tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61434257125937078062024-03-12T19:27:52.496-07:00.MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-28183694319201165732012-04-21T19:53:00.000-07:002012-04-21T19:53:01.614-07:00Road Kill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN1MKaLGnaj8_c6nSEnRPcfie2GNuhGWWKDhlKydYi9tU0R9wFsM0gaoZTXzh_Tlev7AY2ISLoiJB_iRfCRCXL0g6K7WPXFKQsDxmshwgtV2wloZul4fM-QslCBPu0z8pCCHhDwE47MA/s1600/raccoon6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN1MKaLGnaj8_c6nSEnRPcfie2GNuhGWWKDhlKydYi9tU0R9wFsM0gaoZTXzh_Tlev7AY2ISLoiJB_iRfCRCXL0g6K7WPXFKQsDxmshwgtV2wloZul4fM-QslCBPu0z8pCCHhDwE47MA/s400/raccoon6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One quick thought/story before I refocus my world on stressing about finals…<br />
<br />
Mike has been gone for almost a month now. For those who don’t know, he got an awesome job in Louisville Kentucky where he now resides, we will be joining him in July when school is out. Moral of the story…I make a decent temporary head of the household, but just had a silly experience that reminded me that I miss my buddy!<br />
<br />
Creighton and Karac: Having a party and taking advantage of every second of having a single parent (like any teenagers would, two against one).<br />
<br />
Cat: Doesn’t give a crap about any of it.<br />
<br />
Caiya (Dog): Living a life that has changed drastically since her best friend/ running/hiking, blond hair blue eyed friend has disappeared from her life without warning. She has no idea if he is ever to return, and is not a huge fan of his substitute.<br />
<br />
Me: I’m doing ok and keeping things in line (to the best of my abilities) but realize as I try to take Mikes place, I don’t cut it.
Tonight I took Caiya on a short hike up AF canyon, alone, just me and the dog…as I was climbing up a huge gravel hill I pretty much face planted onto a dead raccoon…<br />
<br />
Realization: It’s funny/fun when people fall onto dead animals, but unless you have a buddy around to appreciate it…not funny. Caiya was no help.<br />
<br />
The EndMandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-36409979139169323462011-12-09T11:44:00.000-08:002011-12-09T13:06:39.462-08:00What is a family?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMbDZcYO1AJxwnSHhSD32teTHosG0MZXHSH_F8tH2BN7DHySMr1KfZol96not0mRDmpyefX0Pe23oAllLD4BVSFosvakRxAhdeVBTt2REPgLAalvU7M_JGixxu5EUCO5MOCaOpvNXHrM/s1600/adams+fam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMbDZcYO1AJxwnSHhSD32teTHosG0MZXHSH_F8tH2BN7DHySMr1KfZol96not0mRDmpyefX0Pe23oAllLD4BVSFosvakRxAhdeVBTt2REPgLAalvU7M_JGixxu5EUCO5MOCaOpvNXHrM/s400/adams+fam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684219282564251506" /></a><br /><br />What is a family? I needed to answer that question for an assignment, and I’ve never really thought about it much because for me, it’s something I just feel and know. I know who the people are in my family, and certain friends who instantly come to mind as well, but it’s the <span style="font-style:italic;">what<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span>, not the who. What needs to exist in order to call something a family? Sure when you are born you have a default family, but what are the ties that bind? What is at the depths of the what? I thought it would be fun to ask some people to answer that question in one or two sentences; I got some pretty amazing responses. <br /> <br />What is a family?<br /><br />A unit of deep understanding.<br /><br />Family is an unspoken agreement/hope between two or more people to have feelings of loyalty, acceptance, tolerance, love, and/or support towards the other(s) for a lifetime. Family is the unit to which you choose to be genuinely obligated.<br /><br />The super glue that keeps us grounded, united, and focused on our journey through life.<br /><br />What life is about.<br /><br />Those you grow with blood or not, they are the people that make you who you are.<br />Family is the unspoken relationship between individuals, whether it be blood, friends, lovers, pets that requires no explanation or expectation. It’s the feeling of loyalty and comradery that you can count on no matter what.<br /><br />The holiday season is upon us, and there is no better time to think about and appreciate family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFhDVFQMNhzpzz3ZUqOeBDm4JN7_gX7MP9L6vGsrXG-zqfCMpBMesJGHzTeXBbar_0fxqCtjsbKhXV0tjJfKC66JkRTHkwreteRGEUTczGyNBhBGW9anE4Mcy1PBE65oAh2KZJKLjGfM/s1600/Family.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFhDVFQMNhzpzz3ZUqOeBDm4JN7_gX7MP9L6vGsrXG-zqfCMpBMesJGHzTeXBbar_0fxqCtjsbKhXV0tjJfKC66JkRTHkwreteRGEUTczGyNBhBGW9anE4Mcy1PBE65oAh2KZJKLjGfM/s400/Family.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684237778763215810" /></a>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-64911628891296378492011-06-22T16:39:00.000-07:002011-06-22T17:29:30.131-07:00Writer's BlockIt is official; I have a serious case of writers block…at least according to some of the things Wikipedia has to say on the matter. I have moments of inspiration however it’s getting it out of my head, onto paper, and into meaningful words that is the problem. I am having temporary difficulty dealing with even writing a simple blog! I am lacking creativity! <br />I attribute it to school frying my brain… I suppose the good news is that I am not studying to be a professional writer anyway. <br />With that said, here are some pic's of our activities over the past few months. I’m hoping with some r&r, the cells in the right hemisphere of my brain will have a chance to grow back…they were severely suppressed this last semester. <br /><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTYQlq5JyD8x-18vd0FbWG7Z46PjoxM1Vm9Kver_fqe0OcXpdmOLd6oCwVSQalc8oboLTzOIpf1BHeuDc7h94gd-3PBlFp12EsYLNky_ktzJMYprzPhe9CozeumHIbpILcfpN-H703QU/s1600/Karac+and+pluto.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTYQlq5JyD8x-18vd0FbWG7Z46PjoxM1Vm9Kver_fqe0OcXpdmOLd6oCwVSQalc8oboLTzOIpf1BHeuDc7h94gd-3PBlFp12EsYLNky_ktzJMYprzPhe9CozeumHIbpILcfpN-H703QU/s320/Karac+and+pluto.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621197167596228194" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Karac's Disneyland trip (With Cory, Ash and kids)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYax0NdW4bTFnWlDZzy3FiJE9v75Y4kebTgJpvgoaqrR8_WDwL-wyI9QjiVGDZeY-gP7awsYRewyqO-fXL8MPrD_8j8h001ZBko3TnAEn1vovW2WamEOGA04EjzqByMiRmnPsAO8t4rk/s1600/IMG_2171.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYax0NdW4bTFnWlDZzy3FiJE9v75Y4kebTgJpvgoaqrR8_WDwL-wyI9QjiVGDZeY-gP7awsYRewyqO-fXL8MPrD_8j8h001ZBko3TnAEn1vovW2WamEOGA04EjzqByMiRmnPsAO8t4rk/s320/IMG_2171.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621204804561863954" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Me in The Big Apple!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ncAKfYDcmeX0immC7UYSAswB3xdv26hPDZVzXlSpMwPOPv2cLbrOsX_EjiuwBgfQodt5ZKIiQBy98JRkPGGEpGWFtzS4HDmBa7dopIbTSEqW4WJIsK2AFGHESjh0MOySlDGCDypfYUI/s1600/MandK.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ncAKfYDcmeX0immC7UYSAswB3xdv26hPDZVzXlSpMwPOPv2cLbrOsX_EjiuwBgfQodt5ZKIiQBy98JRkPGGEpGWFtzS4HDmBa7dopIbTSEqW4WJIsK2AFGHESjh0MOySlDGCDypfYUI/s320/MandK.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621198324913167634" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mike, Kristen, Caiya Southern Ut.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUbTHZXP5VSdH53zFojAst4CZCNRNLYR-BKgWhLo5iO1dsF8G8FoZFVPBvCGLkzZmq-vcBRG_QU2MpODY5RCPH2Y4UE7ChieI9rvfuzlkxjhDh5f21yWA96vBy5iwz1BM6qtizkzKmk4/s1600/IMG_2751.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUbTHZXP5VSdH53zFojAst4CZCNRNLYR-BKgWhLo5iO1dsF8G8FoZFVPBvCGLkzZmq-vcBRG_QU2MpODY5RCPH2Y4UE7ChieI9rvfuzlkxjhDh5f21yWA96vBy5iwz1BM6qtizkzKmk4/s320/IMG_2751.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621202393701751522" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Creighton home from trek (Jealous, I wanted to go)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05N1JfwZuQwsM3DKoZz4gdiSxDLIEfvH52DHG3CVBH1yQQN1Kr5n7GeUPHt308qLZCAU6ARGyhM_1sQ0-Rd4gZy1wrygY82q1MnBf1OGsnQPBxHLYO48iN6YrQEMDNTb1B5zX_4dipDc/s1600/IMG_2681.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05N1JfwZuQwsM3DKoZz4gdiSxDLIEfvH52DHG3CVBH1yQQN1Kr5n7GeUPHt308qLZCAU6ARGyhM_1sQ0-Rd4gZy1wrygY82q1MnBf1OGsnQPBxHLYO48iN6YrQEMDNTb1B5zX_4dipDc/s320/IMG_2681.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621203488373674562" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Caiya one man rafting<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4N5CTtX24UL8-3zLx7nR2ulF-UP4xGDSDfJwdVF9_azVxPQ12QGIeYodvBSqdY8XZCaX9MziArg8hjLqPWaWRqikAtt73uej0X7R2DcUBsV60khkhR5YkfL6SJ-7vR4m-ex30cex670/s1600/IMG_2695.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4N5CTtX24UL8-3zLx7nR2ulF-UP4xGDSDfJwdVF9_azVxPQ12QGIeYodvBSqdY8XZCaX9MziArg8hjLqPWaWRqikAtt73uej0X7R2DcUBsV60khkhR5YkfL6SJ-7vR4m-ex30cex670/s320/IMG_2695.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621204146718090226" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Kelly Slater hanging out in a TJ's bagMandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-37506595120698321102011-04-01T20:58:00.000-07:002011-04-01T22:32:14.600-07:00Food for thought..."Everyone is born a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it'll live its whole life believing it's stupid."