tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31574525560100491402024-03-14T04:16:41.305-05:00From suburbiaMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.comBlogger441125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-7965162103534708352013-01-30T17:26:00.001-06:002013-01-30T17:44:29.696-06:00Still Alive<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where were we?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I need to get to my blogsphere but my realsphere seems to be taking over these days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was planing the Disney family vacation and the stress of all things Disney (funny they don't mention that in their advertisements). Things like the bizarre world of Disney pricing (I never, ever feel like I am getting a deal) to the dinner reservation dance of trying to eat not at 3pm or 11pm at night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We decided to pull the kids out of school a week early for vacation, which I have never supported in the past, and will never support again. Instead of a relaxing holiday, my two were continually working on homework and not making nearly the progress with ten times the distraction of being at their grandparents and generally not wanting to do work during Christmas. To top it off, DD in high school returned to a solid week of make up exams and twice the already back breaking homework load as several of her teachers did not give her the correct assignments to complete while she was gone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back home from sunny Florida, and now past semester exams in high school (yeah high honor roll DD and DS), things are settling back to normal. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As for that couponing stuff, 'fraid to say that I haven't been doing much at all for many months. It seems most of the great deals became either lousy or disappeared entirely as new rules came into play which zapped most of the best buys I'd found. Even a lot of my fav couponing website are crickets on deals these days. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm still looking for a new marketing research job so if you know of any place you can hook me up, let me know.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<script type="text/javascript">
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-37976394-1']);
_gaq.push(['_setDomainName', 'blogspot.com']);
_gaq.push(['_setAllowLinker', true]);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-84317984136359238222012-10-01T07:56:00.000-05:002012-10-01T07:56:14.632-05:00Where were we?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh yes, after twenty years in marketing research, my entire department was let go last month. Wow. That wasn't fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've taken a blog hiatus to catch up on twenty years of house cleaning, laundry and home decorating. Fun, exhausting, eye opening. What world is this that there is no one in Costco at 10 am on a Tuesday morning? Where are all the people??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">O brave new world!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stay tuned, for this ex professional lady, life is getting interesting....</span>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-87359493987651976742012-07-31T07:22:00.000-05:002013-01-30T17:46:26.565-06:00Scoliosis update<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We didn't have the best news at our check up last week. DD has been wearing the TLSO (Boston Brace) faithfully (24-7) as directed since February, but her thoracic curve continues to progress at a rate of 1 degree per month. The orthopedist has sent us back to the orthodist to see if we can adjust the brace, or potentially make a new TLSO brace, OR see if we need to use the dreaded Milwaukee brace to stop the thoracic curve. We have to stop it...the closer it gets to 40 the closer we get to spinal fusion surgery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We also have an appointment with the specialist at Children's to see what he recommends, and I am trying to move it up from the current end of August. Every month we continue to gain another degree in curve.</span>
<script type="text/javascript">
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-37976394-1']);
_gaq.push(['_setDomainName', 'blogspot.com']);
_gaq.push(['_setAllowLinker', true]);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-37042968828118891002012-07-30T20:44:00.001-05:002012-07-31T07:17:42.170-05:00Portrait of persistence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Two</b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">hours</b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">a</b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">day</b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">, </b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">every</b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">day</b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">.</b></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5aPfwZsBaeg/UBc4l1ZaT3I/AAAAAAAAEWU/o5ThD1n65yY/2012-07-29_19-11-40_74.png" width="225" /></div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-72056192885710940512012-07-07T20:43:00.000-05:002012-07-09T12:52:18.653-05:00My little supa star<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWnbCLZbf4c/T_sYe2ThO7I/AAAAAAAAEUk/qyRtwX3KPfo/s1600/2012-07-06_16-08-54_530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWnbCLZbf4c/T_sYe2ThO7I/AAAAAAAAEUk/qyRtwX3KPfo/s400/2012-07-06_16-08-54_530.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First chair violin II</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before each piece the children gave a short introduction.</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mSgGC8QyE1A" style="background-color: white;" width="560"></iframe><span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No, this next video is not the Changing of the Guards. My arm was getting tired. This piece is Danza Africana which was William's favorite piece anyway. Try not to get sea sick watching it. Heck, you can't see William in it because he's blocked by a music stand, so just close your eyes and listen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cW0UnzYUMRs" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OiuvKVG-P3E" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then there were the advanced juniors. Kids who at age 9 and 10 had already been playing for 6 years.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OJYdgbdlVyE" width="560"></iframe></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-36951602831242449572012-07-04T15:46:00.002-05:002012-07-04T15:46:27.906-05:00Melting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LydZRYxxnFE/T_Srf-RMJzI/AAAAAAAAETU/Qq12FYcYBUk/s1600/DSC01852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LydZRYxxnFE/T_Srf-RMJzI/AAAAAAAAETU/Qq12FYcYBUk/s640/DSC01852.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">I would like some ice cream. Now.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-47327435648580325662012-07-02T18:24:00.000-05:002012-07-02T18:24:03.987-05:00Dune Goon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BU55HG7JNE/T_ItPMc3hMI/AAAAAAAAESM/3wZk07wTebE/s1600/dunes_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BU55HG7JNE/T_ItPMc3hMI/AAAAAAAAESM/3wZk07wTebE/s640/dunes_01.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">By running up and down this enormous sand dune at <a href="http://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/">Sleeping Bear Dunes park</a> on the shores of lake Michigan, William officially became a Dune Goon. And for the next ten years we will be finding sand in his hair....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-48495644874773547462012-06-30T16:30:00.001-05:002012-06-30T16:35:06.229-05:006 days later summer camp!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Two fast posts in the same day...felt a bit like what we did
