tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13849051805646560272024-02-21T08:37:12.778-07:00Lucky Number 8Jeff Excellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318742818755581447noreply@blogger.comBlogger841125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-41631231086942080302021-12-25T22:37:00.004-07:002021-12-25T22:54:49.622-07:00Putting the Eye in Covid<p>We've questioned every headache, analyzed every cough, and swabbed every drippy nose through the last two years of pandemic-ing, only to find with each rapid-test of our sicknesses that they were never...the one. </p><p>So when Eli started complaining about a headache one Wednesday, we didn't think too much of it. How many headaches had he complained of through the year that were more of an attempt to get out of school than they were an actual sickness?</p><p>On Thursday, Jeff started to notice one of his eyes had turned a little red, which was slightly troubling. </p><p>You see, my Mom had just cancelled Thanksgiving on us due to her catching Covid. She passed it to my sister who had just spent the past few days relaying their symptoms with daily health updates, and one of their Covid red flags was a pesky red eye. </p><p>So between the headache and the red eye, we decided to get Eli and Jeff tested on Friday. Right away both tests showed positive. </p><p>The rest of us felt great. Eli seemed to be through the worst of his symptoms, and Jeff crashed Saturday with a fever and exhaustion that lasted through Sunday. </p><p>My throat started to hurt a tiny bit on Saturday and Sunday, and I started feeling groggy on Monday. Carson got a fever Saturday and seemed back to normal Sunday. Lincoln and Jonah both got runny noses on Monday. </p><p>We got everyone tested on Monday and found out we all had it. </p><p>By Monday, Jeff was mostly feeling better, but his one eye had become really red and started hurting. He said it felt like he had sand in his eye, even though he knew there was nothing in there. I kept comparing Jeff's symptoms to my sister's symptoms, and this is where they parted ways. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif-X6-GqKVMg44XEHX6ndDHjlhgA9iCjIf6iKLhDS0RBnDlz2wjHVf59b_kFUEgqyP2OHgBennxizVKe7ltIgbTti-dTzvfOT4sv6GPGCmZPnRdtfNNvm_LNACIpsBc41glZc1mKmHlIL303uXvXJ6HImKT9PXVL7RPALJJkmIB80-sumVX2QjASAQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif-X6-GqKVMg44XEHX6ndDHjlhgA9iCjIf6iKLhDS0RBnDlz2wjHVf59b_kFUEgqyP2OHgBennxizVKe7ltIgbTti-dTzvfOT4sv6GPGCmZPnRdtfNNvm_LNACIpsBc41glZc1mKmHlIL303uXvXJ6HImKT9PXVL7RPALJJkmIB80-sumVX2QjASAQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHQvZneaHkF2zqWl0cCAJNaDPUeE5Eq56HTVB1XS_UxXGSjarRRBAGnAhn9XlTx8zTNLlUZ0B8NNRXUwNRyl9Q8bA_XMnIDl8qvIPwrhXTUnhBAuIXFN-njsLAu-7I9CXCBRhh-1gtYXluJAM9GX1QkJLfR9EGXw4UeGseOedzFna0vify-X5NONwQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHQvZneaHkF2zqWl0cCAJNaDPUeE5Eq56HTVB1XS_UxXGSjarRRBAGnAhn9XlTx8zTNLlUZ0B8NNRXUwNRyl9Q8bA_XMnIDl8qvIPwrhXTUnhBAuIXFN-njsLAu-7I9CXCBRhh-1gtYXluJAM9GX1QkJLfR9EGXw4UeGseOedzFna0vify-X5NONwQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p>My sister's eye was only red for a day or two and never really hurt. Jeff's eye, however, was getting more and more red with increased discomfort. I reached out to my uncle who is an Optometrist and he told us to ice the eye, take Ibuprofen, and go see someone if his vision got blurry. </p><p>By Tuesday, Jeff's vision became blurry and his eye wasn't letting up. He saw a teledoctor that same day who told him the same thing my uncle told him and prescribed some antibiotic drops for his eye. Once again, the doctor told him if his vision stayed blurry, to go see someone. </p><p>By Thursday, Jeff's vision hadn't improved, and the pain kept getting worse. We began calling around to try to get him seen by an ophthalmologist. This is what I will title The Series of Unfortunate Events that now leave me completely sick to my stomach whenever I think about them. </p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Jeff needed to be seen by a specialized eye doctor.</li><li>Jeff was on day 7 of a 10-day quarantine, and all the eye doctors we called refused to see him until he was out of quarantine. </li><li>We read about viral conjunctivitis which sounded exactly like what he was feeling. It said you might experience blurry vision and have discomfort for up to 3 weeks, and there's not really anything you can do for it but wait it out. Did he just have viral conjunctivitis we needed to wait out? I said multiple times, "I feel like either it's nothing or you're going blind and no one will see us to tell us which one it is."</li><li>We were stuck to wait it out until Saturday when his quarantine ended.</li><li>His quarantine ended SATURDAY! No eye doctors are open on Saturday and Sunday!</li><li>We kept thinking his eye would surely get better on its own, but it just kept getting worse and worse so by Saturday we were completely desperate with zero options.</li><li>He went to urgent care on Saturday. They gave him more antibiotics and told him they don't really treat eyes...they'd have to refer him to an ophthalmologist...</li><li>SEE NUMBER FIVE!</li></ol><div>We were stuck in this Covid circle of helplessness and despair. It was so sad and frustrating and in hindsight (...which is always *cringe* 20/20...), I wish we would have gone to the ER, but at the time we didn't think they'd be able to help either because we thought they would also do nothing more than refer us to an ophthalmologist. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday night was awful. Jeff was sure he was going blind and felt like he had no one to help him and he was in a lot of pain. We were counting down every minute until Monday morning when he could finally get into a doctor's office. </div><div><br /></div><div>When Monday morning finally came, we realized more unfortunate events...</div><div><br /></div><div>I had Covid! All the kids had Covid! I wanted to have someone come give Jeff a blessing...but wait...Covid...I wanted to drive Jeff to the doctor to be with him for his appointment...but wait...Covid. I was worried he'd be rushed to emergency eye surgery, but who could watch our kids?! The circumstances were an absolute nightmare that left us constantly bumping up against brick walls.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jeff ended up driving himself to the doctor in excruciating pain while only being able to see out of one eye. The absolute miracles of this entire experience are:</div><div>1.) He didn't crash on the way. </div><div>2.) The doctor happened to have two cancellations that morning so they were able to have an opening for Jeff first thing in the morning.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the appointment, the doctor told Jeff he was literally one day away from going blind. I don't know how it all works, but I guess some part of Jeff's eye was sticking to his iris and if it closes around all 360 degrees, that's how you go blind. Jeff's eye was stuck 340/360 degrees. </div><div><br /></div><div>Basically, Jeff's body was attacking his eye and causing it to become seriously inflamed and close in on itself? </div><div><br /></div><div>The doctor told Jeff he was practically blind and then left him alone with a treatment on his eye for a few minutes. Jeff texted me and told me it was serious. </div><div><br /></div><div>Based on the doctor's initial reaction to Jeff's eye, we felt a wave of dread as we faced the high probability that he was going to be blind or at best, have his vision permanently damaged. Right away both of us were so sick and nearly puked. I felt awful he was there all by himself getting this news. I realized right away his job requires him to have vision in both of his eyes, so the weight of this huge life change PLUS the possibility of him losing his job all came crashing down on us. I felt so sick we didn't get him help faster. I felt so helpless trapped in our Covid home where no one could help us if he needed surgery or something. It was terrible! </div><div><br /></div><div>I sat with that news for an hour, imagining every tragic outcome of our lives, before Jeff called again. He reiterated he was almost blind, but sounded much more lighthearted and hopeful as he explained that the dilation drops helped loosen things up to save him from going blind. Sigh of relief. Also with the help of some steroid drops, the swelling should go down. Whew. And that should clear everything up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hold up! We went from irreversibly blind to surgery-free eyedrop treatment all in an hour's time?!? It felt very much like a real-life interaction with this doctor from Arrested Development:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEfWF4DkAwrB7GJZzTAplfmyp0rOKiTH59Rhi-67dIX9ewlx9s71a9E9jqB49VTCOftxJSBx0Uo4UIutlRySQkUtZjliEwAWhhz-xrMCvaXfGu7bcjR2lPT0UGcBxrQu4AlyNXlIpT20/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="500" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEfWF4DkAwrB7GJZzTAplfmyp0rOKiTH59Rhi-67dIX9ewlx9s71a9E9jqB49VTCOftxJSBx0Uo4UIutlRySQkUtZjliEwAWhhz-xrMCvaXfGu7bcjR2lPT0UGcBxrQu4AlyNXlIpT20/w640-h533/HwoP5bg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, so it ended up being a little more than a few eyedrops and it was a little bit more serious than some blue paint. Jeff is actually on a very regimented eye drop schedule of steroids, dilation medicine, and saltwater (plus two bonus steroid shots IN the eye that really did the trick)! However, we were completely relieved to learn Jeff wouldn't need an emergency surgery, and especially after his second appointment, the doctor was confident Jeff would completely regain his ability to see. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>The doctor diagnosed Jeff with Uveitis. What is so wild though is Uveitis usually takes several months to make you go blind (from what I've read anyway), so we're all completely baffled as to why his eye was on the super-speed track to blindness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jeff's vision is improving every day now, and he's been having regular (think daily) appointments with the eye doctor who every day is as shocked as we are by how close Jeff was to going blind. Jeff does still have a lot of tests the doctor has ordered for him to make sure there aren't any underlying conditions, so we aren't completely in the clear yet. He also made it sound like Jeff could get flare-ups of Uveitis or he might need cataract surgery in the near future, but all of that beats the alternative of being blind!</div><div><br /></div><div>We are still in shock and denial about this whole experience. It is by far *read as a Bachelor voiceover* the most dramatic thing that has ever happened to us. And I feel like it has to correlate to Jeff having Covid. The doctor thinks it's kind of coincidental Jeff had this Uveitis creep up right when he got Covid, but I think they're related and I worry the same thing could happen to someone else! </div><div><br /></div><div>So there's my cautionary tale. Tell your friends, family, and loved ones that if their eyes turn pink with Covid and start to hurt and ESPECIALLY if vision gets blurry...it could be more than just a little pink eye, so don't hesitate to get the help you need! </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of us are doing well. The little guys barely had any symptoms. They had slight runny noses, and occasionally complained of headaches. Carson was out for a day feeling feverish and has lost his appetite here and there through the last two weeks. Eli had headaches and maybe a slight runny nose. </div><div><br /></div><div>I felt really crummy for about 3 days with a major runny nose, random bursts of the sweats, easily out of breath, midnight sneeze attacks (I woke up one night sneezing. That's never happened to me before), and the most persistent symptom has been exhaustion. My eyes never turned red at all. We did all lose our taste and smell for about two days. Jonah refused to eat anything he couldn't taste (which was everything), so we're all glad to be tasting, smelling, and eating again.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have all made it through our ten days of quarantine, but I'm finding I still get tired easily and when I really tire myself out I have had some dizziness, especially at the end of the day. I've been cautioned to be careful getting back into exercise after Covid, and as much as it pains me to continue to rest, I can tell my body isn't ready to handle a full-blown workout. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are super interested to know if we had Delta or Omicron. We didn't really get coughs at all. Runny noses, sneezing, and hot flashes/feeling feverish were our most noticeable symptoms and that seems to match up with Omicron, but Nevada had only reported their first Omicron case the day we tested positive, so if we had Omicron, we were potentially some of the first in Nevada to get it, leading me to believe it was probably Delta? Who knows. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are hoping we are now forever immune to Covid and all of its variants. Please let it be that...easy?</div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-56911741794475663442021-12-25T16:21:00.002-07:002021-12-25T16:21:18.794-07:00Falling Backwards<p> For reasons that are unknown and annoying to me, my computer put these pictures in backwards and I refuse to fix it. So this is a story that starts with the treasure and works its way backwards. The treasure? Halloween loot!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBASm-CdVYuLJSMrcFcEBdgkZfbd9r0R8hyyKRVAwwvuko2V83lusYckHr5dhGduLlWx2gKNeCnZfRY7YL2M_M8_tu3xWBBwwo3auNsX4MULnMKFfSgPhl27lm418gIpNWF4DCuzaF-TeNorn77c2WvQLv6JW7lsVbafIk9n3eLlFDjL1ng_piOhLT=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBASm-CdVYuLJSMrcFcEBdgkZfbd9r0R8hyyKRVAwwvuko2V83lusYckHr5dhGduLlWx2gKNeCnZfRY7YL2M_M8_tu3xWBBwwo3auNsX4MULnMKFfSgPhl27lm418gIpNWF4DCuzaF-TeNorn77c2WvQLv6JW7lsVbafIk9n3eLlFDjL1ng_piOhLT=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbWRLVyG61dYpQ09UcLHf_GsGy1SqruoFLK2alKnYwsbyjfd_SAgyZxgff5ZNawOlpC_cL8aQCsJ-4Ttp-QRUVK_n50Q-Z7VkYxi37VHh2-BPuFN7JDrp3kuJ9GCDCz001baJf2KVZcjXeZx7WKC2DRWeaXi4R_1LakfakPn2BJtKZ9rIa3YimsiNV=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbWRLVyG61dYpQ09UcLHf_GsGy1SqruoFLK2alKnYwsbyjfd_SAgyZxgff5ZNawOlpC_cL8aQCsJ-4Ttp-QRUVK_n50Q-Z7VkYxi37VHh2-BPuFN7JDrp3kuJ9GCDCz001baJf2KVZcjXeZx7WKC2DRWeaXi4R_1LakfakPn2BJtKZ9rIa3YimsiNV=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwrd56mHr6GBOIvLn2Js1Pwjs2hfttDn1m1t8e_xlBXvwO-CTSs7B-Stlt7RBeFgfxK9umBoqtx-fjRalqkfVc8nQ1KMxmCXdY7rpc3Tggcxakv9S2duYAHbPVylS2h_DtxLGYYT9aPUHVveqeoHVm_vDxyu6i8UIQHUxDzdigWVyBRaP-twQCDhU0=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwrd56mHr6GBOIvLn2Js1Pwjs2hfttDn1m1t8e_xlBXvwO-CTSs7B-Stlt7RBeFgfxK9umBoqtx-fjRalqkfVc8nQ1KMxmCXdY7rpc3Tggcxakv9S2duYAHbPVylS2h_DtxLGYYT9aPUHVveqeoHVm_vDxyu6i8UIQHUxDzdigWVyBRaP-twQCDhU0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8RdYSsyrLFBNuXr0VlqkxNMVoe-tCR15HYCj0DSFfBbT8-iTzFb2GuXXONHFMp5EUU_qIhBgAtEQu3iHYNofJwKGXfHtjnprW_INMrazubsfTbwva_S0B9xxHG7Hbqsq6P3tqG71SDvvQJNgu6xFC3WHX_j4NUQY-_fq_ZCxWL1ct133ZKKc0SeQX=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8RdYSsyrLFBNuXr0VlqkxNMVoe-tCR15HYCj0DSFfBbT8-iTzFb2GuXXONHFMp5EUU_qIhBgAtEQu3iHYNofJwKGXfHtjnprW_INMrazubsfTbwva_S0B9xxHG7Hbqsq6P3tqG71SDvvQJNgu6xFC3WHX_j4NUQY-_fq_ZCxWL1ct133ZKKc0SeQX=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>The only good part about living in cookie cutter houses with your neighbor's wall one arm's length away is it makes trick-or-treating a fruitful breeze!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnKgxqbZ2MlbUeQB42p7yoIadvOJxQaikM7RyvrLl8sLC_rpsh_IDuJIFBMY3B3sRerB8XZwmy9c-ZSsejIbfZICYpk7s_nS7RVqBLmRgx6P1hPQbbHZHMdxB8R90yHHcnZG_qH63lo66gP5fBqvKZ65uf-zKDZxOn8xW1Qw0MEJZRRQbq-uYD4pHf=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnKgxqbZ2MlbUeQB42p7yoIadvOJxQaikM7RyvrLl8sLC_rpsh_IDuJIFBMY3B3sRerB8XZwmy9c-ZSsejIbfZICYpk7s_nS7RVqBLmRgx6P1hPQbbHZHMdxB8R90yHHcnZG_qH63lo66gP5fBqvKZ65uf-zKDZxOn8xW1Qw0MEJZRRQbq-uYD4pHf=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's easy to see how the boys got so much candy after you see the detailed map they crafted for optimal trick-or-treating on Halloween night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_1rVNDc6qGM-fGiFUSTQSiBpHIwTiTk8HjKg8o5H5a3dMQFR9T7zpfLtjXSJEuk9ihnYX00WB9zo7svsVJMLl1T3zZUUVWrJjPvR5w_eAgI3aKgvL2dqUZmtS5kPFKgkyg3C4oNg3_L_0ZKAr2KyDsL6tvD5RimkCtP8Hdunq5v0E4FC4j5zinI9D=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_1rVNDc6qGM-fGiFUSTQSiBpHIwTiTk8HjKg8o5H5a3dMQFR9T7zpfLtjXSJEuk9ihnYX00WB9zo7svsVJMLl1T3zZUUVWrJjPvR5w_eAgI3aKgvL2dqUZmtS5kPFKgkyg3C4oNg3_L_0ZKAr2KyDsL6tvD5RimkCtP8Hdunq5v0E4FC4j5zinI9D=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>In fact, drawing proved to be our number one coping strategy when dealing with our Halloween anticipation. Here's a spooky house Carson made. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUvyQvEQZAOk5uTDsbhELJkOvc1Y0dujfHRRmDpldEroYn5DT9rMopMigQirq9Uhv1BVOOX6tbQqLCzR97o1FDPy5CsvAK8-UAQ__amLjQu8w5AUx40qiXnXHYTP1Ss9nluBdymPMTjVRyC6JUjwFF6RSJ1SayxNeGGFy3mWtDXDPgCm_prWDnVKhc=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUvyQvEQZAOk5uTDsbhELJkOvc1Y0dujfHRRmDpldEroYn5DT9rMopMigQirq9Uhv1BVOOX6tbQqLCzR97o1FDPy5CsvAK8-UAQ__amLjQu8w5AUx40qiXnXHYTP1Ss9nluBdymPMTjVRyC6JUjwFF6RSJ1SayxNeGGFy3mWtDXDPgCm_prWDnVKhc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lincoln drew himself in costume. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdp5HdJTPwbR3WtVsMMqF83XcpK5YUMXL4Biawijd2Dz0pfYwRdutwsTvS61VsE3bfox4wvcTKPwwn90ArSUDrb4mk7FqWJ1nKG_Y6wRtPVq3ur2gb4fQRSjYJCmspTAf1qK4ia5BnFKZKmmls7RBskwwxA020Kc7iJjxA30_2ltZadsVQ4v-MMRNj=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdp5HdJTPwbR3WtVsMMqF83XcpK5YUMXL4Biawijd2Dz0pfYwRdutwsTvS61VsE3bfox4wvcTKPwwn90ArSUDrb4mk7FqWJ1nKG_Y6wRtPVq3ur2gb4fQRSjYJCmspTAf1qK4ia5BnFKZKmmls7RBskwwxA020Kc7iJjxA30_2ltZadsVQ4v-MMRNj=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Jonah drew a Frankenstein at school. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1nJnO48CQRXdIIwzqZC0_xgShDOKusSNQGI2SXEpKGpiQ8rZM5SIEZHEMtfMtAyb4gvdvUvbNPqMLSAMXrLdmiKRjp_c6ChSw-zRuZQTpmTmMowH9ai8mnixylSvrWv8UVIMh1Qd6g6pEK_9ZXNvPpUj2vQBGc87msnH8Xohsc8yN8ED5chqVNuXr=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1nJnO48CQRXdIIwzqZC0_xgShDOKusSNQGI2SXEpKGpiQ8rZM5SIEZHEMtfMtAyb4gvdvUvbNPqMLSAMXrLdmiKRjp_c6ChSw-zRuZQTpmTmMowH9ai8mnixylSvrWv8UVIMh1Qd6g6pEK_9ZXNvPpUj2vQBGc87msnH8Xohsc8yN8ED5chqVNuXr=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Eli drew his dream room (...basically his same room minus the sharing-it-with-a-brother part). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEtuXv8scT6hdgKENKItSJWWXuj0z9EknIvzsfiWNC-d0FbsBu_Y7N4_AzCIXHA7-ygtr6mUAhnoy7jAD-fAnrUsV9-_25Jvfd5_mDhlUm5QrTL7Zd4czw-3p2j4jX6TnhJp6UcKTPImpS2kyS8dT-TKBTn6c0FbT2DXiaKCG32YVHbAX_Q-vabdfH=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEtuXv8scT6hdgKENKItSJWWXuj0z9EknIvzsfiWNC-d0FbsBu_Y7N4_AzCIXHA7-ygtr6mUAhnoy7jAD-fAnrUsV9-_25Jvfd5_mDhlUm5QrTL7Zd4czw-3p2j4jX6TnhJp6UcKTPImpS2kyS8dT-TKBTn6c0FbT2DXiaKCG32YVHbAX_Q-vabdfH=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a book that inspired Jonah...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx-A9wZOovOBEtSnAqd8VHRZaYDys_BI6aSajj6W4ZEfY74VYAXNl1KQS6Pg2mDkJD6YN8d7UD1heLPDemXd5LIXerxcduYcpbdjkz3_oQdVeTke-X5d3elqLWUBKnrQDAgDYBzCu4FTiq3ku6ZnnJgnxmywnkDmQ_FnNJapUA8gbaK7cOg2A6FnXs=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx-A9wZOovOBEtSnAqd8VHRZaYDys_BI6aSajj6W4ZEfY74VYAXNl1KQS6Pg2mDkJD6YN8d7UD1heLPDemXd5LIXerxcduYcpbdjkz3_oQdVeTke-X5d3elqLWUBKnrQDAgDYBzCu4FTiq3ku6ZnnJgnxmywnkDmQ_FnNJapUA8gbaK7cOg2A6FnXs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">to draw a Halloween cat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF3QCZ9v4A4_YXJmwiueYYVqm_PHBQ3C7gg_sCCr1ndjICtyG8SJPP3VTldQlJy_zVXasffJW8U6kisHU2HdJB-ckJj1xFWWFCZZZHC2-hfdvsXyDPlzPq8lRPjvLdX_QhI2NWj8pUx_yjt8ACnRZg1y_AdjUN4kJUjh7CNgqDQ34V50X6WBU8bG2Y=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF3QCZ9v4A4_YXJmwiueYYVqm_PHBQ3C7gg_sCCr1ndjICtyG8SJPP3VTldQlJy_zVXasffJW8U6kisHU2HdJB-ckJj1xFWWFCZZZHC2-hfdvsXyDPlzPq8lRPjvLdX_QhI2NWj8pUx_yjt8ACnRZg1y_AdjUN4kJUjh7CNgqDQ34V50X6WBU8bG2Y=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>I made the mistake of volunteering to be a trunk in the kids' school trunk-or-treat. Five Costco bags of candy later and I slid into the driver's seat of the car to hide from the continuous mob of kids. I ended up being trapped for the entire 3 hours of the event while Jeff took the boys off to our ward trunk-or-treat that was the same night. Too! Much! Candy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmDkEh3W6Z2qhfFlivdTKvj10gNNEKa7kp5sUhxK-iJ_WTOohhRGemPQNuomakvBfDkHad2GZDExwaiunlOoHX6FAUfHy2mu-tBUJ2C9NtMkeTAPQAscUnx7leUGnRADj9t5-gphdEGC8JP0yhpzL3cWI4CIchyzXC8Qx6bI370bVCGdetTzVWjkdC=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmDkEh3W6Z2qhfFlivdTKvj10gNNEKa7kp5sUhxK-iJ_WTOohhRGemPQNuomakvBfDkHad2GZDExwaiunlOoHX6FAUfHy2mu-tBUJ2C9NtMkeTAPQAscUnx7leUGnRADj9t5-gphdEGC8JP0yhpzL3cWI4CIchyzXC8Qx6bI370bVCGdetTzVWjkdC=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Have you begun to notice Jonah has commitment issues?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqn50v-Vms7vqe_goEQdXQhXo4iNghhTIHCaaGY3_tPLo1e6BXwIhSNjCus_wmHWjpXf8z1Juli7qRpgowkyhyzM7WAO40_00E1XPsJ6drePQlm8gmEsMF9t5dZeA4u0H0-qMr6qidrzQxEZyPgxwEoSsT4JO8PoW02ulqXRHpiFuv2tiPccRmSAwK=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqn50v-Vms7vqe_goEQdXQhXo4iNghhTIHCaaGY3_tPLo1e6BXwIhSNjCus_wmHWjpXf8z1Juli7qRpgowkyhyzM7WAO40_00E1XPsJ6drePQlm8gmEsMF9t5dZeA4u0H0-qMr6qidrzQxEZyPgxwEoSsT4JO8PoW02ulqXRHpiFuv2tiPccRmSAwK=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The issue isn't that he couldn't commit...it's that he's too committed to Link. I bought him a fireman costume this year which he wore to trunk-or-treat, but by Halloween night, he just couldn't bring himself to not be Link.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtiTdT_Z08fMPNYMT6t8obIM6XYHmbq2eXIDPZpdiwan63l90YQwgmHCTdxdmznP1VyEbtmG3N2Of_FSHyEhgMS9-dm0pEn9rXRGt3iA5VyroQkiyYxYqV_YF6vXKXWS2lWaPdC31heUfUvJKznqxwTgffeyiaKJHkjv8V00LSLn0yWtoNekLntEVv=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtiTdT_Z08fMPNYMT6t8obIM6XYHmbq2eXIDPZpdiwan63l90YQwgmHCTdxdmznP1VyEbtmG3N2Of_FSHyEhgMS9-dm0pEn9rXRGt3iA5VyroQkiyYxYqV_YF6vXKXWS2lWaPdC31heUfUvJKznqxwTgffeyiaKJHkjv8V00LSLn0yWtoNekLntEVv=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaRV2-ejfZ2UzIMMgLy1HXG_6mJrS50Fb2M7st24M3Z6Uwv5Xa-pt-AXoY9O2gy9Id53RJtJjffyHrHErJTk27EUmMkJjsDHVrA4MBQN7dqCAKNtH4ENcSL77hkIjbdGVuxIx3RE2Qt8F0f415GPXGq0k3rZz68s0FO5qbEuCv99jYAilylkUxSbtZ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaRV2-ejfZ2UzIMMgLy1HXG_6mJrS50Fb2M7st24M3Z6Uwv5Xa-pt-AXoY9O2gy9Id53RJtJjffyHrHErJTk27EUmMkJjsDHVrA4MBQN7dqCAKNtH4ENcSL77hkIjbdGVuxIx3RE2Qt8F0f415GPXGq0k3rZz68s0FO5qbEuCv99jYAilylkUxSbtZ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Eli and Carson specifically requested store bought costumes. The end of an era. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPSASDCZDW9x_eNvZF5Zd9vcNJN1I7xxom5JmeaEt--OTyqraqdPHRJpZ_WWpa1sMi8pxKO-ARKvLGoOyqvbTpUgcJXO-YnjdsTIq6BhRaqLEM4NWX3XDYi9GfO58XKPgrBgv7mwwp5LmNL0-xk9a6rKhsA9BfTVnYmMnyc-wgmB6tmBi7qHDncy-G=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPSASDCZDW9x_eNvZF5Zd9vcNJN1I7xxom5JmeaEt--OTyqraqdPHRJpZ_WWpa1sMi8pxKO-ARKvLGoOyqvbTpUgcJXO-YnjdsTIq6BhRaqLEM4NWX3XDYi9GfO58XKPgrBgv7mwwp5LmNL0-xk9a6rKhsA9BfTVnYmMnyc-wgmB6tmBi7qHDncy-G=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>At one point Lincoln was wanting to be an Army guy in a tank, and boy am I glad Jeff found this costume on Amazon so that I didn't have to craft a single thing. That's right boys, I'm as over me handmaking costumes as you are!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbj4QqLcVie9APdvYwLAvTI--3irFjmu-JTtkKRY7gRljY1V8_mBkCnq7XPaQQv9EyMUh7GHP2NFLc1ydGsRIxqJigH---EDrmyRTMYl9M7kd-L3RSt02fI3BR9jZTGQPwWo4iOLMVgp7Fc6BWrTlAJ5Cn_yb0DBjeqeNS5GW4nybtxSIGB3bHFGt-=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbj4QqLcVie9APdvYwLAvTI--3irFjmu-JTtkKRY7gRljY1V8_mBkCnq7XPaQQv9EyMUh7GHP2NFLc1ydGsRIxqJigH---EDrmyRTMYl9M7kd-L3RSt02fI3BR9jZTGQPwWo4iOLMVgp7Fc6BWrTlAJ5Cn_yb0DBjeqeNS5GW4nybtxSIGB3bHFGt-=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuhaK4rHWD7XD74ez6VvWcoTH6-aaihYB2Q3rdRTY6S_gfALsiSnJzqG7L3OSp3Exvk4g6zFUGChd3lSu5VEIxArXmPVNOfMPWJBiUGvRd1fNc-U1yRlvf0MqjvTpGiebfKrT9JfVtuvNtCD7hC9Ly1wPIC0W4TIar0lWdZwqfsAT2c4tCmQFzC1s4=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuhaK4rHWD7XD74ez6VvWcoTH6-aaihYB2Q3rdRTY6S_gfALsiSnJzqG7L3OSp3Exvk4g6zFUGChd3lSu5VEIxArXmPVNOfMPWJBiUGvRd1fNc-U1yRlvf0MqjvTpGiebfKrT9JfVtuvNtCD7hC9Ly1wPIC0W4TIar0lWdZwqfsAT2c4tCmQFzC1s4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We made a trip to Cedar City for new baby Porter's blessing. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0c-kkDzGgwwv4CNaaxnKx_WFNQ97zq89DDmRAqCCkG9zzOcNlE4nbdh1xopSdvcQEP-Winy_2Cwofa9YiEegLTkCx1m9LtsXclsRlGsFG75YHnuaXr39gviWcxoiJ1T-tskzgaMhZEdIMWPxNbAT9oF617czDCEQMSiy0PvbIj8GQykPwI4iaDBUw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0c-kkDzGgwwv4CNaaxnKx_WFNQ97zq89DDmRAqCCkG9zzOcNlE4nbdh1xopSdvcQEP-Winy_2Cwofa9YiEegLTkCx1m9LtsXclsRlGsFG75YHnuaXr39gviWcxoiJ1T-tskzgaMhZEdIMWPxNbAT9oF617czDCEQMSiy0PvbIj8GQykPwI4iaDBUw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>As always, Mary had some fun fall activities for the kids. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkMfwJ_nfmClvXfbuBofRdpgRCA1sAEJsxr6yMu294LrWeV5Z45SjQzf3KW4wb9rbqxfbmiBenyxdxR4aE1fL8u5R16nQF94DayUYbvp1JjAGvO2vfGygvlNcVNL2kOO_R1kvSV3sLgf6oMAcwmjBcc10GTyd9n-rLly9y3AznUfb6U5HACNyr0_NT=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkMfwJ_nfmClvXfbuBofRdpgRCA1sAEJsxr6yMu294LrWeV5Z45SjQzf3KW4wb9rbqxfbmiBenyxdxR4aE1fL8u5R16nQF94DayUYbvp1JjAGvO2vfGygvlNcVNL2kOO_R1kvSV3sLgf6oMAcwmjBcc10GTyd9n-rLly9y3AznUfb6U5HACNyr0_NT=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>And then we hit up The Pizza Factory for lunch with cousins on Monday!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgx7-bXhItZIiLORa5tzeqTDnLvauch_9kSzevC7woEFdtFkldbrUCxfgt3uvn0_JJSeT59A219AF_I2jydVRuj3l9ftCkYRgn4nxGT_0-q_K4p6b4C36YI4DlyBTdqaORMfjDXDzBtShjvlOgHQYXkUjTHcaaJvYo4zwLpO7fPSF9kVBRbohqgeeU=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgx7-bXhItZIiLORa5tzeqTDnLvauch_9kSzevC7woEFdtFkldbrUCxfgt3uvn0_JJSeT59A219AF_I2jydVRuj3l9ftCkYRgn4nxGT_0-q_K4p6b4C36YI4DlyBTdqaORMfjDXDzBtShjvlOgHQYXkUjTHcaaJvYo4zwLpO7fPSF9kVBRbohqgeeU=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>We've hit rewind all the way to the beginning of October for General Conference. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt55A7hfpdRcGmUmR9RdF5MF8rxr8Z72PC94wXZoCbQP_u9fWkuIdj_jnB9GzpJ5iBTAbUEhzuabFJKVCxI1HBsgoqvHGCb8Ht3zJPwo8qr6CnVFHDGNXBgC-F2RHLMgkhSQCpkhSyqOKqJIC7TuviX-X-GkThM3bwy4wWWJwStWS_65yqqVgvdBTt=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt55A7hfpdRcGmUmR9RdF5MF8rxr8Z72PC94wXZoCbQP_u9fWkuIdj_jnB9GzpJ5iBTAbUEhzuabFJKVCxI1HBsgoqvHGCb8Ht3zJPwo8qr6CnVFHDGNXBgC-F2RHLMgkhSQCpkhSyqOKqJIC7TuviX-X-GkThM3bwy4wWWJwStWS_65yqqVgvdBTt=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Puzzles were aplenty. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4IkXwbQaE4Bm-ph1xrHeC7lt8n6sXrzwRxZz07s5R2L6FqXYh0zo0fa9sBpbyK8FguRn6ekNLS0sObLkUQGG-Z9iBN_J4WZPgeHHgsPpgY0BEgXsZVTYZ89Y81U2Vqfb0VYkZNLMySmaZw2w1V8rPT-AcHlmfPPjTIbV6GKw37dQLomfMT5vqFFG3=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4IkXwbQaE4Bm-ph1xrHeC7lt8n6sXrzwRxZz07s5R2L6FqXYh0zo0fa9sBpbyK8FguRn6ekNLS0sObLkUQGG-Z9iBN_J4WZPgeHHgsPpgY0BEgXsZVTYZ89Y81U2Vqfb0VYkZNLMySmaZw2w1V8rPT-AcHlmfPPjTIbV6GKw37dQLomfMT5vqFFG3=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>As were the ebelskivers! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSR0NkP4UtMwY2sBrDI2YfwuwE2uof1yqngoMjZI7IRHStUl6S1cKM2tSL23jEsDFWUp0Wajuj8eQIwyjh74OTTd4UwkdnBojqfAeGlq6qAlSgkcWBud7_Ig7wf-CBd_Nsk6hSX-An12djC1TSxzQxN0-F4bktFezCt026vDKwUriQBz3jvANpYkhs=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSR0NkP4UtMwY2sBrDI2YfwuwE2uof1yqngoMjZI7IRHStUl6S1cKM2tSL23jEsDFWUp0Wajuj8eQIwyjh74OTTd4UwkdnBojqfAeGlq6qAlSgkcWBud7_Ig7wf-CBd_Nsk6hSX-An12djC1TSxzQxN0-F4bktFezCt026vDKwUriQBz3jvANpYkhs=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>I finally got Eli in for a well-child exam where we found out he could use some glasses! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2-ord-AbXrON7i950-bkzOE00WRfcMxCQTKVRHQLij-rv-6LcPOqDQewruoFY1NT6mcZFwANDWUZzOJ7fXrYV1k6K0Xp5JAv_-kFgeNOAb3U3jvOOk8fItCrC12g_Hemvn8K_Ca2iVY-r4807SuBF05GDd5B3OjSlF9giKmDsn1teXZcWPWai-L8F=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2-ord-AbXrON7i950-bkzOE00WRfcMxCQTKVRHQLij-rv-6LcPOqDQewruoFY1NT6mcZFwANDWUZzOJ7fXrYV1k6K0Xp5JAv_-kFgeNOAb3U3jvOOk8fItCrC12g_Hemvn8K_Ca2iVY-r4807SuBF05GDd5B3OjSlF9giKmDsn1teXZcWPWai-L8F=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Our ward participated in a service project at Gilcrease Orchard. We helped them create the corn maze. It was fun to see how they did it, and our kids got to do the corn maze approximately 2,549 times by the time we were done!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig3X2LjIN-yUXUChxOgAoteVYGjBgk3KRs1Q0WzyQjfwsrN3l_ZBcdHMB_pe3JyautcQKGoVLAiUp0cd_HFjpGQkzjzyvfAfd5usoYQ9En9utoUCAryAUXh_79MFE-qjm__jtpbjmhLOpPludg2riLuhF6qTfhVU762REZGfjbzTy680yw9Oxth-DY=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig3X2LjIN-yUXUChxOgAoteVYGjBgk3KRs1Q0WzyQjfwsrN3l_ZBcdHMB_pe3JyautcQKGoVLAiUp0cd_HFjpGQkzjzyvfAfd5usoYQ9En9utoUCAryAUXh_79MFE-qjm__jtpbjmhLOpPludg2riLuhF6qTfhVU762REZGfjbzTy680yw9Oxth-DY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdrAhOBLsqrFgaGSeR06MfbPo9-Wa0pQT_B3HLm9rRfPsrQEcLpmbErLlfWbJCThRMm42WEv9rn7kTH8189THlCryEZilsVl7f8t9erdxXfOYucCRG_EHxzoGAfdoMRwd8Xoqx6IbZGyxx630TeEypnxriZcEBB6wBm9vfQHUp2Vpzs5L0DB-JnWd_=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdrAhOBLsqrFgaGSeR06MfbPo9-Wa0pQT_B3HLm9rRfPsrQEcLpmbErLlfWbJCThRMm42WEv9rn7kTH8189THlCryEZilsVl7f8t9erdxXfOYucCRG_EHxzoGAfdoMRwd8Xoqx6IbZGyxx630TeEypnxriZcEBB6wBm9vfQHUp2Vpzs5L0DB-JnWd_=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-8i2pfjdBiYi_nyqyIKxKwkw_2YEF-_zW4gV6cWVHC8S66r7yblFBWa74nC_cwZTYv-vjC8l_ztLVxWv8j4pih8wFX_X-OOc7OHghgC30kumbexehn8TPGTQbNl3v8oqkxvUWSVtkdRwhtxCp7WbHvJEHBCqrAV5VDi0cRGe0usmEn-TFsNLGlH5H=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-8i2pfjdBiYi_nyqyIKxKwkw_2YEF-_zW4gV6cWVHC8S66r7yblFBWa74nC_cwZTYv-vjC8l_ztLVxWv8j4pih8wFX_X-OOc7OHghgC30kumbexehn8TPGTQbNl3v8oqkxvUWSVtkdRwhtxCp7WbHvJEHBCqrAV5VDi0cRGe0usmEn-TFsNLGlH5H=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>And YOU made it through this backwards maze of a blogpost! <p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-91134001228176404722021-12-25T15:46:00.003-07:002021-12-25T15:46:57.814-07:00Old Habits, Die-Hard (BYU Fans)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once upon a forever ago, my parents came to visit us in Las Vegas!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcL7NQL01vUJZMt7Eg7MNRV_cQJaax7vhvliooAYh65qlKxo6jJLupVrWmjURPn2DaxjBEnp1SqOcynfJhQF2S8EoWr2uicFc5H4ucdTKwXEdAQB-nF_YrKbhVmy0RbdrfBmSBd4BLzcoBMTPMCLZpKmggfMLxCk_Qhcw-evzqiZKHdKSOR2wgtrdF=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcL7NQL01vUJZMt7Eg7MNRV_cQJaax7vhvliooAYh65qlKxo6jJLupVrWmjURPn2DaxjBEnp1SqOcynfJhQF2S8EoWr2uicFc5H4ucdTKwXEdAQB-nF_YrKbhVmy0RbdrfBmSBd4BLzcoBMTPMCLZpKmggfMLxCk_Qhcw-evzqiZKHdKSOR2wgtrdF=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Sure, my Dad came out to see BYU play, but he was able to catch a t-ball practice of another one of his favorite athletes, Jonah!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0in1bLCsNCFGyatSlVY7jQvQDCAPco4pzn81IfsjgECsk17Lm2soGzc7qmwCB3vnY6TkrTN7mtDHEfSG9s537TRNaVgoMgRNevL1YWIJrOIaRQZvNlEK2twM1Lk-F12JhEebl9onCAkR3eiuLVxD84F_-a6g6DJaiWFW4mqyd3hEaktgqFOmG0M-v=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0in1bLCsNCFGyatSlVY7jQvQDCAPco4pzn81IfsjgECsk17Lm2soGzc7qmwCB3vnY6TkrTN7mtDHEfSG9s537TRNaVgoMgRNevL1YWIJrOIaRQZvNlEK2twM1Lk-F12JhEebl9onCAkR3eiuLVxD84F_-a6g6DJaiWFW4mqyd3hEaktgqFOmG0M-v=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>The Japanese steakhouse just down the road has now become a tradition!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhebiw65Yr0bdRcZTP7kCaqXxNShW1LESitvit0Xl0S6vXwpAUj8TJY3V4XyV9i0fxJZSngTdIhGsllP4cErk2miD9Gmdqygf-Fv6Tr8LgwcEJFRaKaxM0t5_rHLIUbg95u95RAspWBiGNK6AnCllmCjlv-61rLj7ojScVvH2uZ2pjK_89HbmQMF5Uk=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhebiw65Yr0bdRcZTP7kCaqXxNShW1LESitvit0Xl0S6vXwpAUj8TJY3V4XyV9i0fxJZSngTdIhGsllP4cErk2miD9Gmdqygf-Fv6Tr8LgwcEJFRaKaxM0t5_rHLIUbg95u95RAspWBiGNK6AnCllmCjlv-61rLj7ojScVvH2uZ2pjK_89HbmQMF5Uk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEoYiFtn1IO6xcfBXDC-t55Z6ANkvn6UDzq_7jXVze-_QC7WRjN6qPzBzY00siD8tGsg2a71xGwULamQWUy6zd8csWXXxJYb5c6y-IM-Sl9wlIGUtnQ3O9LxmfdQB4br4oNL7fwwmdYLgiaSxcFUJ_WNuE20klivaDLDJMDkvXxO1AxzdDh34V7SHR=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEoYiFtn1IO6xcfBXDC-t55Z6ANkvn6UDzq_7jXVze-_QC7WRjN6qPzBzY00siD8tGsg2a71xGwULamQWUy6zd8csWXXxJYb5c6y-IM-Sl9wlIGUtnQ3O9LxmfdQB4br4oNL7fwwmdYLgiaSxcFUJ_WNuE20klivaDLDJMDkvXxO1AxzdDh34V7SHR=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG0RMDxAi8h805zv8PSqUyvWa3ut9mL84yJWSO3_aO1hRIsRlAxV7FUtw-OyhofvppfDKQhmoTzZr4n_QaDRSwIVgZBUELEgLyrhMJUbaj_ajI9LunC1aaARuYouQOhXrcs-C37np8RYjZmD1NGhvn1cI7m7ItqY2VFpfztzD1fiuI3KO67YwEnIIu=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG0RMDxAi8h805zv8PSqUyvWa3ut9mL84yJWSO3_aO1hRIsRlAxV7FUtw-OyhofvppfDKQhmoTzZr4n_QaDRSwIVgZBUELEgLyrhMJUbaj_ajI9LunC1aaARuYouQOhXrcs-C37np8RYjZmD1NGhvn1cI7m7ItqY2VFpfztzD1fiuI3KO67YwEnIIu=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>In fact, we have proven to be creatures of habit as my boys now demand the same rituals whenever my parents come to town. Last time they came we went to Dairy Queen 1-2 times a day. This time we ice-creamed up back at home. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJslFab3e6BQXSJsL2bWUBVju1Ll-X5UYO_6PVJP70YSgLqUPFR-L51r7nbvaH2Scr9q2muMN4UEUzXFQhMQTRk864i5RC_D0LH0WKigXbpXsDY0Y-Lq6h22k6EYz8X2NZorp8Rc_aS7nnn5V6i03OToZ4mxpVtV1izwHnz6aU8kCePxUv0rSZ2tyi=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJslFab3e6BQXSJsL2bWUBVju1Ll-X5UYO_6PVJP70YSgLqUPFR-L51r7nbvaH2Scr9q2muMN4UEUzXFQhMQTRk864i5RC_D0LH0WKigXbpXsDY0Y-Lq6h22k6EYz8X2NZorp8Rc_aS7nnn5V6i03OToZ4mxpVtV1izwHnz6aU8kCePxUv0rSZ2tyi=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>My parents were on their way out the door when Jonah got sad and requested a bedtime story from Grandpa. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaptAV3oucjJfxa7Wow-nLtNVlsD2FtDdPG0dKcTRo60I7W8bOwYEqO7vIh64UOgDtm8UyQZ9dICrBpY1Y9irZ7un32RCWuhTY36NvhHawvLC3NsUybCr02BD8grRQ-gJN_IYE22_pu-3T9942nw13QiqMQRgRDVg1-yJe1G6tXMsYoTs5xsYkkWU3=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaptAV3oucjJfxa7Wow-nLtNVlsD2FtDdPG0dKcTRo60I7W8bOwYEqO7vIh64UOgDtm8UyQZ9dICrBpY1Y9irZ7un32RCWuhTY36NvhHawvLC3NsUybCr02BD8grRQ-gJN_IYE22_pu-3T9942nw13QiqMQRgRDVg1-yJe1G6tXMsYoTs5xsYkkWU3=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi59kxEe07pv2eW7WtkmXjRBpg7A7Xx6l2DDqmnXSv0WlonP7PL1vZP56zp3KNtim6QE-gTWvFHuKL0xdK8_3mdiB0CJouOKmjlQrE7AJ9Htz0_7ClpL7MkEWzr00gZ_verpu4g6PYxzdxArd8_yQMvoBhKQ2WYP7HqEDrSiV6qXlLWfJaM02xLQDFv=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi59kxEe07pv2eW7WtkmXjRBpg7A7Xx6l2DDqmnXSv0WlonP7PL1vZP56zp3KNtim6QE-gTWvFHuKL0xdK8_3mdiB0CJouOKmjlQrE7AJ9Htz0_7ClpL7MkEWzr00gZ_verpu4g6PYxzdxArd8_yQMvoBhKQ2WYP7HqEDrSiV6qXlLWfJaM02xLQDFv=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>The only way to beat the 100+ degree heat is to hop in the pool! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMHxC2VG9QdHRH1-_UmsvhTs2Ig1h6TOcLkyxWfmBEhRPAcbgqhbHmebX5j-xuas30mt3kXHyXmnVe6BwBdQmZyHFUrIzdMYihV6VBEBS9MV2I2T-2AXBgS09K2WQA0-Mlzsbd_yV0pIDW1ZflgA-pygbELWvvROfK4LGvJnDfjiX8JIPu8tOs97Cp=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMHxC2VG9QdHRH1-_UmsvhTs2Ig1h6TOcLkyxWfmBEhRPAcbgqhbHmebX5j-xuas30mt3kXHyXmnVe6BwBdQmZyHFUrIzdMYihV6VBEBS9MV2I2T-2AXBgS09K2WQA0-Mlzsbd_yV0pIDW1ZflgA-pygbELWvvROfK4LGvJnDfjiX8JIPu8tOs97Cp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>I had a major mom fail and forgot my kids' floaties because I had them packed away for the season and totally spaced it. We made it work though! Jonah and Lincoln were happy to test their swimming skills to paddle up to the top of the water after jumping in sans floaties. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvMNIj_QjYKlawnyvATE2pwd7WOwF9PKiG3BBu14tvKh87KQow4Q40m6gJMxMfjcrcRQoF2oISs950wziknIlgkQQomAFM_myrr1ikjo-K_zsY0tkvq36erL4STBWLQWArFrHw0QFXELG5fajt3EYcpmaVtsGZJmms1kNboCqPUta4a8iYxnt8ZlsI=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvMNIj_QjYKlawnyvATE2pwd7WOwF9PKiG3BBu14tvKh87KQow4Q40m6gJMxMfjcrcRQoF2oISs950wziknIlgkQQomAFM_myrr1ikjo-K_zsY0tkvq36erL4STBWLQWArFrHw0QFXELG5fajt3EYcpmaVtsGZJmms1kNboCqPUta4a8iYxnt8ZlsI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Not only are we creatures of habit, all of our habits revolve around food. Ohjah, ice-cream, swimming, and Raising Cane's! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMpxzzA2_uhffrB2DVMPwldoBirkrvDehHOuKLcjd3yUQnj9YJP9DWBLy2K2UQnX_SUyEv-o1kJ9R48leF0VaIcYjG_woFKFHczX4lnxVqPepxEO28ThGstME-KTfrNQQa29WRaXsZSPFX1cd-4J7Xd1uWLmtPOnQs5VOz3ppb51ZfNP0D7ipsVKf5=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMpxzzA2_uhffrB2DVMPwldoBirkrvDehHOuKLcjd3yUQnj9YJP9DWBLy2K2UQnX_SUyEv-o1kJ9R48leF0VaIcYjG_woFKFHczX4lnxVqPepxEO28ThGstME-KTfrNQQa29WRaXsZSPFX1cd-4J7Xd1uWLmtPOnQs5VOz3ppb51ZfNP0D7ipsVKf5=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>And of course we have the habitual BYU games. My Dad and Jeff ran off to a game with Eli and Carson while my mom and I hit up the park with the two little guys. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQnwR3zUb243z45-i3k5-r-qeizrpnqo7yoxrR9Yl2Zxnc6mxp4UyxGh-jEu-o56J4ZvYdAI0_x2iWVFswr5o0TsDkOyUpKBAJhO9YBJb31cJCjaPBFiqro799ryX0rIjkxeVH3QVAn7D8SDLNiwuFQsOZffJS_HZ3r6Uz7zQ7Ucc69Na9kha-DXnK=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQnwR3zUb243z45-i3k5-r-qeizrpnqo7yoxrR9Yl2Zxnc6mxp4UyxGh-jEu-o56J4ZvYdAI0_x2iWVFswr5o0TsDkOyUpKBAJhO9YBJb31cJCjaPBFiqro799ryX0rIjkxeVH3QVAn7D8SDLNiwuFQsOZffJS_HZ3r6Uz7zQ7Ucc69Na9kha-DXnK=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhW9920MhvDVVYa8t0dRojLZc2056qgJbbDQy43WpaEKwmrZoORY6Cy0e3zGKh_epQE_DPtqB_e60zGqWEC68vPE9wqwhywSXT4zcc_lQYJ4hT3FO-UfcmFB46K_Dbx3OprmEbyudts_IgZcYU-7XwywQf22z_dfa63Zs1Fa7gCeycGT9669jQ5IttH=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhW9920MhvDVVYa8t0dRojLZc2056qgJbbDQy43WpaEKwmrZoORY6Cy0e3zGKh_epQE_DPtqB_e60zGqWEC68vPE9wqwhywSXT4zcc_lQYJ4hT3FO-UfcmFB46K_Dbx3OprmEbyudts_IgZcYU-7XwywQf22z_dfa63Zs1Fa7gCeycGT9669jQ5IttH=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtl23tdy0JRxqfkofcWIFMaHvL4eIsez91EPuE5J_2GxN-Ijr6Ckz5D0BaTvUeSqSFdybzKFTUUjpMKCc1L3hstWzwSP2J8vmMhxlksDJ90peRP1Y0xOG48f3VzsVikkd-XOdREKGN4W3Y8G19b2BP-yQEATY1XrF28ZS03FoR5sfcqD4-_FGY_7on=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtl23tdy0JRxqfkofcWIFMaHvL4eIsez91EPuE5J_2GxN-Ijr6Ckz5D0BaTvUeSqSFdybzKFTUUjpMKCc1L3hstWzwSP2J8vmMhxlksDJ90peRP1Y0xOG48f3VzsVikkd-XOdREKGN4W3Y8G19b2BP-yQEATY1XrF28ZS03FoR5sfcqD4-_FGY_7on=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtW-PGw8lEvwfwNVQ8CO_QIFFgtYdX8llsuM1e-qfRYA8J690G_nWkN8svOnpVuumBLtLVEgpe4HzbzrV1SHC8fS-ef45eiQyjNE8es0BvG2fmd05zlhp-oGT_cebFjVH9Bmb9u0X_kLz2DvQee6-uRlNUljS2q2JRa6fuDPF-IlSikqo6113IgQ7w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtW-PGw8lEvwfwNVQ8CO_QIFFgtYdX8llsuM1e-qfRYA8J690G_nWkN8svOnpVuumBLtLVEgpe4HzbzrV1SHC8fS-ef45eiQyjNE8es0BvG2fmd05zlhp-oGT_cebFjVH9Bmb9u0X_kLz2DvQee6-uRlNUljS2q2JRa6fuDPF-IlSikqo6113IgQ7w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>The boys got stories from my Mom for bedtime.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEeMcZSpNnB6rh7ErHdIdvgikEE4Rc_ODcTufYBg62EKn3gCqmEj8tnPcZN6W5fQiqaXgq19VrB7lnSw_pMU-bHFyP5UNawiLvhXhtAPYfAvdTzt5yQKTVmy3Qy9UcmYMVnm3OX7vNqbQ0RTxqKTtLp_oMl4RLQghH2beN2PUVYgikvk7L6edsEywk=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEeMcZSpNnB6rh7ErHdIdvgikEE4Rc_ODcTufYBg62EKn3gCqmEj8tnPcZN6W5fQiqaXgq19VrB7lnSw_pMU-bHFyP5UNawiLvhXhtAPYfAvdTzt5yQKTVmy3Qy9UcmYMVnm3OX7vNqbQ0RTxqKTtLp_oMl4RLQghH2beN2PUVYgikvk7L6edsEywk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>The BYU folks got home after midnight and had to wake up bright and not too terribly early for 10:30 AM church. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLJBNrobuQzrn6v7BZ2LGaQW3-jE4zf1gVeqCdf_AKAOqR6g1MHMyORR86K72VVTTkbYq8ldnByB-12srtjWObllxkEt3NIM7lhMAyAOg8PINVMDDH2zZP06bkoUNW7wOkh-C0SDh9YVE4hhSvFhmxqfhkqpbwAA7Nxn8U88u9gJYWEhz5lR0ky8V4=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLJBNrobuQzrn6v7BZ2LGaQW3-jE4zf1gVeqCdf_AKAOqR6g1MHMyORR86K72VVTTkbYq8ldnByB-12srtjWObllxkEt3NIM7lhMAyAOg8PINVMDDH2zZP06bkoUNW7wOkh-C0SDh9YVE4hhSvFhmxqfhkqpbwAA7Nxn8U88u9gJYWEhz5lR0ky8V4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Post-church gaming for the bright-eyed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6gmzY7M4bC8syj3Be-9RVhqSCljIDKW4e3kxzRV3Wlt4SoTsAZYQrFRqHb4aj_XPs3c2LYk93DsAxWFjoctJYxkhh2kE8kf5ffNMpkhFtvVzRboIdktVjTW8-XHAazkKtAE0SfH3qomf8HQ9JJ3pRBpj0sVMeI9k5Xe83lmt_fbCFA8HNPhOMJ_sh=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6gmzY7M4bC8syj3Be-9RVhqSCljIDKW4e3kxzRV3Wlt4SoTsAZYQrFRqHb4aj_XPs3c2LYk93DsAxWFjoctJYxkhh2kE8kf5ffNMpkhFtvVzRboIdktVjTW8-XHAazkKtAE0SfH3qomf8HQ9JJ3pRBpj0sVMeI9k5Xe83lmt_fbCFA8HNPhOMJ_sh=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYucbdstc83x3sb8NJ6fVqA_uKFAnyNgieUxN8kXkQMBinBOiFs4DyBDJ5P1BtIVonHDCcpK5oj4D2H_3NvC6lKsQa-zNmjkqbp8s3QPXWbNmqkCHlbFhMVBFYZSPrkOaIyZaTB-4eum0lpzsRC6hS9fSixt_4L_6H2_5-s7CIlUPp1MIWmVaaqtOI=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYucbdstc83x3sb8NJ6fVqA_uKFAnyNgieUxN8kXkQMBinBOiFs4DyBDJ5P1BtIVonHDCcpK5oj4D2H_3NvC6lKsQa-zNmjkqbp8s3QPXWbNmqkCHlbFhMVBFYZSPrkOaIyZaTB-4eum0lpzsRC6hS9fSixt_4L_6H2_5-s7CIlUPp1MIWmVaaqtOI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>And a little shut-eye for the sleepy. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlXFlNmkr40V5GDRgeMxDaCs1Vjf-DtJXzyxjrY19wJi9u-DzPchGk2RrJrTiaOSDShSvhbBJZvbJzeULkTMpeQD1CpBSu30zQSDzy73vQ536Qzi8zKw46OYQgIOes0iEfWLKNVr9284Vvk17XXLaq3k59GNr3yoa_iTw8F72CHsMStCs9Y_jJcX0y=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlXFlNmkr40V5GDRgeMxDaCs1Vjf-DtJXzyxjrY19wJi9u-DzPchGk2RrJrTiaOSDShSvhbBJZvbJzeULkTMpeQD1CpBSu30zQSDzy73vQ536Qzi8zKw46OYQgIOes0iEfWLKNVr9284Vvk17XXLaq3k59GNr3yoa_iTw8F72CHsMStCs9Y_jJcX0y=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>We closed the visit with a long-standing habit, a Sunday movie with popcorn. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs4PXQ4tdlG74FGqHbQC9gxtWUMNKN9FRg5m9wtJ_vcqPMBhK-IvJZaOGp5ie3Nvrxn7A15Ka_8culyJ6Du_b2OeFlcubAzL8ebx0YNCEEIlaZMCtd3ny04TUtt3EU46RsBwLMXVjIWF25oQEGikpUwng8TMyvcQsJZTta50bg9o3sZGPrN3TUk_sp=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs4PXQ4tdlG74FGqHbQC9gxtWUMNKN9FRg5m9wtJ_vcqPMBhK-IvJZaOGp5ie3Nvrxn7A15Ka_8culyJ6Du_b2OeFlcubAzL8ebx0YNCEEIlaZMCtd3ny04TUtt3EU46RsBwLMXVjIWF25oQEGikpUwng8TMyvcQsJZTta50bg9o3sZGPrN3TUk_sp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>After my parents left, I found this picture Carson drew while sitting next to my Dad in Sacrament Meeting. We figured it was a good indication he enjoyed his first football game!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRNPYNBEayI5D5OEREPbSCVs3S2FZ41-atKNKo2HqLditX5Tm1RvLY21uozyVG0rmb1Xqr1113hFwv7_0W5oUjlUb7OIetqmC7klKT36uZJyy5xuzxbKPAXT9Xd6NwDlHvMMwOWrisUPeQVCPPFdxzN8tCeeqOqm6k-ACi-HaOqcQvPVHH0h4GiOxR=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRNPYNBEayI5D5OEREPbSCVs3S2FZ41-atKNKo2HqLditX5Tm1RvLY21uozyVG0rmb1Xqr1113hFwv7_0W5oUjlUb7OIetqmC7klKT36uZJyy5xuzxbKPAXT9Xd6NwDlHvMMwOWrisUPeQVCPPFdxzN8tCeeqOqm6k-ACi-HaOqcQvPVHH0h4GiOxR=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for coming, Mom and Dad! Feel free to make a habit out of stopping by! </div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-83950302301838039222021-10-31T16:47:00.002-06:002021-10-31T16:47:36.004-06:00Starting School and Sports<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My anxiety settled in at a soft purr all through the summer as I was constantly wondering about whether or not full-time school would truly and actually resume in the fall. I was hopeful but untrusting because I had been burned in the past. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our school also seemed hesitant to make any promises or really any announcements about the upcoming school year until just a week or so before the start date. They finally announced all systems were a-go, school would be regular hours, and it was time to rock and roll. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nevada did (and still does) have a mask mandate inside buildings, so the kids are required to wear masks all day. It sounds horrible, but they don't ever complain about it and don't really seem to mind, and I'm actually glad the kids wear masks at school because I am still a little nervous about Covid spreading through the elementary schools where the kids aren't vaccinated (mostly because I don't want everything to get shut down again)! So we will happily take whatever precautions are necessary to just get these boys back to the classroom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Poor Lincoln has never experienced regular school. His kindergarten year was super weird, and first grade is proving to be a unique situation too, but he's doing well and his reading has really taken off in the last month or so! That's always exciting to see when they can start reading fluently and figuring out how to spell words on their own. He's doing great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVbQSTUoD73F-ZnWdFGD7Xqo8ykMyttyULEjmrA3hhRSreE756a2ci9N7fjL0yK60kNOfApjoTmuwZSNjbi5rOMtar52SivmEN3CsQ_hQjHvK4aM7Ka6F8CaTTsEnT_34r7j_X0Wi7pm6lYbMzfWMx6MtIuAt-HEsIemSZ9YLAumr6marO9RX-5T7z=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVbQSTUoD73F-ZnWdFGD7Xqo8ykMyttyULEjmrA3hhRSreE756a2ci9N7fjL0yK60kNOfApjoTmuwZSNjbi5rOMtar52SivmEN3CsQ_hQjHvK4aM7Ka6F8CaTTsEnT_34r7j_X0Wi7pm6lYbMzfWMx6MtIuAt-HEsIemSZ9YLAumr6marO9RX-5T7z=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPIrwaTr4VADlm5NjuXhucvJyHwkSkkOoV_V8Gi-DbbWBauNHE8p7JlIpM-D_j1X3tjFIkaMcL--xzvBSh9Y3natKjuYEmN12EWsAMsj9kS7dQU5arF06WcQXrcZ83xhIeqR2P2MvUJ_RpFFoXJbl_1baY7FdsPD1NXh0_DTdDA8pN45DP19VyrsxF=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPIrwaTr4VADlm5NjuXhucvJyHwkSkkOoV_V8Gi-DbbWBauNHE8p7JlIpM-D_j1X3tjFIkaMcL--xzvBSh9Y3natKjuYEmN12EWsAMsj9kS7dQU5arF06WcQXrcZ83xhIeqR2P2MvUJ_RpFFoXJbl_1baY7FdsPD1NXh0_DTdDA8pN45DP19VyrsxF=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUZutplnfOuzDT2sNMaiXOw_kNWTgksUUYDm8Afucq_J4Tq3D7ejez2yKZUnfz6IuGOspMjrwEdwT6-SwoFU_IAidWxLVrtUmVfBHNx-8gJ0MQy10oHuSm8RIct1Xji95Prtf3t5FBGk3e1FbghCqCoYB-BZzdtYv1lJvWrJDGSlVoh3gF1ZQGl-3l=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUZutplnfOuzDT2sNMaiXOw_kNWTgksUUYDm8Afucq_J4Tq3D7ejez2yKZUnfz6IuGOspMjrwEdwT6-SwoFU_IAidWxLVrtUmVfBHNx-8gJ0MQy10oHuSm8RIct1Xji95Prtf3t5FBGk3e1FbghCqCoYB-BZzdtYv1lJvWrJDGSlVoh3gF1ZQGl-3l=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just got an email from Carson's teacher saying he is always such a polite, kind, and helpful boy at school. He really thrives in the school setting, so I am most relieved these kids are back in the classroom for this one's sake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_tKvillCvVPH-PV7J_1uaTikDWLI1zeaqF9yyQZuVXxg-Yjz4ssmY9lqthPmtJlyJz58WZO8QtLDIro9SotEGmVCio2cYVeR-xCMxnqcDuPux-zBAcov6qtHtgdAFpPUlMBZxZIvAam24nx2LvdS_meSK9G8nFYjuFF1D3Kb1hrQoiLMl4O6YhqfJ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_tKvillCvVPH-PV7J_1uaTikDWLI1zeaqF9yyQZuVXxg-Yjz4ssmY9lqthPmtJlyJz58WZO8QtLDIro9SotEGmVCio2cYVeR-xCMxnqcDuPux-zBAcov6qtHtgdAFpPUlMBZxZIvAam24nx2LvdS_meSK9G8nFYjuFF1D3Kb1hrQoiLMl4O6YhqfJ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2Udae3_g9O9glGRPKQ1CTsvHqWjwQvWF9RJZSpup4u3oT_TJ2sy4PXCXyGJ0c5KIimv96gWOv3Ih9ao2DKERnhnzEKQnsq5duSosoTAhs3ktWRw2HKRzLgv39aIwsU0CGP-lFhKMk29DGHu9lY2Gkscl5Bh3QjVbRg3CbH0NaUw_O3HXn55ljXpRT=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2Udae3_g9O9glGRPKQ1CTsvHqWjwQvWF9RJZSpup4u3oT_TJ2sy4PXCXyGJ0c5KIimv96gWOv3Ih9ao2DKERnhnzEKQnsq5duSosoTAhs3ktWRw2HKRzLgv39aIwsU0CGP-lFhKMk29DGHu9lY2Gkscl5Bh3QjVbRg3CbH0NaUw_O3HXn55ljXpRT=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Eli is in middle school now! All three boys go to the same school, but Eli's day is set up a little differently with more class changes and more teachers. He has a great teacher that has already been such a mentor and a great role model to Eli.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBmaAP4hr2QMI9ma-66oV-aTmYbp_3qBri5dZBryFMe4Dbm_jQmeNKU546YmT1c9qU3NART51aBc-8vm_M5Vp2wRJlAkmRYSPQSc2UpYn_-PPOM6CsP2aSB6vef9Td2waFtHpjZzvysh6tL8z2VqeI8oCRbwdcX9iTPu0Pb16Rrbhb0hnUD0vGJxyU=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBmaAP4hr2QMI9ma-66oV-aTmYbp_3qBri5dZBryFMe4Dbm_jQmeNKU546YmT1c9qU3NART51aBc-8vm_M5Vp2wRJlAkmRYSPQSc2UpYn_-PPOM6CsP2aSB6vef9Td2waFtHpjZzvysh6tL8z2VqeI8oCRbwdcX9iTPu0Pb16Rrbhb0hnUD0vGJxyU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXLjrDytTIVsCvBJ6vxLHFggRIyI9EELMZk33tKySXTeVMFOI1nPtYEUno6bf8ayz8RBxqXXcfPTvOKWeIfKHZW_FVEIjtJzWQqmqKv1FbXsMukZYhNnEi9ulJ-BfF4x4aySnjU5NCuJDugGTTCY6sk9fxrp-jNCjQthjPRjRG5miZz6qxUXzjyIwW=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXLjrDytTIVsCvBJ6vxLHFggRIyI9EELMZk33tKySXTeVMFOI1nPtYEUno6bf8ayz8RBxqXXcfPTvOKWeIfKHZW_FVEIjtJzWQqmqKv1FbXsMukZYhNnEi9ulJ-BfF4x4aySnjU5NCuJDugGTTCY6sk9fxrp-jNCjQthjPRjRG5miZz6qxUXzjyIwW=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I feel like a whole person again to not have to be my kids's everything! It was so exhausting to have to keep track of their classwork, keep them on task, figure out three different sets of assignments, arrange the Zoom calls, keep the house learning environment friendly, so on and so forth. And then to have to be their everything else on top of all that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have seen how important it is for my kids to have outside influences in their life. I'm so grateful for great teachers who support, teach, love, and encourage my kids to be the best they can! Their influence is noticeable! It's also so nice to have my kids be around other kids regularly. There are a million reasons to be grateful for school. Even my kids who used to complain about going to school can now easily recognize that it's way better than the alternative of being stuck at home staring at me all day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well...there is one person who actually thinks he prefers to be home staring at me all day. I wasn't sure what I was going to do for Jonah and preschool. Super last minute I found out that our elementary school actually has a new preschool program. I was able to get Jonah enrolled like 2 days before school started and he got in! That was such a blessing for us!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBsLuT6Hk_V3hxqlCuIvnN4Cn8Wv08PsCxFpBOT0FcOn4BAxpmO4sTy23JTk-1h4RRt7XkT4S85l89DWiQUBJKWtU7v3W1lAfyh4ZNoDOpK-L01bgt7jbAcjF390SogecUJ6ouammwQK-b8BzbNzKl30ipGEPIj_4gBjwFGjpa2SLiUoRX4u1jmBbn=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBsLuT6Hk_V3hxqlCuIvnN4Cn8Wv08PsCxFpBOT0FcOn4BAxpmO4sTy23JTk-1h4RRt7XkT4S85l89DWiQUBJKWtU7v3W1lAfyh4ZNoDOpK-L01bgt7jbAcjF390SogecUJ6ouammwQK-b8BzbNzKl30ipGEPIj_4gBjwFGjpa2SLiUoRX4u1jmBbn=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Jonah loves school now, but it did take some serious convincing those first couple of weeks.