tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61485394399926406932024-03-13T12:27:59.788-07:00Peaks & ValleysHighs, lows and everything in between from a snap happy Colorado Mama.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-81009373041581193492014-08-12T13:23:00.002-07:002014-08-12T15:07:49.105-07:00Robin WilliamsLike the rest of the world, I'm still in shock after hearing of Robin Williams' untimely death. Depression is such a nasty illness, and it enrages me when I read comments like, "Depression is just an excuse" "What a coward" "Get over it". To those people who are so thoughtless and demeaning with your words: You are the lucky ones. You don't know what it's like to not be able to lift your head off of your pillow. You don't know what it's like to do nothing but stare for hours for no reason and feel absolutely nothing except a void within yourself that feels so vast and overpowering that you can't even move. On the inside it feels like you are free falling in slow motion through a black hole and part of you wants to pull the cord on your parachute, and the other part of you doesn't even want to bother. You know it's not rational. You can recognize that. You know that, "Other people have it worse than you do. Why should I be complaining". To those people who truly do not 'get it': It's time to learn how to be compassionate. <br />
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I struggled immensely with pre and post partum depression. I felt all of those feelings. Even writing this down brings those feelings bubbling back to the surface. It is a dark and scary place that I never ever want to go back to. But I get it. I know what it feels like to think that the world would just be an easier place if you weren't in it. And I know that if there is anyone out there that has those feelings who may want to talk to someone. Or who doesn't want to talk - who just wants to sit with someone - I want to be there for you. To sit and talk. Or not. But I want you to know that there is joy ahead. A time will come when you feel the breeze on your skin again and you think about what a beautiful feeling it is to just exist. You will let the sunbeams fall on your face and you will let tears stream down your cheeks because you are happy - so happy - that you are the one catching their warmth. Happiness is yours. You deserve it; you are worth it. <br />
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Talking about depression makes us vulnerable. It makes us feel weak and it makes us uncomfortable. But if there is a silver lining in the wake of such tragedy, it's that we can change the way we approach depression. We can be aware of the signs, we can prevent people from taking their own lives. We can help each other by looking out for one another. <br />
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Furthermore, be kind to everyone you meet. You never know when a kind word or gesture could actually be saving someone's life. And to Mr. Williams - godspeed and bangarang...I hope you've found a sliver of peace.<br />
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Chat with someone, or educate yourself on how to be more aware of the warning signs of suicide here: <a href="http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/" target="_blank"> http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/</a><br />
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Take the depression test here: <a href="http://www.depressedtest.com/">http://www.depressedtest.com/</a><br />
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-60242065185366545732014-04-08T20:30:00.000-07:002014-04-08T20:33:14.214-07:00Sweet SunshineI've not been much in the mood to write as of late. Lots going on...ups and downs, traveling, baking bread, sickness throughout the house, cleaning said ick out of the house, and Stella is trying to get her groove back, dammit. I took a time-out to breathe this morning. To enjoy a hot cup of coffee on the deck while there was still a chill in the air. To enjoy the sunshine. And to watch this not-so tiny person dance around in his bug jammies and cowboy boots. Seriously. Look at this kid.<br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-4729523212541670372014-03-28T14:06:00.002-07:002014-03-28T15:05:03.326-07:00Milk on a Plane (How to Travel with a Toddler)One of the only silver linings of living so far away from your family is that your toddler becomes a pretty well-traveled tiny person. Henry's been racking up frequent flier miles from the tender age three months, and I've learned a lot about how to keep it together when your kiddo wants to to anything but. After experiencing many moments of wanting to run away yelling, "Where's that child's parent?!", I figured out a few things that make my life a little easier in an airport. Hopefully, a few of these will want you to pull your hair out a little less, too.<br />
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<b>1. Throw all of your super hero parenting skills out the window. </b> <br />
Now is not the time for personal parenting victories. We are talking survival mode, here. Your kid wants a lollipop? Great. Give it to them. Bag of chips? You got it! The number one thing I've learned is that you have to be flexible. You have to let things go, because otherwise you aren't happy, your kid ain't happy, and everyone around you is mentally pinning a 'parent of the year' award on your shirt.<br />
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<b>2. Quart-sized Freezer Bags </b><br />
I put everything in a quart size freezer bag. Toys go in one, snacks in another, and anything else I need to take gets organized into one of these magical baggies. You can see through the bag, they are sturdy enough not to tear, and you can choose the bag that has exactly what you need in it instead of dumping your whole carry-on just to find a damn pacifier. Plus, if you need a place to stash a dirty diaper or wet clothing then you have just the perfect thing handy.<br />
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<b>3. Backpack</b><br />
Carry a backpack, people. I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gregory-Fury-24-Reflex-Blue/dp/B008NB31RW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396037533&sr=8-2&keywords=gregory+daypack" target="_blank">this one.</a> My Mama was sweet enough to give it to me. It's perfect for the plane. Small enough to carry on without knocking people in the head, but plenty of space on the inside and easy access water bottle pockets on the outside. When you carry a pack, you have both hands free for more important things, like finding snacks. <br />
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<b>4. Snacks</b><br />
Most problems can be solved with food. Pack snacks that they aren't usually allowed to have and/or snacks that take a LONG time to eat. We're buying time here, folks. My list looks something like this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/YumEarth-Organic-Lollipops-8-5-Ounce/dp/B008CC8XAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396036637&sr=8-1&keywords=yummy+earth+lollipops" target="_blank">Yummy Earth Lollipops</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stretch-Island-Fruit-Raspberry-4-95-Ounce/dp/B008JBDNYC/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1396036707&sr=8-12&keywords=fruit+island+fruit+leather" target="_blank">Fruit Chews</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plum-Organics-Jammy-Blueberry-Oatmeal/dp/B008U7VME8/ref=sr_1_5?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1396036808&sr=1-5&keywords=sammys" target="_blank">Jammy Sammys</a><br />
String Cheese<br />
Squeezie Pouches<br />
Raisins in those little boxes <br />
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<b>5. New Toys/Books</b><br />
I'm not talking about buying a bunch of expensive crap that's going to take up your whole carry-on. I'm talking about tiny little surprises that they've never seen before. I go to the dollar store and spend $10 on little trinkets that I think will keep him occupied for at least three minutes. These items must meet a certain criteria, though. They cannot roll, make noise, make a mess, and they must fit in a quart-size freezer bag. Pipe cleaners, flash cards, ribbons, anything that lights up, anything that opens and closes, crayons, little plastic bugs, and my all-time favorite...stickers. Stickers always buy me at least five minutes of peace. DO NOT give your kid the whole bag as soon as you walk on the plane. When the novelty of the first thing wears off, take another new thing out of the bag and let that new pony do it's tricks.<br />
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<b>6. Empty Water Bottle</b><br />
Keep it in your bag and fill it up when you get to the other side of security.<br />
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<b>7. Milk on the Plane</b><br />
Some airlines have milk as a choice of beverage during your flight. It's free on Delta, $2.50 on Frontier, but not available on Southwest. If you can't get it on the plane, at least wait until you get through security and buy it on the other side. Starbucks usually has the little Horizon Organic Milk with a straw. (Sidenote: Don't let your kid squeeze carton with the straw inserted. Trust me.)<br />
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<b>8. Pack Towel</b><br />
This is my most genius travel companion. I have <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/832935/rei-multitowel-lite-x-large-towel-54-x-25" target="_blank">this one</a> from REI. They come in a variety of different colors/sizes/prices. They take up hardly any room, they are GREAT for spills (remember when I told you not to let your kid squeeze the milk carton...), you can put them under your kid's bum for a makeshift changing table, use it as a little blankie if they're cold, roll it into a neck pillow to support their heads when they fall asleep with their heads all upside down on the armrests.<br />
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<b>9. Monkey Mat </b><br />
If you have a kid but not a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Mat-Portable-All-Purpose-Fitness/dp/B008J533S4" target="_blank">Monkey Mat</a>, then you are totally missing out. It's a portable, all-purpose play mat that weighs nothing and takes up no space. Lay it in the floor of the airport for your kid to have a clean space to play, use it as a blanket, roll it up into a pillow or do just about whatever else you can think of with it. Aside from having it at the airport, you should probably just have one in your life at all times. They are THAT awesome. You can get one <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Mat-Portable-All-Purpose-Fitness/dp/B008J533S4" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<b>10. iPad/Tablet</b><br />
This is my last line of defense. If everything else has failed, then he gets to watch a movie or play a game. I usually download a new movie, show, or game that he hasn't seen yet.<br />
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<b>11. Cut the Crap</b><br />
Pack enough, but don't pack too much. If I'm on the fence about bringing it, then I usually leave it at home. I operate under the motto <i>If I really need it, I can buy it later.</i> Keep it simple, but be prepared. Oxymoron, right?<br />
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<b>12. Gate Check First </b><br />
As soon as you get to your gate, go directly to the kiosk and get your ticket for your stroller. Unless, of course, you want to be <i>that person</i> that holds up the whole line. Seriously, though. You don't want to be <i>that person</i>. <br />
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<b>13. Your Flight Will Not Last Forever</b><br />
You might feel like it will never end, but I promise you...it will end eventually. Just breathe. <b> </b><br />
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What kind of tricks do you have up your sleeve when you travel on a plane with a toddler?<br />
