tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65111311639689540772024-03-13T12:00:43.717-07:00Sweet and SourJen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-30905104104771119972013-06-12T20:00:00.000-07:002013-06-12T21:52:03.070-07:00A hiking we did go<div style="text-align: center;"><br />We went on a little hiking adventure yesterday. There is a perfect toddler loop near our home called the Frog Pond Wetlands. I enjoy it because, while it is only a one mile loop, the scenery changes quite a bit. There are narrow parts where the vegetation comes right to the edge of the trail and the smell of growth and compost are strong, then it opens up and brown grasses stretch out to either side. we climb up a series of small hills and the tree branches reach out above our heads from either side and the light plays beautifully through the leaves. Then down and down into more thick growth and over multiple small bridges to the pond, which is covered in light green algae. There small birds hop around on top of the algae looking for bugs and a cluster of ducklings quacks around near some reeds. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Graydon is in heaven. He spends the first 5 minutes pointing into the wild and telling me, "snakes!" even though we don't see a single one. Then he runs and runs ahead shouting, "DORA!" and I am sure he truly believes she and her pal Boots are someplace in this wildscape. I have to remind him to stay on the path and we discuss how this is for his safety and for the plants safety too. I am able to slow his sprint occasionally by pointing out the different flowers blooming along our trail. Eleanor is riding in the Ergo and is snuggled deep into my chest napping, that's the life<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5888796622080158786"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeERjmPD1TREYHGN0sP36LyYHWOzj62yqUnPCW8OsaOua2WLE2IBM5IlO7XIBJpPos9b5_yyjVyQIf_ic3pjfBfSMS9p0NbDwhleqTrCpUBKKpBOswKJBFe46_d1aTYsQikqks39IbDPa/s288/3.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />When the bridges start we have to stop at each one and look over the edge to see the water, even though most of them are dry underneath. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5888796649431647202"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmYwmp3sFyDVniW_CecrKOTrz7MDc7PJ5Jnw4llyioYa9cNJiwN7nF1C-aBZS3GlHPhHqgPRSsWtJBNg1GQJ4Xyl0CK4pRCgWJ6Gye9ggdH9c1jouFnLPGam8vzFMtXppCUMuZmWXcsBf/s288/4.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />When we do get to one with water we spend a fair bit of time staring over the edge, until the bugs start nibbling on us and I drag him forward. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5888796686204820082"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBftDHvOmPPfkt8po22cdstzwjcfb8VJS47op9ipjh1mijT3KssramVAqa3ABbicbfuYRfgmVcwRvwR5maOtloj_tw6GQ6GrSHtFcceMmqf2TkjgMr_2pXMdm4FGaw_7BCkICN3mrP6Ojc/s288/5.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />When we get to the pond there is a deck that cantelievers over the water, Graydon doesn't understand that the algae is not solid and he is quite upset that we cannot go walk on it. We look at the ducklings and he notes that the algae covered pond smells like, "Poo! Mama, Poo!". He takes stock of multiple spider webs, complete with the precious hand motion that accompanies anytime he says spider (it is an above the head hand twist, reminiscent of the web climbing motions from "itsy bitsy spider").</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />He has a tantrum when it is time to move on from the pond. I have to chase him down severa times as he makes a break for freedom and there is much dragging of feet and shedding of tears. Finally I convince him that if we keep walking we can count the remaining bridges and he finds that agreeable. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />The whole trip takes less that 45 minutes but it allows him to run wild in nature and gives me a break from the rules of the house. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5888796736175074930"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HWYk2iW350El0HnFdU5MeHR7P314-1y22fUhrS8KFfmViFiUdEJcbOHPzBxdYqMFnBHUZZ6pl8M5NO6qZqs776rFDoaQIrbgnQB6DTfNYp0j1pu5qQ8G_qWNnsmi8l1zwA3uviHNJQbG/s288/6.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Eleanor sleeps the whole time, ah, to be 4 months old.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-74181510875349830022013-05-31T15:20:00.000-07:002013-06-01T14:38:01.189-07:00Cleansing<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite the fact that my last post was over a year ago I still have a habit of viewing my life events from an aspect of blogging them. What colorful words could I use to describe how Graydon runs back and forth from one end of the house the the other chasing the dog, squealing and tripping over his own feet? Would that last picture of Eleanor with her entire fist in her mouth be a good one for the blogosphere? In the end the truth is that blogging is a much better way for me to document my rapidly growing off spring than the random notecards and pages of different journals that hold their other milestones. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will attempt to dive back in, though I am sure my words will be less eloquent than the ones of years past...you know, back when I had time to crack open a thesaurus after dinner... </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we last met I was raising one wild little baby and waiting for my best friend to come home from deployment, ah how quickly life changes! As I write this I am sitting at my kitchen table in Monterey, California, upstairs TWO children sleep and my husband is off on a long bike ride in the middle of a workday. One year ago we moved to Monterey for Chris to attend Naval Postgraduate School for 2 years. On the drive from Yuma to Monterey I discovered the happy news that I was pregnant and in February our family was completed with the birth of Eleanor. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Graydon turned two with full force and is a joy and a challenge to parent. His favorite word is No, he wishes everything was blue and believes in earnest that "two" is the right answer to any question regarding numbers. e laughs and dances and runs everyplace but also has a very serious and contemplative side, he focuses and is cautious around new people and places. He calls me Mama and melts my heart but he wakes up in the morning demanding, "Daddy!". Gray and Loki are best pals and Graydon likes to emulate all things dog; sniffing, putting his face in the water bowl, walking on all fours, lifting his leg and saying"pee"... We have daily adventures and some of our favorites include the beach, the aquariums, the farmer's market and nature hikes behind the house where he likes to look for beetles. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eleanor is my little spit fire, we were thrilled to learn she was a girl and she gifted me with the VBAC that I coveted and worked hard to achieve. She loves to be talked to and held but she can fall asleep on her own in the crib. She nurses like a champ and only wakes up 2-3 times a night. She rolls from her back to her belly and scoots her ways forward to get to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">her toys. She has brown hair and blue eyes (what? How?) and though she entered the world at an impressive 9 lbs 6.2 oz she has already shown herself to be more petite than her brother; she only has one extra chin.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chris is working towards a Master's in </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Operational Research and he works hard to et his studies done at school so we can be a family at home. He loves Monterey for its running weather, hiking trails, gorgeous coastline and yummy eats.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am slowly adapting to life as a Mama to two. I try to leave the house everyday and I am working hard to find new adventures to take my littles on. I love Monterey for is water, farmer's markets, new places to eat and because many dear friends live here. </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you soon! </span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5884632096559195698'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTpxYV4gdR_CIGseZUp47u1nASKtzhMRFXKrCepS6Zr0aTik8cUaQt8sfq6GpNwStgXSCd8yxHXbZXQ4XXnBp6SEJFyfVIQ2gWDMAGs7DLgpYNwHYpgFbvrnc3D-vTikmFD_EzGaeBzCn/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-29865196756630317292012-05-09T21:30:00.000-07:002012-05-09T21:30:02.460-07:00The tenth fall<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My entire life my Mama has been telling me to <span style="color: #990000;">slow </span>down. When I would stub a <span style="color: #351c75;">toe</span> for the umpteenth time or run into the <span style="color: #38761d;">wall </span>that was always there (yes people, I run into <span style="color: #b45f06;">walls</span>) she would shake her head ever so slightly, ask if I was <span style="color: #8e7cc3;">alrigh</span>t and tell me to slow down. This is not just a childhood <span style="color: #ea9999;">memory</span> folks, this is current day too. I have not become any more <span style="color: #a64d79;">graceful</span> with age and I have not, as of yet, learned to slow down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It would appear that G has <span style="color: #45818e;">inherited </span>this trait from me. The little guy started<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> walking</span> </span>at the end of March and now he <span style="color: orange;">RUNS</span>. Runs everywhere. His upper half runs <span style="color: lime;">faster</span> than his feet can move and so he falls. A lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Nine</span> times out of ten he gets right back up and keeps on <span style="color: blue;">running</span>. But those<span style="color: #20124d;"> tenth</span> falls are tough, they are the falls that are <span style="color: purple;">audibly</span> painful. Those are the falls that come with<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> thunks, </span></span>or smacks or loud crashes. Those are the falls that come with<span style="color: blue;"> tears </span>and screams, or worse<span style="color: #e06666;"> The Silent Cry</span> (you know the one- open mouth screaming with no noise or breath). So I<span style="color: #0b5394;"> scoop</span> him up and check him out and cover him with cuddles and <span style="color: purple;">kisses </span>and love and he recovers and hits the ground<span style="color: #134f5c;"> running </span>once more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lil' G never stops moving and <span style="color: #274e13;">exploring </span>and investigating and giving me gray hairs. The other evening we were playing Chris and my bedroom. I was standing <span style="color: #783f04;">one </span>foot away on the phone with Chris when G, in a matter of 5 <span style="color: #073763;">seconds</span>, managed to open the drawer of a table and pull it <span style="color: #cc0000;">over</span>. I was able to catch it, preventing the whole thing from<span style="color: #783f04;"> flattening</span> him, but his arm got pretty well <span style="color: #3d85c6;">smashed.</span> It was a <span style="color: #e06666;">Silent Cry</span> moment and even more it was a "<span style="color: red;">what do I do now</span>" moment. His arm was <span style="color: #741b47;">bruised </span>immediately but by the time I got a trip to urgent care approved by our insurance he was<span style="color: #f6b26b;"> laughing</span> and playing and his arm wasn't even swollen. We packed up and <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">trecked</span> over to the urgent care any way. This happened at 6:15 and the urgent care was advertised as open until 7, so imagine my <span style="color: blue;">surprise </span>when we walked in at 6:30 to be told they were no longer seeing patients. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Huh?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point my <span style="color: #274e13;">munchkin </span>was giggling and waving a sippy cup around with his "<span style="color: #cc0000;">bad</span>" arm. so I turned around and took him home and <span style="color: #ea9999;">snuggled</span> him extra long and put him to bed. He is fine, his arm is fine, I will be fine eventually (Mama <span style="color: #c27ba0;">guilt</span>). However, there is sometime <span style="color: #bf9000;">wrong</span> with saying you are open until 7 if you are not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess if he ever has an<span style="color: #134f5c;"> eleventh</span> fall I will know better.</span></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-49503504036372893742011-10-10T19:38:00.000-07:002011-10-10T19:38:12.345-07:00Not my finest moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">After we got home from Baton Rouge things were pretty hectic. G didn't sleep wonderfully the night we got home and the next day we had a full schedule. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I had breakfast with Kate to catch up. We did our usual Einstein's Bagels/ Starbucks coffee combo and settled in for some gabbing. I am so spoiled having her living in the same house the past 4 months. She moves into her own place next weekend so I guess we are slowly starting the separation before I go back to Yuma. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">After that I headed home to munch on sweet baby cheeks before my next outing. Koda-puppy and I had a date with the doggie trainer. She has some serious behavioral issues that we are trying to resolve...you know, what with a helpless infant in the house and all...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Silly me I drove about 15 minutes to the WRONG location and so I was pretty late getting to our session. Ooooops. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">That afternoon some very old and very dear friends came over. These are friends from the very start of high school, friends I stayed up late with and gossiped about boys with and chalked driveways with and laughed and laughed and laughed with. Friends who are now both married, one has a one year old daughter! We are old huh?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG68241Glpi_rgFnGsxnaqZxTGJJfAMjNNjA3JymQ8zh_imN-vDq9PdUVu2v2GvBAiA4jkJvPhlIKepckk9-DyQvAys0Y6cJwqs2CyOYNPfZZm0xb5hSyea6qU-EXRH9df_9snb8pKX8v3/s1600/SAM_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG68241Glpi_rgFnGsxnaqZxTGJJfAMjNNjA3JymQ8zh_imN-vDq9PdUVu2v2GvBAiA4jkJvPhlIKepckk9-DyQvAys0Y6cJwqs2CyOYNPfZZm0xb5hSyea6qU-EXRH9df_9snb8pKX8v3/s320/SAM_0448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Willa, Libby, Hilary, Me and G-money<br />(yes, my five month old weighs as much as her one year old...)</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was a jam packed day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Thursday was just as busy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We had baby gym class in the morning. G loves it, we sing songs and do flips and play with big rubber balls and tiny little bubbles. It is a great baby exhaustion tool too.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Back home he was down for the count so Grandma offered to watch the baby monitor while Kate and I grabbed lunch. Kate had to head to work afterwards so we had a quick meal at Qdoba. Love that place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">On my way home, a route I have take about a million times, I ran into some trouble. I stopped, I blinked left, I looked left, I thought the white Trailblazer was turning right onto my street. I was wrong. Crash. Bang. Boom. Shock. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">No injuries, save my pride.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Lots of prayers of thanks that G-man was home with Grandma and not in his usual place in the rear of my car.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdncFFM4QtlC-UyK68Fs2wIPOyBAWV4-CBm1YUw2iuLU7oYiEYj6a3W5a_4jUuE6nfPAAU5NKbi0zewBp7Ti9ywvOaQA3C3hyphenhyphen3-ZMtWamegFaNDydgMrVx_qGcofSnRdv1xdQ42xK16pzL/s1600/334630_10100177805772793_19213079_47527899_1921885_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdncFFM4QtlC-UyK68Fs2wIPOyBAWV4-CBm1YUw2iuLU7oYiEYj6a3W5a_4jUuE6nfPAAU5NKbi0zewBp7Ti9ywvOaQA3C3hyphenhyphen3-ZMtWamegFaNDydgMrVx_qGcofSnRdv1xdQ42xK16pzL/s400/334630_10100177805772793_19213079_47527899_1921885_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Like I said. Not my finest moment.</span></div>
Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-30151501931220011612011-10-04T14:28:00.001-07:002011-10-04T14:28:22.609-07:00Huh?It seems I cannot quite pin down a blog post these days. I would love to place blame a lack of time but that would not be fully accurate as G is sleeping much better at night and beginning to take better naps. The truth is I am not sure what to say anymore. I had never given much thought in the past about what the few people reading would think of what I wrote. Take it or leave it, I didn't care. <br /><br />But now there is G. And he is wonderful, but when I sit to write a blog about him it seems trite. <br /><br />Of course I love him, does it need saying? He is the most perfect thing I have done with my life. However, a love sonnet to his elongating naps isn't in tempo with some of my former snarky posting. <br /> <br />So I shall attempt to foray back into myself and not worry what you may think of me if my blog isn't solely something about my precious boy. (who, by the way, is sweetly napping on me right now as we fly to Colorado)<br /><br />***************************************<br /><br />I have had the misfortune of encountering one of life's rule-less people this week while in Baton Rouge. You know the type, the ones who are above the laws and common decencies the rest of civilization abides by. Oh yeah, THAT guy. <br /><br />This particular fellow was encountered multiple times on G and my morning walks around my Aunt's suburban neighborhood.<br /><br /> (And while I tell you about him please remember I am the proud mama of two fur baby dogs also.)<br /><br />He is preceded by two loping black dogs who weave in and out of each lawn, stopping to mark a bush or chase a squirrel before heading into the road and down the street. He is middle aged and balding, he carries a metal poop scooper and about 50 extra pounds. His dogs bound up to my stroller, anxious to stick their wet noses into my son's outstretched hands, rewarding his trust with germy French kisses. I steer my child away and give him a glance that I believe fully conveyed his need to get his dogs out of G's face. <br /> <br />We walk on. <br /><br />Back home my Aunt mentions passing the same fellow often when she walks her dogs. She expressed her frustration with trying to control her two year old ADHD German Shepard as two unleashed dogs taunt him and follow along. She said that she finally decided to say something, sweetly telling the man, "You really should have them on a leash". How did he respond, you may wonder. He stared straight at her and then turned and walked away. <br /><br />Yeah, THAT guy...<br /><br />Upon encountering him again the next day I decided to reinforce my Aunt's message. Since he had never seen us together I didn't worry about him connecting us. As his slobbering canine's once more made there way towards my stroller I crossed the street to try to avoid them and light heartedly called out, "They really should be on leashes". <br /><br />To which he answered (in a voice to rival the best "I couldn't care less" of my teenage years)<br /><br /> "oh yeah"<br /> <br />Seriously dude? Are you 12? Is this for real?<br /><br /> Less patient now, "well it is the law".<br /><br />Getting downright pissy he responds, "I think you should read the whole law before pretending to know what you are talking about".<br /><br />Wow. Yeah, THAT guy! <br /><br /> I walked on, stunned by a grown mans rudeness and complete inability to admit he may in fact be in the wrong. His refusal to accept that he is breaking the law and perhaps should at least try to be civilized to those around him who are abiding by that law.<br /><br />And so my readers I give you the WHOLE law.<br /><br />"In Baton Rouge, your dog must be physically controlled at all times. This means that the dog must be on a leash held in your hand, in a fenced yard with the gate closed, in a kennel, on a chain, or in your house. Besides being the law, this ordinance is a common sense practice to avoid injury, illness, or loss of your dog."<br /><br />The moral of the story here folks? <br /><br />Please, don't be THAT guy!<br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-7711724508507173132011-07-30T20:36:00.001-07:002011-07-30T20:36:03.321-07:00To My Best Friend<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5635355122110440242'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0FOs9MMe6ZArFMhzK2xupqGkwAet7xuXEGfO3QTDcopbHgoIq10e0bX2UydAED36CoDVSsov6U0N3-U8jKnKv8amYTPD2Z-jgo_6p2585iPHy9c-khNxte2DJCVRU2RgneRhPOjfy9Kb/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Chris,<br /> What a wild ride we have been on since saying, "I do". So many changes and hurdles and excitements and disappointments, so much love and laughter and new experiences and wonderful moments. I can say honestly and with my whole being that there is no one in the universe I would rather go through this life with than you. <br /> When I first had that silly school girl crush on a cute boy from another high school I never could have imagined that you would turn out to be my other half. <br /> You teach me things every day and, even though you love me just the way I am, you make me strive to be a better woman. I am thankful for the balance you provide me and the insight into other parts of our world that you share with me. <br /> I am so proud to call you my husband. I am proud that in a time where most people are only concerned with getting ahead you are willing to sacrifice safety, time with our family and normal work hours to make sure every American gets to maintain their freedoms. <br /> I am proud that you are the father of my child and that you not only love him but had no problem changing all the diapers for his first week of life while I recovered, not all men are manly enough for the job! I am proud to know you will teach G to be an honorable and respectful man. I am proud to have a husband who thinks I look great first thing in the morning but who always notices when I go the extra step.<br /> I didn't know I could love you anymore than I already did until you brought our son, all pink and perfect and swaddled up, to meet me. He is the perfect blend of you and me and I love watching him grow. I am sad for everyday with him that you miss but I know that once you are home it will be like no time at all had passed. <br /> You are greatly missed my love. I thank you for three lovely years of marriage and I look forward to decades more! <br /> Always and Forever Yours, <br /> XoXo -jenni<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5635355128050101234'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXpRd6xIt9yt16E0yxZdI-tn4fEranp4ivAgRSDUu7hslHl-X2GkXYSv_-ZrRGY0GY6GA-Kzk3vtp0ZO53qls2ayZuIr4ob9Lu6yrrmB5GZT5VJMS5I-6NQOgs4dbraKWY4qebs70KC6z/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-62603121994809259262011-07-24T12:55:00.001-07:002011-07-24T12:55:20.800-07:00Salted and Sun KissedThe beach is over.<br /><br />Not to be melodramatic... I do realize that the beach still exists.<br /><br />For us, however, it is over until at least next summer and that makes me sad.<br /> <br />Little G was a super beach stud! He was not a fan of being slicked up with SPF 100 Coppertone Water Babies but he loved being in the Gulf. I often use waves as white noise when he sleeps and as a result he would pass out in my arms almost immediately upon entering the water. Didn't hurt that the Gulf of Mexico is warmer than the recommended bath water temperature for most babies...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5633009857812926402'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSposI6EmBRPwnSDz12ZdxOtFRje_ts3C8exnjv5k1MWpg3jtPttqVnYv17IadLUuAN6zLMGXCxhaitNolNXMzlfXMlfhw8dwoAFwWyn9-FB1H_XPD6ybLfRHMP-FYu0bKqlXW1QP3FUqn/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I bought his highness a little beach tent and it turned out to be a big hit among everyone. After his floating nap time I would strip G down naked and let him wiggle around on a towel in the shade. He was a huge fan.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5633009867951449634'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKpzPjxh8gmQb6bgY_BJgkv4UDKvVlbis_NWWE8Jv-Qxy-OHoXeSSlgxGShKCKGvCLdoe8eb-EPQBOLi1k0YcBLqGe4o6V1brdNVCvNizPHoazx4M3K_OVTpgzZF2OrbAmnAWs95prqfh/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />Another beach plus was how well G slept, the fresh air and sunshine really knocked him out at night. <br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5633009880327612930'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cU-DU5t0yZePL38rmzD0idQnsbnpu5ouZRdn7H4HBjuR2dnhcTsQDKZT9rjybhNv7qAp0Zc21d2ZlJaBv6l6MDGWHw2xXwVQbKdGs8hsk7yakInFyNS2QiexVPvf1o8FrG9nJ26NAj1o/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We missed Chris tons and tons and I am already imagining him building sandcastles with G next summer. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5633009891072884530'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHHS-QkNRbOo4OxZ_CHagyfQx93XIfmlsEVVf3pIm-2gWFSUp5GBP_z6mFmutyzZyv7zh6rME6AqinbSP2WRyXRRTDjdCtYvQSZ4h2vVE9GBN5vArOxSCeFImiWmjSsnOUq8rkKArHKUF/s288/3.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='167' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-28992409189926458452011-07-17T09:36:00.001-07:002011-07-17T09:36:54.282-07:00Familiar Not a lot in the past three months has felt familiar. <br /> We welcomed little G and with all his perfection comes uncertainty the likes of which I have never felt.<br /> Chris deployed. Which should feel familiar since he was also deployed only 9 months ago. However, last time he was on a boat and this time he is in Afghanistan. Worrying for his safety is unfamiliar. <br /> I moved back to Colorado and that should definitely feel familiar. But living at home as a 25 year old with an infant is a whole new ballgame.<br /> This week we are in Redington <br />beach Florida. At the Sea Oats condos. We are with my grandma, my aunt, two boy cousins, my mom, Kate and G. <br /><br />And it is familiar. <br /><br /> We have been coming to these condos since I was an infant. Almost every summer. The older all the kids got the harder it was to organize between camps and jobs and college searches. In fact the last time I was here was six years ago. It was the first big family event that Chris came too.<br /> Having G with me feels familiar here, like it is just the next page of the story here at the beach. It was the cousins that spearheaded the trip this year and I know we will continue the tradition as we keep growing up. <br /> Pulling into the condo was familiar, joking about the worlds slowest elevator was old hat, the same layout of bedrooms and kitchen was easy to traverse, the view from the balcony was as expected. <br /> A lot of times I crave the new and the unknown but after a crazy few months it is a blessing to be here in the familiar.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/109240323580605728368/SweetAndSour?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzmjeyn1ZXugQE#5630361153745270642'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL3quWtXx7J-JYlbZuJafdppkqtz7wj4xky9xPKr_sbgrcU8RmSzambz83JLc-3neuj4mbw815XS85sthopHkK-mdfjTk5xXRPj52EP83g64XkVJExDFIL3-jJ_B75A5_qa_o7wIaIWAd/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='320' height='320' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-49688471289829678192011-02-23T10:03:00.002-07:002011-02-23T10:34:06.984-07:00A Bag-O-Lemons<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">For the most part I put some real <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">stock</span> in the thought that when life gives you <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">lemons</span> you should try to make <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">lemonade</span>. I have had some crummy moments turn out <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">alright</span> due to this principal (and a fair amount of sugar usually...) </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /><br />But.<br /><br /></span> </span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">What do you do when it <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">seems</span> like life has filled up a burlap sack <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">full</span> of unripe lemons and then <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">proceeds</span> to beat the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663333;">crud</span> out of you with it?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />That is the big <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">question</span> in our household right now. How can you make <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">lemonade</span> out of a situations that has very few, if <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">any</span>, sweet parts? </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />A few weeks ago we found out that those <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">stupid</span> Marine Corps <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Ninjas</span> where up to there usual tricks again, crafty <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">buggers</span>. This time they have decided that Chris should go on <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">deployment</span> for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">seven</span> months, starting a few weeks after Lil' G is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">scheduled</span> to make his big <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">debut</span>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Holy Cow.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We have both been through a lot of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;">emotions</span> the past few weeks as we process and plan what this means for our little <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">family</span>. There are no <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">easy</span> answers for re-imagining the first <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">eight</span> months of G's life <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">without</span> Chris around. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Thank God we are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">blessed</span> with supportive family who have fully <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">accepted</span> my choice to move back to the great state of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Colorado</span> while Chris is away. My parents have been so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">thrilled</span> to become Grandma and Grandpa but they never <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">imagined</span> that the promotion would include their <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">grown</span> daughter moving home with a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">newborn</span> and two <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">dogs</span>... they are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">saints</span>. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Heck, I never <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">imagined</span> living in their basement with my first <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">child</span> in tow, but I guess life doesn't really ask our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">opinion</span> in these matters. I do <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">know</span> it will be better to be there and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">crowded</span> than stay here and be all <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">alone</span> with no support system. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />For now we don't have a lot of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">details</span>. Chris should be around for G's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">birth</span>, which is huge blessing. We are trying to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">figure</span> out which parts of our life need to go with me to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Colorado</span> and the rest will be boxed up and put in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">storage</span>. It is a difficult <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">undertaking</span> at seven months <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">pregnant</span> to even think about boxing up our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">whole</span> house...but as with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">everything</span> else I am sure it will get done. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />So, now I am going to go <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">sit</span> in the world's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">coolest</span> nursery and allow myself to feel sad that Lil' G will not <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">actually</span> get live in the room that Chris and I put so much <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">work</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">love</span> into. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><br /><br />Here is a song I just <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">discovered</span> that has been helping...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </div><div align="center"> </div><br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_Gs3fg_WsEg?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-2623424829875861952011-02-02T10:08:00.002-07:002011-02-02T12:00:04.053-07:00Ribs and Ribs and then some more Ribs<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sometimes I like to have a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">plan</span>. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Actually, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">95%</span> of the time I like to have a plan. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is something that Chris knows about me but sometimes he <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">forgets</span>. Sometimes when there is no plan I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">freak</span> out a little bit (or a lot a bit...) but lately I have been making an <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">effort</span> to relax a bit. A few dozen people may have <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">mentioned</span> that babies and set plans do not mix well so I am trying to <span style="color:#6666cc;">adapt</span>. So far I am enjoying the moments with no plan. I don't mind not knowing what time we will be leaving the house quite as much and I have handled a few last minute changes with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">grace</span>. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">So, this Friday I knew we had a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">plan</span> to go to a squadron White Elephant party at 7:30. But I didn't <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">freak</span> out when we left the house a little late (my fault anyway because I didn't get dressed until 7:20) and I didn't <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">mind</span> that we were picking up a friend. And I was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">thankful</span> that we had to go to Walmart on the way to get beer for the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">husband</span> because we had NO dog food left at home and I can't lift the bags. I was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">relaxed</span> when we added another pick-up to the list on the way to the party. Do you know what? I was so much <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">calmer</span> when we got to the party because I wasn't <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">worried</span> about all these little changes. I wasn't mad at Chris for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">changing</span> the plan and he wasn't mad at me for being so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">nutso</span> and we both had a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">splendid</span> time at the party. There may be something to this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">flexibility</span> thing.
