tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65785796670079924372024-03-12T19:05:23.284-04:00I Know This Much...minutia, musings and the makings of a delicious life.Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-59454392601962426782011-11-17T10:13:00.000-05:002011-11-17T10:13:11.150-05:00Activity Advent 2011<div style="text-align: center;">"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you tell I'm getting a little excited...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://simplesong.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54f134ac58834013488ca7507970c-550wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://simplesong.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54f134ac58834013488ca7507970c-550wi" width="256" /></a></div><br />
Supplies:<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84712820/muslin-bags-for-advent-25-4x6-inch?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=advent&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">Advent Bags (etsy)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dandee-designs.com/2009/12/advent-calendar-activities.html">Activity Card styling</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thedemersblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/25-days-of-quit-procrastinating-and.html">2009</a><br />
<a href="http://thedemersblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-most-wonderful-time-of-year.html">2010</a><br />
Our Calendar of Activities this Year:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Bring out the decorations!</li>
<li>Elf-Yourself with Daddy <a href="http://sendables.jibjab.com/">(jibjab)</a>!</li>
<li>Shaving Cream Snowscape in Media Tub!</li>
<li>Get our Christmas Tree (<a href="http://www.lowelandsfarm.com/">Lowelands Farm</a>)</li>
<li>Shoes out for St Nick (read St Nick Story)</li>
<li>Make <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/15033/salt+dough+decorations">Salt Dough Ornaments</a></li>
<li>Decorate Ornaments</li>
<li>Holiday Movie Party</li>
<li>Visit the <a href="http://dc.about.com/od/hoildaysseasonalevents/a/ChristmasTree.htm">National Tree</a></li>
<li>Write Letters to Santa</li>
<li>Go (Attempt!) <a href="http://pentagonrowskating.com/">Ice Skating</a>!</li>
<li>Popcorn and Cranberry Garland for outdoor trees!</li>
<li>Bake Gingerbread!</li>
<li>Visit Santa (<a href="http://www.shopfairoaksmall.com/santaphotos">@FairLakes Mall</a>)</li>
<li>SnowFlake Craft</li>
<li>Pick out new yearly ornaments!</li>
<li>Breakfast in Bed for the Birthday Boy!</li>
<li>Carter's B-day Party</li>
<li>Make "Snow" for Media Table!</li>
<li>Christmas Cookie baking</li>
<li>Wrap family gifts while listening to Carols!</li>
<li><a href="http://thedemersblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/cocoa-picnic.html">COCOA</a> <a href="http://thedemersblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-most-wonderful-time-of-year_20.html">PICNIC</a>!!</li>
<li>Breakfast for dinner!</li>
<li>Take a drive in Jammies (with Cocoa!) to see the neighborhood lights!</li>
<li>Read the night before Christmas and unwrap new jammies!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>In addition to the above, we'll be hanging with our old pal "Noodle" <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34670740@N06/5255268089/in/pool-948900@N20">the elf on the shelf</a> (he is scheduled to arrive on Thanksgiving night).</div><div>We'll also be starting a new tradition: I am in the process of wrapping all of our (24 of them anyway!) Christmas books so that the kids can open one a night to read before bed- I think the combination of opening a "gift" each night and watching the substantial stack dwindle will really get them excited for Christmas day! (<a href="http://kirstycolquhoun.blogspot.com/2011/11/day-154-christmas-book-advent.html">here's </a>a neat take on the same idea!)</div><div><br />
</div><div>I really love this time of year- I wish I had the energy to put this kind of effort into every month for the kids :) </div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-64717335255929696782011-07-13T12:46:00.000-04:002011-07-13T12:46:43.941-04:00Tiny DancerThe first day of ballet...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EdLgxp0xfAEvq7exB9Xbi_yysi8M0-Z0q0hX7Ao8ru-kuSvBD-GMPUMWtN04Of6xDTf3RnNewlZvxgC8KLzNWY4YOgFY7IvWvnlNQuO3syDS_emghuikiggz-NebLh_c6Rq-Gfw7arM/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EdLgxp0xfAEvq7exB9Xbi_yysi8M0-Z0q0hX7Ao8ru-kuSvBD-GMPUMWtN04Of6xDTf3RnNewlZvxgC8KLzNWY4YOgFY7IvWvnlNQuO3syDS_emghuikiggz-NebLh_c6Rq-Gfw7arM/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I die.</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-23831429520847435602011-05-08T19:31:00.000-04:002011-05-08T19:31:18.273-04:00Mother's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ohhhhhh... Mother's day...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oPopO0mdC4/TccmH7xiMVI/AAAAAAAAJGs/fBPzkJrY0kY/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0oPopO0mdC4/TccmH7xiMVI/AAAAAAAAJGs/fBPzkJrY0kY/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">What a wonderful, luxurious, heaven-sent day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kmHLQGZVieU/TccmIjibOzI/AAAAAAAAJGw/CkA3rhaTk_I/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kmHLQGZVieU/TccmIjibOzI/AAAAAAAAJGw/CkA3rhaTk_I/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Breakfast in bed, flowers and cards, Champagne,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EiynNsOXxPU/TccmJLM1k2I/AAAAAAAAJG0/cn6C_ryZVZc/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EiynNsOXxPU/TccmJLM1k2I/AAAAAAAAJG0/cn6C_ryZVZc/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">PJ's till noon, naps and purple velvet cake- </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EoYenOb0Yko/TccmJlMvdgI/AAAAAAAAJG4/utzt0rOi_xA/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EoYenOb0Yko/TccmJlMvdgI/AAAAAAAAJG4/utzt0rOi_xA/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> the two little creatures that <s>ate all my cake</s> gave me my title aren't half bad either! </div></div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-91214285492293478362011-05-04T15:57:00.000-04:002011-05-04T15:57:08.456-04:00Teacher Appreciation Week<div style="text-align: justify;">Having once been a teacher, I have to say, teaching is a rewarding, EXHAUSTING, heartwarming, and (OMG did I mention) EXHAUSTING job! I mean, the part of you that is filled-up daily by delicately shaping the lives of future generations, can quickly be depleted again by the <s>parents!</s> effort it takes to keep up the requisite sing-song-y, sweet, smiling affect whilst coercing THE.LEARNING for hours on end.