tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72565311751668354172024-02-20T18:34:15.352-08:00Meet the Robinsons Down UnderJulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-52935786388836632792013-06-15T12:02:00.000-07:002013-06-15T12:02:04.295-07:00Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBHFd4vwkmRSKLF_c8gqetPXhkP2Ll23IwRSDbXmUbXqiO3RFuCfdfbl_hTVlSfDV3VDjHy9FaSyTZGcH-6wUXBF7SB-DGzGe7FXxLiT8KlgqTJ6vxZ8qDLHJTy0QG7xTIt3VLqr-3mq0/s1600/IMG_1048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBHFd4vwkmRSKLF_c8gqetPXhkP2Ll23IwRSDbXmUbXqiO3RFuCfdfbl_hTVlSfDV3VDjHy9FaSyTZGcH-6wUXBF7SB-DGzGe7FXxLiT8KlgqTJ6vxZ8qDLHJTy0QG7xTIt3VLqr-3mq0/s320/IMG_1048.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily took a band trip to Hawaii and came back with a Ukulele obcession.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been 4 months since I had my ACL surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It went really well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did all of my physical therapy and
graduated with an A +.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(They don’t
really give grades, but Tiffany, my physical therapist, kept telling me I was a
rock star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she has to say that!)
I do lots of cycling and hiking, and I run on the track at the nearby
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels good to exercise
outside!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wear a super awesome,
gold plated, Donjoy leg brace (which I am already sick of) for all of this
activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so glad the ice is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love snow, but I hate ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a long winter, and I will be
happy if I never have to use an elliptical machine ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That pilates reformer thing though, I
could use that forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <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/AVvXsEjJ3_rtwMgevAb1Ws-T8NTGmBX3LZwLQbcJ0eOE91tJxJwKjovbW6lpuT8sp73WHoqaSCBikP_v9W0ZXcXJY3Bk_o-jeOmFcoPGoxs1UQ1_mchHcXZdFmi2GveYPlrqDXWAv35O1xltbP1Q/s1600/IMG_1042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3_rtwMgevAb1Ws-T8NTGmBX3LZwLQbcJ0eOE91tJxJwKjovbW6lpuT8sp73WHoqaSCBikP_v9W0ZXcXJY3Bk_o-jeOmFcoPGoxs1UQ1_mchHcXZdFmi2GveYPlrqDXWAv35O1xltbP1Q/s320/IMG_1042.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fancy new brace the day I got it. </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
My surgery went really well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Manion rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I didn’t have a lot of intense pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The femoral block kept my leg numb for most of 24 hours, and
I took pain meds for 4 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
kept my knee in the continuous motion machine pretty much constantly for a
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even slept with it
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just more
comfortable than lying in one position all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My scars will be minimal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, I was expecting much worse than the inch and a
half incision site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of
fact, when I finally got to take my bandages off, a week after surgery, I was
shocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was expecting a long
line like my sister Becki had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember seriously saying “Did they do anything to me?“ when I saw how small my
incisions are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness for
modern technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <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/AVvXsEiOyRHXMzmmaJ2u7bV_7W4h2kR0PLfPphH8ZoP1QiqIelFDCa316XjjXXimMDzr-N65x1z8hVD9-DwOOfQcIh8hQ4tgtiOoYwLc3IKq6ko_8ZelCSQRRgUfQ5N7efFmis7jeibwLrTlOTdI/s1600/IMG_0940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyRHXMzmmaJ2u7bV_7W4h2kR0PLfPphH8ZoP1QiqIelFDCa316XjjXXimMDzr-N65x1z8hVD9-DwOOfQcIh8hQ4tgtiOoYwLc3IKq6ko_8ZelCSQRRgUfQ5N7efFmis7jeibwLrTlOTdI/s320/IMG_0940.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry if I'm showing too much leg. This is my leg on Feb 8 - 3 days post op. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLqjn6WTSdcR9sZZeeYy5SqGKKS4dLlcaO58LXqUN2bfMjamNbpx1fJ6_ZwxsgQZ95kzjKR_wPPW6_TeuBJUPJzVWyC24k3rjoucfbwgvybY5ixP-SVNTWZKwskXsjJm_lxCwhdINlkBe/s1600/IMG_0954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLqjn6WTSdcR9sZZeeYy5SqGKKS4dLlcaO58LXqUN2bfMjamNbpx1fJ6_ZwxsgQZ95kzjKR_wPPW6_TeuBJUPJzVWyC24k3rjoucfbwgvybY5ixP-SVNTWZKwskXsjJm_lxCwhdINlkBe/s320/IMG_0954.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a week later. It was like watching a sunset - the bruises. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJts_F2pNwbfOEkV2hKpsalkyfBD33ZlnMh5IxDwZPSzy2OjVnxnnx_3slGAq0MMFRMcqs0eWTWd-TQDfFe-KGXfiESAno007cWR2o0q3k5yaRb_1Gds0sLB-4518BNwe3B7upLw3Vp9G_/s1600/IMG_0965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJts_F2pNwbfOEkV2hKpsalkyfBD33ZlnMh5IxDwZPSzy2OjVnxnnx_3slGAq0MMFRMcqs0eWTWd-TQDfFe-KGXfiESAno007cWR2o0q3k5yaRb_1Gds0sLB-4518BNwe3B7upLw3Vp9G_/s320/IMG_0965.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bruise ended down at my foot after 3 weeks. Notice my calf muscle is pretty flabby by then. (It got better.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the funny side effects of the anesthesia is that I
forgot the first couple days afterward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had complete conversations with people and I don’t remember having
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched all of
season 1 of Downton Abbey, and I vaguely remember it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the funniest things is that I sent a text message to
a friend in Texas, and after I pushed send, I realized that I had sent an
almost identical message a week before – the day after my surgery, and I have
no recollection of sending it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
say I didn’t have a lot of pain, but maybe I did and I just don’t remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAAYQqIHjxrizjpoj-gWnEoLSHidO0A3uuRKkCXEuhq6VN2vtaWiWtWqzz3d46FhjWTAgOQd66SB8obgOR5jRMnTPCrKNgR6MvZyD58HfOAu7RKpJAEIJsIF9YoSkQk-W81hgy24qub7m/s1600/IMG_1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAAYQqIHjxrizjpoj-gWnEoLSHidO0A3uuRKkCXEuhq6VN2vtaWiWtWqzz3d46FhjWTAgOQd66SB8obgOR5jRMnTPCrKNgR6MvZyD58HfOAu7RKpJAEIJsIF9YoSkQk-W81hgy24qub7m/s320/IMG_1150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shon, watching Bryce play soccer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, long story made short:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My surgery went well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel like I have a normal knee, but I still have to wear a brace and I
can’t do anything “athletic” until September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am really looking forward to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I love summer in Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one started and stopped several times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even had a very late snow storm –
one of the latest on record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May
17 we got almost 6 inches!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
snow, but I was really looking forward to walking on bare pavement at that
point, so everyone got a little mental until it melted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And melt it did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A week later, we had temperatures in
the 70’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to keep that in
perspective, last summer we had maybe 4 days over 70.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has gotten over 70 almost every day in June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me laugh to see all of us lovely, pasty-white
Alaskans in shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbQKVZEZ35uxGJsrIMUfgsuj41kcrvCtPY-UfeSzVpj-tZGHJXnooIEFvGXnSQGZIX32qhLi_9mGJUEDVcoieDM2Kjsn80IadBICqKo-EYId-1wCvC9J9Q4bO28q1VFZDiOL4gwxdY2ot/s1600/IMG_1159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbQKVZEZ35uxGJsrIMUfgsuj41kcrvCtPY-UfeSzVpj-tZGHJXnooIEFvGXnSQGZIX32qhLi_9mGJUEDVcoieDM2Kjsn80IadBICqKo-EYId-1wCvC9J9Q4bO28q1VFZDiOL4gwxdY2ot/s320/IMG_1159.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in May.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Summer also brings animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sitting in our front room, practicing my cello (I
played with the ward choir on “Love at Home”) when I noticed there was a really
big black dog on the edge of our front yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only, it wasn’t a dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The black bear lumbered up to our next door neighbor’s house and pushed
over their trash can and ran off with a bag of chips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the mean time, I called the kids over to see, and Caleb
thought it would be great to let the dog out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Smudge did the doggy Mohawk thing (hackles up) and
started barking viscously (she really is a sweet dog, so that is unusual),
which is the same time the bear ran off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Silly little dog, thinks she can take on a bear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ27_kVA0EMskJWQrNACjHUkAJGmlUBJL-gu1Gf1AZnsHm7Epz54uKcM_sW2OSv5Hk9WAZQwuTAw-3VLY4gD2v4f7NzFNlphd55-DX0ZLUvUgIsBruJZpSuaimkwOqsbD6M73xtK3PFe-q/s1600/IMG_0970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ27_kVA0EMskJWQrNACjHUkAJGmlUBJL-gu1Gf1AZnsHm7Epz54uKcM_sW2OSv5Hk9WAZQwuTAw-3VLY4gD2v4f7NzFNlphd55-DX0ZLUvUgIsBruJZpSuaimkwOqsbD6M73xtK3PFe-q/s320/IMG_0970.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smudge.</td></tr>
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</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(She tried taking on a possum (or opossum – whichever you
prefer) in Australia, apparently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I only know this because I talked to her previous owners, and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw the claw the vet took out of her
lymph node last week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kept getting an infection just under
her jaw, which would swell up really big – like a golf ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took her in and she had surgery twice
to get it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silly dog.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYV8Hj3XwibLussHw671bxf76SgL4N67NKpDLyTgg9lEChZh5tbnauGrfZq4YILgt_84PBkm1l-ntAPDQoNbtHn5JSZmfWp0hW1rf2aSh5TiOhkjiM13tbvA1yJO2t97ygBv8itTsH93G/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYV8Hj3XwibLussHw671bxf76SgL4N67NKpDLyTgg9lEChZh5tbnauGrfZq4YILgt_84PBkm1l-ntAPDQoNbtHn5JSZmfWp0hW1rf2aSh5TiOhkjiM13tbvA1yJO2t97ygBv8itTsH93G/s320/IMG_1288.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was the only bear we have seen this year, but I know
there have been others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see
their scat – it looks like someone took a shovel and dumped a load of compost
(in the spring) or blueberries (in the fall).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the neighbors tell me about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
There is also the moose (plural) in our yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One night the kids decided to sleep out
on the deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted to sleep
on the grass, but with the bears around, I thought not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made it to about 1:30 AM, which is
twilight, when a large moose decided to graze in our yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty noisy, and they all came
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably good they did,
because they were being eaten by mosquitoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DIGKn7Tk2OwNtYno8xsAL-hChUGnoh7M4EhWp6imwu5dxNmV7GnbIV2I_mOVWryir_whg2InTt4D_OQqzPdmkTsrTj1z19bFIzOgcEAomky9MaVQrBNeNKRM1_Op-H2UMjXnSrFxm1zA/s1600/IMG_1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DIGKn7Tk2OwNtYno8xsAL-hChUGnoh7M4EhWp6imwu5dxNmV7GnbIV2I_mOVWryir_whg2InTt4D_OQqzPdmkTsrTj1z19bFIzOgcEAomky9MaVQrBNeNKRM1_Op-H2UMjXnSrFxm1zA/s320/IMG_1293.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moose on the hill behind our house. Go ahead. Eat all of the dandilions you want!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just for the record, every place we have lived has claimed
to have the biggest mosquitoes (that, and they all tell that joke about someone
locking their car at church so people will stop giving them zucchini!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard all of the jokes about
mosquitoes being the state bird, unidentified flying objects, or mosquitoes
hitting you back if you hit them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alaska officially has the biggest mosquitoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Australia officially has the most annoying mosquitoes, and
bugs in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect that
Louisiana and Texas would have had similar mozzies to Australia, but they spray
for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <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/AVvXsEhbetdBjGrg0z2MtcwptdE2XN4rK6rprS0mtyGLaqf9i7Buv4UkM-338QxtfF_3PGV8lah2rHwOCdliDuCET-S2ogvGXozM-8nnWkK8qboEEQgCgg2ylmYQyqAxjIVOgK3ohTCgi0gsGWb0/s1600/IMG_1143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbetdBjGrg0z2MtcwptdE2XN4rK6rprS0mtyGLaqf9i7Buv4UkM-338QxtfF_3PGV8lah2rHwOCdliDuCET-S2ogvGXozM-8nnWkK8qboEEQgCgg2ylmYQyqAxjIVOgK3ohTCgi0gsGWb0/s320/IMG_1143.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah, on a field trip to release salmon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have had several other moose in our yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They like the lilac bush, and have
pretty much killed the maple tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They eat the tips off the branches, and strip the tree of bark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, moose eat bark and twigs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I finally plant a garden, I am going to have to put a
fence around it to keep the moose out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <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/AVvXsEiNERrzrvvve-PPf7oloY3r5xTNZGZF6Qxa57WC0-Eom65fsD_itq7EVMT6KyehgD-xm8OI2qxsa1Vlzvz4TOg60-yYVV-WAWQkPi98H6SjqzC-VGH2zRdOb_02Ig7bpLe3yLHfoWiBd7dc/s1600/IMG_1057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNERrzrvvve-PPf7oloY3r5xTNZGZF6Qxa57WC0-Eom65fsD_itq7EVMT6KyehgD-xm8OI2qxsa1Vlzvz4TOg60-yYVV-WAWQkPi98H6SjqzC-VGH2zRdOb_02Ig7bpLe3yLHfoWiBd7dc/s320/IMG_1057.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking of animals, here is Abby and her hamster, Cheddar. I call it Houdini. It has escaped a dozen times from two different cages. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things grow really fast here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like they are on steroids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, we have 19.5 hours of daylight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when the sun goes down, it has
only dipped below the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
makes it really hard to stay on schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We forget to eat dinner until 8, and then forget to go to bed until
11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even then, it is hard to
remember to be tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
sitting in a dark room for a few minutes, we remember again and go to
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alaska is manic/depressive,
and this is definitely the “manic” part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IKw8L3GFti2IBrgSDuHAW222QLwyx2slnbPhzXo07iT8E4jFBohnGwDDS6hmqN1MWTF1-ZMVjl_wpT5QscPOqhvBZt0OJLs0V9MfsN7HLTxPTbUd2Ccgyv34QTG53Fyv4tCX4QqdUxhyphenhyphen/s1600/IMG_6037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IKw8L3GFti2IBrgSDuHAW222QLwyx2slnbPhzXo07iT8E4jFBohnGwDDS6hmqN1MWTF1-ZMVjl_wpT5QscPOqhvBZt0OJLs0V9MfsN7HLTxPTbUd2Ccgyv34QTG53Fyv4tCX4QqdUxhyphenhyphen/s320/IMG_6037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We visited the ice sculpture contest in Fairbanks in March. It was awesome. Here we are with my uncle Greg's family. They are moving to Japan this month. Sniff sniff. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The kids are all out of school for the summer and we are
having a great time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bryce got a
job refereeing soccer games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The other kids have soccer practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a large stack of books to read on those rainy days,
but so far, we have had only sun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which means, we have
been doing a lot of mountain biking and hiking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had volleyball camp and girls camp and EFY are coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is nice to have everyone home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLJboy66s8SyB008fo_B2YpRYQ7fOOuKoN194DycPCw273tRwiiiZtyIbtst9tGCOLMCEEgrrRsPE1OIGCkyt5nPJx_-IhlFvSAn67kJYRC3_erlj6AnwD0DAsHz_2FJut0ZuhXpp-AEY/s1600/IMG_6012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLJboy66s8SyB008fo_B2YpRYQ7fOOuKoN194DycPCw273tRwiiiZtyIbtst9tGCOLMCEEgrrRsPE1OIGCkyt5nPJx_-IhlFvSAn67kJYRC3_erlj6AnwD0DAsHz_2FJut0ZuhXpp-AEY/s320/IMG_6012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and I in an ice house in Fairbanks. Don't let the sun fool you. It was COLD!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZAB5sDeJxcmk_tqaapqrvjTeXDVauMElxDhLP_8lRjWGWk0PHsqJ7vC-XzNgHc25nudvMzi6u-X1o1pC7j87Ec8DywbqwWBGUozZ4OdKafteo_d1dMQlDkdFto-AhKbLjS9Jy01NSyNP/s1600/IMG_6181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZAB5sDeJxcmk_tqaapqrvjTeXDVauMElxDhLP_8lRjWGWk0PHsqJ7vC-XzNgHc25nudvMzi6u-X1o1pC7j87Ec8DywbqwWBGUozZ4OdKafteo_d1dMQlDkdFto-AhKbLjS9Jy01NSyNP/s320/IMG_6181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryce. Self portrait.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-91668780241585024652013-02-05T02:33:00.002-08:002013-02-05T02:33:26.996-08:00How I Tore My ACL
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
and my MCL</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
and possibly my
meniscus</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The Short story:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hurt my knee skiing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m having surgery to reconstruct my ACL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate crutches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m going to have so much fun skiing . . . next year.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8khaAIl9k0XIhumQb_W8UtUksqKBdO5d_O_nwNg7afV1myfNaOOzT-YtbOz3xvETFNlpF2CEecbKYTffxPzyyhmCpfGF2H0gvQvRkzU8S54uM0vTi3eHf83ke7CPbLMlS0aerufNbkrMM/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8khaAIl9k0XIhumQb_W8UtUksqKBdO5d_O_nwNg7afV1myfNaOOzT-YtbOz3xvETFNlpF2CEecbKYTffxPzyyhmCpfGF2H0gvQvRkzU8S54uM0vTi3eHf83ke7CPbLMlS0aerufNbkrMM/s320/IMG_0816.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch for swimmers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Long story:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Christmas, 2012 was magical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Anchorage had a new layer of
snow, and the temperature warmed into the 30’s, which feels just plain warm and
balmy after hanging around -10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
spent the week skiing and cross country skiing with the kids and some
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 27<sup>th</sup>, we
decided to make a day of it at Alyeska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My two youngest children are pretty new to skiing, and they are doing
great, but Alyeska is a more advanced resort (and more expensive) than Hilltop,
which is a 10 minute drive from our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were ready to head out to Alyeska when we checked the ski
report and saw that it was raining (yes, raining!) at Alyeska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to stick to Hilltop one more
time before trying Alyeska with the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61eiXpefpQiwRYwlLkLO_gT7lymBs3dVSQlcFHufD2kV4zYplOIOmPbgbzl6PdsSDUnuoXmhJ7K8DLT0HoLKnwUz2KkCi6Get20Wc0i_cPICjJX4ucdagqIp4yu8lPmSYjsVSD0H76Avh/s1600/IMG_0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61eiXpefpQiwRYwlLkLO_gT7lymBs3dVSQlcFHufD2kV4zYplOIOmPbgbzl6PdsSDUnuoXmhJ7K8DLT0HoLKnwUz2KkCi6Get20Wc0i_cPICjJX4ucdagqIp4yu8lPmSYjsVSD0H76Avh/s320/IMG_0874.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb. Just to the left of his head, you can see Denali, glowing orange in the sunrise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
We had a great time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lines were very short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids saw several friends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snow was a bit icy though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No biggie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We skied all morning until it was 12 o’clock and time for
lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw my girls on the lift
and told them to meet in the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I convinced my youngest son, Caleb (6) to try a new run – one with a bit
of a steeper hill at the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was ready for a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let
him go ahead of me (if he fell behind me I wouldn’t be able to stop and help
him up) and he came to a stop when he saw the steeper incline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reassured him that I could help him
down the hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did what I had
done with all of the kids when they were little – I put my skis outside his and
made a snow plow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have done this
a hundred times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something went a
little wrong this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some how,
one of his skis got stuck under mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried my best to pull him out, but we were going pretty fast, and my
snow plow was being pushed wider and wider, until Caleb fell and kind of took
my right knee down with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It was slow and awkward. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I heard a snap and felt a flash
of pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We landed in a very
awkward pile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first fleeting
thought was that I wouldn’t be able to do the Salt Lake City Marathon this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(True.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m afraid I was a bit dramatic the
first ten seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept saying
“I’m hurt I’m hurt” and kind of freaking out, until I looked at Caleb and
realized that he was freaking out too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, I took a couple of deep breaths and tried to reassure Caleb that we
were fine and I asked him to help me take my skies off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My leg was stuck in a completely
unnatural position, and he was tangled up with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got his skis off and told him to walk down the hill and
tell Dad to get the ski patrol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lodge was only 200 m in front of us, so it wouldn’t be hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got my skis off, lifted up my right
leg, and tried to put it in a more natural position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it felt better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it felt like my knee was loose and wobbly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to wait, so I tried to scoot down the
hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was really
uncomfortable, so I thought I’d try walking down the hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked up my skis and stood up, only
with my ski boots on, I kept sliding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, to give myself a little more control, I put my skis on and skied
down the hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went in to the
lodge and had a little lunch and Shon walked me over to the first aid
station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
They played with my knee (which
was swelling up by then) and said they thought I had torn my ACL, and I should
go to the Orthopedic clinic and get it checked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left with a
couple of free passes to ski again, my leg in a knee stabilizer and with a loaner
pair of all-terrain crutches – it is Alaska after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I didn’t hurt very much, I
assumed that I had just sprained my knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(I realize now that if it were a sprain, it might have actually hurt
worse!)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0i-66Ng3UQ3STG7LNyNHpihokDnghOexS2Hr-tiZ9l1k50JItr7s98ffkgTC47oZmgygxYnx5uOg32LYuIkKfizdNjmY_jAWCdeITZ4a4pWxymZIPPamQIozXhkFzf2G1Mo376DLZu6O/s1600/IMG_0879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0i-66Ng3UQ3STG7LNyNHpihokDnghOexS2Hr-tiZ9l1k50JItr7s98ffkgTC47oZmgygxYnx5uOg32LYuIkKfizdNjmY_jAWCdeITZ4a4pWxymZIPPamQIozXhkFzf2G1Mo376DLZu6O/s320/IMG_0879.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In order to sit in the car with my leg straight, I had to sit in the middle, next to Shon, like a red neck. I think he liked it! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
The rest of the day, it continued
to swell up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t actually
hurt much if I didn’t move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
packed it with snow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That really
helped with the swelling and throbbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Whenever I thought of the sound
my knee made, I felt sick to my stomach – especially if I thought that perhaps
I had torn something in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
I just kept saying to myself that it was probably just a sprain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept saying “tomorrow I am going to
feel so much better.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I didn’t feel better the next
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Putting weight on my knee
felt like trying to stand on a tower of blocks – I was going to fall
apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I decided maybe
it was time to get an MRI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being
new in town, and not knowing what my insurance would cover, I went to see my
GP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he thought it was
probably just a sprain but maybe we should get an x-ray to see if there was any
damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing showed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, as an afterthought, he tried
pulling my leg forward, and it was very loose (classic sign of a torn ACL) so
he sent me for an MRI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJn0ntCE4sJSX1h4gotoADFl6NJsxKLC13im3O3GHMCMN5-e8js-BLE3Vn1g4YUmBU0FxWTLatqSAhUMnNKfviUi9lKvV4xzX2mtVceZbcjWQw0gdgc_ztEhKBrMB2JEazP_bpaEjMcbo/s1600/IMG_0870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJn0ntCE4sJSX1h4gotoADFl6NJsxKLC13im3O3GHMCMN5-e8js-BLE3Vn1g4YUmBU0FxWTLatqSAhUMnNKfviUi9lKvV4xzX2mtVceZbcjWQw0gdgc_ztEhKBrMB2JEazP_bpaEjMcbo/s320/IMG_0870.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Nordic skiing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I didn’t feel like there was any
urgency, and Shon and I had tickets to see Stomp that night, so I almost didn’t
get the MRI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Shon’s urging, I
did it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The concert was
great, and we were able to move our seats to the wheelchair section, where I
kept my knee up on a folding chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried to crutch it to the parking lot afterward, but using crutches on
ice is surprisingly exhausting, so I ended up waiting on the street, with the
homeless folk in front of City Hall!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Perhaps this is a good time for
me to mention that if I could do it all over again, I would just go straight to
the Orthopedic clinic first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would have saved myself a lot of waiting. . . </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Did I mention that it was the day
before New Year’s Eve?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should
have known it would take a long time to get my results back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the tests done on a Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hoped to hear the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My actual results didn’t come back
until Wednesday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I happen to have
a friend who is a radiologist though, so I called and asked if he could tell me
a bit about the results (because, even though I kept saying that nothing was
wrong with me, I knew there really was something wrong.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called me Monday morning and told me
that I had torn my ACL and MCL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
asked how bad I had torn them, and he said the MCL was a grade 3 tear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that didn’t sound too bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a little research and found that
grade 3 is the most severe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
severed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news was that my
cartilage looked great!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvciSnAQeSBWUG1uEQU1cNbp2Hi9UbN8xIjl-UtHuyU4OPQH568rAdZtfEDfBTOxPxVeaPZBcR-L68wAmKqJyI7yAawfTdtxJVWJQJTXnujAOoEfHxr6AUSGsx8CjOQN8_c57fXrt-2c1U/s1600/IMG_0900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvciSnAQeSBWUG1uEQU1cNbp2Hi9UbN8xIjl-UtHuyU4OPQH568rAdZtfEDfBTOxPxVeaPZBcR-L68wAmKqJyI7yAawfTdtxJVWJQJTXnujAOoEfHxr6AUSGsx8CjOQN8_c57fXrt-2c1U/s320/IMG_0900.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily the snowboarder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
One of the problems with hurting
yourself during a holiday is that all of the doctors are on vacation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to make an appointment with Dr.
