tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177053232024-03-14T05:56:17.551-07:00Matt and Beccahe mau moʻolelo no kekahi ʻōhana malihiniMandBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667309228928476044noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-43418294950518036182016-06-22T06:35:00.000-07:002020-02-22T14:19:35.348-08:00Matt's ObituaryMatthew Henry Stevenson, of Wailua, Kauai, died unexpectedly at home on May 22, 2016. He was 37 years old. He was a cherished and admired father, friend, brother and son.<br />
<br />
Matt was born in Washington, D.C. to William (Bill) Stevenson of Greenville, South Carolina, and Mildred Teruya of Waikapu, Maui. The family moved to the Bay Area when Matt was five. As a boy he loved the birds, lizards, grasses, oaks and cattle that populated the watersheds and hills around his home. He also loved the time he spent in Maui with his grandparents, Walter and Joyce Teruya, where he loved grandma’s lei garden, grandpa’s plantation days stories, and the family history that connected him to Japan and Okinawa. He spent several summers in England visiting his dad, and loved the castles, the moors and the Neolithic standing stones. These early experiences in nature put him on a path to the career he loved as a range scientist, and a life he loved in Hawaii, but as a citizen of the world.<br />
<br />
Matt graduated from Miramonte High school in 1997. He attended BYU in Provo for one year before serving an LDS mission in Tokyo Japan. He loved the Japanese language and culture, and was proud to follow in his grandparents’ footsteps. Although his relationship with the Mormon church changed, he maintained a lifelong love of Japanese history, myth, literature and religion. Most importantly to Matt's life, he came to love Aikido. His practice of this martial art trained his body and guided his mind, and he excelled to the rank of 2nd Dan under sensei Wesley Shimokawa of Lihue Aiki Kai.<br />
<br />
Matt graduated from BYU in Wildlife and Range Resources, minoring in Japanese and graduating with honors (2003). His favorite classes were his honors Art History and Shakespeare in Film. He became an insightful critic of media, loving museums and galleries, films and literature. Matt was a scientist with a poet's heart. <br />
<br />
In 2003 he married Rebecca Anne Davis in Manti, Utah. They moved to Gunma, Japan, where they broadened their appreciation for travel and adventure, enjoying onsen, shrines, hole in the wall ramenya, quaint ryokan, museums and memorials around the country.<br />
<br />
Matt and Becca completed masters degrees at UC Berkeley, Matt’s in Environmental Science, Policy and Management. In Berkeley they discovered gourmet alleyways and made lifelong friends in the dilapidated student housing and Berkeley Ward.<br />
<br />
Matt and Becca then made the move to Hawaii in the spring of 2006, where Matt began work for the University of Hawaii agricultural extension service in Waimea (Kamuela), on the Big Island. He had amazing mentors in his career in extension, and was proud to be able to serve the ranchers and farmers of the state of Hawaii for ten years.<br />
<br />
In 2007 Matt and Becca welcomed their first child, Roselani. In Waimea they raised chickens, lived entirely off of their garden and delighted in their precocious little blond daughter. They explored the island, impressed with the volcano, quieted by the haunted black lava fields of Kona and dripping Hilo laua’e, and healed by the dryland rainforests on Puʻuwaʻawaʻa. Matt loved and respected the Paniolo culture that shaped the unique Hawaiian cultural and physical environment: the Hawaiian rodeo, the slack key guitar, the windswept plains at the foot of Mauna Kea, the green puʻu of Waimea, the tangled ohia and hala overlooking the black-sand valleys.<br />
<br />
In 2009 they moved to Kauai, where Matt became the Kauai county livestock extension agent and served the livestock community of Kauai and Maui, while continuing to collaborate on the Big Island and beyond, into Guam, Saipan and other pacific islands. He worked with the 4-H kids and conducted research at the Kauai Agricultural Research farm, where he lived with his family. He was also working on his PhD in Range Science and Wildland Resources from Utah State University, studying tannins, pasture weeds, animal management and ungulate health, up until the time of his death.<br />
<br />
In 2010, Maile was born in Wailua. Matt was a proud and tender daddy, deeply loved by his little girls. He took them to playgroups and cheered at their soccer games and cried proudly at their May Days. In 2015 Likolehua was born at home. He was a steady and supportive birth partner, and this last baby was welcomed in love.<br />
<br />
Matt enjoyed the travels that took him around the world, with his work and his family. Everywhere he went he became a student of the history and culture. The Marianas, New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Holland, France, England, Wales, Ireland, as well as across the US. He loved the West-- the desert scrubland and alpine meadows, the Maynard Dixon colorscape and the endless ozone-blue bowl of the Western sky.<br />
<br />
Matt was passionate about his family history, and felt a strong connection to his ancestors--the plantation families, the sailor chef, the shipwrecked, the brave veterans, the difficult, the troubled and the astounding history of his family. His great-uncle Ken died in Rome in the Japanese-American 442nd, and his charm and handsome local-boy ukulele and motorcycle innocence reached across the years and particularly touched Matt. He was a student of warriors, fascinated with their humanity and strength. He too was a warrior, battling for his life in spite of terrible pain.<br />
<br />
Matt was a perceptive historian, a wry social commentator, a thoughtful and capable music maker and appreciator. He played NIN and Joni Mitchell and Tannahill Weavers on the guitar, and serenaded his goats in the far pastures of the farm with his small bagpipes. He blended and expressed a unique fusion of his Japanese, Scottish, and Hawaiian roots, equally at home in a kilt or an aikido gi, at a Ceilidh or an Obon, in flip-flops or cowboy boots, playing bagpipes or slack-key guitar. He was a gentle, deep-thinking, loving soul, taken from us too soon.<br />
<br />
Matt is survived by his wife Becca, daughters Rosie Jo, Maile, and Liko, his mother Mildred, his father and stepmother Bill and Wendy, his brother Andrew, father in law and stepmother in law Mark and Andi, sisters in law Liz, Katie, and Zina, and brothers in law Xan and Duc, and many other devoted in-laws and extended family. He leaves behind countless friends from his home town, from college days, from his time in Japan, from his professional life, and from his aikido dojo.<br />
<br />
Matt had a beautiful life and was profoundly loved. He fought the disease that killed him for many many years, through terrible heartache and pain. He was a fierce defender of the disadvantaged and the underserved.<br />
<br />
None of us will forget him-- he seared brightly across our lives. We will tell his children about his wit, his hard work, his respect for history, his music. We will remember the meals shared, the hikes over hills and crags on pacific islands and Western peaks. We will carry him with us when we walk those places again.<br />
<br />
A memorial service for Matt will be held on Saturday June 4, 2016 at Kauai Community College in Lihue, Kauai, at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to support Matt’s family may be made at www.crowdrise.com/matt-and-becca-ohana-fund Or via PayPal to KawaikiniEnglish@gmail.com. Please send recollections and memories for the family to the same email address.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-81371639818486836592015-10-30T13:30:00.001-07:002020-02-22T14:22:00.324-08:00Amelia Likolehua Louise's Birth<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-24-2015 Saturday</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baby Name As of Yet Unknown has arrived! She is dozing on the boppy on my lap, Maile is watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for about the 8th time this week, Rosie and Matt are grocery shopping after Rosie’s double header soccer games-- last of the season. Oh-- I just heard the chain clinking on the gate- they’ve made it home.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-d14357db-ba71-c274-7393-b822719d9e27" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to write down Baby’s birth story while it’s still fresh and visceral and hasn’t reduced itself to an outline…</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So she was due October 12. Liz was here, with kids and husband in tow, staying down at my dad’s timeshare in Kapaa with a beautiful condo, a big TV, and a open-late pool that we swam at every day. Liz, with her experience as a doula and auntie status, was here to help with the birth, and especially to watch out for the girls, make sure they were in the right place, make sure they weren’t freaked out… so we waited and waited, spent nice time at their pool, sent their family off on little touristy adventures while we had spring break (clean all the things!!! Declutter and disinfect and discard!) and then when the girls went back to school, riding the bus back and forth and I stayed home and tried to think birth-giving thoughts. Every evening contractions would pick up a little, especially if I was walking around, and I would think, FINALLY HERE WE GO! And get all settled in, tidy the Birth Stuff Box, and then settle down for a sleep before things got really started. And then wake up the next morning with no labor, no action, nothing. It got discouraging. I wondered if I was mentally blocking myself-- I was REALLY REALLY anxious about giving birth (nobody die, nobody die, OMG what are my girls going to do without me, how would I ever survive if the worst happened...) But on the other hand, you can’t THINK your way out of a pregnancy. It HAS to come to an end. No amount of self-blame can dissolve the situation! So that’s what I was hanging on to….This has GOT to happen. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around a week late, baby really started dropping, and I really was waddling around as I walked and walked and walked. A stranger at the soccer park said I looked like overripe fruit. Thank you stranger. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Liz and Andrew and cute boyos left on the 19th and-- still nothing. I tried everything: I tried red raspberry leaf tea, I tried evening primrose oil, I tried pineapple and spicy food -- one night it really seemed like something was happening and I turned off the “wake up, take the girls to school” alerts on my phone, but…. nope. Morning came and we stayed home, walked around to the new goats at the far end of the station, and the last remaining contractions dwindled to nothing. I told Keala at school that I was keeping the girls hostage at home until baby showed up. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I met with my midwife Sharon and we talked about my anxieties a bit-- she heard me out, just that don’t enjoy the pushing and I was kind of dreading the intensity and pain of labor. She checked me out-- I was already 4 cm dilated. It was encouraging to know that all of the false starts were doing something-- almost half-way dilated and no actual labor! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day 10 overdue arrived -- Thursday night-- and I made an appointment with an acupuncturist. I was sufficiently spooked. I was having occasional nice contractions-- I had to actually whistle and blow through them-- so I had Matt drive me down the hill for my evening appointment. To my surprise, the acupuncture was more than I could handle. It was excruciating-- like getting hooked up to electric fencing. She said that was a good sign, it meant I was ready to give birth. While I sat in the recliners with skinny needles in my hands and legs, I had some brutally intense contractions. I was supposed to stay for an hour and a half, but I texted Matt and said, Ack I can’t handle it come and get me!! He did. I made a panicked break for it. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s funny-- things that haven’t bothered or scared me in the past-- the gyn exam, the acupuncture needles, my flu and Dtap shots, labor-- have been completely emotionally overwhelming for me. Hormones, man. Hell of a drug.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night, after we got back, I blew and whistled like a bomb dropping through increasingly serious contractions. I fell asleep on the couch watching Qi and Whose Line is it Anyway clips on Youtube. At some point Matt went to bed and turned out the lights. At about 1:30 I woke up with actual contractions. Matt came out and paced around with me-- I called the midwife Kelly right away-- she’s the young intern who they’re letting be lead on everything-- sit the long hours of early labor, do the after care visits-- and she came up right away. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And by the time she was there, things were already a little weird, and my recollection is already in an altered state, through a weird shattered timeless lens. Later talking it over with Sharon, she pointed out that labor time isn’t linear-- it’s a different dimension like a maze- that’s very true or me. Events seem weirdly stacked in time-- 3-D rather than a timeline-- I was joking and shivering and listening to music all at once. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was dark-- just the kitchen light on-- the fans going, the girls sleeping in my room. Matt put on Metamora then Sileas then Nightnoise-- each album seemed very short. He read our list of names out loud. I started shivering and shaking right away. I still was dreading actually delivering, so I was battling myself. I knew if I stood up and walked, changed position, relaxed, I could bring on strong contractions and I could get this over with. So I did a bit-- got on my knees on the floor-- Matt put out the waterproof mattress cover and pillows on the livingroom floor so I could kneel comfortably and lean forward onto the couch. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then I would wimp out, back away from it, lock my knees, and curl up on my left side and on the couch and just wish for the whole thing to be done, and shiver violently under piles of blankets. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt was absolutely my anchor-- if he was right there with me he could bring me into calm and focus. If he was out of reach, I got all out of control and screamy. I leaned on him and needed him right there. At some point I looked up and Colleen-- the other midwife-- and Nicollette-- the secretary/birth photographer--were there! I walked around a bit and experienced weirdly lucid moments where I joked and chatted and laughed and thought, weird, I’m fine. Is this done? And then-- wham. Completely out of my brain again. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was feeling for the first time the slightest little desire to bear down-- I’ve never felt that before. I decided to go and hide on the couch. During some mega contractions I gave experimental little pushes. Kelly got ready to check my progress but I couldn’t face it-- I knew if she did, it would be too intense for me to handle. So they left me alone. Colleen, from somewhere in the dim room, said I could stop blowing and moaning upwards through the contractions and could start bearing down with a grunt and low growls. It was very easy to obey her voice-- It gave me something to do, to focus on. I gave it a try and -- oh #$%^. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As soon as I started pushing, I knew I was really in it. I was still mostly on my side on the couch, with my knees weirdly locked, hips angled awkwardly to the left. Kelly was at my feet, Matt got the girls up and they came out-- I gave a mighty push and my water broke with a deeply disturbing POP sound and unnerving sensation. I could feel the head! Maile started to cry and left, I gave one more huge push with Kelly saying slowly slowly slowly keep going! and the head was out already! I felt it down there, little bumpy mushed features, and gave another mighty push and out came the shoulders and there she was! I was still lost a bit but I heard Kelly say It’s a girl! She put her on my stomach -- all purple and slimy and bloody and flailing-- in blankets and she snorked and coughed and spluttered-- Matt cut the cord and then Kelly tilted her forward on me and rubbed her back vigorously till her breathing was better-- I babbled and babbled--later I asked what the first thing I said was-- Colleen said it was, “oh you’re so beautiful!” Baby immediately tried to vigorously suck on her arm, and then latched on to me and snuffled and snuggled…and it was 4:58am, Friday 10/23/2015.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rest of the morning blurred quietly into dawn. Eventually they weighed the baby-- 8 lbs 9 oz and 19” long, they gave baby her vitamin K shot. That fractured time sensation faded a little… Matt made breakfast for everybody-- beans and eggs and toast and coffee, Colleen started a load of laundry, Colleen and Nicollette left, Kelly stayed for a while to make sure everything was normal and talked me through a pile of paperwork with instructions that I retained zero of, and then there we were! Just us. All at home safe and cozy and well! The girls watched shows, Matt went and milked the goats, I carefully stood up in my realigned skeleton and felt hips and coccyx and sternum crack into their unfamiliar original spots and tied a sarong tight around my wonderfully empty but very sore belly to keep from giving in to the weird feeling of my guts actually falling out… Oddly, my ribs hurt worse than everything else-- I could feel them bending back into place. Very unnerving.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was wonderful to just… be at home. To come slowly back into time and space. I took naps. I drank cider and martinellis. We went to bed early and baby woke up and nursed every two hours and pooped spectacular meconium poops and was unbelievably small and soft-- impossibly soft skin and hair, wrinkly little hands and feet, tiny red bum…</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And today-- Rosie played her double-header soccer game in the wilting heat, Maile and baby and I napped and watched shows and I creaked around and baby’s name continued to elude us...what a glorious blessing to have arrived safely at this day! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">October 30, 2015 Friday</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now it’s a week later--I can’t adequately hook my gratitude-- it’s too big. It runneth over the confines of the ceiling, of our bodies. Her perfect little fingers-- my thumb fills her whole palm-- and toes the size of lentils. Her intense focus and sweet snuffling snorting and growling, her enthusiastic nursing and sudden quiet focus, her random panting breaths, the rise and fall of her tiny ribcage-- she hardly cries, she just snuffles and wriggles and yawns and growls and roars and mutters and cooes and drifts suddenly to sleep, blinking unfocused, arching her back... She inches and squirms around, flips herself over to find boob, grins dopily as she drifts off, dribbles milk, poops mightily.