tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54067602916309139292024-02-19T04:57:37.723-05:00CopeologyCleveland EscapadesMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-17229459318644758722012-07-31T19:07:00.003-04:002012-07-31T19:07:30.584-04:00Spider Solitaire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Summertime and the livin is easy...? Our summer hasn't been too hard, but it sure has been busy. My last day of work at Laurel was May 31st and we loaded up the truck and drove out the next day. After a series of unfortunate events, we ended up leaving our SUV in Cleveland, so me and Eli hopped in the truck with Ben and made the drive cross country. Eli did remarkably well--the rumble of the big diesel engine put him right to sleep and when he woke up, there was Dad to his right and Mom to his left. He was a happy camper. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our Burger King</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The truck, on the other hand, caused more problems. Three times the engine didn't want to start and we had to pull over and wait for roadside assistance. Luckily, Penske was full of empathy and paid for the extra night that we stayed in a hotel as well as a bonus $500 for our troubles. Thanks for understanding!! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With Great Grandma Bertucci</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Almost as soon as we arrived in Utah, we turned around and went to Texas for a 10 day visit. It was great to hang out at Mom and Dad's and spend time with the whole family. I'm super glad that Rachael and Kory could come down from VA to hand out with us. We were even able to visit Sal in San Antonio where he was doing basic training for the Army. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After Texas, we went straight to Aspen Grove for the Cope family reunion. There was so much to do at Aspen Grove and we had a blast. I was especially excited to get to know and spend time with the Cope side of the family, since I didn't know any of them before this. Turns out they're wonderful. Ben and Austin spent the whole week competing in anything they could think of--badminton, ping pong, billiards, shuffle board, mini golf, you name it. I really enjoyed volleyball, arts and crafties, and hiking. Plus the BYU Creamery ice cream was a mega bonus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now after this excursion we had a few days off. Unfortunately, they weren't really "off." We spent the whole time unpacking, organizing, and getting settled in to our new little house in SLC. We definitely downsized when we moved (no more dining room, office, or basement), so we had to do some creative thinking to squeeze our stuff in. Thankfully, I have a tetris-master handy-man husband who can custom make just about anything, so now I have a few extra shelves in the closets with everything fitting perfectly. We even took some time to paint the kitchen and a wall in the living room! But it was nice to come home to a clean house after our next reunions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCS13ir2__yNVTzePQwFbWeljiLQTn1MD2J8vHYjp_4iIaIJeHmSmk3tHPTBqKLnRMZbIV4ESuNUS_CUCDfFz5QyS2huDFaUMIxMnZW8p5hBlpmGD6CVBEqpqQYAy1s9rI4Su7dH7rdJ0/s1600/DSC_4160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCS13ir2__yNVTzePQwFbWeljiLQTn1MD2J8vHYjp_4iIaIJeHmSmk3tHPTBqKLnRMZbIV4ESuNUS_CUCDfFz5QyS2huDFaUMIxMnZW8p5hBlpmGD6CVBEqpqQYAy1s9rI4Su7dH7rdJ0/s320/DSC_4160.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmQlAFRwfrIKhn3uCHHf7jOYwGYdU2SdXZgmNA2SkfPNJDLvFqXSKLe9qygbBgKlb9ZHVMgpQhQqusYN5KB2baeLvNln30FizSbsUH1JkWQ3s0fvVPQtsutRm8rwj21Tl7KyiVReJdgcf/s1600/DSC_4275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmQlAFRwfrIKhn3uCHHf7jOYwGYdU2SdXZgmNA2SkfPNJDLvFqXSKLe9qygbBgKlb9ZHVMgpQhQqusYN5KB2baeLvNln30FizSbsUH1JkWQ3s0fvVPQtsutRm8rwj21Tl7KyiVReJdgcf/s320/DSC_4275.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After and fun, and of course spiritual, week at Hobble Creek, we drove down to Zions for the first ever Jim and Kimberly Cope family reunion. Mom had rented a very nice house at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Julie met us there and we had a ton of fun zip-lining, horseback riding, swimming, and hiking. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My mule was named Peanut.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Since the family reunion mania, we've been able to relax at home a start to settle into a groove. Ben is loving his residency. I'm spending a lot of time having fun with Eli. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Celebrating Eli's half birthday.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For Pioneer Day, Ben and Eli and I had a campout on the floor in the living room where we ate chili cheese hot dogs and watched westerns that I'd checked out from the library. Thank you, John Wayne, for making our holiday great. We spent the following morning on a beautiful hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon with Mariah and Lisa. So lovely. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Besides these fun times, we've just been hanging out around the house and with friends. We're just living life and trying to have fun. We've both become shamefully obsessed with spider solitaire (I just checked the stats on the game and we've literally played 240 games), but that's just part of the fun. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Eli loving bathtime.</span></td></tr>
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</div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-22645819506309147452012-03-07T11:44:00.008-05:002012-03-31T11:33:20.002-04:00Has it really been 5 months since I last posted?<div style="text-align: center; "><u><span ><br /></span></u></div><span ><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="text-align: left; " >Well, quite a bit has happened since October. Let's highlight a few:</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN3dHRpt3oKR0tu47H4Qj8eMLateR4lejZRIuqnZp3CY9kZsYsY0VXDJDTmKNMq-j_SG9VnQbagYmRxycPEpuqcTMEyNbqKXgNdlfqVOaNkSmd8WPRY87AHkFvewH994d1c-JylYPq4d5/s1600/DSC_1216.JPG"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN3dHRpt3oKR0tu47H4Qj8eMLateR4lejZRIuqnZp3CY9kZsYsY0VXDJDTmKNMq-j_SG9VnQbagYmRxycPEpuqcTMEyNbqKXgNdlfqVOaNkSmd8WPRY87AHkFvewH994d1c-JylYPq4d5/s320/DSC_1216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717201752492063506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >November - baby scare. Contractions started and we thought our little guy might be coming early. I had to spend ~48 hours in the hospital and receive steroids for baby boy. We rescheduled Thanksgiving, and Mom and Dad Bertucci came to visit us in Cleveland instead. We had a grand time and hosted our first Thanksgiving dinner. </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2zR11LwtlbhKPtxNsJBwcDev2xuha-GkqGzpuznzhIwFz2Peb1kpgMmvESy64w9iGa9FCtjDfzNgEy0Eh_ebfYPIdtbp5oBki95EehgPx-ZrfxHFP7XXniVXux1NWV6wmr3uejvFiAUy/s1600/1st+Christmas+Tree.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2zR11LwtlbhKPtxNsJBwcDev2xuha-GkqGzpuznzhIwFz2Peb1kpgMmvESy64w9iGa9FCtjDfzNgEy0Eh_ebfYPIdtbp5oBki95EehgPx-ZrfxHFP7XXniVXux1NWV6wmr3uejvFiAUy/s320/1st+Christmas+Tree.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717208106769995010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a>Our first Christmas tree (with help from Mom and Dad Bertucci). </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEHHwydGXMQH3ayW2OQUuTpBmK6uyfWP8j_LRPdFc96Rzrh0wlBd0DuAe0lnKC2LtVf5vRnZ3b661ESob7BxoyBYV7Nabac-OuFYBukP7mKDho_9U5YLX80v4N93IEuTG1bkOpsvhc3-Y/s1600/Ben+and+Maggie+%25282%2529.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEHHwydGXMQH3ayW2OQUuTpBmK6uyfWP8j_LRPdFc96Rzrh0wlBd0DuAe0lnKC2LtVf5vRnZ3b661ESob7BxoyBYV7Nabac-OuFYBukP7mKDho_9U5YLX80v4N93IEuTG1bkOpsvhc3-Y/s320/Ben+and+Maggie+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717201740057468338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhB64iiIg7U4ZJXkwUfTGpv7aGmqleJB_o2E3iwQQvlkwqHSG16V2fiVQyIzAT-56i64E52gCDJKsEH-mbbmeIU1wydw5uWYStB9WoTJhx1A-sVcHSYnQhHWlOe8Z8nHX7PxI0540_wpO/s1600/Family+Photo.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhB64iiIg7U4ZJXkwUfTGpv7aGmqleJB_o2E3iwQQvlkwqHSG16V2fiVQyIzAT-56i64E52gCDJKsEH-mbbmeIU1wydw5uWYStB9WoTJhx1A-sVcHSYnQhHWlOe8Z8nHX7PxI0540_wpO/s320/Family+Photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717201739846412594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLG-YGCsAjWlvukqvqcG2FSI5PqFeDsEnU31apAVG1fJKiuG7k93L1PiaSvHzYSKuvRZGOvziRisTC4Gn-xRGbHks1ikDfYjgUd1QZokJuVIMy6pIwGvTeVcNXk553nO_h-6BrrvTMyGf/s1600/Maggie+preggers.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLG-YGCsAjWlvukqvqcG2FSI5PqFeDsEnU31apAVG1fJKiuG7k93L1PiaSvHzYSKuvRZGOvziRisTC4Gn-xRGbHks1ikDfYjgUd1QZokJuVIMy6pIwGvTeVcNXk553nO_h-6BrrvTMyGf/s320/Maggie+preggers.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717201730805851122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >December - Christmas was spent in California with the Copes after a somewhat risky flight. We were there for a good 2 1/2 weeks and enjoyed time spent with the entire family. David spent the entire time playing Zelda. Everyone was all about the babes--you can never get enough time with a baby, right? Especially when that baby isn't yours. My cup was filled to the brim with all the kindness and presents received. And our waistbands were filled to the brim with all the goodies eaten. Diets were a must once we came home. </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUa_FnTnY7idz2e_-kpZzKWS_kc3GXu9vidCeyqVtg1ZwS8MIi6iSFOxqlr2Vsvk2vYubF7lrn4gAePU0vE2dbh-ysO6n0mDHAyOAdSKjOqVmq9-vxanHD8Ee6A5eiXo_hTA8VH-9MGG7/s1600/DSC_1832.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUa_FnTnY7idz2e_-kpZzKWS_kc3GXu9vidCeyqVtg1ZwS8MIi6iSFOxqlr2Vsvk2vYubF7lrn4gAePU0vE2dbh-ysO6n0mDHAyOAdSKjOqVmq9-vxanHD8Ee6A5eiXo_hTA8VH-9MGG7/s320/DSC_1832.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717201759344475202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8XmbS7Ci7DEHgYA5x6zhvcStk3dYaO3vJSXedcFfwcS6YdP8fkizr_YES7HBMGRtRvAoMheA60jb8PUohnNBEzUua67TjxibpOk_2sbJjL16KMzrtrzxDg2Vi908fXDjB7j5phuwXDnj/s1600/DSC_1883.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8XmbS7Ci7DEHgYA5x6zhvcStk3dYaO3vJSXedcFfwcS6YdP8fkizr_YES7HBMGRtRvAoMheA60jb8PUohnNBEzUua67TjxibpOk_2sbJjL16KMzrtrzxDg2Vi908fXDjB7j5phuwXDnj/s320/DSC_1883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717204729667932482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGQr5IsxDGMlhzpTp4fn7w8kcRUgJDd3L4veiR1Rd31g44looOLzHVI00Qh11PZT5RkODyJEUkfyldYmb_lIY6ohWjnjJtGZ1k0gqzrICsrUE8GFA6lYYiyJRAl67URZyLYbvJX20nJ7I/s1600/DSC_2015.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGQr5IsxDGMlhzpTp4fn7w8kcRUgJDd3L4veiR1Rd31g44looOLzHVI00Qh11PZT5RkODyJEUkfyldYmb_lIY6ohWjnjJtGZ1k0gqzrICsrUE8GFA6lYYiyJRAl67URZyLYbvJX20nJ7I/s320/DSC_2015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717204728678824882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >January - Welcome to the world Elijah John Cope! We loved this little boy sooo much. Couldn't ask for a better kid (or a cuter one). Happy times spent at home with him while I recovered. Mom Cope and Mom Bertucci came out for a visit and just spoiled us. Ben fell in love with My Fitness Pal and is back to his normal weight. I'm not quite there yet. Ben also matched to the GPR at the University of Utah!