by the books, the computers and the words she COULD read!!!</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBg31ZOuSnU/TnOC1_B3NrI/AAAAAAAABMA/bufoR5F8khM/s1600/IMG_3617.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBg31ZOuSnU/TnOC1_B3NrI/AAAAAAAABMA/bufoR5F8khM/s400/IMG_3617.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653005821244028594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Sanzo seems like a wonderful teacher. She listened to some of our concerns and some of E!'s story. She sat down and E! read her a book ~ cover to cover. It was a simple book but it was a first for her in a classroom setting. We left with a huge feeling of relief. Hopefully it will last for a little while.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlJ7PBOiRWE/TnOC1puvq2I/AAAAAAAABL4/bu0H3N-ovCw/s1600/IMG_3620.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlJ7PBOiRWE/TnOC1puvq2I/AAAAAAAABL4/bu0H3N-ovCw/s400/IMG_3620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653005815526697826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Instead of going somewhere and feeling exhausted we stayed home and did some fun things around town. Sunday we went to the bounce house but Saturday, we decided to RIDE THE TIDE ~ our new light rail system. E was excited to head out. We were picking up her friend A for our adventure.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyqUIT9Rors/TnOB09zeKKI/AAAAAAAABLw/7F0296JsU9M/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyqUIT9Rors/TnOB09zeKKI/AAAAAAAABLw/7F0296JsU9M/s400/IMG_3623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653004704223733922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone got their ticket and eagerly awaited the arrival of the train. A had never been on a train so her eyes got huge when it pulled into the station.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UGznNtRivSM/TnOB0fdvIiI/AAAAAAAABLo/ZLcoPFMw2ic/s1600/IMG_3625.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UGznNtRivSM/TnOB0fdvIiI/AAAAAAAABLo/ZLcoPFMw2ic/s400/IMG_3625.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653004696079508002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qDJoCnC26s/TnN_qljxuSI/AAAAAAAABK4/ZbHYb0v8M8g/s400/IMG_3626.JPG" /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmlLcmcQySg/TnN_rP0SbhI/AAAAAAAABLA/fGoUo54ntxM/s1600/IMG_3630.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmlLcmcQySg/TnN_rP0SbhI/AAAAAAAABLA/fGoUo54ntxM/s400/IMG_3630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653002338237050386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We went to mall as our train destination. We enjoyed lunch at Max and Erma's.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqwmZOH1k8o/TnOB0DsClGI/AAAAAAAABLg/yLdQsoYuzu8/s400/IMG_3631.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We went shopping a Claire's for everyone to pick out one special treat.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhfhbp1BQ78/TnN_rpvmFBI/AAAAAAAABLQ/yRXj38OjSjk/s400/IMG_3633.JPG" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We played for a good long time on the playground before heading back out to the train for the trek home. By the time we pulled into the station everyone was exhausted. We ran to 7-11 for a refresher Slurpee and then the girls proceeded to pass out in their car seats!! Fun was had by all!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fxu_QGoaO0/TnN_sN60BWI/AAAAAAAABLY/chkKevCRteg/s400/IMG_3637.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuesday brought the first day of school. When we woke E up at 5:45, she declared it was still "relax time". She informed us that she doesn't get up until "the sunshine is up". Well kiddo, that is about the change!!!! I had to take picture inside because it was still kind of dark outside when they left at 6:30 to catch the bus. I am thrilled to report that Daddy took her to the bus. She was nervous but there where no tears!!! She has loved getting on the bus each day and has adjusted well to our new wake up time. Honestly, I am a bit surprised. It has been easier to get her up at 5:45 than it was at 7:30 last year. We haven't had one morning fight yet!!</div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KQBSSTU9z-I/TnN-7LfO16I/AAAAAAAABKw/Jc2V5Juvv3c/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KQBSSTU9z-I/TnN-7LfO16I/AAAAAAAABKw/Jc2V5Juvv3c/s400/IMG_3649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653001512441272226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I am not big on character things but she so very much wanted the Mario backpack so I had to give in!</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEB97Cz5WfM/TnN-60cBgpI/AAAAAAAABKo/CQ7Gy5l1DS0/s1600/IMG_3651.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEB97Cz5WfM/TnN-60cBgpI/AAAAAAAABKo/CQ7Gy5l1DS0/s400/IMG_3651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653001506253800082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The very next weekend we had the honor to be involved in the VA Freedom Festival. In part, it raised money for Special Olympics but it also was in incredible tribute to the 10th anniversary of 9/11. This fire truck is from the NYFD. All of the men assigned to the truck perished in the towers on that day.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5auMnxRVa0c/TnN-llD8H3I/AAAAAAAABKg/9OM1dioIj-o/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5auMnxRVa0c/TnN-llD8H3I/AAAAAAAABKg/9OM1dioIj-o/s400/IMG_3655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653001141348999026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a 5.5 ton piece of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-5aCbQlDUw/TnN-lWwRIrI/AAAAAAAABKY/WqKTs8MhQEo/s1600/IMG_3657.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-5aCbQlDUw/TnN-lWwRIrI/AAAAAAAABKY/WqKTs8MhQEo/s400/IMG_3657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653001137508393650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a piece of the granite from the site of the PA crash.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhnqwWn4-WQ/TnN-lDjVmwI/AAAAAAAABKQ/1zbpIdzCvv8/s1600/IMG_3658.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhnqwWn4-WQ/TnN-lDjVmwI/AAAAAAAABKQ/1zbpIdzCvv8/s400/IMG_3658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653001132353886978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a piece of the Limestone from the Pentagon.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRQAjRp2bwg/TnN-kw4Jv7I/AAAAAAAABKI/ff6kEZTedzw/s1600/IMG_3659.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRQAjRp2bwg/TnN-kw4Jv7I/AAAAAAAABKI/ff6kEZTedzw/s400/IMG_3659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653001127340916658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Theses pieces will be permanently housed in Chesapeake. What a magnificent tribute!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Life is good as we enter a new phase with a first grader!!! How lucky we are!!!</div>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-79068995155386085482011-08-17T20:28:00.002-04:002011-08-17T21:29:21.141-04:00Gotcha Day ReunionWe were so lucky to travel to China with the most wonderful 4 families. Sharing such an intimate moment as your first moments as a new parents builds bonds that we didn't expect but we are SO thankful for. We have been blessed that each year,around Gotcha Day, we have been able to get together. Of course, it wasn't complete because Doddlebug and her family couldn't make it all the way from Texas but we hope to see them next year!
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<br />The weekend started out a bit rocky. Sam had been gone all week in California and got home just hours before everyone arrived. It made alot of work for me to get ready but I was so excited, I didn't mind. I slipped into the shower about 15 minutes before arrival and my shower came to an abrupt end when the shower water was pouring out of the light fixture on the first first floor.
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<br />An emergency call to the plumber and we were assured we would have water for the big weekend just no master shower. That was ok. I was too busy to primp to much!!
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<br />Friday night was spent reconnecting with everyone. Everyone enjoyed the nice weather and played outside and chatted it up on the deck. I got a special cake made with the American and Chinese flag. I was a little disappointed that the flags decoration was mostly on the side of the cake but it was one of a kind, none the less.
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<br />Saturday morning we all met over at Bluebird Gap Farm for some fun together.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;">The foursome at the Wishing Well
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<br />Sam's job was to keep the pet food coming!! They all enjoyed feeding the animals.
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<br />Our four beauties!
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<br />The Baba's and the Gie-Gie's
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<br />Our Extended Family (minus the O's :))
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<br />After Bluebird, the K family had to head out. We will miss you Jilly!! We went back to our house for lunch and then headed to Buckroe Beach for some beach time fun.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;">The girls follow big brother M into the water!
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<br />The rest of the time was spent running, digging and laughing!
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<br />Big brother MT was a great sport about making it a weekend for the under 6 crowd.
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<br />The S mama and baba
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<br />The T mama and baba
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;">It seems like there might be a plan hatching!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Just before we were chased home by the raindrops!
