tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467056517023437122024-03-13T09:07:47.008-05:00Joy of GrowingRhianwen (pronounced Ree-'ahn-wen): Welsh for shining, holy maiden.
Alden (pronounced Ahl-den): old-english for wise old protector.
Corwin: gaelic/old english for heart's desireWallyT3http://www.blogger.com/profile/16507961059520805768noreply@blogger.comBlogger256125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-36564899971821965302015-10-12T21:31:00.005-05:002015-10-12T21:31:37.906-05:00A Small BirthdayThis blog is mainly for my family who did not make it to Rhi's birthday party b/c of the torrential rain in SC!<br />
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Rhianwen turned 9, and her party was actually smaller scale than previous years! I think she may be to the point of having close friends and enjoying the thought of a shared experience with them, but maybe not! We'll see if next year she requests a huge bash.<br />
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This year she wanted a Carmen Sandiego mystery birthday party. This ended up being quite fun and an easy way for the kids to feel like there was a mystery without it being really sinister. Plus, geography to boot....yes, please!<br />
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We started out with an easy craft: making secret agent badges with fingerprints.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not sure what Boom! A7: Boom! is, but it sounds like a pretty intense skill.</span></td></tr>
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Then we had snacks featured from various parts of the world...pretty easy and normal since the US really is such a melting pot.<br />
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The main part of the party was the hunt for the stolen detective gear. Carmen Sandiego left cryptic clues and obstacles along the way to the goody bags/detective kits. Each clue was left in a different "country", and they had to guess what country each clue was talking about and find that country somewhere in the house (I printed out pictures from each country along with the picture of the country highlighted on a world globe and stuck them up in various rooms) in order to find the next clue.<br />
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This is a list of the real clues, there was one point where there were multiple clues with only one real clue. They had to match Carmen's fingerprint to the real clue to find that one. Of course, I did not have the answers on their clues; yes, I know, the poetry, when existent, is horrendous...Carmen is better at theft than inspired writing ;0):<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*From this city are people forbidden. If you come after me, a dragon will meet you. (Forbidden City China)</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-87daefb0-5ef2-d110-20ea-e35d822903fe" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*I’m not a little girl walking in line, but I do say poo-poo to the tiger in the zoo. If you should come, I will say “Oui” as you chase me over this capital city. You will have to crack my code to find the next place I’ll be. (Paris, France)</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*You’ll need oxygen to get to me, a guide, snow gear, and determination. There is not mountain taller that you could climb to get to me; you’ll have to detonate the bombs to find the next clue! (Mt. Everest Nepal/Tibet) detonate bombs to find clue</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Next you’ll find tigers and perhaps Babaji, but certainly you will never get to me. Find the fingerprint of Carmen left from henna to identify the clue she left. (India) fingerprint clues</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Now it’s “down under” where you’ll have to come, be careful not to hit the reefs, get eaten by great whites, or crocs. If you’re lucky, you’ll find koalas but not me! My next clue to read is also tricky (invisible ink). (Australia)</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*These ancient kings left curses, traps, and wires to prevent robbers from stealing their treasure in their tombs. You can find these tombs in the desert and a little trap of my own! (Egypt -- laser course) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Here you will find the Amazon (no, not the store), the large river through the jungle and Sugarloaf Mountain. Watch out for piranhas and anacondas...but you won’t see me! (Brazil) (dropped map leading to the USA & the treasure)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here they are having to break Carmen's code to read the clue that will lead them to the next destination.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The clue was hidden in some bombs (balloons) that had to be detonated. Wally hid this one so well, that it almost got thrown away.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a laser field that they had to cross to get to the next clue.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They did recover their detective kits and loved the invisible ink pens. These things have been used on almost every surface they thought appropriate...if you ever come to our house with a black light, you may find some inappropriate surfaces with invisible ink on them as well! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Got them out all in one blow.</span></td></tr>
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Thanks to my friend Alexa for all of the photos! She grabbed my camera and became the official photographer of the party!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love at first sight...her own Kindle, thanks family who helped with the purchase...she was totally thrilled and uses it daily. I think it makes her feel very grown up.</span></td></tr>
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Rhianwen's actual birthday was the next day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She got serenaded in bed, poor girl.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The boys picked out a Lego Friends Lighthouse for her. She was SO excited, as you can see.</span></td></tr>
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Things she loves to do: write, she is always in the middle of at least 3-4 writing projects...plays, ballets, stories, poems. The other day I found her trying to write a story in the notes section of her Kindle...I have yet to mention Amazon's self-publishing angle. She loves crafting things out of paper, glue, and tape. She loves drawing; she can generate so many pieces of paper a day that it's really difficult to know what to do with it all...as I've said to multiple people, just think, if she draws 5 things/day over a year, that would be over 1,500 pieces of paper that I have to find a place for. She loves music and has written her own compositions over this past year. She loves discussing, questioning, and arguing. I keep reminding myself, this is a strength in the correct circumstances. Teaching her when that is is always a challenge. She loves involving others in her life...and often assumes that everybody else will love doing what she does and WANT to be involved. She loves dancing...ballet, modern, and jazz! I'm thankful for some fun Christian jazz dance type music that she can have fun with at home. </div>
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So thankful for this girl who first made me a mommy. Our personalities are so opposite in many ways, but I just pray God will continue to refine me as I parent this intense energetic outgoing emotional girl! And I pray that she will continue to give me grace each day and get to the end of it knowing she is loved so very much. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-38766664337243257722015-10-12T19:58:00.002-05:002015-10-12T19:58:25.897-05:00Green Cannon BallsBack at home, homeschooling is in full swing, and all of the busiest part of fall as well. Soccer, dance, children's choir, harp, piano, art, Trail Life, trying to get field trips and socializing fit in before baby. It's been quite a constant stream of activity. And can I say right now, if any more harp strings pop or break, I'm going to scream? Changing from summer to fall and from winter to spring just wreaks havoc on them...apparently this is normal! Some weeks we've had consecutive days when it is someone's turn to have a meltdown. First day might be Corwin, next day Rhi, next one Alden, next ME! Wally seems to stay above the meltdown mode, but he's always been more of an internal handler when it comes to stress. I was actually thankful for a week of rain that cancelled soccer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Corwin set up shop in our backyard after being inspired by a book. It was so cute to come out and buy various items from his store.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rhianwen got her ears pierced and everything seems to have healed really well. No redness or swelling or crusting or anything. I am so thankful that her experience was totally different than mine! We need to take her back to get them checked soon. But as far as I can tell, she's ready to have fun with it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just some fun Alden artwork.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rhianwen and friends put on a play that she wrote for us. It's been in the works for months, and I was about to go insane fielding questions about costume design, set design, timing, and the rest. It was cute, and Rhi was so satisfied with it at the end that she immediately started planning the next one.</span></td></tr>
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Sadly the sound really didn't come out on the video, but if you want to see the first half of the play in action, I'll put it below:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A very fun experiment with acids, bases, neutrals, and purple cabbage indicator.</span></td></tr>
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We also enjoyed our first bookclub doing missionary biographies this year. The first was William Carey who went to India, so we had a fun time discussing the book, India, eating delicious Indian food, and doing crafts. I hope that we'll be able to keep doing this after baby comes, but we'll see!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Corwin's little soccer team. They are naturals at wanting to get the ball in the goal, unlike some of their competition. They call themselves the Green Cannon Balls (per Corwin's request).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Corwin loves playing competitively, but he will not be a good loser. So far this season, they've won every time, although technically, no one keeps score.</span> </td></tr>
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Sadly, most of Alden's games have been at the same time as Corwin's with the exception of this past week. I got so into Alden's game that I forgot to take pictures!!! I did get a team shot after their win this past week. Wally is their coach and loves it. He enjoys seeing them develop and grow.<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alden's team.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Schoolhouse of Wonder fieldtrip. The kids learned about Indians and how they lived long ago in this area. They are discussing a trap in this picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here they are wading in the Eno after discussing water ecosystems. They caught more things in the stream but found some empty freshwater clams and some snails under rocks in the river. Of course, my boys got totally soaked. Wading is a relative term to them, I guess.</span></td></tr>
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Some funny kid quotes:<br />
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Alden: Mommy, who was the first person to ever sing in tune?<br />
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Corwin: Where is the tahky wahkah? (walky talky)<br />
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Corwin: You are my beeeeesssst mommy!<br />
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We asked Corwin if had a dream the other night and if he had yelled, and he responded: I had a dream and I went into my dream and then I found my bed again, and that was just the boing of me falling back into my bed.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-47928920439708127342015-10-11T21:06:00.002-05:002015-10-11T21:06:23.767-05:00Transitioning into Homeschool for the YearDespite the fact that summer is over, summer things in NC last at least until October. Even our pool stayed open until the end of September, so our last couple of months have been a strange combination of transitioning from summer activity to fall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swimming with Aunt Hannah and Uncle Christopher at the swimmin' hole on the Eno River.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alden has lost teeth left and right recently. He's way too irresistible with that smile.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Working on the model Wright brothers glider that Grandpa bought for us when we vacationed on Hatteras Island. Wally really enjoyed the new biography about them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks and soft pretzels and water for $30. Alden's Trail Life group went to a baseball game. We all went, and this was the kids' first. They had a blast. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday chores. So far EVERYONE hates dusting. It's Alden's turn for a couple of months. He's been pretty good about not complaining though. Of course, he knows if he whines too much about it, Saturday Minecraft gets cut. But I truly think he's been able to have a good attitude without that threat.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Corwin's chore: Washing cabinets and walls. Especially since it is his little feet and hands that make much of the mess on them!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We found a writing spider in our front flower bed. Corwin is trying to touch it with a piece of grass. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Checking out a swallow tail with tattered wings. I so love zinnias and am so thankful that we successfully grew some this year. The past couple of years all of my sprouts got eaten by slugs. For some reason this year they managed to survive. They just make me happy, and I love that they last from summer through a good part of the fall. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At Huntington Beach State Park camping with cousins Mary Ruth and Ezekiel. It was the end of August and HOT the first couple of days, but cooled off after a nice rain. I figure I get lots of points for doing this pregnant...not sure who gives me those points, but I claim them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the first year that Alden was able to successfully dig large holes and trenches all on his own. Wally found two awesome spades at the dump or maybe the cash for metal place that no one wanted. So these came to the beach with us. </span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">It's the first year I've seen proof that child labor actually can accomplish big things whereas before I've always been mystified as to how it ever makes sense to try to make children work adult type jobs. Sadly, child labor, forced and unpaid, is a huge reality in our world, on farms and in factories. I'm not one of those people who think kids should never work on their family's farm, but I do certainly oppose overly dangerous labor, forced labor, and labor not appropriate for the age. While I know some of those things are difficult to define, I think it is our job as consumers to do that and to advocate for these children who often supply our nation with things like cocoa, coffee, and clothes. Congress is defunding efforts that they previously funded to help end child trafficking and child labor, so if this is something you are interested in seeing supported by Congress, click </span><a href="http://www.worldvision.org/advocate" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: center;"> to contact your representative. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Well that was a big aside...back to the beach trip...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Uncle Brooks brought his awesome boat raft and took the kids out to ride the waves.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mary Ruth and Corwin enjoyed floating in shallow water in it too. It was really THE favorite toy at the beach this year. Thanks, Uncle Brooks, for making the effort to bring it and use it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Boogie Boarding.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wally skimmer boarding. This is his favorite activity at the beach. He would do it rain or shine. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A rainbow over the ocean! I think this was a first for me! I know SC needs a reminder of God's promise that He does care for this earth. Brooks and Clara, who live in Columbia, have helped many neighbors pump out their homes and clean up during and after all of the flooding.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They actually saw an alligator on the alligator walk!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We attended some of the nature programs at the park, and Corwin loved this boat. He still remembers that it was called the "Stewardship". </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to touch a stingray with Grandmama.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Feeding shrimp to a horseshoe crab with Grandaddy and Ezekiel looking on.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking for marsh-life.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At Atalaya. If you were wondering if this week at the beach was counted as homeschool, the answer is yes. Just think what kind of an awesome field trip this would be: outdoor skills, camping skills, seafood sampling, weather patterns, tides, marsh animals, ocean animals, historic homes, food webs, ecosystems...etc. YES, this is hands-on learning in a small class size in an immersive environment. Totally counts.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trying their hand at sculpting with clay at Atalaya. I thought they would get bored in this home in about 5 minutes, but they lasted longer than I did. They loved its passageways and arched doors and dark basements and the icebox and did not want to leave.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found a geocache. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Decorating pancakes for Ezekiel's birthday. Totally fun plan by Aunt Clara!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">S'mores with these awesome square flat shaped marshmallows just the right size for graham crackers. Grandmama found them and decided they were worth a try. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alden certainly approves!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On our way out we stopped by for a very brief visit with Great Grandpa and Jamie. Grandpa was organizing a movie viewing which was about to start, so we did not stay long.</span></td></tr>
