tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952234326168725612024-03-18T20:54:00.476-07:00very carrieCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.comBlogger472125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-31359309691329141352013-08-15T20:37:00.002-07:002013-08-15T21:06:23.822-07:00sequoia national park<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9518846079/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (20 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (20 of 20).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/9518846079_00a264f0cf.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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^Small crisis right at the beginning but we recovered!^<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9518841441/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (17 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (17 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5467/9518841441_6be7f6f510.jpg" width="331" /></a></td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521623072/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (15 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (15 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/9521623072_6bd082eb6c.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td>^Sequoia!!^<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521621182/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (14 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (14 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/9521621182_2b4bfd82a3.jpg" width="331" /></a>
</td><td> ^General Sherman aka biggest tree in the world. Whaaaaat!! Amazing!!^<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521619884/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (13 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (13 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/9521619884_4d083511e8.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
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^ They are always so happy for the camera ^ :) ^ Awesome flip moves out of the backpack^<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521618850/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (12 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (12 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/9521618850_fafb27a121.jpg" width="331" /></a><br />
^ Romy was so excited to climb on everything^ <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521615286/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (10 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (10 of 20).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/9521615286_5516fa193c.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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^The deer stayed around for a long time until Roman threw a stick at it^<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9518827377/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (9 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (9 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/9518827377_359bd70950.jpg" width="331" /></a>
</td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521612002/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (8 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (8 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/9521612002_f27fd1db72.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
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^Banks kept finding pieces of "art"^ ^Hollowed-out-tipped-over giant sequoia^<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521610344/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (7 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (7 of 20).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/9521610344_d3c2945b5b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
^Even the roots of the tipped trees were amazing^<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521609160/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (6 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (6 of 20).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/9521609160_48fbfaf6a0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
^Jump!^<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521607540/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (5 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (5 of 20).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/9521607540_f9efd8dafa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
^Pretty sure my face looked like this the whole time. I am in love with giant trees^<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9521606160/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (4 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (4 of 20).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/9521606160_c547fe9696.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
^Inside the Room Tree^<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9518818123/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (3 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (3 of 20).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/9518818123_57f8d6f599.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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^More Room Tree^<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9518815687/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="mike and mellaina wedding (2 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (2 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9518815687_3a0fd46367.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">^Roman! He kills me with his little personality^ </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9518814183/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="mike and mellaina wedding (1 of 20).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (1 of 20).jpg" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/9518814183_af28314ee6.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">^Yeah, he carried both kids.^</td></tr>
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We drove to Sequoia National Park and San Francisco "on the way" to my brother's wedding in SLC. It's 17 hours or so out of the way but completely worth the drive. Not to mention, there is nothing I like more than 17 hours of movies for the kids so Ben and I can sit in the front seat and hold hands and talk about everything in the whole world, which we pretty much did. Anyway, the Sequoias were absolutely breath-taking, and we thoroughly enjoyed our morning of hiking and staring at these amazing trees and looking at deer and maybe-sorta-kinda- taking a pinecone for the road. Sometimes I forget that when life starts looking kind of narrow, all we have to do is get our babies out in nature and let them run wild. Happy boys, happy parents, wonderful memories for our little family.</div>
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San Francisco pictures coming up next post!</div>
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Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-22752846200575651642013-08-13T12:15:00.000-07:002013-08-13T12:15:01.513-07:00mike and mellaina get married(alternate title: THE BLOG LIVES ON!!)<br />
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After a long break I think I'm actually missing recording some of the haps around here so I'm going to give the old blog a go. No promises. I'll try to post on facebook when I update so no one (cough*mom*cough) has to keep checking all the time.<br />
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My youngest brother Mike got married to the sweetest girl this past weekend. Everyone is excited to have Mellaina around as a permanent fixture in the Morris family, most especially if she stays in touch with Roman's new girlfriend Chelsea. I wish I had a picture of them together. He is totally smitten and talked about his undying love of Chelsea and Mellaina all the way home from Utah. Anyway, the happy couple got hitched in the SLC temple, and while I'm sure the ceremony was beautiful, Ben and I had the best time watching all the kids and hanging out with Brian and Amy. It was a beautiful day and filled with so much happiness and love. Three cheers for family!