<br />~Albert Einstein~<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Aq-kwfc7Q0VFBaJnlWB-T3hDTsWswtnBKcoLDWc4ew8pTk6_RLzxhzuNZrIBmGF9jNrdsxQSs1NqJRHmQImK4k6WbgIYvIPSb5kU6jQ5k5GJPPvRpjhTgWmNNkKK8jDz6Ro4c85L-Ew/s1600/seuss_cat_in_the_hat_fish_sticker.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Aq-kwfc7Q0VFBaJnlWB-T3hDTsWswtnBKcoLDWc4ew8pTk6_RLzxhzuNZrIBmGF9jNrdsxQSs1NqJRHmQImK4k6WbgIYvIPSb5kU6jQ5k5GJPPvRpjhTgWmNNkKK8jDz6Ro4c85L-Ew/s320/seuss_cat_in_the_hat_fish_sticker.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590833562620810002" /></a><br />I suppose I fell upon this quote because it is my time to think about how this applies to my life right now, today.... It's not rocket science, but it takes the Saviour and his example to rise above thoughts we may entertain about ourselves and/or others...I am thankful I have the opportunity this weekend to listen...and learn.MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-17025722783750809592011-03-28T21:16:00.001-07:002011-03-29T06:05:26.229-07:00amor, sayang, meilė, حُب, kjærlighet, LOVE...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7imnEsNUbITZGGsjnHCy2iNse0sGrz7Taof_RNVIGESk2SZjKU_5nvK68XSyIZcTnrnLx3OG6LYkgdhAe13SIhPJCAeEqYvZlcSJPr62FVyZLwLWxqp2t_w9P8JyW0DGn0PgNyChb90/s1600/din.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 373px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7imnEsNUbITZGGsjnHCy2iNse0sGrz7Taof_RNVIGESk2SZjKU_5nvK68XSyIZcTnrnLx3OG6LYkgdhAe13SIhPJCAeEqYvZlcSJPr62FVyZLwLWxqp2t_w9P8JyW0DGn0PgNyChb90/s400/din.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589351588032712162" /></a><br /><br />I am pretty sure no matter how it is said, felt, wanted, or given...the ability to love unconditionally is a gift. I have utter gratitude in my heart for a hand full of people in my life, who lift burdens and brighten each day, with simple and loving words or just a smile that radiates inherent goodness. Thank you for sharing such a special gift.MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-64370067851770054802011-03-17T20:24:00.000-07:002011-03-17T21:13:07.903-07:00Your Missing OutYou should know that if you don't have one of these...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXMK3mfoUotD_eBrZhP63O8iUI0deDiiRVoxvEcj5O1Wpz0bhyphenhyphenS-HYgeh8lNgl0sTfmDH6G_p6eoSka8bDDVIk_l2ldTAYcaPmOblYm1leAxPx_w_5NCmG-PKA_y-ffpZ9Sep8NnrGPI/s1600/IMG_1736%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXMK3mfoUotD_eBrZhP63O8iUI0deDiiRVoxvEcj5O1Wpz0bhyphenhyphenS-HYgeh8lNgl0sTfmDH6G_p6eoSka8bDDVIk_l2ldTAYcaPmOblYm1leAxPx_w_5NCmG-PKA_y-ffpZ9Sep8NnrGPI/s320/IMG_1736%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585258812271283234" /></a><br /><br /><br />and at least one of these...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0VnlaQKPlK9FuFDmGzgLLMZ0wYwqZwsP4lnMtCNyjNncGLmIV_9qKkNOqHrHmRNbvopoZ1j8AU77p11D0P4-MKDyCLqH4b0wD3L52xRhQm98tRmcLTdIvRg7smV_HT_HB9yagRKPiQ0/s1600/kelly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0VnlaQKPlK9FuFDmGzgLLMZ0wYwqZwsP4lnMtCNyjNncGLmIV_9qKkNOqHrHmRNbvopoZ1j8AU77p11D0P4-MKDyCLqH4b0wD3L52xRhQm98tRmcLTdIvRg7smV_HT_HB9yagRKPiQ0/s320/kelly.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585259217392726802" /></a><br /><br />you are missing out on the following: naughty, adorable, curious, protective, clever, mischievous, happy, loving, playful, loyal...<br /><br />Everyone contributes special qualities that make a family unique, and lately I have noticed that these two (Caiya, and Kelly Slater) are an important contribution to our family. They love us unconditionally and make us laugh constantly...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2wJVBVq_2gaRZ6xkOYcLEM3nxkErGYxEYTcxcsGe5aiLyptSz4a8KwZoSCP-e2U6MqaSd2ugGdkDjbtt5KHD3oLjvDtwRWDzqL4YFMPmdRVSVGOhWYcwVpurspT6BAfGSKSyW4hyphenhyphen1MU/s1600/IMG_1555%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2wJVBVq_2gaRZ6xkOYcLEM3nxkErGYxEYTcxcsGe5aiLyptSz4a8KwZoSCP-e2U6MqaSd2ugGdkDjbtt5KHD3oLjvDtwRWDzqL4YFMPmdRVSVGOhWYcwVpurspT6BAfGSKSyW4hyphenhyphen1MU/s320/IMG_1555%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585267437892358898" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBZSCwXoTUGLJgkDI3XbjG-RUrgao8sHkyg71l7p4IP41FlYUYw4rCtXK3nP_x8jsO9MmvbF-7KKaj3ie8onQ8Rem9KQ6FjSy6Q8MMmn2Ql1Fn_PeiQafRnM20ah_2QLv7I93JEqYzX4/s1600/IMG_1568%255B1%255D"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBZSCwXoTUGLJgkDI3XbjG-RUrgao8sHkyg71l7p4IP41FlYUYw4rCtXK3nP_x8jsO9MmvbF-7KKaj3ie8onQ8Rem9KQ6FjSy6Q8MMmn2Ql1Fn_PeiQafRnM20ah_2QLv7I93JEqYzX4/s320/IMG_1568%255B1%255D" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585267713768696866" /></a>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-41263532335165611322011-01-16T18:40:00.000-08:002011-01-16T20:27:39.037-08:00One Love...<span style="font-style:italic;">And the lion shall lie down with the lamb</span><br /> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzjpYiCqOtk0XBLecx0Z7cCCLmsosE33wXLyvSIiOgY8xSI9wHoPadJfNUSH33xDOSWKgzOQGk_1ZdoiDeJ85ezqe6QxyGIKSxL8D_hrpGnLkGgJpQOMAbIQD_w5LNqLPS-TQerX2mNM/s1600/lion+and+lamb.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzjpYiCqOtk0XBLecx0Z7cCCLmsosE33wXLyvSIiOgY8xSI9wHoPadJfNUSH33xDOSWKgzOQGk_1ZdoiDeJ85ezqe6QxyGIKSxL8D_hrpGnLkGgJpQOMAbIQD_w5LNqLPS-TQerX2mNM/s320/lion+and+lamb.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562998573872905970" /></a><br /> <br />Although this may be one of the more popular misquotes from the bible *refer to (Isaiah 11:6) I am pretty sure either way the message is one in the same, and also answers most of humanities problems... Do your own soul searching and figure out what this means for you. Happy 2011, just a tad late. ;)MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-62965073499949541312010-11-07T18:13:00.000-08:002010-11-14T14:29:32.126-08:00What Vacation?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidi5PcWlSnq52-0JBesFI5P-KeoopzUQsvKVXpKMCUehyphenhyphenTEG27t5E5CHG5o8wGjgePO0uV01rkEw4rBubyj7ILn-bYWCYnSRBYVRNaHvXfa7-bHdep0mFR6sRYepvgtb5jfpYAp5_T8ys/s1600/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+194.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidi5PcWlSnq52-0JBesFI5P-KeoopzUQsvKVXpKMCUehyphenhyphenTEG27t5E5CHG5o8wGjgePO0uV01rkEw4rBubyj7ILn-bYWCYnSRBYVRNaHvXfa7-bHdep0mFR6sRYepvgtb5jfpYAp5_T8ys/s320/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+194.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539527361372188850" /></a><br />Here is the conclusion Mike and I have come to...if we come home from a "vacation" completely tired and feeling like we just got rocked, it was a success. And so the story goes, we come home from our week in PR feeling in need of a vacation....what a surprise.<br />The good news is that we dominated the top half of the island from coast to coast, and then some. The main focus was seeing the Rip Curl pro surf contest, and using time in between to see everything else. From the minute we set foot on Puerto Rican soil we were racing against time to make the most of our 6.5 days. <br />Mike knows how to weave some magic when it comes to planning agendas and time management, which usually entails back to back adventures which are always off the beaten path, and the only way to go.<br />-Witnessing the best surfers on the planet doing their thing-inspiring.<br />-Ferrying to the small island of Culebra, having a world class beach all to ourselves, experiencing my first dive with an underwater welder by trade, as my "dive master" (the only one on the island available and willing to take us out)-terrifying/priceless<br />-Exploring caves carved by the ocean, and others hidden in the rain forest ALONE-thrilling<br />-A personal guide leading us by kayak, to an enchanting bay hidden by mangrove trees, in the pitch black of the night, through bioluminescent waters-spellbinding <br />-Cemeteries, Walmarts, loosing our way, finding our way...<br /><br />Now back to reality. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHEsV5JCujHHMYHIU1dDQLq12L8YazccWgVUwoGDSiFOE3JTdXMd0sS786zJXh_3GHCgLIFdDN9HH2uj03k1VwbBjeTUCelblREEcbZsS4fQ0RHjU2mceYVSFj5AEPL0m3s73gjDk2BU/s1600/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHEsV5JCujHHMYHIU1dDQLq12L8YazccWgVUwoGDSiFOE3JTdXMd0sS786zJXh_3GHCgLIFdDN9HH2uj03k1VwbBjeTUCelblREEcbZsS4fQ0RHjU2mceYVSFj5AEPL0m3s73gjDk2BU/s320/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539529364974124626" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhij7C7Xq4xKs-ckgE3r015fMxDHb0xnf68G9EtXQNvT2v_xxtHJkWAotKitEtILKmM6yCy67ell0xqaN_avbEtOHKkJr74ivYMU_TX512yDaa80xtxbyupocRFBtlKEopzvSjdi-3_c/s1600/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+276.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhij7C7Xq4xKs-ckgE3r015fMxDHb0xnf68G9EtXQNvT2v_xxtHJkWAotKitEtILKmM6yCy67ell0xqaN_avbEtOHKkJr74ivYMU_TX512yDaa80xtxbyupocRFBtlKEopzvSjdi-3_c/s320/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+276.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539528868447237058" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dtl4awntJabKnGuKZQyDiXXmFjp7UCJdKdkmQnjq4oMh2-m9VF9_aYLtGTJgMVNV9bAwuO7tY8-Q7tQ49Pq2pcTUqIMfnBaUp7P6tbvMx5FP1qMIWSzndZBW87K669qskytbW3X7VLE/s1600/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+265.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dtl4awntJabKnGuKZQyDiXXmFjp7UCJdKdkmQnjq4oMh2-m9VF9_aYLtGTJgMVNV9bAwuO7tY8-Q7tQ49Pq2pcTUqIMfnBaUp7P6tbvMx5FP1qMIWSzndZBW87K669qskytbW3X7VLE/s320/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+265.