tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42959975518850917742024-03-05T19:16:26.027-08:00Thomas and LovettaTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-12678417652596416132013-02-10T14:47:00.000-08:002013-02-10T14:47:32.076-08:00My Pregnancy I want to write about how my pregnancy is going. When we first went to the doctor for this pregnancy, the doctors found a cystic hygroma just like with Maximo. We expected that it would mean the rest of this pregnancy would progress like our last pregnancy. That did not turn out to be true. Maximo had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle which proved fatal. This baby does not currently have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. As of our last fetal echo cardiogram, his heart looks like it will sustain life. Maximo had hydrops, an excess of fluid under his skin and around his lungs. This baby does not have hydrops, and his cystic hygroma has gone away. We thought the hydrops caused me to have extra amniotic fluid last time. This time, baby does not have hydrops, but I still have extra fluid. We are hopeful that baby will live this time. His head and belly are measuring big, and his arms and legs are measuring small. We don't really know what that means. Because of his big head and my extra fluid, it is likely that I will deliver early. I am "due" April 20. There. That is my update. <br />
I am allowing myself to be excited about having an infant. A good friend from my ward has offered to throw a baby shower, and I'm excited for it. My mom made a cute pajama onesie and a super soft baby blanket. My Great Aunt gave me a baby blanket, and another thoughtful sister from our ward gave us a beautiful baby blanket. Already people are being very generous. We still have a lot of questions we need to find answers for, but for now, I am letting myself enjoy looking at baby stuff, and I am not worrying about stretch marks. I am sure everything will turn out the way it is supposed to.<br />
Some pregnant ladies are so good at taking consistent pictures of their growing pregnant bellies. My pregnancies have been so emotional for me that I have not been consistent at all, but I tried to be a little better this time than I was last time. Here, for my own amusement, is my (albeit inconsistent) documentation of my belly growth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL86ekGvyamoTrOvvj5sQlryYINnRKomI2wpSeaEcZobqF2NWIBFREoox9jzAkg13zVWZr-ryIw4qsV5v47GO8aiqlAP2eIg3xXKQDcQwKh2PhNJG-vVcK4eEVF0itWKk9Q0qzgYdPekcg/s1600/May+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL86ekGvyamoTrOvvj5sQlryYINnRKomI2wpSeaEcZobqF2NWIBFREoox9jzAkg13zVWZr-ryIw4qsV5v47GO8aiqlAP2eIg3xXKQDcQwKh2PhNJG-vVcK4eEVF0itWKk9Q0qzgYdPekcg/s320/May+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not pregnant in this picture. I use it to remind me that my body can recover. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTpit6P5joSbxfi5r5ddatnVXWDuT9da60pKCNydWtWvrSAm4RTJBIR8w6e2fpSAeG-mFc0hNJ0EfsYPfGlacK3gvDWvGTBBEs50wAErlQLCkEUVLDEHNHQoA348hfQJxNne7Esb0QI1i/s1600/sept2012_006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTpit6P5joSbxfi5r5ddatnVXWDuT9da60pKCNydWtWvrSAm4RTJBIR8w6e2fpSAeG-mFc0hNJ0EfsYPfGlacK3gvDWvGTBBEs50wAErlQLCkEUVLDEHNHQoA348hfQJxNne7Esb0QI1i/s320/sept2012_006.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me: "Take a picture, Tom, I'm totally showing today." Ha ha ha... September 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUaLXUCHdorfx9PF3TpGGeDyWQY_bmbFVc9H-aSoMO_btG929YX8M1_g_5iNaM7ufPrQfgQjJLasisHV31keT6qccMJWQ0K1TD5oHYJGlxKm_TLr-ob8MXYsoLL6wuwWYPQghgsp9woV6/s1600/iPhone+Late+2012_22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUaLXUCHdorfx9PF3TpGGeDyWQY_bmbFVc9H-aSoMO_btG929YX8M1_g_5iNaM7ufPrQfgQjJLasisHV31keT6qccMJWQ0K1TD5oHYJGlxKm_TLr-ob8MXYsoLL6wuwWYPQghgsp9woV6/s320/iPhone+Late+2012_22.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ljeb6vfQRC4dQebsoPGzktrVTeujKbTTvW7mRE3V4xriPmSsa0qKqA_S23G_ijWojbf3Qkp1JlRylt_iDQ7BT4R9Yqeqi87vbvRcOetDHCrsvlzS4-VBedt_mzGj4NVkrwROiIVv4fBK/s1600/belly+jan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ljeb6vfQRC4dQebsoPGzktrVTeujKbTTvW7mRE3V4xriPmSsa0qKqA_S23G_ijWojbf3Qkp1JlRylt_iDQ7BT4R9Yqeqi87vbvRcOetDHCrsvlzS4-VBedt_mzGj4NVkrwROiIVv4fBK/s320/belly+jan.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SDgXKuA98uQPmtau6qlNSjtD-z7sIwfT4cZNpWifcNPrYj6g5J6teIrjLS6eNC_Y8jpOnH3NN2UTtI8nGIxg_lsuPqIHc1LMSJPSpG1iCZg6rimerAUxQrLOdn8p44Zs5bTuXKlE9dpI/s1600/belly+feb2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SDgXKuA98uQPmtau6qlNSjtD-z7sIwfT4cZNpWifcNPrYj6g5J6teIrjLS6eNC_Y8jpOnH3NN2UTtI8nGIxg_lsuPqIHc1LMSJPSpG1iCZg6rimerAUxQrLOdn8p44Zs5bTuXKlE9dpI/s320/belly+feb2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February 2013. I think there's a big size jump between January and February. I went from looking like an average pregnant lady to looking bigger-than-average.</td></tr>
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<br />Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-65373126948579628122012-12-30T17:42:00.000-08:002012-12-30T17:42:30.890-08:00Catching Up Before the New YearSo, I've been meaning to write on the blog now, for... oh, I don't know... two month's now? We've had a lot of exciting developments since our adventures in California. Let's start at Thanksgiving, shall we?<br />
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We hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the very first time ever in our married lives. I'd have to say that things went rather well! Don't believe me? Well, I think Mr. Golden Brown Turkey has something to say about that!</div>
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Plump. Delicious. Perfectly-cooked turkey. Nevermind the fact that our thermometer didn't quite give us an accurate depiction of doneness for our bird. No, no. Instinct created this marvel of holiday icon-ery. Did I mention that <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">we brined it</a>? Oh yes we did! Nevermind the fact we almost forgot (until the morning of, that is) that we had no serving platter ready for when this beautiful bird came out of the oven. No, no. We had a flawless Thanksgiving experience. Really.<br />
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Joking aside, things did actually go quite well. We had my brother and his wife and a few of his in-laws (of whom I am quite well acquainted) over for the meal. <br />
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It was really enjoyable. We made punch.<br />
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Enjoyed a load of delicious sides (not pictured). And settled in for a day of watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the National Dog Show (a family tradition we seem to have acquired) intermixed with some playing of games and picture-taking. It's great to have the holidays with friends and family! :)<br />
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In other news (and before we get to the current holiday times), I've decided that it would be a good idea for me to <a href="http://www.forgewatch.com/" target="_blank">start a website</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L4YqrIbuP2-go6pUnlYf7a-rdbhyphenhyphenJyvwO8HzcUOAEbojcXPAsdtRKn3rzxpSHLmcapurIOj4-9cYMjyRA3r5h7XYtFoBx-1tZERK79s50JN2rZR05GiBDEGWODo7mim8jNvVnuwRouY/s1600/forgewatch-small.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L4YqrIbuP2-go6pUnlYf7a-rdbhyphenhyphenJyvwO8HzcUOAEbojcXPAsdtRKn3rzxpSHLmcapurIOj4-9cYMjyRA3r5h7XYtFoBx-1tZERK79s50JN2rZR05GiBDEGWODo7mim8jNvVnuwRouY/s320/forgewatch-small.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've wanted a creative outlet for my hobbies lately, and a website seemed like a great place to start. What better way to mix computer programming, graphic design, writing, video-editing, etc. into one place? There is none, I say! The website focuses around a video game I decided to Kickstart a little while ago. The game, called SolForge, is a digital Trading Card Game akin to that which I've played frequently in the past (ie. Magic the Gathering, Legend of the Five Rings, etc.). It's a lot of fun to play, and I think it's really going to take off once it's officially released. Beyond a <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/solforge/id582493858?mt=8" target="_blank">simple tutorial-style version</a>. I have a lot of high hopes for the website, if for no other reason than I get to brush up on some old skills and try out some new ones in the process. Should be fun!<br />
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Back to the present, now. Chirstmas has been a fun holiday for us. Lovetta's family is all in town and we've been spending a lot of our time at her parents' house. Probably one of the more interesting things was when we took an underwater camera with us to an indoor pool. Check this out!<br />
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I just love how some of these turned out without the aid of a program like Photoshop. Not all of them were this spectacular, but there certainly were enough of them that it was time well-spent.</div>
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We had a great Christmas day, and aside from the fact that I've had to work most of this holiday season, we've had a great holiday overall. We're looking forward to the New Year (which is much more significant, because it's Lovetta's birthday). We're pretty hopeful for what's to come and we hope to share more of it with you as it arrives :) Happy holidays everyone!</div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-82306963990228894032012-10-29T19:14:00.002-07:002012-10-29T19:14:38.544-07:00Fall BreakI'd like to add my response to Tom's previous post by pointing out that you (our friends and family) are not entirely helpless. I believe that your prayers are helpful to us, and we need people to hang out with us and keep us from being reclusive.<br />
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We were lucky enough to visit our good friends Rob and Lisa in California for Fall Break a few weeks ago. I used the airplane barf bag for the first time. It was not as bad as it could've been. The lady sitting across the isle from me even told me I was the best barfer she'd ever seen. What an accomplishment. <br />
In happier circumstances, we went to the beach.<br />
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We went to the Getty Museum. I got to see some original famous
paintings. It was so awesome it gave me goosebumps! We went on a
guided tour and walked around for hours. The museum lets you take
photos in most places, so here they are. We never end up with as many
pictures as I think we should have.<br />
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We also went to Pink's hot dog stand. Never before have I had valet parking at a hot dot stand.<br />
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We spent some time with my sister as she prepared for her big international trip, and we spent some time chilling in the hotel and some time in the hot tub. Overall, it was a nice fall break.<br />
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<br />Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-25689662589362886572012-09-30T20:59:00.001-07:002012-09-30T20:59:48.621-07:00Sad news, everyone!So, how to summarize the last two months? Is it really worth it to go through it all? Can I even remember everything? Probably not. We've had a rollercoaster of a time. Lots of resolutions and decisions, all pretty much shattered by a singular event.<br />
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Lovetta and I went to the doctor's office about two weeks ago because we were pregnant with our second child. We had been trying to get pregnant for about seven months before we finally got a positive pregnancy test. We opted to tell no one about it until we'd been to the doctor to find out if everything was OK (with a singular, unusual exception that I can tell you about sometime if you <i>really</i> want to know). Well, we went in for the ultrasound, and ironically talked to the technician about our prior experience and our hope that everything would turn out fine. It seems that it's not. Once again, the technician found (and the doctor confirmed) a case of hydrops in our baby. It's the same thing Max had. We have no other details beyond this, not even the sex of the child (likely due to the fact that we were about 10.5 weeks along at the time of the ultrasound). We don't know if this baby will have the same heart problems that Max had. We do know that fatality is highly probable. We go back for another checkup in a few days.<br />
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It's been hard news for us to take, though in some ways cushioned by the fact that it's happened once before. We talked about trials at church today, and this one appears to be ours again. It's hard not to feel like you've done something wrong, even if your doctor, your family, and your religious leaders try to tell you otherwise. It's hard not to say, "Why me? Why again?" I know we'll be able to get past this; we did once before. It just doesn't make it any less sucky to go through. The doctor said that this pregnancy could terminate at any moment. They said the same about Max, but at least he got to term (sort of) and we were able to hold him and love him before he passed on. We don't know if we'll be that lucky this time.<br />
