tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766089362873216912024-03-14T08:14:06.193-04:00River Runs Through ItChronicles of our life adventures...JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.comBlogger346125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-52630011531829769662015-03-04T13:31:00.001-05:002015-03-04T13:31:38.827-05:00"Though I gently leave your side, I will never leave your heart."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has now been two years. Two years since we had to say "good-bye" to someone we expected in our hearts to live forever. You know, grief is a funny thing. Despite all this time, I still battle with that side of my mind that refuses to accept that Dad is gone. Maybe it's because he's not really truly "gone" in the sense that death makes us think he is. But he isn't here anymore in that way where I can just pick up the phone and get an earful of his wisdom or feel the embrace of one of his incredible hugs.<br />
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I finally, two years later, made it to visit Dad at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a stunning day - cold, but the sun was shining and the ground was covered with snow. I'm not sure what I imagined the day would be like on my first visit there, but it was quiet and peaceful because of the snow.<br />
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Words started pouring out of my mouth as I stood where he laid to rest. My voice sounded confused to me as I fought to accept that I was standing where he now is buried. I begged him to hold me and to help me understand the grief, to help me work through the things that were challenging in my life, and to let me share all of the amazing things that have happened in our lives since he left us two years ago. As I gathered myself to leave his side, I walked down the street and was offered a ride from an older couple who had been there to visit their son who had also died less than two years ago. We talked like we had been long-lost friends and shared in our grief. The man told me that my Dad was among great company, and when he dropped me off, we were all in tears. It was a powerful moment, but one I know that we were all thankful to share. <br />
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Life isn't fair, we all know that, right? People we love get taken from us long before we are ready to let them leave our sides. On my Dad's tombstone are the words, "though I gently leave your side, I will never leave your heart." Those words were written by my Dad in a letter that my stepmom found. She said it didn't matter who the letter was to or what it was about. Those words captured who he was so completely and she imagined he was saying them to us when he died.<br />
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Life might not be fair, but it is glorious. Although he is not with us now, my life was full because he was a part of it. He taught me so many things about myself and how to look at the world even when I was reluctant to understand them. <br />
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I am thankful that he was my father through all of it both good and bad, through the tears and the heartache, and the through the joy and laughter. And I am forever grateful that he is in my heart - that he will always be in my heart.<br />
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<i>I miss you, Dad. It doesn't get easier, it just gets more normal that you are not here. I love you with all my heart. </i></div>
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<i>xoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-52727384486969608692015-01-10T10:42:00.000-05:002015-01-10T10:42:43.653-05:00This is my 40<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wow, 40, you truly snuck up on me. It seems absolutely crazy to me that I am 40 years old. Heading into a new decade of my life, and I swear it just gets better. I don't feel 40. Then again, I have no clue what it is supposed to feel like. A wise man once told me (that wise man being my grandpa) that you are only as old as you let yourself feel. Amen to that.<br />
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So, this is <i>my</i> 40. I would say it feels more like 20, but I was not a fan of 20. My body was younger, sure. My mind though? Yeah, not so much. My mom has always told me I was born with an old soul. That may be, but emotionally, I was a lost soul in my 20s. Constantly searching for who I was, while leading a life codependent on my relationships to help define my worth...<br />
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Let's just say, I couldn't wait to get to 30. I entered the last decade in a completely different place. I was single for the first time in forever, I had just completed my first semester of law school, and I my heart was confident and ready to take on the world. That's when I met Big R, and the rest is history. No wonder my 30s were so incredibly awesome :)<br />
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So, what does <i>my</i> 40 look like? It looks like another step into this amazing world I have somehow created with the love of my life. It's being a mother of two incredible young boys that fill my days with adventure and insanity. It's venturing back into the world of work as a newly revived attorney armed with far too much knowledge about how to globally effect change. It's embracing my rediscovered love for writing and finding ways to share it with other people.<br />
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At 40, I have finally accepted my body and all its imperfections. All those rolls and flab that remind me I created two beautiful children and the extra pounds I happily put on sharing a bottle of wine and too much chocolate with Big R. I'm slowly but surely figuring out the things in life that are important (i.e., see previous sentence), and those things that our society wants us to think are crucial but really mean nothing in the whole scheme of things. I know now that I can find myself with a quick yoga practice or an invigorating run, that going to the gym often depresses me (unless, of course, it has free child care - the little details, hehe), and that sugar is my nemesis.<br />
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Yep, it has taken 40 years, but I think I'm finally starting to figure out a few things about myself. The biggest thing I have learned about myself is how much more I need to learn. I'm finally comfortable with who I am. I understand now that life is full of obstacles, adventure, impossible challenges, and sweet successes. It can be hard, and that's ok. My approach for this new decade is to remain open, to love life, try new things, and savor my experiences both good and bad. This might not always be the recipe for success. I can guarantee though that it will be all of the ingredients needed to live a full life.<br />
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<i>So, hello 40! It is so great to see you! </i></div>
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<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-31492873769416338792015-01-01T20:58:00.001-05:002015-01-01T20:58:44.600-05:00Hello 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wow, 2015, here you are. I feel like I have been looking to 2015 for awhile. Perhaps it is because this past year has been absolutely full of nonstop memories or maybe it is because this is the year I turn 40 (I know, what?!). It is truly hard to believe that only a year has passed since we last celebrated the coming of a new year. Before I sat down to write this post, I glanced at what I wrote <a href="http://www.river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2014/01/bring-on-2014.html" target="_blank">last year</a>. I was ready for a fresh start, but I also braced myself for a year full of challenges. Let's just say that 2014 did not disappoint us in that category.<br />
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It is very strange to think that we started the year off skiing in the Austrian Alps, and spent the first half of the year traveling constantly. We definitely knew we were going to miss living in Europe, and we tried hard not to leave with any regrets. But despite the travel, life did not stop. School stayed busy for me, the Army worked Big R to death, and the boys kept things exciting all the time. Our biggest adventure by far though was our move back stateside. The transition felt like it lasted forever. If you have ever been fortunate enough to experience an overseas assignment, you know exactly what I mean. It. Never. Ends. The process for us began in late January when we found housing, and once Big R's orders were finally cut in late March, the planning, scheduling, and packing went into full swing. Our house was packed up mid-May right after we sent one of our cars back. In July, we received and unpacked all of our household goods, and things finally ended when we had both cars parked in the driveway in August. I'm exhausted just thinking about it, and I am so very happy that whole mess is now behind us. <br />
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We had a blast finishing our tour in Germany including a Mediterranean cruise and a final trip back to Sweden to visit with family. It was downright awesome. Getting back to the U.S. was bitter-sweet because even though we were sad to leave Europe, we got to see so much of our family over the summer and spending holidays with them was just that much easier. It's pretty amazing what a difference it can be to have your friends and family in similar time zones. <br />
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So, this next year...I'm not sure it'll be much calmer than the last. It certainly promises to be exciting. I'll be heading back to work (so crazy, right?). It's only an externship, but it's with an amazing legal environmental nonprofit in Nashville and I can't believe I'm getting the opportunity. Another research project is also on my agenda to keep me on schedule to receive my degree in May. Yep, I'll officially graduate in May, and I have no clue what I'm going to do with myself when that happens (maybe I'll actually start blogging again!). Big R will keep doing that thing that he does to make sure the Army is happy, and the boys will undoubtedly work very hard to test my sanity on a fairly consistent basis.<br />
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I am going to try harder to post stories about what's going on in our lives. There are too many things that happened over this past year that you never heard about. Great, amazing, and awesome stories. Sure I'm busy, we are all busy, right? Life is just flat out busy, but that's a good thing as far as I'm concerned. If it's life that keeps me from writing about life, I'm going to bask in the irony. But when life gives me a moment to share, I promise to do just that.<br />
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This next year promises to be an interesting one for our family. I'm both excited and anxious at the same time to see how it develops. So, hello 2015! It's so good to finally see you. <br />
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<i>Happy New Year, Everyone! </i></div>
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<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-35049014145677083482014-11-05T14:22:00.002-05:002014-11-05T17:02:25.040-05:00Travel 'Must-Haves'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the wall in Dubrovonik, Croatia</td></tr>
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I have been feeling rather nostalgic lately for travel, especially after looking at all the pictures from my friends' travels overseas. I was talking to a friend still stationed in Germany, and we got into a fun chat about all the places we have visited and the things we were sure to bring along every time. I thought it would be fun to respond to my nostalgia by putting together a list of those things we were sure to have with us on our adventures - a short list of 'must-haves', if you will.<br />
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Big R and I share a passion for travel. I am convinced it is something that drew us together. So our travels started long before we were living in Europe, but being there definitely upped the ante and solidified our must-haves list.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in Hallstat, Austria</td></tr>
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First and foremost, we travel light. By light, I mean truly down to the minimums. We spent a week in Europe together with a small backpack each. True, it was May, but when we took a November trip to Normandy, the story was the same. Life is different when you travel - you wear less and your priorities are different on an hour to hour basis. I have to mention, too, adding kids to the mix was a huge game-changer and required us to add a few more items to that list of must-haves. So, I added a couple items at the bottom that we make sure to bring along to keep our sanity in check while we travel with kids in tow.<br />
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<b>1. Favorite Guidebook.</b> Our favorite guidebook, hands down, is Rick Steves. Backdoor travel is our game, and he is the pro at every turn. There are many great guidebooks out there though, and to save money, I would always plan a visit to the library the week before our trip and grab the best guidebooks available for our destination. You can download guidebooks onto your kindle or Nook as well, but we found that it was better to have an actual book in hand to look at the maps and find resources quickly.<br />
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<b>2. Reservations.</b> This is a BIG one. By this, I don't mean a reservation for every meal or anything that ridiculous, but definitely have hotel reservations taken care of way before hand. We did this MONTHS in advance using our favorite online booking (<i>e.g.,</i> booking.com, airbnb.com, tripadvisor, etc.). Not only is this the best way to ensure you don't blow your entire budget on accommodations, it relieves a ton of stress especially if you are traveling in a foreign location. We did our first backpacking trip to Europe without a single reservation and I immediately decided I was getting far too old for that kind of stress. It's not worth it. Just always be sure to know the cancellation policy, and pay a little extra for flexible fares. If you are traveling with babies, most hotels will have baby cots, and it's worth the extra cost for that as well!<br />
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Also, reservations are often needed for popular museums, political buildings, etc., so check ahead to be sure you don't miss out because you didn't know you needed a reservation months in advance. Lastly, many locations are great to see with a tour. We booked a bike tour of Rome and it was one of our favorite ways to see a city. Yep, RESERVATIONS are a must.<br />
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<b>3. GPS / Directions.</b> If we were renting a car or driving to our destination(s), we never left home without our GPS with addresses already pre-programmed in. We also brought maps when we could print them off because the GPS was notoriously wrong (<i>e.g.</i>, our GPS kept wanting us to drive through the Alhambra to get to our hotel in Granada - clearly that was not going to work).<br />
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<b>4. Small travel bag.</b> We always made sure to bring along a bag for day trips. Whether it was a small backpack, messenger bag, or large purse, we always made sure to have one. That's where I kept our wallets, camera, snacks, guidebook, etc. I finally found the <a href="http://www.river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2012/06/perfect-bag.html" target="_blank">perfect bag</a> that worked for us while we were living in Germany. I still use it all the time.<br />
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<b>5. Two pair of shoes.</b> Shoes are always a huge pain on vacations because they are awkward and bulky to pack. Despite that, I brought two pairs on every trip, and this is why: regardless of how comfortable your shoes are, if you wear them every day for 4 days of constant walking, you will get blisters no fail. I would plan my "outfits" to alternate with my shoes each day. This saved my feet every trip.<br />
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<b>6. Sunglasses.</b> NEVER leave home without them regardless of what time of year it is. We forgot them for a trip to Copenhagen because it was supposed to be cooler and it was overcast when we left Germany. That was a HUGE mistake. Nothing worse than a headache on your trip from squinting. Believe me, make sure to pack your sunglasses in that extra bag.<br />
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<b>7. Cords for charging electronics / Adapter plugs for international travel.</b> These are an easy thing to forget, and not having them can be a huge problem (especially if you have kids!). Be double sure to pack at least one cord and adapter plug every time you travel.<br />
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<b>8. Water bottle.</b> We take our camel back water bottles with us everywhere we go. My bag has a slot on the side to carry it, and it has saved us on numerous occasions. Tap water is safe to drink in most countries (although, double check that carefully before drinking it). My friends also use their Nalgene bottles to store things they don't want to have spill or break (<i>i.e.</i>, peanut butter, granola bars, shampoos and soaps) - such a great idea!<br />
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The last few items are extensions to our list since we expanded our family. I can't encourage you enough to travel when you have kids. Do it. I agree, it's a lot of work, but it gets easier with each trip (<a href="http://www.river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it.html" target="_blank">here</a> you can read a few pointers I have about traveling with kiddos).<br />
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<b>9. Carseat / stroller / favorite child carrier.</b> If we were renting a car at our destination, we always brought the carseats. We found out early on that renting a carseat through a rental car agency is painfully expensive, and you never know how safe or nice the carseats will be. It's a pain to lug them along, but there are ways you can carry them. (If you use a roller bag, <a href="http://river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2011/05/coolest-invention-ever.html" target="_blank">here</a> is a great device I discovered to help carry that carseat.) Also, several airlines (primarily in Europe) will let you check them for free or at least cheaper than it will cost to rent one at your destination. We were not big stroller users. It never worked well for us, so we never brought one on our trips. I can only recall one trip where I wished in hindsight we had brought it along because it was hot and the city would have been easy to navigate with a stroller. I have friends that never leave their stroller at home because their kids are well-behaved in them and they use them to visit museums. We felt the same way about our child carriers. For little r, it was my <a href="http://mobywrap.com/" target="_blank">Moby</a>. Super easy to pack in our bags, and he would sleep in that carrier instantly. We used it to carry him until he was 3! For baby c, it was always the <a href="http://store.ergobaby.com/" target="_blank">Ergo</a>. I still bring that everywhere we go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moby was a comfy place for little r to sleep</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby c will let me take him anywhere in this carrier</td></tr>
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<b>10. iPad or other electronic device loaded up with your child's favorite shows and movies.</b> I have absolutely no shame when it comes to traveling with kids and using an iPad to keep them quiet. We were able to enjoy many a meal in peace because of having it in tow. My day bag has a slot that fit our iPad perfectly, so we never left it behind. Our friends used it with headphones to keep their kids quiet in museums as well.<br />
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<b>11. Favorite go-to snacks.</b> There is nothing more impossible than trying to travel with a young child who is hungry. Bring a handful of their favorite snacks on every trip that won't make too huge a mess. Gummy Bears were always our go-to. Snack bars also work well. My friend brings peanut butter on her trips and a plastic knife so they could grab bread at a local store and keep the girls happy. Whatever works best, just be sure to bring it with you!<br />
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<b>12. Blankets or lovelies for the kiddos.</b> Both of my boys have blankees. As much as I never wanted to bring these around on the streets of Rome or walking the city wall in Dubrovnik, I refused to leave them behind. It was an instant way to keep them calm and help them feel secure in a scary place. We guarded them with our lives, but it was totally worth it to bring it along.<br />
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And finally, the most important thing to bring on every trip, adventure or vacation, is a good attitude especially if you are traveling with kids. Our best trips were always the ones where we were flexible and let things slide off our backs. We had our accommodations reserved in advance, we generally would know where we were going and what we wanted to see, but we felt out our moods, the weather, and the environment to find the best food and the greatest city walks.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Did I leave anything off? Definitely let me know if there's something you can't leave behind when you go on vacation, if it's not on our list! </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>xoxoxoxo </i></div>
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P.S. Those of you that know me, also know that I NEVER go on a trip without my travel yoga mat. Literally NEVER. </div>
JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-42922053583240840522014-11-04T15:07:00.001-05:002014-11-04T15:21:07.876-05:00Monster mom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Monster mom is here full on in our house. Our children can't hide, they are exposed at every second to the wrath of my craziness. Seriously, I do think my inner monster is alive and putting it back is going to take some serious work. I've been caught in that mommy moment lately where your skin tingles because you feel like you are literally on the edge pretty much all the time. I'd say I'm exhausted, but honestly, that's not it at all. I'm just done. D-O-N-E. Love being a mom, love every inch of my children's soft skin, the never-ending kisses, and the unconditional love. That has been answered full on with irrationality this past few weeks. Daddy has been training, and being alone with the boys has not been difficult in the "doing it all by myself" category. Instead, they miss him, and the attention they get when we are both here. That's something I never really saw coming. This isn't the cause of all my monstrous tendencies, though, of course. Life is far too exciting for it to be one simple thing causing the mayhem.<br />
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My <a href="http://www.river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-morning-madness.html" target="_blank">morning madness</a> has turned into overwhelming insanity these days. Thank you day light savings for throwing my children into a sleepless funk that provides me with an extra hour of screaming laughter. It's fantastic on so many levels. HA! Little r has decided that he wants my undivided attention and baby c is in his way. That translates into pure, unadulterated antagonization. Baby c never gets a break from his brother's torment no matter how often I pull them apart. The poor kid is one crying mess until we get in the car to take little r to school. My general response to is to send him to his room. Little r responds by slamming the door and having a meltdown. Oh, and baby c isn't purely innocent in this whole scheme, that I am fully aware, but good grief! I know there is a solution to this deep in my bag of tricks, but that bag is completely AWAL at the moment.<br />
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As a mom, do you ever feel like you have forgotten how to talk without yelling? That the room starts spinning and you can't see straight because the crying is like nails on chalkboard? Yep. That's me. The worst part is, I know this all stems from me. I know that my little men feed off of my emotions. They sense my stress, they know I miss their daddy as much as they do, and they know I have a lot of things on my list to get done. Children know these things. They know them better than we think they do. Little r continues to be an expert at finding my buttons. His brilliance in this department is almost uncanny. Push, push, push. It's like that game we played as a kid where someone sits on top of your chest while you are laying down and slowly taps on your chest bone. It doesn't hurt, no pain at all, but it drives you completely mad anyway.<br />
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I love being a mom. I'm just not super crazy about this part. This part right here that wipes the smile off your face at breakfast when the cereal starts hitting the floor to a giggling soundtrack, when you disappear for 5 seconds to feed the cats, get dressed or brush your hair only to turn around and find your 5 year old pulling your toddler around the house by his blanket screaming his ever loving head off. The tantrums that happen because you refuse to let your children eat halloween candy all day long (wow, I NEVER hated candy more than I do this year), and the guilt you feel as a mother when you realize your toddler hasn't had a vegetable in several days. It's kind of all that. I love being a mom, but this is the tough part. I really don't want them to grow up too fast. In so many ways I already miss the sweet little babies they were, but pushing past this one small phase would be fantastic.<br />
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We have moments of insanity...<br />
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Moments of pure adorable calm...<br />
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And moments like these that make it all worth it...<br />
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Yep, monster mom is here, and I'm ready to send her packing. In the meantime, if you see her, try not to judge too much if she's wearing the same thing you saw her in yesterday or if she has yogurt in her hair. We are taking things one moment at a time these days, and we will get through this with some part of our sanity intact.<br />
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<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-52540443005220525392014-10-26T23:05:00.002-04:002014-10-26T23:07:44.528-04:00A fireman and a little jedi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know, I know, the interwebs are oozing with cute kids in their Halloween costumes, and you are cringing that I'm adding yet one more... but hey, sometimes the cuteness overload is too much to keep to yourself, so I have to share. We are going all sorts of crazy this Halloween. One party and event after another, and this mama will do anything to keep her crazy bears occupied (although, I could really handle a lot less sugar in my little ones). One unexpected surprise though is that it was super warm here this weekend. I have a great costume for baby c, but he would have melted in it this weekend, so I turned him into a little jedi instead (I'm starting to realize this is my go-to costume - guess Big R is wearing off on me). Little r wants to save his costume for Halloween and opted to go as a fireman this weekend.<br />
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Introducing, my sweet fireman...<br />
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And the cutest little jedi you ever saw...<br />
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Halloween is not until next week, but this weekend was Fright on Franklin, which is insane! I've never seen anything like it (hey, maybe I'm a bit sheltered, but holy cow!). Franklin is a main street in downtown Clarksville, and they have this annual event where businesses rent tents ultimately to market themselves, but more to go super creative with costumes and hand out candy to little ones. The kids go crazy over it, and the decorations were too much fun. There must have been 200 tents EASY, and there were so many kids and families that there was a line to go from booth to booth. Little r thought it was all pretty cool, but he was shy as a mouse, and grew tired of waiting. On the way out, though, we stopped in to visit the haunted house, and he was so proud of himself for not getting scared. I'm pretty sure he ran through the entire thing pretending not to be afraid. The look on his face at the end was priceless. Fright on Franklin, pretty darn freaking cool.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This scene went on forever! It was super impressive...</td></tr>
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Our next soiree was a church event that the neighbors invited us to. The boys had such a great time. Pumpkin decorating, hot dog eating, costume competing, and (little r's favorite) hay riding - all things guaranteed to keep the wild ones happily occupied. Sometimes it's the simple things like great friends and good chili to put a huge smile on your face.<br />
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The hay ride was "so wild and crazy" according to little r. HA!<br />
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I don't know, it's looking pretty chill to me...<br />
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While his brother was off riding on hay bales, my jedi was sensing the force...<br />
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...and chasing ice princesses... yes, that plural is intentional. There were several (can we say, Frozen implosion?), and he was chasing all of them...<br />
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Hope you didn't mind me adding more cuteness to the Halloween costume overload. These memories are too cute not to capture.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
</div>
JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-14392027723587677202014-10-23T15:10:00.000-04:002014-10-23T15:10:13.600-04:00Sometimes you just need to take a hike...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Good grief, has it really been a month since my last post?! I suppose it goes without saying that life has been a tad bit busy lately. The boys definitely absorb most of what I have every day, and what I might have left I very happily give to Big R when he gets home from work. Work in some school for me, an amazing amount of activities for little r, and chasing baby c from every corner of the house, and you have some pretty incredibly full lives.<br />
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Despite the awesomeness of where we are now, because I really do love our new house and neighborhood, little r's school, fast and reliable internet, being in the same time zone with my family and friends... I've been struggling just a little bit trying to find myself lately. We've been back in the states for how long now? We are well settled, life is very good, and Tennessee is being good to us in so many ways. So, why am I lost? Each time we move, which feels like it's far too often, it takes some time to adjust, and I feel like I'm still finding my way. Mostly though, I think I'm a bit home sick for Germany and our life there. Yes, yes, the travel was awesome, but I truly loved our day-to-day lives in Bavaria.<br />