once we returned home from Alaska....quick quick get the kids packed and ready
for camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year instead of foreign languages we decided to try an
Art camp, so both children applied and we accepted to Interlochen Arts Camp in
Interlochen, MI. It's roughly a 6 hour drive from here to there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of course I had no idea Michigan was in the Eastern time
zone so that sort of screwed up my timing to get Catherine there for
registration on Saturday. We made it. That's what counts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So in the spirit of short and sweet, here goes Camp: a Photo
Essay. Enjoy!</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb3R98-HVjk/T-9rNlgHcDI/AAAAAAAAEKw/E57dgz2HqNg/s1600/196082_10151048398342429_2096815605_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb3R98-HVjk/T-9rNlgHcDI/AAAAAAAAEKw/E57dgz2HqNg/s640/196082_10151048398342429_2096815605_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Since we were an hour late (curse you time zone change!!!) we were afraid we'd miss check in. But we made it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--s8dada6_y0/T-9rTykz0SI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/skx9_Oc7L-s/s1600/306939_10151048398427429_1474352054_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--s8dada6_y0/T-9rTykz0SI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/skx9_Oc7L-s/s640/306939_10151048398427429_1474352054_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Catherine got decked out in her camp uniform, complete with Intermediate Girls red knee highs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EKeC5K2V9Co/T-9rVLRiGLI/AAAAAAAAEMo/nWAb_XQFvhw/s1600/389079_10151245699123146_196890045_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EKeC5K2V9Co/T-9rVLRiGLI/AAAAAAAAEMo/nWAb_XQFvhw/s640/389079_10151245699123146_196890045_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Those knee highs come in handy during the opening of camp event. (c) ICA</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFqmTk6Kvzo/T-9rb695GfI/AAAAAAAAEO4/Kncg8PQzqIw/s1600/553927_10151050675232429_1592194079_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFqmTk6Kvzo/T-9rb695GfI/AAAAAAAAEO4/Kncg8PQzqIw/s640/553927_10151050675232429_1592194079_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">The girls cabins have graffiti all over them dating back decades. (c) ICA</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pNsKC4pUSh0/T-9rWGWoYYI/AAAAAAAAEM4/SQK8UnWK0ik/s1600/428514_10151048398562429_735647418_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pNsKC4pUSh0/T-9rWGWoYYI/AAAAAAAAEM4/SQK8UnWK0ik/s640/428514_10151048398562429_735647418_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Catherine division is in the trees, across from enormous Green Lake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mb7jHLdAs4/T-9rTbb9M6I/AAAAAAAAEMA/VG5JjoaY7FU/s1600/282980_10151048398777429_889879240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mb7jHLdAs4/T-9rTbb9M6I/AAAAAAAAEMA/VG5JjoaY7FU/s640/282980_10151048398777429_889879240_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">To the far right you can see the girl's waterfront, with dock and canoes etc. The girls are on one lake, the boys on the one across the road.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1nPCQKqShY/T-9rPqsl-yI/AAAAAAAAEK4/uQE71erV4V4/s1600/165833_10151048399992429_1249306800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1nPCQKqShY/T-9rPqsl-yI/AAAAAAAAEK4/uQE71erV4V4/s640/165833_10151048399992429_1249306800_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's William getting dropped off the next day to his cabin. Junior boys wear white socks and blue belts (junior girls wear blue sock or knee highs)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvnfbTAVdEQ/T-9rVkM8dYI/AAAAAAAAEMw/-vf4jFkBD-Y/s1600/403534_10151048400657429_640467431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvnfbTAVdEQ/T-9rVkM8dYI/AAAAAAAAEMw/-vf4jFkBD-Y/s640/403534_10151048400657429_640467431_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">William's division water front, which was right outside his cabin door.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nH553LVmDY/T-9reI3aTtI/AAAAAAAAEPo/ymX-tejzl2Q/s1600/604103_10151048399912429_355192983_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nH553LVmDY/T-9reI3aTtI/AAAAAAAAEPo/ymX-tejzl2Q/s640/604103_10151048399912429_355192983_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are 11 boys in his cabin. Sorry for the blur.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zFgsQKc_9A/T-9rXCi2XgI/AAAAAAAAENM/mFmh3734iL4/s1600/484401_10151048400137429_1735307652_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zFgsQKc_9A/T-9rXCi2XgI/AAAAAAAAENM/mFmh3734iL4/s640/484401_10151048400137429_1735307652_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Step outside William's cabin door and see this. Gorgeous!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iM1NsHcaW7Y/T-9rREUEHfI/AAAAAAAAELQ/XD0zH_iKJjU/s1600/182575_10151048400527429_285717447_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iM1NsHcaW7Y/T-9rREUEHfI/AAAAAAAAELQ/XD0zH_iKJjU/s640/182575_10151048400527429_285717447_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq93YFOm55I/T-9rTohdHUI/AAAAAAAAEMI/0q6Gq9JF2Fw/s1600/283787_10151048400847429_1095672974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq93YFOm55I/T-9rTohdHUI/AAAAAAAAEMI/0q6Gq9JF2Fw/s640/283787_10151048400847429_1095672974_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Junior and Intermediate Boys all eat in their own cafeteria.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbjlgGyXWP8/T-9rS6At7xI/AAAAAAAAEL4/YUIgVNbdBNc/s1600/252726_10151048400317429_439320915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbjlgGyXWP8/T-9rS6At7xI/AAAAAAAAEL4/YUIgVNbdBNc/s640/252726_10151048400317429_439320915_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MozIbNcCS9E/T-9rQMcnraI/AAAAAAAAELA/8d8NfB3prG4/s1600/179921_10151048400242429_684844217_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MozIbNcCS9E/T-9rQMcnraI/AAAAAAAAELA/8d8NfB3prG4/s640/179921_10151048400242429_684844217_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">The boys have a pavilion with Foosball and ping pong (tennis and basketball not shown). William tried playing ping pong another little boy from <i>China</i>. William was, obviously, annihilated.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1jZ1TDg3CY/T-9rdmGKF2I/AAAAAAAAEPg/oVVrtOpPGZQ/s1600/602526_10151048399017429_981530842_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1jZ1TDg3CY/T-9rdmGKF2I/AAAAAAAAEPg/oVVrtOpPGZQ/s640/602526_10151048399017429_981530842_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lots of adorable practice cabins</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnl4GLLcVo4/T-9rQQHhATI/AAAAAAAAELI/WC5I2V5MWEw/s1600/182367_10151048398912429_920943471_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnl4GLLcVo4/T-9rQQHhATI/AAAAAAAAELI/WC5I2V5MWEw/s640/182367_10151048398912429_920943471_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Need to practice your piano? They have some for you to use.