tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012388304200443432024-03-18T20:07:02.682-07:00Jro BlogsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-88674280213354784102011-07-25T20:51:00.001-07:002011-07-25T20:54:56.978-07:00Two Days in New York<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pb_FUPlyiqA/Ti45vmEBhtI/AAAAAAAAAik/CblCwfD7B1A/s1600-h/IMG_3478%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3478" alt="IMG_3478" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dyJYbsIJNok/Ti45v0hHi2I/AAAAAAAAAio/dXHArQZl2QE/IMG_3478_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a><br /></p><p>My first impression of New York was that it was dirty, smelly, and just plain gross. The day I arrived, the temps were in the 80s and it was HUMID! No sun; just a hot, sweaty, smelly place. The subway tunnels were like an oven, and they were baking garbage and urine. </p> <p> I decided to drop off my luggage at a luggage storage company and take the Staten Island Ferry. I figured I’d get a view of the Statue of Liberty and a breeze. The day was not a good one for photography—all hazy and gray—but that didn’t stop people on the ferry from crowding along the sides of the ferry to grab their shot. Here’s my crappy view. I took one picture and decided it wasn’t worth it. Better ones can easily be found on the internet.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lh-6Lc1oa80/Ti45wIwCIcI/AAAAAAAAAis/J5TTd7Ut-pg/s1600-h/IMG_3477%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3477" alt="IMG_3477" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-drLMK1dinvs/Ti45wRcK3ZI/AAAAAAAAAiw/AH4lrROu_xI/IMG_3477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a></p> <p>After the trip, I headed back to where my luggage was located which happened to be in the same neighborhood as Macy’s and the Empire State building. I had a look around Macy’s, which is HUGE! They had these old wooden escalators…</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-19D3Luq5nhI/Ti45whf9H2I/AAAAAAAAAi0/wc4tAsMdlWg/s1600-h/IMG_0023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0023" alt="IMG_0023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dgcPJbzyrLE/Ti45w26sZMI/AAAAAAAAAi4/hszDCImxnps/IMG_0023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="359" /></a></p> <p>and a couch where I took a little rest and thought “wouldn’t it be nice to have a non-broken, comfy couch like this at my house.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zknVdZ91hkI/Ti45xI8nBsI/AAAAAAAAAi8/Ei6VQ1xx6Ac/s1600-h/IMG_0024%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0024" alt="IMG_0024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zf6Yhr5N1wU/Ti45xfSB5WI/AAAAAAAAAjA/nSPhb5KkI1k/IMG_0024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="478" width="640" /></a></p> <p>I just looked at the Empire State building. No need for a tour. I needed a nap. But I didn’t get one because I spent almost 30 minutes sweating in the subway tunnel waiting for the number 1 train to take me to Columbia.</p> <p>Today we were given some interesting ideas on how to use music to teach history, with a performance by Bob, the sheriff. (I don’t think he’s a real sheriff.) That was followed by a “Gangs of New York” tour, where I got completely drenched from today’s rain (no umbrella or rain coat) and saw this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7f4-UAWoFVo/Ti45xmLYmLI/AAAAAAAAAjE/8_CmPjN3TpU/s1600-h/IMG_3496%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3496" alt="IMG_3496" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PeriUXxn_m4/Ti45x4mVm6I/AAAAAAAAAjI/ZRw0PH7ZFfg/IMG_3496_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a></p> <p>(From Law and Order and totally unrelated to the gangs of New York, although modern day gang members may find themselves here sometimes).</p> <p>Yesterday I walked past this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--jFbn2D8_Ak/Ti45yEe_PGI/AAAAAAAAAjM/zZ3TtB3n2HU/s1600-h/IMG_0030%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0030" alt="IMG_0030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XSSPdH7q1kE/Ti45yRLwJBI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/hTSZNeKQDSk/IMG_0030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="478" width="640" /></a></p> <p>and this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y8bkRDPBaB4/Ti45ycBr__I/AAAAAAAAAjU/d1e9OsKQKNQ/s1600-h/IMG_0031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0031" alt="IMG_0031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lsvxqGAtiro/Ti45yhKWhZI/AAAAAAAAAjY/43HjG8f45vE/IMG_0031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="478" width="640" /></a></p> <p>(from Ghostbusters—in case you didn’t know).</p> <p>Here’s a little view of my room. Dorm life is smaller in New York. This is actually a double room, although in my opinion it is just too small for two people.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oS1lCILrG78/Ti45y3k0LVI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Cg6-9QfRbTc/s1600-h/IMG_0033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0033" alt="IMG_0033" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yr15X2V4Bh4/Ti45zOdX7pI/AAAAAAAAAjg/WPlbx4tD638/IMG_0033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="478" width="640" /></a></p> <p>There is a second bed, just out of view next to this one, with less than a foot of space between them. Better like your roommate! Glad I don’t have one.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-82905916023263081422011-07-05T08:24:00.001-07:002011-07-05T08:24:00.654-07:00Traffic Jam Montana Style<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bmzH3zaOB30/ThMsh37ppPI/AAAAAAAAAc4/dCX6YPf_WS4/s1600-h/montana%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="montana" border="0" alt="montana" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W2IO6VbYkW8/ThMsiavWmtI/AAAAAAAAAc8/fapIu3UBBDk/montana_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SEpGsv5c7HM/ThMsimu0h3I/AAAAAAAAAdA/mNvIW90h9gE/s1600-h/montana2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="montana2" border="0" alt="montana2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xCJ8EjgdxUs/ThMsjC76s8I/AAAAAAAAAdE/y2OndSU95SU/montana2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7YYC68r-7gs/ThMsjZYoXHI/AAAAAAAAAdI/irR5nclyYbI/s1600-h/montana3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="montana3" border="0" alt="montana3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M4vm9iWBmao/ThMsjxh_w1I/AAAAAAAAAdM/jCMWoRaOKEA/montana3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="480" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-50908052985302569662011-06-29T21:55:00.001-07:002011-06-29T21:56:39.267-07:00Mosquitoville, USA<p>This place is seriously thick with mosquitoes. We have had to be well-armed and sticky with layers of bug repellant and sunscreen before leaving the house. The boys really want to make s’mores every night, but no one was willing to stay outside with all the bugs, so the s’mores operation was moved inside tonight. Nothing says camping fun like roasting marshmallows on an electric stove in the kitchen.