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<br />For dinner we made Frogmore Stew. The ladies were inside preparing the food and table while sipping a little vino while the men folk were out under cover boiling water and keeping time. It was a great dinner and everyone seemed to enjoy the eating off of newspaper!!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Menfolk hard at work watching water boil and their watches at the same time!
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<br />Yummo!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXuCCXAHnXY/TkxnkMAYrgI/AAAAAAAABJw/3ZvDho_c5j4/s1600/IMG_3523.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXuCCXAHnXY/TkxnkMAYrgI/AAAAAAAABJw/3ZvDho_c5j4/s400/IMG_3523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641998304584183298" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zy8BCxgHcPg/Tkxnj2BSnUI/AAAAAAAABJo/lUHWrXi2fZ8/s1600/IMG_3524.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zy8BCxgHcPg/Tkxnj2BSnUI/AAAAAAAABJo/lUHWrXi2fZ8/s400/IMG_3524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641998298682400066" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">All that was left of that big pile!
<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4cyLTlq8Nos/TkxnjoF39TI/AAAAAAAABJg/5dohwWolqms/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4cyLTlq8Nos/TkxnjoF39TI/AAAAAAAABJg/5dohwWolqms/s400/IMG_3526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641998294943528242" border="0" /></a>
<br />After dinner there was more playtime. They disappeared into E's room where "no boys were allowed". They were up there for over an hour and quiet as church mice. They came down with "makeups" and dress up clothes on and performed a dance for everyone. It was wonderful to see them work together as a team. Sunday morning everyone came back (well the T family just came in from the driveway, they were staying in our camper) and we had a final breakfast together. Conversation quickly turned to next year's plans. We are so lucky to have each other on this journey as our girls grow and their questions change. They are so lucky to have each other. Someone else who situation is about as close to their own as they will find.
<br />May god bless each of these "China Sisters" with a life of love, togetherness, and happiness. We love all of you!
<br /></div>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-7318989584343587042010-11-25T11:20:00.006-05:002010-11-25T11:37:03.420-05:00Cleaning and Scrubbing...or Not!Today is the day before Thanksgiving. I had every intention of staying home and finishing up the cleaning and getting the cooking started. Instead, Lizzy is home from school so that changes things some. Then, Anna needs a home for the day while her momma works. They play so well together and have so much fun, how could I refuse. Not to mention Jamey pulls me out of more fires than I could ever count. Anna arrived at 6:45 AM and the fun began. Soon there were pleas to read, color, play games and go outside. I remember the saying "Cleaning and scrubbing and can't wait for tomorrow because babies grow up much to our sorrow...) Cleaning and cooking plans went to the side and we had a blast!!!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6OCcmnwrI/AAAAAAAABFE/O-CPTFTCH70/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6OCcmnwrI/AAAAAAAABFE/O-CPTFTCH70/s400/IMG_1603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543524364028723890" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6ODET52hI/AAAAAAAABFM/W1p6c432Qyc/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6ODET52hI/AAAAAAAABFM/W1p6c432Qyc/s400/IMG_1604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543524374687635986" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6OEFQExhI/AAAAAAAABFU/1RaPBqxbO3Q/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6OEFQExhI/AAAAAAAABFU/1RaPBqxbO3Q/s400/IMG_1606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543524392119879186" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6OEk06PAI/AAAAAAAABFc/6yh8ptdApR0/s1600/IMG_1607.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6OEk06PAI/AAAAAAAABFc/6yh8ptdApR0/s400/IMG_1607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543524400595876866" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6OFYIp2SI/AAAAAAAABFk/LES8HJsfkF4/s1600/IMG_1611.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6OFYIp2SI/AAAAAAAABFk/LES8HJsfkF4/s400/IMG_1611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543524414368897314" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6PU7OmwxI/AAAAAAAABFs/xa5c_uSNvYM/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6PU7OmwxI/AAAAAAAABFs/xa5c_uSNvYM/s400/IMG_1612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543525780998767378" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6PVjSazhI/AAAAAAAABF0/sIWYfWaCChM/s1600/IMG_1613.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6PVjSazhI/AAAAAAAABF0/sIWYfWaCChM/s400/IMG_1613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543525791752179218" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6PVxbdZ-I/AAAAAAAABF8/Uz9eNuWaSl4/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TO6PVxbdZ-I/AAAAAAAABF8/Uz9eNuWaSl4/s400/IMG_1601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543525795548194786" border="0" /></a>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-9350814746027409292010-11-13T11:21:00.004-05:002010-11-13T11:34:32.860-05:00Swimming!!Elizabeth was invited to come swim with her friend Fin while they were at the beach on a mini get-away. She had a BLAST! The whole way down there in the car, she kept saying "I so cited!". On the way home she slept the ENTIRE way. Thanks Fin for dinner and tiring her out! Oh, yeah, and for being a good friend and giving her the courage to be the best she can be. Tonight was the first night that Elizabeth has ever been in a pool without mom. In fact just 2 weeks ago, she refused to get in without me. When we did get in, she just clung to my throat. Tonight, she swam like a fish (a fish wearing her swim vest). She even jumped in by herself ~ face wet and all. I was so proud of her accomplishing something new. Thanks Leslie for the opportunity!!<br /><br /><br />Fin will never drown in a pool! She is a pretty good little swimmer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TN68OC8eYHI/AAAAAAAABE4/H55Ef3xMaX0/s1600/IMG_3472.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TN68OC8eYHI/AAAAAAAABE4/H55Ef3xMaX0/s400/IMG_3472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539071541206999154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TN68ON6W4QI/AAAAAAAABEw/Zmk0pQo2Jtk/s1600/IMG_3481.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TN68ON6W4QI/AAAAAAAABEw/Zmk0pQo2Jtk/s400/IMG_3481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539071544150909186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TN68N7tEnqI/AAAAAAAABEo/z4aGkLaW9dQ/s1600/IMG_3471.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TN68N7tEnqI/AAAAAAAABEo/z4aGkLaW9dQ/s400/IMG_3471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539071539263348386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/38vuY2nyFDc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/38vuY2nyFDc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />This is Elizabeth in July of 2008. Boy, sometimes I forget how big she has gotten. <br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6JLzQDgJmdw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6JLzQDgJmdw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-53527958614948921852010-10-11T18:35:00.000-04:002010-10-11T18:36:05.088-04:00Totally off topic but way to funny!This was just too funny NOT to post....<br /><br />This is an "actual letter" from an Austin , Texas woman sent to Proctor and Gamble regarding one of their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. This was PC Magazine's 2009 Editors' Choice award-winner for the best letter sent via e-mail.<br /><br />Dear Mr. Thatcher,<br /><br />I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.<br /><br />But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.<br /><br />Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'<br /><br />Isn't the human body amazing?<br /><br />As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.<br /><br />The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'<br /><br /><br />Are you f------ kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything<br />mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.<br /><br />For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'.<br /><br />Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullsh!t. And that's a promise I will keep.<br /><br />Always . ...<br /><br />Wendi Aarons<br />Austin , TXDebbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-83189809584415013312010-10-06T08:09:00.003-04:002010-10-06T08:11:57.365-04:00Wordless Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TKxnTv35GzI/AAAAAAAABEg/kecRJ0Jsagc/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TKxnTv35GzI/AAAAAAAABEg/kecRJ0Jsagc/s400/IMG_1509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524904431842827058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TKxnTfy0OjI/AAAAAAAABEY/JcVS4sJ4OPo/s1600/IMG_1510.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TKxnTfy0OjI/AAAAAAAABEY/JcVS4sJ4OPo/s400/IMG_1510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524904427526568498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TKxnTCa9dnI/AAAAAAAABEQ/O072N_TWVqQ/s1600/IMG_1511.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TKxnTCa9dnI/AAAAAAAABEQ/O072N_TWVqQ/s400/IMG_1511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524904419641882226" border="0" /></a>OK, 4 word Wednesday ~ I love you, baby!!Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-43926179920316734292010-09-08T14:02:00.005-04:002010-09-08T16:01:26.171-04:00First Day of Kindergarten<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfRPQPf5CI/AAAAAAAABD4/Gn9UaEJ9KOo/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfRPQPf5CI/AAAAAAAABD4/Gn9UaEJ9KOo/s400/IMG_1454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514606328726676514" border="0" /></a>The first day of Kindergarten is a mixed bag of emotions around here! To be fair, it also falls on the same day that 3 years ago we walked through our front door for the first time as a family of 3. Only three ago!!! Most mommies get 5 years with their babies before they send them off to begin their life of academia, I only had 3 and Lizzy only had 3 years to be babied before she was on her way to big things. I need more time. I am not sure about her. She is so smart and ready and eager to learn. I usually don't mourn the loss of the her first 3 years or the loss of mothering a true baby but maybe just today will be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span>?<br /><br />Kindergarten started out with a meet your teacher tonight. Lizzy was eager to go. She was most eager to wear that back pack that had been hanging on the closet door just taunting her. She was not allowed to touch it until the big day!<br /><br /><br />She woke up happy and ready to go!! I had gotten a little worried because over the weekend, she kept crying that she wanted mommy and daddy to go to kindergarten. We explained the rules and she seemed to accept them. She even got to sleep in mommy's bed the night before for some extra cuddles (and to make sure the anxiety didn't get the best of her. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">After all</span>, a good night sleep would help her be rationale in the morning. She even insisted on wearing a dress, which is unusual for her. She was all smiles and ready to pose for some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">commemorative</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pictures</span>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfRNVmek8I/AAAAAAAABDg/EcQliqaWfOc/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQ-ePmY2I/AAAAAAAABDY/DIKkfKZZQsc/s1600/Img_1501.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQ-ePmY2I/AAAAAAAABDY/DIKkfKZZQsc/s400/Img_1501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514606040427422562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQ9zOv2lI/AAAAAAAABDQ/BYaN8-haMMM/s1600/Img_1502.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQ9zOv2lI/AAAAAAAABDQ/BYaN8-haMMM/s400/Img_1502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514606028881123922" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQ9dWaNkI/AAAAAAAABDI/Nw2rda0OkDo/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQ9dWaNkI/AAAAAAAABDI/Nw2rda0OkDo/s400/IMG_1503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514606023007680066" border="0" /></a><br />School went great. She got out of the car with no problems, kissed Daddy goodbye and went off to conquer the world, or a least to make friends with 2 new kids, Maria and Devin. We promised her that we would go our to her favorite restaurant if she had a good day, so off we went to the "Terra <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cotta</span> Warriors". We praised and she beamed. Please just let the next day go so well I thought.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQWnYOZ8I/AAAAAAAABDA/Phw3noyhaGg/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQWnYOZ8I/AAAAAAAABDA/Phw3noyhaGg/s400/IMG_1506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514605355684751298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQWLeMPwI/AAAAAAAABC4/eRqcC8BfB1o/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQWLeMPwI/AAAAAAAABC4/eRqcC8BfB1o/s400/IMG_1509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514605348193582850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQV57n0fI/AAAAAAAABCw/TMwYGfbKCgE/s1600/IMG_1513.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQV57n0fI/AAAAAAAABCw/TMwYGfbKCgE/s400/IMG_1513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514605343485186546" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQVbo07kI/AAAAAAAABCo/eO7oghLQl7U/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQVbo07kI/AAAAAAAABCo/eO7oghLQl7U/s400/IMG_1521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514605335353290306" border="0" /></a><br />Getting home, we let her play outside, which she loves before settling into our early to bed night time routine. We will pray for a day 2 that is just as wonderful as day 1.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQU-apOgI/AAAAAAAABCg/mtgGbVowSSo/s1600/IMG_1525.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIfQU-apOgI/AAAAAAAABCg/mtgGbVowSSo/s400/IMG_1525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514605327509174786" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Update: Day 2 not off to the same good start. She cried from the moment she got up to the moment she disappeared into the school. Today she knew what was up and she would have NONE of it! Oh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lordy</span>, I hope this gets better quick. Dealing with her attachment issues as it relates to all of this puts a different twist on the situation. We have seen such progress with her attachment struggles. I don't think I am mentally ready for a step back. I so wanted it to go smoothly:(</span>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-65865199033481299432010-09-02T20:46:00.003-04:002010-09-02T20:57:39.691-04:00KindergartenTonight was open house for Kindergarten. I am not sure if it is to ease the Mom's and Dad's (well, mostly the mom's) in to Kindergarten or if it is really for the kids. Elizabeth had a pretty new dress to wear after all, we know the old saying about first impressions. She was excited to put on the new back pack which has been hanging on the door know for a month just taunting her. She seemed excited and inquisitive. I think she will do great and have the whole situation under control in a week!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Her teachers are Mrs. Yarrington and Mrs. Moore.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF6xE-LwI/AAAAAAAABCY/6Ac-zeh0TzI/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF6xE-LwI/AAAAAAAABCY/6Ac-zeh0TzI/s400/IMG_1454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512482819810406146" border="0" /></a><br />Excited by all of the new things that lie ahead.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF5zH5EZI/AAAAAAAABCQ/2XaWvzQWo_c/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF5zH5EZI/AAAAAAAABCQ/2XaWvzQWo_c/s400/IMG_1452.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512482803179655570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF5ZawNpI/AAAAAAAABCI/oP4gcmOc7kc/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF5ZawNpI/AAAAAAAABCI/oP4gcmOc7kc/s400/IMG_1453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512482796279445138" border="0" /></a><br />She proudly found her seat, her new home away from home!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF4_H7CuI/AAAAAAAABCA/QpiHunr8Q4w/s1600/IMG_1450.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF4_H7CuI/AAAAAAAABCA/QpiHunr8Q4w/s400/IMG_1450.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512482789221141218" border="0" /></a><br />"Finally, I can wear my backpack!"<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF4N1r-oI/AAAAAAAABB4/4GxDBl1rgM8/s1600/IMG_1449.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TIBF4N1r-oI/AAAAAAAABB4/4GxDBl1rgM8/s400/IMG_1449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512482775991319170" border="0" /></a>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-32125291246406819192010-08-31T15:55:00.005-04:002010-08-31T16:50:37.220-04:00Summer Vacation Part 2The second part of our trip was in Lake George New York. It was a long rainy ride from South Jersey but Elizabeth did amazingly well. Lake George, the lake and the village, are so quaint. It was a wonderful place to visit. <br /><div style="text-align: center;">We found a fun place to eat on "Grandma's Front Porch"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1iGFqFayI/AAAAAAAABBw/dVd1fuJPHgE/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1iGFqFayI/AAAAAAAABBw/dVd1fuJPHgE/s400/IMG_1108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511669375708785442" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1iFt2ytNI/AAAAAAAABBo/QbuaNcboHyo/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1iFt2ytNI/AAAAAAAABBo/QbuaNcboHyo/s400/IMG_1107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511669369319634130" border="0" /></a><br />The big reason for going to Lake George was to visit our former neighbor, Alisha and her beauty, Mollie. We gave not seen Mollie since she was just a few weeks old. She is such a cutie. We had a fun time visiting and exchanging gifts.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hd7qDZoI/AAAAAAAABBg/8K_IvFxdR3M/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hd7qDZoI/AAAAAAAABBg/8K_IvFxdR3M/s400/IMG_1111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511668685829531266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hdeHMdUI/AAAAAAAABBY/EHaGoGIBxe4/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hdeHMdUI/AAAAAAAABBY/EHaGoGIBxe4/s400/IMG_1110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511668677898696002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hciCLBII/AAAAAAAABBQ/8puXxT4xgnY/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hciCLBII/AAAAAAAABBQ/8puXxT4xgnY/s400/IMG_1109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511668661771502722" border="0" /></a><br />We went on a horse drawn carriage ride around the lake.