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Overall a great but exhausting vacation and a nice way to transition into homeschool for the year! Camping is a LOT of work. Thankfully, Wally is great at improvising AND trying to keep us all happy and comfortable. I have a wonderful husband who comes from a wonderful family.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-25357881710908673322015-08-07T22:27:00.000-05:002015-08-07T22:30:44.348-05:00Na na na na...Hey Hey-ey...Goodbye...That's about what I think of our summer! It's come and gone. Here's what's been going on:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading Robinson Crusoe, a shorter version. </td></tr>
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We have a had a full but good summer. God has given us a restful summer with the busy being fun busy, family busy, and preparation for good things ahead busy. I often fall into the trap of feeling sorry for myself being tired or struggling with little childish spats, but I am so blessed to have had a summer of protection and goodness. Today, Alden asked me, "What if the baby dies?", and I can't help but always feel a twinge when one of the kids asks that. My heart cries out for that not to be so, but I answer, "Then that's what God had planned." Then Alden said, "But why would God make him in the first place?", and I answered, "We all die. God made him because He loves him." What questions! We have quite a handful of friends and family struggling with cancer and difficult medical problems, and today, I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. This world will be better one day, and I'm thankful that our family has experienced the goodness and restfulness of it this summer.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing shooting arrows at a church event that Trail Life went to.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing at Lake Crabtree with Trail Life.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.traillifeusa.com/" target="_blank">Trail Life</a> has been such a blessing for Alden and Wally. The group actively seeks to disciple boys using God's Word to tie into the lessons and experiences they have. It is a special time for them, and Corwin can't wait to be able to do it when he is 5!</div>
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Wally saw that Alden had taken off on reading longer passages, and he pulled out all of his old chapter books. Most of them are too advanced for Alden and some are too mature. I had to quickly weed those out amidst some tears!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drawing by Alden inspired by the book, Hatchet. I had to nix the book b/c it was too mature for him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And in BIG news, Corwin finally decided to pump for himself. Swinging on his own has become a favorite activity for him, and<br />
he often would run out first thing in the morning in his pj's to swing until breakfast was ready! The entire family is glad of this since<br />
we were his pushing slaves beforehand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhianwen did a nice job at her end of year harp recital. I am always so impressed at how calmly she plays in front of others.</td></tr>
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To celebrate the end of our school year, the kids wanted to roast hotdogs and camp in the backyard. The date coincided with Wally's birthday, so we had a double celebration. Uncle Christopher and Aunt Hannah came over to make it a full on party!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasting hot dogs with a hot dog. Hardy har...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday Wally/daddy! Yes, we've gotten to the we-probably-shouldn't-put-so-many-candles-on-the-cake stage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited to be camping on their treehouse!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't help posting a pic of each of our cuties.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, this guy isn't going to sleep.</td></tr>
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The adults stayed out on the deck for a long while as it got dark. The air was full of fireflies...it is so incredibly magical that time of year! The kids didn't get to sleep until 11pm, but they did enjoy the light show and then stayed out there all night!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can't deny them ice cream all of the time. Occasionally, we break the vegan for a summer treat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was Alden's group leader this year at VBS. All of the kids had a fabulous time learning about Jonah and God's eagerness to draw us to Him and to forgive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then it was off to Virginia and Brice's rehearsal dinner (yay, BBQ and cornhole) and wedding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yay for cousies! Note the boot shaped cozies that are now being used as boots...sort of.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at Grandmama's picking blueberries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are huge bushes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying Strawberry Peach slushies at the <a href="https://www.bushnvinefarm.com/" target="_blank">Bush-N-Vine</a> in York, SC.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On an old retired tractor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Feeding the chickens some blades of grass.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aw, yes. In a way, I did. Wally worked here growing up, so I'd say his work here was part of what made him who he is, and who he is is what I was attracted to, and so we got married. :0)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the big sandbox at Bush-N-Vine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to find the queen bee. Bush-N-Vine is so much fun, and it's only seconds down the road from Grandmama's. Plus it is the ONLY place I get good peaches all summer long. Wish I had a farm like that near here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up for a wedding!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying hi to cousin Ezekiel.</td></tr>
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How I managed to have no pictures of the bride and groom, is maybe beyond me, although, I have to say, kids do tend to steal the limelight for my camera!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/20334970776/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="002"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="002" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/20334970776_6149f05148_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alden's friend, Miles, introduced him to the game of chess, and so daddy decided to play/teach him a bit more. I didn't notice my camera was on sparkle setting until a few more pictures later! HA! Queue Harry Potter.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/20335474426/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="001"><img alt="001" height="480" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/498/20335474426_949ae2f416_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corwin helping me make a flag cake for July 4th.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/19739042484/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="008"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="008" height="480" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/370/19739042484_dab79bfe7b_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We celebrated with the Carter family. It's becoming a tradition. So thankful for these dear friends!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn LOVED the fireworks. He was impressed with Wally's skills later in the evening.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/20174603859/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="020"><img alt="020" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/564/20174603859_636e927fa3_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids went crazy running under the smoke of the smoke bombs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to watch the legal and semi-impressive firework show.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireman Corwin. This is why it's so hard to get rid of toys, not that I'd want to get rid of our marble run. But they always find other uses for things that are just too cute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blasting a water bottle rocket. Alden learned the skill at Trail Life and the boys have used way too much water experimenting with this at home!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking tomatoes with Aunt Hannah. Our garden yielded unexpected things thanks to seeds in our compost...such as pumpkins from last October and butternut squash!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Aunt Hannah, Rhi had her hair french braided for the little finale show of Frozen dance camp. I am proud to say, I did it for the second show later in the month thanks to Hannah's patient teaching! I have braided the incorrect way all my life, which makes it doubly hard to do. It's possible to French braid that way, but way easier to do it the normal way, except that I feel all thumbs doing it the opposite way of what I normally do! Rhi never had the patience to sit through all that torture, but thankfully, I did it in 5 minutes...so she was ok with it.</td></tr>
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Rhianwen was an assistant in 2 Frozen dance camps at <a href="http://www.ncdanceinstitute.com/" target="_blank">NC Dance Institute</a> this summer, and of course she had a blast! I'm thankful for a studio that gives her so many opportunities to learn and assist in her own ways. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping the littles remember their routine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with her brothers who really LOVE to watch her, even the same show twice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta daaa!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">For Alden's birthday, he wanted a rock climbing party. I don't think he realized until a couple of days before that he actually was going to get to climb at a real climbing gym instead of a party at home.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids climbed for almost 2 hours with a small break for cake. They loved it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/20174961469/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="035"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="035" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/441/20174961469_1b426f936f_b.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rhi made it to the top of this particular climb.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so did Alden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He feels so cool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy birthday! He is 7!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Erector set. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/20173329048/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="010"><img alt="010" height="480" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/350/20173329048_364712f862_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A happy birthday to our Aldi-man. He loves Minecraft, so that was a small theme for the party at home.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alden has been wanting his own weather station, and now he's become the weather man for us each day. It stays at his place at the dining table, and he checks it each meal. He even took it to York for his visit with the grandparents.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excited to get a Minecraft Lego set.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/19740578143/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="043"><img alt="043" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/322/19740578143_97f3e330c8_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing Rhianwen's creative gift for Alden. She spent the week at Grandmama's and Grandaddy's so missed Alden's actual birthday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah and Christopher made it for Chinese food and peach pie (per Alden's request). Yes, summer celebrations have put quite a dent in our whole foods plant-based diet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/19740638903/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="071"><img alt="071" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/471/19740638903_eb4f6aba4f_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big giant rope, which daddy soon after commandeered to help pull down a tree in the backyard that split and had to be cut down. You can see even Uncle Christopher is trying to grab it right out of the birthday boy's hands. What is it about guys and ropes?</td></tr>
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Alden has grown in so many ways this year. He's losing teeth and keeping us quite busy. His poor tooth fairy even did not show up one night. Thankfully, the kids love the letters explaining just what misadventures occurred to prevent their tooth fairies from coming the first night! He is really enjoying reading now. Although he is not a completely smooth reader, he loves it and is in the midst of multiple chapter books right now. Swiss Family Robinson is a favorite right now. He and Corwin can be co-conspirators or adversaries, but always in that brotherly kind of way. Big brother trying to take over for little brother, little brother trying to take advantage of the parents' expectations for big brother to set the good example. He loves Rhianwen so very much and can get teary if she spends most of the day not playing with him, but now that books have become a larger part of his life, he has a good way to deal with that. He enjoys constructing as always, and loves Minecraft as an arm of that joy. We struggle knowing how much to let them do games, but he does 1h on Saturdays and looks forward to it all week! We pray that he will grow in love for Christ. I think nature really appeals to his spiritual sensitivities. He often make comments about God when talking about or experiencing the beauty of it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had some wrens build a nest in my hanging geraniums and got to see the babies grow and flutter off.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids enjoyed painting this summer. This is Alden's Indian in a big lightning storm!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/20361349225/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="002"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="002" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/320/20361349225_256649a191_b.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And this is Corwin's tour de force.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/20174696039/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_20150725_123512"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="IMG_20150725_123512" height="480" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/492/20174696039_4de4a4c51e_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in York at Grandmama and Grandaddy's with Uncle Brooks and Ezekiel and Mary Ruth. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Grandmama and Grandaddy were sweet enough to take ALL of our kids for a few days and Rhi for a whole week! Wally and I enjoyed a babymoon at home making lofts for the kids, sewing curtains, and going out on dates to celebrate 14 years of marriage. Then we went to York for the weekend to celebrate Clara's birthday, go to Chelsea v Paris St. Germain soccer, and, oh yeah, get the kids back. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/19738755904/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="006"><img alt="006" height="480" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/280/19738755904_b967225ce4_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A birthday picnic for Aunt Clara.</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/135352299@N03/20361378135/in/datetaken-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="007"><img alt="007" height="480" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/364/20361378135_0b54e16d10_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At home, Pippin and the kids found some baby rabbits in the yard. Sadly, I think some met their demise, b/c a few days later Alden came in and said, "Mommy, I found a paw in the garden!" I thought he misspoke and meant to say paw print, but sure enough, it was a rabbit paw. Ick ick ick! And I had to remove it so Pippin wouldn't eat it.</td></tr>
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We've had a great summer. Lots of reading and swimming too. The kids redeemed their library points the other day. Summer is really winding down. Fall dance has started, and our calendar is filling up with routine again. We'll start school hopefully on the 17th, then the next week take a trip to the beach camping...yikes! Pray we won't die from sharks or the heat. Thankfully it will be very near my parents', so I, at least, can use the pregnancy card to bail and spend some time in their AC. I've never camped at the beach before and never camped pregnant before. So we will see!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-25917631202763798752015-05-30T22:32:00.002-05:002015-05-31T18:59:55.466-05:00Once a Be Time...Corwin starts his stories with "Once a be time". And once again, my story will be made of pictures summarizing 2 months' worth of activity!
