tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80884012429975342842024-03-18T12:49:53.334-06:00Simpleton PleasuresLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.comBlogger765125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-16533126390348303872024-03-18T12:03:00.002-06:002024-03-18T12:49:21.946-06:00Sunshine and a To-Do List Tangent<p>Happy spring! We are starting to get blossoms and buds on our trees and bushes. We even had temperatures in the 70s over the weekend. Most of the forecast for this next week is low 50s with constant rain so I'm going to bask in the last day or two of sunshine we have. Nothing crazy to report from our week. Jared has a really nasty cough that he can't seem to kick. I can't remember a winter when he's had so many annoying little constant sicknesses. Jack and Alice are great and adorable. I thrifted my first giant original painting. It's not signed and the frame is seriously awful (plastic that looks like fake orangey wood, nailed right into the canvas). But the painting itself is really lovely. It's moody earth tones of a river winding through a forest and reminds me of Granite Falls where we live. Eventually I'll get it reframed and it will live in our entryway. Anyway, here are some pictures from our week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbmCxoVzginDhgM-OhVUzZHnWvhZzVoBviOiNSHSNoCkhGKv7Tun0K_S4bRew38dy-CjY0fRAzvPNi3ZiOOrsHekNCuYVZN-cJ5dpR7xcqcoB1_pqv26Xlo10FR3sH0Fw16peF-LyTpQI_zccTq-WR-K_iNiJov1BrTm6MQ2-2pNSk_xMJRnlcgfOEJlE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbmCxoVzginDhgM-OhVUzZHnWvhZzVoBviOiNSHSNoCkhGKv7Tun0K_S4bRew38dy-CjY0fRAzvPNi3ZiOOrsHekNCuYVZN-cJ5dpR7xcqcoB1_pqv26Xlo10FR3sH0Fw16peF-LyTpQI_zccTq-WR-K_iNiJov1BrTm6MQ2-2pNSk_xMJRnlcgfOEJlE=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>^^Alice blowing a kiss in her adorable new spring dress on Sunday<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxEFj-XeN4KlXh44OAxosmgCWvVmJt1wHLq9TIGX9WDXfgYZ57yraTIJ9_uufvltHTX_L3BBG_rgfn6uEMwr8zCsptun6_fRtOWfm0KDGzxOEwm05ZsvPmmw7UcYHuxtGcbvXHDK6ET3aK1wwPqQgWcp2KMjaSeHfYZs-txKnVQ4hk4qNZNRXHAvVeSI4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxEFj-XeN4KlXh44OAxosmgCWvVmJt1wHLq9TIGX9WDXfgYZ57yraTIJ9_uufvltHTX_L3BBG_rgfn6uEMwr8zCsptun6_fRtOWfm0KDGzxOEwm05ZsvPmmw7UcYHuxtGcbvXHDK6ET3aK1wwPqQgWcp2KMjaSeHfYZs-txKnVQ4hk4qNZNRXHAvVeSI4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">^^This girl could be a comic book character. Me and Jared spend most evenings laughing about her adorable little quirks. Every sound she makes is so funny. It's a slurp, or a grunt, or a howl. She always pushes her lower lip out and to the side. She LOVES music and dancing and spinning. My favorite is when she squeezes her eyes shut, tilts her head up, and pretends she's singing passionately along with a song. She loves putting on accessories and shoes. She's very independent and particular at meal times. She doesn't want her food on a baby dish. She wants it on the same grown-up dishes and utensils everyone else has. I love when she's been off playing with Jared and then when they're coming back downstairs together I hear her shouting, "Mama! Mama!" She loves books, but only wants us to read her favorite one or two. I'm sure I've shared all of these before but we just love her so much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-Q71xhuRyUL8j_DvYtiW_ykXENyoIaFtyPUnH8Pjo6gdhQrXI3cubaEgRaAZwOkcSxrywpw2qUQgeVSNst5_5dAwuT5nmFTxXlXWPVr96xgDIYvgm4EVzQca5WSTj7_WFnHVo6UqgR1upFPywQLdr3_h_qX16Pxo2vx3wowwt-iH8NSrdeDVGCPdyvms" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-Q71xhuRyUL8j_DvYtiW_ykXENyoIaFtyPUnH8Pjo6gdhQrXI3cubaEgRaAZwOkcSxrywpw2qUQgeVSNst5_5dAwuT5nmFTxXlXWPVr96xgDIYvgm4EVzQca5WSTj7_WFnHVo6UqgR1upFPywQLdr3_h_qX16Pxo2vx3wowwt-iH8NSrdeDVGCPdyvms=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^After school backyard picnic on a sunny day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijUchnrF7koWYkyM89tVs_U7NxBasT7fXcpg05MVYb3gp8hXuBCNx8WhHPhH7GH9Xsej76mJqLR_8EnHQO74Y0E1Qefhb5KuxuFq7w9GfYb5_ZREknf8i3bei4OYA85EcH6yEiLYwmGc1DSHWSzPP1m45836DtikZTcGWRmEwBgmfM5W6NXci8xztG548" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijUchnrF7koWYkyM89tVs_U7NxBasT7fXcpg05MVYb3gp8hXuBCNx8WhHPhH7GH9Xsej76mJqLR_8EnHQO74Y0E1Qefhb5KuxuFq7w9GfYb5_ZREknf8i3bei4OYA85EcH6yEiLYwmGc1DSHWSzPP1m45836DtikZTcGWRmEwBgmfM5W6NXci8xztG548=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^She nestled right into this laundry basket and wanted to be pushed around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ3_oBTP4Zuqd-Jvczh1eytH175Lw0s3Y7p3UTa1ePXhqoLgGH2LXqTzZHXCVozzXj8UVIKQnqmRDd7xrdvkaN4PZIOu4MncSEZw_CKZ6uvkoF_xxIW4INVp2uKo1FeVG8rtr3PknRytiL_JrO5ei7pUTwoFQqKEUHhHMbXlTvYw2knLseo0RU6xWJczY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ3_oBTP4Zuqd-Jvczh1eytH175Lw0s3Y7p3UTa1ePXhqoLgGH2LXqTzZHXCVozzXj8UVIKQnqmRDd7xrdvkaN4PZIOu4MncSEZw_CKZ6uvkoF_xxIW4INVp2uKo1FeVG8rtr3PknRytiL_JrO5ei7pUTwoFQqKEUHhHMbXlTvYw2knLseo0RU6xWJczY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht4l-F2jWhgHcqvT4SZVaGKz5fPuqkIsmdm0JZVg-v0lLSSk4uPt0ekB-_j4wZLRbzcBb6K7R2V7mWvWufjS69YAXU2ip3xj7r55OS_7tWk5H5-wpQwsi-ChqdWtHN7PcVaJUNHhSnKV3jvOOGgdOUm1KMacvzbLjtlugadBkO4syWhMAilYRSL0eovmI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht4l-F2jWhgHcqvT4SZVaGKz5fPuqkIsmdm0JZVg-v0lLSSk4uPt0ekB-_j4wZLRbzcBb6K7R2V7mWvWufjS69YAXU2ip3xj7r55OS_7tWk5H5-wpQwsi-ChqdWtHN7PcVaJUNHhSnKV3jvOOGgdOUm1KMacvzbLjtlugadBkO4syWhMAilYRSL0eovmI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">^^Swing life still going strong</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY3Bjk_slrR7o8cHFdNw1q397ajxir0_B8tc_Z2vtLfNrToQ-PEclc5wHcGBcWop4SJ6-Vx01xTZ2cyuHCRqUfAEo_elMNKGbxWO26cl-njLSSX0vjXRtYELudgrscp87f0uWED_91cXJLd6MihzikAnf3rAVieGpQrvVuy_zntoddipGlcvtVvIYPh08" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY3Bjk_slrR7o8cHFdNw1q397ajxir0_B8tc_Z2vtLfNrToQ-PEclc5wHcGBcWop4SJ6-Vx01xTZ2cyuHCRqUfAEo_elMNKGbxWO26cl-njLSSX0vjXRtYELudgrscp87f0uWED_91cXJLd6MihzikAnf3rAVieGpQrvVuy_zntoddipGlcvtVvIYPh08=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfJew6CuoyGA8lDvdZ433Psb2_2IZNiH4TCFyYB2C05LxqYV4Tgw41YDxu_vyPp77yblLLzVa_8EodBrRG3I0qMAWbnfU8wuRK9Yg-qOVuH_8Xz1BPqUBYctJ9lpsg-sD6Nr0uvB8eOyGwXDdoMpcebe-fxUitnBTjNmvLA43SKFbnal_oxfpOtX_U5QY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfJew6CuoyGA8lDvdZ433Psb2_2IZNiH4TCFyYB2C05LxqYV4Tgw41YDxu_vyPp77yblLLzVa_8EodBrRG3I0qMAWbnfU8wuRK9Yg-qOVuH_8Xz1BPqUBYctJ9lpsg-sD6Nr0uvB8eOyGwXDdoMpcebe-fxUitnBTjNmvLA43SKFbnal_oxfpOtX_U5QY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2oYx9DwZNHgvzDY_JOFr3dxquyMvyFS0esKjos2mBRyvFK7DBGSbTNCkLfT1UPrwqBv3fEaRx9q3pbH28PnYpfrNmTx1Ptca9W7OrB1613qWYpqzRXk4qRaI8TcY7aQGVLbIfKOXnXTn13DFzlwqtnRPUBwwcWhhhxoyYJGb9e1_e3LPEtoMPJxnKklA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2oYx9DwZNHgvzDY_JOFr3dxquyMvyFS0esKjos2mBRyvFK7DBGSbTNCkLfT1UPrwqBv3fEaRx9q3pbH28PnYpfrNmTx1Ptca9W7OrB1613qWYpqzRXk4qRaI8TcY7aQGVLbIfKOXnXTn13DFzlwqtnRPUBwwcWhhhxoyYJGb9e1_e3LPEtoMPJxnKklA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Over the weekend Jared took the kids to the zoo with his parents while I caught up on my to-do list I'd gotten quite behind on. That was enlightening in itself. Most days I put around 5 things on my list and then I'm frustrated that I'm never able to get caught up on the list and feel like I can never relax because I'm trying to play catch-up in the evenings. Well, even when my whole family was gone ALL day, for like 11 hours, and I was really productive that whole time, I was still only able to cross 6 things off my list (we're not talking about cleaning or laundry--we're talking about the summer camps to research and emails to draft and pictures to hang and Utah trips to plan). It was a wonderful day but a bummer to realize, "Ok. A realistic to-do list on a normal day for me is probably one with 2 or maybe 3 items on it (not including cooking/cleaning)." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's tough when there are constant things to take care of for Jack's school and extracurriculars, my calling, home organization projects, kids' constant clothing rotations, summer plans, Jared's job hunting items of business, etc. etc.. Not to mention the constant stuff like laundry and cleaning and meal planning/prep. It's like--how can I ever get caught up if I only have time for 2 to-do list items in a day? Seems like I'm just going to get further and further behind forever? I know this is everyone's struggle and there are way worse struggles to have. I just find myself wondering "HOW" when I talk to other young mom friends and they mention they've already read 18 books this year, or that they like to knit or are starting a cinnamon roll business on the side, and by the way they all have even more young kids than I do. HOW. Probably just prioritizing different things. I probably could spend a lot less time on home projects, but they make me happy. Anyway. Didn't mean to take that tangent but on that note, I'd better go figure out how to tactfully work, "Great Google Reviews" into Jared's resume we're updating after he spoke on a community panel about fentanyl prevention this week (way to go Jared!). </div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-75871594924514725642024-03-11T14:06:00.000-06:002024-03-11T14:06:41.526-06:00Swings and Things (and a big sleep tangent)<p>Daylight savings! We did it. We saved the daylight. I'm happy that I can take Savvy dog for a walk while it's still light outside now instead of the creepy damp dark walks I've been doing for the past 4 months. Jared usually gets home from work kind of late (but he only works 4 days a week so it's a tradeoff). By the time he gets home it's a quick dinner and then the kids' bedtime. Jared does bedtime so he can have a little time with the kids while I take Savvy dog for her walk. </p><p>The first week or two of this month, Jack was having a really rough time with sleep, which hasn't happened in years so it caught us off-guard. He was scared and would call out to us all evening until he fell asleep, and then he'd wander into our room sometime after midnight every night, scared, and spend the rest of the night with us. It got bad enough that Jared was having to lay in Jack's room until he fell asleep, which could take a while. This last week I had an epiphany and offered to take over the nightly "check-ins" instead of Jared and it immediately fixed the problem. When Jack was having his last bout of sleep issues nearly three years ago, what finally fixed it was doing regular check-ins (every 15 minutes in the beginning, then every 20 minutes, and finally every 30 minutes for the past two years). It's usually between 1 and 3 checks before he's asleep so not a huge deal. Jared would do the weekday check-ins, and I would do bedtime and check-ins on the weekends. When it's my turn, I always have Jack help me set a phone timer so I can be right on time for the next check. He has a clock in his room he can see from his bed, with dots at the 15, 30, 45, and 60 minute marks. This helps him to visualize when he'll see mom or dad again (on the top dot and bottom dot). </p><p>Unfortunately, Jared has historically been kind of spotty about his check-ins. He has a harder time remembering to set his timer, or check a clock to be there on time. It's been a sticking point because not only is it frustrating for Jack, but it's frustrating for ME because when it happens multiple times Jack will get scared and leave his room to go looking for someone. Usually it's me he goes looking for, and then I basically have to do bedtime all over again when it's supposed to be my evening off. So anyway, Jack was getting deeper into this cycle of being scared alone in his room in the evenings and in the middle of the night, and it occurred to me that since he's still so young, having the routine of one of us being there reliably when we said we would be there might be more important than we realized (Jack's typically pretty flexible as far as routines go, but he's still just a young guy and having some reliability in a day is important for him). So we tried switching things up for a week--instead of Jared doing bedtime and check-ins on weekdays and me doing both on weekends, now Jared is doing bedtime every night and I am doing check-ins every night. Again, this fixed the problem pretty much immediately, and we'll continue with this pattern until it's time to tweak again. I love a quick parenting win. </p><p>Well that was a long sleep tangent. Maybe it can help someone who has a young kid with sleep issues. The check-in method has helped us out of rough bedtime phases multiple times now. Worth a try. In Alice news, baby girl is communicating better and better every week. She is obsessed with the web swing we installed in Jack's playroom for his birthday. No real swing-related injuries so far, but we're going to put a hook on the ceiling to hang it up when both the kids are home together. They do great with the swing one at a time, but when they're both in there the chances of little bumps and toddler fits go up. Very cute when they're both on there and I'm pushing them, but if I can't be in there to supervise it feels dicey. It's been a fun week though. We love our happy babies.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCN9Ava2rAqUB4YEviWWyS5K7V9KcMOLdo7vNf9hC0Xl3l9nVi0bcaQP7lFAkeZ36phblRrCkEpYoFs2JxaIx-PFGuKA_EYqtf4pPVIobjvesRxB-QmBLI1btLVpLXPs77yYjA_iDCRvG61X3P0XB16OXt9k1k3XWiXmtr2Ea5aqtb0jdfxzsdV3W6X5M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCN9Ava2rAqUB4YEviWWyS5K7V9KcMOLdo7vNf9hC0Xl3l9nVi0bcaQP7lFAkeZ36phblRrCkEpYoFs2JxaIx-PFGuKA_EYqtf4pPVIobjvesRxB-QmBLI1btLVpLXPs77yYjA_iDCRvG61X3P0XB16OXt9k1k3XWiXmtr2Ea5aqtb0jdfxzsdV3W6X5M=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp0r8G-mwTz52COwN_KJyvfnPYcQF3il1lCniurWnYHeWqSe__vUO70XawhbqF3Zy-hXfX0My88xGatFIvoZCiBoz5gqKQRxc7ckgFEnxwNyRLUhbsXeJEugDKsSqtg7vUK1trVGG7SSp5inxYnb2hQH0fCLyu5egiZalQoaB_Y9FuhnYExEB6WAXuuew" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp0r8G-mwTz52COwN_KJyvfnPYcQF3il1lCniurWnYHeWqSe__vUO70XawhbqF3Zy-hXfX0My88xGatFIvoZCiBoz5gqKQRxc7ckgFEnxwNyRLUhbsXeJEugDKsSqtg7vUK1trVGG7SSp5inxYnb2hQH0fCLyu5egiZalQoaB_Y9FuhnYExEB6WAXuuew=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGUr2GgGe0c0_Umy-5mzhpLt74aKrjFkOV7rk-4FjfITFPeV0EhxdQ3idMJfF7IPR07-UwvniOCe2EHZv2DA-bIISHPAhzeSqnZj4ikeeCg5LNVKylxbHXLPjm8Rls5VryWOS0Fz7-bTCpIXbuGD2aP23gi-aK0pqsALlsI_7XH0zN0hm28aSR8N2BrOs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGUr2GgGe0c0_Umy-5mzhpLt74aKrjFkOV7rk-4FjfITFPeV0EhxdQ3idMJfF7IPR07-UwvniOCe2EHZv2DA-bIISHPAhzeSqnZj4ikeeCg5LNVKylxbHXLPjm8Rls5VryWOS0Fz7-bTCpIXbuGD2aP23gi-aK0pqsALlsI_7XH0zN0hm28aSR8N2BrOs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Alice begging for books all day. Her favorite is "Where's Spot?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-F9BcQEgXLeFkjClYCuO0Oi4rJSsxuA-k_eBSntRc8O2nBDhlMxXhE5_2iG9RaXINqFYpUcL3TCglWXOjvPWMA9IQOa4EuAiCacWaG2P2pfJ_cfUqejdw1YX8txkLJqr7SA_Z8CXnmm2_X8SyQzLiTvr2TLnW5udbwo-i5H8NRLDZLKTECz6ll46sLx4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-F9BcQEgXLeFkjClYCuO0Oi4rJSsxuA-k_eBSntRc8O2nBDhlMxXhE5_2iG9RaXINqFYpUcL3TCglWXOjvPWMA9IQOa4EuAiCacWaG2P2pfJ_cfUqejdw1YX8txkLJqr7SA_Z8CXnmm2_X8SyQzLiTvr2TLnW5udbwo-i5H8NRLDZLKTECz6ll46sLx4=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^The morning I woke up to this sweet, tender sleeping face next to me in the morning. He didn't even wake me up to squeeze in next to me in the middle of the night, but he spent the rest of the night kicking me in the back, so I definitely knew he was there haha. This was his last scared night before I took over all check-ins and he went back to sleeping through the night in his own bed. We have come so far. The bedtime struggles felt nearly constant in his early years. I'm proud of all of us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBOY1sx6-6EKgu28ySwgUFsWZxDOiCfyKNSZELOw8PdlNNPOcmb1SKpcOlIJIGWdr8C0l6ZK2-kvnbhdlO5qNTjQpFAcIa2g57OWH8D48XufogehrQ1B22yIvHqadGWO-NR7zHknyPai3IWvaJhdDV_g_hRQ2Rw7PPT_c_fx2pYVUWjnFmWK01i_ljyMY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBOY1sx6-6EKgu28ySwgUFsWZxDOiCfyKNSZELOw8PdlNNPOcmb1SKpcOlIJIGWdr8C0l6ZK2-kvnbhdlO5qNTjQpFAcIa2g57OWH8D48XufogehrQ1B22yIvHqadGWO-NR7zHknyPai3IWvaJhdDV_g_hRQ2Rw7PPT_c_fx2pYVUWjnFmWK01i_ljyMY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^The face Alice gave me when I gave her the stink eye for climbing up on the toilet and then into this sink all by herself when I wasn't looking. We have entered the climbing phase!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbIpJMnC3n8zwrh2LvwoqURNZLQwDPm0coNlb9hKnpS0i2q5GwNryhFdemVzJPFi9O2asuxi7gOzFFPhfu_QMwgxmMwX-8nZY2pz1mUmAZjSO6f2kZBNiMu56o2vZc73c526iyWXQLM-Sj8IlLh7emtn1SimFtayJBdPiNzcQq3X-DKD_ZvFl5Hgucy3k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbIpJMnC3n8zwrh2LvwoqURNZLQwDPm0coNlb9hKnpS0i2q5GwNryhFdemVzJPFi9O2asuxi7gOzFFPhfu_QMwgxmMwX-8nZY2pz1mUmAZjSO6f2kZBNiMu56o2vZc73c526iyWXQLM-Sj8IlLh7emtn1SimFtayJBdPiNzcQq3X-DKD_ZvFl5Hgucy3k=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyK7rv2r_a4XXi-fvjbKvZ24Ewyflm7W-wmnALZcm1THBmus1egSE2rWGXI6wxlcPv6TwBsgVhVq3T9rDcsp8lQ_YYJygPlrhIsWKuwbYXFR5oIzzpGT0GAzYIb_fc3FdZWjIud9cy6T62mF2dhRuIR-xiiKAUEXq_La8db8BHzOvMOT2M20bBF_L0fxA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyK7rv2r_a4XXi-fvjbKvZ24Ewyflm7W-wmnALZcm1THBmus1egSE2rWGXI6wxlcPv6TwBsgVhVq3T9rDcsp8lQ_YYJygPlrhIsWKuwbYXFR5oIzzpGT0GAzYIb_fc3FdZWjIud9cy6T62mF2dhRuIR-xiiKAUEXq_La8db8BHzOvMOT2M20bBF_L0fxA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jack and Alice playing "cats" and making cat dens under all our chairs after Jack taught Alice to "meow." Sheesh I love these two. I know the sibling conflicts will likely get worse as Alice gets deeper into toddlerhood, but the increased time they spend playing together is making me so happy. Feels like an acceptable tradeoff so far.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzaQmCytWd3MfTo-rxgQdAMtdAhKs0KHz2VhyOw9XHGz35Iwnpk90JWyIBrAzVXYlG10vgDU7J0Visu4mwhp8dxXiLfF-YnHRJwE9Wojcdzma43DzO-PJGKYhUG3o1voHvaWbBn3k4BFkSbCA8lITnrqtVMj5E2EQKsL5VgfbBR8TCqIjyQUCrLcLP3u8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzaQmCytWd3MfTo-rxgQdAMtdAhKs0KHz2VhyOw9XHGz35Iwnpk90JWyIBrAzVXYlG10vgDU7J0Visu4mwhp8dxXiLfF-YnHRJwE9Wojcdzma43DzO-PJGKYhUG3o1voHvaWbBn3k4BFkSbCA8lITnrqtVMj5E2EQKsL5VgfbBR8TCqIjyQUCrLcLP3u8=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^When Jack gets an idea in his head, homeboy sees it through. One of my favorite (and sometimes toughest) things about him. Isn't that so often true though? The thing we love most about a person can also be the thing that bugs us the most in a different scenario. A girl in Jack's class brought a St. Patrick's Day coloring page for everyone in the class to color and cut. Turns out her mom is a class volunteer so it was something the teacher asked her mom to print and send in with the girl, but Jack was VERY inspired to make an Easter art project for everyone in his class as soon as he got home from school. He had a very specific idea in his head, so while Alice finished up a nap he became a creative director. We spent all afternoon drawing 24 copies of Easter eggs and bunnies (I did the bunnies, Jack the eggs). The next morning he found some paperclips and made packets for everyone in his class, and he was so excited to take them to school. I warned him that his teacher probably already had a lesson plan and she might just send the kids home with them if there wasn't time in class. Luckily, I shot his teacher a message after he left for school to give her a head's up and she thought it was the sweetest thing she'd ever heard, and she made time in the day for those who finished their reading work early to do Jack's bunny craft. Teachers are the best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjdAJdBz4BALdrxTtEEJSJcN7G-Aq-1Uk5rFhnebJ1kD_Rk59FxLhgIDPI63Sj-GO8_GbRAuL1MSaDsqZWV5inLASoCIJTE0jGfDMmgec-5aMMtStmridJwbfc6OXgsW9HlifzsgVHCTspXu8B19E8ZIgPJQ6OBFtO2ghlD_Syn8UTty5mh-g-Mi7NVwA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1080" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjdAJdBz4BALdrxTtEEJSJcN7G-Aq-1Uk5rFhnebJ1kD_Rk59FxLhgIDPI63Sj-GO8_GbRAuL1MSaDsqZWV5inLASoCIJTE0jGfDMmgec-5aMMtStmridJwbfc6OXgsW9HlifzsgVHCTspXu8B19E8ZIgPJQ6OBFtO2ghlD_Syn8UTty5mh-g-Mi7NVwA=w640-h470" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1bK9uKA56C-RFAczPtOq2MY-6aQ1xLF_IUpKRJPxTgcuavGdJ_rmjkirauRssVSjtfUs5kZ9dkFZBt5L7vRvTEY7LCJmZbl6amD5CwfgYyeL2CGSGBMc2zRyTOLEA5ewcc15Vmg4UjWhTmo_f7LOdv7rMXK51zEMSt0AWW1EPFEmEYF0NN9rcAt8SCv4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1bK9uKA56C-RFAczPtOq2MY-6aQ1xLF_IUpKRJPxTgcuavGdJ_rmjkirauRssVSjtfUs5kZ9dkFZBt5L7vRvTEY7LCJmZbl6amD5CwfgYyeL2CGSGBMc2zRyTOLEA5ewcc15Vmg4UjWhTmo_f7LOdv7rMXK51zEMSt0AWW1EPFEmEYF0NN9rcAt8SCv4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTjhl16xOo5WPhaK_4mXUPCis6pAvYqVXJ84DHEK6FFYvj3sjvWlC6D7-DzV3TG8AVxxiCP7_FehGQRaJatu6uhL7rhsPF5iAoikfmmjWGDH9LVtGMBFm4rqvja248DOgcJVlpeBBGr8MJmLz0H2XW8kMaD3RHKHVfHnNjwEQxctBVk6vK0FiC039P1Dg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTjhl16xOo5WPhaK_4mXUPCis6pAvYqVXJ84DHEK6FFYvj3sjvWlC6D7-DzV3TG8AVxxiCP7_FehGQRaJatu6uhL7rhsPF5iAoikfmmjWGDH9LVtGMBFm4rqvja248DOgcJVlpeBBGr8MJmLz0H2XW8kMaD3RHKHVfHnNjwEQxctBVk6vK0FiC039P1Dg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^We had a sunny day last week and Alice spent so much time running around the backyard while I sat and sittervised. I love this girl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbBtR50a3S2W9z4saI8GObXYudUYe89DD779vCKjxpYQHlgMlfhCHuR_IZ4riVWMiOkMmk7BELA6G5zOrRHkJ2MVa2v8nwIDauYgziR-2LDGgPkRGBNqdNzorfQvRym-Z8ZdDT_Djs3UhZzA7Q8jAy9Hdhc19lY7v8jdENgO0Wgx_8ukKMnpkTgh1OXSc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbBtR50a3S2W9z4saI8GObXYudUYe89DD779vCKjxpYQHlgMlfhCHuR_IZ4riVWMiOkMmk7BELA6G5zOrRHkJ2MVa2v8nwIDauYgziR-2LDGgPkRGBNqdNzorfQvRym-Z8ZdDT_Djs3UhZzA7Q8jAy9Hdhc19lY7v8jdENgO0Wgx_8ukKMnpkTgh1OXSc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfnwKji4Csdx1HDrybaSa9Wjw1vABmiKVMIKYbg8-l-jolcmBOA8BH4vzBITjG9uNwQQqxbxwvzR-2QHg5RRW-y78oGCdbC91vkupwIaVLgQBRP3Q2dGnHDO0sLKwcD2Epagb6Rdk6Kx3YbJRU4Ma11VyLljehiAg1v70oS79jdWKgS8rioxKqlyE83Pk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfnwKji4Csdx1HDrybaSa9Wjw1vABmiKVMIKYbg8-l-jolcmBOA8BH4vzBITjG9uNwQQqxbxwvzR-2QHg5RRW-y78oGCdbC91vkupwIaVLgQBRP3Q2dGnHDO0sLKwcD2Epagb6Rdk6Kx3YbJRU4Ma11VyLljehiAg1v70oS79jdWKgS8rioxKqlyE83Pk=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-sKSvEUePDrESde5Yw30kA6KFZkIhkMXt0KP0iUOIKmsfsLKxc1agu_5Y_0bAO9V5tLKnT6IHVwknvwjT3UJg7pXF5kpB51bfrdQ9G6HlSZhNsLu7Qpi4nj8sQoc7Q7dyV_hKgeOte385P06YgFTcZjbShmeGfPjKf8LiaukPb_tR_wT9v5iRsHnOQv4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-sKSvEUePDrESde5Yw30kA6KFZkIhkMXt0KP0iUOIKmsfsLKxc1agu_5Y_0bAO9V5tLKnT6IHVwknvwjT3UJg7pXF5kpB51bfrdQ9G6HlSZhNsLu7Qpi4nj8sQoc7Q7dyV_hKgeOte385P06YgFTcZjbShmeGfPjKf8LiaukPb_tR_wT9v5iRsHnOQv4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^She heads straight for the swing whenever we're upstairs, especially if she's winding down for bed. I am loving our indoor swing era. Our playroom is the perfect size for it. Jared can push Jack as hard as possible and there is no risk of crashing into anything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYg2hTNGReDXbDX4MQ-Q2YjJQbmh4kOtndWudvT_bql_dBnfbpu_7nAI7ErNJOL48mvBPPL8iGf-zEB-Z4WxVbgy56acsQkJTuxlK13RsDeV2l5HjRPTFDXEvftyJgXvr5gGT_c_OeQUGTGVIFyYYqQHARSVTW22VxOfq_V-FKssgXz4fzsb2EEwzu1cg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYg2hTNGReDXbDX4MQ-Q2YjJQbmh4kOtndWudvT_bql_dBnfbpu_7nAI7ErNJOL48mvBPPL8iGf-zEB-Z4WxVbgy56acsQkJTuxlK13RsDeV2l5HjRPTFDXEvftyJgXvr5gGT_c_OeQUGTGVIFyYYqQHARSVTW22VxOfq_V-FKssgXz4fzsb2EEwzu1cg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4ztTcejxB1asA0ob_R2d7Zhtpdg3KvMD_KW8ZpZdD6l5lmhV-bWt4GpgqI3D4lw6IEtuThn2tvEhYvdJiNosTZCQAecYbosAQZNXm046VH_SgdnMqi41UhMoZSXLKUEr8luJs2njnuUrG4wEC_01r_GtdxBKj7hGTAqSjCLkEWuPiTJw3WP4KZzmHRXA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4ztTcejxB1asA0ob_R2d7Zhtpdg3KvMD_KW8ZpZdD6l5lmhV-bWt4GpgqI3D4lw6IEtuThn2tvEhYvdJiNosTZCQAecYbosAQZNXm046VH_SgdnMqi41UhMoZSXLKUEr8luJs2njnuUrG4wEC_01r_GtdxBKj7hGTAqSjCLkEWuPiTJw3WP4KZzmHRXA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDf_3MwVZ7gQBWc0QNpDPw0nTNl9Lc3zZTabG2yrBUdwggJLiRiBQH8Vm33OSEk-Ud2Hx2nxGBaLrUoPmfLZoqzveZqXSPoF3FKA5yathxvZjV9pO-S4qwWhWpyOR_4qDnTwCJGi-okcgMpcBon7YhjV7tjPy6o6Zs0IKl8QJWU-3Ai8h8EcFrMFqGalM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDf_3MwVZ7gQBWc0QNpDPw0nTNl9Lc3zZTabG2yrBUdwggJLiRiBQH8Vm33OSEk-Ud2Hx2nxGBaLrUoPmfLZoqzveZqXSPoF3FKA5yathxvZjV9pO-S4qwWhWpyOR_4qDnTwCJGi-okcgMpcBon7YhjV7tjPy6o6Zs0IKl8QJWU-3Ai8h8EcFrMFqGalM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkB4Mf-L5HPtJLCh_x4lmeyzcytHCM6Jn8BbIJmqV6phzotJ28_mGH7qtUC5SYkfvDZBzI39CJ206PpHV4K3homyp3gDdy8Rk52RCd0Un7kaewAlWSs4VNBiRSwlVGqxLt9bLkwhVJKJY0xSRDW3IvyoL2dj2JfxPzVrYvNZinis9TyI0lkL8GXYi_U3o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkB4Mf-L5HPtJLCh_x4lmeyzcytHCM6Jn8BbIJmqV6phzotJ28_mGH7qtUC5SYkfvDZBzI39CJ206PpHV4K3homyp3gDdy8Rk52RCd0Un7kaewAlWSs4VNBiRSwlVGqxLt9bLkwhVJKJY0xSRDW3IvyoL2dj2JfxPzVrYvNZinis9TyI0lkL8GXYi_U3o=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhDd5qA7zN-8nnZQ3sni1hk5VMmj0dCbNJ-qr4VYg9fShwBDvKg61Moe1FUo7Ni7t-0v-jz67JQxMZ4FsVHQu4PiQWZCD-ZkY0LIRel-qDfkRBNtz6mKGbBZjtXWYG7IE_eRlpFKmeTMW3bKIBP2RpNzHfEN86LBWRO2Tgc4xiDP_cJ0lHfT-hzaEbXdo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhDd5qA7zN-8nnZQ3sni1hk5VMmj0dCbNJ-qr4VYg9fShwBDvKg61Moe1FUo7Ni7t-0v-jz67JQxMZ4FsVHQu4PiQWZCD-ZkY0LIRel-qDfkRBNtz6mKGbBZjtXWYG7IE_eRlpFKmeTMW3bKIBP2RpNzHfEN86LBWRO2Tgc4xiDP_cJ0lHfT-hzaEbXdo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Jared's parents brought Sunday dinner to us last night. They are so good to us. They asked Jared on Saturday if they could come for dinner. They of course love to see the grandkids but since they live a full hour away we don't make it down to them more than about once a month. Since they were asking last minute and they knew I had stake meetings all day they insisted on cooking. It was a delicious beef and broccoli meal. Jack and Grandma made these fancy panoramic easter eggs together, and Alice wanted everyone to read to her. It was a wonderful evening. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-74197567645123770042024-03-04T17:18:00.000-07:002024-03-04T17:18:47.367-07:00Surprise Snow Day<p>We are battling off some residual sicknesses that have been running rampant through our town this week. On the plus side, that has meant a couple sick days for Jared, and it's been so nice to have him around at home. On the minus side, he had to flake out on the Party Dad birthday party he set up for Jack and I had to jump in and make the cake, manage the party, entertain the parents (we were hoping we'd reached the age where parents would just drop off their kids, but two parents opted to stay mostly because they were worried their kids would tear our house apart without their supervision). Jack had fun so we're calling it a success, but Jared has gotten sick the last several Februaries so next time I'm going to push for a fun little birthday trip instead of a friend party. We have a hard time making family trips happen anyway (other than visiting family in Utah), so it could be a good two-birds-one-stone strategy.