And now, a million pictures. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9500662350/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (1 of 1).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (1 of 1).jpg" height="357" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/9500662350_ca114b3264.jpg" width="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9497858951/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (11 of 12).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (11 of 12).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/9497858951_5a680a03d0.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9500651842/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (10 of 12).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (10 of 12).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/9500651842_8906e96537.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9500648434/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (9 of 12).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (9 of 12).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/9500648434_57127ba388.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9500637588/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (5 of 12).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (5 of 12).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/9500637588_fa651055bd.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9497837245/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (3 of 12).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (3 of 12).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9497837245_7b2a6234ac.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9500632500/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (2 of 12).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (2 of 12).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/9500632500_1933ec442e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/9497833821/" title="mike and mellaina wedding (1 of 12).jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="mike and mellaina wedding (1 of 12).jpg" height="331" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/9497833821_e318ebc83f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I think in my next life I'll be a wedding planner. There is just nothing better than a beautiful wedding.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-3407162677031336742012-06-20T01:36:00.000-07:002012-06-20T01:48:50.610-07:00holy smokes you guys,<br />
Tomorrow I'm going to look like the photo below all day. It is 2 a.m. and I'm like a little energizer bunny right now! It's really annoying but I thought I'd take advantage of the quiet to write a few things down and post a few pictures for my mum. Hi mom!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7406576058/" title="DSC_4226.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_4226.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7406576058_d4de36a062.jpg" width="331" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7406575046/" title="DSC_4163.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_4163.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7406575046_07506803c6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7406577534/" title="DSC_4267.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_4267.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/7406577534_809e8e11f1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7406573662/" title="DSC_3950.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_3950.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5039/7406573662_a3d98e91e9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Roman has been quite hilarious lately. He is getting so crazy sassy we are finally having to crack down on him. Its sad how often he slaps his brothers in the face. But kind of funny. But sad. You can see why I've been hesitant to crack down on the hitting and whatnot... secretly I think it's really hilarious to see this little tiny person test all the boundaries he can, but sadly his brothers do not find it quite as funny, so we are working on putting a stop to it. For now he mostly still hits but follows up with a sweet "I'm sorry" and a hug and kiss.<br />
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He will only go to sleep if we put him in bed "like an excavator," complete with beeping and crashing sounds. And then blanket, and then bunny, and then silky must all have the same treatment. It's very endearing and makes him so happy to sleep.<br />
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Also, he is obsessed with basketball. He plays several times a day, even all by himself. Sometimes he'll just wander out back and start shooting hoops all alone. Ben, as you can imagine if you know him well, is thrilled beyond belief. Keep playing baby! Too bad he'll only be 4 feet 2 inches tall as an adult.<br />
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Banks is still as skinny as ever. He is seriously skin. and. bones. It's wild. But he's full of energy and happy to have his best buddy benson at home to play all summer. He is a swimming machine, totally fearless and at ease in the water. It's a total change from last year but very welcome.<br />
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Benson is a getting to be gigantic and super smart. He finally can ride a bike, and loves it, of course. Though we've been telling him for years he would love it, he always insisted it was dumb and not worth learning. Ah, we have such ammunition now! It's great to win a few battles like this as a parent, as this serves as a shining example of how smart we still are, and how he should trust us when we assure him he will like something. He has suddenly become very bold in his food tasting, and recently tried (and loved) sushi. I am, obviously, thrilled to have a sushi buddy! Yahoo!<br />
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Ben and I are great. Ben is taking his test in just a couple of weeks. He will do well, and is very excited to be done with studying for a while. I have just one burning question in my otherwise very happy life:<br />
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Whyyyyy do people wax poetic about hanging their sheets/towels/laundry on the line to dry? What is this "Sun" smell they speak of? Does their laundry not smell like dirt, like mine always does, and -worser still- feel like sandpaper against their skin? I don't get it. Tell me your secrets people. I am even opening up comments if you'd like to throw in your two cents. I really am dying to know!<br />