</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9LhT8-LhLqA8KVqt3X_KpIVKzbo1qZVEIbXVoFsyGUfp_APXhTCWVBcdLXQ5lwZCfEiRCErJBTzJQJd_9ej-bkZMf46rc2cicRqxab2Rpr17eKPNI0MzpWPt2QpEMUMrigsGeC1TWVmI/s1600/DSC_2152.JPG"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9LhT8-LhLqA8KVqt3X_KpIVKzbo1qZVEIbXVoFsyGUfp_APXhTCWVBcdLXQ5lwZCfEiRCErJBTzJQJd_9ej-bkZMf46rc2cicRqxab2Rpr17eKPNI0MzpWPt2QpEMUMrigsGeC1TWVmI/s320/DSC_2152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717204746092508114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span ><br /></span></u></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivxlAi-WA5ggG_NaahyphenhyphenBQsifLPzGPBZInza3LNf6H6ZSIJCYvd2Qzdr01ygnr1m0S6oUUncbEypBWDEAlIDqfqgD8GEkhJWWl8YwIpvu2DrG1Cji_SOwazbL5ynEONJED2qZtOk8nJAvX/s1600/DSC_2127.JPG" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivxlAi-WA5ggG_NaahyphenhyphenBQsifLPzGPBZInza3LNf6H6ZSIJCYvd2Qzdr01ygnr1m0S6oUUncbEypBWDEAlIDqfqgD8GEkhJWWl8YwIpvu2DrG1Cji_SOwazbL5ynEONJED2qZtOk8nJAvX/s320/DSC_2127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717204738484914674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >February - this month went by quickly. It seems to have been filled with hugs, kisses, and baby smiles. Not to mention Downton Abbey. We've also spent a good deal of time planning for the big move and the Ohio things we want to do before we leave. So far we're doing a weekend in Niagra Falls and Palmyra and a few days in DC. We're also going to Amish country for a stay at a little bed and breakfast one weekend (this was one of my Christmas presents from Benny). </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXHB1X-QzGkcL0ypY6WuUhCIFZLGue6fU1_QnHjHw1WA-1XsusGr7UtAkhZwGjkNKBCTeVECGzlP-0VMGa30Z_QUdQoIRC-9_3uun0DWZ2k6cUowkpfbCY0jbGNxtKqzP8gN1RzgE9X5q/s1600/DSC_2179.JPG"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXHB1X-QzGkcL0ypY6WuUhCIFZLGue6fU1_QnHjHw1WA-1XsusGr7UtAkhZwGjkNKBCTeVECGzlP-0VMGa30Z_QUdQoIRC-9_3uun0DWZ2k6cUowkpfbCY0jbGNxtKqzP8gN1RzgE9X5q/s320/DSC_2179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717204749016356898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span >March - what will this month bring (besides the end of my maternity leave)? So far, it brought us Ben's graduation present from his folks: a new all-in-one HP desktop. Fancy and fast. Also, FLORIDA! We leave for Disney World, and perhaps more importantly HARRY POTTER WORLD, next week. But before that, my dad's coming out for Eli's baby blessing this Sunday. So excited! </span></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-53767222356993717282011-10-28T08:57:00.006-04:002012-03-31T11:34:15.245-04:00Ben's Birthday Weekend<div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); " >October 14th was Ben's birthday. I got up and made him pancakes for breakfast (found a really yummy new recipe online--yall should try it out <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fluffy-pancakes-2/detail.aspx" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(230, 145, 56); ">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fluffy-pancakes-2/detail.aspx</a> only add more milk to thin it out. Makes servings for 2-3). For his birthday I made him a plaque with the word "fortitude" on it. This stems from a conversation early in our marriage. We were discussing home decorating styles and Ben commented that he didn't really care for "random words on the walls. You know, like love, laugh, friends, fortitude..." "<i>Fortitude?</i>" I said. "Who would put fortitude on their wall?? You're ridiculous, Ben." Ever since then, the word fortitude has always been a joke between us.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); " ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJIDGnLr2501ZH9gkl_6IbBkbREuaEhXv7qJSCUTAZE22Zq1e1SPhtOMbFabogeWnptX7ixD1Jacr8BtjLQmY93Bk_z6kiClRzYaVMgxSZfZHacDr2nD27tyyKVJ9r0jj3uHV-LkRfQwl/s1600/DSC_0672.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJIDGnLr2501ZH9gkl_6IbBkbREuaEhXv7qJSCUTAZE22Zq1e1SPhtOMbFabogeWnptX7ixD1Jacr8BtjLQmY93Bk_z6kiClRzYaVMgxSZfZHacDr2nD27tyyKVJ9r0jj3uHV-LkRfQwl/s320/DSC_0672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668529230988221698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >My other gift for him was a joint Danny-Maggie gift (because it was so expensive...thanks Danny!). We got him a banjo. He is SUPER excited about that one. Unfortunately, the banjo did not arrive till Monday (long story), so he spent about 1.5 hours on Saturday watching videos and reading about banjo playing (btw, did you now that Steve Martin plays the banjo remarkably well?) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCi3irRpDQ4WFnr9KPZzQik4D74sYCKCFq9Ai4us3wkxwxrDmlgGkHwybGW4K7007aANr-vwyHiMMprn_WDAsVa2kQws6bVoC4gswVfQ5cQUaccA0yXhw7mJkBBcPC7SN8hN2gUzc54Vk/s1600/DSC_0690.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCi3irRpDQ4WFnr9KPZzQik4D74sYCKCFq9Ai4us3wkxwxrDmlgGkHwybGW4K7007aANr-vwyHiMMprn_WDAsVa2kQws6bVoC4gswVfQ5cQUaccA0yXhw7mJkBBcPC7SN8hN2gUzc54Vk/s320/DSC_0690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668529226844518722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >For dinner, we went to the B Spot, a ritzy burger joint where we enjoyed a vanilla-bean-apple-pie-bacon milkshake--surprisingly DELICIOUS. I love that boy more than anyone, and I'm glad he had a happy day. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >On Saturday, We didn't spend much time together because our cute niece and nephew were being born! In the morning, Ben came down with something and nobody wanted a sick man around two BRAND new babies, so he had to stay home. I was lucky enough to be at the hospital and saw the babies right away. They are ADORABLE. Jackson and Jocelyn Cope. If only they were born one day earlier...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BaNH9B1xDfXwNsItblMJmA0OZXAPb2QnN4p0OS9Y8_jI45ILcMMP8RzLaMXkJbSwwHCSeTb8kpUXHp6Qc4zzEuowHN8Yn_gi2khbkbZQs6cV4xvaFn3RlGna3JdS6KLBVpzBOh0b6MvZ/s1600/296799_10150328585226516_523111515_8184614_829254901_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BaNH9B1xDfXwNsItblMJmA0OZXAPb2QnN4p0OS9Y8_jI45ILcMMP8RzLaMXkJbSwwHCSeTb8kpUXHp6Qc4zzEuowHN8Yn_gi2khbkbZQs6cV4xvaFn3RlGna3JdS6KLBVpzBOh0b6MvZ/s320/296799_10150328585226516_523111515_8184614_829254901_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668531875729236882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></a><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;" >By Sunday Ben was feeling better, so we had a few friends over for games and pumpkin pie to celebrate Benny's birthday. A Cope function is never complete if a few games aren't played.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;" ><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyT-ZqBDOzJiOLqDz1fTNsCfenCe3_lkyDxFe3UTVi_WZxD7-_G680D4TzF2PlMP3hxcREFXgp_6r3faFe9S8k44adAawUzwoOHYisHv9D_wd2Ek24ibuSYzgAqq-Ea2q0ToSFFWjjiGJ/s1600/DSC_0671.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyT-ZqBDOzJiOLqDz1fTNsCfenCe3_lkyDxFe3UTVi_WZxD7-_G680D4TzF2PlMP3hxcREFXgp_6r3faFe9S8k44adAawUzwoOHYisHv9D_wd2Ek24ibuSYzgAqq-Ea2q0ToSFFWjjiGJ/s200/DSC_0671.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668531502150640962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" >On the following Monday, after we rushed over to Sam Ash Music to pick up Ben's new banjo, we had two of Ben's dental school friends (Chris & Katie Blacker and the Jae Park family) over for Family Home Evening. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK4ntmajX5Lkl-AQPghVUNY4PM-CCsDEIyAtgyJRRBScOQ77Jfq0SwZZCK-d_PyUC-yfGRaAM1ZcNGAa339s5vFFAJy13jHpqWQIJpJgZDecQSfjgQ5Qwv5Qwged0_T1178gES1MacTFs/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK4ntmajX5Lkl-AQPghVUNY4PM-CCsDEIyAtgyJRRBScOQ77Jfq0SwZZCK-d_PyUC-yfGRaAM1ZcNGAa339s5vFFAJy13jHpqWQIJpJgZDecQSfjgQ5Qwv5Qwged0_T1178gES1MacTFs/s320/DSC_0680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668529238880577442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><span ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK4ntmajX5Lkl-AQPghVUNY4PM-CCsDEIyAtgyJRRBScOQ77Jfq0SwZZCK-d_PyUC-yfGRaAM1ZcNGAa339s5vFFAJy13jHpqWQIJpJgZDecQSfjgQ5Qwv5Qwged0_T1178gES1MacTFs/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ppunc4022oltk-P0wSU2SwXBJoRAvgWA0gsFdGFc7EPAJNDBtmIH_shBu_X69KO9E3lkrNCNclhWkt11Rc2yNDK7kPksYfhQrDx0AP5UdtDCUnyMiZ6D4aFrVfV2q48hP3SeKJgMPypz/s1600/DSC_0674.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ppunc4022oltk-P0wSU2SwXBJoRAvgWA0gsFdGFc7EPAJNDBtmIH_shBu_X69KO9E3lkrNCNclhWkt11Rc2yNDK7kPksYfhQrDx0AP5UdtDCUnyMiZ6D4aFrVfV2q48hP3SeKJgMPypz/s320/DSC_0674.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668529256777590130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgostx3PbIbCG4riQY_EPunSpSUxW9rwlFflyNGNIyov4sR-Ugv6AUxYoD9mzNgVqXp-A6opGMQzwPMqPYlzqWZYOzyu-EarGw42EmQoQhBnSdRYEsXa5nVJpFWMgivDxnpfC8UjVWmSSMN/s1600/DSC_0679.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgostx3PbIbCG4riQY_EPunSpSUxW9rwlFflyNGNIyov4sR-Ugv6AUxYoD9mzNgVqXp-A6opGMQzwPMqPYlzqWZYOzyu-EarGw42EmQoQhBnSdRYEsXa5nVJpFWMgivDxnpfC8UjVWmSSMN/s200/DSC_0679.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668531486252064690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ83ojz-EQotcRXMRhwx2S7e3t5bA2Bvrt3ywhyphenhyphen5VadcCWw7vYW3XJnRsbByC0CH2RPl5ykWgzSUfu6osIHXUCXdM-KJJWlwYsmVj67wBUEbV8-tNF2UGkG4J6JxheKKkFsdninfAK2HR/s1600/DSC_0686.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJ83ojz-EQotcRXMRhwx2S7e3t5bA2Bvrt3ywhyphenhyphen5VadcCWw7vYW3XJnRsbByC0CH2RPl5ykWgzSUfu6osIHXUCXdM-KJJWlwYsmVj67wBUEbV8-tNF2UGkG4J6JxheKKkFsdninfAK2HR/s200/DSC_0686.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668531488437065186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm0FPs8SUvc-MMwYB3BqmthF3quTJ28sH3w_ojasYzWcn6HIXVDAnZFpLGvNK4dAxEyTaczYl0eSUxi1LwnuiBz0czO10euoHo-nnqPY8fqmS9Axm7e3z2m0UZB3jl3gehJBJHQKE9PEU/s1600/DSC_0675.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm0FPs8SUvc-MMwYB3BqmthF3quTJ28sH3w_ojasYzWcn6HIXVDAnZFpLGvNK4dAxEyTaczYl0eSUxi1LwnuiBz0czO10euoHo-nnqPY8fqmS9Axm7e3z2m0UZB3jl3gehJBJHQKE9PEU/s200/DSC_0675.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668531481131941346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px; " /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); " >After a short lesson on God's love, we carved pumpkins--a first for the Parks, our friends from Korea. We ate pumpkin pie, and Benjamin carved a ridiculously awesome cannibal pumpkin.</span></div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBqg1j-0rOjxfHjxN35F6k6d2piB_U0lj34i7Gb4wXErxa_nDh-92BsP5CVOX3vy9wgRGgiWut_MwQnikglMpS4bMdXxS7o6KhllPOgisXN5BPItclcm2hAGmHnygTYZQyKc1vlXnuAL3/s1600/DSC_0682.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBqg1j-0rOjxfHjxN35F6k6d2piB_U0lj34i7Gb4wXErxa_nDh-92BsP5CVOX3vy9wgRGgiWut_MwQnikglMpS4bMdXxS7o6KhllPOgisXN5BPItclcm2hAGmHnygTYZQyKc1vlXnuAL3/s320/DSC_0682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668529240552499954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBqg1j-0rOjxfHjxN35F6k6d2piB_U0lj34i7Gb4wXErxa_nDh-92BsP5CVOX3vy9wgRGgiWut_MwQnikglMpS4bMdXxS7o6KhllPOgisXN5BPItclcm2hAGmHnygTYZQyKc1vlXnuAL3/s1600/DSC_0682.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeF1hYidDtrR_nx6Q-GNcVCXqq7-n2wqf_kmCuaQTqLb7Qh_LI2j9GFrBxuFfKalB0WYuLwe-2eCBKR9_Eh2jbistZZu-zrYsPyUqWQFBqRSe26_TojTeceYbxk42RCUhsMl4GKC2dmTQ/s1600/DSC_0685.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeF1hYidDtrR_nx6Q-GNcVCXqq7-n2wqf_kmCuaQTqLb7Qh_LI2j9GFrBxuFfKalB0WYuLwe-2eCBKR9_Eh2jbistZZu-zrYsPyUqWQFBqRSe26_TojTeceYbxk42RCUhsMl4GKC2dmTQ/s200/DSC_0685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668531506334301170" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-12608180959836960122011-10-22T14:59:00.006-04:002011-10-24T23:41:03.305-04:00General Conference<div style="text-align: left;">I've been wanting to go apple picking for a while now, and since I took off work on the Saturday of General Conference I decided that that morning was a perfect time to go. It was forecast to rain, but we were determined, so we bundled up and went trudging through the wet mud to pick a few bags of apples.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5RYU63MWkjqU33rU9VAoeqm8OXyxTmXj736g76AEU1ZVSKP8KoDGRYGl2Coj1vQjNf3wYMDzEOo2eQ5PUrsbyIKceyB39OMvHHE_xKMrEFOTFvSJI72O6z_1qS9mruKyv1rgH6edcqWf/s1600/Group+Photo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5RYU63MWkjqU33rU9VAoeqm8OXyxTmXj736g76AEU1ZVSKP8KoDGRYGl2Coj1vQjNf3wYMDzEOo2eQ5PUrsbyIKceyB39OMvHHE_xKMrEFOTFvSJI72O6z_1qS9mruKyv1rgH6edcqWf/s320/Group+Photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666394754175973778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px; " /></a></div><div><div>Ben and I picked a lot of apples for applesauce--which turned out to be delicious! We also got some good apples for eating and filled our bellies with Patterson's famous apple fritters. Oh my, do they know how to make donuts! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-NNR4ZMXVcUHreuc724ulTrWlg0EqasOaneyjy8aFAGxqxAU644gbME1hxdw9p64UV5IkE-a97jdrzJJr6BFBeOHEkhP58uYhVytPPgctNireWtbdGbRHFedK8wQ-ahJW7Ny3oLMtJso/s1600/Ben+and+Maggie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-NNR4ZMXVcUHreuc724ulTrWlg0EqasOaneyjy8aFAGxqxAU644gbME1hxdw9p64UV5IkE-a97jdrzJJr6BFBeOHEkhP58uYhVytPPgctNireWtbdGbRHFedK8wQ-ahJW7Ny3oLMtJso/s320/Ben+and+Maggie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666394750041462482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Conference was <i>lovely</i>, as usual. It was so nice to just relax and spiritually feast in the coziness of our own home. Ben made his yummy guac and I provided some spinach artichoke dip for our munching pleasure. Sunday morning, we headed over to the other Copes for the traditional cinnamon roll ring breakfast and the first session of conference. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMR4YOwhhQNzMRJKW62RMK_RM-U4hcHI0gx8xKM2cXcE7o3Yp6WyplO0UwMv97HKFbwdzKW4KWeXwNOea5IBi1N_g86DCc9wmTTjJIgGQjDx-hWHjM577gbnq40Lth6iNX5Eghk2uGi50/s1600/PA010010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMR4YOwhhQNzMRJKW62RMK_RM-U4hcHI0gx8xKM2cXcE7o3Yp6WyplO0UwMv97HKFbwdzKW4KWeXwNOea5IBi1N_g86DCc9wmTTjJIgGQjDx-hWHjM577gbnq40Lth6iNX5Eghk2uGi50/s320/PA010010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667269009890288930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>We ended up heading back to their house for the afternoon session accompanied by a fairly large group because the electricity went out for a huge section of Cleveland Heights and University Heights. The Jones's were in the party and Kristy provided a really good pumpkin and chicken soup with crescent rolls for the group, so all was merry, despite the "inconveniences" of technology. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmu97XOaA4mY09jYOx309FIi1wiKxMKI6YUTSHLh1GAet21OxYiBMG7e2lZPcURPANMjdVaLmfrT9J-2nEJWx9mxhHhNNeBCjrzLE8rr7E9R4ngNjOSARTXJSWYVINqkugNdRblYvFZiQA/s200/Ben+Says....JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666396831479579666" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Ben says: Today, 64 million Tootsie Rolls were produced, and I haven't eaten a single one.</span></div><div><br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-2629542089367738822011-10-18T13:14:00.006-04:002011-10-20T10:48:17.369-04:00Summer 2011<div style="text-align: left;">For me, the bulk of the summer revolved around my jobs at Bremec on the Heights Garden Center and Eddie Bauer.<span> </span>Ben spent most of his weekday hours at the clinic, with his hands in people’s mouths.<span> </span>However, we’ve really enjoyed ourselves amidst the regular routine.<span> </span>Here’s a few highlights.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pregnancy</b>. We found out in May that our family would soon grow.<span> </span>Although this came kind of early in our marriage, it was very much planned. After much consideration, we really felt like the time was right to introduce a little one into the Cope world.<span> </span>As far as the actual pregnancy goes, I’ve been very lucky.<span> </span>I haven’t been sick once.<span> </span>The biggest thing I had to deal with was a physical aversion to prenatal vitamins—they gave me an upset stomach.<span> </span>I also had some morning dizziness earlier in pregnancy, and I’ve had to deal with some back pain lately.<span> </span>All in all, I’ll take it.<span> </span>Especially when comparing my woes to others, this baby growing has been a breeze! I’m loving being the mother of our little fetus.<span> </span>After about 4 months, we finally had a doctor’s appointment (there was a lot of chaos and confusion with insurance companies and, later, Medicaid). At that first appointment, we easily discovered the sex of our baby boy.<span> </span>Dr. Reider put the goop on my belly and the minute he found an image, Ben said, “Oh! It’s a boy!” Dr. Reider agreed.<span> </span>Way to go, little buddy!<span> </span>His gender was confirmed later on in the pregnancy when we went in for a 3D ultrasound.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcejLzdnJQMUpQpXKL3CHU9s1wyeizEEUjKMLzBMvk3FxYqpbWO9AcGNpW5EjVcDhwIOSOdrh2ndquzeke_kC7j_sLwNlySGwpXyUhIqX5QTTzCfoaENqv3201UxrRvbbC362ZJI3cQHO/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcejLzdnJQMUpQpXKL3CHU9s1wyeizEEUjKMLzBMvk3FxYqpbWO9AcGNpW5EjVcDhwIOSOdrh2ndquzeke_kC7j_sLwNlySGwpXyUhIqX5QTTzCfoaENqv3201UxrRvbbC362ZJI3cQHO/s200/DSC_0153.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665583473864858466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyn8VbH6XlElNfJpaDVqIt1q4lGXxgdTFt_Ewfh4Z92rQzOWjaPeERtE_sySiH2ghlhyT-YudUfj-zxnvoiV5f90O0fEca06Dh7BeRPKDX7w9xldqlCajlIcaxG_XAHCvLmVnGJDqOwDn/s1600/DSC_0130.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyn8VbH6XlElNfJpaDVqIt1q4lGXxgdTFt_Ewfh4Z92rQzOWjaPeERtE_sySiH2ghlhyT-YudUfj-zxnvoiV5f90O0fEca06Dh7BeRPKDX7w9xldqlCajlIcaxG_XAHCvLmVnGJDqOwDn/s200/DSC_0130.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665583468151555298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>4<sup>th</sup> of July. </b>Our 4<sup>th</sup> was pretty low key.<span> </span>We went over to the Buckners and had a fun BBQ with them, the Jones’s, Gibby’s, Lundgren’s, and missionaries.<span> </span>The food was SUPERB. Ben brought over our badminton set and there were some serious matches going on in the front yard.<span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKbYqpqqT_oDxMjqZRcP8RiqZayEskCDW7lwlCt0zNAyKcIyOVm1ByoQvlJ4wdiTEe5fn2dR0r_kDyOy-2-Borfa_pOSgwPa_o5U9s1rJwk3s0V7a2jifWSQUOaslqwnhBKBZ9RpkXLGk/s1600/Ben+with+Racket.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKbYqpqqT_oDxMjqZRcP8RiqZayEskCDW7lwlCt0zNAyKcIyOVm1ByoQvlJ4wdiTEe5fn2dR0r_kDyOy-2-Borfa_pOSgwPa_o5U9s1rJwk3s0V7a2jifWSQUOaslqwnhBKBZ9RpkXLGk/s320/Ben+with+Racket.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665582121556257490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp1NCrRE764O0AFTnyxRENI_bCxIknFSTCwqdJjGqrG6fqM32Kl-pHloSXyZSwiewrzxYtNQ2JcFb8om_34US6SVRf68ket7Khw-wib3ij2FfFY-ODM0xTjhF6iJEsvq9wSY86LOWRzgY/s1600/Ben+and+Maggie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp1NCrRE764O0AFTnyxRENI_bCxIknFSTCwqdJjGqrG6fqM32Kl-pHloSXyZSwiewrzxYtNQ2JcFb8om_34US6SVRf68ket7Khw-wib3ij2FfFY-ODM0xTjhF6iJEsvq9wSY86LOWRzgY/s320/Ben+and+Maggie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665582118632940418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Blossom. </b>We did our firework celebrations at Blossom this year (the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra).<span> </span>On the 3<sup>rd</sup> of July, we drove down to hear the orchestra play a stars and stripes forever tribute and the 1812 Overture.<span> </span>Ben bought season tickets for us, so we enjoyed a few shows at Blossom including Pirates of the Caribbean (we watched the movie, the orchestra played the score), Beethoven’s <i>Ode to Joy</i>, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, and other classical composers. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>St. Louis.</b> In the middle of July, we took a weekend roadtrip down to St. Louis for the marriage of our dear friend Erin Ringling (now Vernon). Beautiful ceremony. Beautiful couple. They played The Beatles at their reception and we sent them off with sparklers blazing. Plus, we got through Harry Potter 7 in the car, just in time for the movie to come out.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qXMjL8uJafqGSbhhvzdCL4VYOwTIFirL9SeBHXVVSbJAD4nTfY7kTW0xTl2nPkL-DULjegn4peIxezisPsqcc5UvI0TJ9DdRGgQ92-mcvSwQ79qhimc5qsmhFZQxxE4R3FaebIbkNFJy/s1600/Maggie+and+Erin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qXMjL8uJafqGSbhhvzdCL4VYOwTIFirL9SeBHXVVSbJAD4nTfY7kTW0xTl2nPkL-DULjegn4peIxezisPsqcc5UvI0TJ9DdRGgQ92-mcvSwQ79qhimc5qsmhFZQxxE4R3FaebIbkNFJy/s320/Maggie+and+Erin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665582134943402546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIMAJzTcGtwvK4rGP2AtzMylGYVp8Ys1_WM_Cq66dcfXHUP-Jy39h5D6U4Xykw1Kb3SxJpnhH8-9MvClz85vwND6TCJKHnUiTWjGjjmh2F7PSlimXDtAK7nwRcPc0feLu-wBc-MsG6Fgu/s1600/St+Louis+Arch+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIMAJzTcGtwvK4rGP2AtzMylGYVp8Ys1_WM_Cq66dcfXHUP-Jy39h5D6U4Xykw1Kb3SxJpnhH8-9MvClz85vwND6TCJKHnUiTWjGjjmh2F7PSlimXDtAK7nwRcPc0feLu-wBc-MsG6Fgu/s320/St+Louis+Arch+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665585135611668578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPeNI8ycOZbw-WlRuBzJyM7pyvAIyvRPkfzUzGXgLVgiBcH6yfZj6x__YGrwa3BsIsiLbmrTUttfCxh60-VQAfl1Qe0BLzaKViLOr8KHSWCSGFY90pBmErP08069yfhUpOUexX8s_x-Em/s1600/St+Louis+Arch+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPeNI8ycOZbw-WlRuBzJyM7pyvAIyvRPkfzUzGXgLVgiBcH6yfZj6x__YGrwa3BsIsiLbmrTUttfCxh60-VQAfl1Qe0BLzaKViLOr8KHSWCSGFY90pBmErP08069yfhUpOUexX8s_x-Em/s320/St+Louis+Arch+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665585130881729266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Harry Potter.</b> Speaking of our scarred friend, Ben and I were very involved in his life through most of the spring and summer. We like to read aloud to each other and after we finished The Hunger Games trilogy, we decided to plough through the Harry Potter series in preparation for the final movie’s premier in July. As we finished each book, we would watch the associated movie and bask in the brilliance of the story.<span> </span>We absolutely LOVED the final movie. It was easily the best of the series. Bless you, J.K. Rowling, for bringing something so beloved into the lives of so many!! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Rachael and Kory and Margaret.</b> We had a visit from our long lost relatives where we got to meet our new niece, Margaret Klein. She was named after her auntie and is a super cute little nugget (literally--she's tiny!). We took a trip to Kirtland, visited the West Side Market, and hung out around town. It was really fun having them stay with us for a few days. Our other siblings should follow their examples...</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsm9f3F9mKHNcrBvgJwz4YLwTmlKVr-agmD6XPUByweyfEftDx9A-6J2a1Q2fy2TeUtR8J-oP3vgCYFXKZSJFtLt_hVaoQY6-PM8-xPmMhF03ZlYZaV2uZFVDstocFes4F-K-JUHQ8zFbv/s320/000_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665582113117328290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Texas & Peru.</b> Ben and his buddy Nathan organized a new humanitarian dental trip for Case Western, and this was its inaugural year. While he traipsed off to Peru for an amazing and very successful experience, I took the opportunity to go visit my family in Texas. The trip began with a flight to Colorado where Mom and I visited Sal and Dalis and the babies. Mom was on a roadtrip with Aline and the boys, so we got in the car and drove back to Texas with them. We made lots of fun stops, watched a ton of movies, and listened to the audio version of <i>The Help</i>. Texas was hot and dry and full of fun.<span> </span>Trips home mean Mexican food, shopping, movies, and all sorts of fun things that are out of the norm. This trip we did something especially unusual: Mom hosted a baby shower for me.<span> </span>It was still too early in pregnancy to tell what we were going to have, but we had a fun gathering filled with neutral colored gifts and friends from the ward. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Fruit flies. </b>Fruit flies have dominated my kitchen, bathroom, and life for the better part of the summer and into the fall. I. dislike. them. I’ve tried traps, apple cider vinegar, and our all-time favorite, sucking them up with the vacuum hose. I don’t know when they’ll choose to move out, but it will be a happy day in our home when that happens! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ward campout. </b>I really like our ward. We had a fun campout activity this year. They divided us into different campsites so that we could meet new people and mingle.