</p><p>Jack impresses us often. He can be a <i>handful</i> at home, but after spending time in primary and at his birthday party and witnessing how truly wild most of his peers become in public/social settings, I find myself counting my blessings that we really never worry about that with Jack. He is wonderful at church, and he was given an award at school for being the most respectful and quiet in his class while they had a substitute all last week. As a submissive people-pleaser peace-keeper of a child (and adult) myself, it is an absolute joy to watch this respectfulness go hand-in-hand with a strong sense of assertiveness for Jack when he's out in the world. At his football practices he's great at following instructions but he's also unafraid to ask a coach, "Can I run the ball first?" His bus driver gave each child a small toy as they got off the bus on leap day, and though Jack is pretty quiet on his bus and in school settings, he was unafraid to ask the driver, "Could I have an extra one to give my little sister?" When the bus driver smiled but said no, he was completely unfazed and got off the bus happy as ever, excited to show me. I just really love that he's never afraid to ask for what he wants, in a respectful way, and that he stays cool no matter the response. I'm sure he will carry this trait into adulthood and I love that for him. I'm taking notes for myself.</p><p>Alice is the cutest, funnest age. Jared and I both really enjoy the stage around 18 months. It is difficult for many reasons, but it is also the time when personalities start to shine and communication starts creeping in more. Alice is attempting more words (our favorite is "dip! dip!" as she dips whatever she's eating in a sauce). She'll often attempt the first two letters of a word when prompted. She'll point at a balloon and say, "buh!" or a ball and say, "ba," or a duck and say, "duh!" She has good understanding when we ask her to do something and seems to have developed a pretty good understanding of "yes" and "no." She'll nod her head "yes" when she means it and shake her head "no" as well when she doesn't want something. She can name and ask for anyone in the family ("Mama, Dada, Dah [for Jack], Ali, and ah-ee [Savvy]). </p><p>Alice will bring me the tv remote and start dancing if she wants me to turn on some dancing music. And she LOVES music and dancing. My favorite is when she squeezes her eyes shut and moves her lips open and closed to pretend she's singing along with a song. I also love when she approaches each of us one at a time with her arms up, squeezing her fists open and closed to indicate that she wants us to pick her up and dance with her. Even Jack will participate and she LOVES his jerky dancing with her. She often has her face set in her trademark offset lower lip, and she does these slurpy sounds to "talk" to us. Probably 90% of her language seems to be slurps and grunts. She also loves books. If I'm sitting on the ground she will often find and hand me a book and then plop herself into my lap for me to read to her. She is all kinds of adorable. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWJ2zo42kvh95x87_aqqyqywbuQf_ZF63yCojVjU39AC9OlEpPgfUsupyyyssNXJ7oWUGvlZTrPSNOzkkqPB93qHfrlCMS3RRfmmZejWtkeDp5btbiQ8qtSjjRnxE6-ih1dZFjWhwF5giJtNM9B2LUYIAkoPXUVTQllBD9wOjxH1RfqMSNVCBKrKiSJro" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWJ2zo42kvh95x87_aqqyqywbuQf_ZF63yCojVjU39AC9OlEpPgfUsupyyyssNXJ7oWUGvlZTrPSNOzkkqPB93qHfrlCMS3RRfmmZejWtkeDp5btbiQ8qtSjjRnxE6-ih1dZFjWhwF5giJtNM9B2LUYIAkoPXUVTQllBD9wOjxH1RfqMSNVCBKrKiSJro=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2r49Chodnb6uQCL06B-b82Y1tzHZUg6XkRSVnJ60dODLMa1AsKNnieIYypqgD7Dy0m8J4HdvoA-xykbwJzS_OkInlQcXvlfdROfe2JiN7mbCKAI8K63GZSQjoX8zQg-sQ6c_5F3W47S_iooOjsNTbdXAPSuCUnNk9Qg09L6C5_aS_oaYswCQIJDphcE8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2r49Chodnb6uQCL06B-b82Y1tzHZUg6XkRSVnJ60dODLMa1AsKNnieIYypqgD7Dy0m8J4HdvoA-xykbwJzS_OkInlQcXvlfdROfe2JiN7mbCKAI8K63GZSQjoX8zQg-sQ6c_5F3W47S_iooOjsNTbdXAPSuCUnNk9Qg09L6C5_aS_oaYswCQIJDphcE8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Dancing together</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgmkqhmARKnixdbjpc8hkU5Tcdx95ywRf0vtXGD3y19ZTK0xubl_Lk74XW9dhNEpfBKwOElUKFgkyY3klYTu3JKRV4DbD5Pp5VTqrM6Aq26Z0XMCfbcpEIterYngujDKReJ_ocfIPC7omRd8vnhJxn2aXg3du9PXIaydNWQyvGko4mJJlJr-gi3tXcGVs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgmkqhmARKnixdbjpc8hkU5Tcdx95ywRf0vtXGD3y19ZTK0xubl_Lk74XW9dhNEpfBKwOElUKFgkyY3klYTu3JKRV4DbD5Pp5VTqrM6Aq26Z0XMCfbcpEIterYngujDKReJ_ocfIPC7omRd8vnhJxn2aXg3du9PXIaydNWQyvGko4mJJlJr-gi3tXcGVs=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgna6pKmY7K25yNngNnEuOpIEkS44H4C3wkLgHYU1tzrtbwFzlwBFSzBY6n_-wosKkkEIdO-AA8EjIcD5l_GsyMJ7iphPFT67I5u1XpEY0QqgcZMkhVNlqUVHHcYOPj0LnZs1Lp0C8jQV2ng00JgTgAjZEtE7TZazgXzpfl4NrRFxylyL_ht4vJ_F1A7xo=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT9lMY7ReA-r6B55Vf_4-hKlza0DeSOx25eMIy-YbszsaE41cyVCVaJ6WgqSH_C6qQwtQFR8bKxtheEM7xLP4C3EENfMAXbkQ3yQ3uFQrHqBni-su4kn8m2OquCklctfN7og-N9R7xWHzvvbVYHDthIWtXuP7al8Ba3gq89vXQ-VtYwd-fG1qwDGDRECQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT9lMY7ReA-r6B55Vf_4-hKlza0DeSOx25eMIy-YbszsaE41cyVCVaJ6WgqSH_C6qQwtQFR8bKxtheEM7xLP4C3EENfMAXbkQ3yQ3uFQrHqBni-su4kn8m2OquCklctfN7og-N9R7xWHzvvbVYHDthIWtXuP7al8Ba3gq89vXQ-VtYwd-fG1qwDGDRECQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Sick day forest walk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiedevnxeSdEW59SEWMguxW3nnxpQq4596yuqtjzYP8JqWCTq-wiDQP58sLq6qGoknOnliAUEg2xRjBn4Z34RzzClokbot-YQktW7JM-Sw10GN2_BZx3zRoY6SYmfA_uNdwHfCCp87v6iK877k2H085E-7Do_Me1f4sW-73IxlPcAhSiJgZE87JE8RZgA0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3qvn1MtDkB3TxPrMkXwqXkUY9wArqUUFjyfylRPh7FuxK66FnBu7eimU2Xv1wo3UJ2WxF3O4xileT7cgdEQrh18fhJuRxRVyV9H53DugpyyBboGFX0tygwQDB4wixQ0VCMlWRja7gzYMOWFQOp2v8ZqGH7hUwaOY_QV15fWA_UrhXJW5vSbrgZ9qZVJU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3qvn1MtDkB3TxPrMkXwqXkUY9wArqUUFjyfylRPh7FuxK66FnBu7eimU2Xv1wo3UJ2WxF3O4xileT7cgdEQrh18fhJuRxRVyV9H53DugpyyBboGFX0tygwQDB4wixQ0VCMlWRja7gzYMOWFQOp2v8ZqGH7hUwaOY_QV15fWA_UrhXJW5vSbrgZ9qZVJU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQq5X-Wx2IIhaY2CtUgV6UDBou_FeFuulVwJ1ibOirjjfXcXulv0Z9f0H1S4HA0BOI11XjXST5MWLJX3TAny3LXfCvsJ9KBjhybbRnStM_UCigIz2CauK0iUKegj_fwIgV4Coy55kIVPWsQ4LzJNv2hTCsjbb_ng7q4AYFYDofXyB9aT2SUewdH6oMYXY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQq5X-Wx2IIhaY2CtUgV6UDBou_FeFuulVwJ1ibOirjjfXcXulv0Z9f0H1S4HA0BOI11XjXST5MWLJX3TAny3LXfCvsJ9KBjhybbRnStM_UCigIz2CauK0iUKegj_fwIgV4Coy55kIVPWsQ4LzJNv2hTCsjbb_ng7q4AYFYDofXyB9aT2SUewdH6oMYXY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^The stars aligned for us today when it finally snowed enough to sled for the first time this year, and Jack just so happened to have the day off of school and Jared just so happened to be taking a sick day. We all had a blast and stopped for McDonald's on the way home. It's been a wonderful, surprise snow day.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-89119539756766661382024-02-26T11:36:00.002-07:002024-02-26T11:39:38.735-07:00Jack Turns Six<p>Jack turned six yesterday! He's growing up so fast. Luckily he's not sad about it. Last night when I was in his bathroom getting his toothbrush ready I overheard him singing to his stuffed bunny: "Oh ya! Woo-hoo! I finally turned six!" I love him so much. I asked Jack a few birthday questions and here are his answers:</p><p>JACK AT 6:</p><p>-favorite thing to do: play chess with grandpa</p><p>-what animal would you want to be? a dingo</p><p>-where would you like to visit? a beach</p><p>-what do you want to be when you grow up? paleontologist</p><p>-best friend: mom (to be fair I gave him some wiggly eyebrows on this question, which definitely swayed his answer haha)</p><p>-what would you buy with a million dollars? a huge huge huge huge dinosaur toy</p><p>-what are you most proud of? Alice learning to walk (cuuute)</p><p>-what do you like to do with your family? go to utah (we told him we'd be visiting Utah over spring break and his eyes lit up so bright)</p><p>JACK'S FAVORITES:</p><p>-book: his dinosaur encyclopedia</p><p>-animal: cheetah</p><p>-color: blue</p><p>-food: pizza</p><p>- snack: yogurt</p><p>-dessert: ice cream</p><p>-game: stratego</p><p>-sport: flag football</p><p>-drink: root beer</p><p>-song: "everything in its right place" by Radiohead (heavily swayed by Jared)</p><p>-movie: Cars</p><p>-fruit: watermelon</p><p>-hobby: making legos</p><p><br /></p><p>And now some pictures from our week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDAc-QPOzw-ZBhHg9Xp7MUciRXiuOE5rdYTo5xLi6QHW9fPTsFDbh5DqDMc5JDOJiBqmc8yjFwhIztVm8yJJj7VebFUu73W5vRozGVydqd4p_hCRHuQNMo8vQE2y_MFpxPHs-yBRWv0bB3yPwiY4TaOff6kN9vjZPUhDgvaSbhmBf-ensqrOptJtaL2rM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDAc-QPOzw-ZBhHg9Xp7MUciRXiuOE5rdYTo5xLi6QHW9fPTsFDbh5DqDMc5JDOJiBqmc8yjFwhIztVm8yJJj7VebFUu73W5vRozGVydqd4p_hCRHuQNMo8vQE2y_MFpxPHs-yBRWv0bB3yPwiY4TaOff6kN9vjZPUhDgvaSbhmBf-ensqrOptJtaL2rM=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlMW_TJLh8gYR_M0vgDjh5-jE4u8KQ2mnXXaiVKSKRWOXS9UHL8LI5mr_wmuUusdWsJ6yFLcGNZNRGhqfTmm4A-98EPJSvvl6cgm0R5ytLUVo6fBMcXLI9_EeSF0dosyHfrn9mo5b4wEHCSj4hOIEXc3OsZg0-zxEfUOF7cwqwsayhE6bvJcQaxgpOE1o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlMW_TJLh8gYR_M0vgDjh5-jE4u8KQ2mnXXaiVKSKRWOXS9UHL8LI5mr_wmuUusdWsJ6yFLcGNZNRGhqfTmm4A-98EPJSvvl6cgm0R5ytLUVo6fBMcXLI9_EeSF0dosyHfrn9mo5b4wEHCSj4hOIEXc3OsZg0-zxEfUOF7cwqwsayhE6bvJcQaxgpOE1o=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^I didn't get many pictures from Jack's birthday, but Jared's parents and brother came over for Jack's favorite dinner: pizza. We grabbed two Papa Murpheys take n' bake pizzas the day before, and Jared grabbed a Costco chocolate cake. Birthday party Jared does it again! Normally I'd make dinner and cake myself, but I'm grateful Party Dad got excited and took care of everything because I ended up sick all weekend and stayed in my room during dinner. Jack had a really great birthday. His favorite gifts were legos, hot wheel tracks, and a web swing we will be installing next week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSJugllNAfOpXfy287dMJmzONlycBWmVB5AagQSCIGhjM74mhFRDlcoSCvSbrZv5Y1-cav-RA4aJYY6BBsGt6cLT81iIsNy1OpSiwPt8HyqkQYJToILjfetpUn1F-iB7yEOFrywW4s3lZResyROvuSnSUcPcFSmHBgs6g4xwbiVspwZ1jvJIKm3Pb-4ig" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSJugllNAfOpXfy287dMJmzONlycBWmVB5AagQSCIGhjM74mhFRDlcoSCvSbrZv5Y1-cav-RA4aJYY6BBsGt6cLT81iIsNy1OpSiwPt8HyqkQYJToILjfetpUn1F-iB7yEOFrywW4s3lZResyROvuSnSUcPcFSmHBgs6g4xwbiVspwZ1jvJIKm3Pb-4ig=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^He missed having me at his birthday dinner so he brought up two of his present to open with "just mom and Jack" in my room while everyone else was downstairs eating cake. I loved having this special moment just me and Jack. We got him a Yoto player for Christmas, but then we had too many Christmas gifts so I held it back for his birthday. I really love having a kid with a February birthday. It's long enough after Christmas that I can recover from holiday gift buying, but close enough to Christmas that I can easily pull a few gifts if there's too much going on at Christmas and use them for his birthday. So the buying of the birthday gifts is very low stress. We'll see how much mileage the yoto gets. It's kind of like a modern-day cassette player, and you can buy cards that have music, kid podcasts, or audiobooks for the player. I thought it would be a great purchase especially for long car rides to Utah. He seems only mildly interested now but I'll keep you posted on how helpful it is on our next drive to Utah.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWyvFHv1977o0-eHrW-D_SJ4ThtSMOa2DNS-1mW0bWpv_23OjbNY9gboXwJPSHTev4cikpvWVEgU07cII_NZE3GNR7paq4fNRszrsQO7asuPD7W63gasjQs4tvz-1Y4BfWqlss082ho33x1NoaQjDYzWo8G_wYjTUfdtH11979NUJPQtJRpBjMEujkDds" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWyvFHv1977o0-eHrW-D_SJ4ThtSMOa2DNS-1mW0bWpv_23OjbNY9gboXwJPSHTev4cikpvWVEgU07cII_NZE3GNR7paq4fNRszrsQO7asuPD7W63gasjQs4tvz-1Y4BfWqlss082ho33x1NoaQjDYzWo8G_wYjTUfdtH11979NUJPQtJRpBjMEujkDds=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicauZ7eKLNxdPXRr8tYQtPYBWHDou3xxUk2yb4kNZ-veQb0VtxScKfWpHlDYEB6Oc7y5baaBt0H7hAkV3VdclJeBTlrmCcl3BL5OP5t22KEoq6eskegNaV0g13FgwCAgll5fqgq9fPnw26JS3cRd-ibc6QcSBKXa1hrSmNpc6mBpfnCNMl3XhdCsdzfQQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicauZ7eKLNxdPXRr8tYQtPYBWHDou3xxUk2yb4kNZ-veQb0VtxScKfWpHlDYEB6Oc7y5baaBt0H7hAkV3VdclJeBTlrmCcl3BL5OP5t22KEoq6eskegNaV0g13FgwCAgll5fqgq9fPnw26JS3cRd-ibc6QcSBKXa1hrSmNpc6mBpfnCNMl3XhdCsdzfQQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK_raiZEKkLhxI6Ng-Fbcuau8bEn1kKQJlur_h6F8Eb2dRb2JawQA0mFoNB6NKpotkiKTJ90upmplqwyRifWWMkm0Crai2r9OT1edfLRazHSMxeCkNUTlte6_qkAS0roAAhfLp-xBqFq-hnh4EtuCxCdCezGBpyXt3ZcftTq68WeH073lQ8S33fBBeJb0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK_raiZEKkLhxI6Ng-Fbcuau8bEn1kKQJlur_h6F8Eb2dRb2JawQA0mFoNB6NKpotkiKTJ90upmplqwyRifWWMkm0Crai2r9OT1edfLRazHSMxeCkNUTlte6_qkAS0roAAhfLp-xBqFq-hnh4EtuCxCdCezGBpyXt3ZcftTq68WeH073lQ8S33fBBeJb0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKPkPFS1akvWCdxQp2BPgOseuYAbNXnXRY03xtG7ZzH1bIBQYZDQeAWRW3hmzl-d0lTSIEQxMhlqyKOSGTUsfoFFOfVQD2iqgy19W9EONpPWDfzTF6nwuOsbViPB_AY44vq7RtM16mu3EC6xZBk-53EPY2l_jxLK0KkMicPh_6qgTHdILuZp-tpKe5dkI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKPkPFS1akvWCdxQp2BPgOseuYAbNXnXRY03xtG7ZzH1bIBQYZDQeAWRW3hmzl-d0lTSIEQxMhlqyKOSGTUsfoFFOfVQD2iqgy19W9EONpPWDfzTF6nwuOsbViPB_AY44vq7RtM16mu3EC6xZBk-53EPY2l_jxLK0KkMicPh_6qgTHdILuZp-tpKe5dkI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^This isn't the first time I've said it and it won't be the last, but I am REALLY missing our prairie across the street in this stage of toddlerhood. Alice wants to be outside walking around ALL the time, but that ends up being stressful when all you have out your front door are streets and other people's cars and yards. The prairie was so nice with Jack at this age because I could actually relax while he wandered and explored. The only thing similar we have here is my favorite Glenmore forest walking trail, but it's a hassle to drive 12 minutes to get there. The prairie across the street was so nice because I didn't have to do the carseat battle and we could go out there 10 times a day if we wanted. Sigh. Wyoming, you were really good to us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmjK_sFXhpi7KspZG21fwwCvLn1TFB0L0yLcnIDlvlfVX8gEWHIcm55wndrEaLi4bB6MYTM9oOMl1bL0mtMBHWlgwpkMvy_rZQUrZAWeMEGE9iG_wwMp7rc8FJTXIctkun-qmBgKNWlN9df3HhlUcxpv9ZJredN1woopffN1tWi1VGeQ7oru1PngOI4d8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmjK_sFXhpi7KspZG21fwwCvLn1TFB0L0yLcnIDlvlfVX8gEWHIcm55wndrEaLi4bB6MYTM9oOMl1bL0mtMBHWlgwpkMvy_rZQUrZAWeMEGE9iG_wwMp7rc8FJTXIctkun-qmBgKNWlN9df3HhlUcxpv9ZJredN1woopffN1tWi1VGeQ7oru1PngOI4d8=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Jared and Alice going for a walk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_wrVhvHTM4QA4CSLc44jlOaUUdPeJ-RvhgXU7grRF-kdhsUtIzJwXWvScxrKm-LhTSy1rl8pWXHfYoFUzpkkd_j98knpObsntX8fwKyc5TWvsAFGnKkqBSBvdWUEjxwDhDq8ESy-HncR6Pg95SI_LQa3-bJjY7gmks7ZD3raU_BmB_NDSY-7jV4RO7cs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_wrVhvHTM4QA4CSLc44jlOaUUdPeJ-RvhgXU7grRF-kdhsUtIzJwXWvScxrKm-LhTSy1rl8pWXHfYoFUzpkkd_j98knpObsntX8fwKyc5TWvsAFGnKkqBSBvdWUEjxwDhDq8ESy-HncR6Pg95SI_LQa3-bJjY7gmks7ZD3raU_BmB_NDSY-7jV4RO7cs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNc2M-XHDVCarWV0kxB1qdXoRmFnsHkeJuK-c1ba79n7_8TZpgnRsPoMYA9OYFNW2VbW9e_lAzRLWeO8KMONgE4u6D900k1hWp3MNidutuEva72LzpZEFgaxWxKL-THtlOXMy5l2wEh3A6xNzgS9OUTlMzdHDGZOyQKkrYvbjxjUHnFbUw-cO2JGgoiQg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNc2M-XHDVCarWV0kxB1qdXoRmFnsHkeJuK-c1ba79n7_8TZpgnRsPoMYA9OYFNW2VbW9e_lAzRLWeO8KMONgE4u6D900k1hWp3MNidutuEva72LzpZEFgaxWxKL-THtlOXMy5l2wEh3A6xNzgS9OUTlMzdHDGZOyQKkrYvbjxjUHnFbUw-cO2JGgoiQg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Me and Alice play a game when she wakes up where we pretend to feed her stuffed animals from her bottle and then pretend they burp, and she thinks it's hysterical every time. 10 out of 10 baby entertainment.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-74511241006176618232024-02-19T14:35:00.000-07:002024-02-19T14:35:10.149-07:00Bangs<p>Little miss baby has bangs! They are very cute. Jared cut them last week--a little on the short side but (a) that's a rite of passage, and (b) they'll be the perfect length within a week or two. Alice wouldn't sit still so they're a bit uneven--oh well! I hesitated to let Jared do it, but he does SUCH a good job cutting his own hair and Jack's hair, and since he's willing and wanting to be the family haircutter, the best thing for him to do is practice. If we had family pictures coming up I'd take her to a professional but otherwise it's just so convenient (and cheap) to have Jared cut the kids' hair.</p><p>We had a sweet Valentine's date last week. On Jared's day off (Tuesday) we drove half an hour to the nearest Nordstrom to return some too-big boots I got for Christmas. Our plan was to have a Valentine's lunch date afterward, but Alice had run out of steam and started screaming by then. I knew a sit-down lunch would be a bad idea, but I also was bitter at the thought of skipping it and going home, so we pivoted and buckled Alice into the car, turned on a show for her to watch (she only recently developed the attention span for this to work and I am very happy about this milestone), went through a Shake Shack drive-thru by the mall, and had a car lunch date in the mall parking lot. It was really fun! We'd never had Shake Shack and it was good. The shake was great, the crinkle fries outstanding. The burgers weren't anything spectacular but the company was perfect. I didn't get any pictures, but here are some other pictures from our week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LWL1Bkzg7HRfS_l3N8tDa2fXwJp05Ui4fKgMaF9rhe7dYyZNvrWEpZgpcj4ATQH7pE-h0hojFyOvHSgfh-RlUz8km3nFtdeMBf3XcStSrOREXJpxNs2KRmPrFNBJ8z-vuUlvp11TvWZksseCTKxBuIA4lqRaFqxFUN3pWnEx_-Zwib1_HMNGHq1WO7w/s3280/PXL_20240214_001025369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3280" data-original-width="2460" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LWL1Bkzg7HRfS_l3N8tDa2fXwJp05Ui4fKgMaF9rhe7dYyZNvrWEpZgpcj4ATQH7pE-h0hojFyOvHSgfh-RlUz8km3nFtdeMBf3XcStSrOREXJpxNs2KRmPrFNBJ8z-vuUlvp11TvWZksseCTKxBuIA4lqRaFqxFUN3pWnEx_-Zwib1_HMNGHq1WO7w/w480-h640/PXL_20240214_001025369.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jared taking the kiddos for a bike ride. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIfEh00GhKp1hMUM018RoEL8HxoSWmAawOF3xWxc7xob1GkGQKejpa4V622jRnwfhe2tegylN3vdXfIfSfMJaTCa9dyacsUJf3A_LRYSuNQOj6qM92_XPhfrccIyPwqFBGJ8h1v6TM0mDpeXpUmIXZvdziEh7uUv2oJYRH5qCqB8hG-IyYkxDJZTOmEQ/s4032/PXL_20240214_220555648.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIfEh00GhKp1hMUM018RoEL8HxoSWmAawOF3xWxc7xob1GkGQKejpa4V622jRnwfhe2tegylN3vdXfIfSfMJaTCa9dyacsUJf3A_LRYSuNQOj6qM92_XPhfrccIyPwqFBGJ8h1v6TM0mDpeXpUmIXZvdziEh7uUv2oJYRH5qCqB8hG-IyYkxDJZTOmEQ/w480-h640/PXL_20240214_220555648.MP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8flb65a4vp-I1-HpKKox0GMeBg_47PZwxwM8J9fx_0coGIJhusZznuX-OxbpANMEUtzxl2Cuxqkdvxx-nnWVlCnuOkXIIx3Ha4lGVO74LAz4JaibJT8kVwc4JBQqHCWkIh9D4mDf5RjmpiDF3l24aN6WzKNm0FwTk6RK1Uv8QzBGf6UyLWRR8MWNQhk/s4032/PXL_20240215_011607391.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8flb65a4vp-I1-HpKKox0GMeBg_47PZwxwM8J9fx_0coGIJhusZznuX-OxbpANMEUtzxl2Cuxqkdvxx-nnWVlCnuOkXIIx3Ha4lGVO74LAz4JaibJT8kVwc4JBQqHCWkIh9D4mDf5RjmpiDF3l24aN6WzKNm0FwTk6RK1Uv8QzBGf6UyLWRR8MWNQhk/w640-h480/PXL_20240215_011607391.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>^^Valentine's Morning. Jack had a great day exchanging Valentines at school. For dinner we made pizzas with heart-shaped pepperonis.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv83FTP-hOoLEmNBEwHVYXQWtnhwLm68zS2B_fpRgIb9oZ7OttRjCqjG2snHLbx96YvDlZXN0BRgvvDAfZKeiQkcbXjzX5ElPCp1AjctN6z_ZYoqnTIsMjyVnHinS0NCOSRGLrV5ifmXexPb2UEz8UG0ohkdwuPDq9PODN2U90ilcIRMQyc-0KrLKgxw/s4032/PXL_20240215_013450565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv83FTP-hOoLEmNBEwHVYXQWtnhwLm68zS2B_fpRgIb9oZ7OttRjCqjG2snHLbx96YvDlZXN0BRgvvDAfZKeiQkcbXjzX5ElPCp1AjctN6z_ZYoqnTIsMjyVnHinS0NCOSRGLrV5ifmXexPb2UEz8UG0ohkdwuPDq9PODN2U90ilcIRMQyc-0KrLKgxw/w480-h640/PXL_20240215_013450565.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jared playing with the kids after work.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3CGY1GukanKhHC_nSy031PWevrdCWjTGL2lO1qH805ee6Te_olzxkV8l5G8xNN42n6jXQSWORAKa_JSgSQZXmzhSJvaVVNoTmaxXtZK5MWxvGG738fjMbX3TST5sYPXgRlttKEGKmN_1vJFrjaZkro2_7lH1DIt66PzFWg13UHtpG-diXE_x8U9weV4/s2600/PXL_20240215_165255364.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="1950" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3CGY1GukanKhHC_nSy031PWevrdCWjTGL2lO1qH805ee6Te_olzxkV8l5G8xNN42n6jXQSWORAKa_JSgSQZXmzhSJvaVVNoTmaxXtZK5MWxvGG738fjMbX3TST5sYPXgRlttKEGKmN_1vJFrjaZkro2_7lH1DIt66PzFWg13UHtpG-diXE_x8U9weV4/w480-h640/PXL_20240215_165255364.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXVGMzFUYmg1tmZJCCo3wiiCUR6Z-wFDBp2dpmCj2m2hidzaWO1TL7ifWCBunYo1o-VrjuwRR6v_FKgK0PYAlru70pe-70OfMUr2heGNo4zHmgRWwYMbZ55NuwBGWhuB_SXC7oR0c423D08NaeGAT2P4L19LJRBBVDc7_TGYH6Wk6XldrPPidBnBMxY8/s2194/PXL_20240215_170606457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1865" data-original-width="2194" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXVGMzFUYmg1tmZJCCo3wiiCUR6Z-wFDBp2dpmCj2m2hidzaWO1TL7ifWCBunYo1o-VrjuwRR6v_FKgK0PYAlru70pe-70OfMUr2heGNo4zHmgRWwYMbZ55NuwBGWhuB_SXC7oR0c423D08NaeGAT2P4L19LJRBBVDc7_TGYH6Wk6XldrPPidBnBMxY8/w640-h544/PXL_20240215_170606457.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQNho2cQji55kLF9OO8hIWW6D6oIxbvFlF2iITaTbEAiHm9JYxPmbpNvVSiLXP04a-25Yec2KXMrOeKjLM9LwtpEeLi9Ls5nJa6bR4F-RstjWTteBZlYn-jVYLiMW6rRHytGg4A5-Vk9xtyLz1eFjmDIKZqTfyduUDV3FTJXbka-xrh_O-0ftKRiq6Y4/s4032/PXL_20240216_201744550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQNho2cQji55kLF9OO8hIWW6D6oIxbvFlF2iITaTbEAiHm9JYxPmbpNvVSiLXP04a-25Yec2KXMrOeKjLM9LwtpEeLi9Ls5nJa6bR4F-RstjWTteBZlYn-jVYLiMW6rRHytGg4A5-Vk9xtyLz1eFjmDIKZqTfyduUDV3FTJXbka-xrh_O-0ftKRiq6Y4/w480-h640/PXL_20240216_201744550.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKHykb12_pvf70v2CVy23tL_8bLhgeYS6cg-hLgWGOK8iNIG_0UN7wpL6CWvUvFGLQ_rRv1DKAyFwCCuc60bRZ1UUUcD-g1Z9edQe_tBHbYZMAyjy0-PSMe5q_F1OSLDDi2hzj-pqZlZCZt4BZI8f-mZqXaKvAfnF-zgLmrCDF8jQPy6u46r0dQ-3EpE/s4032/PXL_20240217_214001130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKHykb12_pvf70v2CVy23tL_8bLhgeYS6cg-hLgWGOK8iNIG_0UN7wpL6CWvUvFGLQ_rRv1DKAyFwCCuc60bRZ1UUUcD-g1Z9edQe_tBHbYZMAyjy0-PSMe5q_F1OSLDDi2hzj-pqZlZCZt4BZI8f-mZqXaKvAfnF-zgLmrCDF8jQPy6u46r0dQ-3EpE/w480-h640/PXL_20240217_214001130.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>^^I spent many more hours and weeks on this gallery project than I'd like to admit, but I am so happy with how it turned out. I learned a lot about scale, color, paint, and framing. I love seeing pictures of all the places we've lived and family moments whenever I'm sitting on our couch now. <p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-31163583937783075282024-02-12T07:00:00.002-07:002024-02-19T11:17:37.213-07:00Back in a 2-nap, Girls' Night Prime<p>Alice is back to two naps. We tried one nap for a month, but her nap was so short and wasn't getting longer and she was grumpy all the time. I referred back to an 18-month blog update I did for Jack (Alice is currently 16 months) and noted that he was still taking two naps at the time. So I tried putting Alice back on a two-nap schedule and it has made a world of difference around here. Both of her naps are longer than her one nap was before, and she's still going to bed and waking up at reasonable hours. "Sleep begets sleep" does it again. </p><p>Jared's mom invited me attend a cookie-decorating class with her on Saturday. It started at 7:00 p.m. and was an hour away. I was on a high feeling like a cRaZy college grl again until I took it too far and decided to stop for a Spicy McChicken at 11:00 p.m. on the drive home. I got stuck in what looked to be a medium-long drive-thru line that must've been full of potheads with huge cases of the munchies. Took 45 minutes to get through the line and I didn't get home until midnight. Worth it though (the class, not the McDonalds). This was my first time decorating with royal icing and it was lots of fun! Some pictures from our week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2GPDjueF9G6o1Rt9Vo-jyvXUObqgbwXITiJbvtUVFoTTdmDf-pAAv6ALBq-f2j_F-yNyp7p93zS3wW4ee_arC-dgqWhhLCNVUxlDdXmBGHpZsgQMI-YEnRzwQeM4hlDWBqJ9JOvi89ZxJEHR69vF6YCBq_OwY0PcJVk0VHJOo7uHKLzvVxKz92hvRimY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2GPDjueF9G6o1Rt9Vo-jyvXUObqgbwXITiJbvtUVFoTTdmDf-pAAv6ALBq-f2j_F-yNyp7p93zS3wW4ee_arC-dgqWhhLCNVUxlDdXmBGHpZsgQMI-YEnRzwQeM4hlDWBqJ9JOvi89ZxJEHR69vF6YCBq_OwY0PcJVk0VHJOo7uHKLzvVxKz92hvRimY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiugvKDsVFq4hLBr06VGJreDaNC6SVEZz5FudUs-o5j_NQEjX_P5tek4TqIN_lhRF3G1c4WsV52HMgiW9YGIgw08XY3U2lHOieK7zNK34WkGMwkZgi7kzYvrWA1FHu9QiNYCXu-Sa11mZKPM6bzJGEI7wPBKG4S2qIQ3VNl9e68Rdxu25s2Du0_Dr4QidU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiugvKDsVFq4hLBr06VGJreDaNC6SVEZz5FudUs-o5j_NQEjX_P5tek4TqIN_lhRF3G1c4WsV52HMgiW9YGIgw08XY3U2lHOieK7zNK34WkGMwkZgi7kzYvrWA1FHu9QiNYCXu-Sa11mZKPM6bzJGEI7wPBKG4S2qIQ3VNl9e68Rdxu25s2Du0_Dr4QidU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Alice has discovered a love for shoes and it is adorable. She's walking all over the place these days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqhdUkTuIIdGD4om4yT-p1q_Nl2Z9VL1ClYRoPyk-2ze6MrIRo2cMpBHsAwyjWTOfK8jcWWWW4Er2wGjZkDWyaBQY7Eu4Em6xExP1Q0P2npE3BLCshuCgTlAZUfSt8yoyPP_a-y1Y_c_xhGbQuaCjui6nEkBDIs_0RclMxWpkSlwKdi5RphcZWYmWCvD8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="542" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqhdUkTuIIdGD4om4yT-p1q_Nl2Z9VL1ClYRoPyk-2ze6MrIRo2cMpBHsAwyjWTOfK8jcWWWW4Er2wGjZkDWyaBQY7Eu4Em6xExP1Q0P2npE3BLCshuCgTlAZUfSt8yoyPP_a-y1Y_c_xhGbQuaCjui6nEkBDIs_0RclMxWpkSlwKdi5RphcZWYmWCvD8=w253-h640" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Also Alice is teething. On my face. She's teething on my face. Neat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin-IQSxqY5B-5pW3bvmEEENX8K8OoZ83EBn3wdYNgGqZv9mXWIBJ_Z5arA51FfQ6DKIHD6KOwsfz-oBn-2piwhBKRS5EimbIdwaKARBFIYFr6yW4MWVqg4hB56kQHclZhL2HYfkBwG0T8rOBzi14wvcCpDqGhIMUqTkW9aXADaAnX4OW1-pGm33QLVpV0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin-IQSxqY5B-5pW3bvmEEENX8K8OoZ83EBn3wdYNgGqZv9mXWIBJ_Z5arA51FfQ6DKIHD6KOwsfz-oBn-2piwhBKRS5EimbIdwaKARBFIYFr6yW4MWVqg4hB56kQHclZhL2HYfkBwG0T8rOBzi14wvcCpDqGhIMUqTkW9aXADaAnX4OW1-pGm33QLVpV0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^These sheepdog bangs were getting out of hand so Jared trimmed them yesterday and they turned out adorable. I didn't take a picture but you'll see them in next week's post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_TMMft03-Ng1JVfPNxax6bHvFT6DNe0gZq8H8UJqH30NrjMCZPvXzJhi66Dq46-_Hsd8LIjgyImKxhD1vdxJljZMNJtsx9hjlSrBX1UyzCcNxczXEVCNafp7Jlr69l23kPlJfL5AhH2bb6zoWIozCfVP_nTMwfnbPEkVI0DmrgPy4SFhFO1v3kuVPJmY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_TMMft03-Ng1JVfPNxax6bHvFT6DNe0gZq8H8UJqH30NrjMCZPvXzJhi66Dq46-_Hsd8LIjgyImKxhD1vdxJljZMNJtsx9hjlSrBX1UyzCcNxczXEVCNafp7Jlr69l23kPlJfL5AhH2bb6zoWIozCfVP_nTMwfnbPEkVI0DmrgPy4SFhFO1v3kuVPJmY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg04ME0fP66joysqjz0rIG78c-I-ZqhBHpEd4VmjLQty8O1QVr67tra0iEfv6PRqho0OL1eqv4UwqBRNXiaEP3tLw3wBustLD9n63nmd58MyzAG7_DSWyEVMMScy5E3w2bMh6uPPYLPI_TjuECugUQfuxASevELrCuqu1Ml7M9-zS7TF3qUl9MzooEWQrs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg04ME0fP66joysqjz0rIG78c-I-ZqhBHpEd4VmjLQty8O1QVr67tra0iEfv6PRqho0OL1eqv4UwqBRNXiaEP3tLw3wBustLD9n63nmd58MyzAG7_DSWyEVMMScy5E3w2bMh6uPPYLPI_TjuECugUQfuxASevELrCuqu1Ml7M9-zS7TF3qUl9MzooEWQrs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^The cookie class! It felt more like a party than a class. The teacher sure knew how to host. There was a table dedicated entirely to Italian sodas and drinks, and all the cookie supplies were set out cute, ready to go. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI5MRSKLgiWYoLW3mIKQhDHb25bxXRnUJtfWHyg1SZmxW454aoOxvGM18OC5lbwSrP4LMkrhbJAa6AUD8hWGuGhXhvnDFknlVswa_a7iso5zFEPkVpmNzg11di2udAh6hqK0Q4bd77U84PuxD8Vf0iXjWEGRBOtS56CE-J35Q0IwRO5iyXil0q67adb2s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI5MRSKLgiWYoLW3mIKQhDHb25bxXRnUJtfWHyg1SZmxW454aoOxvGM18OC5lbwSrP4LMkrhbJAa6AUD8hWGuGhXhvnDFknlVswa_a7iso5zFEPkVpmNzg11di2udAh6hqK0Q4bd77U84PuxD8Vf0iXjWEGRBOtS56CE-J35Q0IwRO5iyXil0q67adb2s=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^We learned lots of techniques, like "watercoloring." The box on the bottom right is my cookie creations. Even better, they were really delicious to eat.</div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-67659485772475267002024-02-05T07:00:00.096-07:002024-02-05T07:00:00.159-07:00Wide Wonderful World<p>I'm racking my brain for new going-ons to report. We started a new February tradition last week of eating dinner with all the lights off and a newly thrifted silver candelabra lit up. We're going to do this every night, letting the candles burn down, until Valentine's Day. It's still dark starting early in the evenings so this will be a fun tradition for the last month of darkness before we gain back some evening light with Daylight Savings in March. So fun how candlelight can completely shift the mood. Jack becomes very engaged in the dinner and conversation when we do this. </p><p>I got a new calling as first councilor in the stake primary presidency yesterday. I don't know much about what this will entail but I nervously look forward to finding out. Jared and I are sad we won't get to spend our second hour together teaching primary anymore, but he will probably get a new co-teacher and I'm sure I'll get to substitute in with him sometimes. He also continues to lead the activity days boys. It was fun to go to my first stake meeting yesterday morning and hear everyone sing praises of the Granite Falls activity days program. Hey! That's my Jared making that happen! He is the most dedicated, wonderful activity days leader. It's the perfect calling for him, honestly. The kids look up to him and he singlehandedly will plan out a year of activities at a time and singlehandedly execute almost all of them every week. What a guy. Here are some pictures from our week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHgK8FDirkH7Q21PpT6CcTJEK3fGZuGAWxpP77Do-15VmI5c_Z_9AS8KBPSbaZzPBBC-fT3UcaEXR-zxsVt3gP3IISyP1JTxEufmxmGkux_9Oxqu0UxxwPOpOIAlpzTGywPRNGycgq2HIOi1AYrA1tJTEWw2qAqScFM2rpP35oKKmcIr3Tux5ZAi__OpQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHgK8FDirkH7Q21PpT6CcTJEK3fGZuGAWxpP77Do-15VmI5c_Z_9AS8KBPSbaZzPBBC-fT3UcaEXR-zxsVt3gP3IISyP1JTxEufmxmGkux_9Oxqu0UxxwPOpOIAlpzTGywPRNGycgq2HIOi1AYrA1tJTEWw2qAqScFM2rpP35oKKmcIr3Tux5ZAi__OpQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^A Tuesday hike date with our little lady.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhq65RsLotCsEO-aK3pqGDY6beaHjG7afC-btjOO77zQMXUrtFgsTfFsiLb1lZyQIM47KkHoNjaCJNpIB4uuHIA4SES9zhd6RyswuP4GeXzai095YaLU-FxkRC8QT6GHtbph0Af_gA9_WOM9X92Aq3xXGA9cNjinJcLTICFw6oCG13L7dQDaRJQLhRDIE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhq65RsLotCsEO-aK3pqGDY6beaHjG7afC-btjOO77zQMXUrtFgsTfFsiLb1lZyQIM47KkHoNjaCJNpIB4uuHIA4SES9zhd6RyswuP4GeXzai095YaLU-FxkRC8QT6GHtbph0Af_gA9_WOM9X92Aq3xXGA9cNjinJcLTICFw6oCG13L7dQDaRJQLhRDIE=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj081onFFv1iLeFKSK7b5Zc9fdfPFQOE5HpbmbuF0A4hw869pmd3_vjS8VkEmyH-KApZRLSTfFgkZLWB300208TWYUL5v79WkBF9jxRoBfUanS_EjfjkqKUnSVOMnosT4yY1PAxfLvdkMe68cM3T8PIVMLSX6S7VF5aJVhTXai8BuHqfRYru2VkOhM47fk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj081onFFv1iLeFKSK7b5Zc9fdfPFQOE5HpbmbuF0A4hw869pmd3_vjS8VkEmyH-KApZRLSTfFgkZLWB300208TWYUL5v79WkBF9jxRoBfUanS_EjfjkqKUnSVOMnosT4yY1PAxfLvdkMe68cM3T8PIVMLSX6S7VF5aJVhTXai8BuHqfRYru2VkOhM47fk=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">^^I like this duo. This last week Jack was having a meltdown after school, as sometimes happens on early release days when there's a loooong time to go until dinner. We were in a bit of a standoff, with him teetering right on the brink of a rager. Over the summer I learned that truly the ONLY way to diffuse a situation like this with Jack is to (quite counterintuitively) start with a begrudging hug and then have a few minutes snuggling. This is when the defenses come down and we can get back on the same team before tackling the problem and continuing on with our day. It's tricky to accomplish when Alice is around, because the key is a one-on-one snuggle with all attention on him. Alice doesn't approve of the attention being on someone else, and the situation can easily escalate from there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ANYway, he was entering the scream stage of the rager so I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself and Alice (who was hiding behind me) calm, and said, "Jack I'm having a hard time. Could I have a hug?" He refused and let out another scream, and then dear, sweet baby Alice, toddled on over to him mid-scream and gave him a big hug and two pats on the back. This stopped Jack in his tracks and he stared at her, taken completely off-guard. She pulled away, and then after a second or two she went in for another hug and some more pats on the back. He cracked a smile. When Alice pulled away and went back in for a final hug, Jack melted into a healp of giggles and the situation was diffused. Three cheers for Alice saving the day. I think she must've heard me say "Jack" and "hug" in the same sentence and just went for it. Whatever was happening in that baby brain of hers, it was a really sweet moment. Thanks bb Al for saving the afternoon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtM4nDPOmN8L5RvlsYY9kzG46Tcu2bOW_9j93dY4oynu0OaTR09b4r2QQRSx9hbQIP9VucWr2sWIDdK7rOdk6jApXpnO7pbEqKxSgzUNJxW-T0ZdNJaHG92SHgSUZZlw6DDfF9Fva1kGA50FdFCmiQ9EBB3S9IkJWwiIgUbEMPpRzerMLlovy-ZkL9P7g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtM4nDPOmN8L5RvlsYY9kzG46Tcu2bOW_9j93dY4oynu0OaTR09b4r2QQRSx9hbQIP9VucWr2sWIDdK7rOdk6jApXpnO7pbEqKxSgzUNJxW-T0ZdNJaHG92SHgSUZZlw6DDfF9Fva1kGA50FdFCmiQ9EBB3S9IkJWwiIgUbEMPpRzerMLlovy-ZkL9P7g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Alice has discovered shoes. She has also discovered the world outside our front door, and now that she's walking she's constantly wanting to go out and walk up and down the streets. This stage really has me missing the wide open prairie right outside our front door in Wyoming. It's not as fun to walk a baby down our street here--constantly on goalie duty to keep her out of the street and neighbors' yards and her screaming in protest--as it was to set Jack loose in the prairie at that age and just leisurely follow a few steps behind. I miss that so much. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-54829186428217711432024-01-29T07:00:00.001-07:002024-01-29T07:00:00.137-07:00Beeboop<p>I went to upload my pictures for the week and there were only these two? This is the lightest photo week I've had in months. Probably for the best. I definitely take more pictures than anyone needs of their childhood. Not too much to say this week. It's still rainy and dreary most days, but the temperatures are headed in an upward trajectory. </p><p>Alice is still sticking with one nap. I spent a lot of the week discouraged that her one nap hasn't gotten any longer. She used to take 2 naps each day, each one being about an hour and a half. Now her one nap lasts just over an hour, and I've really been feeling that loss of half of my productive/restful time each day. However, I just did a quick google and it looks like it's normal for the nap to take 2-4 weeks to lengthen after the 2-1 nap transition. I'm feeling some inklings of hope for the future of my free time. </p><p>In other Alice news, she has gained a lot of confidence in her walking this week. She's toddling all around the house all day. It's very cute, but with this new ability has a come a frustration with being confined to a grocery cart, front pack, or church pew. She would just rather be walking around on her own everywhere now. Toddlerhood, we meet again. It's go time.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc0byj5xUu88A0e-NVBUIKD0ZMGzeU67q73buACxuYMEWhkHuN4hTUcgIIjSIyYy9ttWnPKfvna4XwJ3XkkeO6LHzPPuODWTuQbBipkW_bE5ByBt9cPXRogKLEVqutbDGA0wI8ZMs7U-7kDQBlF6CL-uHIN4v3wLCQgbDL4V2i6ragoesnHTXN_O2stAQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc0byj5xUu88A0e-NVBUIKD0ZMGzeU67q73buACxuYMEWhkHuN4hTUcgIIjSIyYy9ttWnPKfvna4XwJ3XkkeO6LHzPPuODWTuQbBipkW_bE5ByBt9cPXRogKLEVqutbDGA0wI8ZMs7U-7kDQBlF6CL-uHIN4v3wLCQgbDL4V2i6ragoesnHTXN_O2stAQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^I got her hair done! This is no small feat. The only time I can get her to hold still to get her hair done is when she's trapped in a high chair. Unfortunately, food has been my method for distracting her while I do her hair in the past, but now she just swats my hands away and tugs at her hair, and often her hands are sticky from eating and it ends up worse than when we started. Accomplishing a fresh ponytail with a bow on top feels like I should probably be awarded an olympic gold medal. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikUd6z8heazdN1ZGM9Hn61KwP-DyPModGi4IuJgkyv_D_aPP1_K1iy5HCZxpt36h1GOtmA1B10gXIZUftMSfmoC7rZB5R9xyaYo3ZmeCtgRURCN8kd9qG1LRW1GhrQcawYmNwHxth-wIww-92MNG5UmaL-jdLDPDWxpB12oraCkJmGnxnLnnR_4eVdtXw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikUd6z8heazdN1ZGM9Hn61KwP-DyPModGi4IuJgkyv_D_aPP1_K1iy5HCZxpt36h1GOtmA1B10gXIZUftMSfmoC7rZB5R9xyaYo3ZmeCtgRURCN8kd9qG1LRW1GhrQcawYmNwHxth-wIww-92MNG5UmaL-jdLDPDWxpB12oraCkJmGnxnLnnR_4eVdtXw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^This week we remembered we own a robot vacuum and we introduced it to Alice. They have become fast friends. We've had it for years but haven't used it much because our stick vacuum works better and is quick to whip out. But we are very much in a crumbs-all-over-the-floor stage in our family after every meal and so it was time to employ Beeboop (our robot vacuum). Alice loves watching it roam around the downstairs and following it around. The other day I told her to go put a popsicle stick on Beeboop, and she understood and did it! So now one of my go-to games is having Alice put random things on Beeboop. We have fun. </div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-83291284281618281852024-01-22T07:00:00.025-07:002024-01-22T07:00:00.138-07:00January Things<p>Hello! I'll do a family update this week. Alice is hesitantly enjoying her newfound walking ability. She always wants to be walking around the house, but mostly only if she can hold onto one of my fingers while she does it. She's constantly reaching for my finger to get me to take her on a walk around the house. As long as I can listen to a podcast, I am enjoying this baby-walker stage of my career.</p><p>Alice is officially down to one nap a day--full stop. When Jack was a baby he toggled between one and two naps for several weeks before the one-nap schedule stuck, but Alice really landed on one nap last week and isn't going back. This is inconvenient timing since our church is now at 10:30 and she usually goes down for her nap around then. She is extremely wiggly and grumpy by the time primary comes around if we skip that morning nap (making it extra challenging for us to teach). So yesterday we put her down for a 30-minute catnap before church, hoping she would take an additional nap after church. Nope. Couldn't do the second nap and it was a rough afternoon. So for future Sundays we'll just keep her up until after church. We only need to make it through two more months until nursery.</p><p>Jack had many days of cancelled school last week. Monday was MLK day, Tuesday was a snow day, Wednesday was a half school day, and Thursday there was a burst pipe and school was cancelled. Combined with Alice abandoning her second nap, I felt like I was really white-knuckling my way through the week. I'd better have a good plan in place for getting through summer. I wish we lived in a neighborhood with lots of kids around Jack's age for him to run outside and play with. I'm seriously considering driving to Utah for a month of summer so he can play with the good neighborhood kids and cousins there. My other plan for surviving summer is going into it with lowwwww expectations. I'm going to do my best to abandon all hopes of productivity, and instead focus on fun PNW summer adventures--enjoying time with the kids instead of pining after my to-do list that I'll realistically never get to sink my teeth into over the summer. </p><p>Jared has been practicing his oil painting. I'm proud of him--he's wanted to pursue this for a decade and now is his time. I love watching him jump into something he enjoys in the evenings. After he gets better I'd love for him to teach me some basics, but for now I'm enjoying diving into my own interests while he's painting. I've learned over the past decade that I am my happiest self when I'm learning something new and doing something creatively fulfilling (which is why I'm so excited to watch Jared take up a creative hobby!). </p><p>For now my "thing" is listening to the Dear Alice design podcast and jotting down notes while I do little home projects like putting up a gallery wall of family pictures. You'd think that would be a one-day project, but it's been tricky. I started out with a wall of thrifted frames I've collected over the past few years. It took me hours and hours to arrange and put it up, but unfortunately it still came out looking off. I like the <i>idea</i> of a gallery wall of all different frames, but something's just not working. I'm leaning toward trying simple black frames and cardstock mats that I'll wrap in bits of linen cut from a fitted linen sheet I recently wore a hole through. I've already redone one frame this way and I love it. It feels very "me" and unique with the linen mats, but I like the uniformity of all black frames. It'll probably take several more weeks to decide on or thrift more black frames and then make the mats. Good thing I like a creative project. For now I'm leaving the gallery wall up so we can enjoy the pictures.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhum2AH_1I1bSYDXP5W4luKotn0WBhQhv-3z8TEJYOu03Q-XPzl5155tBCON7O933d7_lna7GdPm-aiPwiv-s5LjHVB8YLSP9flWiaQv_dr8iNtvvlsnHvNhuVJ1zfp8w1nSzi8a4DGn2_1qKJRXX1zVFgd6jnny08yDAuO4SQq_zKO6aXKVwGCQiQlMl8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhum2AH_1I1bSYDXP5W4luKotn0WBhQhv-3z8TEJYOu03Q-XPzl5155tBCON7O933d7_lna7GdPm-aiPwiv-s5LjHVB8YLSP9flWiaQv_dr8iNtvvlsnHvNhuVJ1zfp8w1nSzi8a4DGn2_1qKJRXX1zVFgd6jnny08yDAuO4SQq_zKO6aXKVwGCQiQlMl8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Dusky view from my favorite walk. Equal parts creepy and magical being in a forest with trees this tall after dark ("after dark" being exactly 4:30 p.m.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilNBej3BvTbRjN1OyjM6JAbAuL67NGgWN6z06U7y3LHnRjnEJlhf9GSAH6P1zzLlpAgzFfliD5yABDzA-qlqiDtfHkkwfCrxyIj_C5bmaDN91MM1ePJXmHXaeYwf4-3rCHXuH0tsJpkj4stVkiNMwbaTmvgYPyibHEXJX2OGMHdy0etieWo-omWiSmdVE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilNBej3BvTbRjN1OyjM6JAbAuL67NGgWN6z06U7y3LHnRjnEJlhf9GSAH6P1zzLlpAgzFfliD5yABDzA-qlqiDtfHkkwfCrxyIj_C5bmaDN91MM1ePJXmHXaeYwf4-3rCHXuH0tsJpkj4stVkiNMwbaTmvgYPyibHEXJX2OGMHdy0etieWo-omWiSmdVE=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jared snapped this picture on a shopping date with Alice. It feels like a time capsule. We are obsessed with her. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiue49c0CfWgcuC211gt55qBJn9xKRyE5UkUTxJs_dJX33mwhm-hWKeRAxz-VQJ2rVEoKDw-WhTdIvOIRB6n6ATQzpCtHqAiaVJJsCZuFzBDi-wn8YzWuB7Yj1G87CejTnSjTiHe6I5mYpxR1jDxq9m0yACUBvia9zxRs9QbyD-YawI97OcD9YfBQGLD4c" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiue49c0CfWgcuC211gt55qBJn9xKRyE5UkUTxJs_dJX33mwhm-hWKeRAxz-VQJ2rVEoKDw-WhTdIvOIRB6n6ATQzpCtHqAiaVJJsCZuFzBDi-wn8YzWuB7Yj1G87CejTnSjTiHe6I5mYpxR1jDxq9m0yACUBvia9zxRs9QbyD-YawI97OcD9YfBQGLD4c=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5AtmblEQMHwEtne_PXWYWfWEa6HOeD6iirWENm_tQsAzoJ7fx209H_8ZIJDTgEcqbVYR27CeFikG5_VNADVfOhIuBszEq40fp7ilC2GK1bP4sxUXnRouEJ_hmuFUkHy5qbzWxoLg3IgK8w0J8JahvDRciLlGYbG6vddtqnVqaM9M93fuJakzGu4xlUmo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5AtmblEQMHwEtne_PXWYWfWEa6HOeD6iirWENm_tQsAzoJ7fx209H_8ZIJDTgEcqbVYR27CeFikG5_VNADVfOhIuBszEq40fp7ilC2GK1bP4sxUXnRouEJ_hmuFUkHy5qbzWxoLg3IgK8w0J8JahvDRciLlGYbG6vddtqnVqaM9M93fuJakzGu4xlUmo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6UthZw80hs6qdOuKwpxNxBFdrciFC_yCrawgJKecXvXhzZBLvkgYEbXXpBWbgI8xbWJ6ZiCLEnpj-8ReSkJrqJuJPA68sPI4tYUB_JVV8-FvPEAeKE4jZ1qX9Md586uw4Cj2HSZ7ICknkAbe3g7PbJzwWor3JxaJ5SdxKlruHe5UIbnOG1jpgAe70Tb8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6UthZw80hs6qdOuKwpxNxBFdrciFC_yCrawgJKecXvXhzZBLvkgYEbXXpBWbgI8xbWJ6ZiCLEnpj-8ReSkJrqJuJPA68sPI4tYUB_JVV8-FvPEAeKE4jZ1qX9Md586uw4Cj2HSZ7ICknkAbe3g7PbJzwWor3JxaJ5SdxKlruHe5UIbnOG1jpgAe70Tb8=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^And this picture could be the cover of my memoir. Jared brought me breakfast in bed on Saturday (so sweet). As I began eating I realized this is the most I've ever appreciated a quiet breakfast in bed. Alice is in a phase where if I am eating anywhere near her, she will yell and point at my plate until I set my own plate in front of her to pick off of. It doesn't matter if she has her own plate of all the same things on it--she wants MY plate. So I usually just sit next to her and we both eat off my plate. Anyway, I was nearly done with my breakfast when Jared walked in with Alice and before I knew it she was crawling up onto me and commandeering my breakfast-in-bed plate for herself haha. She wasn't even hungry. She had just finished her own all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet downstair. But because I was eating off of it she all of a sudden required the plate of eggs for herself. Parenthood, man. What a funny ride.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVKqxZGsluQS6gqgJ6ifCKWG6z82AJ_RnVh7C7xqe5KWszVqWsuAOUs7ymwNeOPX5yKSvntzq-mOcz2fdDCSixfdSODY8tEiRyRlcyABVD7pyELYH71BIKKK9Fq15trURxWm5lBNlgvsLqK1rrgClnhQ6REdY-0qkkNBIp5Mcg2TufJz8xDDKpnmrly5k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVKqxZGsluQS6gqgJ6ifCKWG6z82AJ_RnVh7C7xqe5KWszVqWsuAOUs7ymwNeOPX5yKSvntzq-mOcz2fdDCSixfdSODY8tEiRyRlcyABVD7pyELYH71BIKKK9Fq15trURxWm5lBNlgvsLqK1rrgClnhQ6REdY-0qkkNBIp5Mcg2TufJz8xDDKpnmrly5k=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Jack with a slice of Uncle Will's birthday cake, somehow ended up perched like this over the entire kitchen island to eat. Feels weirdly similar to that last Alice picture. Funny how no one batted an eye or questioned this. I honestly didn't even register it was happening until I had finished my own piece of cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj7bBPvqrrWFXrhdbPhrvvk65QGj_G2WmFPwtTqRKHDliRuht1RqfHmQ1Cfu0LdapMfTA9nX810mQ7pNmyuLJ6E2pxKMjARd4bMVSh9vfOSjJB2lFPWqvnoEE0Q1z_AR6zPEbOZ8K5Uiumw27qEQc4YWeltvf43NM_PKWb8lHyHCoyyp1aLx0bV72E-Pg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj7bBPvqrrWFXrhdbPhrvvk65QGj_G2WmFPwtTqRKHDliRuht1RqfHmQ1Cfu0LdapMfTA9nX810mQ7pNmyuLJ6E2pxKMjARd4bMVSh9vfOSjJB2lFPWqvnoEE0Q1z_AR6zPEbOZ8K5Uiumw27qEQc4YWeltvf43NM_PKWb8lHyHCoyyp1aLx0bV72E-Pg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jack put his old pullups he doesn't use anymore in Alice's room for when she gets to that stage. She found them and commanded we put them on our heads like hats. Queen Alice loves an accessory.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjKZlfdO33y2g0OIoC3kNhVF1990q7uAvUCH-DE9Iv8kEHUceR1K50LM6QuZqh7zFCWuWJGiwe89C1NUEFY-V48gfetk8M5wYQjwKKGm849fET4WXXLyUQiW3RuAtCw2NBMFiVOxSRwzBgpXCueIWSMYLqq5Q6vySLAp2Kzqe6kkYeTYiB0TxUI4BW-dc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjKZlfdO33y2g0OIoC3kNhVF1990q7uAvUCH-DE9Iv8kEHUceR1K50LM6QuZqh7zFCWuWJGiwe89C1NUEFY-V48gfetk8M5wYQjwKKGm849fET4WXXLyUQiW3RuAtCw2NBMFiVOxSRwzBgpXCueIWSMYLqq5Q6vySLAp2Kzqe6kkYeTYiB0TxUI4BW-dc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisMuLsjm0XvcFu4I3CmyeRCTcO1ugSCXKf16xfTDOTOBCEh1spVYvIFqn7L4cQbqsDzG2BonReBNoG-IYT7Z1Gc5KuJkAI5wLra5pawsF9Cu217poRUlMIFRzGXBq_s-Ej3QC0T9VS2JTqfF2RRA2N8e_XaeHeaEeWYP2JCJeqPBG66kCzYpJHjSwYsqI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisMuLsjm0XvcFu4I3CmyeRCTcO1ugSCXKf16xfTDOTOBCEh1spVYvIFqn7L4cQbqsDzG2BonReBNoG-IYT7Z1Gc5KuJkAI5wLra5pawsF9Cu217poRUlMIFRzGXBq_s-Ej3QC0T9VS2JTqfF2RRA2N8e_XaeHeaEeWYP2JCJeqPBG66kCzYpJHjSwYsqI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjQyZaAXQL3jBONow2uvhHMi64m5AiwDKw_aVizsr9kUFkxHh20Ih232XykqchZlCJWE3vsEUNTxL6XMJ5x9VuvjUFphXeYwNbMytiWeu7CVCIzaju_3Quq9G5qPCR2DylKZqFs6qG0n-BXM34aPwH__8mvqdK2Sdus7_Oe0vKhLTSXnhYU0a5TDmc3wc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjQyZaAXQL3jBONow2uvhHMi64m5AiwDKw_aVizsr9kUFkxHh20Ih232XykqchZlCJWE3vsEUNTxL6XMJ5x9VuvjUFphXeYwNbMytiWeu7CVCIzaju_3Quq9G5qPCR2DylKZqFs6qG0n-BXM34aPwH__8mvqdK2Sdus7_Oe0vKhLTSXnhYU0a5TDmc3wc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Hanging out with Alice and listening to my Dear Alice podcast in the background. I appreciate that it doesn't try to push a particular interior design style on you. They really teach you how to understand and cultivate your own design style unique to you, and then how to execute it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5g2xkba4shqf5BLoj1VLi2QauGPniG_j_iTJfw53fEeWc76qUDlJoDHOwl2FOIANfmGMbgFFCWmr_5-nTZqeCMSBaA0Z5QnrGUBAhaJCpyHusDlvRDHt-HX6doTEEwAIipTI3aQ0gs4bcYAVTgXliOOklITIhf_Rj9JfUgNfedx_Rc-wXThkvJ_ZFh0o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5g2xkba4shqf5BLoj1VLi2QauGPniG_j_iTJfw53fEeWc76qUDlJoDHOwl2FOIANfmGMbgFFCWmr_5-nTZqeCMSBaA0Z5QnrGUBAhaJCpyHusDlvRDHt-HX6doTEEwAIipTI3aQ0gs4bcYAVTgXliOOklITIhf_Rj9JfUgNfedx_Rc-wXThkvJ_ZFh0o=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^The most snow we've seen all winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaFv7fqj5pMTS_q9FxjExjqyhfKV1gYM8jjGmg2s7fgTV5byuceGuYu5rvcW0_DBGAvaNH4isdFHD9Z5P6RDgNgi173rxrEXGrC3A2-gY1XHE8mmggnPQjRTaiF96mC6-h6tA9cXbzAFcUzNp8blXx16LpVy35_J_2O4RArGaCWeR8f103BU3WlNYEUHQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaFv7fqj5pMTS_q9FxjExjqyhfKV1gYM8jjGmg2s7fgTV5byuceGuYu5rvcW0_DBGAvaNH4isdFHD9Z5P6RDgNgi173rxrEXGrC3A2-gY1XHE8mmggnPQjRTaiF96mC6-h6tA9cXbzAFcUzNp8blXx16LpVy35_J_2O4RArGaCWeR8f103BU3WlNYEUHQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jack digging for dinosaur bones<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUoBKhdiaYUjZyC5xUpEmumqQujtZtxFQXBnP1kpThu5MAEeJfFfy9SyiiaBRCN6HOkmg2O4eDwQRTT1ZJyCdhqITZREKOcMshU1S6UwR-QsbCItNJXLJeRs4kXRgrEnrBpWwGxV5A724UQcWefnnUjeasU9mbxBlkBzATxsjwpfE8BGTQY5_6NPQZa64" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUoBKhdiaYUjZyC5xUpEmumqQujtZtxFQXBnP1kpThu5MAEeJfFfy9SyiiaBRCN6HOkmg2O4eDwQRTT1ZJyCdhqITZREKOcMshU1S6UwR-QsbCItNJXLJeRs4kXRgrEnrBpWwGxV5A724UQcWefnnUjeasU9mbxBlkBzATxsjwpfE8BGTQY5_6NPQZa64=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^Cool boy organizing his books<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYyuHiuXjp5DDA6rzi0vmvR3ZmhRRJRKDbAsv0LCa2duMfx3oS9r8d09-TLtCedI4VoooRyWgYoVfiwWDEdF3_jk3ByfxaalgGeXqexCMSyqZNhwOe9MszmG5HwbuTb49xlmV6BXClB1zr_MftmPmiMYFj6fsjvX1lOOLMkwQ0cay4y_9mCy8gKWh_hwE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYyuHiuXjp5DDA6rzi0vmvR3ZmhRRJRKDbAsv0LCa2duMfx3oS9r8d09-TLtCedI4VoooRyWgYoVfiwWDEdF3_jk3ByfxaalgGeXqexCMSyqZNhwOe9MszmG5HwbuTb49xlmV6BXClB1zr_MftmPmiMYFj6fsjvX1lOOLMkwQ0cay4y_9mCy8gKWh_hwE=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^I remember this same stage so distinctly with Jack--the "put me in a sink and let me play with everything on the counter" stage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisnth9pxZ9fwkQ-Z05Lr8yMtGOV77OMDj9Xh2yD206VGet2Oz-LGii9hU1d24QdqyjmxlvQaQIrHk5xgn7RXVwe--tbHFy2L2-x4lCichNvQAtwiFv8SAOevQJXZJM7g_pShW62m_dUbp0XnWdPQhbnladxcHyPR5YwXhCijKNwo3SQZ-B0taPqW5Q8xg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisnth9pxZ9fwkQ-Z05Lr8yMtGOV77OMDj9Xh2yD206VGet2Oz-LGii9hU1d24QdqyjmxlvQaQIrHk5xgn7RXVwe--tbHFy2L2-x4lCichNvQAtwiFv8SAOevQJXZJM7g_pShW62m_dUbp0XnWdPQhbnladxcHyPR5YwXhCijKNwo3SQZ-B0taPqW5Q8xg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Jack used to spend SO much time every day talking to and playing with his two favorite stuffed animals, Bunny and Foxy. He would talk and giggle with them as he laid in bed every night. Since he started kindergarten that has been happening less and less. It's sad to watch him grow up, and extra sweet now when I catch him in a conversation with his stuffed pals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_KYg_PlYyoBr9Q4ekPvQ58yqzJFCawWulwhLogRMuwpQbX4FL-aaWoYz1eTLysCImf2FiuWrsYCuEUAdYaI0A5tRZAUxVbN9zqTVymg5QXbKrU25zJ5c3AZJSsk4Q2S2mx-ZzMrVhFNpkTEN3kwCy1tBNFCWWynoKrjbdT26dVN4Nub_Bn3Lb5MdtO5Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_KYg_PlYyoBr9Q4ekPvQ58yqzJFCawWulwhLogRMuwpQbX4FL-aaWoYz1eTLysCImf2FiuWrsYCuEUAdYaI0A5tRZAUxVbN9zqTVymg5QXbKrU25zJ5c3AZJSsk4Q2S2mx-ZzMrVhFNpkTEN3kwCy1tBNFCWWynoKrjbdT26dVN4Nub_Bn3Lb5MdtO5Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-35603812953891939872024-01-15T14:45:00.002-07:002024-01-15T22:18:47.677-07:00PNW Family Pictures<p>It has been a bit of a slow, cold week here in Washington. I have been going through pictures to choose some to print out for a wall in our home, and it occurred to me that I've never shared the family pictures we had taken in November. They turned out really nice, so I'll share them now. Let this be your nudge to hire someone to take your family pictures if you haven't before. This was our first time hiring someone, and coming from two cheapskates who usually use their own DSLR camera, it was 1000% worth it. We got soooo many more good ones than I'd ever be able to capture using my tripod. And it honestly doesn't have to be expensive. The PNW is an expensive place for pretty much everything, but we were able to find a photographer to do these for $150. She's a pretty new photographer and I don't think the quality/editing are substantially better than what I do, but there's no way I could get everyone posing this well and juggle the tripod game. Anyway, there are a lot of pictures (and I only included my favorites), but enjoy!