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Well this is stupidly long, and bravo if you made it this far. I am going to attempt sleeping again now. Wish me luck.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-32922872049283684912012-05-11T14:26:00.004-07:002012-05-11T14:26:59.170-07:00graduate<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7178505728/" title="DSC_3722.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_3722.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5272/7178505728_6b006ecc86.jpg" width="331" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7178507542/" title="DSC_3792.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_3792.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7178507542_76f4fe8ab6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I had to include this one. This is Banks' best friend Allen. Banks told me he likes Allen because "he looks like a ninja." haha I'm sure Allen's parents would be thrilled to know that.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7178510492/" title="DSC_3802.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_3802.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7178510492_448245f83b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7178512618/" title="DSC_3844.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_3844.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5444/7178512618_83362f0714.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Banks graduated from Pre-school last Saturday. The ceremony was short and sweet and I always love a chance to see one of my kids sort of in their own element, playing and interacting with peers. Strangely, the parent in front of us cried pretty much the whole time. Maybe she knows her son is going to be a kindergarten drop-out and she was cherishing his only graduation.<br />
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Banks didn't really give two hoots about graduating. But he's excited to have the summer off and then ride the bus with Benson to elementary school!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-10236651805151244692012-05-04T19:35:00.000-07:002012-05-04T19:35:38.385-07:00motherhood on a friday night<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7143740327/" title="DSC_3662.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_3662.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7143740327_2b623ed301.jpg" width="331" /></a>
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"Cradling a swaddled infant in their arms, mothers would distractedly touch their lips to their babies' foreheads. Passing their toddlers in a hall, mothers would tousle their hair or even sweep them up in their arms and kiss them hard along their chins and necks until<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">the </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> children</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> squealed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> with</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> glee.</span><br />
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Where else in life could a woman love so openly and with such abandon?"<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">-</span><i>The Snow Child</i><br />
<br />Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-16217945715111036382012-04-26T08:47:00.002-07:002012-04-26T08:47:41.160-07:00well, it's true<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7085286369/" title="DSC_2969.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2969.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7085286369_95a887283c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We were sitting at the kitchen table the other day, just shooting the breeze, and Ben said to Benson, "I bet you are the smartest kid in your class." (Insert Mom assuring him it's not smartness that counts, but good old fashioned hard work, ahem) To which Benson replied,<br />
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"No dad. I'm not. But I AM the best looking."<br />
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Bahahahahaha!<br />
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We sort of tried not to chuckle and said a few, "Well yes you are. We think you are sooo very handsome," and such and he simply said,<br />
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"Well it's true. I'm the only kid who ever has their hair done."<br />
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Oh the complicated world of a 1st grader.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-8304471079553973372012-04-24T13:55:00.002-07:002012-04-24T13:55:53.973-07:00<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6939210548/" title="DSC_2827.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2827.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/6939210548_f98efcee82.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Isn't it nuts</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/7085284533/" title="DSC_2826.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_2826.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/7085284533_7579f5c628.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I find my thoughts and heart wandering</div>
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toward my sleeping babies
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and I am nearly overcome with intense love for them?</div>
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I think that is one of my favorite things about living.</div>
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I want to bottle those moments and drink them up whenever I'm feeling down.</div>
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Mmmmmm, so delicious.</div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-79975324793344526452012-04-14T15:22:00.001-07:002012-04-14T15:26:20.222-07:00happy birday romykins<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6931466134/" title="Happy birthday baby! by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="Happy birthday baby!" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5316/6931466134_82c007b75e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Two.<br />
<br />
Too<br />
<br />
Old.<br />
<br />
Where did the time go?<br />
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Goodness sakes I love this little boy.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-69565033603690971172012-03-09T15:48:00.004-08:002012-03-09T15:48:56.631-08:00<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6812944444/" title="100_0143.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="100_0143.jpg" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6812944444_95f434a74a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I'm pretty sure no one checks this blog any more.
I'm pretty fine with that.