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Two things I might actually miss the most about our day-to-day lives in Germany was our walks to and from school and my regular runs out on the trails. These are things I might never get to experience again. It wasn't just the walk, it was the people I walked with, the towns we lived in, and the folks we said "hello" to. I loved stopping at the local bakery along the way or grabbing an ice cream with little r on the way home on a sunny afternoon. The runs were incredible, and I felt fortunate every time I hit the trails. I stepped foot out my front door and within minutes I was on the trail often running with my closest friends. These are things I will hold onto forever, and I am surprised how big of a void I have without them.<br />
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To help adjust to our new life, I work hard to set up a routine. That always makes things easier for everyone, right? The "Y" here is my home away from home, primarily because it gives baby c a chance to play with some other kiddos and me some time to get exercise for my body AND a break for my mind. We had to change things up some today because baby c is fighting a nasty cold, so I didn't want him to be around other kids. Despite the congestion, he was fever free and feisty as ever, so an outing was a must. Fall is in full swing here and we are absorbing it like crazy. The weather is incredible, and Tennessee has some beautiful country. Lando is probably the most thrilled with the change in the seasons, and he's been antsy wanting to get out more.<br />
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So, I took my sweet old pup and my snuffly little boy off for a hike this morning. Little r had fun sharing his seat in the car with Lando on the way to school, and I very quickly reminded myself how close we live to the trails after all. It's not a few steps out my front door anymore, but the drive is easy (particularly since we are in the car anyhow). Being home with baby c means trail running is something I'll have to put aside for now, but a great hike is an amazing substitute especially on a beautiful morning like we had today.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a gorgeous morning for a hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvb7EX0SxbaMRk-hsNxwFSHCLJW5k2FrnyNi8jdLLbs03rETzUce5rE0N-K83NLICud1ubbkYuviAPqADArYwECxVj4to0VswGrp7QGILcIMaZAM9aRG9GvgpdFBJtnEhpR0SSTxoYLa5a/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvb7EX0SxbaMRk-hsNxwFSHCLJW5k2FrnyNi8jdLLbs03rETzUce5rE0N-K83NLICud1ubbkYuviAPqADArYwECxVj4to0VswGrp7QGILcIMaZAM9aRG9GvgpdFBJtnEhpR0SSTxoYLa5a/s1600/Image.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My snuggler loved it so much he fell asleep!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSeJZKYLHx3loRBgl2wwaF3Asic-hEDUp-xhY1p4y_We9wwkZvWGg7KajSdW_2YVWYQ7P14OoGJLNBynk5VG6zAuy0WqfZNlsGPjg62Dj7HCuFF5JiAoUVSRCbEqWd2gyhtL1zLiWGhV0/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSeJZKYLHx3loRBgl2wwaF3Asic-hEDUp-xhY1p4y_We9wwkZvWGg7KajSdW_2YVWYQ7P14OoGJLNBynk5VG6zAuy0WqfZNlsGPjg62Dj7HCuFF5JiAoUVSRCbEqWd2gyhtL1zLiWGhV0/s1600/Image+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's so beautiful, I could pinch myself sometimes...</td></tr>
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Perhaps I have just stumbled on an important new addition to our routine at least until it gets too cold out. Everyone is always talking about how badly we need to discover Nashville. It's a great city with awesome night life. I have no doubt that the nightlife is great, and there is definitely something to be said about that. But what I think we might just being doing with our weekends from here on out is discovering Tennessee's back country.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I hope you all are enjoying the fall season and everything that comes with it! </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>xoxoxoxoxoxoxo</i></div>
</div>
JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-10371248451448746702014-09-28T22:08:00.004-04:002014-09-28T22:08:52.676-04:00Turning 5 is out of this world!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yeah, so my little man turned 5, and I'm still trying to figure out how that happened! Not that every birthday isn't special (especially for the little ones), something felt significant about little r turning 5. It's that age where the really start to understand so much of their world, which makes the birthday party even that much more important to them.<br />
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When we moved across the ocean, little r had to leave some really great friends behind. It is tough at his age to explain the distance and the reason for moving far away. We were happy that he fell in love with his school here and instantly made some incredible friends. Unlike prior birthday years where the party was more of a huge gathering of all our closest friends (which always included all of little r's as well), this year we kept the party small and very focused on little r. His class at school is small, and he has three close buddies there that are inseparable. He also has a couple other friends from the neighborhood that he has gotten really close to. Five friends when he turns five - sounds like a perfect number for a perfect party.<br />
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Little r picked his theme - we went all out on the Star Wars idea. The boy is obsessed with all things Star Wars, so we decided to have a lot of fun with it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNHQxUCZ5_AdwFVCp1QJ85phXFYETSSQRWqxRa0oQxJpB5PosV7uAw-dumVqSC-__ZYR0J1IWoqoEXA_VbqoUZFzGUk7Yu4-7bkT6eIAQJit8Mg6t3rfr-_72Fn2pxZWEv3ay9av1fETM/s1600/DSC02292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNHQxUCZ5_AdwFVCp1QJ85phXFYETSSQRWqxRa0oQxJpB5PosV7uAw-dumVqSC-__ZYR0J1IWoqoEXA_VbqoUZFzGUk7Yu4-7bkT6eIAQJit8Mg6t3rfr-_72Fn2pxZWEv3ay9av1fETM/s1600/DSC02292.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIClNpJiPK_qsHUSfisi3xqdGWoslqvennIOMbh-ht-olE-ow0UG30aAyZY30pppAQcNO2f5YDoE-q3N6XEyEFSUU-pU1HnyNcCK6XmPSWgf9v8VpfglBmIdhnlQky2ncbl-F1Imj9f91E/s1600/DSC02295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIClNpJiPK_qsHUSfisi3xqdGWoslqvennIOMbh-ht-olE-ow0UG30aAyZY30pppAQcNO2f5YDoE-q3N6XEyEFSUU-pU1HnyNcCK6XmPSWgf9v8VpfglBmIdhnlQky2ncbl-F1Imj9f91E/s1600/DSC02295.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big R and I made a huge team effort on this party. I did some Pinterest and internet searching for ideas, and he helped me think of ways to make the fun come together. It was actually all super simple, but the boys thought it was fantastic. I love it when fun is easy and stress-free!<br />
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We decided to make the theme of the party a "Jedi Training", so I wanted all of the boys to have a Jedi costume and a light saber. Little r also insisted on having a piñata, and of course, an ice cream cake. I went to the hobby store and got enough brown flannel material and rope to make six Jedi costumes. (Believe me, people, these are "simple" costumes because this girl is anything but creative and I have yet to own a sewing machine.) I also found a piñata with a shape that just happened to work perfectly for Big R's storm trooper idea. (We compromised a bit because I couldn't find anything shaped like a ball to make a Death Star.) Added a couple cans of paint to the cart, and made my way home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UEuFjoYT-tYVKFM8UR_vqh-9OAtfC1GgFIms40Qc9ljXd_rPds2YTH-VDVsYnL_5OxiYEEeQ01-QXVVUj8M3DjEODTqdHm7SFXMD87cjV44hRZLom_P77MyGIzVnchH6HztfMcCqLFAZ/s1600/DSC02331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UEuFjoYT-tYVKFM8UR_vqh-9OAtfC1GgFIms40Qc9ljXd_rPds2YTH-VDVsYnL_5OxiYEEeQ01-QXVVUj8M3DjEODTqdHm7SFXMD87cjV44hRZLom_P77MyGIzVnchH6HztfMcCqLFAZ/s1600/DSC02331.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big R made the birthday boy's costume extra cool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4jBWPkQW6vqjDowh_sJnBwZ-eHg5hpoRZOCndpIKdz75D3DjfRC7PYSK76Zbk-M08HdH_nOsQamxIDKugBmx30B_AdNs2QJ9zeJp9eHKdfWgjcj0x1mxRpSRT9rXTkTnFgIgjClHJoR5/s1600/DSC02338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4jBWPkQW6vqjDowh_sJnBwZ-eHg5hpoRZOCndpIKdz75D3DjfRC7PYSK76Zbk-M08HdH_nOsQamxIDKugBmx30B_AdNs2QJ9zeJp9eHKdfWgjcj0x1mxRpSRT9rXTkTnFgIgjClHJoR5/s1600/DSC02338.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Jedi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUV8xQZPPpZLaPbxiMK1J1ZwwdrvdID3t-5eWE-MyMVKOLCCo0LiX-bgbMh-ounbMWKloB9B-w1onSjLbpMHQxeoY_9yayRdwio73Ac4SH-dWBDPl9sHfSd4D3biJjRitXMPKk6YKFjDR/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUV8xQZPPpZLaPbxiMK1J1ZwwdrvdID3t-5eWE-MyMVKOLCCo0LiX-bgbMh-ounbMWKloB9B-w1onSjLbpMHQxeoY_9yayRdwio73Ac4SH-dWBDPl9sHfSd4D3biJjRitXMPKk6YKFjDR/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The force is strong in this one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LEkJBpB1Z9nhGwY7VP1t8i3FQTfxy2UDy3aYlMb9jVpa8eLeUfehZVjYj3VqbomYfZYdf68QJCH1uDSvSysEfa_zwDWAE5gJ2snCNf51cCcgeEANqCcCcpBuP5wCcZoF2f4iHQK6g06u/s1600/DSC02343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LEkJBpB1Z9nhGwY7VP1t8i3FQTfxy2UDy3aYlMb9jVpa8eLeUfehZVjYj3VqbomYfZYdf68QJCH1uDSvSysEfa_zwDWAE5gJ2snCNf51cCcgeEANqCcCcpBuP5wCcZoF2f4iHQK6g06u/s1600/DSC02343.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darth Lando - hahahahaha</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwp0df0IWGcifDPgOtnLyrj_DyltgLy9KZf8YUGifyq_tcpi87xvTHwyKOy21DTudUfHaV1wfo7s0lYXg53ZpTvkXVd8uInA1I-exDY5vpMMAjioOwxsU0EOyXKSTkXK-BJDDwm3UuSUn7/s1600/DSC02345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwp0df0IWGcifDPgOtnLyrj_DyltgLy9KZf8YUGifyq_tcpi87xvTHwyKOy21DTudUfHaV1wfo7s0lYXg53ZpTvkXVd8uInA1I-exDY5vpMMAjioOwxsU0EOyXKSTkXK-BJDDwm3UuSUn7/s1600/DSC02345.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the jedi youngling</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86_AgRRvvemfWm8HkclNDtZ_7WWLDVNiQFyxr9nRGr-ZKbzGFNfFcRWQoKYI7M_yruUObvld49GRqynIw_EZ6DFA5LMcpKFuLunQ7VQjSIpefUpvnSu3m-ItN8dlDOUWfUJFb4ZQuqmH4/s1600/DSC02346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86_AgRRvvemfWm8HkclNDtZ_7WWLDVNiQFyxr9nRGr-ZKbzGFNfFcRWQoKYI7M_yruUObvld49GRqynIw_EZ6DFA5LMcpKFuLunQ7VQjSIpefUpvnSu3m-ItN8dlDOUWfUJFb4ZQuqmH4/s1600/DSC02346.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was so excited for everyone to show up!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu23zchhojxV4YOTUt7raWory-B2vTAyLPcaJg0EnqT_dtPk9KXvAkulWoStYCyfKhPrFx0nnmHkRpp4EFhXs02OCwRGYjFQvbBGVYVm-yuUXsqnIa_qyIeOc_Qmh0ikHBMPssvAGVgIv/s1600/DSC02347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKu23zchhojxV4YOTUt7raWory-B2vTAyLPcaJg0EnqT_dtPk9KXvAkulWoStYCyfKhPrFx0nnmHkRpp4EFhXs02OCwRGYjFQvbBGVYVm-yuUXsqnIa_qyIeOc_Qmh0ikHBMPssvAGVgIv/s1600/DSC02347.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jedi robes were hung and ready to wear</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiftUQ_aVm8kCQhjyZFP-xFBR4oupSDyUBqE3i1WoBVa5p7thq2XaGS18WPmwYKrtnBr6K2KJecoKZOjk4OuZlNQFYjALqMWNabn0UtGdQgQhJB-6kohR5Y0nOw2sJBLCAEawW33ZGnvaL/s1600/DSC02355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiftUQ_aVm8kCQhjyZFP-xFBR4oupSDyUBqE3i1WoBVa5p7thq2XaGS18WPmwYKrtnBr6K2KJecoKZOjk4OuZlNQFYjALqMWNabn0UtGdQgQhJB-6kohR5Y0nOw2sJBLCAEawW33ZGnvaL/s1600/DSC02355.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The awesome Storm Trooper piñata</td></tr>
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I remembered that we still had some glass bowls from our wedding (haha, yep), and some decorative sand, so we created some center pieces for the table. Big R and little r had a blast staging those battles! We had hot dogs and mini burgers, and some fun treats, just in case anyone got hungry during the party.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoWyvB6ihxsRQRs0AgBWjCKNRkIculC6l79OtTfu5k0tUa-90vetHgkN3sRuN4_vehxxm7_IeRL5x-FJIDUZ5wQihGQL0FXZ-Jdt7fw2c03760DW5w3thsAkYJ1s3zpLlYvgUBqQgnBgc/s1600/DSC02340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoWyvB6ihxsRQRs0AgBWjCKNRkIculC6l79OtTfu5k0tUa-90vetHgkN3sRuN4_vehxxm7_IeRL5x-FJIDUZ5wQihGQL0FXZ-Jdt7fw2c03760DW5w3thsAkYJ1s3zpLlYvgUBqQgnBgc/s1600/DSC02340.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Wars Legos came in handy to stage a battle scene in the sand!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_urKC-u2tO9iNkLi0-nyHcpjOXznAn2p1qa8Qj08TsiQlyHV_AXz8dHVNx1KgObpeqf2CUub2lQkGE1d0hxRWux1ix0KqFOhbmATSUPqlE5motwJ5QBm5_7fIqGnkMwiIyQA5B7S3-5R/s1600/DSC02341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_urKC-u2tO9iNkLi0-nyHcpjOXznAn2p1qa8Qj08TsiQlyHV_AXz8dHVNx1KgObpeqf2CUub2lQkGE1d0hxRWux1ix0KqFOhbmATSUPqlE5motwJ5QBm5_7fIqGnkMwiIyQA5B7S3-5R/s1600/DSC02341.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mean, seriously, this is too much fun!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-qXZKDwJLfgB_VvYQcU5P-0qVno3IV6xyTS9-sYm8WwuJLu_79WxKmdJFGa8-5iriOLicUmxCpO_JnjzZSeeVKXA0hg2r9Zpof0oGKh-aOuzbAuXx8nha20C9-i_RIlHgG-Ee_yB2yKV/s1600/DSC02348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-qXZKDwJLfgB_VvYQcU5P-0qVno3IV6xyTS9-sYm8WwuJLu_79WxKmdJFGa8-5iriOLicUmxCpO_JnjzZSeeVKXA0hg2r9Zpof0oGKh-aOuzbAuXx8nha20C9-i_RIlHgG-Ee_yB2yKV/s1600/DSC02348.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZcTccrlS_EvOioowYPAhBcV6be7pCGCLllF3k9rawU1HQJniPMDmKf6KUeOhnfi7dHyRdgIdwRmg9Khnxdwz3csjEyXIcBEdZRAToLp98Cvo_7_aSZlrCsmldyUdnpHxeTOJOpsK2aHF/s1600/DSC02356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZcTccrlS_EvOioowYPAhBcV6be7pCGCLllF3k9rawU1HQJniPMDmKf6KUeOhnfi7dHyRdgIdwRmg9Khnxdwz3csjEyXIcBEdZRAToLp98Cvo_7_aSZlrCsmldyUdnpHxeTOJOpsK2aHF/s1600/DSC02356.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the treats - courtesy of Big R - Yep, he made the storm trooper cookies AND the light saber pretzels </td></tr>
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Little r was so excited when his friends started showing up. We got all our Jedi younglings into their training robes, and handed them a light saber... Oh yeah, the light sabers sound like a frightening idea, right? We saw many tips online to use those pool noodles with duct tape. They were awesome. The boys played their hearts out with them the entire time and no one got hurt. Perfect!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL6noCkffp4lFjim3Dpi0lpLFQg0ji1HK9HUrOUBATQ4VYi7eEzive3fpCVrv-BPZvFteGA7swXHFlZV0MmWH2rmhQHvHN4r95sNxm89N9THdABbBlD5BjV7R6oWv6hAaogjx9q8FQlVd/s1600/DSC02357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL6noCkffp4lFjim3Dpi0lpLFQg0ji1HK9HUrOUBATQ4VYi7eEzive3fpCVrv-BPZvFteGA7swXHFlZV0MmWH2rmhQHvHN4r95sNxm89N9THdABbBlD5BjV7R6oWv6hAaogjx9q8FQlVd/s1600/DSC02357.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jedi's in training...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEE5gKHT5AAzO_c_XEKFqcuUZZZYXzqcooX_zzLe7ZHJj-MOEwPpJ2E8h5vOlOfGhoewZpgaFF2L_g_BvpnszG0i6taPBdxYxKkFU3w_SAFSPxdfEbPpYQobUosYoacfQgDoVTwgw7-Y5/s1600/DSC02360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEE5gKHT5AAzO_c_XEKFqcuUZZZYXzqcooX_zzLe7ZHJj-MOEwPpJ2E8h5vOlOfGhoewZpgaFF2L_g_BvpnszG0i6taPBdxYxKkFU3w_SAFSPxdfEbPpYQobUosYoacfQgDoVTwgw7-Y5/s1600/DSC02360.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clearly tactical planning going on here...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhKL-KmtKdv7_-QDjUAMqj0-Q5nogzWxmZO_aBmK4ZPQfR1f5MgiDZaPPi44xJbdEh361iiP1jvZWbcS6sMZAeZ5fuyBcngV4gozX6JT_LBOW1-N8M8YwHpDKrtS1psdcTvpr4sOFzvG_/s1600/DSC02362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhKL-KmtKdv7_-QDjUAMqj0-Q5nogzWxmZO_aBmK4ZPQfR1f5MgiDZaPPi44xJbdEh361iiP1jvZWbcS6sMZAeZ5fuyBcngV4gozX6JT_LBOW1-N8M8YwHpDKrtS1psdcTvpr4sOFzvG_/s1600/DSC02362.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r couldn't wait to beat that storm trooper!</td></tr>
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The most exciting part of the party was when Darth Vader made an appearance. This was supposed to be Big R (obviously), but he tried the costume on the night before and it was WAY too small. I was very quickly informed that I would become the master sith and try to turn the younglings to the dark side. The boys never saw it coming, and they had a blast ganging up on me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaAhJcvGiv-SdFEAZ_n4QvizfNJziffXUo-I-cJZ0ZPWpjUubFIYBvQZQ6g5F5LrSVxm5VtuZrU4Qe7NY5JGbJ_OLucMnIO7818XjH7nIlnaAV9wieBpd1IFlx_DWmOeHKFmgyZYG0TCt/s1600/DSC02371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaAhJcvGiv-SdFEAZ_n4QvizfNJziffXUo-I-cJZ0ZPWpjUubFIYBvQZQ6g5F5LrSVxm5VtuZrU4Qe7NY5JGbJ_OLucMnIO7818XjH7nIlnaAV9wieBpd1IFlx_DWmOeHKFmgyZYG0TCt/s1600/DSC02371.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darth Vader came to take them all...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aIo7ShJe5gvzb7dW-EIr1RQ7cNwwlGwhtiXx6-BbUmORGiPPjIfPsQ2O5N4gqdsYrEx9dYD4FAwveJYFMzI3-aOkfWjq3WcmWSB3tW8dUO-lIUjePl8GyXyPJZPTmGtZof8sknh3Oznd/s1600/DSC02374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aIo7ShJe5gvzb7dW-EIr1RQ7cNwwlGwhtiXx6-BbUmORGiPPjIfPsQ2O5N4gqdsYrEx9dYD4FAwveJYFMzI3-aOkfWjq3WcmWSB3tW8dUO-lIUjePl8GyXyPJZPTmGtZof8sknh3Oznd/s1600/DSC02374.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....he lost this battle and was thankful the light sabers were made of foam!</td></tr>
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Little r informed me that I "didn't need to go too crazy" with the cake. He really just wanted me to use his Star Wars figures and stage a battle on top of it. HA! Love this kid because it really was the easiest cake I have ever made... The cake was a Turkey Hill brand ice cream cake I bought from Kroger (and it was HEAVEN!), and the battle was staged by Big R (as if that needed any announcement).<br />
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The party was too much fun all around. I'm so glad little r's friends were able to come, and I hope they enjoyed their Jedi training as much as we had fun pulling all the plans together. The boys got to take home their costumes, light sabers, and candy from the piñata as their party favors. Overall, I would have to say, this was a huge success.<br />
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We love you little r. You are such an amazing kid. I hope your birthday party felt as special as you are to us. The big 5, buddy! This is going to be such an awesome year!</div>
JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-73432209817322169682014-09-15T21:14:00.002-04:002014-09-15T21:39:38.209-04:00My "mom-of-the-year" moment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's Monday. I should have known better than to think I'd be able to escape the day without some type of unexpected excitement.<br />
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This week and last have been slightly crazy, well, on a 4-year old's scale anyway. Soccer started up last week, and swimming is still wrapping up, add that to horseback riding lessons, and the boy has a very full week. He seemed to be handling it all super well until the soccer game on Saturday where he was running aimlessly on the field. This evolved into a major meltdown by early evening, and bedtime was a colossal disaster. Being that his birthday party comes at the pinnacle of this next week, I really wanted to work hard at keeping things chill. Mostly I just want the boy to enjoy his own birthday party. </div>
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Tonight was swimming. Little r would tell you that swimming is his favorite...oh, and soccer is his favorite, too, oh and horses, he loves riding horses... We are taking a break from swimming during soccer season, so today was his last lesson for awhile. He takes lessons at the "Y", so baby c and I swim while little r is in his class. I always like to get there early so that little r can enjoy swimming for awhile. So I got my dinner prepped, double and triple checked that I had everything we needed in each of the bags (I forgot goggles last week, and that was a HUGE disaster), and loaded baby c up into the car. </div>
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Little r was a complete chatterbox when I picked him up today talking about everything they did in school (did I mention how much this kid loves his school?!), so, we took our time getting to the Y knowing we would still have plenty of time left for some fun swimming before lessons started. We walk into the locker room and I pull everything out of the bag. Do you ever have those moments when all is good in the world and then the air gets sucked clean out of your body? All of it, all of the air, was completely gone. Little r's swim trunks were not there. In the whole scheme of things, this is not the end of the world, but to a 4 year old on his last day of swim lessons when he LOVES swim lessons more than anything EVER (except soccer and horses, of course), this becomes a mom's worst nightmare. We had 20 minutes until lessons started and we live 20 minutes away from the Y. </div>
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So, what did I do? I contemplated apologizing profusely and driving somewhere to buy little r a huge milkshake to earn his forgiveness, but the mom in me had to figure out a way to make this work. Baby c's trunks were obviously too small, and the weather cooled off a ton this weekend, so we literally argued all morning about how he was NOT going to wear shorts today. Instead, we packed back into the car, there were many "this is so stupid" and "I'm such an idiot" comments flying out of my mouth, while little r was trying to wrap his head around his mother's insanity. At one point he said, "you are so goofy, mom, and you're right, this is stupid." Awesome when kids get it right, isn't it?</div>
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We went to Walmart. I hate Walmart. Sorry, I said it, but I just really do. But hey, everyone always tells me they have everything you want, anytime you want it, and it was the closest big box store to the Y. We had the talk about not getting distracted in the store, running as fast as we can, and how I was really sorry but he was going to be a little late for his lesson. He was such a trooper. Traffic literally sucked, and the Walmart was PACKED. </div>
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This store probably has everything you could possibly ever need or want for a super cheap price as long as you are buying it in season. Clearly the end of September is NOT when you buy swim trunks because they had but one pair left on the clearance rack and it was a size 8. Yes, we actually contemplated buying the stupid things until little r looked at me and said, "mommy, they are just way too big." I felt deflated, until the woman standing next to me handed me a pair of gym shorts in little r's size. She said that she didn't need them, if I could use them, so we grabbed the shorts and ran. The check out lines were horrible, but we finally got through. The poor little guy was stripping in the car in the parking lot. I started the car as soon as I heard, "mom, I got it, these are going to work!" HA! Pure comedy, right?</div>
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We finally get back to the Y, at this point only 10 minutes late. Little r puts his shoes on and he stands up to get out of the car and the shorts fall down. Yes, you read that right, the shorts fell off of his tiny little butt. Seriously?! We finagled my goggles (which I actually remembered this time) around his waist to hold them up, and he was happy as can be. We ran into the pool, and he dove right in without looking back.</div>
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I really wanted to get a picture, but I honestly had no idea where my phone even was at this point. Some how, in some way, it worked. Who forgets her son's swim trunks when the whole reason for going to the gym is for him to swim??!! Yes, mom-of-the-year, RIGHT here. And you know that as soon as the boys were in bed, my wine was poured and I'm already sipping it. Holy cow, this better not be indicative of the way things are going to go this week... </div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-71324092777479509232014-09-10T17:52:00.002-04:002014-09-10T20:10:09.899-04:00When the bug strikes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bugs can be such pests, especially when you have a little boy with an irrational fear of them. (Oh wow, I just realized I called him a little boy - yikes, where has the time gone?!) I say it's irrational because he has never had a bug hurt or threaten him in his short little life, but you'd think he'd experienced pure torture from these creepy crawly things. I'm convinced if he were actually to come across a tarantula or something truly terrifying, he might just faint!<br />
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This irrational fear has been dominating our lives lately. Bugs are quite literally everywhere, so the terror is constantly surrounding him. In the shower, the bathroom, at night in bed... This all coming from a child that not two months ago was wearing a snake around his neck.<br />
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So, today when I picked him up from school, I got descriptive details about the "spider" bites that he has on his legs. Where these supposed bites came from is still a mystery, but little r is completely convinced that the bumps on his legs are from a spider nibbling on him. Before heading home, I made a stop at a local vegetable stand. One of our favorite things about Clarksville is that it's like a "big" small town in a way, and we live in a pretty rural part of town near open farm fields. That translates into lots of great produce and local meats, and we are trying to take full advantage of this awesome convenience. But I digress...<br />
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Ok, so we stop by the veggie stand that is more like a small outdoor market. It's run by this darling older couple. The old man is my pal. We shoot the breeze about all things important, especially the weather. Little r opted to stay in the car, so he and baby c hung back while I stepped out real quick to pick up some veggies. A couple bucks later, and a bag full of beautiful veggies in hand, and we were set to head home. Or so I thought...<br />
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Little r started panicking. He had to pee. Crap. He is only 4, so what's the harm in going roadside, right? But wait! There's a port-o-potty, and I knew it would be clean because these older folks looked like the tidy type. I grabbed baby c, helped little r put his socks and shoes back on (I'm always perplexed why kids take their shoes off in the car), and we pile out of the car to run to the port-o-potty. (Did I mention it was pajama day at school?)<br />
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Holy cow, this was easily the cleanest port-o-potty I have ever seen. Seriously. I greatly underestimated these folks - their cleanliness was outstanding! But, remember the bugs? Yes, the bugs. Hard to have an outdoor bathroom without a few bugs. People, these bugs were like ant-size, maybe flea, but definitely miniscule. To little r, this was freaking scary crap! After some encouragement, he finally closes the door and screams, "ok, mommy, I'm peeing now!" Fantastic, little man, do your business. Then all hell breaks loose. He starts freaking out and screaming from the top of his lungs. The door flies open, and he yells, "mommy, look!" He has a hold of his boy parts and he's literally peeing all over the seat, the side of the wall, and all over the floor. I'm sure you remember me saying this port-o-potty was spotless?! This goes down in history as the first, and hopefully only, time I will ever feel the need to "clean" the inside of a port-o-potty (with a toddler in my arms). Luckily I had something in the car to clean our hands with. The older woman walked by giggling saying that it sounded like a big mess was happening in there. Guaranteed my face turned red, and I can honestly say it has been awhile since that has happened. Good grief! <br />
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If you are wondering what happened, that makes two of us. He looked down while he was peeing and saw what he claims was a spider bite and he decided the appropriate response was to lose his mind. Seems rational, right? I would absolutely do the same thing in that situation. I also had to hear him explain to me on the entire ride home how it was definitely a spider bite because it looked like the bump on his leg. Ok, little r, I believe you, but tell me again why this warranted you screaming and losing control of your private spray?!<br />
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Little r, never a dull moment, sweetheart. You certainly keep my life full of constant adventure and endless entertainment. I love you, you crazy little man.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPFCN9uOlnf0QtKJNsirmIlkU1bWkNPw4SUDMYDXpi6zEbTPWKowIId1lC00yzL_ojU7SYXw26MsD5yAbdRNCHlrCRG_k85ISYNkyBg13qtI6XERjkrguqco6-FS6GjCxBOXzXwT84d8Y/s1600/DSC02234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPFCN9uOlnf0QtKJNsirmIlkU1bWkNPw4SUDMYDXpi6zEbTPWKowIId1lC00yzL_ojU7SYXw26MsD5yAbdRNCHlrCRG_k85ISYNkyBg13qtI6XERjkrguqco6-FS6GjCxBOXzXwT84d8Y/s1600/DSC02234.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof the kid isn't what we would call a "scardy-cat"!</td></tr>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-2515256571890563002014-08-25T14:53:00.002-04:002014-08-25T21:35:49.125-04:00My morning madness...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have a love-hate relationship with mornings. Getting up is not my thing, but I have only met a few people in my lifetime that actually enjoy rising early and have no trouble climbing out of bed. That's not me - never has been, and probably never will be. But I generally like mornings. If I can actually get myself up, I tend to enjoy the quiet, and it's usually my favorite time of the day to go for a run or to walk the dog. <br />
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Enter my two children... These boys are testing every part of my being. How is it that children do not have a "quiet" button? I mean, seriously, mornings tend to be the "scream as loud as possible" time of the day, and I will never understand it. Little r has always been an early riser. Not sure how many of your remember when he was <a href="http://www.river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-to-do-when-your-toddler-starts.html" target="_blank">waking regularly</a> around 500 a.m. The kid has the complete inability to sleep in, and yet, he doesn't really like mornings very much. It's a terrible combination. Now we have two, and once these children are awake, it's like a tornado is hitting the house. I got lots of warning that siblings will fight. I had no idea that the fighting would start already. Did I mention that baby c is barely a year old? Yes, they fight and it's constant and insanely frustrating. Any semblance of calm or rest I might have given myself through the night obliterates the minute the house wakes up. My head can't get around the madness of my mornings. My children are my life. I love them with every cell in my body, and I hate that I start my day frustrated and internally combusting to avoid screaming at the top of my lungs. </div>
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I have one week left before I start school back up again, and I have to retake my mornings. I can think optimistically that this is just a phase, but I'm not that naive. I know that I'm peering into a window of my future and I probably have years of this ahead. I'm going to start waking up early again. Ugh, the thought is painful, but it's oh so necessary for me to regain my sanity. Something happens when you are allowed to wake up on your own terms, before the rest of the house starts to stir, and sip a cup of coffee, take in a deep breath, maybe even do yoga. Even ten minutes can be enough to get my butt underneath me before the kids start their hooting. </div>