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150410/b_162234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150410/b_162234.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">First popsicles of the season which was, admittedly, a long time ago.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150413/b_110739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150413/b_110739.jpg" height="477" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tiptoooooe through the tuuuuliiips with meeeee. Ok, if anyone knows that song, you either</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> had to be on a missions trip with Mr. Grooms, or you have his same strange taste in music.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150414/b_112343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150414/b_112343.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Field trip to the Post Office. They had a dynamic tour guide too. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150417/b_180213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150417/b_180213.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Off to a Trail Life camping trip.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150418/b_125849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150418/b_125849.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hanging out in the camping hammock that Uncle Christopher and Aunt Hannah gave us.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150418/b_195413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150418/b_195413.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At Swan Lake with daddy. This was a long awaited Christmas gift.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150421/b_210412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150421/b_210412.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Corwin's pics are getting a little more detailed. The smiles on his people always turn up after leaving the circle of their faces. Then he always asks us, "Does he look happy?" in a doubtful kind of way. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150422/b_170252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150422/b_170252.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying a chilly vacay on Hatteras Island. It was wonderful, and the kids even played </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">in the water...in APRIL!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150422/b_165849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150422/b_165849.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Digging</span>. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150422/b_165053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150422/b_165053.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aaaaugh! Water...cold...cold...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_093800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_093800.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eating Apple Uglies at Orange Blossom Cafe and Bakery.</span></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_101659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_101659.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cape Hatteras Light House. We didn't think we were going to get to go up to the very top </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">b/c of the winds, but they opened the deck as we were readying to climb. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_103520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_103520.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the top of Cape Hatteras Light House making sure we don't get blown away; we had to lean into the wind at times to walk all the way around. They enjoyed multiple ranger programs. I didn't realize how much there was to see on or near Hatteras: lots of lighthouses, Roanoke, and Kill Devil Hills, where the Wright brothers first flew.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_133610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_133610.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
We celebrated my mom's birthday with a watermelon "cake" per her request. It was good watermelon too! Never heard of a good one in April, but I guess God grew this one just for her :)<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_090613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_090613.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The treasures we found on the beach.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_075733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150423/b_075733.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some unusually serious conversation with Uncle Christopher.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150424/b_105502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150424/b_105502.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park. Corwin can still remember that the </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">plane "crashed" at marker #4! He was talking about it the other day and was quite fascinated by their story.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150424/b_125738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150424/b_125738.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Proudly sporting their first badges from the Jr. Ranger program.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150424/b_135337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150424/b_135337.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rolling on the dunes at Jockey's Ridge. They all LOVED it. I'm glad Wally convinced me it </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">was worth doing.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_124113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_124113.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At Roanoke Island Festival Park, which is a living history place about the American Indians and colonization.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_124445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_124445.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In her new quarters below deck.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_130113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_130113.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ringing the ship's bell. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_132246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_132246.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Helping load sticks to burn out a canoe.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_132901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_132901.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">As you can see, Alden loved trying everything. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_133409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150425/b_133409.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whoo! Heavy.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Somehow we don't have a picture of my dad or Hannah in all of this, but these dear ones accompanied us on many adventures and meals.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150428/b_102439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150428/b_102439.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reading Henry and Mudge...Corwin always stops what he's doing for this. Fittingly, Alden's pants are covered in dog fur, and their faces are covered in peanut butter. I love these books b/c they are fun reading especially for boys, the author knows both kids and dogs. It's a fun part of our day.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150430/b_121328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150430/b_121328.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">His first fishing pole.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150502/b_140412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150502/b_140412.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rhi finally convinced me she was mature enough to learn to sew without all the dramatics. We spend the morning at Hancock's and loaded her up with her own sewing box and supplies. She is very happy and feels a sense of accomplishment being able to say she can sew. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150502/b_141451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150502/b_141451.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So does Alden. I ended up putting this project away, which was way more challenging than</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> I thought it would be, and teaching him the same as Rhi. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_091106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_091106.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Playing soccer. Corwin had a blast and loved having practice once a week along with games on Saturdays. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_111502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_111502.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying sitting with Grandaddy at Alden's game.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_113151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_113151.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alden playing soccer. Wally was his coach and enjoyed seeing his team develop lots</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> of skills over the course of a short season.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_135208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_135208.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being a bee in the play. They had a fun little dance routine.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_141116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_141116.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was so proud of Alden and all of the boys. They had to learn a complicated </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">gun twirling, marching routine along with chanting. They did GREAT!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150508/b_183441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150508/b_183441.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goofing off with one of his best friends after the children's play. As you can tell, this </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">pic was taken by a much better photographer than moi.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_145452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_145452.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Alden after the play. Notice Miss dancer pose with her pointed toe. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_145827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150509/b_145827.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">With one of her best friends after the play. They have done piano duets and art </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">together this year too. So thankful for a growing friendship! (Again, picture courtesy of Daniel!).</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150514/b_183058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150514/b_183058.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And because we didn't have enough excitement, Alden lost his first teeth!!!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150518/b_111453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150518/b_111453.jpg" height="477" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is what the boys did while waiting for Rhi to finish her yearly testing. Next year, Alden will have to do testing as well! In the meantime, he spent his time building pyramids, walls, playing outside, reading, and building with legos with his little brother..</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150518/b_171236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150518/b_171236.jpg" height="640" width="477" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parents' Observation day at dance. I love watching her progress each year. She can't get </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">enough of dancing!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150512/b_174103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150512/b_174103.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So graceful!</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150512/b_180212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150512/b_180212.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Leaping!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150519/b_162005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150519/b_162005.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jazz. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150519/b_162325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150519/b_162325.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Attitudes...I thiiiink. I'm so clueless when it comes to dance other than I can usually tell </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">if they are good or not!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150519/b_161831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150519/b_161831.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dancing so happily at NC Dance Institute.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150519/b_170303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150519/b_170303.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">With Ms. Kirstie, who really is great at challenging them and staying positive.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So that is our once a be time for now. Thankful that summer is here and things are full in a different sunnier slower kind of way.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-89041288970336097502015-03-18T22:41:00.003-05:002015-03-18T22:41:41.653-05:00Winter Comes and Winter Goes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150203/b_211014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150203/b_211014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Doesn't this make you happy? Alden has been going through a drawing phase. He put these up on his wall.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150214/b_131624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150214/b_131624.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Celebrating Valentine's Day is a family event. I really enjoyed writing little notes of encouragement each night in February leading up to Valentine's Day for each of them and sticking them up on their doors for them to discover in the morning. They loved them too!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150217/b_135347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150217/b_135347.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then we got dumped multiple times by ice, snow, and more snow. That in conjunction with being sick with flu or stomach bugs made me feel like I was in a weird twilight zone where society had come to a standstill. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150217/b_144243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150217/b_144243.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I just love Lenten roses. They bloom starting in winter all through Lent, and just remind us that new life has come and is ours and that life will spring up again.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150218/b_183039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150218/b_183039.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now it's really snowing. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150224/b_120902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150224/b_120902.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chowing down on snow icecream. Cold!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150223/b_173306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150223/b_173306.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Building is a necessity on cold winter days. Alden kept asking Wally if he thought he was a master builder, and since Wally hadn't seen the Lego Movie yet, Wally said, "I don't think there is such a thing." Well, now you know, daddy, now you know. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_081133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_081133.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then more snow.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_090933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_090933.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These kids didn't mind a bit.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_091730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_091730.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Snowball fight!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_095126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_095126.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anything that is falling or flying in the air, Pippin feels the compulsory need to try to catch with his mouth. Catching dust and hair floating in the air is his main form of entertainment most of the day, so he was thrilled to have Rhi knock snow from the bushes. </span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m6PiFxxr1jo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m6PiFxxr1jo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_092505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_092505.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alden determined to make a big snowman. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_092516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_092516.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rhi joined in. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_093948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_093948.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thankfully they did not make it so big that I couldn't lift the things. Wally was waylaid somewhere en route from Pittsburgh to here. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_145712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_145712.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He thinks he'll get away with Olaf's nose. No no, Sven!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_150321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media1000.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20150226/b_150321.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;">
Well, if the snowman falls apart while making it, improvise and make ducks.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aunt Hannah braved the winter slush to join us in our snowfest.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aunt Hannah and Rhianwen trying to clear the way for sledding. </span></td></tr>
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Uncle Christopher came out from his work related calls to do the heavy lifting that the women folk could not manage.</div>
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Each child made their own personal snowman to knock down with Aunt Hannah's help. We also made a snowfort and pretended to fight some kind of creatures. Corwin made sure we had a nice supply of money and was upset if it was stepped on...since it looked a lot like snow, it was hard to avoid it.</div>
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That evening Wally made it back! We were so glad, and the next morning, we got to play in the snow with him. </div>