Manion, who I heard does the best knees. He was out of town, and wouldn’t be
back for a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figures it
could wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, on Wednesday, my
GP called me to tell me the results of my MRI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said “It looks like you’ve done a real number on your
knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t an emergency, but
you should probably have surgery some time in the next couple of days.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sounded a bit urgent to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
So, I made an appointment with
another doctor I heard did good knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He fit me in that Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was very relieved to hear that I would need to wait a month or more to have
surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took all of the
pressure off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very
competent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed me the MRI,
and even pointed out that there was possibly a tear in my meniscus – which the
radiologist hadn’t even mentioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He recommended that we take a graft from my hamstring (an autograft),
and in 6 weeks fix my ACL, if my MCL had healed on its own, which it does 90%
of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left the office
with a much nicer, though still very bulky, leg brace, and instructions to keep
my leg straight for a few more days, but to try putting weight on my leg
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sRxZyEWiQL6xmU9uLcFkyrTFVyS68PfPib7QOU8_DWf5NDresKtMI4G_NlzyKZYG-RsUOTBgYaUpuuT7sSyXK2cNvOx0ob9H4LeBFSgXzoG_ThT6l1kPnzARwjjaZx8T1TB0gBqUsjTv/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sRxZyEWiQL6xmU9uLcFkyrTFVyS68PfPib7QOU8_DWf5NDresKtMI4G_NlzyKZYG-RsUOTBgYaUpuuT7sSyXK2cNvOx0ob9H4LeBFSgXzoG_ThT6l1kPnzARwjjaZx8T1TB0gBqUsjTv/s320/IMG_0901.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Did I mention how much I hate
crutches by this time?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Now that I knew there was no
rush, I took my time and did a little research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shon (being an engineer) insisted that we get a second
opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a very loyal
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I would
somehow be unfaithful if I saw another doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I also saw the logic in what Shon said, so I called and
got an appointment with Dr. Manion, who had been my first choice all
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also started doing a
little internet research, and talking to my friends/perfect strangers/physical
therapists about their experiences with ACL reconstruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Dr. Manion said all of the same
things the other doctor had said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then he recommended that instead of taking part of my hamstring, we use
a donor tissue, an allograft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had read about it, and saw that the results were nearly identical between
allografts and autografts, unless you are an elite athlete, in which case, the
autograft is slightly stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not an elite athlete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
chose the allograft – the scaring is less, and the recovery is faster, since
there isn’t a second site that has to heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I’ve heard people say that they
weren’t comfortable having cadaver parts in their body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me say that I definitely prefer to
call it a donated tissue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
really nice, healthy person has given the gift that keeps on giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The least I can do it refer to it them
as a “donor” not a “cadaver.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
So, then I had to decide which
doctor to go with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this
ordeal, I only cried twice, and once was when I had to call and tell the first
doctor I saw that I had chosen another doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Seriously, I may be lazy and unorganized, but I am <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Loyal</i>.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
The second time I cried was when
I talked to my younger sister, Becki, who blew her ACL in high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was an excellent athlete who had
college scouts watching her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I thought of how hard it was for me, I realized how much harder it would have
been then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry, Beck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I carried your books for you as
you crutched around the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
probably felt like your friends had just moved on without you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I guess I have gained a little
empathy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a good thing.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZA8KgGea5n8ZMiIJPdS1DJxvFLtGJsEwIvm8IBXwMqAbeJOZ-WfvzznhPKoYSLX0477zFSk61i9vN1OKyV4Xm_f3r3qQMKSyoWlYOQcSo9d8aXENT9kRAL-EStL4PMkio0cvLyMdnP8GH/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZA8KgGea5n8ZMiIJPdS1DJxvFLtGJsEwIvm8IBXwMqAbeJOZ-WfvzznhPKoYSLX0477zFSk61i9vN1OKyV4Xm_f3r3qQMKSyoWlYOQcSo9d8aXENT9kRAL-EStL4PMkio0cvLyMdnP8GH/s320/IMG_0830.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ski buddy and I on the lift. I swear it was so cold that time, I almost lost my nose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Actually, I would say that in
general, it hasn’t been a complete disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned a little more patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned that my children don’t
really need me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great
compliment – they have learned enough to take care of themselves, sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(No one really folds their laundry, but
that was extra credit anyway.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have learned that I have the sweetest husband in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is so patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can’t help but think that somehow
this is all part of the plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
times bad things have happened to me because I knew I was doing the wrong
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole day that I had my accident I
was where I was supposed to be, with my favorite people, doing one of my
favorite activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all
part of the plan somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I have been doing physical
therapy 2 times a week for the past 4 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went from not being able to bend my leg , to being a
pretty normal person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My injured
let started with the ability to bend to 80 degrees (my good leg was 150) and
ended yesterday at 147!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my
physical therapist, Tiffany Zollinger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is just the right combination of encouraging and punishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ditched my crutches two weeks
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel my knee slide forward
whenever I walk up stairs, but other than that, I feel like a pretty normal
person with a brace and a limp, and one leg that is way weaker than the
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man, you wouldn’t believe
how fast my hamstring disappeared in my injured leg!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard work to get it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sad that I will have to start all over again tomorrow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Dr. Manion said I will use
crutches for most of 6 weeks, and wait 4 months to run on a flat, controlled
surface, and 9 months before I do anything athletic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good thing the snow sucks this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to have a great time skiing
next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
It’s Feb. 4, 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow morning is my surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have already picked up my Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)
machine, aka “leg-o-matic” with instructions to keep my leg moving 6 – 8 hours
a day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I supposed to sit 8 hours a day?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m lined up for an ice machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My in-laws are coming to help out next
week. (Thank goodness!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the
first 3 seasons of Downton Abby to catch up on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And most importantly, I got a pedicure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m going to be stuck looking at my
leg 8 hours a day, I better have nice toe nails!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3WK1cuONQ5bPCEAxjDQw9PR77PttRZx_BcRO2kvMZvf4jhdrPW4GYiL4T6_8vTYNn2wA0gYup76BoU4-P2xc5ejGsNhabC3Rrh8zlJ-fmWvAVUZHY-g9P8we_WfVKpEKBIuHWAiKYsAj/s1600/IMG_0932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3WK1cuONQ5bPCEAxjDQw9PR77PttRZx_BcRO2kvMZvf4jhdrPW4GYiL4T6_8vTYNn2wA0gYup76BoU4-P2xc5ejGsNhabC3Rrh8zlJ-fmWvAVUZHY-g9P8we_WfVKpEKBIuHWAiKYsAj/s320/IMG_0932.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Wish me luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m nervous.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-70788264526483819032012-12-11T12:37:00.000-08:002012-12-11T12:37:51.157-08:00Winter
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
December</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s December in Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been here for 7 months!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are settled in our new house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids are happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is beautiful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know someone out there is
thinking I am crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 3 years
in Paradise (Queensland) I have been waiting for winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas is good here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All those carols about winter
wonderlands and sledding. . . They made absolutely no sense in Australian summer/Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do miss Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And some times I see a photos of friends
at the beach, or standing in a lush green garden, and my heart aches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi87fHoGlO5qSgYvMP-zQVY1-zAvCtd_HdohLV5dOLObD7iq8dY7tEOOTFRbwT0wy8aWNIqVdftUe70L5qLZe8Ml4AZnh0kwp0t8SP8b4DvS9hNw9I3ei_aORkHapcSrs51p0Rz_spabDc/s1600/IMG_4945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi87fHoGlO5qSgYvMP-zQVY1-zAvCtd_HdohLV5dOLObD7iq8dY7tEOOTFRbwT0wy8aWNIqVdftUe70L5qLZe8Ml4AZnh0kwp0t8SP8b4DvS9hNw9I3ei_aORkHapcSrs51p0Rz_spabDc/s320/IMG_4945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, we love Alaska.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Top ten things we love about Alaska:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s cold
and dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You thought this was a
bad thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it is cold, I can buy my
groceries (including meat and ice cream!), and THEN stop at the mall and try on
warm clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ice cream in my car is
safely frozen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when my fridge
runs out of room, my food will keep in the shed just as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the chilly weather, everyone
dresses very modestly too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With it so cold and dark
outside, I get a seriously good night’s sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Not so easy to get up in the morning!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will note that we take vitamin D
supplements, and I turn on the happy light <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– preventatively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMzG83fi0n8LS3Zlu9ugkv8xUXZWCqOmvPlWiSXC1uQ_Du06yDDwtKqoe03yh3NT2tibBk-r2z9eKtuqjiErWfEkaXzC5qv9yp5ehOYsP8icQsd58FxmyFsYNJB6vdTsv3Wsm794sQi42/s1600/IMG_0824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMzG83fi0n8LS3Zlu9ugkv8xUXZWCqOmvPlWiSXC1uQ_Du06yDDwtKqoe03yh3NT2tibBk-r2z9eKtuqjiErWfEkaXzC5qv9yp5ehOYsP8icQsd58FxmyFsYNJB6vdTsv3Wsm794sQi42/s320/IMG_0824.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun dogs. The physical science teacher in me wants to point out the pillars of rainbow to the sides of the sun (called sun dogs). I've seen plenty of rainbows, but this is my first snow-bow. Notice how low on the horizon the sun is - it is 1:00 in the afternoon. </td></tr>
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9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alaska is
the worst dressed city in America!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trust me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a good
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, jeans, Uggs,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and a flannel shirt are a fashion
statement!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And with all this
flannel, I don’t have to shave my legs as often!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6M9laUgxU3rgIxlWzDDrH5jTY_z8Smc1vDzU16YzX-k_MXuPmOPWdF9sFcOpejYUqsCzdkWq6Is4IXt0QZnHXnxZCxiv1ZYt-yxMRURKQxmlZLjSV9zvUACVQySyeLyqE8oUv9CkP97B/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6M9laUgxU3rgIxlWzDDrH5jTY_z8Smc1vDzU16YzX-k_MXuPmOPWdF9sFcOpejYUqsCzdkWq6Is4IXt0QZnHXnxZCxiv1ZYt-yxMRURKQxmlZLjSV9zvUACVQySyeLyqE8oUv9CkP97B/s320/IMG_0380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryce kayaking a very cold river. </td></tr>
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8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Northern
Lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have only seen them
twice, but it was amazing! - waves of green and pink rolling across the
sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me of the
ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sigh.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrRO1GBNWHwaQJBNNvLFBLhDURLev1ZUqqyc7BLemkxHAJMV2Pvpz-jHXaWW1SvOTGzaOJGVFUgPrCF8JrOU8q7mEx59jIqx731UH0iXPrX9oo9W1FYf7bvxWpSY_juAAir888JE1WCuT/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrRO1GBNWHwaQJBNNvLFBLhDURLev1ZUqqyc7BLemkxHAJMV2Pvpz-jHXaWW1SvOTGzaOJGVFUgPrCF8JrOU8q7mEx59jIqx731UH0iXPrX9oo9W1FYf7bvxWpSY_juAAir888JE1WCuT/s320/IMG_0362.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby picking blueberries on one of our hikes up Flattop. </td></tr>
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7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alaska is
full of surprises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It makes life very interesting. </span>Just when I
think I’m settled in, everything changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It keeps me on my toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
days get longer and shorter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun comes up
in a different place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather
changes – one day sunny and cold, then next rainy or warm, and don’t forget
that surprising wind (gusts of 130 mph)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spring comes and one minute the trees are bare, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the next they explode into leaves, only
to have winter creep down the side of the mountains, and turn everything
white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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And we have had plenty of surprises from :</div>
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6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wildlife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing keeps you
on your toes like wild animals!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Moose are everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Drivers beware – moose don’t follow traffic signs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shon and I went on a bike ride one
afternoon down the coastal trail and ended up sandwiched between a big bull
(<a href="http://www.adn.com/2012/10/11/2658105/hungry-moose-draws-some-fans-along.html" target="_blank">check out this article about him</a>) and a mother with a calf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those lanky legs are really
weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stay away from the
moose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we are even more
afraid of moose than we are of bears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpORDrRCY76pqdMGD2Opw7OuI5EUqZQSAlJAGyldqkb2uPrzE7AKYiJYF6IiSMj2HNbiAdyYRysYM4SMPR3xiJA3dkSOy2FMIyA_m0Joz1cbRGPcJt1DZi1b_A27Y7tNG13ckns6lW_rp_/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpORDrRCY76pqdMGD2Opw7OuI5EUqZQSAlJAGyldqkb2uPrzE7AKYiJYF6IiSMj2HNbiAdyYRysYM4SMPR3xiJA3dkSOy2FMIyA_m0Joz1cbRGPcJt1DZi1b_A27Y7tNG13ckns6lW_rp_/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown bear in our neighborhood (seriously, just across the street from houses.)</td></tr>
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We have seen plenty of bear too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This one showed up on our drive home from church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another surprised me as I was waiting
for a friend to come run with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stopped to wait for her at the end of her drive way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was reading her newspaper when she
calmly said<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good morning,
Juli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a bear behind you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough – 10 feet away, it
stood up on its hind legs, then backed down and ran off into the trees!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one was more startled than my friend/neighbor,
Stacey, who woke early one morning to the sound of a bear eating dog food in
her entry way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had pushed in
her front door and come in for a little pre-hibernation snack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her dogs weren’t too thrilled and
chased it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Alaska keeps me on my toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just when I think life is getting boring, I see a wolverine
just down the street from my house, or a bald eagle as I pick up the kids from
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rabbits, porcupine,
and even lynx have crossed my path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWE1VGnNfOe9zHSMTjKfX8qsoVLCUuKZMElX-3B_Woi55OSdYBr0-VzEs5i451A2WQaX41C-PRt6dwlgvqIRYg9fAA0yBdWOOduu67rnV4cKvgbg1BwKl7VzotVqNZsIMPsX36fDdBFfX/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWE1VGnNfOe9zHSMTjKfX8qsoVLCUuKZMElX-3B_Woi55OSdYBr0-VzEs5i451A2WQaX41C-PRt6dwlgvqIRYg9fAA0yBdWOOduu67rnV4cKvgbg1BwKl7VzotVqNZsIMPsX36fDdBFfX/s320/IMG_5478.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb and Sarah on a whale watching trip in the Prince William Sound.</td></tr>
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5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outdoor
activities!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so much to do
here, no matter the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Summer
was awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hiked Flattop a
dozen times, went<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>kayaking, river
rafting, boating, fishing, mountain biking, and ice skating (for free!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To see what we do in the winter, check
out #3!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with all of this fishing,