But, if you happen to be here, welcome! I don't mind a bit if everyone on the planet comes to see my little corner of the internet, but just so I don't have to think about it, I'm turning off the comments. If you really have something to say, feel free to send me an email! I'd love to hear from you if you feel so inclined.<br />
<br />
Anyway.<br />
<br />
Ben and I have lived far away from family for most of our marriage. This, as some of you may know, does not make for a lot of parental away-time. Or any, for that matter. Luckily Ben's mom is living in Albuquerque temporarily so we have been sort of taking advantage of that (sorry! but thank you so much!) and had one night away last year. It was bliss. And so blissful in fact, that we decided to go crazy this year.<br />
<br />
7 days.<br />
<br />
Sun, turquoise water, white sand, way too much food, and no kids.<br />
<br />
Needless to say it was amazing.<br />
<br />
Each night as we sailed away from the day's island, we would hold hands in the warm breeze and watch the beautiful sunset over the caribbean ocean. What an incredible gift to be able to get away from dishes, and cleaning, and laundry, and waking up too early to crying people, and just stress in general. And for two days we didn't even mention the children (having the time of their lives at home with Grammy and Uncle Steve). But then little by little we would see things they would like, or other little tots cute and smiling, and by the end of the trip we are holding strangers' too-tired toddlers and finding shells for them to make them happy, and begging to hold every baby we passed. On the plane ride home we watched videos of them, laughing at every little thing like weirdos.<br />
<br />
Time away is good for everyone and I feel so lucky to have had the luxury of being away from my babies long enough to miss them desperately. And to know that when the kids are all grown and gone away, Ben and I will still really really like each other, even with no kid buffer. Yeeeeeesssssssss. B.F.F!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-48692455068850968852011-11-28T15:32:00.001-08:002011-11-28T15:34:41.182-08:00enchantingIn an attempt to find out just exactly what makes New Mexico the "land of enchantment," we headed down yonder south after Thanksgiving to see if we could find anything more enchanting than Albuquerque.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6406758913/" title="Bucket list item checked. by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="Bucket list item checked." height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6109/6406758913_be3b90d4d6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Hello, they have a giant pistachio! I made a goal to see it after I read about a bunch of giantized sculptures around Australia. Awesome and enchanting.
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<br />
Then onto the best sledding of our lives... in sand. I may never sled in snow again. It was so fast and we didn't start to freeze after ten minutes! Good thing because there was a little bit of this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6421445989/" title="DSC_1725.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1725.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6421445989_5f5464f05b.jpg" width="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6421449239/" title="DSC_1822.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1822.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6421449239_728164dca2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Roman dramatically plopped down and then raised his head to say, "cheeeeeeeese." hahaha<br />
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It was such a fun trip. Sometimes just getting out of town and staying at a hotel over night is just what is needed to cheer everyone up after all our family leaves after Thanksgiving. And I daresay it was a bit enchanting down there in Alamagordo.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-39137877751767998252011-11-09T07:48:00.000-08:002011-11-10T10:43:21.671-08:00leaves are falling<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6329296350/" title="DSC_1570.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1570.jpg" height="424" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6329296350_126ffc345f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<br />
Our neighbor's tree sheds all its leaves in one go. It's amazing. Yesterday the branches were completely full and this morning it is raining leaves and filling the lawn. I love how there is no warning, as the leaves don't even bother to change colors before their mass descent . So there's really no other choice but to head out on Leaf Shedding Day and have an early morning leaf fight. And the cute thing is that this house is in the middle of us and a family with a four year old and they were already out in their jammies with the same idea.<br />
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Ps. My favorite part of this picture is Banks over on the side.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-17137001138897641912011-10-31T11:49:00.000-07:002011-10-31T11:49:40.864-07:00HAPPY HALLOWEEN!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6299751568/" title="DSC_1435.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1435.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6299751568_dc463b00a3_z.jpg" width="424" /></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Love,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Black Swan, a Newsie, Harry Potter, Fire Ninja, and Little Monkey</span></span>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-2912883981994170802011-10-28T20:27:00.001-07:002011-10-28T20:28:00.143-07:00critical update<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6290717168/" title="Halloween nails by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6110/6290717168_41bda3496d.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Halloween nails"></a>
Good news! My nails have already dressed for the occasion so I might just throw on a costume to match them on Monday.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-37586020843289849502011-10-27T09:06:00.000-07:002011-10-27T09:06:45.784-07:00boo october<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6286478268/" title="DSC_0147.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0147.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6286478268_e61feccf10.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
These little guys have been sick this week. It's been kind of a crappy week, honestly. Between the sickies, and trying to adjust to newly cold and murky weather, and waiting for Halloween to get over with already has put us all (ok well mostly me) into poor spirits. I got all the costumes done early this year (!) leaving time for me to create a costume for myself even, but now that I feel so bah-humbug about Halloween I've lost all desire to dress up in it. Bah. Humbug.<br />
<br />
But I'm excited for Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!! Ma famille is coming to celebrate and I'm so excited!!!!!!