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We took a morning hike through our woods and fields. I love the sparkle of it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sledding back in the woods. This is a tradition that the kids insisted Daddy keep. The hills are so much steeper there, and I always forget to open our gate before a big snow, so that cuts our yard's sledding hill in half.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I could not stop them from gobbling snow. Is it any wonder they all 3 got stomach bugs the next week? Well, it likely was unrelated, but I had told them that I would not feel sorry for them if they did get stomach bugs after eating all that snow. Yes, not the best mommy moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of mommy moments, Corwin was upset about the fact that the other 2 kids wanted to play a game instead of just play with toys with him, and was yelling at them about it. I said pretty impatiently, "Corwin, do you think you are the most important person in this house?!" and he wailed, "YEEEEES!!!". Of course, I couldn't leave it at that and said, "Well you are not! Everyone else is just as important as you!" The next day I read the chapter in How to Really Love Your Child that talks about focused attention, and how important it is to make sure you provide times where each child feels like they are the most important person in that moment....yep, thank you God for pointing that one out so clearly.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">More Alden drawing. I love drawings because they reveal how their minds are working, what they think about, what they love to imagine. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">And finally, warmer weather is here. Time for seed starting, soil preparation, and thinking towards spring.<br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Getting ready for church.</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Buttoning his shirt on his own. This picture reminds me of the story We Help Mommy. It is still one of my favorites.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As you maybe can tell, we have completely busted through every footy pj this year. It's been a cold cold winter, but we are thankful for the many signs of spring. The kids already wanted to run barefoot, have watergun fights, go shirtless, and go to the pool after our weather turned warmer.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-79238016921400701162015-03-18T21:42:00.002-05:002015-03-18T21:42:29.742-05:00Happy birthday, Corwin! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Getting serenaded first thing his birthday morning. The day I'm writing this post is my dad's birthday. I'd love to be able to serenade him first thing on his birthday morning, but that would likely involve the sacrifice of getting up around 4:30am.<br />
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Smiling after seeing his awesome skateboard poster. This was later used for a pin-the-tail type game.<br />
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Opening gifts. </div>
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Before his birthday, Corwin sat down with me and asked me with concern if any of his gifts would have wheels on them. I told him I didn't want to tell him because then it wouldn't be a surprise. He got very upset at the thought that he might now have any wheels and started yelling at me, "But, will there be wheels?!!!". Yes, son, there were plenty of wheels. Skates and bicycle. Hopefully he will learn to stop yelling about stuff he wants. </div>
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Corwin wanted a skateboard party. Because his birthday is at the end of January, these outdoor wishes can be tricky, but everyone bundled up, safety-padded up, and had a great time. Yes, that is my brother who is being so goofy. All in the family.</div>
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Finn on a pink scooter. This little guy is the source of much jollity in our lives. He already loves making people laugh.</div>
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With his cousin Benjamin playing lawn ball? Not sure what to call it. Or maybe they are just pretending they have shields as I do not see the ball. </div>
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Wally had to make a ramp for them. One day I asked Corwin if there was anyone who never did anything wrong, and he said, "Um, My fwend Ewi." (Who is pictured here). </div>
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Getting the hang of his new skates with daddy's help. Daddy is wearing a helmet not because he was skateboarding, but because the risk of being taken down while helping a kid was so great...just kidding.</div>
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Using gel pens to make "graffiti" on our table. </div>
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Listening to a skateboard story, which is now a favorite of his.</div>
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Treasure hunt. Note, Corwin is not to be found. He is off likely doing his own thing.</div>
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He did not want to be blindfolded.</div>
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Blowing out his candles.</div>
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Can you tell what happened next? Yes, the licking of the candles. This is why we are always in short supply of them each birthday.</div>
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Sad that the party it done. </div>
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Corwin has become very interested in doing school this year, and often brags about doing all by himself...as you can imagine, he still has a lot to learn after doing school all by himself ;) He's really enjoyed listening to our composer studies and special kid cds about them and often asks for "Baldi" which is his way of saying Vivaldi. </div>
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Corwin has become much more verbal this year and has begun thinking a lot about God, death, and heaven. After nap one day, he was sitting in my lap (you know the need little children have to sit after a nap and not do or say much for up to a half hour? this was new to me when I had Rhianwen, but not any longer!)...and he said out of the blue, "But Mama, where Jesus is making a place for us, there will be no toys!". I told him that if Jesus thought he needed toys in heaven, he certainly would provide them. </div>
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The other day, Corwin came up to me and said, "Mommy, are you happy that God gave you boys?". I said, "Yes! I am SO happy God gave me boys. I love my boys." What a blessing this little boy has been to us. I pray his heart will continue to grow in awareness of and love for his Savior. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-77163900627558511342015-03-18T21:18:00.003-05:002015-03-18T21:18:51.855-05:00January RamblingsI knew that winter was a time when I kind of hibernate, but I didn't realize the extent of it until I saw that the last blog post made was about Christmas! I very much doubt that anyone who looks at this blog wants to resurrect this winter, but I have to document life for us! I'm already feeling overwhelmed with the task.<br />
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January and my guys want to skateboard. To see him master this ramp on video, <a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley/date/2015-01-03/14:01:08" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
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When there was mild weather, we took advantage and hiked the Eno in the mud.</div>
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There is a terrifying suspended bridge there. Terrifying b/c Corwin loves sticking his head out over the river. </div>
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As do my other children.</div>
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I feel like this caption aught to be a poem...to the meter...I'm a little tea pot. Anyone want to think of one?</div>
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And this one needs a broadway type song with it. </div>
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Cocoa mustache anyone?</div>
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Apparently while the adults were in Shepherding Group, the boys tested the concept of cantilevers.</div>
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And zat is where I end my post. For next up eez Corwin's birthday bash.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-2578851502613958672014-12-31T21:59:00.000-05:002014-12-31T22:00:15.596-05:00Christmas CelebrationChristmas was a very full and fun one this year. My parents and Christopher and Hannah all enjoyed portions of Christmas Eve and Christmas day with us. Thinking back a year ago to last Christmas when I was in the midst of determining that my pregnancy was ectopic, I am so thankful to be here with my family, healthy and capable of cooking, hosting, shopping, wrapping, going to our Christmas Eve service without the worry of death...well, as long as you don't count the potential for being burned out of the sanctuary with the candles that everyone was holding. This may sound melodramatic but it is completely true!<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141224/b_213242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141224/b_213242.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging his stocking just so.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_021202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_021202.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gifts wrapped, thanks, in part to my brother and Hannah. We still went to bed after midnight!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_021238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_021238.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stockings hung and filled.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_082513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_082513.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After reading Luke 2, the kids ran down to see the horde. Yes, I felt a bit like the dwarves in The Hobbit once I saw all of it wrapped and under the tree.</td></tr>
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Much of it was from various generous sweet family members. You made some children very very happy!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_083333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_083333.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corwin investigating the remains of Santa's snacking. Corwin helpfully finished it off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_101611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_101611.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acting out the nativity events. </td></tr>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_MHquTCZblE/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/_MHquTCZblE?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/_MHquTCZblE?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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Mary is a bit particular when it comes to the gifts, and Joseph seems to be really taken with the gold :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_104740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_104740.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought this was a great pic with his beard shirt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_122140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_122140.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Grandmama for the wonderful fairy dress! Rhianwen designed it and sent the drawing to Grandmama who then sewed it for her. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday dear Jesus!</td></tr>
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We had fun delivering some hot fresh sticky buns to a few of our neighbors too. We also graced them with a Christmas carol. </div>
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This year I have been struck by Christ being Emmanuel, God with us. I think of how I feel when I am faced with the challenge of being with people who have sin in their life, and how I either want to avoid it, or, if I can't avoid it, I get grumpy about having to figure out how to interact and live out love to them. It is tiring and takes much effort. Then I think how Christ willingly came down to each of us, who have so much sin, to love and save us...me. He wasn't grumpy, He didn't avoid it, He simply came and dwelt in it and does the same here and now with me. Despite my sin, God dwells within me, being and working and doing in me a work of sanctification. I am so so very thankful for this!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_122628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_122628.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alden opening his real bow and arrows. He's loving target practice. The arrows are rubber tipped.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_122910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_122910.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whenever anyone asked Corwin what he was getting for Christmas, he insisted he was getting a skateboard. So we decided not to disappoint him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_123302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_123302.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving Hannah and Christopher their gift. It's been so fun to have them here. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_123413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_123413.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock monkey popper for mom and dad.</td></tr>
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This gift was actually so funny b/c I randomly came across it on Ebay and thought it would be a fun thing for mom and dad. I figured they could put it in the toy stash at their place for when the grandkids came if they didn't decide to have fun with it themselves. Well, then I opened the gift from my Aunt Sue, and she had gotten <i>us</i> the very same thing! Totally crazy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_133948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_133948.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, yes, Pip got a little sumfing too. He was pretty possessive of it for the day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_140718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141225/b_140718.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying out his skateboard and ramp (that Wally made). </td></tr>
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The next day we left for Conway to see my Grandpa and his new wife, Jamie. We hadn't seen him in more than a year, so we were overdue for a visit! We also got to see Uncle Skipper, which was a treat. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141227/b_114155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141227/b_114155.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids enjoyed showing him their planes from Aunt Natalie and Uncle Robeson from Christmas, telling knock knock jokes, and singing their Cantata Christmas song. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141227/b_120158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141227/b_120158.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We really enjoyed meeting Jamie. She is so very sweet and lovely. Grandpa made a good choice :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141227/b_164250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141227/b_164250.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way home we saw a hot air balloon! Wally chased it down back country roads for a better view. </td></tr>
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2015 here we come!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-44897091916377979492014-12-31T21:17:00.002-05:002014-12-31T21:17:53.810-05:00December Smorgasbord <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_202021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_202021.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to decorate and eating the first treat of the Christmas season: Oreos. (Yes, I momentarily forgot our fair trade dedication. Some things are so traditional it is hard to remember we don't do that anymore!).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_202410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_202410.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the decorating very seriously.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_202502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_202502.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kids LOVE decorating. They think each ornament is like a little treasure. I tend to agree!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_202550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_202550.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, fa la la la la, la la la la.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_211909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_211909.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filled that tree up. We have childhood ornaments plus an ornament each year for each of us. I LOVE a full tree. Just full of reminders of so many happy blessings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141204/b_111312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141204/b_111312.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofin' around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday. Alden loved that song this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141206/b_102647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141206/b_102647.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6666660308838px; text-align: start;">Chip the glasses and crack the plates!</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6666660308838px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6666660308838px; text-align: start;">Blunt the knives and bend the forks!</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6666660308838px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.6666660308838px; text-align: start;">That's what Bilbo Baggins hates.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141207/b_174524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141207/b_174524.jpg" height="477" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to sing for the Cantata. Alden is center and Rhi is 2nd row left. Yes, and iPhone shot. They sang How Far Is It to Bethlehem.</td></tr>
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Rhianwen had her first harp recital. I think she did a great job introducing her piece (I caught the very end on video). She did not mutter or look at her, and I was proud even before she played a note. She did a great job and kept going through her little mistakes, and she didn't look nervous (no shaking hands or fingers) to me even though I know she was. A friend of the family very sweetly made Rhianwen a white dress for the recital. I think she envisioned Rhianwen as an angel playing on the harp :) Grandmama and Grandaddy were able to come and listen too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So happy to be done. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Gradmama and Grandaddy for a nice family pic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141214/b_202547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141214/b_202547.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With her teacher and other students. I just love her teacher. She is very affirming and patient and encouraging. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141218/b_184416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141218/b_184416.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome monster art by the boys...a collaborative effort.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141218/b_133408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141218/b_133408.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Aunt Hannah outside the DPAC looking at the Christmas tree walk. </td></tr>
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<div>
This was before Corwin chose to push the button on the yellow security box. At first nothing happened, at which point I did not know whether to feel relieved or worried. Then 2 minutes later, (a point at which had I really had an emergency, I'd either have been shoved into a car or died or cardiac arrest), a voice came on asking if anyone was there and if there was an emergency. Sigh. At least it was not the fire alarm. I just had to bashfully admit that my child had pushed the button. My only consolation is that judging from the position of the box along this Christmas tree walk, it probably gets pushed pretty often this time of year...just par for the course. From that point on, I had Corwin keep his hands in his pockets.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141218/b_202426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141218/b_202426.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alden getting his very first Trail Life badge. </td></tr>