<span> </span>It was pretty low key, but we had a blast. Ben and I brought weenies to roast and we made a delicious peach cobbler in our Dutch oven. We LOVE camping and were happy to put our camping equipment to good use. In the morning, the ward provided amazing homemade breakfast burritos. Ben and I went on a walk before got breakfast. We stumbled upon the breakfast site and got roped into helping (not that we minded in the least). I was in charge of heating all the tortillas (the uncooked kind)—SO YUMMY! <b><span> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Cait’s Wedding. </b>Weekend of September 3<sup>rd</sup> = happiness. Caitlyn Savage Anderson and Bradley James Turner got hitched in the Sacramento temple and it was lovely. Not only was it amazing to see my best friend get married to another excellent friend, but we were able to have some serious reunions with friends and family that we hadn’t seen in as long as 3 years (Jolyn Metro!). During the beautiful ceremony I felt baby boy really kicking for the first time. I think he also approves of the union. I was one of the unofficial bridesmaids and we sang a song for Cait and Brad at their luncheon (written by the girls driving out from Utah). We also had a girl’s night slumber party/bachelorette party the night before. Good food, great company, eternal relationships. Oh happy times. <b><span> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse6CcA_V-NSzZF-bq8LKx1t60leTCDQo8YoXqELwqwN3DLk8kv2GMSFisBvQVOZHTioY8KPlCNNWl1ylWJ9FimPn2Q3XrgPLS1m0lykaS-mcs10hyphenhyphenogIQ_Dw2jkRRarlRgikcUAkO-jwQ/s1600/DSC_0065.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse6CcA_V-NSzZF-bq8LKx1t60leTCDQo8YoXqELwqwN3DLk8kv2GMSFisBvQVOZHTioY8KPlCNNWl1ylWJ9FimPn2Q3XrgPLS1m0lykaS-mcs10hyphenhyphenogIQ_Dw2jkRRarlRgikcUAkO-jwQ/s200/DSC_0065.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665583460959552450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5517tLikXNwIcmA-Owg15A8wZFVufuvTDUZU57O5uiacwJ3wVqP-FSHE5BT-PpeTd-mwDE3jvPbE-NqECVIlBC3lMBMg_-42kg18-Dh2Dv8qlTfiaWuAC-7pygvbjvVL3MClkBUE4QSZD/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5517tLikXNwIcmA-Owg15A8wZFVufuvTDUZU57O5uiacwJ3wVqP-FSHE5BT-PpeTd-mwDE3jvPbE-NqECVIlBC3lMBMg_-42kg18-Dh2Dv8qlTfiaWuAC-7pygvbjvVL3MClkBUE4QSZD/s200/DSC_0063.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665583455582307202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a></span></div><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pittsburgh. </b>A few weekends ago we went on a long-awaited trip to Pittsburgh with our good friends Ryan and Kristy Jones. On the way we stopped at Gander Mtn. and Ben got some fun accessories for his<span> </span>bow. He is getting more and more into archery and is planning a real hunting trip (as opposed to the squirrels and chipmunks he’s sought after previously) in a few weeks. We also bought baby boy a camo onesie—Ben is so proud!! The main purpose of our trip to Pittsburgh was to visit the home décor and organization Mecca, IKEA. I love that place and so does Kristy. (Ben secretly likes it, too). We bought a few things for the house and doodled around the maze of a store. We also went into the city and drove/walked around. Ben bought a 10 lb. bag of rice from an Asian market. Love him. <span> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Indians game. </b>Ben doesn’t really like baseball, but CADA (the Case Alliance of the American Dental Association—a group for those married to/in support of dentists, of which I am a member) was hosting a little gathering at the game, so we went to see the Indians play. It was cold and rainy, but the game was great. Not only was it $1 hot dog night (that almost made up for everything boring about baseball in Ben’s eyes), but it was Jim Thome night. He hit a homerun during the game, and there was a tribute to him involving a SPECTACULAR fireworks show after the game was over. I love fireworks. And the Indians won, by the way.<span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb5D795dbW_3dqB8CUkL7AFjUZQhyV_B5tdjI-9RIukbssCddMPzVLJgOJbICcwQy8F_KeO4VGyVgPB9gp1K0pGd5LPDYM2paSAdXxEGa2B8qHuW_wCHo5WKbOYsAlrraRTNAKzhycJNW/s1600/Indians+game.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb5D795dbW_3dqB8CUkL7AFjUZQhyV_B5tdjI-9RIukbssCddMPzVLJgOJbICcwQy8F_KeO4VGyVgPB9gp1K0pGd5LPDYM2paSAdXxEGa2B8qHuW_wCHo5WKbOYsAlrraRTNAKzhycJNW/s320/Indians+game.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665582132211388946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>New Job. </b>Heightsbuzz, our ward’s googlegroup email, is a great provider of information for the ladies of Cleveland, University, and Shaker Heights. One such info-packed email led me to find a new job working at Laurel School in the After School program. I am officially a “Supervised Play and Homework Monitor,” and I love my job. I have 2 other co-workers in addition to the director of the program. We take care of Preschool - 4<sup>th</sup> graders for 2 ½ hours a day until their parents come to pick them up. <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black;background:white">I'm in charge of the Preschool kids. We color, play doctor, read books, built lego fortresses, etc. Plus, it's salaried.</span></span> <span> </span>AND I get to bring baby with me after I come back from maternity leave. <span> </span><b><span> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think that about sums up our summer. We’ve really had an excellent time. Amid the school, work, half-functioning window AC units, and other so-called undesirable aspects of life, we’re happy. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Are we recommitted to updating the blog regularly? I can’t make any promises... </p></div></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-6046343444692208212011-06-02T13:23:00.006-04:002011-06-08T15:18:12.426-04:00Pittsburgh<div style="text-align: left;">While Ben was out of school for a month, we decided to take advantage of the time off and take a trip to Pittsburgh. After the relatively short drive, we began our trip at the beloved IKEA where we picked up a few things for the house. After that, we headed to the zoo and aquarium, which took up a big part of the day.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-INQifemfmsnwVQCh8pCuk-V_fUFn710a5tQ_NAisptZKa3DgcEeVLJCd2c2szrGoNTK7rD0s8amAv0Hg4BYvySY1PgUHXKPW-vtI5P56yAHixnJNkNT42klNXGcGQbWixVhGfkBGb90l/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-INQifemfmsnwVQCh8pCuk-V_fUFn710a5tQ_NAisptZKa3DgcEeVLJCd2c2szrGoNTK7rD0s8amAv0Hg4BYvySY1PgUHXKPW-vtI5P56yAHixnJNkNT42klNXGcGQbWixVhGfkBGb90l/s320/DSC_0104.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613614551191354802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-_hx2bqzfDtlHreDMTXQYZtF69eFnb1senvejmU9EZksn2-ScyPkRhjEa598-KmbrcSZsSic9EuRip0hZHq8tNnpSxeFBVxFX76PIvDCdTzPKKz644B5HtjPJZiSbFon5vbdbZwazLaX/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-_hx2bqzfDtlHreDMTXQYZtF69eFnb1senvejmU9EZksn2-ScyPkRhjEa598-KmbrcSZsSic9EuRip0hZHq8tNnpSxeFBVxFX76PIvDCdTzPKKz644B5HtjPJZiSbFon5vbdbZwazLaX/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613614547077438322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px; " /></a></div><div> Outside the aquarium. It's a pretty good one. I was impressed with the octopus and these amazing seahorses right inside the front door. I also pet a speckled sting ray. Super cool. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxQ2a7jT2HYTvldExHrJLHdoK_igqYjX6CqXR3WGXZ3FVn-QmceQZ5jgY7MLQ_SmEFbq-Ujuq0GjlGlQP4waYM3uD93p2Cq39NQ_b8whjnZs5ZY7At4cEQ201oBouqxfjILcpvs_d_W-J/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxQ2a7jT2HYTvldExHrJLHdoK_igqYjX6CqXR3WGXZ3FVn-QmceQZ5jgY7MLQ_SmEFbq-Ujuq0GjlGlQP4waYM3uD93p2Cq39NQ_b8whjnZs5ZY7At4cEQ201oBouqxfjILcpvs_d_W-J/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxQ2a7jT2HYTvldExHrJLHdoK_igqYjX6CqXR3WGXZ3FVn-QmceQZ5jgY7MLQ_SmEFbq-Ujuq0GjlGlQP4waYM3uD93p2Cq39NQ_b8whjnZs5ZY7At4cEQ201oBouqxfjILcpvs_d_W-J/s200/DSC_0100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613628898278609042" style="cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 200px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIeR8Vhq2WSQEY3y8NBI0Whv29YGgwT4mN2Yp3YYYU63PoAecscLICTS4Io1odBIMOxVtNF3Xttxx4PFGQJMfbeYFh-sR3rjXiW9sv0UJG9HBln9FIOoRw3hY_Uh5wWZpoAF1YH2PO3Vu/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIeR8Vhq2WSQEY3y8NBI0Whv29YGgwT4mN2Yp3YYYU63PoAecscLICTS4Io1odBIMOxVtNF3Xttxx4PFGQJMfbeYFh-sR3rjXiW9sv0UJG9HBln9FIOoRw3hY_Uh5wWZpoAF1YH2PO3Vu/s200/DSC_0097.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613628889906490002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px; " /></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rides. Ben had the barf bag ready.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMQnW6Pt2FEKbcMeCMukU7A3CagLtOWC6O7ZewCAbCoyNpfy1Kjufer5l0-DDsJVTYaDc4wpwua_AhNPneVfJElrktFKOa9_WckIYbeqJG_q075UE0g8Cl9F_5bSCsqT-i1lfxc1koeLQ/s1600/DSC_9993.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMQnW6Pt2FEKbcMeCMukU7A3CagLtOWC6O7ZewCAbCoyNpfy1Kjufer5l0-DDsJVTYaDc4wpwua_AhNPneVfJElrktFKOa9_WckIYbeqJG_q075UE0g8Cl9F_5bSCsqT-i1lfxc1koeLQ/s200/DSC_9993.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613673283441385602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8C6BCm1NdmsKyyxDQCGRHpp3MrGWmjtR6VzvLKXVWIyHa9I49WMUi3MgYLUuYFK5zNuyCB9_JWkfmbTmp04pRpjKEUcHz2UrS0HaIn0Fb_E1V2Em33X-o_uMJNNh6ruA8MoDjQANYqg6H/s1600/DSC_9976.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8C6BCm1NdmsKyyxDQCGRHpp3MrGWmjtR6VzvLKXVWIyHa9I49WMUi3MgYLUuYFK5zNuyCB9_JWkfmbTmp04pRpjKEUcHz2UrS0HaIn0Fb_E1V2Em33X-o_uMJNNh6ruA8MoDjQANYqg6H/s200/DSC_9976.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613672770481634130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3ZiIoQvy51cPABFspmy4G_17YsCWZxeFkOrN6AjsRrzt7PC041CR9HEfgLBTT4Sof8vW-xWDSX4MpMFNGSBOyPZ2L0rbdi1kAw9LSyNDWcl646RzkjITHbS5JzEgZ65YgXlL1kbc_coz/s1600/DSC_9955.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3ZiIoQvy51cPABFspmy4G_17YsCWZxeFkOrN6AjsRrzt7PC041CR9HEfgLBTT4Sof8vW-xWDSX4MpMFNGSBOyPZ2L0rbdi1kAw9LSyNDWcl646RzkjITHbS5JzEgZ65YgXlL1kbc_coz/s200/DSC_9955.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613672762562537218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 131px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpVWfhpiZFwBgvuL-KFC3gqx49RdQmAn0d0u5NoZbKR1LMmXdQ7sDkkrN5IvEZtsj4rQ88g7TPVJqynCjP4JJOG-YHU6mSIfwoJcyl5zQIAsl845YKEIunYjnCP9DG-wjNC_ujNs480AJ/s1600/DSC_9913.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpVWfhpiZFwBgvuL-KFC3gqx49RdQmAn0d0u5NoZbKR1LMmXdQ7sDkkrN5IvEZtsj4rQ88g7TPVJqynCjP4JJOG-YHU6mSIfwoJcyl5zQIAsl845YKEIunYjnCP9DG-wjNC_ujNs480AJ/s200/DSC_9913.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613672741782169250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_0fzwisXgci20Z2ujUpKheun_ccRcYqx8S9EHUbiPQjJhuwInvoqTxv5kEsmYm1ukGimONjEavAqtTkjxlU2lI3r8fB8VUOeGrYLLM7OGyx749x0Qx4wME6FdbzLOuqjstis5_maOvaZ/s1600/DSC_9945.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_0fzwisXgci20Z2ujUpKheun_ccRcYqx8S9EHUbiPQjJhuwInvoqTxv5kEsmYm1ukGimONjEavAqtTkjxlU2lI3r8fB8VUOeGrYLLM7OGyx749x0Qx4wME6FdbzLOuqjstis5_maOvaZ/s200/DSC_9945.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613672757666389586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 200px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWelT20DT9PuY68xp04igEk3oBE3WJ1MhZ0TLAH1aR99-r5XB8WJ3wTL2BjVXeknR_mQRi6vKyPS12J9Mbn6wjqUVCI5eqrfpUeWNI5tZlGxgSiBb4P0pVeEuwo-s5oFZ4hZxMVRI1PBLj/s1600/DSC_9925.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWelT20DT9PuY68xp04igEk3oBE3WJ1MhZ0TLAH1aR99-r5XB8WJ3wTL2BjVXeknR_mQRi6vKyPS12J9Mbn6wjqUVCI5eqrfpUeWNI5tZlGxgSiBb4P0pVeEuwo-s5oFZ4hZxMVRI1PBLj/s200/DSC_9925.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613672749604315554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUzK_CuVxoXCbjg2y9TlfTaAK3GIhWHZrYZEiCy0tByvMTr566PRE8xsTM6QsOF3LwnzklZJrvNMAX_5lQc2Kl-VmH3tu9QQpEy6qz-4rpp7LOo8SG0q-3BjzlMsPJlHQp0H6rK_-URY2/s1600/DSC_9897.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUzK_CuVxoXCbjg2y9TlfTaAK3GIhWHZrYZEiCy0tByvMTr566PRE8xsTM6QsOF3LwnzklZJrvNMAX_5lQc2Kl-VmH3tu9QQpEy6qz-4rpp7LOo8SG0q-3BjzlMsPJlHQp0H6rK_-URY2/s200/DSC_9897.