</p> <p>We’ve spent two days exploring Yellowstone and torturing Simon along the way. We saw a lot of interesting things (at least I thought so); Simon had a different viewpoint. His looked something like this…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fxqs-UBX82Y/TgwBNBhuTUI/AAAAAAAAAXg/n8r42UDQq_Q/s1600-h/IMG_0946%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0946" alt="IMG_0946" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I-9sB_vQFjo/TgwBOErL5hI/AAAAAAAAAXk/uwpHDzeOTko/IMG_0946_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>this…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G3WdqNFTeBc/TgwBPU9GGYI/AAAAAAAAAXo/12hyAacjOgg/s1600-h/IMG_1376%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1376" alt="IMG_1376" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mJazcq_jck8/TgwBQkSO5dI/AAAAAAAAAXs/HAhuvCYU1Vo/IMG_1376_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>this…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a1IdmtxN_9c/TgwBSCM2HAI/AAAAAAAAAXw/vsZk4-0Oawk/s1600-h/IMG_1501%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1501" alt="IMG_1501" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Co31jnGsxxM/TgwBTpHsIaI/AAAAAAAAAX0/3krdPmnNYPA/IMG_1501_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>and even this…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CYc7T0WDiTI/TgwBUkzLOoI/AAAAAAAAAX4/sJgwCqVp6NI/s1600-h/IMG_1597%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1597" alt="IMG_1597" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x0mSBfQis40/TgwBVg54nYI/AAAAAAAAAX8/rQlv0dNqfWc/IMG_1597_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>I thought he might enjoy all the wildlife we saw in the park, and he was sort of impressed with the bears.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oLwwCzzzmj0/TgwBXlJ_MFI/AAAAAAAAAYA/WMztixB4h7w/s1600-h/IMG_1609%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1609" alt="IMG_1609" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H4MW2G385ZQ/TgwBZQZUkUI/AAAAAAAAAYE/_Fhk8GeMtwQ/IMG_1609_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> </p> <p>The buffalo in the middle of the street was mildly entertaining.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zX8kX47H0vE/TgwBaxLIWyI/AAAAAAAAAYI/gB6J0EU1m4w/s1600-h/IMG_1558%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1558" alt="IMG_1558" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0hRoKb6mR84/TgwBcoQBdCI/AAAAAAAAAYM/Ey2BV4Cq4NM/IMG_1558_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>He missed out on the snake because he stayed in the car.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--5up9axXyME/TgwBecdm7GI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/W5K-UrdI8aI/s1600-h/IMG_1623%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1623" alt="IMG_1623" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dBCSQbb0vf0/TgwBgG-geCI/AAAAAAAAAYU/sfwLhHrb_F0/IMG_1623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>He wanted to take the ground squirrel home for Freckles to play with.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1a1iJsEGMEc/TgwBiTiobcI/AAAAAAAAAYY/BmZtGPBHmbo/s1600-h/IMG_1646%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1646" alt="IMG_1646" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xw3eChjKZac/TgwBkTrVrOI/AAAAAAAAAYc/LZPpDpGzp1U/IMG_1646_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>The elk was just ho-hum.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-voKIVaeiYQE/TgwBmUf165I/AAAAAAAAAYg/Oo_M1p0qCvI/s1600-h/IMG_1664%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1664" alt="IMG_1664" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R-NAJgCHFrQ/TgwBocw1rsI/AAAAAAAAAYk/tgGaHPKs-ZI/IMG_1664_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>He really wasn’t impressed with Yellowstone until the very end of day two. After multiple slow-downs while people stopped driving in the middle of the road to get out and take pictures of the buffalo, Torsten lost his patience and was getting upset with the slow drivers in front of us. “It’s just a stupid buffalo. We’ve seen like a million of these,” he said. Then Steve looked over and said, “But how many have you seen pooping?” And that was it. Simon was finally impressed. When we got back to the house and someone asked how his day at Yellowstone was, he replied, “It was awesome!” </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>P.S. Here are some of the cool things I saw. Simon was too busy complaining to notice.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1-UwuFsqyPY/TgwBpYSfMlI/AAAAAAAAAYo/ZS52-jjm4a0/s1600-h/IMG_1119%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1119" alt="IMG_1119" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8mRvcp-SNnI/TgwBqnpnnHI/AAAAAAAAAYs/_uWTY6svd0c/IMG_1119_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KAP1PJcau0Q/TgwBr6qbYSI/AAAAAAAAAYw/85YOvIHCcXU/s1600-h/IMG_1133%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1133" alt="IMG_1133" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HT3iAABckkM/TgwBtMi0ONI/AAAAAAAAAY0/iep02G54OUA/IMG_1133_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A-kYd9pWkBs/TgwBt2j94pI/AAAAAAAAAY4/VG-j45EH1Yw/s1600-h/IMG_1172%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1172" alt="IMG_1172" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WbFka3ep8N4/TgwBus412GI/AAAAAAAAAY8/vsSie_K9o9Q/IMG_1172_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uSBuLxB40nw/TgwBvl_yCDI/AAAAAAAAAZA/-pBJCyjRZnk/s1600-h/IMG_1276%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1276" alt="IMG_1276" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lqatfzijfhE/TgwBwZoWfNI/AAAAAAAAAZE/JXkgdSFiAkY/IMG_1276_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m65oSIsK9hg/TgwBxKvziRI/AAAAAAAAAZI/7rE6YA3Zivg/s1600-h/IMG_1285%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1285" alt="IMG_1285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t0ws2I0JVO4/TgwBx-cCWkI/AAAAAAAAAZM/LJQ-Wi9v_f0/IMG_1285_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Tx21JXbUPdI/TgwByaEXKPI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/V9xfyB_QTFs/s1600-h/IMG_1320%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1320" alt="IMG_1320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MP6AjkZzcb0/TgwBzE2i2TI/AAAAAAAAAZU/Xel-3UCNNnI/IMG_1320_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zph3ltuAZr8/TgwBz40jenI/AAAAAAAAAZY/JvLHhSdiRSc/s1600-h/IMG_1585%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1585" alt="IMG_1585" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C0TBrpov_KI/TgwB2I2OGgI/AAAAAAAAAZc/DQyE2QRMMe8/IMG_1585_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-42566996223098404992011-06-24T20:22:00.001-07:002011-06-24T20:24:05.930-07:00Middle of Nowhere, Idaho<p>He we are in the middle of nowhere, otherwise known as Island Park, Idaho. It’s rustic, but pretty. Day one included a float trip that required more paddling than anticipated. I did not do much of the paddling, but it was a lot of work for those who did. I mostly sat back and enjoyed the scenery.