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bekeZtCFMhw/T-9rX4kHD8I/AAAAAAAAENg/Dt647817y7w/s1600/523505_10151059658777429_1006816379_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bekeZtCFMhw/T-9rX4kHD8I/AAAAAAAAENg/Dt647817y7w/s640/523505_10151059658777429_1006816379_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pipe organ practice? Anyone? Anyone?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OI1Vm7KrQaU/T-9rdNdwuCI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/8-j71sbzM0k/s1600/575779_10151059657322429_5520509_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OI1Vm7KrQaU/T-9rdNdwuCI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/8-j71sbzM0k/s640/575779_10151059657322429_5520509_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Painting? Ceramics? Metalworking? Fiber? Bookmaking? Textile? Yes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xCl5Dz3KVew/T-9rZLnK0AI/AAAAAAAAEN4/lT5KalDm5IE/s1600/532514_10151048399132429_865285592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xCl5Dz3KVew/T-9rZLnK0AI/AAAAAAAAEN4/lT5KalDm5IE/s640/532514_10151048399132429_865285592_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">The performance venues are amazing.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFuiZ3p78xo/T-9raN2APLI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/Wab2EEujmGk/s1600/540974_10151048399252429_762484688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFuiZ3p78xo/T-9raN2APLI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/Wab2EEujmGk/s640/540974_10151048399252429_762484688_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">The main camp itself is like a college campus. As well it should be. The fine arts boarding school that is here costs $50,000 per year.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />The place is HUGE! There are over 1,000 kids there each session.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oXJzE_1NHNQ/T-9rZ3yo-1I/AAAAAAAAEOI/5I0RdFZlvOA/s1600/539473_10151052955877429_627973640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oXJzE_1NHNQ/T-9rZ3yo-1I/AAAAAAAAEOI/5I0RdFZlvOA/s640/539473_10151052955877429_627973640_n.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do you think they'd let me spend the summer here? I'd totally rock the uniform. I'd look hot in knee socks....</span></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-60636963866035380112012-06-30T10:27:00.002-05:002012-06-30T15:54:43.544-05:00Alaska in photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>We sailed June 6th from Vancouver on the <i>Island Princess. </i>Here are a selection of photos from this trip.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Recap: </b>We took this trip as a family along with John's mother and father. The weather was chilly (50's) and overcast for most of the trip, but then the sun would really come out and it would warm up into the high 60s and low 70s. This was our first cruise on Princess (we'd cruised Disney 7 years ago) and it really is a different cruise/ship and clientele. Primarily people on this cruise were retirement age thereabouts, which we knew ahead of time. The on board entertainment changed nightly and the dancing shows and music were very good. The service was also excellent, and everyone really had a good time. I think the only thing we would change is next time we will book a bigger cabin, or at least one that doesn't require two berths to come from the ceiling. You don't spend a lot of time in a cabin, but it made for tight (but comfortable) quarters. My major concern was sea sickness, but since this was an inside passage cruise, most of the trip was like cruising on a lake with no movement at all. I took Dramamine every day and that worked fine. After the cruise we disembarked in Whittier (Anchorage) and took an observation car to Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge for an overnight and bused the next day to Denali Princess Lodge, and our final day was in Fairbanks, where the sun doesn't set till midnight.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOMRyoNVNwY/T-8bSML-3gI/AAAAAAAADy0/sFhovlQDgQw/s640/DSC_0067.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Getting ready to sail in Vancouver</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eW7c_loIxwc/T-8bO9C8zTI/AAAAAAAADx0/ZBpK0WLD1eQ/s640/DSC_0038.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Kids and daddy exploring the ship prior to departure</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJRQzBNFvWg/T-8bPUrpFgI/AAAAAAAADx8/tVnTS0efvOg/s640/DSC_0039.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The indoor pool</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbLEAC6nvqg/T-8bPp3BbsI/AAAAAAAADyE/ACIvCpglceg/s640/DSC_0043.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br /></a></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-OyGD_od3M/T-8bQMgYRyI/AAAAAAAADyM/lq43H29aa3k/s640/DSC_0044.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Outdoor pool</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQ0RKBzJ4w0/T-8bQVKtRCI/AAAAAAAADyU/xWy0nm6Go6M/s640/DSC_0045.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Jumbotron TV outside for showing movies, but it was too cold really</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2yHod9vKK4/T-8bOGdAwaI/AAAAAAAADxk/beiUgzu9Bhw/s640/DSC_0019.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Provence dining room where we ate dinner nightly. There were two specialty dining rooms on the boat but we did not try those.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvmkX83OrRk/T-8bOS4cvkI/AAAAAAAADxs/D1XuFFaBw3E/s640/DSC_0020.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br /></a></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FA-sKjiyhY/T-8bTJk6KHI/AAAAAAAADzE/BzXEFdyl-Sw/s640/DSC_0072.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Ship main atrium</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhvH_NmZlKQ/T-8bUkZUYNI/AAAAAAAADzc/c9ine54J4Fw/s640/DSC_0076.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br /></a></b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YtMszSzsrm0/T-8bTl7KgOI/AAAAAAAADzM/X09r-v7ZUoE/s640/DSC_0073.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>There was a card room and a library (which Catherine loved). A lot of retired people take the Alaska cruise, so this place was packed with people playing Bridge on "at sea" days.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Orakmr3t7-8/T-8ccZs-n1I/AAAAAAAAEG0/Ztmk6gUDPh8/s640/DSC_0999.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Horizon food court was the main food buffet on the ship and where we ate breakfast and lunch on a daily basis. The food was good.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oz4AQ0KQYds/T-8blgSnwhI/AAAAAAAAD3c/24a8IPhNf_I/s640/DSC_0133.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>By the open air pool there was a pizza place. The pizza wasn't very good. Kind of worse than your typical frozen pizza.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uAStUazJul8/T-8bqWLLnaI/AAAAAAAAD38/1CMOHcYNqrs/s640/DSC_0143.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>There was an ice cream and milk shake stand at the indoor pool, which the kids liked. And of course, old people love the some ice cream.