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In honor of every saintly individual- standing tall in front of the chalk-board 180 days a year, wiping noses (and bottoms) of children that they did NOT spawn, fighting the cesspool of mutant super germs passed on by little fingers, and maneuvering the land-mines of IEP meetings, parent conferences and field trips- I say thank you. And by that I mean; </div><div style="text-align: center;">THANK.YOU!ENJOY.A.COOKIE.AND.A.CUP.OF.COFFEE.</div><div style="text-align: center;">AND.POSSIBLY.EVEN.A.MOMENT.OF.WELL.DESERVED.QUIET.</div><div style="text-align: center;">AND.HEARTFELT.UNADULTERATED.GRATITUDE.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steal this idea: Ceramic buckets with chalkboard detail from Michael's, concept and book-mark template from <a href="http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2011/04/appreciate-your-favorite-teacher-with.html">Modern Parents Messy Kids</a>, cookie-pops and sprinkles from the loving fingers of a happy student.</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-42530815841080546002011-04-25T07:16:00.002-04:002011-04-25T07:16:53.830-04:00Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N3H5RMI_tmk-LyCzFO1hyphenhyphenJL-9V4DrjkfO29dNciqYdrDWDox1EEBKLgsv6VOii2DoIgs6TS12mcQx6ugcEV33Bzx72bYi1i1GvHnmtadghBjYnxo5D9VwqamutpwDpBCJP5g-_ZyCuE/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1N3H5RMI_tmk-LyCzFO1hyphenhyphenJL-9V4DrjkfO29dNciqYdrDWDox1EEBKLgsv6VOii2DoIgs6TS12mcQx6ugcEV33Bzx72bYi1i1GvHnmtadghBjYnxo5D9VwqamutpwDpBCJP5g-_ZyCuE/s320/DSC_0572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLz31yiHjlXkL_ZJhBr44GtdWSE7ZBkykc5oTszWre9j0luBTjnPpCBLxVIfo-CdZsKdSTzt5CcEXdgLpZiEquE7E5VgDLpUFBW3mFGE2dg2wcQF7UZHXaIMMvz7I0sPnhUDy5NpzrBQo/s1600/DSC_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLz31yiHjlXkL_ZJhBr44GtdWSE7ZBkykc5oTszWre9j0luBTjnPpCBLxVIfo-CdZsKdSTzt5CcEXdgLpZiEquE7E5VgDLpUFBW3mFGE2dg2wcQF7UZHXaIMMvz7I0sPnhUDy5NpzrBQo/s320/DSC_0530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-91141098380596525202011-04-25T07:13:00.000-04:002011-04-25T07:13:56.961-04:0090 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today, My Grandfather turns 90. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday night we celebrated all 9 decades of life that this amazing man has seen.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiiFsPUp8oWol_DAZpavZJ5Xz9WfLTwHc7E_f_Oliy6AvKVUPuSuHttXrgIPK8Q6VrmC6enw0HFpCUaEenHCciipJbHgD8jyyGz8_-S0zNpNe2KSAmjHj4xcAViSGeQShV_jcH5pNK5A/s1600/DSC_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiiFsPUp8oWol_DAZpavZJ5Xz9WfLTwHc7E_f_Oliy6AvKVUPuSuHttXrgIPK8Q6VrmC6enw0HFpCUaEenHCciipJbHgD8jyyGz8_-S0zNpNe2KSAmjHj4xcAViSGeQShV_jcH5pNK5A/s320/DSC_0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8 of his 9 grandchildren!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoye9BE1kJQ6zcxkFB0CKPqvmOlBq1DKjI60V5qGeM0k9qSejAcgZmZ6jppSGi-GmjAWBsybCi5Hi7bbjMiFh57tTS5u97fodlkLvxD2HZYFFd2S3qvuDd-JhEmiYNA8S5yMM19tgwTw/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoye9BE1kJQ6zcxkFB0CKPqvmOlBq1DKjI60V5qGeM0k9qSejAcgZmZ6jppSGi-GmjAWBsybCi5Hi7bbjMiFh57tTS5u97fodlkLvxD2HZYFFd2S3qvuDd-JhEmiYNA8S5yMM19tgwTw/s320/DSC_0561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">All four of his great-grandchilden </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(if you count the top of Carter's head!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-67249235822596537372011-04-24T14:28:00.000-04:002011-04-24T14:28:07.699-04:00Li'l Spartans: Class of 2025 Ununion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, I ran into an old friend from high school at a local park. As we caught up, she mentioned how many alum are still local and that many of us have kids in the under 6 set. This prompted the idea to throw together a Future Spartans mini <s>re</s>union; and thanks in large part to facebook, here you have it:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFmEAUvDsJHTaF4tHIGVqM5a8WeM0c4WRG-pq2uuC-KiQDOTzv35Vky8uXpoMvv3ZwMnj14Ci2lL9hp6GoJiRT-k7OzuyC4UBf_x4S206L0Pn2PNwPRq3r2an9Uiyj2JAwhbAGzNiA88/s1600/DSC_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFmEAUvDsJHTaF4tHIGVqM5a8WeM0c4WRG-pq2uuC-KiQDOTzv35Vky8uXpoMvv3ZwMnj14Ci2lL9hp6GoJiRT-k7OzuyC4UBf_x4S206L0Pn2PNwPRq3r2an9Uiyj2JAwhbAGzNiA88/s320/DSC_0543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids had a blast playing together</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-47550152416724854292011-04-04T21:00:00.001-04:002011-04-04T21:01:39.044-04:00Half-y Birthday to youI keep writing (and deleting) sentimental posts about my baby is growing up, and how she's all THREE AND A HALF, and how we totally can justify celebrating unbirthdays around here. But really I just wanted to make a cake [SHOCKER!]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRpQ5KskVVBfmC1yNWQXsnf0i7rFIfGwobwCBuOKRPfper11IGM62bfZAM8CUSyNrbGUr9t09xmvDsEJ6IpY1bOGTKz_zFNzisA7kbkBG0iWbeIaB0gF7jwxbYahxeXVAvOI4wD4ojeo/s1600/DSC_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRpQ5KskVVBfmC1yNWQXsnf0i7rFIfGwobwCBuOKRPfper11IGM62bfZAM8CUSyNrbGUr9t09xmvDsEJ6IpY1bOGTKz_zFNzisA7kbkBG0iWbeIaB0gF7jwxbYahxeXVAvOI4wD4ojeo/s320/DSC_0489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Half-y Birthday to you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Half-y Birhtday to you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Half-y Birthday dear child of a peculiar age</div><div style="text-align: center;">Half-y Birthday to youuuuu!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-47942908008575313942011-04-01T15:06:00.002-04:002011-05-02T09:05:33.196-04:00Your Resident Fool<div style="text-align: center;">Oh my gawd, you guys. I.am.a.RIOT! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean Seriously, hysterical.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Because I can totally April Fool's the SHIT out of my kids*. (At the ages of 2 and 3).<br />
And because that's not really eggs I served them- And because they think I am the funniest human being on the planet**<br />
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*In case you're wondering- yes, actually, I did have kids specifically to satisfy my need to be a complete and utter tool surrounding every.single.Halmark.holiday.***<br />
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**save for maybe that guy in the Statue of Liberty costume on the corner this morning, and possibly also the dude at the gym who can't put his arms down.<br />
