tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21049447824404951542024-03-13T13:03:40.246-06:00Keep Up With Mandie!Hold on tight...Here we go...mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-74605775065432446402009-03-12T20:07:00.003-06:002009-03-12T20:21:11.199-06:00A new member of the family...<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBekHxEYI/AAAAAAAAAcA/QNHisNoNz9w/s1600-h/CIMG0997.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312489966296699266" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBekHxEYI/AAAAAAAAAcA/QNHisNoNz9w/s400/CIMG0997.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">GIOVANNI</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBecYT-bI/AAAAAAAAAb4/uxGuv8nX9Q4/s1600-h/CIMG0994.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312489964218612146" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBecYT-bI/AAAAAAAAAb4/uxGuv8nX9Q4/s400/CIMG0994.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">We adopted Giovanni at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter on Saturday January 31st. He was about 8 weeks old and very shy at the time. He has since come out of his shell and turned out to be a crazy little kitty. He lets the kids carry him around and is very good with them although we all have a few scratches here and there from him running all over us.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBdzQUFpI/AAAAAAAAAbw/yjSd8wjpFI4/s1600-h/CIMG0989.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312489953179211410" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBdzQUFpI/AAAAAAAAAbw/yjSd8wjpFI4/s400/CIMG0989.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">It was a bit of a long day at the shelter and violet was definately ready for a nap but Blaise enjoyed being able to pick him out. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBdiiAQbI/AAAAAAAAAbo/3zfIFav7x84/s1600-h/CIMG0977.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312489948690006450" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBdiiAQbI/AAAAAAAAAbo/3zfIFav7x84/s400/CIMG0977.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">I mostly got him to help with the mouse control and it seems to be working so far. I am happy with that but he is keeping me up at night with all his purrring.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBdHrWnyI/AAAAAAAAAbg/KDwxk66m38k/s1600-h/CIMG0974.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312489941481463586" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SbnBdHrWnyI/AAAAAAAAAbg/KDwxk66m38k/s400/CIMG0974.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">It is fun to have a new member of the family!</div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-63763546379783144962009-02-03T06:05:00.002-07:002009-02-03T06:06:17.469-07:00Winter photos from December<div><embed src="http://widget-60.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3530822107864380768&site=widget-60.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3530822107864380768&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-60.slide.com/p1/3530822107864380768/bb_t043_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3530822107864380768&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-60.slide.com/p2/3530822107864380768/bb_t043_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3530822107864380768&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-60.slide.com/p4/3530822107864380768/bb_t043_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-91687147961745910752008-12-31T21:47:00.004-07:002008-12-31T22:14:08.878-07:00Santa Clause is coming to town<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPhSgYpJI/AAAAAAAAAbE/NrIH0z3Aonk/s1600-h/CIMG0799.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286187495948067986" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPhSgYpJI/AAAAAAAAAbE/NrIH0z3Aonk/s400/CIMG0799.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPgmOmFdI/AAAAAAAAAa8/R53Fzn6rSzI/s1600-h/CIMG0796.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286187484062291410" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPgmOmFdI/AAAAAAAAAa8/R53Fzn6rSzI/s400/CIMG0796.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Santa came to the Eldorado Library. Lots of fun and all (or most) of our friends were there. Blaise even got to take some pictures (seen above)<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPf_Jf08I/AAAAAAAAAa0/lSZNZUDspPg/s1600-h/CIMG0788.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286187473571926978" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPf_Jf08I/AAAAAAAAAa0/lSZNZUDspPg/s400/CIMG0788.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My sweet little girl.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPfSE76YI/AAAAAAAAAas/fFiYZF0vOlY/s1600-h/CIMG0772.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286187461473200514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPfSE76YI/AAAAAAAAAas/fFiYZF0vOlY/s400/CIMG0772.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Fam Photo!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPfG0nvwI/AAAAAAAAAak/b4TxUwv-cPY/s1600-h/CIMG0769.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286187458451980034" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxPfG0nvwI/AAAAAAAAAak/b4TxUwv-cPY/s400/CIMG0769.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Blaise is all about Santa now.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMQ2fW79I/AAAAAAAAAac/SLM1w7JkTAo/s1600-h/CIMG0768.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286183915014778834" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMQ2fW79I/AAAAAAAAAac/SLM1w7JkTAo/s400/CIMG0768.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Ruby and Micah with Santa.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMQi0cHvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/jqx9j_smgss/s1600-h/CIMG0757.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286183909734489842" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMQi0cHvI/AAAAAAAAAaU/jqx9j_smgss/s400/CIMG0757.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Nathan--as always.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMQHIlm2I/AAAAAAAAAaM/_gKAGCczBi4/s1600-h/CIMG0755.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286183902302804834" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMQHIlm2I/AAAAAAAAAaM/_gKAGCczBi4/s400/CIMG0755.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />B-man being silly and posing for the camera.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMP06N5lI/AAAAAAAAAaE/iz-Cq0j2KpY/s1600-h/CIMG0749.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286183897410692690" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMP06N5lI/AAAAAAAAAaE/iz-Cq0j2KpY/s400/CIMG0749.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />He was so excited to see Santa. Violet was scared of him and said she wanted to sit on my lap not Santa's.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMPPQEa0I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/uR-IiJW4qiU/s1600-h/CIMG0748.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286183887301798722" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVxMPPQEa0I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/uR-IiJW4qiU/s400/CIMG0748.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Ruby Says, "Merry Christmas!"</div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-34540902056734300882008-12-30T10:58:00.006-07:002008-12-30T12:16:47.321-07:00Talkin to Santa..