one of our favorite things is: </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvgRFjZLMz9yumkxkudT-gHi_XAyZOxgQWhDptE6cstylx8xFE32sDmRQfG9VjCpB8vFsCvhFK549UNWfjLJetidZDUc8sIoeLkZd90yvjsPT3lu9QCSI8S2cMYR_Gc1zcuNfpaj1swDq/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvgRFjZLMz9yumkxkudT-gHi_XAyZOxgQWhDptE6cstylx8xFE32sDmRQfG9VjCpB8vFsCvhFK549UNWfjLJetidZDUc8sIoeLkZd90yvjsPT3lu9QCSI8S2cMYR_Gc1zcuNfpaj1swDq/s320/IMG_0705.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls ice skating at Potter Marsh before the snow. The ice was so clear, we saw fish swimming in the water below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86xUUqYoM5wT0lQQ6PUE1BOmlG7TyDLfQcAt7Vy8qlpLPN5ijTErVQmDguIY1hUkfSiYurSvjtMirKWDRzSb2WG-jSHUr3tdVLJ788rB0xPHVX6HMuhclItSifN4EE9yXrCThx2mcKlF9/s1600/IMG_0708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86xUUqYoM5wT0lQQ6PUE1BOmlG7TyDLfQcAt7Vy8qlpLPN5ijTErVQmDguIY1hUkfSiYurSvjtMirKWDRzSb2WG-jSHUr3tdVLJ788rB0xPHVX6HMuhclItSifN4EE9yXrCThx2mcKlF9/s320/IMG_0708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All-you-can-eat wild salmon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is definitely a perk to living in Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t have our “dip net” permits yet since we haven’t
been here a year, but when we get them next summer, our freezer will be full of
salmon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with the minimal rod
fishing we did this year, our freezer is still full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shon went on several deep sea fishing trips and we have
halibut too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My two favorite fish
– halibut and salmon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laugh when
I think of what I used to pay for salmon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFjVdTqc0zExFSjhulCEfDwnzfUQ0M6AlTYG4nT7bGraE6olYqa6qHTSpKQPSDW39pFKW3uaU28dnYAxqwX87Rll36t3P-r8RWHyhIhpnrHCBviG31VkV4AZoYsWzYII4byThiY7rXq2z/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFjVdTqc0zExFSjhulCEfDwnzfUQ0M6AlTYG4nT7bGraE6olYqa6qHTSpKQPSDW39pFKW3uaU28dnYAxqwX87Rll36t3P-r8RWHyhIhpnrHCBviG31VkV4AZoYsWzYII4byThiY7rXq2z/s320/IMG_0346.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love salmon.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skiing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a ski area just a few miles
from our house - the perfect place for beginners, and a popular middle school
gathering place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even better –
Alyeska is just down the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can’t wait to go to the big resort to try out our new ski gear which we “are getting” for
Christmas (we already took it for a test run).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love skiing/snowboarding with my
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My children (and husband)
are fearless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And downhill is not
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like cross-country skiing
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We joined the Anchorage Junior Nordic League.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three times a
week, the younger kids get together with their friends and play in the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I tag along, wearing my yard sale
skis, and learn a thing or too.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They love cross-country skiing, even at -5 degrees F.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bryce joined the South Anchorage High
School cross-country ski team too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is a fast learner and is doing very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qsf2GOsSRwUuXADwAzwBKZlH9Y1rOC1PSqbsQUOV9nLoc7eLaz1cs276CCb1h-5l_SEKQLzQs1zZ6jcKpj5aHBEMZjyNOHbbG7tYqYOw5OlU_zMQO35yKBTeDuN8kCJx0h7vRLWTe6Pr/s1600/IMG_6114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qsf2GOsSRwUuXADwAzwBKZlH9Y1rOC1PSqbsQUOV9nLoc7eLaz1cs276CCb1h-5l_SEKQLzQs1zZ6jcKpj5aHBEMZjyNOHbbG7tYqYOw5OlU_zMQO35yKBTeDuN8kCJx0h7vRLWTe6Pr/s320/IMG_6114.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the Anchorage Alaska temple.</td></tr>
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2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to see the
temple!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Anchorage Alaska
temple is just down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(<a href="http://www.lds.org/church/temples?lang=eng" target="_blank">Learn more about temples here</a>.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are so blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
the closest we have ever lived to a temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ward building is across the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bryce attends early morning seminary <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(6 AM) there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the greatest perks about having the temple near by is
that our family near Fairbanks comes to visit us every month or so when they go
on a temple trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pattersons,
Greg and Sonya, live in North Pole, actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greg (a doctor in the military) is my uncle but he is really
only a couple of years older than I am, and we have lots of children the same
age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I mention he married my
favorite baby sitter – Sonya Lundgren from Twin Falls, ID.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set them up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Success!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
so nice to have them visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly,
there are rumors they are moving to Timbuktu in the summer, (sniffle) just like
my cousin Bethany and her family, who moved from Anchorage to Japan last
summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We miss them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfRRaVzDnkGEf-Srn7VhZnAc9wTCif5pzYMSf2Kl3ki5JCbQBUQ7RHxku4ywRif7_d1QAjSaVlVUmv4QXQ8D7isXICOsAl4QIq4zNwMzEjb_dM1pLI23ZPQnljtfWVhOELt9tMnmvOqK-/s1600/IMG_0461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfRRaVzDnkGEf-Srn7VhZnAc9wTCif5pzYMSf2Kl3ki5JCbQBUQ7RHxku4ywRif7_d1QAjSaVlVUmv4QXQ8D7isXICOsAl4QIq4zNwMzEjb_dM1pLI23ZPQnljtfWVhOELt9tMnmvOqK-/s320/IMG_0461.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we were in North Pole, Alaska, we decided to drop in and see the big man himself. Caleb, Sarah, and Abby with their cousins from North Pole. </td></tr>
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1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White
Christmas, guaranteed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year,
Anchorage received a record 11 feet of snow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year,
there won’t be that much, but the trees are still flocked, and there is fluffy
stuff in my yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m dreaming of
a white Christmas. . . ( cue Bing Crosby.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDjK5xBXJfGcALDhASjY-Bmhhk1_411rK1NLAPI_KRu0tq9S-fsIrEG_JxisjOJn8UiNOWR8j5wgNZOEfSMP_Y-BJNx2yeOG-Brv1OIOk3w2Nrd8VN5_bDBQ-lxFOxLWULOeO3DNyr4I4/s1600/IMG_4967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDjK5xBXJfGcALDhASjY-Bmhhk1_411rK1NLAPI_KRu0tq9S-fsIrEG_JxisjOJn8UiNOWR8j5wgNZOEfSMP_Y-BJNx2yeOG-Brv1OIOk3w2Nrd8VN5_bDBQ-lxFOxLWULOeO3DNyr4I4/s320/IMG_4967.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the tram up Alyeska last summer. </td></tr>
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And, dear friends and family, we wish you a Merry Christmas
too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-34533742609333333232012-08-19T22:49:00.001-07:002012-08-19T22:50:14.899-07:00Nature Tour SewardThe DaBells came and visited us this last week. One of the highlights was going to the temple with them. It was a great experience and fun to go with them. The Anchorage temple is small but it is fun to see people that you know there. The other highlight was our trip to Seward. We went to see Exit Glacier and then take a wildlife cruise. It was incredible. We saw animals from the first moment we left the harbor. We saw bald eagles, otters, seals, whales, mountain goats, and tons of see birds. We had a ranger on board and all the kids were able to complete their National Park Jr Ranger badges and were awarded them in a special ceremony by Ranger Rick. It was an awesome day. Perfect 70 degree weather and sunny the whole time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Exit Glacier just outside of Seward</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before boarding Star of the Northeast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_otGJiCXECOIgUapGRakobONdU84iGA2qshC0RJnLxARezlB33sOL5zMYrwG_6DXGFUjHMK9tbX1OOyLl3Rx29JGlH7CrTc7hwTjM1SFhc-kSWmi-6UUf58ILhjuS72kYnD3ANxS6Xy-D/s1600/IMG_5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_otGJiCXECOIgUapGRakobONdU84iGA2qshC0RJnLxARezlB33sOL5zMYrwG_6DXGFUjHMK9tbX1OOyLl3Rx29JGlH7CrTc7hwTjM1SFhc-kSWmi-6UUf58ILhjuS72kYnD3ANxS6Xy-D/s320/IMG_5510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see seals on the rocks behind the girls?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black bear pelt on C</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bunch of proud Jr Rangers can you see the badges?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of 5+ whales we saw. Awesome</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin' by an Orca</td></tr>
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The only sad thing was that Bryce and Juli had gone to the North Slope the same day so they had their own adventure north of the Arctic Circle.</div>
Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-36544001104184647912012-08-19T22:32:00.001-07:002012-08-19T22:32:18.430-07:00AKA ALASKA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alaska is a great place. We have enjoyed the summer here though having two summers is not recommended for parental sanity. The wild flowers are incredible. The sunlight is invigorating. Wild life is everywhere. The fish taste incredible. Everything here is bigger than Texas. We have seen moose, black bears, brown bears, eagles, porcupines, caribou, arctic fox, tons of birds. Juli and Bryce are headed to the North Slope Saturday to swim in the Arctic Ocean and see the oil fields way up there. It has been nice to have family nearby. Bethany and Dwight Weist (who is in the air force) lived very close to us for our first 2 months. We were sad to see them leave when they moved to Japan. We are also close to Greg and Sonya Patterson in Fairbanks. We have seen them every month. It is so nice to be close to family again! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to North Pole Alaska and we saw the pole. The sister pole was dropped out of a plane over the pole.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhia_WSEBPREqE9OCMLkWv07b6GCKV39UonM0sJ0aEV-MeEOduGBDID8YpWjEwGUDtF1ymgI6qw_rAx6jTFdPpqrC3kDJSHYPS7l2FCgR6bPIjMyKaQrmCkmwTGySme7LvP84n_jxFHxU/s1600/IMG_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhia_WSEBPREqE9OCMLkWv07b6GCKV39UonM0sJ0aEV-MeEOduGBDID8YpWjEwGUDtF1ymgI6qw_rAx6jTFdPpqrC3kDJSHYPS7l2FCgR6bPIjMyKaQrmCkmwTGySme7LvP84n_jxFHxU/s320/IMG_0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A brown bear (grizzly bear) in our neighborhood</div>
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Abby at Santa's workshop. This was one of his reindeer</div>
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Summer in Alaska is incredible. When we came to look for a house in March, the snow was so deep that the roads were like canyons with snow piled up on the sides. When we moved here in May, the snow was mostly gone. The days warmed up and the snow just disappeared! Spring exploded. It is so green! And the wild flowers are gorgeous!<br />
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Coming back from Australia has been an exciting challenge. I (Juli) spent the first three weeks walking to the wrong side of the car. The other funny thing was that I kept thinking I saw geckos! (Just for the record, we have not seen anything at all climbing up the walls of our house.) I was so happy I almost cried the first time I went shopping at Costco. I miss standing at the window by my kitchen sink, with the breeze blowing through. I miss having all of the windows open in my house. (It has only gotten over 70 degrees a couple times since we have been here, so we don't usually have the windows open.) We miss our friends in Australia most of all. I miss hearing people speak with an aussie accent. We watched a cheesy mermaid show made in Australia and I sat and enjoyed the whole thing, listening to the actors speak!<br />
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We had a great visit to our family in Idaho and Utah over the Fourth of July. It is so much fun to be in the US for the Fourth! I have to admit that I was happy to be down south for the fireworks! It doesn't get dark in the summer in Anchorage, so fireworks are a bit anticlimactic. <br />
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Bryce has had a great summer, going to youth conference for church, then a high adventure scouting river rafting trip, and finally a week at the Alaska LDS scout encampment! After being a "Lone Scouter" for three years, scouting is finally fun!<br />
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Emily has made great friends and is serving in her Beehive class presidency. She is such a helpful girl and has made many cakes and cookies.<br />
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Sarah has adjusted well and she spends most of her time outside playing. It is light until 10 PM even now in August so many times they are out playing extremely late but they have so much fun and the other kids are out as well.<br />
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Abby is excited for school to start this week. She has enjoyed piano lessons and is doing well reading. She still reads almost every night when she goes to sleep. She also plays outside all the time and has made a fort that she loves to play in with Sarah and Caleb.<br />
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Caleb is also getting excited for school. He has some great friends here and loves to play with the neighborhood kids outside. I think he doesn't understand what shoes are for since he rarely uses them. He and Abby ride their bikes constantly.<br />
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Juli and Bryce got to go to the North Slope of Alaska and get in the Arctic Ocean. My company has a lotery for employees and I was able to send two guests to tour the facilities up there. They had a great visit. Bryce was most impressed with the camp with all you can eat EVERYTHING including donuts.<br />
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Shon got to go on a charter fishing trip and caught lots of fish. The freezer is full already and we love to eat fresh and smoked salmon as well as halibut. <br />
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We all look forward to moving into our permanent home by the end of August.Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-4276178959463039762012-04-22T16:08:00.000-07:002012-04-22T16:08:59.376-07:00I still call Australia home. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We are all packed up and ready to leave on a jet plane. </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We are going to bow out with an excerpt from the great Aussie poem, "My Country" by Dorothea Mackellar:</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">I love a sunburnt country,</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3psmU5l5ZxBrzdr-lPyZHRCZBNGqt678s7sb6QQZ8SS8W5LhhV76p9S5HLEk1Lp-MJ-8wzh4YDlj9jcRvJ9ztb0i_PmtAbfcD0rvFl3AgOq2_KV98kpKS1Gqfg4hXbQNhlLvXCjYczj8/s1600/IMG_4489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3psmU5l5ZxBrzdr-lPyZHRCZBNGqt678s7sb6QQZ8SS8W5LhhV76p9S5HLEk1Lp-MJ-8wzh4YDlj9jcRvJ9ztb0i_PmtAbfcD0rvFl3AgOq2_KV98kpKS1Gqfg4hXbQNhlLvXCjYczj8/s320/IMG_4489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">A land of sweeping plains,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqNMePyYQSd3sFvQgVtCUcfLKLP17GZoFXry3SgD8mepZApCWeOG7BEI-iXs-Ju8CHhBugQ4J0kRoLyF1lb9G_MY01C_dTy8wyIkhB8Uq4cUQKK7pa66HushYBS15PYiu4HUSm-KVgnoc/s1600/DSCF0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqNMePyYQSd3sFvQgVtCUcfLKLP17GZoFXry3SgD8mepZApCWeOG7BEI-iXs-Ju8CHhBugQ4J0kRoLyF1lb9G_MY01C_dTy8wyIkhB8Uq4cUQKK7pa66HushYBS15PYiu4HUSm-KVgnoc/s320/DSCF0861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">Of ragged mountain ranges,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74vI_BFVeJEGwozbQJe0C_h2xYMyYL0B7KoENpbwLlCSOApbakEGxgL8E9q6_bnd7rL5s144gtS3uTAOp3b7su33xIWmX0tfYaC6ONt0UkxJ19AO55x-SF7F-b73_bVqddZ9qJBu93Wo2/s1600/DSCF0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74vI_BFVeJEGwozbQJe0C_h2xYMyYL0B7KoENpbwLlCSOApbakEGxgL8E9q6_bnd7rL5s144gtS3uTAOp3b7su33xIWmX0tfYaC6ONt0UkxJ19AO55x-SF7F-b73_bVqddZ9qJBu93Wo2/s320/DSCF0267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>Of droughts . . .</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHj9sUUbOuQvXE2jQHsuQYH60Hx0ZoBLuEI6JqxpaZYcMGOraBb08lX1TfC3Fv5mLIRkKSD9HWAYJ2aSv-uGlOdrS5NcfOMSUzj6MJTMKN-rWk8SoNHYtEOHGQRJcYfMDZTOf7EZR09kx/s1600/IMG_1592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHj9sUUbOuQvXE2jQHsuQYH60Hx0ZoBLuEI6JqxpaZYcMGOraBb08lX1TfC3Fv5mLIRkKSD9HWAYJ2aSv-uGlOdrS5NcfOMSUzj6MJTMKN-rWk8SoNHYtEOHGQRJcYfMDZTOf7EZR09kx/s320/IMG_1592.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>and flooding rains.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANKAJML_zx5kLv8uj9EKqpOAllzj3rmnD1uEvsfWbz-BFz4-on4sAqbkiolT7-iTpL3tjpar4RD8ldXBwrFdC7TpelVAhbzM4I8noSWdTCQvlu8HLVeYzgWLCB1CWcTELmxU6JOEgqC8E/s1600/Flood_37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANKAJML_zx5kLv8uj9EKqpOAllzj3rmnD1uEvsfWbz-BFz4-on4sAqbkiolT7-iTpL3tjpar4RD8ldXBwrFdC7TpelVAhbzM4I8noSWdTCQvlu8HLVeYzgWLCB1CWcTELmxU6JOEgqC8E/s320/Flood_37.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>I love her far horizons,</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8_RbMC9BgAo-E5ZF7fAQdKT1LBCDLlrqWVBXiqg0jHiKXKpDiGbfmOoaNRj8TQw0DSfs_eLmHyLF7a1TGZlR8rYFPiiV4Ag8C0nLrq_ftdQXWPbQrkCWMQ4ymomgJXMau9U6PGnPsUkr/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8_RbMC9BgAo-E5ZF7fAQdKT1LBCDLlrqWVBXiqg0jHiKXKpDiGbfmOoaNRj8TQw0DSfs_eLmHyLF7a1TGZlR8rYFPiiV4Ag8C0nLrq_ftdQXWPbQrkCWMQ4ymomgJXMau9U6PGnPsUkr/s320/IMG_1143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">I love her jewel-sea,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6LDOXRqCRtx6odMVKmawMjxWaD0IQV9NEkNKoEvcsHRJl6q-RV06Y8rOlcuu8TEl5NqY_oRRy8XYP5jgbEfOhib3w14yjxWo83D6FxFLOWwW8AkQV90NiaKXfz74iCorcbZy1hQJ8-nl/s1600/IMG_2283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6LDOXRqCRtx6odMVKmawMjxWaD0IQV9NEkNKoEvcsHRJl6q-RV06Y8rOlcuu8TEl5NqY_oRRy8XYP5jgbEfOhib3w14yjxWo83D6FxFLOWwW8AkQV90NiaKXfz74iCorcbZy1hQJ8-nl/s320/IMG_2283.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><br />
</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">Her beauty . . .</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwFClpsH1D4buToTpQL-UiQuAnjnoXHwfHqEXSFGGEwO8eEcSiR5rjBSuCs5uJWZfeYjpDQa1yy-ki56iYyIeWx8wn1hkGnt8U44oBMJ_VVzte4YnFcySef7D3slazL7XMGoL5N1CanCO/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwFClpsH1D4buToTpQL-UiQuAnjnoXHwfHqEXSFGGEwO8eEcSiR5rjBSuCs5uJWZfeYjpDQa1yy-ki56iYyIeWx8wn1hkGnt8U44oBMJ_VVzte4YnFcySef7D3slazL7XMGoL5N1CanCO/s320/IMG_3082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;"><br />
</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal;">and her terror,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcwdqTVkl9Zo_gp8S219BsKDZU-N3allbYiE2ynHRRCszK8sPiakd7yD6cBEiWzD1IiJ_IHq3rxY0KNhzIA2QllWVLBAhKGKUpG4U-kqgm9UBtDA2ZgLcNyeE5Nz8JmFgIe0CF1IEHA2r/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcwdqTVkl9Zo_gp8S219BsKDZU-N3allbYiE2ynHRRCszK8sPiakd7yD6cBEiWzD1IiJ_IHq3rxY0KNhzIA2QllWVLBAhKGKUpG4U-kqgm9UBtDA2ZgLcNyeE5Nz8JmFgIe0CF1IEHA2r/s320/IMG_0296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b>The wide brown land for me. </b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_ruxURnDGLIeVBfpFXKEzCppF8qFwGneojmX-YhKw6SsfK3wVNDpdfJ8Ad8uHKXX8DnWa5pnWOqIDXunoKNU4SiNk-xOlZ0iX_MzNJz4u7Y-mf04T5BXXvRE7viIwSF8q-ZubTb4Lt4X/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_ruxURnDGLIeVBfpFXKEzCppF8qFwGneojmX-YhKw6SsfK3wVNDpdfJ8Ad8uHKXX8DnWa5pnWOqIDXunoKNU4SiNk-xOlZ0iX_MzNJz4u7Y-mf04T5BXXvRE7viIwSF8q-ZubTb4Lt4X/s320/IMG_0822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', tahoma, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It has been a wonderful 2 year 7 month holiday! I am happy to go back to my home country, but Australia will always have a special place in my heart.<br />
<br />
Coming soon: Meet the Robinsons, Northern Lights Edition!</div><div><br />
</div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-43316370681073238922012-04-19T21:55:00.000-07:002012-04-19T21:55:46.706-07:00We're moving. . .Our days in Australia are limited. <br />
<br />
It's April. Autumn. The temperature dipped below 22 C (70 F) this morning. Students wore sweaters (jumpers) to school. It made me laugh because I remembered a time when we lived in Nova Scotia and it got up to 50 degrees. We all ran out in our swim suits to get some sun. <br />
<br />
I know it will happen again, because we are moving. Somewhere cold. <br />
<br />
We are moving to Anchorage Alaska.<br />
<br />