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her piko stump came off already-- her piko is still a bit oozy and crusty-- the other morning when it came off I squawked, “There’s a hole in my baby!!” Maile thought this was hilarious, and cackling showed me her piko-- “Ack there’s a hole in my kid!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The girls are so soft with the baby-- they coo at her. She’s so soft! she’s so cute!l Look at her fuzz! They take showers right after school so they can snuggle her without me freaking out about nasty school germs and the cartoonish clouds of dust they seem to bring home from school every day... </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And her name has settled! Amelia Likolehua Louise! I think of her mostly as Baby… and then Baby Liko… ooooh I could eat her up, those little vestigial legs...</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A week from birth and we’ve settled into our life so pleasantly. This has been the easiest recovery yet. Goodness, I don’t have words to express my gratitude. I should chant it or sing it or draw it… Praise for the miracle of each simple shimmering new day!</span></div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-10998606985839647552014-01-19T16:31:00.001-08:002014-01-19T16:48:49.729-08:00New Thing: UnderwaterI'm going to confess something horrifying now. I've lived in Hawaii since 2006. That's, what, seven years? And I don't swim.<div><br></div><div>Not even a little.</div><div><br><div>I thought, when I packed up my stuff from our dilapidated student apartment in Berkeley and smushed harp, heirloom china, guitars, pottery wheel and a lifetime of books <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">all into a ten by twenty foot container,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> that I would move to Hawaii and become and ocean person. I imagined myself surfing like a Nordic-Hawaiian queen and frolicking with innocent fishy best friends (I blame a childhood misspent compulsively rewatching Little Mermaid for that one). Surely my suspicious attitude towards water deeper than my bathtub was due to a childhood in landlocked places. Once I had the chance to get to know water better, we'd surely be great friends!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>On the big Island, Matt and I went to the beaches every weekend. We'd throw ourselves into the waves, Matt executing graceful dives and swimming out to pet the sharks and kiss the sea turtles (hyperbole. DO NOT PET SHARKS OR KISS SEA TURTLES) but the second I was in water deeper than my eyeballs I'd panic. I thought goggles or a snorkel mask might help. Maybe it was the disorientation of blindness that freaked me out? But the sandy gloaming, with vague shapes floating into view, was too scary for me. My last attempt ended with me clawing at my long suffering husband and hyperventilating into my snorkel. I gave up in humiliation.</div><div><br></div><div>Since then I've stuck to the shallow end, giving up on ever being some svelt beach goddess, cutting through the way like a golden tanned seal.</div><div><br></div><div>But gosh darn it, I'm tired of being scared of stuff. Of having things that, no thanks, I just can't do. So today, I borrowed my kid's goggles and went galumphing out to sea.</div><div><br></div><div>I chose a shallow and rocky corner of the beach. I jumped in quickly, grateful that nobody I knew was standing this side of the beach. I ducked under and floated and spluttered around for a moment, then tried to focus on the alien world around me. The rocks were red-brown and furry with limu. A crescent of shining white mother of pearl caught my eye and I scooped it up from the bottom to show my kids. A school of needlefish, about a foot long each, pointed this way, that way. Beaky little humuhumunukunukuapuaa pecked at the seaweed, a pair japan flag fish rolled with the low waves. I moved out deeper, still shallow enough for me to panic and stand up every time I needed a breath. I relaxed a little, let the waves move here to and fro and looked all around for fish. There were lots, and bigger that I could have imagined if I had stayed above water, on the beach.</div><div><br></div><div>So I didn't make any amazing discoveries, or even swim properly for more than a few seconds at a time, but I did something I wasn't comfortable with. And it was fun. Next time I'll bring a snorkel. Still won't go let any sharks though. (BECAUSE DONT PET SHARKS)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi1RVOWiCZiRllubzfh3gxT9wOZYZpjeMDtbWzI7J5-mJbiK6TlHRcN5PTKFwQLJii-V4jrdtnbfXL3eGoJ226KQcZ5C3Gd9ITlkcGl-wUxnUs7TqKv-Bwj4PsVyKCGfK_KgQ/s640/blogger-image--1622101419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi1RVOWiCZiRllubzfh3gxT9wOZYZpjeMDtbWzI7J5-mJbiK6TlHRcN5PTKFwQLJii-V4jrdtnbfXL3eGoJ226KQcZ5C3Gd9ITlkcGl-wUxnUs7TqKv-Bwj4PsVyKCGfK_KgQ/s640/blogger-image--1622101419.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-18944275283280913522014-01-19T15:46:00.001-08:002014-01-19T15:49:12.233-08:00Derring-doI'm a fairly timid person. <div><br><div>It may seem weird to say that since I spend lots of my time talking in front of people-- even TEENAGE people-- with no trepidation. But that is because I am solely talking about subjects that I know very very well-- reading and writing and learning new ideas-- all that is as easy and reflexive as breathing in an out.</div><div><br></div><div>And in years past I've spent quite a lot of time up on stage, performing. Singing and playing instruments, performing in plays and musicals-- I had no fear of stepping out into the spotlight. It wasnt uncomfortable to be at the center of attention.</div><div><br></div><div>But because some things-- some fairly big, loud, obvious things-- come easily to me-- people around me-- my audience of peers-- can read me as Brave. Secure. Confident. A comment I hear, when friends stand next to me and peer down at the top of my head, is, "you are shorter than you seem." </div></div><div><br></div><div>I'm never quite sure what to make of that comment. I think it is code for, "you take up a lot of space in a room." </div><div><br></div><div>But the truth is, I'm a coward. My familiar firm ground is so hard packed beneath my feet that I don't dare put a toe into the murkier waters of things I can't do instinctively. </div><div><br></div><div>This is partly a natural byproduct of the ossification of aging. I'm a dinosaur at 33-- I know what I like, I know what I can do, and I know my strengths. And I have no reason in the world to go anywhere near my weaknesses or blind spots.</div><div><br></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">But that sounds a lot like being dead. Or like being alive only in a hall of mirrors-- where I grow fatter and fatter on my comfortable competence and fill up more and more space with only images of myself-- concave and convex iterations of sameness. I am boring myself with my safe little world of only-doing-what I'm good at. </font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I don't want that-- I want to feel more alive than that. I don't want to make all of my decision outof prudence or habit or fear.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">~~~~~~~</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I am sitting on the ground. My sweatshirt is a little damp between me and the stones. My pony tail is leaving a cold damp spot below my shoulder blades. And I am shivering-- either from nerves or from the ice cold smack of river water. My arms and legs are pricked with goosebumps and red as if I ahave been slapped over and over, up and down my body. I'm all by myself, which is a singular event. I left my friends behind at their picnic-- the kids' laughing and shouting interspersed with the plunk of java plums plopping into the water, flicking up little splash tails as if fat little fish are leaping suddenly. Concentric rings mark the pivot of entry for a moment. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">A yellow-bodied dragonfly is skimming across the water, dicing down and swatting the surface with its tail. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I came out here with my new-found call to adventure prodding me on. When the others shooed me away with assurances that they'd look after my kids, I intentionally decided to Find Someolace New.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I want to be addicted to unfamiliarity. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I crossed gates. I went around ramshackle barbed wired fence posts with hand painted No Tresspassing signs. I am invited here, near a friend's house, but still-- the chill of not honoring a barrier? A tiny thrill. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJqAiEgJ5Lc23P91KHqAtXspDfXXBj2cG96287ZnSLZQ3CCEJfXmFTWT9LQf1GDMeGfam9ZN9AiVDXRCcwyo1lPLGa7EE42UCpU5neRtfKf2RlCdDQ1XG8o5P_6RkDKSwtlsm/s640/blogger-image-107914842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJqAiEgJ5Lc23P91KHqAtXspDfXXBj2cG96287ZnSLZQ3CCEJfXmFTWT9LQf1GDMeGfam9ZN9AiVDXRCcwyo1lPLGa7EE42UCpU5neRtfKf2RlCdDQ1XG8o5P_6RkDKSwtlsm/s640/blogger-image-107914842.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I passed a garden of green onions carved into a riverbank, and a stand of cacao trees, with the shiny red-brown pods slung across the truck of the tree like grenades on a bandelo. Then the path dropped off at a rock wall over a culvert. I jumped across the water and followed the ditch. I could hear the river sound getting louder, the rocks chuckling against each over in a small falls. Across a wide low platform of rocks and tall died grass, and then a wide spot in a river. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQW2oFFNc-y621lsjcPbGb-051uiP0_2irSAJ4nzKoIaXHBcHTZRce3oSR-nY7txJiEvOY_62eQafedYi7otluWOyqoeAxFjXrY0vsoleKo9wlUuUUvCSBhUhDZOXYVQ4nVWL/s640/blogger-image--1376910185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQW2oFFNc-y621lsjcPbGb-051uiP0_2irSAJ4nzKoIaXHBcHTZRce3oSR-nY7txJiEvOY_62eQafedYi7otluWOyqoeAxFjXrY0vsoleKo9wlUuUUvCSBhUhDZOXYVQ4nVWL/s640/blogger-image--1376910185.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I was quite alone, but I still stood there frozen. Do i dare? Am I really willing to push myself to newer braver experiences? Am I able to hush that voice that tells me to be comfortable, be reasonable, to be safe? But what if I am found out?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I counted to ten for myself, and then, feeling panicked, stripped off all of my clothes and waded quickly out into the river. I was laughing and my teeth were chattering immediately-- shivery and giddy inside and out. I ducked under the water and the cold forced the air out of me. I came up gasping and grinning like a mad thing. The mud on the bottom of the river sucked at my sandals and I circles my toes hard into them to keep them from sinking down or floating away. The water is deep-- I stood on the edge of the drop off and balanced-- not secure enough in my swimming to risk going in over my head. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayWBNzZKI3YFU4RYqN9nDs11AxbU2TV3gep_P8tjQTFeLGDNG_3-5Fr1rZxla6YhfvJiqWHAS-kgcek1e286jvmnniWcJkb13104elHMsU6HrnWvD5Jx2iAsl44y4jOkJm0XZ/s640/blogger-image-1712965469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayWBNzZKI3YFU4RYqN9nDs11AxbU2TV3gep_P8tjQTFeLGDNG_3-5Fr1rZxla6YhfvJiqWHAS-kgcek1e286jvmnniWcJkb13104elHMsU6HrnWvD5Jx2iAsl44y4jOkJm0XZ/s640/blogger-image-1712965469.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-28421568507433501212014-01-03T16:42:00.001-08:002014-01-03T16:48:50.460-08:00Glazes, Noodles, and Waterfalls.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FUztwGx0oisFwqB2oJZibFKFiS788x089I0ZqiadI8mrz0iecxqsCFIqR5bYDoCyp6d2LGV9NeX23txViuDv3Cuns8czwD711EZOTGD9Jd1_kL0ugnaqORvRMo0pqtHUAvTJ/s640/blogger-image-1060296582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FUztwGx0oisFwqB2oJZibFKFiS788x089I0ZqiadI8mrz0iecxqsCFIqR5bYDoCyp6d2LGV9NeX23txViuDv3Cuns8czwD711EZOTGD9Jd1_kL0ugnaqORvRMo0pqtHUAvTJ/s640/blogger-image-1060296582.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When we walked into Kilohana Clayworks, the potter in her apron froze, pointed at RJ and said, "Rosalina! Roslyn! I know you!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was impressed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About four years ago, when I was expecting MP, Matt set me up with pottery classes as a birthday present. I spent a great eight weeks or so slinging mud, centering my soul in her spinning vortex that is existence, and trying not to ingest too much heavy metal in the form of glazes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I hadn't been back since. I called this morning to see if they had kid crafts today, but the phone went to a fax machine. So we just crossed our fingers and went.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To my utter astonishment, they had the kid crafts all beautifully set up and ready-- we spent a peaceful hour or so very carefully layering on glaze after glaze onto little greenware tiles. Aunty Lynn showed the girls how to make sure the colors never mixed, and how to squeeze every drop of water out of their brushes on a little sponge. The girls went into deep art focus mode. They were distracted only by the occasional appearance of one of the ten feral cats that call the studio home, and once by an enormous black dog with brown meaningful eyebrows and an earnest face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The nice Potter sisters will fire the girls' creations this week, and mount them on little stained treasure boxes, for a shocking fee. But still. Mini vacation mode.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then it was time for lunch. We were already in Lihue, and my bossy and irritating guidebook that I am using to respark my love affair with Kauai strongly recommended Hamura Saimin's noodles and shave ice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is one of my favorite spots, with homemade noodles, vats of real broth with animal bones melting down to a savory brew, and the most mouth-watering chili pepper water in the world-- but I never go because-- cash only, miniature stools, weird communal seating around hobbit-sized counters, sweltering kitchen air, and a sort of bafflement of-- who do we pay? How do we order? What is happening? Am I allowed to eat here? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I get perverse pleasure out of watching real live tourists (not just fake tourists like me) come in through the banging screen door, and stand around confused and ignored as the minutes stretch on and no one acknowledges them or takes their order... It's painful. You just have to charge in, sit down, shout out what you like and then wait patiently and catch up with your high school classmates who happen to be there at the same time as you. That's how you do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anyway, it was delicious, as always. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4woWbMhyphenhyphen44GjNbfTiEW0MMyuFFjtsnV2bXmtX9xNV5FnKUkNLitrl6_c7uvpBkvStCsl03lwABKHzMvJNr0mqByuk4zzKhE0-D9-NqAHs8izG93-3GkfYEr0xmKTvmcztvWy1/s640/blogger-image--435803597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4woWbMhyphenhyphen44GjNbfTiEW0MMyuFFjtsnV2bXmtX9xNV5FnKUkNLitrl6_c7uvpBkvStCsl03lwABKHzMvJNr0mqByuk4zzKhE0-D9-NqAHs8izG93-3GkfYEr0xmKTvmcztvWy1/s640/blogger-image--435803597.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we tried their shave ice for the first time, and it was perfectly acceptable rainbow shave ice, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the bottom. But what can I say, my heart belongs to jojo's in Waimea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPunvg_sKp0mOUGxHj8eeleH_2upz7J6vq7HcCjjxsek1NK3FdMeSUSznGxrQcL0cu-26c-cVi6-6iKx4eJkHWs_u9YgnJIA_xmfvOw73eFQI51g4BzQsoevPsxERHy95YpY05/s640/blogger-image--1932325355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPunvg_sKp0mOUGxHj8eeleH_2upz7J6vq7HcCjjxsek1NK3FdMeSUSznGxrQcL0cu-26c-cVi6-6iKx4eJkHWs_u9YgnJIA_xmfvOw73eFQI51g4BzQsoevPsxERHy95YpY05/s640/blogger-image--1932325355.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The last stop was up to Wailua Falls--another place from the guidebook that I have just never had a reason to go see. So I went. I saw. The girls were very disturbed and kept saying, "we've never been on this road before!" MP was scared. That is how small this island. Is-- they didn't know it was possible to be on a road you don't recognize.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was surreal for me too-- a vast unfamiliar plain stretched out in front of our familiar Mount Waialeale. And at the end of a long empty road, there was a constipated parking lot, with a seedy uncle hawking black pearls out of the bed of his truck. I parked up on the muddy grass between shiny tourist Fords and Chevys, and took the girls to peek over the wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is the view:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEZJxNRZ8NAyzDTy3qX8BeeTbktSpEZlWyRsDd9UAKMvWMj07TAnBxDkYrVnBsPXhXQ-zuLE81W8EQo-Bn21CrUk1BulYhhQHXOsg9D68IRkm72WcQQ-QL8Wlwu6THiIogZz6/s640/blogger-image--756305201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEZJxNRZ8NAyzDTy3qX8BeeTbktSpEZlWyRsDd9UAKMvWMj07TAnBxDkYrVnBsPXhXQ-zuLE81W8EQo-Bn21CrUk1BulYhhQHXOsg9D68IRkm72WcQQ-QL8Wlwu6THiIogZz6/s640/blogger-image--756305201.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No joke. A 200 foot waterfall. A double rainbow. A giant churning chocolate-milk lake below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was hypnotic to watch the waterfalls. I was trying to imagine how I would draw them, but it was dizzying to track the shapes in the water. Arrows, daggers, smoke and then the crush at the bottom. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The girls complained that it was boring and that they wanted to hike down. But there is no trail-- just a slick bald patch behind a guardrail that leads straight down to certain death. So, sorry, kids. Veto. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are lots of things that I'd do if there was some guarantee of survival. Scramble down a cliff face to dive into 30 feet of high pressure silt? Yes! Just somebody show me the piece of paper that says I die peacefully in my bed at a ripe old age, and I'll get right on all that death defying excitement.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Long story short, no sliding down the mountain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here, then, is the final reaction from the girls from today's adventure.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLObl2K_t4elWdtBlNmd6E-9Apq1Kx6ZHdP48FQjQ0X7Es1EqrDHxU5gbjyq__uWTjTJCGDqip5Na95iK0tQiwnVum8l63dqwz5aZDacx6XNWM-KVvvKktVzkmvHxb_uNRDOq9/s640/blogger-image-1519830017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLObl2K_t4elWdtBlNmd6E-9Apq1Kx6ZHdP48FQjQ0X7Es1EqrDHxU5gbjyq__uWTjTJCGDqip5Na95iK0tQiwnVum8l63dqwz5aZDacx6XNWM-KVvvKktVzkmvHxb_uNRDOq9/s640/blogger-image-1519830017.