tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70795143380126119582024-03-10T22:24:33.909-05:00A Day in the Life of a Five Foot MamaThis five foot Mama has stories to share, tips to give, and product reviews to deliver. Chances are there will be some baby bragging (I AM a Mom, after all!) along the way, too.Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-36960525890214298852019-05-11T07:25:00.000-05:002019-05-11T07:25:11.300-05:00Bryleigh's first REAL haircut!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAgz-m2W2mFIUR74NnG0KXv_zn2AkdY1TRdcDgbW3EamYfXQsz_D9bGeNDfcZHZWltsD_DGyToQMgd44-eRLCBwiiPPvpMVkJYAqhQPvkvrzWk9IRjc5slEIm6yR6qufAR__Q_uEyPqc/s1600/59975078_674639596305996_4891170380875563008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAgz-m2W2mFIUR74NnG0KXv_zn2AkdY1TRdcDgbW3EamYfXQsz_D9bGeNDfcZHZWltsD_DGyToQMgd44-eRLCBwiiPPvpMVkJYAqhQPvkvrzWk9IRjc5slEIm6yR6qufAR__Q_uEyPqc/s200/59975078_674639596305996_4891170380875563008_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXt7u_8reQ5e3OvOy0M0dSStLAZzAH18PzO0s-zN9ABgaF3r7adiKzWOFjiQ9cIh256fxPIazmsXnn_fuA7wHgYq1HOkyrkYluInn5f22sElVjCU9YBgTzIoM0a_J3aTeiR7Nh5vBWN4/s1600/59988659_2056671757968789_8961449555161776128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXt7u_8reQ5e3OvOy0M0dSStLAZzAH18PzO0s-zN9ABgaF3r7adiKzWOFjiQ9cIh256fxPIazmsXnn_fuA7wHgYq1HOkyrkYluInn5f22sElVjCU9YBgTzIoM0a_J3aTeiR7Nh5vBWN4/s200/59988659_2056671757968789_8961449555161776128_n.jpg" width="150" /></a>Bryleigh has always had pretty thin, slow growing hair. It finally had gotten pretty long, and it only took 7 years. She's been begging for a haircut for a while now. She wanted a chin length cut, which scared me since it took so long to grow it out originally! I agreed that a cut was a good idea, but was able to talk her into a slightly-longer-than-shoulder-length cut. She has had a few very small trims in the past, but nothing more than an inch at a time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTpUrGHybwCQolV-YCtI_WM9-L9knupTB-Qiv1Q-CH5qd0JObEw0MzD8uPWHsW3mHKdQKag4NeZKbdRwqwfHgCJCZhA44oUirne0p2oKjZycb9Ok7L73gwAc_MDym1f9e5f9D1efjbYU/s1600/60340398_433387840795023_3068551165722492928_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTpUrGHybwCQolV-YCtI_WM9-L9knupTB-Qiv1Q-CH5qd0JObEw0MzD8uPWHsW3mHKdQKag4NeZKbdRwqwfHgCJCZhA44oUirne0p2oKjZycb9Ok7L73gwAc_MDym1f9e5f9D1efjbYU/s320/60340398_433387840795023_3068551165722492928_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
We cut off about 5 or 6 inches this time! It looks so cute and helps her hair look thicker and healthier. Brushing through the snarls is also a breeze now. Most importantly- she loves it! What a fun new hairdo for summer!<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-39667431286704296322017-12-05T14:37:00.000-06:002017-12-05T14:37:04.508-06:00Josefina & Jeffery Elephant Rug Crochet Pattern Review!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM99iOlomY_AbXZTMwf7HxWbI_2uFxIq8pdlzfzUjLJYzK4d6N2jFDroDe7yliQK55Hby8Q5zbld-H8EAPq08D1jPrY3bm0bw0eI0G-KAdJLrsQPSDyZuKnTwbaA9GxjIWFnO730oAsQ/s1600/April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM99iOlomY_AbXZTMwf7HxWbI_2uFxIq8pdlzfzUjLJYzK4d6N2jFDroDe7yliQK55Hby8Q5zbld-H8EAPq08D1jPrY3bm0bw0eI0G-KAdJLrsQPSDyZuKnTwbaA9GxjIWFnO730oAsQ/s200/April.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April in her elephant hat I made her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With the arrival of someone very new and special in my life, I was inspired to make something just as special and unique. My niece, April Sue, was born on July 28th and is owed a blog post of her own. I can't believe I haven't done it yet!<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to my project! I thought about making April a blanket. There are so many cute blanket patterns out there. But after thinking about that quite a bit, I decided that all new babies are inundated with tons of blankets, to the point the many just don't get used. So I continued my hunt. That's when I stumbled onto the Josefina & Jeffery Elephant Rug Crochet Pattern by Ira Rott. I was awestruck. The photos of this rug were just incredible! It was so cute, I just couldn't help myself. I knew it would look perfect in their yellow, gray, and white nursery. I contacted Ira and offered to do a product review of her crochet pattern. To my delight, she said yes!<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/AVvXsEhh8ydui2VjPywkBnbRN7G4BpkwnppMslcj_YWmlUmUNkjn-qgJhJvAGhmPEGE6IVg3XngFeCTX3oJo_LYvwZWSZbyjGRCOGReqkolmJMv3vHpveUGMXz0SwIfB9SRE_9AIOYA2HZCo2k4/s1600/pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8ydui2VjPywkBnbRN7G4BpkwnppMslcj_YWmlUmUNkjn-qgJhJvAGhmPEGE6IVg3XngFeCTX3oJo_LYvwZWSZbyjGRCOGReqkolmJMv3vHpveUGMXz0SwIfB9SRE_9AIOYA2HZCo2k4/s320/pattern.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously! Look at this thing! How could I NOT love it!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First off, let me just say that you can find this pattern and a zillion more adorable ones at <a href="https://irarott.com/" target="_blank">Ira Rott's website</a>. This specific pattern can be found right here: <a href="https://irarott.com/Josefina_and_Jeffery_Elephant_Rug_Crochet_Pattern.html" target="_blank">Elephant Rug Pattern</a>. She also has a whole line of cute elephant things if you are looking to furnish a whole bedroom or nursery.<br />
<br />
So off I went to the craft store to get my yarn. The pattern suggested using Red Heart Super Saver yarn- 8 skeins. I decided to use Caron One Pound yarn instead and needed 4 skeins (not counting a bit of whatever color you choose for the bow).<br />
<br />
This pattern is made with a 9mm size M/N crochet hook and uses 3 strands of yarn held together the entire time.... That's right- THREE. At first the thought of working with 3 strands of yarn scared me, but the very first thing the pattern does is point you towards a tutorial that teaches you how to crochet with 3 strands of yarn, all from one skein! Say goodbye to tangles and knots. This was an awesome and easy technique to learn and I'm positive I'll use it again. One little note about using 3 strands of yarn held together- it is kind of a workout. I found that my hand and arm would get tired much more quickly compared to regular 1 or even 2 strand crocheting. But it is definitely worth it when you feel the thick, sturdy rug you are producing! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMYn8aenCm6nP_Yf-_3psHbsnbYM7_aV1_dc2CQBiJwLkOi8H58VR4baJ2iN7E75Zg3O8FdIg0qpZMsvp8L6j1R1FiOSTLnBjqw8_U3bo5aqFeF0nx5dRinZsy8mleKwaYmCaIt8OLys/s1600/pattern2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMYn8aenCm6nP_Yf-_3psHbsnbYM7_aV1_dc2CQBiJwLkOi8H58VR4baJ2iN7E75Zg3O8FdIg0qpZMsvp8L6j1R1FiOSTLnBjqw8_U3bo5aqFeF0nx5dRinZsy8mleKwaYmCaIt8OLys/s320/pattern2.png" width="320" /></a>I was very impressed with the pattern. I found the instructions to be clear and easy to follow and even the look of the pattern itself is so cute! I loved the cheery colors, diagrams, photos, graphics... everything really. There's some serious talent behind this. The only place that I got at all confused was on the first ear. It was not the pattern's fault- it was mine. I was reading into it too much instead of just following the directions exactly as stated (repeating some things I shouldn't have been). After I realized what I was doing wrong and fixed it, it was smooth sailing. The diagram was extremely helpful at that point, too, because I could take a look at exactly what kind of stich was supposed to be where.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dL_HqkvD3TAN6pm4_b6GA2oW96Tx4BWQgDQf-V1Qspakgd6sxm2zK9Eh5SJqxA1FboPf2AyPMlpj6y-z_qMWp8Oniqi2B-FovJfhK8l-iXBSmd6mxreSFku6oNLRqSqQNvm_1oZ3sO8/s1600/editDSC09607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dL_HqkvD3TAN6pm4_b6GA2oW96Tx4BWQgDQf-V1Qspakgd6sxm2zK9Eh5SJqxA1FboPf2AyPMlpj6y-z_qMWp8Oniqi2B-FovJfhK8l-iXBSmd6mxreSFku6oNLRqSqQNvm_1oZ3sO8/s200/editDSC09607.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what April thought of her rug!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This rug is BIG! Almost 5 feet across. I looks amazing and everyone who I showed it too was so impressed. It would make for an awesome gift, but after you finish it you won't really want to give it away. It's just so cute. As I mentioned before, it's nice and thick. It is heavy and feels like it will withstand some abuse, though I don't think anyone will want to step on it- it's too cute. The ears are perfectly intricate and give this rug the perfect touch of fanciness. I love it. <br />
<br />
I'd like to thank Ira Rott for the opportunity to make this rug and review this lovely pattern. It is truly a beauty!<br />
<br />
Time for my pictures!<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/AVvXsEjMkcmrFslez0Y16bo5kqkvCAowpTHrUtdEK66Ij0SGOsN5o6M8bCB1YYYKHTR5_dGlcuZfNsLgFp6OP7_9Q7FUq2CYsOK_VJN5Tzr3d7Mcul9x9pvIuG2ARFcSD-QnDgVuYLOVKB-wKBM/s1600/editDSC09619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkcmrFslez0Y16bo5kqkvCAowpTHrUtdEK66Ij0SGOsN5o6M8bCB1YYYKHTR5_dGlcuZfNsLgFp6OP7_9Q7FUq2CYsOK_VJN5Tzr3d7Mcul9x9pvIuG2ARFcSD-QnDgVuYLOVKB-wKBM/s640/editDSC09619.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, what do you know?! Mine looks pretty much like the one in the picture! :)</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/AVvXsEg0LeE1RW9mc07YNggl14pSEc-HrTHXMZMRlekF_sKrmvwkM9E8W4At5GGZCPBcnefT175nWj2hP9VZ_3DxtwzxfIsaPLN5vbJazERTcK-zIDSePwZmQMtFd2jwfka3Ukm5kk9PuV8JQIg/s1600/editDSC09598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LeE1RW9mc07YNggl14pSEc-HrTHXMZMRlekF_sKrmvwkM9E8W4At5GGZCPBcnefT175nWj2hP9VZ_3DxtwzxfIsaPLN5vbJazERTcK-zIDSePwZmQMtFd2jwfka3Ukm5kk9PuV8JQIg/s400/editDSC09598.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My completed rug and its new owner. I know she'll treasure it for years to come.</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/AVvXsEjh3S-RTPyJ7fLek_tdR4yqLxPOLbi_q4cI0ZVayjMCtr5lEefVcdrrdmRKEp0Vml9q8SR72ZpeHUsiSLZSXph1tuzn906lVqC_aZuZflZfzr8vimL-zO72panBSridbWSBlOllBpK2xcU/s1600/editDSC09595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3S-RTPyJ7fLek_tdR4yqLxPOLbi_q4cI0ZVayjMCtr5lEefVcdrrdmRKEp0Vml9q8SR72ZpeHUsiSLZSXph1tuzn906lVqC_aZuZflZfzr8vimL-zO72panBSridbWSBlOllBpK2xcU/s400/editDSC09595.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's a big rug! The 4 month old doesn't even take up an ear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-36451525140841403102017-07-22T08:00:00.000-05:002017-07-22T08:00:29.110-05:00Due Date! Due Date!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XC211b3kBWWChoyvgMC0zj7nQ2XcCtGJn9kwOJRycU7OW8P8bmozvTA9PaSzd4XicVQeL_tO2i7-Etn0YPulVsVgyNA5HLH80WgYvwl0aOe6ZAkKjfBASFWgTRhetgz5e-gWTnAr33c/s1600/editDSC04087bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XC211b3kBWWChoyvgMC0zj7nQ2XcCtGJn9kwOJRycU7OW8P8bmozvTA9PaSzd4XicVQeL_tO2i7-Etn0YPulVsVgyNA5HLH80WgYvwl0aOe6ZAkKjfBASFWgTRhetgz5e-gWTnAr33c/s200/editDSC04087bw.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOplLzaa0LitfKY9B5vwgZO25uBKqfUARBC_Xd2qHKyrfz2DwAmDJwY9V26YXRRhzPmgCBokfFqkgOkOZTpvL3S3cGz97dfesiETmfqXIfhIFrGpoEi3xKxxGGVcA7uBCW5gsUPaxJJ0I/s1600/editDSC04110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOplLzaa0LitfKY9B5vwgZO25uBKqfUARBC_Xd2qHKyrfz2DwAmDJwY9V26YXRRhzPmgCBokfFqkgOkOZTpvL3S3cGz97dfesiETmfqXIfhIFrGpoEi3xKxxGGVcA7uBCW5gsUPaxJJ0I/s320/editDSC04110.jpg" width="212" /></a>My little sister is a full 40 weeks pregnant with her first little one today! We are all very anxiously awaiting his or her arrival. She's asked me to take pictures for them in the delivery room, so I've been staying close by the phone waiting for 'the call'. She called today to update me about this afternoon's doctor visit. When my caller ID showed her name, I got super excited and thought she must be in labor! She wasn't :/. I told her that she is now banned from calling me until she is actually in labor and that she may only text me or Facebook message me! I don't need that kind of false excitement in my life!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpeL3HLvh3Ijpas3NRpbuNiKw_tBvlwARAA-3yYikKqCtDb-ULWA56Oytc3TTSkf8Dt5-NfCbOR6oc0_1mAS5Ywg3IakvnGU0n4GMfL5SCjCAfuDGfIxlSfEDUPhs4hH8XBnygBRTrSg/s1600/DSC04367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpeL3HLvh3Ijpas3NRpbuNiKw_tBvlwARAA-3yYikKqCtDb-ULWA56Oytc3TTSkf8Dt5-NfCbOR6oc0_1mAS5Ywg3IakvnGU0n4GMfL5SCjCAfuDGfIxlSfEDUPhs4hH8XBnygBRTrSg/s320/DSC04367.JPG" width="320" /></a>On July 8th, we threw a little shower for her and Joe. We made it a coed BaByQ and it was a blast. We played just a few games, a relay, which was wild and competeitive, the standard 'guess the mother's girth' game, and a challenging nursery rhyme triva game. <br />
<br />
Everybody had a lot of fun and Haley and Joe were given a lot of wonderful gifts to help them get ready for the baby, who I've dubbed 'Clyde' so far.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJZytz0lRLite9ByTyNE0VNgqCpNQnvcMPHbQUIHRwF601yOSkjyvUrtmj88Cb22aGlOsAh1XCHcGUWR4m5wNc7YnXNRwfGaXtaHB7v2sRDDBWQ871hn0g_Qr9giFi7_3v4j55Vwzy04/s1600/DSC04263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJZytz0lRLite9ByTyNE0VNgqCpNQnvcMPHbQUIHRwF601yOSkjyvUrtmj88Cb22aGlOsAh1XCHcGUWR4m5wNc7YnXNRwfGaXtaHB7v2sRDDBWQ871hn0g_Qr9giFi7_3v4j55Vwzy04/s200/DSC04263.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2dKz06GqHAfjxFQ2NqE4RRpqNoCgKHbGFr51isjd4sraCTCV2-ZcuiI7ZswCt6IPG3a-DwVgHpqvc1Ov_jq1majrBmn1q149MerUawy-NB7_-6mOAVBhU92OlH7VD3Pte7iCE65bL0g/s1600/DSC04233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2dKz06GqHAfjxFQ2NqE4RRpqNoCgKHbGFr51isjd4sraCTCV2-ZcuiI7ZswCt6IPG3a-DwVgHpqvc1Ov_jq1majrBmn1q149MerUawy-NB7_-6mOAVBhU92OlH7VD3Pte7iCE65bL0g/s200/DSC04233.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
My little cousin (the one closest in age but about 16" taller than me) and his wife are also expecting their first baby! He or she is due to arrive August 1st! So within a week or two we'll have to new tiny members of the family. It's a race now to see which one will make its appearance first.<br />
<br />
