tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-271548382024-03-06T22:10:43.020-08:00Manda's PlaceA place to catch up with our family.manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-11533687656975964302013-07-07T19:26:00.001-07:002013-07-07T19:26:03.475-07:00Four Days of the Fourth!We had a fun four day weekend for the Fourth of July.<br />
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We were so excited to have a laid back day with Tj. So we spent most of the day hanging out and playing Skylanders. Nothing says Independence Day than helping the Skylanders. lol Then in the evening we headed over to our friends' house. They have THE BEST view for the local fireworks from their drive way. It was perfect! Yummy food, great company and not having to fight crowds!!! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys with some of our friends in their <br />fourth of July attire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tj enjoying his day off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water break!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys with our friend Matthew.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel pausing in the middle of all the fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look closely you can see the boys battling the fireworks!</td></tr>
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Then Friday we hit up the local bowling ally. Little did we know it was Rockin' Neon Nites (at 3 in the afternoon). Was a fun afternoon! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Vance is quite the bowler- almost broke 100 in both games.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel aka Chompy Smasher wasn't too bad at bowling himself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance getting some pointers from Phat Daddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chompy Smasher rocking his bowling shoes.</td></tr>
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Afterward we met up with some of our friends at Souplantation for dinner. <br />
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The rest of the weekend was filled with more family time, Skylanders and Beyblades. We're sad to see the weekend come to an end. <br />
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<span id="goog_302544170"></span>manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-44728093955386258212013-06-28T16:29:00.003-07:002013-06-28T16:29:51.817-07:00What a year! Christmas editionSo December Tj and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary. Kind of crazy to imagine everything we've been through the last 11 years. We went to dinner to celebrate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At dinner overlooking the city.</td></tr>
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T'was the nights before Christmas and all through the house mom was sick in bed while the boys went and visited the mouse. Actually they didn't visit the mouse they went to Legoland with Nama and Pa and daddy. I was SO bummed that I couldn't go with them but I literally couldn't get out of bed. But they had a good time and I was feeling well by Christmas!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance is our coaster kid!<br />He has taken on Splash Mountain and this coaster at Legoland.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love this picture. He's such a funny kid!</td></tr>
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<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-43852962755069129332013-06-28T11:14:00.002-07:002013-06-28T11:14:37.548-07:00Oh What a Year Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before long it was Christmas time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfRh-Q4OoHPZphC79FvcAU_NBVgQUEyGW-v90JgQJpOIQWJ2vqjr4tF7nhKcYqf5A5N0Dj0yx3vdfvHNE_dySV6FsRCWgtcIf_Xp9tXuGWH9F_0m5lE9CQZe9QebRVF0TlIQQ/s1600/P1020029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfRh-Q4OoHPZphC79FvcAU_NBVgQUEyGW-v90JgQJpOIQWJ2vqjr4tF7nhKcYqf5A5N0Dj0yx3vdfvHNE_dySV6FsRCWgtcIf_Xp9tXuGWH9F_0m5lE9CQZe9QebRVF0TlIQQ/s320/P1020029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys with Santa's helper at the church party.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi313gnEotve5MuBVw3p8nYe7I0fsrvByOge6Uqh-8iPVeB0yOa3aktOFybosWGa_YR3Fp0xjz9Fh0Y1wxcrrX5Ldm5cYKPe6jqQHTB3rtke2yir0nWYwkOZroZN0LOnQIoNul/s1600/P1020076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi313gnEotve5MuBVw3p8nYe7I0fsrvByOge6Uqh-8iPVeB0yOa3aktOFybosWGa_YR3Fp0xjz9Fh0Y1wxcrrX5Ldm5cYKPe6jqQHTB3rtke2yir0nWYwkOZroZN0LOnQIoNul/s320/P1020076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First grade studies different countries and their holiday traditions<br />around Christmas. Then they have a tasting party. Here is Joel<br />with his friends Braden and Tate at the tasting party.</td></tr>
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As room parent for Vance's class I was there to help get them ready for Gift of Song. Their school has every grade prepare a song around the holidays. Then they all gather in the MPR and one by one the grades stand up and sing their song. It's a fun tradition and I was glad that I was able to be there (to take pictures for yearbook of course.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance, Ella and Donovan ready for Gift of Song.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfrrd9ve4F4Bje1azpEqF9itpN5PYIQpGSSklRxfWKgGbgwyngw6HEkOWlcqUvYwD7p186mxKIrJSGNep9mOJKV7u2mORyQr2O16HRlYR8DFBH6UbqHkY8WO_DPhUrcNOOTzf/s1600/P1020260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfrrd9ve4F4Bje1azpEqF9itpN5PYIQpGSSklRxfWKgGbgwyngw6HEkOWlcqUvYwD7p186mxKIrJSGNep9mOJKV7u2mORyQr2O16HRlYR8DFBH6UbqHkY8WO_DPhUrcNOOTzf/s320/P1020260.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel's class made candy trains with their 5th grade buddies at Christmas.</td></tr>
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More updates to come, including Christmas and the boys' trip to Legoland with Nama and Pa.<br />
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<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-27591501411567820062013-06-28T10:56:00.001-07:002013-06-28T10:56:15.723-07:00Oh What a Year Part 2 Not long after we came home school started. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jqhOlALP6absLIK73B3B_qabcAdicJUWdoixgNfOl2sRqm9S74fycG0_Q-6EqByc4WOz3jVvaVfLwveM41KsRAFlG9FfjR0dyUnddCNXdp0v9nUhvn_sTaZRS6A14e2mlceR/s1600/P1010541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jqhOlALP6absLIK73B3B_qabcAdicJUWdoixgNfOl2sRqm9S74fycG0_Q-6EqByc4WOz3jVvaVfLwveM41KsRAFlG9FfjR0dyUnddCNXdp0v9nUhvn_sTaZRS6A14e2mlceR/s320/P1010541.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel's First Day of School</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO9WP6snmtU-5u0M7sYVbpu-YjzJMpSXeFGaYX1ucFJ1xlICHRmBupPDUq7JyoNE6QrcjkUD3bqFGy-ExzWHhUoLiZnf2-E-U1j1QRbOdLikscsHEcMK3s2R2EBtAeqhE30ke/s1600/P1010542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO9WP6snmtU-5u0M7sYVbpu-YjzJMpSXeFGaYX1ucFJ1xlICHRmBupPDUq7JyoNE6QrcjkUD3bqFGy-ExzWHhUoLiZnf2-E-U1j1QRbOdLikscsHEcMK3s2R2EBtAeqhE30ke/s320/P1010542.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance's First Day of school.<br />Notice the ninja pose.</td></tr>
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The second day of school was Vance's birthday! Happy 5th Birthday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMgRFsRop5cQv7c3j0D-3oZiDoWXi80kpbZC6YiqdSLuLw_bSQFyH7dcKnDmtd9KQGXKc8tnNbgAfPOJO3IRQmb-cMpASaun21EiNEx8vk24RGSaY7oI6zmCEQAnkz6g5g44N/s1600/P1010555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMgRFsRop5cQv7c3j0D-3oZiDoWXi80kpbZC6YiqdSLuLw_bSQFyH7dcKnDmtd9KQGXKc8tnNbgAfPOJO3IRQmb-cMpASaun21EiNEx8vk24RGSaY7oI6zmCEQAnkz6g5g44N/s320/P1010555.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing in front of his class in his birthday glory!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance wanted a two sided light saber "for years".</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance got a game to use on my DS.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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That weekend we had a little party for our birthday boy at our pool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcKfRGNOFWqDnDWd8mPR4B7H00S0eIk4q1tLO1X2Ip040rLc2TzsCLmVISyYjnL89U4z5KlGBKY9kM_RuC6st9p3KBhOUEGq87vEyfNUtbW8Co7RW0p0xdRnQshfQNjPM3B07/s1600/P1010597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcKfRGNOFWqDnDWd8mPR4B7H00S0eIk4q1tLO1X2Ip040rLc2TzsCLmVISyYjnL89U4z5KlGBKY9kM_RuC6st9p3KBhOUEGq87vEyfNUtbW8Co7RW0p0xdRnQshfQNjPM3B07/s320/P1010597.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids trying to free the superheroes from the ice <br />with their water guns. (Thank you pinterest for the idea!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrny76-dVSAOfCagrE4DcNVc8QB49Sia5F_WzDqhsWOJ8e8QFVY9-hqwQhSxpJEPh7VJoJWdwPqwkvCKqySdy3QP_0ZuI2HYZbvMhFuhifLPnJlmPOl-0vmWCHwwAkUcGWD3de/s1600/P1010603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrny76-dVSAOfCagrE4DcNVc8QB49Sia5F_WzDqhsWOJ8e8QFVY9-hqwQhSxpJEPh7VJoJWdwPqwkvCKqySdy3QP_0ZuI2HYZbvMhFuhifLPnJlmPOl-0vmWCHwwAkUcGWD3de/s320/P1010603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing out the candles on his cake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying his cake and morphing into a smurf. lol</td></tr>