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeMRrcjtcCfuI4ADKVnkVfwdBBxMX17m0WksX-4FsRg2CE4c_dJzbCUSOcNpfIh5tTaK8bgLBYWDqk1at56Q4Mb3--bA7jQUrt4UG927vdxApa_Cas-qB301QvTQy-wxnHrB39Ru-MOJ4tExh-Dk5yVA_3tvz1YmCWRm92oNy_ZZsvwxMfYcNb7ZY8=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeMRrcjtcCfuI4ADKVnkVfwdBBxMX17m0WksX-4FsRg2CE4c_dJzbCUSOcNpfIh5tTaK8bgLBYWDqk1at56Q4Mb3--bA7jQUrt4UG927vdxApa_Cas-qB301QvTQy-wxnHrB39Ru-MOJ4tExh-Dk5yVA_3tvz1YmCWRm92oNy_ZZsvwxMfYcNb7ZY8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>I was so happy to learn the schools were providing free lunch to all the kids...until my kids tried school lunch and said it was nasty and they would never eat it ever again. Wa waaaaaaaaa. Being stubborn, I told them I refuse to spend my mornings making three lunches when they have school lunch available to them for free. Them also being stubborn, they said, "Fine then we won't eat."<p></p><p>The compromise was a freezer lunch system that I'm now quite proud of. I made a million lunch options and put them in the freezer. This way I don't have to do it in the morning, and the kids can easily pack their own lunches. It's been awesome! I have to restock one or two of the bins about every two weeks, so the maintenance isn't too bad. It sure beats scrambling to put things together in the morning! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8GOAQplksc1vFkSIpW-L7X4874wkfzPpH8IWtYrCia4U4FuE5qnljVCj0PrvicbsALFNz8vuxNs8aobSGh4Orsr8auCw9zlI0-Vd5jD5VPNj5OetCnVPwr4YeMXko4LMY9-6EntmSd2w4X22uvJrgl4D4A6rXy_s2NMrdSkuek09cEM8kixqgYdCh=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8GOAQplksc1vFkSIpW-L7X4874wkfzPpH8IWtYrCia4U4FuE5qnljVCj0PrvicbsALFNz8vuxNs8aobSGh4Orsr8auCw9zlI0-Vd5jD5VPNj5OetCnVPwr4YeMXko4LMY9-6EntmSd2w4X22uvJrgl4D4A6rXy_s2NMrdSkuek09cEM8kixqgYdCh=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>I also have a tote full of pre-packaged snacks that they can pick from just for lunches. It's taken so much stress out of our mornings. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVd06oePk4EMdpWVJPk2n6FUMJpY7ZVHhBtaQz1XVjSNDcgEQSY4d9ZYWhpCbDpu-GWweupNlJJeOtjRSTZ4-kEXwPe6v_gdLjOlu9DVu_rc3ut7rcd1zTTUueY8NxBHqrSB_QRd1-u6_-etQZ9XV8ApOOItwqQ_R-PMHNpqfglrF_C7qGslVWsm5s=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVd06oePk4EMdpWVJPk2n6FUMJpY7ZVHhBtaQz1XVjSNDcgEQSY4d9ZYWhpCbDpu-GWweupNlJJeOtjRSTZ4-kEXwPe6v_gdLjOlu9DVu_rc3ut7rcd1zTTUueY8NxBHqrSB_QRd1-u6_-etQZ9XV8ApOOItwqQ_R-PMHNpqfglrF_C7qGslVWsm5s=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Jonah loves to help with the meal prep whenever we need a restock. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4gqAsSAgU7EkWGuFe_iuqcAeMGqHeTnCxh3ni-0GEz0wqxS3fYfpesOQgq1hrHCFjD6VQwLWgvmAWFTSE1VmyuXPgryrMvZOhUGyCpUTzsrOB4fnGkRdcWQpD-xakbXMxMm9g7yWxUsDrAJmrKVUOorPIW0BYbsl_o9GN0xXCrVZcW-zI_YHwTzLN=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4gqAsSAgU7EkWGuFe_iuqcAeMGqHeTnCxh3ni-0GEz0wqxS3fYfpesOQgq1hrHCFjD6VQwLWgvmAWFTSE1VmyuXPgryrMvZOhUGyCpUTzsrOB4fnGkRdcWQpD-xakbXMxMm9g7yWxUsDrAJmrKVUOorPIW0BYbsl_o9GN0xXCrVZcW-zI_YHwTzLN=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Eli got quarantined for being exposed to Covid early into the schoolyear. After settling into this position to do his schoolwork during the day, he coyly announced, "The teachers are on my turf now."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmiMhGO7vzgu-XlDnflynWY_-M_iubWRnOBYHY2VQ-D_h6jk-_EMYT6lii5SLYtmGe1pXUTJ3Y7c_-2C0EpGRdJ5G3B3sLbkHnof96VtuwrdIB2fdMui7kY4CVjYHFr7X_hRrUpZlJ4E-ZEIr0K5mCSunRKqTfrp5-a293WBC_re_ncUe-bgk5NRts=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmiMhGO7vzgu-XlDnflynWY_-M_iubWRnOBYHY2VQ-D_h6jk-_EMYT6lii5SLYtmGe1pXUTJ3Y7c_-2C0EpGRdJ5G3B3sLbkHnof96VtuwrdIB2fdMui7kY4CVjYHFr7X_hRrUpZlJ4E-ZEIr0K5mCSunRKqTfrp5-a293WBC_re_ncUe-bgk5NRts=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Jonah's learning so many skills in preschool. He has a homework packet each month. His tongue always appears whenever a task requires complete concentration. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifNOcm8zztYSQ8DsKDyoi57ZPx7opfSNZdUL7nOac9xqz8h5dKGmtl6mB7bB2qQye_pXKqOMlZnPf14qkjZafnWRag-AGodFJz2MvcfzE5hEtMyaMjyO0T1cJCsEg7eUiR00irKRAwsrke-cIgQ6lqsrcN-UxLWvuLl0MRwZTjSWKXnrYw33uW9ZYr=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifNOcm8zztYSQ8DsKDyoi57ZPx7opfSNZdUL7nOac9xqz8h5dKGmtl6mB7bB2qQye_pXKqOMlZnPf14qkjZafnWRag-AGodFJz2MvcfzE5hEtMyaMjyO0T1cJCsEg7eUiR00irKRAwsrke-cIgQ6lqsrcN-UxLWvuLl0MRwZTjSWKXnrYw33uW9ZYr=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>I knew we were getting in over our heads signing all four boys up for fall sports, but I got carried away in the excitement of activities opening up again that I just went for it. Jonah has always loved baseball, so he's had the best time actually being on a team.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFJhOAZEeOhIpZDpie1An1NtM-EGVMKP4HaZSE940JEGblhDz9kY3S3k-BrYsrE5VWafF1lIWHgZfqamZr1HyqPMkce3d1b7JLvH_PfaKC1G6G2500Sy64c4vO4K9Op7C32vKw6Uhu2T-vr2xygd1d3kicFUBGHYHXVi90TuwPU_Fj9rRJlAS615KD=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFJhOAZEeOhIpZDpie1An1NtM-EGVMKP4HaZSE940JEGblhDz9kY3S3k-BrYsrE5VWafF1lIWHgZfqamZr1HyqPMkce3d1b7JLvH_PfaKC1G6G2500Sy64c4vO4K9Op7C32vKw6Uhu2T-vr2xygd1d3kicFUBGHYHXVi90TuwPU_Fj9rRJlAS615KD=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLnKSp-dnvY7YAOtK8K5S2DyzHW25-StwKWUD5wOu-XgUVR3BuC8193Hyd_SRy8z460h2SShwPcdwWwn_CNgBrXRoIB_tSjSIABsAtJx8Pb2xjS0Etu8YM3Oc3n5WW8jiaoXFLNhUVU0-KeF2k2B0sze-xkXPE6PKKaR0g0DN6atr7yUmrr_yOr9kS=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLnKSp-dnvY7YAOtK8K5S2DyzHW25-StwKWUD5wOu-XgUVR3BuC8193Hyd_SRy8z460h2SShwPcdwWwn_CNgBrXRoIB_tSjSIABsAtJx8Pb2xjS0Etu8YM3Oc3n5WW8jiaoXFLNhUVU0-KeF2k2B0sze-xkXPE6PKKaR0g0DN6atr7yUmrr_yOr9kS=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvttdSjASOJN_kyviX5LfHzOBqv_H-ZZfmQXXB13oxm1feOi10SxevDR6I8gFrJBwl--Egqu_o7W3h1TH4QVbrCbpK8roCDH68556PEx3xotwVhVluU4pIWL5tOL--Kp2sMCP6RTo7N0yOqj5K_gQhMYtTu2-F0mTL8YlzmxJxKNSHu1cOUWzDgFOU=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvttdSjASOJN_kyviX5LfHzOBqv_H-ZZfmQXXB13oxm1feOi10SxevDR6I8gFrJBwl--Egqu_o7W3h1TH4QVbrCbpK8roCDH68556PEx3xotwVhVluU4pIWL5tOL--Kp2sMCP6RTo7N0yOqj5K_gQhMYtTu2-F0mTL8YlzmxJxKNSHu1cOUWzDgFOU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwTrLdGU7E_wCo5Ki0kJkZXzmZcLbtGWZXEWcOlO2e9kMUVQerws4_EKhhMZi7XZjc9iUlYUQQD7C078IFl3NSUX1MCDTJDlOg4tzi8MaA2GmYhd182zzcK0PZ06t-YV1a9tbGJNjr4YN_DeRB5Lz9NiqLN6UAIjm7QbSNRAjnNLF4z4YaAHqJnY3x=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwTrLdGU7E_wCo5Ki0kJkZXzmZcLbtGWZXEWcOlO2e9kMUVQerws4_EKhhMZi7XZjc9iUlYUQQD7C078IFl3NSUX1MCDTJDlOg4tzi8MaA2GmYhd182zzcK0PZ06t-YV1a9tbGJNjr4YN_DeRB5Lz9NiqLN6UAIjm7QbSNRAjnNLF4z4YaAHqJnY3x=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm8huPT4EPgk0B8Afwux2r1Na_4RP0vD3sW8j2qlKooJuXJTsdnGJ1uiKbj7UG3KHKlzRL5gz1KJuF5mD3HPQDMf-WNgd1qKYyV3wBeXmWM0jWqqjhxTFEj_e9rgBELkXdsz3NY6sFPailxFwdHme235cw8U2e-krwbw9Pzs1Tol5sm9fEA2BfOqBU=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm8huPT4EPgk0B8Afwux2r1Na_4RP0vD3sW8j2qlKooJuXJTsdnGJ1uiKbj7UG3KHKlzRL5gz1KJuF5mD3HPQDMf-WNgd1qKYyV3wBeXmWM0jWqqjhxTFEj_e9rgBELkXdsz3NY6sFPailxFwdHme235cw8U2e-krwbw9Pzs1Tol5sm9fEA2BfOqBU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>He's so cute out there! As we knew he would, he picked up on all the little rules and techniques of the game, and he's always all in out on the field. He even did a front flip (...landed on his back...) after he made a good throw. He plays with bubbling enthusiasm. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigND6SxUDoadVta3oZqWSFqBThuY0tHIVTe4AI782-YUK3T8bhufMbTi0LntHZUPVXRXUsea-vYFMN6q0BGasyLCca4LE1g3AdlU3wpxlFuS0jS1pWErls6OHt2hQT_fA5Vm2yHSBRT3IZV2gwr-HMp3cs-d6ceFdJm_Va-OAZYuhtnrcNHdnx9WZn=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigND6SxUDoadVta3oZqWSFqBThuY0tHIVTe4AI782-YUK3T8bhufMbTi0LntHZUPVXRXUsea-vYFMN6q0BGasyLCca4LE1g3AdlU3wpxlFuS0jS1pWErls6OHt2hQT_fA5Vm2yHSBRT3IZV2gwr-HMp3cs-d6ceFdJm_Va-OAZYuhtnrcNHdnx9WZn=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>His coach wears his hat backwards, so Jonah likes to follow suit. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyjQT7_aNChOK5RkZriCzQutf_et1ZQP5_cNHDc3WIo5bloQA979uTSWQeEwe2WqFXR-NgI9wW0zJThlX1C-k_Cl7NHXgake53Vz_niGlE8pRJrVXNQn4M0zztky4Y1qglWpo5RVJCHgbCkOS2NGeEf9f_jFuXE3CY0E6Brx5xK_a0PiJsxVG5FPzo=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyjQT7_aNChOK5RkZriCzQutf_et1ZQP5_cNHDc3WIo5bloQA979uTSWQeEwe2WqFXR-NgI9wW0zJThlX1C-k_Cl7NHXgake53Vz_niGlE8pRJrVXNQn4M0zztky4Y1qglWpo5RVJCHgbCkOS2NGeEf9f_jFuXE3CY0E6Brx5xK_a0PiJsxVG5FPzo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Eli's doing baseball again, too. He plays for the Angels. Fall ball has been so nice. The weather is absolutely dreamy! Makes the hours spent out at the baseball fields enjoyable. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsYfvx8pe3Y4FyG97u7UjM79cscfQibYEwGGJGcBFSTzP0-j_9dScBeXEFgEeI6rREfCY9MRGq7JKT_mcEqMquQ4eW13hU3EnbCUIhlh5QzQdDl-6HfawXngDCG8U-5yl63xYS2VjhynNX83KpU3VOMSVq5RJce78T8cV5RH-V0T4lWkhOViKUpMmH=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsYfvx8pe3Y4FyG97u7UjM79cscfQibYEwGGJGcBFSTzP0-j_9dScBeXEFgEeI6rREfCY9MRGq7JKT_mcEqMquQ4eW13hU3EnbCUIhlh5QzQdDl-6HfawXngDCG8U-5yl63xYS2VjhynNX83KpU3VOMSVq5RJce78T8cV5RH-V0T4lWkhOViKUpMmH=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkdu2nc2I7Xhb39sgQD_r2WKMcW5jcRcAhIzSCQftLR8vVpAKEEgTdhkKF1eOZRqQlnION7KBzH7MhMY6nDREDjU_Mor4zaZyq4RArgyGa87YNGtDp7GaxTNUs4Uvas0vz89MzgmH0suqTaIbtl8CSElcx4YYFe0s0bF7mgxUCWKowwSuyNdMbgdDo=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkdu2nc2I7Xhb39sgQD_r2WKMcW5jcRcAhIzSCQftLR8vVpAKEEgTdhkKF1eOZRqQlnION7KBzH7MhMY6nDREDjU_Mor4zaZyq4RArgyGa87YNGtDp7GaxTNUs4Uvas0vz89MzgmH0suqTaIbtl8CSElcx4YYFe0s0bF7mgxUCWKowwSuyNdMbgdDo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1Ty41L1jne6Ld866kkeOamqKCkm6aASEOnZmHx28z66--jumS_uNbs3xkar7U98f1hynPwCpQGgKinz3TxQXiHw2z_8Xkh42HKt_i-suNl6qocvyBfuTSxBTa70weeggI_unn_RkLGvAKHIUfR_959j0L6VeLYPom54ZB6T_qncOs2GlsyDIQgBFU=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1Ty41L1jne6Ld866kkeOamqKCkm6aASEOnZmHx28z66--jumS_uNbs3xkar7U98f1hynPwCpQGgKinz3TxQXiHw2z_8Xkh42HKt_i-suNl6qocvyBfuTSxBTa70weeggI_unn_RkLGvAKHIUfR_959j0L6VeLYPom54ZB6T_qncOs2GlsyDIQgBFU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Lincoln and Carson are doing soccer. I enjoy the fast pace of soccer and the cute little uniforms. Something about little kid legs in shin guards makes me smile. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi48jZ_8y1UtNoyTzN4Gv8jUCrMp1MousYAw4EGObMistSgr6G4nWMhdMug4pqLQ4CSIBahy7GaFGzTsPV4A9lrU0P-fk_wkl0f922vGMxId_8tpm-5G5RDgF0wkVbx5GZHjeS_FwqRd0lm29tHCRla2JLI_K25S5HZi3K5fGyqZMKGigvqA_xeXCcI=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi48jZ_8y1UtNoyTzN4Gv8jUCrMp1MousYAw4EGObMistSgr6G4nWMhdMug4pqLQ4CSIBahy7GaFGzTsPV4A9lrU0P-fk_wkl0f922vGMxId_8tpm-5G5RDgF0wkVbx5GZHjeS_FwqRd0lm29tHCRla2JLI_K25S5HZi3K5fGyqZMKGigvqA_xeXCcI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirPsyey2RWzIwiZbV_dkzo4CQQ-mMtxzEQyIONKWZomirHH4GtPuNzD1C3MT79HovCzg4eNZsNw438e5oVBYsXIw0gTnasXVAFv5hQj_OdqRXzh_z-HlZ9om_AoqByJqIhfCl5WG4bODrE5hiQlgpeD-MfqG_GAap-Cx-jF2CPGQel6_N_IwquObj8=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirPsyey2RWzIwiZbV_dkzo4CQQ-mMtxzEQyIONKWZomirHH4GtPuNzD1C3MT79HovCzg4eNZsNw438e5oVBYsXIw0gTnasXVAFv5hQj_OdqRXzh_z-HlZ9om_AoqByJqIhfCl5WG4bODrE5hiQlgpeD-MfqG_GAap-Cx-jF2CPGQel6_N_IwquObj8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiNJdKyuM7ouAOC1Z1dN49l98_j-OMJMk6TB6juXdfiwrFf0YY9PQSDkEcR7Kw042499yhZGdAaDvW7oSpyv61lV43MGvUT1JPbnecREqhhZfIbCrnj1u3PeCZEZHgNBmdf1wiMCB3yAddpD_NGAgbdexlLC0OE75etBp8DBL6dpxGVKCJwNFmxNbc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiNJdKyuM7ouAOC1Z1dN49l98_j-OMJMk6TB6juXdfiwrFf0YY9PQSDkEcR7Kw042499yhZGdAaDvW7oSpyv61lV43MGvUT1JPbnecREqhhZfIbCrnj1u3PeCZEZHgNBmdf1wiMCB3yAddpD_NGAgbdexlLC0OE75etBp8DBL6dpxGVKCJwNFmxNbc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQdxq2q-OwzGgDlZ1ktlvDUdNUfSc8cc9OuCHEOCs7LGh7Qf-LgaWsCZN90-9bIuI2qxruu4zdwJ8cIWSO031zvItqtijaQM5fF9VWpzH5_QMIDDqKRkMZYDeh-vMuIFQGkIF64TN0FmHkjNkeJNvOBb5Gdkqbnvu6ZqeQ0u0gkz3ihjjaXcBhCsMe=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQdxq2q-OwzGgDlZ1ktlvDUdNUfSc8cc9OuCHEOCs7LGh7Qf-LgaWsCZN90-9bIuI2qxruu4zdwJ8cIWSO031zvItqtijaQM5fF9VWpzH5_QMIDDqKRkMZYDeh-vMuIFQGkIF64TN0FmHkjNkeJNvOBb5Gdkqbnvu6ZqeQ0u0gkz3ihjjaXcBhCsMe=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Sports have turned into our Saturday 9 to 5. Being a soccer mom was on my high school bucket list, and after this season, I think I can officially cross that one off the old list!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfj47MBWBYfuAFCaqspMZgapS-_kKj7lwb5NkIpZFCsU4-o2_ExAV7v16gvzgvdwriwQkHGQrl2HmqyZoga-XO6ZsVUJ0-yUaFW76tffHEcqiZ0L3CbRxILu81tPWyFDxavS_bf8XLr-aEOZTDzwia8G8vtbH5r0Rr8mdFOf5yP9o4NarEdpIKSE-i=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfj47MBWBYfuAFCaqspMZgapS-_kKj7lwb5NkIpZFCsU4-o2_ExAV7v16gvzgvdwriwQkHGQrl2HmqyZoga-XO6ZsVUJ0-yUaFW76tffHEcqiZ0L3CbRxILu81tPWyFDxavS_bf8XLr-aEOZTDzwia8G8vtbH5r0Rr8mdFOf5yP9o4NarEdpIKSE-i=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-76692796605270417012021-10-07T14:36:00.005-06:002021-10-07T14:36:49.766-06:002021 End of Summer Fun<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have I made it through a whole summer's worth of blogging without once titling any of my posts <a href="http://jeffandsarahexcell.blogspot.com/2014/08/summery-summary-part-2.html" target="_blank">Summery Summary</a>?!? I can't tell if I've grown over the years or if I've lost myself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're down to the last two weeks of summer, folks. A time that shall also be known as the phase where Jonah refused to go to bed at night and instead would mischievously run around the house like a crazed animal until he finally tired himself out so much that he would put himself to sleep on the couch. Happy to say that phase was short-lived. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDI-0gHyvpVOz-4ingaUdMH60zk1mTGq9bZoZD3f01PVX3P5c0pnz2Ga0BPWZRXeRnrXGbZILWAiCate8zuZtdGxfniykgvUASrfmtIv0QXXi8oc_W7m3BT0vwHcNZd3ScYA1EeLzI992kidN5scJNZlpf8d00P68X17AC6zbW7W_ogqO2LXGfYV2r=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDI-0gHyvpVOz-4ingaUdMH60zk1mTGq9bZoZD3f01PVX3P5c0pnz2Ga0BPWZRXeRnrXGbZILWAiCate8zuZtdGxfniykgvUASrfmtIv0QXXi8oc_W7m3BT0vwHcNZd3ScYA1EeLzI992kidN5scJNZlpf8d00P68X17AC6zbW7W_ogqO2LXGfYV2r=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We reactivated our Pogo Pass after Covid put it on pause. This allowed us to hit up SeaQuest. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCj3GS6ZQyjFpLT7ghz6wZjajft98ibanXScJh7nydc1APRG3Z9bM1CHAnA1EAuSPcupe2_AAL0CW8QPPO5H6fRuwdVXxJXTAGz_ZMdbUiI8FRqHqaUsi6yvdwaZ1_QpTXd0ThpwLP3BB6x7oAq8vNTTIzMxTU6T8-M20O0CBtk70IBNsbVvYlHHDS=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCj3GS6ZQyjFpLT7ghz6wZjajft98ibanXScJh7nydc1APRG3Z9bM1CHAnA1EAuSPcupe2_AAL0CW8QPPO5H6fRuwdVXxJXTAGz_ZMdbUiI8FRqHqaUsi6yvdwaZ1_QpTXd0ThpwLP3BB6x7oAq8vNTTIzMxTU6T8-M20O0CBtk70IBNsbVvYlHHDS=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmdQgm1idOG99G4Mxi50eugf2NlqsYD3-8xv16aj6iFT7TLYxaF5eQUXqsPGpF3EDm3yUjAyuCPIzLezBdlVuyc1ivQ6yTqjIAmYF3FI73ZJ36uNJdc8HKwvyuLcXtZb3FfqMAV7gT9Rc-sJWRYQLPpSmCIwdiwyeXlg4zkbdfpRvbwvDR0yaovm-H=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmdQgm1idOG99G4Mxi50eugf2NlqsYD3-8xv16aj6iFT7TLYxaF5eQUXqsPGpF3EDm3yUjAyuCPIzLezBdlVuyc1ivQ6yTqjIAmYF3FI73ZJ36uNJdc8HKwvyuLcXtZb3FfqMAV7gT9Rc-sJWRYQLPpSmCIwdiwyeXlg4zkbdfpRvbwvDR0yaovm-H=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>And the doctor...(unrelated to Pogo Pass...or Covid) We were just overdue for some well-child checks. I am happy to report the children are well.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwM_TrbRChunKHplr5t2HNku5QEIl3jH-jaPD99xcgR5LCECAgSCRWjeWMKqlfRd1qfvxgQ-bbGQLtzOTPTiBygNWKfoTHg1GXYRWuG-lJXV8F_KOsGDGt0hUFhjCmSVcAtn6vHepSSOxqAwT8QDj1EZapgLP9hI1LOtYSJR68k47D7xDp8iApl6rR=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwM_TrbRChunKHplr5t2HNku5QEIl3jH-jaPD99xcgR5LCECAgSCRWjeWMKqlfRd1qfvxgQ-bbGQLtzOTPTiBygNWKfoTHg1GXYRWuG-lJXV8F_KOsGDGt0hUFhjCmSVcAtn6vHepSSOxqAwT8QDj1EZapgLP9hI1LOtYSJR68k47D7xDp8iApl6rR=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, we did learn one needs glasses!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZ55eK44Y0sJT1O08rzUvEuCqbZJ-Xyejz_9EQlTd9i_aAJHyvLgcjO3qvNJVewF8nqVqukc7bjH8npfjWE65nrZpYaE6DhhRk9dP2zVyTeGxT3Z-H6OnDHb80TM1tWaurTWiE7Vkd4ztZRsgz0BeGzJWKl6xB9veIVExsTjendsJlW0RqhlY_xBf0=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZ55eK44Y0sJT1O08rzUvEuCqbZJ-Xyejz_9EQlTd9i_aAJHyvLgcjO3qvNJVewF8nqVqukc7bjH8npfjWE65nrZpYaE6DhhRk9dP2zVyTeGxT3Z-H6OnDHb80TM1tWaurTWiE7Vkd4ztZRsgz0BeGzJWKl6xB9veIVExsTjendsJlW0RqhlY_xBf0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pogo Pass took us to our first Aviators game. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_65etSfU8fCykjxra7sJ3GMHA32Ot_yoD8afyhzJXN3yJYmXoJy-_i86s43URYMBFru23Pqax7zTD_PNIHxgUVVYYp9NGcPGmFAPNGm-sl3gAqZtRcN1kAEHJNueUn_SRT2DxgWFbXcGsBT05xIXIldHUBZ7bm7EQPmFyLEXz_EgM8SZo2oysinZP=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_65etSfU8fCykjxra7sJ3GMHA32Ot_yoD8afyhzJXN3yJYmXoJy-_i86s43URYMBFru23Pqax7zTD_PNIHxgUVVYYp9NGcPGmFAPNGm-sl3gAqZtRcN1kAEHJNueUn_SRT2DxgWFbXcGsBT05xIXIldHUBZ7bm7EQPmFyLEXz_EgM8SZo2oysinZP=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Eli and Carson made it onto the big-screen. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTokL7zqAjDVieXAalxE1b9_G-_FsYbw-02hu5-1ILXdL2SxpyxpEQP120zMwPceEVZc588CscCVJnsz4qjVEVWS3bFb4iRKFURYBPDX_5Ctll9lJDdg7OMfxOcl251Z9Oc11b0ZFvnp44H90t3pT8tEbpuXabZ_P4s2vS71Jb36EK-SJDz4PjGi81=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTokL7zqAjDVieXAalxE1b9_G-_FsYbw-02hu5-1ILXdL2SxpyxpEQP120zMwPceEVZc588CscCVJnsz4qjVEVWS3bFb4iRKFURYBPDX_5Ctll9lJDdg7OMfxOcl251Z9Oc11b0ZFvnp44H90t3pT8tEbpuXabZ_P4s2vS71Jb36EK-SJDz4PjGi81=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Then certain big-screen characters made it to Jonah. Just behind the Aviator guy is the opposing team's dugout. There was this one player that was standing right next to the fence, looking right towards us and repeatedly waving. I convinced myself he was waving at Jonah because...well...he's adorable and oozes a love for baseball, so it seemed as though he recognized he was a hero in Jonah's eyes and was giving him attention. <p></p><p>I told Jonah, "Wave to him!" So Jonah did. Then the player kept looking and smiling and coyly made a "come here" type of gesture with his hand. I said, "Jonah! He wants to talk to you! Go say 'hi!'"</p><p>Jonah sheepishly walked over to the baseball player...just as an adult woman approached the fence. </p><p>It became clear there was a slight misunderstanding and all the communications I thought were directed at Jonah were in fact for a girlfriend just behind Jonah. However, now Jonah was triangulating himself with the baseball player and the girlfriend because I had convinced him the player was trying to get his attention. And then Jonah stayed there waiting for the recognition he now felt he deserved. However, baseball player was blinded by love and barely even noticed Jonah's adoration. </p><p>It was hilarious and awkward and was obviously the highlight of the evening. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikEdBoGXkpss8MtxAaBHqmR2IwbdcKz7EDXriP_kHRp-9SlgawIbLZQqzaKDKCtfz1heJ2jUC7Z6X1zUPwPRlgEknvrfL-vEJCJMF66zNxjV2tr4RMJ1Vl2c8JzGleH0WUu9CoNZJB9N0EVVCHPxVR0G02tAJXSsjUHss-sZmdeebNUZDU4hOPcxpy=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikEdBoGXkpss8MtxAaBHqmR2IwbdcKz7EDXriP_kHRp-9SlgawIbLZQqzaKDKCtfz1heJ2jUC7Z6X1zUPwPRlgEknvrfL-vEJCJMF66zNxjV2tr4RMJ1Vl2c8JzGleH0WUu9CoNZJB9N0EVVCHPxVR0G02tAJXSsjUHss-sZmdeebNUZDU4hOPcxpy=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We love the kids' school! It's a STEM-focused school, so they have some neat computer, science, and technology programs. Eli did a robotics camp over the summer where he made a car. He spent a lot of time thinking about his car and perfecting it. His teacher was so nice and kept the car intact so I could see it at back-to-school night. <p></p><p>Eli also got into a robotics special this year and he has chosen to be part of the competitive robotics club. Ever since he could express what he wanted to be when he grew up, he would always say, "An Electronics Maker," so it seems like he's right on track in his pursuit of that dream!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizPp5WUUvZbuHlu-S1DZt1Qk5wEI6zwcOpE-55FRz3RaxTZVbZzlRXVIhSNYcbkmmcELomIcpME1JpDyF2nVeBtWLVfZjXuTAWrLAyOIlzLLX67RZqvMrKFuBPgrQb1nAFaccG2-IqIzrQ4DDpZCc-12LYUhd9ISiZYc7D7Beqt5s9U8O1ybtKJQrF=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizPp5WUUvZbuHlu-S1DZt1Qk5wEI6zwcOpE-55FRz3RaxTZVbZzlRXVIhSNYcbkmmcELomIcpME1JpDyF2nVeBtWLVfZjXuTAWrLAyOIlzLLX67RZqvMrKFuBPgrQb1nAFaccG2-IqIzrQ4DDpZCc-12LYUhd9ISiZYc7D7Beqt5s9U8O1ybtKJQrF=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We finally made it up Mt. Charleston where certain people get mad when posing for pictures interferes with their wilderness exploration. Sorry, sir, as you were.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpKh2LC_rQsEnTgB4wHjt-fkQO48Z6CsEOeoqOz0uktlmhDjdVXDHAoatOBYoqsPCVgRczhqZ3TCY0mqAaWU4WtJDgR6blWoraf_lLdrMrwnOmxdTiFKn7TmPRvbpFrK5LqJOS_8g7a1HKvYjeGt16OmMaAOflhhM4nLTRsiVOyAxW3tNv7BRGFgNa=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpKh2LC_rQsEnTgB4wHjt-fkQO48Z6CsEOeoqOz0uktlmhDjdVXDHAoatOBYoqsPCVgRczhqZ3TCY0mqAaWU4WtJDgR6blWoraf_lLdrMrwnOmxdTiFKn7TmPRvbpFrK5LqJOS_8g7a1HKvYjeGt16OmMaAOflhhM4nLTRsiVOyAxW3tNv7BRGFgNa=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio1wfUStWGlqWGlMfxt1Bs6x6zMfXhbfO1jtNKrUN_XdhK8DpezZ2oEjnbLPpwNwTctPD2qJcHUsnDwZjEk_A2_7bBkHfwDGj7spKQO-n_Zq2mTWacpp9k7Yozr05GSlbFahLTfpmL9uiwfQzHt_MCHJiZgyOd1NcKJM6g1UH7fNZKvOu5P13Nzxhb=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio1wfUStWGlqWGlMfxt1Bs6x6zMfXhbfO1jtNKrUN_XdhK8DpezZ2oEjnbLPpwNwTctPD2qJcHUsnDwZjEk_A2_7bBkHfwDGj7spKQO-n_Zq2mTWacpp9k7Yozr05GSlbFahLTfpmL9uiwfQzHt_MCHJiZgyOd1NcKJM6g1UH7fNZKvOu5P13Nzxhb=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVsFnlbof7_3pwgDx1pStcVjXUjPUNO_Y5RN97qJoNprlDqtj9hxUHWPkHohvSEPgYi8FN0TtBaqOBhdMMX18MJ1x_FLjW0ZJlXldEmEneVNIL_NzU7ZaPZYXLH6i7Ry-KDDi1oKk3iLeXxmMzieORBWebxqdSmvo_kX-thmQ5IxV0iPAnSWi3cO8K=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVsFnlbof7_3pwgDx1pStcVjXUjPUNO_Y5RN97qJoNprlDqtj9hxUHWPkHohvSEPgYi8FN0TtBaqOBhdMMX18MJ1x_FLjW0ZJlXldEmEneVNIL_NzU7ZaPZYXLH6i7Ry-KDDi1oKk3iLeXxmMzieORBWebxqdSmvo_kX-thmQ5IxV0iPAnSWi3cO8K=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij3J6mVaoTGE8duwL8CIuuB4pcBeW-2TR_PFNj2zFAmZlh6AIa7o2i9TmgqXdQ6otl-K0JG0Ev5n5aWfjmflyhaa-9NJZK4flnIq0i8s3q_6bhh5YxplpfnCHWvDTbuzLjjglXJLmrJG3XBRGGsVSjb--oB1FwL1jox--soQk4A4koboJ6HSb2XH73=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij3J6mVaoTGE8duwL8CIuuB4pcBeW-2TR_PFNj2zFAmZlh6AIa7o2i9TmgqXdQ6otl-K0JG0Ev5n5aWfjmflyhaa-9NJZK4flnIq0i8s3q_6bhh5YxplpfnCHWvDTbuzLjjglXJLmrJG3XBRGGsVSjb--oB1FwL1jox--soQk4A4koboJ6HSb2XH73=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF20mC51Q6GeUIhJTSZaqrkKZVDHiGd4WMlEGYkQ0yneMm3un3hSVzYmmmULTqeLsNC2JqF79LC2gvQiDbUiXHC36ewFCSHEEXMmX9s6lvYf_PzKX2hAGVx_sX4y6BJ5BV3_5rlUOBZftSPWrC4xLHQtRWpGBwFRZgKaoO6CtS_BRo1OxGqZ4hSfrk=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF20mC51Q6GeUIhJTSZaqrkKZVDHiGd4WMlEGYkQ0yneMm3un3hSVzYmmmULTqeLsNC2JqF79LC2gvQiDbUiXHC36ewFCSHEEXMmX9s6lvYf_PzKX2hAGVx_sX4y6BJ5BV3_5rlUOBZftSPWrC4xLHQtRWpGBwFRZgKaoO6CtS_BRo1OxGqZ4hSfrk=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG2YMYG0hejg1sP3qXONt2ZvdPsn4wfnezqml5Um-PHPPkjRFtKfiOzstcfzh91pInvSfBZB9MCCgYVaBZcRuGIH3R-mM8aFA_WL-CO34uyN6IeLO8gkOCRFJLMirEvP191BZdEFZT5c03XBkcHNKVCgkH_ZhDt3FtlC9nIrJCOIkWxs1kSnVT1W-u=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG2YMYG0hejg1sP3qXONt2ZvdPsn4wfnezqml5Um-PHPPkjRFtKfiOzstcfzh91pInvSfBZB9MCCgYVaBZcRuGIH3R-mM8aFA_WL-CO34uyN6IeLO8gkOCRFJLMirEvP191BZdEFZT5c03XBkcHNKVCgkH_ZhDt3FtlC9nIrJCOIkWxs1kSnVT1W-u=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary! We went to a Thai restaurant and then got frozen yogurt. Food is my love language, so it was an ideal way to celebrate. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIVY5a_crflClIEgoZvut6KATfvcV55jbjt0kQFy_i6h5f7xwboPzr6sUEC_t1_RR2VtZ9iIat-eHlcOBJ6NZlxs-ZqYo_hs1JtaIwroLYzULN0Qmym0C0siBQKWAf9rpMaBXW5klifXQDcp1onIs512yWoWsiFyW9pdvDX9ug2MU_RbIWmf7ThYyT=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIVY5a_crflClIEgoZvut6KATfvcV55jbjt0kQFy_i6h5f7xwboPzr6sUEC_t1_RR2VtZ9iIat-eHlcOBJ6NZlxs-ZqYo_hs1JtaIwroLYzULN0Qmym0C0siBQKWAf9rpMaBXW5klifXQDcp1onIs512yWoWsiFyW9pdvDX9ug2MU_RbIWmf7ThYyT=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>My friends told me about a hike up Mt. Charleston called Cathedral Rock. When I learned it was only 3 miles, I felt an urge to take the boys to see if they could handle the challenge. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcUhKrggwyMBPHdkxebESKZs7_8iej-z88PFBRYumMUURb9o0r-19GD-7QDs9wOwItCrrwNkWVM7TpiEq4Q3dJmJQ0jsKWBHGflKs8GR4d8BeuEM8BKIQtf66COEbp4zSwxHYdxlQ9LPQbqGgPxompkEzA5F6J5XA-g9iVCypqKDNZ7A1Aoy6R7CjH=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcUhKrggwyMBPHdkxebESKZs7_8iej-z88PFBRYumMUURb9o0r-19GD-7QDs9wOwItCrrwNkWVM7TpiEq4Q3dJmJQ0jsKWBHGflKs8GR4d8BeuEM8BKIQtf66COEbp4zSwxHYdxlQ9LPQbqGgPxompkEzA5F6J5XA-g9iVCypqKDNZ7A1Aoy6R7CjH=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We found Grandma and Grandpa Thomas along the way.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiu0oO_giDUg1omuVH5RTcv4lOkP5WgYt4mRzuTIEtQShYzJvRHaKVabxCENN_2Nxr6Zq5xFVd1X75mwyvmHTD2Nmjdk0iR-o8hEWOnAddZrWeH9AFhsOAVkGciwNZier2E7ocddxUM6uPXh778ekv-TlPNCAOyj47wH5p4KJQiy7iM4Vo9g27b14G=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiu0oO_giDUg1omuVH5RTcv4lOkP5WgYt4mRzuTIEtQShYzJvRHaKVabxCENN_2Nxr6Zq5xFVd1X75mwyvmHTD2Nmjdk0iR-o8hEWOnAddZrWeH9AFhsOAVkGciwNZier2E7ocddxUM6uPXh778ekv-TlPNCAOyj47wH5p4KJQiy7iM4Vo9g27b14G=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We had to stop often for motivational pep talks and Jolly Rancher breaks. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMz9Xn-5ecpWkstSlSnnWpHtvDJOwgQ9QgCHWwSejkcq6QdrYCOFGN59aJR9it3-geHXcJKuadaXnu6Zp5adfmdY2bmuFWxwx-6laL_LQG39JDNThw-Dx3sI_b1-PIiKhUJy-Hp6Yc1IVK5nALCp_aXr9vvdYP4rkOoORyBNz-ulEy7NvOACBOC02C=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMz9Xn-5ecpWkstSlSnnWpHtvDJOwgQ9QgCHWwSejkcq6QdrYCOFGN59aJR9it3-geHXcJKuadaXnu6Zp5adfmdY2bmuFWxwx-6laL_LQG39JDNThw-Dx3sI_b1-PIiKhUJy-Hp6Yc1IVK5nALCp_aXr9vvdYP4rkOoORyBNz-ulEy7NvOACBOC02C=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>But the little dudes did it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhytXA-SLI2E91tfYrteMvaqzMWNwLss8aTSrwOWpG2UsFPcTj6Pt2OrX8riNaru1d-WPWFMIeh3x6S1_jTtJRzRMgahCifqO-1S9f1pUD-Icbb_618vzFHzltCa2KZL07JE0GFKafJT-FrVjbUmgeMKMCL_Bcw6w_iqIOMkyGVupJ8pCWWxxIv6pka=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhytXA-SLI2E91tfYrteMvaqzMWNwLss8aTSrwOWpG2UsFPcTj6Pt2OrX8riNaru1d-WPWFMIeh3x6S1_jTtJRzRMgahCifqO-1S9f1pUD-Icbb_618vzFHzltCa2KZL07JE0GFKafJT-FrVjbUmgeMKMCL_Bcw6w_iqIOMkyGVupJ8pCWWxxIv6pka=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNAZ6eTJnsi7LKtWGCjq7czJpRsCIVP-pyL6Z6kKvLDIYZm3IvClaq1kpgElVKuaNn8GV4GnA-loI24gbktjDXQfipYL0aRUMj-MvHv-Y2R4cOgYLvxoDGYnGb0OkPgVAeF2amXqTeuYAIXGvW35qm8Q-mXU2zK4Ojy5G5N_6pLrFQ7FcbmzWQ_CDN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNAZ6eTJnsi7LKtWGCjq7czJpRsCIVP-pyL6Z6kKvLDIYZm3IvClaq1kpgElVKuaNn8GV4GnA-loI24gbktjDXQfipYL0aRUMj-MvHv-Y2R4cOgYLvxoDGYnGb0OkPgVAeF2amXqTeuYAIXGvW35qm8Q-mXU2zK4Ojy5G5N_6pLrFQ7FcbmzWQ_CDN=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>The bigger little dudes did it, too. I was so proud of them! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiXIIHw-ITlK-IPNpkNkvV6fUbkanLVNNSUtajLLIJfTULKaEmzd1uoOHuNDzFTp1JwfjZa3z9fnTgt8ktFeo6bI8qZHVKon9Pjerk1zPGGv5c2ovyNlc515hSeiStHJuZ9JyPwEwCIqqR0lSHmG5Od2YPKejGat1_4A2XVYjHKlWU2KulWo_MndNM=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiXIIHw-ITlK-IPNpkNkvV6fUbkanLVNNSUtajLLIJfTULKaEmzd1uoOHuNDzFTp1JwfjZa3z9fnTgt8ktFeo6bI8qZHVKon9Pjerk1zPGGv5c2ovyNlc515hSeiStHJuZ9JyPwEwCIqqR0lSHmG5Od2YPKejGat1_4A2XVYjHKlWU2KulWo_MndNM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTlLuMID6nhro7gn5QB7DbSMfDenQTnyLZ90f2MBHvUjEtrR0oOmZ17DycO44CsefbX0IeTRwBNDT2dzu-KeQOidtkN3rQDNinFwMfFLPnszCW8sADtSzge-ITLYNHVRZDv1DeC-sbaguFROOy3FWZTXc9AvIgLG6Stc62fplupEzqxDTbOcLtecl0=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTlLuMID6nhro7gn5QB7DbSMfDenQTnyLZ90f2MBHvUjEtrR0oOmZ17DycO44CsefbX0IeTRwBNDT2dzu-KeQOidtkN3rQDNinFwMfFLPnszCW8sADtSzge-ITLYNHVRZDv1DeC-sbaguFROOy3FWZTXc9AvIgLG6Stc62fplupEzqxDTbOcLtecl0=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxV3YVd9VPQ9m0Xoc2lf2xG8Iz2zv5Uvc55J9BnxKWrpaI2--ZapQqcQK8-pJBp2XEcBviEG1uFnDR3iThlh9bA5QCjO0XVl4_iuAYE1Zf-6nU7Ws_vrTCQHUJcaTIrWwqNwqApmvB52azA5LBxezbZkgUBLM3mdcMn7ztbk-j9HhUEEsYY74UjYhY=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxV3YVd9VPQ9m0Xoc2lf2xG8Iz2zv5Uvc55J9BnxKWrpaI2--ZapQqcQK8-pJBp2XEcBviEG1uFnDR3iThlh9bA5QCjO0XVl4_iuAYE1Zf-6nU7Ws_vrTCQHUJcaTIrWwqNwqApmvB52azA5LBxezbZkgUBLM3mdcMn7ztbk-j9HhUEEsYY74UjYhY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir2mKGKKUMpGfOZU_yDhNmciMu-gCcYyXDwOHtf1ytEjwlALSEUXccREMumhxh-vnEE8GyAP1Dqi5e-7zy8cA8-J5B0uPUjuXCmr5EfRDximE92eBXzxWu0RUxs0l5ZqxtWDuvzTp9WwR_OCJv_475BzM7c_NSU2qZWgfLikDqATYp700x3ZSVtfR-=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir2mKGKKUMpGfOZU_yDhNmciMu-gCcYyXDwOHtf1ytEjwlALSEUXccREMumhxh-vnEE8GyAP1Dqi5e-7zy8cA8-J5B0uPUjuXCmr5EfRDximE92eBXzxWu0RUxs0l5ZqxtWDuvzTp9WwR_OCJv_475BzM7c_NSU2qZWgfLikDqATYp700x3ZSVtfR-=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>I was amused one evening to find Jonah sleeping with a gun under his pillow. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieH1HxP9EcpJRHFaW6R3SWZMwxjoQDBfbgS4DNr5Zqb2lynUKu1fVzMdwtKMcoGWvBF9-yOARw-f0Q3H4rs1M55cDC7yI2gFwX7j8Ktriohh5YOK3JAT0hadT4rrW51NpXBa64w_RXwXvKyr2Ldi12DxxAxEU0lcc6XnUCcS-AmRUfqYHz6RNtb8Xz=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieH1HxP9EcpJRHFaW6R3SWZMwxjoQDBfbgS4DNr5Zqb2lynUKu1fVzMdwtKMcoGWvBF9-yOARw-f0Q3H4rs1M55cDC7yI2gFwX7j8Ktriohh5YOK3JAT0hadT4rrW51NpXBa64w_RXwXvKyr2Ldi12DxxAxEU0lcc6XnUCcS-AmRUfqYHz6RNtb8Xz=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Eli offers to teach our Come, Follow Me lessons about once a month (usually when Jeff and I are being too slow and he's anxious to get to the Sunday movie and popcorn). He always comes up with something, cute, captivating, and creative. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC_x9VxuWDQNMs6pourCtb9oo8yVw3JRwqoOpeniMSI7nWM-RyVXXz_3A0t845sU679SJTanZYiZUZ5ByCyOpztAGVXZHDc5oBO6IWZ-HOp0NEZhQAy45IrKWfQapcodrYKVGaXfqx-ueoUoFe0SknooGW9tfDTjtnXE8kDYjvVCQAMCfPWHwMJGV-=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgC_x9VxuWDQNMs6pourCtb9oo8yVw3JRwqoOpeniMSI7nWM-RyVXXz_3A0t845sU679SJTanZYiZUZ5ByCyOpztAGVXZHDc5oBO6IWZ-HOp0NEZhQAy45IrKWfQapcodrYKVGaXfqx-ueoUoFe0SknooGW9tfDTjtnXE8kDYjvVCQAMCfPWHwMJGV-=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Our last big hoorah was going to Cowabunga Bay. Eli and Carson were sick, so I just took the little guys. We met up with Torrie and Melissa to celebrate Dex's birthday. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6msVxFpw3D5Fnl2Rjdvc8m8LDN8NAK2tcU665RFZtsBUAre2H5R2OqOdZWNb_UVZQ3BlXDhMXl_2Vww1x6YAIipLiqK9ZCZTQ3JdnhkYzIQVMNXC3WaiDYQz4P3jVO7ZY_ACc1QMyXyMzqakaalqhrLsu2MhoVIPLB_IYKTQoZqWl1otWi1BcR7kt=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6msVxFpw3D5Fnl2Rjdvc8m8LDN8NAK2tcU665RFZtsBUAre2H5R2OqOdZWNb_UVZQ3BlXDhMXl_2Vww1x6YAIipLiqK9ZCZTQ3JdnhkYzIQVMNXC3WaiDYQz4P3jVO7ZY_ACc1QMyXyMzqakaalqhrLsu2MhoVIPLB_IYKTQoZqWl1otWi1BcR7kt=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJPEQyjKOlCVkgiIUrF-bUg6SGeZQOMS3xtuJ_OVzxuALYMzBLzIFP-rwIIItBAheGon7qjCQjmCAPZvFS0cU28C4Wo4vHM_gRl1SDnwH_ZllZc9bjBQtcUwWJ2Ubd5GGfmQIU8swv1Xz5aJlBxhKLumJXcbx-LIvt1we1o23MLaOnhXiYYgOOez_1=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJPEQyjKOlCVkgiIUrF-bUg6SGeZQOMS3xtuJ_OVzxuALYMzBLzIFP-rwIIItBAheGon7qjCQjmCAPZvFS0cU28C4Wo4vHM_gRl1SDnwH_ZllZc9bjBQtcUwWJ2Ubd5GGfmQIU8swv1Xz5aJlBxhKLumJXcbx-LIvt1we1o23MLaOnhXiYYgOOez_1=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgipYIupmmxYWAsQIzX082em8HE40R9ziNFlJHykhCvcryNm2eSAUKWw_JnkmU32VD6JB98cyxbcARq0Gko_tsQJNwS9524X6P5w9yaIUBa5PbU66lgje6GKO5NeVsHEzMLpmM7WhIQ7iLv98p9ClXCM4ijgbiA9qePfxZtZazVRls2rNqoSvwJWPDA=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgipYIupmmxYWAsQIzX082em8HE40R9ziNFlJHykhCvcryNm2eSAUKWw_JnkmU32VD6JB98cyxbcARq0Gko_tsQJNwS9524X6P5w9yaIUBa5PbU66lgje6GKO5NeVsHEzMLpmM7WhIQ7iLv98p9ClXCM4ijgbiA9qePfxZtZazVRls2rNqoSvwJWPDA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPTgSyqx923jAoGJVrJ99OPGOWuacq18QkSDrNiK8Fao4inM0Gy0ZsMfSL-72RcC-Hp7auIxRbePFxfPrgbd4wawLXvPDTKPJSCwLxIDE0Y9OKSnN3JGvEYlwUG8kpJ8ucW71pVa4TXmfELfp7z-nt6h6HnBhAz1OwXVxCXlsU3ogxyPx53cQXWlnG=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPTgSyqx923jAoGJVrJ99OPGOWuacq18QkSDrNiK8Fao4inM0Gy0ZsMfSL-72RcC-Hp7auIxRbePFxfPrgbd4wawLXvPDTKPJSCwLxIDE0Y9OKSnN3JGvEYlwUG8kpJ8ucW71pVa4TXmfELfp7z-nt6h6HnBhAz1OwXVxCXlsU3ogxyPx53cQXWlnG=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We made it through another Vegas summer (mostly by running away to Utah). It was so nice to be able to get out and do things again after being cooped up last summer! </div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-88051422451384960372021-10-07T13:52:00.005-06:002021-10-07T13:52:46.368-06:00Summer Break at Panguitch Lake<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I loved our summer schedule this year. We had two weeks of Vegas summer. Then two weeks in Northern Utah. Then a couple days to recover. Then girls camp. Then a week to recover. Then the Excell Family Reunion. After that we had two more quick weeks and it was already time for school to start! Our summer activities were perfectly spaced to keep us busy through the whole three months, and we were able to hop around for a lot of family time. It was heavenly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Excells met at a cabin up by Panguitch Lake for a reunion. It was exciting to stay at a new place and us desert folk loved being in a cool, mountainous escape!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheEvk-PshbuyfOZRzKlNtCabaJ9WrZVme88wx-CHuiUn-99h1cecyETHDVXlUDmQMmJDh8-PdYmzrKIZv7jM6XMBNg1B5seFbgp8y9-nN0oMjHQCNYwtnQhk7HvZAtLhomN7QYx-puZDzAxNlgly45k4uI_dy4qkeE8k9dwh5x81tuBI5hbXXhgwZ0=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheEvk-PshbuyfOZRzKlNtCabaJ9WrZVme88wx-CHuiUn-99h1cecyETHDVXlUDmQMmJDh8-PdYmzrKIZv7jM6XMBNg1B5seFbgp8y9-nN0oMjHQCNYwtnQhk7HvZAtLhomN7QYx-puZDzAxNlgly45k4uI_dy4qkeE8k9dwh5x81tuBI5hbXXhgwZ0=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Tana always has a bag of tricks to keep the kids busy. We were worried it would rain the whole time we were there, so we brought a lot of rainy day activities. These proved helpful even when the skies were clear! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZmFFJ15yABUetH0ClmT52K8tqsBgFPb0U0V8jnpfnUpAP-R1lnGFynKgyvrgwBPYwGORkj4kD1FtGPWekX3t99aEDcFJAU0Elm_ofNIEqzmbns3CEM-svq6B6_bOah3I-EUXo0Yogdt-aAKIIxV7F9X8ESz4fE0gn4JikgAG4Yps1tQGq9Ka-qNw3=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZmFFJ15yABUetH0ClmT52K8tqsBgFPb0U0V8jnpfnUpAP-R1lnGFynKgyvrgwBPYwGORkj4kD1FtGPWekX3t99aEDcFJAU0Elm_ofNIEqzmbns3CEM-svq6B6_bOah3I-EUXo0Yogdt-aAKIIxV7F9X8ESz4fE0gn4JikgAG4Yps1tQGq9Ka-qNw3=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mary and I designed the mandatory matching t-shirts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNO4Rp7hjg3ucRhuYdT_YOcj8s2oImVdUUWs8MlASuVp_FeTmvOMTis1fyByutltQgLdlkw0D9CbpfINFTYl6ee1pfqbldx-nbaveApV6oh35V7n3lDUIYacA8zgCLEqpAmVTg384a2UkI-HlhsaUwDH_pkFbaPgUnwlG8QUJ0GotUesASYThQk0mY=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNO4Rp7hjg3ucRhuYdT_YOcj8s2oImVdUUWs8MlASuVp_FeTmvOMTis1fyByutltQgLdlkw0D9CbpfINFTYl6ee1pfqbldx-nbaveApV6oh35V7n3lDUIYacA8zgCLEqpAmVTg384a2UkI-HlhsaUwDH_pkFbaPgUnwlG8QUJ0GotUesASYThQk0mY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibvBSZdikxjiu3futFHnrL1crGjKHahZV9OaIpoHJFZdwt2j4qRC3GACb8rK4ZRBJeerxyV6pLHa90kd10vFxSgB1dyaYks4wNX0QuHCR9r23_BE6lL4uM-2tI0HUXwSOtR6JLW7aaPIv3UXR_4vMpEUzayBJfNNnxgHcWYp3e-BV200XeISG86NAN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibvBSZdikxjiu3futFHnrL1crGjKHahZV9OaIpoHJFZdwt2j4qRC3GACb8rK4ZRBJeerxyV6pLHa90kd10vFxSgB1dyaYks4wNX0QuHCR9r23_BE6lL4uM-2tI0HUXwSOtR6JLW7aaPIv3UXR_4vMpEUzayBJfNNnxgHcWYp3e-BV200XeISG86NAN=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVQwA0E7ybx1BlOTMw9bbO9nCGU5Xo0OHPepJCsomP1D2koiyQP954VAsOgFfET5d9m1areItYE39ZFjY60UOVHdskIDhZON4crR0u0ACuIzGp0NEoQ98IiSRLXdpP7DdF7BA5y9xxxxeou14doC7u_Xxms_OccDFjr4r_MAII4jtUCksEUTteuguW=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVQwA0E7ybx1BlOTMw9bbO9nCGU5Xo0OHPepJCsomP1D2koiyQP954VAsOgFfET5d9m1areItYE39ZFjY60UOVHdskIDhZON4crR0u0ACuIzGp0NEoQ98IiSRLXdpP7DdF7BA5y9xxxxeou14doC7u_Xxms_OccDFjr4r_MAII4jtUCksEUTteuguW=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>When you get enough brothers together, spontaneous arm wrestling battles are bound to erupt. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5Sw-p5u8eG5Oo88DGYAxqOPZ9yzL0kWR_DL0py1OjOXMFPaXoixjq9WdZFBPNLW0VI9ybozntGKUD1Y_k8rFkAjGjNrzMSKBu0HLYx5Z0cbGxV3vX-3MMaGTJoOl3vFK5sK9nyDVRy_ZxPKs01UPCxhvzaGQD0tJ6NtlJCeBRN_nfdxij9vpiaget=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5Sw-p5u8eG5Oo88DGYAxqOPZ9yzL0kWR_DL0py1OjOXMFPaXoixjq9WdZFBPNLW0VI9ybozntGKUD1Y_k8rFkAjGjNrzMSKBu0HLYx5Z0cbGxV3vX-3MMaGTJoOl3vFK5sK9nyDVRy_ZxPKs01UPCxhvzaGQD0tJ6NtlJCeBRN_nfdxij9vpiaget=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>The cousins took a little stroll through the woods together one morning. Everytime I look at this picture I just think <i>BOYS!</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWNsfo6svVs0fihKM86SU86zodDq7ns9WSUGubqM7vBR9fpVr8I3c3QikoQNlfbLE98TUm_rpPVybI1rdl4Q4fxsKx8Iszq8po1xNpUdMp1oTNMSn_fELk_bhU5dW0gyXmUvwSdycSXGOk6pTlA7hIEhvW7PtVjQcr9SjI4HQYy8bvQDBmchIQwG25=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWNsfo6svVs0fihKM86SU86zodDq7ns9WSUGubqM7vBR9fpVr8I3c3QikoQNlfbLE98TUm_rpPVybI1rdl4Q4fxsKx8Iszq8po1xNpUdMp1oTNMSn_fELk_bhU5dW0gyXmUvwSdycSXGOk6pTlA7hIEhvW7PtVjQcr9SjI4HQYy8bvQDBmchIQwG25=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We discovered a teepee mid stroll that demanded to be investigated. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5PHbjF7vCa4x4MX197Kr5cb4PlXMYibWX1evZFAPZWuM1z1g4KHgInHIQ0SVfgzHOgFLlE6pTqIwJPgXMGbqCAN3Wkkjozh3hZuFz-PjIV96OiPZSdBAW8-mrbLFxmdwFs_eADkaimF3zudZu39g5Q06O1TgRZlwxQFN7yim5uOn4dLw0vGXmKk7e=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5PHbjF7vCa4x4MX197Kr5cb4PlXMYibWX1evZFAPZWuM1z1g4KHgInHIQ0SVfgzHOgFLlE6pTqIwJPgXMGbqCAN3Wkkjozh3hZuFz-PjIV96OiPZSdBAW8-mrbLFxmdwFs_eADkaimF3zudZu39g5Q06O1TgRZlwxQFN7yim5uOn4dLw0vGXmKk7e=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Tana prepared a scavenger hunt for the kids. She gave everybody little tin boxes for their treasures to fit inside and then she gave them little eraser animals after they found everything on the list. The boxes turned into a little world for their eraser animals, so it was the activity that kept on giving and kept the kids happy and busy for hours!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgors_mbA3fl-GnhnxSmdtXTg_dPenP3UALMbRCNHPS-fHhzmiKExv197GpWKTq7P2orq50BwjcEdoS5gbdNiC_osufyPHEUckqfriDYZKEzST2Q8Zt_yDCp_84OZL0xaGhiZjwhgTRnCkTeFJw1uBGZvzmDk41mHNpkWQrq4yoXxx_5-KHFDCQECk=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgors_mbA3fl-GnhnxSmdtXTg_dPenP3UALMbRCNHPS-fHhzmiKExv197GpWKTq7P2orq50BwjcEdoS5gbdNiC_osufyPHEUckqfriDYZKEzST2Q8Zt_yDCp_84OZL0xaGhiZjwhgTRnCkTeFJw1uBGZvzmDk41mHNpkWQrq4yoXxx_5-KHFDCQECk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>The kids had to get stickers from Grandma and Grandpa for one of the scavenger hunt stations. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOzbDiJh3o6Vo8BanmhsHX4W18q1IaiTesi6SD0N8Sdg4u3lzUEYT4ips2ze9jVFj_ga6281rEI8D__iDB-b-6e4zVSiTC1MMLA191KsDJwTLm8rJcE-mJycS4b1aksCv9wNC0GPu6OdhyIXqJnon55NzWdGgeb_jXExzLfyh_j6DSofw1qbbYbyhP=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOzbDiJh3o6Vo8BanmhsHX4W18q1IaiTesi6SD0N8Sdg4u3lzUEYT4ips2ze9jVFj_ga6281rEI8D__iDB-b-6e4zVSiTC1MMLA191KsDJwTLm8rJcE-mJycS4b1aksCv9wNC0GPu6OdhyIXqJnon55NzWdGgeb_jXExzLfyh_j6DSofw1qbbYbyhP=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Happy with their prizes!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeYHyYYtZukEMCVWR0z8KsZBiTuC2vkLU99_eA9cF_notd_9c_aAxWvXTYh6T07zY4BYoGBVvFvVVfJkXC1QyIiZlGj-euWv9-NHG7CM3PYKWVRXz_FcOQ7-Dc31ulUTv-2d5dCipbYbElbLHX6EgEojyWS9ULb2aiNePq6a7jfgPHudpPhQQP8oPp=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeYHyYYtZukEMCVWR0z8KsZBiTuC2vkLU99_eA9cF_notd_9c_aAxWvXTYh6T07zY4BYoGBVvFvVVfJkXC1QyIiZlGj-euWv9-NHG7CM3PYKWVRXz_FcOQ7-Dc31ulUTv-2d5dCipbYbElbLHX6EgEojyWS9ULb2aiNePq6a7jfgPHudpPhQQP8oPp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>In a quiet moment one afternoon, I offered my escape room bags as some impromptu entertainment. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixmlqruwHz7LcJ-RZP3HFVj076Jj7e469e0Xjdn4vX8xugdZ5Tnj12HZI9J-3Kkt-dPVo8FZ10OrciKSoLwSQAJBDmUvH1BTPjNp4rhCvdymuypz7VAMeIQjMiMUPE9lUCuRCKOETsB2MbeISVxppY8LDKzRAa7L0LZP81dv2d8NSOsmT1I2OlxQE8=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixmlqruwHz7LcJ-RZP3HFVj076Jj7e469e0Xjdn4vX8xugdZ5Tnj12HZI9J-3Kkt-dPVo8FZ10OrciKSoLwSQAJBDmUvH1BTPjNp4rhCvdymuypz7VAMeIQjMiMUPE9lUCuRCKOETsB2MbeISVxppY8LDKzRAa7L0LZP81dv2d8NSOsmT1I2OlxQE8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing people try to crack my hidden codes. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtvhvKyGh8pVPoUYQWq6MZIw8my03zpDs1mi5OvZCxotqs7qVs12ia4F-9aCqMMn1vNNJcPCc_8W0Seyuq1DkD3bG1z33di5i45rWu-7Yv_PVD0CeUvfmSijR5dO_wS4rssUApcXolL-AujenikA7v41d3TVfb3zcMY4j-3fABVgYJqsrhPJiNjLZV=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtvhvKyGh8pVPoUYQWq6MZIw8my03zpDs1mi5OvZCxotqs7qVs12ia4F-9aCqMMn1vNNJcPCc_8W0Seyuq1DkD3bG1z33di5i45rWu-7Yv_PVD0CeUvfmSijR5dO_wS4rssUApcXolL-AujenikA7v41d3TVfb3zcMY4j-3fABVgYJqsrhPJiNjLZV=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>On our last day at the cabin we went out adventuring. We spent the morning playing on two rope swings and wandering through the forest. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhSIFPntoLa3UZWaM7ztOmLD2CO5LR6Co7fO41VHTJGig_2NtfxVI2JfYD5Pemhq8dSmUhQd54SQriAzY9j8wuY1ccn9qkKBysMq0z7b_P5_vVSyHimE_xIFF3b4ndF7hqW8_27TWG0Ao65qxC7U6KIUQrQWVAGucTgZudfODTjR6pvhUzujUeFHZW=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhSIFPntoLa3UZWaM7ztOmLD2CO5LR6Co7fO41VHTJGig_2NtfxVI2JfYD5Pemhq8dSmUhQd54SQriAzY9j8wuY1ccn9qkKBysMq0z7b_P5_vVSyHimE_xIFF3b4ndF7hqW8_27TWG0Ao65qxC7U6KIUQrQWVAGucTgZudfODTjR6pvhUzujUeFHZW=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>We didn't even plan this, but look how cute we are!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfQizUrpSa3jo2NKy5InqDTDUWk1WBj2BZAABoe1WBF9McauAqr7UjOu4KA4xalzcUgk4jCeTxowpLK1mGD0nwLaczB7tmgIUTJZECF5UBQVvWBjlRnGNIAf7lDnId-CpSIzp9ZKT93ZW804GxbSpn-Lx5E8EDmGB1driQoqHftVeFXfDuQobfKuHZ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfQizUrpSa3jo2NKy5InqDTDUWk1WBj2BZAABoe1WBF9McauAqr7UjOu4KA4xalzcUgk4jCeTxowpLK1mGD0nwLaczB7tmgIUTJZECF5UBQVvWBjlRnGNIAf7lDnId-CpSIzp9ZKT93ZW804GxbSpn-Lx5E8EDmGB1driQoqHftVeFXfDuQobfKuHZ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyZAzMPs-DbQL5B1hKnIy-J2sWoPUm2w0VQLOrJFN0OALrUJ67JFCpgQcYt90txreECLc76fslgrpbqHUF4K6P6eVpZUUwHL0DQKhSL1HFJdT49Ic6oibbeQbSCVOsmBBs8xddK_uuCOaqg8KxGkh9sgw43vMPUgY8rxzi690X98pcUyZOmctA3_QI=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyZAzMPs-DbQL5B1hKnIy-J2sWoPUm2w0VQLOrJFN0OALrUJ67JFCpgQcYt90txreECLc76fslgrpbqHUF4K6P6eVpZUUwHL0DQKhSL1HFJdT49Ic6oibbeQbSCVOsmBBs8xddK_uuCOaqg8KxGkh9sgw43vMPUgY8rxzi690X98pcUyZOmctA3_QI=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQHAE2FMtlt9ALjC6tfHkh68jnOVaEbDJgAvScHi156oRbmr_X8LweWcbRgeFY9Wr8ZOZtnRBwYFBEGH162AEd2TfZCo6QQIB_Siosr_-81D6Fgs_HHQjuJB2lUtvWLkKb98x5NpHHRAWKzcrAeZaPrMFYLzten_RGZ54iNaHaFB8ol7gRf0uzFGOh=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQHAE2FMtlt9ALjC6tfHkh68jnOVaEbDJgAvScHi156oRbmr_X8LweWcbRgeFY9Wr8ZOZtnRBwYFBEGH162AEd2TfZCo6QQIB_Siosr_-81D6Fgs_HHQjuJB2lUtvWLkKb98x5NpHHRAWKzcrAeZaPrMFYLzten_RGZ54iNaHaFB8ol7gRf0uzFGOh=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>There's a much-loved home video of Jeff running away as a 7-ish-year-old. Everyone's favorite part is that Mary packed Jeff a lunch and he put it on the end of a stick and then stubbornly left to be a free man. So this image gave everyone some happy flashbacks. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwkHfT6LUl6kmoe1J7TMF51Eu0qlpMovi4sZcFytCmiNEL4iUtwkPP8zhOxZ1KAknGazKd0xiN88SwyT2A-PSi9-UrrgQEdv0_3Yod731B77Kq2vVYhCP-IJH2-DnFWQSpsUmPfM3WQvJAHs_amU-1MeJZCXUD1IaxXg2skKQgles8pY4ZFp_LSNwX=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwkHfT6LUl6kmoe1J7TMF51Eu0qlpMovi4sZcFytCmiNEL4iUtwkPP8zhOxZ1KAknGazKd0xiN88SwyT2A-PSi9-UrrgQEdv0_3Yod731B77Kq2vVYhCP-IJH2-DnFWQSpsUmPfM3WQvJAHs_amU-1MeJZCXUD1IaxXg2skKQgles8pY4ZFp_LSNwX=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu-Tuc7vzwLknZUZSfN8LsT8PcMeubOST06QwpjmKGK14Ns3B3h0-KrgVc38nW-oLjwK_zw4d7zriHdAFs6c0MIhFL87WnPCNjoT-ooYrCS4pVXghioU3mS3y_WYLw49WqhMGzSnGR5pQn-J-gk8Y9LlssMHSxpRm_EWkXJqUbm3FxBXLZQRgHQyML=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu-Tuc7vzwLknZUZSfN8LsT8PcMeubOST06QwpjmKGK14Ns3B3h0-KrgVc38nW-oLjwK_zw4d7zriHdAFs6c0MIhFL87WnPCNjoT-ooYrCS4pVXghioU3mS3y_WYLw49WqhMGzSnGR5pQn-J-gk8Y9LlssMHSxpRm_EWkXJqUbm3FxBXLZQRgHQyML=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgr56pmDSiYf4zTmyHVoLEVOcFFCSZSFkEm_LldsgOD0xFg6zXkPb6B2Osx_cVT0u2xUocuvQPk9hyWybvBTALDWWzznefTtPBjWAC-Mh4MiVCLrOvqsSgTnZbqpxWxVw5plNjXOrsakr6TutBqKyh8ZZs4L9hcuPfkHTDFifB8ZXUgU7N0YYK89p-Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgr56pmDSiYf4zTmyHVoLEVOcFFCSZSFkEm_LldsgOD0xFg6zXkPb6B2Osx_cVT0u2xUocuvQPk9hyWybvBTALDWWzznefTtPBjWAC-Mh4MiVCLrOvqsSgTnZbqpxWxVw5plNjXOrsakr6TutBqKyh8ZZs4L9hcuPfkHTDFifB8ZXUgU7N0YYK89p-Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw3fFWdaMy7By-9YiaocivSTywpc3BUaG0Gznlbl7FSB0dg0aQ9KSsy8mjPd-915I55PEdbMBTqcnI0EaoCm3otThfSbxjKcsJhC8FJS8MV1UqVjaMsyHO_r2T8tEUrpC-VL4iKpPTp4jeT0KXsEg3mBb6u82xUSK7iEDoaYiLDDvn5rhO9_LG3tB0=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw3fFWdaMy7By-9YiaocivSTywpc3BUaG0Gznlbl7FSB0dg0aQ9KSsy8mjPd-915I55PEdbMBTqcnI0EaoCm3otThfSbxjKcsJhC8FJS8MV1UqVjaMsyHO_r2T8tEUrpC-VL4iKpPTp4jeT0KXsEg3mBb6u82xUSK7iEDoaYiLDDvn5rhO9_LG3tB0=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>I was in charge of the activity that afternoon. We did Minute-to-Win-It games. I set up 10 stations with 10 different games and people gave themselves a point if they were able to do that station in the minute. After each minute we switched stations. It worked well!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1jzQ_vNDyDHItiM777jsxRhnI5kZT_yxeAI9TLMU3VhY_Mm4hOY3Kz50Iv7fHktpvJYy8AhQI7WwpGzKEqwuV-FYGd9LSZrZbQNt16mVaIzI9gXlMx_sFpU9Z1QWKQ1DcQ4SUCcDEcL_K3-mUS3fWJSFWBO2UZXS5cYtxByDIipo7fXYyvSDJ1Rv2=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1jzQ_vNDyDHItiM777jsxRhnI5kZT_yxeAI9TLMU3VhY_Mm4hOY3Kz50Iv7fHktpvJYy8AhQI7WwpGzKEqwuV-FYGd9LSZrZbQNt16mVaIzI9gXlMx_sFpU9Z1QWKQ1DcQ4SUCcDEcL_K3-mUS3fWJSFWBO2UZXS5cYtxByDIipo7fXYyvSDJ1Rv2=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOgU3nhXIaYQ14elpFi-7pA_mOxi5QsXMgpD5z3JJcceaEYJKgRgqhLM5HC0Zcgfu2e7IUCL8ne9aABcRzG_gh1-xzaQDK3N9Q0SUeqMgCVPblFCnLct7nhkLjAMB7ceaY1CeH9YWkQkS-mOKZswG7zoDuM1k93oeqvFNrZkNFnxw_-RyPYH4DHRUj=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOgU3nhXIaYQ14elpFi-7pA_mOxi5QsXMgpD5z3JJcceaEYJKgRgqhLM5HC0Zcgfu2e7IUCL8ne9aABcRzG_gh1-xzaQDK3N9Q0SUeqMgCVPblFCnLct7nhkLjAMB7ceaY1CeH9YWkQkS-mOKZswG7zoDuM1k93oeqvFNrZkNFnxw_-RyPYH4DHRUj=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>The rain did finally show up this afternoon, so I got some rock painting stuff out to paint rocks we had picked up during our adventuring that morning. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXeq3JgiuyFf6NrJp640C1xzax963QZqK2888GWLi2bXNAVQ_Tl9AeepoRET3YpS5DqNs-trFsAS6SUNyrU9U9RHdW-wBMxvB4sQopmxNDRjVibmCXpWlSRyWrR3SJYXZCr3P8_KPAce9qrXFf2SFBQBicmP04OsA_d03pxvlTJCgWDSkEx74BiK_R=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXeq3JgiuyFf6NrJp640C1xzax963QZqK2888GWLi2bXNAVQ_Tl9AeepoRET3YpS5DqNs-trFsAS6SUNyrU9U9RHdW-wBMxvB4sQopmxNDRjVibmCXpWlSRyWrR3SJYXZCr3P8_KPAce9qrXFf2SFBQBicmP04OsA_d03pxvlTJCgWDSkEx74BiK_R=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>A favorite part of the cabin was the hammocks out on the deck. They were all occupied 90% of the day. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOrfN3FBRHTPq45DVZnPBU1u6R8VQzHua_rJGy3yIFO31j_FZYVIKW2qHQU6Z9eL_i9C9prvel_18h5m7IiaW1f1W6yBsFKoGlZWHOh6x7uZ8FC2hzlPnVllBfjQn8yV4ZIJBeLqn7yod4jNH-5mVJ5-Gy2v9T7F5TwQ6Xjj6GizX7K58tx4sR9iQj=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOrfN3FBRHTPq45DVZnPBU1u6R8VQzHua_rJGy3yIFO31j_FZYVIKW2qHQU6Z9eL_i9C9prvel_18h5m7IiaW1f1W6yBsFKoGlZWHOh6x7uZ8FC2hzlPnVllBfjQn8yV4ZIJBeLqn7yod4jNH-5mVJ5-Gy2v9T7F5TwQ6Xjj6GizX7K58tx4sR9iQj=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We returned to Laura's house after the cabin just in time for our favorite Panguitch summer tradition, the 24th of July Parade. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFN7T_eQqQcJKnSnCrP_I3adxSwyXEaGO0DmkVdRLn8BynAyGP8ECSRjphW6hKyegLuFd-W7tL5b9Zal_Pzbrpb68I4ue8SD1iJCzDtvbXOzNLD92dgiZ2KO9sUrKfZFA5RfXVbaarzhwTn9x_zUJ5mSaD3G88ekCU150BiQMpMOLKrqYd4qQ8rhEN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFN7T_eQqQcJKnSnCrP_I3adxSwyXEaGO0DmkVdRLn8BynAyGP8ECSRjphW6hKyegLuFd-W7tL5b9Zal_Pzbrpb68I4ue8SD1iJCzDtvbXOzNLD92dgiZ2KO9sUrKfZFA5RfXVbaarzhwTn9x_zUJ5mSaD3G88ekCU150BiQMpMOLKrqYd4qQ8rhEN=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Carson got some quality time with his best pal, Tigress. He loves this cat and while the cat is said to not like many people, she loooooooves Carson.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs0WhqHNuWLaSqo0_Rh2a7orVFRym1X8IYEEWHrfSmI3SDoGs6gEgiW3AheQksWskz_b-kA6qtJzbH7TixASsLVytcGS8zWmGeQsqMQFV_IDjMoI7w2bvqsmnFBmgCOsOjmcHcDsjq2n3rqwgeT1ThbQVXbFayZL4V_7vqPDW-VCc5rPBU4F44rUha=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs0WhqHNuWLaSqo0_Rh2a7orVFRym1X8IYEEWHrfSmI3SDoGs6gEgiW3AheQksWskz_b-kA6qtJzbH7TixASsLVytcGS8zWmGeQsqMQFV_IDjMoI7w2bvqsmnFBmgCOsOjmcHcDsjq2n3rqwgeT1ThbQVXbFayZL4V_7vqPDW-VCc5rPBU4F44rUha=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Lincoln and Jonah spent all afternoon playing on the float Ben was putting together for the parade. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFKVw_ysMkX5ACA-f65PAn-gDHlp8l6dKK157o6P98Sq3ay8jge3UEjRet5Sg9HR8-o451ul6MwZdtA6GXhXutd81IUdbeIYMazZ_VQnRBxa6j0gYQCN2z_ZTAQphSt2Ya7bMKgBC7926VsAVSLzjYAZp27jNxMVswzBThHIY5j8NXEqywfBH7jlGi=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFKVw_ysMkX5ACA-f65PAn-gDHlp8l6dKK157o6P98Sq3ay8jge3UEjRet5Sg9HR8-o451ul6MwZdtA6GXhXutd81IUdbeIYMazZ_VQnRBxa6j0gYQCN2z_ZTAQphSt2Ya7bMKgBC7926VsAVSLzjYAZp27jNxMVswzBThHIY5j8NXEqywfBH7jlGi=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>We've advanced our ranks in Panguitch. Where we used to simply be parade patrons, we are now full-blown participants. Carson, Lincoln, and Jonah were all official float-riders!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhE-ZROkkOamDfdRMFelmlrAZDxGT_Vqvhj5EuE_HMsqv-16tfvvTaE-nuxt78xKMnN-MKgAy1MLtUj41Am65hXkpgTEZGGOS-gNourzVmJxNLxV23KZNy6iJwbvVmlttiNwt8S53OlOdE-eYO2EN0Gyt7hvkXrlKatwSMHlZaX3HQcDBByz5T547tg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhE-ZROkkOamDfdRMFelmlrAZDxGT_Vqvhj5EuE_HMsqv-16tfvvTaE-nuxt78xKMnN-MKgAy1MLtUj41Am65hXkpgTEZGGOS-gNourzVmJxNLxV23KZNy6iJwbvVmlttiNwt8S53OlOdE-eYO2EN0Gyt7hvkXrlKatwSMHlZaX3HQcDBByz5T547tg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisPF3rxUiNadkyToxzKTgHSY3s3W82MP9H47SEWdrl9RWWU94bBQTrjq8zuwvygnYhDvNNNkPLeFMfAomJday-wyLMmww-PO0YpPEMDxNGcoFklbVjzR-tchKBGJTMGXlSidvLtEuo3R7HF5WBb-3e0UqlY1ll4834Mo_MLjBuCHq2IKBlnY4nvJQ2=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisPF3rxUiNadkyToxzKTgHSY3s3W82MP9H47SEWdrl9RWWU94bBQTrjq8zuwvygnYhDvNNNkPLeFMfAomJday-wyLMmww-PO0YpPEMDxNGcoFklbVjzR-tchKBGJTMGXlSidvLtEuo3R7HF5WBb-3e0UqlY1ll4834Mo_MLjBuCHq2IKBlnY4nvJQ2=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>As always, it was lovely to escape the Vegas heat, and to spend time with family in Panguitch!