Please keep my sister, brother-in-law, cousin, cousin-in-law and the babies in your prayers for safe (and soon) deliveries that result in happy, healthy babies!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGPuryknyDIKHAKhP1cDTn1Qf2rU0KG8ky-mdPDJzYRN_VLVSv5JYrq_YEgfjn962QnLdarLWOZZ1tZCBt59um4eopV8ut9EP0fB9weq_w-WdScV-SEmYl5N4hOtibWRHUE7nZL3lVTw/s1600/DSC04263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-21525222319963408592017-07-21T20:52:00.003-05:002017-07-21T20:52:21.471-05:00Coin Connection: A Patterning Game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently I was contacted by someone from Education.com to see if I'd be interested with sharing a learning activity on my blog. It sounded interesting, so I was happy they had asked! They provided me with the instructions for an activity that strengthens math skills and helps them learn to analyze a problem. My kids really love doing things with patterns, so I think this would be hit for most kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's the game!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500688025160_2269" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coin Connection: A Patterning Game</span><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Lots of everyday objects can be fun, whether it’s buttons, beans, or LEGO blocks. But just because objects are fun to play with, doesn't mean they can't teach something, too! By creating patterns with objects, students begin to develop their algebraic thinking skills.<br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Here’s an activity that uses coins to build problem-solving strategies. With practice, students can use these “manipulatives” to discover lots of <a href="https://www.education.com/games/math/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background: transparent; color: #196ad4; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">key mathematical concepts</a> such as the commutative and associative properties, which will underly addition and multiplication work for years to come.<br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />What You Need:<br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Pennies<br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Nickels<br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Dimes<br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Quarters<br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />Table or other flat surface<br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" /><br clear="none" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;" />What You Do:</span></div>
<ol id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500688025160_2345" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 2px 0px; padding: 0px 40px;">
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500688025160_2351" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Model a repeating pattern using pennies and nickels. You can show a series of two pennies, 1 nickel, or a similar pattern. Ask your child to name your pattern.</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500688025160_2349" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ask your child to extend your pattern by adding what comes next. If your pattern shows two pennies, one nickel, two pennies, one nickel, two pennies; then one nickel comes next. Allow your child to place the nickel after the two pennies.</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500688025160_2347" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Add to the challenge. This time set up a repeating pattern showing pennies, dimes, and quarters. Place the coins on the table to show the first two repetitions. You might try something like penny, penny, dime, quarter, quarter. This series shows an ABC pattern, which is a bit more challenging. Ask your child to name the pattern you created. Now have your child extend this pattern by placing the coins on the table to show the next repetition.</span></li>
<li id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500688025160_2344" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Explore some more. Set this series of coins in a row on the table: one nickel, two pennies, one nickel, three pennies, one nickel, four pennies. Discuss this pattern with your child. Ask him what part of the pattern remained the same (the nickel). Ask him what part changed (the number of pennies).</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let your child experiment! Set him to work independently. Ask an open-ended question like, “How could you use these four types of coins to make a different pattern?” Encourage him to show you the patterns.</span></li>
</ol>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1500688025160_2353" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All mathematics is based on patterns, and because generations of mathematicians have clarified their observations, we also know that patterns can even become formulas that underly much more complicated mathematics work in grades to come. There’s a danger, though, in learning the formulas without anchoring them in hands-on discoveries like this exercise: kids may do math “by the rules,” but have no idea how or why. Any time you let your kid practice sequences, make new ones, and think it all over, you are building habits and ways of thinking that can support math success for years to come.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-813631420897108502017-05-16T17:17:00.000-05:002017-05-16T17:17:42.320-05:00Our Quail are Here!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's a boy! And a girl! And a girl! And 12 more boys! And 7 more girls! And...<br />
<br />
Actually, I have no idea how many boys and girls I have yet, but our quail are here! To refresh your memory, I was incubating 46 Jumbo Coturnix quail eggs. We noticed our first little pips (cracks or holes at the beginning of a hatch) on the morning of May 10th, and by that afternoon around 3:40, our first quail had hatched! It was so adorable and so tiny. Soon later it had a whole lot of brothers and sisters, too! Our final count was 36 successfully hatched quail, which was a hatch rate of 78%. I'm very happy with that!<br />
<br />
Lots of excited viewers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVqwxRWNm-ImdpllZmSyWcRpiA21OxVDgWFHEraM4l8fi2nXX9SR17jB4IgX6ixIhl1fbF3q2AHC4kFq7pNCFb9FI6vd7QGeQo1MarFz_hG_8bFoC_Hu5Xx5iHINwPMIRF3Bs6e-qlt4/s1600/20170510_160800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVqwxRWNm-ImdpllZmSyWcRpiA21OxVDgWFHEraM4l8fi2nXX9SR17jB4IgX6ixIhl1fbF3q2AHC4kFq7pNCFb9FI6vd7QGeQo1MarFz_hG_8bFoC_Hu5Xx5iHINwPMIRF3Bs6e-qlt4/s200/20170510_160800.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufyWtK7pxP050iZ2f1h-wHLiYcofUs2cnvAqyKXayTB03pWGmt-kxl1wf1mahrJ5b16F1YWaXZf5YRlqNX-zd0lM5RGoVpsOav9DgC7zZ3seVSBc3PpHoZth5qrd7fCUNp_Dl7J9UgjM/s1600/20170510_174440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufyWtK7pxP050iZ2f1h-wHLiYcofUs2cnvAqyKXayTB03pWGmt-kxl1wf1mahrJ5b16F1YWaXZf5YRlqNX-zd0lM5RGoVpsOav9DgC7zZ3seVSBc3PpHoZth5qrd7fCUNp_Dl7J9UgjM/s200/20170510_174440.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL9gwLvBfMpq6qFT8pygBtOf08Tl2p94pmmpDfrmSgI3zpiTlp645NSaNoG5dMmXPv6Cuv2as5ilsgMS1APZE6sSzHA5uK2-fOyV9LRkxoB8Mv1JBB1mb_3L9d8TzAjzETTP1wt6xGjU/s1600/20170510_173946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL9gwLvBfMpq6qFT8pygBtOf08Tl2p94pmmpDfrmSgI3zpiTlp645NSaNoG5dMmXPv6Cuv2as5ilsgMS1APZE6sSzHA5uK2-fOyV9LRkxoB8Mv1JBB1mb_3L9d8TzAjzETTP1wt6xGjU/s320/20170510_173946.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92oadjFetg_wqowQEQHLve-fVpfiKzbVrpiil7UKZ_YzfaGNNTiFG_PWUFxTHdByxYVrYtgUZDIYGLVwew6sDqkIqgfkNC8ZOMFjBIYTMpeCB0ygEzRCEmbyCENUioYU_kzrfwJdtZNg/s1600/20170510_154045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92oadjFetg_wqowQEQHLve-fVpfiKzbVrpiil7UKZ_YzfaGNNTiFG_PWUFxTHdByxYVrYtgUZDIYGLVwew6sDqkIqgfkNC8ZOMFjBIYTMpeCB0ygEzRCEmbyCENUioYU_kzrfwJdtZNg/s320/20170510_154045.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVqwxRWNm-ImdpllZmSyWcRpiA21OxVDgWFHEraM4l8fi2nXX9SR17jB4IgX6ixIhl1fbF3q2AHC4kFq7pNCFb9FI6vd7QGeQo1MarFz_hG_8bFoC_Hu5Xx5iHINwPMIRF3Bs6e-qlt4/s1600/20170510_160800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL9gwLvBfMpq6qFT8pygBtOf08Tl2p94pmmpDfrmSgI3zpiTlp645NSaNoG5dMmXPv6Cuv2as5ilsgMS1APZE6sSzHA5uK2-fOyV9LRkxoB8Mv1JBB1mb_3L9d8TzAjzETTP1wt6xGjU/s1600/20170510_173946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
My son was so excited about our impending hatch that he asked to invite his friend over to watch. He and his sister both came and enjoyed watching- especially his sister.<br />
<br />
Here is the video of our first 2 hatching!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy1dNarBflZ_RB1tSSbvKIOrRjzzwpK630Jbwf8SCxGtTXqqp38Ve8LoFP8mvMzoWopbv1Hgb7URs2bOYosdg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the second video update a couple hours later.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyEOTX2sF-jOoeRqHnVc5juU_FdOd-Qe__nPEi7dpgQjluP_gjU144f9yJttvlfumt_qILWbU5CD1hKvMqy' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I made one more video update yesterday. The quail have now moved from their little starter brooder, which was a plastic tote, and into a large cardboard box. They are 6 days old today and are doing wonderfully.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyc04g0KaPf9BEo2e0yqdamFFThQW1uc_0t6gZT9zlyRau8Kd_-37qi3kq60bEFTCYXRMn4FF4VEnR2RXsrLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3W6Ognqh2GTbbFaa0ldxGfQ_SC_UOvz9fx6brZSXly2ipzRPZ7_C6wrz5-vRXAAgrGX3AQdTGFzCCzwHSQHKUfHUJZhgmsJSoBEPx7H4-V7dR-nEjXqoMjHFbGmJ6CGFTpB6od2KUHc/s1600/20170516_162530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3W6Ognqh2GTbbFaa0ldxGfQ_SC_UOvz9fx6brZSXly2ipzRPZ7_C6wrz5-vRXAAgrGX3AQdTGFzCCzwHSQHKUfHUJZhgmsJSoBEPx7H4-V7dR-nEjXqoMjHFbGmJ6CGFTpB6od2KUHc/s400/20170516_162530.jpg" width="300" /></a>Check out this photo of their wing development as of today! I can't believe how fast that start to feather out. All that feather makes for a lot of adorable jumping around and flapping, too. I just love to watch them run and play. It's like they are even surprised and impressed by their new abilities!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Most people who raise quail raise them in hutches, or small cages. I personally don't care for that idea. I wanted to give mine the opportunity to live on the ground, in a more natural environment. We are currently building them a beautful, large enclosure that is coming along great. I can't wait to get it finished up and move them into their new home!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-799096361190782892017-04-29T21:10:00.000-05:002017-04-29T21:10:08.328-05:00Brennan's Adorable Acrostic Poems<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My little man has been learning about acrostic peoems in school. This was the little poem book he made at school. There are two poems- one about himself and one about our cat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPX8iVxXRVo_8xqkKXeuRc3c24QKcvNce4T6MSqD8idPSfISlM-SRiGvAYzzte4dbC8e2aAXULnY1MAT8rbo7q8Gd9h3L9iIFBCFvFh8WIZKBXfS53zuiQsDNaxe22N1dECuK7dKUyug/s1600/20170426_142835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPX8iVxXRVo_8xqkKXeuRc3c24QKcvNce4T6MSqD8idPSfISlM-SRiGvAYzzte4dbC8e2aAXULnY1MAT8rbo7q8Gd9h3L9iIFBCFvFh8WIZKBXfS53zuiQsDNaxe22N1dECuK7dKUyug/s640/20170426_142835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Brennan is<br />
Really fun<br />
Excited to play<br />
Nise to people<br />
Needs help sometimes<br />
Always fast<br />
North American<br />
<br />
Rocky is<br />
Only three<br />
Crazy about<br />
Kinds of toys<br />
Yarn loving<br />
<br />
I think he did such a good job and that the poems are so cute! I think that the North American part is definitely my favorite. :)</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-2069372424848430222017-04-29T21:04:00.000-05:002017-04-29T21:10:42.249-05:00Our New Pet Journey!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For a long time now, I've been fighting the city in an attempt to get them to change their ordinance to allow for backyard chickens. I was hopeful that they would see the light and give it a chance. But... no such luck. They didn't. We had 3 councilmen vote in our favor and needed only one more. This was our second attempt, so for now, I'm done fighting. Maybe someday when we get a new council I will try it again.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3X6OrAExOa_Vdy6i_7eR8-E3nWn-SG2M7EcdmWSn-K0wADIQP_7n5D5QM3XRDyiT4NRZdEwRGLC1trU8LO-HuMa8O1YYsb2rjI55MkplKwX0oztb5Yea1-yBgrG8SHxcxMiS8QBQvhI/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3X6OrAExOa_Vdy6i_7eR8-E3nWn-SG2M7EcdmWSn-K0wADIQP_7n5D5QM3XRDyiT4NRZdEwRGLC1trU8LO-HuMa8O1YYsb2rjI55MkplKwX0oztb5Yea1-yBgrG8SHxcxMiS8QBQvhI/s200/5.jpg" width="150" /></a>As disappointing as this all is, I've come up with a solution that will work for me and my family. We will be raising Jumbo Brown Coturnix Quail! I did MANY hours of research to prepare for this new adventure and feel prepared and ready to go. Quail are not mentioned as farm animals in our city's ordinance are are not specifially mentioned anywhere.<br />
<br />
<br />
Last Saturday, Ryan drove me to Osseo, WI to pick up 40 quail hatching eggs. The seller actually included an extra 6 eggs, so we came home with 46 new would-be quail! I got them all rested, sanitized, and placed into the incubator. Now it's been a week and everything still looks good. I've been DYING waiting. It seems like it's been so much longer than a week and I absolutely can't wait to see them hatch on or around May 10th. How many do you think will hatch? I really don't know what to expect- always a mystery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzxEvvfA3l9cOrcTNvAEKH4SwGF3zpywDnmEayZ4oYZwnJxVG3_sMpq5rqGC3q4M5G0uLuhXljarFY4brAEQu6rXEjTtw6yqJkZT44ubN2VWWgi_zyMNv2okt8jLqg_oz74K737VOC9s/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzxEvvfA3l9cOrcTNvAEKH4SwGF3zpywDnmEayZ4oYZwnJxVG3_sMpq5rqGC3q4M5G0uLuhXljarFY4brAEQu6rXEjTtw6yqJkZT44ubN2VWWgi_zyMNv2okt8jLqg_oz74K737VOC9s/s320/6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Expect to see some cool hatching photos and/or videos as well as some pictures of tiny, fuzzy, adorable babies soon!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-60513295422164802382017-03-14T09:38:00.001-05:002017-03-14T09:38:14.902-05:00Our Florida Vacation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the end of January, we took a family vacation to Florida, with the main event being a visit to Disney World. While it didn't all play out the way I had planned or pictured, it was still a good trip overall and it was very fun seeing the kids experience and enjoy so many new things.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Day .5- January 23rd, 2017: After Ryan came home from work, we packed up the car and headed up </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
to the Twin Cities. We were spending the night at Ryan's parents house, so that we wouldn't need to get up quite so early in the morning to get to the airport. After the kids were in bed and Ryan and I were just chatting with his Mom and Dad, the phone rang and his Mom, Mary, had to hurry out of the house. It turns out that our nephew had sustained a concussion with whiplash and spent all night in the E.R. so Mary spent the night at their house with 2 of the grandkids. She got back home just as we were walking out the door in the morning. As of now, 3 full weeks later, he is still experiencing symptoms of his concussion and is continuing to heal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpCeB-ykF2mde8qi7B_x3RwZOUjI2EWw9VOBv1yM9NExzOxngZ7jUHiq-jEaVvbqwvIu9M0eTRtsCCrWs0fRwdrUm8c56r3cW3CMGsDdZ0i7XIJ7Bvv6cS6iRWcwA9cQPPnVsTk-8tl0/s1600/20170124_081515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpCeB-ykF2mde8qi7B_x3RwZOUjI2EWw9VOBv1yM9NExzOxngZ7jUHiq-jEaVvbqwvIu9M0eTRtsCCrWs0fRwdrUm8c56r3cW3CMGsDdZ0i7XIJ7Bvv6cS6iRWcwA9cQPPnVsTk-8tl0/s200/20170124_081515.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Day 1- January 24th, 2017: We're off! We got to the airport nice and early, shortly after 6am. We checked our bags without a hitch and walked right through security with absolutely no wait. We found our gate, went and got some breakfast and kill a little time. We got back shortly before it was time to board. The flight was smooth, the kids thought takeoff was cool, but were a little bored by the rest of the flight, and we arrived in Orlando early. Things </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPn6yhTeNiz0ZAMPtBurQZLqJzFFGLM9gPRCdVmPnV6xC1KgEGNnc-8Srz8_vlGHSipMdPE-_GKSZO8PVkP6PzBX5d4IZa-08VvXSk0BJJJV3I10KQ13L1T_cyJ9G35_DGHyhy3Mb4Ak/s1600/20170124_181408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPn6yhTeNiz0ZAMPtBurQZLqJzFFGLM9gPRCdVmPnV6xC1KgEGNnc-8Srz8_vlGHSipMdPE-_GKSZO8PVkP6PzBX5d4IZa-08VvXSk0BJJJV3I10KQ13L1T_cyJ9G35_DGHyhy3Mb4Ak/s200/20170124_181408.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