<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=Tomkittens.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/Tomkittens.jpg" /></a>
<br /></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><u><span style="color:#0066cc;"></span></u>Saturday morning Chris made <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">pancakes</span>, they were some of his best I must say. We <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">lazed</span> around the house until close to 10 am when Chris mentioned he had heard about a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Rib</span> Cook-off going on that day. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Whhhhaaaaat?</span> Ribs you say? Lots of ribs? An event where I am allowed to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">chew</span> meat off the bone in public and then <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">lick</span> my fingers? Pack the car! Turn on the GPS! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We headed off to Holtville, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">California</span> with our friend Rick in tow. It is a teeny tiny town (even smaller than <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Yuma</span> I would venture) about an hour west of us. I have since learned they are the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">carrot</span> capital of the world, but Saturday all I smelled was delicious <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">BBQ </span>sauces.
<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0353.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0353.jpg" /></a>
<br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">There were probably 25 stands with their own "<span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">best</span>" ribs. The set-up was simple, you bought a book of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">tickets</span> and then paid with tickets for ribs at each stand.
<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0343.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0343.jpg" /></a>
<br />In typical Jen fashion the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">first</span> rib was my favorite of the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">whole</span> day and I wish I had eaten more ribs from that stand.
<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0331.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0331.jpg" target="_blank" href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0332.jpg" /><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0332.jpg" /></a></a>
<br />Chris said it was too <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">salty</span> which is most likely why I loved it. We waited in a lot of long lines, there were <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">thousands</span> of people there, and my dogs were definitely barking by days end. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I had one slight <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">meltdown</span> when I dropped a rib on the ground. Yes, I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">cried</span>. Yes, over a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">rib</span>. But keep in mind I waited in line for about 30 <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">minutes</span> for that rib and that I am pregnant. Baby <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">needed</span> some rib! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Luckily, Chris doesn't clean the rib bones very well so I finished off his rib and was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">happy</span> once again.
<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0346.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0346.jpg" /></a>
<br /></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I had <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">saved</span> two tickets for old fashioned ice cream and we waited in our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">longest</span> line of the day to enjoy its cold sweet icy <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">goodness</span>!. So wonderful.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Aren't you jealous of our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">deliciously</span> fun Saturday?
<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0363.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0363.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sunday was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">not</span> as much fun for me :( I woke up at 4 am and started <span style="color:#660000;">worrying</span> (I am prone to worry all the time). For some reason I was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">freaked</span> out because Lil' G wasn't moving right that moment...he does <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">sleep</span> too. So I woke Chris up to worry with me, he tried to assuage my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999900;">fears</span> but soon he was back to dreamland. I tried to sleep but around 6 am I was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">starving</span> so I got out of my cozy bed and ate a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">leftover</span> calzone from the previous evening and watched Pawn Stars on the couch. I fell back <span style="color:#00cccc;">asleep</span> around 8 and slept on the couch until 10ish while Chris puttered around fixing his X-box. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Chris was kind enough to make me <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">pancakes</span> again (which is what I REALLY wanted at 6 am) and we made <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">plans</span> to run errands for the day. Flash forward 30 minutes to me standing in my closet crying <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">hysterically</span> because none of my clothes fit (did I mention I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">hormonal</span>?) my poor sweet husband said all the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">right</span> things and even offered to take me <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">shopping</span> right then. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We made it through errands and I made it home only to develop the worst <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">headache</span> I have EVER had (and I am a lifetime <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">migraine</span> sufferer). I thought that surely my head would <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">explode</span> like an over inflated balloon and yet again I was in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">tears</span> (notice a Sunday theme?) Chris and I were in the process of deciding whether or not a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">hospital</span> visit was in order when the headache miraculously <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">vanished</span>. Thank goodness because I needed a good night of sleep!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">After all that <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">worry</span> and headache pain Mr. G has been <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">kicking</span> the heck outta me for two days straight....</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Well, I have now <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">rambled</span> quite a bit and so I shall leave you for now. I hope you are all <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">enjoying</span> your week!</span></div>
<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0311.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0311.jpg" /></a> Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-6940422683890351322011-01-24T11:07:00.005-07:002011-01-24T12:35:06.443-07:00Grapefruit-a-palooza<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The past month has been a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">whirlwind</span>. We started out with family in town for Christmas and haven't really <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">slowed</span> down since. I spent 8 days in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Colorado</span> and just got home last Tuesday, I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">intend</span> on writing about that someday...but for now I am still <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">floating</span> on the clouds of a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">lovely</span> weekend with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Chris </span>.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Saturday <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">morning</span> came with no particular <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">urgancy</span>. It was a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">gorgeous</span> day outside, the kind of day where the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">light</span> is just right and it reaches into your house and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">cheers</span> you up</span> <span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Chris and I have been bringing the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">nursery</span> together a step at a time and it is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">almost</span> done now. My parents <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">gifted</span> us with our coveted glider/rocking chair and it <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">arrived</span> this week so it was on our to do list for the weekend. It was a <span style="color:#336666;">breeze</span> to put together and is so lovely to sit in, I have told Chris that if <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">sleeping</span> becomes any more uncomfortable he may find me in the rocker at <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">night</span>. After the chair was assembled we just <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">hung</span> out in the nursery for a while, it is so much fun to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">imagine</span> lil' G being here in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">3</span> short months. My <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">bunny</span> (yes, I sleep with a stuffed animal....what of it) was kind enough to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">volunteer</span> to be our tester for diaper changing lessons for Chris and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">experimentation</span> with the Miracle Blanket for both of us. What a patient bunny. Loki was stretched out in front of the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">bookcase</span> and Koda, in typical form, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">knocked</span> over my whole stack of baby clothes so she could <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">sleep</span> on them.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">We decided that the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">beautiful</span> light outside needed to be enjoyed and we headed <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">downtown</span> for the Spirit of Yuma festival. It was mainly <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">cheesy</span> vendors and snow birds (old people) but we also went into some of our favorite <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">antique</span> stores on that street.<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0274.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 297px; HEIGHT: 707px" border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0274.jpg" width="394" height="919" /></a></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">After all the shopping the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">baby</span> needed a snack (see what I did there?). Lucky for us there was a fabulous <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">crepe</span> stand set up and a friendly man dressed as a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">pirate</span> shared all sorts of crepe making <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">secrets</span> with us while he prepared our banana/strawberry crepe.<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0282.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0282.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">YUMMY<br /></span><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0283.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0283.jpg" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">A few blocks away there was more <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">activity</span> going on at the Old Yuma Quarter Master's Depot so we <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">ventured</span> over to check it out.<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0299.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0299.jpg" /></a><br />It wasn't too thrilling but we saw some neat old <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">cars</span> and stopped in to say hi to some of the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Marines</span> Chris works with who were running a table at the event. It was 80 <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">degrees</span> out, yup in January, so lil' G and I needed a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">snow</span> cone to keep cool.<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0301.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0301.jpg" /></a><br />It was the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">biggest</span> snow cone I have ever eaten!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><br />On the way home we <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">stopped</span> by a pick your own <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">grapefruit</span> grove that Chris has heard about. It was a great find and we left with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">35</span> grapefruit for a whopping<span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"> $4</span>! <a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0306.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0306.jpg" /></a>They are really <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">delicious</span> and we will definitley be going back once we run out. There is something so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">satisfying</span> about seeing exactly where you food <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">originated</span> and taking it straight home to enjoy.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><br /><br />If you think this sounds like a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">jam-packed</span> but glorious Saturday you would be <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">right</span> but we didn't stop there! We headed out to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">church</span> and enjoyed some beautiful <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">worship</span> music and a really nice message from a member of the congregation. Then it was back home for grilled <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">pizzas</span> with our friend Jeff. The boys played some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">Wii</span> while I took a break and then we all headed to the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">movies</span>. We <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">laughed</span> through No Strings Attatched and the comedy of me spilling half my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">popcorn</span> on the floor and then headed home just before <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">midnight</span>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Now <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">THAT</span> is a jam-packed <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">Saturday</span>!</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><br />Sunday</span> was a bit more slow <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">paced</span> but we enjoyed another beautiful day in Yuma. Chris headed out for his Sunday <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">haircut</span> (no shaggy men in the Marine Corps!) and to a friend's for some help fixing his<span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;"> X-box</span>. I whipped up some kick butt <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">guacamole</span> and we headed to Jeff's house to watch some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">football</span>. I wore yellow and green and routed for the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Packers</span> because Chris's mom <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">LOVES</span> the Packers.<br /><a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0310-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0310-1.jpg" /></a><br />Jeff grilled some fabulous <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">ribs</span> and we had a nice afternoon with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">friends</span> before heading home and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">collapsing</span> in bed to watched <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333300;">recorded</span> American Idol Auditions. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><br />Sometimes I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">forget</span>, in my desire to make <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">friends</span> in whatever town the Marine Corps sends us to, that I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">lucky</span> enough to be married to my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">best friend</span>. It is weekends like this one that serve to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">recharge</span> my soul and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">remind</span> me that it doesn't really <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">matter</span> what the rest of the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">world</span> thinks of me as long as <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">Chris</span> and I make time for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">our</span> relationship.<a href="http://s901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/?action=view&current=SAM_0141.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac217/woodj30/SAM_0141.jpg" /></a> </span></div><div align="center"></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-2162340966568396642011-01-01T11:30:00.005-07:002011-01-03T12:10:56.699-07:00Club Soda with Grenadine<div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I thought a lot this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">week</span> about what I should write to say <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">goodbye</span> to 2010 and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">hello</span> to 2011. I started several posts and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;">deleted</span> several posts and then midnight came and went and here I sit in the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">third</span> morning of 2011.</span><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2010 was a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">wild</span> ride to be sure. Chris was gone for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">half</span> of the year and while we missed each other desperately we both <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">learned</span> a lot about ourselves and our relationship. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">While he was away I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">traveled</span> quite a bit and enjoyed spending time with family and friends all over the US.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Chris completed his <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">deployment</span> in July and we headed to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Jamaica</span> to relax and reconnect after spending 6 months apart. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Chris headed back to work in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">full</span> force and went on to kick butt at another training school that ran from September to November. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We relished "<span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">normal</span>" life together full of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">simple</span> things like movie dates and weekend projects. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">And of course we <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">celebrated</span> the news that I was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">pregnant</span>! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In November I was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">fortunate</span> enough to spend a week with some of my best friends and it was a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">rejuvenating</span> trip to be with them again. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Chris and I opened our house and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">welcomed</span> my Grandma, Mama and Dad for Christmas. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gma</span> and Mama <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">beautified</span> our house with new nursery curtains and freshly recovered/cushioned kitchen chairs and filled our tummy's with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">delicious</span> food. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Dad and Chris spent a few hours <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">figuring</span> out how to hang the unmanageable corner cabinet that Chris and I had found at an <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">antique</span> store, it looks great in the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">nursery</span> and I am so thankful I didn't have to help at all! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Christmas</span> day was relaxed and comfortable and we were greatly <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">blessed</span> by the company of family and the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">generosity</span> of so many people. Little G <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">already</span> has quite the pile of gifts, he is gonna be so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">spoiled</span>! </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We welcomed the new year with some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">squadron</span> friends around a backyard <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">fire</span> pit, the boys drank <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">beer</span> and I drank club soda with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">grenadine</span> (YUMMY!). </span><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Looking ahead I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">excited</span> and ready for all that 2011 holds. Over the next <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">four</span> months our lives are jam <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">packed</span> with projects and plans.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> I head to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">Colorado</span> in a week for some time with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">friends</span> and family (time to cuddle my nephew <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">Noah</span> again!)and a shower for the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">G-man</span>. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In February we are heading to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Phoenix</span> to have my sister's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">talented</span> friend Lauren take some pictures of Chris and myself (and the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">belly</span> of course). </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I suspect/hope <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">March</span> will fly by since it will be full of last minute nursery <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">projects</span> and weekly <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">childbirth</span> classes. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Since the Marine Corps has secret <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">ninjas</span> that research every ones important life dates in order to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">mess</span> them up it is not really a surprise that Chris' <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">squadron</span> will be in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ffff;">Utah</span> for training for almost the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">whole</span> month of April.... he is set to return <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">2</span> days before Lil' G's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">arrival</span> date. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Thank goodness for my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">Mama</span> who is going to come and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">live</span> with me to make sure I am not all alone if our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">bundle</span> of joy shows up early. </span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">not</span> making resolutions for this year. When I do they often get <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">overlooked</span> and leave me feeling like a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">failure</span>.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Instead I am entering the year with a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">heart</span> towards praying more and leaving more of my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">worries</span> at God's feet. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">entering</span> the new year with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">love</span> for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">myself</span> and my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">husband</span> and for our unborn <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">son</span>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I an <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">entering</span> the new year with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">hope</span>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Hope</span> that I can be <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">kinder</span> to myself.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Hope</span> that I get to see my little <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">sister</span> even more this year than last.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Hope</span> that I can see other people's point of view more <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">easily</span> and not take things so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">personally</span>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Hope</span> that I can be <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">confidant</span> enough in myself to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">know</span> that I am a patient and supportive <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">wife</span>, giving <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">friend</span> and soon to be protective and loving <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">Mommy</span>. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Hope</span> that the next year brings a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">healthy</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">happy</span> baby and lots of time with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Chris</span> and our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">families</span>. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2011 will be a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">memorable</span> year to be sure and my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">wish</span> is that you all enter it with as much <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">hope</span> as me!</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-53259813274199025492010-12-06T11:22:00.005-07:002010-12-06T12:14:18.610-07:00Ice Cream with Cereal<div align="center">I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">promised</span> my sister I would blog this week and I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">hate</span> to break a promise to my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">sister</span>. I have been so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">busy</span> lately and somehow the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">further</span> behind I got in blogging about things the more <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">overwhelming</span> the thought became. So, this post is going to be <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">bullet</span> points about the things that have transpired over the last couple <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">months</span> and then I am going to *<span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">try</span>* and jump back into blogging with more <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">regularity</span>. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>In <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">October</span>....</strong></div><div align="center">*I felt <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">less</span> morning sickness but <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">lots</span> of exhaustion*</div><div align="center">*We carved <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663333;">pumpkins</span> and watched a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">REALLY</span> bad Halloween movie*</div><div align="center">*I was the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">Morton</span> Salt Girl for Halloween*</div><div align="center">*Chris <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">finished</span> WTI and so he also finished working 18 hour days and 6 days a week and I was very very very <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">happy</span> to have my husband back!*</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>I only spent <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">one</span> weekend in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">November</span> at home...instead....</strong></div><div align="center">*Chris and I went to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Colorado</span> for 5 days to meet our nephew <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">Noah</span> and see some great friends, Andrew and Courtney, get <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">married</span>. We also wandered Golden, met lil' <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">Willa</span> and saw family and were <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">sad</span> to leave Colorado (as we always are).*</div><div align="center">*We spent the next <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">weekend</span> in San Diego where we got to enjoy an amazing <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">ultrasound</span> and were able to see our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">perfect</span> little <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">BOY</span> dancing around in my belly!*</div><div align="center">*I spent 6 days in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">North Carolina</span> with 5 of my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">favorite</span> women on the planet. We <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">talked</span> (a lot!) sang <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">karaoke</span>, had impromptu <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">dance</span> parties and generally <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">enjoyed</span> being together. It was so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">rejuvenating</span> for me and I am so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">thankful</span> for each and every one of these ladies! <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">XoXo</span>*</div><div align="center">*Chris cleaned the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">whole</span> house while I was in NC (yes, this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">deserves</span> a bullet point!) explaining that, "I don't want my baby Mama to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">stress</span> about it"*</div><div align="center">*Chris' Mom came for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Thanksgiving</span> and we ate a ton of food, watched some awesome <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">movies</span>, enjoyed a ton of Chex mix , visited her <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Dad</span> in San Diego and spent some time with fun family out there*</div><div align="center">*We ordered lil' man's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">crib</span> and had a fun night setting it up <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">together</span>*</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><strong>And now it is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">December</span>...how did that happen???</strong></div><div align="center">*I made dinner <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">every</span> night last week (this hasn't happened since <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">August</span>, poor Chris!)*</div><div align="center">*We had a fun date to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Lowe's</span> to buy paint and chair rail for lil' man's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">room</span>*</div><div align="center">*I drove to Phoenix with two great <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">girlfriends</span> for a fun day of shopping and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">adventuring</span> (and a little bit of getting lost)*</div><div align="center">*Chris <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">painted</span> the whole nursery and put up the chair rail while I was in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Phoenix</span> so I wouldn't have to smell the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">fumes</span> (did I marry Prince <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Charming</span> or what!)*</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">And so those are the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">main</span> events since I last wrote. Now I shall <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ffff;">comment</span> on this whole "growing a baby" thing so if that <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999900;">weirds</span> you out then this is your stopping point.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Being pregnant is a constant <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">adventure</span> wherein I have days where all I can say to Chris is, "I feel <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">weird</span>!". I have a nice baby <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">bump</span> that is growing weekly and I am excited that we are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">halfway</span> done with this pregnancy. I started feeling lil' man <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">occasionally</span> in mid-November and at that point he felt like a little <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">goldfish</span> swimming around in my belly. Now we are getting to a point where I feel him more <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">often</span> and there are definite <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">kicks</span> and rolls going on in there, it is probably the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">coolest</span>/weirdest feeling ever and I can't wait until <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Chris</span> can feel him from the outside. </div><div align="center">The whole time I said we were having a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">boy</span> and it turns out I was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">right</span> (love that) and we are both <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">thrilled</span> to meet him in April.</div><div align="center"> I think the most <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">annoying</span> thing that people (strangers mostly) say about us having a boy is that my "husband must be <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">relieved</span>/happy it is a boy". Let me set the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">record</span> straight. Chris is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">not</span> that kind of guy, in fact he was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">guessing</span> it was a girl (actually he wanted <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">twins</span>...crazy fool). Chris wanted a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">healthy</span> baby and didn't give a rat's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">tooshey</span> what gender the baby was. I think it is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">sad</span> we still live in a society where people think that a man can only <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">desire</span> a male child, dude, it is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">2010</span>! </div><div align="center">That being said I can't <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">wait</span> to see what kind of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">trouble</span> my two guys are going to get into <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">together</span>. </div><div align="center">Also, we have <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">name</span> for lil' man and we love said name. However, I do not know <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">everyone</span> who reads this blog and I am not comfortable <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999900;">sharing</span> both my child's name and pictures of him in the same place (sorry, but there are still <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">weirdos</span> in the world). Call me <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">paranoid</span> but I don't want strangers being able to <span style="color:#003333;">identify</span> my child by his picture and name. So, since I plan on posting <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">scads</span> of pictures I am going to hold back his full name. If we are friends/family in real life then you probably <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">already</span> know our chosen name and I will thank you ahead of time for not <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">posting</span> it here. That being said lil' mans initial will be <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">G</span> and so if I refer to G-man, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">G-money </span>or lil' G you shall <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">know</span> it is baby! Thanks for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">understanding</span>!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-32069030218852546022010-10-18T22:25:00.002-07:002010-10-18T23:03:44.140-07:00Decaffeinated Coffee<div align="center">I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">know</span> that last time I posted (a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">billion</span> years ago) I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">pinkie</span> promised that I would be a better blogger and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">not</span> wait so long to post again. The <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">problem</span> was that my posts are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">about</span> what I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">doing</span> in day to day life. </div><div align="center">For a while day to day life has <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">consisted</span> of sitting on the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">couch</span> and feeling <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">nauseous</span>. </div><div align="center">I guess growing a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">baby</span> is only <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">inwardly</span> interesting and not so great for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">blog</span> inspiration.