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The whole situation has really left us bummed out. The doctor explained to us that Lovetta and I must have a recessive gene thing between each of us that's pairing up somewhere between 25-99% of the time we try have a child. When it does, it will pretty much end up this way every time. Sobering news, and it comes with a lot of unnecessary guilt attached. What do you do with your life when you spend so much time gearing towards having children and then find out that you're quite a bit defective at it? Bleh.<br />
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That's it for now, I think. I'll bore you with my adventures in fiction writing and iTunes U some other time, perhaps. I just thought I should pass this word along in a way that doesn't necessarily require any kind of action or response from anyone that reads this. I hate giving people bad news, but what's worse than that is getting the condolences. There's nothing worse, really, than watching someone who really, truly cares about you want to give you help but they don't know how and neither do you. All that helplessness going around, just makes it even more sad :(Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-78474603665349313232012-07-11T12:49:00.000-07:002012-07-11T12:49:37.639-07:00Arches National Park: The Heart of the Desert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbc5S9o51nbmeGN7BA2Duhwhat2OA7xouP2u1E7jsk8alHxjpEqK5umkI-ehYayp3tGdrZW-AVlBqry18MQscavdIPXBr0xWYUZ8owThkHqI_bJ80g5YJdsnDTHEaqftm00YVnNhD1SEA/s1600/MoabKanab_156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbc5S9o51nbmeGN7BA2Duhwhat2OA7xouP2u1E7jsk8alHxjpEqK5umkI-ehYayp3tGdrZW-AVlBqry18MQscavdIPXBr0xWYUZ8owThkHqI_bJ80g5YJdsnDTHEaqftm00YVnNhD1SEA/s320/MoabKanab_156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Refilling a reusable bottle at a faucet in [Arches National Park] does more than conserve fuel, water, and landfill space. When you drink park water, a drop of the desert becomes a part of you. It is a way to take Arches National Park home with you, along with memories of your visit, a little sand in your shoes, and photographs of unique and dramatic landscapes. Responsibly sharing water with the juniper, yucca, pothole creatures, bighorn sheep, and countless future visitors is par of the experience at Arches. So fill your cup, say a word of thanks, and enjoy a refreshing gulp of the heart of the desert." By Karen Henker<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to hike to Delicate Arch. It's early in the morning and already 95 degrees outside.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyler climbed just about everything. I like that the rock looks like a diamond.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we all are on the way to Delicate Arch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big rock looks like a dragon head. It's eating Trezor, Katie is trying to rescue him, and Telisa and Tom are just running away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIKBO5X6eLPHXNk2IK_7yPwxNsL0fuev9HsqhJZsRj15ymbIED34Cfd6UpFyoJAp-2IenYJ886XQ8OozLhyrZcuxuITuxACVFcT5-EJILyMAIqi7ASJ5vLAch-hHcbS9qyMejiWdhak-h/s1600/DSC_9398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIKBO5X6eLPHXNk2IK_7yPwxNsL0fuev9HsqhJZsRj15ymbIED34Cfd6UpFyoJAp-2IenYJ886XQ8OozLhyrZcuxuITuxACVFcT5-EJILyMAIqi7ASJ5vLAch-hHcbS9qyMejiWdhak-h/s320/DSC_9398.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are standing in an arch, making an arch, in front of Delicate Arch. :) </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE3-BV9uZvlDnF3rIvUYGa028dKv9GuvdkSw_wOWGcfVYYC1FQ_OOZHS84KC9vEqm6rWfKkOP7H3UmwnvwwjtvF6LmnuC2Pt5XbFdDRBHIuQdddI2kU3fEZpR_VxesrKE5XefBzkvcg_O/s1600/MoabKanab_095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE3-BV9uZvlDnF3rIvUYGa028dKv9GuvdkSw_wOWGcfVYYC1FQ_OOZHS84KC9vEqm6rWfKkOP7H3UmwnvwwjtvF6LmnuC2Pt5XbFdDRBHIuQdddI2kU3fEZpR_VxesrKE5XefBzkvcg_O/s320/MoabKanab_095.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaG35RVVwEr7SZo34p6_E0At0mqABWFUFuQOeP57DNvnNhrytv-khroGEHD9zljPB4VoYbUMXyfoNZRlQZzizT_gTXdCvQjLphTP3eOUOxPylcR_jeSfWRXNs6Dy3C8fdy4yEa9vnN3u5/s1600/MoabKanab_089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaG35RVVwEr7SZo34p6_E0At0mqABWFUFuQOeP57DNvnNhrytv-khroGEHD9zljPB4VoYbUMXyfoNZRlQZzizT_gTXdCvQjLphTP3eOUOxPylcR_jeSfWRXNs6Dy3C8fdy4yEa9vnN3u5/s320/MoabKanab_089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbH2D4uCE_PTh9wn-lH4Up3w_uaZrvbGkA_YAJYrSdJJAWNNOQN5seyv0Oka4q-uu7t6CcoUmP-ucqtGl-x7klOaKcCNjL1UxYRgdYusB7y2x17SfjQgplyamxcRJ8N4TLBiHzyxthV5g/s1600/MoabKanab_143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbH2D4uCE_PTh9wn-lH4Up3w_uaZrvbGkA_YAJYrSdJJAWNNOQN5seyv0Oka4q-uu7t6CcoUmP-ucqtGl-x7klOaKcCNjL1UxYRgdYusB7y2x17SfjQgplyamxcRJ8N4TLBiHzyxthV5g/s320/MoabKanab_143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSODjAx9y6bSrXKv0-X24vSENFN2cSalQ9qCOvlROv7TJPzHNvGyM2Ews7h8pSCt4Qe0HTJB_-qGvLKwTVuSEZP3nfHf2GaqXOW34eyPdR3RKDgOgcPMswjcLctwEJO1onMZ86DuWeNlL/s1600/MoabKanab_170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSODjAx9y6bSrXKv0-X24vSENFN2cSalQ9qCOvlROv7TJPzHNvGyM2Ews7h8pSCt4Qe0HTJB_-qGvLKwTVuSEZP3nfHf2GaqXOW34eyPdR3RKDgOgcPMswjcLctwEJO1onMZ86DuWeNlL/s320/MoabKanab_170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Window and South Window</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ4ff_ht4y34FEtld7MIdkTyvtYKYvF8eeBgn_RBXxXQqVFEdfjGrpsI-hBrOXFK1GQ1asWr4qlvLp3DACLGGQBJlYqkDzTRtoOdkwt1oEQuipth-7nmpuMvmMD_jcOo7H1QwJWpnmxK6/s1600/MoabKanab_219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ4ff_ht4y34FEtld7MIdkTyvtYKYvF8eeBgn_RBXxXQqVFEdfjGrpsI-hBrOXFK1GQ1asWr4qlvLp3DACLGGQBJlYqkDzTRtoOdkwt1oEQuipth-7nmpuMvmMD_jcOo7H1QwJWpnmxK6/s320/MoabKanab_219.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom is the only thing keeping that Balancing Rock from falling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXRDv2CQEgdqjBOYl0W3qTJQ0z7fQamKM1xL8wmplxuJWiiMJ59PmfAXJIxi9Myy1uUZU4vS39nGCxqnAaGeuIc1hcFKDUAv9M2Jbvoj6GhIsYrc_r5oDaDLCqj6St2ia9XLr3MlZXmfv/s1600/double-arch-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXRDv2CQEgdqjBOYl0W3qTJQ0z7fQamKM1xL8wmplxuJWiiMJ59PmfAXJIxi9Myy1uUZU4vS39nGCxqnAaGeuIc1hcFKDUAv9M2Jbvoj6GhIsYrc_r5oDaDLCqj6St2ia9XLr3MlZXmfv/s320/double-arch-2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double Arch</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJZTUBMfHED4nS_fGVI5KQrZ31hQpHyCzSFILSJWxbRw0vbexstgLV-wcO4JdRsq0lJadJcbe_4QIf-2XmtTwjS5J-VZqcT4UidPOD25sXtzJNcRLrBAmw2AzqwtaKfHCHX3mX1vtPwQ6/s1600/DSC_9338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJZTUBMfHED4nS_fGVI5KQrZ31hQpHyCzSFILSJWxbRw0vbexstgLV-wcO4JdRsq0lJadJcbe_4QIf-2XmtTwjS5J-VZqcT4UidPOD25sXtzJNcRLrBAmw2AzqwtaKfHCHX3mX1vtPwQ6/s320/DSC_9338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEbredwSulohFRrgRnYffgKn5Qstu2QvLmu0weXArSoKm0BI1HATi3QSuJ3OR9c1czFCctdIDqz3fo0YttkCiGx_FeKZqUCNdY6bqfnR7xvM784E6D498CiMh02ZJGAU5bkBfaWG2VaZ-/s1600/DSC_9566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEbredwSulohFRrgRnYffgKn5Qstu2QvLmu0weXArSoKm0BI1HATi3QSuJ3OR9c1czFCctdIDqz3fo0YttkCiGx_FeKZqUCNdY6bqfnR7xvM784E6D498CiMh02ZJGAU5bkBfaWG2VaZ-/s320/DSC_9566.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the hair.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumiYcsHUqD1rq-SrwedEYFWALsFsnjdrzyTtlHt1bnZxLMYYk17YjcfznUsnYv1Q-VgVJUBWAxG82buP9C4NwZg-2dsjJblOHyqJjVCWfMHQqY2SFrguIgp_NgibHIniS-2r3nOtuf53W/s1600/DSC_9527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumiYcsHUqD1rq-SrwedEYFWALsFsnjdrzyTtlHt1bnZxLMYYk17YjcfznUsnYv1Q-VgVJUBWAxG82buP9C4NwZg-2dsjJblOHyqJjVCWfMHQqY2SFrguIgp_NgibHIniS-2r3nOtuf53W/s320/DSC_9527.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turret Arch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36_V6H_iIPFLwhXXJU3E1SPih1QABtg0KnosIVismMTHwF6BQO-ujKYaJU4gvzB8lfqEgJDQAvOWUUYNk3ScSvxqh6_rhQdZVBodcFezAh8e-wh9xBCSHWBpY2fMI_cLQPlue-KIoMxuN/s1600/DSC_9462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36_V6H_iIPFLwhXXJU3E1SPih1QABtg0KnosIVismMTHwF6BQO-ujKYaJU4gvzB8lfqEgJDQAvOWUUYNk3ScSvxqh6_rhQdZVBodcFezAh8e-wh9xBCSHWBpY2fMI_cLQPlue-KIoMxuN/s320/DSC_9462.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clouds are so awesome! You just can't plan for shots like this.</td></tr>
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<br />Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-62545135435705622352012-06-20T20:31:00.001-07:002012-06-20T20:31:16.869-07:00Student WorkNow that school has been over for a few weeks, I'm reflecting back on the past year with fondness. It was a good year with so many sweet and smart students. My first graders wrote me many wonderful and adorable notes and drew some awesome pictures throughout the year, but I can't save them all. Here, for your viewing pleasure, are of some of my favorites. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMd_Dp_Q3aZ3hBNvAZx-PO0-Aybt_ANZoOfsN2Mo_2R-TI4Ja5ttw61ubKcq1rNV0X0A12cAF4QFJ5X4ahxmcUCC7ieVp-uD6k83sUwR73TrBEFBSeG8XeyV7hlQBqyOryQ75rUrrtHZgV/s1600/2012student+work_Page_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMd_Dp_Q3aZ3hBNvAZx-PO0-Aybt_ANZoOfsN2Mo_2R-TI4Ja5ttw61ubKcq1rNV0X0A12cAF4QFJ5X4ahxmcUCC7ieVp-uD6k83sUwR73TrBEFBSeG8XeyV7hlQBqyOryQ75rUrrtHZgV/s320/2012student+work_Page_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a picture of me and one of my students, painted by the student. I love this because it was given to me on back-to-school night. That means he was able to paint me before meeting me. I love that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIOp75W8byPq_Q5DCYI2PBdMVBgifq3qTuekZdPA9iD4svyOnCWorjq6DbML0zmaV-y7temrq2ubxJYUBt8zRl11EzslrgoOP4fvaEIs_3e_jAjy52BiMtx82fN8ISSc0txHijlILo5qH/s1600/powerful+teddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIOp75W8byPq_Q5DCYI2PBdMVBgifq3qTuekZdPA9iD4svyOnCWorjq6DbML0zmaV-y7temrq2ubxJYUBt8zRl11EzslrgoOP4fvaEIs_3e_jAjy52BiMtx82fN8ISSc0txHijlILo5qH/s400/powerful+teddy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is a piece of a typical homework assignment. The great part about it was that when this student turned it in, he pointed to that blue one on the end, and said, "That's the POWERFUL one, Teacher."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGP18Nj0fZ_5I7a8vGA0Q1gywl6o2xsKW4gLZnueL8cTyIeKdGTrx2atBDuZjjOkLPc27riCZvqNLOjI6BPFTNLalKEBOUKR7nAQXgvmtmnwxqM9jKzbIRCe9-1n80eveaP0Nv-EG1nbL/s1600/2012student+work_Page_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGP18Nj0fZ_5I7a8vGA0Q1gywl6o2xsKW4gLZnueL8cTyIeKdGTrx2atBDuZjjOkLPc27riCZvqNLOjI6BPFTNLalKEBOUKR7nAQXgvmtmnwxqM9jKzbIRCe9-1n80eveaP0Nv-EG1nbL/s320/2012student+work_Page_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Translation: Dear Mrs. Reyes-Cairo, <br />
Thank you for the pumpkin. It was too smooth. Thank you for that pumpkin.<br />
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We went to Hee Haw Pumpkin Farm for one of our field trips. This student got sick and couldn't come, so I brought her back a pumpkin. She really appreciated it. I love my glasses and long ponytail in the picture. Very accurate at that time.<br />
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Some of my favorite notes. Isn't that an adorable unicorn family? And this unicorn is fabulous.<br />
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I love my students so much to 100 to 200 and 432100 right back.<br />
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I love my blue hair in this note.<br />
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Being picky is a good thing. And look at that handwriting! Pretty good, right? My students were such great writers by the end of the year last year. I can only hope they keep reading and writing over the summer. I love first graders. It's great to be a teacher.<br />
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Right now I'm attending some teacher training for math, and it has been a good reminder of what I learned in college. If you're into math at all, here is an interesting problem for you to solve. "According to one study on 6 out of 85 preservice teachers at the elementary school level solved this problem." Says Kristie J Newton, author of <i>Mathematics Teaching in Middle School, 2010. </i>But, don't be intimidated. She goes on to explain how surprising that was because the concepts addressed are really very simple and there are multiple ways to find the correct answer. OK... Here is the problem:<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jenny was mixing herself a glass of chocolate milk
(Which by the way she enjoys a strong “chocolaty” taste.) when her friend Kevin
remarked, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“You certainly have enough chocolate syrup in the
glass.” Kevin of course was looking for a glass of his own, so he could make
some chocolate milk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jenny
responded to Kevin, “I only have a third of my glass filled with chocolate
syrup.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">By this time Kevin had found a glass, that was twice
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kevin,
knowing that Jenny really liked “chocolaty” tasting milk said, “Jenny, tell you
what, lets combine our drinks into a larger pitcher, and then split the whole
amount.”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Your Task:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Determine
the amount of chocolate syrup in the combined larger mixture. Will the new
mixture be more “chocolaty” or less “chocolaty” tasting than Jenny’s original
glass of chocolate milk?</span></div>
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Well, that was fun, wasn't it?<br />
