tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24731126587195760522024-02-06T23:50:09.100-05:00Experience the Wonderful.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.comBlogger471125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-76841123174223251032014-09-16T09:42:00.000-04:002014-09-16T09:42:21.751-04:00how a full time job changed everything.i miss this space.<br />
like...i really missed it.<br />
i never realized how blessed i actually was that i got to play and express myself here so deeply and for so long.<br />
i feel so out of touch without this space.<br />
i think of it constantly and come up with post ideas all the time but now my time to actually sit and articulate myself has diminshed a little bit. (case in point - i just realized, sitting here, that i work at 12:40 today instead of two! see - my thoughts are constantly elsewhere.)<br />
<br />
don't get me worng - i love my new job. to some that may seem silly but to me it's great. in the span of 5 months i got hired, got my feet wet and got a promotion! i am running a little corner of the world and feel needed again. i know that sounds strange too, and i know that i am needed everyday in the running of things here but it's a different kind of needed.<br />
<br />
and it feels great.<br />
<br />
i do miss this space and i will be popping in from time to time but with the job, selling the house and family time it's harder than i thought.<br />
a lot harder than i thought.<br />
i always have this plan of jumping on here right when i get home from work and updating but then i just pushed off for someone elses plans of watching mindcraft youtube videos, checking out the lastest gossip on monster high or having a great cup of coffee & watching season three of downton abbey on netflicks - much needed un-wind time for me. then there's dinner to make, irish dancing to get to, borwnines to get too...you get the picture.<br />
(i think the solution maybe my own laptop that i can curl in bed with??..... hhmmm....just a thought)<br />
<br />
we have had some great adventures over the last couple of months which i have wanted to include y'all in so bad but unless i am sitting here at 3am it's just not happening. <br />
<br />
there was our time in ottawa:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDkud_BrW1jMheooRlf593zAZKTAnqkV3DWyhmz5Ksbau7OuFZA-emuiG5bpz2yO6wy6y-b5JhEL_DN2ix3qbOs3CLHzPrxq7RVbuDXcrTRnUNtF2VHAVkjtA9hgZekzTILG57e-P-8I/s1600/IMG_3513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDkud_BrW1jMheooRlf593zAZKTAnqkV3DWyhmz5Ksbau7OuFZA-emuiG5bpz2yO6wy6y-b5JhEL_DN2ix3qbOs3CLHzPrxq7RVbuDXcrTRnUNtF2VHAVkjtA9hgZekzTILG57e-P-8I/s1600/IMG_3513.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGp-Ju9eTnqUFONryoUInqijQTKYsTJ6jmygo5ydnNEH7ifblX4knOWJ_BfWXElwHGA_kFmBrM_Tp0p7fYpv3ghnkFACpHr_uqYUGYXXfa38gqBu3tu87xttqVRIAZvQMWiB7xJz8o0A/s1600/IMG_3531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGp-Ju9eTnqUFONryoUInqijQTKYsTJ6jmygo5ydnNEH7ifblX4knOWJ_BfWXElwHGA_kFmBrM_Tp0p7fYpv3ghnkFACpHr_uqYUGYXXfa38gqBu3tu87xttqVRIAZvQMWiB7xJz8o0A/s1600/IMG_3531.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwOXMdOtnLa7HxwGCr1r0taDW8xgL-JRLZxvw1UIzdcsvG1mX3tnJRuszFwlJP9gbRq4F-icqPYUf-aOiu6O-TYULpmMxdXX0LYvHtrH-icYoC7DkSW-qThrD0mZ5wkdgmF19qyLyHFw/s1600/IMG_3520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwOXMdOtnLa7HxwGCr1r0taDW8xgL-JRLZxvw1UIzdcsvG1mX3tnJRuszFwlJP9gbRq4F-icqPYUf-aOiu6O-TYULpmMxdXX0LYvHtrH-icYoC7DkSW-qThrD0mZ5wkdgmF19qyLyHFw/s1600/IMG_3520.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and then getting in the last skate at our place.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0QEx1dG7iJRe7RkpQqyB2VPq_4GGe8NHsrCXVwARjlXkmDZvfeSn2BcnxAxwsG5KH-LNbxjZh6HkbHnj1q-ylXenn09I2rDg8PW7vk5TddEqfKjBLjUNREqpOZkmWl_zbD4_b9cD488/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0QEx1dG7iJRe7RkpQqyB2VPq_4GGe8NHsrCXVwARjlXkmDZvfeSn2BcnxAxwsG5KH-LNbxjZh6HkbHnj1q-ylXenn09I2rDg8PW7vk5TddEqfKjBLjUNREqpOZkmWl_zbD4_b9cD488/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and then it was spring break and we cheered tony on at his hockey game.......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOkKeAzEvhLj6z3j9xB7ZHnETCyZR0L9mT7MYMs6pRLkGuCzKBww55qZZulDXeIe_BZguHiVkf0CC2Rye6f1uA4Io1QssJ-iU4z9ENhXhLc1w_o23Hkz5uQHpm0vjhtYY05tGlL6mmas/s1600/IMG_3624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOkKeAzEvhLj6z3j9xB7ZHnETCyZR0L9mT7MYMs6pRLkGuCzKBww55qZZulDXeIe_BZguHiVkf0CC2Rye6f1uA4Io1QssJ-iU4z9ENhXhLc1w_o23Hkz5uQHpm0vjhtYY05tGlL6mmas/s1600/IMG_3624.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnUr-Sr4D27RUQ82qJoPu1HniUVuHqLaoEYwLvkdvCxZOr03uEUyocKew7t5g6K8AQ66fJInOvVGG38JEqlib-tbzr1azoSUl7X_H-FUJmOidKL0FRhj5nXpkrzkjnFmGFtrazDA18J4/s1600/IMG_3648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnUr-Sr4D27RUQ82qJoPu1HniUVuHqLaoEYwLvkdvCxZOr03uEUyocKew7t5g6K8AQ66fJInOvVGG38JEqlib-tbzr1azoSUl7X_H-FUJmOidKL0FRhj5nXpkrzkjnFmGFtrazDA18J4/s1600/IMG_3648.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and then the end of swimming lessons till the summer......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHWzrDuNHBxvFZtClH8DZrTQ1Y7YPfrf7OoZdoQZuxaRQ2kQ4d9_kMIBTeu-i4uy71wEjRXp9IohfkgfpQ9phTlnK1pG5xrK4y1x_CyUnDK4UkNzLHV082OddqYL37_kCiuOkhlaBCLc/s1600/IMG_3709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHWzrDuNHBxvFZtClH8DZrTQ1Y7YPfrf7OoZdoQZuxaRQ2kQ4d9_kMIBTeu-i4uy71wEjRXp9IohfkgfpQ9phTlnK1pG5xrK4y1x_CyUnDK4UkNzLHV082OddqYL37_kCiuOkhlaBCLc/s1600/IMG_3709.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Su17eBKwlfp_RCTLFgohuWFS6PCdYEpr71TR5M2sE1UFjuE3nyYqD90Ks8vXdR0Jz0AJBNAJqKWKwniEkptJFh52iG0Np3rCSKTNkqvhgGC-4i2ydleZxU4ljg5rUiqS_-tFto8pFZI/s1600/IMG_3712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Su17eBKwlfp_RCTLFgohuWFS6PCdYEpr71TR5M2sE1UFjuE3nyYqD90Ks8vXdR0Jz0AJBNAJqKWKwniEkptJFh52iG0Np3rCSKTNkqvhgGC-4i2ydleZxU4ljg5rUiqS_-tFto8pFZI/s1600/IMG_3712.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and then that time it snowed...AGAIN....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswZPtzNcgU1yD9n4s8_keI2ikqbJPqb7rwsr9iLsTIpcmX_C0hYcrrXhYmW9L6jL-4cysVkxUg_iiXE4ShRrkwCMJh2iXpri7SNOZ5nPQmR9BEsSPk8o0BfoxZSbjXv8Rg5ZlJlOmVZc/s1600/IMG_3732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswZPtzNcgU1yD9n4s8_keI2ikqbJPqb7rwsr9iLsTIpcmX_C0hYcrrXhYmW9L6jL-4cysVkxUg_iiXE4ShRrkwCMJh2iXpri7SNOZ5nPQmR9BEsSPk8o0BfoxZSbjXv8Rg5ZlJlOmVZc/s1600/IMG_3732.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfg90uxUwdKft33BsITEpTkvipT7Uwm_ku5Z5PdKQNbA86SprlbWhIf4qVTS2JUSCBIMrWiug7v7FnvmmofieJl8Bg0iHugz-jPGau2HZSd2oxgDZvweqBiuCXcuY59K9VlU7hWDzW4k/s1600/IMG_3737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfg90uxUwdKft33BsITEpTkvipT7Uwm_ku5Z5PdKQNbA86SprlbWhIf4qVTS2JUSCBIMrWiug7v7FnvmmofieJl8Bg0iHugz-jPGau2HZSd2oxgDZvweqBiuCXcuY59K9VlU7hWDzW4k/s1600/IMG_3737.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
portfolio night at school.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeweKxFHvt8FepWkRF0BobgFALUp6DzlqUXB4aRE2_h1EO6GgjjlaGs2sXXP1EhK0yCJQyx_U7LG77LcJGXUDpwuJoMII7i7w06QEsZ-vxgGMMiRca3RM4PrcE2Ybe-byZMnC8_PV2q4/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeweKxFHvt8FepWkRF0BobgFALUp6DzlqUXB4aRE2_h1EO6GgjjlaGs2sXXP1EhK0yCJQyx_U7LG77LcJGXUDpwuJoMII7i7w06QEsZ-vxgGMMiRca3RM4PrcE2Ybe-byZMnC8_PV2q4/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf_BZ2xUjmPDTcFVy63lJUGUw7-wIJeyFS-T-OHPIVzEBpuepKgd5Y7DSxz3N6k-UOEWWrIKe3UYhjvSS0NwuaUlgUfrZEQuzkYs1OX8ypIc-wkTVlHPTchwLT8JPpg-aQJMVUxIWPm8/s1600/IMG_3742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf_BZ2xUjmPDTcFVy63lJUGUw7-wIJeyFS-T-OHPIVzEBpuepKgd5Y7DSxz3N6k-UOEWWrIKe3UYhjvSS0NwuaUlgUfrZEQuzkYs1OX8ypIc-wkTVlHPTchwLT8JPpg-aQJMVUxIWPm8/s1600/IMG_3742.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
our one obligatory visit to the cabane a sucre....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP73mpmd47fudb44hiQXODfMugd-VL1gY9Gk3IVBp7g1jmsy_iPxBq3J9ICNBJSDhDEUQj_Dml-p3hhBtPeRmzHtCw_FeSEEUcHeWHSp2LsqZUHX7SxgNUZyYahzviOHxQNNpO2KQG68/s1600/IMG_3747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP73mpmd47fudb44hiQXODfMugd-VL1gY9Gk3IVBp7g1jmsy_iPxBq3J9ICNBJSDhDEUQj_Dml-p3hhBtPeRmzHtCw_FeSEEUcHeWHSp2LsqZUHX7SxgNUZyYahzviOHxQNNpO2KQG68/s1600/IMG_3747.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
someone lost another tooth....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1T4z2UNYtxyo9TzsAPtQlNbKnePR-ci7CxSZ6DUPlgdRemYAGTXHyM8Tjw-iD41Bn5JPVJjHXyzoFv5GZ_CduxjkCse4DkgANynUjuJHJIK6Up41uYxGHdaSH2ARGdYI1X4tarBvTPw/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1T4z2UNYtxyo9TzsAPtQlNbKnePR-ci7CxSZ6DUPlgdRemYAGTXHyM8Tjw-iD41Bn5JPVJjHXyzoFv5GZ_CduxjkCse4DkgANynUjuJHJIK6Up41uYxGHdaSH2ARGdYI1X4tarBvTPw/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
tony played more hockey and won the championship......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM5IzCWTlZuJNkqpamnQ0gC95-CQHLmXHTq8ANAFmnNM6osB4DYlxUccz2iMaXi9lkL6zkNulBIcLV_mBr73YtrUstpSHgZDjiwfJHAAkXlpUOR705r9aHJ-zDrlvtxffJKakAP0QnOE/s1600/DSC_0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM5IzCWTlZuJNkqpamnQ0gC95-CQHLmXHTq8ANAFmnNM6osB4DYlxUccz2iMaXi9lkL6zkNulBIcLV_mBr73YtrUstpSHgZDjiwfJHAAkXlpUOR705r9aHJ-zDrlvtxffJKakAP0QnOE/s1600/DSC_0188.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhFnpgph6Rggs7bzSXuY91w9ZOuZZbOCeTOLxUNQCJvABDkVY3paDFwkDKU_dKE3XbWBU7yN_8rB6hQ_kcJikWXU2zGeyRUaUChpqf1gVlvPx54Szi12Ty6aD6VbvJLZFS3pAKfj9i3k/s1600/DSC_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhFnpgph6Rggs7bzSXuY91w9ZOuZZbOCeTOLxUNQCJvABDkVY3paDFwkDKU_dKE3XbWBU7yN_8rB6hQ_kcJikWXU2zGeyRUaUChpqf1gVlvPx54Szi12Ty6aD6VbvJLZFS3pAKfj9i3k/s1600/DSC_0237.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uNUQrSa8sPK3UTbqiT51XTddJ3INb8qH6r264AuhzF0kp7OM2lIcXYNFLK30ChO1gfLYc8QHSoBOWuMgWMwblI3i-9PZJ9y0GW-54yuKcVy3htY17y-njIiW61fHWYdF_tzMmAfNbQ0/s1600/IMG_5775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uNUQrSa8sPK3UTbqiT51XTddJ3INb8qH6r264AuhzF0kp7OM2lIcXYNFLK30ChO1gfLYc8QHSoBOWuMgWMwblI3i-9PZJ9y0GW-54yuKcVy3htY17y-njIiW61fHWYdF_tzMmAfNbQ0/s1600/IMG_5775.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzlsuu3ZIhy8egA8QLVgSAHo1jKMKtQp4prwEEvlIED4YyGYQOVGtNRpQTGY2mO-mUKsypI2HKU2oaC8hx7plJiyAA-ZCBqCdiNNWkN9MPmlaWD7ven667hC4-sXQ8kpClRtvWkIypYo/s1600/IMG_6039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzlsuu3ZIhy8egA8QLVgSAHo1jKMKtQp4prwEEvlIED4YyGYQOVGtNRpQTGY2mO-mUKsypI2HKU2oaC8hx7plJiyAA-ZCBqCdiNNWkN9MPmlaWD7ven667hC4-sXQ8kpClRtvWkIypYo/s1600/IMG_6039.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
spring FINALLY arrived and brought with it new bikes for our long-legged creatures......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G4Dw3Hh1h7G-MrQ-uTor-0kx4DUrb7Iahyphenhyphenh6b5QIlzOWn5v4Mch1FxvBJRp9CZusas0lw0hs9Afc5_rOVJ3QIIXGhuJdiVFYem-m81dHVbTjdQyIg_EOcXe_zCzXmuBauaSi_8crrDM/s1600/IMG_3753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7G4Dw3Hh1h7G-MrQ-uTor-0kx4DUrb7Iahyphenhyphenh6b5QIlzOWn5v4Mch1FxvBJRp9CZusas0lw0hs9Afc5_rOVJ3QIIXGhuJdiVFYem-m81dHVbTjdQyIg_EOcXe_zCzXmuBauaSi_8crrDM/s1600/IMG_3753.jpg" height="640" width="608" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju91mEi5TMWzGJcpnnF6TLVqREieRl3GJKS9fbG0dnkNoM94iVM-JEziSMycU_kNYHYtwwwfQ4qih6yvvSnODOfG0N_tcqEOIo_0pVd0QYiXAQyz9eUknOWkAN5SapTgYh4hWiWRaoFk/s1600/IMG_3758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju91mEi5TMWzGJcpnnF6TLVqREieRl3GJKS9fbG0dnkNoM94iVM-JEziSMycU_kNYHYtwwwfQ4qih6yvvSnODOfG0N_tcqEOIo_0pVd0QYiXAQyz9eUknOWkAN5SapTgYh4hWiWRaoFk/s1600/IMG_3758.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtiuzCahyYe69u-k3QgmR3zAXpwpg-8-ghlOtfqXre6H_Hvrg6fWGq5R6ygNWsOuRJ3fgZw4I3CfuuYTvsz_KmvJdcAmR0rpgDFQVWY3fdYd5dbQdRHSkVoApvh-8WYEn6uMo-1jldOo/s1600/IMG_3759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtiuzCahyYe69u-k3QgmR3zAXpwpg-8-ghlOtfqXre6H_Hvrg6fWGq5R6ygNWsOuRJ3fgZw4I3CfuuYTvsz_KmvJdcAmR0rpgDFQVWY3fdYd5dbQdRHSkVoApvh-8WYEn6uMo-1jldOo/s1600/IMG_3759.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
and that time we put our house up for sale.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHYJbrgpF_XA1wwwTrbL-ZeUpkqJ3iNmlZRLD4vl1aAEIiDuHUqjTzJql6zCUjBkrrTmFX5cv7RICPjogFsUgdNXPFlCF1cayOIlekU6BvhKjbEzHpL0HWJOHJzgdwEuhAO57j3JgrwA/s1600/12839377-PRIN00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHYJbrgpF_XA1wwwTrbL-ZeUpkqJ3iNmlZRLD4vl1aAEIiDuHUqjTzJql6zCUjBkrrTmFX5cv7RICPjogFsUgdNXPFlCF1cayOIlekU6BvhKjbEzHpL0HWJOHJzgdwEuhAO57j3JgrwA/s1600/12839377-PRIN00.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
it's been a crazy ride these past couple of months and hopefully all the pieces will come together soon and maybe in the new house i can get a space for myself that i'm not in the back corner of the basement....cause really - who wants to sit back there?<br />
<br />
<br />
i just realized this was my 500 post. seems kind of fitting.<br />
<br />
<i>case in point about life right now - i wrote this IN MARCH and am just putting the finishing touches on it today!my goodness.....</i><br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-15924047022445042732014-02-13T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-13T07:00:07.997-05:00the sights of winter.four years ago we moved from mild vancouver {yes they do get a lot of rain!} to cold cold cold quebec.<br />
to say it was a shock is an understatement. <i>sometimes i miss the rain. some days i would rather the rain.</i><br />
that being said we have tried hard to embrace all that comes with the changing seasons and that includes winter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEjZVO9oEPZPZt-FDWEnr342pZ8BdSX6KN14Ik__wK5uDZHpruFmlHeXlEFUx0Klfwd4c1LNRQUHky4XCRTmZcEAgP5iAKsO_sxBvFbCAp4N8aZ9IorOu1rxo3N4Ql7qz4ANvHzbA6OY/s1600/%2528Dec+14+2013+10-07+PM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%25293180551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEjZVO9oEPZPZt-FDWEnr342pZ8BdSX6KN14Ik__wK5uDZHpruFmlHeXlEFUx0Klfwd4c1LNRQUHky4XCRTmZcEAgP5iAKsO_sxBvFbCAp4N8aZ9IorOu1rxo3N4Ql7qz4ANvHzbA6OY/s1600/%2528Dec+14+2013+10-07+PM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%25293180551.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gB7mYTVyxGFbufE5T1UGGKunudYCNYFNhmL_YVFecI3WvZeRE9er2H99Ypc5TFgPqz43QrHAPqDwBHLSM7OxQMn10hX9oj6u8XWo5jLpBYIyXwnUvlBZVD7dy2t3qi-N_ayL1IqAXlE/s1600/IMG_3299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gB7mYTVyxGFbufE5T1UGGKunudYCNYFNhmL_YVFecI3WvZeRE9er2H99Ypc5TFgPqz43QrHAPqDwBHLSM7OxQMn10hX9oj6u8XWo5jLpBYIyXwnUvlBZVD7dy2t3qi-N_ayL1IqAXlE/s1600/IMG_3299.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLKfqC2MX1QXKqvXbKGH0t60ekbjn5v_MqZ5iftJXGEnOY9gYL6ua_8CsQJ3OWpYJKyQyRLqSsGTeNKbjmAoyg1rvQQb1O5b4Bhlp7m4qeebtGYp5g0ue_0U9BT_D4UqOEK5D9Wm-YWk/s1600/IMG_3309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLKfqC2MX1QXKqvXbKGH0t60ekbjn5v_MqZ5iftJXGEnOY9gYL6ua_8CsQJ3OWpYJKyQyRLqSsGTeNKbjmAoyg1rvQQb1O5b4Bhlp7m4qeebtGYp5g0ue_0U9BT_D4UqOEK5D9Wm-YWk/s1600/IMG_3309.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qnSPc_UQLq8M3yP6vMIz4Vbrf024ADbdrc4GvN1CNr9D4lDN-ym8IbG7Y-wfl5Hs-oVSFRtAw-gcaL7peIrzhhnhyphenhyphenzTUOc_oddF_YxIXahiCfHBKhI-FAnIFVBwQBDnQAxj86eiCAlw/s1600/IMG_3320_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qnSPc_UQLq8M3yP6vMIz4Vbrf024ADbdrc4GvN1CNr9D4lDN-ym8IbG7Y-wfl5Hs-oVSFRtAw-gcaL7peIrzhhnhyphenhyphenzTUOc_oddF_YxIXahiCfHBKhI-FAnIFVBwQBDnQAxj86eiCAlw/s1600/IMG_3320_2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeEb3cE4AHUBFfp6KTNeAkRpM2H9KVgoloGOIRp5I-gv-8qWfm2MzQh41AfcOoUutdd3civ46byta8OatJ-RqAsHj2bPzjO_3_I6On9qy7Izv_mOzLoecvcFHv0nLTtGO6fn9_3QHCSM/s1600/IMG_3344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeEb3cE4AHUBFfp6KTNeAkRpM2H9KVgoloGOIRp5I-gv-8qWfm2MzQh41AfcOoUutdd3civ46byta8OatJ-RqAsHj2bPzjO_3_I6On9qy7Izv_mOzLoecvcFHv0nLTtGO6fn9_3QHCSM/s1600/IMG_3344.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
now we are not complete crazy people - we do stay inside all bundled up when it's around minus 25, although you would never guess it was that cold outside for those always happen to be the sunniest days and the most appealing for those looking from the inside out! but when the temperatures hit -12 there is a sense of it not being <i>too bad</i> and we are bundled and pushed out. the great thing about these temperatures is that tony has been able to create a backyard rink. he has a love for skating and this way he can easily share it with the kids and get their skills up as well. <i>win win.</i> they spend hours out there playing redbull ice crush, doing obstacle courses, learning basic hockey skills and how to do figure eights. there are becoming real Quebecois! haha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6M1Z1iwCj75KWx04KlG4GZCk3vTvJ6hK0zS-ILmq9hctxfv-JevT0PIpUHcywiRdPJMlcJyH-tMld_STYR-a115AqPF7jygo6O7sH0ex0LaFIXgAccuJ7T3TFSKgWIxZARUrnkRyXKQ/s1600/IMG_3451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6M1Z1iwCj75KWx04KlG4GZCk3vTvJ6hK0zS-ILmq9hctxfv-JevT0PIpUHcywiRdPJMlcJyH-tMld_STYR-a115AqPF7jygo6O7sH0ex0LaFIXgAccuJ7T3TFSKgWIxZARUrnkRyXKQ/s1600/IMG_3451.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbL5klv5xEkU4H9iom-_t5mfgF8Xuen2FMUTUutosZeoElWqGvalnXuvmj5fOXEZlVUrLOYF6GEYibdLM4bMLYXFsVJbzmvAH7IkcJseBXJUVaP1QO9X5UEIV9LTBqgzTZtkOScn8bjg/s1600/IMG_3467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbL5klv5xEkU4H9iom-_t5mfgF8Xuen2FMUTUutosZeoElWqGvalnXuvmj5fOXEZlVUrLOYF6GEYibdLM4bMLYXFsVJbzmvAH7IkcJseBXJUVaP1QO9X5UEIV9LTBqgzTZtkOScn8bjg/s1600/IMG_3467.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejg6McTFSMScpG3dBZJKY2du8F__z-Nplcra-4epn20w0EOjguD3cNoa45Q7Hx12iGXENOSTCLD0NbtuSb9wtJPYSe-iEpevdydmYG1rPsYaeYDoStQ96Ko6uCQao-Ixx3RMLDqOOj7g/s1600/IMG_3391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejg6McTFSMScpG3dBZJKY2du8F__z-Nplcra-4epn20w0EOjguD3cNoa45Q7Hx12iGXENOSTCLD0NbtuSb9wtJPYSe-iEpevdydmYG1rPsYaeYDoStQ96Ko6uCQao-Ixx3RMLDqOOj7g/s1600/IMG_3391.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uuBWj9ba9C7z7UH1H5KBzpa81gtwr5SVkQZcl2UNSvKKkCV4_eR_ps0FDjttb_3kSpdVWj7OfutLtHbJ5yLxE08YhRqWWc46Tpy36d8Y_TX4HtFdA6rFLuCy5izrh9h8avWjeFji8bA/s1600/IMG_3389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uuBWj9ba9C7z7UH1H5KBzpa81gtwr5SVkQZcl2UNSvKKkCV4_eR_ps0FDjttb_3kSpdVWj7OfutLtHbJ5yLxE08YhRqWWc46Tpy36d8Y_TX4HtFdA6rFLuCy5izrh9h8avWjeFji8bA/s1600/IMG_3389.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkATxSQrJDJeN-zW47gOazScEhdMbIDO1GcnM4iJuyrihyphenhyphenP96apMpy9P1z4ZpwGW7PCCfyXaLugtROjiez1MA4RqsY9U4KShc-5jyA5ab25Ji52HkJfB0mRGsHRUctd6vzmiY3OrlEZzY/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkATxSQrJDJeN-zW47gOazScEhdMbIDO1GcnM4iJuyrihyphenhyphenP96apMpy9P1z4ZpwGW7PCCfyXaLugtROjiez1MA4RqsY9U4KShc-5jyA5ab25Ji52HkJfB0mRGsHRUctd6vzmiY3OrlEZzY/s1600/IMG_3568.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkReUGWtEaNmyzLfD5OLCbiyKzr_aR0fxRLts2N5bfcmB_l6Mbk_gRRlL1X6W8pIBVVPJFxm83Va1hKOvLJIgM05sNuX9ZIkYbLNKAjlbKWMIACXE5w8GhyMNgr18ITaOZjEwKer6Vj8/s1600/IMG_3545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkReUGWtEaNmyzLfD5OLCbiyKzr_aR0fxRLts2N5bfcmB_l6Mbk_gRRlL1X6W8pIBVVPJFxm83Va1hKOvLJIgM05sNuX9ZIkYbLNKAjlbKWMIACXE5w8GhyMNgr18ITaOZjEwKer6Vj8/s1600/IMG_3545.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl2nhBHxBY5WwxKX3KXLTysJVP3E5VIc8Pv5qQaufGWF0KHxbsSZIRSgysbH0G138UhiadHjP72ccf0FNI68t1_JXaAWPMheMRS7-hlyDpPzzDVXsiqotxBinK6y6BJMOWBTyY9lIQNc/s1600/IMG_3554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl2nhBHxBY5WwxKX3KXLTysJVP3E5VIc8Pv5qQaufGWF0KHxbsSZIRSgysbH0G138UhiadHjP72ccf0FNI68t1_JXaAWPMheMRS7-hlyDpPzzDVXsiqotxBinK6y6BJMOWBTyY9lIQNc/s1600/IMG_3554.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
now for me - i still need a bit of convincing. i shy away from the low temps and i'm not as eager to walk the dog at night but i am getting better {just don't consult my husband on this! ha!}. i'm just not used to it and still feel like that vancouver girl at my core. it just seems <i>too cold</i> sometimes when to others it might feel normal. i will get over it sooner or later. <i>i better.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO8CO-srE8VP16IEsMlJ4qKhhSrS8umIzMOwMxC8RkWPj0UswCiOecOFFYB1cQQtPUwZY8PpujqmCELnY5tvTuWSAmDLLA0bxdNUel5ZPELVh7eX0vMm2xCzwhWqsVkietxySebPDbhA/s1600/IMG_2169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO8CO-srE8VP16IEsMlJ4qKhhSrS8umIzMOwMxC8RkWPj0UswCiOecOFFYB1cQQtPUwZY8PpujqmCELnY5tvTuWSAmDLLA0bxdNUel5ZPELVh7eX0vMm2xCzwhWqsVkietxySebPDbhA/s1600/IMG_2169.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VtrhyphenhyphenHa45sG9SQjWGr6En7UQ4-tl6arnIuN_UbVVZw7kZVdth4BAMzE0Fr4dNRvgZVHmsuOyHE2l9QhfuyE6CxAdqIunjiKDdGSWADt-JDU9i9EUhSH_Qqr7XC66YBSV4dIK1M-z5bw/s1600/IMG_2148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VtrhyphenhyphenHa45sG9SQjWGr6En7UQ4-tl6arnIuN_UbVVZw7kZVdth4BAMzE0Fr4dNRvgZVHmsuOyHE2l9QhfuyE6CxAdqIunjiKDdGSWADt-JDU9i9EUhSH_Qqr7XC66YBSV4dIK1M-z5bw/s1600/IMG_2148.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB1B7jOwCg2aRVf78ELsAu_wpj9FSny5Dk9Fy9VCdjj7SDsPHQYagxIKYQNIVTzxhGzAo9QAGruriqI7-akWaqASRNzsYGDc39CmBBxp2_141mULuBbWtoFzXFTnX9-RYWmMDJVgq1oU/s1600/IMG_2149.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NTKqzBrIkdupAVYsHF-vBwIg0QzDXykAhInmfhPF4sJkjnMgObkHMX_zST_kbRMgffC73RVAhOG53AOzWxsUCULDIXZJGOO3o25wiC9zyov7DS_vkKolu5XZP9Wim0ib0MG0_wLnni8/s1600/IMG_2168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NTKqzBrIkdupAVYsHF-vBwIg0QzDXykAhInmfhPF4sJkjnMgObkHMX_zST_kbRMgffC73RVAhOG53AOzWxsUCULDIXZJGOO3o25wiC9zyov7DS_vkKolu5XZP9Wim0ib0MG0_wLnni8/s1600/IMG_2168.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
the exciting part is that we have, for the past two winter's now, discovered the local ski hills and that's where my focus lies. i'm so happy we live near some sort of ski hill. my best memories growing up involve being dropped at the hill {cypress always.} with my sister for the day and sometimes being fortunate enough to have a gang of us up there ruling the slopes until the lights come on and we are forced to leave. i stole the kids away on monday - they had a day off of school - and went to a local mountain for the afternoon. we pretty much had the place to ourselves and it was magic. they don't quite share my love of skiing now but i am sure they will come around. <i>hopefully.</i> the days we can go up are here and there - weather is too cold or prior commitments that already rule the day limit our play time - but when we can go it's heaven.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintOX2ffEO62PS4OWDqL7z2EaGQyxpMOVSwzanR8YXMXlx4JxmH_Vcc4PL02W7qfq-6GalsAFFo_UHo9f4TZf8r2f6cluQZEeAiJ-Cdb-LP3sdF0hBLaoIJdZakj6BUU_9tQ4_zlv_Atw/s1600/DSCN0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintOX2ffEO62PS4OWDqL7z2EaGQyxpMOVSwzanR8YXMXlx4JxmH_Vcc4PL02W7qfq-6GalsAFFo_UHo9f4TZf8r2f6cluQZEeAiJ-Cdb-LP3sdF0hBLaoIJdZakj6BUU_9tQ4_zlv_Atw/s1600/DSCN0205.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRIFgzSQX4rsa8apMPU1Osuzc1dxMNOmfcSt4buVlyza0UtqYrvWkQusLj-ArYELRJYlukDDwYKENFWummt8o9BsoHRALXAtlAaOgX2cDYDPO5h_W0UkLifb_ahTfEcEWnGh7GTY2EBE/s1600/DSCN0208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRIFgzSQX4rsa8apMPU1Osuzc1dxMNOmfcSt4buVlyza0UtqYrvWkQusLj-ArYELRJYlukDDwYKENFWummt8o9BsoHRALXAtlAaOgX2cDYDPO5h_W0UkLifb_ahTfEcEWnGh7GTY2EBE/s1600/DSCN0208.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lyt6UIyCgxc" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