</div><div align="center">I will <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">wait</span> while you go back and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">re-read</span> that last sentence. </div><div align="center">Ok, we're <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">back</span>. </div><div align="center">It is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">true</span>, Chris and I are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">expecting</span> a lil' baby who we lovingly call "<span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">Splinter</span>". Splinter is now 13 <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">weeks</span> old and about the size of a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc66;">peach</span> (yummy). We could not be more <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">excited</span> to meet him/or her in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">April</span> but for now I just spend <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">most</span> of my time <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">wondering</span> if I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">showing</span> yet and worrying whether or not I am doing <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">everything</span> right to take good care of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663333;">Splinter</span>.</div><div align="center">It has been a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">wonderful</span> time for Chris and I since this is something we have been <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">wanting</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">dreaming</span> about for a while now. It is so amazing to talk about <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc99;">names</span> and nursery <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">designs</span> and have it be <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">real</span> and not a "<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">when</span> we finally <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">get</span> pregnant" conversation. </div><div align="center">Those of you who <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">know</span> me really well may know I tend to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">worry</span>...a lot. It is not my favorite <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">quality</span>, especially when I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">aware</span> of my unreasonable nature. To <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">solve</span> this problem I bought a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">doppler</span> on Amazon, basically it is a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">little</span> hand held thing that <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">listens</span> to baby's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">heartbeat</span>. It is the most <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">magical</span> thing ever to listen to our lil' <span style="color:#993300;">Splinter's</span> heart racing away. Baby's hearts beat at <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">twice</span> the rate of their Mom so they <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">sound</span> like a horse <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">galloping</span>. Once a day I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">settle</span> down and listen to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Splinter</span> galloping away for a few <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">minutes</span> and then I go about the next 24hours <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">without</span> worrying, best 50$ I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">ever</span> spent!</div><div align="center">I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ffff;">suppose</span> I am going to be the Mom <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">standing</span> over the baby's crib with a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">mirror</span> under their nose to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">make</span> sure all is well. But <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">guess</span> what, I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">ok</span> with that. </div><div align="center">So now you know, our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">Sweet</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">Sour</span> life is leaning way more <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">towards</span> the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">Sweet</span> right now....</div><div align="center">But Chris has been <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">working</span> 100 hours a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">week</span> since September so I guess <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">maybe</span> we are still well <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">balanced</span>!</div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-20220321823586837092010-08-31T17:08:00.011-07:002010-09-01T10:46:26.278-07:00Orange Juice, Soda Water, Tequila and a lime<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Long <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">ago</span> and far <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">away</span> in a land we call <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">vacation</span> this was my drink of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">choice</span>.<br />When Chris and I were in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Jamaica</span> things were simple.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512001947615866882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik41LWfbH04gett-gKE3trzpoyY0xYig7Ebn2ZfotKMh5St8WbT9UABT4sx99bADuWGf0PVTOm3etoWjnMG8rHVKxyVoaGo3wJ-lyHnwHzie_f2lsQIW6aFW8nynwaVz8zFcp-3dTD9-JU/s400/JPEG+Image+(40452).jpg" /> <div align="center">Pool <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">or</span> beach?<br />Rum <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">or</span> tequila? </div><div align="center">Nap <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">or</span> read a book?<br />Snorkel <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">or</span> sail?</div><div align="center">Restaurant <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">or</span> room service? </div><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahhhh</span>, I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">miss</span> vacation.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511994461180273154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_jqjcRqvcVvSZrLG89We61cl8lOLzQSv5IfxPzZtNSg-2N-9mBZO9NXFikAk6bTqOjD5vGdJzU83pwccVnKtRGiUIgEtgRURr5Yz-Hio9j4J-bhxA0fcRwmNEMVeRJvnEgtqj98u32n7/s400/JPEG+Image+(41967).jpg" /> <p align="center">We have been <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">home</span> for almost a month now and I have been putting off <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">blogging</span> about it because that means it is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">really</span> in the past.<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511996680741952002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBQfMP6YLKuUnGxW34o91_s03kYHrfiDko8C0u3Wm9uJw6bdn1Ocpt1Z54mf_TuSBPuIMJyWffKxoPnFV7oU1eo5r5vP3lkHTBzKfno771yI_O-iYEiPug3JmItP9rSFdJy4HIHzKtKfw/s400/JPEG+Image+(52759).jpg" /> <p align="center">Chris and I are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">generally</span> pretty adventurous, we like to go <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">places</span> and do things <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">all</span> the time. However, since <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Chris</span> was coming off a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">deployment</span> we decided it would be best to do <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">nothing</span> but sit on a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">beach</span> and enjoy each other's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">company</span>. So it was decided that we would spend <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">8</span> days at the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Sandals</span> resort in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Montego</span> Bay <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">Jamaica</span>. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511997866201122818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbtzLP7P0ldukKLQmVbe_pY57NYFVu4nwdv-_aBkgMmy9z3ROMptG1fskf7BQ7qyR2ZI7xOMjri4f85WhemGOgMZeIAfj75ZsuXb_iVTCFuf9INSkft5Ee7CKyIqcgxx9OkuAQEv4NZH1/s400/JPEG+Image+(59676).jpg" /> <p align="center">It was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ffff;">glorious</span>! The beaches were white and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">soft</span> and clean. The <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">water</span> was clear and blue and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">perfectly</span> cool. The food was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">yummy</span> and available at <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">anytime</span> of day or night. We started out in one amazing room <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">with </span>ocean view. However, after the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">power</span> went out one night, we were moved to an even <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">more</span> amazing room with an even <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">better</span> ocean view. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511995616228545554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRkV86yhK2negs62i4plRPFwRixWI1f1nu6pygOF2vM0mnS41izgiFQfxIcHNAWkQ9M-Vumaej4yZLvVhttse0vobXv4ongI31FZ6FOIQWrRT-W88p-AkT1gK2u0eGLNtJiXJsjMXSSFK/s400/JPEG+Image+(45814).jpg" /> <p align="center">We <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">celebrated</span> our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">second</span> anniversary, it is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">wild</span> how quickly the past two years have <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">flown</span> by.<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512001064946863698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9HwReX38SzN9-vvnbSFRHcI2K6_cx9pzSb3ji8pFe4V6Cy1hBKaOtO_5dfR4boeOtRZLnPzREsOSf-XR67pDjBpKuZy98bJlmPNZSj3Gv2fK6azFeyjI0W1F2i9q4xDHgCdqZQ_yWL1Q/s400/JPEG+Image+(68904).jpg" /> <div align="center">We went <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">snorkeling</span> twice and enjoyed playing with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">hundreds</span> of colorful fish. We did one <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">excursion</span> to Dunn's River Falls where we got to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">hike</span> up a waterfall. It was a pretty <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">neat</span> experience except for the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">gigantic</span> spiderwebs that I noticed in the trees above the waterfall....complete with giant <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">spiders</span>. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yick</span></span>!</div><div align="center">It was a much <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">needed</span> chance to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">relax</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">reconnect</span> without any <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">stresses</span> of everyday <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">life</span>. See, I feel <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">relaxed</span> just writing about it. Oh <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Jamaica</span> I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">miss</span> you!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511999501371658898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_hf2j3F4964Ht-lmWBbXxPcQRW8h8fxxN2vRG5ZahmCg7NbZHE_IKJCx768moyrHlV6h_vPK-QgZvjeVYXXQ2gsUm_SgsrMx6bljsTPRWNNK-ZEQnKl7P4yse2MjVBTMxkRiYDPoGIiM/s400/JPEG+Image+(61477).jpg" /></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-80666310001311357072010-08-16T08:04:00.006-07:002010-08-16T08:44:54.636-07:00Homebaked Bread<div align="center"> Ooops, I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">forgot</span> to blog. For over a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">month</span>. My bad....<br /></div><div><div align="center"><div align="center"><div align="center">In my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">defense</span> it has been a very busy month. Chris came <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">home</span> and life went back to being <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">gloriously</span> normal.</div><div align="center">I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">baked</span> fresh loaves of whole wheat <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">bread.</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506033412368210370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0moZeirEmWIT_IoY8JhLA4PfJrLn7SBR4rBY7O7muS91-iIKDLCr87Am_Nge-UTRHFRN0dFuhBASUM1jJl44hGr90d_KBFLQdM9ggW8BJccbcTDB2xrjph2CTPvPN_7JGPReM4xtH-Vd9/s400/P1100473.JPG" />I made him <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">yummy</span> sandwiches of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">eggplant</span>, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">pesto</span>, roasted red <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">pepper</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">spinach</span> when he came home from <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">work</span> for lunch. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506032610177878882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ3bcifvfm5eDEojuLuEUqAj_yktI4_53NNuvDhxOZ62Xj-PUljY91vZwyqiWCaZSM-gao4vVRmCAln2ZOFk2ir4d7P2VQkdGqnibCSgXn6hX69I4JZWHOqW3S26XdR2RfomQYyc6iJPX/s400/P1100475.JPG" /></div><div align="center">I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">kicked</span> his butt at Risk. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506032599816252002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6rZvttE0rybe_7tBO2WU0X-YWVuAR7LX-CjNMvIf3tm26E2WhTPRU-2vmADSg97bfmOpezrER2RQ3WmpTsG3LmKVcYxnVUqj4h77Nw057g5-f043QobZ3KZQOJWG8UmFRHUcthvq1KYJ/s400/P1100491.JPG" />Actually, I kick Chris' butt at <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">most </span>games, which I am sure he would never admit. It makes him quite <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">pouty</span> sometimes...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506032595854063042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7zohrWLlXAXNRSLvTSSD-u-3ScUnCMHUfBdJiIdOIf3S91qDHiBx1Ma3k65lwZJnhbS6u8c5kT_tr_e2DYZ5IfX0YJeHFVy8kP1TQe9owsbELVmQrCvd0b59OEFMKfqYovHL8V_bwVDz/s400/P1100490.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Chris <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">taught</span> me how to change the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;">oil</span> in both of the Jeeps. I did really well and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">impressed</span> myself. It is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">dirty</span> work but I make it look <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">cute</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506032583596530770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNF8pncxoCJDkPAiyRPbqnO6RE139PI7vaHD-nfFHkvsvk92L2SRuiUTkOm04wXmkDo0QFoa9PfAtiHZqRrhIqrsmbYHHE7vydAQBDqQ2Vq14btVUGR2acj1QcAEhKwvYnwy4dFdHRyXs3/s400/P1100505.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We drove to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Colorado</span>...yes, I drove there <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">AGAIN</span>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506032581242136434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUcNW8aNL5UuhyphenhyphenFAelXAWEZPxi7RIUS-7FDxJbKSIDiE5KfudFrI2XPbg3R5Khyphenhyphen9VYazvsWqvQxFYu8PDAg6-GSQoVNW9tt3mfw-Id7E6TY037Zxl8Kvit7iV-V88klcuVnz38EqkobZW/s400/P1100511.JPG" />Family was so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">happy</span> to see Chris after his <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">deployment</span> so that was lovely. </div><div align="center">I got to do an <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">impromptu</span> photo shoot with my lil' <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">sister</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506031589649668066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_G86BR2Nz4Lr6Ox7qwWAjNEAPO7skezp9O5hUlwkhv-0kuskxRXn6FTf6n5uiDCsBO3h6lXMkFAZJlOtUXM_GLFeZOvsUTA-efsNH9PU5he9BSuM2m7pf0pwvHKLEdil1s3JkMRjN3so/s400/P1100615.JPG" />so she can redo her <a href="http://kismetkate88.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">blog</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span>before leaving for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Spain</span> to teach English for a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">whole</span> year.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506031584468747010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuafKM5xqnPiHUFmHOaRmwL1m1rkWFJw1zHcY1WhMUFb0A_KJq7glvx7SbvGfniUqNnI77KFslTd5T5gMPa6chX4-ACJaz5HZT0Aai_U9NJCE1UFSLIJyBQ1UIYKRSgamUTOw8Zsh4YX2C/s400/P1100675.JPG" /> I will miss her ever so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">much</span> but I am glad she is heading off to have many <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">grand</span> adventures!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506031575793327074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTXYckqZJUPHveAQg7kQe3kmDYIZxH1RT5ulMkAc4TgqpyZlsGB9q1CKiflAn0Kebt9AUFDMMNjZJycIleRkFFNj6cAs96yDhhvB_Df4kmsnQsi1QVkuleBjCzB7aMN37LOPFzGSvliq3/s400/P1100681.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Oh, yeah... Chris and I went to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">Jamaica</span> for our two year <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">anniversary</span>!! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506030836027902946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr1DvrY79sMdHAyWGgSDDgeNGl4lKcn7F8iuyLfFRF2hieOlylldOvx2DK6GQ3_3N0N6tYXKvI5ThEQKmVaJEmKHqiITu_8JLl1fddlNoa3_jjZVm_AG5CTdu5wVlaisxc4bgcJp08Ia6/s400/JPEG+Image+(40452).jpg" />I shall share a whole post of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">pictures</span> from that glorious <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">vacation</span> on another day. For now, I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">alive</span>, I am doing <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">well</span> and I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">promise</span> to blog more!</div></div></div></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-2002474975987888892010-07-09T10:08:00.004-07:002010-07-09T10:50:13.095-07:00Like fireworks and cotton candy combined<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="center">I don't really have <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">any</span> words for how <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">elated</span> I am today so I will just <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">share</span> some pictures from <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">yesterday</span>. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">Enjoy! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491958623613983074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7K0jzmnLcuh2SLi5PoMqWxRlLu3yx3CsgxknBb3pJDRT5TYvCKlFYitfUcc4bsO11K7p6VzrswHvhdIFtM_DcybFt_Woin8MgUyLWT-I1jAolkodAJBdElAbSlZFGglKO4yuaPPy9eOl5/s400/P1100419+-+Copy.JPG" /><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;">No, I am not the world's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">dumbest</span> person, I edited out the last name. I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">dyed</span> the fabrics and drew the logo myself!