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***See you tomorrow with a detailed re-cap of Sophia's half birthday (yeah, you heard me!)Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-6314957269187868262011-03-28T13:37:00.002-04:002011-03-28T13:41:03.348-04:00Because Parking is Bad Enough on a Monday<div style="text-align: center;">Ahhh, Springtime in DC...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUuKHLJh3kB96A6gpNb-QTsvzXJNWvs8an27Vc2tHm8CzUk1lLNIgkCpCiiEqeMGWGiTmPf6mT9KJOFgdr4FBhOy6XgvWx-l1ehg99_XRSFkYAq3YKXyVO61FS5LF2XVc44lF9cQPSY4/s1600/DSC_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUuKHLJh3kB96A6gpNb-QTsvzXJNWvs8an27Vc2tHm8CzUk1lLNIgkCpCiiEqeMGWGiTmPf6mT9KJOFgdr4FBhOy6XgvWx-l1ehg99_XRSFkYAq3YKXyVO61FS5LF2XVc44lF9cQPSY4/s320/DSC_0486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Tidal Basin,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJMDZb3Bj53wgT_1cNOAur8B5ogYuVASDXGV9x-iAgeMru8ORA0OeYnfTCl8ERaWZTWUAHTEeMaH5AH9wJL3clBOysvA-J2tAwqHngYRDg9D_RQOinuYBoutQuvn02lS0fxuWDBWk7LY/s1600/DSC_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJMDZb3Bj53wgT_1cNOAur8B5ogYuVASDXGV9x-iAgeMru8ORA0OeYnfTCl8ERaWZTWUAHTEeMaH5AH9wJL3clBOysvA-J2tAwqHngYRDg9D_RQOinuYBoutQuvn02lS0fxuWDBWk7LY/s320/DSC_0491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Cherry Blossoms,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkhCPbijCWZTxFRMvSlFaNd9zrwzWuMJ9upDxu-DOnY2MZOXOUC8Hq87K0aU3zIrk5ZsQzeoIilev1LcYHtNe2wpzjDdR2pEKo6aTLRbV_veK9FuUdGplGXdb6pIy_xqzcwTxTvlKbJg/s1600/DSC_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkhCPbijCWZTxFRMvSlFaNd9zrwzWuMJ9upDxu-DOnY2MZOXOUC8Hq87K0aU3zIrk5ZsQzeoIilev1LcYHtNe2wpzjDdR2pEKo6aTLRbV_veK9FuUdGplGXdb6pIy_xqzcwTxTvlKbJg/s320/DSC_0495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Blustery Sub-Zero Wind Chill.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvbY4n2V8c8kkb5jNy8RcZ7wlYFZtNKt6NVwfeMm2hYYwUFZeyjb4S43yx-sAuf7rqL5o50GYuQn2POZdy1w-PqO1cx-mtahfViUW9oxndnXiwL-B7mMmqB1DCUXse6ezhhjidvZgmhU/s1600/DSC_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvbY4n2V8c8kkb5jNy8RcZ7wlYFZtNKt6NVwfeMm2hYYwUFZeyjb4S43yx-sAuf7rqL5o50GYuQn2POZdy1w-PqO1cx-mtahfViUW9oxndnXiwL-B7mMmqB1DCUXse6ezhhjidvZgmhU/s320/DSC_0499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank goodness for wooly picnic blankets (that are better used as wooly-blanket-type-blankets!) and mounted police officers (who serve, protect, and completely distract small children from the discomforts of frost bite!).</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-8856743164844446382011-03-21T14:19:00.001-04:002011-03-21T14:25:20.120-04:00Cassie's Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think I mentioned the <a href="http://thedemersblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/of-cake-and-other-guilty-pleasures.html">"practice cake"</a>. I'd like to introduce you to the "Not Practice Cake".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here she is, In all her glory- on site and fully decked out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDwpTuhvFTgyWV4_tnU4KtivtptCWRdUY-vH3AEaUB7PDmZnEYWPDJeZ1SjtWN7dJHbZah2tfb2PKafE2kcdL6aec3N1pbi-RNCyN-RGQwmVRhT3K6VM6xFmb2xXZDb4Xvq3laY9S69s/s1600/191412_1750922625105_1600064817_1632142_1600347_o-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDwpTuhvFTgyWV4_tnU4KtivtptCWRdUY-vH3AEaUB7PDmZnEYWPDJeZ1SjtWN7dJHbZah2tfb2PKafE2kcdL6aec3N1pbi-RNCyN-RGQwmVRhT3K6VM6xFmb2xXZDb4Xvq3laY9S69s/s320/191412_1750922625105_1600064817_1632142_1600347_o-1.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Marble pound cake (for 30) with butter-cream frosting and fondant decorations, topped with chocolate star lollies. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-54383596038007078322011-03-15T15:41:00.001-04:002011-03-15T16:10:01.622-04:00Of Cake and Other Guilty Pleasures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two stories:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. I'm creating a cake for a friend's second birthday party, and decided to throw together a practice cake </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw19q9b4zO6eFYk7U6mmaCe0hiBEvQPuqkX6fFre2SGGGtn7lYj7LmPeOjmHJ4drUEnf2xo4lCKiQF4DsOiRSdGSJjURLjw2Ty5UvExi6NiQus_KqALq-rlHN29fuyEVIhmmHkMsO8x0s/s1600/IMG_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw19q9b4zO6eFYk7U6mmaCe0hiBEvQPuqkX6fFre2SGGGtn7lYj7LmPeOjmHJ4drUEnf2xo4lCKiQF4DsOiRSdGSJjURLjw2Ty5UvExi6NiQus_KqALq-rlHN29fuyEVIhmmHkMsO8x0s/s320/IMG_0937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Practice Cake [<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="boldface" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">prak</span>-tis </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">keyk</span>] <i><b>noun</b></i>- a bad habit I have of subjecting my husband and children to an identical version of a cake they will be enjoying at an upcoming occasion (and because I'm a stellar planner, this bright idea usually strikes no more than 7 days in advance of said occasion- see also: kids cracked out on loads of sugary frosting)). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As it turns out, this particular cake is stressing me out, as the buttercream to marble cake ratio is tricky. Dense cake + Super sweet icing = weirdness- You care, I know, stay with me... So anyway, I baked (another!) cake this weekend and decided to pawn it off on a few poor souls that aren't related to me... enter the second (and more relevant) of the two stories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. About a year ago <a href="http://thedemersblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/in-case-you-were-mistakenly-under.html">my best mommy-friend</a> <s>forced</s> strongly encouraged me to start watching trashy television programming- My apparent lack of "reality" tv consumption was not only troubling to her, but it seriously hindered our ability to make excuses for random mid-week wine drinking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, yeah, The Bachelor. Here's the thing- We watch. We drink copious amounts of wine. We snark. And on occasion, we find reason to do so at each others houses while the hubbies tend to the kids. I was easily sold. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night was The Bachelor Finale- What better reason to set up a dessert buffet, invite the girls over and trash talk the night away. It turns out that half the women I know (and their MEN, btw- Patton!) watch the show- so again, easy sell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below: the breakdown of empty calories I force-fed my beautiful skinny friends</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;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vNf7RoZxNaY3kOE9WDOIIuxeCj3N2aF7VI2Fe0nPs9_ICDQAfx0pDPFLAE9K6eHYusZ_N-fonqxrhf_VtMemtjCKe4hFZcKyVbUT9JkFKK-2Q0LNnD6kwys3s56ag_49DUUDD4cwAAk/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vNf7RoZxNaY3kOE9WDOIIuxeCj3N2aF7VI2Fe0nPs9_ICDQAfx0pDPFLAE9K6eHYusZ_N-fonqxrhf_VtMemtjCKe4hFZcKyVbUT9JkFKK-2Q0LNnD6kwys3s56ag_49DUUDD4cwAAk/s320/DSC_0461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I call this masterpiece "What television program is complete without marble cake" Makes perfect sense, no!?! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vNf7RoZxNaY3kOE9WDOIIuxeCj3N2aF7VI2Fe0nPs9_ICDQAfx0pDPFLAE9K6eHYusZ_N-fonqxrhf_VtMemtjCKe4hFZcKyVbUT9JkFKK-2Q0LNnD6kwys3s56ag_49DUUDD4cwAAk/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMAK2KZjjvmJRQz2cWE0CyopiSODiQrg6hy9xVAAJr9j6N90xEW3w6n_0qo4BPoMltcVJCdow-1MAD5k0e84-iVezden6idcMpqpp_njqEyVLz1UJUpl7G9GMQbSJR9c0rv18Iez6oN4/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMAK2KZjjvmJRQz2cWE0CyopiSODiQrg6hy9xVAAJr9j6N90xEW3w6n_0qo4BPoMltcVJCdow-1MAD5k0e84-iVezden6idcMpqpp_njqEyVLz1UJUpl7G9GMQbSJR9c0rv18Iez6oN4/s320/DSC_0463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Dearest girlfriends, please indulge in Chocolate Ameretto Mousse shooters topped with <a href="http://dreamers.marthastewart.com/photo/rose-cake-pops">cakepop roses</a>, you are looking fab and I've been baking practice cakes- let's level the scales, shall we?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MpHG-d_5uDNJeYCSusOH6Y0B_o4G2xLwz5xM217wXslKcVZTmVzig_b587FN80-oI_lq41REx6QGO-XCSxxSpVG4JxxScczAOlsGGq579CbNkwrsGJwi0plfHEbkgIdkwOmhiM2X20Q/s1600/DSC_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MpHG-d_5uDNJeYCSusOH6Y0B_o4G2xLwz5xM217wXslKcVZTmVzig_b587FN80-oI_lq41REx6QGO-XCSxxSpVG4JxxScczAOlsGGq579CbNkwrsGJwi0plfHEbkgIdkwOmhiM2X20Q/s320/DSC_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chocolate covered-strawberries, <a href="http://chocovine.com/welcome.htm">Chocolate Wine</a> (yea- you heard me!), champagne... I hear that if you haven't given these things up for Lent that the calories AND guilt don't count. Score. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDpUhmOVf1Cw6gmwfrYQ5DjMcSCC496SB9yTWc4BfhIkSwJOd0LzVPK-9v834HjQPGsUefrQgVC3eM78-uH0oKqxQtFcLIQpTb6VLE7AhesQ6g_fnZqhdDCmmlUiN2X4phPceGSkDm7M/s1600/IMG_0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDpUhmOVf1Cw6gmwfrYQ5DjMcSCC496SB9yTWc4BfhIkSwJOd0LzVPK-9v834HjQPGsUefrQgVC3eM78-uH0oKqxQtFcLIQpTb6VLE7AhesQ6g_fnZqhdDCmmlUiN2X4phPceGSkDm7M/s320/IMG_0938.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And Lastly, please forgive the gratuitous iphone photo of the open (and enjoyed) second bottle of chocolate wine- Now may be a good time to reiterate the stellar planner bit- or catch up to that wagon I've fallen off. </div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-46981268656978149452011-02-08T14:11:00.002-05:002011-02-08T15:06:23.301-05:00Be MineSeems I'm only a holiday blogger- ah well, what can I do?<br />
So, Valentine's Day; on with it, then-<br />
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I unabashedly stole* the greatest kids valentine idea in all of the world- I am totally in love with this cute and original (?) photo card idea... <br />
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It starts with a cute picture of your little one with a fist outstretched:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg085Y8lsO5AuTDH8MS-3eJxKzr2z1mu4lMYNSv9h4-aw9ct5gu3v3bOCTBXS2k0q1htOrnb1iG8S-VjRlfXfE_CGOklKjsoSGj3GYb-RqIILKCMZy82Kwv95Cufv59xA3kCxbKrzzMLWU/s1600/DSC_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg085Y8lsO5AuTDH8MS-3eJxKzr2z1mu4lMYNSv9h4-aw9ct5gu3v3bOCTBXS2k0q1htOrnb1iG8S-VjRlfXfE_CGOklKjsoSGj3GYb-RqIILKCMZy82Kwv95Cufv59xA3kCxbKrzzMLWU/s320/DSC_0451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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It then gets a bit of the photoshop treatment:<br />
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Then print and slit with an exacto-knife, insert a lollipop... and Voila', insta-VALENTINE!:<br />
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Too cute, right!?! You're welcome!<br />
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*All craftiness credit goes to Alissa from<a href="http://24-7-365.blogspot.com/2009/02/lavish-me-with-praise.html"> 24-7-365 blog</a>.Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-1428432362959479852010-12-20T15:44:00.000-05:002010-12-20T15:44:57.920-05:00It's the most wonderful time of the year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OMG you guys, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cocoa Picnic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think I anticipate this day as much as I do Christmas. Is that totally crazy?- Don't answer that. </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHCCDj5otkCHa8H_lDgqtVV4wEO7V0QnihYm_NwOar-Xm52ezxFUSB7nTN25DidNPYmQKzMTM5NIrTSQoHUjKNBz6XuM5lW4X-hs5DktycZeV8_-X-E4oxjdjX8kcU6AaLZQuYZ1igiE/s1600/DSC_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHCCDj5otkCHa8H_lDgqtVV4wEO7V0QnihYm_NwOar-Xm52ezxFUSB7nTN25DidNPYmQKzMTM5NIrTSQoHUjKNBz6XuM5lW4X-hs5DktycZeV8_-X-E4oxjdjX8kcU6AaLZQuYZ1igiE/s320/DSC_0453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-68647182612575547372010-12-18T15:09:00.001-05:002010-12-20T15:14:40.369-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tqpok2sk-su6ZOQBsBRrfe0ntPLKewRPBecn7P8eGS7Xt4ih1c9SaIhLqyRq_ljCz64aXqOD0CpEA8_TVupnKuDslm5Kvf-Wh7QQ2rRxI_PUy_yplT3dNztRox25ZeXuTFwpZ834EuI/s1600/DSC_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tqpok2sk-su6ZOQBsBRrfe0ntPLKewRPBecn7P8eGS7Xt4ih1c9SaIhLqyRq_ljCz64aXqOD0CpEA8_TVupnKuDslm5Kvf-Wh7QQ2rRxI_PUy_yplT3dNztRox25ZeXuTFwpZ834EuI/s320/DSC_0399.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes we go out of the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And sometimes that does not end in disaster.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcLDgISml2LU3uGfdUWu8ggTE61iqMQs6wNdxsVSvMGXdynYWL6DP8UWAeAe-K2ztac1UYE-540w8a7oW2LdJWmlhYjT-8jTVluW4XoF_oSmgJBqq4S5j2UxYqllTdNmDKMCPUGD761c/s1600/DSC_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcLDgISml2LU3uGfdUWu8ggTE61iqMQs6wNdxsVSvMGXdynYWL6DP8UWAeAe-K2ztac1UYE-540w8a7oW2LdJWmlhYjT-8jTVluW4XoF_oSmgJBqq4S5j2UxYqllTdNmDKMCPUGD761c/s320/DSC_0404.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we are enjoying our Nation's Christmas Tree- which I, for the record, think would be much better done by less draping and more wrapping of lights. Just sayin'.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI61e6gF3WF-VWz77OlZFtyrtJwb12-n-OmGGfLd9T4oF6NF80KmR0zI7fjKcU4aL5UQKV0dXJH-kYdjkIBc3iDa3f_lda-FK6RODKSVzj_lQQZdByqfYyZhZdiRZa4hF4iFhmKTNzrhw/s1600/DSC_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI61e6gF3WF-VWz77OlZFtyrtJwb12-n-OmGGfLd9T4oF6NF80KmR0zI7fjKcU4aL5UQKV0dXJH-kYdjkIBc3iDa3f_lda-FK6RODKSVzj_lQQZdByqfYyZhZdiRZa4hF4iFhmKTNzrhw/s320/DSC_0414.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But there were trains! So, Tree? What Tree?