i can't wait for the day THEY beg me to go - instead of the other way around.<br />
that day you will not be able to wipe the smile from my face.<br />
guaranteed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
******<br />
<br />
as some of you may have noticed this space has been a little quite lately. there are a few reasons for that 1) although i have been cooking delicious food and i am dying to share the in's and out's with you i am, unfortunately, not cooking at 11am and photographing it at night in the winter is the pits!! and 2) i have taken a job outside of the house for now and 3) i am trying to decided what i am going to do when i grow up and that takes some planning. lots of planning. oh and we have decided to put our house up for sale. that's a big one there. that's makes it a lot harder for time for this space because all the little things of life are also taking over: laundry, homework, breakfast, lunch, dinner.....so my time to connect here and photograph/edit have been taken by those other tasks. that being said i am not closing down all together - i am just not being able to post three to five times a week like i once did, which actually does make me a little sad. <i>i love this space so much and want to thank everyone who comes by and supports it.</i> you can always see what we are up to via <a href="http://instagram.com/jengronick" target="_blank">instagram</a> {@jengronick} and if i ever post a food shot there that has you curious please drop me a line and i will fill you in - it would be my pleasure!!<br />
<br />
talk soon! xx<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-90241767993446024192014-01-13T13:00:00.000-05:002014-01-13T13:00:22.648-05:00seven.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3J5WgNv22TFX1Qwx6PaYl9bQY1hABjWyXRSa9boNp_vwJimgLmkC3mCFtyOsPi7Bc_c9rP5hHBp61YFAmyFPk8-wcFn4ZpVELovAYtU2gbN3SYWDfPxcf5JFEUNQ996nf3q1kZ5FVDw/s1600/editedcoopinvitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3J5WgNv22TFX1Qwx6PaYl9bQY1hABjWyXRSa9boNp_vwJimgLmkC3mCFtyOsPi7Bc_c9rP5hHBp61YFAmyFPk8-wcFn4ZpVELovAYtU2gbN3SYWDfPxcf5JFEUNQ996nf3q1kZ5FVDw/s640/editedcoopinvitation.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8JGH1no2XiK5oLaNcMAVI0tvEuZwAOdpzsMSltDTKFFrKcPLPL4ebBGdrOfNMs-f0SvyugWOqAW5k8CVAYFpqK8h7Evi2QXwdJ9k-oRyEGqK59KW0N8b2bFu620MIBZheInPsxJqCjY/s1600/%2528Dec+07+2013+12-13+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8JGH1no2XiK5oLaNcMAVI0tvEuZwAOdpzsMSltDTKFFrKcPLPL4ebBGdrOfNMs-f0SvyugWOqAW5k8CVAYFpqK8h7Evi2QXwdJ9k-oRyEGqK59KW0N8b2bFu620MIBZheInPsxJqCjY/s640/%2528Dec+07+2013+12-13+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%2529+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vq46wxiITtQkswrXcCDHtqVR6KnO7c6lxa_o4RYYqh2Sm79rXi_CDuhHaUaMkiJAIuqVAhaqVW-pBfqyH_HxIQ4aZssr22am6v4PIDXxQ4GtidVXUXNnf7yWtYcNuJIMv9rV-dfyh7s/s1600/%2528Dec+07+2013+12-16+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vq46wxiITtQkswrXcCDHtqVR6KnO7c6lxa_o4RYYqh2Sm79rXi_CDuhHaUaMkiJAIuqVAhaqVW-pBfqyH_HxIQ4aZssr22am6v4PIDXxQ4GtidVXUXNnf7yWtYcNuJIMv9rV-dfyh7s/s640/%2528Dec+07+2013+12-16+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%2529+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP3vgDawrasC9eTmxFPL-7jlwB8l793dWBAWMM57e3EMEtZt14sB-3lgutt6-dlyiDmHkAX7hyhP2kv63KNVyYd-WtJx1GeAEPiJDcp7MDZsphjzRZ996PHGxNErvXhA7hE7vWqJA7bc/s1600/IMG_1963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP3vgDawrasC9eTmxFPL-7jlwB8l793dWBAWMM57e3EMEtZt14sB-3lgutt6-dlyiDmHkAX7hyhP2kv63KNVyYd-WtJx1GeAEPiJDcp7MDZsphjzRZ996PHGxNErvXhA7hE7vWqJA7bc/s640/IMG_1963.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMnGFWpJww7-RDmc4J_HRk04elvFMZvJa5foiHSbTTOjiMFSpP5T2ckq6SP-488mSH1xlqJyAvK3SqTXwnTzGzpqMzwKxRAT8AirkMBBiEgySPaogyIzXVEan-Q0Me23O0rSK1qxjICM/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMnGFWpJww7-RDmc4J_HRk04elvFMZvJa5foiHSbTTOjiMFSpP5T2ckq6SP-488mSH1xlqJyAvK3SqTXwnTzGzpqMzwKxRAT8AirkMBBiEgySPaogyIzXVEan-Q0Me23O0rSK1qxjICM/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6nPbQ6sjI9eASwHcePiYnRJ3NWb96Yz2Q4vwAvSK4M_AG-2KOLOsk-hCoaLWdLRZ68WSJ3TDp9l-TG_JGKqccZGlI_jCWNTsZImKtMvu1ULsVEQSQr_hkrMA7I7o9lluAIEWXo3ic5Y/s1600/1PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6nPbQ6sjI9eASwHcePiYnRJ3NWb96Yz2Q4vwAvSK4M_AG-2KOLOsk-hCoaLWdLRZ68WSJ3TDp9l-TG_JGKqccZGlI_jCWNTsZImKtMvu1ULsVEQSQr_hkrMA7I7o9lluAIEWXo3ic5Y/s640/1PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHxay8MskgK0jkK-iilZmc-zOm34I9lolx6LN8SDGqqgYMLI1wpZcPbpuzLVE1EhwE16eTWE728aRDY0-eRrhbm-Xt_LjYw217lmd7DpQDIVUdyLFmO_CORs5xe_Z_bIoockq3oOVMs4/s1600/%2528Dec+07+2013+01-19+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%25296250695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHxay8MskgK0jkK-iilZmc-zOm34I9lolx6LN8SDGqqgYMLI1wpZcPbpuzLVE1EhwE16eTWE728aRDY0-eRrhbm-Xt_LjYw217lmd7DpQDIVUdyLFmO_CORs5xe_Z_bIoockq3oOVMs4/s640/%2528Dec+07+2013+01-19+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%25296250695.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3hU4mSLAA99B7AWsNmODnUFWiFJJ9PhNKsEFBR3Ork99tu-8iOTWedAcmFuWI7mql8KslDxGhyphenhyphen7D8DBJQGLYKKRaN9gZVfi75dwOaZHTIE0avFMcsn-EOqxn9q09StWQK2GxCKmOlCE/s1600/%2528Dec+07+2013+01-20+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%25296344199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3hU4mSLAA99B7AWsNmODnUFWiFJJ9PhNKsEFBR3Ork99tu-8iOTWedAcmFuWI7mql8KslDxGhyphenhyphen7D8DBJQGLYKKRaN9gZVfi75dwOaZHTIE0avFMcsn-EOqxn9q09StWQK2GxCKmOlCE/s640/%2528Dec+07+2013+01-20+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%25296344199.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K_Or456nujhgy_MMmq8IkWepXCp4PkNq5QAGDjVOwL4O9bBoxrTx822upc4sM9tXgVWcKO9UzyrHskaLCYME9_46OavuvzkmbnhUP87EMy1eRM-RQjr5K2XHjfDeiTG0Vj03-0Tc7bw/s1600/thankyoucard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0K_Or456nujhgy_MMmq8IkWepXCp4PkNq5QAGDjVOwL4O9bBoxrTx822upc4sM9tXgVWcKO9UzyrHskaLCYME9_46OavuvzkmbnhUP87EMy1eRM-RQjr5K2XHjfDeiTG0Vj03-0Tc7bw/s640/thankyoucard.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
in december cooper turned seven.<br />
i can't believe we are there already. <i>we now have an almost 9 year old and a seven year old!!</i><br />
i remember 2006 like it was yesterday.....not like it was seven years ago!<br />
<br />
i love parties. love them. love planning them. love throwing them.<br />
they are my jam.<br />
and especially i would do anything for this little guy. he is funny and charming and such a nice kid that waits patiently all year for his birthday AND christmas you can't help but want to spoil him a little. give him a little extra because of all the waiting.<br />
but this one was.....a lot.<br />
this year we took him and twelve friends bowling. glow-in-the-dark, laser-light show, disco bowling.<br />
<i>holy smokes that was a busy afternoon.</i><br />
i completely under-estimated it.<br />
i think maybe next year we are going to take him away for his bday. somewhere hot and fun.<br />
<i>{and somewhere brighter - trying to get 14 kids to stop moving to take a photo in a dark place sucks!!}</i><br />
<br />
<i>i don't know if i can do another.</i><br />
<br />
<i>...</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxGJwYCpJB1Pl4U5GcCCusV14aDJ3kOhS_4IWNRbSzwiXJI58XQqGSvK-8kxfpfII-Vf5zrSTBAGPVaONyNXjoSSWz5K0wR1EO1G1l3SerFKJYgm1AxJytgo-eWw4iafH9Y0MKoay0zY/s1600/%2528Dec+07+2013+03-54+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%2529+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxGJwYCpJB1Pl4U5GcCCusV14aDJ3kOhS_4IWNRbSzwiXJI58XQqGSvK-8kxfpfII-Vf5zrSTBAGPVaONyNXjoSSWz5K0wR1EO1G1l3SerFKJYgm1AxJytgo-eWw4iafH9Y0MKoay0zY/s640/%2528Dec+07+2013+03-54+AM%2529Canon+Canon+EOS+DIGITAL+REBEL+XTi%25283888x2592%2529+copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />
Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-87480662677705612522014-01-02T06:30:00.000-05:002014-01-02T07:06:36.165-05:00par for the course.i LOVE that my husband takes the time.<br />
he's pretty rad.<br />
<br />
happy 2014.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QF9zICd7vrM" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-17182094471512943742013-12-31T17:19:00.000-05:002013-12-31T17:25:32.116-05:00#gronickchristmasas i sit here today - munching on a ham and cheese croissant watching the snow flakes fall and listening to the boys playing on the xbox - i am reflecting on our christmas this year and how it was NOTHING like how i had pictured it. this year i felt like we were in such a rush. other commitments came first and the real traditions of the holidays got pushed aside.<br />
there was no baking.<br />
there was no blogging. <br />
there was no skating.<br />
there were no gingerbread houses. <br />
there was NO SANTA. {we never got to see him and get a photo. :( }<br />
<br />
there were, however, snowstorms, work and colds/flu. lots of all three and they consumed all of our time. work took over our time. snow took away our visit with santa. the flu commanded it's presence on christmas day. we did still do some christmasey things this season but it was nothing like in years past.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJloitxOqM6rRndH-j8Nx6qnbxCgWYjtum4myH5KRowjZPKNK-1Pc2_So6mJy_TATUOzvNPD4OW5xw7M0Y1agh1sghyphenhyphenbW1BQHevAx-Bs2tByiemVN5tJ-5jlt_duCqIOtQBjsqdyl7zs/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJloitxOqM6rRndH-j8Nx6qnbxCgWYjtum4myH5KRowjZPKNK-1Pc2_So6mJy_TATUOzvNPD4OW5xw7M0Y1agh1sghyphenhyphenbW1BQHevAx-Bs2tByiemVN5tJ-5jlt_duCqIOtQBjsqdyl7zs/s640/PicMonkey+Collage1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIn3_fPgBMijBC3CIKeIgD1RvWRzNaNK9jlTjm_CTti_2t0q9lU-hhDPmo72SZe40x56KTWUtiKYcVQR6MS99CnCyWlR5gtmKvj37CRJId_VulduqpQ8pgPRkdGab4WBIy7ryVM4maIs/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIn3_fPgBMijBC3CIKeIgD1RvWRzNaNK9jlTjm_CTti_2t0q9lU-hhDPmo72SZe40x56KTWUtiKYcVQR6MS99CnCyWlR5gtmKvj37CRJId_VulduqpQ8pgPRkdGab4WBIy7ryVM4maIs/s640/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtwpM3lWxmaRx-Z9deX2v-ksaN8XoFnn7o6nrToX-yJExq0C3nwtl3sdwpc3ym-nQrYF1sJnyYW7tmBbD7s2RRinT6wbS6HvvZLy17nTkk37LJBqogRt2TDmjNBCIGDecYLb7a23z9ig/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtwpM3lWxmaRx-Z9deX2v-ksaN8XoFnn7o6nrToX-yJExq0C3nwtl3sdwpc3ym-nQrYF1sJnyYW7tmBbD7s2RRinT6wbS6HvvZLy17nTkk37LJBqogRt2TDmjNBCIGDecYLb7a23z9ig/s640/PicMonkey+Collage3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
i just hope we can navigate this new rhythm of our life, master the beat and dance our way through 2014 effortlessly.<br />
together.<br />
<br />
that's my resolution.<br />
what's yours?<br />
<br />
all the best in 2014 - HAPPY NEW YEARS!!<br />
<br />
<i>these are all photo's from instagram. are you on instagram? i'm <a href="http://instagram.com/jengronick" target="_blank">@jengronick </a>if you want to follow along on our adventures!!</i><br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-62513868241448500152013-12-05T08:54:00.002-05:002013-12-05T08:54:41.114-05:00sometimes you win some....okay so today i am going to open up to you.<br />
i have been struggling with my weight. for a long time. i know a lot of you have as well.<br />
mine stems from being pregnant. i gained so much with my daughter then got pregnant with my son so quick i never got back and it just seemed to stick.<br />
<br />
but wait...it started sooner than that...i guess i should go back to the beginning.....<br />
<br />
growing up i was a ballerina. have i said that here?<br />
and i not talking i just took lessons.<br />
i took lessons EVERY DAY. 4 - 5 hours a day about.<br />
and on saturdays.<br />
i was committed. it was my life. it was all i knew.<br />
<br />
the year i turned 10 {technically i was 9} i auditioned for the royal winnepeg ballet and the toronto national ballet summer schools. usually you audition for both, hoping you get into one.<br />
i got into both. i got to choose.<br />
i was the only one from my school to do so. actually i was the only one from my year to get in anywhere that summer.<br />
but that really didn't matter.<br />
i was still put at the back of the class because i wasn't pretty enough or perfect enough. little things that yes - 8, 9 and 10 years old's - notice and absorb.<br />
i ended up choosing the royal winnepeg, went for the summer, was asked to stay for the three year boarding school program - i declined the offer to stay...i was only 10 at the time.....<br />
<br />
i loved my time as a ballerina - loved it! - but i think this is where my sense of <i>i'm-never-good-enough</i> stems from. i know it's where. and that stinks.<br />
<br />
no one talked about bullying back then. about being nice no matter what. those days ballerinas were tough.<br />
they were mean.<br />
i never felt like i fit in but it was my passion.<br />
and the teachers were too. i was told many times at the age of 12 that i was more over-weight than the others and to fix it. i really wasn't. i was taller and had broader shoulders, that's about it.<br />
<br />
this stuck with me. i have carried it for a long time.<br />
i realize now this is why i am SO hard on myself. i strive soooo hard for perfection because i feel anything less is failure. i have yo-yo'd with my weight and self image for a while now, falling into all the stereo-typical pot holes - striving to be sooo skinny to fit in {because all my friends were shorter than me and typically smaller but 16, 17 year old don't clue into that}, being in a relationship and letting yourself go, being almost out of the relationship so you go to extreme's again, trying fad diets, being so happy with one's situation that who cares, being pregnant and liberated {maybe a little too much! ha!} then being so exhausted that you don't care. that's when i woke up. <br />
<br />
i decided this summer - enough was enough.<br />
i decided that 36 was going to be a shinnier version of me.<br />
i decided i really didn't like that number staring back at me.<br />
i realized that problem all along was me. my decisions. my choices. no one else was to blame.<br />
i am so glad i realized all this!<br />
that was 3 months and 14 pounds ago.<br />
<br />
that's the best part....i have seen results.<br />
{i now really wished i had taken a before and after photo.}<br />
<br />
i feel better. i look better. the changes in my choices have been minimal but rewarding.<br />
do-able, not challenging. <br />
i also feel better about myself. i feel like i have found my balance. <br />
merry christmas to me.<br />
<br />
:)<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-18634630775098067522013-12-03T10:17:00.000-05:002013-12-03T10:17:25.833-05:00we had a time.a few weeks ago aydan and me attended the brownies mother/daughter sleepover and to quote angela chase "we had a time."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrDFuHrkF8m_7iSRPLmJC6OXS5CwXWech4jaXsrv6XkgtMPcXUPgDKoYOgFFrIIVeSQtQXZGvCfWPJc8uJvAWS-RJgP8Jn9J0HmQlOlG4JqUdFu_sVhtQklcMSgpbDwP_X6YNWBhGua0/s1600/IMG_2426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrDFuHrkF8m_7iSRPLmJC6OXS5CwXWech4jaXsrv6XkgtMPcXUPgDKoYOgFFrIIVeSQtQXZGvCfWPJc8uJvAWS-RJgP8Jn9J0HmQlOlG4JqUdFu_sVhtQklcMSgpbDwP_X6YNWBhGua0/s640/IMG_2426.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
<br />
such a blast.<br />
love these moments with my girl.<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-10306444410670059852013-11-23T08:23:00.000-05:002013-11-23T08:23:14.567-05:00discovered.do you ever have one of those times where life takes over and you realize that maybe you haven't taken a photo of your life for about a week and a half? when you think - is there going to be a spread for project life this week or a big oops sign plastered in instead? that's what i thought.<br />
<br />
then i looked in the iphone.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQnnDO-9JbSMqp1jpjHwc3tL7Ov8s2ltEI660gb8DVRyf3OBz7vws4PvkzsROE1uU2A9gxU2Z7JiX599BI7UUdLe4WysqQN8mrTRhkB7ptRQITxEbqiB8RjLUlWdqJd1NBcvbOaOphjM/s1600/IMG_1832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQnnDO-9JbSMqp1jpjHwc3tL7Ov8s2ltEI660gb8DVRyf3OBz7vws4PvkzsROE1uU2A9gxU2Z7JiX599BI7UUdLe4WysqQN8mrTRhkB7ptRQITxEbqiB8RjLUlWdqJd1NBcvbOaOphjM/s640/IMG_1832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GzY5BnLHcxX6ctL3jYLy_Teldba97hSRl9p5avkP_P7oGVEbVLY5W64ZmLST87_Xh407pChSvkDZhuGYCxnG3Lg_zZfXIyyn-6wiA7ech61cylSedFsp-qMUHCpUQV456icWgElG4A8/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GzY5BnLHcxX6ctL3jYLy_Teldba97hSRl9p5avkP_P7oGVEbVLY5W64ZmLST87_Xh407pChSvkDZhuGYCxnG3Lg_zZfXIyyn-6wiA7ech61cylSedFsp-qMUHCpUQV456icWgElG4A8/s640/IMG_1834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5indZRTUuFahc6JZetbkr6CX5X02BKK3JfDH9CoMQrzn18PSYOLIcmh2ZclcS6jK-Hr3ReARTuf87yAfscTJ7bQnKEAo_yWqluHoPGcHoHZGoirsudclvi02v7SFOBNXxOjAP7U6sr0/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5indZRTUuFahc6JZetbkr6CX5X02BKK3JfDH9CoMQrzn18PSYOLIcmh2ZclcS6jK-Hr3ReARTuf87yAfscTJ7bQnKEAo_yWqluHoPGcHoHZGoirsudclvi02v7SFOBNXxOjAP7U6sr0/s640/IMG_1847.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5ADcPNhDYkCqg4VgI8h6eKsc89WgVHXRIjRz47BZo0Yyw6LGdYkQjEOKHivrCIra4SvPg_51_NUH6M9verdAqT7NwWLytRQQ8VhdNpCGu9p5RgHfjoSUQecYQMkeGqzoFBeFroX3Ma8/s1600/IMG_1852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5ADcPNhDYkCqg4VgI8h6eKsc89WgVHXRIjRz47BZo0Yyw6LGdYkQjEOKHivrCIra4SvPg_51_NUH6M9verdAqT7NwWLytRQQ8VhdNpCGu9p5RgHfjoSUQecYQMkeGqzoFBeFroX3Ma8/s640/IMG_1852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSvu-4E9NMgc7GDV9VPVp5ssNgoPDTlG8g4Qx6BIBgxjSP0Zmkf9aOwBsHtd7ozE2dJ_5ISJAfohoMPtXQMZzGiH79oTNaj3FANIjr3fDJSupEGUhgrpIOGu6JsMGiagB5WjqKPbbCx4/s1600/IMG_1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSvu-4E9NMgc7GDV9VPVp5ssNgoPDTlG8g4Qx6BIBgxjSP0Zmkf9aOwBsHtd7ozE2dJ_5ISJAfohoMPtXQMZzGiH79oTNaj3FANIjr3fDJSupEGUhgrpIOGu6JsMGiagB5WjqKPbbCx4/s640/IMG_1855.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBMDenDgDmXkiaIJkcd26oYK0xRjwPnR0PqqcFEa2GvgHtAT2l10oxHJhkLBMLyrQ2RbuDX74Yz8onanDlSzPc1F-ZrM7IYjOY0FQKBak-jPdu8pQ_uiZejECN3Lrui42Gu4Jjabijjc/s1600/IMG_1859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBMDenDgDmXkiaIJkcd26oYK0xRjwPnR0PqqcFEa2GvgHtAT2l10oxHJhkLBMLyrQ2RbuDX74Yz8onanDlSzPc1F-ZrM7IYjOY0FQKBak-jPdu8pQ_uiZejECN3Lrui42Gu4Jjabijjc/s640/IMG_1859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BCtD5uJ9kmPLGlRSoJ5tz7sIUPrlG4lSwqb1Oanu47gPnyWN1Iaf8JXGU_Qhq8Kz63K1kA-eFsR3pMEkPUI07gmB5iXmIqKjT7uT8dmgqscN-8trhiklGDCh5ZPSUHEBCzpBGJuGsMg/s1600/IMG_1865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BCtD5uJ9kmPLGlRSoJ5tz7sIUPrlG4lSwqb1Oanu47gPnyWN1Iaf8JXGU_Qhq8Kz63K1kA-eFsR3pMEkPUI07gmB5iXmIqKjT7uT8dmgqscN-8trhiklGDCh5ZPSUHEBCzpBGJuGsMg/s640/IMG_1865.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fuIAFxeOWgV_spWWKpxpmElJERjBWlp-C6TNdskfxbcjjGY5n2bNl37fpFBp8HYl9W4DX6ahD5a2pnFb2um8KrOhr47odC-OdHoRDbWqLdzwM1fXqdvtzPfNRHh0xc_FGuAgYVxu3do/s1600/IMG_1875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fuIAFxeOWgV_spWWKpxpmElJERjBWlp-C6TNdskfxbcjjGY5n2bNl37fpFBp8HYl9W4DX6ahD5a2pnFb2um8KrOhr47odC-OdHoRDbWqLdzwM1fXqdvtzPfNRHh0xc_FGuAgYVxu3do/s640/IMG_1875.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5chWCrSedC0GZCgOwlWc5rgO3-4hCVLR6GAPn-7p24OVJ0t74z7vOBR9bTrUyTmEwVKbs3moHMBu0Ut1R3cKuPR8a-CA1okG_aUdlKEO21zccIWf60HV8y77QbKieufST8eZbehnNU_k/s1600/IMG_1877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5chWCrSedC0GZCgOwlWc5rgO3-4hCVLR6GAPn-7p24OVJ0t74z7vOBR9bTrUyTmEwVKbs3moHMBu0Ut1R3cKuPR8a-CA1okG_aUdlKEO21zccIWf60HV8y77QbKieufST8eZbehnNU_k/s640/IMG_1877.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5tqWFqnb9K1LRJM5Dnzzs9KYvwu9Sl87AN_AWwhTpCoIhdLk0g4aV450eVPucUI32X3uJ2R7oqw6kwysugg973EIyISV6YcYENJNNXOakyKP4Uf1YF-e8w66e2cDqDAF7-JfHBJKeeY/s1600/IMG_1880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5tqWFqnb9K1LRJM5Dnzzs9KYvwu9Sl87AN_AWwhTpCoIhdLk0g4aV450eVPucUI32X3uJ2R7oqw6kwysugg973EIyISV6YcYENJNNXOakyKP4Uf1YF-e8w66e2cDqDAF7-JfHBJKeeY/s640/IMG_1880.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XFCUfPGSYeoKYkToUxq19KAnrijO9sN-x1fyUWhMO6W4nPHbEBMXIBIYyODRg-H4i6CdTTvbZ5fP6H7Zr3QnJlF7zopptJe9I3jj1_H3aTGTwDP22R3HkwAl-qPtDqlNaYi0RDLrFoc/s1600/IMG_1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XFCUfPGSYeoKYkToUxq19KAnrijO9sN-x1fyUWhMO6W4nPHbEBMXIBIYyODRg-H4i6CdTTvbZ5fP6H7Zr3QnJlF7zopptJe9I3jj1_H3aTGTwDP22R3HkwAl-qPtDqlNaYi0RDLrFoc/s640/IMG_1882.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZK5QZESTw3MT04tgEgqBiF9s-MHcLfXUndQtqzO0c4-QwXoTuU0yd6LDRVlgeI3Josb1P8QvAiBX1gB880jqT_JSwMESKDKfo411FlsaKqgq2cH3j3mWrhYY5NP_CMPkluyFMz0O72QM/s1600/IMG_1884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZK5QZESTw3MT04tgEgqBiF9s-MHcLfXUndQtqzO0c4-QwXoTuU0yd6LDRVlgeI3Josb1P8QvAiBX1gB880jqT_JSwMESKDKfo411FlsaKqgq2cH3j3mWrhYY5NP_CMPkluyFMz0O72QM/s640/IMG_1884.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69Hrrl8PuVmHbx93UfK4w1te6b6vt9mtInjQazA2FQekJ5k78cBiSKgsc7eD1PTonrlDwMa9tK7EJrKeDLsWmLtbz3tlr9WuxvmPcwdr4vahAnN0s1MZmrs4rlYRPI7wg5Xr_JbfF_XM/s1600/IMG_2314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69Hrrl8PuVmHbx93UfK4w1te6b6vt9mtInjQazA2FQekJ5k78cBiSKgsc7eD1PTonrlDwMa9tK7EJrKeDLsWmLtbz3tlr9WuxvmPcwdr4vahAnN0s1MZmrs4rlYRPI7wg5Xr_JbfF_XM/s640/IMG_2314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanKDtgRH8LD228Pljyz1yv-HeBtdVvbWAY9EewiTninBQ2B1lt8v2vuOHal2ihqijyDg9BChuZLOf6yQNFM2jhk-y7AzWDysL3svXDud5rj4gsCNR-xA_ph9Hs4bvBPtQTl1Z2uFewZc/s1600/IMG_2322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanKDtgRH8LD228Pljyz1yv-HeBtdVvbWAY9EewiTninBQ2B1lt8v2vuOHal2ihqijyDg9BChuZLOf6yQNFM2jhk-y7AzWDysL3svXDud5rj4gsCNR-xA_ph9Hs4bvBPtQTl1Z2uFewZc/s640/IMG_2322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLzU_wABP3nCsAmR1Rwz7Ofr3KDt6p9YjRelr02QvqAoNcpZfpS3z1MnDu8CgDmJWDHMoE3Yx1JBvmTKyQ2YqCj_UPFKKAHkBl2YoMjeLEnnbMLV1DplHOsHZrFVmTECM1c91MaB7Mgc/s1600/IMG_2323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLzU_wABP3nCsAmR1Rwz7Ofr3KDt6p9YjRelr02QvqAoNcpZfpS3z1MnDu8CgDmJWDHMoE3Yx1JBvmTKyQ2YqCj_UPFKKAHkBl2YoMjeLEnnbMLV1DplHOsHZrFVmTECM1c91MaB7Mgc/s640/IMG_2323.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
phew.<br />
got it covered.<br />
<br />
{why do other people's iphone photo's look better than mine? gotta work on that!}<br />
<br />