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xGl6TJbjue8/TgVUGazHxrI/AAAAAAAAAWw/N0vYuzhthFo/s1600-h/IMG_0008%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0008" alt="IMG_0008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LbnabSKhiQQ/TgVUH7eM61I/AAAAAAAAAW0/EyacemE3wvg/IMG_0008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a></p> <p>Boys in one boat:<br /></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lLHZz4KWdNg/TgVUI31ez5I/AAAAAAAAAW4/ba2uW468dp4/s1600-h/IMG_0014%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0014" alt="IMG_0014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RCgNMkpe7Jk/TgVUKPZ0BQI/AAAAAAAAAW8/rAY2mycTY8k/IMG_0014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S7felMKGB98/TgVULvO7F6I/AAAAAAAAAXA/NqVSqh4Imag/s1600-h/IMG_0017%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0017" alt="IMG_0017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oHJRmHSeJc8/TgVUM6efEtI/AAAAAAAAAXE/up6AR55NZO0/IMG_0017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w7dR9RZ1zDg/TgVUN_e8IYI/AAAAAAAAAXI/Um_snflNwhg/s1600-h/IMG_0025%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0025" alt="IMG_0025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mUNs-CrRnE0/TgVUPAmXelI/AAAAAAAAAXM/RkASPjNHEjw/IMG_0025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a></p> <p>Moose:</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FH3H3LsbAA8/TgVURA2PJAI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/ijPUzPtuJJA/s1600-h/IMG_0032%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0032" alt="IMG_0032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b_NXYj9NGcs/TgVUSx8acwI/AAAAAAAAAXU/xzeRlEkgVCM/IMG_0032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a></p> <p>Baby moose:<br /></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oXzSxPlALx0/TgVUWv6rp9I/AAAAAAAAAXY/IrcDJ6UvRN0/s1600-h/IMG_0036%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0036" alt="IMG_0036" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X1uZfp6mtvw/TgVUYNksX1I/AAAAAAAAAXc/AK6vxBb2igM/IMG_0036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="640" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-79225420723544255492011-04-01T20:18:00.001-07:002011-04-01T20:20:27.539-07:00Break from Winter<p>We took a break from winter this Spring and found Summer in the desert. Here are some of the highlights.</p> <p>Randall Henderson Trail:</p><p><br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU37NhXQI/AAAAAAAAATQ/--eJhM6j-1U/s1600-h/IMG_0314%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0314" alt="IMG_0314" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU4bBO68I/AAAAAAAAATU/TGo7GC8cxgk/IMG_0314_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU48W3lrI/AAAAAAAAATY/dVl18qjAaIc/s1600-h/IMG_0325%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0325" alt="IMG_0325" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU5eydjvI/AAAAAAAAATc/-L2j4sG0IJs/IMG_0325_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU5nOey3I/AAAAAAAAATg/Uz-A4zSsUSI/s1600-h/IMG_0354%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0354" alt="IMG_0354" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU6GHbtAI/AAAAAAAAATk/92gJEnXLmNg/IMG_0354_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU6vi1q5I/AAAAAAAAATo/6P4o2d7F57A/s1600-h/IMG_0396%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0396" alt="IMG_0396" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU-RAi7SI/AAAAAAAAATs/yk673zxUwMI/IMG_0396_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU-7K_WwI/AAAAAAAAATw/fUMCjunMCYI/s1600-h/IMG_0399%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0399" alt="IMG_0399" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU_B73_MI/AAAAAAAAAT0/g3Pe9otJNLA/IMG_0399_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>Swimming at the WorldMark:<br /></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU_aBWXXI/AAAAAAAAAT4/3ea03HjuBnU/s1600-h/IMG_0422%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0422" alt="IMG_0422" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaU_12xJLI/AAAAAAAAAT8/MQi1xr8KCvQ/IMG_0422_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>Tahquitz Canyon:<br /></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVAaP0etI/AAAAAAAAAUA/AY-kBAKXe_M/s1600-h/IMG_0424%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0424" alt="IMG_0424" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVAisvvyI/AAAAAAAAAUE/ggWbjqvvlCw/IMG_0424_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVBEKGW-I/AAAAAAAAAUI/c6Tcu6Muuts/s1600-h/IMG_0433%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0433" alt="IMG_0433" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVBhBot6I/AAAAAAAAAUM/GCtmUfjVUSg/IMG_0433_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVB_q6GgI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/sG5YSydkIyI/s1600-h/IMG_0455%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0455" alt="IMG_0455" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVCS0bOKI/AAAAAAAAAUU/h6U7ogwNQ2g/IMG_0455_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVCslTy2I/AAAAAAAAAUY/MqG2qZHpR48/s1600-h/IMG_0477%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0477" alt="IMG_0477" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVDDycUWI/AAAAAAAAAUc/x855qqSXlRw/IMG_0477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVDV78otI/AAAAAAAAAUg/K4GE_f35guU/s1600-h/IMG_0498%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0498" alt="IMG_0498" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVDx7V0FI/AAAAAAAAAUk/raKi94CEd0Q/IMG_0498_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> </p> <p>More swimming:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVEJNb1RI/AAAAAAAAAUo/tEEHHImPWZs/s1600-h/IMG_0515%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0515" alt="IMG_0515" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVElapnEI/AAAAAAAAAUs/5X-ZidMJN9U/IMG_0515_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVE1AhFZI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PV3XUHg4Wwg/s1600-h/IMG_0516%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0516" alt="IMG_0516" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVFZqzXJI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Am0t4U0G3r0/IMG_0516_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVF86z8YI/AAAAAAAAAU4/dKmjf0Vybzw/s1600-h/IMG_0520%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0520" alt="IMG_0520" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVGfRtOhI/AAAAAAAAAU8/OjoeA4Dzb9s/IMG_0520_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a></p> <p>Aerial Tramway to San Jacinto Mountain:<br /></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVGxQX9NI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Y7zi0fZEY_4/s1600-h/IMG_0543%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0543" alt="IMG_0543" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVHfV9JcI/AAAAAAAAAVE/7zzjS0sdze4/IMG_0543_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVHrijOdI/AAAAAAAAAVI/J1ekOaxs15g/s1600-h/IMG_0548%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="San Jacinto Mountain" alt="San Jacinto Mountain" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVIPR07lI/AAAAAAAAAVM/9YgTahCQl8E/IMG_0548_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVIlLTlkI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/ujho1FRTllQ/s1600-h/IMG_0558%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0558" alt="IMG_0558" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVJPE-W8I/AAAAAAAAAVU/dC4hOTt3Bac/IMG_0558_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVJSqNuxI/AAAAAAAAAVY/YOPZ0EEi5UI/s1600-h/IMG_0573%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="Amazing View" alt="Amazing View" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVNBAipxI/AAAAAAAAAVc/flaDpgve_s8/IMG_0573_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> </p> <p>The Living