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<br />Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-45023645849758487202012-05-31T17:45:00.001-07:002012-05-31T17:45:51.607-07:00Growth!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I've taken a lot of opportunities for growth in the last month, and the first one is starting to show some fruit! These are the first little plants to break the soil! Bonus green-thumb points if you can tell me what they are. Hint: All three of them are herbs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpT0-ouDPSwlDfdnHqHWgz8JojucFkorl-3IlxBpCluOTWQyJ0YNaR1ZYB8YRGd4BU5tb_1JDq52mzGRc5t-qotQTiuRytVrhRCtzsaYwHqKaGo5eNhQG9W8vM2itxKNVZHDB47ut8Q0/s1600/seedlingsmay2012_037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpT0-ouDPSwlDfdnHqHWgz8JojucFkorl-3IlxBpCluOTWQyJ0YNaR1ZYB8YRGd4BU5tb_1JDq52mzGRc5t-qotQTiuRytVrhRCtzsaYwHqKaGo5eNhQG9W8vM2itxKNVZHDB47ut8Q0/s320/seedlingsmay2012_037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb #1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAwHjM9EfwK-3Mity1vcR7jQ-7hcOG1vBFXGVb9lRsR7r76xPqrGaHsifUTM7hvK8vuvG32Z7CTLWri_-AHKbkevaQ3wS7-HtYAm4HQnELsDZrMXpQQ8vMxCLDLwqWf6UdTsN3vuUtec/s1600/seedlingsmay2012_038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAwHjM9EfwK-3Mity1vcR7jQ-7hcOG1vBFXGVb9lRsR7r76xPqrGaHsifUTM7hvK8vuvG32Z7CTLWri_-AHKbkevaQ3wS7-HtYAm4HQnELsDZrMXpQQ8vMxCLDLwqWf6UdTsN3vuUtec/s320/seedlingsmay2012_038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb #2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9M8TBoixZxuFyd7b0zWHZ_0Ix5AhaaiPYzFdGGjCxZUE3GOg4Ph4pIeuwoL_49RdVlnluTkGpQWMySo6WhoVCHGDpq7iCVGrIDYYYRTMph2-BHbYduu2zWt-tdiHyX7jSwQphzaOgGc/s1600/seedlingsmay2012_041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9M8TBoixZxuFyd7b0zWHZ_0Ix5AhaaiPYzFdGGjCxZUE3GOg4Ph4pIeuwoL_49RdVlnluTkGpQWMySo6WhoVCHGDpq7iCVGrIDYYYRTMph2-BHbYduu2zWt-tdiHyX7jSwQphzaOgGc/s320/seedlingsmay2012_041.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb #3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We got off to a little bit of a rocky start on our plant garden this year due to some wasp nest problems that I was reluctant to take care of. We've since remedied the issue (and moved our planter boxes in the process), and at least got our herb garden a-growin'. The rest of what we want to plant will come later. We're thinking some tomatoes and kale again, but we're not sure about the rest of our planter space. We kind of neglected our garden at the end of the summer last year and lost some strawberries and asparagus because of it. Secretly, we're hoping they'll resurrect again this year, but I've gotta say that things look pretty bleak. We'll spare you the pathetic-looking pictures of their current state and simply say that we hope to do better with our garden this year :)<br />
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The other area of growth for me comes in the fiction-writing section of my life. I've always wanted to write a book, and I think I will some day. In the meantime, I'm contenting myself with some short stories for practice. The one I've started (and hope to complete in the coming months) is based off a CCG I've recently picked up called <a href="http://www.shadowera.com/?r=2215228%20">Shadow Era</a>. I did some writing way back in the day--we're talking like 10+ years ago--for a different card game that seemed to go over successfully. It's easy for me to write these fan fictions in a world that's already set up; it has a lot less planning involved. You can find the first two parts of what will likely turn out to be a five-part story <a href="http://www.shadowera.com/showthread.php?15045-%28Fan-Fiction%29-quot-Nishaven-quot-Part-1">right here</a>. As you can see from some of the comments on the forum page, some people seem to like it. That always makes me happy :) It's a great outlet to try some fiction writing as opposed to the review writing that I've done most recently. It's hard to say, though, which I like best. They're very different from each other and require different kinds of thinking to do well. Funny how that works, huh?<br />
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Anyway, we're looking forward to all of our possibilities in growth coming up and hope to keep all of you better posted on what those may be as they develop. We (meaning, I) haven't been very good about blogging much lately, and we have a goal to do more quality posts this year than last year. Here's to hoping!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-91029353892674708702012-04-12T19:50:00.002-07:002012-04-12T19:55:24.542-07:00Recent Milestones<style>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I have been loving spring break.
I am glad I didn't have to travel. I'm just hanging out at home. It
has been good for me. Even in this down time, when I tend to think
nothing worth posting about is going on, I look closer and realize several
little milestones have been reached in the recent past, let me share. </span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> I voted on a reality TV
show for the first time. (It was the Voice; I love that show.)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> I bought a song on iTunes
without Tom for the first time. I am remembering how much I love
music. My current favorite artist to listen to is Lenka. I
also purchased some awesome, classic love songs to add to a playlist I'm
working on. I have wanted the Unchained Melody for a long
time. Now I have it.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> I ate daikon radish for
the first time, loved it, bought one from the store, and didn't love
it. If you have good daikon recipes, let me know. If not, then
I can always put it in a stir-fry. Almost all vegetables are welcome
in a stir-fry.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I made lentil soup for the
first time (I do love that Dutch oven from the last post). </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I made Oreo truffles for my
dad's birthday, and we used cards to make a treasure hunt. The
royalty were directions and the numbers told how far to go. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> For the first time in a
long time, I went to a baby shower and didn't cry at all that day.
Really! Not before or after. It was a big deal for me to go, an even
bigger deal not to cry for the whole day. Maybe I'm getting better
at ignoring. Maybe I'm coping well. Either way I consider it a
little milestone.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I read an action/adventure book
with Tom. He's resisted reading together in the past. I broke him in
with some light comedy, and we just finished <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alloy of Law </i>by Brandon Sanderson. I've won him
over. I miss my old book club so bad. If you ever want to read
the same book as me and then talk about it, I would love that. :)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I bought my first pair of hot
pink shoes. They're running shoes, and I think the color does make me run
faster.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> I almost finished my
current oil painting. (<a href="http://lovettasartblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/girl-with-pearl-earing-copy-almost.html">check it out</a>)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For the first time that I can
remember, I was sick enough to miss work. Then the paraprofessional
in my classroom took over as part of preparing her for teaching next year,
so I didn't teach those days either. Then I had some professional
development to go so I missed more work. It is nice to know that, while
it wasn't perfect, my classroom is set up enough to function without
me. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I took pictures of my little
brother, Skyler, who is graduating High School this year!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">My other brother, Trezor, is
dating a sweet girl named Katie. </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">This is why I love writing: it forces
me to acknowledge the little but important things happening in my life. I
love writing, and I love pictures. Hooray for blogs because we can have
both. This time, however, you have to match the photos up with their
bullet points. I didn't want to deal with sticking them in the right
places. </span> </div>Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-5827357694429441472012-03-09T19:17:00.000-08:002012-03-09T19:17:18.755-08:00Untold StoriesSo, let it be known that for all I want to be a good writer and whatnot, <a href="http://whatidiscovered.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-i-discovered.html">I'm really terrible at doing it on a regular basis.</a> Needless to say, that causes a lot of untold stories to occur for those of you trying to follow our lives at a distance. Take this picture for example:<br />
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Now if you'll look closely, you'll see in this picture alone that there are two very recent and important untold stories! First, and probably most noticeable, is Lovetta's hair! She decided this last week that she wanted to cut her hair much shorter <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1XPPbznl8XJfdItlqQ4KP0nONktKUZPtmqDVAofgbq1IiN7WHNZ0TQDshp5FFRakd7mEUkG272zTAyKLQxWnwh2KozpqE2rxu5e65zuQC1jd5rE7R6H06XmxaTnBaNTrEBc4rkaK1_2h/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG">than what it was before.</a> Interestingly enough, she decided to tell no one about it until after it was done (no one but me and her aunt who actually did the cutting). Stealth haircut! Some of her students liked it, but one in particular wasn't too enthused. Lovetta overheard a conversation between two of the kids that went something like this:<br />
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Student 1: "Do you like Mrs. Reyes-Cairo's haircut?"<br />
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Student 2: *shrug and reluctance to answer* "She kinda looks like my mom."<br />
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You can't please 'em all :) Lovetta thinks that sometimes kids (girls in particular) like long hair on women because it makes them more princess-like. I think Lovetta looks hot! I guess that's why I'm her husband, though >. ><br />
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So, the other thing in that thar picture is a brand-new, bright green dutch oven that Lovetta's parents got us for Christmas. Why is this important to our lives? Well, if you haven't noticed by now, we love to cook. Somehow, certain kitchen pieces have escaped us these near-five years. The dutch oven is one of those things that we'd see time after time used in recipes and we'd always have to work out some other unsatisfactory solution. Now that we have it, we're making all sorts of roasts, soups and stews, picadillos (well, really only one sort of that but multiple times), and more with the thing! It's our new favorite kitchen friend. If you have any good dutch oven recipes you want to share, they would be welcome in the comments below.<br />
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So many untold stories over this last month, it makes me regretful not to have shared them out to all of you. For instance, as I write this, Lovetta is sitting next to me preparing to take her second PRAXIS test for her Level 2 teaching license. Utah requires that you take some testing after about three years of teaching before you can renew (and upgrade) your license. A lot of it is about methods, but some of it is also about what people think the perfect teacher should be like. You know. The kind that works late and not necessarily because it makes things better, sacrifices personal sharpen-your-saw type activities for work meetings, etc. Needless to say, I don't agree with everything they're trying to tell you is "the right answer," but if you don't say those things they won't let you teach. (I guess?) Maybe this is why no one wanted to hire me as a teacher >.< She's a fantastic educator, though, so at least that makes one of us :)<br />
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For me, I've had to take on some additional responsibility at work. <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700218042/BYU-Bookstore-lays-off-29-employees.html">We recently had an extremely unfortunate round of layoffs at work.</a> I'm honestly surprised (but grateful) to have my job still. I honestly think that the only reason I didn't get let go is cause they're not giving me benefits. One of the few times in life to be happy about that, I guess? Anyway, because of the additional responsibilities I've picked up as well as the close proximity to our location, I was permitted to attend the CAMEX Trade Show. It's pretty much the end-all of trade shows for the campus bookstore industry. I was able to do a little shoulder-rubbing with vendors and campus store managers from all over the country. It was a ton of fun and there was plenty to glean from some of the sessions I attended.<br />
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Well, there's more I could probably ramble on about, but I'll save you the time so you don't go all TL;DR on me.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-74114683260179245222012-02-05T20:01:00.000-08:002012-02-05T20:05:34.117-08:00Don't You Wish it Were Christmas Time?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know it's February, but I want to talk about Christmas. Christmas was awesome, and Tom didn't mention all the great things we got to do. We went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. I did get a little headache, but it was worth it. It looks farther away in the pictures and the movie than it felt when I was there.<br />