</p><p>(Photographed by Captured by Kim in Arlington, WA)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83ZBTfc0cCnv8DgoOiIAddqU6zlE1C7v-XX610jwahBrFyngMcYAUwiECYqBNz4L44LuTmrgXvpkn1tUf1Fnab4JcXbF_G9CaeoxqtZe9zKItJUxDe-U6twWEdxtrlrUcJEmVwytP-6nYKw5bdWZWS7dIlKmpjsNFPA_7wWa7n7vbbkFcgptzezFGpho/s9504/DSC02121-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9504" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83ZBTfc0cCnv8DgoOiIAddqU6zlE1C7v-XX610jwahBrFyngMcYAUwiECYqBNz4L44LuTmrgXvpkn1tUf1Fnab4JcXbF_G9CaeoxqtZe9zKItJUxDe-U6twWEdxtrlrUcJEmVwytP-6nYKw5bdWZWS7dIlKmpjsNFPA_7wWa7n7vbbkFcgptzezFGpho/w426-h640/DSC02121-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4HYoqCSgc8WaEyVdGBMnwDTLQ8G_MUxCShggxUnNPeGTyYDDu0ChxSFMlKkVQivqAuu_PrKi9waritvbqCTx5qP0XXVyvxiwaqX1SlbBVWz77JNH_IS2kHzPo6Jhk-1Nf8AXjV1cfpznRKgcbtkWaWnRsmBBll3Q7D_1hf12F_MtNGRyvuVCNxrwMms/s8640/DSC01168-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8640" data-original-width="5760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4HYoqCSgc8WaEyVdGBMnwDTLQ8G_MUxCShggxUnNPeGTyYDDu0ChxSFMlKkVQivqAuu_PrKi9waritvbqCTx5qP0XXVyvxiwaqX1SlbBVWz77JNH_IS2kHzPo6Jhk-1Nf8AXjV1cfpznRKgcbtkWaWnRsmBBll3Q7D_1hf12F_MtNGRyvuVCNxrwMms/w426-h640/DSC01168-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHKXhpV4gKg4NZP06bUDrOs17ICEgyOupqD7uGBhuss0XKO8LvvzZ_ZNL5HW0880wFO6sT2MHlA7hXzEkRZ1UskKjw9JuDAf0fPxYiVx7kM5Tf85OCJP7UbBov27Y-eAsRPYsoUnRFfuGkwwvX2DdPI5m7EkLEDr6ITJSGQ9rWqu8HC143RRZnnJ4UBA/s8640/DSC01199-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8640" data-original-width="5760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHKXhpV4gKg4NZP06bUDrOs17ICEgyOupqD7uGBhuss0XKO8LvvzZ_ZNL5HW0880wFO6sT2MHlA7hXzEkRZ1UskKjw9JuDAf0fPxYiVx7kM5Tf85OCJP7UbBov27Y-eAsRPYsoUnRFfuGkwwvX2DdPI5m7EkLEDr6ITJSGQ9rWqu8HC143RRZnnJ4UBA/w426-h640/DSC01199-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0aeJa7CFWjT0pc0UcgePKP9UlibGqjdtF9Cc8XZJu3P_6AlbrjrfK_nYTexkM4O3pQotusNhuNw-_Sx6JSctk7dZzdT-4IY1WCQWEu_K-ROy2XG-qj5XbAe2e5Wog62c_q9LSrZqRFGW3hNsHR_kBzmkQxILL-X5xXFbCg99sTWaq3S81pYd8gz2q7Y/s8640/DSC01205-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8640" data-original-width="5760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0aeJa7CFWjT0pc0UcgePKP9UlibGqjdtF9Cc8XZJu3P_6AlbrjrfK_nYTexkM4O3pQotusNhuNw-_Sx6JSctk7dZzdT-4IY1WCQWEu_K-ROy2XG-qj5XbAe2e5Wog62c_q9LSrZqRFGW3hNsHR_kBzmkQxILL-X5xXFbCg99sTWaq3S81pYd8gz2q7Y/w426-h640/DSC01205-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxsKP_31x0PqYgDsphCFplf4IMoOeEhJWeERVahL1Z1BTMmhAmcResbSeCF74zhhmHngh5lcmHho93YZaXTXG2y84mpDllsoXop87GnJT31RMJKSqQQWO9e50AwKiMsWlwAYN4IIXePXctPS_Ppb-wtl5yY3qiyi7GI86JzO6Bj5PV3g2IG4nIOaU-hc/s8640/DSC01213-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7350" data-original-width="5930" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUpW9w24y4rH5Txr2xS8rwKTDQvJoqY22soKdd6d28dunYe9vbaxNlytVQGZ-Xj0uGSPDoLFZLAd_ZrkFzCsWHdMlMK547xCsw0rEN7-T3ncce0AHDfy9pxmn_kgblMuJG0cZktGzhzcSrOSMVPtQbB0IpLs2E0zBoARfeNbQkn84ikbyJHhSiYFXGVQ/w516-h640/DSC02472-Edit.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPBH4-3NxpNsCWgyvDyrrSloCcWUiMaHzm0ZcfAv4WrLiyZeRIzrSksnPNc5_IcHhkZrl9YRFAEX8j62NU6gZ_TSt0SKha7NjhauHm6lVuOxNXStGYrXapMtCC-zwvTX7eb7qpB3w1z_Sx0ijiepwRyegfDnX9E_BVU4RazMp1Rudv6aIzRrSguXybgU/s9504/DSC02493-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9504" data-original-width="6336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPBH4-3NxpNsCWgyvDyrrSloCcWUiMaHzm0ZcfAv4WrLiyZeRIzrSksnPNc5_IcHhkZrl9YRFAEX8j62NU6gZ_TSt0SKha7NjhauHm6lVuOxNXStGYrXapMtCC-zwvTX7eb7qpB3w1z_Sx0ijiepwRyegfDnX9E_BVU4RazMp1Rudv6aIzRrSguXybgU/w426-h640/DSC02493-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkohYvAZeYTVhb3iwwVeM5LXFA2AW81i71j1wnISAaErq91kMqtgeg1ofI7rIt3nCP41sc4WDVPIjGMIr8p6Cw7Ar4z-XZsFScz5_vVSbVPnQrcfBAxBktLCrIDNmWdtUoLez1WC2jNfOJtS5UHTVo6uvwKGuBYlbNd_26-vUjessl3SnKagIOtPFAcY/s7975/DSC02530-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7975" data-original-width="5025" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkohYvAZeYTVhb3iwwVeM5LXFA2AW81i71j1wnISAaErq91kMqtgeg1ofI7rIt3nCP41sc4WDVPIjGMIr8p6Cw7Ar4z-XZsFScz5_vVSbVPnQrcfBAxBktLCrIDNmWdtUoLez1WC2jNfOJtS5UHTVo6uvwKGuBYlbNd_26-vUjessl3SnKagIOtPFAcY/w404-h640/DSC02530-Edit.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhsKy47_hXx1q5fY0LMS_l9RfbvrLMCgWUDBQErAZW6Lu33J690D1tjVXtDoRUV_8MglSrHdaYRn9Pco0DPdTePf8uWKeasiYtJh68h9w6YYirv6cz7VdJhpZ56orESQtSlmc6JjceNX0218PJNIGwYE71_dNZrYduPMKJnjXaaGm47zOOerS4abC1XI/s8640/DSC01135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8640" data-original-width="5760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhsKy47_hXx1q5fY0LMS_l9RfbvrLMCgWUDBQErAZW6Lu33J690D1tjVXtDoRUV_8MglSrHdaYRn9Pco0DPdTePf8uWKeasiYtJh68h9w6YYirv6cz7VdJhpZ56orESQtSlmc6JjceNX0218PJNIGwYE71_dNZrYduPMKJnjXaaGm47zOOerS4abC1XI/w426-h640/DSC01135.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-3560073916784981012024-01-08T07:00:00.001-07:002024-01-08T07:00:00.138-07:00Happy 2024!<p>Happy New Year! Jared and Jack kicked off the new year with something none of us has ever done: a Polar Plunge. I would absolutely have joined them, but somebody had to stay warm and dry with Alice so I volunteered for that job this year. Here they are after plunging quickly into Lake Stevens. It hasn't snowed at all this year so it could have been worse, but they assured me that it was QUITE cold in the lake. They ran in, dunked, and got out as quickly as possible to be first in line to receive a free Polar Plunge Lake Stevens sweatshirt. Jack was the youngest kid I saw doing this. I'm not sure he dunked his whole body, but he did dunk his face all the way in and most of his hair was wet so he gets 5-year-old polar plunge credit. Here's Jack, and Jared to his left, running back to the beach:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlRaMjkHcTfAIokrUdTBitR2KRBoJC-yJX168zs67LFn9NxrqBvwnlU_98Eyc6CCvbXnMrz6i3aZp6l5qVYfLUAzM1Mc-SLnC_AcxrnUZ9J3U4zkPWvIhZh1L7w83Z2lVeTu3RcCd-2ceaWdqxWph_3eCT8oAwkA0dUdW_UmnTVKfqjYpwQDmHF3zfiGE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlRaMjkHcTfAIokrUdTBitR2KRBoJC-yJX168zs67LFn9NxrqBvwnlU_98Eyc6CCvbXnMrz6i3aZp6l5qVYfLUAzM1Mc-SLnC_AcxrnUZ9J3U4zkPWvIhZh1L7w83Z2lVeTu3RcCd-2ceaWdqxWph_3eCT8oAwkA0dUdW_UmnTVKfqjYpwQDmHF3zfiGE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj31HpQJrJndXIuMkcovwjk8OWYdimAry0KBMSYWQK4lhvp0jrVbNJsJUI_X9M06g4hB-DQ58AjXzfSpkJDTU78GJHlBz9qOpgwyWYXdinWMs3FNqB7x8MFK75At5Yx0lzkTh8s--6Cu6hHnr0_04yWXp1lVg1rqpx8axXgXGEmKJf6v0wdUQAyQPbkU4s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="834" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj31HpQJrJndXIuMkcovwjk8OWYdimAry0KBMSYWQK4lhvp0jrVbNJsJUI_X9M06g4hB-DQ58AjXzfSpkJDTU78GJHlBz9qOpgwyWYXdinWMs3FNqB7x8MFK75At5Yx0lzkTh8s--6Cu6hHnr0_04yWXp1lVg1rqpx8axXgXGEmKJf6v0wdUQAyQPbkU4s=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlRaMjkHcTfAIokrUdTBitR2KRBoJC-yJX168zs67LFn9NxrqBvwnlU_98Eyc6CCvbXnMrz6i3aZp6l5qVYfLUAzM1Mc-SLnC_AcxrnUZ9J3U4zkPWvIhZh1L7w83Z2lVeTu3RcCd-2ceaWdqxWph_3eCT8oAwkA0dUdW_UmnTVKfqjYpwQDmHF3zfiGE=w640-h480" width="640" /></div>^^New Years' Eve playing Left-Right-Center with the Lamberts.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju7qHwvyZf6IJI8VlDPGCvoZlOqN0cpfhWrz4KEVSvdDtYLJ6hG8yalV3bSd9406K7Hs2LoLBrdZuxofMxU4JGk5B2wphFCkmGHqj8Xez77TlPeJrIhlsSCRG4OzY_YBJjWxG8uItS98je1l91I5jIkNDWZmL5Ig2fnNiMsxsfkbt37bI-L9oFDM-be0o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju7qHwvyZf6IJI8VlDPGCvoZlOqN0cpfhWrz4KEVSvdDtYLJ6hG8yalV3bSd9406K7Hs2LoLBrdZuxofMxU4JGk5B2wphFCkmGHqj8Xez77TlPeJrIhlsSCRG4OzY_YBJjWxG8uItS98je1l91I5jIkNDWZmL5Ig2fnNiMsxsfkbt37bI-L9oFDM-be0o=w480-h640" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD4wiqRdn5unPOPnfQVYH3fejwMbVpBnwpm8yaz6Znpc0MWbQocCO96JwXRnFQAMlROFhYuAi1U3JpIpEux8JKvBI5yLDKBbsCNAZ9pNaaYJzw7FuGlr7pNbBAJStE_pDeQQxv8gP5HKpaeViGsD8UEE730ZbRwVtnBc4l3D0Hbvn-azFzez1L1HvSgFY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD4wiqRdn5unPOPnfQVYH3fejwMbVpBnwpm8yaz6Znpc0MWbQocCO96JwXRnFQAMlROFhYuAi1U3JpIpEux8JKvBI5yLDKBbsCNAZ9pNaaYJzw7FuGlr7pNbBAJStE_pDeQQxv8gP5HKpaeViGsD8UEE730ZbRwVtnBc4l3D0Hbvn-azFzez1L1HvSgFY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a><p></p><p>^^Alice on her first day of a pretty rough sickness this past week. She was very into listening to music on these headphones.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKy8xEHeggNRw0d69ziPIyAGZGbMZSCELCIkGxMxPkfXU-ATL4yOUPAFe6BpVSFgRpj3ty6HlQeH-2Bg7A5pavzZR0b3F3SyK9yFYPlNzd-RyFHcBWbMYNG95cDPi5Q6wt51wYMnIw1hSxDmZddzO2hodHZW72dAOWoWNEbWhE3_IKcx8lqCXELzddqeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKy8xEHeggNRw0d69ziPIyAGZGbMZSCELCIkGxMxPkfXU-ATL4yOUPAFe6BpVSFgRpj3ty6HlQeH-2Bg7A5pavzZR0b3F3SyK9yFYPlNzd-RyFHcBWbMYNG95cDPi5Q6wt51wYMnIw1hSxDmZddzO2hodHZW72dAOWoWNEbWhE3_IKcx8lqCXELzddqeg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWrJ1l_SyYUzb4P5erQNCV2JFkpbYVUB1nUvyNcbCXcMIad6KEM9cjcgcdUiN8sMBQLXXAgmkI3EKr9kSWl6bdlbXGCxPCm0D_v_Qg3hmGSPqaQHtxmLQmNOJFLdVRsQl9PiU4uTGdZpW2GaXjaHS0heIJMAKupM_vrFIDJCTBCh6YYx6sWDE-QrsRIvM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWrJ1l_SyYUzb4P5erQNCV2JFkpbYVUB1nUvyNcbCXcMIad6KEM9cjcgcdUiN8sMBQLXXAgmkI3EKr9kSWl6bdlbXGCxPCm0D_v_Qg3hmGSPqaQHtxmLQmNOJFLdVRsQl9PiU4uTGdZpW2GaXjaHS0heIJMAKupM_vrFIDJCTBCh6YYx6sWDE-QrsRIvM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiulW5hDo97jG3nDmjhwf7jaihridMLx_ZC-YQK82GZwLgn56_OC4zF6eFQBKYa3kLxkO_VQxC-TJz3scqTmSt4Qxj6ceEnfgHZhOzJLXdstS3SjvwXbTOIdg4rq-2qlHJnVgVWqBw0E3_6GIV5n-GE2JftInT5IbTK-DNvDDR6dUX1s-jONyMELfXiSPk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiulW5hDo97jG3nDmjhwf7jaihridMLx_ZC-YQK82GZwLgn56_OC4zF6eFQBKYa3kLxkO_VQxC-TJz3scqTmSt4Qxj6ceEnfgHZhOzJLXdstS3SjvwXbTOIdg4rq-2qlHJnVgVWqBw0E3_6GIV5n-GE2JftInT5IbTK-DNvDDR6dUX1s-jONyMELfXiSPk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^If one of our children EVER falls asleep anywhere other than their bed or mayyyybe a car seat after bedtime, you can rest assured they must be quite sick. Poor girlie had a fever, bad cough, and runny nose for days. I haven't slept through the night in a week because she hasn't. Luckily she seemed on the up-and-up for the first time yesterday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Jared and I had a date night this week where we made cute little vision boards for 2024. We had charcuterie while we wrote down dreams and goals and how we'd like this year to feel. Then we got on our computers and found/printed 5-10 pictures representing those things. Then we just taped them onto a half poster board, wrote a few words alongside them, and taped them up in our bedroom so we'll see them daily. It was a great date night! I'd love to do this every January. Jared hopes to take some oil painting classes this year. I want to start more traditions and do a lot of paddle boarding on PNW lakes this summer to make the most of our time living in this part of the country. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We also loved playing Mario Kart with my family and on our own after the kids went to bed several times this week, which was so much fun. Big thanks to my parents for getting us Nintendo Switches for Christmas so we can all play together. We treasure these types of activities living in a different state from everyone else in my family. Here's to new traditions and applying to lots of Utah jobs this year!</div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-86018764656527008222024-01-01T07:30:00.001-07:002024-01-01T07:30:00.136-07:00Christmas Week 2023<p>What a wonderful week we've had! I will try to be light on words, as this post will be extra heavy in pictures and likely captions as well. We spent Christmas Eve at Jared's parents' home. Jared's cousin Rachel and her kids came too--it was so fun to have "cousins" the same ages as Jack and Alice for them to play with. We had pork burrito bowls, reenacted the nativity, got pjs, and played a few games. We got home late, but still took time to bake some cookies for Santa before bed. I stayed up late typing down notes of what worked well for our family this holiday season, and what could be tweaked to make the holidays even better next year. Mostly simple things like, "I made a big triple batch of cookie dough at the beginning of the month and stored it in balls in the freezer. Made for an easy dessert when visitors stopped by and when we needed cookies FAST on Christmas Eve." </p><p>Christmas morning was magic! I am so grateful I married someone who truly loves making Christmas magic. If it were up to me alone I would probably lean too hard on keeping it simple and trying not to spoil. Jared loves a grand presentation and making magic happen. Luckily we both see the wisdom in each of these sides and we balance each other well around the holidays and also birthdays. Santa brought Jack his first Hot Wheel tracks (big hit), a basket of plush babies for Alice, and a car rooftop cargo carrier for me and Jared. We have loved getting a big combined gift each Christmas since moving to Washington. Makes for less small things to come up with and we can get something more expensive that we normally wouldn't. Last year it was supplies to make our built-ins; the year before it was our Frame TV. </p><p>Jared's parents came up in the evening on Christmas Day and we opened our gifts from them. Then my parents flew in the next morning and we opened presents from them. Both sets of grandparents were very generous with their Christmas gifts--wow! Thank you, thank you. We feel so lucky to have family who love us and want to spend time together. It was wonderful to spend the lazy week between Christmas and New Year's with family. Seriously a great time for guests. Our niece Mae came to visit from North Carolina as well. Jared was lucky to have some days off from work, so we had lots of good times. We even took a ferry to San Juan Island with my parents for a day trip. Turns out Alice doesn't nap well on-the-go anymore. Now we know! Now for a jumble of pictures in no particular order:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMrjlCE2Tj8HTjqqBgFCyEF9eZ6hNY0ayCe7JRPXf6oU9VvGqGtimHj1zoIcP4LPwc-ANDlSUXHCuI3JtBoUM-znnpVC4bEdL-nhAHq5cNtthKUE3447KefkTTF0jMx3CBXuDcMM1WHC2gqG3gNHrW0A8TQ5IO1VeDUv-EH18Dx-m5WEMSazuKZ8zok9U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMrjlCE2Tj8HTjqqBgFCyEF9eZ6hNY0ayCe7JRPXf6oU9VvGqGtimHj1zoIcP4LPwc-ANDlSUXHCuI3JtBoUM-znnpVC4bEdL-nhAHq5cNtthKUE3447KefkTTF0jMx3CBXuDcMM1WHC2gqG3gNHrW0A8TQ5IO1VeDUv-EH18Dx-m5WEMSazuKZ8zok9U=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0uYQL2MOGfPCb-k8r02Ussv_CPdW6pKs59Hqs8aiUBXmnAZrOp0jpQKcZp-CZhXf-wMR_G-TBD55OP0GzR3Cuc5x56XFzCKdDgxzgAvm2rJsx85PlJDqR6PjIttA7dXvlP7vf_YhUTP2wP3oQpEN53_xKVg6GpmAqfA0Vpa80S5k0R7lAZdBnmWtkdQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0uYQL2MOGfPCb-k8r02Ussv_CPdW6pKs59Hqs8aiUBXmnAZrOp0jpQKcZp-CZhXf-wMR_G-TBD55OP0GzR3Cuc5x56XFzCKdDgxzgAvm2rJsx85PlJDqR6PjIttA7dXvlP7vf_YhUTP2wP3oQpEN53_xKVg6GpmAqfA0Vpa80S5k0R7lAZdBnmWtkdQw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbQApL4iQqt9NATkvGzcySpsZ0t2bbHqDnzC7FA6VVIPzJp2Gz9GUiBKxcNu_LBYqcSsgJovm4iiZCyZ10hG1GGVcCxJGNVIVKkL7CUZr9FC-FQGkevzwFoAKoTCFOwy7Q-B5ybGlGsR443W8nzKMiDsYOiXory_-BMc_yAa2UDGZ9tBIzXj1FifKoIXo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbQApL4iQqt9NATkvGzcySpsZ0t2bbHqDnzC7FA6VVIPzJp2Gz9GUiBKxcNu_LBYqcSsgJovm4iiZCyZ10hG1GGVcCxJGNVIVKkL7CUZr9FC-FQGkevzwFoAKoTCFOwy7Q-B5ybGlGsR443W8nzKMiDsYOiXory_-BMc_yAa2UDGZ9tBIzXj1FifKoIXo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBKdnOF8bQqcSlZf2Jd3_AIDFEGkFd7b-KiXz8Z84x29vPrg9xwR7uk179H2i1039Ht-_N4GMhsaapK_h4NAM2YOftlKIi6d880btnz7yHLfxR10RIjS4cFNi1H4XsqWaS-JF5NfDZFO8TmG6tHKRqDlnhZq790eO8QP7kgsZP169xmBfzUEeu8eV_6hM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBKdnOF8bQqcSlZf2Jd3_AIDFEGkFd7b-KiXz8Z84x29vPrg9xwR7uk179H2i1039Ht-_N4GMhsaapK_h4NAM2YOftlKIi6d880btnz7yHLfxR10RIjS4cFNi1H4XsqWaS-JF5NfDZFO8TmG6tHKRqDlnhZq790eO8QP7kgsZP169xmBfzUEeu8eV_6hM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbvDdxtlykvEU8OGeP4SOKv1O7qU-rERLFFQwpc9SpAzJKzloJqkda4D0IoSOYrkR-N-NlRUxsi_TMSKBfWJOp3oCL-5RBRBcVe7UPyaHW_jO7Tjw1HdIBfrDGu16YC62O0PXmoXC70S3t-CEjbgs4TN_eo09e5dCEOgFlw2iZ5b7ZVDuMdSXPeWS1XXU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbvDdxtlykvEU8OGeP4SOKv1O7qU-rERLFFQwpc9SpAzJKzloJqkda4D0IoSOYrkR-N-NlRUxsi_TMSKBfWJOp3oCL-5RBRBcVe7UPyaHW_jO7Tjw1HdIBfrDGu16YC62O0PXmoXC70S3t-CEjbgs4TN_eo09e5dCEOgFlw2iZ5b7ZVDuMdSXPeWS1XXU=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Pizza party and Hues and Cues--a great party game for a big group!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfkw69PAE3M9QVBCnmh2iZ2yD0yNhV-yxVwh6_LpkICz-5G--HBSNLf2GTOYvvscEhWdU098gxZkm00Ky3CqbK0_6b3CmMQ6t8BzpvMwxRWONQt0QhFwSIgLcZBlJ5Efahq2wyB-6oh8N1nuN0ueF422ovevdY3ISqSg6ASp5wXauVLJQD0Gta7QMZJgs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfkw69PAE3M9QVBCnmh2iZ2yD0yNhV-yxVwh6_LpkICz-5G--HBSNLf2GTOYvvscEhWdU098gxZkm00Ky3CqbK0_6b3CmMQ6t8BzpvMwxRWONQt0QhFwSIgLcZBlJ5Efahq2wyB-6oh8N1nuN0ueF422ovevdY3ISqSg6ASp5wXauVLJQD0Gta7QMZJgs=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlpnXH9KblozPXX_bTkkeUSSaqSbkNk51cUbX4S2xVF3ve2XnfN5nLILKkp-PDpWQ0TA4vFMjl_wjtnkiX5JB-76VI-G2MqUgSBR4w-TmfLAXjuRYHS9G90nxoTTQQXrZVy4JTwyRJo95ji7GyT5WvLLmqgd_vLJJzRUCq5sFywKiAfZj1q78y9PGBBY0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlpnXH9KblozPXX_bTkkeUSSaqSbkNk51cUbX4S2xVF3ve2XnfN5nLILKkp-PDpWQ0TA4vFMjl_wjtnkiX5JB-76VI-G2MqUgSBR4w-TmfLAXjuRYHS9G90nxoTTQQXrZVy4JTwyRJo95ji7GyT5WvLLmqgd_vLJJzRUCq5sFywKiAfZj1q78y9PGBBY0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlegSmsEYjbbxy7u2sYPFbAkeotpTx8Bg9Zl-Pcm3YlTC340mIBKmevrUMRzGK8Exzj_0YSQP5I-ZfWi5eJFlmWkdAoKG3D-VN4Cs9EQHbfJqE1wguDzhHysNc6sZmlNNkRZe8GbvW726O7QQDsuLNtNOd5qTgUAdRC1uBfn-BKsT1mkfedeObKseE2iU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlegSmsEYjbbxy7u2sYPFbAkeotpTx8Bg9Zl-Pcm3YlTC340mIBKmevrUMRzGK8Exzj_0YSQP5I-ZfWi5eJFlmWkdAoKG3D-VN4Cs9EQHbfJqE1wguDzhHysNc6sZmlNNkRZe8GbvW726O7QQDsuLNtNOd5qTgUAdRC1uBfn-BKsT1mkfedeObKseE2iU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioaWClEjv7AbQpP7KVnl8q-lE9B5XQ0ZQMAKDwqvbd_K0jT61CgPHYmerIZUsHa7UzjxnreYH1VbR4oUevhXywPytviNJI2NoMUW9u-UrpW5mKcm4C-mC8pHDt49fCqQD34FPgbpsgx2Xb3mCIq_gjGsjSOMuN1g5UknrVr24WY0YCTh50e86jBgsMJYs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioaWClEjv7AbQpP7KVnl8q-lE9B5XQ0ZQMAKDwqvbd_K0jT61CgPHYmerIZUsHa7UzjxnreYH1VbR4oUevhXywPytviNJI2NoMUW9u-UrpW5mKcm4C-mC8pHDt49fCqQD34FPgbpsgx2Xb3mCIq_gjGsjSOMuN1g5UknrVr24WY0YCTh50e86jBgsMJYs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq0TK3CJ7eP3YgVGn_okLQIAuta3cC5haWYXcIUgUFY1Qr8jbReIq_FiMTZX9KInfebpnGFls4ot_WgLm9wikDWLldrR8oUM0kU92qzCeNH7O4Zp7BUbIMq-XCZY7nnrpKEiOS5Q1YO8yas0pRgZr-VJ6SEq-A6Xhc0gs4FSC124b5IJXxC5qr86C5-Ko" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgq0TK3CJ7eP3YgVGn_okLQIAuta3cC5haWYXcIUgUFY1Qr8jbReIq_FiMTZX9KInfebpnGFls4ot_WgLm9wikDWLldrR8oUM0kU92qzCeNH7O4Zp7BUbIMq-XCZY7nnrpKEiOS5Q1YO8yas0pRgZr-VJ6SEq-A6Xhc0gs4FSC124b5IJXxC5qr86C5-Ko=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Christmas morning, before heading downstairs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWNDPaWdvyMYL7TA2YuZKreXArB5ONHRvV7ABw1X3466prkn55Z-xaDcfvHszn4hIBluh-PMqpHPLeGjFnlmNidVZeU-DcHiCDRs1j9tTQGY63mlqc-vsHm4RddyPaVg9JKIbq_pxqaHYxLd5cWRMpwHAoGCF2a96aZ4PoHwZyhMLM_32PbfYekamMFr8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWNDPaWdvyMYL7TA2YuZKreXArB5ONHRvV7ABw1X3466prkn55Z-xaDcfvHszn4hIBluh-PMqpHPLeGjFnlmNidVZeU-DcHiCDRs1j9tTQGY63mlqc-vsHm4RddyPaVg9JKIbq_pxqaHYxLd5cWRMpwHAoGCF2a96aZ4PoHwZyhMLM_32PbfYekamMFr8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3zpM92T33H8l_O2Uz78GTLXWy8M6_HVncHlRlHbKX7A81gWlAUcaTPV9AdFbFOumZ5tAMdOMmTvHnz7buQDfURt0u3r_Mv7KSdeINefAE_Kzq051DXzzYVpzK6J1d-ubZU-4MrzWL7hx6_eplakqk2Qk0pMjS8IGBeMie70OKb-vOfNZa9XhYkYbKx3A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3zpM92T33H8l_O2Uz78GTLXWy8M6_HVncHlRlHbKX7A81gWlAUcaTPV9AdFbFOumZ5tAMdOMmTvHnz7buQDfURt0u3r_Mv7KSdeINefAE_Kzq051DXzzYVpzK6J1d-ubZU-4MrzWL7hx6_eplakqk2Qk0pMjS8IGBeMie70OKb-vOfNZa9XhYkYbKx3A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkpoDbWVTceiGh5lf8H3TABeziqp6DJZ7IDODdHeKgAcWX5Y5hgJF0fwwwl7BL4pnvOhuOTYPbNvHapUYvYNrw0h1cZJBa_AUEbP1eIXb2q9Zpt9yCFv4ZCZTRL2jpxLQlTSYP04bRGkXepksoWugfEIklXjfQGN_OgN9zFmM-Z1g6sBh_4E2NPZ1dbE4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkpoDbWVTceiGh5lf8H3TABeziqp6DJZ7IDODdHeKgAcWX5Y5hgJF0fwwwl7BL4pnvOhuOTYPbNvHapUYvYNrw0h1cZJBa_AUEbP1eIXb2q9Zpt9yCFv4ZCZTRL2jpxLQlTSYP04bRGkXepksoWugfEIklXjfQGN_OgN9zFmM-Z1g6sBh_4E2NPZ1dbE4=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^Christmas morning cereal tradish! Santa must have gotten an early start finding Christmas cereals this year. It was our first time ever getting seasonal cereals. Didn't even know that existed. Next year I hope he skips the Gingerbread Toast Crunch, but the rest can stay.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwpP8fBfV26SYoMw3wYa0eboQzrXyFXavfGDKH0cR9NI5n4_Oy4VPFcwuYe1ynIC_G4ysAa8PD3Or2tq-GRZD4BvtibkbqkHmOHuSMmLZ8sFSb_8zRe8WDChqwLNW6GwX2gEXoF4hIZUulq6ycJJN_tAgcQCmD3MUM0v5R7pPpjruHRr_T-0c97tTKaI8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwpP8fBfV26SYoMw3wYa0eboQzrXyFXavfGDKH0cR9NI5n4_Oy4VPFcwuYe1ynIC_G4ysAa8PD3Or2tq-GRZD4BvtibkbqkHmOHuSMmLZ8sFSb_8zRe8WDChqwLNW6GwX2gEXoF4hIZUulq6ycJJN_tAgcQCmD3MUM0v5R7pPpjruHRr_T-0c97tTKaI8=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5grZ78LJ_lGc50qKRgDLcfHzbrPrhJ3A2xGRmz1alvNDJO9LUEWthVVt0YO6IuLE4RHk8Ci-Diwq05AmoRWlElnXcQ91X50yAFBBlG5Gjy8uPq1HsXMJ75ZzL1p0ior9yJaEnTSr1v-skkY90oDExU4A54C3iwCKiBEPxVShAieP4SenQDPAC26PMWK4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5grZ78LJ_lGc50qKRgDLcfHzbrPrhJ3A2xGRmz1alvNDJO9LUEWthVVt0YO6IuLE4RHk8Ci-Diwq05AmoRWlElnXcQ91X50yAFBBlG5Gjy8uPq1HsXMJ75ZzL1p0ior9yJaEnTSr1v-skkY90oDExU4A54C3iwCKiBEPxVShAieP4SenQDPAC26PMWK4=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-uRR4PKpYqdr2S7zifHL-5rV27wV8onb-bpOCBbGwG_FZSBQjfuk7d9bJ-Nz7pVYPWptACw901M7Ht_7lk5PFJ_80IQysPyRVzZT67t68hSXZNKgSEKvn3Yj25n-ZffZmSL2oI-cKInjnZrS6owdH3m70uUolDDr92fny4qyLG6oKLSBwteaDDF3D5Uo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-uRR4PKpYqdr2S7zifHL-5rV27wV8onb-bpOCBbGwG_FZSBQjfuk7d9bJ-Nz7pVYPWptACw901M7Ht_7lk5PFJ_80IQysPyRVzZT67t68hSXZNKgSEKvn3Yj25n-ZffZmSL2oI-cKInjnZrS6owdH3m70uUolDDr92fny4qyLG6oKLSBwteaDDF3D5Uo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheKm378dKXxIlKx8x_-dnUjsKdjG6IV6kESK6Lblh-Bs6vRxU8M9iInSB10iMy90CcjCtEyjgNrafIsLGbk6YJFmVWmH0juaQXg7iB9Z6ssoLRQxvaKVlG7YUSNqKuA10E6VWI3VEjDe44_0H7skGv58GrtJ9Ken2_GEheM-Ot4jyJc8_7P0YAOmUg5IE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheKm378dKXxIlKx8x_-dnUjsKdjG6IV6kESK6Lblh-Bs6vRxU8M9iInSB10iMy90CcjCtEyjgNrafIsLGbk6YJFmVWmH0juaQXg7iB9Z6ssoLRQxvaKVlG7YUSNqKuA10E6VWI3VEjDe44_0H7skGv58GrtJ9Ken2_GEheM-Ot4jyJc8_7P0YAOmUg5IE=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUsRmSdFHz5zG8tBT0slaFtmfW3HAUqJrwjeHjuqkopqC9j-7bDou9Er3aiBlUsIsVLoxyWqJvSWPya4K0Bl_JVnKCJQ-be_eCqCp0dZkp5cEqCa9vMKukdoUNlZUi34Jaceks0Cy7kLm92JkIJNX4Ll9DEXBnvRaVfYQ2FpcHo8ptpu4jDGbmb_hDhoU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUsRmSdFHz5zG8tBT0slaFtmfW3HAUqJrwjeHjuqkopqC9j-7bDou9Er3aiBlUsIsVLoxyWqJvSWPya4K0Bl_JVnKCJQ-be_eCqCp0dZkp5cEqCa9vMKukdoUNlZUi34Jaceks0Cy7kLm92JkIJNX4Ll9DEXBnvRaVfYQ2FpcHo8ptpu4jDGbmb_hDhoU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAz52LkrbCan8aAivyeQFwbua3c01kmNvf7mvBRQrztiUh1_FYWO9s_SVmxzR2wLpicxb2cAaKpIEPYfMXf3QYR8ulFGWeXUNptmCxRcLwIsWIjJdx4sRKiMZbXeeiUiA7aNRgHaoofTMAk4NTfgZny4sN-_HfeuX07AxTLJcCq4cQT3nr-IazEszTNak" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAz52LkrbCan8aAivyeQFwbua3c01kmNvf7mvBRQrztiUh1_FYWO9s_SVmxzR2wLpicxb2cAaKpIEPYfMXf3QYR8ulFGWeXUNptmCxRcLwIsWIjJdx4sRKiMZbXeeiUiA7aNRgHaoofTMAk4NTfgZny4sN-_HfeuX07AxTLJcCq4cQT3nr-IazEszTNak=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Alice got a baby roller coaster from Grandma and Grandpa Lambert! She mostly uses it as a slide but it has been a hit.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggo9geQsLsYzuC77mBBVZ_SwCc52JzBvL5gURzMCxwrUS2zl9h0vjaIPTO_8JFa0_hdVbVvztAR2k3eLSSa0cNBDBx9XiLg-RgcOcyN-B6STippE6NdSLDW5x4OMS1agMuYKcrGejr7YHjfpjlOzngLZXJ_OZJp50JeNziVZCOg4lvEM90fnQupinRlNY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggo9geQsLsYzuC77mBBVZ_SwCc52JzBvL5gURzMCxwrUS2zl9h0vjaIPTO_8JFa0_hdVbVvztAR2k3eLSSa0cNBDBx9XiLg-RgcOcyN-B6STippE6NdSLDW5x4OMS1agMuYKcrGejr7YHjfpjlOzngLZXJ_OZJp50JeNziVZCOg4lvEM90fnQupinRlNY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^Another game from the Grandparents: Klask. Lots of fun!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrNkbpJsEZ7R2tLsZ4MvsOCF7qJR_rUY9DGf-Sqwbc1KjD7EV1CYOaAz_Fh-oWkaZ3M8Ay8uRzIos0ZQO4Ow3Iz66Xbmx6p-Y1T4NPopGaVg0hruDTurUJ3FqIZ-42-QOL2USdS_0gIEFLd531RuDwekhbcG92wBM6KzH-xMeWZWVdDe1_mEWcoiNnVo8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrNkbpJsEZ7R2tLsZ4MvsOCF7qJR_rUY9DGf-Sqwbc1KjD7EV1CYOaAz_Fh-oWkaZ3M8Ay8uRzIos0ZQO4Ow3Iz66Xbmx6p-Y1T4NPopGaVg0hruDTurUJ3FqIZ-42-QOL2USdS_0gIEFLd531RuDwekhbcG92wBM6KzH-xMeWZWVdDe1_mEWcoiNnVo8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGQ4kOthhC7881rAGKoxkCbnOZUMoSBUptkw_v3zVpppwu4HmzR8aut7lkrIzuCH_8I7EibE8RAFu9o-pMPHCx9gAiLyKpzqVkVwX_3CGC3TzKREOBCHAjHytR_bGs0h2wUJg1IUWaiDr7spjCpI86zdenqWlN9LXHe_QDFxTWaiCbvL0o1MKG8qHRd2g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGQ4kOthhC7881rAGKoxkCbnOZUMoSBUptkw_v3zVpppwu4HmzR8aut7lkrIzuCH_8I7EibE8RAFu9o-pMPHCx9gAiLyKpzqVkVwX_3CGC3TzKREOBCHAjHytR_bGs0h2wUJg1IUWaiDr7spjCpI86zdenqWlN9LXHe_QDFxTWaiCbvL0o1MKG8qHRd2g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^Nintendo Switch from Grandma and Grandpa Haines! Also a big hit.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKjYqpNdz4B7weKK2GdtOIBeJ8NR7nMK9fvUxlDW-vNueycJ3Ul3zs6X7UKQDqfrcLlwt0DmGt_iH9WY7GNTDSwIgPSZrzdFRPWjEMuNh6fYdxQ5UMJ3V_FITIJdqUEqtH17K2yrCmhlTz3xi_zcTcEqku2z7t9nc8B2RgMRy6HpjTnpUVo4d2PfiqTps" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKjYqpNdz4B7weKK2GdtOIBeJ8NR7nMK9fvUxlDW-vNueycJ3Ul3zs6X7UKQDqfrcLlwt0DmGt_iH9WY7GNTDSwIgPSZrzdFRPWjEMuNh6fYdxQ5UMJ3V_FITIJdqUEqtH17K2yrCmhlTz3xi_zcTcEqku2z7t9nc8B2RgMRy6HpjTnpUVo4d2PfiqTps=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDAB5yMVGTh_sPinV6Emp_ByWW3qtbVMbEMne25t8u3f5YFabpVUQODbqNEsKjNiTiNzE4PZQ8NniO5tZQLm3MLWlBNpmyUvWykntZYxiJU8QNJQVnNyfBC4d00OvtMC5zne40Ttbs3xPz_ybDhGEa-qcYz9J4IfdflKOPwQR2-DE7SuGAL2s_PCsMt1E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDAB5yMVGTh_sPinV6Emp_ByWW3qtbVMbEMne25t8u3f5YFabpVUQODbqNEsKjNiTiNzE4PZQ8NniO5tZQLm3MLWlBNpmyUvWykntZYxiJU8QNJQVnNyfBC4d00OvtMC5zne40Ttbs3xPz_ybDhGEa-qcYz9J4IfdflKOPwQR2-DE7SuGAL2s_PCsMt1E=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jared can get Alice relaxed like no one else can. Very cute. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVXRLZyuMNGVtJrfOuraBpSx2f5kqIAUwneuxVQeCogLBTtBrQwy9WbwfiIfDmnbcBT15U7-2tWUh7ivkI1xNIV35xk9tfPH03RhjgeEwKIIe-JtxKrCXqWZ9qcOEOId--z4vvhyVBkri564jr-YFCDxWWxAg1RlCJ9XXnontoWSP6PoFfXqZaA8eJhPw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVXRLZyuMNGVtJrfOuraBpSx2f5kqIAUwneuxVQeCogLBTtBrQwy9WbwfiIfDmnbcBT15U7-2tWUh7ivkI1xNIV35xk9tfPH03RhjgeEwKIIe-JtxKrCXqWZ9qcOEOId--z4vvhyVBkri564jr-YFCDxWWxAg1RlCJ9XXnontoWSP6PoFfXqZaA8eJhPw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5F8gzJ0qwX78r4O58KqOvCqVUds7xbtxmUoP-YsuhGEVJ8r-XcQEhKI3pmIxRmw2tI8CdJCdytL_5-07OunbgQUuun8327KyBnfESTiL50F1gau9hKTIgpGFDa9iH0R2TfLFRI0ql22stoIOt72TK2cS5Xjd5TSHLjJHTM5W4_vyy3n_dSOhirD6xC8E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5F8gzJ0qwX78r4O58KqOvCqVUds7xbtxmUoP-YsuhGEVJ8r-XcQEhKI3pmIxRmw2tI8CdJCdytL_5-07OunbgQUuun8327KyBnfESTiL50F1gau9hKTIgpGFDa9iH0R2TfLFRI0ql22stoIOt72TK2cS5Xjd5TSHLjJHTM5W4_vyy3n_dSOhirD6xC8E=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^On our way to Friday Harbor!