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfiXVnuoEbUOdhSu5SjTKwZr2GfNo7hmCEOGylnv-rcHbtAdtHL3T5N4wZnXdCKyzCMHnXJIxk75EKSe6jDQqLfJV7B_Dtjy5xfh-KTR_LyhDilaUk_l3-osqMrq0C1UqsWCwcQ4mWQAq6C9vzTaHSFbNDFCWP9Li5vHjJfOPhaRiGx5YNPBe5yS2F=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfiXVnuoEbUOdhSu5SjTKwZr2GfNo7hmCEOGylnv-rcHbtAdtHL3T5N4wZnXdCKyzCMHnXJIxk75EKSe6jDQqLfJV7B_Dtjy5xfh-KTR_LyhDilaUk_l3-osqMrq0C1UqsWCwcQ4mWQAq6C9vzTaHSFbNDFCWP9Li5vHjJfOPhaRiGx5YNPBe5yS2F=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Jeff Excellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318742818755581447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-57651043298313124992021-10-05T14:54:00.003-06:002021-10-05T15:02:35.602-06:00Girl Time<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went straight from the family reunion to girls camp! Old traditions die hard, so I wasn't ready to give up one of my favorite parts of camp when I was a girl -- pillow treats. I always thought it was so fun to come back to the tent after a long day and find a cute little something waiting for me. Our ward's theme was Search, Ponder, and Pray, so I tried to tie the theme into the pillow treats. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wtMI_JFURITb12PYKk5AkIV5pcsOB55BQYxhuIo_QOtg5qJkHxVUJ36xcQPHmwcPlRMnYok1Ka0BNMhoLR6H66byQJIxwFhu6vwXeNRIfpIZhGZSXONmFyIMsifUf4EdJ-PlNn7JVoY/s4032/PXL_20210706_031140560.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wtMI_JFURITb12PYKk5AkIV5pcsOB55BQYxhuIo_QOtg5qJkHxVUJ36xcQPHmwcPlRMnYok1Ka0BNMhoLR6H66byQJIxwFhu6vwXeNRIfpIZhGZSXONmFyIMsifUf4EdJ-PlNn7JVoY/w640-h480/PXL_20210706_031140560.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And we were off! We ended up having seven girls come which was a great turnout for our ward!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrD6snt8wdpA7VHUQkoN-4zmrEJqhSL5VoD0AYGsxX0ZF19IU1qYMF2RQm97ybUfulPwQkkU8LfTR1NKg17jtZu-GrsGMBTjwxkUPNIWi6vtsc3vI0j_n0zPi04J3CXceXz58WuULaUc/s4032/PXL_20210707_224814519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrD6snt8wdpA7VHUQkoN-4zmrEJqhSL5VoD0AYGsxX0ZF19IU1qYMF2RQm97ybUfulPwQkkU8LfTR1NKg17jtZu-GrsGMBTjwxkUPNIWi6vtsc3vI0j_n0zPi04J3CXceXz58WuULaUc/w640-h480/PXL_20210707_224814519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTBSeMnrCDXWr8LUlao5ozUsbTJYTa4MaZsrB9cvPAhclnRxkdqywuE2cbOPn2xfb7bzRBFkqOv-3zj50vKI-qIv7Tb8CZgx47obvy3MAcagWlsQ3fxYlTUM-C0-AhJnUU4SAU3WT8no/s4032/PXL_20210707_231016424.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTBSeMnrCDXWr8LUlao5ozUsbTJYTa4MaZsrB9cvPAhclnRxkdqywuE2cbOPn2xfb7bzRBFkqOv-3zj50vKI-qIv7Tb8CZgx47obvy3MAcagWlsQ3fxYlTUM-C0-AhJnUU4SAU3WT8no/w640-h480/PXL_20210707_231016424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We were there for three nights and four days, so we spent one day focusing on search, one on ponder, one on pray, and we ended with how all three of those things help us gain a testimony. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaz361tKPLEzeKptaGMpmNN4mvTtd12nQszqi9BevS7IUe8CcxhHHonDPD4P12ihzF5-MAqQFzpkYtHzGy66x7LGlTqQFJ6A_73QWLZz3uo2zwvrpI0M3wV9LdxpQvJWNp6nCtjp3F_I/s4032/PXL_20210708_023715839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaz361tKPLEzeKptaGMpmNN4mvTtd12nQszqi9BevS7IUe8CcxhHHonDPD4P12ihzF5-MAqQFzpkYtHzGy66x7LGlTqQFJ6A_73QWLZz3uo2zwvrpI0M3wV9LdxpQvJWNp6nCtjp3F_I/w480-h640/PXL_20210708_023715839.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We were in tents! Our 10-man tent comes in handy for situations like these!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYqKDEqMvSOQRSdOC31v8sIg_j9bZ1gPD5FfnueyVNYlrKEZYy1acKjgTqd3uZ-jwvJyMmqP-IYuJfxoBttnBp1eyK2RdoiWQHvVMzOwK6TWlcwyf95hFvWGW-eEg_uwpNkx4lC4-hmM/s4032/PXL_20210708_060503767.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYqKDEqMvSOQRSdOC31v8sIg_j9bZ1gPD5FfnueyVNYlrKEZYy1acKjgTqd3uZ-jwvJyMmqP-IYuJfxoBttnBp1eyK2RdoiWQHvVMzOwK6TWlcwyf95hFvWGW-eEg_uwpNkx4lC4-hmM/w640-h480/PXL_20210708_060503767.NIGHT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This is my secretary, Katherine. She's a trooper and is always there when I need her! It was just me and her at camp this year and I was grateful for her camping expertise and her can-do attitude!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl_FisJD0ggyQjwYDVVCbTbEIpZdN7WJ96YWy73r4C2DCMFlbZw-KIZRoG5it5Adrnm4046yyJ97X6A05yYRcgyZ6kn644KDzD9yelMMJl6vCzct6SpShP3t8m5pI8Ceg_1xxwrqOngc/s4032/PXL_20210708_170534135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl_FisJD0ggyQjwYDVVCbTbEIpZdN7WJ96YWy73r4C2DCMFlbZw-KIZRoG5it5Adrnm4046yyJ97X6A05yYRcgyZ6kn644KDzD9yelMMJl6vCzct6SpShP3t8m5pI8Ceg_1xxwrqOngc/w480-h640/PXL_20210708_170534135.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We did a service project pulling weeds around our campsite. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhZsqGU839tqmkMiVik5li1UVCfBhyphenhyphenxdbqMQ3gzJ381tdxSt33N9qu7i9iTSSWLITzxgMJ1Xttvnqm9X2ZvPzXm_Ug6fJ1gDKjtIEmYDd8abCOibwmpwvAGHnsmS8OpOOMu-7gMAaU5k/s4032/PXL_20210708_162325607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhZsqGU839tqmkMiVik5li1UVCfBhyphenhyphenxdbqMQ3gzJ381tdxSt33N9qu7i9iTSSWLITzxgMJ1Xttvnqm9X2ZvPzXm_Ug6fJ1gDKjtIEmYDd8abCOibwmpwvAGHnsmS8OpOOMu-7gMAaU5k/w640-h480/PXL_20210708_162325607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Canoeing on the lake was a favorite activity for all.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ecG144xHLt7UC0tvCcjSMRmE1nOHJWDG4wKC_Boc6hd0DUiCtp-C8L6vxFx7zpFieJV6i_9fgWrrnf6hK4ROZwZdNj_8N60bDCED9iygOv70K0JfNg4uYy_hUiwBxOrORlhNOj2PQak/s4032/PXL_20210708_200459395.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ecG144xHLt7UC0tvCcjSMRmE1nOHJWDG4wKC_Boc6hd0DUiCtp-C8L6vxFx7zpFieJV6i_9fgWrrnf6hK4ROZwZdNj_8N60bDCED9iygOv70K0JfNg4uYy_hUiwBxOrORlhNOj2PQak/w640-h480/PXL_20210708_200459395.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>They did a movie night of "Once I was a Beehive." I had never seen the movie before and I died laughing the entire time because of the eerie resemblance between me and the YW President in the movie. Also it's just hilarious to watch a movie about girls camp while you're at girls camp because it is all so very fresh and relatable when you're right there in it. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebdmfXsHtV9adUMnrAksjYxi0nRm0_D5tLPAvDAX5UyvRDAg5BHmbWE-Nq0DEauMhuO1pRUf_9ItXLLrXJWqvlviAvisZDSOLC8lrEPiYgAcP5RT2fZgw7qfrHGvMI5dT5RFFTk4XqWU/s3264/PXL_20210709_031440957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebdmfXsHtV9adUMnrAksjYxi0nRm0_D5tLPAvDAX5UyvRDAg5BHmbWE-Nq0DEauMhuO1pRUf_9ItXLLrXJWqvlviAvisZDSOLC8lrEPiYgAcP5RT2fZgw7qfrHGvMI5dT5RFFTk4XqWU/w480-h640/PXL_20210709_031440957.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We had a high adventure morning on Friday. The girls did ziplining, the flying squirrel, and shooting. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYDuXZLCKqife1b-Qx3gHB0AWpPrpdHfpVcau3pZ6YeuWJja0Rdgwp2xYyJKMoL3BvkjIdxSu0Zw2zIUExTdF41TpaDnFSyiXCCD6bFRZJcspsQR0PtaPyknh4zuaHRZtoc_AwapiITE/s4032/PXL_20210709_180154181.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYDuXZLCKqife1b-Qx3gHB0AWpPrpdHfpVcau3pZ6YeuWJja0Rdgwp2xYyJKMoL3BvkjIdxSu0Zw2zIUExTdF41TpaDnFSyiXCCD6bFRZJcspsQR0PtaPyknh4zuaHRZtoc_AwapiITE/w480-h640/PXL_20210709_180154181.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The bishopric informed me the night before we left for camp that they would like the young women to report on girls camp the next Sunday. Like...the Sunday the day after we get home. So that was fun news to keep my mind churning all week about what I would talk about, and to even begin writing through the week since I would have about 12 hours to put everything together after returning home. <div><br /></div><div>Well thankfully this lady at the shooting station gave a brief, 3-ish minute thought that spoke to me and inspired my talk. Thank you, ma'am!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmXWELcwtD6PffLBWZ45UmIczazHBupOvSWFkeZBxz1iiL_Q_BWzttVYgytWRbvTfAMK7eNy3yzMMseejkldzv0JdRLMPE_0WEelh9xl1pvU2ZIR7xnAWYWS4ny4IbtZT2mTTh0PzIT4/s4032/PXL_20210709_201854418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmXWELcwtD6PffLBWZ45UmIczazHBupOvSWFkeZBxz1iiL_Q_BWzttVYgytWRbvTfAMK7eNy3yzMMseejkldzv0JdRLMPE_0WEelh9xl1pvU2ZIR7xnAWYWS4ny4IbtZT2mTTh0PzIT4/w640-h480/PXL_20210709_201854418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b685d750-7fff-c979-e793-0f97a758b387">As I have been inclined to do recently, I will once again share my talk because it's all written out anyway, so why not?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During a lesson at camp, we were reminded of a scripture story found in Nephi, Chapter 17. Since returning home from camp, I have gone back to read the chapter and I was startled by the similarities of Nephi’s story to ours from last week:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9) And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord commanded Lehi that he should journey into the wilderness. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, I’m not trying to call myself Lehi, but I too was commanded to head into the wilderness. And in case you didn’t know, I don’t love venturing into the wild, so my command to camp was met with some hesitation...and perhaps even a little murmuring. But before you try calling me Laman and Lemuel, let’s keep the story going.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10) And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship that pointed the way whither they should go into the wilderness.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once I discovered murmuring wasn’t going to keep me out of the woods, I got thinking about how we should prepare for camp. During a presidency meeting, each member of the presidency discussed a topic we felt like the girls would most benefit from learning about this year at camp. One of us suggested searching the scriptures, another mentioned learning more about how the Spirit works in our lives, another mentioned praying, and we wanted the whole week to highlight how to strengthen your testimony. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After this meeting, I spent the rest of the day trying to come up with a short, easy to remember theme for our ward to focus on that tied all of our ideas together. I went to bed restless, but woke up early the next morning with the words Search, Ponder, and Pray running through my mind. I was instantly so excited because it felt right right away and I knew it was what we were supposed to spend the week focusing on. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11) And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like Lehi’s family, we had some things to gather. Cots, sleeping bags, fingernail polish. And we had seeds of every kind to collect: Pretzels, Rice Krispie Treats, Takis...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12) And it came to pass that we did take our tents and depart into the wilderness.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13) And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We traveled for about four hours and camped for about four days, so close enough. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16) We did follow the directions of the ball.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not only did we try our best to follow the directions of the Spirit, but we also followed the directions of GoogleMaps which got us straight to camp. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17) We rested and obtained food.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got camp set up and were greeted by an amazing cooking team who made our food very easy to obtain.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">14) We did take our bows and arrows and went forth into the wilderness.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once we were settled, somewhat rested, and fed, we were ready to go forth into the wilderness. The stake put together classes for the YW, arts and crafts, a movie night, high adventure activities, a lake day, firesides, and endless activities. There were lessons to be learned through all of camp, but one of the more memorable lessons for me was a quick thought given before we were taught how to shoot a bow and arrow at the archery station. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before we shot the bow and arrows, we were reminded of a burden Nephi faced while he was in the wilderness and what he did to overcome his burden, which we can read about in verse 18:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">18) And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19) And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families, and being much fatigued, because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thankfully no bows were broken at our camp, and no one went without food. However, our camp was not without burdens. The stake put on a special fireside where they had everyone at camp write down burdens or challenges either they are experiencing or someone they know is experiencing. We then went on a silent hike where we picked up water bottles along the way that had different burdens people struggle with written on each one. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, it was a good chance to reflect on what I am struggling with in my life, and what things I am holding on to or carrying that may be weighing me down. As I walked and looked around, I was moved by the visual representation of everyone being handed difficulties, reminding me that under all the surface-level things we often try to present to each other, we are all carrying some kind of burden that is challenging us or weighing us down. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hike ended with a picture of the Savior, where we were all invited to leave our burdens at his feet. The visual of every person having the same opportunity to drop their burdens at the Savior’s feet, and feel the relief of a lighter load was impactful. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I noticed a visible change in myself and in the girls with each day we were at camp, but especially after this reminder to turn to our Savior with our troubles to find the peace and answers we are looking for. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like Nephi’s broken bow, we can find answers and solutions to our problems as we turn to Christ. But how do we find answers and solutions to our problems? How does the peace come? Let’s continue our story with Nephi to see what he did:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">23) And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and arrow, with a sling and stones. I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nephi is searching and praying for food, nourishment. This reminds me of not only being physically fed, but spiritually fed. We may find ourselves hungering spiritually and searching for where we should go to obtain answers and enlightenment. Maybe we feel like what we’re doing now isn’t working, and maybe we feel a little broken, but don’t know how to fix the problem. Let’s see what Nephi does.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">26) The voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written. 28) The ball works according to faith and diligence and heed which we give unto them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we pray with these questions, we can be like Nephi and ponder, work through our questions in our mind, and listen to the Spirit as it guides us to what is right. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">29) By small means the Lord can bring about great things.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nephi followed the pattern of search, ponder, and pray to lighten his burden. As we are weighed down with the difficulties of life, as we have questions, and as we desire guidance for anything in our lives, we can follow Nephi’s example by searching for guidance, pondering the impressions of The Holy Ghost, and praying to invite Jesus Christ’s influence into our lives to strengthen us and mend our broken bows or burdened hearts. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I loved being reminded of this story at archery and seeing how well it tied into our ward’s focus. My favorite part of the story, and something I hadn’t noticed before, that was pointed out during our lesson was found in verse 30:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">30) And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth to the top of the mountain according to the directions which were given upon the ball. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was pointed out that the food wasn’t just across a field, or lovingly prepared by Nephi’s camp chef. Nephi had to follow the directions of the ball, which instructed him to climb up a mountain to get what he was looking for. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Search, ponder, and pray is a simple formula, but it is a process that requires work. It requires following through on what the Spirit directs you to do. It takes effort to study out your questions and hunt for answers. It takes heartfelt prayer to align your efforts with Heavenly Father and to allow Jesus Christ’s Atonement to heal your broken bow. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last night I put together an escape room in a bag for the girls to do. I threw the bag at the girls and said, “Sister Excell has lost her testimony. Help her find it!” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The girls dove into their bags, searching for what they could use, pondering how things fit together, desperately asking me to give them a hint. They’d slowly put things together which opened up more things for them to look at and think about. They would find something that went with another thing they had already found that now made sense. When they were really stuck, I’d give them just enough of a clue to get them going again. Like Nephi climbing a mountain to get his nourishment, the girls really had to work to unlock the whole bag. But they eventually made it all the way through and unlocked my testimony. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Searching, pondering, and praying is the key to unlocking your testimony. Moroni has promised us that as we put the work in, as we climb the mountain on our hunt for spiritual nourishment, we will find what we’re looking for:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: #f7f8f8; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moroni 10:3 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: #f7f8f8; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: #f7f8f8; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.</span></p></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aazuTFYiCcg8SDaGQzLVq8LodO2oX4UzQO8StcZWrVlrfyLeL8ph4_jsJpPb5syHpZG-LeuklUTPFIELycMCt0YiCU7TrBgm9GFSv2ZKT9_B8yXflJ934K37H_tzhBPCA0EGkr7yskc/s4032/PXL_20210709_203316444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aazuTFYiCcg8SDaGQzLVq8LodO2oX4UzQO8StcZWrVlrfyLeL8ph4_jsJpPb5syHpZG-LeuklUTPFIELycMCt0YiCU7TrBgm9GFSv2ZKT9_B8yXflJ934K37H_tzhBPCA0EGkr7yskc/w640-h480/PXL_20210709_203316444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG55BvnmXuA6mB2R2G0xztODz_ozNtlMNf4K-SmJWbJiwbPRoYxMMLQHMnSg2kHt4DmyjCRKPFXPr3bAlPCT0Y8bohEuJPS-zBak4NXVs2DdtyIMe4LSs6dgaLFe6q7A1CkXIODU7DkJ8/s3264/PXL_20210709_210818776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG55BvnmXuA6mB2R2G0xztODz_ozNtlMNf4K-SmJWbJiwbPRoYxMMLQHMnSg2kHt4DmyjCRKPFXPr3bAlPCT0Y8bohEuJPS-zBak4NXVs2DdtyIMe4LSs6dgaLFe6q7A1CkXIODU7DkJ8/w640-h480/PXL_20210709_210818776.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGMRYcdtsF2AFEyUYCrUm9DQvpVOeuYFVsCek9iLiPUWPht8JRNaPub3xUhF5-GagpxvbdAhBtDD5FBrhFSKFm81wdoZ4E2_4UMvy2qbAO4fTmolsRpz-l8ku0PQLUHpWz4zyjsvnNOo/s4032/PXL_20210709_225732284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGMRYcdtsF2AFEyUYCrUm9DQvpVOeuYFVsCek9iLiPUWPht8JRNaPub3xUhF5-GagpxvbdAhBtDD5FBrhFSKFm81wdoZ4E2_4UMvy2qbAO4fTmolsRpz-l8ku0PQLUHpWz4zyjsvnNOo/w640-h480/PXL_20210709_225732284.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlFx4FOqAyeriO7Z8fyXlE2ILK-rQNSEzww9H_Llm1-amNSw5i4MtP7t_4GZZ1EY5DrxsoiRqyR2psCngdkCwYpZ76KDRovhFa8_CftAvy0UVS8Yz-2UnMFOCZHa7EI71PbdnbtU424w/s4032/PXL_20210709_232254848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlFx4FOqAyeriO7Z8fyXlE2ILK-rQNSEzww9H_Llm1-amNSw5i4MtP7t_4GZZ1EY5DrxsoiRqyR2psCngdkCwYpZ76KDRovhFa8_CftAvy0UVS8Yz-2UnMFOCZHa7EI71PbdnbtU424w/w480-h640/PXL_20210709_232254848.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Before our testimony meeting, I had the girls complete the escape-room-in-a-bags that I had made. They were so fun! I just wish we would have had a bit more time because I kind of had to rush them along, but it was so fun! The girls really seemed to enjoy the activity and it made for a great object lesson. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHih6jC-r6FG72q1dN3bhyPvvHbFdxi0R7DZqUBkY86sZDrLVJvVq-Gof3bTYXSoA0XqVOFLp9M67ApUvKcERNhHgmZDD5I7Rt4mi1uPSOZLWdkmJpZFcNQ9JmpV7iDiaT_JAs-BkPT7w/s4032/PXL_20210710_033256645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHih6jC-r6FG72q1dN3bhyPvvHbFdxi0R7DZqUBkY86sZDrLVJvVq-Gof3bTYXSoA0XqVOFLp9M67ApUvKcERNhHgmZDD5I7Rt4mi1uPSOZLWdkmJpZFcNQ9JmpV7iDiaT_JAs-BkPT7w/w640-h480/PXL_20210710_033256645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmdpzLGriMdBTOIDyh-5XuEVuGkYx1t5lRD-V93Fdt5iXVF8zPblDL0VvL8C-zL1uFEkQ2JiHoZu-w76FUQIGxPYjwUO9wQFws_kDt4vzXqx9AXDfQEFThx7qMf04iIyJNTSTgKOsK6w/s4032/PXL_20210710_040942884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmdpzLGriMdBTOIDyh-5XuEVuGkYx1t5lRD-V93Fdt5iXVF8zPblDL0VvL8C-zL1uFEkQ2JiHoZu-w76FUQIGxPYjwUO9wQFws_kDt4vzXqx9AXDfQEFThx7qMf04iIyJNTSTgKOsK6w/w640-h480/PXL_20210710_040942884.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Girls camp was a success! Here are some other fun activities we have done. We went on a hike up Mt. Charleston. This is me, Katherine, and Rachel, my counselor. I'm so grateful for them and that they go along with some of my crazier ideas. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvwPHlalQ5R1j21V3LfHFUfl0Gh5G-9I-K_Ym749NrFxLbkM5I_GNdjob3GlVWcLLvG0T11CBit3pDvCmbL-0tNLpzr3yLLtStw6JB6ukMYE24wKeVRTEVWIrLln0QTHFLxQxEceVEXc/s4032/PXL_20210805_021852278.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvwPHlalQ5R1j21V3LfHFUfl0Gh5G-9I-K_Ym749NrFxLbkM5I_GNdjob3GlVWcLLvG0T11CBit3pDvCmbL-0tNLpzr3yLLtStw6JB6ukMYE24wKeVRTEVWIrLln0QTHFLxQxEceVEXc/w640-h480/PXL_20210805_021852278.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8_WYdZkH-NCvvw-Zj3YzvFyAac69-SuW22fsP-tmlW9BuzL_ndojZb1HQhyphenhyphendTcwuFORZ837NjD_-xdkqySmNYQYx44dt7hyphenhyphen47891nKWhA7FFwQe7H09QSQcctuMApIqQy2wrluhkiSo/s4032/PXL_20210805_020804970.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8_WYdZkH-NCvvw-Zj3YzvFyAac69-SuW22fsP-tmlW9BuzL_ndojZb1HQhyphenhyphendTcwuFORZ837NjD_-xdkqySmNYQYx44dt7hyphenhyphen47891nKWhA7FFwQe7H09QSQcctuMApIqQy2wrluhkiSo/w480-h640/PXL_20210805_020804970.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECImxbiIcqzpeEumLsEvqVIHbPgYbUjBR1eDJIw2BMnYlsBNeubrtdayXu_wIKgRL5VDkg7kTqGKZZ5g03NTBDsBQhYraejpsAIzpm6qCn0V3aVVR7MlcaVvjiLST9I-aPETOvTI53pk/s4032/PXL_20210805_022143508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECImxbiIcqzpeEumLsEvqVIHbPgYbUjBR1eDJIw2BMnYlsBNeubrtdayXu_wIKgRL5VDkg7kTqGKZZ5g03NTBDsBQhYraejpsAIzpm6qCn0V3aVVR7MlcaVvjiLST9I-aPETOvTI53pk/w480-h640/PXL_20210805_022143508.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Covid kind of put a kink in our focus on the temple. We realized a lot of the youth hadn't had much experience with the temple, so we wanted to have an activity to focus on the temple and review temple recommend interview questions and what they mean. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well...I thought and thought about if there was a way to make that idea fun and I had the thought to do Temple PREP-ardy...or Preopardy...I couldn't decide which spelling I liked better, but you get the idea! The kids really enjoyed it and we were able to sprinkle in little testimonies on each of the topics throughout the game which made it fun, meaningful, and informational. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3S0ppQFEIj-CRvOJYrkhcC_XvqPT8esQqvfqqDAIw3m9pnkJp3Tm19KxiNaf3tUG6bWQ93f3kqwaQz1b0CWHMaERYRHTzEeHocGklbjadUA-0n20PxHaFvhayVk_muelIDlJ-D93PG0/s4032/PXL_20210819_011840293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3S0ppQFEIj-CRvOJYrkhcC_XvqPT8esQqvfqqDAIw3m9pnkJp3Tm19KxiNaf3tUG6bWQ93f3kqwaQz1b0CWHMaERYRHTzEeHocGklbjadUA-0n20PxHaFvhayVk_muelIDlJ-D93PG0/w640-h480/PXL_20210819_011840293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We had a service project at Gilcrease Orchard helping set up the corn maze. Let me just say...it's difficult to efficiently get work done when that work gets you wound up in a maze that's trying to confuse you, but hey, free corn maze!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D75o_XugqPSjwYi3bmtCzET4lwahWzScpb2d3Tlnn1DbKCfuXx4Y4pWPwJw3oT7v7buORtLLkLsBjNqVONG5lP7uQtctDH2d2cpRSweuo6x2bAreY4zA-HpUthkTbqOQZUP050UiZpg/s4032/PXL_20210911_234604539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D75o_XugqPSjwYi3bmtCzET4lwahWzScpb2d3Tlnn1DbKCfuXx4Y4pWPwJw3oT7v7buORtLLkLsBjNqVONG5lP7uQtctDH2d2cpRSweuo6x2bAreY4zA-HpUthkTbqOQZUP050UiZpg/w640-h480/PXL_20210911_234604539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And finally, we had a firearms instructor from our ward take us out shooting. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHM4s71hlqsZ9E73G496mhQ0lZa2JEttwynEEdmz2kiRM1EXQZ2VZTS10ERiSr4GHTKz0mQIAjEkoQmE0TdO29PPuPCLgyjimRrvIOKo6_eaSqtYuDnqmvDuP34qsMRosE8lSSxgIAEM/s4032/PXL_20210930_010825690.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHM4s71hlqsZ9E73G496mhQ0lZa2JEttwynEEdmz2kiRM1EXQZ2VZTS10ERiSr4GHTKz0mQIAjEkoQmE0TdO29PPuPCLgyjimRrvIOKo6_eaSqtYuDnqmvDuP34qsMRosE8lSSxgIAEM/w640-h480/PXL_20210930_010825690.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We've done some fun things this year! The girls are great at coming up with ideas and it's been fun to pursue some of their interests!<p></p></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-81226469573073983312021-10-05T14:11:00.002-06:002021-10-05T14:11:33.301-06:00Summer Adventures in North Salt Lake<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we all realized we would be in Utah so close to our favorite summer tradition -- the North Salt Lake 3rd of July fireworks show, there was no getting any of us to leave. We spent the week happily killing time together, starting with frisbee golf at the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrTHtHwLxprLxXyibi7gAYPs3KwRHFnn2pq1AK3llUVmerC6ASY6eersWVYOiPnC_LvddtGMqJQQvuJW8TBs5hR7GMRgzHT7n3z6Zp8I-z6BQPJnqs_xq_4e0XeQeIlxBGhjQl1d5pMk/s4032/PXL_20210626_165333846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrTHtHwLxprLxXyibi7gAYPs3KwRHFnn2pq1AK3llUVmerC6ASY6eersWVYOiPnC_LvddtGMqJQQvuJW8TBs5hR7GMRgzHT7n3z6Zp8I-z6BQPJnqs_xq_4e0XeQeIlxBGhjQl1d5pMk/w480-h640/PXL_20210626_165333846.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Next we met up with the Besses for a mountain cookout where we learned how valuable the modern invention of a lighter and/or a match is after the husbands spent at least an hour trying to start a fire with flint and steel. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPccFszDxR13kqdnZ2kErPebzdgU6rxgzX9iUhACEgKlJj-wuRGp9KLBcFFuAeTxQCWwmvhb2lehzGbqO5N454hDD_5eH-Azn9OqBLAX1A60QONY0qZos7nxIvIuAIkE5cfQM3WkEBEX8/s4032/PXL_20210626_230020423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPccFszDxR13kqdnZ2kErPebzdgU6rxgzX9iUhACEgKlJj-wuRGp9KLBcFFuAeTxQCWwmvhb2lehzGbqO5N454hDD_5eH-Azn9OqBLAX1A60QONY0qZos7nxIvIuAIkE5cfQM3WkEBEX8/w480-h640/PXL_20210626_230020423.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The wives recruited the children to take pictures of us while we waited. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJkn8hC2x4yLRT4MspjdQMA9R4xUNguF4950gjPPkdgzCfBsWEB8xQUhr-INFEyyOPK2kutfSvHQn3AcAJ99vE7WpHBhS6EKUEP_Z8brYkduifyaecMY1qsNRkpafhYD0NCJMvZ4ek78/s4032/PXL_20210626_230800089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJkn8hC2x4yLRT4MspjdQMA9R4xUNguF4950gjPPkdgzCfBsWEB8xQUhr-INFEyyOPK2kutfSvHQn3AcAJ99vE7WpHBhS6EKUEP_Z8brYkduifyaecMY1qsNRkpafhYD0NCJMvZ4ek78/w640-h480/PXL_20210626_230800089.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We eventually found success as is evident by those bronzed allows. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRZvysRdN_keIblOftNShryXkn-wVL_Y6AsKIOF5ZGdc41Y3f_wjmQm361tlTkxcziCezh-RJmUlBpzbO60txhDNA5aV6hzIQoYBv6i_Z-sGnYHWuOI7M41ZaoI3idEOeyWCRQbg6P7U/s4032/PXL_20210626_233711908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRZvysRdN_keIblOftNShryXkn-wVL_Y6AsKIOF5ZGdc41Y3f_wjmQm361tlTkxcziCezh-RJmUlBpzbO60txhDNA5aV6hzIQoYBv6i_Z-sGnYHWuOI7M41ZaoI3idEOeyWCRQbg6P7U/w480-h640/PXL_20210626_233711908.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>My unexpected favorite summer activity from a couple years ago was going to the rodeo. We were able to lasso some tickets and corral the kids to recreate that fun memory.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q9aoyhevjlyxfRMIdsgnK7VcL4WMQB5Az3_wm4Cali5BpVKiblK7Z79odvKTOjTWVNqMuuCKu5z5o2jtjGbeVUjXLgXufRDXKKaCOQSTzxVjNf0n_T-NsBkX068s9yEH8YphW66i7cY/s3264/PXL_20210627_023940554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q9aoyhevjlyxfRMIdsgnK7VcL4WMQB5Az3_wm4Cali5BpVKiblK7Z79odvKTOjTWVNqMuuCKu5z5o2jtjGbeVUjXLgXufRDXKKaCOQSTzxVjNf0n_T-NsBkX068s9yEH8YphW66i7cY/w640-h480/PXL_20210627_023940554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When Carson heard there would be autographs after the show, he wouldn't let us leave without meeting the stars (and stripes?)!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3CTSOmS5VduMicOZTF_WB9dmgg95qn5BGexy8KpPltPgGOCUm3gkX2iQRZQf23N_QMrrX6LvIGgMvDx8tIzXknOBEpyke_1IsDpttx9yfGFEykXdzf_cAl-v_EAYjFmv2TK_gQBhUCM/s4032/PXL_20210627_035037033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3CTSOmS5VduMicOZTF_WB9dmgg95qn5BGexy8KpPltPgGOCUm3gkX2iQRZQf23N_QMrrX6LvIGgMvDx8tIzXknOBEpyke_1IsDpttx9yfGFEykXdzf_cAl-v_EAYjFmv2TK_gQBhUCM/w640-h480/PXL_20210627_035037033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Sunday was game day. We discovered our new favorite game, Blank Slate and Jonah discovered his new favorite alias. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oGZB48Yuluoy8E3ow5JeIzuXOWiz5pC3k9eGvFIr-a9PYiwj6qX9P74Up-vQ57RkqX7ipSAMwAa8RHdjPR_bFNXiU7cSb_3kL0LAANDJkApwFTLsDiV3EGK2-_0td52qmL6B2NfJbFY/s4032/PXL_20210627_223348909.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oGZB48Yuluoy8E3ow5JeIzuXOWiz5pC3k9eGvFIr-a9PYiwj6qX9P74Up-vQ57RkqX7ipSAMwAa8RHdjPR_bFNXiU7cSb_3kL0LAANDJkApwFTLsDiV3EGK2-_0td52qmL6B2NfJbFY/w480-h640/PXL_20210627_223348909.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We all thanked Caroline for having a birthday during our in-town-ness. Oreo Cream Pie for all!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBoNa4SZfVvqVSFPDD_l8sfDfa2FtHynwUWz6FXtSN9nvPuWU8e1Hgl5mlja1XjOJ9lcoL28weqauGjhZpPO1CeYwasOWtM67Of0IE-9uNSeod4C4kfYKvtECGu1iPzdw-tN79kMTSLw/s4032/IMG_4244.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBoNa4SZfVvqVSFPDD_l8sfDfa2FtHynwUWz6FXtSN9nvPuWU8e1Hgl5mlja1XjOJ9lcoL28weqauGjhZpPO1CeYwasOWtM67Of0IE-9uNSeod4C4kfYKvtECGu1iPzdw-tN79kMTSLw/w480-h640/IMG_4244.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div>Then it was back to the mountains for another cookout. It's our favorite summer hangout spot, so we had to do it twice!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisByvHSs2hGw8oa_8E3kaXYbAyXdpVRUB2Z15xqeAooy-wX7r22lvrvEH_TN1yCH_bYfD0k9vvTvoZ6lJRhxdseMmD8oqi6WNy8BFIWEvPT8SBZ719XtiHqDY491K6eMbXLfLetxMJgaw/s4032/PXL_20210629_230854748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisByvHSs2hGw8oa_8E3kaXYbAyXdpVRUB2Z15xqeAooy-wX7r22lvrvEH_TN1yCH_bYfD0k9vvTvoZ6lJRhxdseMmD8oqi6WNy8BFIWEvPT8SBZ719XtiHqDY491K6eMbXLfLetxMJgaw/w640-h480/PXL_20210629_230854748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEDp0JPvww9jyrWbyCMalLIjhcl_B8e9WSNOIGuftU-zXinfTvnQHTV9B5o1nM3ZqqjlafpxpCSwF7ypzGCDcQHRk-ZoVGKSFECou6odnEB3bUG_Phe-yNK2QYP9LWaA4ZOb4AeWnlBQ/s4032/PXL_20210629_234350486.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEDp0JPvww9jyrWbyCMalLIjhcl_B8e9WSNOIGuftU-zXinfTvnQHTV9B5o1nM3ZqqjlafpxpCSwF7ypzGCDcQHRk-ZoVGKSFECou6odnEB3bUG_Phe-yNK2QYP9LWaA4ZOb4AeWnlBQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210629_234350486.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZg752nacX-9ZL-Ja0cJzfsIlTZ0yW9LAsV0TYRsLLgKcBiTrFoblaYbmd4gd58wkdByJC5WL8naOEB_7nWdT24w8coOwKFajG3dDWADofWO0_ZVHKShkDd5XlA1Dub53X49o0bYyQgI/s4032/PXL_20210629_233836637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZg752nacX-9ZL-Ja0cJzfsIlTZ0yW9LAsV0TYRsLLgKcBiTrFoblaYbmd4gd58wkdByJC5WL8naOEB_7nWdT24w8coOwKFajG3dDWADofWO0_ZVHKShkDd5XlA1Dub53X49o0bYyQgI/w480-h640/PXL_20210629_233836637.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguLWXjRMqzXAe_veNdD03UXAweK12naHbi5ryLYoTS7vPFiq6TY-CxzJCWxMt3I8nl8F6UL3ypYbs8kkWmpgx1Qk-fzauWb-Dptl_KijleY6uOFN32O25t0FShDx7cHXK0xTcsKsgUTA/s4032/PXL_20210629_234422350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguLWXjRMqzXAe_veNdD03UXAweK12naHbi5ryLYoTS7vPFiq6TY-CxzJCWxMt3I8nl8F6UL3ypYbs8kkWmpgx1Qk-fzauWb-Dptl_KijleY6uOFN32O25t0FShDx7cHXK0xTcsKsgUTA/w640-h480/PXL_20210629_234422350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And our other favorite summer hangout spot is Bear Lake, so you know we made that drive! Nevermind that Jeff had gone back to Vegas by this point, leaving me to drive and keep an eye on four boys by myself. We all made it through the day without incident...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUQZB0D-X2Paw5REhyphenhyphennux6aIkLug-hnOiPmSf_y0_-5tXAOdbQiwIYO-WwqZDaHYZCWomaelOOSZajUunidcaNVfPr22pkc4oQYVgtJq8MI23-Kzl8lnqvlFBT0l41lcTuUOnICF5AGQ/s4032/PXL_20210630_170451984.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUQZB0D-X2Paw5REhyphenhyphennux6aIkLug-hnOiPmSf_y0_-5tXAOdbQiwIYO-WwqZDaHYZCWomaelOOSZajUunidcaNVfPr22pkc4oQYVgtJq8MI23-Kzl8lnqvlFBT0l41lcTuUOnICF5AGQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210630_170451984.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4Uvkz82iEjkweci4CWfV5-b_LxWOqzktuTkrAAyC3eW1XGtcr-zXvr55pmKC_t1AXnEEu4_ZcMRJx_bvoVV6d1YihL1mX7Eq8wlqWjUZ9tXiwlTSW-wFdRNXFAwBsNJI0ofgCe28u_c/s4032/PXL_20210630_170158704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4Uvkz82iEjkweci4CWfV5-b_LxWOqzktuTkrAAyC3eW1XGtcr-zXvr55pmKC_t1AXnEEu4_ZcMRJx_bvoVV6d1YihL1mX7Eq8wlqWjUZ9tXiwlTSW-wFdRNXFAwBsNJI0ofgCe28u_c/w640-h480/PXL_20210630_170158704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWi_n9f6tKkDzngR5DCuPzYWXYTigo2Ky1aeL6FcrDUH4NygRbMaAaz0V-kpGDW1NplC7NS28lP3q6ArgPH5bU7MmkVN9bJJqjBdkOeRLgrajE4CSeCxBsKYd1kvy1ROEFwaKfWr9vdQ/s4032/PXL_20210630_170637757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWi_n9f6tKkDzngR5DCuPzYWXYTigo2Ky1aeL6FcrDUH4NygRbMaAaz0V-kpGDW1NplC7NS28lP3q6ArgPH5bU7MmkVN9bJJqjBdkOeRLgrajE4CSeCxBsKYd1kvy1ROEFwaKfWr9vdQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210630_170637757.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YrOSCzqSrYGe6qhcthzEiCpOseisIUre0zN4Vlt3adzIKH1aSomKNXat-3r0d8LH69aOaTHvhkCEuKAt3fltKmpLoOgk9Ko97zvtpCcraaC72YLGewW4MUVcOhkEvGtHiVAdBYffdJA/s4032/PXL_20210630_173158470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YrOSCzqSrYGe6qhcthzEiCpOseisIUre0zN4Vlt3adzIKH1aSomKNXat-3r0d8LH69aOaTHvhkCEuKAt3fltKmpLoOgk9Ko97zvtpCcraaC72YLGewW4MUVcOhkEvGtHiVAdBYffdJA/w480-h640/PXL_20210630_173158470.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rKvavjVobePE3p_2rmxlMoqtGSwwI7nmIYU-35Lv8-HhyphenhyphenWoRhsaz7AH1Na27Y5Xadhh5qqqeOPLv-6P0aqy42F16003zzOnyA1hBFwCHV1hQyVY3yDOI0YhB7fyk2EzGOUloyCbVsUc/s4032/PXL_20210630_173218222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rKvavjVobePE3p_2rmxlMoqtGSwwI7nmIYU-35Lv8-HhyphenhyphenWoRhsaz7AH1Na27Y5Xadhh5qqqeOPLv-6P0aqy42F16003zzOnyA1hBFwCHV1hQyVY3yDOI0YhB7fyk2EzGOUloyCbVsUc/w480-h640/PXL_20210630_173218222.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Without incident that is until everyone's hair started standing on end! I've seen enough Buzzfeed articles with titles like, "Unexpected Signs You Might Be In Danger," or, "Smart Things to Know If You Want to Live," or "If Your Hair Does THIS Don't Take a Picture...Run For Cover!" to know it was time to high tail it outta there.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwveBatZPJ2nMZJwTr9BCHVwE8cXWuI94u-16VMTJFd5koCJ5sZajlTNydiXwif9m_ZfppP1b2hkJZ1OTeJdbSimk5XRSRWCtifevY0GG8l5hxSHXAEifSl7Po49StkYKzUesTQcAhOg/s4032/IMG_5220.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwveBatZPJ2nMZJwTr9BCHVwE8cXWuI94u-16VMTJFd5koCJ5sZajlTNydiXwif9m_ZfppP1b2hkJZ1OTeJdbSimk5XRSRWCtifevY0GG8l5hxSHXAEifSl7Po49StkYKzUesTQcAhOg/w480-h640/IMG_5220.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div>We only stayed a few hours before a storm rolled in and the electricity levels in the air were highly unsettling. We decided to play it safe, pack up, and take things to the treat stand. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCmSHfp8bD8LoAsmJLyWLXkv8y7B5RFjsLat549eL5-4aLQNxlp2onsi9rVbg7tola8O2YokDz9Pwm6PaI_MAEY_x1HXkOeE8KhrQ_rzTvSquftbYeaeKkkzGQUmnc7OL9mauCvb55pg/s4032/PXL_20210630_215129440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCmSHfp8bD8LoAsmJLyWLXkv8y7B5RFjsLat549eL5-4aLQNxlp2onsi9rVbg7tola8O2YokDz9Pwm6PaI_MAEY_x1HXkOeE8KhrQ_rzTvSquftbYeaeKkkzGQUmnc7OL9mauCvb55pg/w640-h480/PXL_20210630_215129440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We fit in some quality Grandma time with her two favorite games, Qwirkle and Rumikub. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z28esfJ5r_0PadK-Q01RRx-gv5vYFzLHKRpr6dqPWOspBLnSCVVFp3l3quDBza5AXf4-1jcjiOztz2sLde78AB8zR43SGjr2bHFXfGl9vORCG7jF7qMrACiJvQbvCHq_eEjXmBSkzwE/s4032/PXL_20210701_180223460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z28esfJ5r_0PadK-Q01RRx-gv5vYFzLHKRpr6dqPWOspBLnSCVVFp3l3quDBza5AXf4-1jcjiOztz2sLde78AB8zR43SGjr2bHFXfGl9vORCG7jF7qMrACiJvQbvCHq_eEjXmBSkzwE/w640-h480/PXL_20210701_180223460.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One last get together with the Besses at the new splash pad in Bountiful. We loved it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DYIxS8r7QCANrLT5RMpHt86D_ahJ8OasJdSHVuY1VGFGNbeAAX5q2L35yL72GOIA2zof-tbXZEU37m7zjcb4yodBQx0P72P6C_IicWeyD6_iwVkgs4AbvySLM6T7g1NkUaKVsauHcnI/s4032/PXL_20210701_220325131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DYIxS8r7QCANrLT5RMpHt86D_ahJ8OasJdSHVuY1VGFGNbeAAX5q2L35yL72GOIA2zof-tbXZEU37m7zjcb4yodBQx0P72P6C_IicWeyD6_iwVkgs4AbvySLM6T7g1NkUaKVsauHcnI/w640-h480/PXL_20210701_220325131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMNdOJKRAKa-hdx1GCjL7OGKe85CXXJzEMB1dNQ0519XDqMqjVuEk2Kb09a06-lHfzp91iX8aHluaKeDTAHCy88wBLhRpOp3EsKdQPz-qidkY2TaszbXN5x4dbQ5umbX0ufJ3NSzf_zQ/s3264/PXL_20210701_220709523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMNdOJKRAKa-hdx1GCjL7OGKe85CXXJzEMB1dNQ0519XDqMqjVuEk2Kb09a06-lHfzp91iX8aHluaKeDTAHCy88wBLhRpOp3EsKdQPz-qidkY2TaszbXN5x4dbQ5umbX0ufJ3NSzf_zQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210701_220709523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We were having sports withdrawals after all of our active options at Aspen Grove so we went to the church to get some of our wiggles out. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsvyX2k0pYG2qxCRY2kPmfySxJzDq8AHwV5PHKS573S-O5cHwbyuSJYvaXd_mIsaPtabDeRMw-s7lqQwVDEdnsBsP74mvlPe6enVHryPF-FFrr-oP4dKNhCoEyV6BDMO4LyO3NHcKhi4/s4032/PXL_20210703_162518846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsvyX2k0pYG2qxCRY2kPmfySxJzDq8AHwV5PHKS573S-O5cHwbyuSJYvaXd_mIsaPtabDeRMw-s7lqQwVDEdnsBsP74mvlPe6enVHryPF-FFrr-oP4dKNhCoEyV6BDMO4LyO3NHcKhi4/w640-h480/PXL_20210703_162518846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0QBnM-zc4pzb321lgIXkGphSbt8uCYyxB1fH4XapKtwXzkqSLtf9GczAAOLQLsAQ3ii9N7bUIUVoscITzNVPcE1AkEwZ-wumuctTVrBah9VWNa-F6W59ppD67fhAlGmUy7uxA7TqL6Y/s4032/PXL_20210703_163955010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0QBnM-zc4pzb321lgIXkGphSbt8uCYyxB1fH4XapKtwXzkqSLtf9GczAAOLQLsAQ3ii9N7bUIUVoscITzNVPcE1AkEwZ-wumuctTVrBah9VWNa-F6W59ppD67fhAlGmUy7uxA7TqL6Y/w480-h640/PXL_20210703_163955010.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We made it to fireworks! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHbD2LpalVLBgJLKW_HSfkksrqF167UFYbmydFt07BsVJSqwhhLjWZyRoUp-rs-43lu6y7Ti-tnL_zyDGjsu2VTD2XTTHv7I9c9DEPmyHVywyjm7oyUSLjn97Jt819P_vbu1BX5KqwKs/s3264/PXL_20210704_024635391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHbD2LpalVLBgJLKW_HSfkksrqF167UFYbmydFt07BsVJSqwhhLjWZyRoUp-rs-43lu6y7Ti-tnL_zyDGjsu2VTD2XTTHv7I9c9DEPmyHVywyjm7oyUSLjn97Jt819P_vbu1BX5KqwKs/w640-h480/PXL_20210704_024635391.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSaiXgh78Wzv6exfKjZxv-7ixKdnCf0pMXuTBOdhtiKmYHL1K5TkBx10pxz5oYcUqH8vLM6ctOl0Jd5u5MYtWK8KFgF4sBcHKVC-3N5HKwGRRkABdq6jmTqvTAv_fEid0wo5p-v0zamM/s4032/IMG_5470.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSaiXgh78Wzv6exfKjZxv-7ixKdnCf0pMXuTBOdhtiKmYHL1K5TkBx10pxz5oYcUqH8vLM6ctOl0Jd5u5MYtWK8KFgF4sBcHKVC-3N5HKwGRRkABdq6jmTqvTAv_fEid0wo5p-v0zamM/w640-h480/IMG_5470.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4MIbQ3Y0knkJqucjldShZcApI-5F4ZipprH9jNpwVAxnRS_8WOarhRKcBWN3QHfP8PJqOVEd6A7O_1YLyeeVWirehln5BBip3-VwcoH2joIUq0UcsyWiuCcq-PJHJ4__aCDkfvI_gXw/s4032/PXL_20210704_032037510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4MIbQ3Y0knkJqucjldShZcApI-5F4ZipprH9jNpwVAxnRS_8WOarhRKcBWN3QHfP8PJqOVEd6A7O_1YLyeeVWirehln5BBip3-VwcoH2joIUq0UcsyWiuCcq-PJHJ4__aCDkfvI_gXw/w640-h480/PXL_20210704_032037510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And this is where Jonah fell in love with Emma. Nevermind that we had been with Emma for two solid weeks before this. He finally realized how much he loves her when she held him during fireworks and it was a bond that could not be broken. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2NftJDGdf2_Ugn83htbLuUozZj-kqb26tQq4nMw0cdIOJFkhmMGlUVE8iyDACr1CvAzVk6_uM08XKo2x7H1qBg0ay1LiPtpET2aaIAWhU4IsAAjs_bTmiTrLZsjSxw9Hlq19TnNnUfg/s4032/IMG_5477.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2NftJDGdf2_Ugn83htbLuUozZj-kqb26tQq4nMw0cdIOJFkhmMGlUVE8iyDACr1CvAzVk6_uM08XKo2x7H1qBg0ay1LiPtpET2aaIAWhU4IsAAjs_bTmiTrLZsjSxw9Hlq19TnNnUfg/w640-h480/IMG_5477.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Nhy_fK_ZEpOJV-KjacihONotzMb18ewLS9N9goAicowKjPPUlTq8XQhsM285V61uDBJtf5MTjrQ_2T8wimj5kY_4sZ6AouwMSqex8e491Akx-76Gcr0ypR-ouMomsPvqIB0pGIyuun4/s4032/PXL_20210704_041849906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Nhy_fK_ZEpOJV-KjacihONotzMb18ewLS9N9goAicowKjPPUlTq8XQhsM285V61uDBJtf5MTjrQ_2T8wimj5kY_4sZ6AouwMSqex8e491Akx-76Gcr0ypR-ouMomsPvqIB0pGIyuun4/w480-h640/PXL_20210704_041849906.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jonah and Emma decided they were best friends which made for a very sad and tearful goodbye. Emma cried about Emma the whole way back to Becky's house that night, and then the next day he talked about her for most of the drive home. They decided they would be pen pals and write each other letters to help them stay best friends. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3MtfZAm6pT2ydA2s7wLz3aiRVhSOslMnM2vbLeqRsDXou2riAlCII96H_BNPbnIqcAfJJUH4DdUiI-nAleG0HNL0Xn7QDX-W2JfMsTuyry1vf9FXj9eODs-e14doW2oBUcRgSY-NQ80/s4032/PXL_20210704_050955260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3MtfZAm6pT2ydA2s7wLz3aiRVhSOslMnM2vbLeqRsDXou2riAlCII96H_BNPbnIqcAfJJUH4DdUiI-nAleG0HNL0Xn7QDX-W2JfMsTuyry1vf9FXj9eODs-e14doW2oBUcRgSY-NQ80/w480-h640/PXL_20210704_050955260.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jonah was so excited a few weeks later when he got his first letter from his BFF pen pal. He still loves Emma and talks about her all the time!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVk9yYkFDh6yWHkPCq4ZaLIm93Nog3Jne1dUhGx_2tFmBR1ADsKwlWbsxiBKmvdWqH1TqnChhpnGVfCuygSocLMHHhobEX3ch4X8k6sN52-UtLBkh3MaWGCpmfPodlt7_wJLOpjv4TgY/s4032/PXL_20210804_180020629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVk9yYkFDh6yWHkPCq4ZaLIm93Nog3Jne1dUhGx_2tFmBR1ADsKwlWbsxiBKmvdWqH1TqnChhpnGVfCuygSocLMHHhobEX3ch4X8k6sN52-UtLBkh3MaWGCpmfPodlt7_wJLOpjv4TgY/w480-h640/PXL_20210804_180020629.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfrbMTu1BqJY7AAZd0idiDqc3CFjm5oxg6tuaxZ_4Bu9b2_vGGwq0PMz9UL49rkcF4MhAA76bdqijjMQhi-DK_GlqDUCTf7o-9OipmQrdcx82nocMyFmBzLAM6QkWrb0N4rTChBBBuHY/s4032/PXL_20210804_180356178.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfrbMTu1BqJY7AAZd0idiDqc3CFjm5oxg6tuaxZ_4Bu9b2_vGGwq0PMz9UL49rkcF4MhAA76bdqijjMQhi-DK_GlqDUCTf7o-9OipmQrdcx82nocMyFmBzLAM6QkWrb0N4rTChBBBuHY/w480-h640/PXL_20210804_180356178.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzHKR30dTDjwhVx51vLQfjXkPSbWbwSRvt7mzlz9xJY8kn1zBQA72MPevQR6wx2xlaLLOi-cXFtLWyV92KZz094qHYClwj9apXTS596cc40jl5-cPTewjp2T7We_SO3GyVJZLV9zV2B0/s4032/PXL_20210804_180018360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzHKR30dTDjwhVx51vLQfjXkPSbWbwSRvt7mzlz9xJY8kn1zBQA72MPevQR6wx2xlaLLOi-cXFtLWyV92KZz094qHYClwj9apXTS596cc40jl5-cPTewjp2T7We_SO3GyVJZLV9zV2B0/w480-h640/PXL_20210804_180018360.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Jeff Excellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318742818755581447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-83041723891273588032021-07-27T16:27:00.005-06:002021-07-27T16:36:56.069-06:00The Perfect Escape<p> On Wednesday morning, we had to eat a good breakfast because it was high adventure day! This was the only day the kids would be in their groups from breakfast to dinner. We found out when we got to Aspen Grove that some parents leave on Wednesday to go shopping, go to the temple, or float the Provo River, but we were able to fill our time right there "on campus."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f813UUzloj1J4VIUyV1NtD2g-pj7GrVaoIV8HxCmCa9-FpjeiWaGdyjBOEmzhuYyY0q28uMAyQCSFrQ8Iopo9PoKRA4rQHtgDqKky2EtViqmYlcj5KMj1YV1Z4KBCpffq-2nntavzr0/s4032/PXL_20210623_141315737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f813UUzloj1J4VIUyV1NtD2g-pj7GrVaoIV8HxCmCa9-FpjeiWaGdyjBOEmzhuYyY0q28uMAyQCSFrQ8Iopo9PoKRA4rQHtgDqKky2EtViqmYlcj5KMj1YV1Z4KBCpffq-2nntavzr0/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_141315737.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Eli lived on soda and soda alone the entire week.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIDc9GMfoUtwzriYw08xcyywY6JjDz9FWyMoMBhPd2HJx4B8_O2AnqLuogo3AgUJGuhgSM9hNos3VW-DWP-dHqPJm9YDKg0U-uNDsUURRa1_W3Z1vkDcCIjUyGsDnfjE7HFRZiuWPGTI/s4032/PXL_20210623_141814090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIDc9GMfoUtwzriYw08xcyywY6JjDz9FWyMoMBhPd2HJx4B8_O2AnqLuogo3AgUJGuhgSM9hNos3VW-DWP-dHqPJm9YDKg0U-uNDsUURRa1_W3Z1vkDcCIjUyGsDnfjE7HFRZiuWPGTI/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_141814090.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>We didn't want to run away on Wednesday because there was a hike that morning we were interested in doing. It was beautiful and I had a fun time chatting with everyone while we were trekking along. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZLF5rupn-qCPLAATm7JiZHajUzKnUFQm4Jn_mleJMLc92yeZ9suavTDU1ivT4ILQPou42LWNr0NcaFZT7r0sDrxFQcYN3a6PzQVytp3ZvrPZ9HsAiCDpDv1l_758m7FrkKMhDH9UfjE/s4032/PXL_20210623_160740806.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZLF5rupn-qCPLAATm7JiZHajUzKnUFQm4Jn_mleJMLc92yeZ9suavTDU1ivT4ILQPou42LWNr0NcaFZT7r0sDrxFQcYN3a6PzQVytp3ZvrPZ9HsAiCDpDv1l_758m7FrkKMhDH9UfjE/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_160740806.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The boys paused for an intentionally awkward family photoshoot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgylR77fXeyPpXXUzvTTlF9nXUqPMVxyFy2jCALyEaWasZehRJoTJBFQyaSQBMw9J1pF3ZNep0Hef24GMh-Y0EGyHK3I-qOBTMKhWlnCt58KL9IFnZaT1tn9Iga7ITMca96xd1nCP8FM/s4032/PXL_20210623_162305537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgylR77fXeyPpXXUzvTTlF9nXUqPMVxyFy2jCALyEaWasZehRJoTJBFQyaSQBMw9J1pF3ZNep0Hef24GMh-Y0EGyHK3I-qOBTMKhWlnCt58KL9IFnZaT1tn9Iga7ITMca96xd1nCP8FM/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_162305537.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We made it to the top!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9mSOr9ykX8TiHbFgFlAr4GxE9mlynaT1ha9Kbi6Vaf8woJDqXmz2_coiFPrExUJk9xlrHhmMSUmxU6UQuwUVjZXbvrpYnskry-8jYiBpw-3qDDsalBLsGEW1Qtkv180R3UEmVNyVtZM/s4032/PXL_20210623_163343451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9mSOr9ykX8TiHbFgFlAr4GxE9mlynaT1ha9Kbi6Vaf8woJDqXmz2_coiFPrExUJk9xlrHhmMSUmxU6UQuwUVjZXbvrpYnskry-8jYiBpw-3qDDsalBLsGEW1Qtkv180R3UEmVNyVtZM/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_163343451.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we were shocked to see our kids were right on our tails! I hadn't realized they would be doing the whole hike that day also, and then to see that they did it so fast was quite impressive! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1LyQvOXLDuVUdC-6FG_JSMgxkzHT11XjLVww75sytyyGVj_9iktIoh9wzje1c-aisRMHkR5UHEz-m1sY-F8quj2DezIckh5bHFuQqrmqPsBrYXwNIyahb6HX3tnWs-46FLnJaYDv7yc/s4032/PXL_20210623_164617047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1LyQvOXLDuVUdC-6FG_JSMgxkzHT11XjLVww75sytyyGVj_9iktIoh9wzje1c-aisRMHkR5UHEz-m1sY-F8quj2DezIckh5bHFuQqrmqPsBrYXwNIyahb6HX3tnWs-46FLnJaYDv7yc/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_164617047.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzgVIny2cc-jdzj_YaG6elpUf7aIlqk6CLDUGhrjohOgv8PF6i_YqIFF6GctJ0Hkyt_oPLpRskUW21PoklcL8hqegXksNMVe-jmqh1iBCDtDPwp1Qf-N9MEkz3EMRz2iPgxHVOj0p3bM/s4032/PXL_20210623_171418282.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzgVIny2cc-jdzj_YaG6elpUf7aIlqk6CLDUGhrjohOgv8PF6i_YqIFF6GctJ0Hkyt_oPLpRskUW21PoklcL8hqegXksNMVe-jmqh1iBCDtDPwp1Qf-N9MEkz3EMRz2iPgxHVOj0p3bM/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_171418282.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we got back to camp, we found the Stompers were on a little hike of their own, venturing all the way across camp in a tidy little line. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYqI6KOQwCj-PdF2dPEsvN1hyphenhyphentHwHLkpUelE0aosRJn137_hY5qq3E5YPDA6Lx1fPW2ceEYUwo_8JJ77-GZprl_kytGYX47JJQd-YiIMoNRnYadHTyJgwrEZq50MCLB7SVuG8gMav2ns/s4032/PXL_20210623_175308665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYqI6KOQwCj-PdF2dPEsvN1hyphenhyphentHwHLkpUelE0aosRJn137_hY5qq3E5YPDA6Lx1fPW2ceEYUwo_8JJ77-GZprl_kytGYX47JJQd-YiIMoNRnYadHTyJgwrEZq50MCLB7SVuG8gMav2ns/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_175308665.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went straight from our hike to lunch, to our tennis tournament. Jeff and I went up against a couple close to our same age. They were cute and it was fun to chat with them, play against them, and humbly lose to them. We rushed from that to pottery. Pottery was in an open room sitting over a stream, so you couldn't beat the ambiance! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizB4yaV9YU26YO3JChqNLDTtjciQl9NKF4GOfunVHO7DHIFV0uGtCLQcAI3HwxyTahk1v2EguK3iqG5yShw6MNCsaKuyrOy7yn-n0Q0Dct7LOJPo-M58-C3EUNUhe4XfVH783KJDLzJEM/s4032/PXL_20210623_203916654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizB4yaV9YU26YO3JChqNLDTtjciQl9NKF4GOfunVHO7DHIFV0uGtCLQcAI3HwxyTahk1v2EguK3iqG5yShw6MNCsaKuyrOy7yn-n0Q0Dct7LOJPo-M58-C3EUNUhe4XfVH783KJDLzJEM/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_203916654.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMjk3JiKS2eU6PE-86h143VbYWLM29VBVhGwBmtHTPHIq8KLjjY0KV-AhxaVzFFbDmQSRiLOAEWaQDTK4cySf2QGwYSptPoTQ_TjEBoIoPDkCSwXwEthvFElcvzU7fRLEXtAa0q6hvzM/s4032/PXL_20210623_203939795.