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We did the world's tiniest 1000 piece puzzle! Quite an accomplishment, if I do say so myself.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She just put two pieces together in a row!</td></tr>
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I made teeny tiny Christmas cards. So did my family members, we wrote notes on them and gave them to each other.<br />
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We took family photos for the first time as a whole family since my brother got back from his mission. Here are my favorites.<br />
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I also did a lot of art with my sister. I am going to post that on my<a href="http://lovettasartblog.blogspot.com/"> art blog.</a></div>
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Aaaah... wasn't that nice? Christmas was joyous. Also, my birthday happened (on New Years Day). I did exactly what I wanted to do: watched family videos and made popcorn on the stove. Tom got me a set of 4 puzzles, one for every season. I already did the winter one. It was so happy. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fzL91ru89e4?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-27779269293518222412012-01-18T20:04:00.000-08:002012-01-18T20:04:20.390-08:00The New Year Is Upon Us!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAKE0whszl8mX7cNatETKYy7kPAQLlqBAKEmOjcjp6qb3d1qC87zl9zcyv8PNctzhOHeU_PkybxdDtZGieqw3WiSMLNtRFCd28-YmjIhcHsdrHqDJe-7V80xHiAsGyzjtyFPaqVVC1N0/s1600/2012+We+Were+Warned.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAKE0whszl8mX7cNatETKYy7kPAQLlqBAKEmOjcjp6qb3d1qC87zl9zcyv8PNctzhOHeU_PkybxdDtZGieqw3WiSMLNtRFCd28-YmjIhcHsdrHqDJe-7V80xHiAsGyzjtyFPaqVVC1N0/s320/2012+We+Were+Warned.png" width="257" /></a></div><br />
Welcome to the year 2012, where we've already seen events of disaster and destruction in our household. Literally days into the new year, our condo neighbors had a pipe bust that caused all sorts of flooding in our building with loads of damage to boot. I got a knock on my door on Monday the 2nd from some flood damage repair folks who said they were offering to check and see if there was any damage to our condo. I didn't think there was, because I hadn't seen any water come through the shared wall we have with our neighbors. Lo and behold, both our walls and our <a href="http://thomasandlovetta.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-cant-think-of-title-heres-update.html">brand new tile</a> were wet and in need of drying else they suffer severe damage. So, we had them come and bring some fans in to see what they could dry out. A few days later, they ripped off our baseboards, drilled some holes in the walls, and brought in some heaters, hoping that it would accelerate the drying. We had a rollercoaster of "it's getting better, everything should be fine" and "if it doesn't get any better we're going to have to rip out your tile" for about a week and a half. Not to mention that the machines they brought in caused the temperature in our house to rise to the mid-90s if we didn't open all of our windows. Oh and did I mention that flapping plastic "tents" keep you up in the middle of the night so you get some of the worst nights of sleep in your life? Well, they do. I wish I'd taken a picture of the makeshift dome/tent thing they created to try and isolate the heat on our tile to dry it out. It made using our kitchen a pain.<br />
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But, ultimately, it dried with no apparent damage to walls or tile, and someone else's insurance will pay for it. More than anything I feel bad for all of our condo-mates that got affected. The repair people said that if there was a lottery to be had in all of the damage that was done, we would have won with how little there was. Our neighbors from where the leak sprung seemed to have the worst of it as far as I've been able to make out.<br />
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Now that the literal dust has settled on that event, we're hoping to move on with our lives with business as usual. Except BETTER THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR. I'm of the opinion that we should always seek improvement, even if things were pretty good before. And that's what I'd consider 2011: a pretty good year. Still, I see lots of <a href="http://whatidiscovered.blogspot.com/">room for improvement.</a> I'd really like to do more writing this year than I've done before. Whether it be on our blog, a different blog project, or just some fiction novel (and even picture book) ideas that I've been tossing around my head. I'd like to make 2012 a much more productive year for my downtime than 2011 was. We'll see what comes of it.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-80089294424988892632011-12-19T10:34:00.000-08:002011-12-19T10:37:34.146-08:00Holy Christmas Time!Here is a video to add to your Christmas cheer. <br />
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Speaking of Christmas cheer, Tom and I have been having a lot of it. I went with my family to pick out their Christmas tree after Thanksgiving, and fell in love with some tiny trees. My dad and I share a great love for tiny things, so he bought me my own little Christmas tree. It is so cute! This is the first time in our married life that Tom and I have had a tree of our own.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegHlZwxu2ZZxUoW8WVNgf-UdEsehVMkaWK6v9qaafV__o9328natqhjA8nJK00FOLs1jxjbqY-mDvJUukmNb_mO42QOYayE7CGxyC-115Tkj4M5WD3Dyfc-HADQT__aGLViJFgYQFnLhl/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegHlZwxu2ZZxUoW8WVNgf-UdEsehVMkaWK6v9qaafV__o9328natqhjA8nJK00FOLs1jxjbqY-mDvJUukmNb_mO42QOYayE7CGxyC-115Tkj4M5WD3Dyfc-HADQT__aGLViJFgYQFnLhl/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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My tiny tree even has some gifts under it. Some from my wonderful, generous 1st grade students and their families, and one mysterious one from Tom. He says he has two more ideas on top of that one that he wants to get me for my birthday and Christmas. He says he was shopping for his other ideas, when he saw this one and knew I'd love it. He tells me things like that all the time, things about the gifts, but not really giving any clues as to what they could be. Sneaky Tom! Tom are at a point in our lives where if we really want something, we try to save for it, and then go get it. Tom has never said to me, "I really want a new mouse for my computer for Christmas." He says, "I really want a new mouse, so I've done my research, and found which one I want, I'll save money and get it soon." Therefore, coming up with gifts has been tricky. I have a good one for him, though. I am super excited. I am going shopping for it this week. <br />
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We added to our Christmas cheer with the Festival of Trees. I was a little disappointed that I missed the deadline to donate. Next year I'll be ready for sure. Here are pictures of some of my favorite displays.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YYdhYmp_0VnPpPHFtNWXNyVu-h3QzG4VRs92TWWAegePKiVOn6MAh7Q4sSkvenlI_tj6JWeN1tq7j90cGOPf8V0iXhcTMAUquRdJ66FxnOoPs1Bu9whiwZHkhyphenhypheni-DgNjTL6ZrA5NX-9N/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YYdhYmp_0VnPpPHFtNWXNyVu-h3QzG4VRs92TWWAegePKiVOn6MAh7Q4sSkvenlI_tj6JWeN1tq7j90cGOPf8V0iXhcTMAUquRdJ66FxnOoPs1Bu9whiwZHkhyphenhypheni-DgNjTL6ZrA5NX-9N/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gingerbread White House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAezNpYmVkb6dGrsnQoEUIn2SKjYcoUSYt8X9fNFp1xBe470AmdgbUU5ntBqYk8qNAx6CVvMVq3oLAYvMx30e9FZ40PakNbj2Qj5KrnXoSAv1sseOllHzi5gocPBhlTdPYZsPikKdbRS2/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAezNpYmVkb6dGrsnQoEUIn2SKjYcoUSYt8X9fNFp1xBe470AmdgbUU5ntBqYk8qNAx6CVvMVq3oLAYvMx30e9FZ40PakNbj2Qj5KrnXoSAv1sseOllHzi5gocPBhlTdPYZsPikKdbRS2/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madagascar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ1weAk-6zRD1O8QzpbIgj1OQtemD3QFpH-O0GvCs5dqknRcdH19aOkXVE12asi6YK3k8Q5SES8kt7U0F8HM4gkSd7i55J5q_DEocFsQLgKzbDmT4k_0V7-tHXb5iNlJF2q5Ls7GU_acO/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ1weAk-6zRD1O8QzpbIgj1OQtemD3QFpH-O0GvCs5dqknRcdH19aOkXVE12asi6YK3k8Q5SES8kt7U0F8HM4gkSd7i55J5q_DEocFsQLgKzbDmT4k_0V7-tHXb5iNlJF2q5Ls7GU_acO/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYYjdIt5qywO0RoaeqOSGnVHMR4txy5D2WRsSaYmrOB_x-ZRehxDP8OphP6GEvJQaLH5YO7e3WVU47YQE2oSw9EVdPLaNbbZcgWeFFzdtTobevzCkyIMHRuwaXAj-7v3NGrb0ux2t9x8g/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYYjdIt5qywO0RoaeqOSGnVHMR4txy5D2WRsSaYmrOB_x-ZRehxDP8OphP6GEvJQaLH5YO7e3WVU47YQE2oSw9EVdPLaNbbZcgWeFFzdtTobevzCkyIMHRuwaXAj-7v3NGrb0ux2t9x8g/s320/IMG_0072.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson Pollock Tree. My dad recreated this in gingerbread. It was awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrLq7_rwO4XDz-vq1hEu6Uv6_kYfzp56712zequzp-x8np64_VcsjJY4ZpX_4-IM5ZjKducYzc2fhmlNnxILIeuVNLbb2bQFiBmWEj972_bUyY10NpaOyFrv1b5PQSIg11ccYKR-IjOJF/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrLq7_rwO4XDz-vq1hEu6Uv6_kYfzp56712zequzp-x8np64_VcsjJY4ZpX_4-IM5ZjKducYzc2fhmlNnxILIeuVNLbb2bQFiBmWEj972_bUyY10NpaOyFrv1b5PQSIg11ccYKR-IjOJF/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turned wood ornamen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdGLLyznSV9ZlA8weczIq3h266yBpO-vHm6oTYCyAqBY4Aj1TrQo8ZF2FSvlja9_BxnWxdMFLNNK5Sr4hfC8ulA-hZfjfegnC2-PXjyYxz8sILLhFjiBTcOqCzXAEwDV3-itkzM2qsw7c/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdGLLyznSV9ZlA8weczIq3h266yBpO-vHm6oTYCyAqBY4Aj1TrQo8ZF2FSvlja9_BxnWxdMFLNNK5Sr4hfC8ulA-hZfjfegnC2-PXjyYxz8sILLhFjiBTcOqCzXAEwDV3-itkzM2qsw7c/s320/IMG_0086.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telisa by the tree made out of the Eiffel Tower</td></tr>
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Have a very Merry Christmas!Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-59018061037169977182011-11-07T16:14:00.000-08:002011-11-07T16:34:14.822-08:00Because two pumpkins isn't enough.So, we love holidays in my family. More specifically, we love holidays in my family because Lovetta LOVES holidays. Halloween is one of her favorites. If you couldn't tell from previous posts, let me just settle this one in your mind right now by posting pictures of our third pumpkin of the Halloween season.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXVkkqO9u8KpMFf6tMqJNX4OMUn2d0_Bx3DsHDIOdHP5FfzFerVLYRc0Dt4CF-PJW7ERV2Tq5oTXdw6LiT4rpc4CZORCpxuLQVnktbADyhIQVpol3uSDgd7vYnq5C2xidjQckRBxnegc/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXVkkqO9u8KpMFf6tMqJNX4OMUn2d0_Bx3DsHDIOdHP5FfzFerVLYRc0Dt4CF-PJW7ERV2Tq5oTXdw6LiT4rpc4CZORCpxuLQVnktbADyhIQVpol3uSDgd7vYnq5C2xidjQckRBxnegc/s320/IMG_0036.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/AVvXsEgxcPk9Wf2POmEEqB8nI0M4fcTm7XKuY5J_aJsIM9eH4NGeBuQ372RvOJf2-1L5l0DJB-mtjLweliZxCEP7SUuDLrdKXgszwg5PfnUx_Up-ku7E_2AfFZDq8dPumfhF2z-yg26YGYDdBT8/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcPk9Wf2POmEEqB8nI0M4fcTm7XKuY5J_aJsIM9eH4NGeBuQ372RvOJf2-1L5l0DJB-mtjLweliZxCEP7SUuDLrdKXgszwg5PfnUx_Up-ku7E_2AfFZDq8dPumfhF2z-yg26YGYDdBT8/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This one was especially fun for us, because we got to carve it with Rob and Lisa over Skype! It was Rob's birthday and we always used to do something for the occasion with them. We love those guys!<br />
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Oh what? Three pumpkins isn't enough evidence that we love Halloween, huh? Well, what about this!<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DG3GwZmZAdo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_161044946"></span><span id="goog_161044947"></span></div>And this!<br />
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These came from the Halloween party that Lovetta's parents threw for her little sister. Cute shadow puppets, huh?!<br />
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There, that should have you convinced.<br />
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We're excited about the upcoming holidays. We'll be spending Thanksgiving with my sister up in Idaho and Christmas back here in Utah with Lovetta's family. There will be much nog-o-clocking goin' on. Rest assured.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmC2GNdbe_tBuKCYm8yPl02uZjY6a4By8OlITt2fTC6DIQ_4VcShXpmDIg5_Zg1zX5GUpiyXgQZzM_IU94xt5KZMUxpZ3RHFaJZG5o3_nA8hSFpIhAp0WBJanevmQh7QIuyzn7i9kqrc/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmC2GNdbe_tBuKCYm8yPl02uZjY6a4By8OlITt2fTC6DIQ_4VcShXpmDIg5_Zg1zX5GUpiyXgQZzM_IU94xt5KZMUxpZ3RHFaJZG5o3_nA8hSFpIhAp0WBJanevmQh7QIuyzn7i9kqrc/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What time is it? Nog-o-clock! Cheers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Also, Lovetta's brother, Trezor, comes back from his mission this week! How exciting! We've enjoyed reading his letters and hearing about all of the awesome work he's been doing spreading the gospel in New York. We're excited to have him back and Christmas is going to be a big hullabaloo with all of Lovetta's siblings in town. Should be good times ahead!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-25240745142931302432011-10-21T20:00:00.001-07:002011-10-21T21:02:44.500-07:00Fall Pleasures I love the fall! I love the way the leaves sound when I step on them.
