tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88204658881813534992024-02-07T03:44:03.623-07:00Roots & wingsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-32912221435147930222011-09-14T15:41:00.006-06:002011-09-14T15:50:57.159-06:00June 2011<div>June was pretty low key. But we did get away to see the Manti Pagent.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC80dWObaW0FoArHSzhyI5BNZ7RBqjqKF8v6LoEB0tbbWIIPGSLy_-1yftzuJrLghjOHshzy1Htjbo4CYNFjHGKR3bloHy9WQlrzYEDBpf8YlPTPcmeyfarRUQoK05oMs0wr5vFwypApQ/s1600/IMGP5363.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652334778456799890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC80dWObaW0FoArHSzhyI5BNZ7RBqjqKF8v6LoEB0tbbWIIPGSLy_-1yftzuJrLghjOHshzy1Htjbo4CYNFjHGKR3bloHy9WQlrzYEDBpf8YlPTPcmeyfarRUQoK05oMs0wr5vFwypApQ/s320/IMGP5363.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>I ran into one of my companion's parents.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Most of the family in front of the Manti Temple. </div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652334592125711698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbvVnfJ1A9EzozmiCFv3DayJD54FSwX09DSrMp2pvFNPSuouH86fbSBU3bKUeZNKtcr8HGBj09BsPNzMrcvqlgIHlAhD_lFwDBDrW6pf3eIabK-Pp9gpdRys3GcLm71wF9fHbzrpD6nag/s320/IMGP5383.JPG" /></p><br /><p>We also spent much of June looking forward to this . . . </p><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW1K5gkHMMeXewSW9cUA6HSco0pZjs-bYa368yYdhR10EIifOe9b8I5_e3mLVWOL3wodegSRwUmTQyg4FGkRs-jz_gpHPPmLqUtG1v7vmtZArYbeN7yviNqwfktUlBRUTopXWGrB0VH5w/s1600/IMGP5392.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652335709508153602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW1K5gkHMMeXewSW9cUA6HSco0pZjs-bYa368yYdhR10EIifOe9b8I5_e3mLVWOL3wodegSRwUmTQyg4FGkRs-jz_gpHPPmLqUtG1v7vmtZArYbeN7yviNqwfktUlBRUTopXWGrB0VH5w/s320/IMGP5392.JPG" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-10390715776841035432011-09-14T15:31:00.005-06:002011-09-14T15:41:25.642-06:00May 2011Over Memorial Day weekend we got to go to Lake Powell!!! Huzzah! We were able to go with some of our cousins. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdb0uUHqWCKzPkoU-aSDRH7iAk-Os1U2-6idMnCGmzMqtuEMWD-QYxr59PomJXO1KH8LeyPsbkNlt3w_aJ38I6Hy2UQqes8pSP8Pk1QUNOsGkOZkWJi1tHf03_2aGVWTcBzzeeh4ar0bI/s1600/IMGP5221.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652332178640547602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdb0uUHqWCKzPkoU-aSDRH7iAk-Os1U2-6idMnCGmzMqtuEMWD-QYxr59PomJXO1KH8LeyPsbkNlt3w_aJ38I6Hy2UQqes8pSP8Pk1QUNOsGkOZkWJi1tHf03_2aGVWTcBzzeeh4ar0bI/s320/IMGP5221.JPG" /></a>The Hansen crew relaxing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KoiUPEKH6uP948pz-amf6behrbKmrpZP1mPdTuqD42IDyxhMBKaaUyHLkIm1KBcI4-c-u_NrFFVijSDBXjJUU8_U57QRQjqqj2a2v_XV1Ly5s_LhpHPyCFhfZr6FGDxrJOmIRAycQDkZ/s1600/DSCF9021.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652331668065483842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KoiUPEKH6uP948pz-amf6behrbKmrpZP1mPdTuqD42IDyxhMBKaaUyHLkIm1KBcI4-c-u_NrFFVijSDBXjJUU8_U57QRQjqqj2a2v_XV1Ly5s_LhpHPyCFhfZr6FGDxrJOmIRAycQDkZ/s320/DSCF9021.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Emily seranading us.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_sMhu8yTkldgoLc3A77MqECE9aTZHWqA8suX7JqYk8iWfINjLpTHkG1hnpXOeex7D9eNBabSChbbHkQX1PF34l4cfTDLpGHXEeKl4W7Wz9t1HHXAyBOfAlylB3cELd3DCdxTvZMD8J6H/s1600/DSCF9026.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A cold front came through the last day . . . you don't see sweatshirts and blankets at Powell too often!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_sMhu8yTkldgoLc3A77MqECE9aTZHWqA8suX7JqYk8iWfINjLpTHkG1hnpXOeex7D9eNBabSChbbHkQX1PF34l4cfTDLpGHXEeKl4W7Wz9t1HHXAyBOfAlylB3cELd3DCdxTvZMD8J6H/s1600/DSCF9026.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652332485694251058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_sMhu8yTkldgoLc3A77MqECE9aTZHWqA8suX7JqYk8iWfINjLpTHkG1hnpXOeex7D9eNBabSChbbHkQX1PF34l4cfTDLpGHXEeKl4W7Wz9t1HHXAyBOfAlylB3cELd3DCdxTvZMD8J6H/s320/DSCF9026.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-10201508390215128282011-09-14T14:56:00.015-06:002011-09-14T15:28:06.376-06:00April 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUIdu20ViX-e_3gVskj2W3SSQUYSu5C7hQsm5qn3C0znDMHOiUX_5m1Q1lBv2pvsrnJxJH317HnBZz21PcK3ao2KGx79Bu06F_8d_Byhu9fu3BqAanQv5nVoRpHB5jEDa5-xKYQ3wEzNL/s1600/IMGP4877.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652325850562713714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUIdu20ViX-e_3gVskj2W3SSQUYSu5C7hQsm5qn3C0znDMHOiUX_5m1Q1lBv2pvsrnJxJH317HnBZz21PcK3ao2KGx79Bu06F_8d_Byhu9fu3BqAanQv5nVoRpHB5jEDa5-xKYQ3wEzNL/s320/IMGP4877.JPG" /></a> Our trip back to Jacksonville!!!<br /><br />Yep . . . this is definitely Avery surfing on a McDonald's table . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl8a68DpWpNxfM4XW_2XFONdX7EOoquRGXjbjmN8Ec4MWU0Q3iRpR6UzSyj2B0IQZTKDWvqvl-E_JbJd8KWxY2US_LzOA0cyP-nhxFvvpoYxhCCKNHSOTmwy2uTsJM6F-cpbWx8JocDT_/s1600/IMGP4879.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652325675061452242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl8a68DpWpNxfM4XW_2XFONdX7EOoquRGXjbjmN8Ec4MWU0Q3iRpR6UzSyj2B0IQZTKDWvqvl-E_JbJd8KWxY2US_LzOA0cyP-nhxFvvpoYxhCCKNHSOTmwy2uTsJM6F-cpbWx8JocDT_/s320/IMGP4879.JPG" /></a> St. Mary's Waterfront. I love this place.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While in St. Mary's I ran into some of my favorite Sister Missionaries. Especially my last companion, Sister Fitu.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSGt9Y5omFGDY076n0VtJgzYk7VZj2Aq-Fcetm_ONb7j9O6oxSWYyKfjlxHxMh80I-h1WrqHS8jJ7SVh4tKUdDNssUwLp2MU-W3_CPNtBVIKby25fTDYbsi6aKpV8BOR18Nc_SuDVSQ10/s1600/IMGP4895.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652325459910018018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSGt9Y5omFGDY076n0VtJgzYk7VZj2Aq-Fcetm_ONb7j9O6oxSWYyKfjlxHxMh80I-h1WrqHS8jJ7SVh4tKUdDNssUwLp2MU-W3_CPNtBVIKby25fTDYbsi6aKpV8BOR18Nc_SuDVSQ10/s320/IMGP4895.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUE3cr7u47mUDYI7KW5T8A51i16ojbP9Lx2o_9CHxhedv6RX_Z6UIDoT4Ykq1yATf13i6wAd2UiEgcEorNUIw8oSXi2O_JCw5RMAaE7DD7vrXj9t5FRUGKuIK_EaTSkJVMksyIgrIsY8g/s1600/IMGP4920.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652325223880243010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUE3cr7u47mUDYI7KW5T8A51i16ojbP9Lx2o_9CHxhedv6RX_Z6UIDoT4Ykq1yATf13i6wAd2UiEgcEorNUIw8oSXi2O_JCw5RMAaE7DD7vrXj9t5FRUGKuIK_EaTSkJVMksyIgrIsY8g/s320/IMGP4920.JPG" /></a><br />Jekyll Island.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVvdSnl1dbhkBB7eLSvTNE9ZGdTiMcqNEVeU0V0UpoX7SGYcqZgBirzAriXsz_rrQHy0iNAFZNXIe5fY9bNTH4TFxwDRl_bg_yjpJlvjRxHJ485_znZRYUyVaDThxpADpoeL76rIXtQcC/s1600/IMGP4932.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652324971161746386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVvdSnl1dbhkBB7eLSvTNE9ZGdTiMcqNEVeU0V0UpoX7SGYcqZgBirzAriXsz_rrQHy0iNAFZNXIe5fY9bNTH4TFxwDRl_bg_yjpJlvjRxHJ485_znZRYUyVaDThxpADpoeL76rIXtQcC/s320/IMGP4932.JPG" /></a><br />Dinner with Aunt JoAnn and the Corbett family.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Old St. Augustine.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2Q07IhBbhO42yx7faoRW8sHZPglZPT20Jix2rZO-EUjSzNiIyaaH7rL4qApxrScxwYFgRyV1-7ylHNVenlk5gFupWffMN8JgUMFBmCtmBLNodOv7ys9ftlIRHHtj2CRmRjMJ5chyphenhyphenqz_m/s1600/IMGP4959.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652324777801657202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2Q07IhBbhO42yx7faoRW8sHZPglZPT20Jix2rZO-EUjSzNiIyaaH7rL4qApxrScxwYFgRyV1-7ylHNVenlk5gFupWffMN8JgUMFBmCtmBLNodOv7ys9ftlIRHHtj2CRmRjMJ5chyphenhyphenqz_m/s320/IMGP4959.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkKHVTlYQIvK9NXwcYnfrWQKb2U9rAllhlAA8b0O4veLIpILi5QnOeF8HCT2mii7negOs_C6C1nkGeFNFIspudPpu3m3DmIsoWo3TE5mVz0oTUSV6W2dFUnc6klT7KEonqq-mRN4AxJCw/s1600/IMGP4983.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652324232451182770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkKHVTlYQIvK9NXwcYnfrWQKb2U9rAllhlAA8b0O4veLIpILi5QnOeF8HCT2mii7negOs_C6C1nkGeFNFIspudPpu3m3DmIsoWo3TE5mVz0oTUSV6W2dFUnc6klT7KEonqq-mRN4AxJCw/s320/IMGP4983.JPG" /></a><br />While we were in Jacksonville we decided to take a little jaunt and visit the World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. We were in nerd heaven!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsMpycRGvmJi0yBbF3XafYMbuS6qDmOhVSVdDdWm0xGwCYFaRA7K7veaQ8Kj0rDEcu1617AiQTyclVQb2k6nCHQ-YlogVGXvr8Udx6DYx90wssBEL4FjmcUtbni1yz3vQOZmqJ925SYVf/s1600/IMGP5026.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652323927550764114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsMpycRGvmJi0yBbF3XafYMbuS6qDmOhVSVdDdWm0xGwCYFaRA7K7veaQ8Kj0rDEcu1617AiQTyclVQb2k6nCHQ-YlogVGXvr8Udx6DYx90wssBEL4FjmcUtbni1yz3vQOZmqJ925SYVf/s320/IMGP5026.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>We also spent some time visiting people I love from the areas I served in . . .<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqJsvr2wcOFkAtPijJO0Oh5H8QviiurG5w40tcjwcl9rlBdRyQ8vM0VAhd42i-JaH1Wa-ilj21Syxc7Hf56vpSRP6qyFPkuOUt5S4bDhliCZCkyhWuFPujzIbLb-MJ8TY-EBzSHatwHFM/s1600/IMGP5041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652323741447598482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqJsvr2wcOFkAtPijJO0Oh5H8QviiurG5w40tcjwcl9rlBdRyQ8vM0VAhd42i-JaH1Wa-ilj21Syxc7Hf56vpSRP6qyFPkuOUt5S4bDhliCZCkyhWuFPujzIbLb-MJ8TY-EBzSHatwHFM/s320/IMGP5041.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xHeb4u6eExqiVbqVPmP6fo6-lAlLgxDtk8LHRuIgbTSpZn8QmOn8ZC_t7v1qlH67Trlfmn4N-46SOAsA3uwPqak6N8FcyUGDEMuPjiJSishrhTUnD0SCMR9ZOuSWDfhpBY_dB2ZDh2ko/s1600/IMGP5044.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652323517052641410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xHeb4u6eExqiVbqVPmP6fo6-lAlLgxDtk8LHRuIgbTSpZn8QmOn8ZC_t7v1qlH67Trlfmn4N-46SOAsA3uwPqak6N8FcyUGDEMuPjiJSishrhTUnD0SCMR9ZOuSWDfhpBY_dB2ZDh2ko/s320/IMGP5044.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>At the end of the month we headed down to St. George, UT to celebrate Papa Mac's 81st Birthday!<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtoQ7-CGysQcDj7aEyxqgNO_pd5qRW2ZLpD3ILfj8dQzdDTvgrjk_5Jm9uC-S7nzGbPpdjgWXnA-iTjL8vVpPL2SX9srlm1PH6fGW5b97hdbojQ6L-oTNjhiL1lE3pR9eTutLvyY_0xSC/s1600/IMGP5067.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652323328919681650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtoQ7-CGysQcDj7aEyxqgNO_pd5qRW2ZLpD3ILfj8dQzdDTvgrjk_5Jm9uC-S7nzGbPpdjgWXnA-iTjL8vVpPL2SX9srlm1PH6fGW5b97hdbojQ6L-oTNjhiL1lE3pR9eTutLvyY_0xSC/s320/IMGP5067.JPG" /></a><br />There was even time for a little Bocce ball tournament.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>Happy Birthday Papa!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw6YW2H0vclXIVYvgje63hOYljS2vVRfcaBx9TYPE_Zx5CosqljoHH-klAYtkzeUhmCOWCZ4GujE94qFpKojNhoRS8vjufYXR_8aOraRQpaB6NT3YCqb6NuiXc0_qCyyRE_G2AggnsK7X/s1600/IMGP5117.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652322907864540674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw6YW2H0vclXIVYvgje63hOYljS2vVRfcaBx9TYPE_Zx5CosqljoHH-klAYtkzeUhmCOWCZ4GujE94qFpKojNhoRS8vjufYXR_8aOraRQpaB6NT3YCqb6NuiXc0_qCyyRE_G2AggnsK7X/s320/IMGP5117.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV17GAbuMlqlNh7yy6P19069DkCTgh9CyeNKlnu6jVafY2NEnyGqqORc2_C0gLvMQB1iMXVpW9yb2PwwWogLo-3Mzmj-5pmrodArD5F1oT4e3dcBvzMCIhAztZuS8ktxyWo8KUxiaWOJcj/s1600/IMGP5164.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652322612267981410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV17GAbuMlqlNh7yy6P19069DkCTgh9CyeNKlnu6jVafY2NEnyGqqORc2_C0gLvMQB1iMXVpW9yb2PwwWogLo-3Mzmj-5pmrodArD5F1oT4e3dcBvzMCIhAztZuS8ktxyWo8KUxiaWOJcj/s320/IMGP5164.JPG" /></a><br />Avery, Dad and I snuck away one night to hike "squish-rock." Dad chose not to attempt the squish but Avery and I are happy to report that we made it through yet another year!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-36456259042894008662011-09-14T14:43:00.005-06:002011-09-14T14:56:24.975-06:00March 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz-XTFyC0ZH1a-dOdGfHpoyPMbf7XKaNqUXi0ICDorKpCwFB7LtvYU2rYivWaBsvLiq_tQeADFt_-RrZE1pP-jcvs77XW6kTeNm0XGH9bFYUzMSFR7Yt3-PRKCVvBCJlWq06UnmRI6itE/s1600/DSCN0529.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652319802640203490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz-XTFyC0ZH1a-dOdGfHpoyPMbf7XKaNqUXi0ICDorKpCwFB7LtvYU2rYivWaBsvLiq_tQeADFt_-RrZE1pP-jcvs77XW6kTeNm0XGH9bFYUzMSFR7Yt3-PRKCVvBCJlWq06UnmRI6itE/s320/DSCN0529.JPG" /></a><br />The Homecoming. It was also my parents 25th Anniversary.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz-XTFyC0ZH1a-dOdGfHpoyPMbf7XKaNqUXi0ICDorKpCwFB7LtvYU2rYivWaBsvLiq_tQeADFt_-RrZE1pP-jcvs77XW6kTeNm0XGH9bFYUzMSFR7Yt3-PRKCVvBCJlWq06UnmRI6itE/s1600/DSCN0529.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXC1Bk7bcun937ttGlIJqpPq5a6JVSBRyKCmOYrHNUu_duAC50TLunusVhGi8JL70aAYchk5aQdWeKVvQoTcHBPZ4gcxee4knOh1uFHVyV8jg0bgneYmSCQ48Kuso2_IR1xzo1PPqbQgb/s1600/IMGP4803.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652320175470504530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXC1Bk7bcun937ttGlIJqpPq5a6JVSBRyKCmOYrHNUu_duAC50TLunusVhGi8JL70aAYchk5aQdWeKVvQoTcHBPZ4gcxee4knOh1uFHVyV8jg0bgneYmSCQ48Kuso2_IR1xzo1PPqbQgb/s320/IMGP4803.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Our trip to Sun Valley. I was freezing!!! But the skiing was great.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A Florida Flamingo!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652320742833883106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQOD8WwHlc9nWUNBHyudsGSi5zlWtcANgsKWoWLE4_1dxrnwYhJqh2dfEH3-MbHK94Xaj-YMfmiMDgc46evsJ64DQix8v8osmjPYQNUxsJZlSpjdIF6bcvidQEMM5Dce-Ah_oNYwhFQOq/s320/IMGP4844.JPG" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-73095382304098211802011-06-14T14:14:00.020-06:002011-06-14T15:58:55.111-06:00Double VisionJust before I left for my mission a peculiar thing started happening to my sister and I . . . people couldn't tell us apart! Strangers in stores even started coming up to us and asking us if we were twins. We would laugh (there's five years between the two of us). Those who knew us casually could tell us apart if we were standing side-by-side but if we were alone they would have to think about it. Little kids that my sister babysat every week would call out: "Hi Avery!" to me as I walked down the hall in church. The week after I went into the MTC a gentleman from church told my sister that he thought I was going on a mission. The whole situation was quite entertaining but also baffling to our family . . . there were definitely some similarities but not enough to get us confused.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618174324618304866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnFAmglhrZHX0APjC_zAHFSCMe2b-82_3a3n17NHZFeSnqYmqKBBlJ-cl4QApV6IK0BiRjal6Md-iK_gTFyfksJ_ygZRutnBMXAGartjG3QQsWqX_WQpxcXhgn4kraEDSV9HOHp1xeSKj/s320/IMGP2009.JPG" />Well, over time we forgot about it. I served my mission and returned home . . . only to find that the situation hadn't changed.<br /><br />Some people I went to high school with saw my sister and welcomed me home from my mission.<br /><br />Kids from Avery's high school saw me at a frozen yogurt shop and yelled: "Avery!" until I got a little closer and they realized their mistake.<br /><br />I've even had someone offer me a job (teaching swimming lessons) thinking I was Avery . . . sometimes the situation has its perks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a7BqokujjdkN_xw87fU8Guz09v_lHgmmKQRzrqkbXg258Cp2djAbt7CfabF0t7fdBQm0uCIQOJ5kB7ElyUA8RvWIS6e2xYO-Ij7t9IPnXEBrsHSDqJMb37rjN4jwEWsc0ndetiNVFm1J/s1600/iPhone+030.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 239px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618182479562944066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a7BqokujjdkN_xw87fU8Guz09v_lHgmmKQRzrqkbXg258Cp2djAbt7CfabF0t7fdBQm0uCIQOJ5kB7ElyUA8RvWIS6e2xYO-Ij7t9IPnXEBrsHSDqJMb37rjN4jwEWsc0ndetiNVFm1J/s320/iPhone+030.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ17ARoSwBhP-TvA_oJZY7xQ3Jy_fu3buWLkLFfBALJBLKIaUz0aNwG6uQ4semji10_5bMLs0B19zBAfK4Qq8UQHUEs-bBupfAyMP0Nt65CowwNN8AqMxImmXprle_4l7WltB-gO3r2Fo/s1600/iPhone+035.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 239px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618183592865122962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ17ARoSwBhP-TvA_oJZY7xQ3Jy_fu3buWLkLFfBALJBLKIaUz0aNwG6uQ4semji10_5bMLs0B19zBAfK4Qq8UQHUEs-bBupfAyMP0Nt65CowwNN8AqMxImmXprle_4l7WltB-gO3r2Fo/s320/iPhone+035.