tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246832402024-03-12T21:20:15.459-04:00Out on Wacahoota RoadStories from a new generation on the 150 year old family farmEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-24773011419423558642011-10-18T14:43:00.002-04:002011-10-18T14:44:00.865-04:00Save the Date for Will's First Steer ShowCheck out that smile! Will's getting ready for his first steer show. Be on the lookout for one of these in the mail.<br />
<br />
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;">
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif); height: 6px;">
</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px;">
<div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px; width: 105px;">
<img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0;" /></div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height: 350px; padding: 0; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcOWLRy3cuXSQ&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=118"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/8AcOWLRy3cua/8AcOWLRy3cuacW/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1318963290000/0/" style="background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0;" /></a></div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="background-color: #f4f4e9; height: 55px; line-height: 19px; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; text-align: center;">
<div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">
Stationery card</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px;">
View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif); height: 6px;">
</div>
</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-80185782905350515802011-10-04T12:28:00.000-04:002011-10-04T12:28:27.896-04:00Life of a Farm GirlKaitlyn's been a farm girl most of her life. We moved out to the farm permanently when she was 2 and she has enjoyed every minute of it. Her personality doesn't always lend itself well to farm life (she only comes with two volumes - LOUD and asleep), but she makes life much more interesting for us and all the animals. She was recently described as being like a flying squirrel which aptly describes her since she never sits still, is always climbing on something, and seems to constantly be off the ground (on a table, hanging off someone, in a tree, etc.) At school, they call her Fingers because she can't keep her fingers to herself. <br />
<br />
Kaity is one to always volunteer to do something especially if it's outside. She is destined to work out here at some point in her life. Here's a rundown of a few of her activities that happen on a fairly daily/weekly basis. <br />
<br />
She's not old enough to show cattle yet, but don't tell her that! She spends as much time as Will with them. She's not always aware of how big they are or where she's at around them, but that will come with age. And, notice what she's wearing. Every cowgirl's got to look good. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--l6_AVLVT_w/TostDVbsLzI/AAAAAAAACeI/t2YJjd-K3Jk/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--l6_AVLVT_w/TostDVbsLzI/AAAAAAAACeI/t2YJjd-K3Jk/s320/045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sometimes she goes with Daddy to feed cows. She loves "looking at cows" as she puts it. We don't let her ride in the back typically because she often forgets to hold on. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjqPRy1tpKI/TosvFVZW7xI/AAAAAAAACeU/f4OKYHbprlE/s1600/farm+truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjqPRy1tpKI/TosvFVZW7xI/AAAAAAAACeU/f4OKYHbprlE/s320/farm+truck.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
She takes horse lessons once a week or so with Ms. Lisa and Jill. She loves this activity and will grow into it. Currently, she's Ms. Lisa's youngest student and she has a hard time getting Jill to do what she wants. But, look where her feet are...they only touch the saddle pad and not the horse!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngvYKS2yYuY/TosvLBNeCsI/AAAAAAAACeY/2i1q_M8kPOw/s1600/horse+lesson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngvYKS2yYuY/TosvLBNeCsI/AAAAAAAACeY/2i1q_M8kPOw/s320/horse+lesson.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She loves gardening and can't wait to start planting the fall garden with Daddy. The sunflower was one that Daddy grew this year. In her words, "it's bigger than my head!"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKbRnn-H8cY/TosvV18ttHI/AAAAAAAACec/eNbqxCOxZyY/s1600/sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKbRnn-H8cY/TosvV18ttHI/AAAAAAAACec/eNbqxCOxZyY/s320/sunflower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She loves her animals. Oreo isn't always thrilled with her attention, but she loves all of them. She says she wants to be a cowgirl animal vet when she grows up. I believe she'll do it. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yd47xm4AICs/Tosv1cfpbcI/AAAAAAAACeg/TSD-MbHh50E/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yd47xm4AICs/Tosv1cfpbcI/AAAAAAAACeg/TSD-MbHh50E/s320/011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And, apparently she's willing to explore ALL animals. This is her first snake bite from a garden snake. She wanted to hold it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GL5ymgOX-l0/TosstasMkMI/AAAAAAAACeE/P7g3xpS1N9Y/s1600/snake+bite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GL5ymgOX-l0/TosstasMkMI/AAAAAAAACeE/P7g3xpS1N9Y/s320/snake+bite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And, she still has her very girly side. She takes ballet, jazz, and tap each once a week. And, I'm hoping that dance influences her Flying Squirrel personality and helps mature her a little bit. I see it working, but it's definitely a slow process. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxMXwQXwc-I/Tost9ss67cI/AAAAAAAACeM/QELAMieo2AY/s1600/091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxMXwQXwc-I/Tost9ss67cI/AAAAAAAACeM/QELAMieo2AY/s320/091.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But, at the end of the day, this is what usually happens. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eO2pGUvA6o8/Tosu8Qzvu6I/AAAAAAAACeQ/U8in9qHcX2Y/s1600/asleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eO2pGUvA6o8/Tosu8Qzvu6I/AAAAAAAACeQ/U8in9qHcX2Y/s320/asleep.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't wait to see how she's going to grow and what she decides to do. Whatever it is, she'll do it with a "full speed ahead" attitude. :-) </div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-44920306068736973152011-09-29T20:34:00.000-04:002011-09-29T20:34:16.309-04:00Snapshot of Our DaySometimes life just gets in the way of blogging and you get out of the habit. I'm going to try to get re inspired to blog some more. Especially about our farm and agriculture in general since John's now working full-time out here. <br />
*********************************************************************************<br />
To start us off, I thought I'd start with a cool project called "<a href="http://www.agweb.com/day_in_ag.aspx">Day in Agriculture</a>." On September 29, Farm Journal is asking agriculturists to blog, tweet, update their Facebook status, take pictures/video all about their day and what happens. So, I thought I'd give a rundown from my perspective as farm wife, mom, and off-farm income. Here's how Thursday, September 29 went for me.<br />
<br />
Got up a little bit earlier than normal (lots to do before school). Will gets in the shower as I'm getting out. I fix my tea and breakfast and read my online stuff and Kaity sits with daddy in his chair. Fight with both over getting dressed and breakfast decisions. As Will's eating, John heads out to feed his steer and heifer for him. We get backpacks and lunches ready and check to make sure homework is finished and paperwork signed. I get dressed for work and pack up my stuff. Our family farm chores have to be done before we can leave - Bluebell and Oreo get fed in the house, Will unties the steer and heifer and checks their water, Kaity helps me feed the ponies and bunnies and checks their water, and Will feeds his hamsters. John's weaning calves this week so he leaves for work without Bluebell. Normally, she goes with him several times a day, but not when calves are in the pens. Today is actually a special day for Bluebell and Oreo. They're both getting fixed! Which means we have to leave for school 30 minutes early so I can drop kids off in Micanopy and then head to Williston to drop the puppy and kitten off for their vet appointments before finally heading back to Gainesville for work. But, before we can leave, I throw a roast, potatoes, and carrots in the crockpot for dinner. Finally, we're ready to head out the door. It takes Will 10 minutes to put his shoes on and tie his laces. I get out to the car with everyone, realize that Will didn't take his medicine, go back in (turning off and on the alarm) to get his medicine and head back to the car. Will runs to the gate to shut it and we're finally off. <br />