<p align="center">We went to the Eldorado Library for a pancake breakfast and to visit with Santa. I captured some good moments on film and wanted to share them!</p><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy6IQzTH8Ws0yPfpwE8iwimrEOhKIE6MGGt5xHmMOT7HG1zFHo1NBiyCYgHdH21FveEp96dXwkQm9Us2u6mMQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center">Blaise telling him he wants a marshmallow shooter and clone helmet.</p><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dza5Rl8OGe7QZbBvS7RMNf2bnxvKPoCRRmQJARwni4LeK0K5nrSELml6yHJR8mB5HDKZrduFeYnl0N0ocw6vg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center">Ruby telling him she wants candy...no, two candies.</p><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dynnFLywkaXT5if5yGEfcUGvIxDTKIYsX7JARqXQ0wXcBy42TTT-CmnzYTOFaYlcYx9FzHz6J0mJXwrQ1a4RQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center">Nathan telling me how Santa arrived. (on the fire truck and the firemen helped him)</p>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-9478160741930972182008-12-22T06:45:00.002-07:002008-12-23T20:31:30.933-07:00Santa's Little Helpers<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-azERPBSI/AAAAAAAAAZk/rBDVnmsNanQ/s1600-h/CIMG0744.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282611090038916386" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-azERPBSI/AAAAAAAAAZk/rBDVnmsNanQ/s400/CIMG0744.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-ayt11QaI/AAAAAAAAAZc/VFQqUbSoO8g/s1600-h/CIMG0742.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282611084018401698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-ayt11QaI/AAAAAAAAAZc/VFQqUbSoO8g/s400/CIMG0742.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-ayR-9QWI/AAAAAAAAAZU/KJIA5yI7lyg/s1600-h/CIMG0739.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282611076540481890" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-ayR-9QWI/AAAAAAAAAZU/KJIA5yI7lyg/s400/CIMG0739.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-11499722225217641912008-12-22T06:39:00.002-07:002008-12-23T20:28:56.130-07:00Mall Fun<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-aCBbCXSI/AAAAAAAAAZM/g2uVPlGetvY/s1600-h/CIMG0738.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282610247461133602" style="WIDTH: 179px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-aCBbCXSI/AAAAAAAAAZM/g2uVPlGetvY/s200/CIMG0738.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-aB3RYy9I/AAAAAAAAAZE/wbI72jJJ74U/s1600-h/CIMG0734.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282610244736306130" style="WIDTH: 190px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-aB3RYy9I/AAAAAAAAAZE/wbI72jJJ74U/s200/CIMG0734.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-aBXBlzEI/AAAAAAAAAY8/f3N_UB8owxI/s1600-h/CIMG0733.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282610236080114754" style="WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-aBXBlzEI/AAAAAAAAAY8/f3N_UB8owxI/s200/CIMG0733.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVGrzn-zZII/AAAAAAAAAZs/Zu1yWa4kBdI/s1600-h/CIMG0732.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283192741276378242" style="WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SVGrzn-zZII/AAAAAAAAAZs/Zu1yWa4kBdI/s200/CIMG0732.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><div>Here we are at the mall...riding the horses. We also got to see Santa.</div><br /></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-85871659981056990712008-12-22T06:32:00.004-07:002008-12-23T20:21:30.904-07:00Silly KidsBlaise looking cool..<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-XlCVJhuI/AAAAAAAAAYs/7nLJs5kqZyw/s1600-h/CIMG0730.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282607550465410786" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-XlCVJhuI/AAAAAAAAAYs/7nLJs5kqZyw/s320/CIMG0730.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Violet being crazy...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-XlPz9VjI/AAAAAAAAAYk/eCC9ynUIH1g/s1600-h/CIMG0729.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282607554084296242" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-XlPz9VjI/AAAAAAAAAYk/eCC9ynUIH1g/s320/CIMG0729.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Skip visiting...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-Xk211YCI/AAAAAAAAAYc/o-8iUxBNw3c/s1600-h/CIMG0721.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282607547381276706" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-Xk211YCI/AAAAAAAAAYc/o-8iUxBNw3c/s320/CIMG0721.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-54804668336105951352008-12-22T06:25:00.002-07:002008-12-22T06:31:37.533-07:00FREEstyle Winter Performance<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-WAMiEjMI/AAAAAAAAAYU/HYRO2vOZv1Y/s1600-h/CIMG0723.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282605818037177538" style="WIDTH: 393px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-WAMiEjMI/AAAAAAAAAYU/HYRO2vOZv1Y/s400/CIMG0723.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">These are the only two pictures I got from our little performance--I was busy conducting the show and couldn't get more. The little girls were snowflakes and the older kids did a water dance (very creative on their part). The performance went well and we had a lot of interest for classes next semester. <br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-V_vfnwZI/AAAAAAAAAYM/au0OMc-ZjTg/s1600-h/CIMG0722.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282605810242273682" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SU-V_vfnwZI/AAAAAAAAAYM/au0OMc-ZjTg/s400/CIMG0722.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-34737451225487613342008-12-14T08:51:00.008-07:002008-12-18T21:18:05.743-07:00Thanksgiving Weekend!<div align="center">It was quite an eventful weekend with lots of pictures. I know they are a bit out of order but you will get the idea:</div><div align="center">First we have the wishbone--it was amazing--split right down the middle. This really made it easy for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sibling</span> rivalry thing! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsajyVgzOI/AAAAAAAAAYE/nQ9h7AAtcgw/s1600-h/CIMG0718.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281344190131784930" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsajyVgzOI/AAAAAAAAAYE/nQ9h7AAtcgw/s400/CIMG0718.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsajQWnUWI/AAAAAAAAAX8/ps6rr0g4N-I/s1600-h/CIMG0717.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281344181009600866" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsajQWnUWI/AAAAAAAAAX8/ps6rr0g4N-I/s400/CIMG0717.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />They were so cute about it and I am glad it worked out so perfectly.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsai1Lfd3I/AAAAAAAAAX0/OjcNl_VzZgA/s1600-h/CIMG0716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281344173715191666" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsai1Lfd3I/AAAAAAAAAX0/OjcNl_VzZgA/s400/CIMG0716.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We went bowling and I had to take a picture of the final score. I will not tell you who is who in order to protect some of the players' prides:)<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsaiT8SM5I/AAAAAAAAAXs/8h_Lm0Rj_DI/s1600-h/CIMG0715.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281344164793037714" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsaiT8SM5I/AAAAAAAAAXs/8h_Lm0Rj_DI/s400/CIMG0715.