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539528403026484418" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuU9T26xRJ08Kg5rKVYFtwmbKYS0yP6DVnu1VCw_neOm1eNuTmhhP0ZVrhpK4WgEdLo8aebLeEmujnRbYbei1QWI_Dq8wnniD22bx4nqWVDj5bzyWlhPTiWbnwxBmoSHB7vsjZwcCcAo/s1600/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuU9T26xRJ08Kg5rKVYFtwmbKYS0yP6DVnu1VCw_neOm1eNuTmhhP0ZVrhpK4WgEdLo8aebLeEmujnRbYbei1QWI_Dq8wnniD22bx4nqWVDj5bzyWlhPTiWbnwxBmoSHB7vsjZwcCcAo/s320/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Puerto+Rico+233.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539530104906526162" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSj2UoMtkjdOqdXwAMsEC0hMoBXAseL_D_EYnGEQ_F_09ENXH0h_dmPQnlO3bdJh5cKwzvEVJ_FIyVVNkIDDkeMpSZLqLEptciujoh5mH5prH0MnCRZZwA84B9DOscY89TECuotPhdlE/s1600/Copy+%25283%2529+of+Puerto+Rico+261.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSj2UoMtkjdOqdXwAMsEC0hMoBXAseL_D_EYnGEQ_F_09ENXH0h_dmPQnlO3bdJh5cKwzvEVJ_FIyVVNkIDDkeMpSZLqLEptciujoh5mH5prH0MnCRZZwA84B9DOscY89TECuotPhdlE/s320/Copy+%25283%2529+of+Puerto+Rico+261.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539530853387053810" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmeHoJ1BgRFyvVT675d6pIDZu7x8kySO3TNdxGvClTNdOJ_UGBmaQ9IgvJiripjJ42_bQ7F7huqa668nfzsss8O7Dfrx2u1eVzc5l4xPPaJ46QCo-1czp-caHUSIQP52YQHAWZn-KwUc/s1600/DSC_1047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmeHoJ1BgRFyvVT675d6pIDZu7x8kySO3TNdxGvClTNdOJ_UGBmaQ9IgvJiripjJ42_bQ7F7huqa668nfzsss8O7Dfrx2u1eVzc5l4xPPaJ46QCo-1czp-caHUSIQP52YQHAWZn-KwUc/s320/DSC_1047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539534711073204354" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT4nHXYA-2s0L6Z5xjecNfgs6Rc8ZfrNEHpfedosWFKcHZUQEBqPOaCriYNYD9yQoJH43_an1urnF5TA8yucVgk0E_Q6Bzlf6AR3LCZPnRjCDr5EOORQswCCPE00Sp_r_KUgubLjhE9w/s1600/DSC_0524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT4nHXYA-2s0L6Z5xjecNfgs6Rc8ZfrNEHpfedosWFKcHZUQEBqPOaCriYNYD9yQoJH43_an1urnF5TA8yucVgk0E_Q6Bzlf6AR3LCZPnRjCDr5EOORQswCCPE00Sp_r_KUgubLjhE9w/s320/DSC_0524.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539535542057061842" /></a>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-79037052312044197362010-10-30T18:10:00.000-07:002010-10-30T18:14:41.972-07:00Some good advice<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sTJ7AzBIJoI?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sTJ7AzBIJoI?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-85354836143298921682010-09-16T18:51:00.000-07:002010-09-16T21:15:18.020-07:00It's just not FAIR!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI3yZEYLPwKp_SXZkHOvWsro9sO90F-vF9CEwIlIqdlm4sLuJ1iDogp4h7y-7N61LHBZ1zvuUgleMaw3QZm7XkS5d0iEqt03v1xjGzE8V5I3oLN3iKp6L1kIWzPKrYG6F2pNrgRTtzn8/s1600/fit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI3yZEYLPwKp_SXZkHOvWsro9sO90F-vF9CEwIlIqdlm4sLuJ1iDogp4h7y-7N61LHBZ1zvuUgleMaw3QZm7XkS5d0iEqt03v1xjGzE8V5I3oLN3iKp6L1kIWzPKrYG6F2pNrgRTtzn8/s400/fit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701820429168690" /></a><br />I have to take a minute this evening and write about my little sob story.<br />I've known for a long time now that life isn't always fair, but COME ON!<br /><br />Tragedy number one. My favorite drink in the world...yanked off the market without warning. No one can say if or when this fizzy delight will ever return to the shelves.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaOd7cblFSZqNWPBcyh3pf7c1k71G2qXlIXObfHHTG5NyAbx1voPL2ymCNUKIQmJfXKn_seozhvS5Ka97uHCmawF8kCg4a89BECz4SB-FXvMjHxOaxG3lp9_acKomDQPoyMY0FHBg6s8/s1600/kombucha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaOd7cblFSZqNWPBcyh3pf7c1k71G2qXlIXObfHHTG5NyAbx1voPL2ymCNUKIQmJfXKn_seozhvS5Ka97uHCmawF8kCg4a89BECz4SB-FXvMjHxOaxG3lp9_acKomDQPoyMY0FHBg6s8/s400/kombucha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700570285224178" /></a><br /><br />Tragedy number two, I just learned about today. While trying to order my favorite fragrance in the world online, I see the words out of stock...fine. I resort to my brother who lives in New York City. Yay he got me one of three bottles left on the shelf, Boo Karma is being discontinued...FOREVER! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9xOfFTKpXXDx5viSyqSfQKnryEBt9k04N9fzgcrpejMGal02Ab1AyiiJIItuZQ2FxS7LVhrBdsRBTSwWIGO8_bTuUdK84O2ZqwNqoqz7XZE_gHFtnKb_OGfsN2inHdH16aKu37BXEoo/s1600/perfume.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9xOfFTKpXXDx5viSyqSfQKnryEBt9k04N9fzgcrpejMGal02Ab1AyiiJIItuZQ2FxS7LVhrBdsRBTSwWIGO8_bTuUdK84O2ZqwNqoqz7XZE_gHFtnKb_OGfsN2inHdH16aKu37BXEoo/s400/perfume.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517719265648286706" /></a><br /><br />This madness leaves me wondering what is next!MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-16457221283407268102010-09-12T19:54:00.000-07:002010-09-12T20:28:22.441-07:00Spread the love!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIJVPXQx9TXTX_ScHe0YetDfA08LUzGJBnmjkMTDpy41cMn3Tv3HGPywhSlqd0V77oHv9hkPJ0ObnOpG__8Q0XXa2KtqQDlkunnXG9Tg21MYbQDrAur0A7XVAVtZley1PGojRM-ueRAo/s1600/mangos.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIJVPXQx9TXTX_ScHe0YetDfA08LUzGJBnmjkMTDpy41cMn3Tv3HGPywhSlqd0V77oHv9hkPJ0ObnOpG__8Q0XXa2KtqQDlkunnXG9Tg21MYbQDrAur0A7XVAVtZley1PGojRM-ueRAo/s400/mangos.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516234257752542674" /></a><br /><br />I have come across this recipe...it is simply too good not to share. Over the summer I fell in love with Mango's, I couldn't get enough of them (until I started buying the ginormous ones from Costco), and then I didn't know how to get rid of them. Luckily I stumbled onto this baby... a dessert that I could never quite replicate until now! Enjoy!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thai Mango Sticky Sweet Rice</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup uncooked sticky rice (Jasmine or sushi rice works)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1-2 ripe mango's, cut into slices</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 can coconut milk</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 tsp salt</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tsp coconut flavoring</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tsp vanilla</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbsp water</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Prepare the rice as directed on the package. In a saucepan combine the coconut milk, brown sugar, salt, coconut flavoring, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. (Don't bring to a full boil or you will loose the good coconut flavor) Add the dissolved cornstarch and stir until thickened and smooth and then remove from heat.<br />To serve, spread a layer of rice on a plate. Pour coconut sauce, and top with sliced COLD mango's.MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-75543703028567688402010-08-21T15:44:00.001-07:002010-08-21T19:13:20.959-07:00On the road again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWqWpf5qb-JpNLzeKflcbuK3SZZsemV2arsEJHIE9oIkGEHa6ZJrSVL8s8C3Ef4ACKVM-ISsye0oMqBQgb9VEV5htCoQ_zkKr2XzNrwSCZAORVGso9z3OXc7XjEDecSKOPNCUyKLz6WY/s1600/colorado+sign.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWqWpf5qb-JpNLzeKflcbuK3SZZsemV2arsEJHIE9oIkGEHa6ZJrSVL8s8C3Ef4ACKVM-ISsye0oMqBQgb9VEV5htCoQ_zkKr2XzNrwSCZAORVGso9z3OXc7XjEDecSKOPNCUyKLz6WY/s400/colorado+sign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508007518758948194" /></a><br /><br /><br />This year (the year of 2010) I was looking forward to having a summer that was made up of simplicity and stability...last summer was amazing...I would love to, am planning on, and can't wait to do something on that grand of a scale again; however, it was nice staying close to home and letting our roots have a chance to take hold. There is one week during our summer though, that is particularly popular for everyone in the household, and this year was no exception. Mike and I send the boys packing to Overton, NV (my dad's house...they LOVE and look forward to it) and Mike and I go on a trip for about 10 days!! Year one was Italy, year two was Alaska *kids in tow, and this year we chose Colorado. Weird I know...Indonesia or Colorado hmmm that's a tough choice...but yes, Colorado it was;)<br />Mike and I went on a short road trip there about four summers ago, and spent a few days exploring ghost towns, hiking around the Maroon Bells wilderness area etc.. If you are into checking out old mines, beautiful scenery, breathtaking views, and soaking in the Alpine fresh air, Colorado is in abundance, and so we decided it needed to be revisited and we needed more than just a couple of days. Other things were on the agenda as well, such as Mike's favorite childhood restaurants Casa Bonita and Beau Jo's pizza, his uncle Bob, the infamous Crystal Mill, the Delaware Hotel, our now second favorite city in the U.S.