slowed down a little bit from there. Getting our rental car took a bit longer than it should have, but still, everything went smoothly. We picked up our Disney tickets, stopped for a few groceries and headed to the apartment we had rented. We got all unpacked and settled in, then took the kids to the main building to play a little pool. It felt great to be there and the weather felt wonderful.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XDwYy3ZJCJK2u0b5GDjmS5PJ4D6_T_HTk8KES-iZnRsLcTPzlhVjR1Hne7t9RRJ5ViSzv92x8FY5rEiafxoL1wUCBkOur2Ba9za8zAdmt3X498jkUOXIQ-xPZkr-HrQY2hvPD0-8Jpk/s1600/20170125_170647.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XDwYy3ZJCJK2u0b5GDjmS5PJ4D6_T_HTk8KES-iZnRsLcTPzlhVjR1Hne7t9RRJ5ViSzv92x8FY5rEiafxoL1wUCBkOur2Ba9za8zAdmt3X498jkUOXIQ-xPZkr-HrQY2hvPD0-8Jpk/s320/20170125_170647.mp4" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Day 2- January 25th, 2017: To my horror, my biggest fear for this trip came true. Bryleigh woke up in the middle of the night with the stomach flu. She spent the night feeling awful and the rest of us felt awful for her. Instead of going to the Magic Kingdom like we planned, we spent the day taking it pretty easy while she recovered. Ryan took Brennan to a really cool </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ts1u52zrUH_txGOCwaXdKZjeLWeK4Bgb383Dx0boBaqY4DErZ7H7EZxZUYIUtXxRk531QOhh0PeV3eH6RwFBMJKpt9BKUYOX2SVHlfmCtIYcJ5jz9eMYCtm3Nmcz1EQ9ZWXDEVg8H6g/s1600/16298730_10212180265840886_5255302246831857066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ts1u52zrUH_txGOCwaXdKZjeLWeK4Bgb383Dx0boBaqY4DErZ7H7EZxZUYIUtXxRk531QOhh0PeV3eH6RwFBMJKpt9BKUYOX2SVHlfmCtIYcJ5jz9eMYCtm3Nmcz1EQ9ZWXDEVg8H6g/s200/16298730_10212180265840886_5255302246831857066_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
park while Bryleigh and I stayed back and watched a movie. By late afternoon, she was feeling well enough that we made the hour drive to Cocoa Beach so that the kids could see the ocean. Bry was definitely still moving really slowly and had not eaten much of anything be she was still able to enjoy it. The ocean was beautiful. The kids had fun running in and out of the waves (they insisted on swim suits even though it wasn't really warm enough) and sinking their feet into the sand. We picked up some shells and took some pictures. They were impressed by just how salty the water was! We made it back to our apartment and got everybody cleaned up and put to bed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tew8P8DUsAwnk8vqDdjWv_kOyH9Y8ppEcXbRQjgmRYP39eUjLQdrmYpzVjo0jnwn30lVI1Tt0FurmnkYwFUvTrzWA19x17clRDujqABtNiBTz_ofqj2B6xk5QulXxPS7TPyYTEydg3k/s1600/20170126_161414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tew8P8DUsAwnk8vqDdjWv_kOyH9Y8ppEcXbRQjgmRYP39eUjLQdrmYpzVjo0jnwn30lVI1Tt0FurmnkYwFUvTrzWA19x17clRDujqABtNiBTz_ofqj2B6xk5QulXxPS7TPyYTEydg3k/s320/20170126_161414.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhcdTHZQiqkzFyda7eTqMF85FoS8rRVxo4n77kEKjMeLtKuuh9qFSmnPG_g-of2WnsJ_9Td5mMpshgm2jyGL7WS0zPqI42KT_ceDcvRukZgQbam_e8a-kgfyGnQIywQwJIDcPEiJvkM8/s1600/20170126_134431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhcdTHZQiqkzFyda7eTqMF85FoS8rRVxo4n77kEKjMeLtKuuh9qFSmnPG_g-of2WnsJ_9Td5mMpshgm2jyGL7WS0zPqI42KT_ceDcvRukZgQbam_e8a-kgfyGnQIywQwJIDcPEiJvkM8/s200/20170126_134431.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Day 3- January 26th, 2017: Finally we made it to the Magic Kingdom! We knew that we wanted to stay for the light show and fireworks, so we went a little after the park opened. The kids were very impressed by Cinderella's castle and had fun riding rides! Brennan's ride highlight for the day was Space Mountain while Bryleigh loved Big Thunder Mountain. They also had fun meeting several characters and getting autographs in their books. Their Gigi & JuJu (my parents) had sent some money with each of them to pick out something special they they really wanted. They both found that something special. Bryleigh found a Little Mermaid bubble wand that lights up and plays music and fell in love with it. Brennan spotted another boy with a stuffed</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWoJan2zO3HTzMxinYSyxivLjsh8rR_8xh43oiVvVJhGX0dcFyEPW96E8XSO90gAzSM_38i5WLlg5jYug1nAWR7FyNYS6zXAmNhbSvjfxS2tKbUuV13VNFM0iSGnGTNS54XDXZITTmVI/s1600/MK_MSCINEMA_20170126_7933345536.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWoJan2zO3HTzMxinYSyxivLjsh8rR_8xh43oiVvVJhGX0dcFyEPW96E8XSO90gAzSM_38i5WLlg5jYug1nAWR7FyNYS6zXAmNhbSvjfxS2tKbUuV13VNFM0iSGnGTNS54XDXZITTmVI/s200/MK_MSCINEMA_20170126_7933345536.jpeg" width="133" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
chameleon (Pascal from Tangled) and knew instantly that it was what he wanted. So we had to track down where in the park to find that specific animal- we had success! The day went pretty fast, but we sure did wish we had a double stroller! There was a lot of lap riding and debating about who got to rid or who got a piggyback, or who had to walk. Needless to say, we decided that a trip to Walmart for an umbrella</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJiVhoyQ1pxSAFkNPLpvdx5I8jPtmxO4wGuYAWEjAN9yeTKrl31kldKRbEsyq693AHfmxrsW1ziX5FbANWx2IXsDdXkOfl5hUZ8RdTlATIx5hX8CNvAw5Feh84Ylr55s_16JoIJwDUPM/s1600/editPhotoPass_Visiting_MK_7933647974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJiVhoyQ1pxSAFkNPLpvdx5I8jPtmxO4wGuYAWEjAN9yeTKrl31kldKRbEsyq693AHfmxrsW1ziX5FbANWx2IXsDdXkOfl5hUZ8RdTlATIx5hX8CNvAw5Feh84Ylr55s_16JoIJwDUPM/s200/editPhotoPass_Visiting_MK_7933647974.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
stroller for the rest of the week was in order! The fireworks show was awesome, and Bry was in awe of how Tinkerbell flew out of the castle and over the crowd. She kept calling for her to come back! Getting out of the park after the fireworks was fairly slow, but about what we expected. The kids were totally zonked by the time we made it back to the apartment and sleep felt goooood.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRhMnCNOtqTHUH45q4xOMdpnEClcHJCJ40dlIp8J-nPrshL25J2TU8CqGQVlDEfjxG2U6i1izdARQzqjsq1CPZjelJAEp6VeLG4s3jxCgvWiaAif2xV2vT4voEqBQ0PLGX8QHUPt6yHo/s1600/20170127_153610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRhMnCNOtqTHUH45q4xOMdpnEClcHJCJ40dlIp8J-nPrshL25J2TU8CqGQVlDEfjxG2U6i1izdARQzqjsq1CPZjelJAEp6VeLG4s3jxCgvWiaAif2xV2vT4voEqBQ0PLGX8QHUPt6yHo/s200/20170127_153610.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Day 4- January 27th, 2017: This was our day at the Animal Kingdom. We</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
started off with two strollers, so that helped a lot! Bryleigh was excessively tired, so she ended up taking one or two little naps throughout the day. We saw the Tree of Life and Mt. Everest, which are both so cool. We saw a couple of different shows- Finding Nemo and The Festival of the Lion King, which were totally different but both really great. We went to "It's Hard to be a Bug" underneath the Tree of Life, which was our mistake of the day! The kids were terrified of the short hornet part (I didn' know about</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
that!!) after their wasp swarming a couple of summer ago and were crying</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9FCXhOW6eiNh1sydkQJoZMt4utQyAcnVKD_AzQwNLmo4xm13eyHTkkh-kuKkMXSqRnC9QDL3ObT4eoXz5qANFw4bOW2xO6kvkd7sseaQfhzsIowZYOvXUAvZfpGZ5JPqHZIUrQtni94/s1600/AK_AFRICABRIDGE_20170127_7934470831.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9FCXhOW6eiNh1sydkQJoZMt4utQyAcnVKD_AzQwNLmo4xm13eyHTkkh-kuKkMXSqRnC9QDL3ObT4eoXz5qANFw4bOW2xO6kvkd7sseaQfhzsIowZYOvXUAvZfpGZ5JPqHZIUrQtni94/s320/AK_AFRICABRIDGE_20170127_7934470831.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
and begging to leave. We got through it, got the kids back to feeling better, and went on with our day! I think our favorite thing we did all day was the safari ride. We saw a ton of different animals and it was a really cool ride. When we got off of that ride, we let the kids each pick out a stuffed animal from a little shop nearby. Brennan picked a rhinocerous and named it Thickhorn, and Bryleigh picked a cheetah and named it Tigie. The animals are adorable and such a fun way to remember that awesome highlight of the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xjqUb2PIF8CmRo9qob0fNWtSv8VCfJrnjsP27e2kLUgj_HfaXzZhnO4QpiTNnawErHU2Qs2sFHgIPSO2tt-gb5m8oAKAv2tGHgoe_C29krc1BvdM8fdPlWY1n7MZP76U43EzfVeh74o/s1600/20170128_124745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xjqUb2PIF8CmRo9qob0fNWtSv8VCfJrnjsP27e2kLUgj_HfaXzZhnO4QpiTNnawErHU2Qs2sFHgIPSO2tt-gb5m8oAKAv2tGHgoe_C29krc1BvdM8fdPlWY1n7MZP76U43EzfVeh74o/s200/20170128_124745.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnh9riZpMiXGQepO4TIPOVppm3-uT3Nnij1tfoWw2AWfhyphenhyphen89s7tCC0k8UhpBtzu6oXXeVEptC12pzK9GWaE6pRpR30HRigaIvA0Nk5Qa0txInhWIA9pQg_AVFQqj319vdLm3SJp6KeEaA/s1600/16387010_10101790531507896_7722638758221280920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnh9riZpMiXGQepO4TIPOVppm3-uT3Nnij1tfoWw2AWfhyphenhyphen89s7tCC0k8UhpBtzu6oXXeVEptC12pzK9GWaE6pRpR30HRigaIvA0Nk5Qa0txInhWIA9pQg_AVFQqj319vdLm3SJp6KeEaA/s200/16387010_10101790531507896_7722638758221280920_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Day 5- January 28th, 2017: The nightmare continues! Brennan now got sick during the night and we spent another miserable stretch of hours just trying to get through it. I felt so terrible for him- for all of us! We did kind of a reverse of the day that Bryleigh was sick and she went to the park with Daddy while Brennan and I stayed back and rested. It was rough and definitely brought us all down.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wUM3R9L88JdtXYLmhgg2Zk_iJRK270u2JtEKRodxKg8DkW5MQHTYoYbcEYCfyQbq0Z7-r7D_BINo9C53I7WeOajJqowkka6oBdPB7aa1jQmRs5yAVOOU873iqNAiG9-xdz1zb1LOtuI/s1600/20170129_130706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wUM3R9L88JdtXYLmhgg2Zk_iJRK270u2JtEKRodxKg8DkW5MQHTYoYbcEYCfyQbq0Z7-r7D_BINo9C53I7WeOajJqowkka6oBdPB7aa1jQmRs5yAVOOU873iqNAiG9-xdz1zb1LOtuI/s200/20170129_130706.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fnlRC7yE_nWXH1k7gHazpe7fxXYIIRW58NErfNkJEmfJE72gyz-5erSMYXpGHt_Cl7i2fvCW-GuK2GOZdjNtinGYNDYBd59lZgqHlF3LUuHIIuYnv3v4d8RQQSKoRzHRheQ2xf_KrGw/s1600/20170129_173015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fnlRC7yE_nWXH1k7gHazpe7fxXYIIRW58NErfNkJEmfJE72gyz-5erSMYXpGHt_Cl7i2fvCW-GuK2GOZdjNtinGYNDYBd59lZgqHlF3LUuHIIuYnv3v4d8RQQSKoRzHRheQ2xf_KrGw/s200/20170129_173015.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Day 6- January 29th, 2017: Brennan did fine overnight and was feeling ok the next day, but definitely still very weak and slow. We decided to head to Hollywood Studios because we knew we would be watching a lot more shows there, riding very few rides, and that the park was smaller for walking around. We saw several shows that were very enjoyable- The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, The Frozen Sing-Along, Indiana Jones, and Disney Junior Live on Stage. I would have loved to see Beauty and the Beast, as well, but Brennan was so exhausted and it was so chilly that day that we decided to just go back and rest instead. One of our highlights from the day was meeting Moana. The kids are very into the new Moana movie!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4RObSr6GnRai9eHXynzprKNhVc9WG3Vcc74m4yvCtKbC-27wbvi_R6ibTvjpnYlZREm2NoaaoWz1dNuGxTr1ZQmLBsCkfsJ7WTcg2R-wwozg7jEqdH8l0THcTOde7b5hp6SHz2jp5Sg/s1600/EPCOT_DPIRIDESYSGMTT_20170130_7937040577.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4RObSr6GnRai9eHXynzprKNhVc9WG3Vcc74m4yvCtKbC-27wbvi_R6ibTvjpnYlZREm2NoaaoWz1dNuGxTr1ZQmLBsCkfsJ7WTcg2R-wwozg7jEqdH8l0THcTOde7b5hp6SHz2jp5Sg/s200/EPCOT_DPIRIDESYSGMTT_20170130_7937040577.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlPgexOe5eOr0ULmwmCkkNc5yv5kN3dTBvW-fFiDsAjvuR8Aa0HJZn0oRvtsMkXAUusrSRoqr_x-EtQzb1WXrXdl59jhy23KtezUIPsntdyYcww078Ta9vK5OFdavwAEICJxikNchWN0/s1600/EPCOT_ECENTR2_20170130_7936439489.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlPgexOe5eOr0ULmwmCkkNc5yv5kN3dTBvW-fFiDsAjvuR8Aa0HJZn0oRvtsMkXAUusrSRoqr_x-EtQzb1WXrXdl59jhy23KtezUIPsntdyYcww078Ta9vK5OFdavwAEICJxikNchWN0/s200/EPCOT_ECENTR2_20170130_7936439489.jpeg" width="133" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7EnC1EJRJP4Kcm7AtnIp7A-EqjdPdqWQj-ge5UEJui-dyuRVQZFTSS9M2et3wIHeTQf6BGcRblp-O2P2Cr5uKQTr9n_ZUNaCCuS5M1YnNAUx_P4C7DM2KJYgA1vAj5SyKyej-PlRaDo/s1600/20170130_154849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7EnC1EJRJP4Kcm7AtnIp7A-EqjdPdqWQj-ge5UEJui-dyuRVQZFTSS9M2et3wIHeTQf6BGcRblp-O2P2Cr5uKQTr9n_ZUNaCCuS5M1YnNAUx_P4C7DM2KJYgA1vAj5SyKyej-PlRaDo/s200/20170130_154849.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeWSZnjJvQLEcmkJGbnT76VVk0NSJdlqqIiOmCMKnoJ-LatRgSGT5cmucTV_Knqj9CjiaaFvqY0SiBLyn_33JHBXlLtUDKeQWoZuv9aPjgSSEXh1ut5OGVEvfnybmDjEdSTOOxe_rIzQ/s1600/EPCOT_FISHEYE_20170130_7937058395.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeWSZnjJvQLEcmkJGbnT76VVk0NSJdlqqIiOmCMKnoJ-LatRgSGT5cmucTV_Knqj9CjiaaFvqY0SiBLyn_33JHBXlLtUDKeQWoZuv9aPjgSSEXh1ut5OGVEvfnybmDjEdSTOOxe_rIzQ/s200/EPCOT_FISHEYE_20170130_7937058395.jpeg" width="133" /></a>Day 7- January 30th, 2017: Epcot day! Ryan and I both love Epcot. It is probably our favorite park of all. Everybody was feeling good, so we were ready for a great day! We made excellent use of our fast passes which allowed us to do everything we wanted to do at Epcot. We made sure to be at the park when it opened. Then the first thing we did was zoom over to Test Track. We walked right onto the ride, which was so awesome! The kids absolutely loved it and wanted to ride it again, but we had already decided to head over and ride the Frozen ride that was in Norway in the World Showcase. We know that the lines for that get just insane. We ended up waiting for around 20 or 25 minutes, but got to ride that one, too. Shortly later, we had a fast pass for Soarin' so we got on that quickly as well. It was chilly in the morning to start, but got pretty nice throughout the day. We spent a lot of time doing all of the other rides we wanted to do- Living with the Land, Ellen's Energy Adventure, The Seas with Nemo, Spaceship Earth, Pixar Short Film Festival, and of course, playing with the jumping water. We also got to meet Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy, too. After we had used all of our fast passes, we were able to request one more fast pass to Test Track so we could go back and enjoy that one more time. We ended up staying almost all day- long enough that it was dark by the time we left and go to see the ball all lit up. It's so beautiful and the kids thought it was so cool. Epcot was a great day!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04UEDUfB-nCIF1YimbyTWeFmCXC-VPGmwBCiR0CExjMRuvDRh87JSwpT5p_2LW7k7MvlrzJ6o9xJtp9d-uk7v26KY82p4j0xnuaN_fBX2hhucelqk1CysslHA-3TPAVofpapaAvGBr0A/s1600/MK_TOMRLD1_20170131_7937377961.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04UEDUfB-nCIF1YimbyTWeFmCXC-VPGmwBCiR0CExjMRuvDRh87JSwpT5p_2LW7k7MvlrzJ6o9xJtp9d-uk7v26KY82p4j0xnuaN_fBX2hhucelqk1CysslHA-3TPAVofpapaAvGBr0A/s200/MK_TOMRLD1_20170131_7937377961.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw8ho9BwOzdh3NPSiQ39tCrQNGBEeVJD82EaMgJOr1LARBxkIhi1c0bnYFFV8ml2J-icuIskDKxgmshAVvwm6zqULvs3tW5hmrNqbIiJzFJnS7NaM2L_Ee-8u89TTaCowhvHgHiIw6xY/s1600/20170131_111804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDw8ho9BwOzdh3NPSiQ39tCrQNGBEeVJD82EaMgJOr1LARBxkIhi1c0bnYFFV8ml2J-icuIskDKxgmshAVvwm6zqULvs3tW5hmrNqbIiJzFJnS7NaM2L_Ee-8u89TTaCowhvHgHiIw6xY/s200/20170131_111804.jpg" width="200" /></a>Day 8- January 31st, 2017: With our last Disney tickets, we went back to the Magic Kingdom. The weather was beautiful again! We repeated a few of our favorite rides- Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, and also did a few new things like rode the Peoplemover and did the Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor. The only ride that we didn't get on that we had really wanted to was the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. There was always a very long line for it and we were not able to ever get a fast pass <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF0BFL4yPvSLB8s9uaSAebFAC6x0bTwj_FHWHbNtIvfTitxYVFQKOzVew8dfSgOmInTSxTbd-hst3Zr3vbjDKwzyVpafJO0XKfUTTNQMorm-Q5oP58-8rES9ujTaCSQDGvp2cJu8_Zs0/s1600/20170131_160841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOF0BFL4yPvSLB8s9uaSAebFAC6x0bTwj_FHWHbNtIvfTitxYVFQKOzVew8dfSgOmInTSxTbd-hst3Zr3vbjDKwzyVpafJO0XKfUTTNQMorm-Q5oP58-8rES9ujTaCSQDGvp2cJu8_Zs0/s200/20170131_160841.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