(And, yes, I do go out of my way to step on as many as I can.) I love
wearing sweaters and jackets. I love fall foods like chili and
cornbread and pumpkin rolls. Speaking of pumpkin, I love the pumpkins
too. I love baking and eating the seeds, and I love carving. This year
I decided to take as much advantage of those loves as possible.
Therefore, I carved my 1st pumpkin for FHE on the first Monday in
October.<br />
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We carved our second pumpkin with my family on Sunday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPIUhrO9adLpAvnTZcFIHCaK0CYkxhwsEr07ZEW5i7voId7qF05RuxzBsvY8qfTGbPhFOpiu_vRuNsEjjzmDO7sVdSN30g0T6Wj2GizmCv6EUOEAqQzG5Yz2kBSzF6inwcEdvK6pn4JLp/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPIUhrO9adLpAvnTZcFIHCaK0CYkxhwsEr07ZEW5i7voId7qF05RuxzBsvY8qfTGbPhFOpiu_vRuNsEjjzmDO7sVdSN30g0T6Wj2GizmCv6EUOEAqQzG5Yz2kBSzF6inwcEdvK6pn4JLp/s320/DSC_0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year, Telisa came up with the theme of "sunglasses" to base out pumpkins on. This is Dracula. He is wearing bat sunglasses. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyler has a pumpkin head!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vF_JVY_Yax-tTsoXPFmpDF68B0nvDQVYBfbGrMJmr93nSrg9nLYuqdPnYv7qXNA5QV6Y6slZAHyBAziYX0YWENUIxgAEMFWHAG-iXXvUOiWZC4-FF-BJAsBDXay5XhQdvvjjlNQfgLDQ/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vF_JVY_Yax-tTsoXPFmpDF68B0nvDQVYBfbGrMJmr93nSrg9nLYuqdPnYv7qXNA5QV6Y6slZAHyBAziYX0YWENUIxgAEMFWHAG-iXXvUOiWZC4-FF-BJAsBDXay5XhQdvvjjlNQfgLDQ/s320/DSC_0142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad's pumpkin.<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_tupPBtWQ&noredirect=1"> Mahna Mahna</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRBdFcC2VAz_16hi-iapcH26sfW9J-_H7jJgaIVhsbq7Wn497xWvz60x4xqk_eg1EJQohZnSD68z6ohlTCKuBK3pfViTV1zet8aeTd9YfAKT9Rfqm3i0tixQQwBNH1zF24Fjh3JOqgMTZ/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRBdFcC2VAz_16hi-iapcH26sfW9J-_H7jJgaIVhsbq7Wn497xWvz60x4xqk_eg1EJQohZnSD68z6ohlTCKuBK3pfViTV1zet8aeTd9YfAKT9Rfqm3i0tixQQwBNH1zF24Fjh3JOqgMTZ/s320/DSC_0158.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they are all together: a family of pumpkins. Telisa's is a chef kitty, Melody's is the skeleton, and Mom's looks a lot like Mom. What Halloween joy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdsjpwIHYE5DmlbJ3LQ6xjG9HG_tmFCBT-AezwwABCnD8BR2t4nAD4Ve8yYg8CFUkBFi39FqkCyXVM5AfTd1aGVfzPJ5NHJiEfJ5rOjszBYVdYXh2dju6uYXhisSJwoH8owOJQm6DFgfx/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdsjpwIHYE5DmlbJ3LQ6xjG9HG_tmFCBT-AezwwABCnD8BR2t4nAD4Ve8yYg8CFUkBFi39FqkCyXVM5AfTd1aGVfzPJ5NHJiEfJ5rOjszBYVdYXh2dju6uYXhisSJwoH8owOJQm6DFgfx/s320/DSC_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OOOO... spooky all lit up. It was surprisingly hard to get them all lit at once.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-p-ylBaRmnrfIvrLf5XUhLyfO21BZ0k2PK2Pfx6LAcf5EiHjuWFUBWvy2wzWDNv9w1O63gwHvxYMlF4BXxSgEg6PzTUVe81Vm30dS8E_brTvL2LNWQjrhU2jpLfOgxzAwFSagZNvYfJ_/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-p-ylBaRmnrfIvrLf5XUhLyfO21BZ0k2PK2Pfx6LAcf5EiHjuWFUBWvy2wzWDNv9w1O63gwHvxYMlF4BXxSgEg6PzTUVe81Vm30dS8E_brTvL2LNWQjrhU2jpLfOgxzAwFSagZNvYfJ_/s320/DSC_0161.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom sewed us each matching but unique aprons. So cute!</td></tr>
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As you can see, my sister Melody got to come visit. It was great to
get to spend a little time together. How can I not be exited about fall
after a post like this. But wait! There's more. We also went up
Provo canyon and took pictures. The mountains are so beautiful. I
can't resist posting more pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BAM!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5vFhVSyL_thkkyfm6Ks0QpvZJxr09g9x0d-iRsEQewWHkJPqzeMtQGFaOkz-XT-FySVRsNPfxSFk9V35_aJ3cXoxhyL3wUMTpe2tbOs4zt0MxkPy-sv-RQLG-l-FH_KAAS6mUO9sCvwH/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5vFhVSyL_thkkyfm6Ks0QpvZJxr09g9x0d-iRsEQewWHkJPqzeMtQGFaOkz-XT-FySVRsNPfxSFk9V35_aJ3cXoxhyL3wUMTpe2tbOs4zt0MxkPy-sv-RQLG-l-FH_KAAS6mUO9sCvwH/s400/DSC_0046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was feeling artistic.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am pleased to say I took this picture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesy grins!</td></tr>
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<br />Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-31294569565705042612011-10-10T13:00:00.000-07:002011-10-10T13:00:56.651-07:00Tradition!So, Lovetta and I decided to take some time out of our busy schedule and join in the BYU Homecoming festivities. Every year, for many years now, BYU has an annual "Hike the Y" event where we all go and hike up Y Mountain to light it for Homecoming week. We never did it as undergrads, so we figured that doing it as alums would be better than nothing. Lovetta's family hadn't done it, either, so they came along for the fun! It's a hike with a beautiful view of the Utah Valley. Just look!<br />
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I wish we'd brought our nice camera instead of just having my cruddy iPod camera, but it's better than nothing. We got to the top, about 10 minutes before they lit up the mountain. It was pretty cool to see.<br />
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All-in-all, a very fun trip.<br />
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I've been trying to find something constructive to do with my time outside of work these days. Truth be told, I've spent a lot of it playing video games. And while that's a lot of fun, it doesn't quite fill my need to be productive with my life. So, I've taken to <a href="http://whatidiscovered.blogspot.com/">writing a review blog</a>. It's all about the new things I'm discovering in life and how I feel about them. While I feel like the writing is quite a bit amateurish, I'm hoping it will get better over time. Feel free to check it out and give me some suggestions of things I should look into and review! I'm hoping to write in it at least once a week, but we'll see how that goes.<br />
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Lastly, <a href="http://thomasandlovetta.blogspot.com/2010/08/real-life.html">I'm finally getting an iPhone.</a> Here's to hoping it's everything I've dreamed of. More on that later when it arrives, I'm sure.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-29999353247557757112011-10-02T13:03:00.000-07:002011-10-02T13:03:49.929-07:00I can't think of a title... here's the update anyway.Quite a few things have happened since I wrote on this blog last.<br />
1. We replaced some of the carpet in our living room/kitchen area with tile.<br />
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2. We replaced some broken blinds with curtains. <br />
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3. Tom had a birthday. We made cupcakes with delicious frosting. Dan and Ashley came over and we played a board game called Pandemic. It's a cooperative game where everyone is on one team trying to beat the game. We lost. It was fun anyway.<br />
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4. The season changed. It is starting to feel like fall. I love the fall. I love pumpkins and the colorful leaves and the way the air feels.<br />
5. My weekdays filled up with all sorts of stuff, and I worked too much. General Conference has been very relaxing and inspiring. I am determined in weeks to come to spend my time on what matters most.Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-52017616004287241232011-08-12T16:38:00.000-07:002011-08-12T17:32:16.054-07:00Video RenaissanceSo, Lovetta and I decided we wanted to dig through some old High School videos of hers for a friend. Upon doing this, we came across some raw footage from the move "Channel Surfing" that I filmed while we were dating. I posted this thing up on Facebook and YouTube quite a while ago, but thought I'd share it here for those of you who have never seen this side of my wild, creative mind. It's basically satire centered around my college experience mixed with the silliness of television and advertising. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9ezBSaqJodw" width="425"></iframe>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-2103843601442710082011-08-09T19:54:00.000-07:002011-08-09T19:58:51.875-07:00The Good Things in LifeSo, we went to <a href="http://www.pirateislandorem.com/">Pirate Island</a> the other day. It's one of those Chucky Cheese-style restaurants, but is automatically cooler because it's centered around pirates instead of a purple rat. Yarr! What made this particular trip exciting, though, was one little video game they had sitting just <i>outside</i> their arcade. Why outside of the arcade? Well, because it's obviously too cool to be around the other arcade games. Well, that and it doesn't give any tickets or prizes. But it does give a supreme sense of joy and happiness with a heaping helping of motion sickness! What is this video game you ask? Well, play the video here and find out!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eszcaPu-AS8?hl=en&fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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I wish I had more of the video, but my iPod didn't have enough space. Anyway, it's always comforting to get <a href="http://thomasandlovetta.blogspot.com/2011/06/amusement-parks-sometimes.html">a little bit of Ohio</a> all the way out here in Utah.<br />