(Leadville which got beat out by Silver Plume while we were visiting), and the chipmunk feeding frenzy. <br />We explored, visited, revisited, ate, and hiked our brains out while we were there. Colorado is interesting, historical, beautiful, and has the best summer thunderstorms (which are a rush when you are in a tent, alone in the mountains!) My favorite spot is definitely St. Elmo. I could spend hours sitting, adoring, and feeding the swarm of cute, greedy little chipmunks that will jump in your hand, on your head, and in your bags to binge on sunflower seeds. *Beware of the evil squirrels...they are aggressive and they bite hard! We had a great vacation...most of which felt like a vacation. <br />Rejuvenated and recharged I am anxious and ready to bid farewell to summer and welcome the fresh breath of change that fall brings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi794o07k_HrzkBLYEDooc_5JtPgj6bmCRpFhWhf8H1djtwMYZmorkjQKeCJixLq2PPk99qVgaUz8hT0CvHGfUsR-aLv-3eGeDWDB0FAJKGiTkNqPpGSlSlYEJ0QPgy_O7h5DJg4NrUM10/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi794o07k_HrzkBLYEDooc_5JtPgj6bmCRpFhWhf8H1djtwMYZmorkjQKeCJixLq2PPk99qVgaUz8hT0CvHGfUsR-aLv-3eGeDWDB0FAJKGiTkNqPpGSlSlYEJ0QPgy_O7h5DJg4NrUM10/s320/IMG_0553.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508044753894853922" /></a><br /> *Most beautiful/grueling hike to date<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyotiYt8KpbCTH_oSyX43tX9zunRtlYF2b9QkcQnzvTxhK6gGfZDMixluJvBc6k2nqWxpeR-2zFj-wl7M5bu4xGUxDwvDXY5raY5pnl5LyFXQbUPT0PmJzHc1sSo1mfWcKOvuR3CHPvM/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyotiYt8KpbCTH_oSyX43tX9zunRtlYF2b9QkcQnzvTxhK6gGfZDMixluJvBc6k2nqWxpeR-2zFj-wl7M5bu4xGUxDwvDXY5raY5pnl5LyFXQbUPT0PmJzHc1sSo1mfWcKOvuR3CHPvM/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508047212700291106" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQavESxPU1w7kWMtMxq6ntjgM_ceXY4R89oxaYERoBr8R0WBrBy69kh0D6vGaTl_s1pGF9PTdYwB6PUiL8A0x5U-4_yxtbYthnGOxqUD9PW8TgqJS5Tsrm8YpNqE0dTGZ7c4frPKJMP4/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQavESxPU1w7kWMtMxq6ntjgM_ceXY4R89oxaYERoBr8R0WBrBy69kh0D6vGaTl_s1pGF9PTdYwB6PUiL8A0x5U-4_yxtbYthnGOxqUD9PW8TgqJS5Tsrm8YpNqE0dTGZ7c4frPKJMP4/s320/IMG_0597.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508043658893832498" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b5NNuAxTV2i8B4GgqN-JXEoGWcJ_mRGtj0i7Ko-v7_3fIAmTwKgODzwAbQalYor4F3BoHqgw9Ge0tX9HU-DKfTKI4I5RVdhPUXh-cvx_A0Zlc3tdD6C1i6pXjW_N7CQvwhYbp9OKbgI/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b5NNuAxTV2i8B4GgqN-JXEoGWcJ_mRGtj0i7Ko-v7_3fIAmTwKgODzwAbQalYor4F3BoHqgw9Ge0tX9HU-DKfTKI4I5RVdhPUXh-cvx_A0Zlc3tdD6C1i6pXjW_N7CQvwhYbp9OKbgI/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508046747589866130" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvzr49eyHV2ruf1SOQxW-RgIepKFB6vWXFQdXrCO1vcpf85Gpeqz7lXYN0nSOXr02U8MC-qIAGbY7TM5kSHplnhqTJ87RVwgnQ5S6jTMKQ2nzTD1Od3VJWzqk4P1yBTs_PNyWAnc4LB8/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvzr49eyHV2ruf1SOQxW-RgIepKFB6vWXFQdXrCO1vcpf85Gpeqz7lXYN0nSOXr02U8MC-qIAGbY7TM5kSHplnhqTJ87RVwgnQ5S6jTMKQ2nzTD1Od3VJWzqk4P1yBTs_PNyWAnc4LB8/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508046137850011506" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsBGPhqg5CO-g-2tiqtZy3ZjekFLu_P4gNxkGUlBh2L9ULNTHQO5xB_-jK_jYtxPMAc89DeoM1vEZfDdjoFaCKkqI1pLpxheTid_Oggtw6KHTX0cw0n5bu8glxx1l-dI4L42_w56FbrI/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsBGPhqg5CO-g-2tiqtZy3ZjekFLu_P4gNxkGUlBh2L9ULNTHQO5xB_-jK_jYtxPMAc89DeoM1vEZfDdjoFaCKkqI1pLpxheTid_Oggtw6KHTX0cw0n5bu8glxx1l-dI4L42_w56FbrI/s320/IMG_0698.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508049000201569522" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGz1fp__JZK84uxTD_ef_PqygsNbmBjAHAYirVl1pt70V2BbY-eaCrAjSihpQCTTfv_StNYEkZ-CpQKy_KgkczOJRs3rfa1fPw6U21RiX_ESrjLYxE8O9j3k8EUsrVznU0L7J7kZxXzQ/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGz1fp__JZK84uxTD_ef_PqygsNbmBjAHAYirVl1pt70V2BbY-eaCrAjSihpQCTTfv_StNYEkZ-CpQKy_KgkczOJRs3rfa1fPw6U21RiX_ESrjLYxE8O9j3k8EUsrVznU0L7J7kZxXzQ/s320/IMG_0590.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508048380456885794" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRKHk5pDMbSZsX60K1nLeBJOW4b45kzHxZDjV_UDoy18MZhTSwXC5_zSTX-sT5SkWnITfgzB2CaVT0-DxUgMFMYtMUZze2y53WK2ubJwTI0dItNt8lX7LGDU_Szn-9Mh-LQqhOxGeWSg/s1600/blog.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRKHk5pDMbSZsX60K1nLeBJOW4b45kzHxZDjV_UDoy18MZhTSwXC5_zSTX-sT5SkWnITfgzB2CaVT0-DxUgMFMYtMUZze2y53WK2ubJwTI0dItNt8lX7LGDU_Szn-9Mh-LQqhOxGeWSg/s320/blog.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508049873076036850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6Yr5Kan98pnoOz2Dns2XideUGTgmcUjvL06wyCeyJP0qVilpOLERQJ14X4pMxQlIfftkDA85lSp26ZJJvqWO_7ShWv8iOvKTA5s1B2K7iB8LgFu3nYL2_00LIexBjffjEIwW0cSY6-s/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6Yr5Kan98pnoOz2Dns2XideUGTgmcUjvL06wyCeyJP0qVilpOLERQJ14X4pMxQlIfftkDA85lSp26ZJJvqWO_7ShWv8iOvKTA5s1B2K7iB8LgFu3nYL2_00LIexBjffjEIwW0cSY6-s/s320/IMG_0735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508049867622940002" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmeZYgLZUWKt9XnW4XPr_VbhO7jexJdsLlH46r9rFIN10CBUPU_t1MtFECILLs0VJtYypUpW6cuxmVSA1w6VSXN_lXW6xC7OOsTxa4KI7dXxt2UFkYN7QCSR72gqOyVTJeMpwe7zT7H8/s1600/blog.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmeZYgLZUWKt9XnW4XPr_VbhO7jexJdsLlH46r9rFIN10CBUPU_t1MtFECILLs0VJtYypUpW6cuxmVSA1w6VSXN_lXW6xC7OOsTxa4KI7dXxt2UFkYN7QCSR72gqOyVTJeMpwe7zT7H8/s400/blog.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508041122075431970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcf3iLsZgxvBkYgijSI6UApx52L07XC79krKbC7jgZT3uV09JaOcWaBekZlQXz84xI5Wqb8R4fwgZTZ73K3iagdRyA7-Ta-PVLSArMkDkwFO_n6OSvs50784p3EpYO_h0eqIhr_kvJU0E/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcf3iLsZgxvBkYgijSI6UApx52L07XC79krKbC7jgZT3uV09JaOcWaBekZlQXz84xI5Wqb8R4fwgZTZ73K3iagdRyA7-Ta-PVLSArMkDkwFO_n6OSvs50784p3EpYO_h0eqIhr_kvJU0E/s320/IMG_0693.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508041650755315234" /></a>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-42460132028441064832010-07-24T16:36:00.000-07:002010-07-25T15:46:52.656-07:00A room with a view<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lLRK-hItt9g3CUHOExo7Vw8Adw-09NfaaDRGbEKo9PUW4dW3J8DaAYdPSgEWXuPCCX25VR2YygpvIpU7HiWI8QG321DUQDFPR-Ujc3pMiFJMSDW_yxXgXryIOPfQyNQ4nV4tqlHdX4k/s1600/potty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lLRK-hItt9g3CUHOExo7Vw8Adw-09NfaaDRGbEKo9PUW4dW3J8DaAYdPSgEWXuPCCX25VR2YygpvIpU7HiWI8QG321DUQDFPR-Ujc3pMiFJMSDW_yxXgXryIOPfQyNQ4nV4tqlHdX4k/s400/potty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497958083558139794" /></a><br /><br />This past Thursday we(Mike, Kristen, Creighton, friend Daxton, Karac, cousin Parker, and Caiya) hiked Mt. Timpanogos. Just for the record... it was HARD! I thought I was pretty close to being in the best shape of my life, and what really happened was I think I got my rear end kicked! That's OK though, because it was beautiful, the wild flowers were in full bloom, we hung out with the mountain sheep, and my boys got to experience something that hopefully will become a cherished memory for them, (when they are older, much older) even though they both said they hated it and will <span style="font-weight:bold;">never, EVER<span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span></span></span> do it again.<br />I was excited about this hike and very much looking forward to it. I can only now assume this is because I did this same thing about three years ago and what stuck in my memory, is a state of grace and a feeling of immeasurable accomplishment. How valuable it is to be reminded... Just as with many cherished memories, most of the fine details get lost with the gift of time (i.e. the pain and suffering we sometimes must endure, to reach most of the world's and life's summits). Time performs it's magic and what we are left with are warm fuzzy feelings, and great photo's that give us wonderful happy memories!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OPIl84P8LmiU1TL3UTePlSNLaDXMwh3C9MTHa8erD9Bcp7JSAOkQv1dW_neiWN4k7cwKxW_yblWUIxcyE09TLQ5vpv03T5XZcGkoJGVm9QkZyei9cf2CeZqKyfp3U19VW22mDpuhT0E/s1600/blog+shot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OPIl84P8LmiU1TL3UTePlSNLaDXMwh3C9MTHa8erD9Bcp7JSAOkQv1dW_neiWN4k7cwKxW_yblWUIxcyE09TLQ5vpv03T5XZcGkoJGVm9QkZyei9cf2CeZqKyfp3U19VW22mDpuhT0E/s320/blog+shot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497968976620046242" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictwRhbVnNSJptR2qO5qLJ5OrcvLsjfIFFXcZE6FE2PwzJ_zXkcFcUEL74w8Z-30pUatZiFWL4HYdUmPQgK3X0ll55MW3jaqd1Q64prTUOUVqQYSyId-xdA-OHvx-yFeo0r0n6rpGXDBA/s1600/Blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictwRhbVnNSJptR2qO5qLJ5OrcvLsjfIFFXcZE6FE2PwzJ_zXkcFcUEL74w8Z-30pUatZiFWL4HYdUmPQgK3X0ll55MW3jaqd1Q64prTUOUVqQYSyId-xdA-OHvx-yFeo0r0n6rpGXDBA/s320/Blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497966771438494370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfH7iz37cHXIMZ3sTLiLsIX16gYDjjXcyhJoG8wjX2bNbViAeBL1dwpfu1RYtG2MZEizb_pw1SS9Qeu4DjSwqGesl7zB9K5beSQCMA2jBJnHBFaOXA9Ul11szp6TxwxCAW4KGVx6RHU8/s1600/blog2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfH7iz37cHXIMZ3sTLiLsIX16gYDjjXcyhJoG8wjX2bNbViAeBL1dwpfu1RYtG2MZEizb_pw1SS9Qeu4DjSwqGesl7zB9K5beSQCMA2jBJnHBFaOXA9Ul11szp6TxwxCAW4KGVx6RHU8/s320/blog2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497967110973857330" /></a><br />(Notice the thrill and excitement displayed in their expressions)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBAY6oXqznG53I8IBSHj0fA65rlpF4aZ4F9JyFj-BAI5QTAY_wnaY4efp9JK3NCbTrLPn1L4DPbG-sb0MdCL0nIGPNN-mPyg_IpWk19OYjxXg3HzRFmegX_gtUXz03mTsQyr9WJerBnQ/s1600/room+with+a+view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBAY6oXqznG53I8IBSHj0fA65rlpF4aZ4F9JyFj-BAI5QTAY_wnaY4efp9JK3NCbTrLPn1L4DPbG-sb0MdCL0nIGPNN-mPyg_IpWk19OYjxXg3HzRFmegX_gtUXz03mTsQyr9WJerBnQ/s320/room+with+a+view.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497967992627867106" /></a><br /> (View from the restroom is fantastic!