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6C7CKEM3Qfk/T-8bQ1jyo4I/AAAAAAAADyc/PB9Ux0y30b0/s640/DSC_0050.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Another shot of the outdoor pool. We rarely saw anyone brave the water, though it was heated.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3S1RDb_MuSs/T-8bbUAMHBI/AAAAAAAAD04/kAVWVFCiaaE/s640/DSC_0089.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>This is out 4 person cabin with two single beds and two beds that folded out of the ceiling. It made for a tight cabin.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OCrouPIdZns/T-8bbjJNKII/AAAAAAAAD1A/M4g-qv73gcY/s640/DSC_0092.jpg" width="640" /></span></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Another shot of the two upper beds over the two lower beds. Kind of like being at camp</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></a></b></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rt89CSrrdO0/T-8bdICtlFI/AAAAAAAAD1c/dqbRLJ72xTc/s640/DSC_0095.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>It was nice to have a balcony to go out and take pics</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br /></a></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEPjL2F_hB8/T-8bakFFpJI/AAAAAAAAD00/UlIWI9C078w/s640/DSC_0088.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>William got his inner groove on at the sail away party with the other grand moms.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCxuE3Tx-VA/T-8bREur1hI/AAAAAAAADyk/47L-1eLoyo4/s640/DSC_0058.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The kids enjoyed chess on deck</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_G-8WXiJoY/T-8b8C6TEUI/AAAAAAAAD8s/nDuyeFQ3eJY/s640/DSC_0395.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>And shuffleboard</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br /></a></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAYb80aVDAg/T-8bqIdQFmI/AAAAAAAAD34/dCNR_rAlKHE/s640/DSC_0138.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>And the hot tubs and the pool</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRxgGLAMr6k/T-8brhQTNfI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/ccdDbMhcBZ8/s640/DSC_0153.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br /></a></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPB2WMYNh6U/T-8bukn4naI/AAAAAAAAD5A/yCPRF0Jjfpk/s640/DSC_0188.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>There were three kids clubs on board. One for toddlers, one for elementary school age, and one for teens. There were 160 kids out of 2000 passengers, so not many participated in the kids activities. There was something running every hour all day long so if kids got bored, they could drop in for movies, Wii, PlayStation, crafts etc. William really liked the kids club.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>On our trip (7 days on the boat visiting Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay, plus overnights in Denali, Mt. McKinley and Fairbanks) we got to see a lot of cool things like totem pole parks, dog sledding, the Mendenhall Glacier, lumberjack shows, mountains, moose and caribou.</b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9iK4NFPprBs/T-9O6HgwF6I/AAAAAAAAEIY/FmPW3ELfHqI/s1600/DSC_0293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9iK4NFPprBs/T-9O6HgwF6I/AAAAAAAAEIY/FmPW3ELfHqI/s640/DSC_0293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OTgv85rrJQ/T-9OvztPFBI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/07CDQ_s0MuA/s1600/DSC_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OTgv85rrJQ/T-9OvztPFBI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/07CDQ_s0MuA/s640/DSC_0066.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fdAlo11Ilg/T-9OoAuwIJI/AAAAAAAAEII/bR4y8HQc0Jw/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7fdAlo11Ilg/T-9OoAuwIJI/AAAAAAAAEII/bR4y8HQc0Jw/s640/DSC_0244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BS237PEDwqI/T-8cbpKVtzI/AAAAAAAAEGk/drGL7sG4IhM/s640/DSC_0979.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44p_aHevY6Y/T-8ccAEFHgI/AAAAAAAAEGs/JZCeOOWLBjA/s640/DSC_0986.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J47E-bFooBk/T-8caRa72YI/AAAAAAAAEGE/8XQkhnoTauc/s640/DSC_0921.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iX5pcLrmS7E/T-8cZGPTeOI/AAAAAAAAEFk/EIYpaHBP3mk/s640/DSC_0889.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aeb_U5H_Bug/T-8cYQ17IRI/AAAAAAAAEFU/aBSI29PuFnE/s640/DSC_0874.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W2c6x-Wl4qU/T-8cWAbBYoI/AAAAAAAAEEk/u8MsUYMugRY/s640/DSC_0795.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozsUDJF54GQ/T-8cVq3XVgI/AAAAAAAAEEc/Qw-eudJEfjo/s640/DSC_0789.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUTA5K7wn_s/T-8bMPWo4DI/AAAAAAAADw8/RqaiM_w1nq4/s640/DSC_0001+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0tCjhJn4qKA/T-8bMkNVBeI/AAAAAAAADxE/uwCI2MDtcaM/s640/DSC_0003+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXGJknoMTvE/T-8bMxgqWPI/AAAAAAAADxM/R6siJiS8ofo/s640/DSC_0013+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzL4Y1_j3y0/T-8bNrCeHGI/AAAAAAAADxc/Y96sJZ-G4aE/s640/DSC_0019+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoNMIAiDQ-Y/T-8bXrTViVI/AAAAAAAADz8/xiMPvyWVbtY/s640/DSC_0082.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ube-0x16Ns/T-8bZLgqPAI/AAAAAAAAD0c/ZyAV5wgPJYs/s640/DSC_0087+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-AFfYT-zA8/T-8baHXs1kI/AAAAAAAAD0s/ZILT04tzX-U/s640/DSC_0088+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbr7yuMu-xw/T-8bk9vO81I/AAAAAAAAD3U/EZqAUdGX6FA/s640/DSC_0125.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aB5VcUPhcgo/T-8bjKlIZ_I/AAAAAAAAD3E/aKPlJo7-QkA/s640/DSC_0114+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hhxbt4BdjA0/T-8brFhjxAI/AAAAAAAAD4I/UyhM26YA7cg/s640/DSC_0150.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RqTHtqgsxo0/T-8bpm3FSBI/AAAAAAAAD3w/kFnlxohNw8g/s640/DSC_0137.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TAAtH8U9NfE/T-8bsa7Y9HI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/OqbulcM0Zww/s640/DSC_0166.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KonrPNcIvNY/T-8bxN_8glI/AAAAAAAAD5o/cojP41PyJv0/s640/DSC_0201+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZgEQjSgzmA/T-8bvIhxE1I/AAAAAAAAD5I/W2LCi_t7Njk/s640/DSC_0190.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdBonjvSEjk/T-8bwLnfYpI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/JNZAr9VPNAk/s640/DSC_0199+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oz-Z7Py5sqg/T-8buMO5rrI/AAAAAAAAD44/wHKpomAu7yk/s640/DSC_0187.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sn-crpN5XA0/T-8bv2lYJ7I/AAAAAAAAD5Q/X-nM6dOlZXc/s640/DSC_0192.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFnDJsfWB0E/T-8cEcOJpXI/AAAAAAAAD_c/ORJ_bryzbWk/s640/DSC_0613.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXgKkuR8uHg/T-8cFK3ePPI/AAAAAAAAD_s/WjrkAqkuN-o/s640/DSC_0626.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJAI86Pqo9Q/T-8cDJai8LI/AAAAAAAAD-8/Cg9MpS3YhLA/s640/DSC_0527.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDw1492r4LU/T-8b_f-Pp-I/AAAAAAAAD90/IPXi4E26Xvc/s640/DSC_0440.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dINiTqM066k/T-8cAEFNWvI/AAAAAAAAD-E/caXLZJM8HVw/s640/DSC_0445.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6RO7WrEnhgY/T-8b-2DiewI/AAAAAAAAD9s/2JUzaJdOWGU/s640/DSC_0436.