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Things continued to chug along and before long it was Halloween!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqO4A31V-F60qceckFQkmOaZr0pEoIYV_hLEcSHk1IhyphenhyphenTIfwH2JC9WRB4wP-4Y2OyNUrLieU8GTTbftyrfyN0oJt5CndVoUt3JMdquTVMZ42WdAfmYYnZ2bqVaOnuthvJXfUDi/s1600/P1010885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqO4A31V-F60qceckFQkmOaZr0pEoIYV_hLEcSHk1IhyphenhyphenTIfwH2JC9WRB4wP-4Y2OyNUrLieU8GTTbftyrfyN0oJt5CndVoUt3JMdquTVMZ42WdAfmYYnZ2bqVaOnuthvJXfUDi/s320/P1010885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel REALLY wanted to be Robin. <br />So we coaxed Vance into being Batman.<br />Here they are with their loot.</td></tr>
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We spent fall break in Arizona.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBdHI7utZ52UiTJNQUCjfXAwl2pA6uCVHBVjeu5QpJpHe4rSswaH9rT7UFMHiE9adSBgv-zZn_gy_eG5g-BgLWKmFHWf2CY2o4Jg426D_P58zG5594img1uzPVJAWaF-90IXf/s1600/P1010952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBdHI7utZ52UiTJNQUCjfXAwl2pA6uCVHBVjeu5QpJpHe4rSswaH9rT7UFMHiE9adSBgv-zZn_gy_eG5g-BgLWKmFHWf2CY2o4Jg426D_P58zG5594img1uzPVJAWaF-90IXf/s320/P1010952.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel with Papa in the Z.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdFq32geLcJcTBrQE4T96BPIcwyeq5kC3r3hrm4K5BcxL6vQsO3WqwnTS3AkuiDQad0e9Fy6FoUTsbQ1U2Zz0LLzYfuAiTC2_OG5dgOHVVd1A9GgmKLIkrXFKJpmB7Pi7TAIL/s1600/P1010950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdFq32geLcJcTBrQE4T96BPIcwyeq5kC3r3hrm4K5BcxL6vQsO3WqwnTS3AkuiDQad0e9Fy6FoUTsbQ1U2Zz0LLzYfuAiTC2_OG5dgOHVVd1A9GgmKLIkrXFKJpmB7Pi7TAIL/s320/P1010950.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance's turn to take a ride with Papa in the Z.</td></tr>
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One of my old church leaders bought my grandparents old home next to my parents' house. It was fun to visit with her and take the boys through my grandparents house. One of the things I loved about my grandparents house was their pomegranate tree out back. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmNA1K_wooWzG6nF7dZkUQWy1KFL1J-EBhN3-0d6bS7FgB_effVqV18AyBvaBCa_ffGbO60qe6nTDZiGwAxpoL876QQHi6Ly85opnXM6x7A4g2d3ELu4qHbSEfGJphxwShEjm/s1600/P1010954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmNA1K_wooWzG6nF7dZkUQWy1KFL1J-EBhN3-0d6bS7FgB_effVqV18AyBvaBCa_ffGbO60qe6nTDZiGwAxpoL876QQHi6Ly85opnXM6x7A4g2d3ELu4qHbSEfGJphxwShEjm/s320/P1010954.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys and I in front of the pomegranate tree.<br />Yes that's me with blonde hair. I've since gone back to brunette.<br />It was a fun change for a little while.</td></tr>
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<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-15183723068713134892013-06-28T10:00:00.002-07:002013-06-28T10:00:15.811-07:00Oh What A YearThis has been a really hard year- hence the hiatus from blogging. I wasn't quite sure I wanted the year documented. But it wasn't all bad. LOL So here are some highlights from the last year.<br />
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Last Spring (2012) Nama and Pa came out and took us to Disneyland! Yipee<br />
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We went and visited Nama and Pa in Idaho and spent time with our cousins:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pa is low man on the totem pole.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July- proof I was there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys truly enjoyed the fireworks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing trees with Carter. (Tj's cousin's son.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trip to Boise isn't complete without dinner with family <br />at Chicago Connection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tre and the boys swimming.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McDonald's with Pa and cousins!</td></tr>
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Part of our trip included a trip to Stanley and the introduction of fishing: <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance getting a lesson on casting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel was quite the fisherman.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fam getting ready for a fishing hike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel could fish all day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the trip. Saying goodbye to cousins.</td></tr>
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<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-49300931532099730342013-06-23T18:25:00.001-07:002013-06-23T18:25:14.323-07:00Song Bird Joel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwrvLBLiK7D8Fa2sJYQkZxZZYBBYVLC-lybvTSvMOPzA42UgEZr4_UXJiJmwVt056vAZKD-vZ_ldg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-18681760558531828462013-06-22T17:52:00.002-07:002013-06-22T17:52:19.909-07:00School's out for the summer! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week the boys had their last day of school. Kindergarten had a family picnic and ceremony on the final day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance's cheesy face while they waited for the rest of the classes to get settled.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance's Kindergarten Class.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance getting his certificate of completing Kindergarten with Mrs. Jackson.</td></tr>
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Afterwards it was time to play with friends:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance with Sophia and Bella.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Best Buds Vance and Jared.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance and the Boys!</td></tr>
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<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-2697354242811861322013-06-22T17:45:00.001-07:002013-06-22T17:45:17.788-07:00Wonderful Oz So the first grade always puts on The Wizard of Oz. It is quite the production- especially for First Grade. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Main Characters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel with the other munchkins & lollipop guild.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cutest little munchkins singing a welcome to Dorothy in Oz.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend and neighbor Jordan was THE BEST wicked witch.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My FAVORITE Munchkin.</td></tr>
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<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-90023062093014793402013-06-22T17:27:00.000-07:002013-06-22T17:27:13.986-07:00And a Visit from Nama and PaJoel's class was doing a play and it was the perfect excuse for Nama and Pa to come visit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boys and Pa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pa, Vance and Nama</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that I was there....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5UT0yOEgaA9eAhN2blz3FNC6XYvxEHUyzBIa6vF5WicNvd1AP_uP74rf5jltO5TmhS0_kWLj__m80Qb2gVhWxc9G-clsHylwi6aWjmRS98yipe4UJWao0e088LvJtXa3C9oE/s1600/IMG_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5UT0yOEgaA9eAhN2blz3FNC6XYvxEHUyzBIa6vF5WicNvd1AP_uP74rf5jltO5TmhS0_kWLj__m80Qb2gVhWxc9G-clsHylwi6aWjmRS98yipe4UJWao0e088LvJtXa3C9oE/s320/IMG_0705.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My handsome boys!</td></tr>
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manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-51531387574600631942013-06-22T17:22:00.003-07:002013-06-22T17:22:30.420-07:00Citizen Joel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So one morning Joel reminds me that it had been awhile since I had checked his folder that week. (In my defense Tj had been out of town all week and I was managing things on the home front.) Luckily he reminded me because in there was a note.... from the Principal. Joel was going to be recognized at the school assembly that day. (Thanks Joel for the reminder!!!)<br />
So after dropping Vance off a 10 I headed into the assembly. I was on pins and needles to find out what Joel would be recognized for.....<br />
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Part of the group being recognized:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joel getting his Award for Citizenship from the Principal.</span><br />
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After getting his award.<br />