It's all a bit of a shock really, though I don't know why it should be. From the time we arrived here, I knew we only had three years. At first, it made it hard for me to make Brisbane home. Why make friends if we are just going to have to move again? Then I met really nice people, and I couldn't help making friends. It is the same story wherever we have lived. I start to lie to myself after a few months. I tell myself that I am home. This is the place I am from. And then it's not a lie anymore and I am home.<br />
<br />
It is hard for me to leave my home.<br />
<br />
I'v decided it's ok to put down roots. I'm a jade plant - a succulent. Just pick the leaf off a jade plant and stick it in some soil. A couple months later, it's a full fledged plant with a home of its own. I am a succulent. Uprooting is not so bad. Wherever I go my roots will grow. We don't say goodbye, only see you later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The last couple of weeks have been a rollercoaster. We are so excited to go somewhere new, but it breaks my heart to see my children sad to leave their friends. The older my children get, the harder it is for them. Caleb doesn't seem to be sad at all. The older children on the other hand. . . it breaks my heart to cause them so much pain.<br />
<br />
But we had to move sooner or later, and in some ways, it is easier to move sooner, before Bryce starts high school in the US. <br />
<br />
We have been very busy lately. <br />
<br />
A month ago, we learned we were moving. <br />
<br />
Three weeks ago, Shon and I left our family under the care of my brother Tom and his wife Lindsay so that we could fly to Alaska and look for a house. <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/AVvXsEgEDidWGpfyHKdH_Y6FlHC1nDVuKAeQznowc_YRggsE1W2H6fmdRg9vNVNuxfoEOR60-X9T_ClpahHI9t7-_DryiAExog3sRLx5z5H2_mevo_U5bC3bP0GHswGDjd99zsWOyd6sdQ58wvao/s1600/DSCF0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDidWGpfyHKdH_Y6FlHC1nDVuKAeQznowc_YRggsE1W2H6fmdRg9vNVNuxfoEOR60-X9T_ClpahHI9t7-_DryiAExog3sRLx5z5H2_mevo_U5bC3bP0GHswGDjd99zsWOyd6sdQ58wvao/s320/DSCF0116.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom and Lindsay, and a koala. They color coordinated!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Two weeks ago, we came home to Brisbane, and welcomed my sister Becki and her husband Jeremy and son Ethan to visit us! It was so much fun to have them visiting. It was such a great excuse to ignore all of my packing responsibilities and be a tourist one last time. (I'll post pictures another day.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVJ-TFjrRlpgUnsbttMkNyh6wENoU3K3Gln7P31kKNqGTyit_uRD_QxoEMYgeGKe2O8dhtojk1blYKnkjU_YqKwMATcbxbL1lEzpSWQSFzV06fz8Pbt3DlDNmBNA04wZpJn_TbiID9QU-/s1600/DSCF0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVJ-TFjrRlpgUnsbttMkNyh6wENoU3K3Gln7P31kKNqGTyit_uRD_QxoEMYgeGKe2O8dhtojk1blYKnkjU_YqKwMATcbxbL1lEzpSWQSFzV06fz8Pbt3DlDNmBNA04wZpJn_TbiID9QU-/s320/DSCF0426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Three days ago, my family left. And the work began. The packers came today. My house is a box city. I don't know why it is so disconcerting to see everything in boxes. The house feels empty. It even has an echo. Actually the acoustics are nice. Sarah keeps singing. She must like the acoustics too. <br />
<br />
We are really going to miss it here. . .Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-45790111607673474632012-02-15T19:39:00.000-08:002012-02-15T19:39:47.766-08:00Still catching up. . .Continuing on from our last episode, the Robinsons return Down Under. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3GFud5smHlQtdYIQgwwjFAyLSWmI96aWZFpQVk1_lHEGSjNLlfcpawxfIjAiU9umg56KGJON_2rxeN-FOKlVcDr_wgDV7djnBdZvvxkecmvFTFNNtZo2WOd_ZBfY0mnjmsTgOUYblAgd/s1600/IMG_4179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3GFud5smHlQtdYIQgwwjFAyLSWmI96aWZFpQVk1_lHEGSjNLlfcpawxfIjAiU9umg56KGJON_2rxeN-FOKlVcDr_wgDV7djnBdZvvxkecmvFTFNNtZo2WOd_ZBfY0mnjmsTgOUYblAgd/s320/IMG_4179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We miss our cousins!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNMYg5frNAaaxSyFnzjYrKIZXzPQsodS6Limx1dkTOCVlTcXBg25502OS-8hXReybTGqjZK0NOMxBJWToSsxNqwU4nMHk7seSegFJfd2pEmjN9MNmFDIYUugGwLGihO5P_PUQYppK0f6A/s1600/IMG_4170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNMYg5frNAaaxSyFnzjYrKIZXzPQsodS6Limx1dkTOCVlTcXBg25502OS-8hXReybTGqjZK0NOMxBJWToSsxNqwU4nMHk7seSegFJfd2pEmjN9MNmFDIYUugGwLGihO5P_PUQYppK0f6A/s320/IMG_4170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And friends.</td></tr>
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After we returned from our trip to the US, Bryce took a shower and went straight to EFY at the University of Queensland. Kids flew in from all over Australia. They had such a great time! I remember how fun it was to go when I was 14. The dances were awesome! I can only imagine how much more fun it is here. Most of the kids here are the only members of the church in their schools. (When I drop Bryce off at early morning seminary, it is a mishmash of colorful ties, blazers, tartan skirts, and shorts with knee socks - so many uniforms from different schools.) Getting together with other youth who believe the same things you do - now that is just good fun! Bryce came back more confident, and capable of articulating his beliefs. <br />
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When people ask me about <a href="http://lds.org/">the church</a> in Australia, I tell them that if you meet active member of the church from down under, they deserve your respect: they're not just good people, they are stalwart. Everyone who continues to "keep the faith" here has made sacrifices - whether it be turning away from social drinking, saying no to friends who want to go "clubbing", not dating people who don't support your standards, giving up rugby or rowing (or marathon running!) or soccer because the games are all on Sunday, or wearing modest clothing even though it is way too hot. <br />
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It broke my heart the first year we were here and Sarah had to say no to 7 or 8 birthday parties in a row (never getting to go to a single party that year!) because they were all on Sunday. There were a couple parties I thought might have been alright, but then that would just get confusing, having some be ok and some not, so we just decided to have a "no parties on Sunday" policy. At first we used to just say, "sorry, we can't come," but I felt a bit rude, like I was hiding something, so I now tell people, thank you, we appreciate the kind invitation, but that we decided as a family that we wouldn't go to parties on Sunday because that is our Sabbath day. Last month, Sarah's best friend's mother called to see if there was any way Sarah could come to a party on a Sunday. When I said "not really" she said, well, we'll just have to plan the party on a Saturday then. Sarah was so happy! (By the way, it was an awesome party - a trip to Dream World - the Aussie equivalent to Disneyland!) It has happened several times now, and not just with birthday parties - Emily's soccer party, Bryce's volleyball dinner, they all were changed from a Sunday to a Saturday because our children couldn't come. People here really are so kind and thoughtful. <br />
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So. . . We got back from the US and had a couple weeks to kill getting ready for school. It rained most of the time. That doesn't stop us from swimming in our pool - if you're wet you might as well get wet, but it does stop us from visiting the beach. The surf gets really crazy with all of the water pouring in from the streams and rivers. We tried the Gold Coast one day and didn't last long after several kids got pulled out on a rip. Watching the life guards drive out on their jet skis gave me a traumatic flash back to <span id="goog_108445819"></span><a href="http://www.meetthenmrobinsons.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/fall-break.html">last year's rip experience</a><span id="goog_108445820"></span>. So, with the rain, we spent a couple days exploring the museums down at the southbank. (If you're ever in Brisbane, definitely check them out!) Here are some cheesy pictures I took at the Gallery of Modern Art, using my phone. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq7rBUgApm6MFV_koCUNmvvvKrj4efrQw1HCKm1QL533KL-2XrAnoikbdR0WtiSKpFHMPV-pJO1CFrzG3p3Mt5TRkS4nw41U_0Vm1PZsXdDRv6DORUV9pOZ8DtuomJWF_vFP5KZ7sF9KV/s1600/IMG_1022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq7rBUgApm6MFV_koCUNmvvvKrj4efrQw1HCKm1QL533KL-2XrAnoikbdR0WtiSKpFHMPV-pJO1CFrzG3p3Mt5TRkS4nw41U_0Vm1PZsXdDRv6DORUV9pOZ8DtuomJWF_vFP5KZ7sF9KV/s320/IMG_1022.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This exhibit was called "We Miss You, Magic Land" and everything was made with sugar and icing and such! A little too pastel for my taste, but the kids loved it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2njWehtwTft0Weig48xs9vfa29bL2u1cOM6iGMOscjgoFRMBmU4KDUQoKPPDk0BPMyFCXAhNFAIX-zoX9sXz0_cwKGylwiT3GrJv3XcDWjVTCCxWPRshTozXcKLrfixTqzEgLyvC4gwKn/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2njWehtwTft0Weig48xs9vfa29bL2u1cOM6iGMOscjgoFRMBmU4KDUQoKPPDk0BPMyFCXAhNFAIX-zoX9sXz0_cwKGylwiT3GrJv3XcDWjVTCCxWPRshTozXcKLrfixTqzEgLyvC4gwKn/s320/IMG_1050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Everything in this exhibit had to do with spots. I liked it.<br />
(If you want to See Forever, you have to open your eyes, Caleb!) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sW5dti5PKltnFynGL3umYvv9_l0BbdIoa6pTQQL9dxBTT4J2VOxm-M6iVEHOQpgZADeDMvVS2mZaT9TskSPq5a_WzkRILi1yxDz3ser5ASV5W6-QXFR5_FW9XMVAIo13qm9UQ79R2xxa/s1600/IMG_1033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sW5dti5PKltnFynGL3umYvv9_l0BbdIoa6pTQQL9dxBTT4J2VOxm-M6iVEHOQpgZADeDMvVS2mZaT9TskSPq5a_WzkRILi1yxDz3ser5ASV5W6-QXFR5_FW9XMVAIo13qm9UQ79R2xxa/s320/IMG_1033.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved the Obliteration room! The kids were all given a sheet of spot stickers and told to stick them anywhere in the all white room. Everything was white - a piano, computer, kitchen utensils and house plants! By the time we saw it, there were more spots than white. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1h4oI-V5JTKfdoR4QvbzcM4OrHuI7gs8WBTxlmu0tnGuLluXfG1ERRZzj6xMC8z1YRx14bsgj_kaGtBNqThCVM48Q7PGK2pYIyme5cTuyFwwRBAjmlOl6QvEcz4D9gmA27F_9xUJYhrN/s1600/IMG_1040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1h4oI-V5JTKfdoR4QvbzcM4OrHuI7gs8WBTxlmu0tnGuLluXfG1ERRZzj6xMC8z1YRx14bsgj_kaGtBNqThCVM48Q7PGK2pYIyme5cTuyFwwRBAjmlOl6QvEcz4D9gmA27F_9xUJYhrN/s320/IMG_1040.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More spots. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>And then, suddenly, school started. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that a missing tooth?!</td></tr>
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Did I mention how much I love back to school shopping in Australia? This year I had to buy a couple pairs of new shoes, some socks, a back pack, one $200 calculator, and heaps of stationery and books, which according to Australian tradition, must be covered in book covering material. I am a pro at covering books. Trust me, I have spent hours practicing. One big plus about having to wear shorts is that when your son grows 6 inches in one year, his shorts still fit! Nothing else I bought him has lasted so long. I am all for shorts and knee socks. <br />
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The house felt so empty when the kids went off to school, especially with the rain. I turned on the TV, but that was just distracting, and I really did have a lot of work to do, especially with my washing machine broken. (It took four weeks to get the right part installed, just this morning. Yeah, no more hauling the laundry to the laundromat!) So, to give myself a little background noise, I started listening to pod casts. I LOVE it! My favorite right now is "Things You Missed in History Class" from howstuffworks.com. I especially love ship wrecks, art history, music history, and historical medicine.<br />
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Just for the record, I actually really enjoy the laundromat. I can get 8 loads washed in half an hour! The problem is drying. Here, most people use a clothes line, so the laundry place may have a dozen washers, but only 2 or 3 dryers; and my dryer wasn't broken, my washer was. So, rather than sit around for hours and dry my laundry, I just hauled it all home. The clothes line works great - when it isn't raining, or extremely humid, which it is, most of the time. Using a clothes line in a rainy place makes for interesting social experiences. The sun comes out and mums walking their children to school suddenly run off saying "I'm going to put my laundry out!" It gives new meaning to the song "Today while the Sun Shines, work with a will. . ." Some day, someone clever will invent a solar/wind powered clothes dryer (only $599!) which will become all the rage in California, where people are so environmentally conscious, and the rest of the world will laugh and point!<br />
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One of my favorite things about laundry is that I feel like I am working when I am really just waiting - and what better to do while waiting than read a book! I have been eagerly waiting for this book: Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale. I love reading<a href="http://oinks.squeetus.com/"> Shannon's blog.</a> She is so witty! Several of my favorite books are hers: Book of A Thousand Days, The Princess Academy, and of course, Rapunzel's Revenge, my most loaned book ever. I finally just begged the school library to please get a copy so I could have mine back. Sarah even went as Rapunzel for book week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfin4iHfGIZQLI_076vKBrXZw5H2hgmp573yr7jPq6ApQuY9Mg40YcNOA_cFH1ZQFKQn9OFIW_TDiIBp-HLN0c2EyRq7L6E4b1ecavcPjuN6oKkQ-bmShIzhuwhE67-EDqmwuZeLQuzjq1/s1600/IMG_1441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfin4iHfGIZQLI_076vKBrXZw5H2hgmp573yr7jPq6ApQuY9Mg40YcNOA_cFH1ZQFKQn9OFIW_TDiIBp-HLN0c2EyRq7L6E4b1ecavcPjuN6oKkQ-bmShIzhuwhE67-EDqmwuZeLQuzjq1/s320/IMG_1441.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapunzel from "Rapunzel's Revenge" by Shannon Hale</td></tr>
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<div> There is so much to look forward to right now. My cousin, Jennifer Wolf, has a young adult novel coming out in April, Breaking Beautiful, which I can't wait to read. Also, the movie of the Hunger Games. I'm going to have to find my mockingjay pin again!</div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-91012673928282039112012-02-15T17:20:00.000-08:002012-02-15T17:20:47.711-08:00Ketchup. . . I mean tomato sauceIt's time to do a little ketchup, only we call it tomato (say tom-ah-to) sauce here. Things have been very busy since the new school year started. It will have to wait for another post though. <br />
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We had a fabulous trip home for Christmas. We asked our children what their favorite part was, and they all agreed that playing with their cousins and friends was the highlight of our holiday. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We spent time in Los Angeles, Farmington New Mexico, Salt Lake City Utah, and Twin Falls Idaho. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29NSYkD0dr2DOK180W-j5fL-okYQ63Un-uxP5nAwNQUGI-F-Se-EXf15vwksVr-eQMBlhG6oPc7_Hi-6xoseRUlQeVZfTXDLvg4jUral0ccJ4w-X6d_6F9AFHmeUVLBmf3sHi2SJ28Y87/s1600/IMG_3881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29NSYkD0dr2DOK180W-j5fL-okYQ63Un-uxP5nAwNQUGI-F-Se-EXf15vwksVr-eQMBlhG6oPc7_Hi-6xoseRUlQeVZfTXDLvg4jUral0ccJ4w-X6d_6F9AFHmeUVLBmf3sHi2SJ28Y87/s320/IMG_3881.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The week after Christmas, we had our Patterson Family Reunion at the Albion Campus Retreat. It was awesome. Growing up, we always drove past the Albion State Normal School on the way to Pomerelle ski area. There is an old state college for teachers. Built in 1901, it was used for decades to teach teachers, but has been completely vacant since the 60's. I used to day dream about going inside the old buildings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuYM-h4mz5_yk4UIrkSGJQ7CEujWKhihsLGwt8wM9Rm-25wLnSueR1q0WRZC1HCHPHRaa5CIgkegUK0PrrG0LzlHSJevLbIrqxpC4cQ25UIa74MPLef__1MZ0vu8noyWyVdcVjNUeqDqV/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuYM-h4mz5_yk4UIrkSGJQ7CEujWKhihsLGwt8wM9Rm-25wLnSueR1q0WRZC1HCHPHRaa5CIgkegUK0PrrG0LzlHSJevLbIrqxpC4cQ25UIa74MPLef__1MZ0vu8noyWyVdcVjNUeqDqV/s320/IMG_0968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Not only did we get to stay in the restored Miller Hall, we were given a tour of the other buildings, which are now used only at Halloween as a haunted house. We explored the orchestra pit and dressing rooms under the stage in the theater. The gym was pretty cool too. I always feel bad seeing things in disrepair - especially something that used to be so beautiful. But we had an awesome time exploring. I think it would be a very scary haunted house!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
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The weather was unusually warm, but we still managed to have a great time skiing! It was Caleb and Abby's first time. They did great! I think they are our first children to not cry their first time on the slopes. <br />
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When we weren't skiing, eating, or playing games in the rec room, we were in the hot tub! The best part of course, was just being with family. <br />
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But, before we headed up to Idaho, we spent a week in Utah. <br />
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We had a special visitor. Brother A was visiting from Arkansas! It was so good to see him again. I miss Brother A. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go BYU Basketball!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Temple Square. Can you tell Caleb was tired? </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve with Shon's grandparents.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> We got to see the Tabernacle Choir Christmas broadcast. The choir was amazing. Jane Seymore was a witty narrator. Everything was great - especially the super nice college student who paid for our parking when I realized that I only had Australian cash! I offered to get his number to pay him back and he wouldn't have it. Merry Christmas to you too! Living in Australia, I sometimes forget there are so many LDS members in the world. To see so many people - including President Monson - in one room was overwhelming. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah and I in the Conference Center.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It was so much fun to spend Christmas Eve with Shon's family.Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-17508306497591836892011-12-23T11:45:00.000-08:002011-12-23T11:54:27.775-08:00Jet Lag*True to form, I wrote this post a week ago and forgot to post it. Here it is:<br />
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I have jet lag. It has been 5 days, so I should be completely over it, but it just seems to be hitting now: a nagging feeling that I should be eating at midnight, waking up at 4:45 AM even though I just went to bed at 12:30, a suddenly and unexpectedly falling asleep at 3 in the afternoon. <br />
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</div><div>We are back in the US, after being gone for 18 months. We flew to Melbourne, spent the night, then flew from Melbourne to LA. I can never sleep on the airplane. I don't think it has anything to do with discomfort really, there are just so many movies I want to watch! Fourteen hours of entertainment later, we landed in LA. We visited Shon's brother Jason and his wife, Alex. Alex is 8.5 months pregnant. She is so cute. Really, that's not very fair. She looked like she was trying to shop lift a basketball. Lucky girl. We are very excited and look forward to seeing their little baby girl soon. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Somewhere in California.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>I crashed and slept for a couple hours at Jason's, then it was back in our rental car - a beautiful grey mini van. Sounds pretty "flash", huh? It may not be cute, but it gets pretty good gas mileage and is surprisingly roomy. We have quite a bit of luggage and it all fits! Shocker. Anyway, we headed back into the van and I drove, on the right side of the road, for the next 5 hours, to a hotel in Kingman Arizona. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped to fill up near Flagstaff, and the kids all romped in the snow!</td></tr>
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</div><div>After an awesome night's sleep, on the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on (I was really tired), we got up at 5 and drove to Farmington, NM! It was such a great visit. We stayed with my friend Annie and her family. They are such great friends. We loved having scriptures with their family, and watching the pleasant interactions between their children and Grandma (who lives with them). We felt so at home. What an awesome friend Annie is to host 7 extra people. And I'm sure we were pretty annoying. The first few days we were constantly saying: "Look at the size of this milk carton!" and "In Australia, we do it like this" or "they say this in Australia." It's kind of strange to be back. When I first heard the radio announcer in California, I thought she was joking and exaggerating an American accent! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on the road in Arizona.</td></tr>