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMjk3JiKS2eU6PE-86h143VbYWLM29VBVhGwBmtHTPHIq8KLjjY0KV-AhxaVzFFbDmQSRiLOAEWaQDTK4cySf2QGwYSptPoTQ_TjEBoIoPDkCSwXwEthvFElcvzU7fRLEXtAa0q6hvzM/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_203939795.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Straight from pottery to archery. Wednesday was a busy day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2keMYNtklpoPYnLJtfQAE6I_6e34eM9mTO4Aqq0JW6gOyNaOA_BCS7769g0LGzCPJ_bFSp-_3D8Rdhfdf2OgTD6cVAFfCz1nTxDLBnNy6Z3Soh-e4nnroSxF8F5O5YAfjt9NzakSG_c/s4032/2021-06-23+15.53.38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2keMYNtklpoPYnLJtfQAE6I_6e34eM9mTO4Aqq0JW6gOyNaOA_BCS7769g0LGzCPJ_bFSp-_3D8Rdhfdf2OgTD6cVAFfCz1nTxDLBnNy6Z3Soh-e4nnroSxF8F5O5YAfjt9NzakSG_c/w640-h480/2021-06-23+15.53.38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got a bullseye!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOe3-rT61E7l0YAZSI67T7BsTQkRtZFDy1vM6m9zPd6zBTE61cOtN0TPWrBBvcnqapwpC7XFJsTrtQV3Ya5ZbrD53F_P7-S9g1I7-nwcNYJLCvW6C_TJgoLU1lAIlSJe8NYy7KZXvTi0/s4032/2021-06-23+16.04.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOe3-rT61E7l0YAZSI67T7BsTQkRtZFDy1vM6m9zPd6zBTE61cOtN0TPWrBBvcnqapwpC7XFJsTrtQV3Ya5ZbrD53F_P7-S9g1I7-nwcNYJLCvW6C_TJgoLU1lAIlSJe8NYy7KZXvTi0/w480-h640/2021-06-23+16.04.13.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jacob yelled out, "Hold up how many bullseyes you got." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPMSURySiN2s9QdeZsgy5U4JEm9idcxm6pZ-4EF_RvYsg86dfTAQL47729hi_90kErsESwi6QBWWV2C4S6EK7gkzf7W5PbKjpVVk390jpShBwtvM2o6NLbWVKy1AgcUcBnaOMfG2BbE4/s4032/2021-06-23+15.57.07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPMSURySiN2s9QdeZsgy5U4JEm9idcxm6pZ-4EF_RvYsg86dfTAQL47729hi_90kErsESwi6QBWWV2C4S6EK7gkzf7W5PbKjpVVk390jpShBwtvM2o6NLbWVKy1AgcUcBnaOMfG2BbE4/w640-h480/2021-06-23+15.57.07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right after dinner it was time for the ropes course. I was anxious to get on the ropes course. It seemed super fun and it was an activity I had missed while I was sick Monday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYX3zn5Q1nakK8e88KpI1l8dDq4-npRPHpb0j-HnEdvkhDwOTn9A6oFXTFyLhpezu4COOldSR05dG8IN6MTlyvIoRJ43sCiFKHSGGUqxVYT0HQvSg2yGb4sQo_P6pkpakPg1ojOZGMjI/s4032/2021-06-23+18.48.53.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYX3zn5Q1nakK8e88KpI1l8dDq4-npRPHpb0j-HnEdvkhDwOTn9A6oFXTFyLhpezu4COOldSR05dG8IN6MTlyvIoRJ43sCiFKHSGGUqxVYT0HQvSg2yGb4sQo_P6pkpakPg1ojOZGMjI/w640-h480/2021-06-23+18.48.53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was very excited. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdJzAV3ZOGj6rT0hrPJmnvs8BwAE2oTXeCH58_ZcFHlY_efEpS1YRt29WyDyaNeX4PO3RG5AIxrez8UqP5WYqJUDDW5WCWtafp-9xve7nbwezSid997oXjA9O_mvGtzdSBKaVoUZthCA/s4032/IMG_7677.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdJzAV3ZOGj6rT0hrPJmnvs8BwAE2oTXeCH58_ZcFHlY_efEpS1YRt29WyDyaNeX4PO3RG5AIxrez8UqP5WYqJUDDW5WCWtafp-9xve7nbwezSid997oXjA9O_mvGtzdSBKaVoUZthCA/w480-h640/IMG_7677.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps too excited. I was sure I would love the ropes course but I actually thoroughly did not enjoy the ropes course. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be and my anxiousness to participate in the course quickly turned into anxiousness to be back on steady ground. It was fun to try, but difficult in execution. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtpaJRMGMxAs98l6a8NpAYlniTLCfeiKs64hEDgriKmfvXZ3O3YQ6zFC5M0hZ6CsrhmQ_TIWe82lQAhr475MxeRm8oW31wQpRSKHbCFwNRknxqmQSEmNTmTmGZPr2o351jmPBThw_0Bs/s4032/PXL_20210624_005808229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtpaJRMGMxAs98l6a8NpAYlniTLCfeiKs64hEDgriKmfvXZ3O3YQ6zFC5M0hZ6CsrhmQ_TIWe82lQAhr475MxeRm8oW31wQpRSKHbCFwNRknxqmQSEmNTmTmGZPr2o351jmPBThw_0Bs/w480-h640/PXL_20210624_005808229.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGCgphEmFwbbfZaUG_8pmrDFuvWvXLWwDsNdzy4vpIA9UxuH3fMOu_v3NpdrJqX51yspUeNHBuBjoXfvCFXAfXZZx_lkyGEFvcDXlIBgwzgbKaC63O9VIkLgYJA5aCJRk0Q4rr3sMZn4/s4032/PXL_20210624_005459429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGCgphEmFwbbfZaUG_8pmrDFuvWvXLWwDsNdzy4vpIA9UxuH3fMOu_v3NpdrJqX51yspUeNHBuBjoXfvCFXAfXZZx_lkyGEFvcDXlIBgwzgbKaC63O9VIkLgYJA5aCJRk0Q4rr3sMZn4/w480-h640/PXL_20210624_005459429.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUbiTiJ5a-uYZ1NGlogFqLDF_mTz3ETjRTIdYEd8F01rDnqmEzlreXx4_lDOL3P0zganJGPpM1YPJ0JZBVSXe5eyojR_tZMyXu7ZoKZ4fYTgjfzftVc6YpsSZgZKE5yPlpYfQ8Mn-CZ8/s4032/PXL_20210624_005229955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUbiTiJ5a-uYZ1NGlogFqLDF_mTz3ETjRTIdYEd8F01rDnqmEzlreXx4_lDOL3P0zganJGPpM1YPJ0JZBVSXe5eyojR_tZMyXu7ZoKZ4fYTgjfzftVc6YpsSZgZKE5yPlpYfQ8Mn-CZ8/w640-h480/PXL_20210624_005229955.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to the pool for a nice evening cool down. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K0YDBjaNFZojpvs8tVACSFCxWTYbRUXsZrzCr9UuqPWpfJfnuppOsAYxC4KXJZBGDvkz5tjCsdp_MtZSfF4WeE1bC9WgU6mdxwHEj2NZEDRzFkUmuX1u_N44SZUX8u8vCvFiJQ0uqKE/s4032/2021-06-23+16.51.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K0YDBjaNFZojpvs8tVACSFCxWTYbRUXsZrzCr9UuqPWpfJfnuppOsAYxC4KXJZBGDvkz5tjCsdp_MtZSfF4WeE1bC9WgU6mdxwHEj2NZEDRzFkUmuX1u_N44SZUX8u8vCvFiJQ0uqKE/w480-h640/2021-06-23+16.51.44.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thursday morning started as a bust. It ended up raining, so a lot of the activities were closed. We were scrambling around trying to figure out what to do. Finally, I suggested we try out the escape room I had made for girls' camp. I threw it together right before we left and I wanted people to try it out to see how difficult it would be for the girls to solve at camp. I needed some guinea pigs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NAgaU1LSN56BF2yiIohIzdMR85OdYuXVE3IzuH0vcUtPZtvC4snL2yZwPZh7eygIKYnVbIWbT0B4L9Due0W6YsHBc4W6rnzTMk1DVneNtufkBAG9eRu1urxCBkmR8VtYpJdKN_vY3OY/s4032/PXL_20210624_155928132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NAgaU1LSN56BF2yiIohIzdMR85OdYuXVE3IzuH0vcUtPZtvC4snL2yZwPZh7eygIKYnVbIWbT0B4L9Due0W6YsHBc4W6rnzTMk1DVneNtufkBAG9eRu1urxCBkmR8VtYpJdKN_vY3OY/w640-h480/PXL_20210624_155928132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was super fun for me to watch them try to put all my clues together. I came up with the whole escape room all by myself, so I really had no idea if people would be able to put it all together. It was so satisfying to watch them solve my riddles! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4CHy4uwf9RoQYNE558bZqHXAy6slE76qw6kZm53M7NbderK9ZUUyCkjJhZ3gL4JgfrxEWvaQWcNngJL6X98eEc9sXRF06vSbZNhuiyCdjlLDckJqlnl7YyYiSX7QQqXQCHyKRZdCsj0/s4032/PXL_20210624_160433666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4CHy4uwf9RoQYNE558bZqHXAy6slE76qw6kZm53M7NbderK9ZUUyCkjJhZ3gL4JgfrxEWvaQWcNngJL6X98eEc9sXRF06vSbZNhuiyCdjlLDckJqlnl7YyYiSX7QQqXQCHyKRZdCsj0/w640-h480/PXL_20210624_160433666.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ben is the escape room master, so I especially delighted in watching him work through my clues. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY1Es2qmatUFpymE26GGV9gP5WAd8hZJ2HT5XkgrFix-RvHRzgmeyzlUdmQ8vMNKOaSOIsFYuPuFYsYIv7vIn5IR7Xjknj1D2m0YxsK8ixc69TLKwuJXk4P-Trr4i_qS-kG7gOexEgUM/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY1Es2qmatUFpymE26GGV9gP5WAd8hZJ2HT5XkgrFix-RvHRzgmeyzlUdmQ8vMNKOaSOIsFYuPuFYsYIv7vIn5IR7Xjknj1D2m0YxsK8ixc69TLKwuJXk4P-Trr4i_qS-kG7gOexEgUM/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvudek2Jx_V2kq91o_sCedk_IFCIBzXGh1LNhVKGyWuJNJUuVjMi3ulDS4OptFpKsHjiOBPJzHhHbIGaa5hb4lSOhaavy7SGcHhWjbJVzKthD0Fvc1WiWyh2JMJOVMLR0GLWqlGQdZTs/s4032/PXL_20210624_170458697.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvudek2Jx_V2kq91o_sCedk_IFCIBzXGh1LNhVKGyWuJNJUuVjMi3ulDS4OptFpKsHjiOBPJzHhHbIGaa5hb4lSOhaavy7SGcHhWjbJVzKthD0Fvc1WiWyh2JMJOVMLR0GLWqlGQdZTs/w640-h480/PXL_20210624_170458697.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sun came up just long enough for us to take a few slips down the giant slip-n-slide.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtLLWiXxgRXjhOUod3EXLKgjMn5ipEbV1x2Mr4PzBy89lbBefdFZFoHLQeaFQI0vNr-GE4597uwJ3iRT9TXCq5QCylDyWs3rHxbEGEQ3O8XrEeoOXhizHGldEMQvDbym9wR6Wfl920Vk/s3520/IMG_4714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtLLWiXxgRXjhOUod3EXLKgjMn5ipEbV1x2Mr4PzBy89lbBefdFZFoHLQeaFQI0vNr-GE4597uwJ3iRT9TXCq5QCylDyWs3rHxbEGEQ3O8XrEeoOXhizHGldEMQvDbym9wR6Wfl920Vk/w640-h360/IMG_4714.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The boys got very creative and did all sorts of tricks down the tarp. There were planks, barrel rolls, and a couple flying squirrels. We almost didn't do the slip-n-slide because it was cold and we didn't want to get wet, but we very spontaneously decided to give it a go. We were glad we did because this turned out to be Jeff's favorite activity of the week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEyiDR-w1ymAxVPtC80aMvLozw5vMCh3PWuW0mOrPFFAU4YG46GLpQmPkRS8gJzXUpETR31LEQJrGfU0xLWX8MyRT_G3f581nOf9af8yVdZjBweac51YJrsVzQGa10IkR2xUGcfQma2k/s4032/PXL_20210624_201307630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEyiDR-w1ymAxVPtC80aMvLozw5vMCh3PWuW0mOrPFFAU4YG46GLpQmPkRS8gJzXUpETR31LEQJrGfU0xLWX8MyRT_G3f581nOf9af8yVdZjBweac51YJrsVzQGa10IkR2xUGcfQma2k/w480-h640/PXL_20210624_201307630.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXycj4EbGU9hxuDilD4AAL-2gXszbG_UBo3JIL1U_S7mzCLaigJib2Fizk76I-nnmG1Tit0awA2DMFyxfDjtgwN_0ZdYxy3ubd1Q4XzzuRVusi2w6gqEdTTtdrsdQFMq31SBwfu48dI80/s4032/PXL_20210624_201356879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXycj4EbGU9hxuDilD4AAL-2gXszbG_UBo3JIL1U_S7mzCLaigJib2Fizk76I-nnmG1Tit0awA2DMFyxfDjtgwN_0ZdYxy3ubd1Q4XzzuRVusi2w6gqEdTTtdrsdQFMq31SBwfu48dI80/w640-h480/PXL_20210624_201356879.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklDkaTQRkjT4tHjokScYkIkNoKSCgujTicpCtMq12usgn5JGUjxXvDvXJFXGh1nA1wsQ64RU3nAOO4M7phrBHdWYtLP8HUjZ3xL7N3i82PcWEnjUf68JpOOZhd9YMVc8rzdQAMpMx3I4/s4032/PXL_20210624_201358312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklDkaTQRkjT4tHjokScYkIkNoKSCgujTicpCtMq12usgn5JGUjxXvDvXJFXGh1nA1wsQ64RU3nAOO4M7phrBHdWYtLP8HUjZ3xL7N3i82PcWEnjUf68JpOOZhd9YMVc8rzdQAMpMx3I4/w640-h480/PXL_20210624_201358312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPF8UQzB7cQT5inpWf_HIf3gkMGHeBraMG06ifUHltKzHYW66nKpY6xh3fjDkEL8gVtsn1JvBK4Y73j9QaQWcQNZug6lDZtA1rB_4pwA7kYxxOralMx60u83aYLRwo4rtdR3-K5SUBcI/s4032/PXL_20210624_201358927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPF8UQzB7cQT5inpWf_HIf3gkMGHeBraMG06ifUHltKzHYW66nKpY6xh3fjDkEL8gVtsn1JvBK4Y73j9QaQWcQNZug6lDZtA1rB_4pwA7kYxxOralMx60u83aYLRwo4rtdR3-K5SUBcI/w640-h480/PXL_20210624_201358927.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another highlight of mine was the nonstop wallyball we did at the end of the week. Wallyball was one of the few dry activities in the rain, so we hunkered down in here and spent the night facing off against each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrEFz38ac5vtEH10PMzP1w_2FJ7Dxl0qbeWXfqjuI6eGDVzkEBQiRmx2l6ehe1y8IJ8_yKBg9IaMnw5tesCvkQk789hJcz9KMKfHLo3ttYCYWSY5FjcK2bKY86fQoGQAnzjbZcMh8oYw/s3264/PXL_20210625_035554818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrEFz38ac5vtEH10PMzP1w_2FJ7Dxl0qbeWXfqjuI6eGDVzkEBQiRmx2l6ehe1y8IJ8_yKBg9IaMnw5tesCvkQk789hJcz9KMKfHLo3ttYCYWSY5FjcK2bKY86fQoGQAnzjbZcMh8oYw/w640-h480/PXL_20210625_035554818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday morning was time to go. Jonah said goodbye to his Stompers room one last time. (He was happy to do so. He had a strong start in Stompers but started feeling like the days were a little too long in there by the end of the week.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKWwV4xPLU6yI8hd0vH5PFNYAxFGGwccgmIYvfnabFT4f8rhsrKOlsGvfgaiqjqGASHPHtXCqsjVir3aZoxjUx__278Am2ETlWRaiAAVnaDLCKmU8FPuLeXUKNBbPXuswS_PyjWfK0ho/s4032/PXL_20210625_010139918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKWwV4xPLU6yI8hd0vH5PFNYAxFGGwccgmIYvfnabFT4f8rhsrKOlsGvfgaiqjqGASHPHtXCqsjVir3aZoxjUx__278Am2ETlWRaiAAVnaDLCKmU8FPuLeXUKNBbPXuswS_PyjWfK0ho/w480-h640/PXL_20210625_010139918.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All the other kids loved their groups and the things they did. This is Eli's group (minus Eli. He ran off before they took the picture).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBdWCiHUMzF__hj7omHYx0SHGmdTQ6YU4Zu-HiJiANPYhwlFxVMjzVMcoRBcfS6h_a0k9ToMHyF8Pv-FfG_6rgpYSYs6UJD0YURMOscnayJEeSXWtQslS9wAM1y5d99Edh_TZSexX9ak/s4032/PXL_20210625_021007092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBdWCiHUMzF__hj7omHYx0SHGmdTQ6YU4Zu-HiJiANPYhwlFxVMjzVMcoRBcfS6h_a0k9ToMHyF8Pv-FfG_6rgpYSYs6UJD0YURMOscnayJEeSXWtQslS9wAM1y5d99Edh_TZSexX9ak/w480-h640/PXL_20210625_021007092.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Madison, Claire, and Lincoln had an intense game of house going on every evening on one of the playgrounds. They would play until dark every night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh9a0GVjchGiklUIrYHT3qA1fxrnOjjx6qxkytW_j3o31Kh5IH1farPisn4uefFXjFFJ_PE6l4sLBFhMFtOcnj23W5lTi0I1Qp6Ot_nUjJ3_xb6waR0liD5JtIz0hGgBwL8h3rn-KOHw/s4032/PXL_20210625_025635945.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh9a0GVjchGiklUIrYHT3qA1fxrnOjjx6qxkytW_j3o31Kh5IH1farPisn4uefFXjFFJ_PE6l4sLBFhMFtOcnj23W5lTi0I1Qp6Ot_nUjJ3_xb6waR0liD5JtIz0hGgBwL8h3rn-KOHw/w480-h640/PXL_20210625_025635945.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm3w9CcLTA4qTQf0J7fjMjnDYIOKYgGKt0ynnTV7Fv6SHDvaYNsQnsjiwNil8UTsc3T8_gcW06YaoHDJAoLFZXCH57iv6sYie8l5UublgOuKIeozGRy5R6wGW4pMy1x5gPv4J4Ybzw6M/s4032/PXL_20210625_025732622.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm3w9CcLTA4qTQf0J7fjMjnDYIOKYgGKt0ynnTV7Fv6SHDvaYNsQnsjiwNil8UTsc3T8_gcW06YaoHDJAoLFZXCH57iv6sYie8l5UublgOuKIeozGRy5R6wGW4pMy1x5gPv4J4Ybzw6M/w480-h640/PXL_20210625_025732622.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wtH43ET0X7Qx3KBJ9pFpxnlInpA9AoboSpWnqDzsuexRKuoQH6MbQNyn_fOxvIB92uRyLuyBp5XMvkQdF9qtDDfub8Y2zcl-0ZZmPUi_NMrBWCNru_EF9pSUcgKjS6iSEx3_4G5ldiE/s4032/PXL_20210625_025259325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wtH43ET0X7Qx3KBJ9pFpxnlInpA9AoboSpWnqDzsuexRKuoQH6MbQNyn_fOxvIB92uRyLuyBp5XMvkQdF9qtDDfub8Y2zcl-0ZZmPUi_NMrBWCNru_EF9pSUcgKjS6iSEx3_4G5ldiE/w640-h480/PXL_20210625_025259325.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The old cousin lineup +1. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EM_30ppFsNpcp49LZJ_hlZ8JEU95wTTRrqqfMH_BhwVj8wKP10wZ8y-m4RWvdRXzuP_wioHBdvoKVFD5FnZDWi1GL3Zt2UerDBzgN1JsG1Gil4WlyyxxUQwrTN62XG11jAVjMKfVRsE/s4032/PXL_20210625_154840374.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EM_30ppFsNpcp49LZJ_hlZ8JEU95wTTRrqqfMH_BhwVj8wKP10wZ8y-m4RWvdRXzuP_wioHBdvoKVFD5FnZDWi1GL3Zt2UerDBzgN1JsG1Gil4WlyyxxUQwrTN62XG11jAVjMKfVRsE/w640-h480/PXL_20210625_154840374.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Was Aspen Grove better than Disneyland? Does Disneyland have babysitting? Does Disneyland feed you all your meals? Does Disneyland have outrageous crowds? Is Disneyland in the serene mountains with crisp, cool air, a welcome break for a Vegas family? <div><br /></div><div>This really was my dream vacation. It was perfect. I loved it and I may even be tempted to choose it over Disney as my new favorite family getaway. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1nYMBAG8YlWl0-8lg4QW1AKszB70yIunTKAKmpFi0kBN53HvCxMNi2v8XHqe3MImCtzlDlBBMERqRHkxodfMQPVZ6LvDXgo5tkeKCpQbP7kURR1w7y0X6eSgnS83dUQ1Zz6Iz41EhHQ/s4898/_MG_5777.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1nYMBAG8YlWl0-8lg4QW1AKszB70yIunTKAKmpFi0kBN53HvCxMNi2v8XHqe3MImCtzlDlBBMERqRHkxodfMQPVZ6LvDXgo5tkeKCpQbP7kURR1w7y0X6eSgnS83dUQ1Zz6Iz41EhHQ/w640-h426/_MG_5777.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf5fmYrH877HFxLG-Js0r4GrN3s2sT0F3E1W3kRQng96nAAdYzPJvioc0XAM4G6qthtnOsikz46gHkcTDfubIU2hrMQF0DzgR5VEWfOIZRL1Taznj7qoc3XpviQcgUiOSWs6i_vSxGW8/s4639/_MG_5544-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3093" data-original-width="4639" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf5fmYrH877HFxLG-Js0r4GrN3s2sT0F3E1W3kRQng96nAAdYzPJvioc0XAM4G6qthtnOsikz46gHkcTDfubIU2hrMQF0DzgR5VEWfOIZRL1Taznj7qoc3XpviQcgUiOSWs6i_vSxGW8/w640-h426/_MG_5544-Edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-50677477593407976662021-07-27T15:11:00.006-06:002021-07-27T15:23:55.397-06:00Parent Trap Paradise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was while I was at Aspen Grove, laying in bed after a long night of involuntarily emptying the contents of my stomach that I clicked on an Instagram story of someone I follow who said, "You know what? I would love it if I was at a summer camp like The Parent Trap and I could just stay there for a week or two. That's my dream summer vacation." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I thought, "She's right! That's my dream vacation, too! And that's exactly where it feels like I am!" Though I was strictly confined to my room at the time...but more on that later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It all started innocently enough. With food. A cafeteria full of food. That no one in our family had to prepare. Unless you count mixing your own Lucky Charms and milk as preparing food, because there WAS plenty of that going on. Also plenty of fountain drinks being refilled, even during the breakfast hours. It was a dream come true for everyone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaA_ny5rS-b1lobxJlXOCO5lfLF7L7zy-ybrMOjGi-ZEiLaS8DOwdQl9vbU7z-7rwNAPcC_DNgTKzw22_7KE0WvKHja8dStRSMYcBx_1qIsOIUsWqgmPruD8XOBL5heMhWkIF4uvXkfI/s4032/PXL_20210619_231147046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaA_ny5rS-b1lobxJlXOCO5lfLF7L7zy-ybrMOjGi-ZEiLaS8DOwdQl9vbU7z-7rwNAPcC_DNgTKzw22_7KE0WvKHja8dStRSMYcBx_1qIsOIUsWqgmPruD8XOBL5heMhWkIF4uvXkfI/w640-h480/PXL_20210619_231147046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Jacob had kicked us into planning this trip a year and a half ago, and we've been anxiously awaiting our visit ever since. We weren't sure what the week would bring us, but we were excited to experience a highly anticipated week at Aspen Grove. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IZf9Y0IiwOX46vsdVjIt61JNAEku7XGarAC2JdKRQ5pXbXqVilcGGiICGJ0dy27y4wwaHb4IpiFq3K3r5D63C8zDBpk4HN0b5SnG7uon7a7lbUTVylyVbkzDDvMZCyR3kINms6mMEBc/s3264/PXL_20210620_001816340.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IZf9Y0IiwOX46vsdVjIt61JNAEku7XGarAC2JdKRQ5pXbXqVilcGGiICGJ0dy27y4wwaHb4IpiFq3K3r5D63C8zDBpk4HN0b5SnG7uon7a7lbUTVylyVbkzDDvMZCyR3kINms6mMEBc/w480-h640/PXL_20210620_001816340.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the most appealing parts about spending the week at Aspen Grove was that the kids were all broken up into age groups and got to spend the week doing activities on their level with friends their age...also meaning the parents would get a little alone time to be with people THEIR own age and doing activities on their level. Fun for all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8WfpdCy4TGsQFhk0vZ74eUTzSL9zvpx9m2K0bZfYAy9ml0GU2O7Xh9cTFyxMXY5Oa_SO59O4g_brl464f3l4dTniD92vr8obT57Cl0TaK0RGJl15Hl4hC2jvMYPeaxXe9B8hJAX-OVI/s4032/PXL_20210620_012654700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8WfpdCy4TGsQFhk0vZ74eUTzSL9zvpx9m2K0bZfYAy9ml0GU2O7Xh9cTFyxMXY5Oa_SO59O4g_brl464f3l4dTniD92vr8obT57Cl0TaK0RGJl15Hl4hC2jvMYPeaxXe9B8hJAX-OVI/w480-h640/PXL_20210620_012654700.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBsLjOqr3H_Ephctc9CY8EDg8fW-h9D8jA8sbfoQEzuvHCc4JY2aCDAS2MwX7gY3nfQ5-sUUSJDkpbFCdUpEiRs_d5v1vhKJl3DCunN9YJMs17fKHyyvy9IyyI6N2YTgtWcvgLE6jNmI/s4032/PXL_20210620_012715051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBsLjOqr3H_Ephctc9CY8EDg8fW-h9D8jA8sbfoQEzuvHCc4JY2aCDAS2MwX7gY3nfQ5-sUUSJDkpbFCdUpEiRs_d5v1vhKJl3DCunN9YJMs17fKHyyvy9IyyI6N2YTgtWcvgLE6jNmI/w480-h640/PXL_20210620_012715051.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first night the kids broke out into their ages and met their counselors. They came up with a cheer and performed their cheers. Jonah was SO PUMPED to get on the stage and cheer for us that he began the cheer 2-3 times before the rest of the group was finally ready to join him. He nailed it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUu09Orwy9LYIZd5IX6Fx6OlE1CC9FZYFjzKlsj-OaCbsu32KP7rZVDxP86k-wxj0CjRvxsZU_8qWjKLhAPK7Mez-5ip1qH7WjSb5KxJb6_No2Oy7UQ1mZkqotEYVt8E9N8Ko1CZxBPw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUu09Orwy9LYIZd5IX6Fx6OlE1CC9FZYFjzKlsj-OaCbsu32KP7rZVDxP86k-wxj0CjRvxsZU_8qWjKLhAPK7Mez-5ip1qH7WjSb5KxJb6_No2Oy7UQ1mZkqotEYVt8E9N8Ko1CZxBPw/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They put on some music once the show was over and invited the kids on stage to dance. Jonah eagerly jumped on the stage. I hadn't realized he was such a performer, but he managed to steal the show! The next day, Jonah said to me, "Mom. Did you know I'm the best dancer here?" You may be tempted to say he had gotten a big head from his night on stage, but he was just spitting facts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEp31Yb0NRuE7gcDW_IMMCnKrvDKW4b_ZlvR2YzniGCrOPGYtCYDlbAulUuWLt8TRqF4MLxb6QUMglHRByEMlM_pFaevZnQZVP3Vb59cVsb8zcsHNpPcJEdIaWQg5tQCYnUpCtavevqQ/s3520/IMG_4067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEp31Yb0NRuE7gcDW_IMMCnKrvDKW4b_ZlvR2YzniGCrOPGYtCYDlbAulUuWLt8TRqF4MLxb6QUMglHRByEMlM_pFaevZnQZVP3Vb59cVsb8zcsHNpPcJEdIaWQg5tQCYnUpCtavevqQ/w640-h360/IMG_4067.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The rest of the kids were also super cute in their cheers, and right away it became obvious that the college students assigned to our kids for the week were fun, positive, adorable, and up for the challenge of being our kids' sole source of entertainment. I loved the counselors!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcGFOGrY72IMuwYaz4vNVZCfILTDPoutk6rcr-mPDRYi1kciVysuoY1V0b3nkPa2i5WgVgiaK2d-5g7RvWGmUAQxx2SWySofPuMjxz0rhMA0p5FW0nIkCP5VucS7DsQsHYCoCwGnLseg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcGFOGrY72IMuwYaz4vNVZCfILTDPoutk6rcr-mPDRYi1kciVysuoY1V0b3nkPa2i5WgVgiaK2d-5g7RvWGmUAQxx2SWySofPuMjxz0rhMA0p5FW0nIkCP5VucS7DsQsHYCoCwGnLseg/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYAZE3hUMB37y_ICkgmeZcDNEaml9d6T0SY8YA0qvYLSYUBDDBSuiVk0TjyavmSrcLMuS6rp4fhOhWIgkZKbI8UY_DZW_vR7a50JdHj6CrT3BnKTxaKPaDwR6_GSmAGirjkfGgr8oaUc/s4032/PXL_20210620_013419322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYAZE3hUMB37y_ICkgmeZcDNEaml9d6T0SY8YA0qvYLSYUBDDBSuiVk0TjyavmSrcLMuS6rp4fhOhWIgkZKbI8UY_DZW_vR7a50JdHj6CrT3BnKTxaKPaDwR6_GSmAGirjkfGgr8oaUc/w480-h640/PXL_20210620_013419322.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IfFFwHjJIih0B3LPTwQNDYOCBjFa2mgAMJGNYETaVZdC1X4WASaum6V7kxpnOgkX8MfI8sXXUa9J99SXek0TO7K9JTezm00NEBVAasKlfs8gvc8sC87emcsuiPZuxaW3zYFwE6Nfocw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IfFFwHjJIih0B3LPTwQNDYOCBjFa2mgAMJGNYETaVZdC1X4WASaum6V7kxpnOgkX8MfI8sXXUa9J99SXek0TO7K9JTezm00NEBVAasKlfs8gvc8sC87emcsuiPZuxaW3zYFwE6Nfocw/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8dopazo8on9-xNK6J875hnZolPL4JlD0PJKe9rc61oNti79r9dVOtpSNfebWtSiGKCIJipa90VEKfB9IPZ_ZxBV9QTnDmJCm7OOkSoLbwBPp95kc71WlclkCFKK_dZHOsv_GMBzNf2g/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8dopazo8on9-xNK6J875hnZolPL4JlD0PJKe9rc61oNti79r9dVOtpSNfebWtSiGKCIJipa90VEKfB9IPZ_ZxBV9QTnDmJCm7OOkSoLbwBPp95kc71WlclkCFKK_dZHOsv_GMBzNf2g/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div>We spent the evening playing some games, enjoying the playground just outside our cabin, and settling in. Then the next morning was Sunday and it was time for church! Newland and Carson were adorable waiting for church to begin, singing songs together from the hymn book. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZgrm5N-lRfJjFmWlHtz7aYFNdqevKiI9S3cgthl-97Amwwfv71ij5K3C-KNIKSkpQQC3F3jWZXdCrUzZ8LEDnE7cLrO-1q-1c8ClW7WGv0154HezO6VlMr4NpdAuSDae5AGLpe_zQeo/s4032/2021-06-20+09.51.56.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZgrm5N-lRfJjFmWlHtz7aYFNdqevKiI9S3cgthl-97Amwwfv71ij5K3C-KNIKSkpQQC3F3jWZXdCrUzZ8LEDnE7cLrO-1q-1c8ClW7WGv0154HezO6VlMr4NpdAuSDae5AGLpe_zQeo/w480-h640/2021-06-20+09.51.56.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0j4X6j56g8yPWSN6fEtZoQYamOCTwAK_EEySormtZVFEUjWnvvPojCVgOxzlUQCmo76Ja4U8fVdxEPpCUK8iXXzv-HKc7DKWREukgRD8pNcoUBbfFOQElweI5rl3nCF4RXaHbFAJ17g/s4032/PXL_20210620_155523087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0j4X6j56g8yPWSN6fEtZoQYamOCTwAK_EEySormtZVFEUjWnvvPojCVgOxzlUQCmo76Ja4U8fVdxEPpCUK8iXXzv-HKc7DKWREukgRD8pNcoUBbfFOQElweI5rl3nCF4RXaHbFAJ17g/w640-h480/PXL_20210620_155523087.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My Dad threw out the idea to have every sibling design a t-shirt, so that's how we ended up with five different shirts this year. My Dad put on all the shirts and removed them one by one in the order we would be wearing them for the big reveal. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm0HzNa-3uK9klb8E2yzkbZ_eHYR255rT01Tn44vf4JUrIp6j4zp0KweR-iSs2Zq08gGh43VUWsEBqkTbyw41GcnrFac9Idlq2r58Icf3Zp-ow81-3ZhfegwErkjzsCFahPv6ghPjd_o/s4032/PXL_20210621_001130635.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm0HzNa-3uK9klb8E2yzkbZ_eHYR255rT01Tn44vf4JUrIp6j4zp0KweR-iSs2Zq08gGh43VUWsEBqkTbyw41GcnrFac9Idlq2r58Icf3Zp-ow81-3ZhfegwErkjzsCFahPv6ghPjd_o/w480-h640/PXL_20210621_001130635.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Ben and Haley's/Monday:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMmDIzqjEy72_HzVmtvbMq4SWaV8zSIpuHUG3uIoraHL48lvPefTuk296Y95U29mjvA2qLkFKKVIS6_Pud6Mh3GhPPOSs7VuMhJiTyKegb9yXTBFSTEQnpQJZVGmdXtn6RFiFiP_NMmw/s2048/IMG_6688.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMmDIzqjEy72_HzVmtvbMq4SWaV8zSIpuHUG3uIoraHL48lvPefTuk296Y95U29mjvA2qLkFKKVIS6_Pud6Mh3GhPPOSs7VuMhJiTyKegb9yXTBFSTEQnpQJZVGmdXtn6RFiFiP_NMmw/w480-h640/IMG_6688.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Me and Jeff/Tuesday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xEr-gV6717xvNsQ2mYNClQlEQU2PInUICDU3vAswWuuCF0g_2l41OtsnQn92dZMMKkVKdZWsfLcW7NHpkLWCvzIkjR3OI7aUrkfeo8PSTqQNMmic-qtaKETaoiEuu_NOdEU0P1TyXf0/s2048/IMG_6689.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xEr-gV6717xvNsQ2mYNClQlEQU2PInUICDU3vAswWuuCF0g_2l41OtsnQn92dZMMKkVKdZWsfLcW7NHpkLWCvzIkjR3OI7aUrkfeo8PSTqQNMmic-qtaKETaoiEuu_NOdEU0P1TyXf0/w480-h640/IMG_6689.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div>Jacob and Laurie/Wednesday:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXS6MJc_iydY9oMLW9NDDvCJp27nZyRhUvFixKkRTXCofZZUF5xXFYIbr0hvNN8mWz_wdGcf68QOT6_SfKekKqGJZiii1WYxyj-uMPBXZHurgWhcucIOjDBGvFXcms_I3asrFCgQu3VE/s2048/IMG_6690.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXS6MJc_iydY9oMLW9NDDvCJp27nZyRhUvFixKkRTXCofZZUF5xXFYIbr0hvNN8mWz_wdGcf68QOT6_SfKekKqGJZiii1WYxyj-uMPBXZHurgWhcucIOjDBGvFXcms_I3asrFCgQu3VE/w480-h640/IMG_6690.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Abe and <strike>Newland</strike> Klarissa/Thursday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIDU_iVNITDOwciU9kbRDbCwKwNr2GjppGMy1EMqtdRXijgGXl4bQe3CBRQFFJlqtuC6vG2ADJkQKEvSCZHNLEcnh5JEdqDzfWp6HGJx-8bje3f6ceYeKzKK8m0XMFC9rf4cSZT-6M-8/s2048/IMG_6693.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIDU_iVNITDOwciU9kbRDbCwKwNr2GjppGMy1EMqtdRXijgGXl4bQe3CBRQFFJlqtuC6vG2ADJkQKEvSCZHNLEcnh5JEdqDzfWp6HGJx-8bje3f6ceYeKzKK8m0XMFC9rf4cSZT-6M-8/w480-h640/IMG_6693.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div>Dallas and Becky/Everyday:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_a4nOl-3yvdx3QzgXpJRarjUoHhm_9VXt4cQORNBFjGZHMJ1uxhMDNb4uZQ0x9cSGqG7o99cetU1H8FbJsKXfBevNtSjLaGkcwjmtqaLAMP1MeJo2N3xbQQ4zSUfTVW4wGmwIgeSTPY/s2048/IMG_6687.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_a4nOl-3yvdx3QzgXpJRarjUoHhm_9VXt4cQORNBFjGZHMJ1uxhMDNb4uZQ0x9cSGqG7o99cetU1H8FbJsKXfBevNtSjLaGkcwjmtqaLAMP1MeJo2N3xbQQ4zSUfTVW4wGmwIgeSTPY/w480-h640/IMG_6687.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div>We quickly learned the magic of Aspen Grove is there is ALWAYS something to do. There was nine square, gaga ball, tennis, pickleball, mini-golf, a game cabin, basketball, wallyball, several playgrounds so on and so forth. AND it was a surreal Utopia where kids could freely wander because there weren't tons of people there, and the people who were there were families just like you, so the kids felt confident and safe to manage themselves in their free time. It was dreamy in every way you could imagine. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO0Pe2EbvqsmH-_o3s42fT8su5bDHHLEZNBNkLkckJNbiB6CWJVnsJWg3G6IDwLntzoPvgAlibg8Z2fcsTGsOIeLK1gl6ApaTtwUhLhLLfFMNAPo_MFv4C-EkPc8Hr3quBg7it0j7NFk/s4032/PXL_20210621_002624408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO0Pe2EbvqsmH-_o3s42fT8su5bDHHLEZNBNkLkckJNbiB6CWJVnsJWg3G6IDwLntzoPvgAlibg8Z2fcsTGsOIeLK1gl6ApaTtwUhLhLLfFMNAPo_MFv4C-EkPc8Hr3quBg7it0j7NFk/w640-h480/PXL_20210621_002624408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OMHkz7G1UnJ1IT-kQJWb9LuJXVCWSDe_LT0-XN5pTJzEeDJ7bN5H7ZPtjrpmdT60vYMvLbpgxAyepmn3ts5uWfweqJCv0a_7l5wm4SDfpK7i4rSq9Jx2JF9kj4bwbyA935RUxLwtedo/s4032/PXL_20210621_010022274.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OMHkz7G1UnJ1IT-kQJWb9LuJXVCWSDe_LT0-XN5pTJzEeDJ7bN5H7ZPtjrpmdT60vYMvLbpgxAyepmn3ts5uWfweqJCv0a_7l5wm4SDfpK7i4rSq9Jx2JF9kj4bwbyA935RUxLwtedo/w480-h640/PXL_20210621_010022274.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVvTnw9p_twMp84D8JKzN4BGj5mrYDpJvvNHzO5PKMOPP7-uHBRYJjOP5lsxGJUz9Rh2PDrXVv6tfVkl9mQFmUmbyG6y2VHK9httASwlnXEWflTPJXwrNg2opRT6Kt5FWpgNMmTHCZdc/s4032/PXL_20210621_015018923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVvTnw9p_twMp84D8JKzN4BGj5mrYDpJvvNHzO5PKMOPP7-uHBRYJjOP5lsxGJUz9Rh2PDrXVv6tfVkl9mQFmUmbyG6y2VHK9httASwlnXEWflTPJXwrNg2opRT6Kt5FWpgNMmTHCZdc/w640-h480/PXL_20210621_015018923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It was almost like the only thing that could go wrong at Aspen Grove was if you happened to get sick during your time there. Perhaps if you happened to be puking your guts out from the hours of 3:00 AM - 8:00 AM in a tiny, cramped cabin bathroom in a shared area with 30 other sleeping people.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuvXrULlq_yg4IDeVETO3NqOVsekJo1XFG88rZn0IutoPMZh76qdj0-mWLAUUvg30wXKBc_ry0zWXsJ9ttY2T8xiBdTS-Zs3EHwyYY3o1pnNWhKGieXupebroqob2RwDAKvdOK-XurOI/s3264/original_4fac8dcd-f928-457f-b250-24f0e1284542_PXL_20210621_175938146.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuvXrULlq_yg4IDeVETO3NqOVsekJo1XFG88rZn0IutoPMZh76qdj0-mWLAUUvg30wXKBc_ry0zWXsJ9ttY2T8xiBdTS-Zs3EHwyYY3o1pnNWhKGieXupebroqob2RwDAKvdOK-XurOI/w480-h640/original_4fac8dcd-f928-457f-b250-24f0e1284542_PXL_20210621_175938146.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Worse yet, our cabin didn't have wifi, so I was stuck largely staring at the bees scaling my bedroom window, wondering what fun everybody else was up to. Sadly, I was missing out on a parenting lecture taught by a BYU professor which I would have really enjoyed. Jeff had to spend the day solo, but he dutifully reported back to me on everything I missed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDOHrEeo08Q17xFAq0_OFXEBoqvJ8Y8aN6Eb-3ZJ2x6jWtvTeodCxgyOutaTsEs8MKyo3iEY65ULrufP9kocApoCX5CuO2cvBeBJF9c78-oDet0wy6PiIycp2PnghXwK1Z3vt95eorDg/s4032/2021-06-21+09.32.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDOHrEeo08Q17xFAq0_OFXEBoqvJ8Y8aN6Eb-3ZJ2x6jWtvTeodCxgyOutaTsEs8MKyo3iEY65ULrufP9kocApoCX5CuO2cvBeBJF9c78-oDet0wy6PiIycp2PnghXwK1Z3vt95eorDg/w640-h480/2021-06-21+09.32.44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was feeling a little better by afternoon, so I snuck outside to watch (from a safe distance) the group participate in "The Aspen Follies."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCs78nj4nsBXPE2XzGcmKC8v0XalRo7GBvEsehQk6cOOucOPpNkApfu6iQpeQX17B-0TDFV9eAJJm_u44KRngHjXONdImeNsZLTDQHJrspFaP111wCC_ZtrqKCZVhfehM560YTHjGkks/s4032/PXL_20210621_194112696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCs78nj4nsBXPE2XzGcmKC8v0XalRo7GBvEsehQk6cOOucOPpNkApfu6iQpeQX17B-0TDFV9eAJJm_u44KRngHjXONdImeNsZLTDQHJrspFaP111wCC_ZtrqKCZVhfehM560YTHjGkks/w640-h480/PXL_20210621_194112696.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZykgsOjhEWAgafzEj3bkVmGN1z86lxzLJVcxoun2cRyv8BD9nbtWWyt6pxshEbMCvXkcnBPvuzttiCzvyYP5kmkzdEfR3JmaJXzV_m7wnnTawmdDS-rvrPgDsqWGrdU0IMHmVVEHFzkE/s4032/PXL_20210621_200210617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZykgsOjhEWAgafzEj3bkVmGN1z86lxzLJVcxoun2cRyv8BD9nbtWWyt6pxshEbMCvXkcnBPvuzttiCzvyYP5kmkzdEfR3JmaJXzV_m7wnnTawmdDS-rvrPgDsqWGrdU0IMHmVVEHFzkE/w640-h480/PXL_20210621_200210617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't last too long before needing to go lay down again. I heard the eruptions of excitement outside as all the kids shot off homemade rockets. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EUMpyAV2Pf3tD4HVDnpGGYsZQ2PegxOPUBcQDmyMPZrudNdx2DJsgebpFS_5WfbP6tefeH5d2pmiPCZv1duchGFlUZbH-sKwrJ7iqU0OgchU7PvWKuIghf_c-cYDwlhAXp1vLU04VA0/s4032/2021-06-21+15.51.13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EUMpyAV2Pf3tD4HVDnpGGYsZQ2PegxOPUBcQDmyMPZrudNdx2DJsgebpFS_5WfbP6tefeH5d2pmiPCZv1duchGFlUZbH-sKwrJ7iqU0OgchU7PvWKuIghf_c-cYDwlhAXp1vLU04VA0/w480-h640/2021-06-21+15.51.13.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbJb_gMmTfIgrdlY9reMvl7yPc9zJDw0RpAf40A240nAeLfzPnARnuC98MYUlAwYXsrU4CJPLMAO_vo5PRy_9hmjuygcNKAQz_aPsPf9_H2aG-V_HX-Iu7WIhO56sUGZRNW8RZiGjIAU/s4032/2021-06-21+16.04.42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbJb_gMmTfIgrdlY9reMvl7yPc9zJDw0RpAf40A240nAeLfzPnARnuC98MYUlAwYXsrU4CJPLMAO_vo5PRy_9hmjuygcNKAQz_aPsPf9_H2aG-V_HX-Iu7WIhO56sUGZRNW8RZiGjIAU/w480-h640/2021-06-21+16.04.42.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids took their first dip in the pool that evening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGayJ0EaOMamc-6ynRh-n2YwxOItQqZPspM7hAQ3m6gG4FfmpNdGGinA-AZk-EjF1TLz4Yh4fGI2aOJSQr97GXxc1qmHMzG2bA511iIkvpdiPEm303GR7VLEUX-GUqH-5CW8tGinYu-I/s4032/PXL_20210622_002323034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGayJ0EaOMamc-6ynRh-n2YwxOItQqZPspM7hAQ3m6gG4FfmpNdGGinA-AZk-EjF1TLz4Yh4fGI2aOJSQr97GXxc1qmHMzG2bA511iIkvpdiPEm303GR7VLEUX-GUqH-5CW8tGinYu-I/w640-h480/PXL_20210622_002323034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then it was time for the talent show. My Dad has a little dad joke presentation he would often do when we were kids called "finger acrobatics." He recruited several other family members to join him on stage to back up his act. The audience ate it up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMbdhUrxBDcnqtPscV76g5LeYChL4aJ_OqVsW7YUkpvYr7FpbYpaZF-Y6FVyRrPVYBPReUTQM6pyOiLNvWBs4kMyPLr6NxKxDLtHZILknqCsH_MuUILb8pHFcS4IsWZjBv2RTN7aSi4Y/s3614/IMG_7391.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="3614" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMbdhUrxBDcnqtPscV76g5LeYChL4aJ_OqVsW7YUkpvYr7FpbYpaZF-Y6FVyRrPVYBPReUTQM6pyOiLNvWBs4kMyPLr6NxKxDLtHZILknqCsH_MuUILb8pHFcS4IsWZjBv2RTN7aSi4Y/w640-h480/IMG_7391.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brooke showed an animation video she made which was also a delight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g_r5MoJE-5qWwXklcp3NpohqaF54xQO0IItIfJuNQbzsSXY7m-c0GJ7KdsYZi7bwgUJCMocZfcCEyxCAGfKaTEVr9aEiRo0aoi2R12NKO0fVzkee-WdtVlPwSACFgkm2M6CensBHqz4/s4032/PXL_20210622_012810067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g_r5MoJE-5qWwXklcp3NpohqaF54xQO0IItIfJuNQbzsSXY7m-c0GJ7KdsYZi7bwgUJCMocZfcCEyxCAGfKaTEVr9aEiRo0aoi2R12NKO0fVzkee-WdtVlPwSACFgkm2M6CensBHqz4/w640-h480/PXL_20210622_012810067.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By Tuesday morning I was feeling much better. I had made it through 24 hours without incident, so I was free to rejoin the group. Yay! I came in guns a-blazing, ready to make up for the day I had missed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5WiKvIEQSLw9dh5k4jioC_h6HgTm6it48_8NuQ_234W7CcAYA2USo7cQfjAhFLigh7EULKwphxa1HsWQv6z3heCcCGulIdoksW5cqwAyqR1lO-loD5GMw6wYfL0Er01XaOuJJ8zOIck/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5WiKvIEQSLw9dh5k4jioC_h6HgTm6it48_8NuQ_234W7CcAYA2USo7cQfjAhFLigh7EULKwphxa1HsWQv6z3heCcCGulIdoksW5cqwAyqR1lO-loD5GMw6wYfL0Er01XaOuJJ8zOIck/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First on the docket was laser tag. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4KODrBymYdhK8Ab5oW4qGMfJoZwGF2CkNdV_rRVNQ5ug1kpiCuJFWQC_1J3hv4wpRipPjo5eu2ULAzfncq8MjU42twQpmoUQB-4vo_wD-wV30Z8p9t4d3g3EqecrbaRgVObzQeOqkRk/s4032/IMG_4406.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4KODrBymYdhK8Ab5oW4qGMfJoZwGF2CkNdV_rRVNQ5ug1kpiCuJFWQC_1J3hv4wpRipPjo5eu2ULAzfncq8MjU42twQpmoUQB-4vo_wD-wV30Z8p9t4d3g3EqecrbaRgVObzQeOqkRk/w640-h480/IMG_4406.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We spied these little cuties in their class trying out the climbing wall. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5PKkrOyYWPMOf4Divk2E_EUaZIkT1BLgjgAcCOKnPVRZ9FU4DKf_R-Cl1yZmjYWzdr9FAMvOZ4GYFeQrC6MBmRb4NV4SrjLj9w5_9HOyW_v7BfdqSKyfS_PxLDrnG34V1CdfvtATomI/s4032/2021-06-22+10.10.48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5PKkrOyYWPMOf4Divk2E_EUaZIkT1BLgjgAcCOKnPVRZ9FU4DKf_R-Cl1yZmjYWzdr9FAMvOZ4GYFeQrC6MBmRb4NV4SrjLj9w5_9HOyW_v7BfdqSKyfS_PxLDrnG34V1CdfvtATomI/w480-h640/2021-06-22+10.10.48.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up was the escape room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfyZB5XTcAdqFKFbmYbR5FqHYAe9KFSy7YepPtwzwVHzCB9wg8KdP22L9w-Es3xtqwlfCuWLEvNlO0iJa-jcibjGy5tJBNlvPSgnLsQp5Y-bdU6cYlBA8pk9Ryq73keuihbSFKWgO7uk/s4032/IMG_4427.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfyZB5XTcAdqFKFbmYbR5FqHYAe9KFSy7YepPtwzwVHzCB9wg8KdP22L9w-Es3xtqwlfCuWLEvNlO0iJa-jcibjGy5tJBNlvPSgnLsQp5Y-bdU6cYlBA8pk9Ryq73keuihbSFKWgO7uk/w640-h480/IMG_4427.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>There were two escape rooms, exactly the same, so it quickly became a heated competition to see which team would break free first. My mom was climbing under tables, scaling the walls, and dissecting every trace of evidence we could find in our cabin to come out on top. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ymhuQ-ejcGfmf5yVYs7t68QBv7-blv83hdBxHMYPWa0RnzI2hZHsYS_tH93V2HK5tb8b-JgGtocgGcmK-YLvZZBpmo4Tbncg4FANt96TQzRpqlzg5y255a6QYZSmyGp4bLMXGmdHz0I/s4032/IMG_4417.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ymhuQ-ejcGfmf5yVYs7t68QBv7-blv83hdBxHMYPWa0RnzI2hZHsYS_tH93V2HK5tb8b-JgGtocgGcmK-YLvZZBpmo4Tbncg4FANt96TQzRpqlzg5y255a6QYZSmyGp4bLMXGmdHz0I/w480-h640/IMG_4417.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It paid off! We were victorious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudmi5rG9QgK0bkYld1Rd59aFxvd_sX3WAwxrLI7qbiMeyB_drz69stiGIJNcY7WxIWGp2uj_hT12X8d6TOA1n15qxGGn9qZc7mSQ6cQ6vNHRx8bVXWOr5uWRNlAjurrO39vYga_VQ_Z4/s4032/IMG_7478.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudmi5rG9QgK0bkYld1Rd59aFxvd_sX3WAwxrLI7qbiMeyB_drz69stiGIJNcY7WxIWGp2uj_hT12X8d6TOA1n15qxGGn9qZc7mSQ6cQ6vNHRx8bVXWOr5uWRNlAjurrO39vYga_VQ_Z4/w480-h640/IMG_7478.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mNIxDSvZrSZse-4SnXwfCs6j2lZkX8IfdmRQU3ByEJ8UcR5OAwdvX4G1LMpK_Fqed19LebQLH378RGWO7EnQvcs4nYRjtAfFUU_hbEGleXhBfQBj9Aurfx8Y4OgSknkl0x1MDRf9KEg/s4032/PXL_20210622_214213057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mNIxDSvZrSZse-4SnXwfCs6j2lZkX8IfdmRQU3ByEJ8UcR5OAwdvX4G1LMpK_Fqed19LebQLH378RGWO7EnQvcs4nYRjtAfFUU_hbEGleXhBfQBj9Aurfx8Y4OgSknkl0x1MDRf9KEg/w640-h480/PXL_20210622_214213057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I may have been on the winning team in the escape room, the Thomas Family was never part of the winning team for any of the tournaments we competed in. You could face off against other families in various sports. This was all of our first time playing wallyball, so we maybe should have practiced a little bit before pinning ourselves up against the resident experts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimfvOb6txpOVJmr8tyvKVu9WdJWrf66qV7jS-4qnCvHBCjolVysxbD_nAdRxlB0psaqyPyzONED4KYZ2F-PlXrXZmJHfvWiBGMrAG8d33EcfJlANHJomPtnoTKBXs80OLeqGYMlI2FzU/s3591/IMG_7513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2693" data-original-width="3591" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimfvOb6txpOVJmr8tyvKVu9WdJWrf66qV7jS-4qnCvHBCjolVysxbD_nAdRxlB0psaqyPyzONED4KYZ2F-PlXrXZmJHfvWiBGMrAG8d33EcfJlANHJomPtnoTKBXs80OLeqGYMlI2FzU/w640-h480/IMG_7513.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When I heard the evening's events were titled "Frontier Night," I was unenthused. I once had a negative attitude at a trek my mom made me go to as a teenager that forever tainted my view of the pioneers and all things associated with them. I don't love the leg wrestling. I don't care for the wagon pulling. And I certainly could do without the buffalo chips. I was a very harsh critic going into the evening's events. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EVi84EBrgdKH1fnUS2GEairG1FaROL4TCB8JCPjeqOyC8V_V0Pm3-HFqcB1Xgto5RSgiMgIxpcA6rHy4GZhDPRFDvTHz8wh38TifKM1kkoSLVCA-oNTgQDZRln_RLoVQKXO1qonmxxI/s4032/PXL_20210623_004756012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EVi84EBrgdKH1fnUS2GEairG1FaROL4TCB8JCPjeqOyC8V_V0Pm3-HFqcB1Xgto5RSgiMgIxpcA6rHy4GZhDPRFDvTHz8wh38TifKM1kkoSLVCA-oNTgQDZRln_RLoVQKXO1qonmxxI/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_004756012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>However, they started us off with arguably one of my most favorite things in the entire world -- SNOW CONES! Way to ease me in, staff, but I'm still onto you. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUtTrnnb9MdPX6hXOPBVNp1gsw95m9kFzEiXAUlfyxN8-JsTO1All6qg5FpkLdF1xNPbjvjbZtD16P2QrMFXSmUp3Dg-QrZbxzB8eDPUb7PH5RPEgMOmG8cUQCB0Hhid12aOzRY7oDNw/s4032/PXL_20210623_005319442.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUtTrnnb9MdPX6hXOPBVNp1gsw95m9kFzEiXAUlfyxN8-JsTO1All6qg5FpkLdF1xNPbjvjbZtD16P2QrMFXSmUp3Dg-QrZbxzB8eDPUb7PH5RPEgMOmG8cUQCB0Hhid12aOzRY7oDNw/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_005319442.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>There were some whips. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLZGfeWbrgymsxPYKZf3SxZ-hrrPdyOZuSSMejb4zWXp3J9EEVqWoyrGdMvVl_l5lZyOLhmXU0hd8DOPecDcrWy3XmuVgabTLT2S0ge5b9BOmUN8xwiIIkGb_CtCIgIzi7LqdYqEkjFg/s4032/PXL_20210623_021831275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLZGfeWbrgymsxPYKZf3SxZ-hrrPdyOZuSSMejb4zWXp3J9EEVqWoyrGdMvVl_l5lZyOLhmXU0hd8DOPecDcrWy3XmuVgabTLT2S0ge5b9BOmUN8xwiIIkGb_CtCIgIzi7LqdYqEkjFg/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_021831275.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Some guns.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWd2Hyyd3QPavf1BX6B3Uj5S6n4yYd6Pk2m8Ge6mfsPNJaBDpbobScDpyIlh2FmgqLxWD_3pvnRK9HQPXIEG0daBdrHPm90JxPO_KnKDHRPt-IHr3dR7VXAfqpBDCfLpVrqJOE4GszRI/s4032/PXL_20210623_012344593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWd2Hyyd3QPavf1BX6B3Uj5S6n4yYd6Pk2m8Ge6mfsPNJaBDpbobScDpyIlh2FmgqLxWD_3pvnRK9HQPXIEG0daBdrHPm90JxPO_KnKDHRPt-IHr3dR7VXAfqpBDCfLpVrqJOE4GszRI/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_012344593.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were some axes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHZDYAwQ1lP2ETD5PIZ1qHaRaYSelfzVPRB4aB0rqLqcG6fACwXBp_d6Q9pjeHOitRQPF9Wcidmi-LAcOMyr0fADGsSfntD9DcuS3baB1YXnKEYUfC90cuREAxBGUKXPoE5O4HPZBOq4/s4032/PXL_20210623_011851389.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHZDYAwQ1lP2ETD5PIZ1qHaRaYSelfzVPRB4aB0rqLqcG6fACwXBp_d6Q9pjeHOitRQPF9Wcidmi-LAcOMyr0fADGsSfntD9DcuS3baB1YXnKEYUfC90cuREAxBGUKXPoE5O4HPZBOq4/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_011851389.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little lassoing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDp2gVue0g3Sb80TvPm3NH1GLXPiyUwv2TikgdFCZF_Uxsir9ywrzfsaGEor4qYO9JDICOVWApHWF-ui4z1A-Ei8fjkMKRq1bWz0OvYkktbIWDcAvvzAGSR396fbHx0IM27BFH2vapFA/s4032/PXL_20210623_012859204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDp2gVue0g3Sb80TvPm3NH1GLXPiyUwv2TikgdFCZF_Uxsir9ywrzfsaGEor4qYO9JDICOVWApHWF-ui4z1A-Ei8fjkMKRq1bWz0OvYkktbIWDcAvvzAGSR396fbHx0IM27BFH2vapFA/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_012859204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZXZuhnnwzXaQJIDrlFrDlKvyTJ1X7RcNOR56Cz94d0ACTCgjrJ7f34GwVexkI5sok6utVYMiWLBNNEgICZlpF-utBryTLl0pqEYZBRae4JjQ7ppMjX1JWxqDU8JUPqG7UTmrVN2FkK0/s4032/IMG_4516.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZXZuhnnwzXaQJIDrlFrDlKvyTJ1X7RcNOR56Cz94d0ACTCgjrJ7f34GwVexkI5sok6utVYMiWLBNNEgICZlpF-utBryTLl0pqEYZBRae4JjQ7ppMjX1JWxqDU8JUPqG7UTmrVN2FkK0/w640-h480/IMG_4516.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">A lot of cousins.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEH4wHddPydl1fGGknVPXS8k-IsLs8exkmqd8vxnR_hCfsLDx7jDAmxizAt71SohQl2LHPyB63teQwI6DJwxImpETWMTFA9EqowDxlBPlZ7WBWRZJCSjtWB-1zyZYzni1Xxf-r6GeVy0/s4032/IMG_4525.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEH4wHddPydl1fGGknVPXS8k-IsLs8exkmqd8vxnR_hCfsLDx7jDAmxizAt71SohQl2LHPyB63teQwI6DJwxImpETWMTFA9EqowDxlBPlZ7WBWRZJCSjtWB-1zyZYzni1Xxf-r6GeVy0/w480-h640/IMG_4525.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div>And a nonstop choo-choo-train that brought the whole thing home. Frontier Night ended up being my favorite event of Aspen Grove. I loved it! It felt like a super fun little carnival all for us that wasn't overly crowded, all the employees were awesome, and the activities entertaining. Well done, AG! I tip my cowboy hat to you. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqhQjk8S5QfMdo3IFkYoQSHPhmK_evLe1obNwxFfJhORz-0Gma-wHITxGo7PuJLM_nm7gal4LkqeuiEoleM_cSbdOylHibnU0z-uLhtl5RtuUSCtolPA0iknFDVx08gF3ksHbvOUZq2E/s4032/PXL_20210623_005731676.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqhQjk8S5QfMdo3IFkYoQSHPhmK_evLe1obNwxFfJhORz-0Gma-wHITxGo7PuJLM_nm7gal4LkqeuiEoleM_cSbdOylHibnU0z-uLhtl5RtuUSCtolPA0iknFDVx08gF3ksHbvOUZq2E/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_005731676.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWWrU_xQCe4k1zPQXt-NvuATMKmInkPLm8nq2o4Gklk7ga92YWkuDFHl35oxnoi44tpXPiiIZbKkpiO6nJg5BpUHPubDOtfiVYgaprPPuNREMUpDiVZYbaVpERr6No5pWLtEkH9MtMb8/s4032/PXL_20210623_011237114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWWrU_xQCe4k1zPQXt-NvuATMKmInkPLm8nq2o4Gklk7ga92YWkuDFHl35oxnoi44tpXPiiIZbKkpiO6nJg5BpUHPubDOtfiVYgaprPPuNREMUpDiVZYbaVpERr6No5pWLtEkH9MtMb8/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_011237114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW-N6LP-lfn__Mu3R7kuyWmMmRm6pcFzHUE_7v9GTO8bqM-tusN2L_vt3jrTx_RTirL0SERb_NDh8EiIGg3IsZKizo3xwHFfaelPsYt6RwzYJzwcyYVUoKxve9PwlPcRZeTuWAbRVezo/s4032/IMG_4506.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW-N6LP-lfn__Mu3R7kuyWmMmRm6pcFzHUE_7v9GTO8bqM-tusN2L_vt3jrTx_RTirL0SERb_NDh8EiIGg3IsZKizo3xwHFfaelPsYt6RwzYJzwcyYVUoKxve9PwlPcRZeTuWAbRVezo/w480-h640/IMG_4506.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div></div><div>Jonah won most rides on the train...by a long shot. It was the only thing he did and the counselors were so cute to make it special, fun, and welcoming for him every single time. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclZ0SHGwQrNHjE6LN75yYf_VLEiaZM-KaoksL89up6V91grRyctxa3ScxeLTWIiSaFjgH6-_6UlrbfKw9PvmTxlD2iT2bGPFWuDbRz_gk_WurtU9v8abCa73JaF-rP7dwou_ywQIZMwI/s4032/PXL_20210623_010035324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclZ0SHGwQrNHjE6LN75yYf_VLEiaZM-KaoksL89up6V91grRyctxa3ScxeLTWIiSaFjgH6-_6UlrbfKw9PvmTxlD2iT2bGPFWuDbRz_gk_WurtU9v8abCa73JaF-rP7dwou_ywQIZMwI/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_010035324.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite part was when the train drove past a counselor who was pretending to be a bank robber. Every time Jonah would put his hands up, freeze, and make this face until we were safely past the ruffian. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbFk0ARi9QLzqb9wSjyz0s6DZPQpI-wsxuM1R4xM5YFJhr6qylA-IFdXV5iRzQ_piEva_lIgqZ-ZUNtQRExuw8ELPbfOxNwKmilh8qvJ_FjI9e4rxy9jv05kvOAU4Ld0mxizKoQh9MBU/s4032/PXL_20210623_015438596.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbFk0ARi9QLzqb9wSjyz0s6DZPQpI-wsxuM1R4xM5YFJhr6qylA-IFdXV5iRzQ_piEva_lIgqZ-ZUNtQRExuw8ELPbfOxNwKmilh8qvJ_FjI9e4rxy9jv05kvOAU4Ld0mxizKoQh9MBU/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_015438596.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcCteg8l5HePQQ4A0MivAzf5XCbOhVllPjgG7dRyRgUZU3XHxplyoBi7DHFc6310GP_sTagN3ZTVUlNShlxkPd6dDO-3JUBUVakz7m5BR4j046VlT3zUY0ePv0NYfHBMmnIU6kzHW3Ao/s3264/PXL_20210623_013848109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcCteg8l5HePQQ4A0MivAzf5XCbOhVllPjgG7dRyRgUZU3XHxplyoBi7DHFc6310GP_sTagN3ZTVUlNShlxkPd6dDO-3JUBUVakz7m5BR4j046VlT3zUY0ePv0NYfHBMmnIU6kzHW3Ao/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_013848109.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The babies were on a nonstop train ride as well, with Grandma and Grandpa as their trusty conductors. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVF-mpzckUAWksyP7XejK1dZWGBPDZgbcLnpt_1nOm4INCONVVJxCcd0s4W6sGCR5F_qvcbn3E9lOMhPMo7tWgkApZzm_GnIXa8ubxxD6VSazc0AyQTWRL4fd9_sDNVOE_2CgNPNfvNTc/s4032/PXL_20210623_013116405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVF-mpzckUAWksyP7XejK1dZWGBPDZgbcLnpt_1nOm4INCONVVJxCcd0s4W6sGCR5F_qvcbn3E9lOMhPMo7tWgkApZzm_GnIXa8ubxxD6VSazc0AyQTWRL4fd9_sDNVOE_2CgNPNfvNTc/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_013116405.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Just when I thought the evening couldn't get any better, it was topped off with two little dudes in full character. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherkLY9S4IyPkTc8-dTHlB-D8OgMMCgVWMmAjCx3TTqMm9kiDoNUbWf5w0xbEHT4cBmG23_QeI2fKRyp7_mWu3IpJ-1V7TAckv83nslvCZy01h-07AxLMjxSavRkAPmNl-ZXGcmziBE2Q/s4032/PXL_20210623_020209539.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherkLY9S4IyPkTc8-dTHlB-D8OgMMCgVWMmAjCx3TTqMm9kiDoNUbWf5w0xbEHT4cBmG23_QeI2fKRyp7_mWu3IpJ-1V7TAckv83nslvCZy01h-07AxLMjxSavRkAPmNl-ZXGcmziBE2Q/w480-h640/PXL_20210623_020209539.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Every night ended in Becky giving us our full schedule for the next day...just so we could ask her all through the next day what we were doing and when. Ha! It was fun to sort through our activities every night and get excited for another day of adventure!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhYM6s2VN_cNZ1UCAlWGhzp0tINu-rEv7tpdsKXR6haZ4JUTH3rJiKI0KatcH5tkyBtT7dqCqjavNbOPZOe5R770ckizvnYjYRJi8D5gdUzYVVRVu5sap35u-uGwnLnLieESSx_ZIB8A/s4032/PXL_20210623_024918038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhYM6s2VN_cNZ1UCAlWGhzp0tINu-rEv7tpdsKXR6haZ4JUTH3rJiKI0KatcH5tkyBtT7dqCqjavNbOPZOe5R770ckizvnYjYRJi8D5gdUzYVVRVu5sap35u-uGwnLnLieESSx_ZIB8A/w640-h480/PXL_20210623_024918038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-29216916817874192042021-07-14T16:43:00.005-06:002021-07-14T16:43:47.219-06:00Summer Kickoff<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before summer could start, we had two graduations to get through.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyT6AmZ0FZqyp9_TMUDDUpDlOcbnz5nCTVg28EuFpFfhQWs5zWwQ7bS_GINzZV0DletQfG_dlw-ykmZuLAi5ePNMSq1dTNGivU3dgeWOkDY73-Nx0_fm4zU_vtvWY2hzSrcXmltvBv-o/s4032/PXL_20210527_161953201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyT6AmZ0FZqyp9_TMUDDUpDlOcbnz5nCTVg28EuFpFfhQWs5zWwQ7bS_GINzZV0DletQfG_dlw-ykmZuLAi5ePNMSq1dTNGivU3dgeWOkDY73-Nx0_fm4zU_vtvWY2hzSrcXmltvBv-o/w480-h640/PXL_20210527_161953201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Lincoln graduated kindergarten and Eli graduated elementary school!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVtP8oQ_u78JRUWCObVBARwdx5FmpNgU_KetvN9Tx6LgMYyM-7QiKQpGHRF7PpAvnewRKmTHwOZGMfc6Kl6Neqsi7QYvve0KM02F9ngEP8xgUgb8Bnmf-U0ab3ZHFofND7Dh1O5QCkOc/s4032/PXL_20210528_163224513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVtP8oQ_u78JRUWCObVBARwdx5FmpNgU_KetvN9Tx6LgMYyM-7QiKQpGHRF7PpAvnewRKmTHwOZGMfc6Kl6Neqsi7QYvve0KM02F9ngEP8xgUgb8Bnmf-U0ab3ZHFofND7Dh1O5QCkOc/w480-h640/PXL_20210528_163224513.