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<div>
This is a group that seeks to mentor boys to be leaders, to serve well, and to experience nature. The troop in Durham has just started, so everything is still being worked out organizationally, but Wally and Alden are having a great time. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141218/b_203100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141218/b_203100.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The younger portion of the troop. It's been fun to see them form closer friendships.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141220/b_093211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141220/b_093211.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the first early morning snow. As you can see, PJ's are still being worn. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141220/b_202325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141220/b_202325.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas cookies! Thank you Hannah for delivering coffee and help!</td></tr>
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141220/b_182158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media801.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141220/b_182158.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alden has really gotten into playing checkers. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141220/b_205704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media800.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141220/b_205704.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family devotions around the fire.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141221/b_204638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media802.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141221/b_204638.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advent tree is almost full! Exciting!</td></tr>
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The advent tree is one of my favorite things about Christmas. Going through the prophesies and accounts of Christ's birth is just so special. Using Scripture, symbols, and song is just such a meaningful way to meditate on Jesus' work of love through history to His people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141222/b_134909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141222/b_134909.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Morgan Imports getting really excited about Christmas!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-77306012920722276082014-12-30T22:27:00.001-05:002014-12-30T22:27:36.946-05:00Thanksgiving<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_001334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141202/b_001334.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thankful Tom Turkey. We did a good job this year! He's nice and fluffy full.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141125/b_194035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141125/b_194035.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We painted the boys' room green, the shade they agreed upon. Now they are enjoying battling it out in there. We still need to put the last layer of chalkboard paint on the wall under their window.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_192822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_192822.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading bedtime stories to Corwin and his cousin Benjamin. They had so much fun playing together!</td></tr>
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<div>
When we get together, our kids like scheming about how nice it would be to live together every day!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141230/b_220559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141230/b_220559.jpg" height="244" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Uncle Averett and Aunt Jaime. I forgot my nice camera, so everything was taken on my iPhone :(</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_113833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_113833.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making place cards for the feast.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_105355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_105355.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Mr. Eggplant, a Tinsley family tradition, to grace the table.Yes, this is serious business. It takes many men to get the job done.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_105809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_105809.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting on Mr. Eggplant's face.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_111646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_111646.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_084919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141127/b_084919.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now for the cooking. Yes, men can do that too! They enjoyed making cornbread stuffing with Grandmama.</td></tr>
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<div>
I often am a terrible photodocumenter when it comes to large family gatherings. I'm just too busy enjoying eating, watching, and catching up with people. So I didn't get a single photo of Smiley (my cute little niece) nor of her parents nor of Andy and Gina who are Greats for the kids. So sad :(</div>
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We had a wonderful time, and I am so thankful that we all share the same faith. Fellowship is sweet.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-32371513441740193562014-12-30T21:33:00.002-05:002014-12-30T21:33:34.081-05:00Living in the LightHomeschooling it. We've been studying the Middle Ages this fall, so we took an afternoon to make subtleties and mead.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141020/b_134732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141020/b_134732.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers! Enjoying a nonalcoholic version of mead, a favorite of the Vikings.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141024/b_140937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141024/b_140937.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corwin's subtleties (bird's eggs and nests).</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141024/b_140915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141024/b_140915.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhianwen's were flowers and birds and insects.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141024/b_140837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141024/b_140837.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alden's were towers. And yes they were all edible!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141026/b_133233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141026/b_133233.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bunch of people at the ocean. I just LOVE his drawings. They make me happy. Yes, his face is dirty quite often. I try, but often fail to follow through after reminding him to go wash it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141031/b_172038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141031/b_172038.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaning out a pumpkin on Halloween.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141031/b_172007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141031/b_172007.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So enjoyably icky.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141031/b_171738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141031/b_171738.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pumpkins represent us and our hearts in need of cleansing and filling with the light of Christ.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141031/b_181640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141031/b_181640.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So happy to be shining. Still unique but all with the same light. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141105/b_100629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141105/b_100629.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Fireman is all business.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141111/b_134556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141111/b_134556.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plants to the left sprouted in the dark, to the right in the light. Fun little experiment for the kids. I could wax eloquent on how this makes me think of people and our need for Christ's true light for thriving, and how we think we are growing wonderfully on our own but end up being really kind of sick and weak and constantly searching. But it really was just a science experiment.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141118/b_142619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141118/b_142619.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish. Alden loves it, but I'm not sure if he really is following. Rhi is following but hates having to figure it out or getting things incorrect.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141118/b_142551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141118/b_142551.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framed this and put it in his room. He gets SO messy, but he loves it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141122/b_205737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141122/b_205737.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Hannah reading Petit Rouge Riding Hood, a story that is written in New Orleans English. REALLY fun to read once you figure it out. You can see Hannah's look of concentration. This is her first time through it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Christopher reading to Alden.</td></tr>
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Why, do you say, are they here randomly? Because they were visiting to scout out Durham! They now live 10 minutes from us!!! Yay! Please pray for their search for a church home and small group. We know from experience how difficult it is to start feeling rooted without one.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow! Just a theme of light. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-64665924793286125192014-12-30T20:35:00.001-05:002014-12-30T20:37:39.603-05:00Rhianwen is 8!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The one who started this whole confusing, crazy, sweet, frustrating, fun, inspiring, eternal parenting journey. I just remember how excited we were to hold this little life. How crazy to see that she is more than halfway to being my height.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141004/b_071007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141004/b_071007.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We didn't catch her in bed, but we sang happy birthday first thing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141004/b_072044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141004/b_072044.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reading her cards. The boys are on the edge of their seats!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141004/b_193146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141004/b_193146.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They love licking the candles. Now you will wonder when you come for other birthdays...are those the ones that were licked???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For her birthday party, Rhianwen wanted a sleepover. I limited it to 4-5 of friends of her choosing, and we had a fun time. They didn't get to sleep until 1am and had a lot fun!</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141017/b_204741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141017/b_204741.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The result of blindfolded girls putting Olaf back together. Pretty good!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141017/b_184835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141017/b_184835.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hid Anna's/Marie-Grace's winter stuff for the girls to find and get her ready for cold winter weather.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141017/b_191357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141017/b_191357.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A "sleigh ride" down the hill during our treasure hunt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had an ice relay, "sleigh ride", snowball fight against Marshmallow the monster snowman as part of our treasure hunt, and did lots of crafts like making snowflakes and painting winter scenes, and of course watched Frozen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually enjoyed having so much time to do things instead of feeling so rushed to pack things into a 2 hour party window!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What to say about my girl? I always try to sum up her little life in a paragraph at the end of her birthday posts, but Wally is sawzalling in the same room and Corwin is screaming for me from his bedroom, and it is hard to hear myself think! So you see why I'm very behind on blogging...life is not conducive to writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rhianwen has begun learning to play the harp this year and singing in children's choir, both things she loves. She's composed 2-3 songs on her own too...not Mozart, but really writing down notes on a score and putting words to it. She has loved having a dog, and his cuteness has not worn off to her. She is still very much into imaginative play. She constantly talks, if not to a person, to tell stories and narrate what she is acting out. This makes her great at making conversation but not always great at being a listener. She has had doubts about the truth of Scripture this year, but after working through the logic, she is convinced that it is believable and not a myth or fairytale. She loves dancing and also does this constantly and still hopes to be a ballerina when she grows up. I just pray that God will make His calling clear to her and that she will have the desire to walk in it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So thankful for my sweet girl even if we are so very different!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-79355584652486361192014-11-24T22:49:00.003-05:002014-11-24T22:49:41.067-05:00Mountain Ramblings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_075632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_075632.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So excited to be in the mountains in their loft in the A-frame.</td></tr>
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Way too much has happened since last writing. Mountain trip, birthday party, visits with friends and family, and homeschool galore. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S'mores of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_194627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_194627.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">The kids love their Grandpa's Forgetful Jones stories.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Swinging at Saluda's playground. I love Alden's sweet smile. It just makes me happy (if he's smiling and behaving, that is. It can drive me insane if I'm trying to get him to get serious).</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_132825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_132825.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Paddling despite the gear.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_133015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_133015.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Not to be outdone, little brother took his own kayak out.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_133026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_133026.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Big Sister kept an eye on him.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_132056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_132056.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The intrepid adventurers managed to evade harm from their paddles.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_131250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_131250.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Rhianwen loves the freedom of zipline screaming.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_130251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_130251.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">They could have done this every day all day. We heard a few complaints about the other subpar activities, but we commented that we were glad they liked it so much.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">On his own again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">These goofy pictures are my kids' favorites when going through their memory books, so I had to post one with NannyKim at Sky Top Orchard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Apple Cider donuts. Notice the hand claiming the next to last one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_101552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20141009/b_101552.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">With Grandpa and NannyKim picking apples. We just finished them today, and we were there in the beginning of October. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hiking to Bradley Falls. It was such a gorgeous day. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Wally enjoying the morning light streaming through trees and mist. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Their proximity to the cliff edge made NannyKim very nervous.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Carl Sandberg house. The kids loved listening to his folk music and seeing the goats. Their favorite song was called A Horse Named Bill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Petting a goat. Sandberg's wife raised champion milkers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">We be's way too goofy. You can just see Pippin's butt behind me. He came too!</td></tr>