for it. Oh well! We soaked up the sun and made the day a little more relaxed since it was more of a repeat day. We stayed at the park until early afternoon and then headed back to get packed up for the trip home.Daddy volunteered to pack up our stuff while I took the kids to the pool. With the weather the way it was and the circumstances of the trip, we hadn't been to the pool yet! At least we got there for one swim. The kids had a great time splashing around I enjoyed feeling the sun on my skin and a little dip in the hot tub with the kids, too. We made sure to get to bed at a decent time because we knew we'd have to get up and moving in the morning. The last thing we would want to do is miss our flight!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-Tm2AqpbzLnmQot05R-JkngMfce84ivdI-bWJPyh44H9jjqPqs6g496EfFzJMcBeY4FV3blPS9HxPm2boUMAdeXC-d4bjqWUrA2M99Fhq3AuMhVF5-amCH1J1G5ep8415JnA2VXKfhY/s1600/20170201_143109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-Tm2AqpbzLnmQot05R-JkngMfce84ivdI-bWJPyh44H9jjqPqs6g496EfFzJMcBeY4FV3blPS9HxPm2boUMAdeXC-d4bjqWUrA2M99Fhq3AuMhVF5-amCH1J1G5ep8415JnA2VXKfhY/s200/20170201_143109.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4d8Dnb9D6tVas5FpRmgGdx3Ddkd68yLVJRrEGNiXNvD4xp9WlZFWmKDZyY8k5o9SGV8zE56mbyG7Y_r3dTDa1uLqT675XMOFSUufGgPwTIVXpWjXq2pewMgd5NTnRLPw-GmJuGWUIiE/s1600/20170201_164212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4d8Dnb9D6tVas5FpRmgGdx3Ddkd68yLVJRrEGNiXNvD4xp9WlZFWmKDZyY8k5o9SGV8zE56mbyG7Y_r3dTDa1uLqT675XMOFSUufGgPwTIVXpWjXq2pewMgd5NTnRLPw-GmJuGWUIiE/s200/20170201_164212.jpg" width="200" /></a>Day 9- February 1st, 2017: Home is calling! We got moving with plenty of time to spare, just in case it took longer than anticipated to return the rental car or catch our shuttle to the airport. It did take a lot longer to get the rental car originally. Luckily, this time the whole thing was quick and easy. We made it to the airport with plenty of time. As we were waiting in line to check our bags, I spotted a scale and told Ryan we should weigh our bags, just to make sure we were under weight. Sure enough, they were over! We spent 10 or 15 minutes redistributing weigh amongst our backpacks and the bags, but we were able to make it work. We checked the bags, headed to our gate, and waited. The flight back was completely uneventful, and Ryan's sister arrived to pick us up and bring us to our car. We had a lot of fun, but it felt great to be back in MN and nearly home. When we actually got home, we found a banner on the garage that had been put there by my Mom. She also had some flowers waiting inside on the counter! What a great surprise and a great welcome home!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-51755530408472853152017-02-28T16:14:00.000-06:002017-02-28T16:14:24.672-06:00Beautiful February Weather<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were blessed with an incredibly nice stretch of weather in the middle February. This meant a few things for our family. First off, we got a new roof put on! We had hail damage from a storm last fall, so our insurance paid to replace the roof. :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWWOUJQ2VU5uAE0keUE0WZgpjqeRVid-Q1IozqGXw-ZjXJN-W5meQLr6iLg9a3vXVt2gYRJHnPDDJCEEuX3SjSmE83-LsWhp6r14BgCbduiRgR3VQEzdhdt3nACcSNwHeCIAjX1pVOpI/s1600/20170216_113551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWWOUJQ2VU5uAE0keUE0WZgpjqeRVid-Q1IozqGXw-ZjXJN-W5meQLr6iLg9a3vXVt2gYRJHnPDDJCEEuX3SjSmE83-LsWhp6r14BgCbduiRgR3VQEzdhdt3nACcSNwHeCIAjX1pVOpI/s200/20170216_113551.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBs73mHzS3n94G92ZAJEf0uVYqlEUR2PUXTuKfTAGsZB0MDlRLA6_67SlJURsxKjFxElW8KRYDXHV6Ro4jtde5PylZ74zE4d0GUAgE3mKLAQegl2wtOSQexvnaytjDWK10Q9ELXObYw0/s1600/20170217_163220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBs73mHzS3n94G92ZAJEf0uVYqlEUR2PUXTuKfTAGsZB0MDlRLA6_67SlJURsxKjFxElW8KRYDXHV6Ro4jtde5PylZ74zE4d0GUAgE3mKLAQegl2wtOSQexvnaytjDWK10Q9ELXObYw0/s200/20170217_163220.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was also able to get the kids out to take some quick photos. I have been wanting to get a current, really nice photo of the kids, but our latest plumbing project made that want even more necessary! We had to cut a hole in our bedroom wall in order to replace the master bathroom shower faucet. We decided to cover the hole with a piece of Masonite and will be covering that with a canvas photo of the kids, in order to leave access to that faucet AND have it look nice!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVSr30y7czl3La-0cZ4Y5cd4QvvN_aL_UCcydasDwp39CVa4CxbAfxWiimpHblDIRWuubJhhZY2fKTvhF_3cL9oRC7Mr7pi1YdUCURIn1-r6Nc1aHUtT37g6pJDa2rkiNK4C_SRXGUps/s1600/20170218_094024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVSr30y7czl3La-0cZ4Y5cd4QvvN_aL_UCcydasDwp39CVa4CxbAfxWiimpHblDIRWuubJhhZY2fKTvhF_3cL9oRC7Mr7pi1YdUCURIn1-r6Nc1aHUtT37g6pJDa2rkiNK4C_SRXGUps/s200/20170218_094024.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The photos of the kids turned out great, and I've had a hard time deciding which is my favorite. I love their big smiles and how much they really love eachother.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_N-20sUv3aCeEdrNybh4hBdBKZw-oaUMkIx4tJmiFgm4SXHOi1OzobYjjN_VY_bwqYWOY3Wrm5rciV2EQjeGB5TphhqLdMhoU7_lyvELFUCEtDkuqXUUpyK7mbYskyuvnnZmnitl2j8/s1600/editDSC03174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_N-20sUv3aCeEdrNybh4hBdBKZw-oaUMkIx4tJmiFgm4SXHOi1OzobYjjN_VY_bwqYWOY3Wrm5rciV2EQjeGB5TphhqLdMhoU7_lyvELFUCEtDkuqXUUpyK7mbYskyuvnnZmnitl2j8/s320/editDSC03174.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9_Zlry8LO87QJbxWyjjGefzuyjyh4xoVI5JruU6qYQexzXwO2WZAdI0QDNQP18rhuZ0kAV6eGSXdbOUiI7dBbfxc2cuAXiGNm550fG_sjjUlX0oSoHASUUVOPlC7Yq1tiNhtnfQJmTQ/s1600/editDSC03179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9_Zlry8LO87QJbxWyjjGefzuyjyh4xoVI5JruU6qYQexzXwO2WZAdI0QDNQP18rhuZ0kAV6eGSXdbOUiI7dBbfxc2cuAXiGNm550fG_sjjUlX0oSoHASUUVOPlC7Yq1tiNhtnfQJmTQ/s320/editDSC03179.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CkDG7Xbhut3tySI_EEuo3n_Ysk7N-ivkitAJBgh4LLln8fqoyncPuu8LsAEQ74Q5ZwlEuqiHaQ4BRpVQ5tEVVAcdy1xPYUPDWPovHhRKT4Xv855GYKRD6MZgTA4cNeJKAdZMxg4_t3o/s1600/editDSC03227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CkDG7Xbhut3tySI_EEuo3n_Ysk7N-ivkitAJBgh4LLln8fqoyncPuu8LsAEQ74Q5ZwlEuqiHaQ4BRpVQ5tEVVAcdy1xPYUPDWPovHhRKT4Xv855GYKRD6MZgTA4cNeJKAdZMxg4_t3o/s320/editDSC03227.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_vTAxR_i94ZIUuNYg8Tq1CD6HF8NsS3hbJq4i03_bM46bgbEdJt86qy6hIxVg13hRxR3OJBcJCzCHxvMHBteI2tgBdlXSN1PyzXlkgJpZGpqwsAJGVUxWxkK5kLkpbtSJDjwvvQQtc8/s1600/editDSC03234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_vTAxR_i94ZIUuNYg8Tq1CD6HF8NsS3hbJq4i03_bM46bgbEdJt86qy6hIxVg13hRxR3OJBcJCzCHxvMHBteI2tgBdlXSN1PyzXlkgJpZGpqwsAJGVUxWxkK5kLkpbtSJDjwvvQQtc8/s320/editDSC03234.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkOUwPkQJ2GiljBHKDhzSVOCHwC8UiGD4ukm7w3toVRjv7kEkZCCLT2ztkk8gFJ1Cl2g_Rck0oAF18HRe493a9VzAmZkaEufote6csslgvW-_SJbR6vuNeNR3SDZqv-HXxl3kwhdg04w/s1600/editDSC03270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkOUwPkQJ2GiljBHKDhzSVOCHwC8UiGD4ukm7w3toVRjv7kEkZCCLT2ztkk8gFJ1Cl2g_Rck0oAF18HRe493a9VzAmZkaEufote6csslgvW-_SJbR6vuNeNR3SDZqv-HXxl3kwhdg04w/s320/editDSC03270.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-89110197734663529782017-01-15T19:18:00.004-06:002017-01-15T19:19:43.864-06:00Baby News!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuZdXkxzeYpUExj7TgzgrU6p7XXjZNc5AzLhQPZsQ0HH3Up5-eR_b4LeWztnAtt6YpoxQbEeIy-TYjAKtgG2HHiYwAXBlSRwmRLJUmugxhjfA-fFZdkXEBffDhdAruoQ4_G_Tj6YsYaw/s1600/editDSC02380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuZdXkxzeYpUExj7TgzgrU6p7XXjZNc5AzLhQPZsQ0HH3Up5-eR_b4LeWztnAtt6YpoxQbEeIy-TYjAKtgG2HHiYwAXBlSRwmRLJUmugxhjfA-fFZdkXEBffDhdAruoQ4_G_Tj6YsYaw/s200/editDSC02380.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJePhd2bIUuYsgKJ4Z_xmNWPawSBEhiqMT2sIvO5kXrbVfs9i7neJ2grlzPuAamhGAFfzvJayj06IA5neBHJ2c2Ur-UUrOEbKscBsBERnd9TvLURTf8SMVkt7QYS8dsSzg9oTHX7nxaSA/s1600/editDSC02359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJePhd2bIUuYsgKJ4Z_xmNWPawSBEhiqMT2sIvO5kXrbVfs9i7neJ2grlzPuAamhGAFfzvJayj06IA5neBHJ2c2Ur-UUrOEbKscBsBERnd9TvLURTf8SMVkt7QYS8dsSzg9oTHX7nxaSA/s320/editDSC02359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm so excited to announce that my little sister, Haley, is pregnant! Haley and her husband, Joe, are expecting their first baby, or first baby without fur, I should say. I had the pleasure of taking a few pregnancy announcement pictures for them a couple weeks ago. They are due on July 22nd and are super excited. So are we! This will be our 12th niece or nephew and make six on each side! They will not be finding out the gender ahead of time, so it'll be a long wait until we know if it is a girl or boy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have had the opportunity once before to take birth photos for an awesome friend of mine. Haley and Joe are also planning on allowing me to take birth photos for them. I'm so excited! Of all of the photo shoots I've ever done, the birth photography (and the adoption photos I took once) was by far and away the most overwhelming and incredible to experience. I can't wait to do it again!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Congratulations Haley, Joe, and Maybelle (are you supposed to congratulate dogs on their owner's pregnancy??)! This time will fly and that sweet baby will be here before you know it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<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/AVvXsEhGpx-4x8W7z3oyE21-I4hu5284vsnkQMnXgMO7uh7gbV8Jky4fAera-mDlaBN5C9NQm1g2tYteUh5VWCyimepc1tYMPZLEUplYT-bIeYvXz3LEXbSpLkf82eaiJzKFA4B-urHC1jGr9Ag/s1600/editDSC02372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpx-4x8W7z3oyE21-I4hu5284vsnkQMnXgMO7uh7gbV8Jky4fAera-mDlaBN5C9NQm1g2tYteUh5VWCyimepc1tYMPZLEUplYT-bIeYvXz3LEXbSpLkf82eaiJzKFA4B-urHC1jGr9Ag/s640/editDSC02372.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my favorite of the announcement photos. The weather turned out to be perfect for what we wanted to do and this was such a fun way to showcase baby's first picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-85327689730453062282017-01-12T16:39:00.000-06:002017-01-12T17:08:25.644-06:00I'm Back!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hi everybody!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been such a long time since I've written a post. Life with 2 kids, a pet, a house and all of the responsibilities that go with that has just gotten in the way of my blogging. I don't expect that I'll go back to blogging several times a week, or doing many reviews and such, but my goal for 2017 is to try to write a blog post at least once or twice a month. Maybe if I'm lucky it will be even a little more often than that!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-iHjldjn6KnbIBLn8qOEf-Vf6gFEsT6UQmPtTwkEWxtRzohcWmw3Er-8riLt0QFuuPhzme_SN5PKYo2Bn7_GlpReBlKZ8R6jx-GAJmtCnWOlg3upoivKjZymB2bsEnafzYEtOFqe7WA/s1600/editDSC07580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-iHjldjn6KnbIBLn8qOEf-Vf6gFEsT6UQmPtTwkEWxtRzohcWmw3Er-8riLt0QFuuPhzme_SN5PKYo2Bn7_GlpReBlKZ8R6jx-GAJmtCnWOlg3upoivKjZymB2bsEnafzYEtOFqe7WA/s320/editDSC07580.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A lot has changed since my last post in 2014! The kids are now coming up on 7 and 5 years old! This fills me with mixed emotions. I love that things are getting easier, they are becoming more independent, and we are able to do a lot more things as a family, but I do miss having really 'little ones' around.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh73NGN9vp4-4JXsxcLRK0QMDs8s-Os4mytWGK2aWXRysLZBJcoBOiO3urLzR78iA3eBd6mD4o4ESSoUxYt5bItnPgi3u-Vvs_bUIrWU0fdyK-CBEuZ5ukU6Wiay8MFcCzWUJbO1xDlhM/s1600/editDSC07394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh73NGN9vp4-4JXsxcLRK0QMDs8s-Os4mytWGK2aWXRysLZBJcoBOiO3urLzR78iA3eBd6mD4o4ESSoUxYt5bItnPgi3u-Vvs_bUIrWU0fdyK-CBEuZ5ukU6Wiay8MFcCzWUJbO1xDlhM/s200/editDSC07394.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Brennan is in 1st grade and loves school. He is both an excellent student and friend. He he does quite well with math and science (taking after Dad), but also is a good reader has has an incredible vocabulary and all around grasp of the English language (Mom's traits). He loves Legos and still loves dinosaurs. He is cute, smart, funny, witty, clever, strong, and a joy to have as a son. I'm remarkably proud of him and the little man he's growing into.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmJhBjrt868399L2lP4pu7PYrfek6UAl-3ULY-2fRdZz0qbGUWCkwup5XqKqU4mhbWJX5-mz9ciHod2CIbdgnd7cwGcdQKtvZJ-K-aoarUCntWFsVDJgI_XBMv0EbjQ4TJS7n3mWRkhg/s1600/editDSC09955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmJhBjrt868399L2lP4pu7PYrfek6UAl-3ULY-2fRdZz0qbGUWCkwup5XqKqU4mhbWJX5-mz9ciHod2CIbdgnd7cwGcdQKtvZJ-K-aoarUCntWFsVDJgI_XBMv0EbjQ4TJS7n3mWRkhg/s200/editDSC09955.