tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32518282128952118752024-03-19T04:01:21.387-06:00Jordan, Crystal, Clara, Lucas and WillAlways ready for the next adventure.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-34422321157226199112013-11-22T22:02:00.000-07:002014-03-25T16:39:40.932-06:00Fundraiser for Gabriel and his familyTo donate to help Gabriel and his family, you can send us a check:<br />
Our Address: 59 E. 1300 North, Orem, UT 84057<br />
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As many people know, the political situation in
Venezuela has been tenuous for years. Former President Hugo Chavez
created a system that strongly entrenched his socialist party as the
major political force in the country, and he, his successor,
and many others involved in the party have worked to maintain that
power. Venezuela, however, remains a democratic country, so there are
opposition parties and candidates seeking to change the direction of the
country.</div>
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My friend, Gabriel, with whom I served as a Mormon
missionary in Venezuela in the early 2000s, is one of the people who has
tried to politically stand up to the Chavez regime. Gabriel loves his
native Venezuela and has done his part by
running for office and assisting in political campaigns against the
party of Chavez. As a result of his openly taking a stand against the
politics of this party, he has been ridiculed, persecuted, and
physically attacked. Not to go into too much detail, but
he has had his home searched by the National Guard, his brother was
kidnapped by men who mistook him for Gabriel, he was
threatened by two men who - when they couldn’t catch him – broke his
four-year-old son’s arm while he watched, and he has
been beaten and he and his family have been threatened at gunpoint.</div>
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Because of this persecution, he made the courageous
decision to come to the United States and request political asylum.
Gabriel has been in the U.S. since February 2013, and this whole time,
his wife and four sons have been stuck in Venezuela
waiting for the results of his asylum request. Gabriel has been living
with us for the last four months. He has been blessed to find work, so he has been able to send money home for his family, and he has been able to find fantastic, affordable housing that will comfortably accommodate his family.<br />
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Gabriel is being patient as the asylum
process takes time, but the stress and strain on his wife and sons has
been tremendous. One of his sons was hospitalized recently with dengue fever, leaving his wife to scramble for what to do to help him heal and how to take care of the other three. This stress increased when Gabriel’s
father-in-law died suddenly Nov. 18, 2013.<br />
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The separation has taken its toll on his family, and he and his wife have made the hard decision for her and the boys to come to Utah and begin making their life in the United States. We have received many wonderful donations of clothing, furniture and furnishings, such that Gabriel and his family have many of the things they need as they start their new life. They do not, however, have the funds necessary to purchase flights and pay for other things they need to get settled.<br />
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For this reason, Crystal and I have set up a fundraiser to help this wonderful family. I have put information at the top of this post for how to donate. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Crystal or myself.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-35430703905204662692012-12-11T21:00:00.001-07:002012-12-11T21:13:07.072-07:00Mars Bar Brownies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpq0UuGAks1E8QGWRJX3lOPF-FTn_yAiELGjbzd1jX05YmpvnFCxCo0nJvim34jnj4QCLMcprf1tYR7l5WFEjdqWZwnb675TEEpY4w1dEDhDWIXpPE3AYrQzf5Sbx4j9QsWHj4rYV3W3g/s1600/IMG_2553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
My favorite candy bar ever is the Mars Bar. Sadly, for me, these are not sold in the US anymore and since I don't have many occasions to travel to Europe (many=none at all), I am left sitting back, thinking about those Mars bars, wishing I had one. And while Snickers with Almond are a close second, they are not the same thing. So I decided to give myself a little trip to Europe this Christmas! Or my taste buds, at least. I wanted to make my own Mars bar, but not a candy bar, a DESSERT bar! My go-to dessert always seems to be brownies, because, hey, who doesn't love a gooey, delicious, chocolatey brownie. Brownies make the base of my version of a Mars Bar. Next, I needed a good nougat, but really, who has time to make their own nougat? So I thought of the next best thing: Marshmallow fluff! Then I needed almonds, caramel sauce, and a little more chocolate to top it off and there you have it! Mars Bars! <br />
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Mars Bar Brownies<br />
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1 boxed brownie mix, prepared according to package directions (or make your own from scratch)<br />
1-7 oz jar marshmallow fluff<br />
1 cup almonds(I used slivered because that's what I found at the store, but use whatever you want)<br />
1- 14oz bag wrapped caramels<br />
1/4 cup cream<br />
2 cups milk chocolate chips<br />
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Directions:<br />
After preparing your brownies, allow them to cool completely.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9C_7dLWlsWzrliOc236W9JegSG3Aq_Tmkip77Hu9q8IT5xb1I2ZTtEm68kqQGOlhL-H0t3tBiI1U_qSWfizp2yXr7L9bIeZL1DWOoMN0Q86l8VjFfoJRXhuLJR8nLhM0SQDtU4MGoFc/s1600/IMG_2536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9C_7dLWlsWzrliOc236W9JegSG3Aq_Tmkip77Hu9q8IT5xb1I2ZTtEm68kqQGOlhL-H0t3tBiI1U_qSWfizp2yXr7L9bIeZL1DWOoMN0Q86l8VjFfoJRXhuLJR8nLhM0SQDtU4MGoFc/s640/IMG_2536.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Spread marshmallow fluff over brownies.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFtpqcwBeV8-clrvaw7tuRa_FvheKiJWq1xELG1-eu4mlFw-Dfhlz3c3FoQ5xbWIVmVO4XSO0Uzv9Pu5v2NW226IcohAdy6KXEsSpBJCGOFrNEBvYY7H29rQoJAKn__Q2-Go8eF21dnI/s1600/IMG_2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFtpqcwBeV8-clrvaw7tuRa_FvheKiJWq1xELG1-eu4mlFw-Dfhlz3c3FoQ5xbWIVmVO4XSO0Uzv9Pu5v2NW226IcohAdy6KXEsSpBJCGOFrNEBvYY7H29rQoJAKn__Q2-Go8eF21dnI/s640/IMG_2537.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Sprinkle with almonds.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcgz58OECtMwR6reoW1XPHInvv2yF-PBt9g5QlDYX8GPtbZ4iTESZ-WCjUeTQZsEe9lnrRrIpLYRVMMkzcvrQyGqyJwM1fRaCqZfHwPFOWr-k2eJNQ4Qsmg_iBcJpxn_ud_hvMzoaVy0/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcgz58OECtMwR6reoW1XPHInvv2yF-PBt9g5QlDYX8GPtbZ4iTESZ-WCjUeTQZsEe9lnrRrIpLYRVMMkzcvrQyGqyJwM1fRaCqZfHwPFOWr-k2eJNQ4Qsmg_iBcJpxn_ud_hvMzoaVy0/s640/IMG_2538.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Unwrap caramels and melt in the microwave in 30 second increments, adding cream as needed to thin out, until caramels are all melted but the mixture is still fairly thick. Or if you are super cool like me and you don't have a microwave (I know, I must live under a rock or something), then melt them in a double boiler with the cream. 1/4 cup cream was the perfect amount to make the caramel candy bar consistency. I didn't use jarred caramel because it is too thin for what I wanted. Spread the caramel over the almonds.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uPdckgjgyEwxIb2BTeVpNU9yJN3MMjVt30gLd-Q_2Gq6cOlI0ZjVh-GClIkBsO6b2N9zQyYuMfZe-mnOcAPu7iJMPfljq93Fjnn7BYBDpiAX9WGJA6phsFGJdJlrU051kfQ0Jc5dE0Q/s1600/IMG_2542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uPdckgjgyEwxIb2BTeVpNU9yJN3MMjVt30gLd-Q_2Gq6cOlI0ZjVh-GClIkBsO6b2N9zQyYuMfZe-mnOcAPu7iJMPfljq93Fjnn7BYBDpiAX9WGJA6phsFGJdJlrU051kfQ0Jc5dE0Q/s640/IMG_2542.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRpsn_bumHwmZeO7eYosSc3yvX1gH0pJ85LpVAiuHH_7dBLpPfSGX1CUT2z52BCF_cAHXx9tnsqh09dl1V8GvyDXBrmnKG8QWJoiICH6ky6-EyPmxYuM7XVZuh8MlFyRp2TX6x9ADvVc/s1600/IMG_2543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRpsn_bumHwmZeO7eYosSc3yvX1gH0pJ85LpVAiuHH_7dBLpPfSGX1CUT2z52BCF_cAHXx9tnsqh09dl1V8GvyDXBrmnKG8QWJoiICH6ky6-EyPmxYuM7XVZuh8MlFyRp2TX6x9ADvVc/s640/IMG_2543.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Melt your chocolate chips either in the microwave or over a double boiler, just like the caramels and pour them over the top, smoothing it out as you go.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUWD5Oco4jFu1qWn8zkBvkh_gdazWSlWG-r97QxIH9oGymr4pjge0XpwKBbrzvCqOewju-oBP5xK0MBuZk2nUJ-KlgZtq014xACQh-5_L9PIQeJwxPnqvOXGInQhxifOieCJqdij9Q_0/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUWD5Oco4jFu1qWn8zkBvkh_gdazWSlWG-r97QxIH9oGymr4pjge0XpwKBbrzvCqOewju-oBP5xK0MBuZk2nUJ-KlgZtq014xACQh-5_L9PIQeJwxPnqvOXGInQhxifOieCJqdij9Q_0/s640/IMG_2550.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Pop it in the fridge for an hour, just to let the chocolate set, then dig in!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpq0UuGAks1E8QGWRJX3lOPF-FTn_yAiELGjbzd1jX05YmpvnFCxCo0nJvim34jnj4QCLMcprf1tYR7l5WFEjdqWZwnb675TEEpY4w1dEDhDWIXpPE3AYrQzf5Sbx4j9QsWHj4rYV3W3g/s1600/IMG_2553.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpq0UuGAks1E8QGWRJX3lOPF-FTn_yAiELGjbzd1jX05YmpvnFCxCo0nJvim34jnj4QCLMcprf1tYR7l5WFEjdqWZwnb675TEEpY4w1dEDhDWIXpPE3AYrQzf5Sbx4j9QsWHj4rYV3W3g/s640/IMG_2553.JPG" width="640" /></a>Don't they look great? Go make these! They are super easy, and while they aren't strictly
Christmasy, they are quite indulgent, and sometimes that is all you need
to get into the spirit! And since this makes a whole 9x13 pan, that means there will be PLENTY to share with the neighbors or any holiday guests that might stop by! Oh and by the way, <b style="color: #694a3a; font-family: Candara, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px;"><i>I am entering these Mars Bar Brownies in the Creative Holiday Recipe Contest hosted by <a href="http://confessionsofacookbookqueen.com/" style="color: #ff8496; text-decoration: initial;">Confessions of a Cookbook Queen</a> and <a href="http://cookiesandcups.com/" style="color: #ff8496; text-decoration: initial;">Cookies and Cups</a>!</i></b>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-14980238587716594022012-11-17T14:30:00.001-07:002012-11-17T14:30:38.859-07:00TriathlonCrystal and I did our first triathlon Nov. 10. The snow made them cancel the bike ride and add calisthenics and another half-mile run. We were both sad to not get to bike, but it was fun nonetheless. My sisters Kathryn and Christina raced, too, as well as a bunch of my cousins. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYKlh-1eh4qX79nK6myhNQnHyw_eA34tK79k3Wgxa-h6e8N6aRKZbpni3J1dJP_dO8PKxtSyzKfjcVQYR7FwqxnffoLBsA8h7wpFHZJPZpRv-Ejpz_ddWHwve7E_ng36WdWIVSDt4uo8I/s640/blogger-image--735331723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYKlh-1eh4qX79nK6myhNQnHyw_eA34tK79k3Wgxa-h6e8N6aRKZbpni3J1dJP_dO8PKxtSyzKfjcVQYR7FwqxnffoLBsA8h7wpFHZJPZpRv-Ejpz_ddWHwve7E_ng36WdWIVSDt4uo8I/s640/blogger-image--735331723.jpg" /></a></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-183830670856899862012-07-01T20:18:00.001-06:002012-07-01T20:23:01.333-06:00We're still alive!We are still alive, albeit not that great at blogging.<br />
Here are some current pictures of us in and around our new home in Orem, Utah.<br />
Lucas loves the dishwasher, Clara loves to wear her dress that was Crystal's when she was little, and Jordan and the boys got a picture in a recent mountain hike.<br />
Now that I have a Blogger app on my phone, hopefully I'll update things more regularly.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv9IBsyD4wgKtBsxfwWZyA2fTYsoIcgY9ATq8dEXTd6k5uE7nklWRFmzGT3ManC1m_7XT-DlPowiw9Vc5TkZCNSdiHzb6kfd66S4lxKimStkeDb30eEoSSemv3b1Tsbcflg-MWJff1z_o/s640/blogger-image-300198074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv9IBsyD4wgKtBsxfwWZyA2fTYsoIcgY9ATq8dEXTd6k5uE7nklWRFmzGT3ManC1m_7XT-DlPowiw9Vc5TkZCNSdiHzb6kfd66S4lxKimStkeDb30eEoSSemv3b1Tsbcflg-MWJff1z_o/s640/blogger-image-300198074.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGo1h1Eyu3ct3fz7olSuOvvgA2wKXTc0UKEXBk8Co0q5xZRSw-Nwb-XFXXxe3Q5ZYPEU1oPwIAaXxAB2g96KhmFaVCLSOvYHqpFnLHzoFTLXIruUnk_U-Uc7TC9RKTYgGsIQC4c_auHti/s640/blogger-image--60776132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGo1h1Eyu3ct3fz7olSuOvvgA2wKXTc0UKEXBk8Co0q5xZRSw-Nwb-XFXXxe3Q5ZYPEU1oPwIAaXxAB2g96KhmFaVCLSOvYHqpFnLHzoFTLXIruUnk_U-Uc7TC9RKTYgGsIQC4c_auHti/s640/blogger-image--60776132.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hxEYuLbnSDoWq2yuuaLV0gclU4Ll19T1X6S-PzK0h9MEjhZp3099n7stvwkwlJPQ_G58yzcPGwUkD2yBmNP4NhpQDtFTWFmPcb-BxJiPvavnjAWjBrCTtEOwak-LjwQSVK-K-1D-3z4X/s640/blogger-image-357347463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hxEYuLbnSDoWq2yuuaLV0gclU4Ll19T1X6S-PzK0h9MEjhZp3099n7stvwkwlJPQ_G58yzcPGwUkD2yBmNP4NhpQDtFTWFmPcb-BxJiPvavnjAWjBrCTtEOwak-LjwQSVK-K-1D-3z4X/s640/blogger-image-357347463.jpg" /></a></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-29123361089600620072011-11-13T14:27:00.001-07:002011-11-13T14:53:03.529-07:00Playing with cousinsWe had some fun with cousins in the last week. First, Crystal's sister, Heather, and her family came to visit us. My brother-in-law Scott and I drove to Canton and spent Saturday in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which was really cool. When we got back, Crystal and Heather (in true Sorensen girl form) had made tons of treats - mostly pastries like bearclaws and Danishes - so we got to enjoy those, as well.<br />
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Clara and Lucas loved playing with cousins Payton and Jenna. Here are some pictures of Payton holding Will and playing with other kids.<br />