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Within the first hour of their first day of summer the boys were all running around the house doing every activity they could ever dream of all at once. They ripped out the entire arts and crafts cabinet all before 10:00 AM. By 11:00, Carson was already asking when Dad would be home because we did a full day's activities in two hours, it already felt like the end of the day. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc4dfWdPZCu5jNfHgy3s4OU3aT-HvZoiHxAYylY2-mDkBgW7gQTGS_OrgzGMV4mxsXT6radSEnBsPBn9pWHsdL4_eXW91NRQOUczfTCItFIhH0Gid3SGiAqNrWFFrThKZoXa0xhftK9Y/s4032/PXL_20210528_173548364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc4dfWdPZCu5jNfHgy3s4OU3aT-HvZoiHxAYylY2-mDkBgW7gQTGS_OrgzGMV4mxsXT6radSEnBsPBn9pWHsdL4_eXW91NRQOUczfTCItFIhH0Gid3SGiAqNrWFFrThKZoXa0xhftK9Y/w640-h480/PXL_20210528_173548364.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC3oFyo6ylQQ-IVNX9XUK1eufeoZYKPWqqqlzxuw5eQZDxEBvXTcEF4M5qFsme13LI0_fDqRqWva5mfzcOEbkiEuaIjlOx7Xdcp8cxpw2cUW-4kaVVVuUBVgtlyZZ7bHi8O4QWUX_Gmw/s4032/PXL_20210528_174254749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC3oFyo6ylQQ-IVNX9XUK1eufeoZYKPWqqqlzxuw5eQZDxEBvXTcEF4M5qFsme13LI0_fDqRqWva5mfzcOEbkiEuaIjlOx7Xdcp8cxpw2cUW-4kaVVVuUBVgtlyZZ7bHi8O4QWUX_Gmw/w640-h480/PXL_20210528_174254749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We spent our second summer day cooling off at the community pool. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpwjIta56aimfq9EazYxIsZgC1pyd3CeXdilMV1XIpGdNksKeT5wA7VAv4ZbbPrDFpgO9KTP_SMJyDakr20jTjfY5XPJ94Mrr9g9d2ty_TaW1yZ94eJdabVZnDdLUPiKqAvZsOGtYGgQ/s4032/PXL_20210529_190212449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpwjIta56aimfq9EazYxIsZgC1pyd3CeXdilMV1XIpGdNksKeT5wA7VAv4ZbbPrDFpgO9KTP_SMJyDakr20jTjfY5XPJ94Mrr9g9d2ty_TaW1yZ94eJdabVZnDdLUPiKqAvZsOGtYGgQ/w640-h480/PXL_20210529_190212449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We missed this place!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnc2-nJFjWurIg1AT3s0pW8G1u9eCY825JyFkgUXs2SJforP9cvYVs3X58yFqfaeEZFWZvV2EoIJWDO84c6spAqXnjQ4fwIs7lUSiVSjtIu3OV4yuuGiorSOdTZM2JhRewyyVky3JDp1Q/s4032/PXL_20210529_190631872.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnc2-nJFjWurIg1AT3s0pW8G1u9eCY825JyFkgUXs2SJforP9cvYVs3X58yFqfaeEZFWZvV2EoIJWDO84c6spAqXnjQ4fwIs7lUSiVSjtIu3OV4yuuGiorSOdTZM2JhRewyyVky3JDp1Q/w480-h640/PXL_20210529_190631872.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjXnEkLWmuZS8tArB8BC-5ykm-fP6Sa6rbfTtcXwkiX5w3czBTna8uxSisl3XUXpAeXQ40_Of3ogfcUOla0bSIY2_gIAqKEPiXGxjKxtpxsiCEoGAHh5LGv0JC-w62ZDRtK21QSGRp6w/s4032/PXL_20210529_190635051.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjXnEkLWmuZS8tArB8BC-5ykm-fP6Sa6rbfTtcXwkiX5w3czBTna8uxSisl3XUXpAeXQ40_Of3ogfcUOla0bSIY2_gIAqKEPiXGxjKxtpxsiCEoGAHh5LGv0JC-w62ZDRtK21QSGRp6w/w480-h640/PXL_20210529_190635051.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEtf3W5BeEtUe26KX13LqrgwNcjf16EPI-CuVWgZ-Fc3fOXsU2Ha2iw5xjvwPwM4sDdKmKJW9Xh5HVRQsEmNNONBfhFiBbEKtUMWmV1qQqJuuRovFPw22W5reDec6MEUDjTLuWtHr190/s4032/PXL_20210529_190616245.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEtf3W5BeEtUe26KX13LqrgwNcjf16EPI-CuVWgZ-Fc3fOXsU2Ha2iw5xjvwPwM4sDdKmKJW9Xh5HVRQsEmNNONBfhFiBbEKtUMWmV1qQqJuuRovFPw22W5reDec6MEUDjTLuWtHr190/w480-h640/PXL_20210529_190616245.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Then we made a summer bucket list so the boys could have a visual of all the fun things we would do this summer (and hopefully stretch it over the summer and not try to cram it all into one day like they tried doing day one).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsNxvUNVeaTetJIm_7fuTPdxzPb35z-vEjQ9ww-V4yGj4-K4w6wVmxWiNEDDkcvZQNCyXvFObIo-LQQcx8aDdEWFuuzU73w97aRvH3SoqlIu1fE7lYFQJLNePtD4ezWA5hp3uKg5MeQ0/s4032/PXL_20210531_143600587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsNxvUNVeaTetJIm_7fuTPdxzPb35z-vEjQ9ww-V4yGj4-K4w6wVmxWiNEDDkcvZQNCyXvFObIo-LQQcx8aDdEWFuuzU73w97aRvH3SoqlIu1fE7lYFQJLNePtD4ezWA5hp3uKg5MeQ0/w640-h480/PXL_20210531_143600587.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I had a Groupon for Egg Works that was about to expire, so that was our first check on the bucket list. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvVtQ-39ysnRBGjK1K91-q79XsIHSMRXsyA3_SInB2reDGb3tB5be2Znsv_qBvmb1Jo5d-SUeRIZ0tW8saXkojfGXCd_0Juo1XLzGNIgFtz5ZDfDH3wX5IPVCT3qXiebOYyE78RsbACg/s4032/PXL_20210531_175954634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvVtQ-39ysnRBGjK1K91-q79XsIHSMRXsyA3_SInB2reDGb3tB5be2Znsv_qBvmb1Jo5d-SUeRIZ0tW8saXkojfGXCd_0Juo1XLzGNIgFtz5ZDfDH3wX5IPVCT3qXiebOYyE78RsbACg/w640-h480/PXL_20210531_175954634.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And then it was Eli's birthday!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1g_mXoWLN7grBKENg9o2eOg4WXMkCPvx1yXlca8j5O8grQB_OvuymnDFY1m0UAB9YqoL45zKk63kNWWs6r2VywMfoRv7iYulT1Dep1l5TZ9qOZWUz1LljrP3L9iG9DqmHG9FkTedius/s4032/PXL_20210604_140441962.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1g_mXoWLN7grBKENg9o2eOg4WXMkCPvx1yXlca8j5O8grQB_OvuymnDFY1m0UAB9YqoL45zKk63kNWWs6r2VywMfoRv7iYulT1Dep1l5TZ9qOZWUz1LljrP3L9iG9DqmHG9FkTedius/w480-h640/PXL_20210604_140441962.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>He got a scooter, flipside, Geckobot, an RC car, and approximately one million books. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4w7kFyOrFV-tuUiGn-hSdes3ssAoAM79BB4jbJ2-8_3iwvHARJbjOJbEHpw2mAr9qfz8HSCrcs_0Wz5nfP8d0f7Ef22ewOvVHwEP9DeP6tdsFQVxQ596llzMbqaD143Emh-8InegORM/s4032/PXL_20210604_142443530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4w7kFyOrFV-tuUiGn-hSdes3ssAoAM79BB4jbJ2-8_3iwvHARJbjOJbEHpw2mAr9qfz8HSCrcs_0Wz5nfP8d0f7Ef22ewOvVHwEP9DeP6tdsFQVxQ596llzMbqaD143Emh-8InegORM/w640-h480/PXL_20210604_142443530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The favorite by far was the RC car. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZ3FhMNYfGBao89C0s7JYyK1anTpwS2d8iimAyEMLaUadzwGakmKuh9VAX5pUz4PQYUTJDrxmhImAArYA8YyBGL0ujoLzII49tsx1gf33pfzE1VkmQqWvHrKPb4L0AsNdvZKWj2s8VZU/s4032/PXL_20210604_144401452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZ3FhMNYfGBao89C0s7JYyK1anTpwS2d8iimAyEMLaUadzwGakmKuh9VAX5pUz4PQYUTJDrxmhImAArYA8YyBGL0ujoLzII49tsx1gf33pfzE1VkmQqWvHrKPb4L0AsNdvZKWj2s8VZU/w480-h640/PXL_20210604_144401452.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We got a family pass to the children's museum from our library just in time to make that our activity for Eli's birthday. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPMLVRASqAiGCPawrOZ7Z37_vOKYjKL3RbsUytxw56XtN4XgvsZ-EBhjvQhhOut4qypzMGZHxEQ7Mw4KT1y8aYrudFwPYjEAHL7xaDyWZO0Lx0x6-GKY7AOfVvA8TvKZQnXAx9EWOoBw/s4032/PXL_20210604_185342867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPMLVRASqAiGCPawrOZ7Z37_vOKYjKL3RbsUytxw56XtN4XgvsZ-EBhjvQhhOut4qypzMGZHxEQ7Mw4KT1y8aYrudFwPYjEAHL7xaDyWZO0Lx0x6-GKY7AOfVvA8TvKZQnXAx9EWOoBw/w480-h640/PXL_20210604_185342867.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7rzh7KgDQKVd-fliXWiEj8cDPBHvf9wJe5Fa9FJEZ36hjaOzlBPVFZCiSV4xV3PfboekGK02qysprWEjYv4z9yCaPsbL463JyZeqqR_wcQxdJGbol5CmgTbNXG9Gr2OpG2d-D0fRb_s/s4032/PXL_20210604_185355882.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7rzh7KgDQKVd-fliXWiEj8cDPBHvf9wJe5Fa9FJEZ36hjaOzlBPVFZCiSV4xV3PfboekGK02qysprWEjYv4z9yCaPsbL463JyZeqqR_wcQxdJGbol5CmgTbNXG9Gr2OpG2d-D0fRb_s/w480-h640/PXL_20210604_185355882.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7yBo9AeO-kChM8PzV3WBZkbbtZ2gLNLUbLBsW9vQIkGFuHM_6a7legoUxRgt1lfRNqw-HUe_fS7MDf5AS0D3kossic8iHyLvuBvchJ9OEzULIugwfV9yjzN0CXkcJuRkbwvr1ZLiucY/s4032/PXL_20210604_194301538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7yBo9AeO-kChM8PzV3WBZkbbtZ2gLNLUbLBsW9vQIkGFuHM_6a7legoUxRgt1lfRNqw-HUe_fS7MDf5AS0D3kossic8iHyLvuBvchJ9OEzULIugwfV9yjzN0CXkcJuRkbwvr1ZLiucY/w480-h640/PXL_20210604_194301538.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqeDDlZOUzlYPODSEJ2taTlz3gTSKS8qxqr1w6OEVBEaGn2oTjuVyexU-P6Yvec81cAcO3EOWXYrsH6YdehnJeOHurcSqcMVbpjsHf2NdX0PaQHwIkkV-s0Jx857qOQ3QGiNQTdtjfBM/s4032/PXL_20210604_194315803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqeDDlZOUzlYPODSEJ2taTlz3gTSKS8qxqr1w6OEVBEaGn2oTjuVyexU-P6Yvec81cAcO3EOWXYrsH6YdehnJeOHurcSqcMVbpjsHf2NdX0PaQHwIkkV-s0Jx857qOQ3QGiNQTdtjfBM/w480-h640/PXL_20210604_194315803.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrNsogvK_MTUibeH5jcjr1DB2DVJ-8V1hvIxfxlZ2bHNXDky71oD9QTQTKGsz_UguS4sI7AI0PYrFulcaaNXqSeanp-2smbhjuHnXlwugKLUF4ynUcRKgmagIJ_gzca-_yQEnEXjR1Dw/s4032/PXL_20210604_213606434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrNsogvK_MTUibeH5jcjr1DB2DVJ-8V1hvIxfxlZ2bHNXDky71oD9QTQTKGsz_UguS4sI7AI0PYrFulcaaNXqSeanp-2smbhjuHnXlwugKLUF4ynUcRKgmagIJ_gzca-_yQEnEXjR1Dw/w480-h640/PXL_20210604_213606434.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Then we hit the park in the afternoon so Eli could race his RC car on some open terrain. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKAX50i2Z56OWvPuoC5sdboCTtVaCYeIE9qwIbo6ZVlfZ-2iiDxYCeNxjhX5qMePqUmdJ7EGY-Bnf686lphJoYUqugOuDeKHNGjIBtAkrkt0Dw07f9hYlnaQKu8sa-vMpIZhdC_B7pJo/s4032/PXL_20210605_022449105.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKAX50i2Z56OWvPuoC5sdboCTtVaCYeIE9qwIbo6ZVlfZ-2iiDxYCeNxjhX5qMePqUmdJ7EGY-Bnf686lphJoYUqugOuDeKHNGjIBtAkrkt0Dw07f9hYlnaQKu8sa-vMpIZhdC_B7pJo/w480-h640/PXL_20210605_022449105.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Back home for confetti and Oreo Cream Pie. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSfQ26kM0FqSZJvU38nj_8CPur6IjkdxLpyHI0oLeQ44HRhnmJbpnZdK19nFufb0LuPV_fIyGmscbaCFaVUAX6hrdp1ScsIZA9o7vQOPFf8o_nNUUHpB2-JZfgck2K2SeekvWnkFI5I4/s4032/PXL_20210605_030045131.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSfQ26kM0FqSZJvU38nj_8CPur6IjkdxLpyHI0oLeQ44HRhnmJbpnZdK19nFufb0LuPV_fIyGmscbaCFaVUAX6hrdp1ScsIZA9o7vQOPFf8o_nNUUHpB2-JZfgck2K2SeekvWnkFI5I4/w480-h640/PXL_20210605_030045131.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGuYgKwohcdD0UPP8l35iRV3izbTL2igY8edbQ_8WfezLkz7EED3NT0ZS6vkaxUhrP2hYBe-2MKBXVsYJlak6EaUsmp3Mv7UwDCrk-iy6u03rXeNxdrUW5g1wmxbglQtPZ_VW30YYQYY/s4032/PXL_20210605_030004243.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGuYgKwohcdD0UPP8l35iRV3izbTL2igY8edbQ_8WfezLkz7EED3NT0ZS6vkaxUhrP2hYBe-2MKBXVsYJlak6EaUsmp3Mv7UwDCrk-iy6u03rXeNxdrUW5g1wmxbglQtPZ_VW30YYQYY/w480-h640/PXL_20210605_030004243.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Happy Birthday to Eli! He has matured a million points in the last year. He has a hilarious sense of humor, he has learned how to poke fun at himself and not take things so seriously. He is so helpful. Whenever he sees someone in need, he jumps up to lend a helping hand. He's become super cooperative and is always seeking to be a peacemaker in our home. He loves reading and will stay up way past my bedtime every night with his nose in a book. He loves robots, coding, electronics, and anything that encourages him to solve a problem. This year he became super self-motivated in school and worked on getting his grades better and better with each semester. Eli is a joy and it's been fun to see him grow into a respectable and responsible little gentleman. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMuiO-lhfo9-LSWIG-EL8saDEHOomvnrVHHLaNidXyoVBMFcwdrWC7B240k7F6W6L1fvFd7XFd9HpbMACJiaWt7ridD4hKCCIj8E-qNjnwdU4WvJsqYh88AYmp3Pg6OQoaNHMI4SPcRY/s4032/PXL_20210605_025954199.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMuiO-lhfo9-LSWIG-EL8saDEHOomvnrVHHLaNidXyoVBMFcwdrWC7B240k7F6W6L1fvFd7XFd9HpbMACJiaWt7ridD4hKCCIj8E-qNjnwdU4WvJsqYh88AYmp3Pg6OQoaNHMI4SPcRY/w480-h640/PXL_20210605_025954199.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Here's another blooming respectable and responsible gentleman. Anything waste management-related, and this dude is on the job. He was happy to be our garbage man when it was our turn to help clean the church on weekend. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M0cGSoSd1jCymdp_jtrSAdegiX4iCo6axb1DrOoahZ4jyGnmB4G28OKGnn-AaaEHXcBYuiUvVMcFKtASSg4WtoJqfFqexwDfvtlA4xQ8_m0axukYfwIxlcic5yM8Z2TeHpa1ehmjEXg/s4032/PXL_20210605_161551891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M0cGSoSd1jCymdp_jtrSAdegiX4iCo6axb1DrOoahZ4jyGnmB4G28OKGnn-AaaEHXcBYuiUvVMcFKtASSg4WtoJqfFqexwDfvtlA4xQ8_m0axukYfwIxlcic5yM8Z2TeHpa1ehmjEXg/w480-h640/PXL_20210605_161551891.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And then I did a thing that pre-covid Sarah maybe wouldn't have done, but after distance-learning my kids for a year and a half, I felt I deserved some kind of a reward. One of my friends told me they put their son in a week-long summer camp put on by the local rec center. She said it was like 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM, Monday through Friday, for $100 per child.<p></p><p>I was like...Yeah. That sounds good. I haven't been apart from any of my children for longer than two hours for over a year. It was time to have a little time...to myself. Also I had girls' camp and family reunions coming up to prepare for, and a house that has been VERY lived in that could use a good scrub down and fresh coat of paint, so I signed the kids up. All of them. </p><p>After signing up the kids, I went to double-check the time of the camp and discovered that the camp was actually open from 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM every day. Eleven. Hours. Of. My. Kids. Being. Under. Someone. Else's. Care.</p><p>Long story short, using Eli's words, "SUMMER CAMP IS JUST CHEAP BABYSITTING!" After experiencing "summer camp," it quickly became clear that this was an inexpensive daycare option for working parents more so than an actual summer camp. The kids were not superfans, but they did endure so mama could get a few moments of peace and quiet, particularly this moment of peace and quiet when I went on a hike by myself...just because I could. </p><p>I ended up taking the kids in around 9-10 each day and picking them up around 2-3, so basically they were there a regular school day amount. Which, to remind you, my kids have not had a regular school day amount away from me since Early March 2019, so just a little breathing room was nice and a good recharge heading into summer. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TwNLCYXAXdu2gVR64HwKIvffq3AW0WL5_AFzvanGN3FX5onm08cwFzDoFYIofMLuCLK-LTHHu4433a4148dXMmXVTdG9h30s1FSKAX8sh8nbGpRDzyfo6cPxrxWfOrM_Sq08RmS_8UE/s3264/PXL_20210608_171636438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TwNLCYXAXdu2gVR64HwKIvffq3AW0WL5_AFzvanGN3FX5onm08cwFzDoFYIofMLuCLK-LTHHu4433a4148dXMmXVTdG9h30s1FSKAX8sh8nbGpRDzyfo6cPxrxWfOrM_Sq08RmS_8UE/w480-h640/PXL_20210608_171636438.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-HzHa-MhDaUuhzRb37ubsexZjHKsYf7Cqmy7PYC3LGHfLM7niOHuSC4jWqWk3REA7EzsiQFxI94lAOHYiIBzkCVuIOhIKa_U0M6l7R6xVSgtHuulsj78lobJnuFdX5yGbcaBumkFTuw/s4032/PXL_20210608_171933941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-HzHa-MhDaUuhzRb37ubsexZjHKsYf7Cqmy7PYC3LGHfLM7niOHuSC4jWqWk3REA7EzsiQFxI94lAOHYiIBzkCVuIOhIKa_U0M6l7R6xVSgtHuulsj78lobJnuFdX5yGbcaBumkFTuw/w480-h640/PXL_20210608_171933941.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>For Father's Day I always love to have the boys fill out these little papers about Jeff. This was Eli's and it cracked us up!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3g1M5FXLi6kPo1SoGDsPqGsU_QTsPOsr9qWHaQ6FA_TFyoQ-9_3OQRYzHU7OUjlERiYMMcVA9HakYa9s4sUgUzA4FYk270hpskYWLFBRz_CZGmq9es2-gUuDUpFmr4jHpEbJFJNRKPU/s4032/PXL_20210615_213249351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3g1M5FXLi6kPo1SoGDsPqGsU_QTsPOsr9qWHaQ6FA_TFyoQ-9_3OQRYzHU7OUjlERiYMMcVA9HakYa9s4sUgUzA4FYk270hpskYWLFBRz_CZGmq9es2-gUuDUpFmr4jHpEbJFJNRKPU/w480-h640/PXL_20210615_213249351.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We celebrated Father's Day at the Thomas Family Reunion in Aspen Grove.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1AX6vHVUXSCbK1IDzuABI8W9UB5g6ABEsIwcq83rUjlRKyRnke03rjva4LtFcyrR3KYIfHzk_fygFauGBha-KVRvUjN2xArBFAnLofo4-qzTxrci2RWsCBVDYYwJGDHiOaBFr72t9MY/s4032/PXL_20210620_154058334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1AX6vHVUXSCbK1IDzuABI8W9UB5g6ABEsIwcq83rUjlRKyRnke03rjva4LtFcyrR3KYIfHzk_fygFauGBha-KVRvUjN2xArBFAnLofo4-qzTxrci2RWsCBVDYYwJGDHiOaBFr72t9MY/w640-h480/PXL_20210620_154058334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>More on that very soon...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O5JKz2aO60bR4TaGau5KYANcF6q0GrpkB5DzPF-EuKURUT6Qt7lfwikxg5F5EWFhv-JpJXpMjUgdFRGAjhqUv4-EBqjeB0J8intVRX1kEgZHhcD-Ws4wQxjzt_8C4tBkNjVzlsl1WNo/s4032/PXL_20210620_154652983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O5JKz2aO60bR4TaGau5KYANcF6q0GrpkB5DzPF-EuKURUT6Qt7lfwikxg5F5EWFhv-JpJXpMjUgdFRGAjhqUv4-EBqjeB0J8intVRX1kEgZHhcD-Ws4wQxjzt_8C4tBkNjVzlsl1WNo/w480-h640/PXL_20210620_154652983.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Jeff Excellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318742818755581447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-52708815270838909862021-05-28T19:01:00.010-06:002021-05-28T19:22:59.258-06:00Mother's Day Vacay<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The boys were super sweet to me on Mother's Day. They all made me cards, fed me delicious food, and cleaned up after themselves. However, only two of them would willingly smile with me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5VmkK0BxLp1XpU7RGannZwXBVnWiWiUGvzScSyUDFemDRKqkkPUR8MGi2O0x8uSneFksCAf8PWPajnoF0gSAuNd7qWWoCr2Fnh76Xw3OsgwXk3qzHXijUod_HKDRlzfGY4J1yrsJQng/s4032/PXL_20210509_203557780.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5VmkK0BxLp1XpU7RGannZwXBVnWiWiUGvzScSyUDFemDRKqkkPUR8MGi2O0x8uSneFksCAf8PWPajnoF0gSAuNd7qWWoCr2Fnh76Xw3OsgwXk3qzHXijUod_HKDRlzfGY4J1yrsJQng/w480-h640/PXL_20210509_203557780.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbg5BIn2thS5vN2XRNEu9Hmc4p99ZFO5GHbr4_c8MGNm40h7X7zhFTlJc02DLsF9-NfTmEWQfuOe_cqRmgIiuNJ9T0Otoxv6K_b3S5Kw-L5CwoSIx9mXKEDQLjkNq9bTHO0fiL1l6ds4/s4032/PXL_20210509_203427953.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbg5BIn2thS5vN2XRNEu9Hmc4p99ZFO5GHbr4_c8MGNm40h7X7zhFTlJc02DLsF9-NfTmEWQfuOe_cqRmgIiuNJ9T0Otoxv6K_b3S5Kw-L5CwoSIx9mXKEDQLjkNq9bTHO0fiL1l6ds4/w480-h640/PXL_20210509_203427953.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Actual Mother's Day was short-lived because 1) I had a big YM/YW activity I was planning for the upcoming Wednesday, and 2) I had a weekend getaway with my roommates scheduled, so we were counting that as the ultimate gift of the Mother's Day season. <p></p><p>My getaway awaited me, but I had to make it through the mental stress of planning an elaborate scavenger hunt first. </p><p>I always hesitate to commit myself to these big activities because it's A LOT of work, but once I really get down to the planning and the preparing, it is usually work I delight in. I volunteered myself to plan an Amazing Race activity. I have done something similar in another ward, but it's not an activity you can just copy and paste for. It takes a lot of brain power to execute!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaKfyYh2WiHsNT4t2N0WISMbUpeXdyEwTaiAK3gxLAWr3pivxRUdegSnqnEgrtq2dqiZ8PCGHsqYPRejC13_6C3g7YCJXy8zHcLyVM-0XHlxWm9JSCpz3AzBTmmeK6xMPjRiMnUQSYI0/s4032/PXL_20210511_233459949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaKfyYh2WiHsNT4t2N0WISMbUpeXdyEwTaiAK3gxLAWr3pivxRUdegSnqnEgrtq2dqiZ8PCGHsqYPRejC13_6C3g7YCJXy8zHcLyVM-0XHlxWm9JSCpz3AzBTmmeK6xMPjRiMnUQSYI0/w480-h640/PXL_20210511_233459949.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I had to come up with clues, come up with tasks, and estimate the flow/time estimates of each task. This served as our "Standards Night," so each task had something to do with our standards from The Strength of Youth pamphlet. <p></p><p>We started in the YW room where I split everyone into teams. We actually sadly had a lot of people out of town, so we had the youth get into teams of two with one adult leader who had a "script" to read to the kids at each location so they would know what to do.</p><p><b>Choice and Accountability:</b></p><p>"Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for yourself. While here on earth, you are being proven to see if you will use your agency to show your love for God by keeping His commandments. The Holy Ghost can guide you in using your agency righteously. You are responsible for the choices you make. While you are free to choose your course of action, you are not free to choose the consequences. </p><p>Choose either "Vintage" or "Modern" and choose one player from your team to compete in the first challenge. </p><p><b>Friends and Language: </b></p><p>"We are taught to be careful about who we spend our time with. The people around us can influence how we think and act. Speak kindly and positively about others. Choose not to insult others or put them down, even in joking. Avoid gossip of any kind, and avoid speaking in anger. When you are tempted to say harsh or hurtful things leave them unsaid. You are on a team and will complete challenges with your teammates. Uplift each other, be kind and considerate as we begin THE AMAZING RACE!</p><p>Our race starts with one of the best races of all time -- Mario Kart! The player that you chose to complete the first challenge can now step forward to either our Vintage N64 game, or our modern Nintendo Switch game. </p><p>Your teammate must finish in the top half of the leaderboard to move on to the next challenge. Players can switch after each race if your team has not moved on."</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyQwL-b9CvN5IVTEf7lDxM9YzCW2shwTTfv5i5qlo07LA1PXaikM7L5joAXs_Rjf_iKVdW7AZmy3hwWX-2RhQoyclhwqtGQrP_v8q-SrYXKpjqZlJazXAJ_nIelKUUPFeVaDegnA0AuE/s4032/PXL_20210513_015356084.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyQwL-b9CvN5IVTEf7lDxM9YzCW2shwTTfv5i5qlo07LA1PXaikM7L5joAXs_Rjf_iKVdW7AZmy3hwWX-2RhQoyclhwqtGQrP_v8q-SrYXKpjqZlJazXAJ_nIelKUUPFeVaDegnA0AuE/w640-h480/PXL_20210513_015356084.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">After completing each task, they had to find an envelope with their next clue hidden somewhere in the room. (*I made sure to tell the kids the clues could all be found without opening anything or moving anything around so that they weren't tearing apart the entire church.) Once they found the envelope, they grabbed one piece of paper out of it and went out in the hall to try to figure it out. Every clue directed them to which room they would go to next. </p><p>See if you can solve my riddles:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSDimL7Y4XU8nYd8cal-7gjI85zAbHAB0YJyNNiYPS_Y1BdpkFJMEMHVTMYKN1Ky91UgF6FQofn2Jqngwk6QVQn-qeHAMXlajIYkjXwImaU_E85wy41r7QFs49MuZ8nfiGnrRAjGJ7Hg/s4032/PXL_20210511_232720641.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSDimL7Y4XU8nYd8cal-7gjI85zAbHAB0YJyNNiYPS_Y1BdpkFJMEMHVTMYKN1Ky91UgF6FQofn2Jqngwk6QVQn-qeHAMXlajIYkjXwImaU_E85wy41r7QFs49MuZ8nfiGnrRAjGJ7Hg/w480-h640/PXL_20210511_232720641.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>It was super hard to know what would be a difficult clue and what would be too easy. I gave each of the leaders hints for each clue. If the team took a hint, they got a penalty of having to sit down and wait for one minute before continuing on. I had three hints available per clue. <div><br /></div><div>If you're a master sleuth, you figured out that the first clue spelled out GYM by counting the letters in the scripture. </div><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-250799fe-7fff-457c-cd52-365a7eb74eb9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When they got to the gym, they found a bunch of balloons and their leader read this for the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Work and Self Reliance/Education </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sections:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We are encouraged to work hard so that we can learn, grow, and succeed not only in this life but in the life to come. Between school, work, church, and developing talents, that can feel like a lot to juggle!</span></p><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Task:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Juggle all of your responsibilities. Your team must choose one color of balloon, gather all the balloons of that color, and keep all of those balloons in the air for 30 seconds. Part of being self reliant is having good time management. Make sure you time your team’s successful juggling to complete this challenge. Once you have successfully completed this task, have everyone on your team hold their balloon above their head for your next clue."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d-4SatVS_FNPNONbi5N6_mlwpOsggX3gwzx-9WDw3HCnKiyczRj_CMCpYYK_0Tzzz6MH2y8J91pB_UtCWBdZmEnNuR0uSekclkr0IcSQocKFxByk1W3hzkdLletvNLMlJJK9gpp2-0Y/s4032/PXL_20210513_020455881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d-4SatVS_FNPNONbi5N6_mlwpOsggX3gwzx-9WDw3HCnKiyczRj_CMCpYYK_0Tzzz6MH2y8J91pB_UtCWBdZmEnNuR0uSekclkr0IcSQocKFxByk1W3hzkdLletvNLMlJJK9gpp2-0Y/w480-h640/PXL_20210513_020455881.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(The missionaries joined us for the activity and we loved having them!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSQJ-jTtT6hEHKjfEsz5TsygQRH7PgKBzMS8OTTCUNW7TOvF-yJaSSTrvXkKvkRavB1B_MqmLlktXgj-w00A_CqRER02QjhP9omBEUHzNPX52-Tnm5sBNAoQnEw7wdb7-qy9gO62ZsaM/s4032/PXL_20210513_020452439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSQJ-jTtT6hEHKjfEsz5TsygQRH7PgKBzMS8OTTCUNW7TOvF-yJaSSTrvXkKvkRavB1B_MqmLlktXgj-w00A_CqRER02QjhP9omBEUHzNPX52-Tnm5sBNAoQnEw7wdb7-qy9gO62ZsaM/w480-h640/PXL_20210513_020452439.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-998c7d8b-7fff-1cd5-6e26-181d1a67ef86">Once they successfully juggled their balloons, they went to a table labeled "BANK" to pick up a bag of 30 pennies that had this clue attached to it: </span></div><div><span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PAYDAY!</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Count your money and remember how much you have...it will </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">burst your bubble</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> later if you don’t keep track of your finances. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfLqO9tgkZVMBJlTrfyMDVEe7a61yNcot_c4H8ewPmcf21P9mf415H7rd0HQ6J1xtgBjpurxFUmWSWLApbNj03XL39J5umdM30UZvLxxS-bb4rK9iUNe6RcbCTkpSIqEtuKCT_L06YbY/s4032/PXL_20210513_020909309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfLqO9tgkZVMBJlTrfyMDVEe7a61yNcot_c4H8ewPmcf21P9mf415H7rd0HQ6J1xtgBjpurxFUmWSWLApbNj03XL39J5umdM30UZvLxxS-bb4rK9iUNe6RcbCTkpSIqEtuKCT_L06YbY/w480-h640/PXL_20210513_020909309.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2b4ad7a3-7fff-6a88-3eae-c275d813e374"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If that clue led you to think you should pop the balloons, you'd have been pop-sitively right! There were little papers in each of the balloons that individually listed the steps of the repentance process. This was our </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Repentance/Sabbath Day Service </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">section.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We can use Christ’s Atonement in our lives each week as we partake of the Sacrament and repent for the things we need to work on. Put the steps of repentance then as a team."</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_W6DyBV9aP4_bKb1QgmHXVzvOHVB5HMmeWJzxk0zIh59lHHDjnWQoTZgmjNxvzFDn4EsBc5mqzr00DTOvtMmrUSFn8842uXoaHQAWYtrwCGk1I14yOPZ1CJr2DRuktYcZOZksFjP1Jak/s4032/PXL_20210513_020914201.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_W6DyBV9aP4_bKb1QgmHXVzvOHVB5HMmeWJzxk0zIh59lHHDjnWQoTZgmjNxvzFDn4EsBc5mqzr00DTOvtMmrUSFn8842uXoaHQAWYtrwCGk1I14yOPZ1CJr2DRuktYcZOZksFjP1Jak/w480-h640/PXL_20210513_020914201.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">After their leader verified the steps were in the correct order, they okay-ed their team to look for the next clue hidden in that room. This was the clue:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdRicchgg78f1qPtCQLvFEnHSdfb8_eNDJf4trX6bYg5vcyg_4-uJxQusFpXRDF20QN5IcGrv0_1yrehZkovRdA1cY3N865RCfMIiurwhIKRYysAOCP1xWZIF7YW558lO3J40z9H5M0E/s4032/PXL_20210511_232823109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdRicchgg78f1qPtCQLvFEnHSdfb8_eNDJf4trX6bYg5vcyg_4-uJxQusFpXRDF20QN5IcGrv0_1yrehZkovRdA1cY3N865RCfMIiurwhIKRYysAOCP1xWZIF7YW558lO3J40z9H5M0E/w480-h640/PXL_20210511_232823109.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-339b85af-7fff-827c-10b5-f6b9deaf6ee1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Family/Gratitude (Room 108)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We are taught to put effort into our relationships with our family. As we are cheerful, helpful, and considerate of family members, we can be a positive influence in our family. The Lord wants us to have a spirit of gratitude -- that includes gratitude for our families! As we live with a spirit of thanksgiving, we will have greater happiness and satisfaction in life. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Task:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Each member of your team must write one thank you note to a member of their family. Each note should have at least four sentences. Place your note in an envelope, write the person’s name on the envelope, and place your envelope in the basket to complete this task. (Envelopes will be handed back to you at the end of the activity for you to give to your family member.)"</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xqYBA0gGOyLPI2FxvYSlYGWpGGtBFFz8MMtTr2T5a63C2tO50OTpYRJQZkeMLTkoKHfz3pt5vVdARw1arhuVxpoESKvjl8xuoPjWEMLRv_reWGxtQ9aqjrJ9TpjUVOwbQs4qWVg1VBU/s4032/PXL_20210511_232902249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xqYBA0gGOyLPI2FxvYSlYGWpGGtBFFz8MMtTr2T5a63C2tO50OTpYRJQZkeMLTkoKHfz3pt5vVdARw1arhuVxpoESKvjl8xuoPjWEMLRv_reWGxtQ9aqjrJ9TpjUVOwbQs4qWVg1VBU/w480-h640/PXL_20210511_232902249.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-1f2536ce-7fff-6ad5-8fb9-70f8684d72a9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dress and Appearance/Physical and Emotional Health (Primary Room)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your body is a temple, a gift from God. When you are well-groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To care for your body, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and obey the Word of Wisdom. Practice balance and moderation in all aspects of your physical health. </span></p><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Task:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Memory! Your whole team starts at one side of the room. One person runs over to the memory board and flips two cards over, trying to find a match that represents our standards in dress and appearance. Watch out! Some negative consequences are hidden on the board. Take turns running to the board to try to make a match so that everyone evenly participates. You can move on after you find a match. Flip cards back over after every turn, including your match after it is found. Multiple teams can play at once but only two cards may be visible at once, so take turns with any other teams that are there with you.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ndBjlDe_EkGD0m1gsQBOoejVj00Tejgf0aBbwVNNftj7l_-qqo1-59Vg-o4Jre6xEngiaJXkpb8DeTKW71vp2lEF0b1Hpx5uBi4HC3j9haztw8NEnABdi698PQS88FcHfOKuB4xnxMs/s4032/PXL_20210511_232952711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ndBjlDe_EkGD0m1gsQBOoejVj00Tejgf0aBbwVNNftj7l_-qqo1-59Vg-o4Jre6xEngiaJXkpb8DeTKW71vp2lEF0b1Hpx5uBi4HC3j9haztw8NEnABdi698PQS88FcHfOKuB4xnxMs/w480-h640/PXL_20210511_232952711.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-489d97a8-7fff-f344-731f-53b247ce6ce4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Road Block! Time to choose again! Music or TV?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> They chose which nursery door they wanted to go in, either the Music door or the TV door. Each room had a different paper with fill-in-the-blanks about either Disney movies or Primary songs. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Music (Nursery)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choose carefully the music you listen to. Pay attention to how you feel when you are listening. Some music can carry evil and destructive messages. Do not listen to music that encourages immorality or glorifies violence through its lyrics, beat, or intensity. Do not listen to music that uses vulgar or offensive language or promotes evil practices. Such music can dull your spiritual sensitivity.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TV (Nursery)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Satan uses media to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal, humorous, or exciting. He tries to mislead you into thinking that breaking God’s commandments is acceptable and has no negative consequences for you or others. Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in anything that presents immorality or violence as acceptable. Have the courage to walk out of a movie, change your music, or turn off a computer, television, or mobile device if what you see or hear drives away the Spirit. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ryg6SQdRWzhweJtO71wcploZYpTXBpRAVBQQ2XGpTLHeZbsUlweFLXqRrP8cYjS7paQWBB-84Ck2WRcwG51IJroG3HY6dnOrXOdjeY0VdsYLaJ6K8IpXXzyxSF6_4E5F3Pau4Wg1nQ8/s4032/PXL_20210511_233032065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ryg6SQdRWzhweJtO71wcploZYpTXBpRAVBQQ2XGpTLHeZbsUlweFLXqRrP8cYjS7paQWBB-84Ck2WRcwG51IJroG3HY6dnOrXOdjeY0VdsYLaJ6K8IpXXzyxSF6_4E5F3Pau4Wg1nQ8/w480-h640/PXL_20210511_233032065.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b585320e-7fff-f367-e82f-bc16f48108e0"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Road Block! This task will be completed by one teammate. Pick your teammate now.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"A date is a planned activity that allows a young man and a young woman to get to know each other better. In cultures where dating is acceptable, it can help you learn and practice social skills, develop friendships, have wholesome fun, and eventually find an eternal companion.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Task:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Once you’re 16, you can drive and date! The teammate who you have chosen to compete will pick a “car” and take a lap around the church. Take a pen and paper with you and answer the questions along the way. If all the answers are correct when you get back, you will receive your next clue. If any are incorrect, another teammate must go around to correct the incorrect answers."</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(The adult leader should not tell which answers are incorrect.) *This was my favorite task.*</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWn6fIB1bpuUnKBRNfHE2m3YO2wZaPN9Vjobds5l76qYVn39vLPzze2I6JyuqR8p6WxKMvdj3IDfj6H-ncF7-2p0IHV-_x8m7zUcFp60-lDu3_CdlrNCvr_GUPeROj2ZaS_xY5jEeNLo/s4032/PXL_20210513_022502283.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWn6fIB1bpuUnKBRNfHE2m3YO2wZaPN9Vjobds5l76qYVn39vLPzze2I6JyuqR8p6WxKMvdj3IDfj6H-ncF7-2p0IHV-_x8m7zUcFp60-lDu3_CdlrNCvr_GUPeROj2ZaS_xY5jEeNLo/w480-h640/PXL_20210513_022502283.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div></span></div>Next clue:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVO_g700cNxR5cMIMjy0WAKNyUSDBV-G8e3mWzG5z1jYw4J3hhZP86-R7yaZXbtjwtrjh_GT8vKAVKbWBp2kO0q8CDIZlCV7rOlzEDv9r1ZAKjMgJC4VhwmSNRn075F1dwlJUSUDjx1s/s4032/PXL_20210511_233148075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVO_g700cNxR5cMIMjy0WAKNyUSDBV-G8e3mWzG5z1jYw4J3hhZP86-R7yaZXbtjwtrjh_GT8vKAVKbWBp2kO0q8CDIZlCV7rOlzEDv9r1ZAKjMgJC4VhwmSNRn075F1dwlJUSUDjx1s/w480-h640/PXL_20210511_233148075.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-838b7d5b-7fff-455e-1c2f-869aa82799f1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tithes and Offerings/Service (Room 103)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"When you pay tithing, you show gratitude for all that God has given you and return to Him a portion of what you have received. Your attitude is important in paying tithing. Pay it because you love the Lord and have faith in Him. Pay it willingly with a thankful heart and pay it before you spend your money on anything else.</span></p><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Task:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Give your leader the amount of money you would pay in tithing on what you have earned tonight."</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPmh7KR_s4cOdf6rQpbZhJQQeCRYCeKcS8OlgUijXTfMIrkbSAhOiIWIKRj4hlJPbhJh5EFKhI9PNigQjH3BIUcHEdHe9YR-bGttWJ9CdYDbnkPFy9g96Sv6-OydqIIBkABD0decEgbI/s4032/PXL_20210511_233250420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPmh7KR_s4cOdf6rQpbZhJQQeCRYCeKcS8OlgUijXTfMIrkbSAhOiIWIKRj4hlJPbhJh5EFKhI9PNigQjH3BIUcHEdHe9YR-bGttWJ9CdYDbnkPFy9g96Sv6-OydqIIBkABD0decEgbI/w480-h640/PXL_20210511_233250420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-8b040490-7fff-f016-6560-251eae350eb5"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finish in Room 115 (Scripture on back of pamphlet gave 115) - Honesty and Integrity </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”</span></p><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Task:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> At least one of you must recite the quoted section of the Thirteenth Article Of Faith (above) FROM MEMORY to win the game!<br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1lX46XUmC9DACd7GNm6dl8MccGNtZv3gxzIv44aYMZje1p-sHyEMjd2lXC75VjHmG553AsJ7KFRkh6PF3RsxUsP5KPskPa2-tml35N6jZghlgFz1LAnyubuH0rK5jovT6CwptXrzjDE/s4032/PXL_20210513_025107896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1lX46XUmC9DACd7GNm6dl8MccGNtZv3gxzIv44aYMZje1p-sHyEMjd2lXC75VjHmG553AsJ7KFRkh6PF3RsxUsP5KPskPa2-tml35N6jZghlgFz1LAnyubuH0rK5jovT6CwptXrzjDE/w480-h640/PXL_20210513_025107896.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was so fun! I just wish more kids would have been there to experience it. I felt like I had written this elaborate play, so it was super fun for me to see the performance come to life. Everything went perfectly and it was exactly an hour and a half. The hard work and effort proved to be worth it when the girls told me it was one of their favorite activities. Win!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all that work and after a solid year of distance learning my children, it was time to skip town for a well-deserved girls' weekend! Going on a girls' trip was one of my New Year's Goals, so in that way, this trip wasn't just fun, relaxing, and rejuvenating, it was also productive and an accomplishment! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNJPVwJLjrfn8tpwgykse-uAWyDInI87YYxl0ChSiVN8fHBNzvAMAajyo5nz0ZomQjG4KwXfhhJmEnHwyBEF53AdTtuODaaj4G1ZBA2pQ9UF6K5TC3L2QfNsPL7kcYQR1BnGaDe043Zc/s3264/PXL_20210515_161458751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNJPVwJLjrfn8tpwgykse-uAWyDInI87YYxl0ChSiVN8fHBNzvAMAajyo5nz0ZomQjG4KwXfhhJmEnHwyBEF53AdTtuODaaj4G1ZBA2pQ9UF6K5TC3L2QfNsPL7kcYQR1BnGaDe043Zc/w640-h480/PXL_20210515_161458751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I flew out to Salt Lake, got to have a delicious Sunday dinner (on a Friday) with my family, I ran my favorite running loop Saturday morning, and then I hit the city with my 49ers. We lived in Apartment 49 together in college and dubbed ourselves the 49ers. The living arrangements have changed, but the name has stuck. </div><div><br /></div><div>Leslie persuaded us to hop on some motorized scooters. I was unsure and slightly hesitant, but we went for it and it turned out to be my favorite part of the whole trip. Three moms cruising the city on scooters is what girls' trip dreams are made of. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhCd4pgx-jji3sjETxtPhC-EJQqEQ8Nw7rpJiPNqHMQXm80cNRI5l-JYxPiPfQeADuJqTMogSLxQbxJUliQAZGUd4mvPis3vUeB_HXUhtqqB-y2ACDD1G1kag5yOFkHsMvQ6BrwkQQT0/s4032/PXL_20210516_020101116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhCd4pgx-jji3sjETxtPhC-EJQqEQ8Nw7rpJiPNqHMQXm80cNRI5l-JYxPiPfQeADuJqTMogSLxQbxJUliQAZGUd4mvPis3vUeB_HXUhtqqB-y2ACDD1G1kag5yOFkHsMvQ6BrwkQQT0/w480-h640/PXL_20210516_020101116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Equally as dreamy was spoiling ourselves at The Grand America. We stayed there overnight and then had a delicious, fancy brunch there the next morning.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjW8BAyFSWMhd-lhMAzYiGbEK0G78koJ95AfBNIM4rKzNgGb5r8MEOZMlsK31SVcZx0MKRiRzXXDmmHtyu1FGvAzzJF_HrcvYlupaPt_00LtB6uTS3kRnFKqUbz5nJNZjmivC5bD-6tc/s4032/PXL_20210516_161709031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjW8BAyFSWMhd-lhMAzYiGbEK0G78koJ95AfBNIM4rKzNgGb5r8MEOZMlsK31SVcZx0MKRiRzXXDmmHtyu1FGvAzzJF_HrcvYlupaPt_00LtB6uTS3kRnFKqUbz5nJNZjmivC5bD-6tc/w480-h640/PXL_20210516_161709031.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We ordered mocktails that we were led to believe were included in the price of our meal, but I have since begun to wonder if they were actually like $10 each. Sad part is they weren't even good, so ex-nay on the mock-tay next time. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrX9bKyaGGA8NdLWK933EMAY6rxPJlzWwN4SP5PSISYntB3x4if8X4Cn7meu95NSEO7iIzS5iFhzrrkN6tVaxZcMUWJaalj4g_fIvi216HFajcLz5IUMiPG_ce3qzoC5WbvqGb9ZDyiM/s4032/PXL_20210516_161642844.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrX9bKyaGGA8NdLWK933EMAY6rxPJlzWwN4SP5PSISYntB3x4if8X4Cn7meu95NSEO7iIzS5iFhzrrkN6tVaxZcMUWJaalj4g_fIvi216HFajcLz5IUMiPG_ce3qzoC5WbvqGb9ZDyiM/w480-h640/PXL_20210516_161642844.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I have never eaten fancy cheese before this brunch. I went a little heavy on the cheese. The meat was A+. I went back for a plate of strictly protein and likely got my daily intake quota in one sitting. Delicious!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO-B9jin9Fo8fy2xl2BjLiKO81qoDjfQ81p7BBWXZbP1fHejcukmXlStAdJU5XU2ZXynR70vofnApEAs1NMTfbMkx8cNSp-aJcc2iXE5HDjGtC_MnnYyxFTQDNcclfPop4ztqTVE3qkQ/s4032/PXL_20210516_161615756.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO-B9jin9Fo8fy2xl2BjLiKO81qoDjfQ81p7BBWXZbP1fHejcukmXlStAdJU5XU2ZXynR70vofnApEAs1NMTfbMkx8cNSp-aJcc2iXE5HDjGtC_MnnYyxFTQDNcclfPop4ztqTVE3qkQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210516_161615756.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We walked through the courtyard because a girls' trip isn't complete without an impromptu photoshoot. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCRBCbmPavACBYladNG9TXBoxRhtirJU_JQhVdlXjplR3ICRs0GzCUgQgkvow9H7Gk9A-yYE8GXfDruWOeFRpQ8jycfBAOROW9UNjK-zgq3F8DbdG89uLjjOsnExr6Ngk_EaawUxJu4o/s4032/PXL_20210516_175309169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCRBCbmPavACBYladNG9TXBoxRhtirJU_JQhVdlXjplR3ICRs0GzCUgQgkvow9H7Gk9A-yYE8GXfDruWOeFRpQ8jycfBAOROW9UNjK-zgq3F8DbdG89uLjjOsnExr6Ngk_EaawUxJu4o/w640-h480/PXL_20210516_175309169.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTXQVQIStMzecAqYRMD6NG2wITb4JlUkez2pu7C-ls8jO9Z5P2M5oY0DcNohiP1z2hxNiltac7CMh0MoP_RtXBkfloTVGM_cbeptUc88SnsBWa_WNwCio2pbgbf4QT-WTUwAiw2_mfBs/s4032/PXL_20210516_175356670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTXQVQIStMzecAqYRMD6NG2wITb4JlUkez2pu7C-ls8jO9Z5P2M5oY0DcNohiP1z2hxNiltac7CMh0MoP_RtXBkfloTVGM_cbeptUc88SnsBWa_WNwCio2pbgbf4QT-WTUwAiw2_mfBs/w640-h480/PXL_20210516_175356670.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY7O48kLmv8MBvbr6uCKv8ATcit41OmjZ4IluZocGqm7d0AKquUBMBjdohX2rJiGvTWeckOtlgy2rpFeBXZnRFXYiJJ5on3ax0JdM8J4WhQZvZd-wFCg8pU2_lmdY2P80rlyDQgejSwo/s4032/PXL_20210516_175448317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjY7O48kLmv8MBvbr6uCKv8ATcit41OmjZ4IluZocGqm7d0AKquUBMBjdohX2rJiGvTWeckOtlgy2rpFeBXZnRFXYiJJ5on3ax0JdM8J4WhQZvZd-wFCg8pU2_lmdY2P80rlyDQgejSwo/w640-h480/PXL_20210516_175448317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Let's appreciate that I'm alone. My children have been by my side without reprieve for OVER A YEAR! Like...yeah...I'm a stay-at-home mom and that's kind of my gig to have my kids with me all the time, but it wasn't meant to be like this. It wasn't meant to be so nonstop and constant for so long. My kids do go to school for two hours a day (except Jonah), but that still leaves SO MUCH TIME for them to be home fighting. And then the Zoom calls we've had to ping around on all afternoon and the classwork that maybe sometimes needed to be done at home or maybe was going to be done at school but we never could quite figure out which was which until we were 20 missing assignments deep into confusion. And the food. So much food. Nonstop food. Nonstop cleaning. But everything is still hungry and messy no matter the level of feeding and cleaning. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's just been A LOT. Pandemic motherhood caught up to me...again...and I've been spent. So I'm grateful for good friends to vent to through it all who are there to help me pamper myself and take a step away from it all for a refresh. And I'm of course grateful for Jeff who always supports me sneaking away for breaks whenever I can get them. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7Loc4H1b_hE98MQYEDGMmIXxsWgoc2OkRipVP36JfpH68VG6idzfPHjgpJWPIsnuELsiIlEGhQjIeNH0RCW7Pf8Xl1n61DLiwgUfFoP7JDJNFDkV1dna14xDaXBthtKchtCA77na9Gc/s3264/PXL_20210516_175455250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7Loc4H1b_hE98MQYEDGMmIXxsWgoc2OkRipVP36JfpH68VG6idzfPHjgpJWPIsnuELsiIlEGhQjIeNH0RCW7Pf8Xl1n61DLiwgUfFoP7JDJNFDkV1dna14xDaXBthtKchtCA77na9Gc/w480-h640/PXL_20210516_175455250.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now it's summer with a lot of fun things on the schedule, and a hope for a more normal schoolyear next year! My heart is telling me to be hopeful, but my anxiety (and Tiktok) is telling me to begin singing *Cause I'm hopeful, yes I am, hopeful for today...* while these words pop up around my face:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her kids continued to fight all summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She would go another entire year before finding herself alone again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The school district would announce continued half days of school with mandatory masks in fall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Take this music and use it let it take you away.* </div><p></p></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-28688822405194555522021-05-28T17:30:00.000-06:002021-05-28T17:30:02.636-06:00Baseball Season<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We just made it through baseball season! Usually the busy-ness of baseball season overwhelms me, but after last season getting cancelled after just one game and a year of absolutely nothing on the calendar, it was refreshing to have the comradery and schedule of sporting events. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9Ck0kTHtEsq6nQFDe8Q-zoG1yHYEp3-jBuZAPMeQbdgXUNx-GdB-nPFOQcLdQtcfci1FT1Z1ZvFWMpvQEjUpl-eDkoxeU3qrPPyJNq5jH30ovTmsHaOrTW4DHtvY6VGDZwV0izeZtQ4/s4032/PXL_20210413_011601749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9Ck0kTHtEsq6nQFDe8Q-zoG1yHYEp3-jBuZAPMeQbdgXUNx-GdB-nPFOQcLdQtcfci1FT1Z1ZvFWMpvQEjUpl-eDkoxeU3qrPPyJNq5jH30ovTmsHaOrTW4DHtvY6VGDZwV0izeZtQ4/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_011601749.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Eli had a great team this year. He made some cute friends, and he got to try out some new positions on the field...like catcher!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio500QGomkmO_qbxEt2HvmVipkE8ouSi59V6iwiY2gnvqWr_HjKOs4qbYDRQ7BPXIFI6btgsf7DTmkWuWSjcxJGe_ey3A5d9THvYz70UqaCudQaEIwXCx33Hs8IHmzq3VVAlemGndxD5c/s4032/PXL_20210325_015837881.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio500QGomkmO_qbxEt2HvmVipkE8ouSi59V6iwiY2gnvqWr_HjKOs4qbYDRQ7BPXIFI6btgsf7DTmkWuWSjcxJGe_ey3A5d9THvYz70UqaCudQaEIwXCx33Hs8IHmzq3VVAlemGndxD5c/w480-h640/PXL_20210325_015837881.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>My parents made a special weekend trip out to see Eli play one of his games. After realizing the only reason they chose that weekend to come out was to see him play, Eli's nerves got to him and he said, "That's a lot of pressure." :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XVlIfrLqWdxqDNGEYCAdd_Yq51odLZPoWneKYE6QFaKUX3catSRuy42AWfBMHy2mamB2l0GxcArUcTDPPAzNLK2pG23OXEh5LnAjrQfK9GHyHYOeMjw4tjp-S68XxG0eqPjjNpOrM24/s4032/PXL_20210424_192441484.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XVlIfrLqWdxqDNGEYCAdd_Yq51odLZPoWneKYE6QFaKUX3catSRuy42AWfBMHy2mamB2l0GxcArUcTDPPAzNLK2pG23OXEh5LnAjrQfK9GHyHYOeMjw4tjp-S68XxG0eqPjjNpOrM24/w480-h640/PXL_20210424_192441484.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>You could say they also came out to catch up on reading stories to their grandboys.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dJy1MbU2W38y52QZXIvwxWc2x4SdGLRfLQZJk0kLdJKJFurck_iQEm4x6iKxoopqAxUq9g3Sxgj2E9DE6xvWYWI6lw-7hMMplXtj8KcvFQ7oFKz91pu7Bjpux6SIOUCis97EEy5M0V0/s4032/PXL_20210424_191408880.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dJy1MbU2W38y52QZXIvwxWc2x4SdGLRfLQZJk0kLdJKJFurck_iQEm4x6iKxoopqAxUq9g3Sxgj2E9DE6xvWYWI6lw-7hMMplXtj8KcvFQ7oFKz91pu7Bjpux6SIOUCis97EEy5M0V0/w480-h640/PXL_20210424_191408880.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX0F1iAqqdhrO-PnmHXaBeN19QKby7m9JVb264Wc9V6xrWXHHhpGnouU2ZPW2zqmunjH8Qr5U9OL8yLNZ08V0ow5Wvfe1lZ5WaWlkTQZTThByF46xviljnGtNdTvLnWxNQ9Xsts5yQNg/s4032/PXL_20210423_190320161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX0F1iAqqdhrO-PnmHXaBeN19QKby7m9JVb264Wc9V6xrWXHHhpGnouU2ZPW2zqmunjH8Qr5U9OL8yLNZ08V0ow5Wvfe1lZ5WaWlkTQZTThByF46xviljnGtNdTvLnWxNQ9Xsts5yQNg/w640-h480/PXL_20210423_190320161.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>To enjoy the beauty of Nevada in the spring. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6I8OMcxC24LmBIjPi-Gj7ML9hqoQqjHpV4dryirAeE4O7f_5hvSZ8Ahghqq20mzt3aBTtYG7oIsFkei61XiwjKaRZuFIJH2Mfdk4dwpezNMrVqxit6ZkdurZ7qIM41BBNByOI0XJ5c0/s4032/PXL_20210423_212720110.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6I8OMcxC24LmBIjPi-Gj7ML9hqoQqjHpV4dryirAeE4O7f_5hvSZ8Ahghqq20mzt3aBTtYG7oIsFkei61XiwjKaRZuFIJH2Mfdk4dwpezNMrVqxit6ZkdurZ7qIM41BBNByOI0XJ5c0/w480-h640/PXL_20210423_212720110.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsPcdiSkNaB5etK2uPcMIJqYVNCYPfE9n-NxZfMOyLCmjDN0sJYIiIlU1QjaeRIbIFVXf8Oi1Y6EmKfwCXrgvHzgzwPPXmx7ii8bgHM6hw5BSduzldOqjGjdDmIrtnHElpUo3bYelUEw/s4032/PXL_20210423_202900803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsPcdiSkNaB5etK2uPcMIJqYVNCYPfE9n-NxZfMOyLCmjDN0sJYIiIlU1QjaeRIbIFVXf8Oi1Y6EmKfwCXrgvHzgzwPPXmx7ii8bgHM6hw5BSduzldOqjGjdDmIrtnHElpUo3bYelUEw/w480-h640/PXL_20210423_202900803.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And to spoil us with tasty meals. They took us to a hibachi grill that my boys LOVED. They now routinely grab knives with their lunches to play "Ohjah" (the name of the restaurant). They slice up their food and spin the butter knives around, reliving the experience again and again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a restaurant we drive by every day to pick up the older boys from school and every time we pass it Jonah says, "When can we see the smiley face lighted on fire again?" So this was a highlight for all. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVesnuy4t1z562kwkv7v96CwSHSBBqgZFqNv2tNJcPVqQY4lTTy2hgMhkvt90WGG8zOBuARKMRi5sM57y4HivVwkmD4zUewerPR6Xa6sHQWpJlBGWX5euSO4GUQM_w7CIkl1-RS1YgJNM/s4032/PXL_20210424_235042951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVesnuy4t1z562kwkv7v96CwSHSBBqgZFqNv2tNJcPVqQY4lTTy2hgMhkvt90WGG8zOBuARKMRi5sM57y4HivVwkmD4zUewerPR6Xa6sHQWpJlBGWX5euSO4GUQM_w7CIkl1-RS1YgJNM/w640-h480/PXL_20210424_235042951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Then we loaded up to head to the main event. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMGmQbdJ-U4Zf5t4ukt0KNDJaeWMj7hx1sZe9IkEvyy2_d2gPibWwOT7Og0EqioAepm1sWvV1tSodLq4cWcrUTReJTCSUclsbvkaCCE9HKCaLcfbRTbxhBtzGTMRWTevbhjondlUoRiY/s3264/PXL_20210424_013240597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMGmQbdJ-U4Zf5t4ukt0KNDJaeWMj7hx1sZe9IkEvyy2_d2gPibWwOT7Og0EqioAepm1sWvV1tSodLq4cWcrUTReJTCSUclsbvkaCCE9HKCaLcfbRTbxhBtzGTMRWTevbhjondlUoRiY/w640-h480/PXL_20210424_013240597.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Being trapped in a wind tunnel...err...going to Eli's game! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQ3XUfTFIivf3sJN0AgYTkzPl6iSZZb4TD_fOC-j12XRd_jtf8t0Id7nxbvYc6IMq01LozOvfKMDZQF8eHm46NUur3lkmSeSTberFcOEqULMsQPpCYLeuUqOWBdKHsDYZT3VPZPnumiU/s4032/PXL_20210424_200317142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQ3XUfTFIivf3sJN0AgYTkzPl6iSZZb4TD_fOC-j12XRd_jtf8t0Id7nxbvYc6IMq01LozOvfKMDZQF8eHm46NUur3lkmSeSTberFcOEqULMsQPpCYLeuUqOWBdKHsDYZT3VPZPnumiU/w480-h640/PXL_20210424_200317142.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every time someone comes to Vegas they ask if it's always windy in Vegas. I hadn't particularly noticed that it's always windy, but after noticing all the Vegas visitors noticing the wind with each visit, I began to think, you know what, Vegas seems to be a windy place. That was extra confirmed at the game where the wind refused to stop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrflQs_Er2zhtNUDhpUEufx4VOmU8YrAul6VGJVRE0Lh89JvZoNvhFcBJ0D0v9VkgB_Wsu8mECl8TwmwgZT_JDjlp6x53bT2VUcPUHZ8G4lUSqkp_EbCdy16hnZQFoBCYcbJ7RRYz9as/s3264/PXL_20210424_214307303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrflQs_Er2zhtNUDhpUEufx4VOmU8YrAul6VGJVRE0Lh89JvZoNvhFcBJ0D0v9VkgB_Wsu8mECl8TwmwgZT_JDjlp6x53bT2VUcPUHZ8G4lUSqkp_EbCdy16hnZQFoBCYcbJ7RRYz9as/w480-h640/PXL_20210424_214307303.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzDb-71tM6rONwx8IYB_-l5xmb8otnVm1lXLrL8HXeMcOfIUQaRpY-s3yS2FTroCSWK8uXfRA971EwBn2lKNNZIq8nHFobGVDh5jIwj5rATLzgKwoLdNJkaXqNyOIA5Rd7g1tXN80BEM/s4032/PXL_20210424_214254752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzDb-71tM6rONwx8IYB_-l5xmb8otnVm1lXLrL8HXeMcOfIUQaRpY-s3yS2FTroCSWK8uXfRA971EwBn2lKNNZIq8nHFobGVDh5jIwj5rATLzgKwoLdNJkaXqNyOIA5Rd7g1tXN80BEM/w480-h640/PXL_20210424_214254752.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvoATLt8CnHwM9LGAgcStQnrtYcHxJYb6oupJvaFK1L4iwoCoH5nXRc98ZzviS8Q_X8Ho73aZVPHdq0hBK5n-Lg4KRKc46VRTK8zt1vQ7vNpQ42tITRw0Qoo1mdKcKGk2wW2ixYv-2xQ/s4032/PXL_20210424_202443060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvoATLt8CnHwM9LGAgcStQnrtYcHxJYb6oupJvaFK1L4iwoCoH5nXRc98ZzviS8Q_X8Ho73aZVPHdq0hBK5n-Lg4KRKc46VRTK8zt1vQ7vNpQ42tITRw0Qoo1mdKcKGk2wW2ixYv-2xQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210424_202443060.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We bought popsicles "for my dad" but these little guys quickly claimed them as their own. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJiInaMiZ8MJusdKCTJ2QNBs4hdWDxTOmlWF_Q3W3ow8yPCQy8IetlICk7ztIdR8Aue-_CYrYPozrAXW7Lo653Rsl82kBdQSzKgKN3Oscdu0WfbVnTwxVjAPvfznZ9BO7f1M4I8xdUZc/s4032/PXL_20210425_010206652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJiInaMiZ8MJusdKCTJ2QNBs4hdWDxTOmlWF_Q3W3ow8yPCQy8IetlICk7ztIdR8Aue-_CYrYPozrAXW7Lo653Rsl82kBdQSzKgKN3Oscdu0WfbVnTwxVjAPvfznZ9BO7f1M4I8xdUZc/w640-h480/PXL_20210425_010206652.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Jonah went through a time of sneaking into all of Eli's baseball gear as soon as Eli went to school in the morning. He's still a baseball fanatic!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircilFy8-AVkwWFpCd7YD7jiG4mKOBx9yY0sIU9cVRihCQtXchwf7sVtj8YrYSKkYS25Ao80Q41mIk52rCCK6PNXzKdTkEE0Pc4cpkZC8_nFkYDOpAUuyxh0PqIRAYWX7B48asCsxmvZ8/s4032/PXL_20210429_150901776.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircilFy8-AVkwWFpCd7YD7jiG4mKOBx9yY0sIU9cVRihCQtXchwf7sVtj8YrYSKkYS25Ao80Q41mIk52rCCK6PNXzKdTkEE0Pc4cpkZC8_nFkYDOpAUuyxh0PqIRAYWX7B48asCsxmvZ8/w480-h640/PXL_20210429_150901776.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>With more things opening up, we decided to try out a new sport -- Taekwondo!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZvFxIa6RY63eUHnk9yGcxpfZyOYrANwOBxAlMYZ7xh4tZCPw_wa4jW7LbNLbuKJyAZ-LxNZftD9dCBktarl3rbgJXtn_HkSTs_4VbhYajcphpIcqLzsmcrIWyyM8YjUfw6MfJq2FgB8/s4032/PXL_20210507_020417026.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZvFxIa6RY63eUHnk9yGcxpfZyOYrANwOBxAlMYZ7xh4tZCPw_wa4jW7LbNLbuKJyAZ-LxNZftD9dCBktarl3rbgJXtn_HkSTs_4VbhYajcphpIcqLzsmcrIWyyM8YjUfw6MfJq2FgB8/w480-h640/PXL_20210507_020417026.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We're on the hunt to figure out what activities spark an interest in the boys and I've been wanting to see how they would like martial arts. I was just going to sign up Eli and Carson, but if you sign two kids up you automatically get a family pass, so now we are all enrolled in karate, including me and Jeff! I've been to two classes and quite enjoyed them. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzro1o5Qd7zqlVmB7ku_cTgQPP38lufha3FkCS6rliY810OlVtISFKjORm9xxcG3VB3Qg3qWVscJE1EFdOYC_pK2Zc_SVT52DMYfnNBXAP9xcTmikEI39etq2PK1hjX1VA2eFtzOwlY8/s4032/PXL_20210507_020503042.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzro1o5Qd7zqlVmB7ku_cTgQPP38lufha3FkCS6rliY810OlVtISFKjORm9xxcG3VB3Qg3qWVscJE1EFdOYC_pK2Zc_SVT52DMYfnNBXAP9xcTmikEI39etq2PK1hjX1VA2eFtzOwlY8/w480-h640/PXL_20210507_020503042.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTyZyr26pTLIsh9Q1NjzUI8GhIrfSP2tjqiTVayWvgoXSV1fblNd36y7wzQxdqYZox-TmhAXuI3QaSsjSE4J3IDBr3VRNOTyVMSzXuSrel1rCXZzpKdGKr4fHVk8J9jEoMSzsWOnptvo/s4032/PXL_20210507_020446339.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTyZyr26pTLIsh9Q1NjzUI8GhIrfSP2tjqiTVayWvgoXSV1fblNd36y7wzQxdqYZox-TmhAXuI3QaSsjSE4J3IDBr3VRNOTyVMSzXuSrel1rCXZzpKdGKr4fHVk8J9jEoMSzsWOnptvo/w480-h640/PXL_20210507_020446339.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIdriahxP23SlrrTvup2807vKxty7Gee5PpYUEa6PrWe3OdKYBaedJt5yoBfHLachHYgn1WaaBVp6lcnXDB2-av3K8CH2EMBOZEQbaKaTW4Og_kAyGgRUaa53hh2sdWbwIql5Pj6IEZA/s4032/PXL_20210507_020516480.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIdriahxP23SlrrTvup2807vKxty7Gee5PpYUEa6PrWe3OdKYBaedJt5yoBfHLachHYgn1WaaBVp6lcnXDB2-av3K8CH2EMBOZEQbaKaTW4Og_kAyGgRUaa53hh2sdWbwIql5Pj6IEZA/w480-h640/PXL_20210507_020516480.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We spent many hours at the baseball fields covered in dirt.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5fN3kilD4uLlfAXDK2kASEzW5QWNR0ePojCupU2_LcAHK70qgmc7tS63Wco6F8YH5Rtk-x96eSt5xje8hmjcuRF2ZFmIP098vCOPLS82MgMsHToZ4gIz6-thAUciQsoLXx5ufX1sUJI/s4032/PXL_20210508_020157835.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5fN3kilD4uLlfAXDK2kASEzW5QWNR0ePojCupU2_LcAHK70qgmc7tS63Wco6F8YH5Rtk-x96eSt5xje8hmjcuRF2ZFmIP098vCOPLS82MgMsHToZ4gIz6-thAUciQsoLXx5ufX1sUJI/w480-h640/PXL_20210508_020157835.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And scootering about. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjxBbrR1zScc665ls3wztfx8GP4QOW4_oljBGl8PW9ZG2QplIvq9MethusZu6QmIMis44e6vE9JandpPofmG72X2ocuXgIUIE9ac1yzmzTHQzU7yItmTxL307qWJS0KfFPjMuNZL0yMI/s4032/PXL_20210508_203032844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjxBbrR1zScc665ls3wztfx8GP4QOW4_oljBGl8PW9ZG2QplIvq9MethusZu6QmIMis44e6vE9JandpPofmG72X2ocuXgIUIE9ac1yzmzTHQzU7yItmTxL307qWJS0KfFPjMuNZL0yMI/w480-h640/PXL_20210508_203032844.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>This season was so funny because the Brewers didn't win very many games until they got to the playoffs and then they couldn't be beat! They were one game shy of making it to the championship and that game was super close. It was a fun season!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin21AWsiXu6m-evKZm1nIT-PlUZuaDrYzHxsnAr0MiOM7vKyyh9Np8c9YBo3Nm6kQG3WSxzOTC12GZLJtpAWF5L7oiKKtOnaxQ493BXOvE4lE4JkTaN7mqtmESvt-tk9P0altLZ-MWT3Y/s1080/a9eec61f-2a8c-42ab-9b7c-d70db7a45b9f.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin21AWsiXu6m-evKZm1nIT-PlUZuaDrYzHxsnAr0MiOM7vKyyh9Np8c9YBo3Nm6kQG3WSxzOTC12GZLJtpAWF5L7oiKKtOnaxQ493BXOvE4lE4JkTaN7mqtmESvt-tk9P0altLZ-MWT3Y/w640-h640/a9eec61f-2a8c-42ab-9b7c-d70db7a45b9f.png.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5INDhIRd1kus4XuHSZiD3Gu_i7WwHf7J4Vf6zJPwZQ0ed7k_Yd0daGuD8upKB00rCHfQiEDm55ImPX57kIwIXhMLxKwPiJGeLUt583UDCGmhIBQ5fQG34GsyPG2xrhYlra7-w8ZG48mQ/s4032/ec78143d-956e-4fa2-9beb-76d259af900e.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5INDhIRd1kus4XuHSZiD3Gu_i7WwHf7J4Vf6zJPwZQ0ed7k_Yd0daGuD8upKB00rCHfQiEDm55ImPX57kIwIXhMLxKwPiJGeLUt583UDCGmhIBQ5fQG34GsyPG2xrhYlra7-w8ZG48mQ/w640-h480/ec78143d-956e-4fa2-9beb-76d259af900e.png.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We've been soaking up the perfect evenings outside before it gets too hot.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoAD__8HBPPY2Mk6cyA4MY8nwX6GLMnax1OlOl39Iq5lGtZcstvexTTU5zfYmFIcCSu5DGIS6U4IGjf2VZ5fd23ZiLToQRcim9uZIGUUjZxMgtgFFOsta2R7qOi1iTi0zhiS42_3jLSc/s4032/PXL_20210522_023320731.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoAD__8HBPPY2Mk6cyA4MY8nwX6GLMnax1OlOl39Iq5lGtZcstvexTTU5zfYmFIcCSu5DGIS6U4IGjf2VZ5fd23ZiLToQRcim9uZIGUUjZxMgtgFFOsta2R7qOi1iTi0zhiS42_3jLSc/w480-h640/PXL_20210522_023320731.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We love riding bikes, throwing around a baseball, and sword fighting with whatever long objects we can dig out of the garage. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO-JK-uF8qBsw2j961Kb2bGoknu10Yo5JQOFgWBx9dwbFuNxc4H6bL-USJDAqZGSd7ADnOYMSwqaMiV9s_J2KdNSNj-8zVkv-wyZIO5tjuMK20dwRg3l3uMFfWWrTEQlSR8EQWfFAHxQ/s4032/PXL_20210522_023214217.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFO-JK-uF8qBsw2j961Kb2bGoknu10Yo5JQOFgWBx9dwbFuNxc4H6bL-USJDAqZGSd7ADnOYMSwqaMiV9s_J2KdNSNj-8zVkv-wyZIO5tjuMK20dwRg3l3uMFfWWrTEQlSR8EQWfFAHxQ/w640-h480/PXL_20210522_023214217.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And we've had some lovely evenings at the park practicing our baseball skills. Jonah is always right in the baseball action. It might be time to officially enroll this boy into the sport because it's an obvious passion and he seems to be a natural!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_Qo5IX-gYpCn4xmqwSpIALEu0hOvwgMXF0pr14A7YzNMWeSIZXUaA66r9RkILci9JPT6EEV-qVFOjVfRpLFWGp6nIM8CTaOFJyd1h3SfkJ07Ayr21-Jyj1BPJlgninNCXEmuMzFU8EY/s4032/PXL_20210523_015033816.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_Qo5IX-gYpCn4xmqwSpIALEu0hOvwgMXF0pr14A7YzNMWeSIZXUaA66r9RkILci9JPT6EEV-qVFOjVfRpLFWGp6nIM8CTaOFJyd1h3SfkJ07Ayr21-Jyj1BPJlgninNCXEmuMzFU8EY/w480-h640/PXL_20210523_015033816.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Jeff Excellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318742818755581447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-81397313996487807172021-05-24T18:03:00.001-06:002021-05-24T18:03:14.152-06:00Carson's Big Day!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then there was he-who-has-been-writing-a-detailed-birthday-planning-list-since-last-May. Talk about birthday expectations, this boy has a lot and I'm always nervous I won't measure up to what he's built up in his head. He had a paper that he had written all of his birthday plans on, even down to each meal he wanted on his big day. First up: Chocolate chip pancakes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxChWo7XwtVRkNz9YtjGUMzamNN-SpbrGgvagb_qcATFbQoB-8SblkJds0JKTEs8jx28XdtqgbuC42wUcYKUo0wF7OCzEvfltzpH6R2OmrF2Vf4xoHn23uhZewbLQ7Ls4LKgyFZd6c3_c/s4032/PXL_20210416_142652776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxChWo7XwtVRkNz9YtjGUMzamNN-SpbrGgvagb_qcATFbQoB-8SblkJds0JKTEs8jx28XdtqgbuC42wUcYKUo0wF7OCzEvfltzpH6R2OmrF2Vf4xoHn23uhZewbLQ7Ls4LKgyFZd6c3_c/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_142652776.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>He wasn't too thrilled he had school on his birthday, but I kicked him out the door so I could get his scavenger hunt in place. After all, he wanted a HARD scavenger hunt. He repeatedly reminded me. He was so worried his would be as easy as Jonah's, so he wanted to make it clear to me that wouldn't do. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtcIJ6dTARG989_u89I2dLW_fBUw_7F-62zWdzqAFhkMvoEGomQYmGWE1HQN62lusvUWqvQStpFdtGw0WSqfEA5U-fR-6SAtIHyncXglPM5Nky84_ZzU1P_omGTtLffPmrUw_OeO8y18/s4032/PXL_20210416_142729119.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtcIJ6dTARG989_u89I2dLW_fBUw_7F-62zWdzqAFhkMvoEGomQYmGWE1HQN62lusvUWqvQStpFdtGw0WSqfEA5U-fR-6SAtIHyncXglPM5Nky84_ZzU1P_omGTtLffPmrUw_OeO8y18/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_142729119.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I can proudly say the clues were tricky and a couple of the clues left them confused but they managed to find all the loot. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe5KvyFhvMOACxJ6i6z7PEUBO6BL9nmcgoiVPrkERYS0Lmh84sFG8C-8-GojP-wlyJiLO2YEH58nH1sFcTNBKwiiL9aObuAd0HMzAcQqstzSw188JJbakbzaofAgGEw1JEF-KB9Xbelg/s4032/PXL_20210416_183058084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe5KvyFhvMOACxJ6i6z7PEUBO6BL9nmcgoiVPrkERYS0Lmh84sFG8C-8-GojP-wlyJiLO2YEH58nH1sFcTNBKwiiL9aObuAd0HMzAcQqstzSw188JJbakbzaofAgGEw1JEF-KB9Xbelg/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_183058084.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wVx7yjtVM_MQoootChymJDiF4da-6XuPTcn6WvTMQWe77tmm6WCim9Pm8DJnWGcvY1KIFTY1XWAUR8m2s161_0d83Z83FkOKMv4yRakyR3qx214f_rNL2INTfJbLu48N4Ia-ioJSeAI/s4032/PXL_20210416_183226966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wVx7yjtVM_MQoootChymJDiF4da-6XuPTcn6WvTMQWe77tmm6WCim9Pm8DJnWGcvY1KIFTY1XWAUR8m2s161_0d83Z83FkOKMv4yRakyR3qx214f_rNL2INTfJbLu48N4Ia-ioJSeAI/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_183226966.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0x0w9J6PmA4OcSczcPzqMFnw8ASRvK9Ks-F6Ypyx7peCZ12QmCN8Yx2Dizu6sk9PK7QUC-8y8YikkBoFrida8YdD_pK_KRWJCLMcxturvcdwCwgC5eNCfGr_wgEntiLJoTNZaM8xiLo/s4032/PXL_20210416_183247394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0x0w9J6PmA4OcSczcPzqMFnw8ASRvK9Ks-F6Ypyx7peCZ12QmCN8Yx2Dizu6sk9PK7QUC-8y8YikkBoFrida8YdD_pK_KRWJCLMcxturvcdwCwgC5eNCfGr_wgEntiLJoTNZaM8xiLo/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_183247394.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwRR0WIYFN7cdVz9AZmA9v7NriRuXkTT_gUDQSNVkeKBehbS5MTcpiZ7OipO12tZPukXjqXyytgg8QFwWmfGDjftn6BHiiMRODGbK8yBg8fBtbhglP0CGJmushMguqxOcks7MVCVzRGw/s4032/PXL_20210416_184009067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwRR0WIYFN7cdVz9AZmA9v7NriRuXkTT_gUDQSNVkeKBehbS5MTcpiZ7OipO12tZPukXjqXyytgg8QFwWmfGDjftn6BHiiMRODGbK8yBg8fBtbhglP0CGJmushMguqxOcks7MVCVzRGw/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_184009067.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Carson got some big gifts this year! We spent a lot of time in the spring at the baseball fields watching Eli and there is a skate park right next to the fields. I thought it would be fun for the boys to have scooters so they could ride them around in the skate park. So this is the year of the scooter over here!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6WQB-VdwVFCTerYbFP2WCjW5T9UVEtC-gpj6eqmc2kNhGhlZ61qVzR8qFgJwlBDdKT8WYA9E30nkRttisACKas_3mNM7GahPASCJapY6mfMbworO1rYvZ6NLg6tIfqIsQEX6iTRqt_Q/s4032/PXL_20210416_184131906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6WQB-VdwVFCTerYbFP2WCjW5T9UVEtC-gpj6eqmc2kNhGhlZ61qVzR8qFgJwlBDdKT8WYA9E30nkRttisACKas_3mNM7GahPASCJapY6mfMbworO1rYvZ6NLg6tIfqIsQEX6iTRqt_Q/w640-h480/PXL_20210416_184131906.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For lunch, Carson's favorite: Crepes!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrE1Fr5OnnMSm6jx_0DuOohF0gBAnw100idWu9WRmQZ9eJAAkC1THz_KvJQEVlpJqVHdezfNDSRi1JmxegFwsD4WLXICA6y2YQxIwqhFlM6ziNGT-4ShAlbM4FiuZGQX5bzGSgucxAXM/s4032/PXL_20210416_191415618.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrE1Fr5OnnMSm6jx_0DuOohF0gBAnw100idWu9WRmQZ9eJAAkC1THz_KvJQEVlpJqVHdezfNDSRi1JmxegFwsD4WLXICA6y2YQxIwqhFlM6ziNGT-4ShAlbM4FiuZGQX5bzGSgucxAXM/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_191415618.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Then he took his new hoverboard attachment out for a joy ride. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheiogmpZg_LMOt9hKxmqieEBPMd-4uqLInoKvxRmQQ3cQ63scSOvcB_ky5U0tQd9NaxMDFJPE9dXP9UUKi4GGiAD_zLTd1SPezCxRnUO7WoSqwHx4MoTQh4XCWP6w7f-3Vapfbf7bamU/s4032/PXL_20210416_195034050.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheiogmpZg_LMOt9hKxmqieEBPMd-4uqLInoKvxRmQQ3cQ63scSOvcB_ky5U0tQd9NaxMDFJPE9dXP9UUKi4GGiAD_zLTd1SPezCxRnUO7WoSqwHx4MoTQh4XCWP6w7f-3Vapfbf7bamU/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_195034050.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Then we went to Uptown Jungle for a couple hours of play.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV6NazXt6TPL4y3rjX6V49jEqlYnKCaTBVuiR8ApP3MPJFl_g67iT7yGlCiKnatcqG8D6NQqsINprQIZjDsV9QngzonCd11-q-IGB5juZ7XC_Z5Zt5YyvXJjAFp0rmq26gi_zHMRFB2A/s4032/PXL_20210416_203002260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV6NazXt6TPL4y3rjX6V49jEqlYnKCaTBVuiR8ApP3MPJFl_g67iT7yGlCiKnatcqG8D6NQqsINprQIZjDsV9QngzonCd11-q-IGB5juZ7XC_Z5Zt5YyvXJjAFp0rmq26gi_zHMRFB2A/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_203002260.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i6v6b-Va7iz0ZniRDRTyHSGM3TGQVzPEEtt45CWD1vbYx5LyB_Ac6MiBNXs06HIcWVrb-ynjpdTEXdBXH7Oph_lY2C1p8HtZ0ZAi5elqMDccKtSL6SlvwYsIffemmjo0-FyS3EbQ7tw/s4032/PXL_20210416_213617323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i6v6b-Va7iz0ZniRDRTyHSGM3TGQVzPEEtt45CWD1vbYx5LyB_Ac6MiBNXs06HIcWVrb-ynjpdTEXdBXH7Oph_lY2C1p8HtZ0ZAi5elqMDccKtSL6SlvwYsIffemmjo0-FyS3EbQ7tw/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_213617323.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt_UX5XNRagBqWrZFUYOJjqTip07GI2k6ygvDsaEggxJPZ1HtvT7Eq1qPg0w9i52qwvbWsKVvhfGuvS_MVgiTh-vb7UR31Zx6UIRTgbpQ7Xvc23ChFColHUzj7iLQwfA3OPyag1BZreA/s4032/PXL_20210416_213720086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt_UX5XNRagBqWrZFUYOJjqTip07GI2k6ygvDsaEggxJPZ1HtvT7Eq1qPg0w9i52qwvbWsKVvhfGuvS_MVgiTh-vb7UR31Zx6UIRTgbpQ7Xvc23ChFColHUzj7iLQwfA3OPyag1BZreA/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_213720086.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And then it was back home for video games (obvs.) and spaghetti with BREADSTICKS. Emphasis on the BREADSTICKS. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0Nk6A6TN7CCdSy5QL00HF9hUziJMF02mrUKg-3OJoB6IsKhyphenhyphentpkUBL8o5CQmorh0PttEXTrpZoKiMRECNMtmizunnUNd6r8wYxstqVl63DYJ2LOt5qn8J2-vG84VB14N51rKMQ_WqnQ/s4032/PXL_20210417_002017909.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0Nk6A6TN7CCdSy5QL00HF9hUziJMF02mrUKg-3OJoB6IsKhyphenhyphentpkUBL8o5CQmorh0PttEXTrpZoKiMRECNMtmizunnUNd6r8wYxstqVl63DYJ2LOt5qn8J2-vG84VB14N51rKMQ_WqnQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210417_002017909.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>By evening Carson had had such a busy day he had barely even had time to play with any of his toys. He was excited to settle in with all his new stuff and just take it easy after Oreo Cream Pie.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlBt-gR93ON-dkNmX1KsTLczXjRSEeXSBPIaPyfNyxqFV8lpY73yb9V-9OVJZ5hL1Bc36NSpgxhpeCIeIXnlfn-G_uNfA_H6BZy60U14gLayyzGm9ZAiZ2ivPhfFPAYRvrcqwAtFLpsg/s4032/PXL_20210417_020603310.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlBt-gR93ON-dkNmX1KsTLczXjRSEeXSBPIaPyfNyxqFV8lpY73yb9V-9OVJZ5hL1Bc36NSpgxhpeCIeIXnlfn-G_uNfA_H6BZy60U14gLayyzGm9ZAiZ2ivPhfFPAYRvrcqwAtFLpsg/w480-h640/PXL_20210417_020603310.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>(They made us do the confetti again in the background.)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpUFfuwxYfFrC3jGgDhAfgQ1vtGzqC1boqAa3d-YO1qkUcL39uNH5cXSMDcJZxddNiihwiO6DmZlyPMwHwhezBBAYLPPVcWCUd-YgPMwqucDE6tvZ8ci5LmZhtVHTL-ATumZiQsMMlmU/s4032/PXL_20210417_020822953.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpUFfuwxYfFrC3jGgDhAfgQ1vtGzqC1boqAa3d-YO1qkUcL39uNH5cXSMDcJZxddNiihwiO6DmZlyPMwHwhezBBAYLPPVcWCUd-YgPMwqucDE6tvZ8ci5LmZhtVHTL-ATumZiQsMMlmU/w480-h640/PXL_20210417_020822953.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Carson's birthday was so fun. I love that Carson always has a plan for his birthday. It was fun to bring his plan to life and give him a special day all about him! <p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-4161483002007999022021-05-24T17:45:00.004-06:002021-05-24T17:45:47.405-06:00All Four Jonah<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spring in Vegas means many evenings at the park (especially due to baseball season but we'll get to that next post). In the meantime, enjoy these goofballs enjoying the skate park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKbSGyhMFCfwSSpX41X97pfOTDfNrGhv9nT7UJRuH6wbI4yGRxkUnMzbi6NP70tcMDFEAkUtd_GyAOj6PgMQJz5sYcqELj73EJKtSKoiGOYLlO0-Wjpi4MQHzkYKjVpn7R3PSiSgVO-E/s4032/PXL_20210413_015930220.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKbSGyhMFCfwSSpX41X97pfOTDfNrGhv9nT7UJRuH6wbI4yGRxkUnMzbi6NP70tcMDFEAkUtd_GyAOj6PgMQJz5sYcqELj73EJKtSKoiGOYLlO0-Wjpi4MQHzkYKjVpn7R3PSiSgVO-E/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_015930220.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Spring also means we're halfway through birthday season at our house. Next up: Jonah! This little dude turned four! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-wc-WL_a8OTu6H2uiBkalXsG6QiHAmk6wX_vsugwP2hb64vZ5ATDXBs7i9wFyiuCShqpe0X5xZnlL1Q8D7PPuwHIXQrdWfSJQlcV66OBO8rrOfglwiSv9R3jSauRQukr4agYFO31hh0/s4032/PXL_20210413_135848880.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-wc-WL_a8OTu6H2uiBkalXsG6QiHAmk6wX_vsugwP2hb64vZ5ATDXBs7i9wFyiuCShqpe0X5xZnlL1Q8D7PPuwHIXQrdWfSJQlcV66OBO8rrOfglwiSv9R3jSauRQukr4agYFO31hh0/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_135848880.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>He spent the entire morning piling all of these balloons up and then running through them as fast as he could. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrosNg3ejVOIA5trbVcVIo285YjZox3TQL3deRfwYz8qbjwWKOcYhJT4YmBMbx8mQzas2IRGkY6t1RY06ynUKPVRE6axnbalwD1YueGYlcKlTtNvJI-VaU0LD3JdoTxHL1gnux2X-b28/s4032/PXL_20210413_171841603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrosNg3ejVOIA5trbVcVIo285YjZox3TQL3deRfwYz8qbjwWKOcYhJT4YmBMbx8mQzas2IRGkY6t1RY06ynUKPVRE6axnbalwD1YueGYlcKlTtNvJI-VaU0LD3JdoTxHL1gnux2X-b28/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_171841603.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Then we spent the afternoon hanging out at a park while we waited for Carson to get out of school. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOtwatnKTBupS5M6OKp0sU7-sOXU9w1FNjehzlKWFuXU5tPwMDfp8mTe88gEbaDRf5yFDjb5L0aWS13gHlY1jm8POxZg3bNJW_UL8KykOYHicUeUu5p8-Dc3VhlRJcQwjr4gbysI_I1Y/s4032/PXL_20210413_175710879.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOtwatnKTBupS5M6OKp0sU7-sOXU9w1FNjehzlKWFuXU5tPwMDfp8mTe88gEbaDRf5yFDjb5L0aWS13gHlY1jm8POxZg3bNJW_UL8KykOYHicUeUu5p8-Dc3VhlRJcQwjr4gbysI_I1Y/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_175710879.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And then it was time for the now-famous birthday scavenger hunt. As always, I hid the first clue in one of the balloons. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJkCWt738d7qgkqrUbBoISApsKvd7hn6H8MvSFN-lfugDALOOfrUpUbq1HgKV2bVlHEtjqpif1OLa_ktCdUJLyi3LPmAouB1GeeWevFy-aPCuJLLWnL_xxZru7jUCvZ0JdvYBdHhyyLc/s4032/PXL_20210413_182556941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJkCWt738d7qgkqrUbBoISApsKvd7hn6H8MvSFN-lfugDALOOfrUpUbq1HgKV2bVlHEtjqpif1OLa_ktCdUJLyi3LPmAouB1GeeWevFy-aPCuJLLWnL_xxZru7jUCvZ0JdvYBdHhyyLc/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_182556941.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Like a gunshot at the start of a race, the pop of the balloon signalled the hunt was on! I drew pictures for Jonah so he would know where to look for each gift. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ozZD6F9OuQoVZ9LG-8-rge1Mi8iagLANkTPJFCm1aG8yRZMvQpE5rd-TJlgX0pPJh5ux7NG5mAPjNhcWvjKioQ0TtAdWUUMD1UdNHBULPAUJ48e0BlHv7AW0UDpobKpxZfUVvNRSrAA/s4032/PXL_20210413_182613783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ozZD6F9OuQoVZ9LG-8-rge1Mi8iagLANkTPJFCm1aG8yRZMvQpE5rd-TJlgX0pPJh5ux7NG5mAPjNhcWvjKioQ0TtAdWUUMD1UdNHBULPAUJ48e0BlHv7AW0UDpobKpxZfUVvNRSrAA/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_182613783.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And, of course, Carson was there eager to give hints and assistance. Carson also on repeat was sure to tell me he wanted a HARD scavenger hunt for his birthday. NO PICTURES. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfpFUYduZMBK2982QwdQPB80bLgG0y8CO-VAVdxJPqcQlw1PsiwH2ExW3ql2NdWLn8phx5juaJABd5qPiCi8a_aQnHlhcODguUDHotA51Jh0I4I0ivRq5Bx3ZrO6aAOOF_eleu6UA9Y0/s4032/PXL_20210413_182636281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfpFUYduZMBK2982QwdQPB80bLgG0y8CO-VAVdxJPqcQlw1PsiwH2ExW3ql2NdWLn8phx5juaJABd5qPiCi8a_aQnHlhcODguUDHotA51Jh0I4I0ivRq5Bx3ZrO6aAOOF_eleu6UA9Y0/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_182636281.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Before long everything was discovered and opened. I always joke with the boys that I'm going to get them a Barbie Dream Castle whenever their birthday rolls around. When Jonah opened up a legitimate Barbie, the boys all gasped in disbelief and accused me of being so mean. <p></p><p>HOWEVER! We had just spent the weekend in St. George where there was a little Dora the Explorer doll that Jonah was loving changing the clothes of and he carried that thing around with him the whole time we were there. I'm always on the hunt for different kinds of toys since we have every boy toy there ever was to exist. Dora made me realize we didn't have any toys you could change their clothes and I thought ALL the boys could have fun dressing up a doll.</p><p>As the boys started tearing into all the new toys, the Barbies were instantly rejected and cast to the side. After lunch Eli only brought the Barbies out when he needed a target for his bow and arrow. After a few minutes of that, he grabbed the doll, grabbed a shirt, and did a little costume change. And then a little more. And then a little more. And before long all four boys were designing wardrobe changes for their Ken friend for a LITERAL HOUR!</p><p>I gave myself a knowing smile and a pat on the back for the successful integration of Barbies into this bunch of boys. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN8NKC8rimPwKmmNq8YGVD1xKVxQDSTEyMk-E96T1T5T_eCGVMXlLJTxaxznvZfXbaCz9hyVQvDgM0isE_GcKsGfmJqop-xcAi5KdEIYCeFYN4EUnFIioe2Fv0udonrFmyf4iXF6o-ag/s4032/PXL_20210413_183731987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN8NKC8rimPwKmmNq8YGVD1xKVxQDSTEyMk-E96T1T5T_eCGVMXlLJTxaxznvZfXbaCz9hyVQvDgM0isE_GcKsGfmJqop-xcAi5KdEIYCeFYN4EUnFIioe2Fv0udonrFmyf4iXF6o-ag/w640-h480/PXL_20210413_183731987.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Jonah didn't just want a garbage truck cake, he wanted to HELP make his garbage truck cake. I enjoy doing most tasks quietly alone, so it took a lot of patience to have the tiny fingers of Lincoln and Jonah poking around all of the cake decorating supplies while we got the job done, but we did it together. Lincoln did prove to be incredibly useful as the resident garbage truck expert. He served as my quality control assistant, making sure I had the correct proportions and accurate anatomy of a garbage truck. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGiKnaBgD1QAV8HfNieWCVGKhUDTc3RGhtNrCdNxllTRVvQLi1dWXgwp9-eRKfu2-euvwfH6d83RQto1DA4ycgx89n4guOp_wN27l0SNAhvc-CH4Qjo4DX90rspmPFq-5TSt60vrbZdQ/s4032/PXL_20210413_214953093.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGiKnaBgD1QAV8HfNieWCVGKhUDTc3RGhtNrCdNxllTRVvQLi1dWXgwp9-eRKfu2-euvwfH6d83RQto1DA4ycgx89n4guOp_wN27l0SNAhvc-CH4Qjo4DX90rspmPFq-5TSt60vrbZdQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210413_214953093.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN7N1DraFdOOD9Xa6vaqm1UFCdu-HH3a25hSnlJ5K1nuzVzfaST_bzZeWsUtfafN9jZWkqz7ELo4GeYUxDosMbEtQ3UGBNrE2CEL3EkXrYqZfxe7s7t4T50SZ-jl93XsShsgYkw2Xdp8/s4032/PXL_20210414_015123397.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN7N1DraFdOOD9Xa6vaqm1UFCdu-HH3a25hSnlJ5K1nuzVzfaST_bzZeWsUtfafN9jZWkqz7ELo4GeYUxDosMbEtQ3UGBNrE2CEL3EkXrYqZfxe7s7t4T50SZ-jl93XsShsgYkw2Xdp8/w640-h480/PXL_20210414_015123397.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The word confetti came up while we were cutting the cake. Jeff and I discovered NONE of the kids knew what confetti is. (You might have a clean freak mom if...) We put a confetti loop on the TV to introduce our kids to confetti without the cleanup. And we may have started another tradition. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUoEawYiOHOcPlZ9HRLqhlDpJCywOPJJPRDsuIxSJ2nwk1GJZokyxSTu9ApP8JyR0y1sds3aXHg01yS8BM7iNHbLQnBobz2DjPb7_xmy7iOj91svecy7juluC16zDH1ZRMpJMnGsQekM/s4032/PXL_20210414_020426368.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUoEawYiOHOcPlZ9HRLqhlDpJCywOPJJPRDsuIxSJ2nwk1GJZokyxSTu9ApP8JyR0y1sds3aXHg01yS8BM7iNHbLQnBobz2DjPb7_xmy7iOj91svecy7juluC16zDH1ZRMpJMnGsQekM/w480-h640/PXL_20210414_020426368.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jonah bought himself a "Link sword and shield" with his birthday money from Grandma and I think that was his favorite gift of all. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0HMlBwnJyrniWW2KHt7sy1a6BT-UCCBHgjmvu9gEMOuTQOQE9BFQApA38A5b6DkxeQ4NhKAh-G-T6mbK3oLRyQ4rmPfyNRDq1yg5YZtqs_iIPNs54-WcgKb8iFi0vB6az_Knt2bYj5o/s4032/PXL_20210415_231028344.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0HMlBwnJyrniWW2KHt7sy1a6BT-UCCBHgjmvu9gEMOuTQOQE9BFQApA38A5b6DkxeQ4NhKAh-G-T6mbK3oLRyQ4rmPfyNRDq1yg5YZtqs_iIPNs54-WcgKb8iFi0vB6az_Knt2bYj5o/w480-h640/PXL_20210415_231028344.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>For a solid week he had the sword tucked in the back of his shirt wherever he went. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJgTlxtjte_Qxb9XKG3rxgrSD5QWki7XnEwMI_dZDqJNkjmWdKdNea4vLPvjLzrC_7pzOZP2hfKfPqpL63tplFeG3BapKZEKkgCdngWMIihtt-TX9H3Y30-cXJPlN8SYgJTw9UPedf0w/s4032/PXL_20210416_012309082.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJgTlxtjte_Qxb9XKG3rxgrSD5QWki7XnEwMI_dZDqJNkjmWdKdNea4vLPvjLzrC_7pzOZP2hfKfPqpL63tplFeG3BapKZEKkgCdngWMIihtt-TX9H3Y30-cXJPlN8SYgJTw9UPedf0w/w480-h640/PXL_20210416_012309082.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jonah was so cute all day on his birthday. Ever since Christmas he's spent every day asking when it would be his birthday, and with it finally here, he genuinely loved and enjoyed every minute of it. After I put him to bed for the night, I walked out and soon heard him crying. His crying quickly turned to sobbing, a cry different than what I've ever heard him cry before. I went in to see what was going on. <p></p><p>The wailing and sobbing continued as I tried to work out of him what was making him so sad. He finally was able to put into words, "This was my goodest birthday. And now it's OVER!"</p><p>And with that we finished the night off with a solid birthday crash and a long night's sleep. </p><p>When Jonah woke up the morning after his birthday, he excitedly said, "What number am I now?" We had made a big deal about him suddenly being FOUR on his birthday that he seemed to be under the impression he would now wake up each new day with a new number assigned to him.</p><p>I think he's finally re-stabilized his emotions and daily expectations for his post-birthday life. And I'm left with a year of planning to see if we can make FIVE his goodest-est birthday ever.</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-10279494327351841472021-05-24T16:56:00.001-06:002021-05-24T16:56:47.157-06:00Easter Weekend and More Eli Lessons<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got a new couch! Just in time for General Conference viewing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOT2CjEjJ7MEJAVRELLAzz5F5ELSUxpcGyW-tuaiXeIqoJ3MA6d3lv1JiTKxURAbQ73bS-YZ3RJNDxOoY-OjSipUPYk_-D1TvQSXn8VgplFtEIfRhqMpNnjaQVUR5AaKH1cAdGUcZU0Lc/s4032/PXL_20210403_163112266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOT2CjEjJ7MEJAVRELLAzz5F5ELSUxpcGyW-tuaiXeIqoJ3MA6d3lv1JiTKxURAbQ73bS-YZ3RJNDxOoY-OjSipUPYk_-D1TvQSXn8VgplFtEIfRhqMpNnjaQVUR5AaKH1cAdGUcZU0Lc/w640-h480/PXL_20210403_163112266.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Yet somehow none of the kids ended up on the couch during our spiritual upliftment. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj879Q_aTNpVXIt0oH6MxlHq7o2doT6GIYxMM7FN72KaCBb1bP3pepFOTkWrN68mVY6oAmI8eSFytUWW9WcXN8rQHbkLLhUCi_F9uzcC8bjfXTgs9it3q6_Alf0C4ByOieUGhQ0IGTu_TE/s4032/PXL_20210403_201938934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj879Q_aTNpVXIt0oH6MxlHq7o2doT6GIYxMM7FN72KaCBb1bP3pepFOTkWrN68mVY6oAmI8eSFytUWW9WcXN8rQHbkLLhUCi_F9uzcC8bjfXTgs9it3q6_Alf0C4ByOieUGhQ0IGTu_TE/w640-h480/PXL_20210403_201938934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Eli got busy on a paint-by-number.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi886gT72dWwHSrUhajDaa0Q_Irkm7UiacluIiGHVBRZN3VGF5lz6tSuKSmCcXxsflM04pSSACiu64xLGOPrwXSDj1MWDYyeJDZtwmBqBC_hG8b14QSn7fftYfULIqUYLX1KW3drcncVoc/s4032/PXL_20210404_180115418.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi886gT72dWwHSrUhajDaa0Q_Irkm7UiacluIiGHVBRZN3VGF5lz6tSuKSmCcXxsflM04pSSACiu64xLGOPrwXSDj1MWDYyeJDZtwmBqBC_hG8b14QSn7fftYfULIqUYLX1KW3drcncVoc/w480-h640/PXL_20210404_180115418.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jeff hosted an Easter Egg Hunt between sessions. (He was horrified to learn I hadn't bought a lick of Easter candy when he asked the night before Easter, so he rushed to the store to bring some Easter excitement into our lives.)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLehl6mkhJhBfaRwQy_I56f80Sa9zXr7ufER5Mquu5TNs_XxZCZxpsVrDmchm0Bkrm_np6q_7OnVjim-9FU2brduFlqhdCKvns1ptFQZJMZ9OvFmXg0pWVq1SFuDbN60MupKJOeyzr4pU/s4032/PXL_20210404_181206927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLehl6mkhJhBfaRwQy_I56f80Sa9zXr7ufER5Mquu5TNs_XxZCZxpsVrDmchm0Bkrm_np6q_7OnVjim-9FU2brduFlqhdCKvns1ptFQZJMZ9OvFmXg0pWVq1SFuDbN60MupKJOeyzr4pU/w480-h640/PXL_20210404_181206927.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzz9KKRRAFkOfXrusxREi6Zo3wfxSOQnzRMmnSqw5H8z57EyKe7ajLkijS354sicrvF3mNb-asZdMS4T3b0auEuEzxR-vdnKxIzC-UkP-9itVLLFnuKni0GHFt53vZ1K6csr_Lt9Uh78k/s4032/PXL_20210404_181315515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzz9KKRRAFkOfXrusxREi6Zo3wfxSOQnzRMmnSqw5H8z57EyKe7ajLkijS354sicrvF3mNb-asZdMS4T3b0auEuEzxR-vdnKxIzC-UkP-9itVLLFnuKni0GHFt53vZ1K6csr_Lt9Uh78k/w480-h640/PXL_20210404_181315515.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I HAD planned to at least dye Easter eggs. Is that not enough?!?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ1iF2fufsPD08EELk30HRlZpKjdLero6-xd6cYgyejxBK_spqrQTnPtNefir8KfwMlGXwLAIxeGRLPwQmLmuCFpTGr_EEzHROoPhcGJhc6VcSVkXmMKf-j480WG5tpVkEizW6puPW-M/s4032/PXL_20210404_190136864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ1iF2fufsPD08EELk30HRlZpKjdLero6-xd6cYgyejxBK_spqrQTnPtNefir8KfwMlGXwLAIxeGRLPwQmLmuCFpTGr_EEzHROoPhcGJhc6VcSVkXmMKf-j480WG5tpVkEizW6puPW-M/w640-h480/PXL_20210404_190136864.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalfZchWdxSdIP52NMhTm-5cj0w1mvBrmj27joa8NJ6d5vAU0K_b6u7lUJ1g54WR6OUo5Gn2ESEB-xe3gwXl9AAuik6lLgjfv3XLBOi3Jv-gO6DiSJG1p0LKgi728OBL-Pb4kR3WffGoc/s4032/PXL_20210404_185910440.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalfZchWdxSdIP52NMhTm-5cj0w1mvBrmj27joa8NJ6d5vAU0K_b6u7lUJ1g54WR6OUo5Gn2ESEB-xe3gwXl9AAuik6lLgjfv3XLBOi3Jv-gO6DiSJG1p0LKgi728OBL-Pb4kR3WffGoc/w480-h640/PXL_20210404_185910440.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1v64fAaRCLsA6zFhSaFoAYdD5PosAlNCSpcVxQSqP-2inwsS1rA6U4sX1HwAnXnsSLAda1HSlRelYFHHhzzjYucoEUBjZ9NTj96ZJMGO0EzH-_Bh2PrU5nDO8PtPuhYbAUUg9PfHpv8/s4032/PXL_20210404_185913409.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1v64fAaRCLsA6zFhSaFoAYdD5PosAlNCSpcVxQSqP-2inwsS1rA6U4sX1HwAnXnsSLAda1HSlRelYFHHhzzjYucoEUBjZ9NTj96ZJMGO0EzH-_Bh2PrU5nDO8PtPuhYbAUUg9PfHpv8/w480-h640/PXL_20210404_185913409.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQ2eGebH15NN-lNdL0uddUwCUyshmbvRpuYVjxspwilUTBi4Im9NOcywzfsbcuQjmwJoT1pLJnDdBsujuOrvFaOkYp_4eNdl5Yi-ZoqJyf6aJ8HvfY-KCL3lKpb8_dCJJBUs5tclXmTw/s4032/PXL_20210404_185902369.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQ2eGebH15NN-lNdL0uddUwCUyshmbvRpuYVjxspwilUTBi4Im9NOcywzfsbcuQjmwJoT1pLJnDdBsujuOrvFaOkYp_4eNdl5Yi-ZoqJyf6aJ8HvfY-KCL3lKpb8_dCJJBUs5tclXmTw/w480-h640/PXL_20210404_185902369.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoMlOcYpNgNNeih2GjdPtJMp4hNCMPXhI5wDu25qhwrcCvzpRtvacoS39Yt21qmS5zLGZxk4312s4L_THC4pCeCrKLKLjN3vd0RyjrA3FRmiHWevhFYSkPr76PM6wIFB9rm1T_c6TSwo/s4032/PXL_20210404_185908376.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoMlOcYpNgNNeih2GjdPtJMp4hNCMPXhI5wDu25qhwrcCvzpRtvacoS39Yt21qmS5zLGZxk4312s4L_THC4pCeCrKLKLjN3vd0RyjrA3FRmiHWevhFYSkPr76PM6wIFB9rm1T_c6TSwo/w480-h640/PXL_20210404_185908376.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Eli finished his artwork! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-krf0XlB0OdnP5C-G2czgwyuwTRgcKWSkzPM_1b7isqHfVGEn6lsoCVpR94yhKZV-K71NUk0RqE9gu4EK20OTBYzdrb1dOtoJANaaqWHz0QYsr9sZy6ES-vW0n5Lwt2SHa4rWa59c9I/s4032/PXL_20210404_211825681.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-krf0XlB0OdnP5C-G2czgwyuwTRgcKWSkzPM_1b7isqHfVGEn6lsoCVpR94yhKZV-K71NUk0RqE9gu4EK20OTBYzdrb1dOtoJANaaqWHz0QYsr9sZy6ES-vW0n5Lwt2SHa4rWa59c9I/w480-h640/PXL_20210404_211825681.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>At school, Eli had been having a paper airplane throwing competition. Eli had been loving the competition and had spent the entire week perfecting his plane proportions for an optimal flight path. <p></p><p>Eli harnessed some of that airplane energy into a night light lesson. He printed out pictures of people and laid them on the ground as different markers for their testimonies (airplanes). Their airplanes gauged how many people their testimony reached. If their testimony wasn't quite strong enough, Eli showed them how to work on it to make it stronger and more effective to reach more people.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vuTpG1E0V8kWN87RXlISGNKR8j8NfUuawk4OMmCxwAdAkF9RDqOKKrviW6S3klgUa_9dvq_98SmnhsnctfZABSzmRvAaK_t1d8IRM17t2RHbWIONQGjuSAPdDNfKbQ6Ozx1HPEPnfyU/s4032/PXL_20210410_024957011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vuTpG1E0V8kWN87RXlISGNKR8j8NfUuawk4OMmCxwAdAkF9RDqOKKrviW6S3klgUa_9dvq_98SmnhsnctfZABSzmRvAaK_t1d8IRM17t2RHbWIONQGjuSAPdDNfKbQ6Ozx1HPEPnfyU/w480-h640/PXL_20210410_024957011.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByC6wdFQ8I1P8ivhi91brEttADgEBP2JOFhLPfFVzx9yjRAHWmwYZudpVA8nBMi4ZgkfZibWftfyQbVw3adT9WdDHyU4WhkwdQPSa30ZgCvYBdPlEEo_8GobTCjXie3Y9_DIBMQxwlLc/s4032/PXL_20210410_025004474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByC6wdFQ8I1P8ivhi91brEttADgEBP2JOFhLPfFVzx9yjRAHWmwYZudpVA8nBMi4ZgkfZibWftfyQbVw3adT9WdDHyU4WhkwdQPSa30ZgCvYBdPlEEo_8GobTCjXie3Y9_DIBMQxwlLc/w480-h640/PXL_20210410_025004474.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE-E-NM4WZ7mbLmde_gtO_WnkGJk7thA7R0R_ye6UmsTrgziZ13yfIQf0UaPSEXZI5WLaV2WNdZXGkqhTCae_LtOazUYres2TRuuGwn-v-Ev-_XsL2WekwAnpEVRqsnTuS1o23AlGBfM/s4032/PXL_20210410_024951710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyE-E-NM4WZ7mbLmde_gtO_WnkGJk7thA7R0R_ye6UmsTrgziZ13yfIQf0UaPSEXZI5WLaV2WNdZXGkqhTCae_LtOazUYres2TRuuGwn-v-Ev-_XsL2WekwAnpEVRqsnTuS1o23AlGBfM/w640-h480/PXL_20210410_024951710.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Another night he taught us about the wise man and the foolish man with a Lego house on a rock and on sand. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbKaABALIqst-yfdA70RUQwEqtHO4N09jGBbv0nQlrrhRaTHR2UXQqymty_Rz_MpPmT97mEzTXHTaA6L2lXMiCBPWUaWqg5vRtsvpP48RCnDQDh5WDABEIL3_BmesdgRnxIdZB6t9Vyw/s4032/PXL_20210411_220056568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbKaABALIqst-yfdA70RUQwEqtHO4N09jGBbv0nQlrrhRaTHR2UXQqymty_Rz_MpPmT97mEzTXHTaA6L2lXMiCBPWUaWqg5vRtsvpP48RCnDQDh5WDABEIL3_BmesdgRnxIdZB6t9Vyw/w480-h640/PXL_20210411_220056568.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR16OkAxMf3RlXoxDwRtPtZpFW-X7QsiW1m8DpP9R5LON6pPyI0dQusjoxrGI-yzzeqNEzLQCs8thdGn1GNz_zTvbbCqTCaVsoY8EZ6_r58iwgG9jy98mVq7Z1BQ5MaX22pIs6D9h0FYk/s4032/PXL_20210411_220438563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR16OkAxMf3RlXoxDwRtPtZpFW-X7QsiW1m8DpP9R5LON6pPyI0dQusjoxrGI-yzzeqNEzLQCs8thdGn1GNz_zTvbbCqTCaVsoY8EZ6_r58iwgG9jy98mVq7Z1BQ5MaX22pIs6D9h0FYk/w480-h640/PXL_20210411_220438563.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I'm forever impressed by the clever and relatable ways Eli teaches our family the gospel. <p></p><p>And I'm forever impressed by Carson's artwork. I love the details, the whimsy, and the glimpse into his busy brain. His pictures always make me smile. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0K31ygT1WqiTi3sRF1g1td55B_rm1-5fWW0cXaG2owmJ5v1beXGr10lutTB9IcFtsb7-R40sJKI0tuIISe_9XTObtkNdJmem_sT_Tie3LIBEEmULi6k6xWax9XpGfeJXdIJTmI3HLFQ/s4032/PXL_20210414_235122275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0K31ygT1WqiTi3sRF1g1td55B_rm1-5fWW0cXaG2owmJ5v1beXGr10lutTB9IcFtsb7-R40sJKI0tuIISe_9XTObtkNdJmem_sT_Tie3LIBEEmULi6k6xWax9XpGfeJXdIJTmI3HLFQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210414_235122275.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-69755942419876425072021-05-24T16:11:00.000-06:002021-05-24T16:11:02.091-06:00Friends, Sand, Family<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have not been as diligent with our Come, Follow Me studies this year with the Doctrine and Covenants as we were last year with The Book of Mormon. However, we do manage to sneak a few lessons in here and there. Eli will often volunteer to take over lesson planning and he does such a great job. This night he made paper dolls for the boys to dress their doll with The Armor of God. Smiles all around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUm4asX7WoWIYlRpzZiOiPpLBthekfA6hdxGUN-t0LufL86zEXxXQ2mQgmRDtW5GDJBSkaOpE0sy0xHPs3rVZtEES83PkpsJumgpq1vaAPgewxC_mnb2yDjejm7IVUrBOOtgIrV9pISk/s4032/PXL_20210316_024536048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUm4asX7WoWIYlRpzZiOiPpLBthekfA6hdxGUN-t0LufL86zEXxXQ2mQgmRDtW5GDJBSkaOpE0sy0xHPs3rVZtEES83PkpsJumgpq1vaAPgewxC_mnb2yDjejm7IVUrBOOtgIrV9pISk/w640-h480/PXL_20210316_024536048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb7znRP_MIzsgqF4iXfSp_gOrD4wb6MFPPDco_MmxSE2KmvAdLpDzKV0Gs3iVip5Az2quT20QnMJ8wUfEzy9OZ3ttDo8cGdWvWeVEcAypc6u7e_wD6Htd4hNPHyqAX0t9TV5GGfkVjs4/s4032/PXL_20210316_030203282.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb7znRP_MIzsgqF4iXfSp_gOrD4wb6MFPPDco_MmxSE2KmvAdLpDzKV0Gs3iVip5Az2quT20QnMJ8wUfEzy9OZ3ttDo8cGdWvWeVEcAypc6u7e_wD6Htd4hNPHyqAX0t9TV5GGfkVjs4/w480-h640/PXL_20210316_030203282.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-si5-Y_CVxRUl-0Nv7m7UEeYKy00-9UMPc6yYVje_qDZ05EVSWR8ZTNcDyfjdxa_DjvbPjU2Uwu5-S5Iw_wO9xn-BTfqp-nODKEn2zMla-_lPRXszmtTjaEUYd-XeFrrbDQ9HiNgybM/s4032/PXL_20210316_025836769.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-si5-Y_CVxRUl-0Nv7m7UEeYKy00-9UMPc6yYVje_qDZ05EVSWR8ZTNcDyfjdxa_DjvbPjU2Uwu5-S5Iw_wO9xn-BTfqp-nODKEn2zMla-_lPRXszmtTjaEUYd-XeFrrbDQ9HiNgybM/w480-h640/PXL_20210316_025836769.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmcnWUbVm457XT0KKFzAduHUNSbmL2j0tLBISX_wSjK80ns-yBlJo19I-qJSI7Dq0gpsz8N0nBJRrd8e9LbZGfTsqn9h38o2UMff950Fo4U-nnjv_RsQSkAxp_ilsy-od2b_4jFeS4Dg/s4032/PXL_20210316_030306743.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmcnWUbVm457XT0KKFzAduHUNSbmL2j0tLBISX_wSjK80ns-yBlJo19I-qJSI7Dq0gpsz8N0nBJRrd8e9LbZGfTsqn9h38o2UMff950Fo4U-nnjv_RsQSkAxp_ilsy-od2b_4jFeS4Dg/w480-h640/PXL_20210316_030306743.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Any casual reader of the blog here (and anybody in our neighborhood) knows Lincoln and Jonah LOVE the garbage man. We are loyal fans and admirers of the friendly, big trucked community worker. One afternoon we had just gotten home from school and got a knock on the door. We were surprised to see the garbage man himself standing there with a toy truck for Lincoln and a Republic Services hat for Lincoln. It was so sweet and thoughtful and only further secured our love and dedication to our weekly sanitation superheroes. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitP7GjuwiW6Dh2JKZsfJiAQFNqHURpL9Hu2PmtWYZWCB_SeTTRZfYKx5AlQhStL62Hxvi8EN7p7QUggDh8Ga-R5pXvsULTztowDApM9MqHh870NBCfmlnq6Yj_TtefzcNbAcen0LH-nQ/s4032/PXL_20210322_185122866.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitP7GjuwiW6Dh2JKZsfJiAQFNqHURpL9Hu2PmtWYZWCB_SeTTRZfYKx5AlQhStL62Hxvi8EN7p7QUggDh8Ga-R5pXvsULTztowDApM9MqHh870NBCfmlnq6Yj_TtefzcNbAcen0LH-nQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210322_185122866.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Covid restrictions have begun lifting for youth activities. We dove right into getting back together with a stake Youth Conference to the sand dunes. The weather was lovely, the kids were cheery and fun, and the event was adventurous with dune buggy rides and a homemade zipline. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJTaTHvB81YcUu-af87uXiOuJBgx6Fi7FVsCpZRMSxrmKx_pYzDa-BC4tJQr1gGiL9ELlzTEABgkFImaOOVHuEHQ-vAOIvEEMH-2As5u54YRU81UtTR_WcT8K3ahE78y2DjCwJLWljT4/s4032/PXL_20210327_213706380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJTaTHvB81YcUu-af87uXiOuJBgx6Fi7FVsCpZRMSxrmKx_pYzDa-BC4tJQr1gGiL9ELlzTEABgkFImaOOVHuEHQ-vAOIvEEMH-2As5u54YRU81UtTR_WcT8K3ahE78y2DjCwJLWljT4/w480-h640/PXL_20210327_213706380.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM2m5uu6UvnGNimYNppojOjtNIClPWJYHiNtj3RfcrhrHG6Hrp5gAU-hN1w1JLgCBvOr7xKwkGOampORop86jKdsQKdrhiLVS1iYX-lmuFfejdcpaJCaHyZl7ZFCEe6HWY_GvTdHtQK8/s4032/PXL_20210327_222536215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM2m5uu6UvnGNimYNppojOjtNIClPWJYHiNtj3RfcrhrHG6Hrp5gAU-hN1w1JLgCBvOr7xKwkGOampORop86jKdsQKdrhiLVS1iYX-lmuFfejdcpaJCaHyZl7ZFCEe6HWY_GvTdHtQK8/w640-h480/PXL_20210327_222536215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I went straight from the sand dunes to sandy St. George with Jeff and the kids. Jeff's dad told us about a dreamy little escape along the Virgin River called Babylon Brook maybe? It was a perfect beach-like spot along the Virgin River that allowed for fish observing, river wading, owl hunting, and sunbathing. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S4B-dbYypIkNTXY9rEST7aAiQaoS8JQZD480ItiZvYWvtsjOdUUKGCFG5Pvmtgbigu15FC_yAeI6sDzHa1QEfdDL-b7_zmzblykLLVc7rdlrd0-DBeI6SUSiygwxXfmqk3z5fZ-6Ey8/s4032/PXL_20210329_174313098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S4B-dbYypIkNTXY9rEST7aAiQaoS8JQZD480ItiZvYWvtsjOdUUKGCFG5Pvmtgbigu15FC_yAeI6sDzHa1QEfdDL-b7_zmzblykLLVc7rdlrd0-DBeI6SUSiygwxXfmqk3z5fZ-6Ey8/w640-h480/PXL_20210329_174313098.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiKXuconkVO0V2sCu2wvMQm-cj8otc1FR8pJ11B2e1iSRKJl6NsqUHNxUfPtDOUau9MAD-wdbVN6cdFTK4njT_wKOxTycWJpLzfCwR4j9zqTZZXqYwnGg278ys6DdBry6Dmm8CHVQK1Y/s4032/PXL_20210329_174450010.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiKXuconkVO0V2sCu2wvMQm-cj8otc1FR8pJ11B2e1iSRKJl6NsqUHNxUfPtDOUau9MAD-wdbVN6cdFTK4njT_wKOxTycWJpLzfCwR4j9zqTZZXqYwnGg278ys6DdBry6Dmm8CHVQK1Y/w480-h640/PXL_20210329_174450010.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oSjLEyB9H_Jm-62OAjPyOOuhLArLkgGAMwHieLzyvlp04BNgpR1LvNziQ7J5136xnEjk_X1OBDppPK7jNtbFFxDJV6p9MQkbUQa2c9l4-c-hUU4vkwEWo5HaouK7WGvxAJSQbrWFueU/s4032/PXL_20210329_174410145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oSjLEyB9H_Jm-62OAjPyOOuhLArLkgGAMwHieLzyvlp04BNgpR1LvNziQ7J5136xnEjk_X1OBDppPK7jNtbFFxDJV6p9MQkbUQa2c9l4-c-hUU4vkwEWo5HaouK7WGvxAJSQbrWFueU/w480-h640/PXL_20210329_174410145.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN2mxK_aLESt9u_1pXGFXxKUFTqo3fPAVz8Xp5jws1irZoyhZhH5Ze8ZwvNC2x34hWUvd1PPd_rno0RjOynUoCThQcmqzwKhbnUfEtUTA04_zKQkJ2N3zERKTa0AcKtnHpvpvkjI2MDE/s4032/PXL_20210329_180244417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN2mxK_aLESt9u_1pXGFXxKUFTqo3fPAVz8Xp5jws1irZoyhZhH5Ze8ZwvNC2x34hWUvd1PPd_rno0RjOynUoCThQcmqzwKhbnUfEtUTA04_zKQkJ2N3zERKTa0AcKtnHpvpvkjI2MDE/w480-h640/PXL_20210329_180244417.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxNMi6f8T2bIwp9vZSn91xUqR6n4F7huYAendfkPPTHxVy3_CSaeS-wAZoJnIWEh95dyeThIY6Nqol-pVt32pLhTCIisQwW1ajegSBvYXhfVZLMSH2pQ0-xxXhuMCoRWfKykZ4wKTyTE/s3264/PXL_20210330_014626736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxNMi6f8T2bIwp9vZSn91xUqR6n4F7huYAendfkPPTHxVy3_CSaeS-wAZoJnIWEh95dyeThIY6Nqol-pVt32pLhTCIisQwW1ajegSBvYXhfVZLMSH2pQ0-xxXhuMCoRWfKykZ4wKTyTE/w640-h480/PXL_20210330_014626736.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We went back to Jeff's parents' house to enjoy an evening walk on a path that followed our familiar friend, The Virgin River. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAzlBOmdElx6iV9BLyqLdE0NykHRPhyLoGM1th4I_Pc4MWfhOrpRxnyrnQfuYuxFl0Co7fOotcbIabAtoSwbPy125KwDpplJ2ofxVRuxW1aP9q30LRl-BAfZ20NFTemtCGmo-9gNlsSA/s4032/PXL_20210330_015712368.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAzlBOmdElx6iV9BLyqLdE0NykHRPhyLoGM1th4I_Pc4MWfhOrpRxnyrnQfuYuxFl0Co7fOotcbIabAtoSwbPy125KwDpplJ2ofxVRuxW1aP9q30LRl-BAfZ20NFTemtCGmo-9gNlsSA/w480-h640/PXL_20210330_015712368.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We got to a bridge where Jonah fell down pretty hard and ended up with some splinters in his hands. The whole way home he kept saying, "WHY DID THEY MAKE THAT BRIDGE OUT OF SPLINTERS?!?" <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50NP05DdyOzD26N2qhK3wSpghstHwBOnrkraSXri16pEGX7INQ3hvEHs2XeaasZyfnkFYHOJdTTJtm-JsA5BriJONI_fsCdan9Iy2KOxSqcNckkoBhHHgHdK9-HK4n0HHVN9OHMlwgJE/s4032/PXL_20210330_021046888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50NP05DdyOzD26N2qhK3wSpghstHwBOnrkraSXri16pEGX7INQ3hvEHs2XeaasZyfnkFYHOJdTTJtm-JsA5BriJONI_fsCdan9Iy2KOxSqcNckkoBhHHgHdK9-HK4n0HHVN9OHMlwgJE/w480-h640/PXL_20210330_021046888.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb8KMPR0ZmJAkWydWgYMJogaHYcJ-dLy4oZZZAJyNXwB3Y3AjJBrbcXLTM6tzik7-_Pteah0xEa9ZIVpqyNngEdaZ4UF7DwInsgiRgT_Ygu7hig8cb6E076PcNmZNiIO3cj_hm9-TfwY/s3264/PXL_20210330_015820850.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb8KMPR0ZmJAkWydWgYMJogaHYcJ-dLy4oZZZAJyNXwB3Y3AjJBrbcXLTM6tzik7-_Pteah0xEa9ZIVpqyNngEdaZ4UF7DwInsgiRgT_Ygu7hig8cb6E076PcNmZNiIO3cj_hm9-TfwY/w480-h640/PXL_20210330_015820850.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The real reason St. George was calling our names is because the Bess Bunch was there for spring break! It's too short of a drive not to squeeze in some time with them while we could. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM7x3lGREibNUtd9JYSzWFOOE-c4E9hyGRAGkmRzQ_enwuYijZeCG4RrsS2sh9OqFm0XitmZG_Yitq7g9zYrhPkvPaQObrJ6iaywLWTlMxhcw-zvLuw_AgA-6bhKO0KXzia3ttSBZ3HQ/s4032/PXL_20210330_153611799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM7x3lGREibNUtd9JYSzWFOOE-c4E9hyGRAGkmRzQ_enwuYijZeCG4RrsS2sh9OqFm0XitmZG_Yitq7g9zYrhPkvPaQObrJ6iaywLWTlMxhcw-zvLuw_AgA-6bhKO0KXzia3ttSBZ3HQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210330_153611799.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmFHIGsM5I31L6Mrf7QoUkQS7BXFc52zixBMV7rlg0AuAd3k0EUiEkGLae7HkLh8Fok8HzrbA08tqjTwbELD17yIeT_GV9Ufx_PR6OEY0Dmurqs2M82Tg3ed8SziTLVVpi506argh78k/s4032/PXL_20210330_153721466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmFHIGsM5I31L6Mrf7QoUkQS7BXFc52zixBMV7rlg0AuAd3k0EUiEkGLae7HkLh8Fok8HzrbA08tqjTwbELD17yIeT_GV9Ufx_PR6OEY0Dmurqs2M82Tg3ed8SziTLVVpi506argh78k/w480-h640/PXL_20210330_153721466.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>This is three for three on sandy locations for me in one weekend. We met at Snow Canyon to play in the sand dunes there. I didn't mind. It's one of my favorite places and it was a touch chilly so we had the place practically to ourselves. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceUlBtGPRHvkwMMiyu5LzKHJyvKtV-dDINR-G41HEg811oBK3L3uv2mc-cGItnE8i2JTZv-j3Ol5_CuF_JcM3vZvNkm5nDzi-Gsze2UBLAEZREMylH1S5HK8h6_7F8a1-Pe9KzRRP0IY/s4032/PXL_20210330_162440525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceUlBtGPRHvkwMMiyu5LzKHJyvKtV-dDINR-G41HEg811oBK3L3uv2mc-cGItnE8i2JTZv-j3Ol5_CuF_JcM3vZvNkm5nDzi-Gsze2UBLAEZREMylH1S5HK8h6_7F8a1-Pe9KzRRP0IY/w640-h480/PXL_20210330_162440525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk21qJ2exR6UTgFalYUMICS-bIqxG-fuPkpazj19Q__xAuMXua2H_CxI5yL0F0DcnrWPFWu3tL1MjZ08UTwTQCefwqo8ggl0btYiR98lrJiRjfSx_jTTqF2JEkJxN7TNrseTP6GLlpA0/s4032/PXL_20210330_175312411.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk21qJ2exR6UTgFalYUMICS-bIqxG-fuPkpazj19Q__xAuMXua2H_CxI5yL0F0DcnrWPFWu3tL1MjZ08UTwTQCefwqo8ggl0btYiR98lrJiRjfSx_jTTqF2JEkJxN7TNrseTP6GLlpA0/w480-h640/PXL_20210330_175312411.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxZ83_GW4uRzGAoq85Uf4adtV4bnoQ1Fe7bFocalLvROpX0scSTI3IFBctJ73WrWHuGKGW3AE2N9Dsitylevf-dzGpapUCiTlL1kEjj0DbTr8sPe8S4cbE165RoYs8TJ7e45-EtYzSsQ/s4032/PXL_20210330_175604827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxZ83_GW4uRzGAoq85Uf4adtV4bnoQ1Fe7bFocalLvROpX0scSTI3IFBctJ73WrWHuGKGW3AE2N9Dsitylevf-dzGpapUCiTlL1kEjj0DbTr8sPe8S4cbE165RoYs8TJ7e45-EtYzSsQ/w640-h480/PXL_20210330_175604827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsR_AukA6zFc5OFhtyenT9Ox9jp54GUrTmgC2IHzEpZSv1s9U1pfPuPqkW6pYRYGMV2MgNrsDSSrawgm_J79iNL7e2NLssHoADK3nKgi0zPZ2xdeisvbSs-Mw9hFIlNwcFxB_QKMzKUM/s4032/PXL_20210330_175430644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsR_AukA6zFc5OFhtyenT9Ox9jp54GUrTmgC2IHzEpZSv1s9U1pfPuPqkW6pYRYGMV2MgNrsDSSrawgm_J79iNL7e2NLssHoADK3nKgi0zPZ2xdeisvbSs-Mw9hFIlNwcFxB_QKMzKUM/w480-h640/PXL_20210330_175430644.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>After grabbing lunch, we went on a hike that I absolutely loved! Maybe one of my favorite hikes ever. There were so many cool things to climb on and over and different types of things to see all along the way. Perfect for this crowd!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIm0Nbz2o-GH02gQapoCZFtw5Um0-BWBor26RPHQ_MVHqPcmn9J1HUKt7xHcpjfmOOw94GnBVijy27-UKcephhJvt4-ZWIzOvfTWljrSxWQmLR8w0WOZxaiAXe-0abGF5KxDlELYlHf8/s4032/PXL_20210330_201902170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIm0Nbz2o-GH02gQapoCZFtw5Um0-BWBor26RPHQ_MVHqPcmn9J1HUKt7xHcpjfmOOw94GnBVijy27-UKcephhJvt4-ZWIzOvfTWljrSxWQmLR8w0WOZxaiAXe-0abGF5KxDlELYlHf8/w640-h480/PXL_20210330_201902170.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7M4oAY9dSSwSnIJcg4oHRGBn-kNhMG1drBI_1Jjca_6atVqTz43nPA5jX4ruFVbaVhTGbgKiE9rqokLFgbOFHZFN7TH-KqBdlCNWkM5KLU-R2NYZ8rQGJOGO8qPurIrP-P6aXHbsZco/s4032/PXL_20210330_203626417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7M4oAY9dSSwSnIJcg4oHRGBn-kNhMG1drBI_1Jjca_6atVqTz43nPA5jX4ruFVbaVhTGbgKiE9rqokLFgbOFHZFN7TH-KqBdlCNWkM5KLU-R2NYZ8rQGJOGO8qPurIrP-P6aXHbsZco/w480-h640/PXL_20210330_203626417.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91i_219kjNaYvK0S-YFBnanHWhOtZkcU-F6CH_XJdPiOozPC5I8DHgOIndH2L3-gcQC-s0H0DTvdhSYzAZ7FKvW8N6lAsOiUS_HwjEqWglgN1yzCALqRdzQhGIcykAYpPRa0GEa1b_Ho/s4032/PXL_20210330_205552294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91i_219kjNaYvK0S-YFBnanHWhOtZkcU-F6CH_XJdPiOozPC5I8DHgOIndH2L3-gcQC-s0H0DTvdhSYzAZ7FKvW8N6lAsOiUS_HwjEqWglgN1yzCALqRdzQhGIcykAYpPRa0GEa1b_Ho/w640-h480/PXL_20210330_205552294.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We came home to welcome The Wrights to Las Vegas. They had come to town for spring break and stopped by to see our house and have dinner with us. We loved catching up and appreciated the excitement of having company after a year of solitude! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD7Reuool5fuS86_TcpriWzyVdEmqhBJKLTmnnvMuVmZ5dqzFSp9pLgkL5IdxIusWqT0lmuzXxsX1lqGd7O548La9Rj1kbu2uV2On7cB71A_53gRsfXBg2wSjOZ4BsoQxum_HuGdIbvM/s4032/PXL_20210401_005027889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD7Reuool5fuS86_TcpriWzyVdEmqhBJKLTmnnvMuVmZ5dqzFSp9pLgkL5IdxIusWqT0lmuzXxsX1lqGd7O548La9Rj1kbu2uV2On7cB71A_53gRsfXBg2wSjOZ4BsoQxum_HuGdIbvM/w640-h480/PXL_20210401_005027889.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-74121575500626493172021-03-14T18:20:00.005-06:002021-03-14T18:29:13.626-06:00Parting Thoughts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was informed by the internet recently that parting your hair on the side is no longer cool. Also not cool are all the emojis I overuse and my collection of skinny jeans. Just as I was maturing into my styles and feeling comfortable and confident in my appearance, the younger generation has made me second guess my entire existence. Is this what it feels like to get old?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfr8mvHRE6uv2aZFE0_6wBQUkgCPaapNiqMSuHjJ1AUwqfo1z9gLIle1KLmBnhluKBPljzv7Gk-1APEyVf2lffoQL2qS3-2olieDHaXWOleIGQQE9Ykb5QgeeZqmgA_OBb32wMJpI7u8/s3264/PXL_20210307_173623751.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfr8mvHRE6uv2aZFE0_6wBQUkgCPaapNiqMSuHjJ1AUwqfo1z9gLIle1KLmBnhluKBPljzv7Gk-1APEyVf2lffoQL2qS3-2olieDHaXWOleIGQQE9Ykb5QgeeZqmgA_OBb32wMJpI7u8/w480-h640/PXL_20210307_173623751.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been told middle parts are the rage. I do enjoy keeping up with fashion trends, and I don't want to become an old lady who gets forever stuck in the same styles I wore as a teenager. But A MIDDLE PART?!? Can't you give me something better to work with than a MIDDLE PART?!? Also, I'm having an inner battle of will it look like I'm trying too hard to stay young by switching up my hairstyle? Now either way I wear my hair is bound to give me insecurities. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(My Mom has had a strong meme game on her blog lately, so Mom, this one's for you:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4GpJWhmx82J5jduSXaUHHNn1xTKYClkq9SlboZVVxRrNQqy_BASKcwvxCrRfLDd2fA_lhjrAkFGW1be1C1QPd8Sf5T6CgS0Mh8qzqd1KH9D52wu7m95_GDJAGw-JPLHk7x7WgkIDzis/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4GpJWhmx82J5jduSXaUHHNn1xTKYClkq9SlboZVVxRrNQqy_BASKcwvxCrRfLDd2fA_lhjrAkFGW1be1C1QPd8Sf5T6CgS0Mh8qzqd1KH9D52wu7m95_GDJAGw-JPLHk7x7WgkIDzis/w427-h640/6b32767babdabef0ffd7f40e6295b321.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I mean, I did pull off a middle part once in my life. </div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr79pOf2Rl8_YeumaSLbWTsjZdrYgPStygHsIo15_mXN6QdhFr6dJNWsLfbh_t2DK1rrwhawPQeUQkOgAGGmQQreCyFRQlfKPkBPMgk9nYnHq4MciUH4QYIbixZvHisZYUZEDoWGUCp4/s4032/PXL_20210309_142750501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr79pOf2Rl8_YeumaSLbWTsjZdrYgPStygHsIo15_mXN6QdhFr6dJNWsLfbh_t2DK1rrwhawPQeUQkOgAGGmQQreCyFRQlfKPkBPMgk9nYnHq4MciUH4QYIbixZvHisZYUZEDoWGUCp4/w480-h640/PXL_20210309_142750501.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the reason I had that hairstyle is because I had just seen the movie Pocahantas. And my main takeaway of that movie was, "John Smith has really great hair. I want to cut my hair like John Smith." So Gen Z, you have officially gone John Smith on me and I'm not ready to be back in that headspace. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwC8I7l6fh_OetZMn7M-XCYulH0aMRA5DXLV37yEb6TYxvIEeF71cAv7ia68ZW8LP4bZEr4ijJtvk-bAuFasKR5cDXkKZ9dwwtgA2k8RYi-nhNkyr63jc_yOkOHtT8ohFiH0Cf5gxYLI/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="452" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwC8I7l6fh_OetZMn7M-XCYulH0aMRA5DXLV37yEb6TYxvIEeF71cAv7ia68ZW8LP4bZEr4ijJtvk-bAuFasKR5cDXkKZ9dwwtgA2k8RYi-nhNkyr63jc_yOkOHtT8ohFiH0Cf5gxYLI/w640-h382/pocahontas-john-smith.webp" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found these inspirational words by President Eyring fitting as I have been debating whether or not I am brave or cool enough to symmetrically split my hair. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yVEkGfPHWLSHCS9OKGYt-NwL_UQqGLHSVePIocI3RaOq7LmCQ4NVAPpDAjbNkm4NvJsB2cT2crBelenFsl2ASFcjqKIXT0W3_6NKkQuKtmj2HVqYDC2tUnatdkzH6tTSUr13ooflxgU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yVEkGfPHWLSHCS9OKGYt-NwL_UQqGLHSVePIocI3RaOq7LmCQ4NVAPpDAjbNkm4NvJsB2cT2crBelenFsl2ASFcjqKIXT0W3_6NKkQuKtmj2HVqYDC2tUnatdkzH6tTSUr13ooflxgU/w640-h640/158334081_817043882214888_3754246822486243239_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess hair parts don't really matter after all...just as long as we don't go back to the zigzag, okay, Gen Z?!? I'm gonna need a pinky promise on this one. (Wait...are pinky promises still a thing? *outdated crying face emoji*) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8LUb4ztCoaw5orTuhZMxkcWNy7Z0Ed8EPzv0SZyuKHACMyHVn0XN-Z-nkApO1xGNBtf2Wprr-CBLxaMb3PM3PsUlxhGGwgqdGdljqi8q83ITQ9sfha3GhZyacr69Jp8QWWBARvDjong/s4032/PXL_20210227_202028630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8LUb4ztCoaw5orTuhZMxkcWNy7Z0Ed8EPzv0SZyuKHACMyHVn0XN-Z-nkApO1xGNBtf2Wprr-CBLxaMb3PM3PsUlxhGGwgqdGdljqi8q83ITQ9sfha3GhZyacr69Jp8QWWBARvDjong/w480-h640/PXL_20210227_202028630.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a dude that doesn't have to try hard to be cool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxexJkKgjrv8edoCkqreXZz6TYnhvpfEmUKAE84KlDSZondGtMm1TVzP-fzPzFDg-11vRL0pu7mbSST-DHrcMKq7Gkp8CIln5HR5ULdd-dlWXx0x3YebfTcgkmHub2C_tqV-1YZgEX3M/s4032/PXL_20210301_213851429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxexJkKgjrv8edoCkqreXZz6TYnhvpfEmUKAE84KlDSZondGtMm1TVzP-fzPzFDg-11vRL0pu7mbSST-DHrcMKq7Gkp8CIln5HR5ULdd-dlWXx0x3YebfTcgkmHub2C_tqV-1YZgEX3M/w480-h640/PXL_20210301_213851429.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>He rediscovered our roller blades in the garage and spent literally an entire week getting his Apollo Ohno on. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjAHb_iVJsTNdPuiZl7xHipsH8DmEdl9K6jlBsj4d-Plf9qbA2s2JTSHTL6ZU7rXHTbCsoWPoHuobkAsHXUxSQXKUOq3yUqZnsOOJymBSupXBkgT084slA8016aUX5k1WK1B9n7k-ed4/s4032/PXL_20210301_213916069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjAHb_iVJsTNdPuiZl7xHipsH8DmEdl9K6jlBsj4d-Plf9qbA2s2JTSHTL6ZU7rXHTbCsoWPoHuobkAsHXUxSQXKUOq3yUqZnsOOJymBSupXBkgT084slA8016aUX5k1WK1B9n7k-ed4/w480-h640/PXL_20210301_213916069.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Even while in the house refueling. Even in the car on our way to pick up Eli. Even while playing video games on the couch. Carson was a rollerblading bro!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYYs9Ls0RMM4KBq8HY4IL2_G21htBA3ovNIQQ3srfEzrnGUmHjXc98gG75_SZxT-zcbVHQgdC3WqRtWICdIkLeuVLR_Clhjm36LFqmLB1TL6nQF846QHoNswyZZ0CxBKh4jh4OvXRRwM/s4032/PXL_20210302_011152760.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYYs9Ls0RMM4KBq8HY4IL2_G21htBA3ovNIQQ3srfEzrnGUmHjXc98gG75_SZxT-zcbVHQgdC3WqRtWICdIkLeuVLR_Clhjm36LFqmLB1TL6nQF846QHoNswyZZ0CxBKh4jh4OvXRRwM/w480-h640/PXL_20210302_011152760.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Speaking of bros, these two decided to twin from head to toe one day. I gotta buy more matching outfits cuz this is adorable!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoIu9_vXuyXl8Vx9q22f-av2NPKca_eIxmu8rQZVFUGFECWanqnGVP2-u_te1BHFV6RW8BpwyoJ8OjkyKpFVABdX2ZpbWiBbwz32VZLIiTLVDPp93PhyZqz_ifuzaENY0-HdgvEdVS6k/s4032/PXL_20210302_032123477.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoIu9_vXuyXl8Vx9q22f-av2NPKca_eIxmu8rQZVFUGFECWanqnGVP2-u_te1BHFV6RW8BpwyoJ8OjkyKpFVABdX2ZpbWiBbwz32VZLIiTLVDPp93PhyZqz_ifuzaENY0-HdgvEdVS6k/w480-h640/PXL_20210302_032123477.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did the marshmallow test on my kids. Gave them two, told them if they didn't eat either in 15 minutes I would give them two more. I'm happy to say they all got four, though one of them had a few dicey moments. This was for a Come, Follow Me lesson on patience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVaPoVXUsq7TCgVCckbBJYKLpjw8v-3yT2xW6mNL1p-9r5eot2p6X5oYodTJG0BkMtlqN_hoJgKJGlkNFiDIQep1nWE1mssfjqjmSrkJ7Yprr2cnmANMc6oUqmeSxlG2sAvijQjmIzbE/s4032/PXL_20210307_202129884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVaPoVXUsq7TCgVCckbBJYKLpjw8v-3yT2xW6mNL1p-9r5eot2p6X5oYodTJG0BkMtlqN_hoJgKJGlkNFiDIQep1nWE1mssfjqjmSrkJ7Yprr2cnmANMc6oUqmeSxlG2sAvijQjmIzbE/w640-h480/PXL_20210307_202129884.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They all ran and got books to help them pass the time. Little cuties. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVblEzHIG4TwiX7qdtuK_E-CVBcj1zCVKwMKDITXiCBse4iTd3hZXtGV2bAh0z6XZdLcQNoGDiMeCKOrcRqU53tlFFTTHGy7z1a30jXGAoKgkBdytvTE41X1l6pMdO87WSuIumd29mNQ/s4032/PXL_20210307_202254327.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVblEzHIG4TwiX7qdtuK_E-CVBcj1zCVKwMKDITXiCBse4iTd3hZXtGV2bAh0z6XZdLcQNoGDiMeCKOrcRqU53tlFFTTHGy7z1a30jXGAoKgkBdytvTE41X1l6pMdO87WSuIumd29mNQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210307_202254327.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzy23TJcB6SLdCpJzfHLMQ4bsF80YjRPvY-c2nJ38qqFNSjluSH2sr-1qrSh573iGBUQb8LqBK9i-9NYt59y5MKnzTUCv-QndmKrQv9ScNtifrbPXyI3j5KzsupEOzla5GJjHAKk4GEAg/s4032/PXL_20210307_202147654.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzy23TJcB6SLdCpJzfHLMQ4bsF80YjRPvY-c2nJ38qqFNSjluSH2sr-1qrSh573iGBUQb8LqBK9i-9NYt59y5MKnzTUCv-QndmKrQv9ScNtifrbPXyI3j5KzsupEOzla5GJjHAKk4GEAg/w480-h640/PXL_20210307_202147654.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kumAZiXNveDt5X3aj1kgDvUFWjT6zjrjf2CRXzHc5SUgntSTirrpGJ6yntQoRhHbUXUd8M4krk4WYh_rEZ97w_CTK6mKk6GxZPBEavQwItwXIniaFc1eTuXMPRkvMhss-Q6x44dtDek/s4032/PXL_20210307_202349334.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kumAZiXNveDt5X3aj1kgDvUFWjT6zjrjf2CRXzHc5SUgntSTirrpGJ6yntQoRhHbUXUd8M4krk4WYh_rEZ97w_CTK6mKk6GxZPBEavQwItwXIniaFc1eTuXMPRkvMhss-Q6x44dtDek/w480-h640/PXL_20210307_202349334.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpwiXp0tTsxyf3Qs4aNYrL-0euyG7ki0AQswixHTg4KItAeVzd-qV7SgOmiIKGi1ZjJ_e8u-bOC86j3zWiCMSbXv_OkjhgT1GaAdY4ng1zkT05EWV2nRLos3qPRewfzModDDutKwroq0/s4032/PXL_20210307_202151285.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpwiXp0tTsxyf3Qs4aNYrL-0euyG7ki0AQswixHTg4KItAeVzd-qV7SgOmiIKGi1ZjJ_e8u-bOC86j3zWiCMSbXv_OkjhgT1GaAdY4ng1zkT05EWV2nRLos3qPRewfzModDDutKwroq0/w480-h640/PXL_20210307_202151285.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I've been dying to go to Valley of Fire, but Eli just started baseball and has practice every Saturday right in the middle of the day, so it sabotages our ability to weekend adventure. It rained on Friday, so the fields were closed on Saturday because they were still wet. I knew we had to act fast and plan a last-minute trip to Valley of Fire with our free day before it got too hot. It was perfect!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb7BwDo7Ug3jv5nGd7eH26TQHUCTbPdTky6SK76ahiQVNXD8k_rfjQi198XKotdZY2Rs_pHy2_tL9-nHFAdYDc27SZ8ipduzExNdc2upA98vcAxrrlWhzATlw5-C_hN2xwD4tziQiKYQ/s3264/PXL_20210313_204355563.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnb7BwDo7Ug3jv5nGd7eH26TQHUCTbPdTky6SK76ahiQVNXD8k_rfjQi198XKotdZY2Rs_pHy2_tL9-nHFAdYDc27SZ8ipduzExNdc2upA98vcAxrrlWhzATlw5-C_hN2xwD4tziQiKYQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_204355563.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QyNlJvyehK0ART407_dfHbKJzdQyt_urOZbYrZSp4Y3MDaEINRFJKv5Tgf4EYJcBtMEObQrgEvJoWLjD-Vr5sZOPOhxBwMO-WBYPcwxUtALFoS_ZspQ6HqcJgO0Kz8PNkaq1uSrFcbI/s4032/PXL_20210313_204639623.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QyNlJvyehK0ART407_dfHbKJzdQyt_urOZbYrZSp4Y3MDaEINRFJKv5Tgf4EYJcBtMEObQrgEvJoWLjD-Vr5sZOPOhxBwMO-WBYPcwxUtALFoS_ZspQ6HqcJgO0Kz8PNkaq1uSrFcbI/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_204639623.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwRb7iiHxDw7myUStFk28q-nrm1l4yqP3JnFlWl3FQqCeo12kqm-fbBLluIn2yj_oFieBv-TkTKDOi3J6aNv_8FpePL1iWBPR-9i5ShF1K1Fc0G2_LYdvTswcXTGjJ_A09eQEnE6KTQA/s4032/PXL_20210313_205046632.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwRb7iiHxDw7myUStFk28q-nrm1l4yqP3JnFlWl3FQqCeo12kqm-fbBLluIn2yj_oFieBv-TkTKDOi3J6aNv_8FpePL1iWBPR-9i5ShF1K1Fc0G2_LYdvTswcXTGjJ_A09eQEnE6KTQA/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_205046632.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2sTtnFHrCz4XJ5R_9jxq4viPk1PYRmF_COxqdebFUopie_itpTAUWDOVxZWet4CcrueYO7LedEHTlrKZ0kpsfuBqTX0xKZGK1aEgEOFMI9Sj8cORZMQgIOAGeK894R3i9moL4yfFQoc/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_205335261.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJaVruZdAxGXuJrpt3eylgy_h7-D68G12M_1mPaH2X1aNiY59c0tk0VtRyQW6v8gVVNMtCAwtKA6FtX9HM-_qMi4_v5rxqP3AvT2GuuFF8TeKp3aQlKR43pL6PakZRYIelSXjiMWx7uo/s4032/PXL_20210313_205321686.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJaVruZdAxGXuJrpt3eylgy_h7-D68G12M_1mPaH2X1aNiY59c0tk0VtRyQW6v8gVVNMtCAwtKA6FtX9HM-_qMi4_v5rxqP3AvT2GuuFF8TeKp3aQlKR43pL6PakZRYIelSXjiMWx7uo/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_205321686.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF229XQiGsbvtaTVfO2CNg8g1oqUZF7obqOAgZpnpN0oRrXI0m5z0nEuyV46kYWHAmX3Yt_5IorBoSqyXcSSfuCVK3XunJP0h2PYRO-pk6u2VwjajFYlqVmAX6fJXeoIcNuWCcZAzFYY/s4032/PXL_20210313_205413192.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF229XQiGsbvtaTVfO2CNg8g1oqUZF7obqOAgZpnpN0oRrXI0m5z0nEuyV46kYWHAmX3Yt_5IorBoSqyXcSSfuCVK3XunJP0h2PYRO-pk6u2VwjajFYlqVmAX6fJXeoIcNuWCcZAzFYY/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_205413192.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJ8AGX3FKo6sA-On26GXWMrf5B2xF8Za05sas1-jH4-s8HyBXK00-ox6RgGEgJb8LiqMLxxaaFFRT8dJBG-VipwFf9sg4p0uoh4kdo0RwHBWrqsb9Jz_BnzI1qjPH8dW5wArUSZvg4B0/s4032/PXL_20210313_205439326.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJ8AGX3FKo6sA-On26GXWMrf5B2xF8Za05sas1-jH4-s8HyBXK00-ox6RgGEgJb8LiqMLxxaaFFRT8dJBG-VipwFf9sg4p0uoh4kdo0RwHBWrqsb9Jz_BnzI1qjPH8dW5wArUSZvg4B0/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_205439326.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoSki-70yk6YZQprUIPtCNoQlNQ063mEnIK-AE8_Z7NyzT8Itn7jUGJILo4_2mfSfZfKlsQUjJ9d9mo_zOMclQcuE4GYeD9aYBGWRL9VYCecRiJWmZOyJte4MM8aoCzzzcAUr3Naw88s/s4032/PXL_20210313_205658069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoSki-70yk6YZQprUIPtCNoQlNQ063mEnIK-AE8_Z7NyzT8Itn7jUGJILo4_2mfSfZfKlsQUjJ9d9mo_zOMclQcuE4GYeD9aYBGWRL9VYCecRiJWmZOyJte4MM8aoCzzzcAUr3Naw88s/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_205658069.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp_O7pIq_D_aDQ9V_Ysjb7FIoGzHDnF3ypd1jRy15BsYKY7lfPfxMwoUSDORPQpunUd3vQlwk1jX1i6zT08o-fJTZpdt51_8-qgg5yNZcHzMMZCgFXuFy27XpBXACPPwbC60szlc7V8M/s3264/PXL_20210313_223117949.PORTRAIT%257E3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp_O7pIq_D_aDQ9V_Ysjb7FIoGzHDnF3ypd1jRy15BsYKY7lfPfxMwoUSDORPQpunUd3vQlwk1jX1i6zT08o-fJTZpdt51_8-qgg5yNZcHzMMZCgFXuFy27XpBXACPPwbC60szlc7V8M/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_223117949.PORTRAIT%257E3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYitzneybRkLkjGtiWgFkIB6tlnCL5JOIPIejcicmOKKfOf9H8u_Gi1wFzqGMaNE0Y31IXi7yGYhgpX-om5A_lRD-yNRlS46BdwQhTVZhsQI-L3SBs7SRcXvAuT03KCkkdfYLt3PyDm0/s4032/PXL_20210313_223055453.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYitzneybRkLkjGtiWgFkIB6tlnCL5JOIPIejcicmOKKfOf9H8u_Gi1wFzqGMaNE0Y31IXi7yGYhgpX-om5A_lRD-yNRlS46BdwQhTVZhsQI-L3SBs7SRcXvAuT03KCkkdfYLt3PyDm0/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_223055453.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQBXHuNqc9ppUPbw1oaDcyIMW-YwltPL6AFgLoXa5hUQUtD2abTy6175_Zj_IUbxTRXK_NP65YKrLtXJ-TZtvRMRBEfHMYbMVlLxaSKzhdRoy2TJFOLOpZL2_TG6IzqxZwHIhJ_vHW6o/s4032/PXL_20210313_224918624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQBXHuNqc9ppUPbw1oaDcyIMW-YwltPL6AFgLoXa5hUQUtD2abTy6175_Zj_IUbxTRXK_NP65YKrLtXJ-TZtvRMRBEfHMYbMVlLxaSKzhdRoy2TJFOLOpZL2_TG6IzqxZwHIhJ_vHW6o/w480-h640/PXL_20210313_224918624.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Trying to stick a line down the center of my head may have been the worst part of my year so far, but Valley of Fire quickly became the best part!</div><p></p>Jeff Excellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318742818755581447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-41387278596212856332021-02-21T17:06:00.003-07:002021-02-21T17:07:18.547-07:00Jonah Funnies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWqwJ9hGO15l0FmPScpwx4QzPFlykQnshbPgXKMeJnUdlXywcJXUrkTnCTMZg4BX2-DNwpW-SGAsbWaiQhIK4o4VqsB2MoCCGAaH5wbU_VK_qS4vlLPd0Xlq1NnKA3nztn_DQ_1HxcU4/s4032/PXL_20210220_002542916.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWqwJ9hGO15l0FmPScpwx4QzPFlykQnshbPgXKMeJnUdlXywcJXUrkTnCTMZg4BX2-DNwpW-SGAsbWaiQhIK4o4VqsB2MoCCGAaH5wbU_VK_qS4vlLPd0Xlq1NnKA3nztn_DQ_1HxcU4/w480-h640/PXL_20210220_002542916.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>"Mom! You're concentrating me!" </p><p>(Meant frustrating)</p><p><br /></p><p>Jonah was mad I wouldn't buy him something at the store, so he yelled, "MOM! You're so FRAGILE!"</p><p><br /></p><p>Me: Do you need a baby wipe?</p><p>Jonah: No, I need a big boy wipe.</p><p><br /></p><p>Radio: Come in today for your brand new Toyota! </p><p>Jonah: A toy Yoda?</p><p><br /></p><p>Jonah: Mom, I need to tell you something.</p><p>Me: What?</p><p>Jonah: Mom, I need to tell you something.</p><p>Me: What? </p><p>...continue for three straight minutes.</p><p>Then after much inner turmoil trying to put the right words to his thoughts...</p><p>Jonah: Mom...where's the middle of nowhere?</p><p><br /></p><p>"I don't want to be a kid. I want to be a dad. Like mom."</p><p><br /></p><p>While frosting a cookie, "I'm just a little stressed out."</p><p><br /></p><p>After stopping to fill our car up with gas, "Where's our gas hole?"</p><p><br /></p><p>Jonah: Happy Halloween!</p><p>Happy Halloween!</p><p>Happy Halloween!</p><p>Happy Halloween!</p><p>Lincoln: Happy Halloween!</p><p>Jonah: Lincoln, it's NOT Halloween!</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-68756657775899418462021-02-21T16:49:00.005-07:002021-02-21T16:49:58.124-07:00Birthday Season<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our birthday season has begun. Next up is Linkerton! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-c9JuxGUsgknh2dmIHQt-Xy5HWtO8cYeE7COOS_Iag7Oz5WeeMeOO05ml69QV4o2ZRl9dXUqOmplrHHhXij8ggvrvUoeJm2MyBEdVgw1Ssx71NWRpml77U0vfilD1Mv0wpwHIXhZU-k/s4032/PXL_20210128_153608478.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-c9JuxGUsgknh2dmIHQt-Xy5HWtO8cYeE7COOS_Iag7Oz5WeeMeOO05ml69QV4o2ZRl9dXUqOmplrHHhXij8ggvrvUoeJm2MyBEdVgw1Ssx71NWRpml77U0vfilD1Mv0wpwHIXhZU-k/w480-h640/PXL_20210128_153608478.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Lincoln has become very...expressive...when the camera comes out lately. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouqOxeoRlzOu5NrVbhAhArjsK_i-S1CL5ibp9xU8cSmH4HOqa8ZOnrzinBG-oxf3vXhLPakFLLhNQRUllxMW8XKz5fCC_p7yvoocxdppNp8abQ5G4wYUSPb9KpKmWBQF0tHAZ6u4lpao/s4032/PXL_20210128_153623655.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouqOxeoRlzOu5NrVbhAhArjsK_i-S1CL5ibp9xU8cSmH4HOqa8ZOnrzinBG-oxf3vXhLPakFLLhNQRUllxMW8XKz5fCC_p7yvoocxdppNp8abQ5G4wYUSPb9KpKmWBQF0tHAZ6u4lpao/w480-h640/PXL_20210128_153623655.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Lincoln had a waffle and bacon breakfast, went to his two hours of school, and then when he got home his present scavenger hunt was waiting for him. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52nQTVATooZ9QuLAy8zVWTOa5OFLw0LFoP-sE6gDlqJA86D4BsZ0a3fpBI4o2W9YPJI437XBC3iEYgj6vb0H4EdLPvqlNQW549rZydXH2J9iOkqd9dL8gQI8pJ9wSbLUftA5uzaLKeSU/s4032/PXL_20210128_190215821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52nQTVATooZ9QuLAy8zVWTOa5OFLw0LFoP-sE6gDlqJA86D4BsZ0a3fpBI4o2W9YPJI437XBC3iEYgj6vb0H4EdLPvqlNQW549rZydXH2J9iOkqd9dL8gQI8pJ9wSbLUftA5uzaLKeSU/w480-h640/PXL_20210128_190215821.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yJN_KWgxgw0pM5aonycckR61uSabTBnHfwfD84fxUSh3hbkbUKltU8_1zMUMmW10MuF-j8b2eVCfl2ax7CIdkt72teINSy5EY3wtxM_Qp2qk_1Hs_GdQUeuJU7A7J5qF-3fQ0-oAhSk/s4032/PXL_20210128_190709111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yJN_KWgxgw0pM5aonycckR61uSabTBnHfwfD84fxUSh3hbkbUKltU8_1zMUMmW10MuF-j8b2eVCfl2ax7CIdkt72teINSy5EY3wtxM_Qp2qk_1Hs_GdQUeuJU7A7J5qF-3fQ0-oAhSk/w480-h640/PXL_20210128_190709111.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2aFEorbGKfyjb8Gvxd8Qsoqb9zHVuIK7gWIT6Yv-LnSoGeQ_GRFDYZPc9t_-Oc5J9vEMeqe07v_p7uVN5gAN6Zx7bPXdYklLds5SgAQVROT_8dBXz2-k2szuPokRpdZMHN6aU5lm6gI/s4032/PXL_20210128_191008825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2aFEorbGKfyjb8Gvxd8Qsoqb9zHVuIK7gWIT6Yv-LnSoGeQ_GRFDYZPc9t_-Oc5J9vEMeqe07v_p7uVN5gAN6Zx7bPXdYklLds5SgAQVROT_8dBXz2-k2szuPokRpdZMHN6aU5lm6gI/w640-h480/PXL_20210128_191008825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As always, many Lego sets were involved in the making of this birthday. Lincoln also got two big trucks, a bubble gun, and a marble track. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUhzrvjI5KNwM8LyIai8EPF0wSdGthdT5m5GMByxGuxTQRUZ-8yz4basjnlsY-g1Xdyu5AbTQOywHvieTTWWJ8thsYFmH2dw-ay_-zp07XspuD0A-LKCH6e0HTFXQjeRCn9ZzQDAV-SM/s4032/PXL_20210128_191338923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUhzrvjI5KNwM8LyIai8EPF0wSdGthdT5m5GMByxGuxTQRUZ-8yz4basjnlsY-g1Xdyu5AbTQOywHvieTTWWJ8thsYFmH2dw-ay_-zp07XspuD0A-LKCH6e0HTFXQjeRCn9ZzQDAV-SM/w480-h640/PXL_20210128_191338923.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>For dinner he requested pizza and orange Fanta to pair with more funny poses. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudRl6UcXwCKZiCqKKKg5l-bWKqujbZmTzCVWId8gykgZ8ewt8IPkJtXlBx5XfUWLRVgQ3r2Ft_v4NosKPAUQxvsXAqnhUlVexHRKPA0roViZgxscFuIqBX84sdXMflYe45eW-DtgfECM/s4032/PXL_20210129_015605773.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudRl6UcXwCKZiCqKKKg5l-bWKqujbZmTzCVWId8gykgZ8ewt8IPkJtXlBx5XfUWLRVgQ3r2Ft_v4NosKPAUQxvsXAqnhUlVexHRKPA0roViZgxscFuIqBX84sdXMflYe45eW-DtgfECM/w480-h640/PXL_20210129_015605773.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwb3GaIs7uDKV9JY2WjCh8_uWo4XCb0A_HCPaSAMmx1lE9jetpAdpj94rWwQbPhUr9ZVk6FnU95oRoQXfDXL9h3yDPjCWr9R6VJIvA7xkZc9dgwlBAlssOGMzqi1QONjFWb9QbEAbms4/s4032/PXL_20210129_015555708.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwb3GaIs7uDKV9JY2WjCh8_uWo4XCb0A_HCPaSAMmx1lE9jetpAdpj94rWwQbPhUr9ZVk6FnU95oRoQXfDXL9h3yDPjCWr9R6VJIvA7xkZc9dgwlBAlssOGMzqi1QONjFWb9QbEAbms4/w480-h640/PXL_20210129_015555708.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>He asked for a Link cake which proved to be a challenge beyond my abilities, so I just made a cake with the Link logo on it and then surprised Lincoln with a cute little Link doll. It was his favorite gift of the day and a fun finisher. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kZP3gWzkYB-Z6UXNK2pTRbs5ibxmhpnqDo3X4b0jjWUhIrsuD3gva0KB0fgzSNTBWumj_5yrQ5PgSRaQXZkfIt40GvM2Hfpiru1F0eqAqyBhhMhbud58mkKMCmcMfxIckcVD5CrQ7xM/s4032/PXL_20210129_025806977.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kZP3gWzkYB-Z6UXNK2pTRbs5ibxmhpnqDo3X4b0jjWUhIrsuD3gva0KB0fgzSNTBWumj_5yrQ5PgSRaQXZkfIt40GvM2Hfpiru1F0eqAqyBhhMhbud58mkKMCmcMfxIckcVD5CrQ7xM/w480-h640/PXL_20210129_025806977.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>One day I noticed someone besides me had finally replaced the toilet paper roll in the bathroom. It is obvious this is never done by anyone else because they didn't know what to do with the old tube after they had replaced it. I'm just really hoping this was done by one of the kids and not Jeff. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e1FdpIgdNyxntJ8cHGRRjyKDsSxqaJ8XGIJZvca6bbVHkYEsvg2WEH8xoxzvN1ZtDBZ6fTtIT00FCadmvua8EQJw5T8LF5B7bwB9EuUDQUcVWD8_wMNB_N9fIbh9UkpLRpyw-AoKFPI/s4032/PXL_20210129_192820211.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e1FdpIgdNyxntJ8cHGRRjyKDsSxqaJ8XGIJZvca6bbVHkYEsvg2WEH8xoxzvN1ZtDBZ6fTtIT00FCadmvua8EQJw5T8LF5B7bwB9EuUDQUcVWD8_wMNB_N9fIbh9UkpLRpyw-AoKFPI/w480-h640/PXL_20210129_192820211.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Carson drew this adorable baby Yoda in art class. Jeff loves the eyes and I love the shading in the ears. Darling!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W-BMYguePMtZuOKxE5rGtjiw85eecR9Trlh0B9KSErzTccJvBx48728D7hG1QxGOjAi1kELjQzVnEjGw04BiJ8c8ihyXbxTbndkPCqZvNNAixMDT0hEft-zqBEeUI6qdVIm7DRWkGIw/s4032/PXL_20210129_200919537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4W-BMYguePMtZuOKxE5rGtjiw85eecR9Trlh0B9KSErzTccJvBx48728D7hG1QxGOjAi1kELjQzVnEjGw04BiJ8c8ihyXbxTbndkPCqZvNNAixMDT0hEft-zqBEeUI6qdVIm7DRWkGIw/w480-h640/PXL_20210129_200919537.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Eli built an Emoji-Man one afternoon out of sheer boredom. He was so excited for Jeff to get home, hoping his afternoon's activities would scare Jeff once he walked into his room. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TPUzlvQTYVwOHnLROQ3-K0s2INFi1kJh4F3tSO6wrX2uP65h-7fHPbopQH-h7aS4wnmY604Zxi6eGMw6DC2JK5NjhurJDlVvBh9jjb-XHXey4Gd9yi_66c6b2IAMuHKGW0MVbIQ9O7s/s4032/PXL_20210129_234638707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TPUzlvQTYVwOHnLROQ3-K0s2INFi1kJh4F3tSO6wrX2uP65h-7fHPbopQH-h7aS4wnmY604Zxi6eGMw6DC2JK5NjhurJDlVvBh9jjb-XHXey4Gd9yi_66c6b2IAMuHKGW0MVbIQ9O7s/w480-h640/PXL_20210129_234638707.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We found a cool park that has a horse arena as part of it. People can bring their horses and ride them in the arena. We love to watch the horses, and Jonah loves to sit on this horse for hours pretending he's Link. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2wD1alnh0yrGPgGwwwAecN57CMPhsbTg1tD5JPHfvSBCyRc5rIsgiQyDEzvRiMBM9LlyDuq7pAzLURFtbM__41kc494N1Fixz4nxlQR_kQJ4a2KwBk83s3zEWdtAf0a6EfBq6MMiHB0/s4032/PXL_20210130_234351000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2wD1alnh0yrGPgGwwwAecN57CMPhsbTg1tD5JPHfvSBCyRc5rIsgiQyDEzvRiMBM9LlyDuq7pAzLURFtbM__41kc494N1Fixz4nxlQR_kQJ4a2KwBk83s3zEWdtAf0a6EfBq6MMiHB0/w480-h640/PXL_20210130_234351000.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The older boys finally got to go back to school! Just for two hours, but it is every day. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrlWn899MyChol9jv4WRcGYxUromh45SbVk9-92mzbRjKTmD0PUYvFo13bMk1XJThxXo7LqjWWmduOkNLz4s388AXAiaOeaSzchHZVeW0n-iqidnnGcSOwiFtSuA79x95YES1fZGlPjc/s4032/PXL_20210201_153252311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrlWn899MyChol9jv4WRcGYxUromh45SbVk9-92mzbRjKTmD0PUYvFo13bMk1XJThxXo7LqjWWmduOkNLz4s388AXAiaOeaSzchHZVeW0n-iqidnnGcSOwiFtSuA79x95YES1fZGlPjc/w480-h640/PXL_20210201_153252311.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvjzK0rwg4p5Mz_LlD_XUX4fw32Lwl6zIGqr8vYhJcB9j6_lQIQ0AsWKSU2UiSRkisEmaqIaQNf2mtBljSZntTLyLgASf7VO0ItSTO7-jh2r51ujwcinwFoZuhi1xYAdLMhaRx1xbYvs/s4032/PXL_20210201_194350797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvjzK0rwg4p5Mz_LlD_XUX4fw32Lwl6zIGqr8vYhJcB9j6_lQIQ0AsWKSU2UiSRkisEmaqIaQNf2mtBljSZntTLyLgASf7VO0ItSTO7-jh2r51ujwcinwFoZuhi1xYAdLMhaRx1xbYvs/w480-h640/PXL_20210201_194350797.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>When my brother asked me how I felt about the kids being back in school, I cracked myself up when I responded with this picture of my dad. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbUODD4F4xlAOiIpvAjhKwMLo5-fWjg4jHsKdUqYG_BE_ybp84-kb7Oq0iWZG8mWGKE7ulh6PghPeizQnjvHu-nZL3LQsUmWJ8k814T59uYub346dcb6cQo0UKIhPIviSgO-Ub6K8s-8/s4032/PXL_20210201_041525748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbUODD4F4xlAOiIpvAjhKwMLo5-fWjg4jHsKdUqYG_BE_ybp84-kb7Oq0iWZG8mWGKE7ulh6PghPeizQnjvHu-nZL3LQsUmWJ8k814T59uYub346dcb6cQo0UKIhPIviSgO-Ub6K8s-8/w480-h640/PXL_20210201_041525748.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>That picture had popped up on our TV just the day before and I knew it would come in handy one day, I just wasn't expecting to be able to use it so soon!</p>Eli added a comments section to a paper Carson had brought home from school. We're living in a digital world. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27p-k8qmugv6tMxxWWQP4oyN1BSiX_IQgc5ZQAQ-f3mQBxGg0oXUGGzVGUG6GPrrjv30nSnVP_9eJOL_39V2qR-NAK8izv7MDnyUDnNnwmUBNKWd4pGVTg1FsNijjlYfNfhZU6_PQEx4/s4032/PXL_20210205_005554891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27p-k8qmugv6tMxxWWQP4oyN1BSiX_IQgc5ZQAQ-f3mQBxGg0oXUGGzVGUG6GPrrjv30nSnVP_9eJOL_39V2qR-NAK8izv7MDnyUDnNnwmUBNKWd4pGVTg1FsNijjlYfNfhZU6_PQEx4/w480-h640/PXL_20210205_005554891.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carson wanted to watch a "special Valentine's video" the night of Valentine's Day. I found a tutorial of Baby Yoda holding a heart, so we gave that a try. Lincoln's turned out so cute! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8bwixbboCM7GashyYtPS3sNSxt9XTHstdMqWViDFXjp38jQRe3Q9MqveEqtaIcSequbJSk3odO7lU3MKWfifI62tzJASa6GZYaXX-WWQIGJlwGjrneHwP-i6FoisaxHIKqBCp3idQUk/s4032/PXL_20210214_035046520.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8bwixbboCM7GashyYtPS3sNSxt9XTHstdMqWViDFXjp38jQRe3Q9MqveEqtaIcSequbJSk3odO7lU3MKWfifI62tzJASa6GZYaXX-WWQIGJlwGjrneHwP-i6FoisaxHIKqBCp3idQUk/w480-h640/PXL_20210214_035046520.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jeff pulled a beautiful Valentine's meal together for us. He grilled up some salmon and it was such a fun treat! We had fed the kids crepes right after church and then had a nice romantic dinner together after they were full and playing upstairs. Yum!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd6Nb6iu7nXRaSZyWngVGWY2Xiq6leEo3hZfLrq9_tVUwPZtoi8Az_S-qXQ5p6jsP485uPEOTqosrMb1Zf7IlAAAa5ghS5PWjQgyy2Et_4QzWJBSWrWaRzM7GxzCpTuft6bc7SgvpF30/s4032/PXL_20210214_233613516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd6Nb6iu7nXRaSZyWngVGWY2Xiq6leEo3hZfLrq9_tVUwPZtoi8Az_S-qXQ5p6jsP485uPEOTqosrMb1Zf7IlAAAa5ghS5PWjQgyy2Et_4QzWJBSWrWaRzM7GxzCpTuft6bc7SgvpF30/w480-h640/PXL_20210214_233613516.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Before long it was Jeff's birthday. I couldn't compete with the cute day he planned for my birthday, but we tried to make him feel special. The boys all wanted to make him cards on posterboards. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01gWlL4vKfbAla1PxyEjzFKK65Ul3x2FfPyqiL-dvxPwHwtQ4fDQy-rHfwedgv9jx65MANAVSjtayEMh-MEh1Jf5oJq3pc28_COfhK6gtmT-pS4TnIfmihwTaaeWJDuKDd9RifLopdvs/s4032/PXL_20210219_230759822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01gWlL4vKfbAla1PxyEjzFKK65Ul3x2FfPyqiL-dvxPwHwtQ4fDQy-rHfwedgv9jx65MANAVSjtayEMh-MEh1Jf5oJq3pc28_COfhK6gtmT-pS4TnIfmihwTaaeWJDuKDd9RifLopdvs/w480-h640/PXL_20210219_230759822.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jeff got off work early. One of my gifts for him was two tennis rackets and some tennis balls. Jeff and I both played tennis in high school, and now that our kids are older I thought it would be fun to match up against each other while the kids play at the park. We tried the rackets out on the afternoon of his birthday and it was so fun! The weather was beautiful and Eli actually joined us and did a pretty good job for his first time. Tennis skills may be hereditary. <p></p><p>I also got Jeff Super Smash Bros for the Nintendo Switch. The boys all played that while I made dinner. Of course we did the traditional fried rice, but I also picked up some fun new things to try from Trader Joe's. I got Mandarin Orange Chicken, Wonton Soup, and some Asian Veggies. It felt like we had ordered Chinese take-out. Then Jeff led us all in a round of Happy Birthday as we ended the night with angel food cake. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjJJ7U1HKn9hj0TDIwXEkuV0L27T3mPy-AIW_ZD9J7tF_x3ko3XK2b-OHQEFLMhSQUqqdxe-kTS9nnCFFurvBBelZs0t1ReMbO7KzD5O_e-K7oC0fTPMKkf_nXY-UYA8x_a0yrb5E40s/s4032/PXL_20210220_030350655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjJJ7U1HKn9hj0TDIwXEkuV0L27T3mPy-AIW_ZD9J7tF_x3ko3XK2b-OHQEFLMhSQUqqdxe-kTS9nnCFFurvBBelZs0t1ReMbO7KzD5O_e-K7oC0fTPMKkf_nXY-UYA8x_a0yrb5E40s/w640-h480/PXL_20210220_030350655.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I'll end with this cute Lego portrait of Jeff Carson made for Jeff's birthday. So cute!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDu8UNKQKPsewdsQqndTlVBOzBg5lHmbRisJX_mrBVA7VBPaTZWeQIQl4NrpyBGOm414ZIA4ReWZDnyeypQscFPZAk8UwcO-8dL9NlscDaQjVkzIc6yUsH7BgdbJEocHfeCtaC_W4NU8/s4032/PXL_20210220_184650916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDu8UNKQKPsewdsQqndTlVBOzBg5lHmbRisJX_mrBVA7VBPaTZWeQIQl4NrpyBGOm414ZIA4ReWZDnyeypQscFPZAk8UwcO-8dL9NlscDaQjVkzIc6yUsH7BgdbJEocHfeCtaC_W4NU8/w480-h640/PXL_20210220_184650916.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Jeff Excellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318742818755581447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-39409231668918859352021-02-21T16:21:00.001-07:002021-02-21T16:24:20.800-07:00The Parable of the Snowman<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I didn't think we'd be in this position again so soon, but I have yet again given a talk in church. One of the bishopric counselors wasn't there the week I spoke and hadn't realized I had just spoken when he asked me to take the stand. After telling him I had just spoken, he said, "Oh Whoops." and then a few minutes later texted, "But will you still do it?" Ha! The answer was yes and the message is below.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">______________________________________________________</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This week in Come, Follow Me, we learned about the witnesses of The Book of Mormon. My favorite way to learn is through stories and analogies. As I have studied this topic, I feel the best way to teach it is through a story that happened to me last month that I will lovingly name: The Parable of the Snowman. As I share this story, see if you can find any lessons of being a witness of truth and how witnessing leads to conversion.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f6929ce2-7fff-d997-b096-1fa009a15f70"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After scrolling through Facebook one afternoon, I read a post from one of my neighbors urgently prompting me to look outside because it was snowing!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Snow in Vegas? No way. I ran to the window to see for myself. Nothing.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I kept scrolling. “Did you see the snow?” Someone else said. I checked again. No snow.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally after a third commenter posted, “SNOW!” I wised up and looked at the time stamp. I was 20 minutes too late to the five minutes of flurries.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I spent the next hour sporadically squinting out the window. I eventually wandered outside to longingly stare at the clouds. By evening, I inspected the glow of street lights for any evidence of sparkly glimmers in the dark. I wanted to see the same Vegas snow my neighbors had seen, but I feared I had missed my chance. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With much surprise, I woke up the next morning to find it had not only snowed, but the snow had actually stuck to the ground. The mere glimmers I had been hoping to see had all quietly piled up to create an unbelievable and unexpected sight. Our backyard had transformed into a winter wonderland. I woke my kids up, eager to tell them it had snowed. We all raced outside to begin experimenting with the snow. We poked our fingers in it. We slid across the sidewalk, and we tried out our trampoline in the new conditions. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDWjvWxdVb46LPb4LqW7YP97BG0sdQFFtXikEyHx7NEax2u-zzuhhXcN481kQE18zjuMt3RKe88NM3tDIalyyL0OOlaG16hOlhOsfvLl3RJCewZOR5UlP60cJMKjn-mCAxAlg_da5CXM/s4032/PXL_20210126_143150326.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDWjvWxdVb46LPb4LqW7YP97BG0sdQFFtXikEyHx7NEax2u-zzuhhXcN481kQE18zjuMt3RKe88NM3tDIalyyL0OOlaG16hOlhOsfvLl3RJCewZOR5UlP60cJMKjn-mCAxAlg_da5CXM/w640-h480/PXL_20210126_143150326.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After experimenting with the snow and becoming familiar with how it works, we were interested to see if we could build with it. We all know the best thing to build in the snow is a snowman, so we got right to work carefully rolling out each section of our snowman.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This snowman is special because each section of snow can serve as a reminder to what we learn from this story.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s start with the snowman’s head. When it first started snowing, someone had to tell me about it before I began looking for it. After I knew it was there, I had the desire to see it for myself. I began to realize what I was missing by not being able to see it. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Likewise, as others share about Jesus Christ, we begin to look for Him. We want to see if He truly lives, and we begin to recognize that something is missing from our lives without Him. Often our testimony begins from hearing other people talk, or witness of Christ. This information goes straight into our heads to our minds as we begin learning of Christ.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next up is the bottom section of the snowman, the foundation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doctrine and Covenants 18:36 says, “Wherefore, you can </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2008/03/becoming-a-witness-of-christ?lang=eng#note36a" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">testify</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that you have </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2008/03/becoming-a-witness-of-christ?lang=eng#note36b" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">heard</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> my voice, and know my words.” Elder Christofferson has taught that as we study the scriptures, it is no different than seeing and hearing the words of Christ. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The progression of a testimony moves from our head to our toes as we start learning more about Christ’s teachings by studying the scriptures and putting those teachings into action.</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1HTSjgSLcjNQ4bL3AbOGHhCR2dRbIDRT0kQYU4YPoNZvTG9pWIL4hXLtjvCJ0ZjCBJPXwzb-mg1IHBYG01KurJ3zb0x9KtSsYcejtq9EiaRPeRP2iCrvuCSBdj-de_p2_5b4jgpxGGQ/s4032/PXL_20210126_155854593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1HTSjgSLcjNQ4bL3AbOGHhCR2dRbIDRT0kQYU4YPoNZvTG9pWIL4hXLtjvCJ0ZjCBJPXwzb-mg1IHBYG01KurJ3zb0x9KtSsYcejtq9EiaRPeRP2iCrvuCSBdj-de_p2_5b4jgpxGGQ/w480-h640/PXL_20210126_155854593.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I found snow in my backyard, I couldn’t wait to start playing in it. Experimenting with gospel truths is where we get to play. It’s a chance to see what our old life looks like blanketed by our new knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ. We get to poke our fingers in it to see how it feels. We get to slide around and maybe even fall down. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of doing, trying, and experimenting. As we take what we know and put it into action, we begin to build a solid foundation for our snowman to sit on.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last section of the snowman is the center, or the heart. While learning truth, and trying what we’ve learned, we feel the truth in our hearts through the witnessing power of the Holy Ghost. With the knowledge of Jesus Christ in our mind, actions, and hearts, we become fully converted to Him. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Much like the sudden change of waking up to the beauty and peace of a snow-covered desert, Second Corinthians teaches that as we become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we become changed creatures. We have the same body, the same life, and the same surroundings, but suddenly everything looks different, fresh, hopeful, beautiful, and peaceful. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s one last part to my parable. You can’t build a snowman without taking a picture of it to share with those you know. Similarly, once your testimony of Jesus Christ is built up, it becomes difficult to hide. As we are truly converted, we stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places just as a snowman proudly stands in your front yard for all to see. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love the scripture in Second Nephi that reads, “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I always feel a little bit of guilt whenever I hear people talk about our duty to share our testimonies with those around us, or even worse if they utter the words member missionary work. It’s not that I don’t want to share the joy of the gospel with others, it’s just that my circle of influence as a stay-at-home mom feels laughably small. The only people I see most days are my own children. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I love that scripture in Nephi because the people he specifically mentions we should be testifying of Christ to are our own children. I have grown to accept that at least in this phase of my life, my missionary work is trying to convert the four future missionaries I’m raising. They are only four people, but they have the potential to lead hundreds to Christ over the course of their lives and as they raise their own righteous families. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also sometimes get overwhelmed thinking my witnessing only counts when I am sharing my testimony with people not of our faith. However, I believe the testimonies we share with fellow followers of Jesus Christ are also important. I look to the words and examples of those around me to keep me centered on Christ and to teach me how to live a more Christlike life. We dedicate one Sunday every month to allow church members to testify to each other, showing the importance of witnessing to even those we would classify as faithful.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Eyring has taught that “Great faith has a short shelf life.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Snowmen can melt, get windblown, and unbalanced. Just because you once had a strong, solid snowman doesn’t mean it will stay that way. As we witness to each other as members of the church, we help maintain our testimonies and rebuild and reinforce to each other what we know to be true. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another way we can be witnesses of Jesus Christ is through our actions. One of the most challenging parts of quarantine has been that my kids are now next to me at all times, in all things, and in all places which has forced me to reevaluate every moment of my life. I’ve had to reconsider the TV shows I indulge in, the conversations I have with my friends, and even the excessive amount of sweets I try to sneak. Our sincerity in following Jesus Christ is evident in the everyday.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The everyday has been especially weird in the last year and, I think for a lot of people, has served as a good time to examine our testimonies for signs of wear and tear. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am typically a very paranoid, over-anxious person anyway, but I quickly found these tendencies became heightened when mixed with a pandemic. Back in March, I found myself up late every night reading doom and gloom news articles, I buried myself in online forums that were constantly trying to predict the worst-case scenarios, and much of the hope and happiness I once had became replaced by fear and dread.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The internet kept assuring me my feelings were completely normal for someone who was going through the stress we all experienced as our world flipped upside down. Of course we would feel sad, lonely, scared, and utterly overwhelmed given the circumstances. I thanked the internet for validating my feelings and then I continued marinating in those emotions until there was nothing left but pure pessimism. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">General Conference came and I heard the prophets and apostles speak messages of hope. I was unconvinced. I saw friends share testimonies of Jesus Christ online in an effort to buoy each other up and I was like, guys. We are in a PANDEMIC. How can you be so positive right now? In my wallowing, I discovered the phrase toxic positivity, and I was quick to diagnose my friends with this condition.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the months went on, it became apparent the way I was living was not sustainable. I was making myself miserable. The situation we were in was scary, uncomfortable and unknown, but as I looked to others and saw them handling the same situation with much more hope and faith, I began longing for even just a snowflake-sized portion of their peace. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One morning I woke up with a song in my head that I hadn’t heard in years. At first it came to me just as notes I could hum, then I was able to start filling in some of the words:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gives us hope</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When hope is gone</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gives us strength</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we can't go on</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gives us shelter</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the storms of life</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When there's no peace on Earth</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is peace in Christ</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know the Spirit brought this song to my mind to remind me of what I had forgotten, that I could find peace in Jesus Christ, and I felt that peace in my heart.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I looked to Christ, the power of His Atonement changed the way I viewed my situation. As unlikely as waking up to a beautiful snowfall in Vegas, my fear, anxiety, and worry was sprinkled with hope, strength, and peace. My worries did not disappear. The pandemic did not end. My kids did not go back to school, and my concerns were still there, but through that song in my head, the Spirit reminded me I have a source of comfort in an uncomfortable time and I could find at least momentary refuge in the peace of Christ.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know Jesus Christ lives. I have felt the peace and the power that comes from Him in my life. My knowledge of my Savior began by learning from others who witnessed of His teachings to me in the way they lived and the things they said. As I strive to be more like Christ, the Spirit teaches me exactly what I need to know, and as I follow the promptings of the Spirit, I feel peace and joy. I know this peace and joy is available to all who seek Christ.</span></p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-42715929080278926622021-02-21T16:12:00.001-07:002021-02-21T16:12:51.741-07:002020 Pun<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For New Years we spent a few days in Southern Utah. The boys were happy to see snow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj11K_ieKTEGozlJvHzSoaMVQweGBCVyXrQ5y7DxWDohxERLwsqGCuln70xpGZ7iqdeKbq1B1Yn20JVXUBWU87edYjInlPnxaxrO3E3b6jEy8IQcCDrJ18xIo2QdCstnnMP3Bwwb1dfA/s4032/PXL_20201231_174729218.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjj11K_ieKTEGozlJvHzSoaMVQweGBCVyXrQ5y7DxWDohxERLwsqGCuln70xpGZ7iqdeKbq1B1Yn20JVXUBWU87edYjInlPnxaxrO3E3b6jEy8IQcCDrJ18xIo2QdCstnnMP3Bwwb1dfA/w480-h640/PXL_20201231_174729218.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And even happier to see Grandma!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr-hMRAESyJhzC7fOF0_iLJ5A1YAbhwEf6TBL1TkyzEW5QzpqF2LNAUL_O6C_Uav6P9LgeZww1xHGyWuHTxiEdLicAbmPcD8vmQsEXD2Zqordukj8I1uiyIkH1uQk_QK9glI5GWCGLoE/s4032/PXL_20201231_190220017.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr-hMRAESyJhzC7fOF0_iLJ5A1YAbhwEf6TBL1TkyzEW5QzpqF2LNAUL_O6C_Uav6P9LgeZww1xHGyWuHTxiEdLicAbmPcD8vmQsEXD2Zqordukj8I1uiyIkH1uQk_QK9glI5GWCGLoE/w480-h640/PXL_20201231_190220017.