</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-79646095580648521692010-12-15T14:59:00.000-05:002010-12-20T15:09:19.449-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started a tradition of collecting an ornament, yearly, for each of the kids. This year I let them pick their own.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYXw1xlba0xLUnvRRLOIaiRkLLhQyapLrwRpirPqGohMRN1HyNi1KYUlx9Xz7bSqTb74ZxkcABeqpjRq1Z0fR1lnm91vbzeaGvkgQKmmN98z0DzHwwGjEDQ-T1OV6nJuZirDLs3Ts3g0/s1600/DSC_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYXw1xlba0xLUnvRRLOIaiRkLLhQyapLrwRpirPqGohMRN1HyNi1KYUlx9Xz7bSqTb74ZxkcABeqpjRq1Z0fR1lnm91vbzeaGvkgQKmmN98z0DzHwwGjEDQ-T1OV6nJuZirDLs3Ts3g0/s320/DSC_0440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have big plans to keep and box them separately, so that Sofie and Carter can hang their own ornaments on our tree each Christmas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYX2I5Xdhqbr_OjGYrMOhN0jhWWftWQGFs_SWP8QR2sGYvqi5h8wZRKkgFQyCHWaOWwNMt8rkM9huNK9dPu99mVNl8zpqx5K54Df86m-aOYvjOp_mH77k6JxMpVU5nCbf-PTz5aIXieQ/s1600/DSC_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYX2I5Xdhqbr_OjGYrMOhN0jhWWftWQGFs_SWP8QR2sGYvqi5h8wZRKkgFQyCHWaOWwNMt8rkM9huNK9dPu99mVNl8zpqx5K54Df86m-aOYvjOp_mH77k6JxMpVU5nCbf-PTz5aIXieQ/s320/DSC_0448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, when they're fully grown and out on their own- I'm gonna pawn them off as sweet keepsakes, whereby forcing them to manage years worth of their own crap! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQlV5q6sKs-y_YRm6u4G9JX2ybwnIEAXNlhoTXUFw2S8YAs4mVOMFYm7ZU7sEUmk_OSWD2jrNfEomgfXOFubymONTx0mxh0pOBOb8Z3DQFqXJnQ4OJpevmw6RXNtN9oYqsYQyX9wCggk/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQlV5q6sKs-y_YRm6u4G9JX2ybwnIEAXNlhoTXUFw2S8YAs4mVOMFYm7ZU7sEUmk_OSWD2jrNfEomgfXOFubymONTx0mxh0pOBOb8Z3DQFqXJnQ4OJpevmw6RXNtN9oYqsYQyX9wCggk/s320/DSC_0456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Ha Ha- now, how's that for some passive aggressive mom-shit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpatN63zJXONqvMMRiMdXTNSLHLI_j4SiLCwj8rkIajZ3-YK4KRflk1gaqjDuGZf0JAb103V-UhlfY9ZGwZ5AQ2iXqgcDa_qSnP44xIWGY-pMD_qaDqXYk3d_t621WuVkSrs-L3eRkox0/s1600/DSC_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpatN63zJXONqvMMRiMdXTNSLHLI_j4SiLCwj8rkIajZ3-YK4KRflk1gaqjDuGZf0JAb103V-UhlfY9ZGwZ5AQ2iXqgcDa_qSnP44xIWGY-pMD_qaDqXYk3d_t621WuVkSrs-L3eRkox0/s320/DSC_0462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-38420308374915020402010-12-15T08:00:00.000-05:002010-12-15T08:00:12.530-05:00Happy Birthday TWO you...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday was the boy's second birthday party and let me tell you- the kid is a pro! I have to say that I was shocked (amused?) to find that he totally got the whole birthday thing. He was psyched for the cake and candles, he got some awesome AWESOME gifts from friends and family and he totally LOVED the attention (shocker, right!?!). Here's your recap:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDvLd5X7b4e43wilIMhTbUxHGHkWyPDFnAAtJvqAmeASX7MgZgQnfnF-ELCKTogIjVche8qJxAs9KH8uhkwt3t0x3EW_gza9Ct2QJKppndAQte6OA2xtsPFka2YuU1-pAU96DU7zBmFY/s1600/DSC_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDvLd5X7b4e43wilIMhTbUxHGHkWyPDFnAAtJvqAmeASX7MgZgQnfnF-ELCKTogIjVche8qJxAs9KH8uhkwt3t0x3EW_gza9Ct2QJKppndAQte6OA2xtsPFka2YuU1-pAU96DU7zBmFY/s320/DSC_0462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's two so this thing was all about the trains</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUx4ybGrH9XE7U5Ic6Fi0vhjtyunglIFxe6N67SJpG3-MOZwT7JpAgC1qbY2ocJBkIbpH5Lx7oArv4gDF5k9QvF2PjegfuNvvRvT1x_eJGzntZ2BB9ci4mCt0yZx8bEteBAMGj_o4I2E/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUx4ybGrH9XE7U5Ic6Fi0vhjtyunglIFxe6N67SJpG3-MOZwT7JpAgC1qbY2ocJBkIbpH5Lx7oArv4gDF5k9QvF2PjegfuNvvRvT1x_eJGzntZ2BB9ci4mCt0yZx8bEteBAMGj_o4I2E/s320/DSC_0576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ride-on Thomas the Train curtesy of the grandparents</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMAM0SbfnDdNIl_wDgGTjMeOdKuU4G_SaleJYEqSZnNkQISMCJ24-sMI1Ygs_t2MAJeqSiBC0UE2DNFJ89BpRvToKJZEDOETTw5LsY_ci23vB8tIWzOWfM13O0Sofi4dlUqNyA70s5_Q/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMAM0SbfnDdNIl_wDgGTjMeOdKuU4G_SaleJYEqSZnNkQISMCJ24-sMI1Ygs_t2MAJeqSiBC0UE2DNFJ89BpRvToKJZEDOETTw5LsY_ci23vB8tIWzOWfM13O0Sofi4dlUqNyA70s5_Q/s320/DSC_0600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe-49UpOz9-eAIbkKafdok6i_iIT_wJfqnzFhNi4Nl32_bchtQhEiqqHLOTsqpLSPBKxfdzQ6TsTl7TpTxXNIMwLMzg9sTorFCMYVz8slvzABypt6FuL3JusbtGJubAyjpkPZKwo0mno/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKe-49UpOz9-eAIbkKafdok6i_iIT_wJfqnzFhNi4Nl32_bchtQhEiqqHLOTsqpLSPBKxfdzQ6TsTl7TpTxXNIMwLMzg9sTorFCMYVz8slvzABypt6FuL3JusbtGJubAyjpkPZKwo0mno/s320/DSC_0610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blue fondant: the only part of the cake worth eating</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyGsFzrFDOVklmObKEdf51eWXxGCJW21M-wm3w3kHjA3WXK3JAcvpbBDMzLiXibtlQG04anhzC3u9bAwnASCMTRMAtC_rbbauT5rLHG4c8jF9LGgdO0jNf8jzD5WN7kXCMmNg7gRnL4g/s1600/DSC_0613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyGsFzrFDOVklmObKEdf51eWXxGCJW21M-wm3w3kHjA3WXK3JAcvpbBDMzLiXibtlQG04anhzC3u9bAwnASCMTRMAtC_rbbauT5rLHG4c8jF9LGgdO0jNf8jzD5WN7kXCMmNg7gRnL4g/s320/DSC_0613.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIs_GH3dbx01KYUp8ZH03xT88o-QEJRhioieqUCHMnViqgjg7X9bBXAGHzWS9GBVFY0EoWz_niQCwQKzPZ8mWPPVPtsnxEQ19XJAnfv8cYpJ-1VdIDbmOxllxYwyVtisq3KgAk3Bjh7M/s1600/IMG_0891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIs_GH3dbx01KYUp8ZH03xT88o-QEJRhioieqUCHMnViqgjg7X9bBXAGHzWS9GBVFY0EoWz_niQCwQKzPZ8mWPPVPtsnxEQ19XJAnfv8cYpJ-1VdIDbmOxllxYwyVtisq3KgAk3Bjh7M/s320/IMG_0891.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not sure what I'm more proud of: Getting the boy to his second birthday or making this cake... probably the boy, but it could go either way!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-69962474452292902402010-12-13T14:40:00.000-05:002010-12-20T14:59:17.026-05:00Visions of Sugarplums<div style="text-align: center;"><u>December Haiku:</u></div><div style="text-align: center;">A month of the sick</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fa la la la la gingerbread!</div><div style="text-align: center;">a cure for gray days</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVUSNGW3n8HNk8cRc6nQQy5j0TXr4OcykbPTcgCJ6BGgcKTVVKNGnt-5IvZNTt8a0HWjYQmzcyy-oVbnlj5JyMPcnblk_p1tK2Am1Dsbv5FHa8-NRrFP1j3heAtlBAZQ7fbA0VRwVE48/s1600/DSC_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVUSNGW3n8HNk8cRc6nQQy5j0TXr4OcykbPTcgCJ6BGgcKTVVKNGnt-5IvZNTt8a0HWjYQmzcyy-oVbnlj5JyMPcnblk_p1tK2Am1Dsbv5FHa8-NRrFP1j3heAtlBAZQ7fbA0VRwVE48/s320/DSC_0401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM47jVk2pySAjj4Jv973Pd5ePvapLabgvUu3zbNap-4JyVtalk_3J1kaw_3AHB60g-DTZ2aMBLrZA4yhvupKRntHZiVH5LXr3sWT4lAiHvmFXvHbdBjiofqgxOXsqFTWXx6ZFThGuSZCg/s1600/DSC_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM47jVk2pySAjj4Jv973Pd5ePvapLabgvUu3zbNap-4JyVtalk_3J1kaw_3AHB60g-DTZ2aMBLrZA4yhvupKRntHZiVH5LXr3sWT4lAiHvmFXvHbdBjiofqgxOXsqFTWXx6ZFThGuSZCg/s320/DSC_0413.