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Violet slept through the first half and then took over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Blaise's</span> turn (he hit the arcade!) She was great and quite spirited--where could she get that from?!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYa5fHfDI/AAAAAAAAAXk/eDNuPngrxK8/s1600-h/CIMG0713.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281341838409038898" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYa5fHfDI/AAAAAAAAAXk/eDNuPngrxK8/s400/CIMG0713.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYavjwMpI/AAAAAAAAAXc/yjYgAfQJ0KA/s1600-h/CIMG0711.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281341835744129682" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYavjwMpI/AAAAAAAAAXc/yjYgAfQJ0KA/s400/CIMG0711.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Blaise</span> is a natural too, I think he gets if from Uncle Bean and maybe not Bops.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYaHXLYdI/AAAAAAAAAXU/eNnAyOmIb_g/s1600-h/CIMG0708.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281341824953967058" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYaHXLYdI/AAAAAAAAAXU/eNnAyOmIb_g/s400/CIMG0708.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Violet was napping and I had to take photos because she never sleeps in my arms.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYZuagZtI/AAAAAAAAAXM/lh5p2d2NcWw/s1600-h/CIMG0707.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281341818257041106" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYZuagZtI/AAAAAAAAAXM/lh5p2d2NcWw/s400/CIMG0707.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">truly</span> don't believe there is anything better than a sleeping child in my arms. I love it! Precious and Priceless...I hope it wasn't the last time my babies do that!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYZYKHFiI/AAAAAAAAAXE/NemQ0HvtJzc/s1600-h/CIMG0701.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281341812282693154" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUsYZYKHFiI/AAAAAAAAAXE/NemQ0HvtJzc/s400/CIMG0701.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVqycG1JI/AAAAAAAAAW8/QH6dX5DvK-o/s1600-h/CIMG0703.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281198075372033170" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVqycG1JI/AAAAAAAAAW8/QH6dX5DvK-o/s400/CIMG0703.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Gotta love this photo. He was so good we could hardly even get a shot of him whizzing by. Love you dad-but stick with pool.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVqd8T44I/AAAAAAAAAW0/9csU5Kul8Es/s1600-h/CIMG0702.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281198069869962114" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVqd8T44I/AAAAAAAAAW0/9csU5Kul8Es/s400/CIMG0702.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Super Nani!!!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVp502kDI/AAAAAAAAAWs/sLaQJhsMFKo/s1600-h/CIMG0699.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281198060175003698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVp502kDI/AAAAAAAAAWs/sLaQJhsMFKo/s400/CIMG0699.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />She is really sleeping...Aren't I just the luckiest mom on the planet!?<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVptLlNlI/AAAAAAAAAWk/dqvveCrHsZY/s1600-h/CIMG0698.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281198056780674642" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVptLlNlI/AAAAAAAAAWk/dqvveCrHsZY/s400/CIMG0698.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVpXdXj_I/AAAAAAAAAWc/VSv-AH0rr1I/s1600-h/CIMG0697.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281198050949697522" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqVpXdXj_I/AAAAAAAAAWc/VSv-AH0rr1I/s400/CIMG0697.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqTk5WEZXI/AAAAAAAAAWU/JvXjHfLrY-Q/s1600-h/CIMG0688.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281195775123285362" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqTk5WEZXI/AAAAAAAAAWU/JvXjHfLrY-Q/s400/CIMG0688.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">This was the thanksgiving dessert. Violet's favorite part was the whipped cream and helping with the dishes. She half bathed in the sink "helping" for 30 minutes while we hand washed the good dishes. <br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqTkB8SuuI/AAAAAAAAAWM/BoTlt0WCiFA/s1600-h/CIMG0687.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281195760251222754" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqTkB8SuuI/AAAAAAAAAWM/BoTlt0WCiFA/s400/CIMG0687.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I am ever thankful for my kids, my family, friends, good food and the wonderful life I get the pleasure to live every day.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqTjrOoSfI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Ksx-22sLB54/s1600-h/CIMG0686.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281195754154117618" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqTjrOoSfI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Ksx-22sLB54/s400/CIMG0686.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nikki was even able to make it...too bad it was only for 24 hours. She is always great to have around, too bad it is not more often and longer.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqTjAMDXfI/AAAAAAAAAV8/sXDHALFYy6Y/s1600-h/CIMG0685.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281195742600584690" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUqTjAMDXfI/AAAAAAAAAV8/sXDHALFYy6Y/s400/CIMG0685.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUm45Z-F-XI/AAAAAAAAAV0/x-ms2tOwcA8/s1600-h/CIMG0682.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280955334431996274" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUm45Z-F-XI/AAAAAAAAAV0/x-ms2tOwcA8/s400/CIMG0682.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Pretty Violet with a messy face and snow in the background.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUm4417pInI/AAAAAAAAAVs/chKoOXVcduk/s1600-h/CIMG0681.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280955324758041202" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUm4417pInI/AAAAAAAAAVs/chKoOXVcduk/s400/CIMG0681.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Alex the super masher <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">extraordinaire</span>-he can also carve a mean turkey. A man of many talents. This was the first full thanksgiving meal I have done. It all came off pretty well. Here is what I learned though #1 Turkey bags are good #2 Low-Fat mashed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">potatoes</span> are not<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUm44okmdeI/AAAAAAAAAVk/2YaM49FeXXA/s1600-h/CIMG0680.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280955321171736034" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUm44okmdeI/AAAAAAAAAVk/2YaM49FeXXA/s400/CIMG0680.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUm44SPjsdI/AAAAAAAAAVc/YosWDLgmcuk/s1600-h/CIMG0679.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280955315177894354" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUm44SPjsdI/AAAAAAAAAVc/YosWDLgmcuk/s400/CIMG0679.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Prepping the meal after a fun day of soccer in the rain followed by hot <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">tottys</span>!