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bryleigh is in Pre K-4 and just like her older brother, she LOVES school. She loves her teacher, she loves her friends, she loves doing crafts, and she loves learning. She has been doing an excellent job learning her letters and their sounds, and she's already had her numbers and colors down for quite a while already. She likes dolls and all stuffed animals, being outside, and going to Gigi and Juju's house (grandma and grandpa). She is funny, incredibly caring and loving, girly, beautiful, kind of a spitfire, goofy, smart, and so wonderful to be around. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITgYEmK7hymY84Q2pPV0nFoI-wfMLoLHV8KfoVlfk4GDodkYg0TEtB_HUr7m6MbKQznFenRhdLTMlwvEIK4vOugMLmAYfp8HU79nl9VT0KZXK2e-BMsMOSJeOexv2ES_XqPPwuHzShas/s1600/20160902_074734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITgYEmK7hymY84Q2pPV0nFoI-wfMLoLHV8KfoVlfk4GDodkYg0TEtB_HUr7m6MbKQznFenRhdLTMlwvEIK4vOugMLmAYfp8HU79nl9VT0KZXK2e-BMsMOSJeOexv2ES_XqPPwuHzShas/s320/20160902_074734.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cat, Rocky, A.K.A. The Rock, is doing well. He just turned 3 at the end of December and he definitely isn't lacking in attention or love. He gave us quite a scare last summer when he disappeared for over a full day. He had definitely been gone for several hours or for part of a night in the past, but he ALWAYS had come back for his meals! We were so relieved when he showed back up completely unharmed and happy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhF5aU6VA4Ka6gCiOptB2x5FNsCYg_aGY-t_JFfzpf7cL8pOmuv76WdNugYZA5zZ9LFp9TdbW3P9McmtGkanCw9TtkqWfcPCVPSoCgiEU6Vonb25muJGMqn4HD2vLGA8Jn7M6TgIO_uU/s1600/DSC06805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhF5aU6VA4Ka6gCiOptB2x5FNsCYg_aGY-t_JFfzpf7cL8pOmuv76WdNugYZA5zZ9LFp9TdbW3P9McmtGkanCw9TtkqWfcPCVPSoCgiEU6Vonb25muJGMqn4HD2vLGA8Jn7M6TgIO_uU/s200/DSC06805.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ryan just started a new job, but he is still at the Mayo Clinic. He is now a Technical Specialist in the specimen processing area of Mayo's Biorepository. This was a promotion he has been wanting for quite a while and I'm thrilled for him. He no longer works as a volunteer EMT in town, but instead he is on the city's ambulance commission and gets to help to make decisions about how the ambulance service runs and functions. He ran for city council in 2016, but unfortunately was not elected. The competition was stiff with 12 people running for 3 positions!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NjTHwgHSdz5KhEO1-sO2QpWkLnGEcK_2kTFcEkGcI5_2oTuhPCdLK05q7k9-QH8B2XlwMU607yqgT_ZE1nSojhNIHink7BiK3zjqJMMjkAUqqlawn2_zxYjLb8G9Ew5oB9z5F9gwx9o/s1600/20161002_113553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NjTHwgHSdz5KhEO1-sO2QpWkLnGEcK_2kTFcEkGcI5_2oTuhPCdLK05q7k9-QH8B2XlwMU607yqgT_ZE1nSojhNIHink7BiK3zjqJMMjkAUqqlawn2_zxYjLb8G9Ew5oB9z5F9gwx9o/s320/20161002_113553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ryan and I have both officially joined the 30-something crowd. I'm busy as always between being a stay-at-home Mom/Jane of all trades at home, my part-time photography business, and telecommuting part-time from home for a company in Dallas, TX. I've done quite a few home improvement projects and well as countless different crafts during my blogging hiatus. I also worked hard in an effort to change the animal ordinance in our town to allow for raising a small flock of chickens within city limits. Though it was originally voted down for some very silly reasons, we are now starting the process over with the new city council that just took over this month. I'm very hopeful that within a few months I might have a few chicken of my own! Get ready to start handing out name suggestions! But perhaps my next news is more exciting than chickens. I became a God-Mother twice over to our good friends' second son, Jaxon, and to one of our nephews, Beau. It was such an honor to be asked in both cases!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsoOtes1Sk28wapPQ_E_GOyevYDiDVXRqhugVwxAbSPFZPMncIZc0b_PZ53g-eX-BIoLwJ_JpD45MC1owQK0_QULtFhh27V2NraY7URQFRplrIs2Lk9eZKHPQWFvMbKYW2hgYIwxW4vk/s1600/Santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsoOtes1Sk28wapPQ_E_GOyevYDiDVXRqhugVwxAbSPFZPMncIZc0b_PZ53g-eX-BIoLwJ_JpD45MC1owQK0_QULtFhh27V2NraY7URQFRplrIs2Lk9eZKHPQWFvMbKYW2hgYIwxW4vk/s320/Santa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My oldest sister dressed as Santa for this fun Christmas shoot<br />
that my other older sister did.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That leads into another huge thing that happened during my blogging break. My oldest sister had triplets! This was such an incredible blessing after they lost their first son during labor and delivery. (I did blog on this before.) The triplets were born in June 2015 and are now happy healthy 19 month olds! There are 2 boys, Beau and Wyatt, and one girl, Savannah. We love following along with their lives through all of the many Facebook photos and videos, but do wish it was easier to visit! Texas and MN aren't the closest...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've also gained another niece and nephew during my break! Reagan is 15 months old and lives in Texas. She's Ryan's brother's second daughter. She's adorable and I hope to get to know her more through visits over the years. Tyler is 11 months old and is Ryan's sister's 4th child. He's got a killer smile and his siblings can't get enough of him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Both Ryan's and my families are doing well. My Dad had a hip replacement last year at 60 years old. It's made a miraculous difference in his life. It had gotten so bad that he could barely limp around. SO glad he got it fixed! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcVlGl2pY0x-57HLOFNjk9zhtWd9G_GD1HCWKPAEcGvPlwbVVruw8nH8b1MNEDeUD9ail7qxSGhnWDCVrTuwx51qio9Lq9VYMJ_tdJrf2FmkyOZFR5rJYNOW00_S03EobQ896KS_6lA8/s1600/editDSC07715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcVlGl2pY0x-57HLOFNjk9zhtWd9G_GD1HCWKPAEcGvPlwbVVruw8nH8b1MNEDeUD9ail7qxSGhnWDCVrTuwx51qio9Lq9VYMJ_tdJrf2FmkyOZFR5rJYNOW00_S03EobQ896KS_6lA8/s200/editDSC07715.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Libby just days before<br />
her surgery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My parents' dog, Libby, is now 13, coming up on 14 years old. She had a very close brush with death this summer after suffering of Pyometra. Pyometra is a uterine infection. It was unclear for quite a while what was actually going on with her, but it was very clear that she was near death. My Mom decided to try the surgery, which is basically a hysterectomy, in hopes that she would pull through. This was an incredibly hard decision considering that Libby was an old girl and had already lived a long, full life. It turns out that Mom made the right call because Libby recovered well from the surgery, and has been acting more like a puppy than she has in years.She's always dragging toys around, jumping, and skipping everywhere she goes. We believe that she had actually had a minor infection for a few years that had been making her feel somewhat sick, because she's a new dog. Hopefully she has a few more great years!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, that's enough for now. Hopefully that sort of brings you back up to speed. I definitely want to go back and post some photos of the projects I've done and tell some more detailed stories of other things that have happened over the last couple of years, but this is a start!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks for reading!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-90114985741641782842014-07-26T06:31:00.002-05:002014-07-26T06:31:42.496-05:00Our New Playset!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The kids in this house have recently been spoiled. We decided to purchase a play set for the backyard. We weren't able to get it together immediately, but we finally got a free day on Sunday (I think) and used the day to work on it. We got it finished and were so excited to show the kids! Here are a few pictures of it and the kids using it.<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/AVvXsEibqBE6bUq4ZB22g8854iiwjRX9gvdeqqox8gZlAHlfY7hLmMIB3XQxAKaR_ZumvWzUxU_dyZbFW8uJRkicv04F_YC6jvmguTZVr5kzNzZD9iP2H_g6irozp0aIlzWSMlg5lbKHSw7GMUM/s1600/10351746_10100813378011336_5046532054055744545_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqBE6bUq4ZB22g8854iiwjRX9gvdeqqox8gZlAHlfY7hLmMIB3XQxAKaR_ZumvWzUxU_dyZbFW8uJRkicv04F_YC6jvmguTZVr5kzNzZD9iP2H_g6irozp0aIlzWSMlg5lbKHSw7GMUM/s1600/10351746_10100813378011336_5046532054055744545_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our selfie upon completion!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivltrJKQGtxVhC2oqLNM2ZQzIwoXU9RRJYn6uVWyYNgEYg0-2NtBDbdGHXuetpVIxesZn6xGOuXiaHk4s7e3bVlcem_mmEFXcaN4UELXVCRaByqfRit-9a-0m43kWkLoiN0NNS3skaHd4/s1600/DSC03233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivltrJKQGtxVhC2oqLNM2ZQzIwoXU9RRJYn6uVWyYNgEYg0-2NtBDbdGHXuetpVIxesZn6xGOuXiaHk4s7e3bVlcem_mmEFXcaN4UELXVCRaByqfRit-9a-0m43kWkLoiN0NNS3skaHd4/s1600/DSC03233.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HdRZEMwGgtZelDYKJjPs9SAuFlB1WR225dc8phNlq8uujsdoYrmbfmSpnUNb_2Sg7AhbSf49z-8qaYBhJpCyXfxPrnKoxD_DXu1bHpwF3e8iZxp6P_V3AMyj-pePEBPWyg9hHyddaiM/s1600/DSC03245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HdRZEMwGgtZelDYKJjPs9SAuFlB1WR225dc8phNlq8uujsdoYrmbfmSpnUNb_2Sg7AhbSf49z-8qaYBhJpCyXfxPrnKoxD_DXu1bHpwF3e8iZxp6P_V3AMyj-pePEBPWyg9hHyddaiM/s1600/DSC03245.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy9gUljhCkINj1XffVMcggUzwD2zrWMAV4Xs52M1ukjs-4aC__fmiM5vHGwWhr2FR7rB41-BzO2BtB77VmyMQGhTZ6wSliir-gtehk2kilHnvpc5S0YVCpGV-RtnGIfJbfvn1fbA19mQ/s1600/DSC03238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy9gUljhCkINj1XffVMcggUzwD2zrWMAV4Xs52M1ukjs-4aC__fmiM5vHGwWhr2FR7rB41-BzO2BtB77VmyMQGhTZ6wSliir-gtehk2kilHnvpc5S0YVCpGV-RtnGIfJbfvn1fbA19mQ/s1600/DSC03238.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-85104538129212723622014-06-09T06:23:00.001-05:002014-06-11T20:05:55.940-05:00A Quick Catch Up!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDDzghcnzhUn9mpl4asE5dIIMqT0m4KUFA0wF7pZp3oXg8yq8c6qDgHtX2F85HffZMouK1Dir6ru_VqCzN__WBk010ethWawUZgnBoSNyrOstnD6It3iyIuLCIfTDqctyWGvvTI5QiyE/s1600/20140523_112306_PerfectlyClear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDDzghcnzhUn9mpl4asE5dIIMqT0m4KUFA0wF7pZp3oXg8yq8c6qDgHtX2F85HffZMouK1Dir6ru_VqCzN__WBk010ethWawUZgnBoSNyrOstnD6It3iyIuLCIfTDqctyWGvvTI5QiyE/s1600/20140523_112306_PerfectlyClear.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a>It seems like every post that I've written lately starts out with an apology that it has been FOREVER since my last post. Well, today I'm not going to apologize. I'm just going to tell myself that I'm doing the best I can and that something has to give. Lately, that something is the blog. With all the constant work I have to do around the house, working part time Online, taking care of the kids (and trying to keep them entertained) all day, and lots of outdoor work/projects that we are trying to take care of this summer I just haven't had any time leftover for much of anything- much less blogging. But this morning I found a few minutes and thought I would share a couple of recent things that have happened.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvrsqMrxXk29AOA7dsuZ5kI_vZVCs2Fup4_SYEH1DCxoAlgMynCq9wDfTrM9AeKlmvKIiJ8yYZoCTX6HrnReLfu_ztRHk1ESiJKOL26OJ-WvaxAKMRG9GsaYCPZdTO7KLMLPyZRXrU64/s1600/DSC00865.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/AVvXsEgnvrsqMrxXk29AOA7dsuZ5kI_vZVCs2Fup4_SYEH1DCxoAlgMynCq9wDfTrM9AeKlmvKIiJ8yYZoCTX6HrnReLfu_ztRHk1ESiJKOL26OJ-WvaxAKMRG9GsaYCPZdTO7KLMLPyZRXrU64/s1600/DSC00865.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a>Our biggest and probably most exciting happening is our new addition- our cat, Rocky. We decided that the kids were ready for a pet, and after a pretty extensive search, meeting a few different cats (most of which didn't really like kids:/) we finally found a little kitten that seemed like he would be a good match for us. Kittens seem much more adaptable to kids and changes than a full grown cat would be. Rocky was at our local humane society, and thought I kind of wanted to change his name, Brennan wouldn't allow it. Rocky is the name of a member of the Paw Patrol, so his name stuck. He has been working out well with our family and I'm glad we've been able to give him a good home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6FrLZYfM6fKwLYOxyBovIvarfCcNH6CJ-h2MGJh_pDu_YPXit8WtFLM6qaP0nP_0WkA0xGI7JHB_Wr5UKf7l41Rn4Flx_vOyw6k0mtVdeT45VgN5xeJdUCvW7218NHKWlSHrZTS6obA/s1600/20140315_145126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6FrLZYfM6fKwLYOxyBovIvarfCcNH6CJ-h2MGJh_pDu_YPXit8WtFLM6qaP0nP_0WkA0xGI7JHB_Wr5UKf7l41Rn4Flx_vOyw6k0mtVdeT45VgN5xeJdUCvW7218NHKWlSHrZTS6obA/s1600/20140315_145126.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvelY-ovDzGJONkSb2a17FTg73eMXGCzhB7jKnhkcKXDXqsjFkWk0ZBVYeP5Vum2kGKiHSS13aJ4TWsbi1H108kl-g-EIhlVGaqDNnVU0PbRjyUFtr8AoecpXmIm4ArFH8L9iheeVZgU/s1600/DSC00873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvelY-ovDzGJONkSb2a17FTg73eMXGCzhB7jKnhkcKXDXqsjFkWk0ZBVYeP5Vum2kGKiHSS13aJ4TWsbi1H108kl-g-EIhlVGaqDNnVU0PbRjyUFtr8AoecpXmIm4ArFH8L9iheeVZgU/s1600/DSC00873.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Rocky is now a little over 5 months old and much bigger than in these first pictures! Here is a more recent one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkipkl-6A0YEdkRcpjQJnVzVQKTVgDT6o8b976EnmlfoyNKfJjhSALRkiBiYdc8n7wo2Jol8WARhpe6In_5vS_ITe73ZdVyk8veH9kId7aEll7ZQ5zPgkoHgXczFjtEup1ShyphenhyphennOcLkRk/s1600/DSC01084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkipkl-6A0YEdkRcpjQJnVzVQKTVgDT6o8b976EnmlfoyNKfJjhSALRkiBiYdc8n7wo2Jol8WARhpe6In_5vS_ITe73ZdVyk8veH9kId7aEll7ZQ5zPgkoHgXczFjtEup1ShyphenhyphennOcLkRk/s1600/DSC01084.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a> </div>
<br />
Brennan is happy to announce that has moved up to 4-year old preschool for next year. He will be going two half days per week and he is very excited! His summer rec Tot Lot class begins this morning, too. More excitement for him!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMpCeoCTAR_gj-06ZF9b72RD1wWSbRXNLgGh9YpwIDG9J0B0FdY0R-LZlRAtiVjAFWqNW6f8cla6ek68gR9P-NgLs2v36g2xQ-9vG6SCD0VHaLOXDPRE6vq-r0hKW_5hMcytK1m9lLCI/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMpCeoCTAR_gj-06ZF9b72RD1wWSbRXNLgGh9YpwIDG9J0B0FdY0R-LZlRAtiVjAFWqNW6f8cla6ek68gR9P-NgLs2v36g2xQ-9vG6SCD0VHaLOXDPRE6vq-r0hKW_5hMcytK1m9lLCI/s1600/b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The kids are doing a better job of playing with each other lately, too. Yes- they do still fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but quite often I can hear them playing and imagining together and I love to just quietly listen to them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fz1KPmvGND_xNROlQ_SSsYfTnzSOtVW9GkPGJse9ze2VvB1NSHrX51n1RkgX6Oxgi9SRQ_w5kTndUjDxd9c3tQN3RWHG2H0-cudYMjP4M-uZdfPj7bC3_B_57P-fNvm17HksmzTS9NE/s1600/10372777_10203915731432691_3558539948478189229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fz1KPmvGND_xNROlQ_SSsYfTnzSOtVW9GkPGJse9ze2VvB1NSHrX51n1RkgX6Oxgi9SRQ_w5kTndUjDxd9c3tQN3RWHG2H0-cudYMjP4M-uZdfPj7bC3_B_57P-fNvm17HksmzTS9NE/s1600/10372777_10203915731432691_3558539948478189229_n.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