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I started this last week, and I decided that I would take weekends off. They are weekends afterall, so it made sense. NOT doing that again. I think I'm just going to set my internal clock to begin the day before 6 a.m. and try to learn to like it. We are animals, we can be trained, right? I'm over the ambitious goals of trying to complete a yoga practice or do homework or write a blog at that ungodly hour. Instead, I am realizing that having a few moments to myself for nothing but peace can mean everything to a gentle start to my day. Even if it's just ten minutes to sit on the porch and take a deep breath, it can provide an essential grounding to start my day. Or at least that's what I'd like to hope, and I am certainly willing to give it a try. If my eyes are in focus, my breathing has started, and my legs are no longer numb from sleeping on my side, then possibly that incessant screaming that starts my day, every day, won't seem quite as maddening. </div>
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Eh, we'll see if it works, and if it doesn't, you can probably start reading blogs I write from inside an insane asylum because I just know that's right where I'm headed. </div>
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I know I'm not alone in this, and I certainly have it much easier than others, so if you have any fun stories to share, have at it. I would love to hear them :)</div>
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<i>Happy Monday, you guys. </i></div>
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<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-21205338566104946872014-08-22T13:37:00.002-04:002014-08-22T13:37:40.857-04:00Have we adjusted?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have we adjusted? That, my friends, is a very good question. I'm not super sure how to answer that, actually, but I'm going to give it a try because the question is coming up a lot these days. The overseas army moves have a tendency to feel like they last for freaking ever, and I'm not kidding. Moving is a pain, but when you move your family, all your belongings, your cars, and your furry friends, it is a really BIG deal. I knew this when we started the moving process, but I think I conveniently left the memory of the ordeal back in my distant memory. Luckily I recorded most of the process on this blog, so if I ever need a reminder, it's not too tough to find one.<br />
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Our life in Germany was pretty incredible. It was still life, so it wasn't without its stresses, but it was amazing nonetheless. As we started the looong process of moving back, I was really bummed, so I decided to begin focusing on all the things that I was really looking forward to once we were back in the US. And I have to admit, as much as I really do adore Germany and absolutely loved living there, America has some pretty great things, too. Mostly we make it super simple to consume things here. Your credit card is a happy tool just about everywhere. Believe it or not, that wasn't really the case in Germany. Pay-at-the-pump is probably my happiest joy here, that and being able to check my mail by walking down my driveway instead of dealing with the military post office madness. I could probably go on like this for awhile, so I'll save you the details...<br />
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So, yes, we are back in the land of the plenty where everyone speaks English. This last point was a bigger deal than I ever expected. I thought it was super cool that we learned to speak German while we were there. It was also pretty fantastic that as we traveled we were able to experience so many cultures and languages. But I have to admit, even down to the last week we were there, picking up the phone to make a reservation or to find out important information was always an adventure regardless of how well my German grammar was or how proud I might have been to accomplish a conversation. If I was even the slightest bit shy about making a phone call before we left, let me tell you, I actually have fun making phone calls now. I still miss my German though, and I'm nervous I'm going to lose it quickly. Hopefully we'll find some opportunities to use it even if we use it to talk to each other (which is always a comical scene in our house).<br />
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Despite missing all things German (and all the friends we left behind), life is falling into place for us here. Little r is crazy about his school. Nothing melts my heart more than knowing we found a school that he loves and that it's helping him succeed. For some reason he was really excited to go to a school where everyone speaks English. We were initially kind of bummed about his enthusiasm, but honestly, I don't care much about that anymore because he's doing so well here. I don't have the benefit of the kinderkrippe for baby c, but what I exchanged it for is a gym that offers child care. I went from running trails (often with a stroller) and doing yoga in my living room, to lifting weights and going to pilates classes. I'm not going to complain, but it is taking a little adjusting. Baby c and I will figure it out though, and right now I'm just thankful that I have the option. <br />
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Our neighborhood is downright awesome. The people here are amazing, and we are making so many new friends. We have also been lucky to meet people through mutual friends. The army is so big here that someone we know was either here before or they know someone living here now. Considering how difficult it can be in this day and age to meet people, I've been very thankful that all our friends are reaching out and setting us up with new connections. <br />
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Probably one of my favorite parts of living here though are the opportunities for little r. I mentioned his school already. We also FINALLY have the kid in swim lessons. I'm still at a loss for why it was nearly impossible to find swim lessons for a kid his age where we lived in Germany (so baffling). We also got him signed up for soccer. He did soccer and t-ball at our last assignment, but it was pretty relaxed. I wish we could have stayed for little r to play with the German team, but I have a feeling this new league is going to be great for him, too. And finally, probably the coolest thing ever, is that I found a stable here that provides riding lessons to kids little r's age. It is so fantastic I feel like I'm in a dream sometimes. Little r has always loved horses, but after visiting my mom this summer and seeing him around them again, I knew I had to find a way for him to ride. I had no idea we would get this lucky. He just started his lessons, but I hope to keep him at it as long as he's having fun and learning a lot. My hope is that our next visit to my mom's will be him showing HER how to ride. <br />
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The house is just about "done" being put together. Everything has found its place, but we are still finding the perfect spot for every picture, and printing new ones to remind us of all the really cool places we experienced together. I'll write a blog here soon and give you a quick tour of this cute little house soon - I promise!<br />
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So, have we adjusted? I think you could say that we have and we are doing pretty well. After the whole "honeymoon" phase (where everything is new and exciting and a tad bit overwhelming) ended, I started to miss Germany and our friends and our life there. I think that is a pretty normal feeling though. Living the military life means you are in a world that is constantly changing, you never stop meeting new friends, and you meet some people that you hang onto for a lifetime. You are constantly getting reacquainted with your things, and forever questioning why you've held onto some of it for as long as you have. It's fun to make each house a home, and to explore new locations. Living in Europe put a little more adventure into our blood, so we'll be itching to reach out and discover what this part of the world has to offer - rodeos, fairs, caves, lakes, horses... Something tells me we won't be getting bored here...<br />
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<i>xoxoxoxo</i> </div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-53964124959236878252014-08-20T15:45:00.000-04:002014-08-20T15:45:50.057-04:00Rodeo Time - Lonestar style!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When you no longer live a stone's throw from the Czech Republic or some of the greatest Volksfests and Biergartens in Bavaria, you do the next best thing and head to the rodeo. HA! Ok, maybe that's a teeny bit of a stretch, but we are doing our best to seek out adventure here and heading to the rodeo is a great place to start. I think it would surprise no one if I said that our family loves horses, put that together with a great vibe, loads of fun, and perfect summer weather, and you have a recipe for success. We are finally starting to feel more settled here, so it is time for us to enjoy some of the awesomeness this area can offer.<br />
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We donned our hats and cowboy boots, and tried to dig deep to get in touch with our inner country. The rodeo took us to Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The name of the town alone makes me want to say, "yeehaw!" It was really fun. The venue was small, but it was a national rodeo, which meant the riders were all seeking points to qualify or move up their standings for the National Finals Rodeo. The one challenge we had ahead of us for this adventure was that the rodeo didn't start until 8 p.m. Our kiddos are usually in bed long before then, so we had no idea what would be in store. That said, there was no way we'd head to the rodeo without them. <br />
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The boys both did great. Little r had the time of his life. The ropers were having a rough time, so little r kept saying that the cows were winning (haha), and he cracked up every time the rodeo clown did a skit between events. My intermission though, both boys were D-O-N-E, and by that, I don't mean they were melting down, I mean they were completely passed out. As soon as the action stopped for more than 5 minutes, little r was falling asleep sitting up. It was both hilarious and precious. Mostly I was just proud of both of them for being so well-behaved and truly enjoying themselves. It was a great time! I can't wait for the next one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH3nwfBAyg4MvgIuQGiWfq5VeYqU4TmIzNiyrnhw_QgSGI8QEU89XQoIsCxA6nkMOfrlN6bb3r9FSdaEch7NK8tUXjgWKzSHDSZXHb5g-eTn2ZYbgTXbWb3Lra2-ncqZmBkTIDYOB_KUf/s1600/photo+1-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH3nwfBAyg4MvgIuQGiWfq5VeYqU4TmIzNiyrnhw_QgSGI8QEU89XQoIsCxA6nkMOfrlN6bb3r9FSdaEch7NK8tUXjgWKzSHDSZXHb5g-eTn2ZYbgTXbWb3Lra2-ncqZmBkTIDYOB_KUf/s1600/photo+1-5.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A snapped a quick picture of the boys on our way into the rodeo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnVGr-kcak8u6CPWD6ytOSwIeMvJRWcXt3rDpi-Is65vbx0Yq2gbzMO1bN3gXei2nZIr8AQ8CDSGwXthhL6pKAE1FH_wBmdByAt4sxWYfd1jrSJ2v6kLGELbGr3_0onxqwDY-h4AM73YM/s1600/photo+4-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnVGr-kcak8u6CPWD6ytOSwIeMvJRWcXt3rDpi-Is65vbx0Yq2gbzMO1bN3gXei2nZIr8AQ8CDSGwXthhL6pKAE1FH_wBmdByAt4sxWYfd1jrSJ2v6kLGELbGr3_0onxqwDY-h4AM73YM/s1600/photo+4-2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrel racing is by far my favorite event!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdH9fPu64DLV3DEvFIQqMd0wivzf6Aa6oF-0a6Pfth9X10ie4N9fqIbyc85_vBS9kmTvdTxtDBV-0hJDrg3U3QTg9kowW6EWAjtUE3QuPGeA1dK0wCtSqlMBLRJCCdWuAgzz14VCYszepD/s1600/photo+2-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdH9fPu64DLV3DEvFIQqMd0wivzf6Aa6oF-0a6Pfth9X10ie4N9fqIbyc85_vBS9kmTvdTxtDBV-0hJDrg3U3QTg9kowW6EWAjtUE3QuPGeA1dK0wCtSqlMBLRJCCdWuAgzz14VCYszepD/s1600/photo+2-5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falling asleep during intermission - literally fell asleep sitting up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p1ReOtKUeWQDZAt8nKKIKLc4tFc__GEK-eT60f8-AmZV3nff2dMxb5_CWCm74bupegdwXjCv_4O515cBjlETTuU3FdfRsEp7NOgFOv5c__T08Z36OnVSXvhY5KUfd6xeABbJcH0kJA0s/s1600/photo+3-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p1ReOtKUeWQDZAt8nKKIKLc4tFc__GEK-eT60f8-AmZV3nff2dMxb5_CWCm74bupegdwXjCv_4O515cBjlETTuU3FdfRsEp7NOgFOv5c__T08Z36OnVSXvhY5KUfd6xeABbJcH0kJA0s/s1600/photo+3-5.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And baby c just gave in and sacked out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTyDvJqr4iLnawvUn673-s3JSOt70aMWddrbNEp79c2XRfgRABeS-1QfnWzenC7u60SOvQGOKVmihBW7y1-C-yoWNucf09DaABbKwLIpopdSs2G4YXysRcVLwoVRdFW0fAvziOo-HZloh/s1600/photo+5-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTyDvJqr4iLnawvUn673-s3JSOt70aMWddrbNEp79c2XRfgRABeS-1QfnWzenC7u60SOvQGOKVmihBW7y1-C-yoWNucf09DaABbKwLIpopdSs2G4YXysRcVLwoVRdFW0fAvziOo-HZloh/s1600/photo+5-2.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutest entrant EVER! 6 year old girl barrel "racing"! </td></tr>
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Apparently we are coming upon festival season here, and we've heard fun and awesome things. In the meantime, we'll be doing a little more exploring in Nashville, and seeing what other fun Clarksville has in store. I promise to keep in touch!<br />
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<i>xoxoxoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-958928531640204472014-08-16T12:35:00.002-04:002014-08-16T12:35:41.893-04:00A tribute to Aunt Lynne - you will be missed...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Big R lost a special person in his family last week, his Aunt Lynne. He wanted to write a small tribute to her memory: </div>
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My Aunt Lynne holds a special place in my heart and in my life. My father (her brother) was relatively absent in my life, but in contrast, Aunt Lynne made a huge effort to stay involved from the time I was little r's age through adulthood. My parents were divorced before I was in elementary school, leaving my mother to (selflessly) provide and care for me on her own. I never experienced any shortage of love, but Aunt Lynne always wanted to be be there for me in ways that her brother was not. </div>
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Aunt Lynne expanded the scope of my world far beyond New England. She and Uncle Sam lived in Florida, and she was a huge facilitator, conceptually and financially, for many of my most memorable childhood experiences. My New England upbringing and travels were spiced up by many trips to Florida. Disneyworld, Epcot, and Universal Studios are the "typical" tourist places she took me to, but the real adventures entailed cruising around on an airboat, catching cat fish, and swimming with the dogs in the St. John's river. I took several trips to Florida with my mother, but before I was even a teenager, I was taking unaccompanied flights to visit! One of those trips led to the ultimate adventure a somewhat nerdy kid could ask for: Space Camp.</div>
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Aunt Lynne and Uncle Sam worked with the shuttle program at Kennedy Space Center. Aunt Lynne strongly encouraged my interest in space, aviation, and science. She encouraged my interest so much that she paid for me to attend 2 weeks of Space Camp. It was a remarkable experience, and happened to be the week that Shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir. So, I was lucky enough to be at Space Camp to see a shuttle launch!</div>
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My youthful desire to be an astronaut eventually gave way to the still lofty goal of being an Air Force pilot, and, eventually, the realistic one of serving as an officer in the military. Without her influence and patience talking to me without end about NASA, this interest, like many other childhood interests may have been left behind. </div>
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As I grew older Aunt Lynne continued to give me incredible opportunities that have shaped who I am today. During high school and even college, I continued to visit Florida for my fill of red fishing (salt water is way more fun than lurking around the swamps!) and time relaxing with my family. But the real adventures were abroad. My first trip outside of the United States came in the mid-90s when I traveled to England to spend time with her and my extended family.</div>
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Two weeks in Oxford and London was an amazing and transformative experience. I was suddenly "worldly" as a 14 year old. She was a very good sport, taking me to the Royal Air Force Museum, the Imperial War Museum, and even crossing Abbey Road with me. The touristic aspect of the trip was very fun, but I suspect her greater purpose was a more important one: to include me in the family and ensure that I got to know my cousins and spend time with my grandmother. </div>
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I had two more trips abroad with her and my family, to Barcelona a few years later and then England and Scotland the next summer. Her generosity and desire to include me opened my eyes to other cultures and fueled my passion for travel, but, more importantly it exposed me to my family that before these trips I hardly knew. </div>
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Her love for her family and friends is almost certainly what we will miss about her the most. In her later years, split between North Carolina and Florida, she served as a caretaker and companion to my grandmother and Uncle Sam -- she was passionate about healthy eating (sometimes to the chagrin of Uncle Sam) and staying active in life - she remained a positive force and influence in my life, and others, always focusing on self-improvement and family.</div>
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I greatly enjoyed visiting with her as an adult, as well, which became easier the years I was assigned in Virginia. Her mountain retreat in Banner Elk, NC, was close enough for long weekends, and our last opportunities to spend time together entailed hiking Grandfather Mountain, attending country concerts (well, fly fishing near the concert), and enjoying good wine. I was proud for her to see the family that I built and can only hope that she recognized that she helped build the foundation of who I am today.</div>
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By the time I learned of her diagnosis it was too late to say any of this to her. While I was in Europe our communication was much less robust than it had been, but only weeks before all of this we had time to discuss that I would not be far away at all. Both of us expected that we would see each other in the mountains this summer or fall.</div>
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Now that she is gone, it means the staying connected with my family is not something that will just happen. Her role as a loving and involved Aunt was not limited to me - she was there for all of her nephews and niece - for graduations, weddings, and parties. The world is a lonelier place without her, the scope of her unconditioned love is not readily replaced by anyone. She made my world a better place, and since we crossed Abbey Road together the most fitting tribute I can provide is from the Beatles: "and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWzKM-9WoCgzMubKwncC7NSEQrHM58t5cazuixfiLqBTgU56W_xvtWPSJ8FZZiP5bG_sdqsgelcwYSc8KBN7UL9vPv1N-rLY_N1fpI46eyNE77Jdt1BXVLlN5BWoIv0MnZQsHHxmXEDN-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWzKM-9WoCgzMubKwncC7NSEQrHM58t5cazuixfiLqBTgU56W_xvtWPSJ8FZZiP5bG_sdqsgelcwYSc8KBN7UL9vPv1N-rLY_N1fpI46eyNE77Jdt1BXVLlN5BWoIv0MnZQsHHxmXEDN-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing the Spanish Pyrennes in 1999. Not her favorite drive!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A family shot in Barcelona in the Summer of 1999.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6s2vtL-aEeY-P0xZqPs6w4u5YnMaqDcgXKf4ACEiLFFoWl_CptuFzVAeYKTZbSpIurH-xcQC3xvryCmf-5OR7OvYPBtZODTc9gdAasHboSxKcrqTzIeTPUY23OQJ-bUesL-VrATtLXXI/s1600/aaJR_1025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6s2vtL-aEeY-P0xZqPs6w4u5YnMaqDcgXKf4ACEiLFFoWl_CptuFzVAeYKTZbSpIurH-xcQC3xvryCmf-5OR7OvYPBtZODTc9gdAasHboSxKcrqTzIeTPUY23OQJ-bUesL-VrATtLXXI/s1600/aaJR_1025.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Lynne, Gran Barbara, and Aunt Vicki at our wedding in 2006.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf88mqXOaiJJBuupm9pJlCh5dCp1A3APz6WfidVLGvhDMimVWK42cTueEumncB3mMsyEiA93_RJs9NV9RKM58KFk0jL5RdIXND0ZCFALFQAkHFe1BP8X_oMS7P3m7ue2EPbyYS3B246b0V/s1600/aaJR_1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf88mqXOaiJJBuupm9pJlCh5dCp1A3APz6WfidVLGvhDMimVWK42cTueEumncB3mMsyEiA93_RJs9NV9RKM58KFk0jL5RdIXND0ZCFALFQAkHFe1BP8X_oMS7P3m7ue2EPbyYS3B246b0V/s1600/aaJR_1921.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a good time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVs8ZIgOsIjgzVpgn5yRyOGQWvbM-TwpHV_15qwW15IDEksxf9Et6T31tQc6pntLa6fZMM_0TchXv5gt2bWRMvVIFt0ZuMOz-h6oMXpnBmJ6xuUIJngbRzzlOQf6ztPmbBKa7OFg7l44v/s1600/aaJR_1995+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVs8ZIgOsIjgzVpgn5yRyOGQWvbM-TwpHV_15qwW15IDEksxf9Et6T31tQc6pntLa6fZMM_0TchXv5gt2bWRMvVIFt0ZuMOz-h6oMXpnBmJ6xuUIJngbRzzlOQf6ztPmbBKa7OFg7l44v/s1600/aaJR_1995+copy.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Lynne and Uncle Sam at our wedding in 2006.</td></tr>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-10295090605766285302014-08-12T14:36:00.000-04:002014-08-12T14:36:07.000-04:00All that school hub-bub...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I became a mom, the thing I was most anxious about wasn't night feedings, dirty diapers, or potty training (although I know now that I was severely misinformed about this last one), it was putting my kids through school. This seems ridiculous to admit, but it's true. The school world intimidates me. I want my children to do well, who doesn't? And as if we need one more thing as mom's to add to our stress levels, school has gotten complicated these days. I also knew that we were a military family, and just like my mom, I would be required to stay on top of things with every move and transition to make sure the kids are getting the education they need to succeed. <br />
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The things we, as military families, worry about definitely shift and change depending on the age of the children. At the preschool level, I have military friends that are having to make a transatlantic flight from Europe to Virginia for the sole purpose of exploring preschools and getting enrolled. It seems many schools won't even put you on a waiting list until they have met you in person and given you a tour of the school. This might seem reasonable to most, but to a military spouse, this is a huge conundrum. Another friend has her little girl in an Italian preschool. The school ends in July and doesn't start up again until the end of September. They are moving back to the U.S. where school starts in early August, and they are being told she might have to be held back. I mean, the horror, really?! And finally, I have a good friend that is living in D.C. and making the huge decision to pay a year's worth of salary (only a mild exaggeration) to let their daughter attend a German immersion school because she attended school in Germany through the second grade and they want to give her the opportunity to continue her studies in a foreign language. The scenarios feel endless, although they always find a way of working out, it's rarely without a little extra added stress and major decision-making (don't even get me started about trying to find housing at the last minute in an area in a good school district). But we are resilient and grow stronger with every move!<br />
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Back to little r and my unreasonable anxiety about having school aged children... It never dawned on me that having little r in September was going to start the never-ending conversation of when he would start kindergarten (American kindergarten, that is). Apparently this is now a hot topic of discussion among moms and dads alike. Kindergarten is not what it used to be. Rumor has it that things are more difficult for the little ones - sight words, computers, math... It's starting to become a trend to hold kids back and have them start kindergarten when they are older with the thought being that the maturity level will be higher and it will help them succeed. Big R comes from a different camp being that he was an October baby and started kindergarten at the ripe 'ol age of 4, meaning he was more often than not, the youngest in his class. After we received our new assignment, we wasted no time exploring the best neighborhoods and schools for little r. What we didn't anticipate was that he would be too young to make the crazy cut off date of August 15 for public schools. After the shock wore off and we accepted that little r wasn't going to start kindergarten this year, we changed our focus to finding an excellent preschool. <br />
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The research paid off and all the cards seemed to fall right into place for us with this move. We secured a house in a great neighborhood in one of the best school districts in Tennessee. The preschool we found for little r is, like most of them, a daycare, but it's also a learning center. After spending a couple years in the German kindergarten system, we knew little r needed a preschool that would provide the structure and academic challenge to ward off boredom. Our child is a spirited little guy, and boredom would be a way to set him up for failure. The school is incredible and seconds as a private school for K-2. We really liked what we saw the day we took the tour, so we didn't waste any time getting him enrolled.<br />
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He spent a couple of weeks in the summer program before we were approached to ask if we'd be interested in advancing him to the kindergarten. They felt he was ready academically. Turns out they were right, and he scored pretty high on his tests. The big kicker of the whole thing is that it's only offered on a trial basis, so he has to show he can behave (yikes!), and also because he doesn't make the age cutoff for the public school system, there would be no guarantee that he would be able to move into the first grade next year.<br />
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We struggled with this decision at first. Would it be better to move him forward now and potentially repeat kindergarten? Or would it be best to keep him with the preschool and stick with our original plan? In my head I'm hearing all my friends supporting him moving forward, meanwhile also hearing other friends argue that he's just too young. So, I asked his teacher what she would do, as a mom, and having taught little r. Her response made all the sense in the world. I knew the answer, but I suppose hearing it is always helpful. She told me that academically he is demonstrating he is ready and should do well. Being that he's younger, she said it's always tough to know how well he will adjust to a more academic setting. We have the benefit of not being in the public school system because they can use the trial period to make sure he will succeed and that those that stay in the class are not disrupted by those kids that really aren't mature enough or ready. We can also decide to keep him in the same school next year and not fight with the school system over his age, which is an added bonus.<br />
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I suppose it's obvious now what we decided to do. I was a nervous wreck about his first day and this two week trial period. Little r was crazy excited about going to "the big school." I was excited for him, but also concerned how he would react if they decided he wasn't ready. Guess these are just the things we have to prepare ourselves for. Little r was amazing on his first day of school. He even let me pick out something nice for him to wear, which was nothing shy of a miracle. We met his teacher and the other students in his class. I can see now the huge benefits of putting your child into a private school, if for nothing else, the student/child ratio is impressive. He is one of 11 students in the K-1 class, and half of those students are first graders. Is that great, or what? I think later having him in the public school will be a great experience for him, but for this stage, I think we will definitely get our money's worth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKXxF860fQgLeAZKYPI699N09oL-VXwgGcEwSWk6NC0n23p2IZZIYi64jgsJptwslFGSHQ4_p8E5zD-8HgN0VlIBZQ4zeeKJ0bck5eWhW8HhlH-Sr-qYC8kwjBidw4M4DIjAb7-skovqx/s1600/IMG_2085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKXxF860fQgLeAZKYPI699N09oL-VXwgGcEwSWk6NC0n23p2IZZIYi64jgsJptwslFGSHQ4_p8E5zD-8HgN0VlIBZQ4zeeKJ0bck5eWhW8HhlH-Sr-qYC8kwjBidw4M4DIjAb7-skovqx/s1600/IMG_2085.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of Kindergarten - a picture is worth a thousand words, this is one very happy boy!!!</td></tr>
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I'll keep you posted on how the little man is doing in his class. With all the variables we often have to deal with in the military, it is crazy awesome when things fall into place. I have high hopes and I love that we found this school for him. <br />
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-27133258822149143502014-08-06T14:00:00.001-04:002014-08-06T14:00:19.017-04:00Our adventures in the Wild West!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, we're finally back in the U.S. and there were loads of things for us to do. Settling into our new home aside, we had three years worth of family and friend visiting to catch up on. Our family and friends are spread out all over the place, and there was no way we could see it all in such a short amount of time, even though that's exactly what we truly wanted to do. Instead, because it had been literally three years since we had visited everyone out west, that was on our agenda. It definitely helped that Big R's parents had recently relocated to the Sedona area. (That part was exciting, too, because we got to explore somewhere brand spankin new!) <br />
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One thing we had either forgotten or chose to ignore was how much it cost to travel within the U.S. Seriously, my sister and her husband visited us in Germany for Christmas last year cheaper than it was going to cost for us to fly from Nashville to Las Vegas. I understand there are a million reasons for airline prices to be what they are, but it's just unfortunate how expensive it can be to fly now. We somehow finagled our flights through our frequent flyer miles, but since Big R had a million more miles than the boys and I had (because of flying back to the US for work), we had a wild schedule that involved us flying separately to make the most out of our miles and our dollars. We were proud of what we worked out, even if it made for some interesting travel stories at the end of the day. (This is where I tell you about how traveling with a toddler and a 4-year old on a red-eye alone is not probably the greatest idea in the world - HA!). <br />
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Our fist stop was Phoenix where we were picked up by Big R's mom and whisked out to their new abode just outside of Sedona. Wow, what a breathtaking place to live, and their new home is absolutely adorable. We had just shy of a week full of visiting "Africa" (I got to *kiss* a giraffe!!!), exploring ghost towns and old mines, watching thunderstorms light up the sky and fireworks from the rooftop, and dodging flash floods. It was such an awesome time. <br />