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Joel was one of about two dozen students in his school (of about 1,000 students) recognized for good citizenship throughout the school year. Joel is such a joy! He has such an amazing sense of kindness in him. He truly is good to the core. I wish I could take credit for it but he has been like that since the day he was born. I was so proud of him! manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-20294453698537337202013-05-24T15:13:00.004-07:002013-05-24T15:13:47.157-07:00And a Birthday Party So the piece de resistance to Joel's Birthday was a full fledged Chuck E. Cheese Birthday party: tokens, pizza and of course the ticket blaster! Joel is such a sweet kid and it's so fun to do nice things for him because he just eats it up! And really is so appreciative of everything. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel in his birthday crown. Happy Birthday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z5jCQOg6PvaTfooGBHQzUP8cSToqwZpiGWC-6IzEUVi71_HtL7HR-tLJ3x4HXZ40kCC-VRjVcvUkpjxRHz5uX6K76mxrm62m15jlv6gWuz_rHJ6PWeia6owBdTvi4jaEnbSj/s1600/P1030433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z5jCQOg6PvaTfooGBHQzUP8cSToqwZpiGWC-6IzEUVi71_HtL7HR-tLJ3x4HXZ40kCC-VRjVcvUkpjxRHz5uX6K76mxrm62m15jlv6gWuz_rHJ6PWeia6owBdTvi4jaEnbSj/s320/P1030433.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our great friends Jordan and Kim.<br />LOVE these ladies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KP2p_j77l9g/UZ76GOe2srI/AAAAAAAAD98/U29AjzLBe9M/s1600/P1030434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KP2p_j77l9g/UZ76GOe2srI/AAAAAAAAD98/U29AjzLBe9M/s320/P1030434.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel's friends Tate-and-Ryan.<br />That is how he refers to them; Tate-and-Ryan. <br />Although, they're not brothers. Just good friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e0jz-TLnOJM/UZ76a6xsZYI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/pMQj-ZeswNY/s1600/P1030438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e0jz-TLnOJM/UZ76a6xsZYI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/pMQj-ZeswNY/s320/P1030438.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday crew eating their pizza.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVZCkSUTPu4/UZ77CSnwP-I/AAAAAAAAD_g/8iSMw3Wbe1E/s1600/P1030444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mVZCkSUTPu4/UZ77CSnwP-I/AAAAAAAAD_g/8iSMw3Wbe1E/s320/P1030444.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel in the ticket blaster!<br />This was the part he was the MOST excited about!<br />He REALLY wanted to get the 1000 special ticket.........</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick7a-P_d37vH0-h1EPQsQ2Hn_TstoTA1YN20DbOwg80h_JIIwA7DZT2xwcVDYvOcomcFJwexjuNstSVUpO1lv44iWx-bStaNnEmb5LKL-6zoozjLwY6oHWdgfrARPb1xD-WGJ/s1600/P1030450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick7a-P_d37vH0-h1EPQsQ2Hn_TstoTA1YN20DbOwg80h_JIIwA7DZT2xwcVDYvOcomcFJwexjuNstSVUpO1lv44iWx-bStaNnEmb5LKL-6zoozjLwY6oHWdgfrARPb1xD-WGJ/s320/P1030450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we have a winner!<br />We spoke to other friends who said that they've NEVER seen someone<br />get the magic ticket. We didn't realize how lucky he truly was! <br />He was absolutely THRILLED!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2krUtE8iYBEH5m_AuVHgiD9iI7Lxgu69Kdc3FBYChMC7_yIqFuMiMT3JvxmendjltYDAIxUWVaEr-vlcAaSIeIaYWZYrIGYCZWFLVW5At40ZZ_ED4D12COOF2UsO-Ms_tIBy/s1600/P1030473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2krUtE8iYBEH5m_AuVHgiD9iI7Lxgu69Kdc3FBYChMC7_yIqFuMiMT3JvxmendjltYDAIxUWVaEr-vlcAaSIeIaYWZYrIGYCZWFLVW5At40ZZ_ED4D12COOF2UsO-Ms_tIBy/s320/P1030473.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel blowing out his candles with Chuck E.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8C9Yww55RUw/UZ8BW7r3ZyI/AAAAAAAAEFw/KkdWkrHxenc/s1600/P1030490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8C9Yww55RUw/UZ8BW7r3ZyI/AAAAAAAAEFw/KkdWkrHxenc/s320/P1030490.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday group!<br />Matthew, Tate, Chuck E., Ryan, Alisa, Joel, Vance and Jo<br />Happy Birthday dear Joel!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB8UPPc3tuAyM0D0_HEHKim_IECfgfBB1FmiC8ahIrRdhZo1k8PO-SCjJ1JcXg22PrFH1Xup-B5dlt5jYIsclrJU1zQ-XxdAh7WgZRzp7cmaj1kChavZ1lcSUzYEKya58SvkW/s1600/P1030496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB8UPPc3tuAyM0D0_HEHKim_IECfgfBB1FmiC8ahIrRdhZo1k8PO-SCjJ1JcXg22PrFH1Xup-B5dlt5jYIsclrJU1zQ-XxdAh7WgZRzp7cmaj1kChavZ1lcSUzYEKya58SvkW/s320/P1030496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel with his buddies Matthew and Alisa.<br />We adore them and their family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xqbu-zw3yeaW0bAv9LiFl77WhiFBY2W7kfA4UCCYfbRWF87JOAP_SEYHNpoe6ylj9rV2QrdR2KmSN4ZwhPkvhm-S3qPRvkOsnWh3fWMGq_MJgsFCBaDr4XaPXcjU0yx6a9GT/s1600/P1030502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xqbu-zw3yeaW0bAv9LiFl77WhiFBY2W7kfA4UCCYfbRWF87JOAP_SEYHNpoe6ylj9rV2QrdR2KmSN4ZwhPkvhm-S3qPRvkOsnWh3fWMGq_MJgsFCBaDr4XaPXcjU0yx6a9GT/s320/P1030502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan and Joel.<br />Jordan has this spy kit and when Joel saw that she got it for him she was SO excited!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghu_1YLnO4M/UZ8Cy5bGvkI/AAAAAAAAEH0/APLCG1QHTG0/s1600/P1030504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghu_1YLnO4M/UZ8Cy5bGvkI/AAAAAAAAEH0/APLCG1QHTG0/s320/P1030504.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel with Tate. <br />Joel really looks up to Tate. We're glad Tate is such a good friend Joel.</td></tr>
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manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-78316866635908160822013-05-23T22:19:00.000-07:002013-05-23T22:20:19.473-07:00A Tale of Two Classes<br />
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T'was open house at the boys school tonight. So we toured the boys classrooms. I can't believe we're nearing the end of the school year. It was fun to go through the boys classes. The growth in both boys is unbelievable. It's hard to believe that it was almost a year ago that we did this.<br />
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First up was Joel's class room. The main theme of Joel's class was "We speak for all living things." <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaELdNnnB6_HCcoA1m76MPw4IH_76YPkM44mnO9vyUu78wNX8kwaylJEUMmHpzV5R4Baoy4uusibMtRhnf8BiE_nnC9WyMKm3m2Hxz1NSFg5Zr98zEQZUTqbp7qpNihPI-0BIi/s1600/P1030507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaELdNnnB6_HCcoA1m76MPw4IH_76YPkM44mnO9vyUu78wNX8kwaylJEUMmHpzV5R4Baoy4uusibMtRhnf8BiE_nnC9WyMKm3m2Hxz1NSFg5Zr98zEQZUTqbp7qpNihPI-0BIi/s320/P1030507.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel at his desk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLzo-ctwEMI/UZ7tbWrWf2I/AAAAAAAAD4g/UyFElSnFG8U/s1600/P1030508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLzo-ctwEMI/UZ7tbWrWf2I/AAAAAAAAD4g/UyFElSnFG8U/s320/P1030508.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids planted flowers. His teacher made the planters into "Lorax" characters.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZCrfp0dKWkrcOGg5X5idlpMO7cnGl8LM1T92eJHZWNItH2-HzfLISRHPSm18c59g9LMKxMad-rUljEOmnKiLnsNEuleZjnOeLbN7a_cFRCCC6CdE4X1uQRLLTycMY5z1yEzT/s1600/P1030529+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIH4t33L6vCHSXJoQbS2eeEyjB19q4O7b84i38olzwO7-_Y7XVPDkt3sxCWxO7eTGKuq04BqayrJcCwSH5197RXKWROPt_mPbgeoBpitl6D9l_8YtL5bAGjxoolWN-_vKUqMi/s1600/P1030511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIH4t33L6vCHSXJoQbS2eeEyjB19q4O7b84i38olzwO7-_Y7XVPDkt3sxCWxO7eTGKuq04BqayrJcCwSH5197RXKWROPt_mPbgeoBpitl6D9l_8YtL5bAGjxoolWN-_vKUqMi/s320/P1030511.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel sharing his Clifford presentation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3ezB2NgkhQ/UZ7uCcur_SI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/0CJc-FmxNGk/s1600/P1030512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3ezB2NgkhQ/UZ7uCcur_SI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/0CJc-FmxNGk/s320/P1030512.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel's class have baby chicks. They started as eggs in an incubator and now are in a cage.<br />
They go back to the farm next week. But the class has enjoyed their visit.<br />
Seriously isn't this the greatest smile?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmPBRRqbbGgote_89BALB0TXJ477OggOTF8wtV-ylgINBmgHZcGAgN8uVQei8Tx_1GJ8qhgnnsJdyTJuw7TWfMjtUyjMT7P-cn1gcZaKB98uAzlErcdc1WA39MzlVmcSAOc7x/s1600/P1030515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmPBRRqbbGgote_89BALB0TXJ477OggOTF8wtV-ylgINBmgHZcGAgN8uVQei8Tx_1GJ8qhgnnsJdyTJuw7TWfMjtUyjMT7P-cn1gcZaKB98uAzlErcdc1WA39MzlVmcSAOc7x/s320/P1030515.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel with Mrs. A<br />
We LOVE her! She's amazing this is year has been phenomenal.<br />
Fingers crossed we get a repeat next year.</td></tr>
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Then we were off to Vance's class.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_zZ3lbCnBwAHVBbNBWivfQevADlxUX3RAZvUlUjsMImdfF3QJclhNs2VP2SNcCYMpRFnGZzxcMeL9AeIE8A7P-gPat2G1Ad8DC2HhcOcSd2UZpFeL67XhRZDzlYVJ2SvFNTq/s1600/P1030518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_zZ3lbCnBwAHVBbNBWivfQevADlxUX3RAZvUlUjsMImdfF3QJclhNs2VP2SNcCYMpRFnGZzxcMeL9AeIE8A7P-gPat2G1Ad8DC2HhcOcSd2UZpFeL67XhRZDzlYVJ2SvFNTq/s320/P1030518.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance's class had an animal theme as well. <br />
The owl tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz8qdojnomrkn41KxaFlU81E-v7ilYwwn21SUZHEap1pSQDWfiI6_oaNboGqPXblnlj8cSOBOjFcr2Yj6Wo5B-gHW0CPemGC1WIDPt2qAXbYgIsmBtm3UQxrEdiUkahgUnfeR/s1600/P1030523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz8qdojnomrkn41KxaFlU81E-v7ilYwwn21SUZHEap1pSQDWfiI6_oaNboGqPXblnlj8cSOBOjFcr2Yj6Wo5B-gHW0CPemGC1WIDPt2qAXbYgIsmBtm3UQxrEdiUkahgUnfeR/s320/P1030523.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys in front of the animal writing wall. <br />