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Happy travels!<br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-8269444789284864002014-03-28T12:34:00.000-07:002014-03-28T12:34:05.533-07:00Room to BreatheIt's spring time in Colorado. The warm days are starting to outnumber the cold ones, the crocuses are blooming, and we're getting to spend days walking through valleys to admire the peaks...just like we did last weekend at Hewlett Gulch <br />
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Spring. New beginnings. Breathe in, breathe out. Enjoy. Repeat. <br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-59612535324598175192014-03-13T14:17:00.002-07:002014-04-27T19:35:55.997-07:00A Beautiful Death<br />
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I've never been afraid of cancer. Cancer was something that happened to other people and to other people's families, not mine. Of course, I had sympathy and compassion for survivors and for those still fighting this awful disease, but I have never been near it. You might think it's naive, or narrow-minded, or selfish but I'm just telling you that cancer has never been something that I have ever worried about. Until last week.</div>
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Homer Lewis Truslow was born on December 8, 1926 in Nellysford, Virginia. His father was a blacksmith. His mother was shot and killed while she was standing on the front porch of their home; my grandfather clutching her apron. He was six years old. </div>
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From Virginia, he traveled the world. After watching one group of soldiers walking down a dirt road and another group riding in a caravan, he pointed to the riding soldiers and asked why they weren't walking. When someone said, 'Air Force rides, Army walks.', he decided to enlist in the United States Air Force. Iceland. Japan. Alaska. World War II. The Korean War. Just to name a few.</div>
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My grandfather met Wanda Mae Jenkins in 1953. He had a motorcycle, a tattoo, and a twinkle in his eye. She rolled her eyes and said she'd never be with a man who wore motorcycle boots and ink on his arm. They were engaged almost immediately and then spent a year apart before their wedding while he was stationed in Iceland. They lived for each other. In.Every.Way.Possible.</div>
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Five months ago, my Grandfather, or Papa, was a robust, 86 year old man who knew no bounds. He just bought his first tractor...a purchase for which he had literally waited a lifetime. In October, he was lifting 80lb bags of concrete. He was still telling stories about jumping out of an airplane over the Himalayan jungle and watching the plane crash to the ground. He could tell you just exactly how to get anywhere you needed to go in the United States without looking at a map. Satellites and GPS devices had nothing on the knowledge inside his head. But most importantly, five months ago, he was taking care of my Grandma. </div>
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My Grandfather's love for my Grandma never waned. As her health started to decline, he stepped in and did the things that she no longer could. He cooked - even if she was the one directing. He cleaned - even if she had her own 'suggestions' on how to do it the 'right way'. He drove - even if she refused to wear her seat belt. He put her quilts in the frame so she could quilt, he kept the fires going, and he did every.thing.in.his.power. to keep her happy. His happiness laid in her happiness. </div>
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Four and a half months ago, he had a heart attack and a few days later he had a series of strokes. He spent a month in a rehabilitation center, where he spent time re-learning everyday skills. Two months ago, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 bone cancer, with indications that it had spread to other parts of his body. Three weeks ago, the cancer metastasized to his brain and he began in-home hospice care. </div>
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We lost him eight days ago. He was surrounded by people that loved him and the people he loved. I was so blessed to spend his last days with him. So blessed that I got to tell him goodbye. I knew he could hear me as he rubbed my hands while I thanked him for teaching me to count change, for churning the ice cream bucket on hot summer days when all of the kids gave up, for making me cheese omelets, for teaching me patience, and for showing me that it's not impossible to always, always do the right thing. He never raised his voice, he never got angry, and above all else, he was always, always kind. </div>
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These photos are of his last days and they are a gut-wrenching testament to true love and to wedding vows that really do mean something. It's a strange thing to see the beauty in death; to find comfort in the end, but the love that surrounded him in his last days is such a rarity that I felt compelled to capture it. Everyone who visited, everyone who fed him, held his hand, talked to him, kissed him on the head. His loyal sidekick, Joey, who never left his side. My son playing peek-a-boo over his bed rails. The constant presence of the love of his life. If there is such a thing as a beautiful death, my grandfather was of the most deserving, and it was an honor to call him my Pa. </div>
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My son, Henry, with his Pa.<br />
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This is the last photo that was taken of my Grandparents. He passed away the next day. </div>
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Thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers, healing vibes, and faraway hugs for my Grandmother. Learning to live alone after 60 years of marriage is unbearable for her. </div>
<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-79277051898327461412014-02-11T14:01:00.000-08:002014-02-11T14:01:23.973-08:00He's Crafty. And he's just my style. <span style="color: #666666;">What do you do when you're mega bored and there's 37' of snow on the ground? Well. You make fake snow, of course. Making fake snow while there's real snow outside is kind of like going to the pool when you're at the beach. You still get to swimming, you just don't have to deal with all of the sand. Ugh. Sand. Same thing with fake snow. You still get to play with the snow, you just don't have to deal with the boots. and the pants. and the jacket. and the gloves. and the hat. and the crying...you get the point. Or I could just chalk all of this up to "sensory" play and pretend that I'm not too lazy to spend 20 minutes getting my kid bundled up to go outside for five minutes before he gets too cold and we have to come back inside and do the whole boots.pants.jacket.gloves.hat.crying dance again. Anyway! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">I spent big bucks on this project - two whole dollars. A can of 'sensitive' shaving cream, 'cause you know...Henry is sensitive, y'all. And a box of baking soda. I wasn't really sure how the whole thing was supposed to work, so I just mixed them together and acted like I knew what I was doing. What's the worst that could happen? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">We learned that fake snow makes excellent T-Rex tracks, whisks are great at flinging 'snow' from here to Denver, and just because there is a place-mat under something doesn't necessarily mean it will keep your table clean. Ultimately, there is no substitute for the real deal. After a little coloring, we wound up outside anyway. </span> <br />
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<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #999999;">He finds my hair ties around the house and likes to wear them as 'bracelets'.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-51600313405683375422014-02-03T14:08:00.002-08:002014-02-03T15:00:20.657-08:00Baby, It's Cold OutsideAnd if it's going to be cold, I want there to be snow. Seriously. What's the point of cold weather if there isn't snow on the ground? Henry loves playing in it and I love it, too, because it usually means he will Rip Van Winkle like a boss all afternoon. Getting from point A (inside the house) to point B (outside in the snow) is hardly a direct line, though. He enjoys putting on his boots; he enjoys putting on his gloves. Everything in between, however, usually takes an act of Congress...and we all know what a pain those guys are. Anyway! We muscle through it because there isn't much more in this world (besides trucks, trains, planes, or his Mommm) that makes him as happy as playing in the "nooooo". That's shorthand for "snow". We're working on our annunciation. <br />
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He's also pretty crazy about doing everything just like his Daddy... Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-14659393498817998992014-01-30T13:15:00.000-08:002014-02-03T15:00:42.163-08:00Snow Graffiti Pinterest success! You know those Pinterest posts that make you feel like a bad parent because someone hand stitched their own cloth diapers with organic Egyptian cotton, built a toy box out of upcycled toilet paper rolls, and pureed a months worth of baby food in one day with heirloom root vegetables from their winter gardens? Well. This isn't one of those posts. This little project is cheap and kid tested to be 100% awesome sauce. Spray bottle + food coloring + water = hours of entertainment...if you can stay warm that long! I bought little squirt bottles from Tarjay for .97 because I thought they would be easier for H to handle. Of course you could use whatever you have around the house. Sadly, our snow is melting away today, but they're calling for more tonight. I'm crossing my fingers, because "spray" painting the grass isn't nearly as fun. <br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-88462208872894588792014-01-29T13:39:00.002-08:002014-01-29T13:39:58.176-08:00Snoooooow.Hey now, ATL. SnowMageddon, CarMageddon, IceMageddon...whatever y'all are calling it...y'all are stuck! I am so glad that our family and friends in that area made it either home safely or at least had a warm place for the night. I just cannot imagine having to leave my child on a school bus! Hopefully, you didn't have to go anywhere today and you got to at least enjoy a little of the snow. <br />
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Speaking of snow. We still have some residual flakes sticking around from a system that pushed through a few days ago. On days like this, I like to take Henry to the Tot Gym at the Aztlan (try to pronounce that one. yeah.) Community Center in Old Town Fort Collins. He loves it. I love it. We're both happy campers when we go because he gets to learn how to share (not really his forte) and I get to talk to other adults about how bad our kids are at sharing. It makes me feel normal. Win-win.<br />
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I will tell you something that is not 'winning' though. Opening your sunroof on the way home because it's actually pretty nice outside and you think you'd like some fresh air, but you forgot that there's still four inches of snow on said sunroof. Yup. So as we're driving down the road singing Raffi songs and minding our own business, an avalanche of snow rudely barrels down into the car and onto our heads. I immediately start laughing, turn around to see Henry wiping snow out of his eyes and he says, "uh-oh". Yup. Uh-oh, indeed. Thank goodness we were close to home. <br />
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We were heading up the steps to the house when we had to make a pit-stop