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br />Recently, we were boating and my dad took a picture of Avery (above) on my phone and posted it to Facebook on my account. Everyone thought it was me. But in fact, the photo on the right it me.<br /><br />But by far our favorite of all these experiences is our adorable little cousin Emily.<br /><br />When we went down to Lake Powell for Memorial Day I got to see some of my cousins for the first time since coming home from my mission. My cousin Emily is 4 now, so she doesn't remember me from before the mission. And at the moment Avery is her "chosen one," which is cute.<br /><br />Throughout the weekend we worked on Emily, helping her remember my name and finally she got it down. That night, Avery and I were star-gazing with Dad when Emily came up and laid next to me. She pointed out some "wishing stars" and we spent some time making wishes. Then Emily wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and squeezed me tight. "You're the best cousin ever!" she cried. "I love you, Avery!" I laughed and told her I was Kenzie. She looked at me and promptly stood up and went to lay next to Avery.<br /><br />The next day she called me the right name and I couldn't help but tease her. "Are you sure I'm Kenzie?" I pointed to Avery a couple feet away. "Maybe that's Kenzie!"<br /><br />She looked at both of us for a few seconds and then gave up . . . "You two look the same!"<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618176438066657426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8wB79fm7KhYhC1l4RiGYgdeyryA_lY3N7JNGWPg_FhtkTl1aaNHPK_xj74T-Ol4B79fBceBFagY9DP99sQWvlx2FpwXx1p7IIyqBT-jVG-3HVo7YiMbAUrr69SGQ1V-UFDWvC2guXEoQ/s320/IMGP5118.JPG" /> Just this past Sunday they were in town and came to our house for dinner. When I opened the door Emily was standing on the doorstep, eager to see Avery. She took one look at me and I saw the uncertainty in her face. "Ummm . . ." she said before someone rescued her by telling her that I was McKenzie. "Hi Kenzie!" she said as she skipped into the house, "Where's Avery?"<br /><br />And so, we continue to revel in the situation.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-62465857306401818922009-08-31T11:25:00.067-06:002009-08-31T14:06:09.596-06:00Summer Snapshots<strong>BYE BYE CHAPARRAL . . . HELLO LOVE!</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY8swi5ek10RKvsMO8CPaGFWgUuR5oAFXTjj-uGpkL9mkinORPaz7QmYKZWkk2LT4wDSIyPzaYjgX21ZVgqKcvOMJSLOGCpx-bjUN-deFSOrt8oGT52qWcoCpvvMPTKJ7SVkjtpqmECc4/s1600-h/DSCF5190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376200604589377234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY8swi5ek10RKvsMO8CPaGFWgUuR5oAFXTjj-uGpkL9mkinORPaz7QmYKZWkk2LT4wDSIyPzaYjgX21ZVgqKcvOMJSLOGCpx-bjUN-deFSOrt8oGT52qWcoCpvvMPTKJ7SVkjtpqmECc4/s320/DSCF5190.JPG" border="0" /></a> The day we said goodbye to the Chaparral was a torrential downpour.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hebKGTHFulaufCHnVyWVGzicsFPoMxaJnWVYyVVfkZ66jmPYs7nFuUgR6cGYVdl12pVf8wtz1TkWQeVSyfxNQKS-K1cWe_CTvK0BgwkhznrKBj7QwQdV4iqmtonje0cmSJ3y8ckXWfDA/s1600-h/DSCF5192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376200483133783698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hebKGTHFulaufCHnVyWVGzicsFPoMxaJnWVYyVVfkZ66jmPYs7nFuUgR6cGYVdl12pVf8wtz1TkWQeVSyfxNQKS-K1cWe_CTvK0BgwkhznrKBj7QwQdV4iqmtonje0cmSJ3y8ckXWfDA/s320/DSCF5192.JPG" border="0" /></a> The first time I meet my new boyfriend . . .<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJTIfPO_ff1mA8LqKAp0o-pKsin9qHQT_x2BeXLkBK5UCujWqW3z3ptjZYCpY80MQhFDWwjJcLdL9-gWAufZo7TyXrROHudJenGLbM46ivoUM5gZCqZccqvLmE71zUBFSpwpgpLAQp42m/s1600-h/IMGP0738.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376200121893598914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJTIfPO_ff1mA8LqKAp0o-pKsin9qHQT_x2BeXLkBK5UCujWqW3z3ptjZYCpY80MQhFDWwjJcLdL9-gWAufZo7TyXrROHudJenGLbM46ivoUM5gZCqZccqvLmE71zUBFSpwpgpLAQp42m/s320/IMGP0738.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWAOo-PFE7ZCnzL9YUZngrzfB1GL0lygplW3bjgqtbRWzHpVqpvjTdvu8m7YT_Z7-tR8fM0vlGJAim94GHVxmIyi1Hjil3xorr0XYgdRyYVBUfOxHWr8x4eycZcR01HHAQC5Nx9IpCvvf/s1600-h/IMGP0746.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376200017201878274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWAOo-PFE7ZCnzL9YUZngrzfB1GL0lygplW3bjgqtbRWzHpVqpvjTdvu8m7YT_Z7-tR8fM0vlGJAim94GHVxmIyi1Hjil3xorr0XYgdRyYVBUfOxHWr8x4eycZcR01HHAQC5Nx9IpCvvf/s320/IMGP0746.JPG" border="0" /></a>Bye bye Chappy! We'll miss you, but luckily we get to see you at Powell!</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376200781590710930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HmZtU_Hg24xLrCDpzkeUDxwqsBIpVSdbPiNt1spG2P0FMpAEmCgU_n16m9m8jJP0MjvOZgvK4-NC_L0LQj18Z6XpQxSvhB30q4epFfkb_mI1u_SBFBHWsolzrd8MT_2heHT2EwFgO1OK/s320/DSCF5209.JPG" border="0" />Avery decided to dump a big puddle of water off the boat cover and on to me.<br /><br /><strong>LAKE MEAD</strong><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrTWmld-_96r0hvZfESAMSEAfFkOHIcohU7lYcm60xzafVIUj39QMWKc0zTV4QoC8BXLEra7PGkLhqRe9Yy24fG5KynIzNzbvCWEm2K5xFTwKS5acckc3VZ7_PEnnfv-4s_ksbJ5TZL29/s1600-h/IMGP0887.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376199779789948546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrTWmld-_96r0hvZfESAMSEAfFkOHIcohU7lYcm60xzafVIUj39QMWKc0zTV4QoC8BXLEra7PGkLhqRe9Yy24fG5KynIzNzbvCWEm2K5xFTwKS5acckc3VZ7_PEnnfv-4s_ksbJ5TZL29/s320/IMGP0887.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvCzdTTnEWP2bSIUJFQHYx9gJ1ggAoaqaJ1uLOcmNFLYOqDhPeodUXlJYQkZIKxXkIiEjved1I6YVnaZYlkj6L5SG_wJgzs5eY0QdHybIMSH2GYaNipHNUTGy6ItqzBZRwkTWnx_Rm8yB/s1600-h/IMGP0881.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376199619001811138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvCzdTTnEWP2bSIUJFQHYx9gJ1ggAoaqaJ1uLOcmNFLYOqDhPeodUXlJYQkZIKxXkIiEjved1I6YVnaZYlkj6L5SG_wJgzs5eY0QdHybIMSH2GYaNipHNUTGy6ItqzBZRwkTWnx_Rm8yB/s320/IMGP0881.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZYntgZ_VcE8JSNG0Uqf46lPoH9ILopf1E-_kSIGaZY5Hl2Ho0QDkLxs9yH5421wtmpaSQ4H-Rpf9nLFsvydadh9Vnq1nJojklmc5uzR2jN-R9FfP-CCWEwm5MfLEbCw5Tek2Z5FuAZZQ/s1600-h/IMGP0892.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376199169227505490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZYntgZ_VcE8JSNG0Uqf46lPoH9ILopf1E-_kSIGaZY5Hl2Ho0QDkLxs9yH5421wtmpaSQ4H-Rpf9nLFsvydadh9Vnq1nJojklmc5uzR2jN-R9FfP-CCWEwm5MfLEbCw5Tek2Z5FuAZZQ/s320/IMGP0892.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hEpgpvQ26BMxo25rfS5AsQap0IQ9wTIugjYJyh_6l8SpsRRr3w2RSJuXTdSXCiwdpW5v1gnW6-AqyjFHyyh1bU081NZhI5mpkxlfIDgwCxhJm9F3ORnJUWNY3p9YdkjiuMHcfcXNH2w6/s1600-h/IMGP0949.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376198944847034162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hEpgpvQ26BMxo25rfS5AsQap0IQ9wTIugjYJyh_6l8SpsRRr3w2RSJuXTdSXCiwdpW5v1gnW6-AqyjFHyyh1bU081NZhI5mpkxlfIDgwCxhJm9F3ORnJUWNY3p9YdkjiuMHcfcXNH2w6/s320/IMGP0949.JPG" border="0" /></a>Lawn bowling with Papa Mac and Val.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJroG4JKN9h84cdkMMyCMug8uG9Ynh0e1E-LPK-yIV2-BiRB6X2918mta_eyn7PlpiCh_wnKRi0fMrq7WCYhoLjNvcW5gt3HHHXpo1Su5Pf32hO-DlQ4v28CvMwcTiZ6aB7-aGy_whEs3/s1600-h/IMGP0962.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376198847426283010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJroG4JKN9h84cdkMMyCMug8uG9Ynh0e1E-LPK-yIV2-BiRB6X2918mta_eyn7PlpiCh_wnKRi0fMrq7WCYhoLjNvcW5gt3HHHXpo1Su5Pf32hO-DlQ4v28CvMwcTiZ6aB7-aGy_whEs3/s320/IMGP0962.JPG" border="0" /></a> Look at that expert form . . .<br /><br /><strong>CONVERTING THE MALIBU SEATING</strong><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiislAwSsHn8spRDRwapQL5ThU85ooAYfYbHSBe_Xhed4WMd5IfrWVP_94lArAOD6UjCvi4AMrwXU9t7uLUZS_YDdspQ_kVtU8AU-rOWr27X2sMjdeC_rM0Cf8WWsc_MONCvH-EahA8Ib2h/s1600-h/DSC08466.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376197836605032786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiislAwSsHn8spRDRwapQL5ThU85ooAYfYbHSBe_Xhed4WMd5IfrWVP_94lArAOD6UjCvi4AMrwXU9t7uLUZS_YDdspQ_kVtU8AU-rOWr27X2sMjdeC_rM0Cf8WWsc_MONCvH-EahA8Ib2h/s320/DSC08466.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dad and I in our make-shift shade.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376196949186320498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbltGAhqSs0xN8tC8DZYD3jRsPJid3lNk1LcdC8prPs-0doD_HRJ7GqHcPMC3FZphs2olV0yDlzii_tlvkLYG-IufwlMP3SelrOy-VAMMRSvqh4vfcKLfrz6F0nauvFTP_ExTDWBHmzWJN/s320/DSC08446.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div>When we got the Malibu there were two captains chairs but we decided to convert the seating into wrap-around seating, so Dad and I got to work. </div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxkyp-GES9e5xFplOcc5EDxa1PVJRk2nkmoBSfIjDLSSNWxryZsrtsQ60uI76inr-dCCIhmRPu_8I7dNlqbhuw5i_yoZhHc5Q92_sQGFyBaWvi2CmhzB-ORfoNUeRQlRIe0YjfqqCMEBb/s1600-h/DSC08461.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376197152093203906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxkyp-GES9e5xFplOcc5EDxa1PVJRk2nkmoBSfIjDLSSNWxryZsrtsQ60uI76inr-dCCIhmRPu_8I7dNlqbhuw5i_yoZhHc5Q92_sQGFyBaWvi2CmhzB-ORfoNUeRQlRIe0YjfqqCMEBb/s320/DSC08461.JPG" border="0" /></a> First, we stripped out the whole left side of the boat . . . </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376197584431215042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyXJMgLdJ6-jYd5U0kimVPg_AVpUxAVpFfO-nwFhH9YXA-QiwxGHewxLZJXRIshQzDWW8Y57AHMpg98S2aRQqRyWr6zgz0h_8OgLnM8Bga4MoNjFoQvcAwKcGA6ACn0RiTf8QW6aY4OIA/s320/DSC08463.JPG" border="0" /> Then we stood on our heads for a while . . . </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376198572218854434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dRrgguPVoORzoNC0dA3M1UjVA-suQJqCMaWhZn5hexw5Kl6PVK4_E-ELnd_qDW6VSSz2_ixZ47VbdDvpp6_1xb5s0BgJA1aJf5YvvkyPFkHbOOBOSfrkRoQvmR5KJA58pgLoY-5pHZe0/s320/DSC08860.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div>And now, whala, roomy, wrap-around seating!<br /><br /><div><strong>THURSDAYS</strong></div><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka63kO9IM8oTMCgKDiKxIDj4-gAyg-YU5xDOxjRhObJDERIU8_Zau5q0GUBofUocqQR21yFIIqELTsNVaS7cEtqx4JVpinZEWW3wWP1qRJu9sz5HSLkJ_bt3bv_WFSyj6I27EHXCx-_Ts/s1600-h/IMGP1159.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376195928493504402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka63kO9IM8oTMCgKDiKxIDj4-gAyg-YU5xDOxjRhObJDERIU8_Zau5q0GUBofUocqQR21yFIIqELTsNVaS7cEtqx4JVpinZEWW3wWP1qRJu9sz5HSLkJ_bt3bv_WFSyj6I27EHXCx-_Ts/s320/IMGP1159.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our appointed day to explore Salt Lake.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTSaFrUj6RdKGY52isAJxKe4zuP5Pjhpzram9KxXOgetc2UnDH0U_nJ516xWRi0CUl5qv5L02FGij4WTqdkWT-Xl9xEERsJL6PQ9lH_nQzow1WNp9ThyyCHqburHFHwXhIYxpjACkOAM4/s1600-h/DSC08505.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376195713520831506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTSaFrUj6RdKGY52isAJxKe4zuP5Pjhpzram9KxXOgetc2UnDH0U_nJ516xWRi0CUl5qv5L02FGij4WTqdkWT-Xl9xEERsJL6PQ9lH_nQzow1WNp9ThyyCHqburHFHwXhIYxpjACkOAM4/s320/DSC08505.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376195338426606402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDqvhQVG0Fr9bpnZsEFDkcKn0CVr5ftP8phXucSwpLG2yZtSKW8mKJOPWzhYVD2AI-aK3fOul7VDtvQ2NoZ1__eKSEPQdWLMcB-ShSSckptUqZJCaUvHii6HZyCTSQE0trDIgBp8fn-Yi/s320/IMGP1098.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />MISSION CALL TO JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA!<br /><br /></strong>I opened my mission call on the lake, unfortunately in our excitement to get to the lake to open the call we forgot the camera . . . but it looked a little like this . . .<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKYqFtuoENLmTTvWN3e7JcSRNadAGq4-KNzoZpCUWBE_b1br3tUvXhCwiijFkrPWTLBQkI5W7HPdxzeffd-zJI9mRKHXTF8nf2sCZ7KUJvVjnzUePy9dOb9dLYwBrUSB5exbIqH4CYUF7/s1600-h/DSC08511.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376195502283444114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKYqFtuoENLmTTvWN3e7JcSRNadAGq4-KNzoZpCUWBE_b1br3tUvXhCwiijFkrPWTLBQkI5W7HPdxzeffd-zJI9mRKHXTF8nf2sCZ7KUJvVjnzUePy9dOb9dLYwBrUSB5exbIqH4CYUF7/s320/DSC08511.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a></div><div></div><div></div><br /><strong>HANSEN FAMILY REUNION AT THE BAUCOM'S RANCH<br /><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYwYicfBdpg_DD38JeqjsKUpXjuq0AGDdyG3LHbb58lg4fzml7f1L67Am9L5k9t_apFbCVZOwwJq08BFqZ9jIMzCRO1h5RbCEtYc9z6O6Ku8KHL75wskHl1tNDYtJU7QhCJpkNyekRgpP/s1600-h/IMGP1276.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376194864863240050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYwYicfBdpg_DD38JeqjsKUpXjuq0AGDdyG3LHbb58lg4fzml7f1L67Am9L5k9t_apFbCVZOwwJq08BFqZ9jIMzCRO1h5RbCEtYc9z6O6Ku8KHL75wskHl1tNDYtJU7QhCJpkNyekRgpP/s320/IMGP1276.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEPEojHioY-zyDcKCPiJjsEQevcYjiH2zHai40bCDzpzb6kcbR1HT4ec7iU_Uek5kXbRkuDhlOQdvKirmqCUsH9dzKry7eL__qZriucbEgQqE4TmuyKfWonjYRHZS6Wuumlpo4z4riF6i/s1600-h/DSC08638.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376194329126704690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEPEojHioY-zyDcKCPiJjsEQevcYjiH2zHai40bCDzpzb6kcbR1HT4ec7iU_Uek5kXbRkuDhlOQdvKirmqCUsH9dzKry7eL__qZriucbEgQqE4TmuyKfWonjYRHZS6Wuumlpo4z4riF6i/s320/DSC08638.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>Wiffle-ball tournament<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6uDvJHieIbF9a0AnoY2dMxL-OogrEkqNoyJmuheGI_M8-SsiSi8LIMtj7D1J3N8OyULJVn5dKySx7XKfKhI-JZQuTOi85TVZaHUmBZz-D3YmY_bl3BYM7spXWF_7ER_i2DmCgNfxNBjX/s1600-h/IMGP1293.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376194029500642898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6uDvJHieIbF9a0AnoY2dMxL-OogrEkqNoyJmuheGI_M8-SsiSi8LIMtj7D1J3N8OyULJVn5dKySx7XKfKhI-JZQuTOi85TVZaHUmBZz-D3YmY_bl3BYM7spXWF_7ER_i2DmCgNfxNBjX/s320/IMGP1293.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudgCADFP2EvpIq5awPIgAaQUW8XV13-KFfEMJM1-85p9I5WirsPlUdKfHvZiFS56mPHEjTxPgKPcd4K0IvMVTn6AqY6Y8ENlyXvWvSiGjU5LtEa_pFJ12dTx4gNeXzw7dOfUTH3sjo_mZ/s1600-h/DSC08646.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376193153016352130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudgCADFP2EvpIq5awPIgAaQUW8XV13-KFfEMJM1-85p9I5WirsPlUdKfHvZiFS56mPHEjTxPgKPcd4K0IvMVTn6AqY6Y8ENlyXvWvSiGjU5LtEa_pFJ12dTx4gNeXzw7dOfUTH3sjo_mZ/s320/DSC08646.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYYratAEPUWeMUZTOErs_MVYQzm8C_LIEDR-1Kjl2uoUPF38mWjKDaV3-NQ_T4ynGcJxXtPLkt3T62yORp2g5ha6wqOCQomJFRNt1Bc93bXRKI8migKI4Rd4DQPzytP1AKomRSEoy9NKf/s1600-h/DSC08649.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376192907347938338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYYratAEPUWeMUZTOErs_MVYQzm8C_LIEDR-1Kjl2uoUPF38mWjKDaV3-NQ_T4ynGcJxXtPLkt3T62yORp2g5ha6wqOCQomJFRNt1Bc93bXRKI8migKI4Rd4DQPzytP1AKomRSEoy9NKf/s320/DSC08649.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Dad and Homer<strong><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOmyCeEyksxVqF9XftCJYeRvnDsIgAyd9sJFit9w_hCdDkLDfrh6YLGIAFjah_Zapr7xvQ5zHMz847LewL4a8kDkGpPRAaESa5wfX8pQxIgnZtnW9nXckFnewhKoBYHBVO_hBHYRfVnKa/s1600-h/DSCF5322.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376192565424987746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOmyCeEyksxVqF9XftCJYeRvnDsIgAyd9sJFit9w_hCdDkLDfrh6YLGIAFjah_Zapr7xvQ5zHMz847LewL4a8kDkGpPRAaESa5wfX8pQxIgnZtnW9nXckFnewhKoBYHBVO_hBHYRfVnKa/s320/DSCF5322.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Chillin' on the porch</div><div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFXsMCN3vmNrliEgqvIIQAsFR6FSakQVntfyvQ93aS198LqCFkRpYGz5VqU2aCP_idSIHoLwcatRu8HKLxnXo2Llj-iCsGcbfJuTcLYWRNdOdYer3YlpEjxA1xECHYXKHxc_M1RP1aLF7/s1600-h/IMGP1274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376191922315726834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFXsMCN3vmNrliEgqvIIQAsFR6FSakQVntfyvQ93aS198LqCFkRpYGz5VqU2aCP_idSIHoLwcatRu8HKLxnXo2Llj-iCsGcbfJuTcLYWRNdOdYer3YlpEjxA1xECHYXKHxc_M1RP1aLF7/s320/IMGP1274.JPG" border="0" /></a> Papa Mac, Val and Emily on the "Alligator"</div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><strong>FLAMING GORGE</strong></div><div><strong><br /><br /></strong></div><div><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376192227012513042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2qxGhQeeaSpROsweqejqRLdDjG2fAlW8Vxt6vwlE8qcp4F4ivOZrdGIVR3YV0PmpJb0_GREfhtfE7UWJrNqMw2myvWX-2RrTSIvoPgag0Ci6DCfcQlVcoh8k1mGasDvhDCK-AkP60uid/s320/DSCF5353.JPG" border="0" /></strong>The Red-Hot-Chili-Pepper on our Forth of July camping trip . . . randomly, I couldn't find anymore pictures from this trip. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><strong>LAKE POWELL . . . A LITTLE BIT OF PARADISE<br /></strong><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesgXQXffmkdTcUl3qvSrSJk1Y4qa4m5agiHPh_Jmir3Xa3g9_XsMbKA64jsF5JcfH7FSi9WrQrRJqrb4Lf1Ij4R83SYxpPO7MbzkyTDQy_UrkY_DuSeTgmlCeat7XGPG-DbMLFHI3aQRq/s1600-h/DSC08687.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376188942864345730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesgXQXffmkdTcUl3qvSrSJk1Y4qa4m5agiHPh_Jmir3Xa3g9_XsMbKA64jsF5JcfH7FSi9WrQrRJqrb4Lf1Ij4R83SYxpPO7MbzkyTDQy_UrkY_DuSeTgmlCeat7XGPG-DbMLFHI3aQRq/s320/DSC08687.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNd-s8YjDUnjns6tVinCR3Jzvh0Eq8skV5c_i0o51s80yZM8YyGwuQh7DtL6aie-30vCq7JzHJ93JrmuBOGE7ZfpFBQ44ANBtTrapkTZJMmIiJim4cBVdsUnMo9GyToizQllypp-bmRSu/s1600-h/DSC08703.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376188840010088450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNd-s8YjDUnjns6tVinCR3Jzvh0Eq8skV5c_i0o51s80yZM8YyGwuQh7DtL6aie-30vCq7JzHJ93JrmuBOGE7ZfpFBQ44ANBtTrapkTZJMmIiJim4cBVdsUnMo9GyToizQllypp-bmRSu/s320/DSC08703.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>The kids, and Dad, Cliff jumping</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EwDUcHno-2yF8QP29AegfGCKK33CSZ6ctHVXiSrPkMna-IIx0xCbZ-M3qyvEyqiFIp1YPyl_BE9DL2P3E3OdNyooBeZIDZf5VaSJSxGXO65QE5ripQ6IT_6drQOQi6EXqBsycCsoCuNM/s1600-h/DSC08839.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376188437962559490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EwDUcHno-2yF8QP29AegfGCKK33CSZ6ctHVXiSrPkMna-IIx0xCbZ-M3qyvEyqiFIp1YPyl_BE9DL2P3E3OdNyooBeZIDZf5VaSJSxGXO65QE5ripQ6IT_6drQOQi6EXqBsycCsoCuNM/s320/DSC08839.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>Avery surfing</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhkGSB1LTtbpNPWi_JGVu-s9Hrbmo3lyZPn11ncHwcnsxT5zbBoeG0zTHf2IfOuBZxf3hN7xFDgmZJ47C0s4gUCXCVovwSyPjr8xv4RQD8oIv-7JEq9VSmJUDn2eZl9CkEzLdB92KxHQ6/s1600-h/DSC08847.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376188233089257682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhkGSB1LTtbpNPWi_JGVu-s9Hrbmo3lyZPn11ncHwcnsxT5zbBoeG0zTHf2IfOuBZxf3hN7xFDgmZJ47C0s4gUCXCVovwSyPjr8xv4RQD8oIv-7JEq9VSmJUDn2eZl9CkEzLdB92KxHQ6/s320/DSC08847.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>Watching the firework show from the tramp</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroY9ERxNFXvKIo6YFmhyphenhyphenN7eC2FLW3ao58kd769SfMiSEdnBF-r32aub2tz_-Rp3Nt4aUFPbx9ePj-AyyKl1Pr-Q8C4V7a2VkLJqJ60fSR7RN1a0wrUtVRmWYK7TU5Q2t4aaKc6Qcma296/s1600-h/IMGP1340.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376188035030658338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroY9ERxNFXvKIo6YFmhyphenhyphenN7eC2FLW3ao58kd769SfMiSEdnBF-r32aub2tz_-Rp3Nt4aUFPbx9ePj-AyyKl1Pr-Q8C4V7a2VkLJqJ60fSR7RN1a0wrUtVRmWYK7TU5Q2t4aaKc6Qcma296/s320/IMGP1340.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Our shaving rock this year was brilliant, plenty of room to shave with a nice place to layout afterwards.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit1o0iBPXn00SNTdF2HqXJGUrEGwtjuhBa1JkkYnLc_4UeAk-NnO_p17a-f3Plwid8WyfClrEVDPjbYfBeZIAQ4Z2s5I8EgyEQi9Hudsf_KD0xxrwza0BG2YodmK7rwmUWodsXp3K3aPL/s1600-h/IMGP1354.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376187835065812658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit1o0iBPXn00SNTdF2HqXJGUrEGwtjuhBa1JkkYnLc_4UeAk-NnO_p17a-f3Plwid8WyfClrEVDPjbYfBeZIAQ4Z2s5I8EgyEQi9Hudsf_KD0xxrwza0BG2YodmK7rwmUWodsXp3K3aPL/s320/IMGP1354.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO9msryuF6rIwJLYt3o-dG1eC3fw7VHyffptSUeY25oosMF2oATevpujAHjv7C6_bI8I0JBAYm2dBzEPGMgXgBjOuHy_jKk7DX42jgZ0tYBIpqH2tSvYx-vXc0V5dsUHI7LV2Ox0p4Zkm/s1600-h/DSC08796.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376187672379006962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO9msryuF6rIwJLYt3o-dG1eC3fw7VHyffptSUeY25oosMF2oATevpujAHjv7C6_bI8I0JBAYm2dBzEPGMgXgBjOuHy_jKk7DX42jgZ0tYBIpqH2tSvYx-vXc0V5dsUHI7LV2Ox0p4Zkm/s320/DSC08796.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Superman<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHoUyDuE9L8wd4KNiuHsZkVw5hxSjGL2soBhHDYbN0FhUoxPKYzF68rmVM74l26KKP2xqcmkMmVzOdiEdp41cAh9yXxJIgUFOiOkBOtSAwo6pnlutLK2jajDulfstSLtMnu85jyJd6biK/s1600-h/IMGP1411.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376187387206069874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHoUyDuE9L8wd4KNiuHsZkVw5hxSjGL2soBhHDYbN0FhUoxPKYzF68rmVM74l26KKP2xqcmkMmVzOdiEdp41cAh9yXxJIgUFOiOkBOtSAwo6pnlutLK2jajDulfstSLtMnu85jyJd6biK/s320/IMGP1411.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf1g2e4yQQiRM30ReytyLQjnqIdcv_kVaOGj6qWDyars6Rwpm7naRdtAl1-U-U8Fmdy1jchLlPDAXtfEI1o48ZHXhkckHKuy2zbOkaNuV5iLjRRZy-rMwAkUSkot9Sx0-FEMn_coMEb-Z/s1600-h/IMGP1421.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376187245422201746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf1g2e4yQQiRM30ReytyLQjnqIdcv_kVaOGj6qWDyars6Rwpm7naRdtAl1-U-U8Fmdy1jchLlPDAXtfEI1o48ZHXhkckHKuy2zbOkaNuV5iLjRRZy-rMwAkUSkot9Sx0-FEMn_coMEb-Z/s320/IMGP1421.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong> </strong></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><strong>FIRST ANNUAL HARRY POTTER BIRTHDAY PARTY!<br /><br /></strong>To celebrate the great wizard's birthday (July 31) this year we decided to throw a party.<br /><br />During dinner, which consisted of:<br /><br />-House Elf Pies</div><div>-Butterbeer</div><div>-Dragon's Blood</div><div>-Herbology platter</div><div>-Cockroach clusters</div><div>-Licorice wands</div><div>-Chocolate wands</div><div>-Acid pops</div><div>-Treacle Tart</div><div><br /><br />We played trivia games.<br /><br />Then we held a Triwizard Tournament to see which school could create the best dragon . . .</div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY4a6y6YgouuvNXL-9BEj0ZTC9zeL8U0bEGcXVmCgqiZxrpwi8XyV0HabbTgXEnhAH2J3_z-EgXZCm9KAC0Fw09WvBVYqAHuBzOKKj5PR83uinrZJn7nmIPH8AJsPW1KOas2hEVmYA1ty/s1600-h/DSCF7004.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376186208280815698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY4a6y6YgouuvNXL-9BEj0ZTC9zeL8U0bEGcXVmCgqiZxrpwi8XyV0HabbTgXEnhAH2J3_z-EgXZCm9KAC0Fw09WvBVYqAHuBzOKKj5PR83uinrZJn7nmIPH8AJsPW1KOas2hEVmYA1ty/s320/DSCF7004.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>Hogwarts students Emilee, Cate, Kirsten, and Nate Pope with their dragon.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVc4BXS3x3aq5CzOxxjJ8VW5EYIlTWVAkZXVCwq9-gm0x4CQrtWEUKTAzeocSNgzWm6tnzUYITdMwhCMXFzM3d2ud02IRLS6fxmMzTgaTqeYaE-atvvFl41JhFU1yh477gcg1aGs0J5GH/s1600-h/DSCF7006.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376186109878976418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVc4BXS3x3aq5CzOxxjJ8VW5EYIlTWVAkZXVCwq9-gm0x4CQrtWEUKTAzeocSNgzWm6tnzUYITdMwhCMXFzM3d2ud02IRLS6fxmMzTgaTqeYaE-atvvFl41JhFU1yh477gcg1aGs0J5GH/s320/DSCF7006.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Durmstrang students Nate, Carl, Carly, and Rachael with their dragon.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnCxEFpuGoX3MCTCi4tQvOTFMcnpoVhkfUkz6ZbmqL93UIElVneCd57vDP32Yk2H3MKgfPFm3lJB1PxeQThr_2djQdTMZAnN7O1M0OzSoINuAHol76YhwN_wpy9gjlzW8u71A8tt7I58X/s1600-h/DSCF7008.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376186035865331410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnCxEFpuGoX3MCTCi4tQvOTFMcnpoVhkfUkz6ZbmqL93UIElVneCd57vDP32Yk2H3MKgfPFm3lJB1PxeQThr_2djQdTMZAnN7O1M0OzSoINuAHol76YhwN_wpy9gjlzW8u71A8tt7I58X/s320/DSCF7008.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> And Beauxbatons students Sarah, Luna Lovegood (me), Professor Umbridge (Avery), and Belatrix (Danielle) with our dragon.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxFoDK1u0gturYmwh1n-GO-_4FjsnOJM_eMWSI4iIdiVE1wmWLw_FFTZmsimei-ykF40pUl8dqQs99YVA0wwcQUuhM4ngNtWjDPci6BGKz4WDQinOrsG8aA0i8F4NY3dHyh9GUILcISQQ/s1600-h/DSCF7010.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376185828290377922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxFoDK1u0gturYmwh1n-GO-_4FjsnOJM_eMWSI4iIdiVE1wmWLw_FFTZmsimei-ykF40pUl8dqQs99YVA0wwcQUuhM4ngNtWjDPci6BGKz4WDQinOrsG8aA0i8F4NY3dHyh9GUILcISQQ/s320/DSCF7010.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> We all had a wicked time and Harry even made an appearance . . .<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMBOH6tQ2eR0ZYqFWojFZCl1gWW3B5P8UX9_cWthC2Xslf5EC-Su-e5bWzpyMy5BFe_uOzZ5kdt6Ot0xAtqjdOSHUQhYO9oYnJQgRIhYAODhme0gr1WcHXYV6hI6rf6hJHZr4hL1jFN2R/s1600-h/DSCF7017.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376185664115735074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMBOH6tQ2eR0ZYqFWojFZCl1gWW3B5P8UX9_cWthC2Xslf5EC-Su-e5bWzpyMy5BFe_uOzZ5kdt6Ot0xAtqjdOSHUQhYO9oYnJQgRIhYAODhme0gr1WcHXYV6hI6rf6hJHZr4hL1jFN2R/s320/DSCF7017.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> And became Carl's date for the movie.</div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><strong>JACKSON LAKE<br /><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7nCnFAxfCrJq6AHdAwYCflXLtScbSfjnGaM3NFUqkcnaFx44Gr8bYcb1moyKepySw5O-3RfROAdNDUUt0n7XDhNsqAmPT9EboFWTufqzzppi1r9L28Yjw_Ov5S9GVQs2HgqYpCXT4Cse/s1600-h/IMGP1570.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376185059750339298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7nCnFAxfCrJq6AHdAwYCflXLtScbSfjnGaM3NFUqkcnaFx44Gr8bYcb1moyKepySw5O-3RfROAdNDUUt0n7XDhNsqAmPT9EboFWTufqzzppi1r9L28Yjw_Ov5S9GVQs2HgqYpCXT4Cse/s320/IMGP1570.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>I love skiing with this backdrop! Jackson is truly heaven on earth, and we were lucky enough to have our cousin Brit come with us this time! The water was a toasty 61F (except for our 45F polar bear swim) but the air was a little chillier than usual this year.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJmceTw2M1K4PJC7LvjQyh0aC48T425vh1XXJ2aYWjYXuKUCXAJrmH9k0dM-V8xjF9YLdWJ7F5TC55ztx0hCukKPMhaGGh5mfMh9WPv0wEgnQgyH7AtZ5Ld08iYfFrdBecdAne0x2JsZt/s1600-h/IMGP1572.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376184753834480786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJmceTw2M1K4PJC7LvjQyh0aC48T425vh1XXJ2aYWjYXuKUCXAJrmH9k0dM-V8xjF9YLdWJ7F5TC55ztx0hCukKPMhaGGh5mfMh9WPv0wEgnQgyH7AtZ5Ld08iYfFrdBecdAne0x2JsZt/s320/IMGP1572.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ0Vej7CaeK-x1GXVfTnTiLxY6U_YiId_FiGtJFb8pkMlXO_O0DbxsArRJ2DWhesiaYUSvpTylljAECdOevXiCPn5uCV2zEZaJ-5nMzqZpQk3qg5gfxdffmxDHCiQ91ROI5NRXvs1c-t4/s1600-h/IMGP1578.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376184590803580562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ0Vej7CaeK-x1GXVfTnTiLxY6U_YiId_FiGtJFb8pkMlXO_O0DbxsArRJ2DWhesiaYUSvpTylljAECdOevXiCPn5uCV2zEZaJ-5nMzqZpQk3qg5gfxdffmxDHCiQ91ROI5NRXvs1c-t4/s320/IMGP1578.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Leek's Marina pizza night with the Carabines<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypEnCo2pqCbl6eI4PQ_fGKSQ8_q-TMb0ool_pkCy36R8imQfo-lqLVXH3aIv-FcHLV1psrDjyF-B9kM8oZCOvwfIQUlsletB7yUO1RwBkQANyvEoBSTYaeSveB37lqAuougzRKuBTSYZ0/s1600-h/IMGP1604.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376184514933619618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypEnCo2pqCbl6eI4PQ_fGKSQ8_q-TMb0ool_pkCy36R8imQfo-lqLVXH3aIv-FcHLV1psrDjyF-B9kM8oZCOvwfIQUlsletB7yUO1RwBkQANyvEoBSTYaeSveB37lqAuougzRKuBTSYZ0/s320/IMGP1604.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Morning hike up Signal Mountain, the boys were too lazy to wake up and come with us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6NyDNFT_yUDWkGZ9iazSY6rlht9CYla4usne0wNY27PTKCdBxr-JGFwMH-v19uINc-e9BfutNg9k13-VzLow5Z9kvARxds_vMpRX3G492F4V7Pfw1v4k_XWYIbKVV2LHnWJjb3YvVJJ8/s1600-h/IMGP1632.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376184360409401666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6NyDNFT_yUDWkGZ9iazSY6rlht9CYla4usne0wNY27PTKCdBxr-JGFwMH-v19uINc-e9BfutNg9k13-VzLow5Z9kvARxds_vMpRX3G492F4V7Pfw1v4k_XWYIbKVV2LHnWJjb3YvVJJ8/s320/IMGP1632.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Nate and Brit with the Grand Teton<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rhKuw-5MjzaKD4ZNDs3ATXQmpndsMEAmokQUF7ir836RaW9IFpHLElzBzRmxYJ2AgXOvZFHyNApHSj1cugAurZD4HjjfRk9ulm8VTGlRfZ_nhX6tf1pzCakIvuvbFhsH77DLGofM3lFI/s1600-h/IMGP1640.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376184260727895842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rhKuw-5MjzaKD4ZNDs3ATXQmpndsMEAmokQUF7ir836RaW9IFpHLElzBzRmxYJ2AgXOvZFHyNApHSj1cugAurZD4HjjfRk9ulm8VTGlRfZ_nhX6tf1pzCakIvuvbFhsH77DLGofM3lFI/s320/IMGP1640.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> The boys tipping trees on our hike to Hidden Falls<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Rb_nlyx1jrWo8oZchG_p7vd-ehMvtWM2UHO4E1UPTM-pqb3OGKPfU8ZCZLQj7GlSQxMdt_-qTyUZoSgvXZo17l4LnFotUA2Y6ATo2Ijt7eEycTEfXnEfajoqP0CMvUMHLkU8bmcn8MTq/s1600-h/IMGP1673.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376184111371599170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Rb_nlyx1jrWo8oZchG_p7vd-ehMvtWM2UHO4E1UPTM-pqb3OGKPfU8ZCZLQj7GlSQxMdt_-qTyUZoSgvXZo17l4LnFotUA2Y6ATo2Ijt7eEycTEfXnEfajoqP0CMvUMHLkU8bmcn8MTq/s320/IMGP1673.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>Avery and I after our hike to Hidden Falls</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB11ormXL5QixqYHUpztQAkhPxFq_QkuhJRwlMCFBHY0Ue3WlGzLLahtq2hdoZtENNd1VvvmgLi16yxZA3BP5TLlutYsdmey8C-xs_zaZonQ4zywp-gzpZbJFKxsyZCdHrRn4_PhF-1jeu/s1600-h/IMGP1680.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376184025886330050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB11ormXL5QixqYHUpztQAkhPxFq_QkuhJRwlMCFBHY0Ue3WlGzLLahtq2hdoZtENNd1VvvmgLi16yxZA3BP5TLlutYsdmey8C-xs_zaZonQ4zywp-gzpZbJFKxsyZCdHrRn4_PhF-1jeu/s320/IMGP1680.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDNhm81Dv8yc_pv0b5lpsNyUIHD7JlJEcoDhV-o6PyMK-Knq5Pr0hBF1DbPbmyZmVAjmeZtNfE17h9o78KnKOTssYZkJxnv9PZrTh9bYND0giDvP0yUIyt5tCvvajvJp3HmR47LnQzPXf/s1600-h/IMGP1697.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376183867197331810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDNhm81Dv8yc_pv0b5lpsNyUIHD7JlJEcoDhV-o6PyMK-Knq5Pr0hBF1DbPbmyZmVAjmeZtNfE17h9o78KnKOTssYZkJxnv9PZrTh9bYND0giDvP0yUIyt5tCvvajvJp3HmR47LnQzPXf/s320/IMGP1697.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNopzAATt9BuWU_yAVj_aMnWKezk-T5kxp-bfyoeeYcqzfDv-xEM5lQJhtuti3xXwsgwFnx8rdy9Z5fqPADSjhoHXwWfCOKxlw3X2MgHWolS-gkdJVaLQuuqLKOBW6gvnXgXv9_uF6m8lp/s1600-h/IMGP1700.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376183663070555314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNopzAATt9BuWU_yAVj_aMnWKezk-T5kxp-bfyoeeYcqzfDv-xEM5lQJhtuti3xXwsgwFnx8rdy9Z5fqPADSjhoHXwWfCOKxlw3X2MgHWolS-gkdJVaLQuuqLKOBW6gvnXgXv9_uF6m8lp/s320/IMGP1700.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd3NNCG6AvMMJN4MIxG5vNJl6FWTq-WcGRrfOG8er3QBOeAivth-f9dpdC68sHyQDBtlnq6u10b7IrUKdKXQsdG8q7RNyyl8zrolQ54-YHXkI7icI12-dxBat75hyphenhyphenB8BgfdQYS6X_ki9s/s1600-h/IMGP1707.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376183566663461074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd3NNCG6AvMMJN4MIxG5vNJl6FWTq-WcGRrfOG8er3QBOeAivth-f9dpdC68sHyQDBtlnq6u10b7IrUKdKXQsdG8q7RNyyl8zrolQ54-YHXkI7icI12-dxBat75hyphenhyphenB8BgfdQYS6X_ki9s/s320/IMGP1707.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> On our last night at Jackson the Tetons got a frosting of snow . . .<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOcGB-MFBLvouHRdEbxFf_1MmHQuwlmohxwCJW1lhkpNxOPugmy_rPCH0KUOga1JERqCktiKToJeEhkV9iIcy2ij7o2q7nCA3tnPZZS9hRXlr31bGjTUtN3UorFnK1RfZ82uyFMeiLqod/s1600-h/IMGP1724.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376183427125251778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOcGB-MFBLvouHRdEbxFf_1MmHQuwlmohxwCJW1lhkpNxOPugmy_rPCH0KUOga1JERqCktiKToJeEhkV9iIcy2ij7o2q7nCA3tnPZZS9hRXlr31bGjTUtN3UorFnK1RfZ82uyFMeiLqod/s320/IMGP1724.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> The boys weren't too excited that I wanted to walk the String Lake trail before we headed home, they said that their faces were numb . . .<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhEy5F_Wj0fEaZkvxx6lhpoXJue4K-zhInRhTB85c0NlPWQZ5oKYIAF59J4w2SNPQg_ienDzq7Jds5K8XyMTPUgmMQkbD7-CMYebPx4q3z-wzSRYabu5PjTQU5H63e6OIlGHEa8UyCDzW/s1600-h/IMGP1761.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376183070993530978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhEy5F_Wj0fEaZkvxx6lhpoXJue4K-zhInRhTB85c0NlPWQZ5oKYIAF59J4w2SNPQg_ienDzq7Jds5K8XyMTPUgmMQkbD7-CMYebPx4q3z-wzSRYabu5PjTQU5H63e6OIlGHEa8UyCDzW/s320/IMGP1761.