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xiVskdgAEp8/T-8cIa_kRfI/AAAAAAAAEAs/hEW4xdSxEck/s640/DSC_0661.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DGcuQ57zG9c/T-8cInrYxrI/AAAAAAAAEA0/OoyfhW2k_S0/s640/DSC_0667.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l42zwkr8Gh4/T-8cHgOWEQI/AAAAAAAAEAc/H99uwHzJsms/s640/DSC_0638.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCiQz_Qsb6o/T-8cLzf0rJI/AAAAAAAAEBo/M_jj1x0t2no/s640/DSC_0704.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmyRqprElno/T-8cOTNs_iI/AAAAAAAAECY/scVAsj5cJyE/s640/DSC_0730.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRR9ne1MqCY/T-8cQvt8U5I/AAAAAAAAEC4/DUJVGM41fNc/s640/DSC_0740.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qfHuRKbqdlM/T-8cRAlEAiI/AAAAAAAAEDE/ivgMH8_dL8c/s640/DSC_0741.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Vbqg3-EVr8/T-8cQPSTJLI/AAAAAAAAECw/qiFJlroOzgk/s640/DSC_0737.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5gNMKkQBqk/T-8cTcCnRYI/AAAAAAAAEDs/xRZgs81kl-M/s640/DSC_0757.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yc59m3IuXkU/T-8cUIWaMkI/AAAAAAAAED8/Povuk_ARJVI/s640/DSC_0760.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_710560554"><br /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">In Fairbanks the extremely long days make for some enormous flowers. Check out the begonia and the peony.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NpSSwAJPdE/T-9nVP3s92I/AAAAAAAAEJg/eLWpsV9YqCA/s1600/545011_10151031071047429_3072289_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NpSSwAJPdE/T-9nVP3s92I/AAAAAAAAEJg/eLWpsV9YqCA/s640/545011_10151031071047429_3072289_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AovSZ2pO2R4/T-9ncDFZayI/AAAAAAAAEJo/dRoHWig2SUk/s1600/526733_10151031072897429_1723213643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AovSZ2pO2R4/T-9ncDFZayI/AAAAAAAAEJo/dRoHWig2SUk/s640/526733_10151031072897429_1723213643_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-1211163444277906402012-05-31T13:58:00.002-05:002012-05-31T13:58:33.218-05:008th Grade Graduation<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In my day, graduating from 8th grade was sort of expected, and not considered a rehearsal for high school, but here they go big or go home. Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vr2NfbtbhI/T8e-b-zX6CI/AAAAAAAADwk/HqAs885TVkQ/s1600/DSC_0233+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vr2NfbtbhI/T8e-b-zX6CI/AAAAAAAADwk/HqAs885TVkQ/s640/DSC_0233+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RObd1-aPbWE/T8e9mxAN8vI/AAAAAAAADwE/uIDFViit1lw/s1600/DSC_0242+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RObd1-aPbWE/T8e9mxAN8vI/AAAAAAAADwE/uIDFViit1lw/s640/DSC_0242+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Proof she is still our little girl</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qImzmnP1-Oo/T8e9nB6G2MI/AAAAAAAADwM/_RSV4bs1nCk/s1600/DSC_0281+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qImzmnP1-Oo/T8e9nB6G2MI/AAAAAAAADwM/_RSV4bs1nCk/s640/DSC_0281+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Waiting to cross the stage</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ8pl0oA63M/T8e9nzJgapI/AAAAAAAADwU/dDzGkdhaDXM/s1600/DSC_0285+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJ8pl0oA63M/T8e9nzJgapI/AAAAAAAADwU/dDzGkdhaDXM/s640/DSC_0285+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Shaking hands with the district superintendent</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Py8rhw7X5Po/T8e9lRp5B0I/AAAAAAAADvs/0b9eERwEHOo/s1600/DSC_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Py8rhw7X5Po/T8e9lRp5B0I/AAAAAAAADvs/0b9eERwEHOo/s640/DSC_0127.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JN96Ss2l7BI/T8e9oeB-lBI/AAAAAAAADwc/SqzzEsiBJb4/s1600/DSC_0288+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JN96Ss2l7BI/T8e9oeB-lBI/AAAAAAAADwc/SqzzEsiBJb4/s640/DSC_0288+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Shaking hands with the principal</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAazPSNxIU8/T8e_AlmyeaI/AAAAAAAADws/ROIBH66DvPw/s1600/DSC_0221+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAazPSNxIU8/T8e_AlmyeaI/AAAAAAAADws/ROIBH66DvPw/s640/DSC_0221+-+Copy.jpg" width="422" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8th grade class of 2012!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-59620780630480200752012-05-04T10:57:00.001-05:002012-05-05T15:57:56.521-05:00New camera insanity<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
We bought a new camera. An expensive one. I even broke my cardinal rule about staying away from evil empires and got it at Costco which meant I had to get a Costco membership.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz5kBeffRlM/T6P4HD_GkQI/AAAAAAAADlI/9RR5bW_sEDU/s1600/25478_D5100_left.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fz5kBeffRlM/T6P4HD_GkQI/AAAAAAAADlI/9RR5bW_sEDU/s400/25478_D5100_left.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
And this sort of freaks me out a bit because they knew my name and email and where I lived and if that isn't a sign of the evilness of Costco then nothing is.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
We got a bad boy Nikon D5100 which makes my old compact Sony digital with its puny 7.6 mega pixels look like a Polaroid in comparison. The Nikon has lots of lenses and settings and big words like "aperture" and "F stop" and I am still trying to figure out where to put the film in it.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Oh wait.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
We tested in out in the house. Here I am running from the kitchen to the dining room and back. Wheee. Well worth the money, no?</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYUTyMgQ0ro/T6P4hDxAoSI/AAAAAAAADlQ/8Z0OSm8ahBY/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYUTyMgQ0ro/T6P4hDxAoSI/AAAAAAAADlQ/8Z0OSm8ahBY/s640/DSC_0123.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note to self, why haven't we bought dining room furniture yet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJfmkQDgAII/T6P5CrNXkwI/AAAAAAAADlY/fNrfGZdkh28/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJfmkQDgAII/T6P5CrNXkwI/AAAAAAAADlY/fNrfGZdkh28/s640/DSC_0134.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What form! What grace!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
And then we tried color sampling where you highlight a single color and it makes everything else black and white. We are so artistic, can you STAND us?</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMe1LWxIo-A/T6P5XLSlh0I/AAAAAAAADlg/UhKYCkr84kA/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hMe1LWxIo-A/T6P5XLSlh0I/AAAAAAAADlg/UhKYCkr84kA/s640/DSC_0146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
And then yesterday we went whole hog WILD and took it outdoors to the baseball game and played with the 55-300 lens (I don't know what that means so don't ask me. I call it the "big lens") for some telephoto shots (listen to me, all photo journalist speak).</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXfTIOC3Zrs/T6P68QVU8NI/AAAAAAAADlw/WDzsyUYJk0o/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXfTIOC3Zrs/T6P68QVU8NI/AAAAAAAADlw/WDzsyUYJk0o/s640/DSC_0215.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6t92ntnydw/T6P6wssHRBI/AAAAAAAADlo/ksC8i8fUKh4/s1600/DSC_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRnLrn3yXBA/T6P7OHSH8KI/AAAAAAAADl4/xiEjZHWg34k/s1600/DSC_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRnLrn3yXBA/T6P7OHSH8KI/AAAAAAAADl4/xiEjZHWg34k/s640/DSC_0333.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XkPH-5N8kN4/T6P7jH9CogI/AAAAAAAADmA/9ECmikXqhuM/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XkPH-5N8kN4/T6P7jH9CogI/AAAAAAAADmA/9ECmikXqhuM/s640/DSC_0287.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