<br />
So, we've left the house and gone the 7 miles to school. I usually walk at least Kaity to her class, but today we're early. I drop them off and they head to the cafeteria to wait for school to start. Back in the car and another 7 miles to Williston to the vet. We have vets that are closer, but this is our farm vet's office and we really like him. Normally, he comes to us, but these are surgeries so I have to go out of my way to take them in. But, we have enough animals that we don't need any unexpected surprises. After dropping them off, it's another 15 miles back to work for the day. <br />
<br />
I check in with John on the way and they've fed all the barn animals, bulls, and cows and now they're working on getting calves in the pen. They'll be at this all day - probably without a lunch break. <br />
<br />
Finally, I make it to work (albeit a little late due to the vet dropoff). I work on our Master Gardener e-newsletter, some video ideas, and other stuff before lunch. In the haste this morning, I forgot to make my lunch so I head to Jimmy John's for a sandwich. I work on some Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher stuff while eating my sandwich. After lunch, I finish up a report for my professional development group and get ready for travelling next week. I'm headed to K-State for a board meeting and will be out of the office all week so I need to have my ducks in a row for work. <br />
<br />
I check in with John at lunch and all I got from him was cows in the pen and lots of mooing. <br />
<br />
Head home a little early so I can pick up kids. John had to go to the vet's to pick up cow medicine so he also got to pick up the puppy and kitten.<br />
<br />
Get home and John's still working cows. We all work on getting Bluebell and Oreo comfortable from their day at the vet. We check over homework. Kaity has a book to read and spelling practice. Will has math, spelling, and reading to do. We get those done. Kaity's got tap and jazz class tonight so I send Will over to the barn to hang out until John's done working. Kaity and I head to dance (which is luckily next to the grocery store). We get home about 7:15 and dinner's ready (yeah for crockpots!)John and Will had fed and worked the steer and heifer while we're gone so everyone's ready to come in. We eat about 8, which is normal for us, and then kids have to finish their reading. Tonight, they're not that smelly so they don't need baths. They go to bed about 9 and John and I watch TV. I head to bed at 10 and he'll head to bed about 11:30. It's a long day, but a good day. <br />
<br />
Couple things missing from my day: meetings and housework. Normally, we have several evening meetings a week (farm bureau, cattlemens, 4-H, fair board, school board, etc). And, no (which really means absolutely none) housework got done. We've got 3-4 dirty loads of laundry sitting there, 2 loads of dishes, sweeping, filthy bathrooms, etc. I do a lot of this in the morning before school and John helps a lot with it. But, it's weaning season, so he's not able to help. But, weaning season creates a TON more laundry and dirt in the house and it quickly builds up. When I get home next weekend after being out of town for a week, we're going to be knee deep around here. Oh, well. It's how life rolls on the farm. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJJ69i6YMxk/ToUNP-ybLQI/AAAAAAAACd8/oPeXGEGVmk4/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJJ69i6YMxk/ToUNP-ybLQI/AAAAAAAACd8/oPeXGEGVmk4/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Currently, this is how our days begin and end. But it's good farm chores for the kids and is teaching them pretty big responsibility skills. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pMYB_TtyI3I/ToUNh5DlcXI/AAAAAAAACeA/WHRvh0rJGTQ/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pMYB_TtyI3I/ToUNh5DlcXI/AAAAAAAACeA/WHRvh0rJGTQ/s320/045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-35972216444601783192011-02-22T13:58:00.003-05:002011-02-22T14:16:26.510-05:00Birthday Extravanganzas!<div>I know I've been a terrible blogger lately. Here's a recap of February, or as we like to call it "the birthday party month." </div><div><br /></div><div>Kaity turned 6 (wow!) two weeks ago. We made a big deal out of it for her because you know she likes being the center of attention. She got cupcakes at school, a special birthday supper of spaghetti and meatballs, and presents on her actual birthday. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj7Um1oIwCo/TWQHyne6yBI/AAAAAAAACZ4/IgQ6cRKUo2c/s1600/Picture%2B146.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj7Um1oIwCo/TWQHyne6yBI/AAAAAAAACZ4/IgQ6cRKUo2c/s400/Picture%2B146.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576590804765034514" /></a><br /><div>I made this cake which was decorated just for her, but it was nasty. It was strawberry flavored and kind of gross. She liked it. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_EMeelzAx4/TWQHzKNYN1I/AAAAAAAACaI/i4KnjdAjUVE/s1600/Picture%2B082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_EMeelzAx4/TWQHzKNYN1I/AAAAAAAACaI/i4KnjdAjUVE/s400/Picture%2B082.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576590814086707026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tss0G0tHQzI/TWQHy5Eq47I/AAAAAAAACaA/0fKJ-1lkAGc/s1600/Picture%2B151.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tss0G0tHQzI/TWQHy5Eq47I/AAAAAAAACaA/0fKJ-1lkAGc/s400/Picture%2B151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576590809486779314" /></a><br /></div><div>And, the big birthday present - a new bicycle! She had long ago outgrown hers and still doesn't know how to ride, so we got her a new one. I don't have a great picture of it yet. Will's going to get a new one also, but we'll let him pick out his own since he'll be more likely to ride it then. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AV1Inn6IIw/TWQHzNfl8II/AAAAAAAACaQ/CkB3xesISqM/s1600/Picture%2B094.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7AV1Inn6IIw/TWQHzNfl8II/AAAAAAAACaQ/CkB3xesISqM/s400/Picture%2B094.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576590814968410242" /></a><br /></div><div>Then, we had a sock hop party for her. I made her a poodle skirt and she had a couple friends over for dancing. It was the first sunny day we'd had in about three weeks so they spent a lot of the party outside. I LOVE this picture. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vY-1ru6NXMo/TWQIRYDBo-I/AAAAAAAACao/xmIOh6VzDhI/s1600/Picture%2B120.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vY-1ru6NXMo/TWQIRYDBo-I/AAAAAAAACao/xmIOh6VzDhI/s400/Picture%2B120.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576591333197456354" /></a><br /></div><div>And, this one too.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idVH_96EV6E/TWQIRI753VI/AAAAAAAACag/kjN8Q_N2IJ8/s1600/Picture%2B119.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idVH_96EV6E/TWQIRI753VI/AAAAAAAACag/kjN8Q_N2IJ8/s400/Picture%2B119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576591329141054802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7YkqFjtr3ws/TWQIRF6HBOI/AAAAAAAACaY/0Ljx9I_-_fs/s1600/Picture%2B116.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7YkqFjtr3ws/TWQIRF6HBOI/AAAAAAAACaY/0Ljx9I_-_fs/s400/Picture%2B116.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576591328328221922" /></a><br /></div><div>For Will's birthday, we did a party at the bowling alley. It was so awesome and the best 8 year old party ever! They did all the setup, cleanup, and the kids got to bowl a lot. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kunqVM9rx3s/TWQIRz5BxuI/AAAAAAAACa4/_i9u5wF1ACM/s1600/Picture%2B163.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kunqVM9rx3s/TWQIRz5BxuI/AAAAAAAACa4/_i9u5wF1ACM/s400/Picture%2B163.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576591340671715042" /></a><br /></div><div>He had a lot of friends come. He's pretty popular. It helps that he's such a sweet, nice guy. :-) </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xT-YsxpQZxg/TWQIRji_raI/AAAAAAAACaw/wB06rybUcj4/s1600/Picture%2B159.