Desert:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVNcKgN_I/AAAAAAAAAVg/GffIP7_ea5c/s1600-h/IMG_0621%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0621" alt="IMG_0621" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVPMDmfaI/AAAAAAAAAVk/LzF2irB5yHo/IMG_0621_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVPwm7GAI/AAAAAAAAAVo/Mp_tU3KRaPE/s1600-h/IMG_0622%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0622" alt="IMG_0622" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVQZuk_XI/AAAAAAAAAVs/70lEMPOZBlc/IMG_0622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVQ27WzfI/AAAAAAAAAVw/TzBTtUaoVP0/s1600-h/IMG_0642%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0642" alt="IMG_0642" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVRcthnBI/AAAAAAAAAV0/sz8FRXSqaVU/IMG_0642_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVRn_mcHI/AAAAAAAAAV4/L945AcWsIlk/s1600-h/IMG_0658%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0658" alt="IMG_0658" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVTJQPzdI/AAAAAAAAAV8/MqdMgPU4hBs/IMG_0658_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> </p> <p>Boys trying to get water from the misters at the Living Desert (90 degrees at 10:00 in the morning): </p><p><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVUrHXXKI/AAAAAAAAAWA/eCb5twSZBBw/s1600-h/IMG_0665%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0665" alt="IMG_0665" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVWe96WBI/AAAAAAAAAWE/KSRhouNtOSg/IMG_0665_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVWxV_XlI/AAAAAAAAAWI/39iXrHCBYvI/s1600-h/IMG_0690%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0690" alt="IMG_0690" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVZZq8_uI/AAAAAAAAAWM/wnOTGvHKWIo/IMG_0690_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVe6zwxnI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/Q74QlxhJ8ZY/s1600-h/IMG_0701%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none; display: inline;" title="IMG_0701" alt="IMG_0701" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TZaVg2sVOeI/AAAAAAAAAWU/ajj2mTgFeQ0/IMG_0701_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="320" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>We are now sitting in the Oakland airport waiting to get back to winter weather. It was a good trip. We may have to go back next year.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-71091924223861450092010-11-09T18:46:00.001-08:002010-11-09T18:57:39.310-08:00Diggin' to ChinaNote to self: If it seems like the dog has been outside for too long, he might be working on digging a hole to China.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoIjgUCgtI/AAAAAAAAANY/ondUz1Xb-k8/s640/IMG_3327.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 640px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoIjgUCgtI/AAAAAAAAANY/ondUz1Xb-k8/s640/IMG_3327.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />On the other hand, if he makes it there, it might not be a bad thing.<br /><br />Maybe he could work on destroying a house there, instead of mine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoHLmu0Z6I/AAAAAAAAAM0/ZA2SnePOXZk/s640/IMG_3721.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 427px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoHLmu0Z6I/AAAAAAAAAM0/ZA2SnePOXZk/s640/IMG_3721.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoHLvyVv6I/AAAAAAAAAM4/xUUQaI91XE4/s640/IMG_3722.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 427px; height: 640px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoHLvyVv6I/AAAAAAAAAM4/xUUQaI91XE4/s640/IMG_3722.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoHLT39nMI/AAAAAAAAAMw/WRF-L_bnP9A/s640/IMG_3717.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 427px; height: 640px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoHLT39nMI/AAAAAAAAAMw/WRF-L_bnP9A/s640/IMG_3717.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Unrelated info: Simon's self-created Halloween costume<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoHMS6WCHI/AAAAAAAAANA/IwtcyTZwZAM/s640/IMG_3732.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 427px; height: 640px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TNoHMS6WCHI/AAAAAAAAANA/IwtcyTZwZAM/s640/IMG_3732.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Robox. I have no words to explain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-74930524191952372712010-07-23T10:14:00.000-07:002010-07-23T10:50:50.177-07:00Project Canine Confinement and Seabrook Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4821637882_2fdb490210.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4821637882_2fdb490210.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's not easy to keep this dog confined to one space. He always seems to find a way to escape. We tried different furniture arrangements, but he just kept finding a way to jump through the opening in the living room. We needed a gate for the widest part of the hallway which could only be purchased online. We also needed something that Simon could open and walk through, so I decided to build one. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4821638402_209ca10c10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4821638402_209ca10c10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In other news, last week we took a little break from summer to visit Seabrook on the Washington coast. We never saw the sun the whole time we were there and I actually forgot it was July. But the boys enjoyed the house and beach anyway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4821630010_a7382110af.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4821630010_a7382110af.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4821630422_df75d605b4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4821630422_df75d605b4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4821015409_54701386cd.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4821015409_54701386cd.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4821635466_c948f89c27.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4821635466_c948f89c27.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4821632722_6fbd01d1e1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4821632722_6fbd01d1e1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4821634104_f2060fbbe2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4821634104_f2060fbbe2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4821016845_abe64f868f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4821016845_abe64f868f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4821019825_88e1957a2b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4821019825_88e1957a2b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Freckles liked it too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4821020895_b1b0c0b735.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4821020895_b1b0c0b735.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>He really liked being off his leash on the beach, so much so that he didn't want to come back to us. I really thought we might have to run to Ocean Shores to catch him, but eventually the birds he was chasing turned around and we were able to capture him.<br /><br />One day we stopped in Ocean Shores for some lunch at La Chica Taqueria. It was good and the owner/chef/cashier (she does it all) was kind of like the soup Nazi from Seinfeld. She even threw a box at one customer when he tried to order steak tacos which were not on the menu.