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Clara likes to make funny faces.<br />
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Lucas decided to put his hand in his pocket, and with his curly hair and untucked white shirt, he looks pretty debonair. He would look even a little grown up, too, if not for his lack of teeth and chubby wrist.<br />
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A couple days later, Harry and Wyatt came over for an hour or so, and it was such a nice day that Lucas took them in the back yard to play. Clara was taking a nap (shocker!), so it was an all-boy cousins party in the back yard. Check out the fun.<br />
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Stripey buddies. <br />
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Happy brothers. <br />
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There is a reason ATV manufacturers no longer make three-wheelers. They are dangerous. This is one of the times Lucas had not crashed his. <br />
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Wyatt and his hog.<br />
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So, here is Lucas after another three-wheeled vehicle caused him consternation. <br />
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And, I don't know why he did this, but Lucas went and knelt in the grass under a fruit tree and folded his fingers like he was praying. It is a little reminiscent of Joseph Smith. I hope he was praying for me to find a job, and that it is answered quickly.<br />
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<br />Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-19640676099350218472011-11-13T14:15:00.001-07:002011-11-13T15:06:19.750-07:00Will is growing<br />
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Here are some updated photos of young Will. He is growing quickly, having gained more than 2 pounds and 1.5 inches since he was born.<br />
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He is getting more alert and stronger each day and his personality is more apparent, as well. He is pretty mellow. <br />
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Here's a short video of Willberforce, as we sometimes call him. Willster is another common nickname.<br />
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<br />Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-91331759339506110772011-10-11T18:11:00.000-06:002011-10-11T18:11:23.933-06:00Grandma Arrives!So I have thankfully had a pretty light school load for the last week, so I've been doing more direct parenting than usual. I have a greater appreciation for Crystal and any other mom of young children, and I've also had a lot of fun cruising around with Clara and Lucas.<br />
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Crystal's mom got her today and we are all so excited and grateful that she's here. Will has taken right to her, at least as much as he's taken to any of us!<br />
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So, Clara and I had a great scheme set for after dinner today. We've been telling Crystal we had a surprise for her for a couple days, and today was the day to spring it on her. We all put on our sandals and decided to enjoy the 78-degree mid-October weather with some ice cream. There is an ice cream shop less than 50 yards from our house and this was the fourth time we've ever gone. We got two-scoop sundaes (on sale for less than one-scoop cones - go figure) and walked (or, for one of us, toddled) back to the front porch to enjoy our treats.<br />
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Lucas' ice cream ended up, appropriately, all over him.And Clara enjoyed hers immensely, as well. <br />
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Will will be upset with us some day because he didn't get any. (Also, that is the first time I used his name next to the future-tense word that is exactly the same as his name. I'm sure it won't be the first time Will will hear that.) <br />
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Clara helped Lucas get his last sticky bite. And then hammed it up for the camera for a while <br />
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Then, it was clearly time for a bath. The water was dirty about 5 seconds after we plopped them in, so it was a good thing we gave them a bath. <br />
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After the bath, lotion, diapers, hairbrushing, hugs, etc., they kids were ready for bed. They love the jammies Aunt Rachael made for them! <br />
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And, they love their Momma. Both kids are still adjusting to not having as much of her time and attention right now, but Crystal is doing a great job of spreading her love and time around. <br />
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I'll post more Will pictures soon. <br />
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<br />Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-46871404415494981352011-10-11T17:49:00.005-06:002011-10-11T17:49:56.354-06:00The GrantsOur friends Lindsey and Edwin Grant came over to visit Will and hang out (we stayed up laughing and playing for a long time, it was great!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3utXNlHzZGy-VwmbjJLY40hXh-felnDAR28gYm9PzO68iUaLoH02ZxZM3f2-lzkMCIGIdDu3kLglB5YfpluRSnSjssFr1iSZlsT-xHDNh2w2UwfAfp7b__gOb5ckBmOjDTEHEd2IIpOSu/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3utXNlHzZGy-VwmbjJLY40hXh-felnDAR28gYm9PzO68iUaLoH02ZxZM3f2-lzkMCIGIdDu3kLglB5YfpluRSnSjssFr1iSZlsT-xHDNh2w2UwfAfp7b__gOb5ckBmOjDTEHEd2IIpOSu/s320/IMG_0410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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They also pampered the kids with presents, taco dip, and cupcakes.<br />
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The cupcakes were obviously addressed to will, but Lucas was quick to grab a handful. <br />
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<br />Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-76248509436636195112011-10-03T18:03:00.006-06:002011-10-03T18:20:52.623-06:00Meet Will!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfHfxct25S5_UeZQcxkS7yU0w6Hz4PUs-_b6Mhyphenhyphen0Ushi7AuQDDhD773QJYvFQj1Ekvb-2QdXQcc51KUzxpUIZPngdE15Wk5zlzsYGwTD0zTMzosHgVe-rKD6KIIpDvZFzTM5UL1d-mlDi/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfHfxct25S5_UeZQcxkS7yU0w6Hz4PUs-_b6Mhyphenhyphen0Ushi7AuQDDhD773QJYvFQj1Ekvb-2QdXQcc51KUzxpUIZPngdE15Wk5zlzsYGwTD0zTMzosHgVe-rKD6KIIpDvZFzTM5UL1d-mlDi/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659424624048983666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK04JJ4q_jA7Nf9XZNCZCK9g7dP98GWr84Ni9a0WyIXuffruC2lmsbyyJVKsYuZ6dWwD972HeReo3jmLhse8l5QfFfiLIUkr0Pt4YugKJmllXsbn6MVekszU46Yd1M8inVqgPwVc4nFc4C/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK04JJ4q_jA7Nf9XZNCZCK9g7dP98GWr84Ni9a0WyIXuffruC2lmsbyyJVKsYuZ6dWwD972HeReo3jmLhse8l5QfFfiLIUkr0Pt4YugKJmllXsbn6MVekszU46Yd1M8inVqgPwVc4nFc4C/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659423951977149026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYARyRZeUhlNcvZe9V9qSB-7v3H6AZMQ-xwPwUm7y7z1DLbYx1S_2MscAY_SHZVpwMbMbY3X4kEZO4CXMAboDFVWtR_JtBmvp0Sg4lsPNymfcnve-RCEYnvSOebwF2oQve7gajWlA3wHr5/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYARyRZeUhlNcvZe9V9qSB-7v3H6AZMQ-xwPwUm7y7z1DLbYx1S_2MscAY_SHZVpwMbMbY3X4kEZO4CXMAboDFVWtR_JtBmvp0Sg4lsPNymfcnve-RCEYnvSOebwF2oQve7gajWlA3wHr5/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659423940073270770" border="0" /></a><br />Will Muhlestein was born today at 2:32 p.m.<br />Like his siblings, he has no middle name, and we'll let him choose his own for his 16th Birthday.<br />He was 7 pound 10 ounces, 20.5 inches long, and is cute as a button. Everything went well for Will and Crystal and we are so grateful he arrived safely. Here are some photos!<br /><br />He is a little sweetheart, hardly even cried after he was born and then went right to cuddling with his Mama. He also loves to eat already, so he'll fit right in at our house!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-pYegkCjk5sVCiN52mIh56512IYO-FBm9UQC5NgbwRljCVevd0zpQ0UcRPBMDBUSrWHqr2wfwR4PC1SE9YWU_p_n1v98KcF31JlNENgEPkR4zK8dupVK9qr87xViaWt9G4XDQJHYSigE/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+015.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-pYegkCjk5sVCiN52mIh56512IYO-FBm9UQC5NgbwRljCVevd0zpQ0UcRPBMDBUSrWHqr2wfwR4PC1SE9YWU_p_n1v98KcF31JlNENgEPkR4zK8dupVK9qr87xViaWt9G4XDQJHYSigE/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659423973937894578" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwNvs6HUQ2V8Nb_Z0ej1u0Z7eKtOkNENK5pcrbNJnxJdYirHnEVnXR_B2v8aLEyim5yxWSq-7lj9h0FG4wa8WLg9jzux7YDZdL4RKcBOXopUK8YIvj-PtE-EpCAhUNV96JlfSzyb82Kvi/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwNvs6HUQ2V8Nb_Z0ej1u0Z7eKtOkNENK5pcrbNJnxJdYirHnEVnXR_B2v8aLEyim5yxWSq-7lj9h0FG4wa8WLg9jzux7YDZdL4RKcBOXopUK8YIvj-PtE-EpCAhUNV96JlfSzyb82Kvi/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659423959609670754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCXNkqDUi7BWVKjcEFacwC7NY0Z3571r99oFwjx7e4crQiBqrtbydXyzhgg1Y3bnUtoBup2toY7QfaOpBLsV4ZfOvvsvPgl0r0_Z4bqTcjdJWkKXRS3miXJLCE08GwmTBp_ltwIc0_A7B/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+025.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCXNkqDUi7BWVKjcEFacwC7NY0Z3571r99oFwjx7e4crQiBqrtbydXyzhgg1Y3bnUtoBup2toY7QfaOpBLsV4ZfOvvsvPgl0r0_Z4bqTcjdJWkKXRS3miXJLCE08GwmTBp_ltwIc0_A7B/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659421691960318498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJv9Vs9kAFUnoPSqvMdSCKjBLaQm056sGzi9l41TqN9rQeFc1utR5mrMg7YFq4cNb46bOqDZyqRZ1Mt5KVlPsoYg-57D2AGT_Y8xMDSFlUHG9XKuTb6dwfciLWcKL9TUscEu-VtCRScvZ/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJv9Vs9kAFUnoPSqvMdSCKjBLaQm056sGzi9l41TqN9rQeFc1utR5mrMg7YFq4cNb46bOqDZyqRZ1Mt5KVlPsoYg-57D2AGT_Y8xMDSFlUHG9XKuTb6dwfciLWcKL9TUscEu-VtCRScvZ/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659421688674044642" border="0" /></a>Lucas is saying "cheese!" He really likes to get his picture taken.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYQWOLBp6wLwOVEyE_hZetSUu8IW2ocfRUi85UphWeaTgF1cUHA8gm0om1EsRK_UyVw2ocQ1QIIhz7Ce0AGOLAh2p0PAXfA1iWf8nnGnaA8Cz0hXNEYdcLjk9Hx5bj7Wm0eyfTK-Sssq-/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+012.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYQWOLBp6wLwOVEyE_hZetSUu8IW2ocfRUi85UphWeaTgF1cUHA8gm0om1EsRK_UyVw2ocQ1QIIhz7Ce0AGOLAh2p0PAXfA1iWf8nnGnaA8Cz0hXNEYdcLjk9Hx5bj7Wm0eyfTK-Sssq-/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659421681983479922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUXgpW3QJkWNx73h8gA4JrMamGRgsGyl1QC5CRIZW9pxfnwRxrgdXpck6JFpaWdpdSHYZiYaSxFxJ4jfeU_r4gC9q4PzeMcAP1rz6DJ2D4XIQoj_OcNDVZNZPnBgxfI2qXzGtpplx3p0N/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUXgpW3QJkWNx73h8gA4JrMamGRgsGyl1QC5CRIZW9pxfnwRxrgdXpck6JFpaWdpdSHYZiYaSxFxJ4jfeU_r4gC9q4PzeMcAP1rz6DJ2D4XIQoj_OcNDVZNZPnBgxfI2qXzGtpplx3p0N/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659421675737970226" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_FSpGdRDXGgn99HzD_9WgegDA4lscJjsg6t3e5xf69tusCsF0Yf10hNryeB0hX5PiS5J2GKvIB6fWLWWeC4NxjiKmh7Z3ajy-6xpNbY2LY5b_Z-Rvb1fGU3_nSYUHG6tMcP2TyU4rb14/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+023.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_FSpGdRDXGgn99HzD_9WgegDA4lscJjsg6t3e5xf69tusCsF0Yf10hNryeB0hX5PiS5J2GKvIB6fWLWWeC4NxjiKmh7Z3ajy-6xpNbY2LY5b_Z-Rvb1fGU3_nSYUHG6tMcP2TyU4rb14/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659421703430176802" border="0" /></a>The older siblings were so excited!<br /><br /><br />And Will got to meet his cousins Harry and Wyatt and Uncle David and Aunt Megan for the first time, too. He took right to them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdN5EhL3Sxtwv8FLAZkbjqEX3WrSHpAA65a0u2JM6NO3YlZu_keVc_q_iTmUdQPsUDENdwNQaUM7x4tQL3HzqyEs_dVK-_T2id7Qu-Q0p22lQsm0SrENzkyFOV563BtOHz__VEAwsAYLB/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+018.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdN5EhL3Sxtwv8FLAZkbjqEX3WrSHpAA65a0u2JM6NO3YlZu_keVc_q_iTmUdQPsUDENdwNQaUM7x4tQL3HzqyEs_dVK-_T2id7Qu-Q0p22lQsm0SrENzkyFOV563BtOHz__VEAwsAYLB/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659424040121245618" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm15qnfRjj-R6AvTTFyFZZyShYiR9FPhkVrFnwSVwFqfKmScD1qoeOp1gWuLv0nnw0HOh2Y4DIP3LZJy7d6iV_VNh0GE9pCOBbDiAomERxd1JHYtGoQM4UdWrTFCxdw5fmNyZyCWeg0QAt/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+022.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm15qnfRjj-R6AvTTFyFZZyShYiR9FPhkVrFnwSVwFqfKmScD1qoeOp1gWuLv0nnw0HOh2Y4DIP3LZJy7d6iV_VNh0GE9pCOBbDiAomERxd1JHYtGoQM4UdWrTFCxdw5fmNyZyCWeg0QAt/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659424616171384578" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yocf_lzJKOGw_T-oxfydayJxEPXDTBsv6zYGOlX3c6j_MZwozDBT_xUrnafPrHCssmcxK5lflfPexPk4-pXwdwycLLrsRcdkJQfbHygL0r9FtIbhaq5HjNMbb45G754zAFHIEsSeukeO/s1600/Will%2527s+Birth+021.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yocf_lzJKOGw_T-oxfydayJxEPXDTBsv6zYGOlX3c6j_MZwozDBT_xUrnafPrHCssmcxK5lflfPexPk4-pXwdwycLLrsRcdkJQfbHygL0r9FtIbhaq5HjNMbb45G754zAFHIEsSeukeO/s400/Will%2527s+Birth+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659424607715971858" border="0" /></a>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-82908691437680722832011-09-04T09:22:00.003-06:002011-09-04T14:34:12.324-06:00My Law Graduation SpeechSo, I was selected as the speaker for Honor's Convocation at law school graduation in May. I wanted to share my speech. Sorry it's taken a while.