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491958615583413698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtBgDM8tgaaTauYEsq8FxfI4PtKzraTgTXGXPJN5vaACfwJkKf5EmSPeaDDa1dufbBNaGCt6ydR9hfxb_62z4kNpR9PLqDxxk_pnwwILGeqYwGHVQ98pMxif2bJ8t_5NE4pUb0-ETDo0T/s400/P1100418.JPG" /> Waiting with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Bekah</span>- also known as <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">Blessing</span> from God, Best <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Friend</span>, Keeper of the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Sanity</span>, Photographer and Generally <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">Amazing</span> Woman. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 346px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491958633719276386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMI1HeKEJtvXaXv5iAtUEOeMvnDssVGeCuJYF4Sze3TiCTBv7GT6mVaOtYPWTgcnuoEh7-eL6N344LH0-npJaQZ26TUGvu5qqLzW6EBOpHUVVlPB_ol6Pylrop9K1d77nU9FanRc8j6ejg/s400/P1100432.JPG" />Hooray for <span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;">America. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491958643140021602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbEGnZlEIdyGfZNoWINt4NDFacDwAkOW4p0XWVqikvzFlDNmOyLVjnz1bEBHpj9SErj7Q6qPVonQ73mqgEzjhQYZ0ytjY1gQxRQikzVOawg7EaL0LcgHPVmgWVywNTEzGBzdYepurYOX9/s400/P1100434.JPG" /><span style="color:#000000;">Lots of <span style="color:#ff0000;">anxious</span> families waiting for their </span><span style="color:#000099;">Marines. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491958649245320210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjroCz8BAjREppiWADTAV4VY85Vp7EhVNq5KoiLogB2N_wSxgalhUUfa2TOgT1HAui9j7vGTsAQIklx0MqkiwJ9Qf-w_CDJgIsvok8pDL5GRzf0bE1rf38AHuriZBjQ4Dh3IBGY8HSR0q/s400/P1100439.JPG" /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;">Here <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">they</span> come!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491960404359477794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZutVC933udvgpoIoPp6nK2FJVZ0WOU9szhhFRID1c-dKirc-S3R_x9odNAZDxFqImRA41mldp5dtcdgdSfgbaKsRYjaAHd3k54j999KPCX3Q1B-gcrNb088CgF7e0-JTui5u3UAS-JSb/s400/P1100448.JPG" /> I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">found</span> him! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491960394708888882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllp2luLU1iaAbiASQgSolAFuPAhcdcrD4UP59HGyzIDF_oerPMK3MxWjr1ywGopZcBoC8YNZ1eZKcCF5Ph19Gb5J4d7MRmxmKWVm-nAKgWwv6XfoYw1OBSTp2XFCtjNC5TnswSCmUHgf4/s400/P1100449.JPG" />Neither of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">us</span> have been this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">happy</span> for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">six</span> months. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491960409272041282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR0bo1dN8aJvNVHO08Cz_3dW-Rq_zr0wMgYC_CydzxF8heRoKWJx3lE9ieTVxMfIQy-PzAY0cF4P3_YyTw7d4m18Tjfw3h3bXm7VxBLXaxevxTk3vdfjIyuptX05-sVkpQmGdaGjtBR7D/s400/P1100453.JPG" />Chris <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">and</span> me. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491960421153702322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdbw2IYYIVWZglrTkSnAbVnE_P9hTM1cL0bngr_4TVJDkZVkhh3MHZZLuU-j6ye2FUMYCc5UrIN93ek2XFt1ECCYQigVAAFoAny7BFPB_F6R0Q0UuXlNuJAHrPG7gQXIg2wfmT6aYs2yi/s400/P1100456.JPG" />And now <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">life</span> is as it should <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">be.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;">If I don't post for a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">while</span> it is because I am having <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">too</span> much fun hanging out with my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">husband</span>!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div> </div></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-58109717253695576952010-07-06T21:50:00.004-07:002010-07-06T22:19:45.717-07:00I'll just have a glass of water<div><div><div><div><div><div align="center">You know how <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">some</span> days things go really well? You know how <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">sometimes</span> the plumber comes and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">fixes</span> the dishwasher and the shower and the running toilet? You know how <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">sometimes</span> you ask the plumber why the kitchen <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">faucet</span> doesn't swivel and he says that it is corroded and needs <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">replacing</span>? You know how <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">sometimes</span> you think you know <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">better</span>?<br /></div><div align="center">Monday was one of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">those</span> days when I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">thought</span> I knew better. Corroded you say? I can <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">fix</span> that with some vinegar. I will just wrap the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">faucet</span> in paper towels soaked in vinegar and let that break down the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">corrosion</span>. See, look it is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">getting</span> looser already! I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">knew</span> it! Now I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">bet </span>if I just push it a little <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">harder</span> then it will be.....</div><div align="center">Oh, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">crap</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491026652945663746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJKjrLha6frVbsNdkHmRngZTrhZHLR6jHOKD-5mCzU8-1jIukXTdeJkP7er8R-cBdcUarxCj9PSmR4-T-6GKGIrruaXrVTAGPws4SFsJpvTiIYO3vi8WeUF043NRQhaM6m2q7p5nZwthW/s400/P1100377.JPG" /></div><div align="center">$98 at Lowes later you are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">back</span> in your kitchen ready to learn about <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">plumbing</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491026665152432978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXwAjbBzlE1Q_oIhPQBPV9IGG6Btr8w9zXFWQuFM0uZzjXk5MkqV2Z9d8Yac4cIB7hXSy8EZvlrQRO4WtjjV1kPmyeMusk9_uDRKnSy8E8TJ5gN-tWkk8cM6M1URttogY18OFQmIvMFVj/s400/P1100379.JPG" /></div><div align="center">2 hours later you are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">still</span> under the sink ready to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">murder</span> whoever put these <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">bolts</span> on so tightly. And what is with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">rust</span>?! Seriously, if we want <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">information</span> from terrorists we should put them under <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">sinks</span> and make them lay flat on their backs with water <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">dripping</span> in their faces and rust <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">flaking</span> into their eyes and make them <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">loosen</span> bolts. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491026682294681122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUgsFCBLKEG53NlSetsJSp_yvkDQdXyxvw2viH_u8eqkzCB4xuKKJE7KAzzRD5c1dus6uviGFqEi7I-7DXWGj1Bk70jrmI2RRR2LUYW_S-Uw3ko3V_h2XU4kYUf-DDGS0oWi305c0GUei/s400/P1100385.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Terrorism <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">solved</span>. You're <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">welcome</span>.</div><div align="center">But you finally get those <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">stupid</span> terrorists. Umm, I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">mean</span> bolts.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491028421678896850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KY1ZaQUmPYTH4lZLdTQVDzf8q_4NquJVRqfZ5stLc2yjJe3v-ruvGeeRkbcCM7UkUJHxlO5RZ8NklwC6n7Hf8PWDu9WdcQv1CpfrxAheT1hrLVDRREFZ7JKu-Km-zNDQmeQ-x8ppehXe/s400/P1100394.JPG" /> And then it is time for the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">shiny</span> new faucet. The instructions only have <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">4</span> steps so it can't be that <span style="color:#000099;">hard</span> right?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491026658578761170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl9bKHkcMO-m_PppE4mo9wg5cbCdcKTj7QI4Rs89BF_dMNb33zETEdjZlANnVJePmsmHUn8jLWMR-KC6zYT-YnpjAUIJ8sYxjBwhJXPSWYjF3QRNqXASo5IyuzhGbpPIHQ-rL3ORSXVX7/s400/P1100378.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Wrong</span>. </div><div align="center">Did I mention that to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">test</span> the shiny new faucet you have to keep <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;">crawling</span> out from under the sink and going <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">outside</span> in the 115 degree heat to turn the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">water</span> back on at the main source because the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">valves</span> under the sink are, yup you guessed it, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">rusted</span> shut?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 347px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491028408174833394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbipfy88dTzYQ2VUt8PoRLaRQffrPw_I172F2-xTpSMgs0q18TUMdevcH3PtT_xc4070qYTaLUKDxjVMZPPfqAuSGN06TWtZ-7fgq-rKgSOfk8JX_exFBLsLOrwVrLUkK-QU-D2IRDRPC/s400/P1100393.JPG" /></div><div align="center">You know when you have one of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">those</span> days where you <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">accomplish</span> something you have never done before and you feel <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">super</span> proud of yourself and you take a 30 <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">minute</span> shower? <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491028405423829778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2vhbA1o6y0EWqQ8lJfevlvk6aSSGgvH5Cxtpyvg3ksYZ6FzEmkxXiEspFiHrRyHfgQbXqZmfEvHUrTXCk-MoROPqWVnCvVQ2AXTYjr_yp4IEWEpAjjNUkOgd-dlSTN0ilf49XgB8SImt/s400/P1100389.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Monday</span> was one of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">those</span> days.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-51863791609222374432010-07-05T22:48:00.003-07:002010-07-05T23:39:37.976-07:0031 Flavors<div><div><div align="center"> Friday, Saturday <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">and</span> Sunday I drove from <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Denver</span> to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Yuma</span> all by myself. Well, the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">dogs</span> where there too, but as <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Chris</span> said "Loki has no opposable <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">thumbs</span> and tends to drift to the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">left</span>". To me this drive was a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">huge</span> accomplishment. I do not like to drive <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">long</span> distances, I like to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">sleep</span> in the passenger seat and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">wake</span> up when we are there. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Chris</span> is pro at driving so when we are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">together</span> he does about <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">80%</span> of the driving. I drove 7 hours Friday, 5 Saturday and 5 Sunday.<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"> Yea Me!</span><br /><div><div><div><div><div align="center"><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="center"><div><div align="center">We saw some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">different</span> flavors of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">America</span>. </div><div align="center">We were <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">sad</span> to leave Colorado. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490678096320767090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4-L_SCd-ub5zkay1aGjPkTRdtzPdDXFeMJZT9_Ot7IWaWcdke-9m7KtEdQ4bWN1Del00OX9xxGDO461btbEFPUioo8mu1LlBzTIFUkkeJkMsYXR8UzuMczsxU8isiBlB6q2i5GwHAu1l/s400/P1100290.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We were not sad when this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">idiot</span> stopped tailing us and finally just <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">passed</span> us.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490678088402829682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZDqXdDoJLW70fGxAMS78ydPVjxELDGiFz-O7VyUVgSVM1YqvgaclcI8vO0YdjuF7Pz-YNatr9XnY62aABIcBhGZpLlvAyncg5XzzzzxlEnbEa9u_F1D_CXRl8lV0EE3oBdz8IbgsJ5yk/s400/P1100294.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We drove under <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">beautiful</span> clouds and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">stormy</span> clouds. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490676556048853442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuQ1sztBHt0KmzRDY9fNmAjmdFg2ilPI4IPOM4Uow74gsJrhYWJZpewqN6AwMM-ZEegL4Vt6uKqmkRvtJedO6DvZc8hOwKpHYl7uCW_TuASxFxogKJihql9wyP5a5qQnJbWJIuXP-ip8n/s400/P1100306.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We passed "Wagon <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Mound</span> Hill".<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490676552284141890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHgNwHCH2wxVXZUFLlNgzLsqRmHeGqqcNt4OoKXaILiaBJt6zhmBmj_CXKhkpAAUUL-bVAa7vDyo3noOIq2c8GB-h8sB_saa72ge0gev67Mo_mgefPWrL52Yb3z04V0kHQKVXuxAlvJao/s400/P1100310.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We stayed in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">Albuquerque</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490676543272024626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-KPGstWgeBKHRHVa4tFTbFKLClRf_Fb-d4EwEWYYXbAHIy6UFyhU7uAwZc224Z8j9jLjGBHqEjvTLA90R9O-Z3rVuwWIFc2dh4hG_kfn24FMXBjCMGth15ggXfLpxeL7zwnUuiw-5yyi/s400/P1100315.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We saw a really big shaggy <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">dog</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490676540408449074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxNULSNz4qcxU97GMdpRi4NGn7XZAr-93N3t14uvucjcGdXQJaWRJfuuFQ50IGRsELjgIME7kPXC8AH9A3lcWu2sog-FPywPVxm9tHykpHC6cEvhaLe1wiPrYTb-N0EbhT6eeabjObcYE/s400/P1100322.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Oh, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">wait</span>. We saw a really big shaggy <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">sheep</span>!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490678068193020034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj14_fubKLT1gDpMKs20dwy3zNQkE32EF6rdYGuHiY67WjQbdSuDWVoVijqXcLwk0EH1eUtyfE26DzIYiwYewFZcq-08VGU05Nbrg3uK-VZUFXWnqyWknQF-Yor52Mo2c8wTR7z5Iwkef/s400/P1100323.JPG" /></div><div align="center">I had a backseat <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">driver</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490675271311924162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7E-lBvjBQXWQudnv3QWlYIUIMqPPShpVjuU0gJXwvunxnfvjmEM402-pkV-9fMsAau7ATkk-LEbycTj2bdBKJki8th3cHQvv4G4vvwp_DKaoo_xg0vHE_ijFob4Qzg5xctU-oNgTf146/s400/P1100297.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We stopped for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">gas</span> several times.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490675261541092386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgno3953JNQHsGNMyME5lPVPh4RAWzlzQ51SR18Tsig8QXWyrR73MBjmK7bawwbLRt3MBcWr12jy_l2jkFqftFJ-FexKWmvNpIgxIMWEChq91TKHQN34qOkIwlpj20uZywxN3oYUrUHBptW/s400/P1100329.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Loki and Koda almost <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">blew</span> away outside of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Flagstaff</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490675258157940450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAroVi7bpzaRaCrcm7HCmdm9_HI5v4GWATcDctj8vjvkBK27_Er083O_riKKakTUoPHTpvYDPffJgwV2aUhbe7xg34xPzpLt2bwfqjLLjL_ex7RRnnvlqpAwfXSsH_k-KRbFO8Y1s6cEDs/s400/P1100330.JPG" /></div><div align="center">I ate the best <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">taco</span> of my entire existence. No <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">really</span>, it was so good that after the first bite I went <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">searching</span> for my camera to show it to you. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">Yummy</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490675249724719762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XpeUGj1Qn4m5hcrZofHQGNYalrP-LJszd7pEHmefzZky4ovgyACd8hvYDL3tmb0LckaMDAU2Y7_rANPoCtQCuytn99bMQynR9xPDsr5YyDlHGVO2pBLkzlt83DthLwbsotGAelB5stph/s400/P1100339.JPG" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">We checked out dog <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">parks</span> in Albuquerque <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">and</span> Flagstaff.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490675243084401474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLiMw-0NQpIegO9zBu-T6HkIzqDGVfsZOk1AJhsS2X-bj4u8FwpHqR-nj_nVmFbRx-w5YQvOzNPNd-1UVCEqgEQeefjp6YVuytKAa4Glsz9kN5lvXi07BLP4V7Z7NXajTmXcrRrLdqmgR/s400/P1100342.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We observed some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">fascinating</span> license plates.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490672677964007250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOBTtALvyMX1GY5LFEcbvgjakHP6V291gq-LvioMoWkAOvydw_shISfKffqMaKCPgIsbbrHebo16PP8OZ1qR7mQdp8XaHuK9yEuor0uQE_JWBz1V4-e8OeT346m14pGnDacxXhOnd8qSo/s400/P1100348.JPG" /></div><div align="center">I drove a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">long</span> way without seeing another car so I took that chance for self <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">picture</span> taking.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490672669435231218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySV9_E0vo_SurVhtOlTH8DxG8sOSBOYzWLB58fkevjxE6lRXzTghINCpfst_DZW0kVnPut7_kCtV9vL97Q_ox9GAfIhcoECZSCkIpAKlWVodRCQHN7g8GdEuN7zKRG0FrzUwW33v-NY91/s400/P1100355.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">raced</span> some trains.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490672665269969794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlgjDyydBqSGXdl9NZHsxVmfNx5kzdzA8nSWqUNODTpWB4uU5ePOZD2Rll4SFtC2Hb3ApJcquluSA3Dp_qsLSmKpO8OcMAB7NOIQcmx1n6fHXZr4cNfXRp9ae4xn3pnjnA-pviZTOhnAQ/s400/P1100366.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We felt the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">heat</span> rise and knew we were <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">almost</span> home. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490672655089680802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNOPkVy33Vvl5v9p2tWSuJyYL82RBWVFUoaXs5kwefJOnxVFegP8Z-h974UI0szBFbcn-c-Bup2UErVDWuvU_oqZbjfVoP7iBsmkxH2PDKaaqLdkS2djW6Gk5PSYJ0iSdkls3Q-429jsO/s400/P1100370.JPG" /></div><div align="center">We <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">made</span> it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490672648592580338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTMJooYa0TTKkWbkhAIBan0FbTtTfB2DWAaRf-Sp7qVtEU-k3dxrht4FeHtf3L7-gJs6kVThunSDBAuIwce-_r2as1soosS4cKi3uEAvSGEeKK0D2IDTcM7gue7_zlNmBZP5xMRqEFsER/s400/P1100375.