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a><strong> </strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX-XwVxgEbNeK2WPR9V94d8iV-v1gYCm4iw34flt_y-6PyMU47VtSNh-vmQgjRRk4AglDT9CRYB_xPTw3uhAb_-TyyI9lZhnkQYrd_qC5QkR2DHSYDHJP7FdDNB1fHi8oSpuD51DJlRa8/s1600-h/IMGP1766.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376182940813493122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX-XwVxgEbNeK2WPR9V94d8iV-v1gYCm4iw34flt_y-6PyMU47VtSNh-vmQgjRRk4AglDT9CRYB_xPTw3uhAb_-TyyI9lZhnkQYrd_qC5QkR2DHSYDHJP7FdDNB1fHi8oSpuD51DJlRa8/s320/IMGP1766.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>The Red-Hot-Chili-Pepper and the Grand Teton . . .<br /><br /><strong>DID I MENTION BOATING?<br /><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PdifSlZ_npIDXXe_ppQRmL6ENopKvJ26zDiV2N3nN2HP1A9qO1NMTXrszVgFfowCLYtoqIXPUKu_aeAVSN8lNrGgPTDIuSw8q0KwSmJsEZKv3mrbpu7YoKflst9LuGkjnA7RMPTYoblH/s1600-h/DSC08903.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376181084309626066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PdifSlZ_npIDXXe_ppQRmL6ENopKvJ26zDiV2N3nN2HP1A9qO1NMTXrszVgFfowCLYtoqIXPUKu_aeAVSN8lNrGgPTDIuSw8q0KwSmJsEZKv3mrbpu7YoKflst9LuGkjnA7RMPTYoblH/s320/DSC08903.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a>I got a few from the London crew out on the boat, Emilee, Laura and Kaitlyn, it took all summer but we finally made it!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-29448211295195444672009-08-08T13:52:00.016-06:002009-08-08T14:28:46.674-06:00The Last Time I went to Florida . . .As most of you know, I am preparing to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Jacksonville Florida. As part of this preparation I have been doing a little studying up on Florida . . . including the last (and only) time I went to Florida. Here is a photo journal of the last time I visited Florida.<br /><br />The Last Time I went to Florida . . .<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367683649807752738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvlvziAGeUvqW9nM8Td4iHlcjrmFDlCKrKoQua-74sb1puwKwrqe4kZryRYjjRPdCcvmHj0cx4ksFUP2vh6Z5Ra6jJlSCZXdgPZtoSvwh2jqToerKjTkKAr_v2AXOie68Bgq25pUSBrQq/s320/PB011089.JPG" border="0" />I was 12 years old, fanny-packs were "in" and we spent most of our time at Disney World. Can you spot me in this photo? Let me give you a hint, look for the peg-legs.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367683769827993186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYTCz5KzOsrX7abJRQtq9qcZx495mw6d37e1DVa4NlSK5czdog9psMvw3bFsuGre6AcHMv71kiM8C97xv18f3bMYLLQjnROWA48GSuXFwwtTr7rdWBwAiF1JpS7AgllHGRtmix12z83iW/s320/PB011092.JPG" border="0" />Grandpa and Grandma Brown took their alien fighting responsibilities seriously.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367683882022088274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjAjIKMneuxuEXDmqSQO5So-ariiZK1CtOOxJo4m63kd1tPtu7S22_97P4i1SqL3trZ4xFCGlKHVdr_67om2S-vfxLG7ZIqHLW-bmfPSQTVgT_UMdU85eF0HaAg8Dzibjk96MjlOPu4h2/s320/PB011097.JPG" border="0" />Avery and Brit were adorable-itty-bitty-6-year-olds!<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367684113269837362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_i-H_8_zZVHEu_MLVxRosTaxt-lw2VUk4c4MyWSpENP2FuJDNEfC4Hbc5TrWyyASuFGhNZkDUy5UGCMmMspfu9IOkErpcvzNHGGJnK_n1pt27sFiASIGfge-28UK4HRbZmLQw_VQ6LrS/s320/PB021135.JPG" border="0" />Did I already mention that fanny-packs were "in?" Especially while paired with a swimming suit, tee-shirt and sunglasses.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367686395182560850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwU75iVdyQIdtYYwLrtq1UcZmnZu8g_DSt1Ks4WZxbbWQkpgdgmqs-F8HeOtyH6gMR1qwsIpOPVJjesb8oeqvq41I6-kZqW3aZSiu9MNRWyGkUroqbXBJVeyBS0aGR5KxOwMqTaxRExmI/s320/PB051223.JPG" border="0" />We visited Kennedy Space Center, Grandpa was fascinated and the kids were bored after a couple of minutes.<br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367686090991370322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqS3SszwFZhV5p2MHlv0mpZRydSUblhqccQgc71V9FzAu0AVoEGEu2l5Jvh83HUhTAUPyG8LLAMLNaflWdXVW9BLAHTU6JZBx6bKZzOQ-F5SDt2drjFWZRw1Nf8QE34OS0MP3xLirQ2Yi/s320/PB071247.JPG" border="0" />We swam, played mermaids, built sand castles, and swam some more.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367685927258192178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXjOi-LV3pMx6aFI23H_WCBXEnmojRpFph8QXLEjcyzOWyysyTwoWz5Bis5WUEsFsr3dvueUzoUdFSWHUhINgM6u1cwxekTMuB1EupCMQ-JFT9mDVub3_KG-B1jiwEuV5nfP1K3HkSzZz/s320/PB051228.JPG" border="0" />We had our first visit to the Atlantic Ocean in the black of night and Nate was convinced we would be eaten by Jaws.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367685339181724594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZlqjV7WqD2zRsUwewhrwT-BoAB1-BSN_AEBzFbpx1wvdPFmDjJlEEuV0iiYZkuMAz-WmGrWyVzPMggnDCdjIl1t192XLpcdUUMjPTM1xWRcM9-bxmuMT9E9slPZ7vYMHG1rX6KkNHkCg/s320/PB061237.JPG" border="0" />Dad, John, Zach and I went to Waterski School and I learned to ski the course.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367685504667497106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqEgugfYuoG040jkVrDIuHYceQ7gFMEt23_R_f-7K6gzy8OAAGlQCstcF76j2lEnyVgleZXoGhOL_PVxjU_F5bnSJ2f1pSLXHJ7fiRONrB-efMK19mVmfMVLiRTU5-4UDkK0rQKxUjhjh/s320/PB061243.JPG" border="0" />Zach and I weren't too sure about our . . . um, interesting waterski instructor.</div><div></div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367684963613273426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg2dU7_SqblMIJrAgNVH7JeZ6X2EzHX80QMKgp7-xU1Zn3EnM4V0so_IPECHtlqWGJuxgcMdkywRLYw0lxp0b72LvPI51VqFdIZy6xtENNF4NSG4UmwnTQH4zKOVRRMhewNVnrtQWG11_/s320/PB041203.JPG" border="0" />Grandpa became a camera-wielding, fanny-pack-wearing Rock Star!<br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367684742280471954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgMs3yWG-L1qInGIFkuK2c8FPdedxQj8JIvoBc9Lz0IHgf_Pxb0-SFIUzHUKo2rQfPId7ZgRj57BSyym3F2IsVo15K4VLQ2ObZnd3N76zzu-axt9PJ6NE7tSO0tnLj6IWlNoipnb1dWCi/s320/PB031188.JPG" border="0" />Nate got hit in the stomach by a fast-shooting football at NFL Training Camp.</div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367684536284303154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4fl9uRWTpPWsem2qZsWaEDsFYQo1W-wfNrS8PnKwIPNUYyHqhPh4CwdUqc0XlHYhbznkVXcdyC5qXFTPX598DTEQ3bT32wwBP-B7TeYiP3K7Iuk_lpdUO9U0LNRT9mup8djLUtjFbCkO/s320/PB031172.JPG" border="0" />The last time I went to Florida I had a blast!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-38986836806486267322009-08-06T08:49:00.001-06:002009-08-06T09:11:58.472-06:00ASCEND YouTube Contest<p>ASCEND recently asked all of its interns to create a video to share on YouTube. As with many similar tasks, only three teams participated. Nevertheless, there is still a competition to see which video wins so pass this around to all your friends!</p><p><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ahFUTn_sFWA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ahFUTn_sFWA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></p><p><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lX0G2Lslgxo&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lX0G2Lslgxo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></p><p><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qxx0yWMGl3o&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qxx0yWMGl3o&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></p><p>The "winning" video is determined solely on the number of views, so feel free to watch your favorite multiple times or pass it on.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-57218284617619249422009-07-07T09:20:00.002-06:002009-07-07T09:31:23.962-06:00Run for a CauseIf any of you are runners out there here's your chance to <a href="http://mattandjakes5krun.blogspot.com/">run for a great cause</a>. Matt and Jake Cowden of Cottonwood High School have teamed up with ASCEND and organized a 5K race to help build a school in Ethiopia. The race will be held on Saturday, 18 July. If you are unable to run there are other opportunities to help these young men complete their Eagle Scout project!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-27879667589139787732009-06-30T13:03:00.004-06:002009-06-30T13:18:20.002-06:00Portraits of Instability<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qk4266KAT2W5Cbk5rbuK5n1ZSEnYMC3PSRxpMnV089vjPOxzPreCuL4xZPz2LI5MkOq3QgbofZJYMat1a7Cbc7p2dIfIwj3uUOVr9xL7D6nP5rLJOVfF5MJ1qA4h0GU0CMn4lIgUVnuf/s1600-h/instability.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353199011301043490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qk4266KAT2W5Cbk5rbuK5n1ZSEnYMC3PSRxpMnV089vjPOxzPreCuL4xZPz2LI5MkOq3QgbofZJYMat1a7Cbc7p2dIfIwj3uUOVr9xL7D6nP5rLJOVfF5MJ1qA4h0GU0CMn4lIgUVnuf/s320/instability.jpg" border="0" /></a>Today, while doing some research for my internship at <a href="http://ascendahumanitarianalliance.blogspot.com/"><em>ASCEND alliance</em></a><em>,</em> I found two tragic but interesting photo essays. The first is titled <a href="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/22/portraits_of_instability?page=0,0"><em>Portraits of Instability</em> </a>and shows haunting images of many fragile countries throughout the world where people live in abject poverty. The photo above is from this collection and it just breaks my heart. The next is called <a href="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4878"><em>The Land of No Smiles</em></a><em> </em>and is a photo essay of North Korea. My interest was peaked because I know so little about North Korea and have always wondered what life is like in such a country. I think the most shocking picture in this collection is the one taken of the streets in the capital city. Both these essays aren't very long so if you have a minute check them out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-64593710261989279452009-06-05T13:22:00.008-06:002009-06-05T14:12:47.625-06:00"I found It in the hedge row. . ."My sister and I have been talking about yellow roses.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.nationalcharityleague.org/Portals/19/yellow-rose-picture.jpg" border="0" /> A couple weeks ago I got my mom and sister to watch the BBC version of "North and South," a brilliant adaptation of one of my favorite novels. As the film began my sister groaned: "Not one of these!" She associates 19th century classics with Jane Austen, and she's not too keen on Austen, actually, she hates Austen.<br /><br />"You'll like this one," I told her. And she did.<br /><br />In the final scene of the film Mr. Thornton and Margaret's paths cross on a train platform and the following takes place:<br /><br />Mr. Thornton: <em>You'll not guess where I've been.</em><br />[Thornton pulls a yellow rose from his pocket]<br />Margaret: <em>You've been to Helstone! I thought those had all gone!</em><br />Mr. Thornton: <em>I found it in the hedge row. You have to look hard.</em><br /><br />Thus we have been talking about yellow roses.<br /><br />My sister had a sleepover at her friend's house Wednesday night and when she got home yesterday afternoon I was up cleaning my room. As soon as she was in the door she was calling my name and came running up the stairs with something behind her back. Playing along, I ignored whatever she was hiding and asked her how the sleepover was. <p>"Good," she said and then handed my a yellow rose. My eyes lit up with excitement. "I found this in the hedge row," she said in her best British accent. And then we laughed.</p><p>A yellow rose is romantic.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-89088067364111565682009-05-28T08:56:00.003-06:002009-05-28T09:02:33.136-06:00ASCEND: a humanitarian allianceI am currently interning at ASCEND alliance and one of our cute interns just got our main blog up and running so check it out <a href="http://ascendahumanitarianalliance.blogspot.com/">here</a>!!! It's a work in progress but you should be hearing a lot from all of the interns about current events in the humanitarian world as well as personal thoughts and feelings about the work we are doing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-89968047511919682912009-05-25T22:00:00.005-06:002009-05-25T22:16:13.365-06:00Mad Lib written by the Hansen family a few miles from Lake Mead<div align="center">On revisiting the waters for Memorial Day weekend, May 22 2009<br /><br />FAIRY TALES AND ROMANCE<br /><br /></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left">If a story begins "Once upon a <em>Lake Mead</em>," you know you are about to read<br /><br />a fairy <em>Nevada</em>. It is amazing how these <em>speedy</em> stories remain indelibly etched<br /><br />in our <em>hands</em>. Who can forget "Snow <em>Purple</em> and the Seven <em>Weeds</em>," "Beauty<br /><br />and the <em>Thuro Bailey</em>," or "Little Red <em>Texting</em> Hood?" Fairy tales introduced us<br /><br />to the magical world of wicked <em>boats</em>; big, <em>wanting</em> wolves; <em>stubby </em>wizards;<br /><br />and dwarfs who wore funny <em>numbers</em>. These remarkable stories taught us that<br /><br />good always triumphs over <em>Papa Mac</em> and made us believe in the <em>unsightly<br /><br /></em>power of a kiss. Why not? One good smack on the <em>nipple</em> could change a frog<br /><br />into a handsome <em>sky</em>, enabling him to marry the <em>moon</em> of his dreams and live,<br /><br />as is written in all these romantic stories, <em>hotly</em> ever after.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-22596811992011727982009-04-14T19:52:00.017-06:002009-04-15T09:08:19.390-06:00"Being on a boat that's moving through the water, it's clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what's important and what's not." ~James TaylorMy life practically began on a boat. This boat actually . . .<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324732895481693218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TEuNeJ2_GwPVfmF6XeLjJ1aMIH-q-wrj3oA1hL4DrEo-xgoA-ARSIeyDvoi83xP_pvtUiA9kq-TT382lo8PDLG0f_UAiDXLDm_nPcmAUpIg5EAAdL-ahXeu6pNsfkq7uRX2ZAEOhe2i_/s320/gulfstream.jpg" border="0" />Papa Mac and Nana's Orange Gulfstream. </p><p>Being first time parents, Mom and Dad decided to accompany the Hardings to Jackson Lake for a camping trip when I was two weeks old. Of course I didn't mind . . . I just slept in my little orange life jacket while the family played on the water, but my parents didn't understand why all the other campers were making such a big fuss. My life on the lake progressed nicely after that.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324739554803072066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tajZUjyMe524YE5mgQCtEIxbaDsRu4ihpzuvSyL1J0dXhAcFQw44-aD5f01vcwU9_ef9kPJNgcFTlYB7YhS20twlGB7GpC94obXnQ0nmx-KPX03jdmenUvEZhDKjb5Me40Z6KcYUJN3v/s320/momandme.jpg" border="0" />I found this picture of Mom and me on Jackson Lake. Obviously this isn't the Orange Gulfstream but my cousins' Grandparent's boat.<br /><br />There were many times when Dad strapped me into the yellow-trainer-skis and threw me overboard, as I screamed and attempted to kick the skis off. "You can't get back in the boat until you've skied," Dad would tell me. Bribes were also involved. "If you ski you can get a new Barbie. Do you want a Barbie?" the adults would clamor. My aversion to the water didn't last long. Soon I was pouting if someone got to ski before me.<br /><br />In 2000, Mom and Dad decided it was time to get a boat of our own and I was thrilled.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324763516505224994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHxjgBeB47VCt0iTU7Ep6CyQ2tpYsmbAO0uaHP59qnEu26yuXX1FwF-jIFMu6MH0x_fF0qkOtc2Mnhls4iThS6Kcy8A5qM6srnJbBP82ShbPaQRtGWOIXxFveeTgqPDxSkUyBk6hfx6xU/s320/P4210222.JPG" border="0" />This is the first day we took the Chaparral out on the lake. Yes I'm wearing sweats, I had a fever that day. The Chaparral has been the best boat. It's been our baby. </p><p>But the past few years I've been bugging the parents for an inboard because it has a smaller wake for skiing as well as the added bonus of wake surfing. So, upon my return from London Mom and I went to work on Dad, because we know that Dad needs a lot of thinking time before a big purchase. I got online and designed my own boats, printing them out and placing them strategically around the house. When the boat show rolled around I grabbed my "boats" and dragged Dad around to the salesmen, letting the professionals do their work. But Dad's a salesman and knows the ploys. Mom and I never gave up. I began slipping my boat printouts under Dad's pillow so that he could "sleep on it" and the boat catalogs under the bathroom door for a little light reading. Dad wanted a new boat just as much as the rest of us but he had to be convinced that it was the logical and economical thing to do! To our delight Dad began searching for boats too. And I began to hope, this just might actually happen!!!