to play with chalk. And then snow. And Lightening McQueen. We're all about the pit-stops right now.<br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-52546679229434388292014-01-28T12:40:00.000-08:002014-01-28T12:40:34.633-08:00Here We Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If the first month of the year is any indication of what the rest of this year has in store for my family, then we'd better hold on to our hats. It seems like the hurdles are coming closer together and higher with each jump. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right? Well, in my case it's also opened my eyes to the importance of slowing down, taking my time, and drinking in the blueness of my little boy's eyes.</div>
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Because what's important right now is the way Henry says "choo" for tractor and the way it took him nearly two years to call me Mom. Not Mommy, or Mama....noooo, we're way too sophisticated for that. It's Mom, with a long "m" on the end. Mommm. And the way he counts, "two, nine, two, nine!" Or the way he fake snores when he's pretending to sleep. Yep, that's happening right now.</div>
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These are some of the things that I hope to share with you by leaving Facebook behind and entering a world with more conversations and fewer status updates, less dilution and more concentration, and more love and less "liking". Kinda like those Home Depot commercials...More Saving. More Doing. Or something like that. </div>
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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send me a message of support and encouragement. I'm blessed to call you my friends and I'm so excited about the conversations that I've had with some of you over the last 24 hours. I'm honored that you are coming on this journey with me. </div>
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I took these this morning while He Man enjoyed some of his birthday gifts. Enjoy. </div>
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-22165533913005134222014-01-27T12:43:00.001-08:002014-01-27T12:43:55.354-08:00Catching Up, Slowing DownIt's been a minute. It's been lots of minutes. Sorry about that. I'm pretty sure I warned you that I was not very good at keeping this here blog dusted off. But I'm back, for now, and hopefully this time it will stick a little longer. <br />
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It's my kiddo's 2nd birthday today. This day brings back so many memories of happiness and fear. If I close my eyes, I am right back in that birthing room. It was the longest and shortest 20 hours of my life. A complete blur. And when it was all over at 15:17mst, there was a baby boy. There was a 6lb 4oz, 19 inches long little boy. And there was his Dad with tears in his eyes. And there was me. And all of a sudden we were a family of three. This is my favorite day of the year because it's the day where all of my dreams came true. <br />
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In the days leading up to his birthday, I have been doing a lot of reflecting. Thinking about what to "get" him for his special day made me think about what he really needs. Christmas was just a few weeks ago and his grandparents did plenty of spoiling, so I was having trouble coming up with something that he either A. Didn't already have or B. Something that he really "needed". When my thoughts circled around "nothing", it hit me. He really doesn't need anything, except for me to be present. I will be his present. I will quit spending time on Facebook, I will quit playing games on my phone, and I will be more present for him. We can't get all of the time back to make them small again. We only have the now and I forever want to remember all of his tiny features and idiosyncrasies ...not what my high score is on Candy Crush. <br />
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So. For my buddy on his birthday, I am giving him the gift of time. I'll be quitting Facebook and starting up the 'ol blog again. Here, you can keep up with photos of Henry and follow his adventures. I'll be sure to keep this updated (while he naps!) so all of our friends and family can continue to watch him grow. <br />
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In the new year, it is also my goal to focus on my photography and grow my business. I will be keeping both personal and professional blogs, and I hope that you follow them both! Your support over the last year has been so encouraging, and I'm really looking forward to what 2014 has to offer.<br />
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See you on the flip. <br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-4824330960824034542012-04-21T22:03:00.000-07:002012-04-21T22:03:24.611-07:00Dear Henry,Dear Henry,<br />
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I thought that I would sit down and write this letter to you on your one-month birthday. I thought that four weeks would give me time to gather my thoughts and articulate my feelings. You, however, had other plans...as you have had since you decided to make your grand entrance into this world. So, here you are now exactly twelve weeks, old and I can't remember what life was like without you. This is your birth story, sweet boy. I love you forever. <br />
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Your Dad and I were newlyweds on Father's Day, June 20th, 2011 when I broke the news to him that you had taken up residence in my belly. I told him that we needed to have a "family meeting", and with crossed arms and a blank stare he absorbed the news like any first time expectant father would...like a sack of bricks to the gut. We sat, shocked and in awe that we were starting our family. We cried. We laughed. I told him "Happy Father's Day", and then we watched the movie, <i>Juno. </i>For some reason, it felt appropriate.<br />
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At the beginning, you were our little secret. We wanted to make sure you were real, so I made a doctor's appointment. At seven weeks and one day, with your Dad holding my hand, we saw you for the first time. With one glimpse of your tiny beating heart, you had stolen ours. There was no looking back. <br />
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The next sixth months craaaawled by; as my belly grew bigger, our patience got smaller. Every week, we kept track of your progress by tearing off a link from a paper chain that we made with construction paper. And even though your Daddy (appropriately) nicknamed me 'Preggasaur', he did everything in his power to keep me happy...whether it was driving to Whole Foods for potato salad to satisfy a late night craving or purchasing every pillow, belly band, and nursing bra in the Motherhood Maternity store to make me comfortable. But most of all, he listened. He let me cry, he let me act like a crazy person, and he made me laugh every time he told me that I wasn't fat...I was pregnant. Well played, Edberg, well played. <br />
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By the time Christmas rolled around, I was practically doing the same. We visited your doctor and she decided that it would be best for me (and you) to take it easy for the next couple of months. I started my leave from work early and shortly after, turned my attention toward our house. After an unusual cleaning streak left the bathroom tub gleaming and the couch cushions crumb-less, your Dad said, "This kid is coming this week!". This will be the only written proof that your Dad ever has, but he was right. <br />
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The next night, I made lasagna for dinner. We sat down to watch the evening news, ate dinner, and proceeded to argue about something ridiculous. Hormone induced, I'm sure of it. Whatever it was, we decided to not to speak to one another and act like we were mad...I retired to our bedroom to read a book and your Dad stayed in the living room to play his "bang 'em up, shoot 'em up" video game. I wasn't in bed for five minutes when I had to get up and use the bathroom, for what must have been the 30th time that hour. When I sat down to relieve myself, I peed like I hadn't peed in months!! Man, it felt great! What a relief, I thought! And then it hit me. I bet that's what it feels like when your water breaks. (earmuffs) Oh, shit. I think my water just broke. No. Impossible. You weren't due for another month. (earmuffs) Shit. Now, I have to talk to your Dad. <br />
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Me: Babe!<br />
Dad: What!? (I could hear his eyes rolling as if to say, "What could you possibly want now?)<br />
Me: I think something's wrong.<br />
Dad: What?<br />
Me: I think my water just broke.<br />
Dad: uuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.<br />
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We jumped in the car and made the necessary phone calls on the way to the hospital. Our friend and neighbor, Annaliese, told us months before you were born that she would love to help us get through your labor. My best friend, and your 'Aunt' Tyler had the hospital's address programmed into her GPS long before your due date, and your Grandma Jeanne and Aunt Sarah were on the next flight from Tennessee. The calvary was coming. <br />
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After we were admitted, I changed into a comfy nightgown and socks to get settled in for the long haul. Since we lived so close, your Dad ran back to the house to grab some necessities. You weren't due for another month, so we hadn't exactly finished packing "the bag". And when I say, "we", I mean, "I". Your Dad frantically wrote down about 20 items as I rattled them off. Your Aunt Tyler met him at our house to help gather everything to bring back to the hospital. Good thing, too, 'cause your Dad lost the list. <br />
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For a few moments, I was alone. I felt awkward in my hospital bed all by myself, almost self conscious. I hadn't shaved my legs or washed my hair in days. I was hot...a hot mess. Then, in a moment of clarity, my vanity dissipated and I started to focus on the task at hand. It was the last time that it was just me with you still growing in my belly. I rubbed you and told you that I loved you. If you were ready to meet us, I trusted you and I was at peace. <br />
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The next 15 hours were, literally, a blur. I was dead-set against having an epidural...until I wasn't dead-set against it. Annaliese held my hand and I could feel the power of another woman, another mother, coursing its way from her body to mine. She was my strength for hours on end and the only reason that I labored for so long without any medicine. Your Dad and I were so grateful for her.<br />
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After 15 hours, I couldn't handle it anymore. Maybe I should say, I didn't want to handle it anymore. I wasn't prepared, and I was anxious to meet you. I caved. I had the epidural and four hours later, you were ready to meet us, too. <br />
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Your Grandma Jeanne and Aunt Sarah had arrived just in time for your arrival. Annaliese and your Aunt Tyler were with us to greet you as well. With your Dad by my side and after twenty minutes of pushing, you were here. You were perfect and you were here. Finally. They placed you on my chest and I fell in love. I fell in love with you, and I fell in love with your Dad all over again. We looked at each other and knew that you were the best thing that had ever happened to us and that our beautiful journey was only just beginning. <br />
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We love you so much, Henry Nathan Edberg. Happy (belated) Birthday, my boy. <br />
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All my love forever,<br />
<br />
Mom<br />