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUiaUJzyvQmJ6FgJYp6IWpzxxsQSBdd5sRN0ZmhlG5jZXyNDMpp_RnN1FqKAYJCcrDo8_OFNP_H3Pvhn4iUKVth-OkiqYkyWrA8kncCYa9Nw9gSVzZgKpf3T-AAaIXaHRx37Nrsh29xmF0BGCGccPf78c6izpGFwKQqthn8MUTbFOeIsTHO-9Xb0JHIyo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUiaUJzyvQmJ6FgJYp6IWpzxxsQSBdd5sRN0ZmhlG5jZXyNDMpp_RnN1FqKAYJCcrDo8_OFNP_H3Pvhn4iUKVth-OkiqYkyWrA8kncCYa9Nw9gSVzZgKpf3T-AAaIXaHRx37Nrsh29xmF0BGCGccPf78c6izpGFwKQqthn8MUTbFOeIsTHO-9Xb0JHIyo=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8oZ-LG08OaKkilFAOiLa4i5DUj-3ZiZVsR3ZxEHaYsrAf4A-p_YykAwJfR14afTPO5nixbzDdCTKQYYuj0ivFEQ-UJu4z-JBxF-48U4OsUT-jpNvE6-iW2wQJkcIfQBOVZ2b_djYI6rhjhUDh19_dv2fBe_jaYuiCmYkRg8-8nAhIh2WCGVKCM02GkSA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8oZ-LG08OaKkilFAOiLa4i5DUj-3ZiZVsR3ZxEHaYsrAf4A-p_YykAwJfR14afTPO5nixbzDdCTKQYYuj0ivFEQ-UJu4z-JBxF-48U4OsUT-jpNvE6-iW2wQJkcIfQBOVZ2b_djYI6rhjhUDh19_dv2fBe_jaYuiCmYkRg8-8nAhIh2WCGVKCM02GkSA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqOYgE7T81FO1B7PFZqijqaOS7EZfCDjKmT0bILzgKQ5UERqBvqZZkbdZ5fzc9nzJg-jC4Nfret02Zjn5L0SuuKljEnLayKlWBEJ4blb6Mf-KZbgXT54IgsmbS5DCauxP9pPgjumbuw1C6vLXIyr1T6JjxZaxUx-vNXLrFrwf8OlyX7kvkV5QfYqaoTcY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqOYgE7T81FO1B7PFZqijqaOS7EZfCDjKmT0bILzgKQ5UERqBvqZZkbdZ5fzc9nzJg-jC4Nfret02Zjn5L0SuuKljEnLayKlWBEJ4blb6Mf-KZbgXT54IgsmbS5DCauxP9pPgjumbuw1C6vLXIyr1T6JjxZaxUx-vNXLrFrwf8OlyX7kvkV5QfYqaoTcY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0fEcHmqMvqtu77LYRCPSMXt2EDEzTES-ct6Hl3hfKyh6iv2q1C9-4hh3VPFIEL-jEus7i6R8xVhlHZIcxYIkW5O3pfHyAHgQaCS5-h_AFZ9nsHlMaArLSQ6thP_vZzmQ01h4eP4z2Da1IFBfCYetlbv3H6dr9oWfCzwoEdSvFR-CW6aXFGYyOEM6SxF0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0fEcHmqMvqtu77LYRCPSMXt2EDEzTES-ct6Hl3hfKyh6iv2q1C9-4hh3VPFIEL-jEus7i6R8xVhlHZIcxYIkW5O3pfHyAHgQaCS5-h_AFZ9nsHlMaArLSQ6thP_vZzmQ01h4eP4z2Da1IFBfCYetlbv3H6dr9oWfCzwoEdSvFR-CW6aXFGYyOEM6SxF0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Seemed like a great idea to explore San Juan Island in the winter since it's mostly driving or sitting on a ferry instead of out in the elements. Forgot to factor in the sun setting at 4:00 since we're so far North though. Luckily we got to see everything we wanted before it was too dark.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXNqDOBDE1RE379XwvfDXVrr1cIyRbuZFy8b3IC3HriYtDLZONCAeuoIDG3hWpM58IB6qwVUCaphT6dNgPxc6HaMf364w7qA-MyT1b3uYnNtnVdSNUHcBTJ6trJ4WdYMKXUCIlgrdqJhyPULwkL6Y1MWRo5_DpjApUoQK5DGShWolHWWWM_5dFWqHY7Go" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXNqDOBDE1RE379XwvfDXVrr1cIyRbuZFy8b3IC3HriYtDLZONCAeuoIDG3hWpM58IB6qwVUCaphT6dNgPxc6HaMf364w7qA-MyT1b3uYnNtnVdSNUHcBTJ6trJ4WdYMKXUCIlgrdqJhyPULwkL6Y1MWRo5_DpjApUoQK5DGShWolHWWWM_5dFWqHY7Go=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh27AUKwPhTeEkisZkoD-onegtWAl2KJY24YuMlWx7nOAAFje4rzqEU1wy4VZrOmu_EB3_LMHgCsbv9TwsjwCo3hpnxIdja-9l5VTyOdAKsiGCQBHrc204nbhPSHQG03FPLNPupLOJ0hZwgQqSmW6m0yUueBoHTjCgrPyMtz8O_VLsgdvxjtRsHgElrraQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh27AUKwPhTeEkisZkoD-onegtWAl2KJY24YuMlWx7nOAAFje4rzqEU1wy4VZrOmu_EB3_LMHgCsbv9TwsjwCo3hpnxIdja-9l5VTyOdAKsiGCQBHrc204nbhPSHQG03FPLNPupLOJ0hZwgQqSmW6m0yUueBoHTjCgrPyMtz8O_VLsgdvxjtRsHgElrraQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWRv3P9tjbjRDx5HSLznP-s-kKqMxp2k0fNJXBqwFM9KRLQMkYsWfTzdNDlSUS4bLkPzGfDLUJ3R0LtFhZMnZTemBOU18yue2T0I2i0XJ4LAfm6nx4D_b90ilUAWNPm_q_yfNm6MArGREGO08zy4ukE0dIOmyYC-jxGE69trjUZWUp4USGrrbdUu2TWNM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWRv3P9tjbjRDx5HSLznP-s-kKqMxp2k0fNJXBqwFM9KRLQMkYsWfTzdNDlSUS4bLkPzGfDLUJ3R0LtFhZMnZTemBOU18yue2T0I2i0XJ4LAfm6nx4D_b90ilUAWNPm_q_yfNm6MArGREGO08zy4ukE0dIOmyYC-jxGE69trjUZWUp4USGrrbdUu2TWNM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-i12VuGEUFKz1pi4A11_m3WayhOKT_Dc2vfR2xgt-381tAUTZfA3KzvWlXfSSmR6-zhw0sGWgZqSnAadDh9pz3IKJjJ6Peps7XJq9V_mjYs93xv8WAU_zJOhY0KsD1d59dNC9nkZ1RrqzFeCN7TaDdJAkUh-OPCtJhZDOmeZjUTWHcVW0Rh6Ss5JEslI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-i12VuGEUFKz1pi4A11_m3WayhOKT_Dc2vfR2xgt-381tAUTZfA3KzvWlXfSSmR6-zhw0sGWgZqSnAadDh9pz3IKJjJ6Peps7XJq9V_mjYs93xv8WAU_zJOhY0KsD1d59dNC9nkZ1RrqzFeCN7TaDdJAkUh-OPCtJhZDOmeZjUTWHcVW0Rh6Ss5JEslI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Quality post-Christmas hangouts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgS16s4dhypPFpy_aqU9VDRr86i4rdqwqSAHprru09C6pzy_U4WK5-54BrhUa7JVQgAGy5_AS8r-ck-KyUp-zbrI6E2D3nPjQZRJl0wjmnjV0QZe5xwSc2wfZHDF9O3Ft3nVqaz-eEeJc76Rqtw_3VPSmtrPiGN8EbvMLqKDuZ0ZZpZdp3EcgW18jo-EZw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgS16s4dhypPFpy_aqU9VDRr86i4rdqwqSAHprru09C6pzy_U4WK5-54BrhUa7JVQgAGy5_AS8r-ck-KyUp-zbrI6E2D3nPjQZRJl0wjmnjV0QZe5xwSc2wfZHDF9O3Ft3nVqaz-eEeJc76Rqtw_3VPSmtrPiGN8EbvMLqKDuZ0ZZpZdp3EcgW18jo-EZw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixiNjsvmYOA080XGoJocW04ZEC0mRp9GhGR4wvPnbjeEqQIUbxyUwGgAujmhZGv-_Eap24SLCFyhwgNYN2WZlKD40n-2IA_Zvj30UNEjqW0fnrsm0NZ0zs2Vl0b-E6ILoPlzGFQTVecYnSBiK4vmMSa6ZlVlNrpie1sZIqKcFlMuv5fLNbfzOhmnRsecQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixiNjsvmYOA080XGoJocW04ZEC0mRp9GhGR4wvPnbjeEqQIUbxyUwGgAujmhZGv-_Eap24SLCFyhwgNYN2WZlKD40n-2IA_Zvj30UNEjqW0fnrsm0NZ0zs2Vl0b-E6ILoPlzGFQTVecYnSBiK4vmMSa6ZlVlNrpie1sZIqKcFlMuv5fLNbfzOhmnRsecQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_7fg667fRVrmq9fgqGqp4OlOQ6YVSdeVyLhpgf7oF3GyBE0OSt7J-BJQc-Ti-QKPVj7LYpPwA013nN8-E0cqkqXJVeVRan5kBG8sqKjWsLJGoejBuQMO5DQfW-MqpQ75NpmtWAEKMYmel-d1hrUWdXPn42oJpP1od_n-1RjZ9dptCmyRv_yzkJwL-fiY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_7fg667fRVrmq9fgqGqp4OlOQ6YVSdeVyLhpgf7oF3GyBE0OSt7J-BJQc-Ti-QKPVj7LYpPwA013nN8-E0cqkqXJVeVRan5kBG8sqKjWsLJGoejBuQMO5DQfW-MqpQ75NpmtWAEKMYmel-d1hrUWdXPn42oJpP1od_n-1RjZ9dptCmyRv_yzkJwL-fiY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jared got a bike trailer for his parents and it is his Dad Dream come true to cart the kids around our neighborhood in it. Jack won't fit much longer so I'm glad he got one this year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_V0KCj9p0wvsISQb5VqwhfWnpZyBq3KOe20sZ5BppFJIAFFPsRblOHljRPne3xkAgePVZLQVjfa8yOlHlzuVLGH8gRZq6DzgtLwDUZF_fFgRd5do239jaeh7Bcc6ULfYfpEqMAufAWpp_vNO6icURVHqhphz40jy8ruLlJXEYElK3AjQ1tTMDzN6GQTc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_V0KCj9p0wvsISQb5VqwhfWnpZyBq3KOe20sZ5BppFJIAFFPsRblOHljRPne3xkAgePVZLQVjfa8yOlHlzuVLGH8gRZq6DzgtLwDUZF_fFgRd5do239jaeh7Bcc6ULfYfpEqMAufAWpp_vNO6icURVHqhphz40jy8ruLlJXEYElK3AjQ1tTMDzN6GQTc=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx0SnbbvYwyI2P5egIDNiPUMlrps3-T1prp9vIWdfH7ACK-il9ppNLFS39zRzzZtW8g_CPg3q55TomQU2jKpg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Alice started walking two days after Christmas with both sets of grandparents and many aunts and uncles present! When Jack was a baby he also started walking when we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa. That social motivation runs deep.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-78469934598977890262023-12-18T07:00:00.001-07:002023-12-18T07:00:00.147-07:00Christmas Parade<p>I'm not feeling super wordy today. Jared and I talked ourselves silly trying to keep our 7/8-year-old primary class from rioting in church yesterday, and I'm honestly still in a daze. When there are less than 5 kids in our class it's lovely, but there were nearly 10 this week and it felt more like a dicey daycare than a church classroom. For an extra layer of difficulty, Alice doesn't get a nap on Sunday mornings and she is at the wiggliest age. Dear Santa, could you bring me and Jared classroom management textbooks in our stocking this year, plz and thank u. Alice starts nursery in a few months and our class will get a tiny bit smaller in the new year, so hopefully that will help. </p><p>And now, here are some pictures from our lovely week!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge5XP8ypYrtNTnI-AoT6wG2kAbJvuerX_FlZN1wS0NxR1YObHCTES3cMcYZ_Ip09LrO8zGcn9f610cEjwxvBoTdp7vW77Vp14JtLVCuGFtWYpBn0py8C7x3MnqQ7-WqPwK-3lCWq7b-8YYfFzIUJTa8GcFG4eP5JrOVKfr5RIhxHTSc9Zzj8Bm06oKQvY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1834" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge5XP8ypYrtNTnI-AoT6wG2kAbJvuerX_FlZN1wS0NxR1YObHCTES3cMcYZ_Ip09LrO8zGcn9f610cEjwxvBoTdp7vW77Vp14JtLVCuGFtWYpBn0py8C7x3MnqQ7-WqPwK-3lCWq7b-8YYfFzIUJTa8GcFG4eP5JrOVKfr5RIhxHTSc9Zzj8Bm06oKQvY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></p><p>^^One of my favorite parts of living in a small town is the Christmas Parade. The local fire department and police department drive up and down every street in our town over the course of a few nights. The vehicles are decked out in Christmas lights, and Santa and Mrs. Claus ride on top of the fire truck. Police officers pass out stickers and the Grinch passes out candy canes. Our small town in Wyoming did this too. One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiahGI0nHcGtMfXC0Ze24MYPRJdBZRzc6EbUHO-ZJAUkP8Jsgk2esfUcOJiM-SAiMb5MoBKTlbTn54ESyK_lHjQ5WiSvhOCGpFYiGpvPfj2JxJTqVbkRtmE2FuhWiPAkh69e7iQ8t5jCW8lkN23TKUmbsLvRx_btbpgV_fnLn95_mOlsX_YIXcfu0IlvY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="918" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiahGI0nHcGtMfXC0Ze24MYPRJdBZRzc6EbUHO-ZJAUkP8Jsgk2esfUcOJiM-SAiMb5MoBKTlbTn54ESyK_lHjQ5WiSvhOCGpFYiGpvPfj2JxJTqVbkRtmE2FuhWiPAkh69e7iQ8t5jCW8lkN23TKUmbsLvRx_btbpgV_fnLn95_mOlsX_YIXcfu0IlvY=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></div>^^I got this cheap little hip baby carrier to give my back a bit of a break. Alice wants me to hold her much of the day, but it can be a pain to get her in and out of the front pack multiple times. I like that I can just pop her on and off this little "hip bench." Makes it easier to dance around the kitchen together, which is her favorite activity. Even Jack loves to carry her on it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihnlJ-uzw6GJcXHMOlQMH9QPVe0g7gYNaMH6F1aurQPD6QIWPY8vYjb52M5rg9m66qGmXT2QQeRNg-864Ybk66JUmdFIwlXlvha-zbLEC5H8ln2KewCr_GhilTAgMYnSw1Nm1sX0p7phDPWV1lKmWXiE_Hj57o0qBwcDBjavibAgW0vnNQVfv2gHVyA84" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1834" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihnlJ-uzw6GJcXHMOlQMH9QPVe0g7gYNaMH6F1aurQPD6QIWPY8vYjb52M5rg9m66qGmXT2QQeRNg-864Ybk66JUmdFIwlXlvha-zbLEC5H8ln2KewCr_GhilTAgMYnSw1Nm1sX0p7phDPWV1lKmWXiE_Hj57o0qBwcDBjavibAgW0vnNQVfv2gHVyA84=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvVndFjk3iQyLjIDzc8MPanG_fUBH-Kv6PNyTeFRuHeJhq3KdHlpuaLm0_ncw2LVjSrpsKBg1l6AEPHkGO4dSfqzmUbBoCXav_ymx_8Yo-S6nu-28fB3j2WosYb8A1jTwztD1iJpvdv5y_yDiyGuR9WetM3NwohIvkRMz1C0LzXEa9e9kMrirECQkEYDA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvVndFjk3iQyLjIDzc8MPanG_fUBH-Kv6PNyTeFRuHeJhq3KdHlpuaLm0_ncw2LVjSrpsKBg1l6AEPHkGO4dSfqzmUbBoCXav_ymx_8Yo-S6nu-28fB3j2WosYb8A1jTwztD1iJpvdv5y_yDiyGuR9WetM3NwohIvkRMz1C0LzXEa9e9kMrirECQkEYDA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDJ2R37d4ayQNX6ng_vqshV9NlLACQ3IPpgt3azuIu17ejTWLbuKWCqD_CuqCe15wqoucRALop7cePTsh_AXKgKQQ5faPLvooCUQcCVKSp-9Vp05MwShY1DvyrcWTfQULIQXDT18QDD_KaFI1HG0icQ1E3aMVW2YQtJ9l9-ACxZWRf8MTdjNOxChpMMoI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDJ2R37d4ayQNX6ng_vqshV9NlLACQ3IPpgt3azuIu17ejTWLbuKWCqD_CuqCe15wqoucRALop7cePTsh_AXKgKQQ5faPLvooCUQcCVKSp-9Vp05MwShY1DvyrcWTfQULIQXDT18QDD_KaFI1HG0icQ1E3aMVW2YQtJ9l9-ACxZWRf8MTdjNOxChpMMoI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^It was pretty warm on Jack's last day of school, and it was a half day. We invited a neighbor friend to our backyard for the afternoon and Alice was in heaven playing in the playhouse. I have a feeling this next summer is going to be the summer of the playhouse. Oh, and here is a PSA not to buy a wooden playhouse if you live somewhere rainy. Ours is covered in grime and probably mold and it's less than two years old. I'm hoping a quick power wash in the summer will help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMPrCcc0ZDNBK5hwPt9sLNh_AiRwlw9I7Ow_Zz4QebC3zwRdg_HqpLnUKE0W2XjHSM5SNnJZMV57LzjDRoHvNUz6xk8EulXZpCsf-5Bo2UgOOozS8EdtWrSSq8GHj_t-eAX2rxdgIYk6Mkd3guKq5AY9uFUmNEIkY7JGWUixQxYFSBeMz6kMfxrmgg0hk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMPrCcc0ZDNBK5hwPt9sLNh_AiRwlw9I7Ow_Zz4QebC3zwRdg_HqpLnUKE0W2XjHSM5SNnJZMV57LzjDRoHvNUz6xk8EulXZpCsf-5Bo2UgOOozS8EdtWrSSq8GHj_t-eAX2rxdgIYk6Mkd3guKq5AY9uFUmNEIkY7JGWUixQxYFSBeMz6kMfxrmgg0hk=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^I just love this view. Christmas tree bare on the bottom from Alice pulling off all the ornaments. Bows likewise pulled off all the presents. Paper Christmas chains wrapped around the tree and gift bags full of odds and ends that Jack wrapped up as gifts--hung up high because Alice kept dumping them out. Legos on the coffee table and Alice playing a new game where she tugs Jared's shirt and he nuzzles into her while she laughs and laughs. Home Alone soundtrack on repeat in the background. Happy holidays everybody!<br /></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-74900330534590942312023-12-11T15:36:00.002-07:002023-12-11T15:40:19.794-07:00(Not) Dancing with Retired Mr. Roboto<p>It's been a rainy Washington week. I generally don't mind the rain too much--as long as I've got a waterproof coat to wear I actually enjoy taking Alice for a stroller ride or Savvy for a nature walk in a downpour. But it's been a lotttt of cloudy days in a row now. I'm looking forward to hopefully a few days of blue skies next week. </p><p>Jared and I went out on a date this week! It was the first or maybe second time we've ever hired a babysitter since moving to Washington two years ago. Before Alice was born we always did Tuesday afternoon dates while Jack was in preschool, and since Alice was born we've had Jared's parents babysit a couple of times. For our date this week we met Jared's mom at a casino in Marysville to watch a Styx cover band concert (his dad was going to come but had to travel to Japan last-minute for work). It was actually very fun. We don't know much Styx music but the band was really talented and it was a great time. The audience was 95% retiree couples reliving their glory days, and they were very cute dancing throughout the concert. An older gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to dance at one point (I was sitting across from Jared's Mom at a table, and then Jared was next to her but diagonal from me, so it probably wasn't clear we were together). I was caught so completely off guard that I didn't even think and just stood up to go dance!! Jared gave me this odd look and I was like, "Hey, that guy asked me to dance. Should I--shouldn't I?" Jared was like, "Uhhhhhhh? Maybe shouldn't?" I waved the older gentleman to go without me (he looked annoyed) and then I sat down SO flustered through the next song. Jared and his mom were just laughing and laughing. I was pretty grateful it was time to head home to relieve the babysitter since it was a school night. Awkward. </p><p>I have no explanation for why my knee-jerk reaction was to just follow this rando when I was literally sitting across from my husband and mother-in-law. Deeply seated people-pleasing engrained in my bones probably. The only situation I've been in like that is when I'd go to cousins' weddings and maybe an uncle would ask me to dance? I'm not even sure that's really happened, but that's the only reason I can think for my reflex. Jared thinks the whole experience was very funny and will never let me live it down. I am forever grateful he reeled me back in because honestly, best case scenario, that would have been a super uncomfortable dance. Worst case scenario, could have been iffy. Yikes. </p><p>Hm, other happenings this week. Jack's lego advent calendar continues to be the hero of December. It takes him half an hour to build each lego creation after he opens it, then he plays with it for another half our. It's the advent gift that keeps on giving. Alice is our dancing queen. Any time a song comes on she is either spinning in circles or head banging to the beat, or waving her arms in the air. She is a bundle of fun. Here are some pictures from our week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6fBpO67m3z2MAGa3pfC7Yod4wZKX8Dx6uEeEE2Zv18wOdDXiO3b3Q7EEY-FJqdd1wmFvZB4MQfFhs_VylgQteG1oP-0L_z0zm8BUphuUZMuUaJ830vAwN6WeLvTpStr-KBfazs2jQVcqU0yZOZ0N1AYHSi4KpKMMb61gjQ8c3RTWv9R_D7MVRt8FlJw/s4032/PXL_20231205_164514421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6fBpO67m3z2MAGa3pfC7Yod4wZKX8Dx6uEeEE2Zv18wOdDXiO3b3Q7EEY-FJqdd1wmFvZB4MQfFhs_VylgQteG1oP-0L_z0zm8BUphuUZMuUaJ830vAwN6WeLvTpStr-KBfazs2jQVcqU0yZOZ0N1AYHSi4KpKMMb61gjQ8c3RTWv9R_D7MVRt8FlJw/w480-h640/PXL_20231205_164514421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOykd0BdC-QGYKw1gZyXAZ3nK1H-DuPds6dRdsQ6XPxDtN7uQiM-yX_VwoYnzzJ3Y1JFV8WSN0uKaAgz62a7KA-Skl3YvwoxE1E6LisxQLNCOH6qK689j3Byt15Q4bfjFIQFo7JNN2LxgLfLqGB_h_hfPckbuLyGoLKeQHdmOBcRGvX6W5fG0RSl2BAE/s4032/PXL_20231206_212254431.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOykd0BdC-QGYKw1gZyXAZ3nK1H-DuPds6dRdsQ6XPxDtN7uQiM-yX_VwoYnzzJ3Y1JFV8WSN0uKaAgz62a7KA-Skl3YvwoxE1E6LisxQLNCOH6qK689j3Byt15Q4bfjFIQFo7JNN2LxgLfLqGB_h_hfPckbuLyGoLKeQHdmOBcRGvX6W5fG0RSl2BAE/w480-h640/PXL_20231206_212254431.MP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SFu94cy9MKmyi-2Kbz9h_VPddl9m6G7s7OmwkoAGczbfqfprCCBK9p4Lxj4kpjPOPXlwiomZ_wDWDXcpuDnUnT1NUiSy9Vq87mliQg_gcPBaemAzLPUn7xNVFLagu6QhCbOq4r61z3fuRRtlgzTKK9DU8tPDKcnALsF4NqhKRLqGo6HzAWEt4Syxxtk/s4032/PXL_20231208_194444471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SFu94cy9MKmyi-2Kbz9h_VPddl9m6G7s7OmwkoAGczbfqfprCCBK9p4Lxj4kpjPOPXlwiomZ_wDWDXcpuDnUnT1NUiSy9Vq87mliQg_gcPBaemAzLPUn7xNVFLagu6QhCbOq4r61z3fuRRtlgzTKK9DU8tPDKcnALsF4NqhKRLqGo6HzAWEt4Syxxtk/w480-h640/PXL_20231208_194444471.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jared's mom gave me some old picture frames, and one had a picture of toddler Jared in it. I showed Alice and said, "This is Dada!" She then grabbed the picture, hugged it into her chest, and laid her head down on it while saying, "Dada, dada." 10/10 cuteness. Would recommend Baby Alice. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7yQthyphenhyphenOaeOpswI13wyCjePllgWaWUJoGBb7wVXU6lF4VNMP_lbphYjhzMIADFOmBgM5Wtx75QsAbUsJU1idK8oqbYvidYFHIQrsKGSjInvysL2dJhGW47_OCDNeUoPPu03S6PnEgsb3jX-Ho8NNhjeV0brdzcpHG1H9iIPL-ZSljwX8z9UIOCgupP3A/s4032/PXL_20231209_024308766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7yQthyphenhyphenOaeOpswI13wyCjePllgWaWUJoGBb7wVXU6lF4VNMP_lbphYjhzMIADFOmBgM5Wtx75QsAbUsJU1idK8oqbYvidYFHIQrsKGSjInvysL2dJhGW47_OCDNeUoPPu03S6PnEgsb3jX-Ho8NNhjeV0brdzcpHG1H9iIPL-ZSljwX8z9UIOCgupP3A/w640-h480/PXL_20231209_024308766.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>^^Our stake nativity festival is incredible, year after year. It is open to the public and the entire church is decked out in decor and displays. There are hundreds of nativity sets and poinsettias (members can sign up to purchase one, and then we just pick it up after the nativity festival is over).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvxlqcXKGUAABhUnHNsxVwpH1m5TQRRlxoXdDWMutONoVYcQ2N3-4vkfYHhGUnVPycuByZLFKjIbQPR7pGa6O2rtQ3h5oQnwOc490WF1T86R3mYzEGa3kVcgNmeGrfE8qo4cIONhiLimXLXVKTa5sXoaJHDugJdQO_FabyLBJezOEl08WuZH1li9hERA/s4032/PXL_20231210_011207832.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvxlqcXKGUAABhUnHNsxVwpH1m5TQRRlxoXdDWMutONoVYcQ2N3-4vkfYHhGUnVPycuByZLFKjIbQPR7pGa6O2rtQ3h5oQnwOc490WF1T86R3mYzEGa3kVcgNmeGrfE8qo4cIONhiLimXLXVKTa5sXoaJHDugJdQO_FabyLBJezOEl08WuZH1li9hERA/w640-h480/PXL_20231210_011207832.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>^^Homemade pizza night! This is actually a pretty big deal. I haven't pulled out our pizza steel in probably a year now, between Alice's food issues and my avoiding dairy while breastfeeding last year. But things are going very well on the food front for Alice these days. She's grown out of her tomato allergy completely. Her egg allergy seems to be a thing of the past as well (she has some lingering diaper issues with egg but no rashes or hives anymore!). There are signs of her being over the beef allergy too, but we will do an official test for that sometime this month. Dairy hasn't been giving her nearly as much grief. We let her have cheese and she seems to do just fine with it. I'm really optimistic that she will outgrow all of her allergies except for possibly the peanut allergy. 50% of babies with food sensitivities/allergies outgrow them by 12 months. 75% outgrow them by 24 months. And a full 90-95% of baby food issues are outgrown by the time they hit 5 years old. Peanut is one of the few allergies that tends to persist, but I honestly think she'll be able to eat everything else by the time she turns two. And as for me, I get to eat anything I want again! We are so grateful! I feel waaaay lighter making our meal plans now than I did at the beginning of 2023. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-5jgkUpnxDhIgHyWmQIqmU4FcrAhfSx9nHowt2zbfDCyI5svNaV3X0F4xJSrPfCkuXyFvfRfl4T91XD9_se8d7j6SN_HWD1dXbcHNf2i77bbsiT7w8-D4uaAemAmSQH-uadbMQb8BVG54fQJSVm-t912xzablgkHkGmWK4UOpPAfV24BwhBCLemNEGY/s4032/PXL_20231211_150133922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-5jgkUpnxDhIgHyWmQIqmU4FcrAhfSx9nHowt2zbfDCyI5svNaV3X0F4xJSrPfCkuXyFvfRfl4T91XD9_se8d7j6SN_HWD1dXbcHNf2i77bbsiT7w8-D4uaAemAmSQH-uadbMQb8BVG54fQJSVm-t912xzablgkHkGmWK4UOpPAfV24BwhBCLemNEGY/w480-h640/PXL_20231211_150133922.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphAPhiAxvOxnYaSk-PLyM7MWRjsIKzdZa7OUEqXXGh4wAJjVR6ZEgq03qdEGlcfj2wuSCbdkt9vBzhieQKSMI7F8JSrVpnyt27wH5ZWXM1Pc4t_itvx2AEIyEtOWttQPRnzYhmOKLyfR8Z1iktavNHxtXb1Ak34qfrL8SR0kOaq-lGSzshYgMJkNvtAo/s4032/PXL_20231211_150114227.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphAPhiAxvOxnYaSk-PLyM7MWRjsIKzdZa7OUEqXXGh4wAJjVR6ZEgq03qdEGlcfj2wuSCbdkt9vBzhieQKSMI7F8JSrVpnyt27wH5ZWXM1Pc4t_itvx2AEIyEtOWttQPRnzYhmOKLyfR8Z1iktavNHxtXb1Ak34qfrL8SR0kOaq-lGSzshYgMJkNvtAo/w480-h640/PXL_20231211_150114227.MP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>^^I don't know if this is a baby girl thing or just an Alice thing, but she LOVES putting on necklaces, socks, this random elf headband . . . really anything. And she keeps it on, too. Baby Jack would have ripped it off the second it hit his head if I tried it on him. But Alice brings this headband to me with a grunt of a request for me to put it on her at least once a day. She's my little ham sandwich. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZWAYazUyfsbOa79ruwUU_uuBEZJMjC3SKDUKue35f51EYqz5mEgI0mdwD21YQf-UZhe9obdY51I0wa2B9XhXuRi1wBDsm3o2GekwNAw4jgJ3OrTlR2PQgp177bnii84qkI3VAEYiHLsBtOthmDWP0Q26TQW6IQPR4QcTKTj0CTvCtFvpRO3duBbJtFQ/s4032/PXL_20231210_022838818.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZWAYazUyfsbOa79ruwUU_uuBEZJMjC3SKDUKue35f51EYqz5mEgI0mdwD21YQf-UZhe9obdY51I0wa2B9XhXuRi1wBDsm3o2GekwNAw4jgJ3OrTlR2PQgp177bnii84qkI3VAEYiHLsBtOthmDWP0Q26TQW6IQPR4QcTKTj0CTvCtFvpRO3duBbJtFQ/w640-h480/PXL_20231210_022838818.MP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Watching Shaun the Sheep Christmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvv125BtlDW2hzeKR6TzAOyatPU2AdZB3IHHIrLazKSF2fn687mkz0IjXelft_fg-69wI3WF9LwC8NzrHBhatn0JuB95gTr7UlO_fxARcNYQH6U_yuYTeX-jFTDQsW5fvT1Vz9CI5cYqrt8PUmJsc9Ix2jiETceD4V1Gv3ARHw_clBFulFYieJsVNtls/s4032/PXL_20231210_022310590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvv125BtlDW2hzeKR6TzAOyatPU2AdZB3IHHIrLazKSF2fn687mkz0IjXelft_fg-69wI3WF9LwC8NzrHBhatn0JuB95gTr7UlO_fxARcNYQH6U_yuYTeX-jFTDQsW5fvT1Vz9CI5cYqrt8PUmJsc9Ix2jiETceD4V1Gv3ARHw_clBFulFYieJsVNtls/w640-h480/PXL_20231210_022310590.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^The coziest view. These built-ins have been our best home project decision ever. Lots of work, and very worth it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqTDN7jyQeWpVmuGShO99o7s6VzUtSCG_5m1kGcTVVi7cbanBrDDM-A-2ZdbXaxMj2U8telMXdEvY0S6DBhBJTIj5mQKdq2AzvN85m0aDI6-qQNgS8VAVWi5AZ0pCVJYMmDJKmXIAXOaq_vjU5Zoo4BDPzeGiAfJPSIMyJFc1VmkHXUMuqlSTFl594_Q/s4032/PXL_20231210_021335364.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqTDN7jyQeWpVmuGShO99o7s6VzUtSCG_5m1kGcTVVi7cbanBrDDM-A-2ZdbXaxMj2U8telMXdEvY0S6DBhBJTIj5mQKdq2AzvN85m0aDI6-qQNgS8VAVWi5AZ0pCVJYMmDJKmXIAXOaq_vjU5Zoo4BDPzeGiAfJPSIMyJFc1VmkHXUMuqlSTFl594_Q/w480-h640/PXL_20231210_021335364.MP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-10838090031799235632023-12-04T07:00:00.002-07:002023-12-11T11:35:09.782-07:00Cozy Christmas Season<p>Happy December! Two Jack highlights from the week. Highlight #1 was when he made a pet cow out of cardboard boxes and empty toilet paper rolls, then cut a hole for the mouth and spent all week feeding it garbage hahaha. Highlight #2 is this joke he made up yesterday: "What starts with 'f' and flies through the air? It's a freindeer!"</p><p>Other highlights from the week . . . we are all healthy again! The house is very cozy for Christmas. It is filled to the brim with paper chains and wallpaper stars and paper snowflakes and festive kindergartner drawings. Childhood magic. We had two ward Christmas parties to attend over the weekend--the first was our own party, and the second was Jared's parents that we attended because Jared's mom was having her debut performance as the lead guitarist in their ward's surprise Christmas band. The lead singer and bass guitarist was a semi-professional musician, and they all knocked it out of the park. Worth Alice screaming the whole hour down in the car. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihOi1SF4aUPoEnpfCgxGp_JGh722wAQZhDBb4XWVP4KVpHCrxxUsHKmBkpO987aK4x57Zwj-pDz9oTIXHHN2ZVqA029wg6QkdGBB5I9ESHwwGsvcUqFkkIhv5kBSTwvwAxQfcZlKqi1wNPSLambh4d_5ZyDrqJReLhgJS1CKYcAZ44avq2spL2f6BoQco" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihOi1SF4aUPoEnpfCgxGp_JGh722wAQZhDBb4XWVP4KVpHCrxxUsHKmBkpO987aK4x57Zwj-pDz9oTIXHHN2ZVqA029wg6QkdGBB5I9ESHwwGsvcUqFkkIhv5kBSTwvwAxQfcZlKqi1wNPSLambh4d_5ZyDrqJReLhgJS1CKYcAZ44avq2spL2f6BoQco=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-izKJF56MSmT9-EJArI0exufIwdjH5w47QOcBCzihhW_BBMeuKuI1OCRArXKSiAykaPyoKQq2jnPtcdItpRwBh0SrPsSBAetUoxwiK1yjqbgDmDpiQ1SOy5DA-kV1_WGL67oLeG-l9xtbwhvnkCjwQP_XB1fORRDH9Inmr0uTXQ6DluXtH2L29Do-bfM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-izKJF56MSmT9-EJArI0exufIwdjH5w47QOcBCzihhW_BBMeuKuI1OCRArXKSiAykaPyoKQq2jnPtcdItpRwBh0SrPsSBAetUoxwiK1yjqbgDmDpiQ1SOy5DA-kV1_WGL67oLeG-l9xtbwhvnkCjwQP_XB1fORRDH9Inmr0uTXQ6DluXtH2L29Do-bfM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl__29AVrE1cx5Ol8CgFUvv6kECoxNmf3cA6Lav_7c6UsyoohcwJIRFcHGfBgfeklQ59MR06iqglv8BdSObH4c-sZoapsLTrdk9pJpKRSjVeVSUiS5sKDwhAxu6-o5VjYYbV1dk7saGYiEblszh9GG_89STE1xC-TN3lsdHK8VwjTPy9rotz5kKiGRVYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1802" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl__29AVrE1cx5Ol8CgFUvv6kECoxNmf3cA6Lav_7c6UsyoohcwJIRFcHGfBgfeklQ59MR06iqglv8BdSObH4c-sZoapsLTrdk9pJpKRSjVeVSUiS5sKDwhAxu6-o5VjYYbV1dk7saGYiEblszh9GG_89STE1xC-TN3lsdHK8VwjTPy9rotz5kKiGRVYg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKWz4lAVU9t8gBqrU6-VOKsD4qCmmC172tdYfMfXBtXq1O_29LK5casCLrz0Xfvybg1S8KnRAqIfAIhq9TV7n9GRYsBlNg8GDf2j-2rgJgBJh1ojDTvy4JdFbHoNwS-eGHGwgm8Ur24eGZD8gPP5Lev9-0c_KX149RJn2MvMcz3P74xyH9vt4BEWzgEhg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKWz4lAVU9t8gBqrU6-VOKsD4qCmmC172tdYfMfXBtXq1O_29LK5casCLrz0Xfvybg1S8KnRAqIfAIhq9TV7n9GRYsBlNg8GDf2j-2rgJgBJh1ojDTvy4JdFbHoNwS-eGHGwgm8Ur24eGZD8gPP5Lev9-0c_KX149RJn2MvMcz3P74xyH9vt4BEWzgEhg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNOV_pmUCev6VaHBRQW_KLXW8-Ii6ggvGj7-V-XkJpwAdzRe_p8fTCS3LcRamkfzNhCy3DyX-c1IHJP8ON0UmkcsshTLjSfjnvV0D2ZJeJkYfrk47NGz2S4lQGEOFFIQEg2e1VaQuKzjL65dO2qAvxIfQ2p1nAb2TldX5jMyzjVVbhZnOCfUbdQdMZTMk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1748" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNOV_pmUCev6VaHBRQW_KLXW8-Ii6ggvGj7-V-XkJpwAdzRe_p8fTCS3LcRamkfzNhCy3DyX-c1IHJP8ON0UmkcsshTLjSfjnvV0D2ZJeJkYfrk47NGz2S4lQGEOFFIQEg2e1VaQuKzjL65dO2qAvxIfQ2p1nAb2TldX5jMyzjVVbhZnOCfUbdQdMZTMk=w640-h495" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT1u64Z5mrwz0hNN3BVpiNSt1KPVjnQUCus5koBxnWL_2-UblqJbtILCtubwODlX-XOSfmkKCd7mIDE5G6flBOintj1WtMbtSNSuvRPNkrzy_UOjI4vbpFlp6D6khUdjDYTSgrD09d3bGzGh2RgD107DEbM_Z-sHse7N1yOVAxzDCrokLO7FsJFhP05RI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1802" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT1u64Z5mrwz0hNN3BVpiNSt1KPVjnQUCus5koBxnWL_2-UblqJbtILCtubwODlX-XOSfmkKCd7mIDE5G6flBOintj1WtMbtSNSuvRPNkrzy_UOjI4vbpFlp6D6khUdjDYTSgrD09d3bGzGh2RgD107DEbM_Z-sHse7N1yOVAxzDCrokLO7FsJFhP05RI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Our neighbors put on a Grinch meet-and-greet every weekend through the month of December. They've done this every year and Jack has been like NOPE. I'll pass. But now these neighbors are Jared's patients, and they invited him to bypass the sign-up list and stop in any time. So we braved the creepy Grinch for this festive picture haha.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLQ1suz9lvtrAcrvjs6fezUAtu3bfWDHlbZHvRuiqBhFDIoQWPfqIsme40h36vBIcaM9AVcK8x3mLVqJmsDRttHK8w8eNyK9FdgJQctrit6scQ5BFb6NZ3M8-TNgWJ_Ecc2NcPSnaTeKtfFUL1qB1o5prJ4aZsax-TMxDIiHkR-rn-BMeSHaR6nM0mNc8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLQ1suz9lvtrAcrvjs6fezUAtu3bfWDHlbZHvRuiqBhFDIoQWPfqIsme40h36vBIcaM9AVcK8x3mLVqJmsDRttHK8w8eNyK9FdgJQctrit6scQ5BFb6NZ3M8-TNgWJ_Ecc2NcPSnaTeKtfFUL1qB1o5prJ4aZsax-TMxDIiHkR-rn-BMeSHaR6nM0mNc8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuIfrY3ZRHmoiL-4nt7maINmdoWYWZCYY4KZbJa6Pk4U6gtuCpBCl_JGuWkpaovoBTLv4zxUNAYWLXCcWthim1qypAAUSrDsFS9_MZtoAsQgDcEYnreCIXBNkDdU6gzBl3cJ-uXHk3cB9cICihn6NH5uuVhR1ajScF-_nzjRdrY2dQmuUJ6Wwt9DXj4sM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuIfrY3ZRHmoiL-4nt7maINmdoWYWZCYY4KZbJa6Pk4U6gtuCpBCl_JGuWkpaovoBTLv4zxUNAYWLXCcWthim1qypAAUSrDsFS9_MZtoAsQgDcEYnreCIXBNkDdU6gzBl3cJ-uXHk3cB9cICihn6NH5uuVhR1ajScF-_nzjRdrY2dQmuUJ6Wwt9DXj4sM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^We found this cozy snow suit in Alice's closet. She LOVES it. Alice loves all things soft and cozy, and just look how cute. This is going to be her daily stroller ride uniform through the month of December. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiihcXZSJxpxAtqCFfsirnPt2y75HZZhfJRtLRhf_pvvuPiaPprTMGrvGIGpxRun0vMCzfJSCuSanW-9ojSRnFxFsavfLnir3mcmIyCp2fdTGfOv8RebAGNUL03ExF7xnj66Z7AD0uuyu86H_ctPn_lsQ2zvQASlEoQJwLIZxjMnGe5t72Jh_FpcAduPRA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiihcXZSJxpxAtqCFfsirnPt2y75HZZhfJRtLRhf_pvvuPiaPprTMGrvGIGpxRun0vMCzfJSCuSanW-9ojSRnFxFsavfLnir3mcmIyCp2fdTGfOv8RebAGNUL03ExF7xnj66Z7AD0uuyu86H_ctPn_lsQ2zvQASlEoQJwLIZxjMnGe5t72Jh_FpcAduPRA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">^^Jack made a countdown to Christmas chain in Kindergarten. Every day he tears one off, changes the countdown on our family countdown board, rips a loop off of my "24 activities of Christmas" chart (they're just fun little things like "make eggnog" and "Christmas book readathon"). Then after his quiet time comes his favorite part of the day--opening a door on his lego advent calendar and building a lego creature. This December we're pulling out allll the stops. At age 5 Jack is very into all things Christmas, and it feels like we've reached an age where the memories will last the rest of his life. I also kind of worry that with how smart Jack is, the Santa magic won't last as many years as we'd like. So I've stepped up my Christmas game and we're going to have a cozy time this month!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn58u1EidzgcOQSBOuNyN2T55S0UlN-cgPRQPUhWvemjirbPa4K0lHlV14l1J5vNQU9XmBNagVYFDRaZhjXTA5JBCWjkBQXPQPcPqjHS2BIOt5E0Kgw9ooDDxIWTAWoXah-3QhMdKJ0RMjqxCZ1CpbaM6bOXJFOpOUumcG9lJ2DmlIQoDPWw1naEGH2x0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn58u1EidzgcOQSBOuNyN2T55S0UlN-cgPRQPUhWvemjirbPa4K0lHlV14l1J5vNQU9XmBNagVYFDRaZhjXTA5JBCWjkBQXPQPcPqjHS2BIOt5E0Kgw9ooDDxIWTAWoXah-3QhMdKJ0RMjqxCZ1CpbaM6bOXJFOpOUumcG9lJ2DmlIQoDPWw1naEGH2x0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^I love watching these two cuties play together. Alice looks so small and Jack looks so big, but they love playing together and can get each other laughing like no one else in the family can. It's the cutest sibling bond.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6R7xrGsOC-KG3BD5xzGbPVPOQTlsIJuJyLlD9Pc3y1Gm_RKg6EnxMkw-jcfW4CbTWAUvSXEk7mqFyBK16a6Z8D3UzdgHNuz7G_BYck1ZdqytOEEi5PK3E2-Gw0tebYIe0eaZ12qjPMGVD5FgmsliE2bBNkdXICmdX9Sv0hgf-N2vzH_fS-ok6y0478VE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6R7xrGsOC-KG3BD5xzGbPVPOQTlsIJuJyLlD9Pc3y1Gm_RKg6EnxMkw-jcfW4CbTWAUvSXEk7mqFyBK16a6Z8D3UzdgHNuz7G_BYck1ZdqytOEEi5PK3E2-Gw0tebYIe0eaZ12qjPMGVD5FgmsliE2bBNkdXICmdX9Sv0hgf-N2vzH_fS-ok6y0478VE=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^When Jack goes to school, Alice beelines for his bathroom and shoves his toothbrush in her mouth. Little siblings gotta do some damage when they have the chance. Love this baby girl. It's probably time to get her her own toothbrush, but let's be honest--she'll still prefer Jack's.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-71646637544289976032023-11-28T11:55:00.000-07:002023-11-28T11:55:04.922-07:00Sick Little Turkeys<p>It has been a loooong, wonderful, sickly weekend. Jack picked up a brutal cold at school last week, then it made its way through Alice over Thanksgiving, then Jared, then me. I'm grateful it was just a cold! We can handle that. Thanksgiving was wonderful. We brough stuffing, rolls, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and a pie to Jared's parents for a cozy little Thanksgiving with them and with Jared's brother Will. Alice wanted to be held by me and only me the whole time (poor sick baby) which was a bit of a challenge, but I keep telling myself, "This is a season!" She won't want me holding her 24/7 forever. </p><p>We also celebrated Jared's birthday over the weekend. He wanted to see the ocean on his birthday, so we drove to a new park overlooking the sound and played for a bit before having Jared's parents over for dinner and opening presents. I sure am grateful for such a wonderful life partner. He's endlessly patient and kind. The funnest Dad. The gentlest doctor. The most selfless spouse. I always love a reason to celebrate Jared.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0zeTh3ZC79V84HEHuNBSUdaN-yhIxPA2Z08EuDAPjP4iG5f9KQbP9D3ssB5u0FbX59zq_ffRvG9O9YhXHWP9rcPM95AAWTT4WpU7O8087jQ6C-N3UMMHTF8X_TedbGtuk3ijxSvqbb2AjPEE8FDH0tvcLSeWzVWxfHN9eo0nRZZENJXvJ4lBcLLNeUpY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0zeTh3ZC79V84HEHuNBSUdaN-yhIxPA2Z08EuDAPjP4iG5f9KQbP9D3ssB5u0FbX59zq_ffRvG9O9YhXHWP9rcPM95AAWTT4WpU7O8087jQ6C-N3UMMHTF8X_TedbGtuk3ijxSvqbb2AjPEE8FDH0tvcLSeWzVWxfHN9eo0nRZZENJXvJ4lBcLLNeUpY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^Garage picnic after Jack got home from school. Alice and I always pick him up at the bus stop down the road and then park the stroller back in the garage before going inside for a snack. We decided to do our snack in the garage this day and Alice looked so cute and grown up on her own little bench.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaEns54clmgRXZemKg46yOo9z8RM68kP9Ou0Fwf5zjCmfh3iNJ9UVEMoT0cAx-kElngTmwCYZfPahFTsJrJlq8os3NwFf8TDx3i1l5RGH3ikWr3uUOadDq3WKRAscTg997KJHNVmBKGfru9SkixIZeIEXNQNHXVYmSeJ_la-TT_85HXEVqhTSeshXME0g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaEns54clmgRXZemKg46yOo9z8RM68kP9Ou0Fwf5zjCmfh3iNJ9UVEMoT0cAx-kElngTmwCYZfPahFTsJrJlq8os3NwFf8TDx3i1l5RGH3ikWr3uUOadDq3WKRAscTg997KJHNVmBKGfru9SkixIZeIEXNQNHXVYmSeJ_la-TT_85HXEVqhTSeshXME0g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQl3Kw8-rDnQwJPoRk3aJ7pnewaNaydSt3l65DHmZ6esYm9j3sF2ORI3sXs_7-1Hz2UVepXV3XPEN_DWgmsgzF2Azua6afbx6Qc95T98grScgjJa_oSUXTR5S4c1vJRV_DO_emSEk2j4bOfXzeo0yeSq2RGSaDIgBjbpkyT_S_2hRix1TQZ2hdBQM2wIk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQl3Kw8-rDnQwJPoRk3aJ7pnewaNaydSt3l65DHmZ6esYm9j3sF2ORI3sXs_7-1Hz2UVepXV3XPEN_DWgmsgzF2Azua6afbx6Qc95T98grScgjJa_oSUXTR5S4c1vJRV_DO_emSEk2j4bOfXzeo0yeSq2RGSaDIgBjbpkyT_S_2hRix1TQZ2hdBQM2wIk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Savvy's first time EVER showing Jack an ounce of affection, when he was sick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVPdN8wBIsUwmlCU-1D9AhzQvzyNm30MlFDs2v4T4n-L2toYSGGU-1Rf9lRwlSZ92UEfKaazmPgoWWQILNGAC7HieFifnadyO_GejtVPXJN2ilfp14_A_MdEog9l4esfUpDdbAiVkbJ1yOK46H3wrBRFxSVN7OE3Blfxi0ST_XlYcGIEKw673n3qkbASI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVPdN8wBIsUwmlCU-1D9AhzQvzyNm30MlFDs2v4T4n-L2toYSGGU-1Rf9lRwlSZ92UEfKaazmPgoWWQILNGAC7HieFifnadyO_GejtVPXJN2ilfp14_A_MdEog9l4esfUpDdbAiVkbJ1yOK46H3wrBRFxSVN7OE3Blfxi0ST_XlYcGIEKw673n3qkbASI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Sick babies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMPUbUt95ROSU-cGmOf3gz1X85Dg2kAJBR4bEvAIuKAF3BnUXhQWRVUOHHUiXUkL3_oiece7lHsaW40d3Bh1YJrE8HvDQA8nq6jnZT-IW3x0OPXHOtPhwV7pqMyaNym2q8wjiZKtRhfaQv8cQ_UF53F_yJHpzsjSk5mqWS856BxpIEJn7G3vr6NJ8iy_w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMPUbUt95ROSU-cGmOf3gz1X85Dg2kAJBR4bEvAIuKAF3BnUXhQWRVUOHHUiXUkL3_oiece7lHsaW40d3Bh1YJrE8HvDQA8nq6jnZT-IW3x0OPXHOtPhwV7pqMyaNym2q8wjiZKtRhfaQv8cQ_UF53F_yJHpzsjSk5mqWS856BxpIEJn7G3vr6NJ8iy_w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^On our way to Thanksgiving! Carseat straps have since been raised. But the focus here are his cool dude sunglasses and Thanksgiving crown. Kindergarten crowns 4ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0m6LTxT5bvoGjevFwI7edFhz0QZxYl51uSOOI-xQmQoWA0ClLN_vLEdyWDamMhQaHh-vYd5_d0Myg_3kPxDyHydvNX0ytrkSTCNvSZ2LVXL_hGWSbJ41tDtxgbCDWjGua_OE-D_8If6s7s-nUlgJcJ2ZOSlHrg0pJzFb7AuMDJ3ajt9ETrD94UO0VvrE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0m6LTxT5bvoGjevFwI7edFhz0QZxYl51uSOOI-xQmQoWA0ClLN_vLEdyWDamMhQaHh-vYd5_d0Myg_3kPxDyHydvNX0ytrkSTCNvSZ2LVXL_hGWSbJ41tDtxgbCDWjGua_OE-D_8If6s7s-nUlgJcJ2ZOSlHrg0pJzFb7AuMDJ3ajt9ETrD94UO0VvrE=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSNsfy0j5bLjIHApE8fghGyNQX0VoU0xGKLKcWUctqTa2j2dlpDxZwK6S1-HgwOaBFLRiPFzTK4uOAGniiuJfP93WqCXrlQCTU-OvT3IJAAa0UtrhjKwA67vB4TPSKvVEmAMT8oSSwwqKUrL0qlHiV8yDYDwECV3raLcNbpmFDUhqjAtpjo0cmryBl8UY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSNsfy0j5bLjIHApE8fghGyNQX0VoU0xGKLKcWUctqTa2j2dlpDxZwK6S1-HgwOaBFLRiPFzTK4uOAGniiuJfP93WqCXrlQCTU-OvT3IJAAa0UtrhjKwA67vB4TPSKvVEmAMT8oSSwwqKUrL0qlHiV8yDYDwECV3raLcNbpmFDUhqjAtpjo0cmryBl8UY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Sick baby times at Thanksgiving. But look how festive we are!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBZpyK-ku4RhDt7rfQpXNe0KxbCRO7ExtlvD4IzAyDShATqs1qwD4mf1yLQWxysrLMxCUoXcDbLNJ11ylrjOSi5vGsHu-tDs7lCRQ0HcZ1UwUPrzjuCcwiE5u8Rqq3PVyaaX7vf7rRVSKE4gVBVaQTLcJ4mnYKSL5dTSbm6_0KMd4TqO7N6ijEB6bohNg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBZpyK-ku4RhDt7rfQpXNe0KxbCRO7ExtlvD4IzAyDShATqs1qwD4mf1yLQWxysrLMxCUoXcDbLNJ11ylrjOSi5vGsHu-tDs7lCRQ0HcZ1UwUPrzjuCcwiE5u8Rqq3PVyaaX7vf7rRVSKE4gVBVaQTLcJ4mnYKSL5dTSbm6_0KMd4TqO7N6ijEB6bohNg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSj825Q4JrOpvhtKvasvscuc_W6piW9yvXBYyQeKBUFRus37mYREZPh-gQQyUx9o-u03STZl-6ueDb5RcLnpNR7KSBnMsr1_PHg_VYJAPDMaAz90bxHleGslaPsM6nSoD6OzLe5rmoP89wXEjOfSqAEbbV-8JB8Av7VubvV6KYUPUbh-YzsTrj_2RNnvk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSj825Q4JrOpvhtKvasvscuc_W6piW9yvXBYyQeKBUFRus37mYREZPh-gQQyUx9o-u03STZl-6ueDb5RcLnpNR7KSBnMsr1_PHg_VYJAPDMaAz90bxHleGslaPsM6nSoD6OzLe5rmoP89wXEjOfSqAEbbV-8JB8Av7VubvV6KYUPUbh-YzsTrj_2RNnvk=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwCAvQUyEna23tMD806uGQFMbdKQZ4A1l8KY0DlkMkVAX13Qt_MPpa1MOJam9HjcLIa_kSEzuvJFV6JC_3h1QBG8HrDxEIp-jNGbH5iAzCrUFeuQqshPmWlXzMwXd0u_C6kSZyGQYvHr6BI6d14SDRUvmZr96zn6flwMyuO30npJcF0vdkiBU3maSKJ3k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwCAvQUyEna23tMD806uGQFMbdKQZ4A1l8KY0DlkMkVAX13Qt_MPpa1MOJam9HjcLIa_kSEzuvJFV6JC_3h1QBG8HrDxEIp-jNGbH5iAzCrUFeuQqshPmWlXzMwXd0u_C6kSZyGQYvHr6BI6d14SDRUvmZr96zn6flwMyuO30npJcF0vdkiBU3maSKJ3k=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUftxBlXizHeXkAG_RVU-aZf1JAhna3nnt_eqE40Lr3DXg9yJ0kR4LpyeIJK2vXWik26e2zdsiJcFNW5mGPBR_QWo9QHKYfi3W-td4nErLkfu6VKTT-5-wxr7jUfUPiN4cfmADUpI5PgevvqhbUBt3s6QrawsG-re_Q37OXeV7QREXuG30wSBHvup0GIc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUftxBlXizHeXkAG_RVU-aZf1JAhna3nnt_eqE40Lr3DXg9yJ0kR4LpyeIJK2vXWik26e2zdsiJcFNW5mGPBR_QWo9QHKYfi3W-td4nErLkfu6VKTT-5-wxr7jUfUPiN4cfmADUpI5PgevvqhbUBt3s6QrawsG-re_Q37OXeV7QREXuG30wSBHvup0GIc=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1kBzD8tBNAa5sgLs77RkkOFhOzqejmiZA4r9DeIYsgNb5XQiRZm8_S24Yb6muJLmFEq7c9pvdNoJgb4Umk25v-JW95f0GKlXM80XblJq6HEQsLjQvtzKVujJ71ZsI02_dQjRNnPZHg7k156Uo2gfUNgLwHZFomgnUTbEGoRYG2DDVH1kldBhUgCd0WIA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1kBzD8tBNAa5sgLs77RkkOFhOzqejmiZA4r9DeIYsgNb5XQiRZm8_S24Yb6muJLmFEq7c9pvdNoJgb4Umk25v-JW95f0GKlXM80XblJq6HEQsLjQvtzKVujJ71ZsI02_dQjRNnPZHg7k156Uo2gfUNgLwHZFomgnUTbEGoRYG2DDVH1kldBhUgCd0WIA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now we are in full Christmastime mode! This is the first year probably ever that we have finished most of our Christmas shopping before November. I want to focus on Christmas traditions and coziness all December. We're off to a great start with paper snowflakes filling up our windows and the Home Alone soundtrack on repeat. </div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-13821632475269643852023-11-20T11:26:00.005-07:002023-11-20T11:33:49.155-07:00Air Fryer Successes<p>It's been quite the busy week. The air fryer has officially been broken in. We've made crinkle fries and normal fries (from frozen), fresh hot wings, Brussels sprouts, hashbrown patties, and aidells sausages. The crinkle fries were a slam dunk. Very crispy without adding so much as a drop of oil (they might already have been coated in something oily since they were prepackaged though). The normal fries were a bit limp, but I think we crowded them in there too tightly--you should definitely make sure there's space around each item if you want it to get nice and crispy, just like when roasting things in the oven. Everything else came out great. The real test was hot wings. I made them like I normally would if I was deep frying them, but popping them in the air fryer was lots easier and less messy. They didn't come out quite as crispy as they would from a deep fry, but pretty close. For how much time and mess (and oil) was saved, absolutely worth losing 10% crispiness. <span> <span> </span></span></p><p>Jack got sick with a bad cold over the weekend. I couldn't even be annoyed because we're already at the end of November and this was his FIRST time being sick enough to have to miss school, and he only had to miss one day (Friday). During his last two years in preschool, he was pretty consistently having to stay home with a cold for a full week out of every month. His immune system is stronger now and the sick policy is more lenient at the public school (as long as he's not fevery, throwing up, or clearly feeling awful I can send him). I'm so happy we've made it to a less sickly winter. (Knock on wood.)</p><p>We had our family pictures taken by someone other than myself and my trusty tripod for the first time EVER on Saturday. Jack was looking a little under-the-weather and Alice was lukewarm about the smiling on command thing (of course), but I'm sure we got some good ones. There were a few fall leaves hanging on in the background so I'm glad we were able to squeeze them in. Can't wait to see them next month.</p><p>Jared gave Jack and Alice a little hair trim before the pictures and he really did a pretty good job! He's cut Jack's hair for years (he cuts his own hair too and has done lots of his buddies' hair through the years). I was going to attempt Alice's hair myself because Jared cut my hair during Covid and it was, um, not spectacular? But when I was at Target grabbing last-minute pants for Jack's outfit Jared offered to trim Alice's hair and I realized, I'm just as much a beginner as he is. He can watch a youtube video as well as I can. If he does Alice's haircuts from the get-go, he will be more open to doing them in the future and he'll get better and better, just like he has with Jack's hair. It was a practice in letting go of the fear of her hair coming out wonky for the pictures, for the benefit of offloading a parenting task to Jared (that he enjoys) for probably years to come. I think this is something many moms struggle with, but the more I practice the better I get. Jared WANTS to be involved in raising his children and keeping up the house. When I can let go of wanting things to be a certain way and let him take full ownership of a particular duty, everyone wins. (My favorite example of this is when we fell into a pattern of me emptying all the dishes because I don't mind that task and Jared does, and Jared loading the dirty dishes because he doesn't mind that task and I do. It makes me feel so much more excited about cooking because I know I won't be the one cleaning up the mess. We eat better because of this division of labor, and the system runs so much more smoothly and without bitterness. Neither of us nags the other to do their part anymore--we both trust and know that the other will get to it within a reasonable time frame since we have taken full ownership of our own parts of the process. 10/10, would recommend dividing up household tasks in this way when possible.)</p><p>I'm off to make a Christmas shopping Black Friday plan. Jared doesn't have work tomorrow so we're going to make a game plan and maybe even do all our Christmas shopping. It seems like most stores have already started running their Black Friday sales a week or more early this year. So different from when I was little and the only Black Friday sales were the ones you'd wait in line for at the actual store at midnight after Thanksgiving, which I never participated in. I love that everything is online now! So much easier and cozier. Give me a cocoa and a Christmas movie, and we'll make a cozy date of it. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjregoqp4qolwLhYWRf3tZmqDCgGP1nAvVAht7jp4EvoTjyt86rxDohJaEU4BuXvkMt1NvuIevyDop8XFdcMqbixhztW0kEJ4fJ3DJ_tkOGfyT-azj-uRgWbEFUZAE9g7Ewku1rTbNLXZCcGq9zYZpDNHWl7DSu_eaIuHJXzjB8Wto5l8vuKmHD0X1XX94" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjregoqp4qolwLhYWRf3tZmqDCgGP1nAvVAht7jp4EvoTjyt86rxDohJaEU4BuXvkMt1NvuIevyDop8XFdcMqbixhztW0kEJ4fJ3DJ_tkOGfyT-azj-uRgWbEFUZAE9g7Ewku1rTbNLXZCcGq9zYZpDNHWl7DSu_eaIuHJXzjB8Wto5l8vuKmHD0X1XX94=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkCfLFTYfAaE3BkPV9bIXo4RhXCgflK9ZvE1UWYycS8jyFDvFSqQqPNy334ASqi8yeUvgsQpwsWRZ7lGpx0FEnghMXkaZWUBRoGAsOps9NkW4VULBMiusa-hULFGcdp_8F7LMifgbOaBcwUTBFle0376q27f9avIa0PrFYvJnFZTwHuQiMz_Brc0wGja4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkCfLFTYfAaE3BkPV9bIXo4RhXCgflK9ZvE1UWYycS8jyFDvFSqQqPNy334ASqi8yeUvgsQpwsWRZ7lGpx0FEnghMXkaZWUBRoGAsOps9NkW4VULBMiusa-hULFGcdp_8F7LMifgbOaBcwUTBFle0376q27f9avIa0PrFYvJnFZTwHuQiMz_Brc0wGja4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEOtS_K72fJlnfren7VLYNOELduPYvwHcaCWbJVV03ibVvsijP3_zu0156saik9L9umZ69uHxRP_3pfe9e0jAdNknfXdSK8HQ3C1pT_OyHFIELh508QnimDK57FsECF9VVoyxNmi8wx9u8QB46LgvMLbdSsZMd_8TS_TPLpDQH2mb3EfuLROQ8QWd-5FI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEOtS_K72fJlnfren7VLYNOELduPYvwHcaCWbJVV03ibVvsijP3_zu0156saik9L9umZ69uHxRP_3pfe9e0jAdNknfXdSK8HQ3C1pT_OyHFIELh508QnimDK57FsECF9VVoyxNmi8wx9u8QB46LgvMLbdSsZMd_8TS_TPLpDQH2mb3EfuLROQ8QWd-5FI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-34894728665537416022023-11-13T16:31:00.002-07:002023-11-13T16:31:33.896-07:00Allie Gallie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After I uploaded all of my pictures to share from this week I realized that every photo is of Alice. So we are referring to this post as the Alice Gallery, shortened to "Allie Gallie."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been another lovely rainy fall week in the PNW. The kids have adapted-ish to Daylight Savings. They are both going to bed and waking up at acceptable times now, but Jack has been MR. GRUMPS. I am blaming daylight savings because I want to blame something, but it could also be the absence of flag football in his life 3 times a week. I have "sign Jack up for a winter sport" perpetually on my to-do list, but it keeps not happening. Huh. He's been pretty happy since school started, up until last week. I guess we all have off weeks from time-to-time. Nonetheless, Jack was awarded Cub of the Week in his class this last week! So at least he was keeping it together somewhere haha. This has been a goal of his since school started and he was so excited. Way to go Mr. Grumps. I mean Jack. :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alice has learned how to stand up on her own from the middle of the floor, and she is quite pleased about this new trick. Every day I catch her practicing more and more. No steps taken yet, but we're not in a rush. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jared is happy. Laura is happy. Nothing big to report for us, so I guess I'll do a "what we've been consuming" check in. Here is what we have been consuming lately:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Food</b>: French fries! We got an air fryer on sale at Costco. I have been considering an air fryer purchase for several months now and was planning on asking for one for Christmas. But between this really incredible Costco sale and my recent fried chicken experiments (they're getting more impressive every time), we pulled the trigger early. So far we've only made fries but we are already VERY impressed. Next week we'll make hot wings and Brussels sprouts. I'll try and let you know how it goes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>TV: </b>We've been keeping us with Loki and Goosebumps one evening a week as episodes are released. I told Jared I would not be participating in Goosebumps because I don't like scary stuff, but I got pulled in after a few episodes. It's fun and not too scary. We just started Secrets of Blue Zones (or something like that) on Netflix. Very good, would recommend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Podcast: </b>If you are casually interested in interior design, I have been LOVING the "Dear Alice" podcast. There are a few hundred episodes, full of tons of design tips from two extremely talented Utah designers (of Alice Lane Design) who have great banter. I'm always a happier person when I feel like I'm learning something new or developing a hobby. Having this podcast in my ears during my daily walk or while I'm making dinner scratches that itch, since hobbies and interests are otherwise pretty tough for me to find time for during the baby stage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok, here is the Allie Gallie:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(p.s. Mom, look out. On your birthday I might just post a bunch of pictures of you and call it the Valerie Gallery because the rhyme is just too good. jk, maybe)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimolrQewGSWlks9msCp96sIWlojVVfAc7VXpohqJbt5OV7gPxHirFUxyrTg1ARmvrZn0Sfyu2xX0fqE_L2Zxy2CWBc23pqdDmgRfnjaszO0sKlM6JaffFLn7hZJAbcxcQ5LzCz9wPN0qpTdrYCu-eBCQcfsuwlkU2t1S6UO4BE6pvCLi8Ns6hMXkTWui0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimolrQewGSWlks9msCp96sIWlojVVfAc7VXpohqJbt5OV7gPxHirFUxyrTg1ARmvrZn0Sfyu2xX0fqE_L2Zxy2CWBc23pqdDmgRfnjaszO0sKlM6JaffFLn7hZJAbcxcQ5LzCz9wPN0qpTdrYCu-eBCQcfsuwlkU2t1S6UO4BE6pvCLi8Ns6hMXkTWui0=w483-h640" width="483" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEK_XUy4RfNNFAjEf_6sdi7kNAOJ2DKSmaxxxwZNk-bto9tBzQVOIRXJur-0Y_o1DXC0uY18AMo40xbqonP1Z01IJRV6ZhdjW7XoXv3WpYI_1BFshRzJpR1EbtOhjgedP-Z0wstQeV-NuYMW7IOFdpfOtnKwd8qBgPU8UaRwGEPY-1MD2HqZ5WYsl_qvU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEK_XUy4RfNNFAjEf_6sdi7kNAOJ2DKSmaxxxwZNk-bto9tBzQVOIRXJur-0Y_o1DXC0uY18AMo40xbqonP1Z01IJRV6ZhdjW7XoXv3WpYI_1BFshRzJpR1EbtOhjgedP-Z0wstQeV-NuYMW7IOFdpfOtnKwd8qBgPU8UaRwGEPY-1MD2HqZ5WYsl_qvU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheFDEBYdi6eXFYpt-dW-aDesO1QsErPS29ofWAUIrBJQjySBtlBC3tB9mQhgXrTd4AJ4KSGATc7z_-irfTqWZuIOQTQj60OrmBjY_d2uMdBwm19zoucCqcoZFND7zxoYo2VNFrowkDEgEpujAUWXehxR2MFKFdBh9X_J2B4WnN-Twbjgh9uHrq139buMY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheFDEBYdi6eXFYpt-dW-aDesO1QsErPS29ofWAUIrBJQjySBtlBC3tB9mQhgXrTd4AJ4KSGATc7z_-irfTqWZuIOQTQj60OrmBjY_d2uMdBwm19zoucCqcoZFND7zxoYo2VNFrowkDEgEpujAUWXehxR2MFKFdBh9X_J2B4WnN-Twbjgh9uHrq139buMY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-31396686279891408162023-11-06T07:30:00.003-07:002023-11-06T11:22:15.094-07:00More Halloween Fun<p>What a week! Please bless my children to adjust to daylight savings relatively quickly. I spent all last week trying to push their bedtimes later, hoping this would mean they would eventually start sleeping in later too when we turned our clocks back. Unfortunately going to bed later has had no affect on Alice's wake time so far, so sure enough, she was up for the day at 5:30 this morning. I'm planning to continue the strategy to try and keep them up later in the evening and hooooopefully the wake time will eventually follow. Alice is finally sleeping through the night, and Jack has started sleeping in a little later, so I'm focusing on gratitude. </p><p>We had a fun Halloween. Jared's parents came to our house to celebrate. Jared's mom LOVES holiday celebrations and usually hosts a fun Halloween dinner/game night. But with Alice hating the car and Jack wanting to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood, we stayed home and they offered to bring a festive dinner. It was very cute and fun. But with neighbors showing up and trick-or-treating the night was a little hectic. I felt bad after they left when I realized we didn't play any games and Jared's parents never even got to hold Alice before she went to bed. They did get to go trick-or-treating with Jack though, so file the evening under "you win some, you lose some."