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Speaking of a little bit of Ohio in Utah, we went on another hike this last week. Lovetta and I decided that since we don't get out enough, we should go to see Stewart Falls up by Sundance. This hike was a little different than other hikes I've done in Utah because there was a lot of beautiful greenery. Unfortunately, we spent about an hour trying to find the trailhead. There's two, you know. What's worse, we found out after we got to the falls that we were right by the first trailhead we were trying to find, but it just wasn't signed very well. Regardless of the fact that we walked at quite a brisk pace, the hike itself was very pretty. Since you're up in the middle of the mountains you have an eye-catching view almost the entire hike (when you're not tripping on roots and rocks, anyway). Here's some pictures and a little video from Lovetta to all of you!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbYHgXVoZO4sxrHgq6oyHjKzhsUVOHg843Zn1SR6PAAVaYcL9lHQT7TmXOmalFfoF3yPQMahqR9ADOJJxRrSnGn7yvo0qpQya706Ln3T7tB-Hx_Aihf5xcvNZ-IYNx0GksRB-8Yy4ODw/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbYHgXVoZO4sxrHgq6oyHjKzhsUVOHg843Zn1SR6PAAVaYcL9lHQT7TmXOmalFfoF3yPQMahqR9ADOJJxRrSnGn7yvo0qpQya706Ln3T7tB-Hx_Aihf5xcvNZ-IYNx0GksRB-8Yy4ODw/s320/IMG_0150.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot Telisa?</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fl3DBFzgT54?hl=en&fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzN7j-yoNmfCQfQYkNA_PbblYKSfejiSXNaE0IIjjnECOlHShHBzng_olwEBDQmDGVq_Fhla95GggP8lanNaUEZn0_3g-oOL6VclGVjC-pPYV63b57vIE2WDEQXOMhRGz36UPJH5fawg/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzN7j-yoNmfCQfQYkNA_PbblYKSfejiSXNaE0IIjjnECOlHShHBzng_olwEBDQmDGVq_Fhla95GggP8lanNaUEZn0_3g-oOL6VclGVjC-pPYV63b57vIE2WDEQXOMhRGz36UPJH5fawg/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did it!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahPYzZHPI__8IE7n1_I4bV5W8PEhstmspGdblonITh0MF8-ln9eJbvyptfg8YcPh32tDAkhf9V5XeHlMZs9sjPd4SYbyCpdPNnlTu3-DJbGTFu8vqmq0AKPaJ9biv16d2flW7drrsyj0/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahPYzZHPI__8IE7n1_I4bV5W8PEhstmspGdblonITh0MF8-ln9eJbvyptfg8YcPh32tDAkhf9V5XeHlMZs9sjPd4SYbyCpdPNnlTu3-DJbGTFu8vqmq0AKPaJ9biv16d2flW7drrsyj0/s320/IMG_0155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Sorry for double waterfall blog posts, but who could pass up something like this?! We've resolved to take better advantage of the Utah landscape and do more hiking. I love it out here!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-30407065556363864582011-07-19T16:13:00.000-07:002011-07-19T16:14:21.421-07:00Sum-er Sum-upSummer is zooming by. I can tell school is just around the corner, and I am anxious and excited and apprehensive. I also feel like the weather here has been disrupting my ideas of a calm summer lately. It seems like our whole country is experiencing strange weather. Maybe it seems eerie to me because I've been watching all the Harry Potter movies in preparation to see the last two. I also reread the last book. Hopefully our strange weather is not really a cloud of dementors. I had forgotten so much of what happens in that book. It was a fun reread, but it made me realize why I don't read as much during the school year. I get sucked into books and abandon all other activities and responsibilities. Today I finished the book, but didn't brush my hair, shower, put on makeup, or wear real clothes.<br />
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Tom and I went to Bridal Vail Falls with my family. It was warm most of the day, but right when we got to the falls, it started to rain. It stopped within a few minutes, so we were able to take some pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPnbno3iCEBKUyf03vwv-JbpocTTL-5RQ5CAhcMFzH_q70pYrCUpbXIl6HaArpAZBrKYRyGDTgzjtXprI802L82IcVTfohVmuOu5QdIsReRkVjDygEJr_Zz6XLC34S_1GLOeeZBKIoJrF/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the way the falls looks in the rain. The colors seem so vibrant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHejcbaItoeIn3IEbvMtedcuFMNkz8TuFsaMAl58VeOzFzOoRSO81F0pQOKXeYmTFEPA9sty5hWRIx8dvw11_atH3XvJUmLpUOPAEDcjZ6D2WhTBE8qZ38ybuMydJVlQ6IdCm0-lNOEm62/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHejcbaItoeIn3IEbvMtedcuFMNkz8TuFsaMAl58VeOzFzOoRSO81F0pQOKXeYmTFEPA9sty5hWRIx8dvw11_atH3XvJUmLpUOPAEDcjZ6D2WhTBE8qZ38ybuMydJVlQ6IdCm0-lNOEm62/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Tom looking dashing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-jeaAZVCMSSrAunhe7lERyg2-6bZeY-8lBZaV2kDMD1jo5y4OGDeCHsL4cpFmhl_m889X_nRehzKd-2N00iM3uO62y99433dtgc1-D0vxiqZDrIzOndtgJdjBBtlCuWqy6Ft4-OmnPyN/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-jeaAZVCMSSrAunhe7lERyg2-6bZeY-8lBZaV2kDMD1jo5y4OGDeCHsL4cpFmhl_m889X_nRehzKd-2N00iM3uO62y99433dtgc1-D0vxiqZDrIzOndtgJdjBBtlCuWqy6Ft4-OmnPyN/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wasn't quite as good at looking dashing as he is. The wind didn't cooperate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybFirHkbBwRigIRnLNRNFTfMYc7YYyTp7q2SwEZNf_yIJucxseKbQWK98wxu48XUn_xmTsxDzMX8BM-wT1anvDRnnPy3vKeLhu0leFApo1GKtDL86kRfQBH7_c96DzcdLEr1Gl70xZlNz/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybFirHkbBwRigIRnLNRNFTfMYc7YYyTp7q2SwEZNf_yIJucxseKbQWK98wxu48XUn_xmTsxDzMX8BM-wT1anvDRnnPy3vKeLhu0leFApo1GKtDL86kRfQBH7_c96DzcdLEr1Gl70xZlNz/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the way Telisa's hair matches the rocks in the river.</td></tr>
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We are in the process of having tile put into our kitchen/entryway. I am excited. Tom and I have been trying to put our home in order. I bought some baskets to help organize the top of our closet, and it looks very nice if I do say so myself. I also got a new art desk at a yard sale. The room with the computer and art desk is still a bit of a mess, but it's much better than it used to be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-q0HPuXLaNZ-88dvcKioBsfP8YOtVb6VyCK7tm1g0uVHzeGc_6mWl7KXil9gQ8Jr39__nHj2Q0TrS_cGMISvfJjDeDUDdMthyphenhyphenDEsTqA5NFtgwvAaBSIo0W6fxSQlzsET9s477fCWllNM/s1600/0719011639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-q0HPuXLaNZ-88dvcKioBsfP8YOtVb6VyCK7tm1g0uVHzeGc_6mWl7KXil9gQ8Jr39__nHj2Q0TrS_cGMISvfJjDeDUDdMthyphenhyphenDEsTqA5NFtgwvAaBSIo0W6fxSQlzsET9s477fCWllNM/s320/0719011639.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooray for organized closet space!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-22953721049065894492011-07-03T18:13:00.000-07:002011-07-03T21:03:31.569-07:00In Memory of MaxSo, it's been exactly one year since the birth and death of our son, Max. I'd be lying if I didn't say that it has been an emotional roller coaster the whole time. Father's Day was a nightmare, let's be honest. I spent most of church balling due to a baby blessing and primary children singing. Then, I had to teach a lesson in Elder's Quorum. >.< Ooof.<br />
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Anyway, today was actually much more enjoyable than we thought it would be. We did fairly well at church and Lovetta survived Girl's Camp this last week even though we thought it might be especially tough being so close to Max's birthday.<br />
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After church, we decided to take a trip down to his grave and we realized that some of you may not have seen the headstone yet! For shame on us! Here are some pics.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfz79ltDJ9HRh64UhH4Z8s72f1iyLe8NEh0E7lO_x2Cp_jStQZbHnPqC9qq105cQlFa_FP7rggar4zrNM5a5Br6HAUyoAL3vmrV7oo1S8KVRdY9cKXEif_CjSIPgw_Dbf1t73RTU7Dfw/s1600/DSC_0005a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfz79ltDJ9HRh64UhH4Z8s72f1iyLe8NEh0E7lO_x2Cp_jStQZbHnPqC9qq105cQlFa_FP7rggar4zrNM5a5Br6HAUyoAL3vmrV7oo1S8KVRdY9cKXEif_CjSIPgw_Dbf1t73RTU7Dfw/s320/DSC_0005a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdRelLdj9PVVcrvYyd7rQ8hDpulPqsicVJO7lK-A53-AjeTnXUlm-hAV73FAUrRAoHxsgWvS9igG0WKZQ-LGP7_cmzDgjHCaQFCnXOwd-Nn_izOwLvzXwHj1iLj7-VDxxIwugwga6MYE/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdRelLdj9PVVcrvYyd7rQ8hDpulPqsicVJO7lK-A53-AjeTnXUlm-hAV73FAUrRAoHxsgWvS9igG0WKZQ-LGP7_cmzDgjHCaQFCnXOwd-Nn_izOwLvzXwHj1iLj7-VDxxIwugwga6MYE/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We miss him a lot. I think that's an understatement, but it should make sense to you. We always speculate on what our life would be like if he was still with us, but it's inadequate to try. All we have is our life without him and we're trying to find some happiness in this world despite missing him.<br />
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Thanks to all who have expressed their love and support for us during this period of our lives. You have no idea what you really mean to us. We know that not everyone understands (or even wants to), so those of you that try are a great support to us. You're all wonderful!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-66715597960014486312011-06-12T17:41:00.001-07:002012-03-09T19:30:14.924-08:00Summer Festivities<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have a tradition in my family to go to the Orem Summerfest every year. We went on Saturday. This year is the first year it hasn't been raining since Tom and I have been married. It actually felt like summer! We did all sorts of wonderful summer things. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprZuZDEjZgVCVfZcohELT99jB4JFW3QAoZ2uDzxenF7g8KdLbRjgJHZs9pdVzZSdPa1Snd4_SiDNsZl12Xi1UyORLRRprOVyTzngJCsgNMpM0BGNASQk5tC5kOC-OF2U7D8Gn31Hd91WO/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprZuZDEjZgVCVfZcohELT99jB4JFW3QAoZ2uDzxenF7g8KdLbRjgJHZs9pdVzZSdPa1Snd4_SiDNsZl12Xi1UyORLRRprOVyTzngJCsgNMpM0BGNASQk5tC5kOC-OF2U7D8Gn31Hd91WO/s400/DSC_0182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telisa and I rode the ferris wheel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCscc00293w3F2cbbhBRAMM_7jkIl_3IKAEIcDA9-QGopzxYL-YriA5j22UbTCnZkMwEYDbIWGa6TdcOSq0TABOigufsLHntH5dUosxAERIldyuLqUvPMGkc8mWvpfIGWLxXR8NX7XjjKg/s1600/DSC_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCscc00293w3F2cbbhBRAMM_7jkIl_3IKAEIcDA9-QGopzxYL-YriA5j22UbTCnZkMwEYDbIWGa6TdcOSq0TABOigufsLHntH5dUosxAERIldyuLqUvPMGkc8mWvpfIGWLxXR8NX7XjjKg/s320/DSC_0198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telisa rode "the Tornado"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSnyd4WmfMZxhlghjSlYwLwsj405uOENyt983TY_p3oLhO1h3wB9pYckj3BDgH-WzPoeyjiei0OchPOR0bLmGgHs4kqeaqeC-G_ztvxCuef5Nu6F0QbDrUspvEbJZ0bX5fHGWZrMiS7Fn/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSnyd4WmfMZxhlghjSlYwLwsj405uOENyt983TY_p3oLhO1h3wB9pYckj3BDgH-WzPoeyjiei0OchPOR0bLmGgHs4kqeaqeC-G_ztvxCuef5Nu6F0QbDrUspvEbJZ0bX5fHGWZrMiS7Fn/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and "the Sizzler"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNj0xq2SOkj56jvbQAHQhQ_8lNtLKRCZAUhnSG6FfVkuUbfbZCTpA7vJKD5_JTHPx9Rm4d2UqkBeLUyXgE4O8eIdf1MODVtQnDfrRm9ksx_p-NEQl0kjbn2VcdFszXfBJFPuyjTlxZmdU/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNj0xq2SOkj56jvbQAHQhQ_8lNtLKRCZAUhnSG6FfVkuUbfbZCTpA7vJKD5_JTHPx9Rm4d2UqkBeLUyXgE4O8eIdf1MODVtQnDfrRm9ksx_p-NEQl0kjbn2VcdFszXfBJFPuyjTlxZmdU/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and... this ride.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-8dR6ESHQH2Sc6-cy4nEpkDfr063BcPypi_bsOTF0ui5HZpxq6JJi4nySdfz6mi9c7lrw1_mea_V50mYtFw5Xzv_jeb4zkCpM6tXUSMNx8hGPz6U2-HMeIoBHLW2iFIJP7d-HFf37sMe/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-8dR6ESHQH2Sc6-cy4nEpkDfr063BcPypi_bsOTF0ui5HZpxq6JJi4nySdfz6mi9c7lrw1_mea_V50mYtFw5Xzv_jeb4zkCpM6tXUSMNx8hGPz6U2-HMeIoBHLW2iFIJP7d-HFf37sMe/s400/DSC_0248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and I watching the parade.