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4821634734_3c663bd30f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4821634734_3c663bd30f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The boys split a burrito. The menu claims them to be one and a half pound burritos. Torsten wasn't sure he'd get enough by splitting, but then he got a churro for dessert. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4821018795_1e7d95e835.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4821018795_1e7d95e835.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My mom and dad came along to see the Coastal Living Idea house. It was nice, but I thought it was too much money (2 million) to spend on a place where there's no sun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4821014319_ae207e1863.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4821014319_ae207e1863.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4821014725_eac9c35418.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4821014725_eac9c35418.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-65037768337847145052010-07-12T19:38:00.000-07:002010-07-12T19:57:35.627-07:00Clam IslandThere is an island in the middle of Dyes Inlet that only appears on days with extremely low tides. Torsten was lucky enough to be with his friend and a canoe on one of those days and they rowed out to do some exploring. It seems the wildlife is much larger and more plentiful than what can be found closer to shore.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u0ATBZDWHScofvnAZuWnejkxeLLWg6XP3ggX6wqzlOmqRgbMd_3mjFDGDPl1CjzW6jmJwL8vfo58wCt48MIbx2JOe5Drsj23yLlPsouKO9h-juk2dUvuU6C_-TD3JLgANJVyyoM-xBI/s1600/P1030547.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u0ATBZDWHScofvnAZuWnejkxeLLWg6XP3ggX6wqzlOmqRgbMd_3mjFDGDPl1CjzW6jmJwL8vfo58wCt48MIbx2JOe5Drsj23yLlPsouKO9h-juk2dUvuU6C_-TD3JLgANJVyyoM-xBI/s400/P1030547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493217771281781426" border="0" /></a>Check out the size of these snails!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYTnHgo27_tk_fbpCWJPfBFS0hkbvrDltFbsHgfHuHiFynzQPMMAdQ68Q7KM54GBr8m-8HZJCXmA3tA3WK_Ry738AYcmwWDrIOHz2d-0fKpObuX_6qFeO6790h-pqs0lDthvD9VgRdvs/s1600/P1030550.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYTnHgo27_tk_fbpCWJPfBFS0hkbvrDltFbsHgfHuHiFynzQPMMAdQ68Q7KM54GBr8m-8HZJCXmA3tA3WK_Ry738AYcmwWDrIOHz2d-0fKpObuX_6qFeO6790h-pqs0lDthvD9VgRdvs/s400/P1030550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493217778504121746" border="0" /></a>Torsten's friend also makes him look a little short, even though Torsten is somewhere around the 90th percentile for his height. His friend must be off the chart.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-92148223807812644302010-06-28T12:53:00.000-07:002010-06-28T13:01:48.232-07:00Paul Rabil Camp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4742916541_c88dc98a87.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 323px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4742916541_c88dc98a87.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's been pretty quiet around our house lately since Torsten has been away at Lacrosse camp. Last week he was in Mercer Island playing lacrosse with his favorite professional player, Paul Rabil. This week will be even more quiet, since he is at the University of Washington for a sleepover lacrosse camp. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4743551640_7ce710a0c0.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 457px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4743551640_7ce710a0c0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4742915093_d98897ddb6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 414px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4742915093_d98897ddb6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-6961041168949066672010-06-24T17:19:00.000-07:002010-06-24T17:20:28.891-07:00Crazy DogThis is what happens every time we try to eat at our house.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VHwdI5LOXhk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VHwdI5LOXhk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-67112425686505188972010-06-18T14:32:00.000-07:002010-06-18T15:04:08.756-07:00Summer!The sun came out a bit today and we took the opportunity to act like it is actually summer. We took the kids and dog to Fay Bainbridge State Park. It was Freckles first trip to the beach and he seemed to like it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr6ixUgJI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/dL8HsVzseHw/s512/IMG_3632.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 512px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr6ixUgJI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/dL8HsVzseHw/s512/IMG_3632.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr54W1lMI/AAAAAAAAAJw/gTKQlMSdSkA/s512/IMG_3609.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 512px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr54W1lMI/AAAAAAAAAJw/gTKQlMSdSkA/s512/IMG_3609.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr6bIDo1I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/d4O5c9-hv18/s512/IMG_3610.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 512px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr6bIDo1I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/d4O5c9-hv18/s512/IMG_3610.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr5QH8hmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Tb_L6PC8LMk/s720/IMG_3607.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr5QH8hmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Tb_L6PC8LMk/s720/IMG_3607.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr4k7ZIUI/AAAAAAAAAJo/NA8WIFrnsvo/s720/IMG_3601.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr4k7ZIUI/AAAAAAAAAJo/NA8WIFrnsvo/s720/IMG_3601.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr3N80EII/AAAAAAAAAJg/F1q30b6MOUg/s720/IMG_3596.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr3N80EII/AAAAAAAAAJg/F1q30b6MOUg/s720/IMG_3596.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr2soMcnI/AAAAAAAAAJc/P-9uxSxtOnQ/s720/IMG_3590.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr2soMcnI/AAAAAAAAAJc/P-9uxSxtOnQ/s720/IMG_3590.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4712883630_b8c5dd4811_b.jpg"><br /></a>Steve spent the whole time on his phone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr3lb8a6I/AAAAAAAAAJk/T46tB-cfkZ4/s720/IMG_3597.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 480px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/TBvr3lb8a6I/AAAAAAAAAJk/T46tB-cfkZ4/s720/IMG_3597.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4712241453_59e814efc0_b.jpg"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-11505636260475068842010-06-16T20:45:00.000-07:002010-06-16T21:05:11.866-07:00Now that school is out, I might actually have some time for blogging. Lately, I've been busy with this guy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/4708263132_ef2c49e955.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/4708263132_ef2c49e955.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Don't let his good looks fool you. He is one tough case.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4708263530_c3e5820a4f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4708263530_c3e5820a4f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Not only does he dig holes in the back yard, he chews through laptop power cords (there's another excuse for not blogging), eat socks, and requires constant supervision.