<br />
<br />I titled it, "A Change for the Better."
<br />
<br />The video doesn't have all of my speech, so I started out with this story:
<br />
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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">One morning in a Professional Responsibility class during the fall of 2009, a visiting speaker came to explain the documented increased risk for mental illness and substance abuse in attorneys and law students. He talked about the stresses we just put ourselves through for the past three years, and those which we are heading toward in future … actually starting Monday (look at watch), less than 65 hours from now, when we start studying for the bar.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After explaining the stresses on time and relationships related to legal study, the speaker asked us a question.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“With regard to what kind of person you are, who here has changed since they began law school?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Every hand in the room shot up immediately.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then, he asked the follow-up: “How many of you like how you’ve changed?”</p><p class="MsoNormal">(this is where the video picks up)
<br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='399' height='331' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4xUklte5M2jRDsTkL8f1yfpbTYi039T9ncvu1D5AMZ9bsCCYD2C8791Ej-8rdMzc-ikLVSKTTc4uxltke4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-64173687710234835902011-08-11T20:17:00.010-06:002011-08-11T21:10:13.090-06:00The Stars at Night are Big and Bright...Deep in the Heart of...
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL2YUGmNVc3lvt7jbZGs0p3U2yei3103tEdyVfFtekW2MjcZthba6mJHZHh2n1PJSZ9Cwdms3VarMylqKvlcpU0fJYxYWzgX6SFWZDctmh5zxDQL7QuCn1v3pSDwIZuPAwTYZA204FDhP/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL2YUGmNVc3lvt7jbZGs0p3U2yei3103tEdyVfFtekW2MjcZthba6mJHZHh2n1PJSZ9Cwdms3VarMylqKvlcpU0fJYxYWzgX6SFWZDctmh5zxDQL7QuCn1v3pSDwIZuPAwTYZA204FDhP/s400/IMG_0180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639796034764427058" border="0" /></a>
<br />For Spring Break we decided to leave chilly Ohio and visit my brother, Joseph, in Texas. Joseph, his wife, Maren, and their son Nicholas (then about 18 months old) live in Irving (near Dallas) while Joseph is studying to be a doctor. His Spring Break was the week before ours, but we were able to get a free weekend with him and he was kind enough to study ahead so he could play with us when he wasn't in class.
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<br />We left Columbus on a Thursday night and drove, drove, drove. About an hour south of Columbus we had a mishap: Ranch dressing spilled in the car, so we had that to deal with. While Crystal was dealing with the spill, Lucas grabbed a bag of pita bread and dumped it all over himself. This caused some sort of reaction on Lucas (rash, mucusy breathing, etc.) which caused us to have to stop and get Benadryl for him. Then, Clara only slept like three hours the whole night and the next morning, as we had just gotten into the Dallas area, Clara threw up all over the car. Clara wasn't that sick, but Lucas was throw-uppy about the whole time we were there, and he was (un)kind enough to share that with Nicholas, who was sick while we were there, too.
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<br />Despite all the throwing up (and getting to watch BYU play its way to the Sweet Sixteen that week), we were able to go out and have some fun.
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<br />On Saturday morning, Clara and I went with Joseph, Maren and Nicholas, to Fort Worth's old-time stock yards, which have been refurbished into a cool tourist area. Crystal and Lucas stayed home because he was sick and she was tired from the all-night drive the night before and staying up with Lucas that night, too. (And being pregnant, but shhh! no one else knew at that point.)
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QNnXwLeP3FSZtzt45XCHxiSHHzPsOiIUNHZoJM23fZTfvXR00CXhw4cOfBXjQLdW6P5IEbOwI829yfZzs_Z45pWPxkWdm8UqOiKkfO-7jV_Ok5H5fyOrWLcAHL5yrHCAWeje1lbyXHo0/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QNnXwLeP3FSZtzt45XCHxiSHHzPsOiIUNHZoJM23fZTfvXR00CXhw4cOfBXjQLdW6P5IEbOwI829yfZzs_Z45pWPxkWdm8UqOiKkfO-7jV_Ok5H5fyOrWLcAHL5yrHCAWeje1lbyXHo0/s400/IMG_0146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639794157646269058" border="0" /></a>
<br />Here is Clara showing off the Longhorn pen.
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<br />I love how their horns are spirally from the side.
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<br />So, like I said, they refurbished the old stock yards that had been used for years and years, but in about the 1970s it became cheaper to ship the cattle by semi-trailer rather than driving them to the stockyards and loading them on trains. Here is what the unrefurbished areas look like:
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEw4TewUyGzYpL_fRPBAk-5gvefm3sxtK_9VBaTSbwqHXS-Xs8Ast-SxNQG1RBQOqqpOB0yt5omBP8KbhjB6q-0VtuLOXMyVKVIzlvL6BmLD6oLPgpo4m3MmYyQu5whp3G9Z9tqbylBm3/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEw4TewUyGzYpL_fRPBAk-5gvefm3sxtK_9VBaTSbwqHXS-Xs8Ast-SxNQG1RBQOqqpOB0yt5omBP8KbhjB6q-0VtuLOXMyVKVIzlvL6BmLD6oLPgpo4m3MmYyQu5whp3G9Z9tqbylBm3/s400/IMG_0154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639794161348534578" border="0" /></a>
<br />Here is what the re-done part looks like. Much nicer.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9x0DPBGX1M6ZWy1nhg7YhMtMILLhYNja7Vjuhj15MjSAep-S7ZOzgk3TIBWAMCld-6pnvzniFpqgM0QQrcJQe73dAWkO0zCexcnVerWWxVgiHiAVS6jx_6Q8C0v7xFLH3Xox_FWm939r-/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9x0DPBGX1M6ZWy1nhg7YhMtMILLhYNja7Vjuhj15MjSAep-S7ZOzgk3TIBWAMCld-6pnvzniFpqgM0QQrcJQe73dAWkO0zCexcnVerWWxVgiHiAVS6jx_6Q8C0v7xFLH3Xox_FWm939r-/s400/IMG_0148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639794156350083618" border="0" /></a>
<br />Clara and I tried to measure up to the big cows.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizur0a8peLMW5LBlWxoCjTgPI3cOuGlYOoNwNuq9aGOystWLXKYKDaFUqekWS_o02HXmqJgEAlm0LCK48kwNOMKvI6022Qvjh51bI27CFusEB3iOTNWG7P8-4ZV9MColmRhN97UcYhECYx/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizur0a8peLMW5LBlWxoCjTgPI3cOuGlYOoNwNuq9aGOystWLXKYKDaFUqekWS_o02HXmqJgEAlm0LCK48kwNOMKvI6022Qvjh51bI27CFusEB3iOTNWG7P8-4ZV9MColmRhN97UcYhECYx/s400/IMG_0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639794167534242306" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL5GuxTdDUIFuUoJCr8-9onM8kXl_jHMwsdBu7T2f7YNFbKnAYW3FxLhAKYk_Az3NyNs1B2n9y-tm08lYxb6s0BwPMzqHOLFY6y0uVkaG9BYHzkgTLigax7UJ7OxicQTOfEvLuxM08ez_/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL5GuxTdDUIFuUoJCr8-9onM8kXl_jHMwsdBu7T2f7YNFbKnAYW3FxLhAKYk_Az3NyNs1B2n9y-tm08lYxb6s0BwPMzqHOLFY6y0uVkaG9BYHzkgTLigax7UJ7OxicQTOfEvLuxM08ez_/s400/IMG_0160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639796027127306258" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Twice a day they drive the herd down the road and we got to watch the cows mosy along the cobblestones. They don't run them because I think they would end up with tourist-kebabs and no one would want to go and visit.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo004vJhHs27iHBiYITunutViM_PvrWsM4jF21yCDHq8iXLdLrVYc59rmKupJvnH9eEFEKJgCCG776Z7VnimgG7HwlUJTOQKEO_Bl5__1zxSl2ckU3vSfQ6yT3lT-SWJ-4eUrPhTqrO4F/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo004vJhHs27iHBiYITunutViM_PvrWsM4jF21yCDHq8iXLdLrVYc59rmKupJvnH9eEFEKJgCCG776Z7VnimgG7HwlUJTOQKEO_Bl5__1zxSl2ckU3vSfQ6yT3lT-SWJ-4eUrPhTqrO4F/s400/IMG_0170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639796042136956786" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn8i2H2EDeUxpJ5D_k4SmhMRQ2H4ziP5IPHY7cjWn2I_atFrBG_-dMMJtqEP3FectCi-YoCpn3ApZ6xoKD-mOs01E8wowlq0TMIf27L8LvqOeVHOm2Y87SE5RxD0d5XESoe4W0vcqUP0y/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn8i2H2EDeUxpJ5D_k4SmhMRQ2H4ziP5IPHY7cjWn2I_atFrBG_-dMMJtqEP3FectCi-YoCpn3ApZ6xoKD-mOs01E8wowlq0TMIf27L8LvqOeVHOm2Y87SE5RxD0d5XESoe4W0vcqUP0y/s400/IMG_0169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639796039599598882" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y0u4YAS2ZEvWk7XOeuTSooMcUcABq1n7RRneGX-PNLQBMPnLGIPhM6XKDbsPPcWD5_uBSIPrqn8VI6933Fwhzk6KFdWE5Gw4Yg8DJ9FSCP-BzODiU4wiX9w6K521SvI2jpK7Id2CWJ7m/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Y0u4YAS2ZEvWk7XOeuTSooMcUcABq1n7RRneGX-PNLQBMPnLGIPhM6XKDbsPPcWD5_uBSIPrqn8VI6933Fwhzk6KFdWE5Gw4Yg8DJ9FSCP-BzODiU4wiX9w6K521SvI2jpK7Id2CWJ7m/s400/IMG_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639796044872754674" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Around the corner from the stockyards is Billy Bob's, which is the worlds largest honky-tonk. It has concert stages, a rodeo arena, tons of pool tables, a restaurant, and dance floors, all under one roof.