;)<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-15323633619553296532013-11-04T11:54:00.001-05:002013-11-04T11:54:53.597-05:00Halloween 2013.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-JAz2hkf7rRtF9JTI0bhAm0oDxnw9zWpvfQxpZ4Q2CGTE11j_pKKTgzP__wO5RUb2JEuIenIeppiBst_4VJaYdhPfRavG_0EpT-MhulxXE-Rbp3zLEWdwdXv47zAqW919UqDyJ1hyphenhyphenSc/s1600/IMG_2129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-JAz2hkf7rRtF9JTI0bhAm0oDxnw9zWpvfQxpZ4Q2CGTE11j_pKKTgzP__wO5RUb2JEuIenIeppiBst_4VJaYdhPfRavG_0EpT-MhulxXE-Rbp3zLEWdwdXv47zAqW919UqDyJ1hyphenhyphenSc/s640/IMG_2129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9m8u15QRK4HBwFyKqPUVH2sdSBqINpbHjthT0Z1A41kGejnQDZtNYjPeMf6_EO1XbzjZYSo6LmQHBbY0RJUE5QkmRNf-8srYgVuMxgr0Cw3Vou97jVzHHrX0OS7uRYYXkCtXncRTAWJU/s1600/IMG_2137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9m8u15QRK4HBwFyKqPUVH2sdSBqINpbHjthT0Z1A41kGejnQDZtNYjPeMf6_EO1XbzjZYSo6LmQHBbY0RJUE5QkmRNf-8srYgVuMxgr0Cw3Vou97jVzHHrX0OS7uRYYXkCtXncRTAWJU/s640/IMG_2137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcki6OibAe5tq-pgGohHJ5N0Ogvye-1ZNnxADIG0C2QB9Fz7w62n9XZX3DkQXg4YtjOc173qB-RL0_Oytb8Ky3rAw7tZQhjP7aQs8pO80Z5zR_zdKMP2c6xHI8T8lxs_lYXg49548cv0/s1600/IMG_2139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcki6OibAe5tq-pgGohHJ5N0Ogvye-1ZNnxADIG0C2QB9Fz7w62n9XZX3DkQXg4YtjOc173qB-RL0_Oytb8Ky3rAw7tZQhjP7aQs8pO80Z5zR_zdKMP2c6xHI8T8lxs_lYXg49548cv0/s640/IMG_2139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV_9go1m7DLXb0Eho7NaWkiPkKUjdMwEoFQLwv4a-ZZwZXS_sdEqqpQzCTUFRah4F8HJ5V60wmqfT3wtDuNwyD0farWECUFWY-FhGmtERIEPMRFn4YgMLCguxfi92U_ef1hwA2lPOwPE/s1600/IMG_2141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaV_9go1m7DLXb0Eho7NaWkiPkKUjdMwEoFQLwv4a-ZZwZXS_sdEqqpQzCTUFRah4F8HJ5V60wmqfT3wtDuNwyD0farWECUFWY-FhGmtERIEPMRFn4YgMLCguxfi92U_ef1hwA2lPOwPE/s640/IMG_2141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BkIIh1rMMf42lIjDC0tTPERu5zO38E1xpjjZc1q4RqdujnSdu9Y9YW05hHuKIQTrfaXWVx_OopH9eQQ7T2AqS4kcrlKYhPoFY_8uKMF6Oieiv9pe9PEhXBBZrQDSDOSDldMjntDsWCA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BkIIh1rMMf42lIjDC0tTPERu5zO38E1xpjjZc1q4RqdujnSdu9Y9YW05hHuKIQTrfaXWVx_OopH9eQQ7T2AqS4kcrlKYhPoFY_8uKMF6Oieiv9pe9PEhXBBZrQDSDOSDldMjntDsWCA/s640/PicMonkey+Collage3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gQKZ0_pjnNlrK1BplRWncMGawSJLIwLA6XX9oiUFikPZRNltqaZVDvJaP1JEjxiJkrySpBxAZQDNwIaV-QbegGyZOSJsucMuuUtXi3d-GucSU53t4gfu-qL9DeWugcigBe7OalM7gX8/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gQKZ0_pjnNlrK1BplRWncMGawSJLIwLA6XX9oiUFikPZRNltqaZVDvJaP1JEjxiJkrySpBxAZQDNwIaV-QbegGyZOSJsucMuuUtXi3d-GucSU53t4gfu-qL9DeWugcigBe7OalM7gX8/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdADeq6BrK6SHKs-BKGRj1AoNvSdwL_BdRDxTDawVEVYM52Bh2YcEkUzbVDlLD2H9JC-CS1RrLEGubat9IAuA77ZfkhT2PL-jrrIVRO_DUNczqnOz3n_aBZ3wSP5UPgN1vxxCD-R9hqA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdADeq6BrK6SHKs-BKGRj1AoNvSdwL_BdRDxTDawVEVYM52Bh2YcEkUzbVDlLD2H9JC-CS1RrLEGubat9IAuA77ZfkhT2PL-jrrIVRO_DUNczqnOz3n_aBZ3wSP5UPgN1vxxCD-R9hqA/s640/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMZc-6gE8oXUL4FPH_rGitCJEa6YkDKLxcTEeXYLxoXoLgxzmr-0rdC80-EJmOwiiKzHSKV42FsQEDvl2RUE683-vkRVMMOvU-RgiOX_DsbqopgyBoims7AHQRj5uj2qPeCqOWVSn3M4/s1600/1PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMZc-6gE8oXUL4FPH_rGitCJEa6YkDKLxcTEeXYLxoXoLgxzmr-0rdC80-EJmOwiiKzHSKV42FsQEDvl2RUE683-vkRVMMOvU-RgiOX_DsbqopgyBoims7AHQRj5uj2qPeCqOWVSn3M4/s640/1PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPE52ItZ0y6pCjRmKIGmhREckRpZcTxJYEwNsGIBFzKrVjUwh2-zAlXCxngYNe_64l1sJTBdHmpLBieCzViDJ_F2uuIEZER3Dx8Woe9Gu5mREFId2bP810D3ChyChtR6sj1Cb5vP9378/s1600/IMG_2283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPE52ItZ0y6pCjRmKIGmhREckRpZcTxJYEwNsGIBFzKrVjUwh2-zAlXCxngYNe_64l1sJTBdHmpLBieCzViDJ_F2uuIEZER3Dx8Woe9Gu5mREFId2bP810D3ChyChtR6sj1Cb5vP9378/s640/IMG_2283.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianaPOYTnJ_NN7QVpxUpWHJ7qgvsoOZE3_paDyzGLuqNnCjezNkT8ZN34BnCCP0FK1Yc6N0EVz0rfpCOYdlr6CvXEKm2Jdz42YGp2_EoccOWbQuM-j17k8xvYZEqQIwSczTK-2wHucs5g/s1600/IMG_2284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianaPOYTnJ_NN7QVpxUpWHJ7qgvsoOZE3_paDyzGLuqNnCjezNkT8ZN34BnCCP0FK1Yc6N0EVz0rfpCOYdlr6CvXEKm2Jdz42YGp2_EoccOWbQuM-j17k8xvYZEqQIwSczTK-2wHucs5g/s640/IMG_2284.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLzFPs2_-MJLaMIozi13rYgFXChwLiOhUbtoR6GGonknwa_KHKQVm2h3d1j8dt7RikbSKU_06tqdbuWka3doTpbQdovE-sazywtYKhVC249GCk4cfccSuv_4EPKOa6yyFszZss66ImPM/s1600/IMG_2290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLzFPs2_-MJLaMIozi13rYgFXChwLiOhUbtoR6GGonknwa_KHKQVm2h3d1j8dt7RikbSKU_06tqdbuWka3doTpbQdovE-sazywtYKhVC249GCk4cfccSuv_4EPKOa6yyFszZss66ImPM/s640/IMG_2290.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvoAzB0YnCUuNLJMSmkvK_tkfApNE0Lyx4NFUQPDNIVt1dHB1bDr1sLDxaytlcvWK0n7pjAvCRoVTL0BxBQ7hX2oSTTEQx7f7DTmiKk0CfM4oPdg1TaFvZitGMVIC1CZZJ4IjBp72oME/s1600/IMG_2296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvoAzB0YnCUuNLJMSmkvK_tkfApNE0Lyx4NFUQPDNIVt1dHB1bDr1sLDxaytlcvWK0n7pjAvCRoVTL0BxBQ7hX2oSTTEQx7f7DTmiKk0CfM4oPdg1TaFvZitGMVIC1CZZJ4IjBp72oME/s640/IMG_2296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi05jnsUTulZWSVewSeNBKK5hgaZ2aRm5j9uJZtV9Q43rEIE8D-ZmJaqRnQoebqbZpA5fqxZ203cyuZfCPdqEY2XSyo6IigGDLFtNQBUEwTbggWC_DLQ11xIllQB-ED5GJ65YBNhxiII/s1600/IMG_2301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi05jnsUTulZWSVewSeNBKK5hgaZ2aRm5j9uJZtV9Q43rEIE8D-ZmJaqRnQoebqbZpA5fqxZ203cyuZfCPdqEY2XSyo6IigGDLFtNQBUEwTbggWC_DLQ11xIllQB-ED5GJ65YBNhxiII/s640/IMG_2301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQMXPzwZwnbDkz_8J0nwSrUgFARgiFUgfFy3Q3YFf8Ohl6oM-hsZexEVhbyQKbdliUfNkhCxUDkBlGBGjSjKzy55mKrP3dRLvmyQZQcWJhK3yqDdmMBu2TXfrTfQ25v8XTxZ6RoAj9hA/s1600/IMG_2305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQMXPzwZwnbDkz_8J0nwSrUgFARgiFUgfFy3Q3YFf8Ohl6oM-hsZexEVhbyQKbdliUfNkhCxUDkBlGBGjSjKzy55mKrP3dRLvmyQZQcWJhK3yqDdmMBu2TXfrTfQ25v8XTxZ6RoAj9hA/s640/IMG_2305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp0hG97m6JeBRVDUvLBlsjj8O1QJJwp0WAThRkIKvor2wA58eFapzwsKCrkEBnE2TIj_AwAmOOt-mazPW_JoBNFeLvAQJVlkGBbHZ2VjugQx4gXpdYITs37qOoFAwBnxYcvjm3vg28bs/s1600/IMG_2307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp0hG97m6JeBRVDUvLBlsjj8O1QJJwp0WAThRkIKvor2wA58eFapzwsKCrkEBnE2TIj_AwAmOOt-mazPW_JoBNFeLvAQJVlkGBbHZ2VjugQx4gXpdYITs37qOoFAwBnxYcvjm3vg28bs/s640/IMG_2307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwzyaxQLyipN7rnqUN-fFM57NxJ32CjfLWEcU_CDqDv5KRxkuESHsXYhw-h6pbe7CEI1iVtPy0iI8A0keq4ARXBLfO8uv0_SzanI2gsHSdRNnt4KGYUe9Pycogi0YyMrj28e9rP0g4RI/s1600/IMG_2180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwzyaxQLyipN7rnqUN-fFM57NxJ32CjfLWEcU_CDqDv5KRxkuESHsXYhw-h6pbe7CEI1iVtPy0iI8A0keq4ARXBLfO8uv0_SzanI2gsHSdRNnt4KGYUe9Pycogi0YyMrj28e9rP0g4RI/s640/IMG_2180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Halloween this year was wet, wet, wet. Half the decorations didn't happen because of this but of well. we started the week off by getting pumpkins from a local farm - Roland Cloutier. awesome place up frasinere. then we rounded off the week with pumpkin carving, a party at brownies, a carnival at school, one fallen trick-or-treater that never got to go out, our usual hunting party who always visits our house first, visits from 8 other little ghouls {slow this year} and one little jeni-fire long who happily split her treats 50/50 with her sick brother who slept through the whole thing.<br />
<br />
hope you and your family had a fun and safe halloween!!!<br />
<br />
now on to christmas.....<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-91495026280534912462013-10-30T15:46:00.000-04:002013-10-30T15:46:06.123-04:00agree to disagree about red velvet cake.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDtMmf5Uaobu9-MYYmIzI6IWIu6QUNdeT39OFz2QM9x9BL7Dgr6kd-NH4ibF1p5H_xquiJKpqmobuhm4XeXMlo_B6YIUsAUOvdm3ym4Rw2Zasa2MLp-P53ENfAg0cfnvzp-fGyuICQTQ/s1600/IMG_2166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDtMmf5Uaobu9-MYYmIzI6IWIu6QUNdeT39OFz2QM9x9BL7Dgr6kd-NH4ibF1p5H_xquiJKpqmobuhm4XeXMlo_B6YIUsAUOvdm3ym4Rw2Zasa2MLp-P53ENfAg0cfnvzp-fGyuICQTQ/s640/IMG_2166.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
i don't know about you but i am a theme girl.<br />
love to embrace the theme. <br />
parties. holidays.<br />
all about the theme.<br />
<br />
almost by accident {and by almost i mean totally on purpose} it seems that i have shared a halloween dessert here every year and even though our new <strike>diet</strike> low calorie/low cholesterol way of life has no room for sweets, there are one or two exceptions to be made.<br />
<br />
when up late brainstorming a wicked cool idea to share with you for this year {man i have to get a life! ha!} i thought of what i had done in years past - i have done <a href="http://www.gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2011/10/halloween-cookie-bar.html" target="_blank">pumpkin</a>, then <a href="http://gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2012/10/let-them-eat-cake-chocolate-pumpkin.html" target="_blank">chocolate & pumpkin</a> and <a href="http://gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2011/11/making-whoopie.html" target="_blank">chocolate</a> - and decided it was time for something totally different. time to shake things up.<br />
almost immediately i went to red velvet cake.<br />
halloween. blood. guts. <i>you get the idea</i>. <br />
one problem though - i had fallen out of love with my recipe. i made it last christmas and found it too dense and dry. very blah.<br />
<br />
back to the drawing board.<br />
cake testing time.<br />
<i>yes i could have scoured the web and found one that would do the trick but where is the fun in that? </i><br />
woah is me, eh? life really does suck around here sometimes.<br />
;)<br />
thankfully not TOO far into the process we struck gold.<br />
moist. springy. beautifully RED!!<br />
right after getting this down on paper and patting myself heartily on the back, a few request for halloween style cupcakes for this week popped up - perfect timing!<br />
<br />
hopefully they are a hit.<br />
what kid doesn't want to bite into something that looks like it may squirt blood back?<br />
well i know mine would! ha!<br />
<br />
happy halloween!!!<br />
<br />
<i>ps : this is not a decorating post...i stink at decorating! awful. horrible. these were actually just regular cupcakes and i attempted to change them up - make them more halloweeny. just look at that eyeball!!! yes, that is supposed to be a monsters eyeball up there with the mummy and vampire bite......i tried.</i><br />
<i>{head in hands, ashamed.}</i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">#theytastesogoodhopefullynoonewillnotice</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVO6t_MS5JwQQhHhUZVB4ZybkzAcrQjzmXe3H-MvyldSAywhiF1LinXtwMpuz3yxEhbM8rGt5jhNYv3EEqt4CEhyphenhyphen8UTn_Z7ZAHwgmxOHZEm-Qr31H5HFBmoSV5Z0kSQz2p0Fn6_7rrik/s1600/IMG_2162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVO6t_MS5JwQQhHhUZVB4ZybkzAcrQjzmXe3H-MvyldSAywhiF1LinXtwMpuz3yxEhbM8rGt5jhNYv3EEqt4CEhyphenhyphen8UTn_Z7ZAHwgmxOHZEm-Qr31H5HFBmoSV5Z0kSQz2p0Fn6_7rrik/s640/IMG_2162.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><u>re-thought red velvet cupcakes</u></span><br />
<i>for the icing i used my <a href="http://gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2011/02/by-request.html" target="_blank">classic buttercream icing.</a></i><br />
<br />
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour....you could also use cake flour is you want.<br />
2 cups sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 cup buttermilk<br />
1/2 cup canola oil<br />
2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
2 tbsp cocoa powder<br />
2 tbsp water<br />
one good squeeze of red colour - paste form. if using liquid then a tbsp - you can always add more!!!<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
1 cup boiling water <br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp apple cider vinegar<br />
<br />
pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.<br />
place liners in your trays and set aside {will make approx. 24 regular cupcakes or approx. 36 mini's} or butter and flour two 9-inch pans.<br />
<br />
in your mixer beat together sugar, eggs and oil. add vanilla. while this is mixing mix together cocoa, water and colour in a small bowl till you form a paste. add to egg mix and beat until incorporated.<br />
<br />
in a separate bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt.<br />
<br />
add you flour mix, alternating with the buttermilk, to your wet ingredients - starting a stopping with the flour mix. once this is fully incorporated add your boiling water. mix together.<br />
now comes to fancy part - in a small bowl mix together the baking soda and vinegar. now fold that into the mix gently. this makes your cupcakes rise nice and high.<br />
<br />
now carefully fill your cupcakes liners 3/4 full - mixture is really runny - tap your pans on the counter to release some of the air and place them in the oven. 12 - 14 minutes for mini cupcakes, 20 to 22 minute for larger ones and about 30 - 35 mins for cake rounds. cupcakes are ready when they spring back when touched on the top. let cool 10 mins in pans on rack, then remove from pans and let cool completely before attempting to decorate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-70094648278950886722013-10-25T10:46:00.000-04:002013-10-25T11:00:56.374-04:00see i have this friend and she is pretty cool. then she went and wrote a book for kids about bullying and that makes her a rockstar.sorry for the long title but when i tried to think up alternatives nothing said it better.<br />
because it's all true.<br />
<br />
three and half years ago we moved to this little french town, {which i know i have told you multiple times already....} and after three weeks of unpacking tony declared a day off and we all trecked down to our local cinema and saw shreck 4 together as a family. {they still had the english version for a couple more weeks! happy about this.} anyways after the movie was over the kids wanted to play in the dreaded "kid zone" - not like going to the movies with a family of four isn't expensive enough!! - so we let them and we lingered. all of sudden tony looked at me and said, "hey those two women are talking english...go and talk to them." so i did.<br />
that's how i met vicki.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8h9CLUMZ9wTmUrkkFWuPs93-AUP9TCs2KCR5lgEcmAePh5sPt1laHnGa13pAZm9vVTZB85e0TOAUsfjbcsk09UIRaJxUJke-rH7Yyq5i-ymv-PDe2gV2yYxaVuMklr6aATeaW7Rw_mU/s1600/vicki_ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8h9CLUMZ9wTmUrkkFWuPs93-AUP9TCs2KCR5lgEcmAePh5sPt1laHnGa13pAZm9vVTZB85e0TOAUsfjbcsk09UIRaJxUJke-rH7Yyq5i-ymv-PDe2gV2yYxaVuMklr6aATeaW7Rw_mU/s640/vicki_ps.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
she was so nice to me, answered all my questions, took my email to really get me some good neighbourhood info, hooked us up with a local softball team, recommended which school we should send aydan too AND invited us to her daughter's birthday party the following weekend. i did everything in my power not to shatter into a pool of tears and gratefulness right then and there.<br />
<br />
fast forward three years and a lasting friendship and we have right now. cause now is the time to celebrate - she wrote a book and it's in print. <a href="http://www.domnizelles.com/shop/children/dear-bully-of-mine/" target="_blank">Dear Bully of Mine.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvbiwXQExSR1JMntGXCofILF66En4-Dg7WIQn-skM0EpNv7M77sl6IjiZfZ2ZpCy15LqyPwfc7QOs8onb6ExHAZZG5rDj3qU5h5fIt2SMdMkWPTd_jaNInT1jkDfUqX9EIlt290FVWDw/s1600/1385746_555221067879829_652690062_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvbiwXQExSR1JMntGXCofILF66En4-Dg7WIQn-skM0EpNv7M77sl6IjiZfZ2ZpCy15LqyPwfc7QOs8onb6ExHAZZG5rDj3qU5h5fIt2SMdMkWPTd_jaNInT1jkDfUqX9EIlt290FVWDw/s640/1385746_555221067879829_652690062_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and you know what: it's a really great book!! it's awesome!!<br />
<br />
she wrote a <a href="http://www.domnizelles.com/shop/children/dear-bully-of-mine/" target="_blank">book</a> about bullying in time when we all have to stand up and shout at the top of our lungs enough is enough.<br />
we all have to rally together and say you are good enough.<br />
you are great.<br />
you are fantastic.<br />
be who you are.<br />
<i>you are loved.</i><br />
<br />
we need to stop saying boys will be boys, they are just being teenagers, no harm done. well harm is being done. kids are hurting themselves over this.<br />
we are not raising kids here, people - we are raising adults. is this who you want them to be?<br />
<br />
want to know my most favorite thing about this book? <i>besides the fact that she asked me to take that picture up there of her for the cover!!</i> - is that my daughter loves it. she is at that critical age where things are starting to matter, cliques are being formed and actions might be starting to hurt. i want her to take these words from these pages and use them in her life. words that will help her to know that she does have self worth and so does that other girl across the hall.<br />
treat others as you want to be treated.<br />
<br />
we talk about this a lot in our house. difference. how someone might be different that you - in looks, behaviour, style - and that's okay because - <i>to quote cooper, which brought a lump to my throat</i> - "we are all people, right mom?"<br />
<br />
right, honey.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.domnizelles.com/shop/children/dear-bully-of-mine/" target="_blank">get this book.</a><br />
read this book WITH your kids.<br />
discuss this book.<br />
<i>celebrate this book.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Dear Bully of Mine can be found through the <a href="http://www.domnizelles.com/shop/children/dear-bully-of-mine/" target="_blank">Domnizelles Publications</a>, through <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Dear-Bully-of-Mine-ebook/dp/B00FOT7FG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382710905&sr=8-1&keywords=dear+bully+of+mine" target="_blank">Amazon.ca</a> for kindle or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Bully-of-Mine-ebook/dp/B00FOT7FG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382711062&sr=8-1&keywords=dear+bully+of+mine" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> as well. also check your local stores!</i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo of vicki <span style="font-size: x-small;">cour<span style="font-size: x-small;">tesy o<span style="font-size: x-small;">f me.</span></span></span> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo of book courtesy of <a href="http://www.domnizelles.com/shop/children/dear-bully-of-mine/" target="_blank">domnizelles publications.</a></span></i><br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-67351496305358780452013-10-09T14:25:00.001-04:002013-10-18T09:24:36.158-04:00our week.this week seemed to have flown by but yet it was jam packed with goodness.<br />
<br />
i'm going to start talking about a week ago friday cause that's just how it is.<br />
around these parts that day is known as Terry Fox day. We all help in finishing his dream and running to find a cure for cancer. and run these kids did! they had to go around and around the field collecting stamps along the way to track their progress. it was supposed to be a stamp a lap but then it became about how many stamps you could get in a lap and then it was just fun. they got sweaty and exhausted and had a grasp on the cause and that's all that matters! what a fun day and it was the first day that i have EVER been able to volunteer at my kids school and they were so excited about that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE9pcAjy_lftvZnK-8KbgodxM5OhCVLEgydNkx6zYhrtJlUYUn-aeQpim8wl66y125lzenGVhZLVNCBWS9IYNngAI7pdrnPL0lSGtwvvczclXCw40iYTlFnxk_Ci1PEsp_Iq7lqh7ji0/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE9pcAjy_lftvZnK-8KbgodxM5OhCVLEgydNkx6zYhrtJlUYUn-aeQpim8wl66y125lzenGVhZLVNCBWS9IYNngAI7pdrnPL0lSGtwvvczclXCw40iYTlFnxk_Ci1PEsp_Iq7lqh7ji0/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
last weekend tony had to work all weekend so the kids and me decided it was high time to go apple picking. after that day i will only ever go on week days thank you very much!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61J1P8zptbArXtpVr0_L6qoJ24PHgzGraNDjHh_q7CXeS0O6qlIq_u6y4TqcJ_vYUcxmLNTmIBf5S_KOGfN4OOg4xVixeC4avrc6ITId17ukuHzKjORGLglJLZxY5zIGbb352eJhBfss/s1600/IMG_1968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61J1P8zptbArXtpVr0_L6qoJ24PHgzGraNDjHh_q7CXeS0O6qlIq_u6y4TqcJ_vYUcxmLNTmIBf5S_KOGfN4OOg4xVixeC4avrc6ITId17ukuHzKjORGLglJLZxY5zIGbb352eJhBfss/s640/IMG_1968.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0abTntH53Oh-HU9GZakkV5nBqzRzAyIYf0y8RQJO5FR8M4jCOsLNZCVOtHNNyPYQ78QMBf7HI6uBY-6YSgmIF48WrHW29MX9xHimreX2g7gJeFCN69xUP0uy9AoLldlIXJ0vNBQVG9c/s1600/IMG_1970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0abTntH53Oh-HU9GZakkV5nBqzRzAyIYf0y8RQJO5FR8M4jCOsLNZCVOtHNNyPYQ78QMBf7HI6uBY-6YSgmIF48WrHW29MX9xHimreX2g7gJeFCN69xUP0uy9AoLldlIXJ0vNBQVG9c/s640/IMG_1970.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
holy smokes there were a lot of people there!!! wowzers! we were planning to meet friends rom the city there but that never happened. they got caught in the traffic coming out and decided to head deeper into the country than where we were and since i don't have a cell phone...yes i know, just call me mrs. brady!...we missed hooking up with them there. the place was a zoo! since i don't get the montreal paper i was not privy to the fact that this was the big weekend for that particular ochard and they had been advertizing like gangbusters. after the THIRD tour bus showed up i started to clue in.<br />
and then the sun came out - boy did it come out! it was unbelievably hot! like july hot.<br />
after finally giving up waiting - and after the kids exhausted the fun the playground could offer - we went and picked our apples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPA4vFe5wv5N2LkQZ57f_yxVyupAryx1QYDfhqphj39fvkDCuRYaV8_tnkhocdqu6TfChfOc8aU_rWnQkF9T9GCygwhp59E0jZyk_cQcshgc4EynOb4QLF150TZ2MGvEU8jlKqLunhYIc/s1600/IMG_1978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPA4vFe5wv5N2LkQZ57f_yxVyupAryx1QYDfhqphj39fvkDCuRYaV8_tnkhocdqu6TfChfOc8aU_rWnQkF9T9GCygwhp59E0jZyk_cQcshgc4EynOb4QLF150TZ2MGvEU8jlKqLunhYIc/s640/IMG_1978.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OJZd6OxlZAyvTWZS-xfXJCNohCtEPAvbxxblewPDL2D3JeOtKEz3XOxiTkM-Sacza-NTl1UVKBDgMCJPFx6TWmKH7zmZW5hSdOLEfn04C6IWn70mXKD_Qok_qgPdvblQ-0rgq7SXR2E/s1600/IMG_1985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OJZd6OxlZAyvTWZS-xfXJCNohCtEPAvbxxblewPDL2D3JeOtKEz3XOxiTkM-Sacza-NTl1UVKBDgMCJPFx6TWmKH7zmZW5hSdOLEfn04C6IWn70mXKD_Qok_qgPdvblQ-0rgq7SXR2E/s400/IMG_1985.jpg" width="266" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7sBbspwru9GnpX9zvh0H02D2oYsCHI6c5jIDH_8PPn3QCXkcmOrOxvQTJkm8UY8G4YCHO8l4_Iv7FnEV3RQsE6z5FPTKM4yDhSoV-Pcf_UflCTphfpWv_ZUViH84mMjJ2Ygw4ARfjBY/s400/IMG_1988.jpg" width="266" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbXKJvedI51T9muVIBpys2bX6E3P_Usk6F-bGisLYvLqsn_i25P-yU3e6KMb_5HanYKpXfZ8QctUywYmPjBKju_5DKUexV0LXeZpwfGsxD7RqzRJoRv4Zf3se-32S4mpqK2ZRhUm60gM/s1600/IMG_1983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbXKJvedI51T9muVIBpys2bX6E3P_Usk6F-bGisLYvLqsn_i25P-yU3e6KMb_5HanYKpXfZ8QctUywYmPjBKju_5DKUexV0LXeZpwfGsxD7RqzRJoRv4Zf3se-32S4mpqK2ZRhUm60gM/s400/IMG_1983.jpg" width="266" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvw4HgSR2HDytJEa8M4mbsjC4Te-zJcZ8BQBYxv4Cn9fDeq2VuxVsxhgUgUn0rfgL5BkTA3ggowZMPANTMTTPpCVLJVjnE77lnT7C13U3-IPsD2gfGbyEl2aAfXN1g4JBLSj5J5wT_Gs0/s400/IMG_1991.jpg" width="266" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEemNPn1cyR0HClKlwMfwSRFoyC2Qz_WH1WeT8e8xM1IdBpMWk-F8N0yW-bRONK9TyPXDeKcsM0W0VndiZSm_NITLG9b2lRrp3F6wSbHfNrIaOHzXrWRJD9wCS1lCBCws7UF7BQFORrvU/s1600/IMG_1992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEemNPn1cyR0HClKlwMfwSRFoyC2Qz_WH1WeT8e8xM1IdBpMWk-F8N0yW-bRONK9TyPXDeKcsM0W0VndiZSm_NITLG9b2lRrp3F6wSbHfNrIaOHzXrWRJD9wCS1lCBCws7UF7BQFORrvU/s640/IMG_1992.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnA18SlG1TG1znEkWptLQcFr5l9gPKuNspohSN5Hd76HMQ5ESCUNjYTlGNYaNRGBLUTgz0tMO8aa8K5lpQ4MWxPy2EZwzXdZvpL9KTrQSoTmC0S3gZo0KTlY9cxtel-HT6kFFYe0WH-lI/s1600/IMG_1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnA18SlG1TG1znEkWptLQcFr5l9gPKuNspohSN5Hd76HMQ5ESCUNjYTlGNYaNRGBLUTgz0tMO8aa8K5lpQ4MWxPy2EZwzXdZvpL9KTrQSoTmC0S3gZo0KTlY9cxtel-HT6kFFYe0WH-lI/s640/IMG_1995.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