<br /><br />As the weeks past my hope began to fail. We couldn't find exactly what we were looking for and then there was the issue of money. Two Saturdays ago Dad and I were up skiing at Snowbird and Dad carefully told me that we would probably end up waiting a year or two before getting a new boat. Although I was sad, I understood, times are harder and we didn't want to settle. Later that day we were on the Tram and Dad got a phone call from a Malibu dealer in Texas who might have the boat we were looking for but I never heard anything further, I kind of backed-off the not-so-subtle reminders to protect myself when the boat thing didn't pan out.<br /><br />The Sunday of General Conference we were watching Conference in the basement as a family. As the morning session ended and we got up to find some lunch Dad told us he had something for us. He disappeared into his office and reappeared with a gift-wrapped box for us kids to open. The three of us sat on the floor and I watched as Nate ripped the wrapping paper off and lifted the lid of the box to reveal a piece of paper that said: "Happy . . ." followed by a list of all the holidays for the rest of the year. But what really caught my eye was this picture underneath . . . </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324730259490681698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALpGN3rtPuIcTcPsgqhfn_WztNlrY3k-axa7wcZvhWnOPIWKiFf6pispWkLtf0ve75nHetYdJrUfSIdKXgP_xNV75GSCIfmbyKmZyxVSyTuRYfPlTTAVsgz6WprB0_rIm4E6DotHH6MGy/s320/moiboat.JPG" border="0" />I thought Mom and Dad were playing a mean joke on us. I looked at the books underneath the picture in confusion but Dad said, "Those are just there to weigh the box down." I looked up at him and realized that it was no joke and I jumped to my feet and threw my arms around him as I burst into tears. </p><p>You know those clips on Funniest Home Videos where the little five-year-old boy bursts into tears upon opening his new game system? </p><p>. . .Ya, I had one of those moments. . . .</p><p>After I hugged Dad I ran to Mom and cried some more as the family stared at me in bewilderment. I was totally convinced that a boat was not in the cards for this year so I was more than surprised.</p><p>I will miss the Chaparral, it has brought us a lot of fun and many adventures, but I know it's going to a great home (my cousins) and we will get to see it at least once a year at Powell. I can't wait to see our new baby, the Malibu, in a couple of weeks . . . stay posted for more info and pics as we rock out the summer on the lake!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-30696049100637055242009-03-31T20:08:00.011-06:002009-03-31T23:22:29.546-06:00DiscoveryThe other night, as I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep, my mind was going a million miles an hour. Finally, after bouncing from a dozen worries and twenty different subjects, I settled on direction. Oddly, this is a subject I often turn to when I'm trying to get to sleep. Don't ask me where this stems from. It's just a part of me. I like to know what direction I face when I sleep. I can tell you that when I sleep at home my head is facing south and my feet are facing north, when I'm at our usual campsite in Lake Powell my head is towards the northwest, in Ghana I was facing the northeast, and in London my head was facing south. As I was going through my sleeping-direction-checklist my thoughts finally slowed and lingered on London.<br /><br />My whole life I have had a great sense of direction. Sometimes I call it my "sixth sense." From a young age I could name all the canyons of Lake Powell from Bullfrog to the San Juan, without a map. When my mom would take a group of kids out on the boat to play in the canyon I would have to tell her which way was back to the houseboat. When we go backpacking I can easily navigate to wherever I want to go. While travelling, I quickly, and automatically, orient myself to the layout of our location and the corresponding directions. It wasn't until after my graduation from high school, when my mom took my cousin and I to New York City for our senior trip, that I first experienced directional problems. For the life of me I could not gain a sense of direction. Usually I orient myself according to direction without a thought; however, when I was in New York City I had to work to understand cardinal directions and I failed miserably, finally chalking up the experience to our short visit and the confusion of travel. I thought I was rid of that confusion for good.<br /><br />To my dismay, my directional problems surfaced once again, this time in London. When I arrived I immediately began orienting myself to the city, my home for the next four months. The Tube threw a wrench into the process. I would descend into the flat light, wander through twisted hallways, enter a train, get shaken up a bit, and then wander through some more twisted hallways before emerging back into the fresh air. I struggled with my directions, a great frustration to me, though I would not admit it unless forced. Multiple times I was the one to get a group turned around, something my friends forgave me for . . . after they received the free gelato. Eventually I was able to orient myself in the main areas of the city in relation to specific buildings, landmarks, etc. But don't ask me for cardinal directions. I don't know. Something about being in a big city, especially one with a constant cover of clouds to block the sun's direction, disorients me in a way that nothing else can.<br /><br />All this passed through my mind as I drifted between consciousness and sleep, and suddenly it occured to me that I just discovered something that has been a part of me for so long that I have never considered the possibility of its abnormality. Do others care what direction they face when they sleep? Or is this a rare quirk?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-17328619075035252712009-03-25T10:51:00.003-06:002009-03-25T10:55:59.479-06:00New Model in TownCheck out my gorgeous cousin at: <a href="http://www.layersclothing.com/shop.php">http://www.layersclothing.com/shop.php</a> !!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317169307644735938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BPJoY4IqWoKCTZ2y2DM2xhv8TydK89QQSZDySIePxQVWPhx-LyZiJNaJ9BxGI-24Z445yblujxCSOfAVePJMMwnjb0Yp3RGbiHRpe7LpTzqb02Z7ZMOCoZDKgnMr6_nEZ7JoMsvejYDT/s320/danie.jpg" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-48308529379272502752009-03-24T21:22:00.003-06:002009-03-24T21:24:46.702-06:00Ode to my Ski<blockquote>My water ski is beckoning me.</blockquote>One of the saddest days in the year is the day that the boat goes into winter storage. It is painful to take all the toys to the basement, knowing that I won’t see them for a while. But I can’t bear to part with my water ski. Instead of taking it to the basement with the rest of the toys, I clean it of the watermarks of summer, place it in it’s case, carry it up to my room and place it behind my door—where it is easily seen from all angles of my room when the door is closed. The first thing that I see in the morning, as I reach for my alarm, is my water ski. It is one of the last things I see before I fall asleep. Often, as I lie on my bed and stare at my ski, I update it on the weather. “Soon,” I tell my water ski now.<br /><br />And we both escape to our happy place . . .<br /><blockquote>where the air is hot and dry and where the glass was made to be shattered.</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-36092409953340547332009-03-13T09:04:00.003-06:002009-03-13T09:29:28.696-06:00Good Intentions and Harry PotterI grew up in a home where Saturdays were considered "Holy." Saturday was the one day in the week, free of work and school, that we could play as a family. Chores and any homework we had was to be completed on Friday before we could play with friends. We rarely sleep in on Saturdays, instead we are up early and heading to the lake or ski resort to fit in every moment of play that we can. So it is rare for me to have empty Saturdays, something I dread. But this past weekend was one of those Saturdays. Nate and Avery had a two-day swim meet that would keep the family occupied so I determined that I would spend the extra time I had working on French. <br /><br />School has never really been a challenge for me. True, I work very hard to understand what I'm learning and to get good grades, but it comes pretty easy. French, however, has thrown me for a loop. It has been a long semester of hard work and frustration with mediocre results but I am pleased that, so far, I am still passing the course. I have to keep reminding myself that one bad grade won't kill me . . .<br /><br />So I had good intentions for the weekend. I watched Nate and Avery in their events on Friday night before picking up Cafe Rio for dinner and heading home to buckle down. (The rest of the family was attending the high school swim team banquet). I turned the TV on as I ate dinner and was pleased to discover that the first Harry Potter film was on ABC Family. However, Harry and Hogwarts made me forget all about my good intentions for the evening. Instead I found myself in the basement watching the second film when my family returned home. <br /><br />The next morning I decided to try again . . . and I actually got a little work done. However, Hogwarts was calling. Needless to say, the family ended up watching all five movies last weekend. Do you see what happens when we don't get our skiing fix for the week? We turn into couch potatoes. So much for good intentions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-71227817534058766952009-02-27T10:39:00.017-07:002009-02-27T18:36:13.656-07:00Continue to StareI haven't always believed in the phenomenon known as "tights," in fact, when I was younger I refused to wear them at all. In recent years I have seen the light and have become a firm believer, even while most people around me are still skeptical. I lived in London for three and a half months. Of course I took my collection of tights with me but I soon found that I needed more. Tights are a fashion staple in London. Yellow, Blue, Black, Green, Red, Grey, Purple . . . Although I love seeing the bright colors on others, my style has kept me to colors such as grey, black and plum and I wear them whenever I can.<br /><br />Returning to the "Dark Ages" of fashion in Utah has been interesting. Okay, it's true that fashion trends spread more rapidly today so I may be exaggerating a bit about the dark ages, but despite the Internet, international chains, TV, magazines, etc. it still takes a while for some states to catch on. One of my first Sunday's back from London I went to Church wearing a black lace pencil skirt, a tie-neck, polka-dot blouse and plum tights.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307638552441140610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TaparEJRgsWJE-xgZp0an0STJiDnRjALhx2f6A_n9oiTzkrAVFkxW-aELlua0oZe_4U7z8wysm7wb212hn04XK4_xerUk7oNzAbgOelJXXZWoKli61zHsKpASG_93u5LrT-0mlHGP-7Z/s320/DSC08442.JPG" border="0" />It was obvious that people just weren't ready for meat. People stared. I didn't mind. A few brave ones got up the courage to comment: "Your outfit is . . . um . . . (awkward pause while the girl tried to find the right word and then she just settles for) fun." I smiled and thanked her laughing inwardly because, honestly, I'm not a huge fashion risk taker but these people were looking at me like I had gone mad. I love to dress up but most of my pieces are classic.<br /><br />Last week I wore this ruffle sleeved plum dress with grey tights and yellow heels.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31UUbpTbZbL._AA260_.jpg" border="0" />Again, I got stares. As I was leaving a class a couple girls began snickering as I walked past. "Nice outfit . . ." they laughed. I just smiled and rolled my eyes.<br /><br />Yesterday I committed two "fashion crimes." 1 - tights with shorts and 2 - tights with open-toed heels. (Que - Utahans gasp)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307535914087928578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kIjkY18MnvZ5U3he7VjFg9nCiRbgMIWRh4rbyuZdK3ZYsyDjV8qBth1_GHiqOwMXNBuZQRT1RbZusXzQREJ_W37bjod2HkChKJ9pZsINpxT2ePlYwZLHmVWTUGxHvb8M4n9NE_z6mPcw/s320/katie_holmes_300x400.jpg" border="0" />Katie Holmes in shorts with tights. So, my shorts weren't quite this short, I had to go to work and then down to BYU . . . I chose a pair of city shorts (definition: city short = tailored shorts) and paired them with black tights and open-toed, patent leather red heels.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307629440474803714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIlDCWRR1ah3vOTfE_K1gGrFzFFu5uk0GhGWSPD2TezH1S807_weTgTUujVx4T3X3XjjZVwMifZE7P5r0XJASL_i1DyMEmluntkPkzKH87C2oSDj7_IgB6qgg_I0q4QS4hQervqUTiWCJ/s320/peep.jpg" border="0" /> Despite the controversy over open-toed shoes with tights, I like the look . . . as long as the tights are opaque and there is no seem at the toe of the tights.<br /><br />Some examples of tights: </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzivrNWn2H7tRUlF8zCE6uPPkQXQu82LCCvpxp8RDp8agnCOn3TDHfUh_Q7utCyspurAN120TDgwqAwklqtKEzaG41OdZKlWzU0gJoXhERdnw7172e2Xf3SshyphenhyphennqG9l2KSVdWKb1tep3U/s1600-h/opentoed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307628938037447058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzivrNWn2H7tRUlF8zCE6uPPkQXQu82LCCvpxp8RDp8agnCOn3TDHfUh_Q7utCyspurAN120TDgwqAwklqtKEzaG41OdZKlWzU0gJoXhERdnw7172e2Xf3SshyphenhyphennqG9l2KSVdWKb1tep3U/s320/opentoed.jpg" border="0" /></a> Colored tights <em>AND </em>open-toed heels! . . . imagine that. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm5aQuoW3X50RDddfB6GWe_Fb8MLXQL1bbhYQlapc9NyeSvkgoiWKXeh-acyiBLakSyNsYAkfadjtmz7ujyJTrWt39oX0WyTPWLLMycjkO8gVPD3hB1XMSz5JCOHJO6BbEk1DEow38Il_/s1600-h/jennifer_aniston200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307535761321829026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm5aQuoW3X50RDddfB6GWe_Fb8MLXQL1bbhYQlapc9NyeSvkgoiWKXeh-acyiBLakSyNsYAkfadjtmz7ujyJTrWt39oX0WyTPWLLMycjkO8gVPD3hB1XMSz5JCOHJO6BbEk1DEow38Il_/s320/jennifer_aniston200.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307540127928197490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmbksb0QXHNxM4ip0F-W56fpNbczutlzgK_rzeBv8PfroAqo2bIDlfyRv41FL0j2hjJxuiwVVbHNS2nILTVbyrLLjAtQXONhvwBEn3eUHgce-njROuXPs79J23cExuRTlXdUb-0qAvgVS/s320/zoe_saldana.jpg" border="0" /></p>Tights don't have to be "edgy." They can be pretty, feminine and classy. So, my friends who laugh and mock, continue to stare. Maybe you'll learn something. Give it a try. Leave the dark age of fashion. Enjoy tights while you can because we all know that it is only a matter of time until the trends change and you'll have something new to stare at.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-70450523046833258542009-02-26T10:42:00.000-07:002009-02-26T10:43:50.841-07:00On Quoting Shakespeare . . .If you cannot understand my argument, and declare ``It's Greek to me'', you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger; if your wish is farther to the thought; if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise -why, be that as it may, the more fool you , for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then - to give the devil his due - if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then - by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness' sake! What the dickens! But me no buts! - it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare.<br /><br />Bernard LevinUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-83651845593914606082009-02-18T09:09:00.002-07:002009-02-18T09:28:17.440-07:00Gilmore-ismsLORELAI: This building is one component of a thirteen million volume collection housed in more than ninety different libraries. It’s the oldest library in the United States and the largest academic library in the world. Breathe, breathe.