We have a lot of outdoor improvements planned for the summer- mainly getting our grass growing better, doing a little more landscaping in front of the house, building a fire pit in the edge of our woods, and doing lots of cleaning up of the dead trees and brush in our area of the woods, as well. The kids are ready to help!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjwjEvFTn62adfxYIx30pM-Sg6G8rTm04fAc9q0eQdh-YPXBMdLCXsgxpQEQEU7FQbR3dXVEUvayY_7CMC5MGZaSzp6BinQ553UiwYcGTEyTsSApUoS27jIENCSsggxgADgh7Uq6NWG8/s1600/20140524_165008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjwjEvFTn62adfxYIx30pM-Sg6G8rTm04fAc9q0eQdh-YPXBMdLCXsgxpQEQEU7FQbR3dXVEUvayY_7CMC5MGZaSzp6BinQ553UiwYcGTEyTsSApUoS27jIENCSsggxgADgh7Uq6NWG8/s1600/20140524_165008.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
We are coming up on our 9th anniversary already on June 17th. I can't believe where the time has gone! Ryan will also be celebrating his 30th/Golden birthday this year. If he thinks the old man jokes are bad now, he has no idea what he has in store! :)<br />
<br />
I know this summer is going to be very busy, but I'm hoping I can find some time to write a few posts at least!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-16776482066708313472014-04-02T21:05:00.001-05:002014-04-02T21:05:15.978-05:00Another Round of Birthdays!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I can barely believe it, but the kids both just gained a year. Brennan is now a handsome, clever 4 year old and Bryleigh is a pretty 16 year old stuck in a 2 year old's body. Time has sure flown. <br />
<br />
We had some nice, but low-key birthday parties for them and I just wanted to share a few pictures.<br />
<br />
Brennan had a 'Paw Patrol' themed birthday, and honestly, we could have done a joint birthday party since they both LOVE Paw Patrol. But it is fun to have a day that is all centered around you! The Grandmas pitched in to help with Grandma Mary embroidering him a Paw Patrol shirt and Gigi (my mom, Grandma Sue) making the 'Marshall' cake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfQYX9UUW1AZl2WbEI50X_lSitNvgIFoiB8INQUsytGa0fo6hwcfmfrSGqvL57c1w44oGOpqxZh1ZpvCerCwApOuOr0D7ehh4ekMgiOERBJIG9pmr_QtCCQzmymokJioTE_L2en3jHqA/w366-h550-no/DSC00583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfQYX9UUW1AZl2WbEI50X_lSitNvgIFoiB8INQUsytGa0fo6hwcfmfrSGqvL57c1w44oGOpqxZh1ZpvCerCwApOuOr0D7ehh4ekMgiOERBJIG9pmr_QtCCQzmymokJioTE_L2en3jHqA/w366-h550-no/DSC00583.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_qqtmN1AeWKP6rY5m-EEQwgeEogartQQYrZR8M_qfjiP0o8z4Voax9sI-oc_WuPqfFjdnXieehFgHYpJZU9bTlrRmmb10-7uap5D6szyK8Nr8OBkxVRDXlZq6eFORzP2kWXj8Wy5utI/w366-h550-no/DSC00593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_qqtmN1AeWKP6rY5m-EEQwgeEogartQQYrZR8M_qfjiP0o8z4Voax9sI-oc_WuPqfFjdnXieehFgHYpJZU9bTlrRmmb10-7uap5D6szyK8Nr8OBkxVRDXlZq6eFORzP2kWXj8Wy5utI/w366-h550-no/DSC00593.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Pj0XWyTN8wjgWwEAir_0iFVmgUs6AUF6pKYkao94YMLlgCNf5L3bbXjuwnJJEd63bsU5t7hC2MVlRbbLK_iZgwCUnRM3hT_jEA1Jivm3zA_cy_pHvnqMFx6cevmDQp-1vLiTMlVfuI0/w366-h550-no/DSC00610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Pj0XWyTN8wjgWwEAir_0iFVmgUs6AUF6pKYkao94YMLlgCNf5L3bbXjuwnJJEd63bsU5t7hC2MVlRbbLK_iZgwCUnRM3hT_jEA1Jivm3zA_cy_pHvnqMFx6cevmDQp-1vLiTMlVfuI0/w366-h550-no/DSC00610.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkkOl-9Iag0nK1sgSX5xkOTD1sar8m2JA0UeyotRYzcNy031hewQV9_sdB9AL0My59iFs13CYQk0VgNC1kxguadu_-0RKyYRluTbilr8nyHT4T-OUbM3kRQjBWvdzJPliZNbYk94F4_M/w366-h550-no/DSC00613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkkOl-9Iag0nK1sgSX5xkOTD1sar8m2JA0UeyotRYzcNy031hewQV9_sdB9AL0My59iFs13CYQk0VgNC1kxguadu_-0RKyYRluTbilr8nyHT4T-OUbM3kRQjBWvdzJPliZNbYk94F4_M/w366-h550-no/DSC00613.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8HI_wm865gXjqhYuyoMPmKB_Q7wi6zc_i2P6-EF6AR_DmJsEHANWnQ4IPHZWLO0e3XLvqWVfB-5Bae94Ltwfgyeh8c7wl4HJCxM8knGc-vQ2lVLxLTya8oeD5TwgVNScUNc3xx4uVTA/w366-h550-no/DSC00620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8HI_wm865gXjqhYuyoMPmKB_Q7wi6zc_i2P6-EF6AR_DmJsEHANWnQ4IPHZWLO0e3XLvqWVfB-5Bae94Ltwfgyeh8c7wl4HJCxM8knGc-vQ2lVLxLTya8oeD5TwgVNScUNc3xx4uVTA/w366-h550-no/DSC00620.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKUZ0ENvpinbAFEplxYZWzqundcNr3Kztk8BO-aVllDJNX4gK-9VKGAcq7_MjYUnPu73z6DqO85h0k3AJbXrOhBrECmeRhAHGIvXqWKSUQ6bodeDtq0NnVITmEIcRjH3YyqMqfStP84E/w366-h550-no/DSC00636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKUZ0ENvpinbAFEplxYZWzqundcNr3Kztk8BO-aVllDJNX4gK-9VKGAcq7_MjYUnPu73z6DqO85h0k3AJbXrOhBrECmeRhAHGIvXqWKSUQ6bodeDtq0NnVITmEIcRjH3YyqMqfStP84E/w366-h550-no/DSC00636.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
And since we celebrated his birthday the day before his actual birthday, we decided to try to make his 'real birthday' supper a little more fun. He had his favorite, peanut butter and chocolate (Nutella) and Mama surprised him with some candles in it. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33NXyTGoUFmmdJbGQkI-8_0HjcI5mkjl3HuCRI_nvF3WLaCN5uBeGEn-A5r9BN0SZyQOUMYmHLJ-XVM13sKsNEEN8KMmpIU1tg6CfbB3CAE57YC5y_ChpXiZ1vb8FFG6ofYW1u9Rssbs/w366-h550-no/DSC00654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33NXyTGoUFmmdJbGQkI-8_0HjcI5mkjl3HuCRI_nvF3WLaCN5uBeGEn-A5r9BN0SZyQOUMYmHLJ-XVM13sKsNEEN8KMmpIU1tg6CfbB3CAE57YC5y_ChpXiZ1vb8FFG6ofYW1u9Rssbs/w366-h550-no/DSC00654.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
For Bryleigh, we just did a hot pink and zebra theme. Her Grandma Mary made the shirt and the bloomers and Mama made the hair clips. I also made her cake (a successful first with marshmallow fondant), which I'm quite proud of! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bEtyfsoMoRQ-w3dNQONeF13szkADSRWtfkzyUPBzKcdFciUuB8zZkE4_Ppjmt8pDHLht1hjRCoDP2UH54JjBuA9vePROWstJPd1WYUIs658VH4F6I2RWLhD1xfbnWD7UamrVx_Hy4Qc/w366-h550-no/DSC00945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bEtyfsoMoRQ-w3dNQONeF13szkADSRWtfkzyUPBzKcdFciUuB8zZkE4_Ppjmt8pDHLht1hjRCoDP2UH54JjBuA9vePROWstJPd1WYUIs658VH4F6I2RWLhD1xfbnWD7UamrVx_Hy4Qc/w366-h550-no/DSC00945.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs2nrLnCg8WfJ9eB0mejfQ8zEQ1Cc1SKSWj20sA22_MGfU-O1Gjigz2rCxvw9qr8pc6ScjPYuyz5WNMYDqjKG87j3xottGA4w1sA1xE6a2DGUzciSytQMG4UX-f0-_QQDkxna2-3zl3I/w366-h550-no/DSC00937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCs2nrLnCg8WfJ9eB0mejfQ8zEQ1Cc1SKSWj20sA22_MGfU-O1Gjigz2rCxvw9qr8pc6ScjPYuyz5WNMYDqjKG87j3xottGA4w1sA1xE6a2DGUzciSytQMG4UX-f0-_QQDkxna2-3zl3I/w366-h550-no/DSC00937.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PNKWf-1PhHpSB2rBzCbMO6mGQayfh-H1PZhEJU_yAE6K5kNjxh2tr0po7884oJKw_ZpeYzgsg179B7s7pgF9vc_svT_m3LT39-OTL072W1tnuLK71_ybI799JyLxJUoIWa4CVzp9qm4/w366-h550-no/DSC00963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PNKWf-1PhHpSB2rBzCbMO6mGQayfh-H1PZhEJU_yAE6K5kNjxh2tr0po7884oJKw_ZpeYzgsg179B7s7pgF9vc_svT_m3LT39-OTL072W1tnuLK71_ybI799JyLxJUoIWa4CVzp9qm4/w366-h550-no/DSC00963.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_3WpG8lNS45SnSVU3YT05KyHfAgn_v27iuJbUWtNMfpVqnyz2irmA2W5WsUX28sYyg1wqCBi38ZSeuUDgqq1uO8Qqt36IVQGI6VtIikvAzC6jzBdyPQfaSvr01RTpfPej9ibog9qaIo/w366-h550-no/DSC01011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_3WpG8lNS45SnSVU3YT05KyHfAgn_v27iuJbUWtNMfpVqnyz2irmA2W5WsUX28sYyg1wqCBi38ZSeuUDgqq1uO8Qqt36IVQGI6VtIikvAzC6jzBdyPQfaSvr01RTpfPej9ibog9qaIo/w366-h550-no/DSC01011.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMa3HXrc4E4C0qe13utzVBY0VbKGg2vWhVo1N-JxPbUyriGI6Qy2M7NTz0TvV-u7ep_II-N-u97pjmKpfAy4kz9x8cNOgJwP6fNqeq1ViUlry-cQubaLd3tRODjs3kfAqEmui1i7hrZ8/w366-h550-no/DSC00952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMa3HXrc4E4C0qe13utzVBY0VbKGg2vWhVo1N-JxPbUyriGI6Qy2M7NTz0TvV-u7ep_II-N-u97pjmKpfAy4kz9x8cNOgJwP6fNqeq1ViUlry-cQubaLd3tRODjs3kfAqEmui1i7hrZ8/w366-h550-no/DSC00952.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUsRsv8cL-c9ELHK9mFDJWvTgeyYDWB4Vzh6fFyfvaKCn-OHpoYUSz_EPKW91C5DYhzOM051x5wVmHcLKb2hzeF7OzfNonCCUxWfC3eF018xoTLxnt1yL2_ByupM8VDLpXxc8C8Cc4Cg/w828-h550-no/DSC00978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUsRsv8cL-c9ELHK9mFDJWvTgeyYDWB4Vzh6fFyfvaKCn-OHpoYUSz_EPKW91C5DYhzOM051x5wVmHcLKb2hzeF7OzfNonCCUxWfC3eF018xoTLxnt1yL2_ByupM8VDLpXxc8C8Cc4Cg/w828-h550-no/DSC00978.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWAV10SVtT331ALyvVT852VzIEtXcjLsWul5k1pAON1cczH-DyNlEjyRm_0X4tMXTvrLmGOqkd5Np2zR9ugv0GiSEXx4Fn6a2K6n5dkQTSuw5Y9CE96H9SQ0Zk_BHjRVSP85fu3XzvYI/w828-h550-no/DSC00990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWAV10SVtT331ALyvVT852VzIEtXcjLsWul5k1pAON1cczH-DyNlEjyRm_0X4tMXTvrLmGOqkd5Np2zR9ugv0GiSEXx4Fn6a2K6n5dkQTSuw5Y9CE96H9SQ0Zk_BHjRVSP85fu3XzvYI/w828-h550-no/DSC00990.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdMuNgJryRqbh7OIvzl4AezYR64rehuXyom6i9Xi36-lceatFy0UIBf8qmJLXFg3l1MdRgUKlXWCpz_A1CCGcMG3doZhP2DiZLOvmMCALMEHhCMTifqFIHeIIOB6UbQWr2WfP4sVp9yQ/w828-h550-no/DSC01012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdMuNgJryRqbh7OIvzl4AezYR64rehuXyom6i9Xi36-lceatFy0UIBf8qmJLXFg3l1MdRgUKlXWCpz_A1CCGcMG3doZhP2DiZLOvmMCALMEHhCMTifqFIHeIIOB6UbQWr2WfP4sVp9yQ/w828-h550-no/DSC01012.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31gYcnmlJG2atQrHpHjTEd4bPqx1Ac8cqQr_KTNgg11Y6ALhHzKVWpgpMyeHeSH5bfAPB6GQzicnfzkS9uRzJ7XjGR26pXKWBXowJF0UdygeuHPeDEwBj2J3Hbarj21rwfPFPRINhnOo/s550-no/DSC01014-MIX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31gYcnmlJG2atQrHpHjTEd4bPqx1Ac8cqQr_KTNgg11Y6ALhHzKVWpgpMyeHeSH5bfAPB6GQzicnfzkS9uRzJ7XjGR26pXKWBXowJF0UdygeuHPeDEwBj2J3Hbarj21rwfPFPRINhnOo/s550-no/DSC01014-MIX.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GGzeSxGhULIrsGkO7XXfmJ_Z56hQT4ouBQpKA_YaAkQfNy3rLU2Yxh3JosbC30HCimQ38MipyQ-p3NvNwU421ttEwQlm6QbqUTRWuYxxAJAlj_ChKqfWP6Z97cCquqrefCuRouSmZY0/w808-h538-no/DSC00964-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GGzeSxGhULIrsGkO7XXfmJ_Z56hQT4ouBQpKA_YaAkQfNy3rLU2Yxh3JosbC30HCimQ38MipyQ-p3NvNwU421ttEwQlm6QbqUTRWuYxxAJAlj_ChKqfWP6Z97cCquqrefCuRouSmZY0/w808-h538-no/DSC00964-MOTION.gif" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-50750870164783752442014-03-03T14:57:00.000-06:002014-03-03T14:57:20.564-06:00Our Reptile and Amphibian adventure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhie4ihLuhe5nXp-ySwmW13MqVeGP-SNqYzYj-dxOhMB3iBwrGnSR6BMO3flFhe7yGaOq9rQVVXvGCmwCoSuDchYquF3IN1NJvu7Dbg6vISeett_m3E2qSA5zjNhDmNKG_WVW3xgYiIfkY/s1600/DSC00691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhie4ihLuhe5nXp-ySwmW13MqVeGP-SNqYzYj-dxOhMB3iBwrGnSR6BMO3flFhe7yGaOq9rQVVXvGCmwCoSuDchYquF3IN1NJvu7Dbg6vISeett_m3E2qSA5zjNhDmNKG_WVW3xgYiIfkY/s1600/DSC00691.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a>Last Saturday, one of our local libraries held a special event where they brought in lot of different reptiles and amphibians. I'd been to a show like this before a long time ago when my niece and nephew were little, but never with my own kids. When I heard about it, I knew Brennan would love it!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_zuNbnI2kwKqR9_G-2ezayvGMuKcbLlVgF-HLPVkx3bqaoQ8C0TEb02O2qVWPCZGs6E20w0x-ba-8AzHvNsEfYeWnfHu3ksrN3usl1LuP3FwCSOLwuQ-MdRWKxAB3CCEQD06_sH00qg/s1600/DSC00676.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/AVvXsEji_zuNbnI2kwKqR9_G-2ezayvGMuKcbLlVgF-HLPVkx3bqaoQ8C0TEb02O2qVWPCZGs6E20w0x-ba-8AzHvNsEfYeWnfHu3ksrN3usl1LuP3FwCSOLwuQ-MdRWKxAB3CCEQD06_sH00qg/s1600/DSC00676.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a>Brennan did really enjoy it. The zookeeper brought 3 different kinds of an alligator, turtles, some crawly things like a toad, salmander, and legless lizard, and of course, the highlight of the event, the snakes. During the show, Brennan had answered a snake question about an Anaconda (with a little help from Mom), so when it came time to find volunteers to hold a Boa Constrictor, the zookeeper was looking for Brennan! He was VERY happy to help. Ryan's really NOT a snake person, so it's funny that Brennan was so excited to do it. Bryleigh even got pretty mad that she couldn't go hold the snake, too, and got to pet it later.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAHzEbBwObYb8PpzpwyttSZM4mQSKCPf3Jc_mMfj35-ZO0hBhB09tK4YPXjfMS0KjdS-zeGJ3He5cazs3qbtPxa4Hg3Nnxs-NZVbQ_QEX2I9NV27HxTaRYyk-79pyjuwFmqhUgqROiqc/s1600/DSC00679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAHzEbBwObYb8PpzpwyttSZM4mQSKCPf3Jc_mMfj35-ZO0hBhB09tK4YPXjfMS0KjdS-zeGJ3He5cazs3qbtPxa4Hg3Nnxs-NZVbQ_QEX2I9NV27HxTaRYyk-79pyjuwFmqhUgqROiqc/s1600/DSC00679.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIG67dMqGMqXI7fHZXofc3RDoKkUEvbgoJ0-1DhMSKLaAYDXytkdWqy2mMMNIFDlRxmY6lHjRiaQBZdPyjGCZohTu5a5vGrKusAmdw7xRfcS951GBPcpCcQ6cJ6s1fJnBiygAfwnUH_s/s1600/DSC00685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIG67dMqGMqXI7fHZXofc3RDoKkUEvbgoJ0-1DhMSKLaAYDXytkdWqy2mMMNIFDlRxmY6lHjRiaQBZdPyjGCZohTu5a5vGrKusAmdw7xRfcS951GBPcpCcQ6cJ6s1fJnBiygAfwnUH_s/s1600/DSC00685.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGln6caarDO-xqMruXJ4qek7eXi2hUE3GTqiNB66RAYXd1WuaoOo_AZ13fhlNv2K5cFSprUCV396sXxcTeMcjpJpsQJtEP5S-ltnQXMrKjkiylpdBIpnim0KERO_j3p39Zl_pYg-B19CA/s1600/DSC00697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGln6caarDO-xqMruXJ4qek7eXi2hUE3GTqiNB66RAYXd1WuaoOo_AZ13fhlNv2K5cFSprUCV396sXxcTeMcjpJpsQJtEP5S-ltnQXMrKjkiylpdBIpnim0KERO_j3p39Zl_pYg-B19CA/s1600/DSC00697.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_znOR8myLXHbLc6_k1In8WPpAkXnY9HypjpmLih7RSKvR6Z0fLG5VtFLNG7bLLDsoo9nMolqbOO45edEU7jP8CT9FDTlUKKDs5xu5JN0RiZclSvI2urmnHmx6fZdHW2uY8axB5OTzEc/s1600/DSC00706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_znOR8myLXHbLc6_k1In8WPpAkXnY9HypjpmLih7RSKvR6Z0fLG5VtFLNG7bLLDsoo9nMolqbOO45edEU7jP8CT9FDTlUKKDs5xu5JN0RiZclSvI2urmnHmx6fZdHW2uY8axB5OTzEc/s1600/DSC00706.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsnaNZGKCa4r9KqblDmCADirYZRFgOpMVcJVDyNfXZ0k91jYH6eCxu6Vs56wFmKVnoQA_ih4Tj-FpVRRm4_b69EywP6a5PZ3GlnbtTKlRJd_6pegvAxKFmho4IYGhqb9d_R3J9ueeJqU/s1600/DSC00713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsnaNZGKCa4r9KqblDmCADirYZRFgOpMVcJVDyNfXZ0k91jYH6eCxu6Vs56wFmKVnoQA_ih4Tj-FpVRRm4_b69EywP6a5PZ3GlnbtTKlRJd_6pegvAxKFmho4IYGhqb9d_R3J9ueeJqU/s1600/DSC00713.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-30106679034566433592014-02-02T20:53:00.000-06:002014-02-10T12:34:21.256-06:00Ella Bella Photography Backgrounds Review and Giveaway!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been using cloth backdrops for my indoor photography since before I even had a backdrop stand or 'real' backdrops. They work fine- some better than others. But still, I've been very interested in trying a paper backdrop. I love how they look in pictures- so smooth, crisp, and clean.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_kmoAjHbGkAWWQqA2oGs6Q3n3pWs7JvYr526igogpXpACwxNXcXSnhRz2LBzg90mUeS7VZuFTPblwUoCcYyJwxT9eOVW9vV3yZrUiCo0upxPRUXnV0l0gE4RQkIAEEIN4ZclW7IGnLs/s1600/paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_kmoAjHbGkAWWQqA2oGs6Q3n3pWs7JvYr526igogpXpACwxNXcXSnhRz2LBzg90mUeS7VZuFTPblwUoCcYyJwxT9eOVW9vV3yZrUiCo0upxPRUXnV0l0gE4RQkIAEEIN4ZclW7IGnLs/s1600/paper.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></div>
To my delight, I was given the opportunity to do a product review of Pacon's Ella Bella Photography Backgrounds. Ella Bella is an up and coming photo backdrop product that offers nice, affordable backdrops suitable for both amateur and professional photographers. You can find out more about it, giveaways being offered, and get awesome photo tips by liking their Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EllaBella" target="_blank">Ella Bella's Facebook Page</a>.<br />