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUUsbladpVI/AAAAAAAAAVU/4uw0W-j5dBc/s1600-h/CIMG0674.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279674990572971346" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUUsbladpVI/AAAAAAAAAVU/4uw0W-j5dBc/s400/CIMG0674.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I love this one!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUUsbP_ZDvI/AAAAAAAAAVM/ONN03pJ9WT0/s1600-h/CIMG0673.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279674984822279922" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUUsbP_ZDvI/AAAAAAAAAVM/ONN03pJ9WT0/s400/CIMG0673.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Blowing up the air mattresses. We had a full house and by the way I do not like sleeping on an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">air mattress</span> when it deflates and Violet tries to kick me out!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUUsaxqVMoI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Yczt78jCcfQ/s1600-h/CIMG0672.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279674976680882818" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SUUsaxqVMoI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Yczt78jCcfQ/s400/CIMG0672.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">It was a great weekend and so fun to have the boys here and be active and eat tons!</div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-35844298415826211552008-12-09T10:35:00.003-07:002008-12-09T12:00:34.254-07:00Head board Project<div align="center">I made and installed a new headboard for myself and I thought I would show you how I did it and how it turned out. First I cut a piece of particle board to size (60x32). I used some 1x1 to frame out the entire back...this gave it a more substantial look. Then I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre-</span>drilled some holes for the tufting later. I used spray adhesive to attach some high density foam to the entire front. I then covered that with a egg carton type foam pad and wrapped it around and stapled it to the back. Then some quilting batting covered that and finally the fabric was wrapped around. I used a silk so I had to be pretty careful not to get a run in the fabric.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/ST6tS7cWHTI/AAAAAAAAAU8/rC7DrPOFoTE/s1600-h/CIMG0663.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277846354030632242" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/ST6tS7cWHTI/AAAAAAAAAU8/rC7DrPOFoTE/s320/CIMG0663.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Then came the tufting--I threaded the needle all the way through, attached the decorative button and threaded the needle back through. I pulled it tight and used a large button to secure it in place.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/ST6tSZvjNHI/AAAAAAAAAU0/HiJZ4oDJ8uE/s1600-h/CIMG0664.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277846344984376434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/ST6tSZvjNHI/AAAAAAAAAU0/HiJZ4oDJ8uE/s320/CIMG0664.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">I attached some legs to the bottom and drilled the legs into the studs in the wall of my room.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/ST6tSCrgIKI/AAAAAAAAAUs/bLMWYvH8s50/s1600-h/CIMG0666.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277846338793382050" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/ST6tSCrgIKI/AAAAAAAAAUs/bLMWYvH8s50/s320/CIMG0666.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">This is how it turned out. I love it--especially because it is pink silk with rhinestone buttons. So <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">girly</span> and luxurious. Pretty easy and the whole thing cost under $100 dollars. I could have done it much cheaper with cheaper fabric and omitting the high density foam step.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/ST6tR_vQpmI/AAAAAAAAAUk/0wvpc5M66Kk/s1600-h/CIMG0667.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277846338003838562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/ST6tR_vQpmI/AAAAAAAAAUk/0wvpc5M66Kk/s320/CIMG0667.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Now I am working on getting some new bedding to make the whole transformation complete. Trading Spaces...eat your heart out.<br /></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-38711547586254476202008-12-02T14:53:00.004-07:002008-12-02T14:58:45.756-07:00My little girls<p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/STWuxJ6AJzI/AAAAAAAAAUc/1vHN-VYjdzA/s1600-h/CIMG0656.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275314698030425906" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/STWuxJ6AJzI/AAAAAAAAAUc/1vHN-VYjdzA/s400/CIMG0656.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><span style="font-family:arial;">This is my 3-5 year old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FREEstyle</span> class. They are adorable and very well behaved students. Their performance is coming up this Friday, December 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>. More pictures to come of their show!</span><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/STWuworX0FI/AAAAAAAAAUU/HNb6jrEtqJU/s1600-h/CIMG0658.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275314689110691922" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/STWuworX0FI/AAAAAAAAAUU/HNb6jrEtqJU/s400/CIMG0658.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Nice Shapes Dancers!!!!</span></p>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-7206472275901505762008-12-02T14:46:00.004-07:002008-12-02T14:51:52.674-07:00Ambrosia...<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/STWs_UlUUEI/AAAAAAAAAUM/tXJEm4nGiBk/s1600-h/CIMG0655.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275312742391369794" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/STWs_UlUUEI/AAAAAAAAAUM/tXJEm4nGiBk/s400/CIMG0655.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am always looking for a new for new, fun and beautiful drinks so I attempted the Ambrosia. It is one part brandy, one part apple brandy, raspberry syrup, raspberries and 3 parts champagne. Well it WAS new, fun and beautiful but unfortunately not too tasty. It was pretty nasty so do not attempt at home. For future reference just have champagne with raspberries...beautiful and tasty!</span></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-58540449984238331092008-11-18T20:49:00.004-07:002008-11-18T21:09:06.655-07:00My favorite place...so far...in all of Santa Fe<p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SSONf6fUJbI/AAAAAAAAAUE/KEyJUBPR4Rc/s1600-h/CIMG0649.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270211568369673650" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SSONf6fUJbI/AAAAAAAAAUE/KEyJUBPR4Rc/s320/CIMG0649.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">So, We (Brittany and I) took Carey out to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">congratulate</span> her on completing her exam. We took her to La Casa Sena. She had never been there before, eventhough she has been in Santa Fe for quite sometime, and we had a great time. The waiters perform broadway tunes and it just makes me smile and even cry a little. They take requests and I am usually the first to offer my opinion. This time they performed a few from "Wicked" and it made me realize I need to see that show.