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<br />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-863291920389552102011-11-03T13:24:00.000-07:002011-11-03T13:24:43.949-07:00Homebrew Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Homebrew, pumpkins, and 'maters...OH MY! I 'll keep this short and sweet with lots 'o pictures! A few weeks ago, Nathan bottled his first batch of homebrew and his Dad was here to help him bottle it. This time around, he needed an extra set of hands and I was the man, er, woman, er, only person available for the job! I've gotta say, the process is really interesting and I'm excited to be his helper the next time. It was pretty awesome. Since this batch was a pumpkin brew and they had black bottle caps I named this one Witch's Brew :)</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big glass jug is called a carboy. When the initial "cooking" process is finished, the goods are strained </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and placed into that guy. Then it ferments for, I dunno, a pretty long time in a cold, dark closet. Then, it's </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">time to bottle!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BeaYb2fAzKY/TrLhtkhdlII/AAAAAAAAAnE/a6vXWg773Tg/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BeaYb2fAzKY/TrLhtkhdlII/AAAAAAAAAnE/a6vXWg773Tg/s400/IMG_0125.JPG" width="266" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57NKUsIO3vQ/TrLhqeJmGgI/AAAAAAAAAm8/LMSj9pUbf-o/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57NKUsIO3vQ/TrLhqeJmGgI/AAAAAAAAAm8/LMSj9pUbf-o/s400/IMG_0123.JPG" width="266" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bottle capping the beerskis!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjDeWr8KDjI/TrLhuySU2gI/AAAAAAAAAnM/kyn-St2uy1M/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="288" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjDeWr8KDjI/TrLhuySU2gI/AAAAAAAAAnM/kyn-St2uy1M/s320/IMG_0126.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sterile bottle caps. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOu3PUNwSFo/TrLh0uvW_gI/AAAAAAAAAnc/jA4hnb0jym0/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOu3PUNwSFo/TrLh0uvW_gI/AAAAAAAAAnc/jA4hnb0jym0/s400/IMG_0128.JPG" width="266" /></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQP0HHXKjkE/TrLhyDMEyTI/AAAAAAAAAnU/R_2n5bHt4yk/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQP0HHXKjkE/TrLhyDMEyTI/AAAAAAAAAnU/R_2n5bHt4yk/s400/IMG_0127.JPG" width="266" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Dishwashers! They're not just for dishes anymore!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUgoTWDlhYQ/TrLh2ad8HkI/AAAAAAAAAnk/Gy90M0ok2_A/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUgoTWDlhYQ/TrLh2ad8HkI/AAAAAAAAAnk/Gy90M0ok2_A/s640/IMG_0129.JPG" width="425" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Beer Boy</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Twas the night before Halloween and our poor round friends still had no faces! We waited until the last minute to get our carve-on because the damn squirrels eat the pumpkins out here! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPkFSmKonOc/TrLh6n0BMSI/AAAAAAAAAn0/jJVFJzoEd6A/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FPkFSmKonOc/TrLh6n0BMSI/AAAAAAAAAn0/jJVFJzoEd6A/s640/IMG_0136.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So happy, right? </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMRl1MM9HnM/TrLh8_6yZtI/AAAAAAAAAn8/YHsUUotaHLs/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="488" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMRl1MM9HnM/TrLh8_6yZtI/AAAAAAAAAn8/YHsUUotaHLs/s640/IMG_0138.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not sure which is bigger...the jack-o-lanterns or my own pumpkin belly. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr2ruqy2qic/TrLh96ZsFGI/AAAAAAAAAoE/0uqNhdRwGLo/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="390" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr2ruqy2qic/TrLh96ZsFGI/AAAAAAAAAoE/0uqNhdRwGLo/s640/IMG_0139.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IThO1nX1EmI/TrLiBG3TMgI/AAAAAAAAAoU/9Ytdf3S7rDg/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IThO1nX1EmI/TrLiBG3TMgI/AAAAAAAAAoU/9Ytdf3S7rDg/s640/IMG_0145.JPG" width="440" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me and Baby E!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did I mention that we got another foot of snow this week?! Uh, yeah. Nearly two feet of snow in as many weeks. Nice to see Colorado winter has decided to give me a nice warm welcome. I love the snow...I'm just not a big fan of being cold. If we could just have the snow with 75 degrees, I would be a happy girl. I know, I know. But a girl can wish. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Since the snow kept me in the house for most of the day yesterday, I decided to be a little constructive. Nathan's colleague, Drew, gave us about a half a bushel of tomatoes from his little organic farm. They were close to going bad, so I blanched them and threw them in some jars yesterday! So pretty!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAzhDgq2Itw/TrL3RmG0dAI/AAAAAAAAAoc/mtIKzBdM3pI/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LAzhDgq2Itw/TrL3RmG0dAI/AAAAAAAAAoc/mtIKzBdM3pI/s640/IMG_0148.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ch3hPSx70ho/TrL3VrpkiQI/AAAAAAAAAos/cvIV2502hVY/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ch3hPSx70ho/TrL3VrpkiQI/AAAAAAAAAos/cvIV2502hVY/s640/IMG_0153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDEE-sG7wvE/TrL3TdG2AMI/AAAAAAAAAok/3Cu3K9qJmH4/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDEE-sG7wvE/TrL3TdG2AMI/AAAAAAAAAok/3Cu3K9qJmH4/s640/IMG_0152.JPG" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Weird to be thinking about garden fresh tomatoes when it looks like this outside!</span></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;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt571Eg_oDc/TrL3XqLSHJI/AAAAAAAAAo0/mYtbvwWvw3o/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt571Eg_oDc/TrL3XqLSHJI/AAAAAAAAAo0/mYtbvwWvw3o/s640/IMG_0132.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And thank you to Nathan's Aunt Pat and Uncle Jim for the postcard from Peru! Sounds like you guys are having a blast! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ta-ta for now! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pGNvSo9iFM/Tfe0Iwlt_fI/AAAAAAAAAUs/jpCpvlEszvs/s1600/signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pGNvSo9iFM/Tfe0Iwlt_fI/AAAAAAAAAUs/jpCpvlEszvs/s1600/signature.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-74727896497559642202011-10-28T12:39:00.000-07:002011-10-28T12:39:41.570-07:00I'm Baaaack!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you hate me yet? I know. It's been a while since my last post, but in all fairness I warned you from the beginning that I wasn't very good at this kind of thing. But, we're together again. So that's what matters! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let's see where do I begin to get you caught up on everything. Initially, I stopped writing so frequently because I thought that I may spill the beans before I was supposed to, but we're out of the woods now so I suppose I can tell you that we're having a BABY!! What? You're not surprised? Oh, yeah. It's been so long since I've posted that you already knew that! Okay, so anyway. That's why I stopped posting. I wanted to wait until we hit the 12 week mark to make the big announcement and then 12 weeks got here, like, almost 12 weeks ago and, uh, I guess I got all shy and whatnot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bygones! Let me just show our little guy off to you and then you won't be mad at me anymore. :) </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwHXluy2e0o/Tqr-hIlSkHI/AAAAAAAAAf0/yQmu6Pyz-pE/s1600/profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="482" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwHXluy2e0o/Tqr-hIlSkHI/AAAAAAAAAf0/yQmu6Pyz-pE/s640/profile.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ain't he cute? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a19JnWf8ODE/Tqr-jsfXigI/AAAAAAAAAf8/DdrmuFi9v70/s1600/face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a19JnWf8ODE/Tqr-jsfXigI/AAAAAAAAAf8/DdrmuFi9v70/s640/face.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Super Scary Ghost Face Baby</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8NXbOLoaCc/Tqr-kp_AfZI/AAAAAAAAAgE/WOLsxLGGRLw/s1600/hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="482" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8NXbOLoaCc/Tqr-kp_AfZI/AAAAAAAAAgE/WOLsxLGGRLw/s640/hand.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That's his wittle hand throwing up a 'wesssstsssiiiide'!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ozlhvEJ1cY/Tqr-mzrxjfI/AAAAAAAAAgM/Sed3lbTr9Ic/s1600/Lfoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="482" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ozlhvEJ1cY/Tqr-mzrxjfI/AAAAAAAAAgM/Sed3lbTr9Ic/s640/Lfoot.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">His wittle footsie. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So yeah. Our lives will soon be flipped upsidedown and quite frankly, we couldn't be more excited!</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next! </span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recently, we were lucky enough to have a visitor stay with us! Nathan's Dad, Dave, came to play in Colorado for 10 days! It was a lovely visit and while we weren't all working or eating, the boys were out duck hunting! I refrained. I prefer to shoot my ducks through a tv screen that I'm sitting way too close to with a grey plastic gun. The guys enjoyed themselves though, successfully killing, like, a gajillion ducks. No turkey on Thanksgiving for us this year. We're having Daffy!</span></div><div align="left"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FSBRlfmrZ18/TqsB1v5hEpI/AAAAAAAAAgU/VyNGyguhhCs/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FSBRlfmrZ18/TqsB1v5hEpI/AAAAAAAAAgU/VyNGyguhhCs/s640/IMG_0097.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Daffy's cousin. Donald. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MAGcPKi6SmI/TqsB4GIPSEI/AAAAAAAAAgc/ayarbiTvPwE/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MAGcPKi6SmI/TqsB4GIPSEI/AAAAAAAAAgc/ayarbiTvPwE/s640/IMG_0107.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EI_jMCsunvQ/TqsB5ysrwBI/AAAAAAAAAgk/n3_kVNsY9ZY/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EI_jMCsunvQ/TqsB5ysrwBI/AAAAAAAAAgk/n3_kVNsY9ZY/s640/IMG_0108.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7LJYnNPfUE/TqsB7I-ADvI/AAAAAAAAAgs/EMzg-9YFQH0/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7LJYnNPfUE/TqsB7I-ADvI/AAAAAAAAAgs/EMzg-9YFQH0/s640/IMG_0118.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've never seen anyone so happy to be holding dead stuff. :) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Baby E enjoyed his first visit with Grandpa and next time he sees him, he'll be changing his diapers....#1 only! :) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let's see. What else, what else? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh! We got our first snow storm of the season. The news had been hyping up the storm for a few days so I thought we may get an inch or two. Well, we got an inch or two plus 10! Almost 12 inches of snow! It's been a heavy, wet snow which has not boded well for our tall tree friends that still have their leaves. Lots and lots of branches and trees down, but it has been very pretty. Aside from the tree carnage, it looks like a Dr. Suess wonderland outside and it makes me very excited for the seasons to change. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jENeqjkd190/TqsDp1h5jlI/AAAAAAAAAg0/uipLiQnvUvc/s1600/Snow+Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jENeqjkd190/TqsDp1h5jlI/AAAAAAAAAg0/uipLiQnvUvc/s640/Snow+Car.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My car, after about 8 inches. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQbGmzae3nk/TqsDq_OesdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/RAa3aVNCnAM/s1600/Backyard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQbGmzae3nk/TqsDq_OesdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/RAa3aVNCnAM/s640/Backyard+2.jpg" width="478" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Backyard</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7IglIzv9Yk/TqsDr3Gj6vI/AAAAAAAAAhE/PbKTuqy2tiY/s1600/Backyard+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="478" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7IglIzv9Yk/TqsDr3Gj6vI/AAAAAAAAAhE/PbKTuqy2tiY/s640/Backyard+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Backyard, smashed laundry line. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I suppose that's all for now. I promise I won't leave you hanging like that again. Okay. I don't promise, but I will do my very best! There. That's more realistic. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pGNvSo9iFM/Tfe0Iwlt_fI/AAAAAAAAAUs/jpCpvlEszvs/s1600/signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pGNvSo9iFM/Tfe0Iwlt_fI/AAAAAAAAAUs/jpCpvlEszvs/s1600/signature.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-76768187176669676692011-07-07T13:02:00.000-07:002011-07-07T13:02:55.185-07:00Red, Red Rocks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Let me just tell you a little something about my friends. They are the BEST. Hands-down. Well, you probably already know that because chances are if you are reading this blog - you're one of 'em. You guys know you're great. There's some people in your life that go above and beyond the definition of friendship. They fall into this category of chosen family. This chosen family of mine started because we are all just plain crazy about music. Eventually, we became pretty crazy about each other. Our lives were scattered across Florida from Tallahassee to Miami, so we all gathered in an online forum to make plans to see music with each other, to make fun of each other, and to support one another.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, we're scattering ourselves across the United States. How we've managed to stay so close is beyond my comprehension. Maybe we have social media to thank, maybe we have music, but maybe we just really like each other. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">All that mushy stuff being said, it's pretty safe to say that I was really excited to see the latest Florida refugees make their way through Colorado last weekend! Matt, Krys, and their beautiful daughter, Kali, made a pit-stop in Denver while making the cross-country trek from Gainesville, FL to their new home in Portland, OR. And because they're such extraordinary planners, their three day "vacation" from driving just happened to coincide with some really good music at Red Rocks. If you've never been, GO! It's one of the most beautiful and legendary music venues in the world. It's a natural amphitheater that's nestled into, naturally, red rocks jutting from the earth. Performances have taken place there since the 1800's and anybody who's anybody has performed there. Plus, Nathan and I were married there so it holds a special place in my heart. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">On Sunday, we managed to be lazy in the backyard. Kali rocked it out in the pool, Matty smoked up some awesome chicken, we streamed Bunny Radio, and there may or may not have been some tequila involved at some point. After our bellies were full and Krys was in her sparkliest ensemble, we headed off to see The New Mastersounds, Easy Star All Stars, and Umphrey's McGee!! It was a beautiful night. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-maF-YcT8nCM/ThYMS2QY6MI/AAAAAAAAAXc/ImJOmusDJ1U/s1600/IMG_9625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-maF-YcT8nCM/ThYMS2QY6MI/AAAAAAAAAXc/ImJOmusDJ1U/s640/IMG_9625.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Knc-8ApzTOA/ThYMVduAM0I/AAAAAAAAAXg/iFHlTapOkac/s1600/IMG_9628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Knc-8ApzTOA/ThYMVduAM0I/AAAAAAAAAXg/iFHlTapOkac/s640/IMG_9628.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEigDlgKjhY/ThYMXtlO4yI/AAAAAAAAAXk/ZyYcMyvb2nM/s1600/IMG_9631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEigDlgKjhY/ThYMXtlO4yI/AAAAAAAAAXk/ZyYcMyvb2nM/s640/IMG_9631.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Px26Qlmi84/ThYMZ77hjII/AAAAAAAAAXo/OMr3c4Z76BM/s1600/IMG_9633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Px26Qlmi84/ThYMZ77hjII/AAAAAAAAAXo/OMr3c4Z76BM/s640/IMG_9633.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bunny Radio</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqTJTdxpVWI/ThYMkLM-tbI/AAAAAAAAAX0/CIaelUkwJqc/s1600/IMG_9639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqTJTdxpVWI/ThYMkLM-tbI/AAAAAAAAAX0/CIaelUkwJqc/s640/IMG_9639.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkcGMeULWRw/ThYMcl1YhsI/AAAAAAAAAXs/iW2cBS_nv-Y/s1600/IMG_9636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkcGMeULWRw/ThYMcl1YhsI/AAAAAAAAAXs/iW2cBS_nv-Y/s640/IMG_9636.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJf_6wMOc-w/ThYMqBgDu2I/AAAAAAAAAX8/IKqL86w9_kw/s1600/IMG_9649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJf_6wMOc-w/ThYMqBgDu2I/AAAAAAAAAX8/IKqL86w9_kw/s640/IMG_9649.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EBnPHBCiOvA/ThYMtrQ7dhI/AAAAAAAAAYA/0oaQFYgmFLs/s1600/IMG_9651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EBnPHBCiOvA/ThYMtrQ7dhI/AAAAAAAAAYA/0oaQFYgmFLs/s640/IMG_9651.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7mno3bQ0_Ss/ThYMwjBaGRI/AAAAAAAAAYE/8R8NwBX9c04/s1600/IMG_9655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7mno3bQ0_Ss/ThYMwjBaGRI/AAAAAAAAAYE/8R8NwBX9c04/s640/IMG_9655.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJvZ5mTGOb0/ThYNOWLIYUI/AAAAAAAAAYY/N3PxS2KXcjw/s1600/nms+rr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJvZ5mTGOb0/ThYNOWLIYUI/AAAAAAAAAYY/N3PxS2KXcjw/s640/nms+rr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Mastersounds!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took the rest of these photos I shot with my phone. Something just didn't feel right about lugging around a big camera in such close proximity to so many rocks. </span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X7VpLfO8xsw/ThYMxWCicFI/AAAAAAAAAYI/Hl_Tn0ybex4/s1600/mk+rr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X7VpLfO8xsw/ThYMxWCicFI/AAAAAAAAAYI/Hl_Tn0ybex4/s640/mk+rr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ke9SPKmX204/ThYO-x9sJ7I/AAAAAAAAAYc/h9z2HUxK-R4/s1600/UM+rr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ke9SPKmX204/ThYO-x9sJ7I/AAAAAAAAAYc/h9z2HUxK-R4/s640/UM+rr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYbFlnBQy9w/ThYM094BDMI/AAAAAAAAAYM/-Imn5eUcuzM/s1600/Picture+21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYbFlnBQy9w/ThYM094BDMI/AAAAAAAAAYM/-Imn5eUcuzM/s640/Picture+21.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Umphrey's</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUWQao5IJvM/ThYM3G9it4I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/BG3X4swLXok/s1600/KT+rr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUWQao5IJvM/ThYM3G9it4I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/BG3X4swLXok/s640/KT+rr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVTy2fhpaOw/ThYM6Q0Q4TI/AAAAAAAAAYU/6EeKXbMNTuQ/s1600/rr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVTy2fhpaOw/ThYM6Q0Q4TI/AAAAAAAAAYU/6EeKXbMNTuQ/s640/rr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd like to dedicate this post to my friend, Chris, who was at Phish's Superball XI. This is the first time he's ever read a blog! Congratulations, Rookie!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-9659188803406086022011-06-29T17:03:00.000-07:002011-06-29T17:03:23.996-07:00Mount up!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wanna know something really funny? I just spent the last few minutes cleaning Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream off of my keyboard. Know why? Because I'm still five years old and apparently, I had no idea the carton was covered in chocolatey goodness when I picked it up to shovel it into my mouth. True story. Bygones!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">I don't have too much to say today except that we had a ridiculously good time at the rodeo last night! We're turning into cow pokes around here, lemme just tell you! We met our friends Kari and Brent in Greeley, CO last night for the 89th Annual Greeley Stampede. I wasn't really sure what to expect, except for oversized portions of fried whatever, steel contraptions held together with duct tape called "rides", and maybe some cowboys. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px;">{sigh, cowboys....} </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It just happened to be "tough enough to wear pink" night, so all of the cowboys (and girls) were wearing pink shirts to raise breast cancer awareness. Pretty cool.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Much to my surprise, this was, like, a real pro-circuit rodeo with cowboys ranked, like, the best in the world and whatnot. For most sports, I'm pretty familiar with the rules and regulations, what the object is, and how the game is played. Well, buddy, let me just tell you something - I got learned last night. I had absolutely no idea what the hell was going on except everything just looked like it hurt. Bad. Wrestling some kind of animal is just not for me, but I didn't mind watching those cowboys do it! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">{whistle!!}</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the next two photos, I'd like to play a little game called "Where's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">Waldo</span> Nathan".</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxHULIgQVO4/Tgu2CiebOaI/AAAAAAAAAV4/yq28oWMHIKo/s1600/IMG_9488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxHULIgQVO4/Tgu2CiebOaI/AAAAAAAAAV4/yq28oWMHIKo/s640/IMG_9488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XMDlk8n_LEc/Tgu2FFl1lKI/AAAAAAAAAV8/gE5H871-rYo/s1600/IMG_9489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XMDlk8n_LEc/Tgu2FFl1lKI/AAAAAAAAAV8/gE5H871-rYo/s640/IMG_9489.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, this was my favorite part. Are you sitting down? Adult supervision may be required for the next segment. You've been warned...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Mutton Bustin'!!!! Absolutely, hands-down, one of THE most ridiculous things I've ever seen in my life. Basically, you take a toddler and dress him all up in cowboy gear, throw a helmet on the kid and set him on a sheep! Go ahead. You can take the time to read that again. Yep. You read right. They literally take a SMALL CHILD and put him/her on a sheep and then send the sheep running down the arena to see how long the kid can hang on! You've gotta see this for yourself. INSANE!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jvb3p---yzE/Tgu2FwYm_II/AAAAAAAAAWA/Kq9OJrFzZ0Q/s1600/IMG_9495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jvb3p---yzE/Tgu2FwYm_II/AAAAAAAAAWA/Kq9OJrFzZ0Q/s640/IMG_9495.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqIzW4YBijs/Tgu2JubvbVI/AAAAAAAAAWE/kNNmTCGBu0s/s1600/IMG_9500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqIzW4YBijs/Tgu2JubvbVI/AAAAAAAAAWE/kNNmTCGBu0s/s640/IMG_9500.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look closely. See the kid HANGING from the sheep! I'm still in shock. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XV7OxwXTxsc/Tgu2ON8hTrI/AAAAAAAAAWM/y626my2xqjc/s1600/IMG_9501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XV7OxwXTxsc/Tgu2ON8hTrI/AAAAAAAAAWM/y626my2xqjc/s640/IMG_9501.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6e8_ox2R838/Tgu2Mhw9LQI/AAAAAAAAAWI/ZqNbtB37LmY/s1600/IMG_9493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6e8_ox2R838/Tgu2Mhw9LQI/AAAAAAAAAWI/ZqNbtB37LmY/s640/IMG_9493.