<br />Oh, and the world record belt buckle.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk2VDwyPoz_KRyhS_vKICqpCsgfEtud0nvx2kWTc4DHhc134aUdqbL2RCnXxGddCQREdR-q1P_CiIujWR6Th-tMxpDmHf1bwEfPNGYWT28i6Olm-DQQLZBhHYp4JrFY_CwDOU_X4q1bS2/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk2VDwyPoz_KRyhS_vKICqpCsgfEtud0nvx2kWTc4DHhc134aUdqbL2RCnXxGddCQREdR-q1P_CiIujWR6Th-tMxpDmHf1bwEfPNGYWT28i6Olm-DQQLZBhHYp4JrFY_CwDOU_X4q1bS2/s400/IMG_0173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639797644984103442" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC1tQITzaSTUEqVJAZgYcttV7Fi0drrkfrDTa6Pfj9ProQFavU1Lb5Y2eylqpPngQMhPuYqiVEAvp3odlPsUiTg6CRIwSlWvHfprp3pBM3_negV4C24MqaaPb3K_gRI0El_ESj4qy5gE9/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC1tQITzaSTUEqVJAZgYcttV7Fi0drrkfrDTa6Pfj9ProQFavU1Lb5Y2eylqpPngQMhPuYqiVEAvp3odlPsUiTg6CRIwSlWvHfprp3pBM3_negV4C24MqaaPb3K_gRI0El_ESj4qy5gE9/s400/IMG_0175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639797648101375090" border="0" /></a>
<br />Clara got to dance a little, under the mirror saddle (which is the Texas equivalent of a disco ball).
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC3FtPEXRlU6BwCiZMJMjpLZ3MnBw13rRtCt9UekvW8oJL1H8FVJBUNJCYmeky821zMamT7uRvYyVN6dgDawbeZ4BzjTuUTUkY7LiICBYH2ZvypQbE4_3mThNTYUv71D7bp9Ja2k4U3pG/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC3FtPEXRlU6BwCiZMJMjpLZ3MnBw13rRtCt9UekvW8oJL1H8FVJBUNJCYmeky821zMamT7uRvYyVN6dgDawbeZ4BzjTuUTUkY7LiICBYH2ZvypQbE4_3mThNTYUv71D7bp9Ja2k4U3pG/s400/IMG_0183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639797649671214818" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHw4sNjno2EKX5uAeQFLSo8E5n0nUU64ZS6uUO__P8yE2reucL9FloUfiZQ479-06N1Afycb7eHo_r2AVf9Xyv6vZ-js3VyXWeuu2NbCe2Zjou4C5iZQpOd9BPiBMU2wy2aNjZ9gxnB_2C/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHw4sNjno2EKX5uAeQFLSo8E5n0nUU64ZS6uUO__P8yE2reucL9FloUfiZQ479-06N1Afycb7eHo_r2AVf9Xyv6vZ-js3VyXWeuu2NbCe2Zjou4C5iZQpOd9BPiBMU2wy2aNjZ9gxnB_2C/s400/IMG_0181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639797653379342962" border="0" /></a>
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<br />We had a great day Sunday, going to church and then having dinner with Joseph's classmate, Matt, who also happens to be one of Crystal's great friends from college. It is a small world.
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<br />On Monday, Joseph went to school and then we picked him up and went to the Dallas Farmers' Market. It was so fun to be in shorts and to be around all the bright, fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables. (It was snowy when we got back to Ohio).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC1tQITzaSTUEqVJAZgYcttV7Fi0drrkfrDTa6Pfj9ProQFavU1Lb5Y2eylqpPngQMhPuYqiVEAvp3odlPsUiTg6CRIwSlWvHfprp3pBM3_negV4C24MqaaPb3K_gRI0El_ESj4qy5gE9/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG">
<br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk2VDwyPoz_KRyhS_vKICqpCsgfEtud0nvx2kWTc4DHhc134aUdqbL2RCnXxGddCQREdR-q1P_CiIujWR6Th-tMxpDmHf1bwEfPNGYWT28i6Olm-DQQLZBhHYp4JrFY_CwDOU_X4q1bS2/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG">
<br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik_Uc7WVoC02vMGAGv9Th-ySGWUaCemhik1VFcHnZ15EkLIGEHrFCkA1_L7cnHoAtsMZ-w6ehlud0Fp_1VBb2lI_CYzwMsa21ZdyEoGaNsz5hve5a_4z5W2BbA0eyMFpOohVWWoSbPZEO/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik_Uc7WVoC02vMGAGv9Th-ySGWUaCemhik1VFcHnZ15EkLIGEHrFCkA1_L7cnHoAtsMZ-w6ehlud0Fp_1VBb2lI_CYzwMsa21ZdyEoGaNsz5hve5a_4z5W2BbA0eyMFpOohVWWoSbPZEO/s400/IMG_0198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639797651861937106" border="0" /></a>The food looks great and so do my girls!
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNC_N6GheoKKVQAPWL-ki1O8JaF68ZS1TYvloe8l89OsdpWKGv-mTmma1zXNXcktm-eo7rSrI2WiE5W2jmANiko3XOVNLDzdpb96gjPLkJ4U56_bBoJqbqOAgO57pyEc82fm-eJN1tzPv/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG">
<br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo69YzcdYdA1SuR5xm1cXrFAkvmIYJVCkvLVEtdwl6HmCM6EiIoi9pm3-C4s5Uy35uqOe8d7homzB6e6u0z6BT0u5YjKQbZkPpFRia_lujJtFLYGtGUzslokTRzuVxyw_44cGSZzdd_Qv/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo69YzcdYdA1SuR5xm1cXrFAkvmIYJVCkvLVEtdwl6HmCM6EiIoi9pm3-C4s5Uy35uqOe8d7homzB6e6u0z6BT0u5YjKQbZkPpFRia_lujJtFLYGtGUzslokTRzuVxyw_44cGSZzdd_Qv/s400/IMG_0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639799632709163730" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-GzI8hmkj4ZZqfGrHLceFJ0n0gmu0LBJVVfkJzGuqqYxUJqDQvRk_mP9zolNqwSOZWtkWKiIfPMIYbHR1Q9YHHP3Vjsl0_zICjSETtOfrrTZgNYzUdeJbw-ON2IDrjlsgFAbNDSegIfK/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-GzI8hmkj4ZZqfGrHLceFJ0n0gmu0LBJVVfkJzGuqqYxUJqDQvRk_mP9zolNqwSOZWtkWKiIfPMIYbHR1Q9YHHP3Vjsl0_zICjSETtOfrrTZgNYzUdeJbw-ON2IDrjlsgFAbNDSegIfK/s400/IMG_0196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639799631625173554" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61ZqSF7uFOavpIRmLNkmtN4pgVd2Pf57qgERCoLOu1U1ExqOIVG9EsgiGssTxgRWUYt2MbVY1rDazmE7dCv47puome5i4zJkj4OI3ThtI8n8jjltAN0I-0aPa47ZuASKyrgF7YJc4bvjJ/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61ZqSF7uFOavpIRmLNkmtN4pgVd2Pf57qgERCoLOu1U1ExqOIVG9EsgiGssTxgRWUYt2MbVY1rDazmE7dCv47puome5i4zJkj4OI3ThtI8n8jjltAN0I-0aPa47ZuASKyrgF7YJc4bvjJ/s400/IMG_0195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639799629617544018" border="0" /></a>
<br />We then drove through downtown Dallas and got to see the cool larger-than-life statues of a cattle drive which is in front of the conference center. It is really an impressive sight.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicact_ea-ZkoPXGWwrCMu8HnCclWsnYh8FNe7P2XP05cIIL9-N0wqL05aIe3hzCGfEhNnXfIBUGmG3Ez4qAw23mH6_afYP2YTGthyWPSKCHz8GQNi12vcgc7A_J6i1leHzBpsxrrNwdHoG/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicact_ea-ZkoPXGWwrCMu8HnCclWsnYh8FNe7P2XP05cIIL9-N0wqL05aIe3hzCGfEhNnXfIBUGmG3Ez4qAw23mH6_afYP2YTGthyWPSKCHz8GQNi12vcgc7A_J6i1leHzBpsxrrNwdHoG/s400/IMG_0204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639799642147696530" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNC_N6GheoKKVQAPWL-ki1O8JaF68ZS1TYvloe8l89OsdpWKGv-mTmma1zXNXcktm-eo7rSrI2WiE5W2jmANiko3XOVNLDzdpb96gjPLkJ4U56_bBoJqbqOAgO57pyEc82fm-eJN1tzPv/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNC_N6GheoKKVQAPWL-ki1O8JaF68ZS1TYvloe8l89OsdpWKGv-mTmma1zXNXcktm-eo7rSrI2WiE5W2jmANiko3XOVNLDzdpb96gjPLkJ4U56_bBoJqbqOAgO57pyEc82fm-eJN1tzPv/s400/IMG_0200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639799637189668562" border="0" /></a>
<br />Then, we got to have a fun cookout at a park in Irving. Joseph and Maren were very hospitable, breaking out their grill and letting us just hang out and enjoy the wonderful Spring weather.
<br />It was a wonderful trip and so cool to see where Joseph and Maren and Nicholas and Soon-t0-be Daughter (we found out they are expecting, too, shortly after we got home).
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<br />PS - Doesn't Crystal look cute eating her mango from the Farmers' Market.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYDH3H6vZ13GPwC3IybTelLowQ8nEWPINbFVkVVeosjiJDuQlTvYPNQR0K3WOAOmC5-fHGl4sHPDxKhuvANgmSbNKoqV1ub7z_vpZgYxRisVoPWKrVj-fFhYTylIan5Wfb-N0pCX1OICM/s1600/IMG_0214.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYDH3H6vZ13GPwC3IybTelLowQ8nEWPINbFVkVVeosjiJDuQlTvYPNQR0K3WOAOmC5-fHGl4sHPDxKhuvANgmSbNKoqV1ub7z_vpZgYxRisVoPWKrVj-fFhYTylIan5Wfb-N0pCX1OICM/s400/IMG_0214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639800902708587538" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbfLvlkVuZHvyabbcabIRW0pVCDkjb4nERW8AiLbEGPp-MiJI0_fa5WuigNXjR7uLLrvZOXOvuZvSf3mUbtqwlgYZ6zhqVbSeLCv1tMpqvBURCPDpotWWhW8hdT1T0jBSglBg-STQ2hyphenhyphenW/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbfLvlkVuZHvyabbcabIRW0pVCDkjb4nERW8AiLbEGPp-MiJI0_fa5WuigNXjR7uLLrvZOXOvuZvSf3mUbtqwlgYZ6zhqVbSeLCv1tMpqvBURCPDpotWWhW8hdT1T0jBSglBg-STQ2hyphenhyphenW/s400/IMG_0213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639800903942083602" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz27my5HKKnb71ldLB6dxHpey4QbO6rD4ICSjyQF_M5GNY09Xol-lrWJBedC7bbEW-kNRuSNeRZ6FAxjYCqCg1bG1HWPYEXtKHBFUK3U8QDJrGseHO4O2ijaSFySi5Li9BhE1OwL0UnC9W/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz27my5HKKnb71ldLB6dxHpey4QbO6rD4ICSjyQF_M5GNY09Xol-lrWJBedC7bbEW-kNRuSNeRZ6FAxjYCqCg1bG1HWPYEXtKHBFUK3U8QDJrGseHO4O2ijaSFySi5Li9BhE1OwL0UnC9W/s400/IMG_0212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639800900293299698" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu8usqyT-DLEYhYqpLZUwTRN7LsxvDo-VNj3jVJ8fWmTJdAtw-s9wN28SLvN0gnGYyHO_VFKbW6ZTwMEM-tDQI8iEkDjWjhN3wVEG2KL7698z31t5EKSyDSQ2dbpSenN_Iolpb2t0zysT/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu8usqyT-DLEYhYqpLZUwTRN7LsxvDo-VNj3jVJ8fWmTJdAtw-s9wN28SLvN0gnGYyHO_VFKbW6ZTwMEM-tDQI8iEkDjWjhN3wVEG2KL7698z31t5EKSyDSQ2dbpSenN_Iolpb2t0zysT/s400/IMG_0215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639800908384939314" border="0" /></a>
<br />Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-29056271507034167892011-08-11T15:55:00.003-06:002011-08-11T16:12:07.173-06:00I Love to See the Temple<div>Clara has been learning so much in nursery at church (and hopefully at home too!) She talks about going to the temple all the time. One day in February, we decided to take Clara to see the temple. She frequently says she is going to get married in the temple some day. We wanted to start create memories of the temple for her, so we dressed up in church clothes and went on a little outing to the Columbus Temple.</div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa-nEYdDeBLqtqzlvoiBoovEevZzIghzTL_p9cKWJ6QZFTjap_WasFuImKUpgEzq2Bys9FYVpbYZtvgoVqgCgqQoRKD5r-J_UX7mwZ9O6j4EJcbWVQBJjr139C7mQbc9qIPs3NAPJ2Xs/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa-nEYdDeBLqtqzlvoiBoovEevZzIghzTL_p9cKWJ6QZFTjap_WasFuImKUpgEzq2Bys9FYVpbYZtvgoVqgCgqQoRKD5r-J_UX7mwZ9O6j4EJcbWVQBJjr139C7mQbc9qIPs3NAPJ2Xs/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639721988018181042" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW70Q6_TMOufk-Sx5u_dtwTR-ijdmyDLOWX78RTGBZ_rblEOqM6muVP-SgM9gY1t2m6pVw7pB_ILk-EPF1Uoq2qaZ0Y-u20OkRyYyjRKaUywO6lzW2qIUJwEwa660koOzbiKqs3lPKHwE/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW70Q6_TMOufk-Sx5u_dtwTR-ijdmyDLOWX78RTGBZ_rblEOqM6muVP-SgM9gY1t2m6pVw7pB_ILk-EPF1Uoq2qaZ0Y-u20OkRyYyjRKaUywO6lzW2qIUJwEwa660koOzbiKqs3lPKHwE/s320/IMG_0116.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639721984288169842" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jszB87GL12ZAB6_DW4cvok4yjUs0zjOm4rM_KBq_lK8_u2tUNW2H6iNPGPXL2YM_wZcYEAPzG3HBTPH1UUzEbbihsCXg0WmhYUUO0efTUD12lJ4dB5CXOg6WQ7eOwQ84_2iXR2xVe84/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jszB87GL12ZAB6_DW4cvok4yjUs0zjOm4rM_KBq_lK8_u2tUNW2H6iNPGPXL2YM_wZcYEAPzG3HBTPH1UUzEbbihsCXg0WmhYUUO0efTUD12lJ4dB5CXOg6WQ7eOwQ84_2iXR2xVe84/s320/IMG_0118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639721977554978994" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJUEhfA-DNsOkHmbZAmlTq5Cjqkkvef-a5xLwGD0CjXIuZV5eEkX6ITf3j9ULK_axx-G97TSwg-ZXMYbcAyK-aYLK-4WEZBdtj3onjUMpV6Qr-mJO4uPtZMh3v8zKjcT0ZtPkLKiPTH0/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJUEhfA-DNsOkHmbZAmlTq5Cjqkkvef-a5xLwGD0CjXIuZV5eEkX6ITf3j9ULK_axx-G97TSwg-ZXMYbcAyK-aYLK-4WEZBdtj3onjUMpV6Qr-mJO4uPtZMh3v8zKjcT0ZtPkLKiPTH0/s320/IMG_0120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639721973866504194" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu3Da49QRvf_O1l48X5FPAHr2nihO8YgAUI8HYhBsSWqGKc1-CMrEUNqRoveZa4tVLBBXJGeXaGL41jl1WWOPyJEAnYIQ7LwNPSwKPPlvKHofoVK2l_UYBahTS3-N03NgVnF50nEO0ac/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu3Da49QRvf_O1l48X5FPAHr2nihO8YgAUI8HYhBsSWqGKc1-CMrEUNqRoveZa4tVLBBXJGeXaGL41jl1WWOPyJEAnYIQ7LwNPSwKPPlvKHofoVK2l_UYBahTS3-N03NgVnF50nEO0ac/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639721972131222466" /></a>We had a really fun time, and afterwards we went and got some ice cream.