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-7573660245073743512014-01-02T18:25:00.001-08:002014-01-03T16:42:24.809-08:00Sealodge Beach, Princeville<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">Here's out first adventure of the new year. Like I rambled about in my last post, my resolution this year is to go to all the places in The Ultimate Kauai Guide Book. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">We headed North--a big and allegedly interesting part of the island that I tend to ignore because the snarl of Kapaa stands between me and It. But, Resolutions. So, North.</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">The ocean was blue and flat this morning-- through Kapaa, Anahola, Kilauea, and then to Princeville. When we turned at the giant crumbling Poseidon statue rising out of a chipped roundabout, MP, in her three-year-old astuteness, said, "ooh, this looks like Utah!" </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">It did. Enormous matching houses, wide swaths of manicured green, shiny SUVs. The only giveaway is the empty horizon that marks sea rather than mountain, and the occasional Nene standing sentinel. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">We followed Kamehameha road to the end and found the Sealodge subdivision, and the path behind building A. The girls were in oversized slippers and swim suits, and I was carrying a heavy grocery bag of beach sundries: towels, water, hats. It soon became evident that we were not properly suited up. The "path" was a slick muddy groove in a shear cliff. Sharp-edged pandanus slipped underneath our feet, and every step sent a puff of Mosquitos up around our legs. RJ and MP are happy to call themselves nature girls and I reminded them like a mantra how much they loved rocks and trees and roots and mud and bees. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">We could see the ocean from the cliff side. It was shallow enough to see the yellow texture of the coral and the slabs of smooth black rock beneath the surface. A perfect spot for turtles, but no apparent sand. Once we were nearly at the bottom, we stopped and sang an oli--"Liuliu." It is a short chant for asking permission to enter a place, like a forest or a garden. We sang, and then listened for a "pane" or answer from nature-- birds calling, a loud wave-- some sort of response from the place itself.</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">A heavy-flying albatross flew low in front of us, up the cliff face. Good enough for me...</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">From the bottom of the cliff we made a sharp left and RJ scrambled ahead over craggy black rocks, about fifteen feet above the waves. One last sharp left and a treacherous climb over boulders and slick roots above the surf and a wide open curve of beach was before us. A few other families were already there, snorkeling or sitting in the shady beach.</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">The girls jumped right in-- the water was perfectly clear and shallow. The sand was oddly large-grained-- individual grains retaining their coral pink or urchin spines. It was soft enough to bury the girls in, and shape into mermaid tails and great white sharks around them. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;">Next time we'll need snorkel stuff-- I've never seen so much actual coral that close to a beach. </div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD3MJmWeK4w0ASFUQ0nYuIdvW_tFgPdaIsjEAJPfKE6PfId3H3hw4t51xhgyBx5NCdnWpZ29F0DJAWJKNUN-nEQCJCQBWF9E4TOX8NtcnW-FuvRPveFpk_Y1IwhgV5ChGYh-r/s640/blogger-image-373764418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD3MJmWeK4w0ASFUQ0nYuIdvW_tFgPdaIsjEAJPfKE6PfId3H3hw4t51xhgyBx5NCdnWpZ29F0DJAWJKNUN-nEQCJCQBWF9E4TOX8NtcnW-FuvRPveFpk_Y1IwhgV5ChGYh-r/s640/blogger-image-373764418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61NtHrrjPCHx2oZNcoRnUgtO2CChQA91ZIeCcmP4__5BSjchPY6ARrtLFG-s_psiBpaja4WSo8xAF0tpiYgfiiwAXKMuUY67V6_uMOX2PjAneKNCqIkaSAjKwrMvB9picYzLx/s640/blogger-image-1185090083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61NtHrrjPCHx2oZNcoRnUgtO2CChQA91ZIeCcmP4__5BSjchPY6ARrtLFG-s_psiBpaja4WSo8xAF0tpiYgfiiwAXKMuUY67V6_uMOX2PjAneKNCqIkaSAjKwrMvB9picYzLx/s640/blogger-image-1185090083.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61NtHrrjPCHx2oZNcoRnUgtO2CChQA91ZIeCcmP4__5BSjchPY6ARrtLFG-s_psiBpaja4WSo8xAF0tpiYgfiiwAXKMuUY67V6_uMOX2PjAneKNCqIkaSAjKwrMvB9picYzLx/s640/blogger-image-1185090083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MkH2t4B6aYeZ_mrTNUxrbY9zCHV81yjbPWCvf7My-vaLQUzfor4JhWaEa9nQKcTx8qOwa3PZr6q2G3X6u3xkxkLAnsiMw5DvrS5LYUAKnRNLy0UgGbfhePVPVWum8li7YJzF/s640/blogger-image-1638677092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MkH2t4B6aYeZ_mrTNUxrbY9zCHV81yjbPWCvf7My-vaLQUzfor4JhWaEa9nQKcTx8qOwa3PZr6q2G3X6u3xkxkLAnsiMw5DvrS5LYUAKnRNLy0UgGbfhePVPVWum8li7YJzF/s640/blogger-image-1638677092.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The girls got hungry so we scrambled back up the hill and headed to another new-to-us-spot: Duane's Ono Char Burgers. Honestly, I've been reluctant to go there since an ER doctor warned me off, but Burgers, fries and shakes! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was very tasty and bountiful and the gastrointestinal distress afterwards can probably be mostly attributed to overheating. Hopefully.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjEMWNvMlN41o55h5R-ADpuFEEMIeZA-t-SqCw8Y-_R9zTJ7xCvFZyk9gx3JpieLnAnaXwfKDUlsTBigzqshRsTx6l9FYYpZe__5CKwOXZhm_Nl9BVxDV85JAEToudAuF0Dv3/s640/blogger-image-1046221114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjEMWNvMlN41o55h5R-ADpuFEEMIeZA-t-SqCw8Y-_R9zTJ7xCvFZyk9gx3JpieLnAnaXwfKDUlsTBigzqshRsTx6l9FYYpZe__5CKwOXZhm_Nl9BVxDV85JAEToudAuF0Dv3/s640/blogger-image-1046221114.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-84110672520237952932014-01-02T17:45:00.001-08:002020-02-22T14:38:41.448-08:00New Adventures, Old PlaceI've got a big New Years resolution this year. I'm scared, but optimistic.<br />
<br />
But a little background.<br />
<br />
I've lived in the fiftieth state for almost eight years now. This is an unimaginably long for me to be living in one place. I'm used to a couple of years here, then a major life change, then a few years there... A new degree, a new country, a new kid....So this long stretch of one life in one place has been wearing on me.<br />
<br />
The term is Island Fever.<br />
I got the fever.<br />
I got it bad.<br />
<br />
But I realize, looking out of my front door at seventeen waterfalls after a thunderstorm on Waialeale, or being overwhelmed with citrus and star fruit from our farm, that the grass is not greener. The grass is the greenest, right here. Literally.<br />
<br />
But a big part of me doesn't care. I'm over it. I want out. Who even likes green grass, anyway? I'd like some fall colors and winter shadows.<br />
<br />
But that is not going to happen, because, "I'm over it," is not a reason that grown ups can use to quit their lives.<br />
<br />
Instead, I'm applying some marriage counseling to my relationship with Kauai. I saw a video, (I think it was about John Gottman's love lab. I donno, this is a blog. I'm accountable for none of the things.) Anyway. What stuck with me from this clip was that reports of marital satisfaction went up significantly when couples were asked to do completely new things-- like run an obstacle course through hula hoops. Basically novelty increases all those yummy oxitocins that feel like love. None of the problems actually changed, but novelty made the problems less imoortant, in balance.<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Since I can't do a remodel or have a baby with Kauai, I'm going to attempt to save my relationship with this place through novelty.</span><br />
<br />
How?<br />
<br />
A confession: I have my favorite places on the island. About four of them. That's where I go. The end.<br />
<br />
So I need some help finding New Great Stuff. Here's where I do the equivalent of call Dr. Laura, and consult a guidebook. Not just any guidebook. My arch-nemesis guidebook. So, more like Dr. Phil. "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" is bossy, rude, entitled and self-indulgent... And also very thorough.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV043rUgXTRB3DTLv5HdISHIpE7bANqG9D8DmDlHIod31yQPAObekpBoseZMb01RPK9rJ2kClAW8TvLnp-e85pm_Ya_XcXgnF4JHNRzmRM6jH0KnjOtCzJD1dGmaZ6wx6qWTc/s640/blogger-image-501141758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV043rUgXTRB3DTLv5HdISHIpE7bANqG9D8DmDlHIod31yQPAObekpBoseZMb01RPK9rJ2kClAW8TvLnp-e85pm_Ya_XcXgnF4JHNRzmRM6jH0KnjOtCzJD1dGmaZ6wx6qWTc/s640/blogger-image-501141758.jpg" /></a><br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">So here's my resolution for 2014. I will work my way around this island. I will splash is waterfalls. I will scramble down cliffs. I will hike through jungles. I will grudgingly sun myself on white sand beaches. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">And I will drag my poor kids around with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Wish me luck!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-48611038796334925892014-01-01T14:41:00.000-08:002020-02-22T14:42:08.755-08:00This is Why My Daughter is a Better Artist Than MeSo at the library a few weeks ago, we found a stack of drawing books.<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQoR5pASKh_2RxVa-UH9qorRn2kW6bjz2_VerRnj8U7-MdtKIcD3zEq8eR14VG7jYOncq571M0hkfNgICS7hSc2NyZmZ9pLW95mKhp5joEFgRf3rpGuPLxNC4O6YBAbFNUhaU/s640/blogger-image--1027368931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQoR5pASKh_2RxVa-UH9qorRn2kW6bjz2_VerRnj8U7-MdtKIcD3zEq8eR14VG7jYOncq571M0hkfNgICS7hSc2NyZmZ9pLW95mKhp5joEFgRf3rpGuPLxNC4O6YBAbFNUhaU/s640/blogger-image--1027368931.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
RJ has taken to sleeping on them, her little body wedged between stacks of sketchbooks, boxes of pencils, and anime how-tos. One of the books is a real art course, called<i> Art for Kids</i>, by Kathryn Temple. It reminds me of <i>Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain</i>, for kids. It is methodical, step by step, with exercises and warm ups and lessons. I love it. I've been reading it to RJ. She's really liked the rules: things like, Don't compare your art to other peoples. Draw more. There is no right way to draw something. And she's really liked the idea of seeing like an artist.</div>
<div>
<br />
Last night we began some of the exercises. This first one was a fun scribbling drawing, and we worked together and found interesting shapes and filled in all the white spaces. It was soothing. MP said of the finished product, "this kinda looks like my brain is talking to me." And as we were quietly filling in the loops and swoops she said, "this feels like that I'm asleep." It did. It was lovely.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85aUOgIJ7ZEIY3yb8IV9qEer6SL74myL6FDYf1e5VKw94aDz7qCeC81j6rQJpvmFedsvxi7kOk22BLewMIkPPnjF5x83jXFSjkCH1SUik0OZr8f1bjqf7UyGOeVTSX3YdmL5c/s640/blogger-image-203096531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85aUOgIJ7ZEIY3yb8IV9qEer6SL74myL6FDYf1e5VKw94aDz7qCeC81j6rQJpvmFedsvxi7kOk22BLewMIkPPnjF5x83jXFSjkCH1SUik0OZr8f1bjqf7UyGOeVTSX3YdmL5c/s640/blogger-image-203096531.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I thought, "this works! we could have our own, step-by-step art class! I could give my kids real art skills in an overtly methodical way, and brush up on my own at the same time! It's a foolproof plan!"<br />
<br />
This morning, RJ was eager to do more. The next exercise in the book was to make continuous line drawings-- choose an object to draw, don't lift your pen, and don't look at your paper. The point is to practice connecting your eye directly to your hand, and to work on seeing lines and shapes and the way they connect without interference from your left brain and it's over enthusiasm to interpret, label and decode.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYfgTfQgbvLN_JNzr2KHfBS_ttPJfoQF-AUK0nnqtk_5AjyR1AcCuigw3O_oZo7Bq4OBJakWxy9O4bED0tMwxfYc8CToTCJO60Rf-2kzobPkzA11PnrQw-krUkQRKb60A9ddn/s640/blogger-image-149246426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYfgTfQgbvLN_JNzr2KHfBS_ttPJfoQF-AUK0nnqtk_5AjyR1AcCuigw3O_oZo7Bq4OBJakWxy9O4bED0tMwxfYc8CToTCJO60Rf-2kzobPkzA11PnrQw-krUkQRKb60A9ddn/s640/blogger-image-149246426.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
RJ made two noble attempts, before descending into a regal grump. She hated the results: nonsensical, messy, disordered.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZj-dv4xZ0crkiZF073xnXXeS8q8YN94dK4VUrv8zpJBO1kC1sz9LmRidVYznl5H8xVfzD-0W2UBRNwWaGTL7jLS9_KGAqd5jihpEoNY99MWZ-rt5eX9fRCB_010GkrDOSOyl/s640/blogger-image-1129304423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZj-dv4xZ0crkiZF073xnXXeS8q8YN94dK4VUrv8zpJBO1kC1sz9LmRidVYznl5H8xVfzD-0W2UBRNwWaGTL7jLS9_KGAqd5jihpEoNY99MWZ-rt5eX9fRCB_010GkrDOSOyl/s640/blogger-image-1129304423.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I was irritated with her irritation. I may have nagged: "Just try just stretch your brain, just try new things even if it's not perfect."<br />
<br />
She drew a picture of a butt farting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzsYaGlxafCCBzA39wzX3ogRSs_qX5fWyHEhLmmWI4aTkQuB-yZB6_uAq2Yl9jocYSEswjE8AzxD9Yc2ruV6AEZThILJPzQG9mWC8XZ2SZviZ9qm36vx3dzoyGYQPKLx-jaDH/s640/blogger-image--1559432733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzsYaGlxafCCBzA39wzX3ogRSs_qX5fWyHEhLmmWI4aTkQuB-yZB6_uAq2Yl9jocYSEswjE8AzxD9Yc2ruV6AEZThILJPzQG9mWC8XZ2SZviZ9qm36vx3dzoyGYQPKLx-jaDH/s640/blogger-image--1559432733.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
"Fine," I said. "You do what you want. I'm going to do a workbook with MP."<br />
<br />
RJ got out a how-to draw Disney book and I ignored her. Twenty minutes later, after MP's patience wore out with phonics, RJ had produced a perfect copy of Bambi. Colors and everything. No tracing. Perfect.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazac3kGlMUl634mAkbMJMmFjaul5VdKBi_mX15xPl8GSg9WP-YvxaVTRwvbd9YNTwwzXoclZvanVv1-724S03i1VEdeLRX8PzqbV5FZnIyn7lOFXPJlcepmzcczIw4neGdf6E/s640/blogger-image-1049973246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazac3kGlMUl634mAkbMJMmFjaul5VdKBi_mX15xPl8GSg9WP-YvxaVTRwvbd9YNTwwzXoclZvanVv1-724S03i1VEdeLRX8PzqbV5FZnIyn7lOFXPJlcepmzcczIw4neGdf6E/s640/blogger-image-1049973246.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
She skipped right over the "practicing seeing like an artist" thing, and went right to the, "producing art she is happy with" thing.<br />
<br />
A light bulb went on over my soggy old brain. I've spent all my time as an aspiring artist, writer, gardener, wife, parent, person-- just warming up. Learning the theory. Mastering micro-skills.<br />
<br />
She, at six, skipped right to Making Something Good, process be darned.<br />
<br />
And that is why my six year old is a better artist that I am. Do I need to say how pleased I am that she is? I am. So pleased. Wish I could take ANY of the credit, but I can't. I can just try and imitate her, and Do Good Work, without waiting to rehearse first.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-4534929913705185982013-05-30T00:39:00.000-07:002013-05-30T00:39:07.515-07:00First day of Summer!Today was the first real day of summer-- I had my last day at work (till August) yesterday-- turning in keys, lugging home summer reading, sweating through year-end-reviews.<br />
<br />
We started our day with a little Summer Homeschool routine. Yes, I'm a psycho tiger mom, I admit it. The girls chose Plants, Greek Myths, and Yoga for our summer topics, and brainstormed questions and I raided the library.<br />
<br />
We started with our morning Yoga:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uyj5LooYWyg" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
And read about The Olympians:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RBZi8_BokHGDGkTdLMX9UcXuX-FgUtfIK9BSCLj5gjBlUQTDfX4yFNaNudEQJKhM5zdx3yrZhE0K4RZSOHSfGOAjZ9Ec5qB_YdSv_aaX0za4aeZBt9QULL2E8K2ISQivOgfY/s400/startpage1color1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RBZi8_BokHGDGkTdLMX9UcXuX-FgUtfIK9BSCLj5gjBlUQTDfX4yFNaNudEQJKhM5zdx3yrZhE0K4RZSOHSfGOAjZ9Ec5qB_YdSv_aaX0za4aeZBt9QULL2E8K2ISQivOgfY/s320/startpage1color1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And read about plants from this book, which I have accepted as my new Scriptural Canon, it is so unbelievably beautiful. And plus it explained to my six year old, in a few simple sentences, the whole relationship of the sun, to plants, to life on earth. It was so lovely and clear that she was able to assemble H20 molecules out of blocks, then disassemble them into Hydrogen and Oxygen via photosynthesis. It was COOL.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://store.scholastic.com/content/stores/media/products/26/9780545044226_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://store.scholastic.com/content/stores/media/products/26/9780545044226_xlg.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The little one is still three so I won't freak out that she's lagging on her life science-- we stuck with chemistry and made chocolate chip cookies with Aunty Katie's unbearably delicious recipe, and since we were on the floor with mixing bowls anyway, I whipped up a tub of Boule dough from:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/item-img/2799_07_10_2012__17_30_41_456" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/item-img/2799_07_10_2012__17_30_41_456" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After our milk and cookies snack, we put on our garden shoes and ventured out into the mud puddles. We bushwacked through the tall grass to say hi to the chickens (only one egg today!) in the backyard. Rosie got to carry the lone egg in the little egg basket and both girls dragged sticks through the "rivers" along the path out to the goats. I pulled red-stemmed Cassava and cracked off bunches of Ti leaves to woo our three (someday) Dairy goats, and then we tramped out to say howdy to the 32 young skittish goats that Matt procured for his PhD experiments. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The day felt like coming home to myself-- remembering, oh RIGHT. THIS is what my life is actually like. It's as if I've been absent from my own life for months, and it was just waiting for me to find it again. </div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-87801140314125210032013-05-03T10:10:00.000-07:002013-05-03T10:10:08.834-07:00Fishing Trip Huaka'i<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the real advantage to teaching at RJ's school is that I can spy on my kid. I can eavesdrop on her conversations at recess ("Um, I'm actually a REAL nature girl...") and pop in to her classroom any day and watch the cute idiocy of the kindergarteners as they tumble over each other, chew on their hair, and pat each other. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's delightful seeing her thrive and adapt in this new environment-- All Hawaiian language, all the time. At first she only complained about it, but now she delights in showing off her language, and making sure I know when I sound like an idiot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"NO, Mom. It's <i>loa'a</i> not <i>aia.