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOxt6LBaSCEPjq3Zri4kO_BS3Mz5yUvoyQw1MFbRBBs646LZY6ilyOAZicH-rL-t8xwIm-hUXPnPe9Ul99ET98OwPMWC4uDzH13Ml8L7we_eY36k_KyXMJPwtF_ZXcjy-IN4aYiV_ZcE/s4032/PXL_20201231_190207188.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOxt6LBaSCEPjq3Zri4kO_BS3Mz5yUvoyQw1MFbRBBs646LZY6ilyOAZicH-rL-t8xwIm-hUXPnPe9Ul99ET98OwPMWC4uDzH13Ml8L7we_eY36k_KyXMJPwtF_ZXcjy-IN4aYiV_ZcE/w480-h640/PXL_20201231_190207188.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>It's always a treat to experience another Excell Family Christmas Tea and Recital. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5i4PpJhPFNZpTokJzOEacJw6b8gwMQJnjrYqQ9XCkYVvK3drDEwXFnNjUYMt7_Aud1rasWREv4ynb3DBcYJBJlglB_N_Rf73-VzugoOJArvJ-Fjizcx4IeCTlH6rcgBR56SsdTMzqYc/s4032/PXL_20201231_233353598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5i4PpJhPFNZpTokJzOEacJw6b8gwMQJnjrYqQ9XCkYVvK3drDEwXFnNjUYMt7_Aud1rasWREv4ynb3DBcYJBJlglB_N_Rf73-VzugoOJArvJ-Fjizcx4IeCTlH6rcgBR56SsdTMzqYc/w640-h480/PXL_20201231_233353598.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Eli folded a paper airplane for his talent. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGSrRQmIwY00Yi3sV2rEp6ypBsCS1AZic3i_It6YbZMH-4g1wIrYB7FaEiAYbwqpAe_LWHwzU9jxTi78RVVhgaGc29s0yQur7Eiyr0TzD0ZyztVPdBqGV-orHWQlAnnufIPeJ8bgwNfc/s4032/PXL_20201231_233611110.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGSrRQmIwY00Yi3sV2rEp6ypBsCS1AZic3i_It6YbZMH-4g1wIrYB7FaEiAYbwqpAe_LWHwzU9jxTi78RVVhgaGc29s0yQur7Eiyr0TzD0ZyztVPdBqGV-orHWQlAnnufIPeJ8bgwNfc/w480-h640/PXL_20201231_233611110.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Carson drew a stick figure guy with his eyes closed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYYn22FYndhSTrSKxhRBQvdGxZ3MuuXE-YKUQ0k7QpGCQriuymomMdAXlK5-LWkH59TcgcgF5C2dVO5i16UqtNsq74hOyS8vZkHv-BCDj0_7CYPlV2dQnOHEFmTwPFjHBuzSG7FlPp88/s4032/PXL_20201231_233703049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYYn22FYndhSTrSKxhRBQvdGxZ3MuuXE-YKUQ0k7QpGCQriuymomMdAXlK5-LWkH59TcgcgF5C2dVO5i16UqtNsq74hOyS8vZkHv-BCDj0_7CYPlV2dQnOHEFmTwPFjHBuzSG7FlPp88/w480-h640/PXL_20201231_233703049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Lincoln and Jonah presented pictures they had drawn (with their eyes open). <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPyoCoqM6tDo_cQ97kDQyEaEWe4NVfKoUXACSvdN60aTomdeEdkUMU5TFLXws3RU5Yuu5tWuPYh7IjeFRiTsXULvq1c7zTw8WISarGK-Odg8hneJRosRxm_qaJuVxcIE1ElPXvysru5A/s4032/PXL_20201231_233730129.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPyoCoqM6tDo_cQ97kDQyEaEWe4NVfKoUXACSvdN60aTomdeEdkUMU5TFLXws3RU5Yuu5tWuPYh7IjeFRiTsXULvq1c7zTw8WISarGK-Odg8hneJRosRxm_qaJuVxcIE1ElPXvysru5A/w480-h640/PXL_20201231_233730129.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The kids were excited to have accumulated a bit of Christmas cash. They bought some fun Lego sets. Eli got an X Wing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIP2JZ1QTsMaOAwMY-Hrz5BHiTUTC09HenPU_pgSHbzz2qQwPwKTbLb1cMpGaIRst6RA7AfIt-XK0CYW9FVREb9A5R1ixAmqfTxCAqVvx05QS0CsihVp3hXgPfVP9H7dUsTle30Xn9_w/s4032/PXL_20210110_042945635.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIP2JZ1QTsMaOAwMY-Hrz5BHiTUTC09HenPU_pgSHbzz2qQwPwKTbLb1cMpGaIRst6RA7AfIt-XK0CYW9FVREb9A5R1ixAmqfTxCAqVvx05QS0CsihVp3hXgPfVP9H7dUsTle30Xn9_w/w480-h640/PXL_20210110_042945635.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And Carson got a T-wing. Otherwise known as an airplane. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l60308qanZC1k6jG1mUg9SJC0-zqsa8YPiRHXz1oTxMvp5gq88V5bhTKLS1HbGmLGDmck8C7R9t6ZhlY9w8d5jRuLCLL9n-oAsS41rj2ZEyAma0QldVU1SXX-ruKdh6FIxCCC5K3HDA/s4032/PXL_20210110_042957118.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l60308qanZC1k6jG1mUg9SJC0-zqsa8YPiRHXz1oTxMvp5gq88V5bhTKLS1HbGmLGDmck8C7R9t6ZhlY9w8d5jRuLCLL9n-oAsS41rj2ZEyAma0QldVU1SXX-ruKdh6FIxCCC5K3HDA/w480-h640/PXL_20210110_042957118.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Only two years into Jeff's career and he has already received an award not many officers get for a case he worked on last year. Well done, Jeff! He's a dedicated worker. It's nice to see him appreciated and recognized. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IJdRcIFBkg4GLZLvZvud6XRGB9WPpYUnX_qeyx1mil5i-vvo32ZNdytGWdNEaoecuGzB1g3CK0NUJU2DQEJdevutZH87cyY3T2uL6CoLVN039-hJfbsmO5j1rDD3dUn1p7nxd78ez2Y/s4032/PXL_20210112_234851161.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IJdRcIFBkg4GLZLvZvud6XRGB9WPpYUnX_qeyx1mil5i-vvo32ZNdytGWdNEaoecuGzB1g3CK0NUJU2DQEJdevutZH87cyY3T2uL6CoLVN039-hJfbsmO5j1rDD3dUn1p7nxd78ez2Y/w640-h480/PXL_20210112_234851161.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Eli was tasked with creating a solar system model for school. Seeing as I didn't want to run to the store to buy one million styrofoam balls, we got creative and used what we could find lying around the house. My favorite part was Eli got the milk out of the fridge when it was time to take a picture for his teacher, labeling the picture The "Milk"y Way. His teacher (and I) loved the pun!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeZSaQPUzkELyuT1pNQ3zWmUJDR0c5T4wSmE5L_eUma8iLc70j1TCCjfAgZHfduqBWmWEIlk_TA_Z4AKkCbWAR6pc1LdGRn1iXjTz-OlQp0DSOggf002kt3nmCOZJqiJc39ICRQ6sigw/s4032/PXL_20210125_210009197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeZSaQPUzkELyuT1pNQ3zWmUJDR0c5T4wSmE5L_eUma8iLc70j1TCCjfAgZHfduqBWmWEIlk_TA_Z4AKkCbWAR6pc1LdGRn1iXjTz-OlQp0DSOggf002kt3nmCOZJqiJc39ICRQ6sigw/w640-h480/PXL_20210125_210009197.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I told Eli's teacher he came by his puns honestly because, I think everyone reading this knows, I love a good pun. In fact, Jeff wasn't the only one who had an awards ceremony in his honor in January. For my birthday, Jeff had all the kids run upstairs after dinner to get all dressed up to present me with some awards. With Oscar music playing in the background, Eli presented me with the "Best Pun Award," Carson presented me with the "Best Gamer Award," Lincoln gave me the "Best Cook Award," and Jonah closed the ceremony with the "Cutest Mom Award." SO CUTE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6VSCJ-kshJJL1As1eYmXjxEdn9JEDnt1fuA4gFskkTOYtYqg7xEVwryZs-_RHkyM37yZTW1NPPTk4BcUqlf3PN_IisIVXvu5w-dR0WuiMpIfc8iYRfYZO3XOz7us9vYgNOE__xyfQGk/s4032/PXL_20210126_034627773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6VSCJ-kshJJL1As1eYmXjxEdn9JEDnt1fuA4gFskkTOYtYqg7xEVwryZs-_RHkyM37yZTW1NPPTk4BcUqlf3PN_IisIVXvu5w-dR0WuiMpIfc8iYRfYZO3XOz7us9vYgNOE__xyfQGk/w640-h480/PXL_20210126_034627773.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>They also got me a gift to go with each award. Eli gave me a popcorn bucket like I grew up eating Sunday popcorn out of and he said something about popping in to wish me a happy birthday. Carson gave me the game Sorry. Lincoln gave me a new pot, and Jonah gave me a mirror. It was so sweet and thoughtful. I loved it!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3l2VDJiX1Ig4OZiSEVk7_Z9lKsH8Bs5Ue0nGdOSkx8wNx_WnWDe1szsgPb3oeGWj7eF3qg1IZ4gste3nJLcfOpugbhpjPwAinyeK2L5AGZ97l1dj7FiIZ4AWpeItZZmHubWVWzy6Rco/s4032/PXL_20210126_023022582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3l2VDJiX1Ig4OZiSEVk7_Z9lKsH8Bs5Ue0nGdOSkx8wNx_WnWDe1szsgPb3oeGWj7eF3qg1IZ4gste3nJLcfOpugbhpjPwAinyeK2L5AGZ97l1dj7FiIZ4AWpeItZZmHubWVWzy6Rco/w640-h480/PXL_20210126_023022582.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Then we finished the night with Nothing Bundt Cakes, so yeah, Jeff hit this birthday out of the park! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtYEV7KjafvKaaeyjxEr-RiAXn4d_umlWXpHDAreLrJEZl_xT2O0x6BFGPu2o3NEj5xdJlugbGNFpG1lKo0eu2or75NxzVGjrhR7rawoliderKs4HXClryn7GoW_iw7Y6OyBB9rUIS-A/s4032/PXL_20210126_023607931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtYEV7KjafvKaaeyjxEr-RiAXn4d_umlWXpHDAreLrJEZl_xT2O0x6BFGPu2o3NEj5xdJlugbGNFpG1lKo0eu2or75NxzVGjrhR7rawoliderKs4HXClryn7GoW_iw7Y6OyBB9rUIS-A/w480-h640/PXL_20210126_023607931.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-10068734790935599382021-01-31T19:10:00.000-07:002021-01-31T19:14:45.816-07:00Picture for Christmas (...to the tune of Picture a Christmas)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Aa7jRIIp9pkttaKFxJp5jO1tgArb3BpTENgoN1DI1MowxgSZqu_3TdOBGY6T_GdHQuRt3eKRDCbtGymFejah1rsJvYN8Il-P36bc93J_xyQSyejjmPbEpQKc2oLoq5ygo4eZnuEOVs/s4032/PXL_20201206_044321007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-Aa7jRIIp9pkttaKFxJp5jO1tgArb3BpTENgoN1DI1MowxgSZqu_3TdOBGY6T_GdHQuRt3eKRDCbtGymFejah1rsJvYN8Il-P36bc93J_xyQSyejjmPbEpQKc2oLoq5ygo4eZnuEOVs/w640-h480/PXL_20201206_044321007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Picture the color coordinating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Picture a getting ready fight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We combed our hair,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">New clothes to wear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Will we find perfect light?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8EgyDQAwC6UtKQ4iYnIDvdhNQsEdATRJZ_MmsCZb9mwbsjkhfMGkzsgFQweRfEsHAFkL9SmcV3a-ags3YNALxEyvNuktavHnpCwTWfzRdVk2lDy4O_qa6i-bUFrpzxtWwfQX-fjhNCM/s4797/Excell-23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3202" data-original-width="4797" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8EgyDQAwC6UtKQ4iYnIDvdhNQsEdATRJZ_MmsCZb9mwbsjkhfMGkzsgFQweRfEsHAFkL9SmcV3a-ags3YNALxEyvNuktavHnpCwTWfzRdVk2lDy4O_qa6i-bUFrpzxtWwfQX-fjhNCM/w640-h428/Excell-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pictures of little Excell children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Posing to make their grandma cheer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEK6H0Sv6gTtfd-IgMmlr5whPImqAl4Ft_ccatV70MqTU_0O2PfB3tcJRraXj0v16NE97KzRTH0OMyJ5Mp0_UiAdhrFo9Z-HOTvbpVzti7JTh5QXcR_RDjNnVmqdL5k31kYHXz43vg4o/s6016/Excell-48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEK6H0Sv6gTtfd-IgMmlr5whPImqAl4Ft_ccatV70MqTU_0O2PfB3tcJRraXj0v16NE97KzRTH0OMyJ5Mp0_UiAdhrFo9Z-HOTvbpVzti7JTh5QXcR_RDjNnVmqdL5k31kYHXz43vg4o/w428-h640/Excell-48.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu15R2boKArI__Bs_Imo_i_oM2BfJ6PToKmxC-an4EdK98dga9YNhHXLCZ41cSD8JwiEP-9_yCZCLTLK86gJTsYE-et5EtR_qVIuRTE70DJk5TBDCsAfuRe-QNm6sOHsgARX0CIvtMLE0/s6016/Excell-39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu15R2boKArI__Bs_Imo_i_oM2BfJ6PToKmxC-an4EdK98dga9YNhHXLCZ41cSD8JwiEP-9_yCZCLTLK86gJTsYE-et5EtR_qVIuRTE70DJk5TBDCsAfuRe-QNm6sOHsgARX0CIvtMLE0/w428-h640/Excell-39.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We smile for her;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Endure torture,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we take our pictures each year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Picture of kind and gentle Jeffery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYiIhZ-2CpVfXmL5j-_2k5wXwtepfmJqLtXNFl2ARpgohLOoj1NGA3aOMstZiJ0yTMfU4hYr64r9CL-uQAQqU_ySZ66FIGWiW90EmCzcBTVCb33ki753Ns-YntdjJyc5-5W5Sv2w6ZEI/s6016/Excell-72.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYiIhZ-2CpVfXmL5j-_2k5wXwtepfmJqLtXNFl2ARpgohLOoj1NGA3aOMstZiJ0yTMfU4hYr64r9CL-uQAQqU_ySZ66FIGWiW90EmCzcBTVCb33ki753Ns-YntdjJyc5-5W5Sv2w6ZEI/w428-h640/Excell-72.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Picture of mother touching hair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOKqpTStGIVNsqnyOSs-RUvxq21g6eneZ1jhwTE2klIWi6TlCmt7LbzHJCZ6y3qpPlAe60sc-q8Tj4QJ2ve-bjgvNV5eh7Y-j2Jxn7azklDuJRYykSXtIZatDk-5dvEg44ZGoBhQ0fUA/s5989/Excell-71.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5989" data-original-width="3998" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOKqpTStGIVNsqnyOSs-RUvxq21g6eneZ1jhwTE2klIWi6TlCmt7LbzHJCZ6y3qpPlAe60sc-q8Tj4QJ2ve-bjgvNV5eh7Y-j2Jxn7azklDuJRYykSXtIZatDk-5dvEg44ZGoBhQ0fUA/w428-h640/Excell-71.jpg" width="428" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAwZyx6We9PR3XUITdsoNr_C7BBegocptsd3Y7hkghrZJTiX35bAAPozyrP6EDz74JNhO1th8IE45YUAap8pBpDkefvZ1GP7QrBfESoPAX95OrkN1CKX7cGxVRRRT5wwa5pR82yFwYeY/s5012/Excell-70.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5012" data-original-width="3346" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAwZyx6We9PR3XUITdsoNr_C7BBegocptsd3Y7hkghrZJTiX35bAAPozyrP6EDz74JNhO1th8IE45YUAap8pBpDkefvZ1GP7QrBfESoPAX95OrkN1CKX7cGxVRRRT5wwa5pR82yFwYeY/w428-h640/Excell-70.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And can you see,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Genuinely,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The boys all smiling here?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2YJtUBWKwReDXzHAi3HYoYorL5I-5erOEUSebND7FAVHvq393CD4ZwXK4oH6P3rz-Xn4nlQXMK68U50Pmt57Op_-SKnd-c9hONzV86YU7qwTdx64Pi8lAzqJMsCpTu192IvTLAapO4g/s4521/Excell-55.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3018" data-original-width="4521" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2YJtUBWKwReDXzHAi3HYoYorL5I-5erOEUSebND7FAVHvq393CD4ZwXK4oH6P3rz-Xn4nlQXMK68U50Pmt57Op_-SKnd-c9hONzV86YU7qwTdx64Pi8lAzqJMsCpTu192IvTLAapO4g/w640-h428/Excell-55.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pictures of little Excell children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Posing to make their grandma cheer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAo1V0hl3QFGZk5wAfkFnmm-oVozKwddhH5AzamZj7Ot0nRZZwGkCWgfet12CEml8kg000E_SrG8eCQ_8BGuXgsgeWTfg2RCeh6LpTEf8qvSe6KW9svWjnYtaS4SYZxzC1BlPSY4T-Gw/s6016/Excell-43.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAo1V0hl3QFGZk5wAfkFnmm-oVozKwddhH5AzamZj7Ot0nRZZwGkCWgfet12CEml8kg000E_SrG8eCQ_8BGuXgsgeWTfg2RCeh6LpTEf8qvSe6KW9svWjnYtaS4SYZxzC1BlPSY4T-Gw/w428-h640/Excell-43.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ox9p8Q-od4cXvC5RjE3Gt9RsMBjXiwN-ABr2JeTdEU-3GmX_oSn070inbqW73TPIyYG6qjNfYzkgffqvepxdjuDMfOwA2X3Y_SBBRMssAMs5kxF5lwosKPtMKBVPJUz5HJ0slpntKAc/s6016/Excell-36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ox9p8Q-od4cXvC5RjE3Gt9RsMBjXiwN-ABr2JeTdEU-3GmX_oSn070inbqW73TPIyYG6qjNfYzkgffqvepxdjuDMfOwA2X3Y_SBBRMssAMs5kxF5lwosKPtMKBVPJUz5HJ0slpntKAc/w428-h640/Excell-36.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We smile for her;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Endure torture,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JPR1dWHUIBHHL1XOXUw2wWYjze2RDhpwMYW4oHixQhSVoZ4nalMG0kdmwqs1wOGKX211IvaDzPmGO7TGUdxQEoufXS0Xqx1JpLWs7QA_mXo9XGkFZRw0OcJrVLsPTDDODtYxhBY5kxc/s5382/Excell-60.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5382" data-original-width="3593" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JPR1dWHUIBHHL1XOXUw2wWYjze2RDhpwMYW4oHixQhSVoZ4nalMG0kdmwqs1wOGKX211IvaDzPmGO7TGUdxQEoufXS0Xqx1JpLWs7QA_mXo9XGkFZRw0OcJrVLsPTDDODtYxhBY5kxc/w428-h640/Excell-60.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we take our pictures each year!</div></div><ol class="verses" style="background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.01); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 16px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iPu18Z1213d5fM9BSFDR7zhoW5EgtioPUq_OFPMYE6kooMRypkzgyb1Y_g3QHwIxzeBqpDHe0nDorqCLYDT3nURWBjBvpCGODgvyfsksh5aDQmS6U-QDAuLXumlg62iw3pHlaAj1UTI/s3896/Excell-3.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2601" data-original-width="3896" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iPu18Z1213d5fM9BSFDR7zhoW5EgtioPUq_OFPMYE6kooMRypkzgyb1Y_g3QHwIxzeBqpDHe0nDorqCLYDT3nURWBjBvpCGODgvyfsksh5aDQmS6U-QDAuLXumlg62iw3pHlaAj1UTI/w640-h428/Excell-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></ol>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-90464509594199964162021-01-31T19:07:00.001-07:002021-01-31T19:09:25.210-07:00All are Redeemed Through Christ<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I spent most of my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year writing a talk I was asked to give with only three days' notice. I worked hard on it and sacrificed a lot to put it together...and then only about 30 people were at church the day I gave it due to Covid restrictions. I grew to love this talk and the ideas that came to me, so to make up for the small crowd, I figured I could throw it into the blogosphere where someone else might stumble upon it and possibly enjoy it. Now that I've fully given an intro to...myself...I'd like to formally turn the time over to Sister Excell. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">_________________________________________________________</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">With this being the last Sunday of the infamous 2020, let’s send it out remembering something positive the last 12 months have given us. One of the highlights of the year for our family has been studying The Book of Mormon through the Come, Follow Me program. I’ve appreciated how the Come, Follow Me lessons have challenged and empowered us to bring the scriptures to life. I’ve developed a few mantras I chant to myself whenever I need to pump myself up for another rowdy lesson in our home: By small and simple things are great things come to pass, liken the scriptures to our lives, and bribe with candy. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b939ab72-7fff-d968-f737-5fd03647888c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I won’t be throwing candy out into the audience today, I hope to teach you the same way I teach my kids, by likening the scriptures to our everyday lives in small and simple ways. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back in February, my kids grew to love the familiar story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, so much so, that they began requesting it every night before bed. We can blame those nightly storybook sessions for the idea that came to me for a Come, Follow Me lesson as we were studying 2 Nephi 26. Hoping to capture all four of my boys’ attention, I decided to just go ahead and make the lesson a full-blown production. I assembled props, set a little stage, and handed each boy a finger puppet goat so we could act out their favorite tale.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In case you were not also enthralled with The Three Billy Goats Gruff earlier this year, I’ll give you a little refresher. Feel free to visualize paper goats taped to little fingers, dancing on top of a coffee table as we move through the story to capture the full effect of the lesson. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Three billy goats lived on a hill. The hill was dry, rocky, and didn’t have much food. The billy goats were always hungry. One day the billy goats noticed another hill on the other side of the valley covered in lush, green grass. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The goats began to imagine how full and happy they would be if they could make it to that other hill. They traveled all the way to the other hill, so close they could see and practically smell the beautiful, rolling grass fields. The only thing between them and their bellies being full and happy was a big, fat, scary, ugly old troll that popped out to block the path and scare the goats away whenever they approached the bridge.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, this is the reason I suspect this book was so highly requested by my four boys. At the very end of the book, the goats are sick of the big, ugly troll and his stubbornness in keeping them from the beautiful grass on the other side of the bridge. They devised a plan to outsmart the troll by sending the biggest billy goat in to bravely kick the troll which sends him flailing through the air, right over the bridge, down into the water, never to be seen again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>**My boys unexpectedly all cackled very loudly out in the audience at this part which definitely helped hammer down the point that they love this story.**</i></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After watching the traditional characters play out the scene, we tried the play out again but with different characters. We replaced the goats with all kinds of different people. We labeled the grassy hill “Salvation,” and we swapped the ugly troll out for a picture of Christ. With our new characters in place, we all wondered what would happen now. Would the new gatekeeper yell, “NO! This is my bridge!” like the grumpy, old troll each time someone approached the bridge? Would He let some people cross, but turn others away? Would He grab everyone within reach and shove them across the bridge?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My 5-year-old, Lincoln’s, puppet was the first to hesitantly approach the bridge. After seeing what happened with the goats and the troll, he was understandably nervous. His puppet stepped onto the bridge. He timidly asked, “Can I cross the bridge?” Our Jesus puppet moved to the side and said, “Yes! Come on in!” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carson tried next. His puppet looked different than Lincoln’s, would his be allowed in too? Carson stepped on the bridge. He asked if he could cross, and he was also allowed into the lush, grassy field of salvation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the only girl in the house, my puppet approached the bridge. The boys were anxious to see if a GIRL would be allowed into the grass field. Sure enough, girls were able to get through, too!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We tried all kinds of different puppets, and all were welcome into the field of salvation. Once there, the puppets were happy and were filled with the goodness of Christ. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After our homemade production, we read from 2 Nephi: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; All men are privileged the one like unto the other and none are forbidden.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For the Lord doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first thing we noticed during our play was the difference between the troll guarding and denying travelers approaching the bridge and Christ generously welcoming all to join Him across the bridge. Anyone who approached Christ’s bridge and desired to cross was allowed to enter into the field to feast and be filled with the joy of His goodness and the peace of salvation. He denies no one who comes unto Him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Omni 1:26, “And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2014/01/youth/moroni-10-32?lang=eng#note26a" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">come</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2014/01/youth/moroni-10-32?lang=eng#note26b" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offer</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> your whole souls as an </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2014/01/youth/moroni-10-32?lang=eng#note26c" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offering</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> unto him, and continue in </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2014/01/youth/moroni-10-32?lang=eng#note26d" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fasting</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we desire salvation, the only way to get there is to walk towards Christ. Once we reach him, we need to use the bridge He has provided to obtain salvation. When one is used to working with trolls, they may feel hesitant to approach the bridge. We can remember Lincoln’s nervousness to use the bridge after becoming familiar with trolls. His fear of trolls may have caused him to try to find a different way over the river, to attempt to build his own bridge, or to avoid bridges all together and just make do with the rocky, barren ground he’s familiar with.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe we could imagine our sins as the big, ugly trolls trying to keep us on the rocky side of salvation. We may be nervous to cross any bridges if we’re used to catering to our sins. We may want to work around our sins and hope to be able to pave our own way to the hill of salvation. We may just want to stay where we are because it’s comfortable and familiar even though we can clearly see we want to be in a better place, but we let our sins keep us from where we want to be. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rather than letting the ugly trolls in our lives dictate our path to salvation, we can instead turn our sins over to Christ through the power of Christ’s Atonement. As we do this, the way is made clear for us to cross over into the place we desire to be. We can use the power of Christ’s Atonement in our lives as we recognize the sins and shortcomings that are holding us back, and intentionally choose to kick them off the bridge as we make our way towards salvation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In October 2018 General Conference, Matthew Carpenter said, ““Our Heavenly Father is all-powerful and all-knowing. He knows our physical struggles. He is aware of our pains due to illness, disease, aging, accidents, or birth disorders. He is aware of emotional struggles associated with anxiety, loneliness, depression, or mental illness. He knows each person who has suffered injustice or who has been abused. He knows our weaknesses and the propensities and temptations we struggle with. There is no physical, emotional, or spiritual ailment that Christ cannot heal.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus Christ paid the price so that we can be made whole. But we must choose to take that healing medicine He offers.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christ is often referred to as our Redeemer. We hear that we can be redeemed from our sins, and that the Savior has redemptive power in our lives. As I’ve thought more about the word redeem, I’ve been reminded of an experience I had at the beginning of this week when I wanted to watch The Polar Express with my kids.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hyped the kids up to watch this Christmas movie with me, sat them down with bowls of popcorn and candy, and only then realized the movie wasn’t available on any of the streaming services we’re subscribed to. In a pinch and not wanting to let everyone down, I ended up having to purchase the movie at full price so we could enjoy it together. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night, as I was making dinner, I moved aside a cereal box and something caught my eye. I saw a picture of The Polar Express with enthusiastic prompts all over the box, inviting me to “Redeem this offer!” The injustice! I could have had a free copy of the very movie I was scrambling to hunt down just by mailing in three proof of purchases? I just spent $15 on a movie when I could have instead simply traded in a few pieces of cardboard to redeem my reward? How foolish I felt once I realized the offer was there all along, but I had failed to notice it, so I was unable to use it. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God has offered His son to redeem us. We can take our meager offerings, like cardboard scraps off of a cereal box, and exchange them for something greater through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. But we have to recognize that Christ’s Atonement is there for us to use, and then we have to actually use it! We don’t have to try to build our own bridge. We don’t have to hunt for an alternate way across the river to the grassy field, and we don’t have to settle for the rocky, barren ground. There is a bridge already there! The way is available to us, but we have to use it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Bednar said, “Most of us know that when we do things wrong and need help to overcome the effects of sin in our lives, the Savior has made it possible for us to become clean through His redeeming power. But do we also understand that the Atonement is for faithful men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully? I wonder if we fail to fully acknowledge this strengthening aspect of the Atonement in our lives and mistakenly believe we must carry our load all alone—through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline and with our obviously limited capacities.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recognizing and using Christ’s redemptive power in our lives reminds me of my favorite scripture, Ether 12:27: “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt the truthfulness of that scripture a few years ago when I was asked to be the Girls’ Camp Director in my old ward. I had a brief moment of questioning my leaders’ inspiration and wondered if any of them knew I turn into the step-mom from The Parent Trap who bangs sticks together in a vain attempt to ward off bears, whenever I’m in a wooded area. Surely I was the wrong person for the job. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was because of my obvious weaknesses in the wilderness that forced me to turn to God and to use the strengthening power of Christ’s Atonement to transform me into what I needed to be. I knew I could not lead a camping excursion on my own and have it end in success, so I offered many desperate prayers and grew a heartfelt desire to make the camp what Heavenly Father wanted it to be for the girls. I was a lowly cereal box trying my hardest to exchange my efforts into a shiny new movie. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Girls’ camp that year was a success. I can say that because I know it had nothing to do with me. It was my weaknesses that made it evident any good that came from camp was from a higher power. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I found it interesting that we were studying that scripture in Ether that gives me so much peace and assurance the week I was called to be the new Young Women’s President. I again have found myself feeling inadequate, underqualified, and humbled by my obvious shortcomings, but I continue to remind myself that I can be strengthened and that I can be enough through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember back to my Come, Follow Me mantra, small and simple things. If we finish that scripture, it teaches us that through small and simple things great things can come to pass. That small and simple scripture beautifully teaches about the great redemptive power of Jesus Christ. I have seen this scripture play out in my life each time I desire to do good, pray to ask for Christ’s help, and put forth my best effort. My small and simple efforts become magnified into something great through Christ. I have seen this in callings, in my Come, Follow Me lessons, in my responsibilities as a mother, and even in preparing this talk. I know that Jesus Christ is at the bridge, waiting for us to seek them, He is eager for us to be filled with His goodness of peace, joy, healing, and strength. As we learned from The Billy Goat’s Gruff, this is not just available for some to enjoy, but it is available to all who Come Unto Christ. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would like to leave you with an invitation found in Ether 12 which reads, “And now, I would commend you to </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/#note41a" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">seek</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/#note41b" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">record</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of them, may be and abide in you forever.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We often seek Christ during the Christmas season, but He invites us to come unto Him always. As I look towards and remember my Redeemer, I am changed into something better than I can be on my own. I have felt the power of Christ’s redemptive Atonement in my life, and I know that is a gift available to all. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01306026968076056608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384905180564656027.post-81891346799452754122021-01-31T18:51:00.002-07:002021-01-31T18:51:24.842-07:00Pictures of Christmas (...to the tune of your own drum(mer boy?))<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To quote Eli's latest catchphrase, "Hi, Gang." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's dive into the Christmas excitement! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAzfntnOuDBPzOMi63MdLyZgtwBbZ8IAHH-SjYHlLnVs14yLfFUc7yLfCG4bfv5kSz0A9lbOULeHmQDX3pU_oxIoZaptL6ZF_0B_Zqk7E0SGIjJ0qWtGO2Xqhq7OHSspsLm_wjUziTUE/s4032/PXL_20201129_232240874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAzfntnOuDBPzOMi63MdLyZgtwBbZ8IAHH-SjYHlLnVs14yLfFUc7yLfCG4bfv5kSz0A9lbOULeHmQDX3pU_oxIoZaptL6ZF_0B_Zqk7E0SGIjJ0qWtGO2Xqhq7OHSspsLm_wjUziTUE/w480-h640/PXL_20201129_232240874.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Excitement visibly evident by the fact that I couldn't snap a picture without at least one child jittering around in a blur.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYSmzdCGD93fS8e4owX6KWQ2KgB74RQpOXuLRKtc6ewdziazmyYJQ9zPlq-R-NzKmDCLhOks8u7LrmjtFgy_K4DesdMrYbMoi1lAbmdbHqAU8_5Nh2Q_qwQWu2sS7mqyjnPi62bb8e44/s4032/PXL_20201129_233552667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYSmzdCGD93fS8e4owX6KWQ2KgB74RQpOXuLRKtc6ewdziazmyYJQ9zPlq-R-NzKmDCLhOks8u7LrmjtFgy_K4DesdMrYbMoi1lAbmdbHqAU8_5Nh2Q_qwQWu2sS7mqyjnPi62bb8e44/w480-h640/PXL_20201129_233552667.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We made gingerbread houses! And if you look closely, you can see our elf had some fun with the boys' pictures this day. You should know that dry erase marker did something to the plastic on those pictures so they are permanently stained with those faces now. Barry might not be invited back next year. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00F2X3n7eYfkQswKFoBTruaGNRw7jIY1ZoMgeTNMgZOgG-zGh9O2IrNruWiN2s3rs29Qnjh_rZsPwWZX5w-lApaaL1zmuc7Gbz96ODlyEn3hdZ34Jj_FBqzWfTy08wI3vRe61ReSongM/s4032/PXL_20201206_233820686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00F2X3n7eYfkQswKFoBTruaGNRw7jIY1ZoMgeTNMgZOgG-zGh9O2IrNruWiN2s3rs29Qnjh_rZsPwWZX5w-lApaaL1zmuc7Gbz96ODlyEn3hdZ34Jj_FBqzWfTy08wI3vRe61ReSongM/w640-h480/PXL_20201206_233820686.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Especially because Barry forced some unwelcome self-reflection upon me. The pandemic has had a way of encouraging me to sneak away by myself as often as I can because it's the only way I get a minute to myself these days. If the kids interrupt my quiet moment, I will often shout through the door, "Mommy is having alone time!" as I finish off whatever snack I'm stress-eating while finishing up the latest episode of Bachelor. <p></p><p>When Lincoln woke up to see Barry vegging out in front of a screen surrounded by junk food, he was completely unphased and said, "Oh. Barry's having his alone time." <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu__VWtiJ1DVfO5mPTY0lOwNKiH3wa5zBUK76H-xPviHVonlysFQmeFEoTQfHAGykRGM8eyLc1XmtFt19V8JdQLYbmuTKELWz38cQJuVsWC0iodVo0Gok6lnANKHwhGVJvf7EjzSMWu3A/s4032/PXL_20201209_153202188.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu__VWtiJ1DVfO5mPTY0lOwNKiH3wa5zBUK76H-xPviHVonlysFQmeFEoTQfHAGykRGM8eyLc1XmtFt19V8JdQLYbmuTKELWz38cQJuVsWC0iodVo0Gok6lnANKHwhGVJvf7EjzSMWu3A/w480-h640/PXL_20201209_153202188.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Most kids like the crusts cut off of their sandwiches...Jonah only eats the crust and then he's done. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpPMnD79QJ067LIRDH0KavU6nvHzgv_OOoENrdYsMvZ_IAcA5p275AosI3Rh4UrGV4wdKOpKQ21dRKcWDK_1meiUUOOyjGzfYjvWqE49qB9SG03XCM5kUajZtyCSKR1PzErSkROwboU8/s4032/PXL_20201213_193000358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpPMnD79QJ067LIRDH0KavU6nvHzgv_OOoENrdYsMvZ_IAcA5p275AosI3Rh4UrGV4wdKOpKQ21dRKcWDK_1meiUUOOyjGzfYjvWqE49qB9SG03XCM5kUajZtyCSKR1PzErSkROwboU8/w480-h640/PXL_20201213_193000358.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We went to Coors Light...I mean Glittering Lights. Does that not look like the Coors Light logo though? It's all I see when I look at this picture. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRQpU62quRGSlyMqBqpwmI-3SpoXWXjrG8_Scpu4IEqJgL30A5uy6a1ZiTYc1k5oeG064YPA1lexYuDW7XOkyhllkeFxYpqsBqf0eDvuD_tS010rDq4MKq08yYBpLUFHGl4MJ6Akn13E/s4032/PXL_20201215_012352615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRQpU62quRGSlyMqBqpwmI-3SpoXWXjrG8_Scpu4IEqJgL30A5uy6a1ZiTYc1k5oeG064YPA1lexYuDW7XOkyhllkeFxYpqsBqf0eDvuD_tS010rDq4MKq08yYBpLUFHGl4MJ6Akn13E/w480-h640/PXL_20201215_012352615.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I got called to be the Young Women's President in December. Ahhhhhhh! Much nervousness, uncertainty, and intimidation about my new title. Luckily I have an A+ team to keep me going. The first day we all met together I said, "Is it too soon to say 'I love you?'" I meant it, too. I could tell right away that they are all gung-ho and ready to get to work. So far they've made my job super easy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuyU_Z3PARBkLo7IIJuiivhjBEQmvUJnl1PhrtyuuUXF0q9ulM9lVHygn0mYfWCanvEkSEXukYuL2DAobYgOD7OeByV2wuMP4wSvs6rvhz0202jVp9ofxkn-RniuWiiZe6jFohw1VAPo/s4032/PXL_20201217_040110659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuyU_Z3PARBkLo7IIJuiivhjBEQmvUJnl1PhrtyuuUXF0q9ulM9lVHygn0mYfWCanvEkSEXukYuL2DAobYgOD7OeByV2wuMP4wSvs6rvhz0202jVp9ofxkn-RniuWiiZe6jFohw1VAPo/w480-h640/PXL_20201217_040110659.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Eli wrote a cute essay about how we celebrate Christmas. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjnUooZyQeACcLxeXZV4y8mgDSPDl6RTpnVs33a27sRi7aH81GJU1JPaKoFYLIZBh03Zuuzvm_-22RLtZLMuMXlCngTNZULHL5pijUmv9mmyPBmZ8evnLJC5Y_BSJ25zQoURf5lJXC-o/s4032/PXL_20201218_173636941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjnUooZyQeACcLxeXZV4y8mgDSPDl6RTpnVs33a27sRi7aH81GJU1JPaKoFYLIZBh03Zuuzvm_-22RLtZLMuMXlCngTNZULHL5pijUmv9mmyPBmZ8evnLJC5Y_BSJ25zQoURf5lJXC-o/w480-h640/PXL_20201218_173636941.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We made cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5dgoAWYcOdoreUMOVmN84h4cm89KjQkyPPtZ76l2l6vISN7CZSnrLDXnWwPZpgJeFWahGRW8fLKbZfnp24hRfVmnLKwoJ2YpUsByRpFjlYBQDrrUZhcjvmzbbx-s7-CQ1rQQLHQ7_4s/s4032/PXL_20201224_211030732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5dgoAWYcOdoreUMOVmN84h4cm89KjQkyPPtZ76l2l6vISN7CZSnrLDXnWwPZpgJeFWahGRW8fLKbZfnp24hRfVmnLKwoJ2YpUsByRpFjlYBQDrrUZhcjvmzbbx-s7-CQ1rQQLHQ7_4s/w640-h480/PXL_20201224_211030732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQEeGqtkQHkYkIpIsIIGj4pano6eyL8laa8fHHHfbJdM_nw6fK0bxJC4tHqw-HUHtvQR0G5idDiFA_aRnmf0i6nfi-bps3p3FYnqyIQW3X7D9UMB32KwKW8u-ZC7hO7nLsVpJmJCWdhQ/s4032/PXL_20201224_231137782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQEeGqtkQHkYkIpIsIIGj4pano6eyL8laa8fHHHfbJdM_nw6fK0bxJC4tHqw-HUHtvQR0G5idDiFA_aRnmf0i6nfi-bps3p3FYnqyIQW3X7D9UMB32KwKW8u-ZC7hO7nLsVpJmJCWdhQ/w640-h480/PXL_20201224_231137782.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Then we had a steak and shrimp dinner. Jeff was cute and set all those lights up around the house. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwbFdsVsIixQprCpDp7iXSP9rDzz-6ZooFvNUNZIRilJIsC-83s3W2NdvKN71jncs0f8_a07KxKmqT1jxbwmklbh1gh9F1eQMqS6MZWLtgJdn-5037_R4q01A_aUP1wmPoNKPBuLRIKo/s4032/PXL_20201225_014333609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwbFdsVsIixQprCpDp7iXSP9rDzz-6ZooFvNUNZIRilJIsC-83s3W2NdvKN71jncs0f8_a07KxKmqT1jxbwmklbh1gh9F1eQMqS6MZWLtgJdn-5037_R4q01A_aUP1wmPoNKPBuLRIKo/w640-h480/PXL_20201225_014333609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_XcHc56ZzakiEnB3fmaUM28Nqm2seTASwCJA90TVuiUEhjT4Hu20lZBiDmhL3CJJ7CXIFInyFladFhnvtW6-M5Ti4Qk4FeI0USaIUfic9UV_CZerC0G6Xcy1BqbvE56RBWz81UwPE14/s4032/PXL_20201224_233255542.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_XcHc56ZzakiEnB3fmaUM28Nqm2seTASwCJA90TVuiUEhjT4Hu20lZBiDmhL3CJJ7CXIFInyFladFhnvtW6-M5Ti4Qk4FeI0USaIUfic9UV_CZerC0G6Xcy1BqbvE56RBWz81UwPE14/w480-h640/PXL_20201224_233255542.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Our cookie lure worked. The Big Man showed up!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLne4Al-duG7nMZguxrFEupSAoxxTo5Yctn6sAL3Ww0_r0Nd-j1mZn3Dhy1D4tnAMFnA_q8z-0GH8K6hUJHGCIYvWDgH4p2E0rBu1hkwBvI99i8F5vDt-MPK5XAZaEAtF0eHdFPGVCfQ8/s4032/PXL_20201225_065652194.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLne4Al-duG7nMZguxrFEupSAoxxTo5Yctn6sAL3Ww0_r0Nd-j1mZn3Dhy1D4tnAMFnA_q8z-0GH8K6hUJHGCIYvWDgH4p2E0rBu1hkwBvI99i8F5vDt-MPK5XAZaEAtF0eHdFPGVCfQ8/w480-h640/PXL_20201225_065652194.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Carson<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gLXs8-wx06ByQa2mTYjR8nUIGwzsHy4Bcnm64mVYMsco89Obk4OOr_HYoD6ltViDUI16q4p26-NrK5Gi95ZcaXb1LC5Dtd7-NbLq2Fad2a7xpr7TfNwDlxAg9cYYVQJNtkXH0gucflY/s4032/PXL_20201225_065647746.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gLXs8-wx06ByQa2mTYjR8nUIGwzsHy4Bcnm64mVYMsco89Obk4OOr_HYoD6ltViDUI16q4p26-NrK5Gi95ZcaXb1LC5Dtd7-NbLq2Fad2a7xpr7TfNwDlxAg9cYYVQJNtkXH0gucflY/w640-h480/PXL_20201225_065647746.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Lincoln<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiGTWJJnuCgqa_9L_DH_iaVavod5kSdwQ9-_TSJB4AKOVTN8atGEX3O8QMerpWFDUxRSp6ExKyC9HvmnVherKdqYFmYfZeGUHZ8_-Gdv72V3pBJGziv9WT8JvJWRSWadU1DG_uMudnYM/s4032/PXL_20201225_065716765.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiGTWJJnuCgqa_9L_DH_iaVavod5kSdwQ9-_TSJB4AKOVTN8atGEX3O8QMerpWFDUxRSp6ExKyC9HvmnVherKdqYFmYfZeGUHZ8_-Gdv72V3pBJGziv9WT8JvJWRSWadU1DG_uMudnYM/w640-h480/PXL_20201225_065716765.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Jonah<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBRgbJp-MzT-C7MkOu3VUGemr4CaI9uNEQnTIUzZ0wQfTSLm1CflGIe_Ia27IL_bXMJH6vnMpa1ixw1oYN6sryoZ7VwqF0vstHpv9khxwxL7a2uh8x_tq4CIUp_kYdjVbd8dgcrWD-U4/s4032/PXL_20201225_065713745.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBRgbJp-MzT-C7MkOu3VUGemr4CaI9uNEQnTIUzZ0wQfTSLm1CflGIe_Ia27IL_bXMJH6vnMpa1ixw1oYN6sryoZ7VwqF0vstHpv9khxwxL7a2uh8x_tq4CIUp_kYdjVbd8dgcrWD-U4/w640-h480/PXL_20201225_065713745.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>and Eli.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl5gM9b2K5VTNgB9meGKVHHbEOr7H3PX_uXLn35rj5dI5Z47ZWCgPUg-mqr3gvaRGnpRUVISK8jXbIqFYUxDgOrIsYc6wvKnLJHreR_SH4AVd4NgJ_dHuQCh9-07gi_OhitlUOqAcSRQ/s4032/PXL_20201225_065720890.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl5gM9b2K5VTNgB9meGKVHHbEOr7H3PX_uXLn35rj5dI5Z47ZWCgPUg-mqr3gvaRGnpRUVISK8jXbIqFYUxDgOrIsYc6wvKnLJHreR_SH4AVd4NgJ_dHuQCh9-07gi_OhitlUOqAcSRQ/w640-h480/PXL_20201225_065720890.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AQ-R4YVxCylaV5HcCUpUoPrXSOGC0_zuTy9S-eTh-1NnQ4wAh7quyQqioc4QN6S_Ak6aTTgttpDgrCHZa5jE4MotMBZC-qJSSJ_PphVHPgsu0vz7vMxErRajq8pqhKl-n18vxOEgewk/s4032/PXL_20201225_065731006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AQ-R4YVxCylaV5HcCUpUoPrXSOGC0_zuTy9S-eTh-1NnQ4wAh7quyQqioc4QN6S_Ak6aTTgttpDgrCHZa5jE4MotMBZC-qJSSJ_PphVHPgsu0vz7vMxErRajq8pqhKl-n18vxOEgewk/w640-h480/PXL_20201225_065731006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Unbeknownst to me and Jeff, Carson set an alarm for 6:00 AM Christmas morning. My kids have never woken up terribly early on Christmas, I think this was our earliest get-up time. *Reminder to check alarms next Christmas Eve.*<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY78ftiq8KNeu1lFEhBvYSmAX_TyhwmRiu4TgBPUyNxY3DcBqfVY8KzleQwUnUKKyF_L60Xk9WySdVuJ4E66Bl079G0MMMWGKcFCjRluERtmfgAnEyyk-rZ3iNfEi1DwNjH9R6QLRoqu8/s4032/PXL_20201225_142327116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY78ftiq8KNeu1lFEhBvYSmAX_TyhwmRiu4TgBPUyNxY3DcBqfVY8KzleQwUnUKKyF_L60Xk9WySdVuJ4E66Bl079G0MMMWGKcFCjRluERtmfgAnEyyk-rZ3iNfEi1DwNjH9R6QLRoqu8/w640-h480/PXL_20201225_142327116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Jonah loves Blippi. We found Blippi on YouTube while looking for a garbage truck song once. Jonah immediately fell in love which is unfortunate because Jeff and I both strongly dislike the character. ...Santa...brought this Blippi more as a joke (for Jeff) than an actual gift...but it has ended up being Jonah's favorite present. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEA4kcDGTJC8x6zQ3RqPhbYFMneiETXPbqc-54V3FvThF68RbifHsyZeiG_NGXACcv1QqDD6szTK3VSmKUWsBjuvt6zCt_5sXH9pjsJm_f3GFko4IxkI5yv1S7GCWoMCMqfcGC1VDFE0/s4032/PXL_20201225_145018853.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEA4kcDGTJC8x6zQ3RqPhbYFMneiETXPbqc-54V3FvThF68RbifHsyZeiG_NGXACcv1QqDD6szTK3VSmKUWsBjuvt6zCt_5sXH9pjsJm_f3GFko4IxkI5yv1S7GCWoMCMqfcGC1VDFE0/w480-h640/PXL_20201225_145018853.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jonah also only eats the crusts of his chocolate bars. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGHdq7T_qJfXM96r6qIAhqeJkCTzXQK7UnFH0YghRgAFZr0HlGUWKZW2OjllLa5lpWnqxaWV_iwDneJ3rQZkncXxOrlcAPfmgVDc9pW0eS8eApIsdDux516pITUOU9YYdlZ1VpCCF9zI/s4032/PXL_20201225_145255303.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGHdq7T_qJfXM96r6qIAhqeJkCTzXQK7UnFH0YghRgAFZr0HlGUWKZW2OjllLa5lpWnqxaWV_iwDneJ3rQZkncXxOrlcAPfmgVDc9pW0eS8eApIsdDux516pITUOU9YYdlZ1VpCCF9zI/w480-h640/PXL_20201225_145255303.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>...Santa...surprised me and Eli with a Coca-Cola in his stocking.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZhwIcYyAda0ytHigL1cj-pCD0aDcmx66SdC79xDDk2l6YQHIT27eU9rfx2TEZr4gwJv0yU4H9bsPm0B6KpyWmp-00dnEThfkgxtc32-HvwwK2aY6z6A6kVyocBm4C1xbxSzIU1SSPc0/s4032/PXL_20201225_145030595.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZhwIcYyAda0ytHigL1cj-pCD0aDcmx66SdC79xDDk2l6YQHIT27eU9rfx2TEZr4gwJv0yU4H9bsPm0B6KpyWmp-00dnEThfkgxtc32-HvwwK2aY6z6A6kVyocBm4C1xbxSzIU1SSPc0/w480-h640/PXL_20201225_145030595.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>My kids didn't ask for a lot this year for Christmas which was fun for me because I got to get them some things they wouldn't normally think of that I thought would be fun. Eli had a magical Christmas. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo8PF31zqoaD71rfiRnX3OJHxAa2SI_SS6cpmXApV0VmAiwFausuuCuKrBTmLpSGHnVC3U0wsiew2MlgneYruHpBcLgqt4vXG0yji9gF4A1sqtaEP8GFXsSMB8orISV0lSa_KHL0wjgY/s4032/PXL_20201225_153207426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo8PF31zqoaD71rfiRnX3OJHxAa2SI_SS6cpmXApV0VmAiwFausuuCuKrBTmLpSGHnVC3U0wsiew2MlgneYruHpBcLgqt4vXG0yji9gF4A1sqtaEP8GFXsSMB8orISV0lSa_KHL0wjgY/w480-h640/PXL_20201225_153207426.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Carson got a Lego City Ski Resort set he's had his eye on. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpj6RaQf0hi2IKdOAkeYK8Jevd9NezdJ46OcjtJ2T87bulx7ySEm6hHP_20qZSHgIdrqp_7jzBzJgOtDY8UVvTSZOflow5toc-iB-9tcipzRsYZqMxYyxG5m3WfuehUZkJxznmBxQeqY/s4032/PXL_20201225_153244845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpj6RaQf0hi2IKdOAkeYK8Jevd9NezdJ46OcjtJ2T87bulx7ySEm6hHP_20qZSHgIdrqp_7jzBzJgOtDY8UVvTSZOflow5toc-iB-9tcipzRsYZqMxYyxG5m3WfuehUZkJxznmBxQeqY/w480-h640/PXL_20201225_153244845.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I found an awesome deal on some Hatchimals and I've wanted to try them out. I got one for Lincoln and one for Jonah and they have loved them. They even still regularly play with them over a month later, so win! They named their Hatchimals Mario and Luigi which I found adorable. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCEmGJfBMoLs1agZeI9XFIe8_XjU-hca97u6VupYWsS_3C7xC-IGL2SQDMuT_pO4xWvxKEeMzhKNE-uDi-ugIi7xULAZ5P6jnF8NjPbZQ1pLzFEgUME8FutRHPrRGnxq54-eDQV-yyWk/s4032/PXL_20201225_161534568.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCEmGJfBMoLs1agZeI9XFIe8_XjU-hca97u6VupYWsS_3C7xC-IGL2SQDMuT_pO4xWvxKEeMzhKNE-uDi-ugIi7xULAZ5P6jnF8NjPbZQ1pLzFEgUME8FutRHPrRGnxq54-eDQV-yyWk/w480-h640/PXL_20201225_161534568.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Christmas would have been perfect...had a member of the Bishopric not called us on the afternoon of Christmas Eve to ask us to speak in church in TWO DAYS! I died. It takes me at least 80 hours to prepare a good talk. Ha! Jeff was like, you're going to have to go straight from your first draft to your final draft and skip the four re-writes in between. Even that was going to be pushing it! Luckily the kids had a lot of new toys to play with so I could spend the entire day on Christmas stewing over my talk. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjdhCvoG19ONeYuHwEPdvDLehvAgMwxxT3A5WJJj1LbOFyDhqqadU9L95Lebe4woaPVH7tCLJg4WHsxi970nJoSYPq245Alc_NEAiv46QG_UWGIb2o2qi8MwII8pYM77osnnq3ZrEH8g/s4032/PXL_20201225_161830980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjdhCvoG19ONeYuHwEPdvDLehvAgMwxxT3A5WJJj1LbOFyDhqqadU9L95Lebe4woaPVH7tCLJg4WHsxi970nJoSYPq245Alc_NEAiv46QG_UWGIb2o2qi8MwII8pYM77osnnq3ZrEH8g/w480-h640/PXL_20201225_161830980.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jeff had to speak, too, but he felt free as a bird. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fSWR3j2uFIj7kBcEJrmbWkZwGJo6p6Fjn0Y4d8PiwN5AZvoDl8Ti2L3ijTtpaTABrMGXiF-k16ixG_55XUwWBOnjfu8Jq0HUDEs5Fa2jRAQyUzMzZ1wxi6OjrQJe2HUoE0HoihzotLI/s4032/PXL_20201226_002706753.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fSWR3j2uFIj7kBcEJrmbWkZwGJo6p6Fjn0Y4d8PiwN5AZvoDl8Ti2L3ijTtpaTABrMGXiF-k16ixG_55XUwWBOnjfu8Jq0HUDEs5Fa2jRAQyUzMzZ1wxi6OjrQJe2HUoE0HoihzotLI/w480-h640/PXL_20201226_002706753.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Jeff tended to all of the kids, played with their new toys with them, watched some of his favorite shows. I did not understand how he was so stress-free with our talks looming. We work in very different ways (thankfully)! He let me get my talk all done and then he was able to pull his together and he did a great job.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uU_ExXY1zCC-2p4zzrCIjepbxPZIhTwd9hAhMYg278qP-KjwqDWwRsz1EYKfQTfRu-ej_q53dWdvM_aecEmlxjKyOxuKf4Qv-pk8wyr7cU9jm7DAD87VuKNrLJJ4dllbfBf7kGm0-ps/s4032/PXL_20201226_042115267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uU_ExXY1zCC-2p4zzrCIjepbxPZIhTwd9hAhMYg278qP-KjwqDWwRsz1EYKfQTfRu-ej_q53dWdvM_aecEmlxjKyOxuKf4Qv-pk8wyr7cU9jm7DAD87VuKNrLJJ4dllbfBf7kGm0-ps/w480-h640/PXL_20201226_042115267.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I threw boxes out in the garage whenever I needed to step away from the computer to ponder. Then it was back to typing. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Jo7RjOj8wZBFRJx06-5TxejWFHT5jSEKBFQYH1je487UJNV9JJsyHFErO4Q5Zyai8OE50xy4timdlTggeUFe5tb_7_Ds1xpytNMO1L5SGiYi4cuuYfhr_PT2zqtwIz-52F8hBBzk8R0/s4032/PXL_20201227_003816317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Jo7RjOj8wZBFRJx06-5TxejWFHT5jSEKBFQYH1je487UJNV9JJsyHFErO4Q5Zyai8OE50xy4timdlTggeUFe5tb_7_Ds1xpytNMO1L5SGiYi4cuuYfhr_PT2zqtwIz-52F8hBBzk8R0/w480-h640/PXL_20201227_003816317.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIBmT2AaiXyKB_St38w7SI-Owz3GDf7wxal-M3dzoStDUQbQEyWLYDEWIhOIZBP47qWlmzJx7xQi6tq6UiCblvOKWSBy-1uufmUCq4qhIv-cZarzDhUbOrjZOveoB-UghsTfURN2y0VI/s4032/PXL_20201226_205703570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIBmT2AaiXyKB_St38w7SI-Owz3GDf7wxal-M3dzoStDUQbQEyWLYDEWIhOIZBP47qWlmzJx7xQi6tq6UiCblvOKWSBy-1uufmUCq4qhIv-cZarzDhUbOrjZOveoB-UghsTfURN2y0VI/w480-h640/PXL_20201226_205703570.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>With Christmas behind us, Eli put up a Do Not Disturb sign and went into hibernation mode for the rest of (our THREE WEEK!) Christmas Break. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n6XQ9nKWfgv0fjqnbUYd_yfo9ZyMMUvV400keEAGQivZqHChf6UI1Nu3FMg2045_8HJTHslinHTbE-pPZ5ibgzGFJWVVSzyAiVRxUROmbbZxFj4RuTqEpSBFDLUUSr7gmDzRKyckLdU/s4032/PXL_20201229_165409206.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n6XQ9nKWfgv0fjqnbUYd_yfo9ZyMMUvV400keEAGQivZqHChf6UI1Nu3FMg2045_8HJTHslinHTbE-pPZ5ibgzGFJWVVSzyAiVRxUROmbbZxFj4RuTqEpSBFDLUUSr7gmDzRKyckLdU/w480-h640/PXL_20201229_165409206.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Jeff Excellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09318742818755581447noreply@blogger.com1