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4708263530_c3e5820a4f.jpg"><br /></a>We are only two days away from obedience graduation, although, I'm not sure he'll make it. He's definitely not going to be graduating cum laude.<br /><br />Moving on to the other kids...Simon got a head start on his summer reading and already finished three books and wrote book reports for them. I've promised $5 for each book he reads this summer, so at this rate, I could owe him a pretty big sum.<br /><br />Torsten finished 6th grade this week. And although not a perfect student, he did get the President's award. Here's looking forward to 7th grade, a new school, new friends, playing football, and five teachers (he's not really looking forward to that).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4707620427_52ed116b13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4707620427_52ed116b13.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Now we have two months of more dog training, lacrosse, and maybe turning the backyard into a mini-golf course. The holes are ready to go!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-65919500449209030832010-05-06T16:50:00.001-07:002010-05-06T16:56:56.913-07:00Torsten's newest accessory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw4lbjlcaeOmuqy0NJ2lHmeXv5jC6dala5Lt4wCM7zfeCh9Iz-VFuRdo49GKHr5x_lkIp-h5N-OdGDKxOH4Wdfwm0zQ_MLGtj-ZLl1RRrFMZsjuIXxj1TUjB7ZUuzH1icYhjJDzy7p4o/s1600/IMG_3236.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw4lbjlcaeOmuqy0NJ2lHmeXv5jC6dala5Lt4wCM7zfeCh9Iz-VFuRdo49GKHr5x_lkIp-h5N-OdGDKxOH4Wdfwm0zQ_MLGtj-ZLl1RRrFMZsjuIXxj1TUjB7ZUuzH1icYhjJDzy7p4o/s400/IMG_3236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468309810064204114" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently pink casts are fashionable these days. Torsten has a friend and a rubber playground ball to thank for his. <br /><br />I guess four square isn't as safe as one would have thought. <br /><br />But now lacrosse will have to end for the season, and we have one sad boy on our hands.<br /><br />At least he has a new friend to keep him company.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-57477602549549080332010-04-23T17:59:00.000-07:002010-04-23T18:08:27.347-07:00Another Excuse Not to Vacuum<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bQCDaPDK46Y&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bQCDaPDK46Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Freckles is our new dog and he is definitely changing life at the Robinson house. Not only does he hate the vacuum, he also loves to eat non-food items. <br />Like socks.<br />And plastic water bottles.<br />And pine cones. <br /><br />When we try to take those things away from him, he runs. <br />And he's fast. <br />Really, really fast.<br /><br />If he finally gets caught, he tries to keep the item from us permanently.<br />By swallowing it. <br />I'm still waiting for the DS screen cloth to make it way through his digestive system. <br /><br />How many days should I wait before I start to worry?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-64446190703694530702010-04-02T14:41:00.000-07:002010-04-02T14:45:48.562-07:00When he isn't whining, he makes me laughOur break is coming to a close. It's still raining. And the only interesting thing has been hanging out with this guy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJY9GaR4DlrxVYpvrKwuSGTuSQPLyDMF76-ocDo_4ekWTFqyXrg26EuS3JCV0FYsWTNiNk56rY-_KYQvbYsEG8xzx8fB1LA7uJ4IHwHBGYGm_qM1aOdfBJ4QkTHmNgj5Pq8mn-jjnoN4/s1600/0401001030.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJY9GaR4DlrxVYpvrKwuSGTuSQPLyDMF76-ocDo_4ekWTFqyXrg26EuS3JCV0FYsWTNiNk56rY-_KYQvbYsEG8xzx8fB1LA7uJ4IHwHBGYGm_qM1aOdfBJ4QkTHmNgj5Pq8mn-jjnoN4/s400/0401001030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455659065791921986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8O472XQ6nTafY0GBQN1yDMH-kscnKR6UfBhealfZgA1CgC8jWcrmkyOBY8y73JxpPreQ6dOnglvqzbPTbidqWosEmQpg6yXlo8O1fU6DfqQRpfJxj6_EYvw94Z13LNAyOxW4Z1kc3lxs/s1600/cp1_0401001009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8O472XQ6nTafY0GBQN1yDMH-kscnKR6UfBhealfZgA1CgC8jWcrmkyOBY8y73JxpPreQ6dOnglvqzbPTbidqWosEmQpg6yXlo8O1fU6DfqQRpfJxj6_EYvw94Z13LNAyOxW4Z1kc3lxs/s400/cp1_0401001009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455659059276754578" border="0" /></a>He is definitely one of a kind.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-73460956809996125212010-03-30T19:38:00.000-07:002010-03-30T19:53:31.163-07:00Spring Break DisasterMariner's Spring Training in Phoenix, exploring the history of our country in Washington D.C., and walking the beach in Newport Beach were all on my list of possibilities for Spring Break this year. <br /><br />But I decided we should stay home, pay the taxes, and save a little money. <br /><br />What was I thinking?<br /><br />This Spring Break has been so boring. The rain hasn't helped; but really, I'm not sure we'd have behaved differently if it weren't raining. I've already read 2-1/2 books, watched too many hours of TV, and eaten half of the Easter candy.<br /><br />I will not repeat my mistake next year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-12696445650663681732010-02-28T13:21:00.000-08:002010-02-28T13:45:38.062-08:00Then and NowIt's amazing how much our kids have grown. It doesn't seem like that long ago that they were small enough to pick up and hold. And even though some things get easier as they get older, I still find myself a little sad that they've grown up so fast.<br /><br />Photographic evidence of growth:<br /><br />December 2002:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4395554947_1c43a83b0a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4395554947_1c43a83b0a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>February 2010:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4377244704_0290b4bf6e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4377244704_0290b4bf6e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>June 2006:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4395555749_4288c6c4bb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 428px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4395555749_4288c6c4bb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>February 2010:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4378231948_bc77aef8b7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4378231948_bc77aef8b7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>June 2006:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4396323318_0871184db5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4396323318_0871184db5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>February 2010:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4377251266_579084a232.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4377251266_579084a232.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>June 2006:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4396324072_d0919b270d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2779/4396324072_d0919b270d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>February 2010:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4376491685_a3a4150a3a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4376491685_a3a4150a3a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>June 2006:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4396324634_c94767f735.