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These are a couple pictures of their cozy adobe home and its surroundings...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RGZDpdu9m1DXvpFbrlHWM6hbXDn5QakRh_yU3o3zBVHl3dbSbjsquMM4HIy-gpo-L0jRNpW1lFOYVAKpYVw0wzsnktNzB0nJWDpwKVkmGvrlVrSBcWEX9SQoyutVaN_J9di0hjzJemmC/s1600/DSC01598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RGZDpdu9m1DXvpFbrlHWM6hbXDn5QakRh_yU3o3zBVHl3dbSbjsquMM4HIy-gpo-L0jRNpW1lFOYVAKpYVw0wzsnktNzB0nJWDpwKVkmGvrlVrSBcWEX9SQoyutVaN_J9di0hjzJemmC/s1600/DSC01598.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view from the front entrance... just love her stone oven</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcyQ7cmTgqHzW8zU5Y2o7uv5RV-C0he_uRUfOeezGCPzKplnpp1u6xUZdehac9OjXH9rMafg65iFV_a-QxeTLc-ODV8mfokrVR_b70N57X5CsqfITIKJSo18uyMpdQbVI4A5A3QM2qILn/s1600/DSC01601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcyQ7cmTgqHzW8zU5Y2o7uv5RV-C0he_uRUfOeezGCPzKplnpp1u6xUZdehac9OjXH9rMafg65iFV_a-QxeTLc-ODV8mfokrVR_b70N57X5CsqfITIKJSo18uyMpdQbVI4A5A3QM2qILn/s1600/DSC01601.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the backyard... and no, i'm not kidding!</td></tr>
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We were there to celebrate the 4th of July! Our first one in the U.S. in three years! It was so fun, and we enjoyed it with an awesome neighborhood parade and a breakfast with the community where even Big R's parents were meeting folks for the first time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4f-WiJFx4xlmq-UdiXcR0Xivuihk87NQgyOXGjOHCHvf5kYHW86V4YE5Um0fj-sDrF9adj0T_FmFzHQIOwgUMTziXlfWOmtFD-g_k5XCZ01i3wCZVIZHJyXbktuKlE5u0a8G5h5YXywi/s1600/IMG_2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4f-WiJFx4xlmq-UdiXcR0Xivuihk87NQgyOXGjOHCHvf5kYHW86V4YE5Um0fj-sDrF9adj0T_FmFzHQIOwgUMTziXlfWOmtFD-g_k5XCZ01i3wCZVIZHJyXbktuKlE5u0a8G5h5YXywi/s1600/IMG_2001.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the little man showing his American pride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoyUXZis-ccHc-7LcW-_oQRhSpI7z782tIYj4gjh15sI2RLjkY6Hu7oqCeNFL3vtG8ge_FMRyELvR6XN3tfZVSXSOxUEANNDFTLTTZyB2XunfO99yhjxx2amC-eBxZVE_TuxGBFGoFjRF/s1600/DSC01660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoyUXZis-ccHc-7LcW-_oQRhSpI7z782tIYj4gjh15sI2RLjkY6Hu7oqCeNFL3vtG8ge_FMRyELvR6XN3tfZVSXSOxUEANNDFTLTTZyB2XunfO99yhjxx2amC-eBxZVE_TuxGBFGoFjRF/s1600/DSC01660.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the family "float" for the parade!</td></tr>
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We took a drive to go exploring the area around Sedona. It's gorgeous!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd7wjmhmuFxkdTFyw3BRhXO8iqyk-ImqIjYduKquuQbdbsa7CKxjeCh6Yiu5uhcTcAPW2XFz9yR6SGZAyLSq2rt7bW3pOnRqJyC0EiwiSz63-2lqNyDucCuOX7XRnhCJiXoBBaYQrOHnQ/s1600/DSC01671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd7wjmhmuFxkdTFyw3BRhXO8iqyk-ImqIjYduKquuQbdbsa7CKxjeCh6Yiu5uhcTcAPW2XFz9yR6SGZAyLSq2rt7bW3pOnRqJyC0EiwiSz63-2lqNyDucCuOX7XRnhCJiXoBBaYQrOHnQ/s1600/DSC01671.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofy picture, but it captures our family and that moment perfectly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YLligHrTs0GSlduzB066daPI76wyh4_tf35MGd33RVvEagU3aRD3QP8YdRkocgEpPMp-WzLIFl-7J8o5CETiOcxo7YSYkIyeGpR5EI7b7hR7QqXtcstM0UO1JSmcaA7-DVEk75gJolHt/s1600/DSC01702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YLligHrTs0GSlduzB066daPI76wyh4_tf35MGd33RVvEagU3aRD3QP8YdRkocgEpPMp-WzLIFl-7J8o5CETiOcxo7YSYkIyeGpR5EI7b7hR7QqXtcstM0UO1JSmcaA7-DVEk75gJolHt/s1600/DSC01702.JPG" height="72" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the view we were trying to stand in front of - breathtaking!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92rqlKhD8TvB4EJTzwQMszKUtSyrX4l9Nqjns68T6jOBQH09c3GRcXd0xshp6bXQAIG_1iPJhM1x2PTREDiogkUi1NSJXqI0jjf9xMuY5g8363W2O690kb-Sm-CAEPmkRyukIr1sBvvPV/s1600/DSC01676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92rqlKhD8TvB4EJTzwQMszKUtSyrX4l9Nqjns68T6jOBQH09c3GRcXd0xshp6bXQAIG_1iPJhM1x2PTREDiogkUi1NSJXqI0jjf9xMuY5g8363W2O690kb-Sm-CAEPmkRyukIr1sBvvPV/s1600/DSC01676.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view was so inspiring, i just couldn't help myself! lol</td></tr>
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Then we went to "Africa" - it's a place just south of Sedona called "Out of Africa" and it is a very neat animal park. They take you on a safari-like ride to view many of the animals, and they let you "feed" the giraffes! If you put the celery in your mouth, the giraffe will take it with his tongue and give you a huge kiss. Being that giraffes are by far my favorite animal, this was nothing shy of AWESOME!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KPswHsydWFqcL8hazV1HnOAGlXa8q5-LHEu7KQ-APuaoFYJkYM3DBUZ-Kt4KwYEAor1vIJHMrLKEbmcWZdzKGNmP5-W9kIdIX_ogL0B5wi_8tKL8gkgXZVDz6ezEvadCAZbKJv6SMKxN/s1600/DSC01716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KPswHsydWFqcL8hazV1HnOAGlXa8q5-LHEu7KQ-APuaoFYJkYM3DBUZ-Kt4KwYEAor1vIJHMrLKEbmcWZdzKGNmP5-W9kIdIX_ogL0B5wi_8tKL8gkgXZVDz6ezEvadCAZbKJv6SMKxN/s1600/DSC01716.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby c thought the kiss was hilarious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-wiT7SsgWcbivqUX5B6ATOpnBVRV9y181fq42wE0xoqf_Uy3bJGkgh6-ntssHqbCOMH6IK3FACL8hwktFgmniGpQ_-GefzGWpFI5j3-uuUx9FhcoNel7xm0Xb4TE7R8YZ1DfWgMsjtnW/s1600/DSC01724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-wiT7SsgWcbivqUX5B6ATOpnBVRV9y181fq42wE0xoqf_Uy3bJGkgh6-ntssHqbCOMH6IK3FACL8hwktFgmniGpQ_-GefzGWpFI5j3-uuUx9FhcoNel7xm0Xb4TE7R8YZ1DfWgMsjtnW/s1600/DSC01724.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and little r was beside himself excited, too!</td></tr>
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We were visiting at the start of monsoon season, so we got to experience and witness several incredible lightning storms while we were there. Big R is crazy talented with his camera and caught many awesome photographs of the storms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhc_gObNvHa9WAcVIaHUJ48OdjXavGiNxra6de2t9-0V3R6Clhipr3-19wyaVdgwa3Q7U_rZDjxtM7ICyxDPU0xW4PT4DvBp_TloX80dQagwINFoows4xvR3inWGGo5l0EreP4sESCypr/s1600/DSC01654+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhc_gObNvHa9WAcVIaHUJ48OdjXavGiNxra6de2t9-0V3R6Clhipr3-19wyaVdgwa3Q7U_rZDjxtM7ICyxDPU0xW4PT4DvBp_TloX80dQagwINFoows4xvR3inWGGo5l0EreP4sESCypr/s1600/DSC01654+-+Version+2.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the best photos of the storm</td></tr>
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Desert sunsets are also pretty spectacular. Big R caught many awesome moments on camera with the sun setting as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IOc39RUkpZD5Yc_wKF4U0U2vYRi2brpN3cIG957gxVYRN6Wfi4mmpOdky-7iwUp61s5GQCrdGCSkWlNWLWMM-1J_T1OX2I_GfU51oz-dCYWEyVW-xe_Y7d_jTA6l9wtXvqQSrRTxpyTf/s1600/DSC01739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IOc39RUkpZD5Yc_wKF4U0U2vYRi2brpN3cIG957gxVYRN6Wfi4mmpOdky-7iwUp61s5GQCrdGCSkWlNWLWMM-1J_T1OX2I_GfU51oz-dCYWEyVW-xe_Y7d_jTA6l9wtXvqQSrRTxpyTf/s1600/DSC01739.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a sunset in the Senoran desert</td></tr>
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Our last day there we explored an old mining town called Jerome, and a nearby "ghost town" junk shop. Sounds weird, but it's actually a really cool place with vintage everything! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hI20OoWQ7p9fdTxGvLfjBHmltN-k4hHb6Rj-GZ_SUouLpgHToEfE970CFfno8HUnetpmuH3SnuuJ4YsdD_v-i9VzZyH-Tzabln1XVpLvd9Lo3jYIx2DgZNDu5PE-6_GVGE2ynzINWfcl/s1600/DSC01912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hI20OoWQ7p9fdTxGvLfjBHmltN-k4hHb6Rj-GZ_SUouLpgHToEfE970CFfno8HUnetpmuH3SnuuJ4YsdD_v-i9VzZyH-Tzabln1XVpLvd9Lo3jYIx2DgZNDu5PE-6_GVGE2ynzINWfcl/s1600/DSC01912.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">vintage pick up truck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Y8iEcf1xQC7qKvEpZY7iNB4Ij_2IFPFtoYoPLYBQVQT2_36IUS229m3JdE-qYITFxOpbqOzwLORj44_rswl3GuuvGScbIKNoIp7LD5zmmxy8YakQrew9fFKN-kCbuoBCzOfEB0EDixQA/s1600/DSC01915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Y8iEcf1xQC7qKvEpZY7iNB4Ij_2IFPFtoYoPLYBQVQT2_36IUS229m3JdE-qYITFxOpbqOzwLORj44_rswl3GuuvGScbIKNoIp7LD5zmmxy8YakQrew9fFKN-kCbuoBCzOfEB0EDixQA/s1600/DSC01915.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an old mine and gear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOfeenHHUkqzpuGXhiFK8coOU94zLfrrhyQW8nxLMRHpUsdTTVkwjeSFLnc1V6Up03orlRmxLSEYEBMTu1ZKDbHxQLoRzeDJWP_YJOTyzmzm1Y1_mh4sH_Ww41EPByhAcInE4xuAOEJks/s1600/DSC01918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOfeenHHUkqzpuGXhiFK8coOU94zLfrrhyQW8nxLMRHpUsdTTVkwjeSFLnc1V6Up03orlRmxLSEYEBMTu1ZKDbHxQLoRzeDJWP_YJOTyzmzm1Y1_mh4sH_Ww41EPByhAcInE4xuAOEJks/s1600/DSC01918.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">their political preference was pretty clear at every turn as well - look closely at the label on the "soup" can</td></tr>
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<br />
One thing I didn't realize was how large the winery business is in Arizona, and also how incredible the wines are! Big R's parents live a mere 5 minutes away from the heart of wine country. You know me, we had to do our fair share of tasting. We were even given the night off to go enjoy Page Springs Winery - an absolutely incredible place with the coolest atmosphere and employees that are really passionate about their wine - while Big R's parents stayed back to watch the kids. It was heaven :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2blcnJZq7K-xykaRdbHM5MT5-64Opgv4gIQmqNbDfAYoBSdENefzDwjRqFuz7HuB3KkGYOVHlIYCuotGvauSdjgpNWIZKpNsUhfJ6sVJMIx3ahhDx1nc52AjUmm97hn1FIdISyZ0E4l0J/s1600/IMG_2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2blcnJZq7K-xykaRdbHM5MT5-64Opgv4gIQmqNbDfAYoBSdENefzDwjRqFuz7HuB3KkGYOVHlIYCuotGvauSdjgpNWIZKpNsUhfJ6sVJMIx3ahhDx1nc52AjUmm97hn1FIdISyZ0E4l0J/s1600/IMG_2019.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enjoying date night to the fullest!</td></tr>
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It was time to say adieu to the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, and head to the Mojave desert to visit my family and friends. A hop from one gorgeous part of the country to another. We were feeling crazy spoiled. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe0Nha_B0d-JRsb3RdakS_fJaRSOIeMVUQ_JKHKH-xspRL9KvbXQIlVNSgvernmYaPBcOG3pkzcOSIpjsHoK7uhymp65gtIaxKc6x5ylYHgwG97jXjHPVRAz9tbQi79jC96hhx9lRNX3x/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe0Nha_B0d-JRsb3RdakS_fJaRSOIeMVUQ_JKHKH-xspRL9KvbXQIlVNSgvernmYaPBcOG3pkzcOSIpjsHoK7uhymp65gtIaxKc6x5ylYHgwG97jXjHPVRAz9tbQi79jC96hhx9lRNX3x/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these red rocks will definitely be calling our names!</td></tr>
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<br />
A quick Southwest flight later, and we were in Las Vegas with my mom. We planned the visit with my sister and her husband, and we had a couple hours to kill before their flights arrived. So, what does any sensible crew do in Vegas for a couple hours? Buy cowboy boots, of course. Haha, you thought I was going to say something much more interesting, didn't you? We had a lot of horsing around to do on this trip and no boots to enjoy it with. It was time to load up on some proper gear!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVraCeR6IxCjz5co64g0sdtMybzg4leJAnA-GCiI6WRFw843mPbHlcQVCaO7HPHf261IqFVO_Bym1rObgr_PC6qeUqGeE9VqxoU2R_8-h3j9DGVfo6DI5g8NXNOM5fRSFl5l7NhHt6Kt8/s1600/IMG_2027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVraCeR6IxCjz5co64g0sdtMybzg4leJAnA-GCiI6WRFw843mPbHlcQVCaO7HPHf261IqFVO_Bym1rObgr_PC6qeUqGeE9VqxoU2R_8-h3j9DGVfo6DI5g8NXNOM5fRSFl5l7NhHt6Kt8/s1600/IMG_2027.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this pictures cracks me up</td></tr>
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<br />
After our <a href="http://www.river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2014/07/seriously-we-cant-make-this-stuff-up.html" target="_blank">insane first night</a> out on the ranch (where a lightning strike started a fire just up the hill from the house), we didn't waste any time horsing around. (The fire started up again the next afternoon, so Big R and I hiked back up to try to keep it contained until BLM showed up again. We grabbed a couple of pictures this time!) <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrIIu5PKFQj4-Q-RfHv6_lSwRp0ohSnGRWzJrjZt6WnEGeZ1gEiOblZR390e0Cw6lflIpQKycB__OTB1xgt33g_4jpHHyd9xQ0a5Fux-0663rb2BIRyeXciWLfZzAM03j1LyFdBZ8YEiH/s1600/IMG_2035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrIIu5PKFQj4-Q-RfHv6_lSwRp0ohSnGRWzJrjZt6WnEGeZ1gEiOblZR390e0Cw6lflIpQKycB__OTB1xgt33g_4jpHHyd9xQ0a5Fux-0663rb2BIRyeXciWLfZzAM03j1LyFdBZ8YEiH/s1600/IMG_2035.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hiking up to the juniper tree that is ablaze from the lightening strike</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRa_GLd31P-um_qAFDIbgYyqEfAAVTA4vNluEzSwyYLH5EwcmMPBhpoCW7eBkmBiB5r6cfCYiEeATQBBdNHD_PzmJIZNX7CBsKCac_dvCxK7XhkbNPexiR6wVsQqEn4TTnWNXR0xoIAcRr/s1600/IMG_2038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRa_GLd31P-um_qAFDIbgYyqEfAAVTA4vNluEzSwyYLH5EwcmMPBhpoCW7eBkmBiB5r6cfCYiEeATQBBdNHD_PzmJIZNX7CBsKCac_dvCxK7XhkbNPexiR6wVsQqEn4TTnWNXR0xoIAcRr/s1600/IMG_2038.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">burning hot, but we caught it well before it was a severe problem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQcbkwR339DQGQHHl6GWLGfHf9bJ8TbvtJhV_Cq3lOU15j9PoIdNa-mchaFwECQs8CNkuOVyn6g6ey4ryYRxgDbrwRmvCMYd27K3laHDxIo2MVUUr-afuBEogaE-J-s4qnL9nr5xPivhI/s1600/IMG_2042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQcbkwR339DQGQHHl6GWLGfHf9bJ8TbvtJhV_Cq3lOU15j9PoIdNa-mchaFwECQs8CNkuOVyn6g6ey4ryYRxgDbrwRmvCMYd27K3laHDxIo2MVUUr-afuBEogaE-J-s4qnL9nr5xPivhI/s1600/IMG_2042.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it still took the BLM crew a good hour to make sure the fire was out for good</td></tr>
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<br />
There was a lot of horseback riding, mucking stalls, tractor driving, hiking and desert exploring, yoga, reading, piano playing, wine drinking, and relaxing. Can't forget the child wrangling, screeching and playing either, can we mom? My kids have a way of keeping you entertained and completely exhausted! Overall we had a pretty fantastically awesome time!<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeL4F6HI41qhkVoVI2GzUiePMF0L5vgsK5iDJQlD14vict0OWuiCCk8EThGNyh2XO-9Fb2PN7iAz2BJpSrAFXXtv3001AsJysPi4HmQrSBm4DJOsJ7ckpKN9z_xFj7fMjKZM7C13zE8_GP/s1600/DSC01971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeL4F6HI41qhkVoVI2GzUiePMF0L5vgsK5iDJQlD14vict0OWuiCCk8EThGNyh2XO-9Fb2PN7iAz2BJpSrAFXXtv3001AsJysPi4HmQrSBm4DJOsJ7ckpKN9z_xFj7fMjKZM7C13zE8_GP/s1600/DSC01971.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r is a natural cowboy - he just loves horses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXPIw1hj0FxaaAO-MLgz4sz2QhrtEXXouecFfYWURmCsxg-RZ-r0Vt56qKPxBfNXdNKw-QrXR9FJaiRjePPd5m15cxVw7lQiNZbkBZ9ToYj8O8xUEhOVawiU-a1hO9PVtGLou8utqzgKO/s1600/DSC01991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXPIw1hj0FxaaAO-MLgz4sz2QhrtEXXouecFfYWURmCsxg-RZ-r0Vt56qKPxBfNXdNKw-QrXR9FJaiRjePPd5m15cxVw7lQiNZbkBZ9ToYj8O8xUEhOVawiU-a1hO9PVtGLou8utqzgKO/s1600/DSC01991.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he has a great seat and so much ease around a horse</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM8Mq5vnh3aaLjjz_vBa-sQV63fT7EnP8Bz5kXiRrRkMGetX5ZNXvzEpRa_txzoQmMWioNb7Dwsdz7_nJhn0X_DPoDie6cvKEvqE4pGqQgYHFS4Sb1TKnwNt1VBuhpEivl58NGP66nswF/s1600/DSC01997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVM8Mq5vnh3aaLjjz_vBa-sQV63fT7EnP8Bz5kXiRrRkMGetX5ZNXvzEpRa_txzoQmMWioNb7Dwsdz7_nJhn0X_DPoDie6cvKEvqE4pGqQgYHFS4Sb1TKnwNt1VBuhpEivl58NGP66nswF/s1600/DSC01997.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my beautiful sister and Smoke - who we used to ride when we were in high school!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlHZj8YLxj4yBjzFiQr6RBlmWNASWph7T5lX4Nb8OD-8TSioL7hIMXDNff9df9sysmiwUdfNFh855EUQM628Y272eRCJZeXLmpUGMZXQnzqKkkSjEDqjU8XJYEbg2tWdUqxgAyU5RGJ4w/s1600/DSC02009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlHZj8YLxj4yBjzFiQr6RBlmWNASWph7T5lX4Nb8OD-8TSioL7hIMXDNff9df9sysmiwUdfNFh855EUQM628Y272eRCJZeXLmpUGMZXQnzqKkkSjEDqjU8XJYEbg2tWdUqxgAyU5RGJ4w/s1600/DSC02009.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big R and little r on Stella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jXEmrQMuvchN9HkwRkoGgKu4sLDCcSF8oflcsCMpkFYy8JMCAQwjuki-3rKjqmnx2wgggj3fuzC8ckMd0xekfgs2djDWUlxiaNhP-rFoJ7QuQojt6hdxWjUXwWnqzRxDVPn_B5e10jOr/s1600/DSC02074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jXEmrQMuvchN9HkwRkoGgKu4sLDCcSF8oflcsCMpkFYy8JMCAQwjuki-3rKjqmnx2wgggj3fuzC8ckMd0xekfgs2djDWUlxiaNhP-rFoJ7QuQojt6hdxWjUXwWnqzRxDVPn_B5e10jOr/s1600/DSC02074.JPG" height="72" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">panoramic view of the valley after a hike to the top of a peak</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2mYC2ySk5m0_ZxvRJ-YfY39TgkgUc8gm9Nh15XlIAk_mrtevCDOWxG5TlxOl8Umea7Ysg3nw4sG_nxjcpyNw3H1bx0GY_VRtyP72HUpPlZAbzoBMs213EMGpp8HcxgoAVbQYb31_wWdF/s1600/DSC02076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2mYC2ySk5m0_ZxvRJ-YfY39TgkgUc8gm9Nh15XlIAk_mrtevCDOWxG5TlxOl8Umea7Ysg3nw4sG_nxjcpyNw3H1bx0GY_VRtyP72HUpPlZAbzoBMs213EMGpp8HcxgoAVbQYb31_wWdF/s1600/DSC02076.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">streams formed after a day of good rain</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6po6QIHzdHhCwoWawPXhQuC852PdoLVcSK_JIok5SUoDACdTqhpWyS4HLsDM5BZ_uJVVToM0GMHWFI-2UnQ0f-IayFu5Uq9UFD4Asy4cUIuFGrYrzUQgAxzNNOtehFbf9LXZsgGbKhQn/s1600/DSC02081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6po6QIHzdHhCwoWawPXhQuC852PdoLVcSK_JIok5SUoDACdTqhpWyS4HLsDM5BZ_uJVVToM0GMHWFI-2UnQ0f-IayFu5Uq9UFD4Asy4cUIuFGrYrzUQgAxzNNOtehFbf9LXZsgGbKhQn/s1600/DSC02081.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sun setting on the rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRhw5xSF-Tq1tUID43N9dHH4zMKfmrB0RNSfXTEN7P5Z79TNtK5G3MHXdC6hhxquJFToDicWcpd2N_bCjumNLaqCM3oFmPJk8Sua2mJQRHoB4JzX3vjc_aP3SHQuz9wA-ds3-Y9QYWY83/s1600/DSC02084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRhw5xSF-Tq1tUID43N9dHH4zMKfmrB0RNSfXTEN7P5Z79TNtK5G3MHXdC6hhxquJFToDicWcpd2N_bCjumNLaqCM3oFmPJk8Sua2mJQRHoB4JzX3vjc_aP3SHQuz9wA-ds3-Y9QYWY83/s1600/DSC02084.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan was proud of his climb to the top!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAArnBfXQvWOZ0U9uqcw3CJobWtv0DY10n6E5WTlhIGAr3aSXCXUNw-h0SyLKPvD458C6E8zZRwgXNP_FMScYJwRyFITwUDMogIzfXLpB0Lp_6H6Tl0Uhanl8i1HoWCSLo3jtB6pyz2gti/s1600/DSC02099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAArnBfXQvWOZ0U9uqcw3CJobWtv0DY10n6E5WTlhIGAr3aSXCXUNw-h0SyLKPvD458C6E8zZRwgXNP_FMScYJwRyFITwUDMogIzfXLpB0Lp_6H6Tl0Uhanl8i1HoWCSLo3jtB6pyz2gti/s1600/DSC02099.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby c was super curious about the big animals...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh79QM5GNP6yaUQEw_Sm18X0-U-5tu17BXSS24b85I48Qcg_qwiLj8vCBxVV43QExDi3GMoQ_Op1_ZgQZxxKJHBqDAtbflvZdhRC-ELEZe8tEGOwpAH42z450Dv6dh8jcC5pL6XLTOk9_A/s1600/DSC02110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh79QM5GNP6yaUQEw_Sm18X0-U-5tu17BXSS24b85I48Qcg_qwiLj8vCBxVV43QExDi3GMoQ_Op1_ZgQZxxKJHBqDAtbflvZdhRC-ELEZe8tEGOwpAH42z450Dv6dh8jcC5pL6XLTOk9_A/s1600/DSC02110.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but he's not quite the horse lover yet that his brother is</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuaVNATJcYd-a51K7GheCeH84SK9L3GUvlfv6hRUqXgNQxlMKeJkrVUSbgA5d2BP0bAZY4mhIE1XuOLNykrRAvDO6jHhLohdqkVQa6tDe6D8mU7iz1q5pxpHKXC5VP5f07_Ahmn8Gu5g0/s1600/DSC02125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuaVNATJcYd-a51K7GheCeH84SK9L3GUvlfv6hRUqXgNQxlMKeJkrVUSbgA5d2BP0bAZY4mhIE1XuOLNykrRAvDO6jHhLohdqkVQa6tDe6D8mU7iz1q5pxpHKXC5VP5f07_Ahmn8Gu5g0/s1600/DSC02125.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading for the trails on Stella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbYsLF3AUI381dxGpQOKqej8Ci9x6uhlf8VI9OCXleEl-z0aF6-kKKCOwzyewNXzpKqlM-A46w2ZYh2w02bvESksw2g4nypKlc31o5xkhO1_1o7RbyYfN9iZXnopagqcKHiVH0uTe1qi0/s1600/DSC02144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbYsLF3AUI381dxGpQOKqej8Ci9x6uhlf8VI9OCXleEl-z0aF6-kKKCOwzyewNXzpKqlM-A46w2ZYh2w02bvESksw2g4nypKlc31o5xkhO1_1o7RbyYfN9iZXnopagqcKHiVH0uTe1qi0/s1600/DSC02144.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">quick family shot (less baby c) on Rustler and Stella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpGm5ZPF1BfNRJxJ14OLDyBXil-PXM9pQ2vm7VknHvD-oU3cz_075lhySzNEIcLdjnBwg1s7QQk44VI8_GBA4qAA535YIAXNHX7EzyDUuUQDMHTISdvLFDLQHxm48eNswjbdXqIl-BZBw/s1600/DSC02241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpGm5ZPF1BfNRJxJ14OLDyBXil-PXM9pQ2vm7VknHvD-oU3cz_075lhySzNEIcLdjnBwg1s7QQk44VI8_GBA4qAA535YIAXNHX7EzyDUuUQDMHTISdvLFDLQHxm48eNswjbdXqIl-BZBw/s1600/DSC02241.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa Tom let little r drive the tractor - he STILL talks about it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0-izM0p27kzwrq2LDYEvR3LEcYozPuvBsRdPs4lsKQ9zXm_KDCRJBG-iTmz6oHnw3brnJ1bpCssxy-oDQVSbel_uSGx4_3NzSDPfTXZutB3zn8WW_U8Gi036EKHcmYJRAz5VGCrWKIqb/s1600/DSC02250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0-izM0p27kzwrq2LDYEvR3LEcYozPuvBsRdPs4lsKQ9zXm_KDCRJBG-iTmz6oHnw3brnJ1bpCssxy-oDQVSbel_uSGx4_3NzSDPfTXZutB3zn8WW_U8Gi036EKHcmYJRAz5VGCrWKIqb/s1600/DSC02250.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">views from another hike - this valley is gorgeous at every turn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8U-qfDisnoBO7B3FqYoxjThvtPK1L279kUwgMI7Z-pnKoaSHgDB_934TKmS_4kmdNpI2WdxZ-McQ7aW93GmYxEog3ge_OTNUSyV-iW8Bz1fC1wgB70HFRmc2fiVl38UummQt8KUyW75S/s1600/DSC02252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8U-qfDisnoBO7B3FqYoxjThvtPK1L279kUwgMI7Z-pnKoaSHgDB_934TKmS_4kmdNpI2WdxZ-McQ7aW93GmYxEog3ge_OTNUSyV-iW8Bz1fC1wgB70HFRmc2fiVl38UummQt8KUyW75S/s1600/DSC02252.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love these old trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89StFVF5b0yYWzYUcMV9Gbga9gFyWgKfuRCZR6CKoQ1eXmIZxy1os9gboWt3EsH8pt6Dm3-qzjDxCR6R3IdgZ3H4g5FYw_UeSyFzJeAepJkzVxhHUYX76wt0NXObqynJrLLsyRAr-DuYB/s1600/DSC02262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89StFVF5b0yYWzYUcMV9Gbga9gFyWgKfuRCZR6CKoQ1eXmIZxy1os9gboWt3EsH8pt6Dm3-qzjDxCR6R3IdgZ3H4g5FYw_UeSyFzJeAepJkzVxhHUYX76wt0NXObqynJrLLsyRAr-DuYB/s1600/DSC02262.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess and I taking it all in...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfknYC_43VPmjUPS4mQX4F-JfsikaQmZ9cW3OFdjhXnjAUBaMQ45Q-ausqbu30ws6d4N-zFp_JEx1OStxPXIGr9HeeHDMP-40mdBkXtVHVwvS3B745C2oo2piNANuDMqHLtuMsmRIaghf/s1600/DSC02264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfknYC_43VPmjUPS4mQX4F-JfsikaQmZ9cW3OFdjhXnjAUBaMQ45Q-ausqbu30ws6d4N-zFp_JEx1OStxPXIGr9HeeHDMP-40mdBkXtVHVwvS3B745C2oo2piNANuDMqHLtuMsmRIaghf/s1600/DSC02264.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and striking a pose on the rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This trip also included a weekend in Las Vegas where we were able to visit with our friends. I was beyond excited to spend time with my closest friends that I hadn't seen in three years. I had no idea how much I was missing home and my friends until we were there. The feeling was incredible and I savored every last single solitary second of it. <br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">We spent the fist day poolside with Lacey and her kiddos. The boys were in heaven. I even got to spend some uninterrupted time with my best friend catching up - absolutely priceless! Little r and Lacey's oldest, Ryland, are only 4 months apart, and they were literally instant best friends. It was too much fun watching them bond as if they had grown up together. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH27bUqpytdtm24QMlKqtFeROl9yEb3q9b5o8jN0_RQojCFLhyewzn5G_nN-28eO1_goT32RuzTvcXn3aKlMYC7Sz9bYagFC1uTz7htRiGTlXyJ-RhAl2cmek6cKhgt5Lp-lhJiQF1mK9/s1600/DSC02146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH27bUqpytdtm24QMlKqtFeROl9yEb3q9b5o8jN0_RQojCFLhyewzn5G_nN-28eO1_goT32RuzTvcXn3aKlMYC7Sz9bYagFC1uTz7htRiGTlXyJ-RhAl2cmek6cKhgt5Lp-lhJiQF1mK9/s1600/DSC02146.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lacey and my little man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_p2P_IcFnBmUmF5TuNc6Dcxe6c2qNZdH2AKfMqTb6tNJzJkFDaS4w6_-cufvF0FpMEX3uKqmnfS7kqSCXnrbOxiUJK25KzKvyLz4EaYplURO3nyUclampz7EBHREqvDa7Z6b6s0x-mJ64/s1600/DSC02156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_p2P_IcFnBmUmF5TuNc6Dcxe6c2qNZdH2AKfMqTb6tNJzJkFDaS4w6_-cufvF0FpMEX3uKqmnfS7kqSCXnrbOxiUJK25KzKvyLz4EaYplURO3nyUclampz7EBHREqvDa7Z6b6s0x-mJ64/s1600/DSC02156.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">his love for the water is uncanny - this kid is like a fish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our next day we met up with my close friend and partner in crime, Monica. She's an assistant curator at the Shark Reef in Las Vegas, but she and I also met when we worked together at the dolphin habitat at the Mirage. We still have connections there, even after all of these years, so we took the kiddos to see some dolphins and then she brought us all "behind the scenes" at the Shark Reef. It was pure awesome! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIHnIbvH1Lcuuw_4USX9wS7Au1sL9W09gFfwbrkpOw19McJ_L05trErbXhstpv4HJZ000xhM0WvHHjQNAKQ0XwJ3XIP_MThOmGPbwtOYvj-rvmZj0HQqoKYttVzlFahU0PnnYJEvp0xgR/s1600/DSC02166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIHnIbvH1Lcuuw_4USX9wS7Au1sL9W09gFfwbrkpOw19McJ_L05trErbXhstpv4HJZ000xhM0WvHHjQNAKQ0XwJ3XIP_MThOmGPbwtOYvj-rvmZj0HQqoKYttVzlFahU0PnnYJEvp0xgR/s1600/DSC02166.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best pals watching the dolphins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogy2VhhZhUFRDQkjOcuozpIk0NUTv6JRUZmoJioeYD3bj16fZKRNnOguqLAHDAUTS_KHqh_OXHavR_GFFjAzNwofA9HaIS1w6-uUH7n9Bf60COg6rqvBf60443T4HdCs-ZkSbkbAGSc6G/s1600/DSC02180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogy2VhhZhUFRDQkjOcuozpIk0NUTv6JRUZmoJioeYD3bj16fZKRNnOguqLAHDAUTS_KHqh_OXHavR_GFFjAzNwofA9HaIS1w6-uUH7n9Bf60COg6rqvBf60443T4HdCs-ZkSbkbAGSc6G/s1600/DSC02180.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">did I mention we still had connections? yep, the boys got to feed the dolphins and do a little bit of training...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1rCuaXS2_PFscMwc9SD0l8r_8QhyphenhyphenLypipZR5Tedtbvl5aXklNS_aNLAxu9a1IJA-umfcBsSXd5Dz2VLdGkCtfGoc9LIXTQYOlmXs8fVbMZySnz4Dkc_So6HLlGpp5OBdaHAEh8jGoTUl/s1600/DSC02196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1rCuaXS2_PFscMwc9SD0l8r_8QhyphenhyphenLypipZR5Tedtbvl5aXklNS_aNLAxu9a1IJA-umfcBsSXd5Dz2VLdGkCtfGoc9LIXTQYOlmXs8fVbMZySnz4Dkc_So6HLlGpp5OBdaHAEh8jGoTUl/s1600/DSC02196.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and they snuck in a pet or two. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiJgdY0ET29gyU4MU_Kt9cyb43jM4OkPeQuc-jBA6mO3IirW5NWiwEN04r8PXN_geabm0VfjCqojTkIVy6CLP2wfS5ETBjhIMykYmcVGN1yGFkHW_hSzlEslIDuQTKRrYrs5GSpK3sfn6/s1600/DSC02208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiJgdY0ET29gyU4MU_Kt9cyb43jM4OkPeQuc-jBA6mO3IirW5NWiwEN04r8PXN_geabm0VfjCqojTkIVy6CLP2wfS5ETBjhIMykYmcVGN1yGFkHW_hSzlEslIDuQTKRrYrs5GSpK3sfn6/s1600/DSC02208.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby c watching the big shark tank from up above!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhgQXw4XjLv294f3KHFa-5YQzUlaOwA9DjBM9lnY4ErxkPc2GbAVEE2dsXqsbUTYJusYQ3ue3-xKNQ_aQ5DwlRDeYJTPTpaKPpmK1aswXvR9LaiLolloNt8JMvcsooCLCcJMdQVQAi_zH/s1600/DSC02227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhgQXw4XjLv294f3KHFa-5YQzUlaOwA9DjBM9lnY4ErxkPc2GbAVEE2dsXqsbUTYJusYQ3ue3-xKNQ_aQ5DwlRDeYJTPTpaKPpmK1aswXvR9LaiLolloNt8JMvcsooCLCcJMdQVQAi_zH/s1600/DSC02227.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">its too dangerous for the boys to feed the sharks, but the sea turtles loved the attention and the snack!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSn73xDtET-fgPBMJStzKS2zcIwhwn6hjuAU1k8XnJd_71_fChZAmxXZ8QsKwUNgniipuMjAoTcoUk5v5Mgp4QTkUJrzWZ7dlhqLN3p9B05OE0PZ8ez6gket3nCUj84cHEOJQTZPjDimYv/s1600/DSC02234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSn73xDtET-fgPBMJStzKS2zcIwhwn6hjuAU1k8XnJd_71_fChZAmxXZ8QsKwUNgniipuMjAoTcoUk5v5Mgp4QTkUJrzWZ7dlhqLN3p9B05OE0PZ8ez6gket3nCUj84cHEOJQTZPjDimYv/s1600/DSC02234.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monica has the coolest pets, and this snake was little r's fave!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another amazing adventure to log into our book. This might not have been southern France, the Alps, or Tuscan wine country, but it was just as awesome and incredible in every way. We've been going nonstop for quite awhile, so I'm going to do my best to contain this adventurous crew and get us settled and into a routine. Knowing us though, it's not likely to be long before we have more to write home about.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Love you all, and I hope you had fun reading about our western adventures as much as we loved having them. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
</div>
JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-54692080217846642542014-07-28T15:37:00.001-04:002014-07-28T15:37:09.109-04:00Rest In Peace, Cheryl...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivev3NLuSNBmjWoqTrvgJbMHN0qMgiKebf5Fu7U4kDpwhFzJMcUwP_4iknu8UqmkJoH_6-HpKjhtrBir4AcCqsgTemoTQs4FOY-nZaJ02myw8c-vIN7d8riL3I68HNBGdVvAXYtRimwGn1/s1600/2302_48790349346_5286_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivev3NLuSNBmjWoqTrvgJbMHN0qMgiKebf5Fu7U4kDpwhFzJMcUwP_4iknu8UqmkJoH_6-HpKjhtrBir4AcCqsgTemoTQs4FOY-nZaJ02myw8c-vIN7d8riL3I68HNBGdVvAXYtRimwGn1/s1600/2302_48790349346_5286_n.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
Receiving the news that Cheryl Hanna had suddenly passed away left me broken hearted. Cheryl was a brilliant woman that was influential to so many lives through her classes at Vermont Law School, her well-known legal comments on NPR and other Vermont media, and her numerous publications. Many amazing things will be written about Cheryl. Her resume is long and distinguished with all of her publications and accomplishments. Her role in the Vermont Law community is arguably unmatched, and I think many students and alumni would agree that very few professors left a mark on their legal careers the way she did. There is no doubt that the legal community lost someone irreplaceable. <br />
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Those many articles about Cheryl probably won't mention those things that made her special to me and to others that were fortunate enough to know her on a personal level. As a professor she inspired me to strive harder and realize my true potential. She knew what I was capable of long before I knew to even try. Most people do not know that I almost failed her class. Seems impossible to think of now, but an office visit later and not only was I on my way to acing Constitutional Law, but I had made a friend of a lifetime. At the end of the semester, we contacted each other about doing legal research together, the next three years of law school and beyond, I was fortunate enough to work side by side professionally with one of my closest friends. <br />
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I spent many afternoons and evenings laughing over articles and research, sharing a glass of wine, and discussing the nuances of the latest Supreme Court case with this incredible person. She could read people extremely well, and she saw the best in everyone. Her loss is devastating not only to me, but to the legal community, her family, and to Vermont. Vermont Law School will never be the same. <br />
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Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing your wonderment with us all, and for helping so many of us fall in love with the law and go after the passions and dreams inside of us. </div>
JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-34085097889862820172014-07-18T21:01:00.001-04:002014-07-18T21:01:08.900-04:00I never expected cars to be so complicated...