</p><p>Jack had two days of no school this week for parent teacher conferences. He is doing great and is ahead of the curve in reading and math, so the goal his teacher set with him was for him to remember to turn in his reader each day. He tends to forget it in his backpack most of the time so this will be good practice for the next 12+ years of turning in homework. </p><p>Alice's allergy bloodwork results became available this week. Nothing her allergist is too concerned about, phew. He recommended we try testing her on beef and soy in his office when we feel ready for that, but tomato he gave us the go-ahead to try at home and see if there's been improvement since the last time she had tomato several months ago. We gave her one of her favorite dinners, tomato bolognese, last night to see how she would tolerate it. No issues! Not a single hive! We'll remain cautious the next few times we try, but for now I'm so happy I could cry. Any of her allergens she grows out of is a big deal. This gives me hope that she'll outgrow more of them in the next few years. Cozy tomato soup, here we come. Here are some pictures from our week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwdsYfkpICx7oKVa9D9oOAIRcdR5emEJJYvkTIL-tK_gMxuwJXZVM0hheffhrrn6k2a6b55eBIL28w4imlWZSDzVjkjF0I7NRkxSBVOLwktTWyQYuAie9d_VCW_v8FpukVjH6rap4gW6Bd77rQxWA4T9uf1qA9Z8aOnoAcQJC3BfpgkMDSJ2xkXuSHXu0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwdsYfkpICx7oKVa9D9oOAIRcdR5emEJJYvkTIL-tK_gMxuwJXZVM0hheffhrrn6k2a6b55eBIL28w4imlWZSDzVjkjF0I7NRkxSBVOLwktTWyQYuAie9d_VCW_v8FpukVjH6rap4gW6Bd77rQxWA4T9uf1qA9Z8aOnoAcQJC3BfpgkMDSJ2xkXuSHXu0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigLG8Lz3uo6Ol2sbLcS40mv7vJiPxB3PBN3r_mKhLIQvX-MEUb9Yn5Apyhrc0ugPY4X6G0-r4id7NMARXAPGH3cJrYlvBHWPOPMWWOsrN6f5vOiZFFmF4bGB8rgCwgf2kDUCO0AHRj1RzpYEa_6du0BYgBwIvTmCj-XesP122RZRh-HjiOBkWghDoubyg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigLG8Lz3uo6Ol2sbLcS40mv7vJiPxB3PBN3r_mKhLIQvX-MEUb9Yn5Apyhrc0ugPY4X6G0-r4id7NMARXAPGH3cJrYlvBHWPOPMWWOsrN6f5vOiZFFmF4bGB8rgCwgf2kDUCO0AHRj1RzpYEa_6du0BYgBwIvTmCj-XesP122RZRh-HjiOBkWghDoubyg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^The owners of this house used to have a kid on Jack's soccer team when we first moved here. They go ALL OUT for Halloween. They made those giant spiders out of I believe pvc pipe based on a youtube video they found. The webbing is beef netting they bought on some farm supply website.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_1SvoRfVVetxkiIx3Ks57pf2ugloJd7rte9DbFSoHY6l0_z32-cq7DrRp_KJ97-UiodD0Af5LRQ-C1ccUktLkXWO0Gaw_TrEEsyzPiCL7PzYnAyAoezTJVmXwkPspur2Ue3kNaMvWCmHOFhyOakqt71g4ehm4USB7fxbJnPyhKIHOoK_GBKUuddqAWJI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_1SvoRfVVetxkiIx3Ks57pf2ugloJd7rte9DbFSoHY6l0_z32-cq7DrRp_KJ97-UiodD0Af5LRQ-C1ccUktLkXWO0Gaw_TrEEsyzPiCL7PzYnAyAoezTJVmXwkPspur2Ue3kNaMvWCmHOFhyOakqt71g4ehm4USB7fxbJnPyhKIHOoK_GBKUuddqAWJI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz4mYzKrc_BnE4ZvFJEM255GSrZ_KD4Ka5phFJIx3EUxyLfPrFUUiuFDhhuxE8xiVuMavoJL74EJsymGIV23OQDeB2HMrLhNUKuYbThU0EiApzVwbiP2EgnD8S6rAICpmTrwBXso0bHHq_ouEp9QikvZtbJiPy7BMZM3UMFdD3qxA_FQtGpUgmi4UgBTE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz4mYzKrc_BnE4ZvFJEM255GSrZ_KD4Ka5phFJIx3EUxyLfPrFUUiuFDhhuxE8xiVuMavoJL74EJsymGIV23OQDeB2HMrLhNUKuYbThU0EiApzVwbiP2EgnD8S6rAICpmTrwBXso0bHHq_ouEp9QikvZtbJiPy7BMZM3UMFdD3qxA_FQtGpUgmi4UgBTE=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZgsO3t5Q5dSrHKLGxO-SSRj4rHpxCR9dzPzbvuBjbGV2iLAl7fmOKPds2PbpS2iEcHIMjXzKeD1drpLiEhHP1tZIPNZhF82aV748itT4B1goNTM3x0FWBsN4viGeml6KRbg0hSXCrrUzQKeXpxw4l1ZNQBUk7P3jvkzjWpuwtGVcCNbIERTH5l-YZPQc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZgsO3t5Q5dSrHKLGxO-SSRj4rHpxCR9dzPzbvuBjbGV2iLAl7fmOKPds2PbpS2iEcHIMjXzKeD1drpLiEhHP1tZIPNZhF82aV748itT4B1goNTM3x0FWBsN4viGeml6KRbg0hSXCrrUzQKeXpxw4l1ZNQBUk7P3jvkzjWpuwtGVcCNbIERTH5l-YZPQc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Mummy dogs, jack-o-lantern carved fruit cup oranges, and spooky vegetables and hot wings. So fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj980DRWQOx6Y8o_QSm_J9wAtQdiCJiBHtSkOOe3xwLMy2096__B7zlCy8UjZFeDIjfVrY8U7bH8F3nDWAULRJHJEM5fp5oOGOK4oCUlcOR7uTppAt4WfnJIaOBD5BoKXY4k2yeNtd1TCG6gkegztCyO_C28r20fW36F3HBT_nr7QsjMjWT7wyq-JFZTs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgj980DRWQOx6Y8o_QSm_J9wAtQdiCJiBHtSkOOe3xwLMy2096__B7zlCy8UjZFeDIjfVrY8U7bH8F3nDWAULRJHJEM5fp5oOGOK4oCUlcOR7uTppAt4WfnJIaOBD5BoKXY4k2yeNtd1TCG6gkegztCyO_C28r20fW36F3HBT_nr7QsjMjWT7wyq-JFZTs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4kRNX12UWYa5ES1Ew681_b-e21hL8KAA4mHaPx1BsOXrHta4y2jdkYNhJ-SZscEmfnok0V3w9qpNfnbl96B7TOUh1ApcaidMoamqj1vndLgn2-nj-2ykCgbQLI3W8PQOQPiE5d9Mo3ui7J91GipHCISIgslbWze0QxGAKuYzsajHGZRXcTs4_IEKkWd4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4kRNX12UWYa5ES1Ew681_b-e21hL8KAA4mHaPx1BsOXrHta4y2jdkYNhJ-SZscEmfnok0V3w9qpNfnbl96B7TOUh1ApcaidMoamqj1vndLgn2-nj-2ykCgbQLI3W8PQOQPiE5d9Mo3ui7J91GipHCISIgslbWze0QxGAKuYzsajHGZRXcTs4_IEKkWd4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Alice got this hand-me-down Wonder Woman outfit from a neighbor, so I coordinated as Cat Woman. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqYeOD53AIBMSLBGBLDzNvaOa4SAG1IXm9hbzoeUjiaCtexuOu6O-nqvyBfD_U67MpO5XLcJH-Ejc_KCn0KvxNlvXb8G0jfLcj1c2QHNDtJHR6fyiR8xiXn98cpkPK3px5AJtzt4JkZq4xpqCtxOVkQFGeIGcZqebPjeYmyHcFaZg8YKRs8T-N3ipg_-Y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqYeOD53AIBMSLBGBLDzNvaOa4SAG1IXm9hbzoeUjiaCtexuOu6O-nqvyBfD_U67MpO5XLcJH-Ejc_KCn0KvxNlvXb8G0jfLcj1c2QHNDtJHR6fyiR8xiXn98cpkPK3px5AJtzt4JkZq4xpqCtxOVkQFGeIGcZqebPjeYmyHcFaZg8YKRs8T-N3ipg_-Y=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdVpJq4fs3xdOb01ZLI-x8A2SjDwAnYh5Ad21ATDmEeTlqTUdtgng87c7fSMCm39u-4lM6rJqZ-bQAsc-Q-FfXWMqXPuao7lpfoUwXa27gNZold8dvZ5_jA8-rqfIRA_FJTGcGwze5yG0PCWrGuHu1BpIV8228y8CNrHEe9sgHNZSLxJk6oZR8LEQ6jVs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdVpJq4fs3xdOb01ZLI-x8A2SjDwAnYh5Ad21ATDmEeTlqTUdtgng87c7fSMCm39u-4lM6rJqZ-bQAsc-Q-FfXWMqXPuao7lpfoUwXa27gNZold8dvZ5_jA8-rqfIRA_FJTGcGwze5yG0PCWrGuHu1BpIV8228y8CNrHEe9sgHNZSLxJk6oZR8LEQ6jVs=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Poor baby scraped her face on our back patio on Halloween morning. She was a trouper though and we had a nice Halloween breakfast date up on the mountain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNuiGzn3vreXZkYuC-YxiQ1Hvwfm9SHvHGlnaXEsDMfOdmLfPZ176GfNFZ-1JVmVhMcDxVWD7vPakKeX4NxvyI_j_aY06qLIBo3VzBlA-ZvERsw5lA6-Fa9JMVKM5kUSws_zPs4qhqK2GdGRCE8Rrtth1rjoOpyETs9rLn0X83UGc9UvDT9xxnTMS5FQs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNuiGzn3vreXZkYuC-YxiQ1Hvwfm9SHvHGlnaXEsDMfOdmLfPZ176GfNFZ-1JVmVhMcDxVWD7vPakKeX4NxvyI_j_aY06qLIBo3VzBlA-ZvERsw5lA6-Fa9JMVKM5kUSws_zPs4qhqK2GdGRCE8Rrtth1rjoOpyETs9rLn0X83UGc9UvDT9xxnTMS5FQs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaxcWsR3jrWvJ1iTCyqBsEWIbGyRvRDeypga1KRaKRUKmKrr5RJ2p8WmXHFwGgcTws_pVp57zTE-4t1AbcNiO-S9gy9IJThplsTB3KxPHIKmGrwI7A6xxm7EiypuN0NEzC9AuRfHHIPO7M7OyZ7mvfnebejFdGzOi_nm0mj039DYZtIRKsbDL4taWUlZY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaxcWsR3jrWvJ1iTCyqBsEWIbGyRvRDeypga1KRaKRUKmKrr5RJ2p8WmXHFwGgcTws_pVp57zTE-4t1AbcNiO-S9gy9IJThplsTB3KxPHIKmGrwI7A6xxm7EiypuN0NEzC9AuRfHHIPO7M7OyZ7mvfnebejFdGzOi_nm0mj039DYZtIRKsbDL4taWUlZY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>^^Painting and carving pumpkins. Jack made a solar system out of all the pumpkins earlier in the week so he wanted to paint them to look like the planets. I think this should be a yearly tradition. Maybe we'll even paint at the beginning of October and then carve at the end. <br /></div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-66442231178992682192023-10-30T07:00:00.001-06:002023-10-30T07:00:00.143-06:00Pre-Halloweening<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Halloween Week! Is Halloween lasting longer and longer each year, or does it just feel that way now that I have a school-aged kid? The Halloween fun has already begun. We had a busy Saturday complete with Jack's final football game, ward cabin-or-treating, a friend's birthday party, and a football end-of-season party:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1v_ye8WjklElituFUqzKfTxf3zCr0rG1_XlbJU8j_LBgalE4UwjTuzM5fgb_rSiQUWac_syORx2rPF0rnCS44guzYGFcq6Vl54zfWW4qWAZxjZ8lGPVyr4FfioYczejPUNJJP7h1D_MM69fuj_wkq7UVsxYCZ2zafUC4Awe1ceJ93hD6U66Mq3PWDFRM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1v_ye8WjklElituFUqzKfTxf3zCr0rG1_XlbJU8j_LBgalE4UwjTuzM5fgb_rSiQUWac_syORx2rPF0rnCS44guzYGFcq6Vl54zfWW4qWAZxjZ8lGPVyr4FfioYczejPUNJJP7h1D_MM69fuj_wkq7UVsxYCZ2zafUC4Awe1ceJ93hD6U66Mq3PWDFRM=w826-h590" width="826" /></a></div> ^^Jack with his team and wonderful coaches. It's been stark this season to see the difference between Jack's flag football team and the flag football team that practices on the field next to them. The coach for the other team is kind of an angry person and it just makes me so happy that Jack's coaches are great with kids and prioritize everyone having a good time over everything else. I really hope they continue to coach for the spring season.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHO9kDt8XpHr9VEYHbdc-gBA6_4iQJDR1ac3hWsClaBpOqIzdZ2_HrzGinyoAQwmjOhqYSJRGbEbqov62narerYmDtv-r1wNafkVMN4SGVMvt24wJMBdq31EnxrBLy9UiAoRJTv04ZkAB-uadeKgD3LpIQMGV3H1qT8lFbCV1Gbgj2COz12eAp0VKI5K4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHO9kDt8XpHr9VEYHbdc-gBA6_4iQJDR1ac3hWsClaBpOqIzdZ2_HrzGinyoAQwmjOhqYSJRGbEbqov62narerYmDtv-r1wNafkVMN4SGVMvt24wJMBdq31EnxrBLy9UiAoRJTv04ZkAB-uadeKgD3LpIQMGV3H1qT8lFbCV1Gbgj2COz12eAp0VKI5K4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_hpgbMcqyw9papACXMFrAhlczMgm1PKGmM9d0-HE-Ncfxs7jMMsg_nF5bj1aqWblAQSvU_fYQNTTJ76DNup1KS5KLvUqr56TneyTrbHGBVvjzjO2-26hZpUl1lkNBf-by2PtE8qkyAnkWBh-XIqNE51EbWEkkcUsHSB8FGGpHKIJipp4HvsilT2UVZXs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_hpgbMcqyw9papACXMFrAhlczMgm1PKGmM9d0-HE-Ncfxs7jMMsg_nF5bj1aqWblAQSvU_fYQNTTJ76DNup1KS5KLvUqr56TneyTrbHGBVvjzjO2-26hZpUl1lkNBf-by2PtE8qkyAnkWBh-XIqNE51EbWEkkcUsHSB8FGGpHKIJipp4HvsilT2UVZXs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Jack wanted to be an astronaut but he also wanted to wear the dino-rider costume he got for Christmas. He went with an astronaut riding a dino. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8gABMJPPNUstBGsrQh8gDHB9cF9YEbIkrfy8isV5cSqKiWXyt2qLCwm6PWbFv8UjN9HpnCQEzBwp1vk0nwim9h4vtq9jsk2fKZ_FyAk_pFIetLuQGCZZBCPXPubTrRM9-Y6Bsc0aJ_MCqWQth-D_cI5bNIlnPvplmyB7gYhZpcmxPNRDDy0KTZDWV09Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8gABMJPPNUstBGsrQh8gDHB9cF9YEbIkrfy8isV5cSqKiWXyt2qLCwm6PWbFv8UjN9HpnCQEzBwp1vk0nwim9h4vtq9jsk2fKZ_FyAk_pFIetLuQGCZZBCPXPubTrRM9-Y6Bsc0aJ_MCqWQth-D_cI5bNIlnPvplmyB7gYhZpcmxPNRDDy0KTZDWV09Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Too crazy of a day to get any of the rest of us in costume, but I did make a delicious chili for the chili cook-off so we're calling it a win. Unfortunately we had to make a speedy exit from this activity when someone handed Alice an opened bag of peanut butter m&m's while she was on my shoulders so I couldn't see what was going on. WHY. I knew someone had handed her something but I assumed it was a toy until a minute or two later I saw a peanut butter m&m fall in front of my face and hit the ground. Luckily we don't think any made it into her mouth (no dye around or in her mouth and no allergic reaction) but we hurried home just in case. Feeling very grateful the m&m fell right in front of my face and I noticed it before anything could happen. "Spooky season" has taken on a whole new meaning now that we have a peanut allergy bb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5-tZW5ocpbUR9AMtybopecZhbaisd9Ju4WyZPLKQKpoj0djx6IK-hiOAr-ylJ6Bx6S9KNAMNBB3J-ci3Efg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-80011479237497801442023-10-26T14:43:00.003-06:002023-10-26T14:43:39.682-06:00Short on Words<p>Alice is waking up from her nap just as quickly as she fell asleep, so sparing you all the words, here are some pictures from this week last week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9f94EiA_LFVIUIE9TBqC4yqembbdUa3fBYdv-0Etu8HRgfiNgJxmORwUJqs4trffAzWhNCFxZ0iOkgMscRYaVxgMBv1IPw5aKgpwqeyypKEnFmBA0hd0eRiQZU_ochyYoo0ZIreRZykM89gyBesDBJyKdxgZn1qZIL_ZK8-jKdkv0JnEXeXW29ZJIKps" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9f94EiA_LFVIUIE9TBqC4yqembbdUa3fBYdv-0Etu8HRgfiNgJxmORwUJqs4trffAzWhNCFxZ0iOkgMscRYaVxgMBv1IPw5aKgpwqeyypKEnFmBA0hd0eRiQZU_ochyYoo0ZIreRZykM89gyBesDBJyKdxgZn1qZIL_ZK8-jKdkv0JnEXeXW29ZJIKps=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilGLxPUQ8cMx5ese4qS7BPIwRWShs4cOdijExREP4pJOC-0E9gQU0iF3pJhkhlNCkPtqJYGgsEVmF5vHlL6e9ZzyA2L7qVp7GgwobcqdP8jrAqQWkrBuB_kFaOjFI_vv7mzJ0L7XnYSKhZud6pzN2-0BjsQCF1nm_ph1AAjrnOV6-wS5rC1u4OHhZxGbo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilGLxPUQ8cMx5ese4qS7BPIwRWShs4cOdijExREP4pJOC-0E9gQU0iF3pJhkhlNCkPtqJYGgsEVmF5vHlL6e9ZzyA2L7qVp7GgwobcqdP8jrAqQWkrBuB_kFaOjFI_vv7mzJ0L7XnYSKhZud6pzN2-0BjsQCF1nm_ph1AAjrnOV6-wS5rC1u4OHhZxGbo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQJ2clNC7hU-Pf5VxCXvTLLYh9swjZxvKOFTYx__kFa7-Dcb7CNkgIUbLY6YDR9wW2Lj8sdRXMWfGbJ5VlHR18LN2RfEoRNJaQwKTS0lG_k022UHr2Fd-YeCGsM8gWr7_RHN0HgZPPVbB4FF6UY2Em9GtAADAeKUuxVma_gjex7IOYJ1OrA8807ngNSgM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQJ2clNC7hU-Pf5VxCXvTLLYh9swjZxvKOFTYx__kFa7-Dcb7CNkgIUbLY6YDR9wW2Lj8sdRXMWfGbJ5VlHR18LN2RfEoRNJaQwKTS0lG_k022UHr2Fd-YeCGsM8gWr7_RHN0HgZPPVbB4FF6UY2Em9GtAADAeKUuxVma_gjex7IOYJ1OrA8807ngNSgM=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjukjRbwHrcxFdffaNLDvbDNVY3V0ixY5wNLsY9kIoJO7p39y36oj2pad9jOJeF75yGI0lYRveLcM_rCeosQ9qI9tgDWnfTpZPbg49009IqaLVh3qMcQ3UJeYdMyeg-mdHuN8DM527S2jtMCVh2hwFVrxbjNV_zgwsp3QTBX4TESjz9AwgorPyNtXtWvLo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-2db30sePJ_pxp759cLPmedqHaHQIa-YBVD6QW8-hGgcQ1U1unTziXQ0vUWL-VrVOJi7AyaEYKXw_MEIUL493FZSl1euxVSeWpPDviHSkd0O9CaINDGWlr4BiTXWsB5MYhvNPFhsW8eYqFtfzpf5VHQuEPlCaIIYo9EFNXZio7K5QprlEMoBWVvNDvdQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-2db30sePJ_pxp759cLPmedqHaHQIa-YBVD6QW8-hGgcQ1U1unTziXQ0vUWL-VrVOJi7AyaEYKXw_MEIUL493FZSl1euxVSeWpPDviHSkd0O9CaINDGWlr4BiTXWsB5MYhvNPFhsW8eYqFtfzpf5VHQuEPlCaIIYo9EFNXZio7K5QprlEMoBWVvNDvdQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ82afxe42dBsafOowOpMNO46PKwR_eJB6mp63Pd3-YAptg_eyYT3cwhze_f7efp6w8DEPXXAi8OppY49k6wp0PNJkw6-171kffpW-jEt3bzOkwe4LqW2jpCh5duJBqXCp5P9j2_tss-3u57eQU-2dcyQuvY1Pm98L9p7n10aIf7KFRFsYsVmsLT-RukA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ82afxe42dBsafOowOpMNO46PKwR_eJB6mp63Pd3-YAptg_eyYT3cwhze_f7efp6w8DEPXXAi8OppY49k6wp0PNJkw6-171kffpW-jEt3bzOkwe4LqW2jpCh5duJBqXCp5P9j2_tss-3u57eQU-2dcyQuvY1Pm98L9p7n10aIf7KFRFsYsVmsLT-RukA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMbq7ZRfzqJ7wSrGUj0hFCdeaUVRKYX7VI0GCs4JLdeTxC51QjqdrL9QFReL9uTPWEvZVJPhxAg4xxAc-ninxac7hJSRxIuAxRJ7V-4SuBnO_no377__5GrZSSdhjG2QyPucP6wcmBgPMlvAzazH1mNmiyAmSAeKgcuDZFMoymZIF7LDhR_MkIWM6Te7U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMbq7ZRfzqJ7wSrGUj0hFCdeaUVRKYX7VI0GCs4JLdeTxC51QjqdrL9QFReL9uTPWEvZVJPhxAg4xxAc-ninxac7hJSRxIuAxRJ7V-4SuBnO_no377__5GrZSSdhjG2QyPucP6wcmBgPMlvAzazH1mNmiyAmSAeKgcuDZFMoymZIF7LDhR_MkIWM6Te7U=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibpg70f_rTvlLHxlq37572SwJoYx4_mfETZ4kS094iTkyfthL2GwNXAA0vbhRpF1mm1yaWe0TTHkMc90rqj3vasLqGNKT9MxlbK2kAbmVeruj-eI6RJyixGsKa3cdCViohUVMTA75I4833Sw9RnrvKqXyXr3FQwemToqBs2RxERo7qkI6vmxxmtmnTZuw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibpg70f_rTvlLHxlq37572SwJoYx4_mfETZ4kS094iTkyfthL2GwNXAA0vbhRpF1mm1yaWe0TTHkMc90rqj3vasLqGNKT9MxlbK2kAbmVeruj-eI6RJyixGsKa3cdCViohUVMTA75I4833Sw9RnrvKqXyXr3FQwemToqBs2RxERo7qkI6vmxxmtmnTZuw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO7BTZ4BGEPPGPU6y9mJiji92qlWqLvNebUXzEBqnzcZ386IhULw0cBWq9dG2-diRNLw42qJfi5nYThWjlFzK3dDmGKdtRKqkFiJ4MEPUcpqAz0TzkJ7s9pw7iwfjLweo6Zw4eEzO5erfM043RMR2m9klkThc0sOwVDpmxlJkQlkJJTSAHqGBf7CIbtDU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO7BTZ4BGEPPGPU6y9mJiji92qlWqLvNebUXzEBqnzcZ386IhULw0cBWq9dG2-diRNLw42qJfi5nYThWjlFzK3dDmGKdtRKqkFiJ4MEPUcpqAz0TzkJ7s9pw7iwfjLweo6Zw4eEzO5erfM043RMR2m9klkThc0sOwVDpmxlJkQlkJJTSAHqGBf7CIbtDU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG9XTKkR5FfZVr7On2AbnJQnqwrjEDEpZi3ffJKtISZ10280BclCt2W5XHNxtQI9BJKsgLXbbxPa3yUThBggSo92n9_813d-Gv_ZXOietu8UBikTLIdkO2JVOZiwGTfqa7rcL01PqfUog2fdfcryaNmr_s8K-Q2HcEWvT4jajTtpTCYX0of7S6G-jY8kw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG9XTKkR5FfZVr7On2AbnJQnqwrjEDEpZi3ffJKtISZ10280BclCt2W5XHNxtQI9BJKsgLXbbxPa3yUThBggSo92n9_813d-Gv_ZXOietu8UBikTLIdkO2JVOZiwGTfqa7rcL01PqfUog2fdfcryaNmr_s8K-Q2HcEWvT4jajTtpTCYX0of7S6G-jY8kw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-46857008230040820992023-10-16T23:18:00.000-06:002023-10-16T23:18:00.459-06:00Heather Lake<p> Hello hello! We have got an extremely busy week ahead of us. I will try and update more next week, but this week's post will be pictures with some captions--that will be a pretty good summary of the week anyway. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQtp0iNUlwTae5_-g5r1EjtCHAU-vzIsO373ZBuYIPwY2X5A75nvBpd5ZKsGba2vGWlvkroOC41BctCXuNuvVX-qfV6trML20ERcR69e26hRlMmJvKY5zTSWPkTmo-qUVblV6-GIj1-6VrQkkvLsTd4Vmo-zGoaCYhTGOxJPLUP2FS4QKH4wo6ZBv4ZnI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQtp0iNUlwTae5_-g5r1EjtCHAU-vzIsO373ZBuYIPwY2X5A75nvBpd5ZKsGba2vGWlvkroOC41BctCXuNuvVX-qfV6trML20ERcR69e26hRlMmJvKY5zTSWPkTmo-qUVblV6-GIj1-6VrQkkvLsTd4Vmo-zGoaCYhTGOxJPLUP2FS4QKH4wo6ZBv4ZnI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1EzIKsZXVHGvl9dtaOUbcG-I7LS6Kl6TIEY3Ew5MFaFr2tbqcL658P0KLh-z70ui2VKk6UVGwdfeSTri9ZG2_-qKXK5ZDblw6geHpvrD5WgGkg7iWLhlN3fK7Alkv9umeH38ggsADIG-ugyxwS1clujvMQ6A1CUb0lp4CI_EHqnHRJIuAG2d0oHQ3UJc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1EzIKsZXVHGvl9dtaOUbcG-I7LS6Kl6TIEY3Ew5MFaFr2tbqcL658P0KLh-z70ui2VKk6UVGwdfeSTri9ZG2_-qKXK5ZDblw6geHpvrD5WgGkg7iWLhlN3fK7Alkv9umeH38ggsADIG-ugyxwS1clujvMQ6A1CUb0lp4CI_EHqnHRJIuAG2d0oHQ3UJc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1AHJEkoYWdPnu5NqyiUs3kl4WSdfSJDAU6u67bVdzIZPzRb7vlOCntf-769LP1cZ-RhkoKnHRE5jtcnDoWEHUfBBaqpDKpIyc7VA4Or3T8_c-vY9tKOHBgRzpePBmsXobyBI8DkB-m8Q2rUwa0ywIkchbzZfaVPEX5htpww6F698mg7nr2RASGYDaNuo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1AHJEkoYWdPnu5NqyiUs3kl4WSdfSJDAU6u67bVdzIZPzRb7vlOCntf-769LP1cZ-RhkoKnHRE5jtcnDoWEHUfBBaqpDKpIyc7VA4Or3T8_c-vY9tKOHBgRzpePBmsXobyBI8DkB-m8Q2rUwa0ywIkchbzZfaVPEX5htpww6F698mg7nr2RASGYDaNuo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Last Tuesday for Jared's day off we decided to head into the mountains to see some fall leaves and do a hike we've been wanting to do for a while to a mountain lake. We thought the conditions were ideal and it would be long-but-not-too-long at 4.5 miles round trip. It was awful. As soon as we started hiking we were caught in a downpour. I thought we were prepared for that with coats, hat, gloves, and mittens for Alice. But she got wet nonetheless and spend much of the hike back crying from exhaustion until she fell asleep for the last 5 minutes of the hike. The scenery was still lovely though. Another item checked off our Washington list. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt4ucuTBWfp-OdeicAaBTD0RPVVmL2LxzTQVpGsA4-sfAFNlRNJrLQfdoKRxDc--RIhkjE6bMxLBeCdvPWSRO_Q4c-wJnq0MeG68QPIdtlZWK-th7c7r3JxlB1MOlrzygY82TQ5SdXNJOY050SSfgJAhqUJbxRy70cTgxDYdlXw7YEi564wKUjE2ahkXo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt4ucuTBWfp-OdeicAaBTD0RPVVmL2LxzTQVpGsA4-sfAFNlRNJrLQfdoKRxDc--RIhkjE6bMxLBeCdvPWSRO_Q4c-wJnq0MeG68QPIdtlZWK-th7c7r3JxlB1MOlrzygY82TQ5SdXNJOY050SSfgJAhqUJbxRy70cTgxDYdlXw7YEi564wKUjE2ahkXo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^She was at least happy during much of the hike up!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV4QqYBU9fhxnx4VlptA2FqJlmL3sFWF03QO3CK_r8B01ppIumTn7IOdMARxfchP2Lhp9_sgH-HGtyqvliZBsnTo4racxcFPL_iqZppd7_Ii34jxynmfirNxm3snyQarEs7FyyXxGmMSXMv9Wh1lZqzPkWiUXNtx4pOL8Ru3bO11CQM18GRmlxD3xNW6A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhV4QqYBU9fhxnx4VlptA2FqJlmL3sFWF03QO3CK_r8B01ppIumTn7IOdMARxfchP2Lhp9_sgH-HGtyqvliZBsnTo4racxcFPL_iqZppd7_Ii34jxynmfirNxm3snyQarEs7FyyXxGmMSXMv9Wh1lZqzPkWiUXNtx4pOL8Ru3bO11CQM18GRmlxD3xNW6A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE91G7YGmwt8NkrHkCvNRDtxx1fTdOJxmO6ZcQlAhs0TXq7bkjE83zFh5Xf7umWWt7xnwfZJhb76GHM7CTeSBKnMufYwLi8NPG4sBTnuOjirvBbCCc5ZHX2iCFNFJUrkM7qa8mcIbXjT3-TvhVmalGhDuUviFniJOtkIFZYVcl3s6NEHDPq-Te678xJPI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE91G7YGmwt8NkrHkCvNRDtxx1fTdOJxmO6ZcQlAhs0TXq7bkjE83zFh5Xf7umWWt7xnwfZJhb76GHM7CTeSBKnMufYwLi8NPG4sBTnuOjirvBbCCc5ZHX2iCFNFJUrkM7qa8mcIbXjT3-TvhVmalGhDuUviFniJOtkIFZYVcl3s6NEHDPq-Te678xJPI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIkGvKo2D7PDoon8hfKJC7LIQco2Knam-rSad3pmUiBrFNGE3ZHqu5NqFAyjN6Ypl5TfNUivk2UdI-mi_fKoy_XEj3svnnmd-parE9hmT3T7exQo_OFzqMrDzQYXtmZ8itJJelL_b7y1D5ieilZOojHtW665t3btlgCpwjBKwh8uJQSYkrR17hDgMndkc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTuSf6sUQRofBBYtNLBKB-o90mblmnjHpNXiy5kEh1zttZrGZg1Oi00R4MpPT0bsYUVnL3w3KuVxjHcDtsiUneDOdF2YNv6zpay6q9jfIxJ05nOGLbEA12ZnW7DmAidsu59HnPwweP_Q09dpZVu8jMifRDXyvqxLtkzGdoKkO3Uj6Usf75PQZJsAFNKQg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTuSf6sUQRofBBYtNLBKB-o90mblmnjHpNXiy5kEh1zttZrGZg1Oi00R4MpPT0bsYUVnL3w3KuVxjHcDtsiUneDOdF2YNv6zpay6q9jfIxJ05nOGLbEA12ZnW7DmAidsu59HnPwweP_Q09dpZVu8jMifRDXyvqxLtkzGdoKkO3Uj6Usf75PQZJsAFNKQg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^A short family hike to our Granite Falls fish ladder/waterfall. It's salmon season and we heard they can be spotted jumping around sunset after it runs. Conditions were right, but it was still drizzly and no salmon were spotted. Plenty of lovely leaves though, and Jack took this stellar family selfie. <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsBPArr_kgR66bahK_jm2fZ-jvGLdLmEibHBPyFYCFjkRh3yLrl5U5sQXqa9MNpX6muW8TochEMB4LR7Up0eqRaYKOBPCUzI1JZigRpx9LBz1I8PyYhhvuRe6xAzCR_J3Xxzqf7c_1yw_VX9ifuwgSqkLEMIvLR0pcJZjhYJCxRMTw8LIGV4lZHJux2FA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsBPArr_kgR66bahK_jm2fZ-jvGLdLmEibHBPyFYCFjkRh3yLrl5U5sQXqa9MNpX6muW8TochEMB4LR7Up0eqRaYKOBPCUzI1JZigRpx9LBz1I8PyYhhvuRe6xAzCR_J3Xxzqf7c_1yw_VX9ifuwgSqkLEMIvLR0pcJZjhYJCxRMTw8LIGV4lZHJux2FA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^I spy our floating candles and completed magnet board.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVCpJ6M3KCw4cWWqKPDROgZgRjqaChh_MKuty8UrJ4-eRIo3WTuuv41PSw5duPJ9yQvxM2rGlG4tr03GAqATfFLbBL_veHaicbuOEERYcEiO2doBFBkSPi98lykVsmYPCiyCCBHdj3Q16TXfW9GqioM9qs7ijxGIiaN5VOv-QErYfhAdbf6J9F8Yhej4c" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVCpJ6M3KCw4cWWqKPDROgZgRjqaChh_MKuty8UrJ4-eRIo3WTuuv41PSw5duPJ9yQvxM2rGlG4tr03GAqATfFLbBL_veHaicbuOEERYcEiO2doBFBkSPi98lykVsmYPCiyCCBHdj3Q16TXfW9GqioM9qs7ijxGIiaN5VOv-QErYfhAdbf6J9F8Yhej4c=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYX8y9Yw0-veIS7sLpXl5zKaT1dn5INENjFt7eA11XKA_awCkK5LDXUWGkdZIenRdhpyWR5Ct5DdkeWKiDrWqIWzg3hazycGfrRs6QUFUN1haE-cwHxbN3bOI0SHbBN76t3Oe56wOp7NfcDorgaro_nBB5XdgZrd6vW5P4VSHcDuhBl1QqmLFyao2O9DM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYX8y9Yw0-veIS7sLpXl5zKaT1dn5INENjFt7eA11XKA_awCkK5LDXUWGkdZIenRdhpyWR5Ct5DdkeWKiDrWqIWzg3hazycGfrRs6QUFUN1haE-cwHxbN3bOI0SHbBN76t3Oe56wOp7NfcDorgaro_nBB5XdgZrd6vW5P4VSHcDuhBl1QqmLFyao2O9DM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1856" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaIrnzIyII35Ptvmeo0yx0WuJfS0ELKjoWTusD8pdH2QFlNqZBqSzxb7Ke8J8Mzclaeb1HmbxJfPaek0IwlnnY6N229XjvhbdVbILJq1_NjMzFJXc4Ui3oRupBfU9_JQwKCb8kpCR4P5L75we9NpHFtp0velSSHJnFwkodNeXipYaDZVod-GSE3GyhF1U=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqMSZnY5xakFx6HOaNnEuk3x4CQ2teCcXdafxunjr3R6wIXHmP3sbTjuAcol29XYFGNO4rtycVp-rxeIB-AiiksGBQjslDrJr857BfGq8nrkEwp_sWDOvMWtpyf1kGGx_Khng1C6WynxIyu1KyfkGHXlydT6AkNnJZREWlI8eLSmNnBoRJYRa-5bdwbSA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqMSZnY5xakFx6HOaNnEuk3x4CQ2teCcXdafxunjr3R6wIXHmP3sbTjuAcol29XYFGNO4rtycVp-rxeIB-AiiksGBQjslDrJr857BfGq8nrkEwp_sWDOvMWtpyf1kGGx_Khng1C6WynxIyu1KyfkGHXlydT6AkNnJZREWlI8eLSmNnBoRJYRa-5bdwbSA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT15_pyK5NZL5L8qKR90wRVM0ahrZAihC8yh1Y5fGjBsXBlvUcZlyW2YKqHcOII63Yxrq-Y9zt-3TD3KUp5ojZ-n91EsrMgqRUp9ljyT_VBP93tzFjLEPqF0hXGlozyki4PW9Nli5KB5FOkEJevj3y13gKStAHUSXrra0-UsB-KBwFCaXIrKB8FdeaaPQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT15_pyK5NZL5L8qKR90wRVM0ahrZAihC8yh1Y5fGjBsXBlvUcZlyW2YKqHcOII63Yxrq-Y9zt-3TD3KUp5ojZ-n91EsrMgqRUp9ljyT_VBP93tzFjLEPqF0hXGlozyki4PW9Nli5KB5FOkEJevj3y13gKStAHUSXrra0-UsB-KBwFCaXIrKB8FdeaaPQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitP6nledMqy8JZuzqkg-32OH_JldylmQvRC4ztDbLun7A0w39GpFsbVSIaAcwfqJiEmgkRxQCWqdRD4ePjPcVXAEpf5EkFXd2FGjlkTBS_TU3QHMuOqzHq9E24R8zlCUk5DvChptTYXI_5wnRlFWqnSWUUzcwmUYtj98Jx6paBUTpxE_1ovCSS1Thp8OE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitP6nledMqy8JZuzqkg-32OH_JldylmQvRC4ztDbLun7A0w39GpFsbVSIaAcwfqJiEmgkRxQCWqdRD4ePjPcVXAEpf5EkFXd2FGjlkTBS_TU3QHMuOqzHq9E24R8zlCUk5DvChptTYXI_5wnRlFWqnSWUUzcwmUYtj98Jx6paBUTpxE_1ovCSS1Thp8OE=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Corn maze fun! I'm regretting not going to this one. I had Jared take the kids for the day so I could get some things done around the house. They ended up having the best time at a corn maze!