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xT-YsxpQZxg/TWQIRji_raI/AAAAAAAACaw/wB06rybUcj4/s400/Picture%2B159.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576591336284335522" /></a><br /></div><div>We had a family party at Nana and Papa's house last night for him. He wanted sausage gravy and biscuits for dinner. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqjQPyNUXH0/TWQIlXtq1dI/AAAAAAAACbA/Ncyw6mZipBc/s1600/Picture%2B175.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqjQPyNUXH0/TWQIlXtq1dI/AAAAAAAACbA/Ncyw6mZipBc/s400/Picture%2B175.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576591676705265106" /></a><br /></div><div>He read each and every card this year. And, he loved the money he got in them. He counted and I think he's got almost $70. He says he's going to buy daddy a tommy gun. (He watched a documentary on tommy guns the other day. I think he's a little short of cash for that.)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLB3-6gq52U/TWQIlnYuF9I/AAAAAAAACbI/PVvE917ChiM/s1600/Picture%2B177.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLB3-6gq52U/TWQIlnYuF9I/AAAAAAAACbI/PVvE917ChiM/s400/Picture%2B177.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576591680912365522" /></a><br /></div><div>And, the musical instruments they got. This is the "Funky Carrot" band. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xi8_3cCQ_Ls/TWQIlsCV8fI/AAAAAAAACbQ/30BvczCQZeA/s1600/Picture%2B178.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xi8_3cCQ_Ls/TWQIlsCV8fI/AAAAAAAACbQ/30BvczCQZeA/s400/Picture%2B178.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576591682160685554" /></a><br /></div><div>Happy 6th Birthday to Kaity and Happy 8th Birthday to Will!</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-6877440056190193962010-12-23T08:40:00.000-05:002010-12-23T08:40:00.107-05:00Light Up Micanopy 2010<div>Light Up Micanopy was great again this year. The kids sang in their school performance and entered their cookies in the cookie bake-off. Kaity did red velvet whoopie pies. They looked very pretty but the cookies weren't the right proportion to the filling. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIepLjWd7I/AAAAAAAACZQ/5nvGO7IFVqs/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIepLjWd7I/AAAAAAAACZQ/5nvGO7IFVqs/s400/IMG_0090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553534983325775794" /></a><br /><div>Will entered pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting. It was his cookie idea and he did most of the mixing and dolloping although I had to frost them all. He ended up winning overall cookie and won $8. He was very excited. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIeo_4mtYI/AAAAAAAACZI/K8skGSej8f8/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIeo_4mtYI/AAAAAAAACZI/K8skGSej8f8/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553534980193695106" /></a><br /></div><div>The kids also met the "real" Santa. It's the grandpa of one of our 4-Hers and he really looks like the real Santa. He's got a fantastic costume and great beard. Both the kids are really into Santa this year. I think it will be the last year for Santa for Will but this year he REALLY believes. When he wrote his letter, he said he wanted "elf shoos." When I asked him why, he said "because no one else will think to ask for that, so I'll probably get it." Which means this Santa had to think fast and come up with elf shoes. They should be delivered today. He also has repeatedly asked Santa for a Wii to replace the one that was stolen. He also helped Kaity write her letter and sealed it before I had a chance to read it. Not sure what it said, but I know she asked for bouncy balls. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIeoQiJgyI/AAAAAAAACZA/YyhomdJAAYY/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIeoQiJgyI/AAAAAAAACZA/YyhomdJAAYY/s400/IMG_0092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553534967483040546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIeoFsqVpI/AAAAAAAACY4/bkw6xlj_Rws/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIeoFsqVpI/AAAAAAAACY4/bkw6xlj_Rws/s400/IMG_0093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553534964574344850" /></a></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-26553611772943250082010-12-22T10:15:00.004-05:002010-12-22T10:40:04.892-05:00Gator Basketball<div>We finally took the kids to a Gator basketball game the week of Thanksgiving. We've never been before and it was loads of fun. The best part (for me) is that it's inside and the chairs have backs. The only reason Kaity goes is to meet Albert. She about had a conniption fit because he was taking too long to get to us, but finally he made it over there. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIZmlEIT3I/AAAAAAAACYw/lJYuLLeDG4M/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIZmlEIT3I/AAAAAAAACYw/lJYuLLeDG4M/s400/IMG_0078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553529441076399986" /></a><br /><div>Will absolutely loved going. He's recently really gotten into basketball and they play at school quite a bit so he actually understood most of the game. He spent the entire game yelling "shoot, shoot!" and "defense!" at the appropriate times. I thought he would get bored, but he was totally enthralled and wanted to stay till the very end. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIZmBeOk6I/AAAAAAAACYo/ENSyShaE3xM/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIZmBeOk6I/AAAAAAAACYo/ENSyShaE3xM/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553529431522186146" /></a><br /><div>The other thing that he really wanted was to get on the big screen. He did a lot of waving with the pom poms (we had to give him a two foot berth all the way around) and dancing. I guess those hip hop classes are paying off. </div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJSNw6FVKwQdTPIchXPO9fnmzCOJ9iG67MBbS6zT1KSnl5Nvhp2BOCVsLNqvHReaNv2cujeYasOnE' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>We're hoping to go to one more game this season (maybe tonight!) Tickets are about $10/each, but I guess that's the same as going to the movies. </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-86630723906447417112010-12-22T10:03:00.002-05:002010-12-22T10:09:36.809-05:00Camp Cloverbud<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRITgYwyEmI/AAAAAAAACYg/mtFh6p5Jx6o/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRITgYwyEmI/AAAAAAAACYg/mtFh6p5Jx6o/s400/044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553522737625043554" /></a><br />Also in November, the kids and I headed to Camp Cloverbud. Usually kids can't go to 4-H overnight camp until they're 8. And, it's for a week so it's really overwhelming for new campers and their parents. So I pitched an idea to our 4-H agent to do a parent/kid overnight camp to where they do summer camp. That way the 5-7 year olds could go and see what it's like, mom and dad can feel more comfortable with it, and hopefully we recruit more summer campers. <br /><br />We went from Saturday noon to Sunday noon in November. It was COLD. Especially for our little ones. So, we ended up staying in the nice adult cabin rather than the unheated cabins the summer campers stay in. But, we had a great time and did all the normal camp stuff - crafts, campfire, food. We're already planning for next year and making it a two night event so we have all day Saturday at the camp. It was a hit and a lot of fun, but very exhausting!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-78195387822934300202010-12-22T09:59:00.000-05:002010-12-22T10:02:51.409-05:00All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIS0twHIWI/AAAAAAAACYY/gk9BwNc1Pi4/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIS0twHIWI/AAAAAAAACYY/gk9BwNc1Pi4/s400/056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553521987345129826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIS0m2XOjI/AAAAAAAACYQ/wrcUdrrBm3Q/s1600/058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRIS0m2XOjI/AAAAAAAACYQ/wrcUdrrBm3Q/s400/058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553521985492302386" /></a>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-57050008616481726622010-12-21T12:16:00.004-05:002010-12-22T09:58:48.552-05:00Visiting Good Friends<div>I haven't been very good at blogging the last two months, but we've been really busy. And, I haven't been very good at taking pictures either. So, I'm going to try to post a bunch of mini recaps in the next couple of days while I'm on vacation. </div><div><br /></div><div>In early November, we headed to Athens, Georgia to visit John's college roommate, Ryan and his girlfriend Ashley. We spent a couple days with them and were able to hike in some of the local state parks. Here's a family photo of my kids with them and their sweet dogs. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDkouwDM5I/AAAAAAAACYI/jbLJ5PbYoGo/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDkouwDM5I/AAAAAAAACYI/jbLJ5PbYoGo/s400/027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553189728943289234" /></a><br /><div>Doesn't she look old here? I look at pictures from the beginning of 2010 to the end of 2010 and she's really grown up. I can't believe she's almost 6. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDkoXs-sPI/AAAAAAAACYA/ddUIFiI1d0M/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDkoXs-sPI/AAAAAAAACYA/ddUIFiI1d0M/s400/024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553189722756395250" /></a><br /></div><div>Will amazingly kept up with Ryan on the hiking. Ryan does many mile treks and walks really fast, but Will did pretty good for our short jaunt. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDinVjT0pI/AAAAAAAACX4/0FFDzu4h1x4/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDinVjT0pI/AAAAAAAACX4/0FFDzu4h1x4/s400/022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187505975841426" /></a><br /></div><div>Family photo.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDinI4Xi7I/AAAAAAAACXw/-iJHh_Cvc8I/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDinI4Xi7I/AAAAAAAACXw/-iJHh_Cvc8I/s400/016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187502574504882" /></a><br /></div><div>Typical pose for Kaity - telling everyone how it really is</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDim_iT7BI/AAAAAAAACXo/ax68bSdb4BY/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDim_iT7BI/AAAAAAAACXo/ax68bSdb4BY/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187500066073618" /></a><br /></div><div>We also hit the beautiful town of Madison. It was windy and cold, but we all had a great time walking around it. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDimh-tmjI/AAAAAAAACXg/Q84RHVyzdOI/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDimh-tmjI/AAAAAAAACXg/Q84RHVyzdOI/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187492132133426" /></a><br /></div><div>They found these big leaves in Madison and we carried them around for two weeks. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDimVMbh1I/AAAAAAAACXY/G5dDveLtREg/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TRDimVMbh1I/AAAAAAAACXY/G5dDveLtREg/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553187488700008274" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We've been to visit Ryan twice now in October/November. Next time I'd really like to go in the spring or summer so I don't freeze my you-know-what off!</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-14630397051374777122010-10-31T19:49:00.007-04:002010-10-31T20:37:27.400-04:00Halloween 2010<div>Halloween 2010 was a blast this year. Not sure when Halloween turned into a three day event, but that's exactly what it is. It started off Friday morning with the costume parade at school. Then, both kids had parties in their classes. I'm room mom for Will's classroom so I had a little more to do there. Here's Will's class in front of the big pumpkin. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4H1fU6VKI/AAAAAAAACXI/RXzhAxkkmEI/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4H1fU6VKI/AAAAAAAACXI/RXzhAxkkmEI/s400/025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534369607608587426" /></a><br /><div>And, Kaity's class.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4H1C6YBZI/AAAAAAAACXA/gPqCadCgKzk/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4H1C6YBZI/AAAAAAAACXA/gPqCadCgKzk/s400/047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534369599981094290" /></a><br /></div><div>And, Kaity with some of her girlfriends.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4H0k0MCLI/AAAAAAAACW4/FOZJikAPnMw/s1600/061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4H0k0MCLI/AAAAAAAACW4/FOZJikAPnMw/s400/061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534369591902079154" /></a>After school it was time for Cloverbuds (which happens the last Friday of every month.) And, of course, the kids were all sugared up from their parties. They were a good group and were pretty well-behaved for as much candy as they had eaten. That night, we headed to Hawthorne for a party for one of Kaity's friends. It was fun, but exhausting. </div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday, we mostly stuck around the house (although the kids did both get new boots). Larry came over and carved pumpkins with us. Kaity had one the pumpkin from her classroom, Larry had bought two pumpkins, I had bought one big pumpkin and a couple small ones so we ended up with several jack-o-lanterns. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GMWmyHkI/AAAAAAAACWw/BfFHML-ooes/s1600/073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GMWmyHkI/AAAAAAAACWw/BfFHML-ooes/s400/073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367801381363266" /></a><br /></div><div>Will is actually flinging seeds here - not stabbing the pumpkin. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GMHwxo8I/AAAAAAAACWo/6ps6CSmHF0Q/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GMHwxo8I/AAAAAAAACWo/6ps6CSmHF0Q/s400/075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367797396743106" /></a><br /></div><div>And, the finished products all lit up. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GLW_o2UI/AAAAAAAACWg/ICUkZ9dPSdM/s1600/photo+(1).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GLW_o2UI/AAAAAAAACWg/ICUkZ9dPSdM/s400/photo+(1).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367784305744194" /></a><br /></div><div>And, our fall display during the day. It's been so warm that they probably have a day or two left before the compost pile gets them. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GLW-5aqI/AAAAAAAACWY/KiZvQTS-dxg/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GLW-5aqI/AAAAAAAACWY/KiZvQTS-dxg/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367784302635682" /></a><br /></div><div>Kaity dressed as a can can dancer this year. We ordered costumes online and this one was surprisingly well made and cute. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GKzEc3PI/AAAAAAAACWQ/PUyjTkugMVk/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4GKzEc3PI/AAAAAAAACWQ/PUyjTkugMVk/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534367774662253810" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Demonstrating the can can dance. </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4Dp-kMejI/AAAAAAAACWI/ETReIm3NOXo/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4Dp-kMejI/AAAAAAAACWI/ETReIm3NOXo/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534365011789249074" /></a><br /></div><div>Will was Jenga Fett (the bounty hunter) from Star Wars. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4Dpd9nRHI/AAAAAAAACWA/ZRtRbj0O4EQ/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4Dpd9nRHI/AAAAAAAACWA/ZRtRbj0O4EQ/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534365003037492338" /></a><br /></div><div>And, I was a candy corn witch (ordered from the pre-teen section so it's not too risque).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4DpHXlnKI/AAAAAAAACV4/vZCaJdak_Yc/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4DpHXlnKI/AAAAAAAACV4/vZCaJdak_Yc/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534364996972420258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4Doxk-8eI/AAAAAAAACVw/BxDNUglqqPY/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4Doxk-8eI/AAAAAAAACVw/BxDNUglqqPY/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534364991123026402" /></a><br /></div><div>This year, the Harvest Festival fell on Halloween weekend, so the kids and I worked the 4-H booth that morning. That afternoon, we headed to Evinston to trick-or-treat and party with the United Methodist Church. It was super fun. We knew a lot of the kids and families from school, 4-H, t-ball and soccer. Evinston is a really tiny community just south of Micanopy. They actually call all the local neighbors ahead of time to see if they want trick-or-treaters and then plan a route. We had hot dogs and smores first and then walked the route. Kaity ended up onliy being carried the last couple houses. And, the houses are pretty far apart. We also got started at 4 with the party and were finished by 7:15 so this was great for a school night. Definitely lots of fun. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4DoXzA2ZI/AAAAAAAACVo/l2s_qaRQu_8/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TM4DoXzA2ZI/AAAAAAAACVo/l2s_qaRQu_8/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534364984202549650" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all a good, but exhausting, weekend. I'm so glad halloween only comes once a year. </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-28287143066439316762010-10-30T16:28:00.006-04:002010-10-30T19:44:33.548-04:00Fall Gardening<div>John's been busy gardening this fall and has go the kids helping him. Here Will is collecting rabbit poop for the compost pile. Thumper can't figure out what he's doing. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyrsNxQ7vI/AAAAAAAACVg/AXhNZ59q4AY/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyrsNxQ7vI/AAAAAAAACVg/AXhNZ59q4AY/s400/001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533986818230382322" /></a><br /><div>Both are collecting poop now.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyrr20QyVI/AAAAAAAACVY/-aXEXmnxMag/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyrr20QyVI/AAAAAAAACVY/-aXEXmnxMag/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533986812068940114" /></a><br /></div><div>Will shoveling some more. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyrrh2hZ5I/AAAAAAAACVQ/t2JftQK14rw/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyrrh2hZ5I/AAAAAAAACVQ/t2JftQK14rw/s400/003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533986806441273234" /></a><br /></div><div>Kaity talking to Thumper.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyEsFZ4nUI/AAAAAAAACVI/QndsUa3_gd0/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyEsFZ4nUI/AAAAAAAACVI/QndsUa3_gd0/s400/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533943935031352642" /></a><br /></div><div>Dumping into the compost pile.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyEr4XoooI/AAAAAAAACVA/sXenpKlXq9Y/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyEr4XoooI/AAAAAAAACVA/sXenpKlXq9Y/s400/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533943931532255874" /></a><br /></div><div>And stirring.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyErAmCddI/AAAAAAAACU4/7whjFwFssF4/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyErAmCddI/AAAAAAAACU4/7whjFwFssF4/s400/007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533943916560283090" /></a><br /></div><div>Kaity, my farm girl, planting some annuals around the baby dogwood.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyEqwzN-tI/AAAAAAAACUw/_omH0-LMDlo/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyEqwzN-tI/AAAAAAAACUw/_omH0-LMDlo/s400/064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533943912320596690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyEqcd9LTI/AAAAAAAACUo/10jPZD1uBMQ/s1600/065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyEqcd9LTI/AAAAAAAACUo/10jPZD1uBMQ/s400/065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533943906862705970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyCDPVDqWI/AAAAAAAACUg/yVKXTn7BRX0/s1600/066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyCDPVDqWI/AAAAAAAACUg/yVKXTn7BRX0/s400/066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533941034297567586" /></a><br /></div><div>My fall garden project - a pretty Earthbox container! And, that's my new begonia from Tallahassee Nursery on the left. Definitely worth another field trip to that place.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyCC_6oMrI/AAAAAAAACUY/ZoxobuBR3UA/s1600/067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyCC_6oMrI/AAAAAAAACUY/ZoxobuBR3UA/s400/067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533941030160183986" /></a><br /></div><div>And, John's major project is his garden. So far, he's tilled up 30 feet by 120 feet, but only planted a quarter of that. He's really excited about the strawberries pictured below. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyCCn4KuZI/AAAAAAAACUQ/U1H6wzHINOg/s1600/068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyCCn4KuZI/AAAAAAAACUQ/U1H6wzHINOg/s400/068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533941023707412882" /></a><br /></div><div>And, the seedlings in the garden. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyCCD6wWhI/AAAAAAAACUI/GkeJ_bthtNg/s1600/071.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TMyCCD6wWhI/AAAAAAAACUI/GkeJ_bthtNg/s400/071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533941014054590994" /></a></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-44585682023111595162010-10-17T15:13:00.000-04:002010-10-17T15:13:00.190-04:00Big Gators in a Little Pond<div>When Alli and Dad were here last weekend, we decided to head down to the pond and check out the fishing. We'd been told earlier in the week that the fishing was really good. So some of us were going to fish in the boat and some were going to plink with the BB gun. But, when we got to the pond, here's what we saw...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn7St_16wI/AAAAAAAACUA/Md4jEXrIVX8/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn7St_16wI/AAAAAAAACUA/Md4jEXrIVX8/s400/042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528726316577581826" /></a><br /><div>On first count, we saw 8.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6zWXukYI/AAAAAAAACT4/UvfdhzMxZa4/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6zWXukYI/AAAAAAAACT4/UvfdhzMxZa4/s400/044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528725777659367810" /></a><br /></div><div>They're lined up like stepping stones, but I don't think I would try it with these guys! </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6zGpozKI/AAAAAAAACTw/byitPvlyGaY/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6zGpozKI/AAAAAAAACTw/byitPvlyGaY/s400/045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528725773439519906" /></a><br /></div><div>Dad, Alli, and Will all saying "I don't think I'm getting in that boat!"</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6ysrKimI/AAAAAAAACTo/6nHddhYBokY/s1600/047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6ysrKimI/AAAAAAAACTo/6nHddhYBokY/s400/047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528725766466603618" /></a><br /></div><div>They kept moving around and our count kept going up. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6ybCOUMI/AAAAAAAACTg/YZIlnS72ZfY/s1600/048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6ybCOUMI/AAAAAAAACTg/YZIlnS72ZfY/s400/048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528725761731481794" /></a><br /></div><div>Look how big they are! We figured they were an average of 6-8 feet.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6yFQFKcI/AAAAAAAACTY/abtUKXkrd_4/s1600/052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn6yFQFKcI/AAAAAAAACTY/abtUKXkrd_4/s400/052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528725755884022210" /></a><br /></div><div>Final count: 13 big ole gators!</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-89190584189491343562010-10-17T09:11:00.001-04:002010-10-17T09:11:00.208-04:00Pure Joy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn5IjAnYjI/AAAAAAAACTQ/DBQw8a06hSY/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn5IjAnYjI/AAAAAAAACTQ/DBQw8a06hSY/s400/057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528723942806086194" /></a><br /><div>This was taken at Coon Hollo Corn Maze when we were there last weekend. It's a look of pure joy and silliness. </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-27403486929377558022010-10-16T15:05:00.002-04:002010-10-16T15:10:44.901-04:00My Favorite Chore<div>One of my favorite chores as a kid was cleaning tack. It smells good and it's kind of soothing. I cleaned Annie's harness this morning and Kaity got in on the action. She helped for quite awhile and then said "this is fun!" I agree. And, it can be her new personal chore.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn30D_gRHI/AAAAAAAACTI/vzp8dXfoQgo/s1600/059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn30D_gRHI/AAAAAAAACTI/vzp8dXfoQgo/s400/059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528722491370914930" /></a><br /><div>PS - Cleaning Annie's tack didn't take any time at all. When I was a kid, it always seemed to take all day. I guess that's the difference between two ponies and one and having a smaller pony. </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-15551022253328087892010-10-16T14:51:00.003-04:002010-10-16T15:04:07.419-04:00Self-Portraits<div>Kaity always likes to take pictures of herself. Usually they are pretty funny with a kind of "up-the-nose" look to them. When Allli was here last weekend, they both got some self-portraits in.