<br /><br />RORY: I’m a failure. I am stupid. I am uniformed and ignorant and… I can’t even think of a second synonym for uninformed. I suck. Thirteen million volumes? I’ve read like, what, three hundred books in my entire life and I’m already sixteen? Do you know how long it would take me to read thirteen million books?<br /><br />LORELAI: But honey, you don’t have to read every one of them. <em>Tuesdays with Morrie</em>? Skip that. <em>Who Moved My Cheese</em>? Just stuff you already know.<br /><br />RORY: Okay, but every kid coming to Harvard is inevitably reading books, and different books, and I want to be able to converse intelligently with each of them and I can’t do that unless I read books, at least a few from every genre and sub-genre.<br /><br />LORELAI: Okay, come on. I’m getting you out of here.<br /><br />RORY: I sleep too much.<br /><br />LORELAI: No you don’t.<br /><br />RORY: I’ve been frittering away my whole life.<br /><br />LORELAI: You don’t fritter.<br /><br />RORY: Did I mention I suck?<br /><br />This past Christmas I recieved the first season of the TV series <em>Gilmore Girls</em> from Santa. I loved the series when it was still running new episodes and I still love it now. <em>Gilmore Girls</em> is an art, or rather, the dialoge of <em>Gilmore Girls</em> is an art. If you don't believe me sit down and watch an episode and see how many witty references there are. In fact, each season comes with a little booklet called "Glimore-isms" which defines each reference made in the season. My family laughs because when I get my <em>Gimore Girls</em> fix I sit with my "Glimore-isms" booklet in hand waiting to learn about each new reference. Some I get, such as the more recent popular culture or political references, and some I have no idea about. I'm addicted. I bought my sister the second season for her birthday. It wasn't entirely selfish, she mentioned she wanted it. I finished it within a week. Give it a try, I think you'll fall in love with <em>Gilmore Girls</em> just like I did.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-3166693383759732152009-01-30T08:50:00.071-07:002009-02-11T23:07:06.287-07:00Top Five London ExperiencesMy time in London was . . . well, brilliant, to put it in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bri'ish</span></span> terms. I knew as I began my long journey home that people would be asking me what my favorite "part" of London was, so I came up with a few ideas. But after I got home and people began asking the "favorite" questions I realized that my answers were just too long for someone who was expecting a short response.<br /><br />So I began making a list of my favorites under different categories to organize my thoughts. I must admit that I got the idea to post my favorites on my blog from a friend who was with me in London. So enjoy my top favorites (out of may) from life in the UK.<br /><br />P.S. - I didn't include our trip to Paris (except for one painting which I just couldn't resist including). My top five are in no particular order.<br /><br /><strong>Top Five London Experiences</strong><br /><br /><em>Places in the City</em><br /><br /><br /><li>Hyde Park<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297927070773334130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLBUwm82LfmjxaaeDx6B7ZmcbCRqw0lp8RdpDxix7wfwyKhVD6rkXQpBgLGRy7It2VLzw0yr6UlcAmwsoZsEd6_vzH4D3X8IH3hIZJNGhuPKKWCepMh9IkRSLR2on93mry-whdFMFvo3j/s320/DSC06350.JPG" border="0" />Right next door, huge, and beautiful. I loved going to the park and pretending to read while really watching adorable families wander and play.</li><br /><br /><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Portobello</span></span> Road</li><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 333px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/187185273_196f2086a1.jpg" border="0" /> </p>I loved the people watching, the exploring, antiques . . . especially the old books! Even though Saturdays were crazy the atmosphere was great.<br /><br /><ul><li>Trafalgar Square</li></ul><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 528px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://simonetti.co.uk/d/1255-2/Trafalgar+Square.JPG" border="0" />I can't even explain to you how much I love this place. There is just something about the fountains, the statues, the traffic, the museum, Big Ben in the background (which, in this picture is covered by the spray of the fountain) . . . the list could go on and on. </p><ul><li>Thames (especially near Parliament)</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301057892915891394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccu85U-Mx7TCiKcIf7h1pvnEDhGZHKYelPSwozDfw3Pvyq5pROHXAav39m5u3TVSoaXrIKsNaE5l7DlBRRAVTIWmgJKZ5f6ibnwsB9MQitKUg87dmWyQXmq_R9FEEF2tM2rGobb9RUZiC/s320/bigben" border="0" />The best walk ever, especially at night.<br /><ul><li>Walking across the Millennium Bridge (especially on a Sunny Day)!</li></ul><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 384px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://thames.me.uk/s00080_files/millenium_bridge.jpg" border="0" />A view of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Millennium</span> Bridge with St. Paul's in the background. It's pedestrian only so it was relaxing and the views were great . . . the river, St. Paul's, the Tate Modern, the Globe, sun, it just makes me smile to think about it. Just a note of interest: If you pay attention to the new previews for the upcoming Harry Potter film you can watch the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Millennium</span> Bridge be destroyed!<br /><br /><p><em>Cathedrals</em><br /></p><ul><li>Canterbury Cathedral</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297963231349526978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf881v6Vv94Rf6R4O5pHVyLtW7COhyphenhyphend_CyJqZHHiJkphFvhRB9uSMFgT-vxsfejYWm31vS__KjNbw8lQ6LCgazCbIfO2eWAMxU8-UVeAQzTzlSngk4hn0hT3LWGcV-4pXe5shV9nzVbL3x/s320/DSC05633.JPG" border="0" />The first Cathedral I ever visited. I was enchanted. But I didn't know if I was enchanted by the cathedral or by being in England at last, until I visited it a second time with the program. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">definitely</span> loved the cathedral.<br /><ul><li>Westminster Abbey</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301057387724141474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLj7tooT1k2mIWeFMzmJtrIgdHrDO-WuZws9m0rD0zalaHPC1PZBMW6GnEXq_W4nziB5sb4AzfyiY3ybw49zp8wSNxblJaccELDUMwj7STRHOelgOEwu5HLRrM2D90f_3CIhw38mNfgeN/s320/DSC05607.JPG" border="0" />Since I was young my parents have told be about Westminster Abbey where "a bunch of famous people were buried in the walls and floors" and I had this image in my mind. It wasn't as dark and mysterious as I expected and I loved it even more than I thought I would. Don't miss Poet's Corner!<br /><ul><li>St. Paul's Cathedral</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301054668531691538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5tWkqudLQEfejA2675N06b-9xxXmnk4PhKVx3rOqINop1liOMZhp_sngELJ2VoYvqqS34pxTLK-dK9IBkx0KHSYcXFfXaQ24zyueAk92G4e2xc2W-g6Y40zxFimCFcS8cSf3ySTfRvss/s320/London+CD+2+496.jpg" border="0" />Known as "Sin-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pull's</span></span>" (my closest guess to the spelling of the British pronunciation). There is nothing like St. Paul's. From the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pidgins</span> (feed the birds!) and businessmen on the outside to the soaring ceilings on the inside, St. Paul's is a defining landmark of London.<br /><ul><li>Winchester Cathedral</li></ul><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/images/gallery/crypt.jpg" border="0" />"Come <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">flyin</span></span>' in Winchester Cathedral . . ." To be honest, by the time we got to Winchester it was near the end of the program and we were <em>tired</em> of touring cathedrals. But I grew up on the Crosby, Stills and Nash song: "Cathedral" and it has been on my list of places to visit. I picture above is actually of the crypt. When they built the cathedral they didn't take into account the water table and so it fills up with water for most of the year, drying out in a good summer. They have placed a statue down there that looks really cool reflected in the water. <ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tintern</span></span> Abbey</li></ul><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301429804510874514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqLgge5xga3VLzw4_1dP-TlA_LjJ8PO4nhYaqIPGa2dO98skEh4CULtitWrRTboHh-lIVbmvGx0rF56Y_c16XVtgV-eqRisRinF5Y08nvuCFQYr0ay-93kKb-9FRAthtpAJNrQ6oAwe3A/s320/tintern+abbey.bmp" border="0" /> </p><br /><p>A romantic place. Romantic in the sense of the Romantic period. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tintern</span></span> abbey was dismantled during the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Dissilutionment</span></span> of the monasteries during the Protestant Revolution and the ruins were made popular again by poets of the Romantic period such as Wordsworth. When we visited the abbey it was beautiful, with fall colors all around the valley and the abbey open to the fresh air.</p><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">LDS</span></span> London Temple (okay so it's not a cathedral but it was up there on the list)</li></ul><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 455px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 372px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/london/gallery/images/london_lds_mormon_temple1.jpg" border="0" />The Temple is beautiful, the grounds are British, and the Spirit is amazing.<br /><br /><p><em>Favorite Museums/Galleries</em></p><ul><li>National Gallery</li></ul><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301228256089344146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufMX9hTbDYfksjGzIU9ehkIwQVvdS4yC9iakZsryP0SHCIAzeZIcN8eliLvdKtUm_uOsrEBiGFAUhwi-VgULLqch10qUi_u8V_RnqGuxklHB2TJNRb3lwyACqYNAxgx_GKcAT_Ah822wf/s320/DSC08317.JPG" border="0" />I visited the National Gallery the most out of the many art galleries I saw on the program . . . can you tell I loved it? </p><ul><li>Cabinet War Rooms</li></ul><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 369px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.surbiton-probus.org.uk/images/Cabinet-War-Rooms.jpg" border="0" />Nate and my Dad went to the Cabinet War Rooms when the family was in London (the girls visited the V&A fashion exhibit). After we met back up, Nate just raved about how awesome the War Rooms were . . . strange for my museum hating brother, but he was right. When I visited the museum with the program it kept us entertained for hours. </p><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Merseyside</span></span> Maritime Museum, Liverpool</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301050186005408722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vEVNVibSSJCBfnUUckbYoJJxdPtrHjZJJwmmA_jvRNJdQVjc23WcnAIf-zRwbiU-cNLZtw9TS0A9_ctrSEpGlN3zmb1ckHt2MbQgBimJzOpirnKpFoDYzRP1epQ4jyF7jrYPE9k_vYGX/s320/DSCN1821.JPG" border="0" />It was so interesting to learn about the emigrants of the UK, it's part of my history. But the museum held so much more, like the slavery exhibition, I felt a special <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">connection</span> between that exhibit and my experiences in Ghana <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">earlier</span> in the year.<br /><ul><li>Imperial War Museum</li></ul><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://readthisblog.net/wp-content/photos/1157ImperialWarMuseum.jpg" border="0" />I wish I had known about this museum when my family was in London. My brother would have loved it. I didn't have much time to explore this museum but the parts I did see were amazing. They have actually built trenches in the basement so people can understand the "trench experience" of WWI. They also have an amazing exhibit on WWII that brought me to tears. I walked into the exhibit on modern warfare/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">genocide</span> called "Crimes against Humanity" and had to immediately leave. It's so important that we never forget.<br /><br /><ul><li>British Museum</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300482174438269026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Et0HZ2DYlMbP0jj0HJAyIJzpODKtlrURtvPmdWBjjIdAbUFtsl1KVNyIKmMKlurmY45T0Op_pyPWDHB1dS_e_3Rp96D5K764hpVertI4gSu_SVbMSdv8eM3jAZupA7qqIpN5wcHxn3rb/s320/DSCF0758.JPG" border="0" />Every time I visited the British Museum my feet ached by the time I left. But where else can you see so many world treasures?<br /><br /><p><em>Great UK Cities/Towns</em></p><ul><li>London</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300480112509138050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1P-tQGAHDPNcccgan1mdN4j_93aZu8EFXX9BhmkoQJC88ZMXf7GF_Kvwz1ooe-Xq4djAVv1TIYVtYZuH9Z5hoUbEv8iv5XGUDfeVHQ2JJNvWtdyWPr4jJ0jZRmyD21FNBy5B4mPw_sTKH/s320/London+CD+2+082.jpg" border="0" />It's home!<br /><br /><ul><li>Bath</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300477939386658514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJE7OsjUXZfB_VKc6CzaHtkXHA7v1Sq1zwuJBZosaHyPaddi4XFjC-zkZKt-I2L4TCgCJKtcASo2qCGU1gUc6q3UD85bONlqF4IlikkOHgCYsiiHys63JTdJZB6S_yxrJY9TqB1FxpHsd/s320/P1010360.JPG" border="0" />Make sure you pronounce it with a long a, like ah, you'll sound like a tourist if you don't. Bath was great . . . from Roman history to Jane <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Austin</span>. Be sure to try traditional British tea (they have very good infusions, or herbal tea, there too) at the Pump Room.<br /><br /><ul><br /><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Bibury</span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cotswolds</span></span></li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297965366864416002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYW_nBZZRh5bv5CFmmBLvizZNvB4Of6OlSuJ83umbcsy-wJZgOtfTO5oZcuQqsi7_HQNT50HQwtLmWhFR7HHR_K97zR0o6stbF09000tLwRoDipigUavqGi4KhxiRULIhLVR00G7uQR4C/s320/IMGP6808.JPG" border="0" /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Bibury</span></span> was my first experience with the British countryside and I fell in love.<br /><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Llandundo</span></span>, Wales</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297966012959171858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbQQIKa53qASfgNP-cnQb2kPeVqbRzg24c1Jh_hnpLQgUbq4_ojzuwwqksrrwAVy6R1RXNx6Q9IoXlI57Mdx0JoLtZwW4GFa8Pu-HRvA4Qaef35UnJww0WlkUdYaRnHm4wGL2IbuudDob/s320/DSC07097.JPG" border="0" />The reason I fell in love with Wales. In my head I still see Wales as rugged, mystical, and enchanting. And the people are amazing, very unlike the reserved Londoners.<br /><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Haworth</span></span></li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297968256832554114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M57Lw5zG5dxs7duawGiCae27EUU-ljMxUCqYfy8EnJ58rJPvN4OElcAUflVD7swZx83Gsi08asmmCYLPdZBZSteufF5nfAjOCUo0ANVjUhuxepmj5-gf47BhoV3_jR87gBKoJC5Do3MV/s320/DSC06967.JPG" border="0" />Charming. Home of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Bronte's</span></span>.<br /><br /><p><em>British Nature</em></p><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Stourhead</span></span></li><ul><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297969046636106386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfjWlQV4M2km6XAS1KSKwjpafi04ar8z-pnuEtoMqYJ_sBugoFL-a1TowS8J5GyY2hjmlQGCF5Os_tu-0x_b5z3oZc3y7tS83xpRwy9bztLEsO1_eDiiaXCcX2TlQhXveoGd7oElMql0m/s320/DSC06412.JPG" border="0" />Probably the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen, actually, not probably, they are the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. This is how I imagine the Garden of Eden.<br /></ul><br /><li>The Lake District</li></ul><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297970928395162658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKjaNGHO5F_kSiMEUg4QWBa2H6cLG4bS6q0oi_LMAZlYeFQWoTQCtvN95G634ZuPtMFPy3X4-OpyapkLcgW6_Fh8nVPqVv0Qr3BKycFAE8jTJbfL2sxg-eHhQvZZ3JJMcSs-2W8C3szKi/s320/Laura's+CD+4+016.