Vance wrote about whales.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZCrfp0dKWkrcOGg5X5idlpMO7cnGl8LM1T92eJHZWNItH2-HzfLISRHPSm18c59g9LMKxMad-rUljEOmnKiLnsNEuleZjnOeLbN7a_cFRCCC6CdE4X1uQRLLTycMY5z1yEzT/s1600/P1030529+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZCrfp0dKWkrcOGg5X5idlpMO7cnGl8LM1T92eJHZWNItH2-HzfLISRHPSm18c59g9LMKxMad-rUljEOmnKiLnsNEuleZjnOeLbN7a_cFRCCC6CdE4X1uQRLLTycMY5z1yEzT/s320/P1030529+%25282%2529.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance at his desk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjQ_4qkYwes/UZ7vke8ywUI/AAAAAAAAD7c/zKmmIkFDpC0/s1600/P1030527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjQ_4qkYwes/UZ7vke8ywUI/AAAAAAAAD7c/zKmmIkFDpC0/s320/P1030527.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance and his buddy Jared.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance with Mrs. J<br />
We ADORE her. If only she would move up to 2nd grade!</td></tr>
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It's been a great school year. We're rounding out the year- it will be a busy couple of weeks. manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-14511121956616646632013-05-22T20:52:00.003-07:002013-05-22T20:52:51.722-07:00Vance's Mother's Day Program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you may or may not remember from four posts ago the boys' elementary school always does a "Mother's Day Tea" for the kindergarteners and their moms. So a couple weeks ago Vance performed at school. I of course was THAT mom. Front row seat, video camera on tri-pod, iphone ready to take snipits I could text to family, and my regular camera too- for the blog. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance walking in- flashing the "I love you" sign. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance was the first speaker and welcomed the moms to the program.</td></tr>
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They sang a few songs and then it was the video presentation. Afterwards we met up for lemonade, cookies and donut holes. Here's Vance with some of his friends:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance and his buddy Noah.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance with Madeline, Ella and Hailey.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Vance is quite the popular child in his class. His social calendar is always PACKED. Every time I go into class one of his friends is asking if he can come play with them or if they can come to our house. It's funny because he of course LOVES the attention but doesn't need it. Although he is always proactive in asking for playdates as well. He keeps me busy. But man do I love him!manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-40523023309783450712013-05-22T20:42:00.000-07:002013-05-22T20:42:09.914-07:00You say it's your Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is Joel's 7th Birthday! Fortunately I'm blogging about it now so I can avoid the chastisement of a FULL year of no blogging. But for now lets focus on Joel's birthday.<br />
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Joel is such a laid back kid that buying for him is WAY too easy. But two things that have ranked high for him lately have been Skylander's Giants and Beyblades. So that was the theme of his birthday. Nama and Pa bought him a Beyblade Battle arena with several Beyblades. Tj and I bought him the Skylander's video game started pack and Vance got him a Skylander figure. He was THRILLED with all of it. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance and Joel playing Beyblades.</td></tr>
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Joel's birthday started out early when he climbed into bed with me at 6 this morning. Normally that wouldn't have been a big deal but I had been up until 1 baking his birthday muffins so I was sleepy! After a half an hour he could not take it anymore and needed to get his birthday started! So off we went downstairs for said muffins and sausage for breakfast. Then it was off to school.<br />
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Before I dropped Vance off at class we took Joel the goodie bags for his class. Everyone was SO excited. One of his friends in class- Lucas- has his same birthday. So Lucas' mom brought in doughnuts. The kids were all SO excited. Then at lunch I took Joel McDonalds and ate lunch with him. I was so happy that he still wanted me to eat lunch with him. (It took the sting out of the fact that Vance did NOT want me to give him a kiss when he was saying good bye for school at the Kindergarten gate.) <br />
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When Tj got home we finally got to do presents. Then I was off to make breakfast for dinner- Joel's request. That boy LOVES breakfast for dinner. Then we had ice cream with cherries. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing out his birthday candles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla Ice Cream with cherries on top- as requested.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm3GH9FUzn3GZeCde0do1Dxq7bpqJeIni0ZoYFIqDUqoZElSkqNGvCz0LAOl5fcLj93nM8ddziqszIcu9_6QihUUTgFGNb2kxXo3B7qr_avWtE-CFT1wdnpdtyV4eVu0B92jA/s1600/P1030416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm3GH9FUzn3GZeCde0do1Dxq7bpqJeIni0ZoYFIqDUqoZElSkqNGvCz0LAOl5fcLj93nM8ddziqszIcu9_6QihUUTgFGNb2kxXo3B7qr_avWtE-CFT1wdnpdtyV4eVu0B92jA/s320/P1030416.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad heaping the cherries on.</td></tr>
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Joel with his new toys: <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With his Skylanders.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And his Beyblades. (Doesn't that smile melt your heart?!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qyZ8Sj9iYYX7b-bnNNTcIKmIr2-Sa-4lgrgJerO7PWp5M1LxcJD7cgKpjvGTm5v_uKywN3XTZnrU4bBMf-NfHvfdk0TSy6MWD7UUqcfpWg2uV2sRB2djUpVwwlyaTs6EYAh9/s1600/P1030426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qyZ8Sj9iYYX7b-bnNNTcIKmIr2-Sa-4lgrgJerO7PWp5M1LxcJD7cgKpjvGTm5v_uKywN3XTZnrU4bBMf-NfHvfdk0TSy6MWD7UUqcfpWg2uV2sRB2djUpVwwlyaTs6EYAh9/s320/P1030426.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing video games.</td></tr>
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This boy is something else. It's been a growing year for him. He has grown leaps and bounds in height. It freaks me out that his head is chest high on me now. There are days when I literally am at a loss of what else I could possibly feed him! There's never any question when a growth spurt is coming on. But he has also grown academically and socially as well. He is a TREMENDOUS reader. I remember his teacher telling us the first day of school that they would leave first grade MUCH better readers. It's so fun to have him literally be able to read anything he can get his hands on. (Hence why I keep my phone locked. LOL) It's also been interesting to see other people point out things that I tend to take for granted about Joel. He is such a GOOD kid. Of course he is still a kid and makes silly decisions and mistakes here and there. But he has such a good and tender heart. And he really is intuitive. His teacher calls him an old soul and is always blown away by some of his insights in class. Sometimes I wish I could freeze him right where he's at and keep him here forever. This is such a fun age. But I'm excited to watch him grow too. <br />
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Happy Birthday my Polar Bear! manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-25384567561914877672012-06-03T17:41:00.000-07:002012-06-03T17:41:21.914-07:00Joel's Open House 2012 We love Joel's school. They are really great about involving the families and coming up with great projects to showcase what the students have been doing all year. The teachers spend SO much time and energy working with the students and families. And the Principal is AMAZING! The amount of time and energy she spends outside of the regular school hours is phenomenal. She knows pretty much all the students and their families and really cares about each one. <br />
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A few weeks ago they had their Open House. It started with a picnic at the school and Science Fair showcase. Then we were off to Joel's classroom.<br />
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This last learning unit in their class was about animals. So their open house projects were lots of the things they did in this unit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUMcYkFfvsX02pP1XGP1W0dqoaZSX0n9kCtnXWZA-oOby4UVb5ZaZATMzB8nsBnNC94yCfCusF8dMGt6SNUOnIXgDq24-FGNH8dninFOpkRtvHbafM0QdAKeIlCuA4rh8AGUT/s1600/P1010180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUMcYkFfvsX02pP1XGP1W0dqoaZSX0n9kCtnXWZA-oOby4UVb5ZaZATMzB8nsBnNC94yCfCusF8dMGt6SNUOnIXgDq24-FGNH8dninFOpkRtvHbafM0QdAKeIlCuA4rh8AGUT/s320/P1010180.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giraffe counting and My Favorite Animal writing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2SBthCRvad11vJG0PB204aBPDpTlb90bCI2wUQanI56T2KaimqU1GioCi_4WbMuAfW5AhoYEKF12Z4tx9jDEMZTD4IdPgjLTc4mVeOeVzNwuhdGBjLdr6pW0QZaLg7OAUN-J/s1600/P1010182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2SBthCRvad11vJG0PB204aBPDpTlb90bCI2wUQanI56T2KaimqU1GioCi_4WbMuAfW5AhoYEKF12Z4tx9jDEMZTD4IdPgjLTc4mVeOeVzNwuhdGBjLdr6pW0QZaLg7OAUN-J/s320/P1010182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel showing Vance his table spot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel and his friend Jafar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal coverings: fur, feathers, scales, skin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safari board. I LOVE this pose from Joel. :)</td></tr>