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</div><div>Farmington was great! With the exception of a weekend in New Orleans, we have never returned to one of the places we moved from. It was so nice to see all of our friends at church. I ran with my running buddies, twice! It didn't hurt at all, though I was definitely out of breath - but I'm blaming it on the elevation (sea level to 6,000 feet is quite a jump.) I got to have lunch with my choir friends too. We had dinner with a couple of very good friends. It was so much fun! I got to go to Homemaking (or whatever it's called) and chat with the ladies from church. And my children played with their friends! I think it made me as happy as it made them. I know how much they miss their friends, and to see them so happy was very fulfilling. (I have to admit, it was a bit shocking to see how much everyone has grown! Seriously, what are you feeding these kids?) It was just a really great couple of days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br />
</div><div>We were sad to leave Farmington, but so excited to go see our family. It has been way too long since we have been home. Eighteen months is a mission for some people. And the last couple months have been hard, so it is really nice to be home. I'm usually pretty good at avoiding homesickness (avoiding is the key word here - you can't get over it, you just have to get around it.) More on that later. </div><div><br />
</div><div>So, after 35 hours (so far) of traveling, we are home. (We have another 18 hours to drive, and 15 to fly before it's all over.)</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Life is good. I have eaten Mexican food, with green chilis and fresh tortillas. I have run with my friends. I have been to Walmart. (Seriously, have you seen how big that place is!) I have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, on the radio! Soon, I will be in the mountains, skiing. My children have filled themselves with horrible, sugary cereals, and I'm not even going to say anything (like "that's not breakfast, that's dessert"). But best of all, I have seen so many friends and family! I couldn't be happier. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Life is good. </div><div><br />
</div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-12392465061823817312011-11-27T16:23:00.000-08:002011-11-27T16:23:27.087-08:00VisitorsI love having visitors! Shon's sister Angie, her husband Brian, and their 3 children (plus one on the way) came to visit. We took a few days and made another trip to the Whitsundays. (I told you I couldn't wait to go back with my family! I was serious!)<br />
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The weather was a bit stormy. We expected rain, but it only sprinkled. It was much warmer this time around. One wet suit was enough! (Shon and I wore 3 last time.)<br />
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</div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-44610974831919928922011-10-18T21:28:00.000-07:002011-10-18T21:28:20.782-07:00Two down. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>***I wrote this post two and a half weeks ago, but I was in such a hurry that I forgot to post it! Better late than never. <br />
<br />
It is General Conference time again. (Sigh. I love General Conference.) We ate cinnamon rolls, and actually sat and watched all of the sessions with very few interruptions. It's nice to have my children getting older. For instance, last week we had the missionaries coming over for dinner and I also had to pick up Caleb from a play date. You'd think pick up would only take a couple minutes, but I often find that "play date" here means "wine and cheese by the pool." (No thank you, to the champagne, but I'd love a glass of water.)<br />
<br />
Actually, my one and only big complaint about Australia (besides the fact that everyone is driving on the wrong side of the road) is the alcohol. Alcohol seems to be the language of hospitality here. And though I don't drink, it doesn't bother me much to say no to a glass. People are honestly trying to be nice when they offer me something to drink. What I do have a problem with is children and alcohol mixed together. Let's see, first there was the kindergarten disco where my son was handed a can of beer instead of a soft drink, and my friend's two year old got ahold of a can that was already open - he slept very well that night. For the public school art night, every admission ticket came with a complimentary glass of wine. Oh, and the school's family fun night: all of the children went in a room for crafts and a sausage, while the adults stood around and drank. (Family fun?) At the last class parent rep meeting, one of the topics of discussion was how the school could get a liquor license for their next fund raiser. When my daughter told me about the father's day gift this year, I made a pre-emptive strike so my husband would actually be able to bring his 3 lovely gifts home. I brought sparkling grape juice to the school for the girls to put their hand painted wine labels on. The saddest thing to me was listening in on a conversation where one mum was telling another that it was time to teach her 15 year old daughter how much alcohol she could handle. I felt sick. Australia would be a very difficult place to live as an alcoholic. I'm glad I'll never have to deal with that. But just for the record, we have plenty of fun, laughter, and engaging conversation without the alcohol. And now I'm really off on a tangent . . . <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInSpdC6AAcDWCxVBmAoDH4m0YDqaWh43XGZ4YRj-00l8DkCcVGEG_0y-1gOoLobabOaqYoSkQ5lvi09wc7x28iin4JLtZcwqGHbmoc48h1DU8RkczIY1flAnbS6Z_FrKHSmlvQMKCOofo/s1600/IMG_3407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInSpdC6AAcDWCxVBmAoDH4m0YDqaWh43XGZ4YRj-00l8DkCcVGEG_0y-1gOoLobabOaqYoSkQ5lvi09wc7x28iin4JLtZcwqGHbmoc48h1DU8RkczIY1flAnbS6Z_FrKHSmlvQMKCOofo/s320/IMG_3407.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's sparkling grape juice label from the Father' s Day breakfast. </td></tr>
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I went to pick up Caleb from a play date, said no to the champagne, swung by the grocery store to grab a few last minute ingredients for dinner with the missionaries, and came home to a perfectly clean kitchen! My children (mostly Emily) had cleaned the kitchen and living room! The magazines were even in a little row on the end table. The floor was even swept. I love having older children.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGag8W9sSe9Jcaz_Slsma6j92HMG5AQOfY8Ttvx3Itu5hzVwVjpI3cNDzfGGMrpS_uF3xygOTVbg3Yu-lCg6aCorYGC6SnO1mho8caF_spuMzH1Hj24DO5Ch_3U_ZHQ9rsfPPfhhV2KIm/s1600/IMG_3402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGag8W9sSe9Jcaz_Slsma6j92HMG5AQOfY8Ttvx3Itu5hzVwVjpI3cNDzfGGMrpS_uF3xygOTVbg3Yu-lCg6aCorYGC6SnO1mho8caF_spuMzH1Hj24DO5Ch_3U_ZHQ9rsfPPfhhV2KIm/s320/IMG_3402.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking of older children, look who is <i>almost</i> taller than his dad. </td></tr>
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I also love having the missionaries over - especially this set, because one of them is family. Sort of. Shon's cousin's wife's nephew is serving in our ward. Another tangent: Elder Sio shared a bit of polynesian parental advice with our family. When a parent asks you to do something, you have two options: Do it, or do it sad. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWJokpmx9p8Zb8-ZBmJP_1J7Hau4qlFOVxYElFktFnTc6sUL0dDD7l3SC92gEVOButdQVOfz3-PrsxHKFShrvsPEzTs0c1E4ELM02As-p6it1lDn31Ux59_Kq5Nl-oK0RwMP4xHTpUW12/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWJokpmx9p8Zb8-ZBmJP_1J7Hau4qlFOVxYElFktFnTc6sUL0dDD7l3SC92gEVOButdQVOfz3-PrsxHKFShrvsPEzTs0c1E4ELM02As-p6it1lDn31Ux59_Kq5Nl-oK0RwMP4xHTpUW12/s320/IMG_0747.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Elder Thornton. We just call him Elder Cousin. Cuz for short.</td></tr>
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But back to General Conference. I feel so at home watching General Conference. This particular one means our family has been in Australia for two years! We moved here just a few days before conference, and in my jet lagged state, I woke up at 4 AM and watched it live on the internet. (Because we are a day ahead of Utah, we end up watching General Conference a week later than the US.) <br />
<br />
We have learned a lot in the last two years. <br />
<br />
We have "learnt" to spell like an Aussie, whilst "practising" saying "Hache" and "Zede" in the alphabet (H and Z if you're confused.) <br />
<br />
I learned that I can indeed whip egg whites to a peek, with just a whisk. Our stuff took 3 months longer to get here than we had planned, so I had to learn to make do with what we had. Ha! I only thought I needed a mixer. Seriously, try it. It gives your fore arms quite the workout. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We learned that we really don't need plastic grocery bags. After seeing dead turtles on the beach, and realizing how much easier it is to carry everything in with the big fabric bags, we, like the rest of Australia, have abandoned plastic bags. Besides, they are just gross. We have also abandoned paper towels. Total waste. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aQBvpjRMNrU9uMYZj8mBQvCPInramN6zI2cWlYqpmrpmy_Li1WqdTfK3Mn3pPaBWAnyjRkEZkRWvu-SfgK-4F9-rJGQtHSWZ0PTvndVSOs8olumSJmR8ji_O_9p8mEoliMnAhQJ5hMP3/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aQBvpjRMNrU9uMYZj8mBQvCPInramN6zI2cWlYqpmrpmy_Li1WqdTfK3Mn3pPaBWAnyjRkEZkRWvu-SfgK-4F9-rJGQtHSWZ0PTvndVSOs8olumSJmR8ji_O_9p8mEoliMnAhQJ5hMP3/s320/IMG_1802.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a lorkeet on Caleb's head. </td></tr>
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We learned how to Surf! That was fun. Seriously, I love the beach. How did I ever live without it? <br />
<br />
The kids learned to talk like an Aussie. I am however stuck with my American accent (though I am frequently asked if I am Canadian - but I think most people who ask me this just can't tell the difference and know that Canadians don't like to be called Americans, but Americans don't really care.) The two youngest are the best at turning their Aussie accent on and off. It takes a few minutes after getting home from school for "mum" to become "mom." <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1c6Lv8qzhBzWRNaK_K9FAllykfpLNTWXO270mid7EunrACXXIdfWhbj3Ud3ZiWwpKseO1W3BEm8uyzmeMolwl2Hdf-Ud0PN976TAqFK0-FjiKJkzBk4t5CDNWygnZBhQ1jX-gAIyiEMT/s1600/IMG_2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1c6Lv8qzhBzWRNaK_K9FAllykfpLNTWXO270mid7EunrACXXIdfWhbj3Ud3ZiWwpKseO1W3BEm8uyzmeMolwl2Hdf-Ud0PN976TAqFK0-FjiKJkzBk4t5CDNWygnZBhQ1jX-gAIyiEMT/s320/IMG_2391.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family in Singapore. Caleb is going to be an Elvis impersonator when he grows up. </td></tr>
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The biggest thing we have learned is that the world is very beautiful, and very small. All those countries you see on the news, with tsunamis, earth quakes, and social unrest - they aren't so far away. <br />
<br />
We are all just neighbours, mate.Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-15280160156432502642011-10-17T17:25:00.000-07:002011-11-27T16:08:57.311-08:00Reasons why I have nightmares. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Others have excuses, I have my reasons why. . . (cue music from Nickel Creek)<br />
<br />
Hi my name is Juli. I am a mother of five. I heard that someone asked a large family once if they were all one family, or if they were on a picnic. The mother replied that they were all hers and it’s no picnic. <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I agree. It’s no picnic. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I love my children. I have always wanted five children. When people asked me when I was little what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said I wanted to be a mother and have five children. I am very blessed to have the desires of my heart. I love being a mother. I am happy that I am the one that gets to raise my children, with my husband. It is definitely a two person job. But I was the one who breast fed them. I rocked them to sleep when they cried in the night. I folded their cute little socks – so little they sometimes got caught in the washing machine filter. I took them to their first day of school. I taught them to ride a bike (well, Shon did that.) I “helped” make pinewood derby cars (the ones Shon "helped" with won, but not mine!) This weekend I am taking my eldest to his first stake dance. Sooner or later, I will take them to college or to the MTC. I feel full of joy that I get to be the one to do those things for my family. </div><br />
But it is no picnic. <br />
<br />
I have this repeating night mare where I wake up sweating, thinking that I have forgotten something important. Unfortunately, some times it isn’t just a dream. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNjdX9tywFUrKBPbshZdRFTRiW58H2Jom6wBBOXhYvBkRZcm90imkqS6vOIBRqaFJ9ztsv8GgLd3b0H1FcadrQd5x4J13u3OVNNqFFCZ67G2RTUfJeyE568ypjnvXtqjeAklYZ08TR2bt/s1600/IMG00062-20111015-2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNjdX9tywFUrKBPbshZdRFTRiW58H2Jom6wBBOXhYvBkRZcm90imkqS6vOIBRqaFJ9ztsv8GgLd3b0H1FcadrQd5x4J13u3OVNNqFFCZ67G2RTUfJeyE568ypjnvXtqjeAklYZ08TR2bt/s320/IMG00062-20111015-2006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shon caught one of the penalty kicks. </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">For instance, last week, Shon had to go out of town to <st1:country-region><st1:place>New Zealand</st1:place></st1:country-region> for work. (A trip that conveniently coincided with the <st1:place>Rugby</st1:place> world cup, I might add.) I knew it would be busy. Every night there were multiple things going on. Wednesday Emily had early orchestra, I had cello lessons (which went horribly, I might add – I’m blaming it on the fact that I donated blood Tuesday morning and I spent the rest of the week feeling less than sharp), a class representative meeting, swimming lessons for the kids, volleyball practice for Bryce, softball practice for Emily, and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on that I knew I hadn’t put in my calendar. I also helped Emily make a skirt for a Personal Progress project, but we didn’t quite finish it. She is supposed to wear it on Tuesday night. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Thursday was equally bad: ballet and jazz, a softball tournament for Emily, basketball practice for Bryce, and piano lessons for the younger children. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Friday was an all day volleyball tournament for Bryce, an eye appointment for Sarah, and girls camp began for Emily. Unfortunately the volleyball tournament was on the complete opposite side of the city from the girls camp. I spent most of the afternoon driving. Seriously, hours, and 6 trips over the Gateway bridge ($3.85 each way). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcudE0HitWDek-RSGykfsQ5pEJUq5HHhCJcAWRKutJkgeDy6pTiP6tE8z_G2UBORuBlOC6en16ssOuvV7jeKV06KdvYk4yCFcItvsoVToeiebuDb9haQkzZrXtAgHWwqgFBgdxwcSgOk-M/s1600/IMG_2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcudE0HitWDek-RSGykfsQ5pEJUq5HHhCJcAWRKutJkgeDy6pTiP6tE8z_G2UBORuBlOC6en16ssOuvV7jeKV06KdvYk4yCFcItvsoVToeiebuDb9haQkzZrXtAgHWwqgFBgdxwcSgOk-M/s320/IMG_2017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryce loves volleyball.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Saturday was no better: a primary meeting, followed by a basketball game and the rest of the volleyball tournament (from <st1:time hour="13" minute="0">1-7 pm</st1:time>) which I had to leave to pick up Emily from her camp (girls camp is only a one night deal here). Unfortunately, it was raining hard, and I had a miscommunication with the leaders, so Emily was already home as I drove through the rain from Bryce’s volleyball tournament, missing his last game – the only one that they won, I might add. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I might have been able to handle all of our activities, but I also had a talk to prepare for Sunday morning, hymns to learn for the organ, and the primary presentation to prepare for (I’m the music leader, and is the responsibility that stressed me out the most); and we have company coming from Singapore, which we are going to take on a holiday to the Whitsundays next week. I am so excited for guests, and I love holidays, but getting 5 children ready, with school makeup work too, and a house to clean for our guests, is no easy task. Whenever we go on vacation, I wonder if it is worth all the work. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Sunday, Shon came safely home, in spite of the strike at Quantas. He was a bit surprised at the state of the house, but I had only done the things that are absolutely necessary, like scrape the oatmeal off the floor. My talk went well. I prayed, worked hard on it during the volley ball tournament (I let the kids play video games between matches). The primary practice went well! I asked my friend to play the organ for me. Sunday I was asked if I could help with a musical number on Tuesday that desperately needed a pianist. I’m not the world’s greatest sight reader, so I said I would if I could find a couple hours to practice. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Monday went something like this: Student free day so the kids were all home, Emily had testing which I didn’t know about because I didn’t read the note at the bottom of the pile of papers I haven’t gotten to (which really annoys Shon), we mowed the lawn, took Bryce to the mall with friends, tried to find a friend for Sarah to play with, but she had fun doing the grocery shopping with me, picked up Emily, picked up Bryce, tried to clean house, had people over to my messy house (so embarassing) for a last minute practice of the song for Tuesday (which went horribly, I didn’t have time to practice, and it ended with them asking if I knew anyone else who could play the piano at the last minute). I threw together dinner just as Shon came home to another messy house. And the doorbell rang. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, back to my nightmare, where I wake up, my heart beating uncontrollably, as I try to figure out what I was forgetting. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>Shon had arranged for me and the kids to go to the H family's house and have dinner and help teach the discussions to their daughter. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">On Wednesday night. </div><br />
He reminded me, twice. <br />
<br />
Oh, and I told my friend J she could bring her kids over to my house while we went to the Year 8 Parent Information Night (also written about in note on bottom of pile). She remembered. I forgot, until the doorbell rang and she came to pick me up (me wearing jeans and an old t-shirt, though “Information Night” apparently means “wine and cheese on the terrace” at our school.) <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Oh, and I finally got around to checking my messages on my answering machine. There is one from Luke H, politely asking if we are coming for dinner. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And one from Sofiah’s mom asking if Sarah could come over and play. (My heart broke.)</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It’s Tuesday morning. I know I should be practicing the song I have to play tonight, but can’t. Or maybe I should be practicing the cello so I can redeem myself from my last lesson after which my teacher is wondering if I know how to read music. Or maybe I should be up on the terrace, introducing new parents to each other at the new student orientation (I am the class parent representative after all.) Or maybe I should be doing the horribly filthy laundry from girls’ camp (it was muddy), or putting the zipper in Emily's skirt she is supposed to wear tonight. Or maybe I should be cleaning up the house from the past week, but I’m not. Instead I am typing and hoping that writing about this will somehow make me feel better. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">And if it doesn’t make me feel better, perhaps it will make you feel better when you have a bad day, or two. </div><br />
Can I just say thank you?<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Thank you to the H family for making dinner for 7 extra people (who didn’t show up) and for so graciously accepting my apology. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Thank you to Shon for coming home. I don’t know how single parents do it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Thank you to my friend J who brought cute cookies with candy corn (our favorite American treat - seriously Bryce asked for a bag for his birthday!) and for waiting for me as I changed out of my grubby clothes. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Thank you to the sweet sister in my ward who wrote me an email to say how much my talk helped her, that it was the answer to her prayers. It made it all worthwhile. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>***Update: I found an hour to practice and the musical number went flawlessly. The spirit was very strong. My next cello lesson was excellent and Emily never finished her skirt!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-13479485719767708032011-09-13T17:29:00.000-07:002011-09-13T17:29:41.977-07:00Sailing the WhitsundaysIt's our anniversary this week. Shon and I have been married 15 years. More on that later. <br />