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-6654604806251763932011-08-11T15:40:00.005-06:002011-08-11T15:55:10.006-06:00Lucas Growing Up<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some pictures of Lucas growing over the past few months. These stop just before his first birthday. These were all just random pictures I took, nothing important going on, just enjoy the progression!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNkp6uBvR7SvoDKVqeiqPcLuP_l6UTbDIheGKsmJjFHNEyvkYye204WbcBI8bi3TqknmBB_UWDesGgdKUFGn3GX3p5H5taGPqJ8OaVs3ZVQbAZvYcFdgA5nAAhQUxT_19DIoudnL3lT-8/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5viY53mdfvRoTvWZSHmp_LQ0bZa03v9lgmy5Q8WCCAuX5gSLqVR-mKXTEyIPCapDLH2lTBPNYNTLhgtz34UcqT1oLBBxRKOj4Ri8ms0qGLFM4QQu5QaYbEI4NcevS0hPAHsnEcUYsb0s/s320/IMG_0125.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoPBQtZxICnAsZxNE0iETX76F1Zta64eNJ14hAKkVAZSNVpXYuFkTQckAwYhYQKLPtn9rG56m53Nw4t-Q23iPlAO_ZtKlGA8mv2VOo8nFvw3A1O_aUyEjbW62je10c09rc2afEI1zSfI/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjDLNLoJQVYIYT6_fWEPC6yi82LLgBcOIPXTFVBkZEx8svSRtvLyZaU_Opk-1QygiVPIjBrX-aTOTzJQSSC-226Cy2oQd5x49f0x5M4SlwwjF69GpERUJ1VKx1L46Nsh-dyysOweRCkg/s320/IMG_0247.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-CBJzhIGMhPS-mr6os1sSV72tDW6E5EDy8OqwXVRDobZFRNWcC1VCk95u4bUriHLbPxsAmYVXSojeD3TlqmfISssfx1kjk7XisuFU0oslShsZHl9ff6j1g5eMHCq4EMFAYXWxeNj728/s320/IMG_0249.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx09CIwwKRVTrgb2NR5JmhzYf1nFTx5ps5gHZa3s8eIcCOAODoY-O0mAafB2slpUYQh-yw9r60EgTUd7rG4pMx-vlo9UPmNgtphJld2L_alJFeOB9iwmgWl6vtrtSrLKgGg367XzHMhKI/s320/IMG_0254.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjmgMNRPHo3GnFe9rkdfebEVNeL-gTT4OwzspH_oDBr2MgGn3EVtmIhIcJU-XzwmY9XbcigZZ0ke-mVC42l4pHjIUpjOgCU9vYf5O3C8N3BDuOLP4pkW4AJtRkz4nOwwOtYZ4xEFZpNU/s320/IMG_0265.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfZ4mney0FXSuXnG_6oCHfUV0b038Dko83jFxyf84s8fXYTUhzbBc9kXlK9-iRPQEgcw88ZNj_zMAWlDcm_uG4VYZRo7mkpTfI1_WG2umvTIbB0sVhFiQgu7yeWn7hVuAZkfr9n1VVRw/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfZ4mney0FXSuXnG_6oCHfUV0b038Dko83jFxyf84s8fXYTUhzbBc9kXlK9-iRPQEgcw88ZNj_zMAWlDcm_uG4VYZRo7mkpTfI1_WG2umvTIbB0sVhFiQgu7yeWn7hVuAZkfr9n1VVRw/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639718809001784418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-48906365914115543972011-08-11T14:41:00.003-06:002011-08-11T15:19:54.722-06:00Disney Princesses on Ice<div style="text-align: left;">Back in January, my friend Hillary found out about a deal where if you donated a pack of diapers, you could get a ticket to see Disney Princesses on Ice. We both thought our girls would LOVE the show, so we decided to do it. I found a nice deal on diapers, and got me and Clara tickets for the show for less than $10 total. Sweet! Before the show, we went to dinner at Buca di Beppo (no pictures of that) with the girls, our husbands, and of course, Lucas came too. Hillary had princess dresses, crowns and light up wands for both girls. They were both ready for the show! Clara had the same smile plastered on her face from the moment she put on the princess dress to the moment the show started.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4NiU1Gm-2jMaTwpPoolx60CGy19VbVMRnfCIvMRrTokT0xg6dV3A_VIZl9d3TO9vKLDIyT5GO06zb2R9H6mnhWIqOZ0TAZegzzJr2N6hNKUYqtvNxp6vIgH56WKxLXnnLO24eq9aNa0/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MPzFqqlC5VU4CZAJD-MEaMJkVv3gmsMAomy2IPivCTGuZgUsTaQDnuHYnmal2yAuuHWmgRV8LDZvTOaHthH2e0r5voMZGqJVLAfw9ioLeRc7Qq-6tiiQKhFrgM7SnDG6_8UR1f_UtTs/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tZUmNGpNg8366GUKdFoYUa1z_1UexGJnmaypImSYnDTbHnKg8FPgro03sMulqZS0_3I95bvNFDa7vG-uuqumMzZF243T7RQ-Sh3mYhnaEZ1uY0H_xH88LFnqxMnmZKU6tVYldat5YWw/s320/IMG_0050.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wZE4rn6avPXXpYkGH6qND4EMmxJEX1XigNXzwIOvjFbasc74D2sX2-0rK-q_G_Xd6Jf8a_cUfXMD32bZbtwJGoBBfuQTz4LA6rWG3sIPg3wNE1YJMTpi6TqDPdexHRm9vwX7UX3Y8T4/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wZE4rn6avPXXpYkGH6qND4EMmxJEX1XigNXzwIOvjFbasc74D2sX2-0rK-q_G_Xd6Jf8a_cUfXMD32bZbtwJGoBBfuQTz4LA6rWG3sIPg3wNE1YJMTpi6TqDPdexHRm9vwX7UX3Y8T4/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639702211977728274" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Then she got a little more serious.</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcJRusXXAEizaJIhzCWYhr40FIGsOAEJftD1U9OAMLjQ6rD_9j2PCMKLeSP28DskUFYurWYHSe2P97xlon9JouUB-tjVFDphyL81GJju96rNqTFZSFJKeaxLLWM7sEC1ICTEGoZPa7zE/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mickey and Minnie were the first charachters to come out. As soon as Clara saw him she screamed "MICKEY!!!!!!" as loud as she could- she was mesmerized. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaW41tjM1aaFfOx3zpVlgyz1DAsrLhf6MSjie91fu08J_ZHPMk6Lh2Fu1NNNCb9i2G_KGymMDhTutZBs6HloAcm2krDpujmPVg8bdTBHZYOTlSw3R69DmL3YbgCU5Uyg9BhyphenhyphenCmLlxAHCM/s320/IMG_0061.JPG" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My cheap camera doesn't take the clearest pictures in situations like this, but there were all sorts of princess stories from Ariel to Sleeping Beauty, to Jasmine and Snow White and of course, Cinderella.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUonmO_wzjrqlHfPoeAV2xb_71XG1Bkyg1PEpJZSEs7arMxDNSV5uJuz9yc3EA0EHueqOkehskicw7GuCeDH3Ac0c0wrrwegmMMChNe-ARsHpm-_UytjPvNjQ5cd_CosIIncPKuE3FbE/s320/IMG_0066.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtgrWoSUn3UaUOeLYLUlJiyhqncbZn5Iwja4KJWQDWO12zyYc-AAInycBm0bjefAJuLcudyzsr1dyTDYvGU2Hla0pQbO8MmtxsH4xrZstDuZ1PgnGgYXOtpkd04BQBmgcGNTIr2uPmKE/s320/IMG_0086.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This pretty much sums up what Clara looked like the entire show. She had such a good time, but I think it was also a little overwhelming for all these characters that she knows and loves to come to life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SPxverv1f7_O2mw5xIkGGEJl8JYsjlLrM5IL0oriCh_UCeBQXloHZRPWTvveZ8nLsalSJljuo4HUD_cv0NZ6V27o2wMkW_73MEHXTqlVPei4sEbOxcg5wShk5227C593mnyCO7kcank/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_8_Qyix2JJsUjesYXJeicgw9w7ifQKAzF6MY6TI9VfXJ19YV97tWtlvpQztRwHacP8oe313Z2iYkY_dbz88rFCOQ9qMFJJ2LxHdk5Q0Mkl7-DYXpVmFqBLGJlGuClxoF8iVkd9W3_Eg/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think this show was all I heard about for 3 weeks straight after the show. Clara could not stop talking about it, singing the songs, and pretending to dance on ice like all the princesses. Every now and again she will bring it up again, and I am amazed that she remembers it. It was such a fun night. I would definitely go see another Disney on Ice production. Disney knows what they are doing!</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-12337323628444839622011-08-11T14:16:00.003-06:002011-08-11T14:40:00.832-06:00Air Force Museum<div style="text-align: left;">One of the last days of Winter Break for Jordan, we decided to head over to Dayton and visit the Air Force Museum. We were excited to have a fun day out as a family, but I had a cold and was having some serious side effects from it. On our way out of town, we stopped at a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Walgreens</span> to pick up medicine. The only kind they had was a night time variety, so I spent the entire day in a foggy daze more interested in every bench that we passed and how nice it would be to lay down on one, than all the cool planes. Besides that little hiccup in our day, we had a lot of fun.</div><div>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzW2Tvt4ZUjJjmwEFbiZKTj0zHZWAg-FeZBlViTi5imlDCyDff-s-Fk_dUYsNlUWEvhkORhpEnCSUSBc5thcePW24XqJ-AMPvhNIfj1v6LxgIOzi06c8_bgEJNjvA_nlvGKjfjrzR90A/s320/IMG_0025.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since I am blogging this some 8 months later, I don't really remember a lot of details about the planes. The thing I am noticing the most, is how much my kids have grown up since then! While I may not remember a lot of details, I do remember thinking a lot of the planes were really cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToyzZNiMMfYnTHsWD-9jOsQt8DZRYfn_y2TH_genGwhEB1oSODV7U436ETZJht1d0Y3p9Gj_1Qcw_7Sfzmew9NFsZNGpQfO4AZ4eSGal2EMek0h0jVAKlgCppqGuX5oHzsJF9rUjG-ek/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Disney exhibit was one of my favorites (surprise, surprise). It was really cool to see how Disney let the Air Force use its cartoon characters as a way to boost moral for the troops. It was fun to see all the different characters and how they made appearances. We had a few other pictures, but they were blurry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJEWbYpxcunIiLL9apEwbAnir6TEZrfZ191yNWAmo9nq54sZYRbtWtOdiItmLT7oMILO7t1Zsl9_crIMUpMrGwy4hKKW8He6X7IY7tzWyCFGrzF8pI6UOt2FMhBq_lwMx70jTM7LhAZg/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" /></div><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkOjiFeg3-n2yqWvkbE1Ti-F2yFWlFGSzJA3_IMsxeegxlzrRxtl53rle-K2hTz-NXLTd37Hoc_FfxA_mWcicDVJXidFEkIaM-tJ56eGTG4fMk1WXUSMHSRMDp56ojLAtcFyCdCgo4c0/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkOjiFeg3-n2yqWvkbE1Ti-F2yFWlFGSzJA3_IMsxeegxlzrRxtl53rle-K2hTz-NXLTd37Hoc_FfxA_mWcicDVJXidFEkIaM-tJ56eGTG4fMk1WXUSMHSRMDp56ojLAtcFyCdCgo4c0/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639695871361167954" /></a>We also really enjoyed the World War II section and the modern day warfare section. There were things from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Those exhibits were very touching, especially since there are troops still in those countries. I have such a profound respect and appreciation for all the people who serve in our armed forces.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>We thought the name of this plane was kind of funny. We called Lucas "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jucas</span>" a few times that day in honor of it!