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuUox6Ev60Iyt9aujFhdv5q27L3nnCvXzloBOlcZp-AgCVmRU1i7xKFk0l2x0lVWODYVNaDluYrlYqPxjQHyYnc2yoecxu9MjCD3TjVgBsNv1lc7lwhxx-_qsZuyhebQbv4V3QQMUSlo/s1600/IMG_0047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuUox6Ev60Iyt9aujFhdv5q27L3nnCvXzloBOlcZp-AgCVmRU1i7xKFk0l2x0lVWODYVNaDluYrlYqPxjQHyYnc2yoecxu9MjCD3TjVgBsNv1lc7lwhxx-_qsZuyhebQbv4V3QQMUSlo/s320/IMG_0047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497969333262720066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxlE3K3q4po1vkJjfy9WGEvyhxB-rAHyDn22QZkuxZHojZQlyFiQ_F6Y-YTnGSc7DRXPx1mJhpNhY54g-kMjD-61P6O3D6-IdkQ8kPJBpfLhCloWS5H3WKcuQhEC9oGpUpbOfu_lAA8w/s1600/Sheep1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxlE3K3q4po1vkJjfy9WGEvyhxB-rAHyDn22QZkuxZHojZQlyFiQ_F6Y-YTnGSc7DRXPx1mJhpNhY54g-kMjD-61P6O3D6-IdkQ8kPJBpfLhCloWS5H3WKcuQhEC9oGpUpbOfu_lAA8w/s320/Sheep1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497969842226866754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHesSLb9RwEvAw6OWwDig5BPVW6Mt-7zvr2wUOvCFqkm8oA2aVgnP5m_IFXSE4w1dSlZJ3MXXk5RySj7eh6yv2F-sLXeR-TxlnYpMmR-Zdgp2xwxMjQY4FVvVN2P9YFuFxUANZrkmRKGI/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHesSLb9RwEvAw6OWwDig5BPVW6Mt-7zvr2wUOvCFqkm8oA2aVgnP5m_IFXSE4w1dSlZJ3MXXk5RySj7eh6yv2F-sLXeR-TxlnYpMmR-Zdgp2xwxMjQY4FVvVN2P9YFuFxUANZrkmRKGI/s320/IMG_0076.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497970230034777986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChstwDt7ScNwDI4tcUvhTjT15uFwrEdclLG3WG0h_3vsZFTKeK3idWSPizFkklgNoIXxmUydkQEhUNtp2rI9sxzpZQ-9U3qrpUrGRDq3oY431MeBIjA1rY2jLLuKPcMGv_AY1pBAengs/s1600/beautiful.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChstwDt7ScNwDI4tcUvhTjT15uFwrEdclLG3WG0h_3vsZFTKeK3idWSPizFkklgNoIXxmUydkQEhUNtp2rI9sxzpZQ-9U3qrpUrGRDq3oY431MeBIjA1rY2jLLuKPcMGv_AY1pBAengs/s320/beautiful.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497970542000397026" /></a>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-1281573081564361472010-07-18T19:22:00.000-07:002010-07-18T22:13:45.295-07:00The Countdown!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0UZ1rm7l0w4pX0UnW4MYxnSjMh4t9b5AfwG1lM4ZCda0in9GVQQqvXQzagQ7s8p-EqVO18CaD8kCZBDV4wVoTQVLf0nNSxez8FZ2q75VPZpSiZTiJPawIbe5TY0S3qzn1YDKLk3y9LM/s1600/Picture+904.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0UZ1rm7l0w4pX0UnW4MYxnSjMh4t9b5AfwG1lM4ZCda0in9GVQQqvXQzagQ7s8p-EqVO18CaD8kCZBDV4wVoTQVLf0nNSxez8FZ2q75VPZpSiZTiJPawIbe5TY0S3qzn1YDKLk3y9LM/s320/Picture+904.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495476631420386258" /></a><br />I'm not sure how I feel when I say this, but in approximately one month, summer as we know it is over and it's back to school for Creighton, Karac and I. Where does the time go?! This summer has been extremely chill if you compare it to last, but in our household, "chill" doesn't mean we are lounging around the house eating otter pops in front of the t.v. As I am writing this, I feel a sense of urgency... we have to get our game faces on, and prepare for some serious adventure before all some of us have to look forward to is textbooks and homework;( (I really love school though and am a little excited to get back into my studies.) <br />We had a blast in Jackson (Mike nailed that trip in his blog), the boys and I spent a week in Garden City (Bear Lake) with my madre, brothers/sister/nephews and niece. Bear Lake entails 1 large house, somewhere around 16+ tenants, puzzling into the wee hours of the morning, boating, biking, more puzzling, rope swinging, motorcycling, and so on. <br />Although it's only mid summer, sadly the end is in sight. Luckily Mike and I still have our "big trip of the summer" coming up in a couple of weeks, and enough overnighters planned, to appease that ever insatiable appetite for adventure...for now. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTyC_2Bx0aQnQDUo2PHECw4ol2v8LmrSFQ3bh3XmcDzmqOZ6oXwFPimYf-OZEKm-tvPqeMQjJZaaOpu4xd_ELuQ5Zj5W-ewaJQWgr5PmHUQVxcam0LGZRzv22sLU05iTiYEjbTpcQNqo/s1600/Picture+1070.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTyC_2Bx0aQnQDUo2PHECw4ol2v8LmrSFQ3bh3XmcDzmqOZ6oXwFPimYf-OZEKm-tvPqeMQjJZaaOpu4xd_ELuQ5Zj5W-ewaJQWgr5PmHUQVxcam0LGZRzv22sLU05iTiYEjbTpcQNqo/s320/Picture+1070.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495479224237577410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCJF2e9LxDfMKnwyGV61EKN9qeTEYfQLQOEyAq7hyk9ZEpUSRottsd-mrU073Vrnc4d0wkR8Te5Stc22742Nytn974Z3Cq_j1hV0FU4k5MCKu8uAv1lDOR2i3YFzYnJSkaYBVPgKrznU/s1600/CIMG1804.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCJF2e9LxDfMKnwyGV61EKN9qeTEYfQLQOEyAq7hyk9ZEpUSRottsd-mrU073Vrnc4d0wkR8Te5Stc22742Nytn974Z3Cq_j1hV0FU4k5MCKu8uAv1lDOR2i3YFzYnJSkaYBVPgKrznU/s320/CIMG1804.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495479023408301314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RRYpjWz59vvn2qYdZbR5WigiMjGncctPGTB2mHW0aVhWyi-Uy6kqGy7IFulTZJb8I2np6GR3IORzvAgxqjxXNqsAVIU3IAXs48EXUErLagWdz7llHexzweaY-vmvGTFGqjia0gYY-yw/s1600/Picture+1119.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RRYpjWz59vvn2qYdZbR5WigiMjGncctPGTB2mHW0aVhWyi-Uy6kqGy7IFulTZJb8I2np6GR3IORzvAgxqjxXNqsAVIU3IAXs48EXUErLagWdz7llHexzweaY-vmvGTFGqjia0gYY-yw/s320/Picture+1119.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495478059403548610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1wQhL4IMR7mQQ9CifK7dnnVscC2GUkQD6YL4b-hWZ5ZUIfOP2isMQBH9DcYiAg04yHpGezCymFXEYjbUslqYB7nH85ccXmviYxTXhN-cbSMN7vd-SW1kBfPV4XNebZnSjtvi5NEI8PA/s1600/Picture+1044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1wQhL4IMR7mQQ9CifK7dnnVscC2GUkQD6YL4b-hWZ5ZUIfOP2isMQBH9DcYiAg04yHpGezCymFXEYjbUslqYB7nH85ccXmviYxTXhN-cbSMN7vd-SW1kBfPV4XNebZnSjtvi5NEI8PA/s320/Picture+1044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495477484152758242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIZlSawwtCplU2ymSZRuKjyjTHzKEIU8_mV5mgQbR-e6-qXy9w6H3aYt28nk5EK5evOXwUgq7pDq20Ca2GlNnvqp-ty88kpcRuzdMHuyrNfyhBWu9G6L5eSy6POKq1-Vbyr42RpAOFvQ/s1600/CIMG1742.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIZlSawwtCplU2ymSZRuKjyjTHzKEIU8_mV5mgQbR-e6-qXy9w6H3aYt28nk5EK5evOXwUgq7pDq20Ca2GlNnvqp-ty88kpcRuzdMHuyrNfyhBWu9G6L5eSy6POKq1-Vbyr42RpAOFvQ/s320/CIMG1742.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495477288044629810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXypfJpaJot2FXT2FtiqR6O8AtLqpHUTai-o3SkabYYILu2AFYv6XCHBPB3plw2E3w-9DJAHVpQAh6EhgPeo-yZBbw9ImOJ0Yy0fMPI4ApqZSDQK7qz0U4b4x2xzJ7m9gNdAGPGW_fZ5I/s1600/CIMG1740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXypfJpaJot2FXT2FtiqR6O8AtLqpHUTai-o3SkabYYILu2AFYv6XCHBPB3plw2E3w-9DJAHVpQAh6EhgPeo-yZBbw9ImOJ0Yy0fMPI4ApqZSDQK7qz0U4b4x2xzJ7m9gNdAGPGW_fZ5I/s320/CIMG1740.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495479865487789282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFS6sneLSBb4p_6KUjBTKTzJllrDKcbSAqKaVE3SqAwg0NlSrVWGA5qydqDAJ1KNkf-ulNNhu5Ea8ecdkhNKfEQ85M-jGY-w_Niidvp1QwmAg1_BGgHoK1xrwYFZW37INlufeMGDnbvk/s1600/CIMG1709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFS6sneLSBb4p_6KUjBTKTzJllrDKcbSAqKaVE3SqAwg0NlSrVWGA5qydqDAJ1KNkf-ulNNhu5Ea8ecdkhNKfEQ85M-jGY-w_Niidvp1QwmAg1_BGgHoK1xrwYFZW37INlufeMGDnbvk/s320/CIMG1709.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495477120467264674" /></a>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-65746247880418426132010-06-24T13:14:00.000-07:002010-06-27T14:14:49.187-07:00un·con·ven·tion·al (ŭn'kən-vĕn'shə-nəl)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOcjmFqfSq5doH2W2DgwysgVwvJJ7JHGB2219G_rRV8qy2Q934eWkZDCJPXt5ibs0DWOAOpoWw6kEnTIzQuwKGL2KTdNbt1jD_9sMw4uGH6ko-rhVHmp9isvcsUYOmaqpmUEJSzc9uA4/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOcjmFqfSq5doH2W2DgwysgVwvJJ7JHGB2219G_rRV8qy2Q934eWkZDCJPXt5ibs0DWOAOpoWw6kEnTIzQuwKGL2KTdNbt1jD_9sMw4uGH6ko-rhVHmp9isvcsUYOmaqpmUEJSzc9uA4/s400/DSC_0076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487554661393518610" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Last summer was the epitome of unconventional...and so while the topic of summer and unconventional are on my mind, I thought I would share. I really miss last summer, not being tied down to anywhere or anything, being in a different and amazing location almost daily, made every day full of wonder and excitement. I realize that everyday can be that way no matter where you are, but being at home in the grind of daily chores, jobs, and other responsibilities, make it a little more challenging. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We do have small and medium scale adventures on the calendar, I think I am just getting antsy. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> One of our options this coming weekend is to partake in a popular summer activity I was introduced to a few years back and is one of many on our growing list of 'unconventional activities'. It is called "one man rafting". This requires a (one per person) $10 single man blow up raft from Walmart (Walmart=mandatory), you, and a river. It's just you and that raft, where you end up and the condition you are in when you get there is all up to you, and your ability to paddle that $10 raft with your arms, solo, down a river, through rapids that hopefully scare you a little/ lot. Where this sport origionated I can't say, but it's one of many activities passed on from Dan Loveridge (who could possibly be one of it's founders) who then went on to teach Mike everything he knows. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If we go, we will go to THE spot...which is located on the Snake river near Jackson Hole, Wy. THE spot is the home of two sets of rapids that are a one man rafters paradise. Big Kahuna the first of the two, can range from being a class II to III rapid, and Lunch Counter the one following, ranges from class II to IV, depending on early or late season. Weather this is safe, or a good idea...I won't comment on, but it is definitely a rush and hours of fun can be had by all, weather you are a participant or just spectating. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> If the Snake river doesn't work out this weekend, we have an awesome backup plan, the destination...Moab, which will include one hut, one four man raft, a river, swan diving off of a medium sized cliff, hippies, and plenty of sunshine. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wherever we end up, I have no doubt</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> that our summer is going to be full of conventional and unconventional fun, and we'll try and capture all of the little bits and pieces of it that we can, so you can catch a glimpse of our version of true down home unconventional fun!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wcroJjLC5bGNu8ufcsi2bfAPi5V056e8EdGFJYGRQfEbcv8iVKnJdIWHRxvAM8TWlvk2tW3SkY57c0ByeNYBhl4D9jPS-_WMZHFN6C9EEoXBZjuFGxwpKpFsuRfjtPhkGVcwREd9fx0/s1600/DSC_0764.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYJI131gh3TSqemWshW-EnZjfyMJVE3-GH_XfF466Px5ryAAHC1C6BW5DTa1-rmZBFNdMJWJuSAXH6TqFPei1c_NnycAosvX5bg0z9kwg8HNxrEKPmrg955i4nWetb0EZhAwSmP3wMKM/s400/DSC_0810.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487562312646071138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpk-WVlSxClOi4e68Otx8SQp8vbTrLL0r3t2-WoK8shhEPt2xBsKnxFADEdIWpRyCWzd1S-faONpAkWim2dr6N0YiiDJauKep0_g5pkJ_mDlKcO2EZg6sTdtqH1NdjApggicDTtY18VY/s1600/DSC_0811.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpk-WVlSxClOi4e68Otx8SQp8vbTrLL0r3t2-WoK8shhEPt2xBsKnxFADEdIWpRyCWzd1S-faONpAkWim2dr6N0YiiDJauKep0_g5pkJ_mDlKcO2EZg6sTdtqH1NdjApggicDTtY18VY/s400/DSC_0811.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487562702769433906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdSyjlfGas2WcEr5_bjf9PKDB6jcvXYg4amFlAgGggkr3kg64mQfh4ek0FGrCeZZqMxxkatl6bp7QsXok0LfLVibQLn-gstJMNAkJJ8uJj6ebaTNdC0Sp56CPGnHXy8g-hyDTFHN_Mo0/s1600/DSC_0815.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdSyjlfGas2WcEr5_bjf9PKDB6jcvXYg4amFlAgGggkr3kg64mQfh4ek0FGrCeZZqMxxkatl6bp7QsXok0LfLVibQLn-gstJMNAkJJ8uJj6ebaTNdC0Sp56CPGnHXy8g-hyDTFHN_Mo0/s400/DSC_0815.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487562947096863330" /></a><br />*Notice: Everyone survived however it was a little traumatic.MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-55610906292982087622010-06-18T07:53:00.000-07:002010-06-18T08:38:31.852-07:00Gratitude<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaj-jv3kVsYAoZpK2liNGI2gEI1gpgQEjHM4DzQr5BBhcu-jsxEo0acoGwSNiz93r1DRokdybGbRmjPzpbUH3r1lXaHVYAHJkIZM0roHh0b4ec0dbpxkxJCk6SzKrpiKWeOxz3ZfU2Co/s1600/sunrise+timp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaj-jv3kVsYAoZpK2liNGI2gEI1gpgQEjHM4DzQr5BBhcu-jsxEo0acoGwSNiz93r1DRokdybGbRmjPzpbUH3r1lXaHVYAHJkIZM0roHh0b4ec0dbpxkxJCk6SzKrpiKWeOxz3ZfU2Co/s400/sunrise+timp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484136344538309762" /></a> The state of being grateful; thankfulness.<br /><div>I experienced this (state of gratitude) while I was out running this morning, which is unusual because of the strong feelings of dislike that I have for running. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude overtook me as I was on my rout down the old white church road, and was drawn to the smell of the early morning, fresh cut hay, and horses lingering in the air, all while running under the shadow of the mountains AND getting to watch the sun come up over Mt. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Timpanogos</span>. I am grateful.</div><div>Kristen</div><div><br /></div>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-13213951702370367492010-06-13T21:24:00.001-07:002010-06-14T08:00:28.269-07:00For the Book of Remembrance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkoHjIZ1CzzLe0epX1Fiz3cbGv0DLAGvDMQTkxDUtAfqjULC3CED-Oc7CDteec5A-niRKVgjD6kog5EvVnBECHTyxIg7N26_FJK3n8wdaeJp9azDcIKeAGUZjXOq-WfdCdVgJySWpFso/s1600/the+one+pier.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkoHjIZ1CzzLe0epX1Fiz3cbGv0DLAGvDMQTkxDUtAfqjULC3CED-Oc7CDteec5A-niRKVgjD6kog5EvVnBECHTyxIg7N26_FJK3n8wdaeJp9azDcIKeAGUZjXOq-WfdCdVgJySWpFso/s400/the+one+pier.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482631765420213314" border="0" /></a> I have to say that even though it was a Loveridge family reunion of sorts (Parents Carl and Donna, five brothers Mike, Jim, Rick, Dave and Dan, five wives, and 14 children) our trip actually felt like a vacation. I am not feeling like I need a "vacation" after returning from this vacation! Although we didn't hike any mountains, raft any class 5 rapids, or bike from Durango to Moab, (typical idea of a good time for a Loveridge) I felt like we experienced a different kind of good time that was chill, unscheduled, unstructured, and RELAXING. Every family got their own condo in the most amazing place right across the street from the beach in Oceanside, CA.<br /> <br /> We kicked off the trip with the world famous Camp Pendleton mud run, which only makes sense that everything we do has to start off big. A 10k with 5,500 other runners, going through reeking mud pits, over 4ft walls, crawling through pipes and more mud pits on your belly, is the only appropriate way to start a Loveridge reunion...it was really the most entertaining run I have done thus far and I hope to do it again. That said, everything after that was pretty chill. Bonfire on the beach, kids content for hours digging holes and skim boarding, seals in La Jolla, more beach, swimming and hot tubing, Old Town San Diego, Disneyland, and a special treat (drum roll) watching T.V.!! (We haven't done that since before we left for Alaska last summer), and Creighton and Karac got to experience a Padres game while Mike and I long boarded to the pier and stuffed our faces ;D<br /><br /> The whole week was a lot of fun, and I have to say that Mike has an amazing family who are ALL fun to hang out with. The sister-in-laws are the best, what are the chances of having four super cool chicks as sisters? It is always a pleasure to hang out with Mike's family and I can't wait to see what the next "reunion" will entail!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7EChDwv1mHYAfhRVsrWOdppsh5QozkRSXlolyKmuA-W2xAO3YQnCOJdU-4PTlaYtVvGzXrpdgsb1TidK19cRfmlkkWQeQJJXotu1qDrCnTJzUl0tX9LTz-tLuP19UmP3Hd4zWS2sfpk/s1600/mkmudrun.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7EChDwv1mHYAfhRVsrWOdppsh5QozkRSXlolyKmuA-W2xAO3YQnCOJdU-4PTlaYtVvGzXrpdgsb1TidK19cRfmlkkWQeQJJXotu1qDrCnTJzUl0tX9LTz-tLuP19UmP3Hd4zWS2sfpk/s400/mkmudrun.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482632533427801410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0RxbkWPvYHzQUCJJ6oRUnwgBvNrXqXzLSJ19wDhsM-dk3OeneUDiIvu24DnuLAUYpFeu50en5RX9NCBk3oR97kTKaTi_ovTOp8mvU5Nkv7mwvh5lJb7CwCNYi8BKWvma72NcIx4k1No/s1600/use+bonfire.jpg"><img style="display: block; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXBys8UDeNq14Ht1E71NDZRADmMsboSQi6KevryiebrDRujrb6or9TgGhJ6LArfhIr8zZWZU4-nw6km3yuDZ3CjyfPk9Vrjgp0f3UHuHCKEj6a4r5wO3KYhap8ChiGTmuFX_ELhvl1Zg/s400/CIMG1567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482633905437041314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyDg5a_2Y8MB2xRpK3xjoqXbded-W85J4G5odvEij0YIyZ851RWRoJ8hxFNq_-WQ5bSyJxefPnOjmJ9yZLCjVJOhb-Q0HFJLzzc4AKWJdHMWe2cv1eYOY8cJ64O9Y34Gl4IfzeAvl0rw/s1600/CIMG1572.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyDg5a_2Y8MB2xRpK3xjoqXbded-W85J4G5odvEij0YIyZ851RWRoJ8hxFNq_-WQ5bSyJxefPnOjmJ9yZLCjVJOhb-Q0HFJLzzc4AKWJdHMWe2cv1eYOY8cJ64O9Y34Gl4IfzeAvl0rw/s400/CIMG1572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482634059987566722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxTjxWzhCqJgK6BXEZhlrOVjvdqm5kRspZCmQbqXKnL7qpnsNGeX7mG_p3PGFwztVL8ZcbJJXu91Kd8GLM4LN_SUForIKmNZUquXDIGtnfwSsl9Z11mIPe5d4MZXcX0p_rnVD-AFTkLM/s1600/CIMG1578.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxTjxWzhCqJgK6BXEZhlrOVjvdqm5kRspZCmQbqXKnL7qpnsNGeX7mG_p3PGFwztVL8ZcbJJXu91Kd8GLM4LN_SUForIKmNZUquXDIGtnfwSsl9Z11mIPe5d4MZXcX0p_rnVD-AFTkLM/s400/CIMG1578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482634184535848082" border="0" /></a>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-90209063402581403372010-06-01T18:51:00.000-07:002010-06-01T19:12:35.662-07:00It doesn't get any better!This put a smile on my face today...;)<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/ErMWX--UJZ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/ErMWX--UJZ4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-85526817325447611762010-05-24T08:53:00.000-07:002010-05-24T09:43:59.280-07:00"Spectacular, Spectacular"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEige-UkZC_bdz9Aajoxy7vSlOJ55rEDONwcYNYABxHC79wMj3sMAJAid3_GG40F5SgcjWIwdI_xNrLuivHQB1J4qiySkcPPtZ2MzBxVfZnLc3ktQicEexl8ethY-B5k-mXzHm0DrXaFAXQ/s1600/DSC_0316.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEige-UkZC_bdz9Aajoxy7vSlOJ55rEDONwcYNYABxHC79wMj3sMAJAid3_GG40F5SgcjWIwdI_xNrLuivHQB1J4qiySkcPPtZ2MzBxVfZnLc3ktQicEexl8ethY-B5k-mXzHm0DrXaFAXQ/s400/DSC_0316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474866534520392546" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Grand Gulch, what can I say except that it is quite grand!