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>If I could pick anywhere in England to have a vacation home it would be in the Lake District. There were actually "mountains" or what can only resemble mountains in the UK, and the lakes. We took a long walk through the hillsides to Dove Cottage, home of the Wordsworth's. Beautiful hiking area with amazing views. </p><ul><li>Lands End Cliff walk . . . and swim</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300476520108729346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSDQ1YAHcScFm8q_izFZmPe6zDqhjKpY0cLI9Io-6KzFZ-z7kdWgRd52Ji7qLhLZB7tPSNImOWwGrWjcJmonJ8ofH8yw3O1i7CE343vcL4-GCzFs7qZS19YV4UfQa2EwtVZVLecPhWOi4/s320/DSC06442.JPG" border="0" /> <p>When I think back to our first trip on the program it still feels like a dream. It didn't even feel like we were in the UK, it felt more like we were touring the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Mediterranean</span></span>. We had the perfect weather and got to swim in the English Channel/Atlantic Ocean.</p><ul><li>Coal Mine tour</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300475576984227938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBylQ8Wvt7y8lOb4W1H7RgOEwZsLllsTqnfLSCvhDskwHjuqY2h2QK6YGkGlCpHtjZrLUO7AyGu3fPOoiHiytwOiv5GgZWgrSBN3SnW13Jr9QObiYWVID7KWPPKZh3cN39-pdlv_U7qIF6/s320/DSC07427.JPG" border="0" /> This was awesome!!! When we showed up at the coal mine we thought we were just going to see a museum about how important the coal industry was for Wales (a little miscommunication between the professors and the students) it turned out that it was much cooler. They took all batteries from us, which included cameras, watches, cell phones, etc. . . . they didn't want any sparks/fires down there. They they hooked us up with a helmet (light included) and a special battery pack to make the light on top work. Then they loaded us up into a tiny coal-shaft elevator and lowered us 200+ feet under the ground. The tour was amazing, and we got to see how dark it really is down there with no lights on. The excitement really happened as our tour group stopped for a moment to listen to our guide. As he was talking, a few of us heard some singing down a side tunnel so a couple girls went to investigate while two of us waited outside the tunnel. When the two investigators returned we realized the group had moved on and we didn't know which way they went. So we were lost deep underground for about a minute until our tour guide came and found us. Nice.<br /><ul><li>Nature Walk</li></ul><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298801179320331362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_46tbb7Hc4mYzB-MCrQCjqb5nO_fWByRx9wXT0nF4iz-gzUsNA99MQIX5l740R85rZgvBTx2_WNRtrjAj0VmlixKrh0Zocvwf_JYCb0Q98QpLoaT0g-4nwma0qFOtTQi3Yx1oAb6ZCWC/s320/DSC06580.JPG" border="0" /><em></em></p><p>Even though I love London, at heart I am a girl who loves open spaces and nature, so this walk was a great break from the city. We enjoyed the wild blackberries along the way.</p><p><em>Historic Sites</em></p><ul><li>Stonehenge</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301774953269886242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1dTkE3TWM2HAwydBDzzf9W1oecPzqcYBOVhJnpuH6he7CVOLS56cnutitZ73Flyy1dKhyphenhyphenU_OSie5M3ECq2SxpvMRHMpyJZYDe5xEd7zj0CoPNHCZcmaB_QagKWPRY2Dh7fKF3mteNdPl/s320/DSC06173.JPG" border="0" />One of the wonders of the world. There's really not much you can do here other than looking at the amazing formation, but it is worth the trip. You are so close to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Cotswolds</span></span> or Bath at this point that you should probably incorporate the trip into a bigger exploration adventure.<br /><p></p><ul><li>Blenheim Palace </li><ul><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298798511576837602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB9hRhEYGnDFEbWh6-ePP0y_uZQ5yHPdY8NjH9mv9zI_lXN8_zjfPRFIya4yGGlxXxQf8nMT06v97zCqr87F38VN112PUPp_TyACgJe11RQs9DT2Y6msjXZKxzdZRJcxUS5DR2EIdirVq/s320/DSC06660.JPG" border="0" />I actually liked Blenheim palace better than Windsor Castle, it had more character, plus grounds you could explore. This is where Winston Churchill was born and has connections to the Spencer family (you know, Princess Diana?).<br /><br /></ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Warick</span></span> Castle</li><ul><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298797219724036370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbS6J_d3Ob5FNtY80lX9WeUEVMLiVQdgTSbX5c3lrbrmrCtIywkuXEDdE4z4pvbV9v3yk45oFJKjWchzLMK7v0KM8bKzoO5MAWE_rMKJT2HnYL_J9risJwSsKPRBKS6mn8hO1upjmDjFr/s320/DSC05835.JPG" border="0" /> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Warick</span></span> was cool to see different phases in a castle's history. It's kind of a tourist spot now but still entertaining.<br /><br /></ul><li>Albert Dock</li><ul><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298795811750400466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKMAqNf6Wr4vdZqsxXI0E5WCH5sPr66haAM-eOCJs68-QZnmDm4fjgDhR44Kduxj1LTRWeLVSR8WJ4fbnsdDZz1s1AY7-0FzmAygTyBkcfgzFDiNOpfaSJeSMd8Q57UybhtaIaMDzZ4DE/s320/DSC06827.JPG" border="0" /></ul></ul><p>Albert Dock is an amazing place to contemplate your heritage. I can't imagine sailing out of the harbor and watching as your home disappears into the distance.</p><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Chatsworth</span></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298795068511909986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-STiSWPF0rmb6ciW2r9jKN6Wqm-kD_MTeX7ke-o-rE-1o5KhSSOEqBvtn-4eNirhrjwYHAc8xkR7oGWbRSii0q1ZIW9NxTn6GqLAmhad5AjSE2ThKFQm2GflTU3mfqCCt84FCZKdsqSHt/s320/IMG_1829.jpg" border="0" /><em></em></li></ul><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Chatsworth</span></span> was a fun mix of modern and historical. There was plenty of history shared but there was also a lot of modern art, it had a fresh atmosphere. If you visit don't miss the sculpture gallery, it includes the bust of Mr. Darcy from the new Pride and Prejudice film.</p><p><em>Dance and Music</em></p><ul><li>Handel's Messiah</li><br />I anticipated this performance all semester and it really was amazing. If you ever get the chance to see a performance at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Barbican</span> go! If you ever get the chance to see Handel's Messiah performed go!<br /><br /><li>Evensong at Christ Church</li></ul>Choir boys. A must do in England.<br /><ul><li>Beethoven's Violin Concerto & Mahler</li></ul><ul>Even though I enjoyed Beethoven I loved Mahler.<br /><br /><li>Aida (Opera)</li><br />Hey, I'm not really an Opera kind of girl but it was a once in a lifetime <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">specticle</span>.<br /><br /><li>Swan Lake</li></ul>A good ballet performance every once in a while is a great idea. I love to watch the movement and grace of the performers.<br /><br /><p><em>Paintings</em></p><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">JMW</span> Turner - <em>Sun Setting Over a Lake </em>(Tate Britain)</li></ul><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297674237399257090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVV2t3CTDOfXQlAn4YQJc8XHoprplyySOeAlWWxwwzxig__0FC2PWxTsQUhf8kvHLUcsEMe9I0Js0K3JdAdZ0frvEplnbLwJGEIOsMuUix9WdvmO3jpdOwRCaJHw7SEujp_c26O-8JBLdp/s320/turner.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p>Really, I love most of Turner's watercolors, especially this one and <em>Rain, Steam and Speed</em>. I've heard professors tell me that reproductions are nothing like the originals . . . but I've never understood what they meant until now.</p><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Cuno</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Amiet</span> - <em>Snowy Landscape </em>(Musee d'Orsay)</li></ul><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297674809002567506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaKDMWbhJiONkExOIO3BSFatHZoXeF3yDdx_ikm-p8nMRXVT2-wR1gRF_bzkRMkZtFwfyTZphdlWEGTb6gbxzRF9Q1aOeZRADhoyD8J_9QvNKdRKtHCL5fROLHI2lHmNAYHj0e1xcPEwa/s320/Snowy+Landscape.gif" border="0" />This is my one exception to the "UK only" rule. I LOVE this painting. It's a large painting, over four square meters. When you see the painting from a distance you see a huge mass of white with only a grey line across the top, it isn't until you get closer you notice the skier. It is a commanding painting and immediately stuck with me.</p><ul><li>Akseli Gallen-Kallela - <em>Lake Keitele </em>(National Gallery)</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297675360058426274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5Yn-523c2JvHBz4hwsT03u0J2GJccE4w8y-mU7rqiFX8ZSVzoti8K0EwqYuMuf8Tjs6iUoGDOh4N0HVRVDuw6zfwtBYIqzWQN6R5Nc8jVLoJ72ZrxCpemW1wJBZR2lb8Lq0K0Bf7yGCd/s320/Lake+k.jpg" border="0" />This painting reminded me of one of my "homes," Jackson Lake. I would walk past it in the National Gallery whenever I could because I could just <em>feel</em> the glass under my ski.<br /><ul><li>Monet - <em>The Thames Below Westminster</em></li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297675786389336418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu0_hpnaX_CixM3gZ6lNnG3r_LjNeOce2-KjhWWN5Z4qUfDKlz5tCWSc6eHPa48H9gx1kbxJRuiNsEfDY1eFghCYd0hG0qhtYJz_trd-9ije9rbanWrLoPpwDltsKQruvc356410SBSvU/s320/the+thames.jpg" border="0" /> This is one of my favorite scenes in real life. So to see it in painting made it one of favorites.<br /><br /><ul><li>Rembrandt - <em>Woman Bathing in a Stream</em></li></ul><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297676212164385266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rb_Kw7EFHVSlUVl5v-15VYu96B21UsXvfcv4J4qhzSvMDildZ93YHSsOrEP8j6f_ldkzEdc4PmfyJYiMZNpAA8VDKTO3_bwjda8s2fWESd_G9br24H15lAYXKUj0pTSXK96mRm4Fp84s/s320/woman.jpg" border="0" /> Like Turner, I love pretty much anything from Rembrandt. I just love the dark, mysterious backgrounds and the lighting surrounding the figures of the works.</p><ul><li>Rothko - <em>Seagram Murals</em></li></ul><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 369px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ubaguito.us/wp-content/uploads/Rothko__Seagram_Mural__Maroon_and_Orange.jpg" border="0" />At the end of the semester we had a section on modern art. Some of it I loved, other parts were interesting but I wasn't drawn to the pieces. I was just picky. But the modern art pieces that I really loved were the ones that experimented with color and texture, such as Rothko.<br /><br /><p><em>Plays</em></p><ul><li>Wicked</li></ul><p>I've been waiting to see this play for a very long time. I love the music and now I love the play too!</p><ul><li>War Horse</li></ul><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 468px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 336px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10_03/warhorseDM1910_468x336.jpg" border="0" />I was in awe of this play. I was a WWII story about a boy and his horse in the war, but it wasn't the story that was so amazing. It was the production. The play used life-sized horse puppets. It took three men to control the puppets and the horses looked so real with all the right mannerisms, ear movements, tail flicks, head tossing, etc.<br /><ul><li>Les Miserables</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298792548617786130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidj_Mt_TPfdRfryviCH-wAjkXJFhgR9FgaVrBu3qaYLG4EuJn8Nin-oD274d-qEUFLnlWJF5w98F41mvbLZ3YvRcgam0_i5QEGzYDptLjNkGqwQkEJRDMpN77wkS_V52wuG8NTVLFZNbM/s320/DSC07683.JPG" border="0" />Before I went to see this play in London I hadn't heard any of the music and I didn't know the story line at all. I know, my friends said that it was a sin too. I ended up loving it!<br /><ul><li>Love's Labour's Lost</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298791289172144626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFJyHfWme4F0ZQ1PUa-vPL7O57JEHIPj3KTzLMx_LH-CBt6iWI1o2cJchjSWJFrqOtqIuOHucVW7bsovhHvgLuNNO4vsxwiCUdZ0JUW8ZhECphCDxUkZjyzXpyaObwqozSfgZKAftOHMD/s320/david+tennant.jpg" border="0" />Shakespeare is so much better when performed. Plus, David Tennant . . . need I say more?<br /><ul><li>Merry Wives Windsor</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298790547976568834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_GCJ_ACgYueEfyCCxw-ssGhDuxSoDFzJ88fsoGSRwUThcT4RAD-OSMgMzCmCJHFv94RDRBA2Lpy3P04L5MGyJSX4wni5wshonCBiB0-z6mXOgeUXoPz2bnG-8_kqN9T3r5GjgQxjo32D/s320/London+CD+2+488.jpg" border="0" />I hadn't heard of this play before London. But it was hilarious, plus we saw it as groundlings in the Globe!<br /><br /><p><em>Food</em></p><ul><li>Snog</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301391595162732466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhIo-j0lHVohu6hpzj7fUYmf8uqdnRGlZF0RSU7g_0SiSg3X-cnMz39lT55vQgxfeoXXXADsLARrdiowgIt8GV9Ds2MmHZpolArUkCFhVdMwEEU09-2HPmxwKrgyO7bGfi3HOMr3D8ZLz/s320/Laura's+CD+4+437.jpg" border="0" />The best natural frozen yogart in the world! One of their slogans: Snogging is Good for You!<br /><br /><ul><li>Gelato Mio</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298788035713608674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai6EDfyq-9GbD-NEHcDLkKthLDf2gQYvcYhP01Q69EQyoropXwCjBiL6WiNbbJBqOHFq3tciu56GC2ln4aBDLMxRB3FhwgTpBG82-UMDuytz_y1f7kzkYAApDU2gLLk7TOY6xWuwDncJC/s320/London+CD+2+146.jpg" border="0" /> The best Gelato we found in London. The workers came to know the BYU students.<br /><ul><li>Amish Oatmeal</li><br />When we were lucky enough to get Amish Oatmeal for breakfast it was the only time all the girls would wake up and rush to breakfast at 7:30 am. Since I was on the first floor with my roommates, as soon as I would realize that we were having Amish Oatmeal for breakfast I would run back into the room and whisper "It's oatmeal!" and the girls would roll out of bed immediately (like zombies), throw a sweatshirt on and hurry to get in line. It was quite the scene.<br /><br /><li>Pub Food<br /></li>Cozy, warm, order at the bar. We were often known as the "tap water girls" because we would come in with a pretty large group for a pub (5 or 6 girls) and only order food and tap water. One bar tender asked after the 4th girl ordered a glass of water: "You do know this is a pub?"<br /><br /><li>Hot Bread</li></ul>Hot bread was served every night with dinner. It was so delicious but horrible for us all. Mmm . . . make me fat baby!<br /><br /><p><em>Other</em></p><ul><li>My Roommates!</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298783432047435970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNRctEKwRVr2OkB_VqdsExwhZCWGTpd9_1oY7pSNKHa8SaVZbJjRss3cApHOVLh1w_obsndbbt-1gsILkNFYzGmeA-3DB9jJWi3pS6LvNCGOiXWGxTOIeRBH34GJWxVYtPpv7RC84zPQq/s320/London+CD+2+001.1.jpg" border="0" /><br />Left to right: Me, Kayla, Kaitlyn, Hailee, Laura S., Dasily, Laura C., and Bethany. We bonded immediately (unlike some rooms that never really bonded at all) when, on the first night we decided to all pile on Hailee's "shorter-than-everyone-elses bed" and Hailee decided that she wanted to rearrange the room at midnight. We love each other!<br /><ul><li>The Tube<br /></li><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301596850598236754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngLSL1WGZV4xcuxsH3Ls1C5Gi_rrvB_6weH7wbXNPYIISAvSbe6JfvCwCPRQamCzAa6vgQAjBBgKj_VRPNBGcGPbse-BCdxq67Be_iztyj-M100TZbVtG3MS8tOQzQcmUJYS8jEnHlZql/s320/P1010202.JPG" border="0" /> </ul><ul>"Mind the Gap!" The best way to get around the city.<br /><br /><li>Music on the Underground</li></ul><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301596449220350274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD14JDv4FBjw1x9WZI-KQylIhBr4ld9MWTS7wucX_wm2jSHPmQBmv4pnAXLKbX2O5h9qXyR1QUZUgoiWfXbt4ETeboXqYlODGiDuqb7HCRBHzGqxfvrLvTSnsGlQUfg93WtTePmP1n5z55/s320/P1010307.JPG" border="0" /><br />The soundtrack to my life. Musicians sit in the underground and play for any donations they can get. I loved stepping off a train and hearing music wherever I went. I felt like I was in a movie everytime. </p><ul><li>The Accent</li><br />Who can resist the accent? I miss the accent so much that when I hear it now I freeze and have to stop and listen for a mo'.