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hcF3DtXI/AAAAAAAABBI/jWU_7Dv_kqM/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hcF3DtXI/AAAAAAAABBI/jWU_7Dv_kqM/s400/IMG_1115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511668654208693618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hbji4bzI/AAAAAAAABBA/GB-8cHm-TJE/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1hbji4bzI/AAAAAAAABBA/GB-8cHm-TJE/s400/IMG_1117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511668644997263154" border="0" /></a><br />We then went on a cruise along Lake George. The Mini haha was alot of fun!<br /><br />Oh, how I wish I owned this chair!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1f0s9gg2I/AAAAAAAABA4/AiWjjKN5gag/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1f0s9gg2I/AAAAAAAABA4/AiWjjKN5gag/s400/IMG_1131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511666877998334818" border="0" /></a><br />Friends sharing popcorn along the way.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1f0OdOivI/AAAAAAAABAw/_QgrEcDJcyo/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1f0OdOivI/AAAAAAAABAw/_QgrEcDJcyo/s400/IMG_1133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511666869809875698" border="0" /></a><br />So pretty and vast!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1fzkHR52I/AAAAAAAABAo/-szGR2JU0VI/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1fzkHR52I/AAAAAAAABAo/-szGR2JU0VI/s400/IMG_1134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511666858443532130" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1fzTLUG8I/AAAAAAAABAg/lt9fPJp9D-c/s1600/IMG_1140.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1fzTLUG8I/AAAAAAAABAg/lt9fPJp9D-c/s400/IMG_1140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511666853897051074" border="0" /></a><br />Our hotel "The Tahoe Resort" from the lake<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1fys0O0OI/AAAAAAAABAY/xAmCk8GRhFA/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TH1fys0O0OI/AAAAAAAABAY/xAmCk8GRhFA/s400/IMG_1141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511666843599687906" border="0" /></a>It was a wonderful stay. Next time, I hope we can spend some more time and enjoy some of the other activities that the area has at offer.Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-85028199284586858532010-08-26T16:00:00.006-04:002010-08-26T16:57:47.730-04:00Our Summer VacationWe enjoyed a wonderful summer vacation! The first leg of our trip was to Wildwood NJ. My dad went there as a kid, I went there and now Elizabeth is enjoying it just as much. We stayed at a new place which was fancy by Wildwood standards. Janet and her family were in the room next door and we shared a room with Grammy and Poppie. While all of the activities were lots of fun, I think the time Elizabeth spent with her Grammy and Pop was the best. That is what she talks about most which is cool because you can jump in any waves or ride any rides but doing with your grandparents is special.<br /><br />Here is our first 5 days in pictures<br /><br />Having lunch on the Cape May Lewis Ferry. Wildwood here we come!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJey0_WbI/AAAAAAAAA-I/xXhkaQC3RPQ/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJey0_WbI/AAAAAAAAA-I/xXhkaQC3RPQ/s400/IMG_0870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509812725011667378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJfXMOwKI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/xEvu4tryyZA/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJfXMOwKI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/xEvu4tryyZA/s400/IMG_0862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509812734772822178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Grammy, Pop and E on the Tram Car<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJfk5aS4I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/Zo2eV1oM7R4/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJfk5aS4I/AAAAAAAAA-Y/Zo2eV1oM7R4/s400/IMG_0884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509812738451983234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJgTNhrtI/AAAAAAAAA-g/2xSywh9LNKY/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJgTNhrtI/AAAAAAAAA-g/2xSywh9LNKY/s400/IMG_0890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509812750884384466" border="0" /></a><br />Daddy and E on the bumper cars. She so wanted to drive.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJg8rlxWI/AAAAAAAAA-o/ZH9gTdpBTdQ/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbJg8rlxWI/AAAAAAAAA-o/ZH9gTdpBTdQ/s400/IMG_0925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509812762016335202" border="0" /></a>Fun with cousins, Domi and Gabe<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbK56qtxsI/AAAAAAAAA_I/8jjQ01fh-2M/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbK56qtxsI/AAAAAAAAA_I/8jjQ01fh-2M/s400/IMG_1020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509814290484152002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbK5SPtYsI/AAAAAAAAA_A/vuFwB6qloGg/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbK5SPtYsI/AAAAAAAAA_A/vuFwB6qloGg/s400/IMG_0956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509814279633461954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbK5H98cYI/AAAAAAAAA-4/N5ai8X3iXZc/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbK5H98cYI/AAAAAAAAA-4/N5ai8X3iXZc/s400/IMG_0943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509814276874596738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbK4ojQdpI/AAAAAAAAA-w/H5VNQQdgewA/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbK4ojQdpI/AAAAAAAAA-w/H5VNQQdgewA/s400/IMG_0941.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509814268441163410" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">She enjoyed the beach, especially jumping the waves with "Gammy"<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQD9tzRKI/AAAAAAAAA_w/CnQI7-T4IMM/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQD9tzRKI/AAAAAAAAA_w/CnQI7-T4IMM/s400/IMG_1055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509819960659231906" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQDkaaBYI/AAAAAAAAA_o/B1TMDIfAwQ0/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQDkaaBYI/AAAAAAAAA_o/B1TMDIfAwQ0/s400/IMG_1079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509819953866999170" border="0" /></a><br />Refused a nap in the hotel and then collapsed for an hour on top of me at the beach.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQDBt-scI/AAAAAAAAA_g/4Z6PGgkd_S4/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQDBt-scI/AAAAAAAAA_g/4Z6PGgkd_S4/s400/IMG_1057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509819944553853378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQCXX9XeI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/_jS-X7Uizns/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQCXX9XeI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/_jS-X7Uizns/s400/IMG_0979.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509819933187202530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQCHXvdhI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/che9wfkfrBQ/s1600/IMG_0972.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbQCHXvdhI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/che9wfkfrBQ/s400/IMG_0972.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509819928891323922" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of good food was had. She loves "Cabs"<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbSPETRcSI/AAAAAAAABAQ/xal30w0J6Qs/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbSPETRcSI/AAAAAAAABAQ/xal30w0J6Qs/s400/IMG_1093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509822350428827938" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbSOW0JGvI/AAAAAAAABAI/R8RPytjV2Cw/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbSOW0JGvI/AAAAAAAABAI/R8RPytjV2Cw/s400/IMG_1088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509822338218662642" border="0" /></a><br />and rides with Grammy was a hit.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbSOBFSAPI/AAAAAAAABAA/KUlP5QUfuU8/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbSOBFSAPI/AAAAAAAABAA/KUlP5QUfuU8/s400/IMG_1036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509822332384968946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbSNhQdCnI/AAAAAAAAA_4/Gckp_tVSLg4/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/THbSNhQdCnI/AAAAAAAAA_4/Gckp_tVSLg4/s400/IMG_1032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509822323841895026" border="0" /></a>All in all, a great extended family vacation. I am thankful that the good lord blessed us with the opportunity.Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-42509976129631856992010-07-27T15:53:00.007-04:002010-08-05T16:18:13.576-04:00It's All About the BearsWe had a wonderful camping trip on just about the hottest weekend of the trip. With our great friends, Jamey, Nelson and Anna, we headed to Jellystone Campground at Natural Bridge. We had a fantastic time! Here is our trip in pictures, in no particular order.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsY1AswUNI/AAAAAAAAA-A/-YqY5EdVHw4/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsY0nMSbkI/AAAAAAAAA94/hwRzkw0H8P8/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG">Playing along the banks of the James River<br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsY0WXQLRI/AAAAAAAAA9w/cgfEDv81zn8/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsY0WXQLRI/AAAAAAAAA9w/cgfEDv81zn8/s400/IMG_0735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018657398566162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYz8xPgiI/AAAAAAAAA9o/mVqw2ieYhzM/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYz8xPgiI/AAAAAAAAA9o/mVqw2ieYhzM/s400/IMG_0734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018650528252450" border="0" /></a>We went to the VA Safari Park. We took the wagon ride and then our car. It was great except for the heatstroke we all just about had the my bit on the a$$ from an out of control ostrich!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Anna is not sure what she is so excited about yet.