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Telisa is growing up. She was riding the teenage rides more than the children's rides. Tom and I enjoyed taking pictures. I also loved looking at all the merchandise being sold and the artists displaying their work (I hope someday I will get to do that). I bought a hat! We all watched the parade, then we waited in long lines for fair food and had a two different booths run out on us. But at long last we ended up with a funnel cake (mmmmm), some free cotton candy, a soft pretzel, and some steak and everything nachos which were very salty but yummy. Last, we watched the fireworks. Tom tried his hand at firework pictures. I think these were successful, and I am trying to figure out which one to put as my new desktop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZRTbWTETkhavHRhqFdsEymjtO8x8pvM6Y0aBmO5GPFMziQ5o-sjmrclVNm7jcQY-1UzEsFO2ucGlB0XZAXVEUVa_CckcYZQwonjrOObaWOOfMhqjEWtlVG9UMsIo4NJ2xmLZ-6q2mLel/s1600/DSC_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZRTbWTETkhavHRhqFdsEymjtO8x8pvM6Y0aBmO5GPFMziQ5o-sjmrclVNm7jcQY-1UzEsFO2ucGlB0XZAXVEUVa_CckcYZQwonjrOObaWOOfMhqjEWtlVG9UMsIo4NJ2xmLZ-6q2mLel/s320/DSC_0272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG11OqQ0SsxRXgOjUIDLkooR_INq-1i-Al3dO08FOw_ypndoy5nSuxfzTArBJo0QM5ARmFCBfZ4xhUkiO1AX61IcV_12YTrcbAdk5c0dbb_xgyB-1UxnKt6QvvQ8sTtRf9kwTIFM-M-jZ/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG11OqQ0SsxRXgOjUIDLkooR_INq-1i-Al3dO08FOw_ypndoy5nSuxfzTArBJo0QM5ARmFCBfZ4xhUkiO1AX61IcV_12YTrcbAdk5c0dbb_xgyB-1UxnKt6QvvQ8sTtRf9kwTIFM-M-jZ/s320/DSC_0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W01UCePG1Wn2SuFLU_97-85okzLN0Lps38DCUfiVgEO8nzQtdcuE-tU4ab_CpKVfDT622NyfS4w1Dj_BokPhVdXLTH9a0i04LuTlJaLhy4RazKJM3U7vhXEtcTJHaHKKhhglxCgr7nAe/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W01UCePG1Wn2SuFLU_97-85okzLN0Lps38DCUfiVgEO8nzQtdcuE-tU4ab_CpKVfDT622NyfS4w1Dj_BokPhVdXLTH9a0i04LuTlJaLhy4RazKJM3U7vhXEtcTJHaHKKhhglxCgr7nAe/s320/DSC_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ahhh, summer! I am determined to have a wonderful summer. I get to teach a summer math enrichment class this week. We are going to have fun and learn at the same time. (Just like regular school, right?) I am hoping it will still feel like mostly vacation time. Class gets out at noon, and Tom can come pick me up around 3, so that means I have the fantastic opportunity to do some lesson planning for next year. This summer I will do a lot of art, especially painting. (You can check out my <a href="http://lovettasartblog.blogspot.com/">art blog</a> for updates.) I also want to do a lot of cleaning and organizing. We've been living in our condo since October, and we still have a few places of our house that are consistently messy. I think we need to get a wardrobe, something to help organize bathroom supplies, and something to help with the top of my closet. Lastly, I would love to replace the laminate and carpet in our kitchen area with tile. If I can do all of that this summer, I will call it a super success and save the cruise for another time. </div>Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-60655621207424166972011-06-04T21:03:00.000-07:002011-06-04T21:03:00.153-07:00"Amusement" Parks? Sometimes...Well, as Lovetta has once again kindly pointed out to me, it's been a month and I haven't posted on our blog. I apologize. It's not even for a lack of things going on. Heck, if anything, this last month has been pretty dang busy! Lovetta just finished yet another wonderful school year and now is prepping for summer school. I literally just finished working a long day at the <a href="http://utahfestivalofbooks.com/">Utah Festival of Books</a>, which seemed to go very well. Last month we took a trip out to Ohio for a romp in the old stomping grounds. We went out for a few reasons. These we shall go over in chronological order.<br />
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First, was the pilgrimage to the most holy of amusement parks, Cedar Point. Ashley (my brother's wife) had never been to this wonder of the world and so we had to break her in. And this we did do. We hit all of the big coasters for sure. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qt1LutrWnY&feature=player_embedded">The Raptor.</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbXPhOFRxTc&feature=player_embedded">The Millenium Force.</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbyB9N4mvq4&feature=player_embedded">The Maverick.</a> Still, there is one coaster at this park (despite my years of rollercoaster experience) that still makes me feel like I'm going to die. That coaster is the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbN3NU4hIZg&feature=player_embedded">Top Thrill Dragster</a>. Why might you ask? Well let me tell you a story.<br />
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So we get in line for our first attempt at the rollercoaster in question. We wait in line for about 10 minutes (the lines were super short all day long) and then the thing breaks down. Now, you might think that this is reason enough to stop, but the Top Thrill Dragster is probably the one coaster in the park that breaks down the most. So, really, this is quite normal. We wait around. Some people leave. Others stay. After a half an hour, we're pretty close to the front of the line and they decide that everything should be up and running. Now, if you've looked at the YouTube link of the rollercoaster I made, you'll notice that the thing goes wicked-fast. 0 to 120mph in like 3 seconds fast. This first car that they decide to "test run" has people on it. It starts abruptly (more so than usual) and barely clears the top. Second car? Barely clears the top. By this time we're getting seated on to the next car and the nerves kick in. We get ready to launch and then all of the sudden, my whole world looks like this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO8tV8g3JdJIdvaW45m9nYZ6Ea8ZTnMhSBi3FXI-dsZj8jxbA8DuPPVYy6Rwn4B7TH46peUsuL4oM5x1j6yz_f3fYOV5V5QtGsOy5oI_2FXsn4oBIzjs7Cbh5WgTpdYT_yHxH4IaH1MQ/s1600/hyperspace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO8tV8g3JdJIdvaW45m9nYZ6Ea8ZTnMhSBi3FXI-dsZj8jxbA8DuPPVYy6Rwn4B7TH46peUsuL4oM5x1j6yz_f3fYOV5V5QtGsOy5oI_2FXsn4oBIzjs7Cbh5WgTpdYT_yHxH4IaH1MQ/s320/hyperspace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's one thing to travel into hyperspace. It's another to feel the pressure of traveling into hyperspace on your entire body.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Up, over and done all in about 17 seconds. Whew. That's over with. I think my brain's about to explode but, it's getting better. We get off, catch our breath and Dan wants to go for a Round 2 on this thing before we leave the park. OK. I survived once. I can do this again. We get back in line, and the ride breaks down again right as we're about to get into the next car. They pull the cars back, we wait for another half an hour. They send out a test car. Barely clears the top. They send out another car. This time, after making its 120mph journey down the track and up 420 feet of more track, the car teeters at the top and then gently rocks down. Backwards. To the beginning of the ride. <i>Backwards.</i> Did I mention that the thing traveled down the track backwards 420 feet towards the beginning of the ride? *shudder* At that point I wasn't about to let that happen to me (regardless if the riders of that car looked like they had the most awesome time of their lives) and I left the line. That brought an end to our Cedar Point trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9igdq9mEYJ3YkttFiGz-dc7XQEgqc6orcy_9bMPuuVZbpOvDUt4QHFW1HKaZbdDWCZKwsOirv-u7rNPGXpqTx8OCr1pySNfXDdTGJhC05DQxGT1lIW6CrKXzFB2Iw2RxvHMX9camKbc/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9igdq9mEYJ3YkttFiGz-dc7XQEgqc6orcy_9bMPuuVZbpOvDUt4QHFW1HKaZbdDWCZKwsOirv-u7rNPGXpqTx8OCr1pySNfXDdTGJhC05DQxGT1lIW6CrKXzFB2Iw2RxvHMX9camKbc/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovetta after the Millenium Force</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The remainder of our trip was somewhat less stress inducing. Dan and Ashley had their Ohio wedding reception. It was really nice, especially to be able to see so many faces I haven't seen from our old Toledo II Ward.<br />
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After the wedding reception was done and over, the only thing left was the sorting of my parents' stuff. They're getting to a point in life where they are considering some downsizing and some estate planning. We spent quite a bit of time helping in both of these areas. We started claiming things that we'd like to have when my parents no longer have need of it and over all this was actually a good experience. Especially considering that everyone I talked to about doing this were telling me horror stories of family feuds and awfulness. I love my family! :D<br />
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We came back to Utah shortly after this and have been trying to play a lot of catch up. I think we're just about there, so hopefully I'll start being a little better about prompt blog-posting!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-10225342762696882462011-05-02T18:51:00.000-07:002011-05-02T18:51:39.874-07:00Steak and My GardenI love warm weather. I have been looking forward to grilling season since it ended last October. My new home has been much better than my last place for staying warm indoors, but the weather outside has just started to cooperate. I'm sure it'll snow on us one more time once we're comfortable, but for now I'm going to enjoy as much outside warmth as I possibly can. <br />
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Today I enjoyed the weather by grilling some steaks. I love meat. know it's considered a manly thing, but I can't help it. I love meat. Today Tom marinated the steak for a while before we grilled it. It was heavenly. Here are some pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwadTeGoU04DLsyYVzjQhfharjDuDII9nNy1H38HNJeuU4mI_glVVmp3-m4rEiRtsDL5G0O2UAAx8MS6pJAejzq7RL1_LRSx21iSv42q_i8zAZOQZnq8aWX1F0tQc-6dNQ-DKfvsSXawI/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwadTeGoU04DLsyYVzjQhfharjDuDII9nNy1H38HNJeuU4mI_glVVmp3-m4rEiRtsDL5G0O2UAAx8MS6pJAejzq7RL1_LRSx21iSv42q_i8zAZOQZnq8aWX1F0tQc-6dNQ-DKfvsSXawI/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely, you can see the smoke. Mmmmm... grill smoke.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxR-vySuI57ocd2RTfR7IIPgL8Q2rs7mLdRI1acaBNTmY7ueVZ27PETFElW3aBz0owPgLNSzY1Olusc1c5tBb5iz3iOMzsqad1Yfy8Bj0fZ8-jawqrLSWuYh4Yr4q_1rKjWRrz-W9EBog/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxR-vySuI57ocd2RTfR7IIPgL8Q2rs7mLdRI1acaBNTmY7ueVZ27PETFElW3aBz0owPgLNSzY1Olusc1c5tBb5iz3iOMzsqad1Yfy8Bj0fZ8-jawqrLSWuYh4Yr4q_1rKjWRrz-W9EBog/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may be thinking, "Hey! this looks like what a first grader would do if you told them to do something cool." Well... that's why we work with first graders. We get it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