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We're excited for Vance to experience all this next year. :) We also went and toured the First Grade classes to give him a chance to see what he'll be doing next year. We're really fortunate that we moved to the area that we did that has such a great school!manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-75362693512620081882012-06-03T17:18:00.000-07:002012-06-03T17:18:51.006-07:00A Solar Eclipse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back on May 20th there was a Solar Eclipse. The boys were interested in what was going on. So Tj cut up a box and out to the street we went to see the eclipse.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tj and his typical reaction to the camera.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tj showing the boys how the eclipse works.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eclipse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance in his Hulk pajamas out at the street.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel in his awesome lime green outfit.</td></tr>
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<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-54474609265506328722012-05-27T21:43:00.003-07:002012-05-27T21:43:49.011-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Joel celebrated his 6th Birthday last week. I can't believe my first baby is turning SIX! He's getting so grown up. It's always crazy to me when we put on something that he hasn't worn for awhile and see how much he's grown. It's also great to see him interact with his friends, brother and those around him. He's such a good boy.<br />
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Joel and his birthday breakfast.</div>
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Birthday muffins, bacon, yogurt and orange juice.</div>
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Breakfast of champions. =)</div>
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Joel with his yearly birthday banner and balloon.</div>
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Daddy helping Joel set up his birthday gift from Nama and Pa-</div>
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a new camera! Thanks Nama and Pa! </div>
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Joel with his Iron Man shooter from Vance.</div>
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This year was so fun to see Joel celebrate his birthday at school.</div>
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We went in to drop off birthday bags (no food allowed in his classroom. sad.) and got to watch them celebrate his birthday in class.</div>
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They sang Happy Birthday to him and then he got to mix up the words</div>
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and then they sing the words the way he mixed them up.</div>
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His mixed up version of Happy Birthday.</div>
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Getting his "beary special hugs" from his teacher.</div>
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Have I mentioned how much we LOVES his teacher?!</div>
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Vance and I then went home until lunch time. Then we took Joel lunch and ate with him. </div>
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The lunch ladies were confused about his lunch plans.</div>
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He got double lunch! </div>
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Joel, Vance and Joel's friends at lunch.</div>
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Joel's big birthday activity will be this weekend when Nama and Pa come to visit. So we let him have a little gathering of a few of his friends. He got to choose a friend from church, one from school and our good friends and neighbors Kim and Jordan. We invaded Red Robin and while it was an adventure it was also a lot of fun. </div>
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Joel's birthday buddies.</div>
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Ethan, Joel, Jordan, Vance and Jackson.</div>
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Joel and Jackson.</div>
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At school Joel wrote compliments for all his</div>
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classmates. On Jackson's he wrote , </div>
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"You are my best friend." </div>
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Joel and Jordan.</div>
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We love Jordan. Such a good friend and just next door!</div>
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Vance at dinner.</div>
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(Yes his shirt is backwards intentionally.)</div>
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Joel drinking up the last of his sundae and birthday!</div>
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It was such a fun day. We joked that his birthday was sponsored by the Avengers. He got the Iron Man shooter, Thor hammer, Iron Man action figure, and of course the massive Avengers balloon. Tj and I got him a "Yo-Baby" board (basically a skateboard without wheels to learn tricks), a hot wheels track and an angry birds space shirt. </div>
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Joel is such a great boy. He's smart, funny, musical, kind, sensitive, sweet and tries so hard to be obedient. I love this kid!</div>manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-32519505807934052632012-05-27T20:59:00.000-07:002012-05-27T21:03:35.202-07:00Mother's Day 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mother's Day was such a fun weekend! The boys made it really special.<br />
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Saturday was all about ME! =) I slept in and then we got ready to go see The Avengers. Great movie, great time with the boys and Tj! Then it was off to Bj's for lunch/dinner. Here are some pictures at our meal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3ecRLiFVJ_52-MLJFHkH8ryew9HZdkkzouahp6DdWma8k_IaQC5WywE4F04_UcJ_GRuY97r2NnltQY2c-8Cr-yRwn9pQ32JQd2rMnFBX7yF7RT4EqHSuibsi8D_N28Fhe-ZA/s1600/P1010027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3ecRLiFVJ_52-MLJFHkH8ryew9HZdkkzouahp6DdWma8k_IaQC5WywE4F04_UcJ_GRuY97r2NnltQY2c-8Cr-yRwn9pQ32JQd2rMnFBX7yF7RT4EqHSuibsi8D_N28Fhe-ZA/s200/P1010027.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel and Tj.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA6m1XEOtSrTmc8UjnYNOp9pS92Lx09WAsjj3JLxykYChGQ9m42p_I78hrjCv9OQ49W69zhBE3x9Vx3_B53yOCvSOtkR9SAP_fiRyvzqRhOCvswZdTzDRu_RTNSsRxN75NhTe/s1600/P1010028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA6m1XEOtSrTmc8UjnYNOp9pS92Lx09WAsjj3JLxykYChGQ9m42p_I78hrjCv9OQ49W69zhBE3x9Vx3_B53yOCvSOtkR9SAP_fiRyvzqRhOCvswZdTzDRu_RTNSsRxN75NhTe/s200/P1010028.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Joel. Such a sweetie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vance and Me. He's SO cute!</td></tr>
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The boys then took me home and they went shopping.<br />
Sunday the boys woke me up with breakfast that they made with the help of Tj. Toast, eggs and bananas. Then it was time for gifts. Vance had made me a vase with paper flowers and a beautiful painted frame with his picture in it. Joel made me a frame with a little poem and handprint flowers. They both also decorated cupcakes and daddy helped them get me a garlic press. =)<br />
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I'm so lucky to be the mother of these two sweet boys. It's the best job in the whole world!manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-91559903132520884672012-05-11T17:00:00.000-07:002012-05-11T17:00:55.242-07:00Mother's Day Preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So life had been pretty crazy. Once February hit life pretty much
revolved around the yearbook. It escalated from there until April. I
feel like all I said to the boys in March was "We can do that once the
yearbook is done." "We will play once the yearbook is done and turned
in." "Mommy can't because I'm working on the yearbook." So once it was
all turned in a HUGE weight was lifted and I felt like I got my life
back. Of course the blog continued to be neglected but I'm back and
hoping to be better.<br />
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I LOVE this time of year. I have
to admit that this has not always been my favorite time of year.
Mother's Day is always hard when you dream of being a mom and that is
pushed back and pushed back for whatever reason. This year Mother's Day
got kicked off early. Thursdays Joel's school had their Mother's Day
Brunch. It was fantastic! I LOVED it. Joel was SO cute- although his
buddy Jordan stole the show! It was a cute show with four little songs
all the kindergarteners sang, followed by a cute video presentation.