There is a memory card that holds 5,000 photos (no, really FIVE THOUSAND PHOTOS) and so not only will my life be made better by wonderful pictures, I will become translucently paler sitting in my office deleting the 4,500 pictures that I DON'T want because I left the damn thing in Sports Mode.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
Although this one, this one's a keeper.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-liG0ynDTous/T6P8EWRtr4I/AAAAAAAADmI/nf9W22wGnLw/s1600/DSC_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-liG0ynDTous/T6P8EWRtr4I/AAAAAAAADmI/nf9W22wGnLw/s640/DSC_0340.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-5974926387294981932012-04-27T20:48:00.001-05:002012-04-27T20:48:32.543-05:00Pallet of death<div><p>Chocolates hazelnut yummy. There isn't an epi pen big enough....</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cFSn03cx1mY/T5tMbt9EPpI/AAAAAAAADk8/ZOcBHGqfJ90/2012-04-27_11-44-09_174.png' /></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-60882525038016652772012-04-27T14:54:00.001-05:002012-04-27T16:11:09.420-05:00Scoliosis means<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qjvPAm1RHxs/T5r5jymsA4I/AAAAAAAADkw/urDG8S7fiHE/1335556397174.png" width="400" /> </div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
You own more white seamless camisoles than anyone else. Anywhere.<br />
<br /></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-34659449118337917672012-04-26T15:31:00.003-05:002012-04-26T15:31:43.525-05:00A couple of snaps<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
A few shots of the kids in all of their many activities. The school year is winding down now and summer sports are starting up. More to post later, as I've bought a new camera and so have endless excuses to take photos now.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rkQUeHovMM/T5mvsRXfLnI/AAAAAAAADkE/2maypGdSblQ/s1600/DSC01625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rkQUeHovMM/T5mvsRXfLnI/AAAAAAAADkE/2maypGdSblQ/s400/DSC01625.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baseball season has begun for Minor 10s</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fY0i0jKjtCQ/T5mvxCX8XdI/AAAAAAAADkM/VfxXnkJSc9w/s1600/DSC01405+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fY0i0jKjtCQ/T5mvxCX8XdI/AAAAAAAADkM/VfxXnkJSc9w/s400/DSC01405+-+Copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But he'd really rather be doing this. Which he does, for an hour a day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoUxlavsLV8/T5mv4Qy-u_I/AAAAAAAADkU/JME0OMKQcC0/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DoUxlavsLV8/T5mv4Qy-u_I/AAAAAAAADkU/JME0OMKQcC0/s400/IMG_1398.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine turned 13. Bon Anniversaire ma petite fille</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5DeBtUUmyk/T5mwAcMNyKI/AAAAAAAADkc/Swf3wFtHsZ0/s1600/enhanced-buzz-3232-1311957924-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z5DeBtUUmyk/T5mwAcMNyKI/AAAAAAAADkc/Swf3wFtHsZ0/s400/enhanced-buzz-3232-1311957924-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No blog post is complete with a shot of Han Solo. OMG</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-23997728137702003432012-04-03T11:22:00.001-05:002012-04-03T11:22:05.144-05:00Why I love my job<div><p>All the k cup coffee you want. Free.</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-68EZKTWF-OU/T3sjqybdFxI/AAAAAAAADGg/KD18XlHtU7c/2012-04-03_11-19-59_132.png' /></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0Libertyville, Libertyville42.283077 -87.95313tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-23497985254303200442012-03-30T13:10:00.000-05:002012-03-30T13:10:06.718-05:00The quest for shorts<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've never shopped for, ordered (and returned) so many pairs of navy blue shorts in my life. All I needed were elastic waisted shorts to fit over Catherine's scoliosis brace. She had to have short over, not under, her brace so she can tuck in her camp shirt (a requirement). For the $$$$ I am spending on this camp, you'd think they could give me a waiver on this requirement, but as my husband pointed out, we'd be making Catherine more conspicuous as the only kid not tucking in her shirt. And so my quest begun.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Let's count them off, shall we?</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Kohls: no</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lands End: no</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Lands End again: still no (Thank you free shipping!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Old Navy: nadda</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Gap: not even close</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Target: yes, for William</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walmart: Yes</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">YES!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For all that Walmart is Evil, they are very very GOOD when it comes to elastic, navy blue and CHEAP.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">CHEAP!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was looking for boy shorts there (which I nixed because they needed a belt loop for camp--Seriously camp, you are KILLING ME) when I found simple navy blue, cotton shorts with a full elastic waist. For $4.97 a pair.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It gets better.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Online, I found them for 2 PAIRS for $4.97. I cannot make shorts for $2.50 a pair. I can't even drive to the Walmart to BUY them for $2.50 in gas.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">They arrived today. And they fit. THEY FIT. They don't look stupid. They are very comfortable.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am one very happy mommy right now.</span>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-39701499512736396262012-03-15T10:53:00.001-05:002012-03-15T11:56:56.395-05:00Back to school<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's turned out well, thank you very much! We picked up Catherine's brace in February and spent a loooong 5 hours getting it cut down to size. Although the brace was made from a cast of her body, the brace comes out of the mold with room to spare, and there were necessary chopping and bending to get it to fit. NEVER in my life would I have thought this would take FIVE hours, however. And we sat and sat and SAT in an empty room looking at old issues of orthodics magazines and Catherine drained my cell phone battery dry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At first, she hated it. HATED. It was tight. It rubbed. It made it hard to walk. But she persisted to the point where she was wearing it 15 hours a day (including sleeping in it at night). The addition of a foam memory topper mattress pad made this bearable.