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeutIw4iisVUbmjfy8DhNS_lMjZLu8hbL1pFGN0wBFiqLx775i_PIOnQTiKXfJ2fKrIKPQyVIv-yOH0ZE69B921Cdp2UIj-tN5jNdvBoBWzStJ23I0qOBGtUtbR_AJ1oyB1m0LZ6C8zo/s1600/DSC_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeutIw4iisVUbmjfy8DhNS_lMjZLu8hbL1pFGN0wBFiqLx775i_PIOnQTiKXfJ2fKrIKPQyVIv-yOH0ZE69B921Cdp2UIj-tN5jNdvBoBWzStJ23I0qOBGtUtbR_AJ1oyB1m0LZ6C8zo/s320/DSC_0422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-7884010092184531852010-12-13T14:08:00.000-05:002010-12-13T14:08:00.314-05:00Santa TrainA good friend let me in on a well kept secret- well, maybe it's not soo well kept, or even a secret at all- but it is the <a href="http://www.vre.org/seasonal/santa-trains.html">VRE's Santa train</a>. The Virgina Railway Express runs a holiday train to promote rail safety, collect for Toy's for Tots, and send quivers of joy up and down the spines of little boys everywhere.<br />
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It was a wonderful chance to take the kids on their first train ride, and, oh! See SANTA, again! But, thanks to <a href="http://thedemersblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/bah-humstomachbug.html">the sick</a>, it ended up as mama-son date day, as the girl rested up from round two of the bug and dad stayed home to bleach the house within an inch of it's life. <br />
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It went a little something like this: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYHU4zFBw8tnvlglJefLrO9y0E0C4Twcq5hXdg4PRMsgzwUnnfuUUDZjO3t1Wm2C0oloeluUzGf7QR8BtPLfqEUKZMrzp0lLiBFUHEOlv2WAUiVpfku1bKSyAF79p26PatkjrMJ8WX0I/s1600/IMG_0873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYHU4zFBw8tnvlglJefLrO9y0E0C4Twcq5hXdg4PRMsgzwUnnfuUUDZjO3t1Wm2C0oloeluUzGf7QR8BtPLfqEUKZMrzp0lLiBFUHEOlv2WAUiVpfku1bKSyAF79p26PatkjrMJ8WX0I/s320/IMG_0873.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrNZ_aN_EpwLh4IKwS_EH76f9zZX75ybdreDmSzjs1GEa0qJucYZXZ0RjS8GADINqaQ4fdxPIws_RqkVsB_IWGY6xmHPetbZ8N0Z8jtHpXzB6UsY2zH6g1UKdQI9TL9IdqfUCLnA-YqY/s1600/IMG_0879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrNZ_aN_EpwLh4IKwS_EH76f9zZX75ybdreDmSzjs1GEa0qJucYZXZ0RjS8GADINqaQ4fdxPIws_RqkVsB_IWGY6xmHPetbZ8N0Z8jtHpXzB6UsY2zH6g1UKdQI9TL9IdqfUCLnA-YqY/s320/IMG_0879.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIUZemVasK8ts_45zVN4fu4vAzjY5Im_vp5cbPbJwoDT_KzhsPvtSiJqniBqPugZVZ7pP6jtTG5xWbRmeUSAnWmQHf3TJBiGv4XVh3Kt17_-1MxjK2_G4n1vKNxWXgBuJeIdPQAqhO6M/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIUZemVasK8ts_45zVN4fu4vAzjY5Im_vp5cbPbJwoDT_KzhsPvtSiJqniBqPugZVZ7pP6jtTG5xWbRmeUSAnWmQHf3TJBiGv4XVh3Kt17_-1MxjK2_G4n1vKNxWXgBuJeIdPQAqhO6M/s320/IMG_0882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyjuqfi82MmeZzUDqFsRdDc_d30qbt2HruO5H32q_mz_4kOO2G64fbrnUdvBB8ra9uoqDmZW2E8aAFqMOOF3w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
The boy LOVED it! But what's not to love- Trains! and Santa! and Mommy time! WOW!<br />
You can bet we'll be first in line for tickets next year!Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-62556235874514368722010-12-10T12:50:00.002-05:002010-12-13T13:44:34.139-05:00Santa Claus is Coming to Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went to sit on the big guys lap. It was actually less annoying than I anticipated it would be. Our local mall had a sweet spread in a Narnia, ice palace kind of theme. The line for Santa was queued through a snow globe with falling "snow" which kept the kids quite entertained. See below:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwBtQ_8y-QBy0TgjzQ8ECkGe9bVhLsUAtYvqMzOL8zv13BU6nqzvsF39_yb9043YihrbFCOf_JgTiJo9d1hpK0EZaC5GyEOj6coATvDKxTu9FN3WomJCvj6G4ClIhR6e60xHLOt-FRhY/s1600/IMG_0866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwBtQ_8y-QBy0TgjzQ8ECkGe9bVhLsUAtYvqMzOL8zv13BU6nqzvsF39_yb9043YihrbFCOf_JgTiJo9d1hpK0EZaC5GyEOj6coATvDKxTu9FN3WomJCvj6G4ClIhR6e60xHLOt-FRhY/s320/IMG_0866.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fun with scooping and dumping</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSOhJujGO6t8wSZmxXsR7oIs6k000suHkLGadLIlbR2ZKW3SqiYcT3Boes0R5MbYjtWNEqYDxV_Rkd6AKcVoJE7pgzQvn4z_U9oa-rkkd0TObNBAXuhFow6wbIyMtBQZjNoEl4ZxqbgM/s1600/IMG_0870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSOhJujGO6t8wSZmxXsR7oIs6k000suHkLGadLIlbR2ZKW3SqiYcT3Boes0R5MbYjtWNEqYDxV_Rkd6AKcVoJE7pgzQvn4z_U9oa-rkkd0TObNBAXuhFow6wbIyMtBQZjNoEl4ZxqbgM/s320/IMG_0870.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wonderment and awe</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoYMwtSV7tUvGusjSLMj3voLTD4sHr1R6isVU-js4NrUYVO6V2b9b_TeV6pxi2fSDQNDcN7FANQ-B95TAqjsxUUuBvx7tj8neXpL8wbCv8NA8nAl4AuIkxPggJd0FE-dIEgYxRppli7Y/s1600/IMG_0871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoYMwtSV7tUvGusjSLMj3voLTD4sHr1R6isVU-js4NrUYVO6V2b9b_TeV6pxi2fSDQNDcN7FANQ-B95TAqjsxUUuBvx7tj8neXpL8wbCv8NA8nAl4AuIkxPggJd0FE-dIEgYxRppli7Y/s320/IMG_0871.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Breakdancing?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxxV5EKlUD980dDKDqBSPIhUdRf0m5I5Zch-iz5B_xSub9ZTuMLHtOZGxfLMFjqzVgvrYroRkQhJuiPo2p7UA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> After vigorously attempting to remove the "snow"flakes from every inch of both children's bodies before moving on to the VERY.IMPORTANT.SANTA.PICTURE, I tried to snap a cutesy winter-time-both-babies-in-front-of-the-tree-shot: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl_FxCk2unqf2FQcTqhp8_JDDpV25RmffQWyduxzwwZ-kOaikf1zu0Fx5LFJ-gtKXTvTVW4ZoaYWyK-WoImrWtbf6ZtMYv89V_BPuhs9lIqgxOLRs9dbF0kEtMLJ4RX_EU0J_PMIKd-k/s1600/IMG_0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl_FxCk2unqf2FQcTqhp8_JDDpV25RmffQWyduxzwwZ-kOaikf1zu0Fx5LFJ-gtKXTvTVW4ZoaYWyK-WoImrWtbf6ZtMYv89V_BPuhs9lIqgxOLRs9dbF0kEtMLJ4RX_EU0J_PMIKd-k/s320/IMG_0859.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the best one. yikes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And here you have it... the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><i><b>Pièce de résistance</b></i> </span>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIcWgmFqrKN9lH9i-BN1a9J9PUTgcXZhY9D0chc-7i2iPkxvgvaOMx2JT73bwsxB6kJRhoVty9Gum3ujcY5TV4VahHDT3qS0DpW60JbSRtkz-k8dlm83HaO7jm5o7GAUM4k7oSLxKETc/s1600/IMG_0900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIcWgmFqrKN9lH9i-BN1a9J9PUTgcXZhY9D0chc-7i2iPkxvgvaOMx2JT73bwsxB6kJRhoVty9Gum3ujcY5TV4VahHDT3qS0DpW60JbSRtkz-k8dlm83HaO7jm5o7GAUM4k7oSLxKETc/s320/IMG_0900.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I know, right?</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-20421291480380814232010-12-09T12:31:00.001-05:002010-12-13T14:15:32.506-05:00Bah Hum(Stomach)Bug....In an effort to thwart any and all holiday related fun-having, we came down with a nasty stomach bug last week. It started with Carter on Monday and worked it's way through Sophia and Pat- before circling back around to the kids for round two. Wheeeeee. That was <s>fun</s> absolutely disgusting!* <br />