</i>" I hear a tinny distant echo of my own 6 year old self, making fun of my dad's accent in Dutch. I'm happy for the cosmic come-around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago I took the high schoolers and went with the K-2nd graders for a fishing trip. They first learned all the parts of the fish, learned a song about the fishes, then they made their own bamboo fish poles, complete with real tiny hooks, and then sat in a precarious long line of wiggly little kids on a pier and tried to snag some actual fishes with wads of stale white bread. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvwUhdlVTLCivSj-QkyfnM2Y2RWLBkMtfsgAtaQs1valt2mspJ9lCGSyYn1bgNdHolV65jYesUfIMjZsnKDBn-nZ3_YmLMx1tgJtPwjNPqa8wfhyphenhyphen126XCwx1yL979hKW-hCmKkg/s1600/IMG_8608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvwUhdlVTLCivSj-QkyfnM2Y2RWLBkMtfsgAtaQs1valt2mspJ9lCGSyYn1bgNdHolV65jYesUfIMjZsnKDBn-nZ3_YmLMx1tgJtPwjNPqa8wfhyphenhyphen126XCwx1yL979hKW-hCmKkg/s640/IMG_8608.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCBrMpUWWg50noGSJ9FA1BCun3Mha8fNJ4F02nIRgwd2C6vHOGxnAnlVsTppsnhsIcC8MgGCBpT8VE47AJ_afEY1rCqmnmFK_FTH3JtUmLPOlYMnKikhN2DimCSOt5RSIU9ZBoA/s1600/IMG_8610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCBrMpUWWg50noGSJ9FA1BCun3Mha8fNJ4F02nIRgwd2C6vHOGxnAnlVsTppsnhsIcC8MgGCBpT8VE47AJ_afEY1rCqmnmFK_FTH3JtUmLPOlYMnKikhN2DimCSOt5RSIU9ZBoA/s640/IMG_8610.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb72XkNkU06hRFrbAue8zeRzErcMp42_g6ghRWnmRIS6vf_wDWJNE-3x-QraHkGIKwo96PkTYuhM1yzLYUY4iUbVTah149yZvsTAnmR-HWoVLYDAR1pxCitEtC5_p9qsI8ntKrAg/s1600/IMG_8611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb72XkNkU06hRFrbAue8zeRzErcMp42_g6ghRWnmRIS6vf_wDWJNE-3x-QraHkGIKwo96PkTYuhM1yzLYUY4iUbVTah149yZvsTAnmR-HWoVLYDAR1pxCitEtC5_p9qsI8ntKrAg/s640/IMG_8611.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdMItxws0TReCIZe3-fLFte-WrR2echv8N9xQEBAfMh8gcira7HFg0G83h9rVBld03sWEpenIrGJBf7EsSa4SajpRSdjETtRs7K03OycRGaXtX4nILJAZFQHo5K14ddVrnGgNIg/s1600/IMG_8613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdMItxws0TReCIZe3-fLFte-WrR2echv8N9xQEBAfMh8gcira7HFg0G83h9rVBld03sWEpenIrGJBf7EsSa4SajpRSdjETtRs7K03OycRGaXtX4nILJAZFQHo5K14ddVrnGgNIg/s640/IMG_8613.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rosie was very impressed with my big students' knotting and tying skills. The big kids are so protective of the little ones-- bossy and demanding, too. The teenagers policed the teeny-tinies much better than I could have...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJBsYg39oRU3CRURMi9uLg9pz02mvkdJDE8qs_gVmTdyLXctChNTc7fEFPZx62LOKA8feY1oKEcwQy55Fk5h7KH4R1XyUTDYNqo3S_IiofFdp2UchMhvBRbnnCkEjG_OLzNPxhQ/s1600/IMG_8615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJBsYg39oRU3CRURMi9uLg9pz02mvkdJDE8qs_gVmTdyLXctChNTc7fEFPZx62LOKA8feY1oKEcwQy55Fk5h7KH4R1XyUTDYNqo3S_IiofFdp2UchMhvBRbnnCkEjG_OLzNPxhQ/s640/IMG_8615.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI9Tg0nAg7nIZIGW13TxHUPYTjgfqEKGNJ6XhwfdkjDR4KL0CA6K6hkDT_rdVQv2kFP__HCXu45vhAJlzlMZoIoSJjoSJe_vcbwDINW7RwKzDFxW-ifXLgVf1uNDINWsPgkMqMw/s1600/IMG_8616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI9Tg0nAg7nIZIGW13TxHUPYTjgfqEKGNJ6XhwfdkjDR4KL0CA6K6hkDT_rdVQv2kFP__HCXu45vhAJlzlMZoIoSJjoSJe_vcbwDINW7RwKzDFxW-ifXLgVf1uNDINWsPgkMqMw/s640/IMG_8616.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMe55xfOFgaK3C60uQuc3yvd_89jTY1UWd7Ct9E2epcr24-Swbo8x7aeIR3Q3erhOrdv6HD1in2wGWuBqKNv_RIdGT3-bGnXaOSc0K5ZLz9XyGZz9sFqN1DPyCKv4oCPgZNdMgA/s1600/IMG_8618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMe55xfOFgaK3C60uQuc3yvd_89jTY1UWd7Ct9E2epcr24-Swbo8x7aeIR3Q3erhOrdv6HD1in2wGWuBqKNv_RIdGT3-bGnXaOSc0K5ZLz9XyGZz9sFqN1DPyCKv4oCPgZNdMgA/s640/IMG_8618.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jyR5v2i6nurddJw34ELaopMYygmvrQPbpU-hYmBVG6MwxWcIgE2O1masCL0n5rAblCsYVblX9YfsEZ6bjjHkOH37I777JsOyxMuZOwPDrV8Mztjhz8CvhmxzoYiS-m757demRw/s1600/IMG_8619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jyR5v2i6nurddJw34ELaopMYygmvrQPbpU-hYmBVG6MwxWcIgE2O1masCL0n5rAblCsYVblX9YfsEZ6bjjHkOH37I777JsOyxMuZOwPDrV8Mztjhz8CvhmxzoYiS-m757demRw/s640/IMG_8619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where are all the darn fish? Nobody caught anything. But it was still fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtQSh-mYP0SY0ZMha4G0R5qQkW_2s29x-IYKlYGJbWnnaUn7Ndj18eNl70BhRrM6H7jQ8v49lN-BkTRvzRdupbEuZn_lZg1WtO1VzFyRv1SphUogQSNsEWhEaboD8xQ6OHvzYtg/s1600/IMG_8620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtQSh-mYP0SY0ZMha4G0R5qQkW_2s29x-IYKlYGJbWnnaUn7Ndj18eNl70BhRrM6H7jQ8v49lN-BkTRvzRdupbEuZn_lZg1WtO1VzFyRv1SphUogQSNsEWhEaboD8xQ6OHvzYtg/s640/IMG_8620.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For me, anyway. </div>
MandBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667309228928476044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-17332996405807355812012-12-12T21:52:00.003-08:002012-12-12T21:52:36.387-08:00Dangerous levels of cuteness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QOCv4V7XRSktAF1TGtAVsqKJbVqEhOhyRVNQJyAlYrHEIVQPnQKcUlyUUffS6suUfjDD6ETzp2zeJ27JtB21Z73HfebbvrFuXMP2_9r20Rgib8ePQxDcGdMNXYJFTZowpePL/s1600/IMG_8168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QOCv4V7XRSktAF1TGtAVsqKJbVqEhOhyRVNQJyAlYrHEIVQPnQKcUlyUUffS6suUfjDD6ETzp2zeJ27JtB21Z73HfebbvrFuXMP2_9r20Rgib8ePQxDcGdMNXYJFTZowpePL/s640/IMG_8168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sA9kJhxLDVB3WA9ytITbLbG2DWqKrTbRGhsBT7tBPK-zgZzNc80qodzNCFbbQo8v_DwCp830nQpwnTk77CfSIO0kGYHg0_WfThEIHDIOOx7DxWDY40IWep1cX3bmvGzBmCye/s1600/IMG_8194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sA9kJhxLDVB3WA9ytITbLbG2DWqKrTbRGhsBT7tBPK-zgZzNc80qodzNCFbbQo8v_DwCp830nQpwnTk77CfSIO0kGYHg0_WfThEIHDIOOx7DxWDY40IWep1cX3bmvGzBmCye/s640/IMG_8194.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0cIFwyuW8u_AkjXj0LCLEJBtCRGuY9Qfxsyb_vpxdmYRDTUZGGv-LTMRKF3VlctYBpKe8AYSLBqqx43EYssvGzW07X3A0dEC57kTi3PSjskNu2sK_81aj5Ghbqzqd-ZkjXV2/s1600/IMG_8205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0cIFwyuW8u_AkjXj0LCLEJBtCRGuY9Qfxsyb_vpxdmYRDTUZGGv-LTMRKF3VlctYBpKe8AYSLBqqx43EYssvGzW07X3A0dEC57kTi3PSjskNu2sK_81aj5Ghbqzqd-ZkjXV2/s640/IMG_8205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxdzFWyxsrGd9nRgWirGWI5CTFCXsqKJsUGVmW8odhyQ6LVo0zzuZvQQxIm5jY65AY1OVUY_8C5DowuY94qqYcXySrjj2JJ_-SySUS_IwuEnamSaj2KGuFNgOd3mA1N-FpjtU/s1600/IMG_8206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxdzFWyxsrGd9nRgWirGWI5CTFCXsqKJsUGVmW8odhyQ6LVo0zzuZvQQxIm5jY65AY1OVUY_8C5DowuY94qqYcXySrjj2JJ_-SySUS_IwuEnamSaj2KGuFNgOd3mA1N-FpjtU/s640/IMG_8206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZX5HB94p42JW5N8heaXLENyQpvNoDy2ra_1GqMPgblNHCIapYS9d1EtvYXmhY1ldDkZOZMyF7bMTTAmQzlS_ghBeIV8D6Vx6MMs4u3qTYanwwRFM4eLglT9d55cKrajmNlBY/s1600/IMG_8207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZX5HB94p42JW5N8heaXLENyQpvNoDy2ra_1GqMPgblNHCIapYS9d1EtvYXmhY1ldDkZOZMyF7bMTTAmQzlS_ghBeIV8D6Vx6MMs4u3qTYanwwRFM4eLglT9d55cKrajmNlBY/s640/IMG_8207.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vw9fnk81fFDggVedX6rK39bKFtf2qBW3CfKq-tENx3reacBz96MdCcrIsXUAxFi6NSTtl_sz5_otlKwZCNwNBwBk_KvQdAwWxdLQVsSuuA-yQ2wo0id79Wk1X4maV3CqfFOO/s1600/IMG_8208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vw9fnk81fFDggVedX6rK39bKFtf2qBW3CfKq-tENx3reacBz96MdCcrIsXUAxFi6NSTtl_sz5_otlKwZCNwNBwBk_KvQdAwWxdLQVsSuuA-yQ2wo0id79Wk1X4maV3CqfFOO/s640/IMG_8208.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDqUgXQriCzNBTUDGuWPdCoW3fLdiPCTdjShBs7xrgTjvvdeshHk_i4MnlXkydU1NyS6rY_pV1gubMYou84FVgYyA0j68uuTxMH9YQceMrhsBazd0ZZPRFaXNWRlkDQyYfPzl/s1600/1117121233-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDqUgXQriCzNBTUDGuWPdCoW3fLdiPCTdjShBs7xrgTjvvdeshHk_i4MnlXkydU1NyS6rY_pV1gubMYou84FVgYyA0j68uuTxMH9YQceMrhsBazd0ZZPRFaXNWRlkDQyYfPzl/s640/1117121233-00.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rBVTHANm-dxhfV1raDialIQVasuraQ7DRnHl6TF_L9QXXwrZrgkAsJp1JgD86EEHcXSCEMJQ4aHo96QYRxSJuMZiDUMX6ji_yclccJ30V16Y4fKqyBsJElpKruyt1DdCMy5H/s1600/1117121246-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rBVTHANm-dxhfV1raDialIQVasuraQ7DRnHl6TF_L9QXXwrZrgkAsJp1JgD86EEHcXSCEMJQ4aHo96QYRxSJuMZiDUMX6ji_yclccJ30V16Y4fKqyBsJElpKruyt1DdCMy5H/s640/1117121246-00.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZvkdCIcTjCGVQn7EchbESV31DtkcfpJ62qDimQSvn8CnaNxs_BWw-xCT1x8FPgU2fvBxcOG_Z_i1gIjQH45YfTxxKG-8uOI1h28eY4QdkGS1PfKrEvXFDQQJP0z9YWYMPmT-/s1600/IMG_7291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZvkdCIcTjCGVQn7EchbESV31DtkcfpJ62qDimQSvn8CnaNxs_BWw-xCT1x8FPgU2fvBxcOG_Z_i1gIjQH45YfTxxKG-8uOI1h28eY4QdkGS1PfKrEvXFDQQJP0z9YWYMPmT-/s640/IMG_7291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr81yX1ZkoEqxL2iyapA8gYnvTd2eaI1NawC62big0yDSEikQFB5COwsx7I09E0v1lQeaWRYeCW7L-A71YQhVnaCwa9rjWtDflX0BG77U8O6BkuLC101YgcOd3Mg6KsvIGfER/s1600/IMG_7293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr81yX1ZkoEqxL2iyapA8gYnvTd2eaI1NawC62big0yDSEikQFB5COwsx7I09E0v1lQeaWRYeCW7L-A71YQhVnaCwa9rjWtDflX0BG77U8O6BkuLC101YgcOd3Mg6KsvIGfER/s640/IMG_7293.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EbW2-b7s1NK8RQj_82-RmQEuyGML97qpyXf6P4TTAwWbE0dcHjSPqsD29p3aOJYFemw-iV7k1pW_ab0wtZRYrhCAs1Q_WRaaEW-PvnecWYTSt2xtv2DaKGxX68P5vNWdgMkb/s1600/IMG_7295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EbW2-b7s1NK8RQj_82-RmQEuyGML97qpyXf6P4TTAwWbE0dcHjSPqsD29p3aOJYFemw-iV7k1pW_ab0wtZRYrhCAs1Q_WRaaEW-PvnecWYTSt2xtv2DaKGxX68P5vNWdgMkb/s640/IMG_7295.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCrA0xjXO2VCcWv_YRFu91fpQfxtWDcKX-y4GSLlrjtLW1tsbuVxVesoE1Lbs8Lo48KrKelr7jH1dEgTY-Ey9RXu87wE0o52sUaN42s2RDRwM2kd8QQGRYMfHfJjSUz5LJCut/s1600/IMG_7298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCrA0xjXO2VCcWv_YRFu91fpQfxtWDcKX-y4GSLlrjtLW1tsbuVxVesoE1Lbs8Lo48KrKelr7jH1dEgTY-Ey9RXu87wE0o52sUaN42s2RDRwM2kd8QQGRYMfHfJjSUz5LJCut/s640/IMG_7298.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1C8kOfTGA5kGmvp-9Hxkv6Sv5cs1sJjcjxem09fDSinNnfYCPLJdYRVuTrVsfjd5O76Usb7nvc9BucMpwbrdJ8TvzGSTSrrBxTQVtBn61ytO4lZ10074UZxOloh7Jh0YnGti/s1600/IMG_8165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1C8kOfTGA5kGmvp-9Hxkv6Sv5cs1sJjcjxem09fDSinNnfYCPLJdYRVuTrVsfjd5O76Usb7nvc9BucMpwbrdJ8TvzGSTSrrBxTQVtBn61ytO4lZ10074UZxOloh7Jh0YnGti/s640/IMG_8165.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTRKqm8otO4WLLLlnSfPKJbk1xnM7dLzdzT3AG4ilFUK7mpvdxCLNHRG_TMGmAXd-jkkeVut1-Umm-MUABR3rad7NcRMbCkpukmedLvxMquq2bVYJ6lh88e0o-sJYsis9t1XX/s1600/1117121320-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTRKqm8otO4WLLLlnSfPKJbk1xnM7dLzdzT3AG4ilFUK7mpvdxCLNHRG_TMGmAXd-jkkeVut1-Umm-MUABR3rad7NcRMbCkpukmedLvxMquq2bVYJ6lh88e0o-sJYsis9t1XX/s640/1117121320-00.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-91940823377470133552012-10-28T14:21:00.001-07:002012-10-28T14:21:56.013-07:00Out of PlaceThis post will be a bit different, since usually on this blog I stick to cute pictures of kids and leave my rants and navel gazing <a href="http://malihini-view.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">to my other blog </a><br />
<br />
But Iʻm not sure that what I need to say fits here or there or anywhere... so may as well plunk it down here.<br />
<br />
If you held a taser to my kidney and said, "biography of the last year, 30 seconds or less!" it would go something like this:<br />
<br />
-Last year crisis of life purpose as parent and adult member of society, began effort to resurrect teaching license, torn between the dichotomous life choices of homeschooling my kids vs. going back to work, then escaping to a semester abroad in Utah to shrink down my life to the size of one dude and our two girls. Then some miserable PRAXIS tests, then a job offer and back to Kauaʻi (home?) I suddenly find myself going from staying home full time with two little kids and a big garden and a bread-baking habit and 30 books out from the library at a time to working full time at the Hawaiian immersion school where Rosie starts Kindergarten, with Maile with a babysitter.<br />
<br />
<br />
Iʻm both the tortoise and the hare: I'm not sure how I got here from there but it happened so quickly I haven't quite caught up with myself.<br />
<br />
I get up at five am every day and put on eye makeup and a teacher uniform and close-toed shoes and try and plan things in advance and drink hot caffeine and pack lunches with too much plastic wrapping and packaged foods and simple carbohydrates and fill my water bottle and coerce RJ into her school t-shirt (BROWN) and kiss Maile goodbye and try to act casual and calm even if she presses her tummy against the window and wails, and then drive through traffic down the hill, across the bridge, through the town flipping radio channels with RJ and sneaking in my homeschooling curriculum (what are the horse colors again? The planets? blue plus yellow makes? What does TH and CH and SH say? If you eat two cookies and I eat one, how many did we start with? Can you match that note? Ask me tricky questions. What rhymes with tickle? etc. etc. like a crazy person but it's fun mommy-kid bonding time and Mattʻs truck radio works even up to 11 and we sometimes dance all the way to school and try and get people in other cars to stare at us and sometimes I just scowl and simmer the whole way and fret about my life choices) then we get to school (down the dirt road, past the taro loʻi and the ʻulu tree) and carry too much stuff into my "classroom" which is just a giant tent with a conference table and two giant whiteboards and a desk and a spongy damp carpet and four bookshelves I filled up from raiding the termite-eaten books at Salvation Army) and I say, "Hello my Lovelies!" to my homeroom kids who are the 8th graders and they are so young and dumb and brilliant and gorgeous and ridiculous and endearing and idiotic, I absolutely adore them.<br />
<br />
I walk Rosie to her Kindergarten classroom and we say, "Aloha Kakahiaka!" to everyone we see, and she takes off her shoes and hangs up her paiki (backpack) on the hook with her name on it outside the classroom and hands her homework folder to her young and stern teacher. And then I scramble to pass out fliers, take roll and lunch count, and introduce brainteasers and word games, and then at 8 am I wrangle the kids outside where they are transformed from eye-rolling internet-based lifeforms to Hawaiian Immersion Students. They stand in lines by age and gender and we teachers stand facing them ranked by the date we committed ourselves to Hawaiian language education (which makes my eyes cross) and the elementary teachers scowl and shake their heads at the squirrelly little ones (like the Kindergarteners who like to suck on each others' sleeves and try to surreptitiously take their slippers off) till they stand stiff and then we all turn to face the east and we chant to greet the dawn, and then sing "Hawaiʻi Pōnoʻi" to promising to take up spears for Kamehameha, and then chant about the Waters of Kāne the Hawaiian god of water, and then sing to the father, son and holy ghost. Then the children stand stiffly while all the teachers go down the line and greet and hug and kiss each other-- even the teachers who give each other stink eye, bump jaws together and look into the distance and say "aloha." Some teachers bump foreheads and breathe nose to nose which is intimate and disorienting and very grounding and lovely.<br />
<br />
Then itʻs the day and I put my students through their paces, sometimes baffled by what they donʻt know and stumped how to give it to them, sometimes knocked down by their creativity and insight. And I make nice with my bosses and co-workers and try to think about John Gottman and bids and Jay Heinrich and rhetorical goals and not take any of it personally and Rosie waves at me every time she passes my tent to go for recess or lunch and the students eat in my classroom and everybody has the giggles by the end of the day and weʻre all dusty and sweaty and hair is frizzy and makeup is racooned and the chickens come into the tent and knock over the rubbish bins to peck at the banana peels and then Rosie pounds play dough in the after school program and I sit through staff meetings in Hawaiian and bash my brain against the language and try to stay afloat of the eddies and swirls of conversation with my online Hawaiian dictionary open on my laptop.<br />
<br />
Then finally I get RJ from after school and carry 15 bags and packages under elbows, hung on pinkies, slung over shoulders, and then get Maile from the babysitter where she has been playing peekaboo with the baby and napping sweatily on the couch, and she leaps into my arms and I want to tie her to myself and just osmose her delicious solid toddler-ness and I can finally relax after all day but then we have to drive home and it always takes an hour, and the girls wail for snacks and I feel like a cat pet backwards and sparking and I guiltily feed the girls insta-food off of guilty paper plates and guiltily let them watch shows on the tiny DVD player and we grind through dinner and bath and stories and bedtime and then it's 4:30 am again and I'm awake and putting the kettle on and fishing my brown t-shirt out of the basket in the living room.<br />
<br />
As a stay-at-home mom, I never felt involved in the "Mommy Wars" debates about the relative merits or risks of staying home or working. I wanted to be able to wear my babies and be all attachy with them so I stayed home and worked on the side by tutoring and volunteering at playgroups and setting up summer camps and babysitting but every now I then I was paralyzed with needing responsibility and professional growth and something --ANYTHING-- for my brain to sharpen itself against. And somehow that coalesced into a full-time gig and everything is reshaped because of it.<br />
<br />
The tortoise has made it to the finish line-- I am where I am, this is what we are doing-- but the hare is still napping under the tree. My usually lightning judgement hasn't had time to catch up yet.MandBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667309228928476044noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-34940505726846326922012-10-28T13:10:00.000-07:002012-10-28T13:15:02.672-07:00Bilbo Baggins Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Every year we celebrate Bilbo Baggin's Birthday on September 22. This year we were quite anti-social and made a mountain of food and ate it all ourselves. The girls got into the face/body paint and got themselves all wild and gorgeous. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