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXhwzPjwI/AAAAAAAAA84/n4BHEdn67Vc/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXhwzPjwI/AAAAAAAAA84/n4BHEdn67Vc/s400/IMG_0674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502017238566145794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Llama had a nice snack out of the back seat!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYYQ7WKTI/AAAAAAAAA9g/2hRcHnwKSoc/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYYQ7WKTI/AAAAAAAAA9g/2hRcHnwKSoc/s400/IMG_0714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018174903003442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Dropping food into a bison's mouth<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYX1KG4_I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/JcNp5HST_CE/s1600/IMG_0700.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYX1KG4_I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/JcNp5HST_CE/s400/IMG_0700.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018167448724466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Forcing E to try and feed the gentle llama<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYXRpmXJI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/QtVZ8trByp0/s1600/IMG_0707.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYXRpmXJI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/QtVZ8trByp0/s400/IMG_0707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018157917133970" border="0" /></a><br />She is not so sure about being eye to eye with this buck.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYW1G6gQI/AAAAAAAAA9I/aRcwz8hbbeA/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYW1G6gQI/AAAAAAAAA9I/aRcwz8hbbeA/s400/IMG_0689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018150255460610" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sam feeds the doe!<br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYWUlEJcI/AAAAAAAAA9A/0V41z_BFfaY/s1600/IMG_0683.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsYWUlEJcI/AAAAAAAAA9A/0V41z_BFfaY/s400/IMG_0683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018141523551682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXhwzPjwI/AAAAAAAAA84/n4BHEdn67Vc/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth was brave enough to touch the pigs. She really liked the baby pigs.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXhhwrJxI/AAAAAAAAA8w/LGpp9IV4NV4/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXhhwrJxI/AAAAAAAAA8w/LGpp9IV4NV4/s400/IMG_0669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502017234528839442" border="0" /></a><br />E and Anna with the Yogi who doesn't more. He seems so much safer!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXhJ_KkRI/AAAAAAAAA8o/N2gk8imkHXQ/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXhJ_KkRI/AAAAAAAAA8o/N2gk8imkHXQ/s400/IMG_0667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502017228147167506" border="0" /></a><br />After the pledge is done the bears go back to their home for a rest.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXgwRxNxI/AAAAAAAAA8g/tV2vYo6W5JQ/s1600/IMG_0666.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXgwRxNxI/AAAAAAAAA8g/tV2vYo6W5JQ/s400/IMG_0666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502017221245875986" border="0" /></a><br />Lizzy was trying to be brave. Afterall, it was BooBoo's birthday.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXgYsg0FI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/3ACeLSlXNw0/s1600/IMG_0663.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsXgYsg0FI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/3ACeLSlXNw0/s400/IMG_0663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502017214915596370" border="0" /></a><br />E and Miss Jamey enjoying hanging out at the campsite.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWQxcSsxI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/A9UKaw1uIPM/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWQxcSsxI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/A9UKaw1uIPM/s400/IMG_0625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502015847168914194" border="0" /></a><br />Jamey and Nelson, our camping buddies (and everything else buddies too!)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWQujqWfI/AAAAAAAAA8I/zq0veXkR0iM/s1600/IMG_0624.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWQujqWfI/AAAAAAAAA8I/zq0veXkR0iM/s400/IMG_0624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502015846394518002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWQNBWvPI/AAAAAAAAA8A/f8XJF4RloZI/s1600/IMG_0663.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: right;">Best Friends!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWP_Z7CYI/AAAAAAAAA74/J9arXhXiDBY/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWP_Z7CYI/AAAAAAAAA74/J9arXhXiDBY/s400/IMG_0620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502015833737202050" border="0" /></a><br />Elizabeth really enjoyed the lake this year. Wearing her vest has brought her a new sense of confidence that she never had before. She will actually let go and let the vest do the work although she can really kick those little legs and get to where she wants to go. She has even gotten brave in the last few weeks and is willing, almost eager, to put her face under!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWPsVbujI/AAAAAAAAA7w/g5jTW_o_yNI/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsWPsVbujI/AAAAAAAAA7w/g5jTW_o_yNI/s400/IMG_0610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502015828618099250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVKQ0fX3I/AAAAAAAAA7o/z8CpFYPrruY/s1600/IMG_0595.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVKQ0fX3I/AAAAAAAAA7o/z8CpFYPrruY/s400/IMG_0595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502014635821195122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVJ0XrnUI/AAAAAAAAA7g/XRsOZ3ZCtTI/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVJ0XrnUI/AAAAAAAAA7g/XRsOZ3ZCtTI/s400/IMG_0580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502014628184169794" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVJnCfFqI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/07rmGATF4KY/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVJnCfFqI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/07rmGATF4KY/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502014624605607586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Went to the zoo and E got to ride the Elephant with Baba!<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVJEl99pI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/WzFZQj335oU/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVJEl99pI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/WzFZQj335oU/s400/IMG_0572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502014615359190674" border="0" /></a><br />She was pretty brave feeding the deer.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVIt4aKKI/AAAAAAAAA7I/rkTO596qYSY/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsVIt4aKKI/AAAAAAAAA7I/rkTO596qYSY/s400/IMG_0561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502014609262520482" border="0" /></a><br />Here is how you know everyone had a great time!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsY1AswUNI/AAAAAAAAA-A/-YqY5EdVHw4/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsY1AswUNI/AAAAAAAAA-A/-YqY5EdVHw4/s400/IMG_0718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018668763042002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsY0nMSbkI/AAAAAAAAA94/hwRzkw0H8P8/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TFsY0nMSbkI/AAAAAAAAA94/hwRzkw0H8P8/s400/IMG_0717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502018661915979330" border="0" /></a>We will be back next summer!!!<br /></div>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-22849765360433392502010-05-29T22:02:00.004-04:002010-05-29T22:25:03.034-04:00Rites of SpringStrawberry picking is a wonderful rite of springtime. We found a local farmer's market that had a hay ride out to the strawberry fields. Strawberry picking was a first for Elizabeth so it was fun to watch her search the plants for the perfect specimen. It was just hard to get it in the box instead of in her mouth, which was encouraged by the farm owners.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIVzPXuuI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/h5ddR37yEhU/s1600/IMG_2655.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIVzPXuuI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/h5ddR37yEhU/s400/IMG_2655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476878898716719842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIWOI0XVI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/Tw8psvUmIOo/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIWOI0XVI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/Tw8psvUmIOo/s400/IMG_2657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476878905936993618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIWYqnsjI/AAAAAAAAA6g/zGvXe49s8Ac/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIWYqnsjI/AAAAAAAAA6g/zGvXe49s8Ac/s400/IMG_2661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476878908763124274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIXGByf4I/AAAAAAAAA6w/7QZK9yQq1yo/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIXGByf4I/AAAAAAAAA6w/7QZK9yQq1yo/s400/IMG_2664.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476878920939896706" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We walked away with five pounds of strawberries. Red mouths, red-stained shirts and a tradition started!