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mL6Lji788inFg4nyW4g7kpIUYv5lwRBMvYPnfeqRfZVvvZTg-nVODLt_tvAAekbqm3b7F-3pH7Vg00zH7JHUXqHTdTMRPI-2DWt3qqokFYPXR0g2XeSq0pmqZ6V9EazT1JZwgj_eAoc/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u>
<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think this may have been Clara's favorite part of the museum. There was a family there with a big bag of coins and they were putting them into the coin twirly thing. Yeah, I'm not really sure what that thing is called. The dad was telling the kids how all the coins they put in there would go to help the museum. I thought it was cool to see this little family do that. I didn't have any coins on me, but I went and bought a few post cards and then me and Clara used the change I got back to have some fun with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTA-ej9Re98VXSQSvIkoCqJgo5fgtppNgUfB-8b9UT12HXNqn4qBEd4VWFGZkrlIulUBoQ1OkyD7Dqvvz7gDCnZDEkhNQV3BiXhI5r-zKpyDu6x0jebTPPRZsZcrfTEZN4gVDI7mgVRkA/s320/IMG_0040.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I am writing this, I am sitting in the back yard of my parents house on a nice summer day while Clara plays in her little pool. With that said, looking at this picture of Lucas still reminds me oh how stinking cold in was that day! I remember running from the car to the museum and back again. Oh winter, how I do not miss you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCI8w02pt3bJFikCzzx6M2c4MN68xvOdgv4-CHhivwsjQK_KUd6tKop5RTDQd3vYV9PDaeoDmJ1YkdS5CiL_bRYpZmE-5-iCdTrHi93YtnqNDcelMIGfhNYX9SdZtNXTvdYerk2z-Eq-U/s320/IMG_0041.JPG" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-3546155931544187592011-08-11T10:12:00.002-06:002011-08-11T10:26:33.530-06:00Winter FunEvery time it snowed, Clara BEGGED to go out and build a Frosty of her very own. We had a very cold winter, but it seemed like there was never enough snow at one point to do a whole lot of snowman building. Or at least it never seemed to coincide with when Jordan had time. And lets face it, I wasn't going to go out in the snow and build a snowman! I don't like snow. I don't like cold. Nothing about that sounds fun. I will, however, go and take pictures, since they had a lot of fun doing it! First, we had to get Clara all bundled up. What a chore that is! I am surprised she can even move with all those layers on!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg8tf6za91OomDnhO6J44yICu95cU0HH09eh1a1w6D-UVry0dt6XzIfxVHAr1hL2J-GGs_2zUVXWqt38Q61UKXecUKXz9hEHJnnAS03sa2PN5wF1wkWgGKmgqN0-3q1YJOi96bhqexr8/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>After all snow was gathered and formed into a snowman-like shape (Jordan pretty much did all the work for that), it was time to put on the face- a carrot nose, we used chocolate for the eyes,</div><div>and beans for the mouth- you use what you have! Clara loved it!
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mC_aX_0FOOSOmMNlq89daM8zqqUCy5eM-BJIqdz-0_osFjYTYohyqy6kd9ure0V3wVGHQDDVKO8Rr8Dn4djtlvdo-c8euJDY10CKKMFrJ5U5yCi6CS7HM7R13BLspHFtl6x0Rnxr6K8/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>I am pretty sure her face says it all. She loved building a snowman and that was all she wanted to do for the rest of the winter, but this was the only Frosty that was actually built.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd3tAuwVN2Xr8Z_CHUvLwm1HRM0j58lkbKF7J41F5NXSl4jdoeaCAWcMprKLe6MjvmcaHlr6tsd-WAYa-XKdGkXljkwkMYxcIYqmVrmxZPslZtlKgCxNCa5to7GzgYRE7RAvtQLuNVwE/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd3tAuwVN2Xr8Z_CHUvLwm1HRM0j58lkbKF7J41F5NXSl4jdoeaCAWcMprKLe6MjvmcaHlr6tsd-WAYa-XKdGkXljkwkMYxcIYqmVrmxZPslZtlKgCxNCa5to7GzgYRE7RAvtQLuNVwE/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639633189118534610" /></a>I am throwing this picture in because I like it! Jordan loved that he and Lucas had matching hats. They both wore them a lot during the winter. This was before church one Sunday. They both look so handsome! And Lucas looks so little, compared to now! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmE5YUbtFswDfCFfS9ySAUaCMP47K1MQj1vy4XZyHldHXnj6eLL8G5o-K8H0fPmxQ-r64k5uz_RBwgIR9N2Kys_HrmwPVdoC4zl0YE9hE2T9GOgwPg-xBnh9gzrKQAx31XDJIRCbPqBw/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmE5YUbtFswDfCFfS9ySAUaCMP47K1MQj1vy4XZyHldHXnj6eLL8G5o-K8H0fPmxQ-r64k5uz_RBwgIR9N2Kys_HrmwPVdoC4zl0YE9hE2T9GOgwPg-xBnh9gzrKQAx31XDJIRCbPqBw/s320/IMG_0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639633180208445682" /></a>
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<br /></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-11906379102148668042011-08-11T10:08:00.003-06:002011-08-11T10:28:28.373-06:00We Are AliveDid you all think we dropped off the face of the earth? It kind of seems that way! But we are still here and doing well. I am going to attempt to catch up the blog on some of the things we have been doing for the last 8 months- yes that is right, 8 months. Wow, I feel like a slacker! Actually, for those who don't already know, I am 8 months pregnant right now. Yup, that's right. I pretty much dropped the blog the second I got pregnant. I just haven't had the energy, motivation, or will power to do it! But now I am thinking about a new baby making its way onto this blog, and there are so many things that we have done between now and then! The good and bad thing is, since I haven't been blogging, I haven't been taking as many pictures lately, so there probably aren't that many things to blog about! I guess we will see as I go through the pictures and reminisce about the last few months! So, you can ignore the next few posts, or you can enjoy a look at a few of the happenings from our life!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-13724229698063191962011-05-14T20:55:00.003-06:002011-05-14T21:00:34.629-06:00It's Over<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvis2gWnGHNfdlYeWnDae5Dz-VXOiGaXdfqwrA2MCvqWNXx_x0-CtL7-UT6-5otr49Ch-RhejlvGnt83MFFB8OZiuCGObwyAa4PvTa870vtid1kS0KBHKiQLkfrrNI0Qz5DDVubtPXvwE/s1600/IMG_9680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvis2gWnGHNfdlYeWnDae5Dz-VXOiGaXdfqwrA2MCvqWNXx_x0-CtL7-UT6-5otr49Ch-RhejlvGnt83MFFB8OZiuCGObwyAa4PvTa870vtid1kS0KBHKiQLkfrrNI0Qz5DDVubtPXvwE/s400/IMG_9680.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606772007655568386" /></a><br />I finished law school this week. Hooray!Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01074005065905796925noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-64795541157069292222011-02-03T14:12:00.002-07:002011-08-11T15:39:03.062-06:00Power OutageStarting Monday, here in the O-H-I-O, we has some fun weather coming our way. Tuesday morning we woke up to a quarter inch of ice covering everything, including our cars. And the weather was only supposed to get worse from there! Our friends to the north were expecting to get a lot of snow, but we were supposed to get a "warm" front that would just bring us freezing rain and a lot of wind. We went to bed at about 10 pm on Tuesday night. At 10:45 I woke up because it sounded like some idiot was doing fireworks outside. I looked out the window, and I saw a bunch of smoke and flashes of light. Then I saw it. A power line had snapped and was going crazy, making sparks fly everywhere. Then the power went out. The snapped line was two houses down from ours and caused a small fire to start, but because it was raining outside, it went out quickly. Jordan and I figured there wasn't much we could do about it, so we put extra blankets on the kids and went back to bed. When we woke up the next morning, it was 58 degrees in the house, and dropping. Jordan had school, even after he diligently checked to see if it was cancelled about every 30 minutes until the power went out! Clara, Lucas and I tried to brave our cold house for a little while, but the temperature kept dropping. We finally went over to David and Megan's house when it hit 55 degrees. It was just too cold for us! We spent the day just hanging out and trying to figure out what to do. We decided to spend the night back at our house. Some friends from our ward loaned us their propane space heater that is safe for indoor use. I got our the camping stove so we could heat up water for hot cocoa and oatmeal for breakfast the next morning. We brought the kids into our room and had a little slumber party. Parties like that hold very little slumber for me. The next morning, we had a picnic breakfast on the floor of our room. Clara thought that was the coolest thing ever, but she kept asking why she couldn't go play with her toys are be in her room. We tried to teach her about electricity, but only so much can sink into a 2 1/2 year olds mind. I called up my friend Hillary and asked her if she was up for a play date that morning. Luckily she was! As I was leaving, I saw someone from the power company checking the lines. He was about to leave, then asked me if we had power. I told him no and that we had made several calls to the power company to report the outage. He knew nothing about the calls and at first couldn't find anything wrong with the lines, except for the broken one that went to a vacant house, so we was going to leave. I guess a transformer blew, and he couldn't tell that from the ground. I am so glad I stopped and talked to him! Because only 4 or 5 houses were affected by this line being out, we were on the bottom of the fix it list. There were places that had 20-30 or more houses affected by one problem that were a higher priority. But since the guy was there, he said he would fix it right up! YEAH! We went over to Hillary and Leila's for a play date, and when we got home, we had POWER and HEAT! YEAH! Our house got down into the 40's by then. Luckily our fridge was pretty bare, so we didn't lose a lot of food or anything. For the next month, Clara made sure to add electricity to the list of things she is thankful for in her prayers!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-48484683274843603972011-01-05T17:50:00.004-07:002011-01-05T18:02:37.466-07:00Rolly Polly Lucas<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class=" on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Video" title="Add Video" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addVideo();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);">When Lucas had his 4 month check up, back in October, his doctor asked me all sorts of questions about his development. Does he coo, does he grasp toys with his hands, does he eat well, and so one. She also asked if he could roll over. Just as I said no, Lucas rolled over. I was shocked! He had never done that before, and there he was, performing for his doctor. Now, oh, 3 months later, I am FINALLY posting a video of him rolling over. He is so close to crawling. He pushes up with his hands and is now starting to get on his knees. I guess the video can show you better than me!<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=d16834deb9fe0af1ea2cc1" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=d16834deb9fe0af1ea2cc1&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="382" width="408"></embed><div style="margin: 0px; font: 12px/20px verdana,arial,sans-serif; padding-bottom: 15px; width: 408px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt1" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">Make an on-line slide show at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br />Lucas just had his 6 month check up a couple weeks ago, and poor kid! I was starving him! Since I had my tonsils out, his feeding has been a bit off, and apparently I was only feeding him half as much as I should be, and that was after I doubled what I was feeding him a month and a half ago! Needless to say, he didn't really grow between his 4 month and 6 month check ups. He is also a MUCH happier kid than he was 2 weeks ago! This kid is happy and smiling as long as he is well fed(like any man, I guess!) and well rested. And now that he is getting enough to eat, he is both of those things. During his hungry phase, he would wake up every hour at night, but now I almost have him back to sleeping through the night. I feel so bad for starving the poor kid, but I am glad that he is so resilient, good natured, wont remember this part of his life, and that he is no worse for the wear!