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The mountains are just one of my favorite places to be especially in fall. I have so many memories of family trips from when I was a kid too. My favorite one being dad blowing out the speakers in our van playing Saents Saens Organ Symphony. Priceless!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-70323913428471728862014-10-20T21:52:00.000-05:002014-10-20T21:52:06.511-05:00Another lost to Glory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wally's Grandmama, the children's Greatmama, went home to Jesus in late September. Her heart for the Lord always shone, and even when she had lost much of her faculties to dementia, her mind and heart still had a firm grip on her Savior and His word. Such an amazing testimony. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 "<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20130302/b_133003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20130302/b_133003.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Greatmama holding up a picture Rhi made for her.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140927/b_151645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140927/b_151645.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Getting smashy hugged by cousin Benjamin.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140927/b_151823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140927/b_151823.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Aunt Jaime and Averett making sure some peoples are behavin'. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140927/b_172112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140927/b_172112.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After the funeral trying to tie his shoe. Greatmama would have been impressed.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">"Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence." 2 Corinthians 4:13-14. Greatmama always spoke about her Savior, and we will be with her one day in His presence.</span></span><div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-7986661284477393272014-10-20T21:16:00.001-05:002014-10-20T21:16:12.964-05:00Yay, Verily, Yay!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My brother Christopher got married (said in squealy, happy voice) to a wonderful lovely person! We are so happy to be able to officially call Hannah an Aunt and Sista!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_122240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_122240.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most gorgeous couple of 2014 along with their nephews and niece.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140919/b_185921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140919/b_185921.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking dapper in the hat Christopher and Hannah gave him.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_100324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_100324.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you see why we are thrilled? Hannah is so down to earth and fun.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_122931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_122931.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All spiffed up.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids did a great job in their roles. Alden was the ring bearer and Rhianwen was a flower girl. Wally was an usher and was also responsible for helping open the enormous cathedral doors to reveal Hannah in all her splendor. Pretty awesome job. I got to enjoy it from the pew with Corwin.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_131250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_131250.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Writing notes to Christopher and Hannah.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_143555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media702.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_143555.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad and other brother, Skipper. Skip did a great job being the best man.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_151648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_151648.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time to party!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_152409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_152409.jpg" height="640" width="378" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dancing with her little brother. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_152419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_152419.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dancing with my handsome boy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_154026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_154026.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you tell we danced a lot? It was way to special to miss out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_154051.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A look into the future? I hope so :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_154312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_154312.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dancing with Grandpa. Might be the only time, unless he does at her wedding :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_155718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140920/b_155718.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did anyone say cake?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just am so looking forward to spending family get togethers with the 2 of them! Thankful for God's providence. I've prayed for this moment for years.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-73589592993823730812014-09-28T22:36:00.000-05:002014-09-28T22:36:28.600-05:00Acadia, Maine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We kicked off our homeschool year with a trip to Acadia National Park, Maine. It was amazing, and despite the fact that Corwin had a stomach bug all week, and I got it for a day, we still all had a fantastic time. The weather was gorgeous, and the scenery was storybook. I felt like we had walked into a fairy tale. But I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, even though the pictures can't even do the place justice.</div>
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On our trip up we were sweetly hosted by a Andy P. from our days in Clemson who now lives in RI with 2 adorable twin boys and his sweet wife who was away visiting friends. It takes a big heart to open your house to 3 kids, the 2 of us and our puppy! I did take pics but decided I'd better refrain from posting in a public place without permission. Thank you for a wonderful visit!</div>
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We are here! The kids maintained a high level of enthusiasm and excitement and exhaustion the entire time. Imagine them constantly talking or singing or moving repetitively and you'll get the picture. A man asked us if we had spotted any wild-life, and Wally very truly said, "We scare it off long before we see it!"</div>
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<a href="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140901/b_132153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media700.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140901/b_132153.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Canoeing Eagle Lake. The water was crystal clear. We could see the rocks at the bottom until the bottom got so deep that sunlight could not penetrate.</div>
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The kids found an old house on one side of the lake, and the woods behind were full of huckleberries which they consumed in vast quantities. (No, this was not the reason for the stomach troubles...mom...only Corwin had it and he had it before eating). ;0)</div>
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Our campsight in Blackwoods Campground in the National Park. We set up in the pouring rain, but thankfully, that was the last of it for the week.</div>
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You can't stay frustrated with those little faces for long even if they do scare all of the wildlife from here back to NC.</div>
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<a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140902/b_103153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140902/b_103153.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Getting eaten alive by the only wildlife not afraid of them...a dinosaur coming out of the ground.</div>
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<a href="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140902/b_111139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media701.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140902/b_111139.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Hiking down a trail with lots of old sea caves and "squeezers". I can't remember the name of the mountain right now! The kids LOVED it.</div>
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Corwin found a nice little "chair" to rest on. </div>
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At the top of? still can't remember what mountain...sadly we couldn't see b/c of the fog. This was the only day with thick fog all day!</div>
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We loved seeing birch trees!</div>
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Seeing tidal pools for the first time.</div>
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Poor Corwee feeling a little off. Pippin is doing what he does so well.</div>
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We went to a Ranger Program on Tidal Pools. Corwin loved it even though they had to list him as a 5 year old to allow him to come.<br />
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Eating at Thurston's Lobster Pound. It was awesome! And they let dogs come too :)</div>
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The harbor and Thurston's. We saw them bringing in the lobster.</div>
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The kids found it fascinating. Rhi had to be encouraged not to think about the poor live one we picked now not alive and on our plate, but she managed to enjoy it.</div>
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At Bass Harbor Light House.</div>
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Thunder Hole. Womp-Womp hole more like it even at high tide, but it was pretty cool.</div>
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We canoed in the ocean one day in a little strip between islands. There were many starfish hanging on the rocks. </div>
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"Swimming" at Echo Lake. It was cold <i>outside </i>the water. I don't know how they did it.</div>
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Dinner at the campground. We made lots of food ahead of time so we just had to warm up and serve.</div>
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Making S'mores.</div>
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Jordan Pond and the Bubbles. I really wish we had been feeling well enough and had time enough to have tea at the tea house there, but, alas, we did not. Perhaps if Wally and I go back there for a second honeymoon or something ;0)</div>
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Hiking on the odd tree path around the pond.</div>
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Swimming at Sand Beach. Even though Corwin had a cast, he could get in with his cast cover. They had great fun jumping over the waves and playing in the sand.</div>
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We found a real sea cave to explore that had tidal pools in it too. Alden especially thought this was awesome.</div>
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One of the tidal pools' amazing ecosystems. </div>
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On top of Cadillac Mountain. No, we were wimps and could not get up for the first sunrise in the USA.</div>
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We saw a schooner sailing between the Porcupine Islands.</div>
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The view (only about 1/4 of it). </div>
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Last stop was to see a cobblestone beach. These are a little larger than cobbles, but that is where they got cobbles from. Just picked them up off of beaches and stuck them in their streets!</div>
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So sad to leave. </div>
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The kids enjoyed seeing New York City from afar all lit up at night, and we went to worship at the National Cathedral in DC on the way home. This was nice b/c we're studying the Middle Ages, and it is built in Gothic style with flying buttresses and all.</div>
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National Cathedral in DC.</div>
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Now do you see why I counted this as our first week of homeschool? </div>
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First day of school back at home. You can see the bags under their eyes, but they did great jumping right in to more traditional style lessons.</div>
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Not to leave Corwin out...I never felt it necessary to call this stage anything, but he REALLY wanted to do school. Each day he begs me to do math and to do an ABC page. Our life and hence school has been pretty hectic so far this school year, but I really want to include math and learning ABC sounds in his day each day if I can. </div>
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I'm learning to expect not to know what each day is going to be like. It works better for my sanity.</div>
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However, Maine, I think, exceeded our expectations, and we are so glad we could take the kids to such a beautiful part of God's creation. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-26967443108851834792014-08-25T20:57:00.001-05:002014-08-25T21:05:01.308-05:00A Series of Unfortunate Events<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: left;">Happy baby shower for Aunt Clara and Uncle Brooks. Cousin Mary Ruth had way too much fun helping. We were so thankful we could be there to celebrate a new little boy who will soon make an appearance!</span></div>
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Mary Ruth feeding Corwin a grape, I think. She's going to be a great big sister. Clara's gonna have to keep a sharp eye on her. Mary Ruth, "Grape in baby brother's mouth? Good idea!".</div>
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August has been full of the kind of events that individually don't seem like a lot but collectively have made me tense and like I am out of my mind. Here's the list in summary:<br />
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Pippin's Heart<br />
Corwin's Arm<br />
Alden's Ear<br />
Overheating car<br />
Wrecked our 2 vans<br />
Traffic ticket<br />
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We seriously could have aired our own Liberty Mutual commercial...you know...the "Humans" one:<br />
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It has reminded me that I have absolutely no room to be angry at my family for all of those bad decisions and thoughtless mistakes. We are all in this life together, making mistakes and dumb decisions large and small, and we need to give grace and love each other. That doesn't mean that I will teach my children to drive...that is still Wally's job!<br />
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So, I'll start from the top:<br />
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At the first vet visit for Pippin, oh so long ago, a heart murmur was detected. It didn't go away, and b/c this breed acquires mitral valve disease later in life which results in heart murmurs, our vet pushed for an ultrasound to determine the location and problem. It ended up being the same valve that later causes problems. Likely it is not the mitral valve disease but a congenital (born with it) thickening of the valve. However, this has implications for how the later acquired disease might progress. SO, we got a whole lot of money back AND got to keep Pippin, who currently is not affected in the slightest by this problem. (As you can see from the picture, Corwin thinks he is a puppy too). Do you wonder why he has a broken elbow? This type of injury could easily happen on any given day with him...and it is not just I who thinks so, he has also frightened our piano teacher and pediatrician. Thankful for guardian angels!!!<br />
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Corwin thought he was 007 or something and decided that he could jump off of the playground platform, catch hold of the monkey bars one-handed, and actually hang on. In trying, he landed on his elbow and broke it. A visit to the urgent care followed by almost 2 days of waiting (they actually offered an appointment to the orthopedist for 5 days after he injured it...I refused and got an earlier one), we finally got the word it was broken (as if this mommy had any doubt...I hate the whole medical system at times), and got a cast on it. Corwin was much happier once his poor little elbow was stabilized in the cast, and I think it's the rest of us who are SO ready for it to come off (hopefully tomorrow). We've taken a break from swimming, biking, romping, and had quite a few minor injuries from that hard shell of a cast connecting with our heads, arms, bellies etc. You can see that it has not slowed him down in the slightest, and he is learning his alphabet by hitting a balloon and yelling out the sound that Aa makes. He plans to celebrate the removal of his cast by going to a splashground. He also plans to be a "fwyer" when he grows up (aka flyer aka pilot, "But not on a shooter plane. Just on a BIG fast plane with lots of people."). When I commented that he could give us free tickets so we could travel all over the world, he said, "Yeah. I can fwy you to the moon!". Well, that's not quite the world, but we'll skip that for now.<br />
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During this time, my van has been randomly overheating. Then to top that, I decided to back into it using Wally's van. Double whammy. Suffice it to say, I knew it was there, I forgot it was there, I was trying to miss a pole over my right shoulder, and forgot to look back over my left shoulder. SIGH. And I was not going very slowly either. Rhianwen got out of the van and said, "It's ok mommy. You are still the best mommy in the world."<br />
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A bright spot in it all was getting to see some friends/family for whom we have been praying as they walk through brain cancer with their littlest (who chose the chair closest to the TV and outside of this picture). Here they are watching The Croods...yes, I relate to that movie at this point.<br />
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Then just an hour before our monthly date night, Alden decided that spinning around and falling into a bush was awesome fun and repeated it only to get his ear sliced by a branch. We decided after consulting our family doctor (literally...Wally's brother...who probably wishes we'd stop calling him with every medical problem we have), to slap some liquid bandaid on it and hope and pray for the best. It was really nasty, but in a place where stitches would have been impossible. It seems to be healing pretty well. Too bad Alden wasn't wearing this get-up when he was spinning into bushes, that cardboard could have saved his ear.<br />
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Rhianwen very sweetly made a robot costume for Corwin too. My kids constantly want scissors, tape, boxes, paper, cloth, nails, and wood to create stuff like this. Apparently this fall, I need to give them some sewing, welding, and carpentry lessons.<br />
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Lastly, the traffic ticket, I am happy to say was not my own! It was Wally's for rolling through a stop sign. Phew! But I couldn't even get snippy about it b/c he was SO gracious about the vans. ;0)<br />
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Rhianwen has been the only child so far unscathed which is a little unbelievable b/c she is accident prone. She has been asking for harp lessons for 2 years, and a homeschool mom offered some, so I decided to see that as an open door. We shall see! It is a very pretty instrument. Maybe God knew we needed some soul-soothing around here.<br />
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Our kids got the genius idea of connecting their swings together so they did not have to listen to Corwin screaming at them to push him in his swing. Now when Rhi and Alden pump, Corwin gets taken along with them. This is why summer is not a waste of time....school outside of school....problem solving, team work, ingenuity, creativity, service, FUN. And Corwin learned how to pump, even if he is still too lazy to do it often.<br />
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Other projects they have been busy doing: folding construction paper in half, cutting random curvy shapes, opening them back up, drawing monster faces on it, and taping them all over their walls and beds. Cutting pieces of paper and labeling everything (I have labels for my cabinets that say "cabinets", for my clock, for their chairs, for the bathroom etc.). Writing a daily schedule of when they will play what, such as: 1h-read, 1h-play Star Wars, 1h-play Tod, 1/2h-eat lunch, 1h-draw...etc. I told them since this is the last week of summer, they'd better get busy with it ;0)<br />