<br />
<br />
Whoa. I just looked at that picture and had a moment where I totally spazzed out because I have three boys. Sometimes I seriously wonder how I got here. Crrraaaaaazy.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-20257662187502959712011-10-17T20:47:00.000-07:002011-10-17T20:47:58.222-07:00thoughts mostly for me<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6256405050/" title="DSC_0645.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6256405050_1942c39349.jpg" width="500" height="331" alt="DSC_0645.jpg"></a><br />
<br />
Benson is mad in this picture and no one remembers why. It's probably better that way.<br />
<br />
I've been wanting to write a little ditty about Benson for a while now, you know the kind of thing you store away and stroke on your cheek when they are big and scary teenagers and have too many other things to do than frown in pictures in front of balloons. He is truly the sweetest boy, and I keep waiting for him to change into a regular 6 year old that is totally obnoxious but he's still the sweetest thing you ever did see. For example:<br />
<br />
This morning when Roman was screaming his head off because he (and consequently all of us) woke up too early, and I was feeling tired and was short with the children, Benson came and found me in the bathroom and sweetly asked, "mom, what can i do to help you?" Even though I was short with him too! He learned this exact phrase from his father, by the way.<br />
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Banks was crying on the trampoline a couple of days ago, so I peeked my head out to see if there was any blood spilled and what do I behold but Benson holding and rocking Banks, stroking his hair and giving him kisses. And when Roman started to get a little jealous, he reached for the little one, pulled him into the hug, and rocked him too. <br />
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I could literally go on and on, but I'll stop with these two little occasions. Sometimes Ben and I talk about what we are going to do when our kids face problems as they get older, but in the end we often joke that everyone else will probably be okay because they have Benson going first to show them how it's done. And I don't think it will even be from the typical oldest child pressure to be perfect, he's just one of those kids who wants to do the right thing. <br />
<br />
I feel lucky to have him around. We all learn a lot from our little Benson.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-77766779310745012072011-10-06T17:25:00.000-07:002011-10-06T17:25:40.487-07:00missing my sunshine.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6211195197/" title="DSC_1250.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_1250.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6211195197_4b3219c8c0.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">come back soon.</div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-4097427306276121542011-10-03T20:14:00.000-07:002011-10-03T20:15:52.077-07:00math i like<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6209972236/" title="DSC_0975.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0975.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6209972236_5decbc719c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Dad<br />
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+<br />
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Mom<br />
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+<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6209459009/" title="DSC_0991.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0991.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6209459009_79506f83bf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
B-one<br />
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+<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6209975000/" title="DSC_0996.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0996.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6105/6209975000_18491f9a5f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
B-two<br />
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+<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6209973070/" title="DSC_0977.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0977.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6209973070_f9f02f083b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Babykins<br />
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+<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6209455571/" title="DSC_0777.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0777.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6019/6209455571_be0b915a32.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Lizard<br />
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=<br />
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Happy family nightCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-49285103909169368922011-09-26T20:22:00.000-07:002011-09-26T20:28:17.758-07:00haiku monday<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6187775898/" title="DSC_0304.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0304.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6187775898_ee19bb9bee.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6187277383/" title="DSC_0305.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC_0305.jpg" height="331" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6187277383_19ebe59f6c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Roman at sunset</div><div style="text-align: center;">His Einstein hair orange with sun</div><div style="text-align: center;">He touched a cactus</div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-34387061529541449852011-09-23T13:28:00.000-07:002011-09-23T13:35:38.175-07:00she blogs<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6176175910/" title="DSC_0098.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6176175910_fcd59fbb84.jpg" width="500" height="331" alt="DSC_0098.jpg"></a><br />
<br />