Apparently I look the prettiest when I go to baby showers, according to
Joel. =) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel during the program.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy and Joel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel and his friends Jordan, Aubrey and Gregory.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More friends: Gregory, Jafar and Ethan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel and his teacher, we LOVE her! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Not to be outdone Vance has also been working hard to make my Mother's Day special. He made me a special gift at church last week. Then at preschool he made me another special gift and wilt-proof flowers. I can't wait to open them on Sunday. Such a fun time. I LOVE these boys. While I appreciate the work they've done to make my Mother's Day special they truly are the best gifts every day of the year. <br />
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<br />manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-52341825396549059002012-04-11T21:22:00.003-07:002012-04-11T21:48:45.067-07:00A Wicked Good TimeI do believe that I have one of the most kind and generous men as a father-in-law. A few months back I got a call from him telling me that he was buying tickets for Wicked in Portland. He invited me to go on a Girls' Trip with my mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law and some of his nieces. After the original call I called my surrogate sister from Florida who lives in the suburbs of Portland to find out how close she would be and if a visit during my time there was possible. We were able to arrange for me to go out early to visit her. It was a much needed and welcomed vacation. Even the weather cooperated and while there was rain (I've been old that there is always a chance for rain in Portland) it was fairly mild and an excellent visit!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHJiTim0YL_K_63SLZFLBPUdTnPsiGX-Llyxip1LUWTAc43W5Jvr9kWs7oyDpl_Mkx9GiO5uCTEEW9gaHbE8zOpRi0Da76Zs-SMJx8dcFGeGkuX-8lpzgxaDMkYAO9AOP66rR/s1600/P1000807.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHJiTim0YL_K_63SLZFLBPUdTnPsiGX-Llyxip1LUWTAc43W5Jvr9kWs7oyDpl_Mkx9GiO5uCTEEW9gaHbE8zOpRi0Da76Zs-SMJx8dcFGeGkuX-8lpzgxaDMkYAO9AOP66rR/s320/P1000807.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730366203309920450" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gram, Kiersten (a friend of Cindy's), Cindy, Manda,<br />Alicia (my surrogate sister), Brooke, Whitney,<br />Meagan and Ashley (the nieces) at dinner.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTjHJwtxqB109rVqcuafH5VB1zEarP16UwnSRyLrwcxaPD_IzlBn6dULzFfUYEQ5Y-ltekET1Ij_rsi46G7LovkSyNwDqsQJrj3KQf5hWkmX-HQctTHsZKNmU5GpoPKnlSI6Q/s1600/P1000804.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTjHJwtxqB109rVqcuafH5VB1zEarP16UwnSRyLrwcxaPD_IzlBn6dULzFfUYEQ5Y-ltekET1Ij_rsi46G7LovkSyNwDqsQJrj3KQf5hWkmX-HQctTHsZKNmU5GpoPKnlSI6Q/s320/P1000804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730366185475086290" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me and Alicia<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vq6gz0h9zDq6mUUTY24QCopV5ND8QRkbnmfP6CGLBlehqvayXxrok9vFWmAePF2DCIq6XzqnjbkU9WRIa7QaHM7K8QCiACkU2ApKWdX6IDPCE9JN_YtleFa02DoyGNGxt5sJ/s1600/P1000802.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vq6gz0h9zDq6mUUTY24QCopV5ND8QRkbnmfP6CGLBlehqvayXxrok9vFWmAePF2DCIq6XzqnjbkU9WRIa7QaHM7K8QCiACkU2ApKWdX6IDPCE9JN_YtleFa02DoyGNGxt5sJ/s320/P1000802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730365583160222034" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meagan and Ashley<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl8sycx5_zWEXPndG0Qhf-EExsxD_tVqKnUaVaoWhL_ktbsXQaB67O3hiBjV8sbJDPCMMWh2W2wKh-MPo1eyi0318MHaQjQbdUoXbDD5IQ5BC1fi4Z0NtRVb40_0JJUghAZFP/s1600/P1000801.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl8sycx5_zWEXPndG0Qhf-EExsxD_tVqKnUaVaoWhL_ktbsXQaB67O3hiBjV8sbJDPCMMWh2W2wKh-MPo1eyi0318MHaQjQbdUoXbDD5IQ5BC1fi4Z0NtRVb40_0JJUghAZFP/s320/P1000801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730365573247208034" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brooke and Whitney<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszMjDq_vpyQYl64YcaPRhA_VgRxusjvgMxh7GZbkm8FtxOP5hCKNk00RIxO67-CLoCgV55u0y0SuSHuZqNOHwnulGcNPX1uzwMbo8_gavnvPuEJCTvrM__MZ607HLZMKeaNod/s1600/P1000803+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszMjDq_vpyQYl64YcaPRhA_VgRxusjvgMxh7GZbkm8FtxOP5hCKNk00RIxO67-CLoCgV55u0y0SuSHuZqNOHwnulGcNPX1uzwMbo8_gavnvPuEJCTvrM__MZ607HLZMKeaNod/s320/P1000803+%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730365587758988738" border="0" /></a>Ashley and Gram.<br />(Sorry for the closed eyes Gram but it was the only picture I had of you up close.)<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>So not only did Tom buy us all tickets to the amazing show "Wicked" but they were the most UNBELIEVABLE seats in the THIRD row. I don't know which was more fun to watch the amazing show or the priceless view of seeing Gram and the girls watch the amazing show. I wish that Tom could have at least been there to see it himself. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWYsyPwEJu4S6v_r3RMTgO25ZfX8KUaqW9UDsXkuPBWqRrM1zAZ2zefKhvhy9wCRxEJU1rUzm0gJz3hc6F8LTcQPr6MeQVcIEOkm0gqXezh_V5JjXT_ST-GIbBmS_35bvcBEC/s1600/P1000809.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWYsyPwEJu4S6v_r3RMTgO25ZfX8KUaqW9UDsXkuPBWqRrM1zAZ2zefKhvhy9wCRxEJU1rUzm0gJz3hc6F8LTcQPr6MeQVcIEOkm0gqXezh_V5JjXT_ST-GIbBmS_35bvcBEC/s320/P1000809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730366212881188242" border="0" /></a>Alicia and I in front of the auditorium for Wicked.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYVmwiPEvxsCwlXDVkE_6VCSxHMV5inyQasWXfxb8_r18-8f9SR5wrDdJv1xhq0ClRWQQDS6ElR2WyIn4gleFMFrLEPHiVFnPOYpXTswyee6cGUR51jFCBoiL1e8zvqvQsjPN/s1600/P1000810.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYVmwiPEvxsCwlXDVkE_6VCSxHMV5inyQasWXfxb8_r18-8f9SR5wrDdJv1xhq0ClRWQQDS6ElR2WyIn4gleFMFrLEPHiVFnPOYpXTswyee6cGUR51jFCBoiL1e8zvqvQsjPN/s320/P1000810.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730366689199509378" border="0" /></a>Gram, Brooke, Ashley, Whitney, Manda, Cindy and Meagan.<br /><br /></div><br />Thank you Tom (and Cindy) for the amazing trip!manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-58376153793636179092012-04-11T20:49:00.006-07:002012-04-11T21:21:47.847-07:00The Easter PageantEvery Spring our church puts on an Easter Pagent on the lawn of the Mesa Temple. It tells of the final days before the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ. My sister-in-law spearheaded the production of loading us all up and heading down there to see it Tuesday night. We were a bit rushed to get seats and I know that I was concerned about keeping the kids out late and the pageant keeping their attention but it all was well worth it. The boys paid attention and enjoyed "the act out" (as they called it).<br /><br />We grabbed a few pizzas from Little Cesear's (thank heavens for their hot and ready pizzas) and were seated just before they started making people giving up "saved" seats. So we sat and had our pizza. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTUiFcx601iQ23iSBFfaHcBsJIQg_Ah2rGT6IMN_UmJrXCuuQFtC1pwXiaL7Iy_35lnDA7PYINj6lhyphenhyphenox0G2T1xE6ZDC0_XLDN0kxu1dH_lrir-55MWutCg9422APHEvE7gdC/s1600/P1000776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTUiFcx601iQ23iSBFfaHcBsJIQg_Ah2rGT6IMN_UmJrXCuuQFtC1pwXiaL7Iy_35lnDA7PYINj6lhyphenhyphenox0G2T1xE6ZDC0_XLDN0kxu1dH_lrir-55MWutCg9422APHEvE7gdC/s320/P1000776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730359614878152210" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids, Aunt Sandy, pizza and caprisuns. Yum!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfpbn-6l0OlOVjs6lHOh8GXSkoYiCumlLSNcJHOngXaHTTi3s8UxpS5XM4wN0zcfO8osY4GAMqN19j01lN9IT9RzitC2ThPmdoNxFaK5c6DqhJ9j8nqweh_ozai7H3EJZTxJx/s1600/P1000787.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfpbn-6l0OlOVjs6lHOh8GXSkoYiCumlLSNcJHOngXaHTTi3s8UxpS5XM4wN0zcfO8osY4GAMqN19j01lN9IT9RzitC2ThPmdoNxFaK5c6DqhJ9j8nqweh_ozai7H3EJZTxJx/s320/P1000787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730359623442788210" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gotta love 6-year-olds.<br />Notice all the silly faces throughout the pictures<br />from these two- and Vance occasionally.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBkXO7Gi1D2_gEBWkjfZJbvU0zwZVGj9ib7dRCSiNOMil9IT-VMjP4NHI6eW1wD0XKxBiuGjVOm8DqKR_k0C-m37U56YHJc4JKeFC27UGz6hRI83UyTgoc9EfSV_ehUZXTL82/s1600/P1000780.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBkXO7Gi1D2_gEBWkjfZJbvU0zwZVGj9ib7dRCSiNOMil9IT-VMjP4NHI6eW1wD0XKxBiuGjVOm8DqKR_k0C-m37U56YHJc4JKeFC27UGz6hRI83UyTgoc9EfSV_ehUZXTL82/s320/P1000780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730359635587737362" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me and the boys.<br />(No it's not an optical illusion- I did chop off all my hair.)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAEaD1vjnT9M_b-DVRpvEcOUAMy27ku-Fn1zhiVWp3CYlI13EAU25vGe8tCx96JFvuQdheM2n_D_TX1TUdWvMtJluCSVvyjjaKSZnTSQnEEiKvTdE3NI14st9oYBS7MmTbejY/s1600/P1000800.