it took all of 15 minutes. really?<br />
thursday's after school now sound like a good idea to me......we left a little grumpy and miserable but we had our 20lbs of apples that no one is going to eat and we did get to stop by a favorite veggie stand on the way home so not all was lost...just look at those pumpkins!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbjvRHh62luLyZ6mHKMhvivPeJU2IIUDfV3AcQSYuSgxqDsCAFg2AnZtvCowYVKqelqFu2Tj7JGhSOLUME56NMX-x9mNxZCtiqfHN1lMK6tPQKSRlllnzKKSlIFTLD0WDcAgcB82tHZ8/s1600/IMG_1996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbjvRHh62luLyZ6mHKMhvivPeJU2IIUDfV3AcQSYuSgxqDsCAFg2AnZtvCowYVKqelqFu2Tj7JGhSOLUME56NMX-x9mNxZCtiqfHN1lMK6tPQKSRlllnzKKSlIFTLD0WDcAgcB82tHZ8/s640/IMG_1996.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
then we had picture day on monday - which of course i forgot to take a picture of - and we were late so i drove them to school and took them in for some strange reason...which i never do....and was accosted by the other mother volunteers to help out. so i did. so fun!<br />
<br />
i took time this week to work on our <a href="http://www.gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2013/09/playing-along-ali-edwards-week-in-life.html" target="_blank">week in the life </a>album as well which i will be sharing shortly. i am so excited that i got right down to it and completed the picture part all thanks to our new printer and the fact that i was trying out a new photo filter program that i have heard great things about, <a href="http://www.gettotallyrad.com/photoshop-actions/" target="_blank">Rad Lab</a> - free 14 day trial - and am hooked and hopefully i can get it.<br />
loved how it lightened and sharpened the photo's with just a click.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWl5mNo8shzmi5kK592Akd2ugxCPPgo4neDO2yKT9kDGriTfeseWTeuwHYHDFcBfDXq9hBr6Ec4P5DWssmp1kWaCQb9fEez9fF65T-UZSbA3ttPKbEiT4tIRlfpi2GRa3AkK3cR2wgO8/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWl5mNo8shzmi5kK592Akd2ugxCPPgo4neDO2yKT9kDGriTfeseWTeuwHYHDFcBfDXq9hBr6Ec4P5DWssmp1kWaCQb9fEez9fF65T-UZSbA3ttPKbEiT4tIRlfpi2GRa3AkK3cR2wgO8/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
also i am trying to make more of an effort for play dates. i remember going over to friends houses during the week and loving it. since i am home for right now {not for long i hope!} i have decided to embrace that. they both had a friend over last week and loved it...again void of any photo!! aarrgghh.<br />
<br />
but...<br />
<br />
i did download my camera and find these gems in there. these, my friends, are hidden treasures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk7VOhISQCJYD6SqhPNmoEWFuuOqFuFX2sGYye_UhIAwnUWNg-RBL6RaBWaAzUBLImfhweVc5JSYWxFJP02ynFHxXSIS2izCSQB_WNrA8DTXcGSwJd8KCdgX0v6NVrKiBtlKDS6hSaYU/s1600/IMG_1999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk7VOhISQCJYD6SqhPNmoEWFuuOqFuFX2sGYye_UhIAwnUWNg-RBL6RaBWaAzUBLImfhweVc5JSYWxFJP02ynFHxXSIS2izCSQB_WNrA8DTXcGSwJd8KCdgX0v6NVrKiBtlKDS6hSaYU/s640/IMG_1999.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B0hOr-XVBZfDA4bBDnYEnAJ890Xq3YRccyGiDFw7wSMSX23sSpVn3bwTAy0hU1lp9s2GUvHhq7xnXCBv_oUcNZ1DoTRRHr87NxE7bQ4RKy3g0f_3HPRn66vzsZLaWT_afoGs3L2Rkh8/s1600/IMG_2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B0hOr-XVBZfDA4bBDnYEnAJ890Xq3YRccyGiDFw7wSMSX23sSpVn3bwTAy0hU1lp9s2GUvHhq7xnXCBv_oUcNZ1DoTRRHr87NxE7bQ4RKy3g0f_3HPRn66vzsZLaWT_afoGs3L2Rkh8/s640/IMG_2001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgKHzYHiP9on3y27bekXqOOLqU-16i0LZaEftXxGL3w9mBNo5PQTEDKppLajEkVy-MYZ_VlxUwv-bSb8OTK7l86SCkBC6AonLfCrmmC4IFdOKyezB822CpjWhcDrV52wUq9cGUFdzKto/s1600/IMG_2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgKHzYHiP9on3y27bekXqOOLqU-16i0LZaEftXxGL3w9mBNo5PQTEDKppLajEkVy-MYZ_VlxUwv-bSb8OTK7l86SCkBC6AonLfCrmmC4IFdOKyezB822CpjWhcDrV52wUq9cGUFdzKto/s640/IMG_2002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
aydan took these and her explanation for it was - well this is an outside set so i had to take her pictures outside.<br />
of course.<br />
<br />
friday afternoon we went to target to go birthday party shopping and treat ourselves to a starbucks - that will put a smile on anyones face!<br />
<br />
this weekend was full of swimming lessons {they are doing so well.}, running into friends at the pool, walks, bike rides, yard work, another birthday party {number 3 in our 6 rotation. two more this coming weekend and one more the following week....then who knows!}, groceries, friday night home movie - Castle in the Sky, so good!, new fish for the tank, a water hose fight between tony and me {yes we are twelve - i walked outside and all i heard was "WET T-SHIRT CONTEST!! and the next thing i knew i was soaked. then i got him good.}, he tried to instigate a tomato fight - a couple went whizzing by my head - but i didn't bite on that one. finally getting to painting the upstairs two-story stairwell - it's a two man job and we have to make one more pass at it but what an unbelievable difference! plus one of the best chicken chili's i have ever made...well the ONLY chicken chili i have ever made!<br />
all in all a great week and an even better weekend to get me out of my friday morning funk.<br />
<br />
oh and we are ready for halloween.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AiQvIfHTw4oLK9FNeRf2CHBQWgSugjCgwVC0ml8KbjeZTBBzJyCW5tYLIJXItkH7j0cfWa8_lLxl9S636yCphw5amC5oFc7NecIHV-lMu5teyuw7p9b0ne1EwZm989JDvpph7ZeHLBI/s1600/IMG_1783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AiQvIfHTw4oLK9FNeRf2CHBQWgSugjCgwVC0ml8KbjeZTBBzJyCW5tYLIJXItkH7j0cfWa8_lLxl9S636yCphw5amC5oFc7NecIHV-lMu5teyuw7p9b0ne1EwZm989JDvpph7ZeHLBI/s640/IMG_1783.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
and i am so glad my mom convinced me to plant dahlia's - we have vases of these all over the house!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqpM3Pm-azRYouYKeipPP5xMxaarut0De9t7hslCQBkkU1ji3kA9ck-K0PgPmxoS0O4GO2uTehFAGqzogZvY-UoA3UcfViuB1PWQZEJhWuXmgINrAHFnzyJaUrNOFXVMNCbV3L9l0skU/s1600/DSCN0157+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqpM3Pm-azRYouYKeipPP5xMxaarut0De9t7hslCQBkkU1ji3kA9ck-K0PgPmxoS0O4GO2uTehFAGqzogZvY-UoA3UcfViuB1PWQZEJhWuXmgINrAHFnzyJaUrNOFXVMNCbV3L9l0skU/s640/DSCN0157+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><u>favorite quotes of the week:</u></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"what are little boys made of? trash packs, skylanders and video games. that's what little boys are made of." ~aydan</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"me and my kids, we are going to chase rainbows when we see them." ~cooper after seeing a rainbow in the sky last night on the way to aydan's irish dance.</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: lime;">*********</span></span></div>
<br />
Also i came across <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2013/10/07/embrace-the-camera-a-week-of-challenges/" target="_blank">this post</a> by one of my favorite bloggers, Ashley Ann, and i think i am going to play along. It's called <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2013/10/07/embrace-the-camera-a-week-of-challenges/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Embrace the Camera</span></a> and it's to get you, whether you are a mom or not, out from behind the camera. monday's prompt was <b>Smiles</b> and tuesday's was <b>Making Memories</b> and today's is <b>Everyday Moment.</b><br />
i will post mine here throughout this week. <br />
{i will be using my big camera and not the iphone as i don't have my own and will want weekday shots.}<br />
<br />
are you going to play along?<br />
are you guilty of being behind the camera too much?<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-49239170279458597282013-10-04T12:30:00.000-04:002013-10-04T12:46:40.679-04:00Hello October!! {october goals list.}Wow October already!!<br />
so i have a confession to make. i have sort of been slaking in the areas of me. of this blog. of my life really. i took the morning today to feel sorry for myself and list all the reason why i am not really worth anything, said them aloud, put them in a box and am moving on. because i am worth something. i am smart, intelligent, funny, kind, caring.....well i could keep going but how much time do you really have? ha! my main goal is to make a shinier happier me at 36 and by Jove I 'm a gonna do it!! {cue fist pump.}<br />
<br />
anyways the point is i have been going over this space, my connection with all you out there, the content i want to be in here and personally i think i can do better. that's why i am declaring this a re-dedication to this space. but then i got to thinking - what is this space? it's not like i get paid to do this...i just do it. personally when this all started it was merely a scrapbook for my kids and a way to keep in touch with family out west. then it became a place to put my recipes, to have my favorites at my fingertips. then it became a competition - i never realized how competitive i was till i saw someone doing something better over there and i had to top it. {<i>anything you can do i can do better....</i>} i need more recipes - better recipes! i need more of a theme!! why can't mine look as good as her's over there!! why didn't i think of that first! i need to show more tutorials...but on what?! i used to work in film and manage offices. oh think, jennifer, think!!!!<br />
<br />
then it spiraled into a wee - <span style="font-size: xx-small;">very wee</span> - bout of depression {that actually might be too strong a word....} about it because i was putting in all this time and energy and really getting not much out of it. it all boiled down to $$ and the fact that i could not do this to support my family. but then without this who am i? this went on for a bit and i felt like i had lost touch. so i stepped back. found myself posting now and again about this and that - still in the competition but playing more from the third string then the starting line-up. hey, that's a good way to describe it - i have always felt like third string - never good enough for a staring position but not terrible enough that i am out of the game completely.<br />
<br />
i have come to a decision though - i have decided that i don't care about what everyone else is doing {well i do care because you are all wonderful but what you do isn't going to define me anymore. i'm going to be me - whoever that is!} i created this space for my kids. so they can look back and maybe see {after they exit their teens and stop hating me} that they actually did have a cool mom who moved mountains for them and that their childhood was actually pretty awesome.<br />
it may not have been filled with luxury cruises but it was filled with boat loads of love.<br />
<br />
okay now that we are done with all the emotional mushy stuff, down to the task at hand: i can't believe it's been so long since i posted a goals list! oh mon dieu! so here we go....this is more of a have to do than a want to do list but again it's for the purpose to hold me accountable. also i have always wanted to do a list with a <i>monster motif!</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1axNXlfT3Cl-A15G0vu5UyJG8IxLa8vIu0bV1QIT_N2GU8seiUjIPICSrjQLZfwpHdlvevw3a_lCxyU9DsITaw4hg6pyNdkhHd6PQhrM84FZ3oJmlaRBPVmn16M_khHSJmbuPOV4RsI/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1axNXlfT3Cl-A15G0vu5UyJG8IxLa8vIu0bV1QIT_N2GU8seiUjIPICSrjQLZfwpHdlvevw3a_lCxyU9DsITaw4hg6pyNdkhHd6PQhrM84FZ3oJmlaRBPVmn16M_khHSJmbuPOV4RsI/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
so there you go!<br />
thanks for the shoulder and for letting me get all that out.<br />
yes i can hear the tiny violins playing and i know that most of my problems are not <i>real</i> problems but for right now they are mine.<br />
and i have to own them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;">***also i have decided to launch a small business taking outdoor photo's of families such as yours. if you are interested please drop me a email for info and pricing. thanks!</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-28526226169404687372013-10-01T10:14:00.000-04:002013-10-01T10:14:38.571-04:00these two.this is what my heart looks like walking around outside my body.<br />
these two.<br />
i can't even....<br />
<br />
*sigh*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kmaMP4ZcKCsRZwefKjgUHvEjYSMGBP9dcF3YM3pAwFHfaft_5Xkz-lydLscA4THBYwN4Hb3yy-4vsn_4Xu1gIA5MJeen1Soie80FpF7fdp7Bi0Rmi4Q27OjnkjV3vHCCVdB4yCV2TvQ/s1600/IMG_1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kmaMP4ZcKCsRZwefKjgUHvEjYSMGBP9dcF3YM3pAwFHfaft_5Xkz-lydLscA4THBYwN4Hb3yy-4vsn_4Xu1gIA5MJeen1Soie80FpF7fdp7Bi0Rmi4Q27OjnkjV3vHCCVdB4yCV2TvQ/s640/IMG_1935.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
happy october!<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-79334006525526882002013-09-27T09:16:00.001-04:002013-09-27T09:16:42.031-04:00the out-of-towners.last weekend we stole away and went to one of our favorite places. it is a wonderful place filled with good friends and always a great time. this time was a little different. we went for a surprise party for one of the main people we see on these trips. mike & the boys house {that's what we lovingly call it.} is usually the first stop when we get there and we always stay there as they do when they come to our house.<br />
this time, though, it was a little different.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXgrkGEkrqNURQ3X_8gACoBZtjq18T0A2P7X6t4x-Yn7ITcJo5xyFNVGyxjMof9hivnFW9_CNCIyJ30y3G-pGO0z9IUlvQzpDxJWZHOl61D1PiAcz4yLV6_FtFUHJOPoJ-pV05s4t-Lg/s1600/IMG_1825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXgrkGEkrqNURQ3X_8gACoBZtjq18T0A2P7X6t4x-Yn7ITcJo5xyFNVGyxjMof9hivnFW9_CNCIyJ30y3G-pGO0z9IUlvQzpDxJWZHOl61D1PiAcz4yLV6_FtFUHJOPoJ-pV05s4t-Lg/s640/IMG_1825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkrS6lye0A4tGWcSIKwH19cIG59S5Hptb1Lfs8qy90iJKxHbEmXUHRNt-Qz_EVV7wq5GWoSMjxpn1MqtoEVD1xFq9yF0czhCdvzKYK9D2sa9Jo_JJCy6-MXM_L6omGVggkdXYjTA2ONI/s1600/IMG_1827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkrS6lye0A4tGWcSIKwH19cIG59S5Hptb1Lfs8qy90iJKxHbEmXUHRNt-Qz_EVV7wq5GWoSMjxpn1MqtoEVD1xFq9yF0czhCdvzKYK9D2sa9Jo_JJCy6-MXM_L6omGVggkdXYjTA2ONI/s640/IMG_1827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmal7JaD6XORsaRqEJUYttUwVrDeUYxoIC1kSD6TgltVZurrlJ9-RcIglSZg2JhDyg5Bu7Vn47Avol0JINL-LTVLmYGgnUPEhP3ncqgdKwSuus3cf1RPYDymXc8jesdv0_nf6DmjaAk80/s1600/IMG_1826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmal7JaD6XORsaRqEJUYttUwVrDeUYxoIC1kSD6TgltVZurrlJ9-RcIglSZg2JhDyg5Bu7Vn47Avol0JINL-LTVLmYGgnUPEhP3ncqgdKwSuus3cf1RPYDymXc8jesdv0_nf6DmjaAk80/s640/IMG_1826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
this weekend we were part of the surprise!<br />
<br />
this excited and confused the kids a little. there were a couple "when are we getting to mike's? when do we get to see finn and eamon?" and after the millionth time explaining we got the big, "WE ARE STAYING AT A HOTEL?? With a pool?! YIPEE!!!"<br />
when we finally got there, i never saw them again......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYH3RkVjdLzHSv9X3kUVW2xhBGmzhXHgmarIN4LQlF1Nnk0Dp2YfTLWYUGI4uYFoStKHSk8ZtfOcAlYt0N3cwaHebyMVhfFJtVkjbz-fC3YeNRPwpgpScedXY5XtCNi8s4aM0c-Yg2UXE/s1600/IMG_1836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYH3RkVjdLzHSv9X3kUVW2xhBGmzhXHgmarIN4LQlF1Nnk0Dp2YfTLWYUGI4uYFoStKHSk8ZtfOcAlYt0N3cwaHebyMVhfFJtVkjbz-fC3YeNRPwpgpScedXY5XtCNi8s4aM0c-Yg2UXE/s640/IMG_1836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JbYwx6kFWKwHLdwJg4W3q1xrG8Phj4cDAxL56a3CoehVl1uq-5xd4Oo3BTBjhurQuqcbUW7NNLw93mNz76KOM2ZZ2sb2LhBvPmb4oi-NCjsauIogUmt2cTJ-KSpBTAAUH-6QgKhaAAA/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JbYwx6kFWKwHLdwJg4W3q1xrG8Phj4cDAxL56a3CoehVl1uq-5xd4Oo3BTBjhurQuqcbUW7NNLw93mNz76KOM2ZZ2sb2LhBvPmb4oi-NCjsauIogUmt2cTJ-KSpBTAAUH-6QgKhaAAA/s640/IMG_1839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPfFaMn5D3xdMMJ-LSwP9PzfRUS9gSqS7-Kow-uXPDZBxTrvamcSsFpTNeOuvGVqB1VFqdMrsUD-oqh9c6dHPbKyDtpvR_PIkrM5HZVRTo53gc_4MxrtaF02TrVSUsVgunjpHKoQ1Tnw/s1600/IMG_1842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPfFaMn5D3xdMMJ-LSwP9PzfRUS9gSqS7-Kow-uXPDZBxTrvamcSsFpTNeOuvGVqB1VFqdMrsUD-oqh9c6dHPbKyDtpvR_PIkrM5HZVRTo53gc_4MxrtaF02TrVSUsVgunjpHKoQ1Tnw/s640/IMG_1842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
we arrived friday and had to somewhat lay low till saturday at 4. now the town that this is in is a big town but a small town. you know those kinds? we had some funny escape plans if in fact we did see them - being in a town 7 hours away from home you wouldn't just <i>bump</i> into each other - their shopping isn't THAT great.<br />
<br />
the kids and me went to check out the new-to-canada target and had three plans in mind should we bump into them - plan 1) stuff our selves in the doll/stuffy display and hope they don't notice, plan 2) pretend we are mannequins and plan 3) RUN!! Tony had come with a more exceptable one that we were there to support our friend at the children's book author fair going on in toronto on sunday....yeah that was a good one - <span style="font-size: x-small;">i had forgotten that one......</span><br />
<br />
anyways when it came right down to it he was surprised & mortified {hates being the center of attention}, brian & marsha's has the best pool ever so the kids were busy {plus there were a ton of other kids there!}, we partied all night long and had fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphensHpY2FWRcf4lKx3IUcPGnnUSPXI_DC7-TE2sYyD4I2-ufry7DawtIA7M4SlfYAl8O8a3Ye7X9NDBQZyPLI19a6KjxSoG92YKsw78VEe7f-ZhAYIKyW9hGLbMI6YfK_03nh3c-z7Ihk/s1600/IMG_1853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphensHpY2FWRcf4lKx3IUcPGnnUSPXI_DC7-TE2sYyD4I2-ufry7DawtIA7M4SlfYAl8O8a3Ye7X9NDBQZyPLI19a6KjxSoG92YKsw78VEe7f-ZhAYIKyW9hGLbMI6YfK_03nh3c-z7Ihk/s640/IMG_1853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD1XSLNGX5bOqZS0-khhmYlQqvjotOTBt8wAtjXQMCLwSzkD5FHVVJip20cff-nDPZbAtoQlf0euP_ani6TX_QJvbQWUhAQSP07ZiZDf1wTf6kGBN44SpR6td_kte9GYtBhg4XB7GwGU/s1600/IMG_1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD1XSLNGX5bOqZS0-khhmYlQqvjotOTBt8wAtjXQMCLwSzkD5FHVVJip20cff-nDPZbAtoQlf0euP_ani6TX_QJvbQWUhAQSP07ZiZDf1wTf6kGBN44SpR6td_kte9GYtBhg4XB7GwGU/s640/IMG_1854.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakmJgExIUVK3eTznLDEDky1iHvF3kN1564v0QzYy8OCfj8yktC1QGtjy6kmxp7tRLgReYtpTls-ugsuizUL4lxx0FI8HFo7fxgfzGrKPdsUp1FQ_5g-VzbOvauEugD49J7X753r_4Ejc/s1600/IMG_1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakmJgExIUVK3eTznLDEDky1iHvF3kN1564v0QzYy8OCfj8yktC1QGtjy6kmxp7tRLgReYtpTls-ugsuizUL4lxx0FI8HFo7fxgfzGrKPdsUp1FQ_5g-VzbOvauEugD49J7X753r_4Ejc/s640/IMG_1855.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taking a minute out of the busy pool schedule to say surprise and hello.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNddzkJbzoLkDsCkHkq6ia2GQ-qvIT5GTfgG7I0i6xI64SkNQlomGILuwdNdTzgZUa6hbY2ZwuBJ6c8ajWxoqjJRp_wfP5GBU0iLwyjkaRFWcjwOldq1Ba6AbcvAa6PV1DPs4iegGZUH0/s1600/IMG_1856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNddzkJbzoLkDsCkHkq6ia2GQ-qvIT5GTfgG7I0i6xI64SkNQlomGILuwdNdTzgZUa6hbY2ZwuBJ6c8ajWxoqjJRp_wfP5GBU0iLwyjkaRFWcjwOldq1Ba6AbcvAa6PV1DPs4iegGZUH0/s640/IMG_1856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">her too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPF8LP9yruzLTQVgZJAkGpz8AZMIZhy0cDooJexxds2zppKJoUUzt_6lWo-bGdsK6o5wTIlIVzD85cBzD1lJLtEI67LvOKxTCXazcY0A9eSWUnhWjB8G1Csp0bsb9_ZxdW_LOd6vsoXc/s1600/IMG_1858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPF8LP9yruzLTQVgZJAkGpz8AZMIZhy0cDooJexxds2zppKJoUUzt_6lWo-bGdsK6o5wTIlIVzD85cBzD1lJLtEI67LvOKxTCXazcY0A9eSWUnhWjB8G1Csp0bsb9_ZxdW_LOd6vsoXc/s640/IMG_1858.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">giving mike his gift.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycOLMgsY-7wicl5FnZK2caHfuL-P13C_z13Ivq6o2tACpJTK1HeTj0y0FoS7ua-SkKq5dOemts7_RuaCcu_jeHdNao-oRtb0eipzBgniutT5Xe3_WSTzhtlCDx_3kJc4kMFRn8Blq0cU/s1600/IMG_1861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycOLMgsY-7wicl5FnZK2caHfuL-P13C_z13Ivq6o2tACpJTK1HeTj0y0FoS7ua-SkKq5dOemts7_RuaCcu_jeHdNao-oRtb0eipzBgniutT5Xe3_WSTzhtlCDx_3kJc4kMFRn8Blq0cU/s640/IMG_1861.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the luxurious robe from us to him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulDti8U4l6BU26dtfAjt90gJc8I-l2lIyfXVZGaZ2lW56OmTKmizUkO9ZZhUqu7BQmKiuFuhhwpLyJQGLubYXqsYqApjBBQNhRQsHIjcKAWF9gFbJztgoOzASGzMpF-w3G_PyNii0bg4/s1600/IMG_1869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulDti8U4l6BU26dtfAjt90gJc8I-l2lIyfXVZGaZ2lW56OmTKmizUkO9ZZhUqu7BQmKiuFuhhwpLyJQGLubYXqsYqApjBBQNhRQsHIjcKAWF9gFbJztgoOzASGzMpF-w3G_PyNii0bg4/s640/IMG_1869.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">custom lego set from his sister-in-law...there is actually a mike guy there as the announcer! so cool and perfect for the lego obsessed family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNfnHOQuVT2CqsYcIqu_KhYanB9g6Rxm3fKXkHDyWrQ4eltYHAaEfymcBtKWQb6PXK0bNQOYu-vgSEqlut6RHQcdCl0URqkN0LhDTr1ggpwAHFAsQiwuwFTSDk08wXsKUuVwrqHfKdcY/s1600/IMG_1871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNfnHOQuVT2CqsYcIqu_KhYanB9g6Rxm3fKXkHDyWrQ4eltYHAaEfymcBtKWQb6PXK0bNQOYu-vgSEqlut6RHQcdCl0URqkN0LhDTr1ggpwAHFAsQiwuwFTSDk08wXsKUuVwrqHfKdcY/s640/IMG_1871.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aydan with aunt kelly and the card the kids picked out for mike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9oZN7HwQD7bzUxxoELUzECEO6G_IzWNiwL2sA1JTC3w_m5ayfxUdxcdfRGHD8RX65jWywOvDweO3pA5BtUuAPRq0nxD-GkF5zC1Sfid1H8shJMXTdA_q2nQYzPLfZr_3nUSLB6IJJvw/s1600/IMG_1891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9oZN7HwQD7bzUxxoELUzECEO6G_IzWNiwL2sA1JTC3w_m5ayfxUdxcdfRGHD8RX65jWywOvDweO3pA5BtUuAPRq0nxD-GkF5zC1Sfid1H8shJMXTdA_q2nQYzPLfZr_3nUSLB6IJJvw/s640/IMG_1891.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4PCDy9zUOvmLK9HrhY67CipAF4zkzhyYvfB1_s41cur37oa3hPJbwhaDaz2mbfkCsnwLQjOd-TsNZm0yFIlFkCSPbRJI9AdsFfpkMdB1kHFImDP9FsfyASRxX1aGy5we-ZuUZVpNVdM/s1600/IMG_1893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4PCDy9zUOvmLK9HrhY67CipAF4zkzhyYvfB1_s41cur37oa3hPJbwhaDaz2mbfkCsnwLQjOd-TsNZm0yFIlFkCSPbRJI9AdsFfpkMdB1kHFImDP9FsfyASRxX1aGy5we-ZuUZVpNVdM/s640/IMG_1893.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all the guys together - they have been close friends since high school!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