<br /></span></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-39411665524745279752011-01-05T13:42:00.004-07:002011-01-05T14:00:08.819-07:00Thanks Mom!The week before Christmas we went to Illinois to visit my sister and her family. My mom sent a package of bearenwaka( yes I know it is a weird name, but it is also delicious!) to my sisters house for us to share. Well, as reliable as the mail is(yes that is a little bit of sarcasm) the package did not arrive before we left Illinois. But, being the fantastic mother my mom is, she just sent me my own package. And because the post office only had one size of mailer boxes available, she decided to stuff it full of all sorts of goodies. For me, there was a loaf of bearenwaka, a loaf of REAL California oranges and a loaf of sourdough bread(you just can't get good sourdough outside of California!) and some extra filling for the bearenwaka so I could make another loaf. These of course, are to be shared with Jordan and Clara(sorry Lucas, none for you yet!) However, I couldn't help but hoard the goods for a few minutes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACWsmoL_q1b4-oLfSggYr_xZE8ggVriZ_NnuHqO5pqU28bgdzjONbSj60-e6TuWDK4cJ4c2Ginyzp48ugb6C2faNf0Uq6sUMx0d97v8lktj2l28u08WA0_I8KgJjx-duzuUgLcYu9pb4/s1600/January+2011+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACWsmoL_q1b4-oLfSggYr_xZE8ggVriZ_NnuHqO5pqU28bgdzjONbSj60-e6TuWDK4cJ4c2Ginyzp48ugb6C2faNf0Uq6sUMx0d97v8lktj2l28u08WA0_I8KgJjx-duzuUgLcYu9pb4/s320/January+2011+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558807317308463986" border="0" /></a>My mom also included (if for no other reason than to weigh down the box) a bunch of her old jewelry for Clara. Oh my, was that little girl in heaven! In fact, it has been a couple of days since we have received the package and she still insists on wearing at least one, if not all, of the necklaces at any given moment.<br /><br />Don't you just love her cheesey smile?(Sometimes I secretly wish I could just get her to smile nicely, but this is so Clara, and since I love her tons, I can't help but love her cheesey smile!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YHuvtv3dTJnkeUDT977dzb4Lc9X_UNNzftZTVmxKzVP4Dko2uZBaEwwFP3G91RFywjoxPO85qUKc3ekvbtluYKRdKeWSfdFJXxMOHRRADALAGVyuDDSoDETgYTK8uEA_2ePZdHhQMCg/s1600/January+2011+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YHuvtv3dTJnkeUDT977dzb4Lc9X_UNNzftZTVmxKzVP4Dko2uZBaEwwFP3G91RFywjoxPO85qUKc3ekvbtluYKRdKeWSfdFJXxMOHRRADALAGVyuDDSoDETgYTK8uEA_2ePZdHhQMCg/s320/January+2011+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558807305796710674" border="0" /></a>And here she is examining each necklace. Boy does she love these!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJxlhN-qYMz_9wZrK0eSLEut5_yNfFF5j8Mem64pMqP4XOJNa37PFll5ROdlSHXAZMqhh7IaBVcIWssoBOxhiYboAUi9iITyGpQdCfj-aRnAczK7s0qR1Ko7HJqLGDJ4DtxlSmrAWIGc/s1600/January+2011+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJxlhN-qYMz_9wZrK0eSLEut5_yNfFF5j8Mem64pMqP4XOJNa37PFll5ROdlSHXAZMqhh7IaBVcIWssoBOxhiYboAUi9iITyGpQdCfj-aRnAczK7s0qR1Ko7HJqLGDJ4DtxlSmrAWIGc/s320/January+2011+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558807309410648962" border="0" /></a>So, thank you mom for making this week taste like Christmas with all the treats! And thank you for making Clara's week with the jewelry!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-87708508508602793362010-12-30T09:05:00.007-07:002011-01-05T18:23:54.520-07:00End of the Year ProjectsIt seems like most people get projects done at the beginning of the year, so either I am really early in getting this done, or really late! You decide! Anyways, my first project was to hang some mirrors that we bought,oh, 2 years ago. Its one of those projects that I had to a) think about doing and b) have Jordan around to help me with, and having both those things happen at the same time took, well, 2 years! I am really happy with how it turned out and it makes the room look bigger and brighter.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01vZoFEdsd7PbzKWC3b4gD039MZsr_0Ci1qhRTq7yjVXl_wtbpnMBKi1rcbvG8nSncMQwdhcoXN3KLfcRqWKOs-IQxer3tW1Z74OfDVXYLpYfOgFgyrlX07aMXRICjmjKpWr9VtQCrKo/s1600/December+2010+092.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01vZoFEdsd7PbzKWC3b4gD039MZsr_0Ci1qhRTq7yjVXl_wtbpnMBKi1rcbvG8nSncMQwdhcoXN3KLfcRqWKOs-IQxer3tW1Z74OfDVXYLpYfOgFgyrlX07aMXRICjmjKpWr9VtQCrKo/s320/December+2010+092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556510090091538498" border="0" /></a>The second project I did was to transform the boring, plain wall in my kitchen into something useful and cute. Here is the plain wall. Attractive, I know.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_rUUZUl6Fc7JcnsWxybi0YgJVGBSscwMIWpFkAQiLBk9GKvIzU3xymm0Y-TmzzslbFw93vRCg30fskuAz5N0fxy93f7Od5v0RciLBjrj5Y2fiXF5U9Tq5_0kf9oHUxlC4bhsvo1yxvA/s1600/December+2010+093.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_rUUZUl6Fc7JcnsWxybi0YgJVGBSscwMIWpFkAQiLBk9GKvIzU3xymm0Y-TmzzslbFw93vRCg30fskuAz5N0fxy93f7Od5v0RciLBjrj5Y2fiXF5U9Tq5_0kf9oHUxlC4bhsvo1yxvA/s320/December+2010+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556510094624485186" border="0" /></a>The first thing I did was starch some fabric to the wall. Thank yous go out to my sister, Tanya for the idea and to my mom for talking to me on the phone while I was in the fabric store trying to pick a fabric. I lack the confidence and decisiveness to do things like that quickly.<div>UPDATE: After a few questions on how to starch fabric to a wall, I decided to answer them! You need liquid starch(not spray starch. Don't worry, I didn't know what it was either, but it was right in the laundry section of the grocery store! Usually in a blue bottle. It costs about $3 and I only used about 1/4 of it. Think of how many more walls I can fabric!) and a sponge. Pour some starch into a shallow pan(like a pie dish) and use the sponge to apply the starch to the fabric. You may want to tack the fabric to the wall first so it is hanging evenly. Make sure to evenly saturate the fabric. Using a large scraper (or old gift card) smooth out the fabric so there aren't any bubbles. Let it dry. Yup, thats it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNagP0w0IyyV67UkxiFHLBiklwxXkRbvp5_yVcQ4On-JOVrX8pEbWXKgQJw_nXlxD5DI6L23bWrDC4bt-KfbvhEvYz5YLdwgUxZmvWKHqs8YyzkATDxM8-JDQHBCXvWhWFBFQeoVZO0fU/s1600/December+2010+095.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNagP0w0IyyV67UkxiFHLBiklwxXkRbvp5_yVcQ4On-JOVrX8pEbWXKgQJw_nXlxD5DI6L23bWrDC4bt-KfbvhEvYz5YLdwgUxZmvWKHqs8YyzkATDxM8-JDQHBCXvWhWFBFQeoVZO0fU/s320/December+2010+095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556510096728727234" border="0" /></a>Next, I spray painted some moulding I purchased. Again, thanks go to my sister Tanya, for the awesome idea and to my dear husband for taking my 7, yes I think it was 7, phone calls I made to him while I was Home Depot due to the reasons I mentioned above. And a very special thanks to Clara who was very good for the 2 hours we spent in said store.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJm2fmqp-9ZiSXOnZpR-DgvWTNgdd2ytAlnKWytI-p-lTh9fDbD0ZG2FLJebswtB1im79Mgm8dqA3SbGOCCoUn2ibsPnScR35aqudjRuGOLWnfvubqIwkJljFzEBw3GPtQzC-bENRCW0/s1600/December+2010+097.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJm2fmqp-9ZiSXOnZpR-DgvWTNgdd2ytAlnKWytI-p-lTh9fDbD0ZG2FLJebswtB1im79Mgm8dqA3SbGOCCoUn2ibsPnScR35aqudjRuGOLWnfvubqIwkJljFzEBw3GPtQzC-bENRCW0/s320/December+2010+097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556510103474091842" border="0" /></a>After allowing the paint to dry, I glued the frame together using wood glue.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_Bz6D5daCOVTx4V8gCaxnf4a5iiQFwbZ1toua4Uqg39J2h1T1m7KmaGghxNIrksCO_M7R7R8ZlB52WnSBz2_fFhiqo7hZosHm0foDKyR8_MKif0gtpavnDWsrZ5vPODeet2mvvnkHrQ/s1600/December+2010+098.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_Bz6D5daCOVTx4V8gCaxnf4a5iiQFwbZ1toua4Uqg39J2h1T1m7KmaGghxNIrksCO_M7R7R8ZlB52WnSBz2_fFhiqo7hZosHm0foDKyR8_MKif0gtpavnDWsrZ5vPODeet2mvvnkHrQ/s320/December+2010+098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556510111824742242" border="0" /></a>Once the glue dried, we applied adhesive strips to the back of the frame and mounted it to the wall on top of the fabric. Love it! I used adhesive strips so it wouldn't be permanent. Command makes a bunch of varieties to choose from and they don't damage your walls, so that is what I went with. The frame is very light, so it doesn't need too many. After the frame was up, we nailed in a few nails under the top and bottom of the frame to add a little extra support.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iX0mJSxinWushgLG5TNRBV5Fhd066gIZfH_8XC_RQkpmlO6ERSsHLfFihBPzIpP3SmSVGSir_CSCKkvbSnHWarLdr5-lfN8HjkqsoSpqGzOo_8FPoeLpGQwMajb_1DGHavQiMtzNYro/s1600/December+2010+099.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iX0mJSxinWushgLG5TNRBV5Fhd066gIZfH_8XC_RQkpmlO6ERSsHLfFihBPzIpP3SmSVGSir_CSCKkvbSnHWarLdr5-lfN8HjkqsoSpqGzOo_8FPoeLpGQwMajb_1DGHavQiMtzNYro/s320/December+2010+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556512783517296498" border="0" /></a><br />After framing the fabric, we hung all the cute frames that my sister made me for Christmas, my calendar and a small 3 tier shelf. Thanks go to my sister, Heidi, for the super cute and useful Christmas present!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKidZVZMf2bB7wPXLHqQ_6b23JMzvc_RSizjpbXMfTwaV2J3SjbsRJB3o48_jdm1hQW52M-FmzpH0Nqar08uGmkFxNa-IcaSc3nhBIgOlw9Kt8CiEDTRF0JZFmGa5As8hFjJSffP3uw6Q/s1600/December+2010+102.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKidZVZMf2bB7wPXLHqQ_6b23JMzvc_RSizjpbXMfTwaV2J3SjbsRJB3o48_jdm1hQW52M-FmzpH0Nqar08uGmkFxNa-IcaSc3nhBIgOlw9Kt8CiEDTRF0JZFmGa5As8hFjJSffP3uw6Q/s320/December+2010+102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556512787686676226" border="0" /></a>And here are some extra pictures just because I am loving it so much!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyxjbO4_TQAZYZynzU_uQwX4qK_jejTSiN1_OLuVDi9fQaICrl3dDvof8p-9GtcbIo9nau_gWq8j2mT3G9aLQRZaIxC3d_uPZOywxbvpUlx-scVTXfKmYYPeG0P1oOR-4djIji-I8iQE/s1600/December+2010+108.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyxjbO4_TQAZYZynzU_uQwX4qK_jejTSiN1_OLuVDi9fQaICrl3dDvof8p-9GtcbIo9nau_gWq8j2mT3G9aLQRZaIxC3d_uPZOywxbvpUlx-scVTXfKmYYPeG0P1oOR-4djIji-I8iQE/s320/December+2010+108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556512792009533186" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitxDVkiohn20ui0BFso9Fx6mRuLdmjgGk9dhvw68_djYEv7IiPSbZsmu0VgWLZs8xKZE0FIIVmIBMlup94ZFKYAC51-7frgD5Em4kxqDmyfa5HjEooA3j04-kNnJsjv60DVxLQxgImBY/s1600/December+2010+106.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitxDVkiohn20ui0BFso9Fx6mRuLdmjgGk9dhvw68_djYEv7IiPSbZsmu0VgWLZs8xKZE0FIIVmIBMlup94ZFKYAC51-7frgD5Em4kxqDmyfa5HjEooA3j04-kNnJsjv60DVxLQxgImBY/s320/December+2010+106.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556512793667095826" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_586Jq0tRU57DThdP6GH4xO964T1brtdczCdoOkKXHYM_JtINyqZ6zd480_RnkRENzxUl4iNDfuIeEFX0t-Ft_I74dddJCU3Fx3YCoW4ZrPhCIE3xamIUsj-vUGiY5hk_IngvyTsSW2I/s1600/December+2010+107.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_586Jq0tRU57DThdP6GH4xO964T1brtdczCdoOkKXHYM_JtINyqZ6zd480_RnkRENzxUl4iNDfuIeEFX0t-Ft_I74dddJCU3Fx3YCoW4ZrPhCIE3xamIUsj-vUGiY5hk_IngvyTsSW2I/s320/December+2010+107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556512800582132818" border="0" /></a>My kitchen looks so much prettier now!