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhb60RsUpXAlSeh5f4wNKRj99FzBA9Q3v0vxnJa8Dpb4jzpX7nPPI-jgk1EjfSSULk5kEMenmW1W9MktZq0dZybIssguiMnTk_Wt4bq4IRTgHOWxtpfg1fgYPNSMbdbSv5Gi1zgZl2DCwX45KjUCGvm69pbla3_e1zReqE_sYG9liGQg4Eu3waH_VvuPuw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhb60RsUpXAlSeh5f4wNKRj99FzBA9Q3v0vxnJa8Dpb4jzpX7nPPI-jgk1EjfSSULk5kEMenmW1W9MktZq0dZybIssguiMnTk_Wt4bq4IRTgHOWxtpfg1fgYPNSMbdbSv5Gi1zgZl2DCwX45KjUCGvm69pbla3_e1zReqE_sYG9liGQg4Eu3waH_VvuPuw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9_wshOlsI4X2KPs1BlDLRPz-mFnym9xAjObIjiv8i16-AuXVDTO2K9U2f6rlvzPraig6O1BMl50WExUvHcQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-80606873831519086272023-10-09T15:43:00.006-06:002023-10-11T11:09:27.987-06:00Working Guy, Working Gal<p>It's another beautiful fall week in the PNW. I wish Alice was in a carseat-loving or even carseat-tolerating stage so we could go for long drives to take in the beautiful fall leaves in this part of the country. Unfortunately that's not the stage we're in so I'll settle for enjoying the leaves around town. Luckily we live right next to the Cascades and so we can get some beautiful scenery without having to drive too far. </p><p>We are feeling pretty fortunate that no one caught Jared's covid this last week. He keeps calling covid his "blessing in disguise." His symptoms were just general cold symptoms for the most part, but he was required to stay home from work all week. He did a lot of relaxing and brushing up on interview skills. I'm probably not going to document too much on the blog about interviews Jared might have in the future because (a) this isn't a private blog and (b) anything is just hypothetical right now. But. Jared's contract with his current job will be over in a little under a year. He has loved his job here and it has been wonderful to be on salary. The town where we live is so beautiful! We love Jared's 5-minute commute. That said, Jared's pay model will be shifting to production-based at the end of the year. We'll see how that goes, but we're anticipating a pay drop and increased stress for Jared about taking time off, getting sick, etc. We will see! Maybe we'll like it better? </p><p>We're also nervous about the peer influences in the schools here after Jack moves beyond kindergarten. Not in a snooty way--we love the diversity, and the teachers are wonderful. The biggest concern is a culture for physical violence among the youth. Everyone gets bullied and beat up. It is so sad to hear our 7-year-old primary kids' updates each week about their "friends" giving them black eyes or hitting them all over. I have a neighborhood friend with a high school girl and the stories she tells me are terrifying. Death threats are so commonplace, and the daily posts on the community facebook page are awful. Would Jared and I be happy to stay longer if it was just us and no kids? Yes! Might everything be fine if we kept our kids in school here? Ya, but that just feels like something we don't want to risk if we don't have to, and homeschool would not be a good fit for Jack. The other thing on our mind is that Jack will likely benefit from a more challenging academic environment as he gets older, and there aren't resources like gifted programs or challenger schools around here. Not something we're worried much about in Kindergarten, but looking to the future we'll likely want those options available. So anyway, we're open to the possibility of a new job near family. That's probably all I'll say about it on here until Jared's contract is up next year and we've decided one way or the other. </p><p>That's about all I've got for you since we were semi-quarentining all week. Jack had two football games that he enjoyed. Alice is sleeping better through the night after a finally successful attempt at sleep training. Her naps got worse for a while but they're finally starting to catch up to where they used to be. </p><p>Oh, I'd also like to report on the life-changing magic of leaving for a regular, designated work day or afternoon if you're the home manager and/or primary caregiver in your home. This has been something we planned on ever since we moved here and knew Jared would be working a 4-day workweek, but during my pregnancy and Alice's newborn year I was in survival mode and kind of forgot about it. However, over the past few months--really since Alice's many food allergies became part of our life--the amount of time it was taking to meal plan and order groceries got out of hand and it was keeping me up well past midnight at least once a week. I was feeling sleep deprived and bitter about it. Once I sat myself down and realized hey, this problem isn't something that's going to go away, we were able to really troubleshoot and come up with a solution. And the solution was to leave the house for the entirety of every Tuesday afternoon for a work day to do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and other home-management-related items of business. It's been about a month of this and it has changed the game for me. Jared loves having that time with Alice and then Jack, and I love the peace and quiet and structure of leaving the house to get some work done at the same time every week. If Jared ever has to go back to a 5-day workweek we will either work this into a Saturday or I'll take off as soon as Jared gets home one day a week to start my own block of work time. Game changer. Sometimes I work in a McDonald's or similar with a large Dr. Pepper, other times I work in the front seat of my car in a scenic parking lot. Both are great. </p><p>Here are some pictures from our week:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmbXmSUQnZBIuuBZccCT_Qyu1B8q7ziBUvV7dciiqTx9ogB-Iv3x6C_jXSonyyXir0NyGoKl4gS7DH3wMEssoAtFxA8bt3vzMjjQEjh_9rAATDv2KiR_03Z06u-iS2cFMj-AvQWaZgabz8gdMqgrcTcuGBOZMqBytjXRsZ8_nN8ynQLxt3NRAPWgg9TQ/s4032/PXL_20231005_194920168.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmbXmSUQnZBIuuBZccCT_Qyu1B8q7ziBUvV7dciiqTx9ogB-Iv3x6C_jXSonyyXir0NyGoKl4gS7DH3wMEssoAtFxA8bt3vzMjjQEjh_9rAATDv2KiR_03Z06u-iS2cFMj-AvQWaZgabz8gdMqgrcTcuGBOZMqBytjXRsZ8_nN8ynQLxt3NRAPWgg9TQ/w480-h640/PXL_20231005_194920168.MP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb-LATbeUHviqI-D5lgdHcXl6nwoc53bxVgEtXzFLc76zN39DYbCS8nDKMsMrNNCAxCuBv8eIhPW8JwUhCi-00MlR_fDziJ-2_Q-NWaTM43F65hYpeNRbaFt19Axql3dA2q3Rsx0RHM1LXRGjC8vbChSmTWVbubsPqSqr_mnor0C5MEvN5h9k76hsKPs/s2840/PXL_20231007_190351272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2840" data-original-width="2130" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb-LATbeUHviqI-D5lgdHcXl6nwoc53bxVgEtXzFLc76zN39DYbCS8nDKMsMrNNCAxCuBv8eIhPW8JwUhCi-00MlR_fDziJ-2_Q-NWaTM43F65hYpeNRbaFt19Axql3dA2q3Rsx0RHM1LXRGjC8vbChSmTWVbubsPqSqr_mnor0C5MEvN5h9k76hsKPs/w480-h640/PXL_20231007_190351272.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0_z-H5XMKfnUnebOUEqGI8UbJ_moZF-chbsP_VayvEyOXnasvVYO_Kzfw34LqQLSACyCKdG-ot_NjsZQfZ-N08RLHlD2zWKox2zbwLYRsDOg66luM8Qv67wvneo4YuEHEQRuGFV0Rv7V-ujEV5xuEThOGndCRATKNwzqNfB2V2QH-o0C7WEURau7trM/s4032/PXL_20231007_235910824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0_z-H5XMKfnUnebOUEqGI8UbJ_moZF-chbsP_VayvEyOXnasvVYO_Kzfw34LqQLSACyCKdG-ot_NjsZQfZ-N08RLHlD2zWKox2zbwLYRsDOg66luM8Qv67wvneo4YuEHEQRuGFV0Rv7V-ujEV5xuEThOGndCRATKNwzqNfB2V2QH-o0C7WEURau7trM/w640-h480/PXL_20231007_235910824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMeeHnDwzVncTHifPRKoDgoVmFt6wHtF8ph5AtvPGWG8XcoXoqqmmCNXQKKqufhVYOl0auPPlgV6LGhRWqZYBP_8IZ-QgYBmF0JlrAtlBO-6Mr1gIiaPeQHsXTlGi0EgMNQFPNO7fWRSeAQhX34T2arzrVCN1QRPkCwo8bpDRTxpuJFgQkuYjwAuq6Rw/s4032/PXL_20231008_223126227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMeeHnDwzVncTHifPRKoDgoVmFt6wHtF8ph5AtvPGWG8XcoXoqqmmCNXQKKqufhVYOl0auPPlgV6LGhRWqZYBP_8IZ-QgYBmF0JlrAtlBO-6Mr1gIiaPeQHsXTlGi0EgMNQFPNO7fWRSeAQhX34T2arzrVCN1QRPkCwo8bpDRTxpuJFgQkuYjwAuq6Rw/w480-h640/PXL_20231008_223126227.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgPok-PvX9bRlWTxgzSDRu6VIlYodWOcQRye6e_LPn64RYJ_V3ksR4wb6F4zUKljYvyDxYSedxpLV20COl1fX-ldoO4IpsmNnxVmFjfayCakJg7YRo5u56YHx9cuGd_MsDfl91z0ZatYHwsUBADad_fJkswuoNaQXcHIJeUuBQn-ahjnMcjjiPX2Ot9A/s4032/PXL_20231008_223207832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgPok-PvX9bRlWTxgzSDRu6VIlYodWOcQRye6e_LPn64RYJ_V3ksR4wb6F4zUKljYvyDxYSedxpLV20COl1fX-ldoO4IpsmNnxVmFjfayCakJg7YRo5u56YHx9cuGd_MsDfl91z0ZatYHwsUBADad_fJkswuoNaQXcHIJeUuBQn-ahjnMcjjiPX2Ot9A/w480-h640/PXL_20231008_223207832.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxyz8nJNMtAX_n1ssM4kgv7GfBwhu7scX0BGB7G0dFQh6BKntGHOeWAbayztjirl-vy7FS4qQPpLXwkXjX4ew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVcG6wUBUaRz8dHypLK77dPi1uJQyLzp0UB851Jt3zxNUMual8wUQGGWaSfDKp8x08X7dpVyw2ZosKbMzTIe9ujem-HP4JRFKDfC6X4RvFhQP6INEEMhaV88pQS_oluZ8xJtdTV9jBz2FtTbgKpcATk3AXSfbxv5V1TNI2bonvVq0u39QIENiwp7J7NY/s4032/PXL_20231009_014428356.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVcG6wUBUaRz8dHypLK77dPi1uJQyLzp0UB851Jt3zxNUMual8wUQGGWaSfDKp8x08X7dpVyw2ZosKbMzTIe9ujem-HP4JRFKDfC6X4RvFhQP6INEEMhaV88pQS_oluZ8xJtdTV9jBz2FtTbgKpcATk3AXSfbxv5V1TNI2bonvVq0u39QIENiwp7J7NY/w480-h640/PXL_20231009_014428356.MP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1u4ZA88xvYUErHe4vmhp7qplYhbABy3J0cINuZg6-5ewhoh4VFn1Ft4noTH9EVj9TWHSCBQfRgBFuOip701YV8AWGW2xa0zWT_Z0S09CWt_Dr4ssym9Fg-KPJs2xpTNZnY1dfl69WlCJenA9pWnoqTduPIdNUrZkzo2Cod2Qy11LeZFnXGeCuolY2QI/s4032/PXL_20231004_170256587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1u4ZA88xvYUErHe4vmhp7qplYhbABy3J0cINuZg6-5ewhoh4VFn1Ft4noTH9EVj9TWHSCBQfRgBFuOip701YV8AWGW2xa0zWT_Z0S09CWt_Dr4ssym9Fg-KPJs2xpTNZnY1dfl69WlCJenA9pWnoqTduPIdNUrZkzo2Cod2Qy11LeZFnXGeCuolY2QI/w480-h640/PXL_20231004_170256587.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-36043227455198758562023-10-02T14:45:00.002-06:002023-10-09T10:59:30.650-06:00October<p>Happy October! Jack has reached an age where he is very excited about Halloween--even the spooky decorations--and so at his request we already have the house almost fully decorated for Halloween. Jared and I have a tradition of watching all the Harry Potter movies during September and October. This week we put up some floating candles in our dining room and it is VERY cozy. I'll try and remember to take a picture for next week's post. </p><p>Jack is still loving kindergarten. Flag football season is in full swing and he is living his happiest football life. He has really wonderful/fun coaches and teammates. The kids are young enough that no one's keeping score at the games, but Jack has a knack for pulling flags and running touchdowns.</p><p>Alice is sweet as can be. She has started pretending to brush her hair when we hand her a brush, and pretending to pull on socks when she stumbles onto Jack's basket of socks by the front door. She also loves coloring scribbles onto paper when we hand her a crayon. I get so excited envisioning these next few years with a daughter who might love to color and pretend. It's going to be a cute time. </p><p>Poor Jared came down with a nasty cold at the end of the week and tested positive for Covid last night. The rest of us are hanging in there so far. Prayers for continued health and for a speedy recovery for Jared. </p><p>I'm enjoying the misty fall mornings and doing little home projects. The big things are all in place (at least downstairs) so at this point home projects are usually adding functionality or layers of coziness. The project I tackled last week accomplished both! Jack has been coming home from school with lots of papers and I needed a place to put the important ones so I wouldn't forget about them and tuck away the rest. My solution was an enormous magnet board right smack dab in the middle of our main living area. I got a huge piece of sheet metal from the hardware store. Very functional, but a bit of an eyesore. So I wrapped it in some leftover wallpaper from Alice's room and painted/glued some pieces of trim around the edges to frame it out. That made ALL the difference. Next I just need to get a file organizer to hang on the wall for the less important papers that still need a place to live. It's a great time in 30-something land. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0NRvv448-nD-5o2mhvCVZyFoOW3z-csX35z21PWH99xHZAAtsk0d6OMMGwR1-dTUPE0nh9ZSYncDWBGFXRX3aTSiFYuiMw142ZkNUn49w_s5l8ur1288O4x3-PxI-xRm1AyeeOZ1Lrmjb3GgjGfxMJSvoi0gDxYl4dzRmust-_PCAGOi5ntZgP2eHhDs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0NRvv448-nD-5o2mhvCVZyFoOW3z-csX35z21PWH99xHZAAtsk0d6OMMGwR1-dTUPE0nh9ZSYncDWBGFXRX3aTSiFYuiMw142ZkNUn49w_s5l8ur1288O4x3-PxI-xRm1AyeeOZ1Lrmjb3GgjGfxMJSvoi0gDxYl4dzRmust-_PCAGOi5ntZgP2eHhDs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Somehow everyone on Jack's football team ended up with extra large jerseys. It's practically a dress but none of the kids seem bothered. Jack wore his jersey to "Fun Friday" at school. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg93_EbBbqGINLdzwQC43CsFkz6MPwnnACWDELZMzHT3gEBn2Z9t8v-O3m1XPFt9fUiEpdpdZKDzpNVvSzlJwcpmgTztfOwJHtJywdFphH5InjqZhhuEWSy5aJHZi39DP_8mqn2ndgpPTc7kTkN3c6ObTkGokhOJNQ1NYMe4Jvc1sSF7F0gh1DiIQ6mxTc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg93_EbBbqGINLdzwQC43CsFkz6MPwnnACWDELZMzHT3gEBn2Z9t8v-O3m1XPFt9fUiEpdpdZKDzpNVvSzlJwcpmgTztfOwJHtJywdFphH5InjqZhhuEWSy5aJHZi39DP_8mqn2ndgpPTc7kTkN3c6ObTkGokhOJNQ1NYMe4Jvc1sSF7F0gh1DiIQ6mxTc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^My new favorite beyond favorite picture on conference Saturday. Alice has been self-weaning. The timing is good but I was feeling a bit sad about losing the post-nap nursing cuddles. Luckily, this week we discovered that she'll relax for a snuggle if she's getting a foot massage! She takes after me in this department. Usually the stillness only lasts a couple minutes but I am very happy about this discovery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW7eLO4ySQODOsQB2yFU2gvO_BkiMz9QpB5ipN8QGzZahptn7CxgQVq4Vbm4DjRPo_6YdufULlE2AHyk9O1Q7YTd48CkE4G5B7XOoxpuFr1EDByByvuOKXmeQZQGFfk_YhJLwchcfl00TqA_xDZ24bL5hty7ESaCTishUcnMWffM_38O8PRaGh5UQW6Rw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW7eLO4ySQODOsQB2yFU2gvO_BkiMz9QpB5ipN8QGzZahptn7CxgQVq4Vbm4DjRPo_6YdufULlE2AHyk9O1Q7YTd48CkE4G5B7XOoxpuFr1EDByByvuOKXmeQZQGFfk_YhJLwchcfl00TqA_xDZ24bL5hty7ESaCTishUcnMWffM_38O8PRaGh5UQW6Rw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZHgKdHQLZAeaL-6K3je3v8SvMw3it5bC7rdXJPg5Y5gkrAo3jsDC7Yoc_ujZfOhdjvpxSn5HuGdpM9o-Kx-NBP9yI5TSZ_vasoizBwmHbuXET2b-52_mo5CKCCgDNY3jVDGMP96WSUuW0UdhVPOB_m5gktgbhcokgXFjO6rNP9SXbNRTKc1vuw3C_Hzs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZHgKdHQLZAeaL-6K3je3v8SvMw3it5bC7rdXJPg5Y5gkrAo3jsDC7Yoc_ujZfOhdjvpxSn5HuGdpM9o-Kx-NBP9yI5TSZ_vasoizBwmHbuXET2b-52_mo5CKCCgDNY3jVDGMP96WSUuW0UdhVPOB_m5gktgbhcokgXFjO6rNP9SXbNRTKc1vuw3C_Hzs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>^^Jack ambushing my usually solo walk with Savvy. "Mom can I run around this field before we walk? I'll just run around 2 times." And then he proceeded to run around it like 10 times, and then asked if he could run several more times after the walk was over. This kid. He wants us to sign him up for a race and I think that's an excellent idea.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9DwWOl7uRZjThEHP7CtPgNeIaJeECSkPXvjUrXARXWags6c9tLAOTP3w_cyoU0oH-vK4flJgSbRmm-4F7oTpOfBsEwo_xdxAmipO2_dehJCis6N7LcW92z3QNhvc_UlQ2W35CzYzqTs0ZLhwUSqj9Swl8UZEk9KEvmEljZpCaLSybU2p1uXNq5-N9E7E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1862" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9DwWOl7uRZjThEHP7CtPgNeIaJeECSkPXvjUrXARXWags6c9tLAOTP3w_cyoU0oH-vK4flJgSbRmm-4F7oTpOfBsEwo_xdxAmipO2_dehJCis6N7LcW92z3QNhvc_UlQ2W35CzYzqTs0ZLhwUSqj9Swl8UZEk9KEvmEljZpCaLSybU2p1uXNq5-N9E7E" width="640" /></a></div>^^Grandma Lambert blessed our home with several Halloween animatronic decorations. They are lots of fun and very cute. Jack especially loves to turn them all on simultaneously for an extra loud time.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6L4Yp_NKvbNaqol5drA2eFO8fqesFMhCmu3Jsf9NgawNH1jeOl7cnyaFdjC0Bz9qliVauOO8A7Y16VV9VYbJE8tLh8Ge2F9PcKAiPhCG1iFMt5EIRrPeibfVEMFTJnlcB-ln3khRNigcbtUdUUzQjsEGn5lqljAdZ6dZOYm2JQAh8P1QIhnNwZDLScFU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6L4Yp_NKvbNaqol5drA2eFO8fqesFMhCmu3Jsf9NgawNH1jeOl7cnyaFdjC0Bz9qliVauOO8A7Y16VV9VYbJE8tLh8Ge2F9PcKAiPhCG1iFMt5EIRrPeibfVEMFTJnlcB-ln3khRNigcbtUdUUzQjsEGn5lqljAdZ6dZOYm2JQAh8P1QIhnNwZDLScFU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Whenever Alice notices Savvy eating at the same time as her, she immediately plops her face into her food and starts eating doggy style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfF4x251qA_rXeH8WZoXE5zw4DYOUUhlB9fu_D4J_qS4emjom4XGPgd3BBYoYx6-m0RZP_JjaMQvjjTKYx_9ZIC_t5PA0b7JRkDmnZJcfguhGxDyyuPowAeY8u7bZ04AnTvHRpislDOv0DX1eRRfNEwz6WymnmSyrexy5ZYUkDoFMpsUSmE3XLz5anon8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1768" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfF4x251qA_rXeH8WZoXE5zw4DYOUUhlB9fu_D4J_qS4emjom4XGPgd3BBYoYx6-m0RZP_JjaMQvjjTKYx_9ZIC_t5PA0b7JRkDmnZJcfguhGxDyyuPowAeY8u7bZ04AnTvHRpislDOv0DX1eRRfNEwz6WymnmSyrexy5ZYUkDoFMpsUSmE3XLz5anon8=w640-h505" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Jared and Alice made this fort together in the playroom, and now whenever I'm getting Alice's bedroom ready for her to take a nap she books it for the playroom and I find her cuddled up in the fort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH_VDOVZu9MuRe_9fSr16oD3RQNOI-Q8X9KlgiE8eKPT6UpguMhzpWHtn_vhHnxK4Qp7NjxfjnADTA-hcx4wOiLzpyK56EwESwyh1QUJS2e7os0OwIzCrxy9RJyUmboa1USsg05-Mro_nfgWOJ5iaUW_s5f2t1xC0QQNNmvhumLjEZ70UB4wAogK39HyY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH_VDOVZu9MuRe_9fSr16oD3RQNOI-Q8X9KlgiE8eKPT6UpguMhzpWHtn_vhHnxK4Qp7NjxfjnADTA-hcx4wOiLzpyK56EwESwyh1QUJS2e7os0OwIzCrxy9RJyUmboa1USsg05-Mro_nfgWOJ5iaUW_s5f2t1xC0QQNNmvhumLjEZ70UB4wAogK39HyY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^Putting up the paper jack-o-lantern in the playroom window. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeBMC4ZsCDknvFIjzpRpU1vGQWzNGgZJarDIOOcfMiXtLxslxcGo2DtjfcyR-7OcALEqRhq6npEFbZretZZ6-Va1igSKmEa82PIpaqEIUwq74wU3QJgFZUtw8zJzTak8uMSzWTw9q_5uEup8yODxOqvnbeYI4lXFav0lY6VQDSbNOy-QelX6W1RrhZJXY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeBMC4ZsCDknvFIjzpRpU1vGQWzNGgZJarDIOOcfMiXtLxslxcGo2DtjfcyR-7OcALEqRhq6npEFbZretZZ6-Va1igSKmEa82PIpaqEIUwq74wU3QJgFZUtw8zJzTak8uMSzWTw9q_5uEup8yODxOqvnbeYI4lXFav0lY6VQDSbNOy-QelX6W1RrhZJXY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx5XgL-vq7AvgYCvSQ94FMGOQyVLrlzfis-iM6bm3lpRRR1_vKhRYGqVWdouJkhu_p3SDIkeVBO33hUSA-QgmrslFnFZsv8Bu-31Ho3rDKTL1r6fV2TKzmITyWYArxxhs7yAXf9x2sCXgI3S9-j0HNBDg3d40K63S8jl43tzyPl5vFcIPHXFp8JslcyRI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx5XgL-vq7AvgYCvSQ94FMGOQyVLrlzfis-iM6bm3lpRRR1_vKhRYGqVWdouJkhu_p3SDIkeVBO33hUSA-QgmrslFnFZsv8Bu-31Ho3rDKTL1r6fV2TKzmITyWYArxxhs7yAXf9x2sCXgI3S9-j0HNBDg3d40K63S8jl43tzyPl5vFcIPHXFp8JslcyRI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6kTpWwyqo34bFOPklMQMzm155C4Bmfsp3cD8AEkjb54vWxkQMp8nc4udBxDYnXXorrGClx8GsRsaFlGQnjb-aP4Wx39vAMqH6621RXplIXSsykH4x1TtKUacjFxLvblkqvLXP-r4HezInJApHnJ-5LReKOtmJy6nsG2hV0sLcCF42mFu7Io0dgUynuGQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6kTpWwyqo34bFOPklMQMzm155C4Bmfsp3cD8AEkjb54vWxkQMp8nc4udBxDYnXXorrGClx8GsRsaFlGQnjb-aP4Wx39vAMqH6621RXplIXSsykH4x1TtKUacjFxLvblkqvLXP-r4HezInJApHnJ-5LReKOtmJy6nsG2hV0sLcCF42mFu7Io0dgUynuGQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">^^We tried on this 2-yr-old duck costume just for fun. She hated it but glad we got this picture! We'll be going a different direction this Halloween.</div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088401242997534284.post-21508158433827968612023-09-25T16:09:00.002-06:002023-09-25T16:23:12.595-06:00Alice at 1 Year<p>This post is dedicated to documenting Alice at one year old:</p><p>-------------</p><p>-<b>Clothes Size: </b>Right where you'd expect, she's wearing 12 mo clothes.</p><p>-<b>Favorite Activities</b>: Alice loves music and dancing/spinning in circles on the floor while laying down. She likes swinging in her patio swing and going on stroller rides. She enjoys playing at nearby lake/river beaches (she loves feeling and eating sand and rocks, and splashing in the water), and banging cups and spoons together in the kitchen. She loves bath time, being in the front pack, and playing with her brother. When Jack is at school she likes being in his room and going down his bunkbed slide. She gets giddy in the evenings--this is the best time to get her laughing with weird noises or movements. </p><p>-<b>Skills: </b>This week we learned that when asked, she can identify and point out, Jared, Jack, Savvy, and her lovey (Love-Love) in pictures. She does an army crawl and a normal crawl, and she can crawl up the stairs but not go down. She can stand up against furniture and step alongside the furniture, but no independent steps yet. </p><p>-<b>My current favorite physical thing about Alice: </b>Her cheesy, toothy, dimply grin (2 teeth on top and 2 on bottom). Also the funny noises she makes. Her laugh still sounds a lot like a Donald Duck cackle haha.</p><p>-<b>Dislikes:</b> Mom walking away from her. Car rides trapped in her car seat. Jack picking her up and carrying her away if she's in the middle of playing with something.</p><p> -<b>Food</b>: Her favorite food is shredded pork. She has always preferred to feed herself instead of have someone else feed her. She's never been all that interested in purees so we've mostly done baby led weaning (she eats what we eat if she's not allergic to it, with her hands. Cut into small pieces if it could be difficult to eat, or left whole if it's something soft). She gets frustrated if she sees that we're eating something that she doesn't have in front of her, which can be sad because usually the reason she's not eating what we're eating is because she's allergic to it. She seems to got tired of the same food if she has it too many times in a row. She has a big appetite, like her brother did at her age, which makes sense because like him, she tends to stay very active throughout the day. She still breastfeeds whenever she wakes up, and gets a bottle of formula before bed. She's showing signs of self-weaning soon so we will probably start giving her oat milk until she can tolerate cow's milk better. (Oatly creamy oat milk is a great alternative to cow's milk for little ones, except there's not as much protein. She's getting plenty of protein from meat and beans though so we're not too concerned.)</p><p>-<b>Food Allergies: </b>IGE allergies to peanuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, almonds, tomatoes, beef, and soy. Severe sensitivity to uncooked dairy. (She'll be getting bloodwork done this fall to determine the severity of the tomato, beef, and soy allergies. We know the peanut and sunflower allergies are severe, the egg allergy is moderate but we're actively working on pushing against it, and the almond allergy is unconcerning. The allergist wants bloodwork info on her tomato, beef, and soy allergies before giving us guidance on how to approach those foods.) I'm sure I'll do a post dedicated to what types of foods we've been eating this last year at some point. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed trying to work around her allergies, and sometimes it feels like not a big deal. The most frustrating times are when I decide <i>not </i>to work around her allergens when I make a family dinner and plan to just give her something different. But then when it comes time to eat it's actually kind of annoying to have to come up with something totally separate for Alice, especially since she does tend to have a big appetite so I can't just throw her a handful of cheerios and a banana. For a long time my fallbacks were canned black beans or canned chicken, but she's had those so much that she won't eat them as readily anymore. </p><p>-<b>Sleep</b>: Taking 2 naps. Waking up 2-3 times a night. Waking up for the day usually between 6:30 and 7:30. Bedtime around 7:00. She has a few "loveys" (small blanket squares) in her crib, and can always be found sleeping with one in her arm. When she cries for me during the night, usually she's sitting up waiting for me when I get in there, and when I reach in to scoop her out she makes a wild sweep to grab one of her loveys at the last second so she can hold it while I feed her. It's very cute. </p><p>-<b>Siblings: </b>Jack and Alice make each other laugh so much. I know I've said this before, but Alice reminds me a lot of her brother at this age, just to a milder extent. Not particularly cuddly, never seems to be excited about bedtime, loves to be moving and/or eating, seems curious and smart, loves music and being outside. </p><p>I still do the "Alice voice" when we're together so Jack and Alice can be in frequent conversation. Now that Alice is crawling and getting into things we're approaching the phase where Jack prefers <i>not </i>to have her in the playroom while he's playing. He knows what me and Jared do for work, and that his "work" is playing with toys. I've told him that Alice's "work" as a baby is to destroy things. He thinks the concept is funny and it does help when she knocks down something he's built for him to know she's just doing her "job" as a baby, and that in a few years her "job" will shift to more often building things instead of destroying them. He mostly handles it pretty well and has learned to move himself or her away when needed. And she loves when he includes her or comes up with a game around what she likes to do. They're best little buddies.</p><p>And now for some pictures of our Sweet Baby Al (and some other pics from our week):</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOmKRnRzSnA2t9IszaMnS2HSm055LvY9y2p3NmDrQBtQVIW8-l176pa-4vcZhsI9CDtfjLy1qaRGlay9WSCGgfGrDQoqBgoKVmlUB8yX0if9V67YtUSjAojZBu6CR4Q5xNOWORRp0ycLPQL9MvRlXzXEe3Rki-vgM849ZyGrm0WTR-YHbKfPsrI2ofDbM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1008" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOmKRnRzSnA2t9IszaMnS2HSm055LvY9y2p3NmDrQBtQVIW8-l176pa-4vcZhsI9CDtfjLy1qaRGlay9WSCGgfGrDQoqBgoKVmlUB8yX0if9V67YtUSjAojZBu6CR4Q5xNOWORRp0ycLPQL9MvRlXzXEe3Rki-vgM849ZyGrm0WTR-YHbKfPsrI2ofDbM=w461-h640" width="461" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWrsZIYxeaZ-mAWvlDTNRCBAMMWQTluAWyQBwYt2me-R6TRj84ZPnoqexu55WHiMqFwCMDyucVAAHRXwqqfiiQKGh_H20Is18Sb8MHQkh-CjCDOgc9bQjyobZYoMhDNkFXfNARvmYmmp9_uKPmzlXnkTE0Roo6KJSVoUpq81Q46S_sqmhQ-o9KFYhsnBw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1862" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWrsZIYxeaZ-mAWvlDTNRCBAMMWQTluAWyQBwYt2me-R6TRj84ZPnoqexu55WHiMqFwCMDyucVAAHRXwqqfiiQKGh_H20Is18Sb8MHQkh-CjCDOgc9bQjyobZYoMhDNkFXfNARvmYmmp9_uKPmzlXnkTE0Roo6KJSVoUpq81Q46S_sqmhQ-o9KFYhsnBw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIsz9MUxW49nFq0g2bcEfVAldMb2Fqt93YkyPPL06v3GeBDWdvVn85Kwef9KuN89XYsfEQ7doBgveQy3xh7bdlPOec0ScdvRTkDQ6zCGEZPI0O9SxvqaObSwe2FLxst07GWEt2LW9R5ZRFZJFjhWxqsg9ipQLu7OqxO4u6BAtb0BwtID3CBZuHomxRQAI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1862" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIsz9MUxW49nFq0g2bcEfVAldMb2Fqt93YkyPPL06v3GeBDWdvVn85Kwef9KuN89XYsfEQ7doBgveQy3xh7bdlPOec0ScdvRTkDQ6zCGEZPI0O9SxvqaObSwe2FLxst07GWEt2LW9R5ZRFZJFjhWxqsg9ipQLu7OqxO4u6BAtb0BwtID3CBZuHomxRQAI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeIE4YUg_SJdY8cmWl6zxmhw_EDjK2tV7FdWvtdj8jPWvBCh8ujrXy_7mzeDwcL5LAgL3saWZom6QIMMP4aGYLCDeg5QxwPW2kV7FcLy1xRfzEMXk4UJEfiwv5XXTPtEHbUlmtw9QUNkLZDxiX-MP6m3BcDhAGt9W3_Dpl4KHUCfGCUsXM8kqBE65TBlY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeIE4YUg_SJdY8cmWl6zxmhw_EDjK2tV7FdWvtdj8jPWvBCh8ujrXy_7mzeDwcL5LAgL3saWZom6QIMMP4aGYLCDeg5QxwPW2kV7FcLy1xRfzEMXk4UJEfiwv5XXTPtEHbUlmtw9QUNkLZDxiX-MP6m3BcDhAGt9W3_Dpl4KHUCfGCUsXM8kqBE65TBlY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo8YedvNcqan7lFyhV7eHWnAKjQnFBuHHfugCK5o8CuucdVBFSzNrOrGryq-YWtqIZiZsVvz7VdQK0_1IdmdC3eTaP6BsIf0UODp8N20zKSVrpb8UWZEwC1ICFVQagZQLX-yegh7vxZReYX_wyC15WRzzJe10Fitdc4xvgdFo1sliYBDr_QfDwPHGw18Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNd4E0E4Z-EbsZfIYDXX5s6FB0k993Olc09mnXdLC-YiJPr803DJ-mFjn2_pIL8iikOX5_gmoHY1RQY_bj-LMJBFScFdqbSMPLG_D69Yw8rKww0DIMACS1cQU88X8TXXizEhS84SQcuVjoxKBOWPn6heFfKc4_mnG2l_8hSy64bINLzRw4fnwCPT-n-TM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNd4E0E4Z-EbsZfIYDXX5s6FB0k993Olc09mnXdLC-YiJPr803DJ-mFjn2_pIL8iikOX5_gmoHY1RQY_bj-LMJBFScFdqbSMPLG_D69Yw8rKww0DIMACS1cQU88X8TXXizEhS84SQcuVjoxKBOWPn6heFfKc4_mnG2l_8hSy64bINLzRw4fnwCPT-n-TM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">^^I've discovered that the library is a great place to get interior design books, or really any coffee table book! I love flipping through one on our cozy front patio. I've also learned that I use our patio 10 times more often when there's a comfortable outdoor couch to lounge on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgttGle-O4esUa6y6jmn4RDDe1DTlYD_tybq863RypX8RME9CYO-zrkr0bsZXHTMViWGR_BRH8eRctZU4wmUJJPUfx1ITXRoyRQSPt3mnzO1uAT4u5r7nLCV7gswJ1FGtzElOhaiZmFjU2RDxYbrIIV1wvpCYbkbNwPjmryADdFecV4EsfdeclId9Z65i8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgttGle-O4esUa6y6jmn4RDDe1DTlYD_tybq863RypX8RME9CYO-zrkr0bsZXHTMViWGR_BRH8eRctZU4wmUJJPUfx1ITXRoyRQSPt3mnzO1uAT4u5r7nLCV7gswJ1FGtzElOhaiZmFjU2RDxYbrIIV1wvpCYbkbNwPjmryADdFecV4EsfdeclId9Z65i8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><p></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17896477199118505861noreply@blogger.com0