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613628925414074290" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 132px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu5cA4SbEecsK2XJ-NMf6jq97iaGXXj9dNZgbACkBJp4R3pdwMJ2V3HXCXOIAiAJ3HkCGQQB6yz5l7Wuy34uScEsDHf1NuaxbmiagHEKdkK8mZKOVdiiNuKT6cgpc_jnojY2yf0DK1iiG/s1600/DSC_9891.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu5cA4SbEecsK2XJ-NMf6jq97iaGXXj9dNZgbACkBJp4R3pdwMJ2V3HXCXOIAiAJ3HkCGQQB6yz5l7Wuy34uScEsDHf1NuaxbmiagHEKdkK8mZKOVdiiNuKT6cgpc_jnojY2yf0DK1iiG/s200/DSC_9891.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613628911778011426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytKmUYw9E5FHNNbvq5SgxDljelnp5DoKxNIu-K1oi5B5wkRMBNaW08a8zYPAwuU4ufyKFKgObBY2c2M2gY7JgZHLjVQ_FE2ODy3WsprdBAS6NEGT-UXqViGUL9eRX8A73skYXpE65QSZN/s1600/DSC_9850.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytKmUYw9E5FHNNbvq5SgxDljelnp5DoKxNIu-K1oi5B5wkRMBNaW08a8zYPAwuU4ufyKFKgObBY2c2M2gY7JgZHLjVQ_FE2ODy3WsprdBAS6NEGT-UXqViGUL9eRX8A73skYXpE65QSZN/s200/DSC_9850.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613628908043166818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lions and tigers and bears....and rhinos and elephants and giraffes and apes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgL9toyXd6REfbewh2l83-hstqVUWzc_M6rql8OmDKst4whR3ZtBIuUd3CHkqo5cX5LwP9VqXw-Tkr5S2zBxVTeuZ3dWtrzXvW7nz3mSRRDufKLzYU2foXlxHDWUOIWaM8vcugZbQVQ_p/s320/DSC_0114.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613614556732104530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">We also rode on the famous Duquesne Incline. It is a trolley car on the side of a hill that factory workers used to ride to get to and from their homes in the neighborhoods atop the hill. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinID5FTEPvXZYcA78U4DSVqLhkVPpbP5Z0ckLDagOODjKadnRtf3tTsCdHtKSA_AyaqLZVuyq0IwPZ1Qg_WxMJKR2utcjeETEWnN-e6qLYyedus1MAATtOW5uJBeEV66gkCYSBBxyPnyBb/s320/DSC_0117.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613614566480056514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Before heading home, we ended our trip at Primanti Bros. This famous sandwich shop serves a delectable pastrami sandwich with about a pound of meat, a handful of coleslaw, two tomatoes, and a handful of French fries. Absolutely delicious and absolutely disgusting at the same time. Bravo for achieving such a feat, Primanti's! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-53832997104111884142011-05-15T14:13:00.000-04:002011-05-15T14:39:35.823-04:002011 National Public Gardens Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCxGze5_CrA9Os8YR55iS5rI_zee7dzLaYDv8R0N736qhlTiNLU_h3UHBDD3NnqC-rDfW2KdyIEWD-KbIL6apbLEiMNNEkntk_7ED8eA-Ags83jdbM0nuULTLONtQz9vkqDUcrWGiRwvS/s1600/Ben+Says....JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;">On this auspicious day, Ben and I decided to take advantage of the free admission and make a quick trip to the Botanical Gardens of Cleveland. We weren't there for long, but Ben snapped a few good pictures.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar69Q6xAFYvdsr1HCRbhVrTLfkSL8HCT4h9dKzqxFElOjhk_yauKf5QyBfTzC06ZdQm7RgbQjyzXvSjnC1DniUrwcxBAuZSZf33X98YouvKZsz25pB1U-Mwbq1AwCjLs3ESuuxGuVk0AB/s1600/Botanical+Gardens+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar69Q6xAFYvdsr1HCRbhVrTLfkSL8HCT4h9dKzqxFElOjhk_yauKf5QyBfTzC06ZdQm7RgbQjyzXvSjnC1DniUrwcxBAuZSZf33X98YouvKZsz25pB1U-Mwbq1AwCjLs3ESuuxGuVk0AB/s200/Botanical+Gardens+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607009825929144162" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 181px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0BPWyJtUM24VsJaS9YajaEt4P9KJTb7GO4QrBIpTBqU2cAOwTuZ8cS6oO7uDgoX24MY6gkD3HAhvQuDguplfEoUQncbDMhyphenhyphenhm8UhaAuhyphenhyphen5mC7QKXrdVgOsHo9eF1QJCOBLIgwzs5eOWO/s1600/Botanical+Gardens+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0BPWyJtUM24VsJaS9YajaEt4P9KJTb7GO4QrBIpTBqU2cAOwTuZ8cS6oO7uDgoX24MY6gkD3HAhvQuDguplfEoUQncbDMhyphenhyphenhm8UhaAuhyphenhyphen5mC7QKXrdVgOsHo9eF1QJCOBLIgwzs5eOWO/s200/Botanical+Gardens+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607009816483940594" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 173px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My favorite was the butterfly room. They were everywhere.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy3clAGVkGYzitz-l7pVIl9qZgAAj5oaxc8x2wUyWczsb-QXr14BFCN0-qZKiQDl1USWkLl0SvddSCj3TwIzTp2UVAJNzE2C8rAfHtWMrahmEYpnh8zIupfOSsGDRQy6oRjdL-DqaM506/s1600/DSC_9140.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGy3clAGVkGYzitz-l7pVIl9qZgAAj5oaxc8x2wUyWczsb-QXr14BFCN0-qZKiQDl1USWkLl0SvddSCj3TwIzTp2UVAJNzE2C8rAfHtWMrahmEYpnh8zIupfOSsGDRQy6oRjdL-DqaM506/s320/DSC_9140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607011840862154034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImJ8O_5Va6PHfDw6fCj9Ix8j1QlbaielgIVvkSYHJOygJnlks2W4QJZvZAFkyC71iLQ7gvz3JaK3PlOn1xGOnYKUSFsYTckU8KLUYDKEVL2nytvB6P7Lf6Z3MyKlEK25aZ7YifbKeP37m/s1600/DSC_9128.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImJ8O_5Va6PHfDw6fCj9Ix8j1QlbaielgIVvkSYHJOygJnlks2W4QJZvZAFkyC71iLQ7gvz3JaK3PlOn1xGOnYKUSFsYTckU8KLUYDKEVL2nytvB6P7Lf6Z3MyKlEK25aZ7YifbKeP37m/s320/DSC_9128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607011828536695666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCxGze5_CrA9Os8YR55iS5rI_zee7dzLaYDv8R0N736qhlTiNLU_h3UHBDD3NnqC-rDfW2KdyIEWD-KbIL6apbLEiMNNEkntk_7ED8eA-Ags83jdbM0nuULTLONtQz9vkqDUcrWGiRwvS/s200/Ben+Says....JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607013341481945570" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ben Says: Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is below 86 degrees Fahrenheit. I cannot fly no matter what my temperature is. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-55338015495483326572011-05-08T15:10:00.000-04:002011-05-08T17:37:43.147-04:00Graduation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9SFP98XXKd4CQMI9KYSCfGGjtkwcHOTnbICK3rqeh2mf2KMRYAO-BOeE3WLlL3Z_q1Ey_xCKTCghCRzv2l4cax0WPqdxty2xu8R3qAZChfVD6JnFSdi-hrlI2HMzvj38XzoSOdq0jffX/s1600/DSC_9059.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkG2hSfV2DuCGdq1NQHTxLIdYz4t93n62zDeWiSFVVKieYoqj5oY-Suv6b6gIpTPzd6AhkOwgJxE5A-B8gX17fs2tUDNqpGuQKHbFPM78DmbanG0TZcJCxFB57W6b4NMew1fNVU2dmnyX/s1600/100_2548.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>After flying out to Utah a few times this semester to take tests, I am FINALLY done with my degree! Hooray! I flew out to Utah for the final time at the end of April to take my final for Ecology, and then to walk for graduation. Because my final was on Monday and graduation (which included the arrival of my husband, parents, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law) wasn't until Thursday, I had plenty of time to play with my girlfriends that still live in Provo.<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkG2hSfV2DuCGdq1NQHTxLIdYz4t93n62zDeWiSFVVKieYoqj5oY-Suv6b6gIpTPzd6AhkOwgJxE5A-B8gX17fs2tUDNqpGuQKHbFPM78DmbanG0TZcJCxFB57W6b4NMew1fNVU2dmnyX/s320/100_2548.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604426865252882546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Commencement consisted of loads of pictures, goofing off, and a certain disregard for the rules. We decided that it was more important to sit with our friends than our colleges, and enjoyed each others' company maybe a little too much. It was really great to see everyone for what may be the last time in a long time.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZoffOtoGTrw3t9bpB7apQpmvVbzZpYU95YWKojL4wClbFDyE7woKCAZ2Lj8ajUbZRfrB5jopUafq1Hzj1ZIteXGDQwBhXP2oV-YdQMHXrEJypckyXi2l157MHNVT6ALE_tdTg1V64kyO/s1600/100_2568.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZoffOtoGTrw3t9bpB7apQpmvVbzZpYU95YWKojL4wClbFDyE7woKCAZ2Lj8ajUbZRfrB5jopUafq1Hzj1ZIteXGDQwBhXP2oV-YdQMHXrEJypckyXi2l157MHNVT6ALE_tdTg1V64kyO/s320/100_2568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604426893051204962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGtWIxYCGKoVJW0IoWuGYai4EmIf6oEznm1dohVR8j_LbyKICXVI_WnBgtv6ExaAw4UfC5rbqy6omacz5Z6oUzAaAPJNAVU8SrF5_B0OMNT2lgn50XVghJuKn61kUoGEYPVjhJqSl88Bs/s1600/100_2565.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGtWIxYCGKoVJW0IoWuGYai4EmIf6oEznm1dohVR8j_LbyKICXVI_WnBgtv6ExaAw4UfC5rbqy6omacz5Z6oUzAaAPJNAVU8SrF5_B0OMNT2lgn50XVghJuKn61kUoGEYPVjhJqSl88Bs/s320/100_2565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604426881868638690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPeezRjRbpUWYeoBgPw4D0nVNhr06JFMKxgS9_s9TJ6ygMgrC0tkS3ZtzD5MpJa6X6mTXaoudMPtp4FDjgRVznOPoIi_CTg7yXBWAn3O-EEVwiTzQWzXtqZEt_pL8y0ssu70gdMPNMlsR/s1600/100_2562.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPeezRjRbpUWYeoBgPw4D0nVNhr06JFMKxgS9_s9TJ6ygMgrC0tkS3ZtzD5MpJa6X6mTXaoudMPtp4FDjgRVznOPoIi_CTg7yXBWAn3O-EEVwiTzQWzXtqZEt_pL8y0ssu70gdMPNMlsR/s320/100_2562.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604426873707846642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPeezRjRbpUWYeoBgPw4D0nVNhr06JFMKxgS9_s9TJ6ygMgrC0tkS3ZtzD5MpJa6X6mTXaoudMPtp4FDjgRVznOPoIi_CTg7yXBWAn3O-EEVwiTzQWzXtqZEt_pL8y0ssu70gdMPNMlsR/s1600/100_2562.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3FyudholgzvSC9kx5T0hLGr6Nd78nQj5xhvvt27IlCpjBiKQsPvraeBfIWU8HyDGtAKgFC8LdV9BXd6WfCrE1Uxx-6EyVH1SODb4NDiAqzqn8aI3tTccafCQic8qK2RLOgj3Gi0EHlzC/s320/100_2556.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604426870201271890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw9IWuyg7wsvty_IgIpFtYfDiYOY5n6qrhAJY5vfKviIVVzW0fFwEPX3UDIiYLeGDAtSYrNu0fOjWllPLYnuSs2ki6n1XxAIG_xHOulkrJFv6EEpSkq2lbT9AQs7ePn48aGwEpNm78Tih/s320/DSC_8928.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604457821840567202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuM1sBRD4NSzTaPSCj7zegeRosPgKoctxh5qgv4lFu7yyPMX7Ybko81QZ0ye1RN-SQiTMzCW9aSzoCTEAf5AUj5-V5oKa5YbRMo0bNkUUZMLj3LO0UrHdAlrCayFzmBOCCWbnRx7iTAdC/s1600/100_2571.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuM1sBRD4NSzTaPSCj7zegeRosPgKoctxh5qgv4lFu7yyPMX7Ybko81QZ0ye1RN-SQiTMzCW9aSzoCTEAf5AUj5-V5oKa5YbRMo0bNkUUZMLj3LO0UrHdAlrCayFzmBOCCWbnRx7iTAdC/s320/100_2571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604457816496506882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was our commencement speaker. He gave a fabulous address, which I look forward to reading sometime soon. I was a little preoccupied during the ceremony, making it hard to stay focused on his words of wisdom. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRaZa8CEY1lNMWy3Q14QAcDhDR5XNY5LSxHDRdx2kfycGqtIXlmzCasEzmeKOv34BKXZxpdFDCnoO4O4YVZ59EWXTfzy4XTDCeY2kFitSo_EnTv0V2mSd5LQ1jXdjDOWzrlqtc1t4CAQ9/s320/DSC_8948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604457825030192930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">These were our attendees. Aunt Christine, Ashley, Momma Cope, Kimber, Austin, Grams, Aunt Lynne, Uncle Dow, and Peter. What supportive family we have :) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZliLOEfYTSpYSdjtiopo8U0dTSf3sIBa2ONxQRnFgM1gC49D8GKykmksa-tSfITHSVEm10HyBeDuqVVfd1wqXHg9rF8M2gPr9dPkzx7YHoipzvzjUn3e9rhJpI7qTt2Ug4pfACAIt-MKC/s320/DSC_8957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604457832931942866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I finally got to see my Benjamin after a week of separation. Momma Cope gifted beautiful leis to Lacey and myself afterwards. They smelled divine. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">After Commencement, we all headed up to Le Hobble Manor where we had a fun grad party. </span>We ate Italian food with yummy sauces from Gloria's on Center St. Mariah celebrated by playing her new Fazioli grand piano for most of the evening. My parents arrived from the airport and joined us for the celebration and the rest of the weekend's festivities. </div><div><br /></div><div>My Convocation was Friday morning at 11am. The College of Life Sciences is HUGE, so it took quite some time. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwym25ilzejX-ql4etzp8f6YJiXs14oMwl_N3v4huqSjOnGSuHADxoMHJZy4lnuN1Ke_Gw-jlz-Zku3ifhGE42W3tCu-MZGaq3gwIW_xyMUPLVNAnNo1l4jQLDuV6ndC34vniPRH7bSpr/s320/DSC_8967.