Anyway, we managed little more than to squeak out a few advent-ish crafts and read (ad nauseum**) our stash of Christmas books. But stay tuned, we have some fun outings/activities coming up! <br />
<br />
*Dear Santa, I'd like to request an update for my Christmas list to include: a replenished supply of Clorox, an incinerator to "take care of" the "soiled" sheets and towels, and possibly that thing where certain memories can be permanently erased from one's conscious- there are just somethings a lady never needs to see again. Thanks, C<br />
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**Pun totally intended.Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-67501095990048457722010-12-07T12:19:00.000-05:002010-12-07T12:19:30.750-05:00The lights are brighly shiningThis whole advent thing really does it for me. (Don't worry- I'm seeking therapy) I just love having a plan, engaging the kids, and sharing these lovely moments of budding tradition. <br />
<br />
The other day we took a few moments to learn about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158542448X/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1878685457&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0J0SQT7PHM7SNEFEZTK0">St Nicholas</a> and to tell some really cute stories about the kindness he showed those in need. I also found <a href="http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/020.html">this little nugget</a>, which is interesting, if nothing else. Of course the kids were psyched to leave their shoes out for St Nick, in hopes that he might stop by with a little treat. He did, of course and both Carter and Sophia were delighted to find an orange (for health) in their sneakers. So delighted, in fact, that Sophia neglected to check her other shoe and went hours before finding that the jolly old guy also left two coin (for wealth) and a bit of chocolate (for happiness:). I couldn't get to the camera fast enough, so the blurry chocolate smear on Sophia's chin is our only documentation of St Nick's visit...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuPJZHffbqt3SLSEiAPnPHHbghtbfBkJeegNaN2MDbddR29S-SytIH_qjSkyjWuS0F_TRNi2brWF2VPWxd7iX0DN_56hCSQsh1Cw-8wqT3RvPdZEyNcSUzzQqjDA5jCKsJT-0w2ZmujE/s1600/IMG_0854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuPJZHffbqt3SLSEiAPnPHHbghtbfBkJeegNaN2MDbddR29S-SytIH_qjSkyjWuS0F_TRNi2brWF2VPWxd7iX0DN_56hCSQsh1Cw-8wqT3RvPdZEyNcSUzzQqjDA5jCKsJT-0w2ZmujE/s320/IMG_0854.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We also got our tree up, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFwZCMpnoqUySRetLoLkWNl0rRN6amVg05osJNcnNQ_UfxQIFtZT2Fk3z_nGY8cLrWTuaADJkEb_eyO89yz0K2q0mOMymYa-PMXcvIPIbV7U4b5KXY7_VrayP6TGy7DNZhkUaN1bRt-I/s1600/IMG_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFwZCMpnoqUySRetLoLkWNl0rRN6amVg05osJNcnNQ_UfxQIFtZT2Fk3z_nGY8cLrWTuaADJkEb_eyO89yz0K2q0mOMymYa-PMXcvIPIbV7U4b5KXY7_VrayP6TGy7DNZhkUaN1bRt-I/s320/IMG_0856.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (did you notice <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Elf-on-the-Shelf/Carol-V-Aebersold/e/9780976990703/?itm=1&USRI=elf+on+the+shelf">our little buddy "Noodle"</a> up there on the tree- that dude rocks!)</span></div><br />
and semi-decorated....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPB0cKE0ff-TqCVvFXzfamRZY-hIrKjwH5sJ_Sr0VFwe1mI1eYllRG5ToC2XSa2v1XYxOoNRda0AeupvzwYQBkrEbnfTV4jKcDIkBBSDN5lv0soCxvOXSPMW3QX9IUIe_04n9EYEtKn48/s1600/IMG_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPB0cKE0ff-TqCVvFXzfamRZY-hIrKjwH5sJ_Sr0VFwe1mI1eYllRG5ToC2XSa2v1XYxOoNRda0AeupvzwYQBkrEbnfTV4jKcDIkBBSDN5lv0soCxvOXSPMW3QX9IUIe_04n9EYEtKn48/s320/IMG_0841.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I say "Semi" decorated because I have big plans...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2007Q4/la102960_1207_gstree_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2007Q4/la102960_1207_gstree_l.jpg" /></a></div><br />
...but I also have a sick kid, so we'll see how far I get on that one! <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=a5fd9479a7326110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&backto=true&backtourl=%2Fphotogallery%2Fchristmas-tree-decorations#slide_9">Martha</a></span>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-42857185850690793042010-12-04T23:48:00.000-05:002010-12-04T23:48:11.060-05:00Of all the trees, most lovely...For those following along at home, here's your recipe for "cutesy family holiday advent activity one."<br />
<br />
Step one: find the <a href="http://www.lowelandsfarm.com/">most ridiculously adorable family run tree farm</a> in all of the world<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Kn7m-2iAifKgYKgY0N3VLaSANNfxfNDoVP8cvNAJwOKIAbYxan63XN8JT9oQyYyN2kyOxqwdtzZZqd1GJ4E6TYqbrx_KwWmvxDG8iKERQ9vnNyaR3Js7MmRvDoQ4Ref3ndsWT9qan2g/s1600/IMG_0830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Kn7m-2iAifKgYKgY0N3VLaSANNfxfNDoVP8cvNAJwOKIAbYxan63XN8JT9oQyYyN2kyOxqwdtzZZqd1GJ4E6TYqbrx_KwWmvxDG8iKERQ9vnNyaR3Js7MmRvDoQ4Ref3ndsWT9qan2g/s320/IMG_0830.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Step two: pick up a couple of parka-bundled cherubs and a hunky outdoorsy type</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wkO4rV8-tz3pRfm48wKDYIVSNnlM3SbnoPlPg5tzjDXvDFL3_G1B2HZv0P9Eu7-QFElcOxINhByGyaChTwX4fDlhgsiBvmLKC8aZCNfJsRg2473ZjFUI6acD_5ApwYZdZliHlYHxTLE/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wkO4rV8-tz3pRfm48wKDYIVSNnlM3SbnoPlPg5tzjDXvDFL3_G1B2HZv0P9Eu7-QFElcOxINhByGyaChTwX4fDlhgsiBvmLKC8aZCNfJsRg2473ZjFUI6acD_5ApwYZdZliHlYHxTLE/s320/IMG_0831.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Step three: pick out the fir that makes you want to sing from the rooftops the chorus of Oh Tannenbaum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Q4rIsN1cvg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Q4rIsN1cvg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Step four: set to work your two cherubs and that hunk on your beloved evergreen's trunk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRciiEnCaqevgBdjFuQDGiDmi-dZlSIGI9iba4h42eHAI6dHI-LtdggzLVMnPXuotQ1cGJxxnywFvkXkduVyHrvTnvg1Zl9p1AMLprVNyVE322XkgJtc8BLwIa4jqpwojZw8daqGPd0SU/s1600/IMG_0837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRciiEnCaqevgBdjFuQDGiDmi-dZlSIGI9iba4h42eHAI6dHI-LtdggzLVMnPXuotQ1cGJxxnywFvkXkduVyHrvTnvg1Zl9p1AMLprVNyVE322XkgJtc8BLwIa4jqpwojZw8daqGPd0SU/s320/IMG_0837.