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn2oKijO0I/AAAAAAAACTA/CKXkLeMk2gI/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn2oKijO0I/AAAAAAAACTA/CKXkLeMk2gI/s400/009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528721187458464578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn2nzKhbrI/AAAAAAAACS4/8Tgj0Ao9zQs/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn2nzKhbrI/AAAAAAAACS4/8Tgj0Ao9zQs/s400/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528721181183667890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1a88csnI/AAAAAAAACSY/KlKNBQ15508/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1a88csnI/AAAAAAAACSY/KlKNBQ15508/s400/011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528719860959064690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1aVMVtKI/AAAAAAAACSQ/Vc4Y2mNwvx0/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1aVMVtKI/AAAAAAAACSQ/Vc4Y2mNwvx0/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528719850288297122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1aC7b4MI/AAAAAAAACSI/8XbGkrvgS9w/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1aC7b4MI/AAAAAAAACSI/8XbGkrvgS9w/s400/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528719845385560258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1Z9yqkPI/AAAAAAAACSA/8D0y0HbPxyc/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1Z9yqkPI/AAAAAAAACSA/8D0y0HbPxyc/s400/014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528719844006596850" /></a><br /><div>This one is from earlier in the week, but a good self-portrait of Kaity. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1ZROqs4I/AAAAAAAACR4/NkMjam4NhIs/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TLn1ZROqs4I/AAAAAAAACR4/NkMjam4NhIs/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528719832044450690" /></a></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-61917396258485888282010-09-19T14:30:00.004-04:002010-09-19T15:06:45.994-04:00Disney 2010: Day #2 - Magic Kingdom!Day #2 started off with us getting up and heading downstairs to eat in the "restuarant" which is Disney style with various stations. We, of course, got too much stuff and spent too much just on breakfast. I packed up the uneaten fruit and off we went. I had carried one of my bigger purses since they let you take snacks and water in now. I packed it with 4 waters, some goldfish, and fruit gummies. It was HEAVY. But, I'm glad we had all that water. We got over to the park about 8:30. John and I couldn't redeem our vouchers except at call waiting, so we wanted to have plenty of time to ride the tram and monorail over from parking and get our tickets. We got into the park about 8:50 - 10 minutes before the gates opened! <div><br /></div><div>We started off riding some of the kid rides like Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and Snow White. I know those can get busy and we wanted to get it done before the crowd really got there. Kaity finished each one with a "That was FANTASTIC!" Next, we headed over to Mickey's Toontown where Kaity and I stood in line for the princesses and fairies. At this point, Will and John went and rode something else and bought a small monorail toy with his tooth money. Next, we stood in line for whoever was at Mickey's house (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, etc.) Kaity had been asking to see Minnie since we told her we were going. She was excited to see Mickey, but when she realized that he was the only there, she threw a fit. All day long, she kept asking if we could go back and see if Minnie was there. We made Will get in the picture with Mickey even though he really didn't want to. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next we headed to Tomorrowland which has a bunch of new rides. We rode the Buzz Lightyear ride which was totally awesome and definitely Will and John's favorite. Next we saw the Monsters, Inc show. It's an animated interactive comedy show. They were picking on people in the audience. About halfway through, the monster wanted to talk to the "two-headed human" - me with Kaity in my lap. I was "big head" and she was "little head". This embarrassed her greatly and she wouldn't answer any of the monster's questions. As soon as the spotlight was off us, she hopped off my lap. :-) Then, we headed over to ride Stitch's Great Escape. We love the movie Lilo and Stitch and it's a fun, light hearted movie so I thought the ride would be in the same vein. Kaity asked me if it would be scary and I said no. Boy, was I wrong. It was pretty scary especially for her since she couldn't sit in my lap. She blamed me for it the rest of the day. </div><div>We headed over to the other end of the park after lunch and rode Pirates (still one of my favorites) and stood in line for more princesses. We tried to get Will to ride Thunder Mountain with John but he wouldn't and John didn't want to go by himself. Kaity probably would have enjoyed it, but we'll save it for the next trip. After lunch, it got pretty hot and all Will was worried with was ice cream. He asked me about every 5 minutes. We finally got ice cream and sat down to watch the parade. Kaity LOVED the parade and at least she got to see Minnie. Finally, we rode the train all the way around the park and headed home. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a great trip and it's a good thing we only do it once every couple years. We were exhausted and got home just in time for me to have an allergic reaction to something and miss two days of work. </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-73499184269803464252010-09-16T14:33:00.004-04:002010-09-18T09:39:58.148-04:00Disney 2010: Day #1Disney was awesome! We headed down Saturday morning and got to the Port Orleans French Quarter resort about 1. After getting checked in, we quickly headed out to the pool. It's a Mardi Gras theme throughout the resort and the pool had a big serpent slide. This was Will's favorite part of the whole trip - the slide. The pool was huge and no more than 4.5 feet all the way around. It was great. John watched the Gator game from the pool bar and we swam for several hours. <div><br /></div><div>That morning Will had lost a tooth. I had heard that all you needed to do at a Disney resort was ask for something, so I went to the concierge to see if they could help a tooth fairy out. They couldn't do much, but I did exchange cash for Disney dollars and he got $3 Disney money. That's more than the tooth fairy would normally bring, but you can't get much at Disney for less than that. </div><div><br /></div><div>After swimming, we headed to Downtown Disney. We were near there anyways and rode the free river boat down to it. Each of the kids had $50 to spend and money was burning a hole in Will's pocket. He had heard about the Lego store. We stopped altogether at the World of Disney store, but quickly figured out we needed to separate. Will was anxious to get to the Lego store and it was going to take Kaity <i>forever </i>to figure out what she wanted from the Disney store...so much princess stuff to choose from. She finally ended up with a Marie kitty (from Aristocats), a Minnie doll, a snow globe, and a cute pen. Will spent all of his money on two Lego things. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then we ate at the T-Rex restaurant. It was kind of fun, considering the complete chaos of the place. The food was okay, but the coolest part was the meteor shower. Every 20 minutes the place would go dark and there would be a "meteor shower" with lights and so on. All of the dinosaurs would come to life. We sat at a table with dinosaurs at it and people kept stopping to take pictures of them. Definitely a little weird. </div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner, we headed back to the boat, but it was closed due to lightning. We rode the bus back to the hotel and this was definitely the worst part of the whole trip. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've put all the pictures here Google Picasa of putting them on here. Just click the picture below. If you look at just the pictures, you might think we only took Kaity on this trip. Will was really NOT into getting his picture taken.</div><div><br /></div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Femily.e.eubanks%2Falbumid%2F5517580775980061633%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow: Magic Kingdom!</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-44739964630287616712010-09-10T13:28:00.002-04:002010-09-10T13:35:02.633-04:00Disney World Here We Come!