I've enjoyed this little break, but on this, the first day of fall, I declare that today is the end of the blog vacation. I think. We'll see.<br />
<br />
But in the mean time we haven't had too much going on, honestly, but here are a few of the comings and goings since I last blogged (in the order in which they appear in my brain). Ahem:<br />
<br />
:: finished harry potter IV. benson is hooked and will be harry potter for halloween. haaaaappy mom. banks is stuck on a "minja" costume, and roman is now taking suggestions.<br />
<br />
:: roman learned he can push chairs around to get to the formerly high safe havens of all things sharp and scary. he permanent markered on my computer this morning. sad sad day.<br />
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:: i discovered trader joe's salsa. my new fav.<br />
<br />
:: ben and i discovered seared (read: raw and pretty much cold in the center) tuna. also so good!<br />
<br />
:: i got my haircut exactly like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severus_Snape">snape's</a>. like i literally took a picture of snape to my stylist and said "can i have this exact haircut?" (i didn't. it was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Palermo">olivia palermo</a>)<br />
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:: ben started his second year of med school! woo woooo!<br />
<br />
:: i started ballet again and i loooove it. i have boys in my class so we get to do mini pas de deux sometimes. (giggle giggle)<br />
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That's about it really. And there isn't much more on the horizon. But we are smoothly sailing and quite happy!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-58799729383738850832011-08-15T14:30:00.000-07:002011-08-15T14:30:44.403-07:00to michigan, to michigan, to play at the beach<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6039856477/" title="happy face by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6039856477_d6ccd830d3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="happy face"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6039856841/" title="beach boys by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6039856841_35f26c70f5_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="beach boys"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6040406868/" title="sand dance by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/6040406868_f6613cbfb6_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="sand dance"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6040407170/" title="DSC_6001.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6040407170_0b5440be15_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6001.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6040407632/" title="DSC_6024.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6040407632_3480351739_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6024.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6040407938/" title="DSC_6026.jpg by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/6040407938_0059fe1408_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="DSC_6026.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6040408324/" title="at the top of the dunes by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6040408324_70a647139a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="at the top of the dunes"></a><br />
at the top of sleeping bear dunes<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6040408632/" title="sleeping bear dunes by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6040408632_92a1a21af3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="sleeping bear dunes"></a><br />
this was actually banks' best shot, believe it or not<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/6039859651/" title="the descent by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6039859651_a5dcbcbe78_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="the descent"></a><br />
the best part of the dunes: running down at top speed!<br />
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We returned from our trip to Michigan on Saturday. It was a blissful two weeks of picture perfect summer.<br />
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Lots of frog catching, salamander hunts, BEACH, walks through the forest, cousins, ice cream, fireflies, marshmallow roasting, and all around fun. And all of that sandwiched between lots and lots of driving. Ben and I even got away alone on a little side trip to check out residencies. Perfect.<br />
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We miss it already but it's good to be back home in our own beds. Benson starts school tomorrow and Ben on Monday. Crazy!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-38926547603523444132011-07-27T13:59:00.000-07:002011-07-27T13:59:30.928-07:00swimmy<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5980903193/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5980903193_54e7f2ffd6.jpg" width="500" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I wanted the $5 swim shorts from Zara, but they don't ship so I had to improvise with some swim fabric from Joann's</span>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Ship to the us already, <a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home/us/en/zara-S2011-s">Zara!</a></span><br />
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Sometimes Ben and I are pretty good parents. <br />
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But most of the time we are crazy. <br />
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This summer we decided our children's unwillingness to put their faces in the water was reeeediculous and so we've spent the summer <strike>torturing</strike> bribing them to take baby steps toward our olympic swimming dreams for them. <br />
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Bribe 1: Get in the pool or I'll throw you in. (We ended up throwing at least one of them)<br />