</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-80504285877609763422010-12-26T18:41:00.004-07:002010-12-26T18:57:17.522-07:00Christmas Present Thank YousThis post is mostly for Grandma and Papa Muhlestein. They gave Clara a slide for Christmas and we videoed her reaction to seeing it for the first time. Like any little kid, she was a little distracted by the wrappings so it took her a minute to notice the real gift. She was definitely in awe of it, though! Here is the video:<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=d039009b9b41889b4481e0" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=d039009b9b41889b4481e0&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:408px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt3" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Make video montages at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br /><br />We also want to say thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen. The new rug made Christmas morning so much more enjoyable, since we had a comfortable place to sit! And Clara loved the new clothes for her doll. The tutu princess skirt you made her matched well with her doll and she loved that! And I love the Snug Bugs you gave Lucas! Those are really fun! In fact, Clara has hijacked them a few times and I have to repeatedly remind her they are for Lucas!<br /><br />And thank you to Heidi, Greg Brooklyn and Boston. All your presents were a huge hit! Clara loves the Cinderella Doll and her matching skirt and crown. I love the crayon holders for her and Lucas and I love Lucas' new trucks! Yea for more boy toys coming into our house! Jordan loves his game and the book. I love all the kitchen stuff you made me! I can now decorate my wall with the menu board, shopping list and FHE chart. I am sure there will be a blog post when that project gets done.<br /><br />Thank you Thank you Thank you to everyone!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-22338189348715433052010-12-26T15:07:00.007-07:002010-12-26T19:35:04.680-07:00Christmas EveThis Christmas was the first one, since Jordan and I have been married, that we haven't been with family. While it is kind of sad to not be together with everyone and missing out on all the fun activities and traditions <span style="font-size:78%;">(like making tamales! Oh how I miss you!)</span> it has been a lot of fun to start our own traditions and have Christmas in our own house. We were much more motivated to decorate our home since the whole holiday season would be spent here. And it is much easier on Christmas morning when you don't have to plan gifts around what you can pack, or just give IOU's for stuff that is waiting for you at home. Clara is also old enough for Christmas to be magical, so it was a lot of fun for us to see that and have her experience it with just us.<br /><br />For Christmas Eve, Jordan and I decided it would be fun to make tempura <span style="font-size:78%;">(using my Christmas gift from last year, a fondue pot!) <span style="font-size:100%;">and sushi. It was a lot of fun.<br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDClQ92W276Rw_HQb6q73Qaj8FuixvcEJrkBd803CEQUZwyNKHP-DZwhBk7wKBzMAbLgKlCC6pAHbp8QHvPxnXNJAZDcyNevHPP-e424DnQySO6O_MPH5ZX2n2kYYk52sY-ZDx2oC5_00/s1600/December+2010+031.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDClQ92W276Rw_HQb6q73Qaj8FuixvcEJrkBd803CEQUZwyNKHP-DZwhBk7wKBzMAbLgKlCC6pAHbp8QHvPxnXNJAZDcyNevHPP-e424DnQySO6O_MPH5ZX2n2kYYk52sY-ZDx2oC5_00/s320/December+2010+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555116944665029202" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwue5YPlZmTJi6hUbP2LNsWtsTqmC8MxhvsHoQS_zqlH2afbUMxv5fJokq5f8R4v6Bghx3o0f2eHuWkNVN_dKKQV1fBtgIJz2QrQNCZv4biWae1WdQWYgwJQfTgMdKALy8wy083GhmJVE/s1600/December+2010+035.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwue5YPlZmTJi6hUbP2LNsWtsTqmC8MxhvsHoQS_zqlH2afbUMxv5fJokq5f8R4v6Bghx3o0f2eHuWkNVN_dKKQV1fBtgIJz2QrQNCZv4biWae1WdQWYgwJQfTgMdKALy8wy083GhmJVE/s320/December+2010+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555116949497823458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">The sushi was awesome! It is so easy to make, but I don't always think about it. Making it made me want to make it more often! The tempura wasn't as good, but now I just see that as a challenge to get better at it! After our fun dinner, we each got to open one present- new Christmas pajamas! Jordan and I always pick out the kids' jammies together, and then we each pick out the others, so they are a surprise. Clara was already hyped up on Christmas fun!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgId9mx-mQFOZY0G6BWkSRwohLVOXlXMDgfJoH8BOkvWbgvt03cCwkh6jnNcIGUc9tXlGIOrncqDZ1d1bdCkhKFtO7zTjdGiXNbAQJHJqG4GFkk3nNYrpzJ0udLv8YoYMeuQeQFvhujvo/s1600/December+2010+041.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgId9mx-mQFOZY0G6BWkSRwohLVOXlXMDgfJoH8BOkvWbgvt03cCwkh6jnNcIGUc9tXlGIOrncqDZ1d1bdCkhKFtO7zTjdGiXNbAQJHJqG4GFkk3nNYrpzJ0udLv8YoYMeuQeQFvhujvo/s320/December+2010+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555116951797409762" border="0" /></a>And had a hard time sitting still for pictures!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUGuhlJIMXALscNH9_vVwlWoDDe1BybFBZ9QeUrTdnDMLUIZbFlCzXA-rryM-C5T6JHCdt-UZqgtUPJqCEFFFZrgnjwc36KwFEAX-P2V8s9SRF_GDyEhVIPh1D7hUP0oDNFSqGAjy4Ww/s1600/December+2010+043.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUGuhlJIMXALscNH9_vVwlWoDDe1BybFBZ9QeUrTdnDMLUIZbFlCzXA-rryM-C5T6JHCdt-UZqgtUPJqCEFFFZrgnjwc36KwFEAX-P2V8s9SRF_GDyEhVIPh1D7hUP0oDNFSqGAjy4Ww/s320/December+2010+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555116956465077970" border="0" /></a>Here is a little video of Clara singing Jingle Bells.<br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=d03de7d829aeb8fe251381" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=d03de7d829aeb8fe251381&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:408px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt1" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Make an on-line slide show at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div><br /><br />Can you see the footsie pajamas Jordan got me? They are two piece, and not one, but they do have the feet on them! Jordan's may look a little boring in comparison, but he loves them! He said the piping on them made him feel classy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6IQVU37e4ZcOAE-0vOIe0UE5Xsh8qPa9zx6On84beNmPMpM_OuILZDpxm2xRMdHMxJkPeUIe0-7OLWBfOzxrPVFk8GUuTFeGga2cnL1BQQOqp9eyKwXd3QOPHImtinLmGWXTUNOAcV4/s1600/December+2010+046.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6IQVU37e4ZcOAE-0vOIe0UE5Xsh8qPa9zx6On84beNmPMpM_OuILZDpxm2xRMdHMxJkPeUIe0-7OLWBfOzxrPVFk8GUuTFeGga2cnL1BQQOqp9eyKwXd3QOPHImtinLmGWXTUNOAcV4/s320/December+2010+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555116959967546626" border="0" /></a>After putting on our new pajamas, we read the accounts of Jesus' birth out of the Bible and Book of Mormon, then sang a bunch of Christmas Hymns. Clara has a love/hate relationship with singing, and apparently Christmas Eve was a hate day. The entire time we were singing <span style="font-size:78%;">(and we sang about 8 songs!)</span> she was yelling at us to "turn it off". After that, we got out egg nog and cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer to share. Then we went out to the front yard and spread reindeer food (oats mixed with glitter) to help them lead Santa to our house.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnkSC0TnZfERm9xyUF-uqH1QzNWBKeZ3vh8sbImhBlfAjsOCLa8vXgWpaNNKJnzxKtWwKC2m-QEmA2enA64xAwGhLB_iTzrAdQTt-UdnRvBDNJ4v62w6ANP-4sSzC9bzbJ5oZc28ijz8/s1600/December+2010+053.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnkSC0TnZfERm9xyUF-uqH1QzNWBKeZ3vh8sbImhBlfAjsOCLa8vXgWpaNNKJnzxKtWwKC2m-QEmA2enA64xAwGhLB_iTzrAdQTt-UdnRvBDNJ4v62w6ANP-4sSzC9bzbJ5oZc28ijz8/s320/December+2010+053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555120594421864210" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kos1VR89ffHDq_h2AhTL5CSedsYr_Cy_cGDyEUeOnri80wxSnGQfCbNHJIlmf9QOSmJZ0Ds3bzU_vUxFj4MMmK3VrCXfouUhSvH90JkbWr07RWazOnHslnNG1aQ-2x0R73FDxX1MEZY/s1600/December+2010+054.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kos1VR89ffHDq_h2AhTL5CSedsYr_Cy_cGDyEUeOnri80wxSnGQfCbNHJIlmf9QOSmJZ0Ds3bzU_vUxFj4MMmK3VrCXfouUhSvH90JkbWr07RWazOnHslnNG1aQ-2x0R73FDxX1MEZY/s320/December+2010+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555120596558894722" border="0" /></a>Then we sent the kids to bed and finished wrapping presents and awaited Santa's arrival. I t was such a fun night. We made great memories and, hopefully, started some fun traditions!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3251828212895211875.post-18075724917419768702010-12-26T14:51:00.006-07:002010-12-26T15:06:27.048-07:00Cakes 2 and 3I have completed my birthday present to myself by making all three cakes! I had to wait, of course, for occasions were there would be more than just our small family so we wouldn't eat the entire cake! I just wanted to try the cakes, not eat the whole thing! The first cake, I made for my birthday and we invited people over to come and eat it. The second cake, I took to a Christmas party at church. I made sure I got one slice! And the third cake, I made while visiting my sister and her family. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlQoO1KIWENk0Iqe-Dm0w573jDWdS_TwFS6Mj5Wiqzv8ral8UkFZWxls4avMVexPxCGxBiJrZ2lMzjAQB5HtTD2KO4Mj6CXoOBkulNcOgtWPzIN9ASWY0gW0mbx1dgJS5xpdN5tDgI-4/s1600/December+2010+027.jpg"><br /></a>Here is Cake #2. It is the chocolate cake with a peanut butter frosting and a chocolate peanut butter ganache. My goodness is it good! Super rich, so only make it when you have a crowd to share it with and make sure you have a nice, cold glass of milk to drink right along side it. It was so good! I am in love with all things ganache!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULCJUPwBrSaMoCGEqH6mCEdFtdNy4n6x2zPWVlKJxGqL7TUV5YrS5C67bozb-5YDWL-xk3g5zg8RUEyppXam8kvxVD2wtTqATvac3a84WnYPEP7PTSbYW8WHKNvol_QdmdoIOPNxP95o/s1600/December+2010+025.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULCJUPwBrSaMoCGEqH6mCEdFtdNy4n6x2zPWVlKJxGqL7TUV5YrS5C67bozb-5YDWL-xk3g5zg8RUEyppXam8kvxVD2wtTqATvac3a84WnYPEP7PTSbYW8WHKNvol_QdmdoIOPNxP95o/s320/December+2010+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555112402013666194" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDzb2obesYjdnrqDirzW_raj1MghsBZj51iCSQa0uNFtHjWsgXmi7vrwZj2gw_jIHyq6W99onIYgZhvriicVGKfRM_6ED0kmd1dpXIfU9ukMcYiCGpuoHcngHqhKExMrCAc1pjmelCco/s1600/December+2010+027.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDzb2obesYjdnrqDirzW_raj1MghsBZj51iCSQa0uNFtHjWsgXmi7vrwZj2gw_jIHyq6W99onIYgZhvriicVGKfRM_6ED0kmd1dpXIfU9ukMcYiCGpuoHcngHqhKExMrCAc1pjmelCco/s320/December+2010+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555114527794953506" border="0" /></a>Here is cake #3. This one is a brownie mosaic cheesecake with a chocolate cookie crumb crust and a chocolate ganache. Again with the ganache. I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!(Can anyone name the movie?) This cake is a triple threat with brownies, cheesecake and a ganache. Does it get any better than that?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1lwjVOsfTUzRpus-FCO2g-HWovVewqSNpPVGtDIEtdu2vrac3nhL9_jWR05kI0XifOH-s-aHG4RCROFkQQH4QujCYcZzp0PSP4aax_DlU8jwnUQjcCYL-cTZrR_1DJXqSQIQLUMNl-M/s1600/December+2010+028.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1lwjVOsfTUzRpus-FCO2g-HWovVewqSNpPVGtDIEtdu2vrac3nhL9_jWR05kI0XifOH-s-aHG4RCROFkQQH4QujCYcZzp0PSP4aax_DlU8jwnUQjcCYL-cTZrR_1DJXqSQIQLUMNl-M/s320/December+2010+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555112413810689058" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg45gXWQE_6Tt289i3dZiqLakuwA7f6hxTZMoEPyxUT91oAxfTXGgMRmgwdKadn-PhLsFvRTX9zHdbVkgo6VWGktnn14r6ZeIU4AqA8wDDmgBVehXaDlSXP-0jAyA7FNwgWDI89RcYEz8/s1600/December+2010+030.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg45gXWQE_6Tt289i3dZiqLakuwA7f6hxTZMoEPyxUT91oAxfTXGgMRmgwdKadn-PhLsFvRTX9zHdbVkgo6VWGktnn14r6ZeIU4AqA8wDDmgBVehXaDlSXP-0jAyA7FNwgWDI89RcYEz8/s320/December+2010+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555112415134923042" border="0" /></a>All three cakes will be made again. In fact, I have already remade cake #1 for Christmas dinner! I added some crushed candy canes to give it a holiday flair and it was still just as tasty as can be! If any of you are up for the challenge, I strongly recommend all three of these delicious confections! Happy Baking!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11055548997757250335noreply@blogger.com0