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SSONfiOFpVI/AAAAAAAAAT8/k3NRgWS_6q8/s1600-h/CIMG0654.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270211561854969170" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SSONfiOFpVI/AAAAAAAAAT8/k3NRgWS_6q8/s320/CIMG0654.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">We had fun eating and drinking and listening and chatting. Thanks girls for a fun evening!<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SSONfTjvxQI/AAAAAAAAAT0/9ogYk8S-UBU/s1600-h/CIMG0650.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270211557919278338" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SSONfTjvxQI/AAAAAAAAAT0/9ogYk8S-UBU/s320/CIMG0650.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">And Congrats to Carey!!</div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SSONfAtQd7I/AAAAAAAAATs/8AtQ_Ad3F0E/s1600-h/CIMG0653.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270211552858896306" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SSONfAtQd7I/AAAAAAAAATs/8AtQ_Ad3F0E/s320/CIMG0653.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-80145889677081388592008-11-08T11:39:00.005-07:002008-11-08T12:22:07.200-07:00Halloween!We had a great Halloween! We started at the Agora Shopping Center for Trick-or-Treating and costume parade and contest. We actually won the over all grand prize. We were the "Fairytale Family." I was a princess, Blaise was a knight, and Violet was a dragon. It may have been a little rigged (I know one of the judges) but it was fun anyway. Blaise was "Sir Talks a lot" Violet was "Dippity Do Dragon" (she said she was a "nice dragon not a mean one") and I was Princess Bailey Beautiful. My mom, Blaise and Violet came up with our names.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf52DBukI/AAAAAAAAAS8/IRnHJH-ZxSI/s1600-h/CIMG0612.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266361524133411394" style="WIDTH: 174px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf52DBukI/AAAAAAAAAS8/IRnHJH-ZxSI/s200/CIMG0612.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf6S3hZ9I/AAAAAAAAATM/-Bhjn7akJ9w/s1600-h/CIMG0611.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266361531869784018" style="WIDTH: 172px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf6S3hZ9I/AAAAAAAAATM/-Bhjn7akJ9w/s200/CIMG0611.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf6z5jxCI/AAAAAAAAATc/IKnV1E95JVc/s1600-h/CIMG0639.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266361540736697378" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf6z5jxCI/AAAAAAAAATc/IKnV1E95JVc/s200/CIMG0639.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf6p44AUI/AAAAAAAAATU/M1xIFooqgoc/s1600-h/CIMG0618.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266361538049474882" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf6p44AUI/AAAAAAAAATU/M1xIFooqgoc/s200/CIMG0618.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf6MdEh8I/AAAAAAAAATE/88F2-x6IEh8/s1600-h/CIMG0617.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266361530148227010" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXf6MdEh8I/AAAAAAAAATE/88F2-x6IEh8/s200/CIMG0617.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeXlcRf2I/AAAAAAAAASs/mV8klJUzLIQ/s1600-h/CIMG0625.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266359836048719714" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeXlcRf2I/AAAAAAAAASs/mV8klJUzLIQ/s200/CIMG0625.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeX9L6VtI/AAAAAAAAAS0/4a3PrPPLWI8/s1600-h/CIMG0622.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266359842422544082" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeX9L6VtI/AAAAAAAAAS0/4a3PrPPLWI8/s200/CIMG0622.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeW3yvmKI/AAAAAAAAASU/UwJ5n8F1_IU/s1600-h/CIMG0631.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266359823794935970" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeW3yvmKI/AAAAAAAAASU/UwJ5n8F1_IU/s200/CIMG0631.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeXKSHvfI/AAAAAAAAASc/Y1VEWlf3aRg/s1600-h/CIMG0639.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266359828758380018" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeXKSHvfI/AAAAAAAAASc/Y1VEWlf3aRg/s200/CIMG0639.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeXinfRlI/AAAAAAAAASk/t9C7E1Op0zE/s1600-h/CIMG0635.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266359835290453586" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXeXinfRlI/AAAAAAAAASk/t9C7E1Op0zE/s200/CIMG0635.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>After the Agora fun we did the traditional Trick or Treating for the first time. We made it to 4 houses. Next year maybe we can do 6! Then we went to a Halloween party. It was a fun day filled with candy, costumes and face paint--just the way Halloween should be.<br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXhjBHRykI/AAAAAAAAATk/1_nZA-BtcOc/s1600-h/CIMG0623.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266363330990295618" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SRXhjBHRykI/AAAAAAAAATk/1_nZA-BtcOc/s400/CIMG0623.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Halloween 2008!!!!</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-28595327368599490532008-11-01T20:27:00.003-06:002008-11-01T20:35:31.865-06:00San Francisco Trip Part SixWe stayed at my uncle Skip's house the last night we were there. He has a great house on the top of the hill in Oakland and when we woke in the morning we looked out the window to a beautiful view of the bay. We had cappuccinos and a tour of the garden before we had to head to the airport for our flight home. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQ0RWC0YbUI/AAAAAAAAASM/c-egLqXpfh0/s1600-h/CIMG0605.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263882609877347650" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQ0RWC0YbUI/AAAAAAAAASM/c-egLqXpfh0/s400/CIMG0605.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQ0RVqSjftI/AAAAAAAAASE/3RvgPMjzLMU/s1600-h/CIMG0609.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263882603293015762" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQ0RVqSjftI/AAAAAAAAASE/3RvgPMjzLMU/s400/CIMG0609.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQ0RVeLXlpI/AAAAAAAAAR8/aRgdJadE5Y4/s1600-h/CIMG0607.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263882600041649810" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQ0RVeLXlpI/AAAAAAAAAR8/aRgdJadE5Y4/s400/CIMG0607.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div></div></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-54993993665847559642008-11-01T18:58:00.004-06:002008-11-01T19:20:40.024-06:00San Francisco Trip Part FiveEthan's Performance<br /><br />We were so lucky to attend the "Ethan White Show" at the Paramount Theater in Oakland. Ethan had featured roles in all three of the ballets in the performance, including Romeo in Romeo and Juliette. He was fantastic and his picture was posted all over. As we shopped earlier in the day we kept running into him on signs and windows throughout Oakland. He was quite the poster boy.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz95h4Zw4I/AAAAAAAAAR0/3dh1eAHI6_U/s1600-h/CIMG0590.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263861229278577538" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz95h4Zw4I/AAAAAAAAAR0/3dh1eAHI6_U/s400/CIMG0590.