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604457837352515282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKvwg0yXK_zE-AcSznkE2i_fvvaL607NqX3_O8EJK7NiJz7U6UotVI4W1fk5c4d_MJPjeAZkH1f6KhFRuAUxl4fMA8oW8OOSWmYdcGVxYngq8LXgF_vnlW0vBmBQc_vfgiSKoqQsbZUAN/s1600/DSC_9015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUz-wkaASAm1pK-MqqLRei1ytbNKHgfW65MSMgCNrISJ-xwr6P_i2NsFAEPBiu3LUaZJgyFF4i-HEA855g2HDSlxlzCNDkG2Fd270ok7rnNebes_eje179ZLygSNPsG5DyhisM1JiQXJwQ/s1600/DSC_9012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUz-wkaASAm1pK-MqqLRei1ytbNKHgfW65MSMgCNrISJ-xwr6P_i2NsFAEPBiu3LUaZJgyFF4i-HEA855g2HDSlxlzCNDkG2Fd270ok7rnNebes_eje179ZLygSNPsG5DyhisM1JiQXJwQ/s320/DSC_9012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604461800997117170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwym25ilzejX-ql4etzp8f6YJiXs14oMwl_N3v4huqSjOnGSuHADxoMHJZy4lnuN1Ke_Gw-jlz-Zku3ifhGE42W3tCu-MZGaq3gwIW_xyMUPLVNAnNo1l4jQLDuV6ndC34vniPRH7bSpr/s1600/DSC_8967.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKvwg0yXK_zE-AcSznkE2i_fvvaL607NqX3_O8EJK7NiJz7U6UotVI4W1fk5c4d_MJPjeAZkH1f6KhFRuAUxl4fMA8oW8OOSWmYdcGVxYngq8LXgF_vnlW0vBmBQc_vfgiSKoqQsbZUAN/s320/DSC_9015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604461804903143922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The family fell asleep, but woke up in time to cheer me across the stage. Ben was on call with the camera, as usual. Love that boy.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9SFP98XXKd4CQMI9KYSCfGGjtkwcHOTnbICK3rqeh2mf2KMRYAO-BOeE3WLlL3Z_q1Ey_xCKTCghCRzv2l4cax0WPqdxty2xu8R3qAZChfVD6JnFSdi-hrlI2HMzvj38XzoSOdq0jffX/s1600/DSC_9059.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9SFP98XXKd4CQMI9KYSCfGGjtkwcHOTnbICK3rqeh2mf2KMRYAO-BOeE3WLlL3Z_q1Ey_xCKTCghCRzv2l4cax0WPqdxty2xu8R3qAZChfVD6JnFSdi-hrlI2HMzvj38XzoSOdq0jffX/s320/DSC_9059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604461819789466242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPIRtoyIvGQdJVm8yrxVlBZDJCXi7qlvPhXEqz3EdRiZpr4n1sJ-Jg4XBxelLvG1xU0_MBpb6UcaG24TbUqVcaVaV8ONoS0d3cs1YcnvS4sevm5-sA1kAHLxdVtag0x-ZT9Fw-0GrZs4M/s1600/DSC_9052.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPIRtoyIvGQdJVm8yrxVlBZDJCXi7qlvPhXEqz3EdRiZpr4n1sJ-Jg4XBxelLvG1xU0_MBpb6UcaG24TbUqVcaVaV8ONoS0d3cs1YcnvS4sevm5-sA1kAHLxdVtag0x-ZT9Fw-0GrZs4M/s320/DSC_9052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604461815730271906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Friday night we went to Zupa's for dinner, bowling, and to see a movie. Mom Cope and Kimber left Saturday morning, and we spend the rest of the day with my parents. </div><div><br /></div><div>So that's it! I'm a college graduate! Back in Cleveland, and life is good. </div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-47452070008823341212011-05-08T14:45:00.001-04:002011-05-08T15:09:54.895-04:00Wing King of Cleveland<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBa9T5dTjVJNd-hwO1ocV0eZuVDcD4-GqEGdTkeI3idJFYBJWfqVFeTTmcjVHk6pr_7aelY9TirW05Da217Mr9zadyOubFk9TVUX73KyZhWLR9ccTZE1yGdUXUT2oGO6sFuRt65jBLr1v/s1600/DSC_9090.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RjRuuGCoSL1DFNhcZ4mzeSAzWvH70cZSEl9wykZo0vATzP-EbEOjgInHsZ3D3-at7M_2MDxSnaqe2ewdZkqTMZpwxKOarr6ZZC0GA6JZrSbMI2rZY_NGq9Two77JpaQYpiqonPavZtYe/s1600/100_2540.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RjRuuGCoSL1DFNhcZ4mzeSAzWvH70cZSEl9wykZo0vATzP-EbEOjgInHsZ3D3-at7M_2MDxSnaqe2ewdZkqTMZpwxKOarr6ZZC0GA6JZrSbMI2rZY_NGq9Two77JpaQYpiqonPavZtYe/s320/100_2540.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604423949295919218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ewVrHpGYpsIlPnNcF0XEUPkwCWAWWQDhD26RaIXS3WiQPVyuvsF0ZaYBvGGGylC90BR-PgfFUGyVhbCUDVvvsbyu957EEmU0GV1qlutgaUdo2P-Nsec-MDisTVELT9IF4qCJT4J-mVOD/s1600/DSC_9089.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>One of Ben's many talents is that he can eat remarkably fast. While at school the other day, he heard that there would be a buffalo wing eating contest held that evening at Buffalo Wild Wings. He decided to put his talent to good use and enter that contest. So when he got home he said, "Maggie! Don't cook dinner. We're going out!" We drove down to the particular location where this competition was taking place, Ben ate his heart out, aaaaaand he won by eating ~22 oz. of meat.<div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SZXDldTLlxQuy-V2o0fx0GzmMeBfvbfNr5LASxr1c_7GRc-POeWmT2tW1171oFzWFZJOk7aymldKAVCiDIsSBmbQOBy3upZiROQR-pc3fmcFoOO19EIqXbQnoVUr-ZAjs5FE2Of2x6fB/s320/100_2543.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604423958137274418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>A few weeks later, we headed back up to Buffalo Wild Wings for the semi-finals. Unfortunately, Ben didn't "eat his best," but he was still able to pull off a 3rd place prize--a $25 gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings. Happily, that means we'll be back. Maybe next year he'll take the crown...</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBa9T5dTjVJNd-hwO1ocV0eZuVDcD4-GqEGdTkeI3idJFYBJWfqVFeTTmcjVHk6pr_7aelY9TirW05Da217Mr9zadyOubFk9TVUX73KyZhWLR9ccTZE1yGdUXUT2oGO6sFuRt65jBLr1v/s1600/DSC_9090.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBa9T5dTjVJNd-hwO1ocV0eZuVDcD4-GqEGdTkeI3idJFYBJWfqVFeTTmcjVHk6pr_7aelY9TirW05Da217Mr9zadyOubFk9TVUX73KyZhWLR9ccTZE1yGdUXUT2oGO6sFuRt65jBLr1v/s320/DSC_9090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604423966439671186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /></span></span></div></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-36602423091954050492011-04-26T13:01:00.001-04:002011-04-27T14:33:41.188-04:00Puerto Rico<div style="text-align: left;">For spring break this year we packed our bags and headed to Puerto Rico with Austin and Lacey. The trip started off with a bang when Lacey told us in the airport that we were going to be an aunt and uncle. Hooray! Also in the airport on the way there, Austin made friends with a native Puerto Rican woman named Carmen who invited us to stay at her house during our adventure. This turned out to be very helpful because it was a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of trip, and we ended up needing a place to stay!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMnzBTTOHm3kMibS74_fPyUWODP_sEWgrAkxfG2-EjERZuhodBm-cAwrT7k8EBHs-mAFxU_hkcfyL5O7o1RycJPmfpz9HFd4q-gQDnT774hsDYWEiIim28i1YqT31SjtG43DQGOxXlPXi/s320/Boat+to+Gilligan%2527s+Island.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599939653674439666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div>When we landed in Puerto Rico, we couldn't find a car to rent. This put us in something of a predicament that landed us in a nasty hotel in San Juan with a slight delay in our journeyings. The next morning we were able to find a car, and we loaded up and headed to the southern part of PR, a place called Gilligan's Island. Now this is not THE Gilligan's Island, but it was still a beautiful place. We took a ferry out and played for a few hours. The island was divided by a river that connected the ocean on either side. We explored this river and saw a water snake! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yL3oYt3ZftnegIl6QiWNXcAynOGVUcKyDzrIjhRINIA3pyxIXVqZUT3bKGEOZacjfHrONmB0TYKEsUbxoBjFkxz78IlcUskweFhcf1-N0cCA9wPsba2bZlLVL_p-kAvOPUOtwUgy___l/s320/Foatie+Duel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599942064402297410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;">Boys will be boys. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRorwmxegx_4a5B6tbpuSOd0OXHyMdtNFhCrhjUttCjjhIo0gcu8rgsaiIYHald6_5HDMXuApUckU-4jzMI5Xc2xNB8q-0KneTlDqApJwxoxRcuxI0bu7BtJ7Iw1kUYxE8XYDlwZZrfxmn/s320/Ben+at+the+Caves.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599943390912585554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Ben decided to grow a mustache for the trip. Oh so handsome. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">After the adventure at Gilligan's Island, we drove to Aguadilla on the west side of the island where we found a nice hotel to stay in for a few days. From here, we visited the cave system of Camuy. There was a long wait (which allowed for these photo-ops), but the caves were breathtaking. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvuevYWdneFDs7L32dOEGj-8GkripqaBiY_0l7HRnKdTEkTemorZ3qPtjeTDPHKlwIfdFUxzp-_cwn8WY_U-v67v7KRv4uKKKfrm0KoMdKr4XUEiQY21UPmONKx_7UqIe2UUKrIgJgeuk/s320/Maggie+at+the+Caves.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599942059982649058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07LxotK8R8pdMS45UCJr-LTquRzj31iTM47n6OpGIVFU8s-G1DxnzHyTR4Yiqbo2hyTdfXHr5pECNZsQQP6aVFmVm9pgLmTkeGFjpMplcTVGYK07Co5LoSsGlKkUVvwFcJXK6eW-89CKS/s320/Camuy+Cave+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600332659499875890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE13wp_3CBv2R37z6YLatgfEOmBzfE9hSkGugQ3igybzT5c7PAPU3sS-n1bxibxwxCCIl08rm-Q0UhQrDBmFwyCZ3VS3Nrcu5WNF6auFxzLoGz-U2YMxKznhEzvFjDUdm5A-mV7zNgPpdi/s320/Ben+and+Maggie+at+Camuy+Caves.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599939658650994882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">On this excursion, we also visited the Arecibo radio telescope in the middle of the jungle. Fancy. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsyBko5rryr7xEaAIml3SYyaTsao0ES-QPL6nCmTRUKw4D2jotRyIdjOL7m17Fv5OJ_wWzgDHolJ76ZWhAdsnslBGpFSyqyBXEYEVcgkLXlGv_ZUOsYrkYI5Hx7NF-k_iRaafTgUhQYO-/s1600/Group+Shot+at+Arecibo+Dish.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsyBko5rryr7xEaAIml3SYyaTsao0ES-QPL6nCmTRUKw4D2jotRyIdjOL7m17Fv5OJ_wWzgDHolJ76ZWhAdsnslBGpFSyqyBXEYEVcgkLXlGv_ZUOsYrkYI5Hx7NF-k_iRaafTgUhQYO-/s320/Group+Shot+at+Arecibo+Dish.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599939681110593698" /></a>After our time on the west side of the island, we headed back to San Juan, after which we enjoyed the east side. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZnacc1z3_hXF3vphYoBBDr81rP0GBYcN09c4QEo81VT9saSB9KTDBJZEu6nI1MQhZDannLty1LWIsAUPFHqDK0XuS3GkcDmkHoC3IdZtKLbW3A-FYJZHY2NAU2GswYsh_K2Iav0UnV5y/s320/Ben+and+Maggie+at+San+Cristobal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599939666729527762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div> In San Juan we visited the San Cristobal fortress.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6FoRjBRpZNpmRwdAf4ii0T7TlBJdf7dDk3J3bh9MXNuAYx6ABhA1bl9fgTledAh_L4U3xCMYOq36T76WoDbbGSwbbyLXSQ1b2Wa97_mAcUD1TgGM9n57l5WBvtGdZucWThD9vYGYZUnBC/s320/Marmelaid.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599942071105406466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div><div>We enjoyed some fine dining at Marmalade, a restaurant made famous for its white bean and black truffle soup. Seriously, the best soup I've ever tasted. Ever. </div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp6NqcuuUWE7IvEDa8snYsKYPAr27GzDmEg4_NOjgv9JPhBGhmDrIxFLONDtGErKNx2Tv4FTItN9vCwpy8YGVMwVsD8l6_inef8RDCgHA_hioQd-AxSBQCjGQMGQ7TI6cyBdI1qF-2ORK/s320/Ladyfish.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599942051916009730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We spent the next few nights with Carmen. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx5u5QEE8Ataj8zyq7xJA_I_PpKEZ_TBl91KADZRcgXapeuLlXJPWZs1WRZ4dJCRAMeSSC1_KYKh2KAwcMaAjijEb9mMnipOgWnvh_wYlBgvEP3IQd44Pcimdxr12pJTmWlNgwMUvkH_x/s320/Group+Shot+in+El+Yunque.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599943402725863906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">From Carmen's house we visited El Yunque rainforest. The fauna was amazing. We had a lot of fun hiking around to different lookout towers and waterfalls. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUmkzUAEn18StWjZIXtzUvBiKp18aKZldtfSpTEe5xAumgIsJLur5-vsJ4WA3FfHyja3CIgSLFIvtToNtxcWqsA0odGSHHIbAsQw7sMpEz_V8YuM3PwYD9lriXtnSdBIB8_w2b7cYhIAj/s1600/Sunday+Morning+on+Vieques.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUmkzUAEn18StWjZIXtzUvBiKp18aKZldtfSpTEe5xAumgIsJLur5-vsJ4WA3FfHyja3CIgSLFIvtToNtxcWqsA0odGSHHIbAsQw7sMpEz_V8YuM3PwYD9lriXtnSdBIB8_w2b7cYhIAj/s320/Sunday+Morning+on+Vieques.