RJ wears a uniform to school every day and it is physically painful for her to be so conformist. A brown t-shirt everyday on a kid who would rather have leggings on her arms and a sari and a crown and red cape and high heels and bat wings? So on the weekends there's a special joy in wearing whatever mad thing she can think of. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsHU63o9ULoVEo0jrXfrJ1BfvKdcedDNFCJg32ZLmGtulm7CEUwW0xSVkkZ0vKrEzkK5hJnKXB2G7_FoDRKuw6U1K9ooS50-fGStteaHvX86-iIlyDkztNXeibNvDBI-erevk/s1600/IMG_7808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsHU63o9ULoVEo0jrXfrJ1BfvKdcedDNFCJg32ZLmGtulm7CEUwW0xSVkkZ0vKrEzkK5hJnKXB2G7_FoDRKuw6U1K9ooS50-fGStteaHvX86-iIlyDkztNXeibNvDBI-erevk/s320/IMG_7808.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zUHAK0JXjALpRjKN6ph8borx02e8J1gw_YDWTWMiIiqO5hJRVhMDfvSyktWgBrc3CY769OPYSWJL90BBwmlW7c73ThJ_hET2Kz9MvLW8FhuGOtuN7vPVZLtuCGZK1Gdt06nB/s1600/IMG_7817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zUHAK0JXjALpRjKN6ph8borx02e8J1gw_YDWTWMiIiqO5hJRVhMDfvSyktWgBrc3CY769OPYSWJL90BBwmlW7c73ThJ_hET2Kz9MvLW8FhuGOtuN7vPVZLtuCGZK1Gdt06nB/s320/IMG_7817.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While Matt took over the kitchen, the girls and I wandered around the farm-- all the way out to the far end with the coffee trees, the truck graveyard, the wild guavas, and the ohia lehua. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQMSTnDT-y-j2hOhyK88PxELvzv5RDBDOMl6cGq5BRGOGbq0eq2rlWbEKJ47DDjHKuVWVGXJx_TJllRhEta9VduFb20xh7UMvAgT_kgFD86s93hp4HMhOOF9Yqnai3OpVlme4/s1600/IMG_7834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQMSTnDT-y-j2hOhyK88PxELvzv5RDBDOMl6cGq5BRGOGbq0eq2rlWbEKJ47DDjHKuVWVGXJx_TJllRhEta9VduFb20xh7UMvAgT_kgFD86s93hp4HMhOOF9Yqnai3OpVlme4/s320/IMG_7834.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpLbFnb4zubqshgDUb3Pw_WIxCT9mjRe-TmPonHpD1Xd0Qe_FJ65JwyrjgZ1-btIGaZ2bC2Tozr3a8QPIhd0ddDeB2ad9nezeJhp2tr7OHnk0LUYOBnmhYh-SEkHzla4VD_Rm/s1600/IMG_7835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpLbFnb4zubqshgDUb3Pw_WIxCT9mjRe-TmPonHpD1Xd0Qe_FJ65JwyrjgZ1-btIGaZ2bC2Tozr3a8QPIhd0ddDeB2ad9nezeJhp2tr7OHnk0LUYOBnmhYh-SEkHzla4VD_Rm/s320/IMG_7835.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This truck! In just a year it has melted into the pine needles. Reminds me of Gollum's riddle...<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>This thing all things devours:</i><br /><i>Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;</i><br /><i>Gnaws iron, bites steel;</i><br /><i>Grinds hard stones to meal;</i><br /><i>Slays king, ruins town,</i><br /><i>And beats high mountain down.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPzsEUIuEwWGLAgupzKGZCkqVwaZE3VPyMUZpJruDI-AakeKq6uX9RhsnQBJwKbmnKdWYjrjmGXxHbGhfFcqTNvX3qc-SlR5p-aiBin8k12PUfUqaFCtAxY5ha8qtY3WyUJWJ/s1600/IMG_7838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPzsEUIuEwWGLAgupzKGZCkqVwaZE3VPyMUZpJruDI-AakeKq6uX9RhsnQBJwKbmnKdWYjrjmGXxHbGhfFcqTNvX3qc-SlR5p-aiBin8k12PUfUqaFCtAxY5ha8qtY3WyUJWJ/s400/IMG_7838.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wild Child...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWp5UE0q2iG74-xyL3ho-D2kwIaYG3dyBjEDTP5AfIsXA6UwE8oruhg2V1d3IhBbIUA5YCWUafpZCTCmKBXt7KRRKRjEeQuVvROwYoHCZl3WkNX90aoByFlyrnEuwqPPdnbaY/s1600/IMG_7839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWp5UE0q2iG74-xyL3ho-D2kwIaYG3dyBjEDTP5AfIsXA6UwE8oruhg2V1d3IhBbIUA5YCWUafpZCTCmKBXt7KRRKRjEeQuVvROwYoHCZl3WkNX90aoByFlyrnEuwqPPdnbaY/s640/IMG_7839.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The jury is out on the guavas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Hjh77sef-r0dubb48iitTlViHDCLHiPAQjtu6CBiWnYVNJZIluQuhYst2ZWLNfHemDvS7NzoB7ialAVHgq6Zp1vO-am6rBy4nPlOT-3DPjrfQEgOklPSiT9H7wf_6RzZaQJm/s1600/IMG_7845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Hjh77sef-r0dubb48iitTlViHDCLHiPAQjtu6CBiWnYVNJZIluQuhYst2ZWLNfHemDvS7NzoB7ialAVHgq6Zp1vO-am6rBy4nPlOT-3DPjrfQEgOklPSiT9H7wf_6RzZaQJm/s320/IMG_7845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Feast! Roast Beast, Challah, chicken pot pie, mushies and bacon, taters, bubble and squeak. Happy Birthday Bilbo!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhs3nrejmH1ARXU8N2_BORD2m99qYttYN6ZFjUR24_ieDGHvSMFsHRnrfzf6vQyMNACOf4OaGWAojZVDGAAOD4QE72xzZKyX5RefJ4TmrCj41RqsFr1ixkRdhp9tyUVM_kyOL/s1600/IMG_7856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhs3nrejmH1ARXU8N2_BORD2m99qYttYN6ZFjUR24_ieDGHvSMFsHRnrfzf6vQyMNACOf4OaGWAojZVDGAAOD4QE72xzZKyX5RefJ4TmrCj41RqsFr1ixkRdhp9tyUVM_kyOL/s320/IMG_7856.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-79147513748964078822012-10-28T12:50:00.002-07:002012-10-28T12:50:41.585-07:00Smiley Girls Getting Birthday Presents at Someone Elseʻs Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgUvH4OrsngI0E9dxB_uqQRo7wtRLMEjyNq3aLFjRBMuBiinYhKqwoU-i4D9C26VIJ0EFy9wRaalp3XQ4g0A27tu2m7ZTjG3vzExZEikoChCZ8j2t9j-KDUJQXRllGAHb-VxD/s1600/IMG_7858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgUvH4OrsngI0E9dxB_uqQRo7wtRLMEjyNq3aLFjRBMuBiinYhKqwoU-i4D9C26VIJ0EFy9wRaalp3XQ4g0A27tu2m7ZTjG3vzExZEikoChCZ8j2t9j-KDUJQXRllGAHb-VxD/s320/IMG_7858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDoPFTScjoYfUVW7sew3dHO9AuCEvfs9GxIBZA3aTotNnuHdZ-_Li5YGo2cjGAoEIAx5WMGcEotYJGs59G6T6kkl1PEcEPdbxspMnu3EkqFblReCFPi9MbXS5ind-JHP6lJkf/s1600/IMG_7859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDoPFTScjoYfUVW7sew3dHO9AuCEvfs9GxIBZA3aTotNnuHdZ-_Li5YGo2cjGAoEIAx5WMGcEotYJGs59G6T6kkl1PEcEPdbxspMnu3EkqFblReCFPi9MbXS5ind-JHP6lJkf/s320/IMG_7859.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hIfzpU_-nGzyUhe0biiMjcUlCX88hdSXB-_jPWmbX7fbYetPAbEUu6d5gagdyQaBcgnx7-vTBJAnT2znP3qBqXMhkrM2n9dKJIwDXA11XndW6xLW8a0fJcSrWYlRVtQI_uk0/s1600/IMG_7866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hIfzpU_-nGzyUhe0biiMjcUlCX88hdSXB-_jPWmbX7fbYetPAbEUu6d5gagdyQaBcgnx7-vTBJAnT2znP3qBqXMhkrM2n9dKJIwDXA11XndW6xLW8a0fJcSrWYlRVtQI_uk0/s320/IMG_7866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOy98oKKe-yF9Oc_a1f4QFGFGZDfJlw_OVol-i2xUibOW2NmVXHV-cBHqxivHQYLZOC56oRdivGgj6ray7iykiXjdg6QSf9v6zrx_k_Uwxnls-bMqU0t-EPNcrui-sCD5D3W7/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOy98oKKe-yF9Oc_a1f4QFGFGZDfJlw_OVol-i2xUibOW2NmVXHV-cBHqxivHQYLZOC56oRdivGgj6ray7iykiXjdg6QSf9v6zrx_k_Uwxnls-bMqU0t-EPNcrui-sCD5D3W7/s320/IMG_7867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So I should fire my blogger, but since Iʻm not paying her, I guess I should expect this sub-par blogging.... Ah well. Things have been so absolutely high-octane crazy that I feel like time is just crackling past-- sparks on a blanket quick and gorgeous and painful.<br />
<br />
Here are some Photos from one of those quick lovely moments: a birthday party at a secluded little beach, elegant delicious food, kids rolling around on driftwood and crunching sand into their scalp-- Rosie and her friend showing off their newly learned Kindergarten Hawaiian and Maile and her friend eyeing each other warily. Rosie and Maile were so lucky to get beautifully matching Hello-Kitty Themed Late Birthday Treasures, because other people (not me) are thoughtful and generous like that. We stayed until it was dark and unfamiliar large bugs were buzzing around and wild cats were circling the parking lot and tourists were firing up BBQs behind their condos and the kids fell asleep in the car.<br />
<br />
It was a brief little respite-- like a gasp of air in our otherwise underwater life. Thanks.Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-67328059068258483302012-10-25T06:59:00.002-07:002012-10-25T06:59:44.950-07:00just hello<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Bjuerb-VcRsR_AMo0d6QVH7PMtEGc8rcH1akVLMq3KcixN7U4sxdJ6UM3wSncspiLBQhAOxDYo91mbPQ74A_a19c0OyI5sinYXe7sR-QeKYfrqHzZUc6FfljZg5vYZX1EBqD/s1600/IMG_7347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Bjuerb-VcRsR_AMo0d6QVH7PMtEGc8rcH1akVLMq3KcixN7U4sxdJ6UM3wSncspiLBQhAOxDYo91mbPQ74A_a19c0OyI5sinYXe7sR-QeKYfrqHzZUc6FfljZg5vYZX1EBqD/s640/IMG_7347.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-943816094128674322012-07-01T00:24:00.001-07:002012-07-01T00:24:02.923-07:00And... coming home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLHSRAQ0J0g/T--xbjUlZlI/AAAAAAAAB7U/Y2FsUORiqFQ/s1600/2012-05+%2528521%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLHSRAQ0J0g/T--xbjUlZlI/AAAAAAAAB7U/Y2FsUORiqFQ/s640/2012-05+%2528521%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3yiwXoR9ig/T--xeA_4CLI/AAAAAAAAB7k/eBM1yrrFlGk/s1600/2012-05+%2528528%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3yiwXoR9ig/T--xeA_4CLI/AAAAAAAAB7k/eBM1yrrFlGk/s640/2012-05+%2528528%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And then suddenly, we're back. It was tremendously disorienting-- everything just the way we left it-- actually, much nicer than the way we left it, thanks to KJ and Ivan's loving stewardship-- but I felt like our cat Tako when we moved--- she ran into the new house, ran into every new room and under all the furniture like a mad thing, then hid under the bed for three days. I had to wander around for a couple of weeks just looking in drawers and feeling confused-- Did this faucet always spray? Do we really not have a dryer? But now it's been a little more than a month and we've resettled, more or less. Utah seems like a blip-- a vivid dream, or something that happened a long time ago. The girls almost don't remember it, and have reentered their lives more or less seamlessly, remembering all the backstories to their toys and kid-treasure-detritus... stuff that out-of-sight-out-of-mind for a season and they had forgotten it existed. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zLH8tmd64aE/T--xdIAI5lI/AAAAAAAAB7c/yCUTpmnT2Oo/s1600/2012-05+%2528524%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zLH8tmd64aE/T--xdIAI5lI/AAAAAAAAB7c/yCUTpmnT2Oo/s640/2012-05+%2528524%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcokUXkmnoY/T--xaS2iEGI/AAAAAAAAB7M/3oh6NV1FLpM/s1600/2012-05+%2528518%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AcokUXkmnoY/T--xaS2iEGI/AAAAAAAAB7M/3oh6NV1FLpM/s640/2012-05+%2528518%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-73919897580301148122012-07-01T00:15:00.004-07:002012-07-01T00:15:40.650-07:00Winter in Utah: Gettin Used to Leavin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q9N_D3QCH_w/T--wlcqPJ6I/AAAAAAAAB3E/vH4ysuVEkFY/s1600/2012-05+%2528346%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q9N_D3QCH_w/T--wlcqPJ6I/AAAAAAAAB3E/vH4ysuVEkFY/s320/2012-05+%2528346%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And before I knew it, we were done. We gave back all the stuff we had begged, borrowed, or stolen, packed up a rental car, and drove to California! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnyyvQIDtpo/T--wmQlosuI/AAAAAAAAB3M/z1uYlDZq-WU/s1600/2012-05+%2528350%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnyyvQIDtpo/T--wmQlosuI/AAAAAAAAB3M/z1uYlDZq-WU/s320/2012-05+%2528350%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I surprised myself-- I was REALLY sad to leave. We had settled in so nicely! Rosie's school was so wonderful, and our little simplified life was so cozy and intimate-- just us in our tiny apartment. I wasn't sure what I thought about coming home to a pile of stuff that we don't really need and obligations and connections and responsibilities...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fChdleMwJWM/T--wrftG2rI/AAAAAAAAB3k/t1KPFhXgQ40/s1600/2012-05+%2528369%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fChdleMwJWM/T--wrftG2rI/AAAAAAAAB3k/t1KPFhXgQ40/s320/2012-05+%2528369%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
so rather than go straight home and risk dying from shock, we went on a vacation! <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/-SCATCmNXMBo/T--ws_BzOAI/AAAAAAAAB3s/y6ywh1PgTpE/s1600/2012-05+%2528376%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCATCmNXMBo/T--ws_BzOAI/AAAAAAAAB3s/y6ywh1PgTpE/s320/2012-05+%2528376%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brief-- but noble! Stop in the sierras</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3iv-DMTwDrQ/T--wu5NTSxI/AAAAAAAAB30/qJenXrazoZQ/s1600/2012-05+%2528387%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3iv-DMTwDrQ/T--wu5NTSxI/AAAAAAAAB30/qJenXrazoZQ/s640/2012-05+%2528387%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></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/-wuyyVfSOqD4/T--wxmNITUI/AAAAAAAAB38/cSK6f51pDso/s1600/2012-05+%2528393%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuyyVfSOqD4/T--wxmNITUI/AAAAAAAAB38/cSK6f51pDso/s320/2012-05+%2528393%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">poor little street urchins...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Lawrence Hall of Science: where I wish I lived.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5KzJqPBkXU/T--wzqUK95I/AAAAAAAAB4E/PzEV4334sIA/s1600/2012-05+%2528399%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5KzJqPBkXU/T--wzqUK95I/AAAAAAAAB4E/PzEV4334sIA/s320/2012-05+%2528399%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></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/-AJfgvDyyv3Q/T--w0gxFBwI/AAAAAAAAB4M/b33RcVonU9g/s1600/2012-05+%2528400%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJfgvDyyv3Q/T--w0gxFBwI/AAAAAAAAB4M/b33RcVonU9g/s320/2012-05+%2528400%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's coming. Any second. I can feeeeel it.</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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPR-yD9BRhY/T--w1w733YI/AAAAAAAAB4U/2Kw5ybTX0SQ/s1600/2012-05+%2528407%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPR-yD9BRhY/T--w1w733YI/AAAAAAAAB4U/2Kw5ybTX0SQ/s320/2012-05+%2528407%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bunch a bridges</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/-09TnH_bR9l8/T--w3q7e_aI/AAAAAAAAB4c/Du-2adPOdZs/s1600/2012-05+%2528415%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-09TnH_bR9l8/T--w3q7e_aI/AAAAAAAAB4c/Du-2adPOdZs/s320/2012-05+%2528415%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma! And an alluvial flood plain, or somethin'.</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/-yl9Q2leoqEc/T--w5Vv6bxI/AAAAAAAAB4k/F1rVAeWtdO4/s1600/2012-05+%2528423%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yl9Q2leoqEc/T--w5Vv6bxI/AAAAAAAAB4k/F1rVAeWtdO4/s320/2012-05+%2528423%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oooooh, I LOVED this. talk about hands-on science.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3SoA_LhQmRM/T--w6j-XmxI/AAAAAAAAB4s/T49La8qxq70/s1600/2012-05+%2528425%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3SoA_LhQmRM/T--w6j-XmxI/AAAAAAAAB4s/T49La8qxq70/s320/2012-05+%2528425%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></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/-J0Tv4B9kSpk/T--w7xFJTrI/AAAAAAAAB40/2KDX7B_a-IM/s1600/2012-05+%2528429%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Tv4B9kSpk/T--w7xFJTrI/AAAAAAAAB40/2KDX7B_a-IM/s320/2012-05+%2528429%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And --Praise the lord-- Cheeseboard pizza.</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/-ECfbcE3DAIY/T--w943IDCI/AAAAAAAAB48/z3i1MrD_jXY/s1600/2012-05+%2528434%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECfbcE3DAIY/T--w943IDCI/AAAAAAAAB48/z3i1MrD_jXY/s320/2012-05+%2528434%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, in some no-name strip mall in a suburb of nowhere, the world's crowdedest, sweatiest, spiciest, most delicious Chinese food on the planet. You know it's good, when I'm the whitest thing in a 3 mile radius.</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/-velGt9LAoLc/T--xAKPtfaI/AAAAAAAAB5E/G6SPsvYpqRM/s1600/2012-05+%2528437%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-velGt9LAoLc/T--xAKPtfaI/AAAAAAAAB5E/G6SPsvYpqRM/s320/2012-05+%2528437%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the damask roses of the world tour...</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/-a2g99a4gr5Y/T--xC90juXI/AAAAAAAAB5U/hMkpYvglOV8/s1600/2012-05+%2528444%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2g99a4gr5Y/T--xC90juXI/AAAAAAAAB5U/hMkpYvglOV8/s320/2012-05+%2528444%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the awesome broken wild animal museum. Those owls, hawks, and eagles? All alive. All somehow defective, but... ALIVE! Awesome, right?</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/-skTdJddXM_g/T--xD7LnTOI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/lLaVXlIm0aI/s1600/2012-05+%2528457%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skTdJddXM_g/T--xD7LnTOI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/lLaVXlIm0aI/s320/2012-05+%2528457%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maile as a red-tailed hawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vuq5MKx_EnM/T--xFRNuCrI/AAAAAAAAB5k/n_wnegfECpA/s1600/2012-05+%2528460%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vuq5MKx_EnM/T--xFRNuCrI/AAAAAAAAB5k/n_wnegfECpA/s320/2012-05+%2528460%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl5QCRUIZHM/T--xJZ_TwBI/AAAAAAAAB5s/R0YAerH1Xmc/s1600/2012-05+%2528472%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl5QCRUIZHM/T--xJZ_TwBI/AAAAAAAAB5s/R0YAerH1Xmc/s320/2012-05+%2528472%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBN8Fp0FP2Q/T--xK0Y-ilI/AAAAAAAAB50/L8GDGKchuIY/s1600/2012-05+%2528474%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LBN8Fp0FP2Q/T--xK0Y-ilI/AAAAAAAAB50/L8GDGKchuIY/s320/2012-05+%2528474%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8shjPDJTkYM/T--xLxBqPYI/AAAAAAAAB58/z8VtRtocb6Q/s1600/2012-05+%2528488%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8shjPDJTkYM/T--xLxBqPYI/AAAAAAAAB58/z8VtRtocb6Q/s640/2012-05+%2528488%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UddB9nNRH10/T--xO-Ak6nI/AAAAAAAAB6M/qA1kf73tUvg/s1600/2012-05+%2528493%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UddB9nNRH10/T--xO-Ak6nI/AAAAAAAAB6M/qA1kf73tUvg/s320/2012-05+%2528493%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaiqTy82Q4Y/T--xRbaR2NI/AAAAAAAAB6U/m5Wy-xYKf3k/s1600/2012-05+%2528496%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaiqTy82Q4Y/T--xRbaR2NI/AAAAAAAAB6U/m5Wy-xYKf3k/s640/2012-05+%2528496%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go bears!</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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GRK6gUtoKE/T--xSharLVI/AAAAAAAAB6c/eI88TzNhxr8/s1600/2012-05+%2528499%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GRK6gUtoKE/T--xSharLVI/AAAAAAAAB6c/eI88TzNhxr8/s320/2012-05+%2528499%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who we ran in to in the foyer of the Botany building-- Lucy!!!</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/-aEfry4mxePI/T--xThIFvvI/AAAAAAAAB6k/2PR7Fl0XkLg/s1600/2012-05+%2528503%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aEfry4mxePI/T--xThIFvvI/AAAAAAAAB6k/2PR7Fl0XkLg/s320/2012-05+%2528503%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a tiny archeopteryx fossil</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/-yyNH9YC3Vns/T--xVM_2f3I/AAAAAAAAB6s/1k4a30XcWzE/s1600/2012-05+%2528504%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyNH9YC3Vns/T--xVM_2f3I/AAAAAAAAB6s/1k4a30XcWzE/s320/2012-05+%2528504%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooooh!! the Stamen! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZi0MDCg0Jg/T--xWHkGxUI/AAAAAAAAB60/fIbDEsEDiXc/s1600/2012-05+%2528505%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZi0MDCg0Jg/T--xWHkGxUI/AAAAAAAAB60/fIbDEsEDiXc/s320/2012-05+%2528505%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></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/-qU4wq4ehQf0/T--xXxKVT_I/AAAAAAAAB68/AZOqoFWTuvY/s1600/2012-05+%2528511%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qU4wq4ehQf0/T--xXxKVT_I/AAAAAAAAB68/AZOqoFWTuvY/s320/2012-05+%2528511%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooooh, the farmers' market.....</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/-WKRSjMDV1G0/T--xZNzTXGI/AAAAAAAAB7E/8VYKEB5ELs4/s1600/2012-05+%2528514%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKRSjMDV1G0/T--xZNzTXGI/AAAAAAAAB7E/8VYKEB5ELs4/s320/2012-05+%2528514%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oooh, the borsht at Sauls...