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Bribe 2: Try putting your face in the water or I'll take you under myself. (...you can probably imagine)<br />
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Bribe 3: Jump in for a square of chocolate (Lots of prodding but eventual success!)<br />
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Bribes 4- 793: Swim, dangit, Swim!<br />
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And at the end of the summer, we have two swimmers, and two boys who want speedos so they can swim with more "freedom." <br />
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I've always heard you shouldn't force your kids to do things before they are ready, but after this summer I'm not sure... It seems to have worked pretty well. :)Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-76197759336925955442011-07-18T07:48:00.000-07:002011-07-18T07:48:01.438-07:00lists<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/24330016/' target='_blank'><img src='http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/24330016_2m6sUaQU_c.jpg' border='0' width='492 height ='640'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/flash-of-light/2525501334/in/faves-art-leanne-lawry/'>flickr.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/heymarymary/' target='_blank'>Mary</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div><br />
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I, like my friend <a href="http://melmelk.blogspot.com/">Mellie P</a>, love making lists. I have long lists of plants for my someday vegetable garden, flower garden, and peony garden. I have lists of books I'd like to read. And places I'd like to go. And a short list of things I'd like to do. My to-do life list only includes two things (so far):<br />
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1. See a fashion show at a fashion week <br />
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2. Walk the <a href="http://www.coast2coast.co.uk/">Coast to Coast Walk</a> with Ben. I wish so badly I could beam myself (and him) there right now, and we could spend the next two weeks strolling through the countryside from village to village, just him and me, walking and talking and walking some more. I think this is my new happy place for this week, when it is 95 degrees <i>inside</i> my house and I'm trying to not end up like the guy blinded by the heat in <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stranger_(novel)">The Stranger.</a></i>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-55532408089078768232011-07-11T11:56:00.000-07:002011-07-12T16:17:41.995-07:00and the living is easy<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5926685509/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/5926685509_6c842c6a88.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br />
This is the stuff of summer. Mouths full of cherries, riding tandem on the tricycle, shooting cherry pits at the "Momster" as Benson has taken to calling me.<br />
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Ben has been calling this summer "The Summer of Our Lives" as this is probably the last time we'll be able to spend this much time together (Ben's only working 2 days a week). And it really has been. <br />
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Three cheers for summer!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-3769451885640286072011-07-01T13:27:00.000-07:002011-07-01T13:37:03.929-07:00gotta git down on friday<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/A9fg637vo9o?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/A9fg637vo9o?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="390" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
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We are all putting on our dancing shoes cause it's friday night! Date night, woo hoo!<br />
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Of note:<br />
1. He makes his own music to dance to.<br />
2. The shoulder shake is his signature move.<br />
3. Benson is embarrassed about being in his undies. Don't tell him you saw this.<br />
4. Yesterday was thursday. Today it is friday. Tomorrow is Saturday. Sunday comes after thaaaat.<br />
5. Happy weekend!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-795223432616872561.post-26451967297201117122011-06-23T20:59:00.000-07:002011-06-23T20:59:20.801-07:00this week according to my phone<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5863886483/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/5863886483_f1c8595615.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br />
First ever popsicle<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5864903396/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/5864903396_3765a6573d.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br />
Peonies for my table<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5864567533/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/5864567533_518e6ff8d4.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br />
Tennis lessons at 8 am<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5865122272/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5032/5865122272_7acee596a2.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br />
Hardhats are not flattering but essential on date night<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5865125676/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/5865125676_f2d3ea8264.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br />
City<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5864570435/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/5864570435_6267065a34.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br />
Sliding<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25785583@N02/5864757667/" title="Untitled by Annedear, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5077/5864757667_3525c860cc.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><br />
Water fight!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08496293060701840615noreply@blogger.com11