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHIXGByf4I/AAAAAAAAA6w/7QZK9yQq1yo/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHLOHbw-bI/AAAAAAAAA64/waNTN6vOfqc/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHLOHbw-bI/AAAAAAAAA64/waNTN6vOfqc/s400/IMG_2670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476882065233344946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">One for the bowl, one for the mouth, one for the bowl, one for the mouth<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHLOZLIbLI/AAAAAAAAA7A/WZNJsW7joEU/s1600/IMG_2684.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/TAHLOZLIbLI/AAAAAAAAA7A/WZNJsW7joEU/s400/IMG_2684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476882069995416754" border="0" /></a></div>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-17629818651000436582010-03-03T22:09:00.003-05:002010-03-03T22:17:31.449-05:00Toothless GrinsMy friend Leslie's little girl Fin and Elizabeth currently have matching toothless grins! Fin's happened recently in Disney World by the mere fact that she is 6 while Elizabeth's happened a 2 years ago because of a hard marble floor at the mall. Nonetheless, they are as cute as they can be with their matching smiles. Leslie was right when she said we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get some great pictures of the girls. They had a fun time posing and getting silly with the camera and the photographer. I think she did a great job capturing the spirit of both girls as well as their special friendship.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48k7NHGqCI/AAAAAAAAA58/hcTbcY8kVSE/s1600-h/0002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48k7NHGqCI/AAAAAAAAA58/hcTbcY8kVSE/s400/0002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444611074064558114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48k69xUs0I/AAAAAAAAA50/cbVVDOmrTVk/s1600-h/0005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48k69xUs0I/AAAAAAAAA50/cbVVDOmrTVk/s400/0005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444611069946671938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48k6Gx9CPI/AAAAAAAAA5s/-84_iMAMVTU/s1600-h/0010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48k6Gx9CPI/AAAAAAAAA5s/-84_iMAMVTU/s400/0010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444611055185365234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kyoBshxI/AAAAAAAAA5k/JowK3LIqFPw/s1600-h/0013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kyoBshxI/AAAAAAAAA5k/JowK3LIqFPw/s400/0013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444610926670808850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kyXiE8vI/AAAAAAAAA5c/BzpBdLz24oE/s1600-h/0019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kyXiE8vI/AAAAAAAAA5c/BzpBdLz24oE/s400/0019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444610922243224306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kx7pf0DI/AAAAAAAAA5U/AvCSrxaXsgI/s1600-h/0034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kx7pf0DI/AAAAAAAAA5U/AvCSrxaXsgI/s400/0034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444610914758152242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kxSN-51I/AAAAAAAAA5M/MO2s5wS3usM/s1600-h/0049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kxSN-51I/AAAAAAAAA5M/MO2s5wS3usM/s400/0049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444610903636895570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kxNja0yI/AAAAAAAAA5E/0pY4768NZpM/s1600-h/0051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S48kxNja0yI/AAAAAAAAA5E/0pY4768NZpM/s400/0051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444610902384628514" /></a>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-30164915460049437682010-02-13T12:16:00.004-05:002010-02-14T08:40:27.426-05:00Sometimes I Love My HusbandI love my husband.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because it's a just a fact of my life. Something that is true by default.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he does something sweet for me.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he overlooks the error of my ways.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because I realize I never have to worry about his faithfulness and commitment to our marriage and family.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because I see how much he loves Elizabeth.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he gets this special look on his face that lets me know he is proud of who I am.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he cares as much about my family and Max as I do.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because I'm talking to another person about him and I realize what a wonderful husband I have described.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he overlooks my too-frequent faults.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he rubs my feet after a long day.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he takes Lizzy out for a date when I don't feel good or have work I need to get done.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he keeps Elizabeth without complaining when I have to go out of town. <br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he is happy to go to all sorts of things for my job.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he serves "his girls" breakfast in bed ~ everyday.<br /><br />Sometimes I love him because he is always happy to go out to dinner instead of my cooking dinner.<br /><br />Sometimes I love my husband because I'm away from him for little while and it hits me how much I love him.<br /><br />Sometimes I love my husband when I'm listening to heartbreaking stories from bad marriages and realize how blessed I am to have him.<br /><br />Sometimes I love my husband because when he can prove I am wrong, he doesn't rub it in.<br /><br />Sometimes I love my husband because he loves me first.<br /><br />I guess if you put all those "sometimes" together, it adds up to the fact that I love my husband every minute of every day... more and more every day.<br /><br />Yep, that sounds about right. I love you Sam Apperson!!Happy Valentines Day!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S3bhMLfFj2I/AAAAAAAAA48/rCa7SI1ZZeQ/s1600-h/IMG_0444.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S3bhMLfFj2I/AAAAAAAAA48/rCa7SI1ZZeQ/s400/IMG_0444.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437781199454310242" /></a>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-23787435739822764202010-02-09T13:08:00.004-05:002010-02-09T13:26:03.787-05:00Never let it be said that I am not determined...to do anything I can to make the Polar Plunge Winter Festival happen. It was a quite a day for an outdoor charity fundraiser. We had it all ~ wind gusts to 50 mph, rain, sleet and snow. We also had a committee of about 25 incredible volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the 2010 Polar Plunge Winter Festival to benefit Special Olympics Virginia an awesome day under far from perfect conditions. I am so happy and honored to lead the pack!!! Today I feel like I have the best job!!! 2636 brave souls took the plunge into the cold Atlantic and raised over $860,000 for Special Olympics Virginia. We wouldn't let them get too wet because of the vicious waves but just standing out there in their bathing suits won them a badge of courage to me. Volunteers, supporters, plungers, you are INCREDIBLE!!!!<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vRTzLM1dWSo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vRTzLM1dWSo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aFuW__T4DrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aFuW__T4DrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-2911593912024760242010-01-29T07:45:00.004-05:002010-01-29T07:54:04.801-05:00My Little Fashionista!My little girl knows what she likes! If she doesn't like it there is no convincing her. These all pass muster!<br /><br /><br />Thanks Fin! You give the best hand-me-downs. I am wearing this today on my field trip!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY32OY_6I/AAAAAAAAA40/mIZXSYJeAQw/s1600-h/IMG_2022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY32OY_6I/AAAAAAAAA40/mIZXSYJeAQw/s400/IMG_2022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432142554522517410" border="0" /></a>Thanks Aunt Katy! This dress makes me feel like a diva! It goes perfect with the shoes from Ms. Debbie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY3UsOcpI/AAAAAAAAA4s/mjroqkOVtYo/s1600-h/IMG_2015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY3UsOcpI/AAAAAAAAA4s/mjroqkOVtYo/s400/IMG_2015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432142545520849554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY29-IP-I/AAAAAAAAA4k/IjUuohL22aw/s1600-h/IMG_2012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY29-IP-I/AAAAAAAAA4k/IjUuohL22aw/s400/IMG_2012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432142539421925346" border="0" /></a>Thanks Grammie, this one matches my "funky socks" (aka socks with polka dots)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY2o3bJVI/AAAAAAAAA4c/qpI6AEDlRlk/s1600-h/IMG_2018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY2o3bJVI/AAAAAAAAA4c/qpI6AEDlRlk/s400/IMG_2018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432142533756659026" border="0" /></a>This is my own creation! The outfit mom bought me and the princess gear from the Vanbuskirks. It is amazing how a tutu, some plastic shoes and a tiara turn an ordinary girl into a princess.