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NOXb2kHRa4/T--xkdv1izI/AAAAAAAAB78/tWV2fLhDX-k/s1600/2012-05+%252868%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Fnmn_Nhf8s/T--xiqEtZEI/AAAAAAAAB70/9eeiX068Rus/s1600/2012-05+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1RnLi1Qo6s4/T--xgr64MRI/AAAAAAAAB7s/kPeWenmlGc4/s1600/2012-05+%252857%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1Y1Xhyf7hs/T--xoX5YhSI/AAAAAAAAB8M/kPGIp-EEvjg/s1600/2012-05+%252885%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1Y1Xhyf7hs/T--xoX5YhSI/AAAAAAAAB8M/kPGIp-EEvjg/s640/2012-05+%252885%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It left us all a bit... deer in the headlights.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-12229150980917948782012-07-01T00:00:00.000-07:002012-07-01T00:00:06.080-07:00Winter in Utah: Birthday girls!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tGS9EPWxGgU/T--uLHnlUzI/AAAAAAAABrM/xEu1u5zBF6o/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528410%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tGS9EPWxGgU/T--uLHnlUzI/AAAAAAAABrM/xEu1u5zBF6o/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528410%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These little March girls each gained a number, and we celebrated with matching spring dresses, that they wore to tatters, over their pajamas, every day, and sesame-street-themed juice boxes....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--boe_5VWUdw/T--uMusQSiI/AAAAAAAABrU/uw_HnVaR1XQ/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528419%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--boe_5VWUdw/T--uMusQSiI/AAAAAAAABrU/uw_HnVaR1XQ/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528419%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And glass blowing...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q4uPhgt_Xg/T--uN69DOoI/AAAAAAAABrc/p6oYuZKjb4Y/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528428%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Q4uPhgt_Xg/T--uN69DOoI/AAAAAAAABrc/p6oYuZKjb4Y/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528428%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And a superfancy Mexican cake that they custom decorated with "O-tanjoubi Omedetou!" Muchas Gracias!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NumbpEB1EFA/T--uPNmqAuI/AAAAAAAABrk/18QRwHOo6Jo/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528431%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NumbpEB1EFA/T--uPNmqAuI/AAAAAAAABrk/18QRwHOo6Jo/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528431%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We had an impromptu birthday party with trampoline jumping...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dC5Enzao7k/T--uQrCOJXI/AAAAAAAABrs/Lr2MjUoB4OI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528434%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dC5Enzao7k/T--uQrCOJXI/AAAAAAAABrs/Lr2MjUoB4OI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528434%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And pinata-smashing...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWyOlhze1as/T--uSc-1MvI/AAAAAAAABr0/g4w8mYKZu48/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528443%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWyOlhze1as/T--uSc-1MvI/AAAAAAAABr0/g4w8mYKZu48/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528443%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOLZJ0ipmM8/T--uT7DoaOI/AAAAAAAABr8/XQ-g-pw_ylY/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528449%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOLZJ0ipmM8/T--uT7DoaOI/AAAAAAAABr8/XQ-g-pw_ylY/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528449%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And pinata wearing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UfUVGSen4wc/T--uVbmuCmI/AAAAAAAABsE/EyL620Jk_o0/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528452%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UfUVGSen4wc/T--uVbmuCmI/AAAAAAAABsE/EyL620Jk_o0/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528452%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3emITusXR4/T--vieD9FpI/AAAAAAAAByE/Qui8FNLPmAU/s1600/2012-05+%2528102%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3emITusXR4/T--vieD9FpI/AAAAAAAAByE/Qui8FNLPmAU/s640/2012-05+%2528102%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And best of all... DANDELIONS!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfCy_ptvTY/T--vkOcNyNI/AAAAAAAAByM/j7JFBfFWPfc/s1600/2012-05+%2528104%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DyfCy_ptvTY/T--vkOcNyNI/AAAAAAAAByM/j7JFBfFWPfc/s640/2012-05+%2528104%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwZVbEc0I_I/T--vmKK9G1I/AAAAAAAAByU/d8zFFtHdP7w/s1600/2012-05+%2528119%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwZVbEc0I_I/T--vmKK9G1I/AAAAAAAAByU/d8zFFtHdP7w/s640/2012-05+%2528119%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IvtpvXuAs_E/T--vnQSlaxI/AAAAAAAAByc/dQ0yam_6UEw/s1600/2012-05+%2528129%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IvtpvXuAs_E/T--vnQSlaxI/AAAAAAAAByc/dQ0yam_6UEw/s320/2012-05+%2528129%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUrr_aLSZhU/T--voasNG5I/AAAAAAAAByk/B6iyCQ75nxg/s1600/2012-05+%2528130%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUrr_aLSZhU/T--voasNG5I/AAAAAAAAByk/B6iyCQ75nxg/s640/2012-05+%2528130%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClU8u3TJ-n8/T--vtFn9poI/AAAAAAAABy8/zaHNXmvYzls/s1600/2012-05+%2528142%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClU8u3TJ-n8/T--vtFn9poI/AAAAAAAABy8/zaHNXmvYzls/s640/2012-05+%2528142%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4Y7XK2thHc/T--vuUKrA6I/AAAAAAAABzE/XxUfmyJJLgU/s1600/2012-05+%2528143%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4Y7XK2thHc/T--vuUKrA6I/AAAAAAAABzE/XxUfmyJJLgU/s640/2012-05+%2528143%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JO3j9tWu9rs/T--wjP7Qq0I/AAAAAAAAB20/qq6J3rZNRJo/s1600/2012-05+%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JO3j9tWu9rs/T--wjP7Qq0I/AAAAAAAAB20/qq6J3rZNRJo/s320/2012-05+%252833%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sWdPImbgGg/T--wV1U3mtI/AAAAAAAAB10/B6003oWUUOI/s1600/2012-05+%252829%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sWdPImbgGg/T--wV1U3mtI/AAAAAAAAB10/B6003oWUUOI/s320/2012-05+%252829%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah, and PENgUinS.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S88BdLOF81U/T--wgElObhI/AAAAAAAAB2k/cW5YyaDGIf4/s1600/2012-05+%2528324%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S88BdLOF81U/T--wgElObhI/AAAAAAAAB2k/cW5YyaDGIf4/s400/2012-05+%2528324%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjnjwyrqyto/T--wXB41HyI/AAAAAAAAB18/vmppaBuAMno/s1600/2012-05+%2528295%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjnjwyrqyto/T--wXB41HyI/AAAAAAAAB18/vmppaBuAMno/s320/2012-05+%2528295%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHBAyfhDKTE/T--wR6bt2RI/AAAAAAAAB1c/ltxuCY32ANg/s1600/2012-05+%2528278%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SHBAyfhDKTE/T--wR6bt2RI/AAAAAAAAB1c/ltxuCY32ANg/s320/2012-05+%2528278%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MP: "Me said, NO TAKE MY HORSIE!!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTOITyEO4gs/T--wTQ5hAGI/AAAAAAAAB1k/hSwp4J1ur3M/s1600/2012-05+%2528281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kTOITyEO4gs/T--wTQ5hAGI/AAAAAAAAB1k/hSwp4J1ur3M/s320/2012-05+%2528281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Oh and EASTER with lovely friends, where we chucked boiled eggs down the hill with 500 other weirdos<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IA-BHY2DZ5M/T--vUT_MTeI/AAAAAAAABw8/Ur3mgZn7ppo/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528711%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IA-BHY2DZ5M/T--vUT_MTeI/AAAAAAAABw8/Ur3mgZn7ppo/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528711%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQHJjr2gdyo/T--vWcQMzSI/AAAAAAAABxE/QL8D1NTPgjs/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528713%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQHJjr2gdyo/T--vWcQMzSI/AAAAAAAABxE/QL8D1NTPgjs/s400/2012-04-Logan+%2528713%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmbG5wBeaME/T--vYFk5cYI/AAAAAAAABxM/UOQpoROoqHA/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528716%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmbG5wBeaME/T--vYFk5cYI/AAAAAAAABxM/UOQpoROoqHA/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528716%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></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://3.bp.blogspot.com/--qiDXIRUTZo/T--vZcBrIjI/AAAAAAAABxU/Xo_PpDcxRjk/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528717%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--qiDXIRUTZo/T--vZcBrIjI/AAAAAAAABxU/Xo_PpDcxRjk/s640/2012-04-Logan+%2528717%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the obligatory eyeball egg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1876750449"></span><span id="goog_1876750450"></span>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-11040439409309586882012-06-30T23:50:00.001-07:002012-06-30T23:50:30.274-07:00Winter in Utah: It's Gorgeous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tl129cKNG6g/T--uWMK01hI/AAAAAAAABsM/slNEEu8g8qM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tl129cKNG6g/T--uWMK01hI/AAAAAAAABsM/slNEEu8g8qM/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252846%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSPKVu6Eb0E/T--xxu05lpI/AAAAAAAAB9E/8mfEd_fVKm8/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528229%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSPKVu6Eb0E/T--xxu05lpI/AAAAAAAAB9E/8mfEd_fVKm8/s640/2012-04-Logan+%2528229%2529.JPG" width="358" />I</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had forgotten that Utah is breathtakingly beautiful. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cT9Pwq9zBE/T--un7OPLZI/AAAAAAAABt8/Pgw8Zw7bFfE/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528570%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cT9Pwq9zBE/T--un7OPLZI/AAAAAAAABt8/Pgw8Zw7bFfE/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528570%2529.JPG" width="320" /></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 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3D8AlRS_3ws/T--up0CC0dI/AAAAAAAABuE/NOBNiXy6Si4/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528577%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3D8AlRS_3ws/T--up0CC0dI/AAAAAAAABuE/NOBNiXy6Si4/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528577%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it is populated with fuzzy little woodland creatures! The highway often smelled of SKUNK!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--q-rWSWaYpo/T--um5dQl8I/AAAAAAAABt0/0BBwFxSBuYs/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252857%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--q-rWSWaYpo/T--um5dQl8I/AAAAAAAABt0/0BBwFxSBuYs/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252857%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzSEufSRaaE/T--u2rKx5zI/AAAAAAAABu8/QlF0BlnIpwI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528643%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzSEufSRaaE/T--u2rKx5zI/AAAAAAAABu8/QlF0BlnIpwI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528643%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYGBcjNidDA/T--u307VuhI/AAAAAAAABvE/awClAfdIasI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528644%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYGBcjNidDA/T--u307VuhI/AAAAAAAABvE/awClAfdIasI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528644%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIkBJZGKOvc/T--u7q6mFgI/AAAAAAAABvM/tqMO2eibesI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528645%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIkBJZGKOvc/T--u7q6mFgI/AAAAAAAABvM/tqMO2eibesI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528645%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uigm3xqbruI/T--u-v4_2BI/AAAAAAAABvU/I5o9V4aBarA/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528653%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uigm3xqbruI/T--u-v4_2BI/AAAAAAAABvU/I5o9V4aBarA/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528653%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqPWRtwsPf0/T--vA-hOyHI/AAAAAAAABvc/zQPdJeB4-og/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528663%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqPWRtwsPf0/T--vA-hOyHI/AAAAAAAABvc/zQPdJeB4-og/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528663%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbRoGS82mbQ/T--vEINYZ0I/AAAAAAAABvs/FmriC5_5W0I/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528673%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbRoGS82mbQ/T--vEINYZ0I/AAAAAAAABvs/FmriC5_5W0I/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528673%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C0Y4NX3-q0c/T--vBzs1xdI/AAAAAAAABvk/3mu6xRhGXxk/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528668%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C0Y4NX3-q0c/T--vBzs1xdI/AAAAAAAABvk/3mu6xRhGXxk/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528668%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVPbPxm1HTc/T--vGpOjvbI/AAAAAAAABv0/b0Og36bU8QA/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528680%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TVPbPxm1HTc/T--vGpOjvbI/AAAAAAAABv0/b0Og36bU8QA/s400/2012-04-Logan+%2528680%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvDoLK83-_M/T--vrh9yTTI/AAAAAAAABy0/OjP8FgVa9Bc/s1600/2012-05+%252814%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvDoLK83-_M/T--vrh9yTTI/AAAAAAAABy0/OjP8FgVa9Bc/s320/2012-05+%252814%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgR-isLFBSw/T--v4P-Da6I/AAAAAAAABz0/Le2NRGYxI8Q/s1600/2012-05+%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgR-isLFBSw/T--v4P-Da6I/AAAAAAAABz0/Le2NRGYxI8Q/s320/2012-05+%252818%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7rncx-57KM/T--wZsclNTI/AAAAAAAAB2M/Vf0A1g62CUQ/s1600/2012-05+%2528311%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7rncx-57KM/T--wZsclNTI/AAAAAAAAB2M/Vf0A1g62CUQ/s320/2012-05+%2528311%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4eK780EOLQ/T--wLdy8LdI/AAAAAAAAB08/aIJpv3IQFqU/s1600/2012-05+%2528252%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4eK780EOLQ/T--wLdy8LdI/AAAAAAAAB08/aIJpv3IQFqU/s320/2012-05+%2528252%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrGP7BHnI0E/T--whso0tEI/AAAAAAAAB2s/1JMIyeq8PDc/s1600/2012-05+%2528325%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrGP7BHnI0E/T--whso0tEI/AAAAAAAAB2s/1JMIyeq8PDc/s640/2012-05+%2528325%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-10654294556836633562012-06-30T19:51:00.000-07:002012-06-30T19:51:09.592-07:00Winter in Utah: Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bVIO1-fJvBk/T--xqr7mTpI/AAAAAAAAB8c/pqTivlNjzBI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528278%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0XzbT-KANc/T--tsSo6XNI/AAAAAAAABo8/9L3tBuCSMTM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0XzbT-KANc/T--tsSo6XNI/AAAAAAAABo8/9L3tBuCSMTM/s200/2012-04-Logan+%2528283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bVIO1-fJvBk/T--xqr7mTpI/AAAAAAAAB8c/pqTivlNjzBI/s200/2012-04-Logan+%2528278%2529.JPG" width="200" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtV2OvUSA4M/T--tuDWeFvI/AAAAAAAABpE/zjNL86ljyOo/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ydgo5bNr5Mg/T--tvWTKn6I/AAAAAAAABpM/oTdC9vC1Lfo/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ydgo5bNr5Mg/T--tvWTKn6I/AAAAAAAABpM/oTdC9vC1Lfo/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528287%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtV2OvUSA4M/T--tuDWeFvI/AAAAAAAABpE/zjNL86ljyOo/s200/2012-04-Logan+%2528285%2529.JPG" width="200" /></div>
Luckily for me, Matt's ideal program is in the state where my pioneer rutts run deep. By the crick. So I got to see a lot of family and it was really wonderful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_khUOQPT6k/T--tx3JzbfI/AAAAAAAABpU/gkwwM_UHJEM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528292%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_khUOQPT6k/T--tx3JzbfI/AAAAAAAABpU/gkwwM_UHJEM/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528292%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6lqFOEbpAI/T--t-8WsYXI/AAAAAAAABqE/VHc4eBq7atI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528361%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6lqFOEbpAI/T--t-8WsYXI/AAAAAAAABqE/VHc4eBq7atI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528361%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdvUpELP5no/T--vIRFfrlI/AAAAAAAABv8/EhzcYZWzVvc/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528691%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdvUpELP5no/T--vIRFfrlI/AAAAAAAABv8/EhzcYZWzVvc/s640/2012-04-Logan+%2528691%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8SOzVoWxXU/T--veK7sdlI/AAAAAAAABx0/MHDHJ84E4EM/s1600/2012-04-Logan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8SOzVoWxXU/T--veK7sdlI/AAAAAAAABx0/MHDHJ84E4EM/s320/2012-04-Logan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_7l5Y834HA/T--v-ygibjI/AAAAAAAAB0U/q9fcVnvaFnM/s1600/2012-05+%252821%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_7l5Y834HA/T--v-ygibjI/AAAAAAAAB0U/q9fcVnvaFnM/s320/2012-05+%252821%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_7l5Y834HA/T--v-ygibjI/AAAAAAAAB0U/q9fcVnvaFnM/s1600/2012-05+%252821%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RoCR_IjUCDs/T--v9aNKoyI/AAAAAAAAB0M/-vcnWDx9QS8/s1600/2012-05+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RoCR_IjUCDs/T--v9aNKoyI/AAAAAAAAB0M/-vcnWDx9QS8/s400/2012-05+%252820%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AMEtnVoJV9k/T--wIeCViQI/AAAAAAAAB0s/Bngpg8sFJzA/s1600/2012-05+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AMEtnVoJV9k/T--wIeCViQI/AAAAAAAAB0s/Bngpg8sFJzA/s640/2012-05+%252824%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MaIWIg3wnNY/T--wJrp3fJI/AAAAAAAAB00/FFNh9FSgCDU/s1600/2012-05+%2528242%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MaIWIg3wnNY/T--wJrp3fJI/AAAAAAAAB00/FFNh9FSgCDU/s320/2012-05+%2528242%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCwsESHXfCs/T--wNEuNv-I/AAAAAAAAB1E/YFZRvPRD62g/s1600/2012-05+%2528259%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCwsESHXfCs/T--wNEuNv-I/AAAAAAAAB1E/YFZRvPRD62g/s320/2012-05+%2528259%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmpWyo6JCnQ/T--wOy9z1cI/AAAAAAAAB1M/Unv8Aw2294Q/s1600/2012-05+%2528270%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QmpWyo6JCnQ/T--wOy9z1cI/AAAAAAAAB1M/Unv8Aw2294Q/s320/2012-05+%2528270%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ioslg6fjh6s/T--wP-hY80I/AAAAAAAAB1U/-SR_ndOHUjA/s1600/2012-05+%2528273%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ioslg6fjh6s/T--wP-hY80I/AAAAAAAAB1U/-SR_ndOHUjA/s640/2012-05+%2528273%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fFpairArj70/T--wUs4uWfI/AAAAAAAAB1s/f7nSPHNx2DA/s1600/2012-05+%2528283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fFpairArj70/T--wUs4uWfI/AAAAAAAAB1s/f7nSPHNx2DA/s320/2012-05+%2528283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjnjwyrqyto/T--wXB41HyI/AAAAAAAAB18/vmppaBuAMno/s1600/2012-05+%2528295%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjnjwyrqyto/T--wXB41HyI/AAAAAAAAB18/vmppaBuAMno/s320/2012-05+%2528295%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zT0UvxufrHc/T--wYq-pSrI/AAAAAAAAB2E/b4IFFifdySA/s1600/2012-05+%2528296%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zT0UvxufrHc/T--wYq-pSrI/AAAAAAAAB2E/b4IFFifdySA/s320/2012-05+%2528296%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbkhxqzjB5U/T--wa-fNywI/AAAAAAAAB2U/qanUSxV76Nc/s1600/2012-05+%2528317%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbkhxqzjB5U/T--wa-fNywI/AAAAAAAAB2U/qanUSxV76Nc/s640/2012-05+%2528317%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4TOy6T7Qeo/T--wdRKpNAI/AAAAAAAAB2c/mSkyI-4ItkE/s1600/2012-05+%2528322%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4TOy6T7Qeo/T--wdRKpNAI/AAAAAAAAB2c/mSkyI-4ItkE/s320/2012-05+%2528322%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-89975041171614674032012-06-30T19:39:00.000-07:002012-06-30T19:39:06.238-07:00Winter in Utah: Daily Life<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4P7l8yXmwM/T--uBxuFNpI/AAAAAAAABqU/x3Weyrz0Dho/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528389%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4P7l8yXmwM/T--uBxuFNpI/AAAAAAAABqU/x3Weyrz0Dho/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528389%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Springtime Hike in the Foothills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0haFHHRRlsY/T--xvVBr-2I/AAAAAAAAB88/nTtcAVP4-AA/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528231%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0haFHHRRlsY/T--xvVBr-2I/AAAAAAAAB88/nTtcAVP4-AA/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528231%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So life in Logan wasn't all scenic winter vistas and authentic folk cuisine...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iUcq8ryFbf4/T--wkYAbnvI/AAAAAAAAB28/xDGKon9Uljo/s1600/2012-05+%2528338%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iUcq8ryFbf4/T--wkYAbnvI/AAAAAAAAB28/xDGKon9Uljo/s320/2012-05+%2528338%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea9OqMpM6Qk/T--vbyMungI/AAAAAAAABxk/b05p50wC3NU/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528720%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ea9OqMpM6Qk/T--vbyMungI/AAAAAAAABxk/b05p50wC3NU/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528720%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real Live Green Jello with canned Pineapple in it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