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Even Skip and Bonnie got into the spirit of the night. The Paramount Theater is amazing. It is an art-deco style theater and there was live music in the pit for all three of the ballets. I took shots of the theater and orchestra before I got in trouble and was told there is "no photography allowed" in the Paramount. I was such a rebel.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz95GEOnGI/AAAAAAAAARk/Aw3ZTKcyhpc/s1600-h/CIMG0594.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263861221811985506" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz95GEOnGI/AAAAAAAAARk/Aw3ZTKcyhpc/s400/CIMG0594.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz94WULKxI/AAAAAAAAARc/Hg-k6cK7QoY/s1600-h/CIMG0592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263861208993966866" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz94WULKxI/AAAAAAAAARc/Hg-k6cK7QoY/s400/CIMG0592.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz934eWu6I/AAAAAAAAARU/OUTLOmLUNN4/s1600-h/CIMG0591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263861200983604130" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz934eWu6I/AAAAAAAAARU/OUTLOmLUNN4/s400/CIMG0591.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8lUBEOwI/AAAAAAAAARM/U3N6Qq7awEY/s1600-h/CIMG0598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263859782447807234" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8lUBEOwI/AAAAAAAAARM/U3N6Qq7awEY/s400/CIMG0598.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8lJi__iI/AAAAAAAAARE/8kNo0JPFnzs/s1600-h/CIMG0599.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263859779637345826" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8lJi__iI/AAAAAAAAARE/8kNo0JPFnzs/s400/CIMG0599.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We attended a reception afterward where it was announced that Oakland Ballet received a 200,000 dollar grant. Wow, in the economy today this was a huge uplift for them. Maybe they will hire Ethan more and we can enjoy his dancing for years to come.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8kq6lSKI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/hpLhezYcsrw/s1600-h/CIMG0603.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263859771414759586" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8kq6lSKI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/hpLhezYcsrw/s400/CIMG0603.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I love you Ethan and you were amazing. I am impressed with all you have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">accomplished</span> and can't wait to see what you will do next!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8kcaXhlI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/ndKIze8tCsc/s1600-h/CIMG0601.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263859767521543762" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8kcaXhlI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/ndKIze8tCsc/s400/CIMG0601.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8kAj80uI/AAAAAAAAAQs/rGF6uts-gQc/s1600-h/CIMG0588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263859760045544162" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz8kAj80uI/AAAAAAAAAQs/rGF6uts-gQc/s400/CIMG0588.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-45131105655621122582008-11-01T18:43:00.003-06:002008-11-01T18:57:27.487-06:00San Francisco Part FourMy turn to try paddle boarding. Alex gave me a little lesson, he is a very good and patient teacher. I stepped on--which takes a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">commitment</span>--and was off. It is harder than it looks. The water was COLD and I was hoping to not go for a swim. I did pretty well until...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz5Dz5YB4I/AAAAAAAAAQk/JqnaUGvYZyQ/s1600-h/CIMG0574.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263855908355049346" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz5Dz5YB4I/AAAAAAAAAQk/JqnaUGvYZyQ/s400/CIMG0574.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz5DmvLVNI/AAAAAAAAAQc/gHaHFtGZ-RU/s1600-h/CIMG0577.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263855904822613202" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz5DmvLVNI/AAAAAAAAAQc/gHaHFtGZ-RU/s400/CIMG0577.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>I got out there and couldn't turn around. Alex maybe has one downfall as a teacher, he left! I am not sure where he went (maybe to the beer tent) but I needed a little help getting back. It took a minute but I guess I figured it out because somehow I turned around and was able to get back to shore.<br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz5DWHJ83I/AAAAAAAAAQU/8vVD0x9zItg/s1600-h/CIMG0580.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263855900359783282" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz5DWHJ83I/AAAAAAAAAQU/8vVD0x9zItg/s400/CIMG0580.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>I made it--and stayed warm and dry. I am not sure I am ready for the marathon of paddle boarding but actually knowing me I may give it a try someday. <br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz5DDbHy-I/AAAAAAAAAQM/hiehMzv2Jts/s1600-h/CIMG0581.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263855895343254498" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQz5DDbHy-I/AAAAAAAAAQM/hiehMzv2Jts/s400/CIMG0581.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />For right now, I am happy with the experience and will take the lessons learned into my life.</div><div>Be Patient and you just might figure it out all on your own.</div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-27457800726682252882008-11-01T17:47:00.005-06:002008-11-01T18:33:35.092-06:00San Francisco Trip Part Three<div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzr8Fkgc7I/AAAAAAAAAPk/anOCADTjQro/s1600-h/CIMG0563.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263841482009244594" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzr8Fkgc7I/AAAAAAAAAPk/anOCADTjQro/s400/CIMG0563.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzr7VRaUMI/AAAAAAAAAPc/4FVImi3TnHk/s1600-h/CIMG0560.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263841469044248770" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzr7VRaUMI/AAAAAAAAAPc/4FVImi3TnHk/s400/CIMG0560.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzr64koHcI/AAAAAAAAAPU/NrwFlF6zaQU/s1600-h/CIMG0558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263841461340216770" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzr64koHcI/AAAAAAAAAPU/NrwFlF6zaQU/s400/CIMG0558.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Alex's Race</div><br /><div>Alex was the one and only racer to enter the 9+ mile paddle board race around Angel Island during the Sea Trek boat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">rigatta</span>. He finished in 2 hrs and 45 min. It was the winning time, a new record and his personal best. My mom and I waited on the beach to "bring him home". It was such a pleasant and beautiful day that we had no problem soaking up the sun while we waited. There were lots of cute naked babies playing on the beach to entertain us as well as sand, sun and a beer tent.</div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzz5_gtpJI/AAAAAAAAAPs/q8nAjStTNA4/s1600-h/CIMG0568.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263850242116002962" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzz5_gtpJI/AAAAAAAAAPs/q8nAjStTNA4/s400/CIMG0568.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzz7lGiQSI/AAAAAAAAAP0/nPVqGwZ5Log/s1600-h/CIMG0569.