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I've recently finished reading <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/resource/the-five-love-languages-of-children/" target="_blank">The Five Love Languages of Children</a> and I was reminded how imbalanced I am at loving them well. I'm excited to try to discover each child's primary love language and to start practicing all of them (Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Gifts, Acts of Service, Quality Time) with them as well as Wally. When I was spending some one-on-one time with Alden, he told me the funniest thing, "Sometimes I pretend my pieces of food are kingdoms, and when I eat them, they are conquered." Maybe I should try that. I might feel a bit more in control...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-13718334040490403942014-08-12T06:27:00.001-05:002014-08-12T06:28:05.569-05:00Frozen Dance Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rhianwen was so totally thrilled that she could go to dance camp at her studio <a href="http://www.ncdanceinstitute.com/" target="_blank">North Carolina Dance Institute</a> where they did crafts, dances, and even got to watch the movie Frozen. At the end of the week they did a performance for all of the families. It was so cute and fun for her! She was the "future Elsa" and got to dance with an older student who assisted that week and who was so sweet to all the little ones.</div>
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Wally got pics with his phone (I'm too lazy to crop). Rhi is in a few classes with the other little girl in the picture.</div>
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Alden's head made it in this one :)</div>
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Ta daaaa!</div>
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For those of you (grandmas) who want to watch most of it, you can see below (click on the next one for the ending--my memory card filled up, and Wally had to do the rest on his phone---also, we cut out the In Summer dance since Rhi was not in it...her dance instructor said she was too mature for that one :):</div>
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I'm so thankful she has something that is so fun and enjoyable that builds her confidence. I'm praying God will use it in amazing ways as she grows. Because we are Sabbatarians her opportunities are limited (for example, can't audition for the professional Nutcracker which takes children from all kinds of studios in the area b/c half of their rehearsals are on Sundays.) But we know God has given her this talent for a reason even if it will not be used to its fullest in this life, she will still have those skills in the life to come. We are thankful too for her submissive spirit to His ways. One day, those decisions will be completely her own, but for now she rests in our convictions and believes them as well.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-89410720578545587722014-08-11T21:35:00.000-05:002014-08-11T21:35:30.883-05:00Happy Birthday Dear Alden!Wow, am I behind on blogging. We have had one thing after another of minor catastrophes...but that is for the August post...SO<br />
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Alden had quite the birthday celebration. The weekend of his birthday, Wally decided to cash in on our Groupon to Wheels Fun Park, and they all had a blast riding go-carts, climbing, and roller skating.<br />
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Feelin' so cool.</div>
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Does anyone find this video hilarious? I remember loving roller skating and wonder if I thought I was speeding around when I was really just doing this: </div>
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I had to put all 3 (feel free to skip, it was just too funny to me):<br />
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Happy birthday to our 6 year old! We are singing to him first thing in the morning.<br />
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So happy.<br />
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Matchbox cars/motorcycle and a track to run them on. He's been asking for this for a year.<br />
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Super pleased.<br />
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Blowing out 6 candles! I cannot believe it :( :)<br />
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Then it was time for a Star Wars/Clone Wars party. No, he has not seen any movies or cartoons, but he reads the easy readers from the library (blah...I hate them, but let him read the boring poorly written things occasionally just b/c he loves them so very much). His friend Micah gave him this totally awesome helmet.<br />
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Hand to hand combat with Uncle Christopher.<br />
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Creating their own light sabers. THE easiest craft I have ever organized. They used red and green masking tape and various sharpies to create a personalized light saber.<br />
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Of course we used them! On each other and those bad storm trooper balloon guys who kept popping up--sadly it was very difficult to annihilate them. If you want balloons to pop get them from Walmart not Party City ;0) However, the young Padawans did not seem to mind learning the skill of perseverance and team work.<br />
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Then it was warp speed on the slip and slide---Han Solo aka Wally used a rope and his own brawn to catapult them into deep space:<br />
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Yes, he was sore the next day...and the next.<br />
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Chewbacca aka Grandaddy helped keep everything running smoothly.<br />
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We again did a treasure hunt this year. It worked nicely with the Bible verses from I Corinthians 13 b/c so much of Star Wars/Clone Wars is about the choice between power and love and has plenty of actions like prophetic powers, understanding all knowledge, power to move mountains etc. It segued nicely.<br />
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Getting a clue.<br />
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Then the kids had fun with their blasters (water guns). It mostly was just a squirt fest.<br />
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Ze cake. He had a clone wars rice paper picture. I tried a fat free cake, and I got comments about it tasting kind of like apple muffins, burnt, or yucky. Point taken, point taken...sigh. :) It mostly got devoured anyway.<br />
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We were so happy to have Grandmama and Grandaddy stay with us and go to church with us the next day!<br />
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I am so thankful for my first boy Alden. He has a servant's heart and is almost always willing to help especially if he views the task as unique or special or truly important. He loves daddy so very much, and there is almost nothing better than spending time working on a project or participating in an activity with him. He is very creative with Legos and K'nex but can also follow detailed instructions for construction. He has become much more musical this year, can carry a tune pretty well, and is making progress in piano. Reading is coming along. I think he thinks he cannot read very well, but, when he is motivated, he can read anything he puts his mind to. He told me this year he would like to learn to carve and to build things with a hammer and nails and wood. For his birthday he asked for a Bible study book similar to what I have been doing with Rhianwen. I pray that he will continue to desire learning God's ways of wisdom as he has this summer. </div>
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The treasure map we made with God's words of wisdom leading the way. Alden LOVED this visual depiction and idea.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-49086911366226588182014-07-15T20:01:00.001-05:002014-07-15T21:55:46.788-05:00Put Me in Summer and I'll Be a---Fullness. That is how I'd describe summer. Full of life, unpredictability, spontaneity, and motion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-06-13/18:31:09" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media601.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140613/183109.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Corwin and a little friend enjoying dinner together.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">A kind of big change in our house the past month or so is that Wally watched <a href="http://www.forksoverknives.com/about/" target="_blank">Forks Over Knives</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and decided to try going what I call vegan+ and what Wally calls whole-foods, plant-based diet. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Basically, vegan with little added salt, sugar, oils, or processing. No, we aren't dieting. Obviously, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">if you've seen Wally, you know he doesn't need it, and personally, I think I'm just about perfect ;0)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> My parents have tried to convince us of the benefits for a while, but it took some time and the </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">documentary, and, shall I say prayer on my part, for Wally to buy it. I found him watching the movie </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">on his own one night, and I didn't even know there was one. Anyway, if anything, it shows me that </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">prayer works even if the diet doesn't solve our health problems :) Now, for those of you who are</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> thinking, "Well, scratch them off the list of people to have over for dinner." Please don't. We will </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">eat what we are served and enjoy it without guilt. This is just a lifestyle/health change for us; not </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">something moral. And if you choose to make a foray into vegan cooking for us, we'll be happy </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">about that too. We understand from experience how difficult it is these days to satisfy every diet</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> in even one family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Surprisingly our kids have barely noticed. They still eat and enjoy, but might comment about how </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">they only will get special sugary rich foods on their birthdays or at other friend's houses now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Alden and Corwin making crepes for our little book study on France.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Alden's "soft house" inspired from a book. He built it each day for rest time for almost 2 weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The kids had fun at VBS, and, as always, one of their favorite things were the puppets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-06-28/13:18:27" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media601.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140628/131827.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When they got home, they put on puppet shows and made their own scenery. If you think Alden has</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">drawn a disproportionately large figure in blue, you'd be correct. He is supposed to be a giant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And now that we have Pippin, our rowdy day occasionally continues past the kids' bedtime. This time</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> it was pretty hilarious. Sorry about the garish yellow floor. It looks especially bad in the camera at night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Somehow he got his head stuck in the dog toy. I probably should have spared him the embarrassment,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> but I had to get a clip; it was too funny.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Other Pippin fun:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">"FREEDOM!". If you don't know, watch Braveheart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-06-30/19:20:54" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media600.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140630/192054.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Catch with Daddy. Or should I say, throw with daddy, since catching would be the part that happens</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-07-03/21:11:21" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media602.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140703/211121.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I finally had a hankering to go camping after having kids. So we went over Independence Day. The</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">kids were SO excited. Especially Corwin. This is how our conversations went leading up to the big</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">day: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">M: Corwin, sit down and eat your supper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">C: I want to go camping. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">M: What do you say when I tell you to do something? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">C: I want to go camping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">M: (SIGH) Sit down and eat your food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">C: I WANT TO GO CAMPING!!! Boo hoo!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">M: I know you want to go camping. We will go camping tomorrow. But if you want to go camping tomorrow, you need to sit down and eat your food now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Daddy exits line of vision.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">C: Where did daddy go? Did he go camping? I want to go camping!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">M: No, daddy just stepped out to get something out of the car. Daddy will not go camping without</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">you. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">C: I want to go camping.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Imagine similar conversations every, oh, 15 minutes for 3 days. I was already insane before we go</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then when we got to the campsite: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">C: I want to go to bed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">M: We need to set up the tent and eat supper, then you can go to bed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">C: I want to go to bed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ad infinitum...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The first night went great until Corwin somehow managed to dump a whole cup of water in his</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> face while he slept. You can imagine the cacophony that ensued. Mommy ended up with the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">wet pillow in exchange for blessed silence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The next day, we went canoeing. We saw osprey and these neat little birds that built their nests</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">from mud under the bridges. I have yet to find out what they were. The kids' favorite thing was</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> to ride the wake of the motorboats after they passed. Pippin didn't know what to think of the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> water. We think he thought it was a solid surface because he jumped out of the boat almost</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">right away, sunk, swam, got dragged back in, and never tried that again. He ended up really</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">enjoying canoeing with his little front paws hanging over the side of the boat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">We had some good friends come to camp that night. Everyone had a great time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-07-04/18:41:02" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media601.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140704/184102.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Alden and his friend playing soccer in an empty camp site.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-07-04/17:41:02" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media600.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140704/174102.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Testing the weight capacity for our canoe. Didn't max it out! It actually made me think of the Sound </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">of Music with the boat that capsizes.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-07-05/10:00:45" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media601.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140705/100045.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Throwing rocks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;">The camping trip was a bit of an experiment to see if we thought it would work to camp for a week </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;">in Acadia National Park in Maine in September. We made reservations when we got back. Hopefully it won't rain!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-07-07/14:37:23" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media602.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140707/143723.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We started up our little mom and me Bible study for the summer. This time we are going through A Girl after God's Own Heart. On the cover it is labeled for "tweens". I hate that term. I don't care if</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> there are varied stages of childhood, you don't need to give it a special label and marketing. I</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> think it is so harmful to the little psyche to start labeling yourself into a category like that...as if </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">you were expected to fit a mold of attitudes, interests, and struggles. Anyway, the book is fine, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and the girls are taking charge going through their answers together, which has been fun to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-07-11/11:07:23" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media602.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140711/110723.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bwackbeywies, as Corwin would say, unless he calls them stwawbeywies or bwuebeywies. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The kids came in with a little less than 1/2 cup and begged me to do something with it. So I </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">said we'd need to get more. Our park is full of them, even more so than our back field, so we </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">gathered some one morning. Corwin was like Little Sal and ate nearly every berry he picked.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> He came up to me and said: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">C: Wook! I got 1,000 bwackbeywies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">M: Oh! Wow! Let's count them!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">C: One, two, fwee!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It really <i>was </i>three. He didn't seem to note the discrepancy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Another cute conversation:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">M: You're getting so big!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">C: Yeah, my potty is gone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">M: That's because you are so big. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">C puts hand on head: Yeah, I get all the way to my head. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/M0-uV1v433I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We're trying to memorize the love verses from I Corinthians. This was week 2 on verse 1. So </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">proud of him!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-07-12/13:42:34" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media602.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140712/134234.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Rhianwen on the big slip and slide daddy made in preparation for Alden's birthday party. I just </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">pray no one will get injured. She had 2 teeth pulled this month and took it like a champ. This </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">month she also found out that her "best friend", a girl friend next door, moved away without us </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">knowing that the last goodbye was the last. Rhianwen was very sad. The boys are sad they lost </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">their cool older boy friend who also lived next door. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dropshots.com/etinsley#date/2014-07-12/13:42:23" target="_blank"><img alt="Untitled" src="http://media600.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140712/134223.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pure joy.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-45494423474833484182014-06-12T21:42:00.002-05:002014-06-12T21:42:27.615-05:00Busy Living<div style="text-align: left;">