the downside was that we were leaving the next day and we didn't get our full 48 hours worth of visiting in. we stuffed some in on sunday and then headed off. <br />
short and sweet.<br />
<br />
until the snow starts to fly.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-83511405620903290962013-09-26T07:00:00.000-04:002013-09-26T07:00:05.620-04:00bringing it all together thanks to Brother printers.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
as many of you know, a couple of weeks ago we played along with ali edwards and her <a href="http://www.gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2013/09/playing-along-ali-edwards-week-in-life.html" target="_blank">week in the life</a> project. this week we are bringing it all together with some help from the wonderful team at <a href="http://www.staples.ca/" target="_blank">Staples</a>. they had contacted me a while ago to ask if i wanted to try out one of their <a href="http://www.staples.ca/en/Brother-All-Printers/brandedcat_CL204147_Brother_50129_2-CA_1_20001" target="_blank">Brother printers</a> - the <a href="http://www.staples.ca/en/Brother-MFC-J6510dw-Wireless-Colour-Inkjet-All-in-One-Printer/product_884869_2-CA_1_20001" target="_blank">Brother MFC-J6510dw Wireless Colour Inkjet all-in-one Printer</a> to be exact....um....yes please!!!<br />
and this, i thought, is the perfect project for it's initiation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUONhSqCOHh-kESynvn1YlPUdBf-CHQF2aWQgL5sFMVIzj6NPaQv0M_h59ZlfcYqtpOEcvuSD8lgn-zM4tXCY7sC3eXH1Q9i3R6iC8_IOLv3w6IlW9ZVD2whfNj4pGijYIzxYS64hS3w/s1600/IMG_1924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUONhSqCOHh-kESynvn1YlPUdBf-CHQF2aWQgL5sFMVIzj6NPaQv0M_h59ZlfcYqtpOEcvuSD8lgn-zM4tXCY7sC3eXH1Q9i3R6iC8_IOLv3w6IlW9ZVD2whfNj4pGijYIzxYS64hS3w/s640/IMG_1924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
now it may come as a shock to many of you that i may be a little bit cheap. ha! no...i bet quite a few of you knew that! now that being said, over the past couple of years i have come to realize the value in the upgrade. i used to buy tony one $20 backpack year - then three years ago there was a well known brand one on for $70 so i thought maybe this would last longer? bingo. three years later and still going strong.<br />
see - value in the upgrade.<br />
this is true here as well. i would always go for the cheapest printer that had just what i needed and that was good enough for me. when staples asked me which i wanted i was presented with two options - one higher end and one low - and after careful consideration went for the higher end because i knew that without a review or knowing someone who had it, i would never splurge on it because of the extra expense. is it really that much better than the one i already have? am i really going to get my money's worth? also i am starting to think - don't i deserve better than <i>just</i> <i>good enough</i>?<br />
<br />
my advice: splurge.<br />
<br />
IT. IS. AWESOME!!!<br />
<br />
now i am not a professional reviewer by any means but i am one to celebrate and spread the word like wild flowers when i find a great product....and i found a great product.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW-tALBWCM_eIyXk7MbZCJzHNqYvuce4K6p1OIZn2rzqtCJhGvtvsUSz2VZ2nQQslyqp2YfRvfD0wpccb1lNf6HdGXz8ytEsqLXLKBAPj37l2190mrGepBvDIRCN4Xcigh6846jlY5eA/s1600/IMG_1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW-tALBWCM_eIyXk7MbZCJzHNqYvuce4K6p1OIZn2rzqtCJhGvtvsUSz2VZ2nQQslyqp2YfRvfD0wpccb1lNf6HdGXz8ytEsqLXLKBAPj37l2190mrGepBvDIRCN4Xcigh6846jlY5eA/s640/IMG_1912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
after a couple of tries and maybe some light choice words {!} we were up and running. it's unbelievable! the most start-your-own-command-center-but-i-still-look-great-in-your-home device i have ever seen! {yes, of course there is a random stuffed penguin on my table...what? there isn't one on yours??!!!}<br />
<br />
it can scan, print, fax, copy {like a lot at one time!}, print photo's right from a memory card - there's a slot right in the front!! - <i>IT'S WIRELESS</i> {in my head that was said like stephan from <i>saturday night live!</i>} and since it's home will be the basement that's a good thing for me, and it could probably make the coffee as well if i took the time to find that command.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUONhSqCOHh-kESynvn1YlPUdBf-CHQF2aWQgL5sFMVIzj6NPaQv0M_h59ZlfcYqtpOEcvuSD8lgn-zM4tXCY7sC3eXH1Q9i3R6iC8_IOLv3w6IlW9ZVD2whfNj4pGijYIzxYS64hS3w/s1600/IMG_1924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUONhSqCOHh-kESynvn1YlPUdBf-CHQF2aWQgL5sFMVIzj6NPaQv0M_h59ZlfcYqtpOEcvuSD8lgn-zM4tXCY7sC3eXH1Q9i3R6iC8_IOLv3w6IlW9ZVD2whfNj4pGijYIzxYS64hS3w/s640/IMG_1924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONzUcPruCSzGe2dD0SonOaaGJPlCt_DkA7MDfhQd9P1j7yjmfR8fzlU4iJTnCsXbbur_S0YhX_yPJw58iVPtcHGTUhUaUIBBqriJvZuvOzz5laDhUhsIdljAIL4peZYdwJIsthgWPeek/s1600/IMG_1926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONzUcPruCSzGe2dD0SonOaaGJPlCt_DkA7MDfhQd9P1j7yjmfR8fzlU4iJTnCsXbbur_S0YhX_yPJw58iVPtcHGTUhUaUIBBqriJvZuvOzz5laDhUhsIdljAIL4peZYdwJIsthgWPeek/s640/IMG_1926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
for me, though, it's all about the photo's. i wanted something that can help me to stay on top of some of my photo projects rather than always relying on uploading them and then going somewhere to pick up my prints. now i am not going to do everything on here - let's get serious...i am still am cheap!! but when i am doing, say my <a href="http://www.gronicktales.blogspot.ca/p/project-december-daily.html" target="_blank">december daily</a> this year, i can get most of it done right away with this little baby rather forget about it and have it still looking a me 9 months later begging me to finish it!!<br />
yep, guilty party over here on that one. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">i should probably get on that.....</span><br />
<br />
well, no more my friends! we have no more excuses - we are going to be caught up and looking sharp! just look at the quality of these photo's:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA4x9BntdLLqmqDQAa4Kmmct7t2jjjcLYkbAzj7bbuvJNOl5i9Q4T236Q4gt-lEV06FyXFelLG1LtBjri_IXPeo0z0y0Qon8GwuTqziMlTFdDezEqx4k2q1vF1vQ98quST7e2CdpaLTk/s1600/IMG_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA4x9BntdLLqmqDQAa4Kmmct7t2jjjcLYkbAzj7bbuvJNOl5i9Q4T236Q4gt-lEV06FyXFelLG1LtBjri_IXPeo0z0y0Qon8GwuTqziMlTFdDezEqx4k2q1vF1vQ98quST7e2CdpaLTk/s640/IMG_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
i printed those! on <a href="http://www.staples.ca/en/Brother-MFC-J6510dw-Wireless-Colour-Inkjet-All-in-One-Printer/product_884869_2-CA_1_20001" target="_blank">this</a>!!<br />
can you tell i am excited?? i have had the worst luck printing photo's in the past - this time they came out so awesome! i never knew a printer would get me this excited. maybe is the ease in which it came together or the fact that i am going to be more organized thanks to this amazing machine? what ever it is, i am thankful and hooked.<br />
aren't you excited too?? <br />
<br />
i am off to finish my album and i'll share it here next week. maybe seeing how fabulous it is will inspire YOU to go and get one of these for yourself and document a week in your life.<br />
it's so worth it.<br />
<br />
<i>thanks <a href="http://www.staples.ca/" target="_blank">staples</a> for giving me the opportunity to test out this awesome printer! you guys rock!!</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG2NJg8cN3kL3xkTK-BOOxs5vDIRTYrmImYcwAUIa9wP-wev8wkrI1GguP8UBf_vtcGZYJJPyMQ9F-uYNuYADA0Vfheq-Md9Vk9UTUeI7eqdAAuY0XQtQ4gOODNIvlVNchnntCNjR704/s1600/IMG_1931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG2NJg8cN3kL3xkTK-BOOxs5vDIRTYrmImYcwAUIa9wP-wev8wkrI1GguP8UBf_vtcGZYJJPyMQ9F-uYNuYADA0Vfheq-Md9Vk9UTUeI7eqdAAuY0XQtQ4gOODNIvlVNchnntCNjR704/s640/IMG_1931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-69653944123121624282013-09-20T07:00:00.000-04:002013-09-20T07:00:03.107-04:00recipe re-do: quinoa - a passing fad?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9KTJ_6lf3QCFZsJoT0XPODmy3veb5Ccv7371LDNN8CkDpUx6WFsYfQaNRKXyMhlFzC_wdKRwSpmTH6DOz-7P6FkwNsW6Euzo6tcCxrskXaV8VlDC6KGlbNdngWA_4hJ4ojVd36POCUI/s1600/IMG_1812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9KTJ_6lf3QCFZsJoT0XPODmy3veb5Ccv7371LDNN8CkDpUx6WFsYfQaNRKXyMhlFzC_wdKRwSpmTH6DOz-7P6FkwNsW6Euzo6tcCxrskXaV8VlDC6KGlbNdngWA_4hJ4ojVd36POCUI/s640/IMG_1812.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
fads are everywhere. home. fashion. and yes - even food.<br />
who could forget the great "make your own baby food" fad....wait that still around.<br />
and the "farm to table " fad...hang on that's kicking around too.<br />
<br />
well maybe there is something to say about fads.<br />
<br />
the latest, i find, is about ancient grains. embracing grains other than the cherished rice and couscous {yet another "fad" that stuck.}<br />
<br />
so i decided to stick my neck out and inquire - what's so great about quinoa? why is everyone head over heels for it? i put this question out on facebook - bluntly asking if i was in fact that last person around to try the stuff. the answer was a resounding YES! <br />
<br />
i was trolling the aisles of costco the following day and found what i thought was a years supply of the famous grain {i have since come to realize it is a month's worth.} and gave it a try.<br />
<br />
the first time i made it it was okay. just okay. i boiled it to the package directions and served it along side chicken. okay. i do see the appeal and it's a good sub for rice because it states it has protein and is good for you. tony asked if it was good for him, i told him yes and then he replied with, "okay if it's good for me i will get it down." <i>shinning endorsement right there.</i><br />
<br />
i decided to take a step back and re-examine my approach. i was schooled in getting coop to eat steamed broccoli by a friend of mine earlier that week - he ate hers, not mine - and the one thing she did different was seasoning. so i made the quinoa like how i make my fancy rice - chicken stock and onions. bingo.<br />
<br />
new staple.<br />
<br />
two saturdays ago i was enjoying my morning coffee and checking our rachel ray's new show about cooking one day for five. usually not my thing and she tends to do things to high fat for me but it caught my attention because she was talking about grains. then she was talking about obesity and getting out of the rut. i was listening. then she made what looked like the best hot salad i think i would ever put in my mouth.<br />
<br />
i was right.<br />
<br />
i decided at the end of the day to use her "recipe" as a base and go from there. all i knew of it was what i saw and could remember. it started with making the grain, then in another pan sauteeing together red onion, rasped garlic and lemon zest. instantly i was hooked. she had some other fancy things in there i did not have. i purposely went and got kale - a new favorite - and yes i did splerg on the mushrooms but didn't use as many as her at all. did i need to spend $5 on 6 shiitake shrooms? hmm - maybe not. would portabello's have been a good choice? probably. was it lacking in flavour because i have only the cremini and shiitake mushrooms and not the hen of the woods variety as well? well you be the judge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEED0ASMfk4udh_fjsMqlHYfzaawO-TEP4qi-Bvoietnw7E_vHps6ksVEUzRGbqqU9H3cBSEetvxNQWUVmR2hLDZ4TnPZf3rVb3qYdJuqPJaqkB-Cz1iZNngvGr6AQ41Jj9zoggNkX-Xc/s1600/IMG_1809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEED0ASMfk4udh_fjsMqlHYfzaawO-TEP4qi-Bvoietnw7E_vHps6ksVEUzRGbqqU9H3cBSEetvxNQWUVmR2hLDZ4TnPZf3rVb3qYdJuqPJaqkB-Cz1iZNngvGr6AQ41Jj9zoggNkX-Xc/s640/IMG_1809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
seriously - i want to know how much you love it.<br />
cause i know you are going to.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><u>jen's fancy quinoa</u></span><br />
<br />
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil<br />
1/2 a medium onion, diced<br />
i cup un-cooked quinoa<br />
2 cups low sodium chicken stock<br />
freshly ground pepper <br />
<br />
add your olive oil to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. add your onions. grind some pepper on them {you always want to season!} and sautee till translucent about 3 to 4 mins. add your quinoa and toss around with the onions while sauteeing them a little. then add your broth, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and steam for about 15 mins {according to your package}, let sit fo 5 mins then fluff with a fork and devour!!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><u>hot mushroom and quinoa salad</u></span><br />
<i>did you know that you have to strip the kale leaves from the stalks before preparing? i did not. </i><br />
<i>thank you rachael for that. </i><br />
<br />
<i>one recipe of Jen's fancy quinoa</i> {above}<br />
1 and a half pounds mixed mushrooms<br />
1/3 cup ev olive oil<br />
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme<br />
freshly ground black pepper<br />
3 to 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped or i like to use a microplane right over the pan<br />
1/2 red onion diced<br />
zest of one lemon<br />
one bunch of kale, stripped and coarsely chopped<br />
kosher salt and pepper <br />
the juice of half the lemon you zested<br />
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted<br />
<br />
<br />
first things first, get those mushrooms in the oven! preheat it to 450 degrees and spread your mushrooms out on a sheet pan. drizzle with about 1/4 cup of the olive oil, sprinkle with the thyme and toss it together to coat. grate some pepper over top and pop it in your heated oven. they usually take about 20 minutes to get all roasted and earthy.<br />
<br />
meanwhile, after you made your quinoa, heat a deep skillet over medium low heat. add the remaining olive oil and once it's a little hot add your onions. get them nice and translucent then add your garlic {i grate mine right over} and zest your lemon right into the pan. heat this slowly on the stove {don't burn the garlic!} and just for a moment lose yourself in the aroma......okay snap out of it!<br />
add your kale to the pan and let it wilt over top. season with some salt and pepper. once wilted remove from heat and fold in your quinoa. set aside.<br />
<br />
toast the nuts in a small skillet till brown and fragrant.<br />
<br />
once the mushrooms are done you are ready to assemble. first place your quinoa mixture into your serving dish, squeeze your half lemon over top, next spoon on your roasted mushrooms and, last but not least, top with your toasted almonds. voila!<br />
<br />
this can be eated hot, room temperature or even the next day straight out of the fridge!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-20188447516644628032013-09-17T10:31:00.001-04:002013-09-17T10:31:06.548-04:00fall is the time for food. {pumpkin spice waffles.}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC51kQsPG9wynMdc0X3dVuVWAl4ZFyIKb6taF4A5u3FAuush9BhnU34H2Yyv3qEvFNYLez1QAHMh6_j38uxL-0s6dBpWpgS6iSVUvAuLxRGCE9ZQ-I5nG37Ky0CxKsTkYm9mZkzeIZOhc/s1600/IMG_1745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC51kQsPG9wynMdc0X3dVuVWAl4ZFyIKb6taF4A5u3FAuush9BhnU34H2Yyv3qEvFNYLez1QAHMh6_j38uxL-0s6dBpWpgS6iSVUvAuLxRGCE9ZQ-I5nG37Ky0CxKsTkYm9mZkzeIZOhc/s640/IMG_1745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
there is something about the change in this season.<br />
from summer to fall.<br />
the crisp air.<br />
the wind.<br />
the shorter days.<br />
all it makes me want to do is eat. all i want to do is create rich foods such as chicken & barley soup {last night's dinner.}, explore the many forms & flavours of grilled cheese and load ourselves up with hearty knock-you-back-to-sleep breakfasts.<br />
<br />
i always find a recipe starts from somewhere and this one starts with a pumpkin spice latte.<br />
no wait...lets back up a few years...this one starts with a little girl who would eat no fruits or vegetables but who was gaga for mom's pumpkin muffins.<br />
yes, i think that's a great place to start.<br />
<br />
so there is a little girl who refuses all such wonderful things such as fruits and vegetables and her parents worried for her. so her mother {played by me} thought and thought about how to get these foods into without her knowing - in the meantime she was also wondering how this happened since her mother had taken the time, in her early years, to make all the little girls baby food from scratch and the little girl did enjoy all these foods once upon a time. what had happened here? <i> </i><br />
<i>let's not get distracted, jennifer, that's another post for another time. </i><br />
<br />
it had never occurred to her mother to create such a thing as a pumpkin waffle - the girl loved her mother's waffles and she loved pumpkin muffins.....maybe, just maybe this would be a hit. maybe this was a sneaky way to get something, other than purple apple sauce, into her little girl thought her mother.<br />
<br />
it worked.<br />
they are her favorite.<br />
and that makes her mother smile from ear to ear.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KZ5R6kgCPfkDtb95nfJVCPtUk0na88MQGMlh88TnoIagaGPlbDeIupni8Uw2nn9qUz9vhtIpEgnf_fbh-Hr1kQMe7tlIOAqcfOGJnuHvYweO4Qrg6ylG5KFdBDhIfhsqJYfUdA6QrtQ/s1600/IMG_1746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KZ5R6kgCPfkDtb95nfJVCPtUk0na88MQGMlh88TnoIagaGPlbDeIupni8Uw2nn9qUz9vhtIpEgnf_fbh-Hr1kQMe7tlIOAqcfOGJnuHvYweO4Qrg6ylG5KFdBDhIfhsqJYfUdA6QrtQ/s640/IMG_1746.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><u>pumpkin spice waffles.</u></span><br />
<i>i added raspberries on top of mine this weekend for the first time and i don't think i could ever not do that again. over the top!</i><br />
<br />
1 3/4 cups of milk {any kind - soy works too.}<br />
1 cup of pumpkin puree {not pumpkin pie filling.}<br />
1/4 cup of vegetable oil<br />
1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract <br />
2 eggs, lightly beaten<br />
2 cups whole wheat flour {you can use regular but whole wheat is better!} <br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1 tablespoon of baking powder<br />
1 teaspoon of baking soda<br />
3 teaspoons of cinnamon<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons of nutmeg<br />
1/2 teaspoon of all-spice<br />
1 teaspoon of salt<br />
<br />
Combine milk, pumpkin, oil, vanilla and eggs in a mixing bowl.<br />
Whisk till smooth.<br />
In another bowl {or i sometimes just layer it on top of my wet mix} add the remaining ingredients and combine.<br />
Add the liquid mix to the dry and whisk together till smooth. your batter will be quite thick.<br />
let sit for 5 minutes.<br />
Preheat your waffle maker. Once your maker is ready to go pour the batter on and enjoy!<br />
<br />
don't forget the maple syrup!!!<br />
makes approx. 24 square waffles.<br />
<br />
<i>ps: your house will smell divine - like you are swimming in a pumpkin pie!</i><br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-11102161776636766722013-09-16T13:39:00.003-04:002013-09-16T13:39:20.130-04:00playing along. {ali edward's week in the life.}this week i decided to play along with <a href="http://aliedwards.com/a-week-in-the-life" target="_blank">ali's edwards and her <i>week in the life</i> project.</a><br />
i love a project like this. i have been playing along with <a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/what-is-project-life.php" target="_blank">project life</a> for three years now but it doesn't get as in depth as this. doesn't get down to the nitty gritty. <i>well at least not mine.</i><br />
<br />
in the past years i have played along with her - this was not the first of it's kind - but it always involved a vacation.<br />
this year i thought we were ready to take charge of an ordinary week. {<i>and do it the same time as the group.</i>}<br />
to really focus on what it is we do day to day rather than what we plan for special family time.<br />
to really see how we live. <br />
<br />
it was awesome.<br />
<br />
it really made me realize how on the go we are but also how relaxed we are. we had some pretty busy days and some not so busy ones. we had lots of together time and precious quiet time.<br />
<br />
i was definetly more gung-ho at the beginning of the week and let only a few pictures tell the story by the end. it seemed the same with ali as well {maybe part of the process? who knows.} all i know is that this was the last time of september 9th to 15th where our kids are 6 and a half and 8 and we were glad to witness it all.<br />
<br />
it was a week of firsts - first irish dance class of the season, first ever pumpkin spice latte {and last}.<br />
it was a week of seconds - cooper's second swimming lesson ever! he's doing really well.<br />