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4396324634_c94767f735.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Februrary 2010:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4376495339_3c4fec0765.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4376495339_3c4fec0765.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-1495166543972055962010-02-22T19:01:00.000-08:002010-02-22T19:20:36.177-08:00The O.C.It's slightly embarrassing to admit to having watched the TV show, The O.C., but it's true. <br /><br />While we were in California, I made Steve take me to Newport Beach so I could see where it all didn't really take place. Because apparently, the show wasn't actually filmed in Newport Beach, which really shouldn't surprise me. <br /><br />But we were still there. <br />In the O.C.<br />Enjoying some sun and warmth.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4377247498_4a4a9634b5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4377247498_4a4a9634b5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Checking out the surfers (and there were a lot of them).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4376498141_46e4ea048e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4376498141_46e4ea048e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Hanging with some cool birds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4377501103_49251f3528.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4377501103_49251f3528.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4376498985_08cb60f724.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4376498985_08cb60f724.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Playing in the sand.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4376499393_4204354336.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4376499393_4204354336.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I wish we were still there. Because even though there has been some sun here lately, it hasn't been the 77 degrees we felt in California. Which is basically the most perfect temperature.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-55306536956700788492010-02-14T09:06:00.000-08:002010-02-14T09:09:20.626-08:00California<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4356816666_6501c4e0ef.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4356816666_6501c4e0ef.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Too busy for blogging. Just enjoying California and looking forward to 77 degrees today. Take that Washington!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-69433607498819010752010-02-06T17:48:00.000-08:002010-02-06T18:11:56.491-08:00Being Simon's mom is a lesson in patienceSimon is a whiner. And I mean a serious whiner. Steve wanted him to try out lacrosse this year to help us build up a team for the third and fourth graders, and Simon said he'd give it a try if Steve bribed him. He was thinking all day yesterday about what bribe would be required, but it was wasted effort.<br /><br />This morning when we showed up to lacrosse practice, Simon said he was ready. We found him a pair of cleats, some shoulder pads; we dug through a box of gloves searching for a matching pair that fit, put a helmet on him, and handed him a stick. I walked with him across the baseball field, then the soccer field, and we almost made it to the football field when he stopped, sat down in the wet grass, and started whining.<br /><br />He whined about how the gloves didn't fit right, the chin strap on the helmet made it so he couldn't breathe, his glasses were sliding down, etc. After some alone time on the field whining to himself, he made it back to the car and sat down to sulk for a while and whine about how "this is the worst day ever." (You must imagine the whiniest voice you can here.)<br /><br />I managed to get his mind off the horrible lacrosse experience for a while by dragging him down to the street to do a little sign waving. He perked up some and happily shouted at passing cars. By the way, it isn't the best idea to put your thumbs down while driving past Simon. He will definitely have something to say about that.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFEKu86suiLurNzFIA0zpwGglkAIDGSv2LvrXG-BKafXBIylOmnpaBVzOIraY1hw_G9nxJ6VVi85E2xKRZhCioPDNHZGfykHQdLPpZ4ilFFWUm8-g9HEsLVvPfpvJu-wynHEOUH4McUA/s1600-h/0206001145.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFEKu86suiLurNzFIA0zpwGglkAIDGSv2LvrXG-BKafXBIylOmnpaBVzOIraY1hw_G9nxJ6VVi85E2xKRZhCioPDNHZGfykHQdLPpZ4ilFFWUm8-g9HEsLVvPfpvJu-wynHEOUH4McUA/s400/0206001145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435317221359360482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfrXo6dQf1Cwl9nCQQMSu16pGI53X7QWkODVrjcN8CGZZAVRVyn-UO3QI7uPVpJoB95Mc5Gc3ZEtxTxnvm76AAHEOYHLRN8Xk_kYjGjDjJGQD-Nm2kl908NBqacYE5anFMEucJERxSsc/s1600-h/0206001133.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfrXo6dQf1Cwl9nCQQMSu16pGI53X7QWkODVrjcN8CGZZAVRVyn-UO3QI7uPVpJoB95Mc5Gc3ZEtxTxnvm76AAHEOYHLRN8Xk_kYjGjDjJGQD-Nm2kl908NBqacYE5anFMEucJERxSsc/s400/0206001133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435317227382508146" border="0" /></a>About 15 minutes before our time was up, he started whining about how hungry he was. I'm pretty sure he was about to faint from hunger (either that or in an effort to get someone to respond to his whining).<br /><br />We took him to Teriyaki Delight, which apparently was not a delight to him. He refused to get out of the car and went into his usual refrain of, "You hate me! This is the worst day of my life! Why do you hate me so much? Really, you hate me!"<br /><br />While the rest of us ordered, Simon sat in a chair in the corner, whining. He was starving after all, and since we hate him so much we brought him to a restaurant where there is nothing that he likes. But he did order anyway, even though he wasn't going to like it.<br /><br />But. As soon as the food came, he started blabbering about how good it was and how we should come back tomorrow.<br /><br />Seriously? Why does he put us through all of this?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-29700671559566393682010-01-30T14:42:00.001-08:002010-01-30T14:43:44.269-08:00No School+No Rain=Zoo<p>I promised Simon we’d see the world’s smallest monkey, but sadly he was not to be found. We did see some pretty cool penguins. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S1xPw8IuI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/WD2U_LmTgX0/s1600-h/IMG_3037%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_3037" alt="IMG_3037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S1xtsF1_I/AAAAAAAAAFU/cAeeqhN-VCQ/IMG_3037_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="640" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S1x2g26JI/AAAAAAAAAFY/8RsDfacDI0o/s1600-h/IMG_3038%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_3038" alt="IMG_3038" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S1ybF1GhI/AAAAAAAAAFc/V2Jyi1TrTrg/IMG_3038_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="640" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S1y1GC3TI/AAAAAAAAAFg/yE5KeTmr1iw/s1600-h/IMG_3040%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_3040" alt="IMG_3040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S1zU0PTkI/AAAAAAAAAFs/9EeOpNN52QQ/IMG_3040_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="640" height="480" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S1zr6Cd6I/AAAAAAAAAFw/B9k6CC72HZU/s1600-h/IMG_3041%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="IMG_3041" alt="IMG_3041" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S10Gwz8bI/AAAAAAAAAF0/mLf8BJxxxGk/IMG_3041_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="640" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Also saw some very strange snow leopards…</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S10oN6g4I/AAAAAAAAAF4/hTI6LaBE6Mw/s1600-h/IMG_3043%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="IMG_3043" alt="IMG_3043" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_waFlm01Bja0/S2S107_hAaI/AAAAAAAAAF8/BCW4kbQqbhw/IMG_3043_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="360" height="480" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-32376646259737811342010-01-25T19:50:00.000-08:002010-01-25T19:51:05.038-08:00Spelling<p>Quote from Simon’s home journal: </p> <p>“I feel like the spelling test words are getting easyer and easyer.  