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In celebration of our marriage, we decided to take a little holiday together. We booked a sailing trip through the Whitsundays. They are a group of islands situated on the Great Barrier Reef. Though we have never been scuba diving (plenty of snorkeling though) we decided to give it a go and signed up for the "all you can dive" package. We ended up doing 5 "discovery" dives - we had to stay with a diving instructor (Tristan) and couldn't go lower than 15 m. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VrgYR-sqFKZB18EMFPwyhIkiEJLXEMnkhhTJfJcAIjEdKit9ik9DIeAnI-FdocEb-aXTUa9XXYeZ8F9te2SLbdGDqR3eQJ_jkaRyh_h0UpDz7HqL1Yixn-xS0XAqiudxDmNyGGP3sMEs/s1600/DSCF9026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VrgYR-sqFKZB18EMFPwyhIkiEJLXEMnkhhTJfJcAIjEdKit9ik9DIeAnI-FdocEb-aXTUa9XXYeZ8F9te2SLbdGDqR3eQJ_jkaRyh_h0UpDz7HqL1Yixn-xS0XAqiudxDmNyGGP3sMEs/s320/DSCF9026.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sleeve says "Sail, Dive, Sleep, Repeat." Sounds like fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9IJPiFSRdH0O_3eMO5KfjdwC1H3Y8lcJnD3nllaYmMHiQ3vrO5foHUK9xMyzaCZYM3e5VPLfMz7TyUgEzaiNFGyoWkk8DhFdZhpLXSy_Oy8t8DJ3FZpDfZjU5CGVWZ3579MHVBX3yRYc/s1600/DSCF9007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9IJPiFSRdH0O_3eMO5KfjdwC1H3Y8lcJnD3nllaYmMHiQ3vrO5foHUK9xMyzaCZYM3e5VPLfMz7TyUgEzaiNFGyoWkk8DhFdZhpLXSy_Oy8t8DJ3FZpDfZjU5CGVWZ3579MHVBX3yRYc/s320/DSCF9007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's our boat, the Wings 2. It was comfortable, and the food was great!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We left from Airlie Beach, and sailed around for a couple days. It took a bit to get used to the motion of the ship, but we didn't have any sea sickness problems. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Lvnp83vSF6JAOYrAVwEbs0AvNGQDoF_3EyXq77jFrp0SxIJpeKkKZG2hTELuhz8_ZrQcPEYRZj7MRskw4mA2tHFLTei3diuRD6Mwrqz65IqzOhe3amDXxJ7sY9Djt-8u6GqNVK1hR4QF/s1600/DSCF9150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Lvnp83vSF6JAOYrAVwEbs0AvNGQDoF_3EyXq77jFrp0SxIJpeKkKZG2hTELuhz8_ZrQcPEYRZj7MRskw4mA2tHFLTei3diuRD6Mwrqz65IqzOhe3amDXxJ7sY9Djt-8u6GqNVK1hR4QF/s320/DSCF9150.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Airlie Beach, Queensland.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaZC9FpptGU_VMOE1u6JSeJSUaPLiW6480q-Ke5JdiQRpfP7uerz1Z8BH8AJ274LNXrGwlbCsJ5KsCN3v5qjZF7-WJf_8p024MFMX4CchMMNtbFBiHCbbWlWHTGknqloKdfqcple1RDJF/s1600/DSCF9010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaZC9FpptGU_VMOE1u6JSeJSUaPLiW6480q-Ke5JdiQRpfP7uerz1Z8BH8AJ274LNXrGwlbCsJ5KsCN3v5qjZF7-WJf_8p024MFMX4CchMMNtbFBiHCbbWlWHTGknqloKdfqcple1RDJF/s320/DSCF9010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a yacht race. The water is so blue!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAplWOyeFB2JLtlWKZqE_Y9-wQwXFkQ7eTzbVN8gsh4zdpVB6wPMj6aBBLpyERO4vKRXQVclFlIJUBQ3D0L0VK1FUl1sQo5sF33GSh2Q4JrtPx2zR0EBwwUQSiNV_v01qQDMFRsob0z_8h/s1600/DSCF9042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAplWOyeFB2JLtlWKZqE_Y9-wQwXFkQ7eTzbVN8gsh4zdpVB6wPMj6aBBLpyERO4vKRXQVclFlIJUBQ3D0L0VK1FUl1sQo5sF33GSh2Q4JrtPx2zR0EBwwUQSiNV_v01qQDMFRsob0z_8h/s320/DSCF9042.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew were very friendly. Here is Captain Pete.</td></tr>
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Diving was really fun, especially once we figured out how to control our buoyancy and stop from floating into stuff without using our hands (waving your hands around does no good and just makes the water cloudy.) The reef is gorgeous. There were so many colorful fish. We found Nemo, and a lion fish (very poisonous). One of my favorite parts of being under water was listening to the whales. I could have just sat and listened until my air ran out. They were very vocal. In addition to humpbacks, there was a pod of pilot whales swimming through. We saw a couple of large humpbacks putting on a show. It was amazing. (It looked like there was an explosion in the water. I am amazed at how far out of the water such a large animal can go.) We saw a few dolphins and sea turtles as well. No sharks or jelly fish (though just for the record, I'm more afraid of jelly fish than sharks.) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WgQxSd1AF2oUgta4aCQTvsuKGW0fTa92zbM5CsB7OmEwM3H040Vn3ZcjrqSt-9PPvOcVQ69FG-AFnE-qAyBxmu-MZkoHlEgW_JxcAR-GbOCTDHZLSGoGwDa8x2yDN0qQbJ2iSF5eU6c5/s1600/DSCF9074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WgQxSd1AF2oUgta4aCQTvsuKGW0fTa92zbM5CsB7OmEwM3H040Vn3ZcjrqSt-9PPvOcVQ69FG-AFnE-qAyBxmu-MZkoHlEgW_JxcAR-GbOCTDHZLSGoGwDa8x2yDN0qQbJ2iSF5eU6c5/s320/DSCF9074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitehaven Beach is gorgeous. We could see dozens of sting rays swimming in the water below the lookout.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOFD-hholNdHo7YEl_GxwLyEMFx0691OkiuvJlPSLhhsoOvbkw8mkwpa82NGCpv_D1UVB3r3sr9w7yXQ7EsR8PRH7Po3h1ADQiO00DlokbEj3hcxfiDLsnLD2jKNlLubVxwBIrR9OTfow/s1600/DSCF9085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOFD-hholNdHo7YEl_GxwLyEMFx0691OkiuvJlPSLhhsoOvbkw8mkwpa82NGCpv_D1UVB3r3sr9w7yXQ7EsR8PRH7Po3h1ADQiO00DlokbEj3hcxfiDLsnLD2jKNlLubVxwBIrR9OTfow/s320/DSCF9085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We climbed over some rocks and found a secluded beach. Sitting on the rocks, we saw a large animal surface. It looked like a fat dolphin. It was a Dugong! I've been looking for two years and this is the first I have seen. They are the Aussie cousin to the manatee. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufl3dxtqU_rbjNwXLlN_8ex5cUVmMyJGR8EmUhpn87gc24DFTAK8wPoSPyMQYW8_3mtLgPAP5klhpUNqQZf3rCv_An2FwbQ5MwoMSudpr1B__oMJsh20weeOWhZwixR7Dof5x1zeZZHQ-/s1600/DSCF9105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufl3dxtqU_rbjNwXLlN_8ex5cUVmMyJGR8EmUhpn87gc24DFTAK8wPoSPyMQYW8_3mtLgPAP5klhpUNqQZf3rCv_An2FwbQ5MwoMSudpr1B__oMJsh20weeOWhZwixR7Dof5x1zeZZHQ-/s320/DSCF9105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Whitehaven beach was so amazing. I've never seen sand like that. It was like snow - fluffy and white. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb-RA8gXQHP695FE-VQGAzXA-dRcrQdg7HwctloISCUETO2jx-lo3lhsb-wOrvRcjZrDtiTyECU14PAU_WPd-At_LmfE7HNzXCIIAKL_p4ZSFypxnwh1d9S10Sb12cCcAK40ihnYTal5U/s1600/DSCF9048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb-RA8gXQHP695FE-VQGAzXA-dRcrQdg7HwctloISCUETO2jx-lo3lhsb-wOrvRcjZrDtiTyECU14PAU_WPd-At_LmfE7HNzXCIIAKL_p4ZSFypxnwh1d9S10Sb12cCcAK40ihnYTal5U/s320/DSCF9048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a sunset! </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We had such a great time that we can't wait to go back and take our family with us.Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-87035904765245935412011-09-08T17:17:00.000-07:002011-09-08T17:17:48.784-07:00Costumes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Book week was in August. The kids dress up as a book character and have a parade at school. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7WgDOa9-8AnUosdHkGloPOm5VMmYoQeHYxipYpyHYtIIb83ZWzDln6Md_xxFBpZEGxm2VMFmvvFS0cyWvxFilHiiaoONgbIOdIk-t2Aji8aIeBTITtzeAib8F1CWBzWZnv3VxUabrkJZ/s1600/IMG_3297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7WgDOa9-8AnUosdHkGloPOm5VMmYoQeHYxipYpyHYtIIb83ZWzDln6Md_xxFBpZEGxm2VMFmvvFS0cyWvxFilHiiaoONgbIOdIk-t2Aji8aIeBTITtzeAib8F1CWBzWZnv3VxUabrkJZ/s320/IMG_3297.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Caleb from Where's Wally? (or Where's Waldo? if you're American.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby as Angelina Ballerina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CihuufBy-OKRkCOyi0HK-spM3SGXbQCDr_1BUBmS2XtXjtSHmHejix2il47gL6p29MuMEZjBZ1yZ5CA0wwH17dJBqLXp5sApVP8VlWfRe_GarObuQbh-bwrU5TY7RoFdS2moLsLbSfgO/s1600/IMG_3306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CihuufBy-OKRkCOyi0HK-spM3SGXbQCDr_1BUBmS2XtXjtSHmHejix2il47gL6p29MuMEZjBZ1yZ5CA0wwH17dJBqLXp5sApVP8VlWfRe_GarObuQbh-bwrU5TY7RoFdS2moLsLbSfgO/s320/IMG_3306.jpg" width="213" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah had to go as an Australian colonist (or convict) to go along with their curriculum for this term. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIaBnDExj2M6rccBUzdh76VcekFaPaPU7th-XU4ajknCVi3TEc7B-CUvGOnBMnvLc1Z0brpYvbX3qgr0dn6dQxiwXUYFFEnHZFdJ-GsWmFXm5UVTCTXeOGN6otg8dt4-00OSPY9AkyD_1/s1600/IMG_3247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIaBnDExj2M6rccBUzdh76VcekFaPaPU7th-XU4ajknCVi3TEc7B-CUvGOnBMnvLc1Z0brpYvbX3qgr0dn6dQxiwXUYFFEnHZFdJ-GsWmFXm5UVTCTXeOGN6otg8dt4-00OSPY9AkyD_1/s320/IMG_3247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's class theme was fantasy, which was an easy one - she used her Hogwarts robe from the Harry Potter movie premier night. (Yes, we went at midnight. But I'm a meanie and made B and E go to school bright and early.) I borrowed Emily's "Muggle" tshirt for the occasion. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Emily has been working on a different costume lately. Last night's Primary Spectacular "Wearable Art" was, well, spectacular. We will be scrubbing blue makeup off her face for days to come. (For a school that won't even let the girls wear fingernail polish, better yet, mascara, this is really getting gussied up.)<br />
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Congratulations to Sarah who received an art award at a city-wide competition. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX75M4FqOA9KwBcAduTaqL7qVkS18JAzd1B_1v7hf0WxoHx8YZf51_BZ9ZBwXPoEgFAQ40WDfhHkp2SJFSftMJipAdu7aLPP_5DaY1EXUACL7tdjFc7EbtWRHd3bW-J3kh-rQZ-XX5abV/s1600/IMG_3334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioX75M4FqOA9KwBcAduTaqL7qVkS18JAzd1B_1v7hf0WxoHx8YZf51_BZ9ZBwXPoEgFAQ40WDfhHkp2SJFSftMJipAdu7aLPP_5DaY1EXUACL7tdjFc7EbtWRHd3bW-J3kh-rQZ-XX5abV/s320/IMG_3334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a nervous smile for you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And Congratulations to Caleb for receiving an award in the school assembly for "Staying Calm." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3KkW028L_QeS75XplpG9tCuyZELu8b6h3iTJl_Qh6MVrwkxO0BTf-Lm1tHT_IZaTnQk5PZaFkshm7uNQT8YadVP-fmL7wgit_Kx2HxjbIC5sqM20HTegv5c5lpw4N-AscgdzK3ckQyxp/s1600/IMG_3326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3KkW028L_QeS75XplpG9tCuyZELu8b6h3iTJl_Qh6MVrwkxO0BTf-Lm1tHT_IZaTnQk5PZaFkshm7uNQT8YadVP-fmL7wgit_Kx2HxjbIC5sqM20HTegv5c5lpw4N-AscgdzK3ckQyxp/s320/IMG_3326.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div> Each class had a calm child receive a certificate. They were a very peaceful bunch. I did find it amusing, because the day before, Caleb had gotten mad and kicked the window in the car. It was slightly open, and just that little movement was enough to knock it to the ground, where it smashed into a thousand tiny glass cubes. Caleb was upset (being the calm, sensitive child that he is) but he was even more upset when I told him he would have to pay part of the cost from his savings. He has been saving to buy a remote controlled helicopter. He will have to wait a couple more weeks. <br />
<br />
Last week we went ice skating. It was fun to see the little kids improve over the course of two hours, from hanging to the wall, to independently waddling across the rink. On the drive home, Caleb said something funny. He asked if we could go back. I said we would probably go again some time. He said "Good, because I forgot to jump up in the air and twirl around." I love his confidence. <br />
<br />
And speaking of funny things said, my children crack me up. We were talking about taking temperatures. One of the girls asked what the temperature of a dead person would be. I said it would probably be the same temperature as the room it was in. She said "so, if you put a dead body in a room and took its temperature, you could find out what temperature the room was?" I was like, "um . . . yes, or you could just use a thermometer and take the temperature of the room," to which she answered "Oh, yeah, that would be easier. . . and you wouldn't have to kill anyone!" (?!?)</div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-14230600881050546472011-08-14T17:03:00.000-07:002011-08-14T17:10:16.476-07:00The Parable of the Lost Violin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh791PZUrbWOChtQ0hxqaaCT__-Kx2OZqE52ioDCwpnWHy2Z7Tk5Ioou10mSj1bLgWnfjrNpd5BoueNVB2ocM-smyPeMn0JCnHn_eI5P5rZWatmmydW9nAYug8IzKBtSYSwEk7u7BtKMvJy/s1600/IMG_1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh791PZUrbWOChtQ0hxqaaCT__-Kx2OZqE52ioDCwpnWHy2Z7Tk5Ioou10mSj1bLgWnfjrNpd5BoueNVB2ocM-smyPeMn0JCnHn_eI5P5rZWatmmydW9nAYug8IzKBtSYSwEk7u7BtKMvJy/s320/IMG_1853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once there was a girl, a beautiful young girl. She took violin lessons at school for $32 (Australian) a lesson, the going rate (I know, it's outrageous!) She didn't particularly enjoy practicing, but she was getting quite good. She made the school orchestra, and was having a lot of fun. <br />
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Then one day, something dreadful happened. She lost her violin. She left it at school, as she did on occasion, and the next day, Friday, it was gone. She looked everywhere, but decided not to upset her parents and waited till Monday to tell them it was missing. Her parents were visibly agitated and noteably concerned, but tried their best not to "lose their cool." <br />
<br />
Tuesday she looked again, but with no success. It was nearing a week of absense, and like missing people, violins are best found early in the search. To compound the problem, this was not her first violin. Her first violin had suffered a sudden and violent death, due to a fall during practice. Though her parents attempted to glue it back together they had limited success - it became an ornament on their wall, instead of an instrument capable of handling tension on its strings, only to be played occasionally, lest the glue fail and the violin spontaneously disintigrate. The girl's mother in particular dreaded going back to Hannah at <a href="http://www.simplyforstrings.com.au/">Simply for Strings</a> AGAIN to buy another violin (as fun as it is to choose stringed instruments in the shop - it has excellent accoustics!)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Wednesday, her sister had surgery on her ears (tubes and adenoidectomy) and her mother honestly had no time to help her in her search for the missing musical instrument, more especially since after 8 hours in the lovely hospital, the sister passed out in the elevator of the hospital on her way home and had to stay an extra hour to recouperate. (Seriously, one moment she was standing there and the next she was a pale heap on the floor. Thank goodness there was an ambulance driver in the "lift" to help with the situation.) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_xxlXfzGND1lqr1nEw0Uq20N33Fm8umHpkih490fHPOBEJKVg8E7ckFYkVM9CktKaLx2iN_E1w2fI8n1VpDbY_TXElgvAViCC6mLozmn4eOz0i8_DTSmk5cPhuXrTYhC0mKgLFV9cFbg/s1600/IMG_0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_xxlXfzGND1lqr1nEw0Uq20N33Fm8umHpkih490fHPOBEJKVg8E7ckFYkVM9CktKaLx2iN_E1w2fI8n1VpDbY_TXElgvAViCC6mLozmn4eOz0i8_DTSmk5cPhuXrTYhC0mKgLFV9cFbg/s320/IMG_0749.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah in the recovery room after she got 'tubes" (grommets) and had her adenoids removed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This beautiful, young girl's cranky and stressed out, but wise, parents knew that she needed to learn the value of her violin by paying for it herself. She had been saving for an ipod touch (another item her parents knew she needed to purchase herself in order to appreciate) and had just earned enough money to buy one, by scrubbing floors and babysitting for her cruel mother, who uses the <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/">Financial Peace Jr</a> methodology to teach money management to her children. She was devastated when her parents gently insisted that she use that money to buy herself another violin. (It hurt her parents as well, to have to show "tough love" and they shed tears of their own.) She was so upset, she didn't eat any supper (though I swear it was offered to her) and cried herself to sleep, with her mother smoothing her forehead, gently saying "there, there." <br />
<br />
During family scripture study that evening, her family decided to pray together for her to find the missing violin. The beautiful girl prayed, along with her 2 sisters, 2 brothers, and 2 very concerned parents. And they kept looking. . . <br />
<br />
The girl awoke the next morning with puffy eyes and a headache from crying. She drearily trudged to school in the rain (just kidding, it wasn't raining). After dropping her siblings off at their respective schools (her poor mother has children going to 3 different schools) and helping her recouperating daughter get comfortable, the mother went to the school to look, once again, for the missing violin. She was greeted in the school atrium by a smiling, but puffy-eyed daughter. The lost violin had been found! Her teacher had emailed the entire staff of the school. One of the gym teachers had seen the violin lying on a bench at the sports center! <br />
<br />
And there was much rejoicing. They even made Rice Krispie Treats, with real, American marshmallows. (Now<strong> that’s</strong> a special occasion.)<br />
<em>And the moral of the story is: </em><br />
<em>Pray. And have your family pray with you. Ask for help. </em>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-39269919930502648452011-07-04T15:35:00.000-07:002011-07-04T15:35:52.740-07:00What Expats do on Independence DayI know you're wondering what American citizens who live in another country do on the Fourth of July. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4dIyT4HvNLz4ewqQ2GqsKVkP718I0IKm1fyr9V6ZRkot_MSoEFBjKQBWCumWEVllQedhC02wWt0hSx-G2FhB1bqBec_b03JtNjNJxop7pUbfS05bNwhO108m5HR3Szbq7-QlSRwR0Q66/s1600/IMG_3230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4dIyT4HvNLz4ewqQ2GqsKVkP718I0IKm1fyr9V6ZRkot_MSoEFBjKQBWCumWEVllQedhC02wWt0hSx-G2FhB1bqBec_b03JtNjNJxop7pUbfS05bNwhO108m5HR3Szbq7-QlSRwR0Q66/s400/IMG_3230.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparklers were the best we could do for fireworks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We get together with other Americans (even the little ones.) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9Ad6-nSqBO88ZdV0x9ZfNZ7uTci6eBLiQGgeQhLYJaK9mLlo_H-CvPeYtzrPo5X8A5X5eRoAlcTJ_pACk5KGEYHk4srMMH5ETHQ4DitNUjBD_MUQgXd9r34aqr9aRh0k6guVF66geDvp/s1600/IMG_3216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9Ad6-nSqBO88ZdV0x9ZfNZ7uTci6eBLiQGgeQhLYJaK9mLlo_H-CvPeYtzrPo5X8A5X5eRoAlcTJ_pACk5KGEYHk4srMMH5ETHQ4DitNUjBD_MUQgXd9r34aqr9aRh0k6guVF66geDvp/s320/IMG_3216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The youngest American was only a few weeks old!</td></tr>
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Sing a heart-warming rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky's awesome edible flag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Drink A&W root beer, and other American food: apple pie (real Crisco in the crust), corn bread, hot dogs (NOT sausages), and salsa.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAckK3NIfombu3HHTo3t1eCWivfLxM5AraanuaEFW0sVumNAOYmtY1ug-ThAtQmn00o9t5fYCLOOfybIdcSC3dQXwbZ48lUg5vjSjKucK_wpJ7fesB1TrTaQGm7IG3GG3oZaHCA1AKktf/s1600/IMG_3215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAckK3NIfombu3HHTo3t1eCWivfLxM5AraanuaEFW0sVumNAOYmtY1ug-ThAtQmn00o9t5fYCLOOfybIdcSC3dQXwbZ48lUg5vjSjKucK_wpJ7fesB1TrTaQGm7IG3GG3oZaHCA1AKktf/s320/IMG_3215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Family Fun Magazine for the idea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuZfiLkpA48Uh29-CRHLWDj6zI-Alf-xhQ8gBQhIOvOTSgyNockqFjyeZT03PWN-I7sRAMs_GUDpTZUbXYJCLLQ1b3QF1esii0VmprIKyZA18KFukshSr-cqGwbwWE24bD4RnjsZMtwIo/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuZfiLkpA48Uh29-CRHLWDj6zI-Alf-xhQ8gBQhIOvOTSgyNockqFjyeZT03PWN-I7sRAMs_GUDpTZUbXYJCLLQ1b3QF1esii0VmprIKyZA18KFukshSr-cqGwbwWE24bD4RnjsZMtwIo/s320/IMG_3243.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Emily made and decorated cookies, all by herself. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>And let our colors show. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcF0fCgJXWpp6KgtOMzBSpe1PMdL6CIzvKc4zHAPV60C11rr7t6aeEBb_q0DT6NcFWzlX885EU4JYOqlsdzrDrN9RI6A_z7YX3XbdyxjbfZGyYxR-0y08CxYiqGXmrfVBCPd-Db7W8xuu/s1600/IMG_3238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcF0fCgJXWpp6KgtOMzBSpe1PMdL6CIzvKc4zHAPV60C11rr7t6aeEBb_q0DT6NcFWzlX885EU4JYOqlsdzrDrN9RI6A_z7YX3XbdyxjbfZGyYxR-0y08CxYiqGXmrfVBCPd-Db7W8xuu/s320/IMG_3238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Happy Fourth of July!Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-7979618673315467352011-06-26T15:00:00.000-07:002011-06-26T15:01:02.525-07:00Slow DownThe last few weeks have been very busy. The end of the school term always is. Several days I had to be in two places at once - Emily was in the City District athletics (track and field) meet, and Sarah had a jump roping competition (it is a girl's school after all.) Thank goodness for two parents! (Congrats to Emily for making City District, and congrats to Sarah for winning her jump rope presentation.) Shon has been working a lot, and we have all been generally stressed out. Perfect time to get away from it all. . .<br />