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Step five: regret heavily your choice in attire, then enjoy a hot picnic lunch on a brisk December day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-43162119640461644702010-12-01T23:00:00.000-05:002010-12-04T23:18:42.774-05:00It's the most wonderful time of the year...I'm back at it... the ever-so-sparatic blog posting thing. And also the advent activity thing (it's THE HOLIDAYS! AND SO SEASONAL! AND fodder for the blog posting, iiiaight!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVvXPCh2oJ5ppzIfIe6mhh9bqr2ZQfRX3lWwLH3kS3KN_nrPvMduM_ou8atSXRNe0qd2y7FpztUBGXPBbKxGU89FL9KITVzW-GSGEoT4EOzE9fDNegNLYxg1pTS4vf0eumz5o3hM_iBY/s1600/IMG_0825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVvXPCh2oJ5ppzIfIe6mhh9bqr2ZQfRX3lWwLH3kS3KN_nrPvMduM_ou8atSXRNe0qd2y7FpztUBGXPBbKxGU89FL9KITVzW-GSGEoT4EOzE9fDNegNLYxg1pTS4vf0eumz5o3hM_iBY/s320/IMG_0825.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We're planning The Second Annual Demers Family Advent Full of Fun Holiday Activities (that's TSADFAFFHA for short) this year, and once again I plan to <s>bore the pants right off ya</s> share our adventures regularly. <br />
<br />
Here are some of our loosely scheduled, holiday to-do's:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Take a quick trip to Williamsburg for fun and relaxation </li>
<li>Pick out and cut down our own Christmas tree</li>
<li>Start a St Nick Day tradition</li>
<li>Sit on the big guys lap</li>
<li>Make ornaments for our tree</li>
<li>Take a ride on the Santa train</li>
<li>Add to our yearly ornament collection</li>
<li>Have a birthday party for the little man (unrelated but hugely important)</li>
<li>Decorate a gingerbread house</li>
<li>Make a popcorn and cranberry garland for our deer family</li>
<li>Make marshmallows for roasting</li>
<li>Have a Christmas Movie night</li>
<li>Bake an insane load of cookies</li>
<li>Throw a cocoa picnic for friends</li>
<li>Visit the national Christmas tree </li>
<li>Have breakfast for dinner</li>
<li>Take a Jammie and Hot cocoa ride to check out the neighborhood lights</li>
<li>Read "The Night Before Christmas" by candle light on Christmas eve </li>
</ul><div>Feel free to play along at home! I'll keep you posted.... it will be thrilling*</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*Thrill subject to state of mind, sanity and sobriety</span></div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578579667007992437.post-66435035244158360892010-10-17T14:46:00.000-04:002010-10-17T14:46:35.814-04:00Punkin' Pickin'Dear Me in four months- This post is in answer to the question that you are cursing under your frozen bitter breath...<br />
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This is why we live in Virginia:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPmZ-KlRcLttm9SNVhqw3HSZofiEuDgM6R7jWA1E26IgLefH26VnvQ1FbwaFc_ICsH-XSVK-jaHDLiEWYXE7oVRcAkwtl2LkmPcZdaI2MXq_RShFTyRdHpYTenFeEB85NBzKPlyzGy1E/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPmZ-KlRcLttm9SNVhqw3HSZofiEuDgM6R7jWA1E26IgLefH26VnvQ1FbwaFc_ICsH-XSVK-jaHDLiEWYXE7oVRcAkwtl2LkmPcZdaI2MXq_RShFTyRdHpYTenFeEB85NBzKPlyzGy1E/s320/DSC_0396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A gorgeous fall day for picking fresh pumpkins...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmzigxZI2vGdaKa-OEKQYQUEMKY62J6L_O8gmkyt63q3sF3OKtSmuuwWOVj-n0jXqjYDYtzPLHboz2-GOxvpKYXWbbjNzJ3lF88s95ZiFGDsKsa7gO2nwlilmUtHYx88SF6a5PZtDGYg/s1600/DSC_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmzigxZI2vGdaKa-OEKQYQUEMKY62J6L_O8gmkyt63q3sF3OKtSmuuwWOVj-n0jXqjYDYtzPLHboz2-GOxvpKYXWbbjNzJ3lF88s95ZiFGDsKsa7gO2nwlilmUtHYx88SF6a5PZtDGYg/s320/DSC_0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcVl8Ld_Q0zHRarlyKBZlcMWh-Sd7XRVRlmvRj2fVQoU1wNb-hP89UZqf5KPashUKNH5n7yOMj1lpVjHpLLhnp263CpHxDoJ683e1nr8UZx_OKXr4XnZY-m0Fb7K9kEnVVtodf6yZCo4/s1600/DSC_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcVl8Ld_Q0zHRarlyKBZlcMWh-Sd7XRVRlmvRj2fVQoU1wNb-hP89UZqf5KPashUKNH5n7yOMj1lpVjHpLLhnp263CpHxDoJ683e1nr8UZx_OKXr4XnZY-m0Fb7K9kEnVVtodf6yZCo4/s320/DSC_0422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...straight from the vine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCv3XDX6hp2k2WLVCCQl16ZjMObI7iqqsQU-LgkvK_Sk71vpK2WPe07p1zyy4iul01VEQS9ELFDzj9Go3NGZCIa3DDS1blTQQcZvCbGcMorogrMZ6iM3tYe42bZ7WHvu6lig5ns7bYms/s1600/DSC_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCv3XDX6hp2k2WLVCCQl16ZjMObI7iqqsQU-LgkvK_Sk71vpK2WPe07p1zyy4iul01VEQS9ELFDzj9Go3NGZCIa3DDS1blTQQcZvCbGcMorogrMZ6iM3tYe42bZ7WHvu6lig5ns7bYms/s320/DSC_0527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Corn fields, pumpkin patch and wagons, Oh MY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc8SwF1MTZ16P3kVvC0ml184ZLynRK8ghZjTeAsYKGHULl0aF31BOAw0a7w0uDPvjeXZzR6xtKvmy3Ks0nToO4UCIf-4zP-j53ok_z5UWomocBp5I7uLD0glY9TGw6Zy3SlUkJOr2n0w/s1600/DSC_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc8SwF1MTZ16P3kVvC0ml184ZLynRK8ghZjTeAsYKGHULl0aF31BOAw0a7w0uDPvjeXZzR6xtKvmy3Ks0nToO4UCIf-4zP-j53ok_z5UWomocBp5I7uLD0glY9TGw6Zy3SlUkJOr2n0w/s320/DSC_0477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcciEIl9Sr1cRdYTOagPFgPMs2QIsa6LEQy7c8kK2m6mFEcrnV-nC6KudaGaq6f7s9c0ZD4dcNa4o5f96vkOSiQcWxB-JWmAGZavNZLmeqzKUK4xfuT-QZNh91zhezFkbpcGanIAt1NkM/s1600/DSC_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcciEIl9Sr1cRdYTOagPFgPMs2QIsa6LEQy7c8kK2m6mFEcrnV-nC6KudaGaq6f7s9c0ZD4dcNa4o5f96vkOSiQcWxB-JWmAGZavNZLmeqzKUK4xfuT-QZNh91zhezFkbpcGanIAt1NkM/s320/DSC_0646.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XkCAhoxV1Z9Dw9qc9z5yMscvOh5zbDsJ-vX9Y6PlK-6ty8i03uCkjoIu8biUiumB0A7-vJfR06XutvZizjGnGaHtYzT8Oa6kkTlqkzY5DjKilTLbUPJewFdPUv4-kHYL_ZLXfCX4FqQ/s1600/DSC_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XkCAhoxV1Z9Dw9qc9z5yMscvOh5zbDsJ-vX9Y6PlK-6ty8i03uCkjoIu8biUiumB0A7-vJfR06XutvZizjGnGaHtYzT8Oa6kkTlqkzY5DjKilTLbUPJewFdPUv4-kHYL_ZLXfCX4FqQ/s320/DSC_0654.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...And hayrides. Seriously- I love this stuff. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XkCAhoxV1Z9Dw9qc9z5yMscvOh5zbDsJ-vX9Y6PlK-6ty8i03uCkjoIu8biUiumB0A7-vJfR06XutvZizjGnGaHtYzT8Oa6kkTlqkzY5DjKilTLbUPJewFdPUv4-kHYL_ZLXfCX4FqQ/s1600/DSC_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh5TpSQVITKTRuZXtt4l0DJ-QEdKbKWXhU05dzLdXcRjZELzmW7MQAuR-gzM5DZeZY8CzkiUyGAWT_EvMd1gUpfLcUSrOta0dRt2n80EdZ7GYYjZHaRLDSmruLDd7XzyutFKvh8BSn7w/s1600/DSC_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh5TpSQVITKTRuZXtt4l0DJ-QEdKbKWXhU05dzLdXcRjZELzmW7MQAuR-gzM5DZeZY8CzkiUyGAWT_EvMd1gUpfLcUSrOta0dRt2n80EdZ7GYYjZHaRLDSmruLDd7XzyutFKvh8BSn7w/s320/DSC_0651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Courtney Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01356859422787101746noreply@blogger.com0