This week’s words were super easy! I wonder what there going to be like next week!”</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-46192142842263466442010-01-05T06:22:00.000-08:002010-01-05T06:24:14.429-08:00Death Glove 2000My brother-in-law made this cool video with the boys while we were trying to stay busy in L.A. Torsten's new lacrosse gloves were the star of the show.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CWYp7M27onE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CWYp7M27onE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-65974176861557515342009-12-31T10:37:00.000-08:002009-12-31T11:02:32.164-08:00Heading Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4229380337_f9592d9cea.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4229380337_f9592d9cea.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We are leaving L.A. today. A few highlights from the rest of the trip:<br /><br />Knott's Berry Farm:<br />The boys all loved this place. They love the thrill-seeking rides and went on all of them multiple times.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4229372511_7be2bb3d06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4229372511_7be2bb3d06.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/4229375629_c2b9583fe0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/4229375629_c2b9583fe0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After the Perilous Plunge, a boat ride that goes up, up, up and then takes an almost vertical dive down, Steve told the boys they could dry off if they went on The Riptide. Here they are. At one point you can hear Simon yelling, "I want my mom!"<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9fljWVokw3s&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9fljWVokw3s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />The Beach:<br />It was pretty warm out, but the water was cold. That didn't seem to bother Torsten and Simon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4229381453_3c7896750d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4229381453_3c7896750d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/4230150460_72acc35ff3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/4230150460_72acc35ff3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Fox Studios:<br />Stacey took us to her work at Fox. We watched them work on the score for a new movie. It was pretty cool to see all the musicians playing as the movie goes along. They work on just small sections at a time and do several takes until they have it perfectly synched with the action. Then we went to the Royal Diner from Bones. I tried to get my picture taken in front of it, but the security guard wouldn't let us.<br /><br />Food:<br />Steve wanted to try out some more L.A. food, so we ate at In-n-Out Burger. The drive-thru lines are really long, so we went inside for faster service. It wasn't anything fabulous, but for $1.69, I'd say it was a good deal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/4229383347_3cbfca2f3d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/4229383347_3cbfca2f3d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Mini Golf:<br />Stacey took us to glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. That was fun until Torsten threw a tantrum and left.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4230153726_2f7aef4aa6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4230153726_2f7aef4aa6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4230152714_05d7707ba4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4230152714_05d7707ba4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There is a little time left today before our flight. But I'm not sure what we'll do to fill it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301238830420044343.post-80160682402044494332009-12-26T20:55:00.000-08:002009-12-26T21:17:32.796-08:00Christmas in L.A.Spent the morning after Christmas looking at fossilized bones at La Brea tar pits.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4217287261_6d234f65d6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4217287261_6d234f65d6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Simon was really excited about being there. He let us know how excited he was about our day every five minutes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/4217289919_632b76bea4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/4217289919_632b76bea4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Then we decided to join the other tourists at Pinks for lunch. 40 minutes in line and nothing special, although I did chose a plain turkey dog.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4218064066_d9bf44f555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4218064066_d9bf44f555.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/4217297379_bc42abf6f8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/4217297379_bc42abf6f8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4217300129_b19910701d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4217300129_b19910701d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> I believe I was wise to skip anything with chili, since it looks like it is loaded with grease.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4217298465_7d31615dbf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4217298465_7d31615dbf.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Then some more touristy stuff: Hollywood Blvd. Did not pay any celebrity look-alikes or costumed characters for a picture. Steve, however, did his best Chuck Norris pose and we took his picture. He didn't charge us for his services.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4218072002_fe355a4555.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4218072002_fe355a4555.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Had dinner at one of Stacey's favorite restaurants. The food was good, portions were big (too dark for photographic evidence), and I'm pretty sure this guy was at a table next to us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos/steve-harris-2nd-annual-celebrity-poker-tournament-beneffitting-the-urban-health-institute-1LRgvB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 620px;" src="http://www.exposay.com/celebrity-photos/steve-harris-2nd-annual-celebrity-poker-tournament-beneffitting-the-urban-health-institute-1LRgvB.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>What to do tomorrow? Hmmm...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0