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crazy, right? The rest of the night was pretty wild too...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUBFIk9TG6c/Tgu2RjtwuuI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/B_FPuA0cliw/s1600/IMG_9514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUBFIk9TG6c/Tgu2RjtwuuI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/B_FPuA0cliw/s640/IMG_9514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRoFvUAfnrI/Tgu2TzOD4XI/AAAAAAAAAWU/wCV__Kl5-nA/s1600/IMG_9515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRoFvUAfnrI/Tgu2TzOD4XI/AAAAAAAAAWU/wCV__Kl5-nA/s640/IMG_9515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brent and Kari</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaVKEknn_js/Tgu2Wrb4b1I/AAAAAAAAAWY/1eK6Fg3Cldw/s1600/IMG_9523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaVKEknn_js/Tgu2Wrb4b1I/AAAAAAAAAWY/1eK6Fg3Cldw/s640/IMG_9523.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvrcsf2k3bs/Tgu2Z7WbL2I/AAAAAAAAAWc/TX7yMbA4P28/s1600/IMG_9527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nvrcsf2k3bs/Tgu2Z7WbL2I/AAAAAAAAAWc/TX7yMbA4P28/s640/IMG_9527.JPG" width="490" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qdWohjAQXg4/Tgu2eDXhZFI/AAAAAAAAAWg/zVptJukKUww/s1600/IMG_9553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qdWohjAQXg4/Tgu2eDXhZFI/AAAAAAAAAWg/zVptJukKUww/s640/IMG_9553.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcOJoFNdkiM/Tgu2faW-olI/AAAAAAAAAWk/-tfKs_kTqvc/s1600/IMG_9558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcOJoFNdkiM/Tgu2faW-olI/AAAAAAAAAWk/-tfKs_kTqvc/s640/IMG_9558.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZpVb1G7fAs/Tgu2huhtToI/AAAAAAAAAWo/-_0KVQiS9H4/s1600/IMG_9568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZpVb1G7fAs/Tgu2huhtToI/AAAAAAAAAWo/-_0KVQiS9H4/s640/IMG_9568.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y61mrjcerKw/Tgu2mx5UviI/AAAAAAAAAWs/nQ5nP0r6Qf4/s1600/IMG_9577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y61mrjcerKw/Tgu2mx5UviI/AAAAAAAAAWs/nQ5nP0r6Qf4/s640/IMG_9577.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kRQco45C4Xc/Tgu2psP73YI/AAAAAAAAAWw/eqzJgFS8V-k/s1600/IMG_9593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kRQco45C4Xc/Tgu2psP73YI/AAAAAAAAAWw/eqzJgFS8V-k/s640/IMG_9593.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ozz5CyIY0A/Tgu2s6vUhbI/AAAAAAAAAW0/HGm31WaRCvM/s1600/IMG_9594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ozz5CyIY0A/Tgu2s6vUhbI/AAAAAAAAAW0/HGm31WaRCvM/s640/IMG_9594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, ma'am!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D8ZWsHq5UhY/Tgu2wecf0hI/AAAAAAAAAW4/VURKJUeOo_o/s1600/IMG_9595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D8ZWsHq5UhY/Tgu2wecf0hI/AAAAAAAAAW4/VURKJUeOo_o/s640/IMG_9595.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uh. If you take your laptop to the rodeo, you might be a redneck?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqFEucdf6v0/Tgu21M4mABI/AAAAAAAAAXA/0cbas7qbPp8/s1600/IMG_9612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqFEucdf6v0/Tgu21M4mABI/AAAAAAAAAXA/0cbas7qbPp8/s640/IMG_9612.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMUbLG6JN1U/Tgu26sormVI/AAAAAAAAAXE/yqXoLZsPs2s/s1600/IMG_9605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMUbLG6JN1U/Tgu26sormVI/AAAAAAAAAXE/yqXoLZsPs2s/s640/IMG_9605.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNQPH9mIUPE/Tgu29D28BeI/AAAAAAAAAXI/21M-J3eJSzk/s1600/IMG_9613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNQPH9mIUPE/Tgu29D28BeI/AAAAAAAAAXI/21M-J3eJSzk/s640/IMG_9613.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOW1x9eXZHw/Tgu3DdSbFgI/AAAAAAAAAXU/gAzpfs1_0-c/s1600/IMG_9624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOW1x9eXZHw/Tgu3DdSbFgI/AAAAAAAAAXU/gAzpfs1_0-c/s640/IMG_9624.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkGCD8uJKe4/Tgu3FsBy87I/AAAAAAAAAXY/uw8Zxv6waN0/s1600/IMG_9617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkGCD8uJKe4/Tgu3FsBy87I/AAAAAAAAAXY/uw8Zxv6waN0/s640/IMG_9617.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's another good one. Kids in a bubble trying to walk on water. These poor twins busted face over and over and over again. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHImO-4qSds/Tgu3AJOLODI/AAAAAAAAAXM/QzrcUuwQrfY/s1600/IMG_9619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHImO-4qSds/Tgu3AJOLODI/AAAAAAAAAXM/QzrcUuwQrfY/s640/IMG_9619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEfxF2R3jAc/Tgu3BtTmvgI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/LOzdnB5Naxs/s1600/IMG_9620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEfxF2R3jAc/Tgu3BtTmvgI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/LOzdnB5Naxs/s640/IMG_9620.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sittin' on top of the world with our legs hangin' free.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-84852110963785615562011-06-28T15:48:00.000-07:002011-06-28T23:06:36.135-07:00Day Trippin'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know, I know. You've all been waiting on pins and needles for the last two weeks for a new post. Refreshing your page over and over and biting your nails. Admit it, six posts in and you're addicted. Or maybe you were just waiting to see if I was going to blow it again and write this whole thing off. Pun intended. Really though, I had to do some rearranging on my computer. Anyone who has ever had a laptop with a ton of crap on it, knows how slow it can run. Well, mine got to the point where it started yelling at me - you know those annoying messages that keep popping up to remind you to do the things that you're supposed to do, but you keep putting them off because you know they're gonna be a supreme pain in the ass? Yeah, I got those messages for two weeks and I've finally (because I couldn't stand not talking to you anymore!) moved like 300GB of photos to an external hard drive. Phew! Now, I'm back and you get to hear all about our trip to the Land of YeeHaw. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of weekends ago, Nathan and I decided to get out of town for the day. We thought about heading up to Rocky Mountain National Park, but that place is nutso-bananas during the summer time and neither one of us are too fond of rookie crowds - especially in a place that's supposed to be so peaceful. So, we decided to head in the opposite direction - North to Wyoming. I hadn't been since I was a kid and I had never been to Cheyenne, so we put on our cowboy boots, assless chaps and saddled up. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLhlS_IT0Bc/TgpQNxswyVI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PoQ0ziFwn6E/s1600/IMG_9448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLhlS_IT0Bc/TgpQNxswyVI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PoQ0ziFwn6E/s640/IMG_9448.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCD84Xx04l8/TgpQSiGsvaI/AAAAAAAAAU0/3ZE35aPP-ho/s1600/IMG_9446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCD84Xx04l8/TgpQSiGsvaI/AAAAAAAAAU0/3ZE35aPP-ho/s640/IMG_9446.JPG" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nathan refused to take his picture with me while I was wearing these sunglasses.</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">After he found out how awesome they are, he changed his mind. I think these were actually inadvertently inherited from the costume box of my girlfriend, Wendi. oops.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDloBmTwBRE/TgpQVHUT2xI/AAAAAAAAAU4/crWOXBLUwPk/s1600/IMG_9449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uDloBmTwBRE/TgpQVHUT2xI/AAAAAAAAAU4/crWOXBLUwPk/s640/IMG_9449.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We didn't really have an agenda for the day. We were pretty content to just wander around town. We started out at Sierra Trading Post, which is basically kinda like the Ikea of outdoor stores, without the Swedish meatballs and cool sideways moving carts. You could get lost in the place. I never really found anything that caught my eye, but Nathan found a gem of a Western shirt. It wasn't exactly a button down - I guess you could call it a "snap down", with the shiny pearl finish on the snaps. Yeah. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">That</span> fancy. Suddenly, I had a new mission in life - find a real-deal-Holifield cowgirl shirt. With gaudy rhinestones and ridiculous embroidered roses and whatnot. Little did I know, tacky cowgirl shirts are not cheap! I bet we went to every cowboy-boutique-rancher-store-co-op-feed-place within 20 miles of Cheyenne. Sadly, the Holy Grail shirt was never found but we had fun eating fried pickles with peanut butter and perusing the 3 for $1 record bin we found at a local vinyl shop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzGwlQ8b8MU/TgpWRQmLU3I/AAAAAAAAAV0/VBDY3tQGe6o/s1600/IMG_9487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzGwlQ8b8MU/TgpWRQmLU3I/AAAAAAAAAV0/VBDY3tQGe6o/s640/IMG_9487.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdMBkrbP88o/TgpVvMd-_7I/AAAAAAAAAVM/kaIUsagazew/s1600/IMG_9456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdMBkrbP88o/TgpVvMd-_7I/AAAAAAAAAVM/kaIUsagazew/s640/IMG_9456.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The State Capitol Building</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmKNmYuHL8A/TgpVfXlrpKI/AAAAAAAAAU8/d0TImg4tlvg/s1600/IMG_9452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmKNmYuHL8A/TgpVfXlrpKI/AAAAAAAAAU8/d0TImg4tlvg/s640/IMG_9452.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nathan wouldn't let me stop. He regards my fond adoration for fire as borderline unhealthy and obsessive. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea1tC6CmZcU/TgpVkjCJKdI/AAAAAAAAAVA/fuU2hebWCB4/s1600/IMG_9453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea1tC6CmZcU/TgpVkjCJKdI/AAAAAAAAAVA/fuU2hebWCB4/s640/IMG_9453.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This for Mallie! We saw it in the parking lot of Sierra Trading Post. They must like the GSP's, too! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8z3k0NZVBSs/TgpVoMuZE7I/AAAAAAAAAVI/HBXG5WoLguE/s1600/IMG_9455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8z3k0NZVBSs/TgpVoMuZE7I/AAAAAAAAAVI/HBXG5WoLguE/s640/IMG_9455.JPG" width="402" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were inclined to get a tattoo, this would have to be the place. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwQbM4NfUxM/TgpVyUxqEfI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/QqGkROZjRq0/s1600/IMG_9460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwQbM4NfUxM/TgpVyUxqEfI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/QqGkROZjRq0/s640/IMG_9460.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fried pickle and peanut butter joint..</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJSv0b_IjBc/TgpV2R35iNI/AAAAAAAAAVU/9oPqpP4d4w8/s1600/IMG_9461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJSv0b_IjBc/TgpV2R35iNI/AAAAAAAAAVU/9oPqpP4d4w8/s640/IMG_9461.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...with obnoxiously large menus. </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_0UMBNXwHM/TgpV6ELKfeI/AAAAAAAAAVY/w7gVzpGwAYU/s1600/IMG_9462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_0UMBNXwHM/TgpV6ELKfeI/AAAAAAAAAVY/w7gVzpGwAYU/s640/IMG_9462.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best flippin' burger in Cheyenne.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there ya have it, pardner! Giddyup!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-89233627768475932372011-06-12T19:13:00.000-07:002011-06-14T12:24:11.937-07:00Through My Husband's Eyes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Call it a peak. Call it a valley. But when you work retail, you have to put in some hours on the weekend. This weekend, "some" meant "all". You wanna know how I know whether or not the weather will be awesome on the weekend? I look at my work schedule. If I'm supposed to work all weekend long, the weather is bound to be gorgeous. If I'm off for the weekend, the weather is crap. Psshhhttt. Al Roker, you ain't got nothin' on me. Anyway! Nathan flew solo this weekend and I've gotta say that I'm pretty impressed with how diligent he's been. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">While I was at work on Saturday, he got both of our flowers beds tilled and plants in the ground. He's started multiple plants from seeds, and let me just tell you...they have been a labor of love! They started in his groovy makeshift greenhouse in the garage and they've finally graduated to the real-live ground! As long as the critters don't get into them, we should have squash, zucchini, jalapenos, tomatoes, dill, rosemary, beans, etc, etc. There may be some other varietals later in the growing season, but we figured this was a good start for the first garden. When I came home from work, he'd surprised me with a new little baby charcoal grill with steaks ready to be slapped on. I was a happy girl!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Today while I was at work, he stripped the sheets from the bed, gave 'em a wash and they're on the clothesline now just finishing their time in the sun. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Okay, so I may have hinted to him that this needed to be done - but he did it! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On top of that, he went to the grocery store and picked up all of our meat for the that we needed for the next week or so. Did I mention that steaks and veggies were on the grill now? </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Okay, okay - get on with the show, I know. I was surprised to find that he'd snapped a few photos from his time alone this weekend and I was impressed - yet again. He's a good kid...I think I'll keep him :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Brm7Kd5sjQc/TfVmFGUJn-I/AAAAAAAAAUM/8pxFgYT2moA/s1600/IMG_9411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Brm7Kd5sjQc/TfVmFGUJn-I/AAAAAAAAAUM/8pxFgYT2moA/s640/IMG_9411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kate E. Bug</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0dPaMw92jw/TfVmIRyH8EI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/eZOdrbHudoA/s1600/IMG_9413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0dPaMw92jw/TfVmIRyH8EI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/eZOdrbHudoA/s640/IMG_9413.JPG" width="532" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pre-Tomato</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InoZyHOHofY/TfVmP6TqL8I/AAAAAAAAAUU/924zN58xFhs/s1600/IMG_9414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InoZyHOHofY/TfVmP6TqL8I/AAAAAAAAAUU/924zN58xFhs/s640/IMG_9414.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Garden #1</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2uvkjrImQ/TfVmSanWuDI/AAAAAAAAAUc/OmwLfm1IP8E/s1600/IMG_9419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph2uvkjrImQ/TfVmSanWuDI/AAAAAAAAAUc/OmwLfm1IP8E/s640/IMG_9419.JPG" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even the weeds are pretty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXJx4W8fxNY/TfVmUcfM4ZI/AAAAAAAAAUg/E7x2xpjykas/s1600/IMG_9420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dXJx4W8fxNY/TfVmUcfM4ZI/AAAAAAAAAUg/E7x2xpjykas/s640/IMG_9420.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv1tearK2vQ/TfVwuruedzI/AAAAAAAAAUk/6lRjOHQnyCE/s1600/IMG_9421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv1tearK2vQ/TfVwuruedzI/AAAAAAAAAUk/6lRjOHQnyCE/s640/IMG_9421.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Extreme grilling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTXVW3Aa2Hg/TfVwwCJ5e_I/AAAAAAAAAUo/-isiVrnexOA/s1600/IMG_9422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTXVW3Aa2Hg/TfVwwCJ5e_I/AAAAAAAAAUo/-isiVrnexOA/s640/IMG_9422.JPG" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I sat outside to blog, wonder-husband picked a peony for me. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-64192287595531858132011-06-10T09:41:00.000-07:002011-06-14T12:22:57.742-07:00The Evolution of a Peony<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love peonies. I love flowers, actually. I come from a gardeny-flowery family. My childhood summers were spent in my Grandparent's garden either planting seeds, digging up potatoes, or dying Queen Anne's Lace by adding food coloring to their water. When you're a kid, these things are magical. I would follow my Grandmother around to each flower bed and listen with great intensity to her rattle off the names of countless bulbs and flowers that she planted, trying desperately to retain some of her knowledge. To this day, one of my favorite thrills is listening to the joy in her voice when her plants start to bloom. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">When the chill started to subside here in Colorado and the sun started to shine, our yard started to turn green. Plants started to pop up in old flower beds, and I started to get excited. The first thing to bloom was a Bleeding Heart. It was such a surprise! Bleeding Hearts don't just come from nowhere, so I knew someone must have planted it before we got here. So, I started looking for other plants that someone must have left behind and right next to the Bleeding Heart were Peony bushes! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I went on to find Irises, Tulips, Roses, and Grape Hyacinths!)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Peonies to forever to bloom - FOR-EV-ER! Talk about delayed gratification! I watched those little buggers day after day and I thought for sure they were going to wind up being duds. (Just because I come from a flowery family, doesn't mean the green-thumb gene was passed on to me.) For some reason, I decided to start taking pictures of the buds. I thought I might take a picture a day, every day until they bloomed...just knowing that it would be at least another week until they made their debut. Well! I was wrong! This set of pictures was taken of the same bud within 24 hours...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k08pwQ1qn2k/TfJGbBZdXoI/AAAAAAAAATc/tpgrwWnDJuI/s1600/IMG_9342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k08pwQ1qn2k/TfJGbBZdXoI/AAAAAAAAATc/tpgrwWnDJuI/s640/IMG_9342.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEk_IOzhEZ8/TfJGeWGxsMI/AAAAAAAAATg/9_m1q7DgZuU/s1600/IMG_9348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEk_IOzhEZ8/TfJGeWGxsMI/AAAAAAAAATg/9_m1q7DgZuU/s640/IMG_9348.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_qrU60LAyI/TfJGkW0JJGI/AAAAAAAAATo/26Xx1QuuJUk/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e_qrU60LAyI/TfJGkW0JJGI/AAAAAAAAATo/26Xx1QuuJUk/s640/IMG_9350.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxikcQ4ODj8/TfJGmqJRbOI/AAAAAAAAATs/CEpy0fGymV4/s1600/IMG_9352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxikcQ4ODj8/TfJGmqJRbOI/AAAAAAAAATs/CEpy0fGymV4/s640/IMG_9352.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtqMzAqNeYI/TfJGpFdFkNI/AAAAAAAAATw/r-M_lYlHzhU/s1600/IMG_9353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtqMzAqNeYI/TfJGpFdFkNI/AAAAAAAAATw/r-M_lYlHzhU/s640/IMG_9353.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5MgGyukhwo/TfJGrl8YgbI/AAAAAAAAAT0/XosLp0quBjI/s1600/IMG_9357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5MgGyukhwo/TfJGrl8YgbI/AAAAAAAAAT0/XosLp0quBjI/s640/IMG_9357.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PvdZCH5_aU/TfJGthDHcpI/AAAAAAAAAT4/wzPlcUdbtcI/s1600/IMG_9377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PvdZCH5_aU/TfJGthDHcpI/AAAAAAAAAT4/wzPlcUdbtcI/s640/IMG_9377.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, all of the other buds started to go crazy around the same time. I was SO excited! And then the hail came. The poor peonies took a beating, so while Nathan raked the hail debris in the backyard, I cut them off of the bush and stuck 'em in a vase. Man, they're pretty. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds0Dgt87AWM/TfJIRMVULVI/AAAAAAAAAT8/3GRhD-kI_Oo/s1600/IMG_9406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds0Dgt87AWM/TfJIRMVULVI/AAAAAAAAAT8/3GRhD-kI_Oo/s640/IMG_9406.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSLKB7jPm64/TfJIZXgn_fI/AAAAAAAAAUI/H3fkahJgeT4/s1600/IMG_9407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSLKB7jPm64/TfJIZXgn_fI/AAAAAAAAAUI/H3fkahJgeT4/s640/IMG_9407.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-omsdDkuLCa4/TfJITT_8hmI/AAAAAAAAAUE/AHIsDGrI5AE/s1600/peony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-omsdDkuLCa4/TfJITT_8hmI/AAAAAAAAAUE/AHIsDGrI5AE/s640/peony.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can't wait for the roses...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-51381761851306638482011-06-09T16:54:00.000-07:002011-06-14T12:22:21.245-07:00Chickens and Hail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where can you go wrong? You know that either could be just as entertaining, so what would you like first? The good news or the good news? Okay, we'll go in sequential order. First came the chickens. (We're not really sure that the chickens actually came first, but in this case we're gonna go ahead and pretend that they did.) We're babysitting chickens! The things are easier than friggin' goldfish and it's so rewarding to slide your hand into their little coop and pull out fresh brown eggs! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blSY6Vu5ues/TfFTHk-LQLI/AAAAAAAAASs/r8iMNvF0dds/s1600/IMG_9381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blSY6Vu5ues/TfFTHk-LQLI/AAAAAAAAASs/r8iMNvF0dds/s640/IMG_9381.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eye see you, lady.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmEn8qpMSaE/TfFTL-l0xmI/AAAAAAAAASw/Um_YPKGfFHM/s1600/IMG_9382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmEn8qpMSaE/TfFTL-l0xmI/AAAAAAAAASw/Um_YPKGfFHM/s640/IMG_9382.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sv3tp9ap9IA/TfFTbC5EdLI/AAAAAAAAAS4/Q8HydroWefQ/s1600/IMG_9389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sv3tp9ap9IA/TfFTbC5EdLI/AAAAAAAAAS4/Q8HydroWefQ/s640/IMG_9389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcodJfNs__U/TfFTRwepzAI/AAAAAAAAAS0/1jFLxlRQCiw/s1600/IMG_9388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcodJfNs__U/TfFTRwepzAI/AAAAAAAAAS0/1jFLxlRQCiw/s640/IMG_9388.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RY-BLzycts/TfFTeRboJCI/AAAAAAAAAS8/GlPgoT2hREw/s1600/IMG_9391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9RY-BLzycts/TfFTeRboJCI/AAAAAAAAAS8/GlPgoT2hREw/s640/IMG_9391.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there was the hail (queue doomsday scary music). Nathan and I rode our bikes down to a friend's house for her birthday gathering last night. It had been beautiful, bluebird day all day long until about 5 o'clock and then Mr. Sun decided that he had done enough entertaining for the day and retreated to the comforts of his cloudy spa. The rain started around 8:30 and continued through our ride home. When we got home, we walked next door to make sure the chickens were locked in the coop and by the time we made it back into the house, the hail started. Holy hail, Batman. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XZvp-OR40A/TfFZNlFA8vI/AAAAAAAAATA/SV0aXVOBBFI/s1600/IMG_9401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XZvp-OR40A/TfFZNlFA8vI/AAAAAAAAATA/SV0aXVOBBFI/s640/IMG_9401.