In other news, it's time for all the gardening posts. If you've been following my blog or my life at all, I am sure this comes as no surprise. Obviously, we can't garden the same way we did last year. We don't have a backyard. We had to leave behind our square-foot gardens and our trellis, but that does not mean I am not growing things. I am. They make me so happy. When they grow, that is. When they droop it makes me droop, too. I'm still a little worried about our tomato. Compared to our tomatoes from last year he looks a little gloomy. Our peas look great. I'm not sure about the asparagus, I've never grown it before. I'm already using the dill, cilantro, and basil in things. Mmmm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mn5rYxj0K3u05WfoFJZTdHdnA8kbWRD0C_UeLQH24d4NyH9eA1O2ACDZeb2rqUEo-UOjxWfPwJREhw4kzZotTqyR7C8PVg6jETtO-X29z_uG728hzDvnomMGveSH6t5k-CENvo6hUvpm/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mn5rYxj0K3u05WfoFJZTdHdnA8kbWRD0C_UeLQH24d4NyH9eA1O2ACDZeb2rqUEo-UOjxWfPwJREhw4kzZotTqyR7C8PVg6jETtO-X29z_uG728hzDvnomMGveSH6t5k-CENvo6hUvpm/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry, beans, asparagus, tomato, peas, and kale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj704jqclNq86BOmYcCfwLHgI3DZ5nlmpNDyJc0F3A7JPrgd32ChEAszuDFSSpNiWWUuegGWCQKTskdikUs29FK3BQmezIGaAjF5nqzSoYNh4A-WovRLGC8BAHkjgoXVAoBP53b_X28OczS/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj704jqclNq86BOmYcCfwLHgI3DZ5nlmpNDyJc0F3A7JPrgd32ChEAszuDFSSpNiWWUuegGWCQKTskdikUs29FK3BQmezIGaAjF5nqzSoYNh4A-WovRLGC8BAHkjgoXVAoBP53b_X28OczS/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cilantro, Basil, and Dill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-68723803865355694662011-04-25T17:36:00.000-07:002011-04-25T17:36:39.810-07:00Movin' AlongYou can always tell when it's my week to write in the blog. "How is that?" you ask? Well, my week usually turns into 3-4 weeks. We've got some pretty stalwart rules for writing in our blog. When it's one person's turn to write, the other person is not to write a blog post instead should they miss a week. What this does is create a hanging sense of guilt for not having written for weeks that eventually turns into the blog post you're reading now. Lovetta's not nearly as wracked with guilt as I am. She's usually much quicker about taking her turn to write. Regardless, it <i>is</i> my turn, and my turn I shall take.<br />
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About two weeks ago, we had a wonderfully stressful time moving our whole department for the second time in a semester. The first time, we were moved out on to the textbook floor while they were remodeling our area. The second time, obviously, was the move back after all was said and done. I have to say that it looks great! I have a whole series of transition shots from start to finish, but I'll just try to show you a good before-and-after idea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wWzj7jrElBfl0RSkyO8UqVwnuyyS-Eao9fJHOBF3rtunkamx-n7izI5gkrIHDDWyM1f0FxQ4GQxmOmnKyY7o3So4noI_CcrlGcS8-Lw8-R6gK8VANSam8OTGH6x5Odh1BbngzvDn9t8/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wWzj7jrElBfl0RSkyO8UqVwnuyyS-Eao9fJHOBF3rtunkamx-n7izI5gkrIHDDWyM1f0FxQ4GQxmOmnKyY7o3So4noI_CcrlGcS8-Lw8-R6gK8VANSam8OTGH6x5Odh1BbngzvDn9t8/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, while this is what it looks like after we stripped everything out, you can still get an idea of what it used to be.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCQ7JsNdhSCfECUM3WhKhz1kunuwWuEQ3ztGhUks4FOr4-DaH41BLdS8uevmzcvJ4i-6HwoSfTbj6tDQZQYJkrSlOs-P9udUW6bV9caSqDJfj6EPwj4sB6rokhUmA384y-MqmbSqKriQ/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCQ7JsNdhSCfECUM3WhKhz1kunuwWuEQ3ztGhUks4FOr4-DaH41BLdS8uevmzcvJ4i-6HwoSfTbj6tDQZQYJkrSlOs-P9udUW6bV9caSqDJfj6EPwj4sB6rokhUmA384y-MqmbSqKriQ/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is roughly the same view (from a little farther back) once everything got put back in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79cPnlG1ty-m7j4IUAAdsIfgJAQVB-5cNncNo6usd5NSqfBn0ZwaVxzqE2k31tk_8ACyRvhzaZWn2QwOnmiko-xtyJJO1rLL8IUXzrpTFXxyjFIRfZcYn18qSl-XrQBYLfQEIZ7utql8/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79cPnlG1ty-m7j4IUAAdsIfgJAQVB-5cNncNo6usd5NSqfBn0ZwaVxzqE2k31tk_8ACyRvhzaZWn2QwOnmiko-xtyJJO1rLL8IUXzrpTFXxyjFIRfZcYn18qSl-XrQBYLfQEIZ7utql8/s320/IMG_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG340nWgLY17FITQ7Czuj532WB_2qQ7RUAKo104-1Nrtq5Vb3pD5iTQx88_uB8c9shtQSo11YAlcWBw_G_8WkhRGZs_Yx21RPje0sle6GR7Lp1Hp9HHrdqZ1AGpvzk5QBNxsDPajEBng/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG340nWgLY17FITQ7Czuj532WB_2qQ7RUAKo104-1Nrtq5Vb3pD5iTQx88_uB8c9shtQSo11YAlcWBw_G_8WkhRGZs_Yx21RPje0sle6GR7Lp1Hp9HHrdqZ1AGpvzk5QBNxsDPajEBng/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBF3yDnZRlBgzlHJzJYMBgfilBw8VOQHvp1242uI00B0SSYeaT2qbWUCnAebftE_glgMHnRebSvjVX3xVA4emwWiIvgKPpvai77sFfg-2mjaeNXZ80Du4mjb3oOv60GHaewcWgO9HnTo/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBF3yDnZRlBgzlHJzJYMBgfilBw8VOQHvp1242uI00B0SSYeaT2qbWUCnAebftE_glgMHnRebSvjVX3xVA4emwWiIvgKPpvai77sFfg-2mjaeNXZ80Du4mjb3oOv60GHaewcWgO9HnTo/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittq-UKx9cRNnnubHOuS88lDviJ2M9jBs6FV3rCB-VvV_gtipHtTaf-eV4VQ28vrrEp9O7Vidg18VNmZAx6hRlH8AvUh-NaYVjleZUPPKfYLNLOF_ewaVGfotuWEgwl0wQZoYejl1wZmQ/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittq-UKx9cRNnnubHOuS88lDviJ2M9jBs6FV3rCB-VvV_gtipHtTaf-eV4VQ28vrrEp9O7Vidg18VNmZAx6hRlH8AvUh-NaYVjleZUPPKfYLNLOF_ewaVGfotuWEgwl0wQZoYejl1wZmQ/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After (again, from a little farther back) </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwknn5V87IsDJ_QRd3FvjwuDwaUcT1NKhqnkKq83UWZfQL4FsVIy2k-QEttVSuAF2udeFoGaV4LourtDaiwoOxIwe8Kh_cByP5kLstGo5PLQwiMTvIv_IWN8x2MJ7aogGImcXhAkRtUCU/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwknn5V87IsDJ_QRd3FvjwuDwaUcT1NKhqnkKq83UWZfQL4FsVIy2k-QEttVSuAF2udeFoGaV4LourtDaiwoOxIwe8Kh_cByP5kLstGo5PLQwiMTvIv_IWN8x2MJ7aogGImcXhAkRtUCU/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before. See the slightly curved, white wall with windows?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvVTusZaMI2I4YJXR3cYasItIGn3HMeBbWcCR4cbFVQzWejrTyzY9k6BaUIb9ZbyG4rC3g8yFEI0flPWMP0Eqa27ux-H_a44pqlZBPEuLRznlQbpadJ1SDS_-rDWP8nQieS6xNc_QtII/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvVTusZaMI2I4YJXR3cYasItIGn3HMeBbWcCR4cbFVQzWejrTyzY9k6BaUIb9ZbyG4rC3g8yFEI0flPWMP0Eqa27ux-H_a44pqlZBPEuLRznlQbpadJ1SDS_-rDWP8nQieS6xNc_QtII/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After. It becomes this cabinet and the wall was straightened out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
There are a lot of other things I'm leaving out, but this gives you the gist of what's been going on at work. We've pretty much been planning this moment since before I got hired back and we're now starting to enjoy its completion. It looks great and is pulling a lot more customers in. We're happy with all of the changes.<br />
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On Lovetta's side of things, she's started her own blog without me. It's probably cause she's tired of waiting for me to post. OR, it's based on her artwork. One of those two things... Anyway, you can click <a href="http://lovettasartblog.blogspot.com/">this link</a> to get there. It has most of her pieces of art on it (including her new Altered Book), and gets more regularly updated than this blog does. You should check it out! :)Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15497279885902149336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4295997551885091774.post-55042247348721260002011-03-28T21:28:00.000-07:002011-03-28T21:28:05.243-07:00Art and Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I have been doing some art lately, I just haven't been posting it because it's been gifts for people. Now that I have given some of these gifts away, I can post them here. Here is my wedding gift to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. (It's an oil painting)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PDtL_nyiA1EK_CF52n2Xxb_0lOt6FZbXBGPFBRDC49B1gVt8JiCjk2H6N6q0wkLdj8VwHu0zkcn7wfoP0Sx_hyphenhyphenSIc9hb15bZESw96Xs9xj1HynWEG7ZZ_BE0CyGua9K3qcVu4jWOwspV/s1600/danashley_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PDtL_nyiA1EK_CF52n2Xxb_0lOt6FZbXBGPFBRDC49B1gVt8JiCjk2H6N6q0wkLdj8VwHu0zkcn7wfoP0Sx_hyphenhyphenSIc9hb15bZESw96Xs9xj1HynWEG7ZZ_BE0CyGua9K3qcVu4jWOwspV/s320/danashley_crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here is a picture I drew for one of my friends. (Prismacolor)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnt7wYXuJIGWQTBpslVAv_zfpGnqFl-ze5eUt0Sth2tS3X4tG1TwMLk_tzFyNkCTlgfuCWps11o-mVh_1_YScl11VyM9hegHjLML7MGm8YD22T_HRSPJbHbtjqkJf3FuEoFsz25BHVwrr2/s1600/girl_butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnt7wYXuJIGWQTBpslVAv_zfpGnqFl-ze5eUt0Sth2tS3X4tG1TwMLk_tzFyNkCTlgfuCWps11o-mVh_1_YScl11VyM9hegHjLML7MGm8YD22T_HRSPJbHbtjqkJf3FuEoFsz25BHVwrr2/s200/girl_butterfly.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br />
I think the color turned out much better in real life, but you get the idea. I have also been working on an oil painting to donate to the Festival of Trees. Last year, Tom and I went and saw paintings there, that's what gave us the idea, but I can't find anywhere online that mentions paintings. They have regulations and rules for what you can donate, so now I'm not sure. I've been emailing the people on the website about if a painting can count as a "centerpiece or collectible", but no one has replied. I hope I do get to donate. I love Primary Children's Hospital, and I think donating this painting could be therapeutic for me. Even if I can't donate it, I think it will still be good for me. But, I don't think I'll post any pictures of it yet. It's not finished. <br />
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I've been feeling a little under the weather lately. I hope I don't have to take work off. I hope I can sleep and wake up in the morning feeling perfectly healthy. I will say, though, times of sickness make you appreciate times of health much more. When you notice every uncomfortable swallow, you can't wait for the swallows you don't have to think about.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Lovettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899316821443884727noreply@blogger.com4