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-71581181539209836802010-06-30T20:39:00.005-07:002010-06-30T21:25:12.798-07:00Grilled Pizza and Homebaked Scones<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="center">My <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">family</span> likes food. I am not <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">ashamed</span> of this fact. Sure, some of us *<span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">me</span>* could stand to lose a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">few</span> pounds but it is not like we are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">morbidly</span> obese or something. As a result of our<span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">love</span> for food we also love to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">cook</span>. See, you <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">thought</span> we were just drive-through <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">junkies</span> when in reality we are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">wannabe</span> foodies!</div><div align="center">When Kate and I got down from the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">cabin</span> last week we needed a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">dinner</span> plan. A quick trip to the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">grocery</span> store later and we were in the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">kitchen</span> with ingredients for grilled <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;">pizzas</span> and low-fat <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;">brownies</span>. I handled the pizza <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">grilling</span> since I have done it before. We used pre-made pizza dough since our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999900;">empty</span> tummies were rumbling and we needed pretty <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">quick</span> satisfaction.</div><div align="center">We topped half the pizzas with mozzarella, fresh <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">tomato</span> and fresh <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">basil</span> and the other half with muenster cheese and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">prosciutto</span>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488785940033110050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5WORIWmy2k_AfoJdrtmP_7WHMUzwX6VQhDF-F1TUDMNepB3r4ZKHOyfR4K5cmvU7ldC6SvSSSPeC50AJEyMB9UG9LjGkvr3PESabeZVepkewMqv-A1MY88Do9cxmrEVituDSiHQOrJ8s/s400/P1100233.JPG" />Delicious!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488785938006849858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIi1Z56pEa_uHt9HcfoTYHZi_FXSIWIcnN8Ivh-zFR1COBSZ1TRo8PHCw5pak64CrkL1JiLJ77uJUC4G4PTCcYy4YOiKnTKOzuakD53lCW54uHVFXcu1bAJUqopjuFQJISZqjrVEnLmS4/s400/P1100236.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Kate worked on the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;">brownies</span> with a new found recipe that uses nothing but a box of low-fat brownie mix and a pureed can of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">black</span> beans. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488785928243141442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillh35M_rhjY15dWMGNqjZijJ8dXlZ89_hOvriqhrKb1myzkVNt5qAQK9rqxxkjDVV5CeUhVc2GWGwnmdPK3CCNEGpYNqyNcUsTaiu34oDgNi9EoEHWbqZhfkusRi0FsxoAnp9eTBx5lVP/s400/P1100237.JPG" />The result was some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">exceedingly</span> moist brownies, they were <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">yummy</span> but definitely a more <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">cake</span> like texture than fudgey. </div><div align="center">Later that week <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">Mama</span>, Kate and I decided it was time for a little <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">tradition</span>.</div><div align="center">Tea Time. <span style="color:#000099;">Huzzah</span>!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 364px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488784359158065362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkWfMxH5btTlxfG_YbEOqATI6xpK2ueIaTy-VFAHqGkMiyOhk91S27UlALr0VeNYLL2A0nPIS6X_X-4hoFdB-Csa7UWUqK584Dwe_Z_HMhYNpGWB2r_iHZ2_TOiAjciTCN1xR8yHRui4K/s400/P1100251.JPG" /></div><div align="center">My Mama, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">sister</span> and I have always loved having tea <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">parties</span> and as we grew up the tradition <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">expanded</span>. We used to go to the Brown <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">Palace</span> in Denver for high tea once a year before school started. My sister also took me there for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">high</span> tea before I got <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">married</span>. However, we are a</div><div align="center">go-getter group of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">ladies</span> and we can whip together a pretty <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">spiffy</span> high tea all on our own. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488785905409562082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PJ4kznlk49auvlo8gOLk81Gu1OqHMdGMas4aTFmZyqhL9kvqvFTeEx9ItnuJKa8Jg4zsrOx4k9StEYCQv7sEh2s9XaLzd22rzayMnkiBscazASOAtAecpdDNgKGtLlWgbw8U7dwFHdfX/s400/P1100244.JPG" /></div></div><div><div align="center">We rolled up our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">sleeves</span> and put on our aprons, you can see the aprons <a href="http://kismetkate88.blogspot.com/">here</a>. We made some delicious <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">scones</span>, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">salmon</span> and cream cheese sandwiches, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;">cucumber</span> sandwiches, olive and cream cheese <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">sandwiches</span>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488784368305661186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh674AbJaks7UWF3nebDe1j4BTpUVOrHuIgkLumYQceBopxvRdDpAlciFvKZy0Q39L5bFGcOMAvo2fVX652GG2dc3ScIPfcb02sQvqF58SclQapL7i73zP1kbEngvmKAfTCXr-CYPBpmtma/s400/P1100248.JPG" />There were juicy organic <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">strawberries</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">lavender</span> truffles. We splurged on <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">lemon</span> curd and devonshire <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc66;">cream</span> for our scones. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488785913881927746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IJ8mwUStG4T4vzxBb4pIQxxotujDQkuDQyfdZ1QZaUAUNCDnWtW43d4GSbZNPwKvW6BcCMz1OQba91OADh76tgkqH0oE_gpBXd3kL3L7c0gbBZox3clV-EYSOUy7lxV-2JxW1oCQMXUY/s400/P1100240.JPG" />There was a big pot of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">tea</span> and lots of lovely <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">conversation</span>. Any time with my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">sissy</span> and my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Mama</span> is a great time but tea time is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">especially</span> lovely!</div><div align="center">Friday I head home to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Yuma</span> with my precious pups. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488784348563981746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzXWoswMC5g437rnje7DM9jKadMR0MyjcSMoYHb648nqarXmlWYpZ67Y_y0aFBgHi8y8p5UGCn0qfUpDx0XXBZ1z20bk9zRDV9cyItOfjb1DFbFy96OfUnX85FjQcILMWgqOyu8YoLPJ7/s400/P1100257.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 359px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488784340244463586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrcZq0TF2zOifiAYwcTqni5lqTbv8a-ud-3uYiUEmSokkPCFUqQYOwXLcaFub0yxzLz3AY3QOelXp-ZCc6K_kHn2LMVwzr2D_2xIXahgmBasGEB87TNITW2bObkpMJ_u-s_7HYt5g3eVq3/s400/P1100258.JPG" />It will be nice to be <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">home</span> and while i will <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">miss</span> my Mom, Dad and Kate and Colorado<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488784325057970002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflB0I2hrEYh8UCELuQCJk9nV6RYmjGtXBlKCQwz9wPbR8pR6GD8sGKuVFW-tJ0koCsIsoOuj3xgvZj4NXs_Ou-eIHdx3YZgpKmTvO4JQy4sr3-OOQvJKSKn2yM3Z50xXzWNuPUAFQWCEx/s400/P1100263.JPG" /> it will be amazing to have <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Chris</span> back with me again shortly. I will hopefully have some fun <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">road tripping</span> tales and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">pictures</span> to share with you soon!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-45252715679206215532010-06-23T21:37:00.005-07:002010-06-23T22:10:26.067-07:00Snow Cones<div><div><div><div><div><div align="center">John Denver <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">knew</span> what he was talking about when he wrote Colorado <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Rocky</span> Mountain High. I spent the last 5 days at my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">family's</span> house in Granby, Colorado. Time in the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">gorgeous</span> mountains breathing <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ffff;">clean</span>, cool air and looking out on <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">breathtaking</span> vistas always recharges my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">soul</span>. With Chris still <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">gone</span> (5 1/2 months now if you are counting...) my soul needs frequent <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">recharging</span>.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486202674345724962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuneKiQ3ewsvrY8sIP8Gi4h5SpWB6N7sCYSRXW2yaPW9E6q1OwxZ1VnL4rOXY0nhtY20LcchtIT16ArHiXS4lIRJaBDk8PsNG5x32vfirVnlLXbXIvhR9ns_lVPhVrKq0nTGURxs4B0pBs/s400/P1100158.JPG" /> <div><div align="center">On <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Father's</span> Day we all went to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">breakfast</span> at Carver's in Winter Park. With my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">belly</span> full of fresh <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">baked</span> bagel, cream cheese and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">lox</span> I was fortified for a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">hike</span>. We headed to the Vasquez Wilderness area for a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">scenic</span> trek. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486201182031617922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc5s0Kc8ukvG43YdE6HnLqsQPOyZLGN6i3LvA8zOGgksmbSh44Dp9xFbQrN_pRExAroMpB1-5gLN7Uzj88xKbN8TxrOvPOZfKQQhV70-OtVYTcvcyEL0RWEVOUtwvYvg0bHqHBNtVypfb/s400/P1100161.JPG" />The <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">dogs</span> had a blast and I was a proud Mama as <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">Koda</span> breezed through her first <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">mountain</span> hiking experience. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">Loki</span> is an old pro and stayed on the path, only pausing to "<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">own</span>" *ahem...pee on...cough* the occasional shrub, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">tree</span> stump or rock. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486201249978360578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGZQiqtrdRk-vT3zRWN2M7TqtukLwVefcIGT3Olmjrr7lXLYGIQK7WySFdERqD4uaslDJ0bi0p6I5bPbkCqf00_DzhUS_V9RVpr-YT4k6xJqOmCzLGCaRs_MuwrTdsGMeuw7SrJGTz5zy/s400/P1100199.JPG" />We snapped some great <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">pictures</span> and had a lovely time as a family as my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Dad</span> led us over <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">streams</span> and through the woods. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486201223275844546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5TV7bsczhTuHjfn-8OWoGXUrzzpf4rmDZNU8tzYF-eBgFFXv2UC_4vg9VlF0DdHaikd9GSPR1lfIfkQ1DR1_WH9wf_Yic3N0EBpY3ZypUXI97dJ_OMQDqe73NkZUAkFR1niyKqSmReuU/s400/P1100177.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486202058983622370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8BozMAwifoyo5F1cjoYM9o2PTCSYXiyOku9J-KzOLuttxCEtxajTQssS8v2sD61fPlJpRfNbLx4cgYhvG9j7nlLVGNl8BD_6DRKdNT5mqKPbknQhTUxjZqsbnYcztxEsKYghdg6zfzrN/s400/P1100210.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486201204806947010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgEBzmd6Mjdn0eMInBiQRnPfR3ZQV_D9Mds-Jux4qvJ4qUTZG__XPvFHPwQOAT5kbad7gP2ENBgzOK5XGJUtuolwjbUdQT8eQnpHkMgX9tDrMYyzziaKRizWpPEpldY5BpgqM9hyphenhyphenLcwbo/s400/P1100173.JPG" /></div><div align="center">At the top we <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">discovered</span> something about Koda. Apparently she <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">thinks</span> she is part seal or <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">penguin</span>. She spent at least 25 minutes <span style="font-size:130%;color:#c0c0c0;">sliding</span> down the glacial snow that still <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">lingers</span> at the mountain tops. She sledded down on her <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">belly</span>, rubbed her face and sides into the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">cold</span> and she dug holes that she could then <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">bury</span> her face in for 30 seconds at a time. It was probably the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">cutest</span> thing I have ever seen her do. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486201234103366226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXighN_3fWkXcYPWRWwUO4JCfqL16lIMGnZ3bWeJ3G-PFdYatUxOk4hbAN33zKRr_oy15d8KaUPH8xewdlJtHxjTiGa2Ac-UmnWiEutWZ2f-Fq0NMzsavamFBY2u8P28NGBJ9N_BzoPayb/s400/P1100197.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">After a few hours of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">hiking</span> and playing we headed back into town and picked up some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">sandwiches</span> from Rudi's Deli. We took a short 5 minute <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc66;">stroll</span> down to the river for a more scenic spot to eat our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">lunch</span>. Koda and Loki were too <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">tired</span> to even explore the water, they plopped down and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">napped</span> while we ate. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486202065097656498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-oxHpmMBPDbi03YUUu9tq7ga0wAhP7hv2qS4ZUZRDPzmhBQU3zBL5NM9D9dAh5y9d5EGLklWxMjTDulcTIllilvywfAXzEkEvS8fuK48y1WoTuJZCmbJxN0u_vQ4Q65vQWCBNVf7pf4w/s400/P1100222.JPG" /> It was a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">perfect</span> day, with the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">exception</span> of missing my hunny.<br /><div align="center">We are getting so <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">close</span> to our reunion and I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">can't</span> wait!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-62814044457764386502010-06-21T19:39:00.004-07:002010-06-21T20:30:04.435-07:00Fish Tacos and Key Lime Martinis<div><div><div><div><div align="center">Last <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">week</span> I headed up to my old college <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">stomping</span> grounds in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Fort Collins</span>, Colorado. I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">loved</span> living there for four years and I felt my heart <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">leap</span> a little as I exited the highway and took Harmony straight <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">west</span> toward the mountains and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Horsetooth</span> rock. It is a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">college</span> town with a twist, it has the most <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">restaurants</span> per capita in America but you can go <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">hiking</span>, white water rafting or <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">camping</span> less than 30 <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">minutes</span> outside of town. It is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">family</span> friendly but you can ride your bike to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">New Belgium Brewery</span>, sit and have a few beers. It is well <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666600;">developed</span> but there is still open space. In short I would <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">love</span> to live there again someday!<br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485434121483682402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaauR04ld120PN0rufNmZpYqkK8kcnicdvddjARJjr_9AeKXJfWDFSEyVDBujTXOqyTpqDXx8vw1jWlcjPbdbWUz5VDcSG_C-wfidMcncguJddJtZgE1AtpJXMX6e1BI9fy0nYdjE0kz7x/s400/P1100138.JPG" />Monday</span> I visited with my friend <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">Veronica</span>. It was great to see her again and we had a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">lovely</span> time eating fish <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">tacos</span> at La Luz and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">walked <span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;">around</span></span> Old Town.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485434132492098146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4UtalxgRu8LEilcAVA-Vce6O56TNcABZ9MOVspFBg8LfpRhLt5P1n-unBBlMMl4vMKu0Du_DPpNeC3UqDMZoKvcsrpP1dFCGB-tYJ5l8uxV7rII7YEkJajN2HuEEBcftif53F8jPLLJ8/s400/P1100136.JPG" /> We took a trip to CSU's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">bookstore</span> so I could <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">replenish</span> my college t-shirt collection (mine are all <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">disintegrating</span>). It was pretty <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">funny</span> to see all the tour groups full of 18 year olds <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330099;">wandering</span> the campus, it seems so long ago. She is moving to Madison, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Wisconsin</span> with her husband soon and I am so glad we got to catch up <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">before</span> she leaves town. </div><div align="center">Monday <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">evening</span> I headed out to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">Libby</span> and Mike's house. I have <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">known</span> Libby since high school, she was with me the <span style="color:#993300;">first</span> time I met Chris and I was with her the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">first</span> time she met Mike. We have been many <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">mission</span> trips together and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">discussed</span> huge life decisions with each other. I stood in her <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">wedding</span> and she stood in mine. She is a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">good</span> friend whom I do not see nearly enough. Libby is also 6 months <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">pregnant</span> with her first child! She is going to be such a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">loving</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">patient</span> mother and I cannot wait to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">meet</span> her child. Tuesday we had a great time wandering a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">children's</span> store for several hours, oohing and ahhing over <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">little</span> clothes, laughing at <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc66;">parenting</span> books and playing with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">games</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485432965718274370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZEpdEVvvOe6o3SFj-Uyn0tFmrHs6c910FaEUFv25qiQNVqV_WZHf01GVSCKeVtqdAkuBT5WkkdWFA_1oF8husF8SF1HIGglDkMT0a5YFfe1TD6eoP907L_k6U8fqu0CiFbI12M816rhk/s400/P1100139.JPG" /></div><div align="center">That <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">evening</span> I met up with my friend <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Jess</span>. Jess and I were both <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">studio art</span> majors with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">fiber</span> concentrations. This means we <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">bonded</span> over a mutual geeky love of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">dyed</span> fibers, complicated <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">weave</span> patterns and detailed <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">embroidery</span>. We always have a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">fun</span> time together and I love hanging out with her because it is very <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">low</span> key. We hung out at her Dad's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">restaurant</span> Wednesday night and then played <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Beatles's</span> Rock Band until late at night. Wednesday we went to the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">pool</span>, the mall and to the $2 <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">theater</span> to see Oceans. That night we headed to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Elliot's</span>, our favorite bar, for some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">key lime</span> martinis. They are so good I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;">dream</span> about them sometimes!