it was a week of lasts - last baseball practice/get together of the season.<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">monday</span></span></u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">:</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMql-4IaijyKun6cVhvqkNyhNJa99HWGGWzm8-LWSvDPY3mRvx4-VW9Jb8nB5FTr-29T3APJTF365b5gXERUvB0Tl4D_bgHU8_S7_grhQTRAkn8OzvwMsO0qhYbix3B4GoOXXTIeAhh0/s1600/monday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMql-4IaijyKun6cVhvqkNyhNJa99HWGGWzm8-LWSvDPY3mRvx4-VW9Jb8nB5FTr-29T3APJTF365b5gXERUvB0Tl4D_bgHU8_S7_grhQTRAkn8OzvwMsO0qhYbix3B4GoOXXTIeAhh0/s640/monday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">tuesday</span></span></u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXtLnVWu6EzlnO7yCHorWUJOmmBsmM9eyAnkWoBH2-_KSgeDaCRITiuA7cQ5v8XCYMltbnnLttqJ122_etEGaH_zY_UHEkXbzGLWvL3Y-1EZEyMkt7BfhYz8_3onHitrMHb7BVVnhdvk/s1600/tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXtLnVWu6EzlnO7yCHorWUJOmmBsmM9eyAnkWoBH2-_KSgeDaCRITiuA7cQ5v8XCYMltbnnLttqJ122_etEGaH_zY_UHEkXbzGLWvL3Y-1EZEyMkt7BfhYz8_3onHitrMHb7BVVnhdvk/s640/tuesday.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">wednesday</span></span></u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> :</span></span><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdphNaphlF0jJmNMl689DURNJtwn6M0hSRC3LF-H106-7HcMwmiumbAV4qBHgZrKi3GP0RkZzW6dnqhGurCXjM43FftsWDRztwOYDfdcBf29ipZwJ_fE_upnHTY2iCBXiwWw3Zr16tx3g/s1600/wednesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdphNaphlF0jJmNMl689DURNJtwn6M0hSRC3LF-H106-7HcMwmiumbAV4qBHgZrKi3GP0RkZzW6dnqhGurCXjM43FftsWDRztwOYDfdcBf29ipZwJ_fE_upnHTY2iCBXiwWw3Zr16tx3g/s640/wednesday.jpg" width="562" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span></u> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">thursday</span></span></u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">:</span></span><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29jqfMz7aHIVd-u3q02o9rhb4fmjoQYUCtBqe2el-aMJux5_IXnj_nYmcoWDx72rF9fnyLr0DdDyM3_wEBH0CbRo1i6kfWCKhfR9Vb8Yh6Kiv_3yyXxjB83hw8DK5Lmns7Bo3uf4oSVw/s1600/thursday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29jqfMz7aHIVd-u3q02o9rhb4fmjoQYUCtBqe2el-aMJux5_IXnj_nYmcoWDx72rF9fnyLr0DdDyM3_wEBH0CbRo1i6kfWCKhfR9Vb8Yh6Kiv_3yyXxjB83hw8DK5Lmns7Bo3uf4oSVw/s640/thursday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>friday</u>:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNB7fL4EQkDG9-rReFOT3kIqoKXhnqJtcADaEL2s1Hcbymi0tz1fKOk-VeVl1LHb7h26CDJpNLVf-K4UGCNM2sSbTQutw-a-ewVL-Ho4vgwQCxl92X0D7l4T8q172dBFUvwakuMD1Mb0/s1600/friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNB7fL4EQkDG9-rReFOT3kIqoKXhnqJtcADaEL2s1Hcbymi0tz1fKOk-VeVl1LHb7h26CDJpNLVf-K4UGCNM2sSbTQutw-a-ewVL-Ho4vgwQCxl92X0D7l4T8q172dBFUvwakuMD1Mb0/s640/friday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u> </u></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>saturday</u>:<u> </u></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDTZvbp3lWFc1BlWCJhGFXVcAaQ6C4LCl_Rzudlpqbto61C8v2nqvj5lkcn_43hWMWp9c21zM_HR_fGo7Eg8rablvvDHY4zVAr6G2xb_2gJBQM17Vq3EJXjLag1cJeZeGcRTe7j1dauk/s1600/saturday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDTZvbp3lWFc1BlWCJhGFXVcAaQ6C4LCl_Rzudlpqbto61C8v2nqvj5lkcn_43hWMWp9c21zM_HR_fGo7Eg8rablvvDHY4zVAr6G2xb_2gJBQM17Vq3EJXjLag1cJeZeGcRTe7j1dauk/s640/saturday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>sunday</u>:<u> </u></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpB_UtU2ifoYmKrd5bf7N1xIzhxKO5sYuVZY6w7jQba1iCfYz7R2yoYFfKPz-Fo4WP3q-QMEIt1vrlztjmu5l1daqY2d4EDlxlL6WxSd70i5OeDbWyEXnIRdSJL3nNpJU3PsWDdR3ggI/s1600/sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpB_UtU2ifoYmKrd5bf7N1xIzhxKO5sYuVZY6w7jQba1iCfYz7R2yoYFfKPz-Fo4WP3q-QMEIt1vrlztjmu5l1daqY2d4EDlxlL6WxSd70i5OeDbWyEXnIRdSJL3nNpJU3PsWDdR3ggI/s640/sunday.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>all in all i took 277 photo's. </i><br />
<br />
it was a good week.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">*********************************************************************************************************** </span><br />
<br />
don't forget to vote for Experience the Wonderful up for the top 25 canadian mom bloggers!!<br />
Click on the button on the side bar or follow <a href="http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Canadian-Moms-2013?trk=t25_Top-25-Canadian-Moms-2013" target="_blank">this link!</a><br />
voting ends on September 25 at 4pm PST - That's only 8 days away!! And guess what?! you can vote every 24 hours!! pretty cool! <br />
thanks so much!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-45408819415980220642013-09-14T20:33:00.000-04:002013-09-14T20:33:10.980-04:00love is in the air.beautiful.<br />
gorgeous.<br />
wish i was there.<br />
<br />
this is love.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/l4HpWQmEXrM" width="420"></iframe>
Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-32797896835560803602013-09-11T09:09:00.000-04:002013-09-11T09:09:15.454-04:00campaigning for votes.it's that time of year again and here i am campaigning for your votes!!<br />
it's the Circle of Mom's annual top 25 Canadian Mom blogger awards!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.circleofmoms.com//top25/Top-25-Canadian-Moms-2013?trk=t25_Top-25-Canadian-Moms-2013" target="_blank" title="Circle of Moms Top 25 Canadian Moms - 2013 - Vote for me!"><img src="http://images3.circleofmoms.com/images/26848/moms/link_badge.png" title="Circle of Moms Top 25 Canadian Moms - 2013 - Vote for me!" /></a> </div>
<br />
Last year you all helped me cinch the 25th spot and this year i know we can do better.<br />
i know i wasn't around much lately but i have good personal excuses.<br />
but that's what they are...personal.<br />
i can hear you all screaming - please tell us!! we need to know!<br />
sorry...not going to happen.<br />
at least not this time.<br />
;) <br />
<br />
all you need to know is that i am back in top form and ready to be here for YOU!<br />
<br />
I have loads of exciting stuff planned and coming up but for right now i really need those votes!<br />
<br />
here how it works:<br />
<br />
- you follow the link <a href="http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Canadian-Moms-2013?trk=t25_Top-25-Canadian-Moms-2013" target="_blank">here </a>or by clicking on the above graphic or button on the side bar.<br />
- you find us, Experience the Wonderful, currently #43...hopefully a little higher when you go there.<br />
- click on "vote" and ta-da! the job is done!<br />
- one thing: your vote is reset every 24 hrs so you can at least vote 13 times in the next 13 days!! wow if everyone did that....well you get the picture! <br />
<br />
so there you go!<br />
don't let me keep you - please go vote!<br />
<br />
well i have to go and spackle the bathroom and you have to go vote!!<br />
<br />
go on now.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-41896232298625246352013-09-10T12:00:00.000-04:002013-09-10T12:00:40.994-04:00summer bucket list.like so many of you out there we tend to make a summer list. a wonderful shiny list of all the things we wish to accomplish this summer. i wish the list could be filled with things such as clean your rooms everyday, vacuum, wash windows, load dishwasher;<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh7X_IBKzk9AMAG2tAtt9IQphYjGXd0RV-Q3xlx-BWja1-NDlUOcskWoC_sCpR_MQTr0k4rwjLtYD678IcMbP6ijEP7VxJ7iE-iCk9GXwiLqzzrBuFbUBHUs42FOIzlsVzBoAqtyWiU0/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh7X_IBKzk9AMAG2tAtt9IQphYjGXd0RV-Q3xlx-BWja1-NDlUOcskWoC_sCpR_MQTr0k4rwjLtYD678IcMbP6ijEP7VxJ7iE-iCk9GXwiLqzzrBuFbUBHUs42FOIzlsVzBoAqtyWiU0/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
but alas this is not such a list.<br />
this is supposed to be a fun list! remember those?<br />
<br />
aydan and me sat down one day in late may at the ball field and thought up our summer to-do's. i tried to sneak one of the above mentioned items on the list but was quickly caught. i was told quite sternly that <i>"this was not that kind of list, mom!"</i> and had to take it at that.<br />
<br />
as i was surfing the net - as one does in this day and age - i came across some rather lovely lists. there was this one:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ_Jxkxw4WMJNCr-l198iPQC6RY9_s3XPziiYb184M1cvI6bvIDMJGNa4CRE6mEgGG3gShdUW-jcRMgqW4asHYEdCQXfbRBOiaIeD0_FzOaeQ4Kd9ks-G99sS7rIi4opqQ9kER4x_67A/s1600/IMG_5512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ_Jxkxw4WMJNCr-l198iPQC6RY9_s3XPziiYb184M1cvI6bvIDMJGNa4CRE6mEgGG3gShdUW-jcRMgqW4asHYEdCQXfbRBOiaIeD0_FzOaeQ4Kd9ks-G99sS7rIi4opqQ9kER4x_67A/s640/IMG_5512.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>by the talented and crafty <a href="http://icreatewithlove.blogspot.ca/2012/05/our-summer-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">emily</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
and this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/245235142181149345/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUq2MvVLB02EapsCliz8wo-XtJC4_hWdGGYpwY8i2a5cUjRiG-k9kOkskeBsisSbZ8vp1hEksx2SiS2YoVsKIMwUOEq9tTrMKPGb_UR9uIK271B4xZdWUb8QgwI0MJO_c0TeUaTC0bKg/s640/Picture+2.png" width="526" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>found on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/245235142181149345/" target="_blank">pinterest</a>. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
and this one is pretty awesome:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSp7IUyYHf8habL_ZzufWiJYRyVv0x_sjrAMPEWrV9vVH7AJs1lPajXUSHTuVZXiPULmQG24eD-XWfXIPtJelwUtqGG-7-xXbymMXFRAXAAEB9an_AiNizmUvfMckqwnjzKIWhK8EKN0/s1600/bucketlist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSp7IUyYHf8habL_ZzufWiJYRyVv0x_sjrAMPEWrV9vVH7AJs1lPajXUSHTuVZXiPULmQG24eD-XWfXIPtJelwUtqGG-7-xXbymMXFRAXAAEB9an_AiNizmUvfMckqwnjzKIWhK8EKN0/s640/bucketlist.jpg" width="402" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>from the incredibly talented <a href="http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/2011/06/the-summer-list.html" target="_blank">megan duerksen</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
these people obviously have nothing to do with their time. these people are miraculous. they have no worries in the world and everything they touch turns to gold.<br />
{i hate these people......}<br />
<br />
with these images i my mind i was determined that ours was going to look as good. we are creative people, no? we could totally pull this off.<br />
<br />
this was ours:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULZwk4jmy_ednujXukk_xh1L6jT6ifmJ_va0vl3686OacAXz091y7PfoiW73l98GrfELJxY8g8P4weTKB2tzbL3g-6_06Ac5_aUOwy-TqjqbitL5IQ8Dy-hAUDqJoI0JfNMnCVQAL1iE/s1600/IMG_1373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULZwk4jmy_ednujXukk_xh1L6jT6ifmJ_va0vl3686OacAXz091y7PfoiW73l98GrfELJxY8g8P4weTKB2tzbL3g-6_06Ac5_aUOwy-TqjqbitL5IQ8Dy-hAUDqJoI0JfNMnCVQAL1iE/s640/IMG_1373.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
sad, i know. the original scrap paper. the original list from that night at baseball simply taped up in the glasses cupboard. no markers. no poster board. no hoopla or fanfare.<br />
<br />
there was a plan to do all that....we were just too busy crossing things off the list!<br />
<br />
{when making the list we knew we were going on vacation so we added a few things specific to that time as well.}<br />
<br />
here's our list!<br />
<br />
1) <strike>swimming</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWgwU2qmWLI_AB7f0ukzRo56jjz04BbWqvuGtUuymTbvimVshcfntxM5A1LX10FZ-OYvfBRfm7kXkfpj-8lcUWMFp-M-YqngbUlN6gQTEa3J9Ge_wN5-gEhMr1RxWg6PPYG5yzmiG4gg/s1600/IMG_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWgwU2qmWLI_AB7f0ukzRo56jjz04BbWqvuGtUuymTbvimVshcfntxM5A1LX10FZ-OYvfBRfm7kXkfpj-8lcUWMFp-M-YqngbUlN6gQTEa3J9Ge_wN5-gEhMr1RxWg6PPYG5yzmiG4gg/s640/IMG_0161.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
2) go to the zoo<br />
3) <strike>go to the aquarium</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2Ck5ujzFNoNDcImdIA9QKOdguwBSyR6dzC0do1kpzt64nNeIKIQPicbX02RcPmSpM5_eFH0rtiyi1XnsQEsq0XXfyft1vU8jV5sI5iYOgeFfkaDPWFhSUX0y0L1FIrwTLYQSQUrMa0Q/s1600/2PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2Ck5ujzFNoNDcImdIA9QKOdguwBSyR6dzC0do1kpzt64nNeIKIQPicbX02RcPmSpM5_eFH0rtiyi1XnsQEsq0XXfyft1vU8jV5sI5iYOgeFfkaDPWFhSUX0y0L1FIrwTLYQSQUrMa0Q/s640/2PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
4) <strike>spend the day at the beach</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lnZi5HkBiU_jLR2crVh3iOQC8PLeCBpNoK4StDUxe_tUOFhB0UIcOoVGZ-NwkwTt-gh941P02DrBTAa6S7Z05S0IRnujdX85QDj3x98OrFLrYkgt2tw0BBas-19-D2jAWNplYbdYoK8/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lnZi5HkBiU_jLR2crVh3iOQC8PLeCBpNoK4StDUxe_tUOFhB0UIcOoVGZ-NwkwTt-gh941P02DrBTAa6S7Z05S0IRnujdX85QDj3x98OrFLrYkgt2tw0BBas-19-D2jAWNplYbdYoK8/s640/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
5) <a href="http://www.gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2013/08/vancouver-2013.html" target="_blank"><strike>go to vancouver</strike></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCutMM0v4jV2j2m15CbNdfUQko6zwXwJy9t2JomsDyzDgDLbi3oD1NsDsgUyB0eo-5SAz1Aw_bF3_GjjqduRM23MA3hnNq5zrjdyZA5m5zLcMRYyjm6J_mpdYlN0yxtFgEEzaHOokDpik/s1600/IMG_0510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCutMM0v4jV2j2m15CbNdfUQko6zwXwJy9t2JomsDyzDgDLbi3oD1NsDsgUyB0eo-5SAz1Aw_bF3_GjjqduRM23MA3hnNq5zrjdyZA5m5zLcMRYyjm6J_mpdYlN0yxtFgEEzaHOokDpik/s640/IMG_0510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
6) <a href="http://www.gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2013/08/kelowna-2013-part-1.html" target="_blank"><strike>go to kelowna</strike></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDlcHt6Wcl0QmRmnwK9MMfFYAugx2IXqa7uwzcXQiBNY79rp-9DQ6w4Pu7d9kZXtbQMgH-lZz8BHfcnOPdvm3D_VF96KmiQu8BuF0iAlO3ALoDA_g-cu4SD08FVk0ULZmoJ7AVPV0BrQ/s1600/IMG_1581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDlcHt6Wcl0QmRmnwK9MMfFYAugx2IXqa7uwzcXQiBNY79rp-9DQ6w4Pu7d9kZXtbQMgH-lZz8BHfcnOPdvm3D_VF96KmiQu8BuF0iAlO3ALoDA_g-cu4SD08FVk0ULZmoJ7AVPV0BrQ/s640/IMG_1581.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
7) <strike>make our own popsicles</strike><br />
8) <strike>bike riding</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSAwRZQmRrJhl5gd6SQW44HrpdWfVZTGkYUTX05lqUNFchyphenhyphen5aFG2CrRa9oGXxuKOxJUc-HGnqj0GTVdbYfaivetCUqdv9VvKWntofdnhh0pRartmS_HRlO0lZ11pECsqWCJjHjVZtp-A/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSAwRZQmRrJhl5gd6SQW44HrpdWfVZTGkYUTX05lqUNFchyphenhyphen5aFG2CrRa9oGXxuKOxJUc-HGnqj0GTVdbYfaivetCUqdv9VvKWntofdnhh0pRartmS_HRlO0lZ11pECsqWCJjHjVZtp-A/s640/IMG_1359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
9) carnival<br />
10) <strike>waterslides</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3qrETkHHm-IklVKu2KRQ_4sKH7x7FJUOSR6WfAxXie5OsQPzANMpjYLoZnJCZ2f6FBPp3sJOyXbsqpHhQzDvfAHtRGjMosS0F2NvYVvyvBxKx9ndPr3dqBtzK1quszXXsrSIrOsmc9k/s1600/DSCN0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3qrETkHHm-IklVKu2KRQ_4sKH7x7FJUOSR6WfAxXie5OsQPzANMpjYLoZnJCZ2f6FBPp3sJOyXbsqpHhQzDvfAHtRGjMosS0F2NvYVvyvBxKx9ndPr3dqBtzK1quszXXsrSIrOsmc9k/s640/DSCN0127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
11) <strike>go to the movies</strike><br />
12) tye-dye t-shirts<br />
13) <strike>do nothing</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLYbVpogxIsjvZagV3nTPqB5n7jgsEw6MoRPGkXYYmmSCtS38g56jHTnGkBh-QfrNV-_LfNs-idjavrBVV5S6YPPQgb9AOliIbqUX_7nQbkoYFmXp1dfbQySKq9VCudeznc9OUFJtpkk/s1600/IMG_1543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLYbVpogxIsjvZagV3nTPqB5n7jgsEw6MoRPGkXYYmmSCtS38g56jHTnGkBh-QfrNV-_LfNs-idjavrBVV5S6YPPQgb9AOliIbqUX_7nQbkoYFmXp1dfbQySKq9VCudeznc9OUFJtpkk/s640/IMG_1543.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
14) go to the states to go shopping<br />
15) 5k run<br />
16) <strike>Granville Island waterpark</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ01FtUJ-V11i5_0pJ8TZq7Fe4dN7imiPlGQxAOjAOktSMUw7e9-UZodl38EP6y7J6S-dPYTvbFUeQb_R0G4fxOxD8bdANlj4qOBcaxW4yujhwyUIhTuM9fx_wW1ugP-y2YpkGA_1rc8/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ01FtUJ-V11i5_0pJ8TZq7Fe4dN7imiPlGQxAOjAOktSMUw7e9-UZodl38EP6y7J6S-dPYTvbFUeQb_R0G4fxOxD8bdANlj4qOBcaxW4yujhwyUIhTuM9fx_wW1ugP-y2YpkGA_1rc8/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
17) <strike>firepit</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwukLstsULAG6Y9KXmDQ9FEFThEJATF1ck5HQvGqvYpZLt17KNDuNWqHU4nsasKvCDx6jvvnhghHFyGC7IG-EXZhrfcq3DgKqTyq7lTJ5WdHEGrAXucQj0Vm6eFeoHz9kKAlVlNsG8NcY/s1600/IMG_1676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwukLstsULAG6Y9KXmDQ9FEFThEJATF1ck5HQvGqvYpZLt17KNDuNWqHU4nsasKvCDx6jvvnhghHFyGC7IG-EXZhrfcq3DgKqTyq7lTJ5WdHEGrAXucQj0Vm6eFeoHz9kKAlVlNsG8NcY/s640/IMG_1676.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
18) La Ronde<br />
19) Bio-dome<br />
20) Mont Tremblant<br />
21) Ottawa<br />
22) Antiquiing<br />
23) Paint a canvas<br />
24) redo basement<br />
25) hang pictures<br />
26) <strike>blow bubbles</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWlga7kkFi3bv7CBleVOObkPRcAABtG4yQtWHT_nJ4fr1y_OxqOQLckHTDTDS42NktbYvfCsh4JDq-wrvRAIpmv7ADnyQj4q92NPIGOsVYhyZknDl7Cws-cu84ShcYgUm3gTd4WheLVI/s1600/IMG_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWlga7kkFi3bv7CBleVOObkPRcAABtG4yQtWHT_nJ4fr1y_OxqOQLckHTDTDS42NktbYvfCsh4JDq-wrvRAIpmv7ADnyQj4q92NPIGOsVYhyZknDl7Cws-cu84ShcYgUm3gTd4WheLVI/s640/IMG_0135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
27) Port Elgin<br />
28) <strike>fix up the backyard</strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtW3yryj53hI-22yK-umt3WXKigO7KQxQVOcK1guYI9eHGNJ9_5a1VKk83-nfkJmaD8HKIPKCVgJ0RmR4nYcHUKDAd5dz_HGoftR8jE3QnmuiPNFN2T8cHuZHbTsOvsN2oSzabOt8GABk/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtW3yryj53hI-22yK-umt3WXKigO7KQxQVOcK1guYI9eHGNJ9_5a1VKk83-nfkJmaD8HKIPKCVgJ0RmR4nYcHUKDAd5dz_HGoftR8jE3QnmuiPNFN2T8cHuZHbTsOvsN2oSzabOt8GABk/s640/IMG_0195.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
as you can see it was an ambitious list. some things we did. some we didn't. most of the things we didn't do actually were not summer specific, putting them on the list was just a little push to get them done so......maybe we should turn this into a "do before next summer" bucket list and knock the rest off.<br />
<br />
sounds like a plan.<br />
<br />
**********************************************************************************************************<br />
<br />
i also wanted to share this picture with y'all...we are all friends here right? we got rid of our old area rug...look how much better this room looks now! beautiful!<br />
{the dog crate is also gone...}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO1orWY7p3FrFN5kBZ3GWuzVF9NROlTJLA8TVUneahWwxqy3zL1lLc2AHVoka6a-h27Ms6FhzwrYiUAEbzxjjHHDydDgNbf0y34zHL4Dii0xrJ6W7fn0cwuNQH-KE_FroYx66t2JWAoY/s1600/IMG_1318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO1orWY7p3FrFN5kBZ3GWuzVF9NROlTJLA8TVUneahWwxqy3zL1lLc2AHVoka6a-h27Ms6FhzwrYiUAEbzxjjHHDydDgNbf0y34zHL4Dii0xrJ6W7fn0cwuNQH-KE_FroYx66t2JWAoY/s640/IMG_1318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
see ya later alligators!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-24829730086834669252013-09-03T17:50:00.000-04:002013-09-03T17:50:35.870-04:00first day of school this year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkvShrL3sULqPDYbw_CXFrzPTRAMONQDNk8ASGyw26kYrORqxuMd5POF_FYxmLqO_Kqm0LJAThdevBHzYQepq3uCgTZXX2vpVvrcKkidD4LMxwPh50dZHn3So-3zGy4oDLtkj436itzc/s1600/IMG_1295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkvShrL3sULqPDYbw_CXFrzPTRAMONQDNk8ASGyw26kYrORqxuMd5POF_FYxmLqO_Kqm0LJAThdevBHzYQepq3uCgTZXX2vpVvrcKkidD4LMxwPh50dZHn3So-3zGy4oDLtkj436itzc/s640/IMG_1295.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>this year</i> friday was the first day of school. {strange i know - had something to do with needing a certain number of days of school or some business.}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpF01XgQ1gs-YeuhDCe2JExGW08Bsr1f_Mp9mNRC8JZqpepW5YcpZKhNPY6N2afZZNVcD3kzFB-HNZaAwIUF0hYTj6TYpcf24UQKCRVv2u7mQnxNRdtTzYfBnOrtvXcHK5Kjm5jeBX1g/s1600/IMG_1296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpF01XgQ1gs-YeuhDCe2JExGW08Bsr1f_Mp9mNRC8JZqpepW5YcpZKhNPY6N2afZZNVcD3kzFB-HNZaAwIUF0hYTj6TYpcf24UQKCRVv2u7mQnxNRdtTzYfBnOrtvXcHK5Kjm5jeBX1g/s640/IMG_1296.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>this year</i> we are embarking on a new year with a grade one-er and a grade three-er. go eagles go!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYaUo4qeT0Us8jKbYUKCtUsaXAUKui8q5zzjfYebP7kufHDwo83aqRAV73Hpx5SbQ5DyH1-QQJYeY4ZHQx4kag8yozRdxvp3V0C4l0UsQMAWzwdaHBwiNKc7UU5a4GKvlNmra57trWQ4/s1600/IMG_1299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYaUo4qeT0Us8jKbYUKCtUsaXAUKui8q5zzjfYebP7kufHDwo83aqRAV73Hpx5SbQ5DyH1-QQJYeY4ZHQx4kag8yozRdxvp3V0C4l0UsQMAWzwdaHBwiNKc7UU5a4GKvlNmra57trWQ4/s640/IMG_1299.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>this year</i> is going to be the first year of a real hard-nosed mama and papa when it comes to homework and learning french. no if, and's or but's!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwaKOI85FDJtk15rcj4yC-vWGbinXxpqRul8vuO4xQ1Q9m2ILX-NIPpq1Kz4DBEqpRiVKy7GAlUFjkG8rZciH4UV5dYrAb_WOEz0WSuHrcF5XccIkrB-Uteg9PyTmW4WzmJaqfAwFm2I/s1600/IMG_1300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwaKOI85FDJtk15rcj4yC-vWGbinXxpqRul8vuO4xQ1Q9m2ILX-NIPpq1Kz4DBEqpRiVKy7GAlUFjkG8rZciH4UV5dYrAb_WOEz0WSuHrcF5XccIkrB-Uteg9PyTmW4WzmJaqfAwFm2I/s640/IMG_1300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kv3fxMUH5E6IMKQXSNmycRKF49qL43HBG41dMX6AG5lA-gA_s5yjUACFBJmlbkfWTcuK7NDe7tZQ8l52fFxbwa0A08pXvwZYVCoiSghDbswPdAJBYqqNtPspjM6OgAAizA8cUHhw7TY/s1600/IMG_1302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kv3fxMUH5E6IMKQXSNmycRKF49qL43HBG41dMX6AG5lA-gA_s5yjUACFBJmlbkfWTcuK7NDe7tZQ8l52fFxbwa0A08pXvwZYVCoiSghDbswPdAJBYqqNtPspjM6OgAAizA8cUHhw7TY/s640/IMG_1302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jclcepDt6dUMxvLwpF_2C2GyzQghey_2rfJaVooeWbvKoEWN4PXl40ikMzXCIFqR2VoA5byA9Kk-VZm2gxqHYhjSgeUmMkXPcWyPv4QfeSrMkoEy9MtxMYRCNiciPLWb26DWWYC5Td4/s1600/IMG_1303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jclcepDt6dUMxvLwpF_2C2GyzQghey_2rfJaVooeWbvKoEWN4PXl40ikMzXCIFqR2VoA5byA9Kk-VZm2gxqHYhjSgeUmMkXPcWyPv4QfeSrMkoEy9MtxMYRCNiciPLWb26DWWYC5Td4/s640/IMG_1303.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>this year</i>, for coop, is his first year at his OWN desk and to take care of his OWN things. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1xbFDazfI_4Ld76xdxy2GI74bYXtI2wtMIagmCLAXszH0kCv8a8NmRNV2THAgfu493M31X921GN4B-4Bo1DHCYwCT907wWHcoG7GXUORdQo5OCu4smQ8o_zkng3eOecaU3LZwxRGef8/s1600/IMG_1305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1xbFDazfI_4Ld76xdxy2GI74bYXtI2wtMIagmCLAXszH0kCv8a8NmRNV2THAgfu493M31X921GN4B-4Bo1DHCYwCT907wWHcoG7GXUORdQo5OCu4smQ8o_zkng3eOecaU3LZwxRGef8/s640/IMG_1305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9BvK9aRQETZkWb1Gz-0owcC2yPhMx1RDdAmS0BNXsnXG6BGGTeFo63g86DOukkD2LZS-HcHsOohg-_M22rueKh_xv6XW_XIXJ1JyOh-xRi_43DuXOwS6K6stdu_4G-pkoxQSGDu_Ryg/s1600/IMG_1308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9BvK9aRQETZkWb1Gz-0owcC2yPhMx1RDdAmS0BNXsnXG6BGGTeFo63g86DOukkD2LZS-HcHsOohg-_M22rueKh_xv6XW_XIXJ1JyOh-xRi_43DuXOwS6K6stdu_4G-pkoxQSGDu_Ryg/s640/IMG_1308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvHmDdInxHti4ApkFXzbJBp0gJoWDWo6JGZDcH9YziNDlvo8_Y0FXW4Awr7TFKQFqQUWRm3S3oy1kRZJFxdEIS1lgRQm8d8K1V3qiWKiJM_UgR5uxRcQ2Imx72RPTQObZO4SItvH5BSw/s1600/IMG_1311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvHmDdInxHti4ApkFXzbJBp0gJoWDWo6JGZDcH9YziNDlvo8_Y0FXW4Awr7TFKQFqQUWRm3S3oy1kRZJFxdEIS1lgRQm8d8K1V3qiWKiJM_UgR5uxRcQ2Imx72RPTQObZO4SItvH5BSw/s640/IMG_1311.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>this year</i> started with confidence. last year started with a little nervousness