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY2TiuaJI/AAAAAAAAA4U/LcB8GpKS9-M/s1600-h/IMG_2005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/S2LY2TiuaJI/AAAAAAAAA4U/LcB8GpKS9-M/s400/IMG_2005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432142528032696466" border="0" /></a><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-15931771573798410352010-01-02T22:48:00.002-05:002010-01-02T22:55:19.559-05:00TinkeringAfter a nine day trip, I have a ton of laundry to do, xmas gifts to put away, decorations to stow and a gazillion other things to accomplish. Instead of doing anything (alright, I did get a few things done) I sat and tinkered with Windows Movie Maker. I have been wanting to do this for a very long time and never could figure out which software to make it work until I was blog hopping this morning (of course wasting more valuable time). It seems pretty simple now, silly that I could not have done this last year when I wanted one for my mom's birthday. Anyhow, I know it is not Christmas related (that will be coming soon) but it was a fun group of pictures that I thought I would use as my test. Nothing is more fun than to play with photos of three beautiful little girls.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ImGuejN5hXk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ImGuejN5hXk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-83538136080816074922009-12-17T23:50:00.001-05:002009-12-17T23:51:51.034-05:00Christmas 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SysKW4w7JPI/AAAAAAAAA4M/R-ZrQoNY6n8/s1600-h/Image1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SysKW4w7JPI/AAAAAAAAA4M/R-ZrQoNY6n8/s400/Image1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416434365154141426" /></a>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-58977348146073577232009-12-07T09:15:00.001-05:002009-12-07T09:17:51.995-05:00CousinsSome things are just not meant to be shared. Why can't they share toys this well?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Sx0ONGgvWzI/AAAAAAAAA4E/R7oBfOLJUKg/s1600-h/IMG_1437.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Sx0ONGgvWzI/AAAAAAAAA4E/R7oBfOLJUKg/s400/IMG_1437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412497945418226482" border="0" /></a>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-24685674395034947702009-12-05T11:11:00.018-05:002009-12-05T11:31:54.531-05:00Thanksgiving.....In picturesWe had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Since I am now getting christmas decorations out, I realized I never posted a Thanksgiving update (nor a birthday or Halloween, but those will have to come later). My family came from Delaware and PA to celebrate with us. Elizabeth enjoyed having her MeMa, Grammie, Poppie, Aunt, Uncle and cousins all in one place.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Elizabeth preparing Poppie's favorite sweet potatoes<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqINlniOpI/AAAAAAAAA30/QSS1boga3v8/s1600-h/IMG_1486.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqINlniOpI/AAAAAAAAA30/QSS1boga3v8/s400/IMG_1486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411787669256682130" border="0" /></a><br />Uncle Max and Elizabeth watching the Parade<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqIFUKWwFI/AAAAAAAAA3s/EPVQ477G7pM/s1600-h/IMG_1546.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqIFUKWwFI/AAAAAAAAA3s/EPVQ477G7pM/s400/IMG_1546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411787527131938898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My baby looks too grown up in this picture. Where did the babyness go?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqH78DnEMI/AAAAAAAAA3k/9P0y1KOOVzo/s1600-h/IMG_1549.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqH78DnEMI/AAAAAAAAA3k/9P0y1KOOVzo/s400/IMG_1549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411787366042374338" border="0" /></a><br />Poppie and Grammie are here! Let the good times begin!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqH0xaMHEI/AAAAAAAAA3c/sHF_kI0o78o/s1600-h/IMG_1551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqH0xaMHEI/AAAAAAAAA3c/sHF_kI0o78o/s400/IMG_1551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411787242925202498" border="0" /></a><br />We have so much to be thankful for. Elizabeth is the greatest of blessings.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqHutWVhdI/AAAAAAAAA3U/sv_TRSWF2eA/s1600-h/IMG_1555.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqHutWVhdI/AAAAAAAAA3U/sv_TRSWF2eA/s400/IMG_1555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411787138756085202" border="0" /></a><br />Half of the family table.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqHmjte3qI/AAAAAAAAA3M/lcq5KI81XF0/s1600-h/IMG_1553.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqHmjte3qI/AAAAAAAAA3M/lcq5KI81XF0/s400/IMG_1553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411786998729858722" border="0" /></a><br />Cousins trudge off to see Santa. Where are the smiles??? Domi wouldn't go but Elizabeth took 18 month old Gabe up to show him how to do it!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqHaADVZmI/AAAAAAAAA3E/N0VfvzNMoRw/s1600-h/IMG_1572.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqHaADVZmI/AAAAAAAAA3E/N0VfvzNMoRw/s400/IMG_1572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411786782999406178" border="0" /></a><br />The big perk of the weekend was getting to ride in the "back back" with Grammie.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqHP98sZtI/AAAAAAAAA28/hMoBTHV8YtM/s1600-h/IMG_1592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqHP98sZtI/AAAAAAAAA28/hMoBTHV8YtM/s400/IMG_1592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411786610635990738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We took the kids to a bounce house to burn off a little energy.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth liked going down with Aunt Janet.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqG4ELBTYI/AAAAAAAAA2k/AxKLXMmgh8E/s1600-h/IMG_1602.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqG4ELBTYI/AAAAAAAAA2k/AxKLXMmgh8E/s400/IMG_1602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411786199989833090" border="0" /></a><br />Leaving Daddy to his own devices!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGwDS33DI/AAAAAAAAA2c/EmowU4p0db0/s1600-h/IMG_1634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGwDS33DI/AAAAAAAAA2c/EmowU4p0db0/s400/IMG_1634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411786062315379762" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Too much fun!!!<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGmZQmSfI/AAAAAAAAA2U/-fmnRgRTavI/s1600-h/IMG_1639.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGmZQmSfI/AAAAAAAAA2U/-fmnRgRTavI/s400/IMG_1639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411785896412727794" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Aunt Janet reads the night night stories.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGfNR6c2I/AAAAAAAAA2M/Jdhb7OMGUl0/s1600-h/IMG_1643.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGfNR6c2I/AAAAAAAAA2M/Jdhb7OMGUl0/s400/IMG_1643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411785772937933666" border="0" /></a>The next day, a little quiet time with Grammie before....<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGXDTsleI/AAAAAAAAA2E/6EImhRwKM4U/s1600-h/IMG_1649.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGXDTsleI/AAAAAAAAA2E/6EImhRwKM4U/s400/IMG_1649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411785632822105570" border="0" /></a><br />we eat more leftovers, again!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGQSGRIrI/AAAAAAAAA18/PCKb3kwyNhc/s1600-h/IMG_1651.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SxqGQSGRIrI/AAAAAAAAA18/PCKb3kwyNhc/s400/IMG_1651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411785516533228210" border="0" /></a>We hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving filled with a bounty of family, friends and good food.Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-32319852906837488942009-11-09T15:30:00.004-05:002009-11-09T16:52:41.955-05:00SoccerThis summer Elizabeth began requesting to play soccer. One of her little friends at church plays so we decided to join her team. The first few games were a disaster to say the least. After buying all of the "stuff" needed and hauling ourselves out to the field, she refused to play ~ for 3 games. Just as we were about to give up, at the fourth game, the coach took her hand and "helped" her out to the field. She has been going strong ever since. Many games she not only had to play one quarter but all four due to lack of attendance. She didn't really kick the ball but a few times but she sure did chase it around. If it came too close to her, she usually deferred to another player close by. She usually stepped it up and did it for the team. She loved to play "Purple" aka goalie. She was surprisingly good at that position. She had one game where caught all four balls that were heading in. Next season we are hoping that she will kick the ball!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">SCORE!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8rHLazqI/AAAAAAAAA08/NqkUMReznTU/s1600-h/IMG_0995.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8rHLazqI/AAAAAAAAA08/NqkUMReznTU/s400/IMG_0995.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402204833134071458" border="0" /></a><br />Kicking the ball was reserved for practice!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8q2Ha6XI/AAAAAAAAA00/eNbuqeMCA7I/s1600-h/IMG_0983.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8q2Ha6XI/AAAAAAAAA00/eNbuqeMCA7I/s400/IMG_0983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402204828553898354" border="0" /></a><br />She really liked being part of a team.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8qlxxcoI/AAAAAAAAA0s/DAW7DsJ7Emc/s1600-h/IMG_0998.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8qlxxcoI/AAAAAAAAA0s/DAW7DsJ7Emc/s400/IMG_0998.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402204824168133250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We loved our coach!!! She was great with the kids.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh-aYeQUcI/AAAAAAAAA1E/2Mk5FiiVuhY/s1600-h/IMG_1098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh-aYeQUcI/AAAAAAAAA1E/2Mk5FiiVuhY/s400/IMG_1098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402206744741958082" border="0" /></a>She had to stand on her "stage" aka fireplace hearth to show off her trophy!