There were a lot of exciting things we did. Like...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvVlk4OdJUM/T--t5aphHyI/AAAAAAAABps/n647YHTdca0/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528319%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvVlk4OdJUM/T--t5aphHyI/AAAAAAAABps/n647YHTdca0/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528319%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYTlsCb0F3o/T--t0A0FqgI/AAAAAAAABpk/sgTIbRZnJy4/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528317%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYTlsCb0F3o/T--t0A0FqgI/AAAAAAAABpk/sgTIbRZnJy4/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528317%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating Tasty over sized cookies...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiBr6BN6r5s/T--tyLeYvzI/AAAAAAAABpY/5VnLKmYBarM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528315%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NiBr6BN6r5s/T--tyLeYvzI/AAAAAAAABpY/5VnLKmYBarM/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528315%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing Montessori levels of concentration with Auntie's goblets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/-du879UJ2IAc/T--uAm8duSI/AAAAAAAABqM/9TL5fJwCFYY/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528376%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du879UJ2IAc/T--uAm8duSI/AAAAAAAABqM/9TL5fJwCFYY/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528376%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to Whistle while wearing a Cape Every Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4P7l8yXmwM/T--uBxuFNpI/AAAAAAAABqU/x3Weyrz0Dho/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528389%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4r-Hjd6BgTo/T--uC_GgNEI/AAAAAAAABqc/9zKJ-XUag0g/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528393%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4r-Hjd6BgTo/T--uC_GgNEI/AAAAAAAABqc/9zKJ-XUag0g/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528393%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collecting, labeling, and organizing hundreds or rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-09QMS0FWi0E/T--uENxf_cI/AAAAAAAABqk/BJxigAk4zaw/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528395%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-09QMS0FWi0E/T--uENxf_cI/AAAAAAAABqk/BJxigAk4zaw/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528395%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finding fossils</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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://3.bp.blogspot.com/--caEcoaGYgM/T--uG2mDfEI/AAAAAAAABq0/sncvgm2vWEU/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528401%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--caEcoaGYgM/T--uG2mDfEI/AAAAAAAABq0/sncvgm2vWEU/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528401%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to Braid</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/-No0eROklQGo/T--uJxXy2JI/AAAAAAAABrE/J7obai1bqBI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528409%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-No0eROklQGo/T--uJxXy2JI/AAAAAAAABrE/J7obai1bqBI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528409%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performing science experiments to find the Xylum and turn stuff blue</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/-S5ZZ-VmvZvc/T--uZo_Uy-I/AAAAAAAABsc/CN-GYnIqJc0/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528465%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S5ZZ-VmvZvc/T--uZo_Uy-I/AAAAAAAABsc/CN-GYnIqJc0/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528465%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">homemade haircuts and wearing jammies all day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Taking over the local playground<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncUF63wMnIY/T--ueHFnAHI/AAAAAAAABs8/tfMqdVgkF7k/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528532%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncUF63wMnIY/T--ueHFnAHI/AAAAAAAABs8/tfMqdVgkF7k/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528532%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></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/-3b8pukmYx1U/T--ufRRp4iI/AAAAAAAABtE/mSA6fIlWN9s/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528534%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3b8pukmYx1U/T--ufRRp4iI/AAAAAAAABtE/mSA6fIlWN9s/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528534%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zlqdf9dCYDQ/T--ugn62uDI/AAAAAAAABtM/rMmC6jeW1yw/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528545%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zlqdf9dCYDQ/T--ugn62uDI/AAAAAAAABtM/rMmC6jeW1yw/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528545%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3b8pukmYx1U/T--ufRRp4iI/AAAAAAAABtE/mSA6fIlWN9s/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528534%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfUPbf3E3s8/T--v0jaO4XI/AAAAAAAABzk/CfPijtTZNl4/s1600/2012-05+%2528150%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfUPbf3E3s8/T--v0jaO4XI/AAAAAAAABzk/CfPijtTZNl4/s320/2012-05+%2528150%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zlqdf9dCYDQ/T--ugn62uDI/AAAAAAAABtM/rMmC6jeW1yw/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528545%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3twf6ceZ4o/T--v3NEIPQI/AAAAAAAABzs/HzwjgpvXsQY/s1600/2012-05+%2528151%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3twf6ceZ4o/T--v3NEIPQI/AAAAAAAABzs/HzwjgpvXsQY/s320/2012-05+%2528151%2529.JPG" width="240" /></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 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGFnsKfEOSY/T--uiN1KZGI/AAAAAAAABtU/P1mcWU3zIkw/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528546%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGFnsKfEOSY/T--uiN1KZGI/AAAAAAAABtU/P1mcWU3zIkw/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528546%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating flaming sushi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/-ZaQG3JZe9UE/T--uk_zZa5I/AAAAAAAABtk/Zid_V595RO4/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528551%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaQG3JZe9UE/T--uk_zZa5I/AAAAAAAABtk/Zid_V595RO4/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528551%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHfZWdZ6DVE/T--ujUl_IVI/AAAAAAAABtc/bbmVdKDd58I/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528550%2529.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHfZWdZ6DVE/T--ujUl_IVI/AAAAAAAABtc/bbmVdKDd58I/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528550%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaQG3JZe9UE/T--uk_zZa5I/AAAAAAAABtk/Zid_V595RO4/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528551%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting fancy hair dos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHfZWdZ6DVE/T--ujUl_IVI/AAAAAAAABtc/bbmVdKDd58I/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528550%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W67nz6LqdRY/T--ulzsuQ1I/AAAAAAAABts/uYdwV3fjUWs/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528568%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W67nz6LqdRY/T--ulzsuQ1I/AAAAAAAABts/uYdwV3fjUWs/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528568%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LN3Xws5dlE4/T--uurzzM8I/AAAAAAAABuU/s4GtHicM7es/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528614%2529.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LN3Xws5dlE4/T--uurzzM8I/AAAAAAAABuU/s4GtHicM7es/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528614%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2btw4baPbU/T--uxprJKCI/AAAAAAAABuc/P7wBhYolV08/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528622%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2btw4baPbU/T--uxprJKCI/AAAAAAAABuc/P7wBhYolV08/s640/2012-04-Logan+%2528622%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flying kites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LN3Xws5dlE4/T--uurzzM8I/AAAAAAAABuU/s4GtHicM7es/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528614%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></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 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dhYoscy3pE/T--uy_QfkQI/AAAAAAAABuk/lO6CYKPgSTk/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528623%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dhYoscy3pE/T--uy_QfkQI/AAAAAAAABuk/lO6CYKPgSTk/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528623%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing poker</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/-TlRXcqpncpY/T--uzxQHryI/AAAAAAAABus/GXfbvasEoCI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528624%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TlRXcqpncpY/T--uzxQHryI/AAAAAAAABus/GXfbvasEoCI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528624%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating obscene amounts of Aggie Ice Cream</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/-OzsMUJfsvb8/T--u1toEvtI/AAAAAAAABu0/h4MgrC8fyQM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528626%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzsMUJfsvb8/T--u1toEvtI/AAAAAAAABu0/h4MgrC8fyQM/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528626%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">visiting the anthropology museum</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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDDgxmzATpQ/T--vMOP_dDI/AAAAAAAABwU/vL_NIjS-oXI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528698%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDDgxmzATpQ/T--vMOP_dDI/AAAAAAAABwU/vL_NIjS-oXI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528698%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yes, building snow people!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1O6i6mE3c0/T--vQOsKg-I/AAAAAAAABwk/fb7aKiSbd0s/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528701%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1O6i6mE3c0/T--vQOsKg-I/AAAAAAAABwk/fb7aKiSbd0s/s640/2012-04-Logan+%2528701%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NUVQU4c4cY/T--vRvUgXII/AAAAAAAABws/ZQVG7MbU6gM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528705%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4NUVQU4c4cY/T--vRvUgXII/AAAAAAAABws/ZQVG7MbU6gM/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528705%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_5LwfsUaEQ/T--vS9GP0NI/AAAAAAAABw0/Ea6mBVKFcdM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528710%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_5LwfsUaEQ/T--vS9GP0NI/AAAAAAAABw0/Ea6mBVKFcdM/s640/2012-04-Logan+%2528710%2529.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 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjaXVONHCDw/T--vv8HA32I/AAAAAAAABzM/fYfFUaJFUbc/s1600/2012-05+%2528144%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjaXVONHCDw/T--vv8HA32I/AAAAAAAABzM/fYfFUaJFUbc/s320/2012-05+%2528144%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And to make up for our lack of internet, we watched a LOT of library videos. </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/-YKUwSiP-FHw/T--vyJJpl9I/AAAAAAAABzc/WVdVTAJ_Kgc/s1600/2012-05+%2528149%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YKUwSiP-FHw/T--vyJJpl9I/AAAAAAAABzc/WVdVTAJ_Kgc/s320/2012-05+%2528149%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPzKvq1NZfs/T--wFftOqqI/AAAAAAAAB0k/T3hh9EG7oJI/s1600/2012-05+%2528236%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPzKvq1NZfs/T--wFftOqqI/AAAAAAAAB0k/T3hh9EG7oJI/s320/2012-05+%2528236%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YKUwSiP-FHw/T--vyJJpl9I/AAAAAAAABzc/WVdVTAJ_Kgc/s1600/2012-05+%2528149%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And carried our kids around in grocery bags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfUPbf3E3s8/T--v0jaO4XI/AAAAAAAABzk/CfPijtTZNl4/s1600/2012-05+%2528150%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3twf6ceZ4o/T--v3NEIPQI/AAAAAAAABzs/HzwjgpvXsQY/s1600/2012-05+%2528151%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DcPec3L-fYk/T--v60CdqlI/AAAAAAAABz8/m10qP9jLQcY/s1600/2012-05+%2528184%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DcPec3L-fYk/T--v60CdqlI/AAAAAAAABz8/m10qP9jLQcY/s320/2012-05+%2528184%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying SPRING with our neighbors</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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx9zSBiSFdo/T--v8SC-LyI/AAAAAAAAB0E/tVWthFHAT48/s1600/2012-05+%2528198%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx9zSBiSFdo/T--v8SC-LyI/AAAAAAAAB0E/tVWthFHAT48/s320/2012-05+%2528198%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going to SCHOOL!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uj1cQi909Jo/T--wCuMmeRI/AAAAAAAAB0c/UxNXRB9Kk0g/s1600/2012-05+%2528210%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uj1cQi909Jo/T--wCuMmeRI/AAAAAAAAB0c/UxNXRB9Kk0g/s320/2012-05+%2528210%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPzKvq1NZfs/T--wFftOqqI/AAAAAAAAB0k/T3hh9EG7oJI/s1600/2012-05+%2528236%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iUcq8ryFbf4/T--wkYAbnvI/AAAAAAAAB28/xDGKon9Uljo/s1600/2012-05+%2528338%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></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/-09yKsreYrFs/T--vpkwKMYI/AAAAAAAABys/ugqa8YdEYQ8/s1600/2012-05+%2528138%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09yKsreYrFs/T--vpkwKMYI/AAAAAAAABys/ugqa8YdEYQ8/s320/2012-05+%2528138%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mittens are AWESOME</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-22852272774105176742012-06-30T19:30:00.000-07:002012-06-30T19:41:54.545-07:00Winter In Utah: Adventures<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1099631061"></span><span id="goog_1099631062"></span><span id="goog_1767611685"></span><span id="goog_1767611686"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vLjUntrWroY/T--tE_tWhpI/AAAAAAAABok/vhEDAOIsI9Q/s1600/2012+Logan+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vLjUntrWroY/T--tE_tWhpI/AAAAAAAABok/vhEDAOIsI9Q/s320/2012+Logan+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So my excuse for not blogging is that in January we packed our suitcases, kissed our goats goodbye, and moved, for a semester, to Logan Utah. I thought it was going to be cold, isolated, shocking, and stressful. But see, that's the beauty of being a dour miserable pessimist like me! With expectations so grim, imagine my delight when the whole experience was, yes cold, but also wonderful. Rather than dribble a stream of adjectives across your eye-screens, I will commit to verb! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We traveled, and drove, and played games, and quit the internet, and sampled local delicacies, and enrolled in school (University and Preschool) and lived small and shopped big and practiced our Utah dialects and hiked in the snow. It was great, great fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIYLTcUbNLg/T--tKNksAfI/AAAAAAAABo0/fmEsKvhwoDE/s1600/2012+Logan+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIYLTcUbNLg/T--tKNksAfI/AAAAAAAABo0/fmEsKvhwoDE/s320/2012+Logan+006.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at that big fat dinosaur footprint! From a creature named, appropriately, Gigantopus!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt7mYMGuKIo/T--tJewzW5I/AAAAAAAABos/TVD7SKLT-z0/s1600/2012+Logan+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt7mYMGuKIo/T--tJewzW5I/AAAAAAAABos/TVD7SKLT-z0/s320/2012+Logan+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We said Brrrr to Bear lake</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppGXJcvweoM/T--t62wGOrI/AAAAAAAABp0/oeVoGJq5AOU/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528327%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppGXJcvweoM/T--t62wGOrI/AAAAAAAABp0/oeVoGJq5AOU/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528327%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And were wowed by the long drive out the Arches</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg8HxpvuI54/T--t8zUEbDI/AAAAAAAABp8/_W3M0sGDFwI/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252834%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg8HxpvuI54/T--t8zUEbDI/AAAAAAAABp8/_W3M0sGDFwI/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252834%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And by arches itself...