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263850269386621218" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzz7lGiQSI/AAAAAAAAAP0/nPVqGwZ5Log/s400/CIMG0569.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzz8OoZlQI/AAAAAAAAAP8/uCxXWI2yMqk/s1600-h/CIMG0570.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263850280534512898" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzz8OoZlQI/AAAAAAAAAP8/uCxXWI2yMqk/s400/CIMG0570.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzz8dKOtQI/AAAAAAAAAQE/9OkpM1ZWF34/s1600-h/CIMG0572.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263850284434502914" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzz8dKOtQI/AAAAAAAAAQE/9OkpM1ZWF34/s400/CIMG0572.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-42335850342067931702008-11-01T17:26:00.005-06:002008-11-01T17:42:12.753-06:00San Francisco Trip Part Two<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzmIUedLXI/AAAAAAAAAPE/AaswRo08EdU/s1600-h/CIMG0544.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263835095099059570" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzmIUedLXI/AAAAAAAAAPE/AaswRo08EdU/s400/CIMG0544.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>This is a picture of our best friend on the trip, the GPS. Love her!</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzmIyNmCrI/AAAAAAAAAPM/2_x9FpjaJYQ/s1600-h/CIMG0546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263835103081401010" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzmIyNmCrI/AAAAAAAAAPM/2_x9FpjaJYQ/s400/CIMG0546.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Here I am driving the rental car. She had good pick up so I was able to keep up with the California drivers. With the help of the GPS even the driving was great.</div><div> </div><div>The best part of the traveling was the flight attendant rapper. Listen closely to the directions he gives...</div></div><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzciG8lSb3nsAnPmAb5detqvrr6CBxBQE0js71Refm3GbSJmKSiIgpQK7WmJgKg8b4ABJzMGosjaQrSNxO0bw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-59866989958578205462008-11-01T17:17:00.003-06:002008-11-01T17:26:20.134-06:00San Francisco Trip Part One<div>My mom and I went to California to see Ethan as Romeo, Nikki (my new sister in law to be) as Alice and Alex race in the first ever paddle board race. We had a quick trip and lots of fun. Here are some pictures of Alice in Wonderland the Ballet put on by Sacramento Ballet. Nikki's parents were there and we got to meet them for the first time. Ethan proposed a couple of weeks ago and we saw her new ring and were able to start talking about fun wedding plans. <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzke016HFI/AAAAAAAAAO0/MEbCvO-XYes/s1600-h/CIMG0549.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263833282721225810" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzke016HFI/AAAAAAAAAO0/MEbCvO-XYes/s400/CIMG0549.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzkfDw9mFI/AAAAAAAAAO8/CxTi_tzR0BM/s1600-h/CIMG0552.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263833286727014482" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzkfDw9mFI/AAAAAAAAAO8/CxTi_tzR0BM/s400/CIMG0552.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">This is an adorable picture of all the little girls dressed up to see the ballet.</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzkeTSeczI/AAAAAAAAAOs/5oOzb3P5TBo/s1600-h/CIMG0547.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263833273714242354" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQzkeTSeczI/AAAAAAAAAOs/5oOzb3P5TBo/s400/CIMG0547.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-25541402723225148212008-10-30T08:10:00.003-06:002008-10-30T08:23:17.666-06:00Pumpkin Patch Take Two...<div align="center">After a failed attempt (due to weather) to go to the pumpkin patch we were able to make it there and enjoy some beautiful weather and fall <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">festivities</span>. We rode the hay ride out to the patch, picked out our pumpkins, had lunch, went down the tunnel slide, saw a cow being milked, went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bunnyville</span> and much more.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnBzZP1TYI/AAAAAAAAAOk/cHS0GS6t4Q4/s1600-h/CIMG0525.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262950728253918594" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnBzZP1TYI/AAAAAAAAAOk/cHS0GS6t4Q4/s400/CIMG0525.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Here is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Blaise</span> on the hayride doing his supermodel pose!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnBy53auNI/AAAAAAAAAOc/dnLp8kLyCCY/s1600-h/CIMG0528.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262950719830014162" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnBy53auNI/AAAAAAAAAOc/dnLp8kLyCCY/s400/CIMG0528.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There were so many pumpkins to choose from--the only catch was I had to carry all three back. So we ended up getting fairly small pumpkins.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnBydh8pII/AAAAAAAAAOU/mqEiSpAIi58/s1600-h/CIMG0532.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262950712223769730" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnBydh8pII/AAAAAAAAAOU/mqEiSpAIi58/s400/CIMG0532.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Here is Violet choosing her special Pumpkin.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnByDuK_ZI/AAAAAAAAAOM/IgNW5BOudNk/s1600-h/CIMG0533.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262950705295719826" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnByDuK_ZI/AAAAAAAAAOM/IgNW5BOudNk/s400/CIMG0533.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Blaise</span> and his friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jaiden</span> enjoying each other's company and the hay ride.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnBx4rTEJI/AAAAAAAAAOE/E1z2E4YWFJg/s1600-h/CIMG0535.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262950702330876050" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQnBx4rTEJI/AAAAAAAAAOE/E1z2E4YWFJg/s400/CIMG0535.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Here I am with baby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Elyana</span> sporting a festive cowboy look thanks to Ruby. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We had a great time and I am already looking forward to next year's trip!<br /></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-19311842151390072912008-10-30T07:31:00.003-06:002008-10-30T08:10:14.540-06:00Paint Out<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4X-RdnTI/AAAAAAAAANc/ZnX7i5Hlu_Q/s1600-h/CIMG0508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262940361551879474" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4X-RdnTI/AAAAAAAAANc/ZnX7i5Hlu_Q/s400/CIMG0508.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This was an event on Canyon Road in Santa Fe. Many Artists came out and painted outdoors and created some beautiful pieces right there in front of the Gallery. My dad participated and showed off his artistic skills for the tourists and clients. It was really fun to see. It was so successful that I think they will continue to do it more often.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4YboRQnI/AAAAAAAAANs/WPhb9IzQ3Tw/s1600-h/CIMG0517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262940369432167026" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4YboRQnI/AAAAAAAAANs/WPhb9IzQ3Tw/s400/CIMG0517.