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8qYQ4aUI/AAAAAAAAA0k/0tgkQ7LTeGA/s1600-h/IMG_1102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8qYQ4aUI/AAAAAAAAA0k/0tgkQ7LTeGA/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402204820540516674" border="0" /></a><br />So tired!!! Our day started with a school trip to Norfolk to see Elmo, then lunch out with Mommy, then the school Halloween party, then the soccer game, then the team pizza party. I fun day!!!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8qObXqPI/AAAAAAAAA0c/Kaa4dAzhfUY/s1600-h/IMG_1104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/Svh8qObXqPI/AAAAAAAAA0c/Kaa4dAzhfUY/s400/IMG_1104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402204817900153074" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyCenter" title="Align Center" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 11);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" class="gl_align_center" border="0" /></span></span></div>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-29497425834582108162009-09-18T10:16:00.002-04:002009-09-18T10:31:00.559-04:00A Few Recent UpdatesLife has been so busy, sometimes it seems hard to carve out a few minutes to update!<br /><br />We have had a few big milestones in the last few weeks ~<br /><br />If you read often, you know we have had a struggle getting Elizabeth out of her crib. Since Elizabeth is now too big for the pack and play and the room was too small for the new inflatable bed we bought her, while on vacation, she was forced into the "big girl bed" She did great!!!! Not one issue of crying or getting out of bed. It was wonderful. Of course, once we got home, she wanted to get back into the crib. The first night we let her and the next day, down came the crib!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SrOW_V9AKjI/AAAAAAAAA0M/UVD1Q-yu0b4/s1600-h/IMG_0225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SrOW_V9AKjI/AAAAAAAAA0M/UVD1Q-yu0b4/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382811994606807602" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Elizabeth tucked into bed on vacation!</span><br /></div><br />Another big happening was both for her and for mommy and daddy!!! The picture below is everyone who was at our table for a nice Sunday lunch a couple of weeks ago! Notice who is missing!!!!! Yes, she actually went with her Uncle for the day. I was doubtful but hopeful! After a false start which included lots of crying and "no go". I, who had stayed out of the transfer, gave her a quarter and suggested she ask Uncle Lem to take her to the store for a piece of gum (her favorite thing right now). She grabbed the quarter and they were off before I could get to the window to watch. When they come home, she wanted to go again so they went to the carousel, then Uncle Lem called and said they stopped by the house (we were inside waiting for them to return)to get her backpack and stroller from the driveway and they were off to Busch Gardens for the day! We ran (not really exaggerating) to the car and enjoyed a nice lunch at a new waterfront restaurant. We then enjoyed some restful shopping and time at home to relax together. She did not get home until 9PM. She was exhausted but all smiles with lots of stories to share. Truly, it seemed like a light at the end of our tunnel!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SrOW-nb3fnI/AAAAAAAAA0E/H2qHDVU1zAg/s1600-h/IMG_0444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SrOW-nb3fnI/AAAAAAAAA0E/H2qHDVU1zAg/s400/IMG_0444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382811982119796338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The first date for Mommy and Daddy in 17 months, but who's counting!</span><br /></div>Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322997142456411081.post-34882801181577486972009-08-22T23:11:00.006-04:002009-08-22T23:39:10.109-04:00Our Gotcha Day Celebration ContinuedFor Gotcha Day, Elizabeth gets to choose where we go for dinner. Of course she picks "soup" which is her favorite Chinese buffet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Momma loves her baby!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC0MYiudTI/AAAAAAAAAys/eWBb7ysWpKQ/s1600-h/IMG_0087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC0MYiudTI/AAAAAAAAAys/eWBb7ysWpKQ/s400/IMG_0087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372992480292533554" border="0" /></a><br />A Blessed Family of 3!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC0L64qfDI/AAAAAAAAAyk/ymMkH4GQIRw/s1600-h/IMG_0083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC0L64qfDI/AAAAAAAAAyk/ymMkH4GQIRw/s400/IMG_0083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372992472331484210" border="0" /></a><br />Yum, Yum, her favorite<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC0LE9tFqI/AAAAAAAAAyc/Vjz8p1hPgKI/s1600-h/IMG_0075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC0LE9tFqI/AAAAAAAAAyc/Vjz8p1hPgKI/s400/IMG_0075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372992457857111714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC0KpFKiTI/AAAAAAAAAyU/K1ugNcqchik/s1600-h/IMG_0060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC0KpFKiTI/AAAAAAAAAyU/K1ugNcqchik/s400/IMG_0060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372992450372208946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After dinner we had sang Happy Gotcha Day and got a few treats including a doll that I had bought in China. We also picked out a charm on line which will go on her charm bracelet. It should be no surprise that it is a Mickey charm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC1cqS8c_I/AAAAAAAAAzE/SI72FPgR1_U/s1600-h/IMG_0104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC1cqS8c_I/AAAAAAAAAzE/SI72FPgR1_U/s400/IMG_0104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372993859447714802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC1cDFCElI/AAAAAAAAAy8/s-a3Q8TEp7c/s1600-h/IMG_0096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC1cDFCElI/AAAAAAAAAy8/s-a3Q8TEp7c/s400/IMG_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372993848920379986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC1bpw8GDI/AAAAAAAAAy0/UqHJijLTaGM/s1600-h/IMG_0088.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC1bpw8GDI/AAAAAAAAAy0/UqHJijLTaGM/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372993842125215794" border="0" /></a><br />This weekend we went to Richmond to meet with two other families we traveled to China with. We sure did miss Little Miss C and DD and DB. After plenty of socializing and reconnecting on Friday night, we went to the Richmond Zoo on Saturday. It was blazing hot (not quite as bad a China but getting worse by the minute) but it was great. Fin, you would love it!!!!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Elizabeth and J were happy to see each other and reconnected so quickly!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC24iD1eMI/AAAAAAAAAzM/AFt4f4oWDoo/s1600-h/IMG_0111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC24iD1eMI/AAAAAAAAAzM/AFt4f4oWDoo/s400/IMG_0111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372995437784824002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After dinner J joined J and Elizabeth. They were silly and tired!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC25i7PY2I/AAAAAAAAAzc/_xaoGkzXZqE/s1600-h/IMG_0172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC25i7PY2I/AAAAAAAAAzc/_xaoGkzXZqE/s400/IMG_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372995455197078370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Fun was had with the all of the treats the girls had received.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC25PB5oHI/AAAAAAAAAzU/uLHoHSFNhSQ/s1600-h/IMG_0121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC25PB5oHI/AAAAAAAAAzU/uLHoHSFNhSQ/s400/IMG_0121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372995449856303218" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The zoo was fun! Lots of different animals. Fin ~ you gotta go!<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC26OVLb9I/AAAAAAAAAzk/DMg-OioRDLY/s1600-h/IMG_0182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC26OVLb9I/AAAAAAAAAzk/DMg-OioRDLY/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372995466848595922" border="0" /></a><br />It was time to part ways at the zoo. Nobody seemed excited to leave or maybe they were just hot, tired, hungry and dehydrated!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC26jtLhpI/AAAAAAAAAzs/iuNlzIX-WoA/s1600-h/IMG_0194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC26jtLhpI/AAAAAAAAAzs/iuNlzIX-WoA/s400/IMG_0194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372995472586409618" border="0" /></a><br />We got to share one last meal with J and her family before we parted ways. Cool air, cool drinks and some food brought those smiles back out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC4u29QviI/AAAAAAAAAz0/bcSfvyfJAkY/s1600-h/IMG_0198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC4u29QviI/AAAAAAAAAz0/bcSfvyfJAkY/s400/IMG_0198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372997470618959394" border="0" /></a><br />Elizabeth fell asleep in the car and slept most of the way home! She needed it!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC4vefgy-I/AAAAAAAAAz8/lWZUTZDe_10/s1600-h/IMG_0200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PfcMcOwdNlc/SpC4vefgy-I/AAAAAAAAAz8/lWZUTZDe_10/s400/IMG_0200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372997481231600610" border="0" /></a>We missed those who couldn't come. You were constantly in our thoughts and part of our memories recollected! We have some big plans already in motion for next year. We hope we will ALL be together again!Debbie and Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633454032019261452noreply@blogger.com1