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The poor flowers took a beating last night! We were thankful that we hadn't put out the veggie plants yet and that it wasn't heavy enough to damage our cars. The yards and streets were quite a sight this morning with leaves and tree debris everywhere, but the good news is that no real damage was done. After the hail subsided, it was nice the temperature dropped significantly and the thunder rolled in. And, falling asleep with the windows open and thunder booming overhead is just about one of my favorite things ever :) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</span></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-59994130582298394852011-06-07T22:11:00.000-07:002011-06-14T12:20:37.802-07:00Lucky Face<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Today was one of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">those</span> days. Yep. One of those days with crystal clear blue skies that go on and on to outer space. One of those days where the sun was warm and the shade was cool, and one of those days that we have been waiting a long time for here in the Fort! The weather has been pretty much crap here for the last, well, forever actually. It seems like we've rounded the corner and found ourselves smack-dab in the middle of summer...finally!! Sundresses, flip-flops, skirts, tank-tops. Yes! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">I love summer. Mainly because I love colors, and summer is so damn colorful you just can't help but be happy. When was the last time you were sad on a super sunny summer day? Exactly. So, to celebrate such a delightful day I went on a bike ride. Around lunchtime, I rode to Nathan's work and surprised him with watermelon. After our snack, I rode back by the house to grab my camera. We live about three blocks from Colorado State University, and they have an annual trial garden that is just starting to bloom and I wanted to get some pictures. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_haBGuR05g/Te7_JIrrNyI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Chi_RAI0CME/s1600/IMG_9358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_haBGuR05g/Te7_JIrrNyI/AAAAAAAAAR4/Chi_RAI0CME/s640/IMG_9358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Lucy, a wedding gift Nathan made for me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wla4TniQg0I/Te7_VIJ5qTI/AAAAAAAAASE/Os81tYstwQg/s1600/IMG_9363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wla4TniQg0I/Te7_VIJ5qTI/AAAAAAAAASE/Os81tYstwQg/s640/IMG_9363.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XIWmfDgQzJ4/Te7_cIhVyRI/AAAAAAAAASM/YcXDt3yLmP8/s1600/IMG_9367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XIWmfDgQzJ4/Te7_cIhVyRI/AAAAAAAAASM/YcXDt3yLmP8/s640/IMG_9367.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few shots from around the courtyard.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hr83Av1wXdE/Te7_SWM88vI/AAAAAAAAASA/XnJWWNco7no/s1600/IMG_9361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hr83Av1wXdE/Te7_SWM88vI/AAAAAAAAASA/XnJWWNco7no/s640/IMG_9361.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TAGK1hX4FyY/Te8CMdVw1mI/AAAAAAAAASU/-W0nIu4YbhQ/s1600/IMG_9368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TAGK1hX4FyY/Te8CMdVw1mI/AAAAAAAAASU/-W0nIu4YbhQ/s640/IMG_9368.JPG" width="630" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-67KgcJSjN2s/Te8CQ0MkkBI/AAAAAAAAASY/LLkjP97Kru4/s1600/IMG_9362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-67KgcJSjN2s/Te8CQ0MkkBI/AAAAAAAAASY/LLkjP97Kru4/s640/IMG_9362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We call these days "bluebird days". </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">And, today, this is how I feel. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6148539439992640693.post-85757715074258167952011-06-06T17:22:00.000-07:002011-06-14T12:19:52.040-07:00Peaks and Valleys<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here I am. I think this is the third or fourth time that I've tried to start a blog. Even the most recent attempts have started out similar to this. "I'm really going to stick with it this time." Well, no promises this go 'round, but I am motivated by getting over the Facebook hump. I really can't stand Facebook, but it's SO easy! I love to be able to share pictures and keep in touch with other people, and that application makes it really simple. But, really? Do I really need to know what my second grade boyfriend is up to these days? Nah. Do I really need to accept you as my "friend" just because we hung out "that one time"? I don't think so. But, I'm not ready to fully recede from the Facebook phenomenon...yet. I'm like a newborn. I need to be weened. Now is a great time to graduate from Facebook and get on with my life! </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> This blog is a long time in the making. I've brainstormed ideas for quite some time now. I've even narrated the passages in my head and I sound just like Carrie Bradshaw. Instead of talking about Christian Louboutin's, I'm talking about crafting, or baking, or hiking, or reviewing the latest episode of Ally McBeal - yes, I know. The show is over ten years old and I'm just now catching on. Bygones! The point is, I never knew what to name my blog. Silly, right? I mean, how do you name something that you hope to be a representation of your life? A piece of history for your family? I was caught up on a name for this blog until this past weekend. An epic weekend, if I so say so myself.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Nathan, my husband, and I planned a semi-last minute camping trip with some very good friends of ours, Matt and Tyler, who live in Denver, CO. We live in Fort Collins, CO, and I rarely have the weekends off. Matt and Tyler usually plan their time-off far in advance, so we weren't quite sure if they would be available for some Colorado shennanigans on such short notice. Fate should have it that they were, indeed, plan-less for the weekend. The perfect storm began to brew!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9ebizsXXMk/Te1lHofDXQI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/tRm4KOjYQhM/s1600/IMG_9003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9ebizsXXMk/Te1lHofDXQI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/tRm4KOjYQhM/s640/IMG_9003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nathan was the Mountain Man Mastermind behind our perfect weekend. We (and when I say "we", I mean "I") were semi-demanding about what we wanted to be surrounded by, and that's a lot of pressure for someone who's planning a trip! We wanted breathtaking views, we wanted altitude, we wanted fishing, we wanted campfires, we wanted hiking, and the list goes on and on and on. Mountain Man Edberg did not fail us. His planning was flawless, and he could not have made these campers any more happy! Here are some pictures of our first Colorado Camping Adventure!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mn0HjIgw_wo/Te1m4xySyeI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/Ykr6KPasou4/s1600/IMG_9013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mn0HjIgw_wo/Te1m4xySyeI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/Ykr6KPasou4/s640/IMG_9013.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Yep. That's my Mountain Man, gathering firewood.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53qc3B-VvWs/Te1nwNF3LYI/AAAAAAAAARA/JHO2xpEycvg/s1600/IMG_9019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53qc3B-VvWs/Te1nwNF3LYI/AAAAAAAAARA/JHO2xpEycvg/s640/IMG_9019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Home Sweet, Element.</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEIYm6f4PyI/Te1obrOFZsI/AAAAAAAAARE/RGtJxIyyM3s/s1600/IMG_9023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEIYm6f4PyI/Te1obrOFZsI/AAAAAAAAARE/RGtJxIyyM3s/s640/IMG_9023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mustache you ask if I'm having a wonderful time?</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhlDLqiNVqU/Te1oxrbtQmI/AAAAAAAAARI/WbjKdcRT0wU/s1600/IMG_9048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhlDLqiNVqU/Te1oxrbtQmI/AAAAAAAAARI/WbjKdcRT0wU/s640/IMG_9048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rise and shine for a sunrise hike</span>!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5M1fC7IYiw/Te1pJ8RXp9I/AAAAAAAAARM/NT3Eih6fkBw/s1600/IMG_9120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5M1fC7IYiw/Te1pJ8RXp9I/AAAAAAAAARM/NT3Eih6fkBw/s640/IMG_9120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"> </span>Rocky Mountain High</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_6NtDEgXwQ/TfFepx_5WNI/AAAAAAAAATI/S3ms5NKajHs/s1600/IMG_9109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_6NtDEgXwQ/TfFepx_5WNI/AAAAAAAAATI/S3ms5NKajHs/s640/IMG_9109.JPG" width="606" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4v7vplda74/Te1phAmf1rI/AAAAAAAAARQ/8A7J_ZA3Syw/s1600/IMG_9136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4v7vplda74/Te1phAmf1rI/AAAAAAAAARQ/8A7J_ZA3Syw/s640/IMG_9136.JPG" width="425" /></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mountaineer Mallie, and her Dad, Matt.</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tMqREXOJAxA/Te1py1IzCzI/AAAAAAAAARU/qSjcNqzQJKw/s1600/IMG_9106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tMqREXOJAxA/Te1py1IzCzI/AAAAAAAAARU/qSjcNqzQJKw/s640/IMG_9106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tyler, the snow-trekking Sensei.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joqRKmbhqJM/Te1qPF3pGAI/AAAAAAAAARY/G7ltgKScl98/s1600/IMG_9151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joqRKmbhqJM/Te1qPF3pGAI/AAAAAAAAARY/G7ltgKScl98/s640/IMG_9151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I guess Nathan was happy to be done with the hike....</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBin3yt-cgM/Te1qiqesQRI/AAAAAAAAARc/7IrxZd58c60/s1600/IMG_9168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FBin3yt-cgM/Te1qiqesQRI/AAAAAAAAARc/7IrxZd58c60/s640/IMG_9168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hiking up to a pioneer's gravesite.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rIPKtokPxyU/Te1q0_viTmI/AAAAAAAAARg/7ZLpEZ_lFN0/s1600/IMG_9228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rIPKtokPxyU/Te1q0_viTmI/AAAAAAAAARg/7ZLpEZ_lFN0/s640/IMG_9228.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Big mountains have small flowers.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TqoibTxICuQ/TfFe5pR-GXI/AAAAAAAAATM/5dV143qwUJ0/s1600/IMG_9081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TqoibTxICuQ/TfFe5pR-GXI/AAAAAAAAATM/5dV143qwUJ0/s640/IMG_9081.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sFK_zbXizA/Te1rJCzxJ2I/AAAAAAAAARk/xyZt2NNpz5I/s1600/IMG_9279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sFK_zbXizA/Te1rJCzxJ2I/AAAAAAAAARk/xyZt2NNpz5I/s640/IMG_9279.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our niece, Mallie the bird-dog.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFimpQBm7MI/Te1ra_J14EI/AAAAAAAAARo/r1RYWZ-4868/s1600/IMG_9239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFimpQBm7MI/Te1ra_J14EI/AAAAAAAAARo/r1RYWZ-4868/s640/IMG_9239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Big 'ol beaver house in that pond.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-uHthoaQTA/TfFfUt9UVoI/AAAAAAAAATU/VrmCkgj3kYs/s1600/IMG_9174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-uHthoaQTA/TfFfUt9UVoI/AAAAAAAAATU/VrmCkgj3kYs/s640/IMG_9174.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78AMFXvF9DE/TfFfanVlzYI/AAAAAAAAATY/i91MP5OI-wc/s1600/IMG_9234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78AMFXvF9DE/TfFfanVlzYI/AAAAAAAAATY/i91MP5OI-wc/s640/IMG_9234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KM8TOope2LA/Te1ryU-1_vI/AAAAAAAAARs/6pnOeL9zBKU/s1600/IMG_9307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KM8TOope2LA/Te1ryU-1_vI/AAAAAAAAARs/6pnOeL9zBKU/s640/IMG_9307.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nathan's catching trout and Mallie's first swim!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And there you have it. The weekend that chose the name of this blog. Peaks & Valleys. Because, after all, that's what life is. I look forward to sharing our adventures with you through pictures of our hikes, camping trips, recipes, crafty projects and music. Cheers to you and thanks for reading :)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13267333103832054300noreply@blogger.com2