for one little boy and possibly some tears for one grown mama.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsii2lj3TYmQ1ojw0ZqtI4cu1ejM643wFA0D7A5FLKG7RNHmEarFeIcsIIlJ-CO0-evSXDM_N3aH88sicrdiFzEWKtoxcLfcIUxoKvxKifL9xoiW21ctvG9zYscAiWhphNnTnLBbPq_B8/s1600/IMG_1307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsii2lj3TYmQ1ojw0ZqtI4cu1ejM643wFA0D7A5FLKG7RNHmEarFeIcsIIlJ-CO0-evSXDM_N3aH88sicrdiFzEWKtoxcLfcIUxoKvxKifL9xoiW21ctvG9zYscAiWhphNnTnLBbPq_B8/s640/IMG_1307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntiTdln674LSkl61wk1Wo0UooiLu0FmdNFploJOzcV6pzqhD70cIuKIrL1Hb6Qkn14y4Nr7ni3wYugRT73Uy5yptMEs0vFhjIbuqEHmSZYI6h_QOEsFq8p4ls6ynkQg9bce-b-dhRXEY/s1600/IMG_1313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntiTdln674LSkl61wk1Wo0UooiLu0FmdNFploJOzcV6pzqhD70cIuKIrL1Hb6Qkn14y4Nr7ni3wYugRT73Uy5yptMEs0vFhjIbuqEHmSZYI6h_QOEsFq8p4ls6ynkQg9bce-b-dhRXEY/s640/IMG_1313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>this year</i> is going to be fun.<br />
<br />
<i>this year</i> is going to be trying.<br />
<br />
<i>this year</i> is going to be memorable.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>this year</i>, i was the one you could hear cheering as she exited the parking lot.<br />
for reals.<br />
<br />
;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-50169410042569038702013-08-30T10:07:00.000-04:002013-08-30T10:07:31.319-04:00kelowna 2013 | part 2the homestretch...i promise.<br />
<br />
after saying some goodbye's on saturday, our brother-in-law wanted to take us up <a href="http://www.kelownamountainbridges.com/" target="_blank">kelowna mountain</a> to show us what an eccentric man has been up to on his own. supposidely he has been building suspension bridges all on his own in what was explained to us as his backyard - the undeveloped "mountain" space. what we happened upon was not that. since the time my brother-in-law was last there and now, he has gotten a little help and the place has been transformed. we got to tour the space which includes a grand welcome hall, unbelievable sitting area with a spectacular view of the lake and city and 5 suspension bridges. they are planning for a ski hill, skating rink AND winery.<br />
very ambitious but pretty cool to tour. the kids loved it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ok4EwKwT9ivXh0NbJ3cBPZ_7kC5282Y3PvqDoxl00IisC4txfBdmh9pnC_PXzSiM1dnCsx4GSW-Tq_d874RnjyI-dIXz2UKcGBTfIOohL5XdsbrzGJENAIML4rq66CJUGf_TYiK5Umw/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ok4EwKwT9ivXh0NbJ3cBPZ_7kC5282Y3PvqDoxl00IisC4txfBdmh9pnC_PXzSiM1dnCsx4GSW-Tq_d874RnjyI-dIXz2UKcGBTfIOohL5XdsbrzGJENAIML4rq66CJUGf_TYiK5Umw/s640/IMG_0963.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadWSIE-FB_PPXi9y0IQwssLUC2prPqevC2rziyaCywQ6g_txZq5fRiNMRLwg7TTWbAE0QhxTymMmGrOHHWYcitgYaV97nya7h31kCHdZOVIXoVwYNzvrBkXs1wSoB6Yf-jbqyKAThLpo/s1600/IMG_0970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadWSIE-FB_PPXi9y0IQwssLUC2prPqevC2rziyaCywQ6g_txZq5fRiNMRLwg7TTWbAE0QhxTymMmGrOHHWYcitgYaV97nya7h31kCHdZOVIXoVwYNzvrBkXs1wSoB6Yf-jbqyKAThLpo/s640/IMG_0970.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV42ydwV1dSu8q5utc65EQCPhCgkbUePv_EMU2oBn-NN7eQ_9Gmxt5F8jeiLtoepsn4NtxcjZfvsrMrsanFpxSsqzinPLBjFsVaCoSeYgDvA0v2mJIt-yyOku7gJC6a19Oc1PwWocQWE/s1600/IMG_0971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV42ydwV1dSu8q5utc65EQCPhCgkbUePv_EMU2oBn-NN7eQ_9Gmxt5F8jeiLtoepsn4NtxcjZfvsrMrsanFpxSsqzinPLBjFsVaCoSeYgDvA0v2mJIt-yyOku7gJC6a19Oc1PwWocQWE/s640/IMG_0971.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj9_DyjPxMXXT10EtxugZXcKkHc5SlXkRl2jLLQsvUPEoQxBiz3fgL_hzJrJebl7tjFt18wteUPjA0x8OjiZ2bxt8vMdu9iuaLC6nNGmDLa94s8eCXMUlvqC_j5TNcGX2AMyv2-nnEwY/s1600/IMG_0977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj9_DyjPxMXXT10EtxugZXcKkHc5SlXkRl2jLLQsvUPEoQxBiz3fgL_hzJrJebl7tjFt18wteUPjA0x8OjiZ2bxt8vMdu9iuaLC6nNGmDLa94s8eCXMUlvqC_j5TNcGX2AMyv2-nnEwY/s400/IMG_0977.jpg" width="266" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRf3_1FjAQWqwc8SGZLvhMVJZ_DtMDQi_K_2CtCDopLtCE_9kvUgxdFEDFsBEBukui9uwFGw7CWtNm-zLN1ZjtUOH-h1ysWBlMrOtkhzsJcnvV1wQ-UVT7UhXO7hcrOnix_bpf2wXAqc/s400/IMG_0978.jpg" width="266" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIwAYXynVKX6GfT-cpU2vCxqalbcl5qajwTf49PzfUIDjwnPBONulJIozngq-4_oiG0OjhwP6hx8eG53zddMYdvLqq_MwtcECAUAeRhXaTgHSGA4rJgGPfk2bdI2cuEcnJPUiJ-IYBn4/s1600/IMG_0991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIwAYXynVKX6GfT-cpU2vCxqalbcl5qajwTf49PzfUIDjwnPBONulJIozngq-4_oiG0OjhwP6hx8eG53zddMYdvLqq_MwtcECAUAeRhXaTgHSGA4rJgGPfk2bdI2cuEcnJPUiJ-IYBn4/s640/IMG_0991.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and of course we then retired to the pool.....{this has solidified for us that the next house we are moving into HAS to have an inground pool}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLcAHF-qb7o78jFkNIJMhqeIZeyCHrxyWkruTAyITzmmzpIDUkBoaP9wSCoP_W-T6sOo2PMtai88FUzZasVh2vmKDxbPR9O75HxfWQqNf5qM2UrgajuMIHWyitWXWh3PSrQ9KQ2s4DbI/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagepool+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLcAHF-qb7o78jFkNIJMhqeIZeyCHrxyWkruTAyITzmmzpIDUkBoaP9wSCoP_W-T6sOo2PMtai88FUzZasVh2vmKDxbPR9O75HxfWQqNf5qM2UrgajuMIHWyitWXWh3PSrQ9KQ2s4DbI/s640/PicMonkey+Collagepool+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RJZJK0otk6RUbceLXV1RFTsNX7jstj5YkRD4Pd-rHsuV7uIbwYunOdSuL3w8_XhrDjJunG_3bWHhEaT_YDp5mujf7_soyO317CyW9VL1nXyWP1N4IEpXvQPMGLZgt16cOHCKtvedVcU/s1600/poolPicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RJZJK0otk6RUbceLXV1RFTsNX7jstj5YkRD4Pd-rHsuV7uIbwYunOdSuL3w8_XhrDjJunG_3bWHhEaT_YDp5mujf7_soyO317CyW9VL1nXyWP1N4IEpXvQPMGLZgt16cOHCKtvedVcU/s640/poolPicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
sunday brought along more goodbyes and one more excuse to jump on the boat and tour the lake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioPsGTV4ov0DFRqwHP-V2-7PmOZ3IRDJBnrpHOHOALQ3_ZndGmLMtDPBD_Rx7KNU52xpp2ltzHKAAflopNg8HgS2hVH8EBz5YF-T7s3YBKni8l_9i38eFQUoOVd_UN2FTX51SIeDrWlc/s1600/IMG_0995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioPsGTV4ov0DFRqwHP-V2-7PmOZ3IRDJBnrpHOHOALQ3_ZndGmLMtDPBD_Rx7KNU52xpp2ltzHKAAflopNg8HgS2hVH8EBz5YF-T7s3YBKni8l_9i38eFQUoOVd_UN2FTX51SIeDrWlc/s640/IMG_0995.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_8OTnEqLpj84umQB07hn5GdOadbmURg_ADo-t2cNJBJz6enP3TbYyedn6FS0cpPAE6ehH35T-GiEd9TssOqvW00P1H_4TzGF7uZQoBd_UIAcgucWMhTM7kB9w1x9_alnxyuaM1I2OD4/s1600/IMG_0998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_8OTnEqLpj84umQB07hn5GdOadbmURg_ADo-t2cNJBJz6enP3TbYyedn6FS0cpPAE6ehH35T-GiEd9TssOqvW00P1H_4TzGF7uZQoBd_UIAcgucWMhTM7kB9w1x9_alnxyuaM1I2OD4/s640/IMG_0998.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
the morning was gorgeous and then the weather turned and was not exactly on our side but not too terrible. we muscled through it, sped across the lake, admired the gorgeous homes on the waterfront and finally found blue sky. we stopped to picnic and have a dip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQbPyG41pKUuGr2MuGhWcbmp7xLEywo2hyphenhypheny4AUHH98V1d4W9_DbPYmDSiysNv7HKqC0tZXnO1ew4RIAv1chuD1nHBlmFCQkitPhA2YjO_KqJFKIAAw7psj-Zx8FuzGJ4gZGhV486NQfQ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collageboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQbPyG41pKUuGr2MuGhWcbmp7xLEywo2hyphenhypheny4AUHH98V1d4W9_DbPYmDSiysNv7HKqC0tZXnO1ew4RIAv1chuD1nHBlmFCQkitPhA2YjO_KqJFKIAAw7psj-Zx8FuzGJ4gZGhV486NQfQ/s640/PicMonkey+Collageboat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia17NAqYuFfDwe74NGhsp0YBAJYCM8NFLzA_douSyfXmJ4skEnXHGPGie7pyzH8hdHlDGDtPZXy34i5stANF46KGWLRZ2K84NdlBV7pCVHXRL5YgdGM49ym-9Kdnhyphenhyphenf4IMEUqUVs8hkg/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagewater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhia17NAqYuFfDwe74NGhsp0YBAJYCM8NFLzA_douSyfXmJ4skEnXHGPGie7pyzH8hdHlDGDtPZXy34i5stANF46KGWLRZ2K84NdlBV7pCVHXRL5YgdGM49ym-9Kdnhyphenhyphenf4IMEUqUVs8hkg/s640/PicMonkey+Collagewater.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCYx4wED3wbNUj5C6NAUBtYylBbUoGc2v_ry7g-URZiMpujTVgfc5470LvbV20MjQlG0lhjmFXzRhr7TAJLO-qMgqeJl-b3bAo84Iu0-vS9PwaxL4T2ChTySDfLnCjlg1OJ7LIQNzF_s/s1600/IMG_1039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCYx4wED3wbNUj5C6NAUBtYylBbUoGc2v_ry7g-URZiMpujTVgfc5470LvbV20MjQlG0lhjmFXzRhr7TAJLO-qMgqeJl-b3bAo84Iu0-vS9PwaxL4T2ChTySDfLnCjlg1OJ7LIQNzF_s/s640/IMG_1039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
i am so proud of this little boy we like to call cooper. not only has he come in strides to conquering his fear of water - he dunked his head under the water! he trusted in a floation device! - he now decided it was quite alright to join his sister and uncle in a deep water lake dip. unbelievable.<br />
<br />
monday we were lucky enough to have friends, that we were not able to see in vancouver as they were vacationing in hawaii - poor them! ha!, come up for the day for a visit. once again, the kids got on as famously as they once did and it's sad that they are not a presence in our day to day life. we took to the lake and found an area with a flying fox on both land and into the water. as we sat there watching the acrobatics - once again coop shocking us with his courage and us in awe of his strides, and seeing the sun bounce off the water i thought to myself - this is pretty close to paradise. a little slice we really got to enjoy and i am thankful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-GtpUwcCOWktBGNUQquJfO04F2CWMBfqxfxPFO8eUM17xq_FZ0mSUfjgeNENIWooTQ3HcTItOqaSp7_725gBDhXIk_7HzBHhy2KBCPZ710rI_HRqnXL6-I5vXZ-Fl5YdrHDk7lE7GKE/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagebeach2kelowna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-GtpUwcCOWktBGNUQquJfO04F2CWMBfqxfxPFO8eUM17xq_FZ0mSUfjgeNENIWooTQ3HcTItOqaSp7_725gBDhXIk_7HzBHhy2KBCPZ710rI_HRqnXL6-I5vXZ-Fl5YdrHDk7lE7GKE/s640/PicMonkey+Collagebeach2kelowna.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD5oJJs03ZsUso8gXblpbqxKzEBSctVMOz_rkXZMAyH_pKSlGSz4ets7tPjeWBCO7eYUXFxAYn5RMu64r88RPMvvHcAFZ0JSP9oCO1cSoL4Cp_6_JRYMRw7bvsBcigeR1eHwUyE6_7KI/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagebeach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD5oJJs03ZsUso8gXblpbqxKzEBSctVMOz_rkXZMAyH_pKSlGSz4ets7tPjeWBCO7eYUXFxAYn5RMu64r88RPMvvHcAFZ0JSP9oCO1cSoL4Cp_6_JRYMRw7bvsBcigeR1eHwUyE6_7KI/s640/PicMonkey+Collagebeach2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hcsuXUtyEPzYf5FDT8-0lnjgTKe69wJgVt0I0rTWuvueoCnZ0xc2wJvIeqIO1zadSG4jgnDOXV7EFDWGW5uXy9ixj2oeXGAH390n-yQsqG_cYOlSDKfUTuXIE7VZ3djqcrxboBV3Vhk/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagebeach3kelowna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hcsuXUtyEPzYf5FDT8-0lnjgTKe69wJgVt0I0rTWuvueoCnZ0xc2wJvIeqIO1zadSG4jgnDOXV7EFDWGW5uXy9ixj2oeXGAH390n-yQsqG_cYOlSDKfUTuXIE7VZ3djqcrxboBV3Vhk/s640/PicMonkey+Collagebeach3kelowna.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzj0bCdFQ41UOT6oDGVH-u7f26ksYdiM_hgAHkfVmPy5g_yB4K7IV6Vh_O8L3sPPdKNz-cGEQ8dpdFd9cpjxSkVu-OVUpEIuwq3ojpn169km9cWup2h6tPn-o-wy_jlD1N9NT7_DQL5o/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagebeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzj0bCdFQ41UOT6oDGVH-u7f26ksYdiM_hgAHkfVmPy5g_yB4K7IV6Vh_O8L3sPPdKNz-cGEQ8dpdFd9cpjxSkVu-OVUpEIuwq3ojpn169km9cWup2h6tPn-o-wy_jlD1N9NT7_DQL5o/s640/PicMonkey+Collagebeach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W_ZKCrz-FqWb2BKPL5zpJRaFszhthNqZ9O8DceC3PJe7jZ2XU3vr02MBHRaT2exsXfwhHeUmjAkfd2asVVst0-n99zmRzuLpJzC8QD-BvfX5BUFm8272eqRvx95MyDFlDU0LZIWvJus/s1600/IMG_1553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W_ZKCrz-FqWb2BKPL5zpJRaFszhthNqZ9O8DceC3PJe7jZ2XU3vr02MBHRaT2exsXfwhHeUmjAkfd2asVVst0-n99zmRzuLpJzC8QD-BvfX5BUFm8272eqRvx95MyDFlDU0LZIWvJus/s640/IMG_1553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimljTwA7lwyes8GzPwa4psy8roPHLMS-mGPWZci5dzsZEs_YW0G5A98uELV9I-FSFHjf-xpqceIgpI2DG1DEZYMu3W7EyAI5NMOePnFMmygG6oyz06f9K4ym_AUN-L98db1xkpFgUc7Y/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagedinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimljTwA7lwyes8GzPwa4psy8roPHLMS-mGPWZci5dzsZEs_YW0G5A98uELV9I-FSFHjf-xpqceIgpI2DG1DEZYMu3W7EyAI5NMOePnFMmygG6oyz06f9K4ym_AUN-L98db1xkpFgUc7Y/s640/PicMonkey+Collagedinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7503ujFsxCjlP1hzAzwf4-XAnblsYpLRTCsUcKUJX6PQ3dVeE7dzC8K72JWbhWhWXPn17uAzoJt8UA6OkMC98i51glJptU9TOJRl0jC-03jQqwyq5xJ3WkroVS4XG6zDOMms32Yzhrkg/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7503ujFsxCjlP1hzAzwf4-XAnblsYpLRTCsUcKUJX6PQ3dVeE7dzC8K72JWbhWhWXPn17uAzoJt8UA6OkMC98i51glJptU9TOJRl0jC-03jQqwyq5xJ3WkroVS4XG6zDOMms32Yzhrkg/s640/IMG_1101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
tuesday cooper and me played hooky for the morning and took off for peachland. located on the otherside of the lake it was not too far of a drive. this is where my grandfather is buried. i haven't been back for 10 years and i was beginning to wonder if i would ever get back, so for me this was an important visit. i was very happy coop came with me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCF7x0jTzImhY3A6JAPzuJd2HNFt5rSXRiy-1KPQVlvj_8cpIrjEDldLm-x3zv7wta3PF9Sqd7eqleXfNm2FmtKHKGeU0aNXG5I6oC23JtxpP97TU5blfellwGnUBiMJisaN0PlV8Znk/s1600/IMG_1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCF7x0jTzImhY3A6JAPzuJd2HNFt5rSXRiy-1KPQVlvj_8cpIrjEDldLm-x3zv7wta3PF9Sqd7eqleXfNm2FmtKHKGeU0aNXG5I6oC23JtxpP97TU5blfellwGnUBiMJisaN0PlV8Znk/s640/IMG_1102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
the rest of the day was a pool day. the kids got to have a day with their gg & aunt tracy pretty much to themselves and it was an awesome thing to witness. they all played in the pool together. they broke out the underwater camera and put it to good use with photo's and video - i had no idea it took video! it was an impulse buy before we left after i was asked for their own iphone. i probed as to why they want their own phone it came to the fact that they want to take their own photo's. i decided a camera was a better solution and <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Nikon-COOLPIX-Waterproof-Digital-Camera/dp/B00BQ10NWC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1377871436&sr=1-1&keywords=Nikon+COOLPIX+S31+10.1+MP+Waterproof+Digital+Camera+with+720p+HD+Video+%28Blue%29" target="_blank">found this one</a> - waterproof. shockproof. perfect.<br />
{i couldn't figure out how to load the video...another post for another day!} <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC80CaHDFud9UCEmhM8IAGwNMGtk2Cffnx4HIhZ8TkxNchhf6NY0YzhXWQz4cP3H1oITskIHhT0eOrwTJk3ikoe7UIl8-Z8HD0S7mXWKK3muxbgijUBmg9stu6Kw9kpTp7TZ_Bl_jZF8/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagetuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC80CaHDFud9UCEmhM8IAGwNMGtk2Cffnx4HIhZ8TkxNchhf6NY0YzhXWQz4cP3H1oITskIHhT0eOrwTJk3ikoe7UIl8-Z8HD0S7mXWKK3muxbgijUBmg9stu6Kw9kpTp7TZ_Bl_jZF8/s640/PicMonkey+Collagetuesday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FLS4sw4OsMU64oy-wlJ_EJvpP7B6zbgnSsLqVYwuyjEzr6Oeqr-irx569HWSR0Xo8JlMaBLte6j-_DJTUS3RyE0ogRkhMUrgGx_lSXJFEtPiYX3OoLS5G3FYH5Wga5QcaTWiQ074j0Q/s1600/tuesdayPicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FLS4sw4OsMU64oy-wlJ_EJvpP7B6zbgnSsLqVYwuyjEzr6Oeqr-irx569HWSR0Xo8JlMaBLte6j-_DJTUS3RyE0ogRkhMUrgGx_lSXJFEtPiYX3OoLS5G3FYH5Wga5QcaTWiQ074j0Q/s640/tuesdayPicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z-gIoyEGm7i0XTH0peDcBE-6FvNOVfw3c0lfZs5A1hVKksgQ1w1E8l4uFIeMM9a1wANDVA_v1VhPSgih4ECeU16Uyo6sZtNtRct4fgV_nQGohuwBO_hJSC3kp7-GgJatpUSN0GouLdE/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagetuesday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z-gIoyEGm7i0XTH0peDcBE-6FvNOVfw3c0lfZs5A1hVKksgQ1w1E8l4uFIeMM9a1wANDVA_v1VhPSgih4ECeU16Uyo6sZtNtRct4fgV_nQGohuwBO_hJSC3kp7-GgJatpUSN0GouLdE/s640/PicMonkey+Collagetuesday2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdS_iMn40zldqfa2rPd2WShETA7kz0EieoBIl08Tsr_KCUE4y1SfADsujvALd_Ljw1ZGUW8njtMjOoamGAa5_ff76gt52A23Gdb6lhBGaMNeBu10CZE0l0AEFWV0Kd1e2wmmULNNskl4/s1600/IMG_1113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdS_iMn40zldqfa2rPd2WShETA7kz0EieoBIl08Tsr_KCUE4y1SfADsujvALd_Ljw1ZGUW8njtMjOoamGAa5_ff76gt52A23Gdb6lhBGaMNeBu10CZE0l0AEFWV0Kd1e2wmmULNNskl4/s640/IMG_1113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
wedenesday was our last day in the valley and this was our vernon day. that's where most of my extended family lives. it's also the town where my grandmother is buried. she was very important to me growing up {as was my grandfather - yes they are not buried together...long story but they were married for 55 years and loved each other very much.} and aydan actually has her name {aydan georgia betty - my grandma's name was betty.} we had a few hours in vernon and were able to visit with my cousin heather and her kids. my aunt stacey dropped by but i was not able to hook up with anyone else - bummer - but that's only another reason to get us back there!! {i put the slurpee picture in there as this is the kids first slurpee ever - there is a lack of 7-11's out here in quebec and they have had imitation slurpee's but there is nothing like the real thing! my husband would disagree though...}<br />
we had one last great sunset in kelowna then it was off to vancouver!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRL2w0T_Rlnk481Rt4-vCe_MQCDtVfghu951o_akRGGMffBTobKyiFqj56chaosc_Sgu2RSY5LMt02ecF2RbANchE0W6aekugeuV8X53YijDKE2TevYYSQSUTeEQ3dootcVYXvsRQZ-g/s1600/IMG_1116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRL2w0T_Rlnk481Rt4-vCe_MQCDtVfghu951o_akRGGMffBTobKyiFqj56chaosc_Sgu2RSY5LMt02ecF2RbANchE0W6aekugeuV8X53YijDKE2TevYYSQSUTeEQ3dootcVYXvsRQZ-g/s640/IMG_1116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDErd4rabOxx4BhQJ53W1M4GnwgHeo5ZEFL3wYLyyL2xcfyd-CMomrS6dqWl-APDEze2pkX6_hWHgHXX96FaN5q5lUxjUcD7rH_kbksjQvimn3pkNBUrftsHXqcnZN5gIkIHt3BRxqCQ/s1600/IMG_1121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDErd4rabOxx4BhQJ53W1M4GnwgHeo5ZEFL3wYLyyL2xcfyd-CMomrS6dqWl-APDEze2pkX6_hWHgHXX96FaN5q5lUxjUcD7rH_kbksjQvimn3pkNBUrftsHXqcnZN5gIkIHt3BRxqCQ/s640/IMG_1121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFij7QbLochq9EYreIQwf66U744avaVJOyz-kD4qNq9clmV92WmigssqkEynsZqYSxDJgVo5ORwtylfVGsout36zyRHqjQGZET666OqlQRzeBx_z5Q4KOiKBbS3fjXx_2rqLcw4EpXd8/s1600/slurpeesPicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFij7QbLochq9EYreIQwf66U744avaVJOyz-kD4qNq9clmV92WmigssqkEynsZqYSxDJgVo5ORwtylfVGsout36zyRHqjQGZET666OqlQRzeBx_z5Q4KOiKBbS3fjXx_2rqLcw4EpXd8/s640/slurpeesPicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIigr6JHLQkJAykh8uIuPljw7LlcIbXt54NHIakTvvukYznIj1EvtGtIzvdCuvpuQaC1gyuO_9_qnhLRAYXLxStZ7KZLFt_cb6Yl0cN67s_eyYWb6VAyZxVPl4aNwJeqwFzj0YIX1-Iu4/s1600/IMG_1139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIigr6JHLQkJAykh8uIuPljw7LlcIbXt54NHIakTvvukYznIj1EvtGtIzvdCuvpuQaC1gyuO_9_qnhLRAYXLxStZ7KZLFt_cb6Yl0cN67s_eyYWb6VAyZxVPl4aNwJeqwFzj0YIX1-Iu4/s640/IMG_1139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXDA5xXNy8g88dQ5F5vzloHCduo7Wv4qNYTjkZYW6bVEIQrtjmvh4jB0vkWO9Lnkb3GZNIGFZKI9hToKlE7kOibcMxLck1fTXiRfWXHN7ewvngT0ypv313oSftUK2Ian2bDNZ9UI4r5o/s1600/IMG_1581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXDA5xXNy8g88dQ5F5vzloHCduo7Wv4qNYTjkZYW6bVEIQrtjmvh4jB0vkWO9Lnkb3GZNIGFZKI9hToKlE7kOibcMxLck1fTXiRfWXHN7ewvngT0ypv313oSftUK2Ian2bDNZ9UI4r5o/s640/IMG_1581.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
thursday we got to see my dad for one last visit consisting of a hamburger eating contest at fat burger - classic greg - and a tour of the city ending up back at granville island.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDCfoJ2mh5eLYrrbXba27PBhENwAyq8Lq3wYQNe8UtpCsTGdbqDXCV3vYnk2-yuubBSxVLsr9-Q6Yqtk2ioj_0y_Ab6DBDSameoq1J8baX5Ulu16OSyAI0Ec4nuibByugMsLq4e3FCl0/s1600/IMG_1582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDCfoJ2mh5eLYrrbXba27PBhENwAyq8Lq3wYQNe8UtpCsTGdbqDXCV3vYnk2-yuubBSxVLsr9-Q6Yqtk2ioj_0y_Ab6DBDSameoq1J8baX5Ulu16OSyAI0Ec4nuibByugMsLq4e3FCl0/s640/IMG_1582.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG_HOoX8SAlxINzLnERhNdgAbR9TLdJl50CEW_F_cDNQq1NulCGn64U-MuD0ilQ6TDLOv9mS92ehbJA-fklzElyMkOa1GgTEp_tWLTapb1RKkCMkVxC8nLgET9q-jEq__VnHDkANWTvs/s1600/IMG_1585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG_HOoX8SAlxINzLnERhNdgAbR9TLdJl50CEW_F_cDNQq1NulCGn64U-MuD0ilQ6TDLOv9mS92ehbJA-fklzElyMkOa1GgTEp_tWLTapb1RKkCMkVxC8nLgET9q-jEq__VnHDkANWTvs/s640/IMG_1585.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK4bIiS3tkFfQVfyjnljLAR2a35122-PK_Uk7l3p0c2o-rGgvh-dPuUogakSatqmQVdKkt71SqUvubUhKNlWMQkVYtD1G_YUOrde2g7JJgjw6JOrDgcoKcLfHoosD3zEOE7JC3tSrzGs/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagevan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK4bIiS3tkFfQVfyjnljLAR2a35122-PK_Uk7l3p0c2o-rGgvh-dPuUogakSatqmQVdKkt71SqUvubUhKNlWMQkVYtD1G_YUOrde2g7JJgjw6JOrDgcoKcLfHoosD3zEOE7JC3tSrzGs/s640/PicMonkey+Collagevan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
we were married there 8 years ago so it was fitting that we went to that exact spot and snapped some photo's.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpRdvGe8f5WCZAOjARxEV3DUjGpWtvgbJ6oHwfyNJQEdcYQgtGP_RI1fcvGlZhFL28QSQfXLpvw4RHuAaDQJbvmn9cJYWrRiNHq89N3_JkaNgXjabo7LX36y5wgQdJyFdmlnO-NMfOvQ/s1600/IMG_1589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpRdvGe8f5WCZAOjARxEV3DUjGpWtvgbJ6oHwfyNJQEdcYQgtGP_RI1fcvGlZhFL28QSQfXLpvw4RHuAaDQJbvmn9cJYWrRiNHq89N3_JkaNgXjabo7LX36y5wgQdJyFdmlnO-NMfOvQ/s640/IMG_1589.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
also it was a time for my dad to play with the kids - he sure is spry for a 66 year old! {tony was certain that at one point we were going to have to call the paramedics! ha!}<br />
it was one of those rare nights where you could walk along the water without a sweater. it was so enjoyable and one of those nights that tugs on your heartstrings. i'm not sure if we are ever going to be back and it was hard to say goodbye.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE7RI311gKHPXvx8uGqE6lRakgGyzwmX4qHqBzl2Y16DfWQl5nZ0ARXsj0TydOKPrb3wSA2s2zhv7BlLA_ja-mhzKyFjsZInrf8-jkwf00GlgllscCW8SDlY7wRK2jmvFJ9Ummju-mSU/s1600/IMG_1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE7RI311gKHPXvx8uGqE6lRakgGyzwmX4qHqBzl2Y16DfWQl5nZ0ARXsj0TydOKPrb3wSA2s2zhv7BlLA_ja-mhzKyFjsZInrf8-jkwf00GlgllscCW8SDlY7wRK2jmvFJ9Ummju-mSU/s640/IMG_1150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPC5IURJrtQQ97wXNPBzu2UkFNGp36nU1svQMiZ1MNmNqmPqxscnRtmmpgiAWwGAHb5_xv8bKrHv8HvZ0CecQJDySJfOPv6V2ysSv72w2mX2qUfd6SFkTIkueUNx6fTE3kDfF8Y_Kb0k/s1600/IMG_1594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPC5IURJrtQQ97wXNPBzu2UkFNGp36nU1svQMiZ1MNmNqmPqxscnRtmmpgiAWwGAHb5_xv8bKrHv8HvZ0CecQJDySJfOPv6V2ysSv72w2mX2qUfd6SFkTIkueUNx6fTE3kDfF8Y_Kb0k/s640/IMG_1594.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
friday we left. simple as that. and of course it was a gorgeous day and of course we wanted to plant our feet, pout and stomp till we were told we could stay.<br />
but it didn't happen.<br />