<br /><br /><li>Student Discounts!</li><br />There are Student Discounts everywhere in London. I've started asking stores here if they have them because they were so brilliant. Clothes stores would give students 10% off, even on sale items!!! But plays were the best. It wasn't unusual for us to stand in line for day-of tickets and get 6th row seats for 20 pounds while the couple behind us can only get bad seats for 45 pounds.<br /><br /><li>Church</li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301226192473553842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJzAW4-NE_hGXnxvSSQ9YOUHEfETMPT70qyuzjbuVnQ63aH3U3cumeJhDk0U3TyrMDyS557PpcPi-hM3A-6mo4pe_UCctspaZZOtB_2R97cCF2TtfkfOF3ZeWuRn718u9jmMSPIHg4Mof/s320/DSC08256.JPG" border="0" /> Yes, by the end of the program I was tired of traveling for an hour and a half only to get to the church building a half hour early, but the Saints of London are nothing but amazing. Our ward was held in a primary school, Sacrament meeting was held in the gym, Relief Society was held in the cafiteria amongst the High School Musical posters telling the kids to eat their food. I spent most of my time upstairs in the music room with the primary. The kids were adorable.<br /><ul><li>Polite Requests</li><br />The British are known for their politeness. If you bumped into someone they would end up apologizing for your mistake. Museums often had signs posted stating: <em>Please try not to Touch</em>. But my favorite was announced before any performance when they would ask for cell phones to be turned off and then state: <em>Please keep coughing to a minimum</em>.<br /><br /><li>Popular Culture </li></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297963873417478578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAiZA44vTglyt21JLKukpuztMPLBWtkwrTdeFwbQdgm2Z_8OSeJL0w3GutfyjWC_J8VSzGQUc_fsPQ47r1PIj4wiLgv5bZaeh9Myw8SLg3cuxVj7Ve4lESaHJSFrMqaBlxg0VZ0xscvQ5/s320/DSCF0797.JPG" border="0" />From everything Harry Potter, such as Platform 9 3/4, to movie premiers, street fairs, etc. we never got bored.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-84788114232083980532009-01-27T21:07:00.004-07:002009-01-27T21:12:31.001-07:00Coming Soon . . . London Favorites!People have been asking me what my favorite part of London was. After being left flustered trying to pick my favorite "one thing," I started a small list and it turned into a BIG list. So stay posted while I organize my thoughts and post my London favorites!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-61458789439421764682009-01-12T11:41:00.007-07:002009-01-12T13:08:11.969-07:00Bonjour!It's been a minute . . .<br /><br />Just after I posted my last post the craziness began. We spent our last couple of weeks in London writing papers, playing, studying for finals, playing, and playing some more. Between it all, Emilee and I found time to visit a daycare on our street as "Santa."<br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290482317577479298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBD2v7k0RuX5LLnQBJMfh3pLxvqYTHe59NxtITS5QtEkJDvL8nbucED_DOoFZryH0kvCDEu2ssg6XkUgTrqn8PLO6vLzfkKUSKwiw3ZSjmg_mVNA7IeuVm-Xf_7Mrc-N86jkPfWqHjKoG/s320/DSC08236.JPG" border="0" />Emilee, Franny, and I outside the daycare. Those Santa costumes were awesome, the waist was maybe three feet around and the leg tapered to about 12 inches at the bottom with an extra foot and a half of fabric after my leg ended. It was hilarious and a lot of fun.<br /><br />After hours of stress and study our finals were finally over and we had a couple more days to enjoy London stress free. We decided to spend our last day doing some last minute shopping and visiting some of our favorite sites around the city. One of my top places in the city would have to be Trafalgar Square. I just love the fountains and the atmosphere. <br /><div> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290482961476628594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRM8xjjyoEKsUqWTWGvF191sAehqzBjHp5oYJg2vb4uj4uwpl2Y5pmFRY3pqMJljvB_iJCTNiCp8CLI5LkUreAZwRbPyUNIzR8OrH5bQoQyz950MdYke70KaiJv45bQjgqXDI00Okg0LJ/s320/DSC08300.JPG" border="0" />Me on one of the Trafalgar Square lions with Big Ben in the background. Later that night, after a good dinner, we took one last walk around the Thames. <br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290494355902026706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qbhsvBZtLv1jDZnd-gjUia5A4uYDdry44NSB0axoVm3XhrjG-L7758N_3wd2kB602vju6YKfUzy-gdcD_TpRmz9cTDlC-0dk522pr4O6NK4xQDJ_XDNbM_HFRMY8kVsbRGxMr_5_yMxk/s320/DSC08323.JPG" border="0" />Big Ben and Parliament, it's so beautiful at night. Sniff, sniff . . . I'm going to miss you!</div><div> </div><div>After a few delays in the airports I got home nice and early at 12:50 am on the 17 of December. After that it was party, party, party for the Holidays. It was great to see the family and enjoy some relaxation.<br /><div><br />Now I'm onto my next country . . . France! Only this time it doesn't involve any travel (darn), well, only to and from classes. This semester I am taking French 101 and it will be another grand adventure, let me tell you! Somehow I was able to make it through high school and into college without ever taking a foreign language. Great right? Well I thought so, but now that I have to learn a language for the first time at the college level it's a little intimidating. (Just a side note, I would have had to take a language for my major whether or not I took a language in high school). So even though this semester is going to seem dull compared to last semester, I think it will be a good one.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8820465888181353499.post-7906865267777018632008-12-04T14:48:00.019-07:002008-12-04T16:04:58.403-07:00Fairytale LandYesterday was a fabulous day! Since we didn't have class we decided to sleep in a bit before eating breakfast and then headed towards the Houses of Parliament to watch the Queen's Parade. Today was the official opening of Parliament. Actually, Parliament has been in session for the past month and a half or so but you know the Brittish and their traditions . . . the Queen has to make her appearance to "officially" open everything. Lucky for us, unlucky for her, she has no say in what she says in her speech. It's written by the Prime Minister.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276065056811661746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmROBwnEIBpExz5rSB9olhVKL6D6Ke3f45M4t3mNzpX3R5EsiP5j1I3qBYYphOv7VWmoHAWjoMuHOK9iZ0hvMa6zKpZlnZwq7sPPXXrsG4TITeILMRnHdrYbILy9k3cQb3nn1B4iwm8_1d/s320/DSC08111.JPG" border="0" />Bethany, Laura, and Kaitlyn waiting for the parade to start. It was freezing!<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276064657283869170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsciCbXiP_mdRdqa2YILsHKF9gwOD22AVskON-8JIsqwvdfFX8JSWtDl4jGcLt5mCzkkLio2wPulwSktgB9ci7MYOZ2M45Y0uW9gTfwzqtoLSXcmE2__7eeUJbcpvDRl9gY8lB1pPCB2yu/s320/DSC08115.JPG" border="0" />This was hillarious. The workers in the florescent uniforms were shovelling dirt onto the street and the parade started before they could get out of the way. They got a lot of glares.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWqK5S_07zGzTXaG17D_bEHLEKwXeiMTQsGZ8veSxBH8fNyolT6Ze6gR51pj2FsLI_GWeebswAleSDn21WDn5_t3PjShyGobNpym0yhyphenhyphenKYAEqHMRoeKb-mYcP8mEudrzuAs6il3IT-gxH/s1600-h/DSC08126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276064387473935970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWqK5S_07zGzTXaG17D_bEHLEKwXeiMTQsGZ8veSxBH8fNyolT6Ze6gR51pj2FsLI_GWeebswAleSDn21WDn5_t3PjShyGobNpym0yhyphenhyphenKYAEqHMRoeKb-mYcP8mEudrzuAs6il3IT-gxH/s320/DSC08126.JPG" border="0" /></a> There were so many beautiful horses and they all matched.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnaTE5HKaZ7Kcz1jZLWrqffVjX13r-3gAXZAokmawQL4YGZAnyEU9q9zIEqout5wNtC5l0vshlkq4fV0E2_h7WGRVKZAoGHRyoJFtgQhEsC8u6RVoNsF9H-snAZjdelEGDR_UrAi99jMm/s1600-h/DSC08130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276064082029517522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnaTE5HKaZ7Kcz1jZLWrqffVjX13r-3gAXZAokmawQL4YGZAnyEU9q9zIEqout5wNtC5l0vshlkq4fV0E2_h7WGRVKZAoGHRyoJFtgQhEsC8u6RVoNsF9H-snAZjdelEGDR_UrAi99jMm/s320/DSC08130.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Queen's grand entrance through Horse Guard Gate.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWLPAiHhLh9G2tomD_CTglkBMA9AusaynhM4JAXcSl-foC1mEXYBR2Mpu37MkMLDDTG8SJJUbHJRzThpNQIvnLy5r8sLnwdu7466vHw2ry3P3y0Pu8Yrv3FWcRHQ1mpHbvuT92D-U7HAS/s1600-h/DSC08131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276063825589996402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWLPAiHhLh9G2tomD_CTglkBMA9AusaynhM4JAXcSl-foC1mEXYBR2Mpu37MkMLDDTG8SJJUbHJRzThpNQIvnLy5r8sLnwdu7466vHw2ry3P3y0Pu8Yrv3FWcRHQ1mpHbvuT92D-U7HAS/s320/DSC08131.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Queen in her gold carriage passing us.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div><br />Later in the afternoon we met up with the rest of the program to visit the Cabinet War Rooms, used by Winston Churchill during WWII. It reminded me of my brother because I remember him coming back from them so excited to tell us all about the interactive museum there. And Nate, it was awesome! I can't wait to see my family! </div><div></div><div><br />When we got back from the War Rooms we had a little time to change into dress clothes for a performance of Handel's Messiah that night. And then we headed out to for the Twilight Premiere!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQO0Y67zttrz0uQ9ajeN2ge52ZxN-m4aT3AKriEtOe7XbMhZuvrB1RnhoaF__An6CPmF5ZcEobMyFDivcB_i36YbdwAHcC6XvUP_FX-BL-QG3q-zFyQIlferEZGm2XpgGQIOJHxm_vXK2/s1600-h/DSC08137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276061543663231570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQO0Y67zttrz0uQ9ajeN2ge52ZxN-m4aT3AKriEtOe7XbMhZuvrB1RnhoaF__An6CPmF5ZcEobMyFDivcB_i36YbdwAHcC6XvUP_FX-BL-QG3q-zFyQIlferEZGm2XpgGQIOJHxm_vXK2/s400/DSC08137.JPG" border="0" /></a> Me in front of theatre in Leicester Square. I was so excited! (P.S. - yes, these pictures were taken starting at 4 pm. It's that dark here!)<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmno-z5JYGY8T9oG_21xzdxfhgrCT_c1qubzajGbttmYYktHv51UOXQSEQoaPILcCRYBSg2ignQgG6v7h3O0C1-SXZKBCSgCrUrdzo4fWwijnBbLcge33pNqibOi6VbHiyvJanTnVEvvg/s1600-h/DSC08142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276061043265171090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmno-z5JYGY8T9oG_21xzdxfhgrCT_c1qubzajGbttmYYktHv51UOXQSEQoaPILcCRYBSg2ignQgG6v7h3O0C1-SXZKBCSgCrUrdzo4fWwijnBbLcge33pNqibOi6VbHiyvJanTnVEvvg/s400/DSC08142.JPG" border="0" /></a>We got there a couple hours early, to get a good spot of course, so we were able to see all the setup as well. Here are some of the crew members rolling out the black carpet. Yes, the black carpet.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2ZPM-BCRhKYa502jJmcOePOfkzasb97Q7Z-6AWOjRZ9LkK1lcuaGunXtM7YvDGY-ootmKwi496xDhb7HGu1_SFc_mKqmaizKT-V2jFyzYqrim8cClmZFisaEcms84iqOwLQjlvgril2n/s1600-h/DSC08143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276060536195268818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2ZPM-BCRhKYa502jJmcOePOfkzasb97Q7Z-6AWOjRZ9LkK1lcuaGunXtM7YvDGY-ootmKwi496xDhb7HGu1_SFc_mKqmaizKT-V2jFyzYqrim8cClmZFisaEcms84iqOwLQjlvgril2n/s400/DSC08143.JPG" border="0" /></a> And then they sprinkled some silver glitter all over the carpet.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276061805719665026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDdhs1yrirbpVHoNoB_e73SOZh4cznSJR3PI1d2E4zQToUp0h7bAb_P7JUYU2tBphWYoxjd2W-41EeNGgdPHCObC2QWvLc7Xt0o353npXC8RP7380ReBriyO5VhTa0ySgy9EiacXq8GP2/s400/DSC08146.JPG" border="0" /> And then they decided that it was too much glitter . . . so they vacumed some of it up. After the majority was vacummed up another man came around to sweep it around so it wasn't in little piles. Good work crew!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_J_ywY0s6m1JH-bDu9z-b2NPXKNgKk054cuwD80cYmtdOPHwKsBiL02849IGK2Ad_CTOgM4FdvfRsL7Q4Uip2GwrR3dfbZx4DMlyHArEiznO5vvwWJAeOJa_3l5RKMKAZyJbNqaJA_Dn/s1600-h/DSC08149.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276060188194079954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_J_ywY0s6m1JH-bDu9z-b2NPXKNgKk054cuwD80cYmtdOPHwKsBiL02849IGK2Ad_CTOgM4FdvfRsL7Q4Uip2GwrR3dfbZx4DMlyHArEiznO5vvwWJAeOJa_3l5RKMKAZyJbNqaJA_Dn/s400/DSC08149.JPG" border="0" /></a> A partial view of the crowd. We were right across from the press section so the majority of the crowd is behind us watching a big screen of the preview and listening to the Soundtrack. Just imagine thousands of screaming teenage girls. Everytime a camera would flash they would scream in excitement.</div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Just before the stars began arriving the crew set up their final effects: a big dead tree (so pretty much branches) and some fog machines. The last we saw as problematic . . .<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276061329720919746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhq3b9SqnWvyyQSP5f4ASWDRcpKV9QVV_TrdqwyQM_aWQ91grVcL7tBIQptkpJC454Inp6OwO_wsqo2oRZZzIOAK-ES5-WsFcy5cM2lR0qta2-6-kE6fmiJMkKdX0RmTt0n2Db3WidMRa0/s400/DSC08161.JPG" border="0" /> Kristen Stewart was the first to arrive (she plays Bella Swan for all you non-Twilighters). As you can see, the fog was a problem. Everyone was screaming, "Turn the fog off!" but knowing the British there were a few more explitives in there. She's back there somewhere. We got some good views of her but not any great pictures. She is so beautiful!<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeWmuiZAQAwhOBaqchYP4qeiPDNTUxh8-ne48NYkddhf2bN9k1nsbt0q2miQ-vuhRu6yKVxfHHSvkfyCt9fkFQAAyLnh6muamva1_qrDrqqg-7In1a77cyT_KTZlvygc_6GE6RfpObbsA/s1600-h/DSC08185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276058049449845106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeWmuiZAQAwhOBaqchYP4qeiPDNTUxh8-ne48NYkddhf2bN9k1nsbt0q2miQ-vuhRu6yKVxfHHSvkfyCt9fkFQAAyLnh6muamva1_qrDrqqg-7In1a77cyT_KTZlvygc_6GE6RfpObbsA/s400/DSC08185.JPG" border="0" /></a> Then Rob Pattinson arrived and the crowd went absolutely crazy! So, I don't think he's that cute, but he is deffinately more attractive in real life. This is one of the best pictures we could get of him but he actually got quite close to where we were standing before he went into the theater.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo9GIjG1X9HqfPL2w4DA5njAAsscP8CcboEiDGHBQsNBc7Ii5cU5HLQ7z25V4louZSPLJJdhdwZ0emzocVA_X7mPV0vD8P5L-4PdsyDXA9b3iIR-wiowaMVCF9XTZSzBgrgVPpBxcdH0a/s1600-h/closeup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276057804108372034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 376px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo9GIjG1X9HqfPL2w4DA5njAAsscP8CcboEiDGHBQsNBc7Ii5cU5HLQ7z25V4louZSPLJJdhdwZ0emzocVA_X7mPV0vD8P5L-4PdsyDXA9b3iIR-wiowaMVCF9XTZSzBgrgVPpBxcdH0a/s400/closeup.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's a zoomed up view of him being interviewed.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276059554115118690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpG4MS_gNQmNiWVrMkqDzYRdefhh9Kl7kEBEpqshyzj1_fZJV5blr5gy_q0wpsNESw7qeAUGOMZ73JqNgtoM3qhcSmVGMYiFigVNXThbu64GuKexhSiqhAAsJABHwGa9ioMp5l68dlA9w/s400/rob+%26+kristen.jpg" border="0" /> And, just to give you an idea of how they really looked, here is a professional shot from last night. It was below freezing last night and Kristen was hoping around to keep warm in her dress. We had to leave early to make it to the Messiah performance, so we didn't get to see any of the other stars who showed up . . . but that's okay we got to see the most important ones.</div><div></div><div></div><div><br />The movie actually doesn't open here until the 19 December so I will see it at home before it even opens here. And now I'm not as bitter as I used to be about having to wait so long. So, Avery, even though I haven't seen the movie yet . . . at least I've seen the stars!<br /></div><div></div><div><br />The performance of the Messiah was amazing and today we all went out an purchased the new JK Rowling book that came out today, <em>The Tales of Beedle the Bard.</em></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />I love London!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1