End of year performances, traveling to a conference, finishing school, starting summer, getting a puppy, getting caught up on all kinds of Dr. appointments, and praying hard for friends. My dad would call that burning the candle at both ends, and we are feeling it. But thankfully difficulties often birth joys. </div>
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<a href="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140512/164747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140512/164747.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rhianwen had a very cute observation day in jazz. She has come a long way!</div>
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<a href="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140512/164114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140512/164114.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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"You've got that one thing."</div>
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<a href="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140512/165755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140512/165755.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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My fave part, when Ms. Kirstie had all of the dads dance with the girls and taught them a little routine. I was thanking the Lord that I am a mom b/c I would NOT have been comfortable doing this :)</div>
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<a href="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140515/161817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140515/161817.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Ballet. I just love it. So pretty. Grandmama was able to come to this one. </div>
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So sweet.</div>
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I was very disappointed that I hadn't completely figured out my camera, so I don't have any good video clips from this!!!</div>
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<a href="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140516/130506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140516/130506.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nature walks almost always happen in our backyard. They were drawing pictures of the baby cardinals in their nest. Do you like Corwin's technique?</div>
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<a href="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140521/195609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140521/195609.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nanny Kim, Grandpa, and Uncle Skipper all came to watch the kids while we went to a homeschool conference. Our favorite thing is just getting away, the 2 of us, free to feel like we're back to normal relational life.</div>
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<a href="http://media501.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140531/175834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media501.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140531/175834.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then I was insane enough to want a puppy, and Wally was insane enough to say yes. His name is Pippin and his theme song is Zippity-do-dah except it's Pippity-do-dah. His arch nemesis is Alden's batman cup. If it's on the floor, it's lights out for it. He also likes to eat my rug...any suggestions to stop this behavior? Yes, my girl has shorts on, no, she's not quite got the lady-like thing down yet. She likes to ride the dirt track in skirts.</div>
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Dirt track????</div>
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<a href="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140607/183953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140607/183953.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Uh-huh. Thanks to Wally. Sometimes I wish I could see his thought process...wakes up in the morning, yawns, stretches, makes breakfast, wanders outside, thinks, "I think I'll make a dirt track today." Done.</div>
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<a href="http://media501.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140607/183700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media501.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140607/183700.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Except, Wally thinks the track is the perfect size for Corwin's Strider bike, so it may NOT be done, quite. Guess who got a BMX off of Craigslist? No, not me!</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9-YqO7xPXHk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Some of the fun sans Wally who was taking the video.</div>
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<a href="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140610/072627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140610/072627.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This summer some things I've decided to do are a little bit of Five in a Row, cooking with Rhianwen, art, and maintaining some knowledge of math facts. Since it's Wally's job to cook breakfast, he helped her make Eggs in a Frame (I call it Eggs in a Basket). Grandmama gave her a Betty Crocker Cookbook for Boys and Girls which she is using. Tuesdays are her day to cook. Alden and Corwin now whine and feel left out. I told them if they wanted to pick out a recipe, we could do it. So far, they haven't.</div>
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<a href="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140612/083622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140612/083622.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy birthday dear daddy! I'm still trying to figure out my camera, as you can tell. But I am enjoying it! Can you tell that Alden just absolutely adores Wally? He wants to be just like him when he grows up. I tell him that is a great aspiration. We finally gave Wally the particular frames he wants for his office desk. So now he can put some updated pictures of his family on it along with the ones that are 13 years old. </div>
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<a href="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140612/162317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media502.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140612/162317.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Watching World Cup. Usually Pippin is way too excited to see Corwin, but this was at the end of a long day of playing, so he's calm and sleepy. I've been told this breed will become couch potatoes once they become adults/they are happy with lots of activity or little, so we'll see!</div>
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<br /><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/s_vi/CFvPzA5idv8/default.jpg?sqp=CNC_6ZwF&rs=AOn4CLCCkRQoA0jHv4ni5wEfGdWy6RLWUg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/CFvPzA5idv8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/CFvPzA5idv8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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Corwin was singing a song that Grandpa had sung the week he was here. He's a little unsure in this video clip, but, previously, he was belting it out on the swing, in the car, all over the place :)</div>
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Corwin has been making up fantastic stories. I love that stage when they can start being creative with their words! </div>
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Some funny moments: </div>
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Me: "Corwin, if you spill water on the floor, you need to clean it up."</div>
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Corwin: "That wasn't me. It was the pee."</div>
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Corwin: "I born right now."</div>
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Alden: "Of course you are. You are way way borner now!"</div>
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Corwin (on being told that Daddy was at the dentist): "Aftah he get his teef paint, he get a bouncy ball!".</div>
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If only it were as fun as their visits!</div>
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Yeah. Lots of Corwin, but my older 2 provide many fun conversations too. They are just often way too complicated to write down. :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-50553559013762683312014-05-12T23:09:00.000-05:002014-05-12T23:17:28.416-05:00CelebrationsMay is full of birthdays on the Tinsley side of the family. Celebrating Mother's Day gets tucked in neatly along with it. So, May is a favorite month of mine :0) My sweet husband gave me a new camera, so I am learning how to use it. Here are some of the first pics from it.<br />
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Talking with Farmer Bob while looking for the queen bee at the <a href="https://www.bushnvinefarm.com/" target="_blank">Bush-N-Vine in York, SC</a>. If you are ever in the Rock-Hill area, this is a fun farm to visit, and my husband worked there growing up.</div>
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Feelin' right at home on the farm. Wally says his memories here are tied to crop rotation.</div>
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Fun in the tunnel.</div>
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If you are wondering where Rhianwen was, she was back at the homestead fixin' up some vittles with Grandmama which has been a wish of Rhi's for quite some time. She says Grandmama is the best cook in the world and has wanted to cook with her.</div>
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It was delicious! </div>
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Then it was off to Greenville for my niece's, Kallie's, birthday celebration. Despite the fact that there was an awesome playground 5 feet in front of them, the cousins decided to monkey around in the bushes for a while. </div>
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They got to go on a little train ride. This was after the tunnel with lots of high pitched happy screaming from Benj. Corwin is now assuring him that there are no monsters.</div>
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"Smiley" aka the birthday girl aka Kallie with her awesome mommy.</div>
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Sharing the joys of cupcakes.</div>
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Enjoying the birthday girl and Uncle Robeson.</div>
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Back in York for Mother's Day. We got to see Mary Ruth and her sweet mama and daddy. We had so much fun visiting with them!</div>
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Happy Mother's Day, Grandmama!</div>
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So thankful to be part of such a sweet, kind, wise family. I'm so thankful for Ruth's mothering to my husband and for always being available and valuing our relationship.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-74928034492505553892014-05-12T22:47:00.002-05:002014-05-12T23:17:42.115-05:00Risen and CampingAlthough I am playing catch-up, we still have our "He is Risen" banner up in our dining room! The kids keep asking when we will take it down. Soon, soon. But we are glad the fact is there to stay.<br />
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Dyeing Easter Eggs. I had to donate one of mine to the little boy b/c he was so enthralled with this activity. </div>
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Resurrection cookies: sealing the "tomb".</div>
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Adding the last picture to the Easter road.</div>
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Easter baskets! I felt like I had to especially tell Rhianwen that today was NOT about Frozen. She did a good job being excited and then shifting her focus back to Easter and worship.</div>
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Squinty, tired, ready for lunch after a long but good morning at church.</div>
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Oh, you didn't find a strawberry, but an egg?</div>
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Enjoying their "tiny-one jellybeans" as Corwin dubbed them.</div>
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Engrossed in egg peeling. </div>
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Alden went off on his first camping trip with Daddy and a group of boys who are joining Trail Life USA. He was SO excited. Corwin was very sad, and kept insisting that he wanted to go. Once he found out that you had to be 5 to go, he said, "I not three! I five!....Yes, I am! I five!". As you may have guessed, he was stuck watching Frozen and eating pizza with the girls, but the highlight was that he got to sleep in Alden's loft while he was gone.</div>
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Alden's list of essential camping gear.</div>
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Throwing rocks in the lake.</div>
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Reading how to cook eggs in a bag for the next morning...it actually worked!</div>
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See?</div>
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Putting up a tent, taking it down, and repacking. They also lit a fire using matches. Guess who got burned? Yes, this stuff is for men...not mommies.</div>
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On a hike, in a tree, watching an osprey. Bonus points!</div>
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We are really excited about this. As you can tell, Alden felt so special and like a true adventurer doing this with his daddy and other guys. We hope there will be many more experiences like this for them.</div>
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Back at home, Corwin cut this almost all by himself, and he glued everything on with the correct orientation completely on his own. I was amazed, but maybe that's b/c I still think of him as my baby most days.</div>
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Cardinal eggs in our backyard. I love spring!</div>
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Duke Gardens, here we come. There were 9 little ducklings following their mommy around. You can see 3 in this picture. Yes, Alden likes to live on the edge.</div>
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Koi!</div>
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My sweet kids. </div>
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Picnicking in a quiet spot. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377754515407033168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346705651702343712.post-43719851204367334422014-04-13T20:47:00.000-05:002014-04-13T20:49:12.338-05:00"You are very funny. Even funnier than me." ~Alden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Corwin's first man drawing. Don't you love the man's expression? Looks like how I've felt about this last month: "Meh."<br />
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"En guard you happy guy, you."</div>
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Kid's drawings just make me happy, you know?</div>
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"We're off to see the wizard...." Oh wait, Dorothy got saved and stayed in Kansas. (This is Rhi's drawing, and there is a spider under the flap in the tornado, and I forget what was under the flap in the sky).<br />
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Love my family.</div>
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Preparing for their Greek comedy.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LN4iPe0NxhQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Their Greek play. Yes, I shouldn't have said they were dumb, but they knew they were being silly which is what I was trying to say...welcome to the imperfect homeschool. It was pretty funny, don't you think?<br />
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Using the paint over wax technique which the Greeks used to paint their vases. I really loved Corwin's and have thought of framing his. It reminds me of freedom, innocence, and being in the moment when I look at it.<br />
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Front</div>
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Back (Do you think Rhianwen convensed aka convinced daddy?).</div>
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Testing the Pythagorean's triangular numbers.<br />
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<a href="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140317/083244.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140317/083244.jpg" /></a><br />
Boxing, his socks are his boxing gloves, duh!<br />
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<img src="http://media501.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140322/093952.jpg" /><br />
You are in the presence of a master builder. Oh, yeah.<br />
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<img src="http://media500.dropshots.com/photos/316148/20140403/125019.jpg" /><br />
Finally, the MOSS robot has arrived! It is a set that allows you to construct various robots and was a long awaited Christmas gift for Alden and daddy. They are having a lot of fun with it.<br />
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Sorry about the woppee-jawed effect, my photo-storage site changed, and I didn't feel like figuring it out tonight.<br />
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Some good things that have happened:<br />
-Rhi did great on her first year of standardized testing. We chose the Woodcock Johnson test because I felt like it was the best fit for her personality, and I don't regret it. She had a great experience and felt very affirmed as a result.<br />
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-Warm weather and beautiful colors.<br />
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-Visits from friends<br />
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-End of Homeschool year 2 in sight! Unbelievable to me.<br />
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Alden has been really pushing me in math by not being careful with his counting. He often just wants to look at a group of objects and count in his head or estimate. I finally sat down and had a "real-world" talk about how if he did that as an anesthesiologist or engineer etc., that he could kill someone...yeah...maybe it was a little overkill, but it seemed to be a motivator.<br />
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Silly Corwin convos:<br />
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Daddy: I smell something stinky. (looks pointedly at Corwin)<br />
Corwin: It's you. You fotted.<br />
....<br />
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Corwin: I love you, mom.<br />
Mommy: I love you too!<br />
Corwin: Me too.<br />
....<br />
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Mommy: Why did daddy get that wood?<br />
Corwin: He wanted it for his nails.<br />
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...<br />
Corwin: My hot not broken.<br />
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We have had a rough month of sickness, but I think we are over the worst and hope that we'll all be able to celebrate Easter together at church!<br />
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