</div><div align="center">Thursday morning we went to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Snooze</span>, where I had the best breakfast of my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">life</span>. If you ever have a chance to eat at a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Snooze</span>, do it! They have a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">spunky</span> retro decor.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485432951549848866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IUzqmVDqxKH805tvdv3idQecvX_EaMdmY7AAk2hoh5vCyr6SZXOYYLtY2jqW7__I62JtYLxOiAIRDdcj-yqUimFAmWnaG9m5P8cXNbjCylFs_-P-2IlhR3o4GSd8rHHwx3S05nn_wXS7/s400/P1100148.JPG" /> Their <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">pancakes</span> and Benedicts are to die for.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485432958503392546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0A1nW0wDp3iq-yyuS_6El2IbxxXf1mgdiP3c1mct0FidOle8dOj2pLZmrICc2dgwflANQbO9w8xAbOpv_RCawPs7oRTpLP8L5-rdv504fbbu5nWpXC4jRc6ByHuw6AEsC6yMjlRUqTaE/s400/P1100145.JPG" /> After <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">gorging</span> ourselves on breakfast we headed home to start a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">project</span>. Several <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">hours</span>, a pile of fabric <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">scraps</span> and two viewings of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Alice in Wonderland</span> later we both had new <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">patchwork</span> sundresses made from the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">quilting</span> quarters that Jo-Ann's Fabric sells. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485432930833862402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifujeUL-E7MkvEOnzEDdMVb5xuOo2NZ2y6_AYEkoAJq_isayFP6uTbEfYb5SGK5UhcNMEmpyXD9BpMTK-EYI85nQUrKRmBs5TAqGfJYtFbK4NOrYWQ2WLH_oWLibwmAJmQuWDHJesw06RT/s400/P1100154.JPG" />Total cost <span style="color:#ff0000;">$</span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">9</span>! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485432961605834754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvmV0bBtlDNTDxbAnnGqKialyJhTuqxu7so6uwQNesTHLRJMGz5px-AFMbl62JqnhZ9TwCrNJ4vYgHOI5pCyWMRkbsHFeH21_DjOWh4uvqN2A3dKrOo3b-Ra7JVdo1fHJJhwqm5k6fHMd/s400/P1100144.JPG" />I will put up a picture of the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">finished</span> project later. </div><div align="center">It was a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66cccc;">splendid</span> week and I am so glad I got to spend a few days in one of my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">favorite </span>towns. Now I am in the <span style="color:#009900;">mountains</span> with my family, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">pictures</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">stories</span> to come soon! </div></div></div></div></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-9881083111317604462010-06-12T21:15:00.006-07:002010-06-12T21:47:02.445-07:00Lemon drops and Gumdrops<div align="center"> If all the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">rain</span> drops were <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">lemon drops</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">gumdrops</span>, oh what a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">wonderful</span> rain that would be.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482109273163444866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGsnzRf0KoAQW02BoCvELad7-WY0uWV7JtpE-A9wW5EwIXuzOYdvdeikkeU8bbwdZoe_atKk5FP_4FSqft1bqLtCE_M8TJNA80ZG6fBRAuvopE_RxvdQ9FuFVllLEVaUmpG4SbRsZ-iLo/s400/P1100085.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">(ooo an artsy rain picture....swoon)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">If</span> all the rain drops <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">were</span> lemon drops and gumdrops we would have spent <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">all</span> day outside with buckets collecting <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">sugary</span> goodness. However, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">rain</span> drops are made of cold <span style="color:#000066;">water</span> and so we had a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">lazy</span> rainy day. </div><div align="center">The day consisted of a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">lovely</span> lunch date at Noodles and Co with a friend. Then I met my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">sister</span> at Tattered Cover where we sat and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">read</span> and sipped <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">hazelnut</span> lattes. Then a quick run to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">Whole</span> Foods and it was time to start a full evening of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">hibernation</span>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482109279113254610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxV_jGm13mnaMyNkT0_VIigAdGjHc2qkqIgQThqnjiEA3PrWfPyESyKJOxEAFgge_VQ4us2XNRPgp4_fs-XYfniXOy-UKg-LSgh2S8oTyWkCL7N7XxdjeH1ZilbHuPHM09-Onq4sVmauo/s400/P1100092.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">(sister and me)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Kate</span> and I made the world's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">yummiest</span> baked mac n' cheese and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">ate</span> most of it. How could anything with <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">butter</span>, pasta, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Cheddar</span> cheese and buttered cracker crumbs <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">not</span> be amazing? <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482109315910612722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKeNRC62wKeUGTFLcoFHZcrN-NSK7fHCQVkP4hbCq-iUyhs1e7k32ec0UpyvG1a4ihVxl-zH8aC2-nKg6xb5DWV-k516xK1UGk2vTh6E2C5iecI9z3V92wAa1s9k6ELY1bBfV8qIhRLaF/s400/P1100114.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">(our marvelous mac n' cheese)</span></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482109301593833634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-gL_LMf3Oiz4c6KiWUgacu0zQeJ9KxrRF5hnoCgAkjxPKOG4Nw2zSAAtnNxcswjdV1bzPFUlmfVC48DVN6VWSivF5b8kBr4uQIIt4-hZpQuqrKoccfLby6FnwAH1Hzk1-yHgsY3_I3E9/s400/P1100100.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(Koda begging and Kate's cute tights)</span></div><div align="center">We <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999900;">watched</span> at least one disc of How I Met Your Mother. I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">almost</span> to the end of the show and I will have to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">start</span> over....it is a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">sickness</span>.</div><div align="center">When <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">sister</span> and I are together it is <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">never</span> long before the camera comes out. We took some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">silly</span> pictures of ourselves and the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">doggies.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482110415894450514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCUsP8sCJf8IV8fzbrIqwtuQzuxUSY_0jgBfilkw1EHp2ASejLybH0UPyL6adAVZMdAvnSMUHg_8wQpKK5KtmkML6_zuGpOdLcZfO9oEAoZX6kZNAoBpyUvXRh5iAhfMXStuUeTdIM-22/s400/P1100119.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"> (sister's silly face) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482109321976305618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgZk1n4GDm2twrvCrwdQ804mMJmsu0yTf4GtIEkR-LBCOAaZYz2QVz9ujazZk0_aQw24zTecmSmoh3B3dhloZy6Nf-RW_OKn0Tqajxs4RmWTGgn02xRc54NIIGeuX2799eNiZi7GsrNz-/s400/P1100117.JPG" />(Koda-Loo sleeping)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482110422965505442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflsN8Sms5V783knx_oi7yaiHQ-UyNMRKkXM-K2da6bU_zquzLBz-2N40M86Tjtllx0a-jpm2bwCJcrklnzm4N63HFUkThpsxa4GgKGvLxharIz-ubXhXgC1M7a19wOnsyGm2yGQLX_Ake/s400/P1100121.JPG" /></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"> (being dramatic)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482110432669296818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbCJBd8CPJnbZFO3tzZaMxNW_xRNOaRv2M6L53MSQ1YgI5B464fIy-__xBsSd_xWPtjPv2iNIaGjdTSYyxJUMJ0H00oofp5HVcAkzY4XScHxSoaIvB_xstF5seK__t16Xy3sA6N3op1zc/s400/P1100122.JPG" /> (Loki is trying to sleep and we are bugging him)</span></div><div align="center">After <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">dinner</span> and some rest for our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">tummys </span>we tried to recreate the world's <span style="color:#3333ff;">best</span> ice cream (Toasted Coconut from <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">Kilwins'</span>) by mixing Double <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Dark</span> Chocolate, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;">Toasted</span> Almond and Caribbean <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">Coconut</span>. It was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">legendary</span> and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">delicious</span>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482110438813012274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YhH9hS5rURk3UvvfBOg9sAujevKCxDIrP-0ltnYKwfiXtQWOSSRo9Rtotymqvk6_eVwpyW10ArMg-u_avxl-OqcXwb1c-wRgH1D6iPdeeHaAjoY5532RmIapWiayt7oLhqGHNQsS4tvg/s400/P1100132.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">(in case you were wondering that is indeed HIMYM on the TV behind the pyramid of ice cream)</span></div><div align="center">I hope no one will <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">ever</span> doubt our <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">dedication</span> to any cause, I mean anyone willing to buy <span style="color:#336666;">three</span> types of ice cream to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">recreate</span> one flavor has <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">mad</span> loyalty.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">As <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">rainy</span> days go it was a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">wonderful</span> one.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-46448173544731070532010-06-08T20:54:00.002-07:002010-06-08T21:16:46.676-07:00Pad Thai<div align="center">If you are <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">anything</span> like me then you experience those times in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">life</span> when things are so <span style="color:#33cc00;">hectic</span> that you forget to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">grocery</span> shop and must survive off your <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">hoard</span> of take-out menus. </div><div align="center">That is how <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">life</span> has been lately. And so, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">dear</span> blog readers, I hope you have been <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330000;">eating</span> well out of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">Styrofoam</span> boxes while I was away. I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">back</span> and will give you a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">brief</span> catch up and resume blogging, allowing myself to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">dispense</span> with the guilt of not writing for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">nearly</span> a month. </div><div align="center">Oh, but what a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">month</span> it has been. </div><div align="center">Koda was <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">stung</span> by something in the middle of the night. Her face <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">swelled</span> up to twice its normal size and I had to go to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Walgreen's</span> at 2 am and then force feed her <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">Benedryl</span> in the parking lot. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I finished working with my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">beloved</span> twins. Their Mom is on <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">summer</span> break from teaching and in <span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">anticipation</span> of a busy year ahead Chris and I decided I would not <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">return</span> to working with them in the fall. It broke my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc66cc;">heart</span> to leave them. I was there for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">rolling</span> over, sitting up, first <span style="font-size:130%;color:#663366;">teeth</span>, first steps etc...</div><div align="center"> Of course, when I left on the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">last</span> day they did something they have <span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">never</span>, ever, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">not</span> once, not a single time, ever done when I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">leave</span> the house....they <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">screamed</span> and cried. It <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">tore</span> my heart out.</div><div align="center">I drove to <span style="color:#006600;">Colorado</span> to be with friends and family while this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">last</span> month or so of <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">deployment</span> drags <span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">on</span>...and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">on</span>...and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">on</span>...</div><div align="center">My <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">saint</span> of a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Mama</span> flew to Arizona to make the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">17</span> hour drive home with me so I could bring the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">dogs</span>. We had a good drive <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003333;">except</span> for the 130 mile <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">detour</span> due to a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">sandstorm</span> that closed the highway.</div><div align="center">I went to Baton Rouge to see my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Aunt</span> get married. It was a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">lovely</span> service and I cherish anytime I get with my Aunt and my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">dear</span> cousins and my sister! It was made even better by <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">throwing</span> in a mansion on the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">beach</span> in Fort Morgan and some <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">hilarious</span> antics from my cousin's <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">boyfriend</span>. That and <a href="http://www.sporcle.com/">sporcle</a> (you know you <span style="font-size:130%;color:#003300;">want</span> to check it out) .</div><div align="center">I have spent almost <span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">everyday</span> since then catching up with old <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">friends</span> and watching <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">HIMYM</span> with my <span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">sister</span>. I walk the dogs on the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">gorgeous</span> trail behind my parent's house and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">savor</span> every moment of Colorado time. It is a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#336666;">beautiful</span> state.</div><div align="center">Alright, <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">there</span> it is. A <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">short</span> blog but I had to rip the <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc9933;">band-aid</span> off and <span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">dive</span> back into it. I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">promise</span> not to wait so long to <span style="font-size:130%;color:#330033;">share</span> some more funny stories.</div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6511131163968954077.post-42628401837689264322010-05-14T22:05:00.002-07:002010-05-14T22:16:29.745-07:00One Place Setting<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#339999;">This</span> is how I <span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;">feel</span> about <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Chris</span> and me.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471361063335460578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2P2MiyRwNZOIewowjU7lMbFc4TJfz_eUtTIAyF7McQ96ZV1IFCVWjVUYxXYDW3c-I1UDLHmBwOFIPzfkJqTxYRqjENi4Y9bq-PYfskyv4l6lPiPlYbZXUgL0hhd8W2_xipWoq8DFQN2Q5/s400/home.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">As a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">result</span> I have not been home for <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">four</span> months now.</div><div align="center"> I am ready for this <span style="font-size:130%;color:#999999;">deployment</span> to be over. </div><div align="center">Too bad I am <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">not</span> in charge.</div><div align="center"> Two <span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">more</span> months.</div><div align="center"> If I had <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">known</span> I was going to be away from <span style="font-size:130%;color:#6633ff;">home</span> for so long I would have packed a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ff99;">bigger</span> suitcase....</div>Jen and Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04905695731948672155noreply@blogger.com1