<p> It's true, you know, I really never thought that moving overseas with our vehicles would cause so many headaches and so much stress. It has really been ridiculous. Not all of it has been bad. There are parts of the process that have gone smoothly, and for that I'm thankful, but I could really do without all the other silly beeswax, I honestly could...</p>
<p>You heard me mention before that Big R's race car was not waiting for us in Atlanta as it was supposed to be. Well, I'm happy to say that it finally broke free of its three weeks in customs' hell and found its way to Atlanta. We were in the middle of a much needed vacation with family and friends out west when Big R got the news, so plans had to be changed so he could fly back to Atlanta and bring his beloved race car home. Aside from an extremely long wait, the pick up process was relatively painless compared to the awaiting its arrival. We spent over two weeks calling every other day to be told that two weeks stuck in customs was the "norm" for vehicles coming overseas. Ha! Yeah, right. We knew better, but there was little to nothing we could do about it except rejoice when it made its way to Atlanta.</p>
<p>I stayed behind to hang out with my mom on the ranch. There was more horsin' around to be had, and I was enjoying the bonding time. The next auto madness was related to the tracking and arrival of our BMW. The whole process was a huge mess, but I had no idea how bad it would finally get before we had the car in our possession. BMW has hired a contractor to handle the shipments. My contact started out fantastically helpful, only to have that assistance fall to the wayside. We had been told by others that they send you your invoice (yes, the hidden fees are marvelous - they pay the large chunk of shipment costs, but don't be fooled by the customs and handling fees), and provide a tracking database to you within that first week or so of shipment. We somehow didn't get any of this information until the BMW was ETA into port. </p>
<p>The data tracker made me feel like the hugest idiot. Don't you hate that? Maybe I am missing a few marbles, but you'd think a couple of attorneys could figure this stuff out. The mere fact that the instructions state we would have a 9 digit number linked to all the information, and a 7 digit number for customs, was compounded by a few extraneous digits and inconsistent information across both of them. I was making myself blind trying to read the thing. My mom defintely thought I was losing it. I made sure to fill out the paperwork to pay the invoice with the hope the BMW would arrive any day. The hope work, but the payment did not. When the BMW was released, we weren't any closer to having our payment processed nor did we have any clearance documents. I felt like I was constantly on the phone and emailing these folks and it was getting us no where.</p>
<p>I know you are wondering how this got all crazy balls on us at the last minute, because it exploded into a mess of colossal proportions. Big R is buried in in-processing appointments and a need to expedite things to get to work. The army doesn't mess around when it decides it needs its lawyers. I have two kids - enough said, this lady wasn't heading to port to collect a vehicle with these crazy bears. </p>
<p>I called to check on the status and our contact informed me the documents and payment would be wrapped up in the next hour. Big R made his arrangements and noticed the flight was $75 cheaper than it had been the last two days, so he bought his ticket to Charleston to get the BMW out of port. We knew better, we really did because nothing in this process has gone as it's supposed to. By the next morning, the credit card hadn't even been charged yet. Not a good sign. Big R was long on his way. Turns out the card was denied (thanks a million USAA, your timing was impeccable on this one), and yet no one informed us despite our sharing the plan that we were heading to port the following day to collect the car. Oy... It gets better... I know, your thinking, dumb, how could we go without documents, but the afterthought is much more hasty than the reality at the time. </p>
<p>I'll make this part of the story quick, despite our rep being MIA, we managed to get updated credit card info to the company and our clearance papers were released. Big R grabbed a cab to downtown Charleston from the airport (which was built before the civil war and is apparently an old disaster of an airport), and walked to the port.</p>
<p>Let me back up just a tiny half beat of a second to let you in on what I was doing while Big R was handling this side of the arrangements. I was packing up to leave Vegas and my mom after an amazing vacation. We used frequent flyer miles because is has gotten painfully expensive to fly in the US (I had no idea how spoiled we were in Europe), and it was a red eye flight... Kind of... It left at 1am PST, stopped in Houston for a super fast layover, and then went on to Nashville to arrive at 9am CST. That sounds painful even to the most able of moms, and to add insult to injury, baby c decided to wake us all up at 5am and then refuse to let any of us nap later in the day. Needless to say, I was seeking Wonder Woman strength to make it through. </p>
<p>We beat the rush at the airport, just in time for the boys to melt down at the gate. We walked onto a very full flight to find out we were sitting next to "that guy." You know, the one you always pray is not sharing your seat. He looked liked the guy from American Choppers (you know the show, I know you do), covered all over in tattoos, and reeking of booze. At several points during the flight I was certain he was going to ralph, but he managed to hold it together. He was a huge person, and my boys could contain themselves no more. Until 20 minutes into the flight when they both decided to give into the exhaustion, I was seriously having an out of body experience. Pure mayhem. But it ended. I had to pull poor little r to our connecting flight on the opposite end of the terminal while he cried from exhaustion, only to collapse in a chair and fall back asleep. </p>
<p>We were crazy tired when we got home, so I wasn't ready for the afternoon to up the anty on me. Let's flash forward again.. Big R is walking to the port from a Kinkos downtown (yes, he walked because he's nuts like that), and he gets to the port only to find out he's missing some critical number. This stupid number is so important, they won't even let him into the port without it. This is when things started getting really fun. Our rep remained MIA, so I had to do all the coordinating with an employee that was trying her best. Big R was in the meantime negotiating with the port staff to first get inside the gates and then to lower the military boom that sets the urgency clock in motion. Whether we like it or not, duty calls, right? Well, between that and his charm it somehow worked. He won them over. This was a good thing because the company I was working with was clueless. She had me convinced for awhile this whole deal was our fault because we really had them in a bind. Well, hey, try informing your clients when payments don't go through and then disappearing with the laptop that contains all the necessary information, and then tell me again it was us that caused the bind. Yeah, I'm not even going there...</p>
<p>I probably would have been more calm except that we were about 45 minutes now from the port closing on a Friday. Baby c had thankfully been napping, but he woke up with a crap-loaded diaper about 15 minutes before our deadline. How do that do that?! It's uncanny! </p>
<p>I'm mid-wipe on a screaming child when she calls to tell me she can get the much needed number but it'll cost us $100 and there is no guarantee we'll get the port to stay open to get our car out that day. I'm sure you can picture how I took that. She said she thinks it would be best if we waited until Monday to go back when her coworker was back in the office. Obviously she was in way over her head and had no idea what to do. But yes, we live down the street from this place and can effortlessly hang out until Monday. The woman hadn't thought this through nor was she aware of the repercussions of her suggestion. I'm racing from room to room doing that horrible thing mothers do and never like to admit it when they are trying super hard to handle business on the phone with a screaming child attached to my ankles, poor baby c. Didn't help that little r was being a maniac. It was pure mayhem in my house, and the timing was horrible. </p>
<p>At this point Big R's phone had died. Yes, seriously, it was dead as a door nail. I had to call the dock office to try to find him. Turns out Big R's charm had the entire port staff working to get his car out of hock. Nicely played, honey. The dock supervisor was livid and could not believe the shipping company was going to charge us to do their job. Ah, hell, I just wanted my car! Long story short, the port staff found us a freaking number and got our car out of port without charging us a penny. We're sending them at least one fruit basket and a crap load of chocolate. I mean seriously, what a colossal mess!</p>
<p>Ok, so we now have both cars, we are still waiting on two shipments that will start this week. I'm down one glass of wine with my body half into bed, and Big R is refueling with old friends stationed a short drive from Charleston. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I could really use a few less surprises and I'm ok with not having any more days like this one anytime soon.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Here's to more stories and madness to share because my life is never a full moment!</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Cheers!</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>xoxoxo</em></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-54587855940597774412014-07-09T18:02:00.000-04:002014-07-09T18:02:50.744-04:00Seriously?! We can't make this stuff up...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
And here you thought that our family leaving Europe meant the adventures were over and my blog was going to be nothing but a collection of mediocre stories. I really have been thinking that my blog is going to get insanely boring in comparison. I suppose that would be a pretty normal expectation, but those that know me know that adventure has a way of finding me. <br />
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My mom lives on 40 acres in the Mojave Desert - literally in the middle of nowhere. Our last visit to their ranch was the spring before we left for Germany, and we had a ton of fun adventures that visit as well, including a <a href="http://www.river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2011/05/lions-and-tigers-and-snakes-oh-my.html" target="_blank">desert hike with rattlesnakes</a> and a <a href="http://www.river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2011/05/beep-beep-jeep-jeep.html" target="_blank">fun visitor in my mom's jeep</a>, but nothing like the way we kicked off this trip. Everything actually started off pretty chill. The flight for us from Phoenix where we were visiting Big R's mom was easy as pie. (Although we managed to pick the one flight that was scheduled during the World Cup game only to land and discover that Germany beat Brazil 7-1, what?! so crazy...) After collecting us all, including my sister and her husband, we had delicious BBQ and then got on the road to head out to the ranch. It takes about an hour and a half with a large portion of the drive being on gravel road.<br />
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An absolutely amazing storm was making the sky an incredible sight. We even stopped to grab some pictures and then hit the road to race the storm home (because you never know if a good storm will wash the road out - exciting, right?).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihU2mQwCHtBmfAg7KhjFAVLGWWGylv3bqcAfG9b1eXqMOvx9PjccUJ-BKViJY11KZSI4oMunnmewompb3CkKzJ8OrgaziZwBzTFfi6reK4GPjrBTyG2NLErTMmozwx2kuDIjrLuEAIS8n-/s1600/NY+mts+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihU2mQwCHtBmfAg7KhjFAVLGWWGylv3bqcAfG9b1eXqMOvx9PjccUJ-BKViJY11KZSI4oMunnmewompb3CkKzJ8OrgaziZwBzTFfi6reK4GPjrBTyG2NLErTMmozwx2kuDIjrLuEAIS8n-/s1600/NY+mts+sunset.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New York Mountains in the Mojave Preserve</td></tr>
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It rained, but not hard. There was a decent show of thunder and lightning and the air felt clean and crisp. Big R disappeared outside to take pictures of the lightning, of course, and as he was walking back inside, the sky lit up and a lightning bolt struck so close the house shook and Big R's hair was standing up when he walked in the door. That'll get your attention! We knew it was a stone's throw away, although none of us saw the actual lightning bolt strike the ground. We all chuckled and caught our breath through sighs of laughter and went about our business. Ignorance is bliss :)<br />
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About five or so minutes later, Big R wandered outside again, and he returned rather quickly and quite casually said, "you guys have fire." My husband is a wonderful man, but he's also a jokester. I could tell by the look in my mom's face that she wasn't sure whether or not to believe him. My stepdad, Tom, hopped up immediately to look outside, and Big R repeated, "I'm dead serious, we have a fire on the hill!" Sure enough, the lightning bolt had struck a juniper on the hill near the house and was flaming. YIKES!!! I hate the way I react to these things. Panic is not my best friend, and two things terrify me to no end: tornadoes and fire. My heart was literally in my throat. <br />
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Big R is thankfully a leader in crisis situations, and the next thing we know he is gearing up to head out in the "ranger" with a shovel in hand. The hill is a mini-mountain and quite steep, but that flame was too close for comfort and BLM can only get here so fast. In his mind, there was no time to waste. My brother-in-law, Ryan, jumped right in, and despite protests from both Big R and Ryan, my sister insisted she go as well. Her response? "If it's safe enough for you, it's safe enough for me. I'm going." Just love that girl. <br />
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Rain picked up and the flame died out. They couldn't find where the lightning strike hit the tree, so they came back and we chilled out on the porch watching with relief as we saw the flame so much as disappear with the rain storm. We got the boys into bed (finally) after poor little r shook himself to sleep. Baby c couldn't be happier to fall into bed, but I for some reason couldn't let him go during all the excitement as I kept picturing in my mind us loading up the horses in the trailer and packing up the car in record time. We were momentarily relieved that the fire died down and hoped it would fizzle out naturally. BLM told us to call if it flamed up again, otherwise they would be out by morning. Tom and I were already discussing shifts because there was no way this crew was going to sleep with a potential fire in our backyard. <br />
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Sure enough, about an hour or so later, the rain stopped, the wind picked up at the start of another storm front, and the blaze rekindled. In a matter of minutes it went from seemingly dormant to being ablaze! We decided not to mess around, and after eyeing the location with the telescope and binoculars, Big R was even more comfortable this time with reaching the blaze. Honestly, the fire was picking up so quickly, we were afraid not to respond especially knowing it could take BLM upwards of an hour or longer to get the blaze. <br />
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They parked the mule at the base of the hill, and climbed up. I was amazed at how quickly they reached the fire. They were able to contain the embers, but the tree was like hot coal all the way to the core and they didn't have the equipment they needed to put it out. Needless to say, we were happy knowing BLM was on their way. Sleep was not going to be had among this group until this fire was completely put out. Jokes were flying on the radio, and Big R, Ryan and my sister were chillin with the fire until BLM arrived. <br />
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BLM showed up with a big 'ol fire truck that was never going to make it anywhere near the hill. So, they packed up water bladders and other equipment, and Tom used the "mule" to bring them closer to the sight to save some energy. Because this wasn't enough of an adventure, the mule decided to get caught in a ditch and bottom out. I couldn't figure out what was taking Tom so long to get back, and thought maybe he had decided to join the firefighters on their hike up the hill until I finally saw him walking up from the barn at the base of the property. What the heck?! Yep, he wandered his way back in the dark - no flashlight, no radio, and only the porch light to show him his way - only to grab the tractor and my mom to head right back out to tow the thing out of the way. <br />
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My parents made it back with tractor and mule in tow, and thankfully both in one piece, right around the time my sister informed me that they were in a mad search for the ranger because they parked it in the dark and had no clue where they put it. I'm happy to report they finally found it and made their way home. We all sighed a huge sigh of relief, and Big R had a grin from ear to ear. I'm about ready to pass out from all the adrenaline and he's having a ball. Guess I'm glad I have him as a life partner to make it through any life crisis! <br />
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Phew... I think after it was all said and done, it was about 1:30 in the morning. Bed was a welcomed sight for all. Thanks, mom, for planning an outrageously exciting start to our vacation on the ranch :)<br />
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Despite the crazy beginning, we are already having a blast. The boys had us up early, and we've ridden horses, played with tractors, gone on hiking adventures discovering bobcats, and I even managed to get in a yoga practice during one of baby c's naps. The ranch is an absolutely beautiful place in every way imaginable. <br />
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Here are a few pictures to share the fun we are having. Hopefully we've left the wildest adventures behind us for this trip!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp90OZfwJAs6_y0bWRunHsi-3fCVtVysiEAfw8fPNRBKOtgcGMz-wIweC2DBZ6CpOY4tBBzngqaGYGvLq_gWHXWQrp1Ct8sFYbKrRzr8JnMgy3pypxSixT-hEZWsilwcbOtO2XVHqm0r1/s1600/codytractor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp90OZfwJAs6_y0bWRunHsi-3fCVtVysiEAfw8fPNRBKOtgcGMz-wIweC2DBZ6CpOY4tBBzngqaGYGvLq_gWHXWQrp1Ct8sFYbKrRzr8JnMgy3pypxSixT-hEZWsilwcbOtO2XVHqm0r1/s1600/codytractor.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that smile says it all!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpY0lYHtTr47JNyRqupTGlF4BAEzJf_R1rtaUZkIWSdX8LrjCUpfzCYRSEbXeIImtDX0XgDgXtaSHFXJOTA-aMriJqplaDc7c-Wt1GQyQn4CsVfXJvNfN4bSzONyMNC1xj8EUspKpX7Qz/s1600/riverandtom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpY0lYHtTr47JNyRqupTGlF4BAEzJf_R1rtaUZkIWSdX8LrjCUpfzCYRSEbXeIImtDX0XgDgXtaSHFXJOTA-aMriJqplaDc7c-Wt1GQyQn4CsVfXJvNfN4bSzONyMNC1xj8EUspKpX7Qz/s1600/riverandtom.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa Tom and little r - one happy boy and his grandpa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hUCgMpwy7U1SpxqIo_6JsuAgAfmELmrPhjzGpjBiJ74Y0z3bf1u2Yn4o5FdUuloaSj81cOYtQw_gH5EWCBHhhm_5PIaLSvc-P-xTusLsH-eb9qsZDgIt9ldjqYu9AYhyN8gora5j6rEg/s1600/roryandstella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hUCgMpwy7U1SpxqIo_6JsuAgAfmELmrPhjzGpjBiJ74Y0z3bf1u2Yn4o5FdUuloaSj81cOYtQw_gH5EWCBHhhm_5PIaLSvc-P-xTusLsH-eb9qsZDgIt9ldjqYu9AYhyN8gora5j6rEg/s1600/roryandstella.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big R having a ball training Stella</td></tr>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-61015434176489535172014-07-07T00:57:00.000-04:002014-07-07T00:57:23.357-04:00Sweden: Saving the best for last<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know we are stateside now, but I still have some adventures to catch up on. As we faced our final year living in Germany, we knew that our last trip had to be a another venture up north to visit Big R's family in Sweden one last time. They are such incredible people, and we had no way of knowing when we'd get an opportunity to visit again. His grandmother and her family are all from Göteborg. We <a href="http://river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2012/07/to-sweden-with-love.html" target="_blank">visited his family</a> for the first time in July of 2012. We had no idea what to expect, and it was such an incredible visit we knew we had to go back at least once before we left Europe. <br />
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Our first Sweden trip was coupled with a quick <a href="http://river-runs-thru-it.blogspot.com/2012/07/copenhagen-do-you-mind-if-i-call-you.html" target="_blank">side excursion to Copenhagen</a>, and this time we wanted to be sure not to miss Stockholm. We spent far too much time trying to find the best itinerary for an affordable price. I think we actually waited until two weeks before our trip to purchase our flights, and I definitely waited too long to book a hotel. Not only is Stockholm a bit pricey, but it is a popular place in the summer time. (After having visited there, we now completely understand why that is!) Since we were going to be in Stockholm for literally 22 hours, I wanted to find a place that was near the action. The only hotel with vacancies within 30 km of the city center was $4,500/night. Totally doable, right? Well, I thought so, but Big R was thinking it might be a tad bit too fancy for our taste and the children having their own rooms probably wasn't a wise choice. So picky, that man... Haha. <br />
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Ok, so we completely lucked out with Air BnB, and I'm not kidding. We lucked out both because I got rejected more than a dozen times, and also because the place we ended up staying had the most incredible hosts in the most beautiful location and house. It was quite literally perfect and for a price that was affordable (for Stockholm...). Anna and Francisco were amazing. We were sad we didn't have time for a longer stay. Every once in awhile you come across people you feel like have been friends with you for a lifetime. That's how these hosts were - absolutely incredible hosts that felt we'd been friends with for years. They invited us to a BBQ and said if we were staying another day, they were going to take us out on their boat. Man! But we had amazing family to get to, so it was a quick stay despite the temptations to hang around a bit longer....<br />
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Stockholm is an incredible city. We've been looking forward to seeing it since before we arrived in Europe three years ago, and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately, when you visit a location for a quick 24 hours, the weather dictates the experience. When we arrived, the weather was not our friend. I could feel the disappointment oozing from Big R. After a whirlwind and VERY windy tour through Gamla Stan (or old city), we opted not to do dinner in Stockholm and instead had our airbnb host make us a reservation at a cute little restaurant on the docks a short walk from our flat. It was a great decision. We woke up first thing - literally at 2 a.m. - with brilliant sunshine. As soon as the kids were ready to go, we grabbed the tram and headed into the heart of the city so that we could get as much out of our visit as possible. Stockholm is absolutely incredible when the sun shines. We were blown away!!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwzuh3pVD9XcfOo0AEXCo11LBjByjzzeTAzvhZvMWm-rj60gwJnhWbJQeGWnClQoeRUmdjYEDtVbCMsclsKrUD4ALdNGuyzNx448CjjdPyyXwaFcAi8lhp0PWHQPXcPkAPOkZttBTwA4O/s1600/DSC01351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwzuh3pVD9XcfOo0AEXCo11LBjByjzzeTAzvhZvMWm-rj60gwJnhWbJQeGWnClQoeRUmdjYEDtVbCMsclsKrUD4ALdNGuyzNx448CjjdPyyXwaFcAi8lhp0PWHQPXcPkAPOkZttBTwA4O/s1600/DSC01351.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gamla Stan - Stockhom, Sweden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_Fzn8yKB4nLH6JEOTSH-EK5-2P_qgQJcu_voZObnIb8k6bdsozGR6IkFCHA4I0OrvMZ2gH3FQrXLtSB53vTfuqoX5S5vlo0IgQdQWrANJqmbZifv1Mri7T-0Kt23tpKFs1V-FHlqbcC9/s1600/DSC01355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_Fzn8yKB4nLH6JEOTSH-EK5-2P_qgQJcu_voZObnIb8k6bdsozGR6IkFCHA4I0OrvMZ2gH3FQrXLtSB53vTfuqoX5S5vlo0IgQdQWrANJqmbZifv1Mri7T-0Kt23tpKFs1V-FHlqbcC9/s1600/DSC01355.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">phone booth in Gamla Stam, and my little ham</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid8T7U913d3jeoG6cEZzma0_LcXYnU18a68KoONXLNWB01IIs-in9-ANrh4R5ViF59NGlAXgxnPo_qhr67tPLa6BzZbqLLv5ETeG2txiMHse6axFG5Elrp2m2fkG5lMb4q4HmcUUQIErZ/s1600/DSC01370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid8T7U913d3jeoG6cEZzma0_LcXYnU18a68KoONXLNWB01IIs-in9-ANrh4R5ViF59NGlAXgxnPo_qhr67tPLa6BzZbqLLv5ETeG2txiMHse6axFG5Elrp2m2fkG5lMb4q4HmcUUQIErZ/s1600/DSC01370.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">strike a pose, cute lil man</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ma56934mvZzV3EUok5nrvnY4yZhbqbKQ9enL5AS15b1CwEt8WPAYk-49bFPSS4s5eBEc__K0YyHUh77tlfSdSc9FATOScoYoj3c6YXlO0XR3rxtawPIHOu8Tc98iiRGXbvxc7zA0KfGm/s1600/DSC01373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ma56934mvZzV3EUok5nrvnY4yZhbqbKQ9enL5AS15b1CwEt8WPAYk-49bFPSS4s5eBEc__K0YyHUh77tlfSdSc9FATOScoYoj3c6YXlO0XR3rxtawPIHOu8Tc98iiRGXbvxc7zA0KfGm/s1600/DSC01373.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful church Riddarhomen church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Eh1FesgXTMEbxPAm80oJj_yAfL7Q5y2QM6RCW4nUtamnbEju6mk_7h1eThMDiGs2HKG4HWkR47F0wA_yY9y7tBmH2Hg7_nrgugjfWrWiVGcBml45jPPL_3KVZcZdrDPd4M1NmgiakoZN/s1600/DSC01384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Eh1FesgXTMEbxPAm80oJj_yAfL7Q5y2QM6RCW4nUtamnbEju6mk_7h1eThMDiGs2HKG4HWkR47F0wA_yY9y7tBmH2Hg7_nrgugjfWrWiVGcBml45jPPL_3KVZcZdrDPd4M1NmgiakoZN/s1600/DSC01384.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we loved the Swedish architecture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvYyT11li-fBRwQm2anVdmZhnpX0lQMHgehlW6iurasvYWTNFe53dqixi4N1RiPGYhzY6NrFCtqPgUDmrnejmADxo2beNBLxQAHcwYpNE6s9EMEW21fjg34qajfCVLVbGGJmI5GwqvkOc/s1600/DSC01389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvYyT11li-fBRwQm2anVdmZhnpX0lQMHgehlW6iurasvYWTNFe53dqixi4N1RiPGYhzY6NrFCtqPgUDmrnejmADxo2beNBLxQAHcwYpNE6s9EMEW21fjg34qajfCVLVbGGJmI5GwqvkOc/s1600/DSC01389.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view of the Riddarholm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT6ThavTSFtg83UmrOCgAum5kfe8fn787DAHpfkr1yS3cm0j76hR1R6RYu9ZqFm1PsPhbs3RgMJFMDbRIyqo2xKtIzBFJhyphenhyphengnCnIFpluLFHoYsPPs41nlTo2IR3XU1C3yETgzCZQiUf8y/s1600/DSC01391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT6ThavTSFtg83UmrOCgAum5kfe8fn787DAHpfkr1yS3cm0j76hR1R6RYu9ZqFm1PsPhbs3RgMJFMDbRIyqo2xKtIzBFJhyphenhyphengnCnIFpluLFHoYsPPs41nlTo2IR3XU1C3yETgzCZQiUf8y/s1600/DSC01391.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">side street on Gamla Stan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOp2T9uyWbpjlVQShKxilTWY2ykV19-Uj_QjX9qLWkG2LQhgUAdTaLjJ7MzQXfUCrIXTsa0O9oHVBkNfYmukfoXmssZtQDuGKJNTWtskHSKNsCT-PnPs01L80IIAiW5hhG-nmkWW6V7LC/s1600/DSC01395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOp2T9uyWbpjlVQShKxilTWY2ykV19-Uj_QjX9qLWkG2LQhgUAdTaLjJ7MzQXfUCrIXTsa0O9oHVBkNfYmukfoXmssZtQDuGKJNTWtskHSKNsCT-PnPs01L80IIAiW5hhG-nmkWW6V7LC/s1600/DSC01395.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was crazy windy that day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2Fi1xOntSZ5zVsz4wYyNf9-JOA2MDrfUrJLR247sVhPT4rWggrofsTKNkXkBgy5Igywrs_MM61W2DLakXyN_zncWkWG9W1odWmKeCnLAUzY2mHDiry_vf7enAFxhjNajki_ytMIg-dwk/s1600/DSC01399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2Fi1xOntSZ5zVsz4wYyNf9-JOA2MDrfUrJLR247sVhPT4rWggrofsTKNkXkBgy5Igywrs_MM61W2DLakXyN_zncWkWG9W1odWmKeCnLAUzY2mHDiry_vf7enAFxhjNajki_ytMIg-dwk/s1600/DSC01399.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can sense the wind if you look at the waves in the water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu7P5TBz3B0zKCK9NCywaed4zlXoLrJcql-OohFko707IF9nUdNo7h2k6bFbqnS2WcDcjvYm6ldo4bSMddO_1dR-Cyt9nZT8v1_1c_9djYMtiOKeI-QLHVbcrlu5gsvOskpcW7foYAesY/s1600/DSC01403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu7P5TBz3B0zKCK9NCywaed4zlXoLrJcql-OohFko707IF9nUdNo7h2k6bFbqnS2WcDcjvYm6ldo4bSMddO_1dR-Cyt9nZT8v1_1c_9djYMtiOKeI-QLHVbcrlu5gsvOskpcW7foYAesY/s1600/DSC01403.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we decided to have dinner in a quiet restaurant in a suburb port town</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fvBlKdgNdxoGbY503SHYWMVoNx5jGeYMLy7VOt7cxhj8tdWHlJDFsrsEtT8FwOf4tvayokslv3cqQfJyz9AkaAuU5x5MtReBTJDYouvkpQVrpdhw5mjqQIKWubL8B8euxOu2_5VSErcB/s1600/DSC01406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fvBlKdgNdxoGbY503SHYWMVoNx5jGeYMLy7VOt7cxhj8tdWHlJDFsrsEtT8FwOf4tvayokslv3cqQfJyz9AkaAuU5x5MtReBTJDYouvkpQVrpdhw5mjqQIKWubL8B8euxOu2_5VSErcB/s1600/DSC01406.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">up early and ready to go - the sun greeted us at 2:30 a.m.!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSpwf3hDVfedH45UB22iiQEk8I0F4W2ZCaf9fiNBZyjRGel7MzLzoEuPSG5rXBw1ODSH049gs-xMWCxsbS0Rpcp81sUtKRPkFdDz1-nFkyE6qKu_rzdX_MN8fGx88hKUJVytiTuVnKZqG/s1600/DSC01407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSpwf3hDVfedH45UB22iiQEk8I0F4W2ZCaf9fiNBZyjRGel7MzLzoEuPSG5rXBw1ODSH049gs-xMWCxsbS0Rpcp81sUtKRPkFdDz1-nFkyE6qKu_rzdX_MN8fGx88hKUJVytiTuVnKZqG/s1600/DSC01407.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stockholm is even more incredible in the sunlight</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-kCIK3vsC4FSe1b34zNz11OquSanfqHgXszS8HwvOtwV-ymEMYBeno-1f5u_-W_Bky4CqrEqA8IvnjjOgKbMlrvn8bvo4xn3vnQiYsze1ankKdbtp5DVVV90O_S5weQG2R77oHiTuiPf/s1600/DSC01409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-kCIK3vsC4FSe1b34zNz11OquSanfqHgXszS8HwvOtwV-ymEMYBeno-1f5u_-W_Bky4CqrEqA8IvnjjOgKbMlrvn8bvo4xn3vnQiYsze1ankKdbtp5DVVV90O_S5weQG2R77oHiTuiPf/s1600/DSC01409.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the views were breathtaking at every turn...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR78829kXTIToy_y-oWfHaQ6eeZNjGKWUYp9MYHIy1WJyj7DADhJWudMdJXf_GhvfPKfjl2rrvNIElfZvX93ky-UPXOjYtogAEIQamog3KZSXqLZh3Pw29D7ZCkbyeXJbqR6snzywY_mNO/s1600/DSC01412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR78829kXTIToy_y-oWfHaQ6eeZNjGKWUYp9MYHIy1WJyj7DADhJWudMdJXf_GhvfPKfjl2rrvNIElfZvX93ky-UPXOjYtogAEIQamog3KZSXqLZh3Pw29D7ZCkbyeXJbqR6snzywY_mNO/s1600/DSC01412.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another beautiful picture of Stockholm's architecture</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1Hsf5hmg-149wwpHqO58oquFafsinekdChXAseJi32VixYrGc98HDIZpo3qBRZD7_Y_U0d2b_x0_IaQKVkhYBxBfprviCwi6PZgx4B-LP6Iv1d-TODNdXvO8zfGTrdBlCkiTFmIUOyRf/s1600/DSC01429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1Hsf5hmg-149wwpHqO58oquFafsinekdChXAseJi32VixYrGc98HDIZpo3qBRZD7_Y_U0d2b_x0_IaQKVkhYBxBfprviCwi6PZgx4B-LP6Iv1d-TODNdXvO8zfGTrdBlCkiTFmIUOyRf/s1600/DSC01429.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ancient Vasar ship - uncovered after 400 years under water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhJLW1SMO5dVRgb5tO452JvHyGbtWWSjWZ16vRjbfsYpQTRbj2y5Zt-8twvgOTBrKFxvBkUD4W-IeUe8uVgrDJ6ClCIgdns49Yc6gKr_6OonDhcnrEt4MwB6o4hJ3vlV4IqdrLIhG9w_6/s1600/DSC01441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhJLW1SMO5dVRgb5tO452JvHyGbtWWSjWZ16vRjbfsYpQTRbj2y5Zt-8twvgOTBrKFxvBkUD4W-IeUe8uVgrDJ6ClCIgdns49Yc6gKr_6OonDhcnrEt4MwB6o4hJ3vlV4IqdrLIhG9w_6/s1600/DSC01441.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a scene from the boardwalk around Stockholm</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMsKXz2c43glbOEPBwzyg6WfMhPmWGQa9JCBtUhfgmqybkamm083S_iS75AkdAQkwU-Qg2GU8bqhcXIsQSzWMXmYAzQp6Z1BaxBI_VBF0LbXjSAaJaPaNN2-KzygT8mXsenlPGpCFqVml/s1600/DSC01443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMsKXz2c43glbOEPBwzyg6WfMhPmWGQa9JCBtUhfgmqybkamm083S_iS75AkdAQkwU-Qg2GU8bqhcXIsQSzWMXmYAzQp6Z1BaxBI_VBF0LbXjSAaJaPaNN2-KzygT8mXsenlPGpCFqVml/s1600/DSC01443.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">too cute not to share - love this little man</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYnN1E2ah7bCbn-ldR0gQsqp5jVhdo3R5TvwMHkrQ2UxFdfcXyEQp54PzbuEckzDh2VJURbdsn2IW96pwMyBtXkWwZCm47-jz-9zg46QIEoKlE8MRxTMjlso6pMB-L21v2-Alejoswx2w/s1600/DSC01448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYnN1E2ah7bCbn-ldR0gQsqp5jVhdo3R5TvwMHkrQ2UxFdfcXyEQp54PzbuEckzDh2VJURbdsn2IW96pwMyBtXkWwZCm47-jz-9zg46QIEoKlE8MRxTMjlso6pMB-L21v2-Alejoswx2w/s1600/DSC01448.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sunlight was spectacular!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdediqbT1tVvgr2aHYz2GklwD2l4YQukPb7ibXJbMN-YBZxGT91tsSWGyJhDyp4tFC0yHeAALtjG618zfm-yrMz5Oev_2tF3Bffkvh7ulLS0QgGb4drkdomxA6sM7J9zQfCGghEYfk4u3/s1600/DSC01455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdediqbT1tVvgr2aHYz2GklwD2l4YQukPb7ibXJbMN-YBZxGT91tsSWGyJhDyp4tFC0yHeAALtjG618zfm-yrMz5Oev_2tF3Bffkvh7ulLS0QgGb4drkdomxA6sM7J9zQfCGghEYfk4u3/s1600/DSC01455.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more views along the waterfront</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVLHLKR8xWAa1xwsvs3tINrj2Li6TC_f5W_j8Sdo6wu9rFey_TY8nHFfuj1oI1Jpd7pI6MD1YYWYst8GgCff6WrSXU1FCtMnuFf6JDADv1WFTJBG7lW4RTbC8pDBjgw8yZmCI5h0depar/s1600/DSC01464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVLHLKR8xWAa1xwsvs3tINrj2Li6TC_f5W_j8Sdo6wu9rFey_TY8nHFfuj1oI1Jpd7pI6MD1YYWYst8GgCff6WrSXU1FCtMnuFf6JDADv1WFTJBG7lW4RTbC8pDBjgw8yZmCI5h0depar/s1600/DSC01464.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the many Stockholm skylines</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Q8nare-hUuNkZHn6z89XtCondd9Z-AhzyVWNhZmAwVhm3-WPlYYw3LfjRZWg8cdWZSXHakmhtSL_FcqqxnMZithxUCRIHJ11gPGRtmroekyU7qNRDB6GrLN_1C8M1RJyc8xyZ-_TyPt/s1600/DSC01469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Q8nare-hUuNkZHn6z89XtCondd9Z-AhzyVWNhZmAwVhm3-WPlYYw3LfjRZWg8cdWZSXHakmhtSL_FcqqxnMZithxUCRIHJ11gPGRtmroekyU7qNRDB6GrLN_1C8M1RJyc8xyZ-_TyPt/s1600/DSC01469.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a unique view from the City Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA2rEsi2hg_cePcmEUWwx_7KBZvd68b2yWJpADg5Xu-sZHNoJf7vgU4nnQXXPNJmNCotNMFCxquO9o1H4x0Str0aArVpv7MReFBizUxRPWzJGhx31rL6MygmOOp0w-m1Cl36N9KqCrQEA/s1600/DSC01478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA2rEsi2hg_cePcmEUWwx_7KBZvd68b2yWJpADg5Xu-sZHNoJf7vgU4nnQXXPNJmNCotNMFCxquO9o1H4x0Str0aArVpv7MReFBizUxRPWzJGhx31rL6MygmOOp0w-m1Cl36N9KqCrQEA/s1600/DSC01478.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">such a gorgeous day!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06SfMrASavTcg6Tr4plTV_F0SVZa8JGnUQvr0CCGzDIhmj2dU2HfaN8mGRxEjkrzhhO8KSHXHnjEiJRbvUYN88ER4qX11hTYxbGYwwewBR3UwlA3h9us9Uq-bpLPksITLv9dgLTgW4-8U/s1600/DSC01479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06SfMrASavTcg6Tr4plTV_F0SVZa8JGnUQvr0CCGzDIhmj2dU2HfaN8mGRxEjkrzhhO8KSHXHnjEiJRbvUYN88ER4qX11hTYxbGYwwewBR3UwlA3h9us9Uq-bpLPksITLv9dgLTgW4-8U/s1600/DSC01479.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a quick peek into the kitchen of the flat we rented. how cute are those tiles?!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJ1HceVUc-21Cs_24MIoG4Z4Dy7OmAlIRGO5_-Vs5icNvOx9CvEizyrsBy6yNwHAIsiWk9rTk9sRq8kqqV0fRO7zugvGMDPleNoKg5Tpu8l9LUxYSuVw0d8jhqnv97cp81LSAMUHLr0tP/s1600/DSC01480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJ1HceVUc-21Cs_24MIoG4Z4Dy7OmAlIRGO5_-Vs5icNvOx9CvEizyrsBy6yNwHAIsiWk9rTk9sRq8kqqV0fRO7zugvGMDPleNoKg5Tpu8l9LUxYSuVw0d8jhqnv97cp81LSAMUHLr0tP/s1600/DSC01480.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another peek - we seriously want this couple to decorate our house!</td></tr>