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here you can see my dad grinding the metal before he patinas it. What an amazing process and the outcome was beautiful. The weather was perfect and even the kids enjoyed it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4YBlFmkI/AAAAAAAAANk/3rEB55nyhYw/s1600-h/CIMG0514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262940362439498306" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4YBlFmkI/AAAAAAAAANk/3rEB55nyhYw/s400/CIMG0514.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We took a little time to take some photos outside and in the gallery.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4YkrI8cI/AAAAAAAAAN0/G8_4aIb8lGM/s1600-h/CIMG0522.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262940371860124098" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4YkrI8cI/AAAAAAAAAN0/G8_4aIb8lGM/s400/CIMG0522.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Can you say "Christmas Card?"<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4ZrmzYFI/AAAAAAAAAN8/kgveQ3U5fSA/s1600-h/CIMG0523.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262940390900850770" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQm4ZrmzYFI/AAAAAAAAAN8/kgveQ3U5fSA/s400/CIMG0523.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-81714847508678922162008-10-28T07:57:00.004-06:002008-10-28T08:08:51.381-06:00Sara's Birthday party at Kid Zone<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQcbrN0XHiI/AAAAAAAAANM/e32Ne7ZbOPE/s1600-h/CIMG0501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262205118863318562" style="WIDTH: 177px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQcbrN0XHiI/AAAAAAAAANM/e32Ne7ZbOPE/s200/CIMG0501.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQcbrUSCONI/AAAAAAAAANU/l9c80MzkJ_U/s1600-h/CIMG0505.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262205120598390994" style="WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQcbrUSCONI/AAAAAAAAANU/l9c80MzkJ_U/s200/CIMG0505.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Sara had a birthday party and it was lots of fun for the kids and adults. Kids Zone is a new place in Santa Fe with a giant climbing structure, super fast slide, craft area, food, drink, big tree house, water table, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wii</span> and Dance Dance Revolution. We like to go and play. Violet likes the crafts and water table. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Blaise</span> likes the climbing structure and tree house. I like the hula hoops and dance dance revolution. I am working on these important life skills. Carolyn and her whole family took a turn at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ddr</span>. We, of course, all enjoyed the pizza, presents and cake too.<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQca0PgEr-I/AAAAAAAAANE/0V3jL6StFJs/s1600-h/CIMG0499.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262204174422290402" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQca0PgEr-I/AAAAAAAAANE/0V3jL6StFJs/s200/CIMG0499.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQcazpWFm3I/AAAAAAAAAM8/0u7_S_AYvj0/s1600-h/CIMG0495.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262204164179860338" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQcazpWFm3I/AAAAAAAAAM8/0u7_S_AYvj0/s200/CIMG0495.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>I am happy there is a new indoor place to play when the weather is cold or icky.<br /></div><div></div>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-18285813547902185932008-10-27T20:38:00.004-06:002008-10-27T20:54:27.919-06:00Siblings<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ73bUbUKI/AAAAAAAAAM0/ueV0r0cfuZI/s1600-h/CIMG0492.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262029406785458338" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ73bUbUKI/AAAAAAAAAM0/ueV0r0cfuZI/s400/CIMG0492.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My brothers came for a visit and I am so lucky to have them in my life and my kids lives. I cherish their friendship and we ALWAYS seem to find a way to have a great time.<br />Here are a couple of pics of Uncle Fun playing with the kids. He is great at wrestling and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">leggos</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ73Ns4n0I/AAAAAAAAAMs/LBiwe2tynPQ/s1600-h/CIMG0490.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262029403129945922" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ73Ns4n0I/AAAAAAAAAMs/LBiwe2tynPQ/s400/CIMG0490.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Alex (Uncle Bean) and I are riding in the back of my dad's truck. You are never too old to get a kick out of that! We joked that all we needed was a wife beater and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">budweiser</span> to make it perfectly white trash.<br /><br />Uncle Bean got his name from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Blaise</span>. We thought he gave him that name because right after he got back from Costa Rica he ate a lot of rice and beans. So we asked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Blaise</span> and he said "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cuz</span> his head looks like a bean." And the name stuck!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ72nMT2CI/AAAAAAAAAMk/2ZauUB-OKv8/s1600-h/CIMG0487.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262029392792770594" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ72nMT2CI/AAAAAAAAAMk/2ZauUB-OKv8/s400/CIMG0487.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I love this picture of my mom with her boys: Nothing is more precious than a mother with her babies. Love you guys!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ713L1sKI/AAAAAAAAAMc/yujZUFfulYw/s1600-h/CIMG0485.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262029379905892514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ713L1sKI/AAAAAAAAAMc/yujZUFfulYw/s400/CIMG0485.JPG" border="0" /></a>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2104944782440495154.post-15380446986992404232008-10-27T20:29:00.004-06:002008-10-27T20:34:55.409-06:00Albuquerque Aquarium<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ5YkFYdwI/AAAAAAAAAMU/Mq4u9yqvfaI/s1600-h/CIMG0483.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262026677539075842" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ5YkFYdwI/AAAAAAAAAMU/Mq4u9yqvfaI/s400/CIMG0483.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><div align="center">We went to the Albuquerque Aquarium after a failed attempt to the Moriarty Pumpkin Patch. The weather was awful so they closed the pumpkin patch. Carey, Peter, Ruby, Blaise, Violet and I went to the aquarium instead. It was tons of fun anyway minus the two minor/major metldowns at lunch/naptime!<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ5YHbJutI/AAAAAAAAAMM/z0JWh0cxjVw/s1600-h/CIMG0482.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262026669845756626" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NRyHxwuO4iA/SQZ5YHbJutI/AAAAAAAAAMM/z0JWh0cxjVw/s400/CIMG0482.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">We did eventually make it to the pumpkin patch the next week--photos of that coming soon!</p>mandiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02687631252495988021noreply@blogger.com0