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We went camping. Yep, slept in a tent. Bribie Island is so close - just an hour down the road, and we didn't even have to take a ferry - and the camp sites are so economical (Robinson = thrifty.) We stayed on the beach, just behind the dunes. Our tent (aka, our summer home) is old - we bought it just after Bryce was born. It is huge, with three rooms. We were definitely thinking ahead when we bought it, and now it fits our family perfectly. It's had a lot of wear and tear. The poles even broke one night during a big storm in Corpus Christi (but that's another story). This is the first time we put out the big tent in Australia. (Apparently our little 2 man tent really fits one man, one teenager, and one little tyke; good enough for the father/son camp outs every year.) <br />
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We slowed down. <br />
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The weather was perfect.<br />
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The ocean was beautiful. <br />
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The wildlife. Kangaroos grazed just meters from our tent. It was actually a little creepy at night, hearing them hop around so close by, but not being able to see them. We watched for dingos but never saw any. (That's good.) Sea birds dove for fish and dolphins joined in the fun. My favorite part of the trip was when we had to stop to help "bogged" campers get their vehicles un-stuck. The kids and I lounged on the beach, collected shells, and watched the dolphins feed. <br />
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We took a little hike through the bush to see the WWII bunkers and mine stations. It was fun to explore. <br />
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No one got hurt, sick, or even hungry. Perfect trip. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I thought of it as I watched this mormon message.<br />
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It's good to slow down. . .Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-34808604473351259322011-06-20T22:34:00.000-07:002011-06-21T19:25:32.109-07:00The Power of OneI admit it, I'm a choir geek. I like to sing, but I LOVE to sing with other people. I'd much rather do a duet than a solo any day. <br />
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I miss singing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Ireland, two years ago on a choir tour.</td></tr>
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Last weekend, my sister got married. Thanks to Ustream.tv, I was able to be there for the celebration, 8,000 miles away. My favorite part was hearing my beautiful, talented sisters sing together. It made my heart ache. Also, the choir I sang with in New Mexico (Caliente) is touring Greece right now! I wish I could be there. (Thanks for inviting me, guys, but I just couldn't make it.) <br />
<br />
I've sung in choirs since I was little: Children's choirs, high school choirs, college and university choirs, church choirs, women's choirs, show choirs, a cappella choirs, community choirs - I even got to sing back up for a country band once. I love it. The thing that amazes me about a choir is the power that one voice has for good or for bad. Even in a very large choir, one person makes a difference. You are always heard. My dad (also a singer) sent me a link last week. Check it out if you have a few minutes. <a href="http://www.wimp.com/choirvoices/">http://www.wimp.com/choirvoices/</a> (I think I am Eric Whitacre's newest fan.)<br />
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I think sometimes we forget that our voice is heard. Several months ago I went to a popular video store to rent a DVD (we still do that in Australia!) I couldn't help noticing their collection of porn on the top shelf along the entire perimeter of the store. I was offended by the pictures on the covers, and embarrassed to have my children with me. I got my video and left. I'm not the type that usually speaks up - if I ordered a steak well-done, and they brought it to me rare, I would just eat it rather than say anything.) I talked to my friend Becky (yep, the same one that I grew up with in Idaho, who happened to move around the corner from me in Australia!) and she mentioned that she didn't like their top row selection of videos either. We decided that we would say something, next time we were there. I was nervous, but I did.<br />
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I thought of my friend Angie who loves to read. She read a book she liked but when the sequel came out, it was full of awful language. She wrote to the author to tell her how much she loved her books and could she please not use such offensive language. The author wrote back and said she would! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Today I stopped by the video store for the first time in 3 months, to see if they had Anne of Green Gables (it's chick flick time - we are on school holiday) and <i><b>the video store had removed their offensive videos! </b></i><br />
<br />
I remember hearing that for every person who speaks up there are 100 people who don't. <br />
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Speak up. You never know the power of one voice.Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-77195134010837570472011-05-26T17:51:00.000-07:002011-05-26T17:51:59.835-07:00Nanner and Popsy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><i>Translation: Grandma and Grandpa. </i></div><div><br />
</div>I have just returned from taking my parents to the airport to return to their home in Idaho. Sniff, sniff. That's right, we have had visitors. We haven't seen my parents in almost a year, and for 12 glorious days, my parents stayed and played with us. The house feels very empty now that they're gone. I seriously contemplated faking a flat tire, so they would have to miss their flight, though I don't suppose that would be fair to my sister-in-law, Emily, who is 9 months pregnant. My mother is flying to Ohio to help her as soon as she gets home. (Busy woman!) <div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqc5gD8u1yNSnBn8OomspedRXFwCuxfk-UQrjgBygY18lpZnRiGC1dCuF9brrXjiB1N_GAiMaNCXdDroS5GrVq9X_VuxWbC7YJtRLjwj0qo4b5U46nor8Po5ejx12KRDSa3Y6iZzrjhle/s1600/IMG_3014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqc5gD8u1yNSnBn8OomspedRXFwCuxfk-UQrjgBygY18lpZnRiGC1dCuF9brrXjiB1N_GAiMaNCXdDroS5GrVq9X_VuxWbC7YJtRLjwj0qo4b5U46nor8Po5ejx12KRDSa3Y6iZzrjhle/s320/IMG_3014.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Tambourine mountain rainforest skywalk. </td></tr>
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</div><div>We had so much fun while they were here. I have forgotten how nice it is to do the dishes with my mom, or have a profound conversation over dinner with my Dad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuODmgOXJ2Gd_IJm2LLXxjUTE6VXF0lUABcGs6aCyxKK-gX9cccesOfPmBwexgAyljDGgw1vkNGYoa2SpMuWWWnsXDbL4cZLVbACq0tHnQaM9L826URk3brxU34BUVSekUKabZGuJ8dyA/s1600/IMG_3040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuODmgOXJ2Gd_IJm2LLXxjUTE6VXF0lUABcGs6aCyxKK-gX9cccesOfPmBwexgAyljDGgw1vkNGYoa2SpMuWWWnsXDbL4cZLVbACq0tHnQaM9L826URk3brxU34BUVSekUKabZGuJ8dyA/s320/IMG_3040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>We played tourist for a few days, and even pulled the kids out of school so we could run up to the Sunshine coast (Coolum). (Hey! It was educational. . . ) </div><div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the tidal pools in Coolum. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we stopped at the Glasshouse mountains, the rain rolled in. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OybvBgSeH6oGRUXdfKMblUiPojLipQrwBXAp1_hyphenhyphengeuDSAVceCieZa84I6Q3zn5qlJNIX4aL_THh1Oia_u5uqVhBavC1V1_26X5gWorXW_opK26iEuq1KlTvXvwFqX1LaxTQe3L2Fhbr/s1600/IMG_3131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OybvBgSeH6oGRUXdfKMblUiPojLipQrwBXAp1_hyphenhyphengeuDSAVceCieZa84I6Q3zn5qlJNIX4aL_THh1Oia_u5uqVhBavC1V1_26X5gWorXW_opK26iEuq1KlTvXvwFqX1LaxTQe3L2Fhbr/s320/IMG_3131.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the City Cat on the river. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc-wW58u3ubC9c6Tk8Ywym16kZyzrFu8qWx6KUXgbNKu9jAxshCcjucnNBoFHeEqat0ujLirOi_70fAAjVZSkKNUiP1lvzJzmUgkhNXYOvCDv1yExhZyD94NIkEC0zyI9jiChHC_airn-/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc-wW58u3ubC9c6Tk8Ywym16kZyzrFu8qWx6KUXgbNKu9jAxshCcjucnNBoFHeEqat0ujLirOi_70fAAjVZSkKNUiP1lvzJzmUgkhNXYOvCDv1yExhZyD94NIkEC0zyI9jiChHC_airn-/s320/IMG_3082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the bugs in Australia are pretty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23kjygCjvfCVVUBKA0p8wustlmSxkGAHsypl3n4-cTNW3oSomHE1Z-pU0R1KN2ai4tRKgk5T4rLS-u1YpCVDBHtez1CTPQ0rcPO8TAO7IB4GVFJuvH9Ik7vBzFBakw-oXdbZZJNCL5vmn/s1600/IMG_3072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23kjygCjvfCVVUBKA0p8wustlmSxkGAHsypl3n4-cTNW3oSomHE1Z-pU0R1KN2ai4tRKgk5T4rLS-u1YpCVDBHtez1CTPQ0rcPO8TAO7IB4GVFJuvH9Ik7vBzFBakw-oXdbZZJNCL5vmn/s320/IMG_3072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love the ocean.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3PX7oDHpeiDiBwb4htPNLZobppcQmye0OKfNdTi1obb9o04VzLEm3YkBVizovCPe43nN65rKQJL_N7jqPOmgSJyZNiEdQIcgZ-OPU4i95RSGLD6pP-qEC8ss5_qPDcbVKH6JGNNMwSP_/s1600/IMG_3065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3PX7oDHpeiDiBwb4htPNLZobppcQmye0OKfNdTi1obb9o04VzLEm3YkBVizovCPe43nN65rKQJL_N7jqPOmgSJyZNiEdQIcgZ-OPU4i95RSGLD6pP-qEC8ss5_qPDcbVKH6JGNNMwSP_/s320/IMG_3065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_7gmjLHFSTLgAG1wxNHZhfYZM__Z3XgyjGD6Bn2AlLsJSQNIvSLK53yF5i8YSRS_P1Bu-payrXPMSilEfQ43RloqGHOChSFFyxStUwZxybZDj7R5VqYztAaoRxavz_R7mpoZv3QtdvfT/s1600/IMG_3101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_7gmjLHFSTLgAG1wxNHZhfYZM__Z3XgyjGD6Bn2AlLsJSQNIvSLK53yF5i8YSRS_P1Bu-payrXPMSilEfQ43RloqGHOChSFFyxStUwZxybZDj7R5VqYztAaoRxavz_R7mpoZv3QtdvfT/s320/IMG_3101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing around at Underwater World.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>We miss them. </div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-40523607520162969042011-05-03T20:36:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:38:33.993-07:00Singapore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We went to Singapore over Easter to visit family - the <a href="http://zufeltzoo.blogspot.com/">Zufelts.</a> We had a great time! There was so much to see/smell/hear - I could never describe it all, but I'll try! <br />
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<b><u>Sight:</u></b><br />
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Singapore is colorful and clean. It is red.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUoNfoDjmzoqmdDO0ryoqdUVbQ9Ns3jCp9jcJ2pE4ZrOCwzEaEiKWcbBBB0uPbwHTGABJWn82pLdU6oGiR4Dc4Z7EhRtA3jzeLfvdnQKrjfkPMONg79jJJMhazWpYkwLhBxuIrHm1ASYV/s1600/IMG_2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUoNfoDjmzoqmdDO0ryoqdUVbQ9Ns3jCp9jcJ2pE4ZrOCwzEaEiKWcbBBB0uPbwHTGABJWn82pLdU6oGiR4Dc4Z7EhRtA3jzeLfvdnQKrjfkPMONg79jJJMhazWpYkwLhBxuIrHm1ASYV/s320/IMG_2629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It is green. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial4glHJEJlYVnTo8EwlPCjilz5ewzR3oJ9eSs3jXz5PaQnoxpeox2DZMPLhbR82sLgzyAo6mDRmkzlhtdmbIWQDz1TWUGKuC1rlQIaPBMQ_Z_Y_x1lHU7JQ_m3BYn8nmPkqDHx5N0iJDG/s1600/IMG_2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial4glHJEJlYVnTo8EwlPCjilz5ewzR3oJ9eSs3jXz5PaQnoxpeox2DZMPLhbR82sLgzyAo6mDRmkzlhtdmbIWQDz1TWUGKuC1rlQIaPBMQ_Z_Y_x1lHU7JQ_m3BYn8nmPkqDHx5N0iJDG/s320/IMG_2159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It is tall buildings, smiling and helpful people, signs in four languages, and clean streets. Chewing gum is against the law. Smoking is punishable with a $1000 fine, as is littering, and dealing drugs is punishable by death. Trespassing is apparently taken seriously too. The street signs said it all. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5oUFww9EjXebGvZ7KnT169YVx8tBjDRX-Tgpg5BXM0CXhhEZyNQj_VK4aE2-cWMVhW25MYs6T6K3mNNfl0JQJMkhPJkIAgka-_lzQZCvA9FOd49mdP0vVSV35SjRjt1f_xVOElcGd2MP/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5oUFww9EjXebGvZ7KnT169YVx8tBjDRX-Tgpg5BXM0CXhhEZyNQj_VK4aE2-cWMVhW25MYs6T6K3mNNfl0JQJMkhPJkIAgka-_lzQZCvA9FOd49mdP0vVSV35SjRjt1f_xVOElcGd2MP/s320/IMG_2657.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this gets the point across, no matter what language you speak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We went to a market near little India, where people were literally selling garbage. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgysxbd527Jx9Quw87b8XC66xjjD7kHS-U1tRvkzJJFuqPC5im7s8p3PT1ZY88cZ1RxiL5y6lJP-s9j5PLvKmXhFGCACy262wOEynfbnKSQNrIB2sqXJEi0tla43oIJ9UiMExJZ6NpICr/s1600/IMG_2362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgysxbd527Jx9Quw87b8XC66xjjD7kHS-U1tRvkzJJFuqPC5im7s8p3PT1ZY88cZ1RxiL5y6lJP-s9j5PLvKmXhFGCACy262wOEynfbnKSQNrIB2sqXJEi0tla43oIJ9UiMExJZ6NpICr/s320/IMG_2362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's where that remote control went!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJw7tDjK72F1iru1g8pU6O_apwFToVLZNQTzVPcBBsXOqE48lUeaw4Q3RefXKq2ih-yCraPCuduXYqrRAO9KvWQ6Y5Hv7og2cHMsr0GiwCMkTiY5Nx0Su86qkTS4r1wfx9NB860BGZ7MW/s1600/IMG_2363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJw7tDjK72F1iru1g8pU6O_apwFToVLZNQTzVPcBBsXOqE48lUeaw4Q3RefXKq2ih-yCraPCuduXYqrRAO9KvWQ6Y5Hv7og2cHMsr0GiwCMkTiY5Nx0Su86qkTS4r1wfx9NB860BGZ7MW/s320/IMG_2363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cell phone, anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<b><u>Touch:</u></b><br />
<br />
The first thing we noticed about Singapore was the humidity! I have never experienced anything like it, and this coming from someone who has lived in Houston, New Orleans, and Queensland - all considered very humid places. Going outside from an air conditioned room meant being covered instantly in condensation. I didn't know it was possible to get so wet so fast - even without sweating. And sweat we did. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Sound: </u></b><br />
<br />
Singapore is the bell of the taxi, ringing to say the driver was breaking the speed limit. It is the whirr of dare-devil motorcyclists, darting through traffic and creating their own "lane" on the dotted line; a dozen languages spoken on a train, none of which I recognized; and cicadas constant buzzing, like a broken car alarm. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It was the bells on the door of the Indian temple,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWsS0baKWa6Y44lV_mKpiBsoEcwDfMT1V8yGHrpQaY0TIJPQEqkDoGuNthH8Bl-bJ_vMMZJ5qTdFXyFID4uhVhF1WpWBNkOU0ymuR8brlYrdhdxfVzjLPePkO5BvMKkuYNWPEoM8ETMzs/s1600/IMG_2357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWsS0baKWa6Y44lV_mKpiBsoEcwDfMT1V8yGHrpQaY0TIJPQEqkDoGuNthH8Bl-bJ_vMMZJ5qTdFXyFID4uhVhF1WpWBNkOU0ymuR8brlYrdhdxfVzjLPePkO5BvMKkuYNWPEoM8ETMzs/s320/IMG_2357.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
the mosque calling to prayer,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IREdhpu1W2c5hVE5G7YUoHjMt-0nr1isQeS5n9xe6Z-MwBM56ctCd4Qh4ZFLGH7KygU_fnSp16Ka3ag5aWhNOw6zeUk352-0X_ydJNDZfTc-TkuLnmmVtNHavKpA8XWcYeL3OFYTbPT9/s1600/IMG_2365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IREdhpu1W2c5hVE5G7YUoHjMt-0nr1isQeS5n9xe6Z-MwBM56ctCd4Qh4ZFLGH7KygU_fnSp16Ka3ag5aWhNOw6zeUk352-0X_ydJNDZfTc-TkuLnmmVtNHavKpA8XWcYeL3OFYTbPT9/s320/IMG_2365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">and monks chanting in the Buddha temple.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-GgYNWpRzOLVqMcC01Mlp_gXlF3_mRknDSYoYhiPGR-9ExEiIWvZbnCqJpc13eHek3KaWqKaEPfAsKz435tStWjJ3FdERxrnTQjabYHvd6Fx29X26zLDTUfVawPTnBj7ny3h6C76Nb1D/s1600/IMG_2618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-GgYNWpRzOLVqMcC01Mlp_gXlF3_mRknDSYoYhiPGR-9ExEiIWvZbnCqJpc13eHek3KaWqKaEPfAsKz435tStWjJ3FdERxrnTQjabYHvd6Fx29X26zLDTUfVawPTnBj7ny3h6C76Nb1D/s320/IMG_2618.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddha Tooth temple.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was also primary children singing the same songs we sing in our primary.<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/AVvXsEhBEVDI5pmUApRsFqQSablZLD5EiEe_GmdUQwbGXJRpFyxb2P4_U3wI7Kd6ln5bPDEDBpQ4SId629x1hSB9GeFl8HDJhfGRZX4GAX48uDGwpLhAGlDq3KlkJaUzDysRMSghB0BdL9pKXdQB/s1600/IMG_2370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBEVDI5pmUApRsFqQSablZLD5EiEe_GmdUQwbGXJRpFyxb2P4_U3wI7Kd6ln5bPDEDBpQ4SId629x1hSB9GeFl8HDJhfGRZX4GAX48uDGwpLhAGlDq3KlkJaUzDysRMSghB0BdL9pKXdQB/s320/IMG_2370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building, Singapore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> One of the highlights of our trip was taking the elevator up to the fourth floor for sacrament meeting in a very beautiful, very tall, chapel. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm6yzSpYPn4uL2ae-xwRiTh7O944-X-6BDxD4ZOkTvySpYKpKLyBsY-BYlk1Su0ijy7J9hu6XM6dXklWai8cFxKJr78eokMVMX7pS2aGCGtHrUjDCLRLt2kVmAd00_plk4GFn5UJaTqqd/s1600/IMG_2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm6yzSpYPn4uL2ae-xwRiTh7O944-X-6BDxD4ZOkTvySpYKpKLyBsY-BYlk1Su0ijy7J9hu6XM6dXklWai8cFxKJr78eokMVMX7pS2aGCGtHrUjDCLRLt2kVmAd00_plk4GFn5UJaTqqd/s320/IMG_2374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b><u>Smell:</u></b><br />
<br />
Singapore smells like incense, curry, sweating plants, beef bacon and turkey ham (muslims don't eat pork), bus exhaust, and elephants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ3HrLK7_Ypkr0yK31k4qOJ_IzMqa0gOjcPId0nqz-FLNQBTB4Q_v96SQLw0Mi_XQETZ9OdvHXV7DlUTa5eU_jfkZDMhKbAl2I70mLRrdT28ToOIbRI4SYSk5o1uAhMzrEHlMzdcURELV/s1600/IMG_2330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ3HrLK7_Ypkr0yK31k4qOJ_IzMqa0gOjcPId0nqz-FLNQBTB4Q_v96SQLw0Mi_XQETZ9OdvHXV7DlUTa5eU_jfkZDMhKbAl2I70mLRrdT28ToOIbRI4SYSk5o1uAhMzrEHlMzdcURELV/s320/IMG_2330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Taste:</u></b><br />
<br />
Singapore tastes like curry, coconut, rice noodles, sugar cane juice, dim sum (eaten with orangutans) and fruits I have never heard of, but love. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJccHwNE-rgTuipkZ4_t0PDOceQWCB5pPU8Rp7SW3yNswBmTXHm_QXCGC5_z7M5T9TP_Qe6d84IwqzfhDmGJd-IzsYXL4AYIjfsh-vx90p3pyLkoN-IcnnyW_mtPhlSbJBigRMWihyphenhyphenHoP/s1600/IMG_2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJccHwNE-rgTuipkZ4_t0PDOceQWCB5pPU8Rp7SW3yNswBmTXHm_QXCGC5_z7M5T9TP_Qe6d84IwqzfhDmGJd-IzsYXL4AYIjfsh-vx90p3pyLkoN-IcnnyW_mtPhlSbJBigRMWihyphenhyphenHoP/s320/IMG_2220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast with orangutans at the Singapore zoo. Please remember it is REALLY humid before you judge my hair!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We bought 2 kilos of mangosteens. I love them. They taste a bit like a cross between a sweet plumb and rhubarb - tangy sour/sweet. You peel off the purple shell and eat the white flesh. We saw plenty of durian too. Durian are banned on public transport because of their foul smell, but they are still a favorite of many locals. People either love them or hate them. It smelled a bit like an outhouse to me, so we passed on that one. We did however try dragon fruit, and some strange thai fruit. It's strange to think there are so many delicious fruits out there that I have never even heard of, better yet tasted. I'm going to keep my eye out for mangosteens. Yum. <br />
<br />
One of my favorite meals was in little India. Our meal came served on a banana leaf.<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/AVvXsEjenMEw9t9_Pkmtm_LCckZCfcZPPg2LuE1fMzcOCdNe9dCRr1ho448eIFK-mHUl21RhQBxR-NJG5FNpyYCEr8ARTeJ27jGfz6gTTiDwSqcgBVFMOiFPo4BNo_Sw5xsbVZXisJ2zKYI8ZPIw/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenMEw9t9_Pkmtm_LCckZCfcZPPg2LuE1fMzcOCdNe9dCRr1ho448eIFK-mHUl21RhQBxR-NJG5FNpyYCEr8ARTeJ27jGfz6gTTiDwSqcgBVFMOiFPo4BNo_Sw5xsbVZXisJ2zKYI8ZPIw/s320/IMG_2359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryce and Emily, eating off of banana leaves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I couldn't help noticing that we were the only ones using utensils. It was a familiar sight, workers squating in circles near the back of a shop, eating with their hands red rice on banana leaves, in a surprisingly tidy way. <br />
<br />
<b><u>The sixth sense:</u></b><br />
<br />
Walking along the nature reserve, we got the feeling that someone was watching us. It was the monkeys. They were more intimidating than a gang of thugs. We walked quickly and tried not to look them in the eye. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDOEw7uRRCx9KUVa2ZY9gXEqxEj5W_6w_3LSnioQsmsptNkECnpFlq0XxYkX4yokGppcANvflmEJqRFfj0DW46Tq6ER2U5X0cwV5YLmzjPAtJo1nUwuZXp_3h4JNbfErVxlY7H-7fCD-t/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDOEw7uRRCx9KUVa2ZY9gXEqxEj5W_6w_3LSnioQsmsptNkECnpFlq0XxYkX4yokGppcANvflmEJqRFfj0DW46Tq6ER2U5X0cwV5YLmzjPAtJo1nUwuZXp_3h4JNbfErVxlY7H-7fCD-t/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkeys waiting to ambush us. There are more hiding on the wall. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