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9fbZUCvYxU/T--uFqXpvCI/AAAAAAAABqs/MWaBxmg5Ju8/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252840%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9fbZUCvYxU/T--uFqXpvCI/AAAAAAAABqs/MWaBxmg5Ju8/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252840%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tl129cKNG6g/T--uWMK01hI/AAAAAAAABsM/slNEEu8g8qM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tl129cKNG6g/T--uWMK01hI/AAAAAAAABsM/slNEEu8g8qM/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252846%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDpQet6F8Uw/T--uaV13y1I/AAAAAAAABsk/zXcwXfqONoQ/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDpQet6F8Uw/T--uaV13y1I/AAAAAAAABsk/zXcwXfqONoQ/s320/2012-04-Logan+%25285%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdneBBBd2Ps/T--ub5xgIWI/AAAAAAAABss/JHyTwL2DZEA/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252850%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdneBBBd2Ps/T--ub5xgIWI/AAAAAAAABss/JHyTwL2DZEA/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252850%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was, eh hem, electrifying.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCLiTqxR1lU/T--udGiJ8iI/AAAAAAAABs0/br7KR57il6o/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%2528526%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PCLiTqxR1lU/T--udGiJ8iI/AAAAAAAABs0/br7KR57il6o/s320/2012-04-Logan+%2528526%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bowGPgvQ0c4/T--urN1_JcI/AAAAAAAABuM/7LQvivlG0pc/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252861%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bowGPgvQ0c4/T--urN1_JcI/AAAAAAAABuM/7LQvivlG0pc/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252861%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUjdBugOAf0/T--vN6mx22I/AAAAAAAABwc/jr046AK4bOM/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252870%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUjdBugOAf0/T--vN6mx22I/AAAAAAAABwc/jr046AK4bOM/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252870%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We saw the writing on the wall</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_UTBzV19QQ/T--vaoV9I7I/AAAAAAAABxc/uqqsGgStinQ/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%252872%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_UTBzV19QQ/T--vaoV9I7I/AAAAAAAABxc/uqqsGgStinQ/s320/2012-04-Logan+%252872%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KHZ1P_JIv4/T--vczapeiI/AAAAAAAABxs/bV6UhIAXBEo/s1600/2012-04-Logan+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KHZ1P_JIv4/T--vczapeiI/AAAAAAAABxs/bV6UhIAXBEo/s320/2012-04-Logan+%25289%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And Zions awed us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Mor8wTuqIc/T--vgJGyeUI/AAAAAAAABx8/shoKX-3J6Dc/s1600/2012-05+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Mor8wTuqIc/T--vgJGyeUI/AAAAAAAABx8/shoKX-3J6Dc/s320/2012-05+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1897749195"></span><span id="goog_1897749196"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-28232986515314348352012-06-30T19:00:00.001-07:002012-06-30T19:00:49.805-07:00Merry Christmas 2011!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzS-b5qQja4/T--s6crtwxI/AAAAAAAABn0/X9U-Q3Rt0AI/s1600/2011-12+%2528116%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzS-b5qQja4/T--s6crtwxI/AAAAAAAABn0/X9U-Q3Rt0AI/s320/2011-12+%2528116%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Christmas comes but once a year folks... unless you don't blog for 6 months! Let's all put on our bathing suits, hum a little carol, and recall that sunny christmas morning only a few short months ago....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUBzzhhtiHE/T--s7o57hHI/AAAAAAAABn8/Y9hUdZLmSbs/s1600/2011-12+%2528123%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUBzzhhtiHE/T--s7o57hHI/AAAAAAAABn8/Y9hUdZLmSbs/s320/2011-12+%2528123%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
When Santa came to town!<br />
Maile says, "Tanta! Kitmas! Gif me Canny! Gif me koklat! Say Ho, ho ho!!"<br />
Yup, and he and his handsome elves came ripping into the harbor on some killer waves in their outrigger. That beats reindeer any day, eh?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHU3o3NK2no/T--s84BIXhI/AAAAAAAABoE/7s2JsI7wJBA/s1600/2011-12+%2528136%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHU3o3NK2no/T--s84BIXhI/AAAAAAAABoE/7s2JsI7wJBA/s320/2011-12+%2528136%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DpcTnURE4aw/T--tAIlE6oI/AAAAAAAABoU/Nh-D0jUTUNQ/s1600/2011-12+%252882%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DpcTnURE4aw/T--tAIlE6oI/AAAAAAAABoU/Nh-D0jUTUNQ/s320/2011-12+%252882%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6Axbb5AJdo/T--tBl68WoI/AAAAAAAABoc/b-fdIeatrAs/s1600/2011-12+%252886%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a6Axbb5AJdo/T--tBl68WoI/AAAAAAAABoc/b-fdIeatrAs/s320/2011-12+%252886%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ah, sweet memories or winter time....Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-12963594215996749562011-12-18T22:39:00.000-08:002011-12-18T22:39:35.819-08:00So I am having technical difficulties: my computer crashed and i wiped the c drive I haven't managed to fix the initial cause of the problem, and I haven't been able to save any new pictures or reduce any favorites, blah blah blah, so long story short, here we are in December and I've no new pictures for you.<br />
So instead, an actual update.<br />
The children are -- no surprise-- hilarious and cute and challenging. They both have strong minds-- a trait that I figure will be a wonderful asset as an adult, but I found myself saying to Rosie yesterday, "Just say 'yes, mom.'" But no, we have mini lawyers. Even Maile, even though she can only make two vowel sounds (d and m), can renegotiate the terms of any parent-kid contract. Don't underestimate the fury of a 20 month old wielding her arched skeleton and her syllable: NO!!!!!!!!<br />
My time lately has been taken up with 1. tutoring Rosie and some friends in a makeshift homeschool kindergarten group. We've studied food groups, tastes, the scientific method, the senses, reefs, sharks, whales, rainbows, color theory, princesses of the world, continents, horses, classes of animals, types of horses, 4 times tables, the clock, five times tables, 10 times tables, 12 bar blues, 4/4 time, phonics, many sided polygons... It has been fun-- possibly more for me than for the children, who are sometimes unimpressed by the many rows of whale-shark teeth or by heptagons.<br />
And 2. packing. We are heading on an adventure-- we are going to Utah for a semester. In the dead of winter. And for some reason, I am really excited about this. I like that we are going to a new-to-us place. And I get to show my kids snow and cold, and fire places, and we get to spend time with grandpa and great-grandmas and aunties and cazouples... and maybe this will scratch our wanderlust itch for a couple of years. And allow us to return cheerfully to the balmy swaying palm trees and elephant-eye-high-grass without ire.MandBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667309228928476044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17705323.post-22176897412507997502011-10-05T23:38:00.000-07:002011-10-05T23:38:14.610-07:00Children are cute and some other mildly interesting stuff.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPJ97jaZbF_lNbDDQme46-_Pfc7KRR6J6LTwhz1BuE-2tNZeAqKEb1rihmPO1t6JvakAi_wgvfDtbtWOWfESLP_9p8yzrbG34PUiSKantFe2yiwzCgcTK6fEn1x_iUkiROLX/s1600/IMG_3708.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPJ97jaZbF_lNbDDQme46-_Pfc7KRR6J6LTwhz1BuE-2tNZeAqKEb1rihmPO1t6JvakAi_wgvfDtbtWOWfESLP_9p8yzrbG34PUiSKantFe2yiwzCgcTK6fEn1x_iUkiROLX/s320/IMG_3708.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This post will be in English, the language of America. This poster is from the Kauai museum-- notice those forward moving arrows-- or are they downward moving? And those chummy plantation kids, about to volunteer for the 442nd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVll6vFkoWitediShYeu8NAfIJKCk-pZEWe5BL5owuSgHfo444bO4DB1LgeEGl3G72BgsNph8PexgmfJBTa7k9GebEQpeehyM9lL9ruRzxuank7K91Mre8Wp_GEzTnQixoc3b3/s1600/IMG_3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVll6vFkoWitediShYeu8NAfIJKCk-pZEWe5BL5owuSgHfo444bO4DB1LgeEGl3G72BgsNph8PexgmfJBTa7k9GebEQpeehyM9lL9ruRzxuank7K91Mre8Wp_GEzTnQixoc3b3/s320/IMG_3424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTaO0epTnvhA8NSWuLN_LtZeYFfjeBO_wvd4urmppXIbqL4o3y7uz48klPliaEn075b0TemGMwykz4YJ8Lrhb42yhQZsLEVp2_WYgeYID7fDlIqepBHWIGIb3d9BAiR2csFoZ/s1600/IMG_3425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTaO0epTnvhA8NSWuLN_LtZeYFfjeBO_wvd4urmppXIbqL4o3y7uz48klPliaEn075b0TemGMwykz4YJ8Lrhb42yhQZsLEVp2_WYgeYID7fDlIqepBHWIGIb3d9BAiR2csFoZ/s320/IMG_3425.JPG" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi8mKMEKEforpTu_nRJu9bxu5nPnA5tT3piN1_rivFB_lUR8FGi1A5DmM_oTObJgVZeW1QEJIaaIiZj01lv4mtGLzNEwMQNsfGtJcxuDiQu3hPRhyphenhyphenEKrw7suY2-U96iHQI_MI/s1600/IMG_3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVi8mKMEKEforpTu_nRJu9bxu5nPnA5tT3piN1_rivFB_lUR8FGi1A5DmM_oTObJgVZeW1QEJIaaIiZj01lv4mtGLzNEwMQNsfGtJcxuDiQu3hPRhyphenhyphenEKrw7suY2-U96iHQI_MI/s320/IMG_3441.JPG" width="320" /></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6St16oPo3qa6OQki1DiypyyuwZgY11fgfbewqUhR5NFhDB5Ad8N-aLzXHq0tDzRtrKd9J2SnFYq5MNypGSfJ85nypvOxfv7xQL7uBu6MZTu1bTfoFxrWjgCmlwDWswzJbzDEK/s1600/IMG_3454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6St16oPo3qa6OQki1DiypyyuwZgY11fgfbewqUhR5NFhDB5Ad8N-aLzXHq0tDzRtrKd9J2SnFYq5MNypGSfJ85nypvOxfv7xQL7uBu6MZTu1bTfoFxrWjgCmlwDWswzJbzDEK/s320/IMG_3454.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a Rosie art-shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg_UOYnCdkzc-65mlT-CW3cZuw9cXLHcijAOK97z5NMpF_luf-ValS19SVD7M8ZDCksZgg6a_QcrzBGOPD1QBOZWMpwCahMbTJEi0sQ3b6TV6KCjubdNv7O-8ZSC6XuFTB6uC/s1600/IMG_3477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg_UOYnCdkzc-65mlT-CW3cZuw9cXLHcijAOK97z5NMpF_luf-ValS19SVD7M8ZDCksZgg6a_QcrzBGOPD1QBOZWMpwCahMbTJEi0sQ3b6TV6KCjubdNv7O-8ZSC6XuFTB6uC/s320/IMG_3477.JPG" width="320" /></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yr0MGtaQ5y-qu-Y9Qp-qF1a4eANLgiwhUSbk9rAkbUMzssymm-8s_xAXGqDRxN6BYhLrGZnjBk66y5afg4YX2QZyo4cZ7heuWL1Zsoy2QGf5nNrCO9qxK3mjht6d4K-HrkMI/s1600/IMG_3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yr0MGtaQ5y-qu-Y9Qp-qF1a4eANLgiwhUSbk9rAkbUMzssymm-8s_xAXGqDRxN6BYhLrGZnjBk66y5afg4YX2QZyo4cZ7heuWL1Zsoy2QGf5nNrCO9qxK3mjht6d4K-HrkMI/s320/IMG_3494.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby sings country.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcp6jIHOqtZsKleTtd3h-S_7iKQ1CuQOqkYuZurbTrSGLZq3Bepx1hswiHBpThgHMqU9JZf9YXH5iwB1Nb26hpiJg2pXf1Mg9S-2KDVc7_JqiVx04gCqqWrhpge7lS-RGHHXq/s1600/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcp6jIHOqtZsKleTtd3h-S_7iKQ1CuQOqkYuZurbTrSGLZq3Bepx1hswiHBpThgHMqU9JZf9YXH5iwB1Nb26hpiJg2pXf1Mg9S-2KDVc7_JqiVx04gCqqWrhpge7lS-RGHHXq/s320/IMG_3496.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjfk5Q1AjkDMqUq7a-q3F0GsFsIezDStGE8_y2EUwHxXsyy0Nk66OFPWkUW2If1qLxDVxviDz-6VMs5TEhJ2IAqNjPAbiHuxKqWP4zkH0-bL-5jdh03RLiA_Y1IaDpgyUM2tj/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjfk5Q1AjkDMqUq7a-q3F0GsFsIezDStGE8_y2EUwHxXsyy0Nk66OFPWkUW2If1qLxDVxviDz-6VMs5TEhJ2IAqNjPAbiHuxKqWP4zkH0-bL-5jdh03RLiA_Y1IaDpgyUM2tj/s320/IMG_3504.JPG" width="240" /></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun-DtkbAleo2y4HwZaIgM8p-psx-W3g8w6idsjiPqnNnTDx6k6exS78SgCB0LSs0n7GTqr7Ug4eHqgIzW6CkeAEsI7PBFpAAdax16r86aeF4t9Su2fa4pNglgA6u09gSx27Ka/s1600/IMG_3506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun-DtkbAleo2y4HwZaIgM8p-psx-W3g8w6idsjiPqnNnTDx6k6exS78SgCB0LSs0n7GTqr7Ug4eHqgIzW6CkeAEsI7PBFpAAdax16r86aeF4t9Su2fa4pNglgA6u09gSx27Ka/s320/IMG_3506.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is math. Go Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPnUvi3Qrvshg8k4JVL8a07HML6D8CNijDwAbWntpfoFF3FPd_m8lYiRIOVc0LEcePw3KXS01Mf69p3BQc-hYEr4C8XSDiknDtVdOSQgrhV8xFSlbWkqh-2lq5GCO2SK2NJpg/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPnUvi3Qrvshg8k4JVL8a07HML6D8CNijDwAbWntpfoFF3FPd_m8lYiRIOVc0LEcePw3KXS01Mf69p3BQc-hYEr4C8XSDiknDtVdOSQgrhV8xFSlbWkqh-2lq5GCO2SK2NJpg/s320/IMG_3508.JPG" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting the chillins to work cleaning up...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSspG_0fANznvekkKyf15PIMvC7Ss1db3grHnlveVvUyX8PlpurMRrVqtUMlYdTxGsjEgiANaNM0A1RXvSqM7FQTsYuWiYgvAFR8F5HxSkdrDdSxli0aVKp7TitKKCcq4pflaq/s1600/IMG_3517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSspG_0fANznvekkKyf15PIMvC7Ss1db3grHnlveVvUyX8PlpurMRrVqtUMlYdTxGsjEgiANaNM0A1RXvSqM7FQTsYuWiYgvAFR8F5HxSkdrDdSxli0aVKp7TitKKCcq4pflaq/s320/IMG_3517.JPG" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pretty much sums up my kid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitITvlDYh2dLNhRm5XD9yNFz0M7lAzck-UURaXVWGH43xxvU6i72oLJxpvf4zFIYdfAPGPgMP_YECCcPvA0lfSyaaxJRreW7_GWaCkLXI5nQBw9RyNhMmrkK3WWrqSJChgg9tK/s1600/IMG_3523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitITvlDYh2dLNhRm5XD9yNFz0M7lAzck-UURaXVWGH43xxvU6i72oLJxpvf4zFIYdfAPGPgMP_YECCcPvA0lfSyaaxJRreW7_GWaCkLXI5nQBw9RyNhMmrkK3WWrqSJChgg9tK/s320/IMG_3523.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you ask Maile for a joke, this is what she does. She is a comedienne.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIrIipUg8m1mBlQg0yCbvBE7RScEos5tIkSTRCn9LWjF973gdT-Pq3wK3hGR2qIeWMGNA-DgrQW0SKH69dY1m8I0NKm8wL69yE52g937j8G6VUnKCudd3v8HZtNa89l2jLFD8/s1600/IMG_3577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIrIipUg8m1mBlQg0yCbvBE7RScEos5tIkSTRCn9LWjF973gdT-Pq3wK3hGR2qIeWMGNA-DgrQW0SKH69dY1m8I0NKm8wL69yE52g937j8G6VUnKCudd3v8HZtNa89l2jLFD8/s320/IMG_3577.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute little china-town shoes! worn once by Rosie and now once by Maile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbZdr1_SLO4u5uSSxOBig_u2y2IbmwfBnlTWgIS3XXlFB31wGm-0aRYiWVg89eYj9rIKI6vZwHo3bfIt90IBk0QoSk2YfK8QgtYeMlfDNDtEGlExUICWkLcKleiHHiO_KGJSR/s1600/IMG_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbZdr1_SLO4u5uSSxOBig_u2y2IbmwfBnlTWgIS3XXlFB31wGm-0aRYiWVg89eYj9rIKI6vZwHo3bfIt90IBk0QoSk2YfK8QgtYeMlfDNDtEGlExUICWkLcKleiHHiO_KGJSR/s320/IMG_3578.JPG" width="320" /></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHJ0Fds5WeoW4qcwTYgwIEQyaVCExWRWoe3Lcup7Jd_h05QaDUZJfvO2bB_nlBlMv6Cc42uyGnoZ1e8b3OzoX_HJMSX3H_ZtoB1lU6-IZHGXdMwNaH91x0hOdr2-EBED1-7tM/s1600/IMG_3584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHJ0Fds5WeoW4qcwTYgwIEQyaVCExWRWoe3Lcup7Jd_h05QaDUZJfvO2bB_nlBlMv6Cc42uyGnoZ1e8b3OzoX_HJMSX3H_ZtoB1lU6-IZHGXdMwNaH91x0hOdr2-EBED1-7tM/s320/IMG_3584.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoothy art.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmsO3o24TdYIePDCgj70UatmDE3391XPTo9i2SFfe7FzBFg310cbWANUpmmSIGx5TsUtky4QgzrNkfmLj-rRHCpFNjkSmxdT0DdT0jJLLdGyTZmeIdMDltBRbTOobDssaoCE1/s1600/IMG_3590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmsO3o24TdYIePDCgj70UatmDE3391XPTo9i2SFfe7FzBFg310cbWANUpmmSIGx5TsUtky4QgzrNkfmLj-rRHCpFNjkSmxdT0DdT0jJLLdGyTZmeIdMDltBRbTOobDssaoCE1/s320/IMG_3590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear Tip Top/Ichiban Sushi. I love you with my whole heart.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXpNx93bH6ckGCh8phTOQoDx9m7xiSy9KSMB6VoIzPkRG3zTXnQDGGJymyYcKCH_JzSGMhVQcRAJO3xIDNZ7lpZVKfZdFwQYbU1oISAkLEK2OVCaGXpnpAYUm4Im7zmjYQ24K/s1600/IMG_3591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXpNx93bH6ckGCh8phTOQoDx9m7xiSy9KSMB6VoIzPkRG3zTXnQDGGJymyYcKCH_JzSGMhVQcRAJO3xIDNZ7lpZVKfZdFwQYbU1oISAkLEK2OVCaGXpnpAYUm4Im7zmjYQ24K/s320/IMG_3591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosie's favorite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3aQrQe4Pcb4Co0xwwGoOJXS_HKLqg1m6K8izcPLshL9Qu74P9kFiNs6KejRBvhfIsC7YkQ6u8ZNU2BliKTXbiGHhELU9oJwe0H9-4QMkcFI-Aq2WytBis9Ob_x8ahGFzsuPi/s1600/IMG_3671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3aQrQe4Pcb4Co0xwwGoOJXS_HKLqg1m6K8izcPLshL9Qu74P9kFiNs6KejRBvhfIsC7YkQ6u8ZNU2BliKTXbiGHhELU9oJwe0H9-4QMkcFI-Aq2WytBis9Ob_x8ahGFzsuPi/s320/IMG_3671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHPJ97jaZbF_lNbDDQme46-_Pfc7KRR6J6LTwhz1BuE-2tNZeAqKEb1rihmPO1t6JvakAi_wgvfDtbtWOWfESLP_9p8yzrbG34PUiSKantFe2yiwzCgcTK6fEn1x_iUkiROLX/s1600/IMG_3708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK7YyibvZylr1zepA1vIIOswiztd4L5gYWfMf8sdV-M5fccBEycej_esSLWg8VW7XT55Lu8d0u_Pq5esAlBfuIuDnW1rHAv5u0ZAFOi3hEqh5B8tdU24FI12Bv0ERFW9BdQmc/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK7YyibvZylr1zepA1vIIOswiztd4L5gYWfMf8sdV-M5fccBEycej_esSLWg8VW7XT55Lu8d0u_Pq5esAlBfuIuDnW1rHAv5u0ZAFOi3hEqh5B8tdU24FI12Bv0ERFW9BdQmc/s320/IMG_3691.JPG" width="320" /></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV20QSZ9Nv11ylxdrVWhmXUJon67gd7xWnXW-wKMrQy_e5sygWGX6pWFoxWebm2ACP1RmY5joMYMeMzoKfwnKN1CIJ8oEtRfnRzOm-72-CbF7VHA278QvJEPpBoQ5C-L435jQ/s1600/IMG_3695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV20QSZ9Nv11ylxdrVWhmXUJon67gd7xWnXW-wKMrQy_e5sygWGX6pWFoxWebm2ACP1RmY5joMYMeMzoKfwnKN1CIJ8oEtRfnRzOm-72-CbF7VHA278QvJEPpBoQ5C-L435jQ/s320/IMG_3695.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maile's triumphant first climb to the top of the playhouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YOB6yg5I75kJDpWMKcbtGbzCCKG7KmymhPIzBigLvd8iur774PLJa5ahT1mFBlYbs0pxyvhKQBeL4n-23htyjVnZcbU5pwJhwCX6XfpiOk25hh-7s87oz3iQY5RfmT6OrfgK/s1600/IMG_3699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YOB6yg5I75kJDpWMKcbtGbzCCKG7KmymhPIzBigLvd8iur774PLJa5ahT1mFBlYbs0pxyvhKQBeL4n-23htyjVnZcbU5pwJhwCX6XfpiOk25hh-7s87oz3iQY5RfmT6OrfgK/s320/IMG_3699.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have entered the era of epic trantrums. First, she goes horizontal. Legs and arms batter the ground. Then she lies still and tense and angry. I think it is sooooo funny. Here, note the pickle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw2-AY3NSwrgWHvma4P9A8yaDwODlD9GD027wjeUoQf9YSswTsbv8SzHbjIjATjw6a-F5_pu8NPeKYrPjAbNE6wLoumrcMHVPnce6hS-qr1GbDrBSq43LInBSPEWe7A1bCwa5/s1600/IMG_3702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw2-AY3NSwrgWHvma4P9A8yaDwODlD9GD027wjeUoQf9YSswTsbv8SzHbjIjATjw6a-F5_pu8NPeKYrPjAbNE6wLoumrcMHVPnce6hS-qr1GbDrBSq43LInBSPEWe7A1bCwa5/s320/IMG_3702.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kauai Museum (no photos, please!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuoaLkp9AKzbQPWyrcWcLKdsC1Ip_tNzQmfJe_00fHvsf0xB363vQvRPP0DfVtpvMewTckUiAuooikyAwzYo8IcImJ6hjkItpNYwcrYBwZr7QRmGl7W00mQERzGlm865Q71Tj/s1600/IMG_3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuoaLkp9AKzbQPWyrcWcLKdsC1Ip_tNzQmfJe_00fHvsf0xB363vQvRPP0DfVtpvMewTckUiAuooikyAwzYo8IcImJ6hjkItpNYwcrYBwZr7QRmGl7W00mQERzGlm865Q71Tj/s320/IMG_3762.JPG" width="320" /></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghc59oJai_JU9VNe80ZdBsVj8VFlqqj2v1QYtVNNt9s5H9NcufsEnjnTlGPOarcXfagnTpQecBSpWOI8QR39HTb3TO80X3Yl2FyIlZovt7DpB1luWTnV4-pj-wfi-TJ0_mrzz8/s1600/IMG_3776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghc59oJai_JU9VNe80ZdBsVj8VFlqqj2v1QYtVNNt9s5H9NcufsEnjnTlGPOarcXfagnTpQecBSpWOI8QR39HTb3TO80X3Yl2FyIlZovt7DpB1luWTnV4-pj-wfi-TJ0_mrzz8/s320/IMG_3776.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pigtails make me happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09945832328280944246noreply@blogger.com3