<div>Tomorrow, we're surprising the kids with a trip to Disney! Kaity's never been and Will was 18 months old the last time he went, so this is basically the first trip for both of them. They don't know anything about it or even that we're going anywhere. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TIpq_VYY7AI/AAAAAAAACKw/_GiZKO2o9t4/s1600/disneyworld.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TIpq_VYY7AI/AAAAAAAACKw/_GiZKO2o9t4/s400/disneyworld.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515338329972337666" /></a><br /><div>The plan is to drive down Saturday. We're staying in the Port Orleans French Quarter resort hotel (great rates for FL residents right now) and swimming in the cool pool when we get there. Then, we'll head to Downtown Disney, do our souvenir shopping, and eat at the T-Rex Restaurant. Sunday will be all day at the Magic Kingdom before we come home. </div><div><br /></div><div>The kids are going to super excited and they're still young enough to really enjoy the magic of it all. They'll be lots more pictures to come once we get back Sunday. Wish us patience, small crowds, and no rain!</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-85462833785490289122010-08-25T13:23:00.003-04:002010-08-25T13:33:27.772-04:00First Day of School!<div>Monday was the first day of school! Yeah! I don't know who was more excited - me or the kids. They were both ready for their friends and even to get back to a routine. And, luckily, they both really like school. </div><div><br /></div><div>Will's starting 2nd grade. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR6sGUxyI/AAAAAAAACJU/uPMzr1lgDNo/s1600/Picture+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR6sGUxyI/AAAAAAAACJU/uPMzr1lgDNo/s400/Picture+003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509399787869620002" /></a><br /><div>Kaity's starting kindergarten. And, she's still dragging the blankie around. But, at least it's not going to school with her. She just has to have it IMMEDIATELY when she gets home. <br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR6IpppqI/AAAAAAAACJM/UZWBHw2t40k/s1600/Picture+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR6IpppqI/AAAAAAAACJM/UZWBHw2t40k/s400/Picture+001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509399778354112162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR67aPnVI/AAAAAAAACJc/8FvUgMn9Kac/s1600/Picture+004.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is Will's don't mess with me face, I think. </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR67aPnVI/AAAAAAAACJc/8FvUgMn9Kac/s1600/Picture+004.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSN4-7VRI/AAAAAAAACJ0/MtYdob354XE/s1600/Picture+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSN4-7VRI/AAAAAAAACJ0/MtYdob354XE/s400/Picture+013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509400117745767698" /></a><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR8f2UqrI/AAAAAAAACJs/zcPmzIJ2_CY/s1600/Picture+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR8f2UqrI/AAAAAAAACJs/zcPmzIJ2_CY/s400/Picture+012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509399818941016754" /></a><br /></div><div>Kaity getting tired of posing. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR71EBWQI/AAAAAAAACJk/aJg0uiKDarQ/s1600/Picture+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVR71EBWQI/AAAAAAAACJk/aJg0uiKDarQ/s400/Picture+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509399807455746306" /></a><br /></div><div>Obligatory picture in front of the manatee. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOIoTkOI/AAAAAAAACJ8/-pASI-0389I/s1600/Picture+017.jpg"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOIoTkOI/AAAAAAAACJ8/-pASI-0389I/s1600/Picture+017.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOIoTkOI/AAAAAAAACJ8/-pASI-0389I/s400/Picture+017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509400121945854178" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOwIdjGI/AAAAAAAACKM/OIbey3eQZps/s1600/Picture+019.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Already busy at work at her desk.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOwIdjGI/AAAAAAAACKM/OIbey3eQZps/s1600/Picture+019.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOwIdjGI/AAAAAAAACKM/OIbey3eQZps/s400/Picture+019.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509400132549708898" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Smile!</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOwIdjGI/AAAAAAAACKM/OIbey3eQZps/s1600/Picture+019.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSPIbfVWI/AAAAAAAACKU/boUh3xL0KpI/s1600/Picture+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSPIbfVWI/AAAAAAAACKU/boUh3xL0KpI/s400/Picture+020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509400139071968610" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Will's got a desk and not a table this year. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSPIbfVWI/AAAAAAAACKU/boUh3xL0KpI/s1600/Picture+020.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOjCQTCI/AAAAAAAACKE/T1bHIewV3II/s1600/Picture+018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THVSOjCQTCI/AAAAAAAACKE/T1bHIewV3II/s400/Picture+018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509400129034013730" /></a></div></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-62935769135571486042010-08-21T13:06:00.001-04:002010-08-21T13:06:45.969-04:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THAHpuJXM7I/AAAAAAAACI4/tbfmlYVmK_c/s1600/IMG_0026-705970.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/THAHpuJXM7I/AAAAAAAACI4/tbfmlYVmK_c/s320/IMG_0026-705970.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507910757617447858" /></a></p><tr height="15" style="border-top: 1px solid #0F7BBC;"> <td> New floors! </td> </tr> Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-85267751207874508202010-08-01T15:16:00.007-04:002010-08-01T16:05:38.450-04:00Where has the summer gone?<div style="text-align: left;">School starts 3 weeks from tomorrow!! Where have we been? Well, not updating this blog. But, we have been busy with summer stuff (and work).</div><div><br /></div><div>We went to the Young Farmer & Rancher conference in Jacksonville in early July and the night out was a dinner cruise on a river boat. The kids went with us to the conference and had a great time on the boat. Watching the launch out the back.<div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMR-jqIaI/AAAAAAAACHk/92h9YpV2WwM/s1600/049a.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMR-jqIaI/AAAAAAAACHk/92h9YpV2WwM/s400/049a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500527129125331362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Pretty girl on the boat.</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMRsKClBI/AAAAAAAACHc/PsYY375JdSc/s1600/064a.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMRsKClBI/AAAAAAAACHc/PsYY375JdSc/s400/064a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500527124186043410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div>There were two dance floors and the kids (and their friends) made good use of one.</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMQxzmVUI/AAAAAAAACHU/sziC_gw9xFg/s1600/062.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMQxzmVUI/AAAAAAAACHU/sziC_gw9xFg/s400/062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500527108522661186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMQqp8G-I/AAAAAAAACHM/4hGvXfOsOe4/s1600/058.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMQqp8G-I/AAAAAAAACHM/4hGvXfOsOe4/s400/058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500527106603097058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div>This is Karly Ann. She's the daughter of one of my good college friends. Her and Kaity are almost the same age and size. They look a LOT alike. It's kind of freaky. But, really, really cute also. </div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMQGLuFLI/AAAAAAAACHE/k6wMhj9iktg/s1600/056.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXMQGLuFLI/AAAAAAAACHE/k6wMhj9iktg/s400/056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500527096812672178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Will's gotten to hang out with his best friend, Dalton, quite a bit this summer. He got to go scalloping with them and had a great time. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOm8VvhfI/AAAAAAAACIM/O2eg0Q1Bmrg/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOm8VvhfI/AAAAAAAACIM/O2eg0Q1Bmrg/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500529688330601970" /></a><br /><div>The kids have been to lots of day camps and hanging out with babysitters. This is one of their babysitters, Tori, who was helping at the butterfly day camp also. She's Kaity's teen bestie for the summer.<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOmnEmT9I/AAAAAAAACIE/xikikp3m4XQ/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOmnEmT9I/AAAAAAAACIE/xikikp3m4XQ/s400/IMG_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500529682621550546" /></a><br /></div><div>Fourth of July was also very busy for us. We were in the Micanopy parade in the morning, then headed to the Melrose lakehouse to sleepover, and watched the fireworks in Keystone Heights. Saw lots of Alachua County that day. Here's Pales at the parade. Mom said she didn't get a good picture of her dressed up, but apparently I did. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOl86jO6I/AAAAAAAACH0/5mL2lNfXeno/s1600/012.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOl86jO6I/AAAAAAAACH0/5mL2lNfXeno/s400/012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500529671305116578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Kaity on the parade float. </div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOlbOvCII/AAAAAAAACHs/gynEmGmz1yE/s1600/002.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOlbOvCII/AAAAAAAACHs/gynEmGmz1yE/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500529662262970498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Grandpa and Will watching the fireworks. It was really, really loud. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOmfPjy9I/AAAAAAAACH8/Lkc0861ZoKo/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXOmfPjy9I/AAAAAAAACH8/Lkc0861ZoKo/s400/031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500529680520039378" /></a><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div>The kids also went to dance camp one week. They learned hip hop, a lyrical number, and a tap number. Will was the only little boy, but seemed to have a great time. The tap number was built around him and he was pretty good at hip hop. Kaity did a great job and has been talking dance ever since. She had some listening issues there (nothing unusual) and at one point stuck a pebble in her nose. This was the last day at the mini-performance. The girls all got their hair done and make up put on. They were actually being very sweet to each other. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXQtq7qz2I/AAAAAAAACIk/IjiWs1ay4qg/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXQtq7qz2I/AAAAAAAACIk/IjiWs1ay4qg/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500532002940178274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div>They are also taking swim lessons. Will loves them and is the most uncoordinated, but highest level kid they have out there. He's doing great. Kaity is finally getting the hang of it and is old enough to get it. She's taken lessons for three summers, but this is the first summer we've made any progress. We've got one more week of lessons and then Will may take some more in the fall.</div><div> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXQtcqOWyI/AAAAAAAACIc/AWpnt79qgac/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXQtcqOWyI/AAAAAAAACIc/AWpnt79qgac/s400/IMG_0012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500531999108913954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px; " /></a><br /></div><div>For some reason after lessons, Will feels the need to strip on the way home. Notice the strategically placed pentagon. </div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXQsyfS6XI/AAAAAAAACIU/U_lkZUmL7_4/s1600/IMG_0008a.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TFXQsyfS6XI/AAAAAAAACIU/U_lkZUmL7_4/s400/IMG_0008a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500531987788786034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Besides all that, John's been busy building fence, Will's still seeing his tutor, and I'm rewriting the county fair livestock record books. Plus, we're remodeling Will's room (pictures to come). It's looking great, but we have to have it done very soon since school starts in THREE WEEKS! Kaity will be a kindergardener and Will's going into 2nd grade. Luckily, we've already finished all the school shopping and now I just need to put the house back together (because of Will's remodel) before school starts and get us back onto a normal schedule. </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-52205099614191800622010-06-28T20:06:00.003-04:002010-06-28T20:23:20.945-04:00Saying Goodbye is a Hard Lesson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TCk5jVx1-WI/AAAAAAAACGs/4kcvCS27oJw/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TCk5jVx1-WI/AAAAAAAACGs/4kcvCS27oJw/s400/002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487980900232067426" /></a><br /><div>This is Kaity's BFF, Hannasha. Hannasha and Kaity have been in class together since they were 6 months old. They've been through two schools and lots of teachers. Most of the time they act more like sisters than friends - constantly fighting, tattling, and then playing exclusively together. You can always tell when one of them was out of town. The other would mope around and be very grouchy. Well, the time has come for the two girls to say goodbye to each other. Hannasha's dad got a great new job at the University of Wisconsin-Madison so they're leaving today. Saturday, we went to a going away party for them. Kaity had a great time playing with Hannasha and some of her other friends, but mostly they just stuck together the whole time. I don't think either of them really understood that this was the last time seeing each other or playing together. When we left, they hugged and hugged and Kaity sobbed all the way home. She knew she was upset, but didn't really understand. She kept asking for her blankie over and over again (which I had left at home) which is a sure sign of Kaity being upset. She's talked about Hannasha some since then and drawn her pictures like she always does. I don't think it will hit her until she gets to her kindergarten class this fall and Hannasha isn't there. We're going to try to keep the girls in touch through Skype and pen pals, but it won't be the same. I hope Kaity remembers and values this friendship always. Prayers are needed for my little girl as she struggles with the hard lesson of saying goodbye. </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-34742564327552092232010-06-08T14:18:00.004-04:002010-06-08T14:20:53.537-04:00Best Picture of All Time<div>Check out Will right in the middle showing off for the camera and Kaity right beneath him devastated because I hadn't come to the stage to pick her up yet. (Click on the picture to make it bigger and really see Kaity's expression.)</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TA6JqmRWuGI/AAAAAAAACFM/QfxC6cCjLGg/s1600/Picture+059.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TA6JqmRWuGI/AAAAAAAACFM/QfxC6cCjLGg/s400/Picture+059.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480469161477322850" /></a>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-6089676633508580392010-06-08T14:14:00.004-04:002010-06-08T14:27:55.111-04:00Call Me Crazy...but here's the newest addition to the menagerie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TA6IshFirgI/AAAAAAAACE8/QJfRSm4cMv0/s1600/Picture+073.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TA6IshFirgI/AAAAAAAACE8/QJfRSm4cMv0/s400/Picture+073.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480468094933708290" /></a><br />This is Thumper, Kaity's first 4-H project. He's an 8 week old Dutch bunny. She loves him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TA6ItFkP5lI/AAAAAAAACFE/OCb5YplQ018/s1600/Picture+072.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rogvq6fJrRo/TA6ItFkP5lI/AAAAAAAACFE/OCb5YplQ018/s400/Picture+072.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480468104726177362" /></a><br />So, that makes 1 pony, 2 dogs that don't live at our house because they like Larry better, 1 cat, 3 bunnies, 9 hens, 1 rooster, 4 ducks, and 3 hermit crabs.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24683240.post-84685553415642531412010-06-08T11:23:00.002-04:002010-06-08T11:24:51.579-04:00Baby MineAnd, Kaity's first ballet recital! She's the only brunette - second from the left.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4k6Cl4CQ8bE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4k6Cl4CQ8bE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10344126603597691814noreply@blogger.com0