The monkeys at the zoo weren't quite so scary. We love the Singapore Zoo. It has a very Disneyland-esque feel about it - friendly, clean, entertaining, delicious. The Zoo also offers a night safari. It was awesome! An entirely different section of the zoo comes alive at night. The kids fell asleep when our tram broke down, but we definitely did not sleep through the fire-breathing show. It was amazing!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Bintan Lagoon</b><br />
<br />
We took a ferry over to a resort on Bintan Island in Indonesia. The beaches were beautiful. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIwtuXNuF2zXUs9bdFqHTl8-QpbmV97g91RVobIo5zA6U4X1_U7kEIqGe6NndpGJ0VPFUGm9phcTibHL2OpReVvB8SvIKZc5rqGPkCKGJHeRwqPJHrs5XNWl5775HY5uoOrRs8RU0ZKpv/s1600/IMG_2496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIwtuXNuF2zXUs9bdFqHTl8-QpbmV97g91RVobIo5zA6U4X1_U7kEIqGe6NndpGJ0VPFUGm9phcTibHL2OpReVvB8SvIKZc5rqGPkCKGJHeRwqPJHrs5XNWl5775HY5uoOrRs8RU0ZKpv/s320/IMG_2496.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Hermit crabs were everywhere, and sand dollars were popular collectibles. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BCHUGWdDQ3GsORDUaIQrM4aKP2TaXPmQozOsnAB-tAvAjN7ieXCt-Vi6Ta4TfLgQs0YANALiJQRUyxoLuLibNnTlBnz2QHnelbiOIjyJq5_pg2LvC2Q4Zxg6mVqeuzKXQz3UTNWj0c2J/s1600/IMG_2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BCHUGWdDQ3GsORDUaIQrM4aKP2TaXPmQozOsnAB-tAvAjN7ieXCt-Vi6Ta4TfLgQs0YANALiJQRUyxoLuLibNnTlBnz2QHnelbiOIjyJq5_pg2LvC2Q4Zxg6mVqeuzKXQz3UTNWj0c2J/s320/IMG_2523.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding hermit crabs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But the kids spent most of their time in the pool, playing on the slide. When we ask them what their favorite part of the trip was, they all say "laser tag!" It was an amazing hotel, all open to the ocean breeze. <br />
<br />
Shon was in heaven in Singapore, eating the food he ate on his mission, and speaking with the locals.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHa7JrzWqinFB2UMTSV6expQzAtKs8_wRkP3kKWlQhuYdB2ftkFxcPIunBPZmCi9hdl_Cp6wzVgb0R7HzcQBkCpkwKzxNPaG5lCF7B6YWyjQ32ma2QOJQ0z_YYrxIvlRluxpoaxtCBo8CK/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHa7JrzWqinFB2UMTSV6expQzAtKs8_wRkP3kKWlQhuYdB2ftkFxcPIunBPZmCi9hdl_Cp6wzVgb0R7HzcQBkCpkwKzxNPaG5lCF7B6YWyjQ32ma2QOJQ0z_YYrxIvlRluxpoaxtCBo8CK/s320/IMG_2635.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shon in China town. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>I enjoyed eating American food! You want it, they got it. Angie and I had lunch at Chili's. In Singapore. I love their chips and salsa. Yum. It's been a long time. . . (We don't get much Mexican food in Australia.)<br />
<br />
We all had a great time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jmfx3LIeOrIHATpJzkHJ8pSmmwI5ndnLqODVx3eqNCrQ1VoW-37lLSKZ1Vjdkq6_MKQt2MlZpGnhuCOsz7VsgBDusT_lWpWihC8eisLRVMW3X6Xzn-ExlAiEJ0DHuQyjeO8GmlVYdEFG/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jmfx3LIeOrIHATpJzkHJ8pSmmwI5ndnLqODVx3eqNCrQ1VoW-37lLSKZ1Vjdkq6_MKQt2MlZpGnhuCOsz7VsgBDusT_lWpWihC8eisLRVMW3X6Xzn-ExlAiEJ0DHuQyjeO8GmlVYdEFG/s320/IMG_2585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding the "Gold fish" at the hotel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The very best part of our trip was being with the Zufelts. We already miss them. It's always hard to leave, though it's nice to be home again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VZUqbXTkS52-Crvi9UYStsJIo90EemD4jXVfkQhxW29vJEje4Op-n14QBPM9qTEfFrSuQ8Tp0IH8_1bYqYZpJYadn19TjLjxLBmq34a0vai31RFLKRD1HDtg79d1RrEJZH3q1RD_QZsy/s1600/IMG_2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VZUqbXTkS52-Crvi9UYStsJIo90EemD4jXVfkQhxW29vJEje4Op-n14QBPM9qTEfFrSuQ8Tp0IH8_1bYqYZpJYadn19TjLjxLBmq34a0vai31RFLKRD1HDtg79d1RrEJZH3q1RD_QZsy/s320/IMG_2186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-44327378454749498342011-04-17T19:11:00.000-07:002011-04-17T19:11:49.725-07:00No worries!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw3oyqVp8aDv4QNFAfK1yez_dEaNVkmdSoESXAYVU3vavorahtUjqU2sXbHq5HuoVk021HfpLFqu8Gc_nf1HYEAJJkN91sfxZcPMdDbrh0QWFL4jp4b7XSwBDi9BFabD_zMWdPWX-aD5D/s1600/IMG_1807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw3oyqVp8aDv4QNFAfK1yez_dEaNVkmdSoESXAYVU3vavorahtUjqU2sXbHq5HuoVk021HfpLFqu8Gc_nf1HYEAJJkN91sfxZcPMdDbrh0QWFL4jp4b7XSwBDi9BFabD_zMWdPWX-aD5D/s320/IMG_1807.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily feeding lorikeets.</td></tr>
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One of my favorite Australian phrases is "no worries." It is up there with "y'all" on my "Favorite Words I've Learned Since Leaving Idaho" list. <br />
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When I was in college, I played tennis with some friends on occasion. It was fun, but the problem was, they were all a lot better than I was. I was a bit self conscious, especially when making mistakes. Let's face it, in spite of taking lessons twice (once when I was twelve, and once when I was 18) I still strike out on occasion. It's hard to learn a new sport without making a complete fool of yourself (especially if that sport is diving, or so I hear from my diver husband, who is an excellent diver, but still messes up, and doesn't care. That is one of Shon's most endearing qualities, but I digress. . . ) One of my tennis buddies knew just what to say when I made a mistake. "Shake it off!" What else is there to do when you make a mistake or something bad happens to you, but fix it as best you can, and quickly move on. <br />
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I play the organ in sacrament meeting once a month and have done it many times, in several different wards. My organ playing career began in high school when my sister and I took organ lessons and rotated playing prelude music in church. It was fun because the bishop never noticed me and would thank my teacher for the music, even when I was playing. I was happy he didn't notice, because that meant I didn't make any big mistakes. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is my prayer most Sundays: Please don't let me draw attention to myself! It isn't about me, it's about singing hymns of praise. (Because, as you know, "the song of the righteous is a prayer.")</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This week's hymns weren't anything difficult, but I practiced anyway, and I was ready to go, in spite of a very busy morning, and an even busier evening the night before.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our church building is one of the oldest LDS churches in Brisbane - a beautiful red brick building with a lovely little courtyard, and tiny parking lot. The organ was replaced some time back in the 60's or 70's. It is very old. It has all sorts of funny stops that make it have crazy vibrato or plunking noises. Because of the position of the organ, you have to turn the volume up full blast in order for the people in the congregation to hear it. I have learned from experience that I can't trust what I hear. From where I am sitting, it sounds deafeningly loud, but from the pews it sounds fine. Most of the organs I have played actually make me sound better than I am, with bass coupling, and nice stops. Not this organ. It has broken and been repaired several times. This morning, as I was playing the opening hymn, the organ suddenly started making a horrible noise! There was a loud vibration coming from somewhere, giving the song a "heavy metal" flavor. I had a quick moment of panic. The chorister kept going. I turned the volume down a bit, and tried to see if any buttons were pushed, while still playing. After half a verse of 'Thanks for the Sabbath School', Def Leopard-style, one of the more experienced organists came up and jiggled a button and the noise stopped. Thank you Susan! I am still laughing. Never a dull moment! That almost beats the time, last month, when Shon announced the wrong person for the closing prayer! (There was an amusing bit of confusion. . . )</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shake it off.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Luckily, the primary children sang a beautiful rendition of "Beautiful Savior" accompanied by violin, so no one seems to remember my technical malfunction. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">On another note, Caleb got his two bits worth, Saturday. He got a shave and a hair cut. I gave him the hair cut. The shave he did himself. Oops. I don't think he'll do that again. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">No worries, mate! </span></span><br />
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</span></span>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-84683695213345588552011-03-29T22:48:00.000-07:002011-03-29T23:45:21.013-07:00Fall Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's the end of March, which means it's time for Fall Break! (Think southern hemisphere here.) We climbed into PJ (our car) and headed to Straddie: North Stradbroke Island. (Obviously, we didn't drive in the water, like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. We took the ferry!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91NfmmQSM_SbjBpVviGRMKwQHruLDcP6YrUTSQN48EXOV4F9wLgRV8mK6av8Sv01NS8q136X9fSb7SCJ0-Mn-rWTuCXk58nRV3WEf9obZ1C9pgg2XmG_Tm8yVAKRUjNFTF5Pt7q7oOPf3/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91NfmmQSM_SbjBpVviGRMKwQHruLDcP6YrUTSQN48EXOV4F9wLgRV8mK6av8Sv01NS8q136X9fSb7SCJ0-Mn-rWTuCXk58nRV3WEf9obZ1C9pgg2XmG_Tm8yVAKRUjNFTF5Pt7q7oOPf3/s320/IMG_2103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Trip highlights:<br />
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<strong>The ocean.</strong> Our unit was on the ground floor, but the apartments were on a cliff, so we had a great view. We fell asleep to the sound of the ocean, and could see the surfers below. I love the ocean. (sigh) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92en6Y7LNj3jNYFemb1ahgpUEaPc7L90-xyE3zVDDQ27dMnXfUHvwiKCMRemOWtkju7AGXtnXl12WzHXmt2z94M_MEGwCHdak2gRJSp8StV71UlqyX7KGod9Cv4_1O_e4LbECcE8Eng2I/s1600/DSCF0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92en6Y7LNj3jNYFemb1ahgpUEaPc7L90-xyE3zVDDQ27dMnXfUHvwiKCMRemOWtkju7AGXtnXl12WzHXmt2z94M_MEGwCHdak2gRJSp8StV71UlqyX7KGod9Cv4_1O_e4LbECcE8Eng2I/s320/DSCF0839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Unfortunately, the highlight was also our <strong>lowlight</strong>. We drove down on an unpatroled beach about 2 km from the surf and rescue club, in what looked like a pretty placid spot. We had 4 adults watching the kids, and one of them was in the water with them. The kids hopped on their boogie boards and were having a great time. Bryce's board had a broken tether, so he quickly lost his, but we weren't worried - the water was shallow and he is a strong swimmer. A family's car was stuck in the dunes behind us, so I walked back to see if they needed help. The next thing I knew, Shon was jumping in the car, yelling that he was getting the lifeguard. Bryce was caught in a rip. I looked up just in time to see him put his hand in the air (the signal that you need rescuing) 100 m away from where he had just been, and he was moving fast! I couldn't believe how quickly the conditions changed. Somehow he found a sand bar and stood up. Shon turned around and came back. With a little adult help, we got him back on dry ground. Maybe 2 minutes after it all started, a lifeguard was there with a Seadoo, ready to help, though by that point, everything was under control. Amazing. The lifeguards must have been sitting in their station, watching us with powerful binoculars, knowing that we were going to get in trouble. He must have really scrambled to get to us so fast. Thank you, Mr. Lifeguard! It could have just as easily been one of the little kids that got pulled out to sea. As it was, it took an hour for the adrenaline to wear off. And I will never swim on an unmanned beach. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo17opOevsyyqceAv2nVoZuUrw6T2MdK-7KRZb8hVGVEVUt06YrieFKrsqDk66Nwei75d8VlxUniwfv4QxT1Iig7xDDi7_geT7cnIHpwFt57lOLcaPfpweyU-Jqu3aSngzkMLeKgQUROo/s1600/DSCF0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo17opOevsyyqceAv2nVoZuUrw6T2MdK-7KRZb8hVGVEVUt06YrieFKrsqDk66Nwei75d8VlxUniwfv4QxT1Iig7xDDi7_geT7cnIHpwFt57lOLcaPfpweyU-Jqu3aSngzkMLeKgQUROo/s320/DSCF0852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Wildlife.</strong> We saw dolphins. They were just hanging out by the jetty, so Emily ran down and put her hand in the water, and they came right up to her! (The fishermen on the dock weren't so thrilled - they scared all of the fish away!) Call me American, but it still surprises me every time I see a kangaroo. We saw a lot. Goanna lizards kept walking past our veranda, like small dinosaurs. It was fun to watch one climb up a tree too. We also watched a huge sea eagle fish as we drove along the beach. Abby and I explored the tidal pools (anemonae, crabs, little fish) and saw an awesome beetle. It was electric blue with orange spots. We're not in Kansas any more. . . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ2diJ5-7c22kl36josQqEaycownRWQShC1tRM5wD7PxKU8pfAeeNeVErMM_jyrqCvFFqY9Dfdx0paSC9FZSsJZZMOU3pB1ZHC8LTZDxffcKIlG_6Jfme_jRQQWxEItwupMlt1A9noj5W/s1600/DSCF0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ2diJ5-7c22kl36josQqEaycownRWQShC1tRM5wD7PxKU8pfAeeNeVErMM_jyrqCvFFqY9Dfdx0paSC9FZSsJZZMOU3pB1ZHC8LTZDxffcKIlG_6Jfme_jRQQWxEItwupMlt1A9noj5W/s320/DSCF0874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Straddie is a popular spot for sea turtles to nest. This year they had 14 nests. They had mostly all hatched before we arrived.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Along with the magestic wildlife, we also saw some of the more annoying varieties. I saw the largest huntsman spider I have ever seen! It was easily larger than my hand span. It was just hanging out in the game room. We also saw cane toads and hords of baby frogs and tad poles. And one ferral cat. <br />
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<strong>Off-roading.</strong> PJ didn't let us down. We never even got stuck! (We tried our hardest. . . ) We drove through massive pot holes, and washed out roads. I will be cleaning red mud and sand out of our car for a week! We learned the value of a good map. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-4VmumoBc_4_-VJ7e1BWl-6mMhUCwMZFe5MgEZXzOoL5Q8Lnn_rcJjpruS0_OBgybSKK6Ac8Vg0kMnEHWZyP_k66DhL_8dq_VHWgN4aHDK13nHz6MZeL73tzGfsAhyzJLRWpt053S6UU/s1600/IMG_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-4VmumoBc_4_-VJ7e1BWl-6mMhUCwMZFe5MgEZXzOoL5Q8Lnn_rcJjpruS0_OBgybSKK6Ac8Vg0kMnEHWZyP_k66DhL_8dq_VHWgN4aHDK13nHz6MZeL73tzGfsAhyzJLRWpt053S6UU/s320/IMG_2109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Surfing!</strong> We took surfing lessons. Kids are awesome. They just pop right up. Even we grown-ups learned quickly: pick a good wave, paddle hard, get up quick (not on your knees!) and don't look down. It was so fun, but the next morning it felt like I had done a hundred push-ups (which I had).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfjWEBzDWmPZJcHX7yLyF41QdkGRmmfarSv-M5HcRDslPgQ9g50FuD1xj16spjW7htpRVKRY4k4ELvDloVnaY-YCAvhXrBCKpNb-8a_rCXPs468N4K7KyWCTppP5tc-G4RqMasqUZQHVA/s1600/robinsons%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfjWEBzDWmPZJcHX7yLyF41QdkGRmmfarSv-M5HcRDslPgQ9g50FuD1xj16spjW7htpRVKRY4k4ELvDloVnaY-YCAvhXrBCKpNb-8a_rCXPs468N4K7KyWCTppP5tc-G4RqMasqUZQHVA/s320/robinsons%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of Andrea Call.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The very best part of our holiday was spending time with friends and our family, and now we have 2 lovely weeks left to enjoy together in our school holiday.Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-22064609656667871362011-03-19T04:30:00.000-07:002011-03-19T04:49:46.766-07:00VolleyballShon here:<br />
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Bryce just finished the volleyball season. His team was undefeated and they didn't lose a set the entire season. Okay they did lose two third sets after they had won the game in two and had extra time so they decided just to play. Today was one of those days. In the third set it was hilarious. There were these HUGE fans in the gym ceiling (probably 10' fan blades) to keep the place cool. They were hitting the ball up as high as they could (during the third set) trying to hit the fans.<br />
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Bryce really loves volleyball. I asked him why he liked it the other day and he said because I am good at it. He is too. He was selected as one of the best two kids in his grade to play on a combined team against the teachers and he has been invited to play on a select team later this year. <br />
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It will be nice to have a Saturday break from sports for a while until soccer games start. Here is a picture of three weeks ago before he started jump serving. Bryce is the only kid on his team that does jump serves. He got all his serves in today too. Last week he got them all in but foot faulted twice.<br />
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</div>Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256531175166835417.post-1524881780459373502011-02-15T19:54:00.000-08:002011-02-15T19:54:22.247-08:00Happy Love Heart DayFor the most part, Australians love to shorten their words. Chocolates are "chockies." Breakfast is "brekkie." The garbage collector is the "garbo." Afternoon is "arvo," not to be confused with "avo" which is avocado. An umbrella is a "brollie." Biscuits (cookies) are "bikkies." And my favorite: Lipstick is "lippie." <br />
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There are, however, a few words that are actually longer here. If I were wrapping a present (prezzie) for, say, my daughter's birthday, I would use tape and wrapping paper. Here we use "sticky tape." If that gift were a coloring book, she would spend her leisure time "coloring." Here she would spend her time "colouring in." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Speaking of coloring, and birthdays, my youngest daughter wanted this cake for her birthday. It was in the American Girl magazine a year ago. I couldn't find the actual magazine, but we still had the "mini mag" - the magazine for the doll. I had to use a magnifying glass, but the recipe was there!<br />
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Emily and I made rainbow pancakes to match. Thanks, <a href="http://www.lauraohearon.com/">Laura</a>, for the idea. <br />
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Back to Aussie lingo. <br />
<br />
In Australia, a heart is an organ. That shape, the symbol of Valentine's Day, is a "love heart." <br />
<br />
I love heart you!<br />
<br />
But, my heart is given to someone else. Happy Valentine's day to my sweetheart, Shon. This is our 15th Valentine's Day together. He knows what I like. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Thanks for the lilies. (I'm not a big rose fan - definitely a highly over-rated flower.)<br />
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And I know what he likes. Shon's favorite dessert is Amish Apple Pie. It's a family favorite. Here is the recipe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKftqGlHReyzJBAKOePAL7kRe3IEeTf5nJFuMhs1jZLq3iSQ53llt-5DJeL_MFo2IuGqzVCXD2-uhNJghiRgU_eKlrATsNElQhI1-f2n-qrAZBNd5w0AzVV7GRg3vvcgSnqEayfyMMlQj/s1600/IMG_1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKftqGlHReyzJBAKOePAL7kRe3IEeTf5nJFuMhs1jZLq3iSQ53llt-5DJeL_MFo2IuGqzVCXD2-uhNJghiRgU_eKlrATsNElQhI1-f2n-qrAZBNd5w0AzVV7GRg3vvcgSnqEayfyMMlQj/s320/IMG_1992.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Amish Apple Pie<br />
<br />
1 C sour cream<br />
1 egg<br />
3/4 C Sugar<br />
3 T flour<br />
1/4 tsp vanilla<br />
3 - 4 C diced, peeled apples<br />
1 unbaked pie crust<br />
<br />
crumb topping:<br />
1/2 C brown sugar<br />
1/3 C flour<br />
1/4 C butter at room temperature<br />
1 tsp cinnamon<br />
<br />
Beat sour cream and egg together. Add flour, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Stir in apples. Bake at 400 F for 25 minutes. Remove pie from oven. Spread with crumb topping. Bake 20 min more. <br />
<br />
A couple tips: <br />
-Use a nice big pie pan (I like the pyrex glass pans with the handles) or your crumb topping will spill all over your oven and might even catch on fire (like it did when I baked this pie at the Shanklin's house!) But then again, it's nice to have your kitchen smell like cinnamon and spice for 3 weeks. (Been there, done that.) Trust me, put a cookie sheet underneath your pie, just in case.<br />
<br />
-Only use 3/4 of the crumb topping. There's just too much of it. Make a double pie crust and use the extra topping to spread on the extra pie crust. (You're children will thank you!)<br />
<br />
-Use a medal pie ring, to cover the crust so it doesn't get too brown. Take it off when you put on the crumb topping. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Happy Valentine's Day. I think I'll go put on a little lippie and smooch my hubby.Julihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16711052910114251394noreply@blogger.com6