<br />
I received four different designs to try: Vintage Wood, Classic Damask, Dots- Soft Pink, and Dots- Soft Blue. I really like them all. Each would work wonderfully for different applications. Pacon encourages the backdrops to be used for infant, child, and product photography or even video backdrops, etc. They would also be great for any sort of close up photo or head shot, as well. The Classic Damask would would be stunning for a young lady's senior pictures!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4wpSHkjYovK5uOM0QrMJlRGOY1SmCpPBq9yxpc4WjWKsnD9TFvhazicDH5gZeFXg4Wm0iExKyCC-eSLFQ4loROk7_SSQQKOu65yEa98MMLs0IGiaJh2cVfGylG0gEVYZTaltz0kMH5M/s1600/editDSC00476.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/AVvXsEiN4wpSHkjYovK5uOM0QrMJlRGOY1SmCpPBq9yxpc4WjWKsnD9TFvhazicDH5gZeFXg4Wm0iExKyCC-eSLFQ4loROk7_SSQQKOu65yEa98MMLs0IGiaJh2cVfGylG0gEVYZTaltz0kMH5M/s1600/editDSC00476.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Set up was quite easy. I just slid the tube onto my backdrop stand and used a clamp to hold the paper against the top bar so that it couldn't unroll. I laid another one of the backdrops on the floor, going under the other vertical one. Then I set a piece of white baseboard that I had along the bottom to hide where the backdrops met. I used another clamp on each end of the baseboard to hold the paper nice and tight against it. All set up it looked beautiful! I took a picture to show you how simple the set up really is. You don't even need a backdrop stand to use this paper. Just tape it up to a wall and shoot away. <br />
<br />
My almost 4 year old son was anxious to help me try out the new set up. He isn't always a huge fan of getting pictures taken, but the newness really helped. Plus, he was pretty sure his dinosaurs wanted their pictures taken, too.<br />
<br />
Here's what we got!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FueYrNsFULhW4HsAWfMz0m9t2uG18AbVjxC8cOC1k7No9COX6gVlJ7b-jrGUuW17jYGz2kX25ZJ13qnQcAhaMfwkm4B9s7G4mL_cxUu8qUhiXJO8ExJbDwPvOKbWS0jVgymHJzbCiVI/s1600/editbwDSC00352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FueYrNsFULhW4HsAWfMz0m9t2uG18AbVjxC8cOC1k7No9COX6gVlJ7b-jrGUuW17jYGz2kX25ZJ13qnQcAhaMfwkm4B9s7G4mL_cxUu8qUhiXJO8ExJbDwPvOKbWS0jVgymHJzbCiVI/s1600/editbwDSC00352.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMOJUtNG-mVmxioQw-tQ6uXYUScvg4vt6WL7uqWKEy5mGzLdmKN2HW9GOyqW5KPJ86b2p7ABKBJXnJrcuIGItTvfM5AjN_HA1Y4xtxCUGHeFDMzX5ZJ9QtgXB3ZRGaCabNrbfjJuq8t0/s1600/editDSC00381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMOJUtNG-mVmxioQw-tQ6uXYUScvg4vt6WL7uqWKEy5mGzLdmKN2HW9GOyqW5KPJ86b2p7ABKBJXnJrcuIGItTvfM5AjN_HA1Y4xtxCUGHeFDMzX5ZJ9QtgXB3ZRGaCabNrbfjJuq8t0/s1600/editDSC00381.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkJRfgz5C49Zd1LIMh5QQHp1huNMq7WWtbeUPMM_wszZJFGmsuMkd0-6fgSfYmUuUVp0_xq3oFMyVsx6pQImtjhsPO1p8srKOgu0oqqUqSTgmQH1lW_UPMg5ZlJPRbOQlnuLWG6gnhkg/s1600/editDSC00390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkJRfgz5C49Zd1LIMh5QQHp1huNMq7WWtbeUPMM_wszZJFGmsuMkd0-6fgSfYmUuUVp0_xq3oFMyVsx6pQImtjhsPO1p8srKOgu0oqqUqSTgmQH1lW_UPMg5ZlJPRbOQlnuLWG6gnhkg/s1600/editDSC00390.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHEmRHA6PmonJ4-brYjsKfPGT-XzQz0-h-lzspY_Wsb64KUib6IxVxrdtZw2vtX4x0haQpuCosUGAl-qAfGSyJaxKjMhoOjo0xLCGjSgBXDEddtiy8sz_cvMSW8mfO6zOv00L9eqiAts/s1600/editDSC00377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHEmRHA6PmonJ4-brYjsKfPGT-XzQz0-h-lzspY_Wsb64KUib6IxVxrdtZw2vtX4x0haQpuCosUGAl-qAfGSyJaxKjMhoOjo0xLCGjSgBXDEddtiy8sz_cvMSW8mfO6zOv00L9eqiAts/s1600/editDSC00377.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs4aTnjx6gSr7eWV3sb8g8GYjCYhi6YDL9MsmWj_pndRr-T4uYYPAYvsJz5jl5ZOzmtLR36H1yc0LZZ9V87Sypy9dGAmBrDTcRegxvQ-GOrzC8HkP5vBNaqsge9opNajXGxcPNOg0pig/s1600/editDSC00375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs4aTnjx6gSr7eWV3sb8g8GYjCYhi6YDL9MsmWj_pndRr-T4uYYPAYvsJz5jl5ZOzmtLR36H1yc0LZZ9V87Sypy9dGAmBrDTcRegxvQ-GOrzC8HkP5vBNaqsge9opNajXGxcPNOg0pig/s1600/editDSC00375.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6ewpulHUIiRN8E65JaI0ShwWK_T1QJQ1JyzWRmxccvJ4L8Quhgm4WmqL8lwlaT_ig6jqCk32v-cD0zt0q2_fIqEEPR8Ci7K-M1d8bAwXdr7CegLdoGmvWBBH9A2RlU6alHj998UuPQg/s1600/editDSC00338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6ewpulHUIiRN8E65JaI0ShwWK_T1QJQ1JyzWRmxccvJ4L8Quhgm4WmqL8lwlaT_ig6jqCk32v-cD0zt0q2_fIqEEPR8Ci7K-M1d8bAwXdr7CegLdoGmvWBBH9A2RlU6alHj998UuPQg/s1600/editDSC00338.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
My daughter was up next. She was wiggly and not real cooperative, but I got a few good shots of her, too. One is frame-worthy. I just need to decide where to put it! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6MlbEvywuDaS1f-TZrYUSwBzqi3sZvAlrqe33hbHLEP8NY5d4EDSWr9-VY2UHOLNBmgboAzTrCYwuunbCcjaF308hyphenhyphenTaBYyMV1TNoMb2wJHtf9on6IzP1MOzG3X0In5It6gR-OCyILM/s1600/editDSC00432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6MlbEvywuDaS1f-TZrYUSwBzqi3sZvAlrqe33hbHLEP8NY5d4EDSWr9-VY2UHOLNBmgboAzTrCYwuunbCcjaF308hyphenhyphenTaBYyMV1TNoMb2wJHtf9on6IzP1MOzG3X0In5It6gR-OCyILM/s1600/editDSC00432.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUI9QIE5IRs_VGgGiY7IY31IoHuHE3zZl7PPwZsoPVcGksg0bLHRTaTKuja82Qj-2b8DNbKokpGRnHOrlrcL_GCkAT1cstF3r2xKeOZBmKris3yA66bu0qjCEHMKO-akA9nJHxRScGn8w/s1600/editDSC00454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUI9QIE5IRs_VGgGiY7IY31IoHuHE3zZl7PPwZsoPVcGksg0bLHRTaTKuja82Qj-2b8DNbKokpGRnHOrlrcL_GCkAT1cstF3r2xKeOZBmKris3yA66bu0qjCEHMKO-akA9nJHxRScGn8w/s1600/editDSC00454.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPKyLCAdScSrlhDRZn50DVhoiS6Pp8Ujke3sHmUUJLvmfGM3DNMWOyq5Rqjb9tyboXAnDcjT_doXHhNclNPvdaR7HyhzgcVgKzSpNiCEgW3oNwX7nGOc06zDoai0DqX96JX31_AEto3k/s1600/editDSC00469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPKyLCAdScSrlhDRZn50DVhoiS6Pp8Ujke3sHmUUJLvmfGM3DNMWOyq5Rqjb9tyboXAnDcjT_doXHhNclNPvdaR7HyhzgcVgKzSpNiCEgW3oNwX7nGOc06zDoai0DqX96JX31_AEto3k/s1600/editDSC00469.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn3JYcK15wLUJFGyXN8-WADWrvYgeAmYZJ3Z1KJp_FQIInAjvLsn2WDaFpPBMuoTiI3kvtvCUOsJaYfXW1ZiqZBA_t-xvWy0NBkjN9DS0N7I_ijFU7uoCtRKsFOKbadvSNAFOny9MkmM/s1600/editDSC00478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn3JYcK15wLUJFGyXN8-WADWrvYgeAmYZJ3Z1KJp_FQIInAjvLsn2WDaFpPBMuoTiI3kvtvCUOsJaYfXW1ZiqZBA_t-xvWy0NBkjN9DS0N7I_ijFU7uoCtRKsFOKbadvSNAFOny9MkmM/s1600/editDSC00478.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvzwPBXAZGtEj9Pi4UkFqibwrDZd1vaWJ0_6qyFyZaZ5Qq6uuUNeGGf_tT3_sCiS60X9U9ijZbCcxZ0LtRt6J4fd0I7O_n4_JMasfjTJVSyyujhta9_r7ENMm19GIcCM9KTjmMp7DY-o/s1600/editDSC00484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvzwPBXAZGtEj9Pi4UkFqibwrDZd1vaWJ0_6qyFyZaZ5Qq6uuUNeGGf_tT3_sCiS60X9U9ijZbCcxZ0LtRt6J4fd0I7O_n4_JMasfjTJVSyyujhta9_r7ENMm19GIcCM9KTjmMp7DY-o/s1600/editDSC00484.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BoYHeyEamJOm-SUUjzzzPBF4Iz-7c3msBxUVhucigbwXOhw7dBzkUOCXHzGkSbl5_hKtZP1ejZzUsFCN58GoZuPMF8ItQz1MO04KAXMPGsILDfNYxZJBXvzc9_meZoIA8kbIwM-jt00/s1600/editDSC00492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BoYHeyEamJOm-SUUjzzzPBF4Iz-7c3msBxUVhucigbwXOhw7dBzkUOCXHzGkSbl5_hKtZP1ejZzUsFCN58GoZuPMF8ItQz1MO04KAXMPGsILDfNYxZJBXvzc9_meZoIA8kbIwM-jt00/s1600/editDSC00492.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuwMQkeea4sUaBwG3LpakR4bxsaw4KqEmq5tAiA6TCMAIlzK5vgET56wSA8gpJSFHBaBPixSL9Gl669JeW0AMNWt3skMSuRUvuP-NQKMorKQ7doLPxM-1-nWDyCWGwbSU115beVaSs2c/s1600/editwashedDSC00460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuwMQkeea4sUaBwG3LpakR4bxsaw4KqEmq5tAiA6TCMAIlzK5vgET56wSA8gpJSFHBaBPixSL9Gl669JeW0AMNWt3skMSuRUvuP-NQKMorKQ7doLPxM-1-nWDyCWGwbSU115beVaSs2c/s1600/editwashedDSC00460.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The paper is pretty durable. Of course, it is paper, so it can tear and wrinkle, but it seems like it takes a lot to make it do so. I got a couple little tears on the bottom of the hanging background where I had the clamps on the baseboard, but only because my daughter dove into it before I could grab her! But even with that dive, it made no creases in the paper.<br />
<br />
Besides the gorgeous prints, the thing that impressed me the very most about this backdrop paper is how non-see-through it is! That is one of the things that frustrates me most about using my fabric backdrops. You can always see light through them. I could see NOTHING through the paper. It was wonderful. Actually there was a window behind part of the backdrop and you couldn't make it out at all!<br />
<br />
The price of the paper is also great! You can pick up a roll of backdrop paper at Hobby Lobby for only $11.99. Use one of their 40% off coupons and pick that same roll up for only $7.19! Yeah! This product is definitely a winner! For that price, everyone should keep a roll around. What an easy way to improve the look of the snapshot you take of your kids, pets, products you are selling on eBay, etc!<br />
<br />
Pacon has generously offered to give away another 4 rolls of backdrop paper to one lucky winner! Good luck!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/24842111/" id="rc-24842111" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
</div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*I
was given this product for review purposes. All of my opinions
about this product are solely my own. Your opinions may differ. I
was not compensated to write this post in any way.*</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-84209898372748189392014-01-29T07:00:00.002-06:002014-01-29T07:00:49.734-06:00Bryleigh's Night Weaning Saga: Night 3 and Night 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Night 3 wasn't as good as night 2, but I was kind of expecting that. It seems like day/night 3 in any child developmental change is sort of the set-back day. It still wasn't that bad, though.<br />
<br />
Bryleigh woke up for the first time around 10:30. I went into her and she was acting awfully weird. It's like she wasn't 100% awake. She asked me for milk and cried/whined for a minute when I told her no. She kind of flopped around and kicked at the covers for a couple minutes before she rolled over and relaxed. It only took another couple minutes for her to go all the way back to sleep. That was a 2 1/2 song ordeal.<br />
<br />
Then she was up again just a little after her normal time... about 1:30. She again asked for milk and when I told her no, she asked for water. She drank a bunch and then we snuggled. Again, the entire comforting time until she was back asleep was only 2 1/2 songs.<br />
<br />
She got up again towards morning. I'm guessing that it was about 4:00... I was kind of out of it by then. I got her back to sleep in about 8 songs and went back to bed. I got to stay there for a few minutes before she woke back up again. After that, I resided just to stay in her room until morning.<br />
<br />
Night 4 was ok. She got up at normal time... about 1:15 or so. This time she was mad for about a minute when I told her no milk. I am guessing it probably only took 8 songs or so to get her back to sleep, but I fell asleep, so I don't know! I woke up after the music was over and went back to bed.<br />
<br />
She got up again at 4:15 or so. I took 11 songs to get her back to sleep and then she made it until morning.<br />
<br />
Hopefully she cuts the night wakings back to once again pretty soon. That was nice! This has still been worth the change just for my comfort level alone. I can actually get into a comfortable position cuddling with her... very different than having to lay one of two ways when nursing her in bed. I don't mind a night time cuddle so much. Way better than waking up sore from falling asleep and having her shift to a bad latch sometime after. So, this is still a welcome change.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-82466371944663019692014-01-27T07:39:00.000-06:002014-01-27T07:39:13.177-06:00Bryleigh's Night Weaning Saga: Night 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Can it really be this easy? Impossible... I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, but it is hard!<br />
<br />
Last night, Bryleigh woke up at about 1:20. She walked into our room, so I took her back to her own. I started her music and crawled into her bed. She had already got back in and pulled up the covers. She asked me for her water and drank some quickly. Then I cuddled up next to her and waited for the dreaded question.... It never came!!! She didn't even ask for milk! She squished her face against mine and just cuddled. It was so sweet and I absolutely loved it. It is really nice to see/feel her be comforted by me even if milk isn't involved.<br />
<br />
It only took 8 1/2 songs (half an hour) and she was back to snoring away. I slipped out and went back to bed. The next time I heard her was at about 5:45, after her Minnie light had already come on. I went in to greet her 'good morning' and offer her some morning milk. She was happy to accept.<br />
<br />
I'm so unbelievably shocked and surprised by how well this is going! Let's hope it keeps up! One of these nights she'll sleep through!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-27082072751553707382014-01-26T10:52:00.002-06:002014-01-26T10:52:37.771-06:00Bryleigh's Night Weaning Saga: Night 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I've finally had it. The multiple night time feedings need to come to an end. Bryleigh is only a few days short of being 22 months old and she has been getting up 2-3 times per night, on average. She's after comfort nursing. She doesn't need the milk because she is hungry. <br />
<br />
I don't need or want to give up nursing completely, just the night time feedings. I really feel like she will quit waking me up so much once she realizes she won't be getting milk.<br />
<br />
This is a whole new thing for me. Brennan completely weaned himself at
about 13 months old with no prodding from me in the least. I was
shocked and almost not even ready to quit with him yet! Bryleigh is so
different. She is nowhere near ready to quit. She loves the comfort.<br />
<br />
So last night was the first night of night weaning. We went cold turkey. She woke up at a little after midnight, and came strolling into our room as normal. I took her back to her room and she immediately asked for milk. I reminded her again that she couldn't have any milk until morning, until her Minnie light came on. I told her that we all need sleep and that she can have milk again in the day time. Needless to say, she was quite forlorn. She went through a range of emotions, mad, sad, frustrated, etc... I just cuddled and patted her, assuring her that I was there, staying with her. In stubborn Anderson fashion, she carried on for an impressive 21 lullaby songs... about an hour and 20 minutes before finally drifting off to sleep. <br />
<br />
And then the shocker... she didn't wake me up again until 5:45. It has become kind of rare to get that long of a stretch of sleep at that time of night/morning. Maybe she realized that I wasn't fooling and that she was not getting any milk until morning? Maybe that's wishful thinking... Anyway, I consider that close enough to morning to feed her, so we went back into her room, turned on her Minnie light to signal morning time, and had a nice morning feed. She was so content and sweet.<br />