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAEaD1vjnT9M_b-DVRpvEcOUAMy27ku-Fn1zhiVWp3CYlI13EAU25vGe8tCx96JFvuQdheM2n_D_TX1TUdWvMtJluCSVvyjjaKSZnTSQnEEiKvTdE3NI14st9oYBS7MmTbejY/s320/P1000800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730358882543813234" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Emma, Vance and Joel in front of<br />the Mesa Temple.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWStOuGRduynDOhSjg4mt5-Qa9WwDvGRA1-eCov4s1LYc3_6CchE_vSH4jMDR_HeApgMGQaMQM5LMFJiEFuJmM6kbv46iOWfveulVH3rYb0PYndbYIWEoE3QRSeijU0BJ9zEV/s1600/P1000793.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWStOuGRduynDOhSjg4mt5-Qa9WwDvGRA1-eCov4s1LYc3_6CchE_vSH4jMDR_HeApgMGQaMQM5LMFJiEFuJmM6kbv46iOWfveulVH3rYb0PYndbYIWEoE3QRSeijU0BJ9zEV/s320/P1000793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730358873884109042" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vance, Emma and Joel on the grounds<br />of the Mesa Temple.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CpDzXIi-JgvELsGUFeOMpyK2GclN6LHJkBQs_hX7eKJGGPoBQaXIXzOQtU1NTcd7GTLO5tM5moTTioaWNpVcdq6XdHuKfrH_Kf-2LYjM0fAaAHJXK1GCN3-icLhCFs3hiZsL/s1600/P1000779.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CpDzXIi-JgvELsGUFeOMpyK2GclN6LHJkBQs_hX7eKJGGPoBQaXIXzOQtU1NTcd7GTLO5tM5moTTioaWNpVcdq6XdHuKfrH_Kf-2LYjM0fAaAHJXK1GCN3-icLhCFs3hiZsL/s320/P1000779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730358888338744242" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matthew and Brody ready for the sun<br />to set and the pageant to start.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I wasn't sure how much the boys got out of the pageant until today. The boys were playing up in their room. They came down and asked if I wanted to see their show. I told them I would come up and see it in a few minutes. When I went up they began to reenact part of the Easter Pageant. Thank you Aunt Sandy for the reminder of the true meaning of Easter beyond bunnies, chocolate and colored eggs. <br /></div></div>manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-16494584082609168942012-04-11T19:23:00.004-07:002012-04-11T20:48:49.218-07:00Spring Break ContinuedSo with Spring Break being so long I was hoping to make a visit to Phoenix to see my brother and his family. His children are close in age to the boys and they look forward to seeing them and talk about them all the time. With gas prices being what they are it looked like I was going to be grounded. However, with a scheduling snafu a trip to Arizona seemed to be the solution. This meant good news for us! <br /><br />Our trip started out with a birthday party for my niece Emma. They surprised her with a bouncy castle and she was SO excited to see it when she got home from school. A few hours later her friends arrived and although it was sunny and a bit warm the kids had a fun time in the castle, drank enough water to fill a pool and the party was deemed a success. <br /><br />The following two days were filled with our church's conference and listening to our world wide leaders. I also stole away for a little while to meet one of my cousins for lunch and since I was in the area also stopped by Eegees. One of my favorite Arizona treats. :) Of course I didn't get any pictures of ANY of this. <br /><br />Sunday my parents were in Phoenix and invited all of us kids who were in the area (4 out of 7) to dinner. We decided on Rain Forest Cafe and the kids enjoyed the dining experience. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvraozYc64cT13Wy_PTS3RtYWOOQPxxj0CsbhSMFcg-CvqLr3shDwZ51a0WPlg3IXzZbRQ_qN3BAI5-i1dpi_yG5SKgpoDre7LsqIfZFDzHh4zhTq17J5MRExf1a2B4xSY-7y/s1600/P1000768.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvraozYc64cT13Wy_PTS3RtYWOOQPxxj0CsbhSMFcg-CvqLr3shDwZ51a0WPlg3IXzZbRQ_qN3BAI5-i1dpi_yG5SKgpoDre7LsqIfZFDzHh4zhTq17J5MRExf1a2B4xSY-7y/s320/P1000768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730350925223208530" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids (minus Corbin who refused to take pictures)<br />in front of the tank at Rain Forest Cafe.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJPDkaTxcAju8mC_s3Di2q2xscA2knSnOoES5-K2gWD5zSNfEDa7P9Ivvsr_6xMZDPPSKPuy5pCFaReD64dFTVAgLbN_-ar9DP9nq3a2RU8nNrgZNmruYM2ruSxhJjTJNDkVP/s1600/P1000773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJPDkaTxcAju8mC_s3Di2q2xscA2knSnOoES5-K2gWD5zSNfEDa7P9Ivvsr_6xMZDPPSKPuy5pCFaReD64dFTVAgLbN_-ar9DP9nq3a2RU8nNrgZNmruYM2ruSxhJjTJNDkVP/s320/P1000773.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730350934716435170" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids again outside of the Rain Forest Cafe.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC_zNlvPjC0RF2Dgq607IHGesONG2koRfdD9MCB3EXEynJPaDm-_6xcoKS0VHKe2aKKd8cBrxH8tYq8phwUyLR9ZfNwmh6B1CluJBrkIcaNpVC5Buiv5l2HOz7Sly1EZgcYQF/s1600/P1000775+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC_zNlvPjC0RF2Dgq607IHGesONG2koRfdD9MCB3EXEynJPaDm-_6xcoKS0VHKe2aKKd8cBrxH8tYq8phwUyLR9ZfNwmh6B1CluJBrkIcaNpVC5Buiv5l2HOz7Sly1EZgcYQF/s320/P1000775+%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730351579555650818" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A rare shot of the elusive Corbin.<br /></div>manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-15504061038751779092012-04-11T17:42:00.004-07:002012-04-11T18:59:31.535-07:00A Spring Break PastThis was our first official Spring Break since it's Joel's first year of school. We planned on having a low key spring break. Joel's school break was actually TWO ENTIRE weeks! The first week Vance still had preschool so it was fun to have a couple mornings hanging out with just Joel.<br /><br />Tuesday the boys reminded me that I had promised them that some day we would go to the zoo. And Tuesday seemed like a good day to be some day. So we got up and headed to the zoo. It was a perfect day to go to the zoo except that the bird show doesn't perform on Tuesday. It started out a bit overcast and chilly. But as the day went on it became sunny without being too hot. The boys had SO much fun and it was a really fun day at the zoo.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOVYuaeUtSmeEmqgdBNDkxcAh9piZxcOq23-2wC29hOd5-Txd_NG-D0YyyknZFAEb79dyncVxC8eiQ0de2Fbsrcqn0gSWY45qdm1Caj-KmaEBWL7rTMsniIfLnZjXVP-xuIJ8/s1600/P1000757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOVYuaeUtSmeEmqgdBNDkxcAh9piZxcOq23-2wC29hOd5-Txd_NG-D0YyyknZFAEb79dyncVxC8eiQ0de2Fbsrcqn0gSWY45qdm1Caj-KmaEBWL7rTMsniIfLnZjXVP-xuIJ8/s320/P1000757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730324622748124562" border="0" /></a>The boys and the flamingos.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtagAZ6o2vhWinq74IEzRIcG-H5J-rQIlv1t0cE8BBaOBJhVWSS7GLHrhkFXjiRmVrzEo9BLSj6rPTaXUZRu3FJ2yUPFZvMEVDGCWMLBI4_BXSrwpUQOATQ09DQrA-9poLbzVF/s1600/P1000756.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtagAZ6o2vhWinq74IEzRIcG-H5J-rQIlv1t0cE8BBaOBJhVWSS7GLHrhkFXjiRmVrzEo9BLSj6rPTaXUZRu3FJ2yUPFZvMEVDGCWMLBI4_BXSrwpUQOATQ09DQrA-9poLbzVF/s320/P1000756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730324633146533922" border="0" /></a>I love this picture of Joel in his "Joe Cool" pose.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmP5Nm39KLuZrVPdywh70HwKkvrQrLt4m6c9isnu7crY_AxCbBOzj8idz8YU3HMwTpt7S5FzuBw0aXzV5suAVJE69EtrTxXKKjfuc7xCQPAiP8WUk4564u81xa5PfupSA1Joo/s1600/P1000766.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmP5Nm39KLuZrVPdywh70HwKkvrQrLt4m6c9isnu7crY_AxCbBOzj8idz8YU3HMwTpt7S5FzuBw0aXzV5suAVJE69EtrTxXKKjfuc7xCQPAiP8WUk4564u81xa5PfupSA1Joo/s320/P1000766.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730316661303417570" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys with the giraffe's.<br />I LOVE giraffes and<br />I LOVE what good brothers<br />these two are to each other. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZCRo4-hzWbURwI1_1v3UzmL8gvC5f2LFKp2A753bktLCYEYtgSjvF7TCb62LGyyKA64yZJTrvhQnD0fXKyFmpHiWISc0CLwCzXMku0yYoKWcVxhCsJd5Narw7BRH9k5KQnJS/s1600/P1000763.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZCRo4-hzWbURwI1_1v3UzmL8gvC5f2LFKp2A753bktLCYEYtgSjvF7TCb62LGyyKA64yZJTrvhQnD0fXKyFmpHiWISc0CLwCzXMku0yYoKWcVxhCsJd5Narw7BRH9k5KQnJS/s320/P1000763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730316672666108658" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vance with the lion and her cubs.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The boys and I had such a fun day together. It would have been nice to have Tj there- but I guess somebody has to bring home the bacon. I let the boys pick out something from the gift shop. The boys picked out little plastic chomper animals. Vance picked a cheetah that he named "Cheety, Cheety". Joel picked a crocodile that he named "Ziggy". Unfortunately, Joel broke his crocodile later that week- but Uncle Brody was able to fix it. But then Vance broke it almost a week later in a manner that couldn't be fixed. Bummer! Wish I had gotten a picture with them together before the demise of Ziggy, they really put a lot of miles on those toys.