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We went back after four weeks in brace for an x ray and the orthopedist said her bottom curve was now straight and the top had a 20-30% improvement, which he declared good. The top curve is the hardest to fix. The resulting pushing (the brace has large foam pads inside it) causes Catherine to lean to one side a bit. The doctor told her to try to compensate by leaning the other way. This is not as easy as it sounds.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The doctor also insisted she wear it to school. And so this past Monday was DAY 1 (and it turns out NOT the "worst day in the world"). We got a note excusing Catherine from PE, and we bought her lots of new tops to fit over the brace. So far, so good. Her teachers said they don't notice it. Catherine hasn't complained about anything except it is hot (she is sweating under it despite the obligatory cotton stretch camisole). I'm not sure what can be done about that except let her take it off for a few minutes to change after school. She's encased in a hard plastic shell after all.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Oh, and we named it. We call it "Shelly" and she wants to give you a BIG, ANACONDA hug. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If we can't laugh we'd cry here in suburbia.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kksx46GXRSw/T2IM0TA6UrI/AAAAAAAADD4/H6159P1xcTM/s1600/back+brace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kksx46GXRSw/T2IM0TA6UrI/AAAAAAAADD4/H6159P1xcTM/s640/back+brace.jpg" width="355" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">We came home with this bad boy</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQX4aqGqCLQ/T2IM8Gd3ZcI/AAAAAAAADEA/06MzEET5zFA/s1600/Catherine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQX4aqGqCLQ/T2IM8Gd3ZcI/AAAAAAAADEA/06MzEET5zFA/s640/Catherine.jpg" width="356" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">and promptly went out to buy new clothes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WEG1GJ_ICM/T2IPlEAV4iI/AAAAAAAADEI/NEifPfGcSmk/s1600/2012-02-11_09-05-01_408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WEG1GJ_ICM/T2IPlEAV4iI/AAAAAAAADEI/NEifPfGcSmk/s640/2012-02-11_09-05-01_408.jpg" width="356" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are three large straps that you need help adjusting.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgqMAZZJcKI/T2IPpOSMk_I/AAAAAAAADEQ/f9uJunL71i8/s1600/2012-02-11_09-04-21_154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgqMAZZJcKI/T2IPpOSMk_I/AAAAAAAADEQ/f9uJunL71i8/s640/2012-02-11_09-04-21_154.jpg" width="356" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">From the front. The round cut out on the belly is supposed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: small;">to keep you cool. It doesn't really.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-49812122902047615482012-02-06T14:56:00.002-06:002012-02-06T14:56:18.167-06:00T minus 4 days and countingThis whole scoliosis bracing thing is either going to go just fine or fantastically terrible. I don't see much middle ground in wearing a plastic shell 23 hours a day for the next two years. we pick it up on Friday morning. Wish us luck.<br />
<br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-41720778921211435372012-02-05T12:03:00.001-06:002012-02-05T12:03:54.037-06:00Minor 10 evaluations today<div><p>He is excellent at the violin.</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2tg1yjiLlvg/Ty7EiEptFBI/AAAAAAAAB8s/_mmo7I3rslg/2012-02-04_15-47-29_316.png' /></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-25220628859469781482012-01-28T17:58:00.001-06:002012-01-28T17:58:38.505-06:00You can't go to college 'cause we spent in on vacation<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Alaska here we come!</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">10 nights including tour to Denali and Mt. McKinley. The kids can just get loans for college, right? Right? More details to come....</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RsIUGuVbhmI" width="560"></iframe>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-33720401701118923392012-01-20T20:49:00.000-06:002012-01-20T21:01:11.381-06:00fun fun fun<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hello Mister Blog, where have you been?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My poor crooked kid apparently got more crooked over the last four months, to the tune of a 30 degree thorocolumbar curve. My baby's been apparently growing quite a bit. Unfortunately she's growing DIAGONALLY.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hmmm, says the orthopedist looking at the X ray and marking all over it with rules and protractors, it's time we consider bracing her back so it won't curve any further. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, the first thing I think of when I hear scoliosis bracing is this god-awful contraption:</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8osn0mrGRc/TwiulTBDj-I/AAAAAAAAB74/jbGcPO-uwQs/s1600/AP1%252520Ch8.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8osn0mrGRc/TwiulTBDj-I/AAAAAAAAB74/jbGcPO-uwQs/s400/AP1%252520Ch8.gif" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And do you know, they still make and use this!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Did we not all know one girl in high school who had one of these? Now I know exactly what her mother must have felt. That thing is dreadful. There's no two ways about it. Any thankfully, THANKFULLY, this is not the type of brace I was told Catherine needs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She'll wear what's called an underarm, or Boston Brace. It looks like this:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfsrW2vJ6Is/Twiv2qITkGI/AAAAAAAAB8A/kOUhpthp3HI/s1600/original%252520brace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfsrW2vJ6Is/Twiv2qITkGI/AAAAAAAAB8A/kOUhpthp3HI/s400/original%252520brace.jpg" width="271" /></span></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bye bye $2500 family medical deductible</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-298YTSuUitE/TwiwOpHJGYI/AAAAAAAAB8I/eld5zGJ2dw8/s1600/scoliosis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-298YTSuUitE/TwiwOpHJGYI/AAAAAAAAB8I/eld5zGJ2dw8/s1600/scoliosis1.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She looks thrilled, no?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm told it is worn under clothes and on top of a seamless cotton undershirt, kind of like a stretchy camisole that is long enough to go all the way down to your hips. The camisole keeps that molded plastic bad-boy from rubbing and helps keep you cool. I predict we are going to be spending a lot of time indoors in the A/C this summer. Nothing is more miserable than being encased in a plastic shell in the heat. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had our appointment on the 16th to visit the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the orthodist for the fitting. Catherine forbid me from taking any photos so I only got one shot of the contraption you have to suspend yourself from while they wrap you in a fiberglass cast. Two guys literally shoved her spine straight while the cast hardened, then they cut it off and told us to come back in three weeks to pick it up. Then we went and got pizza. Just a normal day in the Gilbert life.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aBcxl1Lsh0/Txol73HtrYI/AAAAAAAAB8k/ZUBMnYtJF5E/s1600/DSC01237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aBcxl1Lsh0/Txol73HtrYI/AAAAAAAAB8k/ZUBMnYtJF5E/s400/DSC01237.