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<br />
It was time to leave Stockholm and head west to visit with Big R's family in Göteborg. We planned our trip to fly into Stockholm, rent a car, and drive across Sweden to Göteborg. Big R's family gave us recommendations for the most scenic route, and it really was such a wonderful car trip across the country. About 5-6 hours later, we found ourselves welcomed by family. Along the way we enjoyed the Swedish countryside and a little yoga at a rest area along Lake Vättern. It was such a beautiful day, and the views did not disappoint. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3y-Y6128MTirUVEWGGkx8omduT5XpKr2jERPBbk58Nrs_MYImDHag6gl8OEaimVwBnOnYwUleRTsGyY7W6X96Onoa1C26tsXaoTfAU2jQP9R4HJlCg2p-229JJH8l8ZnokpdL2aNcWYS/s1600/DSC01481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3y-Y6128MTirUVEWGGkx8omduT5XpKr2jERPBbk58Nrs_MYImDHag6gl8OEaimVwBnOnYwUleRTsGyY7W6X96Onoa1C26tsXaoTfAU2jQP9R4HJlCg2p-229JJH8l8ZnokpdL2aNcWYS/s1600/DSC01481.JPG" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tom Tits Experiment" - seriously Tom, what have you been up to?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3Ox2opLRhHMDGEkDEkmyFbhvevlQpJKbw5_hf4WP-TL0FSTEukFCwYSc97rzzvP_6qUVgTktI_p0b4LcbCVKSUJzTa3GyGjLuKPBBM3ddrlH65G-4ZMnmhl9KB6n4mdp2iMSWdwgyrou/s1600/DSC01486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3Ox2opLRhHMDGEkDEkmyFbhvevlQpJKbw5_hf4WP-TL0FSTEukFCwYSc97rzzvP_6qUVgTktI_p0b4LcbCVKSUJzTa3GyGjLuKPBBM3ddrlH65G-4ZMnmhl9KB6n4mdp2iMSWdwgyrou/s1600/DSC01486.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous views of Lake Vättern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOzXj574d9L2XAaVWBj0XrqCfzewQFM3nC76KNp9E7TX-VuF1r_-yGOluWNIwy_vi3CS78BsCC11KxkBdctznTYDdeE1G4EuDXXVEz7VjNZQUZONXSgutovjbptE46IbYxot-on_Ve6B0/s1600/DSC01490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOzXj574d9L2XAaVWBj0XrqCfzewQFM3nC76KNp9E7TX-VuF1r_-yGOluWNIwy_vi3CS78BsCC11KxkBdctznTYDdeE1G4EuDXXVEz7VjNZQUZONXSgutovjbptE46IbYxot-on_Ve6B0/s1600/DSC01490.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so excited to get a break from the car...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3Wi4bwH2xBbIPiBOs67FoKmrDUULN1NA15W840suHyeP5DbxQv8AYudYL9-SZOXtxE_CBwBMzatluQbm3wWOp_oyAG3byKzHaQ-gNQpcTiR5yfbQzeTCy7jLqHrhPNcFpr9mUYQUMNFQ/s1600/DSC01491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3Wi4bwH2xBbIPiBOs67FoKmrDUULN1NA15W840suHyeP5DbxQv8AYudYL9-SZOXtxE_CBwBMzatluQbm3wWOp_oyAG3byKzHaQ-gNQpcTiR5yfbQzeTCy7jLqHrhPNcFpr9mUYQUMNFQ/s1600/DSC01491.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i enjoyed my break, too, and was inspired to strike a pose or two</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeVhyphenhyphenlE6m4Ev9eInZ_SOQP8aJF0xarUJRJTykpD2UU-TzCqSgafbh9cWeFSh3J3IIv86ULyMnrp1LCTqMUku5CJ3cXPtncCp2ZF9A62l2a5f5iQ2Umh-y7DiigUfi0Ow8KwPmVMj2iNHD/s1600/DSC01495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeVhyphenhyphenlE6m4Ev9eInZ_SOQP8aJF0xarUJRJTykpD2UU-TzCqSgafbh9cWeFSh3J3IIv86ULyMnrp1LCTqMUku5CJ3cXPtncCp2ZF9A62l2a5f5iQ2Umh-y7DiigUfi0Ow8KwPmVMj2iNHD/s1600/DSC01495.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eh, why not one more pose?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FgUZB8VmRQohBqhtKbCdqUNEokfzTUAr8Wse_Muapq-tPhNt3FAVT-ymBB-82w4Uc43QygI4YLlTsDAaeyefqUvDB2xVpJyWsDqpASSTPo0nMfr_D_pm7XhPtUj7SVBAAwmoNWL2yq-d/s1600/DSC01501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FgUZB8VmRQohBqhtKbCdqUNEokfzTUAr8Wse_Muapq-tPhNt3FAVT-ymBB-82w4Uc43QygI4YLlTsDAaeyefqUvDB2xVpJyWsDqpASSTPo0nMfr_D_pm7XhPtUj7SVBAAwmoNWL2yq-d/s1600/DSC01501.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yoga is apparently contagious with these backdrops...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtUjBf0l87u4rZGfuUKAA_OQwGG6kvMo9zE8zE1-vEDMeHRQs7XaBmO4D9ska23GO9qtKdClOms8dkRklbToAEzO6wFfUBLC2o2JOnoybJFShTauwEczw6XW30Yf0ROqfbug5MFmny73j/s1600/DSC01507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtUjBf0l87u4rZGfuUKAA_OQwGG6kvMo9zE8zE1-vEDMeHRQs7XaBmO4D9ska23GO9qtKdClOms8dkRklbToAEzO6wFfUBLC2o2JOnoybJFShTauwEczw6XW30Yf0ROqfbug5MFmny73j/s1600/DSC01507.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my boys :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_X6zLXP7a9CG4Wx8P6yqHQP5tFq3NfeS5TSV6FnEjp7HJnXdTFJTkU9bvmbot3lEm4btAsI6FhhBuGIqXzqAuX6LiplSCkZBVNRTVw4YSrSDA103J5Y8GyWMSdFOD7j4bfyIgYDEgXyg/s1600/DSC01513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_X6zLXP7a9CG4Wx8P6yqHQP5tFq3NfeS5TSV6FnEjp7HJnXdTFJTkU9bvmbot3lEm4btAsI6FhhBuGIqXzqAuX6LiplSCkZBVNRTVw4YSrSDA103J5Y8GyWMSdFOD7j4bfyIgYDEgXyg/s1600/DSC01513.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">classic Swedish countryside home - red barns are a signature look here</td></tr>
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We spent our first day just outside of Göteborg enjoying family to the fullest. Baby c was absolutely in love with Big R's grandmother's cousin. It was precious on every level. The boys had a ball. More family came to visit the next morning, and the little r tried hard to communicate with the boys his age using German. Hey, if they don't speak English, it must be Deutsch, right? It was too cute.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZARwx2G1OCt1XXt-pvffZacbB9JnX-J9Hj74pOuiyquN2k2dxGzTfWrWMtDTtYShokEwETSNxwI4mAAF1ECNUDJ8a2Pv0KP6HlGdeeqWJRATWlluJQpYDVOaa6TLfUfk4zFhsm3L32Ot_/s1600/DSC01516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZARwx2G1OCt1XXt-pvffZacbB9JnX-J9Hj74pOuiyquN2k2dxGzTfWrWMtDTtYShokEwETSNxwI4mAAF1ECNUDJ8a2Pv0KP6HlGdeeqWJRATWlluJQpYDVOaa6TLfUfk4zFhsm3L32Ot_/s1600/DSC01516.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">proud Swedish family :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q9bRCxpQk8NeTVFLmAdO-xyIqIb_grIe0EN1yBQEdZGwcqQPfva35ZvlX-8wfoGNAJJsfABe3RrnjfVKIL3-NnZoe4ULWfDxgOBxrZrGPsWkQP2fPKqtx41iSWXdfUyyjQOMLNyMsufK/s1600/DSC01517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q9bRCxpQk8NeTVFLmAdO-xyIqIb_grIe0EN1yBQEdZGwcqQPfva35ZvlX-8wfoGNAJJsfABe3RrnjfVKIL3-NnZoe4ULWfDxgOBxrZrGPsWkQP2fPKqtx41iSWXdfUyyjQOMLNyMsufK/s1600/DSC01517.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the boys had too much fun...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m7K8JPpCRiirIFTzg24T_ze2u_jsqFfPL6yUv7N4wGsLm3PtllgtGNHPobVhD9HT96TO6t9Ayw8gqDyM4_KTSV9ElAG1ZnLhJ34qV1ma0MYv7ho2qdRcyc8iHaTGlbpEjz1FthiCf90c/s1600/DSC01520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m7K8JPpCRiirIFTzg24T_ze2u_jsqFfPL6yUv7N4wGsLm3PtllgtGNHPobVhD9HT96TO6t9Ayw8gqDyM4_KTSV9ElAG1ZnLhJ34qV1ma0MYv7ho2qdRcyc8iHaTGlbpEjz1FthiCf90c/s1600/DSC01520.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and baby c fell in love with uncle bill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Na3V_NHY2vU8mGYBzYP5yPQQuHTvwylYrc2nKvjzaze6G9T64dkMgZmlNAhum44HF5u8HQ-1mjAElG7PLrNLpv2j2E8qGuDVEujHOi8G94FGv0BxcY9s5T-xRrIDeGqQaKWhx8SmgqDT/s1600/DSC01522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Na3V_NHY2vU8mGYBzYP5yPQQuHTvwylYrc2nKvjzaze6G9T64dkMgZmlNAhum44HF5u8HQ-1mjAElG7PLrNLpv2j2E8qGuDVEujHOi8G94FGv0BxcY9s5T-xRrIDeGqQaKWhx8SmgqDT/s1600/DSC01522.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">porch swings are the best!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBhdGqtTn7sxjjOP2XMUdIyjLjXuQXg0T3lkJrUtdW-F_QLsZLGk_5iV7o7f9ECvtHnoz-vnDW6HH3EZ76gPRXeXgUiQmCqgiH-VZl8SbtqTRlCUt-QuqF36tYBfM9AgayrEYu18KSDdb/s1600/DSC01524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBhdGqtTn7sxjjOP2XMUdIyjLjXuQXg0T3lkJrUtdW-F_QLsZLGk_5iV7o7f9ECvtHnoz-vnDW6HH3EZ76gPRXeXgUiQmCqgiH-VZl8SbtqTRlCUt-QuqF36tYBfM9AgayrEYu18KSDdb/s1600/DSC01524.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i just love those baby blues!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm0wsKnYUpxHQDq4A6fmzQc2roqyDBnJmvPshJuQMmixt9LynBs7nrnzQgjblF8eABBANIfQ9Vl4hRvjy_WTY1V4BSWMTRttKUbAKppUtx-6SBdfo7fBs91LAtAwMH1AgDUdzh5Jl9zjy/s1600/DSC01526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm0wsKnYUpxHQDq4A6fmzQc2roqyDBnJmvPshJuQMmixt9LynBs7nrnzQgjblF8eABBANIfQ9Vl4hRvjy_WTY1V4BSWMTRttKUbAKppUtx-6SBdfo7fBs91LAtAwMH1AgDUdzh5Jl9zjy/s1600/DSC01526.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and this handsome little man</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthKzgiNqUHuSONqSWFoH3UpaRXhHCjkqRur-B-WkXfkB110SVgjFP89TomrW8FL8AM5-m-LlwDA0KkIYwvF43zk1yswAWWbkmtYbV2rDlHo-CzLuLgjSl2K3ivOuFUHsI87Pn7irDjtW4/s1600/DSC01529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthKzgiNqUHuSONqSWFoH3UpaRXhHCjkqRur-B-WkXfkB110SVgjFP89TomrW8FL8AM5-m-LlwDA0KkIYwvF43zk1yswAWWbkmtYbV2rDlHo-CzLuLgjSl2K3ivOuFUHsI87Pn7irDjtW4/s1600/DSC01529.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we are definitely proud of our Swedish heritage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcKl9oTbcv5IiOoKJc-Qj50juHpw8ymUVp1WBr1hZlnPji1jNpTlYBZ0smWwd9387hGLZhyphenhyphenXjuqhiYq82Rf2M1rz4cMATpLrvvAyfIhHcRZWAefW-eaH8LoQZTBO9J1yv5CICi-oeJI4V/s1600/DSC01531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcKl9oTbcv5IiOoKJc-Qj50juHpw8ymUVp1WBr1hZlnPji1jNpTlYBZ0smWwd9387hGLZhyphenhyphenXjuqhiYq82Rf2M1rz4cMATpLrvvAyfIhHcRZWAefW-eaH8LoQZTBO9J1yv5CICi-oeJI4V/s1600/DSC01531.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r's favorite was the tree swing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Po4ULGICpOcNgjs7Xc4xhg3ZZJMR-cCX2etNChszsCfIZw6MWFNPShEgHa7BA5sCyS1Stryv3qMyFM12SEAgNHg1JNOrgU7iIUMMpATCNLr4EUD-fhcb-oiMRm6juDcX9t9hhHxxbYRq/s1600/DSC01536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Po4ULGICpOcNgjs7Xc4xhg3ZZJMR-cCX2etNChszsCfIZw6MWFNPShEgHa7BA5sCyS1Stryv3qMyFM12SEAgNHg1JNOrgU7iIUMMpATCNLr4EUD-fhcb-oiMRm6juDcX9t9hhHxxbYRq/s1600/DSC01536.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">family walk through the Swedish countryside</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdto7hKMIJUISgcK2-dbSjy69cOeQR533nryqV2HunNMeCJwroMFFcXH0YEXI4TXv9nimsWPQI-V-gYVFmj6tMf7BXE9ysfnqhr0aLcuNx86aC15c0-F5v1Qj-lH8VYAYUuyDab6qiGpw/s1600/DSC01538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdto7hKMIJUISgcK2-dbSjy69cOeQR533nryqV2HunNMeCJwroMFFcXH0YEXI4TXv9nimsWPQI-V-gYVFmj6tMf7BXE9ysfnqhr0aLcuNx86aC15c0-F5v1Qj-lH8VYAYUuyDab6qiGpw/s1600/DSC01538.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby c enjoyed every minute of our walk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6-N0PeBEy-KHdx5c0mHSPHR8TKPsgtiyblNT779eLZSbLqrKWVX2qNk8n3vFDr5OyET7SipA5HrbMrEI7TVfexYlG9gxCK5l84Coi9gEe76iRzVRRmVYeSvIq40XtNN3l2CEAMYzuV2c/s1600/DSC01545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6-N0PeBEy-KHdx5c0mHSPHR8TKPsgtiyblNT779eLZSbLqrKWVX2qNk8n3vFDr5OyET7SipA5HrbMrEI7TVfexYlG9gxCK5l84Coi9gEe76iRzVRRmVYeSvIq40XtNN3l2CEAMYzuV2c/s1600/DSC01545.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and little r did some serious pondering...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezpNBGwHaOv2yn_YQnhRNeQ_VjJKVle8qSEhCBI0IRg3d2GAYVHeZAPUCfU4tjOLyPVSErPtZ2m-reEnUNpzM08Bw0oUWz05MPPM_-0poy_eM4RN6-Z18mZ9wLLUvoCQ3KB_Z78SLpm-l/s1600/DSC01548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezpNBGwHaOv2yn_YQnhRNeQ_VjJKVle8qSEhCBI0IRg3d2GAYVHeZAPUCfU4tjOLyPVSErPtZ2m-reEnUNpzM08Bw0oUWz05MPPM_-0poy_eM4RN6-Z18mZ9wLLUvoCQ3KB_Z78SLpm-l/s1600/DSC01548.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we will miss you, Birgitta!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UzTB86QF0cRiM07vvsYXthsHYEs1k2twDBieIXvuOoZQHnpzBGMIZY4-Sc1vqJZ-2tYdblQWvF2QnGKXh2QOuln_4ombiSWLE9mmlryvhta_-lH8DGMLdPdt-nqBNJTp7_P8xGCyy2y3/s1600/DSC01551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UzTB86QF0cRiM07vvsYXthsHYEs1k2twDBieIXvuOoZQHnpzBGMIZY4-Sc1vqJZ-2tYdblQWvF2QnGKXh2QOuln_4ombiSWLE9mmlryvhta_-lH8DGMLdPdt-nqBNJTp7_P8xGCyy2y3/s1600/DSC01551.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">is it obvious these boys are all from the same blood line?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cVnaG_a7Br47tog-Zts99odZIYArtzimqf7P2LoLrqd0oAEhqBgOlFVTqV9UsEDg84LgRgkMfZwu-bEy7HPRlzfG8TqBadGXYX_fbtjIAhFa7HdrgWAcNEgXgFRZkyJHq-VU4cIvMovo/s1600/DSC01560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cVnaG_a7Br47tog-Zts99odZIYArtzimqf7P2LoLrqd0oAEhqBgOlFVTqV9UsEDg84LgRgkMfZwu-bEy7HPRlzfG8TqBadGXYX_fbtjIAhFa7HdrgWAcNEgXgFRZkyJHq-VU4cIvMovo/s1600/DSC01560.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">he had to get one more hug from uncle bill</td></tr>
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We said "good-bye" to one part of Big R's family to meet with another in downtown Göteborg at Liseberg - an old, and incredibly fun, amusement park. We had promised little r some rollercoasters and fun rides. All told, we had a great time. Little r enjoyed the flume ride, an crazy rollercoaster "train" ride that was insanely fast (I was blown away by his bravery!), and some other incredible fun. My face hurt from smiling, and most of it was because I loved how much fun little r was having. We stayed with family again that night a little closer to Göteborg, and we loved every minute of it. Such incredible people. Their son, although he was quite a bit older than little r, played with him and put up with his silly antics (including his ability to talk endlessly). We were impressed and so thankful. We watched some World Cup soccer, and enjoyed getting to know his family. I hope we can convince them to visit us in the U.S. soon!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BGfovuUaqWab3BYRIw2u7TZKfyxE69EmtTR2ay_ireBOIFcUeuRYqeqp1jgF-Fx2dTEKkQcKEZFrNDkASVJUniJTGmJhyphenhyphen5W054-rx-slHYzIIjWz5inLeF9vPe5o5ZobTasHe41SuYR6/s1600/DSC01561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BGfovuUaqWab3BYRIw2u7TZKfyxE69EmtTR2ay_ireBOIFcUeuRYqeqp1jgF-Fx2dTEKkQcKEZFrNDkASVJUniJTGmJhyphenhyphen5W054-rx-slHYzIIjWz5inLeF9vPe5o5ZobTasHe41SuYR6/s1600/DSC01561.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this ride was too much fun!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRhOrmntoIze6wISL7liOYDnaRd4Bx4N8HCcY8rh49bz83N1xPklZWjgQ3wcxpiLXNQjeSgFCGwWpt2bWsYxPZGqFP2nuho-4C2E5M5SSLpbmwNwb-n79_BLLCS5p_BCDHONjRmqVSsEC/s1600/DSC01565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRhOrmntoIze6wISL7liOYDnaRd4Bx4N8HCcY8rh49bz83N1xPklZWjgQ3wcxpiLXNQjeSgFCGwWpt2bWsYxPZGqFP2nuho-4C2E5M5SSLpbmwNwb-n79_BLLCS5p_BCDHONjRmqVSsEC/s1600/DSC01565.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r loved it and his new friend, Isak!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFGyXllQGQJ27_dXO9hfln4AfHQUN9JeA5pW8xofjCri2XUPugAyXJdQpt9CM0qwbYI9ZuAX0w5ACUaRfpVXktyk_Qk5TP9cj-f8oJ0jS4kOzXuom868K9GLWnSyOrhsnT6IJ_Wg9lyrp/s1600/DSC01569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFGyXllQGQJ27_dXO9hfln4AfHQUN9JeA5pW8xofjCri2XUPugAyXJdQpt9CM0qwbYI9ZuAX0w5ACUaRfpVXktyk_Qk5TP9cj-f8oJ0jS4kOzXuom868K9GLWnSyOrhsnT6IJ_Wg9lyrp/s1600/DSC01569.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby c is quick to find a snuggle buddy...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuLof09jL9Bft2VTroFP3R_4PvOCU2g0K1HYPcuFnq72hM58XpmzGloee6IUpfhCw-sp2dUIRqFYaI0jmyy1ypm1q-B4fSn9Cou6Jp927YJlKd9yWNseyiRcXuGLTsdcjIg_DkIF14tW9/s1600/DSC01571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuLof09jL9Bft2VTroFP3R_4PvOCU2g0K1HYPcuFnq72hM58XpmzGloee6IUpfhCw-sp2dUIRqFYaI0jmyy1ypm1q-B4fSn9Cou6Jp927YJlKd9yWNseyiRcXuGLTsdcjIg_DkIF14tW9/s1600/DSC01571.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and he always wants to be part of the fun!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3Tv3ajSdYY8PcYse37HxOQDxuA_LoxxoKVh7616hwgImxxY4vcayzhhtn94ojjrWZc9LUfYKQY5XSxx2u-iw_qKxtWoeqJnz0qhIMr9D3VXvyXJASgQvj_8xKVG6hKiofuctrpL6LIe7/s1600/DSC01586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3Tv3ajSdYY8PcYse37HxOQDxuA_LoxxoKVh7616hwgImxxY4vcayzhhtn94ojjrWZc9LUfYKQY5XSxx2u-iw_qKxtWoeqJnz0qhIMr9D3VXvyXJASgQvj_8xKVG6hKiofuctrpL6LIe7/s1600/DSC01586.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful architecture in downtown Göteborg</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3F9q8YQ1wBfpeUNF_KJyN1i-4OkoEHQ3593VR0boxAMYLwiYH5jYqk6S6Mq2u_y6bZubGh4InScIDwEMow4FD2r_cIZ1sLnZlMxkfkeZyc0PkxlWbf-E_2eexkAW1mLYAaUTXYieb-t8H/s1600/DSC01588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3F9q8YQ1wBfpeUNF_KJyN1i-4OkoEHQ3593VR0boxAMYLwiYH5jYqk6S6Mq2u_y6bZubGh4InScIDwEMow4FD2r_cIZ1sLnZlMxkfkeZyc0PkxlWbf-E_2eexkAW1mLYAaUTXYieb-t8H/s1600/DSC01588.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another shot of downtown Göteborg along the canal</td></tr>
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It was tough to say "good-bye" to Sweden and our family. We hope not much time passes before we can see them again whether in the U.S. or back in Sweden. Our final morning we spent strolling around downtown Göteborg. The weather wasn't terribly fabulous, and our time was short, but we were able to get a good feel for the city. Let's just say we were there just long enough to wish we had more time to enjoy what the city had to offer.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Until we meet again, Sweden :) </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>xoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-19070850940806982172014-07-01T21:25:00.001-04:002014-07-01T22:38:44.565-04:00We made it safely across the pond...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I told Big R on several occasions last week that my life felt like a circus. His response was, "it is"! That's probably being mildly dramatic, but boy did it feel that way so often throughout this moving process. No matter how hard we try to minimalize, we are professionals at surrounding ourselves with endless piles of <insert appropriate cuss word><insert appropriate="" curse="" word="">. After our last shipment was picked up, the remaining contents in our house had to fit in suitcases or otherwise be given away or tossed out. This resulted in endless trips to the recycling center and my constant badgering of friends trying to release ourselves of "stuff" we didn't intend to bring with us. </insert><br />
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One thing that became ever so clear to me during this process was that a one year old makes everything take about 5x as long as it should. Baby c, bless his heart, is a cutie, but not so much when both hands are covered in gloves and I'm up to my ears in cleaning products. With time running out, I got to a point where I just started throwing things into bags. That meant our hotel, too, was overrun with madness. I thought Big R was going to have a heart attack being surrounded by all of the clutter. He disappeared to take care of some out processing appointments, I bought a footlocker to send a crapload of stuff to our new house, and I went to work trying to organize our madness. It somehow all fit into suitcases, but we were a sight to behold at the airport.<br />
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After our last landlord debacle, I was super anxious about our final inspection to clear housing. I don't think I ever wrote about what happened during our move last summer, but let's just say our beautiful two years in Bischberg was jaded by our nasty ex-landlord being a colossal jerk. But I digress... I was a bundle of nerves. I'm happy to report that I had no reason to fret. As the inspector walked through the house, he paid me probably one of the best compliments you could receive in this situation - he told me the house looked so good, someone could move in the next day. YES! That felt like an amazing accomplishment. <br />
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With housing cleared, most of our "junk" accounted for, and our bags packed, it was time to pick up the rental cars. Yes, you read that correctly. That would be cars, plural, because my circus was so large we needed two vehicles to get us to the airport. Our plan was to spend the afternoon in Bamberg, but things always take longer than expected, and we were not up for an hour long drive. I was disappointed, but we needed a breather. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hgk_JOtUkrk/U7NfVQiadcI/AAAAAAAAIcw/q8s6XKu3--0/s640/Photo%25252020140701202418.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="400" id="blogsy-1404264326191.5156" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hgk_JOtUkrk/U7NfVQiadcI/AAAAAAAAIcw/q8s6XKu3--0/s300/Photo%25252020140701202418.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how we kept the cats happy and out of trouble while we stayed at the hotel.</td></tr>
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After our last German dinner, we got back to the hotel, got the boys into bed, packed up everything and loaded the car (less the pets, of course). We were just about to "Prost" our last German beer, when Big R realized that we never got notice that his racecar made it to Atlanta. I can't remember if I wrote about the crazy logistics of this move. So many things have to fall into place just right or the plan gets turned upside down. Consider the plan flopped. Time for "plan B" and some serious patience. Because we had pets in tow, the travel folks could only get us as far as Atlanta, but this would have otherwise worked out perfectly. One of the car delivery centers for military transport sits adjacent to the Atlanta airport. So, we scheduled to send the car early enough that we were guaranteed backwards and forwards it would be sitting waiting for us to arrive. Ha! Oh well... There are other stories attached to this debacle, but that's probably worth a blog post of its own. <br />
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So we drank ours beers and attempted to crash early knowing our wake up hour for the adventure was 2:30 a.m. Oh so fun. Needless to say, I didn't sleep at all. We got the crew in the two rental cars and took off for the Frankfurt airport. A mostly uneventful journey. We parked at the rental car station and the adventure contined. Two carts full of huge luggage, a dog crate, and two cat kennels, and we balanced our way into the terminal. Watching everyone's faces as our entourage scooted through the airport was priceless. I wish we had brought along a photographer because there just wasn't a good moment to capture the hilarity of it all. Imagine, if you will, Lando in his carrier balanced atop two duffle bags, another cart busting with enormous luggage, baby c strapped to my chest with a huge backpack on my back, and Big R sporting a large backpack both on his front and back. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h7O-h7gzyZM/U7NfYN989II/AAAAAAAAIc4/cdRShVhC5_w/s640/Photo%25252020140701202418.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="225" id="blogsy-1404264326122.0989" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h7O-h7gzyZM/U7NfYN989II/AAAAAAAAIc4/cdRShVhC5_w/s300/Photo%25252020140701202418.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to take a picture of our entourage trekking though the airport but this is the best I could do</td></tr>
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The cats were mewing, Lando was running around in circles in his crate, little r was moving his little legs as fast as he could to keep up and baby c was hooting in awe at all the lights and people. It was nuts. A long wait, a gazillion dollars later, and a confused airline agent trying to figure out why our reservations were under baby C's name, and we were on our way to find breakfast and our gate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The process involved a lot of waiting - quite the challenge for a 4 yr old</td></tr>
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Our move from the US to germany included a flight with a million stories. I am happy to say this flight was rather uneventful. It was chalk full of many movies, baby c doing a lot of fussing and hooting and very little sleeping, little r watching all his movies in German, and Big R and I bracing ourselves for the adventure that awaited our landing. Overall, nothing to write home about, and we like it that way. The only mild heart attack I had was when we were facing the realization that baby c's carrier was not FAA approved, and I thought I was going to hold a toddler on my lap for the entire 10 hour flight. I'm not sure if this is the standard rule or if the flight attendant felt pity on me when she saw the look in my face, but baby c only had to be strapped to my lap for take off and landing. Minor crisis averted....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V68RLuU8-h4/U7NfbB4nwsI/AAAAAAAAIdI/6RNsgDuGXsY/s640/Photo%25252020140701202418.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="400" id="blogsy-1404264326186.6953" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V68RLuU8-h4/U7NfbB4nwsI/AAAAAAAAIdI/6RNsgDuGXsY/s300/Photo%25252020140701202418.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles before they told me I couldn't use the baby seat on the plane - minor unplanned glitch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little r was a dream on this flight and Big R was just thinking about that free glass of wine</td></tr>
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If you ever do an international move with a family of children and pets, prepare yourselves for a freaking looooong process once you land. It took over an hour for all our bags to appear (but we got every last one!), and until we were reunited with our furry buddies. I had packed plastic gloves, throw away towels, and anything else I could think of to clean whatever mess our little creatures made of themselves on the flight. Amazingly, not a whisper of pee or poop in a single kennel. They were all comatose and happy to see us - it was a beautiful sight. <br />
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Half an hour later, we were through customs, and Big R stood watch while baby c and I retrieved the rental car. The rental car facility is next to the terminal, but the domestic terminal, which I didn't realize is on the other side of the world from the international terminal we flew into. It took us 20 minutes to shuttle there, a long wait in a line, and 20 minutes to drive back. I told the agent I needed a very large car to get my crew home, so she upgraded me to an Explorer. When did this SUV become such a behemoth?! Man, we have been gone from the US too long. Lol. <br />
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Everyone survived the wait except when Big R consolidated the cats into the smaller carrier, Sergeant decided Lucy's carrier was a much better place to take a dump, which he did, and then he proceeded to shove her into it. Such a sweetheart, that cat. Oy! Upon this discovery, I was very happy to know that I had reserved a hotel room at a crappy motel near the airport for cheap.<br />
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Big R and I managed to stay fairly calm through most of this adventure with the exception of a couple mild moments. Packing the car was Big R's turn for his meltdown. A long day, sweltering humidity that we aren't accustomed to, and way more crap than anyone should ever own in their lives, equalled a frustrating debacle as he tried to get it all into the car. The SUV is truly a behemoth, but it still took some craftwork to fit us all in. <br />
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I had no idea what kind of a dump I put us up in for the night. It was by far the most disgusting place I have ever stayed. The staff was friendly, but I kept finding black hairs in the bathroom as I cleaned poop off the floors from my cats. Not sure what was more disturbing. Meanwhile I hear baby c having a massive meltdown as Big R promptly tossed a mound of nastiness diaper into the bathroom at me. Gross! By the time I finished torturing the cats (and let's face it, torturing myself), I surfaced from the bathroom to find all my boys asleep. Exhausting day all around. My adrenaline was through the roof, so I found a coca cola and a bag of chips, and I surfed the internet for awhile to decompress. <br />
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We couldn't be happier to escape the motel, and the car showed no signs of arriving that morning. So we hit the road early, stopped at Starbucks just outside Atlanta and enjoyed the friendly southern people, and met our new landlord at our beautiful house just before noon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look out, Tennessee - we're here! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lando settled in nicely :)</td></tr>