<br /></div></div>manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-3663884752625898272012-03-21T09:31:00.002-07:002012-03-21T19:46:00.263-07:00PajamaramaI know I've not been very good at keeping this up. I am finishing up the majority of the yearbook for Joel's school this week and then will hopefully be able to devote more time to documenting my OWN family's life. :)<br /><br />Last night Joel's school had their Pajamarama for Read Across America. It was SO fun! Tj had to work late so he couldn't go with us. But the boys and I had a great time with each other and our neighbor and friends Kim and Jordan. They had the 1st and 2nd graders perform the animal pajama song- it was SO cute! Joel can't wait to be able to do it next year. :) Then they had a few of the teachers and the principal and vice principal set up in different rooms to read to the kids. The boys LOVED it! Joel especially loved that his teacher was helping read in one of the rooms (two of the kindergarten teachers teamed up). The Book Fair was also going on. We were like kids in a candy store! It is super fun to have Joel learning to read and be able to pick out books together that we'll later read together. I can't wait for Vance to learn next year and share it with him too. But we got some fun books for us all to read together!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOqaaHdqgTDnSx2YPwCcpKFHfKghkjVYK2cmpuV-50QhzL6o7eSV69o-OzqvsSjbovIrB3mr-hLZ85Kq1SffeNYrHtCWrDzXbixmPNzYpXJ5PYkMNh6E98bV7LBxsPu7VcObN/s1600/P1000596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOqaaHdqgTDnSx2YPwCcpKFHfKghkjVYK2cmpuV-50QhzL6o7eSV69o-OzqvsSjbovIrB3mr-hLZ85Kq1SffeNYrHtCWrDzXbixmPNzYpXJ5PYkMNh6E98bV7LBxsPu7VcObN/s320/P1000596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722543944843662674" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joel and our friend Jordan. (She has a wee crush on him, I think it's so cute!)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nTXQh9FwAPYeXhbcDTS971RMhIDMRhm5LewiTlvEXXVzbdWMWQJSDHCqDF75NijsZPlS7Zckqi7MfDMD9beG7S47mL180w4r5eJf36X0B7eQRI0C9mOAjBWt90k53ucTj5Y1/s1600/P1000599.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nTXQh9FwAPYeXhbcDTS971RMhIDMRhm5LewiTlvEXXVzbdWMWQJSDHCqDF75NijsZPlS7Zckqi7MfDMD9beG7S47mL180w4r5eJf36X0B7eQRI0C9mOAjBWt90k53ucTj5Y1/s320/P1000599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722543937853376146" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joel and his friends from class.<br />Zach, Ryan, Jordan, Joel, Adam and Vance<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmsFIaN7EZes7gEQeP1n1C9x1tVRueMivfewBNT4X5G1gv-rUVLt49VInKw_LDJCXRS0j_rA3MKOypOlwSF5RDuZbNHNGIfYjNLIr6htJgNId2NAxSPcoEyAtWs4f00NEX16p/s1600/P1000644.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmsFIaN7EZes7gEQeP1n1C9x1tVRueMivfewBNT4X5G1gv-rUVLt49VInKw_LDJCXRS0j_rA3MKOypOlwSF5RDuZbNHNGIfYjNLIr6htJgNId2NAxSPcoEyAtWs4f00NEX16p/s320/P1000644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722543957325944578" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joel and Vance listening to a story.<br /></div>manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27154838.post-44317834882876034382012-02-14T22:10:00.001-08:002012-03-21T20:06:12.404-07:00Happy Valentine's DayWebster's Dictionary defines "<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ADORE</span>" as: <span style="font-style: italic;">To regard with loving admiration and devotion</span>. This Valentine's Day Tj had to work. I was able to spend the entire day focused on and with two of the sweetest and charming mini-valentines I could ask for.<br /><br />When I was about eight years old I was part of a community parade with my Girl Scout troop. I don't remember what the parade was for but I do remember being asked to dress up as what we would like to be when we grew up. After thinking for quite some time I decided I wanted to be a mom in the parade. While I have spent time outside of our homes working at one point in our marriage or another I have never had the professional drive that some women have. I still am determined to decide "what I want to be when I grow up" and return to school to earn a degree. But I adore the two little boys who call me 'Mom'.<br /><br />Our day started out with the boys waking me up and snuggling together. Then it was off for a special Valentine themed breakfast. My mom often shakes her head as she observes me with the boys and remarks, "Oh, you're one of <span style="font-style: italic;">those</span> moms." I'm sure she'd be shaking her head at my antics today.<br /><br />After breakfast it was off to see their Valentines from (Tj) and me. Now the dogs have a story behind them. Awhile back I was sorting through bins in the garage attempting to condense some of our storage. In the process Vance found an old monkey costume from Halloween. He was completely and sincerely heartbroken that we would be giving this costume away. He was so devastated that he asked in the most heart tugging way if he could just snuggle with it for one more night. Needless to say it lasted and lasted and lasted. And every time I would think that I had finally smuggled it into the give away bin he would catch a glimpse and be heartbroken all over again. So one day as we were shopping at Wal-Mart Vance saw this HUGE teddy bears and asked if he could have one for Valentines. I told him that if he did he'd have to give away the snuggle monkey (what the costume has now been come to be referred as). He thought about it and agreed. Long story short he decided that none of the animals at Wal-Mart were worth snuggle monkey after all but while perusing Target he found the dog that would be worth sacrificing snuggle monkey for. I told him that he would have to wait until Valentines day. I reminded him that he would need to give up snuggle monkey to the donation bin on Saturday. Of course he snuck the dog as soon as we got home and I forgot to throw snuggle monkey in the donation bin. Score one for Vance. =) (And of course because Vance got one Joel needed one too.)<br /><br />The rest of the day was peppered with Valentine themed activities. Joel had his class Valentine's party today, the boys gave and got small gifts from their friends, Vance had a playdate with one of the girls from his church class and we did a Valentine's craft together. And then we had the sister missionaries over for dinner.<br /><br />While the day was lacking in romance (although Tj did email me a very sweet note) it was a really fantastic Valentines day. Happy Valentine's Day friends!<br /><br />PS. My computer hates me right now so pictures to come later.<br /><br /><br />Pictures As Promised:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElivyyzcoklVcz9lts2EzYHFthVmFCJrI6WT6VKzt43Q33PYdhz8Y9Nwi6flj2ScjHByxMO_QPlf3Nx2zGp96XNgFYkctw1doHfWMSGh7zOOFw4lwUBVIIFyfT6KFwW6PawEU/s1600/P1000359+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElivyyzcoklVcz9lts2EzYHFthVmFCJrI6WT6VKzt43Q33PYdhz8Y9Nwi6flj2ScjHByxMO_QPlf3Nx2zGp96XNgFYkctw1doHfWMSGh7zOOFw4lwUBVIIFyfT6KFwW6PawEU/s320/P1000359+%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722549482733784722" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vance with his breakfast.<br />Pink Milk, Heart Pancakes, Strawberry and whip cream.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Iu1CQq2dgTJx79bPYbSzKPpicC82qsFjaKuLsA6hQCdBjQVwVI4IHFwBdkfTnW1Zg6_KqQvVn6picBF7J1oXIJB4FE2EayEdZs_7p0jr6LPytN9yd-2nnTdWZxcV4bY-ET1V/s1600/P1000358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Iu1CQq2dgTJx79bPYbSzKPpicC82qsFjaKuLsA6hQCdBjQVwVI4IHFwBdkfTnW1Zg6_KqQvVn6picBF7J1oXIJB4FE2EayEdZs_7p0jr6LPytN9yd-2nnTdWZxcV4bY-ET1V/s320/P1000358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722549476084279842" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joel and his breakfast.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfLANNYzDgZIND_KhQgJWo8pKlG7hGfWNWQRsCs1qDpi7REck_y-qprw4lj50bcY354Oj5EBB5dI2PqR3kZCgFStykDG7dg8ZZ_ZSpgBZ_kxswA68a7sAD26-oI1lSnbAVWQI/s1600/P1000361.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfLANNYzDgZIND_KhQgJWo8pKlG7hGfWNWQRsCs1qDpi7REck_y-qprw4lj50bcY354Oj5EBB5dI2PqR3kZCgFStykDG7dg8ZZ_ZSpgBZ_kxswA68a7sAD26-oI1lSnbAVWQI/s320/P1000361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722549490543118386" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Valentine Gifts & said stuffed dogs.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hiix4uC-O8XOSmy6_grKCynNQvqctUJ8-OVB27YIDh_ylmqaifmep3AJj-m5o7n-XmZxYy7CmvgR2ofcHWdUzT5CnYMzIBgPxD30QofXgC7zPBKz4w2JFuf5vuAnlJ2GBD3G/s1600/P1000363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hiix4uC-O8XOSmy6_grKCynNQvqctUJ8-OVB27YIDh_ylmqaifmep3AJj-m5o7n-XmZxYy7CmvgR2ofcHWdUzT5CnYMzIBgPxD30QofXgC7zPBKz4w2JFuf5vuAnlJ2GBD3G/s320/P1000363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722549500303088770" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Joel's lunch: Heart cheese and turkey, Pretzels, Valentine fruit snacks,<br />pink yogurt, Valentine granola bar, and red kool-aide.<br /><br />Vance's lunch was the same with his friend.<br /></div>manda carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12053100757719779946noreply@blogger.com0