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599943412844012978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a>On our last day (Sunday), we took a ferry out to another island: Vieques. We were planning on a lazy day on the beautiful beaches of this island and were delighted to find a church building across the street from the ferry station when we got off the boat. The members were in Sunday School and would be starting sacrament meeting in 20 minutes. We hung around and enjoyed the Spanish meeting. We were able to see a recent convert receive the Aaronic Priesthood. There was a strong spirit in this tiny branch, and I was thrilled to be able to attend church. Ben translated the talks for my benefit. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VDjFyLj-Osh755t5eG_U7yuhTi5gVSeSbO0TaA3xlQXIYEsusQEFDPva-ZDnXi4vzrp1KJMPG1Fd4kzZuI371fEuTsSrg5DSmEfYWYWiRwUUo3PvqW9NYUXItGMaMej3PwrloHvYfAaQ/s320/Kayaking+in+Vieques.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599939675369100338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">After our mormon rendezvous, we kayaked to an island off of Vieques's Esperanza Beach. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx5u5QEE8Ataj8zyq7xJA_I_PpKEZ_TBl91KADZRcgXapeuLlXJPWZs1WRZ4dJCRAMeSSC1_KYKh2KAwcMaAjijEb9mMnipOgWnvh_wYlBgvEP3IQd44Pcimdxr12pJTmWlNgwMUvkH_x/s1600/Group+Shot+in+El+Yunque.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRorwmxegx_4a5B6tbpuSOd0OXHyMdtNFhCrhjUttCjjhIo0gcu8rgsaiIYHald6_5HDMXuApUckU-4jzMI5Xc2xNB8q-0KneTlDqApJwxoxRcuxI0bu7BtJ7Iw1kUYxE8XYDlwZZrfxmn/s1600/Ben+at+the+Caves.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl7G6o-iydU6DVMZH4NdAms3JlSTtk7j7dbfm644BUmcTQrhE_oAMJxYhcgPx3gg48nKbU7jEcRIfbUYEVHJubTczww3COQQ6l06gfiR6bk3EVq-zjk9gkS49w9ypoKAQfxqRMAxsB-2j/s1600/Scuba+Diving+Ben+and+Maggie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl7G6o-iydU6DVMZH4NdAms3JlSTtk7j7dbfm644BUmcTQrhE_oAMJxYhcgPx3gg48nKbU7jEcRIfbUYEVHJubTczww3COQQ6l06gfiR6bk3EVq-zjk9gkS49w9ypoKAQfxqRMAxsB-2j/s320/Scuba+Diving+Ben+and+Maggie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599942077025316978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihl7G6o-iydU6DVMZH4NdAms3JlSTtk7j7dbfm644BUmcTQrhE_oAMJxYhcgPx3gg48nKbU7jEcRIfbUYEVHJubTczww3COQQ6l06gfiR6bk3EVq-zjk9gkS49w9ypoKAQfxqRMAxsB-2j/s1600/Scuba+Diving+Ben+and+Maggie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;">We swam and snorkeled around this island, observing the beautifully colored fish and coral. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4NeITrM-ylT00U89m36wKBuDsb4xYNbSndUMYQudL_YMuB1iNxDoN4lb8rN0x_YfK_eKAV7h40ubMOV6_H5ez-dep-AAosUpC01TeE4k2M5gjd-Mrz3zQ6yc9e-iPsxXyQajjFKvgNul/s200/DSC_7656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600104752609241442" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">Ben asks: What is red and smells like blue paint?<br />Answer: Red paint.</p></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZnacc1z3_hXF3vphYoBBDr81rP0GBYcN09c4QEo81VT9saSB9KTDBJZEu6nI1MQhZDannLty1LWIsAUPFHqDK0XuS3GkcDmkHoC3IdZtKLbW3A-FYJZHY2NAU2GswYsh_K2Iav0UnV5y/s1600/Ben+and+Maggie+at+San+Cristobal.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMnzBTTOHm3kMibS74_fPyUWODP_sEWgrAkxfG2-EjERZuhodBm-cAwrT7k8EBHs-mAFxU_hkcfyL5O7o1RycJPmfpz9HFd4q-gQDnT774hsDYWEiIim28i1YqT31SjtG43DQGOxXlPXi/s1600/Boat+to+Gilligan%2527s+Island.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-25852313219689093382011-03-11T07:59:00.000-05:002011-03-12T23:11:13.630-05:00Cub Scouts and a Talent Show<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sjYwJNWBp6SDah2FM5lvfCKmluijHEIQf9RjLm2ci2eMZhpg-lp7Vm8VM00vY3ti9nGfOmUorYzSAefGzio1EmmKQqaGwBRZr5K74yYwaDxAhGYN_IHhIri212sqCi0_DF-fghUvRkSP/s1600/DSC_7676.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sjYwJNWBp6SDah2FM5lvfCKmluijHEIQf9RjLm2ci2eMZhpg-lp7Vm8VM00vY3ti9nGfOmUorYzSAefGzio1EmmKQqaGwBRZr5K74yYwaDxAhGYN_IHhIri212sqCi0_DF-fghUvRkSP/s200/DSC_7676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582807569521584626" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsHiKpSZOANGkc3jdLdHvYdXrDBXKVQkNLL-xIrHkEsb3ovaq9za6cs076unO5L6PiITT8WO1OraucWTHEyUohzYSzGylmjYafKypGAq-aMEZQso-WF1vK0JS0uO6sQVw9FMYQOqb9b7a/s1600/DSC_7673.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsHiKpSZOANGkc3jdLdHvYdXrDBXKVQkNLL-xIrHkEsb3ovaq9za6cs076unO5L6PiITT8WO1OraucWTHEyUohzYSzGylmjYafKypGAq-aMEZQso-WF1vK0JS0uO6sQVw9FMYQOqb9b7a/s200/DSC_7673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582807563333588242" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVWMkSnpmecJrTy8ERZe1PTQlxgS2ET9ZxFt4T0SRkLDHHWEbKgGX4uqYu_KumH7BNn0oSkZujETXJIw1NRR2wEBikMf6akyhrNSSXPWZ-dA34qGEBFUJ_-L4hZ3VmW2LAk2eIRWXw7XG/s1600/DSC_7670.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVWMkSnpmecJrTy8ERZe1PTQlxgS2ET9ZxFt4T0SRkLDHHWEbKgGX4uqYu_KumH7BNn0oSkZujETXJIw1NRR2wEBikMf6akyhrNSSXPWZ-dA34qGEBFUJ_-L4hZ3VmW2LAk2eIRWXw7XG/s200/DSC_7670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582807556405181458" border="0" /></a></div>One of Ben's many callings is that of Assistant Den Leader. Every Friday evening, he goes and hangs out with the boys, playing games, tying knots, etc. A few weeks ago we were fortunate enough to go to the Blue and Gold Dinner at the stake center. There was a magician, dinner, a cake decorating contest, and skits by all the different troops.<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilo5ZmOUqRGQOZsJLbfP-mlqX8Tp8bg5h1YmlEFWW_c1rNLkM3XMvRaP48WUzWPV3Lhviy5VL4u8N2yTLVcV9wFLXbGUz2fpy_qpuJEu_8xXJZskeptattF_Ebj-LAdJ1o3Peh-bNkphkb/s320/DSC_7706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582808606664784306" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" /></span></div><div>For our next outing, we went back in time a few months to our single days. Ben was asked to play the piano for a band performance in the singles branch talent show. They played Beautiful Day by U2, Dig by Incubus, and did their own rendition of the Mario theme song. Easily, the best performance of the night. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbYP6MtVLXElWCTCsS0rse4U5SkHbxEIBFcDSaWJhlZQhlIZlISR6OrFEpCCcuDUAuTu7rrgRg-hB-ZLo49pEsjxQRCItgZ8DIuXGy0Bhkf85tTZKZV6tAioJmAX9c8IIi0SLAaz78tlR/s1600/DSC_7737.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbYP6MtVLXElWCTCsS0rse4U5SkHbxEIBFcDSaWJhlZQhlIZlISR6OrFEpCCcuDUAuTu7rrgRg-hB-ZLo49pEsjxQRCItgZ8DIuXGy0Bhkf85tTZKZV6tAioJmAX9c8IIi0SLAaz78tlR/s320/DSC_7737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582812248449533506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a></span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwxt6WOE1eRRwqtBTfFw8ofpPg7KVRsPxy6zxWSpuhZ-eu-rHQfDlFea0CUzsxT65rL5gvULoir1qtcML_wUs_1gL9HqAEsv-4tErIOD0C_kRpwCY4CA2Gtks-FQEWuFycYIl22abj5NO/s1600/DSC_7721.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwxt6WOE1eRRwqtBTfFw8ofpPg7KVRsPxy6zxWSpuhZ-eu-rHQfDlFea0CUzsxT65rL5gvULoir1qtcML_wUs_1gL9HqAEsv-4tErIOD0C_kRpwCY4CA2Gtks-FQEWuFycYIl22abj5NO/s320/DSC_7721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582812243407748818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a></span></span> </div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div>Also, at the talent show they had homemade kettle corn and it was DIVINE. I love the stuff and had a little more than my share, but <i>man </i>was it good.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO5XAZgiW9eTMg8NauNT3nGsTmQ5mEHKgraXOw0Xnc4TGiqANDPe76B0EBYIh3pbTEZzUCn5nVGtTfz7jnH8fI7v3Ums-Zg_dlD7Lhh4DAUSba-oxGdR2MxUttBuE2JFem8Mwpk0R-RSL/s320/DSC_7743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582811369326429138" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" border="0" /></span></span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></span></div><div>Getting ready for Sunday dinner with the boys from across the street.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczpHMWjVGzpzpwzS85kqrwjqtc1vmH1cKeC3GJVuqcoeM9kJsCwJphIfTQGNoM4Ld7D4HqQUnpfK2we5xqFv4r74jXq_uGAVc7BAeR3xoL7iUtBsZU3p5_eduBmzXb5H-GAHkfBcD2qo1/s1600/DSC_7656.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczpHMWjVGzpzpwzS85kqrwjqtc1vmH1cKeC3GJVuqcoeM9kJsCwJphIfTQGNoM4Ld7D4HqQUnpfK2we5xqFv4r74jXq_uGAVc7BAeR3xoL7iUtBsZU3p5_eduBmzXb5H-GAHkfBcD2qo1/s320/DSC_7656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583410293766572002" border="0" /></a>Ben Says: Want to peel a hard boiled egg in about 10 seconds flat? Simply tap both ends and peel a dime-sized portion of shell from the top and the bottom. Put your mouth around one end and forcefully blow the egg out! If you eat hard boiled eggs like me, you'll save approximately 23 seconds a year.<br /></div> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-59542230735974599712011-02-19T12:33:00.000-05:002011-02-19T15:32:39.155-05:00Mi Casa Es Su CasaIt's still a work in progress, but here are the long-awaited photos of our little house in Cleveland. It really is fairly small, but because Ben used a wide-angle lens when he took the pictures, everything looks much bigger than reality. The kitchen, for example, is quite small:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zUmOhPLibcx-qnKfhaWC7_pMPKa5kVxAYPM8htcMGi-JdCz92jZib3iiAp4s_pm_NpbewPKze_uzfjbn-BRZRer0WbzT9og8Qxi0xboB31NZirynWST1kK9nr3mj_haPUnYas87Ml5SG/s1600/DSC_7642.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5fopQyDMYUyvvgk58n_rLCZ3MbhOpkR-7GxXjHRm7RAYi64jL9qf7PaeYeibgJsk5ib8uwqaYosDI2r3ji8gI2LcFHImAkP6pdEov12yynCSs64_S4jcU7j2sX64w1UbIpZJkphU5U8e/s1600/DSC_7610.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5fopQyDMYUyvvgk58n_rLCZ3MbhOpkR-7GxXjHRm7RAYi64jL9qf7PaeYeibgJsk5ib8uwqaYosDI2r3ji8gI2LcFHImAkP6pdEov12yynCSs64_S4jcU7j2sX64w1UbIpZJkphU5U8e/s320/DSC_7610.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575487615731849298" border="0" /></a><br />Here, you can see one of my first sewing projects--the curtains. When we moved in there were these terrible "curtains" up that didn't fit the window and they had crazy ugly roosters on them. When I saw this material at the store, I couldn't resist buying it. More roosters...<span style="font-style: italic;">slightly </span>more classy.<br />We also had next to zero storage place in the kitchen, so we invested in the microwave stand and made use of a closet organizer for the white shelving in the corner.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zUmOhPLibcx-qnKfhaWC7_pMPKa5kVxAYPM8htcMGi-JdCz92jZib3iiAp4s_pm_NpbewPKze_uzfjbn-BRZRer0WbzT9og8Qxi0xboB31NZirynWST1kK9nr3mj_haPUnYas87Ml5SG/s1600/DSC_7642.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zUmOhPLibcx-qnKfhaWC7_pMPKa5kVxAYPM8htcMGi-JdCz92jZib3iiAp4s_pm_NpbewPKze_uzfjbn-BRZRer0WbzT9og8Qxi0xboB31NZirynWST1kK9nr3mj_haPUnYas87Ml5SG/s320/DSC_7642.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575487620646664402" border="0" /></a><br />Some homemade magnets from my mission decorate the side of the fridge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg32fehfwuPzwQShDndsgdLSY5E4Cs_Vm3-Z4D2aql-iOfEjf8hhCcjMNBlhv-lyeCHVdwhvsEc35AUYqWUcUABKOX6lfXZkZc5j2SdLQEbZNMWzsWynZWlPxr0_HaL7d6halayq5RWLB/s1600/DSC_7609.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg32fehfwuPzwQShDndsgdLSY5E4Cs_Vm3-Z4D2aql-iOfEjf8hhCcjMNBlhv-lyeCHVdwhvsEc35AUYqWUcUABKOX6lfXZkZc5j2SdLQEbZNMWzsWynZWlPxr0_HaL7d6halayq5RWLB/s320/DSC_7609.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575487623303420898" border="0" /></a><br />We only ever use the kitchen door (the point from which Ben took the kitchen's picture). When you look to your left upon entry, you see this view of our bedroom. We like the red curtains, but if they stay closed too long into the day, the entire room is a lovely shade of pink.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4g35PgwMjQD3eSM9GWR8jOxplOaqwbh8Xa0Pow5pa25v95ZqjwZLd7nuEW8wMBgC06Sra9dY6NezVNwg8-vXHB_wecBLnEex_XP00GW7CIamWkQqS9DqUkIVhv7JgWSpIwci2M0rlZlc/s1600/DSC_7636.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4g35PgwMjQD3eSM9GWR8jOxplOaqwbh8Xa0Pow5pa25v95ZqjwZLd7nuEW8wMBgC06Sra9dY6NezVNwg8-vXHB_wecBLnEex_XP00GW7CIamWkQqS9DqUkIVhv7JgWSpIwci2M0rlZlc/s320/DSC_7636.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575487628034554786" border="0" /></a><br />One of my current obsessions: houseplants. It started with our herbs and has expanded to include this umbrella tree. I have many more ideas in mind, but most of the nurseries are still closed in cold Cleveland.