bummer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeMkL8BkgHIBfF21T30QMfpfP-getYs1rD3h0oD1h5aWb_N2oN1D7VoUYOmhvEG-Sv-jcEqiO1cIY468MgmJ9rnuWpCfx0OLH5NeaA7FfyzY8yN9klOliHaZ5vvhhyphenhyphenr6xgVCv50jsSxc/s1600/IMG_1166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeMkL8BkgHIBfF21T30QMfpfP-getYs1rD3h0oD1h5aWb_N2oN1D7VoUYOmhvEG-Sv-jcEqiO1cIY468MgmJ9rnuWpCfx0OLH5NeaA7FfyzY8yN9klOliHaZ5vvhhyphenhyphenr6xgVCv50jsSxc/s640/IMG_1166.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINgqfbGuOPHT7N2i_tnlh60tuV0N2DKV9S-01CEkdzs7Y3GVD9BlPhGWcEnkhYi_hwxR1nLhudEWDapOavEb1vL9ao4LAd3URUAhpxRr6a_CSg3AVMumbmmnkChmLnsxYcCHLhdf8aJE/s1600/IMG_1176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINgqfbGuOPHT7N2i_tnlh60tuV0N2DKV9S-01CEkdzs7Y3GVD9BlPhGWcEnkhYi_hwxR1nLhudEWDapOavEb1vL9ao4LAd3URUAhpxRr6a_CSg3AVMumbmmnkChmLnsxYcCHLhdf8aJE/s640/IMG_1176.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpwRYYHTNOwYPFexB6bUBNFT8SZpnS4Nj68onGH2Q3wOwnccsTyEde2x-zCWij7WEXJmr10c2g8rzjt4Nvh_t723J7VI97bO9e-QvX-I4DsX-EHoh4ItaOUXqwC0dk_XfSECsslFCZck/s1600/IMG_1603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpwRYYHTNOwYPFexB6bUBNFT8SZpnS4Nj68onGH2Q3wOwnccsTyEde2x-zCWij7WEXJmr10c2g8rzjt4Nvh_t723J7VI97bO9e-QvX-I4DsX-EHoh4ItaOUXqwC0dk_XfSECsslFCZck/s640/IMG_1603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkz3DejQlrMsAtr96oq5PhGzwH6txL08RnSGhCWxHsjT5Pn6-w-lcaJUArc9E8_waFxDG0cc2hcvuaz6xc1IHSs8reD-ZRJubAb6KphCQ3aGjAAHTbHsx6StF0NEQqRaUwYO2ZoNiI6IY/s1600/IMG_1179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkz3DejQlrMsAtr96oq5PhGzwH6txL08RnSGhCWxHsjT5Pn6-w-lcaJUArc9E8_waFxDG0cc2hcvuaz6xc1IHSs8reD-ZRJubAb6KphCQ3aGjAAHTbHsx6StF0NEQqRaUwYO2ZoNiI6IY/s640/IMG_1179.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
this was such a great vacation for us. it was a time to re-connect as a family and to re-connect with family and friends. i have to admit that it has been hard to be away these three years but certainly not as hard as it would have been had spaces like this or facebook not existed. the boom of social media has allowed us to keep connected on some level and for that i am thankful.<br />
<br />
this coming year for us is bringing on lots of new challenges and changes and for that i am excited! summer you were good to us and i am now excited to see what is to come!!!<br />
<br />
thanks westcoast for the awesome memories!!!<br />
<br />
<i>remember you can always keep connected with us by following on instagram <a href="http://instagram.com/jengronick" target="_blank">@jengronick</a> and facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/experiencethewonderful" target="_blank">experience the wonderful</a></i><br />
<br />
ciao baby!!<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2473112658719576052.post-78309579986497012652013-08-28T15:07:00.000-04:002013-08-28T15:07:40.713-04:00kelowna 2013 | part 1kelowna. kelowna. kelowna.<br />
<br />
part of many many trips of my childhood. now a major part of one we can share with our kids.<br />
<br />
as we rolled in to k-town {as the locals call it....yep....really i have no idea, ha!} i looked up on the weather what we might be expecting. this looked back at me - nice. i think we can handle that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrETFmow62PT559acWGDQSDaeK4rNZX4urZIwgm3zjIIoa2FLM_hqyTba_89ixOZRLXoa4SY34aK_QQMVYbxVhXucR4Iq30wuPRGm0hcRoUni_L3Yf_hbNix0Nbc8DtQysXdwrPICoW0/s1600/IMG_1509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrETFmow62PT559acWGDQSDaeK4rNZX4urZIwgm3zjIIoa2FLM_hqyTba_89ixOZRLXoa4SY34aK_QQMVYbxVhXucR4Iq30wuPRGm0hcRoUni_L3Yf_hbNix0Nbc8DtQysXdwrPICoW0/s640/IMG_1509.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
we arrived around 7:30pm to tony's sister's house. this was going to be a time FULL of extended family - tony's mom + three sister's with their families + plus our two great nieces...yes you heard that right!<br />
as people arrived over the next three days it was a lot of this....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNDMU1994OgaqS_V8zEcSDXtCjFsBN-4lSc4qE3nlQYxYqT4O-6ozVOfV-QdNUFLGx93B58nDUUO-UBywJ8OjPoJvhi1wHzhHRU6yhXERxb-UYWnz9dQFjji_MXXXkiQm0LCCHFX1t1E/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNDMU1994OgaqS_V8zEcSDXtCjFsBN-4lSc4qE3nlQYxYqT4O-6ozVOfV-QdNUFLGx93B58nDUUO-UBywJ8OjPoJvhi1wHzhHRU6yhXERxb-UYWnz9dQFjji_MXXXkiQm0LCCHFX1t1E/s640/IMG_0713.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and this....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkS9NsBvL5urRxgM5-PyuNXoYQJ2XOi3U8B0qjMpIYJDqu8_YwqIJLqJfnnE7zDk1JyUlFKNYWC2J_okN4scDcqArTdo4Np8Kna2FA9Jf0RMQz9AHTycnl0mm7OSCmg4ApC_9QEpR0Mg/s1600/DSCN0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkS9NsBvL5urRxgM5-PyuNXoYQJ2XOi3U8B0qjMpIYJDqu8_YwqIJLqJfnnE7zDk1JyUlFKNYWC2J_okN4scDcqArTdo4Np8Kna2FA9Jf0RMQz9AHTycnl0mm7OSCmg4ApC_9QEpR0Mg/s640/DSCN0012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBh2BASlUER1wlsyNNQtpHp1sMB9y2eQRFkblAop4MtpsqnkLkndZXEZqzwbc8dAZWjFxxWey6pqSidagtvy5PiYXRuj8Rh7GZ8BVRWZxPuhoWbE6OfDA-8eOlrRyePe1xFCWzss-etQ/s1600/DSCN0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBh2BASlUER1wlsyNNQtpHp1sMB9y2eQRFkblAop4MtpsqnkLkndZXEZqzwbc8dAZWjFxxWey6pqSidagtvy5PiYXRuj8Rh7GZ8BVRWZxPuhoWbE6OfDA-8eOlrRyePe1xFCWzss-etQ/s640/DSCN0013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVRpsTfWxtqYrxspN3cT3nI2JAeR1dwaMarDMNuEqaNeWWnd1MpiqFS32kkrPhYIG7h8JnFDWCfB474Z6d3grBJdcMt9fj7Q6f9fgyn6jbGm6QGgLxD_lulgYqpgGJLfFIJUR6yj2iMU/s1600/IMG_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVRpsTfWxtqYrxspN3cT3nI2JAeR1dwaMarDMNuEqaNeWWnd1MpiqFS32kkrPhYIG7h8JnFDWCfB474Z6d3grBJdcMt9fj7Q6f9fgyn6jbGm6QGgLxD_lulgYqpgGJLfFIJUR6yj2iMU/s640/IMG_0717.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and some of this.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqozrtwHIHHZKKZIizk_GoaEprdeUeDHB515OZEoLAJ6dSbHT_kEyIKkO24wvt5WiZqBMq-q0PZ14_AsIn492zg9YYdvTrhUhh6tWjvLOCBYs1yK7_qgXhdr2Lz3no4KlrE3A6109q9s/s1600/IMG_0715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqozrtwHIHHZKKZIizk_GoaEprdeUeDHB515OZEoLAJ6dSbHT_kEyIKkO24wvt5WiZqBMq-q0PZ14_AsIn492zg9YYdvTrhUhh6tWjvLOCBYs1yK7_qgXhdr2Lz3no4KlrE3A6109q9s/s400/IMG_0715.jpg" width="266" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwmojkBHUwoN91lRaRdGYI8i6n6Gdb84gDOGwksFoXyTKKAI__uv3ekT6qPcPg95Who1UPePDF983_b6W1SbfbGJRDIaSMmzotoWz7a9x6rCgEfN8tbeoJTbwlkPdVaoovRrXsWIUQYs/s400/IMG_0716.jpg" width="266" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1tTUXIjozBEUY-RVNeVMYul6eRRGFsR8q0eU7Mr_-eSIzl0BXcWkEWtvGa4xd-dE7dhyzQE_RyWvPzqMHYucYLvQZF4sJdkGcLx2Qmh_L5rkGJJ69YP7D0KYgLC_A-AHTLvVjTlJw8A/s1600/IMG_0777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1tTUXIjozBEUY-RVNeVMYul6eRRGFsR8q0eU7Mr_-eSIzl0BXcWkEWtvGa4xd-dE7dhyzQE_RyWvPzqMHYucYLvQZF4sJdkGcLx2Qmh_L5rkGJJ69YP7D0KYgLC_A-AHTLvVjTlJw8A/s640/IMG_0777.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and these hooligans showed up....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4elFv0cVsOU8O64WZoMBhkfOOxXCP-3wHYwhdi0v1X8QpW8aZYM7CIY0U4RNkRI4tSszK2-BlQ_JLhKH3EQqBE6PUKfUp8EccOdej4jZ67q4aYYX-HM8nZ5vlUavh9oBwUh1N6_tIPc/s1600/DSCN0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4elFv0cVsOU8O64WZoMBhkfOOxXCP-3wHYwhdi0v1X8QpW8aZYM7CIY0U4RNkRI4tSszK2-BlQ_JLhKH3EQqBE6PUKfUp8EccOdej4jZ67q4aYYX-HM8nZ5vlUavh9oBwUh1N6_tIPc/s640/DSCN0007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRqCy4RyvJwtsDGQnSHks7sACUtFx13oskpiZeXIWS1afMHmR4W3pHd0uQLDPzH80EKhnB_fESDw34-Y1nA1KntrVgCCPNfjv1wkTqthtXL6r5rufGnOqHxczn8Ztdgr_50xEXEe3OH8/s1600/DSCN0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRqCy4RyvJwtsDGQnSHks7sACUtFx13oskpiZeXIWS1afMHmR4W3pHd0uQLDPzH80EKhnB_fESDw34-Y1nA1KntrVgCCPNfjv1wkTqthtXL6r5rufGnOqHxczn8Ztdgr_50xEXEe3OH8/s640/DSCN0008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
this was the view from the coveted spot on the patio,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWoEassxaLZljgG1sdAwcL9F37a7kyBKaovQzUxR4g4ewZvDSIal0yi6ykgeETWFUvgKgEI5YIkkO5ZhHBNL11A6-NuCr4lwEBVNKFLT1pQM5JdVC1HV3WbWzMLzI1jaOUcLYKP1vq7w/s1600/IMG_0714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWoEassxaLZljgG1sdAwcL9F37a7kyBKaovQzUxR4g4ewZvDSIal0yi6ykgeETWFUvgKgEI5YIkkO5ZhHBNL11A6-NuCr4lwEBVNKFLT1pQM5JdVC1HV3WbWzMLzI1jaOUcLYKP1vq7w/s640/IMG_0714.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCBLsVI3QBHnr_qtvLvAtUGkLvk_GdpdQ_XRC_RIIGP1VSA8np1Y91T9iqEi1rVwlP8pQlXh-RPX-9dmJewO04eJK444_OS4NFNKAcBgPV3TT8QmTwrSDZrcudzMMJY32yf9HXFrvWbQ/s1600/DSCN0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCBLsVI3QBHnr_qtvLvAtUGkLvk_GdpdQ_XRC_RIIGP1VSA8np1Y91T9iqEi1rVwlP8pQlXh-RPX-9dmJewO04eJK444_OS4NFNKAcBgPV3TT8QmTwrSDZrcudzMMJY32yf9HXFrvWbQ/s640/DSCN0009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
we had a scavenger hunt night - go team three!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7Sff4xqbtIUiysqTq9HbQUDcblXCMRmLvEOTClDZoweCS_1ICSnV2TTDDYpXAWUlMQ3eZZJQJegiTO0GhkfSkid1xZ5rghJDM6nJHaEG-DBCW-W1BOgOCr1QTQ42bzPclFLlNIqFxlw/s1600/IMG_0732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7Sff4xqbtIUiysqTq9HbQUDcblXCMRmLvEOTClDZoweCS_1ICSnV2TTDDYpXAWUlMQ3eZZJQJegiTO0GhkfSkid1xZ5rghJDM6nJHaEG-DBCW-W1BOgOCr1QTQ42bzPclFLlNIqFxlw/s640/IMG_0732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and there was also a present grab night - it actually got pretty ruthless!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kf1J9STxrv51uDIl0xevkBaRoOj86zOT0hnYYf5lbqB3OKgi2ZGgFji_msLD0pcqkLzoYZAsBv2ddxSf19m5N0eXQ7ugD3QsXaXpYiVk3aQ4KX5w_OcQRw4jeAVG2rTntND2xznKePI/s1600/IMG_0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kf1J9STxrv51uDIl0xevkBaRoOj86zOT0hnYYf5lbqB3OKgi2ZGgFji_msLD0pcqkLzoYZAsBv2ddxSf19m5N0eXQ7ugD3QsXaXpYiVk3aQ4KX5w_OcQRw4jeAVG2rTntND2xznKePI/s640/IMG_0783.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTYqForPyOUX7urjprxsq4lFE1woKhy0ddWNIN1KlJHqpqo9cdZAD_l0LQ2y-5IC5H7JuheOzh96rDh6nSV-yG5g7sqdFmyFR09AzINUFyJHNllmoGAW-S0gdacRgWOKo4xcPIOVsjow/s1600/2PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTYqForPyOUX7urjprxsq4lFE1woKhy0ddWNIN1KlJHqpqo9cdZAD_l0LQ2y-5IC5H7JuheOzh96rDh6nSV-yG5g7sqdFmyFR09AzINUFyJHNllmoGAW-S0gdacRgWOKo4xcPIOVsjow/s640/2PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2Rq4rV9WzW_fSgJpnOZgZiU7-7yxpdELQLs6p7UP0MOOrGVeGs1R3tbaQDQc_-kxB6GijrZ1SUDOR71jObJMmRIZfnCHkRbYLlA2dJWtg_bSFaFC2i2Udcu1K2ZqQ5sLnvTP_G4cCGQ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2Rq4rV9WzW_fSgJpnOZgZiU7-7yxpdELQLs6p7UP0MOOrGVeGs1R3tbaQDQc_-kxB6GijrZ1SUDOR71jObJMmRIZfnCHkRbYLlA2dJWtg_bSFaFC2i2Udcu1K2ZqQ5sLnvTP_G4cCGQ/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
everyday there was something scheduled to do - did i mention they have a boat and lake okanagan is near by????<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDJA43-I3H9_v6ja7TqwkFd3N_kwgRavjEIAj9qVX-btcj6kiOOJQyU_wRUoMk7R_vXpD8VGdwCiLa2HAwNhiyM3EBTeAmoQ_oMPblpMvaQkYG70Rvk5crsRw9w3kMzpzJ53A8DlDF5M/s1600/IMG_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDJA43-I3H9_v6ja7TqwkFd3N_kwgRavjEIAj9qVX-btcj6kiOOJQyU_wRUoMk7R_vXpD8VGdwCiLa2HAwNhiyM3EBTeAmoQ_oMPblpMvaQkYG70Rvk5crsRw9w3kMzpzJ53A8DlDF5M/s640/IMG_0727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lBDBJnDsCMwz1dnS-icVlSva0fX5sa1ZXmQwnYqtsGs6QIR2s3knFbp7YPHBzS00Z8Uk08RDoagWp7wb6feIPnDVCna9mAw5VujSO9kle7h25ZiujaOMBtjQeuBwPvKkNZhvO1v5ITU/s1600/IMG_1513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lBDBJnDsCMwz1dnS-icVlSva0fX5sa1ZXmQwnYqtsGs6QIR2s3knFbp7YPHBzS00Z8Uk08RDoagWp7wb6feIPnDVCna9mAw5VujSO9kle7h25ZiujaOMBtjQeuBwPvKkNZhvO1v5ITU/s640/IMG_1513.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
on wednesday we took off from the house and pool - why you ask? to take the kids go-karting!!! what a blast! i remember going as a kid when we would visit our cottage on vancouver island but we had yet to take the kids. coop is still too short to ride solo so he rode shotgun with tony. aydan "the roadster" on the other hand was able to be in one by herself and was a total beast! she loved it - a natural. she may have cut some corners on the first run - they needed their lawn mowed right? but by the time lap two came around she got the hang of it and was not to be stopped. awesome afternoon. we dragged their uncle mike and cousin josh with us - i really don't think they minded too much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyK5drA3SwD8LQjR8t4bzFAvG6-2HayLZbeliFdZL3d64wn4ZfqKwokbxn_vDcLo7kIkugX_FGR3dFet0qDPw5V1TALdbJ_sMp234bEiZMFKHhkPSACeQunuOSHadsqeV11MhuERu5Ic/s1600/IMG_0814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyK5drA3SwD8LQjR8t4bzFAvG6-2HayLZbeliFdZL3d64wn4ZfqKwokbxn_vDcLo7kIkugX_FGR3dFet0qDPw5V1TALdbJ_sMp234bEiZMFKHhkPSACeQunuOSHadsqeV11MhuERu5Ic/s640/IMG_0814.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLOk48o7Pwy3PsGsexEZXOXlVtB8CZX18_gUOsmHdbyvxF22o8Bmd8OQHszrEYnvimw_mPb9oh-5deOFL27vSn9vnq4Ssn0e7IcFyQDXx9PZ2dpoYzNpKTZ9stk-UARxo9ZlI19gRY2s/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLOk48o7Pwy3PsGsexEZXOXlVtB8CZX18_gUOsmHdbyvxF22o8Bmd8OQHszrEYnvimw_mPb9oh-5deOFL27vSn9vnq4Ssn0e7IcFyQDXx9PZ2dpoYzNpKTZ9stk-UARxo9ZlI19gRY2s/s640/PicMonkey+Collage3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs7gKtlIKDHrgUszmTwYGGYrD1FTbO9tdA56MHjbx8LjsqJmviNnJa6VLPPoiK5bQ93bRQkqAWY3v3Pd5Ft1KjU0iZ94xnFFGQDTYpwv7QD0FXbJBxGIBbQjGUpBkracKOLSeKr7x3IA/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs7gKtlIKDHrgUszmTwYGGYrD1FTbO9tdA56MHjbx8LjsqJmviNnJa6VLPPoiK5bQ93bRQkqAWY3v3Pd5Ft1KjU0iZ94xnFFGQDTYpwv7QD0FXbJBxGIBbQjGUpBkracKOLSeKr7x3IA/s640/PicMonkey+Collage4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
also during this time someone YOU know decided, for some ghastly reason, to turn 36! the nerve of her! to celebrate this special occasion, her amazingly wonderful husband decided that she needed to be treated and took them all jet-skiing. thank you honey - one of my best birthday's ever!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhev8AFmu7xWXnkEqu5IoNjnlMdnCC77F2lNQLa6UWbA21N_neymUuP-IZ9UCkANZu30TKUem-JTkUtuvsdP7hC_lzgEJy2fEskU8ccmGeagXtPOP38Em2JqWSga2yJto3KHhJqTYpotdc/s1600/IMG_1521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhev8AFmu7xWXnkEqu5IoNjnlMdnCC77F2lNQLa6UWbA21N_neymUuP-IZ9UCkANZu30TKUem-JTkUtuvsdP7hC_lzgEJy2fEskU8ccmGeagXtPOP38Em2JqWSga2yJto3KHhJqTYpotdc/s640/IMG_1521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijARL8437ZgE3RIRBH8ay5c7nD0LgYP1i9aFymFjTe-vVT9WWOSW8B5w9nA_aowNiBBXBusjJOs6hZ9iR_YCNX42Wk7ecZs7vqzYlNCSCTpEd3YosVPf_4EEsRFoPw9SGdSNtTEN6JyWg/s1600/2PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijARL8437ZgE3RIRBH8ay5c7nD0LgYP1i9aFymFjTe-vVT9WWOSW8B5w9nA_aowNiBBXBusjJOs6hZ9iR_YCNX42Wk7ecZs7vqzYlNCSCTpEd3YosVPf_4EEsRFoPw9SGdSNtTEN6JyWg/s640/2PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TAak6Z23svE6AkTzx1sv2WBkACl_VMD4WHZNGoP0GlpsCTlCIlz72hEmJP3Z9WNEPg2ozQr7rIjBPy9XVi2g-GW4LM2Usy2pGh3JnT0D7ll8D_tYeXID0GhPP8i39rS64ulB6bhYxUQ/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TAak6Z23svE6AkTzx1sv2WBkACl_VMD4WHZNGoP0GlpsCTlCIlz72hEmJP3Z9WNEPg2ozQr7rIjBPy9XVi2g-GW4LM2Usy2pGh3JnT0D7ll8D_tYeXID0GhPP8i39rS64ulB6bhYxUQ/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
as we unloaded the jet-ski's & handed them off to the next group - mike, josh and jamie - and boarded the boat, the fun continued with some tubing and a surprise performance by my sister-in-law's on the tube themselves. we stuck chad on there too to keep an eye on them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis74acXEZPB-pcA3pE7eFti7JK1aYqVvY_D_VDtJnLtQRl5db_TGsdNLqRLN48gHL2_qH40-cPt1FzN3thsNyOzjUqHKuO1FdBRHpx7PR8vbZUclOHx008na1a49t2P5qwzbC0AmHZt5o/s1600/IMG_0867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis74acXEZPB-pcA3pE7eFti7JK1aYqVvY_D_VDtJnLtQRl5db_TGsdNLqRLN48gHL2_qH40-cPt1FzN3thsNyOzjUqHKuO1FdBRHpx7PR8vbZUclOHx008na1a49t2P5qwzbC0AmHZt5o/s640/IMG_0867.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGNCglQfEgkQZi2xg51jCvRghqhZ3q_gKA3-f8E0k9h39JRKgciPgbez0Iso5U2oGD-wi1_7l-h1tlIF9EWlx_-owQuGFcMUsQPDEbxE9cmOAdi62a9Hvz7dHcLOh16-TTyVcHVVgH7s/s1600/IMG_0887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGNCglQfEgkQZi2xg51jCvRghqhZ3q_gKA3-f8E0k9h39JRKgciPgbez0Iso5U2oGD-wi1_7l-h1tlIF9EWlx_-owQuGFcMUsQPDEbxE9cmOAdi62a9Hvz7dHcLOh16-TTyVcHVVgH7s/s640/IMG_0887.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHH6Tz6_roCIIrJfjqSONSzPIe67JLG8cLhM0E09c0zDhKMnv0sASbgUMfcw9FnDVpRFrCeGeFR3VmaUV_6rjB0CPJ53026biW9QfTWSk-oCdRoI2KdeFvJuZ8gIsrfr7Do1bkjs8XMU/s1600/IMG_0893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHH6Tz6_roCIIrJfjqSONSzPIe67JLG8cLhM0E09c0zDhKMnv0sASbgUMfcw9FnDVpRFrCeGeFR3VmaUV_6rjB0CPJ53026biW9QfTWSk-oCdRoI2KdeFvJuZ8gIsrfr7Do1bkjs8XMU/s640/IMG_0893.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
the kids drove the boat in and the night ended with hot dogs, cake and an indoor movie {supposed to be outdoors but we heard thunder rumbling and didn't want to take the chance!} all in all great birthday night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJVWloHWkA8apeO6DaOeyP76eaq2t2d7AttEmcsdGAz4wTicr5WmS460ru0AE8IKzQB4-kqI59y8ksobl2tY4neQfInVDDAJYYSElMuZAqG3vRaz-u1rxfIwLwQzoXu0e5EJoW4Fs8rE/s1600/IMG_0896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJVWloHWkA8apeO6DaOeyP76eaq2t2d7AttEmcsdGAz4wTicr5WmS460ru0AE8IKzQB4-kqI59y8ksobl2tY4neQfInVDDAJYYSElMuZAqG3vRaz-u1rxfIwLwQzoXu0e5EJoW4Fs8rE/s640/IMG_0896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDoA57eQZs_G7a7OHTDO9BDhuznPqmwITq2_y2PehfWZ49ZWgkAgofzytIb2k_vxxEKD36UPlLJRn4XWJC2OmS3_8EVjIO5q6K5lT_dtWKjOPxR_PfRZ0HY8f7VODuCRjqWeT3qEtE9g/s1600/IMG_0898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDoA57eQZs_G7a7OHTDO9BDhuznPqmwITq2_y2PehfWZ49ZWgkAgofzytIb2k_vxxEKD36UPlLJRn4XWJC2OmS3_8EVjIO5q6K5lT_dtWKjOPxR_PfRZ0HY8f7VODuCRjqWeT3qEtE9g/s640/IMG_0898.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTHBm4Fes581j4WNxPwHZbqVhoFoiD_LYxq_m9_v9gtOlvC6iuXXAmoyII9V29xbrMYqM-gNj_Bd5vZ9R4S1RT3ko5YMPk3IHXY1U-xl9xbhTsbtRPpEOHaO_Xh1ZceUtc7x7hQ0lk94/s1600/IMG_0915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTHBm4Fes581j4WNxPwHZbqVhoFoiD_LYxq_m9_v9gtOlvC6iuXXAmoyII9V29xbrMYqM-gNj_Bd5vZ9R4S1RT3ko5YMPk3IHXY1U-xl9xbhTsbtRPpEOHaO_Xh1ZceUtc7x7hQ0lk94/s640/IMG_0915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSkO9Adq-Eiy_IlqFCFPdX71Fhk3a-ZrjHnvEFQ5zH16rCmEkSZIhLpOfLsxDbnIjZGp3oG-M5k3g1TuyIZ2xJohYaxv1eULjZV3jvAnSdujUUZIKSpljbiyNw1EXwN-XhsUyQMHytWM/s1600/IMG_0917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSkO9Adq-Eiy_IlqFCFPdX71Fhk3a-ZrjHnvEFQ5zH16rCmEkSZIhLpOfLsxDbnIjZGp3oG-M5k3g1TuyIZ2xJohYaxv1eULjZV3jvAnSdujUUZIKSpljbiyNw1EXwN-XhsUyQMHytWM/s640/IMG_0917.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
friday brought along new surprises and a fun party. my other maid of honour, cara, called to say her and her family were going to be in town for the weekend - they had driven in from calgary the night before - and had the morning free!! what luck - i got to see my two life long besties on this trip! we haven't seen each other in 4 years!!! so yes, of course we were going to see them. we met them for mini-golf, more go-karts {this time coop and me were a duo} and then hit the arcade. the kids got along so well that it's a shame we live so far apart..... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ttfp7bcRv3UzKB-ENS52QrDildLN1_z-cSy3XOmVte-3Qn7V1A1PcuFcPMDbRbVyYpiCWkxCbn_TZ8qhGdVKby0uSUHhlXKM7RbjhZsOP6Nqeb6KCOJ9-atNCW8Uwo3R2Y044hg_WDo/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ttfp7bcRv3UzKB-ENS52QrDildLN1_z-cSy3XOmVte-3Qn7V1A1PcuFcPMDbRbVyYpiCWkxCbn_TZ8qhGdVKby0uSUHhlXKM7RbjhZsOP6Nqeb6KCOJ9-atNCW8Uwo3R2Y044hg_WDo/s640/PicMonkey+Collage4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
after our time was up with them we headed back to the house and there there was a summer party starting up! friends of my sister & brother-in-law came to meet and greet with us - with a surprise appearance from cousin darlene! there was a sit-down dinner, a masked avenger sighting, a pinata and, in true summer form, a water gun fight - kids vs. adults. someone had put water filled pistols IN the pinata......<br />
great night. perfect way to end a great week.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjBLiuQ_gK7MEEt2KtfYF2VI_9GRoosoGLqjoXVQl9KNHL6D0-xH-7Na0QSA3hEA5hBaUsLwH4aVENNBds56DZG2iZAEseUEbhKdbV9jjf40XtqKlnGPpHmVmIEF1bIuLKSX4AHBKX2M/s1600/IMG_0929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjBLiuQ_gK7MEEt2KtfYF2VI_9GRoosoGLqjoXVQl9KNHL6D0-xH-7Na0QSA3hEA5hBaUsLwH4aVENNBds56DZG2iZAEseUEbhKdbV9jjf40XtqKlnGPpHmVmIEF1bIuLKSX4AHBKX2M/s640/IMG_0929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTwYqUBFFs02PFP5HavCYxH-3_RiCCGMI8fOY3NjR3WtH5nsQUNKcxYjPZjZbHbxY6twR1-AH2NG8ndPpqWYIr4Rpwc5VCCr9-qslwWEJkbm2nFTTtBEdQJCpcXOrTU_GsjJ7kz1OV9g/s1600/IMG_0934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTwYqUBFFs02PFP5HavCYxH-3_RiCCGMI8fOY3NjR3WtH5nsQUNKcxYjPZjZbHbxY6twR1-AH2NG8ndPpqWYIr4Rpwc5VCCr9-qslwWEJkbm2nFTTtBEdQJCpcXOrTU_GsjJ7kz1OV9g/s640/IMG_0934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
the weekend arrived and with that people started to leave. saying good bye sucks. but at least it was a great week together!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-SEtiISt0Qwr_23OCuAcvfii2jLPbKMjS5Km61ewYpTNOFz49m8uBvJrkIqIXrzz-71tfOrYH4AUgpfDkQqTZ0EPWm85iJk6-j-sLceJ3jqX7_WAaOEygEARR3zpSQzPkgOR-odfqNM/s1600/DSCN0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-SEtiISt0Qwr_23OCuAcvfii2jLPbKMjS5Km61ewYpTNOFz49m8uBvJrkIqIXrzz-71tfOrYH4AUgpfDkQqTZ0EPWm85iJk6-j-sLceJ3jqX7_WAaOEygEARR3zpSQzPkgOR-odfqNM/s640/DSCN0023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr3z-WzY09hPsL_gHlcv-JeKMljhOedS0LiM9p9sLVsqRLOOdaXJDVksMFGB4U_6Y9o3r_Vh9_8kfWnfDRVV8HIBZyrecF67-aMFk3T1-LyLNqvmNCL8aGKvKJsWLEpUKyKUGCEzTwiA/s1600/DSCN0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr3z-WzY09hPsL_gHlcv-JeKMljhOedS0LiM9p9sLVsqRLOOdaXJDVksMFGB4U_6Y9o3r_Vh9_8kfWnfDRVV8HIBZyrecF67-aMFk3T1-LyLNqvmNCL8aGKvKJsWLEpUKyKUGCEzTwiA/s640/DSCN0026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7zF3_ETRqBsG8i79Pqo23tHkvCrS-M5pJhAqNU0VM2D0RYnboFH9xJIkFeQuz5Cw1RACN_n4wzC4kbahHDsUAtAF1Ky2KyYx532YDwSZ2bbZhna6E1cWOQ2kOAYYrn9n-LOVGgtQeLg/s1600/DSCN0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7zF3_ETRqBsG8i79Pqo23tHkvCrS-M5pJhAqNU0VM2D0RYnboFH9xJIkFeQuz5Cw1RACN_n4wzC4kbahHDsUAtAF1Ky2KyYx532YDwSZ2bbZhna6E1cWOQ2kOAYYrn9n-LOVGgtQeLg/s640/DSCN0027.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
until next time.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YmT5g7-IccuuFins8PuAkSY0-iUJB_i1q0GxtB8UuTDeIFIM43_k4i0qi7wdsbWJ1AwMehad2JEuAMh3cN8Ef3suDPYMqQtXKCrJ122jhoeMYpZ5wsYoTiV1QowlbnW08NuBXX5uTvY/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YmT5g7-IccuuFins8PuAkSY0-iUJB_i1q0GxtB8UuTDeIFIM43_k4i0qi7wdsbWJ1AwMehad2JEuAMh3cN8Ef3suDPYMqQtXKCrJ122jhoeMYpZ5wsYoTiV1QowlbnW08NuBXX5uTvY/s640/group.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
{don't stray too far...i still have another week to tell you about!!}<br />
<br />
:)<br />
<br />
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02074931975600450590noreply@blogger.com0