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My thoughts were: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>you park in the parking lot, hike in 5 miles, chill for a day, and hike out….It was really more like this: we were driving in a rain/slush storm as we were nearing the trail head, the sun comes out as we are getting our packs on, about to start walking away from the car it starts looking bad again, get our rain gear on, start hiking in the sleet and hail, 15 min. later sunny!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The hike in, was beautiful in a way that I did not expect.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was thinking plain Utah desert, sagebrush, tumbleweed, blah would be the scenery, with the ruins being the only attraction.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On the contrary, for where we were, it was very green and lush, plenty of beautiful wild flowers and trees, and at times you didn’t feel like you were in the Southern Utah desert, it felt more like the mountains.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hiking in was great (four miles), we found the best camp spot ever, with ruins, and some disgusting looking brownish red drinking water , just a rocks throw away!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What could be better?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe not better, but just as good was the cake and (frozen) ice cream Mike packed in with him for Donnas birthday present.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We ate until we were ready to puke (at least Mike and I did), Donna shared her birthday present with us!! (Thank you Donna), and we all hit the sack early for what I have to say was one of the best nights I have slept in a LONG time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am always freezing cold (usually no matter what, where or when) so I brought my -20 sleeping bag, and also my new deluxe, light, extra warm and poufy sleeping mat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I guess I was more comfortable and toasty than the rest of my fellow campers because I thought I heard complaining going on around camp in the morning;) </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The part I didn’t know about was the 12 miles we were going to hike on day two.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I thought all of the sights were right there at mile four when you got there, my bad.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was beautiful, warm, and a joy to be outdoors enjoying the ruins and beauty of the canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We only ran into a couple of people on the trail, but other than that, it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We explored to our hearts content, ate brownies all day long, and had a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even without a heavy pack on, hiking 12 miles is tiring, so we were a little beat when we got back to camp.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mike and I gorged ourselves AGAIN, as we watched Carl and Donna split a pack of Ramen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We shared with Donna, but because of allergies Carl couldn’t partake.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Had another good night sleep, got up, packed and out of there all on schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hiking out was a little harder because it was all up hill, and besides our small detour<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>having to scale a cliff with our packs on to get back on the trail…everything was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I love backpacking and the feeling of knowing I can push my physical abilities to the limits (not saying this was all that hard) however; I am looking forward to our week in Oceanside kickin it on the beach.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">*If you would like a more historical and informative take on Grand Gulch you may want to check out Mike’s blog<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>here <a href="http://mikeloveridge.blogspot.com/">http://mikeloveridge.blogspot.com/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbettas566%2Falbumid%2F5474867618346301345%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-78435952781833370282010-05-17T13:05:00.000-07:002010-05-17T14:05:21.638-07:00Glorious Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fsguides.com/images/grand-gulch-owl1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 166px;" src="http://www.fsguides.com/images/grand-gulch-owl1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>How I have longed for this day. School is out (for me anyway..ha ha) and it is the eve of a mini-vacation, the destination...Grand Gulch. 10 miles of hiking, checking out Indian ruins, sleeping in a tent under the wide open sky somewhere in the desert, no worries about bear attacks, AND getting to try out some of our new camping gear....what could be better? It is the best feeling ever, sorting through all of our gear, loading up the backpacks, and leaving the world behind, even if it is only for three days. <div>Mikes parents are in on this trip, and I hope by now they know what they are getting into when they go somewhere with Mike as tour guide. It should be a pretty laid back, mellow trip and from what I have heard, it is a truly amazing spot. One thing I really admire about my husband, is it's <b><i>almost</i></b> always exciting hanging out with him, because he possesses a special gift of turning pretty much anything into a memorable adventure! </div><div>I have to say that people are missing out...we don't know anyone who, besides Carl and Donna, are brave (or maybe it's just crazy) enough to drop in with us on some of the most amazing adventures.....any takers? </div><div>*Dan and Jonna we know you are definitely down, too bad you live a gazillion miles away;( </div><div>For those of you people that missed out on this one, I will post the amazing pictures that I am sure Mike will take.</div><div>We love you all!</div><div>MandK</div>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-1985880857109406032010-05-05T13:56:00.000-07:002010-05-05T14:15:47.971-07:00Art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://serenasupplee.com/prints/print-gc-gic/images/Standing%20Ovation%2048x44%20e-mail%20file.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 403px; height: 440px;" src="http://serenasupplee.com/prints/print-gc-gic/images/Standing%20Ovation%2048x44%20e-mail%20file.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> <i> I am. I think. I will. My hands. My spirit. My sky. This earth of mine. What must I say besides? These are the words. This is the answer.</i></span></span></span></span><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><i>~Ayn Rand~</i></span></span></span></span></div>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-78690113160263108432010-04-04T17:41:00.001-07:002010-04-04T18:24:20.053-07:00The Great Brain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuVQ7YEJLkpwISc7gi_hlIaJsoxclJseQK74adH2fgyL-kMiWvIMUhCzmDu_f7AxuwDkb0pV0NdCIVZQrtW7tCMEVcs2sjc4v2SqQsL_Zl94wrZEYXBR3fwwopJhjB-9NFK44YxDA7sk/s1600/DSC_0081M600.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuVQ7YEJLkpwISc7gi_hlIaJsoxclJseQK74adH2fgyL-kMiWvIMUhCzmDu_f7AxuwDkb0pV0NdCIVZQrtW7tCMEVcs2sjc4v2SqQsL_Zl94wrZEYXBR3fwwopJhjB-9NFK44YxDA7sk/s400/DSC_0081M600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456449826251233890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_lt96otakHCd8BypTMJprRgB-PbbzLiBIokFYJJp0og5lFsZ6fyABnHzeA3Te3H9H1a_juPMy-DX4z8B_Fuv5s-4qYWXzuZG3Ct0Hu1mqQsQJvI3zSSaKBQ0ZudBBFwX5fsPrecbUow/s1600/DSC_0079M600.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_lt96otakHCd8BypTMJprRgB-PbbzLiBIokFYJJp0og5lFsZ6fyABnHzeA3Te3H9H1a_juPMy-DX4z8B_Fuv5s-4qYWXzuZG3Ct0Hu1mqQsQJvI3zSSaKBQ0ZudBBFwX5fsPrecbUow/s400/DSC_0079M600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456449710439796418" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe8ngMSS9TAH507NQpvuvXAYFlhasL7ho-zxIHOdWr9mOvcMPK8GL5hLoRnlt4DErwGtHm_ajAwH9Jcz5aqj5RCs6Z8IFEWswLEMhk6NXs7tjZTP3S5UL3P2uAYo39yA6MKyuYYWuTsA/s1600/the-great-brain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe8ngMSS9TAH507NQpvuvXAYFlhasL7ho-zxIHOdWr9mOvcMPK8GL5hLoRnlt4DErwGtHm_ajAwH9Jcz5aqj5RCs6Z8IFEWswLEMhk6NXs7tjZTP3S5UL3P2uAYo39yA6MKyuYYWuTsA/s400/the-great-brain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456447113295577890" /></a>One of my childhood heroes was Tom Fitzgerald, aka "The Great Brain". Tom was the main character in a series of children's books written about a family in turn-of-the-century southern Utah. This was a time when Utah wasn't just a place where Mormons lived, but also Indians, outlaws, miners and ranchers. This was a time when parts of Utah had the flavor of the real wild west.<div><br /></div><div>Mom read these books to us when we were kids, and I have read them several times since. Kristen and I read them last year... so did Creighton. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I knew the books were fiction and based on true stories, but I have always wanted to know what was true and what was not. I started the research. It led to a cemetery in Price, Utah where Kristen and I found the grave of Tom and his parents. Wow! This was just down the street from where I started high school! In fact, Tom went to the same school, (Carbon High), decades before I did. He died in 1988. I will always wonder if I ever bumped into him while living in Price. Wish I would have known that he was real and we lived so close so I could have talked to him and heard the stories straight from the source.</div><div><br /></div><div>More info is at: www.findingfitzgerald.com</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-46391486668298588532010-03-21T15:30:00.000-07:002010-03-21T15:31:38.915-07:00Doomsday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE1vK4Ga_u17LWyIRgkhbxLGq4zH123aO4cq_V0GyajC0nSRje58dZNWTWx2H0XpObfn30fcvQZ7t5WAqFhh09HsmuJG-GVui0o2rlez-1ktNPLJAGp5poVza5Vl_ukq9f7NFPL-y-io/s1600-h/DSC_0058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifE1vK4Ga_u17LWyIRgkhbxLGq4zH123aO4cq_V0GyajC0nSRje58dZNWTWx2H0XpObfn30fcvQZ7t5WAqFhh09HsmuJG-GVui0o2rlez-1ktNPLJAGp5poVza5Vl_ukq9f7NFPL-y-io/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451218390075636946" /></a><br />March 20, 2010 (doomsday) came and went, and it really wasn't as horrifying as I had planned. You know the saying, "hope for the best, but expect the worst"... I'm talking about the Canyonlands Half Marathon, in Moab, that Mike and I signed up to run. Mike signed us up while we were in Hawaii, and things always sound better while on vacation, especially in Hawaii where it's easy to get out of touch with reality. Reality was not lost for long, as I started to train for what I felt was going to be the most grueling 13 miles of my life. Needless to say, I trained, I conquered, and I am still alive, AND it wasn't the monster I made it out to be, for Mike, it was a walk in the park. Thanks Mike for being my running buddy! <br />Our mini getaway went perfectly, the weather couldn't have been better, the scenery never ceases to amaze, we got a descent camping spot, best camping gear, and much needed break from the daily grind. I am glad that I have the experience of a Half Marathon under my belt, and I am especially glad I got to do it with my husband who is so supportive;) We also got to do some really fun detective work on the trip, on a subject which is a new passion of Mike's. He's going to write about it, so stay tuned!MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-80031576718777809562010-02-14T15:34:00.001-08:002010-02-14T15:37:47.858-08:00Good Bye Garage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRS9UlJ_0N8mAZYc6XrEIzFQ0uU5YIaZDJ60YBDqbBw2i-B6BUcmpI0CY54I2cpaUxB8piaIsUsoIMvMSyNo1UsD0mmPIqMlOSusA5iG8EGCw3kbLpN3GDzQrnRdhhu4X8cFZR7qN9Kk/s1600-h/Ramp600.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRS9UlJ_0N8mAZYc6XrEIzFQ0uU5YIaZDJ60YBDqbBw2i-B6BUcmpI0CY54I2cpaUxB8piaIsUsoIMvMSyNo1UsD0mmPIqMlOSusA5iG8EGCw3kbLpN3GDzQrnRdhhu4X8cFZR7qN9Kk/s400/Ramp600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438246750266193042" /></a><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><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When we were in Hawaii in December, we were inspired by the ramp in Corban & Meg's carport. So, we built on of our own. It was more work than we anticipated. Wood was donated, pulled off job sites, and purchased for a total ramp cost of $187. Not bad.</div><div><br /></div><div>No major injuries to date.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cfa_2iQZ2zw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cfa_2iQZ2zw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143425712593707806.post-26493372311816927832009-12-27T21:13:00.000-08:002009-12-27T21:50:42.496-08:00Aloha Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5nCWn1CD4C7k9NDp2xUSz1yD0f7FjuTeZCWE95-iAJPG0IDjVOwh8jkjxgE7TkFiog8AcKiDjjn8QOxld6AHn8J1gfwJ6H9qJF9Mv8LNqAeCJtf9k7RJ7ipCkMgqgqbKIzoldg_106Q/s1600-h/pipelogo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5nCWn1CD4C7k9NDp2xUSz1yD0f7FjuTeZCWE95-iAJPG0IDjVOwh8jkjxgE7TkFiog8AcKiDjjn8QOxld6AHn8J1gfwJ6H9qJF9Mv8LNqAeCJtf9k7RJ7ipCkMgqgqbKIzoldg_106Q/s400/pipelogo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420156656121591074" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div>This year Christmas in the Loveridge household came a little bit early. We tend to do things a lot more off the beaten path than most people, and this is how we like it. We had such a blast last year in Hawaii that we couldn’t resist going back. I think everyone in our family agrees that this might be a tradition that will stick. Forget all of the holiday madness that most people deal with; we have opted to do away with gifts (for the most part) and spend time hanging out somewhere awesome, with family instead!</div><div><br /></div><div>We spent eleven days in Hawaii, and if anyone thought there would be time to sleep in, or lie around and be lazy….they would be sorely mistaken. We had things to see and do from the minute we stepped out of the airport, starting with Costco dogs. For anyone who knows Mike and Dan Loveridge, they would know that these two brothers have a special talent for building great adventure plans and finding the unknown hidden treasures, when it comes to entertainment and finding original and memorable things to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>A lot of our time was spent watching surf competitions, one of which is the rare, BIG wave, Eddie Aikau competition. This is rare because the conditions have to be perfect, and the waves have to be monstrous for this event to even go down. On average, these stellar conditions only occur about every seven years or so in Waimea bay, and this year it was on! Soooo for the first two days of our “vacation”, we were up at 4:45am to witness the Eddie, and it was well worth it! It is awe inspiring to see men on surfboards drop off of 40 foot waves, some even in the 60 foot range.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the Eddie, which lasted one day (the first day was a no go), the Pipe Masters was on. More big waves, and more jaw dropping action. A huge part of Pipe Masters is seeing how much free schwag we come away with, and this year it wasn’t easy but Creighton and Karac rocked it. 60+ cans of Rock Star (for Dan of course), 30 Rock Star and Vans hats, 10 pairs of sunglasses, shirts, wallets, stickers, and the list goes on! Each of the boys even brought home half of a broken surf board from pro’s surfing in the competition. The best part of it was knowing that while we were on the beach in about 85 degree weather, it was a bone chilling 9 degrees at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>We also got to go on a few amazing hikes, and hiking in jungle has such a different flavor than what we are used to, which made it all the more adventurous. Mike, Jonna, and I did the infamous Stairway to Heaven which consists of somewhere around 3,992 steps up the side of one of Hawaii’s steep mountains. It is a little bit of a rush because it is not open for public use because of the dangerous conditions, so you have to sneak in early before the guard gets there, and you do some serious bush whacking and scaling tall fences topped with barbed wire, that stand atop a very good sized ledge (some may call it a cliff), just to start the ascent. </div><div><br /></div><div>"The stairway was originally built for the U.S. Coast Guard to allow access to the LORAN radio antenna on the top of the mountain. But the later termination of Omega Station operations also led to the cessation of stair maintenance. Because of this, the stairs became terribly worn and dangerous. So the state later officially closed the stairs to the public in 1987." </div><div><br /></div><div>We spent some time snorkeling at Sharks Cove, swimming in some smaller waves at Waimea bay (which is the boys favorite swim spot). We also had to pay our respects to the buffet at the PC along with seeing the IMAX and catching a couple of mini shows that are put on during the day. The PC (Polynesian Cultural Center) and Pearl Harbor, ended up being about the only touristy thing we did. We didn’t leave the North Shore but once, and we didn’t regret it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hawaii is always a good time, but hanging out with Dan, Jonna, and little B, made it that much better. They made sure we had everything we needed, to have the best time possible, and that we did. B worked especially hard making sure we were constantly entertained when we were at the house or in the car. She is a riot, and we really miss her sweet little smile and silly personality. We covered so much ground in the span of our eleven days in Oahu that writing every detail would take pages, so I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fbettas566%2Falbumid%2F5420123158040050305%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yibqvpEvAq8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yibqvpEvAq8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bu1ALwhBmGI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bu1ALwhBmGI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bFvYUb0mrks&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bFvYUb0mrks&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>MandKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711510362239955829noreply@blogger.com3