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Phew... I'm exhausted typing it all! We are all doing pretty incredible. I'm so proud of my boys, Big R included, and the furry ones were amazing as well. It was an adventure as it always will be, but we survived another overseas move. Look out, Tennessee! Our family has arrived and we're ready for our new adventures to begin. Guess it's time to revamp my blog :)<br />
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-58554777140582878312014-06-11T04:17:00.000-04:002014-06-11T04:17:11.135-04:00Un-nesting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are about to cross into our last two weeks here in Germany. WHAT?! Yeah, that's kind of how we feel about it, too. It is hard to believe that this adventure is coming to a close. Onward and upward - time to make new memories in a new place. This is something we are starting to get pretty accustomed to, but it doesn't make it easier. In some ways, it almost seems that with each move it gets a tad bit harder - probably because we know how tough it is to leave the places and people that we love. <div>
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Overseas moves are especially interesting because the transition seems to last forever. Whether we like it or not, all that "stuff" we like to live with every day has to climb onto a boat and sail across the ocean (vehicles included), so you live in a limbo state for a little while. The government was sweet enough to lend us furniture, so it hasn't been too bad. Sometimes living simply is a good thing, especially when you know it's only temporary. That said, it is still a state of limbo. A state of simplicity with a mix of creative complications. Our house is relatively empty, but we are surrounded with endless lists and paperwork as we attempt to keep this transition somewhat organized (always an interesting feat). </div>
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We had our pre-inspection back when they moved all of our household goods onto a truck. The list isn't too long of things we have to do to clear housing, but there will definitely be some elbow grease cleaning involved. I tend to fall into this mode of thinking, "why clean much now when you have to scrub the floors in a few weeks?" So, I go about my days sweeping floors and wiping counters, but otherwise trying not to notice that I haven't mopped in awhile, blah blah blah. </div>
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This is where that whole "un-nesting" deal comes into play. I decided this viewpoint was ridiculous. Why live in a mess for a month just to clean it well and let the professional cleaning crew enjoy it. Yeah, I opted out of that whole opinion and decided that it would be nice for us to have a bathroom floor so clean you could eat off of it, or a refrigerator be spotless. I started cleaning like a crazy person between homework assignments, naptimes, yoga sessions, and publications. I actually feel much better. Weird how that works.</div>
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I've also decided that I'm going to stop focusing on how much I'm going to miss it here and start letting myself be excited about moving home. The sadness has been overwhelming. It's not a big secret that we love it here. The travel is one thing (because seriously, who could NOT love all this travel), but mostly we just really love living in Germany. It's a place we have learned to call home, and we feel at peace here. When we moved to Germany, I honestly couldn't think of anything that I missed about home except for my family and friends (it has definitely been tough being so far away from the people we love and care about these past 3 years). I started making a list of things I'm excited to go back to now that it's right around the corner. Simple things like having a mailbox at the end of my driveway, being able to pay for gas at the pump, having a gym membership at a place with daycare, being in a closer time zone with our friends and family... silly little things like that. I am beyond excited about our plans to visit family this summer. Literally making my heart smile every time I think about it and the people and places we haven't visited in over three years. </div>
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So, here's to un-nesting and enjoying the hell out of Germany for two more weeks. We have one more adventure this weekend when we head up to Sweden to visit with Big R's family one last time before we leave Europe. Then we get home and the moving madness goes into full gear - we ship the car, get health certificates for the pets, pack up the remaining items for our final shipment, and I finish up my finals and move one step closer to that LLM degree. </div>
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<i>Speaking of school, it's time for me to get back to work. See you all when we get back from Sweden!</i></div>
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<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-31135823899418025212014-06-02T16:03:00.001-04:002014-06-02T16:03:18.421-04:00Wine Club - can't think of a more perfect thing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yep, a wine club. Could we seriously come up with anything more awesome than a reason to make sure a group of your closest local friends gets together on a regular basis? Nope, I didn't think so. I'm actually in shock that I haven't come up with this idea before. It happened completely by accident, which I think is how most brilliance is derived...<br />
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So, when I moved to Erbendorf last summer, one of the first people I met was my friend, Sheri. She's kind of awesome in just about every sense of the word. We immediately hit it off, and before long, we would make time once in awhile to take a break from all the mommy madness and share an evening with each over a glass of wine. Then we started inviting our other girlfriends in the neighborhood. Somehow this turned into a wine club and it is literally the most awesome thing. Book club is clearly overrated. I mean, don't get me wrong, I always love a good book, but who has time to read these days anyway?! I say that with a heavy heart, though, because it's painful to me that I don't have time to read, but I'm very happy to find another reason to bring a group of amazing woman together on a regular basis. To make things even more awesome, we all live in the same neighborhood. That means as long as we have hubbies at home or a babysitter hired, we can stroll over to wherever wine club is happening that night. Yeah, brilliance and awesomeness. I wish this type of luck on all my friends, I truly do. <br />
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Wine club night always involves a lot of laughing, often a fair share of eating (especially chocolate, schneeballen, and wasabi peas - yes, all of those things at the same time), and sometimes they can talk me into standing on my head. (I don't recommend this at home because I have a couple scars on my head to prove it's not exactly the best idea, and yet it keeps reoccurring. hmmmm.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59KZPIZeHMpy1ZL0UspVEmVgqy_G4U5G9QkxfVKZ6Ea2FOAbi7GSzN30k-s123271xE4BW4HGPt6fX9_GDht9qCDdL7F0jkLDPWd4_Ts835USsMSq3kGR1A0wAZOsTfVJhyt56lz1Z30Y/s1600/photo+1-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59KZPIZeHMpy1ZL0UspVEmVgqy_G4U5G9QkxfVKZ6Ea2FOAbi7GSzN30k-s123271xE4BW4HGPt6fX9_GDht9qCDdL7F0jkLDPWd4_Ts835USsMSq3kGR1A0wAZOsTfVJhyt56lz1Z30Y/s1600/photo+1-2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The t-shirts say "Erbendorf Wine Club"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYETM5qCPytg4QGGnvQ7_JOBoUpOuA_4Dn3upvu27G6qDpI41ffJlVck_HyoALMveAmMp323DvQQcy9xc5u6trxrv5sopQw1uJODF82K_CIS3CcAmPxSBhND7YuDeiNGwdSwBTh5bNLtA/s1600/photo+3-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYETM5qCPytg4QGGnvQ7_JOBoUpOuA_4Dn3upvu27G6qDpI41ffJlVck_HyoALMveAmMp323DvQQcy9xc5u6trxrv5sopQw1uJODF82K_CIS3CcAmPxSBhND7YuDeiNGwdSwBTh5bNLtA/s1600/photo+3-2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the back is a wine bottle pouring our names into a wine glass - so cool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY8s4fk3wSEPcgi_UnOEt25CIQfEDEZ1vCsv_h_xeZWMyiFD1umuhL5WJg75fqbl1NExzpus7PZdv42ITXwVappKekiYP8k9X2FqVyz1IsrVLJZj_tZNRC1eOzG02GgRVB1HH5h1oA2Pv/s1600/photo+4-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYY8s4fk3wSEPcgi_UnOEt25CIQfEDEZ1vCsv_h_xeZWMyiFD1umuhL5WJg75fqbl1NExzpus7PZdv42ITXwVappKekiYP8k9X2FqVyz1IsrVLJZj_tZNRC1eOzG02GgRVB1HH5h1oA2Pv/s1600/photo+4-1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I apparently make it a habit of standing on my head after a couple glasses of wine...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJit8APygUiGDC2olwp3kIIFdQLC2B1x_vcVNwCd_T_m7nU9UMOs71lN4jtVPQw68PIykXwlGNbK1YtqOs6-CMebTMq7zQQQLu21RooyCMojx52eIDIhXsIeWSi-PXhA10IB4n5cIKGrG/s1600/photo+5-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJit8APygUiGDC2olwp3kIIFdQLC2B1x_vcVNwCd_T_m7nU9UMOs71lN4jtVPQw68PIykXwlGNbK1YtqOs6-CMebTMq7zQQQLu21RooyCMojx52eIDIhXsIeWSi-PXhA10IB4n5cIKGrG/s1600/photo+5-1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they are all secretly hoping I crash on my head (which has happened before!)</td></tr>
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It's no secret that I love a glass (or two) of wine, and the only thing I enjoy more is being able to share a glass with my good friends. This wine club is nothing shy of awesome. I'm seriously tearing up thinking that I have to leave this incredible group of women next month. Oh, ladies, I don't know what I'm going to do with out you!!! Sheri, when I leave, your task, should you choose to accept it, is to teach some of these ladies how to drink "real" wine. (Sorry, ladies, I couldn't help myself, but that sweet stuff has got to go!)<br />
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<i>Zumvoll to my wine club ladies. I will miss you all so much!</i></div>
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<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-37172720199635713622014-05-28T07:57:00.001-04:002014-05-28T07:57:38.645-04:00The Alps: From Garmish to Switzerland (Lucerne and Lake Constance)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm feeling a lump in my throat as I write this next sentence...we are down to our last month here in Germany, which also means we are wrapping up our European travels. Although Switzerland has been on our list since the beginning, we just never seemed to get our plans right to make that trip work. To be honest, we were constantly shying away from the price tag, especially as we fell into our last year here and needed to look for bargains. And I'm almost embarrassed to admit that we thought all the hoopla about Switzerland was overrated. Let me just say, NOT overrated. Wow, is Switzerland an incredible gem. We had the most wonderful weekend there with weather that was so perfect we seriously could not have bought it any better. So, I'll have to apologize upfront if there are a million pictures in this post, and I'll work hard to contain myself because the beauty was absolutely insane.<br />
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Our trip started off in Garmisch where I picked Big R up from a week long training (I know, he has the toughest life, doesn't he?). Instead of staying in Garmisch, I found a pension just 20 km south right on the border with Austria in a town called, Mittenwald. We had absolutely no idea what to expect, and we were pleasantly surprised by its charm. We opted to get dinner at one of the local biergartens instead of making the trek back up to Garmisch for dinner. We stayed at <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/de/pension-karner-mittenwald.html?aid=304142&label=postbooking_confemail;pbsource=conf_email_hotel_name" target="_blank">Pension Karner</a>, which was located right at the foot of several trailheads leading to hikes up into the foothills of the Alps, and a walk into town was only about 10 minutes. The owners are Scottish, of all things, and they have been living in Germany for the past 30 years. They were incredible hosts, and their hotel was really comfortable. The boys had us up crazy early, of course, so we packed up and took a hike before breakfast. Such an amazing way to start off the day. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdfXwAQ5PNR76z6ZdgYFiFtH4vSVH9PmB1ED9IH9qSrEF2Cs9IICh9DievHhVf6wN2JlYr5egtFQ511CSNnrePjB2PmQs-mtb3ZidNyKALV35LsHfU9EaPDGA1f-8WpBi6onGsWQMGKf9/s1600/DSC00884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdfXwAQ5PNR76z6ZdgYFiFtH4vSVH9PmB1ED9IH9qSrEF2Cs9IICh9DievHhVf6wN2JlYr5egtFQ511CSNnrePjB2PmQs-mtb3ZidNyKALV35LsHfU9EaPDGA1f-8WpBi6onGsWQMGKf9/s1600/DSC00884.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view down the street from our pension</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2xGkKIRamd4MRl9pKJZkeo-Ds7XIyL7c5jTU51ew0PC4SatOzSoS0xAOm3xfODgDprUw818SkbkQ4emOC5rljn2B6Jm5JZYJW1c7JpvT14uL_cHYg2ekvB6maVFjGiDNL2Dwsy6nEhUN/s1600/DSC00887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2xGkKIRamd4MRl9pKJZkeo-Ds7XIyL7c5jTU51ew0PC4SatOzSoS0xAOm3xfODgDprUw818SkbkQ4emOC5rljn2B6Jm5JZYJW1c7JpvT14uL_cHYg2ekvB6maVFjGiDNL2Dwsy6nEhUN/s1600/DSC00887.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">downtown Mittenwald</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrnElzyzTiqC0AC-2g2-i5nsbtnwnMck5SJrH4a0i9dTF4w7jUyhJQtZnPVaMgAuVCMjLLC-BpSaN1HJror3J-0czhWYNkQfnkbhCNws_72pQwBCjaQPQq4DpZtL4KflBMP4EJAXebvHO/s1600/DSC00889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrnElzyzTiqC0AC-2g2-i5nsbtnwnMck5SJrH4a0i9dTF4w7jUyhJQtZnPVaMgAuVCMjLLC-BpSaN1HJror3J-0czhWYNkQfnkbhCNws_72pQwBCjaQPQq4DpZtL4KflBMP4EJAXebvHO/s1600/DSC00889.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there is always time for ice cream!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOWIsIJjFaM2c2q3sl07TiNHjjjUjY83O9qZEFBzAVhhw2As5NheJf3mfbCQRo23HHxbdkvK0uT2w-jwRrEXPb17mYO8oEjHLRhAY81KI8Qx2iDgpHE0u9t-J-iP5gt4TtUYH8jGAlNks/s1600/DSC00894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOWIsIJjFaM2c2q3sl07TiNHjjjUjY83O9qZEFBzAVhhw2As5NheJf3mfbCQRo23HHxbdkvK0uT2w-jwRrEXPb17mYO8oEjHLRhAY81KI8Qx2iDgpHE0u9t-J-iP5gt4TtUYH8jGAlNks/s1600/DSC00894.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view of the church in Mittenwald</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz3zCRVsA-k-DEyW8lLHzt3kd6xvkWY6DqeULBb0TSTsK2ONMjurY31lJFb0wAHh_GW94dMBBRng_p235CMEYakIQfgAkh2MzOY3GHkV5OGZS3UqxhCEX1-qLoonyI4jJJIG2c1ngJOZs/s1600/DSC00902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz3zCRVsA-k-DEyW8lLHzt3kd6xvkWY6DqeULBb0TSTsK2ONMjurY31lJFb0wAHh_GW94dMBBRng_p235CMEYakIQfgAkh2MzOY3GHkV5OGZS3UqxhCEX1-qLoonyI4jJJIG2c1ngJOZs/s1600/DSC00902.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our morning hike followed a stream and was one waterfall after another</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmz0RR7Y0gz8OMj1I3-W4OiFCzzZuUvgLk-hVe9y-RjFPKmFEXJ_NFSK4lzrp7mdXEb57vAn0yEAyRFukJ0N2l_NlDKNmnKCaLLvuFWCM6lojrK8-SSTT5rUHc3xvdiXPftv12pdSoXfa/s1600/DSC00906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmz0RR7Y0gz8OMj1I3-W4OiFCzzZuUvgLk-hVe9y-RjFPKmFEXJ_NFSK4lzrp7mdXEb57vAn0yEAyRFukJ0N2l_NlDKNmnKCaLLvuFWCM6lojrK8-SSTT5rUHc3xvdiXPftv12pdSoXfa/s1600/DSC00906.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">breathtaking morning views of the Alps</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipn2SflATZwKMlFTCirAxNVC0HU0KawEk-prcKug-dzPldbLbYCMpJFDq_MBYEprmGIf74R33MQbWmCULPEvFq_iKs1hy0kyFYwwxibCmpWefuN6G1sxyi0c-5oQZcBWoUS-wGEjz28JoI/s1600/DSC00908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipn2SflATZwKMlFTCirAxNVC0HU0KawEk-prcKug-dzPldbLbYCMpJFDq_MBYEprmGIf74R33MQbWmCULPEvFq_iKs1hy0kyFYwwxibCmpWefuN6G1sxyi0c-5oQZcBWoUS-wGEjz28JoI/s1600/DSC00908.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view of the Alps from the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk_WNO0QzD98-TM7ddB76pl-M6UA4eLZCFEsILTEfoqeJkzwoLPzDyFZsUWJ8vuGzpfyNFGq4HDgcUNI6sTmndQOmcszV1v1Gi0Wo3diVBxOLQR3oy7oJE_DyxGwrQsaF6fHyvurypUsP/s1600/DSC00910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk_WNO0QzD98-TM7ddB76pl-M6UA4eLZCFEsILTEfoqeJkzwoLPzDyFZsUWJ8vuGzpfyNFGq4HDgcUNI6sTmndQOmcszV1v1Gi0Wo3diVBxOLQR3oy7oJE_DyxGwrQsaF6fHyvurypUsP/s1600/DSC00910.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wasn't exactly dressed for a hike - haha</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnuc71JZtm1fBYWqsMdFNCNbj_Qyr2Y9kjw_Cljmatedqvp6xjNiGnSI0W9PdyQ7srcBUBFiW17iPySl1XfDcWODBFGFiPTyRRBRdH2pf4SF9kuaj9w8KrMVn7plVaB1TQ8JCCug8DAZX/s1600/DSC00913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnuc71JZtm1fBYWqsMdFNCNbj_Qyr2Y9kjw_Cljmatedqvp6xjNiGnSI0W9PdyQ7srcBUBFiW17iPySl1XfDcWODBFGFiPTyRRBRdH2pf4SF9kuaj9w8KrMVn7plVaB1TQ8JCCug8DAZX/s1600/DSC00913.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was truly serene, and we had the trail all to ourselves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7F4WKfeGm6tDBz3vffBYTM1O3Uo2rllBLYIjBdzLNvmLceP-ZJsk4ZJtc6h8LViM5NS4KtvBqtyhXS9StP_zIx3SmeQJlx40nNZX9nMR_Riq9RBFhPHB-jgy0v8jHe4dEOzrJ74_9Cxv/s1600/DSC00918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7F4WKfeGm6tDBz3vffBYTM1O3Uo2rllBLYIjBdzLNvmLceP-ZJsk4ZJtc6h8LViM5NS4KtvBqtyhXS9StP_zIx3SmeQJlx40nNZX9nMR_Riq9RBFhPHB-jgy0v8jHe4dEOzrJ74_9Cxv/s1600/DSC00918.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more beauty captured on camera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike6pffd1WgK3RNDlH7iRKegrEmhek0BBBZvMBGuZw9Edh-00eaRV034Kg6SQ3GhI3Gdbn9j9_CExG7CaWM7XbUitAensjg2pKBCrl3gsHu47hT9-CosnY7urwuQf2j8avINtkG1REE8wb/s1600/DSC00922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike6pffd1WgK3RNDlH7iRKegrEmhek0BBBZvMBGuZw9Edh-00eaRV034Kg6SQ3GhI3Gdbn9j9_CExG7CaWM7XbUitAensjg2pKBCrl3gsHu47hT9-CosnY7urwuQf2j8avINtkG1REE8wb/s1600/DSC00922.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my little hobbit</td></tr>
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After breakfast in Mittenwald, we hit the road for our drive into Switzerland. Our destination was Lucerne (or Luzern in German), which sits in central Switzerland just south of Zurich. The route we took dropped us into Austria and over to Liechtenstein before we crossed the border into Switzerland. So we got to add a couple more countries to our list. The drive was amazing! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv9pyxk618NWrtN-lXXEdxVJUxgrogoxFDD0G1PZDHoY62VHHd-UEXdRiPmrOocBnIhkRSUOKMUKmHT6cYyfZ_cbC7QhbC73jOTbRS8_hh2UCdn1RJxI3T0DvhscXbNuplHuRA9bLtU6g/s1600/DSC00927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv9pyxk618NWrtN-lXXEdxVJUxgrogoxFDD0G1PZDHoY62VHHd-UEXdRiPmrOocBnIhkRSUOKMUKmHT6cYyfZ_cbC7QhbC73jOTbRS8_hh2UCdn1RJxI3T0DvhscXbNuplHuRA9bLtU6g/s1600/DSC00927.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a driveby shot of the palace in Liechtenstein - no offense but it wasn't really worth the stop this time around</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lYhlxA0Jm8X_vPzp7chgBNg4YkssDHhsKjPG8VbZDJle7eL7OzEAQLjMxXjsDd5ft6Ag07VU-SgkadskPRlj3qOp8AnZezJ3GRxjhFAyg7ndv3nPFd0mxhjTyO1xdmDeg4FrIPyUkWJB/s1600/DSC00930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lYhlxA0Jm8X_vPzp7chgBNg4YkssDHhsKjPG8VbZDJle7eL7OzEAQLjMxXjsDd5ft6Ag07VU-SgkadskPRlj3qOp8AnZezJ3GRxjhFAyg7ndv3nPFd0mxhjTyO1xdmDeg4FrIPyUkWJB/s1600/DSC00930.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">covered bridge in Liechtenstein</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nEu-P1AucIGtbaSWdn5okgFyYeeR6lW167PmZpVN_MyiFfotD5GMnVVJ6N60kCl7lko_uXYmW2pNHvVy0bKdGI9cS_jghAygs38K_RYwKXqyMPsQW5uxM14ecgoWuD-5S0ZXAtNPqwGw/s1600/DSC00932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nEu-P1AucIGtbaSWdn5okgFyYeeR6lW167PmZpVN_MyiFfotD5GMnVVJ6N60kCl7lko_uXYmW2pNHvVy0bKdGI9cS_jghAygs38K_RYwKXqyMPsQW5uxM14ecgoWuD-5S0ZXAtNPqwGw/s1600/DSC00932.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Switzerland!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0Vd7gBEpQKIIM7pWvxif_cJkdxsA5fzBBen0f7H1mN-kgINYWzr6p9jTG-gC4ZGaoA1jAvSlFydWhwaswwoopwL5XixKBC1YGb01QjdZYxZUW3WGa4Md8ABJARTJTG0lqV9mLDcCkgEy/s1600/DSC00936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0Vd7gBEpQKIIM7pWvxif_cJkdxsA5fzBBen0f7H1mN-kgINYWzr6p9jTG-gC4ZGaoA1jAvSlFydWhwaswwoopwL5XixKBC1YGb01QjdZYxZUW3WGa4Md8ABJARTJTG0lqV9mLDcCkgEy/s1600/DSC00936.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drive was out of this world!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPueTF4He5Ox_5litujCA_bPH1O34qducpyNfiNbpLuUSdwf-KnrrAWvtIyKEPq1fSFutvTMPwZMI_SJw_1J4m-Xw3vHGDLvA_h2K_3ZPecy1r_CeOhFFqQT2JD1MprSZlZcWfZH0Szqp/s1600/DSC00946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPueTF4He5Ox_5litujCA_bPH1O34qducpyNfiNbpLuUSdwf-KnrrAWvtIyKEPq1fSFutvTMPwZMI_SJw_1J4m-Xw3vHGDLvA_h2K_3ZPecy1r_CeOhFFqQT2JD1MprSZlZcWfZH0Szqp/s1600/DSC00946.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our rest stop - yes, this is a rest stop!!!</td></tr>
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We arrived in Lucerne just after lunch, and we decided to head straight to Mt. Pilatus because the weather was stunning and we didn't want to risk going back the next day and losing the potential views. To experience Mount Pilatus near Lucerne, you can go about it in various ways: cable car, cog train, boat, local train... Or, you can do what we opted for and splurge (only slightly more) for what they call the "golden tour." We parked in Kriens, so our golden tour started on a small gondola, and then switched us to a large cable car that took us to the top. Then we took a cog train down the mountain to Alpnachstad where you can catch a ferry boat over to Lucerne (and eventually a bus back to the parking area in Kriens). Kind of a cool experience, and with the awesome weather we had, each leg of the tour was incredible.<br />
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When we switched to the larger cable car to head up to Mt. Pilatus, we timed it just right that a construction crew (I say "crew," but it was really just two men), was heading up as well. Not only did we get the entire car to ourselves, but we got to watch in awe as the man climbed out of the cable car in mid air to one of the supporting towers. It was NUTS! I knew that he was going to do work on the cable line because of the equipment he was wearing, but Big R was kind of shocked when the door opened and the guy climbed out. Before he leapt out, though, we got to talk to him a bit about Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus. He told us that it was a perfect day and that people rarely get to experience a day like we had - he said it was special. Nothing like a conversation from a local to put a smile on your face. Considering the run of bad luck we've had with weather and travel, we ate up every minute of our perfect weather. <br />
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At the top, we watched all the clouds clear out and give us a grand view of Lake Lucerne. We climbed to the top of an outcropping, which was an adventure in itself. I'm not sure what I thought we would do that day, but somehow I decided that wearing flip flops and a long skirt was the appropriate attire for our day in Lucerne. HA! Between holding baby c, holding the end of my skirt, and navigating through huge piles of snow and puddles of freezing water (in flip flops!) on a steep and narrow stairway to the top was not my most shining moment. I got compliments at the top and I couldn't figure out why anyone would think I was anything but ridiculous. The views were spectacular, but I couldn't wait to get back down. We took the cog train to the bottom of the mountain and had a conversation in German with an older Swiss couple that lived there. My sweet baby c was especially fond of the old man. It was super cute. Our next connection was a ferry boat that made its way from Alpnachstad via a few stops onto Lucerne. It's was a gorgeous perspective to see the coastlines of Lake Lucerne from the water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH-czjKkzMJNmoYIQa-KWZ_p62awCojbjKUug-8L-ltmrDjUsk-c9wK4B0MTRUWPrHfD4JTJZfoaWVKB1MkXGH3CijsGHxF-fPyl5bicIwJR2tT4pL0t7X26XyGnvo1bXXXfD4fLj-PUK/s1600/DSC00954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH-czjKkzMJNmoYIQa-KWZ_p62awCojbjKUug-8L-ltmrDjUsk-c9wK4B0MTRUWPrHfD4JTJZfoaWVKB1MkXGH3CijsGHxF-fPyl5bicIwJR2tT4pL0t7X26XyGnvo1bXXXfD4fLj-PUK/s1600/DSC00954.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the gondola up the first leg of Mt. Pilatus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIfNONT3g8HeEhYEIGjJWDFYHojtGxnVNSngNn_v9Nc1_YRDghyiMqpGCu2C2fekxqvJElqZ57uOKr2zTVQ1Qw2ln5Z_yXhYwCch44lE6vTspTiElS-pvlADyqVZr108FtdAMe3rhAn4H/s1600/DSC00957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIfNONT3g8HeEhYEIGjJWDFYHojtGxnVNSngNn_v9Nc1_YRDghyiMqpGCu2C2fekxqvJElqZ57uOKr2zTVQ1Qw2ln5Z_yXhYwCch44lE6vTspTiElS-pvlADyqVZr108FtdAMe3rhAn4H/s1600/DSC00957.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby c loved the ride!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FL2oEWnZv9111__tjUNwrYnzR1-keVEUBpg_WkFbpbUF6FVsj4mrybCPNVeZ29Bl13j_dhJOz_E8i7uzKjt2ouFKkic7T9yPoi-MrG929lm5q70Y6EvYIwifpqP-rd2UPOPbkazEzsSG/s1600/DSC00958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FL2oEWnZv9111__tjUNwrYnzR1-keVEUBpg_WkFbpbUF6FVsj4mrybCPNVeZ29Bl13j_dhJOz_E8i7uzKjt2ouFKkic7T9yPoi-MrG929lm5q70Y6EvYIwifpqP-rd2UPOPbkazEzsSG/s1600/DSC00958.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the views we captured on our climb up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuyQfBOdD9-G9nHWhov17Jm6LQLxHsEkJEUQa2wcefpGPpSpzK64PBWlmL3y9SaePFZPWjF-0K5ZsSJ_6adhEuF-ZtAFDOhWYf7D3Cwhr3apEOApImKwe9FvYVAHoH-Awk0gGosdpImAZ/s1600/DSC00959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuyQfBOdD9-G9nHWhov17Jm6LQLxHsEkJEUQa2wcefpGPpSpzK64PBWlmL3y9SaePFZPWjF-0K5ZsSJ_6adhEuF-ZtAFDOhWYf7D3Cwhr3apEOApImKwe9FvYVAHoH-Awk0gGosdpImAZ/s1600/DSC00959.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This view was even before we made it to the top!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK4xNTmZ83Jz9EhShz1mvTRixZvo1WrHxtiPht_vLn6xUe36tA0SAxJRsCe-2adSkmfviWNpU1XOyYAsr52lvB3nPK-mhl6lXrXtkEBC3pRMTK7Q_mWFWvkoVsr73rwNql9yNAtx4HOMi/s1600/DSC00974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK4xNTmZ83Jz9EhShz1mvTRixZvo1WrHxtiPht_vLn6xUe36tA0SAxJRsCe-2adSkmfviWNpU1XOyYAsr52lvB3nPK-mhl6lXrXtkEBC3pRMTK7Q_mWFWvkoVsr73rwNql9yNAtx4HOMi/s1600/DSC00974.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you, he literally just climbed right out - crazy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmU2K5nsj0J3jBLNUH94HyWk_doD7519WkSjJC-1xITM70RoDj8vyfBF2uTq1sJaXuqoDCW1S3fmeqweKsgMGvGQ9ZxRj4EavWZeDMXAbWACddtmTYCpMgx_fDXpsjhReTf8oOoA4whQO/s1600/DSC00988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmU2K5nsj0J3jBLNUH94HyWk_doD7519WkSjJC-1xITM70RoDj8vyfBF2uTq1sJaXuqoDCW1S3fmeqweKsgMGvGQ9ZxRj4EavWZeDMXAbWACddtmTYCpMgx_fDXpsjhReTf8oOoA4whQO/s1600/DSC00988.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the fog cleared to reveal the endless beauty of Lake Lucerne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjKcjqEVhGhk-DgQkWfQffgb6d29A_4H7YRO7fXVpWLKq1_PhpeEyxuNeMdTOrKRXNfArPzCOYYLrPnThN3HSTYudQ8hd1J1NH-aK8YA4QzD5C7zoNAbr1v3fxvD-QvtGPGsfcvYKIsiH/s1600/DSC01010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjKcjqEVhGhk-DgQkWfQffgb6d29A_4H7YRO7fXVpWLKq1_PhpeEyxuNeMdTOrKRXNfArPzCOYYLrPnThN3HSTYudQ8hd1J1NH-aK8YA4QzD5C7zoNAbr1v3fxvD-QvtGPGsfcvYKIsiH/s1600/DSC01010.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking in the view after our ridiculous climb in the wet snow to the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13TbsJOdS5JRj2zHUrbaPjshDLMz-6cSK38PlC-g7DnfZE6ff7UV9NjnYDnhyphenhyphenxJcjwiUIzC25anugsnspBIdYgqJxdAY4rCuwKMjPTsHbBuLYu9LsmUy2DT82FfTzt26e6wsg0Hr5k8nT/s1600/DSC01013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13TbsJOdS5JRj2zHUrbaPjshDLMz-6cSK38PlC-g7DnfZE6ff7UV9NjnYDnhyphenhyphenxJcjwiUIzC25anugsnspBIdYgqJxdAY4rCuwKMjPTsHbBuLYu9LsmUy2DT82FfTzt26e6wsg0Hr5k8nT/s1600/DSC01013.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r's favorite was the cog train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsu0IJUie9-NN9POVvhCfrmOUNmr2ER_Rmr78KIUC68l0SA92CmPtEKCTeSa8y1wbMZCjKYIppRdxf_85IawhOvgUw_f4zKs-X-as9VQv6SdwDb79CW3qE9t1bu_q5elYLXNNAR1UHB6o/s1600/DSC01019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsu0IJUie9-NN9POVvhCfrmOUNmr2ER_Rmr78KIUC68l0SA92CmPtEKCTeSa8y1wbMZCjKYIppRdxf_85IawhOvgUw_f4zKs-X-as9VQv6SdwDb79CW3qE9t1bu_q5elYLXNNAR1UHB6o/s1600/DSC01019.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view of the other trains as we made our way down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-zzYNUqvnqKLxHnUtWi1vyGkjHoPBsUzyad1vhR5Ryh1Ww7AfB2Z_pI18OuDdjZ8zv3JQJRCRsCZjc8NA5ukZ7U-vP7CXxGbIdZnxV-t6ROGaYqwMe_W1AIBeoTvLOIN2T65u1JpLPL2/s1600/DSC01038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-zzYNUqvnqKLxHnUtWi1vyGkjHoPBsUzyad1vhR5Ryh1Ww7AfB2Z_pI18OuDdjZ8zv3JQJRCRsCZjc8NA5ukZ7U-vP7CXxGbIdZnxV-t6ROGaYqwMe_W1AIBeoTvLOIN2T65u1JpLPL2/s1600/DSC01038.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the old cog train was really cool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDjGIrC002tq8sYUKjqXzfjrYE2HlxXuImapIhetPqJUmTsYW45BHi-YeXfz9bdIFTN4YUEgCUwayiHlUMz2OCKNzOXzOcaiPmyExUnFXOlJCVfrgKXsMuCo9E-cz4g3e9hwwg_uZ6V4S/s1600/DSC01057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDjGIrC002tq8sYUKjqXzfjrYE2HlxXuImapIhetPqJUmTsYW45BHi-YeXfz9bdIFTN4YUEgCUwayiHlUMz2OCKNzOXzOcaiPmyExUnFXOlJCVfrgKXsMuCo9E-cz4g3e9hwwg_uZ6V4S/s1600/DSC01057.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">relaxing on the ferry as we made our way to Lucerne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTHA7HrGSZZBN8CCACJEpI1CeuqXWVB5PgHMWNYprYDZw7gzNCGxml9UvzMKqapEL9mY4lclNS70rLK3wOCS5IOO27gxm76uTaetR-xgD_IwyU7DBJio_O3SwbMoM5DVdYKuxn2i9J8Xe/s1600/DSC01060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTHA7HrGSZZBN8CCACJEpI1CeuqXWVB5PgHMWNYprYDZw7gzNCGxml9UvzMKqapEL9mY4lclNS70rLK3wOCS5IOO27gxm76uTaetR-xgD_IwyU7DBJio_O3SwbMoM5DVdYKuxn2i9J8Xe/s1600/DSC01060.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">views from the ferry as we floated along the lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOvh7ZISMxLAKizlzCqJi2fX2NBEajk5qOLIOlkQH9npSl12g6K3I0YKdqc0J_uA_pgVaq4V6XftKv658Kpv4FKQlmVYwL5vIhyphenhyphenRFXwg4cZWfwoP533Jgs_Fcanel2P3rxRU_G06quVwt/s1600/DSC01073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOvh7ZISMxLAKizlzCqJi2fX2NBEajk5qOLIOlkQH9npSl12g6K3I0YKdqc0J_uA_pgVaq4V6XftKv658Kpv4FKQlmVYwL5vIhyphenhyphenRFXwg4cZWfwoP533Jgs_Fcanel2P3rxRU_G06quVwt/s1600/DSC01073.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just incredible, isn't it?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr_Sc33LXP6aCBKHfttmscm8pA3letsuSjqdy53ytWEX8cYuMn3auxUge0ZAoqBgio6sfCeoPMy9CC9kI7cbVA1AmONFKqluqmQkMDg9Md5ULqXYcfqh6Ztt8i1ZYAxvTqbEhDyEaufkd/s1600/DSC01085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr_Sc33LXP6aCBKHfttmscm8pA3letsuSjqdy53ytWEX8cYuMn3auxUge0ZAoqBgio6sfCeoPMy9CC9kI7cbVA1AmONFKqluqmQkMDg9Md5ULqXYcfqh6Ztt8i1ZYAxvTqbEhDyEaufkd/s1600/DSC01085.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sailboat added just a little to this already gorgeous shot</td></tr>
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We arrived into Lucerne on a Friday evening just before 6 p.m. The city was alive with locals, business men and women, and tourists. Everyone was enjoying the perfect day, and the energy was contagious. We did a quick walk through the old part of Lucerne to see the Old Church Bridge and to take in the city that benefited from over 200 years of no wars to damage it's beautiful buildings. It truly felt magical. Then we hopped on our bus back to Kriens to our car and drove to our hotel in Seelisberg. Our hotel sat right on a point in Seelisberg with seriously amazing views of the lake. It had a snazzy Swiss restaurant, which is where we headed after checking into our huge hotel apartment. Somehow the boys held it together and let us enjoy a nice dinner Swiss-style meal while we admired the sunset views across the lake. <br />