<br />
Hoping night 2 goes as smoothly, or even smoother than night 1! I really believe this is one of those things that will stink for a week or two, and then I'll be kicking myself for not having done it months ago. Let's hope so!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-89284835322220816752014-01-24T15:34:00.001-06:002014-01-24T15:34:38.476-06:00Brennan Being Overly Polite?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I seriously need to try to get this on video, because it is so funny.<br />
<br />
Today, like always, we read stories before nap time. He picked out "Where's Spot?".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TesCEC1qL._SX258_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TesCEC1qL._SX258_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /></a></div>
Every time he flipped one of the flaps open, he would narrate, "Is he in the closet?... Roar! No, but thank you!" We heard it on every page! One of my favorites was the page with the penguins. "No, no, no! But thank you, thank you, thank you!"<br />
<br />
What a goofball.<br />
<br />
Of course, the little sister echo makes it only cuter and funnier. I sure love these guys.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-91692952547176997562014-01-17T11:55:00.001-06:002014-01-17T11:55:49.322-06:00Our Prius and Fire Department Adventure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, lots has been going on over the last few days! I've been busy, as always, but definitely need to take a few minutes to share some of our current events with you all!<br />
<br />
First, we decided to really crack down and start looking for a new car for Ryan. We had already decided on a Prius, so it was really just a matter of finding the right one. We scoured all sorts of places Online for about a week before I stumbled onto the perfect one early last Saturday morning on eBay. Within just a few hours we had purchased it and started figuring out all the details of how to get it home to Minnesota... it was in New York. We decided that Ryan would fly out on Thursday and drive it back home. He is in the home stretch today and should be home by mid afternoon. We'll all be happy to see him and check out the new car!<br />
<br />
To make matters more interesting, last night was my first night at home alone with just the kids in our "new" (we've been here for almost a year now) place. Everything went good until about 4am... Brennan's fire alarm started blaring so I ran down to check it out. I couldn't get it to stop until I disconnected it. I did a quick check downstairs and didn't see anything, so I figured it was just malfunctioning. But as I was walking back upstairs, I started to smell a smoky, possibly electrical smell. I looked around again and still couldn't spot anything. I debated what to do, called Ryan in Ohio, and reluctantly decided that I needed to call the fire department.<br />
<br />
They came and could smell it, too (so glad I wasn't nuts). They looked EVERYWHERE, multiple times with their thermal cameras and couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. They were really thorough and nice, agreeing that it was much better to be safe than sorry, especially being home alone with the 2 kids. We are pretty sure that there is something going on in the furnace- maybe a fan motor or something wearing out and putting off a little smoke intermittently. Kind of weird being that it is only a couple years old. Hmm... Someone is supposed to be by to check it out today.<br />
<br />
Brennan had pre-school this morning. When I dropped him off his teach excitedly told me, "Guess what? A fire truck is coming to visit today!" Ironic. I just laughed and told them that we were unfortunately pretty familiar with the fire department as of last night. Too bad Brennan slept through it all!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-83092567151035314282013-12-30T08:14:00.006-06:002013-12-30T08:14:57.451-06:00Christmas Card 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everyone!<br />
<br />
I hope you had a very merry Christmas! Ours was really nice. I wanted to share this year's Christmas card with you. Here was the front:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlTmGpZwEsIu2Ah99XBNsY4CSn0xjBCCEgBYnKqO7A_QZMh015T60vz4IAlOmW9rfe8zqevQy0qDgFG2uPh1psEyEVo1Xd9jp3jYQYaz0EZq3wWZ7RkaTvuMv2XfTRqJY7wqoG0R7CNY/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlTmGpZwEsIu2Ah99XBNsY4CSn0xjBCCEgBYnKqO7A_QZMh015T60vz4IAlOmW9rfe8zqevQy0qDgFG2uPh1psEyEVo1Xd9jp3jYQYaz0EZq3wWZ7RkaTvuMv2XfTRqJY7wqoG0R7CNY/s640/card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On the back, I wrote a quick synopsis including some of this year's biggest events. Here's what it said:<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Big Happenings of 2013</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-size: large;">-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We moved! We said
goodbye to our first little home and upgraded into a much more spacious, newer
home on the other side of town. Love it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">-</span>We’ve been busy
making the new place our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We created
a jungle room for Brennan and an owl room for Bryleigh. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We painted the family room and added a
downstairs bathroom and hallway from scratch! What a learning experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-size: large;">-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Brennan started
pre-school! He goes on Friday mornings and really loves it. We also started
community ed classes for both kids. So fun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-size: large;">-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This year we
gained two new nieces, Audrey (Rachel’s) and Sloane (Mike’s).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay, cousins!</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">-</span>We experienced
our first kid E.R. visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bryleigh
earned that visit with a dislocation of either her shoulder or elbow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She popped it back into place the following
day after tripping on Dad’s feet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-size: large;">-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The kids are
growing up! Brennan is a champion sleeper and loves his basement bedroom.
Bryleigh is a chatterbox. She talks constantly with lots of real words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a little spitfire!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big bro taught her well! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-24229446289197869022013-12-17T19:18:00.003-06:002013-12-17T19:18:30.798-06:00What's Been Going On...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi everybody!<br />
<br />
I hope this Christmas season has been enjoyable and peaceful for you all. This year my goal was to get a lot of stuff done early so that the last few days before Christmas don't get too stressful. All in all, I think I did a pretty good job. I still have presents to wrap (a couple to buy), and a few special things to prepare like a special note to Brennan from Santa. He has finally decided to be done with his bottle. He is going to leave them in his stocking for Santa so that he can bring them to babies who need them. I'm very proud of him and I want him to know that Santa is proud, too!<br />
<br />
The kids are doing a good job of leaving the wrapped presents under the tree alone, which completely surprises me. I have to give them credit. They are beautiful, so I'd be tempted to touch and tear if I were them!<br />
<br />
Brennan is really growing up. Everyday he gets funnier and more mature. I love the little man he is growing into. I'm noticing an improvement in his art/fine motor skills as well as imagination. He is suddenly attempting to stay in the lines when coloring and painting, which is a completely new concept for him. I love it. His imaginative play has absolutely blossomed into something super cool. I love listening to him play with his stuffed animals and hearing the conversations that they have with each other. The new game that he just created is 'Campfire Party'. Basically he gets into an old pop-up dog kennel with ALL of his stuffed animals and camps. He builds a campfire out of the nails, screws and construction pieces from his tool bench. I'm told that I won't fit in the tent so I'll have to sleep in the dark. I'm also instructed to call him if any ghosts, bats, etc. come and scare me. If I do, he bursts out to save me. My little hero. :)<br />
<br />
Bryleigh is something. That's a funny description, but there are so many choices I could use, it is hard to choose. She is a spitfire! She is 1 3/4 years old going on 17- such a little attitude. She loves to play roughie toughie with her brother and Daddy, but is also a little girly girl. The other day I was playing music and she ran find a skirt and put it on so that she could spin circles in the living room to the music. Her speech has absolutely exploded. Within even the last month it seems that most of her baby words have evolved into real words. I'm sure a lot of people couldn't understand what she is saying, but I get most of it! Some of her latest phrases demonstrate her attitude- "I don't like that." and "Stop it!". We also hear a lot of individual words as well as questions like, "Where are you?", "Daddy at work?", and "What was that?" I know they say that the second child commonly doesn't talk as well as the first... I beg to differ with my kids. I think Bryleigh wants to be JUST like her brother and talk all day!<br />
<br />
Ryan broke off a chunk of his tooth yesterday. We thought is was just a filling breaking, but found out that it was actually the tooth itself. He'll be getting a temporary crown tomorrow morning. So fun! :\<br />
<br />
Our nephew, Evan, had to have an emergency appendectomy last week. The appendix did actually rupture. He was really in rough shape for a while, but to make a long story short, he finally got out of the hospital today after a 10.5 day long stay! So happy he is home and doing ok. He still has a long way to go to get completely back to normal, but it is so much easier to do at home. This whole event has impacted one thing in my own immediate family for sure. It has helped Brennan's empathy skills. He has been asking to pray for Evan during his nighttime prayers which we all think is wonderfully sweet. :)<br />
<br />
Well, that's about it! Thanks for reading!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-9309795244327270232013-12-04T18:28:00.000-06:002013-12-04T19:01:28.817-06:00I made a cool new shirt! Review of Allied Shirts!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Recently, I had the chance to design my very own shirt through <a href="http://www.alliedshirts.com/">AlliedShirts.com</a>. The entire process of custom designing the shirt and ordering it was a snap. After I finally thought of what I wanted printed onto my shirt, the entire designing and ordering process only took a few minutes. It really was very simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course, I designed something very chic and classy...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaJblRKLxuYuJGdRzKcnz8B89tluhQPxmRFCvcnk7RNOji708T6JuJfEVwVTb1DnkDQqUiGahCgMgAPIe2oca_LYYaZn2NzJQlAcEqiKNCjiQj3Z9QniAzxwiQ8HCHEQOxjYq-NGYLoo/s1600/DSC08119.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaJblRKLxuYuJGdRzKcnz8B89tluhQPxmRFCvcnk7RNOji708T6JuJfEVwVTb1DnkDQqUiGahCgMgAPIe2oca_LYYaZn2NzJQlAcEqiKNCjiQj3Z9QniAzxwiQ8HCHEQOxjYq-NGYLoo/s640/DSC08119.JPG" width="422" /></a>Yes, that is a giant squirrel and yes, that does say, "Eatin' squirrel brains is where ya get your smarts."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are two reasons behind this shirt. Number one: I've semi-recently become a huge fan of 'Duck Dynasty' and this quote by Miss Kay just cracks me up. Who doesn't want a squirrel shirt?!?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Number two: We have some newish friends that are absolutely blown away by the fact that I hunted and ate squirrel as a child. They just couldn't wrap their heads around it... so squirrels/me is kind of a standing joke. No. I didn't REALLY eat the brains.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But back to reviewing the product. The shirt itself is very comfortable. It seems to fit very true to size. The printing is clear and crisp. Washing the shirt didn't alter the printing at all. I'm very satisfied.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As for the website and the design process. I'm also pretty impressed. I already mentioned the ease of use, but I also appreciated the choices of products available. The only negative thing I could really think of is pretty minor and I am probably one of the few people who would even notice/pay attention to it. There are several font choices for the lettering, but I wished there were a few more. I wanted something that looked kind of italic and this was the closest I could get. I was satisfied with how it looks. I'm just used to getting to choose between hundreds of different fonts when I work on Photoshop projects... spoiled, I know. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All in all, I highly recommend <a href="http://www.alliedshirts.com/">AlliedShirts.com</a>! A custom shirt would make a great gift! You could create something silly like mine for that quirky person on your list, or maybe a shirt with all of the Grandkids' names for Grandma or Grandpa. Their custom shirts would also be great for bachelor/bachelorette parties, fundraiser, teams, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Go check out <a href="http://www.alliedshirts.com/">AlliedShirts.com</a> and while your at it, check out their other brands: <a href="http://www.buildasign.com/" target="_blank">BuildaSign.com</a> and <a href="http://www.printcopia.com/" target="_blank">Printcopia</a> for custom signs and home decor.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7079514338012611958.post-88174731653282355932013-12-02T06:21:00.003-06:002013-12-02T06:21:33.858-06:0030 Days of Gratitude: Day 30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Lastly, I'm thankful that someone started this idea of publicly posting what you are thankful for. I've always realized how blessed I am and tend to be thankful for it, but I know I still take a ton for granted. Doing this project forced me to focus on my blessings for a good chunk of time. It really made me think. I feel more blessed and thankful because of it. I hope that this impacted others in some way, making them realize their own blessings, too.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>Five Foot Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587121965435666083noreply@blogger.com0