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs5Ut2rKg85OF4mZbHKqakzcHpgwP01F3brSz0KU7XUEsp7GgWX65_rXv44vj1m0DXEOFzJJYPti9-xSHY1kLQ6E30vfb19PTJY3yfoa-rgKAAkW08euy-ytnlTFBxKO1wvyu-z4AkpLM/s1600/DSC_7632.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs5Ut2rKg85OF4mZbHKqakzcHpgwP01F3brSz0KU7XUEsp7GgWX65_rXv44vj1m0DXEOFzJJYPti9-xSHY1kLQ6E30vfb19PTJY3yfoa-rgKAAkW08euy-ytnlTFBxKO1wvyu-z4AkpLM/s320/DSC_7632.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575487640404234498" border="0" /></a><br />The famous Texas star has a place in the hallway across from the bathroom.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmHWqitjfXp8rr9DoIGZZTn3fzy_M67RCkUUET0bjsJgSqoQa33ErYDx2uEUHTVFXZxCM1Sh2WekZUJbRATT2BTSMrJNJKDN37Ca1bmvDc6WzYtu5b787p4GAZr7tOVcFBejgaiXqGvA6/s1600/DSC_7607.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmHWqitjfXp8rr9DoIGZZTn3fzy_M67RCkUUET0bjsJgSqoQa33ErYDx2uEUHTVFXZxCM1Sh2WekZUJbRATT2BTSMrJNJKDN37Ca1bmvDc6WzYtu5b787p4GAZr7tOVcFBejgaiXqGvA6/s320/DSC_7607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575493868025840546" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtEu9Tp4dvfEpFwfACnWvRBopX81IaALOIIVcd_j_kMZtsidvL1WTokzH-FIvWu9y6Do4U_S5M760YhfjouT0HS2gLKJ1hTSHPLhB4AbLpo3beVuMJYU9RC_YsAgQzheh1T_KZXn-4Z8M/s1600/DSC_7626.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtEu9Tp4dvfEpFwfACnWvRBopX81IaALOIIVcd_j_kMZtsidvL1WTokzH-FIvWu9y6Do4U_S5M760YhfjouT0HS2gLKJ1hTSHPLhB4AbLpo3beVuMJYU9RC_YsAgQzheh1T_KZXn-4Z8M/s320/DSC_7626.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575493863556157234" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Ben and I went antique shopping a few weeks ago and picked up this window. After a coat a paint and some artistic sanding, it made a nice addition to our bathroom.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRCe3zaw6argjA1tl8i2wTo8bqL-K2_qnNMQBkvqSJXnQ09JawsHRTl1PwrDsMhKgvju-3pHGb_ddHcMB4cTbB8HEj3yxHR2jfr4hpXDy-TnEQlV8HgOAZQv8PAormnGeQhByVz87sxX0/s1600/DSC_7613.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRCe3zaw6argjA1tl8i2wTo8bqL-K2_qnNMQBkvqSJXnQ09JawsHRTl1PwrDsMhKgvju-3pHGb_ddHcMB4cTbB8HEj3yxHR2jfr4hpXDy-TnEQlV8HgOAZQv8PAormnGeQhByVz87sxX0/s320/DSC_7613.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575493128556297346" border="0" /></a><br />Given the central location (and Ben and my love for good food), the dining room is one of the most frequented rooms of the house. I would also like to note that all the furniture in this room was free.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6rf_tHwXEsIIxjDEtZuFnV8R4QeOvOOSJD6sgWnR4f14A95Ap3NGNsSV2Ga6sWQuFI1npPtoinrsb2dLmmB9cpid14BwEL7QQczSSouEJDfRo1TPF8v-OO2OpS321Px1xpamv3ncffTI/s1600/DSC_7601.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6rf_tHwXEsIIxjDEtZuFnV8R4QeOvOOSJD6sgWnR4f14A95Ap3NGNsSV2Ga6sWQuFI1npPtoinrsb2dLmmB9cpid14BwEL7QQczSSouEJDfRo1TPF8v-OO2OpS321Px1xpamv3ncffTI/s320/DSC_7601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575493129679085682" border="0" /></a><br />Ben snagged a picture of a general dinner set-up, minus the food.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_wiWDd16S-j7TfnvzrAF_n4P7gmPn8c0CqaeQxXwE5hbjkQjR3sf6DUi0HIDLipRJR6It51yBHek6Nofe7xoCtRiVVQaYfkdplxW9_dg3ISCFnI0-WsdzvXCpI2fKpoiWJPdJGHv5xV5/s1600/DSC_7643.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_wiWDd16S-j7TfnvzrAF_n4P7gmPn8c0CqaeQxXwE5hbjkQjR3sf6DUi0HIDLipRJR6It51yBHek6Nofe7xoCtRiVVQaYfkdplxW9_dg3ISCFnI0-WsdzvXCpI2fKpoiWJPdJGHv5xV5/s320/DSC_7643.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575493122862928162" border="0" /></a>Another one of my little art projects. I like the effect, but most people ask, "Are those supposed to be empty?" <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc9ay_M8D-93Gam622J4f7VpONjOD3a2IxJVbJD1cM2G0ZpdsBTphk5aiepqHS8VkiKCWGcTq9yqZx2bNC4W5gtXTc9LCK7aOS84X7HKrseG0NHtZxdh1uuV4IM1cdyeOb_JtfKaxh2Po/s1600/DSC_7610.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileMKXehb6ofpl5Shhomivzkwxoo9Ps6ysLKY5AEWHwsqgXYMUN3NcIQ7fqus0qaQztB44cIlwgH66gNQG-qqbFaMJQb_1L6oLi_fz10ok-tME3WWPZV4fXqG53N48up3wqVc0WEadMa8D/s1600/DSC_7610.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEodBIR1Rjixfn8HELaEmTq8T3qmNkkGqN0kgJIxmZlLInpjzEQd1mG2hTVjKcfc5NkPaBfc2COXbVi0Rp5TSUQIfC7Wo0dO4O_AW2sdLQsSeFD2_jV8HNJhtb9zsjG7HxehyIcfzFo9YD/s1600/DSC_7615.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEodBIR1Rjixfn8HELaEmTq8T3qmNkkGqN0kgJIxmZlLInpjzEQd1mG2hTVjKcfc5NkPaBfc2COXbVi0Rp5TSUQIfC7Wo0dO4O_AW2sdLQsSeFD2_jV8HNJhtb9zsjG7HxehyIcfzFo9YD/s320/DSC_7615.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575496102370297906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The living room is known fondly as our "brown room." Brown floor, brown walls, brown TV stand, brown rug, brown couches. One day we'll have more color.... Meanwhile, those brown couches were somewhat hard to come by. We love them, but they're HUGE. The sofa had to be hoisted over the balcony and brought in through the french door your see in the right corner.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ux_yVT4ceGDFXMK9aiN00qEKTsCuXyD7g12NZx2is72RLaCJjGsZfT3hW97V-83PQaagVd3ldnsBGEQuFHd1ReNV56ODuhyjR_ENMBOGme5GY914_HqLCrc64RoBhX0P7WLs8pJad-GS/s1600/DSC_7616.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ux_yVT4ceGDFXMK9aiN00qEKTsCuXyD7g12NZx2is72RLaCJjGsZfT3hW97V-83PQaagVd3ldnsBGEQuFHd1ReNV56ODuhyjR_ENMBOGme5GY914_HqLCrc64RoBhX0P7WLs8pJad-GS/s320/DSC_7616.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575496113198948818" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EwDDTJ4Og94Dvos_IjHxDrBSX6amnY4U1Nkl42plMXXotWT7ViXVHz-hcyP59-2VWnn7cmiW_5yioeZH43WGxhhyO7e9SadBwYdnXmQxhJfesOo_2h9WYxTaitvnoWrg6Gav5XscoVNl/s1600/DSC_7646.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EwDDTJ4Og94Dvos_IjHxDrBSX6amnY4U1Nkl42plMXXotWT7ViXVHz-hcyP59-2VWnn7cmiW_5yioeZH43WGxhhyO7e9SadBwYdnXmQxhJfesOo_2h9WYxTaitvnoWrg6Gav5XscoVNl/s320/DSC_7646.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575496120441666162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />On the other side of the living room, slightly more color is provided by our book and game collection. Ben and I like to read aloud to each other, and that habit is aided by our expansive selection.<br /></div></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuguEeCIN_bfu3Zm4swGFn3sUQJJ0lozKmR2YRDkrdo4AnAzLvnih9RuilNwqRg_XRbYo1JKjAQhLqoFLkCTDHOmrkxD1XhqpWOpdLHSH2RWwmoPO20x_yblhkiJObZI5yWxqe3CEiQa5_/s1600/DSC_7618.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuguEeCIN_bfu3Zm4swGFn3sUQJJ0lozKmR2YRDkrdo4AnAzLvnih9RuilNwqRg_XRbYo1JKjAQhLqoFLkCTDHOmrkxD1XhqpWOpdLHSH2RWwmoPO20x_yblhkiJObZI5yWxqe3CEiQa5_/s320/DSC_7618.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575496115540016450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Off the living room is a small sun room that houses the desk and piano. Despite the fact that it's the coldest room in the house, it's also the sunniest, and, as such, is one of our favorite corners.<br /><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW80bhUU8ncVIuicBwX5-vCEfn3yDqWlBiIHCkjrAJaYKrDZEQVMk-qJel3Jzek5suYkw29K2W8D49UddsDBSS2T7g5dLR3TzhlodVcGBhdF2fQDqSsgy7jpXt0u9VLy2yrGdX89j1kT2/s1600/DSC_7656.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW80bhUU8ncVIuicBwX5-vCEfn3yDqWlBiIHCkjrAJaYKrDZEQVMk-qJel3Jzek5suYkw29K2W8D49UddsDBSS2T7g5dLR3TzhlodVcGBhdF2fQDqSsgy7jpXt0u9VLy2yrGdX89j1kT2/s320/DSC_7656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575496126575850354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Ben says: George Washington never had "wooden teeth", as is so commonly believed. They were actually made out of rhino tusk and over the years, lines and cracks and discoloration have made them look kind of like wood.<br /></div></div>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406760291630913929.post-9663364676895346232011-02-18T17:26:00.000-05:002011-02-24T22:54:25.877-05:00Our Belated Valentines Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99QoNi6ES_GKJSxXkccEv23aNW3LEiqGVfzz_Kj9SB36Qhys28LsWCl0m6HAWhXEmPXt3G91K6D4HZBc3RLwA7pvio7tjd0EbXQEyHzWfdt2wDx7P-4C0r_MZJ8VuO5H8GbeosaAijuoG/s1600/IMG_20110217_011240.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99QoNi6ES_GKJSxXkccEv23aNW3LEiqGVfzz_Kj9SB36Qhys28LsWCl0m6HAWhXEmPXt3G91K6D4HZBc3RLwA7pvio7tjd0EbXQEyHzWfdt2wDx7P-4C0r_MZJ8VuO5H8GbeosaAijuoG/s200/IMG_20110217_011240.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577469412252803506" border="0" /></a>I came home from a short visit to Utah to find tulips on the table from my sweetie. I had stayed up late the night before making him some of his beloved, family-recipe honey taffy. Meanwhile, he'd been scheming to provide me with a perfectly wonderful Valentine's evening.<br />When he got home from school, he insisted on making me a delectable dinner--steak, baked potatoes, fresh green beans, and portabella mushrooms. While he cooked, I was instructed to get ready and to dress nice because we were going out after dinner.<br />The food was spectacular. When we were finished with our meal he told me that he was taking me to Severance Hall to see the Cleveland Orchestra, and we had box seats!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yJwm8uSzQmxwhNi83AGLYKDlsOqLn_bP9Ua7DuEf0PcNCI-u5u3JKOueDNJUl9RsgWw5BPDPOkSZeI5_ZTKBRvMatfgYb8FwZOipUuCnIiIDl6YQpKyS2VZpEFaEDrRmZu9o7dC5g88L/s1600/Severance-Hall-Cleveland.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yJwm8uSzQmxwhNi83AGLYKDlsOqLn_bP9Ua7DuEf0PcNCI-u5u3JKOueDNJUl9RsgWw5BPDPOkSZeI5_ZTKBRvMatfgYb8FwZOipUuCnIiIDl6YQpKyS2VZpEFaEDrRmZu9o7dC5g88L/s320/Severance-Hall-Cleveland.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577463761865468946" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIE6wlpAaA3vDi_N25_cvxng5yTLBVz0BBEASwYKf9fNzUX_WQZZd3duaJkm4a3STYj75_OvmOs6V0XpJf75K5qD18XPVc67bGFAMzjyQ9ap7f42K6tLbzR69qYZbIYX7viHVIdpaEpCI/s1600/SeveranceHall.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIE6wlpAaA3vDi_N25_cvxng5yTLBVz0BBEASwYKf9fNzUX_WQZZd3duaJkm4a3STYj75_OvmOs6V0XpJf75K5qD18XPVc67bGFAMzjyQ9ap7f42K6tLbzR69qYZbIYX7viHVIdpaEpCI/s320/SeveranceHall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577463764984579874" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The hall itself is beautiful, and the orchestra was even more so. The program was as follows:<br /><br />SIBELIUS - Symphony No. 7<br />SZYMANOWSKI - Violin Concerto No. 1<br />NIELSEN - Symphony No. 4<br /> ("The Inextinguishable")<br /><br />The last was easily my favorite with a riotous end involving a battle of tympanis, but I really enjoyed the first two, as well. Ben particularly liked the violin concerto.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzkHEyQtKKOH0TUPlBjUc3QP0z_u0iLv2kKGMXyzxDyRjc-VVPsrmszzctSp3_B0QpIJZTQjlbxeeF9fKf3Zy-lMONN7Nh69LE5Cq-rAdcY2HqdYHuiOH_6B_lt19eilFJDyYmyPTH0-F/s1600/Cleveland-Orchestra.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzkHEyQtKKOH0TUPlBjUc3QP0z_u0iLv2kKGMXyzxDyRjc-VVPsrmszzctSp3_B0QpIJZTQjlbxeeF9fKf3Zy-lMONN7Nh69LE5Cq-rAdcY2HqdYHuiOH_6B_lt19eilFJDyYmyPTH0-F/s320/Cleveland-Orchestra.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577465519532469538" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Because we had fancy box seats we got to join all the old people for cookies and drinks in a reserved room during intermission--ginger snaps, lemon cookies, and wine glasses for our H<span style="font-size:85%;">2</span>O.<br /> <br /><div style="text-align: right;"> Isn't my sweetie a sweetie?<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAhhttUO8gt7TLLkPDEzDTXQLXm6R6_CSLYd5cjnEHAv8AWkiMMzp9AzR0DqtUVi_L0dihdMeiQuBQ3_pD4Byzp4536Sc5CuISXBhIi48mhGYF994VaHL6b9IrkkW2R7kqeWVg3YoWOta/s1600/DSC_7656.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAhhttUO8gt7TLLkPDEzDTXQLXm6R6_CSLYd5cjnEHAv8AWkiMMzp9AzR0DqtUVi_L0dihdMeiQuBQ3_pD4Byzp4536Sc5CuISXBhIi48mhGYF994VaHL6b9IrkkW2R7kqeWVg3YoWOta/s200/DSC_7656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577467268991851586" border="0" /></a><br />Ben says: I was wondering why the baseball was getting bigger... then it hit me.Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319118530330314208noreply@blogger.com1