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This gymnastics contraption is called a Risser table. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then Catherine confiscated my camera.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The kids got into their swanky summer camp this week, the one that is going to set me back a cool 5 figures and better send them home as new best buds with someone whose dad owns their own freaking jet. Unlike jet dad, I am trying to get my kids clothes second hand for camp (yes, they wear uniform shirts). My first attempt resulted in a friendly mom sending me a lot for free, but I had to toss most of them because they were completely trashed. Apparently the rich kids all play with bleach there.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zhO9d8Gyqog/Txokgnjz1JI/AAAAAAAAB8c/B29as5HGXJw/s1600/401625_10150599543677429_755942428_10830401_566767015_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" nfa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zhO9d8Gyqog/Txokgnjz1JI/AAAAAAAAB8c/B29as5HGXJw/s400/401625_10150599543677429_755942428_10830401_566767015_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This weekend violin boy is making a swiss cheese car for the Pinewood derby. That translates into mommy and daddy learning to use power tools while violin boy plays Minecraft upstairs. That's just how we roll here.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Last night I took Catherine to visit the high school to learn about the clubs and activities they offer. After showing the obligatory high school video montage created I swear solely for the purpose of making mothers weep in front of their "babies," we were herded into the gym to meet and great all the clubs. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now, I am always a sucker for the tables that no one ever visits. Math team. The gay lesbian alliance. Something called SNAP where even the people manning the table seemed to have given up hope and left. I made Catherine visit every one, dragging her along with such embarrassing parental enthusiasm that at one point she turned and asked me what narcotic I was taking. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then we hit the color guard, which hearkened me back to the good old days of marching band. It was pretty clear Catherine wasn't buying into my desire to relive my high school years vicariously through her. After I spent nearly ten minutes chatting with them about winter guard, a clearly fed up Catherine exclaimed *I* should sign up, and marched off to visit the drama club.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQaGv66YCH0/TxojUllzdFI/AAAAAAAAB8U/3RhErgTJvQo/s1600/flags3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" nfa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQaGv66YCH0/TxojUllzdFI/AAAAAAAAB8U/3RhErgTJvQo/s400/flags3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>That's me in the center rocking the polyester spangled outfit.</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I think I might do it. I've still got it. I do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After the clubs we headed over to gym #2 to visit the sports teams. Let's see, four foot ten and 90 pounds. Basketball? No. Volleyball? No. She signed up for tennis at which point I explained that you had to actually know HOW to play tennis to be on the tennis team. Bummer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Having exhausted every possible sport, by the end of the evening we found ourselves standing in front of boys wrestling team and I shouted "Catherine this is one you can do! You're small and wriggly. They can't discriminate!" Sensing I'd lost my complete mind, she darted for the door. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">She's fast! Maybe we should re-consider cross country.</span></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-11580994031216324442011-12-11T14:24:00.001-06:002011-12-11T14:27:50.193-06:00This is My Father's World<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Great job kids! They both practiced this song for several weeks alone, and twice with the pianist from church. It's a hard song to play because all three of them are playing different pieces, and they had to really learn it themselves. We're so proud of them and their special gifts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wR1OALT2uyU" width="480"></iframe></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-25867175961910332792011-12-10T15:14:00.001-06:002011-12-10T15:15:03.875-06:00Reindeer pops...omg these are ADORABLE<div><p>My sister shared these with me on Facebook and I wanted to share them with you.  I think these look soooo much easier than making the cale based pops because, well, there is no cake to bake or frosting to mix in.</p>
<p>http://www.thepartyanimal-blog.org/santas-reindeer-marshmallow-pops/   is the source of these bad boys, with step by step instructions with photos (love with photos).</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MrzoTCGFZto/TuPLnONDxJI/AAAAAAAABuU/nRCteZew5Q8/Santas-Reindeer-Marshmallow-Pops2.png' /></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-51029432145861022002011-11-27T19:40:00.001-06:002011-11-27T19:48:18.141-06:00Some good news<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mr. Smartypants just received his tenth patent. I don't know what it was exactly (OK yes I do, it's a <strong>Method for indicating a band plan for trunked radio systems </strong>but what it MEANS??). I do know that with your tenth patent comes a nice, fat bonus check $$,$$$ and me muttering "invent MORE THINGS" under my breath. Momma needs a new kitchen....</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-693tdGxuXU0/TtLnJsV7pDI/AAAAAAAABrE/Ux4qFkcStb8/s1600/i-93tTd3X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-693tdGxuXU0/TtLnJsV7pDI/AAAAAAAABrE/Ux4qFkcStb8/s400/i-93tTd3X.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The guys on either side are affectionately known as "the big bosses."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And we got a nice photo of the two of us taken together. We look old. And I am being throttled by a pashmina. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_0sA-Dn8Nw/TtLnf1jx-mI/AAAAAAAABrM/it_Vbb2PybA/s1600/i-qNCnTgd-1+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_0sA-Dn8Nw/TtLnf1jx-mI/AAAAAAAABrM/it_Vbb2PybA/s400/i-qNCnTgd-1+-+Copy.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was cold, COLD!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157452556010049140.post-29985441356891433002011-11-27T19:23:00.001-06:002011-11-27T19:27:42.736-06:00Please continue to pray<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for Catherine's back problems. She has many days lately where she seems pain free, and then out of no where, when we start to let ourselves believe it might all be going away, the pain returns. Not excruciating pain, but uncomfortable enough for her to not want to do much more than sit on the couch and read. The pain comes for no reason at all, not under strain or stress. We have an appointment with a neurologist from Children's Memorial in December to hopefully shed light on this. We know what it ISN'T (cancer, broken bones, slipped disks, arthritis, Lupus, Lyme, West Nile, mono etc) but not what it IS. Could it still be related to her scoliosis? Not sure except two orthopedist agree it ISN'T likely. Sigh.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02000596875413547383noreply@blogger.com0