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After we got the boys tucked into bed, Big R disappeared to go take some more pictures of the lake at night. When I went out to meet him, he told me that some "ladies" had come to talk to him and they wanted to say "hi." He cracked up when my response was, "are they picking up on you or something?" Of course, he was referring to the Swiss cows that found him very intriguing. Yeah, I totally fell for that one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcjRQkxWXAdAmmUcS3WmnAX1BhafwZ5N8o9khdqyEZ6XyDu4BvMEU0mS12NQXrOwQnYDO7UwtJWs23vKSoS_LiV0o99LjJtInaH8l_fN2yrDmsSLDm0qgeNtT0YJtAiPgD_iFIW3DUz44/s1600/DSC01087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcjRQkxWXAdAmmUcS3WmnAX1BhafwZ5N8o9khdqyEZ6XyDu4BvMEU0mS12NQXrOwQnYDO7UwtJWs23vKSoS_LiV0o99LjJtInaH8l_fN2yrDmsSLDm0qgeNtT0YJtAiPgD_iFIW3DUz44/s1600/DSC01087.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">views of Lucerne as we headed into the dock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClnOZl1MgfYCj9rmKXkkLUq3hYGPBrvIUNCw-rUvPas1uBHT_ENTfdWhsq7chC9-fhD7qqCbiq5Hq0Zl-dgHpjh6CIznjOvJHB9kD-K_-nJDAOPVEVHMsR7D29n6jQzedlBADLQjU_48j/s1600/DSC01091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClnOZl1MgfYCj9rmKXkkLUq3hYGPBrvIUNCw-rUvPas1uBHT_ENTfdWhsq7chC9-fhD7qqCbiq5Hq0Zl-dgHpjh6CIznjOvJHB9kD-K_-nJDAOPVEVHMsR7D29n6jQzedlBADLQjU_48j/s1600/DSC01091.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful Lucerne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxMbF8hTiJGSrIPFiHclsgmrbfRhrqZQNt_0mTZnz4ZAa6_rXWmYF_Ag6K-k8rH25rti9Q8b4J14WrBWEdcfWMovwhsp2l-3bwPdY3wcPDCZSZOG1qasw0O5T-AXF-N1YM9iob9ge1Thd/s1600/DSC01092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxMbF8hTiJGSrIPFiHclsgmrbfRhrqZQNt_0mTZnz4ZAa6_rXWmYF_Ag6K-k8rH25rti9Q8b4J14WrBWEdcfWMovwhsp2l-3bwPdY3wcPDCZSZOG1qasw0O5T-AXF-N1YM9iob9ge1Thd/s1600/DSC01092.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there were so many swans in Switzerland</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEQSXCTvgcePXKagRLimQ84pCFNfrjN2vIRkx1xgdaWziJcWvvsS1Jw0Gv8rdR_H8RBE0rl1QPR7th7W12I4vhi-ssdWmEkTQHwKUxYnSiXKChtD-YlY4GYA9uoyes9ByxnLYYx2MTxjQ/s1600/DSC01104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEQSXCTvgcePXKagRLimQ84pCFNfrjN2vIRkx1xgdaWziJcWvvsS1Jw0Gv8rdR_H8RBE0rl1QPR7th7W12I4vhi-ssdWmEkTQHwKUxYnSiXKChtD-YlY4GYA9uoyes9ByxnLYYx2MTxjQ/s1600/DSC01104.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like something out of a fairy tale</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N2Xue0eNqLrW3dTh8yh0ZlfA1-OpGG26BsMq74ZZjdIi7YeltAhGl9JKSmrMjfOeGwrLxS6oteVGnyw9ZTMRj6GekEx4wYYSiF7ZrS98JqCMxz6-8aIj9n1ZoRVOi4LDlmC-gInOJ86J/s1600/DSC01109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N2Xue0eNqLrW3dTh8yh0ZlfA1-OpGG26BsMq74ZZjdIi7YeltAhGl9JKSmrMjfOeGwrLxS6oteVGnyw9ZTMRj6GekEx4wYYSiF7ZrS98JqCMxz6-8aIj9n1ZoRVOi4LDlmC-gInOJ86J/s1600/DSC01109.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the rathaus in downtown Lucerne</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN2uP3jojaTY59Yj-uGy8pnGXmZXHVEkASATXgT7OHaBaX0wlWKCDgx3CaRdJltEvdN8ywVRCkSsxhmkT0AdSQ3GSWPoQNd5q7UPdjEFXBn77CeKoJrEXqZG-9xOyFNFcsfNVJxqpCgcJ/s1600/DSC01117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN2uP3jojaTY59Yj-uGy8pnGXmZXHVEkASATXgT7OHaBaX0wlWKCDgx3CaRdJltEvdN8ywVRCkSsxhmkT0AdSQ3GSWPoQNd5q7UPdjEFXBn77CeKoJrEXqZG-9xOyFNFcsfNVJxqpCgcJ/s1600/DSC01117.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our view during dinner at the hotel restaurant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbgvzGbvvXSyt1TxoMfoHnj5zSjkO_SezTq7rPv_SupugIKCFPKBri16EKSchai2GaO3SGQyeTmJBsVOccHq12fWJCCDRIRjrEOm5LNud9u8Mts0v5aYOsZ9qZvi40OZkmFvNoG16Reil/s1600/DSC01121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbgvzGbvvXSyt1TxoMfoHnj5zSjkO_SezTq7rPv_SupugIKCFPKBri16EKSchai2GaO3SGQyeTmJBsVOccHq12fWJCCDRIRjrEOm5LNud9u8Mts0v5aYOsZ9qZvi40OZkmFvNoG16Reil/s1600/DSC01121.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cows across the street from our hotel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmH8hcGrw0PMD4yYUNn1MX7eSC2G3OgLgAMBE9MmnWw3VkvQioLMg1dLnTz9qW1SRtVcGisaF8bJul4hOTajyD26m5hBvEaiUGh_kGU_w4YMg_IjdWVotm-obVmJDA-Mzwu9M6Y31C_nB/s1600/DSC01124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmH8hcGrw0PMD4yYUNn1MX7eSC2G3OgLgAMBE9MmnWw3VkvQioLMg1dLnTz9qW1SRtVcGisaF8bJul4hOTajyD26m5hBvEaiUGh_kGU_w4YMg_IjdWVotm-obVmJDA-Mzwu9M6Y31C_nB/s1600/DSC01124.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view of the lake from our hotel room</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN55FpI5ZRQtQA-eHITtoTBhb1acutiz4CCDrPSxDOr_CiAMf7I88X62TzzN3qyfmlbwuXDEbbr2Nc3668_kuFLo-EXRN_ZGoxo9EXLKapc3SSTJSdm8Jgzuc9RAtt_O54x5spg3BXQ9lB/s1600/DSC01139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN55FpI5ZRQtQA-eHITtoTBhb1acutiz4CCDrPSxDOr_CiAMf7I88X62TzzN3qyfmlbwuXDEbbr2Nc3668_kuFLo-EXRN_ZGoxo9EXLKapc3SSTJSdm8Jgzuc9RAtt_O54x5spg3BXQ9lB/s1600/DSC01139.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this "lady" was making the moves on my man!</td></tr>
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<div>
Lucerne has so much to offer, but we had more of Switzerland to see and a short amount of time to fit it all in. After breakfast on an overcast and rainy morning, we packed up the car and headed to Zurich for a quick visit on our way up to Lake Constance. It was a busy Saturday in Zurich, but we lucked out with parking at the train station. It took Big R a little bit to warm up to this global powerhouse of a city, but I loved it right away. I guess you could say I could easily understand how it has been at the top of the list of "best quality of life"places to live. <br />
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We strolled down Hauptbahnhofstrasse to do some window shopping (and visit one of the coolest toy stores I've even seen), walked along the Lake Promenade, and visited the Grossmünster church. We climbed to the top of the bell tower (of course), and just as we crested the top, the clouds broke and the sun was greeting us. It was spectacular, and suddenly Big R was drawn in. We grabbed some sushi for lunch (of all things), and then stopped into the famous Sprugli chocolate store to bring home some goodies (really just so we could eat them in the car!). <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvx_CStuR4Ry8miRJhhyphenhyphenZ3mWVWlUHemKH3hJM7ymT251bE90Yij4EsSP0yBR0VDja-Y93pwowepZ5t442kjcCS9wrifKHvwECH4_MR2RB4kVKWl3zid1usKAimsBg9TdZrlKNeXL6A5Mp/s1600/DSC01163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvx_CStuR4Ry8miRJhhyphenhyphenZ3mWVWlUHemKH3hJM7ymT251bE90Yij4EsSP0yBR0VDja-Y93pwowepZ5t442kjcCS9wrifKHvwECH4_MR2RB4kVKWl3zid1usKAimsBg9TdZrlKNeXL6A5Mp/s1600/DSC01163.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">neatest toy store EVER</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUyKdj97uOOtC6sdf0KuDk1QduhNhCJhRRjj2qeanM6JvPamLoOc-0lu7zSS4AlPc2po5Tw-r17ldK_PBLztKQHXvY_aS50ueNjtFdDfjyqGjkALevoTaaSZ-8YjOxaoUzJZ7H6Myg9_7/s1600/DSC01170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUyKdj97uOOtC6sdf0KuDk1QduhNhCJhRRjj2qeanM6JvPamLoOc-0lu7zSS4AlPc2po5Tw-r17ldK_PBLztKQHXvY_aS50ueNjtFdDfjyqGjkALevoTaaSZ-8YjOxaoUzJZ7H6Myg9_7/s1600/DSC01170.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we loved how the roofs were cut away to make porches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYT02FAawe-Y-pjbCYb6d-ATz5Ys7Ull5AcCvcJP0rheYrmAFP2D3ruC0vSWi26gQrP_WTpmYH2DFPtvl2Z6TKmHOZOA3YtUduJMQ_YzaiIqRJgSTCo0Y_H0vbvg9FnwxqpPVcwsX-jS7/s1600/DSC01181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYT02FAawe-Y-pjbCYb6d-ATz5Ys7Ull5AcCvcJP0rheYrmAFP2D3ruC0vSWi26gQrP_WTpmYH2DFPtvl2Z6TKmHOZOA3YtUduJMQ_YzaiIqRJgSTCo0Y_H0vbvg9FnwxqpPVcwsX-jS7/s1600/DSC01181.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view along the promenade</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FS7qc-v1az4QKSUAe8OpEBN4QGMHypc4yOuag_InJcHuFpV3QGHAbPWs-2Soen5bqMp2J2_8kscVRwD1zEEJ2fPpSOM4Al5JtYt0pjUH7UMbEN8r1QG9h819OUIPai8b3U_pmIZok0zm/s1600/DSC01182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FS7qc-v1az4QKSUAe8OpEBN4QGMHypc4yOuag_InJcHuFpV3QGHAbPWs-2Soen5bqMp2J2_8kscVRwD1zEEJ2fPpSOM4Al5JtYt0pjUH7UMbEN8r1QG9h819OUIPai8b3U_pmIZok0zm/s1600/DSC01182.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zurich had such beautiful architecture</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCbu7IP24OVztIQcnjmtLFw9xFD-UhWX46CcX7D_t2aMkMZ4BWl3ne_YSKqgys6FZ7tar9nNARBncxHCnfTcV9zzV2Uzz2_s6-rum1Jtwn6ihvGi3oYF4Uru50mVXkXlxWjTOHtq5Flk_/s1600/DSC01188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCbu7IP24OVztIQcnjmtLFw9xFD-UhWX46CcX7D_t2aMkMZ4BWl3ne_YSKqgys6FZ7tar9nNARBncxHCnfTcV9zzV2Uzz2_s6-rum1Jtwn6ihvGi3oYF4Uru50mVXkXlxWjTOHtq5Flk_/s1600/DSC01188.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view from the top of the bell tower - just spectacular!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG7eKG2jl9GFSEASHKoXS44MiQ87x3oyTbiHdAwxr08aICeddynhrWok40uKqA3xfNgsEwe8KEOGUG2e4j89DTBU8FV4P4eOQi24eTOTh5rRrpUUfmIrt3L2lEjZmxU4wY-W7py3OeqvN/s1600/DSC01195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG7eKG2jl9GFSEASHKoXS44MiQ87x3oyTbiHdAwxr08aICeddynhrWok40uKqA3xfNgsEwe8KEOGUG2e4j89DTBU8FV4P4eOQi24eTOTh5rRrpUUfmIrt3L2lEjZmxU4wY-W7py3OeqvN/s1600/DSC01195.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another amazing bell tower view</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDdJQKuT2CUc56xQEEcyPzM9kEdP5zS27AeoNDRN1TAcDeqHXypDv06U7BfLbaigQkbR5S-_ER6YCHwGldCEqtFUP2OZAgHXuZJ3t08gxsVckOyepOFzB_Myrkx4A5aue02dlkZUsQAAL/s1600/DSC01212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDdJQKuT2CUc56xQEEcyPzM9kEdP5zS27AeoNDRN1TAcDeqHXypDv06U7BfLbaigQkbR5S-_ER6YCHwGldCEqtFUP2OZAgHXuZJ3t08gxsVckOyepOFzB_Myrkx4A5aue02dlkZUsQAAL/s1600/DSC01212.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r had fun with the rope anchors along the river</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWuBqLCUxTdISKQ1ZNZir_JfMcsBBNQtyYgES49keVJCVexdu_J_nPkFXQJ4igP1tySBnAxTPLefjvNxooN7oOhOpj0R9cT1BZBTcpmnaY6uRSGubHUmgWue7PYBdi76ViBPSi-lgLYrA/s1600/DSC01229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWuBqLCUxTdISKQ1ZNZir_JfMcsBBNQtyYgES49keVJCVexdu_J_nPkFXQJ4igP1tySBnAxTPLefjvNxooN7oOhOpj0R9cT1BZBTcpmnaY6uRSGubHUmgWue7PYBdi76ViBPSi-lgLYrA/s1600/DSC01229.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stunning view of Zurich</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS09TEYBsdbxHijd5MW9uzTofD6TDMIitpBWufdTb2TvQIN79zfQ8RB8Lhk-G4Wn5uMY0NjGuKg-30HmvKSRR8v5iyjqWqsl26YOY_Y61XtNCQrpGZEUGdTdJLXXEcPW7mVqbihvMT6xO/s1600/DSC01235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS09TEYBsdbxHijd5MW9uzTofD6TDMIitpBWufdTb2TvQIN79zfQ8RB8Lhk-G4Wn5uMY0NjGuKg-30HmvKSRR8v5iyjqWqsl26YOY_Y61XtNCQrpGZEUGdTdJLXXEcPW7mVqbihvMT6xO/s1600/DSC01235.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the weather could not have been any better</td></tr>
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The next destination was Lake Constance. It was an easy drive of barely over an hour to get to Berligen, where we stayed for the night (it was a cute town, but Steckborn, its neighboring town, would have been a MUCH more charming choice). We picked this place primarily for its location and its price (Switzerland is super expensive, so our money didn't go quite as far in the accommodations department). We checked in and got back in the car to visit Konstanz, which was only another 20 minutes or so away. Konstanz is a maritime city on Lake Constance, and what is peculiar about this city is that it's actually located in Germany. A tiny enclave of Germany nestled into Switzerland. I actually found it rather bizarre. In hindsight, we never should have driven into the city. The train would have been much faster and easier. There is only one way in and out of Konstanz to cross the border between the two countries, and even though they aren't checking passports, a slow, single file line drives through a random customs check. We spent a lot more time sitting in the car than we ever anticipated. Of course, it probably didn't help that we later found out it was BMW Yacht week in Konstanz, AND it was a beautiful Saturday. Guess you could say that a lot of other people had similar plans to visit that area the same time we were there.<br />
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The town is really old and has a completely different character to it than the towns around Lake Lucerne. It reminded me of the port cities around Lake Michigan. Sailboats and yachts were parked along the boardwalks, and people were enjoying the weather near the lake, shopping in the stores, and socializing at outdoor cafes and restaurants. After we finally found a place to park the car (and Big R brilliantly fit our mini-SUV into the tightest parking space - seriously, rockstar), we strolled the streets and found a great place to eat some fantastic German food. While we were there a wedding party crashed the seen, and it felt like we were in the middle of a fairy tale. The rest of our visit we walked along the port, took in the atmosphere, and enjoyed the weather. Once we got through the border check back into Switzerland, the drive was easy. We parked the car and walked the boys to the edge of the lake and let them play while Big R got some amazing sunset shots. After we finally got the boys into bed, we snuck downstairs to the tavern and enjoyed each others company and a glass of wine. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH66NJzK7uRhCJl1IW-f2J9mZ9G8KA_wQz16_23zLOiGtKHMC-DpXYDJfNqwiMicFqFNbMmIPMEs4VMgI8NDJHe4MCLytypCk5cbd02zORbNnsGaqaYWPYSYZD1e_Po6MCTPW2jcAjf5m/s1600/DSC01239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtH66NJzK7uRhCJl1IW-f2J9mZ9G8KA_wQz16_23zLOiGtKHMC-DpXYDJfNqwiMicFqFNbMmIPMEs4VMgI8NDJHe4MCLytypCk5cbd02zORbNnsGaqaYWPYSYZD1e_Po6MCTPW2jcAjf5m/s1600/DSC01239.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r grew attached to the bronze horse statue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSVWgqJOBUmgvskKR2Uf_HGNo-TAybVK-8OXPBVdL3YyC4VOIBU-y5HvpC9sX3hGLGeUIBUN0hbflpcvZQIbQxjuVXLY19Xqnv2SF0kYp7rIREHkEYo2xkSFJCTD1e_a9fYrBfqkU8G_A/s1600/DSC01240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSVWgqJOBUmgvskKR2Uf_HGNo-TAybVK-8OXPBVdL3YyC4VOIBU-y5HvpC9sX3hGLGeUIBUN0hbflpcvZQIbQxjuVXLY19Xqnv2SF0kYp7rIREHkEYo2xkSFJCTD1e_a9fYrBfqkU8G_A/s1600/DSC01240.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">many of the buildings were covered in artwork</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YZ6_U7OMohVbs2m_6JH0TQe5IUZlhwsZanSUe6gj6Ooy1LMkx-n2jop7MdBfU1m8Z3-AnXnhA3VFaXDnqOYE4GYZGHEWs9uOTv32uGwxaSenIrkHJKXzJLx7xcsCR1MJaxgC2Rpjuf4l/s1600/DSC01242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YZ6_U7OMohVbs2m_6JH0TQe5IUZlhwsZanSUe6gj6Ooy1LMkx-n2jop7MdBfU1m8Z3-AnXnhA3VFaXDnqOYE4GYZGHEWs9uOTv32uGwxaSenIrkHJKXzJLx7xcsCR1MJaxgC2Rpjuf4l/s1600/DSC01242.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the scene at the pier</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFQtwWh5kdvdOK2CVfjtlyIOxlU4Oe3-FDDXkxpOnswwULIRj9ZBURTcnbFFLVu2GqRaFwqH_CMBD2eoD0H988156oKmj0NQJArSGwgfo5HqZ91ovtWx8WIy5dqnvSyvBGb5tvOU7DSAZ/s1600/DSC01245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFQtwWh5kdvdOK2CVfjtlyIOxlU4Oe3-FDDXkxpOnswwULIRj9ZBURTcnbFFLVu2GqRaFwqH_CMBD2eoD0H988156oKmj0NQJArSGwgfo5HqZ91ovtWx8WIy5dqnvSyvBGb5tvOU7DSAZ/s1600/DSC01245.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sailboats were parked along the docks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G-IGRJ6qLQS9DCtBffpSYER24hk3poR9cODsT86B1wsxdN4IXDflPwKav8qX13wdey2UFtnF9gMHpjT_y_Y1JwtFXJRqX_WxargX3yJhOiDroTjeSszrEvjGlKYR5RtiN_teQQmgUFO5/s1600/DSC01256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G-IGRJ6qLQS9DCtBffpSYER24hk3poR9cODsT86B1wsxdN4IXDflPwKav8qX13wdey2UFtnF9gMHpjT_y_Y1JwtFXJRqX_WxargX3yJhOiDroTjeSszrEvjGlKYR5RtiN_teQQmgUFO5/s1600/DSC01256.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby c had too much fun swinging at the park on the pier</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtA5ziCQ_vxUIuizB4ZZEyB2R66cHzAm1pCjoFg3V7aZILrl5M-_Vpd4FeQynyIgwdRRLzhGC9glBNpfiZZFjpYgSMZY7ylKd8QSp3y5zayWRJZfN6rwFrfQMBE7JHg2_vpSjhQPU7aVM/s1600/DSC01259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtA5ziCQ_vxUIuizB4ZZEyB2R66cHzAm1pCjoFg3V7aZILrl5M-_Vpd4FeQynyIgwdRRLzhGC9glBNpfiZZFjpYgSMZY7ylKd8QSp3y5zayWRJZfN6rwFrfQMBE7JHg2_vpSjhQPU7aVM/s1600/DSC01259.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another beautiful view of the docks in Konstanz</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvK3GL2KTsZgI-15IxWpWDL2jO3j_MSNIEHEc_shO3kF_GVusf5vcMmIkiOxzFQFtYCcOCbHKwYMstQHwAsIi7xx8MaRoNcA6j_-sTc24zIA9n91yftQiPP3-ybLcr9O96B08SQrNxfvp/s1600/DSC01267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvK3GL2KTsZgI-15IxWpWDL2jO3j_MSNIEHEc_shO3kF_GVusf5vcMmIkiOxzFQFtYCcOCbHKwYMstQHwAsIi7xx8MaRoNcA6j_-sTc24zIA9n91yftQiPP3-ybLcr9O96B08SQrNxfvp/s1600/DSC01267.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r taking it all in at sunset in Berlingen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP0MEe0e7A-sHKUbYRCqs9RZPYfPadJRZhmUNqY3K5aSmLETDhex51YzhntWGCF2mE6sTLRrUZpISBfutMlYw9Dwn8Qoq6BbFbaTFRyKj2rwzNzwT_WhAguzdO43lz9qUoB-G_X8dDl6d/s1600/DSC01272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP0MEe0e7A-sHKUbYRCqs9RZPYfPadJRZhmUNqY3K5aSmLETDhex51YzhntWGCF2mE6sTLRrUZpISBfutMlYw9Dwn8Qoq6BbFbaTFRyKj2rwzNzwT_WhAguzdO43lz9qUoB-G_X8dDl6d/s1600/DSC01272.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the many amazing sunset photos Big R captured that evening</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFj47DU8wpE4jVEPvmA1Aumvs1q0I5wgfj-OY_g-cqL76QuuMs9saHuHwGG68usTGbY22Li-CaLmtn3AWe97ILdyy37I6c5KVvRSbnjhvcZ9-ijrB0Kb9uxpNVtzLXEJeWNWXHb3D-za8/s1600/DSC01280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFj47DU8wpE4jVEPvmA1Aumvs1q0I5wgfj-OY_g-cqL76QuuMs9saHuHwGG68usTGbY22Li-CaLmtn3AWe97ILdyy37I6c5KVvRSbnjhvcZ9-ijrB0Kb9uxpNVtzLXEJeWNWXHb3D-za8/s1600/DSC01280.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the swan thought he'd add to the picture...</td></tr>
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It was finally time for us to make the drive home, but we had one more stop before saying "Tschus" to Switzerland. We drove down along the lake and then up into the hills to the terminus of the Rhine River. At this location is the Rhinefall, which is seriously breathtaking. We had never heard of this waterfall before, but apparently it's well known in this part of Europe. Our tour book mentioned it, and we figured it was worth a look before driving home. What an absolutely amazing discovery. When we drove around the bend and the falls came into our view, we were seriously blown away. So incredible! Of course, the weather was out of this world, too, and that never hurts. <br />
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You can park really close to the falls, and we managed to get there right when it opened, so we beat the crowds. There are several different boat tours you can take (it's cash only, but they take both swiss franks and euros). We opted to take the 20 minute boat ride that dropped us off on a rock island quite literally in the middle of the falls. It was super intense! You could hear the roar of the water as we closed in on the island. The weather was clear and the water was super calm, but on a "normal" day, the boys would not have been allowed on that particular boat tour because it would have been too dangerous. It was a crazy ride. <br />
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After the boat dropped us off, we climbed the metal staircase up to the top of the rock island. I know I keep saying this, but we were blown away. It was such an incredible experience to be standing in that location, listening to the water, and feeling the mist of the powerful falls hit our faces. As we walked down, little r actually said, "whoa, that's a little scary, mommy!" Yep, intense. Such an awesome ending to our trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE1kfFvXBawP2savjuCrQOcaWid_RcBT496jlNixg0UpLhhPKLNaXjAVaKaHAeycSkUp5qQZngMH5jYCZpc5VKxRl_0YWlhtFq-g-U39IfcYA5IHPiP9Oukibps17K13GYQ8ViyiaeJ28/s1600/DSC01292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE1kfFvXBawP2savjuCrQOcaWid_RcBT496jlNixg0UpLhhPKLNaXjAVaKaHAeycSkUp5qQZngMH5jYCZpc5VKxRl_0YWlhtFq-g-U39IfcYA5IHPiP9Oukibps17K13GYQ8ViyiaeJ28/s1600/DSC01292.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhinefall in Switzerland</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHEOZArhZgfQgf09AiN4XTZri7bqHk4pNLQ4yU7MNekG71ALYvzcuxGVFX2wamSjWsWdUVEssAYjWpBjnTDaxT4wD9TofeqDJhkujLHt8VYYE7nWVQC-3WgaWJfRsal104CUisSM89dMV/s1600/DSC01299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHEOZArhZgfQgf09AiN4XTZri7bqHk4pNLQ4yU7MNekG71ALYvzcuxGVFX2wamSjWsWdUVEssAYjWpBjnTDaxT4wD9TofeqDJhkujLHt8VYYE7nWVQC-3WgaWJfRsal104CUisSM89dMV/s1600/DSC01299.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the falls were so powerful</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYEbveKhBkzb1puQTjJKWqEm-e-ZpHPtIWwP5fxUD8X2BFVkJ3TJIyLsRiArm-5AxISo1ZxEBCobWhuK_F00aWrstgq02jVCeL9E5TLoVr9Sl6XhhJBxhLmWCr0KegGveSppI6wAF8qHf/s1600/DSC01311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYEbveKhBkzb1puQTjJKWqEm-e-ZpHPtIWwP5fxUD8X2BFVkJ3TJIyLsRiArm-5AxISo1ZxEBCobWhuK_F00aWrstgq02jVCeL9E5TLoVr9Sl6XhhJBxhLmWCr0KegGveSppI6wAF8qHf/s1600/DSC01311.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our boat slid right up to a rock island in the middle of the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lXyGEScroqwRFkvMU-5onmdwrzJyIrDAw2qKEL6sDMkb9_bpUkf2dOPDaeeoM5lv1TkqWwQ47QVA3OihylHF307kUINa78JaK1eZTRxOvEnaz2JpVH8cAIZEQzQ4_QO7hcz0ix0ckImU/s1600/DSC01312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lXyGEScroqwRFkvMU-5onmdwrzJyIrDAw2qKEL6sDMkb9_bpUkf2dOPDaeeoM5lv1TkqWwQ47QVA3OihylHF307kUINa78JaK1eZTRxOvEnaz2JpVH8cAIZEQzQ4_QO7hcz0ix0ckImU/s1600/DSC01312.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seriously intense!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dmKLfFHCJewWOzPOsMT_zHCvHJ8NggB8Idy0Pr4Rbae7VtT69xWbpvNvke1QEfEkUPFaYmnET1c6TgmrKztjR7M25SiINN9i8pWKy7GaKiwXYOPMt4RyVcFZ32gHJr68iTdlkIliRo4P/s1600/DSC01314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dmKLfFHCJewWOzPOsMT_zHCvHJ8NggB8Idy0Pr4Rbae7VtT69xWbpvNvke1QEfEkUPFaYmnET1c6TgmrKztjR7M25SiINN9i8pWKy7GaKiwXYOPMt4RyVcFZ32gHJr68iTdlkIliRo4P/s1600/DSC01314.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the roar of the falls was surrounding us</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgrEIrn1kAguOaEWl6xP_KnOZ5zmmndLqiWPmrMzk_2mbP4f5GEob3OZBAGuwuss2Lmf4d7FJLF-5J147JaNSPZgXvdm1xSqy-xw39WrsRNNjfAD-0vO53cNGr8HR3COTrG_xiOgcJEXW/s1600/DSC01322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgrEIrn1kAguOaEWl6xP_KnOZ5zmmndLqiWPmrMzk_2mbP4f5GEob3OZBAGuwuss2Lmf4d7FJLF-5J147JaNSPZgXvdm1xSqy-xw39WrsRNNjfAD-0vO53cNGr8HR3COTrG_xiOgcJEXW/s1600/DSC01322.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from on top of the rock island</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbJCOJa1_nY40tW7Gr171ZCiEdySRZX0IyXZ8UfWH0hMAz-J8fI0VyIra4A_G1LX4gjJXhD3qv3iENoRnSudr6Faa57L9cR5idCeJOI2S0veWZB7aCp91OuWrrjx9rrTBJQkTx2avwlEA/s1600/DSC01332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbJCOJa1_nY40tW7Gr171ZCiEdySRZX0IyXZ8UfWH0hMAz-J8fI0VyIra4A_G1LX4gjJXhD3qv3iENoRnSudr6Faa57L9cR5idCeJOI2S0veWZB7aCp91OuWrrjx9rrTBJQkTx2avwlEA/s1600/DSC01332.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">look at this goofy bunch - haha</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEDQHlEejqG7c-V4D1T-o4Lgb5GA7RtTwhR5VS-l08tpSF8ZnGkeFJx-qdoffpkAlPHPopa1i34EZlWMWLmJlBy37eKlQy-SRKXxuuLobyx5dJ64JfJ9o5n6zLC2Jiz7Xbt0twZ7bcgQq/s1600/DSC01336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEDQHlEejqG7c-V4D1T-o4Lgb5GA7RtTwhR5VS-l08tpSF8ZnGkeFJx-qdoffpkAlPHPopa1i34EZlWMWLmJlBy37eKlQy-SRKXxuuLobyx5dJ64JfJ9o5n6zLC2Jiz7Xbt0twZ7bcgQq/s1600/DSC01336.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little r with daddy on our climb back down to the boat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeWfZrXNnH32TgAuyTVgnuMxRK8E6NnRB69p90O2ipnoscOxmzfQYo9nmH2pLarkPUHWfMvL0XRj1W9rmcYdweffJrbM0bplJ98AELLHJnksdWFslg2JVllqiMMjkE-i7MnYUdbEM4gzh/s1600/DSC01338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeWfZrXNnH32TgAuyTVgnuMxRK8E6NnRB69p90O2ipnoscOxmzfQYo9nmH2pLarkPUHWfMvL0XRj1W9rmcYdweffJrbM0bplJ98AELLHJnksdWFslg2JVllqiMMjkE-i7MnYUdbEM4gzh/s1600/DSC01338.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was so steep, Big R went down backwards </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoYKqHQcP7joyCBcHEhqQPaF-eBPhzsgmXsCng0TjteB7Kn04bcC12kPaIj15H9G-IKuB6AfTX32AbG5Iajw7yf-Doq83pXbSFKZ0r7_Rjf23wLEI9l-qcs1Ix455jG3dS11HOaYOMMan/s1600/DSC01343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoYKqHQcP7joyCBcHEhqQPaF-eBPhzsgmXsCng0TjteB7Kn04bcC12kPaIj15H9G-IKuB6AfTX32AbG5Iajw7yf-Doq83pXbSFKZ0r7_Rjf23wLEI9l-qcs1Ix455jG3dS11HOaYOMMan/s1600/DSC01343.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another incredible view of the Rhinefall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvclVefmnWyLbprGwEv2tUEKlUOTtj-w-zsz0VPVaQrzyzUtRZIYf_YNrw_YrFbd1Wz5m2IZpPOiCrN5H1ptDrduA6c-UID-avw7GEQi1vN7yCWyW6kwju2LZv5uVh0W2YNFonKAWc8Zmc/s1600/DSC01345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvclVefmnWyLbprGwEv2tUEKlUOTtj-w-zsz0VPVaQrzyzUtRZIYf_YNrw_YrFbd1Wz5m2IZpPOiCrN5H1ptDrduA6c-UID-avw7GEQi1vN7yCWyW6kwju2LZv5uVh0W2YNFonKAWc8Zmc/s1600/DSC01345.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can see the people at the top - that's where we were standing!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqdKoIpgAT-ZoyWnJT47mfuQMIWad_wjkQ8w_5ONszcW8JEpuZFyULnqHCGPLZPbBUgHwv-tsxZ51yNqO9f-zISZ1HbatyCwUovpTF6OUp-LaukeQahjnsisXlYlZOLZ-tCydb6Pvg-YH/s1600/DSC01349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqdKoIpgAT-ZoyWnJT47mfuQMIWad_wjkQ8w_5ONszcW8JEpuZFyULnqHCGPLZPbBUgHwv-tsxZ51yNqO9f-zISZ1HbatyCwUovpTF6OUp-LaukeQahjnsisXlYlZOLZ-tCydb6Pvg-YH/s1600/DSC01349.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view of the Rhinefall as we drove away</td></tr>
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We headed back into Germany on a very uneventful car trip. The boys were so good in the car on the entire trip. Somehow we managed to space things out to never spend more than 4 hours in the car, and I'm sure that definitely helped. It was fun to have one of our last trips allow us to drive through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The Alps are definitely one of our true loves, and we are really going to miss traveling in this area of Europe. <br />
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Our last European adventure is in a couple weeks when we head up to Sweden one last time. It's so hard to know that this chapter in our lives is coming to a close. We have been able to see some of the most incredible parts of Europe these past three years, and this latest trip to Switzerland was a great way to close the book.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Thanks for always going on these adventures with us!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>p.s. I'll put all the details of this trip into my travel archives! </i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-576608936287321691.post-7565004686568419072014-05-21T16:15:00.000-04:002014-05-21T16:15:08.568-04:00My baby boy turns 1!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Let's put aside for just a second how late I am with this blog post and instead focus on how absolutely and adorably cute this little guy is...<br />
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We've had a few things going on this past week or so, I'm not going to lie, but I swear the biggest reason I haven't written this post until now is because I haven't wanted to accept that my baby c is already a year old. On one hand the time has flown by, but on the other, the memories we've made together as a family in this past year have been incredible and more than we ever would have expected in a lifetime. <br />
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The timing of our little man's birthday was kind of rough. We are right in the middle of a PCS, and the movers came and packed and loaded all of our household goods ON HIS BIRTHDAY. Yes, nothing like saying "happy birthday" like "here you go, you get to sleep in a pack-n-play for the next two months!" Yeah, I felt kind of bad about that. Luckily, he is only one and therefore a bit oblivious to the fact that his birthday has any kind of significance whatsoever.<br />
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So, instead of birthday parties and cake smashes, we emptied our house and watched baby c's eyes grow wide at the endless possibilities of exploring a house first full of boxes and then completely emptied (did any of you move as a child and remember how absolutely cool it was to play around in your empty house? oh, to be a kid again...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCZcmwKRFVzkAwvPvuKtZA2Q5JEZYZ2FSSioS4RAfpWiJkjhyphenhyphenOIKH5U3jKIwb2HIjC6vqgSElNtG_CFNXMhMDIYiMhW4ZdT1FYOo7IBGOEQrETytbhdhEgDwcqL2t3mykRCQI5VKMMTbC/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCZcmwKRFVzkAwvPvuKtZA2Q5JEZYZ2FSSioS4RAfpWiJkjhyphenhyphenOIKH5U3jKIwb2HIjC6vqgSElNtG_CFNXMhMDIYiMhW4ZdT1FYOo7IBGOEQrETytbhdhEgDwcqL2t3mykRCQI5VKMMTbC/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I couldn't stand it though, so after the truck pulled away with our things, I quickly mixed up a box of cake mix, German-style, of course, because that's the only way we roll around here. I was watching little ones for a good friend next door, and we had our own little baby c celebration with cake. It was a tad bit hectic with lots of yelling and far too much drama, but alas, my sweet little man got to watch his brother blow out his candle (HA!) and eat fist-fulls of cake (only his favorite thing EVER). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UkYJAagVWcPr_k_c6fk3OUO5-THMVRFulrUnXLqdENtBAn0qS5xk-OUs_aGNOM1bD_2Cj87vIFl24TZhrdG1Xx8F4nbZd3C2QUAueb3PfF6UC0ij9o_-QroiyuDJUPF-RD9gkEf2XLlA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UkYJAagVWcPr_k_c6fk3OUO5-THMVRFulrUnXLqdENtBAn0qS5xk-OUs_aGNOM1bD_2Cj87vIFl24TZhrdG1Xx8F4nbZd3C2QUAueb3PfF6UC0ij9o_-QroiyuDJUPF-RD9gkEf2XLlA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture is blurry, but it's the only one I got before little r blew out the candle - I love the look in baby c's face</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAacwUjKRaqT0-vTb_9B8xvYa-s5kgqBn9i-g7LI1nUwCCV6PJS8tDiCG80bw2FJBYkRwifZLQH6Mr3WanP9wgCZDUYB6QhX9cazFiPcaUSqaSaWYhB3vL7QNVEYGWl0rZHU7o_h08FV0/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAacwUjKRaqT0-vTb_9B8xvYa-s5kgqBn9i-g7LI1nUwCCV6PJS8tDiCG80bw2FJBYkRwifZLQH6Mr3WanP9wgCZDUYB6QhX9cazFiPcaUSqaSaWYhB3vL7QNVEYGWl0rZHU7o_h08FV0/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I am a jedi master, clearly I willed the fire out" - yes, that is, in fact, a light saber</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1_fSbhwwTEYOeArlinVGXBC9BmZ64FD5z0AhQExrBNTpdDbpo8fCB-_Ag2ACpjhXNsnemeF_utsPOmVJPNKPWIAgQ_fHqDrg9AiXNFWt3YzZ6OdEY_IMiK-932-gQvEuRh7yvg89xldK/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1_fSbhwwTEYOeArlinVGXBC9BmZ64FD5z0AhQExrBNTpdDbpo8fCB-_Ag2ACpjhXNsnemeF_utsPOmVJPNKPWIAgQ_fHqDrg9AiXNFWt3YzZ6OdEY_IMiK-932-gQvEuRh7yvg89xldK/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAKE! My favorite thing :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zMGNX6K6ZpPKHAtibyALUKGFdeD7p3Cm8RzMopkf8FqspAxGYRm1Yvb4_R_n05L4JAoSR0sWrosTtyR-yTUWRd4dcVFDpWApcVXxmneXt05P7vfo8Hsi8JjAAPSOwllK6FXtyvheGpCH/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zMGNX6K6ZpPKHAtibyALUKGFdeD7p3Cm8RzMopkf8FqspAxGYRm1Yvb4_R_n05L4JAoSR0sWrosTtyR-yTUWRd4dcVFDpWApcVXxmneXt05P7vfo8Hsi8JjAAPSOwllK6FXtyvheGpCH/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I have no clue what's going on, but I could get used to this!"</td></tr>
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So, the furniture was gone, and we were eating cake on a borrowed government table, and baby c is in a make-shift high chair, but after all was said and done, I think he went to bed pretty darn happy. Don't worry, baby c, we'll make sure that your birthday celebration is over-the-top next year - PROMISE!<br />
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<i>We love you, little man. Happy birthday!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>xoxoxoxo</i></div>
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JRRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253226071663922556noreply@blogger.com0